The Ships of Marinette Marine - Great Lakes Ship Photos

USCG Hollyhock Launch - Saturday, January 25th

The USCG Hollyhock was launched at Marinette Marine on Saturday, January 25. The tugs Erika Kobasic and Krystal were on hand to assist in two ways: First they came in a day earlier to break the ice in the launch area and second to handle the Hollyhock once it hit the water. The USCG Mobile Bay also came a day early to assist with the ice breaking. The Kobasic and Mobile Bay worked as a team to clear the ice from the launch area. With the Erika Kobasic in front of the Mobile Bay, it used its propellors to flush the broken up ice back to the Mobile Bay. The Mobile Bay then used its aerators, which are air compressors that push air out of vents in the side of the ship near the waterline, and its propellors to flush the ice completely out of the area.

On the ways on Jan. 17 prior to launch
A bit more complete as it sits on the ways on Jan. 23
Erika Kobasic and Krystal at Marinette Marine after breaking ice
USCG Mobile Bay heads up the Menominee River
Close-up of the Mobile Bay's bow breaking ice

Erika Kobasic uses its propellors to flush ice back to Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay uses its aerators to help flush the ice out of the launch area
...and uses its propellors to finish the job
USCG Hollyhock on the ways ready for launch
On its way into the water

Shaking itself off after launch
The launch mechanism sits empty after the launch

USCG Fir - In the bay of Green Bay during sea trials on April 22
USCG Fir - heads down the Menominee River on her way to Astoria, Oregon
USCG Sequoia - Stern view on the ways prior to its August 23 launch
USCG Sequoia - Bow view on the ways
USCG Sequoia - at Marinette Marine after its August 23 launch
USCG Sequoia - Stern view at its dock after launch

The Launch of the Staten Island Ferry, Guy V. Molinari - Sept. 20

The newest Staten Island Ferry was launched by Marinette Marine on Saturday afternoon. The Guy V. Molinari was christened by his daughter, Susan, who, along with her father, Guy V. Molinari, and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, was among the dignitaries on hand for the event.

An estimated crowd of between three and four thousand people lined both sides of the Menominee River to view the launch. After a round of speeches, the champagne bottle crashed against the ship and it hit the water shortly before 3:30 PM (CDT).

Please forgive the quality of these photos. I was shooting directly into a bright sun and this is as good as I could get. Thanks.

The ferry was "walked out" to the launch area on Sept.6
The twin pilothouses are added by Sept. 10
The ferry is being painted on Sept. 12

The Coast Guard is on hand to control water traffic
The Menominee County Sheriff Dept. is also on hand doing the same
The tug, Erika Kobasic, will handle one end of the ferry
The tug, William C. Selvick, will handle the other end
The new ferry on the ways prior to launch

Many small craft are on hand to watch the launch
Part of the crowd (estimated at 3000 - 4000 people) who also turned out
Another of the support craft on hand for the launch
...and another
The christening ceremony is about to begin

The Guy V. Molinari hits the water
The ferry rights itself
Close-up of the now-righted ferry
The ferry drifted almost to the middle of the river before stopping
The draft marks show it is drawing slightly more than 10-feet of water

Post Launch Photos:

Guy V. Molinari with "Staten Island Ferry" painted on side on Sept. 23
A brighter view of the newly painted ship
Close-up of "Staten Island Ferry" painted on its side
Close-up of name "Guy V. Molinari" and "New York City" painted toward stern

USCG Sequoia - Sea Trials in the bay of Green Bay on Nov. 11
USCG Sequoia - Another view of Sea Trials

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2004 Photos:

Marinette Marine - (From left to right) USCG Sequoia, USCG Alder and (Staten Island Ferry) Guy V. Molinari on Jan. 31
USCG Alder - On the ways on Jan. 31 (notice that the stack, fore mast and main mast are not yet installed)
USCG Alder - One day before launch
USCG Alder - At Marinette Marine shortly after launch on Feb. 7
Guy V. Molinari - The new Staten Island Ferry was towed from Marinette Marine April 21 for sea trials

Guy V. Molinari - Close-up of the tow as it heads down river with tug, Escort, in the lead and the Erika Kobasic trailing
Escort - Basic Marine's tug, Escort, leads the tow through the Ogden Street Bridge
Guy V. Molinari - Ferry passes Waupaca Foundry in Marinette (shot through a chain link fence)
Erika Kobasic - Tug brings up the rear of the tow
Guy V. Molinari - The ferry heads through the Ogden Street Bridge

Guy V. Molinari - Half-way through the bridge, which is being renovated
Escort - Tug leads the tow through the piers toward the bay
Guy V. Molinari - The tugs tow the Molinari out to the bay of Green Bay
Guy V. Molinari - On sea trials ib the Bay of Green Bay on April 23
Guy V. Molinari - During sea trials beyond the lighthouse on April 24

Guy V. Molinari - Heading past the lighthouse as the Chios Pride arrives on April 24
Guy V. Molinari - Another view with the lighthouse and Chios Pride
Guy V. Molinari - Heading into the river needing paint on this side!
Sen. John J. Marchi - New Staten Island Ferry moved out to the launch area of Marinette Marine on April 24
Guy V. Molinari - The tug Erika Kobasic tows the ferry back into port past the lighthouse after another round of sea trials on April 27

Guy V. Molinari - Passing the Viking I on her way back to Marinette Marine (unfortunately, with her flaked-off-paint-side showing)
Guy V. Molinari - The tow continues past the Sen. John J. Marchi sitting on the ways (notice one pilothouse has been added to the Marchi)
Sen. John J. Marchi - Both pilothouses are in place on April 30
Sen. John J. Marchi - Close-up of name
Sen. John J. Marchi launch - New Staten Island Ferry hits the water Saturday morning May 8 under cloudy skies.

Aug. 7 - 11 P.M. UPDATE - The delivery of the Staten Island Ferry, Guy V. Molinari, began from Marinette Marine on Aug. 7 at about 3:30 P.M.; however, unspecified mechanical problems later that afternoon while the ship was just several miles from Marinette have forced a return to the shipyard (ETA Marinette Marine - early Sunday morning after daybreak). It is not known at this time when the Molinari will again attempt to leave for New York. I will post periodic updates here.

Guy V. Molinari - Heads down-river on (what was supposed to be) its delivery run to New York on Aug. 7
Erika Kobasic - The big tug brings up the rear of the Molinari tow through the Menominee River
Guy V. Molinari - Nears the old carferry, Viking I
Guy V. Molinari - Passing the Viking I
Guy V. Molinari - Passing Menominee North Pier Lighthouse for the last(?) time (Guess NOT!!)

Guy V. Molinari - Past the lighthouse with the aid of the tug, Erika Kobasic (tug, Escort, is in front)
Guy V. Molinari - Shortly before being cut loose by the tugs (The ferry will make its own way out to New York from here)
Guy V. Molinari - The tug, Erika Kobasic, stands by as the ferry begins her long voyage.

Aug. 13 - 4 P.M. UPDATE - On Tuesday, Aug. 10, another attempt was made to send the Staten Island Ferry, Guy V. Molinari, on its way to New York. She left port about 4:30 PM, but was back in port about 9 PM for unspecified reasons. After conducting "Sea Trials" on Wednesday evening and then again on Thursday morning, she was pronounced fit to finally head for delivery in New York. She disappeared over the horizon on the bay of Green Bay about 12:45 PM (CDT) on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 12. By 3 PM on Friday, Aug. 13, she was reported passing Detroit, MI. The entire trip of over 2700 miles is expected to take about 3 weeks. She will proceed out the St. Lawrence Seaway into the Atlantic Ocean and finally to New York. Bon Voyage and God-Speed!!!

