Towing and pushing

[ingvar]

Hello,

Is pushing and towing available in regular mode (not multiplayer)? It seems that other ships can tow and push own ships but not the other way around, is that correct?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

[forum_admin]

Hi, yes, at present 'other ships' just follow pre-planned tracks, and will not vary from these tracks if you attempt to tow or push them.

I understand that this would be a useful feature, it's certainly something that can be considered for the future. One issue would be how to control the other vessels that are being pushed/towed, particularly if they have engines active. It would be simpler if they were just 'dumb' vessels (like a barge or any vessel with its engines off), would that still be useful?

[ingvar]

Exactly, my idea was to maneuver a ship with its engines stopped, so having an additional type of vessel that can only be moved around by external forces would be nice.

While I have a chance to say, I'm so glad I found BC. Thanks a lot for your work!

[rellufdarb]

Any update on this request?
It would be a very useful training feature if own ship could pass lines to a disabled vessel (long or short tow, tug-tow alongside with breast and spring lines) for our rescue organisation. As we would never tow a vessel with its own propulsion, certainly engines off would be what is required. There only needs to one such disabled vessel in the scenario, with the abilty to tow it, manoeuvre taking into account the relative sizes and weights, drag, wind and tidal stream etc, and be able to bring it alongside a jetty or wharf.
I have not tried networking another PC yet. Do I understand that an own-ship on that computer could be towed by own-ship on the first PC, or is that not currently possible either?

[rellufdarb]

If, as mentioned above, that own ship can be towed.......is a possible solution to allow an additional "own ship" in the scenario ?

[rellufdarb]

Well, after a few attempts I finally got Multiplayer working using a second laptop on the home wifi network and was able to tow the other vessel on the other instance of Bridge Command. There were a few configuration issues (for instance the throttle and wheel controls on one PC controlled both vessels simultaneously and I was in constant collision) but eventually I got it working somehow. I am not sure I fully understand how lines work as they seem to get messed up when the angles are not straight and for instance sometimes cross over each other if two are used in an alongside tow whereas real lines would never do that.
Anyway, I now do have a way of towing so will work on fine tuning to make it as realistic as practical. Maybe keep lines shorter-more experimenting necessary.