A great number of newsworthy events occured in 2007. Here are the ten most noteworthy.
1. Erie Shipbuilding launches first newbuildings: Erie Shipbuilding launched the first vessels to come out of the shipyard in 34 years late this year with the float launchings of the dump scow WITTE 4003 and deck barges PAV 101, PAV 102, PAV 103, WITTE 1401, and SUE B.
2. Biodiesel shipped from the port: The CLIPPER TOBAGO departed Erie early on the 20th of December with the first load of biodiesel to ever be shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway system. This cargo was many hours in the planning, with talented individuals from O-N Minerals, Lakeshore Towing, Logistics Plus, Erie Management Group, Lake Erie Biofuels, and CSX involved in the successful completion of this load.
3. Dredging begins on the Old Ore Dock: After years of shoaling occuring in the Old Ore Dock slip, Lakeshore Towing began dredging the slip in December. This will allow ships to load more cargo and deliver it to the Old Ore Dock in 2008 and beyond.
4. Season sees variety of ships: Unlike prior years, no one vessel made the vast majority of visits to the port of Erie in 2007. This year, 22 vessels delivered cargo to the port of Erie, and one loaded cargo.
5. Mountfort Terminal handles project cargo: The Mountfort Terminal handled one project cargo load this year, which arrived November 26 on board the DAVIKEN coming from Antwerp, Belgium.
6. Development of new cargoes for the port: 2007 saw three new commodities handled by the port of Erie. The three cargoes, railroad ballast, biodiesel, and paper products, should continue to be shipped through the port in the coming year and beyond.
7. Erie's rebirth as port for layups: Due to the combined talents of employees of Great Lakes Electrical Services, Lakeshore Towing, Erie Shipbuilding and O-N Minerals, Erie for the second straight winter hosted at least two vessels for winter layup. The PRESQUE ISLE and PHILIP R. CLARKE spent the winter of 2006-07 in the port of Erie.
8. Erie Shipbuilding drydocks JOYCE L. VANENKEVORT: Erie Shipbuilding drydocked one vessel in 2007. The JOYCE L. VANENKEVORT and barge GREAT LAKES TRADER spent three weeks in drydock for repairs in January.
9. PRESQUE ISLE, THOMPSON Stop for repairs: PRESQUE ISLE spent more than two days in mid-August in Erie for repairs to the port shaft seal. In April, the JOSEPH H. THOMPSON spent three days at Erie Shipbuilding undergoing engine repairs.
10. PILGRIM's plight: After sinking in the East Canal Basin in early February, the PILGRIM is not raised from the bottom until mid-April. The vessel does not move for the entire season and late in December is taken for scrap.
Coming Tuesday: A look forward to 2008
Happy New Year to all of my readers!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Looking back at 2007, Part 1 of 3: Season in Review
Aided by new commodities handled by the port in 2007, Erie saw 52 vessels in port, up four from 48 in 2006. The season, as in 2006, saw a great variety of vessels delivering cargo to the port.
Compared to 2006, two of the three major cargoes handled by the port (stone, salt and sand) saw an increase in the number of cargoes handled. Forty-three (43) stone cargoes were delivered to the port in 2007, compared to 41 in 2006. Three salt loads in 2007 was an increase from two in 2006. Due to the lack of federal funding provided for beach replenishment in 2007, only two cargoes of sand were delivered to the port, compared to three in 2006.
Overall, the port of Erie in 2007 handled 43 loads of stone, 3 loads of salt, 2 loads each of sand and paper products, one load of project cargo, and additionally shipped one load of biodiesel. More on that shipment tomorrow.
Calcite, Michigan once again led all Great Lakes ports in the number of cargoes shipped to Erie in 2007. Eighteen of the 43 loads of stone shipped to the port of Erie originated in Calcite, compared to 27 in 2006. Cedarville, Michigan followed with 14 cargoes of stone (7 in 2006), followed by Bruce Mines, Ontario with 7.5. Fairport, Ohio shipped three loads of salt to Erie. Thessalon, Ontario shipped two loads of sand and a half-cargo of stone. Stoneport and Port Inland, Michigan also contributed stone cargoes, with two and one shipped to the port, respectively. One load of project cargo, shipped to the port aboard the DAVIKEN, originated in Antwerp, Belgium, and two loads of paper and lumber products originated in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
For individual vessels, AMERICAN COURAGE, the 2006 leading visitor with seven visits, tied with JOHN J. BOLAND (no visits in 2006) with seven visits. Following them was the ADAM E. CORNELIUS with four (four in 2006, down from 19 in 2005), and the H. LEE WHITE and RESERVE tied with three each. Numerous other vessels visited the port at least one time in 2007.