Guy V. Molinari - The ferry is led down-river by the tugs Escort and Erika Kobasic on Aug. 10
Guy V. Molinari - Passing through the Ogden Street Bridge for the last time on another attempt to head for New York
Guy V. Molinari - The tugs head back to Menominee River and the Molinari heads out on what will turn out to be another aborted attempt on Aug. 10 to get to New York
Guy V. Molinari - (Stock photo from April 2004) As she would have appeared heading over the horizon on Aug. 12 ... New York, HERE WE COME!!!

On Sunday Dec. 5, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy's 224-ft. training vessel "State of Michigan" arrived at Marinette Marine Corp. The former Cold War spy ship is here for a $3.9 million refit. Work is to include increasing cabin capacity and sewage treatment capacity. Currently there is room for only 30 cadets; this will be doubled to 60 cadets. Sewage treatment (which includes water from laundry and showers) will be increased from the present 4000 gallons to 30,000 gallons. Also scheduled is converting the old intelligence gathering room into a classroom and installation of a water treatment system. The ship is expected to be here until Spring 2005.

State of Michigan - At Marinette Marine on Dec. 5
State of Michigan - Stern view at Marinette Marine with the Staten Island Ferry, Sen. John J. Marchi, in the background
State of Michigan - Wide view at Marinette Marine from astern - from left to right: Sen. John J. Marchi, State of Michigan, and the new Staten Island Ferry, Spirit of America (sticking out of the building - was originally to have been named "The September 11th"), which is scheduled for launch on Dec. 18
State of Michigan - Close-up of her twin stacks with the Great Lakes Maritime Academy logo
State of Michigan - Another view from across the river

On Dec. 7, the Staten Island Ferry "Sen. John J. Marchi" began her long delivery run from Marinette Marine to New York.

Sen. John J. Marchi - At dock at Marinette Marine on Dec. 7 before leaving for New York
Sen. John J. Marchi - Heading down the Menominee River with the tugs Krystal (in the lead) and Erika Kobasic )trailing)
Sen. John J. Marchi - Close-up approaching the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
Sen. John J. Marchi - Another view approaching the bridge
Sen. John J. Marchi - Logo near top-center of ferry

Sen. John J. Marchi - Outbound past the bridge with the tip of the bow of the Chios Pride visible in background
Sen. John J. Marchi - The tugs have been turned loose as the ferry heads towards the lighthouse pier
Sen. John J. Marchi - Past Menominee North Pier Lighthouse and on her way to New York ... Bon Voyage!!!

Launch of the Spirit of America on Dec. 18

Spirit of America - Christening the ferry
Spirit of America - ...SPLASH...the ferry hits the Menominee River
Spirit of America - Still rocking after the launch
Spirit of America - Back to an even keel
Spirit of America - 45 minutes after the launch the ferry rests at her dock

Spirit of America - Basic Marine's tugs Erika Kobasic and Escort assisted in the launch earlier
Spirit of America - Wide view of the ferry and tugs

On Friday Dec. 24, the tug Mark Hannah left Toledo, Ohio with the hull of a new barge heading for Marinette Marine Corp. Manitowoc Marine Group, L.L.C. (which owns both Toledo Shiprepair and Marinette Marine) built the hull at its Toledo facility and has sent the new barge to Marinette for completion. The tow arrived in Marinette early in the morning of Wednesday Dec. 29. The new "Double-Hulled Tank Barge" is being built for Hornbeck Offshore Services, a "leading transporter of petroleum products through our tug and tank barge segment serving the energy industry, primarily in the northeastern United States and Puerto Rico." (Hornbeck Company Overview from their website: www.hornbeckoffshore.com)

New Hornbeck Barge - Waits in the bay of Green Bay with the tug Mark Hannah on the morning of Dec. 29
Erika Kobasic - Basic Marine's big ice-breaking tug Erika Kobasic heads out past an icy Menominee North Pier Lighthouse to assist the tow after breaking ice in the Menominee River all the way up to Marinette Marine
New Hornbeck Barge - With the Mark Hannah in the lead and the Erika Kobasic trailing
New Hornbeck Barge - The tow approaches the lighthouse
New Hornbeck Barge - The tow reaches the inner harbor

Mark Hannah - An icy tug leads the tow upriver
New Hornbeck Barge - Close-up of the multi-colored barge
Erika Kobasic - An even icier tug trails the tow looking as if she has been through the battles
New Hornbeck Barge - The tow proceeds upriver past K&K Warehouse/Great Lakes Pulp & Fiber
New Hornbeck Barge - Close-up of the barge docked at Marinette Marine
Marinette Marine - From left to right, the new Hornbeck barge, Spirit of America (ferry) and State of Michigan

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2005 Photos:

USCG Mackinaw (2) - The new Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw (2) is at the launch position at Marinette Marine on March 18. Here the pilothouse is being lowered aboard the new ship. - For more information about the new icebreaker CLICK HERE
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Close-up of the pilothouse
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Close-up of the bow - note that the "waterline" (where the black paint on the hull begins) is at 18-ft.
USCG Mackinaw (2) - The pilothouse is almost in place
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern with the new "Azimuthing Propulsion Units"

USCG Mackinaw (2) - Late in the afternoon the pilothouse is now in place
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Bow view on March 20
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Slightly different bow view
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Broadside view
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern view

USCG Mackinaw (2) & USCG Biscayne Bay - USCG Biscayne Bay breaks ice in front of Marinette Marine on March 20
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Bow view at Marinette Marine on March 22 with the new Hornbeck Barge and Staten Island Ferry Spirit of America
USCG Mackinaw (2) - With Viking I (at K&K Warehouse Dock), Hornbeck Barge and Spirit of America
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern/side view
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern/side view with smokestack now attached on March 23

USCG Mackinaw (2) - Another view from astern
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Close-up of pilothouse and stack rising above a building at Marinette Marine
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Looking good on Easter Sunday
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Side view on March 27
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern view from the Interstate Bridge Project site

Erika Kobasic - The Erika Kobasic arrived at Marinette Marine on the afternoon of March 29 to break ice in preparation for Saturday's launch of the new USCG Mackinaw (2)
Erika Kobasic - The Erika Kobasic in front of the USCG Mackinaw (2)
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern view all decked out on April 1 for tomorrow's launch
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Side view with banners flying the day before the launch
USCG Mackinaw (2) - On the ways prior to launch on April 2

USCG Mackinaw (2) - Shortly after launch on April 2 (I really messed up this launch! I was waiting for the christening, and couldn't see anyone on the platform. Then, all of a sudden the ship is on its way into the water and I was caught completely off-guard) :O(!!!
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Still shaking water off her decks
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Another view
USCG Mackinaw (2) - At Marinette Marine in the afternoon after the launch

Special Guest Photo Gallery - New Mackinaw Launch

Since I really messed up on getting photos of the launch, I am happy to step out of the spotlight for a little while and do something I don't usually do ... Several people have come forward with photos of the launch and were kind enough to give me permission to use them on this site. I would therefore like to say a sincere heart-felt "THANK YOU" to Mr. & Mrs. Jon (Kathy) Cappel of Arkdale, WI, Mr. Bob Page of Gladstone, MI, and Mr. Scott Best of Menominee, MI for the following presentation:

Photos by Mr. & Mrs. Jon (Kathy) Cappel:

(Bow views) - On the ways just prior to launch
Over she goes
...And SPLASH!
Further over on her side

Righting herself
...And rocking back the other way
...And the other way again
Just about through rolling

(Stern views) - Splashdown!
Almost disappearing behind a wall of water
Righting herself as a wave surges across the river
Rolling a bit as the wave continues

Photo by Mr. Scott Best:

Side view of splashdown

Photos by Mr. Bob Page:

On the ways from the Marinette Marine side
Splashdown from the Marinette Marine side

