Here was 10.
And here, from John Van Staalduinen, are fotos of Legend, a sibling of the virgin tug Liberty I posted about a month ago. Doubleclick enlarges. The size of this behemoth can
measured using the load line (draft markings) on the stern. Eyeballing it, I’d say that from the top of the stern bulwarks to the top of the brownish bottom paint is almost 20′. I.e., if (post-launch obviously) I dove from the bulwarks into the water, it would be a long way just to the water! ?? Stern anchor is already in place.
Also at the shipyard in Anacortes, John got this foto of a dry-docked Nanuq, a 301′ loa oil recovery/platform supply vessel build by Edison Chouest. Nanuq was delivered in May 2007; here’s a youtube of its launch. Click here for a foto/info on the newest vessel Edison Chouest is undertaking for Shell’s Arctic drilling.
And from Isaac of the tugboathunter blog, this foto taken in Toledo. OH, (it reminds me of those shots taken by “future car spies”) of the former tugboat Cleveland, possibly headed for the sixth boro as the new (and third) Patrice McAllister. Another shot of the future Patrice can be seen in the last foto here on this post from Isaac’s blog. For archival shots of the vessel, check out Birk and Harold’s site, of course.
Thanks again John and Isaac.
Related: If you haven’t seen Jed’s blog, Cumberland Soundings, check it out here.
Also related: I’m suddenly thinking seriously about visiting the Panama Canal. A site like this one gives me the impression that there is an Canal/shipping enthusiast-friendly tourist infrastructure in Panama. Can anyone who’s been there comment? Would it be better to use Panama City or Colon as a homebase for a four-day trip? The “screen capture” below is interactive but time sensitive. When I studied traffic just now, I quickly recognized a half dozen vessels I think I know from their transit through the sixth boro. One is NYK Meteor, which I got fotos of eight days ago exiting the KVK. Is this possible?
tugster: a waterblog 
8 comments
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February 11, 2012 at 1:39 pm
denko
Let us know what you find out about the Panama Canal for tourists. Can’t wait to read your posts from Panama.
Panama: Home of great surfing and great dental work. Not as cheap as it used to be, unfortunately.
February 11, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Harold E. Tartell
Wait until 2014, when the expansion is completed. Ships larger than the current Panamax ships will be transiting the canal and headed for US Southern and other ports. While the “Blowhole” politicians in Washington are trying to find ways to fix the economy, their eyes, ears, and minds are closed to this at present until it smacks them in the face and they finally face reality when it may be too late. Are our ports in shape to accommodate these larger vessels? Are the ports going to be able to handle the increase in the flow of traffic? This should be their focus at present to boost our failing economy which is this country’s chance to get “OUT OF THE HOLE.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal_expansion_project, http://www.pancanal.com/eng/expansion/, http://www.panama-guide.com/canal/
February 12, 2012 at 8:38 pm
eastriver
Well, as this is a maritime blog, I feel unrestrained in saying that this comment is unmitigated bullshit.
Let’s remember that we import more stuff than anyone else.
The ONLY beneficiary to larger, deeper-draft vessels are vessel owners. No one else. The cost to us in dredging and maintenance comes nowhere near close to the diminished cost to consumers of product delivered. Larger vessels allow shipowners to run less vessels, thus diminished fuel and operation and crew costs
And let’s not forget that absolutely none of these monster ships are US flag. The cost to the owner thus is even less. Cheaper crew, cheaper safety compliance, cheaper regulation. And what happens when something goes wrong on these behemoths? Reduced crew could not even think to do what crews used to be able to do to save a ship — remember stories of crews lashing ships together and pouring cement into deck cracks? Effectively fighting massive fires? Not happening today, folks. Not enough people. Not enough training. And at the wages they are paid, no personal investment in much of anything. They’ll just get the hell off.
So they want to go to Halifax, instead? Let ’em. Look at a map. There are no decent rail or road links from there to anywhere… what’ll they do then?
Lest you think I’m some sort of frothing fool, no less folks than those who write for the Clay Maitland blog — maritime establishment personified — are saying the same sort of thing (though conservatively, of course). Here’s just one:
http://www.claymaitland.com/2011/12/09/salvage-where-the-unthinkable-often-becomes-a-reality/
And don’t even get me started on cruise ships:
http://www.claymaitland.com/2012/01/27/balancing-size-and-safety/
I’d be very happy to see a national limit on dredging of bluewater ports, to 40-45 ft or so. That’ll handle our aircraft carriers. Want more? Tough. Run more ships.
It’s past time to just say no.
(Oh, I forgot the raise-the-bridge thing. Screw that, too.)
February 11, 2012 at 6:40 pm
tugster
harold– thanks for the links and sentiments. a thought is to go twice maybe, once now and then again after the traffic has changed post-completion. wanna come with?
February 12, 2012 at 4:26 am
David Hindin
“One is NYK Meteor, which I got fotos of eight days ago exiting the KVK. Is this possible?”
A little creative work at marine traffic.com (time sensitive links) starting here:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?MMSI=354212000
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/datasheet.aspx?datasource=ITINERARIES&MMSI=354212000
NYK METEOR (MMSI:354212000)
Arrived New York Container Terminal, Elisabethport Reach at about 1100 EST on 2/2
Departed New York Container Terminal, Elisabethport Reach at about 1000 EST on 2/3
Enteried KVK at about 1105 EST on 2/3 (5.0 kn)
Departed KVK at about 1129 EST on 2/3 (7.1 kn)
Without providing details, she also apparently stopped in Norfolk on 2/4 and Savannah 2/6-7 before arriving at Colon on 2/10 in the evening, local time, transiting the Canal on 2/11 to Balboa, and then departing for Pusan.
February 12, 2012 at 6:28 am
David Hindin
Found a current schedule for NYK METEOR
Click to access NCE%20_LT.pdf
Vessel Name NYK METEOR
Vessel/Voyage NMT 024
Port Arr–Dep
———————————————-
Busan 01–02 Jan
Qingdao 04–04 Jan
Ningbo 06–07 Jan
Shanghai 07–08 Jan
Balboa 28–28 Jan
New York 02–03 Feb
Norfolk 04–04 Feb
Savannah 06–07 Feb
Manzanillo(Panama) 11–11 Feb
Busan 04–05 Mar
Ningbo 06–07 Mar
Shanghai 07– Mar
February 12, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Mage Bailey
A friend just came back from a land tour of the Panama Canal that included both sides, all the locks, the museum, and a boat ride on the big lake. There are a lot listed on Google.
February 12, 2012 at 5:08 pm
tugster
mage– and your friend felt satisfied? hospitable climate for tourists?