PINEGLEN Update

PINEGLEN is now resting on the blocks at Erie Shipbuilding for repairs. There is a small crane in drydock and crews today were working at the stern of the vessel. The exact nature of the repairs is unknown at this time.

SONGA PEARL Update

SONGA PEARL, the next biodiesel tanker expected in port, is currently westbound in the St. Lawrence River bound for Hamilton, Ontario with petroleum products. After unloading in Hamilton, the 2008-built PEARL will sail for Erie, where it is currently expected on August 6 to load biodiesel.

VICTORY, KUBER Visit; Two Deck Barges Emerge as PINEGLEN Enters Drydock

Tug VICTORY and barge JAMES L. KUBER (formerly the steamer RESERVE) arrived in port this morning at 0115 and began unloading stone from Calcite at the Old Ore Dock. The KUBER finished unloading at around 0930 and spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon hours undergoing repairs at the Old Ore Dock before departing for Stoneport at 1615 this afternoon.

This morning Lakeshore Towing tugs FLATTOP and DON HENRY entered Erie Shipbuilding at around 0815 and emerged with the newly-built deck barge ESB 112 in tow. The trio slowly worked its way west of the West Slip, at which time the PINEGLEN backed away from the slip. FLATTOP and DON HENRY then moved ESB 112 into the southeast corner of the West Slip. After completing that, the duo moved the next deck barge, ESB 113, into position astern of ESB 112. PINEGLEN then proceeded bow-first into the drydock, securing at the south end of the drydock. Crews at Erie Shipbuilding immediately began pumping the drydock out, allowing the PINEGLEN to settle on the blocks in the drydock.

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JAMES L. KUBER unloading this morning.


Another view.


PINEGLEN backing away from the West Slip.


ESB 112 being towed into the West Slip.


Moving the barge into the slip.


Pushing the barge.


Stern of the barge approaching the pier.


Close up of FLATTOP and DON HENRY.


Returning for ESB 113.


FLATTOP pulls ESB 113 into the West Slip.


Another view.


PINEGLEN moves into the drydock.


In the drydock with the gate being winched back into place.


KUBER at dock this afternoon.


Backing away.


KUBER/VICTORY outbound.


KUBER in the channel.


Stern view.


JAMES L. KUBER still maintains the classic lines of the steamer RESERVE.


One VICTORY leads another VICTORY outbound. These are two of 84 vessels named VICTORY registered in the United States.

PINEGLEN ARRIVES

PINEGLEN arrived in Erie this afternoon at 1345, was escorted into the harbor by Lakeshore Towing's tugs FLATTOP and DON HENRY and docked in the West Slip this afternoon. Tomorrow, PINEGLEN will be moved into drydock at Erie Shipbuilding for repairs.

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PINEGLEN underway in Lake Erie approaching Erie harbor.


Another view.


Stern view.


At buoys 3 and 4, approaching Erie harbor.


Another stern view of the PINEGLEN on her first ever visit to Erie.


PINEGLEN picks up an escort near the Mountfort Terminal.


Tug FLATTOP escorting the PINEGLEN through Erie harbor, standing by to assist if necessary.


DON HENRY (mistakenly identified by one of the PINEGLEN's wheelsmen as Don Cherry, after the CBC "Hockey Night in Canada" announcer) stands by the stern of the CSL bulk carrier.


Approaching the West Slip.


Stern view.


Docking.


All secured for repairs at Erie Shipbuilding.


Another view.

CLIPPER LEGACY Departs; PINEGLEN, Two More Biodiesel Tankers Due

Loading of biodiesel aboard CLIPPER LEGACY finished this morning at around 0100, when Lakeshore Towing removed the oil boom from around the vessel at the Mountfort Terminal. The LEGACY, fully laden with biodiesel produced by Lake Erie Biofuels, departed at around 0600 this morning bound for Montreal, and eventually, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The next biodiesel tanker expected is the SONGA PEARL, expected around the 6th of August. After that, the CLIPPER KATJA is due sometime between the 18th and 20th of August.

