RNLI Atlantic 85, Manual

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Activity 4 - SAR Unit Handling and Seamanship
B Class Atlantic 85 Manual – First Issue, June 2017
Activity 4 - SAR Unit Handling and Seamanship
Towing
Astern tow
The Atlantic 85 is fitted with a towing bollard and a drop
down bar from the A-frame both of which should be used
when towing astern. Towing must never be attempted
from the general purpose rope reel itself, or from the aft
A frame cleats.
To prepare for an astern tow the following process should
be followed:
• Lower the tow bar by reaching underneath the
A-frame and releasing the bungee cords.
• Once the helm has decided which side the tow is to
be passed, the tow line can be taken from the reel and
passed through the centre of the tow bar, around to a
second crew member on the appropriate side, who can
prepare the line for passing to casualty vessel.
• Ensure the crew member passing the line has sufficient
line to pass to the casualty, however avoid having
excessive slack as this could result in the line going into
the water or getting tangled. (As a rough guide, 5m of
line to pass).
• Once the line is prepared, a turn should be taken
around the bollard so it can be safely controlled once
passed to the casualty. (A crew member should now
continue to tend to the line and bollard until the tow is
established).
• On the command of the helm, the line is to be passed
to the casualty, ensuring the crew keeps hold of the
inboard end of the line to control it and prevent it going
in the water and near the propellers.
• The helm should be aiming to hold the boat stationary
into the conditions whilst the line is made fast on the
casualty vessel.
• Once the line is secured to the casualty the lifeboat will
manoeuvre ahead whilst the crew member walks the
line aft until the tension is taken on the bollard.
• Once the tension is on the bollard the crew tending to
the line and bollard can manage the line as requested by
the helm. The number of turns on the bollard will vary
dependant on the size of the vessel you are towing.
• Once ready to secure the towline, the helm should ease
the throttles in order to take the tension off whilst the
crew member makes fast.