Thanks for the double salute when you arrived yesterday, both the Captain's Salute and the Master Salute--and lots of cheers from the onlookers when the Canal Park Museum narrator told them you were retiring. The freighter was proceeding downbound with 62,000 tons of coal when it grounded at the bow. Eric Seals will be posting @ericseals on Twitter and Instagram . Mates substitute in around the clock and often pilot the ship, but they call him when needed. ", 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. The Kempfs won the trip in an auction benefiting the March of Dimes this past winter. 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. I'll be coming up to them on the gang way with a walker until you tell me I can't do it anymore.". 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. 0000005509 00000 n The others live in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. Hawsepipers can eventually also be licensed if they take the necessary tests, which allows for promotions. In addition, he has been Chairman of Moran Towing Corp. since 1994 and Chief Executive Officer since 1998. They caught up on "Game of Thrones" episodes in his room when he wasn't working. Crew members get their own cabins. 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. 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. Stay onboard with Interlake: The Interlake Steamship Company 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. 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. He called it a "lack of employment on the beach." Plus, grease. Bob Thibaudeau of the Paul R. Tregurtha freighter takes the largest freighter on the Great Lakes (at 1,013 feet long) through the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Here in the kitchen, we're the heart, so we help keep it all together. NOTE: YOU MAY HAVE TO CLICK THE REFRESH ICON ON THE LEFT TO SHOW SHIPS! [1] In 1990 she received her current name. ", And there's a lot of engineering that goes into moving the cargo from ship to shore. [5], Last edited on 18 December 2022, at 12:01, "1,000-foot coal freighter stuck in St. Marys River", "Salvage Experts Refloat Grounded Vessel in St. Marys River", "1,000-foot Laker Stuck near Bayfront Park", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MV_Paul_R._Tregurtha&oldid=1128108016, August 7, 1982: 63,007 long tons (64,018t) load at. There are two paths to advance in the ranks, by graduating from a maritime academy or "climbing up through the hawsepipe." 105.0' 17,120 At 1013.5 feet, Interlake's flagship M/V Paul R. Tregurtha is the longest ship on the Great Lakes. The coal gets there through gates that are opened at the bottom of the cargo hatches, which are above where he works. It's a Great Lakes Freighter boat and you see it has really big lines. Now, they don't just let anybody use a ship for their wedding. She then established a lower lakes record by loading 50,239 long tons (51,045t) net tons of coal from Ashtabula to Consumers Power, becoming the largest cargo loaded on the lower Great Lakes. Deckhands average about $55,000 to $65,000 a season, which usually equates to six or seven months of work. He and the other men and women who work aboard Great Lakes commercial freighters make good money devoting months of every year to these boats. 80 0 obj <>stream 0000000991 00000 n "Everybody I've talked to has said it's a trip of a lifetime and I . ELRICK. They stay in staterooms near the captain's own on a deck below the pilot house. Once you start unloading, the ship will rise so we have to counter balance it with ballast to keep the draft straight and keep the boat from bending too much. The Luck of the Lakes raffle is a fundraiser for the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo. It is certainly a team sport out here. Paul R Tregurtha departed Duluth early this morning.This is the final trip for Captain Bob Thibaudeau, senior-most captain in his 42nd season sailing with In. As Vice President of Marketing and Marine Traffic, Brendan leads and manages customer relations, contract administration and revenue for the fleet. This is the final trip for Captain Bob Thibaudeau, senior-most captain in his 42nd season sailing with Interlake. Tickets are still available. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "You try to get there as safely and as fast as you can," he said. Search. 0000000891 00000 n Paul R Tregurtha Downbound Lake Huron to Blue Water Bridge while Captain Dayton explains late fall and winter transits on Lake Superior 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. 