Tour of a working tug on the Great Lakes! The Heritage Marine Tug Helen H! May 1 2021

I was very fortunate today to run into Mike Ojard and get a tour of the Helen H! One of their 3 tugs in the Heritage Fleet. I have previously done a tour of the Edward H when it was in Two Harbors, I will put the link to that video at the end of the description.
Mike gives us a very thorough tour of the Helen, we learn who the tugs are named after, engine info, just about everything you can wonder in my opinion.
I had a great time spending some of the afternoon with Mike and the Helen H.
A little info on the vessel:
The Helen H. was built in 1967 by Bludworth Shipyard of Houston, TX as the W. Douglas Masterson for M.E. Kuebler. The Masterson was later acquired by Bay Houston Towing, who kept her name. In 1987 the tug was repowered. Heritage Marine of Duluth, MN purchased the W. Douglas Masterson in 2011. She came to the Great Lakes and was renamed Helen H. later that year.
Helen H. keeps busy in the Duluth-Superior harbor assisting ships, towing, and breaking ice.
Type: Single Screw Tugboat
Year Built: 1967
Builder: Bludworth Shipyard, Houston, TX
Hull No.: 69
Horsepower: 1,700 bhp
Length: 82′ 03″
Breadth: 26′ 08″
Depth: 10′ 05″
Port of Registry: Knife River, MN
Link to Fleetmate, Edward H video: • Tour of a working tug ...

[@karenbrakefield9086]

My gosh that head is spotless! In fact the entire boat is very clean.

[@PaulScinocca]

He does keep his boats clean!

[@Rob_Moilanen]

I love listening to the Laker old timers talk, those 5 lakes can be every bit as treacherous as any of the world's 5 oceans.

[@MojoDevirus]

She's a beauty. Thank you sir for the tour. =)

[@PaulScinocca]

My pleasure!!

[@johnschulte5820]

Nice tour, I wouldn't have thought there was that much room on a tug.

[@PaulScinocca]

Me neither, amazing use of space!

[@johnwright291]

My 90 foot tug that was built in 1919 of Iron had a V12 567 EMD rated at 1200 HP. They are a pleasure to work on. Each cylinder is like a separate engine. You can rebuild them a cylinder at a time. This engine in the video I believe is a V16 645. Meaning it is 645 cubic inches per cylinder. Whats known as a pack is the head, cylinder liner, piston and rod which can be removed as one piece.

[@fredogden936]

Wow! What a privilege to tour the boat with someone who as taken care of the for decades. It's evident the boat and the man are integral parts of each other.

[@PastorwithoutaPulpit]

It is good to see vessels where you can tell the owner and his family actually care about them. Even though this is a purely work vessel and I'm sure they work her hard they also make sure to take care of her. I'd say the overall condition of this Tug is far above many you'll see built in the same era if they are even still afloat let alone still working. My hats off to this owner for how well he maintains his fleet... Fair winds, following seas, safe travels and God Bless...

[@topturretgunner]

That was a really interesting tour. I've never been aboard a Tug much less been below deck. the engine room was really cool. That is definitely a working vessel. Thank you Paul for an informative and interesting tour.

[@PaulScinocca]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joopheim1406]

What a cool opportunity you provided us. Thank you, Paul.

[@PaulScinocca]

My pleasure!

[@brianshields7137]

Hi that was a nice tour of a lovely tug I've been on tugs for over 30 years my last tug was about that size and horsepower but twin screw 1000hp merlise Blackstone at 900 rpm producing 40 tone bollard pull via 2 x 8ft propellers in Korts nozel, I'm retired now but still can't get tugs out of the mind

[@joannsuggs1636]

This is very cool!! Thank you, Paul for showing us the many cool things, that most people don't get to see! Thank you Mike for the nice tour. God bless.

[@PaulScinocca]

My pleasure!!

[@josephmoylan9199]

I must agree as a guy that knows nothing of boats n tugs i loved the video guys thanks and great job. I ditto this persons comment for sure!! For 67 its in perfect shape

[@adriannegrillo8394]

That was great! Very informative and enjoyable! It's a lot roomier than I thought! He's a cool guy. Thanks to you both!

