Lakes Towing
Dedication & Delivery Ceremony of New USGS Vessels
Two 17-knot high-speed research vessels for the U.S. Geological Survey are to be dedicated at Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday, August 31, 2011. R/V KAHO and R/V MUSKIE will replace two of the USGS’s oldest research vessels by the same names that are currently operating on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, respectively. The USCG’s five-vessel fleet supports missions that collect and analyze oceanographic and fisheries information. The U.S. Department of Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey’s Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, Mich., works to scientifically restore and protect the Great Lakes ecosystem. The GLSC awarded The Great Lakes Shipyard an $8.2 million contract for the two vessels in June, 2010. The 14-month project created 41,000 shipyard construction hours, the equivalent of 5,125 man days of employment which is 20 Shipyard jobs for one year. The vessels were designed by Murray & Associates, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Alion Science and Technology, Inc, McLean, Virginia, supervised construction. The Honorable Anne Castle, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, U.S. Department of the Interior, will be the ceremony’s principal speaker and sponsor of the R/V KAHO. Dr. Marcia McNutt, Director, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, will also be a speaker and sponsor of the R/V MUSKIE.
Rand Logistics Acquires Two Vessels
Rand Logistics Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lower Lakes Towing, Ltd., acquired two conventional bulk carriers from the Voyageur group of companies for $23.7m. Additionally, the company entered into a contract of affreightment with Voyageur for the exclusive use of a third vessel, and secured an option to acquire this vessel. Management anticipates the three vessels will be immediately accretive to EBITDA and net income for Rand.
NY Power Authority’s Havasu II to be Christened
The New York Power Authority’s newly constructed pedestal crane barge will be christened at Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio. The christening ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 23, 2010, beginning at 11 a.m. The barge will be utilized for deployment and retrieval of an ice boom placed across the Niagara River at Buffalo New York to prevent ice from blocking the hydro-electric water intakes of the New York Power Authority.
Pedestal Crane Barge for New York Power Authority
When the wicked winter weather begins to blow off Lake Erie, a shipbuilder and a crane company in Cleveland, Ohio, and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) will be glad they cooperatively commissioned and built a barge-mounted pedestal crane for the Lake Erie-Niagara River Ice Boom Operations in Buffalo, N.Y., to help reduce potential damage to hydroelectric power plants caused by Lake Erie’s inevitable ice. Building the Pedestal Crane Barge
Great Lakes Towing Company Barges Windmill Towers
The Great Lakes Towing Company was contract by KK Integrated Logistics for the barge shipment of windmill towers from Buffalo, New York to Menominee, Mich. The Towing Company’s tug Ohio arrived in Buffalo on November 7, where 22 windmill towers were loaded onto the Barge CBC1268. The tug and barge departed Buffalo on November 12 bound for Menominee, Mich. The voyage from Buffalo to Menominee is expected to take about four days
Great Lakes Shipyard Overhauls RV Grayling
Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, OH, finished the 5-year overhaul work on the U.S. Geological Survey Research Vessel Grayling. Under a Fleet Maintenance Contract with the Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, MI of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, the Grayling was drydocked and given a detailed inspection, cleaning, tune up, repair and modifications. Some of the major work items included overhauling the generators and engines, painting the hull
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
Nautica Queen at Great Lakes Shipyard for Repairs
Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio, will perform deck repairs to the Nautica Queen. The 124 ft long Nautica Queen was built in 1981 and is home-ported in Cleveland, Ohio on the west bank of the flats. The Nautica Queen can accommodate up to 400 passengers in the two enclosed decks and spacious observation deck on the top of the ship. The vessel hosts lunch and dinner cruises as well as Sunday brunch and also hosts corporate and birthday parties as well as wedding receptions.
Great Lakes Towing Company Chairman Appointed to ORDC
An honored member of the transportation industry and U.S. Navy veteran will join the Ohio Rail Development Commission. Bringing over 50 years of experience in maritime transportation, Great Lakes Towing Company Chairman Ronald C. Rasmus has been appointed to the ORDC. His appointment was made by out-going Governor Ted Strickland. “The ORDC has always been about maximizing ways in which all modes can work together to make economic development and jobs happen in Ohio
USGS’s R/V Kaho & R/V Muskie Dedicated
Two 17-knot high-speed research vessels for the U.S. Geological Survey are scheduled to be dedicated at Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday, August 31, 2011. R/V KAHO and R/V MUSKIE will replace two of the USGS’s oldest research vessels by the same names that are currently operating on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, respectively. The USCG’s five-vessel fleet supports missions that collect and analyze oceanographic and fisheries information.
