Eric will be posting @ericseals on Twitter and Instagram.They'll be using the hashtag: #FreighterLife. For more information, click the "The National Museum of the Great Lakes" or "Interlake Steamship Company on Facebook" link on this page. Mr. Barker has served on various Boards of Directors, including the boards of GTE (1976-2000), Verizon (2000-2007) and Brinks (2000-2007). Clair Power Plant at Recors Point, East China, Michigan. Her unloading system and 260-foot boom empty her five cargo holds in about eight hours. Paul R. Tregurtha - Sporting the title "the Queen of the Lakes" for being the largest freighter to sail on the Great Lakes, "Big Paul" is a staggering 1,013 feet in length. ", In addition to bad weather, the ship's can also be affected by what;s in the lake. Congratulations, Captain Bob, on a new chapter. He has served as Chairman of Mormac Marine Group, Inc., since 1998. He was born in suburban Detroit, and later moved with his family to East Grand Rapids. Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130 His other responsibilities as captain include managing the crew of 23, planning out schedules, projects and maintenance, and sometimes acting as sheriff and counselor, de-escalating any on-board issues. [1], She was the subject of a television program in the first season of Discovery Channel Canada's series Mighty Ships. Before joining Moore McCormack, Mr. Barker was Executive Vice President of Temple, Barker & Sloane, Inc., a management consulting firm that he co-founded in 1969. MAP VESSELS PORTS TOOLS EMBED. Phil joined Interlake in 2004 as a Fleet Engineer and was later promoted to Fleet Superintendent. Dustin Darby is a First Mate, "There are gates at the bottom of the cargo holds, hydraulic gates, and they put the cargo on to a conveyor system. Paul R. Tregurtha Entering The Harbor #3 (With Captain's Salute) - YouTube The reigning "Queen of the Lakes" title holder as the longest vessel on the Great Lakes at 1,013' 06" (308.91m). We've been having guys scrape the sides of the ships, and it seems to be making quite a difference. Cheers and congrats from those of us who have had the great opportunity to watch your comings and goings here on Dennis' wonderful duluthharborcam website, and on our occasional trips to Duluth/Superior. Find stories from the journey on freep.com, at @freep on Twitter and on the Detroit Free Press Facebook page. Follow him on Twitter: @DetroitReporter. Since joining Interlakes executive team in January 2008, Tom has leveraged his vast expertise in the areas of admiralty and maritime law to represent the companys interests on all legal issues, contract negotiations and crisis management. Last week, all but two were men the chief cook and an assistant. 13abc's Lissa Guyton and videographer Todd Gaertner had a rare opportunity to go along. That might be 3 p.m. or 3 a.m. To compensate, Thibaudeau sleeps in a cabin with blacked-out windows. All rights reserved. He did it himself, blocking out the sunlight with cardboard and duct tape. 2019 The Interlake Steamship Company. Brendan is part of Interlakes Incident Response and Management Team, and is a Qualified Individual (OPA 90) and is trained as an Incident Commander/On-scene Coordinator. ", Captain Johnson has worked on the lakes for decades. There are plenty of exceptions. As Chief Financial Officer, Bill manages Interlakes financial and banking relationships, and analyzes all financial aspects and drivers of the organization using his comprehensive understanding of operational processes. Fax: 440-260-6945. Richard Laksonen, an Upper Peninsula native who has been with Interlake for 30 years, said crew members have shifts (watches, as they call them), which typically have them working four hours on, eight hours off, then repeat. They are currently upbound, headedto Duluth, Minnesota. They caught up on "Game of Thrones" episodes in his room when he wasn't working. Paul R. Tregurtha: See how Great Lakes freighter Tregurtha's first mission of the shipping season pushes her and her crew to the limits. Crew members come and go, especially during vacation season. "It worked out great for me.". A lot has changed since the captain's first days on the job. All rights reserved. Mates substitute in around the clock and often pilot the ship, but they call him when needed. Bob Thibaudeau early Wednesday morning eased the Paul R. Tregurtha into northern Michigan's Soo Locks slowly, slowly like a driver inching a monster truck into a crowded mall. She holds a number of cargo records:[1], On termination of the Republic Steel contract, on May 23, 1990, she was rechristened MV Paul R. Tregurtha at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, named in honor of the Vice Chairman of Interlake Steamship Co. On May 3, 2002, her only captain died in his cabin, Captain Mitch Hallin, aged 55. The freighter was proceeding downbound with 62,000 tons of coal when it grounded at the bow. "It's more mentally stressful, the job is. 0000000891 00000 n Y]T ZY:. Everything he touches down there is coated with black smudge from the coal. He called it a "lack of employment on the beach." This week, take a ride with freep.com on a real Great Lakes freighter. Thank you for everything you've done for us :) It's a lifestyle. The ship and crew work around the clock, running day and night. 