Video Journalist Bill Cortez hopped aboard a Tidewater Tow Boat to see what life is like on the river. Photography, writing & Editing by Bill Cortez KOIN-TV Portland, Oregon
My Dad worked on these for over 20 years. Retired as a Chief Engineer. Started as a Deck Hand. Could have been a pilot, but would have to have taken a cut in pay. I remember spending Christmas, in the galley, on a tied up boat. Had a lot of fun! Lost him 6 years ago. Love you and miss you Dad!
@@enriquezechariah3660 Here's "tip" for you too; F--k Off & stay off this page. Kaldostream is a site that steals your data. F--k you again, the world has enough problems & people are suffering enough without bullshit scammers and their slimy lies in comment sections.
I worked for M/G transport Services in Cincinnati for almost 14 years. It was the greatest adventure of my young life. Started in 4/77 and broke my leg 9/6/86-----off to heal for a couple years---nothing was ever as good as being out on the tug boats. The memories I have can never be replaced.......best years of my life------should write a book, not enough time or space here to describe my experiences of that period-----just all good karma for me, but you can never go back........its a sad reality we can't travel in time.........
@@anakinyork5249 Good things: does not require a college degree but certification is required. Bad: can be strenuous when you're just starting out. Good: If you like travel you go places. Bad: You're away from home. Usually you work a shift on a boat for 24 hours a day, usually equal days on and off. So, 7 days on the boat 24 hours a day, and 7 days off. While you're on the boat, your room and board is included. You're given a shift to work, like 12 hours on, 12 hours off. 12 hours off, you sleep, exercise, and relax. 12 hours on you're on call, working the deck, tying ships. There are usually 3 areas to work: deck - tying up, anything on the deck, engine room - working downstairs maintaining the engines, bridge - captain. Average salary for a deckhand, $56,000-98,000 engineer - $60,000-200,000 captains $115,000 - $200,000 . Takes years to make captain and get certification. My numbers are best estimates and others will probably say more or less. On the whole, I was good at it and I would have liked it. If you really wish it, ladder yourself up to the top positions. Get a Merchant Marine certification, then get an AB ticket, then decide whether you want to go for bigger things. Good luck!
Back in the 1960's when I was young, my uncle had a houseboat anchored on the Mississippi, on the back porch were automobile bench seats to sit on to fish the river. I spent many hours watching those barges pass by but never pursued a career doing that. Sounds like you have a wonderful vantage point where you live. Living near Indianapolis, I sure miss those afternoons and evenings along the river!
I always loved tugboat and I used to make big barges at Gunderson and I use to make tugboats at Foss in Rainier Oregon and I used to have a little tugboat name the Crystal that my dad bought it at the Astoria Oregon. I wish I could find someone who would help me get back in the water. Keep up the great job
Bunk rooms are disgusting as some sailors have no shame in cleanliness. I developed a great deal of allergies from the amount of dust that everyone is too lazy to clean.
Wow… thanks for the video, ironically, I just applied for a deck mechanic apprentice job position at this exact company… I currently work in a shipyard, so I have some maritime experience But this video gave me a more in-depth view of what the day to day Life is like a aboard one of these vessels Thanks again for the video I appreciate it ✌️😎
Worked on a tow boat to pay for my college education. I received a geographic education by traversing all the inland waters ways in the Mississippi River system: Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Upper Mississippi, Illinois, Yazoo, Cumberland, Missouri, Monongahela and, Allegheny. When I graduated I owed $150.00. Seems now I may be paying for the education of students I do not know. My how things have changed!
Yeah, do you know why it is a 66 schedule? I am a long haul truck driver, and I often drive for up to 11 hours, with 12 hours of work, at a time. I would rather have a 1212 schedule. But maybe the work is just so demanding that people can’t do it for 12.
I use to work in gulf the biggest fire fighting tugboat boat belong to belgium flag during the iraq iran war stand by to siri island some times towing Batches lashing wonderful work hard work as a Deck hand now i am sixty eight age 🙏🙏👍👍
Worked o the Hudson, Saint Lawrence, Great lakes, what a job. Moved people and ore,coal,atone, miss it. Even ran the Eris and Oswego Canals.I wish I had a time machine.
I Always wanted to be Tug Boat Captain...But I guess it Depends where You're working....But the Columbia is one I Picked First...then Sacramento River and Alaska....
There’s for the most part two types of inland push boats. Line boats which are the long boats you see that are generally rated at 2-3000 horsepower and push large 10-30 barge tows. There are also fleet boats which is what that one would be considered. They’re rated at 800-2000 horsepower and on the Mississippi are used to build tow and in this case used to transport a few barges though not many. On the east coast we use the fleet boats to move at max two barges at a time. The fleet boats have to go through smaller locks and run a different river so they’re designed with that in mind
That boy must have had an in with the company to be doing that job that young. "And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpets made of steel"
You know what I used to say when I was riding on them boats and barges was we went under bridges you see a car go by at night time oh look real people real people because you don't never seen nobody other than document and other your other people when you wake him up and you're going to sleep
I don't believe they stop for winter on the Columbia River. I think the only inland navigation that shuts down due to freezing would be the upper Mississippi River north of Alton, Illinois.
Interesting video. Yes it can be very dangerous. I know of some people who have died on the river. I had an incident in the locks long ago that nearly was fatal. Spent a lot of time in the hospital and can still feel the effects today from 40 years ago.
@@lookingbehind6335 even with life jacket/vests?? I always assumed anyone who fell overboard always had a life jacket/vest due to the requirements & strict regulations in this line of work
We were lucky to have a deckhand help us paint during his time off, his schedule was month on month off, he was just about ready to retire with 25 yrs put in, pretty sure he said he was union and was ready to start collecting a pension until they did a random drug test and he failed it, pot in his system, he lost everything, he thinks someone ratted him out, sooo sad.
i applied for a deckhands job. never hired. my dad was a skipper of a tug in NY harbor. i have epilepsy and lived in denial of my disability. my grandfather was also in the business. but.....
@@douglaskasten4630 if you live on the Mississippi as long as I have you call them a tugboat, just like we call it soda and people in the south call it pop. But if you live on the Mississippi tugboats transport barges down river and up river.Thank you
My Dad worked on these for over 20 years. Retired as a Chief Engineer. Started as a Deck Hand. Could have been a pilot, but would have to have taken a cut in pay. I remember spending Christmas, in the galley, on a tied up boat. Had a lot of fun! Lost him 6 years ago. Love you and miss you Dad!
A tip: you can watch movies on KaldroStream. Me and my gf have been using it for watching a lot of movies recently.
@Enrique Zechariah Yea, I have been using Kaldrostream for since december myself :)
@@enriquezechariah3660 Here's "tip" for you too;
F--k Off & stay off this page.
Kaldostream is a site that steals your data.
F--k you again, the world has enough problems & people are suffering enough without bullshit scammers
and their slimy lies in comment sections.
@@cainroberto1173 Same person.
You underestimate peoples intelligence.
Sounds like he was a good man
I worked for M/G transport Services in Cincinnati for almost 14 years. It was the greatest adventure of my young life. Started in 4/77 and broke my leg 9/6/86-----off to heal for a couple years---nothing was ever as good as being out on the tug boats. The memories I have can never be replaced.......best years of my life------should write a book, not enough time or space here to describe my experiences of that period-----just all good karma for me, but you can never go back........its a sad reality we can't travel in time.........
I used to be a deckhand on a tugboat. We docked ships and moved a bunch on the Mississippi River. I was a very young man and I look back on it fondly.
Is it really a great job to be in??
@@anakinyork5249 Good things: does not require a college degree but certification is required. Bad: can be strenuous when you're just starting out. Good: If you like travel you go places. Bad: You're away from home. Usually you work a shift on a boat for 24 hours a day, usually equal days on and off. So, 7 days on the boat 24 hours a day, and 7 days off. While you're on the boat, your room and board is included. You're given a shift to work, like 12 hours on, 12 hours off. 12 hours off, you sleep, exercise, and relax. 12 hours on you're on call, working the deck, tying ships. There are usually 3 areas to work: deck - tying up, anything on the deck, engine room - working downstairs maintaining the engines, bridge - captain. Average salary for a deckhand, $56,000-98,000 engineer - $60,000-200,000 captains $115,000 - $200,000 . Takes years to make captain and get certification. My numbers are best estimates and others will probably say more or less. On the whole, I was good at it and I would have liked it. If you really wish it, ladder yourself up to the top positions. Get a Merchant Marine certification, then get an AB ticket, then decide whether you want to go for bigger things. Good luck!
