An emergency tow vessel, also called emergency towing vessel, (ETV) is a multi purpose boat used by state authorities to tow disabled vessels on high seas in order to prevent dangers to man and environment. The disabled vessel is either towed to a safe haven or kept in place against wind and current until commercial assistance by tug boats has arrived on site or until it has been repaired to the extent of being able to manoeuvre on its own. The need for ETVs as a preventive measure has arisen since the number of available commercial salvage tugs was reduced while potential dangers from individual vessels have increased.[1] E.g. Spain has fourteen, Turkey has eleven, Germany operates eight, Norway has seven, France has five, Sweden three and the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Iceland and Finland each have one official emergency tug boat. Australia also operates emergency response vessels.[2] The United Kingdom's four strong ETV fleet was to be disbanded in September 2011 due to budget cuts but the two vessels operating in Scottish waters received an extension of contract until the end of 2011.[3][4]
- ^ "And More ETVs to Come". Maritime Journal. 1 March 2005.
The provision of Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) is becoming a serious issue for many governments and coastal states and is increasingly seen as a tangible preventative measure capable of dealing with a wide range of potential maritime incidents.
- ^ Atik, Oğuz; A Güldem Cerit (14–17 October 2008). "Government support for sustainability of marine salvage services: a case for Turkey" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "No reprieve for UK Emergency Towing Vessels". Maritime Journal. 14 September 2011. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ "Three-month extension' for Scotland's coastguard tugs". BBC News. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.