Other Tug or Work Ship Tanker Ships

Palanca Rio Comes to Baltimore July 7, 2019

meabbott

According to BalticShipping.com this asphalt tanker is 133x23m (436x75ft). She was built in 2016 in Rijeka, Croatia by 3. MAJ, a subsidiary of ULJANIK for Sweden based Wisby Tankers. A Marine Insight article on the launching of the ship can be read here.

9353-1 Tanker Palanca Rio
Tanker Palanca Rio Coming to Baltimore, Maryland July 7, 2019

Here are two videos about the launching of this ship, this video which shows the ceremony and has some interesting footage of the shipyard and workers as well, and this video from under the ship as she is sliding into the water!

9372-1 Tanker Palanca Rio
Tanker Palanca Rio Coming to Baltimore, Maryland July 7, 2019

I found three other videos of this tanker besides the one taken by me further below. This one in an unknown location of her being helped along a river by a pair of Moran tugs; this video of her on the Cape Fear River near Southport, North Carolina; and this one of her arriving in Willemstad Harbor.

9414-1 Tugs Harriet Moran and April Moran pushing Tanker Palanca Rio
Tanker Palanca Rio assisted by tugs Harriet Moran and April Moran Baltimore, Maryland July 7, 2019

In my video below she can be seen approaching Baltimore, Maryland on the Patapsco River after having traveled up the Chesapeake Bay. She will soon overtake the Vane Brothers tugboat Captain Mac pushing a barge. As she nears the detail of the interesting equipment on deck become clear as well as her well worn paint job. Watch also for crew members on deck. As she passes under the Key Bridge the Coast Guard can be seen doing a boat inspection. The tugboat April Moran appears from the left to to take up position behind the tanker.

9430-1 Bow of Tanker Palanca Rio
Bow of Tanker Palanca Rio in Baltimore, Maryland July 7, 2019

In the next scene the tugboat Harriet Moran can be seen moving in to also provide assistance. White tanks can be seen in the background after she has left the Patapsco River and begins heading down Curtis Creek towards her dock with the two tugs pushing and pulling as needed. Tugboat Captain Mac can be seen pushing her barge now that the tanker has passed them. Pilot boat Vedette becomes visible seeking to retrieve the pilot who had boarded the ship back on the Patapsco River.

9436-1 Tanker Palanca Rio & tug Harriet Moran
Tanker Palanca Rio at dock with tug Harriet Moran

It can be seen that it is a slow and delicate dance by two skilled tugboat crews to help the ship dock, especially since they can only see the ship and not the dock! Nice job Moran! I hope you enjoy my video!

More photos I took this day can be seen by clicking here.