This document provides general guidelines for safety during towing and lightering operations.
This guide addresses safety during towing and lightering operations. It covers tropical cyclone warnings, general crew safety, anchoring, preparation for the voyage, towing, making fast and casting off, and clearance under bridges.
It includes specific precautions such as moving lighters to shelter on a No. 1 tropical cyclone warning, wearing safety helmets on deck, securing anchors and cargo, limiting towline length, and observing stated underbridge clearances.
Crew members on tugs, dumb steel lighters, and barges should wear a safety helmet (protective headgear) when on deck.
Lighters not involved in marine works or cargo operations should proceed to the nearest typhoon shelter, sheltered anchorage, or designated mooring area.
A single tug shall not be in control of more than two lighters.