Coming Monday: A look back at the most noteworthy harborfront happenings of 2007.
Compared to 2006, two of the three major cargoes handled by the port (stone, salt and sand) saw an increase in the number of cargoes handled. Forty-three (43) stone cargoes were delivered to the port in 2007, compared to 41 in 2006. Three salt loads in 2007 was an increase from two in 2006. Due to the lack of federal funding provided for beach replenishment in 2007, only two cargoes of sand were delivered to the port, compared to three in 2006.
Overall, the port of Erie in 2007 handled 43 loads of stone, 3 loads of salt, 2 loads each of sand and paper products, one load of project cargo, and additionally shipped one load of biodiesel. More on that shipment tomorrow.
Calcite, Michigan once again led all Great Lakes ports in the number of cargoes shipped to Erie in 2007. Eighteen of the 43 loads of stone shipped to the port of Erie originated in Calcite, compared to 27 in 2006. Cedarville, Michigan followed with 14 cargoes of stone (7 in 2006), followed by Bruce Mines, Ontario with 7.5. Fairport, Ohio shipped three loads of salt to Erie. Thessalon, Ontario shipped two loads of sand and a half-cargo of stone. Stoneport and Port Inland, Michigan also contributed stone cargoes, with two and one shipped to the port, respectively. One load of project cargo, shipped to the port aboard the DAVIKEN, originated in Antwerp, Belgium, and two loads of paper and lumber products originated in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
For individual vessels, AMERICAN COURAGE, the 2006 leading visitor with seven visits, tied with JOHN J. BOLAND (no visits in 2006) with seven visits. Following them was the ADAM E. CORNELIUS with four (four in 2006, down from 19 in 2005), and the H. LEE WHITE and RESERVE tied with three each. Numerous other vessels visited the port at least one time in 2007.
Coming Monday: A look back at the most noteworthy harborfront happenings of 2007.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
DAVID Z. in port
DAVID Z. arrived in port with stone from Calcite at 1030 this morning, docking at the Mountfort Terminal and unloading for a short time before shifting to the Old Ore Dock to unload. The DAVID Z. departed at 1915 Wednesday evening.
Dredging work, after a break for the Christmas holiday, continues at the Old Ore Dock.
DAVID Z. inbound.
Passing Erie Pierhead Light.
Inbound.
Passing Lakeshore Towing's FLATTOP and DON HENRY.
Close up.
Stern view.
Backing down as the vessel approaches the dock.
Approaching the dock.
Alongside.
Manouvering into the dock.
FLATTOP is on the stern as DON HENRY moves barge 501 from the South Pier.
Turning to head back to the Old Ore Dock.
DON HENRY.
DON HENRY pulls on 501.
Barge 501 and tug FLATTOP.
Stern view.
DAVID Z. shifts docks at 1345 hours.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY return with the empty 501 shortly after the DAVID Z. docks.
Moving the barge to dock.
DAVID Z. unloads as dredging begins again.
Dredging work, after a break for the Christmas holiday, continues at the Old Ore Dock.
DAVID Z. inbound.
Passing Erie Pierhead Light.
Inbound.
Passing Lakeshore Towing's FLATTOP and DON HENRY.
Close up.
Stern view.
Backing down as the vessel approaches the dock.
Approaching the dock.
Alongside.
Manouvering into the dock.
FLATTOP is on the stern as DON HENRY moves barge 501 from the South Pier.
Turning to head back to the Old Ore Dock.
DON HENRY.
DON HENRY pulls on 501.
Barge 501 and tug FLATTOP.
Stern view.
DAVID Z. shifts docks at 1345 hours.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY return with the empty 501 shortly after the DAVID Z. docks.
Moving the barge to dock.
