Sea Skimmer, Star Providence, Dixie Commander, Sea Raven

**Newagen1** · September 23rd, 2011, 04:20 PM

I am new to this website and noticed a thread about ATB's and the vessel Sea Skimmer was talked about. I spent a good amount of time on this vessel w/ Allied Transportation (now Sea Raven) and was curious to hear some stories about the "Old Girl". I am sure more negative will be told than positive???

**CapKcon** · October 8th, 2011, 09:28 PM

I ran her in '82-83 Jacksonville to Corpus Cristi, relieving George Cooper. Nice ride when all went well. Had lots of problems with the side pads and keeping in the notch. Sad setup for an emergency hawser, I left her in a shipyard in Mississippi after a good beating in a Norther. The next trip attempting to tow the barge did not go well, and another tug had to relieve her of the tow. She did not fare well out of the notch. Strange hull combination of two WWII era single RH screw tugs with a new fore body. If she is still running around, I would say she has made the owners a lot of money. It was a nice change from Ocean tugs to be able to get clear of all the engine noise up on the barge.

**injunear** · October 9th, 2011, 04:40 AM

Another old Bludco rig was the "Torrent". I would surmise that it was a miserable ride also.

The last time I saw Capt George was in Seward or Yacutat, Ak in '77.