Tug Wash During Berthing or Unberthing

Mariners are reminded that, small craft should proceed with caution when passing vessels mooring or unmooring with the aid of tugs.

1.  MARINERS ARE HEREBY REMINDED that, small craft should proceed with caution when passing vessels mooring or unmooring with the aid of tugs.

2.  These tugs, when pushing a vessel onto a berth may use their engines at full power, either intermittently or for extended periods. This will cause a very strong backwash immediately astern of the tug.

3.  Small craft especially may experience difficulty in manouevering through this wash.

4.  Mariners in small vessels and fishing vessels are advised to give berthing and unberthing operations involving tugs a wide berth.

5.  Mariners are to be aware that during calm conditions the effects of wash can be experienced over a considerable distance.