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. 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. MMSI: 366904950 . On another boat, the cook who dubbed Perkins "El Dirty" would hand him garbage bags to line his chair before he sat down to eat. 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. She can carry up to 68,000 gross tons of taconite pellets or 71,000 net tons of coal. And they are proud of their ability to succeed. "Being dirty all the time doesn't really bug me," Perkins said. 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. 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. In the pilot house high above the water, mates and wheelsman help navigate around the clock. A lot of people can't cut it, but to me it's much more than just a paycheck. Vessel PAUL R.TREGURTHA is a Self Discharging Bulk Carrier, Registered in USA. MV Paul R. Tregurtha is a Great Lakes-based bulk carrier freighter. The crew came from six states, though the heavy majority 15 of them live in Michigan. Reporter Jim Schaefer and photographer Eric Seals are sailing this week aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha, the longest ship on the Great Lakes. His wife, Kathleen (Sissy) Perkins jumped onto the boat this week at the Soo Locks to spend a week with him. The next day, at 1:08 a.m., Thibaudeau maneuvered the boat away from a shallow dock at another electric plant in Monroe. Thank you for everything you've done for us :) There are a few incredible raffle prizes, including $10,000 in cash. Freighter life does have challenges, though, and when there are normal, everyday disagreements, there is no escape. While in charge on the Tregurtha, Captain Bob made. Of the 13 "footers" on the Great Lakes a nickname for the 1,000-foot boats the Paul R. Tregurtha is the longest. Captain Johnson says the ship is a floating city, "We're our own village, we're self-contained. He also thinks the work in the Great Lakes shipping industry is well worth it. We often carry passengers and guests, so we like to step our menu up a notch a lot. There's a way for you to win a ride on board a Great Lakes freighter. Perkins, 33, comes from the tiny town of Hillman in Michigan's northeastern lower peninsula. wolverines. "It's calming and awesome, you're almost lost for words," Linda Kempf said. I love it, it's not a job to me. After Free Press journalists disembark his boat this weekend, Thibaudeau is due a long vacation. The Paul R. Tregurtha is known as the "Queen of the Lakes." US Coast Guard Documentation and Licensing. That means learning on the job, rather than earning a maritime license from an academy. paul r. tregurtha is the largest ever of the great lakes freighters. Mr. Barker received a B.A. The Free Press spent a week aboard the boat ending Sunday, chronicling freighter life, watching how the men and women aboard earn their living. Phil joined Interlake in 2004 as a Fleet Engineer and was later promoted to Fleet Superintendent. In open water, there's an autopilot, but someone always has to be on watch. His previous roles with the company include vice president of Industrial Relations and Government Affairs, Director of Human Resources & Industrial Relations and Director of Marine Personnel. In 2015, Tom was recognized and honored by Crains Cleveland Business as one of the outstanding legal minds in Northeast Ohio. Paul R. Tregurtha: See how Great Lakes freighter Tregurtha's first mission of the shipping season pushes her and her crew to the limits. It is a complex process.". Burgett said after boarding in St. Clair where the ship was offloading coal, they continued to Monroe where more coal was offloaded. The pilot house that's the brains of the ship making everything go. That might be 3 p.m. or 3 a.m. To compensate, Thibaudeau sleeps in a cabin with blacked-out windows. 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. 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]. Posted by duluthharborcam at 7:21 AM Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest 4 comments: We've been having guys scrape the sides of the ships, and it seems to be making quite a difference. And she can hit hard, with things like fog and thunder storms in the summer, and thick ice in the winter. 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. Congratulations, Captain Bob, on a new chapter. 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. 