Evansville Marine Service, Inc

09/08/2026

⚓ TUESDAY TOWBOAT TERMINOLOGY ⚓

This Week’s Term: BUMPER

🪢Bumpers are heavy-duty fenders traditionally woven by hand and placed at points where a towboat may come into contact with barges, docks, locks, or other structures. Their job is simple but important: provide a cushion between a whole lot of steel!

These bumpers are commonly made from thick manila or synthetic line and may use old rope or other material inside to create a dense, shock-absorbing core. The outside is tightly woven using a series of hitches and wraps designed to withstand repeated pressure and abuse.

🚢 Why are they used?

When a towboat squares up against a steel barge, there can be tremendous pressure between the two vessels. Rope bumpers help absorb some of that impact, reduce rubbing and banging, and protect the boat and equipment from unnecessary wear.

What makes them especially interesting is the craftsmanship behind them. Before commercially manufactured fenders became common, knowing how to weave and repair rope bumpers was another valuable skill passed from one river worker to the next—and you can still find crew members keeping that tradition alive today.

It may look like a bunch of rope, but on the river, even the simplest-looking piece of equipment has a job to do! ⚓🪢

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day from Evansville Marine Service!

Labor Day is a time to recognize the hard work and dedication of the people who keep our country moving—and we are especially thankful for our entire EMS family and everything you do each day.

A special thank you to our boat crews spending the holiday out on the river, away from their families, keeping things moving. Your hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed!

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙

09/01/2026

⚓ TUESDAY TOWBOAT TERMINOLOGY ⚓

This Week’s Term: CHANNEL

When you hear someone on the river talk about “the channel,” they aren’t talking about what’s on TV! 📺😂

A channel is the deeper, navigable portion of a river or waterway where vessels can safely travel. On the inland river system, staying in the channel is especially important for towboats pushing large tows of barges.

🌊 What makes a channel important?

• Safe Navigation: Channels provide enough water depth for towboats and barges to travel without running aground.
• Maintained Depth: Some areas of the channel require dredging to remove accumulated sand, silt, and sediment.
• Navigation Markers: Buoys, daymarks, lights, and other aids to navigation help mariners identify the safe route.
• Commercial Traffic: Maintaining navigable channels keeps barges—and the millions of tons of cargo they carry—moving efficiently along our inland waterways.

Experienced pilots are constantly paying attention to channel location, river stages, currents, navigation markers, and changing river conditions as they safely guide their tow.

So, the next time you hear someone say “stay in the channel,” you’ll know exactly what they mean! 🚢🌊

08/31/2026

☀️ Summer isn’t done with us yet! ☀️

An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect today. With the higher-than-normal heat index, please take extra precautions, stay hydrated, take breaks to cool off when needed, and keep an eye on those working around you.

🌡️ Watch yourself and your crew for signs of heat stress.

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and look out for one another! ❤️

08/27/2026

We want to congratulate all of the participants on completing this important step in their journey toward the wheelhouse!

We’re especially proud to recognize our own Tyler Mathis for completing the course and continuing to work toward the next step in his maritime career. 🚢⚓

Way to go, Tyler! Your EMS family is proud of you, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes you!

👏 Congratulations again to the entire August Apprentice Mate Class!

Congratulations to our August Apprentice Mate class

08/27/2026

We didn’t get a chance to post this yesterday, but we couldn’t let it go without celebrating Travis Burton’s 42nd year on Earth! 🎉🎂

We had a little fun celebrating our Executive VP yesterday — and of course, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a cake featuring one of his finest photos. 😂

If you see Travis out and about, make sure to wish him a Happy Belated Birthday! 🥳

Happy 42nd, Travis! We hope you had a great day! 🎈

08/26/2026

🐾 Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

Today we’re celebrating the four-legged crew members who make every day a little better! ❤️🐶

Now we want to see YOUR pups! 📸 Drop a picture of your dog in the comments below — whether they’re your couch buddy, adventure partner, office assistant, or the self-appointed boss of the house! 😂🐾

Pictured is one of our favorite EMS office visitors, River! 🐶❤️ Although she hasn’t blessed us with her presence in a while, her stick still sits by the side door waiting for her return! 🥹🐾

Now let’s fill the comments with some adorable faces! 📸👇

08/25/2026

⚓ TUESDAY TOWBOAT TERMINOLOGY ⚓
This Week’s Term: BUOY

You’ve probably seen the red and green markers floating along the river—but have you ever wondered what they actually do? 🌊

A buoy is a floating aid to navigation that helps towboat pilots identify the navigable channel, avoid hazards, and safely guide large tows along the inland waterways.

🔴🟢 Why are buoys so important?

• Marking the Channel: Red and green buoys help identify the edges of the navigable channel and give pilots a visual reference for where safe water is located.

• Avoiding Hazards: Buoys can help keep vessels clear of shallow water, sandbars, wing dikes, obstructions, and other areas that could pose a danger to navigation.

• Navigating at Night: Many buoys are equipped with reflective material or lights, making them easier to identify in darkness and reduced visibility.

• Guiding the Tow: A towboat may be pushing thousands of tons of cargo—and it certainly doesn’t turn or stop on a dime! Pilots use buoys along with charts, radar, electronic navigation systems, and their knowledge of the river to safely position their tow through bends and changing river conditions.

One important thing to remember: buoys are aids to navigation, not road signs planted in one permanent spot. River currents, changing water levels, debris, and other conditions can cause them to move or even go missing, which is why experienced pilots never rely on a buoy alone.

The next time you spot a red or green buoy on the river, you’ll know that little marker plays a pretty big role in keeping river traffic moving safely! ⚓🚢

08/20/2026

Proud to have been a part of yesterday’s multi-agency river training alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and several local agencies! 🇺🇸⚓

Training like this gives crews the opportunity to practice critical skills that can make all the difference when a real emergency happens on the river.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to work alongside these agencies and help strengthen safety and preparedness on our waterways. Great teamwork by everyone involved!

08/18/2026

⚓ TUESDAY TOWBOAT TERMINOLOGY ⚓

Today’s Term: AFT

You may hear someone on a towboat say, “Head aft,” but where exactly are they telling you to go?

🚢 Aft means toward the stern—or back end—of the vessel.

Knowing terms like aft helps the crew communicate quickly and clearly, especially when working on deck.

⚓ How you might hear “aft” used on a towboat:

• Moving around the boat: If a deckhand is told to “go aft,” they’re being directed toward the stern of the vessel.

• Working the tow: Crew members may head aft to inspect equipment, handle lines, or check rigging and connections.

• Locating equipment: Instead of saying something is “in the back,” crew members can simply say it’s aft.

Whether you're new to the river industry or have spent years on the water, learning the language of the river is part of learning the job!

⚓ Check back next Tuesday for another Towboat Terminology term!