14 Apr

‘Workboats for the World’ pays tribute to Robert Allan

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingshipbuilding

(NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — A celebration was held April 5 to launch “Workboats for the World: The Robert Allan Story”, a history of Robert Allan Ltd., written on the cusp of the company’s 95th year of successful business, by R.G. (Rob) Allan with Peter A. Robson. Although the book was released in December, the lengthy vacation of the author…

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22 Mar

PMA honors Foss Line Service for safety, zero injuries

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingsafety

(SEATTLE) — Last week, the Pacific Maritime Association honored Foss Line Service for a zero injury rate and first place in safety at the 75th annual PMA safety awards. Accepting the awards were Zach Vetter, Foss Line Service manager, and Casey Johnson, line superintendent for Foss Maritime. In 2022, Foss Line Service ensured everyone stayed safe on every single job.…

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14 Mar

ACBL orders 11,000-hp towboat from C&C Marine

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind.) — American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has announced a contract with C&C Marine and Repair of Belle Chasse, La., to build an 11,000-horsepower towboat. “We are investing in our future by building on the strength of our industry-leading mainline operations. The addition of this new towboat is an example of our continuous efforts to modernize ACBL’s fleet and…

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07 Mar

Bollinger cuts steel on 10th salvage and rescue tug for Navy

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingshipbuilding

(PASCAGOULA, Miss.) — Joined by senior U.S. Navy officials at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding, Bollinger Shipyards last week officially commenced construction of the future USNS Muscogee Creek Nation, the 10th Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ship (T-ATS) and the fifth T-ATS being constructed by Bollinger since acquiring the program in April 2021. “Bollinger is honored to be entrusted by the Navy…

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01 Mar

AWO honors heroism of tug and towboat crews with new award

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingbrownwater, safety

(HOUSTON) — At its Winter Safety Meeting on Wednesday, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) announced the inaugural recipients of the new American Waterways Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Award. The award documents and recognizes rescues undertaken by AWO member company employees who demonstrate selflessness, skill and bravery. Qualifying events for the award include, among others: rescuing commercial or…

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16 Feb

AWO applauds passage of Jones Act resolution in Washington state

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipping

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The American Waterways Operators (AWO) commended the Washington state Senate on recent passage of Senate Resolution 8611, recognizing the importance of the Jones Act to the state. The Jones Act – named for its original author, then-U.S. senator for Washington state Wesley Jones – is the federal law requiring that vessels transporting cargo between two U.S. ports…

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07 Feb

Coast Guard extends AWO guidance for emergency towing on Western rivers

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingbrownwater, Regulation

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard has extended the American Waterways Operators (AWO) Emergency Towing Alternative Planning Criterion (APC) through Jan. 31, 2024. The APC allows AWO members operating tank barges and towing vessels over 400 GRT on the rivers of the Eighth and Ninth Coast Guard districts to meet the emergency towing provisions of the Coast Guard’s vessel response…

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01 Feb

Cooper Marine adds powerful Tenn-Tom towboat to fleet

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingbrownwater

(MOBILE, Ala.) — Crimson White II, a 4,600-hp towing vessel and one of the largest vessels operating on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, was recently added to Cooper Marine’s fleet. Cooper Marine, headquartered in Mobile, Ala., is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Cooper Group Inc. Formerly operated as Jinx P. Smith, Crimson White II is a 108-foot-long towing vessel powered by…

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04 Jan

Master Boat delivers first RAL tug in series to Bay Houston

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingshipbuilding

(VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — The RApport 2600 tugboat Hayden Grace, designed by Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL), has been delivered to Bay Houston Towing Co. The tug was constructed at Master Boat Builders of Coden, Ala., and started its commitments in Galveston, Texas, in November. Three vessels of this type have been ordered by Bay Houston Towing. The RApport 2600 takes…

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22 Dec

C&C Marine marks Christmas with towboat light display

Casey ConleyTugboats & Towing

Belle Chasse, La. — C&C Marine and Repair is celebrating the holidays with its 2nd annual Christmas light display. This year’s display is prominently located near the company’s main office on Engineers Road in Belle Chasse, La. The new display includes a 5,000-hp inland towboat (m/v Kent Furlong) being pulled by Santa’s 20-foot-tall reindeer and led by Rudolph. Also new…

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