In the National Dutch Towage Museum the visitor can test his ability how to manoeuver on a ship simulator. Thanks to one of our sponsors, the firm Alphatron Marine BV at Rotterdam, we are able to offer this device to the public. The simulator consists of the professional version of Ship Simulator 2008 from VSTEP, three screens, a steering tiller and motor handle to operate the Furie and the Elbe, two well known tugs in the museum harbour of Maassluis. On the photo the simulator is to be seen. (click to enlarge).
The museum also offers another computer with the ordinary pc version of Ship Simulator 2008. This program is for sale in the museum shop.
On the quiz computer children as well as adults can test their knowledge of shipping and navigation.
In the wedding hall of the National Dutch Towage Museum the complete original radio cabin of the Smit seagoing tug RODE ZEE from 1908 has been installed. The moment the visitor looks into the cabin, the wireless operator starts telling a story about the watch duty and interception of morse messages from ships in distress.
In the National Dutch Towage Museum a wheelhouse of a seagoing tug from the 1960s has been set up. It is fitted out with all original equipment. Also a genuine clear view window is installed, that rotates quickly during bad weather and as a result of the centrifugal force is always free of rain and spray and guarantees a clear view in all circumstances.
In the window of the National Dutch Towage Museum a marqee gives information about opening days and times. Additional messages can be projected when appropriate.
On the tablet on the wall of the Inland Towage Hall of the National Dutch Towage Museum the visitor will find a clear explanation about the various types of ship propellers. The author of this information is mr. H. Hensen.
Another word for propeller is "screw". This is a perfect indication of a ship's screw, also for a tugboat's screw. Indeed, a ship's screw operates very much the same as a screw in a nut, be it that a ship's screw operates in water and not in a nut.
Three characteristics are relevant for the function of a conventional ship's propeller: the shape of the blades, the number of blades and the position of the blades. A tugboat uses a different propeller model than for example a cruiseship or a tanker.
Propellers can be manufactured with 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 blades. The fewer the number of blades, the higher the propeller efficiency will be. However, for reasons of strength, propellers which are to be subjected to heavy loads cannot be manufactured with only two or three blades.
The blades of a propeller can be fixed or adjustable in angle. The first type is a so called "fixed pitch propeller" (fpp) and the second a "controllable pitch propeller" (cpp).
It is clearly visible whether a screw is adjustable or on the contrary has fixed blades. An adjustable screw has a thick hub, and the controllable pitch blades are mounted on the hub with bolts. A fixed screw is cast in one block and normally made of a copper alloy.
The distance the screw travels in one rotation, is called speed and depends on the pitch of the blades. Water is liquid, so some loss will occur. This is called slip.
Another difference in screws is the rotation direction. Looking from behind at a screw that will move the ship forward when the blades turn clockwise (so to the right), it is a right handed screw. In case of a left turning screw it is called a left handed screw. Most of the single screw ships are fitted out with a right handed screw.
Propellers often rotate in a shaft, a so called nozzle. This provision has initially been developed to reduce damage to slopes, campshots and suchlike on canals and rivers. But soon it appeared that a nozzle had a positive influence on the effectivity of the screw; the ship speeded up. Ever since the nozzle has been applied on a lot of ships. Dependent on the requirements of the craft, different types of nozzles have been developed. The name Kort nozzle is often used, after the inventor's name.
There are also totally different propulsion systems. We mention the Voith Schneider propeller and the JET propulsion. Moreover, many ships nowadays like cruise ships and tugboats make use of so called azipods.
All this has been made visible on the wall tablet in the museum.
On three different locations in the National Dutch Towage Museum digitally mastered photo screens have been mounted. On these devices the visitor can watch a continuous changing flow of photo records of all sorts of tugs and work boats.
The National Dutch Towage Museum is in the possession of an AIS system. Using this device the visitor of the museum and the website is able to see the live positions of seagoing and smaller ships in the environment of Rotterdam on a certain moment. The information is being displayed real time on a chart. An example of this screen is shown further in this description. One can navigate on this screen (move positions, change scale). By clicking on a particular ship on the chart, a number of key data of the ship will be shown by the system. Zooming in even further, the site of Marinetraffic shows more details and a collection of photographs of the chosen vessel.
Below please find a technnical description of the AIS system.
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships, AIS base stations, and satellites. When satellites are used to detect AIS signatures then the term Satellite-AIS (S-AIS) is used. AIS information supplements marine radar, which continues to be the primary method of collision avoidance for water transport.
Information provided by AIS equipment, such as unique identification, position, course, and speed, can be displayed on a screen or an ECDIS. AIS is intended to assist a vessel's watchstanding officers and allow maritime authorities to track and monitor vessel movements. AIS integrates a standardized VHF transceiver with a positioning system such as a GPS or LORAN-C receiver, with other electronic navigation sensors, such as a gyrocompass or rate of turn indicator. Vessels fitted with AIS transceivers and transponders can be tracked by AIS base stations located along coast lines or, when out of range of terrestrial networks, through a growing number of satellites that are fitted with special AIS receivers which are capable of deconflicting a large number of signatures.
The International Maritime Organization's International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea requires AIS to be fitted aboard international voyaging ships with gross tonnage (GT) of 300 or more, and all passenger ships regardless of size.
Viewing and using AIS data
AIS is intended, primarily, to allow ships to view marine traffic in their area and to be seen by that traffic. This requires a dedicated VHF AIS transponder that allows local traffic to be viewed on an AIS enabled chartplotter or computer monitor while transmitting information about the ship itself to other AIS receivers. Port authorities or other shore-based facilities may be equipped with receivers only, so that they can view the local traffic without the need to transmit their own location. All AIS transponder equipped traffic can be viewed this way very reliably but is limited to the VHF range, about 10-20 nautical miles.
If a suitable chartplotter is not available, local area AIS transponder signals may be viewed via a computer using one of several computer applications such as ShipPlotter and Gnuais. These demodulate the signal from a modified marine VHF radiotelephone tuned to the AIS frequencies and convert into a digital format that the computer can read and display on a monitor; this data may then be shared via a local or wide area network via TCP or UDP protocols but will still be limited to the collective range of the radio receivers used in the network. Because computer AIS monitoring applications and normal VHF radio transceivers do not possess AIS transponders, they may be used by shore-based facilities that have no need to transmit or as an inexpensive alternative to a dedicated AIS device for smaller vessels to view local traffic but, of course, the user will remain unseen by other traffic on the network.
