Inland Seas Crew Visits USCG Air Station Traverse City

Inland Seas' crew members had a chance yesterday to see first hand the rescue assets of the U. S. Coast Guard at Air Station Traverse City.  Thanks to LTJG Chris Breuer for giving us the grand tour.

This basket is the usual means of lifting a person from the water or a ship

The litter with floatation

One of five MH-65C Dolphin helicopters assigned to Air Station Traverse City

Head on view of the Dolphin showing the arm containing the lifting winch

Chris Breuer explaining the operations area of Air Station Traverse City.  During our visit a helicopter from Traverse City was enroute to a ship in Lake Superior for a medical evacuation (shown by an orange marker located near Isle Royle on the aviation chart)

Thanks to Chris Breuer and everyone at CGAS Traverse City for taking time for this informative exchange.  --Tom Kelly, Inland Seas

Welcome Aboard, Tim Davis

Tim Davis, ISEA's new Education Director, begin work at ISEA today.  He will be be working with Emily Shaw, ISEA Education and Volunteer Coordinator, to make our programs the best on the Lakes. Tim came all the way from Brisbane, Australia, to work with us. Tim comes to us with experience on Great Lakes research vessels (mainly algae studies), tall ships, and working with students in oceanography and limnology.  Please say hello to Tim next time you are at the Education Center.  

Tim Davis with Lindsey and son Joel.  Daughter Amity was yet to show herself when this photo was taken.

Tom Kastle in Traverse City this Friday, April 13th

Long-time Inland Seas musician, instructor and crew member Tom Kastle will be at Horizon Books this Friday at 8pm.  Join Tom and many of his ISEA friends for an evening of song, coffee and conversation.  See you there!  --Capt. Tom

Tom Kastle at the helm of Inland Seas last August on the LSSU Oceanography Cruise

Schooner Inland Seas - Launch and Return to Suttons Bay

Our Schoolship schooner Inland Seas returned to her natural element yesterday afternoon at Northport Bay Boatyard.  After filling the water tanks and system checks, we motored the ship back to her home dock in Suttons Bay to continue maintenance and outfitting for spring Schoolship classes (to begin on May 1st.).  The crew consisted of Tom Kelly, Allen Wolfe, Ben Hale, Jan Hale, Larry Good and Bob Hagerman.



Removing the winter cover. The white plastic will be recycled by Bay Area Recycling for Charities

Hanging the Fortress Anchor

Ready to move

On the edge of the haul out slip

About to touch water

Picking up Allen in the stern boat

Back home at Suttons Bay

Thanks to Martha Eldridge for the top three photos and other help.  A big thank you to Northport Bay Boatyard for great service.   -Tom Kelly







Fit-Out at Northport Bay Boat Yard - April 3, 2012

Today we got the propeller working properly (thanks for the help, Kevin), painted the foredeck, applied epoxy fairing compound to rust repair areas on deck, finished the pre-launch check list, and launched the stern boat.  The stern boat engine started after a few pulls and ran smooth as silk on a test run. Tomorrow we remove the winter cover and hopefully launch!

Ben Hale, Allen Wolfe and Bob Hagerman were working today.  --Capt. Tom Kelly

Kevin (left) and Ben (right) make final adjustments to the Max Prop feathering propeller

Our shiny propeller ready to go.

Everything you need to do deck repairs.

Epoxy fairing applied to areas where rust was ground out.  "Rust Never Sleeps"

Allen adding oil to the fuel tank just before a test run in our stern/rescue boat. 

Northport Bay Boatyard

Inland Seas Fit-Out Continues March 28, 2012

Today we finished preping the main deck and applied a coat of non-skid paint to the deck.  The engine room was also cleaned and some rusty areas in the galley bilge treated with rust converter.  The high temperature today was 48 degrees, barely enough for painting. Tomorrow we will reinstall the shaft seal and connect the shaft to the transmission. Then the drive train will be ready for launch.  Hopefully the weather will cooporate for some additional painting.   -Capt. Tom

Bob using his detail sander to get into the waterways.

Ben sucking up the sanding dust.

Allen applying masking tape.  This takes longer than the painting.

Bob cutting in around the deck fittings.

Ben rolling on the deck paint.  Ahhh.....

Photos taken aboard Inland Seas on the hard at Northport Bay Boat Yard, Northport, MI.

Inland Seas Fit-Out Continues March 27, 2012

This is what we saw this morning...freezing spray on the electrical pedestal.  It was 45 degrees warmer last week!

Jan sanding the house sides yesterday.

Bob using the head gun to lift old paint off the deck.

With the rudder back in place, Ben reconnected the tiller arm to the rudder shaft. 

Our John Deere with fresh belts (4), some new hoses and wiring.

Tomorrow we hope to paint the decks (if it is warm enough) and connect the shaft to the transmission after installing a new part in the Lasdrop shaft seal.   ---Tom Kelly