Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Tugboat shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Tugboat offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Tugboat at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Tugboat? Wrong! If the Tugboat is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Tugboat then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Tugboat? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Tugboat and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Tugboat wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Tugboat then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Tugboat site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Tugboat, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Tugboat, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

For the journal of digital typography, see 'TUGboat. For alternative meanings of tug, see Tug (disambiguation). cargo ship.A tugboat, or tug, is a boat used to maneuver, primarily by towing or pushing, other ships (see shipping) in harbours, over the open sea or through rivers and canals. They are also used to tow barges, disabled ships, or other equipment like towboats.

Tugboat design Tugboats are quite strong for their size. Early tugboats had steam engines; today diesel engines are used. Tugboat engines typically produce 750 to 3000 horsepower (500 to 2000 kW), but larger boats (used in deep waters) can have power ratings up to 25 000 hp (20 000 kW). The engines are often the same as those used in railroad engines, but typically drive the propeller mechanically instead of converting the engine output to power electric motors, as is common for railroad engines. For safety, tugboats' engines feature two of each critical part for redundancy.

Tugboats are highly maneuverable and various propulsion systems have been developed to increase maneuverability and increase safety. The earliest tugs were fitted with paddle wheels but these were soon replaced by propeller-driven tugs. Kort nozzles have been added to increase thrust per kW / hp. This was followed by the nozzle-rudder which omitted the need for a conventional rudder. The Voith-Schneider was developed prior to World War II but was only occasionally used in tugs because of its manoeuvrability. After World War II it was also linked to safety due to the development of the Voith Water Tractor; a tugboat configuration which could not be pulled over by its tow. In the late 1950s the Z-drive or (azimuth thruster) were developed. Although sometimes referred to as the Schottel system many brands exist: Schottel, Z-Peller, Duckpeller, Thrustmaster, Ulstein, Wärtsilä etc. The propulsion system are used on tugboats designed for tasks such as ship docking and marine construction. Conventional propeller/rudder configurations are more efficient for port-to-port towing.

A tugboat's power is typically stated by its engine's Horsepower and its overall Bollard pull.

The Kort nozzle is a sturdy cylindrical structure around a special propeller having minimum clearance between the propeller blades and the inner wall of the Kort nozzle. The thrust:power ratio is enhanced because the water approaches the propeller in a linear configuration and exits the nozzle the same way. The Kort nozzle is named after its inventor, but many brands exist.

A new type of tugboat has been invented in the Netherlands. The so-called carousel tug consists of a design wherein the flexibility and effectiveness of the tugboat's maneuvers is determined not by the propulsion system, but by a steel construction on deck, consisting of two steel rings. The inner ring is fixed to the ship, and the second ring rotates freely and carries a hook or winch. The ship can therefore maneuver freely and independently of the towed ship, and since the towing point rotates towards the point nearest to the towed ship, the tug can capsize only with difficulty. One prototype exists presently, but the first new tugs are expected to sail in spring 2007.

Types of tugboats There are two groups of tugboats, either Inland or Oceangoing.

Inland tugboats come in two categories:

Harbor tugs are the most typical of the tugboats that people recognize. They are used worldwide to move ships in and out of berth and to move industrial barges around waterfront business complexes. Their job has remained the same but their design and engineering has changed much over the the decades. Harbor tugs have evolved from paddle wheelers, to the conventional tug known by all, and now to the Ship Docking Moduals and tractor tugs in the modern industry.

River tugs are also referred to as towboats or pushboats. They are designed as large squared off vessels with flat bows for connecting with the rectangular stern of the barges. They are large and powerful, most commonly seen on the big rivers of the world. They are capable of pushing huge fleets of barges that are lashed together into "tows". Some tows can be up to 1000 feet long and 200 feet wide. Smaller push boats are often seen handling only a few barges on inland waters. Despite their size, they are designed to push their tow rather than tow from the stern.

Oceangoing tugboats come in four categories:

The conventional tug is the standard seagoing tugboat with a model bow that tows its payload on a hawser. A hawser is the nautical term for a long steel cable or large synthetic fiber rope. It operates independently and is used to tow various loads, e.g., cargo barges, ships, oil rigs, and etc. This is the most versatile method of towing since the conventional tugboat is able to move its load three ways: Pushing from behind, secured to the side of the towed vessel, or by towing astern, all achieved by the use of various lines and cables in various configurations. They are importantly recognized as the design of choice for salvage and assistance of wrecked ships and in the rescue and safe return of disabled ships from the high seas.

