Loss of steering, valve misalignment cited in Vicksburg bridge strike
01 Jun

Loss of steering, valve misalignment cited in Vicksburg bridge strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, ,
(WASHINGTON) — On May 1, 2025, about 1454, the towing vessel Rickey Hughes was pushing 22 barges downbou​nd on the Lower Mississippi River at mile 435.8 near Vicksburg, Miss., when the two lead barges on the starboard side of the tow contacted a fixed pier of the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge. As a result of the contact, seven barges broke…
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Master Boat launches second tug in series for Maritime Partners
01 Jun

Master Boat launches second tug in series for Maritime Partners

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing,
(CODEN, Ala.) — Master Boat Builders recently launched Titan, the second of eight tugboats being built for Maritime Partners LLC. The launch represents another key milestone in the companies’ ongoing partnership and reflects sustained demand for high-performance tug capacity across the maritime and energy sectors. “The launch of Titan reflects what can be accomplished through strong industry partnerships and a…
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C&C Marine completes two more towboats in series for Canal Barge
26 May

C&C Marine completes two more towboats in series for Canal Barge

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing,
(BELLE CHASSE, La.) — C&C Marine & Repair recently delivered Deborah H. Valentine and Cabby H. Boone, the second and third towboats in a four-vessel series for Canal Barge Company. The 2,520-horsepower inland vessels measure 87 feet by 34 feet and are configured with a twin-screw propulsion system powered by Mitsubishi S12R Tier 4 engines, each rated at 1,260 hp…
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Canal Barge repowers towboat with Mitsubishi Tier 3 engines
22 May

Canal Barge repowers towboat with Mitsubishi Tier 3 engines

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing, ,
(COVINGTON, La.) — Canal Barge Co. has repowered the towboat Hallie M. Merrick with two Mitsubishi S12R EPA Tier 3 engines rated at 1,100 horsepower at 1,800 rpm. The project was completed at Sterling Shipyard in Port Neches, Texas, with support from Laborde Products, replacing the vessel’s original Cummins KTA38 engines and bringing the towboat in line with Canal Barge’s…
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Unexpected current led to Galveston barge breakaway, oil spill
13 May

Unexpected current led to Galveston barge breakaway, oil spill

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, , ,
(WASHINGTON) — On May 15, 2024, about 0947 local time, the towing vessel LCPL Phillip C George was departing the Texas International Terminal in Galveston, Texas, pushing two loaded tank barges, when the port quarter of the towboat struck a terminal dolphin. One of the barges, MMLP 321, separated from the tow and struck a power transmission pole and the…
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Captain’s cellphone use cited in collision, sinking of towboat
11 May

Captain’s cellphone use cited in collision, sinking of towboat

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, ,
(WASHINGTON) — On Dec. 29, 2024, about 1934 local time, the towing vessel Patrick J Studdert and bulk carrier Clara B collided while underway on the Lower Mississippi River at mile 122 near Luling, La. Patrick J Studdert sank, forcing all five crewmembers to abandon the vessel into the water. A sheen of diesel fuel was visible downriver. The crew…
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Crescent adds second 6,000-hp z-drive tug from Blakeley
07 May

Crescent adds second 6,000-hp z-drive tug from Blakeley

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing,
(MOBILE, Ala.) — Crescent Towing has taken delivery of Kentucky, a new 6,000-hp Tier 4 z-drive tugboat constructed at Blakeley BoatWorks in Mobile, Ala. Kentucky began service in early 2026 and will soon be added to Crescent Towing’s ship assist operations on the Lower Mississippi River. This vessel is the second 6,000-hp tugboat built by Blakeley BoatWorks for Crescent Towing.…
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Debris in water possible culprit in Ohio River barge breakaway
17 Apr

Debris in water possible culprit in Ohio River barge breakaway

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, ,
​​(WASHINGTON) — On April 16, 2024, about 0445 local time, the barges MPC 907 and MPC 644 broke free from their moorings at the Marathon Petroleum Co. (MPC) terminal dock at mile 793.8 on the Ohio River, near Evansville, Ind. The two barges contacted mooring cells about 1,500 feet downstream at the TransMontaigne terminal at mile 794.1. The barges were…
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Diversified delivers Mitsubishi-powered towboat for Vulcan
13 Apr

Diversified delivers Mitsubishi-powered towboat for Vulcan

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing,
(HOUMA, La.) — Diversified Marine of Bourg, La., recently delivered the towboat Larry Gravely to Vulcan Materials Co. of Birmingham, Ala. The twin-screw newbuild is equipped with a pair of Mitsubishi Tier 3 S6R2 main engines from Laborde Products, each rated at 803 horsepower at 1,400 rpm. The engines were applied to support the vessel’s operating profile and the steady,…
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FMT delivers pushboat, towboat to Maritime Partners
31 Mar

FMT delivers pushboat, towboat to Maritime Partners

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing,
(HARVEY, La.) — Maritime Partners has placed into service the pushboat Deirdre Ann, a newbuild from FMT Shipyard in Harvey, La. The vessel is powered by two Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 engines, each rated at 803 horsepower at 1,400 rpm, with commissioning support from Laborde Products. The S6R2 platform is designed for consistent power at working speeds, strong low-end torque,…
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