Happy New Year

Well ts almost new years eve here on the S/S Munson, we just passed thru the Soo locks on our way to Conneaut oh with a load of iron ore. Its been a different two weeks for me. Im adjusting to life aboard. doing my job and trying to stay upbeat. at times its hard, but then I think of the income Im bringing home to my wife and that makes it easier.

The fact that cell service works about 80% of the time is great too.
From the last news we will be laying up for winter on Jan 11. but that can change as suddenly as the weather on Superior.
Well I wish all a blessed and prosperous new year and will check in next week.

Merry Christmas!

Just a little Christmas miracle for me, had cell coverage all morning!

First week gone

First let me say Merry Christmas to all. Well I have been on board for one week now. Im not cooking yet, just doing data entry and retrieval of part numbers from all over the ship, but I knew that when I came on board. They needed it done, I needed a job. Win - Win situation, but today I was able to go in the Galley and help prep for the big holiday dinner tomorrow. All I did was make a few pies and lite prep but it felt so good.

Sure miss my wife though. Cell coverage has been very bad this trip. in fact tomorrow on Christmas I probably wont be able to get thru. that's going to be hard for me.
Well I'm going to get a snack and call it a night. God Bless

Made it on board

Well I finally caught up with my ship.
The John Munson, she came into Detroit this morning and unloaded coal.
I just got unpacked and am waiting to meet the second mate, so I can fill out paperwork.

Anchors aweigh

Well the weather delayed my ship by one day. But that's ok, I'm glad for the extra day home. The name of the ship is the Munson, it's about 767' long.
I board tomorrow evening in Detroit.
I'm excited to get underway.
More to come after I get on board.

New news

Well I have a job for 1 month starting the end of next week, then the ship gets laid up for the winter. Maybe they will need me longer. All I can do is hope.
More news to follow once I get on-board.

All ready

Well I received my MMC credentials today. So I'm ready to sail when I'm done at the GLCI on the 16th.
Now all I need is the job offer.

Maratime Acadamy and Credentials

To be able to work on any ships on the Great Lakes you have to have the right paperwork. You wouldn’t believe the hoops you have to jump thru. First I need to thank the Director of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy RADM Jerry Achenbach USMS a. Also for Jerry for helping me to get my resume to the ship owners. You must have a TWIC card, that is the government background check, and the MMC card. Plus you must have a physical and drug test. There is a good deal of work and cost to get all set up. I now have all that groundwork done and am waiting for my MMC card to arrive. After that we will be ready to sail.

First post

Lets start with an introduction, my name is Mark Potter.
I am currently a student at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute.
I'm in my final semester and if all goes as planned, when I finish I will be serving on one of the Great Lakes freighters.

But first I need to thank a few people. First the Lord God for life itself.
Next my wife Brenda, without who, I am nothing. She has stood by me thru thick thin and thinner, besides Jesus she is the most important thing in the world to me.
She is my life, my love, my joy. Thank you dear for standing alongside me all the years.

Then there are the Chefs at school, Chef Fred, Chef Mike, Chef Lucy, Chef Bob, Chef Jim, Chef Joel, Chef Shawn and all the others Chefs and instructors. They have all been a insperation to me. All the instruction and care they presented to the students in all the aspects of each class.

As I finish up my time at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, I look back on all that I have learned and look forward to the challenges that await me.