Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Companies vary but either 28/14 or 28/28 is fairly common. The Mates usually will steer the units in the rivers.

I was on the Laura L. VanEnkevort-Joseph H. Thompson last year. We had a crew of 15 and rotated 30 on 15 off.

on the bc coast in the 70s we were on watch 6 and 6 for every day worked we got 1.24 days off with pay when you worked 6 and 6 overtime was only paid after 12 hrs its the old but true saying "you cant have your cake and ear it too"

Old Sailor wrote:How long are these people on board before they get time off. Also how many are in the bridge in rivers and lakes.

I have seen a 60 on 30 off rotation. As for people on bridge I'm not sure how everyone does it. My experience was, in confined waters, (rivers) the Captain and the mate on watch were both on the bridge.

How long are these people on board before they get time off. Also how many are in the bridge in rivers and lakes.

Does an AB or Mate handle the helm in the rivers?

14 Sounds about right for the Clyde. 6 on 6 off is a very common watch for tug crews. Usually Pilot House and Engine Room and at least 1 AB per watch 6/6 then they'll have "day" workers or ones who's watches flex with loading unloading locks ect.

The NTSB accident brief for the 2018 pipeline anchor strike by the Clyde S VanEnkevort/Erie Trader said they had a crew of 14 on board at the time. It mentioned there being a Captain, First Mate, Second Mate (two navigational watchs 6 hours on - 6 hours off), at least two AB's and a Chief Engineer. The other ratings were not mentioned.

They can vary by company and size and the type of job or cargo. There are tank barge units with crews around 7-8 (3) Pilot house (2) engineers (2-3) deck depends on the unit. The cement units are usually around 9-10 crew. (3) wheel house (2-3) engineering (3-4) deck crews. The larger ore or general cargo are around 14 I've heard but don't have direct numbers. They will vary like any other operation depending what the vessel is doing. Generally 9-15 approx.

Anyone have any numbers on the crew and ratings on the articulated tug barge operations on the great lakes.