Centerline Logistics tug Hawsepiper had the TB-601H tank barge loaded and heading north on the North River early Tuesday. Along for the ride and barely visible in the photos was Marine Highway’s tug Maddie K, lashed up on the port side. The tow was heading for the Bowline power plant in Haverstraw where Maddie assisted with docking the barge at the fuel dock and they likely filled up the plant’s reserve oil supply tanks.

Bowline, like most conventional power plants in New York State, mainly runs on pipeline natural gas, but in periods of tight gas supply such as we saw this past February, they can switch over to fuel oil. I would not be surprised if plants were being more prudent about laying in reserves this winter given disruptions to global energy markets and the need to scramble for oil in icy conditions last winter.

After spending all day at the plant, the two tugs and the barge departed in the early hours of Wednesday, returning to the North River before sunrise where Hawsepiper anchored with the barge and remains Wednesday morning while Maddie headed for Bayonne.