Inland Seas Arrives at Suttons Bay - April 13, 2009

The first trip of the season was from our winter berth at the Centre Pointe dock in Traverse City to Suttons Bay. The crew and ship had a nice motor north under fair skys and calm seas. Really calm in some areas that were covered in skim ice. We left at 0928 and arrived in Suttons Bay at 1147. The water temperature was 33 degrees F most of the way. The delivery crew consisted of Tom Kelly, Remy Champt, Allen Wolfe, Bob Hagerman, Larry Garber, Fred Utting, and Rebecca Hancock. Work now begins on re-rigging.

Captain Remy Champt at the helm, dressed for the weather.

Fred Utting, Capt. Allen Wolfe and Larry Garber discuss world events.

Cutting through skim ice.

Rebecca Hancock checking the John Deere while underway.

Back at our home dock in Suttons Bay.

-T. M. Kelly

Final Preparations for Spring Schoolship

This week has been busy with final details aboard ship and in the office to get ready for the 89 classes coming for spring Schoolship Programs aboard Inland Seas and Manitou. Today Remy and Allen made final modifications to the new benthos washing screen, fitted new bridles to the new trawls, and changed the thermostats on the John Deere diesel engine, among other things.

The office has been buzzing also, with Kim, Christine, and Phyllis, assisted by Sally Somsel, putting all the pieces together to make the program happen. Tomorrow we begin our 20th season with Suttons Bay 8th graders.

This evening Tom K. gave a presentation on the Schoolship to 60 University of Michigan faculty and local guests at Black Star Farms.

-Tom Kelly