Pneumatic Quick Release Disc Towing Hook with Side-Swing Movement for Tugboats

Product Overview

The pneumatic quick release disc towing hook is a deck-mounted towing connection for tugboats, harbour tugs, and vessels requiring controlled towline release. The disc-type release mechanism secures the towing line connection during operation and can be released locally by manual control or remotely through a pneumatic system, subject to the approved release arrangement and operating procedure.

The supplied range covers 30 to 100 t SWL and uses a side-swing mounting arrangement to follow changes in towline lead within the approved movement range. Selection should consider the required towing load, towline material and eye geometry, side lead, vessel deck foundation, remote-control arrangement, release-under-load test requirement, and classification scope. This equipment is for towing duty and must not be treated as a lifting hook or as a jetty quick release mooring hook.

Quick Specifications

• Product type: Pneumatic quick release disc towing hook → controlled towline connection and emergency release for tugboat towing operations.
• SWL range: 30 / 50 / 60 / 80 / 90 / 100 t → six supplied ratings for different towing load and vessel arrangements.
• Release modes: Local manual release and pneumatic remote release → operating stations and manual backup arrangement to be confirmed by project.
• Release condition: Slack line or loaded release up to the verified project load → full-SWL release capability must be demonstrated by the approved test procedure.
• Movement: Side-swing arrangement → allows limited lateral alignment with the towline lead; allowable angle and stop arrangement are to be confirmed.
• Material: Mild steel or C-Mn steel → final grades, heat treatment, hardness, and material traceability follow the approved design and certificate scope.
• Testing: Operation, load, release, and prototype testing according to order scope → destructive break testing should be treated as a prototype test unless otherwise specified.
• Surface treatment: Sa 2.5 blasting + one layer of epoxy shop primer as reference → final marine coating system follows the vessel paint specification.

Main Technical Parameters

Selection & Inquiry Guide

Step 1: Confirm the required SWL, tug type, towing duty, design towline load, operating area, and whether the hook is for newbuilding or replacement.

Step 2: Confirm towline material and termination: polypropylene / nylon rope, steel wire rope, towing eye, shackle, or other connection. Provide the eye and end-fitting dimensions for compatibility review.

Step 3: Confirm side-swing direction, required movement angle, towline lead, hook installation height, surrounding clearance, deck opening, foundation, and vessel structural reinforcement.

Step 4: Confirm pneumatic control data: available air pressure, air quality, control voltage, solenoid requirement, local and wheelhouse release stations, manual release wire or lever, and alarm / indication requirement.

Step 5: Confirm test and certificate scope before quotation: proof or SWL test, release-under-load test, operation test, prototype break test, NDT method, class witnessing, material certificates, and maker documentation.

Step 6: Provide material grade, coating system, quantity, vessel type, classification society, installation drawing, delivery destination, and required delivery time.

Structure

Rotating disc release member | Keeper and locking mechanism | Release lever and reset lever | Side-swing mounting / swivel arrangement | Pneumatic actuator and control interface | Local manual release arrangement | Deck foundation and structural connection

Towing Safety, Release & Engineering Advantages

• The disc-type release member rotates to disengage the towing line, supporting controlled release without treating the product as a conventional lifting hook.
• Side-swing movement helps the hook follow lateral changes in towline direction within the approved range, reducing rigid misalignment at the towing connection.
• Pneumatic remote control can place the release command at the wheelhouse and / or deck station, while a local manual release arrangement provides an independent operating method according to the approved design.
• Release-under-load performance should be verified at the agreed load and towline condition. SWL, release load, proof load, prototype break load, and towing line breaking strength must remain clearly separated.
• The towing force is transferred through the hook body, side-swing mounting, brackets, foundation, and reinforced vessel structure; deck reaction loads and weld details should be approved with the vessel arrangement.
• Keeper geometry, disc contact surfaces, and exposed edges should be finished to avoid sharp local contact with the towing eye or rope connection.
• Optional towing load monitoring may be considered through an instrumented load pin and remote display when required, but it is not included unless stated in the quotation and approved drawing.

Custom Attributes

• SWL: 30 / 50 / 60 / 80 / 90 / 100 t → select according to the approved towing load basis rather than vessel bollard pull alone.
• Hook Type: Quick release disc type → rotating release member for towing line disengagement.
• Movement: Side swing → allowable angle, stop position, and lead direction are project-specific.
• Release Control: Pneumatic remote + local manual → operating stations and emergency backup logic to be confirmed.
• Towline Compatibility: Rope or wire connection subject to geometry review → provide towline eye, thimble, shackle, and end-fitting dimensions.
• Material: Mild steel / C-Mn steel → exact grade, mechanical properties, hardness, and traceability follow the approved specification.
• Mounting: Deck foundation / bracket arrangement → deck reinforcement and weld details are verified by the shipyard or vessel designer.
• Test Scope: Prototype, load, release, operation, and NDT according to order → class witnessing and acceptance criteria must be confirmed before production.
• Load Monitoring: Optional according to project requirement → load pin, display, alarm levels, calibration, and signal output are separate scope items.

How It Works

Towline eye or connection is placed on the disc hook → Keeper and locking mechanism secure the connection → Towing load passes through the side-swing mounting and vessel foundation → Local or pneumatic remote command operates the release mechanism → Disc rotates and the towing connection disengages → Hook is inspected and reset after the area is safe

Applications

Harbour tug towing | Port ship-assist operations | Tugboat aft towing stations | Coastal towing vessels | Project-specific emergency towing duties | Newbuilding and retrofit towing arrangements

Certifications & Advantages

Certificates and witnessed tests can be arranged according to project requirement, approved test procedure, material traceability, and classification society acceptance. The certificate and inspection scope must be agreed before quotation.

Certification: CCS, NK, BV, ABS, DNV, LR, KR, IRS, RS, RINA, CRS, Makers Test Certificate.

Drawing & Photos

FAQ

Q1: Can the pneumatic disc towing hook release the towline at full SWL?

A1: The design is intended for loaded release, but full-SWL release must be confirmed by the approved hook configuration, pneumatic system, towline connection, test procedure, and class requirement. The release load should be stated separately from proof and break loads.

Q2: How should the correct 30 to 100 t SWL model be selected?

A2: Selection should use the approved towing design load, dynamic effects, towline type, lead direction, side-swing range, foundation reaction, deck reinforcement, and class rule. Tug bollard pull alone is not a complete selection basis.

Q3: Is this product the same as a quick release mooring hook?

A3: No. This product is a vessel-mounted towing hook for tug and towing operations. A jetty quick release mooring hook is a different terminal mooring product with different installation, load monitoring, and operating arrangements.