Topic starter
06/03/2008 12:47 pm
Greetings From New Orleans ,
Its that time of year now when the Mississippi River wakes up and transforms itself from a mild and mannered slow moving waterway to a swift moving milrace that shows pity on no one . Its been my observation from over thirty-six years of both working and living on the Mississippi River how navigational factors and aspects of piloting both dramatically change and actually reverse themselves from a low river stage to what we are experiencing now . For example , now going north or up bound the average speed of a ship has changed from about 11 to 12 knots (not mph) to about 7 to 8 knots, and the downbound speed has of course changed from about 12 to 13 knots to about 15 to 16 knots . One other noticable factor that has reversed itself is the lateral slides or sets that occur both north bound and south bound as well . We see more moderate to large south bound tows flank more often and at points that they would normally steer . This additional flanking of large tows creates added issues for fast moving ships that just simply don't handle or steer well in high current when forced to operate on a slow bell or have to stop altogether . Lately the New Orleans , Carrolton River Stage has been hovering at about 11.5 feet and is expected to crest well over 14 feet if there is no additional rainfall . From what I've been seeing on the weather channel another front will be blowing through and of course dropping more rain to futher compound this years high water issues . Among seasoned river pilots , we have a term that some in other professions may use as well , simply known as the Pucker Factor . I and others find that the level of the Pucker Factor has a direct correlation to the local River Stage regardless to the location a pilot may be operating in . This factor also has a tendency to rise even futher when some pilots get themselves in " extremis " situations and then must rely on their luck and intestional fortitude to get themselves out of these situations . If anyone would care to learn more about the Pucker Factor just shoot me an e-mail and I will be more than happy to elaborate more .
Smoothe Sailing !
Ted Davisson
06/03/2008 12:55 pm
Very true, Ted. I also feel the problem is excaerbated by the current pilot shortage situation: there are more new pilots and operators who have not dealt with the river conditions we are having ( and will have in the next couple of weeks). Not only do we have to be careful and adjust our own operations, but have to "look out for the other guy" who may still be gaining the experience we have gained over the years. The "pucker factor" is certainly there on all the waterways when the water gets up, and things can go from okay to cruddy in a matter of a minute or two.
Topic starter
06/03/2008 2:31 pm
Amen , Brother !!
Bob ,
As usual , your right on the money and unfortunately the only way for a new or " green " pilot to get high water experience is to just like Capt. Wagner use to say by " Taking The Bull By The Horns " , and getting out there and doing the job and learning from their experiences . This on the job training is tough but something that we must all go through !
Smoothe Sailing !
Ted Davisson
Bob Reynolds;10002 wrote: Very true, Ted. I also feel the problem is excaerbated by the current pilot shortage situation: there are more new pilots and operators who have not dealt with the river conditions we are having ( and will have in the next couple of weeks). Not only do we have to be careful and adjust our own operations, but have to "look out for the other guy" who may still be gaining the experience we have gained over the years. The "pucker factor" is certainly there on all the waterways when the water gets up, and things can go from okay to cruddy in a matter of a minute or two.
06/03/2008 3:34 pm
And current is just one reason why I never became a pilot. If there were a way to get rid of bridges, bends, landings, wind, ice and other boats I'd go for it in a minute!
08/03/2008 1:10 pm
Typical ! Pilot has to get out of his chair and it's gripe, gripe, gripe. Besides the pilot abusing the engines, I don't think I ever heard an engineer complain about river level. 🙂
08/03/2008 3:44 pm
Until the vibration of hitting something gets back to the engine room.
08/03/2008 4:49 pm
If only we could get some water in the Tennessee River above Joe Wheeler L&D. The USACE keeps the water level about 4 to 5 feet lower than normal pool during the winter. I'll get my own style of "pucker factor" when I return to the Ohio River next week and have to deal with high-water ramp issues; though not as thrilling as what you boys, down on the Lower, are dealing with, but every situation has its own share of risk.
Captain Louden had several colorful terms that he used to describe those moments of Cap'n Ted's PF, and those of us who worked with him should remember his homespun, Rabbit Hash humor with relish.