Ice Slows Resumption of Great Lakes Stone Trade
Heavy ice cover on the lakes that stretched well into April slowed resumption of the limestone trade. Shipments totaled only 1.8 million tons, a decrease of 28% compared to a year ago. Loadings are 21% off the month’s five-year average.
By the Numbers: Subchapter M Statistics
The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 (Aug. 9, 2004), established new authorities for towing vessels. Out of that came a proposed regulatory scheme requiring towing vessels to become inspected vessels and obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI)
Great Lakes Ore Trade Down Nine Percent in April
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.6 million tons in April, a decrease of 9% compared to a year ago. However, loadings were 11% ahead of the month’s five-year average. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 4.9 million tons, a decrease of 9.5% compared to a year ago
Great Lakes April Coal Shipments Unchanged from a Year Ago
Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.2 million tons in April, a virtual tie with a year ago. The trade was 19 percent below the month’s five-year average, however. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.4 million tons, a slight increase from a year ago
USCG Accepting Applications for TSAC Vacancies
The United States Coast Guard is requesting applications from qualified candidates seeking consideration for appointment as public members to the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). TSAC advises the Coast Guard on matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and
Great Lakes Ore Trade Down 11.3% in March
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 1.9 million tons in March, a decrease of 11.3% from a year ago. Loadings were 9.3% ahead of the month’s five-year average, however. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 1.8 million tons, a decrease of 9.7% compared to a year ago
USGS to Receive New Great Lakes Research Vessel
The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a contract for the construction of a large research vessel for Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior to Burger Boat Company of Manitowoc, Wis. The vessel will replace the 38-year-old Grayling, bringing the USGS Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) large vessel
JK Fabrication’s Emergency Towing Reel
You’ve got an emergency towing wire. Of course you do. It’s rusted beyond belief, probably retired from primary service two years ago when it developed that kink and those nasty fishhooks. And, it’s deployed where it should be; out on deck, in the open and exposed to the elements
2012 Pacesetter Winners Announced
The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) announced that eight Great Lakes Seaway System ports are receiving the prestigious Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for registering increases in international cargo tonnage shipped through their ports during the 2012 navigation season
Rand Hires Robert Bezan, VP Planning and Analysis
Rand Logistics, Inc. announced the hiring of Robert (Bob) Bezan for the newly created position of Vice President of Planning and Analysis at its subsidiary, Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. In this role, Bob will be responsible for all operational planning and analysis activities for the Company
Great Lakes June 2013 Symposium
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association is to present a public program featuring a range of important issues concerning the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Symposium is a first-of-its- kind public program focusing on timely legal issues impacting the Great Lakes
Interlake Steamship to Convert Lakers to LNG
Interlake Steamship moves toward upgrading its fleet to energy efficient, more environmentally friendly LNG fuel. The company has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with Shell to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to support Interlake’s conversion of its vessels
Great Lakes Towing Frees Stranded Freighter
Great Lakes Towing Company tugboats 'Wyoming' & 'Idaho' free the grounded freighter 'Spruceglen' in Lake St. Claire. The Great Lakes Towing Company, which celebrates 115 years of service this year, provides tugboat and towing services, ship assist, logistics and cargo transportation
University of Mich. To Host Panel on Low Great Lakes Levels
The University of Michigan will host a seminar and panel discussion entitled “Low Great Lakes Water Levels: Understanding the causes and potential consequences” on May 30 from 3-5 p.m. at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Great Lakes Shipyard Contracted for USCG Cutter Repairs
Great Lakes Shipyard hauled out the United States Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay (WTGB-105) using its 770-ton capacity Travelift. The repair contract, awarded to the Shipyard in early March, includes routine drydocking and underwater hull maintenance such as inspection and testing of propulsion