From co-operation in complex operations to managing risk to behavioural change, it all boils down to training
To varying degrees now, but inevitably and within the foreseeable future, tug crews will be confronted with next-generation technology and fuels on board their vessels. Alongside those building the latest tug vessels, a port authority director and the tug sector’s chief lobbyist in the EU discussed the latest plans to ensure crew safety and training in the face of a rapidly evolving industry in the sixth session of Riviera Maritime Media’s International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition and Awards.
One of the challenges facing those who utilise tugs in part of a diversified business is keeping up with the latest advancements and ideas in the sector, according to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK Ports) marine services manager Captain Justin Adams. To address this challenge and a specific difficulty RAK Ports tug pilots and operators have had in manoeuvring some of the larger vessel types through a shallow channel into port, the company sought to partner with Kotug.
Rather than a course or a simulator, the result was a more informal collaboration between the two groups.
"Kotug assisted us with training, and that was training for tug masters and our pilots," Capt Adams said. "We took the problem to Kotug… and we came up with a solution – today, we sail those vessels… stern first."
A difficult problem was solved by sharing ideas and looking at things from different perspectives, as Kotug general manager Patrick Everts explained.
"Effective towage requires partnership," he said.
That approach to partnership and discussion involves a baseline of respect, according to Capt Adams, and the approach is a through line in his business.
"At RAK Ports, when [our people are] out on the water, they’re working as a team, but we consider the pilot as the lead. We believe in respect culture, and if we have any incidents, we have installed a video recording system (black box). We’ll replay the incident on the job and have a discussion with the person," he said.
From the shipyard perspective, Sanmar Shipyards’ R&D director Tamer Geçkin said the advent of automation and virtual reality (VR) means crew on board next-generation vessels will only need to do basic levels of maintenance and will be able to rely on virtual access to experts for complex problems.
“Yes, we have all of these automation elements to assist us, but at the end of the day, we still have to train the crew on board our vessels,” Mr Geçkin said, noting the training would cover essential safety elements but would not need to be very intensive.
“Safety protocols are important, but crew on board has to practice only basic maintenance and troubleshoot for minor issues,” he said.
Despite the initial worry over automation and remotely controlled operations, Mr Geçkin pointed to now common auto-pilot landings on board commercial aircraft as an example of something that was once unthinkable now having a common place in our daily lives.
In terms of changing attitudes, European Tug Association (ETA) secretary general Anna Maria Darmanin outlined how her organisation is working on a project dedicated to the benefits of small behavioural changes for crew on board.
The ETA is participating in an EU-funded project that aims to reduce emissions in port services, including tugs and towage, by focusing on behavioural change. While technologies like alternative fuels and electric engines are being explored, they are not yet ready for large-scale commercial use or able to provide adequate power for larger ships and towage operations, so, through the Greenport Alliances programme, the ETA is teaming up with academia and others to change thinking and show that the sector can take steps to self-regulate on safety and emissions reduction.
And, ultimately, it boils down to fairly traditional development of a training programme that will be tested and rolled out to the sector by February 2029.
“What instigated this project is the fact that – as we can hear from many operators – there is no single solution for a future fuel,” Ms Darmanin said.
“Changing the behaviour of crews has got us to a 10% reduction in the use of fuels,” she said, noting the figures are based on multiple industry studies and the aim is to make the reductions alongside ensuring “crew behaviour is both safe and sustainable”.
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