[@leftseat30]

Awesome! Grew up near Ashland, with the Air Guard in Duluth. Love going down to the harbor and checking out the ships! Certainly seen the tugs before, what an awesome tour! Thank you to all involved!

[@michaelwills7884]

As an old Detroit mech thanks for firing it up but really wish he would have fired the 645 c .

[@USAMontanan]

Nice tour of a nice old boat! Thanks to the Captain for letting us aboard!

[@chuckg6039]

Really like these informative and unique videos Paul. I enjoy learning about the out of the way marine happenings in your area. Keep up the great work.

[@PaulScinocca]

Glad you like them!

[@flyovercounty1427]

My son and I spent a day as guests aboard the tractor tug Seaspan Falcon in Vancouver harbour. Great memories. Thanks for this video.

[@randycoolbaugh1408]

This video is worth its weight in gold to us scale modelers. Thank you!! love it!

[@frankpeck1448]

Thank you, Paul, for a great and informative tour!

[@PaulScinocca]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rp1645]

Thank you for your Tour of an old but great working tug boat. Never heard of the "Term" CRAP ZAPPER. Nice!!! What an amazing Tug boat. You Rock for videoing the work Horse.

[@gwest3523]

My late father was a captain with the Upper Mississippi Towing Company on the ICW. He unfortunately left us suddenly and he’s dearly missed. I sincerely enjoy your videos as I’m able to somewhat reconnect with him. I’m currently in The Puget Sound aboard a Grand Banks 42. I have high admiration for all of your work and the passion you have for it. Well done Paul and continued thanks. Peace.

[@ErintheLiLBucK]

This is so neat, wow! Appreciate the work you do so people get to see these kinds of personal views. It was nice to meet you a few weeks back when the Anderson came in and see first hand how you get such great shots. Thanks for the tour! ☮️

[@PaulScinocca]

Thank you so much!

[@alvan4080]

Great video Paul- never saw the inside of a tug ,couldn’t believe how clean that engine room was, the whole rebuild was pretty impressive

[@PaulScinocca]

Glad you enjoyed it, Mike keeps a clean fleet!

[@daviddunn5264]

Awesome video, thanks to both of you !!!

[@PaulScinocca]

Thank you too!

[@toomanywaystofall]

that was a cool tour...

[@PaulScinocca]

Thanks! It was very nice of Mike to get me on board!

[@pointingdog7235]

Thank you for posting this. It was very interesting.

[@donrobertson4611]

That was a treat, thanks Paul (and Mike)! The engine room - and entire boat - was immaculate. I wish I could speak Norwegian...

[@PaulScinocca]

He does keep them all spiffy!

[@roberthagberg5482]

Thank you Paul for the tour of the tug. My parents were originaly from Bayfield, WI. My summer vacations were in Bayfield with a side trip up to Enger park in Duluth to look at the train yards n trains. I never even thought of all the boats coming into Duluth. Thank you again.

[@PaulScinocca]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@triciadantoni2667]

I really enjoy all of this! Paul very awesome!! Thanks 😊

[@PaulScinocca]

Glad you liked it thanks !

[@nightengale7163]

What a treat! Loved the tour of this beauty 👍 What I wouldn't give to sail with them for a week. ⚓ Wonderful. Thank you! 🙂

[@PaulScinocca]

You and me both!

[@aspiceronni4462]

It's cool to see a Detroit 6-71 in a marine application.

[@chiefjohnsonBR549]

A great video and a great tour. Old equipment still working good because it's been Taken Care Of .

[@PaulScinocca]

It sure is

[@Buck1954]

When I was young I wanted to work on one of these. But there was a long line of union seamen in front of me, so I pursued something else. But have been interested in these work horses. I live near Houston, and it's wonderful to see a vessel built there back in the day.

[@woodnbikes]

Cool boat. Love these old great lakes vessels

[@MrRickoscar]

Very nice gentleman you interviewed.

[@GIGABACHI]

That's one big chunk of floating towing history. Thanks for sharing and thanks to the Captain(?) for the tour aboard his cool vessel. p.s: Bus Grease Monkey would love being in the engine room of this Beast with so many 2 strokes around !

