CBC gets 5 towboats, 80 mariners

Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Co. sold five towboats to the Canal Barge Company (CBC) of New Orleans; and as part of the transaction, CBC offered employment to all of PBS’ 80 transportation division mariners. Before the sale, Pine Bluff Sand’s transportation division, based in Alexandria, La., operated seven towboats. The vessels included in the transaction are three 6,000-hp towboats, the Don Boling, Bill Atkinson and Gerald Majors; and two 1,800-hp retractable-wheelhouse towboats, the Bill Rodgers and George Rowe. CBC will continue to provide transportation services to Pine Bluff for its crushed stone and riprap needs. The deal will not affect operations or employment at other Pine Bluff operations. Pine Bluff will retain its barge assets and remaining harbor/tender boat fleet. (Source: Work Boat 10/01/19) https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/canal-barge-purchases-five-towboats-from-pine-bluff/