Industry faces hurdles on crew changes, essential staff in pandemic

Signals

Pandemic stalls IMO talks on regulating autonomous ships

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has suspended its Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meetings until further notice due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Real estate firm advances plan to restore SS United States

In a significant step toward preserving “America’s flagship,” a prominent New York development company has agreed to proceed with renovating the mothballed ocean liner SS United States, converting it into a hotel, museum, and entertainment and cultural center — if a city agrees to provide a permanent berth.

Report finds shift to LNG could worsen shipping's climate impact

Switching to liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being widely touted as a responsible way for ships to reduce their climate impact, but it’s actually making greenhouse gas emissions far worse, according to an international environmental advocacy group.

Procedural breakdown leads to rupture aboard tanker in Texas

The 479-foot Fairchem Filly berthed at the Vopak Terminal on the Houston Ship Channel to offload hexene, a process that required pumping nitrogen into the vessel’s cargo tanks to maintain the chemical’s purity.

Poor coordination between master, pilot cited in San Juan pier strike

Norwegian Epic sailed into San Juan, Puerto Rico, for repairs to its port-side propeller motor. While docking, the cruise ship’s port bow struck two mooring dolphins, gouging the hull and causing $3.5 million in damage to port infrastructure.

New Lake Charles launch keeps pace with LNG boom

In front of the Lake Charles pilot station in Cameron, La., the 70-foot Cameron Pilot II went from zero to 28 knots in a matter of seconds, and did it as smoothly as the hand of Capt. Mark Foster advancing the throttles.

Need for tighter port security driving new demand for patrol boats

Security vessels for civilian operators have been getting a lot more attention in recent years, and that has been driving a wave of purchases.

High-water barge strike knocks Tombigbee bridge out of alignment

Rivers Wilson was pushing six barges up the rushing Tombigbee River when its port-side aft barge hit the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge near Jackson, Ala. The tow spun to port after impact and became pinned against a support pillar.

Expecting the unexpected simply routine for WSF ferry crews

Washington State Fer-ries (WSF) Capt. Joel Michelson barely finished explaining how every Elliott Bay passage is a little different when he got a message proving his point. Down below, a passenger was unconscious and suffering a seizure.

Muscular Seaway Guardian has big shoes to fill

SEAWAY GUARDIAN | Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., Washington, D.C.

Versatile Mariner turns heads along Seattle waterfront

MARINER | Western Towboat Co., Seattle

Crowley's rugged ice-class ATB built to withstand Alaska's harsh climate

AVEOGAN | Crowley Maritime, Jacksonville, Fla.

Crowley upgrades LA fleet with first US RApport 2500 tugboat

HERCULES | Brusco Tug & Barge/Crowley Maritime, Jacksonville, Fla.

Texas tug operator builds fleet to handle bigger ships

MAZU | Suderman & Young Towing Co., Houston

Nimbler next-gen Tiger tugs keep Hawaiian commerce moving

TIGER 21 & 22 | P&R Water Taxi, Honolulu

McAllister Towing solidifies Charleston, Port Everglades fleets

CAPT. JIM MCALLISTER & EILEEN MCALLISTER | McAllister Towing and Transportation Co., New York

E.N. Bisso & Son welcomes latest ‘go-anywhere tug'

C.D. WHITE | E.N. Bisso & Son, New Orleans

COVID-19 pandemic clouds construction picture

Around this time last year, the tugboat building industry in the United States showed signs of a rebound. They weren’t exactly the “good old days,” but after some lean years the industry appeared heading in the right direction.

Bisso Towboat adds new muscle on the Lower Mississippi

ANDREW S. | Bisso Towboat Co., Luling, La.

Towing

Tows running Ohio River get big lift at new Olmsted Locks

Study finds depression, suicidal thoughts prevalent among seafarers

While Yale University’s recent Seafarer Mental Health Study paints a sobering picture of life at sea, it also should serve as a catalyst for improvements, industry officials say.

Signals

Jones Act ruling plagued by ‘potential loopholes,’ industry groups say

TSB faults BC Ferries' crew practices in rescue boat accident

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has determined that informal crew practices and insufficient supervision were contributing factors in a training accident on a BC Ferries vessel.

Salvors push to dismantle Golden Ray before hurricane season

The vehicle carrier Golden Ray, which capsized in September after leaving Georgia’s Port of Brunswick, remained submerged on its side in mid-February as salvors finalized plans to break it up for removal. The ship was loaded with about 4,200 vehicles when it rolled over.

New York tugboat family casts century-long line at sea

After John McKay graduated from high school in 1917 and began looking for a job, one docked at his feet.

New Metal Shark duo speeds Lower Miss. pilot transfers

Belle Chasse Marine Transportation (BCMT) began operations in 1977 on the Mississippi River with one crew boat.

New age of salvage puts premium on safeguarding environment

The tools and techniques for salvaging ships improved dramatically in the 20th century with the advent of more powerful pumps, safer diving apparatus and a host of other advancements.

Lobster boat holes tanker in open-sea collision off Martha's Vineyard

A lobster boat and a loaded tanker collided in open water south of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and the Coast Guard is trying to piece together what happened.

Casualties

Three dead after collision sinks towboat on Lower Mississippi