Just noticed we have acquired a mini-tugboat/push-boat in our small boat basin. It looks brand new, and will be used for the tug and tow class. Don’t know much about it, but I believe it is designed to handle similar to a full sized one, and I believe we have barges on the way. I will see if I can post some actually pictures here shortly. This is a huge upgrade from what we had prior, which was some sort of pontoon barge and an old twin outboard boat.
[QUOTE=z-drive;107491]Very common on marine construction sites, typically operated by unlicensed backhoe operators.[/QUOTE]
Well it certainly wouldn’t make sense to pay for a MOTV to run it. OP, the 8m boats are typically used because they are exempt from the typical manning requirements of a towing vessel.
[QUOTE=Lone_Star;107905]Anyone know about the tug and tow class, its curriculum number, and if any endorsement is offered? Can’t find it in the catalog.[/QUOTE]
Yeah it takes place in Castine, Maine, there is an endorsement attached, and among other pre-requisities the first is a transfer.
[QUOTE=PaddyWest2012;107906]Yeah it takes place in Castine, Maine, there is an endorsement attached, and among other pre-requisities the first is a transfer.[/QUOTE]
Ha! The funny thing is, the tug and tow captain here is a graduate of Maine Maritime. Great guy (just don’t piss him off).
[QUOTE=Lone_Star;107907]Ha! The funny thing is, the tug and tow captain here is a graduate of Maine Maritime. Great guy (just don’t piss him off).[/QUOTE]
The class is going to be MART 489 if they didn’t change it. There is no endorsement as of yet but with the new tug and Capt. Walling working with the Coast Guard and some commercial companies that may change soon. As of right now the class is a familiarization course intended to show you the basics of towing and to begin working on getting your TOAR signed off. You couldn’t ask for a better towing instructor than Capt. Walling, and if you are interested in his class I highly suggest you make a trip to his office and talk to him. The class fills quickly from what I remember and he has to give many the boot.
Also this class counts towards your 12 credit hour elective requirement just in case you didn’t know.
[QUOTE=Lone_Star;107905]Anyone know about the tug and tow class, its curriculum number, and if any endorsement is offered? Can’t find it in the catalog.[/QUOTE]
It’s Mart 489 and of course by Captain Walling. He will only give you your TOAR if you prove to him that you can pass all of the practical situations he puts you in.
Captain Walling is the best teacher in my opinion at TMA. If you prove yourself in his tug class you can get your TOAR because he has the ability to sign off it. From what I have heard he doesn’t not sign off on too many of these because the people who have taken his class do not exhibit the ability to operate the boat the way it should be done. This of course is all hearsay.
[QUOTE=Lone_Star;107911]Herb Walling. He has been here for three or four years. Teaches Seamanship 2 and Cargo Ops. Learned a lot from the guy.[/QUOTE]
20 or so years ago, Capt Herb was in charge of safety for the company I was sailing at that time. He also taught at Piney Point. Great guy. I’ll have to look him up next time I’m in Galveston.
