brownwater – Professional Mariner

21 Nov

NTSB: Mate misjudged approach to unlit pier before allision

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — On July 8, 2023, at 2326, the towing vessel Danny Terral was pushing six loaded barges on the Calcasieu River in Louisiana when the starboard lead barge contacted a pier while docking at the Port of Lake Charles. Damage to the pier was estimated to be about $1 million. The tow remained intact, and there was no reported…

19 Nov

AWO hears member concerns in online listening sessions

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — Over the past two months, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) conducted four online listening sessions to better understand member needs, concerns and priorities. The four sessions were geared toward small, medium and large carriers and affiliate members, respectively. The organization heard several common themes throughout the listening sessions: • AWO should continue to prioritize improving the productivity…

19 Nov

ACBL appoints former Rand exec Peter Coxon as CEO

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsbrownwater, Tugboats and towing

(JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind.) — Peter Coxon has been appointed as chief executive officer of American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL), effective immediately. This marks a significant step in ACBL’s journey toward realizing its vision of being the trusted leader in marine transportation. Over the past few years, ACBL has made important progress in a challenging market, laying the groundwork for future growth…

14 Nov

ACBL christens most powerful towboat on Mississippi River

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsbrownwater, shipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(NEW ORLEANS) — American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) christened its latest vessel, ACBL Mariner, during an evening ceremony Wednesday in New Orleans. Delivering 11,000 horsepower, it the most powerful towboat ever built for Mississippi River operations. The 200-by-50-foot towboat has the capability to push up to 64 barges, equivalent to over 75,000 tons of cargo. A tow of this size…

31 Oct

Blakeley delivers sixth 70-foot pushboat to Cooper Marine

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(MOBILE, Ala.) — Blakeley BoatWorks has announced the completion and delivery of Hull 107, formally named M/V Claire Ellen, to Cooper Marine’s Louisiana operations. Designed by Farrell and Norton and built by Blakeley BoatWorks, the 70-foot-long, 28-foot-wide, 1,600-horsepower vessel is fully compliant with the latest U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter M regulatory requirements. “The newbuild program at Blakeley BoatWorks has delivered…

31 Oct

St. Johns signs first new vessel deal with U.S. government

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsbrownwater, shipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(PALATKA, Fla.) — St. Johns Ship Building has announced an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to construct two 140-foot stop-log barges. The contract is the shipbuilder's first new construction project for the U.S. government. “We are excited to embark on this project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and take pride in contributing to their…

22 Oct

Mitsubishi, Laborde provide Tier 4 power for Golding newbuild

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater, propulsion

(COVINGTON, La.) — In a significant step toward a greener future, Golding Barge Line has commissioned its newest towboat, Scott Golding, equipped with Mitsubishi Tier 4 engines supplied by Laborde Products. Built by Vessel Repair of Port Arthur, Texas, this vessel features two Mitsubishi engines, each delivering 1,260 hp at 1,600 rpm. These low-emission engines not only meet rigorous environmental…

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,…

23 Sep

Corn Belt Ports, Louisiana ports sign cooperation pact

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsbrownwater, Ports, Tugboats and towing

(NEW ORLEANS) — In a landmark move to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the Mississippi River’s agricultural and industrial trade routes, the Upper and Lower Mississippi River ports signed their first cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) on Friday at the National Waterways Conference’s Annual Meeting. This historic partnership is poised to drive significant advancements in cooperation efforts toward business development,…

19 Sep

NTSB cites excess tension on lines in bulker breakaway

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB

(WASHINGTON) — While loading a cargo of coal on March 27, 2023, the bulk carrier Sirocco broke free from its moorings at the Convent Marine Terminal dock in Convent, La., drifted a half mile down the Mississippi River and struck a barge moored at the Mosaic Uncle Sam dock, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. An examination of…