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All News Press Releases "At The Helm" Newsletter

The tugs Alicia and Rosemary McAllister perform the first Mediterranean mooring on the ship Sun Shine in Virginia.

Mediterranean Mooring - first time ever in Virginia!

Date

October 19, 2023

What an incredible success by the entire team at McAllister Towing of Virginia! The first eight monopile foundations for the Dominion Energy Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm have been delivered to the Portsmouth Marine Terminal in Virginia. The tugs Alicia F. McAllister and Rosemary McAllister met the vessel Sun Shine off Naval Operations Base in Norfolk. From there, the tugs, with over 11,000 horsepower, safely guided the ship and monopiles to the terminal where they performed a Mediterranean mooring, the first of its kind in the Port of Virginia. A Mediterranean mooring means that the tugs docked the ship stern first. Bravo to pilot Chris Ferguson, the crew members aboard the tugs and the entire team at McAllister Towing of Virginia for this historic and successful arrival. Thank you to DEME Group for trusting us with this important cargo. We are so proud of this accomplishment and in helping to lead the way for a greener tomorrow!

The tug Grace McAllister is prepared for launch at Washburn & Doughty.

Launching of the Grace McAllister

Date

September 29, 2023

Another successful launch at Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. We are proud to introduce the Grace McAllister! The newest tractor tug to the McAllister fleet was pulled into the stream by her shipmate the Nancy McAllister. This happened shortly after Grace McAllister herself smashed the honorary bottle of champagne across the tug's bow. A special thank you to Grace who flew across the pond to perform this ceremony. We look forward to delivery day when her namesake tug will "grace" us with her power and maneuverability for many years.

The newly arrived 6,770 horsepower tug Jane McAllister assists the ZIM Mount Everest in Hampton Roads, VA.

6770 HP, Tier IV Class McAllister Tug arrives in Virginia

Date

August 28, 2023

McAllister Towing is proud to announce the arrival of the tug Jane McAllister. The Jane is equipped with 3516E Tier IV Caterpillar engines powering twin Schottel SRP 490 Z-drive units. Packed into her 93’ x 38’ hull producing 6,770 horsepower, the Jane achieved over 91 short tons during her ABS bollard pull certification. Combining her eco-friendly CAT engines with Markey winches on the bow and stern makes the Jane one of the most advanced and powerful shipdocking tractor tugs serving the port of Virginia. The Jane McAllister was recently delivered from Washburn & Doughty and set sail for her new home port. The construction of the tug was overseen by Engineering Manager Martin Costa. The tireless efforts from McAllister engineering and Washburn & Doughty ensured that the Jane will be a top-of-the-line tug in McAllister’s fleet for many years to come. Captain J. Elliott Westall, McAllister Towing of Virginia’s Vice President and General Manager, is excited by the tug’s arrival. “The Jane will not only meet, but exceed the needs, handling the ever-increasing size of vessels calling Virginia. This tug is joining our fleet of six other tractor tugs, and will enable us to continue safely handling the gentle giants calling the Port of Virginia. Having exceptional control and power, the Jane is the new “Queen of Hampton Roads” and everyone that works on or with her can be confident in her abilities to deliver unsurpassed service for our customers.” McAllister President & CEO B. Buckley McAllister added, “We are proud that the Jane is the 10th tug in our fleet with over 80 metric tons of bollard pull and escort capability, making our fleet one of the best in the country for the larger ships entering into service.” The Jane McAllister was christened at her launch by Jane Woodfield Morin, daughter of Alexandra McAllister Woodfield. Both Jane and Alexandra are direct descendants of James McAllister, who founded McAllister Towing in 1864.

Janet McAllister in Jacksonville, FL during the SpaceX launch

Captain Michael L. Ring

Date

May 25, 2023

McAllister Towing mourns the passing of Captain Michael L. Ring. Mike had over 50 years of experience in the maritime industry and joined the McAllister family in the 1970’s in our Puerto Rico operations. In the early 1990’s, Mike joined McAllister Towing of Florida as a Tug Master, was promoted to Operations Manager and in 1995 was elevated to the position of Vice President and General Manager. Captain Ring eventually was promoted to Vice President of Southeast Operations overseeing McAllister operations in Jacksonville, Port Everglades and San Juan. Mike retired in 2021 but remained in the McAllister family as a valuable consultant. Many current and former McAllister employees hold fond memories of Captain Ring. Jacksonville Docking Pilot Bobby Johnson remarked, “I worked with Capt. Ring on the tugs when I was 16 as his deckhand. Back then, McAllister was recovering from the strike and Mike was focused on getting the company through everything. He went after a variety of work to keep us afloat and when he took over as GM, began to assemble a loyal core group of employees here in Jacksonville. Captain Ring is one of the most respected men in the local maritime circle. He believed in growing talent from the ground up. He truly saw the good in people and encouraged everyone to be their best. Most of all he was humble and just asked one thing of all of us, in his words "be a good human".” Captain Charles W. Runnion, current VP of Southeast Operations and Port Everglades General Manager, who worked with Capt. Ring for over 30 years, added “Mike was a friend and a mentor, and will be sorely missed. If it wasn’t for Capt. Ring, I wouldn’t be where I am today. His maritime knowledge was unsurpassed, and he was fond of sharing it with me. Most importantly, I was honored and privileged to have a close and personal relationship with him and his family, which allowed me to witness him as a devoted family man, a principle that should be followed by all.” We have lost a dear friend, teammate and exceptional mariner. May Captain Ring’s memory be a blessing to all those who knew him and may the Lord grant him fair winds and following seas.

National Maritime Day 2023

Date

May 22, 2023

McAllister Towing was proud to be the wreath sponsor at the 2023 National Maritime Day memorial service in NYC. The ceremony was held in front of the American Merchant Mariners Memorial, which was dedicated on Oct. 8th, 1991, in Battery Park. The service included remarks from Captain Zeita Merchant, Captain of the Port of NY/NJ USCG, and paid tribute to "The 142 U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadets who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II and all Merchant Mariners, past and present, for the sacrifices they have endured and continue to endure." The tug Patrice McAllister and other New York harbor tugs were on hand to pay their respects to all Merchant Mariners.