PRESQUE ISLE is now due in Conneaut to unload at 0400 on Thursday, which puts the vessel in Erie at 1800 on Thursday, January 17. The CASON J. CALLAWAY will arrive in Conneaut at 0930 that day, wait for the PRESQUE ISLE to finish unloading, and as such will arrive in Erie sometime on the evening of January 17.
The last of the first six deck barges being constructed by Erie Shipbuilding, the WITTE 1402, is tentatively scheduled to be removed from drydock tomorrow by Lakeshore Towing.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
PRESQUE ISLE; CALLAWAY Update
PRESQUE ISLE is still expected on the morning of January 17; however, the CASON J. CALLAWAY will now arrive on the night of the 17th or morning of January 18.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Erie Shipbuilding, Winter Layup Update
As I have written here in the past, Erie Shipbuilding is nearing completion of a financing deal to begin building a sister tug-barge to the GREAT LAKES TRADER, along with a sister tug to the JOYCE L. VANENKEVORT. The $50 million project is estimated to taken nine months or so to complete, but in reality will probably take much longer.
The last of the six deck barges under construction by the company is to be completed and will be moved from drydock sometime this week. According to Erie Shipbuilding CEO Ned Smith the company has signed a contract for another two deck barges and is negotiating to sign another contrack for an additional two deck barges.
As far as work for this winter, as I have reported already this month, three vessels are expected in port. One, the tug-barge unit KAREN ANDRIE/A-397, is already in port. The PRESQUE ISLE is due in Erie for the Mountfort Terminal on the morning of January 17, and the CASON J. CALLAWAY will follow her that afternoon to the Old Ore Dock. It's also possible that another vessel may winter here, but if that happens it will likely be a Canadian vessel that arrives late this month or in February after running late shuttling coal or salt on the Great Lakes.
Along with Erie Shipbuilding, Great Lakes Electrical Services, O-N Minerals and Lakeshore Towing will be completing work on the vessels this winter. Great Lakes Electrical and O-N Minerals will be working on all of the vessels; Lakeshore Towing will perform any towing work needing completed for any of the vessels in layup. Lakeshore Towing will this week tow the cofferdam built for the PRESQUE ISLE from Erie Shipbuilding to the Mountfort Terminal, and later this winter divers from Lakeshore will sink the cofferdam to install it under the starboard side of the PRESQUE ISLE. Lakeshore's divers will complete any underwater work needing done on the layup fleet as well.
The winter of 2007-08 is looking to be extremely busy in Erie harbor. Keep watching as I will continue to report on the happenings around the harbor.
GREAT LAKES TRADER, which would be a sister to the new barge ESB is in negotiations to build, is shown outbound Erie on January 26, 2007.
JOYCE L. VANENKEVORT is shown pushing the TRADER, January 26, 2007.
Underneath the port propellor of the PRESQUE ISLE, March 12, 2007.
The last of the six deck barges under construction by the company is to be completed and will be moved from drydock sometime this week. According to Erie Shipbuilding CEO Ned Smith the company has signed a contract for another two deck barges and is negotiating to sign another contrack for an additional two deck barges.
As far as work for this winter, as I have reported already this month, three vessels are expected in port. One, the tug-barge unit KAREN ANDRIE/A-397, is already in port. The PRESQUE ISLE is due in Erie for the Mountfort Terminal on the morning of January 17, and the CASON J. CALLAWAY will follow her that afternoon to the Old Ore Dock. It's also possible that another vessel may winter here, but if that happens it will likely be a Canadian vessel that arrives late this month or in February after running late shuttling coal or salt on the Great Lakes.
Along with Erie Shipbuilding, Great Lakes Electrical Services, O-N Minerals and Lakeshore Towing will be completing work on the vessels this winter. Great Lakes Electrical and O-N Minerals will be working on all of the vessels; Lakeshore Towing will perform any towing work needing completed for any of the vessels in layup. Lakeshore Towing will this week tow the cofferdam built for the PRESQUE ISLE from Erie Shipbuilding to the Mountfort Terminal, and later this winter divers from Lakeshore will sink the cofferdam to install it under the starboard side of the PRESQUE ISLE. Lakeshore's divers will complete any underwater work needing done on the layup fleet as well.
