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A Busy Aug. 25 in Menominee & Marinette

Wednesday, Aug. 25, was a busy day in the Twin Ports of Menominee & Marinette. First, at noontime, I drove to KK Integrated Logistics where two flatbed trucks had just pulled up to the dock. They were each carrying just 3 rocks weighing about 15 - 20 tons apiece. The driver told me that they have handled rocks as large as 25 tons for this Lake Michigan project. Two 200-ft.-long barges are filled with rock. One barge has medium/large rocks and is piled higher than its counterpart, which is carrying the heavier rocks, and is not piled very high (but the weight is what counts). The tug, Donald C, will push the barges across the bay of Green Bay and through the Sturgeon Bay (WI) Ship Canal; then the tug will take the two barges in tow for the rest of the trip on Lake Michigan. With a stiff wind blowing, the tow will have to wait for calmer winds. The BBC Mississippi was also battened down and ready to go; but, stiff winds also held them at the dock until late afternoon.

Around 4 p.m., the Catherine Desgagnes, which had been at Marinette Fuel & Dock since about 8 p.m. last night, began turning around in the Menominee River alongside the craneship, William H. Donner, as they usually do. A stiff wind from an unfavorable direction made the turn difficult; but after a couple tries, the turn was completed and the ship was underway in about a half hour.

Lastly, about a half hour after the Catherine Desgagnes departed, the BBC Mississippi got underway from KK Integrated Logistics East Dock. They were assisted away from the dock by the Selvick Marine tug, Jacquelyn Nicole, which then followed them out of the harbor in case they were needed. About 20 minutes after pulling away from the dock, the ship passed Menominee North Pier Lighthouse on its way back to Becancour for more wind turbine towers. The tug, Jacquelyn Nicole, returned to KK Integrated Logistics.

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Large rocks weighing 15-20 tons arrive at the dock	A KK Integrated Logistics forklift removes one from truck	A driver unchains one of the huge rocks
One barge is filled with medium/large rodks	Larger rocks fill the second barge (both are full)	Catherine Desgagnes still unloading on Wednesday
A view from the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge at noon	Catherine Desgagnes turning in the Menominee River	Close-up
A strong wind made the turn difficult ...	The ship has no bow-thruster ...	So all maneuvering is done with the rudder and prop
The bow draws less than 7-ft. due to shallow depth here	The ship is about halfway around (after a couple tries)	Now they have her moving!
Coming around nicely	A line from astern is dropped from the craneship	Just about ready to head out to the bay
Underway! It took about a half hour to get the ship turned	Heading out of the inner harbor	Making the turn to head out to the bay
BBC Mississippi is assisted by the tug, Jacquelyn Nicole	A lot of mud is stirred up from departing the KK East Dock	Stern close-up
The tug follows	The tug follows the ship in case it is needed	Heading for the open drawbridge
Passing the old carferry, Viking I	Close-up as they head for the bridge opening	About halfway through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
The tug follows the ship through the open drawbridge	Meanwhile, Catherine Desgagnes is a speck on the horizon	... As the BBC Mississippi approaches the lighthouse
Menominee North Pier Lighthouse is dwarfed by the ship	... really dwarfed!!	Past the lighthouse
Heading back to Becancour for more wind turbine towers	Jacquelyn Nicole heads backupriver after a job well done!