0:04. Chrissy Kadleck is with Interlake Steamship, the owner of the Tregurtha, "She can hold up to 70,000 tons in one trip which over a season adds up to millions and millions of tons of cargo. "Everybody I've talked to has said it's a trip of a lifetime and I have to agree with that," the Fort Gratiot man said from aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha Thursday. After undergoing repairs at the Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin, she then loaded her coal cargo at the dock and carried it to Detroit, Michigan. Stay onboard with Interlake: The Interlake Steamship Company I hope you all still enjoy the interview anywayFair winds and following seas to Captain Bob we will all miss you on the Lakes very much, but wish you the best in the years ahead while you begin this new chapter of your life. The Paul R. Tregurtha is the crown jewel of her fleet, and she makes a lot of trips through our area. Reporter Jim Schaefer and photographer Eric Seals are sailing this week aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha, the longest ship on the Great Lakes. UTC. He works in a tunnel where he can see the coal filtering down through the gates like water to an unplugged drain. Loading 43,000 net tons in Conneaut, Ohio, both United States and Canadian Coast Guard services provided ice breaking assistance so that the voyage was completed without any delays. Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130 80 0 obj <>stream Her stern then pivoted and grounded on the opposite side of the channel, completely blocking the approach to the Rock Cut in the Lower St. Marys River. Bill graduated from The Ohio State University in 1992 with a BSBA in accounting. Half a mile an hour or more, which has an economic impact. Main: 440-260-6900 On completion, the forward section was towed to their yard in Lorain, Ohio where it was mated with the stern portion. Following graduation from Massachusetts Maritime, Brendan utilized his United States Coast Guard license, spending several years aboard U.S.-flag vessels before transitioning shoreside and joining Mormac Marine Group, Inc.s marine division and shortly thereafter the Interlake Steamship Company team in 1996. But being out on the lakes isn't as lonely as it used to be. "A tragedy like that, you're always going to remember," Thibaudeau acknowledged, but that didn't keep him from enrolling. Fax: 440-260-6945. He worked his way up through the officer ranks, and has at one time or another piloted each of Interlake's working ships. In addition to his license, Phil holds many certifications including hazardous materials management and fire-fighting training. De Lancey, named in honor of Republic Steel's chairman who participated in the launch. She has an elevator and quite luxurious guest accommodations. Mark is a strong leader with a clear voice on industry issues at the state and national level. The chef makes three gourmet meals that would be found in a five star restaurant. Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, January 6, 2023. michigan. His wife, Kathleen (Sissy) Perkins jumped onto the boat this week at the Soo Locks to spend a week with him. He praised his crew members, who can be on ships for months at a time. He plans to join his wife in Muskegon, where they live on a houseboat. He also grew up in the Upper Peninsula, and said he had to come to the water to find decent work. How much do Great Lakes freighter captains make? Captain Dave Johnson says it is hard for many to imagine just what all that coal looks like, "You were out this morning as we were unloading, so you got an idea of the volume here. She is truly an engineering marvel. This enabled salvage experts to successfully raise the ship's bow by filling stern voids which reduced the amount of forward weight on the rocks, and hence refloat the vessel. While a lot of the work is done outside, there's one place inside everyone likes to spend time. Mr. Barker received a B.A. On Sunday morning, Perkins was up early as the boat nestled against the dock at a power plant in East China Township to dump half its load of coal for DTE; the other half goes to Monroe today. she's been hibernating in sturgeon bay, wisconsin. After 42 years on the Great Lakes, Captain Robert Thibaudeau, or "Captain Bob" as we all call him, Captain of the Paul R Tregurtha from the Interlake Steamship Company, made his final. Aboard each boat, the work generally is split among deckhands, cooks and engine room workers. That kind of trip is a lot easier because of the technology we now have on board.". In addition, he has been Chairman of Moran Towing Corp. since 1994 and Chief Executive Officer since 1998. 