What We’re Watching
It’s easy to overlook the relentless work performed by tugs and the captains who helm them. Tugboats do far more than guide large ships through tight harbor channels; they push and pull massive barges, support marine construction projects, handle fuel transfers, and perform countless other essential tasks that keep ports and waterways functioning. On the busy waterways west of New York City, along the Jersey shore, Capt. Tim Boehmer is one such skipper. He specializes in moving huge bunker barges—vessels loaded with fuel oil—that supply ships that cannot take on fuel at many docks and terminals.
These bunker barges play a crucial role in regional shipping, coming alongside larger vessels to provide fuel where shore-side facilities are not available. Boehmer documents his work on his YouTube channel, TimBatSea. His videos offer an insider’s look from multiple wheelhouse cameras, each positioned to capture a different viewpoint as he narrates the maneuvers he’s executing. Watching those cameras gives viewers an appreciation for the judgment, seamanship, and teamwork required to safely manage large barges and coordinate with ship crews, pilots, and terminal personnel.
Beyond the visible tug maneuvers, the footage highlights less obvious aspects of life on the water: the rhythm of routine maintenance, the communication between crew members, and the influence of tides, currents, and weather. For anyone curious about commercial maritime operations, bunker transfers, or professional tug handling, those wheelhouse perspectives are both educational and compelling.
More salty reads
Seashells by the Seashore
Collecting shells along the shore is a timeless pastime that blends curiosity with quiet reflection. In The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of Oceans, Cynthia Barnett explores how these delicate remnants tell a wider story about marine life and the threats our oceans face. Barnett traces the cultural and natural history of shells and the animals that inhabited them, while connecting those stories to urgent environmental issues. From ocean acidification that weakens shell structure to warming seas that alter marine habitats, the book frames seashells as small but eloquent witnesses to ecological change. Her narrative invites readers to consider how everyday discoveries on the beach can deepen our understanding of broader oceanic challenges.
Doin’ the Ditch
For many boaters, cruising the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a long-cherished goal. Kathy Bennett Dove’s e-book, A View Askew, offers a personal, journal-style account of traveling the ICW aboard a 32-foot Grand Banks trawler. Rather than a strict how-to guide, Dove combines practical details with short anecdotes, town and port impressions, and observations about birdwatching, bridge passages, and shifting scenery. She also shares tips for coping with weather delays and the small pleasures that keep a long cruise interesting. The format makes the book useful for planning and entertaining as well as for readers who simply enjoy good cruising stories.
Come Sing Along Me ‘Lads
Sea shanties—work songs once sung to coordinate effort aboard sailing ships—saw a modern resurgence when people sought communal entertainment during Covid-19 lockdowns. These rhythmic, easy-to-learn songs lend themselves to group singing and have regained popularity on streaming platforms and social networks. If you’re looking to add a nautical soundtrack to your day, Spotify’s “Sea Shanties” playlist collects more than three hours of traditional and contemporary shanties in one place, perfect for singalongs, weekend boat trips, or simply enjoying maritime culture.
This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue.