Coast Guard Recognizes Campbell’s Mv. Bill Stile Crew
On November 3, the crew onboard the MV. Bill Stile was recognized by the United States Coast Guard for actions taken on June 29.
On this date, the MV. Bill Stile was transiting northbound on the Ohio Riv- er. Having just departed the Hannibal Lock and Dam, Capt. Benny DeWeese observed a person, clinging to an over- turned kayak and waving his arm, 1,500 feet above the dam while drifting dangerously closer.
Quickly recognizing the need to provide assistance, DeWeese alerted the crew, and, with no hesitation, they sprang into action and launched their skiff toward the dam and the stranded kayak-er.
After retrieving the kayak-er from the water, the crew contacted the lockmaster, who then contacted the paramedics. Fearing for the kayak-er, who had been in the water for over an hour, the crew brought him back to the boat, and gave
him coffee and blankets to warm him up, according to Campbell. The paramedics transported the kayak-er for additional care.
“We are very proud of the response by the captain and crew of the MV. Bill Stile,” said Ryan Newton, manager of vessel operations. “They displayed great teamwork and worked quickly to prevent what could have been a much worse outcome for the kayak-er that night.”
The crew onboard the towboat that day included Jordan Zerkle, pilot; Shane Miller, Seth Osborne, Josh Taylor and Shawn Swisher.
The MV. Bill Stile is a twin-screw towboat built in 1958 by St. Louis Shipbuilding & Steel Company. Re-powered in 2006, it has Cat 3512B diesels bringing the vessel to 2,200 hp. The towboat was originally named the MV. S.M. Jenks by U.S. Steel Corporation. Campbell purchased the vessel in 1985.
