- Manitowoc shipment entering Gatun lock 1-9-26
port of Manitowoc shipment
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
As of 11:00 AM EST the barge is in the cue to enter the Panama canal at Gatun. And at 12:13 just before it is out of view of the camera. Safe travels to all.
- Attachments
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- Traversing the 2nd lock
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1056h EST Friday Jan. 9/26...
Ocean Tower and Crane are on the move again!!
From the PanCanal.com site the Gatun webcam shows the tow just in the upper lock. Looks like they’re moving into Gatun Lake.
Ocean Tower and Crane are on the move again!!
From the PanCanal.com site the Gatun webcam shows the tow just in the upper lock. Looks like they’re moving into Gatun Lake.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 0109h EST Fri. Jan. 9/2026
I have spent the last 1.5 h scanning the sites I had hope might give those of us who follow and care about such things; a hint as to the schedule for today aboard Ocean Tower with crane 70.
I reviewed the Facebook blog, ShipJunlies-Lakes, Locks, and Rivers. Only 2 earlier original posts...one of which states Jan. 9...TODAY! The other from a guest on here, who has responded to my writings and is near the canal says on the Facebook site that he has talked to canal PR people whom he suggests will contact him if and when they have details.
As of 0105h...just before I got on here; the tug and crane are still at anchor in Baie de Limon as they have been since New Year’s Day.
Another guest posted a new question today. They asked if there was another tug pushing? I do not actually know. I would guess that would not be necessary on open ocean waters. I would guess on open seas Pythagorean’s might actually pose some control issues and make things complicated.
Perhaps someone on here who has tug experience could give us a view on that idea.
Meantime, unless someone with a connection to the tow or the Panama Canal, or Facebook, or the Heavens could come aboard here and shed some light on this likely marine towing historic event.
I have spent the last 1.5 h scanning the sites I had hope might give those of us who follow and care about such things; a hint as to the schedule for today aboard Ocean Tower with crane 70.
I reviewed the Facebook blog, ShipJunlies-Lakes, Locks, and Rivers. Only 2 earlier original posts...one of which states Jan. 9...TODAY! The other from a guest on here, who has responded to my writings and is near the canal says on the Facebook site that he has talked to canal PR people whom he suggests will contact him if and when they have details.
As of 0105h...just before I got on here; the tug and crane are still at anchor in Baie de Limon as they have been since New Year’s Day.
Another guest posted a new question today. They asked if there was another tug pushing? I do not actually know. I would guess that would not be necessary on open ocean waters. I would guess on open seas Pythagorean’s might actually pose some control issues and make things complicated.
Perhaps someone on here who has tug experience could give us a view on that idea.
Meantime, unless someone with a connection to the tow or the Panama Canal, or Facebook, or the Heavens could come aboard here and shed some light on this likely marine towing historic event.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 0109h EST Fri. Jan. 9/2026
I have spent the last 1.5 h scanning the sites I had hope might give those of us who follow and care about such things; a hint as to the schedule for today aboard Ocean Tower with crane 70.
I reviewed the Facebook blog, ShipJunlies-Lakes, Locks, and Rivers. Only 2 earlier original posts...one of which states Jan. 9...TODAY! The other from a guest on here, who has responded to my writings and is near the canal says on the Facebook site that he has talked to canal PR people whom he suggests will contact him if and when they have details.
As of 0105h...just before I got on here; the tug and crane are still at anchor in Baie de Limon as they have been since New Year’s Day.
Another guest posted a new question today. They asked if there was another tug pushing? I do not actually know. I would guess that would not be necessary on open ocean waters. I would guess on open seas Pythagorean’s might actually pose some control issues and make things complicated.
Perhaps someone on here who has tug experience could give us a view on that idea.
Meantime, unless someone with a connection to the tow or the Panama Canal, or Facebook, or the Heavens could come aboard here and shed some light on this likely marine towing historic event.
