Parking Towing Employees Honored For Saving Lives Of Four People

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Two employees of Tuscaloosa-based Parker Towing were recently honored for saving the lives of four people on the water.

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American Waterways Operators presented its Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Award to M/V San D pilot Nick Verdugo and deckhand Darius Thomas, who are credited with rescuing four people from an aluminum jon boat earlier this summer near Mobile.

American Waterways says Verdugo and Thomas noticed a 12-foot boat with four people onboard in the vicinity of Pinto Island, Mobile. The boat reportedly turned upriver near the container terminal and was swamped due to heavy chop in the river.

Verdugo then sounded the general alarm and fired up the engines to assist, before also radioing the M/V Safety Star and reporting people in the water.

American Waterways says that once the M/V San D arrived they spotted two children on top of the boat and two adults holding on to the sides.

Thomas then threw a life ring to the group and was able to retrieve the two adults and two children — both of whom are under five years old. The individuals saved were ultimately transferred to another boat to get dry.

The individuals were transferred to the Safety Star to dry up and get warm. They were able to retrieve the Jon boat as well as other drifting items: ice chest, gas can, etc.

The American Waterways HERO Award was established in March 2023 to recognize the heroism of the men and women of the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry, whose actions prevent harm and save lives.

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