Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

October 17, 2013

Racing the Tug

The day we drove out to take pics of the shack at the marsh, we also stopped by Joe's Lobster & Fish Mart at the Sandwich Marina.  As we pulled into the lot, a tug was bringing a huge barge into the Canal so I leapt out of the car and was able to get a few pictures before it went by.  It was extreme high tide and was running west with the ships.  This can be dangerous because the current is pushing from behind.



Headed west.

We left the shop and headed back home.  As we crossed the Sagamore Bridge, the tug & ship had just gone underneath and for a brief time we were traveling alongside it on our side of the Canal, but I got to BBay first.  We decided to go right to the park and wait for it to pass us.  We just got to the edge of the Canal and there it was, going under the Bourne Bridge.

The tug was using as much of the Canal as possible because that barge would start to drift too far to one side or the other because the swift current was pushing it.  Apparently a few years ago, a barge grounded on the rip rap under similar conditions.






8 comments:

  1. Oh how fun to get to watch that! I loved the angles of the bridge when the barge was going under.
    Tina @ Life is Good

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    1. I was just thinking, 'my god what a nerd, racing ships from one end of the canal to the other and having to take pics of yet another ship going under the RR bridge.' But the thing is, everyone who lives here LOVES that canal so much. We get to see great marine traffic. One night we saw such a massive ship that it looked like it wasn't going to clear the train bridge. Yachts and sailboats and fishing boats....it's really peaceful.

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  2. What a great collection of photos. I have never had the opportunity to watch a tug boat do it's job and you captured it perfectly. I bet it is very cool to watch all the boats in the canal.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  3. great photo as usual

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  4. Wow you captured some really great shots! That would have been something to see!

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  5. Anonymous11:50 PM

    I love all of your photos but especially these that show the water and the ships/boats. My sis and I are taking a road trip next summer up into the New England area and the water and ships will be my personal highlight and all that delicious seafood!

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  6. That is so cool! I wish there was a tugboat out here... of course, it might look out of place, all landlocked in the prairie dirt and all...

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  7. Wow, never knew it was so dangerous... it must take a lot of skill and experience to do.

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