BRIDGING A CANYON OF WATER [QUEBEC maritime]
Captain & Chief Engineer Discuss Logistics Of Moving Large Vehicles Across Water, Returning Home & Their Outdoor Experiences
Life on a ship has its advantages. But certain ships are lifelines. The Traverse Rivière-du-Loup/St-Siméon Ferry connects two sides of Quebec Maritime with a lifeline and a 38 miles crossing for everything from tankers to motorhomes. Captain Marco Ouellet & Chief Engineer Serge-Martin Denis sat down with The Buzz to discuss the challenges of their job and connecting to the local land and sea.
The Buzz: Serge...you started off at a young age near the water. Can you talk about how that sort of propelled you to where you are today?
Serge-Martin Denis: I was eight years old I first get at sea. I was born in a small village called Petit Gaspe close to Gaspe Bay. My grandfather had a small fishing boat, so every Saturday and Sunday during school time and almost all summer, I spend a lot of time with him. I would just go out for cod fishing. And then my father was working the shipyard. So I grew up basically on ship. So when I [was at the] age to get in the marine school, I started sailing. Went everywhere almost in the world except maybe China and Australia. But everywhere, like North America, South America, Middle, Caribbean, Africa, Europe.
The Buzz: Captain...what's the bottom like in this area of the St. Lawrence River?
Captain Marco Ouellet: It's mud with some rocks close to the highway, but it's not really deep on the south part. But there is an island right in the middle of the St Lawrence River. It's called Ile aux Lievre, like "hare". And the other side is very deep. The north channel – especially if you start from Tadoussac going down, you can go up to 400m in front of Eskumai. That's where the whales are. Then the bottom goes up and the food is there. But [where we are] it's shallow waters. There's a place I call “The Tuna” -- we're about to enter it. You'll hear when we call for the ballast. It's a little bit deeper, but it's not deep.
The Buzz: Now where's the balance between your love of the sea and how the business needs to operate?
SMD: Basically, no matter what is the cost, it's safety first. So once we're safe and we have done what needs to be done to start the season every year, then we check for other components. The basic is based on what you need to compliance with Transport Canada. And also, the second major thing is keep our crew. The cost is very high to upgrade them. So to keep them, it's something too because if don't make them work, they're gone. So the deck officers go home during the winter, but not us. When the ship is stopped, then we start working to make it ready for the next season so we never stop basically.
The Buzz: You were talking about your background, you were on NCL and you were on chemical ships, what's the difference from your point of view? It's different lifestyle? Different mindset?
MC: It's different but then I would say the basics. Taking care of the people. It's hard to say. I started here [at the ferry] in the parking lot, giving tickets, [when I was] 15 years old. I never thought that I would come back (laughing).
The Buzz: You have so many vehicles coming on and off the ship including motor homes. Could you talk about the experience seeing those kinds of things coming out of here and how it got you interested into doing it yourself?
SMD: I saw those vehicles going on and off of the ferry and I started to look at it. We were doing camping at home during the weekend but we didn't have the equipment like this to travel. We have a small camping trailer.
The Buzz: So a pull-behind?
SMD: Yeah, exactly. So for our forty years old [present], because my wife was forty years old too, I said "I should rent one for a month with the kids and go from Vancouver across Canada". I didn't even know if it was possible so I make few phone calls and they say "Yeah, it is". So we took a month, me, my wife, and the three kids. And we stopped everywhere, like every interesting point, we did it. So we ran for 7,400 clicks in 28 days.
The Buzz: What was your favorite on the trip?
SMD: Whistler [is amazing], you won't see that anywhere else, like hot springs and then few minutes after you swim in very cold water with animals and mountains and everything. But there's a small town called Drumheller. I mean when you run there, it's like if you run in a movie. I don't know if you ever seen the movie Planet 51 for the kids? But his place has dinosaur bones everywhere. You won't see that anywhere else.
The Buzz: What inspired you as a kid to get into this? What started the love of the sea?
MC: I grew up very near to it. My mother was pregnant with my sister. I spent two weeks at my uncle and every night he would bring me with him. I was four years old. We stayed hospital over here, and [we would] see the last ship coming in. That ship actually was the this same ship. I never thought that I would come back here as Captain. I mean, I've been all around the world now. Some people brag about the sunset here, but maybe they brag too much, but they are really nice. I can tell you, I've been on the Med. I've been to Scandinavia. My favorite is Norway.
The Buzz: Serge...you like the captain have traveled all over, but yet, it's good to come back home.
SMD: It's good to come back home for the family. So once the family is grown up, I'll be gone again. I met my wife when I was in the marine school, even a little bit before that. She was a dietitian. So we buy a house and start a family. I got three boys, so they need their dad close. I came back here nine years ago. Once in a while, they come with me on board, it's like their second house. They walk all over the place, they know everybody.
Tim Wassberg
A graduate of New York University's Tisch School Of The Arts with degrees in Film/TV Production & Film Criticism, Tim has written for magazines such as Moviemaker, Moving Pictures, Conde Nast Traveler UK and Casino Player. He enjoys traveling and distinct craft beers among other things.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Camping Municipale De La Pointe, which is located near the majestic St. Lawrence River, overlooks the Parc de la Pointe. Recognized as one of the most beautiful campgrounds in Québec, the campground offers offers a warm welcome, an exceptional cachet, full services, and water playground.