Respect for lakers

[Randy S]

I think the greatest respect would have to go to the Pilots who have to handle numerous boats throughout the season, and each one has its own handling characteristics.

[DavidFrank]

The captains on the ocean tankers and container ships where I worked thought highly of the Lakes captains and mates. Lakes captains and mates do so much more ship handling than do the ocean officers. On salt water the captains of the bigger cargo ships are more like business managers. In restricted waterways, like rivers, the ocean boats have a pilot take over the navigating. For docking often the pilot gives the orders. Also, tugs are used for docking more often for ocean ships. Compare that to Laker captains and mates. They do the piloting in the rivers. The captains dock the boats without tugs. The Lakes captains are much better ship handlers. I recall the 1000' Oglebay Norton picking me up at a dock. It came up the St Claire River, crossed over, eased up to the dock, and held in place while I climbed up the ladder. I was impressed.

One group not mentioned are the captains of supply boats in the Gulf of Mexico. They do an amazing job. Backing up to a platform and holding there is a difficult feat.

[Guest]

After watching Paul R. Tregurtha on Mighty Ships, I gained a whole new level of respect for the Captain and his crew. It really was a treat to watch him navigate the narrow rivers and channels in the PRT. That being said, it made me wonder what the general opinion oceangoing / Saltie captains had of lakers/lake shipping and their captains. Do most respect the seamanship/skill of the captains?