DAVID Z. unloads as dredging begins again.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
DAVID Z. Due
DAVID Z., with stone from Meldrum Bay, Ontario, is scheduled to arrive in Erie at 0715 hours tomorrow and will dock at the Mountfort Terminal.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Lakeshore Towing pulls two barges from shipyard; PILGRIM bound for the cutter's torch
This morning at 1000 hours Lakeshore Towing crews, with tug FLATTOP and towboat DON HENRY, took a break from dredging the Old Ore Dock and proceeded into the drydock at Erie Shipbuilding. By 1030 the duo emerged with FLATTOP pulling and DON HENRY on the stern of the fourth of six deck barges built by the shipyard, the WITTE 1401. The barge is owned by Donjon Marine.
Lakeshore Towing crews pulled the barge to the far southern end of the West Slip, mooring it at alongside the pier with help from Erie Shipbuilding crews, then departed for the drydock. At 1130 hours FLATTOP and DON HENRY pulled deck barge SUE B. out of the drydock, mooring it alongside the WITTE 1401. The SUE B. was christened in September, however, it became the fifth of the six deck barges to emerge from the shipyard.
The final deck barge is the WITTE 1402, which will likely be completed soon.
At 0930 hours today, fishing tug BIG TONY took PILGRIM, the former fishing tug that sank under the weight of snow and ice last February, in tow from the East Canal Basin bound for Perry's Landing Marina. The PILGRIM reportedly will be lifted from the water and scrapped. A sad ending to yet another link to Erie's commercial fishing past.
Lakeshore Towing's new barge 401 took its first load of dredged material from the dredging site at the Old Ore Dock this afternoon.
Click here to view a short video clip of the first tow.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pull WITTE 1401 from drydock.
Turning the barge and lining up for the West Slip.
Close up.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pull the barge into the West Slip.
FLATTOP.
WITTE 1401. Lakeshore Towing owner Eric Guerrein is standing on the bow directing the tow.
WITTE 1401.
DON HENRY on the stern.
Bringing the barge to a stop.
FLATTOP waits while the crew on the barge releases the tow line.
FLATTOP comes around to push the barge alongside the pier.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push the barge alongside the pier.
Securing the barge.
FLATTOP departs for the drydock to tow SUE B.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pull SUE B. from drydock.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pulling on the barge.
Aligning the barge for the West Slip.
Into the West Slip.
SUE B.
Another view.
Bringing the barge alongside WITTE 1401.
FLATTOP comes around to push again.
SUE B.
Rafting the barges together.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push the barge alongside the pier.
BIG TONY takes PILGRIM under tow.
PILGRIM at Perry's Landing Marina.
Lakeshore Towing crews pulled the barge to the far southern end of the West Slip, mooring it at alongside the pier with help from Erie Shipbuilding crews, then departed for the drydock. At 1130 hours FLATTOP and DON HENRY pulled deck barge SUE B. out of the drydock, mooring it alongside the WITTE 1401. The SUE B. was christened in September, however, it became the fifth of the six deck barges to emerge from the shipyard.
The final deck barge is the WITTE 1402, which will likely be completed soon.
At 0930 hours today, fishing tug BIG TONY took PILGRIM, the former fishing tug that sank under the weight of snow and ice last February, in tow from the East Canal Basin bound for Perry's Landing Marina. The PILGRIM reportedly will be lifted from the water and scrapped. A sad ending to yet another link to Erie's commercial fishing past.
Lakeshore Towing's new barge 401 took its first load of dredged material from the dredging site at the Old Ore Dock this afternoon.
Click here to view a short video clip of the first tow.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pull WITTE 1401 from drydock.
Turning the barge and lining up for the West Slip.
Close up.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pull the barge into the West Slip.
FLATTOP.
WITTE 1401. Lakeshore Towing owner Eric Guerrein is standing on the bow directing the tow.
WITTE 1401.
DON HENRY on the stern.
Bringing the barge to a stop.
FLATTOP waits while the crew on the barge releases the tow line.
FLATTOP comes around to push the barge alongside the pier.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push the barge alongside the pier.
Securing the barge.
FLATTOP departs for the drydock to tow SUE B.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pull SUE B. from drydock.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pulling on the barge.
Aligning the barge for the West Slip.
