Vinik No. 6 is massive. Its registered dimensions are 141 feet by 35 feet, with a draft of 18.7 feet. The vessel is powered by twin EMD 16-645E5 diesels generating 5,700 horsepower running through Falk gears turning fixed-pitch propellers. It has a double-drum Intercon towing winch fitted with 2,000 feet of 2.25-inch main wire and 2,000 feet of 2.5-inch secondary cable. The tug was built in 1970 by Southern Shipbuilding as Robert Alario for Nolty J. Theriot Offshore Inc. of Golden Meadow, La. In 1992, it was sold to Morania, then in turn to Penn Maritime and Kirby, all petroleum transporting companies. Vinik Marine acquired the vessel in 2018.
Last fall, Vinik No. 6 was used to tow two U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) cargo ships — SS Cape Avinof (AK-5013) and SS Cape Ann (AK-5009) — from GMD Shipyard in Brooklyn, N.Y., back to the James River Reserve Fleet in Virginia. “We could do the tow in 24 hours, but to get high water in GMD to depart and high water in the James River, as well as daylight for both, we took two full days and ran slower than usual,” Vinik said.
He waited almost a week for calmer weather offshore for the second tow involving SS Cape Ann, and that complicated arrangements as they approached the James River. “Delays cause complications. Intracoastal Marine of Chesapeake, Va., had a pilot available, but no longer the tug, which had moved to the next job. A costly last-minute replacement would assist us up to the reserve fleet, but not into the anchorage due to depth concerns,” Vinik explained.
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Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Professional Mariner.
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Mariner's role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Piracy edges closer to home with wave of raids in southern Gulf
In the brief cellphone video recorded by a crewmember on the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Remas, the pirates walk back and forth on the deck of the ship, clenching their guns and using them to point as they order around the crew. Their faces are draped in clothing and bandanas.
Casualties
NTSB: Dredge hit Texas gas pipeline, causing fire that killed four
IMO emissions report raises new concerns about methane slip
A recent report from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reveals that global shipping emissions increased nearly 10 percent from 2012 to 2018, with the industry facing a growing challenge concerning methane slip.
Bay State brothers find industry niche by making old into new
Zero non-conformities is what you want to hear when the U.S. Coast Guard inspects your tugboat. Once you’ve prepared your vessel, the inspectors come aboard to peruse your paperwork. They ask you pointed questions, to which they expect straightforward answers. Perusal completed, they then scrutinize all of the related safety systems, from bilge to antennas — even the ship’s bell.
Signals
A year into the pandemic, thousands ‘essentially indentured’ on ships
Analysis points to faulty loading, low ballast in Golden Ray rollover
While the salvage of the sunken vehicle carrier Golden Ray has been delayed for months due to COVID-19 and the hurricane season, analysis by the U.S. Coast Guard has determined a possible cause for the rollover: a combination of vehicles placed too high on the ship’s decks, and not enough ballast water gave the placement of the cargo.
Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand
Two years ago, Seastreak LLC took delivery of Seastreak Commodore, a 600-passenger fast ferry, from Gulf Craft of Franklin, La. Designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, the vessel is the largest of its kind in the United States and was built to meet the burgeoning demand for service in the New York-New Jersey market.
New year in a new world: Navigating COVID's maritime realities
In a matter of days, the decorative time balls will drop, “Auld Lang Syne” will fill the air, and ships at anchor will sound their horns as the world welcomes in the new year.
Advanced props, rudders provide new efficiencies below the waterline
It took a decade or two from the invention of the marine propeller in the 19th century for the technology to become widely accepted. Thereafter, adoption has been nearly universal, but progress toward improved efficiencies has come in fits and starts.
