A few weeks ago, when the tugboat Miss Kelley Jo helped bring a large load up the Ohio to the Shell cracker plant in Pennsylvania, I missed it. Today I had more luck.
The tugboat was heading back downriver as part of the tow being pushed by the M/V Miss Gabriella, a towboat. It looked like the Miss Kellye Jo was deadheading, but I can't be sure of that.
These photos were taken from the boat dock at Ironton, Ohio. That's Russell, Ky., in the background,
When people ask me what's the difference between a tugboat and a towboat, I mention that one has a pointed front and windows and doors that are more like those on ocean-going vessels. The other has a flat front so it can push barges, and it is more suited for the relatively calm waters you find in rivers, lakes and canals.
These two boats side by side help illustrate the differences.
Perhaps the Miss Kellye Jo will make another trip up this way while the plant is being built. Or maybe another tugboat will. We don't get to see tugboats this far up the Ohio often.
2 comments:
I have seen tugboats on the northern west coast (Oregon and Washington) pulling bargeson the end of a very long cable, perhaps 500 feet.
Another one is coming up the river now. It should pass through my area this weekend. I'll try to get a photo.
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