In daylight and good weather, a bulk carrier was in ballast and up-bound in a river. A down-bound tow vessel’s operator called the pilot of the bulk carrier to arrange a starboard-to-starboard meeting.
This was as per local regulations that require the down-bound vessel, with the current astern and with the right of way, to contact the up-bound vessel and propose the manner of passage.
The vessels agreed on a starboard-to starboard meeting and met without incident, but another down-bound tug was...