Page 41 - 2011 Lake St. Clair Guide Magazine
P. 41
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generally don’t lose any weight since they I know when we’ve boated on long If you want to be an officer, the
tend to have good spreads of food. You
also don’t wear uniforms and launder trips, or taken a cruise, it takes a few days easiest way is through the State Maritime
your own clothes on board.
before I stop rocking in my chair at home. Academies, and most require a Bachelor’s
Favorite site seeing areas on the Great
Lakes include the Southern Lake Superior Dave said it doesn’t bother him when he Degree. Working the freighters, how-
shoreline, Mackinaw area, eastern Lake
Michigan (dunes), and the high rises of gets off...obviously his equilibrium was ever, is not an easy profession to get into
cities.
built to because of the difficult lifestyle
Dave’s never seen a whale or a UFO,
but he has seen Eagles in the St. Mary’s be a sea- you need to adapt to and the
River, and when he sees other boats troll-
ing and catching fish he wants to jump man. many hoops the Coast Guard
overboard and join them. He has seen
meteor showers, falling stars, and water Dave puts you through to get your
spouts. Dave’s also seen a flash here and
there from girls on boats, as well as see- said that license. If you aspire to being
ing a “couple coupling” once.
most a captain, it is just time and at
Approaching the Mackinac Bridge
crew least 10 years experience to run
at Sunrise
really your own ship. If someone is
don’t interested in working on the
like Passing Mackinac Island with Great Lakes freighters Dave
their the “Grand Hotel” in View suggests visiting the Seafarers
job but International Union in Algo-
realize nac, the Great Lakes Maritime
it is a Academy in Traverse City, or
job and that the money they make aboard there’s plenty of information online.
a ship is much better than any other job I asked Dave if there’s a signal a boater
they could work. For "mate" officers, can give a captain to make him blow the
the common pay may be around $10,000 horn like a trucker? He said it depends
a month. The time away from families on the mood the captain is in. Sometimes
and more fun things in life add up when just simple waving of the arms or the
you’re onboard for such long periods trucker whistle signal is common, some
making for bad morale sometimes. You captains love blowing the whistle... some
go through stretches. Some say the only are grumpy old men.
good time is when they are leaving for Thanks for sharing Dave...we'll
vacation. It’s definitely not a job for watch for you on Lake St. Clair!
everyone. Some guys have 30 years in;
some are done after five years.
The author, publisher, or seller assumes no liability with respect to the use of information contained herein. Page 41
