Between the Levees

Joining me from a shipyard on the Tennessee River, Chief Bill Shackelford talks through his 45 years out there on the water. From the National River Academy in Arkansas to the deck in St. Louis to the engine rooms of various vessels all across the industry, Chief Bill currently calls the M/V DANNY ETHERIDGE home for half the year.

Allison joins me again on the show to talk through the not-so-surprising numbers on my YouTube Channel since publishing our first visit, and she also addresses some of the feedback received thus far on Facebook in response to her episode.

Finally joining me on the podcast, Mrs. Allison Baley chronicles her journey through life and her exposure growing up to the water and the industries it supports. She later attended SUNY Maritime College and made her way into the industry first on passenger vessels that traveled throughout the inland rivers, the storied AMERICAN QUEEN among them, and more recently into the barging world aboard, primarily, the CRIMSON GEM at ARTCO.

Retired Capt. Ted Davisson joins me at long last on the show to discuss his maritime career. Introduced to the industry by a Summer job through college, Ted found himself working on passenger vessels for a decade, becoming licensed, and eventually finding opportunity with the NOBRA Pilots Association.

We discuss his career progression as well as one fateful morning aboard the M/V BRIGHTFIELD passing southbound through New Orleans in the mid 90s. We touch briefly also on the recent M/V DALI incident in Baltimore, some additional sea stories from a 50 year career, and a bit about this podcast.

John Esser joins Charlie and me on the show to chat about the years they spent on the water, having first met on the original M/V HARRY WADDINGTON (previously the LADY GLORIA) with MEMCO in the late 90s, the boys get caught up discussing Charlie's condition and opportunities for help, sea stories from the decades they floated down river, and a little bit more about this podcast.

Captain Jimmy Cheatham and Chief Engineer Tony Bowden from the M/V JOHN D NUGENT join me together on the show to talk through relationships built and experiences had out there on the water, to the present-day workforce, the substantial retirement of industry experience and expertise looming on the horizon, and the future of our industry just a few decades down the road.

Zack Doss joins me to discuss his young career, a recent incident in Port Arthur, TX, mariners' mental health, and the challenges inherent to the industry that can greatly affect life at home.

Captains Marcus and Ty Matheny join me on the show to share stories about some previous guests, their family history in the industry, their own experiences out there on the water, positive influences on their careers over the years, and a little bit about this podcast project.