(ANCHORAGE, Alaska.; August 25, 2009) The Sesok, Crowley’s newest triple-screw diesel powered tug joined the fleet of Alaska river tugs this month, when it called St. Mary’s on the Yukon River to pick up its first barge. Soon thereafter, the Sesok and her crew made stops along the Yukon River in Emmonak, Nome, Hooper Bay and Bethel to meet with Crowley personnel and villagers to celebrate the vessel’s maiden voyage with community barbecues.
Residents gathered at the barbecues to learn more about the latest vessel to enter the Alaska region and to hear Crowley’s commitment to providing the safest and most environmentally sound fuel and freight delivery services in Alaska. The Sesok will continue to work along the coast throughout the season.
Jointly designed by Crowley and Diversified Marine, the Sesok, which means “beluga whale” in the native Inupiaq language, boasts 1,362 horsepower and is equipped to safely propel petroleum/freight barges in river systems throughout Alaska. In April, Crowley took delivery of the Nachik, the Sesok’s sister vessel.
“Even in the midst of tough economic times, Crowley continues to invest in vessels that not only provide the safest service but also help protect Alaska’s natural resources,” said Craig Tornga, vice president of Alaska’s marine services. “Both the Sesok and the Nachik complement the company’s existing fleet of river tugs and will provide improved service to our customers and communities in Western Alaska.”
Crowley’s shallow draft tugs are designed to operate in Alaska’s rivers and coastal regions where operations are challenging due to restricted drafts and a lack of docking infrastructure. The tugs are designed to operate at a draft of just three feet, six inches.
Since 1953, Crowley has provided various marine, petroleum distribution, and energy support services in Alaska – from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska and both coastal and inland communities including those along the Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers – and today has offices and operations throughout the state with more than 650 employees. During the past half century, Crowley has consistently provided unique solutions to Alaska’s logistics and marine transportation challenges and played an important role in Alaska’s business development and in protecting its environment. The company began handling fuel and freight in 1896 as Black Navigation, sailing in Prince William Sound and expanding service to the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in 1916.
Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 117-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides diversified transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are the following services: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com
