Accessible Winter Layup Locations

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Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by Guest » January 5, 2016, 4:37 pm

You can get pretty close to the Roger blough, dock at the donjon ship yard, in Erie pa. She is docked across from the port authority dock behind the bus depot.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by amherst1 » January 5, 2016, 2:15 pm

garbear wrote:As a side note, I was in Duluth last year and noticed what appears to be a public stand near the CN ore dock and was wondering if it was indeed open and what type of shots are possible to obtain from that site? I was only in town for a few hours and was unable to check it out further before heading back to Minneapolis to catch my flight home.

Maybe it's changed since CN took over, but toward the tail end of the D.M. & I.R. ownership they had welded a bar between the two handrails so you couldn't access it anymore. It was a good spot to take pictures.
The viewer's stand overlooking CN Ore Dock is "now fenced off!", and that area is also over taken with tall weed growth. Was there a couple weeks ago. Primarily the dock is open for a photo, but "take in consideration" the spot there is for "employee parking" for CN and Great Lakes Fleet parking in that parking area between the ore dock and their office's.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by c ships » January 5, 2016, 2:06 am

Sturgeon Bay Wi, has good viewing of the boats at the shipyard. They have a fence but still good viewing plus from across the bay as well. Milwaukee not sure of. Green Bay has a cement carrier and Marinette not much for lay-up anymore. Still nice to able to see the boats once a year for us, other than the nice photos shared on this site. Thanks you for sharing.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by clarkjol » January 4, 2016, 11:41 am

Getting back to Lake Erie, the American Steamship Co. has the Boland and the Cornelius laid up at Huron, Ohio. Access is good and a lot of angles for photography. Access is off of Ohio State Hwy. 6. Also can get more views from downtown Huron as well. Good for afternoon photos.
No access from the east side of the old ore dock.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by garbear » January 4, 2016, 10:23 am

As a side note, I was in Duluth last year and noticed what appears to be a public stand near the CN ore dock and was wondering if it was indeed open and what type of shots are possible to obtain from that site? I was only in town for a few hours and was unable to check it out further before heading back to Minneapolis to catch my flight home.

Maybe it's changed since CN took over, but toward the tail end of the D.M. & I.R. ownership they had welded a bar between the two handrails so you couldn't access it anymore. It was a good spot to take pictures.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by Guest » January 4, 2016, 8:29 am

Denny wrote:Wow lahey that sounds similar to what happened to me while down in Toledo in 2009 as that is quite a story you got there. I also had another incident and a close call happen to me back in 2004 as I was in Marine City, Michigan. At that time the Calumet the old one which was the Myron C. Taylor was unloading a stone cargo while at Marine City. Well, the McClouth Limestone Yard and Dock she was at had their fence gates open so I decided to drive in and get some close up shots of her unloading. There were trucks running around and loaders also and I wasn't really thinking of that stuff at the time. Well, as I was taking some photos one of their guys came up to me either in a pickup or loader. The guy then proceeded to ask me "Hey, What are you doing in here?" I told him that I had just driven in here and seen the Calumet unloading and that I was taking pictures of her is all. The guy was not too happy or thrilled I was there taking pictures and he ordered me out or else he would be calling authorities! He said "You know you are not supposed to be back here on our property without permission!" I said Yeah I know and that I was leaving then. Point is, he warned me not to do something like that again and since then I have learned that one!
One must also consider that the dock workers/owners are also concerned about the liability of someone being injured or killed on their property. Such operations are, by their very nature, inherently dangerous. I had visited that yard and the adjacent road commission dock several times during the 1980s and into the late 1990s without incident, but I can't fault the operators for not wanting the public to wander in without permission. The decreasing number of public assessable spots along the rivers (St. Clair and St. Marys) and other port cities convinced me to buy a small used fishing boat from which to take pictures from. Although not the answer for everyone, this purchase (less than $1,500) has paid for itself many times over as I'm much happier with my pictures. The bottom line is that the days of being able to walk down to the docks to view ships up close have come to an end. Furthermore, this trend was beginning to take place well before 9/11.

