The Job
The Route - Avoiding the Busy Lanes
This time we’re taking a different approach to our usual route. Instead of cutting through Indonesian waters, we’re staying well clear and heading north through international waters. The track takes us past Palau – always nice to see those beautiful islands even from a distance – before swinging south towards the Philippines.
It’s a longer route for sure, but it keeps us in international waters and away from any territorial complications. Plus, the crew gets to see some different scenery! We’re looking at about 16 days under tow at our steady 4-knot pace.
What Makes This Tow Special
Every tow job has its own character, but this one’s got a few interesting aspects:
The Long Haul: At 1,288 nautical miles, this is one of our longer tows. It really puts Plus 2 through her paces and tests all our systems over an extended period.
International Waters Route: Staying clear of Indonesian territory means we’re taking the scenic route through some beautiful Pacific waters. The navigation requires careful planning, but that’s what we’re here for.
Proven Partnership: Having already towed Francesca successfully from Rabaul to Wewak, we know exactly how she behaves under tow. The crew knows her quirks, and she knows ours!
The Technical Side
For those interested in the nuts and bolts, we’re using our proven towing setup:
- 80mm HMPE polyethylene main line (200 metres)
- Dual-leg bridle arrangement (18 metres each side)
- Total scope of 235 metres for excellent sea-keeping
The configuration worked brilliantly on the previous tow, so we’re sticking with what works. Our emergency towing gear is prepped and ready as always – you never know what the ocean might throw at you.
Weather and Timing
We’re keeping a close eye on the weather patterns for this time of year. The SE trades should be in our favour for the first part of the voyage, which always makes for a more comfortable ride for both vessels.
The beauty of having that experience from the Rabaul-Wewak leg is that we know how Francesca responds in different sea conditions. That knowledge is gold when you’re planning a 16-day tow.
After the Delivery
Once we get Francesca safely delivered to General Santos, Plus 2 will be making the return journey solo. Same route in reverse, but without the tow, so we’ll be making much better time on the way home!
Emergency Planning
Safety always comes first in our operations. We’ve identified several emergency ports along the route including Vanimo in PNG, Palau for mid-voyage shelter, and Davao or Zamboanga in the Philippines if we need to duck in for weather.
The route through international waters actually gives us some good options for shelter if Mother Nature decides to get cranky.
Following Our Progress
We’ll be keeping everyone updated on our progress throughout the tow. It’s always exciting to share these longer voyages with our followers – there’s something special about a multi-week tow that really shows what commercial towing is all about.
Keep an eye on our updates, and we’ll share some photos and stories from the voyage as we make our way across the Pacific. Should be a ripper of a trip!
Safe sailing,
The Silentworld Team
Silentworld specialises in commercial towing operations throughout the Pacific region. From short harbour moves to extended ocean tows like this one, Plus 2 and our experienced crew are ready for whatever challenge comes next.