Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 19/02) - While much of the big freight is floated into the Mackenzie Delta by NTCL, there is always demand for equipment, vehicles and mixed freight to be barged about by smaller, independent vessels -- and the M.D. Marilyn is one of those.

The Marilyn is owned by Lyle Gully of Bob's Welding and was built in 1970, and rebuilt in 1993.

"We rebuilt her to bring her up to (department of) transportation's requirements and specs," Gully says.

He says the tug is running well, but business is slower this year than last.

"Where's the oil boom?" Gully asks. "We carry two captains and deck hands, but we just don't have the work for them."

Gully says they also own the Bob's Welding tug and the 6-14 barge, and they're both working, but not booked solid by any means.

"During the summer we get government contracts and that keeps us fairly busy, and the town is expanding so that also helps out," he said.

Ship's captain Don Mackenzie calls D'escousse, N.S., home, but has been piloting the Mackenzie since last year. "I came up last fall and worked through September and early October and returned back again this spring," Mackenzie said. "I'll be here until the end of the nav. season."

Mackenzie has sailed around the world twice since he started in 1969 and he's enjoying his latest assignment on the river that shares his name.

He said the Marilyn transports mixed freight up and down the Delta from Tuk to Grandview.

She's powered by a Volvo diesel pushing about 187 horsepower.

The ship has full navigation equipment with GPS, radar, two radios and a depth sounder.

"It's going quite steady," Mackenzie said. "We're quite busy and it's building all the time."

He said they ship all over the Delta but some recent ports of call included Swimming Point, West Channel and Aklavik.