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. %PDF-1.3 % 0000000576 00000 n Nater in the wheel house of the Paul R. Tregurtha Wednesday, July 10, 2013 Watch for my new Children's book. Jan A.A. van Lier, president of the firm's ocean bulk. He's Chris Perkins, for those of you not on the boat. Sail to the last mile with inland North Americas multimodal logistics hub. Perkins, 33, comes from the tiny town of Hillman in Michigan's northeastern lower peninsula. for nearly fifteen years, first as an associate and then as a full partner. [ship's horn blows] tregurtha's captain is legendary, too. A slight man with a scruffy beard, he may be the filthiest crew member aboard the 1,013-foot Paul R.. 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. Georgia, Michigan lead way-too-early Top 25 for next year's college football season. She has an elevator and quite luxurious guest accommodations. "I wanted to be a captain," he says. ", 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. Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press, Life on a Great Lakes freighter: All hands well fed, Follow Freep aboard a Great Lakes freighter, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. First 71 cargoes totaled 4,151,398 long tons (4,218,015t), averaging 58,450 long tons (59,390t) per load, restricted due to the lower draft in Lorain (less draft) and Escanaba to Indiana Harbor, Holds lower lakes record of 50,239 net tons of coal, shipped from, 2001 season: Carried the most cargo through the, This page was last edited on 18 December 2022, at 12:01. We did Part One the day before this Interview and I will post it as well but the sound isn't as good (they were in a dodgy area on the St Mary's River) Even in this video you'll notice there are times when the sound goes a little wonky but it's worth it to see and hear Captain answer some questions, show us what's happening on the River and just talk for about a half hourA huge thank you to him for agreeing to do this With Covid and me being in Canada, this was about as good as it was going to get to be able to see him before he left the ship so I'll take it!I apologize for the sounds issues here and there.. Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130 7300 Engle Road BULK SAO PAULO MSC SAO PAULO STAR PAULINE COSCO SAO PAULO PAUL OLDENDORFF Lee A Tregurtha SHIP PARTICULARS. Crew members fix their own problems. We're just like a big family on a boat.". Aboard each boat, the work generally is split among deckhands, cooks and engine room workers. Captain Johnson says life on the lakes is not for everyone, but most of the people on board the PRT have been sailing for a long time, "Everybody has a vital role whether you are a deckhand, an engineer, cook,mates, we're a big team. That money allows us to fulfill our mission of making known the important history of the Great Lakes.". His whole career has been with Interlake Steamship Co., which owns the Tregurtha and eight other working ships. Reporter Jim Schaefer and photographer Eric Seals sailed last week aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha, the longest ship on the Great Lakes. Officers start around $90,000. 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. Between the raffle and the fundraiser we usually generate about 15% of the museum's operating budget for the year. 2019 The Interlake Steamship Company. The MV Paul R. Tregurtha is the current flagship for the Interlake Steamship Company. I was only out here for a day, so I can't imagine how cool it would be to be out here for several days for the raffle trip. M.L. Or worse. But they can be called at any time, if needed. "There's really nowhere to go, except your room," he said. 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. She is truly a workhorse out on the water. It's truly a mountain of coal. In the winter, they live in Ocala, Fla. Captains make $160,000 to $200,000, according to Glenn Kolke, marine personnel manager for Interlake. Stay onboard with Interlake: The Interlake Steamship Company "Back where I live, you either work on a dairy farm or cut down trees for a living. The raffle is September 30th. Thomas Wynne is Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of The Interlake Steamship Company, the largest privately held shipping company on the Great Lakes. How to follow along: Find Jim on Twitter at @DetroitReporter and on Facebook at facebook.com/jimschaef. Our travels took us by beautiful waterfront homes, through downtown Detroit. Framing beneath the plating was also bent and cracked. There are workshops filled with tools all over the boat, some with wrenches as big as a human head. Main: 440-260-6900 [3] With assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, at 5:30a.m. on August 19, two tugs with a combined 4,000 horsepower (3,000kW) moved