Tugboat is working on Regional water.
Seamans working hours: Are sailors required to remain on the tug for 24 h after the end of working hours 8-12 h per day ?
Pls answer with proof
Can you be more specific? Pretty obviously you aren’t getting off a tugboat underway if your watch is over.
Even if tied up at the dock standing by, many companies won’t allow you to leave the boat. You are stuck on the boat until the end of your hitch.
Some companies will allow you to go ashore, particularly if you are working longer hitches 60/90 etc.
Regardless of company policy, going ashore is at the master’s discretion.
1 Like
That makes sense, if say some ship is headed for a bridge, you need to leave right then, not after you spend an hour rousting your crew out of all the local strip clubs.
I mostly work longer hitches for companies that allow crew to go ashore.
I generally allow crew to go ashore as long as it does not unreasonably interfere with operational requirements.
If a crew member gets into trouble or causes problems, he might be fired, or restricted to the boat, or restricted to accompanying a responsible officer, thereafter.
1 Like
Are you in the US? If not then the answers you get here may or may not be applicable.
1 Like
This will vary of course company to company-
That being said, when I worked on Harbor Tugs we were on the boat for the entire 4 to 7 day hitch, but that’s also a 24/7 Operation and there really wasn’t any “set working day” in stone. If the Deckhand was up on their 13-14 Hours the Engineer would handle lines and in the rare case everyone was out of Hours we just didn’t run for 8 hours, but still could not leave the boat.
There was an Option they called “Day Boats” which typically they would work from 6 to 6 or whatever and of the 4 man crew, 3 would go home every night with one person staying behind for Generator watch, and the person left behind was swapped out after however many days.
Sure doesn’t sound like it.
Glorious companies (and Masters) let their crews go ashore, if operations allow. Good hands respect this and don’t screw up a great thing. It’s a morale booster of the most powerful type.
Crappy companies (and Masters) don’t let their crews go ashore. Morale with these groups can be in the dumpster.
3 Likes
It was hard to ask one of the captains I had. Because he would already be halfway up the dock before the lines had been tied off or the engines shut down. 
2 Likes
Legally? Not under STCW or US law (but you didn’t mention what jurisdiction you’re in so we can’t be more helpful there.)
Companies are allowed to require whatever they want though. If the company is requiring you to stay onboard, trying to argue that “it’s not legally required” will just get you fired.
1 Like
same here, had several Captains like that. I thought it was great! If the old man wants to go ashore even more than the crew does, I know it’s gonna be a good hitch!
3 Likes
A bit off topic but this reminds me of a meme from awhile back about a “contest” were people will work for 24 hours and win a million dollars. Several Coasties and Navy sailors said "I’ll take mine in 10’s and 20’s.
1 Like