Services

The Company provides trained and fully equipped linehandlers to meet vessel and Lockmaster requirements for a vessel’s safe transit though the Locks. Oftentimes, linehandling services are ordered and coordinated with requirements for tugboat assistance provided by Group affiliate, The Great Lakes Towing Company. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ regulations also require tugboat assistance for transiting vessels under certain conditions due to close quarters, slow speed maneuvering, and for vessels not equipped with bow and stern thrusters.  Vessels equipped with bow thrusters and friction winches require two (2) linehandlers on the piers under normal weather conditions and three (3) under severe weather conditions. If a vessel is experiencing mechanical problems or extreme severe weather situations, the Lockmaster may require four (4) linehandlers on the pier for a vessel’s transit.