A secondary, unplanned and emerging use for AIS data is to make it viewable publicly, on the internet, without the need for an AIS receiver. Global AIS transponder data collected from both satellite and internet-connected shore-based stations are aggregated and made available on the internet through a number of service providers. Data aggregated this way can be viewed on any internet-capable device to provide near global, real-time position data from anywhere in the world. Typical data includes vessel name, details, location, speed and heading on a map, is searchable, has potentially unlimited, global range and the history is archived. Most of this data is free of charge but satellite data and special services such as searching the archives are usually supplied at a cost. The data is a read-only view and the users will not be seen on the AIS network itself. Shore-based AIS receivers contributing to the internet are mostly run by a large number of volunteers. AIS mobile apps are also readily available for use with Android, Windows and iOS devices. See External links below for a list of internet-based AIS service providers. Ship owners and cargo dispatchers use these services to find and track vessels and their cargoes while ship enthusiasts may add to their photograph collections.
Vessel-based AIS transponders
The 2002 IMO SOLAS Agreement included a mandate that required most vessels over 300GT on international voyages to fit a Class A type AIS transceiver. This was the first mandate for the use of AIS equipment and affected approximately 100,000 vessels.
In 2006, the AIS standards committee published the Class B type AIS transceiver specification, designed to enable a simpler and lower cost AIS device. In 2006, SRT Marine Technology of the UK developed and released the world's first Class B transceiver. The introduction of low cost Class B transceivers has triggered multiple additional national mandates from Singapore, China and Turkey by making large scale rollout of AIS devices onto vessels of all sizes commercially viable.
Since 2006, the AIS technical standard committees have continued to evolve the AIS standard and product types to cover a wide range of applications from the largest vessel to small fishing vessels and life boats. In parallel, governments and authorities have instigated projects to fit varying classes of vessels with an AIS device to improve safety and security. Most mandates are focused on commercial vessels, with leisure vessels selectively choosing to fit. In 2010 most commercial vessels operating on the European Inland Waterways were required to fit an Inland waterway certified Class A, all EU fishing boats over 16m will have to have a Class A by May 2014, and the US has a long pending extension to their existing AIS fit rules which is expected to come into force during 2013. It is estimated that as of 2012, approximately 250,000 vessels have fitted an AIS transceiver of some type, with a further 1 million required to do so in the near future and even larger projects under consideration.
Satellite-based AIS (S-AIS)
AIS was developed in the 1990s as a high intensity, short range identification and tracking network and, at the time, it was not anticipated to be detectable from space. Nevertheless, since 2005, various entities have been experimenting with detecting AIS transmissions using satellite-based receivers and, since 2008, companies such as exactEarth, ORBCOMM, Spacequest and also government programs have deployed AIS receivers on satellites. The TDMA radio access scheme used by the AIS system creates significant technical issues for the reliable reception of AIS messages from all types of transceivers: Class A, Class B, Identifier, AtoN and SART. However, the industry is seeking to address these issues through the development of new technologies and over the coming years the current restriction of satellite AIS systems to Class A messages is likely to dramatically improve with the addition of Class B and Identifier messages.
The fundamental challenge for AIS satellite operators is the ability to receive very large numbers of AIS messages simultaneously from a satellite's large reception footprint. There is an inherent issue within the AIS standard; the TDMA radio access scheme defined in the AIS standard creates 4,500 available time-slots in each minute but this can be easily overwhelmed by the large satellite reception footprints and the increasing numbers of AIS transceivers, resulting in message collisions, which the satellite receiver cannot process. Companies such as exactEarth are developing new technologies such as ABSEA, that will be embedded within terrestrial and satellite-based transceivers, which will assist the reliable detection of Class B messages from space without affecting the performance of terrestrial AIS.
The addition of satellite-based Class A and B messages could enable truly global AIS coverage but, because the satellite-based TDMA limitations will never match the reception performance of the terrestrial-based network, satellites will augment rather than replace the terrestrial system.
Shipboard AIS transponders have a horizontal range that is highly variable, but typically only up to about 74 kilometres (46 mi). They reach much further vertically – up to the 400 km orbit of the International Space Station (ISS).
In November 2009, the STS-129 space shuttle mission attached two antennas—an AIS VHF antenna, and an Amateur Radio antenna to the Columbus module of the ISS. Both antennas were built in cooperation between ESA and the ARISS team (Amateur Radio on ISS). Starting from May 2010 the European Space Agency is testing an AIS receiver from Kongsberg Seatex (Norway) in a consortium lead by FFI (Norway) in the frame of technology demonstration for space-based ship monitoring. This is a first step towards a satellite-based AIS-monitoring service.
In 2008, ORBCOMM launched AIS enabled satellites in conjunction with a US Coast Guard contract to demonstrate the ability to collect AIS messages from space. In 2009, Luxspace, a Luxembourg-based company, launched the RUBIN-9.1 satellite (AIS Pathfinder 2). The satellite is operated in cooperation with SES and REDU Space Services.[6] In late 2011 and early 2012, ORBCOMM and Luxspace launched the Vesselsat AIS microsatellites, one in an equatorial orbit and the other in a polar orbit. (VesselSat-2 and VesselSat-1)
In 2007, the U.S. tested space-based AIS tracking with the TacSat-2 satellite. However, the received signals were corrupted because of the simultaneous receipt of many signals from the satellite footprint.
In July 2009, SpaceQuest launched AprizeSat-3 and AprizeSat-4 with AIS receivers. These receivers were successfully able to receive the U.S. Coast Guard's SART test beacons off of Hawaii in 2010. In July 2010, SpaceQuest and exactEarth of Canada announced an arrangement whereby data from AprizeSat-3 and AprizeSat-4 would be incorporated into the exactEarth system and made available worldwide as part of their exactAIS(TM)service.
On July 12, 2010, The Norwegian AISSat-1 satellite was successfully launched into polar orbit. The purpose of the satellite is to improve surveillance of maritime activities in the High North. AISSat-1 is a nano-satellite, measuring only 20x20x20 cm, with an AIS receiver made by Kongsberg Seatex. It weighs six kilograms and is shaped like a cube.
On February 25, 2013 - after one year launch delay -Aalborg University did launch AAUSAT3. I is a 1U cubesat, weights 800 grams, solely developed by students from Department of Electronic Systems. It carries two AIS receivers - a traditional and a SDR based receiver. The project was proposed and sponsored by the Danish Safety Maritime Organisation. It has been a huge success and has in the first 100 days downloaded more than 800000 AIS messages and several 1 MHz raw samples of radio signal. It receives both AIS channels simultaneously and has received class A as well as class B messages. Cost including launch was lower than €200.000.
