Mackinac Island Ferry Captains All Agree Safety Is Top Concern
By Sean Ely

Arnold Transit Captain Kevin Huhn, who has been piloting boats for 12 years, strives for a spotless career without any of his passengers suffering an injury. He looks forward to waking up every morning to come to his "office" on the water.

If you asked Star Line Captain Mike North, Shepler's Captain Billy Shepler, or Arnold Transit Captain Kevin Huhn what the most important aspect of piloting a ferry to and from Mackinac Island is, they would all say safety.

"The most important thing about driving these boats is to get everyone to their destination safely," said Capt. North, who has worked 20 years for Star Line. "Having an uneventful ride is actually the best, believe it or not. We want it to be a smooth and relaxing ride for our passengers. When nothing happens, that's the peaceful ride we're looking for."

Every skipper would agree that this is a people business, and how the boat riders are treated says a lot about the company in general.

"It's all about keeping a clean and safe environment. That's my specific goal," said Capt. Shepler, who has been with his family's business for more than 18 years. "That's our whole company. I can appreciate being a fudgie, myself, when I travel to other parts of the world. You want to be treated the same way you do back at home. I treat people like I would want to be treated. To make a long story short, you need to communicate with people

Captain Bill Shepler stops work for a photograph Thursday, June 7. Mr. Shepler has worked on the boats since he was 10 years old, and has been driving for 18 years. He started out collecting tickets for the company, which is owned by his grandfather, grandmother, and father.

and make sure their expectations are met. I don't let people

walk on by without acknowledging them. I know that it makes a big difference to do that, so I make sure to do it as much as I possibly can. Some people see working with people as a downfall, but I look at it as a way to communicate and interact with everyone. It makes the tediousness of the job go away."

For Capt. Huhn, with Arnold Transit for the past three years and Shepler's for nine years before that, those passing through have become the number one thing he enjoys about his job.

Mike North, Star Line captain for 15 years, is spending his last summer on the water before moving into the general manager's office. He says the ferry business is people orientated and he has enjoyed meeting many interesting people while piloting boats to and from Mackinac Island.

"The people are great," he said. "They are very interesting and they come from all across the world. I love talking about the boats to the kids, and when the horn blows, they love it. The best thing is definitely the people, especially when they keep coming back every single summer and they recognize me each time and say, 'Do you ever get a day off? I always see you.'"

Most of the ferry captains work 12 hours a day, and more than 60 hours a week, every week of the summer. It can make family life tough.

"My goal is to have a summer off, sometime, to enjoy a northern Michigan summer and get more time to do other things up here," Mr. Shepler said. "The days are really long. We all love the weather, though; that keeps us going. Summer is still my favorite season, with everything that goes on in the season."

Challenges do arise in the long days on the water. Engines can break down, there can be thick fog, people can get rowdy later at night, and it can get congested out on the lake with jet scooters, fishing boats, freighters, and all the ferries in one area. But everyone works together to ensure passenger safety and enjoyment, and, despite the competition, the three ferry lines stay in close contact. Messrs. Huhn and North grew up together and received their boat licenses the same year.

"Everyone looks out for each other when we're on the water," Capt. North said. "It's not like we'd warn Arnold Transit if something was going on, and not Shepler's. We are all close and nobody treats each other like a competitor. We're all friends out there, because we want everything to run the best it possibly can."

Capt. Huhn said self-confidence is an important aspect of the job.

"You have to have a good feeling, and there needs to be a sense of confidence there," he said. "If you don't believe you are the best when the weather is bad, you shouldn't be doing it. I know I can do it and get my passengers to land safely. That's why everything has gone well for me so far."

Rain or shine, the ferry boats will keep sailing in the Straights of Mackinac, but it is always important to keep an eye on the weather reports, said Mr. North.

"One thing about our job is that we're out here no matter what the weather is going to be like," he said. "It makes a difference whether you're going to have a good day or not, so we appreciate the nice weather when we have it. I don't pay attention to the weather too much, but I do pay more attention to wind direction. That affects us a little bit more. We just have to continue to do our thing, the best we can."

On rare occasions, high winds can stop the boats, especially when docking becomes difficult.

One aspect of the job that captains never get sick of is the view from their office, in the pilot house where they pilot the ferries.

"I do love doing this. I love my job," Mr. Shepler said. "The Shepler's boats are fun to drive, easy to maneuver, and they handle very well. Looking out the top of a boat at both sunrise and sunset is truly amazing."

Getting a commercial license and becoming a captain, however, isn't an overnight process, and dedication to the water is a prerequisite.

The process includes having experience on a boat as a deckhand for more than 360 days and letters of recommendation from three captains.

Mr. Shepler has worked on the boats since he was 10 years old, and has been driving for 18 years. He started out collecting tickets for the company, which is owned by his grandfather, grandmother, and father.

"The love has never changed, but it has definitely developed," he said. "I have gotten to meet people, like the new kids coming and going every year. That's a lot of fun to me. It all started from my love for being on the water and floating on boats."

Mr. Huhn can't remember being a kid and not knowing how to drive a boat. He had fishing boats growing up, an activity he would indulge in with his grandfather. He has lived in St. Ignace all his life.

Mr. North has been driving boats for 15 years, but has worked for Star Line for 20. He started by parking cars and can remember his little remote-control boat he had when he was five years old. When he was a small child, his mother would anchor his rowboat so he could paddle in a circle.

"I've always wanted to do this, just without knowing it," he said of being a ferry captain. "I had the chance to move up, and I did it. I spent two years as a parker, one year as a dock assistant, and then the next two years as a deckhand. A lot of it is just being outside, growing up around boats, and being around the water. I enjoy being around people, too, however, I'm moving into the office next year, so this is my last year out driving. Larry Spencer, who has been a captain for 12 years, will take over as the seniority holder."

The three captains all hope to retire someday with a clean record, with no one suffering any injuries.

"If I can retire and know that the hundreds of thousands of people that I have been responsible for were safe and never got hurt, I'll be happy," said Capt. North. "That's my one goal."

The ferry lines believe the season has started off nicely. They are optimistic about the summer, since there have been so many group tours this spring.

The captains recommend getting the full experience when taking a ferry ride by sitting on the top outdoor deck.

"If it doesn't bother you when it's blowing and there are waves, it makes it kind of fun to sit up top, and take advantage of the outdoor deck and environment to see the sites and smell the smells of fresh water and have the wind blow through your hair," Mr. Shepler said. "What better way to experience the Straits and the Island than sitting right above it all outside on the top deck?"