Over-Correction Led to Failure of Tow Rope Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. June 14, 2026 Source: MAIB The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published an assessment of the February 2025 tow rope incident onboard the tug Svitzer Avon. At approximately 1954 on 4 February 2025, the UK registered tugs Svitzer Avon and Svitzer Brunel left the lock at Royal Portbury Dock, Bristol, England to meet the car carrier Auto Eco in the King Road approaches to the lock. Auto Eco had a pilot embarked for the entry into port and was to employ both tugs for a ship assist move into the lock and onwards to a berth in the dock. Following an agreement made before departure Svitzer Avon’s relief master was supervising the mate, who was at the vessel’s controls for the move. The relief master was type qualified for the tug but had little experience on Svitzer Avon. At 2003, the tug was in position astern of the car carrier. Svitzer Avon’s crew passed the towline, consisting of a tow rope and pennant joined with a cow hitch via a heaving line and messenger rope, to Auto Eco’s mooring deck where it was then made fast to a bollard. Having passed through the tug’s forward staple, the tow rope was held by the tug’s winch brake. Although fitted, a render system was not used. At 2009, the pilot called Svitzer Brunel and requested the tug to standby on the port bow, followed shortly afterwards by the instruction “25% straight back” to Svitzer Avon. At around 2011, an over-correction in handling occurred as Auto Eco was turning to line up for an approach to the lock and Svitzer Avon was maneuvering to hold position astern, causing Svitzer Avon to shear and heel. The tow rope parted under the increased load experienced during the recovery maneuver. The tow rope recoiled, struck Svitzer Avon’s wheelhouse and shattered the forward windscreen glazing. Debris also caused the stern window to shatter. Flying glass caused minor injuries to the tug’s master and mate. After checking each othe