21st Century Seamanship
£95.00
The book to get you through your exams and a reference for the rest of your career! This 1,300 page publication takes the traditional values of centuries of good seamanship and blends them with today’s reality. It is for seafarers at every level, covering ship types, handling and stability, onboard procedures and equipment, regulations, emergency response, etc.
A career at sea or in a marine related business understanding the practice of seamanship. In recent decades, shipping has moved at a tremendous pace and created a need for a new up to date manual. This book, which was ten years in the making, positions itself as a manual for the modern day seafarer in the 21st Century.
Preface
This book has taken ten years to prepare and, as a few have commented, it was probably in the planning long before then, whether I realised it or not.
A career at sea or in a marine-related business requires amassing a terrific volume of knowledge and the art and practice of seamanship is perhaps one of the most encyclopaedic job descriptions there is.
When I went to sea, almost 30 years ago, many would talk of days gone by when no self-respecting Chief Officer would be without his Seamanship Manual, and when I was about 12 or 13, I remember still the day my own father gave me his copy of ‘The Boatswain’s Manual’. In recent decades, shipping seems to have moved at a tremendous pace and it left me wondering whether it was possible to capture such a broad scope in a single publication that appeals to the forward thinking seafarer. This is exactly where this book positions itself – a manual for the modern day seafarer in the 21st Century.
This publication takes the traditional values of centuries of good seamanship and blends them with today’s reality and it seems appropriate that it is first published in our company’s 275th year.
By its very nature, this book is exceptionally broad in its scope and further detailed study of the topics covered in this book is available in the 600+ publications Witherbys has in print today. However, in owning this book, you have shown that you want to know and understand more about your industry, an industry that quietly keeps the world moving, carries over 90% of world trade and is set to almost double in volume over the next 20 years.
I wish you every success in your endeavours and always a safe voyage.
Iain Macneil
Managing Director
Witherby Publishing Group
Foreword
The term ‘seamanship’ is much misunderstood by those who are not required to practise the art. Seamanship is also hard to define succinctly as the breadth of knowledge, skills and experience the term encompasses take many a lifetime to acquire.
When I arrived aboard my first ship a little over forty years ago, the ships that made up the world’s merchant fleets, the technologies employed on board and the regulations that governed the industry, and indeed the seafarers themselves, bore little in common with today. However, despite all the technologies that connect ship and shore and keep communications links open at all times, the fact remains that, once a ship puts to sea, it is primarily dependent upon the actions of the master and crew to safely and efficiently execute the voyage, bringing profit to the owner whilst making sure all aboard return safe and well on completion. All must depend on each other, in a variety of circumstances; the ability to perform the broad range of tasks required safely and efficiently, whilst being fully aware of the associated hazards and mitigating measures, is in the broadest sense ‘seamanship’.
The technological advances seen today have led to the launching of more and more specialist ships, all requiring equally specialist knowledge to operate them. There is a danger that the rate of technological advance outpaces the ability of the industry to train competent mariners to operate the increasingly complex ships on which they serve. The need for continued professional development for mariners is inarguable, but this can be difficult to achieve when many ships cannot provide access to the online references enjoyed by most other industries, a problem that has yet to be universally solved. That said, traditional knowledge and skills are still required as it is a stark fact that mooring accidents, lifeboat launching and enclosed space entry continue to kill and injure the unwary, as they have for many decades.
The inclusion in this book of significant incidents in sufficient detail to allow the reader to extract and apply the learning is so valuable as, without doubt, poor decisions and behaviours contribute to far too many accidents at sea. This book provides a solid foundation of knowledge to all those operating, managing and manning today’s merchant fleet. I hope that 21st Century Seamanship will be a reference that is ready to hand on every ship and in every shipping company reference library.
