Leok

Leok

Wednesday, 20 April 2016 16:48

Trials multicat ZWERVER II

NAMING CEREMONY ZWERVER II
On the 28th of April, 2016 the 'Zwerver II' was named. The Name giving Ceremony took place at her home port in Harlingen, the Netherlands. HVS Dredging Support looks back on a festive event. The Zwerver II is an unique Multi-Purpose "Walkto-Work" support vessel and is equipped with DP II, 4-point mooring, a crane of 510 Tm with an active heave compensated winch, a conventional crane of 370 Tm and a passive heave compensated gangway for the purpose of transferring crew to windmills/platforms. The Ships pulling force is 65 T which is exceptional with a depth of only 2.7 m in this class. The vessel was designed and built under Bureau Veritas and sails under the Dutch flag. She is versatile, mainly in the offshore and renewables market with services such as dredging support, anchor handling, cable laying, buried cables, diving support, ROV support and many other activities. The accommodation is MLC-certified and can accommodate 17 people. This number can be expanded through two custom made and fully Classed TLQ's up to 21 people.The first project for the Zwerver II is already completed for C-Ventus, later in May she will be employed on a project for another client.

She is versatile, mainly in the offshore and renewables market with services such as dredging support, anchor handling, cable laying, buried cables, diving support, ROV support and many other activities. The accommodation is MLC-certified and can accommodate 17 people. This number can be expanded through two custom made and fully Classed TLQ's up to 21 people.The first project for the Zwerver II is already completed for C-Ventus, later in May she will be employed on a project for another client. (Press Release Seacontractors)The latest fleet addition to HVS Dredging Support is the 35 mtr long and 15 mtr width 65 ton BP walk-to-work vessel ZWERVER II above seen returning to the builders the Kooiman Group after successful yard trials. HVS Dredging Support started their services in the 70's. Throughout the years they have established a modern fleet in which they have built our over more than 40 years of experience. the fleet consists of multi-purpose shallow draught, triple propelled workboats which are classified by "Bureau Veritas" and well equipped with the most modern deck- and navigational equipment. One of our main priorities is the continuous improvement of all the vessels. Some of the vessels are equipped with DP (Dynamic Positioning). With their highly qualified, flexible and experienced crew we meet the needs and requirements of all our clients. Working on a personal basis and with a professional and pro-active attitude we serve our clients in order to gain the best results for all parties in every project. Several projects in a large number of countries worldwide have been successfully accomplished. The Zwerver II is equipped with DP-2, 4-point mooring, large Knuckleboom-crane of 510 Tm with an Active Heave Compensated winch, a Knuckleboom-crane of 370 Tm.
(source: press announcement taken from Tugs Towing and Offshore Newsletter Hans van der Ster)

Monday, 18 April 2016 01:19

GOUWESTROOM

KOTUG International B.V. (KOTUG) and Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) have announced that they have successfully formalized a joint venture for their European harbour towage operations. The joint operations are transferred to a 50/50 joint venture, combining the European harbour towage activities of KOTUG and Boskalis' subsidiary SMIT. In order to retain both strong brand names and to benefit from the already well established brand recognition in Europe, the merged operations will operate under the entity 'KOTUG SMIT TOWAGE'. The operational integration will start on April 7th, 2016. With a fleet of 65 tugboats, KOTUG SMIT TOWAGE will be a leading provider of harbour towage services in northwestern Europe, operating in 11 ports in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and United Kingdom. The geographical footprint of both KOTUG and SMIT is complementary. Activities of both partners in other parts of the world are excluded from this cooperation. KOTUG SMIT TOWAGE stands for high quality towage with a strong focus on tailor made services. The joint venture will achieve synergies, mainly from economies of scale benefits as well as opportunities for smarter operations– e.g. improved tug utilisation. As the operations are further integrated, sharing of joint experience, expertise and best practices will generate additional value. KOTUG's CEO Ard-Jan Kooren commented: "The combined operation allows us to meet the increasing demands of the maritime industry in order to supply our clients with an even higher level of efficiency and port call optimization in Europe." "By drawing on a combined track record over 350 years of experience and knowledge in the maritime industry and with a passionate workforce, the joint venture will further strengthen its high quality towage services. In this consolidating market KOTUG SMIT TOWAGE is able to offer competitive services against the highest operational and safety standards within the industry."
(Press Release, taken from Tugs Towing & Offshore Newsletter/Hans van der Ster)