As a side note, I was in Duluth last year and noticed what appears to be a public stand near the CN ore dock and was wondering if it was indeed open and what type of shots are possible to obtain from that site? I was only in town for a few hours and was unable to check it out further before heading back to Minneapolis to catch my flight home.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by Pazzo » January 1, 2016, 11:09 pm

Thank you, again, for all of the cautionary tales. I have already run into plenty of these situations between Cleveland and Buffalo. I am usually able to diffuse a security officer or police officer with some reasonable and truthful explanation for my presence. I've found that dealing with employees of secured and restricted areas is the most difficult... which is an encouraging sign and I don't give protest, no matter how good the shot might be.

Honestly, these are the reasons why I was trying to gather an idea of locations that might still have a generous degree of visual access. Knowing that there are many ports that take security seriously and protect their docks, tracks and warehousing makes photography the challenge I'm interested in chasing.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by lahey » January 1, 2016, 4:06 pm

TWilush wrote:You should avoid putting the locations of accessible places on a public forum, drawing attention will inevitably lead to more fences. It has happened before.
In the case of the Port Lands much of it already had and continues to have fences. Including the areas previously mentioned. Let's just hope they don't try to make them taller.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by TWilush » January 1, 2016, 3:25 pm

You should avoid putting the locations of accessible places on a public forum, drawing attention will inevitably lead to more fences. It has happened before.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by beecher » January 1, 2016, 3:11 pm

The maritime setting these days has all Maritime Waterfront Facilities under security protocols. If you see a MARSEC sign, you should stop.
It's just the day and age we live in especially when you mix in international trade vs terrorism tendencies.
Then & after all that, there is the environmental angles too.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by lahey » January 1, 2016, 12:46 pm

Denny wrote:Wow lahey that sounds similar to what happened to me while down in Toledo in 2009 as that is quite a story you got there. I also had another incident and a close call happen to me back in 2004 as I was in Marine City, Michigan. At that time the Calumet the old one which was the Myron C. Taylor was unloading a stone cargo while at Marine City. Well, the McClouth Limestone Yard and Dock she was at had their fence gates open so I decided to drive in and get some close up shots of her unloading. There were trucks running around and loaders also and I wasn't really thinking of that stuff at the time. Well, as I was taking some photos one of their guys came up to me either in a pickup or loader. The guy then proceeded to ask me "Hey, What are you doing in here?" I told him that I had just driven in here and seen the Calumet unloading and that I was taking pictures of her is all. The guy was not too happy or thrilled I was there taking pictures and he ordered me out or else he would be calling authorities! He said "You know you are not supposed to be back here on our property without permission!" I said Yeah I know and that I was leaving then. Point is, he warned me not to do something like that again and since then I have learned that one!
I always stay outside of private property, so that if they do call the cops I have the law on my side. Even if that means a shot that doesn't turn out as well as I would like. A telephoto is good for this scenario. It brings the subject much closer to you.

Nonetheless you still want to avoid getting tangled up with the cops for any reason, which I why I quickly and calmly departed the area. Probably should've played dumb in your case, so that you could pretend you didn't know it was off limits. "Sorry sir I didn't know this was private property...".

I always scout out the locations I'm going to be photographing in by satellite and street view. So I can see which areas I can legally access.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by Denny » January 1, 2016, 10:50 am

Wow lahey that sounds similar to what happened to me while down in Toledo in 2009 as that is quite a story you got there. I also had another incident and a close call happen to me back in 2004 as I was in Marine City, Michigan. At that time the Calumet the old one which was the Myron C. Taylor was unloading a stone cargo while at Marine City. Well, the McClouth Limestone Yard and Dock she was at had their fence gates open so I decided to drive in and get some close up shots of her unloading. There were trucks running around and loaders also and I wasn't really thinking of that stuff at the time. Well, as I was taking some photos one of their guys came up to me either in a pickup or loader. The guy then proceeded to ask me "Hey, What are you doing in here?" I told him that I had just driven in here and seen the Calumet unloading and that I was taking pictures of her is all. The guy was not too happy or thrilled I was there taking pictures and he ordered me out or else he would be calling authorities! He said "You know you are not supposed to be back here on our property without permission!" I said Yeah I know and that I was leaving then. Point is, he warned me not to do something like that again and since then I have learned that one!

