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March 13, 2006 -- Vol. 6 Issue 11 Written by Jack R. Simpson (unless otherwise noted), owner of J.R. Simpson & Associates, Inc. and contributing editor to The Waterways Journal.
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 In This Newsletter:
Thought For The Week
On many major issues, as with an iceberg, the facts presented to us may be true but may only break the surface. A Personal Note From Jack
 A “St. Louis Post-Dispatch” letter writer made a major point on March 12. He was discussing what some believe to be the increased safety for the U.S., realized by killing the transaction that would have allowed Dubai Port World (DP-World) to take over operations at terminals sited at six major ports. The targeted terminals represent only a drop in the bucket when it comes to the number of terminals at these ports. With only 3 percent or so of incoming containers checked overall, he suggests we have done nothing to secure our ports and, rather, should have let the port deal go through. The tone of the letter suggests that we have lost a lot more than we have gained. In winning the battle are opponents setting us up to lose the war? Is Ethanol Buying Us Time? I have never had negative thoughts about the use of ethanol or the spread of ethanol plants throughout the corn belt. Some say that producing ethanol takes more energy than it produces. Others disagree vehemently. Some argue that using ethanol is not as pure environmentally as promoters would like us to believe. Still others complain about the increased cost. At present there seems to be no magic bullet we can depend on to whisk us away from our dependence on oil. Rather, there are a lot of things going on that, altogether, can make a dent in that dependence. However, the equation does not stand still. It changes constantly. Every day millions more babies come into the world, many of them in the United States. With each passing year, many of those who exist slip into a different phase of their lives and demands on energy climb. A teenager reaches the age at which driving is permitted, and another vehicle hits the road. For each new baby born, the demand for food increases, perhaps just a tad, but when we consider all the tads together, the demand really jumps. So, in reality, as we try to meet energy and transportation demands, we are shooting at a moving target. As we consider the various ways we can produce energy, it becomes clear that taken as a group, they can make a dent in our dependence. No one is laughing anymore at solar power. We may not be running our cars with it, but we are heating buildings and homes with it. No one is laughing at wind farms. It is a growing industry, producing income for landowners and power producers alike. Wind farms can’t be just anywhere, but where they can be, they make a difference. Hydroelectric power has been around forever, it seems, and there are those who would destroy dams that nurture transportation and produce power, without thinking about the losses that would be incurred. Hydropower cannot power the country, but it can and does produce power for quite a sizable chunk of it. These are but a few of the various partial solutions to our energy needs. Some of us see ethanol as the solution. It isn’t, not totally. But it helps. In the meantime, it produces income for farmers, who now can sell their corn to plants nearby. For some time, corn prices have been down. The opportunity to sell is welcomed by the farmers, who no longer have to store it while waiting for prices to rise or pay shipping costs to tidewater. Farmers also are investing in the ethanol plants as another good way to profit from their crops. Perhaps ethanol isn’t quite as clean as some think it is. Well, other oxygenates are not either. A few years back it was announced that methyl tert-butyl ether, another gasoline additive was polluting the waters of our country. MTBE, to which it is commonly referred, is a flammable liquid that is still being added to unleaded gasoline. It has been phased out in California. So MTBE was not and is not the perfect answer to emissions produced by gasoline engines. We have not heard too much yet about ethanol’s “bad” qualities, but perhaps there are some. As for cost, it seems there might be a way to make that determination. If ethanol takes more energy to produce than it produces, why not make ethanol plants rely solely upon their own power to operate. It might be somewhat like trying to develop a perpetual motion machine, but perhaps it’s worth a try. If the plants one day chug to a stop because they’ve burned more energy than they can produce, the answer will be clear. In the meantime, it is said that even if all the corn we can produce in the country were to be turned into ethanol, it could replace only between 5 and 10 percent of the gasoline we use daily in the U.S. Under last years new energy bill, it is required that in 2006 four billion gallons of renewable fuels must be used nationwide. The requirement increases annually to 7.5 billion gallons in 2012. So despite the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency dropped the requirement for fuel in polluted areas to include oxygenate such as ethanol or MTBE, the outlook for the ethanol industry continues to look bright. So what we have is another partial solution. Nevertheless, in the meantime, it is helping the farmers. It hasn’t exactly helped towing companies, but then it has been suggested that corn may be delivered by barge from areas where there is corn but no ethanol plants to ethanol plants near rivers. And the ethanol product may also be delivered somewhere by barge. We hope so. As a final note, we must acknowledge that corn is not the only source for ethanol. Apparently it is the major source we are focusing upon now. It will be interesting to see how things look in a couple decades. Perhaps our vehicles will be powered by a couple tiny capsules. For Those Inclined To Pray
 We have modified the steps for joining our Prayer Circle. If you visit the Prayer Circle link on at www.littleriverbooks.com, you will find that those who sign up are completely anonymous. We do not ask for first names nor states of residence. Joining is as simple as providing an email address to which we can send future prayer requests. Each prayer request list includes a link for including requests.