[@PaulScinocca]

Glad you enjoyed it, I sure had a great time that day!

[@ericlakota1847]

Wow what a boat I love the old tugs when I picture a tug this is what is picture

[@oldman975]

I remember Heritage Marine from “Great Lake Warriors”. Loved that show and I wish they’d bring it back.

[@PaulScinocca]

Mike is a great guy, along with the rest of his crew!

[@ljprep6250]

I'd sure hate to fall into that icy and BROWN water. Fun tour. Would have loved to go for a ride.

[@nonsequitur807]

Fantastic video! It's as old as my oldest brother...

[@LeslieWood-qb8do]

Thanks for for this tour of the tug. This is educational.and up lifting. No bull . Like football.and basket ball. Thanks again.🙏👍

[@aarronmorton1731]

Hoping to be working on one soon living in a coastal town with a port, very cool video

[@PIPEFITTERENGINEER]

Working on tugs, ships, tankers, supply boats is a great job and a lot is learned specially to be responsible and to practice safety. Don't be surprised to see people advanced in age doing these jobs. Young people don't like hard labor these days.

[@patricksullivan6439]

Back many years ago, my Uncle took me to a real ocean going tugboat he worked with in his business. I never forgot. This was a great trip back in time.

[@PaulScinocca]

Nice! Thanks.

[@alpharomeo15]

Your port area contacts are impressive... keep videos like this coming ☺️ PS "Hardheaded Norwegian"... now I know where my wife gets it... her father was literally "right off the boat" from Norway! ☺️

[@PaulScinocca]

Thank you! Will do!

[@waynesell3681]

Great interview!

[@PaulScinocca]

Thank you.

[@gregmctevia5087]

Great presentation.

[@PaulScinocca]

Thank you kindly!

[@jamesfarnham1976]

What's your wife think of a boat named after her, "She could care less". LOL

[@PaulScinocca]

That cracked me up as well!

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

@@PaulScinocca she almost looks like a wooden hull below the bumpers

[@josephinebennington7247]

US people say “I could care less” which means someone cares a bit now, and could care a bit less later. Uk people say “I couldn’t care less” means “I care nothing now and couldn’t care any less than I do now”. Being British, I prefer the 2nd phrase which is more succinct. Oh, the fun of KZbin!😊😊😊

[@williamgarden3209]

Many thanks again to Captain Mike.

[@PaulScinocca]

He is a great guy!

[@metropolitandream]

beautiful vessel

[@PaulScinocca]

I really do agree!

[@jasonjoyner6940]

Very cool and very interesting

[@robertbate5790]

Wow!! Thank you Mike and Paul for that privileged tour. Very interesting. Big ships get the glory, but where would they be with out tugboats?

[@PaulScinocca]

Good question! The tugs are so vital.

[@UQRXD]

Great video. I was on an ocean going tug, a very old one. Diesel electric propulsion 600 volts DC.

[@krautyvonlederhosen]

In 1976, the W. Douglas Masterson was the first true harbor tug I worked aboard in Corpus Christi Texas. Powered by a 16-278A General Motors “Cleveland Diesel.” 1engineer and 1 oiler. The reason she was the best of the Bludworth Shipyard boats acquired from Bay Houston Towing was my chief engineer, Oliver “Shorty” Fielding. A master electrician and great individual.He was the reason I went on to become a chief engineer also, working aboard ocean tugs for Moran Towing of Texas.

[@Drew_379]

I definitely miss working on the tugs in South Chicago

[@jimhatter2616]

Thanks Mike and Paul, I worked on the W.DOUGLAS MASTERSON back in the 70s

[@PaulScinocca]

Awesome 😁

[@markmark2080]

Another interesting tour, I could see the boat on Google Earth in the same spot, thanks for the video.

[@PaulScinocca]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnswick4593]

I was looking forward to hearing the main power plant running.

[@connork5339]

I'm a retired engineer. Sailed on many types of vessels around the world. I am partial to work boats. I have to day, good call on the EMD's with the blowers. Great engines and in my personal experience, superior to the turbo charged equivalent. Also, it appears that the Detroit gens have oil bath air intakes. Haven't seen a setup like that in a very long time. Have a good watch.

