Gannon University's research vessel ENVIRONAUT has spent the winter at Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair undergoing a major refit that includes a bottom replacement and a rebuild of the vessel's diesel engine.
The Erie-built vessel, used by Gannon during the navigation season as a floating classroom, ferries students from Gannon and local schools into Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie to conduct scientific experiments.
The work on ENVIRONAUT is expected to be completed by spring.
Photos courtesy of ENVIRONAUT Capt. Sam Poulson ENVIRONAUT at Donjon Shipbuilding.
With the bottom of the hull out, work on the vessel's frame is underway.
While browsing Youtube today I came across a video that may interest some of my readers. Former Erie-based cement carrier DAY PECKINPAUGH is shown in this video upbound on Lake Champlain last August.
Below is video of the JAMES NORRIS making an extremely rare visit to Erie on August 16, 2003. The vessel was inbound to unload stone at the Mountfort Terminal. The NORRIS has not returned to the port since this visit.
Below are photos of the MICHIPICOTEN in drydock at Erie Shipbuilding during March, 2008. The MICHIPICOTEN was in for propeller shaft repairs and various other work.
Photos courtesy of the former Erie Shipbuilding LLC.
MICHIPICOTEN in drydock.
Another view.
View from inside the drydock.
Starboard-side view of the MICHIPICOTEN.
Close up of the hull resting on the blocks in the drydock, one of the largest on the Great Lakes.
Another view with the KAREN ANDRIE in the background.
With the propeller pulled from the vessel. In the background the barge WITTE 1404 is under construction.
Lakeshore Towing Services installed the cofferdam on the PRESQUE ISLE on Monday. This will allow crews access to the propeller shaft on the vessel to replace the shaft seal.
Below, in two parts, is video of the vessel's arrival on Thursday.
Great Lakes Fleet's EDGAR B. SPEER arrived in Erie at 0830 this morning and entered port for winter layup. The SPEER proceeded past the PRESQUE ISLE and into Presque Isle Bay, where the vessel turned and backed into the Old Ore Dock. The SPEER's arrival drew a crowd about half of the size of the crowd on hand to see the PRESQUE ISLE on Thursday, with most of the crowd arriving to see the SPEER back through the icy slip at the Old Ore Dock.
This is the 1981-built SPEER's first-ever visit to the port of Erie. The SPEER, with its short unloading boom, can only unload at Gary, Indiana or Conneaut, where the vessel spent yesterday unloading. Unloading at other ports requires the SPEER to unload into another ship, something that it has done on a couple of occasions. Earlier this season the SPEER travelled to Nanticoke, Ontario where it unloaded into the CSL TADOUSSAC.
I will post video of both the SPEER and PRESQUE ISLE later tonight or tomorrow; editing the video always takes more time than I expect it to.
EDGAR B. SPEER inbound.
Passing the lighthouse.
In the channel.
Stern view.
Passing the PRESQUE ISLE.
Turning into the bay.
Turning in the bay.
Overhead view approaching its winter berth.
Backing into the slip.
Alongside the dock.
SPEER pushes tons of ice backwards as it inches along the dock.
Nathan and David, budding boatwatchers, watch the SPEER.
EDGAR B. SPEER should finish unloading in Conneaut, Ohio in the next couple of hours and depart for Erie. The SPEER is expected to arrive in port at 0600, but given delays that can and will likely happen, may arrive in Erie after daybreak on Saturday.
Malcolm Marine's tug MANITOU arrived in Erie at 0230 this morning and broke open the channel and outer harbor before docking at Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair to await wind on Lake Erie and also await the arrival of the PRESQUE ISLE for winter layup.
PRESQUE ISLE, meanwhile, spent much of the day cruising Lake Erie while the crew did cleaning and general pre-layup maintainance before arriving at the piers at 1500. As the PRESQUE ISLE arrived the MANITOU cruised through Erie harbor to break ice in anticipation of the EDGAR B. SPEER's arrival, expected at 0600 on Saturday.
