AWO elects Blessey Marine’s Clark Todd as chairman
25 May

AWO elects Blessey Marine’s Clark Todd as chairman

Rich MillerIndustry News,
(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The members of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national tugboat, towboat and barge industry association, elected a new slate of leaders last week during the association's spring board of directors/annual membership meeting. Clark Todd, president and chief operating officer of Blessey Marine Services, was elected chairman; Rick Iuliucci, vice president of Vane Brothers, was elected vice…
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MarAd expands Marine Highway designations
20 Apr

MarAd expands Marine Highway designations

Rich MillerMaritime News,
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) on Tuesday announced the designation of a new Marine Highway route, two new Marine Highway projects, and one project designation extension as part of the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). While focusing on supply chain efficiency will have nationwide effects, the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, California,…
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High water, ineffective comms cited in New Orleans grounding
14 Apr

High water, ineffective comms cited in New Orleans grounding

Rich MillerCasualty News,
(WASHINGTON) — The decision to overtake a tow in a large river bend occupied by multiple vessels during high-water conditions led to the grounding of a tanker and contact with river intake fender systems in New Orleans, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. Marine Investigation Report 22/11 details the NTSB’s investigation into the March 16, 2021, grounding of…
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Captain’s sleep inertia led to tow striking lock gate
05 Apr

Captain’s sleep inertia led to tow striking lock gate

Rich MillerCasualty News,
(WASHINGTON) — A captain assuming a watch immediately after waking led to a tow striking a lock gate in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in Marine Investigation Report 22/09 released Tuesday. On March 22, 2021, the towing vessel Ava Claire was transiting westbound pushing two fully loaded tank barges in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway…
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Eymard delivers new towboat for Crescent Marine fleet
01 Apr

Eymard delivers new towboat for Crescent Marine fleet

Rich MillerShipbuilding, Tugboats & Towing,
(HARVEY, La.) — Eymard Marine Construction & Repair has delivered the 1,200-hp towboat Captain Walter to Crescent Marine Towing. The new vessel was christened Feb. 19 at the Harvey shipyard. The 60-by-26-foot towboat, designed by Entech, has a depth of 9 feet, 6 inches. It is named for Walter O’Connor, a longtime captain with Crescent Marine. The towboat has two…
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Strong outdraft, wind cited in Illinois lock strike
31 Mar

Strong outdraft, wind cited in Illinois lock strike

Rich MillerCasualty News, ,
(WASHINGTON) — The contact between a tow and a section of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Ill., was caused by the pilot of the towing vessel not effectively compensating for a strong outdraft and wind, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. Marine Investigation Report 22/08 details the NTSB’s investigation into the March 19, 2021, contact…
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Master Boat Builders delivers hybrid Tier 4 tug to Seabulk
28 Mar

Master Boat Builders delivers hybrid Tier 4 tug to Seabulk

Rich MillerShipbuilding, Tugboats & Towing,
(MOBILE, Ala.) — Master Boat Builders has delivered Spartan, an electric-hybrid tugboat, to Seabulk. This modern and unique vessel was built at the shipbuilder's yard in Coden, Ala.. “The Spartan is the latest addition to our fleet and constitutes the first of two hybrid diesel-electric vessels commissioned from Master Boat Builders," said Daniel Thorogood, chief executive officer of Seabulk. "She…
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Chouest floats out new river cruise ship for Viking
08 Mar

Chouest floats out new river cruise ship for Viking

Rich MillerMaritime News, Shipbuilding,
(LOS ANGELES) — Viking announced Monday that the new 386-passenger Viking Mississippi was floated out in Louisiana, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in June, Viking Mississippi will sail on the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minn. The traditional float-out took place at…
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