I hope that you will enjoy this “Into Wisconsin’s Outdoors” series! This is the 1st video in my production series!
Duration : 0:10:0
I hope that you will enjoy this “Into Wisconsin’s Outdoors” series! This is the 1st video in my production series!
Duration : 0:10:0
@ringy17 captains …
@ringy17 captains make between 400-500 a day deckhands between 130-230 a day and engineers make around 300 a day cooks are about the same as deckhands
@b6pak yeah …
@b6pak yeah they built the best. puts all the others to shame
boat built by …
boat built by st.louis ship i worked the pipe shop 1977 to 1980 .we made the best
I remember those …
I remember those days working on the DENNIS C. BOTTORFF (Ingram barge). its definitely a total change of lifestyle and if u never been on the river or had any knowledge about it, whew!! A eye opener. one of the best feelings is Crew change time lol!!!!!!!
Oh ya no kidding …
Oh ya no kidding that would be extremely hard. What do the deckhands pilots and captains make for a yearly wage?
@ringy17 Depends on …
@ringy17 Depends on the company as someone else said. Most are 28 on/28 off. Some do 30/15 or 28/14. I’ve known guys to stay on for 6 months straight before. If you’re a homebody, towboating isn’t for you. I don’t know how these guys do this job. I would lose my mind.
@andyz28 Hey i live …
@andyz28 Hey i live not to far from Hennepin like 20 minutes and i was wondering how long the guys go out at a time on the Illinois River?
Thank you! How did …
Thank you! How did you like working on a towboat? That’s one job that I’d truely like to try out someday! That’s a rough life & a tough job that you folks have!
awesome.i once was …
awesome.i once was the 1st mate on the lainey jones for canal barge co.
most of the time …
most of the time the whole crew is relievied at once so the new crew getting on piles into a company van or charter van and hunts the closest place to make a crew change(which might be miles from the boat) then the crew getting off drives to the office to get their cars and heads home. Most companies ride 28 on/ 28 off or 28 on/14 off but that will vary a little depending on the size of the boat ond the company.
Thank You Jason! …
Thank You Jason! I’ve often wondered about that as well! What do they do? Send you back home on a bus or something like that when you’re a long ways from home? How many days off do you get after a shift tour? You guys make everything look so easy, But I know better!
That’s a tough job that you folks have! Some day I’m hoping to ride along for a week on one of the tow boats on a trip along Wisconsin! I’m in awe everytime I see the boats on the ole Mighty Miss!
The skiff is mainly …
The skiff is mainly only used for crew changes because crew changes happen in the middle of nowhere most of time. it doesnt always work out that u hit a dock on the day of your crew change. and trust me when ur 28 or 30th day comes u are ready to get off. this just comes from my personal experience i work for Southern Towing Company Of Memphis TN
Wow! Thanks for the …
Wow! Thanks for the info Andy! You bet I’ll ask away when I have any questions about all of this! I know what you mean by the best part is the ole engines whining away! It was awesome standing there & feeling the rumble vibrations go right thru your body! When ever I’m on the ole Miss,…I get a real feeling of being home! The crews on the boats as well as the lock & dams are a great bunch of people to chat & interact with! I wish everyone could be as kind as these folks!
5:20 is the best …
5:20 is the best part when he hammers the throttle. Listen to that beast whine!
P.S. – I work for Hennepin Boat Store and I supply these guys with food and anything else they need. If you have any questions, feel free to message me!
Hey thanks much for …
Hey thanks much for your knowledge on this Phil! I have on one instance saw them use a skiff to throw something to another crew member on one of the barges,…But other than that, I’ve never seen these used before. I’m glad that you had stopped by to share your knowledge with us so we can learn more on this! Thank You for your kind words!
The “yawl” or ” …
The “yawl” or “skiff” is indeed very versitile but I dont think I would go chasing a barge around with it, a jumbo barge can weigh up to 1500 tons and if the current is swift it would be pointless. no barge or its cargo is worth a crewmans life. another and a more important use for the skiff is during a man overboard that thing could be your life-line. great video.
You betcha!
You betcha!
ya but it looks …
ya but it looks like a fun job to have though.
Yeah, It is indeed …
Yeah, It is indeed a very busy lifestyle with alot of dedication that go’s with it!
I should of guessed …
I should of guessed that they don’t cover coal. lol
very interesting I …
very interesting I would of never guessed that they stay on the boats that long. I thought they only done that in the oceans.
I believe that they …
I believe that they were hauling grain! Corn, beans etc. Usually the coal barges don’t get covered.
They use the boats …
They use the boats for just about anything from assisting in tying barges together if they broke apart etc. as well as going to shore etc! From what I was told by several crew members, They can be on the boats for up to 3 weeks or more at a time! The crews make this job look so easy,But it’s a very rough job & lifestyle! They’re a great bunch of people! I’m hoping someday that I’d be able to take a week or two trip on one of these. Train traffic is heavy So it was an easy catch! 2 trains in 1hr.
Most of the Capt & …
Most of the Capt & their crews are a great bunch of people to talk & joke around with! There’s usually someone kidding around on every Towboat & at the locks!
That’s why I love visiting on the Mississippi River! So much fun!
Prior to being at the locks, I spoke with one of the crew members on the Andrew Cannava, They had to dock the Tow & wait for another northbound Towboat with empty coal barges to get through lock & dam #9 to the south! They parked their boat along the shoreline!
Nope! I didn’t know …
Nope! I didn’t know any of these people!
I use to know one of the guys working at the locks, But I havn’t seen him in quite a while! The folks working on the Big River are usually always kind to talk to! As a matter of fact, Before I started shooting footage My Father & I chatted with the lockmaster for about 15 min. until he had to get back to his duties!