This is why you ALWAYS keep your lower deck watertight doors closed and dogged tight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uWCP2tGLGTU#!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uWCP2tGLGTU#!
Tug in a Bind
- Thread starter L. Keith
- Start date
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- Jan 1, 2000
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After it was disengaged, the formerly stuck tug appeared to have little freeboard. It this typical, or an indicator that it took on some water?
Bill, yea I'd guess she took on some water (outside got inside) via door leakage or other cabin penetrations like a clothes dryer vent. The fuel load likely shifted also. That kind of push boat usually has one large, full width, fuel space, just forward of the machinery space. Being the boat was working local, the fuel tank most likely was not pressed up (full) and the free surface effect of a partial load of fuel pooling on the low side resulted in the list to port. That should have corrected itself as the boat returned to her near normal trim. Normal free board on a push boat varies from a few inches to maybe 18" or so, again depending on the fuel load. This boat is very similar to ones you see running the ICWW through the Sound. The current was Howling thought that bridge, reminds me of the Chef on a falling tide. The crew was lucky.
Here's another lucky one from years ago. I think this was around Demopolis, AL
http://www.maritimeconsultant.com/tugboat.htm
http://www.maritimeconsultant.com/tugboat.htm
Gotta admire the skipper of the rescue tug. That took some real skill. Big old tug. Single engine. No bow thruster. Strong current running at him. Had to judge it right to back down close enough to get line across & hold straight in current. Good deck crew too, both boats. The cost of misjudging anything? Don't want to think about it.
Second fastest tidal current in the US - the Columbia beats us. BoaterEd-ers Kim and Dick used to tie up their "Frence Kiss" there and can probably tell you stories! It's been pretty cool watching them take out the bridge.
- Joined
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I've been up on the Columbia messing about on boats for the last couple weeks - can't believe the current up here. You look down for just a minute, and it seems like you're a thousand yards downriver...Not to mention how easily it stacks up BIG near the mouth.