Anywhere in the world where tugs operate in narrow channels, they work close under bow and stern on a bridle with a line to each bow and quarter of the ship. By this method, any deviation of the ship immediately tells on the tug which is instantly in a position to respond. Mersey tugs traditionally operate further away from the ship on single hawsers, requiring them to travesrse bow or stern before being able to bring ther weight to bear, by which time they could well be needed on the opposite bow or quarter. Not being used to it, they would find working on a bridle very threatening, even if these had been specially made up for the purpose. As with any specialised application, it's always wise to let the man doing the job do it the way he knows best, but in these circumstances the towing arrangements were far from ideal.