Rare view of "Presque Isle" tug without her bow barge section @ Erie, PA
The tug/barge Presque Isle was designed as an integrated tug/barge unit, with the tug fitting into a specially-designed notch where it would rigidly lock in, and the pair would sail as one vessel. It was designed with intentions to take advantage of the U.S. Coast Guard’s tug/barge manning requirements, but since the tug was not deemed seaworthy on its own, it had to operate with an full-size crew. The pair was built at a cost of about $35 Million under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970.
Together, the tug/barge Presque Isle became the Great Lakes’ second 1,000-Footer.
Tug/barge combo Presque Isle arrived at Eria, PA, for repairs. The duo sustained damage after grounding at Johnson’s Point, St. Marys River, on August 5, 2025. There has been no official information from operator Great Lakes Fleet/Key Lakes, however waterfront reports indicate she dropped her four starboard propeller blades during the incident, which were soon recovered and returned to the vessel. Her starboard rudder was also dislodged at some point prior and recovered by divers.
Rare view of "Presque Isle" tug without her bow barge section @ Erie, PA
The tug/barge Presque Isle was designed as an integrated tug/barge unit, with the tug fitting into a specially-designed notch where it would rigidly lock in, and the pair would sail as one vessel. It was designed with intentions to take advantage of the U.S. Coast Guard’s tug/barge manning requirements, but since the tug was not deemed seaworthy on its own, it had to operate with an full-size crew. The pair was built at a cost of about $35 Million under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970.
Together, the tug/barge Presque Isle became the Great Lakes’ second 1,000-Footer.
Tug/barge combo Presque Isle arrived at Eria, PA, for repairs. The duo sustained damage after grounding at Johnson’s Point, St. Marys River, on August 5, 2025. There has been no official information from operator Great Lakes Fleet/Key Lakes, however waterfront reports indicate she dropped her four starboard propeller blades during the incident, which were soon recovered and returned to the vessel. Her starboard rudder was also dislodged at some point prior and recovered by divers.