The notch tug is a conventional tug which is assigned to tow and push a specific barge, usually built to the shape and specifications of that tugboat. A notch tug has a large towing winch on its stern but it gets its name from the deep notch built into the stern of the barge. This notch is built in the exact shape of the tug's forward hull and can be quite deep, up to 90 feet, sometimes more. The tugboat fits snugly into the notch of the barge and with the use of various lines can be secured firmly enough to push the barge at much higher speeds than it would if it were towing. The towing hawser remains rigged during pushing. In the event that the seas get too rough to push safely, the tug merely releases any securing lines and backs out of the notch while extending its towing hawser. Once in calmer waters, the tug can maneuver back into the notch and resume pushing.

The articulated tug and barge, or ATB, is a specially designed vessel, comprised of a tugboat and a barge which are coupled using specially designed machinery. The tug is connected to the barge inside a notch, similar to the notch boat, using a system of heavy pins, clamps, and/or side pads. ATB's remain coupled all the time; the tug pushes its barge in all but the roughest seas.
The advantages of this system are speed, safety, and cost efficiency. As a unit, the ATB can push much faster than a tug can tow from astern and the use of a coupling system eliminates many of the hazards associated with towing winches and cables. The unit is considered by authorities to be coupled in a "semi-rigid" manner and, thus, regulated by laws governing tugs and barges, rather than ships. This makes the ATB a less expensive vessel to operate.To be considered articulated, the two vessels may roll simultaneously but must pitch independently. There are three popular systems to achieve this, each having a method to lock the tug onto the barge and secure it's side to side movement, while allowing the tug to pitch freely.
Note: While ATB's can be considered integrated, the designation of ITB is not widely used nowadays, due to industry changes in design and practice.

The "Bludworth System" utilizes a large hyrdaulic clamp on the very bow of the tug that fits onto a large steel bar in the deepest end of the barge's notch. The clamp uses massive hydraulic pressure to squeeze two metal discs onto either side of the bar, like a disc brake caliper on a car. The tug is also equipped with two sets of large pads on each side near the stern. One side of these pads is also fitted with hydraulic presses, and extend outward to secure the tug from side to side. The large teflon pads are firmly in contact with each side of the notch, so they are frequently lubricated to reduce friction during underway movement. The clamp grips the bar tightly preventing the tug from floating up and down or fore and aft in the notch. The side pads press out with equal pressure, holding the tug evenly in the notch, securing it from shifting side to side. The tug is allowed to pitch inside the notch as the pads are allowed to slide up and down while the clamps buttons pivot inside the clamp housing like axles.
The "Intercontinental (Intercon) System" uses two pins on the tug that can fit into specially designed grooves built vertically into the walls of the notch on the barge. The grooves are built with a row of zig-zag "teeth" on each edge, forward and rear. Two pins on each side of the tug's bow are equipped with the same shaped teeth on their forward and rear that, when extended into the grooves, will mesh with those on the grooves. The pins then press in tightly using great mechanical pressure. The meshed teeth prevent the tug from floating up and down or fore and aft in the notch, and the pins hold the tug evenly between both sides of the notch, securing it from shifting side to side. The tug is allowed to pitch inside the notch as it pivots on the pins' giant shafts as on axles.
The JAK System is now being used. It is similar in operation to the Intercon System but uses different means of coupling. Instead of a vertical groove with teeth, it uses a vertical row of evenly spaced holes (sockets) along each side of the notch. Aboard the tug, round, solid pins without teeth are mounted in the sides of the bow. The tug pulls into the notch and extends the pins, which fit into the sockets. Great pneumatic pressure is used to press them firmly into place, holding the tug in the notch. The pins cannot move around in the tight fitting sockets and prevent the tug from floating up and down or fore and aft in the notch. The pins hold the tug evenly between both sides of the notch, securing it from shifting side to side. The tug is allowed to pitch inside the notch as it pivots on the pins as on axles.
There may be other ATB coupling systems in use but these three are the most widely used.

The integrated tug and barge, or ITB, is a rigidly connected tug and barge. This means that it fits so tight into the stern of its barge that it will roll and pitch in the same manner with the barge. The systems used to couple the two vessels are varied, but they are similar in that the connection point is virtually seamless and for all practical purpose, they appear to be a ship. These units stay coupled under any sea conditions and the tugs usually have poor designs for sea keeping and navigation without their barges attached. Vessels in this category cannot pitch independently from the barge and so are legally considered to be ships rather than tugboats and barges. As a result of this classification, they are regulated by authorities as ships.

