Erie Trader - Hauling A** Outta Town!

Here is the articulated tug-and-barge combo of the Clyde S. VanEnkevort (tug) and Erie Trader (barge seen departing Duluth, Minnesota in the early morning hours of May 12, 2023. As seen in an earlier video on this channel, she had arrived the previous afternoon with a load of limestone to discharge at the C. Reiss terminal in West Duluth. After she finished unloading, she was next due to load taconite (iron ore) pellets at Silver Bay, Minnesota... a four hour journey northeast via lake boat.

I don't know if it was because they were empty of if they were in a hurry... or both... but the Clyde/Erie Trader crew wasted no time departing the harbor. They were definitely haulin' a** (and a little ballast too)! It doesn't always translate well on camera, but after recording several hundred of these videos, you get a good feel for which boats are really moving. Also, after getting snubbed by the Aerial Lift Bridge the day before with their salute, Clyde's crew were clearly in no mood to salute again. And just maybe they were being polite to Duluth residents still laying in bed.

If you missed the earlier video of her arrival (and salute), you can check it out here: https://youtu.be/cjQ4q3FGsg8

The 740-foot barge Erie Trader began her life in April 2012 as the Lakes Contender, while the 135-foot tug Clyde S. VanEnkevort began her life as the Ken Booth Sr. in February 2011. Both were built at Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair in Erie, Pennsylvania. They were specifically designed to work with each other and not mate with any other tugs or barges. Both are owned by VanEnkevort Tug and Barge of Escanaba, Michigan. They were leased by the American Steamship Company until 2017, when the lease ended and their operation went to VanEnkevort Tug and Barge. At the time the lease expired, they obtained their current names... though observant viewers will spot the old name on the bow of the Erie Trader in the metalwork. The Erie Trader can carry 38,500 tons of cargo and has a 1000-horsepower diesel-driven bow thruster that helps her maneuver in port. The Clyde S. VanEnkevort is powered by twin 5,400 HP MaK diesel engines driving two controllable pitch propellers.

Видео Erie Trader - Hauling A** Outta Town! канала 1 Long 2 Short