Saturday, August 31, 2013

Tug KIMBERLY ANNE in Port

Tug KIMBERLY ANNE, pushing a deck barge containing tug ANDREW J., arrived in port this morning and docked behind the J.S. St. JOHN at the Old Ore Dock to wait weather.

ANDREW J. sank in Lock 4 of the Welland Canal last week, resulting in a major salvage operation that closed the west side of the Welland Canal's Flight Locks (Locks 4, 5, and 6) for over two days.

It is unknown at this time when the KIMBERLY ANNE and barge will depart.

HERBERT P. BRAKE, Hopper Barge RHETT Depart

HERBERT P. BRAKE removed Sterling Equipment's newly-built hopper barge RHETT from drydock at Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair at 0700 on Friday and moored the barge at the north wall of the shipyard.

BRAKE then proceeded to move crane barge FARRELL 256 to the east side of the shipyard from her dock in front of McKEE SONS, in order to allow for work on replacement of a section of the dock wall to begin.

Once complete, BRAKE mated to the hopper barge RHETT and departed Erie at around 1000, bound for the Welland Canal and then Oswego, New York to enter the New York State Barge Canal. Eventually, RHETT will make its way to Sterling Equipment's base in Quincy, Massachusetts.


HERBERT P. BRAKE moving RHETT in Erie harbor on Friday morning.


BRAKE works the barge toward the dock.


Shortly after 1000 Friday morning, BRAKE pushes RHETT outbound.


Close up of Donjon Shipbuilding Hull #123.


BRAKE.


Side view. Note the crew member working atop the pilothouse.


Stern view.


Outbound.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

CALUMET Arrives, Departs; MORRO BAY Departs; BRAKE to sail Friday

CALUMET arrived in Erie this morning at 0200 with stone from Calcite and docked at the Old Ore Dock. CALUMET departed for Ashtabula to load coal at 0815 today.

Coast Guard Cutter MORRO BAY (WTGB-106)departed at 1430 this afternoon. The MORRO BAY, one of nine "Bay Class" 140-foot icebreaking tugs owned by the U.S. Coast Guard, was recently reassigned to Cleveland from her former homeport on the east coast. Every season a sixth tug would be assigned to the Great Lakes for icebreaking so the MORRO BAY was transferred to Cleveland permanently this spring.

HERBERT P. BRAKE was out in Erie harbor today for trials and will be departing Friday morning with Sterling Equipment's new hopper barge RHETT.

Arriving in Erie last Sunday and docking at Rum Runners was the newly-built Scallywags. The vessel is going to be placed into service with a smaller consort to go out into Presque Isle Bay and shoot water at each other.


Stern view. The 60-foot long vessel is owned by a group that includes Rum Runners owner Tim Sedney, who also owns perch fishing vessel O Danny O and Presque Isle Boat Tours' Lady Kate.


CALUMET unloading at the Old Ore Dock shortly before departure.


Backing away from the Old Ore Dock.


A flock of seagulls departs the Mountfort Terminal as CALUMET turns for the channel.


Outbound.


Close up.


Stern view of CALUMET.


MORRO BAY departing this afternoon.


Close up.


Stern view.


The icebreaking tug heads out into Lake Erie.


RHETT raising in the graving dock this morning.


HERBERT P. BRAKE at Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair this afternoon.


Departing the West Slip.


Stern view passing the McKEE SONS.


HERBERT P. BRAKE approaches the north face of the shipyard. After a few minutes here the vessel would move back to the West Slip.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

CALUMET DUE; MORRO BAY Visits

CALUMET, loaded with stone, is expected in Erie at 0100 Thursday. Coast Guard cutter MORRO BAY arrived in Erie at 1300 today and is anchored in Presque Isle Bay.



MORRO BAY inbound Erie this afternoon.


Another view of WTGB-106.


Stern view.


PA Fish & Boat Commission's PERCA passes behind in Presque Isle Bay.


Backing in the bay.


Stern view.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

VICTORY/KUBER ARRIVE

Tug VICTORY/barge JAMES L. KUBER arrived this morning around 0800 to unload stone.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

BUFFALO, MANISTEE Photos

Below are very late photos of two visits from the MANISTEE and a visit from the BUFFALO.

HERBERT P. BRAKE arrived in Erie early on August 7 and was lifted from the water at Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair. The BRAKE and the next new hopper barge will be departing at the end of August.

MANISTEE casts off her lines and prepares to depart the Mountfort Terminal at 0650 on July 30.


Moving away from the dock.


Boom down, MANISTEE lines for the channel.


In the channel.


Departing for Fairport Harbor at 0700.


Thirty-six hours later, MANISTEE returns.


Inbound.


Passing the Coast Guard station.


Stern view.


Turning in Presque Isle Bay.


Another view.


BUFFALO inbound on August 7 with stone from Cedarville. BUFFALO went to the Mountfort Terminal for an hour before shifting to the Old Ore Dock before departing at 2000.


Another view.


Passing the Coast Guard station.


Margot, a seven-year-old terrier mix, watches as the BUFFALO passes.


Stern view.


Docking.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

BRAKE, BUFFALO Due

HERBERT P. BRAKE is expected back in Erie tonight to pick up the next hopper barge from Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair.

American Steamship Company's BUFFALO, with stone from Cedarville, is expected in Erie at 1130 on Wednesday.