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

U. S. Navy Vessel - This vessel entered the Menominee River on the afternoon of April 28 and proceeded to dock at Marinette Marine
U. S. Navy Vessel - Stern view of this vessel, which is designated an "INLS" (Integrated Navy Lighterage System) vessel There are several configurations of these vessels - motorized unit, open deck barge and a landing-craft type barge.
U.S. Navy Maneuvers - Marinette Marine had three of their new "modular" craft out on a fairly rough bay of Green Bay on May 11. These units are built with different configurations and are made so they can be hooked together to run as an integrated unit. Here you can see three of them (each with a different configuration) hooked end to end battering their way through some choppy waters.
U. S. Navy INLS vessel - Close-up in the river returning to Marinette Marine Corp. from "Sea Trials"
State of Michigan - The Great Lakes Maritime Academy training vessel heading down the Menominee River on June 3 after a winter-long refit at Marinette Marine

Spirit of America - The new Staten Island Ferry was out on the bay of Green Bay for Sea Trials on June 28 and June 29 (shown here at its dock at Marinette Marine on July 2)
Navy INLS tow - This group of Navy craft is about ready to be towed to Chicago from Marinette Marine
Spirit of America - The new Staten Island Ferry rests at dock at Marinette Fuel & Dock on Aug. 23 awaiting departure to New York.
Spirit of America - Dockside view
Spirit of America - All lit up on the night of Aug. 23 at MF&D

Spirit of America - The Staten Island Ferry, Spirit of America, departed for New York late in the afternoon of Aug. 25. (Shown here at dock shortly before leaving)
Mackinaw (II) - Marinette Marine took the new icebreaker out in the bay of Green Bay for its first Sea Trials on Sept. 5 (shown here off Henes Park in Menominee)
Mackinaw (II) - After a full day of Sea Trials, the icebreaker turns around in the river at Marinette Fuel & Dock
Mackinaw (II) - Just about tied up for the night at MF&D behind the William H. Donner
Mackinaw (II) - Another view (from across the river) at the dock

Crew Changes On The (new) Mackinaw

Mid-afternoon on Sept. 13 the Mackinaw (II) appeared to be heading back into the Menominee River; however, she stopped outside the buoys as three smaller boats approached. It appears as if a crew transfer took place, as the two smaller boats soon headed back into port loaded with life-jacket-wearing men.

Mackinaw (II) - The new icebreaker stopped outside the buoys in the Menominee River approach.
Mackinaw (II) - Another view past the lighthouse beyond the buoys
Mackinaw (II) - The first small boat loaded with crew heads for port while the the other two boats wait alongside the ship.
Crew Boat #1 - The first boat loaded with crew heads through the piers
Mackinaw (II) - The Rescue Ranger heads in with more crew
Rescue Ranger - The crew-laden boat heads up-river to Marinette Marine

...and another crew change on Sept. 15 under clear skies...

Mackinaw (II) - Marinette Marine's Rescue Ranger and another small craft effect a crew change out beyond the lighthouse
Mackinaw (II) - Two small craft leave with crew from the Mackinaw
Mackinaw (II) - The Mackinaw gets underway to continue her Sea Trials
Rescue Ranger - These guys look like they are anxious to get back
Mackinaw (II) - The Mackinaw underway beyond the lighthouse
Mackinaw (II) - Stern view as the "Mac" heads out

Mackinaw (II) - At dock at Marinette Marine on Sept. 20 after almost 2 weeks of Sea Trials

New Mackinaw (WLBB-30) open for tours in Menominee on Dec. 7

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Front cover of Tour brochure
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Ship particulars in the brochure
USCG Mackinaw 30 - A view of the "new" Mackinaw from across the river at K&K Warehouse Dock. Kudos to K&K Warehouse for providing dock space for the public to view the ship!!!
USCG Mackinaw 30 - A view from the stern with Marinette Marine (the builder of this ship) in the background. One of our tour guides is at the left.
USCG Mackinaw 83 - If a ship needs a tow, this ship is ready; the tow line would be attached here

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Cables of different kinds in the stern of the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Part of the engine room
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Home (or should I say "ship") entertainment system in lunch room
USCG Mackinaw 30 - "Anyone hungry?"
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Ships cap pins and "coins" were available for sale

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Electronic chart shows ship's position in Menominee (see the bulls-eye)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - One of the Engine Room's modern control panels
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Electronic radar display in Engine Room
USCG Mackinaw 30 - More electronic controls
USCG Mackinaw 30 - ... and more

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Looking aft, you can see the track in the ice broken by the ship this morning
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Wide view looking aft (Marinette Marine at left)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Walking forward to the bridge (deckhouse)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - One of the modern electronic controls on the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - More electronic displays (this is a "state of the art" ship!

USCG Mackinaw 30 - A view of the interior of the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - An electrician's playground on the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Captain's chair on the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Another look at the electronic controls from the opposite side of the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Looking forward from the bridge (Viking I in foreground)

USCG Mackinaw 30 - More bridge controls
USCG Mackinaw 30 - ... and more
USCG Mackinaw 30 - An electronic positioning chart (like the one in the Engine Room)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - More electronics shows what is happening on the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - The ship's bell hangs on a wall in the bridge

USCG Mackinaw 30 - More electronic controls!
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Washing needs to be done sometime
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Base of the huge deck crane
USCG Mackinaw 30 - ... and the crane itself
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Looking up at the bridge from the main deck

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Port-side view of the bow of the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Bow view of the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Stern view (Viking I in background at K&K Warehouse dock)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - It was dark when the last tour ended. Thanks, again to K&K Warehouse for hosting this marvelous event!!!

New Mackinaw (WLBB-30) leaves Menominee on Dec. 8

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Passing the craneship William H. Donner
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Close-up passing Marinette Fuel & Dock
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Not much ice to break today
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Side view after getting a "salute" from the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Stern view

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Midway between the lighthouse and the range light tower
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Approaching Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Past the lighthouse
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Making a turn past the lighthouse heading for Green Bay, WI
USCG Mackinaw 30 - A group of well-wishers at the lighthouse say one last "Good-bye"
USCG Mackinaw 30 - One last look with Green Island in the background. BON VOYAGE!!!

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2006 Photos:

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - The (new) "Mac" comes past the lighthouse on its way to Marinette Marine on April 7
Jimmy L - The tug led the small flotilla into the harbor (silhouette against the rising sun)
William C. Selvick - Another tug brings up the rear
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Stern view heading into the inner harbor ... the ship will be here for about 3 weeks

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Heading for the Ogden Street Bridge
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - The two tugs ride herd after passing through the bridge
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Even the Coast Guard has fishing boats to contend with
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Beginning to turn around before heading upriver to Marinette Marine
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Still turning

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Just about around
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Backing upriver to Marinette Marine with the two tugs in attendance
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Close-up with Marinette Marine in the background with the Jimmy L alongside
USCG Mackinaw (2) - At dock at Marinette Marine

Launch of the tug "Brandywine" at Marinette Marine on Sept. 1

Brandywine - Close-up on the ways at Marinette Marine shortly before launch
Escort - Basic Marine's tug is in charge of the bow of the Brandywine when it hits the river
Krystal - Another Basic Marine tug has the stern lines
Brandywine - The launch horn has sounded...
Brandywine - ... and the tug heads for the river

Brandywine - Splashdown!
Brandywine - ... righting itself
Brandywine - A wave heads across the Menominee River as the tug settles
Brandywine - Safely in the river shortly after launch

Brandywine - The raised pilothouse has been added on Sept. 8 (bow view)
Brandywine - Stern view with the new pilothouse
Brandywine - Pieces of the launch mechanism are being put in place for the Sept. 23 launch of the new LCS

USS Freedom - Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Launched By Marinette Marine On Sept. 23

