Boatnerd Discussion Forum

garbear wrote:Isn't Detroit serviced by two tug outfits? I'm pretty sure Thunder Bay is.

Detroit and southern Lake Michigan, as well.

Duluth is in no way the only port serviced by two tug companies.

Isn't Detroit serviced by two tug outfits? I'm pretty sure Thunder Bay is.

Yes that's true, Duluth being the only port on the Lakes with two tug outfits. Coast-wise where there are ports with more then one tug company there are different systems. Pittsburg SS used to have a contract where GLT would sent a push tug to help a boat back out of the dock. The Captain would blow for a tug i5 minutes before he would be ready to let go. If the tug was not there by that time the tug did not get credit for the push.

I should say that it might be different in Canada or in Goderich in particular, but certainly in Duluth the vessel operator chooses the tug company they want. The Twin Ports have a long history of intense competition for tug work.

Thank you. I guess my assumption was right.

garbear wrote:I was under the assumption, at least here in Duluth, that tugs have contracts with various shipping companies or agents, it's not done on a rotation basis. I thought Heritage had contracts with certain companies and so does Great Lakes Towing.

The captain/owner/vessel agent selects the tug company they want. It's not done on a rotation basis.

I was under the assumption, at least here in Duluth, that tugs have contracts with various shipping companies or agents, it's not done on a rotation basis. I thought Heritage had contracts with certain companies and so does Great Lakes Towing.

Those tugs are too small and under powered, shipping companies have been using larger ships and have told tug operators to keep up with bigger tugs or be pushed out. The owner of Macdonald tugs made a deal with ocean group and has most likely been bought out.

In most ports, tugs like tow trucker are on a rotation basis.

In yesterdays Signal Star there is a letter to editor asking why the MacDonald Tugs after some 80 years of service are not being used.
This question has been on my mind since last year when the renamed Ocean Cote-Nord Tug arrived Dec 2014
Who contracts the Tug and what are the politics behind what tug company is used..