SECTION (4) - TOWAGE
1.Towing is defined as any activity undertaken by a tug with regard to the holding, pulling, pushing or otherwise moving a vessel.
2. For the purpose of these Port Rules & Regulations, the tow process starts when the tug becomes ready to receive any verbal orders from the vessel to pick up ropes or lines or when the tow rope has been passed to or from the tug , whichever be the sooner, and the tow process ends when the final order from the vessel being towed to cast off ropes or lines has been received and carried out or the tow rope has been finally slipped and tug is safely clear of the vessel being towed, whichever is the later.
3. On the engagement of a tug, the tug master and crew thereof shall become the employees of and shall be identified with the vessel being towed and shall be under control of the master of such vessel. This is also applicable to the Port workers who carry out their business on board during the towing process.
4. Towing Responsibility
The Port Authority shall not be held responsible for any damages whatsoever that may be caused by the tug to the vessel or by the vessel to the tug, or any loss or damage to anything on board or any injury to any person.
The master or the Owner of the vessel which uses the tug for any purpose shall be held responsible for any losses, damage, injuries, and accidents resulting in death, and he shall indemnify the Port Authority against all the consequences of such damage including any claims from any other party.