The Allie B is a 106' Tug based in Tampa, FL. She is
undergoing preparation for a very unique towing project. The
vessel is owned by Dann Ocean Towing and is piloted by
Captain James W. "Billy" Hudnall. Captain Hudnall got into the
tug industry when the fishing industry began to wane 19 years
ago. "Once I got the appeal of the tug, I got my 1600 ton Masters
of Ocean License and never looked back" he said dock side.
Captain Hudnall describe the route as around Cape Cod,
through the Cape Cod Canal is too risky, south to Cape Hatteras
then east across the pond about the great circle to Africa. They
will have a layover in Gibraltar for fuel and stores before they
make their way through the Mediterranean. This is the first
trans-atlantic trek for several crew members. Chief engineer Ian
Powers is a 25 year veteran of the sea. He spent 20 years with
the Coast Guard before joining the crew 5 years ago. Ian is the
only local crew member, he is originally from Sudbury, now in
Boston. The other members are from Virginia and North
Carolina.
Mingo noted that there are two tow winches. They will pay out
approximately 18-1900 feet of single cable tow. The starboard
winch has brand new 2" (IPS) Improved Plow Steel cable just for
this pull. The port winch is a backup. Both are powered by 670
watt diesel generators. A third 670 watt powers the main vessel.
At 110' foot long, it takes twin 1500 hp power plants to provide
the kick to pull a load like this.
Our best fortune smooth sailing and safe seas to the crew. We
will provide periodic updates on the status and location of the
crew over their one month adventure.
undergoing preparation for a very unique towing project. The
vessel is owned by Dann Ocean Towing and is piloted by
Captain James W. "Billy" Hudnall. Captain Hudnall got into the
tug industry when the fishing industry began to wane 19 years
ago. "Once I got the appeal of the tug, I got my 1600 ton Masters
of Ocean License and never looked back" he said dock side.
Captain Hudnall describe the route as around Cape Cod,
through the Cape Cod Canal is too risky, south to Cape Hatteras
then east across the pond about the great circle to Africa. They
will have a layover in Gibraltar for fuel and stores before they
make their way through the Mediterranean. This is the first
trans-atlantic trek for several crew members. Chief engineer Ian
Powers is a 25 year veteran of the sea. He spent 20 years with
the Coast Guard before joining the crew 5 years ago. Ian is the
only local crew member, he is originally from Sudbury, now in
Boston. The other members are from Virginia and North
Carolina.
Mingo noted that there are two tow winches. They will pay out
approximately 18-1900 feet of single cable tow. The starboard
winch has brand new 2" (IPS) Improved Plow Steel cable just for
this pull. The port winch is a backup. Both are powered by 670
watt diesel generators. A third 670 watt powers the main vessel.
At 110' foot long, it takes twin 1500 hp power plants to provide
the kick to pull a load like this.
Our best fortune smooth sailing and safe seas to the crew. We
will provide periodic updates on the status and location of the
crew over their one month adventure.
The 1,200 ton
Unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright of www.Sackrabbit.com 2009
| "The crew of the Allie B takes over - Prepare to Shove Off " |
Click on Every Picture !
| March 5, 2009 |
The bridge is a mix of
advanced navigation
electronics and rugged
analog gages and
paper charts.
advanced navigation
electronics and rugged
analog gages and
paper charts.
Twin winches each
with 2200' of 2" cable
will connect the barge
to the tug.
with 2200' of 2" cable
will connect the barge
to the tug.
The tug "Allie B"
stationed in the wet
basin at the stern of
the barge "Brooklyn
Bridge".
stationed in the wet
basin at the stern of
the barge "Brooklyn
Bridge".
The crew are loading
gear oil. Show are crew
Mingo Pulido, Ian
Powers, Cody Hyde,
Bobby Garrett and John
Ray.
gear oil. Show are crew
Mingo Pulido, Ian
Powers, Cody Hyde,
Bobby Garrett and John
Ray.
Chief engineer Ian
Powers describes the
engine room. Twin
1500 hp engines
power the vessel.
Powers describes the
engine room. Twin
1500 hp engines
power the vessel.
Deck hand John Ray of
N. Carolina clears the
deck of hazardous ice. It
will be a regular effort
until they reach warmer
waters.
N. Carolina clears the
deck of hazardous ice. It
will be a regular effort
until they reach warmer
waters.
Marine consultant Ted
Dawson, Captain Billy
Hudnall and mate
Mingo Pulido surveying
the barge.
Dawson, Captain Billy
Hudnall and mate
Mingo Pulido surveying
the barge.
A final sunset the day
before sail, just to the
left of Goliath is the
tug "Allie B".
before sail, just to the
left of Goliath is the
tug "Allie B".
Mate Mingo Pulido and
deck hand John Ray
explain the operations
and preparations.
deck hand John Ray
explain the operations
and preparations.
EMAIL: sackrabbit839@yahoo.com
The contrast of new
and old, an LCD
navigation an
magnetic compas.
and old, an LCD
navigation an
magnetic compas.
| "... an epic journey for these masters of the ocean ... |
| Updated March 6, 2009 |
Dwarfed only in size,
not in strength the
crew of the Allie B
stand ready to sail.
not in strength the
crew of the Allie B
stand ready to sail.