Out of fuel

[Renofox (OP)]

One of my freighters ran out of fuel, and I couldn't figure out how to have the other freighter refuel it.  So I built a tug, but still can't figure out how to order a ship to approach another one and/or provide assistance.  How can I get the stranded freighter back home?

Also, can I have independent ships without assigning them into one ship task groups?

[Erik L]

Are both freighters in the same TG? If so, you should be able to equalize fuel. If not, you'll need a ship marked as a tanker. Otherwise you can use SM mode to move the disabled ship to a colony.

As for tugs, I've never used them. But there should be a tow type order.

No. All ships are assigned to task groups.

[Renofox (OP)]

They're in different groups.  I figured I'd need to join them into same group to transfer fuel, but I couldn't find out how to do that.  I can move ships between groups when they're at the same planet, but the freighter is stuck in open space and I don't know how to order other units to move to it.

[Saibot]

Both tugging and fuel transfers can be handled on the miscellaneous tab of the individual ship screen. The only tractoring command I've seen on task group window is to tractor a shipyard, and I think only ships flagged as tankers get fuel related commands other than refuel self.

[Erik L]

They're in different groups.  I figured I'd need to join them into same group to transfer fuel, but I couldn't find out how to do that.  I can move ships between groups when they're at the same planet, but the freighter is stuck in open space and I don't know how to order other units to move to it.

Are your task groups visible as destinations on the order screen? If not, there is a checkbox in the middle of the window to show task groups. Then you can send your fueled freighter to that task group. Once they are in the same location you should be able to manually transfer fuel.

[Renofox (OP)]

Are your task groups visible as destinations on the order screen? If not, there is a checkbox in the middle of the window to show task groups.  Then you can send your fueled freighter to that task group.  Once they are in the same location you should be able to manually transfer fuel.

Thanks, that solved it! I checked the box, and successfully got the tug to move to the freighter.  I established the tractor link, but I couldn't move because "Tug #1 has run out of fuel", despite having 100% full tanks.  However, I transferred fuel from the tug to the freighter, and got both ships safely home.