Today, Canadian based exactEarth operates the largest AIS satellite network, providing global coverage using 5 satellites. This network will be significantly expanded in the coming years. Additionally exactEarth is involved in the development of ABSEA technology which will enable its network to reliably detect a high proportion of Class B type messages, as well as Class A.
ORBCOMM will be launching 17 additional satellites, as part of its OG2 (ORBCOMM Generation 2) satellite replenishment, that will all carry AIS receivers, and will download at ORBCOMM's 16 existing earth stations around the globe.
On July 14, 2014, ORBCOMM launched the first 6 of its 17 OG2 satellites aboard a Spacex Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Each OG2 satellite carries an AIS receiver payload. All 6 OG2 satellites were successfully deployed into orbit and started sending telemetry to ORBCOMM soon after launch. Successful commissioning of these satellites will provide ORBCOMM with the largest constellation with 8 AIS-equipped satellites, including the two VesselSat satellites built by Luxspace.[12]
Correlation of data sources
Correlating optical and radar imagery with S-AIS signatures enables the end-user to rapidly identify all types of vessel. A great strength of S-AIS is the ease with which it can be correlated with additional information from other sources such as radar, optical, ESM, and more SAR related tools such as GMDSS SARSAT and AMVER. Satellite-based radar and other sources can contribute to maritime surveillance by detecting all vessels in specific maritime areas of interest, a particularly useful attribute when trying to co-ordinate a long-range rescue effort or when dealing with VTS issues.
Collision avoidance
AIS was developed by the IMO technical committees as a technology to avoid collisions among large vessels at sea that are not within range of shore-based systems. The technology identifies every vessel individually, along with its specific position and movements, enabling a virtual picture to be created in real time. The AIS standards include a variety of automatic calculations based on these position reports such as Closest Point of Approach (CPA) and collision alarms. As AIS is not used by all vessels, AIS is usually used in conjunction with radar.
A vessel's text-only AIS display, listing nearby vessels' range, bearings, and names
When a ship is navigating at sea, information about the movement and identity of other ships in the vicinity is critical for navigators to make decisions to avoid collision with other ships and dangers (shoal or rocks). Visual observation (e.g., unaided, binoculars, and night vision), audio exchanges (e.g., whistle, horns, and VHF radio), and radar or Automatic Radar Plotting Aid are historically used for this purpose. These preventative mechanisms, however, sometimes fail due to time delays, radar limitations, miscalculations, and display malfunctions and can result in a collision.
While requirements of AIS are to display only very basic text information, the data obtained can be integrated with a graphical electronic chart or a radar display, providing consolidated navigational information on a single display.
Fishing Fleet Monitoring and Control
AIS is widely used by national authorities to track and monitor the activities of their national fishing fleets. AIS enables authorities to reliably and cost effectively monitor fishing vessel activities along their coast line, typically out to a range of 60 miles (depending on location and quality of coast based receivers/base stations) with supplementary data from satellite based networks.
Vessel traffic services
In busy waters and harbours, a local vessel traffic service (VTS) may exist to manage ship traffic. Here, AIS provides additional traffic awareness and information about the configuration and movements of ships.
Maritime Security
AIS enables authorities to identify specific vessels and their activity within or near a nation's Exclusive Economic Zone. When AIS data is fused with existing radar systems, authorities are able to differentiate between vessels more easily. AIS data can be automatically processed to create normalized activity patterns for individual vessels, which when breached, create an alert, thus highlighting potential threats for more efficient use of security assets. AIS improves maritime domain awareness and allows for heightened security and control. Additionally, AIS can be applied to freshwater river systems and lakes.
Aids to navigation
The AIS Aids to Navigation (AtoN) product standard was developed with the ability to broadcast the positions and names of objects other than vessels, such as navigational aid and marker positions and dynamic data reflecting the marker's environment (e.g., currents and climatic conditions). These aids can be located on shore, such as in a lighthouse, or on water, platforms, or buoys. The U.S. Coast Guard has suggested that AIS might replace racon (radar beacons) currently used for electronic navigation aids.
AtoN's enable authorities to remotely monitor the status of a buoy, such as the status of the lantern, as well as transmit live data from sensors (such as weather and sea state) located on the buoy back to vessels fitted with AIS transceivers or local authorities. An AtoN will broadcast its position and Identity along with all the other information. The AtoN standard also permits the transmit of 'Virtual AtoN' positions whereby a single device may transmit messages with a 'false' position such that an AtoN marker appears on electronic charts, although a physical AtoN may not be present at that location.
Search and rescue
For coordinating on-scene resources of a marine search and rescue (SAR) operation, it is imperative to have data on the position and navigation status of other ships in the vicinity. In such cases, AIS can provide additional information and enhance awareness of available resources, even if the AIS range is limited to VHF radio range. The AIS standard also envisioned the possible use on SAR aircraft, and included a message (AIS Message 9) for aircraft to report their position.
To aid SAR vessels and aircraft in locating people in distress, the specification (IEC 61097-14 Ed 1.0) for an AIS-based SAR transmitter (AIS-SART) was developed by the IEC's TC80 AIS work group. AIS-SART was added to Global Maritime Distress Safety System regulations effective January 1, 2010. AIS-SARTs have been available on the market since at least 2009.
Recent regulations have mandated the installation of AIS systems on all Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) vessels and vessels over 300 tons.
Accident investigation
AIS information received by VTS is important for accident investigation since it provides accurate historical data on time, identity, GPS-based position, compass heading, course over ground, speed (by log/SOG), and rates of turn, rather than the less accurate information provided by radar.
A more complete picture of the events could be obtained by Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) data if available and maintained on board for details of the movement of the ship, voice communication and radar pictures during the accidents. However, VDR data are not maintained due to the limited twelve hours storage by IMO requirement.
Fleet and cargo tracking
Internet disseminated AIS can be used by fleet or ship managers to keep track of the global location of their ships. Cargo dispatchers, or the owners of goods in transit can track the progress of cargo and anticipate arrival times in port.
How AIS works: System Overview from US Coast Guard
Basic overview
AIS transponders automatically broadcast information, such as their position, speed, and navigational status, at regular intervals via a VHF transmitter built into the transponder. The information originates from the ship's navigational sensors, typically its global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and gyrocompass. Other information, such as the vessel name and VHF call sign, is programmed when installing the equipment and is also transmitted regularly. The signals are received by AIS transponders fitted on other ships or on land based systems, such as VTS systems. The received information can be displayed on a screen or chart plotter, showing the other vessels' positions in much the same manner as a radar display. Data is transmitted via a tracking system which makes use of a Self-Organized Time Division Multiple Access (SOTDMA) datalink designed by Swedish inventor Håkan Lans.
