brownwater - Professional Mariner

08 Mar

NTSB: Uninsulated exhaust surface led to fire that destroyed towboat

Casualty Newsbrownwater, towing

(WASHINGTON) — An engine room fire aboard a towing vessel was the result of spraying diesel fuel hitting an uninsulated section of the engine’s exhaust system, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in Marine Investigation Report 22/05 released Tuesday. On March 17, 2021, the towing vessel Miss Dorothy was pushing 14 barges upbound on the Lower Mississippi River, north…

03 Mar

Marine Highways get $25 million appropriation

Maritime Newsbrownwater, towing

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) on Wednesday announced the availability of $25 million in funding for America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP), which supports the development and expanded use of America’s navigable waterways and will help improve the nation’s supply chains and the movement of goods. These new resources represent the largest single appropriation of funding…

24 Feb

AMP president: Support in Washington for Jones Act ‘never higher’

Maritime News, Shipbuildingbrownwater, shipbuilding, towing

(WASHINGTON) — Newly elected American Maritime Partnership (AMP) President Ku'uhaku Park on Thursday provided closing remarks on day one of the Capital Link Jones Act & U.S. Flag Shipping Forum. “I’m happy to report that overall support for the Jones Act in Congress and the administration has never been higher than it is today," Park said. "An overwhelming majority of…

15 Feb

Master Marine delivers fourth pushboat in series to Plimsoll

Shipbuilding, Tugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(LAPLACE, La.) — Master Marine Inc. has delivered the 67-by-28-foot Steel Skipper to Plimsoll Marine, the fourth pushboat that the builder is scheduled to deliver to the operator. All four were designed by Entech Designs LLC and are fully compliant with all U.S. Coast Guard regulatory requirements. “Plimsoll Marine strives to provide the Lower Mississippi River with premier pushboat services…

09 Feb

American Maritime Partnership announces new leadership team

Industry Newsbrownwater

(WASHINGTON) — The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, has announced the election of new leadership for the organization. Ku’uhaku Park takes the helm as president, and he is joined by a new vice president, Jennifer Carpenter. Sara Fuentes will serve dual roles as secretary and treasurer. Elected officers will hold their positions for a…

07 Feb

Coast Guard warns mariners of high water on Ohio River

Maritime Newsbrownwater, towing

(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard is urging mariners to be aware of the risk associated with high water and dangerous currents on the Ohio River throughout the week. Higher than average water levels have created stronger than normal currents on the river that are leading to dangerous situations. Debris, rip currents and eddies are showing up in areas…

31 Jan

Blakeley delivers pushboat Green Wave to Plimsoll Marine

Shipbuilding, Tugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(MOBILE, Ala.) — Blakeley BoatWorks recently completed construction of M/V Green Wave, an advanced Subchapter M inland pushboat. Owned by Plimsoll Marine, the vessel will operate within the Cooper Consolidated fleeting footprint, the largest fleeting footprint on the Lower Mississippi River. All three companies are part of the Cooper Group of Companies. Designed by Farrell and Norton and built by…

28 Jan

Poor communication between bridge operator, tow cited in Louisiana collision

Casualty Newsbrownwater, towing

(WASHINGTON) — Poor communication led to a tow striking a railway swing bridge near Slidell, La., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in Marine Investigation Report 22/01 released Thursday. On Jan. 12, 2021, an empty hopper barge being pushed by the towing vessel Robert Cenac struck the CSX Rigolets railway swing bridge while it was opening. The bridge sustained…

19 Jan

Army Corps details $2.2 billion in new spending on inland waterways

Maritime Newsbrownwater, towing, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(WASHINGTON) — On Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its spending plans outlining the specific inland waterways projects that were allocated funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Specifically, the spending plans will fund the following inland navigation construction projects at $2.22 billion: • Kentucky Lock (Tennessee River): $465.49 million (funded to completion) • Montgomery Lock (Ohio…

18 Jan

Chesapeake to build fleet of 12 catamarans for American Cruise Lines

Maritime News, Shipbuildingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(GUILFORD, Conn.) — American Cruise Lines has revealed details of Project Blue, a new fleet of go-anywhere ships for the U.S. market. The company announced plans for 12 identical sister ships that will more than double the nation’s current capacity for domestic coastal cruises. Featuring an innovative hybrid catamaran design, these boats will have unprecedented near-shore operating versatility, according to…