Arctic Directory: Crowley receives new Alaska Tug Nachik

Crowley said April 8 that it has taken delivery of the Nachik, a newly designed shallow draft tug, from Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore.

The Nachik, which means “hair seal” in the native Inupiaq language, will be deployed in Alaska and is the third new vessel to be handed off to Crowley in less than two weeks. The Nachik is a triple-screw diesel-powered tug equipped to safely propel petroleum and freight barges in river systems throughout Alaska.

Its sister vessel, the Sesok, which means “beluga whale,” is scheduled to be delivered in late May.

Crowley’s Alaska shallow draft tugs are designed to operate in Alaska’s rivers and coastal regions where operations are challenging due to restricted drafts and a lack of docking infrastructure.

“Continued reinvestment in new equipment, like the Nachik, is important to Crowley and our customers as we ensure safe and environmentally sound transportation throughout Alaska’s pristine waterways. We look forward to christening the Nachik next month in Seward and the Sesok shortly after,” said Craig Tornga, Crowley’s vice president of petroleum distribution in Anchorage, Alaska.

For more information visit www.crowley.com.