fun hand steering

[jon hansen]

they drive just like our vessels only bigger

 

[Justin_NSA]

Impressive! Makes me think of the opening scene from Mel Brooks' SpaceBalls!

 

[jssailem]

Did you see the big gash Just behind the the port bow?

And they headed out to the lake. Must have incredible pumps to keep the ship afloat.

 

[jon hansen]

you prolly mean where the paint is worn off the hull at the the forward shoulder. thats from the rub rails at the soo locks. the approach piers are maybe a mile long and the ships put the bow up against with the stern of maybe 50 ft off and ease along the pier with great control. all lakers are missing the paint at that same area.

 

[jssailem]

Looked more like exposed vertical ribs than just missing paint.
But just a guess.

 

[dlochner]

@jon hansen Thanks. It is amazing to watch the big boys navigate narrow channels. We see them up on the St. Lawrence, big boats, currents, small boats, narrow channels and tight corners. It is a wonder more don't go up on the rocks.

 

[jssailem]

Once you get lined up with the lake it’s pretty much power to both engines and watch your drift. Slightest tendency power (additional turns) to opposite engine to correct.

 

[dlochner]

Once you get lined up with the lake it’s pretty much power to both engines and watch your drift. Slightest tendency power (additional turns) to opposite engine to correct.

Easy enough for the short channel out of Duluth. Take a look at google.earth or maps and follow the channel from Cape Vincent NY to Montreal. The main ship channel tends to run along the south shore. In some places a pretty strong current runs through the river. The Seaway requires a pilot onboard for all ocean going ships from Cape Vincent to Montreal or Quebec City.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I've watched a tug pushing six go through a swing- with MAYBE 50 feet each side. Boy they can drive!!

 

[LakeShark]

Same ship returning in January 2 years ago. This adds a whole new level of challenge.

 

[jssailem]

Nice Picts “LakeShark”. Interesting how the water rises as the ship come in to the channel. It is like it’s own tidal wave.

 

[LakeShark]

While I would love to take credit unfortunately the videos are not mine. I just enjoy watching the various ship spotters in duluth from time to time and that one caught my eye a few years ago. The waves do get large and often top the sea wall which is why there is a gate closing off the access to the ends when weather is bad.

 

[Tom J]

These guys do a great job bringing tankers up the Town River in Quincy, MA

 

[Will Gilmore]

The Tregurtha definitely looks like she's seen her share. The hole JS pointed out seems to have been repaired, but there looks to be new ones.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[dlochner]

The Tregurtha definitely looks like she's seen her share. The hole JS pointed out seems to have been repaired, but there looks to be new ones.

-Will (Dragonfly)

That's not a hole, it where the paint has been scraped off from going through locks and docking. These boats are upwards of 1000 feet long and dock without the help of tugs. Frequently they spring them selves off the wharf and the bow rides against the wharf while the stern moves out. They also get banged up entering locks as the locks are only a couple of feet wider than the boat.

Here's more information on the Tregurtha: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ai...429068/mmsi:366904940/vessel:PAUL R.TREGURTHA
There are a few photos fo her in locks so you can see how tight the fit is.

 

[LakeShark]

She is also the largest ship on th Great Lakes at this time! A monster to hand steer or dock. I'll stick with my 22 thank you.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Paul_R._Tregurtha