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.

SUPPORT for Great Lakes Now comes from the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Laurie & Tim Wadhams, Consumers Energy Foundation, Eve & Jerry Jung, the Polk Family Fund, the Richard C. Devereaux Foundation Fund for Energy and Environmental Programming at Detroit Public Television, Americana Foundation and the Brookby Foundation as well as from viewers and readers like you.

[danielpenkoff]

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.

[AndHatingIt]

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...

[barques]

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."

[lisakoby]

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

[lmf]

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!

[niagarascenes]

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

[vgovger]

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

[leskobrandon]

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.

[LadyMarie]

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

[kiloechocharlie]

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

[papabits]

Sailers are the nicest people in the world

[loricharpentier]

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

[cliffwoodbury]

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

[davidwadsworth]

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.

[johnthomson]

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

[papabits]

Sweet water sailors are the nicest people in the world

[vernwallen]

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

[rottenroads]

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

[callistofluff]

Okay now I wanna actually go and work on a laker

[jeffsutton]

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