Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Keweenaw Excursions Celebrates 5th Anniversary in Charlevoix with October 4 Cruise

In September, 2009, brothers and captains Kraig and Jason Funkey left their hometown along the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to make a new home for themselves and their Keweenaw Star in Charlevoix. That next summer, they launched their first trip out of their new port and today, Keweenaw Excursions is proud to celebrate its 5th Anniversary in this Lake Michigan community.

A celebratory cruise is planned for Saturday, October 4 from 5-9pm. The evening will include complimentary appetizers, cash bar and music. Tickets for the anniversary cruise are just $5 per person and space is limited. Tickets are available by calling 231-237-9365.

The Keweenaw Star was originally a crew boat designed to ship crew and supplies to oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. She was commissioned in 1981 and was originally named the Atlantic Star. The boat was then converted to a cruise ship and the Funkey's (Jason, Kraig and their father, Fred) purchased her in May of 2000 in South Carolina. Renamed the Keweenaw Star, the Funkeys ran a tour company in the Houghton-Hancock area on the Keweenaw Peninsula for nearly 10 years.

Fred is trained as a diesel mechanic with a degree from Ferris State University. He began his captain’s career in his hometown area of Houghton/Hancock in the Keweenaw Peninsula. His first gig was owner/ operator of the Lighthouse Boat Cruise – the Star of Keweenaw – in Copper Harbor in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His work took him throughout the Great Lakes region, including running the Voyager II out to Isle Royale and the Island Princess for the Apostle Island Tours. Over his nearly 50 year career he’s also captained oil rig boats in the Gulf of Mexico

Kraig and Jason both began working alongside their dad aboard the Star of Keweenaw and Isle Royale Queen as young boys and teenagers. Both brothers also earned their original captain’s licenses in Duluth, MN. Kraig also honed his skills aboard the Voyager II, captained a charter fishing boat in Copper Harbor and worked in the Gulf of Mexico and has a 100-ton master captain’s license. Jason later went to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City to obtain an unlimited tonnage mates license with a first class pilot’s endorsement.

Upcoming Events:

• September 24 (6-8pm) Historic Sunset Cruise
• September 27-29 3-Day Fall Color Cruise
• October 4 (5-9pm) 5th Anniversary Cruise
• October 11 (3-5pm) Historic Fall Color Cruise

2015 Excursions:

• June 22-25 Explore the Door (Door County Wisconsin)
• July 13-16 Lights of the Sunrise Side
• July 20-23 Soo Grand Tour
• August 3-4 3 Days, 3 Great Lakes

With a capacity of 130 passengers, the Keweenaw Star offers a range of cruises from mid-May through mid-October, including sunset tours, sightseeing trips and multi-day lighthouse and ship-watching cruises. The boat is also available for private charters, for events such as corporate outings, weddings, rehearsal dinners and reunions.

KEWEENAW EXCURSIONS
109 Bridge Park Drive
Charlevoix, MI 49720

231-237-9365
KeweenawExcursions@gmail.com
www.KeweenawExcursions.com
www.facebook.com/KeweenawExcursions
www.twitter.com/KeweenawStar

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