Mississippi River trip March/April 2021

[@SW-jw6il]

👉 I am so happy i stumbled upon this channel !! pure excellence & mesmerizing ..

[@tonyfaconi3442]

I really enjoy your videos, I worked on tugboats from 1985 to 95. We used to push SJ coal barges from Luling La to Port St. Joe Fla through the intercoastal. Then a couple years pushing coal from Mt Vernon Indiana down to Mobile Ala, was the best and most rewarding job I ever had. And the most scenic. I worked for Colle towing out of Pascagoula Mississippi, small family owned co. Bought out by Signet Marine. They had a multi year contract with Seminole Electric and Central Gulf Towing, all 10 boats were built by Eastern Marine in Panama City Fla. Your videos bring back a lot of awesome memories thanks for sharing with us!

[@carterthechevrolet9219]

Well you can be our tugboat resource for the Tennessee River

[@Mark-ov9hj]

Absolutely love watching your videos, Capt Kyle. I've been away for a while, but back now 1/7/22. I've always thought I'd of been good on a tow, but thought about it way to late in life. Here I sit bing watching your videos today, can't wait for more. I used to have a houseboat around the Seneca IL. pool till it became crazy. God Bless you captain.

[@robertsissonoutdoors2579]

I live about 2 miles from where you drove by Randolph Bluff we told them 20 years ago when they put that Tower up for TVA that it was not going to last very long they said that it would be there for over 100 years I don't think it's even than 20 years thanks for the video love watching it I do a lot of cat fishing along the river where you were at between Randolph and Memphis

[@LadyMarie880]

Captain Lyle thankyou for the video...the current is moving nothing lazy about , and the wash always enjoy seeing.. 35×7=245, 200x8 1600+ 200 for tow 1800 ft.so over all Captain was 245×1800 ft. So in acres being there is43,560 square to one acres, tow is pushing 8.99 acres hahaha that is whatxwe call the size of a hobby farm . Thankyou Sir so enjoy your Cities and bridges I ve stayed xin the Peabody Hotel six floor or eight . In the morning they had a fire in the kitchen .. that was some excitement, hahaha . Mother and I smelled no smoke so we got to thinking it likely was a practice drill just like we had at work.. it was fun to watch. Went up to the roof to see the ducks watch them do the elevator and walk to the fountain . Being farm people , that was to cool... just teach them were the food is they well show every day. Awesome fun. Keep on keeping on

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

I figured the engines where big but not 2 story tall big! And 3 detroit buzzin dozens running generators thats just awesome! I would never leave the engine room! I always enjoy your videos keep me comin!

[@YCM30cnc]

Fascinating stuff…. Used to ride down to Meeman Shelby State Park near Millington to watch boats go by when I was in the there in the Navy in the 80’s. Mongo’s Pizza on Front St. in Memphis, The Anchor in Millington and a few other places I’ve since forgotten 😂😂👍👍

[@YCM30cnc]

Doesn’t ring a bell, but if it was in Millington I probably went there 😂😂

[@robertmccullough4822]

Loved the content!!!! The videography, the editing, the Proudness in you face!! Excellent!!! You should have ended it with your famous chuckle... (Like, this is what I get to Do) Great Job Captain!!!

[@keithswindell2812]

Hey Capt Kyle another great video thanks you should get a giant plastic hand on a stick like the captains on the ore ships on the Great Lakes have they come out on the bridge wings and wave with the plastic hand to the people watching them come by keep up the great work what boat are you on now

[@memphisleftovers]

Dang, brings back memories. Decked fo six yrs, the lower, the canal from port Allan, all the way thru to Houston. And the Ohio, Allegany, monongaheala, enjoyed the video, actually i felt like i was sitting in the wheelhouse after back watch. Yall don't still use em ol steamboat ratchets anymore i hope. Stay safe out there fellas.

