Louisville District News

Cannelton Locks and Dam Primary Lock Chamber Reopens to Navigation Traffic

The 1,200 foot-primary chamber at Cannelton Locks and Dam on the Ohio River in Cannelton, Ind., officially reopened to navigation traffic, November 13, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) said.Due to scheduled maintenance and repairs, the 1200-foot primary chamber had been closed since July. The four-month temporary closure allowed the Regional Rivers Repair Fleet’s (R3F) heavy capacity fleet to replace the miter gates and related equipment on each end of the primary chamber…

USACE Towboat Reassigned and Renamed

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rock Island District held a christening ceremony in Quincy, Ill., on Friday for the latest towing vessel to joins its fleet.The vessel, which has been renamed Quincy, was built in 2008 by Texas shipyard Orange Shipbuilding for $5 million and is being relocated from the Corps' Louisville District.Originally named the Gordon M. Stevens, the vessel was designed and contracted by the USACE's Marine Design Center and served as part of the construction…

Federal Waterways Infrastructure Outlook

On Capitol Hill, October 1 was the first day of 2018, at least for the federal government’s fiscal year. In theory, on 10/1, the federal budget is supposed to be finalized with appropriations – i.e., spending – established for the next year. In practice, of course, it rarely works that way. Budget deliberations frequently last through December. And even on New Year’s Eve, Congress may be forced to vote on a Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating. The 2018 budget is of particular interest and it’s particularly important.

Frasher Steps Down as ACL CEO

American Commercial Lines LLC announced that Stephen A. Frasher will step down as President and CEO effective April 30, 2004. ACL will make the following executive changes on that date. Richard L. Huber will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer of American Commercial Lines LLC. Mr. Huber has been a member of the ACL Board since 2000, and currently serves as its Chairman. Mr. Huber has over forty years of investment and merchant banking, international business, and management experience, having held executive positions with Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, Bank of Boston, and Continental Bank. He was most recently CEO of Aetna, Inc.

New Deliveries

San Rafael, a 204 x 44 x 16 ft. OSV was recently launched by Eastern Shipbuilding Group. The vessel is being constructed for Naviera Tamaulipas, S.A. de C.V. of Tampico, Mexico, for operations in the Bahia de Campeche fields off Eastern Mexico. Capacities include 110,000 gallons of fuel, 211,000 gallons of drill water/ballast, 7,200 cu. ft. of bulk mud in six tanks, and 3,012 barrels of liquid mud. The propulsion plant consists of a pair of Caterpillar 3516B main engines rated at 2,000 hp each @ 1,600 rpm, complete with Caterpillar Engine Vision Alarm and Monitoring System, coupled to Reintjes WAF-862 gearboxes, with 96 in. diameter, four-blade stainless steel propellers.

Whitlock,Wheeler Receive National Recognition

William N. “Norb” Whitlock and Kenneth A. Wheeler received the prestigious National Rivers Hall of Fame Achievement Award at the Waterways Council, Inc. Annual Meeting in Houston on October 1. This award is the highest honor presented by the National Rivers Hall of Fame to those people who are making significant contributions to America’s waterways. The National Rivers Hall of Fame with members in 36 states is the national museum telling the stories of the people of America’s rivers. The Hall of Fame is a part of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa. William “Norb”…

Specialty Barge To Be Acquired

The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to attain an inland river style specialty barge to serve on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District (CELRL) in support of its mission. Measuring 70 ft. (21.3 m) with a 35 ft. (10.6 m) beam, the vessel will be used to wash mud and debris from lock walls, miter gates and floating approach walls at the Olmstead Lock & Dam. The vessel will be designed, built and classed to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) rules for Steel Vessels on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways.

Marine Design Center To Acquire Barge

The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to attain an inland river style specialty barge to serve on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District (CELRL) in support of its mission. Measuring 70 ft. (21.3 m) with a 35 ft. (10.6 m) beam, the vessel will be used to wash mud and debris from lock walls, miter gates and floating approach walls at the Olmstead Lock & Dam. The vessel will be designed, built and classed to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) rules for Steel Vessels on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways.

Specialty Barge To Be Acquired

The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to attain an inland river style specialty barge to serve on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District (CELRL) in support of its mission. Measuring 70 ft. (21.3 m) with a 35 ft. (10.6 m) beam, the vessel will be used to wash mud and debris from lock walls, miter gates and floating approach walls at the Olmstead Lock & Dam. The vessel will be designed, built and classed to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) rules for Steel Vessels on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways.

Marine Design Center to Acquire Barge

The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the USACE intends to obtain an inland river style specialty barge to serve on the USACE Louisville District (CELRL) in support of its mission. Measuring 70 ft. with a 35 ft. beam, the vessel will be used to wash mud and debris from lock walls, miter gates and floating approach walls at the Olmstead Lock & Dam. The vessel will be designed, built and classed to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) rules for Steel Vessels on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways.