tugster: a waterblog

Random Tugs 412

May 26, 2024 in Balico Marine Services, Dann Ocean Towing, McAllister, New York harbor, Norfolk tugs, photos, Reinauer | Tags: Curtis Reinauer, Double Skin 36, Isabelle, Matthew Tibbetts, Navigator, Paula Atwell, RTC 82, sixth boro, Stephen Dann, Timothy McAllister, tugster | Leave a comment

Curtis and RTC 82 have appeared on this blog many times over the years. Click here and here to see where the Curtis design fits into the Reinauer building program. The first ever appearance of this Curtis was likely here in February 2013.

Matthew Tibbetts was launched the year I graduated from high school. As i recall, this boat won the “best-looking tug” Great North River Tugboat Race award back in 2008, a recognition she could win any time still. Here recently, she was waiting at the KV buoy to provide an assist.

Another clean-looking workhorse is Balico’s incomparable Navigator.

I’m accustomed to seeing Paula Atwell with a TUP or DUP barge. Not earning any money here, she does appear more attractive. I’d never noticed how massive that mast is.

Stephen Dann has “grown” an upper wheelhouse since appearing on this blog for the first time over a decade ago here. Recently she’s been pushing Double Skin 36.

Isabelle is already well into her next job towing another ship, and since she’s an exotic machine in the sixth boro, let me share another photo of her.

Let’s conclude with another less-than-frequent boat in the sixth boro, Timothy McAllister. Like her fleetmate Ellen, she was a YTB launched into Lake Michigan; in Timothy’s case, as YTB-788 Wapato. I haven’t tallied up occurrences, but I’d guess that Ellen is among the most frequent boats featured on this blog.

All photos, any errors, WVD, who hopes you enjoyed these photos.

Retro 73 Non-Sixth Boro B

May 25, 2024 in Netherlands, photos, steam | Tags: Anita, Camaro, de Prutser, Deliver, Devotion, Hudson, Joop 1, Maassluis, Netherlands, Roma, Sapura Topazio, tugster, Willem Alexander | 1 comment

Consider Anita . . . 1971,

Camaro . . . 1985, and

Willem Alexander with a forward telescoping wheelhouse, and conclude that short sea shipping of containers has been alive and well for some time now on the Dutch and European waterways, aka the binnenvaart.

Deliver appears to be a semi-submersible barge, here

being pushed by Devotion and overtaken by de Prutser, which might translate as “the brat.” Correct me here if you can.

Hudson, 1939, is the last pre-war ocean-going tugboat in the Netherlands. Here’s a quote from the link in the vessel name: “In May 1940 captain Ben Weltevreden, during the fourth journey of the Hudson, received the news that German troops invaded the Netherlands. Hudson did not return home, because of the German occupation. Throughout the Second World War, the Hudson directed by the Dutch government in exile, served the Allied cause. The tug and her crew have many feats to her name including towing a burning ammunition ship in the port of Algiers. In 1944, as part of the Normandy landings, the Hudson assisted creating an artificial harbor on the coast of Normandy, from where the Allied forces were supplied. In the same year she assisted in Operation Pluto; the construction of a pipeline under the channel for supply of fuel for the allied troops.”

If you can jet across the Atlantic today, you can still catch this event in Dordrecht NL for an event translated as “steam in Dordt,” a festival of mostly immaculately-restored steam vessels. It happens there every second year, so if you don’t make it this year, make your plans for 2026. All these photos were taken either there or on my way to the festival via river taxi.

Roma, 1982 and currently laid-up, is 200′ x 49′.

Sapura Topazio is a pipe/wire layer, appearing to be still under construction along the river. She’s currently working in Brasil.

I like this low-profile steamer with a boiler exposed to the elements. The sign at the base of the stack says Gebr. Beyer, translated as Beyer Brothers. I’m not sure what the name of the vessel is. Maybe someone can help.

With a similar design, Y8122 dates from 1937.

A few sixth boro tugboats resemble this pusher tug in 2014 known as Joop 1. Can you name them? Currently this 1981 boat goes by the name of Ultimo. A major difference, though, is that at crew change time the car gets lifted off the boat onto the dock, and a vehicle of the new crew lifted aboard.

All photos, any errors, WVD, shot in Netherlands in May 2014.

Sixth boro tugs similar to Joop 1 would be J. Arnold Witte, CMT Otter, Edna A, and Lucy H. none ever with a vehicular piggyback.

New Names 5

May 24, 2024 in Centerline Logistics Corporation, Henry Marine Service, Hughes Marine, New York harbor, photos | Tags: 65 Roses, Bouchard fleet dispersal, Bulldog, Desperado, Hawsepiper, Miss Crabtree, Petite Soeur, Robert IV, sixth boro, Spanky, tugster | Leave a comment

Spanky and Miss Crabtree have been around for a while, as has Robert IV. But the small yellow/green tug to the left is new, maybe the newest hull in the boro, and a real . . .

Desperado! I love it. Might there be a string of tugs and barges with southwestern names?

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the boro, Petite Soeur [little sister] turns out to be a 600′ oil/chemical tanker. And who might she be hanging with?

Bulldog, another tanker of similar, one with siblings bearing names like Beagle, Boxer, and Basset. On the ways might very well be a Basenji, Bloohound, and Bernese! Alongside Bulldog, that looks like C. F. Campbell, but I’m not certain.

In the Kills, though, was my target, a formerly Bouchard tugboat I’d not yet seen, the ex-Ralph E., now . . .

Hawsepiper! It’s totally unexpected, and I love it.

Unique but totally in keeping with Centerline, Hawsepiper‘s barge was Sixty-five Roses. Know the reference? See below.

All photos yesterday, any errors, WVD, whose previous Bouchard fleet dispersal posts can be seen here, thanks to tags.

65 roses? Click here. While you’re at looking at Centerline ATB barges, check out this dramatic photo of Edward Itta, whose namesake is also quite unique.

Fleet I Did Meet 2024 B

May 23, 2024 in McAllister, Moran, New York harbor, photos, USCG, USN, visiting foreign naval vessels | Tags: 2024 NYC Fleet Week, Baden-Württemberg (F-222), Bruce A. McAllister, FGS Frankfurt am Main (A-1412), Grace McAllister, Justine McAllister, sixth boro, Timothy McAllister, tugster, USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759), USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Marinette (LCS-25) | 6 comments

In order of appearance here, the large fleet ships include USS Marinette (LCS 25), USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759), FGS Baden-Württemberg (F-222), FGS Frankfurt am Main (A-1412), and USS Bataan (LHD 5).

In other words, a littoral combat ship,

a national security cutter,

a German frigate,

a German replenishment ship,

and an amphibious assault ship.

Tugboats here are (l to r) Timothy, Justine, Bruce A., and Grace McAllister.

For a video tour of the amphibious assault ship, click here.

Grace was showing off her stuff.

I put this on Instagram with the caption “pulled over,” but that made little sense since IG chopped off the NYPD vehicle; I hope this makes more sense with the caption “pulled over.”

All photos, any errors, WVD.

Fleet I Did Meet 2024 A

May 22, 2024 in McAllister, Moran, photos, USCG, USN, visiting foreign naval vessels | Tags: Baden-Württemberg (F-222), Doris Moran, Justine McAllister, Margaret Moran, Mary Turecamo, Miriam Moran, NYC DEP Red Hook, sixth boro, tugster, USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) | 2 comments

I made it back to the boros, and back to the sixth boro, albeit late. Doesn’t this look like a fleet?

This is part of a fleet, and note the white cloth on the bow fendering. You know what that means?

Here Margaret and Miriam assume an assist-on-either-side position for that gray vessel, but that’s NYC navy gray, not something special for fleet week.

Now we’re getting the expected fleet. USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) is said to be the newest and most sophisticated 416′ National Security Cutter in the USCG.

Mary Turecamo moves in on this naval vessel, as Justine McAllister heads south to meet her assignment. Any guesses about the fleet this vessel is part of?

Quick post since I’m just now back from the water.

All photos, any errors, more info/photos to come, WVD, who’s here for the 2024 Fleet Week.

The mystery vessel is frigate Baden-Württemberg (F-222).

Fleet You Won’t Meet 2024

May 21, 2024 in collaboration, Military Sealift Command, photos, USN, USNS | Tags: collaboration, fleet week, GC Alder (WLB-216), George Schneider, Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), itt (WYTL 65613), Michael Mansoor (DDG-1001), Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208), RV Sally Ride (AGOR-28), T-AKR-1001 GTS Admiral W. M. Callaghan, tugster, USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750), USNS John Glenn, USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) | 5 comments

I’ve been outside the sixth boro right for a week now, so I MIGHT not be meeting the fleet, as I have previous years. In case I don’t get back to the boros in time, I can introduce you to some government boats I know you won’t meet in the sixth boro tomorrow.

