DONJON'S NEWEST BARGE DEPARTS

Tug VIGILANT I arrived in Erie this morning at 0830 and docked at Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair, astern of the FARRELL 256.

At 1115 the VIGILANT I entered the graving dock and turned around behind newly-completed WITTE 4004, faced up and pushed the WITTE 4004 out of the dock. The WITTE 4004 was moored on the east side of the shipyard.

VIGILANT I then moved over to the West Slip and hooked up to the FARRELL 256, moving the barge into the drydock for more repair work. The barge will be docked next to the A-390 when the Andrie barge arrives this weekend and is put into drydock.

VIGILANT I then hooked up to the WITTE 4004 and departed with the barge, bound down the Seaway for Valleyfield, where it will reportedly meet up with the tug ATLANTIC SALVOR and barge WITTE 1007 to be taken to New York City.

Also of note, the Erie Western Pennsylvania Port Authority was recently awarded a $700,000 grant to extend the rail siding at Donjon's yard.

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VIGILANT I inbound Erie at 0830 this morning.


Side view.


Stern view.


Docking on the west side of Donjon's yard.


VIGILANT I moves the WITTE 4004 out of drydock.


Docking the barge on the east side of the yard.


A few minutes later, VIGILANT I's crew works with shipyard employees to moor the FARRELL 256 into drydock.


Starting to back the FARRELL 256 out of the slip. This is the barge's third trip into drydock since arriving in Erie last October.


Backing out.


Turning to line up for the drydock.


WITTE 4004 departing, powered by VIGILANT I.


Another view.


Close up. The barge is a sister to the 2007-built WITTE 4003, constructed at Erie Shipbuilding LLC.


VIGILANT I providing the power to the barge. They are currently a little less than two hours out of Port Colborne, at a speed of 6.7 knots.


Stern view.


Clearing the piers.

TREGURTHA Arrives; WITTE 4004 Floated

For the first time in over 17 years, PAUL R. TREGURTHA arrived in Erie today. TREGURTHA arrived at sunrise and docked along the east wall of Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair. The Queen of the Lakes will be drydocked on Monday morning.

Lakeshore Towing's tug FLATTOP and towboat DON HENRY removed the partially-completed WITTE 4004 from drydock at Donjon today, mooring the barge in the West Slip. The new dump scow will be completed after repairs to the TREGURTHA are complete.

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PAUL R. TREGURTHA approaching the East side of Donjon.


Using the bow thruster.


Sliding the wall.


Another view.


In position behind Donjon's WITTE 1407 and Lakeshore Towing's 501.


Overhead.


One sailboat in the background on the overcast Sunday morning.


Another view.


DON HENRY and FLATTOP moving WITTE 4004.


Lining up for the West Slip.


FLATTOP.


With towboat TITAN standing by if needed.


Bow view.


At dock this evening.


Bow view.


Tug MANITOU in port, moored behind FARRELL 256.


PAUL R. TREGURTHA at the east slip.