Tugboats and towing – Professional Mariner

06 Aug

NTSB cites cellphone use by Houston pilot before fatal collision

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsNTSB, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday that distraction and failure to maintain a proper lookout caused a 2024 fatal collision between a bulk carrier and towing vessel near Lynchburg, Texas. The bulk carrier Yangze 7 and the towing vessel Miss Peggy collided on July 19, 2024, while both were inbound in the Houston Ship Channel. Miss…

30 Jul

NTSB cites unknown electrical source in Texas towboat fire

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, UncategorizedNTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — On April 22, 2025, about 1750 local time, the towing vessel William D was pushing two barges near mile 20 of the Victoria Barge Canal, about 15 miles from Port Lavaca, Texas, with six crewmembers on board, when a fire broke out in the towboat’s accommodation spaces. Crewmembers attempted but were unable to extinguish the fire. All crewmembers…

27 Jul

Miami tug captain pleads guilty to seaman’s manslaughter

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

(MIAMI) — A tugboat captain has pleaded guilty to federal charges after operating a barge with obstructed visibility and without a proper lookout, causing a fatal Biscayne Bay collision that claimed the lives of three children participating in a sailing camp. “Three children lost their lives in a tragedy that never should have happened,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones…

21 Jul

Usual suspects: High water, fast current in Vicksburg bridge strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — On May 5, 2025, at 0957 local time, the towing vessel Myra Eckstein, with a crew of 10 on board, was pushing 25 barges downbound on the Lower Mississippi River near Vicksburg, Miss., when the lead barge on the starboard side contacted a fixed pier of the Vicksburg Highway 80 Bridge at mile 435.8. As a result of…

09 Jul

Ports of Indiana gets $25 million federal grant for expansion

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsPorts, shipping, Tugboats and towing

(JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind.) – Ports of Indiana has been awarded a $25 million BUILD grant (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support a $32 million expansion of the Jeffersonville port. The grant is the largest federal award in Ports of Indiana’s 65-year history – more than double the previous high for any Indiana port.…

29 Jun

Industry mourns Brandon Durar, founder of JonRie deck equipment

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsDeck equipment, shipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(SEATTLE) — Markey Machine on Friday announced the passing of Brandon Durar, a respected figure in the maritime industry and a dedicated leader whose career spanned more than four decades. Durar died on Sunday, June 21, at the age of 71. Durar built his career through hard work, persistence, and a practical understanding of marine deck equipment. He supported operators…

10 Jun

Bridge tender’s miscalculation cited in Louisiana barge strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — On June 6, 2024, about 0512 local time, the towing vessel Josset was transiting the Morgan City-Port Allen Route of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, about 2.7 miles from Crescent, La., pushing three barges, when the lead barge struck the Bayou Grosse Tete Bridge. There were no injuries and no pollution was reported. Damage to the bridge was estimated…

01 Jun

Loss of steering, valve misalignment cited in Vicksburg bridge strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — On May 1, 2025, about 1454, the towing vessel Rickey Hughes was pushing 22 barges downbound 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…

15 May

Mate tells NTSB autopilot ‘tripped’ before tow hit Virginia bridge

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsNTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — On June 15, 2024, about 1626 local time, the towing vessel Mackenzie Rose was pushing the loaded deck barge Weeks 281 while transiting the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Va., when the barge’s raked bow struck the Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad bridge. There were no injuries and no pollution was reported. The railroad…

15 May

Markey Machine appoints Eric Rose as president

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsDeck equipment, Tugboats and towing

(SEATTLE) — Markey Machine, one of America’s longest-standing manufacturers of marine deck machinery, has announced the appointment of Eric Rose as president. Founded in 1907, Markey Machine has spent more than a century designing and manufacturing winches and deck machinery for operators who depend on that equipment to perform under the most demanding conditions in the world. Rose brings extensive…