The AIS standard comprises several substandards called "types" that specify individual product types. The specification for each product type provides a detailed technical specification which ensures the overall integrity of the global AIS system within which all the product types must operate. The major product types described in the AIS system standards are:
Class AVessel-mounted AIS transceiver (transmit and receive) which operates using SOTDMA. Targeted at large commercial vessels, SOTDMA requires a transceiver to maintain a constantly updated slot map in its memory such that it has prior knowledge of slots which are available for it to transmit. SOTDMA transceivers will then pre-announce their transmission, effectively reserving their transmit slot. SOTDMA transmissions are therefore prioritised within the AIS system. This is achieved through 2 receivers in continuous operation. Class A's must have an integrated display, transmit at 12.5 W, interface capability with multiple ship systems, and offer a sophisticated selection of features and functions. Default transmit rate is every few seconds. AIS Class A type compliant devices receive all types of AIS messages.[16]
Class BVessel-mounted AIS transceiver (transmit and receive) which operates using either carrier-sense time-division multiple-access (CSTDMA)or SOTDMA; there are now 2 separate IMO specifications for Class B. Aimed at lighter commercial and leisure markets. CSTDMA transceivers listen to the slot map immediately prior to transmitting and seek a slot where the 'noise' in the slot is the same or similar to background noise, thereby indicating that the slot is not being used by another AIS device. Class Bs transmit at 2 W and are not required to have an integrated display: Class Bs can be connected to most display systems where the received messages will be displayed in lists or overlaid on charts. Default transmit rate is normally every 30 seconds, but this can be varied according to vessel speed or instructions from base stations. The Class B type standard requires integrated GPS and certain LED indicators. Class B equipment receives all types of AIS messages.
Base stationShore-based AIS transceiver (transmit and receive) which operates using SOTDMA. Base stations have a complex set of features and functions which in the AIS standard are able to control the AIS system and all devices operating therein. Ability to interrogate individual transponders for status reports and or transmit frequency changes.
Aids to navigation (AtoN)Shore- or buoy-based transceiver (transmit and receive) which operates using fixed-access time-division multiple-access (FATDMA). Designed to collect and transmit data related to sea and weather conditions as well as relay AIS messages to extend network coverage.
Search And Rescue Transponder (SART)Specialist AIS device created as an emergency distress beacon which operates using pre-announce time-division multiple-access (PATDMA), or sometimes called a "modified SOTDMA". The device randomly selects a slot to transmit and will transmit a burst of eight messages per minute to maximize the probability of successful transmission. A SART is required to transmit up to a maximum of five miles and transmits a special message format recognised by other AIS devices. The device is designed for perodic use and only in emergencies due to its PATDMA-type operation which places stress on the slot map.
Specialist AIS TranspondersDespite there being IMO/IEC published AIS specifications, a number of authorities have permitted and encouraged the development of hybrid AIS devices. These devices seek to maintain the integrity of the core AIS transmission structure and design to ensure operational reliability, but to add a range of additional features and functions to suit their specific requirements. The "Identifier" AIS transceiver is one such product where the core Class B CSTDMA technology is designed to ensure that the device transmits in complete compliance with the IMO specifications, but a number of changes have been made to enable it to be battery powered, low cost and more easy to install and deploy in large numbers. Such devices will not have international certification against an IMO specification since they will comply with a proportion of the relevant specification. Typically authorities will make their own detailed technical evaluation and test to ensure that the core operation of the device does not harm the international AIS system.
AIS receivers are not specified in the AIS standards, because they do not transmit. The main threat to the integrity of any AIS system are non-compliant AIS transmissions, hence careful specifications of all transmitting AIS devices. However, it is well to note that AIS transceivers all transmit on multiple channels as required by the AIS standards. As such single-channel, or multiplexed, receivers will not receive all AIS messages. Only dual-channel receivers will receive all AIS messages.
Type testing and approval
AIS is a technology which has been developed under the auspices of the IMO by its technical committees. The technical committees have developed and published a series of AIS product specifications. Each specification defines a specific AIS product which has been carefully created to work in a precise way with all the other defined AIS devices, thus ensuring AIS system interoperability worldwide. Maintenance of the specification integrity is deemed critical for the performance of the AIS system and the safety of vessels and authorities using the technology. As such most countries require that AIS products are independently tested and certified to comply with a specific published specification. Products that have not been tested and certified by a competent authority, may not conform to the required AIS published specification and therefore may not operate as expected in the field. The most widely recognized and accepted certifications are the R&TTE Directive, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, and Industry Canada, all of which require independent verification by a qualified and independent testing agency.
Message types
There are 27 different types of top level messages defined in ITU 1371-4 (out of a possibility of 64) that can be sent by AIS transceivers.
AIS messages 6, 8, 25, and 26 provide "Application Specific Messages" (ASM), that allow "competent authorities" to define additional AIS message subtypes. There are both "addressed" (ABM) and "broadcast" (BBM) variants of the message. Addressed messages, while containing a destination MMSI, are not private and may be decoded by any receiver.
One of the first uses of ASMs was the Saint Lawrence Seaway use of AIS binary messages (message type 8) to provide information about water levels, lock orders, and weather. The Panama Canal uses AIS type 8 messages to provide information about rain along the canal and wind in the locks. In 2010, the International Maritime Organization issued Circular 289 that defines the next iteration of ASMs for type 6 and 8 messages. Alexander, Schwehr and Zetterberg proposed that the community of competent authorities work together to maintain a regional register of these messages and their locations of use. The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA-AISM) now established a process for collection of regional application specific messages.
Detailed description: Class A units
Each AIS transponder consists of one VHF transmitter, two VHF TDMA receivers, one VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) receiver, and links to shipboard display and sensor systems via standard marine electronic communications (such as NMEA 0183, also known as IEC 61162). Timing is vital to the proper synchronization and slot mapping (transmission scheduling) for a Class A unit. Therefore, every unit is required to have an internal time base, synchronized to a global navigation satellite system (e.g. GPS) receiver. This internal receiver may also be used for position information. However, position is typically provided by an external receiver such as GPS, LORAN or an inertial navigation system and the internal receiver is only used as a backup for position information. Other information broadcast by the AIS, if available, is electronically obtained from shipboard equipment through standard marine data connections. Heading information, position (latitude and longitude), "speed over ground", and rate of turn are normally provided by all ships equipped with AIS. Other information, such as destination, and ETA may also be provided.