By joining our Prayer Circle, you can tap into the prayerful support of circle members wherever they are. Membership and prayer requests are open to everyone. Newsletter News
Big Salaries in New Orleans: An Explanation Our Gulf Coast observer in the Hurricane Katrina recovery area of Mississippi has explained that the $2,000-a-week salaries are going to what he describes as “debris monitors.” These people stand watch and issue to truck drivers tickets that tell what kind of a load they took away from the area. It is these tickets that enable the truck driver to get paid. The $2,000 is made up of regularly hourly salary of about $15.00 plus daily overtime, plus weekend overtime and per diem. It is important for B&B readers to know that we at B&B do not believe that we are “the last word” on anything. In many cases we have to rely upon some of the same news sources available to everyone else. Our purpose is merely to spark debate on issues. No one has to agree with us. Obviously we believe in our point of view or we wouldn’t print it. But we are open to publishing the viewpoints of others as well, as long as they don’t write a book to do it. — Jack Web Site News
Watch our web site over the next few weeks for some record-breaking book bargains. We will be offering at tremendous prices some books we have in limited numbers. When the books are gone, they will be GONE!
On The Waterfront
Does Coast Guard Suffer Under 2007 Budget? Critics Say Yes. Capitol Hill lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are criticizing the 2007 budget of President George Bush because they fear that in the end the Coast Guard will receive less for traditional missions and port security. The President has requested nearly $8.2 billion for the Coast Guard, which would appear to represent a $127 million increase over this year. But lawmakers say that the new funding is for higher fuel costs and personnel. Some $50 million of the amount has been set aside for designing the agency’s new headquarters. One phase of the discussion focuses upon the Coast Guard’s aging fleet and the need to replace it. Sen. Robert C. Byrd said the replacement of ships, planes and helicopters will not be completed until 2026. The Administrations Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff defends the budget request and the decision to spend 63 percent of the Coast Guard budget on homeland security. He points to the 33,000 rescues in New Orleans to indicate the agency has not compromised its missions. (Editor’s note: It is commonplace when budgets are tight and new missions are added for the Coast Guard to insist it is not compromising its service. When one looks at the record over the past several decades, we find it hard to believe many will buy that argument. For a case in point we can look at the licensing of mariners on the inland waterways and the erosion of the regional exam center (REC) program, making it much more difficult for river men to obtain Coast Guard licensing within a reasonable amount of time and at reasonable cost.) Missouri River Reservoir Storage Still Below Normal, Snowpack Up The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, reported Friday (March 10, that while mountain snowpack is up, storage in Missouri River reservoirs will still be only about 37 million acre feet (MAF) by the end of March. Snowpack above Fort Peck is 105 percent of normal, and snowpack in the Yellowstone River basin is 96 percent. Runoff for the year is expected to be 20 MAF, just 79 percent of normal. Normal runoff is 25.2 MAF. Despite the nearly normal runoff in February, total reservoir storage was not adequate enough on March 1 to conduct the March spring pulse (water release intended to aid pallid sturgeon and create a spring rise). There was in the reservoirs at the time of evaluation 36.3 MAF of water, below the 36.5 MAF limit which would have allowed the release. Waterway Cleanup Crews Face Hazardous Materials Questions An overflow crowd of 150 demolition and salvage professionals met at Gulfport, Miss., last week, giving us a small glimpse into what they face as plans are made to clean up the region’s waterways. The goal, as one official put it, is to remove buildings, sunken boats and refrigerators, et al, while protecting the environment. There is a great potential for hazardous materials. Much of their focus was on residential canals. Since some $33 million in cleanup funds may come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, at least 15 percent of the money will have to go to locals. Mon River Summit Scheduled For April 10 Economic and recreational development will be the focus when participants gather for the Mon River Summit, set for April 10, as announced by the Upper Monongahela River Association, Inc. The Monongahela River Recreation & Commerce Committee of the Morgantown, Pa., Chamber of Commerce VISION 2020 project scheduled the summit in recognition of the unique opportunities provided by the Upper Mon to its riparian communities and citizens. To check out the program for the summit and to secure a registration form, go to http://www.monriversummit.org. The sessions will allow delegates to register their concerns about current problems and to propose creative solutions or original opportunities. Great Rivers Towboat Festival Could Use Financial Boost This year will mark the seventh year that the Great Rivers Towboat Festival has been held at the Historic Grafton Boat Works in Illinois. The purpose of the festival is to provide the general public with information regarding the rivers, and to offer the insights of historians, The Seamen’s Church, artists, authors, towing companies and river personnel. But the festival committee can use some financial aid. This year, the festival will provide free tours on three docked vessels. Last year’s festival featured two, and nearly 1,000 festival-goers participated in the tours. This year’s theme is “Blues & Barbecue,” and it will feature entertainment by local blues bands, as well as great barbecues and beverages. And, as in the past, the festival will feature demonstrations of radio-controlled boats, a reunion area for retired river personnel and a competitive line-throwing