The winter of 2007-08 is looking to be extremely busy in Erie harbor. Keep watching as I will continue to report on the happenings around the harbor.
GREAT LAKES TRADER, which would be a sister to the new barge ESB is in negotiations to build, is shown outbound Erie on January 26, 2007.
JOYCE L. VANENKEVORT is shown pushing the TRADER, January 26, 2007.
Underneath the port propellor of the PRESQUE ISLE, March 12, 2007.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Layup Update
Both of the Great Lakes Fleet vessels due to winter in Erie, the CASON J. CALLAWAY and PRESQUE ISLE, should be arriving on January 17. The PRESQUE ISLE will spend the winter secured at the Mountfort Terminal, while the CALLAWAY will be at the Old Ore Dock.
The CALLAWAY is due for her five-year survey this winter; however it is possible that Great Lakes Fleet, the vessel's owners, will seek an extension of her drydocking survey until next winter, as the PHILIP R. CLARKE, which spent the winter in Erie last year and also received the extension, will be spending the winter at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for drydocking.
The CALLAWAY is due for her five-year survey this winter; however it is possible that Great Lakes Fleet, the vessel's owners, will seek an extension of her drydocking survey until next winter, as the PHILIP R. CLARKE, which spent the winter in Erie last year and also received the extension, will be spending the winter at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for drydocking.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Harbor Activity Back to Normal; PRESQUE ISLE Update
A day after strong winds delayed any activity in Erie harbor, things were back to normal on Thursday morning. Lakeshore Towing tug DON HENRY this morning moved barge 401 to the Mountfort Terminal for work. KAREN ANDRIE and A-397 remain at Erie Shipbuilding.
PRESQUE ISLE is due in Two Harbors, Minnesota Saturday at 0400 and should arrive in Conneaut, if everything goes right, at around 1800 on the 15th. That puts the vessel here likely early on Wednesday, January 16 for winter layup.
ANDRIE and A-397 at dock this morning.
DON HENRY and 401 at the Mountfort Terminal.
PRESQUE ISLE is due in Two Harbors, Minnesota Saturday at 0400 and should arrive in Conneaut, if everything goes right, at around 1800 on the 15th. That puts the vessel here likely early on Wednesday, January 16 for winter layup.
ANDRIE and A-397 at dock this morning.
DON HENRY and 401 at the Mountfort Terminal.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
KAREN ANDRIE Video; PRESQUE ISLE Update
I've put up a video of the KAREN ANDRIE and A-397 arriving in Erie on Monday. Click the links below to watch.
Large Version (40 MB)
Small Version (16 MB)
PRESQUE ISLE is unloading in Gary, Indiana and will depart this evening for Two Harbors, Minnesota, where she is due on the 12th early in the morning. That should put the vessel into Conneaut sometime on the morning of January 15th, weather permitting, and in Erie for winter layup later that day or early on the 16th.
Large Version (40 MB)
Small Version (16 MB)
PRESQUE ISLE is unloading in Gary, Indiana and will depart this evening for Two Harbors, Minnesota, where she is due on the 12th early in the morning. That should put the vessel into Conneaut sometime on the morning of January 15th, weather permitting, and in Erie for winter layup later that day or early on the 16th.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Dredging Work Wraps Up
Lakeshore Towing completed dredging the Old Ore Dock early this afternoon. The successful project took a month to complete, having been hampered several times by weather.
At 1230 hours today the company's tug FLATTOP and towboat DON HENRY brought barge 401 back to the Old Ore Dock, securing it south of the barges 501 and 502. Another job successfully completed, FLATTOP and DON HENRY then departed for Lakeshore Towing's home base at Wolverine Marina.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pushing 401 into the Old Ore Dock.