David Cotterell
Director, OCIMF
June 2015
Chapter 1 General Cargo Ship Types
Chapter 2 Tankers
Chapter 3 Other Ship Types
Chapter 4 Offshore Marine Operations
Chapter 5 Machinery and Equipment
Chapter 6 Pilotage
Chapter 7 Ship Handling
Chapter 8 Anchorwork
Chapter 9 Tugs and Towing
Chapter 10 Mooring Operations and Safety
Chapter 11 Waterways, River Transits and Canals
Chapter 12 Preparing a Ship for Ice
Chapter 13 Non-Standard Operations
Chapter 14 Stood by New Builds
Chapter 15 Paints and Coatings
Chapter 16 Drydock
Chapter 17 Lay-up of Ships
Chapter 18 Heavy Weather
Chapter 19 Participating in SAR
Chapter 20 Oil Spills/Pollution
Chapter 21 Practical Aspects of Salvage
Chapter 22 Main Conventions and Codes
Chapter 23 Recent Regulations
Chapter 24 Certification and Endorsements
Chapter 25 Business and Chartering
Chapter 26 Conflict and Issues Affecting Shipping
Chapter 27 Fines for Ships and Ships’ Staff
Chapter 28 In Port and Alongside
Chapter 29 Shipboard Inspections
Chapter 30 Surveys and Classification
Chapter 31 Systems of Work
Chapter 32 Permit to Work
Chapter 33 Enclosed Space Entry
Chapter 34 Health
Chapter 35 Housekeeping on Board
Chapter 36 Ships’ Equipment and Maintenance
Chapter 37 Lifeboat Release Mechanisms
Chapter 38 Fire-fighting
Chapter 39 Shipboard Drills
Chapter 40 Accident Investigation
Chapter 41 Stability
Chapter 42 Damage Stability
Chapter 43 Hull Monitoring and Inspection
Chapter 44 Energy Efficiency
Chapter 45 Ship Recycling
Chapter 46 Traditional Seamanship
Chapter 47 Wires, Ropes, Chains, Shackles & Slings
Chapter 48 Cranes and Lifting Equipment
Chapter 49 Checklists
Chapter 50 Tsunamis and Marine Phenomena
Index
Witherbys
Witherbys titles are developed using scripts developed by technical experts that are peer reviewed within work groups. Typically, they seek to improve understanding of the regulations, recommendations and guidelines issued by Industry.
Witherbys staff have significant expertise in the fields of navigation and hazardous cargoes as well as in the presentation of complex subjects in a graphic and easy to understand manner.
- Number of Pages:
- 1300
- ISBN:
- 9781856096324
- Published Date:
- August 2015
- Binding Format:
- Paperback
- Book Height:
- 235 mm
- Book Width:
- 160 mm
- Weight:
- 2 kg
- Author:
Witherbys
- Preview:
- Yes
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Reviews
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Excellent source of reference
21st Century Seamanship is an impressive publication, it will be an excellent reference book. (Posted on 23/06/2015)
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Tremendous Guide
In recent decades, shipping seems to have moved at a tremendous pace and the need for a new up-to-date manual which captures such a broad scope in a single publication that appeals to the forward thinking seafarer is needed. Developed over a period of 10 years, this publication takes the traditional values of centuries of good seamanship and blends them with today’s reality. The book “21st Century Seamanship” has been aptly positioned as a manual for the modern day seafarer in the 21st Century. It provides a detailed understanding of the shipping industry and how it keeps the world moving, carrying more than 90 per cent of the world trade that is set to almost double in volume over the next 20 years. Published by Witherby Publishing Group Ltd, the book is a tremendous guide and provides enormous knowledge especially for a cadet embarking on a career at sea or in another marine related business. This book provides a very broad scope and further study of the topics that are covered in the book are available in the 600+ publications available from Witherbys. (Posted on 29/06/2015)
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Provides an insight to the Shipping world
This book provides an insight to the shipping world for all who choose shipping as a career, while also updating the knowledge of existing seafarers with the latest technological advances. (Posted on 02/07/2015)
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Life, the universe and everything
Witherby Publishing Group MD Iain Macneil says this 1,300 page blockbuster has taken a decade to prepare – and it shows. Encyclopaedic in its scale, it offers a remarkable range of information and guidance that will be of particular use to new entrants and trainees. Written and designed with quality and clarity, the book provides a wealth of detail about the shipping industry – and the opening three chapters, which describe all the various vessel types, would be very worthy of wide circulation to address public ignorance about maritime matters. Rather than presenting the information in the traditional form of dense blocks of text, the publishers have gone for bite-sized chunks of material supported with liberal quantities of photos, diagrams and other graphics. That’s not to say the book is a ‘dumbed-down’ work. Where necessary –and notably in sections dealing with regulatory requirements – there are lengthy passages. But rigorous editing and a ‘bullet point’ approach enables these to be presented in a readily digestible format. The theme of good seamanship underpins every section – with the initial chapters on ship types describing particular cargo characteristics and potential safety risks. The safety message is repeatedly reinforced by a selection of significant accident reports and case studies which provide important lessons for preventing similar incidents and also firmly root the guidance in operational reality, offering genuine insight into the way in which events may easily spiral out of control. Being a ‘21st Century’ manual, there are large sections dealing with the flow of regulations affecting shipboard operations – including emission controls, port state control requirements and the concept of ‘goal-based standards’. The topical subject of criminalisation gets a chapter to itself with associated advice on what to