Huntingdon native Matthew Weathers’ recent promotion to the pilot position at Marquette Transportation is a story of perseverance, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth.
In 2015, overtime work dried up at Weathers’ former employer, FRS in Lexington, and he decided to change careers to better take care of his family.
“I heard about this job. I didn’t know anything about it. And when I got an interview and they told me the possibilities,” Weathers said.
He continued, “They told me that I could be one of the wheelmen, driving the boat, and said what kind of pay that was.”
Intrigued at the prospect of starting a new, high-paying career, he started working at Marquette Transportation as a deckhand, at first, performing various labor-intensive operations involved with barge transport, such as building tows, maintenance, and vessel upkeep. Throughout his career, he’s worked mainly along the lower-Mississippi, on vessels responsible for transporting vital agricultural products and other goods.
“[My route] runs from Cairo, Illinois to Poverty Point, just south of New Orleans,” Weathers said, “a little over 900 miles.”
While Weathers was working as a deckhand, he began to rise through the ranks.
“I put in the time and moved up to Mate, then Senior Mate,” Weathers said, explaining the process.
Weathers then began to pursue the journey toward becoming a pilot, which involved a combination of formal education and practical training.
“I definitely put my time in with the company on deck, and showed them that I was worth the training, worth the time, and that I cared about working for the company.”
Initially, Weathers had to obtain a Merchant Mariner Credential, a process that required him to go through physical assessments and other formalities as outlined by the Coast Guard. Following this, he attended specialized schooling to acquire his Steersman license, gaining knowledge in navigation rules and the operational procedures of vessels.
Weathers’ education was followed by on-the-job training, where he applied his classroom knowledge to real-world situations under the guidance of experienced pilots.
After completing his training, Weathers was promoted to the pilot position, entrusting him with the responsibility of navigating the waterways, and managing the vessel along with its cargo of barges.
At first, Weathers said that he could only pilot on northbound trips.
“I was turned loose in October northbound, and then after a few trips, they started just sending me south training with somebody to get that under my belt. That way I could become a full-time pilot rather than just a northbound pilot,” he said.
Now, Weathers is a full-time pilot, and can operate the vessel either way.
With no plans of slowing down his growth, Weathers plans to become qualified to steer on other waterways, including the upper-Mississippi, Ohio River, and Missouri River.
When asked how he felt about his accomplishment, Weathers said, “I’m pretty proud of myself to move up through the ranks and actually be one of the wheelmen on the river that’s pushing these barges and getting product to different fleets where it can get shipped out. Whether it’s overseas or to different places that use all this stuff.”
Even though he’s proud of what he’s done, Weathers keeps the importance of his job top of mind, saying, “It is a crucial job for the whole Country. It keeps our Country moving along. It’s a huge responsibility.”
Weathers also had advice for those who are about to graduate, or have recently graduated, from high school.
“[This job] is a very good opportunity to go out and make some money. If you’re not sure what you want to do, it’s worth trying out for a summer,” he said, “It’s perfect to come out here because it gives you time to figure out if it’s really something you want to do.”
Weathers explained some of the benefits of working on a barge, “Most everything’s paid for. If you live a certain amount of mileage from the from the main office, they pay you your gas money and miles there. Once you get on the boat, everything’s paid for – your food, and sleeping arrangements.”
Matthew Weathers’ journey at Marquette Transportation, from starting as a deckhand to becoming a full-time pilot, embodies not only personal growth but also the critical role of maritime transport in the nation’s economy. His story is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence, serving as an inspiring example for anyone considering a career in this vital industry.
