The Fred A. Busse served the Chicago Fire Department for many years, and was built in Bay City MI in 1937. Currently she is owned by Door County Cruises, LLC. The fireboat is 90 feet long, has a steel hull, twin screw propulsion Detroit Diesels, hydraulic steering control and carries 127 passengers. For you maritime buffs, check out the website: http://www.doorcountyfireboatcruises.com/
Our Captain is Linda, & her mate is Rocky; one very handsome fellow and reasonably good at posing. He loves to sit in the captain’s chair with Captain Linda, who, by the way, gives an excellent narration of the history along with the current status of the area. Rocky gets to live aboard full time – lucky guy!
It was especially nice to see everyone enjoying the tour. This little guy loved to stand up at the side of the boat & bark at the dogs on shore!
Content passenger!
The interior had many interesting artifacts & photos; however the light reflecting on the protective glass made picture taking challenging.
One of many interior displays
Originally we had planned on taking the morning tour, but Capt. Linda requires a minimum of 12 passengers. With the price of diesel fuel, you can’t run a tour boat at a loss. The afternoon tour turned out just right. Not too many passengers with lots of room to move around & the opportunity to meet fellow passengers.
Bob gives a BIG thumbs up!
Room to roam about & talk
View of the side of fireboat
Soon we head west & watch the downtown bridge open at the top of the hour.
We loved watching the bridge open
As luck would have it, prior to boarding, we drove out to the Sherwood Point Lighthouse & took some pictures, not realizing that we would be viewing this lighthouse from the fireboat when we reach Green Bay. What a treat!
Sherwood Point Lighthouse taken from the Fireboat
On the Lake Michigan side, we get to see the Ship Canal built by the Army Corps of Engineers & the US Coast Guard Light.
Original timbers used in construction of the canal
Coastguard facility at entrance to the canal at Lake Michigan
What can I say about boys and their toys? Here is a picture of what Bob says he wants:
Bob's idea of a yacht
And finally, if he saves his pennies, he may someday be able to afford this:
Reality, with luck!
What a teriffic day! It's hard to say "goodby" to Linda & Rocky. Thanks for taking us on a great adventure through Sturgeon Bay & the Army of Engineers canal.
We bid farewell to Rocky & Capt. Linda
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