A-397, WITTE 1403 Emerge from Drydock, MICHIPICOTEN moves in

Tug MANITOU got underway from Erie Shipbuilding at around 0700 today and began breaking ice in Presque Isle Bay, preparing for the day's events. The tug broke ice until around 0930 before shifting the drydock gate away from the drydock. An hour later, the tug moved the barge A-397 out of the drydock at Erie Shipbuilding, leaving the barge across the face of the Old Ore Dock and the east side of Erie Shipbuilding.

At around 1100 the tug brought the next deck barge built by Erie Shipbuilding, the WITTE 1403, out of drydock and attempted to bring the barge stern first into the West Slip. About halfway up the length of the MICHIPICOTEN, the barge got stuck in ice, forcing MANITOU to back the WITTE 1403 into Presque Isle Bay and turn the barge around. By noon the barge was secured in front of the MICHIPICOTEN, hanging off the dock due to ice between the barge and the dock.

After a break for lunch, the MANITOU secured to MICHIPICOTEN at around 1250 this afternoon and moved the vessel into Erie harbor. The tug slowly turned the ship in Erie harbor, stopping several times due to ice, and moved the ship into drydock by around 1415 this afternoon. MICHIPICOTEN will now undergo repairs in the drydock.

Tug KAREN ANDRIE remains in drydock with the MICHIPICOTEN.


MANITOU breaking ice this morning.


Side view.


Another view. Note the stern line from the MICHIPICOTEN, disconnected and hanging from the stern.


MANITOU comes around to back into the West Slip.


MANITOU backs past the MICHIPICOTEN.


Honorary Captain of the MANITOU keeps an eye on the icebreaking operation.


MANITOU pushes the WITTE 1403 stern first into the West Slip.


Stuck.


Backing out of the jam.


MANITOU comes around and takes up position on the stern of the barge.


Bringing the new barge in bow-first.


Passing the waiting MICHIPICOTEN.


Tight quarters for docking.


Close up of the 2008-built WITTE 1403.


MANITOU backs past the MICHIPICOTEN and will shortly dock at Erie Shipbuilding while the yard is on its lunch break.


A-397 up against the Old Ore Dock. To give an idea of the angle it's at, the bow of the CASON J. CALLAWAY is just off to the left of the photo.


MICHIPICOTEN waits for the tow to begin.


MANITOU takes a line from the ship.


Ready to begin moving the dead ship.


MANITOU starts to slide the MICHIPICOTEN out of the slip.


Backing out.


Another view of two classics. The tug MANITOU was built in 1942; the MICHIPICOTEN a decade later.


Into Erie Harbor.


MANITOU turns on the power to move the ship through the ice.


In Erie Harbor.


MANITOU is done backing the ship out and will begin working the ship into a turn.


Turning the MICHIPICOTEN.


MANITOU backs away to reposition.


Pushing on the MICHIPICOTEN amidships.


Turning and stuck in ice.


MANITOU comes around the ship, breaking another path through the ice.


Pushing on the bow of the MICHIPICOTEN.


Another view after the tug has repositioned itself.


Around and ready to start turning.


The 2,200 horsepower tug pushes the MICHIPICOTEN.


Another view.


The MICHIPICOTEN is backed slowly towards drydock.


Backing in to drydock.