Janet M Mcallister News

Following the Intrepid's annual Tug Races on Sunday, September 2, I had the opportunity to ride back from Pier 86 on 46th St. in Manhattan to Staten Island on the Janet M. McAllister. I remember sitting on the edge of the tug, the waves slapping against the sides, as the powerful vessel motored south from Midtown Manhattan to the Staten Island port where the company keeps its tugs. I also vividly remember seeing the World Trade Center as I had never before — from a tug in the Hudson River. Little did I know that this would be the very last time I would ever see them — for the next time I would view them would be from the roof of my 12-story office building, smoke billowing from the top — collapsing in front of my eyes.

by Regina P. The morning of Tuesday, September 11, began like any other - I left my apartment in Queens, N.Y. at 8 a.m. to fight traffic on the way to the Long Island Rail Road station where I catch my train that transports me into the City each day. I actually am embarrassed to admit that I yelled at several motorists on my way to the station for driving too slow. How selfish I feel now, considering the events that transpired later that day. As I walked from New York's Penn Station on the West Side of Manhattan to the Maritime Reporter editorial offices on East 25th Street at about 9:15 a.m. (running late as usual), I noticed a crowd of people gathered in front of an electronics store, which displayed a variety of television sets in its window.

McAllister Towing and Transportation Co. has ordered two new 5,000 hp tugs scheduled for delivery this year. The first vessel, which will be named Janet M. McAllister, is scheduled for a spring delivery; the second vessel, Vicki M. McAllister will hit the water this summer. Designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants of Seattle, Wash., the tugs are being built to ABS classification standards by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City, Fla. Measuring 98 ft. (29.8 m), each will boast the newest technology available and will be equipped with two EMD engines and two Schottel drives - designed to produce a bollard pull up to 60 tons. Fire pump equipment will be supplied by Detroit Diesel at 1,800 rpm to Goulds eight by 10 in.

McAllister Towing and Transportation Co. has ordered two new 5,000 hp tugs scheduled for delivery this year. The first vessel, which will be named Janet M. McAllister, is scheduled for a spring delivery; the second vessel, Vicki M. McAllister, will hit the water this summer. Designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants of Seattle, Wash., the tugs are being built to ABS classification standards by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City, Fla. Measuring 98 ft. (29.8 m), each will be equipped with two EMD engines and two Schottel drives - designed to produce a bollard pull up to 60 tons. Fire pump equipment will be Detroit Diesel PTO at 1,800 rpm to Goulds 3410 eight by 10 in. pump, producing 3,000 gpm delivered to two fire monitors, each with 1,500 gallons AAAF Foam Capacity.

When two-year-old Janet McAllister christened her namesake in New York last month — the 5,000-hp, Eastern Shipbuilding-built Janet M. McAllister — a resurgence of maritime pride was evident at the South Street Seaport that had been missing from New York for years. The symbolism of a new generation from one of America's great maritime families inaugurating the most powerful tugboat in arguably the country’s most historic harbor was not lost. The event drew a healthy crowd of industry personnel, people with a vested interest in the boat or the storied towing company. But just as interesting was the throng of New York natives and tourist fixated on the event, as the vessel was put through her paces.

It’s ironic that New York City’s most powerful tugboat is named after two year old Janet M. McAllister, who, dressed smartly in a sailor suit, christened her namesake in a ritual at New York City’s South Street Seaport in late July. She is the daughter of Buckley McAllister, vice president and general counsel of the family-owned company. The event, to welcome the 96-ft. (29.2 m), 5,000-hp, Eastern Shipbuilding-built tugboat home, drew a crowd of industry and non-industry gawkers as the vessel was put through its paces off of Pier 16. Powered by a pair of EMD 12-645 E7B diesel engines which generate 5,000 hp for the Schottel SRP 1212 Steerable Kort Nozzle Rudder Propellers, the vessel is able to achieve a free running speed of 13.6 knots.

Central to McAllister Towing and Transportation's future growth prospects is the acquisition of vessels like the new Janet M. McAllister, a highly sophisticated Z-drive tug built by Eastern Shipbuilding which "has all of the bells and whistles," according to Captain Brian McAllister. New York City recently welcomed the new vessel, its most powerful tugboat, was named after two-year-old Janet M. McAllister, daughter of Buckley McAllister, vice president and general counsel of the family-owned company. "My company was started in 1864 by my great grandfather," said President Captain Brian McAllister. The event, to welcome the 96-ft. (29.2 m)…

Discussing the marine business with Captain Brian McAllister is much like sitting in a "Maritime History 101" course, in that his accumulated knowledge, experience and stories tell the tale of not only the evolution of one company, but an entire industry operating in one of the world's most dynamic ports. During his more than a quarter of a century at the helm of the family business, Captain Brian McAllister and his company — McAllister Towing and Transportation (MT&T) — have had more than their fair share of wins and losses. However, on the event of the christening of the company's new tugboat Janet M. McAllister — named for McAllister's two-year-old granddaughter…