# Conventional Tug working a headline not lead through the bull nose
**URL:** https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/conventional-tug-working-a-headline-not-lead-through-the-bull-nose/72843
**Category:** Tugs & Towing
**Created:** [June 23, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/conventional-tug-working-a-headline-not-lead-through-the-bull-nose/72843 "2025-06-23T14:59:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@chase1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/chase1)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/conventional-tug-working-a-headline-not-lead-through-the-bull-nose/72843/1 "2025-06-23T14:59:07Z")
I was doing some looking around and noticed that some vessel assist conventional tugs have been assisting with longer leads not ran through the bow staple. Rather they run the line around the bull nose and go straight from the Hbit to the ship. Just wondering what y’alls take on this was. I only can assume that it is preferred for better leads at a higher line, not to remake the headline, and to move the pivot point back 5-6 feet from the bow. However would this not produce more chafe on the headline and a greater risk of tripping if you get a really bad angle? Would not be good for indirect because you would be touching the the shoulder bits and house. I guess you can shorten up without remaking the line again.
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### Author:  [@Slick\_cam1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Slick_cam1)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2025, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/conventional-tug-working-a-headline-not-lead-through-the-bull-nose/72843/2 "2025-06-23T15:36:23Z")
High leads can be made to have a little bit better line angle if you run the line straight off the H-bitt instead of the through the staple. We would always dip a bight under and through the h-bitt so that the lead to the ship comes from underneath and can’t be lifted off under strain.
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### Author:  [@chase1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/chase1)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/conventional-tug-working-a-headline-not-lead-through-the-bull-nose/72843/3 "2025-06-23T17:57:46Z")
Thanks for the reply, that’s what I figured the reason for just never seen It done on the west coast as most are asd or Z Drive nor had someone explain the reasoning. Most times I lead it through staple. Will try in future. Have you ran the line with a rusty rail?
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### Author:  [@Bruce1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Bruce1)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2025, 10:50am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/conventional-tug-working-a-headline-not-lead-through-the-bull-nose/72843/4 "2025-06-24T10:50:40Z")
the angle is usually better and the tug acts more like a tractor /azimuth tug
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### Author:  [@Bruce1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Bruce1)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2025, 10:53am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/conventional-tug-working-a-headline-not-lead-through-the-bull-nose/72843/5 "2025-06-24T10:53:31Z")
as long as the tug has control ( its your line) of the headline you cant go into irons
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### Author:  [@Bayrunner](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Bayrunner)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2025, 11:48am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/conventional-tug-working-a-headline-not-lead-through-the-bull-nose/72843/6 "2025-06-24T11:48:30Z")
When I was a deckhand on a conventional shipdocking tug some of the older captains liked to run their lines straight from the H bit to the ship. They said it had something to do with the angle and the amount of pull.
When I started shipdocking as a mate I always ran through the bullnose. I wanted the option of driving into my line without wrecking the house if there was a problem.
I could never tell any difference and the pilots never made any mention of it either.