I’d never before seen river barges, so it was pretty cool to watch these ones moving along the Ohio River in Wheeling, West Virginia during my brief trip there last month. I never realized that barges are pushed from behind rather than pulled from the front. How in the world are they able to steer?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I worked on the Gateway Party Liner when I was in high school. I delivered food for a nightly Dinner/Dance Cruise. The boat was built on a barge and pushed by a tug. Between the rudder and independently controlling the engines, the Captains were amazingly accurate with their turns. We left the Monongahela wharf, cruised down to the point (where the Ohio starts) turned up the Allegheny, turned around mid-stream, then down and down the Ohio. Another 180° turn, and back up the Ohio and the Monongahela. Then the guy would turn the boat 180° and dock it at the wharf in one shot.
I’ve watched them maneuver those barges into and out of locks that aren’t much wider than the barges. It’ pretty amazing.
I live where it can seem there are as many barges as sparrows: along the Houston Ship Channel and the Intracoastal Waterway. The barge captains are highly skilled — and fun to listen to on the VHF, as many of them are Cajun and colorful.
The one time they can have trouble is when there’s a strong crosswind. The ICW runs essentially SW – NE along the Texas coast, so winter winds especially can cause problems. It’s common to see them pushed up against the bank in such conditions, waiting out the weather.
It must be really cool to be able to watch them all the time. Your description is a good reminder to me that my “normal” is not necessarily “normal” for others, so I try not to take it for granted.