Tag: towing vessels

Following a recent investigation that identified the failure of the Pilothouse Alerter System as a key contributing factor, the USCG issued a Safety Alert to highlight important recommendations and significant safety risks.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on an incident where, on September 12, 2023, about 0641 local time, the towing vessel John 3:16 was transiting the Lower Mississippi River near Saint Rose, Louisiana, when the vessel contacted an industrial cargo pier.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on an incident where, on February 17, 2023, while the Desperado was transiting Lake Salvador on the Intracoastal Waterway in Bayou Perot, Louisiana, a fire occurred in the engine room that the crew was not able to extinguish, and the crew evacuated the vessel. 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on the the towing vessel Susan K that struck the center bridge pier on the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge in April 2023. 

The troubled container vessel Shilling was successfully towed to safety by the ocean-going tug Skandi Emerald from Tasman Bay to Wellington, according to Maritime New Zealand.

The US Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CVC) announced the cancellation of CG-CVC Policy Letter 17-03, Certificate of Inspection (COI) Phase-in Period for Existing Towing Vessels Using the TSMS Option Under 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subchapter M.  

To ensure that safe towing operations that are conducted in UAE waters and ports are following International and National regulations, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Maritime Administration of United Arab Emirates, operators must adhere to certain procedures.

NTSB published the accident report of the towing vessel Marquette Warrior, which o​n November 21, 2021, lost steering after the online electrical generator failed.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA has agreed to acquire 100% of the share capital of Rimorchiatori Mediterranei S.p.A., an international leading towage operator active in Italy, Malta, Singapore, Malaysia, Norway, Greece and Colombia.

While the principles of navigation, stability, and cargo securing on tug and barge units remain the same as for ocean-going cargo vessels, the towing operation of barges comes with its own sets of related hazards.