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Harley Franco News

02 Apr 2019

Franco out as Harley Marine Services CEO

The Board of Directors of Harley Marine Services announced via press release that Harley Franco will no longer be serving as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Matt Godden will remain as President of the Company. “Since the beginning of 2019, Harley Marine has made significant progress in ensuring its long-term stability as one of the nation’s leading marine transportation providers” said Godden. “Harley Marine is renowned for its track record in safety and operational capabilities and we intend to continue with this unparalleled commitment to quality.” According to Jon Foster, the successor Chairman of the Board of Directors, “we believe that Matt…

02 Nov 2017

Harley's New ATB Completes Sea Trials

(Photo: Conrad Shipyard)

Harley Marine Services’ new tug OneCURE and the 80,000BBL, double hull, oceangoing barge Edward Itta have completed sea trials as combined articulated barge unit (ATB) on October 26, and the vessels have been accepted for delivery. The vessel trials, performed by Conrad Shipyard 10 miles south of Port Fourchon, included crash stops at various speeds, basic and high-speed maneuvering, systems monitoring and tests of main engine steering. Harley Marine Offshore Port Engineer, Randy Boyne, who was onboard, reported that the vessels responded as expected.

26 May 2017

Rapp Marine Deck Equipment Rounds out New Harley Barges

Photo: Rapp Marine

Rapp’s workboat market offerings span the full range of operator requirements. Their latest contract provides a turnkey package. Long known for delivering innovative and custom deck machinery solutions to a wide range of marine stakeholders, Rapp Marine recently was tasked with providing not one, but two complete equipment package for West coast-based Harley Marine Services (HMS). The Rapp portfolio spans the full gamut of machinery, from heavy duty tow winches for high horsepower tugboats, all the way to multipurpose cranes for barges or other workboats.

06 Mar 2017

Harley Marine Christens Earl W Redd

Earl W Redd (Photo: Harley Marine Services)

Harley Marine Services christened its newest tractor tug Earl W Redd, officially welcoming her to the fleet on Friday, February 10. Built at Diversified Marine of Portland, Ore., the Earl W Redd features twin Cat 3516 Tier 4 Final main engines that will each produce 2,675 horsepower at 1,600 rpm. Each of the engines is paired with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after treatment system that uses a urea-based solution to reduce NOx contained in diesel exhaust down to nitrogen and water vapor.

20 Jan 2017

Harley Marine Names Two ATBs

Harley Marine Services has named two articulated tug and barge (ATB) units currently under construction at Gunderson Marine (barges) and Conrad Shipyard (tugs), respectively. The vessels include two 116 foot tugs and two 80,000 barrel barges. The tugs, each being built at Conrad Shipyard of Morgan City, La. are 116 feet long with a beam of 36 feet. Each vessel is equipped with two GE Tier 4 propulsion engines, for a total of approximately 4,560 horsepower, and two John Deere Tier 3 generators. These cutting edge engines reduce NOx and particulate matter. The vessels are each equipped with a Markey tow winch and bow and stern fendering. Built at Gunderson Marine of Portland, Ore., the barges are 430 feet long with a beam of 76 feet with a carrying capacity of 80,000 barrels.

29 Sep 2016

Avalon Freight Services Redefines the Shortsea Shipping Formula

Photo: Avalon Freight Services

Anything but business as usual, trusted partners operate innovative, environmentally correct and cutting edge equipment – in a decidedly niche trade. A  new freight service began operation in southern California this past April. For the businesses and residents of Catalina Island who depend on freight from the mainland, this new service aims to provide the safest, fastest, quietest, most efficient, eco-friendly and state-of-the-art freight transportation in the island’s history. Customers will also benefit from the use of unique and innovative tonnage built specifically for this niche trade.

06 Jul 2016

Vigor Delivers ATB Tug to Harley Marine

Dale R Lindsey (Photo: Vigor)

Vigor’s Seattle shipyard recently delivered a 95’ x 38’ x 16’, 3,000 hp ATB Twin Screw Tug, Dale R Lindsey, to Harley Marine Services Inc. Designed by Elliot Bay Design Group for primary operation in Alaska, the ATB tug utilizes an Articouple FRM-43M coupler system to pair with the 20,000 barrel oil barge, Petro Mariner. It features a raised aluminum pilothouse for optimal visibility built by Kvichak. Dale R Lindsey is the 11th vessel built by Vigor for its long-time customer, Harley Marine.