An AIS transponder normally works in an autonomous and continuous mode, regardless of whether it is operating in the open seas or coastal or inland areas. AIS transponders use two different frequencies, VHF maritime channels 87B (161.975 MHz) and 88B (162.025 MHz), and use 9.6 kbit/s Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation over 25 or 12.5 kHz channels using the High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) packet protocol. Although only one radio channel is necessary, each station transmits and receives over two radio channels to avoid interference problems, and to allow channels to be shifted without communications loss from other ships. The system provides for automatic contention resolution between itself and other stations, and communications integrity is maintained even in overload situations.
In order to ensure that the VHF transmissions of different transponders do not occur at the same time, the signals are time multiplexed using a technology called Self-Organized Time Division Multiple Access (SOTDMA). The design of this technology is patented,[23] and whether this patent has been waived for use by SOLAS vessels is a matter of debate between the manufacturers of AIS systems and the patent holder, Håkan Lans. Moreover, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) canceled all claims in the original patent on March 30, 2010.
In order to make the most efficient use of the bandwidth available, vessels that are anchored or moving slowly transmit less frequently than those that are moving faster or are maneuvering. The update rate ranges from 3 minutes for anchored or moored vessels, to 2 seconds for fast moving or maneuvering vessels, the latter being similar to that of conventional marine radar.
Each AIS station determines its own transmission schedule (slot), based upon data link traffic history and an awareness of probable future actions by other stations. A position report from one station fits into one of 2,250 time slots established every 60 seconds on each frequency. AIS stations continuously synchronize themselves to each other, to avoid overlap of slot transmissions. Slot selection by an AIS station is randomized within a defined interval and tagged with a random timeout of between 4 and 8 minutes. When a station changes its slot assignment, it announces both the new location and the timeout for that location. In this way new stations, including those stations which suddenly come within radio range close to other vessels, will always be received by those vessels.
The required ship reporting capacity according to the IMO performance standard is a minimum of 2,000 time slots per minute, though the system provides 4,500 time slots per minute. The SOTDMA broadcast mode allows the system to be overloaded by 400 to 500% through sharing of slots, and still provides nearly 100% throughput for ships closer than 8 to 10 nmi to each other in a ship to ship mode. In the event of system overload, only targets further away will be subject to drop-out, in order to give preference to nearer targets, which are of greater concern to ship operators. In practice, the capacity of the system is nearly unlimited, allowing for a great number of ships to be accommodated at the same time.
The system coverage range is similar to other VHF applications. The range of any VHF radio is determined by multiple factors, the primary factors are: the height and quality of the transmitting antenna and the height and quality of the receiving antenna. Its propagation is better than that of radar, due to the longer wavelength, so it is possible to reach around bends and behind islands if the land masses are not too high. The look-ahead distance at sea is nominally 20 nmi (37 km). With the help of repeater stations, the coverage for both ship and VTS stations can be improved considerably.
The system is backward compatible with digital selective calling systems, allowing shore-based GMDSS systems to inexpensively establish AIS operating channels and identify and track AIS-equipped vessels, and is intended to fully replace existing DSC-based transponder systems.
Shore-based AIS network systems are now being built up around the world. One of the biggest fully operational, real time systems with full routing capability is in China. This system was built between 2003 and 2007 and was delivered by Saab TransponderTech.[citation needed] The entire Chinese coastline is covered with approximately 250 base stations in hot-standby configurations including seventy computer servers in three main regions. Hundreds of shore based users, including about twenty-five vessel traffic service (VTS) centers, are connected to the network and are able to see the maritime picture, and can also communicate with each ship using SRM's (Safety Related Messages). All data are in real time. The system was designed to improve the safety and security of ships and port facilities. It is also designed according to an SOA architecture with socket based connection and using IEC AIS standardized protocol all the way to the VTS users. The base stations have hot-standby units (IEC 62320-1) and the network is the third generation network solution.
By the beginning of 2007, a new worldwide standard for AIS base stations was approved, the IEC 62320-1 standard. The old IALA recommendation and the new IEC 62320-1 standard are in some functions incompatible, and therefore attached network solutions have to be upgraded. This will not affect users, but system builders need to upgrade software to accommodate the new standard. A standard for AIS base stations has been long awaited. Currently ad-hoc networks exist with class A mobiles. Base stations can control the AIS message traffic in a region, which will hopefully reduce the number of packet collisions.
Broadcast information
An AIS transceiver sends the following data every 2 to 10 seconds depending on a vessel's speed while underway, and every 3 minutes while a vessel is at anchor:
The vessel's Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) – a unique nine digit identification number.Navigation status – "at anchor", "under way using engine(s)", "not under command", etc.Rate of turn – right or left, from 0 to 720 degrees per minuteSpeed over ground – 0.1-knot (0.19 km/h) resolution from 0 to 102 knots (189 km/h)Positional accuracy:Longitude – to 0.0001 minutesLatitude – to 0.0001 minutes
Course over ground – relative to true north to 0.1°True heading – 0 to 359 degrees (for example from a gyro compass)True bearing at own position. 0 to 359 degreesUTC Seconds – The seconds field of the UTC time when these data were generated. A complete timestamp is not present.
In addition, the following data are broadcast every 6 minutes:
IMO ship identification number – a seven digit number that remains unchanged upon transfer of the ship's registration to another countryRadio call sign – international radio call sign, up to seven characters, assigned to the vessel by its country of registryName – 20 characters to represent the name of the vesselType of ship/cargoDimensions of ship – to nearest meterLocation of positioning system's (e.g., GPS) antenna on board the vessel - in meters aft of bow and meters port or starboardType of positioning system – such as GPS, DGPS or LORAN-C.Draught of ship – 0.1 meter to 25.5 metersDestination – max. 20 charactersETA (estimated time of arrival) at destination – UTC month/date hour:minuteoptional : high precision time request, a vessel can request other vessels provide a high precision UTC time and datestamp
Detailed description: Class B units
Class B transponders are smaller, simpler and lower cost than Class A transceivers. Each consists of one VHF transmitter, two VHF Carrier Sense Time Division Multiple Access (CSTDMA) receivers, both alternating as the VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) receiver, and a GPS active antenna. Although the data output format supports heading information, in general units are not interfaced to a compass, so this data is seldom transmitted. Output is the standard AIS data stream at 38.400 kbit/s, as RS232 and/or NMEA formats. To prevent overloading of the available bandwidth, transmission power is restricted to 2 W, giving a range of about 5–10 mi.
At the time of writing (November 2009) almost all Class B units use boards from Software Radio Technology (SRT). Exceptions to this are Furuno, AMEC, Weatherdock and Vesper Marine.
