Last October 14th I spotted a tug pushing barges on the Ohio River near Paducah, KY/Metropolis, IL. Just like those tugs on the Mississippi River these are hard working maritime vessels pushing loads of coal, salt, grain, scrap iron or other cargo to customers along the way. This particular boat is the Tom Torretti of the Water Front Services Company based in Cairo, Illinois. The 67- by 28-foot fleet boat entered service in 2018.
The Ingram tug, Stephen P. Venable makes her way upriver near the Port of Paducah, KY on the Ohio River on December 23, 2017 in late afternoon. This view is from the Fort Massac area where the monuments to the past overlook the present day work boats. About a week later, arctic air passed through this area, leading to ice formations on the river and a halt to barge traffic on the Ohio for the moment.
On November 15th the temperatures along the Iowa - Wisconsin border were near 60F. Tugs and barges took advantage of the weather to move northward on the Mississippi River towards Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (upper left.)
A small tug pulled along side of the David L Griggs tug. Both vessels belong to the Marquette Transportation Company which operate from Paducah, Kentucky on the Ohio River. David L Grigg's present location can be seen at this link.
The smaller tug detached from the Griggs, rotated and helped to push a formation of barges just outside of the frame.
Another tug was busy assembling the formation just north of the smaller tug and the DLG. This island, which is visible from Iowa's Pike Peak State Park is probably a staging area for barges as there is evidence of tie offs and signs.
