You will recall that I ran this picture of what looked like an eyesore of a freighter.
Well, as follow-up our local newspaper “The Island Moon,” ran an article by reporter Dale Rankin because a lot of people were asking questions. The article is very complete, so I am going to use it here.
Around the Island
By Dale Rankin
Rusty old dredge
“We’ve had several questions about the rustic ship making its ponderous way up and down the ship channel in Port Aransas the past week. While the paint-challenged vessel might look like it came straight out of Waterworld, it is really the 8432 ton, 351-foot dredge Stuyvesant from Mobile. It is cleaning up some shoaling in the ship channel. It is called a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge that drags a sled along the bottom and sucks up the silt and stores it in onboard bins until the ship goes out to open water and drops the silt back into the water. The rusty sides are a result of the overfull bins belching out saltwater over the sides. Think of the stains as the red badge of courage.
In the background of the photo, you can see the mothballed drilling platform that arrived a few weeks ago and is being stored on Harbor Island. Now, this may be a Fish Story, but the word around Port A is that the platform brought part of the ecosystem that lived under its steel columns that support it, including a population of rather large Red Snapper which a few locals have been helping to reduce. The person who told us that said to keep it to ourselves, but as we told him, there is no way in the world you are going to keep that a secret in Port A.”
Sorry to have to run the photo again, but now we have an answer.
A “Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge”? Your area is full of surprises…. 🙂
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Yes. Say that quickly a few times. Ha ha ha. 😀
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Very interesting, John. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sunday!
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Thanks, Jill. I was reluctant to run the picture again but…:-)
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Glad you did.
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Brings back memories of my time in Dubai, during the construction of the harbour at Jebel Ali. There were two sets of dredgers: cutter suction dredgers from a locally formed company (Gulf Cobla), the other from the spledidly named Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company (best remembered for a fabulous party they threw when they brought their project to a successful conclusion).
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Amazing stuff.
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Thanks, John. That was interesting. Now we all know. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Now we know is right. Thanks, Suzanne.
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It’s interesting to learn about how things work. Coastal communities like yours are worlds apart from areas along large rivers — and certainly different from inland areas. Just day-to-day things can be fascinating. I’m sure the Gulf coast is even different from communities on the Atlantic or Pacific coasts. Have a sublime Sunday, John. Mega hugs to you and yours.
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Thanks, Teagan. The day to day is what makes up most of life. Super Sunday to you. Hugs
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“Dirty from doing hard work is no disgrace” I’m not sure who said that first, but my father repeated it often. Thanks for thd update, John.
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Great saying. Thanks, Dan
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Chuckled at the mention of Waterworld. So, they’re hoping to help the Red Snapper population? That’s pretty cool.
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They are helping themselves to the red snappers. Not sure that will help the snappers.
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Well, I’ll hope for a fish revolt. It’s only a matter of time.
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It’s only fair. When the dredge goes to sea it will deposit some of the harbor wildlife there. Might as well bring the snappers in.
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Interesting, John! Thanks for the follow-up, and have a great Sunday,
Pit
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It’s like an old war horse – keeping the seaways clear for the sleeker vessels to play! 🙂 Having a red snapper colony is a bit of a boost for those fisherpeople who like to eat their catches as well – YUM! 😀
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I have to say Red Snapper fresh from the Gulf is my favorite. Thanks, Jan.
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I found this very interesting – being a land-lubber all my life, I know next to nothing about these things. Enjoy your Sunday, John!
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Thanks, John. You enjoy as well.
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I guess looks can be deceiving. Who knew this old work-horse was actually accomplishing something important? Three cheers for the journalists who dig out such fascinating stories!!
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Yes as opposed to the idiot bloggers who just write what they see. Thanks Debbie. 🙂
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Aw!! 😉
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🙂
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Learn something new everyday!
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I know Right?
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So true.
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That photo is pretty cool, I must admit.
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Thanks, Professor.
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Thanks, John. And now we know.
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Yes we do. Thanks, Michelle.
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