mv. Detroit

For nearly six months, ever since I saw the top of the pilothouse -- and that was all -- I've wanted to see the new Marathon Petroleum towboat Detroit. So today I found it on vessel locations, that it had departed the Greenup Locks and Dam at 10:50 a.m. or thereabouts. So I headed downriver, saw it passing Ashland Ky and headed for a park at South Point OH.

According to information in Dick's Towboat Gallery, the Detroit is 142 feet long and 44 feet wide. It has 4,000 horsepower and was built last year by C&G Boat Works at Bayou la Batre, AL. (Whenever I hear the name Bayou la Batre, I have to think of Forest Gump. I can't help it).

Here are three photos I got today.

The Detroit spends about all its time below Kenova WV, which is a few miles below where I live. When it's in the area, it's usually tied up at a Marathon dock at Catlettsburg KY, which pretty much hides it from any place on shore.

So, when I got to see it today, I waited in the rain.

Too bad Adam was at his grandmother's house for spring break. I'm sure he will see the Detroit or one of its twins in the coming year.

One more thing: The pilot must have a great view to the front with all that glass.

Hey, Huntington

A local boat pushes three empty coal barges past beautiful downtown Huntington WV as clouds and maybe rain move in.

Today was a good day for getting boat photos. I have a lot to go through, including three of a certain boat I'd been trying to get for almost six months. But someone messed up and sent it to this area on a day I could get down the river to see it. More on that later.