04 May 2016

Harley Marine Orders Two Harbor Tugs

Harley Marine Services announced the construction of two new ship handling vessels to be built at Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore. The two tugs are sister class vessels to the previously built Michelle Sloan and Lela Franco, and will add to the company's fleet presence on the West Coast. The vessels will each have a length of 80', a beam of 36' and a depth of 16'-8" and are capable of producing 70 short tons of bollard pull. Each vessel is equipped with two CAT 3516, Tier 3 propulsion engines, for a total of approximately 5,200 horsepower, and two Caterpillar C7.1, Tier 3 generators. These engines reduce NOx and particulate matter, from Tier 2 models by 74 percent. The vessels are each equipped with a Markey bow winch, a barge handling stern winch, and Shibata fendering.

17 Mar 2016

Two Maritime Veterans Create Avalon Freight Services

Harley Franco (Photo: Avalon Freight Services)

Avalon Freight Services co-founded by Greg and Tim Bombard and Harley Franco, will debut freight service on Friday, April 1, 2016. Currently scheduled to operate a minimum of five days a week, year round, the company will transport freight from Berth 95 in San Pedro and the Pebbly Beach freight facility in Avalon. In addition to scouring the country seeking the best Landing Craft and Tug and Barge systems, the new company will provide the safest, fastest, quietest, most efficient…

07 Jan 2016

Harley Marine Acquires 10 Vessels from Enterprise Marine

Harley Marine Services (HMS), a full service marine transportation provider, has acquired certain offshore marine assets of Enterprise Marine Services LLC (EMS), a subsidiary of Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. The acquisition includes 10 vessels to be used in current operations: six double hull petroleum barges and four tugboats. Harley Marine will also acquire the expertise and knowledge of current Enterprise employees associated with these assets, making the transition smooth and seamless as the vessels are incorporated into the Harley Marine fleet and adapt to the company's policies and procedures, the company said. "Securing these assets supports our growth strategy and our focus on exceeding needs and expectations of our customers.

07 Jul 2014

Demand for Coastal and Transoceanic ATBs Grows

Along the way, ATBs gain speed, efficiency, safety – and popularity. Operators of articulated tugs and barges, or ATBs, say they like the maneuverability, weather reliability, stability, speed of these units, and the manner in which the tug pushes the barge. As a marine transportation concept, they can also simply be described as versatile. ATBs move petroleum, chemicals, coal, grain, containerized cargo and rail cars for customers on the U.S. coasts, rivers, the Great Lakes and overseas. As a result, demand for articulated units expanded in the last two decades with new technology.

13 Jun 2014

Harley Marine Orders Two Tractor Tugs

Michelle Sloan (courtesy of Harley Marine Services)

The construction of two new tractor tugs has begun at Diversified Marine in Portland, Oregon. The twin sister tugs, designed by Robert Allan, LTD, are each 80 feet in length, with approximately 5,200 horsepower and a 65 tons bollard pull. They are expected to be completed in March and June of 2015. Harley Marine Services has chosen to name the tugs the Michelle Sloan and the Lela Franco after two remarkable women that are very important to the company. Michelle Sloan is a longtime family friend of Chairman and CEO, Harley Franco and his wife, Lela.

14 Nov 2013

Where there are American Waters, there is Harley

Photo courtesy of Conrad Shipyard

The maritime community in the United States has watched with interest as Harley Marine Services has expanded from the West Coast to the East and Gulf Coasts and now the Inland Waterways. As with other expansions, carried out by Chairman and CEO Harley Franco, this one, the tenth subsidiary company in the group, includes a significant new-build program. In 2012, Harley Gulf took delivery of the 2,000 HP push boats Thunder and Lightning. The Silver Stardust followed in early 2013.

17 Jul 2013

Tractor Tug M/V Robert Franco Arrives in Los Angeles

M/V Robert Franco

On July 1st, 2013 Harley Marine Service’s new Z-drive tractor tug, the M/V Robert Franco arrived in Southern California. This 100’x40’ tractor tug will enter the ship assist and tanker escort market for both Millennium Maritime and Harley Marine Services in Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. The M/V Robert Franco was built with the most technically and environmentally advanced equipment available. This tug features Tier III engines and cold ironing/shore power capabilities. It also marks the second Tier III engine on a ship assist/escort tug boat…

