Page 36 - 2011 Lake St. Clair Guide Magazine

Life onboard a great lakes
freighter…..

1000’ American Spirit

I finally met someone, who knew some- nation. The economy has affected the number of

one, that works on the freighters that ships passing, but also, there are less ships

pass through Lake St. Clair and up our As for a work schedule on the Great running because the ships are bigger and

rivers. I’ve been wishing to talk with Lakes freighters, it’s common to work 28 more efficient.

someone doing this for several years, days, then off for 14, or 60 days then off

and yes, it was as interesting as I had for 30 ...with three months off during the Seasoned veterans often work the same

hoped. winter months. The Great Lake’s freight- ship. Young guys like Dave get bumped

ers are typically laid up mid to late Janu- around more. In the last year on the Great

Here’s a glimpse of working on a freight- ary...it’s just not economical to run with Lakes, Dave has been on the 1000’ Amer-

er... For reference, they call them freight- the potential of the many ice and weather ican Spirit, 711’ Dorothy Ann Pathfinder,

ers too, or lakers, ships, and vessels. I delays. They generally start back up the and the 630’ Seabulk Energy. These

spoke with Dave Connell, an officer 3rd end of March. When you’re working the ships carry stone, taconite pellets (which

mate, who has worked several different Ocean, you see more resemble marbles

ships that pass us by. Dave is 24, single, of 60 days on/60 off, and then are

and resides in Harbor Beach, Michigan. or 90/90. So, there’s turned into steel

no going home when mostly for cars),

Dave in the Soo Locks you’re on, unless you The “Spirit” coal, and various
happen to live by one of liquid products
the ports. passing the from unleaded

gasoline to

When you’re off the “Gott” in Lake sludge which is
ship, you’re not work- St. Clair a junk liquid.
ing for the company, Besides working

so you catch up with the Great Lakes,

family and friends... Dave has done

but it’s not uncommon to be called back 90 days on the Pacific West Coast, Gulf

before your vacation time is up due to Coast, and through the Panama Canal.

companies trying to limit the amount of

employees on the payroll and a shortage Typically the 1000’ ships carry the same

Dave didn’t decide to work on ships right of not as many licensed and qualified cargo all the time and tend to be on

out of high school. He graduated from people. When he’s off, Dave’s an avid dedicated runs. The 600-700’ ships are

Ferris State with a Bachelors Degree in boater, hunter, and fisherman around the more work boats, get the “crappy docks”,

Business, and then thumb area...and and carry a variety of product. The 1000’

received his As- American Spirit Wheelhouse enjoys eating his American Spirit would generally load in
sociates in Applied mom’s cooking. Superior, WI or Duluth, MN and offload

Science from North- at steel mines

western Michigan The lower water in Detroit,

College. In 2010, levels tremendously Chicago,

he visited the Great affect the amounts or southern
Lake Erie Duluth
Lakes Maritime of cargo being
carried. For every ports. The
Academy and the inch of water lost, 711’ Path-

opportunities seemed you eliminate 1000 finder Dave

endless. Dave has tons of cargo. As was on in

done three - 90 day one day started from Stoneport (Alpena),

stints as a cadet our lake levels stopped in Marysville, Marine City, De-

through the Great normally drop
Lakes Maritime Academy, which is one of throughout the season, this loss in water troit, and Marblehead, OH (Cedar Pointe
Area). Continued on page 40.........
the six State Maritime Academy’s in the equates to about four more shiploads.

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