[@PaulScinocca]

Thanks Connor K

[@monmixer]

Amazing machines

[@PaulScinocca]

Yes they are!

[@deborahmangan8480]

I can't wait to watch this on the tv. My husband will enjoy the video. Great tour!

[@PaulScinocca]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@deborahmangan8480]

@@PaulScinocca my husband also watched it, he never worked on diesel ships but he knew everything that was being shown. Thank you from him for the walk down memory lane!

[@PaulScinocca]

@@deborahmangan8480 I'm happy it did that for you

[@OwnerPlanet]

Love it ✅

[@amywright2243]

Your radio started with a commercial using "old fashioned" space communication beeps and crackles. And this tug was already working then! Hope I'm going strong at that age!

[@PaulScinocca]

So do I, only we are closer in age than I'd like to admit :-)

[@ur22much2]

i would love to be on that boat right now.

[@PaulScinocca]

Indeed it is a nice scheme!

[@jackreeves3001]

Thanks Paul! KANSAS

[@PaulScinocca]

you are very welcome!

[@miketee2444]

I may be wrong but I think the Captain meant that they are replacing the Generators with 4 stroke instead of 4 valve motors. The old Detroits most know are 2 stroke motors and the most awesome diesel ever but not very efficient. I suspect he meant they will be replaced with 4 stroke diesels.

[@Drew_379]

I've never seen a EMD sit so low. Usually the inspection covers are deck level

[@scottmaytham3578]

Met a Merchant Marine Captain Dave! He was piloting a 90' Tugboat from the Great Lakes to Costa Rica.With the intentions of making a Fresh Catch restaurant out of her.Never new that Tugboats had races and this Great Lakes Tugboat must of Won them all.The whole pilot house looked like a Trophy Display or Displacement Center ❤.Tug ❤⛵

[@PaulScinocca]

Mike takes very good care of his fleet!

[@cleasonleasure4832]

Worked at blodworth shipyard in1975.

[@jamesminick1251]

Sterling Morrison of the Velvet Underground worked on that tug for g&h

[@zakmccreery5271]

This is really cool! Thanks for posting! How much does it cost to maintain a boat like this?

[@PaulScinocca]

I really have no idea! Next time I run into Mike I may ask.

[@pynetripp9323]

wait- let me get this right... you took out a two cycle 71 series Detroit and put back another drolling Detroit?

[@terryboyer1342]

Mikes upper body reminds me of Popeye for some reason. Great tour!

[@PaulScinocca]

Thanks Terry! 😁

[@Marks-Law]

99.9% of 320,000,000 of Americans couldn’t even find the start switch much less mate up to push or pull without causing damage. Bet this nice gentleman will Never own any electric cars.

[@ibereportesferrari8780]

Show!!! 👏👏👏👏🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@joedaf95]

How do the Interlake vessels differ from ocean going vessels?

[@PaulScinocca]

Size and design. The Lakers are generally larger than the ocean vessels. They are too long or wide to fit in the locks along the st Lawrence seaway system. The Lakers generally have more cargo capacity. They are also not designed for ocean travel.

[@netrhyda8761]

nice nice

[@PaulScinocca]

Thanks

[@1Long2Short]

Nice look inside this tug! Next time you’ll have to arrange a tour of the Nels J. You can show us her deep fryers, if Crabby Bill let’s you see them.

[@PaulScinocca]

Ironically, I was on the Nels J Sunday, not the restaurant one though 😁

[@rp1645]

I Love the small wheel. The Tug probably used the "JOY STICK" more often. Some call it a "JOG STICK" me coming from construction equipment. I prefer the term "JOY Stick" my 1978 Dynahoe-190 in the operator manual call them " TWIN-A-TROLL" it's amazing, go figure the different terms Manufacturers came up with.

[@jaysonlima7196]

Up here in the Gulf of Maine, its a jog stick, and a jog stick it shall be, I got rather forcably corrected once for calling it a joy stick! Appartently there is a differnce, and I'll share nicely what was beaten into my head loudly... So a joy stick can move freely through 2 axis and may or may not also be able to twist, where as a jog stick is locked in a single plane and only controls the rudder, with seperate throttle and shift controls, while a joystick is an all in one control. And we can thank Capt. Perham, of the Moran tug, Drum Point, circa "09 for this tit bit. Man was a yeller.

