Malcolm Marine, Inc.

01/26/2024

Edited to add: Wow, thank you everyone for all your kind words and wishes. 😊

Maybe should have posted this a little sooner, but as we posted recently, our Mom passed away on January 12th, so it’s been a rough time for us.

So, yes, the rumors our true, after 64 years, we are in the process of retiring and selling our business, and part of that, of course, includes our tug MANITOU.
She was recently purchased by Ryba Marine in Cheboygan, MI and Capt. Dave delivered her last week. A bit sad to let go of her. She’s the one we tore down to nothing but an empty hull and rebuilt her completely to suit our needs. She was a workhorse and never let us down. Best commercial icebreaker on the Great Lakes.

That being said, we can’t think of a better company to take on the MANITOU’s next chapter. We’ve been doing business with Ryba for many years and they have the same hard work ethic, and integrity that our parents instilled in us. Great company , great owners, and great employees. No doubt they will take good care of her.

We made the decision to retire and sell last Fall. Not an easy decision, but it’s time. Having been involved with a family business, especially a tugboat business, is all encompassing. It’s hard. Being away from family at times; hard, physical work; dealing with mountains of government paperwork.
However, we do love the work we’ve done our whole lives, starting when we were old enough to chip the decks on the barges, or learn to handle a line. Always a challenge around the bend. So many sea stories, they could fill an Encyclopedia Britannica volume of books.
It’s time, though, to take things a little slower, travel - via road or plane - enjoy our grandchildren more. Maybe take a vacation in the summertime, instead of only in the winter, when the locks are closed and the shipping slows.

Going to be a tough transition for us, we’ve been on tugs and barges since we could walk. Capt. Dave will continue to run the MANITOU for a period for Ryba, on a part time basis, so be sure to continue to give him a call on Ch. 8 when passing.

If you’ve made it this far in our post, thank you for all your comments, and likes on this page since we started it; thank you to all our awesome customers. And mostly, thank you to all our employees. There have been so many, some who have come and gone, some staying longer than others, so many who really are family, and the others who became like family.
Lastly, thank you for all your kind words and condolences on this page, on the loss of our mom.

So many changes to come, but if it’s a really good book, you just can’t wait to turn the page and see what the next chapter brings, right?
⁃ the Malcolm Family.

01/15/2024

Our mom has gone to be with our dad in Heaven. It’s what she’s wanted for over 16 years.

Mom met Dad thru his sister, Ginny. Mom was only 14, Dad was 16. After high school, Mom worked at the drug store in Algonac, MI as a soda jerk and Dad worked at the Ford garage across the street. Of course, Dad had to stop by and order a malt, just to see her.

They married in 1954 and went on to have 4 kids, Dave, Don, Debbie and Diane- often known as the Four D’s. They also had 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Dad started doing diving work and together they eventually started the family business Malcolm Marine in 1960. Marine construction and tugboats. Mom, in addition to being the homemaker and Mom, she also did all the books for the company in the evenings. Together they grew the business.

Snowmobiling was a favorite winter pastime of the whole family. We would pile on the machines, Debbie and Diane in the sled with our dog and ride all the way from Marine City to our Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Chuck’s house in Algonac.
Weekends we would ride out to Nelson Sharrow’s clubhouse on Chartier Road. Mom always enjoyed these outings.

Mom also loved riding with Dad on his Harley Davidson “Hog”.

Dad put a pool in our backyard in 1968 and Mom spent many hours out there watching us swim and yelling at us to get down out of the cherry tree.

Mom loved her Coke and Hershey bars with almonds, and believe she lived on those the last years of her life, along with Diane’s famous chocolate chip cookies which were her favorite. She had a big sweet tooth, but somehow stayed slim.

Christmas and family birthdays were special to Mom. She never forgot her kids or grandkids birthdays and at Christmas she loved to shop to find “just the right gift” for everyone. As our family grew, so did her shopping list, but she persisted until she had gifts for everyone.

Mom retired from the business in 1997 and was able to spend more time reading, baking, and watching cooking shows. Her and Dad would leave the house pretty much every evening when Dad got home from work and drive to Tim Hortons to get a coffee and a donut, and watch the ships from the park at the Blue Water Bridge.

We lost Dad in 2007 and Mom was never the same. They had spent their entire adult lives together, working side by side. She spent more time watching tv and especially loved watching MASH. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2017 and spent the last four years at Sandalwood Creek Assisted Living. The manager, Rayanne, and the rest of the staff there were wonderful to her.

Funeral arrangements have been made. In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations in Moms memory be made to the City of St. Clair Fireworks Fund. Donations can be sent directly to the City Hall.

Rest in Peace, Mom. Sure hope they have your favorite chocolate dipped donuts in Heaven. We love and miss you. - The Four D’s ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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11/07/2023

MANITOU’s point of view from her starboard side.

11/07/2023

Tug MANITOU has just arrived at the scene of the grounded M.V. AMERICAN COURAGE off Marine City.

10/05/2023

Rainy day tow. Tug MANITOU assisting McKeil’s tug ECOSSE with the S. S. NORISLE.
Lake Huron Cut
October 5, 2023.
Photos courtesy of Capt. Bob Hasler

04/26/2023

Our tug MANITOU “tailing tug” this morning for the SS KEEWATIN tow. McKeil’s tug MOLLY M. is the lead tug as they expertly bring the KEEWATIN downbound Lake Huron Cut and under the bridge.
So glad the tow was daylight hours as hundreds of Boatnerds lined the shore all along the St. Clair River.
The MANITOU will assist down to Detroit River Lt.
The KEEWATIN has an interesting history and she still looks great. Smooth sailing to her new home and may she continue to serve as a museum ship for years to come.
April 26, 2023.