With the blast furnaces in Gary, Indiana in the background, this ore carrying laker is making use of the turning basin, no helpful tugs present. I think this might be a defining moment for any aspiring captain.
Observations of a landlubber: 1) I see no evidence of side thrusters so this would have been quite a challenge. 2) Why a turning basin? Wouldn't it be simpler to just reverse back up the canal the way you came? Unless the ship had to be turned around to load evenly? 3) I wonder if there's a specific boating term for backing up? Proceed sternward? Backscrew? Aft progress?
Operating a freighter like that in reverse is terribly inefficient and would use tons of excess fuel. Not to mention trying to keep it on-course even in a straight line.
2 comments:
Observations of a landlubber:
1) I see no evidence of side thrusters so this would have been quite a challenge.
2) Why a turning basin? Wouldn't it be simpler to just reverse back up the canal the way you came? Unless the ship had to be turned around to load evenly?
3) I wonder if there's a specific boating term for backing up? Proceed sternward? Backscrew? Aft progress?
Operating a freighter like that in reverse is terribly inefficient and would use tons of excess fuel. Not to mention trying to keep it on-course even in a straight line.
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