(Pt. 12) EXTREME LOW MISSISSIPPI RIVER.. Picking Up Northbound Barges.. November 2022

[@Khahngenwater]

At 17:55 when you're shoved into the bank waiting on the fuel flat, I love how you explain the current, the rudder angle, keeping the left engine with a little bit of push. all those details are super important for somebody who's learning.

[@Khahngenwater]

As a pilot I've always enjoyed cockpit videos in the aviation industry and this is an awesome new experience for me. I've learned so much from you inside and outside and I love the workings of the tow industry. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you're able to keep these videos up. if for no other reason then to listen to that deep baritone base of yours! and that every once in a while laugh!....... anyway.

[@marktwained]

Thank you. Glad you enjoy. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@kens.3729]

That Fine looking Lunch looks like it could be a Great looking Dinner also. Yum! 😬👍

[@straybullitt]

That was a good looking plate! I'm really starting to regret not getting into the towboat industry as a career. 😪

[@Khahngenwater]

I'm hearing those turbos whine in my sleep now and I'm loving it!

[@josephbrinkley7572]

Love the sound of power. Thanks Florida Joe

[@tychumley6441]

How did u get started filming this. I have been wanting to do this in Port Arthur Beaumont Texas area

[@Bob.W.]

Thanks. Locks closed for the season up here, in the Upper Mississippi. Ducks all came over to the Minnesota side the day after the hunting season ended. They know.

[@KRM02]

Amen to new nav aids they're Wonderful

[@kens.3729]

Sorry I missed the Premiere. Watching it Now. Thanks Captain Kyle. 👍🙏

[@williambillwaynerobertson930]

Captain Kyle I watched a Ingram pushing 7 wide and 8 long going up the river, who has the right of way with river levels low on something that long and wide. It was pretty impressive to see I'd think it would take up the whole chain of rock canal. Really enjoy your videos Sir.🤙🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

[@marktwained]

USCG Rules of the Road determines meeting and passing. Generally southbound traffic determines where and when we meet.

[@mechcavandy986]

Captain Joe Sexton was from LaPlace, La. He’s an old friend of mine.

[@arneservatius1982]

Thank you for sharing your life! 76 yrs Michigan 😊

[@carrollmccoun110]

Yes sir. The Tiger Fleet. I spent Christmas in 1991 right there.

[@robertjwilliams3532]

19:30 mark the color and paint scheme look like Southern Towing Co. to me.

[@dougpope2294]

Did you do a show with your wife on a trip or am I wrong. I enjoy enjoy the show. My favorite one was the tug you saved in St. Louis. Thanks

[@kennethjones3337]

Always enjoy your videos you share Captain

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Great video Captain.

[@boatmanboatman7448]

Hey 👋 Captain Kyle ☺️ have a great day 👍 ⚓️

[@Ms.Bayou4495]

Thanks for the view. Have you ever seen a jumper off the bridge? It happens.

[@marktwained]

Never seen. I’ve heard the US Coast Guard broadcasts plenty of times.

[@paulhall883]

Liked seeing paddle wheeler come by you , in early 1960s when lived close to Hannibal Mo. parents would take to see delta queen when was docked before sun went down enjoy your videos

[@altonbandy6308]

That radar you have is a lot different from the 60s and 70s

[@jordanpannell9130]

My birthday! I was working in the st. Louis ingram dock across from osage that day

[@brianragsdale4024]

Made that trip on the Miss Kea D around 1995

[@muddinnajeep]

Laplace La is the end of US highway 51, goes all the way to Hurley Wis

[@glbaker5595]

Those propellers on those big barges are they on a solid like a drive shaft or do they like on some barges I see do they turn around with the engine pods from electric

[@charlietanner6211]

only 20xxx boy tht riggg has a healthy appetite how far will that fill up last

[@brucesetter8724]

I do!

[@bigc4654]

That’s my hometown Laplace La

[@Leebeaux1]

While they fueling go on the casino and win a few

[@johnphillips8088]

👍🏼

[@keryhatcher3225]

Waterford Power plant??

[@mitsnevets]

When they bring a barge in like that how long does it take to crew to get the wires get it wired in ?

