Abstract: A towing system adapted for quick and safe release of a towing tug from a barge string. Cable cleats and bits are mounted on the tug and on the barge string to position and support a cable which is connected into a winch apparatus to tightly connect the tug and the barge string together. A cable loop is looped around and retained by a cable retainer arm pivotably connected into a frame mounted to retain the cable. The retainer arm forms a distal finger retained to latch the arm into cable retaining position by a latch lock device. The latch lock device is pivotably mounted in the frame to retain the distal finger. A catch device forming a catch hook is pivotably mounted to the latch block device. A retainer bar is fixably mounted with the frame to engage the catch hook for keeping the latch block in position to retain the finger. A lever arrangement is pivotably connected to the frame for pushing the catch hook free of the retainer bar device.