Mississippi River Low Water Trip

[@stevesharber634]

Several years ago my Father in law and I found a deer camp on the Tennessee river at turkey creek. We were high upon a bluff overlooking the river. In an old run down fishin camp (cabin) formed with brick o block walls, a fire and the fall night led to a fire in the cabin and a silent night. The wind slowly whispering through the tall trees on that bluff, would lead to to the peaceful sound of a barge coming up the river. You could see it many miles away, a green and red light but the sound was a closer. Hours would pass yet the vessel was still there. Night as black as soot. While it finally past that bluff, I’d think, where are they going? Who’s driving it? Do they even know we’re here. Peacefully she slips by into the night and around the next bend. Lights fading and you only hope that sound of the engines and the glow of a green light is right behind her. If you’ve never experienced it you won’t know what I mean. That’s what attracted me to this channel. I’m fascinated by it. Thank you Captain Kyle and the men that keep America rolling……an gentle hummmmm on a fall night. A lazy river and a distant light. Makes for a lot of memories.

[@jjintheflesh]

THIS IS AWESOME! Thanks for posting. This is something I will never get to experience and its wonderful to see🥰

[@MrJag1623]

Always enjoy you and your videos Capt. Kyle! Thank you!

[@traviswalton8984]

Hey capt... when u caught the boat in this video u drove right past my house on ur way down to the the fairy in ste. Genevieve... love the videos capt

[@bigiron8831]

I've crossed that bridge a thousand times but I've never seen it from below. Sure is beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us. Stay safe Captain 🙏

[@marktwained]

You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed. 👍🏻

[@stevenmoratz7333]

I like your descriptions and showing how shipping life is on the river! We visit the upper river often visiting the locks at Trempelu, Dreshbach, Genoa, and Gattlinberg.

[@pepperpepperpepper]

The drone footage brought home how tiny you are compared to the huge boat you're driving. The scale really is amazing, and so is the river scenery. I have no idea how it's possible to steer, with the propellers in the back, but clearly it works!

[@bennetts-revenge_2]

Been awhile but sure did enjoy the bridge! Hope your doing good Capt Kyle. Heard on the news how low the river is and it's crazy! Stay safe out there

[@robertmccullough4822]

I like these trip vlogs Captain. You could even make them longer and I, and I think many others, would watch them. Just so you know, I know you have to do your job first, but us watching your journey is a trip in itself. Kind of like a Day, (longer) in the life of of a River Boat Captain. Very, Very interesting, us landlubbers, living life on the river vicariously thru what you present. Great Content anyway you dish it up, the closest I get to that is piloting my Cruiser on Lake Cumberland. LMAO.!

[@Tonnsfabrication]

I spend lots of time on the Ohio near Racine, I'm always facinated by the number of barges that work that river, love the river.

[@patpetersen7645]

it's people's lives in your hands, you take care of them and respect them. bridge is fabulous.

[@marktwained]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@randyk8685]

Awesome video you put some time and thought into it I enjoyed it thank you

[@marktwained]

Driving boat is definitely my priority, but I am trying to show a little bit of our world. Thank you for compliment. 👍🏻

[@pennakm]

that was cool as hell to see the drone footage!

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Great video Captain.

[@marktwained]

Thank you

[@rogercrabtree4322]

Been around boats all my life you definitely know what you are doing

[@mikefranks8942]

Ats cool. Orchestra music on the river.

[@zilufuzi]

How low can you go Capt. Kyle?

[@dannyfoshee6239]

capt.kyle does your boat have a cook that prepares meals for the crew?have you ever had any barges break away?

[@marktwained]

Yes, we have amazing full time cooks on vessels (one full time per boat). Yes, I’ve had my share of barges breaking away (accidents).

[@philloughary1362]

Waiting on the next installment Capt. Loved it 👍👋

[@marktwained]

I’m working on getting another out. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Navigator_on_the_bridge]

@@marktwained What is the carrying capacity of the barge

[@marktwained]

About 1500 ton per barge

[@Navigator_on_the_bridge]

@@marktwained Thanks

[@Navigator_on_the_bridge]

@@marktwained Working on a river in Russia 😁

[@escapewithjay]

just running down open river, boy I wish I could hitch a ride on the boat for a stretch!

[@marktwained]

I actually prefer your boat trips. 🤷🏼‍♂️👍🏻

[@escapewithjay]

@@marktwained Ha! well im happy to switch out with ya for a weekend!

[@matthewhutchinson4942]

Hey Cap. Just wondering why you take the bridges on the left side? Just a land lubber asking.

[@marktwained]

That is generally the way it is made. It sets you up southbound better for making I-55 bridges. It the safest way to navigate Memphis. I do remember when I was a cub pilot, and river was low.. we had to make “alternate” span of bridge.

