Page 57: of Marine News Magazine (November 2011)

www.marinelink.com MN57Another advantage Rachel cited is how well Tradewinds knows its crews. ?We hand pick them and work alongside them. We know their per- sonalities and their strengths and weaknesses and we can work with that,? she said.ONTHE HORIZON Will Tradewinds continue to expand the fleet? For sustainability in the markets of the future and expo- sure to risk, growth is almost a neces- sity, Dominique said. Beyond that, however, the question becomes, in which direction do you grow? ?We like working with the larger tug with its longer range,? Rachel said. But a bigger boat has bigger costs. ?It?s a mystery as to whether, dollar for dol- lar, you generate a higher percentage of profit with a bigger vessel.? In any case, she said, ?we want to have diver- sity and other markets to tap into.? Whatever direction the prevailing winds (and markets) eventually take Tradewinds and this tightly-knit operation, it is a fair bet that the jour-ney will be anything but boring.And, as larger operators also know, it won?t be easy. Nevertheless, and more than 40 years after beginning their on-the-job education in thisdemanding business, Rachel andDominique Smith wouldn?t have it any other way. Raina O Clark is a journalist and com- munications consultant for the mar-itime industry. Contact Raina at [email protected] Tug Rachel Year built:..........................................1976 Shipyard:............................Allied Shipyard LOA:.................................110.0? (33.5m) Breadth:..............................31.0? (9.4m) Draft:...................................13.5? (4.1m) Main Engine:.................2x Caterpillar 3516 Horsepower:.................................3800 HPBollard Pull:.............90,000 lbs (45.0 Tons) Tug Miss Lis Year Built...........................................1982 Shipyard:...........Marine Power & Equipment LOA: ...............................................80 ft Breadth:..........................................28.3 ft Draft loaded:........................................9 ft Draft light:........................................6½ ft Main Engines:.......2x Mitsubishi S12R-MPTA Horsepower:.................................2800 HPThe Tradewinds Fleet MN#11 (50-65):MN 2011 Layouts 10/28/2011 10:26 AM Page 57