Flying fish of Alaska

Being a little tugboat in the unpredictable seas of Alaska, going from port to port, isn’t always that easy. But Malolo is up for the challenge. Snowfall, heavy rain and icy winds are typical for Alaska, but that’s no issue for Malolo and her five-headed crew.

Built in 1975 by Allied Shipyard of Larase, Louisiana, Manolo was initially named Ted and was a hard working tugboat in Hawaii, tugging loads with cargo from USA to Hawaii on a regular basis. That changed in 1981, when Ted was acquired by Dunlap Towing Company of La Conner, Washington, and received the new name, Malolo, which in Hawaiian means flying fish. Dunlap replaced her old engines with two Cat 3516-D diesel engines with Cat 7.41:1 reduction gears. And in 1986 Malolo was ready to rumble and sent to Alaska to start her new tugboat life there.

 One of the biggest problems for Malolo and her crew is the occurring ice, due to the shifting weather in Alaska. When the ocean is stormy and unpredictable, water tends to wash overboard and freeze to ice. Whenever that happens, the crew has no choice but to use sheer force and beat and bash away the ice. To prevent damage to the boat and its equipment they use blunt objects such as baseball bats. The weather will always be a challenge for Malolo, but with a united crew, there is nothing she can’t do.

Flying Fish of Alaska

Watch how Malolo is up for the challenge in Snowfall, heavy rain and icy winds that are typical in Alaska.