[@dRocklife]

Total control equals total responsibility... Heavy burden.

[@davidlee9414]

Worked for Conti carriers ACNL. Then ARTCO seen it low but not that low

[@fiftymissioncap9045]

Canada's Band Rush...Tom Sawyer

[@dennisdunn8892]

Do you get spooked with the water level being so low ??

[@marktwained]

Situational awareness very high.

[@edwardbrantley1411]

Is the Missouri river low also. I have not heard anything about it

[@marktwained]

Yes.. I don’t know levels, but everything is low now. Need some rain.

[@lynnstallbaumer897]

You passed Memphis September 14, from the river gauge data it show it is down another 10 feet on October 21 Wow this is starting go concern me. I live in KS and farm. I have prepaid for fertilizer for next spring, it is my understanding it come up the river to somewhere in Missouri will I ever even get it. I like the additions of the dates you passed places. When you go back in 30 days will you even be able to get anything up the river??

[@lynnstallbaumer897]

I was looking at the river gauge at Vicksburg and the river is down 8 ft from September 9th to October 21, is down 20 ft from august 9th. On the video the radio was reporting low water issues already September 14. If it is down another 10 ft you are in for some major headaches when you return. Will they close it to navigation early for winter? I know they close the upper Mississippi during the winter, do they close the lower during winter?

[@marktwained]

The Lower does not close for winter. That is only locking river up north. Your concerns are a bit overblown. River traffic will continue, just lighter and less cargo moved per barge.

[@marktwained]

Your numbers seem a bit off.

[@marktwained]

You were talking about Memphis gauge and comparing to Vicksburg. Different numbers, and they don’t match, as it’s different gauge reading… but I get your point. Yes it’s low, and does affect things, just not to the extent of closings comment seems to imply

[@lynnstallbaumer897]

That is good to hear as the news always paints such a gloomy picture and anymore you can rarely believe what they have to say.. The river has a major impact our lives in ag sector. Thanks for your effort in shipping and providing us with insight to it.

[@towboater2020]

Be safe on the way down I work 175

[@terryken12]

How far do you live from the Mississippi? You just leave your car in bfe?

[@marktwained]

I live in OKC. Company gets rental car. I swap out with whoever I’m relieving.

[@michaelburroughs7494]

It didn't seem like you got much time off?

[@marktwained]

I’m home at this posting. Lots of videos from trip to post. 👍🏻

[@patpetersen7645]

omg when did container barges start, and why not?

[@marktwained]

They have been getting more and more seen, for about 4-5 years.

[@marktwained]

Mostly just Memphis to Baton Rouge with southbound empty containers. I haven’t seen northbound loaded…. Yet

[@MS-37]

15:50 Is it common to see containers on the Mississippi?

[@marktwained]

It is becoming more and more.

[@thetowboater]

I didn’t get to get any good footage yet of the low water. Had some guys posting up with me this last trip that never seen low low water like this. Hopefully we will have more water when I go back but if not maybe I’ll get some content out.

[@marktwained]

Uploading more. I have lots of footage. 👍🏻

[@doingitwithnothing]

Do you have a passenger that takes you car back??

[@marktwained]

No. That’s how I get home.

[@1954dst]

Like to work on the Mississippi River as a deck hand can you tell me about how to go about this anyone

[@johnluke6608]

Is there really just a toilet on the bridge of all the boats you drive?

[@marktwained]

The old days, they just had bucket.

[@johnluke6608]

@@marktwained why not just use one of the other toilets on the boat? Is there a reason one is up there?

[@marktwained]

When you are driving boat, going downstairs is not an option. It just makes common sense having one in wheelhouse for use. It’s not a debatable issue at all.

[@christopher9226]

Let's drop water levels to settlers time before locks we're put in 200 years ago.

[@marktwained]

No locks south of St. Louis

[@user-po6mp1uf9m]

Hey how fast could u go if u tie tie 2 boats together and go ha ha

[@marktwained]

It happens quite often. Yes, you go faster. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@kingtut8381]

HU, CAPT. WHEN U CONFRONT ANOTHER 'PUSHER' GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS IN THE CHANNEL, DO BOTH PILOTS EXCHANGE GREETINGS OR DISCUSS RIVER CONDITIONS ?

[@marktwained]

We make meeting agreements on radio, and yes, we chat and pass on information sometimes. 👍🏻

[@kingtut8381]

@@marktwained THANX 4 THE REPLY AND THANX 4 SHARING ALL OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH US !!!!!! YOU'RE VERY KIND

[@kelvinwebber90]

Dork......

[@marktwained]

Pretty much. 👍🏻🤷🏼‍♂️