BLOUGH TOW DEPARTS

Shortly after midnight this morning, the tugs MANITOU and PATRICIA HOEY, working with dock crews from Erie Sand & Gravel, cast off the ROGER BLOUGH's winter lines and slipped the vessel quietly from its winter berth at the Old Ore Dock, backed the BLOUGH into Erie harbor and turned the ship to head it out the channel. The trio cleared Erie piers at around 0100 this morning bound for Conneaut.

Daybreak found the trio about five miles off Conneaut harbor, and the professional crews of the MANITOU and PATRICIA HOEY skillfully battled the wind
and brought the BLOUGH into the P&C Coal Dock, where it was moored by 0900 this morning, at which time the tugs departed for their homeports of St. Clair and Detroit, respectively.

The BLOUGH is expected to remain in layup through the 2009 season and may not sail in 2010 depending on market conditions.

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0650 hours finds the tow underway east of Conneaut harbor.


Close up of the MANITOU.


The BLOUGH riding on about 500' of wire.


The tow.


PATRICIA HOEY bringing up the stern.


Stern view.


BLOUGH with the MANITOU.


PATRICIA HOEY manouevering around the stern.


ROGER BLOUGH.


MANITOU.


The tow approaching Conneaut harbor. Note the dog sitting in front of the pilothouse.


Turning the BLOUGH north of Conneaut harbor.


The BLOUGH continues to head west as the MANITOU and HOEY turn.


HOEY powering up to turn the BLOUGH's stern.


Another view.


Turned.


Passing the lighthouse inbound Conneaut harbor.


Shortening the tow line.


The BLOUGH.


PATRICIA HOEY has turned around to act as a brake to stop the BLOUGH as necessary.


Another view.


In the harbor.


Lining up for the P&C Dock.


MANITOU.


ROGER BLOUGH.


Unique bow profile of the ROGER BLOUGH.


Entering the P&C Dock slip.


Stern view.


MANITOU pulling forward...


...and the HOEY pulling backwards to act as a brake.


PATRICIA HOEY.


With the BLOUGH.


Securing alongside.

Check back tomorrow or Saturday when I will have video of the tow, and of the HOLLYHOCK in Erie yesterday.

BLOUGH TOW DELAYED; HOLLYHOCK IN PORT

Tugs MANITOU and PATRICIA HOEY arrived in Erie this morning at 0130 and tied up on the Erie Shipbuilding side of the Old Ore Dock slip; the MANITOU docked near the bow of the BLOUGH and the HOEY near the stern. The tow of the BLOUGH to the P&C Coal Dock in Conneaut was scheduled to get underway this morning but was delayed due to high winds. The MANITOU and HOEY plan on trying again tonight. The PATRICIA HOEY will take the stern line of the BLOUGH and pull it from the Old Ore Dock as the MANITOU guides the bow out. Once out, the vessel will be turned and pulled out to Conneaut. The tow is expected to take between six to ten hours.

Coast Guard Cutter HOLLYHOCK arrived in port at around 1730 today, turned in the harbor and docked at the Coast Guard station to load summer buoys. The HOLLYHOCK is working on replacing buoys in the channel at the moment and when departing will be headed to the Detroit River area.

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J.S. St. JOHN, BLOUGH and MANITOU at dock this morning.

Mbr>BLOUGH at dock.


Overhead view.


MANITOU at dock.


PATRICIA HOEY.


The view from the bridge of the PATRICIA HOEY. I'd like to thank Capt. Bill of the PATRICIA for the opportunity to get these photos.


The 1800-horsepower diesel on the HOEY.


On deck.

MANITOU, PATRICIA HOEY DUE TO MOVE BLOUGH; LAKESHORE MOVES POINT COUNTERPOINT II

Tugs MANITOU and PATRICIA HOEY are due in Erie tonight at 2330 to prepare to tow the ROGER BLOUGH to Conneaut. Weather permitting the tow will leave at first light on Wednesday morning.

This is the second time the MANITOU has towed a vessel in Erie harbor; in March 2008 the tug moved the MICHIPICOTEN into drydock at Erie Shipbuilding.

The orchestra barge POINT COUNTERPOINT II was moved from East Dobbins Landing to Erie Shipbuilding by Lakeshore Towing on Sunday to permit the VICTORIAN PRINCESS to begin its season cruising from East Dobbins Landing.

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MANITOU working in Erie, preparing to move the MICHIPICOTEN into drydock at Erie Shipbuilding, March 10, 2008.

BLOUGH TOW SET

I have received word that the ROGER BLOUGH is scheduled to be towed to Conneaut at first light on Wednesday, April 29. I will update as I learn more.

CALUMET OPENS PORT; HOLLYHOCK IN TO REPLACE BUOYS

CALUMET arrived in Erie late Sunday night with stone from Calcite and docked at the Mountfort Terminal. The CALUMET unloaded throughout the night and departed after opening the 2009 season for the port of Erie.

USCGC HOLLYHOCK is currently in port replacing buoys in Erie harbor.