LCS - Marinette Marine began "walking out" their new LCS, USS Freedom, to the launch area on a rainy Sept. 8. In this photo it is about half-way to the launch area from the building where it was constructed. The launch is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23.
LCS - Bow view at the launch area on Sept. 9
LCS - Stern view at the launch area
LCS - Thursday Sept. 21 on the ways ready for launch this Saturday
LCS - All decorated (on Friday afternoon) for tomorrow's launch

The Menominee side of the Menominee River was jammed with onlookers waiting to see the launch of the LCS on Sept. 23. A friend of mine and I were going to go to view the launch, but he called shortly after 10 a.m. and said the viewing areas were already crowded (the launch ceremonies were not scheduled to begin until 11 a.m. - the ship hit the water around 11:40 a.m.). After talking it over, we decided not to go. I did take a ride around about 11 a.m. and there wasn't an open spot to be found except on the US-41 Interstate Bridge, which would have been a possibility for taking photos EXCEPT for a haze and having to shoot directly into the sun! So, I am sorry I didn't get photos of the launch itself for you. I did, however, get some interesting photos of the ship being turned around in the Menominee River turning basin down-river from Marinette Marine later that afternoon. I hope you enjoy those photos.

LCS - Safely in the Menominee River shortly after its launch around 11:40 a.m. Sept. 23 (Photo Compliments of: Bill Besaw)
LCS - Being turned around in the turning basin later that afternoon (Selvick tugs Jacquelyn Nicole and Cameron O assisting along with Jimmy L {not in photo})
LCS - Turned around and being towed back to Marinette Marine by Jacquelyn Nicole (stern) and Jimmy L (bow)
LCS - Bow view as the tow proceeds upriver
LCS - Close-Up of the U.S. Navy's newest vessel
LCS - Stern view of the tow approaching Marinette Marine

I just received this link to a video of the launch of the USS Freedom from a friend, who gave me permission to place the link on my website. A BIG THANK YOU to Mr. Steve Neal for allowing me to share this video of his with you!! Click Here to go off-site to watch the video.

Brandywine - The new Vane Bros. tug is still at Marinette Marine
Brandywine - The Vane Bros. tug's (Brandywine) stack has been painted with the large "V" for its owners

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2007 Photos:

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Arrived in Marinette on Feb. 28 to conduct icebreaking trials on the bay of Green Bay for about the next two weeks - night photo at Marinette Fuel & Dock Co. in Marinette, WI,which will be their base of operations during that time
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Sunday March 4, the last day in port before the trials begin
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Close-up at Marinette Fuel & Dock on a partly cloudy afternoon
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Close-up a little later in the afternoon with the sun glinting off the deckhouse under a mostly blue sky
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Returning to the Menominee River inner harbor on Wednesday, March 7

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Another day of testing is about over
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Close-up coming through a track in the ice it has come to know well over the past several days
USCG Hollyhock - Working ATON (Aids to Navigation) replacing the "winter buoys" in the bay of Green Bay off Menominee on May 6
U.S. Navy craft - Marinette Marine took one (well, technically three) of the new U.S. Navy INLS (Improved Navy Lighterage System) craft out in the bay of Green Bay for some sea trials on a beautiful June 13 day (shown here returning to base).
USS Freedom - Marinette Marine's new LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) was towed to the turning basin in the Menominee River, turned around and returned to Marinette Marine last Saturday

Bridget McAllister/Atlantic Trader - INLS craft for the U.S. Navy are being placed aboard the barge on July 13
Bridget McAllister/Atlantic Trader - Another view of the tug and loaded barge on July 14 awaiting thier delivery trip down the Seaway
Atlantic Trader - The barge is loaded and ready to go later that afternoon while the tug has been moved downriver
Atlantic Trader - Another view of the barge with 6 INLS craft aboard which could leave as early as Sunday morning
Christiana - Marinette Marine has moved the new Vane Bros. tug out into the yard. It will be moved to river's edge for launch soon.

USS Freedom (LCS) - Stern view of the ship with the rear doors open exposing the ramp inside where smaller craft can be launched and recovered while the ship is underway.
Marinette Marine - (L to R) Atlantic Trader, USS Freedom and Christiana (on the dock)
2 Tugs - (L to R) Erika Kobasic and Bridget McAllister wait for tomorrow's tow of the Atlantic Trader and the INLS craft

INLS Tow - The barge, Atlantic Trader, departed Marinette Marine on July 15 at noon CDT with a load of 6 U.S. Navy INLS craft aboard
INLS Tow - The tug, Bridget McAllister, was the lead tug
INLS Tow - ... While the tug, Erika Kobasic, was on the stern
INLS Tow - The tow approaches the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
INLS Tow - Stern view of the Bridget McAllister after passing through the bridge

INLS Tow - Stern view of the tow with the Erika Kobasic trailing the tow
INLS Tow - The tow approaches the bend in the harbor as it heads down-river
INLS Tow - The tow approaches Menominee North Pier Lighthouse - Bon Voyage!
Christiana - The new Vane Bros. tug has been moved to the launch area at river's edge at Marinette Marine
Christiana - The new Zane Bros. tug, Christiana, was launched around 11:15 a.m. on July 20 with the aid of the Selvick tugs, Jimmy L and Jacquelyn Nicole. She is shown here just on her way down the ways. I had set my camera to "sequential shot" mode to get a series of shots of the launch; but, when they moved the launch back 15 minutes, I turned off the camera to save the battery. It wasn't until I got home and found that I only had this photo on the camera that it dawned on me that when I turned off the camera it defaulted to its "normal" settings (NO sequential shots)!! GRRRR! Anyway, to see what this launch would have looked like, here is a Link to the launch of its "Sister-tug" Brandywine last year. Sorry about that!

Christiana - In the river at Marinette Marine later that afternoon
Christiana - The pilothouse was added to the new Zane Bros. tug, Christiana on July 24
Atlantic Trader - 5 of the new INLS craft are aboard the barge on Sept. 1 (I think there are a total of 7 to be moved)
USS Freedom - LCS - The Littoral Combat Ship is still in the finishing stages at Marinette Marine on Sept. 1

Atlantic Trader - The Erika Kobasic heads toward the Ogden Street Bridge with the Michaela McAllister pushing the barge on Sept. 8
Atlantic Trader - The barge is carrying INLS craft from Marinette Marine headed for an East Coast port
Michaela McAllister - Close-up of the tug pushing the barge as they head toward the bridge
Atlantic Trader - Broadside view of the tug & barge heading out of the inner harbor
Atlantic Trader - Heads past the lighthouse as the Erika Kobasic returns to port (briefly)

Marinette Marine - A trio of INLS craft remain at Marinette Marine on Spet. 8
USS Freedom - The LCS with side doors open and deck hangar door partly open at Marinette Marine on Sept. 8
INLS craft - The tug, Erika Kobasic, makes up a tow of two of Marinette Marine's INLS craft at KK East Dock on Sept. 14
INLS craft - The tow heads out of the inner harbor going to???

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2008 Photos:

Marinette Marine - Wide view of the dock with INLS craft and the USS Freedom on June 17
Marinette Marine - Close-up of the USS Freedom (LCS-1) with the Selvick tug, Jacquelyn Nicole, near the bow. The engines of the USS Freedom were started up a couple weeks ago; could Sea Trials be coming soon?
Marinette Marine - Close-up of the Jacquelyn Nicole
Marinette Marine - A fleet of INLS (Integrated Navy Lighterage System) craft lines the dock on June 17
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - As of Friday, July 25, the containment boom (the yellow float around the hull of the ship) has yet to be removed. This "boom" is in place to collect any type of "spillage" during construction, and will need to be removed before the ship heads out for Sea Trials, which are scheduled for Monday, July 28.

