News Articles
Two tows trippin on the river
Posted on Mar 31st, 2016
Photos Linda Wright
Escort towboat MV Tommy E, snugged up against the west bank just south of the FM 521 bridge, waits for the MV Jenny W coming upriver carrying a huge piece of refinery equipment. A deckhand sits on the very front port side of the barge, radio in hand, ready to give directions to the Captain as they pass under the bridge.
Side-by-side, the two towboats pass under the bridge without a problem. The refinery equipment is heading for the Phillips 66 terminal on the river where it will be unloaded and transported to the Chevron Phillips Chemical expansion in Old Ocean.
Built 1978, the MV Jenny W is owned by S & W Marine, Inc., Lockport, LA. She was originally called the Iron Butterfly, but renamed Maranatha, then Jo Jo and now Jenny W. The MV Tommy E, also built in 1978, was first called San Patricio and then the Endeavour, before being named the Tommy E.
A deckhand is given a set of tools that is referred to as his “wife and kids”. The “wife” is a long cheater pipe that fits over the handle of a ratchet allowing you to pull the barge in as tightly as possible. The “kids” are two long steel rods that are slid through the eyes of the ratchet's pelican hooks (or a shackle and pin) to keep the wire from twisting - allowing for better tension. There is a certain way to put in "toothpicks", and if they aren't in securely enough they will give. When that happens, the stress of the tightened wire will spin the pelican hook and the toothpick will sling out with force.
Comment By: Marie Breakiron
Posted on Apr 3, 2016
Most impressive pictures. But, I thought it is bad luck to change the name of a boat--apparently changing the tug's name several times has not hurt it. Thanks Linda for the great Web site.