Vessel Management Services Christens New ATB Tank Vessel

Vessel Management Services, Inc., a Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary and part of its corporate services segment, Friday christened the third of four Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company will take delivery of this year. The vessels, 9,280 horsepower tug Ocean Reliance and 155,000-barrel barge 550-3, were built by The Manitowoc Company, Inc. At ceremonies held at the Bay Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay, Wis, Molly Crowley, a director on Crowley's board, christened the tug. Afterwards, guests attended a reception and celebratory luncheon at The Stone Harbor Resort. Over 100 people braved the cold, rain and snow to attend the christening ceremony, which has become a tradition in the maritime industry as new vessels enter service. Intrepid Ship Management, a subsidiary of Marine Transport Lines, will charter the ATB from Vessel Management Services and operate it. Marine Transport is a Crowley subsidiary and part of its oil and chemical distribution and transportation segment. "We are pleased to place this new ATB into service with our other ATBs which were completed earlier this year," said Tom Crowley Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime. Already in service are the Sea Reliance and barge 550-1, and the Sound Reliance and barge 550-2. "I am proud of the job the engineering and construction crews did on the design and build of this state-of-the art ATB," said Crowley. "We are confident that this vessel will provide many years of service to our customers on the west coast." "This occasion has been made possible as a result of the faith that Vessel Management Services placed in our Manitowoc Marine Group Companies," Pat O'Hern, Vice President and General Manager of Bay Shipbuilding Co. "From the shipbuilder's perspective, we are sending our creations off into the world of commerce." "Building the Ocean Reliance tug/barge was an excellent opportunity for two long-standing companies who are deeply committed to the maritime industry to work together on a high-profile project," said Terry D. Growcock, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. "It also afforded us the opportunity to showcase our multi-yard shipbuilding expertise by building the barge in Sturgeon Bay and the tug in Marinette. Being able to leverage the strengths of our workforce and facilities has resulted in an innovative vessel that will complement the reputation and heritage of the Crowley fleet for many years to come." An ATB has an articulated, or hinged, connection system between the tug and barge, which allows movement in one axis, or plane in the critical area of fore and aft pitch. The ATB tank vessel was jointly designed by Vessel Management Services and Manitowoc Marine to incorporate the latest advances in environmental and safety while addressing increased efficiencies in hose handling, anchoring, mooring, discharge and loading of product. The 550-3 is double hulled and the tug is double sided for maximum environmental protection and safety. The barge, built, documented and maintained to the requirements of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) SafeHull, has an inert gas system as well as an enhanced cargo system and a fully redundant ballast system.