Since it wasn't mentioned in the summary, I'd like to invite everyone's attention to the fact that the adjustment to mooring and anchor lines also applies to towlines. As one who has done some significant RW ocean towing (including a 400' freighter with rudder jammed hard aport, in a North Atlantic hurricane), I can attest to the quantum improvement in NG towing dynamics. No more 'elastic band' snapbacks; the towline now accurately responds to strain with decreasing catenary, and when nearly taut, appears to actually vibrate. This update doesn't necessarily make towing easier...ocean towing is seldom easy and often challenging...but the reactions are much more lifelike and predictable. I would say this latest update could easily be used as a professional teaching tool for RW towing. But it is vital to ensure that towing vessel has 'anchor' cable attachment properly located at towing bitts, well forward of rudders, to maintain steerage.