Tugboats in fiction To date there have been two children's shows revolving around anthropomorphic (living) tugboats. In the 1980s 13 episodes were made of TUGS. One of the creators of that series went on to make Theodore Tugboat. On Tugs the models were able to move their heads and eyes and didn't have motors. On Theodore Tugboat, the models have motors and moving eyes. Tugboats have also been featured on Thomas and Friends however they have been reused from Tugs and have no face nor a hat.

The spaceship Nostromo (Alien) of the movie Alien (film) could be considered a tug.

Gallery Image:FS Le Four 1.jpg|Tugboat Le Four manoeuvering in Brest, FranceImage:Tug_boats_-_CV_67.jpg|Tugboats placing the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) into port.Image:north-shore-tugboats.jpg|Tugboats in Vancouver, British ColumbiaImage:Tug bow.jpg]nian tugboat outfitted with lines and ropes used when helping maneuver ships.Image:Barbados Tugboat Photos (2).JPG|Tugboat Pelican II in Barbados flag colors; Bridgetown, Barbados. Taken aboard the cruise ship m/s Carnival DestinyImage:River towboat DBQ IA.jpg|Tug boat Bill Berry of the Ingram Barge Company pushing cargo barges up the Mississippi River at Dubuque, IowaImage:Turecano Girls tugboat 2006.jpg], NY.

References

External links

Some pictures of tugboats and tugboat building

For the journal of digital typography, see 'TUGboat. For alternative meanings of tug, see Tug (disambiguation). cargo ship.A tugboat, or tug, is a boat used to maneuver, primarily by towing or pushing, other ships (see shipping) in harbours, over the open sea or through rivers and canals. They are also used to tow barges, disabled ships, or other equipment like towboats.

Tugboat design Tugboats are quite strong for their size. Early tugboats had steam engines; today diesel engines are used. Tugboat engines typically produce 750 to 3000 horsepower (500 to 2000 kW), but larger boats (used in deep waters) can have power ratings up to 25 000 hp (20 000 kW). The engines are often the same as those used in railroad engines, but typically drive the propeller mechanically instead of converting the engine output to power electric motors, as is common for railroad engines. For safety, tugboats' engines feature two of each critical part for redundancy.

Tugboats are highly maneuverable and various propulsion systems have been developed to increase maneuverability and increase safety. The earliest tugs were fitted with paddle wheels but these were soon replaced by propeller-driven tugs. Kort nozzles have been added to increase thrust per kW / hp. This was followed by the nozzle-rudder which omitted the need for a conventional rudder. The Voith-Schneider was developed prior to World War II but was only occasionally used in tugs because of its manoeuvrability. After World War II it was also linked to safety due to the development of the Voith Water Tractor; a tugboat configuration which could not be pulled over by its tow. In the late 1950s the Z-drive or (azimuth thruster) were developed. Although sometimes referred to as the Schottel system many brands exist: Schottel, Z-Peller, Duckpeller, Thrustmaster, Ulstein, Wärtsilä etc. The propulsion system are used on tugboats designed for tasks such as ship docking and marine construction. Conventional propeller/rudder configurations are more efficient for port-to-port towing.

A tugboat's power is typically stated by its engine's Horsepower and its overall Bollard pull.

The Kort nozzle is a sturdy cylindrical structure around a special propeller having minimum clearance between the propeller blades and the inner wall of the Kort nozzle. The thrust:power ratio is enhanced because the water approaches the propeller in a linear configuration and exits the nozzle the same way. The Kort nozzle is named after its inventor, but many brands exist.

A new type of tugboat has been invented in the Netherlands. The so-called carousel tug consists of a design wherein the flexibility and effectiveness of the tugboat's maneuvers is determined not by the propulsion system, but by a steel construction on deck, consisting of two steel rings. The inner ring is fixed to the ship, and the second ring rotates freely and carries a hook or winch. The ship can therefore maneuver freely and independently of the towed ship, and since the towing point rotates towards the point nearest to the towed ship, the tug can capsize only with difficulty. One prototype exists presently, but the first new tugs are expected to sail in spring 2007.

Types of tugboats There are two groups of tugboats, either Inland or Oceangoing.

Inland tugboats come in two categories:

Harbor tugs are the most typical of the tugboats that people recognize. They are used worldwide to move ships in and out of berth and to move industrial barges around waterfront business complexes. Their job has remained the same but their design and engineering has changed much over the the decades. Harbor tugs have evolved from paddle wheelers, to the conventional tug known by all, and now to the Ship Docking Moduals and tractor tugs in the modern industry.

