Been continuing with my maritime project more close to home. Watching barge traffic on the James River and trying to familiarize. Here's what I have so far:
The tug Miss Gill pushing (and once pulling) the container barge Richmond Express - docking ops at Richmond Marine Terminal consistently on 156.725 (Ch-74A)
The tug Jack Holland making runs from Luck Stone South Richmond Plant, to Luck Stone Distribution Center in Chesapeake. Consistently uses 156.325 (Ch-66) when docking here.
The tug Ellie J. (which usually visits Honeywell AdvanSix) delivering a barge to Chesterfield Power Station. Using 157.075 (Ch-81A) for docking ops.
(these first three are all with Norfolk Tug)
The tug Sea Robin pushing the tanker barge Randy King - docking ops at Honeywell AdvanSix in Hopewell on 156.375 (Ch-67). Also used this channel to communicate with off-ship crew members.
The tug Ross Sea pushing the tanker barge Chesapeake from Regional Enterprises in Hopewell. Undocking ops on 156.450 (Ch-09). There were also comms which appeared to be between the Chesapeake and Regional on 151.5125 (69.3). (I suspect the freq may actually have been 151.505--my PSR600 clone likes 151.5125, but my TRX-1 doesn't. Might also be an FM vs. NFM issue)
(these last 2 tug/barge sets are with Kirby Inland, who took over Allied Transportation)
The tug Chandler B., (Blaha Towing) was hailed on 156.925 by the Sea Robin, who required assistance in docking the Randy King at AdvanSix. The Chandler B. is one of three tugs based at Port Weanack (adjoining Shirley Plantation) Am thinking this might be a normal working freq for them. While only one tug is used to dock the Sea Robin, two are generally used to dock bulk carriers that call at AdvanSix.
So there's my contribution of information.
Now my basic question. It's clear that all these vessels use something to communication between pilots and deckhands, and I know that the usage is consistent with the first two vessels. But they're also heard consistently at the same destinations. I don't believe that any of these channels are specifically licensed, so I'm sure that use is informal. But when deciding what I'm hearing, which should I attach the frequency to--the vessel, or the destination? (the learning process is slow here because the vessels often travel in the wee hours)
I'll also note here that I've taken care to do constant marine searches (and searches of common low-power freqs) when encountering any of these vessels underway, but have heard no traffic from them except on 156.650 (Ch-13) and 156.800 (Ch-16) when not in port. I did note today that there was some conversation with the Ellie J. on 156.650 about how to maneuver its barge into the slip at Chesterfield Power Station. Don't know if that's the barge talking to the power station, or the pilot discussing it with the two deckhands who were at the front of the barge to help guide it. The conversation took place while the vessel was still 15-20 minutes out from its destination.
There's another op where Vulcan materials is staging barges at Port Weanack for shipment down the river. However, I doubt that it generates much radio traffic apart from the usual 'security' calls on Ch-13.
I'd be interested to know if anyone is familiar with these operations. I've learned a lot from AIS tracking, but there are still questions. In fact, everything I learn brings more questions.
73/Allen (N4JRI)
The tug Miss Gill pushing (and once pulling) the container barge Richmond Express - docking ops at Richmond Marine Terminal consistently on 156.725 (Ch-74A)
The tug Jack Holland making runs from Luck Stone South Richmond Plant, to Luck Stone Distribution Center in Chesapeake. Consistently uses 156.325 (Ch-66) when docking here.
The tug Ellie J. (which usually visits Honeywell AdvanSix) delivering a barge to Chesterfield Power Station. Using 157.075 (Ch-81A) for docking ops.
(these first three are all with Norfolk Tug)
The tug Sea Robin pushing the tanker barge Randy King - docking ops at Honeywell AdvanSix in Hopewell on 156.375 (Ch-67). Also used this channel to communicate with off-ship crew members.
The tug Ross Sea pushing the tanker barge Chesapeake from Regional Enterprises in Hopewell. Undocking ops on 156.450 (Ch-09). There were also comms which appeared to be between the Chesapeake and Regional on 151.5125 (69.3). (I suspect the freq may actually have been 151.505--my PSR600 clone likes 151.5125, but my TRX-1 doesn't. Might also be an FM vs. NFM issue)
(these last 2 tug/barge sets are with Kirby Inland, who took over Allied Transportation)
The tug Chandler B., (Blaha Towing) was hailed on 156.925 by the Sea Robin, who required assistance in docking the Randy King at AdvanSix. The Chandler B. is one of three tugs based at Port Weanack (adjoining Shirley Plantation) Am thinking this might be a normal working freq for them. While only one tug is used to dock the Sea Robin, two are generally used to dock bulk carriers that call at AdvanSix.
So there's my contribution of information.
Now my basic question. It's clear that all these vessels use something to communication between pilots and deckhands, and I know that the usage is consistent with the first two vessels. But they're also heard consistently at the same destinations. I don't believe that any of these channels are specifically licensed, so I'm sure that use is informal. But when deciding what I'm hearing, which should I attach the frequency to--the vessel, or the destination? (the learning process is slow here because the vessels often travel in the wee hours)
I'll also note here that I've taken care to do constant marine searches (and searches of common low-power freqs) when encountering any of these vessels underway, but have heard no traffic from them except on 156.650 (Ch-13) and 156.800 (Ch-16) when not in port. I did note today that there was some conversation with the Ellie J. on 156.650 about how to maneuver its barge into the slip at Chesterfield Power Station. Don't know if that's the barge talking to the power station, or the pilot discussing it with the two deckhands who were at the front of the barge to help guide it. The conversation took place while the vessel was still 15-20 minutes out from its destination.
There's another op where Vulcan materials is staging barges at Port Weanack for shipment down the river. However, I doubt that it generates much radio traffic apart from the usual 'security' calls on Ch-13.
I'd be interested to know if anyone is familiar with these operations. I've learned a lot from AIS tracking, but there are still questions. In fact, everything I learn brings more questions.
73/Allen (N4JRI)
