DIXIE TOWING

Teche towing Repowers with Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi heavy-duty marine propulsion engines are designed to withstand the rigors of commercial use. So, when Teche Towing owner Joey Carbonell wanted to re-power his 55-ft. tugboat, Dixie, with a tough engine, Mitsubishi distributor Laborde Products provided a S6R-MPTA. Headquartered in Berwick, Louisiana, Teche Towing services drilling rigs. Constructed by Albert Ortis Boat Builders, the Dixie is used for inland towing and oil field assistance. This is the second boat Teche has re-powered with a Mitsubishi engine. The 4-cycle, watercooled, turbocharged diesel engine delivers 590 hp at 1,600 rpm. With economic operation and easy maintenance, the in-line, 6-cylinder S6R-MPTA provides a total displacement of 24.5 L. Paired with Rolls Royce 62 x 61 4-blade modified D-style propellers, the Mitsubishi diesel offers Teche Towing maximum performance. A twin disc MG527 transmission supplies a 5:1 reduction.

Port Arthur Vessel Collision

The Coast Guard and agency partners have formed a Unified Command in response to an oil spill in the Port of Port Arthur, on Jan. 23. Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur received notification at 9:30 a.m. reporting a collision between the towing vessel Dixie Vengeance and the two barges it was pushing, and the 807-ft tank ship Eagle Otome. As a result of the collision, the Eagle Otome sustained damage in the vicinity of the number one starboard tank

Kirby Purchase Of Hollywood Creates Inland Giant

Despite a downgrading in rating from various credit agencies, Kirby Corporation's recent acquisition of Hollywood Marine is designed to reduce costs, as the inland tank barge operations of both companies are highly complementary. Kirby Corp, the largest U.S. tank barge operator, has agreed to buy Hollywood Marine Inc., an inland tank barge company based in Houston, for approximately $325 million. Kirby, also based in Houston, said the purchase price consists of $90 million in stock

Jones Joins Crowley as VP

Gary Jones has joined Crowley as vice president of information technology (IT). In his new position, Jones is responsible for the strategic and tactical planning, production, deployment and maintenance of enterprise-wide technology solutions. Additionally, Jones directs the development of application and infrastructure strategies and standards, policies and procedures, quality, cost control and customer service standards

Sea Tow Awards New U.S. Franchises

Sea Tow Services International Inc., announced the opening of four new franchises: Sea Tow Buzzards Bay (Mass.), Sea Tow Montauk (N.Y.), Sea Tow Lake Eufaula (Ala.) and Sea Tow Lake Lewisville (Tx.). The company also announced the sale and transfer of ownership of three existing franchise areas. Captain Walter Garschagen is the new owner of Sea Tow Central Hudson (N.Y.), Jim and Jan Pulley are the new owners of Sea Tow Table Rock Lake (Mo.), and Capt

Rogers Appointed President of Seabulk Towing

Seabulk International, Inc. announced the appointment of Kenneth M. Rogers as President of its Seabulk Towing subsidiary. He was also elected a corporate Senior Vice President, reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Gerhard E. Kurz. Rogers, 46, joined Seabulk Towing in 2001 as Senior Vice President for Marketing. He will be based in Fort Lauderdale and succeeds William R. Ludt, who is retiring after 23 years with the Company.

Companies Sign Joint Contract with ConocoPhillips

Bay-Houston Towing Co., Suderman & Young Towing Co. LP, and Moran Towing Corporation are pleased to announce they have jointly contracted with the ConocoPhillips Company to provide harbor tug services for LNG vessels calling at the Freeport LNG terminal, currently under construction in the Port of Freeport, Texas. Bay-Houston and Suderman & Young will each provide one 6300 hp Z-Tech tractor tug while Moran Towing Corp. will provide a 5100 hp ASD tractor tug. All three tugs will be classed by

USCG Restricts Barge Tow Size In Mississippi

The U.S. Coast Guard further restricted the size of barge tows on the Mississippi River due to problems with low water levels that have caused several groundings in recent weeks, Reuters reported. It said, effective immediately, barge tows traveling from Cairo, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, were limited to no more than 15 barges, loaded or unloaded, due to continued low water levels. Two weeks prior the Coast Guard established a 180-mile long safety zone on the Mississippi River between

UTV Training Prepares Towing Industry

Quality Management International, Inc. has developed a two-day training program for professionals in the towing vessel industry.  This course for Uninspected Towing Vessels (UTV) focuses on all the current regulations including clauses of the ISM Code relevant for tugs, towboats and barges.  By attending this class, towing professionals can get ahead of the curve and be well-prepared for the impending inspections.

Sea Tow Provides Activity/Response Reports

Sea Tow Reports Increased Boating Activity and Calls for Assistance Midway Through July 4th Holiday Week. Incidents Underscore the Need to Follow Commonsense Boating Safety Guidelines.   The extended July 4th holiday has been one of the busiest in recent years for Sea Tow Services International Inc., the nation’s leading on-water assistance provider, and its network of Sea Tow locations across the U.S. This increased activity reflects a growing desire among boaters to enjoy the