A vessel requiring a tow is not necessarily in distress.
The bulker master should therefore carefully consider: (1) whether the contract of carriage (as contained in the charterparty or bill of lading) gives his vessel liberty to tow; (2) whether sufficient bunkers and/or fresh water for the tow are on board, and whether sufficient reserves can be maintained, throughout and after the tow, so as to meet the stipulations of owners or charterers; (3) whether there is a possibility of missing a cancelling date or delivery/ redelivery date under the charterparty; (4) whether the nature of the cargo permits a lengthening of the voyage; (5) whether the ship’s machinery is of adequate power and in good enough condition for towing; and (6) whether the values of the vessel requesting the tow, and her cargo if any, is likely to be sufficient to merit an attempt at salvage.
