Hi,
Blowing for tugs has always been a seafaring expression for being knackered or out of breath as long as I have been going away to sea when I started 58 years ago.
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When a ship is arriving at a port, the agents usually order the required number of tugs, Some shipping Companies had a regular contract with certain Tug Companies.
In the old days before VHF radio, the ship and tugs had signals by the steam whistle, e.g. Heave to Starboard ,...one blast. heave to Port,.... two blasts.
heave ahead ,...three blasts. and so on.
Then when VHF Radio came into use the Pilot or Master talked to the Tug Skipper and gave the orders verbally.
Now today most ships have bow and stern thrusters so eliminating the need for tugs, and only use them if the conditions are not too good eg in a strong wind or a tight squeese trying to get on or off a berth.
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