do in the event of an accident. In total, there are 50 chapters – with others addressing topics such as pilotage, ship handling, anchorwork, mooring operations, heavy weather, stability, fire-fighting, and waterway and river transits. In the light of some recent accidents, sections on entry into enclosed spaces and lifeboat release mechanisms are of particular value – especially when they set out common mistakes to avoid making. There is also some excellent information on health hazards – with advice on minimising fatigue, reducing the risk of tropical diseases and making sure your water supplies are not contaminated. In line with the 21st century theme, there is a chapter of checklists for different operational duties. Reassuringly, however, traditional seamanship is not forgotten and the book offers advice on such things as rope splices, rigging a bosun’s chair, crossing the line ceremonies and courtesy procedures. At a time when many experienced seafarers have been concerned about the quality of those following in their footsteps and when the time available for passing on skills and experience is under immense pressure, the existence of a book like this helps to fill some big gaps in the system and provides a ready reference to information that may, in many cases, make a difference between life and death. It’s sure to become an essential title – but spare a thought for those tasked with keeping it up to date for the next edition! (Posted on 22/07/2015) A tome for all departments Review by Michael Jones - IHS Fairplay Books like 21st Seamanship have an honourable pedigree, stemming from a long line of manuals for seafarers. Unlike volumes of the past, this is a thoroughly modern revision that covers important topics for today’s shipping. The publisher points out that it took about 10 years to prepare this voluminous work, which extends over 1,300 pages and is divided into 50 chapters – a labour of love – covering an extensive array of topics and also including a comprehensive index. The content is useful for the engineering and deck departments on almost any type of vessel – bulkers, general cargo, crude carriers, LNG tankers, and so on. It covers a huge range of topics from vessel types, cargoes and associated hazards, equipment, the voluminous shipping regulations, inspections, safe practices and seamanship – all highly relevant to modern shipping. It can be used by those working ashore to understand and explain safe working practices required for modern ship operation – indeed a great deal can be gained from this book from a wider audience. The chapters are well written, in a style that is clear and quickly brings out the important aspects of a topic. To reinforce key points, some text is provided in boxes of varying shades, with red reserved for crucial information about safety that must be observed. The book is extensively illustrated, with clear drawings, photographs and tables aiding comprehension of the material. The first section deals with ship types and provides examples of disasters and significant incidents and the lessons learned from each. These presentations are often very instructive, as many lessons can be conveyed to readers through these examples of ‘what went wrong and how not to do it’ A key attraction of the book is to read through the sections unfamiliar to the general reader, such as salvage and procedures that the crew might take to mitigate an incident getting worse. The section on heavy weather and freak waves has many examples of ship handling techniques as well as case studies of ships that encountered rogue waves and what happened to them. Some sections are enhanced by links to external data, either from more detailed codes and manuals or through internet links. In a section on dangerous goods and substances, the book points out the relevant codes that should be observed as well as a recommendation to seek further information from the MEDICAL First Aid Guide and other guidance published by the International Maritime Organization. In a section on launching and retrieving a fast-response boat, there are three links showing how to launching and retrieving a fast-response boat, there are three links showing how to launch and retrieve such a craft properly and one on how not to launch properly. Scrap metal has a range of hazards, the book points out, and “many lives have been lost by officers and crew members entering a hold to inspect a heating problem without taking adequate precautions for confined space entry.” This section is just one of many in the book including case studies that help drive home the important safety points. The text is also mixed with homespun truths. “Paint lockers are often the most disorganised areas on board ship and, without due care and attention, they can easily become one of the biggest hazards” Amen. 21st Century Seamanship deals with, unsurprisingly, conventions and codes as well as recent additions to the pantheon of ship rules. There is very little to fault in this book. Modern Shipping is a challenging business. A reference work of this magnitude should be aboard. Available in August. (Posted on 08/07/2015) Should be a reference to hand on every ship Review by Captain David Cotterell, Executive Director, OCIMF This book provides a solid foundation of knowledge to those persons operating, managing and manning todays merchant fleet that has taken the author a decade to compile. I hope that 21st Century Seamanship will be a reference ready to hand on every ship and in every shipping company reference library. (Posted on 02/07/2015)
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Refreshing New Approach