Four messages are defined for class B units:
Message 14: Safety Related Message
This message is transmitted on request for the user – some transponders have a button that enables it to be sent, or it can be sent through the software interface. It sends a pre-defined safety message.
Message 18: Standard Class B CS Position Report
This message is sent every 3 minutes where speed over ground (SOG) is less than 2 knots, or every 30 seconds for greater speeds.
MMSI, time, SOG, COG, longitude, latitude, true heading
Message 19: Extended Class B Equipment Position Report
This message was designed for the SOTDMA protocol, and is too long to be transmitted as CSTDMA. However a coast station can poll the transponder for this message to be sent.
MMSI, time, SOG, COG, longitude, latitude, true heading, ship type, dimensions.
Message 24: Class B CS Static Data Report
This message is sent every 6 minutes, the same time interval as for Class A transponders. Because of its length, this message is divided into two parts, sent within one minute of each other.
Note that this message was defined after the original AIS specifications, so some Class A units may need a firmware upgrade to be able to decode this message.
MMSI, boat name, ship type, call sign, dimensions, and equipment vendor id.
Detailed description: AIS receivers
A number of manufacturers offer AIS receivers, designed for monitoring AIS traffic. These may have two receivers, for monitoring both frequencies simultaneously, or they may switch between frequencies (thereby missing messages on the other channel, but at reduced price). In general they will output RS232, NMEA, USB or UDP data for display on electronic chart plotters or computers.
(Bron: Wikipedia)
Book: Dutch tugs and pushers 2016
Like every year the Dutch publishing company "De Alk" comes with a new edition of the standard piece "Sleep en duwboten 2016" (title in English: Dutch Tugs and Pushing Boats 2016). The contents of the book have been collected by mr. W. Van Heck and mr. A.M. Van Zanten and have been actualized till September 1st, 2015. In this edition of SLEEP- en DUWBOTEN the interested reader will find an almost complete review of the Dutch tug- and pusher fleet. More than 2.700 tugs and pushers, professional and private, have been included in this book, in alphabetical sequence and together with their technical data. Also a number of working boats, supply vessels and patrol vessels have been mentioned, as far as they have been fitted out with towage capacity and equipment. In addition to the ship's data, also the addresses of shipyards, repair companies, engineering works, ancillary suppliers, ship brokers, societies, branche organizations, training institutions and agents have been mentioned. Also the Dutch Towage companies are stated with their ships. You will find a review of newbuildings, company news, fleet modernising, engines, ship's casualties and accidents, removed or discarded vessels, newly taken in service and broken up ships. The book contains more than 150 photographs in full colour. This book is a must for professionals and ship lovers. Unfortunately for foreigners, the book is only written in Dutch. "Sleep en duwboten 2016" (ISBN (978-90-6013-396-5) has 336 pages and has been edited as softback. The price is 25,00 euros. In The Netherlands the book is available in bookshops and on the internet. In Belgium the book is being distributed by publisher "Agora Uitgeverscentrum", Aalst/Erembodegem. Telephone +32(0)53.78.87.00, Fax +32(0)53.78.26.91, www.boekenbank.be, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Also available is the book "Binnenvaart 2016" (Dutch barges and inland ships 2016).
Queen Máxima visits KOTUG
Wednesday 3rd December 2014, Her Royal Highness Queen Máxima of The Netherlands visited international towage operator KOTUG in Rotterdam. May 13th 2014, the King Willem I Award was presented to KOTUG by Queen Máxima, honorary President of the King Willem I Foundation.
The Queen's visit began with a sailing trip on KOTUG's newest tugboat RT EVOLUTION. This Rotortug is equipped with hybrid technology; electrical energy storage permits the tug to sail in noiseless zero emission mode with no diesel engines running. During the trip the crews explained the innovative technology of RT Evolution. Queen Máxima also visited the new Rotortug-simulator at the STC-Group, an education and knowledge institute for the shipping, transport and port industries. This simulator will be used by KOTUG to train its crews in operating the Rotortug and to educate new captains. Queen Máxima spoke with two participants about the personalized interactive training program.
Thereafter Queen Máxima visited KOTUG's Head Quarters. The Queen was given a tour of the office and spoke with employees about the history of KOTUG, the developments of the tugs, economic movements in the European Ports and their efforts to continue the worldwide growth of the company. The visit concluded with a discussion with delegates of KOTUG, the Port of Rotterdam, the Broekman Group and the STC-Group about the theme 'The Rotterdam Harbour in an international perspective; opportunities and threats".
The King Willem I Award is seen as the Oscar for business owners in the Netherlands. The King Willem I Prize has been awarded every two years since 1958 by the King Willem I Foundation, with active support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Foundation's mission is to provide new impulses to the national economy, thereby promoting the standing of Dutch trade and industry. The award goes to companies that have demonstrated their ability to successfully combine daring, decisiveness, sustainability, perseverance and innovation.
(source: KOTUG)
In the Wedding Hall of the National Dutch Towage Museum the visitor will find a narrow casting system. We implemented this digital information system In cooperation with Royal Dirkzwager, a ship information supplier in Maassluis. On a special screen one can enjoy a continuous stream of actual news, messages and interesting short videos. It is a rather new phenomenon and very much a success. Narrow casting will soon be spread widely among businesses, governmental organizations, public transport, museums and so on.
Narrowcasting has traditionally been understood as the dissemination of information (usually via Internet, radio, or television) to a narrow audience; not to the broader public at-large. Also called niche marketing or target marketing, narrowcasting involves aiming media messages at specific segments of the public defined by values, preferences, demographic attributes, and/or subscription. Narrowcasting is based on the postmodern idea that mass audiences do not exist. While the first uses of the term appeared within the context of subscription radio programs in the late 1940s, the term first entered the common lexicon due to computer scientist and public broadcasting advocate J. C. R. Licklider, who in a 1967 report envisioned:
"a multiplicity of television networks aimed at serving the needs of smaller, specialized audiences. 'Here,' stated Licklider, 'I should like to coin the term "narrowcasting," using it to emphasize the rejection or dissolution of the constraints imposed by commitment to a monolithic mass-appeal, broadcast approach.' "
The term "narrowcasting" can also apply to the spread of information to an audience (private or public) which is by nature geographically limited - a group such as office employees, military troops, or conference attendees - and requires a localized dissemination of information from a shared source.
