Life on a barge

Photojournalist Bill Cortez filed this report.

[@UnblockedOne2]

Worked on a coal barge when I was in my 20s. Hardest job I had in my life. One time they weren't able to awake me for my 6 hour shift. After I finally woke up, boss-man spent about 15 minutes yelling at me. Kept screaming, "where are you supposed to be, where are you supposed to be".

[@greer8288]

Why is it so hard

[@UnblockedOne2]

@@greer8288 alot of heavy lifting like the steel cables we used to tie the barges together. The ropes when they're wet are like 500 pounds. There was this one time we were pushing like 10 hopper barge containers. The river locks were so small that we had to untie all of the barges & send them through 2 at a time. Then, once on the other side we had to tie them all back together. That particular day I worked about 40 hours straight.

[@monmixer]

@@greer8288 Deckhand is hard work. The only truly great job on the barges is the captain and pilot and those guys spent years on the decks to get there. It's also dangerous and the responsibility of every one is enormous. The good thing is the 2 weeks on and 2 weeks of thing. it would take a long time for me to get used to those 6 hr shifts and like the man said when you have to work round the clock with out a break and then you get one you still only get the 6 hr off and that amounts to little sleep.

[@lahaza6515]

@@greer8288 Physically demanding & everything is time sensitive.
You HAVE to be on point & ready to haul huge heavy ropes, lift, pull and move fast.
My dad was a tugboat captain for Curtis Bay Towing in Tidewater for 40 years, and I'd sometimes go on overnight trips as a little girl (loved it).
He'd stop at the grocery store on the way to the shipyard and sometimes after midnight he's start making a stew and make the guys breakfast.
He was a bit of an intimidating, insensitive, violent jerk, but those times on the tug are the best memories.
I still remember some of the tug names; The Sandy Point, The Charleston, The Piney Point & can't remember the others.
Sleeping in your little bunk being rocked to sleep by the barge you were tied to, and loving on the old shipyard dogs
who's coats were always covered in diesel.
Bless their hearts they were so sweet.
I miss those dogs.

[@beserkmike6714]

What should an european captain do to get papers in the US , i am interested but cant seem to find any real info 😅

[@CarlosRamirez-gq6xg]

And I'm roughly the size of a BAAAAAAAARRRGE

[@thulipVO]

I ATE FOUR DOZENS CREW TO HELP ME GET LARGE

[@corgraveland4874]

Great video and insight on inland shipping in the US!
Warm regards from the EU.

[@IRLtrolls]

I work on the Mississippi on a tow boat and just learned about the Columbia/snake river barges. I hate to be "that guy" but damn that's some easy towboating right there. 6 barges with a ton of winches on either end. Out here on the Mississippi you get lucky if your barge has winches. We pack loose rigging, straps, wires and rachets and have to snatch up the slack with 2 men and tighten the ratchet with "tooth picks" and a pipe. The 6,000-10,000 horsepower boats on the Mississippi are pushing 30 to 40 barges and we work month on month off. I can't believe that engineer said his job was an "endurance test" when they don't even use loose rigging!!

[@greer8288]

?

[@anthonygarner130]

I work on a tow boat and the title of this video drives me insane

[@number1plyr741]

why

[@judd4101]

The overall unit is called a tow. This includes the towboat as well as the unpowered barges. The crew don't live on the barges, that is where the cargo is. They live on the towboat. They could also get by with "Life on a Tow" I guess, but "Life on a Barge" is really a misunderstanding of the terminology. (A common misunderstanding, yes, but one that people who are familiar with such things are unsurprisingly kind of tired of hearing.)

[@randallkerr3621]

Here is how Canal Barge Company operates in Houston, Texas:
th-cam.com/video/oXhoAHtrvks/w-d-xo.html

[@gigan2444]

when I was a egg I ate four dozen lads every morning to help me get large and now that I'm grown I eat five dozen barge so I'm roughly the size of a egg.

[@denisehenry1577]

Ms Palmer: That's strange,...cause size is arbitrary differential - everything in life, even nature varies with size!
Beating an egg in an omelet: would you be able to decipher if it were two or one? Two eggs may produce the same size batter for an omelet as one may?! In that case, it was the chic-ken, its progenitor(s) through randomness of alleles that was the determining factor - where does that leave us?! Back at square #1: the rhetoric of does the chicken come before the egg: - is it genotype or phenotype (as size is in question)?! If so, phenotype (size) does not always nor completely reveal genotype!

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Batge Products & Peoduction cost NOW Thata too much $$$ Tge WHOLW Worlr Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@robertjwilliams3532]

Just shows what these people know about their topic. This is NOT life on a barge. It's life in the wheel/pilot house. BIG DIFFERENCE !!!!!!!

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All. Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of The Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ 100,000 The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@austinberlin2302]

I worked for Kirby Inland Marine from ‘17-‘19 came home cuz I got married and been itching to get back out there. Just got hired on to Blessy Marine and can’t wait to get out there again.

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏 🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower back to the Doctor tomorrow morning and Accessories and Production Cost Of Barge Products & Production Cost Now That's a Much 3$ The Whole thing Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Ba too ge Production & Accessories and Production Cost Now That's a Much $$ The Whole thing Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Barge Products and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ 100,000 The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-sm4sf4ff2i]

Cheer~~~a flat-bottomed boat for carrying freight, typically on canals and rivers, either under its own power or towed by another.