[@mikequinley3188]

I remember 40 years ago they had plans to develop the Randolph bluff for houses. There was a road that went along bottom of bluff along the river. Spent a lot of my early days on that stretch of river between Memphis and Randolph. Just boating on the river!!

[@timfrost4291]

Thanks Captain. You ARE the best!

[@marktwained]

At least in my mind and yours. Haha Thank you. Glad you enjoy. 👍🏻

[@bennetts-revenge_2]

Another great video from Capt Kyle! Always look forward to new ones!!!

[@roscoe1289100]

This boat looks like what used to be the A.D. Haynes owned by Valley Line Co. I made many a trip on that boat.

[@marktwained]

👍🏻

[@mikeizzano172]

Your ride is one of the longest,captain that’s a big boat ! Good to see you.....

[@johntaylor1947]

Is your tug all prop drive or do you also have a Voith drive to.

[@jallenw.67]

Incredible tour.

[@rubyredlopez4]

Are rose Tour barges that broker free, due to IDA winds.

[@to8860]

Is there a limit on the number of barges you can haul? What's the most you've ever been tied on to?

[@marktwained]

With river in extremes (low/high) and in special situations the USCG sometimes put horsepower restrictions in place to limit tow size, otherwise haul whatever you can, or think you can haul, as long as you are following Rules of the Road.

[@to8860]

@@marktwained Thank you sir!!

[@marktwained]

63 empty barges was the most I’ve looked out across. I was doing my “check ride” on Ray A. Eckstein,, (2002ish) we had a combined tow with another boat that was down on one engine. As far as “regular run” most… probably 42 empties.

[@to8860]

@@marktwained That's amazing!! Can you take that through Vicksburg? Can you explain when you get time why you have to have your shit wired up so tight to get through Vicksburg? You've probably done this before but now that you're older and more seasoned why that bridge is more difficult? Thanks cap!!!!

[@marktwained]

Wired tightly all the time, not just for a bridge. Vicksburg is no more dangerous than quite a few places, up and down the river systems. The worst horror stories I’ve heard about Vicksburg are generally from folks that haven’t experienced it. For the most part it is fairly predictable. It’s just not a place to ever let your guard down.

[@briand.411]

Backing up river, render aid. That's a hellofa teaser.... hopefully another video to tell that story? Also, can you give some context to the securite' about barge placement? Love the videos.

[@mrcincyguy11]

Another great video Capt.Kyle!! Already looking forward to seeing the next video..

[@charlietanner6211]

boy the way you approached that sec bridgeshows you know youre stuff that river got some bad tow to it love youre videos capt

[@SnowQueen90]

may i ask what happen to Capt. James Salinas? love the vids

[@marktwained]

Sudden, and unexpected passed away in his sleep. After being home for just a couple days. That is all I know, and all I need/want to. We were same age 50ish, and had become fast friends since riding together last year. He was an amazing wheelman and partner to work with. In the brief time that we had gotten to know each other, it was very valued time to me. James was a good man, and will be missed.

[@terrymcguire8476]

I'm wondering why yall don't have a few cameras setup on the front of the barges to help you see what's going on.

[@marktwained]

With camera and battery technology available nowadays, it could be a possibility soon. It’s been mostly more trouble to do something like that. 👍🏻

[@davilasuellenmelo4103]

Eu amor o rio Misssisssipi e barcaca e uma grande aventura esse rio

[@twentypdrparrott694]

I had a cousin that was in the merchant marine during WW2. He sailed the oceans for years then started working on the bots on the river. He called my grandmother's home in Vicksburg his HQ. he got off of one boat one morning in the dead of winter went to my grandmother's and then got a call that another boat was short handed so off he went that afternoon. by 11:00PM that evening he was missing. They figure that his heart stopped as soon as he hit that cold water. His body was never found.

