MAYOR PROCLAIMS AUGUST 24 CAPTAIN HALEY DAY IN MILWAUKEE

MAYOR PROCLAIMS AUGUST 24 CAPTAIN HALEY DAY IN MILWAUKEE
Captain’s 2,500th Lake Michigan crossing celebrated with proclamation, ceremony
Milwaukee (August 24, 2012) – Lake Express Ferry today celebrated the 2,500th crossing of Lake Michigan on the ferry by Captain Paul Haley, as well as the proclamation of Captain Haley Day in Milwaukee by Mayor Barrett, during a ceremony at the Lake Express terminal.
“Captain Haley has been a tremendous asset to Lake Express since we began service in 2004,” said Ken Szallai, president of Lake Express. “His expertise allows us to consistently provide customers with safe, convenient and on-time transportation and we look forward to the next 2,500 crossings.”
Captain Haley has been a Captain with Lake Express since the ferry began service in 2004 and was part of the crew that delivered the ship to Milwaukee from Mobile, Alabama. Each ferry crossing is approximately 68 nautical miles and takes 2.5 hours to complete. At the 2,500 crossing milestone, Captain Haley has traveled approximately 203,500 statute miles, equivalent to eight times around the Earth at the equator. The ship itself has traveled a distance equal to that of the Earth to the moon. Captain Haley is one of five Wisconsin-and-Michigan-based licensed captains currently employed by Lake Express.
The ceremony featured remarks from Ken Szallai and Captain Haley, as well as the presentation of the proclamation of Captain Haley Day and a commemorative jacket from Lake Express.
During a 30-plus year career, Captain Haley has sailed both the east and west coasts of the U.S., each of the five Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, Gulf of Mexico, Panama Canal and more. In addition to his experience with the high speed auto-passenger catamaran Lake Express, his resume includes extensive service with tugboats, research and sailing vessels. Captain Haley is a past president of the International Shipmasters Association and presently serves as Second Vice President of the association’s Green Bay Lodge 18.
About Lake Express
Entering its ninth year of service, the Lake Express Ferry transports more than 100,000 pleasure and business travelers across Lake Michigan from Muskegon, Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin each year. The high-speed auto ferry is the only one of its kind operating within the continental United States. It is equipped to comfortably transport nearly 250 passengers, 46 vehicles and 12 motorcycles. Conversions may be made to accommodate a total of 114 motorcycles. Powered by four 3,000 hp diesel engines, the 192-foot-long catamaran crosses Lake Michigan in 2 ½ hours – a fraction of the time it would take to drive the 300 miles around. For additional information, or to book reservations, call 866-914-1010 or visit www.lake-express.com. For Lake Express photos and logos, visitwww.lake-express.com/media.