Captain TJ

@UCFvv8h0dqjcsqK2urKYqCvQ - 6.4K subscribers

⚓ I'm Captain TJ — Master of the Algoma Buffalo, a 630ft self-unloading bulk carrier on the Great Lakes. Real-time wheelhouse footage, 4K timelapse voyages, and ship handling breakdowns from a working commercial captain. Soo Locks transits, Welland Canal passages, St. Lawrence Seaway runs, ice navigation, tug assists, heavy weather anchoring — the real work of moving cargo across Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, Ontario, and Michigan. Whether you're a maritime professional, a Great Lakes enthusiast, or you just watched a freighter pass by and wondered what it's like up there — this channel is for you. New long-form videos weekly. Daily Shorts from every trip. Members get exclusive 360° content, live Q&As, and behind-the-scenes access. Trusted by USACE. Featured on Know Your Ships.

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Second Voyage of 2026 | Thorold to Cleveland & Back | Algoma Buffalo

Second Voyage of 2026 | Thorold to Cleveland & Back | Algoma Buffalo Captain TJ

808 views - 10 hours ago

Arrival Calcite, MI | Near Zero Visibility | Algoma Buffalo 360°

Arrival Calcite, MI | Near Zero Visibility | Algoma Buffalo 360° Captain TJ

2.3K views - 1 week ago

First Trip of 2026 | Lake Erie to Cleveland & Back | Algoma Buffalo

First Trip of 2026 | Lake Erie to Cleveland & Back | Algoma Buffalo Captain TJ

5.3K views - 2 weeks ago

Glass-Calm Lake Huron Sunset from the Stern | Algoma Buffalo 360°

Glass-Calm Lake Huron Sunset from the Stern | Algoma Buffalo 360° Captain TJ

1.3K views - 3 weeks ago

How Self-Unloading Works on a Laker | Algoma Buffalo Cargo System Explained

How Self-Unloading Works on a Laker | Algoma Buffalo Cargo System Explained Captain TJ

17K views - 4 weeks ago

Eight Locks. At Night. | Welland Canal Full Transit 360° Timelapse | Algoma Buffalo

Eight Locks. At Night. | Welland Canal Full Transit 360° Timelapse | Algoma Buffalo Captain TJ

2.1K views - 1 month ago

Frozen in Green Bay to Hamilton: Five Great Lakes, One Icebreaker | Algoma Buffalo 4K Timelapse

Frozen in Green Bay to Hamilton: Five Great Lakes, One Icebreaker | Algoma Buffalo 4K Timelapse Captain TJ

1.8K views - 1 month ago

360° Wheelhouse: Backing Algoma Buffalo Stern-First Through Lock 8 Into Dense Fog | Welland Canal

360° Wheelhouse: Backing Algoma Buffalo Stern-First Through Lock 8 Into Dense Fog | Welland Canal Captain TJ

1.3K views - 1 month ago

Abort Manistee, Divert to Green Bay: Algoma Buffalo vs. Winter Ice | 4K Great Lakes Timelapse

Abort Manistee, Divert to Green Bay: Algoma Buffalo vs. Winter Ice | 4K Great Lakes Timelapse Captain TJ

2.5K views - 1 month ago

Welland Canal Departure: Backing a 630ft Freighter Out of Wharf 6 Thorold — Real Time

Welland Canal Departure: Backing a 630ft Freighter Out of Wharf 6 Thorold — Real Time Captain TJ

7.1K views - 2 months ago

Winter Shipping on the Great Lakes — Christmas Voyage Through Storms & Seaway Delays (4K)

Winter Shipping on the Great Lakes — Christmas Voyage Through Storms & Seaway Delays (4K) Captain TJ

2.6K views - 2 months ago

Precision in the Pier: Hamilton Arrival & The Great Battery Betrayal | Algoma Buffalo 4K

Precision in the Pier: Hamilton Arrival & The Great Battery Betrayal | Algoma Buffalo 4K Captain TJ

3.1K views - 2 months ago

360° Departure Leaving the Cargill Dock in Cleveland Algoma Buffalo Wheelhouse

360° Departure Leaving the Cargill Dock in Cleveland Algoma Buffalo Wheelhouse Captain TJ

1.1K views - 2 months ago

Welland Canal Transit in a Storm — Lake Ontario to Lake Erie on a Great Lakes Freighter

Welland Canal Transit in a Storm — Lake Ontario to Lake Erie on a Great Lakes Freighter Captain TJ

3K views - 2 months ago

Ice Navigation & Tug Assist: Docking a 630ft Freighter in Duluth — Wheelhouse View

Ice Navigation & Tug Assist: Docking a 630ft Freighter in Duluth — Wheelhouse View Captain TJ

