Description
Book Synopsis'No cure, no pay'- those are the terms under which a salvor operates, and in doing so he takes on an onerous responsibility. If he is defeated by the elements he is not paid. He receives nothing, however much money, effort, sweat and tears he has put in. Salvage is not a business for the faint-hearted. Ian Tew joined Selco Salvage of Singapore in 1974, and spent over a decade on the front line. Already an experienced master mariner, he learnt the salvage trade in the busy waters of the Far East before rising to command some of the world's largest supertugs, eventually becoming a roving salvage master. In his odyssey he roamed the world, from the coast of Cornwall to the Southern Ocean, from the Gulf of Suez to the dangerous reefs of the South China Sea. This is a vivid account of those ten tough years - successes, failures, tows and rescues - a barge adrift in a hurricane in the English Channel - a freighter aground on a reef hundreds of miles from land with a tropical storm approaching - a trawler battered by the surf on a coral reef, its bottom ripped out - a tanker hit by a missile in the Gulf during the 'Tanker War' of the 1980s. The tugs themselves play a big part in the story, as do the crews and captains the author worked with. This gripping account of drama at sea is a tribute to the seamanship, courage and resourcefulness of the salvor, and an insight into the technical, commercial and human issues behind the headlines.
Trade ReviewHere is an inside look into the world of salvage; the heroic work and sterling seamanship that makes this such an adventurous career. It is a well-written look into that shaded world of No Cure, No Pay! This adventure on the high seas is all true, and will take you where, hopefully, you won't meet the author * Latitudes & Attitudes *
Table of ContentsForeword Acknowledgements Prologue Part I - Salvage Apprenticeships 1. Singapore 2. Friedrich Engels 3. Nienburg 4. Damar Part II - Salvaliant 5. Oilfield work and a rough passage 6. Sophie B: One that got away 7. Barge Salvage report, Iran 8. Volosko: A difficult tow 9. A day off the coast of India 10. Majmaa II and Pacificoeverett: A leper colony in the Laccadives 11. Universal King: First ship in the new port of Mogadishu 12. Mahavel: Failing on Europa Island 13. Ville de Mahebourg: A first in the Southern Ocean 14. Citta di Savona: Collision in Singapore Harbour 15. Barge Pastee: Looting and riots in Colombo Part III - Salvanguard 16. Mare: 'Please I follow you to Aden' 17. Global Mariner: 10,000 tons of grain for the starving 18. Safina-e-Najam: Dangerous reefs in the South China Sea 19. Jane Stove: A sleepless night Part IV - Salviscount 20. Actuality: Storm in the Bristol Channel 21. Intermac 600: Adrift off the Lizard 22. Last independent command Part V - Salvage Master 23. San Juan: Salvage in Egypt 24. Gay Fidelity: Ablaze and sinking in the Red Sea 25. Blue Express: Patched up in Trincomalee 26. Wind Enterprise: Aground in the Persian Gulf 27. Al Ahood: War zone
