M/V Capt. Buck Lay Coming Around The Bend

Around 10:10 this morning the M/V Capt. Buck Lay made a sharp turn in the Mississippi River bend at Vicksburg, MS, called Delta Point.  I took these pictures from the Louisiana Circle heading southbound towards the two bridges.  Towboat pilots dread coming through Vicksburg southbound/northbound because of maneuvering around the sharp bend and the bridges which is a big challenge in itself.  I'm sure they breath a sigh of relief after passing through here. (Click on pictures to enlarge)

Up-close of M/V Capt. Buck Lay.

Another shot of M/V Capt. Buck Lay putting the pedal to the metal.

Heading straight for the bridges of old Hwy 80 and I-20 at Vicksburg, MS.  

It does not look easy to me...

...but he made it.

You can see the scars on the pillars of the bridges from the towboats that have hit it because of the swift current of the Mighty Mississippi.  In January of this year we had a towboat to hit the bridges and some containers sunk in the MS River because it was at flood stage and the current was so treacherous that he lost control.  I'm sure it's a towboat captain's nightmare!