6.4K views - 3 months ago

Propeller Fouled in the Welland Canal — Unplanned Stop on a Great Lakes Freighter

Propeller Fouled in the Welland Canal — Unplanned Stop on a Great Lakes Freighter Captain TJ

4.6K views - 3 months ago

Great Lakes Maritime Logistics: Grand Haven to Toledo via Mackinac Bridge (4K Timelapse)

Great Lakes Maritime Logistics: Grand Haven to Toledo via Mackinac Bridge (4K Timelapse) Captain TJ

5.6K views - 3 months ago

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° Perspective - Controlling the Gravity-Fed Gates

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° Perspective - Controlling the Gravity-Fed Gates Captain TJ

3 months ago

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° View - The Main Conveyor Belt in Operation

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° View - The Main Conveyor Belt in Operation Captain TJ

3 months ago

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° Tour - The Heart of the Transfer Room

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° Tour - The Heart of the Transfer Room Captain TJ

3 months ago

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° Raw Feed - High-Volume Cargo Transfer

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° Raw Feed - High-Volume Cargo Transfer Captain TJ

3 months ago

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° View - Standing Atop the 250ft Unloading Boom

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° View - Standing Atop the 250ft Unloading Boom Captain TJ

3 months ago

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° Perspective - Inside the Cargo Hold During Discharge

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° Perspective - Inside the Cargo Hold During Discharge Captain TJ

3 months ago

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° View - Inside the Unloading Boom Hood

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 360° View - Inside the Unloading Boom Hood Captain TJ

3 months ago

Anchoring a 630ft Freighter in Gale Force Winds — Great Lakes Heavy Weather Operations

Anchoring a 630ft Freighter in Gale Force Winds — Great Lakes Heavy Weather Operations Captain TJ

8.9K views - 3 months ago

A Ship Captain Explains Great Lakes Navigation — Full Presentation (Soo Locks, Rivers, Weather)

A Ship Captain Explains Great Lakes Navigation — Full Presentation (Soo Locks, Rivers, Weather) Captain TJ

4.7K views - 3 months ago

Ice vs. 630ft Freighter: Technical Ship Handling at the MacArthur Lock (Full lockage)

Ice vs. 630ft Freighter: Technical Ship Handling at the MacArthur Lock (Full lockage) Captain TJ

28K views - 3 months ago

When Something Breaks at Sea — Saginaw to Green Bay with Live Telemetry | Algoma Buffalo

When Something Breaks at Sea — Saginaw to Green Bay with Live Telemetry | Algoma Buffalo Captain TJ

3.1K views - 4 months ago

How We Dock a 630ft Freighter at a Loading Berth — Real Time Ship Handling (Goderich)

How We Dock a 630ft Freighter at a Loading Berth — Real Time Ship Handling (Goderich) Captain TJ

3.8K views - 4 months ago

Green Bay to Saginaw River — Stone Loading and Full River Transit | Algoma Buffalo 4K Timelapse

Green Bay to Saginaw River — Stone Loading and Full River Transit | Algoma Buffalo 4K Timelapse Captain TJ

4.1K views - 4 months ago

How Far Does a 630ft Freighter Need to Stop? — Great Lakes Ship Handling Explained

How Far Does a 630ft Freighter Need to Stop? — Great Lakes Ship Handling Explained Captain TJ

3.7K views - 4 months ago

Welland Canal: Locking on the Fly — How We Transit Lock 6 to Lock 7 Without Stopping

Welland Canal: Locking on the Fly — How We Transit Lock 6 to Lock 7 Without Stopping Captain TJ

3.7K views - 4 months ago

Saginaw River to Lake Michigan — Full Great Lakes Voyage on a 630ft Freighter (4K)

Saginaw River to Lake Michigan — Full Great Lakes Voyage on a 630ft Freighter (4K) Captain TJ

9.5K views - 5 months ago

Real-Time Arrival into Cleveland's Cuyahoga River — 1h44m Wheelhouse View | Algoma Buffalo

Real-Time Arrival into Cleveland's Cuyahoga River — 1h44m Wheelhouse View | Algoma Buffalo Captain TJ

3.8K views - 5 months ago

What It Sounds Like Inside a Freighter Breaking Ice — 360° Deck Walk

What It Sounds Like Inside a Freighter Breaking Ice — 360° Deck Walk Captain TJ

4.9K views - 5 months ago

Navigating the Rouge & Saginaw Rivers on a 630ft Freighter — Great Lakes Timelapse

Navigating the Rouge & Saginaw Rivers on a 630ft Freighter — Great Lakes Timelapse Captain TJ

24K views - 5 months ago

How to Anchor a Great Lakes Freighter — Real-Time Wheelhouse (Storm Shelter Near Mackinac)

How to Anchor a Great Lakes Freighter — Real-Time Wheelhouse (Storm Shelter Near Mackinac) Captain TJ

