GL: Fort Edward NY - Champlain Canal

[fred]

As you probably know, there is a major dredging project going on, all 
around my home in Fort Edward NY, at Champlain Canal Lock 7.

Officially speaking, the Fort Edward Yacht Basin is still open, but, right 
this moment there are several dredges in there, one right in the harbor and 
2 more in the channel leading to it.  There are 200 foot long barges 
everywhere.

For the next week or two, I would advise you NOT attempt to enter the Fort 
Edward Yacht Basin, it's too blocked up right now.

Anyone needing to stop here is welcome to email me and I'll find a spot for 
you all, somewhere or other, we have a number of options.  The floating 
dock above Lock 7 (deep draft) will always be available, and I will be 
doing car service for boaters there.  We have an excellent restaurant in 
the village here, The Anvil Restaurant.

Please note that the speed limit  between Lock 7 and 8 is reduced 
permanently to 5 MPH, no wake speed the entire way, and between lock 6 and 
7 it is 5 MPH most of the way, wherever there are parked barges and tugs.  
These speed limit reductions are more or less permanent until further 
notice.

There are no delays at the locks, unless there happens to be a barge going 
thru which will clear in about 15 minutes, same as oncoming pleasure boats. 
 Do NOT attempt to lock thru with a barge, it's prohibited.  Yes you can 
lock thru along with the little tugs, but not if they are pushing a barge 
as the propwash would knock you silly.

The first thing the dredges did was remove the sandbar blocking the 
entrance to the harbor, so once this mess is done, the Yacht Harbor will be 
open to deep draft boats, finally, after many many years!  Should be open 
in a couple of weeks at most.  (hopefully)

I'll keep you all posted.

Fred
Tug 44