Turning to dock the barge.
DON HENRY leads FLATTOP into the West Canal Basin toward Wolverine Marina.
Turning.
A-397 and KAREN ANDRIE at dock on Tuesday afternoon.
A small crane at the shipyard lifts an orange tarp from the ANDRIE..
At 1230 hours today the company's tug FLATTOP and towboat DON HENRY brought barge 401 back to the Old Ore Dock, securing it south of the barges 501 and 502. Another job successfully completed, FLATTOP and DON HENRY then departed for Lakeshore Towing's home base at Wolverine Marina.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY pushing 401 into the Old Ore Dock.
Turning to dock the barge.
DON HENRY leads FLATTOP into the West Canal Basin toward Wolverine Marina.
Turning.
A-397 and KAREN ANDRIE at dock on Tuesday afternoon.
A small crane at the shipyard lifts an orange tarp from the ANDRIE..
Monday, January 7, 2008
ANDRIE Arrives for Repairs; Dredging Continuing
On a beautiful January morning more reminiscent of late April than January 7, the tug KAREN ANDRIE and barge A-397 arrived in Erie at 1115. The tug switched from towing the barge into push mode off of Erie harbor and proceeded inbound, docking at the West Slip at Erie Shipbuilding. I have no word yet on what work is being done on the pair, but the barge is due for its drydocking survey this winter and will likely receive that here.
Dredging continues today at the Old Ore Dock.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push barge 401 into the channel this morning at 1000 hours..
Stern view.
KAREN ANDRIE and A-397 inbound.
Another view.
Close up of tug KAREN ANDRIE.
Stern view.
Passing Coast Guard Station Erie.
In Presque Isle Bay approaching the West Slip.
Turning.
Approaching the West Slip.
Turning in the slip.
Approaching the dock.
KAREN ANDRIE pushes the tug.
At 1330, the tug and barge are secured at the dock and work is beginning.
Workers hard at work.
Close up of the ANDRIE.
Dredging continues today at the Old Ore Dock.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push barge 401 into the channel this morning at 1000 hours..
Stern view.
KAREN ANDRIE and A-397 inbound.
Another view.
Close up of tug KAREN ANDRIE.
Stern view.
Passing Coast Guard Station Erie.
In Presque Isle Bay approaching the West Slip.
Turning.
Approaching the West Slip.
Turning in the slip.
Approaching the dock.
KAREN ANDRIE pushes the tug.
At 1330, the tug and barge are secured at the dock and work is beginning.
Workers hard at work.
Close up of the ANDRIE.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
KAREN ANDRIE Due; Dredging Work Continues; Letter to Editor of Erie Times-News Critical of Biofuel Shipment
KAREN ANDRIE and barge A-397 are due in Erie tomorrow at 0800.
Phase II of the dredging of the Old Ore Dock continued on Sunday; however, today's work was made easier by temperatures reaching above 50 degrees that melted much of the ice that Lakeshore Towing's crews battled on Saturday. Crews will continue working seven days per week until finished with the dredging work.
A letter to the editor of the Erie Times News in today's newspaper is critical of the fact that there were no environmental studies done on the impact of a potential spill before the shipment of biofuel through the port last month. This is the response I wrote to the paper today:
DON HENRY stands by as FLATTOP returns barge 401 to the Old Ore Dock on Sunday afternoon.
FLATTOP shifts to the 501.
A few minutes later, FLATTOP and DON HENRY take loaded barge 501 outbound. As there is no visibility over the barge from the pilothouse of FLATTOP, the crew on the tug relies on the lookout on the bow, GPS, and DON HENRY to stay on course..
And below, click to watch a video of today's action. I hope to incorporate video more and more into the Erie Shipping News in the coming year (Right click on it, click "Save Target as" and save to your computer for best viewing):
Large Version (34 MB)
Small Version (16 MB)
Phase II of the dredging of the Old Ore Dock continued on Sunday; however, today's work was made easier by temperatures reaching above 50 degrees that melted much of the ice that Lakeshore Towing's crews battled on Saturday. Crews will continue working seven days per week until finished with the dredging work.
