Two books have been published recently that will have a place on the book shelves of many involved in the tug and offshore industries, both published by the ABR Company Ltd.
Anchor Handling Tug Operationsby Ian Clarke and Michael Hancox is a unique and practical guide to the operation of modern anchor handling tugs engaged in anchor handling and towing operations. The book is aimed at the Masters and Officers who operate these vessels, Tow Masters, Rig Movers, Barge Masters, Tower Foremen and shore based personnel who utilise the vessels in offshore operations.
Profusely illustrated with excellent purpose designed graphics and photographs, the work endeavours to show in practical terms the theoretical knowledge, methods and techniques that can be used to avoid placing these vessels at unnecessary risk when carrying out what appears at first sight to be ‘normal’ operations. Two recent examples of accidents, involving the anchor handlers Stevns Power and Bourbon Dolphin, resulting in the total loss of the vessels and members of their crews, are used to illustrate what can happen and why.
Consideration is also given to the fact that anchor handling tug supply vessels are a design compromise and that it is this which may lead to over-confidence in the ability of a particular vessel to carry out a given towing or anchor handling operation. Training is also scrutinised and the need for hard learned lessons to be passed on.
The book is divided into two parts, Theory and Practice, identified by colour coded headings and subdivided into chapters. The layout, illustration and attention to detail is first class, making the book an ideal training aid.
Anchor Handling Tug Operations: ISBN 978-1-904050-21-6, is priced at GBP £50 plus p&p.
Also now available, the International Tug & OSV Annual Review 2011 – 22nd Edition, replaces the well established annual, Tugworld Review, and covers a wide variety of vessels from the previous year. The previously titled publication has been reviewed many times in MJ over the years. The changed title reflects the company’s move to embrace the many specialist vessels being constructed for the offshore industry.
This annual review retains the same format which had previously proved successful, with a specification, photograph and GA drawing for each of the 36 vessels or classes of vessel covered. Also included is an annual news round-up and a 10 page global directory. The 116 page review is printed in full colour in A4 format.
The diverse range of vessels included varies enormously, from the little inland waterway pusher Maid Marion to the very different shiphandling ASD tugs Seaspan Raven and Iwaki Marug and the deepsea tugs Fairplay 32 & 33. Among the OSVs are the complex offshore support tug Smit Siyanda, the emergency response and rescue vessel Grampian Endurance, and the high performance anchor hander Skandi Skansen.
International Tug & OSV Annual Review 2011 – 22nd Edition: ISBN 978-1804050-22-3, is priced at GBP £30 with a 25% discount for ITS Members. Both books are available from the ABR Company Ltd via the website www.tugsarus@tugandosv.com
