CHEYENNE TO TAKE TWO DECK BARGES

Port Albany Ventures' pretty canal tug CHEYENNE arrived in Erie at 0200 this morning and docked at the West Slip alongside the newly-built deck barge SUE B. The tug spent the morning preparing SUE B. for its tow to Albany before shifting to the WITTE 1402 at around 1430 today. The CHEYENNE moved WITTE 1402 backwards before taking the SUE B. in tow and turning it in the slip, mooring the barge bow-to-bow with WITTE 1402 to make them up for the tow through the Welland Canal to Oswego, NY. From Oswego the barges will be taken through the New York State Barge Canal one at a time.

After working on making up the tow, the CHEYENNE entered the drydock at Erie Shipbuilding at 1700 today and emerged a half-hour later with the newest deck barge, WITTE 1405, in tow. The WITTE 1405 is now secured alongside WITTE 1404.

CHEYENNE is scheduled to leave this weekend bound for Oswego.

CCGS SHARK departed Erie at 0815 this morning bound for Port Dover, Ontario. BUFFALO departed yesterday at 1915 bound for Calcite.

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CHEYENNE turns to back toward the SUE B. at 1450 this afternoon.


Backing up.


Coming alongside SUE B.


The tug prepares to move the SUE B. away from WITTE 1401.


Moving away.


Passing by the WITTE 1404.


Close up of the 1965-built tug, a sister to the CROW, which visited Erie last November to pick up the PAV 103.


Stern view.


Turning the barge in the West Slip.


Close up of the tug.


CHEYENNE gets lost in a puff of diesel smoke.


Turning the barge toward dock.


CHEYENNE's stern was right against the west side of the slip during most of the towing operation.


Another view of the tug.


CHEYENNE pushes the WITTE 1402 forward to line up with the SUE B.


With its tow.


Side view of the tug.


Alongside the SUE B.


The tug's crew pulls the two barges together.


A good smoker is the CHEYENNE as it leaves the West Slip to retrieve the WITTE 1405.


WITTE 1405 is officially launched.


CHEYENNE/WITTE 1405 coming into the West Slip.


Stern view of the pair.


Docking alongside two other DonJon Marine barges.


Docking WITTE 1405.


Work complete for the day, CHEYENNE rests alongside the barges it will tow to the East Coast.