You've
seen them along coastal areas, piers, and docks everywhere – these sturdy
looking boats that look like yachts without the fancy trappings, or small
fishing vessels without the nets and pens. Tug boats are, in fact, tough and
strong work boats designed to tow or push other boats and ships more than ten
times their size. A casual coastal watcher would probably see them as the least
glamorous among seafaring vessels, but true nautical enthusiasts appreciate the
tug's compact power, strength, and history.
Yes,
tugs have a long and colorful history which dates back to the invention of the
steam engine. The very first steamship, the Charlotte Dundas, was also
officially the first tugboat. While assisting boats through various waterways
was not the tug's intended function, its value as a tower grew as maritime
companies increasingly needed to move vessels around water systems.
Tugs
played a major role during World War I and II, since they helped move
battleships as needed in the course of war. Improvements in the design of tugs
were actually propelled by military needs during WWII.
The
towing power of tugs increased once diesel engines were introduced. Diesel
engines were lighter in weight, and needed less people to operate. Hence, tugs
got easier and more economical to use. As the maritime industry is now making
the effort to go green, however, new tugs that use less diesel and run on
eco-friendly fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) may soon become the
norm.
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