TUGFEST weblog
The Tugfest blog 
is an international maritime enthusiasts news weblog. Articles that are posted here include news about the annual tugboat festival (read the festival), photo essays, world tugboat news, events and other general maritime news related to the great lakes and beyond. Have news to share? Simply click here - if it floats - we'll post it for you.
Most Congenial
Capt Paul Gaynor of the Tug Prescotont, won the "Most Congenial Capt" award for 2007. Capt Paul and his crew had over 200 people tour the Prescotont at the open house/tug tours. In spite of the weather Capt Paul opened the Tug to the public, and was well received. Our congratulations go out to Capt Paul, this award was well deserved.
Capt Bob |12:32 EST |Comments (0)
All Over For Another Year
In spite of the weather it was a great success. The 2007 Parry Sound Tugfest is now history. We had 16 tugs at the event, with four of them being new to the festival. The pictures are just starting to come in. As we get them, I will post on the site for your enjoyment.
Capt Bob |09:20 EST |Comments (2)
Tug Parry Sound
Here she is all painted up and ready for tugfest. Ted Cartledge has been putting the final touches on her for the event. If all goes well, we hope to see her in Parry Sound Friday the 24th.
The pictures of the Parry Sound just after her launch, where taken by Jamie Miller.
Two more days and the fun begins, so bring your sun glasses, because some of the bright work could blind you.
See you at the dock (Capt Bob)
Capt Bob |06:15 EST |Comments (0)
5 More to Go
We are ready at this end, dinners are ordered, Hats & Tea Shirts are in, and the pancake braekfest is all arranged.
Ted Cartledge of the tug Parry Sound will be here along with a tug called "Was A Tug" out of Penetang.
Evey year we have new tugs comming to the event and we welcome them.
The picture above is of "Work Boat #10" and "Scuffy " both regulars at our event.
Lets hope the weather will be with us for the 2007 Parry Sound Tugfest. See you at the dock on Friday the 24th.
Capt Bob |13:10 EST |Comments (0)
Only 10 More Days To Go
RED WING
Home port Owen Sound, built in 1945 by a Hamilton construction company as a supply boat under the name Sandpiper. Was brought to Owen Sound in the early 50's by Edgar Taylor. The present owner Ed Griffith, purchased the hull in "94 and carried out a refit to current conditions. In "99 the vessel was renamed RED WING after a fiddle tune by the same name. She is a pretty little boat, I had the pleasure of meeting with Ed and he gave me a tour of the boat. He is not sure if he can make the Parry Sound "Tugfest", but if it can be arranged he will.
The Countdown is on so go to the Festival page and "Register" your tug for the event on the 24th 25th of Aug.
Capt Bob |09:06 EST |Comments (0)
Only 14 Days to Go
Well, only 14 days and the 2007 Parry Sound 5th annual Tugfest will begin. It's time to register your tugs and order your dinner tickets.
This year we have some new entries, the "Parry Sound" once a CCG vessel now owned by Ted Cartledge of Penetang. Ted has been working on this vessel for over five years to put her in working order. It will be a home coming for the "Parry Sound" and for the crews that once worked on her.
The "Northsea" a dutch style trawler, out of Penetang, will be here as well. She is no stranger to us in Parry Sound, we have seen her here in the past. We are looking forward to meeting with her new owner and Captain. The Northsea ran in the Parry Sound, Penetang tug races in the late 80's and was a joy to watch.
The "Knotty Napa", is a Nordic tug. This is a new tug for Garnet & Peggy Sallows, and a pretty one at that. The Sallows also have the tug "Patches" and is now for sale. You can get more details on "Patches" on the Buy & Sell page of this site. See Patches in action on our 2006 Tugfest photo page, she is a nice tug to see.
I will give you an update on what tugs are coming to the event as this info is made available.
The picture above is of the "Pankhurst M"of Owen Sound & "Sir Hiss" of Lions Head. Captains Norm and Maurice Menary are both great supporters of the Parry Sound Tugfest.
Capt Bob |10:35 EST |Comments (0)
More from Owen Sound
Steve Briggs sent us this picture of his son Shawn, aboard the Still Watch.
The CCG vessel Thunder Cape is trailing in the wake of the Still Watch in a just for show race.
CCG vessels Cove Isle and Thunder Cape where both at the Owen Sound "tugfest" event for the tug tours, and where a big hit with the public.
We salute both crews for there fine showing.
Capt Bob |11:47 EST |Comments (0)
Parrs Make the News
TUG JOINS HOMECOMING
Article taken from the Sun Times of Owen Sound
by Tara Bowie, Sun Times staff
Russel Bros. boat launched sixty years ago, here to take part in Tugboat Festival
A Parry Sound couple and the city of Owen Sound are sharing an anniversary of sorts.
Bob and Sandra Parr's home on the waves was built at the Russel Bros. factory 60 years ago, in 1947. The couple brought the tug, named the Mink Isle, back to Owen Sound to participate in Saturday’s Tugboat Festival. The festival is part of the city’s 150th Homecoming Celebrations. “We’ve been here before, but it’s a special year for both. It’s the tugs 60th and Owen Sound's 150th. We’re excited, we love a good tug race,” Bob Parr said. The Parr’s tug, originally named the “Brompton Duchess,” completed it’s maiden voyage in the Owen Sound harbour before being bought by a Thunder Bay paper company. In 1983, Bob found the boat on a barge in the Sault. It was in “pretty rough shape,” but he had to have it, he said. “He definitely didn’t care what the decorating looked like when he bought the thing,” Sandra joked. “I come from a family of commercial fisherman and I needed a boat like this,” Bob said “I looked around for a couple of years and the Russel boats seemed better built than the rest. ”Over eight months the engine was rebuilt, the smoke stack replaced and the roof raised and the vessel was deemed seaworthy. Eventually a small stove, two refridgerators and new beds were put in the hull.
More info on the Owen Sound Tugboat Festival will be coming shortly.
Capt Bob |08:58 EST |Comments (0)
Great Time Had By ALL
We have just returned from the Owen Sound "Tugfest". There where 17 tugs in attendance, two of them from the Canadian Coast Guard. The event was to commemerate the 150 years of boat building in Owen Sound and a tribute to the Russel Bros. This was also a home coming event and will continue for the rest of the week. We had a great time thanks to the organizers, they and the Mayor of Owen Sound made us most welcome.
The picture of the tug Captains was taken from the stern of the Still Watch with the tug Mink Isle in the background.
Capt Bob |09:13 EST |Comments (1)
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