Tugboats and towing – Professional Mariner

15 May

Safety alert: Dangers of avoiding load line requirements

Rich MillerMaritime Newscasualty news, safety, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A recent marine casualty resulting in the total loss of a crane barge, estimated at over $6 million, is a stark warning of the risks involved with failing to adhere to load line regulations. The incident occurred approximately 18 miles offshore of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico while the crane barge was being towed in calm weather…

15 May

Pushboat crew rescues two boaters near Brazos Locks

Rich MillerMaritime Newsbrownwater, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(HOUSTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard and a pushboat crew rescued two boaters whose vessel capsized near Freeport, Texas, on Friday. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watch standers received a report at 1:10 p.m. via VHF-FM Channel 16 that two men were in the water near the west gate of the Brazos Locks on the Brazos River after their 16-to-20-foot pleasure…

21 Apr

Boater injured after yacht, towing vessel collide in Mississippi

Rich MillerCasualty NewsTugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three boaters Wednesday after a vessel collision near Bay St. Louis, Miss. Coast Guard Sector Mobile watch standers received a report Wednesday of a 53-foot yacht and a towing vessel with two barges that were involved in a collision. Sector Mobile watch standers coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Station Gulfport…

19 Apr

Caterpillar, Svitzer sign MOU for dual-fuel methanol engines

Rich MillerIndustry NewsClimate change, propulsion, Tugboats and towing

(HOUSTON) — Caterpillar Marine and Svitzer, a leading global marine operations and towage operator, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to adopt solutions that enable Svitzer to utilize methanol in its fleet. The implementation of dual-fuel methanol engines focuses on new tugboats as well as conversions of existing Cat-powered tugs, which comprise the majority of Svitzer's fleet. With a…

07 Apr

Safety alert: Improper use of onboard heating cables

Rich MillerMaritime Newsbrownwater, Safety alert, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard recently investigated a fire on board an inspected towing vessel that resulted in the vessel suffering a loss of propulsion. The source of the fire was determined to be heat cables (also referred to as heat tracing cable or heat tape), which were improperly installed to prevent condensate from forming and freezing within hoses…

05 Apr

New guidance on endorsements involving tanker operations

Rich MillerLicensing & TrainingTugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published CG-MMC Policy Letter 01-23 titled "Qualification for National Endorsements as Tankerman-Assistant and STCW Endorsements for Basic Tanker Operations." Under this policy, mariners who hold or qualify for a national endorsement as Tankerman-PIC (Barge) may be issued an endorsement as Tankerman-Assistant for the same cargoes. In addition, mariners who hold or…

05 Apr

Vane Brothers marks 125 years of maritime service

Rich MillerIndustry NewsTugboats and towing

(BALTIMORE) — Vane Brothers is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2023. From a distinguished past, the company has grown to become one of the nation’s premier marine transportation providers. “I am thrilled and humbled to be part of such a proud legacy of perseverance and achievement,” said Vane President C. Duff Hughes, “especially considering the inherently unpredictable, complex, and ever-evolving…

29 Mar

10 barges break free on Ohio River; three pinned at dam

Rich MillerCasualty Newsbrownwater, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Emergency teams worked to secure 10 barges that broke loose from a towboat Tuesday on the Ohio River in Louisville, Ky., including a barge carrying 1,400 metric tons of methanol that is partially submerged, NPR reported. "There is currently zero evidence of a tank breach or any leaks, and air and water monitoring resources are in place,"…

27 Mar

NTSB: Incorrect estimate of crane height led to bridge strike

Rich MillerCasualty Newsbrownwater, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — An incorrect estimate of a crane’s boom height led to contact with the Houma Twin Span Bridge last year in Houma, La., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. On March 6, 2022, the towing vessel Robert Cenac was transiting the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, pushing the crane barge Mr. Dawg and another deck barge. While attempting to…

22 Mar

Robert Allan Ltd. accepting applications for 2023 scholarship

Rich MillerLicensing & Trainingshipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — The Robert Allan Memorial Scholarship award is open for applications until June 30. The Robert Allan Memorial Scholarship was created in 1982 by a bequest from the late Robert F. Allan with additional support from his friends and colleagues. Robert Allan Ltd. is now also actively supporting the scholarship through additional contributions and the fund is…