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KOTUG SMIT Towage.
A new name in Europe.  Kotug and Smit are now working together in northwest Europe. 
Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. and KOTUG International B.V have announced that the previously reported planned merger of their European harbour towage operations has been completed. The process of completing customary conditions, including due diligence and approval from regulatory agencies in respective countries involved and of course in cooperation with their works councils started in December 2014 when Kotug announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Boskalis to merge their European harbour towage operations. It was a year later that an agreement on the merger was announced with the MOU being formalised and financial close aiming for the first quarter of 2016 followed by the operational integration. The final step has now been completed with the new company known as KOTUG SMIT Towage becoming operational on 7 April. Both Smit (a Boskalis subsidiary) and Kotug operate on a global basis with their headquarters in Papendrecht and Rotterdam respectively and the 50/50 JV concerns their operations in northwest Europe. The agreement involves 11 ports in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and UK with a fleet of 65 tugs resulting in operational synergies and a combined total revenue of approximately €150m. Activities of both partners in other parts of the world are excluded from the arrangement. At financial close, Boskalis refinanced its contribution to the JV, as a consequence freeing up and receiving €90m in cash.The selection of the name for the new venture is perhaps predictable but intended to retain both companies' strong brand names and to benefit from well-established brand recognition. The forming of partnerships such as this is not uncommon now as established towage operators expand into other regions where local knowledge and connections are important in establishing business and gaining confidence of customers.For Boskalis this strategy is an established part of its business model, Saam Smit Towage (Americas), Smit Lamnalco and Keppel Smit Towage (Singapore) being three examples of regional cooperation arrangements. Kotug is a family owned company also increasing its global presence with similar cooperation arrangements but are equally known for its innovative and forward-thinking activities including the well-known Rotortug and development of hybrid tugs.For Kotug, CEO, Ard-Jan Kooren commented: "The combined operation allows us to meet the increasing demands of the maritime industry in order to supply our clients with an even higher level of efficiency and port call optimization in Europe. By drawing on a combined track record over 350 years of experience and knowledge in the maritime industry and with a passionate workforce, the joint venture will further strengthen its high quality towage services. In this consolidating market KOTUG SMIT TOWAGE is able to offer competitive services against the highest operational and safety standards within the industry.
Source: By Peter Barker, Maasmond maritime journal Piet Sinke 56

Saturday, 09 April 2016 16:00

Haven Rotterdam toen

How to make a tugboat cake for a kid's (beach) party.

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Tonight I want to show you another birthday cake idea that I also mentioned in the beach party post, namely that of a tugboat.

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Once again I found this idea/image and instructions in what must be one of my favourite children's birthday cake books. Although this cake is made from the traditional baked cake, or for that matter, two cakes, you can easily turn it into an ice cream cake by following the instructions in the ice cream ship cake post.

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Before I tell you how to make this cute tugboat, I first have to tell you that I had a comment from a reader who outright told me that the ice cream ship cake post was not at all interesting. Coming from somebody who has a childbirth and pregnancy site, it made me chuckle. Pregnancy and childbirth inevitably lead to kids and kids lead to parties, right? And we all know that there must be a birthday cake at a kid's party...

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While we are on the subject of comments, why don't you leave a comment and tell me if you like the cake idea posts? If not, what other kid's birthday party topics would you like me to cover... more party theme ideas, ideas on what to put into a favour bag, decoration ideas, party activities/games and entertainment, invitations and thank you notes, party crafts or anything else you want to know about birthday parties.

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You, the reader of this site, are in a way my guideline for the ideas I post here and if you have a specific question or query about planning a birthday party, let me know (either by leaving a comment or using the contact form in the navigation bar) and I will do my best to find an answer for you, even if it means I have to do some research if I don't know the answer!

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With that out of the way, let me tell you how to make the tugboat.

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You will need two cakes (either baked from your own favourite recipe or with 2 packet cake mixes). Bake in 28cm x 18cm (11in x 7in) lamington pans. You will also need 1 and a half quantity butter cream icing. See recipe for butter cream icing here

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Store left over icing in the fridge or you can even freeze it successfully until you need it for some cupcakes. On the day you want to use it, take it out of the freezer and leave to thaw at room temperature.

