Gog Ropes: New Joint Industry Advice, Built Directly From a Fatal Capsize

Three industry bodies — the British Tugowners Association (BTA), the UK Maritime Pilots' Association (UKMPA) and the Workboat Association (WA) — have jointly published "Gog Ropes: Industry Advice," new guidance built directly from MAIB recommendations following the fatal sinking of CMS Biter.

Why Gog Ropes Specifically

Gog rope systems are involved in one of the leading causes of tug capsize during conventional towage — a failure mode that's well understood in principle but has kept recurring in practice. The new guidance doesn't just restate the theory; it sets out practical recommendations for the safe and effective use of gog ropes on conventional tugs specifically.

What the Guidance Actually Covers

Beyond the rope system itself, the document addresses towing point management, communication protocols between tug and towed vessel, and safe speed guidance — recognising that a gog rope failure is rarely caused by the rope alone. It sits alongside a separate, related BTA guidance document on tow rope selection, procurement, use, inspection and retirement, including a full rope inspection and retirement checklist.

Worth Checking Further

This is the joint BTA/UKMPA/WA document specifically — it's worth checking whether the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or the Nautical Institute have published anything complementary on towage safety more broadly, since the three bodies here represent tug owners and pilots rather than the full regulatory picture.

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