[@neillsmart213]

Watching you prop wash - what sort of RPM are your props turning at Cap? Thanks for the vid. Great as always :)

[@marktwained]

Off the top off my head,, that boat, 190 I think. Most the vessels I ride have engine rpm, with fewer having shaft tacs. I suck at engine room information.

[@jufrmdamo]

I was wondering why I heard Derrick Lewis. Lmao. Love the vids Cap!

[@tophauler8626]

i came through memphis 3 weeks ago and i was not a fan of the i55 bridge or traffic nightmare.how deep is the river on average and how far out to travel on a run generally

[@marktwained]

Depth varies greatly. Best guess average I’d say 20ft.

[@robertjwilliams3532]

Going under I-40 bet you didn't realize how close you were to having additional load....

[@crocodile1313]

Good one, lol. I wonder how many other folks on here will get your joke, lol?

[@bradleymcwilliams6348]

@@earlwright9715 Still closed as of 6/13. Not given an opening date yet

[@merlefunk4032]

What are you pushing upstream loaded?

[@masondiez6470]

Can you do video of how y’all get boat to move straight left and right when working with barges

[@marktwained]

Not sure exactly what you are asking, but keep watching, I’ll try. 😉👍🏻

[@masondiez6470]

When y’all are facing up on barges or moving to face up on barges y’all just get boat to move straight to the side without backing off then coming back forward

[@JarodARed]

Dude you could sell your thumbnail pic that's how f'n awesome that thumbnail pic is. Beautiful f'n pic, great job!!

[@wurk26]

How long between filming and uploading to KZbin does it usually take you? Just curious some times I drive to the port here in Tallulah and watch the boats passing by, its my quiet place I go when I’m thinking of my Dad he was a boat captain in the late 80’s. Also Love the video’s!

[@marktwained]

I can get stuff up about as fast as I want to nowadays (few minutes) . It’s instant with live feeds. I rarely do that. I’m not on any timeframe.

[@wurk26]

@@marktwained You do really good, I enjoy your videos. Thanks for the reply.

[@vaughnhill3437]

Hiw many tons you pushing today buddy

[@johnriley7053]

Somewhere in the video we should see a big crack in the IH-40.

[@marktwained]

I have video clips zooming in on it. I’ll post it in future video

[@johnriley7053]

Hell yeah! Thanks cap

[@stephenhamilton1113]

Are you and the crew to fish off the tow and barges?

[@pa3268]

Did you see the crack in the bridge?

[@twentypdrparrott694]

The steamer Sprague could shove 12 acres of barges in her day. The largest sternwheeler on the river.

[@terryclark1952]

What happened to the Captain that got off the boat?

[@marktwained]

Sudden and unexpected passing.

[@marktwained]

About two days after he got off, at home, in his sleep.

[@terryclark1952]

So sad. You never know, so live everyday as if it's your last.

[@charlietanner6211]

@@marktwained would have been a mess if he was going under that bridge

[@RyanBonnecarrere]

EMD with Detroit gens?

[@sailingyemaya9781]

That’s a huge tug boat, looks like you know what your doing

[@jerrysmith7132]

I’m part of a Facebook Mississippi paddling group. Several of us are doing the whole river at any one time through warm weather. What are your thoughts on interacting with us? Advice? A captain did the river last year btw.

[@marktwained]

I’m all about it. 👍🏻

[@marktwained]

I love the idea of paddling, but the professional side of me realizes the actual extreme risks involved. I would be glad at least be a source of information from the commercial side.

[@leslietaylor4458]

I done a local kayak run 8 miles near chester IL.. one barge crew i tried waving at just looked at me like I did not exist

[@Zhukov-3]

What happened to Capt. James?

[@marktwained]

Passed in his sleep while at home.

[@Zhukov-3]

Life is to short my friend! Thanks so much, MT!

[@angelruiz3464]

Thanks for the video. Saludos from Panama Canal. How strong, that river current could be during raining season? I see you are sometimes just leaving the river work for you. Good job Capt.

