Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

After 19 years operating the Norweta - seen here near Tulita - the Whitlock family is ready for a rest. That means it may be a while before the well-know Arctic cruise ship makes another appearance on the Mackenzie River. - photo courtesy of Brodie Thomas FACT FILE The history of the NWT cruise ship the Norweta stretches back almost four decades: 1970 - Norweta built by Don Tetrault of Arctic Cruise Line 1970-75 - The ship takes tourists up and down the Mackenzie River 1976 - The Norweta is sold and moved to the Beaufort-Delta region to be used as a standby ship delivering supplies and personnel to oil and gas exploration sites 1986 - With the crash of the Northern oil and gas industry, the Norweta is parked in Tuktoyaktuk 1989 - Northern Transportation Company Limited tows the Norweta south to Hay River 1990 - George and Margaret Whitlock buy the Norweta and begin a massive refurbishing project 1991 - With the work complete, the Whitlocks begin offering tours of Great Slave Lake's East Arm 1992 - The Norweta returns to its roots as the Whitlocks offer their first Mackenzie River cruises 1992-95 - The Norweta does one north-bound and one south-bound river cruise per season, each is roughly 1,771 km long 1996 - Prompted by high demand, the Whitlocks start offering two trips in each direction on the river 1996-2001 - The Norweta does two north-bound and two south-bound river cruises per season 2002 - Demand for the Mackenzie River trip jumps again and the ship starts making three voyages in each direction 2002-present - The Norweta does three north-bound and three south-bound river cruises per season 2008 - The Whitlocks decide it's time to retire, put the Norweta up for sale and decline bookings for the 2009 season

George and Margaret Whitlock, who bought the cruise ship in 1990, have decided with their son Greg Whitlock that they're ready to retire to Alberta and are putting the vessel up for sale.

While that happens, no bookings are being accepted for the 2009 season.

"We can't commit to next year if we want to sell it," said Margaret Whitlock.

While market demand will eventually determine the price of the Norweta, she did offer two numbers for consideration.

"It's been appraised as it is, where it is, at more than $1 million," she said. "To build a new ship today, exactly the same as the Norweta, would cost about $9 million."

There are countless memories from their time on the big river Whitlock said will stick with she and her husband throughout their days.

"There were a lot of adventures, that's for sure," she said. "We always got a lot of passengers from around the world."

The 103-foot ship would regularly carry tourists - up to 18 at a time - from Australia, Germany, France, the U.S., and elsewhere, she explained.

"It was always a treat for us seeing the Mackenzie through the eyes of our guests," she said. "It was always such a new experience for them."

The 10-day Mackenzie River cruises always included stops in communities between Fort Providence and Inuvik. The Whitlocks will miss the many residents who always came out to meet and inform their guests about the local history and artists.

"People in the Delta, Norman Wells and Fort Simpson always seemed to show the most interest," she said.

The potential end of the river cruises has some residents concerned about the future.

"If this is the last year for the Norweta, it would be a huge disappointment for us here in Norman Wells," said Peggy Pouw, manager and curator of the Norman Wells Historical Centre - a museum dedicated to the history of the Sahtu region and the Canol Trail.

"We've always en-joyed a lot of business from the passengers arriving in town on the Norweta."

Longtime Northerner and founder of the Colville Lake Museum, Bern Will Brown said it's sad to hear the NWT will be saying goodbye to the Whitlocks.

"They were always so friendly with everyone," he said. "They were true Northerners."

He said something should be done to preserve the Mackenzie River cruises as they offer such unique looks at NWT history and modern life.

"I had a chance to go onboard the Norweta in Inuvik many years ago - it seemed to be a wonderful ship," he said. "It's a shame to hear it may come to an end, I hope someone picks it up."

He suggested perhaps NWT Tourism should get involved in purchasing the vessel.

"We're hoping the same thing," said Whitlock. "It's a real asset for the NWT and we're at the age where we just can't keep doing this - we're ready for a rest."