About towage
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NAUTIS Maritime Simulator products are designed to enhance the education and evaluation of your students and employees. We are committed to helping you achieve your learning objectives and develop comprehensive educational plans.
VSTEP’s NAUTIS Towage Simulator is a comprehensive training solution for tug handling. It offers various propulsion systems, a library of tugboats (including harbor tugs, ASD tugs, and ocean tugs), and a range of towing lines. The simulator accurately replicates tug-ship interactions, including hull and propulsion dynamics, providing a realistic training experience.
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We are excited to be partnering with VSTEP to provide our tug captains with the best possible training experience. The quality of the NAUTIS tug simulator is superior for tug training.​
​- Daan Merkelbach – Training & Consultancy Manager, KOTUG International
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Train the manoeuvres that define safe towage
Towage is precision work under force. The margin between a controlled assist and an incident is measured in metres and seconds, which makes it one of the most valuable disciplines to train in simulation. NAUTIS lets crews rehearse the complete assist, from approach to release, in the conditions that make it hard.
| Tug type in the NAUTIS library | Typical training focus |
|---|---|
| Harbor tug | Close-quarters assists, berthing support and port manoeuvres |
| ASD tug | Azimuth propulsion handling, escort work and indirect towing |
| Ocean tug | Towing line management and long tows in open water |
Frequently asked questions
Which propulsion systems can tug crews train on?
The NAUTIS Towage Simulator covers the propulsion configurations tug crews meet in practice, including fixed pitch, controllable pitch and azimuth thruster arrangements. Because azimuth handling behaves fundamentally differently from conventional propulsion, training on the correct configuration is essential before crews take it into a confined harbour.
How realistic is the tug-ship interaction?
Interaction forces are where towage training succeeds or fails. NAUTIS models hull and propulsion dynamics together with the hydrodynamic effects between tug and assisted vessel, so trainees experience how forces build during an approach, connection and assist. That realism is why operators like KOTUG use NAUTIS for tug captain training.
What types of tugs are available in the simulator?
The simulator includes a library of tugboats covering harbor tugs, ASD tugs and ocean tugs, combined with a range of towing lines. Instructors select the tug, the assisted vessel and the conditions, which makes it possible to rehearse a specific job before the crew performs it in reality.
Can scenarios be tailored to our port and operations?
Yes. Scenarios are built around your operational reality: your port approaches, your traffic patterns and the weather windows you work in. Repeatability is the advantage, since a difficult assist can be trained again and again until every crew member handles it consistently, without burning fuel or tying up a tug.
See how towage operators train
Read how KOTUG rates the realism of NAUTIS tug simulators and how Boluda Towage brought its 360-degree tug simulator back to life, or book a demo to run your own port scenario.
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What can I train on your NAUTIS simulator?
NAUTIS simulator can be tailored to your exact needs, whether it’s navigation, inland, naval, fishing or anything else. Please read more here.
How much does a NAUTIS simulator cost?
Costs vary based on the specific features and customization required. Additionally, we provide various agreement options tailored to suit the individual needs of our customers. Learn more here.
How can I get support?
We have a dedicated Customer Success Manager who is happy to help. Please send your request on support@vstepsimulation.com.
Can I visit your office?
Absolutely! We warmly invite you to visit our office in Rotterdam, where you can explore a variety of simulators and have the opportunity to experience them firsthand. It’s a great way to get a feel for the technology and see how it can benefit your specific needs. We look forward to welcoming you and providing an immersive demonstration of our offerings.
To schedule your visit, please fill in the contact form.