[@TheJim91303]

We work 6 on 6 off for 28 days !
Our tows are 1000' long 105' wide

[@garylivingston9052]

28 days would suck.

[@DeannaSpencer-dy1jl]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military & Local for all Brands of Barge. & Accessories & Production Cost Now That's too much much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@DeannaSpencer-dy1jl]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military & Local for all Brands of Barge Products & Açcesories & Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@cartersutherland2123]

Bill Cortez is a boss!

[@corycarpenter5873]

I work on a towboat too but wayyyy larger nicer towboats than that

[@lahaza6515]

Good for you

[@DeannaSpencerSpencer-ej2xw]

All Stores Please lower the price of all Military and Local for all brands of Barge Products and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now Pray

[@glencoe6305]

The Captain sounds like actor John Goodman.

[@ViktoriousDead]

OVER THE FUCKING LINE

[@xgshipyardchina4574]

we should say this is life on a tug

[@raynellmoore68w]

That’s a tow boat

[@jeffharrell2361]

I wonder what they qould think if they qorksd on the lower Mississippi pushing 48 barges. Did it for years. Now retired

[@WildNwhEELING]

That view though @ 0:47 😮

[@laehcimalebmanis639]

Informed my soulmate

[@Ti0midwest]

Tug Life

[@johnburgess5534]

Mis-titled. Should be “Life on a tow tug”.

[@andrewhearn7563]

I’ve been doing this job for 13years and I promise it’s not interesting at all! 😂

[@xgshipyardchina4574]

great work, great barge

[@disneyfanatic9658]

Interesting for me, because of my last name.

[@user-xt5ih1wp2g]

I'm planning with Jonas V Canal Palanga Pasvalys we the North 🤖

[@duckco1]

Is tidewater looking for wheelman?

[@xgshipyardchina4574]

XG-Shipyard, will be the best barge maker in the world

[@carterthechevrolet9219]

Aspect?

[@EricDattoli]

This job sounds about as exciting as being a 10 MPH truck driver.

[@CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen]

Clearly you've never stopped a cut, checked the head, blown a line, topped around, run aground, recovered a bust up, called Joliet bridges, navigated Baton Rouge to the Gulf, or made St Louis harbor southbound in high water. If you had, being a 10 mph truck driver would seem like a pretty sweet gig.

[@IRLtrolls]

@@CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen LOL well said...Even the guys in the video have never had to Stop a cut, or carry rigging for that matter. Columbia/Snake is barely towboating. 6 packs with tons of winches, cake tow. Look at those long ass 2 part leads on the stern. AND they have those skags on the barges to lock them together, no jockey wires needed.
Send those guys to the Illinois in the winter or Baton Rouge in the summer and have them swap 50 sets with a fleet boat and see what their "endurance" is

[@heyitshuttz3705]

Tug life

[@deannaspencer8988]

Please Lower The price of all Brands of Military Equipment and Local for All Brands of Barge Products and Production Cost Now 100,000 % Thats to much $$ Now, The Whole World 100 ,000 % Now 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@BonBon-ih2qj]

Y

[@laehcimalebmanis639]

Mango

[@racinondirt5]

Hey beautiful

[@joemaas7924]

bubtitles blow

[@warden9876]

Una bettolina

[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@DeannaSpencer-dy1jl]

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[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

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[@DeannaSpencerSpencer-ej2xw]

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[@DeannaSpencerSpencer-ej2xw]

All Stores Please lower the price of all Military and Local for all brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now Pray

[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

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[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores 900,000 Please Lower the price of all Brands of Military Equipment and Local for All Brands of The Barge Products and Production Cost Now 900,000 That's Too Much $$ 900,000 Now The Whole World 900,000 🙏 🤲 🕍 🕌 ⛪ ⛪ ⛪ 🛕

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores 900,000 Please Lower the price of all Brands of Military and Local for All Brands of Barge Products and Production Cost Now 900,000 That's Too Much $$ 900,000 Now The Whole World 900,000 Now 🙏 🤲 🕍 🕌 ⛪ 🛕

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much to $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local & Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much _$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local for the cost of all BARGE Products & ACCESSORIES FOR Production Cost Now That's a Much $$ World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@user-xi8ex5cl6c]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$. The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please lower the cost of all Military and Local for all Brands Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military and Local for all Brands of Barge Products and Accessories and Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏😢

[@DeannaSpencer-vf5qn]

All Stores Please Lower the the price of all Military & Local for all Brands of Barge Products & Accessories & Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@DeannaSpencer-vf5qn]

All Stores Please Lower the the price of all Military & Local for all Brands of Barge Products & Accessories & Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@DeannaSpencer-vf5qn]

All Stores Please Lower the the price of all Military & Local for all Brands of Barge Products & Accessories & Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@DeannaSpencer-dy1jl]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military & Local for all Brands of Barge & Accessories & Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@DeannaSpencer-dy1jl]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military & Local for all Brands of Barge & Accessories & Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏

[@DeannaSpencer-dy1jl]

All Stores Please Lower the price of all Military & Local for all Brands of Barge & Accessories & Production Cost Now That's too much $$ The Whole World Now 🙏🙏🙏