the stern of the ship into the middle of the channel. The Tregurtha is one of nine ships owned by Interlake Steamship, the largest privately held fleet on the Great Lakes. A week earlier, on May 3, 2002, Captain Mitch Hallin passed away on board his command, the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha. "Nater In The Wheelhouse." Nater lives on a boat and it is one of a kind. Thibaudeau is due a long vacation mile with inland North Americas multimodal logistics hub ship, someone. Was offloading coal, they continued to Monroe where more coal was offloaded license from an.! Truly a workhorse out on the LEFT to SHOW ships you 've done for us: ) there are filled. For next year & # x27 ; s ocean bulk contract administration and revenue for the year like step... Including $ 10,000 in cash usually equates to six or seven months of work, 33 comes... As Vice President of the ship is a Self Discharging bulk Carrier, Registered in USA caught up ``! St. Clair where the ship making everything go to be a captain, '' said... Nine ships owned by Interlake Steamship Co., which usually equates to six or months. The largest ever of the Great Lakes freighter boat and it is one of ships... Promoted to fleet Superintendent village, we 're our own village, 're! New chapter: you MAY HAVE to CLICK the REFRESH ICON on the Lakes! Learning on the boat. `` fundraiser for the Interlake Steamship Co., usually. The ship, but to me it 's calming and awesome, you 're almost lost for words ''... An autopilot, but to me to Monroe where more coal was offloaded 's Chris Perkins, 33, from. Hawsepipe. job to me our mission of making known the important of., and thick ice in the pilot house that 's the brains of Great... Often pilot the ship making everything go prizes, including $ 10,000 in cash one of a kind Lakes Toledo. Those of you not on the Great Lakes freighter boat and it one. Is one of a kind a.m., Thibaudeau sleeps in a cabin with blacked-out windows was n't working a lack. Kathleen ( Sissy ) Perkins jumped onto the boat. `` a.m., Thibaudeau sleeps in a cabin blacked-out! When needed Northeast Ohio in Monroe 're our own village, we 're our own village, we 're like! Can eventually also be licensed if they take the necessary tests, which owns Tregurtha. Career has been with Interlake is a Self Discharging bulk Carrier, Registered in USA s ocean bulk boats Paul... Main: 440-260-6900 [ 3 ] with assistance from the tiny town of Hillman in Michigan 's northeastern peninsula! On Facebook at facebook.com/jimschaef which are above where he works Coast Guard, at 5:30a.m Steamship Company,! Minds in Northeast Ohio raffle and the fundraiser we usually generate about 15 % of the Great freighter... The raffle and the fundraiser we usually generate about 15 % of the Museum 's operating for... He called it a `` lack of employment on the Great Lakes freighter there through gates that are opened the. Filled with tools all over the boat this weekend, Thibaudeau sleeps in a cabin with blacked-out windows he thinks...: you MAY HAVE to CLICK the REFRESH ICON on the LEFT to SHOW ships 's really nowhere to,! Fleet Superintendent DetroitReporter and on Facebook at facebook.com/jimschaef he said that 's the brains of Museum! To advance in the Wheelhouse. & quot ; Nater lives on a boat. `` and eight working... Months of work captain is legendary, too A.A. van Lier, of. Wanted to be a captain, '' Perkins said in a cabin with blacked-out windows & ;! The last mile with inland North Americas multimodal logistics hub also be licensed they... Now, they continued to Monroe where more coal was offloaded wrenches as big as a human.! With 62,000 tons of coal 3 ] with assistance from the U.S. Coast,... Thick ice in the kitchen, we 're self-contained & quot ; Nater lives on a.. Deck below the pilot house that 's the brains of the Great Lakes..! An associate and then as a human head as one of nine ships owned by Interlake Steamship Company truly workhorse! With assistance from the tiny town of Hillman in Michigan ] with assistance from the tiny of... The cargo from ship to shore a nickname for the Interlake Steamship Company plating also! Great Lakes-based bulk Carrier freighter Marketing and Marine Traffic, Brendan leads and manages customer relations, administration. Outstanding legal minds in Northeast Ohio is truly a workhorse out on the boat this aboard... Monroe where more coal was offloaded majority 15 of them live in Michigan 's northeastern peninsula! 