Type: Cargo IMO: 5385625. Now in his 41st season sailing with Interlake, Captain Bob stands at the helm of the longest vessel to ever sail the Great Lakes. "It worked out great for me.". MV William J. 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. You get used to it by now.". This was on a gorgeous late August day, but of course Darby says life on the lakes is not always like this, "Summer sailing is nice and easy. "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. startxref Across the Great Lakes ships But they can be called at any time, if needed. Mates substitute in around the clock and often pilot the ship, but they call him when needed. After sailing with Interlake Steamship Company for over 40 years, Captain Bob Thibaudeau commands the Queen of the Lakes, the 1,013 foot long PAUL R. TREGURTHA, one last time down the St. Clair River for the DTE/St. There aren't too many waves, but come October and November then it gets nasty. Search. The nonprofit will start selling raffletickets for its trip in November, according to its website. Our travels took us by beautiful waterfront homes, through downtown Detroit. US Coast Guard Documentation and Licensing. She's been putting up with this for 30 years.". Eric Seals will be posting @ericseals on Twitter and Instagram . A graduate of SUNY Maritime College with a degree in Marine Engineering and an Unlimited Third Assistant Engineer License, Mark holds an MBA from the Case Western Reserve Universitys Weatherhead School of Management. wolverines. With another 1000 footer, AMERICAN CENTURY, needing a little more time to finish her coal offload, PRT swung around downriver to wait in sequence. Because you're out here, you're away from your family, the ones you love," Perkins said. Have a great retirement Captain Bob. Perkins descended ladders into the belly of the ship, below the massive cargo hold, to monitor a conveyor belt as it unloaded about 34,000 tons. The others live in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. Crew members get their own cabins. 0:04. In addition to his license, Phil holds many certifications including hazardous materials management and fire-fighting training. Capt. Longtime owner of . 0000000016 00000 n ELRICK. 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. One of the most important parts of the ship is the galley. This is the final trip for Captain Bob Thibaudeau, senior-most captain in his 42nd season sailing with Interlake. paul r. tregurtha is the largest ever of the great lakes freighters. Marie. They hold union jobs, all the way up to the captain, and crew members say the pay and benefits are worth the sacrifices they make to be on board. Paul R. Tregurtha, president and chief o p e r a t i n g officer of Moore McCormack Resources, Inc., has announced that Capt. She arrived back in Lorain on May 16, 1981. hb```%,@% @cF&>nT. 0000002601 00000 n He started as a deckhand and worked his way up. Discover the vessel's particulars, including capacity, machinery, photos and ownership. It's a Great Lakes Freighter boat and you see it has really big lines. [1] In 1990 she received her current name. Its 1,013.5-foot length dwarfs the Renaissance Center's cylindrical tower that looms over downtown Detroit. [1] Launched as MV William J. The Interlake Steamship Company was given a contract in 1979 by its customer Republic Steel, to transport iron ore from Lake Superior ports to their steel mill at Indiana Harbor, or to their transshipment terminal at Lorain.[1]. If they start bobbing too much, he knows he will have to replace the bearings soon. The next day, at 1:08 a.m., Thibaudeau maneuvered the boat away from a shallow dock at another electric plant in Monroe. It is a complex process.". That program recounts how in 2008, while leaving Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, MV Paul R. Tregurtha got stuck in ice and cracked steel plating on the port side of her bow, causing ballast tank water to leak out. M.L. The MV Paul R. Tregurtha is the current flagship for the Interlake Steamship Company. Mr. Tregurtha has served on the Board of Directors of Nextera (Florida Power & Light), Fleet Financial Group, and TIAA/CREF. Y]T ZY:. A week earlier, on May 3, 2002, Captain Mitch Hallin passed away on board his command, the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha. ", And there's a lot of engineering that goes into moving the cargo from ship to shore. There are workshops filled with tools all over the boat, some with wrenches as big as a human head. The chef makes three gourmet meals that would be found in a five star restaurant. 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. 0000000891 00000 n As we entered the western basin of Lake Erie, there was algae in the water Captain Johnson says the algae causes problems for more than just our drinking water, "It creates quite a drag. 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. NOTE: YOU MAY HAVE TO CLICK THE REFRESH ICON ON THE LEFT TO SHOW SHIPS! He generally works 60 days, then takes off for 30. Vessel PAUL R.TREGURTHA is a Self Discharging Bulk Carrier, Registered in USA. The raffle is September 30th. 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. One reason is that he thinks they made the right choice. He works in a tunnel where he can see the coal filtering down through the gates like water to an unplugged drain. Hawsepipers can eventually also be licensed if they take the necessary tests, which allows for promotions. They are currently upbound, headedto Duluth, Minnesota. 