It is 1757h EST Mon. Mar. 2/26
Thanks Mr. Link for all the detailed information and the links and the photos.
A complete and classic ending to a fantastic voyage!
port of Manitowoc shipment
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
Searching online uncovered another chapter to this story:
The Alaska Marine Lines dock, where I think the Ocean Tower and barge OG 723 are currently docked was leased around 2016 by Kone Cranes. That year, they received a 62 million dollar contract to build four 25 ton portal cranes for the Navy, two for Bremmerton and two for Bangor, WA. I'm not sure where the crane machinery was built, but the four cranes (painted green) were assembled on the AML dock in Seattle. However, after testing at the assembly site, the Navy refused to accept the cranes. So all four sat there until last year. Kone sued the Navy and won a $4.9 million claim in 2024. Since then, three of the four green cranes have been delivered to the Navy. The forth green crane is still at the dock.
Although the local news article said the big blue crane was going to Vigor Shipyard for set up and testing, I suspect that work will probably be done at the AML dock in the Dumwamish Waterway. Perhaps Vigor will provide manpower and equipment from their shipyard.
A Facebook post showing one of the green cranes finally being delivered in February 2025: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 5068772561
A 43 page summary of the lawsuit against the Navy: https://www.asbca.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fi ... rtalid=143
And finally, a Reddit thread about the green cranes: https://www.reddit.com/r/cranes/comment ... _waterway/
The Alaska Marine Lines dock, where I think the Ocean Tower and barge OG 723 are currently docked was leased around 2016 by Kone Cranes. That year, they received a 62 million dollar contract to build four 25 ton portal cranes for the Navy, two for Bremmerton and two for Bangor, WA. I'm not sure where the crane machinery was built, but the four cranes (painted green) were assembled on the AML dock in Seattle. However, after testing at the assembly site, the Navy refused to accept the cranes. So all four sat there until last year. Kone sued the Navy and won a $4.9 million claim in 2024. Since then, three of the four green cranes have been delivered to the Navy. The forth green crane is still at the dock.
Although the local news article said the big blue crane was going to Vigor Shipyard for set up and testing, I suspect that work will probably be done at the AML dock in the Dumwamish Waterway. Perhaps Vigor will provide manpower and equipment from their shipyard.
A Facebook post showing one of the green cranes finally being delivered in February 2025: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 5068772561
A 43 page summary of the lawsuit against the Navy: https://www.asbca.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fi ... rtalid=143
And finally, a Reddit thread about the green cranes: https://www.reddit.com/r/cranes/comment ... _waterway/
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
Ocean Tower and its barge OG 723 arrived in Elliot Bay off Seattle at around noon local time on March 1. Per AIS observations, they were met by two Western Towboat tugs, which I think were the Westrac and the Mariner. Per a local news article (see link below), the crane cargo is going to go to Vigor Shipyards in Seattle for set up work prior to being delivered to the Navy Shipyard in Bremerton. However, based on AIS tracks from all three tugs, it appears that both the Ocean Tower and the barge OG 723 were first tied up at an Alaska Marine Lines dock in the Dumwamish Waterway at 7100 1st Ave South, adjacent to the 1st Ave South bridge.
Link to a photo of the barge and local tugs posted to Western Towboat's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=156 ... 6326759126
Link to an article about the arrival on the WestsideSeattle. com website: https://www.westsideseattle.com/robinso ... ound-vigor
There are traffic cams in the area where I think the tug and barge are tied up, but I don't spot them in the darkness.
PS: another online article about the arrival with a photo showing the barge and all three tugs. https://westseattleblog.com/2026/03/see ... -delivery/
Link to a photo of the barge and local tugs posted to Western Towboat's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=156 ... 6326759126
Link to an article about the arrival on the WestsideSeattle. com website: https://www.westsideseattle.com/robinso ... ound-vigor
There are traffic cams in the area where I think the tug and barge are tied up, but I don't spot them in the darkness.
PS: another online article about the arrival with a photo showing the barge and all three tugs. https://westseattleblog.com/2026/03/see ... -delivery/
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is1930h EST Sat. Feb. 28/26
Is anyone on here monitoring this tow from the Puget Sound- Seattle area? It’d be neat to hear from folkks up there.
This monster Is scheduled to be there a Sunday, March 1 at 0600 hlocal time.
It would also be nice to get some photos and/or video of the arrival event.This should be at least on the national news Sunday.
Have a great arrival!
Is anyone on here monitoring this tow from the Puget Sound- Seattle area? It’d be neat to hear from folkks up there.
This monster Is scheduled to be there a Sunday, March 1 at 0600 hlocal time.
It would also be nice to get some photos and/or video of the arrival event.This should be at least on the national news Sunday.