A letter to the editor of the Erie Times News in today's newspaper is critical of the fact that there were no environmental studies done on the impact of a potential spill before the shipment of biofuel through the port last month. This is the response I wrote to the paper today:
I’m writing in response to Tom Hintenberger’s letter questioning the shipment of biofuel through the port of Erie. I watched the loading process daily as it occurred, and can say with certainty that every precaution possible was taken to guard against a spill. Local marine contractor Lakeshore Towing was hired to deploy an oil boom around the tanker Clipper Tobago and provide pollution control in the event of a spill.
The Erie Times-News reported on preliminary discussions regarding the shipment of biofuel through the port of Erie on September 4, 2007. More than three months passed before this shipment was loaded, which would have been ample time for anyone who had a problem with the plans to protest. No one did.
Shipping by rail would have been more dangerous for the environment than shipment via water, as railroad derailments resulting in spills are far more common than waterborne oil spills. And as the biofuel was headed for Europe, it would have been necessary to load the cargo aboard a ship eventually. Lake Erie Biofuels should be applauded for choosing to provide the work to the local port, rather than ship the product via rail to a port on the Eastern Seaboard.
Lake Erie Biofuels and similar companies are the future of well-paying industrial jobs in Erie and should be praised, not criticized, for keeping as much work as possible in the hands of local companies.
DON HENRY stands by as FLATTOP returns barge 401 to the Old Ore Dock on Sunday afternoon.
FLATTOP shifts to the 501.
A few minutes later, FLATTOP and DON HENRY take loaded barge 501 outbound. As there is no visibility over the barge from the pilothouse of FLATTOP, the crew on the tug relies on the lookout on the bow, GPS, and DON HENRY to stay on course..
And below, click to watch a video of today's action. I hope to incorporate video more and more into the Erie Shipping News in the coming year (Right click on it, click "Save Target as" and save to your computer for best viewing):
Large Version (34 MB)
Small Version (16 MB)
KAREN ANDRIE Due
KAREN ANDRIE and barge A-397 are departing Detroit tonight and should arrive in Erie sometime tomorrow morning. I will update when I have a more firm ETA.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Dredging Begins Again
Lakeshore Towing on Saturday began work on dredging the Old Ore Dock slip. The crews are working hard to get the slip dredged, and are battling ice brought on by recent cold temperatures. However, with warm temperatures forecast for the next several days the ice will hopefully disappear, making the job much easier.
The same equipment is involved in the project now that was in December: tug FLATTOP, towboat DON HENRY and barges 401, 501 and 502.
The same equipment is involved in the project now that was in December: tug FLATTOP, towboat DON HENRY and barges 401, 501 and 502.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Dredging to Begin Again; PRESQUE ISLE due around January 15
Lakeshore Towing on Saturday will once again begin dredging the Old Ore Dock, due to several high spots that remain in the slip. The professionals at Lakeshore were hard at work on Friday setting up to begin Saturday morning.
PRESQUE ISLE should be arriving sometime around January 15 for the Mountfort Terminal.
Setup of the dredging operations on Friday.
PRESQUE ISLE should be arriving sometime around January 15 for the Mountfort Terminal.
Setup of the dredging operations on Friday.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Historical Winter Layup: 1967/68
This winter, Erie should see two or three ships spending the winter in the port. By contrast, forty winters ago, during the winter of 1967-1968, the following ships were in the port.
For winter layup: ALPENA, BETHLEHEM, HENRY J. DALTON, ARTHUR B. HOMER, LAKEWOOD, LEHIGH, NIAGARA, POINTE NOIRE, SPARROWS POINT, WALTER E. WATSON.
In long-term layup, having not sailed the previous season: E.A.S. CLARKE, HARRY CROFT, C.H. MCCULLOUGH JR.