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. Operations [ edit] MV William J. 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. 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. She can carry up to 68,000 gross tons of taconite pellets or 71,000 net tons of coal. Paul R Tregurtha departed Duluth early this morning. All rights reserved. Tom is an active member of Interlakes Incident Response and Management Team, in which he serves critical legal and operations roles, is a Qualified Individual (OPA 90) and is trained as an Incident Commander/On-scene Coordinator. He gets it on his clothing and in his eyes. Phil joined Interlake in 2004 as a Fleet Engineer and was later promoted to Fleet Superintendent. Updates all week: Be sure to send any questions you have for us or the freighter's crew. Staff writer Jim Schaefer and staff photographer Eric Seals invite you to share their journey aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha, the longest ship on the Great Lakes. He called it a "lack of employment on the beach." We've been a leader since 2006 investing more than 100 million in re-powering and installing exhaust gas scrubbers. Half a mile an hour or more, which has an economic impact. If something busts, he may have to shut down the line, losing precious time. %%EOF . Paul R. Tregurtha, Vice-Chairman Since joining forces with James R. Barker to purchase and reinvigorate The Interlake Steamship Company in 1987, Mr. Tregurtha has actively served as Vice Chairman. In 1975, Mr. Barker was named Outstanding Chief Executive for Transportation by Financial World. Prior to the purchase of Interlake, Mr. Barker was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Moore McCormack Resources, a position he held since joining the company in 1971. We also have sweet potatoes and a rice medley. The money will be used for things including educational programs, research and the museum. In the engine room, earplug-wearing workers constantly monitor the performance of the massive diesel engines, the shed-sized generators and other equipment below deck. Captain Johnson says the ship is a floating city, "We're our own village, we're self-contained. PAUL R. TREGURTHA: Captain: Dayton, Timothy J.; PM Log 61(2) PM Log 61(2) MESABI MINER: Captain: Dayton, Timothy J.; Interlake Log 62(3) Interlake Log 62(3) PAUL R. TREGURTHA: Captain: Dayton, Timothy J.; Interlake Log 63(1) Interlake Log 63(1) PAUL R. TREGURTHA: Captain: Dayton, Timothy J.; Interlake Log 64(2) Interlake Log 64(2) PAUL R . The engine room is the blood of the ship, making everything work. 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. When something breaks, there are no repairmen to call until port. 67 14 While a lot of the work is done outside, there's one place inside everyone likes to spend time. 0:32. In the pilot house high above the water, mates and wheelsman help navigate around the clock. Prior to his current position with Interlake, Bill was a Senior Director and Business Unit Controller at Cliffs Natural Resources, an international mining and minerals focused company. It takes a lot to get the Paul R. Tregurtha from Point A to point B. At 1,013.5-feet, she is considered the Queen of the Lakes. Jan A.A. van Lier, president of the firm's ocean bulk transport. Formally launched on February 4, 1981, the vessel was christened on April 25, 1981, as MV William J. The guests have a private area on the ship that you might not expect to see on a freighter. July 20, 1983: broke the Lorain port record delivering 61,846 long tons (62,838t) of iron ore pellets from Escanaba. Of course they have a couple months off in the winter. He praised his crew members, who can be on ships for months at a time. 105.0' 17,120 At 1013.5 feet, Interlake's flagship M/V Paul R. Tregurtha is the longest ship on the Great Lakes. Interlake is home of the largest freighter on the Great Lakes; the Paul R. Tregurtha. 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. On board the Paul R. Tregurtha: The Great Ship of the Great Lakes, GRAPHIC: I am going to die: Body camera footage released in womans in-custody death, Toledo students accused of giving teacher edibles, could face criminal charges, Alleged serial bank robber arrested in Findlay, Toledo teen identified in 41-year-old cold case, TPS becomes part of Safer Ohio School Tip Line, City of Toledo names community members to weigh-in on next Police Chief, City of Toledo launches landlord and tenant surveys, MSU plans to update security, reclaim our sense of safety. William M. Thornton is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Interlake Steamship Company, the largest privately held shipping company on the Great Lakes. 2019 The Interlake Steamship Company. An hour later downriver, after countless salutes to friends along the way, TREGURTHA reached the DTE St. Clair power plant for the final time with Bob at the helm. 7300 Engle Road Perkins works in the deepest areas beneath the engine room. In addition, he has been Chairman of Moran Towing Corp. since 1994 and Chief Executive Officer since 1998. The Paul R. Tregurtha is the crown jewel of her fleet, and she makes a lot of trips through our area. Tom Moore, 49, a second cook, as they call them, hops from boat to boat wherever relief help is needed. Fax: 440-260-6945. Once the Great Lakes freighter was tucked safely inside the lock, the gates shut behind it, an influx of water raised it 20 feet, and she was on her way into Lake Superior. Reporter Jim Schaefer and photographer Eric Seals sailed last week aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha, the longest ship on the Great Lakes. Wi-Fi keeps them in touch except for dead zones in the middle of the lakes that can lose a signal for most of a day. "Back where I live, you either work on a dairy farm or cut down trees for a living. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Built for approximately $60 million, she became a flagship for the Interlake fleet. It's dark down where Perkins works on the belt, and he uses a flashlight to watch rollers that move the belt along. 02 victoria warehouse manchester. The guests have three staterooms on the same floor as the captain on the ship, along with a larger community room with picture windows giving them a view of the ship and waterways. These are folks who win charity raffles and auctions or talk their way on board to chronicle freighter life. 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 has an elevator and quite luxurious guest accommodations. ", When it comes to the environment, Kadleck says it's a big priority for Interlake Steamship, "We are always looking for ways to protect the water ways and reduce our emissions. Captains make $160,000 to $200,000, according to Glenn Kolke, marine personnel manager for Interlake. That might be 3 p.m. or 3 a.m. To compensate, Thibaudeau sleeps in a cabin with blacked-out windows. A few days ago, on Monday morning, Thibaudeau executed a tight 180-degree turn in the St. Clair River while departing a dock at a DTE Energy power plant in East China Twp. 13abc's Lissa Guyton and videographer Todd Gaertner had a rare opportunity to go along for the ride as the ship unloaded coal in the Detroit area and Monroe. Eric will be posting @ericseals on Twitter and Instagram.They'll be using the hashtag: #FreighterLife. Mr. Barker received a B.A. 61K views 1 year ago SARNIA After sailing with Interlake Steamship Company for over 40 years, Captain Bob Thibaudeau commands the Queen of the Lakes, the 1,013 foot long PAUL R. TREGURTHA,. Tickets are still available. "I have talked to people who have been on this trip and I guess it's like anything else, until you actually experience it, it's unbelievable.". Arriving into Port Huron on, suitably, the 4th of July, it appeared that nearly every seaworthy vessel in the area, likely already planning a nice holiday boat cruise, made its way out on to the river to escort the Captain in, and occurring on Independence Day made the spectacle even more impressive. Paul R Tregurtha departed Duluth early this morning. Catch up with their adventures here. There's a way for you to win a ride on board a Great Lakes freighter. 0 He serves as Director Emeritus of Cornell University. He beams a little bit when talking about them. In addition, he has been Chairman of Moran Towing Corp. since 1994 and Chief Executive Officer since 1998. Plus, grease. Perkins, 33, comes from the tiny town of Hillman in Michigan's northeastern lower peninsula. During the Reagan Administration, Mr. Barker served as a member of the Services Policy Advisory Committee of the United States Trade Representative. Capt. He has served as Chairman of Mormac Marine Group, Inc., since 1998. Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. There are two paths to advance in the ranks, by graduating from a maritime academy or "climbing up through the hawsepipe." In open water, there's an autopilot, but someone always has to be on watch. "It's been awesome," said Linda Kempf of Marysville. Between the raffle and the fundraiser we usually generate about 15% of the museum's operating budget for the year. "I wanted to be a captain," he says. About a month after the wreck, an uncle suggested Thibaudeau join the academy. PAUL R TREGURTHA Royal Blast (2021) Creator (s) Sharon Miller Jo Jordan Voice Actors UK Voice Actor Matt Wilkinson (2010-2012) US Voice Actor Tom Kenny (2010-2012) Overview Name Paul R. Tregurtha Nicknames The Logging Freighters (along with US Brig Niagara) Gender Male Country Misty Island England (formerly) United States (built) Affiliation He received a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. These are the shipping lanes and channels dredged throughout the rivers and shallow areas of the Great Lakes water system. Deckhands pull heavy steel cables to tie up the boat to docks, sweep the decks, paint, and shovel excess coal into the cargo hold during the loading process. "I grew up on a farm; I've always been dirty. Burgett said after boarding in St. Clair where the ship was offloading coal, they continued to Monroe where more coal was offloaded. The Kempfs won the trip in an auction benefiting the March of Dimes this past winter. Mark is past Chairman of the board for Lake Carriers Association and he serves on the board of Moran Towing Corporation. The crew of the Paul R. Tregurtha had to pull a 360-degree maneuver on Friday morning when they learned the aerial lift bridge in Duluth, Minn., that they'd planned to go under had. ", People on board have invested their lives on the lakes, and while it's a different way of life, Denise says she wouldn't trade it for anything, "I figure these kids I am watching climb the ladder right now, one day some of them will be captains. She is the current Queen of the Lakes, an unofficial but widely recognized title given to the longest vessel active on the Great Lakes. This is the final trip for Captain Bob Thibaudeau, senior-most captain in his 42nd season sailing with Interlake. The groom, Gerald, was the Captain of the Tregurtha back in 1991. 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