Tag: towing vessels

One of the key challenges for greater gender diversity in shipping is all about perception, says Mrs Alison Taylor, Europe Crew Training Manager at Svitzer, in an exclusive interview with SAETY4SEA. Mrs Taylor explains how her organization supports diversity and inclusion which are currently key areas of development for the whole maritime industry and equally for the towage sector, which has started to look closer at diversity and how it can positively impact the lives of female seafarers both onboard and ashore.

Failure of the towing arrangement caused the sinking of the towing vessel Mangilao towed by the towing vessel Chamorro off Guam, in August 2019, while in heavy weather conditions, according to a preliminary investigation report by the NTSB.

Failure of the towing arrangement caused the sinking of the towing vessel Mangilao towed by the towing vessel Chamorro off Guam, in August 2019, while in heavy weather conditions, according to a preliminary investigation report by the NTSB.

Following a power failure of the Singapore-flagged bulker "Funing", the vessel is about to be towed into the Port of Tauranga, on the north island of New Zealand. 

NTSB issued an investigation report on the contact of the towing vessel Leviticus with Plaquemine Point Shipyard, on the Lower Mississippi River, in March 2019. The report highlighted that the captain;s decision to continue the training of an apprentice mate in high-water conditions was key cause to the accident. 

In 2019, USCG marine inspectors detained 41 towing vessels for Code 30 deficiencies, reflecting a vessel’s failure to implement a Towing Vessel Safety Management System or a lack of familiarity with a TSMS. Of those, 32% used the TSMS option and 68% used the Coast Guard option.

On February 10, USCG received a report that a 14-foot skiff carrying four crewmembers from the ITV Melvin L. King struck a towing vessel and all four people entered the water at mile marker 41, in the Port Allen Route near Belle River, Louisiana. Two have been rescued, but one is still missing, while one body has been recovered.

The US Coast Guard and local agencies responded to a report of two towing vessels that collided on the Mississippi River at mile marker 123, near Luling, Louisiana, on January 26. After the collision, four crew were reported missing, but one was found.

US Coast Guard Sector Virginia suspended the Merchant Mariner Credential of a ship's captain, after finding out that he was operating the vessel under the influence of alcohol during an accident that caused the vessel to run aground. The tugboat Niki Jo C drifted off course and ran aground outside the main channel of the Rappahannock River, on November 14, 2019.

The USCG issued a safety alert providing information on the towing vessel community, highlighting the importance of maintaining clear communication with all the parties involved into their Towing Safety Management System (TSMS).