Into the West Slip.
SUE B.
Another view.
Bringing the barge alongside WITTE 1401.
FLATTOP comes around to push again.
SUE B.
Rafting the barges together.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push the barge alongside the pier.
BIG TONY takes PILGRIM under tow.
PILGRIM at Perry's Landing Marina.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
TOBAGO Update; Dredging Continues; Erie Shipbuilding filling the drydock
CLIPPER TOBAGO is clear of the Welland Canal and eastbound across Lake Ontario at this time.
Lakeshore Towing continues dredging; their new barge 401 should be working on the project by tomorrow.
Erie Shipbuilding is working on flooding the drydock at this time; I believe a new deck barge will be emerging from the drydock tomorrow.
Work is beginning on cleaning up the equipment on the Mountfort Terminal used in the biofuel loading process. Several railcars remain on the dock, probably awaiting pickup from CSX.
Lakeshore's barges 502 and 401 at the Old Ore Dock Thursday.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push barge 501 into Erie harbor this afternoon.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY.
Stern view.
Lakeshore Towing continues dredging; their new barge 401 should be working on the project by tomorrow.
Erie Shipbuilding is working on flooding the drydock at this time; I believe a new deck barge will be emerging from the drydock tomorrow.
Work is beginning on cleaning up the equipment on the Mountfort Terminal used in the biofuel loading process. Several railcars remain on the dock, probably awaiting pickup from CSX.
Lakeshore's barges 502 and 401 at the Old Ore Dock Thursday.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push barge 501 into Erie harbor this afternoon.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY.
Stern view.
FIRST LOAD OF BIODIESEL DEPARTS
CLIPPER TOBAGO cleared Erie at 0200 Thursday with 5,000 metric tons of biodiesel from Lake Erie Biofuels, bound for Europe. At 0030 hours Lakeshore Towing removed the oil boom around the tanker and the vessel was ready to leave the Mountfort Terminal at 0145. The CLIPPER TOBAGO will reach the call-in point at Long Point at 0340 and will reach the Welland Canal at 0610 hours this morning, bound for Montreal before continuing on to Europe with this load of biodiesel.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Biodiesel loading nearly complete; Lakeshore Towing continues dredging and launches new barge
CLIPPER TOBAGO is nearly loaded and should be departing Erie sometime within the next 24 hours or so.
Lakeshore Towing continues work on dredging the Old Ore Dock. The company has launched a new barge, 401, constructed out of the sections of the former breakwater at Perry's Landing Marina. The 40-foot long 401 should be in service by the end of the week.
Lakeshore Towing continues work on dredging the Old Ore Dock. The company has launched a new barge, 401, constructed out of the sections of the former breakwater at Perry's Landing Marina. The 40-foot long 401 should be in service by the end of the week.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Harbor Activity Returns to Normal
The high winds that plagued the area on Sunday and Monday have died down and activity in the harbor has returned to normal. The HOLLYHOCK departed at 0900 this morning for Ashtabula, Ohio. The Erie Times News has an article on Page 1 about the cutter's visit to Erie today.
Lakeshore Towing has resumed dredging at the Old Ore Dock, making four trips today.
Loading continues on the CLIPPER TOBAGO at the Mountfort Terminal.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading this morning.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
Lakeshore Towing has resumed dredging at the Old Ore Dock, making four trips today.
Loading continues on the CLIPPER TOBAGO at the Mountfort Terminal.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading this morning.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
Monday, December 17, 2007
HIGH WINDS DELAY DREDGING, HOLLYHOCK; TOBAGO LOADING CONTINUES
High winds in Erie harbor and on Lake Erie have delayed dredging work at the Old Ore Dock. Lakeshore Towing's equipment has remained tied up all weekend with no work being completed.
USCGC HOLLYHOCK has remained in port and is secured at the Old Ore Dock ahead of Lakeshore Towing's dredging site.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading continues and should be complete late this week, if all goes well.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading biodiesel.
The view from the South Pier.
USCG 33133 surfs through the channel.
In Presque Isle Bay.
HOLLYHOCK and Lakeshore Towing's FLATTOP and DON HENRY secured at the Old Ore Dock.