I have spent the last 1.5 h scanning the sites I had hope might give those of us who follow and care about such things; a hint as to the schedule for today aboard Ocean Tower with crane 70.
I reviewed the Facebook blog, ShipJunlies-Lakes, Locks, and Rivers. Only 2 earlier original posts...one of which states Jan. 9...TODAY! The other from a guest on here, who has responded to my writings and is near the canal says on the Facebook site that he has talked to canal PR people whom he suggests will contact him if and when they have details.
As of 0105h...just before I got on here; the tug and crane are still at anchor in Baie de Limon as they have been since New Year’s Day.
Another guest posted a new question today. They asked if there was another tug pushing? I do not actually know. I would guess that would not be necessary on open ocean waters. I would guess on open seas Pythagorean’s might actually pose some control issues and make things complicated.
Perhaps someone on here who has tug experience could give us a view on that idea.
Meantime, unless someone with a connection to the tow or the Panama Canal, or Facebook, or the Heavens could come aboard here and shed some light on this likely marine towing historic event.
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Guest
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
Is there a second tug pushing from behind as well?Steamboater66 wrote: January 7, 2026, 12:14 am It is 2353h EST Jan,6/26
The Ocean Tower is where I found her earlier today....at anchor in Bahia de Limon.
I erred in my last entry...Cristobal , where on a Facebook blog it was stated that Ocean Tower bunkered today; is in Colombia; not Panama.
NWS is continuing to warn that high and low pressure systems will clash over the central Caribbean producing E to NE winds via the Leeward Passage. These winds could approach gale force and will develop afternoon/evening hours. Showers are expected as well as increased waves.*
For those interested. The Facebook site I stumbled upon is entitled “Ship Junkies...Lakes, Locks and Rivers”
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Rcrvrp
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
By luck and happy coincidence I met a public relations team from the P Canal this afternoon. They said they would try to find out from operations when the Ocean Tower and crane are scheduled to go through and email me.
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Rcrvrp
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
Poster on Facebook who says his crew built the crane says he gets twice daily updates and the latest update says it will enter the canal the 9th. Normal time to transit the entire canal is 8-9 hours. I do not know if the fact that it is a tow will in any way slow the transit time.
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Rcrvrp
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
If you go to YouTube and search for “ ocean tower tugboat crane project” you will see at least 2 videos of the tug/ barge/crane. Not in Panama, earlier in the trip.
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Rcrvrp
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
I posted on Ship Junkies the story of the crane and asked for anyone with info on its movement to post there. Go to Facebook snd search “ Ship Junkies” and it comes right up. You can join the group instantly , no need the wait for admin approval.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 2353h EST Jan,6/26
The Ocean Tower is where I found her earlier today....at anchor in Bahia de Limon.
I erred in my last entry...Cristobal , where on a Facebook blog it was stated that Ocean Tower bunkered today; is in Colombia; not Panama.
NWS is continuing to warn that high and low pressure systems will clash over the central Caribbean producing E to NE winds via the Leeward Passage. These winds could approach gale force and will develop afternoon/evening hours. Showers are expected as well as increased waves.*
For those interested. The Facebook site I stumbled upon is entitled “Ship Junkies...Lakes, Locks and Rivers”
The Ocean Tower is where I found her earlier today....at anchor in Bahia de Limon.
I erred in my last entry...Cristobal , where on a Facebook blog it was stated that Ocean Tower bunkered today; is in Colombia; not Panama.
NWS is continuing to warn that high and low pressure systems will clash over the central Caribbean producing E to NE winds via the Leeward Passage. These winds could approach gale force and will develop afternoon/evening hours. Showers are expected as well as increased waves.*
For those interested. The Facebook site I stumbled upon is entitled “Ship Junkies...Lakes, Locks and Rivers”
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Rcrvrp
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
I use Facebook, can you tell me where on Facebook this info appeared?I will be 8 hours west of Colon the morning of the 9th but probably could drive to Colon or Panama City that day. PC is where I had planned to go anyway.
