Mr. Ruben, constructed at Main Iron Works, is the 10th tugboat that the Houma, La., yard has delivered to Bisso Towboat of New Orleans. The last six, including the newest vessel, have been equipped with z-drive propulsion.
The boat’s namesake, Ruben Dupre Jr., joined Bisso Towboat in 1981 as marine superintendent and yard foreman, rising to vice president of engineering. Company President Scott Slatten explained that Dupre, now semiretired and acting as a consultant and supervisor of new construction, was integral to the growth and modernization of the Bisso Towboat fleet.
“He and I were the ones who put our necks on the line back in 1997 when we convinced our president at the time, my father, Capt. Billy Slatten, to build the first ASD tractor tug for use on the river,” Slatten said. “I’ll never forget when he told us both, ‘If these z-drives don’t work out on the river, you’re both gonna be looking for a job.’”
In 1999, Bisso Towboat took delivery of the 100-foot Cecilia B. Slatten from Main Iron Works, beginning the era of z-drive tugs working on the Mississippi River.
Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Professional Mariner.
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Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Professional Mariner.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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.
