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While it might not be obvious, waterway transportation is the most efficient mode of transportation for moving goods.  By being able to haul at a greater capacity, water transportation is an economically and environmentally sound choice.

The EPA estimates that one third of our nation’s annual CO² emissions come from transport-related activity.  A recent study shows that transporting by truck would emit 371% more CO² than if moved by barge.  With more companies trending towards shrinking their carbon footprint, the waterway transport industry has seen a rise in economic output.

Here are some facts on the waterway industry from the American Waterways Operators:

• The tugboat, towboat and barge industry is the largest segment of the U.S. domestic maritime industry, employing more than 33,000 American mariners aboard its vessels.
• The nation’s domestic maritime industry is an economic engine and a jobs creator which supports 500,000 jobs and provides $100 billion in economic output.
• Moving goods on the water is the most efficient transportation mode. A typical inland barge has a capacity 15 times greater than one rail car and 60 times greater than one semi-trailer truck, and one 15 barge-tow can move the equivalent of 216 rail cars or 1,050 semi-trailer trucks.
• Water transportation plays a critical role in facilitating the nation’s trade, moving 60 percent of U.S. grain for export.
• The single largest commodity that moves on U.S. waterways is petroleum – 244 million tons annually.
• Twenty percent of the nation’s coal is moved on the water.

Safety and the AWO

In addition to the economical impact, America’s Inland Waterways are also the safest for transportation of goods.  As members of the American Waterways Operators, we value the safety of our crews and vessels.

The AWO works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as other government agencies, to regulate the industry and promote safety and environmental conservation.

A Safety Statistic Comparison Study from 2001-2009 showed 1 fatality in the marine sector for every 18.1 in the rail sector and 132 in the highway sector.

Why you should choose Western Rivers Boat Management:

Our mission is to transport your goods while maintaining our reputation for unprecedented service and productivity for a competitive price.  We promise to provide you with safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation.

Our business is family owned and operated, and when you partner with Western Rivers, you will be treated like family.

For more information, give us a call at 270-444-4772!

Through 60 years and a handful of owners, the venerable towboat Western, a 167-foot, 4,200 hp workhorse, has plied the rivers without a name change. It was built in 1956 by Dravo Corporation for Union Barge Line. However, now operating by Western Rivers Boat Management, a towing firm in Paducah, Ky., which has owned it since 2006, the vessel finally has something besides Western on its nameboard. The company recently renamed it the mv. Danny Etheridge.

Its namesake, the brother of Janice E. Strait and brother-in-law of the company’s founder, Charles Strait, holds a very special place in the Strait family because he is the oldest living person to have both cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome, according to Jason Strait, the company’s vice president of operations. “He will turn 65 in August, and has spent most of his life confined to a wheelchair,” Strait said.

“Danny has been blessed with a great family. They have taken care of him his entire life in their home in Rosedale, Miss., where they still live today,” Strait said in an announcement to his employees. “He always loves talking about catching ‘dem-boats’ with ‘Capt. Charlie.’ So, we are pleased to rename the mv. Western in honor of such a great man.

Western Rivers also renamed the refurbished Miss Janice the mv. Clinton Matthew after Charles’ great grandson. The boat had been out of service since sinking in 2008 at New Orleans, La.

River veterans and boat aficionados recalling the glory days of the ’50s and ’60s will be happy to read that one of the boats from the former Ohio River Company “turtle-back” fleet has been completely refurbished with a modern look while maintaining its distinctive and eye-pleasing profile.

Western Rivers Boat Management recently placed the Britney Lee back in service after it was out of commission for more than a year for repairs and refurbishing following a destructive fire. The 57-year-old vessel had only returned to service for a short time following a previous makeover when, while awaiting a spot on the First Marine LLC drydock for some hull repairs, a fire broke out and seriously damaged virtually all of the living quarters and pilothouse. The boat was tied up at Western Rivers Boat Management’s Tennessee River facility near Calvert City, Ky., at the time.

Terral RiverService recently christened the mv. Amy Gattle in an impromptu ceremony held at the company’s headquarters in Lake Providence, La.

“It was a christening of opportunity,” said Johnny Martin, chief operating officer. “The boat was passing through Lake Providence and we were able to bring her into the harbor for the christening without losing a lot of productive time on the river.”

The 4,600 hp. Amy Gattle, formerly the mv. Mary Harter, was refurbished by First Marine repair yard in Paducah, Ky., earlier this year (WJ, March 24). Sporting a completely new interior, overhauled main engines, new generators, updated alarm system, pilothouse console and paint job, to cite just a few of the improvements, the rehabbed towboat emerged from the shipyard looking as new as its name.

The namesake is the wife of the company’s vice president-transportation, Gabe Gattle, who was chosen to fill that position a short time ago. He is a 2006 graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in chemical engineering and an MBA from Baylor University. He started with Terral RiverService in the marine division in June 2008.