Tugboats and towing – Page 11 – Professional Mariner

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…

20 May

Barge removed, Galveston bridge reopens after allision

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

(GALVESTON, Texas) — The Unified Command, consisting of Martin Marine, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office, continues to respond to the incident that occurred Wednesday when a Martin Marine-owned barge struck the Pelican Island Bridge. On Friday, T&T Group personnel successfully removed the barge from the bridge. The barge is secured, and no additional oil discharged…

16 May

Barge strike in Galveston causes oil spill, bridge closure

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

(HOUSTON) — A barge carrying petroleum products struck a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday morning, resulting in a spill and causing Pelican Island to be inaccessible to vehicle traffic, Houston Public Media reported. No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident, which was reported to Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watch standers at 9:48 a.m. The impact…

23 Apr

NTSB: Obstructed valve led to partial sinking of towboat

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

(WASHINGTON) — An obstructed check valve on a bilge pump led to the flooding and partial sinking of a towboat last year while moored at a shipyard near New Orleans, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The towboat Joanne Marie was found partially submerged a day and a half after being moored and deactivated at the Bollinger Quick…

14 Apr

Bridges reopen after Ohio River barge breakaway

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, Tugboats and towing

(PITTSBURGH) — A pair of local bridges reopened Saturday morning after 26 barges broke loose the previous night and floated uncontrolled down the Ohio River, damaging a marina, CNN reported. The bridges, about 2.5 miles apart, were closed after the barges – most of which were loaded with dry cargo – broke free after record-breaking rainfall Friday night, according to…

03 Apr

Barge strike temporarily shuts down Arkansas River bridge

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

(SALLISAW, Okla.) — The Arkansas River bridge near U.S. Highway 59 and the Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam was temporarily shut down Saturday after a barge struck it, 2 News Oklahoma reported. The bridge is located south of Sallisaw near the Sequoyah/LeFlore County line. Jonathan Teague, director of Sequoyah County Emergency Management, said officials are still determining what caused…

02 Apr

NTSB: Complacency led to Mississippi River bridge strike

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

(WASHINGTON) — A towing vessel captain’s complacency led to barges striking the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge last year on the Mississippi River, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The towing vessel Susan K was transiting with 25 barges downbound on the Mississippi River toward the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge on April 23. The captain intended to maneuver the tow through the western…

05 Mar

Tug’s speed, hydrodynamic forces led to Texas collision

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — A tugboat maneuvering near a transiting tanker in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel was drawn in toward the tanker, leading to a collision, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The tugboat Mark E. Kuebler and the tanker Nisalah collided in the channel near Ingleside, Texas, on Jan. 22, 2023. The tugboat’s hull was breached by the…

04 Mar

Coast Guard won’t enforce new CARB emissions rule

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsRegulation, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard says it will not enforce a new California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation pertaining to commercial harbor craft, citing safety concerns, The Center Square reported. The Coast Guard and business organizations oppose CARB's requirement that owners and operators of commercial harbor craft install diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which have been linked to a number…