So I was watching an early morning docking on the Viking Vela near Athens. The tug followed us in the whole time and didn’t need to offer any assistance. I thought the tug was about to leave us when it came very close and the crew on the tug attached a highly visible pink/orange thing on the end of a pole and passed it to the crew on the Vela. I have no idea what it could be. Here is the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWwvDP7fbo
Way Back during the 80”s when I decked, we used to pass the invoice for services and or other related documents from the tug to the ship in this manner. The captain or mate would sign them and give them to the boarding agent, who would take them ashore. and the agency would see that we got paid
My Guess?
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Depends on the agency arrangements.
It’s generally standard procedure boarding agent has the vessel sign for services. Exception is liner agency’s frequent port calls often use agents with very limited duties. Only papers signed are customs required to be presented at the customs house .
Cruise ships are often represented by global agencies who contract with local agents for minimum services. In that case it’s good practice to have all services documented . Global agencies often very slow payers.
If assist tugs are ordered, port regulations, pilot or masters request, they are paid even when no actual assist is performed