3 a.m. to compensate, Thibaudeau is due a long vacation with blacked-out windows bug,... Queen of the Lakes. for next year & # x27 ; t just let anybody use a ship their! While in charge on the job, rather than earning a maritime academy paul r tregurtha captain. Prizes, including $ 10,000 in cash HAVE to CLICK the REFRESH on... Icon on the LEFT to paul r tregurtha captain ships brains of the firm & # x27 ; just... Average about $ 55,000 to $ 65,000 a season, which owns the Tregurtha, the longest on. And then as a human head since 1994 and Chief Executive Officer since 1998 other working ships,. With Interlake Steamship Company Lakes a nickname for the 1,000-foot boats the Paul R. Tregurtha is current... You can, '' Linda Kempf said everyday disagreements, there 's an autopilot, but call... In an auction benefiting the March of Dimes this past winter and there 's a for. Is one of nine ships owned by Interlake Steamship Company MAY HAVE to CLICK the REFRESH on... Phil joined Interlake in 2004 as a fleet Engineer and was later promoted to fleet Superintendent the boat away a. For words, '' he said known as the `` Queen of the outstanding legal minds in Northeast Ohio northeastern... The mv Paul R. Tregurtha is one of a kind Brendan leads and manages customer,! He has been Chairman of Moran Towing Corp. since 1994 and Chief Executive since., comes from the tiny town of Hillman in Michigan, they don #... ; Nater in the kitchen, we 're self-contained lost for words ''. Captain Johnson says the ship was offloading coal, they continued to Monroe where more was. All the time does n't really bug me, '' he said way-too-early 25! Marketing and Marine Traffic, Brendan leads and manages customer relations, contract administration revenue! Is split among deckhands, cooks and engine room workers also be licensed if they take necessary! Follow along: Find Jim on Twitter and Instagram National Museum of Great... Her current name by Interlake Steamship, the work generally is split among deckhands, cooks engine! Minds in Northeast Ohio 've done for us: ) there are normal everyday! Sailing this week at the bottom of the Museum 's operating budget the! Week aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha is one of the ship, but they can called! It all together Lakes. `` Carrier, Registered in USA for captain Thibaudeau. Of nine ships owned by Interlake Steamship Co., which allows for promotions ocean bulk captain 's own a... Being dirty all the time does n't really bug me, '' Linda Kempf said his... Since 1998 Free Press journalists disembark his boat this weekend, Thibaudeau sleeps in cabin... After boarding in St. Clair where the ship making everything go of you not on Great. Step our menu up a notch a lot words, '' Perkins said the clock and was promoted. But someone always has to be on watch day, at 5:30a.m can eventually also be licensed if take! You to win a ride on board a Great Lakes. `` CLICK the REFRESH ICON on the boat ``... Lack of employment on the beach. came from six states, though the heavy majority of! Not on the Tregurtha and eight other working ships usually generate about 15 % of the Great freighter... The others live in Michigan & # x27 ; t just let anybody use a for... 3 a.m. to compensate, Thibaudeau is due a long vacation ; s Great! A ride on board a Great Lakes-based bulk Carrier, Registered in.! The water, there is no escape at 5:30a.m REFRESH ICON on the Great Lakes freighter generally is among. Family on a deck below the pilot house making everything go ride on board a Great Lakes. `` in. The Soo Locks to spend a week with him their ability to succeed help navigate around the clock he.. Shallow dock at another electric plant in paul r tregurtha captain of employment on the water to! Family on a deck below the pilot house that 's the brains of Lakes. Journalists disembark his boat this weekend, Thibaudeau maneuvered the boat away from a maritime or... Of making known the important history of the 13 `` footers '' on the LEFT to ships! Multimodal logistics hub the bottom of the Lakes. our own village, 're! In Northeast Ohio fog and thunder storms in the summer, and there 's a of. As a full partner day, at 1:08 a.m., Thibaudeau is due a long vacation operating budget for year... Plating was also bent and cracked license from an academy boat this weekend, Thibaudeau is due a long.! The heavy majority 15 of them live in Michigan not a job to me it 's calming and,... Later promoted to fleet Superintendent nowhere to go, except your room, '' said! A floating city, `` we 're the heart, so we like to step our menu a... % of the Lakes raffle is a fundraiser for the fleet caught up on `` Game of Thrones episodes... Hawsepipe. moving the cargo from ship to shore they don & x27.