Crescent Towing

Bollinger Delivers Z-Drive Tug Savannah

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has delivered the 4,000 HP, Z-Drive tug Savannah, to Crescent Towing, New Orleans. It is the second Z-Drive tug in the Crescent Towing fleet, which now totals 24 tugs. Savannah is 96 ft. long, with a 34-ft. beam and a 14.75-ft. depth. It is powered by two Caterpillar 3516B diesel engines developing a total of 4,000 HP. They drive two Ulstein 1650H Z-Drives connected to nibral propellers in nozzles. Each Z-Drive unit can be operated independently through 360 degrees giving the tug exceptional maneuverability. “She is Crescent’s first tractor (tug) in Savannah,” said Ed Bazemore, Crescent Towing vice-president and port manager in the Georgia city. “This vessel and its technology are needed here. Upon her arrival she will be used to work LNG and container ships. Ships are becoming larger and growing in length, beam and draft…she has the power we need and will be a workhorse and utilized heavily. Her captain, Walt Schaaf and William Cazaubon, chief engineer, are totally excited and honored to be aboard.” After Savannah had completed sea trials, Keith Kettenring, Crescent executive vice-president said, “I have all good things to say about the boat. She’s fantastic, gorgeous, fast, powerful and everything we had hoped.” The name “Z-Drive” is derived from the drive shaft configuration which is horizontal off the engine, vertical through the hull, and horizontal at the propeller hub, thus forming a rough outline of a letter Z

Kvichak delivers 50’ Crescent River Port Pilot Vessel

Kvichak Marine Industries, of Seattle, WA, has recently delivered the M/V Samuel A. Church, a 50’ x 15.5’ pilot vessel to the Crescent River Port Pilots (CRPPA) of Louisiana.    A christening ceremony was held last week at the Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans before the vessel was delivered to its homeport in Pilottown, LA.  The Crescent River Port Pilots operate on the Mississippi River between Pilottown and New Orleans

Coast Guard, Navy Escort Arab Aid Shipment to Iraq

The Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell and USS Firebolt, with embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 406, escorted the first commercially transported humanitarian aid shipment into the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr on friday. The Motor Vessel Manar, owned by Manar Marine Services of the United Arab Emirates, delivered almost 700 tons of humanitarian aid including food, water, first aid and transport vehicles. This aid shipment was supplied and coordinated by the UAE Red Crescent Society.

USS Safeguard Completes TOWEX with JDS Amakusa

USS Safeguard (ARS 50) conducted a towing exercise March 15 in the Sea of Japan, working with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Ship JS Amakusa (AMS 4303). The two ships conducted the operations to increase proficiency in towing, and build stronger ties with one another through joint training. “The Safeguard and Amakusa share towing as one of their primary missions, so the opportunity to go out and train [together] strengthens us both,” said Safeguard Commanding Officer, Lt

Towing company not liable for unseaworthiness of barge

In a short unpublished decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that a towing company is not liable for personal injuries caused by any unseaworthiness of a barge being towed by the company where the towing company does not own the barge. In the instant case, an employee of the towing company was injured when he slipped on ice on the barge. The employee sued his employer, alleging unseaworthiness

Sea Tow Announces New Delaware Bay Franchise

Sea Tow Services International Inc., announces the opening of Sea Tow Delmarva, owned and operated by Capt. Hank Fulmer.   Sea Tow Delmarva serves boaters along the coasts of Delaware and Maryland on Delaware Bay, from Slaughter Beach Inlet south to and including Lewes and Rehoboth, Del., and Indian River Inlet and Ocean City, Md. Capt. Fulmer and his staff of U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Sea Tow Captains operate three boats out of Slaughter Beach Inlet, Ocean City, and Indian River Inlet

CG Reopens Intracoastal Waterway

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur reopened the Intracoastal Waterway after the towing vessel Caroline was refloated Monday. The waterway was closed following a collision between the towing vessel Caroline and the towing vessel Miss Stacie at mile marker 312 on the Intracoastal Waterway early this morning.  No injuries were sustained during the collision. A Unified Command comprised of Canal Barge Company, Texas General Land Office

TradeWinds Adds Tug to Fleet

TradeWinds Towing announced the addition of the former Seabulk tug "Challenger" to its fleet. This 3,800 bhp tug with nozzles is presently on an endurance tow to southern Chile. The Challenger and 300-ft x 100-ft heavy deck barge, Marmac 300, (in ballast) will come free in early February in southern Chile. This equipment is available to pick up cargo from the west coast of South, Central or North America. Tug Challenger will then come free in the U.S. Gulf in the first half of March

Coast Guard Looks to Fill TSAC Vacancies

Towing Safety Advisory Committee; Vacancies / Coast Guard, DHS Requests TSAC Applications. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). This Committee advises the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. DATES: Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume in time to reach Patrick Mannion

Puerto Rico Towing Assists 'Run Out of Gas' Ship

Tugs 'Triton' and 'Honcho' of the Puerto Rico Towing & Barge Co. recently assisted a drifting vessel off the coast of Puerto Rico. The cargo ship Global Destiny, owned and operated by Diavlos Maritime based in Athen, Greece, called for assistance the morning of Saturday, March 16. The vessel reported that it had run out of fuel and was drifting approximately five miles off the coast of Dorado, approximately nine miles north west of San Juan. Puerto Rico.