17 Jul 2013

Harley Marine's New Tractor Tug Arrives

Tugboat Robert Franco: Photo credit Harley Marine Services

Harley Marine Service’s new Z-drive tractor tug, the M/V ROBERT FRANCO has arrived in Southern California. This 100’x40’ tractor tug will enter the ship assist and tanker escort market for both Millennium Maritime and Harley Marine Services in Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. This tug features Tier III engines and cold ironing/shore power capabilities. It also marks the second Tier III engine on a ship assist/escort tug boat, meeting EPA’s low emission standards in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

02 Feb 2011

Harley Marine Expands Service into New Port

Harley Marine Services has expanded its service to the American Gulf by acquiring the former MGI of Houston, Texas. This business will be operated under Harley Marine Gulf incorporating all of the quality and safety procedures established within the Harley Marine family of companies. Formed in 1976, MGI has eight boats on long term charter but operate twelve double hull barges in all. Four of the barges transfer product between terminals, and eight are bunker barges that work in the Houston, Galveston and Lake Charles areas with two stationed in New Orleans. The transaction extends Harley Marine’s geographical presence to the Gulf Coast. Harley Franco, Chairman and CEO of Harley Marine Services states, “MGI will be a welcomed addition to the Harley Marine Family of Companies.

02 Nov 2009

Seven Join the UK P&I Club Board

Photo courtesy Dunelm Public Relations

Seven directors were elected to the Board of the UK P&I Club at the AGM in Bermuda on October 26th. Jason Liberty, Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Planning & Insurance Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd is responsible for his company’s corporate finance, strategy, M&A, forecasting & planning, insurance and continuous improvement group. A former advisory director with KPMG LLP, Liberty joined Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd in 2005. Harley Franco, Chairman and CEO, Harley Marine Services…

07 Nov 2008

Harley Marine Goes Green

Harley Marine continues to implement its “Harley Marine Goes Green” program, including: company-wide ISO 14001 and ABS SQE Certification; exceeding compliance with local, state and federal environmental regulations and requirements; harbor tug fleet conversion to eco-tugs using ultra low emissions technology; and, their own patented self-contained Vapor Recovery Unit used during petroleum loading operations to reduce hydrocarbon emissions from oil and tank barges. The “Harley Marine Goes Green” campaign was launched in April of 2008 with a contest for the best “green” idea. In addition, a Harley Marine “Go Green Team” was formed with representation from each location and operating area…

08 Nov 2000

Olympic Engine Selection Evokes Thoughts of

When Olympic Tug & Barge was founded in 1987, owner Harley Franco had environmental responsibility on his mind. Early major oil tanker disasters southeast of Nantucket, Mass., near Galveston, Texas, and off the coasts of England and Mexico were influencing the future of the oil transportation industry. So Franco committed himself to growing his business by assembling a "fleet of the future" built around the most environmentally friendly technology he could afford. Today, parent company Harley Marine Services oversees a combined fleet of more than 40 vessels. Olympic Tug & Barge began as a vessel bunkering operation, leasing a tugboat and barge to transport the bunker barges from ship to ship.

24 Oct 2006

Harley Marine was Pivotal Private Equity Speaker at Marine Money

Harley Franco, Founder and Chairman of Pacific Coast operator Harley Marine Services, Inc., was a pivotal private equity speaker at a recent Marine Money conference held in New York City. Mr. Franco represented the private equity position on a finance panel consisting of public maritime companies including Overseas Shipholding Group and Horizon Line. In his presentation, Mr. Franco outlined the various finance structures utilized which enabled him to remain private. This new finance vehicle, coupled with strong and positive banking relationships, allowed the corporate growth necessary to stay private with no ownership effect. “Being a privately held company enables us to take advantage of opportunities presented to us today, which position us for tomorrow.” stated Mr. Franco.

23 Jul 2003

News: Thoma-Sea Builds New Z-Drive

Cummins Marine's recently introduced QSK60 engines are finding a ready market in the 2,000 hp plus range in both Europe and North America. This spring the sale of two more QSK60s was announced for a Z-drive tug building at Thoma-Sea Boatbuilders in Houma, La. Designed by well-know Louisiana-based naval architect Frank Basile's Entech and Associates Inc., the 104 by 36-ft. boat will have a 17-ft. molded depth. Tankage provides for over 90,000 gallons of fuel, 10,000 gallons of potable water and 500 gallons of lube oil. The two Cummins QSK60 main engines will each produce 2,200 continuous-duty hp at 1,800 rpm. The engines will drive Rolls-Royce US 205 Z-drives. The drives have 2150 m/m propellers in nozzles. Ship power will be provided by two Cummins 6BT5.9 powered 75 kW generator sets.