NEAH BAY arrived on scene at 0300 this morning, but due to inclement weather, decided to wait until daybreak to begin breaking open Erie harbor for the BLOUGH and PRESQUE ISLE.
The NEAH BAY got underway at 0730 this morning bound for Erie harbor, and was inbound through the piers by 0800. Shortly behind her was the ice-covered ROGER BLOUGH, which proceeded through the channel churning its propeller to clear the channel for the PRESQUE ISLE. By 0920 the ROGER BLOUGH was in Presque Isle Bay with the NEAH BAY standing by as the BLOUGH attempted to turn and back into the Old Ore Dock. At this time the PRESQUE ISLE raised his anchor and proceeded inbound on a slow bell to allow the BLOUGH to finish his manouever in Erie harbor before proceeding to the Mountfort Terminal.
With the BLOUGH unable to complete his turn to back into the Old Ore Dock, the vessel proceeded to back about 1000 feet in the harbor in order to use its propeller wash to flush ice away from the Mountfort Terminal. By 0930, the Mountfort Terminal was about 60% clear of ice and the BLOUGH began turning to pull into the Old Ore Dock.
At 0943, the BLOUGH thanked the NEAH BAY, with the captain telling the NEAH BAY he couldn't have gotten in without his assistance. The NEAH BAY proceeded to call the PRESQUE ISLE and let him know they'd be clear of the harbor before the PRESQUE ISLE, then about 4 miles out, got into the harbor.
At 1008, the PRESQUE ISLE called the NEAH BAY and thanked them for their assistance, and told them they'd see the NEAH BAY in the spring. The master on the PRESQUE ISLE quickly retracted that statement: "I take that back. I don't want to see you in the Spring. I want the ice gone."
By 1013 hours, the ROGER BLOUGH was at the end of the Old Ore Dock and became stuck. The NEAH BAY had not broken out the slip because the policy of Operation Coal Shovel, the operation group that the NEAH BAY is part of, is that slips are an opportunity for commercial icebreaking assistance. Unfortunately, with no commercial icebreaking assistance available in Erie, the BLOUGH had to request the NEAH BAY return to Erie and break open the Old Ore Dock.
The NEAH BAY returned to Erie at 1100 and began using the bubbler system installed on the icebreaking tug to break the ice and flush it from the slip. This manouever was complete by 1110 and the NEAH BAY moved to allow the BLOUGH into his dock. The BLOUGH was all secured for the winter by 1130 hours.
As this was going on, the PRESQUE ISLE was inbound and proceeded to the Mountfort Terminal. The vessel moved forward and backed along the length of the dock to flush the ice free before securing. PRESQUE ISLE was secured for the winter by 1230 this afternoon.
NEAH BAY inbound.
The NEAH BAY made quick work of the ice that was between 8 and 12 inches thick in spots.
Stern view.
BLOUGH enters the channel. This is only the third time the BLOUGH has ever been to Erie.
Another view.
Close up.
Stern view of the unique BLOUGH. At 858 feet long the BLOUGH is the 14th-longest vessel on the Great Lakes.
Close up of the stern of the BLOUGH, churning water in the channel. Note the opening in the stern. This is the BLOUGH's 54-foot long unloading boom, capable of unloading at only three docks on the Great Lakes--the one at the Gary, Indiana U.S. Steel mill, the one at Burns Harbor, Indiana and at Conneaut, Ohio.
Stern view.
Stopped in the channel, waiting for the NEAH BAY to finish icebreaking operations.
NEAH BAY standing by in Erie harbor.
BLOUGH backing in Erie harbor.
Turning for the Old Ore Dock.
BLOUGH approaching the Old Ore Dock.
NEAH BAY passes the BLOUGH on its way out of Erie Harbor.
NEAH BAY departs.
Another view.
Bow-on showing the 105-foot beam of the BLOUGH.
Bow-on showing the 105-foot beam of the BLOUGH.
Stuck fast at 1015.
NEAH BAY returns to Erie to break out the BLOUGH.
NEAH BAY works in Erie harbor.
Alongside the BLOUGH.
Another view.
BLOUGH and the NEAH BAY.
Coming forward into the Old Ore Dock.
Backing.
Backing around to clear the BLOUGH.
Another view.
Making one more pass at the Old Ore Dock.
PRESQUE ISLE inbound.
Another view.
Passing the lighthouse.
Close up.
Icy bow.
Close up of the tug.
Stern view.
Coming ahead in order to back along the dock and flush ice.
BLOUGH heads into the Old Ore Dock as the PRESQUE ISLE backs for the Mountfort Terminal.
Another view. Note the large number of onlookers in the parking lot, due to the large amount of publicity their arrivals have generated in the Erie Times News, local TV stations, and on this website.
All secure.
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