I offer these as fotos in search of a story . . . midday yesterday it was Bruce A. McAllister who appeared first on the ConHook Range with an unmistakeable
I could then read. But the story . . . I’m still confuzzled.
Might there be another sale of old boats in the offing? Some dimensions on Mars: 1970 built at McDermott in the state of LA, 136′ x 37,’ 5750 hp. How long ago did she traverse the Panama Canal?
As I pondered that, I noticed a follower . . . a McAllister tug I’ve not seen before . . . Michael J. McAllister, built at Halter in the state of LA as well in 1971, 109′ and 4100 hp . . . with another
Pioneer . . . 127′ x 37′ and 7200, McDermott built in 1975, and formerly operating out of Jacksonville . . . I believe. So I’m wondering, where did these tows begin and what happens next . . .
As to that other Pioneer . . . the one I was waiting for, here’s another foto.
If you wish to help the Museum get its landlegs back . . . click on the graphic below.
All fotos here by Will Van Dorp. For a foto of Crowley Pathfinder I took a few years back near Seattle, click here . . . 8th foto down.
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April 7, 2012 at 1:01 pm
tugpower
MICHAEL J. McALLISTER Was Built In 1971 As My Namesake (MISTER HAROLD) For Jackson Marine Corp., Aransas Pass, Texas. She Was Sold To Become HAROLD, & Sold Again To McAllister Affiliate Portland Tug Service, Renamed ESCORT, & Was Stationed As An Assist Tug In The Cape Cod Canal. McAllister Fully Acquired Her, & She Was Renamed MICHAEL J. McALLISTER. She Is Presently Assigned To McAllister’s Norfolk Fleet. http://www.mcallistertowing.com/FleetLocation.aspx, http://www.tugboatinformation.com/tug.cfm?id=502
April 7, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Allen Baker
“PIONEER” is one of the famed “INVADER” class tugs. Fine, fine seaboats they are.
I had the good fortune to sail in PIONEER as second mate back in the early nineties on the Philadelphia to San Juan, Puerto Rico run with those large, triple decked trailer barges.
Looks as though Crowley is selling off some of these older tugs as the new Ocean Class boats are being built and delivered.
April 7, 2012 at 4:49 pm
HT
You can not beat a Mcdermott built tug, they are the best riding tugs around, I worked on quite a few, in my day. I am going to say seeing that they are so light, that they are being sold to a foreign buyer. If McAllister had bought them they would have come up on their own. And seeing that they were towed up, high and dry tells me more. With no ballast what so ever, makes towing difficult. If they were bought by someone local, you can believe one thing…those boats would have more draft.They are probable gassed free and have another destination, time will tell
April 7, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Anonymous
PSIX shows both Crowley’s as Nigerian flagged tho they clearly got ‘frisco on their sterns. As of the 7th they were in McAllisters yard. Jeff s
April 8, 2012 at 10:23 am
Charles Danko
Any info on how both Crowlley tugs made the trip to Manattan? Who towed them and from where? Still good looking boats.
April 8, 2012 at 10:51 am
tugster
Bruce and Michael McAllister towed them into the Kills . . . I suppose . . towed them from a previous port . . . yet to be identified.
April 9, 2012 at 10:51 am
Cold is the Sea
I love the close-up shot of the Pioneer, with all those different shades of rust and scars…
April 9, 2012 at 11:17 am
eastriver
Agree completely about McDermott boats being the best rides out there.. there’s just none better.
April 14, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Tom Turner
Both Crowley tugs still at the McAllister yard in Staten Island as of the 14th
May 17, 2012 at 7:56 am
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