Today, author Captain Henk Hensen offered the fourth and fully revised edition to Ard-Jan Kooren, President & CEO of KOTUG International on deck of KOTUG’s training vessel the RT Borkum. The book is considered to be the authoritative guide for everyone who sails a tug since it is a full reference book aimed to increase practical knowledge and safety of operations.

`Tug Use in Port’ focuses on the need for highly trained and educated tug masters and crews, especially in this era of increased technology and environmental requirements. “Training is more important than ever”, says Captain Henk Hensen. “Training is not just a matter of how to do the job, it is also important to understand why. To achieve that, theory is indispensable”. For that reason the book is of great importance also for pilots, ship masters and all others involved in ship handling with tugs.

The IMO also mentioned ‘Tug Use in Port’ to be an authoritative guide on tug operations. It addresses present and future developments, demonstrates how training could be carried out, what should be trained, where the risks are and why. It explains the various tug types, capabilities and limitations, towing equipment and much more. In addition to earlier editions, the fourth edition also discusses decision support systems on board tugs, full electric tugs, tug operations in swell, stopping a ship by tugs, new escort and carrousel tugs, and assisting navy ships.

RT Borkum
Not by chance the small ceremony took place on KOTUG’s RT Borkum, the high-end training vessel of the KOTUG Training & Consultancy division. One chapter of the book is dedicated to autonomous sailing and the RT Borkum was the first harbour tug that could actually sail autonomously, which makes the vessel an ideal location for the ceremony.

Tug Use in Port. A Practical Guide, 4^th edition can be ordered at: https://stc-publishing.nl

KOTUG Training & Consultancy, the training and consultancy division of KOTUG – and AMC Search, the training and consultancy division of the Australian Maritime College (AMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term strategic partnership. The MoU encompasses exclusive training of (tug) Masters, ships crews and Pilots in Australia by certified KOTUG trainers at AMC’s training facilities in Tasmania

Facing an increasing demand for qualified maritime professionals, AMC Search is seeking ways to increase its capabilities whilst maintaining its best-in-class training, for which the organisation is renowned. KOTUG fulfills this requirement by offering first-class trainers and training materials. As the only ISO 9001 certified tug training company in the world, KOTUG Training & Consultancy sets high standards for the training facilities it uses. With its training and consultancy division, KOTUG aims to create safe and sound operations with respect for the environment and an excellent level of training and competence while safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved. With a fully equipped and exclusive Maritime Simulation Centre in Tasmania, and operating with similar corporate values, these standards are perfectly met by AMC Search.

Joint Pilot Tug Master training is requested more and more by various ports and terminals in the world to increase port safety and efficiency; therefore, effective and efficient teamwork between Pilot and Tug Masters is one of the key training programmes to be delivered by KOTUG at the AMC Centre for Maritime Simulations in Tasmania.

Patrick Everts, General Manager of KOTUG Training & Consultancy:  “We are extremely happy with this strategic partnership. Australia is one of the key growth markets and with its modern facilities, AMC Search meets our high standards for training facilities. Our training method consists of three components, classroom and simulator training at state-of-the-art simulators, and onboard training. It is a proven didactic method for the best training results, preparing the students for expected and unexpected real-life situations. We are looking forward to starting our training and providing students with our highly regarded KOTUG Training Certificate, ensuring more safety and efficiency to the maritime industry”.

Dean Cook, CEO of AMC Search: “AMC Search is thrilled to be partnering with the training & consultancy division of KOTUG,  an organisation that has delivered services to the maritime industry for over 100 years. The signing of the MoU will lead to a commercial partnership where Australian tugboat and port operators will have access to training services that will be delivered by world-class trainers in state-of-the-art simulators. With limited availability of tugboat simulation training capability in Australia, we look forward to working with KOTUG Training & Consultancy to help the sector access the training it needs to maintain safety and improve efficiencies.”