When it comes to transporting high-value or oversized cargo on inland waterways, a boat isn’t just a boat. Traditionally, tug and barge contractors operate on a day-rate basis. This can create an inverse incentive: the longer the job takes, the more profitable it is for the contractor. This model, unfortunately, often leads to a lack of focus on optimizing performance and efficiency, potentially costing clients hundreds of thousands in project delays and standby fees.
At SEA.O.G, we believe in aligning our incentives with our clients. We offer turnkey transport solutions where our economic success is directly tied to delivering your project cargo on time and on budget. This commitment to performance is amplified by our innovative RiverLens navigation system.
RiverLens: A Game Changer for On-Time, On-Budget Deliveries
The RiverLens system is an advanced video and radar navigation system designed specifically to overcome the visibility challenges encountered when pushing large cargoes that obstruct the view from the wheelhouse. Developed by SEA.O.G, RiverLens enables safe navigation even when the captain’s view is completely obstructed. This capability translates directly into enhanced performance and significant cost savings for our clients.
One customer’s feedback truly highlighted the impact of RiverLens. They were “really surprised at the level of detail during the job and actual ability to know where the tow was and an ETA that was easy to track.” This newfound transparency and predictability are crucial for complex projects.
Making Up Time and Avoiding Costly Delays
Consider a scenario where a flood gate closure causes a delay. With RiverLens, our tow was not only able to make up the lost time but actually improve on the schedule, allowing them to remain on schedule and avoid costly standby charges. This agility and efficiency are paramount for time-sensitive projects.
Another critical example comes from an over-the-road (OTR) transit that required a night move and reconfiguration. Hitting that specific window was essential; missing it would have triggered a week-long project delay. RiverLens helped ensure that window was met, preventing a significant setback.
The performance difference is striking. As one client remarked, ” you were doing twice as efficient tows as we were. Troy B with RiverLens was lapping their other two boat tows.” Our 2600HP tug, MV Troy Bernier, equipped with RiverLens and higher horsepower, demonstrated a remarkable ability to make up time and outperform traditional operations. This isn’t just anecdotal; it’s a testament to how RiverLens enables superior speed and efficiency in challenging transport scenarios.
How RiverLens Drives Performance:
- Superior Situational Awareness: RiverLens provides visibility that surpasses the naked human eye, even in conditions of limited visibility or darkness. This dramatically improves the captain’s awareness, reducing the risk of collisions, allisions, and groundings. Fewer incidents mean fewer delays and smoother transit.
- Reduced Operational Complexity and Cost: Traditionally, pushing large, view-obstructing cargoes would necessitate a second vessel for guidance, effectively doubling crew and fuel requirements. RiverLens allows a single towing vessel to safely manage these operations, eliminating the need for a second assist vessel and significantly reducing operational complexity, crew requirements, and fuel consumption. This translates directly to cost savings and improved efficiency.
- Enhanced Navigation in Challenging Conditions: The system excels in complex waterway sections like locks and bridges with tight clearances. The enhanced visibility and integrated navigation data provide the confidence and precision needed for these high-risk maneuvers, minimizing delays and ensuring safe passage.
- Integrated with Safety Management: RiverLens is integrated into the towing vessel operator’s Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) procedures, underscoring its role as a standard operating procedure for safe navigation. This formalized approach ensures consistent, high-performance operations.
By embracing technologies like RiverLens, we’re not just offering a boat; we’re providing a performance-driven solution that aligns with your project goals, saving you time, money, and unnecessary headaches. If your procurement process is still prioritizing day rates over outcomes, our post on the rate card reality gap explains how that approach can backfire—and how SEA.O.G’s Four E’s create better results for complex marine transport.
