25 Jan

Samson: Commitment to quality and safety

Professional Mariner StaffPublication > Professional Mariner, Tugboats & Towing
Rafael Chou makes synthetic ropes do amazing things, even seemingly impossible ones. A vice president of Samson, Chou directs the cordage company's research and development efforts. Under his supervision, a staff of 20 people at the company's research and development center in Ferndale, Wash., create new high-performance products and improve existing ones. One of the most remarkable products to come…
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24 Jan

Voluntary inspections help tug operators prepare for the coming requirements

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing
With the nation’s first mandatory inspections finally visible on the horizon, the U.S. Coast Guard is beginning to inform the towing-vessel industry of the safety violations most often found during the current voluntary program. Since the voluntary boardings began in June 2009, Coast Guard crews have taken note of repeated deficiencies with unfired pressure vessels (UPV), fuel shutoff valves, fire…
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23 Sep

Crowley, Intercon team up in new class of powerful oceangoing tugs

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing
With a minimum of 150 metric tons of bollard pull and an Intercon towing winch with 500,000 pounds of pulling power, Crowley Maritime’s new Ocean-class tugs are designed for the future. The company, based in Jacksonville, Fla., expects the new vessels to establish Crowley as industry leaders for many years. “Over the lifetime of the boats, they will be towing…
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10 Feb

Michigan’s Sand Products finds opportunities by buying boats during Great Lakes recession

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing
Port City Tug’s Prentiss Brown, equipped with a Bludworth connection system on its bow, is shown here docked at Muskegon, Mich. Parent company Sand Products Corp. has been acquiring vessels in an effort to gain new business on the Great Lakes. (Courtesy Port City Tug) The shipping business may be down — way down — on the Great Lakes, but…
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