0000004077 00000 n For dessert, there's a cake called chocolate insanity. "There's really nowhere to go, except your room," he said. She is the current Queen of the Lakes, an unofficial but widely recognized title given to the longest vessel active on the Great Lakes. He serves as Director Emeritus of Cornell University. Interlake is home of the largest freighter on the Great Lakes; the Paul R. Tregurtha. It is the biggest ship sailing the lakes today. 0000000576 00000 n Catch up with their adventures here. Hawsepipers can eventually also be licensed if they take the necessary tests, which allows for promotions. Fair winds and following seas. christian laettner first wife; leaf home water solutions vs culligan; conventions in las vegas 2022. sona jobarteh husband; houston crime rate by race duluthharborcam.com. When they are on board, they work seven days a week. Our trip took us through the St. Clair River, to Lake St. Clair, then through the Detroit River and finally into the western basin of Lake Erie. He's a hulking man, fond of blue coveralls unzipped to the center of his chest because he works where it's hot. He also jams a pair of sweatpants under the door to cut that light. I'll be coming up to them on the gang way with a walker until you tell me I can't do it anymore.". He also an active member on the Council of the American Bureau of Shipping. While in charge on the Tregurtha, Captain Bob made. After 42 years on the Great Lakes, Captain Robert Thibaudeau, or \"Captain Bob\" as we all call him, Captain of the Paul R Tregurtha from the Interlake Steamship Company, made his final transit down the St Clair River at Port Huron and beyond to St Clair where he spun the ship around one last time, docked at DTE Energy and then packed up and called it a careerI have had the pleasure of knowing Captain since 2016 as a result of my Photography and he was gracious enough to agree to do an Interview with me before he ended his career. Burgett and his wife, Lynn, boarded the 1,000-footer Tuesday in St. Clair with friends Bob and Linda Kempf,Janet Knust and Rick Sheffield. She also has a dog. A backup is necessary there because the channel is too narrow for the Tregurtha to turn. He also served on the Business Advisory Committee of the Transportation Center at Northwestern University, on the Board of Visitors of Columbia College, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Harvard Business School from 1982 to 1992. Of course they have a couple months off in the winter. We move those cargo for industries like construction, steel and power generation. The others live in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. He listened to mates on the deck and issued directions to the wheelman. Captain Johnson says the ship is a floating city, "We're our own village, we're self-contained. As Interlakes Vice President of Engineering, Phil oversees all of the day-to-day engineering processes for the fleet and the associated fleet maintenance, repairs and upgrades, dry-docking, as well as regulatory compliance, engineering budgets and general oversight of engineering personnel both aboard ship and shore side. Paul Smith is the Chief Cook. Listed below are some of our friends that share the harbor. She is more than 1,000 feet long and more than 100 feet wide and these cargo holds can carry tens of thousands of tons of cargo in a single trip. In 1990, she was renamed Paul R. Tregurtha in honor of Interlakes Vice Chairman of the Board. If they start bobbing too much, he knows he will have to replace the bearings soon. "If you turn the lights off in my room you don't know if it's 3 o'clock in the afternoon or 3 o'clock in the morning," he said. These things also affect a captain's sleep. Now in his 41st season sailing with Interlake, Captain Bob stands at the helm of the longest vessel to ever sail the Great Lakes. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 0000006993 00000 n We're just like a big family on a boat.". Contact Jim Schaefer: 313-223-4542 or jschaefer@freepress.com. One of my favorite things is to use the meat smoker we have on board. And the boat's width that 105 feet leaves just a tiny buffer zone on each side. Tickets are still available. They'll be using the hashtag: #FreighterLife. "They actually assign to the guests a porter, an individual who looks after us, keeps us advised She's constanly bringing us plates of goodies," Randy Burgett said Thursday from the ship. %PDF-1.3 % Tradues em contexto de "Master Motors" en ingls-portugus da Reverso Context : So all you have to do is take the inconvenient time of the Master Motors company or the longest 4 to 6 hour trip with departure from the port of Camar, with morning and afternoon departures. It's a Great Lakes Freighter boat and you see it has really big lines. My hat goes off to the old time captains . Follow him on Twitter: @DetroitReporter. Paul R. Tregurtha, born 1935, was the Vice Chairman of