port of Manitowoc shipment

[Mr Link]

They cranes are brand new, being built in Manitowoc for the US Navy by a partnership between Konecranes and Broadwind. https://www.nbc26.com/manitowoc/the-man ... -next-year

[Luth]

I’m curious about Big Blue’s recent history on the Great Lakes, and how it came to be in a place like Manitowoc?

[rcrvrp]

I saw a picture of the crane being towed and the tow line was much longer than I expected. What is the reason for that? Do they shorten it up in rough seas? In going through locks do they disconnect and lock through separately?
When going down the east coast will they be in the intercoastal waterway instead of open ocean? Do they "hug the coast" as much as they can on the whole trip?

[Steamboater]

I just took a look at the Welland canal cam. Further to my just Superior bmiited update about 45 min. ago.
It is 00:25 EST For me. The Ocean Tower and barge have made it through the lock at Port Colborne and on their way down towards L. Ontario.

[Steamboater66]

Ocean Tower and the BIG Blue crane are still moored on the east wall of the Welland canal below lock 8.
It is now 2312h EST. Looks like they may stay moored for the night. It has been about 7 hours they’ve been there.

[Steamboater66]

It is Saturday afternoon about 1630 EST. Just dialed in the Welland canal cam. The BIG Blue is tied up on the east wall ready to go downbound...just not sure when. You get a good idea of her size as compared to things nearby! Will keep an eye on her tonight. Not sure about continuing. After dark maybe not their cup of tea.

[wxbuoy]

That is an impressive crane and challenging tow. Looks to be a very high center of gravity with the height of the crane. I can see the lakes being okay for this tow, but way out on East Coast, Gulf to the Panama Canal, then up the West coast. This will be interesting to track and watch its progress.

[Steamboater66]

Ocean Tower and the Big Blue crane got out of Manitowoc Tuesday morning. They’ve made good time and have been very lucky with the weather.
It is Friday night at 1154h EST that I am posting. This tow entered L Erie early this morning. This afternoon the ais disappeared from the maps for about 2 hours. I logged in here about 1130 EST and it was back up.
Right now they are in mid L Erie running at about 7 kts. in calm clear conditions toward Port Colborne.

[Guest]

I wish them well undertaking this long voyage through the lakes and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans this late in the year.

[Denny]

As of 10:40 a.m. on November 20 they are downbound in Lake Huron off Port Sanillac at this time.

[Denny]

As of 7:30 a.m. on November 20, they are diwnbound in Lake Huron off Harbor Beach at this time.

[Guest]

The tug Ocean Tower is showing uo on the MarineTraffic website: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/ho ... 18/zoom:10

[Denny]

Try using Marine Traffic for tracking their movement if you can’t get or find them on boatnerd AIS. I’ve used the Marine Traffic AIS and all you have to do is to type “Ocean Tower” in the Search Box near the top of the page then click on the name. This should then take you to live AIS tracking then click on Map and you should see where they are located at. Hope this helps out.

[Steamboater66]

Big Blue a 200 ton crane ona barge departed Manitowoc WI yesterday (Tues, Nov.18) in tow of tug Ocean Tower (pron as “toer”).
Today ais shows her in the Straits of Macinac just off Macinac City.
Dann Towing out of Tampa is in command on this voyage. They were used in June ‘21 to do a similar run with one of these through the Seaway to a naval yard on the East coast of USA. Went off smooth as glass!
This one is looking to be about a month long...that’s why I wrote”voyage”. Out the same route. When they get to the Atlantic Ocean they’ll turn to starboard, proceed to the Panama Canal exit, turn to juStarboard again and head north to Washington state!
Should be interesting, to say the least.
If you follow the cams on B’nerd there should be some great looks! There were back in June 2021. If all is smooth sailing today; Im guessing they should be at Port Huron cam sometime approaching midnight today (Wed. Nov.19)
For some reason they’re not showing on B’nerd ais!! Went to the oneIve used for Thamesborg tracking (she’s still in Baie Comeau). It’s shipinfo.net. Offers ais map access by typing ship name and clicking on map option.
Curious to know and hear from other Nerds watching this.

[guest]

Talk around town is it is going out saterday morning 7.00 weather permiting

[Mr Link]

Today's Boatnerd news mentions that one of the cranes has been loaded onto a barge, in preparation for towing.

https://boatnerd.com/boatnerd-news-november-13-2025/

[guest]

Is there any update on the large crane that is going to be leaving Manitowoc by water?