Have a great arrival!
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1050h EST Sat. Feb.28/26
Checked Seattle Harbor/ Vessels Expected...
Ocean Tower is is on the list for an 0600h arrival tomorrow, Sunday, March 1!
It’s been a voyage of note! Congratulations to Dann Towing!
Calm seas and following winds ro one and all!
Checked Seattle Harbor/ Vessels Expected...
Ocean Tower is is on the list for an 0600h arrival tomorrow, Sunday, March 1!
It’s been a voyage of note! Congratulations to Dann Towing!
Calm seas and following winds ro one and all!
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 022h EST Wed. Feb. 25/26
The kind of info exchange that’s come into this thread on the crane tow is really showing involvement, thought, and detail in the content.
Appreciate the ais source info. As I said; been following this daily since Manitowoc. I am amazed that for the most part the actual tow out on the water has unfolded quite smoothly when I think of all the logistical details that they’ve had to manage. Given all of that; I hope to witness a great ending to this epic.
The kind of info exchange that’s come into this thread on the crane tow is really showing involvement, thought, and detail in the content.
Appreciate the ais source info. As I said; been following this daily since Manitowoc. I am amazed that for the most part the actual tow out on the water has unfolded quite smoothly when I think of all the logistical details that they’ve had to manage. Given all of that; I hope to witness a great ending to this epic.
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA. (across Puget Sound from Seattle)
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Guest
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
Might have been answered earlier in the thread, but I'm not finding it - Where in Washington state is the ulitmate destination of this crane - Puget Sound port, or up the Columbia River? Thanks.
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guesty
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
The most likely reason that no AIS signal was received from Feb 9 thru Feb 23 is that the tug probably turned its AIS transmitter off. Docked vessels typically do that.
As for yesterday's departure out of San Francisco, it was picked up by numerous AIS sites. For certain on the following AIS services: Marine Traffic, SiiTech, VesselFinder, MyShipTracking, and ShipInfo.net. Now (2 am eastern on 2/25) that it is considerably north of San Francisco (off Point Arena), its detection will likely be more hit and miss, since many free AIS sites don't have good coverage on the West Coast except for the major harbors. But Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder have received locations within the past 20 minutes, while ShipInfo's last update as about 90 minutes ago.
As for yesterday's departure out of San Francisco, it was picked up by numerous AIS sites. For certain on the following AIS services: Marine Traffic, SiiTech, VesselFinder, MyShipTracking, and ShipInfo.net. Now (2 am eastern on 2/25) that it is considerably north of San Francisco (off Point Arena), its detection will likely be more hit and miss, since many free AIS sites don't have good coverage on the West Coast except for the major harbors. But Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder have received locations within the past 20 minutes, while ShipInfo's last update as about 90 minutes ago.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 2243h REST Tues. Feb. 24/26
Guest reports Ocean Tower departed San Francisco at daybreak headed N at 7._ _ knots.
It would be helpful to those of us following the voyage and posting on this board on this board that if you are posting you could report your posting date,time, and if using a source for info such as ais; let us know that source so we can enjoy it virtually as well. This trip is a big deal to many of us I would think. Be nice to enjoy its virtual completion as a group.
My ais source has been successful throughout the voyage until Feb. 9 and later when I could no longer get any indication of Ocean Tower over several ais sites. My successful ais was via shipinfo.net for the majority of the voyage..
Guest reports Ocean Tower departed San Francisco at daybreak headed N at 7._ _ knots.
It would be helpful to those of us following the voyage and posting on this board on this board that if you are posting you could report your posting date,time, and if using a source for info such as ais; let us know that source so we can enjoy it virtually as well. This trip is a big deal to many of us I would think. Be nice to enjoy its virtual completion as a group.
My ais source has been successful throughout the voyage until Feb. 9 and later when I could no longer get any indication of Ocean Tower over several ais sites. My successful ais was via shipinfo.net for the majority of the voyage..
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Guest
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
Ocean Tower left San Fran around daybreak Pacific time. Traveling north at 7.2kts.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1012h EST Tues. Feb. 24/26
Guest reporting Ocean Tower appearing on ais and still in San Francisco.
Would you please indicate for us what your ais source is so we can verify by doing a web check.
Guest reporting Ocean Tower appearing on ais and still in San Francisco.
Would you please indicate for us what your ais source is so we can verify by doing a web check.
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Guest
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
AIS shows them leaving San Francisco and passing under the Golden Gate Bridge as I type this.
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guesty
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
As of 1 am Eastern 2/24/26 (10 pm local on 2/23/26) the Ocean Tower is showing its location (via ais) as still being at Pier 30-32 in San Francisco.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
-
Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
-
Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
-
Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
-
Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.