USCGC HOLLYHOCK has remained in port and is secured at the Old Ore Dock ahead of Lakeshore Towing's dredging site.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading continues and should be complete late this week, if all goes well.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading biodiesel.
The view from the South Pier.
USCG 33133 surfs through the channel.
In Presque Isle Bay.
HOLLYHOCK and Lakeshore Towing's FLATTOP and DON HENRY secured at the Old Ore Dock.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
HOLLYHOCK REPLACES BUOYS; TOBAGO LOADING CONTINUES
USCGC HOLLYHOCK remains in port and was hard at work replacing the summer buoys this morning. At 1000 hours the crew had finished with Buoy 9 (the closest green buoy to the Mountfort Terminal) and moved to Buoy 11, making quick work of that before proceeding to Buoy 13, just north of the Old Ore Dock.
After Buoy 13 was finished the crew of the HOLLYHOCK slid sideways across the slip to Buoy 14 and would proceed to replace that buoy before getting Buoys 12 and 10, the red markers marking the western end of the navigation channel.
CLIPPER TOBAGO has finished loading the twelve tank cars delivered Friday and is sitting quietly now waiting the delivery of more cars so loading can continue.
The LANSDOWNE, which graced Erie's harborfront until the Port Authority evicted it in July, 2006, is featured on page B1 of the Erie Times News today. The LANSDOWNE now sits awaiting her fate in Buffalo, where she has been since being towed from Erie by the tug OHIO on July 16, 2006.
The Times News article quotes Port Authority Executive Director Ray Shreckengost as saying that he was not aware the barge was towed to Buffalo; he believed it was going to Toronto, where it was rumored to be headed throughout 2005 and into 2006. Shreckengost is quoted as saying that someone has "got to shoot the thing and put it out of its misery." In 2000 Shreckengost told the newspaper that the barge "looks fine to me."
HOLLYHOCK in Presque Isle Bay on Sunday morning.
HOLLYHOCK in Presque Isle Bay on Sunday morning.
Lifting Buoy 11.
At the site of Buoy 13.
Lifting the winter marker for Buoy 13.
Marker goes over the side.
Moving the buoy into position.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock.
With the HOLLYHOCK in the background.
Waiting for another load.
LANSDOWNE in Buffalo on November 1, 2006. The LANSDOWNE has since been moved to a more prominent spot on Buffalo's waterfront, along US Route 5, as the article points out. The LANSDOWNE will likely remain there for a while, as Buffalo already has a convention center that is nowhere near the site. However, the article errs in saying that the LANSDOWNE is now near HSBC Arena and Dunn Tire Park, as the vessel is moored at least three miles west of downtown Buffalo.
After Buoy 13 was finished the crew of the HOLLYHOCK slid sideways across the slip to Buoy 14 and would proceed to replace that buoy before getting Buoys 12 and 10, the red markers marking the western end of the navigation channel.
CLIPPER TOBAGO has finished loading the twelve tank cars delivered Friday and is sitting quietly now waiting the delivery of more cars so loading can continue.
The LANSDOWNE, which graced Erie's harborfront until the Port Authority evicted it in July, 2006, is featured on page B1 of the Erie Times News today. The LANSDOWNE now sits awaiting her fate in Buffalo, where she has been since being towed from Erie by the tug OHIO on July 16, 2006.
The Times News article quotes Port Authority Executive Director Ray Shreckengost as saying that he was not aware the barge was towed to Buffalo; he believed it was going to Toronto, where it was rumored to be headed throughout 2005 and into 2006. Shreckengost is quoted as saying that someone has "got to shoot the thing and put it out of its misery." In 2000 Shreckengost told the newspaper that the barge "looks fine to me."
HOLLYHOCK in Presque Isle Bay on Sunday morning.
HOLLYHOCK in Presque Isle Bay on Sunday morning.
Lifting Buoy 11.
At the site of Buoy 13.
Lifting the winter marker for Buoy 13.
Marker goes over the side.
Moving the buoy into position.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock.
With the HOLLYHOCK in the background.
Waiting for another load.
