towing

When Towing Becomes Predatory

Towing is supposed to be a solution that helps get a disabled or wrecked truck off the road safely. But in reality, towing has become a financial ambush for many motor carriers and owner-operators. Predatory towing companies have turned what should be a straightforward recovery process into a multimillion-dollar extortion racket. It’s not just an industry problem; it’s an industry crisis.

How Predatory Towing Exploits the Trucking Industry

The American Trucking Association (ATA) defines predatory...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/when-towing-becomes-predatory

Bollinger Houma Shipyards lays keel for T-ATS 10

With members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in attendance, a keel laying ceremony for the future USNS Muscogee Creek Nation (T-ATS 10), the fifth ship in the Navy’s Navajo class of Towing, Salvage, and Rescue vessels was held at Bollinger Houma Shipyards, March 20, reports the Navy’s Program Executive Office Ships.

Sponsors Geri Wisner, Attorney General of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Nicole Foster, wife of Rear Admiral Calvin Foster; and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/bollinger-houma-shipyards-lays-keel-for-t-ats-10/

Austal USA lays the keel for T-ATS 11

Austal USA yesterday celebrated the official start of construction on the future USNS Billy Frank, Jr., the Navy’s eleventh Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS 11), with a keel laying ceremony at its Mobile, Ala., shipyard. Ship sponsor Peggen Frank and her husband, William Frank III, authenticated the keel by welding their initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship. They were assisted by Brandon Auld, a four-year Austal USA veteran A-class structural fitter.

Keel...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/austal-usa-lays-the-keel-for-t-ats-11/

Knowing post-accident protocols can save you a bundle

It’s that time of year again — the time when frigid temperatures and icy conditions can compromise the roadways. Jackknives, rollovers, braking issues and other truck-related accidents are prevalent during winter weather, so it’s best to take extra precautions heading into the colder months.  

However, semi-truck accidents happen at any time of year for any number of reasons, so it’s wise to drive safely and know what to do whenever an accident occurs.

Fortunately, most truckers go thousands of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/knowing-post-accident-protocols-can-save-you-a-bundle

Barge industry shares lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic

It’s been about four months since the inland barge and towing industry began addressing the challenges of Covid-19, and lessons learned are already emerging that will likely influence operations well into the future.

Unlike many businesses that have been forced to shutter or greatly reduce operations, barges, towboats and tugboats continue to operate without interruption, moving commodities along the rivers, coasts and Great Lakes that have helped keep the economy humming.

As “essential, critical...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/the-barge-industry-shares-lessons-learned-from-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Is the towing sector too risky to insure?

Tow truck responds to wreck.

Whether it’s a couple of loose wheel bearings, a blown engine, or worse, a serious accident, truckers often feel helpless when their big rig forces them out of the fast lane and onto the side of the road. Thankfully, drivers aren’t stranded for long as fleets of tow truck operators stand by to assist day and night.

Many jurisdictions consider tow trucks to be emergency vehicles. A tower’s role in roadside assistance and post-accident cleanup is critical to keep the roadways clear of idle...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/is-the-towing-sector-too-risky-to-insure

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