Volunteer Connection

 

Volunteer Connection

February 12, 2010

 

Museum Announces and Welcomes New Captains for 2010

 The Captains Search Committee is delighted to announce that it has been successful in recruiting two new Captain for the 2010 Season, although one is well known to many of us.

 

After a prolonged search of three months and with resumes ranging from England to California, South Haven native Captain Sam Sikkema will serve as Captain of Friends Good Will.  Captain Eric Dunckel will serve as Relief Captain and paid crew.

 

Captain Sikkema was active with the Michigan Maritime Museum chapter of the Sea Scouts and was a member of the Ship's Company well before Friends Good Will was delivered.  He first booked passage on a tall ship, Bounty, the summer of 2003 outbound from South Haven to Bay City.  Tucked under the arms of some Museum members on that voyage were plans for a square topsail sloop in which Sam took great interest; Friends Good Will.  Sam served as paid crew aboard Friends Good Will and upon leaving South Haven for bigger water, served as Bosun aboard the replica Schooner Lynx and Mate aboard Bounty and Denis Sullivan.  Sam has also served as paid crew aboard Niagara.  He returns to South Haven to take command of the very vessel for which he cut and whipped line some years ago.

 

Captain Dunckel sailed for years out of Alpena, later undertook voyages in commercial fishing tenders from Puget Sound to Alaska, California and the mid-Pacific.  He has sailed from southern California to the Sea of Cortez and logged many blue water miles delivering large yachts from the northeast coast to the Caribbean.  He also served as a volunteer, paid crew and watch officer aboard Denis Sullivan. Captain Dunckel is an experienced woodworker, was  an instrumental music teacher and has served as a volunteer in organizations ranging from tall ships to school boards.

 

Captain Sikkema will begin the third week of March and is very excited about the programs and destinations planned for Friends Good Will this season.  He will preside over an early season Ship's Company meeting.  With his familiarity with Friends Good Will and so many of her "noble crew" we will, even more than most seasons, get off to an active start.  Captains Sikkema and Dunckel know each other from their service on Denis Sullivan and both have expressed comfort and enthusiasm in working with each other. ~Jim Spurr, First Officer

 

Marialyce Canonie…

The Michigan Maritime Museum was very sorry to learn of the passing of Marialyce Canonie. Our deepest sympathy is extended to her family. We recognize the significance that Marialyce played in establishing the Maritime Museum and our research library.

 

If you haven’t read the story of her remarkable life, please do so now by visiting http://www.filbrandtffh.com/

 

The Museum will be celebrating her life and her contributions to the Museum at a date to be announced in the spring.

 

 

Lecture Series Continues on February 21 with Notable Ship Modeler and Maritime History Photojournalist

On Sunday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m., the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, Michigan will host two guest lecturers featuring the history behind and ship models of the Edmund Fitzgerald and former USCGC Mackinaw, the latter of which is herself now a maritime museum permanently docked in Mackinaw City, Michigan.

 

Byron Hansen has modeled both, along with other ships and will address the research and techniques of large scale modeling.  His model of the Edmund Fitzgerald, for instance, donated recently to the Michigan Maritime Museum, scaled 1/8” to a foot, bringing the model to 8’ in length.  This allows opportunity for accuracy and detail that nautical enthusiasts enjoy and appreciate.  Mr. Hansen is currently modeling Mackinaw to the same scale, at the request of the Michigan Maritime Museum and will speak to and illustrate the progress made with another large scale project.

 

Corey Adkins will present with Mr. Hansen.  Mr. Adkins is the Director of Photojournalism at Channel 9&10, Cadillac, Michigan.  Corey Adkins has found himself at the top of the Mackinaw Bridge, the bottom of the Soo Locks and many of his assignments feature Michigan maritime history.  Mr. Adkins produced a documentary in 2005 featuring the Edmund Fitzgerald which won three Emmy’s.  Portions of that documentary will be featured in his presentation.  He later over a period of three years documented the last years of the USCGC Mackinaw, including its last voyage and decommissioning.  Mr. Adkins produced a documentary, “Ice Cutter Mackinaw; Queen of the Great Lakes.”  Mr. Adkins’ photojournalism projects coincide with the artistic work of ship modeler Mr. Hansen.

 

The presentation is multi media, including the models themselves, sound and music.  Together, Mr. Hansen and Mr. Adkins will bring art to life in the dramatic tales from two of the most beloved and famous ships on the Great Lakes.

 

Pearson 26’

FGW crew member Curtis Lacy has a Pearson 26' that he is interested in cooperatively sharing sail time and slip expenses for this summer.
 
"Rabo" is the 12th 26' foot cruiser built by Pearson.  In the last three years she has been rehabilitated and retro-fitted, and is in fine condition
for sailing and habitation. 
 
The boat will be slipped at the Black River municipal marina.  She could be available to a cooperative user for some full weeks, several weekends,
and most weekdays for the six month sailing season.
 
If you are interested in discussing this, please write or phone Curtis 269-906-0443, c.a.lacy@hotmail.com 

 

Upcoming Summer Voyages for Ship’s Company Crew…

Tentative Voyage Leg Dates:

 

Kenosha—May 17-22 and May 22-27

Green Bay—August 8-13 and August 13-18

Chicago—August 23-27 and August 27-31

 

• Crew are to report on deck at noon on the first day of each voyage leg in uniform.
• Crew are expected to remain on duty until properly relieved by oncoming crew.

 

The Michigan Maritime Museum will be accepting requests for crew positions on these voyages until April 1 to facilitate crew scheduling and pre-planning for the upcoming season. Please email your request along with your current crew rating to mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org if you are interested in crewing aboard the vessel during dockside tours and extended voyages this season. If you have any questions regarding crewing please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Stephens at 269.637.8078.

 

The Michigan Maritime Museum’s requirements for all Ship’s Company to serve as crew include the following criteria:

1. Current Museum Membership
2. Successfully passing a 5-panel pre-employment drug test
3. Current Michigan Charter Boat Association Membership Card on file
4. Completion of the Basic Seamanship Sail Training  Classes I, II, and III
5. Completed emergency contact form on file(attached)
6. Proof of current First Aid and CPR training

 

Custom Made Leather Sheaths…

Marcia Flynn is happy to make a leather sheath for anyone needing one for their knife, spike and/or fid. Prices start at $50.00. Call Marcia at 616.901.2018 or email her at marciaflynn@att.net.

 

Ship’s Company Directory…

Following the December Ship's Company Meeting and the draft list which followed in January, attached please find a Ship's Company Directory of those who crew or work upon Friends Good Will.  If your information changes, let Mary Stephens know and we would be happy to keep the list current and of use to all of us among our friends and shipmates.  Thanks to all for their cooperation!  - Jim Spurr, First Officer.

 

 

Upcoming Activities at the Museum:  

Date:                                                                                          Event:

 

Saturday, February 13, 1-4 PM                                        Basic Seamanship I Sail Training Class (pre-registration required)

Wednesday, February 17, 6-8 PM                                   FGW Work Session

Friday, February 19, 3–5 PM                                           Board of Directors Meeting—Members Encouraged to Attend

Saturday, February 20, 9 AM-noon                                FGW Work Session

Saturday, February 20, 10 AM-noon                               CPR/First Aid Refresher Class (pre-registration required)

Sunday, February 21, 2-3 PM                                          Sunday Lecture Series on Ship Models & Photojournalism

 

For the good of the cause,

 

Mary Stephens

Education/Volunteer Coordinator

Michigan Maritime Museum

260 Dyckman Avenue

South Haven, MI 49090

269.637.8078