(PORTLAND, Ore.: April 8, 2009) The vessel construction boom at Crowley continued yesterday as the company took delivery of the Nachik, a newly-designed shallow draft tug, from Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore.

The Nachik, which means "hair seal" in the native Inupiaq language, will be deployed in Alaska and is the third new vessel to be handed off to Crowley in less than two weeks. Last week, the company took delivery of the articulated tug-barge (ATB) Commitment and 650-6 in Pascagoula, Miss., and on March 28 Crowley christened and launched the 455-4, a heavy-lift series deck barge, at Gunderson Marine in Portland.

Jointly designed by Crowley and Diversified Marine, the Nachik is a triple screw diesel powered tug equipped to safely propel petroleum/freight barges in river systems throughout Alaska. Its sister vessel, the Sesok, which means "beluga whale", is scheduled to be delivered in late May.

"The Nachik is the first of two newly designed tugboats scheduled to enter the Alaska service this spring," said Craig Tornga, Crowley's vice president of petroleum distribution in Anchorage, Alaska. "Continued reinvestment in new equipment, like the Nachik, is important to Crowley and our customers as we ensure safe and environmentally sound transportation throughout Alaska's pristine waterways. We look forward to christening the Nachik next month in Seward and the Sesok shortly after."

Crowley's Alaska shallow draft tugs are designed to operate in Alaska's rivers and coastal regions where operations are challenging due to restricted drafts and a lack of docking infrastructure. These boats are outfitted for both barge handling and ocean towing service. Designed with raised pilothouses, the 1,362 horsepower tugs are equipped to safely maneuver fuel/freight barges throughout the state.

Crowley has provided various marine, petroleum distribution, and energy support services in Alaska since 1953, and today has offices and operations throughout the state.