8.8K views - 5 months ago

Bruce Mines to Detroit – North Channel to the Rouge River in 4K

Bruce Mines to Detroit – North Channel to the Rouge River in 4K Captain TJ

3K views - 6 months ago

Crosswind Arrival at Port Weller Piers — 30-Knot Wind Ship Handling on a Great Lakes Freighter

Crosswind Arrival at Port Weller Piers — 30-Knot Wind Ship Handling on a Great Lakes Freighter Captain TJ

5.2K views - 6 months ago

Aborted Arrival at Manistee – Ice, Limits, and Good Seamanship

Aborted Arrival at Manistee – Ice, Limits, and Good Seamanship Captain TJ

24K views - 6 months ago

Hamilton to Chicago – Full Great Lakes Freighter Voyage in 4K

Hamilton to Chicago – Full Great Lakes Freighter Voyage in 4K Captain TJ

13K views - 6 months ago

Anchored in a Storm: Bow & Windlass Check (360° Walkthrough)

Anchored in a Storm: Bow & Windlass Check (360° Walkthrough) Captain TJ

25K views - 6 months ago

Night Departure from Goderich – Snow, Wind, and No Tug Assist

Night Departure from Goderich – Snow, Wind, and No Tug Assist Captain TJ

24K views - 6 months ago

Bow View Through Ice – Loaded Freighter on Lake Erie

Bow View Through Ice – Loaded Freighter on Lake Erie Captain TJ

4.5K views - 6 months ago

Brevort to Hamilton – Full Great Lakes Voyage in 4K Timelapse

Brevort to Hamilton – Full Great Lakes Voyage in 4K Timelapse Captain TJ

4K views - 6 months ago

360° Walkthrough: Self-Unloading Tunnel – Members Only

360° Walkthrough: Self-Unloading Tunnel – Members Only Captain TJ

7 months ago

360° Timelapse – Arriving and Departing Grand Haven, Michigan

360° Timelapse – Arriving and Departing Grand Haven, Michigan Captain TJ

1.9K views - 7 months ago

360° Tour: Windlass Room & Electrical Deck — First Mate and Higher Members Only

360° Tour: Windlass Room & Electrical Deck — First Mate and Higher Members Only Captain TJ

7 months ago

Meldrum Bay to Windsor – Algoma Buffalo 4K Timelapse Voyage

Meldrum Bay to Windsor – Algoma Buffalo 4K Timelapse Voyage Captain TJ

2.7K views - 7 months ago

360° Ship Departure from Sarnia Under the Bluewater Bridge into Lake Huron | Algoma Buffalo

360° Ship Departure from Sarnia Under the Bluewater Bridge into Lake Huron | Algoma Buffalo Captain TJ

7 months ago

Backing Into the Green Bay Slip – No Tug Assist Required

Backing Into the Green Bay Slip – No Tug Assist Required Captain TJ

13K views - 7 months ago

Near Miss With a Sailboat – What Really Happened (Captain’s Play-By-Play)

Near Miss With a Sailboat – What Really Happened (Captain’s Play-By-Play) Captain TJ

7.1K views - 7 months ago

Right of Way at Sea: What the Law Actually Says (COLREGS & U.S. CFR)

Right of Way at Sea: What the Law Actually Says (COLREGS & U.S. CFR) Captain TJ

1.5K views - 8 months ago

Cuyahoga Engine Room Fire (2023) – Behind the Scenes & TSB Findings

Cuyahoga Engine Room Fire (2023) – Behind the Scenes & TSB Findings Captain TJ

4.6K views - 8 months ago

Battling the Wind – Real Time Departure from Goderich to Lake Huron

Battling the Wind – Real Time Departure from Goderich to Lake Huron Captain TJ

17K views - 8 months ago

Toronto to Georgian Bay — Welland Canal, Detroit River, Lake Huron in One Voyage | Algoma Buffalo 4K

Toronto to Georgian Bay — Welland Canal, Detroit River, Lake Huron in One Voyage | Algoma Buffalo 4K Captain TJ

4.4K views - 8 months ago

Keeping the Great Lakes Moving - Crew Responds to a Leak

Keeping the Great Lakes Moving - Crew Responds to a Leak Captain TJ

11K views - 9 months ago

The Chicago Salt Dilemma of 10th October 2025

The Chicago Salt Dilemma of 10th October 2025 Captain TJ

9 months ago

What a Captain Really Does All Day

What a Captain Really Does All Day Captain TJ

18K views - 9 months ago

Great Lakes Freighter Journey: Cleveland to Oshawa via Welland Canal

Great Lakes Freighter Journey: Cleveland to Oshawa via Welland Canal Captain TJ

1.2K views - 9 months ago