[@marktwained]

4 or 5 mph current, but m some places

[@angelruiz3464]

@@marktwained thanks for your answer. Its like the current that we experience out of the locks.

[@TheDmac66]

I know it has been said before, but how long and wide are the individual barges?

[@marktwained]

Generally 35’ x 200’ (bow and stern barges can be 195’) These are just the most common size I push. There are any size wanted.

[@danielr1615]

What is your game plan if the pilot house door accidentally locks while you go outside of the pilot house to film while you are in the process of making a bridge? It looks like a fooling thing to do to me...

[@owenspisak3172]

He doesn’t close it behind him when he walks outside

[@marktwained]

I step outside of wheelhouse all the time when driving/maneuvering. Sometimes it is only way to see things. It has happened before (locked door), actually more than once. Not really anything big at all. I just walked to other side, and in one instance went down to next deck to enter, mainly because they were painting other doorway.

[@danielr1615]

@@marktwained I have noticed you walking out of the pilot house many times but when you are making a bridge that requires all of your attention it just comes off as "showboating" to me - no pun intended. One mistake and you will be on CNN instead of KZbin! LOL

[@marktwained]

I am a professional. I know what I’m am doing… most the time. I am sorry that my style seems to disturb you. FYI I don’t drive my pickup with my hands on “10 and 2” either. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@marktwained]

I’ve had my share of accidents. I can attribute all except for one as pilot error being main cause. …but none have involved me being locked out of wheelhouse, or “showboating”. Keep watching. Let me know if I get better. 😉👍🏻

[@real3tron3]

love the time lapse !

[@jeffgilbert9894]

I live close to the bluff and work by the Memphis north boat ramp

[@mikehernandez5878]

Where all the other crewmen are you piloting this thing all by yourself

[@stag3t-muspsa910]

Do you guys still carry shot guns with rocksalt in the shells...

[@marktwained]

Still? Please tell me about when they did.

[@stag3t-muspsa910]

@@marktwained sure..back in the late 80s...me and my buddies use to play on barges...we got shot at...I got some rocksalt in my leg....never played on one again..

[@marktwained]

I don’t think it was an industry wide practice. Although, it was before my time on the river, so might have been the norm. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@marktwained]

Well, from this wheelman, I want to apologize for the actions of…. someone shooting rocksalt in the the 80s, and promise to you that I will never shoot you with shot shells of any kind. 👍🏻

[@stag3t-muspsa910]

@@marktwained lol..well we deserved it..man that was along time ago...be safe out there on the mighty misses....I love seeing the barges coming buy when I'm catfishing....safe travels sir....

[@crocodile1313]

I have no river barge knowledge, so forgive the dumb question---but do the tugs/barges travel through the night? Just wondering because I see you seeming to be stationary and near the bank in your night shots.

[@marktwained]

Run 24/7/365

[@bennyedmondson8919]

@@marktwained Hey capt I am about 45 min away from the Marland dam here in ky just curious if when you do your video if you could give a short rundown on the operations from the pilothouse be safe capt

[@marktwained]

Go back through my videos. I have quite a few descriptive videos of wheelhouse workings. 👍🏻

[@TheSaltblock]

I'll be fishing north of Fort Madison Iowa tomorrow night. You gonna be around?

[@marktwained]

Even a couple years since I’ve been up there.

[@babayaga3866]

SLOW DOWN said the snail on the turtles back.

[@Greggspies]

How much fuel does that shift per hour

[@marktwained]

We usually calculate in 24 hour periods of fuel burn. Northbound hard shove, a 6,000 hp vessel can burn 6000 gallons. Maybe half that or less southbound. Those are just general numbers and vary widely boat to boat.

[@kenprevatt1267]

Thanks for the ride along Kyle

[@system.warfare]

Lol at watching old Joe Rogan podcast on the cell phone!! :)

[@rparker4843]

It is not as easy as people think safer than our hys

[@brittfarms2018]

Whats the hp rating on your ship?

