Living on a Great Lakes Freighter | Great Lakes Now

Board a vessel in the Welland Canal, the series of locks that allow ships to bypass Niagara Falls, and travel with the captain and crew into the stunning Thousand Islands region east of Lake Ontario.
This segment was produced by WPBS-TV in Watertown, New York.
In this segment from partner station WPBS-TV in New York, Great Lakes Now introduces you to the men who work on board.
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[@danielpenkoff688]

Hello to our brothers and sisters from Canada. Thanks to all of the mariners who provide such a critical service. We are in your debt. Be safe and stay warm out there. Dan. Benton Harbor, MI.

[@losgatosboi9880]

Now, I ain't from Canada. I am, however, from Wisconsin, so technically, we're from the same area. I hope to work on one of these freighters, and I hope that I don't die on one. If I do, that's technically an honor.

[@30AndHatingIt]

My grandfather had a 35 year career on the Great Lakes working for Kinsman, holding the rank of First Mate and retiring as one of the most loved and respected guys in the fleet. His last vessel, the Kinsman Independent is STILL in service today as the Ojibway. Since the 20th anniversary of his passing. I have been wanting to try for a job on his old ship, or another, or at the very least take a ride on it. I have had zero luck fulfilling any of these dreams though...

[@neilmaccanbell9813]

Very cool...hi I worked at heddle marine services in Hamilton Ontario during her complete refit from when it was the voyager independent=it was very blue and white lol we pulled the boiler dropped a locomotive engine in reworked the cargo holds new lighting tons of cable a new instrument cluster in wheelhouse and a slew of other upgrades the cheif engineer was on site the whole refit nice bunch had breakfast in the galley on her departure day from the shipyard

[@Graveyardsfromthepast]

@@neilmaccanbell9813 DILF

[@Babyblue3333]

I’ve worked on the Ojibway she’s a small Diesel electric propulsion vessel

[@The_ZeroLine]

He was one of the least respected men in the fleet. I remember the time he had drained too much of his flask and threw a shipmate’s dog over the side of our vessel for no reason.

[@lisakoby849]

My son's worked at Van Buren Ark port authority for 11 years couldn't be prouder.

[@lmf0114]

You people are amazing! Thank you!

[@barques95]

These guys remind me of the Bob Dylan lyric, "been here so long, I forgot what it was I came here to get away from."

[@lmf0114]

I like the fact that you showed us what sacrifice can give. Too many people have no concept of sacrifice. Everyone wants it now! No patience.No hard work. No sacrificing to get to the point of success. I truly admire that gift in everyone of you fine men. Thank you!

[@LadyMarie880]

I watch you all on camera on the St Clair River. I so appreciate you all for making this video awesome. Jump on chat and say hello . ALGONAC, MARINE CITY and PORT HURON ... STLive thankyou for your time Safe travels BE Well

[@lmf0114]

WOW!!! I AM IMPRESSED BY YOUR JOBS!

[@kiloechocharlie1342]

Excellent introduction to life and work on the Lakes...

[@papabits5721]

Sailers are the nicest people in the world

[@loricharpentier1654]

A very interesting video. Stay safe guys! Lori, from Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

[@leskobrandon9865]

Great Lakes Now please take/ show video from the engine room gangway door. Educate people as to what a "following sea" looks like. There is nothing quite like looking out that porthole during a storm or large swells of November, December, and January. Thank You.

[@rottenroads1982]

I say, the St Lawrence Seaway and the Welland Canal should be widened so that larger ships can pass through.

[@papabits5721]

Sweet water sailors are the nicest people in the world

[@vernwallen4246]

Until you loan them money.😂😂😂

[@niagarascenes]

Enjoyed the video immensely, very informative to see how the crew lives on a laker

[@mcposcottpugh5138]

I agree, great video. I searched the channel for the first episode, but had no luck. Is it named something different?

[@GreatLakesNow]

@@mcposcottpugh5138 Thanks for your interest! It may be easier from our main page - and the playlists view has all the episodes grouped - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4fPmISpdpmNe6M

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

I just found this channel and i want to thank you for the content because i have enjoyed watching it and i have saved it to watch more videos you make in the future

[@jeffsutton950]

I use to live in sault ste marie Ontario and use to love watching the lakers come up bound and down bound

[@davidwadsworth8982]

Crew living conditions on a bulk freighter are so far ahead and better than crew living on a cruise ship. I have done both. And the food to me is also better,not as many options,but better larger portions, better prepared, and roomier dining room.

[@johnthomson8332]

I would love to be a captain too, except for the going down with the ship part.

