A World Of Tug And Salvage Issues
13th Tug & Salvage Convention In Rotterdam Will Discuss Global Tug And Salvage Concerns Rotterdam, The Netherlands will be the focal point for the international towage and salvage industry when, from April 25-28, 1994, the 13th International Tug and Salvage Convention and Exhibition is held at the De Doelen Centre in central Rotterdam. The Convention, which will be chaired by Lord Geddes, will be a forum for discussion of key issues affecting the international towage and salvage industry. More than 20 papers will be presented at the conference, covering a wide range of towage and salvage topics, including a keynote paper on salvage byKlaas Reinigert, managing director of Smit Tak BV and immediate past president of the International Salvage Union (ISU). There will be a case study on the British Trent disaster by Capt. Christian Block of Union de Remorquage et de Sauvetage of Belgium, and also on the complexities of salvage claims and awards.
A paper from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will detail its extensive responsibilities, including the operation of its largest vessel, the Trinity-built MTV Mississippi — at 241 feet (73.5 m) long, reportedly the largest tug ever built in the U.S. The program will feature discussions on computerized salvage calculations, and on the everlooming issue of tug escorts — an issue currently being debated by Washington State lawmakers.
There will even be a discussion on the challenging subject of Russian tugs. Tug effectiveness from a naval architectural point of view will be discussed by Frans Sas of Damen Shipyards, The Netherlands. Additionally, a number of recently completed tugs are expected to be available for delegates to inspect and a spectacular fire fighting demonstration will be staged at Europort's RISC Centre. Martin Redmayne, the conference's managing director, said the demonstration should be "quite spectacular" and "lend itself to greater attendance this year." For both delegates and partners, a full social program has been arranged, including evening entertainment. Special dinner events include a boat trip around Rotterdam Harbor and dinner at a former distillery on Noorder Eiland, River Maas, Rotterdam.
According to Mr. Redmayne, last year's show was incorporated into a larger workboat show. This year's exhibitors, however, will surround the conference hall in a projected 45 booths. Mr. Redmayne estimated last year's conference had only 15 or 20 booths occupied by tug- and salvage- related organizations. Those organizations will include operators, manufacturers, service providers and other associated companies, with details on their latest products and services. For more information on the Tug & Salvage World exhibition, contact Martin Redmayne at TRP Ltd., Thames Wharf Studios, Rainville Road, London W6 9HA, U.K., tel: Oil 44 71 385 4804; fax: Oil 44 71 386 0911.
