Maritime Britain

Arranged by geographical regions, the informative text is highlighted by a wealth of archive illustrations, vintage black and white as well as contemporary colour photographs to provide a conveniently sized, useful companion guide to many of the venues which will be supporting the Sea Britain 2005 celebrations throughout this year.

Maritime Britain gives full coverage to Britain’s 600 historic ships and maritime museums, providing insight into everything from lighthouses to shipwrecks by way of Lord Nelson’s birthplace, the Armada legacy, the tea clippers, Scottish fisheries and submarine displays. Each regional section includes a gazetteer of contact details and opening times.

Author Paul Heiney is a well known writer and broadcaster who comes from a family of Yorkshire beach fishermen and lifeboat men. He has been an enthusiastic sailor for over 25 years, during which time he has circumnavigated these British Isles of which he now writes. He sails on the 29th of this month taking part in the Singlehanded Transatlantic Yacht Race.

Marine Heavy Lift and Rigging By David J. House. Published by Brown, Son & Ferguson Ltd ISBN 0 85174 720 5. Hardback, 188 pages. Price £40 retail, £28 trade (plus postage) This new publication covers the topic of Heavy Lift within the marine industries, targeting sectors such as salvage, offshore, shipbuilding ship repair, and cargo aspects of the maritime environment.

The movement of bulk cargoes, both dry and liquid, has expanded considerably over recent decades, as has containerisation, Ro-Ro and project cargo, all of which have resulted in increased activity in heavy lift operations. This volume shows not only the many routine lifting operations which take place on board ships but also the new specialist lifting of excessive loads required by a rapidly expanding and highly competitive commercial market.

The requirements of the offshore industry for modularly constructed oil and gas installations fuelled the early development of floating cranes, which evolved into multi-purpose crane barges, floating sheerlegs and salvage craft that has contributed to massive activity and development in the coastal environment.

The rigging skills of heavy lift personnel has developed in tandem with the equipment, facilitating seemingly impossible lifts. Heavy lift managers and operators have placed the safety of personnel and protection of the environment at the top of their priorities. Nothing can be expected to move without a detailed risk assessment and all commercial operations adhere strongly to the principal of Safety of Life at Sea.

This useful A4 sized volume is most thorough in establishing the terms of reference foundations before proceeding to explain heavy lift practice aided by a wealth of formulas, photographs, illustrations and techniques.

Author David House had a career at sea on board many types of vessels before eventually obtaining his Master’s Certificate.

He later came ashore into nautical education and continues to teach and write for all grades of maritime students. This particular work will do much to develop awareness of marine heavy lift and rigging operations for the many who work within the commercial sector.

Maritime Britain
By Paul Heiney.
Published by Adlard Coles Nautical
ISBN 0 7136 7091 6
Paperback, 306 pages.
Price £12.99