February 2, 2005
The following guidelines have been developed to determine adequate Tug
assistance in the Port of Houston. Similar docks have been grouped and coupled with
vessel size and draft information. Assist tugs are then designated by the
circumstances of the maneuver. Tugs are categorized by bollard pull as
provided by area operators. Bollard pull is used rather than horsepower to rate
tugs effectiveness. Additionally, the tugs design type, tractor or
conventional has a definite bearing on effectiveness and desirability.
Tug Class Ratings:
Minimum Bollard Pull (in pounds)
|
Class
|
ahead |
astern |
|
S (Small; compact) |
35,000 |
20,000 |
|
M (Medium;
diamond class) |
60,000 |
45,000 |
|
L (Large;
twin-screws) |
85,000 |
55,000 |
|
T (Tractor) |
|
|
T can substitute
for any class
L can substitute
for S or M
M can substitute
for S except arrivals less than 30
Bow thruster
substitutes for smallest tug
Thrusters must meet
the following minimum requirement of available horsepower to substitute for a
tug. (I KW equals 1.35 HP)
|
Vessel LOA |
Thruster
Horsepower |
|
More than 900 |
2,500 |
|
751 900 |
2,000 |
|
551 750 |
980 |
|
451 550 |
730 |
|
350 450 |
400 |
|
Less than 350 |
200 |
As always any vessel specific concerns should be discussed with the
Houston Pilots. Ships and the waters in which they operate represent a dynamic,
ever-changing environment. Firm rules
addressing every possible scenario are not possible. The individual pilot and master on board are best situated to
evaluate the specific docking and/or undocking evolution contemplated by the
vessel and the prevailing weather, current, and traffic situation affecting the
vessel. These guidelines are
recommendations only. It is recognized
that the on-scene discretion of the pilot and master should not be
hindered. The following guidelines
regarding tug assistance are in no way intended to limit, hinder, or override
the on-scene discretion of the pilot and master as they navigate vessels on the
Houston Ship Channel. We realize that
there will be situations where actions that conflict with these recommendations
may be necessary to address specific situations or special circumstances that
confront a specific vessel. Further, it
is recognized that the demands of maritime commence, vessel and tug design, and
terminal configuration may change requiring a departure from the current tug
assistance guidelines.
Bayport- Odfjell/Baytank & LBC/Petro United
Vessel size |
Draft |
Arrival |
Departure |
Notes |
|
<400 |
Any |
S |
S |
* no thruster substitute |
|
<500 |
<30 |
SS |
SS |
|
|
<500 |
>30 |
MS |
SS |
|
|
<550 |
<30 |
|
S |
*head out sailing-no thruster sub. |
|
501-650 |
<30 |
LS |
LS |
|
|
501-650 |
>30 |
LM |
LM |
|
|
>650 |
<30 |
LM |
LM |
|
|
>650 |
>30 |
LL |
LM |
|
Barbours Cut
Vessel size |
Draft |
Arrival |
Departure |
Notes |
|
<400 |
Any |
S |
S |
|
|
<500 |
<30 |
- |
S |
*head out sailing |
|
<600 |
<30 |
MS |
SS |
|
|
<600 |
>30 |
MM |
MS |
|
|
601-750 |
<30 |
LM |
LM |
|
|
601-750 |
>30 |
LL |
LM |
* no thruster substitute |
|
750-900 |
<30 |
LL |
LM |
* no thruster substitute |
|
750-900 |
>30 |
LL |
LL |
* no thruster substitute |
|
>900 |
<30 |
LLM/LT |
LL |
* no thruster substitute |
|
>900 |
>30 |
LLL/LT |
LL/LT |
* no thruster substitute |
ExxonMobil Baytown
Berth 1 & 2
Vessel size |
Draft |
Arrival |
Departure |
Notes |
|
<500 |
<30 |
SS |
S |
* no thruster substitute |
|
<500 |
>30 |
MS |
M |
* no thruster substitute |
|
501-650 |
<30 |
LM |
MS |
* no thruster substitute |
|
501-650 |
>30 |
LL |
LM |
* no thruster substitute |
|
>650 |
<30 |
LL |
LM |
* no thruster substitute |
|
>650 |
>30 |
LL |
LL |
* no thruster substitute |
Berth 3,4,5,6
Vessel size |
Draft |
Arrival |
Departure |
Notes |
||||
|
<500 |
<30 |
SS |
SS |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
<500 |
>30 |
MM |
MS |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
501-650 |
<30 |
LM |
MS |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
501-650 |
>30 |
LL |
LM |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
>650 |
<30 |
LL |
LM |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
>650 |
>30 |
TLL |
LL |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
Widebody (Berth 6) |
<34 |
TLL/LLL |
LL |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
Widebody (Berth 6) |
>34 |
TLL/LLLM |
LL |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
Widebody (Berth 4 & 5) |
<34 |
TLLM/LLLL |
LL |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
|
Widebody (Berth 4 & 5) |
>34 |
TTLL/TLLL |
TL/LL |
* no thruster substitute |
||||
Cemex. Cargil, Houston Ammonia, Georgia Gulf Agrifos
|
Vessel size |
Draft |
Arrival |
Departure |
Notes |
|
<400 |
Any |
S |
S |
|
|
<500 |
<30 |
SS |
SS |
|
|
<500 |
>30 |
SS |
SS |
|
|
501-650 |
<30 |
LS |
MS |
|
|
501-650 |
>30 |
LM |
LM |
|
|
>650 |
<30 |
LL |
LM |
|
|
>650 |
>30 |
LL |
LL |
|
Vopak, Deer Park
|
Vessel size |
Draft |
Arrival |
Departure |
Notes |
|
<400 |
Any |
S |
S |
* no thruster substitute |
|
<500 |
<30 |
SS |
SS |
|
|
<500 |
>30 |
MS |
SS |
|
|
501-650 |
<30 |
LS |
LS |
|
|
501-650 |
>30 |
LL |
LM |
|
|
>650 |
<30 |
LL |
LM |
|
|
>650 |
>30 |
LL |
LL |
|
|
Widebody (VoPak #3) |
<34 |
LL |
LL |
|
|
Widebody (VoPak #3) |
>34 |
TL/LLL |
LL |
|
ITC
|
Vessel size |
Draft |
Arrival |
Departure |
Notes |
|
<400 |
Any |
S |
S |