Towboats and towing – Professional Mariner

13 Feb

Master lacked real-time data on vertical clearance before bridge strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsTowboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — On May 7, 2025, a towing vessel struck a vertical lift bridge while transiting northbound on the Vermilion River in Perry, La., during rising river conditions. The investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard revealed that the vessel’s master miscalculated the bridge’s available clearance. This was due in part to relying on outdated river level data, which did not…

22 Jan

Terral River Service repowers towboat with Mitsubishi Tier 3 engines

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsbrownwater, propulsion, Towboats and towing

(LAKE PROVIDENCE, La.) — Terral River Service has completed a major repower on the towboat Johnny M., upgrading from Caterpillar 3508 Tier 2 engines to Mitsubishi S12R Tier 3 engines rated at 1,260 horsepower at 1,600 rpm. The project reflects Terral’s ongoing commitment to reliable performance, lower emissions and fleetwide efficiency supported by its continued collaboration with Laborde Products. “The…

11 Jun

Lakes to receive ‘historic’ funding for navigation work

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, shipping, Towboats and towing, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(WASHINGTON) — In late May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its final navigation work plan for fiscal year 2025. The plan outlines resources that will be used for dredging, structure maintenance, and other priorities at every port in the United States. A summary/funding analysis of Great Lakes provisions can be found here. Amounts shown in black are spending…

17 Jul

Low water again threatening Midwest barge traffic

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsbrownwater, shipping, Towboats and towing

(CAIRO, Ill.) — Water levels on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers are falling for a second straight year, raising the prospect of shipping problems along U.S. freight routes, Bloomberg reported. In Cairo, Ill., where the Ohio joins the Mississippi, water levels have dropped more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) in the past week and are forecast to fall more than…