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Other things you will need for the tugboat cake:

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Sweets/candy for decoration

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licorice allsorts
tubular licorice
1 licorice bullet
white Lifesavers
toy flag
coloured popcorn
pipe cleaners

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Following the diagrams, cut the one cake as shown, to form the base layer of the tug boat.

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shaping-the-tugboat-cake-300x300Cut the other cake, as shown, to form the middle and top layers. Assemble the cake in layers, as shown.

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Tip: Use the left over cake pieces to make chocolate truffles for the adults at the party.

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Divide the butter cream in half, tint one half with yellow food colouring; halve the other portion and tint one quantity with green food colouring. Tint the other half with orange or apricot food colouring. (or colours of choice)

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Cover the base of the tug boat smoothly with the yellow butter icing, cover middle layer with green and the top layer with the orange.

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Cut licorice allsorts lengthwise into four, arrange around edge of boat as shown.

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Press lifesavers on to middle layer to represent portholes.

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Cut tubular licorice into small rounds, arrange around top layer of boat (see image).

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Twist thin licorice in coil shape to represent a rope and place in the corner of the bottom layer.

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Wrap thin licorice twice around a finger to represent tyres, twist pieces of pipe cleaner around tops of tyres and push the ends of the pipe cleaners into the edge of the boat as shown.

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Make a flag with a piece of paper and a toothpick and position it as shown or where ever you feel the flag should be.

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Make small holes in the popcorn, thread on to a pipe cleaner, insert the pipe cleaner in the licorice "funnel" to represent smoke.

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Make a wheel from a thin strip of licorice, form it into a circle, make spokes with toothpicks pressed firmly into the licorice. If necessary, trim the toothpicks, depending on the size of the circle.

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Position the wheel in the top layer as shown.

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Idea: You can pipe the name of the birthday child on the side of the base layer and even print a small face photo to use for the flag.

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As with the ice cream ship cake, arrange some chopped blue jello around the tugboat cake to resemble the ocean. Hmm, I'm thinking of small marshmallow fish amongst the jello cubes for a real ocean look too.

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As always, have fun when you plan your child's birthday party!

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- See more at: http://www.kids-theme-parties.com/how-to-make-a-tugboat-cake-for-a-kids-beach-party/#sthash.gsUSoagC.dpuf

Thursday, 07 April 2016 16:37

Book: The Christmas Tugboat

The Christmas Tugboat: How the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Came to New York City (Hardcover – October 30, 2012).

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by George Matteson (Author), Adele Ursone (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator).

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Nothing says Christmas like a Christmas tree, and the Rockefeller Center tree in New York City has said it beautifully since 1931. But how does the tree get there? One year, the tugboat captain (and author) George Matteson, his wife, and their daughter traveled by tug to fetch the giant tree. This dramatic picture book tells the story of their real-life journey up the Hudson River, and James Ransome's striking paintings capture the excitement of the trip and the pride of the young girl who helped steer the tug into New York Harbor.

T Is for Tugboat: Navigating the Seas from A to Z (Hardcover – April 16, 2008).

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by Traci N. Todd (Author), Sara Gillingham (Author).

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Ahoy! Drop anchor for T Is for Tugboat, the nautical follow-up to the alphabet book A Is for Astronaut and its companion C Is for Caboose. Clever photographs and illustrations teach youngreaders about everything from mizzenmasts to crackerjack suits. Land ho!

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Thursday, 07 April 2016 16:27

Book: Little Tug

Little Tug

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by Stephen Savage.

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From the author of the "New York Times" Best Illustrated Book "Polar Bear Night." Little Tug may not be very tall or very fast, but when the big ships in the harbor need help, they know they can count on him to be there with a push, a pull, and a ride to safety. But what happens when Little Tug gets tired? In full color.

Thursday, 07 April 2016 16:21

Book: The tugboat team

Read aloud video

Thursday, 07 April 2016 16:16

Book: Tommy The Tugboat

Tommy The Tugboat (Kindle Edition)

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by Grant Gamble (Author).

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Tommy the Tugboat works on the river pushing barges and freighters and great ocean liners. One day he receives a distress call to help a big ship that is stuck at the mouth of the river. Tommy's great strengths of character and perseverance prevail in the end where other gave up.

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Tommy the Tugboat is the first of a series of children's books designed to display positive human.

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