brownwater – Professional Mariner

07 Apr

Eastern cuts steel on advanced dredge for Army Corps

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsbrownwater, dredging, shipbuilding

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has begun construction on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) new medium-class hopper dredge. A ceremonial steel-cutting event marked the start of a historic acquisition for the Army Corps, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining safe and navigable waterways. The event on Friday was attended by USACE Headquarters, North Atlantic Division, Marine…

05 Mar

Degraded dock collapses in Louisiana after barge strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — About 150 feet of a degraded dock in Chalmette, La., collapsed into the Lower Mississippi River in 2023 after a barge contact, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The towing vessel Ovide J was maneuvering two loaded crude oil barges to the Chalmette Refinery crude oil dock on April 25, 2023, when the starboard barge struck…

11 Feb

Cooper Consolidated adds North America’s largest E-cranes to fleet

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsbrownwater, Ports, shipping

(NEW ORLEANS) — Cooper Consolidated has expanded its bulk stevedoring fleet with the addition of two 4000C Series equilibrium cranes, the largest cranes built by E-Crane. These cranes, named Pelican and Creole King, solidify Cooper Consolidated as a premier bulk stevedoring service provider on the Mississippi River. “Cooper Consolidated is constantly aiming to provide our customers with the highest quality…

10 Feb

Colonial Oil christens tug and barge on Savannah River

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) — Colonial Oil Industries has christened its newest tug and barge, marking a significant step forward in enhancing the Marine Division’s capabilities and reinforcing its commitment to innovation, efficiency and stewardship in the maritime sector. The christening ceremony took place on Jan. 31 at sister company Colonial Terminals on the Savannah River. The event welcomed key stakeholders, employees…

05 Feb

NTSB: Ships’ wakes led to barge strike in New Orleans lock

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — Surging water from the Mississippi River led to a 2023 barge strike on a gate at Algiers Lock in New Orleans, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. The Algiers Lock connects the Mississippi River to a network of inland waterways. On July 4, 2023, the towing vessel Kitty was pushing two loaded tank barges into the…

02 Jan

Towboat sinks, five rescued after collision with bulker on Lower Mississippi

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a collision between a bulk carrier and a towboat Sunday night that resulted in five mariners being rescued from the Mississippi River near Luling, La., NOLA.com reported. The towboat, the 87-foot Patrick J. Studdert, sank after the collision with the bulker Clara B., according to Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class…

22 Nov

Parted wire forces crew to release barges, causing dock strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — On January 29, about 1230 local time, the towing vessel Nell Womack was pushing hopper barges ACL23401 and ACBL2549 upbound on the Lower Mississippi River when one of two facing wires connecting the towing vessel to barge ACL23401 parted. When it became unsafe for the towing vessel to remain attached by one facing wire, the crew released the…

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…