Tuesday, September 7, 2010

LEFT PITTSBURGH



Sept. 7, 2010---Beautiful sunrise over Pittsburgh. No wind!!!
Look how calm the Monongahela River is this morning.






Reflections in the water are always neat to see. Passing "The Point" of Pittsburgh reminded us this is where the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition started July 5, 1803.




Left Station Square at 8:45 a.m. First lock of the day is Emsworth just 6.2 miles down the Ohio. This lock lowered us 18'.





Looking back from the lock, Pittsburgh's skyline can be seen in the distance. A coal fired power plant is located just above the lock. Leaving the lock there was a lot of debris in the path of travel. Unfortunately some heavy rope was mixed in with the floating debris that got tangled around the prop on the port side. Had to shut down that engine and operate only the starboard. Continued to the Dashields lock at mile 13.3 near the town of Coraopolis, PA. Lowered us 10' and down the Ohio River we continued to mile 25.5. Familiar area as we turned up Beaver River to Jeffries Landing.




Got a diver to go under the boat and check out the problem.






After several trips under water holding his breath, he got the rope cut so it could be unwrapped from around the prop blades. It was twisted to about 6' in length.




Appeared to be a frayed line from a barge.







Should not be any damage as the line never got tight enough to kill the engine. Won't know for sure until we get out in the river again.





Happy to carry this mess to the trash.




1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Helpful to carry a snorkel and mask along with various cutting instruments for such an occasion.