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Sunday, July 27 - The containment boom has been removed from around the ship and smoke is coming from the stack! See you tomorrow for Sea Trials!!

USS Freedom Begins Sea Trials on July 28, 2008

It was a long wait before the USS Freedom moved away from its dock on Monday. The tugs were in contact with each other beginning at 4:45 a.m.; however, they did not head over to the Marinette Marine dock until almost 10 a.m. After tying up to the ship, they waited another 2-1/2 hours before the Jimmy L finally dropped its tow-line and headed over to KK Integrated Logistics to assist the Marlene Green out of port, as they were told it would be another hour before anything would happen with the USS Freedom. Once the Jimmy L returned, the USS Freedom gave a security call saying they would depart Marinette Marine for the turning basin in a half hour. At 2 p.m. the tow got underway from Marinette Marine. About 20 minutes later, the ship was turned around and headed for the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge, which it passed through around 2:30 p.m. The tugs dropped their lines from the ship as they passed the lighthouse about 10 - 15 minutes later. The ship will be in the bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan for her Sea Trials, which could last several weeks. Bon Voyage!!

July 28 (Day 1):

Jacquelyn Nicole - The tugs were called over to Marinette Marine shortly before 10 a.m. local time.
Jimmy L - Selvick Marine's big tug takes up station at the stern of the USS Freedom
Armed USCG Boat - One of two boats patrol both up-river and down-river of the USS Freedom
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The tugs are in place shortly after 10 a.m.
Air Show - A couple planes in town for an aircraft show strut their stuff in the skies above Marinette Marine

Smoke Trail - On one of the passes, the planes left a smoke trail behind them
Marlene Green - At 1 p.m. the USS Freedom still wasn't ready to go, so the Jimmy L took time out to assist the Marlene Green out of port
Marlene Green - Bow view after passing through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Around 2 p.m. the USS Freedom leaves its dock at Marinette Marine for the first time since launch day
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Heading into the turning basin down-river from Marinette Marine

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Turning around with the aid of the two tugs, Jimmy L and Jacquelyn Nicole
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Still turning (crossway in the river)
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Just about turned around
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Turned around and headed for the bridge with the Jacquelyn Nicole leading the tow
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Close-up of the ship

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The tow approaches the bridge
Jacquelyn Nicole - The tug heads past one of the pilings that protects the bridge
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The ship prepares to head through the bridge
Jimmy L - Brings up the rear of the tow
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Part of the crew relax as the ship heads through the bridge

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - More crewmembers gather on the stern
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Stern view as the tow is safely through the bridge
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Stern view of the tow
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The tow heads out of the inner harbor
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Broadside view of the ship

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The tow heads down-river between the piers headed for the bay of Green Bay
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - A large crowd lines the lighthouse pier
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The tow between the range light and the lighthouse
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The ship leaves a trail of smoke as it passes Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - ... and more smoke after being cut free of the tugs past the lighthouse

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Past the lighthouse as the smoke clears a bit
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Underway under its own power for the very first time
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - After about 5-1/2 hours out in the bay it is time to head in for the night.
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Turning around out in the bay
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Backing in toward the lighthouse (they will dock at Marinette Fuel & Dock for the night)

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Continuing to back in with the tug, Jimmy L, in attendance (the Jacquelyn Nicole is out of sight on the opposite side of the ship)
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The ship backs in with both tugs assisting and the Coast Guard patrolling
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Backing in past the lighthouse as a crowd looks on

July 29 (Day 2):

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Docking at Marinette Fuel & Dock late afternoon after its second day of Sea Trials
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Bow view with the tugs, Jacquelyn Nicole (at the bow), and Jimmy L (pushing the ship in toward the dock)

July 30 (Day 3):

USS Freedom (LCS-1) - After the third day of Sea Trials, the ship heads back in for the night with just one tug assisting
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Backing into the inner harbor (from Menekaunee small bridge)
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - Backing in under its own power without assistance from the tug (out of sight between the ship and the pier), until they actually docked
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The tug, Jacquelyn Nicole, scoots out into the harbor
USS Freedom (LCS-1) - The tug edges in to push the ship up against the dock at Marinette Fuel & Dock

July 31 (Day 4):

USS Freedom - A view while a couple mile offshore during Sea Trials on the fourth day
USS Freedom - The tugs, Jacquelyn Nicole (bow) and Jimmy L, bring the ship in bow-first
USS Freedom - The tow approaches the lighthouse (the past three days they brought the ship in stern-first)
USS Freedom - A bows-on view of the tow as night settles in
USS Freedom - The ship is crossway in the inner harbor, what is going on?

USS Freedom - Close-up view of the ship crossway in the harbor
USS Freedom - Goodness! They are turning the ship around in the harbor!!
USS Freedom - Close-up of the partially turned ship (I guess with a draft of only about 13-ft. that can be done)
USS Freedom - The Jimmy L pushes the stern in toward the dock at Marinette Fuel & Dock

U.S. Navy INLS - Marinette Marine also had a three-unit INLS (Integrated Navy Lighterage System) craft out for Sea Trials on Aug. 1 - the USS Freedom was also out on Sea Trials, but out of sight while I was down at the bay

Aug. 1 (Day 5):

USS Freedom - After the fifth day of Sea Trials they took the ship back up-river to Marinette Marine (shown here that night)

Aug. 2 (Day 6):

USS Freedom - The ship heads out for Sea Trials around 1:30 PM on Saturday
USS Freedom - (A view from Red Arrow Park in Marinette, WI) as they get ready to come back in, these waves began rolling in with no apparent reason (there was no wind or passing ship)
USS Freedom - The ship backs in past the lighthouse with the tug, Jacquelyn keeping an eye on things from a distance
USS Freedom - Close-up of the ship inside the piers

Aug. 3 (Day 7):
Special Guest Photo

The following photo of the USS Freedom was taken by Pat DeRidder as he was fishing off Rock Island in Rock Island Passage on Aug. 3. The ship is moving at a pretty good clip:

USS Freedom - Full Speed Ahead!!

THANK YOU, Pat!!

Other photos from Aug. 3 (Day 7):

USS Freedom - Heading in for the night passing the Pere Marquette 41 at the dock where the LCS sometimes docks for the night
USS Freedom - Between the Pere Marquette 41 and the craneship, William H. Donner, with the tug, Jacquelyn Nicole, in the lead
USS Freedom - Part-way through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
USS Freedom - Stern view as the tug leads the way back to Marinette Marine
USS Freedom - Approaches Marinette Marine as darkness begins to set in

Aug. 4 (Day 8): The ship remained at Marinette Marine all day today

USS Freedom - Docked at Marinette Marine all day, no Sea Trials today

Aug. 5 (Day 9): Aug. 5 - The ship spent most of the day out in Lake Michigan today, and it sounds like they will be spending a lot of time out there until the end of Sea Trials. Since I basically can only cover them while they are in the waters of the bay of Green Bay off Menominee & Marinette, I will not be posting any more daily photos unless something interesting or unusual happens.

Aug. 6 (Day 10):

USS Freedom - The ship returned early from Sea Trials to the Marinette Fuel & Dock Co. dock on Aug. 6, and strangely pulled in bow-first; other times that they have used this dock, they were always pointed stern-first. Early this evening the ship was seen with a "containment boom" around its hull denoting a possible leak of some kind(?) ... OR, possibly just a precaution while re-fueling(?)

