Ship Handling

The shipmasters of today and people in command of navy vessels have a truly unique authority differing from the authority of civil servant or, for example, the factory manager. Even though the vessels are under formal jurisdiction of the Flag, they are commonly treated as independent outposts. Therefore both master of the ship and commanding officer are normally expected to make sure that the safety of the crew members is provided, upholding the general rules of the law. This is a new edition of the book which is not exhaustive but still covers virtually all important aspects of the subject. The content is based on the valuable contributions of the internationally spread experts in the field. It introduces several completely new techniques.

Opening with the general introductory information, the book addresses such matters as training for command, the responsibilities of the ship master, health management, marine insurance issues, surveys conducted on board the vessel, the requirements to the masters, the ISM Code, Port State Control and Flag states, responsibilities of the master in distress situations, salvage and associated contracts, safety management, commercial management, shipboard maintenance, running costs drydocking-related issues including planning and maintenance aspects, shiphandling, anchoring, navigation and so many others issues all of them being critically important for the safe and efficient operation of the vessel.

Here is one of the most popular books on anchoring and mooring addressing the widely used anchoring systems, the most effective anchoring and mooring techniques, as well as permanent moorings for the boats having a length varying from twelve to eighty feet.

The content of this perfect guidebook is covering many different types of boats including multi-hill and mono-hull boats, light sailboats, workboats and passagemakers, sportfishers and others. It is intended to serve as a comprehensive reference book for the owners of the working and recreational boats in the above stated size range. The material of the book is arranged in three big parts.

The first part of the volume is devoted to the technology of the ground tackle covering the loads at anchor, deck gear for the anchor, anchor windlass and rodes together with their selection, while the second part deals with the art of anchoring, paying attention to the human factors impacting the anchoring processes, anchoring techniques and tricks, rights and responsibilities of the people engaged in anchoring, and even storm anchoring. The last part of the volume is dealing solely with the mechanics of moorings and covers permanent moorings.

The ultimate purpose of the present guide developed and released by The Standard Guide and belonging to the Master's Guide series, was to list, in a simple and easily understandable terms, all actions that shall be taken by the Master of the ship when there is a problem or an accident that may potentially result in claims against the ship manager or owner.

The document is actually concerned only with the P&I, i.e. Protection and Indemnity risks; it contains the advice and instructions on how the owner's interests can be protected after the problem has arisen. Please not that this paper is not intended to replace in any way any standing instructions on the ship accidents, any emergency response procedures or reporting procedures established by your company.

The booklet starts with the Basic Advice chapter giving quite clear advice on what shall and what shall not be done, with the content arranged in two columns - Always and Never. The document provides advice for avoidance of the ship accidents, proper collection of the evidence, bills of lading, pollution, property damage, ship security and stowaways, general average and many other aspect commonly associated with the accident response.

At the turn of the XXI century the Southward movement of oil exploration across the Mississippi delta made the eventual search for hydrocarbons under the sea inevitable, and in 1923 the first offshore exploration took place off the coast of Louisiana state. The drilling derricks were set on platforms which in turn were supported by the piles that were driven into the mud of the Mississippi delta.

And, it was not long before subject structures were erected just off the shore, and by 1930 the oil companies were using derricks mounted on barges which were sunk to the seabed on the location. The supply vessel as a ship type is unique in that it did not develop from any other sort of craft, except that in common with all other ships it has a hull, engines and a bridge...

This book written by Captain Vic Gibson is dedicated to the operations performed by the offshore supply vessels. It starts with the historical overview o the development of the supply ships and requirements applicable to them, followed by the chapters addressing the oil fields and drilling rigs, ship handling and moving of the semi-submersible and jack-up, i.e. self-elevating offshore drilling rigs, special offshore activities, towing and cargo transportation, standing by and emergency services, etc. A very useful book for all people engaged in the offshore supply activities.

According to the numerous reader reviews, this publication is maybe the most helpful when used by those involved in the selecting the cruising sailboats and their subsequent equipping. It will be useful and practical to both offshore and coastal cruisers who will find inside the valuable information relating to the most important aspects, carefully worked and presented by the recognized expert in the field.

The material contained in the book has been arranged in two big sections. The first section covers the tabular method commonly applied for evaluating the stability of the cruising boat to check if the boat in question is suitable for sailing’ in addition, it addresses several ideas for the arrangement and layout on the deck together with the practical tips on choosing and configuring the boat systems and installation of the associated gear.

The second section of the publication deals with the boat handling and navigational skills; the anchoring, mooring and weather understanding matters have been addressed. The book is going to show the readers how they should choose, equip, sail and navigate their boats, and as such shall be treated as an indispensable reference on board every single cruising boat.

As it comes quite clear from the title of this publication prepared and released by the MarineInsight team, it was designed to provide some introduction to the basics of the ship mooring techniques. The book will serve as a reference tool to be used by the ship crew members and deck officers. The booklet has been arranged in seven major chapters.

The first one is introductory, explaining the process of mooring the vessel in general. The second chapter of the book is dedicated to the so-called Mediterranean mooring of the vessel, while the following one is about the Baltic mooring. Obviously, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. The remaining chapters of the publication deal with the single- and multiple point mooring of vessels, ship-to-ship mooring, and also what is the running and standing mooring.

In short, this training book is an excellent reference source for every person involved in subject operations, either in planning or in actual mooring. The book also provides readers with the relevant terminology and definitions that all crew members and deck officers shall be aware of in order to perform the mooring safely and effectively. We really recommend to have this booklet readily available on board.

This technical publication was prepared by Michael Hancox and subsequently published by Oilfield Publications Ltd.; it belongs to the famous "The Oilfield Seamanship" series of publications. As the name of the document implies, this one is dedicated to the anchor handling techniques, i.e. to the one of the most important sides of the commonly conducted offshore operations.

Apart from the opening introductory chapter, the book includes parts covering equipment layout and function, running and retrieving anchors, rigging for anchor handling operations, handling chains, support mooring operations, bat-barge cooperation, equipment maintenance, safety procedures etc.

The publication is expected to be of great practical use to ship Masters and, in fact, every crew member involved in the anchor handling operations at the oilfields as it describes in detail all related operations from the AHTS view point offering quite fresh look at this matter. The content of the volume is covering the majority of the offshore operations but it should be noted that the methods that have been described here are not only considered means some particular aim. Numerous shortcuts provided by the author will definitely be appreciated by all participants of the subject activities.

The present publication belongs to the popular Master's Guide series by The Standard Club. Any ship handler shall have a clear understanding of what is actually happening with the ship under his command - not only that but also, and maybe more important - what will happen with the ship in a short time.

The proper knowledge of the theoretical basics will make it easier to identify the maneuvering characteristics of the ship and quickly evaluate the skills required to control the ship. Such knowledge is considered critically important in a harbor environment when the vessel encounters narrow channels, cross-winds, currents and close quarters situations. In fact, berthing shall be treated as the culmination moment of any voyage - this is the very moment when the ship is mating with a stationary and solid berth.

That is why it requires gentle and precise control which is demonstrated by the ship handlers in harbors all over the world every day. Most of the vessels dock safely most of the time, however the final outcome of the maneuver chosen and conducted by the ship handler is not always fully successful - this may eventually result in a ship demolishing jetties, hitting berths running aground and even colliding with other ships - and this actually happens at a really alarming frequency...