Tugboats and towing – Page 2 – Professional Mariner

13 May

Unexpected current led to Galveston barge breakaway, oil spill

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

(WASHINGTON) — On May 15, 2024, about 0947 local time, the towing vessel LCPL Phillip C George was departing the Texas International Terminal in Galveston, Texas, pushing two loaded tank barges, when the port quarter of the towboat struck a terminal dolphin. One of the barges, MMLP 321, separated from the tow and struck a power transmission pole and the…

11 May

Captain’s cellphone use cited in collision, sinking of towboat

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — On Dec. 29, 2024, about 1934 local time, the towing vessel Patrick J Studdert and bulk carrier Clara B collided while underway on the Lower Mississippi River at mile 122 near Luling, La. Patrick J Studdert sank, forcing all five crewmembers to abandon the vessel into the water. A sheen of diesel fuel was visible downriver. The crew…

08 May

Industry veteran Capt. Rick Iuliucci retiring at Vane Brothers

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsTugboats and towing

(SALISBURY, Md.) — Vane Brothers has announced that Capt. Rick Iuliucci, vice president of operations, is retiring effective July 1. In a related move, the company is promoting three maritime professionals into key leadership positions that guarantee continued operational effectiveness. An official change of command takes place on June 1. At that time, Brendan MacGillivray assumes the role of Vane…

21 Apr

Army Corps plan boosts Great Lakes navigation funding

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

(WASHINGTON) — In early April, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its navigation work plan for fiscal year 2026. The overall plan outlines resources that will be used for dredging, structure maintenance, and other priorities at every port in the United States. The USACE Detroit District staff has since compiled a summary/funding analysis of Great Lakes provisions, which…

17 Apr

Debris in water possible culprit in Ohio River barge breakaway

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — On April 16, 2024, about 0445 local time, the barges MPC 907 and MPC 644 broke free from their moorings at the Marathon Petroleum Co. (MPC) terminal dock at mile 793.8 on the Ohio River, near Evansville, Ind. The two barges contacted mooring cells about 1,500 feet downstream at the TransMontaigne terminal at mile 794.1. The barges were…

09 Apr

Tug sinks after striking submerged object in Baltimore

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsSalvage, Tugboats and towing

(BALTIMORE) — A tugboat sank after striking an object in Curtis Creek on Wednesday morning, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment and local news outlets. Baltimore City Fire Department Marine Operations received a mayday call over VHF radio from the tugboat Gale, reporting that it had struck an object and was taking on water. The Baltimore City Fireboat…

01 Apr

Florida tug captain charged in collision that killed three children

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsLicensing and training, Tugboats and towing

(MIAMI) — A tugboat captain has been charged with seaman’s manslaughter after operating a barge with obstructed visibility and without a proper lookout, resulting in a fatal collision in Biscayne Bay that killed three children. “Our hearts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in this tragedy,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones for the Southern…

20 Mar

Master Boat to fabricate hull modules for new Navy towing vessels

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsshipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(CODEN, Ala.) — Master Boat Builders has signed a contract with Austal USA to fabricate modules for the U.S. Navy’s Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship (T-ATS) program. The contract establishes Master Boat as a key subcontractor contributing to the construction and delivery of critical vessels that enhance the Navy’s and the Trump administration’s push to diversify and strengthen the…

18 Mar

Two mariners die in confined space on freight barge in Alaska

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

(JUNEAU, Alaska) — The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a fatal confined-space incident that occurred Sunday aboard the freight barge Waynehoe approximately 25 miles northwest of Ketchikan. Of the four crewmembers involved in the incident, two are deceased. The other two crewmembers are reported to be in stable condition. Deceased are Ben Fowler and Sidney Mohorovich. Watch standers at the…

12 Mar

Tanker pilot transposed tugboat positions, leading to pier strike

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

(WASHINGTON) — On Oct. 14, 2024, about 0412 local time, the crude oil tanker Platanos was undocking from the Martinez Refining Company wharf pier near Martinez, Calif., in the Carquinez Strait, when the vessel’s port quarter made contact with a concrete dolphin and a fender support panel of the pier. There were no injuries and no pollution was reported. Damage…