TowEx Maritime Consulting Completes Fleet Inspection of ARTCo New Orleans
TowEx Maritime Consulting announced the completion of a comprehensive fleet inspection for ARTCo New Orleans in February. The Ohio-based company has been operating for more than six years and specializes in fleet inspections, audits and consulting. The inspection, which took place during the first and second quarters of 2024, included ARTCo’s entire New Orleans fleet.
“We are proud to have partnered with ARTCo on this important initiative,” said Jeff Vogrin, president of TowEx. “ARTCo’s commitment to safety is evident in the meticulous care they take of their vessels and their operations. This successful inspection is a testament to their dedication to maintaining the highest standards in the industry.”
TowEx evaluated ARTCo’s compliance with industry safety standards and best practices, inspecting 39 river miles, 144 fleeting tiers, 111 spar barges and 15 river structures. Inspections included structural integrity, maintenance procedures, safety equipment and operational practices. TowEx conducted a thorough review of each vessel’s mooring and overall condition for compliance with all applicable regulations and guidelines.
“At ARTCo, we are always looking for ways to improve operational efficiencies, as well as improve the safety of our mariners and the integrity of our assets and infrastructure,” said Jacob Vega, Gulf marine ops manager at ARTCo New Orleans. “Jeff and his team were able to give us an outside perspective on the condition and integrity of our barge fleeting operation. We were pleased with his services and thankful for the knowledge he provided to our team and grateful for the partnership that we’ve established.”
Independent inspections and audits are not a common procedure for towing companies and fleeting operators, but they help to increase operational awareness of industry standards and address risks such as barge fleeting breakaways.
“Towing companies, fleeting operators and facilities/terminals should be conducting independent inspections annually, or at least triennially, to increase operational awareness of industry standards and address the threat of barge fleeting breakaways,” Vogrin said. “While independent fleet inspections may already be an action item within a company’s TSMS, they may not always be occurring as planned. Routine independent inspections help mitigate these risks, improve safety practices and ensure that clients maintain the highest standards, ultimately reducing the threat of marine casualties.”
Inspections offered by TowEx include procedure review, USACE permit reviews, hardware inspection, barge inspections and other offerings. For more information or to schedule an inspection, industry professionals can visit www.Tow-Ex.com.
Now Hiring: Associate Consultant for Fleet Inspections
TowEx is seeking a part-time Associate Consultant for fleet inspections. This remote position requires applicants to be based in the Midwest or Gulf region with easy access to a major airport, as travel is required. Interested candidates can send their resumes to info@tow-ex.com.
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Featured photo caption: Brent Brown (Crew Boat Supervisor), Jason Jambon (Fleet Manager), Aaron Hartman (Wash Dock and Fleet Maintenance Manager), Scott Hamilton (TowEx Assoc. Consultant), Jeff Vogrin (TowEx President), Jacob Vega (Gulf Marine Ops Manager), Tristen Bedi (Fleet Manager), Dinero Johnson (Fleet Mate). Photo courtesy of TowEx.
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