Galveston Texas to New Orleans, the tow boats have gotten to where they only respond to radio calls, if you call them by name. In that stretch, you might see, or pass 20 to 25 tows a day, or more.

Used to call for "westbound tow pushing two, this is the east bound sailboat" and ask for a what pass he wanted.

Now those calls largely get ignored, unless you use the boat name of the towboat. ALL the tows have and use AIS, so I can understand to a certain extent. But it's frustrating if you don't have SOME sort, and could well be dangerous.

Really really nice to have this guy know what the plan is-grin