Tugboat Spence

The Tugboat "Spence" and its Barge "Guantanamo Bay Express" are owned by American shipping company TransAtlantic Lines LLC. Together, they make a twice-monthly trip between Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, Florida and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.cite web |url=http://www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil/wire/WirePDF/v2/TheWire-v2-i04-05Jul02.pdf |title=Living and dying by the barge |accessdate=2007-09-26 |last=Morris |first=Spc. Joseph A. |coauthors=Pisano, Spc. Chris S. |date=2002-07-05 |work=The Wire |publisher=Joint Task Force 160] Each leg of the trip takes approximately 4 and 1/2 days and covers approximately convert|1000|mi|km. Unloading the barge can take up to five days.

History

On June 13, 2001, TransAtlantic Lines won a contract with an estimated cumulative value of $16,738,001 for dedicated ocean liner cargo service to U.S. military installations in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.Department of Defense, 2001.] This contract extended until June 30, 2004. The government announced the requirements for the charter on the World Wide Web on December 4, 2000, and seven bids were received. Military Traffic and Management Command in Alexandria, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

On February 14, 2002 the Department of Defense announced an award of contract DAMT01-02-D-0025, a $17,923,770 firm-fixed-price contract for the tug and barge combination.U.S. Department of Defense, February 14, 2002.] The contract required provision of international cargo transportation services using ocean common or contract carrier offering regularly scheduled commercial liner service for requirements that may arise in any part of the world. Contract requirements included provision of dedicated ocean, inter-modal, and related transportation services primarily between the Continental United States and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. There were seven bids solicited on September 26, 2001, and seven bids received. The Military Traffic Management Command located in Alexandria, Virginia was the contracting activity.

On November 11, 2004, while leaving Mayport, Florida en route to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the tow wires connecting the tug and barge parted, causing the barge to run aground.cite web |url=http://www.maritimejournal.com/archive/2005/january/tugs,_towing__and__salvage/titan_beats_time_before_barge_breaks_up |title=Titan Beats Time Before Barge Breaks Up |accessdate=2007-09-26 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date= 2005-01-01|work=Maritime Journal |publisher=Mercator Media] At the time of the accident, the vessels were experiencing thirty knot wind gusts and convert|12|ft|m|sing=on seas. Extensive bottom damage and breaches to all port side voids were reported. The barge was refloated and delivered to the owners the following day. The vessels were owned by Pac-Atlantic Marine Leasing, LCC at the time. [cite web |url=http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIV/MMIVNov12b.html |title=Guantanamo bound barge grounds |accessdate=2007-09-26 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date=2004-11-12 |work=MarineLog.com |publisher=]

Notes

References

*Psix name |id=130659 |title= Tugboat "Spence" |accessdate=2008-05-04 |year=2008
*Psix name |id=218595 |title= Barge "Guantanamo Bay Express" |accessdate=2008-05-04 |year=2008
*ABS name|8305329|Guantanamo Bay Express
*ABS name|7420037|Spence
*cite web |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=2040 |title=Contracts |author=U.S. Department of Defense |authorlink=U.S. Department of Defense |coauthors= |date=2001-06-14 |year= |month= |format= |work=DefenseLink |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=2008-05-06
*cite web |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=2202 |title=Contracts |author=U.S. Department of Defense |authorlink=U.S. Department of Defense |coauthors= |date=2002-02-14 |year= |month= |format= |work=DefenseLink |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=2008-05-06

External links

* [http://www.dpsinfo.sra.com/sddc/Content/Pub/36789/W81GYE-06-D-0117%2018May06.pdf Guantanamo Bay contract 2006-2007]
* [http://www.bridgedeck.org/mmp_news_archive/2004/mmp_news041118.html Grounding report at MMP]
* [http://www.akerman.com/public/pa_govcontracts/wg_roundup_-_nov2005.pdf TAL vs. SVO on Guantanamo Bay]
* [http://www.bollingershipyards.com/ Bollinger Shipyards]
* [http://www.orionmarinegroup.com/misener.htm Misener Marine Construction ]