[@richardterry3833]

If the captains wrecks the ship, he damn well better go down with it.

[@johnthomson8332]

@@richardterry3833 F that, if everyone gets of the ship I'm goin too

[@mysticwine]

Wear a life jacket.

[@danbasta3677]

Believe me, being a ships master, is very much a hard job to do. He may be a Captain who is well seasoned for the job, however considering that the Lakes turn from serine to violent in a matter of seconds, all the responsibility of both the ship and your crew is at stake, and those responsibilities aren't taken very lightly. It is said that because of the strain these Ships Captains go through, you DON'T want to go near them, you avoid them as they already have enough on their minds just being the Captain, trying to make sure that everything goes smooth sailing from start to finish.

[@Dave-co1cv]

🤣😅😂

[@danbasta3677]

I wanted to get a job doing this when I got out of high school. Didn't get to, and was disappointed not getting the job. It was an interst, still an interst of mine to this very day.

[@30AndHatingIt]

Where did you try? I've been entertaining the same idea myself.

[@jimheckert5383]

Great video. Thanks

[@hedhtr4]

My Dad was born in Westlyville and was a fisherman until immigrating to the US

[@vgovger4373]

It's all wonderful until a storm buckles and twist the hull and you are to scared to sleep.

[@roseracing777]

That’s the fun part

[@jimmyboy131]

"This is where the fun begins!" Or "Now this is pod racing!"

[@mlwtennessee322]

This was so interesting! I'm curious as to whether women are allowed to work on freighters.

[@sarahbethsstitching9937]

Excellent

[@callistofluff]

Okay now I wanna actually go and work on a laker

[@vernwallen4246]

15 personnel on that freighter?They certainly have reduced the manning scale.⚓⚓⚓

[@raw1465]

because it's not necessary. its a large simple ship. not a complicated one.

[@billyboots3730]

The ship i work on only has 3 engineers, 3 officers, 2 wheelsman, 2 day workers, a cook and a captain.

[@lowellmiller6663]

Are there significant disadvantages with a forward Bridge?

[@Basskat100]

@Great Lakes Now, Very interesting. Are any of the Personnel on the freighters Military Reservist ? Such as Navy Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve ?

[@gwalker173]

They are merchant mariners and when you apply for your merchant mariner credentials you have to option to volunteer to be on call if a military emergency happened and they needed Mariners to man the liberty ships and cargo ships to transport military equipment. So they are civilians though could be used in times of war.

[@cleanwillie1307]

@@gwalker173 I believe the officers are often in a similar situation. Many have gotten their credentials through the US Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, NY and that entails service in case of conflict. It is a pretty sweet deal if you are inclined to sail in the merchant marine. One year when I sailed we had a young 3rd mate out of King's Point. I was in college and he was just a few years older than me. His plan was to work long enough to save enough money to buy a good size sailboat for cash and start a windjammer cruise business in the Caribbean. I believe he was looking at having all the money he needed to start the business before he was 30. At the time (early 70's) there was a shortage of mates and our boat (like others) was working the mates "6 and 6", 6 hours on 6 hours off. As a young guy in his mid 20s he was making around $100K per season while working 6 and 6, which was a shit-pile of money in those days. Those were the days when the rule of thumb was that if you earned your age in thousands you were considered to be doing pretty well. He was making about 4 times his age.

[@drfye]

A guy I know is a Canadian naval reservist who was also studying to work in the engineering department of cargo ships civy side which, I believe, he was doing when not sailing for the RCN. Though I'm not sure if he worked on the lakes or crossing the Ocean.

[@JamesRendek]

When does the Wellerman come?

[@Dailyfiver]

Man, I have been working 50 hour weeks at a desk for the last 3 years and I have been thinking about doing a job like this for a while now. I’ve always loved Lake Michigan and I’d like to relocate out there and do something that gets me on my feet. What should I look into for training and stuff?

[@shirleybalinski4535]

Saw you request about working on a Laker in the Great Lakes. Contact the Seafarers Union International or Maritime Service. Not sure where you live there maybe an employment Hall in your area. Also look on the internet.

[@adamwiggins9865]

They didn’t show the galley or the type of meals they eat

[@samreynolds3789]

GO BLUE. Muslim fron Detroit . Now live by Atlantic Ocean. Water EVERYWHERE, I GO 😅😂👍

[@samreynolds3789]

Dad was a Navy SeaBee, W W 2

[@markframe6457]

I new I should have taken the job on the boat

[@csapvt1987]

Can someone please direct me or help me get information on how to get a job on a Great Lakes freighter? I will take any job...hopefully someone can help me out it has been a lifelong dream ever since I learned of freighters on the Great Lakes

[@thomas1910]

Are you Canadian?

