fenton ramp

[kc]

Major bummer with the bridge situation especially for us guys who are coming from the east to fish the big lake. Not many facilities on the east side and I for one am not looking forward to doubling or more my drive around to put in on the west side. There are a few small ramps in LBL but not having Fenton is a major drawback with this situation. Any feedback or thoughts on when Fenton may be back online? I figure they will have to start by getting that ship and junked section of bridge out of the way first. After that I am hoping they don't still want to keep it closed because they fear the part of the rest of the bridge may collapse. It is slightly encouraging that they opened that section of lake to commercial traffic so maybe they aren't super concerned about additional collapse. I am starting to plan for my early spring trips and prospects on the big lake are definitely up in the air...

kc

[GeoFisher]

Major bummer with the bridge situation especially for us guys who are coming from the east to fish the big lake. Not many facilities on the east side and I for one am not looking forward to doubling or more my drive around to put in on the west side. There are a few small ramps in LBL but not having Fenton is a major drawback with this situation. Any feedback or thoughts on when Fenton may be back online? I figure they will have to start by getting that ship and junked section of bridge out of the way first. After that I am hoping they don't still want to keep it closed because they fear the part of the rest of the bridge may collapse. It is slightly encouraging that they opened that section of lake to commercial traffic so maybe they aren't super concerned about additional collapse. I am starting to plan for my early spring trips and prospects on the big lake are definitely up in the air...

kc

Stay north, fish north......stay south fish south.

So, with traffic shut down, can boats actually go past fenton?? Fishing boats.....I'm wondering about that exact issue.

If course, I normally stay NORTH end and drive the trace and put in at the smaller ramps at sugar, smith, pisqua, etc, etc.....but I do like to use Fenton too.

Later,

Geo

[kc]

I am afraid you are correct on staying north and south. My understanding is that "recreational traffic" cannot pass through the bridge at this time as well as they are closing 68/80 at the Trace so Fenton is off limits too. I also suspect they will get this cleared up because as the boating season kicks in not having the bridge will be a major bummer for road trafffic but blocking boat traffic at the bridge will be too. But early spring outings (ie in the next few weeks) may not have a resolution.

I too drive at times and use the smaller ramps but they cannot handle volume like Fenton can as many tournaments use that ramp. Plus the cental location of Fenton is nice because you can easily go north or south. But the main reason I use Fenton is my main route to the big lake is 68/80 so Fenton is the closet ramp. From my place down there Fenton is 25 miles so if I have to go to the west side without the bridge it will be at least double that distance. I love to night fish that lake in the summer and the 25 miles is already a bit of a tough drive after a long night...

kc

[Carter1]

Are they allowing boats to launch at Kenlake Marina?

[kc]

I haven't explicitly heard but I assume so and that recreational boats would have to go south since they can't go through the bridge. On the other hand there is supposed to be a restricted zone 1 mile north and 1 mile south of the bridge which may include Kenlake...

kc

[Dave Stewart]

Latest alert I received from the Coast Guard is that the Coast Guard has now approved the ship's owner's plan for removal of the debris that is wrapped around the front of the ship. This operation is supposed to start this week. I would expect that once this is done and that all the debris has been removed so it is not a hazard to navigation, that the restricted zone will return to normal for recreational traffic. I will keep you posted on when this happens.


DATE: February 3, 2012 12:32:48 PM CST
UPDATE 2: Coast Guard approves salvage plan for vessel involved in bridge collapse on Tennessee River

PADUCAH, Ky.?The [COLOR=#0000ff]Coast Guard[/COLOR] approved a salvage plan, Friday, to remove both the supply ship Delta Mariner and a section of the Eggner Ferry Bridge that remains on its bow following an allision a week ago.
Salvage operations are anticipated to begin Saturday. Foss Maritime, owner of the Delta Mariner, has brought in numerous support vessels and technical salvage equipment in anticipation of debris removal operations.
"The Coast Guard is working closely with Foss Maritime to ensure the safest and most efficient salvage of the ship," said Cmdr. Claudia Gelzer, commanding officer of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah. "The company is cooperating fully and bringing the appropriate resources to bear in support of the operation. The goal is to free the ship from the bridge span debris and assess damages so it can be repaired and put back into service."
The Coast Guard has been enforcing a safety zone from mile marker 41 to mile marker 43 on either side of the bridge on the Tennessee River to protect the public from the damaged bridge and stricken ship since Jan. 26, 2012. The river was opened to commercial traffic on Jan. 28, 2012, with speed restrictions.
The Coast Guard Cutter Obion and a 25-foot Response Boat-Small and crew from MSU Paducah remain on site to ensure safety of salvage operations. The Coast Guard is working closely with the[COLOR=#0000ff] Army Corps of Engineers[/COLOR], the [COLOR=#0000ff]National Transportation Safety Board[/COLOR], the [COLOR=#0000ff]Kentucky Transportation Cabinet[/COLOR], [COLOR=#0000ff]Kentucky Fish and Wildlife[/COLOR] and [COLOR=#0000ff]Marshall County Police[/COLOR].
There are no reported injuries or pollution at this time.
The investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.
For more information about the allision, contact Lt. Ron Easley at 270-816-7627.
Editor's Note: A media availability is scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, at [COLOR=#0000ff]Kenlake Marina[/COLOR], 888 Kenlake, Hardin, Ky., with representatives from Foss Maritime and the Coast Guard who will be available to answer questions regarding the salvage operations.

[kc]

I appreciate the update Dave. Sure is going to be a weird year without that bridge. I am hopeful now maybe they can find a way to repair it within the next year or so. I will take much longer than that to build the new one...

kc