What tug owners should know when responding to a marine fire

New alternative fuels and the increasing carriage of Li-ion batteries are reshaping the narrative around shipboard fires, forcing tugs and their crews to confront and respond to larger, more complex marine firefighting incidents.

What is the role of a tug in marine firefighting response? What new operational, legal, and safety risks are now faced by tug operators when responding to marine fires?

Alasdair Smith, Commercial Director, Targe Towing Ltd, and Chair of the British Tugowners Association (BTA) Technical Committee, discusses the BTA’s newly produced The Use of Tugs in Firefighting, which provides insight into best practices, roles and responsibilities, firefighting methods, risk management, alternative fuel hazards, and structured crew training. At ITS 2026, Mr Smith outlined how the guide was developed, the lessons learned in shaping cross-industry best practice, and the operational insights it provides to improve safety, preparedness, and multi-agency coordination.