Steven J. Mason at RCB

While Adam and I were at the Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam the other night (3/18) waiting for the mv. Evan Wharton to arrive, we got to see the mv. Steven J. Mason lock through downbound. Adam has wanted to see this boat since he read that it had a retractable pilothouse before being rebuilt a few years ago.

Here is the boat in the lock with 15 coal loads.

Here, a few minutes earlier, two deck hands are talking about something as the lead barges approach the lower gates.

And here is the Mason after it has left the locks, downbound for I don't know where. I do know the pilot isn't about to let any moss grow on his propellers, as the boat is moving at a good speed.