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It's no riverboat fantasy

Brodie Thomas
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 30, 2008

TSIIGETCHIC/ARCTIC RED RIVER - On a clear summer day, Drew Mitchell has one of the best views in the territory from his "office" window. It features a full 360 degree panorama of Tsiigehtchic and the banks of the Mackenzie River.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Drew Mitchell points towards the Tsiigehtchic landing as he pilots the MV Louis Cardinal to the south side of the Dempster highway. This is Mitchell's first summer at the helm of the ship. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

Mitchell's office doesn't require much paperwork. He is the captain of the MV Louis Cardinal, the ferry that transports vehicles across the Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic.

This is his first year driving the ferry at the Tsiigehtchic crossing, but he said he has been on boats all his life. Most of his experience is on deep sea tugboats. He grew up in Vancouver and worked for a time out of Prince Rupert, B.C.

Mitchell has an excellent view from the bridge of the ship, but he doesn't have much time to appreciate it as he pilots the ferry from point to point. Even in the middle of the river, he rarely takes his eyes from the controls or the water ahead. He constantly tweaks and readjusts the throttle as he speaks.

Although the outside of the ferry gets covered with dust, dirt, and grease from the regular wear and tear of transporting vehicles, Mitchell's bridge is spotless.

"I can steer the ship from both sides," said Mitchell as he adjusted the levers and dials on the panel in front of him. He spends most of the day on his feet at the one panel. The controls are identical on both sides of the bridge. Mitchell could walk from one side to the other if he wanted to. He would never have to spin the boat around if he was only going from one side of the river to the other. But since this is a three-point crossing he uses the current to spin the ship around and he stays at one set of controls.

There is no grand wooden steering wheel like you might see in a pirate movie. To steer the ship, there are two throttles that move forward and backward, and a small handle that moves from left to right.

Mitchell said for the most part, the ship handles well. He only has trouble in the wind.

"In the wind it is terrible. It depends on the river, too. It changes every day. Different speeds with the ice melting up river. But it is the wind mostly that really affects this boat," said Mitchell.

It can be lonely at the top. Mitchell said he doesn't get many visitors, probably because passengers are not allowed on the bridge. But crew members often come up to talk, and there are still lots of interesting vehicles to see. He said the most interesting vehicles he has seen this year are Mercedes Axors.

"They're a four wheel drive camper. They've got solar panels on the roof. They're pretty cool," he said.

Mitchell admits the job can be monotonous at times, but he still finds a lot to enjoy at work.

"The people make it work. It's a good gig."