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The Directorate has issued various guidelines
for undertaking towage. Despite these instructions
it has been brought to the notice of this Directorate
that while a vessel was being towed to the ship
breaking yard, the towline parted and the vessel
became adrift. No attempt was made by the Tug
to reconnect the towline. Also, navigational warning
was not issued by the tug regarding the danger
to Navigation due to the unmanned, unlit, two
being adrift. The vessel subsequently ran aground
on the coast of India. All owners, agents, operators
are hereby cautioned that sufficient care and
appropriate backup arrangements are to be made
prior to undertaking such towage. Crew involved
in such ventures should be adequately briefed
to meet the emergencies that may arise. It is
reiterated that the IMO guidelines for safe Ocean
towage circulated by the Directorate vide letter
No. 13-NT(1)/98 dated 12-02-1999 are to be strictly
adhered along with other instruction’s regarding
towing that may be issued by the Directorate from
time to time.
Sd/-
(Capt. J.S. Uppal)
Nautical Surveyor
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