Also, I should clarify that the big atb’s like Crowley/osg are definitely bullshit rule beaters. But Bouchard Reinauer Kirby Etc where barges have traditionally been that size in that trade they’re just doing what they always have in a more reliable way.
They still save on assist boats as well except
For those Crowley guys who use one to tie up the tug itself.
One bullshit thing against government regulations though is that a double hulled ATB (twin screw, us crew, recency/pilotage) has to take an escort tug through buzzards bay/cape cod canal but a laden tanker (single screw/rudder foreign crew) doesn’t? that irritates the piss out of me whenever I see it.