LANSDOWNE in Buffalo on November 1, 2006. The LANSDOWNE has since been moved to a more prominent spot on Buffalo's waterfront, along US Route 5, as the article points out. The LANSDOWNE will likely remain there for a while, as Buffalo already has a convention center that is nowhere near the site. However, the article errs in saying that the LANSDOWNE is now near HSBC Arena and Dunn Tire Park, as the vessel is moored at least three miles west of downtown Buffalo.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
HOLLYHOCK ARRIVES FOR BUOYS; CLIPPER TOBAGO LOADS
US Coast Guard Cutter HOLLYHOCK (WLB-214) arrived in Erie at 1445 hours this afternoon and secured at Coast Guard Station Erie to load the winter markers that have been stored at the station since May 4. Over the next two days the crew of the HOLLYHOCK will use the ship's crane and lift each of the lighted summer buoys from its station in Erie harbor and replace them with the unlighted winter markers. This will prevent any ice build ups from causing severe damage to the lighted summer buoys. With snowy, cold weather expected over the next few days this will be a cold job for the crew.
When complete, the HOLLYHOCK will offload the summer buoys onto the pier at Coast Guard Station Erie, where they will remain until HOLLYHOCK returns sometime after May 1 to return them to the water. Any buoys that are currently found in need of repair will be taken to HOLLYHOCK's home base in Port Huron, Michigan and repaired over the coming months.
Crews at the Mountfort Terminal remained hard at work this afternoon loading the CLIPPER TOBAGO with biodiesel. As of 1500 six of the twelve railcars on the dock had been offloaded into the tanker. I'm not sure if they will be working on Sunday, but on Monday more railcars will be delivered to the Mountfort Terminal to continue loading the TOBAGO.
HOLLYHOCK inbound.
Close up.
These buoys on the deck of the HOLLYHOCK have already been removed from other waterways and are in need of repair for the winter.
The newest member of Station Erie's fleet, 33133, which arrived late October, is shown while inbound Erie.
Stern view of the HOLLYHOCK.
HOLLYHOCK manouevering to dock as 33133 passes.
HOLLYHOCK secured alongside the Coast Guard Station, ready to begin loading.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loads.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
When complete, the HOLLYHOCK will offload the summer buoys onto the pier at Coast Guard Station Erie, where they will remain until HOLLYHOCK returns sometime after May 1 to return them to the water. Any buoys that are currently found in need of repair will be taken to HOLLYHOCK's home base in Port Huron, Michigan and repaired over the coming months.
Crews at the Mountfort Terminal remained hard at work this afternoon loading the CLIPPER TOBAGO with biodiesel. As of 1500 six of the twelve railcars on the dock had been offloaded into the tanker. I'm not sure if they will be working on Sunday, but on Monday more railcars will be delivered to the Mountfort Terminal to continue loading the TOBAGO.
HOLLYHOCK inbound.
Close up.
These buoys on the deck of the HOLLYHOCK have already been removed from other waterways and are in need of repair for the winter.
The newest member of Station Erie's fleet, 33133, which arrived late October, is shown while inbound Erie.
Stern view of the HOLLYHOCK.
HOLLYHOCK manouevering to dock as 33133 passes.
HOLLYHOCK secured alongside the Coast Guard Station, ready to begin loading.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loads.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
Friday, December 14, 2007
History in the Making
An oil containment boom has been deployed around the CLIPPER TOBAGO today, and at around 1415 this afternoon CSX local train Y120 delivered 12 tank cars loaded with biodiesel to the Mountfort Terminal. Loading of the TOBAGO will begin shortly. This is the first of many cargoes that will be shipped by Lake Erie Biofuels through the port of Erie.
TOBAGO at dock.
Railcars loaded with biodiesel are delivered to the Mountfort Terminal.
Another view.
TOBAGO at dock.
Railcars loaded with biodiesel are delivered to the Mountfort Terminal.
Another view.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Dredging Continues; TOBAGO waits for cargo
Dredging continues at the Old Ore Dock, and Lakeshore Towing is really making progress removing the shoaling that has occured within the slip.
Meanwhile, CLIPPER TOBAGO is expected to begin loading late this week.
A U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender should be arriving soon to replace the summer buoys in the harbor with unlighted winter markers.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Wednesday.
Another view.
The "island" created by the offloading of dredged material gets bigger with every load of sediment.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push Lakeshore Towing's barge 501 through the channel, toward the South Pier.
