Tug Assistance Rules at Davao Baseport

The order exists to protect government port facilities.
The order ensures safe maneuvering of vessels at the Baseport of Davao and at all ports within the jurisdiction of PMO Davao, through the use of tugs.
The order covers all foreign and domestic vessels with 500 gross registered tonnage (GRT) and above.
The tug-assistance rules apply when covered vessels dock/undock at the Baseport of Davao.
The tug-assistance framework also applies to all ports within the jurisdiction of PMO Davao subject to the conditions tied to Section 12 (c) of PPA Administrative Order No. 03-85.

No vessel of 500 GRT and above is allowed to dock/undock at the Baseport of Davao without the tug assistance specified in the tug requirements.
Compulsory tug assistance for ports within PMO Davao’s jurisdiction uses the same tugboat horsepower requirements when the conditions under Section 12 (c) of PPA Administrative Order No. 03-85 necessitate compulsory tug assistance.
Tug assistance is implemented through PPA authorization of tug providers and through operator permit requirements within harbor limits.

The Authority must provide tug assistance service by authorizing shipping companies or private entities to provide such service.
Authorization to provide tug assistance is on a non-exclusive basis.

No tugboat operator may provide tug assistance within harbor limits unless holding an annual permit duly issued by the Authority.
Permit issuance is subject to the terms and conditions the Authority deems proper.
The annual permit operates in addition to requirements of other agencies.
Tugboat operators must provide the equipment needed to render efficient service.

Tugboats towing/barges/lighters are exempt from the annual permit when utilized solely for their own barges/lighters.
When towing other vessels for purposes of the regulation, the annual permit is required.
Non-propelled vessels such as barges/lighters are likewise exempt from the tug-assistance requirement.
Non-propelled vessels (barges/lighters) are still required to maintain their own tugboats while at berth in accordance with PPA Memorandum Circular No. 22-86.

Tug assistance requirements are determined based on the vessel’s gross registered tons (GRT) and the tug’s horsepower (HP).
For vessels of 500–3,000 GRT, the required tug arrangement is 1 tug with 1,000 HP.
For vessels of 3,001–7,000 GRT, the required tug arrangement is 2 tugs with 2 × 1,000 HP.
For vessels of 7,001–12,000 GRT, the required tug arrangement is 2 tugs with 1 × 1,000 HP TUG and 1 × 2,400 HP TUG.
For vessels of 12,001–20,000 GRT, the required tug arrangement is 2 tugs with 2 × 2,400 HP TUG.
Vessels with both functional bow and stem thrusters of sufficient capacity are exempt from the tug requirements unless the Master of the vessel opts to avail of tug services.
Vessels with functional bow thrusters only must have fifty (50) percent of the above tug horsepower requirements.
The order requires that vessel compliance is tied to the listed GRT/HP scheme, with the stated exceptions and thruster-based adjustments.

The Authority must prescribe fees and rates for tug assistance.
Fee prescription must be done in consultation with port users concerned and consistent with existing applicable laws.
If there are no applicable fees, the rates chargeable must be those mutually agreed upon by the shipping company and the tugboat operator.
If both parties fail to agree on rates, the Authority determines the rates.

Any damage caused to port facilities by vessels under tug assistance service is the liability of the parties declared at fault.
Fault is determined under existing applicable laws.

If any section or part of the order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the invalidated portion does not affect other sections or parts not affected by such declaration.
All PPA orders inconsistent with this order are repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity is fifteen (15) days after publication in any newspaper of general circulation.