Emergency Towing Booklet (ETB)

A new emergency towing procedure requirement was adopted by MSC.256(84) on 16

May 2008. At the same time, Guidelines for Owners/Operators on Preparing Emergency
Towing Booklet were circulated as MSC.1/Circ.1255.

Ships shall be provided with a ship specific emergency towing booklet. Such a booklet
shall be carried aboard the ship for use in emergency situations and be based on existing
arrangements and equipment available on board the ship. It is the owners/operators
responsibility to establish the ETB for ships under consideration.

The emergency towing booklet shall be maintained on board the ship for ready use by the
ships crew in preparing their ship for towage in an emergency. A minimum of three
copies of the emergency towing booklet including ship specific procedures should be
kept on board at the following locations:

1. the bridge;
2. a forecastle space;
3. and the ship's office or cargo control room.


Application Date

Application dates for Passenger and Cargo ships are as follows:

All passenger ships, not later than 1 J an. 2010.
Cargo Ships constructed on or after 1 J an. 2010, and
Cargo ships constructed before 1 J an. 2010, not later than 1 J an. 2012.

The Contents

The booklet as per MSC.1/Circ.1255 shall include at least the following:

1. drawings of fore and aft deck showing possible emergency towing arrangements;
2. inventory of equipment on board that can be used for emergency towing;
3. means and methods of communication; and
4. sample procedures to facilitate the preparation for and conducting of emergency
towing operations.






Germanischer Lloyd 2010 Page 1 of 2

Germanischer Lloyd 2010 Page 2 of 2


Page 2
ETB
Emergency Towing Booklet

GL Assistance

1. GL may examine the ships Emergency Towing Booklet (ETB) for compliance with
MSC.1/Circular 1255 and stamp it as NOTED (check of necessary scope only) or
"EXAMINED" (including additional examination of SWL of mooring fittings). An
approval of ETB by Administration is not required.

2. GLs Maritime Solutions Unit offers to owners/operators/yards the preparation of
vessel specific ETB as an advisory service.

For inquiries please contact: Mr. Holger Mumm Tel. +49 40 36149 662
holger.mumm@gl-group.com

3. GL may carry out the engineering analysis for the Safe Working Load (SWL) of the
new onboard towing equipment (if any new) and the under-deck structure that is
supporting them, reference shall also be made to MSC/Circ.1175 for guidance.




For details please contact:

Mr . J ohn Val i daki s (Greece & Cyprus)
Techni cal Ser vi ces Hel l as ( FS- CH)
Akt i Mi aoul i 85
18538 Pi r aeus
Gr eece
Tel : +30 210 4291681
Fax: +30 210 4290357
e-mail: techservhellas@gl-group.com