The Independent

People in Lambton and Michigan are keeping a close eye on a homemade houseboat hugging the Michigan shoreline as it heads to Chicago this fall.

The vessel attracted the attention of both the US and Canadian Coast Guard Nov. 23 after it seemed to have trouble heading upstream on the St. Clair River under the Bluewater Bridge.

Captain Steve and his dog, Mexicallie, spent part of the summer on the St. Clair River by Fawn Island between Sombra and Port Lambton before beginning the trek up the river in November. Nov. 23, he was helped into the Sarnia Harbour but later made his way to Port Sanilac where he was moored during the high winds.

Captain Wayne-O McCarty of Freedom Marine Services based out of Carsonville, Michigan went out to make sure he was okay and says the man plans to make the 914 km trip to Chicago by Christmas.

The self-made boat is 60 feet long and 22 feet wide and is powered by five outboard motors. It was built on 110 plastic 55-gallon barrels in six rows, three per side. It includes solar and battery electric heat, diesel heaters, is fully insulated and has a sauna and hot tub onboard.

Online, people voiced concern about the safety of the vessel but McCarty said it is federally registered and has passed 30 law enforcement boardings since the launch.

While the Neverlanding has captured attention, it’s not something the owner craves, McCarty said. Captain Steve has no social media feeds, is not filming the voyage, doesn’t do interviews nor does he give his full name. McCarty says he’s not a fan of the attention he’s attracting.

“He simply wants to travel in peace and keep moving toward his goals,” said McCarty on a social media post.

You can see the Neverlanding’s encounter with the Canadian and US Coast Guard, by digital creator Aircraft and Marine Machines here:

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