The Neeskay, the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences’ research vessel, is on some unfamiliar ground: Land.
The 71-year-old ship is up in Manitowoc at Burger Boat Company, where it is undergoing its regular five-year maintenance. Over the course of four to six weeks, the Neeskay will undergo maintenance that includes:
- Hull thickness survey and fresh paint.
- Thru-hull valves service.
- Prop and shaft inspection and realignment.
- Rudder and steering inspection and maintenance.
Captain Max Morgan sailed the Neeskay to Manitowoc through choppy seas on Lake Michigan Oct. 16, navigating a short way up the Manitowoc River to Burger Boat. There, a large travel lift hauled the Neeskay – all 71 feet and 75 tons of it – out of the water and onto a dry dock.
Built in 1953 in New Orleans, the Neeskay was an Army T-boat used for tug and transport duties in the Korean War. UWM bought it in 1970 and had it converted into a research vessel at Peterson Builders in Sturgeon Bay. It remains the only research vessel that explores the Great Lakes year-round.
UWM has been raising money to replace the Neeskay with a modern vessel. Recent donations have moved the effort to within $3.5 million of the $20 million cost needed to start construction on the Maggi Sue.
At 200 tons and 120 feet long, the Maggi Sue will be much larger than the Neeskay. It will be packed with state-of-the-art equipment, making it the nation’s most technologically advanced freshwater research vessel.
