August 8, 2003 (FRIDAY) @ 7:11 PM PHOTO TAKEN OF “JOHN SPENCE” OF “Mc KEIL MARINE“ REGISTERED IN HAMILTON PUSHING “McASPHALT 401” BARGE UNDERWAY TO LOCK # 3, ST. CATHERINES; SAILING DOWNBOUND BEING PASSED BY “COLUMBIA” A DREDGER, REGISTERED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK (SHE’S A RARE VISITOR TO WELLAND CANAL).

JOHN SPENCE - vessel information
IMO 7218735 Status In Service
Flag Canada Owner MCKEIL WORK BOATS
Year build 1972 Manager MCKEIL MARINE
Gross 718 Call sign CZ2409
Type Offshore Tug/Supply Ship

McAsphalt 401- vessel information
Official Ship Number: 805327 (Transport Canada)
Owner & Operator: McAsphalt Marine Transportation Ltd.
Port of Registry: Toronto
Date of Registry: 1985/05/24
Usage: Tank barge (Primary)
Area of Service: St. Lawrence River & Great Lakes
Gross Tonnage: 3,366 t
Net Tonnage: 3,366 t
Dead Weight Tonnage: 6,326 t
Length: 91.44 m
Breadth: 18.29 m
Depth: 6.71 m
Draught: 5.43 m

I was with McAsphalt in late 1980’s and have redesigned piping, provided for the installation of a new boiler & hot oil heating coils for the barge McAsphalt 401. In those days tug “Point Valiant” was employed to push barge McAsphalt 401.