Hugh Patience – Ship Assist Towage Consultant

Key Skills:

Tug handling and administration.
Operational & Commercial Management including implementation of Health & Safety Standards aboard vessels.
Experience in rig moves, barge work & salvage, including; emergency towage & fire fighting from Fi/Fi 1 tugs.
Implementation of marine (deck) legal and technical requirements.
Lead Auditor for ISM Code and ISO.
Group training and cadet liaison including “hands on” training of tug crews.
Operational and Safety advice including maintaining statistics and reporting.
Compiling and working to budgets.
Representing and liasing with trade and government organisations for Company, British Tugowners Association (BTA) and National Workboat Association (NWA).
Logistical Support to Marine Salvage Operations.
NWA registered Towage Endorsement Assessor
Towage Personnel Assessments.

Qualifications & Training:

STCW’95 II/2 Master – Limited European up to 5,000gt.
ENG 1 Medical
CPSC & RB (STCW’95 A-VI/2).
Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW’95 A-VI/3).
Proficiency in Medical First Aid and Medical Care (STCW’95 A-VI/4-1&2).
Helicopter Underwater Escape (OPITO). lapsed
Lead & Internal auditor certified for ISM and ISO.
DNV trained for Managing Incident Investigation.
BMT training in the Port Marine Safety Code.
Shipboard Safety Officers certificate.
Oil spill response training (Ports) Level 1p.
NSCA Occupational Health & Safety for Shipping Supervisors certificate.
Managing Health & Safety at Work for Senior Marine Executives.

Relevant Experience:

6 years with SMS Towage Limited as Marine Manager of a fleet of 15 owned tugs. Recent 18 months of experience as Master of new build ASD tugs with Bollard Pull up to 115t engaged in escort and towage of large gas and oil tankers at Milford Haven.
2 years as Marine Superintendent for Svitzer Humber’s fleet of tugs (title change responsibilities remained the same as during the previous 4 years).
4 years as Assistant Port Manager & Marine Manager for a fleet of up to 17 tugs operating on the River Humber and its associated ports.
7 years as Group Marine and Safety Manager, Adsteam (UK), and Salvage Officer United Salvage, with experience in Marine Operations including Marine Health & Safety and Risk Assessment.
15 years in towage & salvage as Mate/Master aboard tugs, harbour and sea going.
13 years deep-sea experience up to Mate including time on VLCC’s and product tankers.

Career Summary

2017 – Present:         Ship Assist Towage Consultant with Alert Marine
2011 – 2017:              Marine Manager SMS Towage Limited. (Occasional Master)
2009 – 2011:              Master of ASD tugs with Bollard Pull between 85t &115t.
2007 – 2009:              Marine Superintendent Svitzer Humber Limited.
2004 – 2007:              Assistant Port Manager & Marine Manager Svitzer Humber Limited.                                                   (previously Adsteam Humber Limited).
1997 – 2004:              Group Marine and Safety Manager, Adsteam (UK) Limited (previously                                                 Howard Smith Limited).
1999 – 2009:              Salvage Officer, United Salvage Limited.
1986 – 1997:              Master on harbour and sea-going tugs.
1982 – 1986:              Mate on harbour and sea-going tugs.
1972 – 1982:              Deck Officer on deep-sea tankers. (BP and Hullgates Shipping).
1969 – 1972:              Deck Apprentice on deep-sea tankers. (BP).

Towage career started with Humber Tugs Limited which was part of the North British Maritime group. North British Maritime was acquired by the Australian firm Howard Smith in 1987 and in 2001 was acquired by Adsteam again an Australian firm. In 2007 the company was acquired by Svitzer an A. P. Moller / Maersk subsidiary. United Salvage is part of the above company setup and until the group was acquired by Svitzer was operated in the UK.

During my employment with SMS Towage Limited, and in previous shore appointments, I continued to carry out towage jobs on board harbour tugs.