Doghouses

Let’s hope you don’t conclude this blog has gone to the dogs . . .  first wenches and now this.  But doghouse is the word I hear most often in reference to the aft-facing cabin that offers good visibility of the winch and tow  as well as protection from weather and parted wire.   Notice the variety of styles, sizes, and locations of these cabins.   Barney Turecamo has the triple-pane model mounted center, whereas

Comet‘s is starboard with a roof-mounted spotlight, all of which describes

Gulf Dawn‘s, which also features an AC.

I’m not sure what the small dome on Wilcomico‘s roof is, but it adds steel lattice glass protection.  And notice its portside orientation, unlike all the previous examples.

Falcon‘s doghouse is more capacious than the upper wheelhouse.

To follow on Nathan Stewart‘s winch fotos from yesterday, notice the controls, a

full set of them plus ability to monitor two channels at least on the VHF.

Finally, for now, Nanticoke, one of Vane Brothers Patapsco-class tugs, as is Wilcomico, uses the doghouse as a location to display the IMO number.  Here’s gCaptain’s take on IMO’s.

More on this later . . . since many “tug” boats do not have winches, and not all that have winches have doghouses.  Is there a rival term to “doghouse,” since Nanticoke and sister vessels are powered by Caterpillar 3516s . . . Cats . . . it could become complicated.

One week until the equinox!  And if you missed my late addition to yesterday’s post, Henry’s posted from Amsterdam;  check out his eagerness to get back to sea here.

All fotos by Will Van Dorp.