What kind of barge is this?

[jsc7]

I saw this Google Earth shot of interesting looking barge in Buzzards Bay.

Is it a tanker of some kind?

[valhalla360]

They have similar on the great lakes.

It's basically an open water design where the tow boat (yeah it's actually pushing) nests into a slot in the back. Some are the size of freighters and tend to be taller and deeper draft.

Google "Great Lakes Barge" and pull up the images and you can see similar examples.

[Benz]

Looks like an oil barge. When the tug fits into a scoop at the back, it's called a "Composite Barge," since the tug and barge operate as one unit in that configuration.

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by Benz

Looks like an oil barge. When the tug fits into a scoop at the back, it's called a "Composite Barge," since the tug and barge operate as one unit in that configuration.

In the trade they're called an ATB - Articulated Tug/Barge. I think the nav rules use the term composite.

The tug has hydraulic rams that fit into notches in the slot.

I can't tell 100%, but I'd also guess liquid fuel (e.g.; oil) of some kind. There's what might be a set of pipes running along the center, and what might be a manifold on each side midships where all the pipes terminate to attach to a matching manifold on the dock.

Plus, there's a lot of that type of traffic in Buzzards, so it makes sense you'd see some in Google images.

[HopCar]

A friend of mine was Captain of one of those rigs. He worked for Coastal Oil Company.
He drove it all over the Caribbean and East coast. Unfortunately he retired before I could get a tour.

[Snore]

+1 on composite tug/barge combo. What makes them unique is that they show lights as a single vessel versus a tug showing the normal tow lights, etc.

[a64pilot]

It’s the new pump out Boat to service all those anchored boats in Key West

Sure looks like a fuel barge to me, but I’m no expert.