Push-towing of barges by tugs.

摘要

In a system for releasably inter- locking tugs and barges, the tug (1) is provided with a bow having a predetermined rake and contour and the barge (2) is provided at its stern with a notch (3) having a configuration adapted to receive the bow of the tug in a close-fitting relationship. The barge is provided on each of its wings (5) defining the sides of the notch (3) at the stern with a rail (6), said rails extending in a transverse plane parallel to the rake of the tug bow. The tug is provided, in its bow region on both port and starboard sides, with hydraulically actuated clamps (4) in tug recesses which are engageable with the rails (6) on the barge (2) and optionally with rails on the tug (1) to hold the tug to the barge in a releasable manner. The barge may have a bow clamp attachment comprising an anchor pin (31), and the tug may have a coupling with a head which passes through a slot in the pin. IMAGE