A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that maneuvers other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they can or should not move under their own power, such as in crowded harbor or narrow canals,[1] or cannot move at all, such as barges, disabled ships, log rafts, or oil platforms. Some are ocean-going, some are icebreakers or salvage tugs. Early models were powered by steam engines, long ago superseded by diesel engines. Many have deluge gun water jets, which help in firefighting, especially in harbors.

This image is part of a series of prints of a toy tugboat that the artist used as a model. Multiple copies of this print explore numerous color schemes.