River tugs are also referred to as towboats or pushboats. They are designed as large squared off vessels with flat bows for connecting with the rectangular stern of the barges. They are large and powerful, most commonly seen on the big rivers of the world. They are capable of pushing huge fleets of barges that are lashed together into "tows". Some tows can be up to 1000 feet long and 200 feet wide. Smaller push boats are often seen handling only a few barges on inland waters. Despite their size, they are designed to push their tow rather than tow from the stern.

Oceangoing tugboats come in four categories:

The conventional tug is the standard seagoing tugboat with a model bow that tows its payload on a hawser. A hawser is the nautical term for a long steel cable or large synthetic fiber rope. It operates independently and is used to tow various loads, e.g., cargo barges, ships, oil rigs, and etc. This is the most versatile method of towing since the conventional tugboat is able to move its load three ways: Pushing from behind, secured to the side of the towed vessel, or by towing astern, all achieved by the use of various lines and cables in various configurations. They are importantly recognized as the design of choice for salvage and assistance of wrecked ships and in the rescue and safe return of disabled ships from the high seas.

The notch tug is a conventional tug which is assigned to tow and push a specific barge, usually built to the shape and specifications of that tugboat. A notch tug has a large towing winch on its stern but it gets its name from the deep notch built into the stern of the barge. This notch is built in the exact shape of the tug's forward hull and can be quite deep, up to 90 feet, sometimes more. The tugboat fits snugly into the notch of the barge and with the use of various lines can be secured firmly enough to push the barge at much higher speeds than it would if it were towing. The towing hawser remains rigged during pushing. In the event that the seas get too rough to push safely, the tug merely releases any securing lines and backs out of the notch while extending its towing hawser. Once in calmer waters, the tug can maneuver back into the notch and resume pushing.

The articulated tug and barge, or ATB, is a specially designed vessel, comprised of a tugboat and a barge which are coupled using specially designed machinery. The tug is connected to the barge inside a notch, similar to the notch boat, using a system of heavy pins, clamps, and/or side pads. ATB's remain coupled all the time; the tug pushes its barge in all but the roughest seas.
The advantages of this system are speed, safety, and cost efficiency. As a unit, the ATB can push much faster than a tug can tow from astern and the use of a coupling system eliminates many of the hazards associated with towing winches and cables. The unit is considered by authorities to be coupled in a "semi-rigid" manner and, thus, regulated by laws governing tugs and barges, rather than ships. This makes the ATB a less expensive vessel to operate.To be considered articulated, the two vessels may roll simultaneously but must pitch independently. There are three popular systems to achieve this, each having a method to lock the tug onto the barge and secure it's side to side movement, while allowing the tug to pitch freely.
Note: While ATB's can be considered integrated, the designation of ITB is not widely used nowadays, due to industry changes in design and practice.

The "Bludworth System" utilizes a large hyrdaulic clamp on the very bow of the tug that fits onto a large steel bar in the deepest end of the barge's notch. The clamp uses massive hydraulic pressure to squeeze two metal discs onto either side of the bar, like a disc brake caliper on a car. The tug is also equipped with two sets of large pads on each side near the stern. One side of these pads is also fitted with hydraulic presses, and extend outward to secure the tug from side to side. The large teflon pads are firmly in contact with each side of the notch, so they are frequently lubricated to reduce friction during underway movement. The clamp grips the bar tightly preventing the tug from floating up and down or fore and aft in the notch. The side pads press out with equal pressure, holding the tug evenly in the notch, securing it from shifting side to side. The tug is allowed to pitch inside the notch as the pads are allowed to slide up and down while the clamps buttons pivot inside the clamp housing like axles.
The "Intercontinental (Intercon) System" uses two pins on the tug that can fit into specially designed grooves built vertically into the walls of the notch on the barge. The grooves are built with a row of zig-zag "teeth" on each edge, forward and rear. Two pins on each side of the tug's bow are equipped with the same shaped teeth on their forward and rear that, when extended into the grooves, will mesh with those on the grooves. The pins then press in tightly using great mechanical pressure. The meshed teeth prevent the tug from floating up and down or fore and aft in the notch, and the pins hold the tug evenly between both sides of the notch, securing it from shifting side to side. The tug is allowed to pitch inside the notch as it pivots on the pins' giant shafts as on axles.
The JAK System is now being used. It is similar in operation to the Intercon System but uses different means of coupling. Instead of a vertical groove with teeth, it uses a vertical row of evenly spaced holes (sockets) along each side of the notch. Aboard the tug, round, solid pins without teeth are mounted in the sides of the bow. The tug pulls into the notch and extends the pins, which fit into the sockets. Great pneumatic pressure is used to press them firmly into place, holding the tug in the notch. The pins cannot move around in the tight fitting sockets and prevent the tug from floating up and down or fore and aft in the notch. The pins hold the tug evenly between both sides of the notch, securing it from shifting side to side. The tug is allowed to pitch inside the notch as it pivots on the pins as on axles.
There may be other ATB coupling systems in use but these three are the most widely used.

