Tugboats and towing – Page 6 – Professional Mariner

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…

15 Mar

Laborde repowers Campbell Transportation with Mitsubishi diesels

Rich MillerIndustry Newsbrownwater, propulsion, Tugboats and towing

(NEW ORLEANS) — Campbell Transportation, one of the largest marine transportation companies in the United States, has completed a major repower, moving away from the 850-horsepower Cummins KTA38 and toward the 850-hp Mitsubishi S12A2 marine diesel engine, provided by Laborde Products. “We have had great success with the Mitsubishi engines and are excited to add a few more to our…

01 Mar

Salvage crews recover submerged tugboat in Juneau

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

(JUNEAU, Alaska) – Recovery of the tugboat Tagish was completed Sunday and the vessel was secured on the beach at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel. Contractors dewatered and defueled the 107-foot tugboat prior to dismantling and placing it on a barge, in pieces, for its final disposal out of state. The Coast Guard’s mission during this recovery was…

01 Mar

Marine Highway Program offering $12 million in grants

Rich MillerMaritime Newsbrownwater, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) – The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) has announced a notice of funding opportunity making $12.42 million available in fiscal year 2023 funds through the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP), previously named America’s Marine Highway Program. “America’s waterways serve as critical links in our nation’s supply chains,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These investments in our marine highways will…

28 Feb

Towboat pilot never reported hitting Louisiana bridge, NTSB says

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

(WASHINGTON) — A Louisiana barge tow struck and damaged a bridge in 2021 but the towboat’s pilot never reported the incident to authorities, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. In the early morning hours of Dec. 23, 2021, the towboat Miss Mollye D was pushing six hopper barges on the Intracoastal Waterway to New Orleans when the pilot…