The PINEGLEN, at this time, is at anchor off of Erie awaiting clearance from Erie Shipbuilding to proceed into drydock. The vessel should be in Erie sometime later this afternoon for repairs. The PINEGLEN, owned by Canada Steamship Lines, is the first CSL vessel to visit Erie since the LOUIS R. DESMARAIS wintered here during the winter of 1997-1998, and is the first CSL vessel to use the drydock since the DESMARAIS did the previous winter.

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CLIPPER LEGACY underway in Lake Erie approaching Erie on Saturday.


Bow-on view.


LEGACY in the channel.


Stern view.


Starting to turn.


Turning in Presque Isle Bay.


Tug FLATTOP stands by as CLIPPER LEGACY turns.


LEGACY approaches the Mountfort Terminal.


Docking.

LEGACY LOADING CONTINUES; PINEGLEN EXPECTED FOR ERIE SHIPBUILDING

Loading continues on CLIPPER LEGACY this evening and the vessel should be finished at around 0100, when the oil boom is scheduled to be removed. The vessel will depart a short time later bound for Rotterdam.

Meanwhile, Canada Steamship Lines' PINEGLEN is scheduled to arrive in Erie late tomorrow afternoon and will be going into drydock at Erie Shipbuilding for unspecified repairs.

CLIPPER LEGACY ARRIVES

CLIPPER LEGACY arrived off of Erie at 1000 this morning and proceeded inbound, turning in the harbor and docking at the Mountfort Terminal by 1130. The LEGACY is scheduled to load around 5,000 tons of biodiesel manufactured by Lake Erie Biofuels, bound for Europe.

After docking at the Mountfort Terminal, Lakeshore Towing's tug FLATTOP made quick work of deploying the oil-containment boom around the vessel and loading of biodiesel from rail cars began early this afternoon. The CLIPPER LEGACY should be in port until late tomorrow or early Monday loading.

Photos of today's activity will follow tomorrow.

Next Biodiesel Tankers Due

The next biodiesel tanker will not be CLIPPER LEANDER; rather, its fleetmate CLIPPER LEGACY is expected to be alongside in Erie at the Mountfort Terminal tomorrow at 1400.

After that, the SONGA PEARL is expected in port to load biodiesel on either August 5 or August 6.

Historical Arrivals: July 24

2003: CALUMET, with stone from Marblehead, arrives at 2330 to discharge at the Old Ore Dock.

TV'S RED GREEN MAY COME TO ERIE

For those wondering what in the world this post might have to do with the subject of this blog, please keep reading.

According to a story published on Friday, July 18 in the Hamilton Spectator, Steve Smith, star of PBS' Red Green series, recently purchased a new houseboat in Mississippi, with plans to take the vessel back to his native Hamilton, Ontario via the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. However, flood currents on the Mississippi River delayed the voyage in Kentucky, where Smith decided to have the houseboat disassembled, and, beginning July 27, trucked across several states.

The houseboat's final destination via truck is Erie, Pennsylvania, meaning Smith will likely get to Erie with the boat. Here in Erie, the houseboat will be reassembled, placed in the water, and sailed down the Welland Canal sometime in August.

LEANDER Update

The next biodiesel tanker, CLIPPER LEANDER, is due in Montreal on the 28th to unload, and afterwards will sail for Erie to load biodiesel. The LEANDER is due on July 30 or 31 to load the biodiesel, manufactured by Lake Erie Biofuels.

Next Biodiesel Tanker Expected

The next biodiesel tanker expected to port is due July 30 or 31. The CLIPPER LEANDER, built in 2006, is a near sister to the CLIPPER LANCER and will be loading for Rotterdam.

TWOLAN, McALLISTER 132 DEPART

At around 1330 this afternoon, under overcast, threatening skies, the tug W.N. TWOLAN shifted astern of barge McALLISTER 132 and hooked up to the barge. The TWOLAN, after nine days in port unloading paper products, followed the U.S. Brig NIAGARA out of port at 1400 today, bound for Sarnia, Ontario and eventually for Thunder Bay.

The tug was only in front of the barge due to the repairs completed to the PRESQUE ISLE last week; the repairs required the tug to move to make room for the cofferdam, barge 502 and PRESQUE ISLE.

