Not many people realize that the United States Coast Guard operates inside our coastland. Below where you are standing is where the Coast Guard Cutter Greenbrier moors. This Cutter is painted black indicating she is a work boat and in this case responsible for ensuring all the Navigational Aids are maintained for their area of responsibility for the Mississippi River, Atchafalaya River, Old River, Black River and Ouachita River adding up to over 600 miles. Normally her schedule is underway every other week but the river stage really dictates her operations. Most tow boats travel down river in the middle of the channel where the water moves the fastest and they travel very close to the bank when heading upriver where the water is the slowest. The sandbars are constantly changing and if they are not marked with the proper lights, buoys or markers you can imagine what would happen if they would run aground on those sandbars. Its hard work but is very satisfying work. You have a close knit crew of 20. Many years ago I was the chief engineer on this ship. I remember seeing a lot of Louisiana icebergs floating down those rivers (water heaters and refrigerators).
BARGE CARGO CAPACITY:
Barge = 1,500 tons
52,500 bushels
453,600 gallons
15 Barge Tow = 22,500 tons
787,500 bushels
6,804,000 gallons
Jumbo Hopper R.R. Car = 100 tons
3,500 bushels
30,240 gallons
100 Car Unit Train = 10,000 tons
350,000 bushels
3,024,000 gallons
Large Semi-Truck = 20 tons
910 bushels
7,885 gallons
EQUIVALENT UNITS
1 Barge equals 15 Jumbo Hoppers or 58 Semi-Trucks
1 Tow (15 barge) equals 2 ¼ Unit Trains or 870 Semi-Trucks