US towboats sold to South America

Judy, I can answer some but not all of your questions. I think they are just needing more boats, not necessarily replacing those that are there, though there is probably some of that, too. They are moving primarily grain, I think. Since the U.S. has allowed our waterway infrastructure to deteriorate, and the South American countries are developing, they are growing and exporting more grain, taking away some of the business that once belonged to midwest farmers here.

As far as other continents are concerned, I remember back in the early 1980's Dravo built several big line-haul boats for China to run on the Yagtze. I have not heard any more about those since they shipped them overseas after construction.

Several people I know of have gone to South America to run boats there. They have a pretty good deal, from what I understand, as far as pay goes and the way the tax laws are structured. They get to keep most (all?) of the money they make without Uncle Sam getting his hand too far involved. I believe there is some commitment they must make as far as time spent doing that, and it is not short.

Since I have to keep track of the boats going to S.A. for the Inland River Record, I am privy to a lot of information. I regularly correspond via E mail with the captain of the CONCEPCION, the former BOB BLOCKER/LILLIAN CLARK. His boat pushes 30 barges, all type of cargo. There are former U.S. towboats (not tugs) in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuele, Colombia, Peru, operating on all rivers. There are even some locks on the upper stretches of the Rio Parana. They are starting to build their own boats and barges. There is currently an 8,000 hp. quadruple prop towboat being finished for delivery next month, with another to follow. The days of U.S. pilots going to work in S.A. are over; they are training their own crews.

Submersible Ships & Barges .

Greetings From New Orleans ,
Over the past few years we , the State Pilot Associations of Louisiana have been responsible for pilotiing and delivering many of the submersible ships and barges that have come up the river to export the American boats and barges that have made their way to the different Soouth American ports of call . The majority of these submersibles were ships but there were a few submersible barges as well . A few other notable American towboats that were sold and shiped off was the M/V Carl Shelton and the M/v Capt. Billy Watson as well .
One concern I have had since the conception of seiing off these towboats and barges is the fact that we are assisting these same South American countries in becoming our competors on the world wide grain market . I also understand that you cannot hold back progress but to assist and help create your own competion makes no sense . Go figure .
Food for thought !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson

Dan Owen;20419 wrote: Since I have to keep track of the boats going to S.A. for the Inland River Record, I am privy to a lot of information. I regularly correspond via E mail with the captain of the CONCEPCION, the former BOB BLOCKER/LILLIAN CLARK. His boat pushes 30 barges, all type of cargo. There are former U.S. towboats (not tugs) in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuele, Colombia, Peru, operating on all rivers. There are even some locks on the upper stretches of the Rio Parana. They are starting to build their own boats and barges. There is currently an 8,000 hp. quadruple prop towboat being finished for delivery next month, with another to follow. The days of U.S. pilots going to work in S.A. are over; they are training their own crews.

Ah yes, I was in town when this ship was here. What an impressive vessel, especially when you got right beside her. Do you know what she carried out? I left before she did.

ship's cargo

I don't know what this carried out on this particular trip, but we've seen 3 towboats and 14 barges stacked on it other times. I don't know what the capacity is. She's over at the Todd/Buck Kreihs West Bank repair dock in these pix, but she usually takes on her cargo on the East Bank around Alabo St. I believe.

Submersible Ships & Barges

Greetings From New Orleans ,
The majority of the submersible ships & barges that come up the Mississippi River are generally loaded in two locations : one being the Zito buoy system , river mile 106.5 and 106.8 LMR , ahp and the other location is in the LaPlace buoy system , river mile 133 and 134 , LMR , ahp .
These particular submersible ships and barges are especially tricky to navigate due to their rather unusal hull design and the draft or depth that they are usually loaded to . Another contributeing fact that makes these units difficult and awkward to navigate is the fact that with the submersible ships , the Bridge or Pilot House is loccated all the way forward of the vessel and will throw off the Pilot's judgement especially when it comes to steering around the many hard turns on the NOBRA Pilot route . With the submersible barges that are also loaded with the river towboats and barges , these are towed on a hawser by a Sea Going Tug and this manner of navigation also comes with its own unique set of hazzards and issues as well , especially in a High Water river condition .
Just another day at the office !!
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson

Judy Patsch;20429 wrote: I don't know what this carried out on this particular trip, but we've seen 3 towboats and 14 barges stacked on it other times. I don't know what the capacity is. She's over at the Todd/Buck Kreihs West Bank repair dock in these pix, but she usually takes on her cargo on the East Bank around Alabo St. I believe.

We apparently sent or sold a number of towboats to Mexico and Central America in the 1940's to develop their oil industry. I've run across several while researching Texas steamers. I'd have to go back to the database and find the names though. I seem to remember that there were some packet & freight boats also.

We have been sending boats south for a long time. Back in the 1930's a small yard , Barbour Metal Boat Works in the greater St Louis area made a number of open , no deck small push boats. One of which I saw on the Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska marina.
Several of these boats were shipped to Peru for use on the upper reaches of the Amazon River. They had push knees, a single gas engine (maybe red wing) and were about 8 by 20 Feet. and drew about 18 inches. Some were sill going in the 1990's. If the engine gave out they just plopped any old car engine in, sometime including transmission.

Stacked Barges

Greetings From New Olreans ,
This is just one example how the barges are placed on top of one another before they are then loaded on to the submersible ship and or submersible barges before they make the trip to the different South American ports of call .
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson

Ted Davisson;20434 wrote: Greetings From New Orleans ,
The majority of the submersible ships & barges that come up the Mississippi River are generally loaded in two locations : one being the Zito buoy system , river mile 106.5 and 106.8 LMR , ahp and the other location is in the LaPlace buoy system , river mile 133 and 134 , LMR , ahp .
These particular submersible ships and barges are especially tricky to navigate due to their rather unusal hull design and the draft or depth that they are usually loaded to . Another contributeing fact that makes these units difficult and awkward to navigate is the fact that with the submersible ships , the Bridge or Pilot House is loccated all the way forward of the vessel and will throw off the Pilot's judgement especially when it comes to steering around the many hard turns on the NOBRA Pilot route . With the submersible barges that are also loaded with the river towboats and barges , these are towed on a hawser by a Sea Going Tug and this manner of navigation also comes with its own unique set of hazzards and issues as well , especially in a High Water river condition .
Just another day at the office !!
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson