Continued from Page 8
His work has turned the weathered ves-
sel into something of a luxury cruise expe-
rience, complete with a heated cabin and a
restroom people actually want to use. He’s
still timid about some unfinished details,
but the overwhelming demand for tours
this summer stunted the progress on his
to-do list.
“It’s kind of a working museum, just
because this boat did so much, and was
kind of a figure on the Astoria waterfront,”
Schächer said.
The history tours center on Astoria’s
maritime history, but adapt to each new set
of passengers. Schächer finds that some
people climb aboard to learn more about
shipping history on the lower Columbia
River, while others are content looking
for signs of wildlife and relish the thrill of
being out on the water.
In some cases, it’s his passengers’ first
experience on a boat.
“There’s a ton of people who have lived
in Astoria, or this area their whole life,
who have never been out on the water,”
said Schächer. “It’s something else to do
in Astoria. Astoria’s history is all about
maritime history, and there’s no interpre-
tation of it without actually getting out
on the river. It’s a completely different
perspective.”
Passengers on the restored Arrow 2 have
witnessed everything from whales, sea
lions and river otters to pilot transfers on
big ships working on the Columbia River.
Schächer is quick to point out that no
two tours are the same, and he can’t make
promises about exactly what people might
experience. His dedication to making the
trip memorable is clear, as he remembers
nearly every guest that’s ridden aboard the
vessel.
“I have had a lot of people who have
enjoyed tough waters,” Schächer said.
“You just don’t know, you get a family
with little kids and you think they’re going
to be scared when water starts bouncing off
the windows, but they think it’s so fun.”
Andy Cameron
The meticulously restored interior of the
Arrow 2 illustrates the care Capt. Mark
Schächer has for the vessel.
Andy Cameron
The Arrow 2 departs from the same marina in which the bar pilots house their sleek new vessels.
Andy Cameron
From the well-maintained engine room of the
Arrow 2, guests can gaze through port holes
at a variety of pleasure craft and working
boats of the North Coast.
Andy Cameron
Nikki Davidson
Capt. Mark Schächer gave the Arrow 2 tugboat a new engine.
Scott Holmstead
The Arrow 2 in the 1980s when it was owned by Knappton Towboat Co. of Portland.
The Arrow 2 motors past another passenger
vessel of the lower Columbia.
The Arrow 2 when it first went into service for
Arrow Launch Co., owned by Arrow Tug and
Barge Co. of Astoria in 1962.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021 // 9