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by lahey » December 31, 2015, 11:47 pm

Denny wrote:IAlso, the last time I was in Toledo was in 2009 and the CSX Security was terrible there! They chased us out of the CSX area and then followed us all around the Port and other areas. Needless to say that ended my Toledo days for me!
Something like that happened to me on my most recent trip to Toronto. deep in the Port Lands at Basin St. Got in confrontation with guy in a big pickup truck who supposedly owned the equipment yard that was between the public road and Frontenac on the other side. Demanded to know why I was "photographing his yard and equipment". There wasn't anything particularly special in view. Just a few pickup trucks and cars.

Somehow I managed to get him to back off and although he didn't chase me off, he didn't sound too happy as he relented and drove off. That experience was unnerving so I didn't stick around in case he decided to call the cops or something. Not going back there.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by Denny » December 31, 2015, 5:49 pm

In adding to the good accessible Winter Layup Locations and the different ports and spots, I have not been to the Welland Canal as the last time for me was in 1999 and before the events of 9/11 but as I see and look at photos on boatnerd, I can't see where along the Canal and even in Sarnia it would be too accessible to get up and photograph the ships. Again, keep in mind I have not been to the Welland since 1999 and last in Sarnia for me was in 2005 also. In 2005 I least in Sarnia I could still walk right up to the ships but, this was before "the freaks starting to put up extra fencing and also tighter security as well!" Also, the last time I was in Toledo was in 2009 and the CSX Security was terrible there! They chased us out of the CSX area and then followed us all around the Port and other areas. Needless to say that ended my Toledo days for me!

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by lahey » December 31, 2015, 4:48 pm

Pazzo wrote:Thank you, one and all, for the great suggestions and specific locations! As long as the mild winter continues, I hope to travel to each of these cities and take in the views and culture! It seems that the security on the Canadian side is slightly more relaxed and understanding in the hobby/fascination of Great Lakes shipping.
Do keep in mind, even here there are people who assume someone with a camera and photographing (in a place that they perceive to be uninteresting) are up to no good.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by Pazzo » December 31, 2015, 3:01 pm

Thank you, one and all, for the great suggestions and specific locations! As long as the mild winter continues, I hope to travel to each of these cities and take in the views and culture! It seems that the security on the Canadian side is slightly more relaxed and understanding in the hobby/fascination of Great Lakes shipping.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by old sailer » December 30, 2015, 7:32 am

Sarnia
Both government dock and North slip are very good spots and you get close to the ships.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by Wyane » December 30, 2015, 3:18 am

Goderich is a great place. You can walk up to the boats.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by lahey » December 29, 2015, 9:16 pm

Toronto. Probably the Spruceglen is docked there now. The little park on the end of Poulson St is a good place. The fences are tall, but stand on the little bench to get above them.If you get lucky sometimes ships also layup in the channel close to the Cherry St. liftbridge. Though you will probably be seeing them from the back and not the front in that case.

If you have a good telephoto and good weather you can also get some nice shots from Sherbourne Common waterfront too.

Re: Accessible Winter Layup Locations

by cpfan » December 29, 2015, 7:48 pm

Decent views of ships layed up in Port Colborne. There's some pics in my public gallery.

http://pics.boatnerd.com/v/shipping/cpfan2015/

Port Weller Dry Docks are not as good.

http://pics.boatnerd.com/v/shipping/PWDD-Winter-2010/

Steve

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