by rh » June 2, 2017, 10:32 am
The return journey has begun.
Otter told Lock 33 that the 4 empty barges are now "staged" at the Genesee River West Guard Gate.
Recreational boat traffic is now present in the Canal plus there is extreme congestion in Fairport due to their Canal Days festival starting today.
The crews are going to have quite a challenge bringing empty barges and a shallow draft tug eastbound, which is downstream in the Canal, across the heavy Genesee River northward flow. Then they have the low bridges, tight bends and traffic congestion to contend with.
I suspect the barges will be handled one at time back to Lock 30 to deal with all these issues.
If I understood the radio traffic, they are expecting a fuel truck at Lock 33 and then it is not clear what the next move is today.
At least from Lock 33 most of the trip is downstream to Lock 23 so the barges can float out of the locks without the capstan. Lock 23 to Lock 21 is upstream and then all downstream the rest of the way.
I think this is great seamanship by the tug crews handling a difficult tow, under adverse conditions, through unfamiliar territory. I also see the Canal lock tenders, as always, making the extra effort to facilitate the transit.
The return journey has begun.
Otter told Lock 33 that the 4 empty barges are now "staged" at the Genesee River West Guard Gate.
Recreational boat traffic is now present in the Canal plus there is extreme congestion in Fairport due to their Canal Days festival starting today.
The crews are going to have quite a challenge bringing empty barges and a shallow draft tug eastbound, which is downstream in the Canal, across the heavy Genesee River northward flow. Then they have the low bridges, tight bends and traffic congestion to contend with.
I suspect the barges will be handled one at time back to Lock 30 to deal with all these issues.
If I understood the radio traffic, they are expecting a fuel truck at Lock 33 and then it is not clear what the next move is today.
At least from Lock 33 most of the trip is downstream to Lock 23 so the barges can float out of the locks without the capstan. Lock 23 to Lock 21 is upstream and then all downstream the rest of the way.
I think this is great seamanship by the tug crews handling a difficult tow, under adverse conditions, through unfamiliar territory. I also see the Canal lock tenders, as always, making the extra effort to facilitate the transit.