Aug. 8 (Day 12):

USS Freedom - This first photo is taken while the ship is speeding across the bay of Green Bay about 4-6 miles out, so the quality isn't very good; but the wake is impressive. Those are pelicans in the foreground.
USS Freedom - The ship is closer now, and they are waiting for the tugs to escort them back into port
USS Freedom - The tugs,USCG, and "air force" escort the ship as they approach the river entrance (from Government Pier)
USS Freedom - Close-up of the ship passing Menominee North Pier Lighthouse (from Government Pier in Marinette)
USS Freedom - The ship, with its escorts, approach the open Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge with the Marlene Green unloading wind turbine parts at KK Integrated Logistics in Menominee in the background

USS Freedom - The ship heads through the bridge into the sun with the rear tug, Jimmy L, letting off some smoke
USS Freedom - Through the bridge (and into a bright sun field, unfortunately)
USS Freedom - The tug, Jacquelyn Nicole, nudges the ship into the dock at Marinette Marine as the Jimmy L looks on
USS Freedom - The Jacquelyn Nicole moves to the stern to finish up

Please note that the USS Freedom will be at its dock at Marinette Marine for the next 7 - 10 days. Word has it that the Sea Trials have been going very well!

Aug. 20 (Day 13 of actual Sea Trials):

USS Freedom - The LCS-1 resumed Sea Trials today, evidently spending most of their time out on Lake Michigan because they were not visible on the bay of Green Bay this afternoon (shown here returning to Marinette Marine late at night)
USS Freedom - Photo with different lighting as they slide into the Marinette Marine dock around 11 p.m.

Nickelena - Basic Marine's tug at KK Integrated Logistics West Dock with the tug, Erika Kobasic, and some of Marinette Marine's new U.S. Navy INLS craft alongside ready for transport on Aug. 22
Nickelena - The tug heads for the Ogden Street Bridge around 5:30 PM on Aug. 22
Nickelena - Stern view of the tug after it passed through the bridge
Nickelena - Stern view as it tows three of the INLS craft behind
Nickelena - Close-up of the tug as it comes out of the inner harbor heading for the lighthouse

Erika Kobasic - Waits out in the bay with a string of three more INLS craft, waiting for the Nickelena to catch up
Nickelena - The tow heads out of the river toward Sturgeon Bay, WI, and ultimately, Chicago
Nickelena - A heavily zoomed photo of the tug as it heads out into the bay

Sept. 3: The USS Freedom has been tied up at its dock at Marinette Marine for the past two weeks. I believe they are getting ready for Navy Sea Trials (as opposed to the Builder's Sea Trials conducted so far)

Sept. 20:The USS Freedom (LCS-1) remains tied up at Marinette Marine, where it has been for the past month

Oct. 13:The USS Freedom (LCS-1) remains tied up at Marinette Marine, where it has been for almost two months. There is a protective covering over the front of the superstructure where it looks as if they are doing some work prior to its Nov. 8 commissioning. I heard that they were supposed to head up to Duluth before commissioning; that could be an extended Sea Trial period for the U.S. Navy. Up to now, all Sea Trials have been done by the builder (so far as I know); I don't think the U.S. Navy has had much (if any) hands-on operating time on the new vessel.

Oct. 14:

USS Freedom - The LCS-1 was towed from its dock at Marinette Marine down to the turning basin and turned around on Oct. 13. Shown here on the 14th, there is a string of pennants flying from the bow to the bridge; however, the penants were removed later in the afternoon. A protective covering now covers the back of the superstructure. It looks like they are getting ready to get the ship on the move.

USS Freedom - The LCS-1 was open for limited tours on Sunday, Oct. 19
USS Freedom - Visitors on the bow of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)
USS Freedom - More visitors crowd the stern

Oct. 24:

The USS Freedom (LCS-1) departed its dock at Marinette Marine for the final time on Friday, Oct. 24. The Selvick Tugs, Jimmy L and Jacquelyn Nicole, assisted. The small convoy departed Marinette Marine around 7:30 a.m. (CDT) and were outbound past Menominee North Pier Lighthouse at 8:00 a.m. The ship is scheduled to stop-over at Sault Ste. Marie, MI on Saturday; they will then transit the Soo Locks and head up to Duluth, arriving sometime on Sunday.

Click Here to go to a slideshow of the departure of the U.S. Navy's newest ship.

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2009 Photos:

New Fincantieri Sign - In early January, Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilder completed the purchase of Marinette Marine from The Manitowoc Company

New Tug - Marinette Marine moved their new tug out of their large building on May 1 (shown here with numerous INLS craft in the foreground)
New Tug - Close-up of the new tug, Dublin Sea
New Tug - Stern view
Marinette Marine - May 2: The new tug has been moved back into the building (yesterday, the tug was outside the building on the right)
Marinette Marine - Numerous INLS craft line the dock on May 2

Nickelena - One of Basic Towing, Inc.'s big tugs, which was built by Marinette Marine as a YTB, heads to Marinette Marine on May 27.
Erika Kobasic - Another of Basic's tugs follows the Nickelena to Marinette Marine where each tug will take a string of INLS craft in tow for delivery to the US Navy.
Nickelena & Erika Kobasic - Tied up at Marinette Marine in the afternoon with some of the craft which they will be towing
INLS Tow - The Nickelena leads two INLS craft out of the inner harbor on May 28
INLS Tow - Close-up of the Nickelena
INLS Tow - Close-up of the two craft the Nickelena is towing

INLS Tow - The Erika Kobasic follows with two more of its own in tow
INLS Tow - Close-up of the Erika Kobasic
INLS Tow - Close-up of the two units the Erika Kobasic is towing
INLS Tow - Wide view as both tugs and their charges head for Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
INLS Tow - Stern view of the Erika Kobasic and its tow
INLS Tow - Nickelena has passed the lighthouse while the Erika Kobasic is approaching it

Erika Kobasic - Heading for Marinette Marine to pick up more INLS craft on May 30
Nickelena - Basic Towing's other big tug follows
Erika Kobasic & Nickelena - Both tugs at Marinette Marine early in the morning
Erika Kobasic - Close-up of the tug passing the flag at Marinette Fuel & Dock
Erika Kobasic - Close-up of the tug and its (usual) tow of three INLS craft (two days ago they departed with just two craft in tow)

Erika Kobasic - Stern view with the second unit taking a few waves
Erika Kobasic - Heading past Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
Nickelena - 10 minutes behind the Erika Kobasic, the tug heads for the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
Nickelena - Close-up of the tug with its three INLS craft in tow
Nickelena - Stern view from the bridge passing the Rosaire A. Desgagnes

Nickelena - The tug and its charges head out of the inner harbor
Nickelena - Close-up of the three INLS craft in tow
Nickelena - The tug heads past the range light with the Erika Kobasic and its charges in the background out in the bay
Nickelena - The tug heads past the lighthouse and makes the turn toward Sturgeon Bay, WI where they will transit the Ship Canal

Nickelena - Returned by itself to pick up one more string of INLS craft from Marinette Marine on June 1 (No photo)
Dublin Sea - The new K-Sea tug was "walked out" to the launch area on June 19 (photo: June 20)
Dublin Sea - Close-up of the stack and the K-Sea logo
Dublin Sea - Stern view of the tug showing the launch mechanism at Marinette Marine
Dublin Sea - The pilothouse rests on the dock alongside the tug, which is at the launch site on June 23

Dublin Sea - The tug was side-launched into the Menominee River on June 26 (shown here on July 1 with the pilothouse being added)
Dublin Sea - Close-up of the tug (from astern) with the pilothouse attached (Sorry that I was out of town when the launch took place)
Dublin Sea - Wide bow view
Dublin Sea - Close-up bow view
Dublin Sea - Close-up of the new pilothouse
Dublin Sea - Port-side view

Tugs - Nickelena (L) & Erika Kobasic (R) arrived at Marinette Marine around 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 18
Tugs - The duo is here to tow some INLS (Integrated Navy Lighterage System) craft down to Chicago
Erika Kobasic - The tug heads down the Menominee River with two of the INLS craft in tow.
Erika Kobasic - Close-up of the tug approaching the Ogden Street Bridge around 12:30 p.m.
Erika Kobasic - Stern view of the tow after passing through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge

Nickelena - Menawhile , the other tug is still making up its tow at Marinette Marine, and will follow the Erika Kobasic down Green Bay, through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, and out into Lake Michigan on their way to Chicago.
Nickelena - Close-up of the tug
Erika Kobasic & Nickelena - Arrived back in Menominee on Aug. 20 and tied up behind the Isle Royale Queen III
Erika Kobasic & Nickelena - Close-up - the tugs will pick up more INLS craft at Marinette Marine later
Erika Kobasic & Nickelena - Stern view

Erika Kobasic & Nickelena - The duo departed Marinette Marine early morning on Aug. 22 with more INLS craft for Chicago (No Photo)
Dublin Sea - SEA TRIALS on Aug. 28 - leaning into a turn trailing quite a wake!
Dublin Sea - SEA TRIALS on Aug. 28 - heading back through its own wake
Dublin Sea - SEA TRIALS on Aug. 28 - off Government Pier in Marinette, WI
Dublin Sea - SEA TRIALS on Aug. 28 - The tug will eventually be paired with a tanker barge currently under construction at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Click Here to see 2 photos of the barge - click on the links "DBL 185" at the bottom of the section under "Trip #8"

Support craft - Two workboats, Marilyn H and Rescue Ranger on land at Marinette Marine on Sept. 7
Marilyn H - Close-up of the small workboat
Nickelena - Arrived late morning of Oct. 26 at Marinette Marine along with the Erika Kobasic to pick up INLS craft
Nickelena - Lining up the INLS craft to be towed to Chicago
Erika Kobasic - Disappearing in the fog heading for the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal enroute to Chicago with INLS craft

Dublin Sea - Departed Marinette Marine enroute to Sturgeon Bay to pick up its tanker-barge, DBL-185, early morning on Oct. 27. However, the tug was back at Marinette Marine early that evening (without the barge) for some sort of work. Around 7 p.m. the tug was all lit up at the Marinette Marine dock, but by 11 p.m. the tug was dark. I assume they will head out first thing Wednesday morning to retrieve its barge and then proceed out the St. Lawrence Seaway on its delivery run to K-Sea Corp.

Dublin Sea Departs On Delivery Run

Dublin Sea - Downbound in the Menominee River heading for the Ogden Street Bridge around 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 3
Dublin Sea - More of a side view of the new K-Sea Transportation tug
Dublin Sea - Stern view leaving the inner harbor heading for Sturgeon Bay to pick up its new barge
Dublin Sea & DBL-185 - The tug, with its barge, came back close offshore from Marinette around 2:30 p.m. for an apparent crew change
Tug & Barge - Off Government Pier in Marinette

Tug & Barge - A small boat approaches the stern of the tug
Tug & Barge - Close-up of the small boat and tug (Shot at full Digital Zoom - 91X, so a little fuzzy)
Tug & Barge - The small boat leaves the tug with crew aboard
Tug & Barge - The duo gets underway heading for the St. Lawrence Seaway and delivery to its owners, K-Sea Transportation
Tug & Barge - The small boats heads in while the K-Sea duo heads out

Tug & Barge - Turned and headed out the bay toward Lake Michigan
Menominee North Pier lighthouse - With the Dublin Sea and DBL-185 in the background ... Bon Voyage!

2010 Photos:

LCS-3 - On June 9, I was able to snap a photo of the new-build U.S. Navy ship when the shed doors were open. The third LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) is under construction at Marinette Marine. This is the company's second such vessel; the first was the USS Freedom which was delivered to the Navy in 2008 (see above). The name of the new vessel will be USS Fort Worth. According to the Lockheed Martin website, the vessel is about 40% complete and is scheduled to be delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2012. Click Here to go to Lockheed Martin's LCS 3 page for a slideshow of the vessel's construction so far.
Marinette Marine - Two sections of the USS Fort Worth were partially visible from the Interstate Bridge on July 19: the main hull section is at the left, while the bow section is at the right
Marinette Marine - A closer look at the main hull section taking shape

New Construction - (July 31) Marinette Marine is expanding their main shipbuilding structure by extending the west side of the building.
LCS-3 - A look at the USS Fort Worth with the new building construction in the foreground on July 31
New Construction - A view of the new section of the building looking southwest on Aug. 15
New Construction - Another view from across the river looking almost directly south on Aug. 15
USS Fort Worth - The bow section has now been attached to the main hull (photo Aug. 18)

Launch Mechanism - Wide view as the parts of the mechanism are being put in place at the edge of the Menominee River
Launch Mechanism - Close-up of the parts of the mechanism, which is only being put together at this time. From the spacing of the parts, I assume that it is being set up for the launch of the new LCS-3, USS Fort Worth; however, this HAS NOT been confirmed! When I hear anything further, I will post it, hopefully along with a launch date.
USS Fort Worth - Partial stern view in Building 10 (as viewed from KK Integrated Logistics) on Oct. 1

USS Fort Worth - Marinette Marine began "walking out" the new LCS-3 to the launch area on Nov. 17
USS Fort Worth - Close-up of the U.S. Navy's newest vessel about 1/3 of the way to the launch area (this is the vessel that Marinette Marine is hoping to be building 10 more of beginning in the near future)

USS Fort Worth - Bow/starboard-side view at the launch position on Nov. 18 (from across the Menominee River)
USS Fort Worth - Stern view
USS Fort Worth - Wide stern view with Marinette Marine's newly extended Building 10 in background
USS Fort Worth - Starboard side view (from slightly astern)
USS Fort Worth - Broadside view

USS Fort Worth - Red, wwite & blue bunting is being placed around the new LCS-3 at Marinette Marine on Dec. 2 - Launch is in 2 days!
USS Fort Worth - All decked out with red. white & blue bunting and penants for tomorrow's (Dec. 4) launch
USS Fort Worth - Stern view (this is where I will hope to be for tomorrow's launch)

USS Fort Worth Launched By Marinette Marine On December 4

The U.S. Navy's newest vessel was side launched into the Menominee River shortly after 11:30 a.m. today. In the early afternoon, the ship was towed to the turning basin down-river from the shipyard and towed stern-first back to Marinette Marine,

Click Here to view the story and photos. To return to this page from within the slide show - hit the UP-facing arrow (when viewing any individual photo) to go back to the thumbnails page and then click on "Return to The Ships of Marinette Marine".

Click Here to view a 35-second video of the launch on YouTube

USS Fort Worth - This photo of the launch was sent to me by my good friend, Joe Shepro of Menominee; (and used with his permission) it was taken from the Interstate Bridge.

2011 Photos:

Marinette Marine - A view of the shipyard from across the Menominee River on June 22
USS Fort Worth - Stern-view close-up of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-3) at its dock at Marinette Marine
USS Fort Worth - Close-up of the name on the stern of the ship
Manitowoc - KK Integrated Shipping's old barge in use at Marinette Marine as a storage vessel loaded with steel
New building - A new fabrication building is being constructed at the east end of Marinette Marine (photo: July 25)
New building - Wide view of the project which is part of a multi-million dollar upgrade being undertaken by Fincantierri/Marinette Marine

USS Fort Worth - Bow/port-side view of LCS-3 under construction at Marinette Marine is (according to company reports) 95% complete; sea trials will be next (possibly yet this year)

USS Fort Worth Begins Sea Trials On Sept. 28

The USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) departed its dock at Marinette Marine for the first time today. The Selvick tugs Jimmy L and Jacqueline Nicole assisted the Navy's newest ship away from its dock at Marinette Marine around 10 a.m. and proceeded to lead the ship through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge and out into the bay of Green Bay. The USS Fort Worth is due to return to Marinette Marine late tomorrow afternoon.