Tug FLATTOP glistens in the late afternoon sun.
Stern view as the trio approaches the Pier.
Barge 501 holds the dredged material.
Meanwhile, CLIPPER TOBAGO is expected to begin loading late this week.
A U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender should be arriving soon to replace the summer buoys in the harbor with unlighted winter markers.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Wednesday.
Another view.
The "island" created by the offloading of dredged material gets bigger with every load of sediment.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push Lakeshore Towing's barge 501 through the channel, toward the South Pier.
Tug FLATTOP glistens in the late afternoon sun.
Stern view as the trio approaches the Pier.
Barge 501 holds the dredged material.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Biodiesel Update; TENACIOUS Expected; Lakeshore Towing Remains Busy
CLIPPER TOBAGO remains sitting quietly in port, as loading of her Europe-bound cargo of biodiesel from Lake Erie Biofuels has yet to begin. Loading should commence sometime later this week. Crews will be racing the clock to complete loading and have the TOBAGO out of the St. Lawrence Seaway before it closes at 2359 hours on December 24.
In response to a question I received earlier today, there are plans to deploy a containment boom around the TOBAGO during the loading process. Cargoes of fuel and oil have passed through the port numerous times in the past; however, this is the first time in at least 25 years that there is a cargo of any type of fuel product passing through the port. In the 1960s both Sun and Shell Oil were active in the port of Erie.
Late this morning the CSX local delivered five boxcars to the Mountfort Terminal to load paper products brought in by the W.N. TWOLAN and McALLISTER 132 in early November. Three more boxcars remain on a rail siding near the Bayfront Parkway. More are on the way to load the cargo that has sat at the terminal for over a month.
Tug TENACIOUS should be arriving in Erie later this evening.
Lakeshore Towing (website recently updated) remains busy dredging the Old Ore Dock and completing other projects. Already 1,200 cubic meters of material have been moved to the Confined Disposal Area near the South Pier; twelve trips with barge 501 have deposited this material there. Lakeshore is to remove 5,000 cubic meters of sediment that has built up alongside the dock and prevented ships from docking alongside while loaded. If the weather holds they will remove another 5,000 cubic meters from farther out in the slip. Another barge, built from sections of the former breakwater at Perry's Landing Marina and measuring 40'x30', could be in service as early as this week to help carry the dredged sediment to the disposal site.
Meanwhile, divers from Lakeshore, in conjunction with Marine Services of Erie, continue work on the new breakwaters at Perry's Landing Marina. When completed the breakwaters will catch the seas from the northwest, protecting the docks and boats in the marina.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Monday afternoon
An O.N. Minerals employee secures the area around the TOBAGO.
Dredged material is pumped into the CDA.
DON HENRY, FLATTOP, and barge 501.
FLATTOP.
Dredged material is pumped into the disposal area. Note how much material is visible.
Dredged material is pumped off of the 501.
Marine Services of Erie's LOW BIDDER at Perry's Landing Marina.
Close up of the new breakwall.
In response to a question I received earlier today, there are plans to deploy a containment boom around the TOBAGO during the loading process. Cargoes of fuel and oil have passed through the port numerous times in the past; however, this is the first time in at least 25 years that there is a cargo of any type of fuel product passing through the port. In the 1960s both Sun and Shell Oil were active in the port of Erie.
Late this morning the CSX local delivered five boxcars to the Mountfort Terminal to load paper products brought in by the W.N. TWOLAN and McALLISTER 132 in early November. Three more boxcars remain on a rail siding near the Bayfront Parkway. More are on the way to load the cargo that has sat at the terminal for over a month.
Tug TENACIOUS should be arriving in Erie later this evening.
Lakeshore Towing (website recently updated) remains busy dredging the Old Ore Dock and completing other projects. Already 1,200 cubic meters of material have been moved to the Confined Disposal Area near the South Pier; twelve trips with barge 501 have deposited this material there. Lakeshore is to remove 5,000 cubic meters of sediment that has built up alongside the dock and prevented ships from docking alongside while loaded. If the weather holds they will remove another 5,000 cubic meters from farther out in the slip. Another barge, built from sections of the former breakwater at Perry's Landing Marina and measuring 40'x30', could be in service as early as this week to help carry the dredged sediment to the disposal site.
