PANAM FLOTA DEPARTS

This morning at 0700 Lakeshore Towing tug FLATTOP arrived at the Mountfort Terminal to remove the oil-containment boom surrounding the PANAM FLOTA in Erie harbor. Crews removed the boom as loading of the tanker with almost three million gallons of biodiesel was being completed.

With loading of 111 railcars totalling around 2,830,500 gallons (each car holding 25,500 gallons) complete, the PANAM FLOTA's crew spent the morning making preparations to depart for Rotterdam before getting underway at 1300 today in heavy winds producing rough seas in Presque Isle Bay.

This is the second load of biodiesel produced by Lake Erie Biofuels to be shipped through the port of Erie; the first was shipped out last December on board the FLOTA's fleetmate CLIPPER TOBAGO.

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Photos below by Jim Thoreson.


1999-built tanker PANAM FLOTA finishes loading.


FLATTOP shows up this morning.


This afternoon, the oil-containment boom is removed and the FLOTA is ready to go.


PANAM FLOTA at dock.


Another view.


Springing away from the dock.


FLOTA moves away from the dock.


Turning for the channel.


Outbound.


The FLOTA's captain and the lake pilot direct the operation.


One of the FLOTA's crew members works on deck in preparation for the trip across the Atlantic.


Stern view. Note the position of the deck crane.


Deck crane lifts the gangway to reposition it on deck.


FLOTA outbound.


Clearing Erie harbor bound for the Netherlands.


MOTIVATION, of Key Largo, Florida, inbound the channel bound for Wolverine Marina.


Stern view.