Crowley to Christen Fifth of Six Harbor-Class Tractor Tugs in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 21, 1999) Crowley Marine Services (CMS) will christen the fifth of its new Harbor-Class tractor tugs Thursday, April 29, in Long Beach, California. Stephanie Goldberg, wife of Arco Marine executive Victor Goldberg, will perform the time-honored tradition of christening the Scout.

Thursdays christening ceremony and open house for the Scout will take place at Pier D, Berths D-47-D49 at the Port of Long Beach. Speakers will include Tom Crowley, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation, and Tom Martin, Vice President and Executive Director, West Coast and Alaska for CMS. More than 300 people, including customers, vendors, industry associates, and employees are expected to attend the event.

“The Scout is the latest addition to our dedicated Harbor Services fleet in the Long Beach and Los Angeles harbors,” said Crowley. “By mid-year, Crowley Marine Services will have the largest, most advanced fleet of cycloidal tugs in North America.”

The Scout was designed by Guido Perla and Associates and constructed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Washington, for Vessel Management Services, Inc. (VMS), a Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary. VMS has entered into a bareboat charter of the Scout to Crowley Marine Services.

Each tug features Voith Schneider twin cycloidal propulsion and a hydrofoil-shaped skeg that provides greatly improved steering, control, and seakeeping ability. In addition, the unique hydrodynamics of the hull result in increased tons of indirect steering and braking forces, which are available to assist or control a vessel at higher speeds. The 4,800 horsepower Scout is powered by two Caterpillar 3516-B engines, has a direct bollard pull of 109,500 pounds, a calculated indirect bollard pull in excess of 120 tons at 10 knots, and a free running speed of 14 knots.

Crowley Marine Services, Inc., with U.S. West Coast operating headquarters in Seattle, Washington, and U.S. East Coast and International operating headquarters Jacksonville, Florida, provides specialized marine transportation and logistics services on a worldwide basis, operating one of the worlds largest fleets of marine and related equipment. The companys primary services include tanker escort and ship assist; petroleum transportation and sales; contract barge transportation and ocean towing; logistics and support services; marine salvage and emergency response services provided by CMS and the joint venture Marine Response Alliance; U.S. West Coast spill response services provided by the joint venture Clean Pacific; and all-terrain transportation.