Close stern view of the 1960 built Great Lakes bulker Edward L. Ryerson as it makes a nearly 90 degree turn in the narrow confines of the Black River in Lorain, Ohio. The Ryerson will be unloading its cargo of taconite from the Missabe Range in northern Minnesota at the dock in the background where the cranes are located and then the taconite will be trucked to the steel mill in the background.

The Ryerson and other Great Lakes bulkers routinely negotiate narrow meandering rivers like this without tugs, relying on bow thrusters and the tremendous skill of the captains -- no Great Lakes bulkers are required to use pilots in rivers such as this.