Meanwhile, divers from Lakeshore, in conjunction with Marine Services of Erie, continue work on the new breakwaters at Perry's Landing Marina. When completed the breakwaters will catch the seas from the northwest, protecting the docks and boats in the marina.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Monday afternoon
An O.N. Minerals employee secures the area around the TOBAGO.
Dredged material is pumped into the CDA.
DON HENRY, FLATTOP, and barge 501.
FLATTOP.
Dredged material is pumped into the disposal area. Note how much material is visible.
Dredged material is pumped off of the 501.
Marine Services of Erie's LOW BIDDER at Perry's Landing Marina.
Close up of the new breakwall.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
CLIPPER TOBAGO in port
CLIPPER TOBAGO arrived in Erie on Friday night and turned in Presque Isle Bay to dock at the Mountfort Terminal. The vessel will remain there for several days while waiting to begin loading biofuel.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Saturday.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Saturday.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Dredging continues; CLIPPER TOBAGO arrives
Lakeshore Towing continues to dredge the Old Ore Dock, making several trips to the confined disposal site at the South Pier with dredged sediment each day.
CLIPPER TOBAGO arrived in port at 1950 this evening, turned in Erie harbor and docked at the Mountfort Terminal to await the loading of a cargo of biofuel. The Nassau, Bahamas-registered TOBAGO is the first foreign-flagged chemical tanker to visit the port since the German flagged WIDAN docked in Erie at Erie Sand & Gravel's Sassafras Street slip on September 24, 1963. On that voyage, the WIDAN loaded 350,000 gallons of white crude scale wax for Le Havre, France.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push the barge 501 inbound the channel on Friday afternoon.
FLATTOP.
DON HENRY.
Stern view as the convoy heads for the Old Ore Dock Slip.
Inbound the Old Ore Dock.
Turning to dock alongside 502.
Still turning.
Coming alongside to dock.
Two hours later finds DON HENRY, FLATTOP and 501 back at the disposal site offloading dredged sediment.
CLIPPER TOBAGO arrived in port at 1950 this evening, turned in Erie harbor and docked at the Mountfort Terminal to await the loading of a cargo of biofuel. The Nassau, Bahamas-registered TOBAGO is the first foreign-flagged chemical tanker to visit the port since the German flagged WIDAN docked in Erie at Erie Sand & Gravel's Sassafras Street slip on September 24, 1963. On that voyage, the WIDAN loaded 350,000 gallons of white crude scale wax for Le Havre, France.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push the barge 501 inbound the channel on Friday afternoon.
FLATTOP.
DON HENRY.
Stern view as the convoy heads for the Old Ore Dock Slip.
Inbound the Old Ore Dock.
Turning to dock alongside 502.
Still turning.
Coming alongside to dock.
Two hours later finds DON HENRY, FLATTOP and 501 back at the disposal site offloading dredged sediment.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Dredging begins in port; Biofuel to be shipped from port; TENACIOUS due to return
Lakeshore Towing began dredging the Old Ore Dock slip on Wednesday. Skilled crews will be working 7 days per week with tugs FLATTOP and DON HENRY and barges 501 and 502. They expect to be hauling two or three loads of dredged material per day to the disposal site near the South Pier.
CLIPPER TOBAGO is due in Erie at 1700 tomorrow, in ballast from Becancour, Quebec. TOBAGO will be loading the first load of biodiesel to be shipped from the port.
Tug TENACIOUS has completed delivery of the WITTE 4003 to Quebec and is currently laying over in Clayton Harbor, New York, in the 1000 Islands of the St. Lawrence River, before proceeding back to Erie. No ETA for her yet.
Dredging operations on Wednesday.
CLIPPER TOBAGO is due in Erie at 1700 tomorrow, in ballast from Becancour, Quebec. TOBAGO will be loading the first load of biodiesel to be shipped from the port.
Tug TENACIOUS has completed delivery of the WITTE 4003 to Quebec and is currently laying over in Clayton Harbor, New York, in the 1000 Islands of the St. Lawrence River, before proceeding back to Erie. No ETA for her yet.
Dredging operations on Wednesday.
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