FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2005
MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Canal System Fleet to Be Drydocked for Winter
The New York State Canal Corporation’s fleet of tugboats and dredges will be drydocked tomorrow at the Waterford Canal Maintenance Facility beginning at 9 AM. Each winter, a dozen or more vessels navigate their way into the massive Waterford drydock for winter maintenance. Over the winter, annual preventive maintenance and major rehabilitation projects are performed on these vessels.
Vessels will begin making their way through the gates of the drydock at approximately 9 a.m. Positioning the vessels correctly in the dry dock will take approximately 2 hours, after which the upper gates will be closed and the water drained from the basin. Once the water is drained, the vessels will rest on concrete and timber supports spaced throughout the drydock floor. The drydock, located next to Lock 3 of the Erie Canal’s “Flight of 5”, is one of two such large drydocking facilities operated by the Canal Corporation.
Media, including photographers, are invited to attend. If you would like additional information regarding this event, please contact the New York State Canal Corporation at 518-436-3055.
Directions to the Waterford Maintenance Facility: From 787-North: Proceed to end of I-787 and turn right onto Saratoga Avenue. Proceed over Union Bridge crossing Mohawk River into Waterford. Proceed north along Saratoga Avenue for approximately two miles. Just after the historic Waterford Rural Cemetery on the left, turn left at the sign for the Canal Corporation Maintenance Facility (just before Ninth Street Bridge). Follow access road under railroad trestle and bear right at fork, then right at red brick building. The drydock will be visible just ahead.
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