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Guest
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
Steamboater66- Make no mistake about how much I ( and others I’m sure) appreciate your monitoring this as well as your passion. I look forward to checking your progress several times a day. Keep the faith!
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 1043h EST Tues. Jan.6/26
The Ocean Tower and Crane are still at anchor in Bahia de Limon as they were last night/ very early this a.m.
However.....!
Looking very closely at the ais/position map; my attention was drawn to a feature named Cristobal Tower. It is quite close to Bahia de Limon. I thought it might give an overlook to the bay where the tow is anchored awaiting its turn into the Panama Canal. THEN out the corner of my eye...
On the very same internet page is a Facebook page entry...
On that page is a sentence describing that Ocean Tower took on fuel at the port of Cristobal, Panama!!
This the FIRST and ONLY communication that I have seen about this event from another source! After they sailed from Manitowoc on Nov. 18/25 ...there were for a few days, comments about the tow on this board. I continued monitoring and reporting with a few short comments thanking me and a few comments from another Boatnerd follower in Panama.
This Facebook site is a blog that is quite active in hosting shipping media posts of its users on the Great Lakes shipping scene.
I’ve looked at it before, hoping to see something about the crane tow; but to no avail until this morning.
I do not do Facebook. However, I shall monitor this blog as the days go on.
I have been looking at pancanal.com and related sites for canal passage schedules. There are a few, listing ships by names and dates. There is NO SIGN of Ocean Tower on any of them.
On the Facebook blog someone has written in that the OCEAN TOWER WILL BE IN THE CANAL ON JANUARY 9! Hope this generates some interest on the part of Boatnerd followers.
It pays to maintain hope and follow your passions!
The Ocean Tower and Crane are still at anchor in Bahia de Limon as they were last night/ very early this a.m.
However.....!
Looking very closely at the ais/position map; my attention was drawn to a feature named Cristobal Tower. It is quite close to Bahia de Limon. I thought it might give an overlook to the bay where the tow is anchored awaiting its turn into the Panama Canal. THEN out the corner of my eye...
On the very same internet page is a Facebook page entry...
On that page is a sentence describing that Ocean Tower took on fuel at the port of Cristobal, Panama!!
This the FIRST and ONLY communication that I have seen about this event from another source! After they sailed from Manitowoc on Nov. 18/25 ...there were for a few days, comments about the tow on this board. I continued monitoring and reporting with a few short comments thanking me and a few comments from another Boatnerd follower in Panama.
This Facebook site is a blog that is quite active in hosting shipping media posts of its users on the Great Lakes shipping scene.
I’ve looked at it before, hoping to see something about the crane tow; but to no avail until this morning.
I do not do Facebook. However, I shall monitor this blog as the days go on.
I have been looking at pancanal.com and related sites for canal passage schedules. There are a few, listing ships by names and dates. There is NO SIGN of Ocean Tower on any of them.
On the Facebook blog someone has written in that the OCEAN TOWER WILL BE IN THE CANAL ON JANUARY 9! Hope this generates some interest on the part of Boatnerd followers.
It pays to maintain hope and follow your passions!
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Stearmboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
It is 00:20h EST Tues. Jan. 6/26 as I write.
At Bahia de Limon it is the same date and time as above...
Ocean Tower continues at anchor in Bahia de Limon off Colon, Panama this morning.
A low pressure zone will result in East winds developing today into Wednesday ranging in strength from a fresh breeze to gale force with seas to match.
At Bahia de Limon it is the same date and time as above...
Ocean Tower continues at anchor in Bahia de Limon off Colon, Panama this morning.
A low pressure zone will result in East winds developing today into Wednesday ranging in strength from a fresh breeze to gale force with seas to match.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
1033h EST Mon. Jan.5/26
The Ocean Tower crane tow remains stationary as she was last night in Bahia (Baie) de Limon off Colon, Panama.
