About Captain Geordie Mac Kenzie
The advice in The ABC of ASD is the sum of what I've learned, practiced, and taught across more than three decades on the ocean. Every book has an author, and every author has a voyage. Here's mine. It was born on the bridge of an ASD tug, where theory meets the raw power of the sea. After over 30 years at sea and more than 15 in command as a Master Mariner, I decided to put everything I knew into one practical guide.
The ABC of ASD distills decades of operational knowledge – my own hard-earned experience, and that of other ASD tug Masters I have the privilege of working with. It's a straightforward, hands-on guide to ASD tug manoeuvring built for the real world, with safety and efficiency at the forefront.
The voyage
I have been a seafarer since 1996, and a qualified Master Mariner since 2007, holding an STCW II/2 Master Unlimited qualification. My connection to the sea runs deep – my grandfather served in the South African Navy, and my uncle, also a Captain, first introduced me to a career at sea. That family thread pulled me into an occupation that began on container, bulk, and general cargo vessels with Safmarine and Maersk, where I gained the deep-sea experience that still grounds my work today. My true passion ignited when I discovered the world of smaller, highly manoeuvrable craft.
Joining SMIT Amandla Marine (now AMSOL), I qualified and served as a Master. After a period away, gaining additional offshore experience, and developing a specialisation in Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug operations, I returned to AMSOL, where I continue to work today – conducting SBM (Single Buoy Mooring) support, static and escort towing, and emergency response operations.
Alongside my operational role, I teach ASD tug handling at the South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) when my free time allows. This combination of active command and hands-on instruction forms the practical foundation of The ABC of ASD. The book is the classroom and the bridge brought together – a resource born from the real questions of tug masters, officers, and trainees, and refined through years of mentoring and real-world operations.
No project of this scope happens alone. My son brought a keen editorial eye, technical precision with formulae and diagrams, and invaluable layout suggestions that elevated the professionalism of both the book and this website. His contributions were as practical as they were motivating. And above all, my wife has been the foundation beneath it all — her unwavering belief, patience, and positivity carried me through every late night and every challenge. This guide exists because she believed it should.