Oil Patch Bits: Crowley tugboat crew recognized by U.S. Coast Guard for assisting a disabled vessel

Crowley Maritime Corp. said March 22 that the captain and crew aboard the tugboat Explorer, which is managed by Crowley, were recently recognized by Coast Guard Rear Admiral William Baumgartner, who serves as commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami, for their humanitarian actions, unwavering determination, professionalism and skilled seamanship after they assisted a vessel that ran out of fuel 30 miles west of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, in December.

The Jacksonville-based crew, which included Captain Andrew Smith; David W. Keefe, chief mate; Robert A. Malouin, chief engineer; Marcus Huntley, A/B; Raymond A. Petterson, A/B; and Richard C. Smith, ordinary seaman, arrived on scene shortly after the vessel became disabled. They responded to the stricken crew by giving them water, lifejackets, flashlights and a hand-held radio until the Coast Guard arrived on scene to provide additional assistance.

“All of us at Crowley are tremendously proud of this crew,” said Crowley’s John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico liner services. “The Explorer’s quick response to fellow mariners in need is a tribute to their character and training. We congratulate them and thank them for their service.”