Primer of Towing [Paperback]

George H. Reid (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Cornell Maritime Pr/Tidewater Pub; 2 Sub edition (December 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870334301
• ISBN-13: 978-0870334306
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,682,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa, November 13, 2007

By 

Biffle French (Vashon, Wa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Primer of Towing (Paperback)

I am pretty sure that I will never be a tugboat captain. I say this because I am too old now, and so I am unlikely to get hired on as an apprentice. Plus, I don't take orders well and am really too lazy to work. But I can't help it - I just LOVE tugboats. So here I am hanging around in Powell's one day, trying not to stare noticeably at the ladies, and browsing in the boat section, when I see this book and it says "buy me!" Whenever that happens I have no resistance, which is why my house is completely full of books - something that so disturbs my wife that she spends a lot of time plotting really creative revenge.

Reid's book covers everything you would ever want to know about tugboats. It starts with the business of towing and describes the evolution of that business from the old days when unmaneuverable ships needed to be docked to the present day when giant tankers go aground in nasty seas and need to be salvaged at huge risk by captains and crews who value money and excitement more than their otherwise rather uninteresting lives.

The author writes clearly about different types of boat/barge systems, from the typical chain tow to articulated tug-barges. There is a great section on handling and seamanship, as well as really interesting discussions of powerplants, propulsion systems, cables, chains, deck equipment, winches and all the gear that you need to pull or push giant, massive objects around in uncooperative or frightening conditions.

One other key point that the author makes is that towing is a great choice for a young person interested in a maritime career. Tugboat captains are home almost every day, and there is an opportunity for the entrepreneurial to buy their own boats someday. Towing is not like fishing - the work will be there. Today's interconnected world requires massive amounts of shipping, and shipping requires towing in many different versions.

Now, after reading this great book, whenever I am paddling my kayak around the Sound and I see a tug, I have that feeling that I at least understand SOMETHING about what is being done. If you have any interest at all in tugboats, then by all means read this book. It will open your eyes to a side of boating you have not imagined until now.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!!, May 14, 2008

By 

William Crockett - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Primer of Towing (Paperback)

I am an Engineer in the tugboat industry and bought this book just because I am intrested in reading anything I can get my hands on about my line of work. I found this book very informative and answered alot of question I had about tugging. Although I am not in the wheelhouse i still loved this book. I think it should be a requirement for all the new guys to read this book because it explains alot of the terms used in the tugboat industry, so when you ask the guy to grab the "fishplate" he doesn't go in the galley and bring you yesterdays dinner. An excellent read!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent "Primer of Towing", January 1, 2007

By 

Latham Smith "Captain Latham Smith" (Palatka Fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Primer of Towing (Paperback)

Not so long after this book was published it became the source of many of the questions (and answers)on the tug Captains liscense..which was a good thing because the test was previously irrelevant to the trade...Captain Reid has done a superb job of introducing beginning tugboaters to the work that they must do.It is well written for the hands on tugboat sailor. The clear diagrams are easily understood. I have handed the book to all my young sailors with orders to "Read it!"