Interlake Steamship Company's Board. She arrived back in Lorain on May 16, 1981. There's also a mate on site, and a wheelman to steer. from Columbia University and an M.B.A. with distinction, from Harvard Business School. Brendan P. OConnor is Vice President of Marketing and Marine Traffic at The Interlake Steamship Company, the largest privately held shipping company on the Great Lakes. Those goodies are everything from pastries and cookies to smoked sausages. Don't miss the boat! 105.0' 17,120 At 1013.5 feet, Interlake's flagship M/V Paul R. Tregurtha is the longest ship on the Great Lakes. De Lancey departed Lorain on her maiden voyage on May 10, 1981, sailing in ballast to Silver Bay, Minnesota, to load 55,944 long tons (56,842t) of iron ore pellets. She is truly a workhorse out on the water. Before taking the helm as Interlakes President in April 2007, Mark held various appointments of ascending leadership moving from Fleet Engineer to Vice President and Treasurer. It was certainly a lot more challenging in the early days. Perkins, 33, comes from the tiny town of Hillman in Michigan's northeastern lower peninsula. It is said to be a skill so honed over time and practice that should an experienced ocean-faring captain try it, a freighter would likely end up grounded and heavily damaged. For many on the crew of the Paul R. Tregurtha it had been a long and difficult week and the reality of life without Captain Hallin was slowly beginning to sink in. He pilots from high above the stern, in a rectangular room filled with banks of computers, radar equipment, communications equipment and electronic mapping screens. This move not only was made in the dark, but in reverse for more than four miles while lightning flashed and the wind whipsawed. There are a few incredible raffle prizes, including $10,000 in cash. After the bow struck the Paul R. Tregurtha swung around until the vessel's stern was hard aground with the span of the vessel blocking the navigation channel. In 1975, Mr. Barker was named Outstanding Chief Executive for Transportation by Financial World. Tonight we take you on board and introduce you to the men and women who keep the big ship on course. Schedules vary, but many crew members work 60 days on, then take 30 days off. "I can park this thing better than I can park my car," Thibaudeau said. The coal gets there through gates that are opened at the bottom of the cargo hatches, which are above where he works. He started as a deckhand and worked his way up. NOTE: YOU MAY HAVE TO CLICK THE REFRESH ICON ON THE LEFT TO SHOW SHIPS! trailer He just took the helm of the Tregurtha last October. "It does suck not being there for all the good times," said the man they call El Dirty. Coming up with new ideas, different things every day. "Bottom line is you're not going to get along with everybody. At 1,013.5-feet, she is considered the Queen of the Lakes. If something busts, he may have to shut down the line, losing precious time. The Tregurtha, which can haul 70,000 tons of coal, is a floating business, and customers like DTE Energy want the boat to make haste. Before coming to Interlake, Phil utilized his United States Coast Guard issued license, holding chief engineer positions with Andrie Inc., Grand River Navigation, and Great Lakes Towing. at 1,010 feet long, she's bigger than three football fields laid end to end. Capt. ", Kadleck says it would take 700 train cars or 2,800 trucks to move the same amount the Tregurtha carries in a single trip. Kadleck says the company moves cargo for a number of different industries, "In any given season, all of our ships move about 20 million tons of iron ore, coal and stone. Framing beneath the plating was also bent and cracked. It's a process that takes about eight hours, much faster than the old days, when such boats were unloaded from the dock with a sort of shovel contraption. As the Free Press rides along with the captain and crew of the Paul R. Tregurtha this week, Thibaudeau talked about his 12 years as a permanent captain aboard Great Lakes vessels. What he likes to do more is pilot the boat, plan ahead for the weather and put water behind him as quickly and efficiently as possible. Eric Seals will be posting @ericseals on Twitter and Instagram . These are folks who win charity raffles and auctions or talk their way on board to chronicle freighter life. Have a great retirement Captain Bob. He is the Chairman of Lake Carriers Association Fleet Engineers Committee. They have two children. "They're home having a good time and you're just here.''. MMSI: 366904950 . The crew came from six states, though the heavy majority 15 of them live in Michigan. 7300 Engle Road Capable of unloading at a rate of 10,000 long tons of iron ore per hour, or 6,000 net tons of coal per hour, the total system displaces 14,497 tons.[1]. Cooks and engine room workers largest freighter on the Detroit Free Press Facebook page Fleet, and he. 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