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TWOLAN backs away from the barge.


Turned and headed for the stern of McALLISTER 132.


Stern view.


Turning for the McALLISTER 132.


Brig NIAGARA passing.


NIAGARA departing Erie.


TWOLAN slowly moves the McALLISTER 132 away from dock.


Outbound.


Tug pushes the barge.


Stern view outbound Erie.

McALLISTER Unloading Continues

Unloading continued today on the McALLISTER 132, a week after it was started at the Mountfort Terminal. As of this evening the barge appears to be empty; however, the W.N. TWOLAN has yet to take the barge in tow and depart.

I will update when I learn more about the vessel's departure.

McALLISTER 132 Unloading Continues

Unloading on the McALLISTER 132 continues today and the lumber barge, propelled by the tug W.N. TWOLAN, should be out sometime this weekend, bound for Thunder Bay, Ontario.

PRESQUE ISLE Departs

Repairs completed and the cofferdam removed, the PRESQUE ISLE slowly slid away from the Mountfort Terminal at 1620 hours this afternoon, turned in Presque Isle Bay and departed Erie bound for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load taconite pellets.

The repairs to the shaft seals took less than a week, despite being hampered by weather on Saturday. The quick repairs are an example of the skilled talent at Erie Sand & Gravel, Lakeshore Towing and Great Lakes Electrical Services, all of whom worked together to get the PRESQUE ISLE back underway as quickly as possible to make money for her owners.

The cofferdam was left underwater and will be refloated tomorrow. Unlike in the past, when the cofferdam was towed to Erie Shipbuilding, it will be left at the Mountfort Terminal.

Unloading on the McALLISTER 132 continued today and should be done by the weekend.

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PRESQUE ISLE slowly turns off of the Mountfort Terminal.


Another view.


Outbound.


Underway in Lake Erie.


Bow on.


PRESQUE ISLE is moving at roughly 12 miles per hour in this photo.


Final shot.


J.S. ST. JOHN outbound at 1815 this afternoon.


Stern view.


Motor yacht SCOTT FREE, owned by local hotelier Nick Scott, outbound. Scott, like most of the uber-rich, chooses to register his yacht offshore in the Cayman Islands.

PRESQUE ISLE DUE OUT

Crews from Great Lakes Electrical Services, Lakeshore Towing and Erie Sand & Gravel today worked on moving the cofferdam from the starboard to port side of the PRESQUE ISLE at the Mountfort Terminal. The cofferdam was moved to facilitate work on the port shaft seal, which will be repaired overnight tonight. If all goes well, PRESQUE ISLE could depart tomorrow afternoon bound for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load taconite pellets.

Unloading Continues on McALLISTER 132, PRESQUE ISLE Due Out Saturday

Unloading continues today on the McALLISTER 132, and the tug W.N. TWOLAN is still expecting to depart tomorrow with the barge.

PRESQUE ISLE repairs are expected to be finished later this week and the vessel should depart Saturday.

Repairs Continue on PRESQUE ISLE; McALLISTER 132 Unloading

Repairs continued today on the PRESQUE ISLE; after the discovery of another leaking seal, the repairs are expected to take longer than originally thought and the PRESQUE ISLE will likely not depart before Friday.

W.N. TWOLAN/McALLISTER 132 continued unloading today and are expected to be out of Erie on Wednesday. The tug apparently will tow the McALLISTER 132 through the channel, and is expected to need tug assistance to get off the dock.

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W.N. TWOLAN/McALLISTER 132 and CLIPPER LANCER at the Mountfort Terminal at 0630 on Saturday.


Close up of the tug.


CLIPPER LANCER.


Stern view of the TWOLAN and McALLISTER 132.


CLIPPER LANCER awaits the finalization of paperwork related to the biodiesel shipment before departure.


LANCER clears the piers at 0845.


With the McALLISTER 132 and TWOLAN turning in the background.


Close up of the LANCER.


CLIPPER LANCER turns in line with the channel at buoys 3 and 4.


Side view.


Stern view.


