1999

The NICOLE LEIGH REINAUER is paired with the double-hulled ocean tank barge RTC 135, built by Alabama Shipyard, Inc. of Mobile, AL. The combination operates along the US East Coast, moving clean petroleum products. During the winter of 2000/2001, the NICOLE and her near sister, the S/R EVERETT, almost singlehandedly kept Rhode Island stocked with heating oil and gasoline.

The large number of winter storms and their severity caused virtually all barges and most ships to be weatherbound even more than normal. Despite the winter storms, which often had winds exceeding 50 knots and seas in the 20 foot range offshore, the NICOLE and RTC 135 were not weatherbound even once. Nor was the S/R EVERETT with her barge, the S/R NEW YORK.

The NICOLE handles her barge with ease. She has oversized rudders and large diameter wheels, and her captains remark that she handles her barge "like a sports car". As a combination, the NICOLE/RTC 135 makes sea speed in excess of 11 knots loaded. Her CAT 3612 main engines and Lufkin gears have performed flawlessly since her delivery in 1999. She introduced ship-like reliability in ETA’s to New England clean-product terminals. She continues to operate in this trade, and Reinauer took delivery of two sister tugs in 2001 and 2002.