Laura L. VanEnkevort

[Guest]

As mentioned below, the Laura L is reasonably shorter than the Joe Jr. Anyone know the new combined length of the pair?

Since the Laura is using a Bludworth connection system it brings the tug further into the notch than the Joe Jr with it's Hydraconn pins. That shortens it a touch, in addition to the shorter length of the tug itself. The Joe Jr, before the Hydraconn pins were a thing, had a VanEnkevort knock off version of the Bludworth connector. As such it was a much more minor deal to swap connection systems on the Thompson Barge.

[Guest]

As mentioned below, the Laura L is reasonably shorter than the Joe Jr. Anyone know the new combined length of the pair?

[ashland69]

The LLV/Thompson are anchored off Belle Isle in Detroit as of 12:30pm Sept 12, enroute to Marine City, according to the tugs' AIS.

[ashland69]

I see Laura VanEnkevort and I presume, Joseph H. Thompson are enroute to Marblehead out of Toledo as of about 8pm Sept 10. Whatever work that had to be done, if any, couldn't have been too much!

[The Schipper]

Laura L headed for Marblehead at 8am Sept 11. Joe Jr tied up in Toledo.

[ashland69]

Denny, I'm not sure if it was mentioned on this board before, but the reason for the switch is to shorten the overall length of the Thompson. The Laura-Thompson duo will be a good bit shorter than the Jr.-Thompson duo. This will allow them to make regular Cuyahoga River transits without tug assistance. Perhaps they want in on the ArcelorMittal shuttle.

I never heard that before, tugboathunter. Interesting point because the LLV appears stubbier (shorter) than the JHTJr. Again, any idea when the new combo will sail? I read somewhere, not long ago, that some work was needed on the new combo. Also, I see the JHTJr has been moved again - this time to the far end of the slip. I wonder if it'll just sit there until needed later for the MT?

[tugboathunter]

Denny, I'm not sure if it was mentioned on this board before, but the reason for the switch is to shorten the overall length of the Thompson. The Laura-Thompson duo will be a good bit shorter than the Jr.-Thompson duo. This will allow them to make regular Cuyahoga River transits without tug assistance. Perhaps they want in on the ArcelorMittal shuttle.

[Denny]

Sorry for asking a dumb question but, just curious is all as to why the Joe Thompson Jr. will be pushing the new barge and not their new tug Laura? I would've thought that this was the sole purpose if you will of bringing in the Laura here in the first place was to have them push the new barge. Am I missing something here then that I didn't see on the News Reports as I just quickly and briefly read those reports? Any information here is appreciated. Thank You.

[Guest]

Any rumors out there that the JHT Jr. might be painted before she's paired with the Michigan Trader?

[ashland69]

Yes. LLV and JHT are joined up. JHT Jr. is Tied up behind them. They are all at C&O #2. And, American Courage is tied up at C&O #3 getting some work done.

Thanks, orangeshirt. Got any idea when the pair will sail?

[orangeshirt]

Yes. LLV and JHT are joined up. JHT Jr. is Tied up behind them. They are all at C&O #2. And, American Courage is tied up at C&O #3 getting some work done.

[ashland69]

It looks like the Laura VanEnkevort may be connected up to the Joseph H. Thompson. Can anyone confirm that?

[ashland69]

According to what Guest and the Schipper posted, the barge Joseph H Thompson now has both Hydraconn (I've been misspelling that) and Bludworth connectors. So any of their tugs can push the barge at this moment, including the Laura.

My last post was merely an attempt to understand technically how both connection systems can be on the same barge at the same time without interfering with each other.

Thanks, Mr. Link. I appreciate your help.

[Mr Link]

According to what Guest and the Schipper posted, the barge Joseph H Thompson now has both Hydraconn (I've been misspelling that) and Bludworth connectors. So any of their tugs can push the barge at this moment, including the Laura.

My last post was merely an attempt to understand technically how both connection systems can be on the same barge at the same time without interfering with each other.

[ashland69]

Sorry, but I'm a little confused. Can the Laura VanEnkevort connect to the Joe Thompson right now, or, will it need to be retrofitted?

[Mr Link]

Interesting and thanks for that information. I was not aware of the barge's conversion. How much do the pads on a Bludworth equipped tug move laterally? I would have thought that converting a pin- connected barge to a Bludworth system would cause clearance issues (width-wise) with using a pin-connected tug (ie Joe Jr) unless there are some removable spacers on the barge to extend out the Bludworth wear plates. In other words, I thought the pins, even when fully retracted, may stick out too far to move past any new fixed Bludworth wear plates near the rear of the barge.

[Guest]

Joe Thompson and Joe Jr were converted over to Bludworth this year. Laura is supposed to push Joe Thompson and Joe Jr is supposed to push the new barge.

The Joe Jr was NOT converted to the Bludworth system. She remains fitted with the Hydraconn pin system and will be mated with the Michigan Trader, unless a better tug can be located before the MT is ready for service. The barge JT was converted to Bludworth over the winter but retained the pin rack for the Hydraconn system.

[The Schipper]

Joe Thompson and Joe Jr were converted over to Bludworth this year. Laura is supposed to push Joe Thompson and Joe Jr is supposed to push the new barge.

[Mr Link]

With the Laura L VanEnkevort still having its Bludworth articulation system, I suspect that it may be a while before the Laura is pushing anything in the VanEnkevort fleet (which all use Hydracon connectors).

[Chris M]

Thompson will be paired with the new barge