Because of a story that intrigued me–and maybe you–a few weeks ago and related to Gabon, I’ll start with USS Miguel Keith, ESB-5. The ESB expands to expeditionary sea [or support or mobile] base. The Gabon story was about the previous vessel in this class, USS Hershel “Woody“ Williams ran aground while leaving the Gabonese port of Owendo.

RV Sally Ride below won’t be coming into the sixth boro, but a few years back, same class and similar namesake RV Neil Armstrong did. Click on the link in the previous sentence to see Armstrong‘s 2017 fleet week arrival. Ride is currently assigned to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

USS Michael Monsoor, “graduate” of Bath ME, is the second in the Zumwalt class of destroyers. Have either of the Zumwalt destroyers visited the sixth boro? Is DDG 1002 LBJ already operational?

USNS Harvey Milk

and USNS Robert F. Kennedy are fleet oilers of the Military Sealift Command, MSC. I’m not certain the Kennedy has already entered service.

Appearance notwithstanding, Bitt (WYTL 65613) was decommissioned over 40 years ago. I believe I’ve seen her before as RV Clifford A. Barnes in the Salish Sea, although I can’t locate my photos from there in 2010. Students of the sixth boro recognize Bitt as sibling to the WYTLs such as Growler, Wire, Swivel, and Line.

GC Alder (WLB-216) is 225′ Juniper class seagoing buoy tender. Previous WLBs have appeared on this blog include Walnut, Willow, Hollyhock, Sycamore, Bramble, and Elm.

If you come down to the boro Wednesday, you’ll see WMSL-759 Charles L. Calhoun, but you won’t see earlier-in-class WMSL-750 Bertholf below, recently returning to the Bay area. One of the class–Hamilton–was in the boro back in 2017 here.

How many Ready Reserve fleet vessels like Adm. W. M. Callaghan will be in the sixth boro’s parade of ships tomorrow? None. I’ve forgotten which Cape vessel that is inboard Callaghan.

Following on space travelers Sally Ride and Neil Armstrong as mentioned above,

John Glenn is unlike any fleet ships you’ll see tomorrow.

As is true of Keith and Williams mentioned above, Glenn is a sea-going expeditionary base, the wooden partitions to separate LCACs

that can land or board when the semi-submersible is ballasted down. I’m not sure what term is used for an LCAC riding onto the submerged deck. I’ve read that there’s about 15′ of water over that deck when Glenn is fully ballasted.

Click here to see an ESD semi-submerged and LCACs splashing aboard.

The first six photos here thanks to George Schneider, all others and any errors, WVD.

Random Tugs 411

May 20, 2024 in Buchanan Marine, Carver Marine Towing, Dann Marine Towing, Moran, New York harbor, photos, Weeks Marine | Tags: Buchanan 5, Charles Hughes, collaboration, Diamond Coast, Elizabeth, Erin Elizabeth, Laura K. Moran, Mackenzie Rose, Mary Turecamo, Mister T, Pearl Coast, sixth boro, tugster | Leave a comment

It’s almost Fleet Week, so I’ll start with this photo. That’s MSC’s Charles L. Gilliland in the background. In just subtle contrasting version of gray, Mackenzie Rose comes in from sea. CMT’s livery is not quite the same as USN gray.

Without the benefit of the contrasting gray, entering the Kills here is CMT’s newest, Erin Elizabeth. If, like me, you’ve not looked at the evolution of the Carver Companies, have a look here. Their range of services and bases has proliferated dramatically, more than a simple rebranding of their marine division.

Does anyone know an authoritative history of all the companies and equipment that have streamed into Buchanan Marine since 1912? That would be satisfying to read, or write.

Diamond Coast has been frequent in the sixth boro recently. Thanks to Birk Thomas, her history can be found here.

Fleetmate Pearl Coast crosses Mary Turecamo here in the Con Hook Range. Correct me if I’m wrong, Pearl Coast is the Dann Marine flagship, if such a designation exists?

Elizabeth has been a Weeks tugboat since its initial launch. Weeks Marine, more than a century old as a company, might be another candidate for a history document, unless one exists that I’m unaware of.

Laura K. Moran is one of a long line of Washburn & Doughty products currently active.

Charles Hughes is among the newest vessels operated by Vane Brothers, another venerable company that has evolved since 1898. Charles Hughes became part of the Vane organization in 1920, schoonering.

All photos, any errors, much left incomplete, WVD.

