The SIU is mourning the loss of one of its longtime members as well as two officers who perished earlier this week when the tug Valour sank in severe weather off the coast of North Carolina.SIU-contracted Maritrans has issued the following update dated January 19, which also is available on the company’s web site in the section titled “Current News Releases.” The main site is located at www.maritrans.com
The union extends its deepest, most heartfelt sympathies to the victims’ families and fellow crew members. Additional reporting will be included in the February edition of the Seafarers LOG.
Maritrans Provides Update on Tugboat Incident
TAMPA, Fla., Jan 19, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) – Maritrans Operating Company L.P. announced today that the US Coast Guard has suspended any further search and rescue efforts following the sinking of its tug VALOUR and confirmed that the missing crewman is presumed lost at sea. A total of three crewmen lost their lives in the incident. They were Chief Mate Fred Brenner, 53, of Baltimore, Maryland, Chief Engineer Richard Smoot, 50, of South Point, Ohio, and AB/Tankerman Ron Emory, 56, of Milford, Delaware.
There are six other crewmembers who were rescued and who were reunited with their families on Thursday morning.
"This tragedy saddens all of us at Maritrans and we continue to keep the families of all of the crewmembers in our thoughts and prayers," said Jonathan Whitworth, President of Maritrans Operating Company L.P.
Maritrans said its barge M 192 safely reached the Cape Fear River under tow this afternoon and is en route to Wilmington, N.C., following an incident on Wednesday in which its tug, VALOUR, sank off the North Carolina coast. The barge will receive a complete condition assessment for possible damage before it returns to operations. However, the Coast Guard's preliminary assessment did not find any damage to the barge. There continues to be no indication of any loss of cargo from the barge, which is carrying a type of heavy fuel oil.
Maritrans Operating Company L.P. has its headquarters in Tampa, FL, and operates a fleet of oil tankers, oil barges, and tug boats. Maritrans Operating Company L.P. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Maritrans Inc. (NYSE:TUG)
###
Printer Friendly Page