Boatnerd Discussion Forum

It is 1853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.

It is 1853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.

It is 2853h Mon. Feb.23/26
The suspense is building. I spent a good part of today searching the web for ideas as to where an event of maritime history making proportions has come to a close. How could a thing this huge be somewhere on this planet and go undetected and unreported on a web that is woven world-wide?
There is no ais track. They are not in San Francisco. It appears that a cloak of secrecy has been thrown over what has been an amazing and awesome voyage.

It is 00:27 EST Mon. Feb. 23/26
Searched out Ocean Tower on ais maps. There is no sign of the tow.
As guest suggested in a recent post; this could give rise to the idea that the end portion of this e tow may be conducted with no ais and offline.

The surface analysis map shows two strong low pressure cells in the Pacific Northwest. Pressure gradients show it is quite windy at sea. I have a feeling they will sit for a while till this winter weather passes.

guest wrote: February 21, 2026, 12:32 pm Inmy search result for the Ocean Tower and looking closer at the last ais report on Marine Traffic, I find that it is dated Feb. 9th.When simply going into Marine Traffic and zooming in on San Fransisco harbor, the Ocean Tower does not appear. So either their ais transmitter is turned off, or they are well on their way out of range or with ais device not functioning for some reason. Is there a security reason why they would not want to be tracked on this last leg of the journey?

Yesterday's (Feb 20) port schedule still shows it tied up at Pier 30-32, with an anticipated departure of Feb 22. https://www.sfport.com/media/11103/download?inline

I found this webcam (Salesforce Tower, camera 4) in the area, but unfortunately the pier is just out of view. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/sa ... r-cameras/

If you are really curious it it is still docked, there is a tiny restaurant (Red's Java House) on that pier that appears to have a great view of the dock. Send them an e-mail, and an online tip, and maybe they will look out their kitchen door and let you know if the giant blue crane is still there. https://www.redsjavahouse.com

Inmy search result for the Ocean Tower and looking closer at the last ais report on Marine Traffic, I find that it is dated Feb. 9th.When simply going into Marine Traffic and zooming in on San Fransisco harbor, the Ocean Tower does not appear. So either their ais transmitter is turned off, or they are well on their way out of range or with ais device not functioning for some reason. Is there a security reason why they would not want to be tracked on this last leg of the journey?

It is 2349h Friday, Feb. 20/26
Guest indicates that high seas are a problem in the region that the Ocean Tower needs to pass through to reach Puget Sound with the Crane 70 tow.
In fact, I just saw a Friday NOAA advisory...Gale warnings have been in effect today.
Looking ahead windfinder.com shows that early to mid next week it is probable that the area to be travelled by the tow could be subject to winds gusting in the 20-30 mph range. Seas could run with waves of 8 - 13 feet.
Could this be the reason that the tow to Puget Sound has spent almost 2 weeks moored in San Francisco?

Do you think the Insurance carrier would allow a top heavy load in 16' swells?

It is 00:35h EST as I write. Wed. Feb. 18/26
Yeah, guest, thanks for coming aboard first of all! Nice to swap ideas after following this thing mostly solo for all these miles! I thank you too for trying to shed some light on reasons for the long layover in San Fran!
I have had similar thoughts as to what you’ve put forward. The northeastern Pacific coastal weather can pull a lot of punches anytime...this time of year they can be extra tricky and being out there with a setup like this; things could get deadly in an heartbeat. I’ve been monitoring that on a weather site since another guest a few weeks ago was on the same track.
Really weird ais tonight! The map opened up to a position that I saw the tow was in back in early January....somewhere off the Guatemala coast!!
They’ve got me! How the heck, and why would the ais for Ocean Tower be showing that today, which as far as I can tell is Feb. 18!!
Anyway, two other explanations I have thought of are...
1) The tow outfit just decided to give their crew a break...they have been through a lot.
2) Maybe the Navy got things to get ready in Bremerton and need some time.
This getting strangely interesting!

I don't know the actual reason why but I do know the weather hasn't been optimal San Fran north. 25-35 kt winds and seas to 15 and rain don't seem to be conducive to a barge tow. As mentioned earlier, Pac Northwest marine weather is no joke. So maybe that's their MO, better safe than sorry.

It is 1020h EST Tues. Feb.17/26
As of 1 hour ago the Ocean Tower-Blue Crane 70 tow remains moored in San Francisco. They are entering week 2 of this status as of today. Very odd. Does anyone have any idea what is planned to get the remaining miles to Bremerton covered and the delivery completed?

It is 1017h EST Sun. Feb. 15/26
The sun is rising. Aboard Ocean Tower no one is rising this morning in San Francisco. You guessed correctly if you’re thinking that the tow is not moving. The big Blue crane is still moored in San Francisco!

It is 00:37 EST Sat. Feb.14/26...Have a heart...do something nice...It’s Valentines!!
The tow is still in San Francisco this morning. Maybe Ocean Tower’s management is just doing a nice gesture for the careful management of this tow by the boys ( girls too maybe) on this run.
Best wishes to all the B’nerds Out there tomorrow! You too, Denny!

It is 2253h Thurs. Feb.12/26
Ocean Tower and Crane 70 arrived in San Francisco Monday evening Feb.9/26.
They are still moored there. My curiosity provoked me to spend time today searching for possible reasons for the lengthy layover.
Other than reasons provided by a guest yesterday and my own thoughts;I have found no solid information on this turn of events.
If anyone reading this has ideas or actual info; it would be great if you shared it here.

I’m a boatnerd who certainly understands the enormity of the voyage. Thanks for all your updates , have read them all.

It is 2300h EST Wed. Feb. 11/26
Ocean Tower remains moored in San Francico .
This is my third and final check for Wednesday. I have lookeed around the web for other timely reports and comments on this voyage. Information is very scarce.
I am thinking that this layover may be taking place for the potential reasons such as...
1) Bremerton May be not quite ready and are in delay with arrival details
2) There May be a mechanical or equipment issue with tug or barge
3) There could be an issue with personnel
4)There could be a concern with weather to the North
It was rewarding have a guest response...
In honesty, I would hope that there are at least a few other Boat-nerds outside of myself who realize the enormity of executing a voyage like this and are following on that basis.
This afternoon I was coming around to thoughts as to the possibility of weather concerns as the guest has put forward. In my post plans for each day; checking weather for each region has been a basis for every post. I think the guest has a raised a realistic, basic concern.I am sure those aboard Ocean Tower are on top of this every hour of the voyage.
A sight that I find really easy to follow is windfindeer.com. I follow the ais location of the tow. Find a shore location close by.
Google marine weather for that place on WF and form the report.
Tonight’s WF google does not reveal to me any worrying trends. I too am concerned about the limited barge freeboard. The winds are a major factor too..that crane is high!!
Let’s hope they are having some deserved downtime, rest,and good food! The final stage could be very challenging as the guest points out.

It's probably all about the weather. Other than the Canadian Maritimes this last leg could likely be the roughest. Seas are increasing 10-12 feet north towards the weekend, that could be the reason. That barge has only so much freeboard and there's not many places after San Francisco to duck in to.

It is 1053h Wed. Feb.11/26
As of this time I’ve checked status of Ocean Tower this morning. AIS info has her still moored in San Francisco. Seems like a long layover considering that the distance remaining is so relatively short (maybe 700-800 miles). Have searched to get any possible explanation/plan as to how this final stage will be executed...nothing.
If anyone reading this has ideas; please chime in.

It is 00:05 Monday, Feb. 9/26
Nice picture of the tow coming into San Francisco. Thanks, guest!