barges and tugs

Barges are flat-bottomed boats designed to carry goods on rivers and canals, often without their own propulsion. They rely on tugboats for movement. Tugs are powerful vessels specifically built to tow or push barges and other ships. They are typically smaller than the vessels they assist but have strong engines to navigate difficult waterways. Together, barges and tugs are essential for transporting bulk materials, like coal or grain, efficiently across inland waterways, utilizing the strengths of each type of vessel to facilitate trade and commerce.