Scene on the Sound: Vessel with strange load

Photo by Jan Hansen

The question is not the vessel, but her strange load.

Passing through this Tuesday morning is the YTB 823 Canonchet. 

She is a Natick-class large harbor tug. She was launched in 1973, served in the San Diego Naval Station until 1993, then she was transferred to Naval Region Northwest. She is 33 meters long and full can displace 352 tons.

Instead of pulling boats, it appears that they can be moved without even wetting their hulls. This gave me a new appreciation for dry docks.

The public release is still showing:

“Currently the vessel YTB 823 CANONCHET is on her next destination to RESTORATION PT and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) is around Jul 3, 13:00.”

My eyes and this photo say differently.

--Jan Hansen