contest with cash prizes. Numerous information booths are set up, as well. As in the past, however, the success of the festival is dependent upon monetary donations from industry and individuals. Anyone willing to help can learn more by contacting Debbie Wedding at 618/786-2428. Or, they prefer, mail contributions to: Great Rivers Towboat Festival 2006, P.O. Box 416, Grafton, IL 62037. (Editor’s note: Financial help will certainly be appreciated. Each year has revealed a bustling festival grounds and joyous crowd having a great time touring towboats and visiting the various booths. The event results in the dissemination of a lot of good towing industry information to the public. Interested parties can also direct questions to me at jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com and I can try to help supply answers.) New Entertainment Center Docks At Alton, Ill. We learned on March 7 that a new multimillion-dollar entertainment, dining and banquet vessel, The Boat At The River Bend, had docked during the previous week at Alton, Ill. Alton is planning to build a 4,000-seat amphitheater, which is being touted as the “crown jewel”. Reports say the city’s master plan calls for the riverfront to be used for public facilities and commercial developments. Key components include roadwork, a new entry at Market Street, fountains, public boat launch, bike trail extension, rest rooms and picnic areas. Construction crews are now working on $700,000 in infrastructure improvements to connect the vessel to water, sewer and electric lines. The center is expected to open in late April or early May. This Would Be A Belly Buster If It Were Not So Serious! In downtown Cleveland, Ohio, constructors built an $18 million lift bridge over the Cuyahoga River that won’t work. The bridge is supposed to raise and lower to accommodate both vehicular and river traffic. It won’t — at least not sufficiently. Sixty-four cables meant to raise and lower the bridge are about 3.5 feet short. So the bridge sits four feet above the roadway with which it is supposed to connect. Meanwhile, upriver, an ore barge at Mittal Steel cannot come down river because the bridge is blocking the way. Other problems: The weights that are to pull the cables are too not heavy enough, and the towers that support the weights are bowing. They were built in the 1940s. Stay tuned! You can contact the editor directly at jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com. advertisement
The River School - Deck and engineer licenses, radar observer, tankerman, fire and water safety courses, video programs. Travel classes in convenient locations. (800) 238-7113 www.riverschool.com From Our Readers
Re: The six-port deal (3/6/06) Dubai Ports is not taking control of six ports in the U.S. It is buying P&O Ports, which operates a terminal or two in each of those ports. One terminal in a port is a small quantity in relationship to an entire port. As Mr. Wright stated this deal has been discussed in the “Wall Street Journal” for months. In fact Dubai was in a bidding war for P&O with another company, whose name escapes me. No one seemed to bother when CSX sold its terminal holdings to Dubai. Now the President of Zim Lines, Israel’s largest shipping company, has come out stating they have never had a security issue with Dubai anywhere in the world, and Dubai is a first-class operation. Seems like the naysayers in Congress were asleep at the wheel once again. This deal should be approved and allowed to go forward. Jeff Kindl Re: Pictures of MM53 (3/6/06) Hats off to Barry Griffith on his excellent photos of the sunken asphalt barge just downstream of McAlpine Lock at Louisville, KY. Barry’s shots are of much better quality than any that have appeared in the news media. We can always count on this River Ruffian to do justice in all his endeavors. Thanks, Barry, for sharing these awesome photos. Ron Richardson (Editor’s note: Ditto!) Re: The Katrina Story I just picked up a copy of the March 2006 “Popular Mechanics” magazine. They have a 14-page (that’s 14, not 14,000 like the federal government will come up with) article about Katrina, what went wrong, what to do for next time, etc. It tends to blow away most of the BS we heard in the papers, on the tube and radio while this was happening, and pretty much cuts to the facts. Mike B. (Editor’s note: I’m all for that.) Re: The LSMs Haven’t had any response to the Bitts & Bytes item on the LSMs but did get a line on LSM 404. Will attach the response from Warren Walker, our SandScrapers web guru. Thought maybe you would be interested in the web sites. He completely surprised me. I want to thank you for all you did and let you know I appreciate all your help. Still looking for the LSM 458 pictures, that was given to the VFW post to be put in the ground for a VFW Post meeting place in Belleville, NJ. I enjoy reading Bitts & Bytes. Paul Burket Re: The Mv. Ms. Angel and Tow The Mv. Ms. Angel was delivered on December 31, 2005, along with two barges (the LTO-1, a 275'x54'x12' open hopper barge; the LTO-2, a 260'x54'x12' open hopper barge). The lead barge, the LTO-1, buckled in the Intracoastal Waterway on January 25, 2006. The barges were carrying crushed limestone. The tow is owned by Lalande Towing Operators, LLC. The only photo I have been able to find is of the tow heading upriver and without cargo, which is on your web site (taken January 18, 2006). I am trying to find a photo of the tow, primarily to see the attitude of the LTO-1, before the incident. Can you refer me to any sites, or ask any of your friends if they happened to take a photo of the vessels? A photo is important in trying to determine what actually happened. I thank you for any help and direction. Billy Hidalgo, Jr. hidalgo@atvci.net Halimar Shipyard, LLC Boat Photo Center
 We have 11 pictures for you this week, including several from a first timer, who shoots pictures on the Illinois Waterway in the Pekin, Ill., area. They include: the Janet Marie and Pascagoula from Eric M. Johnson; Harry J. Brock, Mallard and two of the Becky Ann from Jerry Milam; the Loree Eckstein from Jesse Lybarger; Dale Cathorall from Ed Rahe; and three of the Natchez from Jeff Yates. Enjoy!
