Ship assist is the process of guiding large ships into ports with the help of tugboats or barges. It is essential for maritime trade and offered in most major ports. Tugboats are designed to be highly maneuverable and strong, and can also assist ships in distress.
When a large ship is piloted or guided into a port or harbor with the help of a barge or tugboat, it is known as ship assist. Ship assists are a vital part of maritime trade, and are offered in most major ports, as large ships would not be able to dock without support. Many companies offer shipping assistance services, often in a multitude of ports so that clients can work with the same company in multiple locations. In some regions, a ship’s assistance is also called an escort.
Many consumer goods are transported by ship around the world. The ships that carry consumer goods are gigantic, designed to carry huge loads of shipping containers that are left in port and then trucked or railed to other locations. These large ships tend to be very difficult to maneuver, as they are built for size, not speed, and a small turning radius. In the open ocean, this is not a problem, but in port, it can become a liability.
As a result, many large ships are towed into port by small, highly maneuverable, and very strong boats, such as tugboats. Usually a large ship will be boarded by a pilot as it approaches a port. The pilot actually steers the ship into port, since he or she is extensively familiar with the features and dangers of the port. If necessary, the pilot joins with tugboats or barges to move the ship to its place in port.
Tugboats and barges work in several ways. Some tugboats actively pull a ship, essentially using their extremely powerful engines to tow the ship. Others may push, rather than pull, and tugboats generally work in teams or groups so they are in full control of the larger vessel. A tugboat is designed to be easy to maneuver so that the boat can respond quickly to a variety of situations that may arise during a ship’s assistance. Conventionally, it is courteous for other vessels in port to give way to a ship being towed, and also to give way to larger vessels in general.
A ship assistance can also be offered to ships in distress. Ships in distress may have lost power or steering ability, rendering them unable to reach a safe harbor. Specialized tugs are designed for the open ocean so they can reach these ships and take them, along with their crews, to safety.
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