There are many seamanship books in publication today, indeed there are some that I remember from my youth during training on HMS Conway. For many years we seem to have survived on such books, which while being updated, retain the traditional arts of our profession but with little acceptance of the increasing new knowledge and practices required for modern shipping and the technology that is changing so much of shipping today. Ten years ago Seamanship 21st Century was conceived to bring a refreshing new approach to the seamanship text book blending in not just seamanship but many other aspects of knowledge about ships and the sea not just for those in training, but also for those already at sea and those ashore who require an understanding of this modern and ever changing industry. The book has far exceeded my expectations, especially in the way which Witherbys Seamanship has presented the information in their arrangement of the book. It is not just an explanation of modern seamanship but is also a voyage of understanding ships and the sea and the complexity of undertakings required to ensure the safe and professional delivery of the responsibilities required of the modern seafarers today and prepare them for the future. (Posted on 14/08/2015)
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The Ultimate Maritime Textbook
In his introduction to “21st Century Seamanship”, Iain Macneil of Edinburgh based maritime publishing Witherby states the aim of the book is to “take the traditional values of centuries of good seamanship and blend them with today’s reality”. In close to 1300 pages and fifty chapters, this remarkable book covers all aspects of modern seafaring, including such specialities as preparing a ship for ice, laying up ships, salvage and accident investigation. With such a vast subject, the publishers acknowledge the book is exceptionally broad in its scope and further detailed study may be required, but in encapsulating in one volume so much up-to-date information whilst explaining traditional seafaring skills, this book is not only an invaluable addition to a ship’s bookshelf, but has a much wider appeal. Lavishly illustrated and with a text that is clear and concise, the book draws on the wide experience of many seafarers and technical experts. This is not a volume prepared by old sea dogs harking back to the ‘good old days’ but a valuable work of reference of enormous relevance to the modern shipping industry and those involved at the sharp end. It’s bang up to date, with detailed chapters on such areas as fines incurred for ships and ship’s staff a useful aide memoire in these days of the criminalisation of seafarers, plus there is a sensible, ‘plain English’ treatise on Ballast water management. Traditional Seamanship gets its own chapter, reflecting that the courtesies and traditions of the sea have not all been lost in today’s onerous regulatory environment. The book is also remarkable for putting into context how so much of today’s regulation and advances in safety came about. The opening chapter on ship types not only give a comprehensive description of ship types and cargoes but also recounts significant incidents and what changes came about as a result. It’s sobering to be reminded of disasters such as the ‘BETELGEUSE’ and ‘TORREY CANYON’, or the three crude tankers that exploded within a month of each other in 1969, prompting the introduction of crude oil systems. As its title suggests, seamanship is what this book is primarily about and the chapters on topics such as heavy weather, equipment maintenance and systems of work are clearly written by people not only hugely experienced in these areas but who also have a gift for communication. There is no alternative to hard won experience and listening to the wisdom of your peers, but this book is like having an expert always at hand, and may well save a few seafarers from a dressing down when the shipowner’s marine superintendent pays a visit on board. “21st Century Seamanship” is indispensable for those on board ships, experienced officers and cadets alike. It is also of huge value to shore based personnel. A Financial Controller about to go into battle with his manager over a dry docking budget would be well advised to read the chapter on paint and drydockings, young ship brokers can massively add to their knowledge base by studying the chapters on ship types, which contain a wealth of information on cargo handling systems, cargoes and stowage, whilst any chief executive will have a better understanding of operational problems by regularly dipping into the vast wealth of information container here. This book will not only find it’s way onto every ship in our fleet, but will also be liberally distributed throughout the office. Without doubt, “21st Century Seamanship” is one of the most significant shipping books to appear for a very long time. (Posted on 11/09/2015)
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This is an outstanding book and a necessity for anyone embarking on a career at sea and I would highly recommend it
A cadet embarking on a career at sea or in another marine related business will be required to gather an enormous volume of knowledge. The art of and practice of seamanship is one of the most encyclopaedic jobs descriptions around. Recently, it appears that shipping has moved at a great pace and left us wondering how it would be possible to capture such a wide range in one publication that will appeal to the forward thinking seafarer. This is exactly where this book positions itself and is presented as a manual for the modern day seafarer of the 21st Century. This publication takes the traditional values of good seamanship and blends them with today’s reality. This book provides a very broad scope and further study of the topics that are covered in the book are available in the 600+ publications available from Witherbys. owning this book shows that the reader wants to know and understand more about the shipping industry and how it keeps the world moving, carriers more than 90% of the world trade and is set to almost double in volume over the next 20 years. This is an outstanding book and a necessity for anyone embarking on a career at sea and I would highly recommend it. (Posted on 08/02/2016)