Aj Mcallister News

In 1864 Abraham Lincoln was president, and the U.S. was embroiled in the midst of civil war. In 1864, McAllister Towing was established (originally as the Greenpoint Lighterage Co.) in New York City. McAllister Towing has persevered, and at times, served, through nine wars, 28 presidents, at least three catastrophic stock market crashes; collapsing oil prices, generations of advances in ship technology and vessel construction and design; and an explosion in maritime regulation.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said it oversaw the refloating of the 751-foot bulk carrier, Ornak, Friday. At approximately 9:35 a.m., the Ornak was refloated offshore of the Virginia Beach Resort and Convention Center and repositioned to the Lynnhaven anchorage. Agencies involved in the removal of the grounded ship were Svitzer, the contracted salvage company, McAllister towing, the Virginia Pilots and the Coast Guard. "Freeing this vessel from the beach was truly a collaborative effort," said Capt. John Little, the Captain of the Port of Hampton Roads.

McAllister Towing is pleased to announce that Buckley McAllister has been promoted to the position of President. Captain Brian A. McAllister, President of the Company since 1984, will remain as Chairman. Buckley McAllister joined McAllister Towing in 1998 and has served as the company’s Vice President and General Counsel since that time. Prior to joining McAllister Towing, Buckley was an Associate at Hill, Betts and Nash LLP. He is a member of the bar in New York, California and a number of federal jurisdictions.

It was the late 1970s and El Paso Energy ran a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal known as Cove Point in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay — midway between the East Coast ports of Baltimore, Md. and Hampton Roads, Va. As the demand for gas waned, the terminal ceased operations after only two years, and it sat dormant for nearly two decades. Today the market for LNG is rising fast, with positive ripple effects being felt across the maritime niche. Two tug companies — McAllister Towing and Moran Towing, were tapped to help bring the terminal back to life, winning the contract to dock some of the world's most expensive ships. Ensuring that the job is done correctly has required a significant investment in boats and training. — By Regina P.

McAllister tugs, in addition to a Bouchard tug, helped to pull the Intrepid from pier 86. Despite the efforts of seven tugs with a combined hp of 30,000, the Intrepid, a 27,000 ton NYC landmark, still remains at pier 86 in the Hudson River. After a ceremony attended by elected officials and several dignitaries, the Intrepid was scheduled to be pulled from its berth at 9:15 on Monday morning by the Christine McAllister, the lead tug in the McAllister towing operation, and four assisting tractor tugs. The towing operation was scheduled to coincide with one of the highest tides of the year, hoping to add an additional clearance to pull the vessel from its berth.

On March 15, two restaurants, the historic Bowen’s Inn and the Lighthouse Inn caught fire on Solomon’s Island in Calvert County Maryland. The Solomon’s Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department (VFD) arrived on scene at the three alarm fire and immediately recognized the need for additional firefighting resources. Winds out of the NW were steady at 30-35 knots with gusts up to 50 knots that quickly fanned the inferno and created satellite fires. McAllister Towing’s tugs A.J. McAllister and Emily Anne McAllister were crewed and underway. Mate Tom Marstin of the Emily Anne McAllister, with 23 years of experience as a member of Solomon’s VFD, coordinated getting the tugs into position and spraying water by 13:15.

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…