The Different Kinds of Tugboats

Tugboats are very important in maritime functions. For one, they are used to maneuver much larger ships through narrow waterways or through crowded harbor docks. They also power barges along with and against river currents. Moreover, they are essential in maritime rescue and salvage operations, and are also used to transport combustible and highly flammable materials.

There are several types of tugboats. Seagoing tugs, for instance, are some of the most powerful vessels out in the ocean. They have the power to navigate through open seas and oceans while hauling supplies to remote regions, or to tow ocean liners and other large ships that may be unable to move between ports on their own.

Harbor tugs are the most common tugboats out there. They are used to tow big ships along the harbor and navigate them safely into docks or harbor anchorages. They are, in essence, providing an additional engine to the ship they are towing and are often equipped with cushioning materials, particularly along the bow, to allow them to safely pull right against other vessels.

River towboats push barges in river systems and are constructed to get through narrow river passages and move up or down river currents. Commercial assistance towboats, on the other hand, are the equivalent of tow trucks for cars. They are used to tow smaller crafts that may be having some mechanical problems or are out of fuel. Meanwhile, specialized tugs are those designed for specific jobs such as escorting oil tankers and firefighting.