Tugboats and towing – Professional Mariner

29 Aug

Hull wastage, lack of upkeep cited in flooding of towboat

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

(WASHINGTON) — National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators found holes in the hull of a towing vessel after it flooded and partially sank last year on the Lower Mississippi River near Ascension Paris, La. Uncle Blue was towing one empty barge on March 26, 2023, when the towboat began flooding. When it was lifted by crane during salvage, NTSB investigators…

13 Aug

NTSB finds plate wastage on tugboat that sank in Atlantic

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsNTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) —The sinking last year of a towing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean was due to a lack of watertight integrity, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The tugboat Jacqueline A was transiting the Atlantic Ocean from Virginia to a Louisiana shipyard, where the vessel was to be brought into compliance with regulations. It began taking on water…

06 Aug

Crowley, SEACOR form Jones Act tanker company

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsJones Act, Tugboats and towing

(FORT LAUDERDALE and JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Crowley and SEACOR Holdings have announced the formation of Fairwater Holdings LLC, an independent U.S. company that integrates the partners' petroleum and chemical transportation vessels, capabilities and personnel to provide U.S. Jones Act shipping solutions. Fairwater is active in all major Jones Act coastwise tank vessel trades, differentiating it from industry peers, and supports…

16 Jul

CSA honors Crowley with Devlin Awards for safety

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newssafety, Tugboats and towing

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Crowley, through the achievements of the crews of 67 company-owned or -managed vessels, has again been honored for its safe operations with Jones F. Devlin Awards by the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA). The Jones F. Devlin Safety Award recognizes the skills and dedication of people and companies achieving high levels of safe vessel operations and…

09 Jul

Missed rock on chart led to ATB grounding in Alaska

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsNTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — An articulated tug-barge (ATB) hit a known underwater rock near Kodiak, Alaska last year, leading to a grounding that caused $1.4 million in damage, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The tugboat Cingluku and barge Jungjuk were transiting into Shakmanof Cove from Marmot Bay on May 25, 2023, with six crewmembers on board. Cingluku and Jungjuk…

01 Jul

Carpenter: U.S. must renew its commitment to maritime

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsbrownwater, Jones Act, Security, Tugboats and towing

By Jennifer Carpenter The United States must renew its commitment to a strong, reliable American maritime capability to confront emerging threats. China’s aggressive shipping expansion poses significant challenges to the United States and our allies. Global tensions have highlighted the vulnerability of maritime supply chains, and our domestic waterways remain a potential pathway for increasingly belligerent adversaries to cause harm.…

26 Jun

Crowley christens first fully electric tugboat in U.S.

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsClimate change, propulsion, Tugboats and towing

(SAN DIEGO) — Joined by diverse partners and industry supporters, Crowley on Tuesday christened eWolf, America’s first all-electric ship-assist harbor tugboat. "The eWolf is a historic milestone in the maritime industry and Crowley’s legacy, and underscores our company’s commitment to serve as global sustainability leaders and innovators. The all-electric tugboat is the most technologically advanced vessel of its kind, and…

07 Jun

Laborde Products expands reach with Paducah facility

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsbrownwater, propulsion, Tugboats and towing

(PADUCAH, Ky.) — Laborde Products has announced the opening of its newest operational facility in Paducah, Ky. This strategic move enhances the company's capacity to provide parts and service support for Mitsubishi engines and other power products to the upriver market, while solidifying its commitment to inland river waterways. The new Paducah operational facility marks a significant milestone in Laborde…

24 May

$4.8 million available for marine highway projects

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsMarAd, Marine highways, Ports, shipping, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) recently announced a notice of funding opportunity making $4.8 million available in fiscal year 2024 funds through the U.S. Marine Highway Program (USMHP). The USMHP funds projects that increase the movement of freight on America’s navigable waterways. Where water-based transport is available, it provides the most efficient, effective and sustainable option for freight…

23 May

NTSB cites outdraft above dam in Ohio River tow strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — A barge tow struck a mooring cell on the Ohio River last year after encountering a strong outdraft current above the McAlpine Dam during high-water conditions, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. The towing vessel Queen City was transiting the Ohio River with 11 barges in tow when the tow struck the Vane Dike at the…