Thread by @AngusTopshee

It’s time for TowEx Part 2

This time @HMCSBrandon will take @HMCS_NCSMRegina in tow

#TGEX
#Readiness
#ReadytoHelp
1/17

As before, it begins with BRN passing astern of REG several times to assess the ship’s head and drift

#MountBaker makes a beautiful backdrop

2/17

The CO (LCdr Maude Ouellet-Savard) and NavO (Lt Evan Park) work to close REG on a steady bearing (normally the sign of a collision course)

The Officer of the Watch (Lt Marrack) and helmsman (LS Meanley) execute the orders to keep BRN on course

3/17

Once BRN gets close, they switch to the bridge wing to keep a close eye on things as they work to pass just ahead of REG - close enough to pass gear - and then stop

4/17

It has taken BRN a while to get here - REG was stopped for an hour to settle out but the current is nearly 4 kts and you can see the meandering path BRN had to follow to confirm her drift and get in position

5/17

Now it is time to pass gear. First the gunline goes across. It’s a good shot so it is quickly tied to the light messenger which pulls over the heavy messenger and finally the towing pendant

6/17

Now it’s time to hook on the towing pendant

7/17

Once the towing pendant has the weight of the towing hawser, REG begins to veer her cable out and hook on her end of the tow

8/17

Here’s the perspective from REG courtesy of SLt Labrecque

9/17

With both ends secured, BRN begins to take up the strain. As she displaces only 850 tons against REG’s 5000, it is a gradual process but, slowly and surely, REG begins to fall in astern of BRN

#DavidvsGoliath
#SmallbutMighty
10/17

Eventually, there’s no doubt. BRN has taken REG in tow!

11/17

BRN gets REG up to nearly 3 kts (1.2 kts over the ground into 1.8 kts of current)

BRN could tow her faster if REG put out more cable
#catenary

12/17

Having met the training objective for the day, it is time to secure the tow. BRN slows down while the CO keeps a close eye on REG

13/17

Sailors return on deck aboard both ships and get ready to return the gear. First, REG heaves in her cable to get the towing hawser on deck

14/17

Then BRN slips the towing pendant

15/17

And starts to return the gear using the heavy and light messengers. Lots of hard work is required on REG’s part to bring in the long and heavy CPF towing hawser

16/17

TowEx complete!

With all lines clear, BRN heads off. Once REG finishes recovering all her gear, both ships move on to their next serials

#Success
#TGEX
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