[@MikeSmith-ei9pj]

Depends on your crew but a good experienced crew can do it in 5 to 10 min

[@altonbandy6308]

15 to 20 minutes and most empties or less. Best I can remember it's been a long time since I've done that

[@altonbandy6308]

Captain Joe Bandy John C Bandy. I work 7 years on Deck 3 years engine run we have over 100 years working on a river

[@altonbandy6308]

My record one trip was 96 days

[@williamralph5442]

How are the barges connected and what is in them? Thanks

[@straybullitt]

The barges are connected with wire rope (cable), and those barges look like they are empty to me.

[@marksieja5325]

How often do you need to refuel with 20,000 gallons?

[@straybullitt]

More often northbound than southbound.

[@terrywitt5543]

I was going to guess 30,000

[@marktwained]

With water lower,, we didn’t load full of fuel. Northbound if we shoving hard and not too much delay (traffic or towwork) this vessel can burn 6,000 a day north and about half that southbound. We fuel at Vicksburg and Memphis also, on a northbound run. For ballast and other reasons, these vessels rarely get below 1/2 fuel supply.

[@daddywoofdawg]

so does your boat crew tie the barges together or the crew that brings the barge?

[@marktwained]

Both, in most instances. Usually fleet tug has one or two deckhands, and sometimes a fleet mate. They work with our crew when picking up or dropping barges.

[@Khahngenwater]

What an amazing beam on your spotlights are they LED or other?

[@marktwained]

zeon

[@marktwained]

About $1,500 for lighting element/bulb

[@Khahngenwater]

At 13:38 you mentioned the Co-Op spirit pushing 2 empty barges so he can go faster. is this because of the fluid dynamics of the front of the front of the barges? versus the front of the tow? or is this a regulatory or company preference or rule?

[@marktwained]

Two empty barges much lighter and nimble than more barges. They also help hold bow up running “light boat”, so they won’t dive. These boats are designed to have barges in front.

[@galegregory97comcast]

You look good for a gray-haired captain lol

[@marktwained]

Thank you… I think. 👍🏻🤷🏼‍♂️

[@joeborntrager3831]

How does a guy go about getting a deck hand job on the ole Mississippi River run

[@Khahngenwater]

So some of those tows like the Co-Op spirit have 3 engines?

[@marktwained]

Yes. There are boats with three mains. 👍🏻

[@Khahngenwater]

The gauge that sits up high with a round whiteface dial, is that a rudder turn indicator?

[@marktwained]

It is “swing meter”. It gives us rate of turn.

[@pduderocker]

Hey Kyle, Are you scheduled to work over Christmas this year?

[@marktwained]

No plans on any boat trips until January. 👍🏻

[@keithswindell2812]

Are you at home now

[@Khahngenwater]

Triple 7's doing 7.3

[@nataschaschouten2711]

with how many meters you can sail there on the river ? By us in Europa is that 265 m long and 22.8 m wide river up and river down 200 meter long and 34.2 m wide

[@marktwained]

Not sure of question.

[@Khahngenwater]

Do your decisions to nose in to the bank versus backing into the bank Hinged upon current flow?

[@marktwained]

Yes. Shove in unbound, back in southbound. 👍🏻

[@Khahngenwater]

I noticed at around the 5 and 6 minute mark you keep making engine RPM adjustments while the other tug is adding the 5th and 6th barge. why is that? what are you doing by making those rpm adjustments.?

[@marktwained]

Throttle adjustments to hold positions

[@woodywoodman2319]

What are the poles sticking down in the water on the fronts of the barges for?

[@marktwained]

“Sounder poles” Transducers on “foot” of them, and cords to wheelhouse for depth readings.

[@woodywoodman2319]

@@marktwained Thanks... was thinking something similar to that!

[@KeepingitAnalog]

When you back into the bank how does it not damage the props?

[@marktwained]

We don’t get them into the bank. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@KeepingitAnalog]

@@marktwained So is it the outside barge that pushes up against the bank?

[@marktwained]

Generally so, yes. It varies for the situation. Some deep and steep banks, or even a cut sand bar l have put the stem of boat against something without worry of damage under vessel. If there is risk enough of damage to vessel, we can top around and shove into bank as necessary.

[@galegregory341]

Instead of 7:20. That sounds more like six and 12 if you know what I mean