SCI’s Center for Maritime Education wrapped the Bolivar Fleet Feasibility Study for Turn Services last month. In this third round of testing for this project, CME focused on industry input from Lonestar Harbor Safety Committee members to further evaluate the challenging environmental and operational conditions.

From CME Director, Capt. Stephen Polk: “We looked at factors like tows shoving into the bank in nearby areas, currents running at 2 knots, and tows encountering traffic in the vicinity of the new facility (pictured below). In all, we tested sixteen runs to evaluate the impact on vessels transiting through the area.” Polk notes that data from these runs and collected mariner input will be provided if requested by regulators during the permit process.