Great Lakes Towing Fleet Issued Subchapter M Inspection Certificates
The Great Lakes Towing Company announced July 10 that eight of its tugs, representing more than a quarter of its active harbor towing fleet, have received U.S. Coast Guard Certificates of Inspection (COIs). The COIs, issued a full month ahead of the required deadline, represent the company’s dedication to ensuring its tugs meet or exceed the newly implemented Coast Guard towing vessel inspection regulations, commonly referred to as Subchapter M.
The newly certified tugs include the Cleveland and Ohio, two newly constructed Damen Stan Tug 1907 ICE design boats, built by Great Lakes Shipyard, as well as the venerable “G”-Tugs Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey and Wyoming.
“We are very gratified to have hit this important milestone,” said Nick Wallinder, HSSE coordinator, who leads the towing company’s Subchapter M compliance efforts. “It has been an ‘all hands on deck’ effort. All of us, from our crews to our customers, should take pride in the fact that our tugs meet or exceed the industry’s highest levels of towing safety management.”
Over the last few years, the company has worked in partnership with the Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in preparation for the enforcement of the new Subchapter M laws.
“ABS is an industry leader in supporting clients to achieve compliance with the Subchapter M regulations,” said Joseph Kelly, ABS vice president-North America regional operations. “We are proud to have been part of team helping The Great Lakes Towing Company to achieve this milestone.”
This initial issuance sets the stage for the next three years, during which the remainder of the company’s fleet will be inspected and issued COIs, and by 2022, the entire fleet will be in compliance.
“The Great Lakes Towing Company is at the forefront of the industry’s rigorous ambition to implement the new safety requirements of Subchapter M,” said Lindsay Dew, director of operations and compliance. “I am particularly proud of my team, and as a company we truly appreciate the partnerships that have developed with the Coast Guard and ABS as we continue to obtain certificates for our tugs.”