Click here to see the latest pictures. 
Recipe Box
Keep watching this Recipe section of B&B. We are making efforts in advance so that down the road we can publish a B&B river cookbook. Presently we are considering a product giveaway for the submission of five recipes (hopefully in several categories) from a cook who gives us permission to print the recipe in our book, along with the sender’s name, boat name (if they work on one), and city and state. Stay tuned! Do you have a good recipe you’d like to share? Submit your recipes here! The Book Beat
 For Wood and Water: Steamboating on the Missouri River from Saint Louis to Fort Union, Dakota Territory 1841-1846 - by Mark H. Bettis
160 pages. Soft cover. Nonfiction. For Wood and Water is based on never-before-published material that documents the life and times aboard Missouri River steamboats of the 1840s. The book is a collection of journals authored by Capt. Joseph A. Sire on his annual voyages to the Upper Missouri River. Sire was chief transportation officer for the Pierre Chouteau and Co. He was instrumental in the Upper Missouri River fur trade and often accompanied the supply boats to the posts of the Northwest. Usually same-day shipping! Our Price: $12.95 Views on The Mississippi (The Photographs of Henry Peter Bosse) - by Mark Neuzil  272 pages. 95 cyanotype photographs, 36 illustrations. Soft cover. Table top book. Said to be the first comprehensive collective of photographs by the foremost 19th-Century photographer of the Mississippi River. Henry Peter Bosse, a mapmaker and photographer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, lived from 1844-1903. He took more than 300 photographs of the Upper Mississippi River from 1883-1893, a time of precedented environmental and social change. View on the Mississippi brings together for the first time nearly 100 of Bosse’s most stunning images. These photographs - tracing the river from Minneapolis to St. Louis - capture the Mississippi as it was being transformed from an untamed natural wonder to a modern commercial highway. The cyanotype process produced large-format photographs in crisp vivid blue tones. It is a large (13-1/4" x 9-3/8") volume. Usually same-day shipping!
Our Price: $29.95 advertisement
Those interested in learning how you can self-publish your book can find details listed at www.littleriverbooks.com where they appear in the index under other services. Get More Visitors To Your Web Site - Join The U.S. Inland Waterways Site Ring!
This is a web ring owned by Little River Books. It is dedicated to those who work, rest, or play on the inland waterways of the United States. Owners of river-related commercial or private sites can apply to join, bringing together as many waterways related sites as possible. Sign up (FREE), put the code on your page, and watch your hits skyrocket! Let’s see if we can make this one of the biggest and best river site rings on the web. Benefit from other river sites’ traffic and gain new visitors. If you sell a river-related product on your site, this is the ring for you! (You must copy and past the site ring graphic onto your web site as soon as your site is approved.) Check out the sites currently in the ring and their hit statistics as a direct result of being in the site ring. Tow Talkin'
March 13, 2006 By Kathy Flippo  Oh hallelujah! Lock 19 down at Keokuk, Iowa, will be all finished with repairs and open for business on Wednesday the 15th. That means that by Friday we should have a tow going by our city front. It’s been a long winter, but the spring electrical storms have begun to roll through, the crocus are blooming, and the little harbor tugs like the Mvs. Tigre, Beverly Cummins, Julian Dubuque, Samantha and the Wanda Isabelle are running around from Guttenburg to Muscatine.
The Coast Guard buoy boats Scioto and Wyaconda are getting geared up for this year’s towing season. Don’t think they’ll have much to do, as there wasn’t a whole lot of ice to move buoys off station over the winter. They’ll also check all the navigation lights and…to continue reading, click here. See you on the Web, Jack Little River Books jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com Don't forget to visit our web site! |
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