The Ocean Tower crane tow remains stationary as she was last night in Bahia (Baie) de Limon off Colon, Panama.
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
At 00:09 on Sun. Jan.4/26
The Ocean Tower and Crane remain in Baie de Limon off Colon, Panama. They have been there since January 1.
Checked canal website and related ones too for vessels scheduled to enter the canal. There is nothing about Ocean Tower.
The Ocean Tower and Crane remain in Baie de Limon off Colon, Panama. They have been there since January 1.
Checked canal website and related ones too for vessels scheduled to enter the canal. There is nothing about Ocean Tower.
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Guest
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
As do I. Appreciate your reports !Steamboater66 wrote: January 4, 2026, 1:01 pm 1242h EST Sun. Jan.4/26
In response to member :
I see David on the Panama map. Yes, you certainly are at quite a distance from accessing the canal!
However, for those of us trying to follow the crane tow...well, it’s a guessing game.
If you have a computer I guess you might just keep checking the site...pancanal.com and access the webcams as I am doing.
I am thinking that the U.S. navy is maybe trying to keep this thing under wraps. There appears to be nothing on the web originating from or anywhere near the tow.
I follow from the map of ais on shipinfo, the weather services, and anything that might show up on Boatnerd.
Good to see at least 1 other person interested in this. Shipping-wise, I think it’s a real big deal!
Good luck!
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Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
1242h EST Sun. Jan.4/26
In response to member :
I see David on the Panama map. Yes, you certainly are at quite a distance from accessing the canal!
However, for those of us trying to follow the crane tow...well, it’s a guessing game.
If you have a computer I guess you might just keep checking the site...pancanal.com and access the webcams as I am doing.
I am thinking that the U.S. navy is maybe trying to keep this thing under wraps. There appears to be nothing on the web originating from or anywhere near the tow.
I follow from the map of ais on shipinfo, the weather services, and anything that might show up on Boatnerd.
Good to see at least 1 other person interested in this. Shipping-wise, I think it’s a real big deal!
Good luck!
In response to member :
I see David on the Panama map. Yes, you certainly are at quite a distance from accessing the canal!
However, for those of us trying to follow the crane tow...well, it’s a guessing game.
If you have a computer I guess you might just keep checking the site...pancanal.com and access the webcams as I am doing.
I am thinking that the U.S. navy is maybe trying to keep this thing under wraps. There appears to be nothing on the web originating from or anywhere near the tow.
I follow from the map of ais on shipinfo, the weather services, and anything that might show up on Boatnerd.
Good to see at least 1 other person interested in this. Shipping-wise, I think it’s a real big deal!
Good luck!
-
Steamboater66
Re: port of Manitowoc shipment
1242h EST Sun. Jan.4/26
In response to member :
I see David on the Panama map. Yes, you certainly are at quite a distance from accessing the canal!
However, for those of us trying to follow the crane tow...well, it’s a guessing game.
If you have a computer I guess you might just keep checking the site...pancanal.com and access the webcams as I am doing.
I am thinking that the U.S. navy is maybe trying to keep this thing under wraps. There appears to be nothing on the web originating from or anywhere near the tow.
I follow from the map of ais on shipinfo, the weather services, and anything that might show up on Boatnerd.
Good to see at least 1 other person interested in this. Shipping-wise, I think it’s a real big deal!
Good luck!
In response to member :
I see David on the Panama map. Yes, you certainly are at quite a distance from accessing the canal!
However, for those of us trying to follow the crane tow...well, it’s a guessing game.
If you have a computer I guess you might just keep checking the site...pancanal.com and access the webcams as I am doing.
I am thinking that the U.S. navy is maybe trying to keep this thing under wraps. There appears to be nothing on the web originating from or anywhere near the tow.
I follow from the map of ais on shipinfo, the weather services, and anything that might show up on Boatnerd.
Good to see at least 1 other person interested in this. Shipping-wise, I think it’s a real big deal!
Good luck!