My last 24 years I sailed was 17 pushing and towing notch bulk and tank barges. The last 7 was an ATB new-build and operation. My experience was with the 50 inch Intercon system. On the east coast, the early systems worked well. On the west coast, the longer swells was a new ballgame. Early on, there was pin and bushing damage. After improved lubricants and more grease points in the system, it worked very well. They changed over to Orkot bushings after I retired. On going improvements every yard period. We weathered some pretty nasty storms. I have no qualms about sailing to Hawaii on the 50s if properly maintained.
The capts I sailed with were wire boat guys, some of the best. I slept well with them in charge if we had to break out on the hawser. Some of the guys I saw coming up getting their ATB TOARs…not so much.