Parker Towing Company has renamed a 3,800-hp towboat built in 1974 in honor of Capt. Bill Archie, a longtime company captain who spent much of his career navigating Alabama’s Black Warrior River.
The 130-foot Capt. Bill Archie, built by Fredeman Shipyard in Carlyss, La., was christened Oct. 27 during a ceremony attended by family members, Parker Towing employees and mariners Archie trained during his career.
The towboat measures 130’ x 34’ x 10.4’ and is powered by two EMD 16-645-E2 diesel engines producing a combined 3,800 hp. The engines drive 96-inch by 88-inch propellers through Western 1774-3 reduction gears with a 4:1 ratio. Electrical power is supplied by two Cummins 6CTA 8.3 generators. The vessel has a fuel capacity of 96,840 gallons, carries 23,000 gallons of potable water and has six bedrooms on two decks. Navigation equipment includes Rose Point navigation software, two radars, AIS, a swingmeter and an electronic compass.
Archie began his career with Parker Towing in 1969 and spent most of his working life with the Tuscaloosa-based company. He served as captain of the Seldon Hurt before taking command of the Heloise, which he captained for 26 years.
Known for his interest in emerging navigation technology, Archie was an early adopter of Coastal Explorer and Rose Point software. He worked with software developers to help refine navigation tools for commercial inland waterways operations. Archie was also a longtime mentor to younger mariners, training generations of pilots and captains during his decades on the river.
Chas Haun, executive vice president of Parker Towing, recalled Archie’s enthusiasm for new technology and his dedication to training other mariners during the christening ceremony.
The vessel was christened by Archie’s wife, Rose, on what would have been the couple’s 40th wedding anniversary. Family members, Parker Towing employees and mariners who had worked with Archie attended the ceremony.
