Page "Tugboat" Paragraph 15

Tugboats are highly maneuverable, and various propulsion systems have been developed to increase maneuverability and increase safety.

The earliest tugs were fitted with paddle wheels, but these were soon replaced by propeller-driven tugs.

Kort nozzles have been added to increase thrust per kW / hp.

This was followed by the nozzle-rudder, which omitted the need for a conventional rudder.

The cycloidal propeller was developed prior to World War II and was occasionally used in tugs because of its maneuverability.

After WWII it was also linked to safety due to the development of the Voith Water Tractor, a tugboat configuration which could not be pulled over by its tow.

In the late 1950s, the Z-drive or ( azimuth thruster ) was developed.

Although sometimes referred to as the Schottel system, many brands exist: Schottel, Z-Peller, Duckpeller, Thrustmaster, Ulstein, Wärtsilä, Berg Propulsion, etc.

These propulsion systems are used on tugboats designed for tasks such as ship docking and marine construction.

Conventional propeller / rudder configurations are more efficient for port-to-port towing.