The UK government will fund an emergency towing vessel to cover Scotland's coast until 2015.

BBC: New deal on emergency tug for Scotland until 2015

The main tow line was attached from a towing vessel earlier in the day in preparation for the refloating when ocean conditions were favorable.

NPR: Grounded Shell Oil-Drilling Ship Refloated

As many as 1, 500 residents of the northern Illinois city of Marseilles were evacuated after seven barges broke free from a towing vessel and struck a dam on the Illinois River.

NPR: Floodwaters Rising After Storms Deluge Heartland

In severe weather they deftly manoeuvred their boat alongside the damaged vessel, before transferring the crew and then towing it to safety.

FORBES: Korean Ship Captain Honored for Extraordinary Bravery at Sea

While we are there, a call comes in from a merchant vessel, very concerned about a fishing boat towing a "skiff, " a slim, fast speedboat favoured by the pirates.

BBC: Seeking Somali pirates, from the air