Life at Sea, Part II: Updated 5/11/07
 

Here's Part II of my 'seafarer's photography' thread. This summer I'm working on the Algomarine, which is a traditional Great Lakes vessel in that the pilothouse is up front at the bow and there is also an afterhouse where the Engineers/MA's/Galley dept are quartered. This vessel also has the unloading gear aft, which makes for a very silent forward house. For the first time in a couple of years, I'm able to sleep without ear plugs, which is very nice.

The Algomarine:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...omarine004.jpg

Unloading in the Calumet River at the Morton's Salt Dock. Eagle-eyed Chicagoans may spot the elaborate brickwork of the 100th street bridge in the background:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...l001Medium.jpg

Passing under the Mackinac Bridge on our way from Lake Michigan into Lake Huron:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...0181Medium.jpg

An early morning island in the North Channel of Georgian Bay:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...0231Medium.jpg

That sunset shot with the bridge is absolutely gorgeous .. I hope seeing those never gets old :)

Nice pictures Lucifer. The sunset with the bridge is breathtaking. Thank you for letting us see a part of your life. :)

I hope you appreciate just how cool your job really is... I am sure there are some bad bits to the job (like the hours, storms, etc.), but really. Who else gets to sail around the great lakes to views like that that for a living?

Have a great summer.

Man... that's hard work! Do you work on the ships in the winter? I am from Michigan originally, the weather is trecherous on the lakes...

Jason

those are beautiful!!!

Beautiful photos. Cool, but dangerous job. Be careful and stay safe.

Arriving in Goderich, Ontario to load salt
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...l234Medium.jpg

They have these cute little tugs that come and help the ships turn around in the harbour. I've always thought it would be fun to retire to Goderich and drive these:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...l232Medium.jpg

Loading at the Goderich Mine Dock. The Goderich mine main shaft is almost 1800 feet deep, and the mine runs almost as far as Sarnia, Ontario. I've heard it said that if the mine ever collapsed, the water level in Lake Huron would drop a full metre. And there is enough salt that it will never run out:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...l235Medium.jpg

Close up:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...l236Medium.jpg

There is a lot of old money in Goderich. I don't know who owns this house on a bluff over looking the harbour, but, by God, I want to live in it!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...l247Medium.jpg