WATCH: What Is It Like Aboard A 1,000-Foot Lake Superior Freighter?

Over the years, I've shared a few really cool videos from a Duluth-based YouTube channel called "Vibe With Mike". Over the years, he has shared some awesome footage of ships on Lake Superior and given some cool video lessons through his videos.

Earlier this year, he got the chance to live the dream of many people who have seen ships on the Great Lakes. He actually got to sail aboard a 1,000-foot ship all the way across Lake Superior, from the Soo Locks in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan to the docks in Two Harbors, Minnesota, to pick up a load of ore.

Mike's awesome video gives some incredible access aboard the 1,000-foot Indiana Harbor, seeing a variety of spaces aboard the ship, what it is like working and living aboard, and how things work on the ship.

Here's some of what he showed in the video while aboard.

What's the living situation like aboard a Great Lakes ship?

The guest quarters where Mike got to call home for his journey to Minnesota across Lake Superior were, in his own words, a "suite". He said the bed and pillows were quite comfortable, and his private shower had good water pressure. You can see his living room above.

You might wonder, can you feel any movement aboard? Mike said he felt a slight movement or vibration sensation, but that was about all he noticed.

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As for the crew quarters, they aren't quite as extravagant as the guest quarters, but they are still pretty nice.

Each crew member gets their own room, complete with a television, satellite TV, wireless (satellite-based) internet, and other amenities of the sort to help pass the time while not on shift.

What about the food? How's the eating aboard one of these ships?

Moe, the cook aboard the Indiana Harbor, gave Mike some insights into how important the food situation is aboard. You have to keep everyone happy, and the American Steamship Company, which owns the ship, quite literally has an open budget to make sure crew members have what they want.

Fresh fruits and veggies, meats, and all sorts of other things are kept in fridges, freezers, and a pantry.

Crew members can get made-to-order meals from the cook, which means you have plenty of options. There's even a grill outside the kitchen with an awesome view!

How these ships are navigated is amazing

In his time on the ship, Mike toured the pilot house, revealing some interesting things I wouldn't have guessed. First, the steering wheel for the ship isn't a massive wheel like you might think of from movies. The control console was actually quite different than I would have guessed.

Mike also learned that even though the ship has radar, computers, GPS, and all sorts of other modern technology, the crews still use paper maps to verify their course and paper logs to track everything that happens aboard.

During Mike's time on the ship, they encountered some pretty thick fog, and seeing how they navigated that is pretty neat.

What's it like working aboard the ship?

While you do have private quarters to relax in when you're not working, you stay plenty busy when you are working.

While every crew member's job is different, one of the crew members said he probably averages about 5 miles a day of walking around the ship as he goes about his tasks.

Everyone has to be well-versed in safety protocols, including how to use rescue/floatation gear, safety harnesses, what to do if someone falls into the cargo hold, and what to do if there is a fire.

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While Mike was aboard, there was a fire drill, which isn't a daily occurrence, so it was cool to see. During these fire drills, each crew member has a designated task, just as though there were a real fire. Some crew members even sport what looks just like the normal firefighting gear you'd see ashore.

Loading up the cargo

After arriving in Two Harbors, Mike got an up-close, firsthand look at what it takes to dock the ship, use the crane hatches to open the hatches to the cargo hold, and load the ship up with ore.

Seeing all of this really gives some awesome perspective to what happens aboard these ships that we see cruising in and out of the Duluth Harbor or elsewhere on Lake Superior every day. Here's the full video!