Really Random Means

May 19, 2024 in Great Lakes, photos, Stasinos Marine, technology | Tags: Ambassador Bridge, Brinn Courtney, camera technology, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Gordie Howe Bridge, Great Lakes, Indiana Harbor, tugster, webcams | Leave a comment

… or I could call this “Allen Funt would never have predicted this. I watched Candid Camera for a short time back in the 1960s. Even though I know stationary surveillance cameras are everywhere, not to mention the ones each of us carry in our pockets, I tend to forget that they ARE everywhere. Actually, when I walk into my building, I pass at least three cameras going through the lobby and down my hall.

Having stated all that, I present this set of photos with good intentions: Call this Brinn Courtney‘s Great Lakes trip.

Here are some photos upbound on May 10, this one with a “footer” Indiana Harbor coming up behind at about double the speed of the tugboat.

As I said, we live in a world of surveillance, and the cameras, as this shot illustrates, are of high quality. This is a much better shot than my Instamatic of a half century ago would have captured. For one thing, the Instamatic had no zoom, and the Marine City MI Streamtime is staffed. Hat tip, folks.

This morning, Brinn Courtney was downbound light, coming through the Detroit River in glorious May sunshine.

Taking the screenshot, I had to get it here because the webcam on the Dossin Museum pans automatically. A second later it panned back to the left. Yes, those are the Ambassador and Gordie Howe Bridges in the distance.

All photos by webcams. Any errors, WVD.

Brinn Courtney is Boston bound, and will transit the Welland Canal and Saint Lawrence in the next few days.

Check out how I got photos of Tradewinds Towing Rachel in the Panama Canal here back in 2014.

Remember: if you think you’re alone and no one will see, smile [or frown] . . . you’re on some camera somewhere. NYC’s sixth boro has its own StreamTime Live camera in Red Hook.. Feel like projecting your eyes elsewhere via StreamTime Live? Check out their cameras here.

RV Substantial

May 18, 2024 in collaboration, Erie Canal, Great Lakes, New York harbor, photos | 1 comment

I’ve re-edited the next two photos I took on May 7, showing RV Substantial as they headed north in the Upper Bay toward Albany.

I initially misrepresented who they were; Substantial is one of the research vessels operated by NV5. THSOA is a not-for-profit, but NV5 is commercial.

I tried unsuccessfully to photograph them west of lock E9 on May 15, but could find no info about their location.

Many thanks to Cori Willson, who caught them at lock E21 yesterday. If you’re on Facebook, check out Cori’s group Historic Erie Canal.

Where have the years gone since I was last on the Erie Canal??!

As of last evening, I learned they were already in the Oswego River. So I contacted a source Jim F. Coop to check if they might be along the wall in Oswego at daybreak today.

Sunnanvik was there discharging cement, but according to a fisherman, Substantial had passed there last night and continued right out into the Lake Ontario, sans an AIS signal, making it a difficult boat to track. If I had to bet, I’d say that by tomorrow morning, she might be in the Welland Canal, although that’s a guess.

Coop also saw Maple Grove (ex-LCM 8168, 1954, Higgins) in Oswego, tied up although she’d been barging around. More on barging around can be found here.

Many thanks to Cori, Coop, and the cigar-smoking fisherman for their assistance.

Substantial is only the latest example of a commercial vessel passing almost unseen through the NYS Canal system, which opened for navigation yesterday. Substantial may have transited the canal last year as well. This blog has featured many dozens of posts showing traffic on the NYS Canals. Ditto . . . lots of posts featuring the US port of Oswego.

Exotics 39

May 17, 2024 in New York harbor, Northstar Marine, photos, wind farms | 1 comment

Recently I took a photo of the 265′ x 51′ Northstar Navigator at a berth here, so it was the best kind of serendipity to catch her heading out of the boro for sea as well, so much so that when I spotted her in the distance, I wasn’t sure at first what I was looking at. Puzzled, I didn’t snap any shots. Then I noticed we were being overtaken by Courageous in the Buttermilk Channel, a move I thought was bordering on precarious, of course I was not privy to radio comms.

Enjoy these photos.

More on Northstar Marine’s exotic vessels here.

From the sixth boro, she headed for Norfolk, where she is currently located.

That’s late afternoon skies in the boro

as she heads out toward the Narrows.

All photos, any errors, WVD.

tugster: a waterblog

Random Tugs 412

Retro 73 Non-Sixth Boro B

New Names 5

Fleet I Did Meet 2024 B

Fleet I Did Meet 2024 A

Fleet You Won’t Meet 2024

Random Tugs 411

Really Random Means

RV Substantial

Exotics 39

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