Marketing experts are often interested in narrowcast media as a commercial advertising tool, since access to such content implies exposure to a specific and clearly defined prospective consumer audience. The theory being that, by identifying particular demographics viewing such programmes, advertisers can better target their markets. Pre-recorded television programmes are often broadcast to captive audiences in taxi cabs, buses, elevators and queues (such as at branches of the Post Office in the United Kingdom). For instance, the Cabvision network in London's black cabs shows limited pre-recorded television programmes interspersed with targeted advertising to taxicab passengers.Television has made a transition from broadcasting to narrowcasting which has given advertisers a greater advantage when it comes to directing their messages to a specific demographic audience. For example if the energy drink company Red Bull wanted to target 18-25 year old action sport athletes, they are able to purchase commercial time on a niche network such as Fuel TV who only narrowcasts the UFC, thus making their message more valuable by marketing to a concentrated audience.
The Internet uses both a broadcast and a narrowcast model. Most websites are on a broadcast model since anyone with Internet access can view the sites (Wikipedia is a good example, this website can be received by anyone with an internet connection). However, sites that require one to log-in before viewing content are based more on the narrowcast model. Push technologies which send information to subscribers are another form for narrowcasting. Perhaps the best example of narrowcasting are electronic mailing lists where messages are sent only to individuals who subscribe to the list.
Narrowcasting is also sometimes applied to podcasting, since the audience for a podcast is often specific and sharply defined. Dr. Jonathan Sterne of McGill University stated, "Narrowcasting is a form of broadcasting, if the latter term is understood as the 'wide dissemination of content through mechanical or electronic media'." Other one-way, traditional media approaches to narrowcasting, such as Internet Talk Radio, can be contrasted with broadcast radio programs. Narrowcasting approaches are focused on a specific (narrow) topic, whereas broadcast programs have a wider coverage of broad topics.
A new type of narrowcasting is evolving in the form of interactive narrowcasting. Interactive narrowcasting enables shoppers to influence the content displayed via narrowcasting. One way of doing this is via a touch screen. More and more systems are being introduced into the narrowcasting market.
User-driven content also provides an excellent medium for narrowcast marketing, provided the correct product is matched with the appropriate medium.
These systems enable brands to communicate with their customers via a personal computer. The advantage of the majority of interactive narrowcasting projects is that they are more effective and less costly over time.
(main source: wikipedia)
More...
An electronic knowledge quiz is being developed. Adults can test their familiarity with navigation and shipping terms and proverbs on a touchscreen. For example, do you know the meaning of the Dutch expression "A ship loaded with sour apples"? What is the origin of the popular term "OK" or "okay"? Or "sailing with the fenders overboard"? And so on.
IJmuiden is searching for old Wijsmuller tugs
A Wijsmuller tug back to IJmuiden? Continued
Bob Rodenburg writes on the following Facebook message regarding "Wijsmuller tug back to Ijmuiden". On Monday 12th January 2015 there is a meeting regarding subject. Would everyone really intends to come forward name, address and 06 number to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Also if you have done this already. Meeting Monday 12 January 2015 from 19.30 till 22.00 at Hogeschool InHolland; Wildenborch 6; 1112 XB Diemen. After registration I will send you some extra data via mail including my 06 number.
\r\nWe are the interest group "A Wijsmuller tug back to IJmuiden?" (https://www.facebook.com/groups/sleepbootsimson) & (http://museumsleepboot-wijsmuller.webnode.nl). We aim to bring a tug of the Dutch towage company Wijsmuller back to IJmuiden. This will become a museumtug for education and history of the towage- and salvage company Wijsmuller. Like the Dutch National Towage Museum in Maassluis (where several museum tugs are located) IJmuiden deserves a reminder of the glorious towage company Wijsmuller. It's not too late to go looking for a former tugboat from Wijsmuller and therefore we need your help: If our records are correct, the following former Wijsmuller tugs still exist: The tug Groningen (now named: Portia, last location; Singapore); tug Hector (now named: Amazon, owner Matsas Greece); tug Titan (now named Titan A, last location Tahiti); tug Cycloop (1952!) (now named Steady Mariner, last location Callao – Peru.). Our question; In order to get possession of one of these tugs we are looking for the owners of all of them except the Hector/Amazon.(owner is Matsas, a contact person is welcome!). We want to know or the Titan/Titan-A, Groningen/Portia and Cycloop/Steady Mariner still exist and if it's possible to get ownership of those tugs. Have you seen one of those tugs recently, do you know the current position or do you know who the owner is, please contact us at (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)
Until now it seems the AMAZON/HECTOR is the favourite tug for this purpose. The other tugs are not to be found or they are in a derelict state. The AMAZON/HECTOR is still in service and is frequently being used for activities in Patras, Greece by Matsas. Meanwhile, there has been a first contact with Matsas about a possible takeover of the AMAZON/HECTOR. But we learned that Matsas has a need for this tug and is only be willing to sell for a bid that allows Matsas to buy a comparable replacement tug. For now our plan is to pay Matsas a visit to come to an agreement to buy the AMAZON/HECTOR in the future. Matsas is not a museum, so this towing company will not be using the AMAZON/HECTOR for a very long time to come, notwithstanding how well she has been built.
But to be accepted as a serious partner, a business-like approach is necessary. Therefore, a foundation has to be established with active members and a board.
In January 2015 a meeting will be held to make a start with the necessary preparations. Any person, company or foundation taking an interest in this project is invited to join this gathering.
We will keep you informed about future developments.
Bob Rodenburg
Work group "A Wijsmuller tug back to IJmuiden"
Last year after extensive discussions and preparations the board of the National Dutch Towage Museum at Maassluis decided to present an exhibition on the history and actuality of the Kotug towage company. The great question was: Is there sufficient material available to build an interesting exhibition? With the enthousiastic help of the staff of Kotug, maritime historians and a great many photographers it is now clear that the new exhibition certainly is unique and impressive.
The exhibition was opened by Mr. Ton Kooren, grandson of the founder of the Kooren dynasty in the port of Rotterdam (photo left). The grandfather of Ton, Mr. Antonie Kooren born in 1874, started his towage company in 1911 by buying a steamtug, which he named after his wife MATHILDA, soon followed by MATHILDA II and JOHANNA. The married couple (photo below) had six sons and one daughter. All sons, except for one, later on worked in the towage industry. Although the economic crisis during the twenties and thirties of last century caused a very difficult time for the company, Antonie metaphorically succeeded in keeping his head above water . The cooperation between the father and his sons became official by establishing Reederij A. Kooren and sons in 1946. However, it soon turned out that some of the sons involved thought it a better idea to have their own companies. Among them mr. Adriaan Kooren, who already worked as an independent towing agent since 1934. Adriaan purchased his first tug, the TERRA NOVA in 1947, which later on was renamed ADMA, a contraction of the names Adriaan en Marlène.
