M/V Silver

The other day I was thinking about how the collapse of the thermal coal market had changed the mix of towboats we see here on my part of the Ohio River.  Coal still dominates cargo shipments here, but not as much as it did a decade ago. As companies move their equipment to other rivers, where it can take care of the grain trade, other companies and other boats have moved in.

Today I saw a boat I hadn't seen before, the M/V Silver of Harco Marine of Seattle, Wash. I had to read that right to make sure the Coast Guard documentation said Seattle, which it did. I don't know which company leases the Silver or operates it. That could be Harco or it could be someone else.

The Silver was built in 2013. It's 75 feet long and 30 feet wide. The Coast Guard lists its hailing port as Portland, Ore.

The rest comes from www.tugboatinformation.com:

Built in 2013 by Conrad Shipyard of Morgan City, La., for Harley Marine Services of Seattle. Named for actor Winifred "Sunset Carson" Harrison's horse, Silver, who starred alongside Carson in the film "Sunset Carson Rides Again."

(From imdb.com: "Sunset Carson Rides Again" came out in 1948. In the movie, Sunset Carson (1920-1990) is trying to raise money for a new school, and his partner, Sam Webster, is out to stop him. When Carson plans a benefit prize-fight, Webster plans to make off with the proceeds.).

Built in 2013 by Conrad Shipyard Incorporated of Morgan City, Louisiana (hull #1009) as the Silver for Harley Marine Services Incorporated of Seattle, Washington.

Powered by two, Tier II compliant Cummins K38M diesel engines. With Twin Disc MGX5321 reduction gears, at a ratio of 5.96:1. Turning two, 72(in) four bladed, fixed pitch, stainless steel propellers. For a rated 2,000 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 85kW Cummins 6BTA5.9-DM generator sets. The tug's capacities are 30,000 gallons of fuel, 6,000 gallons of water, and 200 gallons of lube oil.

The towing gear consists of two, Nabrico 20-HE, hydro electric winches, mounted on her bow.

P.S. You can watch the entire 63-minute movie on YouTube if you wish. I didn't. Maybe someday. Who knows?