PETITE FORTE Waits in Port as Season's End Draws Near

Tug PETITE FORTE and barge ST. MARY'S CEMENT arrived in Erie on Wednesday at 0600, ducking in from a Lake Erie that was producing seas too high for the duo, on a voyage from Cleveland to Bowmanville, Ontario in ballast to load cement, to handle.

The pair anchored in Presque Isle Bay before moving to the Mounfort Terminal at around 1000 that morning, where they remained until noon today before departing for Bowmanville.

Due to the economic uncertainty facing this country, many vessels have reached the close of the Great Lakes shipping season. Already more than a dozen American-flagged freighters are in layup, and after unloading in Conneaut, Ohio tomorrow the AMERICAN SPIRIT is reportedly bound for Superior, Wisconsin to layup.

As far as winter layups in Erie, the PRESQUE ISLE and another of Great Lakes Fleet's vessels will spend the winter in port.

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PETITE FORTE/ST. MARY'S CEMENT at anchor in Presque Isle Bay on Wednesday morning.

Gales of November keep PETITE FORTE in Erie

PETITE FORTE and barge ST. MARY'S CEMENT remain tied up at the Mountfort Terminal waiting weather. The unit arrived there at 1745 hours Wednesday and will likely remain until the wind calms. The PETITE FORTE takes shelter for the slightest of winds, however, and it's possible the tug and barge may be in port for several days, judging by the forecast.

The tug and barge aren't the only ones seeking refuge from the weather. Currently, there are six vessels anchored across Lake Erie behind Long Point. The ALGOPORT, ALGOSEA, VOYAGEUR PIONEER, MARIA DESGAGNES, CSL NIAGARA and tug WILLIAM J. MOORE are all in the anchorage at Long Point Bay.

The PETITE FORTE and ST. MARY'S CEMENT have been frequent visitors to Erie to wait weather in the past. On November 8, 2005, while downbound from Cleveland to Bowmanville, Ontario in ballast, the unit anchored outside of the channel here seeking shelter from the stormy waters of the lake. On her return trip to Cleveland, on November 13, the vessel arrived at the Mountfort Terminal and spent more than 24 hours there.

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PETITE FORTE and ST. MARY'S CEMENT at the Mountfort Terminal Thursday morning.

DAVIKEN departs; Tug PETITE FORTE inbound for weather

DAVIKEN finished unloading at the Mountfort Terminal this morning, departed and turned in the harbor, proceeding outbound at 1115 this morning. The vessel, which is still loaded with more than 22,000 Metric tonnes of cargo, is next due in Windsor, Ontario. The vessel will anchor in the Ojibway Anchorage of the Detroit River opposite the port when she arrives tonight.

Tug PETITE FORTE and barge ST. MARY'S CEMENT are due in Erie tonight at 1745 hours to wait weather. The barge is loaded with powdered cement from the St. Mary's Cement facility in Bowmanville bound for Cleveland, Ohio. I'm not sure how long they'll be in port, but judging from the weather forecast she may be here a while.

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DAVIKEN departs the Mountfort Terminal to turn in Presque Isle Bay. Note the equipment she unloaded sitting on the dock.


DAVIKEN proceeds outbound.


Departing Erie.


Close up.


Stern view.


Passing the Erie Pierhead Light.


At the lighthouse, DAVIKEN turned sharply to port before re-aligning with the channel.