[@marktwained]

Mostly 4,000-7,000 hp vessels.

[@brittfarms2018]

@@marktwained niiiiiice.. im new here really enjoy ur videos

[@marktwained]

Glad you enjoy. Thank you

[@Rlearls]

I 40 bridge shut down for traffic The media says it has a crack but one of the beams are broken

[@josephhoak1235]

Capt Kyle that bridge in Memphis is.closed

[@marktwained]

As of this posting, it is to highway traffic… reports I’m hearing are 3-4 months soonest to be open.. (early repair estimate.. I’m sure this timeframe posting won’t age well)

[@PanamaRose]

It was closed briefly to river traffic, it's now open only to river traffic: www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2021/06/04/mississippi-river-bridge-memphis-arkansas-reopening-schedule/7542748002/

[@toddmccowen8206]

dodged two bullets' power lines and a bridge falling on u .

[@mpgarr]

You ever get to Memphis? Listen to some good Memphis blues and eat some good Q!

[@vaughnhill3437]

Thats crawling man. Twelve hours to go 4 miles

[@marktwained]

It took about 2-3 hours

[@charlietanner6211]

what is max on barges for one tow

[@marktwained]

Depends on the horsepower of the vessel and the abilities of the wheelmen.

[@marktwained]

..and what river..

[@GuyjKite]

How many hours a day does river boat captain and crew work. Are they home much. Do they lay over night and come back the next day. Do they sleep on their boat or get a motel room. Looks like a good job. Is the pay good.

[@marktwained]

I get paid well.

[@marktwained]

12 hours on 12 hours off.. 30 days on 30 days off.. live in boat for days on.

[@davidmeagher1212]

I always wanted to work on a barge but I think I'm getting to old 45

[@marktwained]

If you are in shape for the physically demanding work, although not typically normal age for green deckhand, no reason why you couldn’t do it, that I know of.

[@davidmeagher1212]

@@marktwained I do construction work now so maybe I'll give it a shot

[@tomlandis54]

I would have enjoyed watching your video but slow the movement down! You are moving the camera way to fast. It is very interesting but damn!!!

[@marktwained]

It’s not my priority, usually. I get what I get, while working. I have been told this many times, and try to be thoughtful of it, when filming and during edits…. But it is what it is. I will genuinely try to improve on it.

[@carterthechevrolet9219]

8 barges? I don’t know’t the hell is wrong with that dude.

[@nooky1]

Explain this to me: I like watching the videos, yet I have no interest in river boats. But, when I watch your videos, I think wow, I could be a deck hand. Oh wait, no thanks ☺️

[@marktwained]

Not sure that I can explain that. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@real3tron3]

i used to tear apart tows to "extract" buried barges ( usually destined for Bunge) in the middle of the night. You cannot see much. Ya got to love them 105's ! thanks for the video, that i55 bridge left span has eaten many an tow. Vburg too !

[@kennyfloyd4801]

Giant balls😳👍U da MAN

[@mikehornsby599]

Great stuff enjoyed that thank you for sharing!!!! Check on y’all tomorrow!!!

[@vaughnhill3437]

Built a pyramid in a flood zone

[@marktwained]

I don’t think it is a flood zone.

[@kenwood3392]

Imagine living like tom Sawyer back in the day. Mmm today's time or tom Sawyer time. Curtain nom 1 please Tom Sawyer and Huck Fynn I choose. God bless America and come back president Trump

[@ksv-river-men]

Какой у тебя голос противный , бро😂

[@robertsissonoutdoors2579]

I live about 2 miles from where you drove by Randolph Bluff we told them 20 years ago when they put that Tower up for TVA that it was not going to last very long they said that it would be there for over 100 years I don't think it's even than 20 years thanks for the video love watching it I do a lot of cat fishing along the river where you were at between Randolph and Memphis