Atlantic Marine Wins Second Reinauer Tug/Barge Contract

Atlantic Marine, Inc. has received a contract for a second state-of-the-art articulated tug and barge (ATB) vessel to be built at its Alabama Shipyard facility in Mobile, according to Dick Wells, President. This will be the second ATB to be supplied to Reinauer Transportation Companies headquartered in Staten Island, New York. "We were awarded this contract to build a second ATB for the Reinauer Transportation Companies for three reasons. First, the performance of the first ATB has been excellent, fully meeting the requirements of Reinauer's customers. Second, Alabama Shipyard has worked hard to support the first ATB to ensure that Reinauer is a fully satisfied customer. And finally, we offered a market competitive price backed by a proven track record of high quality and on schedule delivery." Craig Reinauer, CEO of Reinauer Transportation said, "The first ATB, with its speed and loading capabilities, enabled us to provide our customers with superior, more timely service." The first ATB, the Nicole Leigh Reinauer, was delivered by Alabama Shipyard on December 11, 1999 . The 7,200-hp twin-screw ocean-going tug will have a length of 124 ft. (38 m) andwill feature the patented Intercon tug/barge coupler system designed and built by Intercontinental Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation of Kansas City, Mo. The system consists of two independently mounted gear drive ram assemblies which connect the tug and barge. The connection is transversely rigid and mechanically locked, resulting in a vessel that handles like a conventional ship. The tug is able to push a loaded barge at approximately 11 knots, up to 35 percent faster than traditionally towed barges. Alabama Shipyard designed the 143,000-barrel, 487-ft. (148,4-m) barge in compliance with OPA 90. The ATB design is also well regarded for its ability to operate in a wide range of sea states; the complete elimination of tug/barge hull contact; fail-safe mechanical connection with redundant controls, and elimination of the expense and hazards of towing lines and related gear. The tug/barge can be engaged and disengaged without crew on deck. The vessels were designed and built to ABS classification standards.