Tugboats & Towing – Professional Mariner

24 Sep

AWO honors two Crowley tug crews for heroism

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & TowingLicensing and training, safety

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Crowley mariners have been recognized by the American Waterways Operators (AWO) with the Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Award for helping rescue people in distress on the water in 2024. In April, mariners aboard the tugboat Guard worked quickly to rescue a man who was knocked overboard from a sailboat off Anacortes, Wash. In another…

24 Sep

Bisso adds new tractor tug from Main Iron Works

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(LULING, La.) —Bisso Towboat has taken delivery of its newest low-emission ship-assist tug, the 5,000-hp Mr. Brian. It is the sixth ASD tractor tug built in the past nine years for Bisso by Main Iron Works of Houma, La., and is named in honor of Brian Cyprowski, Bisso's longtime vice president of operations. The 100-by-38-foot vessel, with a 13.5-foot draft,…

20 Sep

Gulf LNG Tugs orders four vessels for Port Arthur duty

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingshipbuilding

(NEW CANAAN, Conn.) — Gulf LNG Tugs of Port Arthur, Texas, has ordered four low-emission RApport 2800 tugboats specifically designed to serve the Port Arthur LNG export facility. Two will be constructed by Master Boat Builders in Coden, Ala., and two by Sterling Shipyard in Port Neches, Texas. Gulf LNG Tugs is a joint venture of industry leaders who have…

18 Sep

Ocean Group shifts to sustainable fuel for B.C. port towing

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & TowingEnvironment, propulsion

(QUEBEC CITY) — Ocean Group is taking another step toward greener shipping with the adoption of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a new-generation renewable diesel fuel, for all company port towing operations in British Columbia. HVO is made from renewable sources, including vegetable oils, residues of plant or animal origin, and used oils such as those derived from frying. This fuel…

06 Sep

AWO applauds California bill on new emissions equipment

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingemissions, Regulation

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The American Waterways Operators (AWO) is commending the California Legislature's recent passage of Assembly Bill 1122 as a major milestone in protecting mariner safety and port operations stability on the state's waterways. Led by Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains, D-Bakersfield, AB 1122 protects mariner lives by ensuring that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) cannot require the use…

09 Aug

AWO presses Coast Guard on vessel discharge rules

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & TowingEnvironment, EPA

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — In response to the U.S. Coast Guard's request for information on vessel discharge recordkeeping and reporting requirements, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) has urged the service to critically evaluate what information is necessary to evaluate and enforce environmental compliance; create a recordkeeping and reporting framework narrowly tailored to meet those needs; and reconsider regulations that impose costs…

18 Jul

Cooper Marine adds 4,200-hp towboat to fleet

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater

(MOBILE, Ala.) — Cooper Marine has announced the addition of the 4,200-hp towing vessel M/V David J. Cooper Jr. to its fleet. The acquisition of this towboat will expand Cooper Marine’s fleet to 42 towing vessels across America’s inland waterway system. M/V David J. Cooper Jr. will operate as one of the premier towing vessels in its class and is…

08 Jul

Eastern to build four escort tugs for Saltchuk Marine

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingshipbuilding

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has been awarded a contract to construct four escort tugs for Saltchuk Marine. The vessels will be built at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities, with delivery expected in 2026. “We are pleased to partner with Saltchuk Marine on this significant fleet renewal project. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality,…

08 Jul

Problem with a moveable bridge? The AWO wants to know

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & TowingNavigation

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The Moveable Bridge Quality Action Team – a cooperative initiative of the Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership's Mid-America Regional Quality Steering Committee – is working to prevent bridge allisions and other incidents by investigating and documenting issues encountered by mariners when calling or transiting moveable bridges. Beginning July 1, the American Waterways Operators and partners, including the Gulf…

27 Jun

Eric McAllister leaving McAllister Towing

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing

(NEW YORK) — McAllister Towing on Wednesday announced that Eric McAllister, officer, director and shareholder of the company, is leaving the company to pursue various other opportunities. “I want to thank Eric for all of his contributions to the company during his many years here,” said Buckley McAllister, the company’s president. “Eric has been an integral part of the team…