[@SunnyBeeKangarooney]

Check out MITAGS in Linthicum Heights. They run 2 year programs for deckie officers and engine/deckie hands. They've got a school east & west coast.

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

It’s a different life. It’s not for the delicately nurtured.

[@bluestarindustrialarts7712]

What does the Captain and the 2nd and 3rd mate earn in a year I wonder?

[@windermere2330]

What do they do in the winter? Do they avoid the Great Lakes area because of ice? Do they do transatlantic routes instead or something?

[@jeb5377]

I think they take the ice breakers out to clear some paths but dont quote me on that

[@judyscheiber3661]

Google it, Michelle. The only break the Lakers take is from Jan 15 to March 25 when the Soo Locks are inspected and repaired. Ice doesn't stop them. The US Coast Guard has ice breakers. If you research this topic, there is an enormous amount of info.

[@Dave-co1cv]

I could never work any job that keeps me around only other men for weeks at a time, let alone months at time.

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

They're all Newfies. Hilarious. The only Great Lakes mariner I know, a retired ship's master, is originally from Newfoundland too...

[@billyboots3730]

You wouldnt believe the amount of newfies on lakers

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

@@billyboots3730 I believe you. It makes sense ... proud seafaring tradition and all.

[@MusingMageofDisney]

Definitely hearing some Scottish descent in their accents

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

@@MusingMageofDisney Irish. Don't think there were a whole lot of Scots on the Rock. Irish, English, French and aboriginals.

[@MusingMageofDisney]

@@PrenticeBoy1688 ah.

[@pfaffdaddy169]

Paul Miller made captain he is captain on the csl Paul Martin

[@dustins.97]

Grew up right next to Lake Erie, it gets sketchy as fuck. Prolly cuz it’s so damn shallow

[@1USACitizen192]

Do these ships have torpedos to fire at icebergs?

[@maoama]

Sounds pretty miserable from their takes on it. Little forced happiness there. Would have been nice to see what they do loading or unloading. What the pay is like. Even the food.

[@philliphampton5183]

I didn't get that at all. They just seemed understated and humble like most Canadians I know. From what I've seen, at least on the US side of things deckhands make upwards of 60,000 in a season, on a 60 days on 30 days off schedule. That sounds pretty damn good to me.

[@snek616]

I feel like being on sea legs for so long wouldn't be pleasant

[@robinhartley4422]

I sailed for 16 years the great lakes and with that Captain to on the CSL whitefish bay, yes it all seems nice and wonderful but this is all scripted, not the truth it is hard as hell and 98% of officers are assholes and love to make you feel like losers because they have strips on thier shoulders. Also leaving your family is like getting your heart ripped out of you and when your children don't recognize you when you go on vacation....the best thing i did was leaving sailing for good, never will i set foot on a ship again even a cruise ship.

[@asphaltcowboy11keleman55]

Everyone seems socially awkward 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@cleanwillie1307]

Back in the 70's I worked on US Steel's Great Lakes Fleet boats for 4 summers while in college. I would have to agree with your observation to a large degree. I am not sure if the relatively isolated nature of the occupation makes some people more awkward over time or whether the relative isolation of the occupation attracts those who are already somewhat awkward. That said, it is not a blanket statement that applies to everyone and it in no way impugns the character or work ethic of those who do the job. I worked with any number of knowledgeable, hardworking, and genuinely nice people who just didn't fit in well in land jobs and found a niche that worked for them. On one boat I worked with a guy who probably had an IQ of 85-90 and had been sailing for 30 years or so. He could be pretty volatile but he was very nice if he liked you. He had a brother who looked out for his interests on land and apparently he was actually quite wealthy. He made pretty good money, hardly spent anything and his brother had invested his money in a diversified portfolio of stock, bonds, and real estate. No way he could have done anything like that on land.

[@Jasonhb07]

@@cleanwillie1307 Most of the folks interviewed here seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs on this ship. That's saying a lot considering a lot of land folks are not satisfied with their work and have simply "settled." So long as you are happy I suppose.

[@billysm8]

End comment by the captain, is basically, "it's shit and not worth it". You are sacrificing alot of your life for a pay check at 50, that you could get at 30 in sales :)

[@richardterry3833]

I retired in 2012 and averaged $140k American my last 6 years for 6 months work. YOU WILL NOT MAKE THAT IN SALES!!!

[@georgehughes255]

Why do the great lakes freighters have two separate horn ?

[@georgehughes255]

Gg