The LANCER is loaded with about 5,000 tons of biodiesel bound for the Netherlands.


Another view.


Underway and picking up speed, 2.5 miles from Erie piers. In about five hours the LANCER will be arriving in Port Colborne to begin her downbound voyage through the Welland Canal.


PRESQUE ISLE about two miles from the piers.


Wide-angle view as the vessel approaches buoys 1 and 2.


The tug PRESQUE ISLE, providing the propulsion.


Lining for the channel.


Passing the outer buoys.


Stern view.


PRESQUE ISLE enters the piers.


This view gives a good look at how much room a 105-foot wide vessel takes up.


At the other end of the piers and approaching the dock at the Mountfort Terminal.


Turning.


Approaching.


Sliding alongside.


With the cofferdam in the background.


Another view.


TWOLAN/McALLISTER 132 at dock.

PRESQUE ISLE Repairs Continue

Crews from Lakeshore Towing and Erie Sand & Gravel worked all day today to install the cofferdam on the PRESQUE ISLE to facilitate repairs on the starboard shaft seal. The repairs are to be undertaken during the night, and the cofferdam will be removed tomorrow and placed on the port side.

Meanwhile, unloading continues on the McALLISTER 132. Both the McALLISTER 132 and PRESQUE ISLE are currently expected to depart on Wednesday.

Photos from yesterday will come tomorrow.

LANCER Departs; PRESQUE ISLE Arrives

CLIPPER LANCER finished loading at around 0030 this morning, at which time Lakeshore Towing crews aboard towboat TITAN removed the oil boom from the ship. The LANCER departed at around 0845 this morning upon completion of paperwork related to the export of biodiesel to Europe.

After the LANCER's departure from the dock, W.N. TWOLAN/McALLISTER 132 departed the dock, turned in Presque Isle Bay and docked facing east at the Mountfort Terminal. TWOLAN, to facilitate the arrival of the PRESQUE ISLE and istallation of the cofferdam on the PRESQUE ISLE, moved in front of the McALLISTER 132, which began unloading immediately.

PRESQUE ISLE arrived in port at 1015 this morning and slowly worked her way into the Mountfort Terminal. Crews from Erie Sand & Gravel, Great Lakes Electrical Services and Lakeshore Towing spent the afternoon hard at work installing the cofferdam. It's unknown at this time how long repairs will take.

Photos will follow tomorrow.

TWOLAN ARRIVES, LANCER LOADS, PRESQUE ISLE WAITS

W.N. TWOLAN and barge McALLISTER 132 arrived in port this morning and docked at the Mountfort Terminal, immediately astern of the CLIPPER LANCER, which continues to load biodiesel and should be finished around 0300 Saturday.

The PRESQUE ISLE, meanwhile, is anchored tonight about ten miles north of Erie waiting for the LANCER to finish and depart before entering the harbor for repairs. Once LANCER departs, the TWOLAN and barge McALLISTER 132 will depart the dock, turn in Erie harbor and wait for dock crews to shift the cofferdam forward before docking on the east end of the Mountfort Terminal, and the PRESQUE ISLE will dock on the west end of the dock for repairs.

PRESQUE ISLE is currently due to dock at around 1000 tomorrow morning.

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CLIPPER LANCER loading this morning.


TWOLAN/McALLISTER 132 inbound.


Stern view.


Passing the LANCER.


Close up.


A busy Mountfort Terminal on Friday evening.

CLIPPER LANCER Arrives; PRESQUE ISLE, TWOLAN Due Friday; Meet the Ship Modelbuilders

The tanker CLIPPER LANCER departed the anchorage at Port Weller, Ontario last night at around 2230 hours and began upbound through the Welland Canal bound for Erie, after the crew spent the previous two days at anchor cleaning the cargo tanks in preparation for the biodiesel load waiting in Erie.

The LANCER arrived in port today at 1600, slowly turned in Presque Isle Bay and docked at the Mountfort Terminal.

The CLIPPER LANCER joined the cofferdam built for the PRESQUE ISLE at the Mountfort Terminal today; the cofferdam was towed over there this morning by Lakeshore Towing's tugs FLATTOP and DON HENRY. The cofferdam is waiting to perform repairs on the PRESQUE ISLE's propeller shaft seals when she arrives in ballast from Conneaut at 1100 hours on Friday.

