The Towing Manual presents technical issues and guidelines, based on forty years of experience, on the beautiful art of shipping.

The content of the book is built up in different phases: first a general review is given, where after the oceangoing tug is thoroughly discussed per section. Moreover, as a paper exercise, a factual departure to sea and further away from the port of Rotterdam is explained in various stages. New developments in the field are presented in different individual chapters. These developments are interesting and innovative for the branch and for the execution of work on board, not only from an economical point of view but also from a safety perspective.

Throughout the book a link is made with salvage and the offshore world. The emphasis however remains on ocean towing. Besides this, a chapter is included about ITB's and ATB's, as the author regards these as highly economical means of transport.

Being a seaman himself, the author freely files his opinion regarding the shipping industry, their institutions and the general regulations, as he deems necessary.

Although the manual is primarily written for students at nautical colleges, it is of great interest for the large family of tug lovers as well.

Digital navigation has recently passed a significant waypoint: The majority of all vessels on international trade routes now sail with ECDIS. Mariners on-board of ships carrying an ECDIS are required to take and pass certified ECDIS training courses. This book describes the fundamentals for the development of ECDIS and for proper use of its potential, functions and limitations as well as where ECDIS training can be achieved and how training should be organised. In short, the reader will find:

- Fundamentals and the technical and legal background of ECDIS and chart data - General guidance on ECDIS use and good practice - General guidance on training and certification

All information is based on the most recent standards of the IHO and IMO.

Every year a considerable number of vessels is detained by Port State Control because of deficiency code 10127: Insufficient voyage or passage plan! Hence issues with voyage plans are counted among the top 5 claims. Just to have 'some' voyage plan turns out to be insufficient - the demand is to have a proper plan, compliant to rules. To compose a comprehensive voyage plan, however, a wide range of aspects has to be taken into account. Not only for a young graduate this might become a challenge, also to the experienced navigator some of the regulatory demands for a 'berth to berth' voyage plan may have faded of outdated.

Whether for a fresh navigator or an old hand - this book is targeted to provide a profound hands-on advice on how to best compile a suitable voyage plan fully in line with the principles of IMI Resolution A.893(21). Following a process-guided structure each chapter starts with a short re-compilation of the theoretical principals. Embattled with the re-enforced knowledge the reader is challenged by a concrete example of a commercial vessel sailing down the East coast of the USA. Following a step-by-step guidance, the book offers for each task a sample solution, including the usage of modern ECDIS equipment.

This guide can be used in manifold ways: whether you read it sequentially from top to bottom, or as the need arises. For an even better understanding, parallel hands-on practice of the exercises will intensify your knowledge. For that an online simulation, which completely covers all exercises of the book can be ordered under www.safebridge.net.

First published in 1997 'Tug Use in Port' has been known for over two decades as the 'tug bible' - the essential practical guide to port towage and escort operations. Since the publication of the last edition - which was recommended as a standard text by the IMO - developments in tug design and operation have continued to improve tug capabilities, as well as effective and safe tug use.

Significant developments in port towage have taken place since then - new tug types have come on to the market with new and specific manoeuvring capabilities and an increasing number of environmentally friendly tugs can be found, with traditional fuels being replaced by LNG, CNG and batteries. Escorting and escort tugs have been developed further also with regard to the conditions that these tugs have to cope with. An increasing number of LNG carriers and bulk carriers are being escorted, in addition to tankers; remote controlled and autonomous ships are no longer simply the stuff of science fiction, and will have an effect on tug operations.

Sadly, there have also been several accidents, often with dramatic consequences. But on the positive side, training possibilities have further developed, with improved training tools and ever more realistic and sophisticated simulators.

At the centre of all these developments and changes are the people - tug masters and crews, pilots and ships' captains - who need to be able to handle the newly designed tugs and their equipment in a safe and efficient way. This book is designed to help them achieve that.

A Guide to the Operational Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems

Without doubt, ECDIS is one of the most complex and sophisticated navigational tools on board a ship today. Inevitably, all SOLAS-ships will be fitted with this equipment over the next few years. High quality training and instructions are therefore essential requirements and this is where this book can play an important role.

The objective of the book is to impart practical hands-on knowledge about ECDIS. For less experienced users, the book will help to gain a profound overview of the principles of ECDIS navigation and the related challenges. However, it is likely that advanced ECDIS operators will also be able to find new answers and helpful suggestions for ECDIS navigation in this book.

Based upon the principles of the IMO Model Course 1.27, the book will be used in many training centres all over the world and is suitable for all kinds of ECDIS courses in different settings. It is compatible with the e-learning courses of Videotel and Safebridge.

A Practical Guide to Safe Operations.

