Archive of: Brownwater News Article

Last coal-fired ferry has a yesterday, today, tomorrow

Coal passers have shoveled the black fuel into the stoker. A pair of Skinner Unaflow steam engines are churning at 95 rpm. The captain knows he’ll be pivoting off the anchor when it’s time to dock.

Story by Dom Yanchunas

Weeks Marine suction dredge vital to restoring Louisiana’s coastline

On a drizzly Gulf Coast morning in March, the Weeks Marine cutter suction dredge C.R. McCaskill was pumping a thick mud sludge of dredge spoil through a 30-inch diameter pipe at 400 psi on a six-mile journey into Louisiana’s marshland. It took the mud 25 minutes to reach its destination.

Photos and story by Brian Gauvin

Drought means less cargo, fewer barges and higher costs for towboat operators

The Midwest’s worst drought in decades has resulted in a complicated and costly shipping season for companies operating on the Mississippi River.

Andrew Hopkins (Intern Stepheny DeSilva contributed to this report)

Ship carrying iron runs aground in St. Lawrence Seaway

The Canadian vessel Sedna Desgagnes, with a load of raw iron, ran aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway

Coast Guard presents safety award to Chicago port captain

The Coast Guard presented a Meritorious Service Award to Wendella Sightseeing's Capt. Michael McElroy

Kirby agrees to acquire Allied Transportation for $116M

Kirby Corp. has agreed to buy Allied Transportation for $116 million to add more offshore tugboat and barge services

Mississippi River, industrial canal cleared of vessels as hurricane approaches

The Coast Guard said it would close the Mississippi River, and all vessels were being cleared from the river and industrial canal as Hurricane Isaac approached

Towing company draws on chief’s background as a naval architect

Jantran Inc. has taken delivery of Lucy Janoush, a twin-screw 4,000-hp towboat designed by the towing company’s president.

Jeff L. Yates

Despite slow economy, some towboat yards still built several boats

Several inland shipyards saw no shortage of towboat orders in 2011 and some made several multi-boat deliveries to new and repeat customers.

Story and photos by Jeff L. Yates

Overnight river cruises stage comeback as American Queen sails again

The return of the refurbished American Queen sternwheeler to the U.S. inland waterways system marks a major milestone in the rebirth of the American river cruising industry.

Gary Wollenhaupt