The integrated tug and barge, or ITB, is a rigidly connected tug and barge. This means that it fits so tight into the stern of its barge that it will roll and pitch in the same manner with the barge. The systems used to couple the two vessels are varied, but they are similar in that the connection point is virtually seamless and for all practical purpose, they appear to be a ship. These units stay coupled under any sea conditions and the tugs usually have poor designs for sea keeping and navigation without their barges attached. Vessels in this category cannot pitch independently from the barge and so are legally considered to be ships rather than tugboats and barges. As a result of this classification, they are regulated by authorities as ships.

Tugboats in fiction To date there have been two children's shows revolving around anthropomorphic (living) tugboats. In the 1980s 13 episodes were made of TUGS. One of the creators of that series went on to make Theodore Tugboat. On Tugs the models were able to move their heads and eyes and didn't have motors. On Theodore Tugboat, the models have motors and moving eyes. Tugboats have also been featured on Thomas and Friends however they have been reused from Tugs and have no face nor a hat.

The spaceship Nostromo (Alien) of the movie Alien (film) could be considered a tug.

Gallery Image:FS Le Four 1.jpg|Tugboat Le Four manoeuvering in Brest, FranceImage:Tug_boats_-_CV_67.jpg|Tugboats placing the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) into port.Image:north-shore-tugboats.jpg|Tugboats in Vancouver, British ColumbiaImage:Tug bow.jpg]nian tugboat outfitted with lines and ropes used when helping maneuver ships.Image:Barbados Tugboat Photos (2).JPG|Tugboat Pelican II in Barbados flag colors; Bridgetown, Barbados. Taken aboard the cruise ship m/s Carnival DestinyImage:River towboat DBQ IA.jpg|Tug boat Bill Berry of the Ingram Barge Company pushing cargo barges up the Mississippi River at Dubuque, IowaImage:Turecano Girls tugboat 2006.jpg], NY.

References

External links

Some pictures of tugboats and tugboat building



Tugboat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A tugboat, or tug, is a boat used to maneuver, primarily by towing or pushing, other vessels (see shipping) in harbours, over the open sea or through rivers and canals.

Rough Trade Records, Tugboat Records and Rough Trade Artist ...
Rough Trade Records and Tugboat Recordsofficial website ... Some music artists on Rough Trade or Tugboat Records site: The Strokes, A.R.E.

Tugboat Records (record label)
official site for Tugboat Records

TUGboat - Communications of the TeX Users Group
The TUGboat journal is a unique benefit of joining TUG. It is currently published three times a year and distributed to all TUG members (for that year).

TUGboat contents - TeX Users Group
TUGboat contents. TUGboat is the journal of the TeX Users Group. For more information, see the TUGboat home page. Where available, articles are linked via the contents pages listed ...

Tugboat - Wikimedia Commons
A tugboat, or tug, is a motor ship used to manoeuvre, primarily by towing, other vessels in harbours, over the open sea or through rivers and canals.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Malacca pirates seize hostages
Armed pirates have kidnapped two Japanese and a Filipino from a tugboat in the Malacca Strait. The pirates struck on Monday night and seized money and documents from the Japanese ...

Welcome to Tugboat.Org
Tributes and Great Sites: Tugs and things: Interesting Links: U.S.S. Sagamore ATA-208 U.S.S. Mahopac ATA-196: Pictures: USS STALLION (ATA 193) Model

Tugboat Enterprises
Software to retreive data from computers that have crashed operating systems, using a bootable CD

tugboat definition of tugboat in the Free Online Encyclopedia.
Encyclopedia article about tugboat. Information about tugboat in the Columbia Encyclopedia, Computer Desktop Encyclopedia, computing dictionary.

 

Tugboat



 
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