[@therago-xm7lg]

Just waiting for the Nels J!

[@PaulScinocca]

I'll put out a teaser 😁 when its close

[@AndreiTupolev]

I bet hearing protection would be needed with a 16 cylinder EMD and a Detroit 4-71 and 6-71 all hammering away 🤘

[@PaulScinocca]

You are correct, I did see many pairs of ear muffs down there!

[@firecaptaintom1977]

What?

[@pynetripp9323]

I would love to see train cars come back to that dock.

[@scottburns2600]

They keep the Tumms handy I see! For the more stressful jobs!🤣

[@PaulScinocca]

You saw that! 😁

[@georgeparrault9945]

If They Will grease ( Axil Grease ) the Windows before Painting, Then when Paint Dries Clean Windows. Father in Law did it in The Army on The Vehicles saved a Lot of Time.

[@rosewhite---]

Why is it so packed with machineery and pipes! If you built a new boat hull and put in the big engine, prop shaft and propellor how much of the other stuff would be needed such as all those electric cabinets?

[@BasementEngineer]

Heating and air conditioning, cable winch motors, lights inside and out, electric cooking & baking stoves, various radios, radar, etc. Winches are probably powered by hydraulic motors; these would then require electric motors for the hydraulic pumps.

[@scrappyjunk8793]

i have bunkerd fuel on tug boats and the big ocean tugs use 4 semi loads of fuel and as they burn the fuel they pump water on board to replace the weight for ballast to keep it up right and the propeller under water fun facts ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[@Darksidetripper]

3:22 Fishtug can be seen out the door.

[@pogos6633]

Edward has a big deck

[@researchcapt]

This is an old school tug. Nothing wrong with that. They just cannot do a lot of the things that newer designs can do. Such as greater maneuverability and power. I admire the older designs. They look better for one thing.

[@russiannorth2440]

like

[@PaulScinocca]

Thanks

[@dbcooper692]

The captain has a Minnesota accent!!!

[@PaulScinocca]

Oh yes he does!

[@dbcooper692]

@@PaulScinocca My parents were from Minnesota, as well as my grandparents great grandparents, aunts uncles cousins, and many friends, and they all have the accent. Those people up in Minnesota are some of the nicest people I have ever known!! I live in California and would like to move to MN but the move would be too much for me at my age.

[@orionharmon6017]

Working on tugboats and freighter ships takes a lot a work, who wants to have a job like that?

[@PaulScinocca]

Great point Orion!

[@orionharmon6017]

@@PaulScinocca I'm telling you!

[@TheDylanJoyce]

Now I wanna just give the next person I see a little tug, and I'll be satisfied........

[@tjd5511]

He needs to fix his camera so it don't make so much noise

[@kidink5435]

Tug boat

[@PaulScinocca]

indeed.

[@bj7105]

Can I visit u

[@sunking2001]

It's a beautiful old tug BUT...being a single screw tug... maneuverability is really restricted. A tug with twin screws is vastly superior...especially in tight quarters. I briefly worked as a deckhand on a similar single screw tug and I also ran a single screw crew boat for 7 months. It's simply the "nature of the beast." You are limited in so many ways. I also ran twin screw small tugs and twin screw crew boats. The difference in maneuvering is vast!!

[@johnfairchild3421]

When I was young I worked out of Florida on a ocean going tug they sent us out through a hurricane boy that wasn’t fun at all we let go of our tow. Recovered it the next day went in to Africa then England then over to Boston and then back to Florida I got my check and quit. The hurricane told me the company didn’t care about crew cause I asked them to let it pass they wanted money the crew life didn’t matter

[@williambarry8015]

If I was a Gazillionaire that's the kind of boat I would have. I would tow a Luxury Barge with it. The barge is where I'd have all the bars and stripper poles. I'd be cool😎😎

[@keithnichols7926]

Informative video, but your microphone needs to be isolated from stuff that rubs on it or in other ways picks up rubbing sounds.