(a) Arranging for one or more of Indian aval Ships to act as escort if he considers it necessary.
(b) Making adequate local arrangements for the transfer of the vessel from local or harbour tugs to the ship/ocean tugs.
(c) The Provision of the necessary personnel in the vessel to be towed, and for their accommodation and victualling during the period of the tow.
(d) Ensuring that the sea worthiness, life saving appliances, and towing arrangements in the vessel to be towed are adequate. Lighters and similar vessel shall be surveyed before being towed in order to ascertain whether they can withstand the strains, dockyard assistance for this examination being sought if necessary. Before sailing the tow, the said Administrative Authority shall obtain a report from the authority in charge of the vessel that she is fully secured for sea and prepared for sea towage.
(e) Ensuring before the commencement of towing operations of vessels belonging to non-Naval authorities e.g., State Governments and departments of the Government of India, that the owners of such vessels furnish a no risk statement to the effect that neither the Indian Navy nor any of its personnel are in any way responsible for any marine risk including salvage claims in respect of vessels under towage.
(f) Issuing necessary sailing order to the ship/tug detailed and giving speed as convenient for tow. See regulations 0221.
(2) Of the said Administrative Authority deems it advisable he will appoint an experienced officer who will be known as the Towing master, to be in charge of operation. When no Towing master is specially appointed, the Captain of the ship/tug, or the Senior Captain when more than one ship/tug is used will be the Towing master.
The Towing master, when specially appointed for the purpose, shall be responsible for the whole operation, including mooring and unmooring at departure, intermediate and terminal ports, and for the ultimate safety of the vessel towed.
(3) All factors relating to the operation must be taken into consideration in reaching a decision whether towage without personnel on board is acceptable: if it is, special arrangements must be made for the provision of navigation lights. If there is a crew on board, the said Administrative Authority shall appoint an officer as Commanding officer of the vessel to be towed, who, when no Towing master is specially appointed, shall be responsible for the safety of the vessel when in tow of harbour tugs and, at intermediate or terminal ports, until moored.
(4) When there is a civilian crew in the vessel to be towed, or the ships/tugs are civilian manned, a civilian Towing master may be appointed and a Master, instead of a naval officer, appointed in charge of the vessel to be towed.
(5) Preparations for Tow. Before any craft/floating dock/pontoon proceeds to sea under tow, the said Administrative Authority must ensure that the craft/floating dock/pontoon is sea-worthy, particular attention being given to the following measures:-
(a) Craft/floating dock/pontoon must be brought to a condition of satisfactory stability free-board and freedom from dangerous rolling by appropriate dismantling and removal of heavy weights, if considered necessary, and by freeing the bilges of loose water which, is left, might have a serious adverse effect on stability. The hull must be adequately sealed against penetration by heavy sea, and all loose gear must be secured against movement at sea to prevent shifting towards one side thus causing a list, or damage to the hull causing leaks.
(b) The hulls of craft/floating dock/pontoon normally used only in harbour need a more thorough examination for strength and water tightness in view of their not having been normally exposed to the servere stress which occurs in rough weather.
(c) Towing speeds for small craft/floating dock/pontoon should under normal circumstances be limited to below the maximum rate for keeping them in safe trim, and voyage should be made only in fine weather.
(6) Under Tow. The Appropriate method of towing as laid down in the Manuals of Seamanship and other publications shall be adopted having regard to the circumstances of each case.
(7) Before the tow sails, the said Administrative Authority shall obtain the latest weather forecast and shall not order the operation, except in urgent necessity, unless the forecast shows that settled weather may be expected. He shall give instructions to provide for report6s of progress of the tow and the maintenance of communications at all times between the ship/tug and tow, and the escort, if provided.
(8) The Administrative Authorities at intermediate ports shall be informed of the sailings and the Towing master shall be given discretion in the event of bad weather, or for other reasons, to shelter where may be most convenient and, at intermediate ports where weather forecasts can be obtained, to seek instructions whether to proceed or wait.
(9) The Administrative Authority at the port of destination, and if necessary at an intermediate port, is responsible for ensuring that adequate arrangements are made for the transfer of the tow from ship/ocean tug and for the berthing and safe custody of the tow after arrival.
(10) On completion of the operation, the Towing master (see sub-regulation
(2)) shall render a report of proceedings to the Administrative Authority who issued the sailing orders, sending copies to the Administrative Authority at the port of arrival, and the Chief of the Naval Staff. In addition to the normal information such reports should include the following details: -
(a) Total distance.
(b) Total Steaming time
(c) Average speed.
(11) When a Naval floating dock is to be towed, the special instructions given in the dockyard regulations shall be complied with.
0229, Convoys Authority. Etc., of Commanding Officer. The authority and responsibility of the officers of the Indian Navy appointed for the convoy and protection of ships and vessels are defined in Section 56 of the Navy Act, 1957.