Also due on Friday is the tug/barge W.N. TWOLAN/McALLISTER 132 with lumber and paper products from Thunder Bay.

The Erie Maritime Museum invites the public to meet three of the area’s finest ship modelbuilders on Saturday, July 12, noon to 3 p.m. at the museum.

Allison Taylor, Skip Nagle and Pete Gonzalez have built, repaired and refurbished ship models on display at the museum. Their talents and skills have produced beautiful, musuem-quality work that honor ships and boats–some long gone--built in Erie and the region.

The public is invited to meet the men, see their work, ask questions, get tips, and talk about how to get involved in becoming a volunteer to help with work on various projects.

Erie’s history of boat building is a rich one and this event offers a chance to talk with three of the city’s finest model builders and hear first-hand what goes into building ship models.

The event will take place at the Erie Maritime Museum, 150 East Front St.

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CLIPPER LANCER approaching Erie.


In the channel.


Passing.


Stern view.


Passing the Mountfort Terminal.


Turning in Presque Isle Bay.


CLIPPER LANCER approaches the Mountfort Terminal.

CLIPPER LANCER, PRESQUE ISLE, W.N. TWOLAN Due; Boom Over the Bay: An Inside Look

The latest ETA for the next biodiesel tanker, CLIPPER LANCER, is 1300 hours on Thursday. Meanwhile, on Friday the PRESQUE ISLE is due in Erie for repairs, and the W.N. TWOLAN and McALLISTER 132, loaded with lumber and paper products from Thunder Bay, is also expected. Current plans call for all three vessels to be moored at the Mountfort Terminal at once; the PRESQUE ISLE, though, would end up sticking about 700 feet off the dock, so these plans may change.

And now, the long awaited inside look at the preparations for Boom Over the Bay.

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1910 hours: Lakeshore Towing tug FLATTOP leaves the rest of the Lakeshore fleet behind as we depart Wolverine Marina. The rest of the fleet won't be stationary for long, however. Both tug DON HENRY and towboat ENDURANCE will be underway within the next ten minutes, and towboat TITAN will be underway about an hour later.


1912 hours: Clearing the West Canal Basin, we head for the Parade Street slip to pick up barges 501 and 502, moored on the east side of Erie Shipbuilding to load fireworks..


1916 hours: FLATTOP inbound the Old Ore Dock. The J.S. St. JOHN, in the distance, is resting for the holiday weekend.


1918 hours: DON HENRY catches up with us.


1919 hours: DON HENRY slides up behind the 502.


1920 hours: Fireworks on the 502.


1924 hours: DON HENRY, under the command of Lakeshore Towing President, Capt. Eric Guerrein, slides the 502 away from the wall.


1927 hours: 502 comes alongside the 501.


A closer look at the J.S. St. JOHN.


1931 hours: The grand finale and the opener were loaded onto the 501.


1932 hours: Securing FLATTOP to the tow before departing the dock.


1945 hours: Backing 501 and 502 away from the wall.


2003 hours: Westbound in Presque Isle Bay at a leisurely three knots. In the distance, towboat ENDURANCE marks the spot where the barges will be anchored.


2012 hours: Having arrived in position and turned the barges, the bow anchor is dropped to keep the barges in place.


2017 hours: The stern anchor is loaded onto DON HENRY. It will be taken out and dropped to hold the barges in place.


2020 hours: DON HENRY returns


2024 hours: Barges anchored, FLATTOP leaves to drop buoys marking the Coast Guard safety zone. No boats are allowed within 100 feet of this area until after it is determined that there are no live fireworks left on the barges after the show.


2028: First buoy goes over the side. Within 15 minutes all four will be dropped, leaving an hour of downtime before the fireworks begin.


2145 hours: Fireworks begin.


2240 hours: In the wheelhouse of FLATTOP preparing to get underway for Erie Shipbuilding. While we're underway, the traffic on the Bayfront Parkway is snarled due to the crowds.

