September 1963
• The Lia, a new heavy-duty 6-cu.-yd. dipper dredge with movable electrical controls that make a one-man operation and a 60-second digging cycle possible, was completed recently in Baltimore at Ellicott Machine Corp. The owner, Compania de Obras Edilicias Maritimas Portuarias S.A. of Panama, has turned the vessel over to an Italian contracting firm, Vianini Dragaggi Lavori Marittimi S.p.A. in Rome. The dredge is intended for use throughout the world.
• A new 50'×18'×7' twin-screw towboat, the Herman Crown, was completed recently at Lockport, Ill., by the Material Service Division of General Dynamics Corp. Main engines are a pair of GM 6-110 diesels, which turn 48"×40" Coolidge propellers through 4.5:1 Allison marine gears. The boat features a Cummins Onan generator.
September 1973
• In its continuing battle against the acquisition of a barge line by a railway conglomerate, the American Waterways Operators has petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to impose certain restrictions on the barge line, Cenac Towing Co. Inc., Houma, La. The commission’s Division 3, in a decision and order on July 17, 1973, affirmed a Feb. 13 order by an ICC Administrative Law Judge that the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (called the “Katy”) and 22 other subsidiary companies, are not prohibited by the Interstate Commerce Act from acquiring Cenac Towing and several affiliated companies.
• There is no need to require licensed engineers on uninspected vessels, a recent U.S. Coast Guard study disclosed. The study of the matter has been completed and submitted to Congress, including the recommendation that the suggested licensing regulation be junked.
September 1983
• Moss Point Marine Inc., Escatawpa, Miss., recently delivered the fourth in a series of towing/supply boats to Nicor Marine Inc., New Orleans. The 198' Nicor Rebel is powered by a pair of National Marine Service Inc. supplied EMD 16-645-C diesels rated at 2,000 hp each. The mains are linked to Falk 1235 gears with 2.969:1 ratios. Engine controls are by Wabco with steering handled through a Sperry system.
• The Ohio River Co. was recently granted carrier authority by the Interstate Commerce Commission — believed to be the first time a barge operator has been granted both contract and common carrier status.
• Dravo Marine Equipment Co.’s marine repair facility in Pittsburgh, recently completed repairs to a barge owned by Badger Barge Lines.
