North Marine provided a tugboat assist to a 180-meter, 25,000 gross-ton cargo bulk carrier, the ‘M.V. Funing’.

Our charter tug assisted the bulk carrier’s voyage from Bligh Entrance through the Prince of Wales Channel in the Torres Strait, Queensland.

Scope of Work

The North Marine tugboat ‘Gulf Explorer’ mobilised to the Torres Strait from the Port of Cairns, Queensland. She assisted with the ship’s tug escort from here, taking up the stern tow position. An 80-meter super tug took the forward tow position.

The Gulf Explorer’s tug escort voyage involved transiting through a narrow passage of the Great Barrier Reef. Commencing at Bligh Entrance, near Bramble Cay, the tow assist passed via the Prince of Wales Channel in the Torres Strait.

The Gulf Explorer’s role is to assist the bulk carrier in holding straight and limit yawing during the narrow ocean crossing.

Chart Map of Torres Strait Tow Assist Route

This map shows the North Marine tugboat chart passage plan through the narrow shipping channel between Bligh Entrance and Booby Island.

The vessel’s route through the Prince of Wales Channel in the Torres Strait, Queensland, is narrow and requires multiple tugboats to assist with the crossing.