MANITOWOC in Port; LAUD, Boom Over the Bay Photos

MANITOWOC arrived in port today at 1115 and docked at the Old Ore Dock. The vessel unloaded stone there for several hours before shifting over to finish at the Mountfort Terminal. MANITOWOC departed Erie after her second visit of the season at around 1900 today.

Boom Over the Bay photos will, no matter what, come tomorrow.

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MANITOWOC inbound this morning.


Passing Erie Pierhead light.


Close up.


Stern view.


MANITOWOC in Erie harbor.


Coming alongside.


Approaching the dock.


Lifting the boom.


Overhead view.


SAM LAUD finished unloading on Saturday.


Moving away from the Mountfort Terminal.


Outbound.


This pleasure boater passed far too close to the outbound LAUD.


Departing for the Lake.

MANITOWOC Due

MANITOWOC, laden with stone from Stoneport, Michigan, is due in Erie at 1015 tomorrow. This is the vessel's second visit of the season to Erie.

I've run into problems uploading photos onto my web server today and hopefully, the features on the SAM LAUD and Boom Over the Bay will come tomorrow.

PRESQUE ISLE Bound for Erie for Repairs

PRESQUE ISLE is currently on its way to Two Harbors, Minnesota and due there tomorrow to load iron ore for Conneaut. After discharging in Conneaut, the PRESQUE ISLE will sail to Erie, where the cofferdam will be installed to facilitate repairs on the shaft seals on both the port and starboard propellers.

Features on the SAM LAUD and Boom Over the Bay will come tomorrow.

LAUD in Port, Boom Over the Bay Turns out to be Huge Success

SAM LAUD arrived in port last night at around 0300, turned in Erie harbor and docked at the Mountfort Terminal. The LAUD unloaded throughout the night and departed Erie at around 0930 this morning. Photos tomorrow.

Boom Over the Bay was a huge success on Friday night. Stay tuned tomorrow for an inside look at the preparations for the event.

SAM LAUD Due

SAM LAUD, with stone from Calcite, is due in Erie tomorrow at 0300.

Lakeshore Towing is First Responder to Persons in Water

What started out as another ordinary tow for Lakeshore Towing's Captain Neil Lundell aboard ENDURANCE on Wednesday evening ended with Lundell rescuing three people from the waters of Lake Erie after a search and rescue operation involving ENDURANCE, Coast Guard Station Erie, and a Coast Guard helicopter from Detroit.

Apparently, after the pleasure craft became disabled, three of the vessel's occupants decided to go swimming. While trying to reboard the craft, the swim platform on the vessel broke free and the boat drifted away from them, leaving a lone female occupant on the boat. However, she informed no one until Capt. Lundell arrived aboard ENDURANCE. By this time, the occupants had drifted quite a distance from the vessel, which was located about two miles northeast of the channel.

The vessel's occupant informed Capt. Lundell of the missing persons, and he in turn informed Coast Guard Station Erie and began searching for the three.

The three passengers were recovered by ENDURANCE at around 2030 hours Wednesday night. One of the vessels from Coast Guard Station Erie transported the three to Lampe Marina, where they refused treatment from Emergycare, though one was reported to be suffering from mild hypothermia.

CLIPPER LANCER Update

CLIPPER LANCER, the next tanker expected to load biodiesel in the port of Erie, is currently in the St. Lawrence River, loaded with chemical products for Mississauga, Ontario, near Toronto. The LANCER is expected there on the 5th to unload, which should put her in Erie sometime on Monday, July 7, or Tuesday, July 8.

Motor Yacht TRU BLEW Stops in Port

Motor yacht TRU BLEW, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, stopped in Erie today for fuel at Presque Isle Marina. The 72.5 foot long motor yacht, built in 1993, is on its way to Port Huron, Michigan and eventually to Chicago, where the owner is a member of the prestigious Chicago Yacht Club. The vessel required about 1,450 gallons of diesel today, amounting to a bill of more than $6,000!

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TRU BLEW fueling.


Stern view departing the dock.


Departing Marina Lake and inbound Presque Isle Bay.


Stern view.