Captain Garth Law
10 seasons sailing for Arnold
I am not much of a sit-at-a-desk type person, so having an office that floats back and forth across the Straits of Mackinac is a real pleasure.
I like working for Arnold because we offer the best of both worlds for vacationers. You can take the fastest boat to the island or the most leisurely, depending on if you’re in a hurry or want to get to a more relaxing pace — although I have to question those that are in a rush. To me, a Mackinac Island vacation should be nothing but relaxation.
Tip for my passengers — definitely arrive at the dock 15 minutes before the boat’s scheduled departure. As captain, it’s my job to keep us on schedule. If you pull onto the dock with a trunk load of baggage at 9:29 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. departure, we won’t be able to wait. Each Arnold vessel hauls more passengers than any plane on any given day. You can’t pull into a Northwest Airlines terminal at 9:29 and expect to make a 9:30 flight.
Don’t miss the opportunity to ride one of Arnold's traditional ferries out under the bridge for a sunset vesper cruise ... (during the summer...Mackinaw City on Sunday nights and St. Ignace on Tuesday nights).
Side trip? I always inform passengers that my favorite is Tahquamenon Falls up near Newberry. No trip is complete without a visit to the falls. It’s great during all seasons as it has its own restaurant and brewery and sights of the falls that are a must see.
Away from Arnold you’ll find me paddling a canoe down one of the many local rivers, coaching basketball, playing basketball in local tournaments and leagues, trudging through the woods with snowshoes, or in my back yard overlooking Moran Bay in St. Ignace with my grill torched, burgers cookin' and horseshoes clanging. .
Captain Carl McCready
9 seasons sailing for Arnold
My Grandfather ran a boat for Arnold after he retired from the Mackinac Island State Parks. Some of my best childhood memories are of riding with him. In 1997 when I changed my college major to education, I was able to create a summer job that is more of a hobby than a profession.
I graduated from Ferris State with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics Education and have a Master’s of Arts Degree from Central Michigan with an emphasis in Educational Technology. I earned my captain’s license the summer of 2001. That allows me to run a boat in the summer, and teach high school the rest of the year.
My first ship assignment was The Island Express, one of Arnold's three catamarans. I have crewed on all of Arnold Line's passenger ferries, as well as two of their freight boats.
The friendships I’ve developed through the company are unbelievable. I met one of my best friends my first summer working on the Island Express. He stood up in my wedding. My son’s Godfather is a captain for the company. I even met my wife while I was working a cruise my second summer at Arnold Line.
I truly believe that Arnold Line has the nicest ships, but that is not what makes it stand out. The biggest thing that makes Arnold enjoyable is the people — my coworkers (who truly enjoy their jobs) and the people who are entrusting me with part of their vacation.
Tip for my passengers – arrive at the dock early enough to treat your trip across the straits as part of your vacation, not just a way to get to the island. Some of the most beautiful views of the island and the straits area will actually be on our ship, so enjoy it.
Side trip? Away from the immediate straits area, my friends and family like to view Tahquamenon Falls, and see the freighters going through the Soo Locks. When I’m not sailing, I enjoy the outdoors – hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and boating. When you grow up in this area, the outdoors is a big part of your life. That is what makes this job so perfect.
10 seasons sailing for Arnold
I am not much of a sit-at-a-desk type person, so having an office that floats back and forth across the Straits of Mackinac is a real pleasure.
I like working for Arnold because we offer the best of both worlds for vacationers. You can take the fastest boat to the island or the most leisurely, depending on if you’re in a hurry or want to get to a more relaxing pace — although I have to question those that are in a rush. To me, a Mackinac Island vacation should be nothing but relaxation.
Tip for my passengers — definitely arrive at the dock 15 minutes before the boat’s scheduled departure. As captain, it’s my job to keep us on schedule. If you pull onto the dock with a trunk load of baggage at 9:29 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. departure, we won’t be able to wait. Each Arnold vessel hauls more passengers than any plane on any given day. You can’t pull into a Northwest Airlines terminal at 9:29 and expect to make a 9:30 flight.
Don’t miss the opportunity to ride one of Arnold's traditional ferries out under the bridge for a sunset vesper cruise ... (during the summer...Mackinaw City on Sunday nights and St. Ignace on Tuesday nights).
Side trip? I always inform passengers that my favorite is Tahquamenon Falls up near Newberry. No trip is complete without a visit to the falls. It’s great during all seasons as it has its own restaurant and brewery and sights of the falls that are a must see.
Away from Arnold you’ll find me paddling a canoe down one of the many local rivers, coaching basketball, playing basketball in local tournaments and leagues, trudging through the woods with snowshoes, or in my back yard overlooking Moran Bay in St. Ignace with my grill torched, burgers cookin' and horseshoes clanging. .
Captain Carl McCready
9 seasons sailing for Arnold
My Grandfather ran a boat for Arnold after he retired from the Mackinac Island State Parks. Some of my best childhood memories are of riding with him. In 1997 when I changed my college major to education, I was able to create a summer job that is more of a hobby than a profession.
I graduated from Ferris State with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics Education and have a Master’s of Arts Degree from Central Michigan with an emphasis in Educational Technology. I earned my captain’s license the summer of 2001. That allows me to run a boat in the summer, and teach high school the rest of the year.
My first ship assignment was The Island Express, one of Arnold's three catamarans. I have crewed on all of Arnold Line's passenger ferries, as well as two of their freight boats.
The friendships I’ve developed through the company are unbelievable. I met one of my best friends my first summer working on the Island Express. He stood up in my wedding. My son’s Godfather is a captain for the company. I even met my wife while I was working a cruise my second summer at Arnold Line.
I truly believe that Arnold Line has the nicest ships, but that is not what makes it stand out. The biggest thing that makes Arnold enjoyable is the people — my coworkers (who truly enjoy their jobs) and the people who are entrusting me with part of their vacation.
Tip for my passengers – arrive at the dock early enough to treat your trip across the straits as part of your vacation, not just a way to get to the island. Some of the most beautiful views of the island and the straits area will actually be on our ship, so enjoy it.
Side trip? Away from the immediate straits area, my friends and family like to view Tahquamenon Falls, and see the freighters going through the Soo Locks. When I’m not sailing, I enjoy the outdoors – hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and boating. When you grow up in this area, the outdoors is a big part of your life. That is what makes this job so perfect.
Meet the Crew