7 PM UPDATE:The USS Fort Worth surprised nearly everyone when they headed back into port tonight around 6:45 p.m. There were no supporting craft around, and no tugs were used to get through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge, both scenarios that are highly unusual. Once through the bridge, the tugs followed the USS Fort Worth up-river to the turning basin and assisted the ship in its turn and escorted it stern-first back to its dock at Marinette Marine.

US Coast Guard vessel - One of the support vessels heads up-river to Marinette Marine. They will keep small boats out of the area.
US Coast Guard vessel - An armed vessel follows
Marinette Marine - (L to R) 2 Coast Guard vessels, tugs Jimmy L and Jacqueline Nicole, and USS Fort Worth
Marinette Marine - Wide view of the action
Jimmy L - The tug has a tow line to the USS Fort Worth (astern of the tug)

USS Fort Worth - The ship fires up its engines
Jimmy L - Leads the bow away from the dock while the Jacqueline Nicole controls the stern
Tugs - The 2 tugs work to pull the USS Fort Worth away from the dock
Marinette Marine - Wide view of the action as the Fort Worth comes away from the dock
USS Fort Worth - Close-up of the Navy ship sandwiched between the tugs

USS Fort Worth - Kicking in its engines
USS Fort Worth - The procession heads down the Menominee River heading for the bay of Green Bay
USS Fort Worth - Close-up of the ship
Procession - The tugs guide the USS Fort Worth toward the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
USS Fort Worth - Close-up from the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
USS Fort Worth - Broadside view coming out of the inner harbor (Here is where I got caught without fresh batteries as the ones in the camera died) :O(

USS Fort Worth - Thursday afternoon found the ship heading back out into the bay to resume Sea Trials despite Gale Warnings being up all over the upper Great Lakes region. The ship is shown here out on the horizon in rough waters on Friday afternoon.

USS Fort Worth Returns From Another Day And Night Of Sea Trials On Sunday Afternoon, Oct. 2

After heading back out for Sea Trials on Saturday, Oct. 1, the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) returned to its dock at Marinette Marine late Sunday afternoon.

USS Fort Worth - Not anywhere near full speed as they head in around 4 p.m. with a USCG boat in attendance
USS Fort Worth - A second Coast Guard boat joins the procession
USS Fort Worth - The U.S. Navy's soon-to-be newest ship heads for Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
USS Fort Worth - Inside the lighthouse pier
USS Fort Worth - Bow-view close-up of LCS-3

USS Fort Worth - A Coast Guard boat goes flying back out toward the ship as the Great Lakes cement ship, Alpena, appears across the bay (top right of photo)
Alpena - "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" ... well, at least 10 - 12 miles, which is about how far offshore the ship is!
USS Fort Worth - Starboard broadside view
USS Fort Worth - Up at the turning basin, the ship begins to turn around (stern view)
USS Fort Worth - ... turning
USS Fort Worth - ... continuing the turn

USS Fort Worth - ... not quite halfway around
USS Fort Worth - Close-up of the name on the doors on the stern of the ship
USS Fort Worth - Halfway around they "pour on the coals"
USS Fort Worth - ... still turning
USS Fort Worth - (From Mystery Ship Boat Launch) The ship is almost around as the tugs come to help

USS Fort Worth - As the ship nears its dock, the tug, Jimmy L, moves in to nudge it against the dock (its only duty this day)
USS Fort Worth - The tug, Jacqueline Nicole, moves against the ships bow to minmic the Jimmy L's movements
USS Fort Worth - A view of both tugs nudging the ship against the dock

2012 Photos:

USS Fort Worth - Port-side bow view of the LCS-3 at Marinette Marine's dock - the ship is scheduled to begin Sea Trials on Tuesday April 3
USS Fort Worth - Broadside view
USS Fort Worth - Stern view
USS Fort Worth - Extreme close-up of the stern where you can just see the name (it is very faint)

USS Fort Worth - After spending over 8 hours doing sea trials out on the bay of Green Bay on April 3, the ship, with the help of the tugs Jimmy L (R) and William C. Selvick, the ship turns around in the turning basin before heading up-river to Marinette Marine.
USS Fort Worth - Close-up of the tugs William C. Selvick (L) and Jimmy L
USS Fort Worth - Crewmembers watch the process
USS Fort Worth - The Navy's newest ship (LCS-3) is just about turned around, and will head stern-first back to Marinette Marine
USS Fort Worth - Close-up of the ship

USS Fort Worth - Turned around and backing up-river as the Jimmy L follows
USS Fort Worth - The Jimmy L (R) backs off as the William C. Selvick assists the ship back to its dock
USS Fort Worth - Looking down-river at the 2 tugs and the ship
USS Fort Worth - Tugs William C. Selvick (L) and Jimmy L
USS Fort Worth - Close-up of the Jimmy L

USCG 45672 - While waiting for the USS Fort Worth to return to port on April 4, this Ace Marine U.S. Coast Guard Response Boat Medium, built by Ace Marine in Green Bay, WI (a division of Fincantieri {also the parent company of Marinette Marine}), came roaring into the Menominee River
USCG 45672 - Broadside view of the 44.5-ft. aluminum boat which is self-righting in ALL conditions (the USS Fort Worth never made it back to port on the 4th, deciding to wait until the next morning before heading back to Marinette Marine
USCG 45672 - A closer broadside view as it heads up-river after passing through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge

Reuben Lasker - Bow-view of the new NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) research vessel at Marinette Marine
Reuben Lasker - Broadside view as the vessel is being "walked out" to the launch area on May 19
Reuben Lasker - A view from slightly astern ... launch date is scheduled for June 16

Reuben Lasker - Stern view of the NOAA research vessel on the ways (with the USS Fort Worth (which was officially turned over to the U.S. Navy on June 6) ahead of it in the Menominee River) on June 10, six days before its launch
Reuben Lasker - Stern view close-up
Reuben Lasker - Broadside view shows that there are still more pieces of the launch mechanism to be put in place before this coming Saturday
2 Ships - Broadside view of the Reuben Lasker and the USS Fort Worth
Reuben Lasker - Bow view on the ways

Launch of the Reuben Lasker

The NOAA Research Vessel was side-launched into the Menominee River around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 16 (Happy Father's Day Everyone). I did get a couple pre-launch bow-photos, but was only able to capture the video of the launch. Once again, I thought that I had my Olympus camera on the correct settings for a 31-shot sequential set of photos. Once again, I goofed up the camera's settings!! The launch video was shot from astern the vessel.

Reuben Lasker - Pre-launch bow-view of the new NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) research vessel at Marinette Marine with the U.S. Navy's newest vessel, USS Fort Worth, ahead of it
Reuben Lasker - Pre-launch close-up bow-view of the research vessel at Marinette Marine

Click Here to see a 38-second video of the launch.

Special Guest Photo Gallery

Since I did not get any real good photos of the launch (just the video), a good friend, Peter Thielen of Marinette, was kind enough to send me some photos that he took (in sequence) of the launch and has graciously allowed me to post them to my site. So I would like to say a heart-felt "THANK YOU" to him for the following presentation:

Reuben Lasker - Just beginning to slide down the ways
Reuben Lasker - The moment of splashdown
Reuben Lasker - An awesome shot of the height of the launch!!
Reuben Lasker - The ship begins to right itself
Reuben Lasker - Water cascades off the side of the ship
Reuben Lasker - Water continues to pour off the ship as she is almost upright

Reuben Lasker - The tugs take control of the ship after everything settles down

Reuben Lasker - Stern view at Marinette Marine on June 19
Reuben Lasker - Bow-view at Marinette Marine with the stern of the USS Fort Worth (name barely visible) on June 21

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