Amazing job, thanks for the great videos.👍👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I live on the Ohio River across from Madison Indiana at Milton, KY. My wife and I love to watch these guys navigate the Ohio.
Back in the 1960's when I was young, my uncle had a houseboat anchored on the Mississippi, on the back porch were automobile bench seats to sit on to fish the river. I spent many hours watching those barges pass by but never pursued a career doing that. Sounds like you have a wonderful vantage point where you live. Living near Indianapolis, I sure miss those afternoons and evenings along the river!
Loved it when the old salts are going downstairs LOL
I always loved tugboat and I used to make big barges at Gunderson and I use to make tugboats at Foss in Rainier Oregon and I used to have a little tugboat name the Crystal that my dad bought it at the Astoria Oregon. I wish I could find someone who would help me get back in the water. Keep up the great job
These tow boats are underrated. news, media, and all that stuff is too busy focusing on the airline industry.
Top notch story. Well done.
I spent some time living near the Mississippi River. I love seeing a tugboat. I doubt I could work on one for long.
Bunk rooms are disgusting as some sailors have no shame in cleanliness. I developed a great deal of allergies from the amount of dust that everyone is too lazy to clean.
Wow… thanks for the video, ironically, I just applied for a deck mechanic apprentice job position at this exact company…
I currently work in a shipyard, so I have some maritime experience
But this video gave me a more in-depth view of what the day to day
Life is like a aboard one of these vessels
Thanks again for the video I appreciate it ✌️😎
I worked for awhile going to Alaska from Seattle and I enjoyed it. That 6/6 schedule just sucks ass though! Great video thank you for posting.
Worked on a tow boat to pay for my college education. I received a geographic education by traversing all the inland waters ways in the Mississippi River system: Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Upper Mississippi, Illinois, Yazoo, Cumberland, Missouri, Monongahela and, Allegheny. When I graduated I owed $150.00. Seems now I may be paying for the education of students I do not know. My how things have changed!
Im thinking about join the boat I jus want feed back on first time experience
That stretch of river between Portland and Tri-Cities is a beautiful place to be. From the gorge to the desert.
Yeah, do you know why it is a 66 schedule? I am a long haul truck driver, and I often drive for up to 11 hours, with 12 hours of work, at a time. I would rather have a 1212 schedule. But maybe the work is just so demanding that people can’t do it for 12.
I use to work in gulf the biggest fire fighting tugboat boat belong to belgium flag during the iraq iran war stand by to siri island some times towing Batches lashing wonderful work hard work as a Deck hand now i am sixty eight age 🙏🙏👍👍
Good six minute story of tugboating...
Quite tame compared to the Mississippi “Line Barge Towing” though
A bit. Sad that the rivers out there are going down to almost nothing this year.
Worked o the Hudson, Saint Lawrence, Great lakes, what a job. Moved people and ore,coal,atone, miss it. Even ran the Eris and Oswego Canals.I wish I had a time machine.
Its nice on a tow boat you have your home right there plus great food and you work right there
Enjoyed it thank you
Say "Hi" from Minnesota to L. "Olé" Olsen if he's still around KOIN! 👍😎
Great story, well told & photographed! Thanks!
I'm still towboatin for middle river marine in lemont Illinois. I hate that ditch. Just about to go and get my pilots license soon though!
Looks like a good job 🇬🇧🇺🇸😎
Lord how I miss it .
River rat for most my life .
Slinging rigging and line
Captain sounds like John Goodman
So cool wish I had a opportunity to do that
just apply for a job,they are always hiring
I Always wanted to be Tug Boat Captain...But I guess it Depends where You're working....But the Columbia is one I Picked First...then Sacramento River and Alaska....
That would be a great job!
The barges and boats the run colombia and the snake are such different style than the ones that run the Mississippi/icw. Why is that?
There’s for the most part two types of inland push boats. Line boats which are the long boats you see that are generally rated at 2-3000 horsepower and push large 10-30 barge tows. There are also fleet boats which is what that one would be considered. They’re rated at 800-2000 horsepower and on the Mississippi are used to build tow and in this case used to transport a few barges though not many. On the east coast we use the fleet boats to move at max two barges at a time. The fleet boats have to go through smaller locks and run a different river so they’re designed with that in mind
gwalker173 very informative, thank you!
reckon that thing will take down a bridge?? them guys got skills and balls..
I'm confused. If they're "Towboats" why are they PUSHING instead of TOWING?
What are the most common fatal accidents that happen in this line of work??
I want this job! Where do I sign up?
capt , jack van Dongen ROTTERDAM Holland , this is not a TowBoat but a pusch Boat , he pusch barges not towing in holland we cal them DUWBOOT.''
Thank you i
Now you pushing it...just kidding !
That boy must have had an in with the company to be doing that job that young. "And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpets made of steel"
Not really, I’ve seen guys younger than him churning mud. We had a trip pilot who couldn’t have been over 20.
@@lookingbehind6335 Because of what I just mentioned mainly. Still stands as policy in some of those more traditional companies.
You know what I used to say when I was riding on them boats and barges was we went under bridges you see a car go by at night time oh look real people real people because you don't never seen nobody other than document and other your other people when you wake him up and you're going to sleep
Looks like a Push Boat instead of Tug Boat. Apple 🍎 and Oranges
650’ long, that’s cute. Cmon over on the big muddy and try your hand with 40 barges. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
How long are they?
@Bulldozer What does that have to do with a tug boat?? lol
Wayne they're called "one uppers"
@Bulldozer yeah pushing 40 barges is a different story
You need to listen, that's how long the locks are
MON - ALLY - OHIO. Real river boat traffic..
Where do you winter the boat
I don't believe they stop for winter on the Columbia River. I think the only inland navigation that shuts down due to freezing would be the upper Mississippi River north of Alton, Illinois.
Most dangerous job on the water.. Lost two friends in one year down on the Mississippi outside of LA.
Interesting video. Yes it can be very dangerous. I know of some people who have died on the river. I had an incident in the locks long ago that nearly was fatal. Spent a lot of time in the hospital and can still feel the effects today from 40 years ago.
I worked the bearing sea for four years. It’s much more dangerous water.
What are the most common fatal accidents that happen in this line of work??
@@ozielramirez4589
Drowning
@@lookingbehind6335 even with life jacket/vests?? I always assumed anyone who fell overboard always had a life jacket/vest due to the requirements & strict regulations in this line of work
Haha try 28/28 35 to 42 barges over900 miles each tow
@Fuhq Boi ya momma fuck boy
@Fuhq Boi u mad sissy boy😂😂
That job is murder on relationships.
We were lucky to have a deckhand help us paint during his time off, his schedule was month on month off, he was just about ready to retire with 25 yrs put in, pretty sure he said he was union and was ready to start collecting a pension until they did a random drug test and he failed it, pot in his system, he lost everything, he thinks someone ratted him out, sooo sad.
They can’t take his pension, that’s illegal. He might have to wait a little longer but it’s his money.
i applied for a deckhands job. never hired. my dad was a skipper of a tug in NY harbor. i have epilepsy and lived in denial of my disability. my grandfather was also in the business. but.....
Companies are always hiring. Should try Kirby
You can't have seizures and work on a ship or be a commercial pilot...good luck to you.
Do you mean *tug boat*
They mean tow boat. A tug is designed for a different set of tasks.
Heads downstairs, what a joke
@Hammerschlägen M HaHa that's funny right there!
If it’s a news story, I don’t give a shit
Lol 14 and 14 try 28 and 14 12 hour watches
Dude it's called a tugboat, not a towboat!
Umm, no it's a towboat & the load is called the tow
@@douglaskasten4630 if you live on the Mississippi as long as I have you call them a tugboat, just like we call it soda and people in the south call it pop. But if you live on the Mississippi tugboats transport barges down river and up river.Thank you
If it's towing asturn, it's a tug
If it's pushing ahead it's a push boat
They're all classified as tugs..
A harbor tug does both..
It’s a TOW boat.
Well I've worked on one for 20 years, it's called a towboat.
Great place to be gay
Bob Cobb how exactly is that.
@@Ecoboosttookadump you should come out of the closet jack, your only gay if you push back
What happens below deck stays below deck