To cut a long story somewhat shorter: the company was a success and expanded by gradually commissioning more tugs, like EDUARD FRANKLIN, MARCO, ADRIAAN, JACOBA, MARIUS, FRANS and TILLY. They were all inland tugs apart from MARIUS, that had 510 hp and was commissioned in 1962. After MARIUS the second sea-going tug ANTONIE JUNIOR was commissioned in 1970. She had an enginepower of 1300 hp and sailed succesfully for the company until 1996, when she was sold abroad. In 1977 Mr. Ton Kooren, one of the sons of Mr. Adriaan Kooren and until then technical director of the company decided to start his own business. He had a visionary and keen eye on the international towage market. In 1979 Ton accepted a daring project in Mexico and loaded in Rotterdam four inland tugs on the submersible pontoon P10, that headed for the Caribbean. After overcoming many difficulties in the area the venture turned out to be a success.
Ton decided to continue his work as a broker and subsequently bought some smaller harbourtugs, one of which was BORKUM (725 hp) that was even adapted for ocean-going work.
By that time his father, Adriaan Kooren, however, noticed the special talent of Ton and pursuaded him in 1987 to return to the old business, even more: to purchase the complete company. Ton Kooren started, as usual, with a daring policy. Because of the gradually diminishing work in the field of the Dutch waterworks (like the then almost finished Deltaplan), the best option was to switch to harbour-towage. For that purpose he bought six strong, almost brandnew, Z-peller tugs in the U.S. The vessels sailed to Rotterdam and that's how on 1st January 1988 "Kotug" started. The first client was containership-owner Sealand. The activities of the old Kooren company with the new name spreaded like an ink-blot, as they say in Holland. Within a short period of time, in spite of opposition of his competitors, Kotug captured 25% of the local market.
Why being satisfied with a considerable percentage of work in the Rotterdam area? That's does not fit in with the character of the Koorenfamily. The German market was and still is quite interesting. As per 1st January 1996 Schleppreederei Kotug GmbH started in Hamburg, after three years followed by Bremerhaven. As a kind of countermeasure the German Fairplay company started to offer towage services in Rotterdam.
The fleet of Kotug grew simultaneously with the activities. Also a a new and explaining system of nomenclature was introduced. The names of Z-peller tugs, like ZP CHALONE, were preceeded by the letters ZP. Stern Drive tugs, like SD JACOBA, were named by using the letters SD. Similarly VS-tugs (Voith Schneider propulsion) ,like VS ROTTERDAM and VS HAMBURG, were showing the letters VS.
In 1999 the first Rotortug was introduced. This revolutionary type was designed by the Kotug-staff in which technically Ton Kooren played the most important role. Innovation is the magic word for these ships, which have 6300 hp on board resulting in at least 78 tons bollard pull. It's logic that among the first Rotortugs, an officially registered and patented type that now is sold worldwide, we saw names like RT MAGIC and RT INNOVATION .
In 2002 Ton Kooren decided to exhibit his talents only in the technical field of Kooren Shipbuilding and Trading B.V. In charge of leading the Kotug company from that year is Ton's son Ard-Jan, who was already working for the company for some time (photo left).
'Nothing ventured, nothing gained" is a well-known proverb and that's how Kotug started in Le Havre in January 2006. The French authorities and unions were not pleased and although that particular part of the Kotug-fleet operated under the French flag, they obstructed the development of the company. What is wise in such a situation? It's better to stop halfway that to persevere in an error. Four tugs were sold to the Spanish Boluda company and the rest of the French towage fleet returned to Rotterdam. By 31st December 2010 the Kotug-subsidiary SNRH was liquidated.
In the history of Kotug sofar the French venture is the only disappointment. Apart from their successful RT-tugs the company purchased in 2008 four SD-tugs of the Rampart 3200 type, designed by Robert Allan. These tugs, having 5200 hp, were commissioned as SD SHARK, SD SEAL, SD STINGRAY and SD SEAHORSE.
Ard-Jan Kooren is as ambitious and enthousiastic as his father. Much publicity was generated in 2011 by converting the RT ADRIAAN into a hybride tug. A year later for the Rotterdam and German ports three Damen ASD-tugs were added to the fleet. The plans of Ard-Jan to expand the company for sure are not limited to Europe. Kotug recently started in West-African Cameroon and in the Far Eastern Brunei. In 2014 three Rotortugs were shipped from Rotterdam to that Asian region and another three units are under construction at Singapore.
The most recent development is a cooperation between designer Robert Allan, Damen Shipyards and Rotortug/Kotug, resulting in the ART 80-32 type. Two tugs of this type, RT EVOLUTION and RT ENDEAVOUR were commissioned.
At the moment more than 40 tugs are owned or employed by Kotug worldwide. So together with the historic pictures there was no problem at all to show the visitors of the National Towage Museum by means of photos the activities of the tugs with the well-known red hull and the white K on a blue surface. Apart from the fine and sometimes spectacular photographs, curiosities and a large number of ship models are shown.
Don't forget to drop anchor once you are in the Maassluis or Rotterdam area. The museum is certainly worth a visit as is the port of Maassluis, from where tugs like ADRIAAN (Koorens historic 1957 built tug with the white K in the black funnel), FURIE (1916), HUDSON (1939), MAASSLUIS (1948) and ELBE (1959) sometimes sail and in any case will cause nostalgic feelings.
For more photo's please see the Dutch version of this item ("Thema").
(Author: Nico Ouwehand, National Dutch Towage Museum)
Aquarel from Hans Breeman for KOTUG exhibition
The painting you see here is an aquarel from the hand of Hans Breeman. Hans is a maritime artist and also one of the 50 regular volunteers of the National Dutch Towage Museum in Maassluis.
The subject of this scene is related to the activities of KOTUG, one of the dominant towage companies in Rotterdam.
This aquarel shows the homecoming in the Rotterdam harbour on August 4th, 2008, after many years of absence of the old flagship of the famous Holland America Line, the ss. Rotterdam, towed from Hamburg by KOTUG tugboats.
Hans Breeman made this painting for the special occasion of the KOTUG exhibition in the National Dutch Towage Museum in Maassluis.
If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, please stop by to join this event from November 22nd 2014 till June 7th, 2015. The museum is open to the public from Tuesday till Sundays, opening hours from 13.30 till 16.30 h.
You will find the museum in the center of the town of Maassluis, address: Hoogstraat 1-3.
The website of Hans Breeman is www.hansbreeman.nl.