Reviews & Ratings for the Meredith-C-Reinauer

A recent investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation police has revealed that poor visibility due to extreme fog and a strong river current were significant factors in the grounding of a barge on April 4, 2023, in Catskill, NY. The double-hull barge, identified as the 'RTC 150,' measuring 458 feet by 72 feet, was being pushed by the 'Meredith C. Reinauer,' which is part of the Reinauer Transportation Companies. At the time of the incident, the barge was transporting 60,000 barrels of gasoline upriver to Albany, NY. As the articulated tug-barge (ATB) navigated the waters, it became ensnared on a stone channel marker situated just south of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Fortunately, both the tug and barge remained undamaged, and no fuel was spilled during the incident. This development is seen as a positive outcome for the New York maritime sector, especially as discussions continue about proposed new anchorage zones in the Hudson River—an initiative backed by industry members but fiercely contested by environmental organizations and local communities. In light of the incident, the Coast Guard has halted its evaluation of the anchorage proposal to conduct a comprehensive safety risk assessment. Captain Steven Hardy, 64, who was navigating the tug, reported to DEC police that he was traveling north against the current amid nearly zero visibility, relying heavily on electronic navigation systems. At approximately 8:15 AM, GPS data indicated that the ATB was on the far east side of the channel. When Hardy attempted to steer westward to return to the center of the channel, the strong river current—exacerbated by an outgoing tide—began pushing the vessel sideways, resulting in an overcorrection. Despite additional maneuvers to turn due north, the vessel veered off the channel and struck the rocks adjacent to channel marker 121, located just north of the Catskill Creek outlet. A witness at Dutchman’s Landing Park reported observing the incident through the dense fog, noting that they could only see parts of the 'Meredith C. Reinauer' as it veered toward the western bank before grounding. Following the grounding, Hardy and his crew began pumping ballast to lighten the RTC 150. Ongoing inspections conducted by officials from the Coast Guard, Reinauer Transportation, and state authorities confirmed that there were no signs of fuel spillage or water intrusion into the barge, indicating the integrity of its outer hull was maintained. Reinauer had prepared contingencies for lightering the RTC 150 if necessary, but through strategic pumping and the rising evening tide, the ATB was able to refloat around 9:15 PM. After safely anchoring for the night, the tug-barge combination continued its journey to the Port of Albany the following day to unload the gasoline. The investigation concluded with no violations found against the operators involved in the incident.

On April 4, the double hull barge "RCT 150" ran aground in the Hudson River while transporting 60,000 barrels of gasoline. Fortunately, inspections conducted at Reinauer Transportation Companies' Staten Island headquarters confirmed that the vessel sustained no damage to its hull. A thorough dive and internal examination of the 458’ x 72’ RTC 150 revealed that the bottom remained intact following the grounding incident. At the time of the accident, the barge was in the company of the tug "Meredith C. Reinauer," en route to Albany. The grounding occurred around 8:30 a.m. near a stone channel marker at the village of Catskill, just south of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, under heavy fog conditions. Reinauer has pledged full cooperation with the Coast Guard's investigation and is committed to implementing measures to prevent future incidents. Built in 2003 by Alabama Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, the RTC 150 is part of the Atlantic II-class and was constructed as part of the U.S. tanker and barge fleet's double hull recapitalization, a requirement of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which was enacted in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. For more details, visit: https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/no-damage-barge-hudson-river-grounding/

On the morning of April 4, the barge "RTC 150" ran aground near Catskill, New York, at approximately 8:30 a.m. off Dutchman's Landing. Fortunately, the vessel was able to refloat itself by 10 p.m. due to the rising tide, which was significantly enhanced by recent snowmelt and rainstorms. This particular stretch of the Hudson River typically experiences a tidal change of four to five feet; however, the water level surged nearly six feet overnight. By 3 a.m. on April 5, following thorough visual inspections, both the barge and its tow, the tug "Meredith Reinauer," were cleared to resume their journey toward Albany, arriving at around 7:00 a.m. The tugboat "Mary Kay" served as an escort during this segment of their voyage. Fortunately, there were no indications of environmental contamination stemming from the grounding incident, which had raised concerns about potential damage to the barge’s hull. Early fears of gasoline leaking from the vessel did not materialize, as crews had been actively transferring the fuel into a designated storage facility at the port. With the successful refloating of the RTC 150, all safety zone restrictions in the area have been lifted. The circumstances surrounding the grounding are currently under investigation. Various agencies coordinated the response efforts, including the Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team based in Saugerties, the Coast Guard Cutter "Katherine Walker," pollution response teams, and marine casualty investigators from Coast Guard Sector New York, alongside New York State Police Aviation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. To read more and view photos, visit the original report: http://www.timesunion.com/7dayarchive/article/Barge-hauling-gas-freed-from-Hudson-River-bed-11051621.php