And in port for conversion to a sand dredge: J.S. St. JOHN
For winter layup: ALPENA, BETHLEHEM, HENRY J. DALTON, ARTHUR B. HOMER, LAKEWOOD, LEHIGH, NIAGARA, POINTE NOIRE, SPARROWS POINT, WALTER E. WATSON.
In long-term layup, having not sailed the previous season: E.A.S. CLARKE, HARRY CROFT, C.H. MCCULLOUGH JR.
And in port for conversion to a sand dredge: J.S. St. JOHN
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Harbor Quiet; PILGRIM Not Yet Razorblades
Erie's harbor is quiet, as is normal for this time of year. Lakeshore Towing has completed dredging of the Old Ore Dock and all of their equipment is now back at their base at Wolverine Marina. FLATTOP and DON HENRY, along with barges 501 and 401 are moored at the marina, and barge 502 is moored immediately west of there at Presque Isle Yacht Club.
PILGRIM, meanwhile, has not yet been sent to a scrapyard. The vessel is currently high and dry inside the boat yard south of Liberty Park.
PILGRIM high and dry.
Another view.
PILGRIM, meanwhile, has not yet been sent to a scrapyard. The vessel is currently high and dry inside the boat yard south of Liberty Park.
PILGRIM high and dry.
Another view.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
2007 in Review, Part 3 of 3: Looking Forward to 2008
As I wrap up this three-part series reviewing 2007, I feel it's best to look forward to 2008. Some of the stories that the Erie Shipping News will be following in the coming year are as follows:
1. Winter layup: Erie should continue to be a viable port for winter layups during the winter that is now here with us. The PRESQUE ISLE and one other Great Lakes Fleet vessel are tentatively expected (layup plans can change at any time before the vessel docks at its winter berth). It's possible that there may be another vessel at Erie Shipbuilding.
2. Continued success of Erie Shipbuilding: Erie Shipbuilding should continue to see new contracts for work pour in during the new year, particularly for newbuildings. Waterfront rumor has financing for the long-planned sister barge to the GREAT LAKES TRADER almost complete, with construction possibly beginning sometime this year.
3. Biodiesel shipments continuing: Biodiesel shipments hopefully should continue through the port in the coming year.
4. Deeper Ore Dock slip means less vessels in the port?: The recently-completed dredging of the Old Ore Dock means that vessels can load deeper and carry more cargo to the port, which may very well mean less vessel visits in 2008 than in 2007. However, any difference would likely be made up for by more biodiesel shipments.
As far as the Erie Shipping News is concerned, I hopefully should be able to update this blog every day. Currently I am working on a series of articles dealing with the Erie Maritime Museum, different commodities handled by the port, and the histories of various vessels that have visted the port over the years.
1. Winter layup: Erie should continue to be a viable port for winter layups during the winter that is now here with us. The PRESQUE ISLE and one other Great Lakes Fleet vessel are tentatively expected (layup plans can change at any time before the vessel docks at its winter berth). It's possible that there may be another vessel at Erie Shipbuilding.
2. Continued success of Erie Shipbuilding: Erie Shipbuilding should continue to see new contracts for work pour in during the new year, particularly for newbuildings. Waterfront rumor has financing for the long-planned sister barge to the GREAT LAKES TRADER almost complete, with construction possibly beginning sometime this year.
3. Biodiesel shipments continuing: Biodiesel shipments hopefully should continue through the port in the coming year.
4. Deeper Ore Dock slip means less vessels in the port?: The recently-completed dredging of the Old Ore Dock means that vessels can load deeper and carry more cargo to the port, which may very well mean less vessel visits in 2008 than in 2007. However, any difference would likely be made up for by more biodiesel shipments.
As far as the Erie Shipping News is concerned, I hopefully should be able to update this blog every day. Currently I am working on a series of articles dealing with the Erie Maritime Museum, different commodities handled by the port, and the histories of various vessels that have visted the port over the years.
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