BLOUGH to stay in Erie (for now); PRESQUE ISLE Departure Video

ROGER BLOUGH will remain in Erie at the Old Ore Dock through at least May 1st as Great Lakes Fleet decides where to put the vessel for the summer.

Video of the PRESQUE ISLE's departure is below. Watch with the sound on.

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PRESQUE ISLE DEPARTS

PRESQUE ISLE departed Erie at about 1330 hours this afternoon after nearly three months in winter layup. The tug/barge unit departed the Mountfort Terminal at 1250 hours, turned in her namesake harbor and departed for Two Harbors, Minnesota, where the vessel is expected on Saturday to load iron ore.

The PRESQUE ISLE, due to the poor economy, stayed in layup about three weeks later than normal. Last year the vessel fitted out on March 22.

Later this week, possibly as early as tomorrow, the ROGER BLOUGH is expected to be towed to Conneaut to continue to sit out the 2009 season.

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PRESQUE ISLE departing the Mountfort Terminal.


Entering Presque Isle Bay.


In the bay.


PRESQUE ISLE turns.


Turning for the channel.


Bow view. The PRESQUE ISLE, due to its massive size and awkward handling, moved as far to the north side of the channel as possible before straightening out.


In the channel.


Next destination: Two Harbors, MN.

Video: Tug PRESQUE ISLE Departing Erie, July 3, 2004

After posting photos of the tug PRESQUE ISLE on Friday, I figured I'd dig this out and post it. On July 3, 2004, the PRESQUE ISLE arrived in Erie and dropped the barge at the Mountfort Terminal before heading to Port Weller Dry Dock for several days of repairs. This video shows the tug separating from the barge and departing for the Welland Canal and Port Weller.

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PRESQUE ISLE Fitting Out; BLOUGH Fit Out Cancelled; Harbor News and Notes

PRESQUE ISLE's engine room crew reported to the vessel on Wednesday and began fitting out for the new season. The barge has been ballasted down to allow for reconnection of the tug and barge when the deck crew reports on Monday. The PRESQUE ISLE is still scheduled to begin the new season on next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, ROGER BLOUGH's fit out has been cancelled due to the poor economy and reduced demand for iron ore pellets. Late next week the BLOUGH is scheduled to be towed from Erie to Conneaut, where the vessel will be layed up at the P&C Coal Dock. I will update when I learn a more definitive date for the tow.

Despite the poor economy, Lakeshore Towing Services has several jobs underway or scheduled to be completed this spring. The company is currently finishing a dredging job in Conneaut harbor and will soon be completing minor dredging at the Old Ore Dock and major dredging at Shade's Beach.

The company also will soon be beginning the construction of a floating dock behind the Sheraton Bayfront hotel and replacing the "C" Dock at Perry's Landing Marina.

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Barge PRESQUE ISLE ballasted down at the Mountfort Terminal on Thursday.


Another view.


Tug PRESQUE ISLE at the Mountfort Terminal.


Another view.


Stern view.


THE PRESQUE ISLE from inside the notch of the barge.


ROGER BLOUGH at the Old Ore Dock on Thursday.


With the J.S. St. JOHN.


Port side bow thruster on the BLOUGH.


A unique angle of the J.S. St. JOHN. If you look closely under her name, you can see her former name, LAKE EDWARD, and port of registry, Wilmington, DE.


Stern view of the BLOUGH.


Another view.

DAY PECKINPAUGH Receives Grant

Former Erie Navigation Company cement carrier DAY PECKINPAUGH has received a $3.1 million federal grant to allow the vessel to become a permanent traveling museum. The ship, whih was owned by Erie Navigation until sold for $9,000 to the New York State Museum in 2005, was formerly used to carry cement down the New York State Barge Canal and last laid up in Erie on September 9, 1994. It was towed from Erie by the tug BENJAMIN ELLIOT on July 11, 2005.

The PECKINPAUGH was the last commercial freighter on the Erie Canal when retired in 1994. The vessel was days away from being sold to International Marine Salvage of Port Colborne, Ontario for scrap when it was saved and sold to the New York State Museum.

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DAY PECKINPAUGH, looking forlorn, laid up in Erie on May 5, 2005.


DAY PECKINPAUGH being prepared for her final voyage out of Erie, July 10, 2005.

Season Opens; Industry Outlook Reserved

The St. Lawrence Seaway's shipping season opened on Tuesday, with the MONTREALAIS being the first upbound passage through the Welland Canal, and the SPRUCEGLEN passing upbound at Montreal to be the first vessel into the Montreal-Lake Ontario section of the Seaway.

The global economic downturn has made it impossible to predict how the shipping season will turn out. Many ships are not expected to sail, but that could change depending on how soon President Barack Obama's stimulus plan gets put into action. Locally, the Erie Western-Pennsylvania Port Authority has a wishlist of $45 million worth of stimulus projects, including a $22 million expansion of the Mountfort Terminal, and $12 million for new roofs at Erie Shipbuilding, which remains shut down with no immediate prospects of reopening.

I will post photos from the Top Hat ceremony at the Welland Canal, marking the MONTREALAIS as the first vessel through the system for the 2009 season, later today or tomorrow.