Weekly News Summary For November 7-13, 2005:
Ohio River traffic came to a halt in New Martinsville, W. Va., when the primary lock chamber at Hannibal Locks and Dam, Ohio River Mile 126.4, was placed out of service due to a failure of a load bearing quoin seal on one of the lock gates.
The quoin seal provides a watertight seal between the lock gate and lock wall, but more importantly, it transfers the hydraulic load, or pressure of the water behind the lock, from the lock gate into the lock wall.
The auxiliary lock chamber was already out of service due to ongoing scheduled maintenance….
With the often touted equivalency statistics of truck to rail to barge transportation compiled 10–15 years ago, the Center for Ports & Waterways (CPW) at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) will initiate a study for the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) to update the comparison of freight transportation methods.
The cooperative effort will provide an up-to-date analysis of the environmental impacts of barge transportation compared to other modes, such as highway or rail transportation. TTI, which is part of Texas A&M University system, will focus on at least five issues: cargo capacity, air emissions, congestion, social and safety impacts and energy efficiency.
Statistics used today are out of date, according to Jim Kruse, director of CPW. He said he has spoken with MarAd regarding the old data for some time. He said both groups have wanted to move forward, but only recently was partial funding secured. He said the data will be a much clearer scientific model when comparing transportation modes.
“Engine standards are different, safety and security practices have changed and severe congestion in major corridors and in urban areas has become a major transportation issue,” he said. “There are so many different factors today. We need to look at what types of engines are being used today. We need to know the barge makeup as far as the quantity of barges available and their capacity.”…
In its first earnings announcement since going public in October, American Commercial Lines Inc. announced revenue of $175.9 million for the third quarter, compared to $158.7 million for the same period last year. The company reported net earnings of $3.5 million or 15 cents per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.5 million for the same period a year ago.
Earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA) for the third quarter was $26.1 million, compared to $25 million during the third quarter last year.
“We are pleased with the third quarter results and where the company is positioned today,” said Mark R. Holden, president and chief executive officer. “Upon the closing of the initial public offering, the company is now able to concentrate on its future and achieving its potential. We are very focused on execution and profitability.
“Our barge transportation business has performed well during some very difficult conditions over the past few years and is now positioned to capitalize on this performance. Our barge manufacturing business is in the early stages of a very strong barge replacement cycle. The organization is energized and better understands the need to not only provide quality goods and services but to also make money along the way.”…
Hurricanes aside, Maryland Marine Inc., the Houston-based subsidiary of Higman Barge Lines Inc., took delivery October 7 of the third of three identical towboats built by Hope Services Inc. in Dulac, La.
The shipyard, which is located near Houma. La., lost a large section of the roof of its fabrication shop during Katrina and suffered other wind damage, but the real devastation occurred when water from Rita flooded the yard. Lou Parker, vice president, said there was seven feet of water in the north yard and over four feet in the south yard.
“It will be six months before we’ve got the mud completely cleaned off all the equipment,” he said.
Nevertheless, Hope was able to deliver the boat only two weeks after the scheduled date.
Higman’s offices in Orange, Texas, suffered from Rita as well. Employees had to evacuate. There was no power, phone service or other utilities. The company relocated to Channelview, Texas, and work continued without interruption, but it was a month before workers could return and even then only three phone lines were working….
As a 10-year old boy in Memphis, Tenn., Capt. Joe Hightower used to follow his father to the river where he worked as an engineer for Warner & Tamble on the harbor boat Enquirer. He worked summers on the same boat with his Dad and at 15 he dropped out of high school to be a full-time deckhand on the boat.
He didn’t leave the river until this year when he retired from American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) at 80 years old, ending a 65-year career.
The company held a retirement party for Hightower at the Buchanan Resort in Paris, Tenn., October 15, not far from his home in Henry County.
David Cook, ARTCO vice president, began the festivities by speaking of the many stories that have been told about the legend, Capt. Joe, and then he praised the man he has known and worked with since 1988. On behalf of the company, he presented Capt. Joe with a retirement watch.
The testimonials continued throughout the night, one of which came from friend and former competitor, Capt. “Peanut” Hollinger. Capt. Hollinger spoke of his respect of Capt. Joe’s navigational skills as well as his friendship over the years. Dave Calvert presented him with a personalized fishing pole and an honorary certificate. Capt. Joe’s daughter, Sara Pope, gave him a painting of the Viking Queen.
Over the span of his 65 year career, Hightower logged in many miles on several different jobs….
The Waterways Journal encourages letters to the editor.
Have something on your mind?
Send letters to: jshoulberg@waterwaysjournal.net.
(Please indicate whether or not your letter is intended for publication.)
