TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale Launches Shillelagh, the Most Powerful Towboat on the New River Knecht Named to Lead

Shillelagh was originally designed for salvage work both offshore and inshore where a vessel of compact size with substantial power was required.  The hull is of extra heavy all welded steel construction with Fernstrum keel coolers and fully protected running gear.  “The length, maneuverability and power of Shillelagh make it the perfect tug to use in assisting our yacht customers on the New River,” stated Barney Hauf, Manager of the Yacht Towing Division of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale.  “No other tug in the area has that combination.”

Triton Article   Triton Map
Reprinted with permission from Triton.

Offshore Marine Towing joined the BoatU.S. (Boat Owners Association of The United States) towing program in 1989 and, a few years later, became one of the first TowBoatU.S. companies in South Florida.  “In order to enjoy the benefits of a nationally branded name,” states Acheson, “our familiar dark blue hull tugs changed to red hulls carrying the nationally known TowBoatU.S. name.  Next, our telephones and radios began to be answered using the TowBoatU.S. name.”  Acheson commented, “While we changed aesthetically, our commitment to providing professional, reliable and experienced service has not wavered.”
 

Soundings Article from June 2006
Reprinted with permission from Soundings Publications, LLC

The burning boat was smoldering for a long time before it finally burst into flames.  “The hull quickly became engulfed in flames,” remarked Capt. Thompson.  “It was so intense that it burned through my towlines.”  The fire-fighting began with the Coast Guard putting water on the flames.  As soon as the Almar arrived on scene, the Coast Guard pulled away, allowing the TowBoatU.S. team to begin to work through the heavy smoke to douse the fire.  Capt. Thompson reattached a towline to secure the burning vessel.  The flames were under control, but the boat was sinking rapidly.  The salvage team got the vessel into shallow water where it sank.

Hurricane Wilma Hits Area- Numerous Salvage Operations Underway

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale, a Broward County based company, announced that it has mobilized three salvage teams to respond to the destruction left by Hurricane Wilma.  “Our office normally operates on five telephone lines.  Today we have one working and a generator supplying some lights for our office staff,” reported Larry Acheson, President and Founder of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale.  “We consider ourselves fortunate, though.  Many other people don’t have a roof over their heads.”

Shillelagh Returns to Ft. Lauderdale

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale, a Broward County based company, announced the addition of two tugs to assist boaters traversing the area.  One of the tugs found its way here from Mississippi; the other tug was conceived in Dania Beach back in the 1980’s.

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale Announces Company Promotions

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale, a Broward County based company, announces the promotion of two captains.  “It is always a pleasure to reward dedicated, hard-working staff,” commented Larry Acheson, President and Founder of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale.  “Operating a 24 hour, 365 day a week business puts great demands on all of our staff,” he continued.  “It is especially hard on management.  The buck stops with them.”
 

TowBoatU.S. Rescues Luxury Mega-Yacht

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale, a Broward County based company, successfully completed another mega-yacht salvage.  This time a 116' Azimut mega-yacht found itself hard aground and sunk on the rock jetty at Port Everglades.  During the evening hours on March 16, 2005, a distress call went out from the crew.  Hearing the call, all available TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale assets responded to the scene.  “This type of call is becoming more common for us,” states Larry Acheson, President and Senior Salvage Master.  “There are more yachts transiting our waters every season.” 
 

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale Raises Downed Convair Cargo Aircraft - No Injuries-Plane in One Piece

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale, a Broward County based company, successfully completed another airplane salvage.  This time a Convair cargo plane crash landed in Maule Lake, N. Miami Beach, FL.  “This time no one was hurt,” states Larry Acheson, President and Senior Salvage Master.  “The pilot did a great job.  He had a split second to make a decision, did exactly what he had to do and everyone walked away from the crash uninjured.”

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale Raises Downed Stunt Plane-After Air & Sea Show Crash

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale was hired to assist with the recovery of the plane wreckage.  “In this type of recovery it is especially important to bring all of the pieces to the surface so the authorities can try to figure out what happened up there,” stated Larry Acheson, President and Founder of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale.  A salvage team, consisting of the top salvage divers of the company, was assembled and equipment was mobilized including the Richard L. Becker equipped with a 7.5 ton crane.

TowBoatU.S. Show Center

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale, a Broward County based company, announces that its 96’ offshore supply vessel, Richard L. Becker, will be show center for the third year in a row at the 2004 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show May 1-2 at Ft. Lauderdale.  “This ship is critical for every aerobatics performance as pilots get their visual bearings for timing and position from the ship’s Show Center location,” states Pro Series, Inc., promotions directors for the Show.

Richard L. Becker Launches Into A New Era!

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale announces the completion of a two year project to refurbish the Richard L. Becker, a 96’ Offshore Supply Vessel.  Purchased from the oil fields of Louisiana in late 1998, the 96’ steel-hulled vessel built by Graham Marine has undergone a number of changes.  “We bought the vessel with the plan to expand our towing and salvage operation to allow for long distance operations,” states Larry Acheson, founder and President of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale.  “We discovered that by making a few modifications, the vessel could meet a growing number of service needs for the marine community.”

TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale Rescues Shipwrecked Bahamian National

As the ship neared its destination, Mate Russell Inman spotted a capsized boat tied off to the buoy.  Capt. Caswell continued toward the buoy and the crew took note of fish carcasses hanging from the railings.  The ominous scene overcame the crew as they realized that someone may be stranded at this remote location.