Over the years numerous harbour tugs have capsized, often with tragic consequences. Stability is a complex subject and mainly a specialism of naval architects. Tug masters seldom have this detailed knowledge - yet they experience the effects of a tug's stability every day when manoeuvring their tug, either free sailing or when assisting ships.

It is, therefore, not just desirable but necessary for tug masters to have at least a basic idea of the elements of stability. They need to know where the limits are, and what the consequences could be, if tug handling practices don't conform to the rules of stability in normal circumstances and also when extreme conditions such as dense fog and storms occur. Furthermore, a tug's stability is not a static condition but can change with every moment. These various factors could combine to affect stability in a negative way and may even culminate in a very dangerous situation for the tug.

In writing this handbook, master mariner and pilot Captain Henk Hensen and naval architect Dr Markus van der Laan have focussed on the practical aspects of stability, tug design and equipment and also on the consequences of unsafe procedures. Their emphasis is on harbour tugs, although several of the topics covered apply equally to seagoing tugs.

Bow tug operations at a ship having headway are very risky, particularly in the case of ships with a very high speed on dead slow ahead - a situation increasingly seen with large container vessels. The problem starts with the approach towards the bow and then with the procedure of passing the towline. Because of the risks involved, tug masters that have to carry out bow tug operations, and particularly tug masters of ASD-tugs that have to operate bow-to-bow, should be well trained and aware of all the possible risks.

These issues are all dealt with in this book in an easy understandable way, resulting in a set of guidelines for safe operations at the bow. This third edition has been updated for several crucial aspects that play an important role in bow-to-bow operations, such as skeg and stern design. As the skeg is such an important appendage for carrying out bow-to-bow operations at a ship having speed, more attention has been paid to skeg design and the effect of differences in skeg design on bow-to-bow operations.

A good stern design is also important for bow-to-bow operations, so stern design has been further dealt with here. Further subjects have been extended or renewed: proper radar use, bow approach manoeuvres, and new tug performance diagrams have been included. As bow-to-bow operations present high risks, additional attention has been paid to this particular issue.

Suggestions for some test trials using your own tugs have been added in order to be able to learn about its specific suitability for bow-to-bow operations, with images explaining the trials discussed - all again focusing on the safety of tugs, tug crews and attended ships.

Finally, since speed, which means speed through the water, is so critical for safe bow tug operations, renewed attention has been paid to this important aspect.

Although seafarers undergo regular medical examinations, a crew member may unexpectedly fall ill or become injured as a result of an accident on board. If this occurs seafarers will have to rely on themselves for medical care and treatment - professional medical assistance or facilities are far away. For this reason 'Medical Care' and 'Medical First Aid' are important elements of the STCW. A STCW certificate is mandatory for all seafarers in order to be able to deal with these situations accordingly.

'Medical care at sea' meets the STCW requirements and offers practical information, clear guidelines and assistance during the course. For this reason it is an important reference work to be used on board. Action protocols, descriptions of the most common conditions that can occur while on board, and background information about the human body are discussed extensively. The medical procedures are supported with numerous useful illustrations.

'Medical care at sea' was written by Michele Soudijn. She is a doctor and has been training seafarers in the field of medical care for years.

The loading of merchant vessels has changed drastically over the years. The big shore gangs have been replaced by cranes and conveyer belts and only a foreman and a crane driver load the vessel. In some cases, the vessel's crew is expected to conduct loading operations themselves.

'Practical Loading of Merchant Vessels' - a mixture of theory and practice - applies to younger maritime students who are just starting their careers. At the same time it expands the knowledge of experienced workers looking to maintain their professional knowledge or advance their careers. This book is about their everyday planning of stowage plans, loading and discharging of cargo - including lashing the cargo in a more efficient and organized way and dangerous goods. 'Practical Loading of Merchant Vessels' is written by Captain Tom Abbenhues. After finishing his training as a maritime officer at the STC-Group in Rotterdam, he has worked for twenty years on various vessels, with a wide variety of cargos. During his time at sea Captain Abbenhues had the pleasure of working along many dedicated and passionate seafarers as well as professional office based personnel.

Manoeuvring is a matter of experience: through a lot of practice - sometimes very complex manoeuvres will be carried out more and more smoothly. Nevertheless, the many actions that have to be taken must be based on theoretical knowledge. This knowledge of kinetics, hydrodynamics and regulations is essential for every seafarer that ever has to manoeuvre a ship.

'Ship Manoeuvring' provides the theoretical information, but has managed to link it to day-to-day practice. Matters like anchoring, tug assistance or passing other ships are addressed extensively. Also, subjects like preparing for passage or navigating through traffic separation schemes are dealt with, in clear understandable terms; the text contains many illustrations and is peppered with technical jargon.