PRESQUE ISLE slowly entered the channel and docked at the Mountfort Terminal in front of a crowd of about 100 people enjoying the beautiful, abnormally warm temperatures. After the PRESQUE ISLE arrived alongside the dock the MANITOU departed, saluting the one remaining onlooker on the pier, and headed back up the lake.
Local media, including the Erie Times-News and WJET TV were on hand to cover the event. However, the vessel did not, as reported by WJET, circle Presque Isle Bay before docking.
MANITOU at dock this morning. The tug's mascot, a dog named Cimarron, is on watch in front of the pilothouse.
PRESQUE ISLE passes Erie's pierhead lighthouse. Note the snowman on the North Pier. He won't be there long if the forecast, with mild temperatures, holds.
Another view.
Close up.
About 3,000 feet from her layup dock, the PRESQUE ISLE has slowed considerably.
Another view.
Lookout on the bow, fitting right in with the icy beard on the bow of the vessel, waves at the crowd.
Tug PRESQUE ISLE.
Crowd on the pier.
Stern view.
Approaching its yearly winter berth.
MANITOU breaks ice in Presque Isle Bay.
Turning.
Coming around.
Stern view.
Passing by the PRESQUE ISLE.
MANITOU passes the PRESQUE ISLE on its way out.
PRESQUE ISLE and the cofferdam.
File photo: Underneath the port propeller of the PRESQUE ISLE, March 12, 2007. This is the view once the cofferdam in the above photo is pumped dry.
Another job well done, MANITOU heads outbound.
Stern view.
I will post video of the PRESQUE ISLE's arrival with tomorrow's update. Video of the MANITOU's departure, including a salute from the tug, is below.
PRESQUE ISLE is currently unloading in Conneaut and should be departing sometime tonight, and is due in Erie tomorrow morning sometime for layup at the Mountfort Terminal.
EDGAR B. SPEER, at the present time, is due in Conneaut at midnight on Friday, which, barring any delays, should put the vessel in Erie on the afternoon or evening of that day.
In preparation for the vessels to arrive, Erie Sand & Gravel has job postings for welders/laborers for temporary full-time positions. More information can be found on their website.
PRESQUE ISLE passed downbound at Southeast Shoal at around 2230 hours this evening, and should be in Conneaut sometime after daylight on Wednesday. Ice is apparently a concern for the vessel as the tug MANITOU is headed down the lake, also bound for Conneaut, and possibly Erie, to assist the vessels in there.
PRESQUE ISLE is currently due in Conneaut, ice permitting, at 0600 on Wednesday to unload iron ore. The vessel will sail for Erie and arrive on Thursday morning, probably during daylight, for layup. I should have a more definite ETA tomorrow.
EDGAR B. SPEER is due in Conneaut, ice permitting, on the 15th at 0300 to unload, and then due in Erie early Saturday. This will likely change and the SPEER should arrive during daylight hours on Saturday.
Below is video of the VICTORY and JAMES L. KUBER arriving in Erie on November 21. The video is in two parts. Part one shows the duo's entrance to the port and Part two shows the vessel docking.
The latest update on ETAs for the EDGAR B. SPEER and PRESQUE ISLE has the PRESQUE ISLE arriving sometime on Thursday and the SPEER on Saturday. Ice in the St. Clair River has delayed traffic and is expected to delay the PRESQUE ISLE on its downbound voyage. The PRESQUE ISLE, which under normal circumstances would pass through the river sometime tonight, will now not be allowed to pass down through the rivers until sometime Tuesday, which will put the vessel in Conneaut on Wednesday sometime.
Below are photos from the winter of 2005-06. The JOSEPH H. THOMPSON/THOMPSON JR. are shown arriving on January 1, 2006; the PRESQUE ISLE on January 10, and the CASON J. CALLAWAY on January 16.
