Community Highlights: Meet Patricia Hoey-Carrothers of Diamond Jack’s River Tours

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Hoey-Carrothers

Hi Patricia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey with Diamond Jack’s River Tours is deeply rooted in my love for Detroit’s waterways and a passion for sharing maritime history with others.
I grew up around boats and always had an appreciation for the Great Lakes and their rich history. My involvement with Diamond Jack’s River Tours began as a way to continue that tradition, offering people a chance to experience the Detroit River from a unique perspective. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to not only maintain our fleet but also to enhance the experience for our guests.
Through dedication, community support, and a lot of hard work, we’ve grown Diamond Jack’s River Tours into an experience for both locals and visitors. Whether it’s sightseeing cruises, private charters, or educational tours, we take pride in showcasing Detroit from the water.
Each season brings new challenges, but also new opportunities to engage with our passengers, tell stories of the past, and create unforgettable memories on the river.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road.
One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is that we rent our docks along the Detroit River, which means we’ve had to move multiple times over the years in search of a permanent home. Luckily, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has been an incredible landlord for the past 10+ years, and we’re hoping this partnership continues for years to come.
The pandemic was another major setback. Michigan’s total shutdown in the summer of 2020 hit us hard, and even the summer of 2021 wasn’t much better. During that time, we survived largely on outside public tours, as people were looking for safe, outdoor activities, but we only had a handful of charters.
We also had an unexpected incident during the coldest part of winter when the Diamond Queen sank. We had to refloat her and completely redo her engines in time to have her ready for the season. Unfortunately, that meant we missed the first couple of weeks of the season. However, since then, the Diamond Queen has been running strong and continues to be an important part of our fleet.
Preparing for each season is always a challenge, especially with our tight turnaround. The boats are shut down by early November, and we only have the month of April to get everything ready: cleaning, painting, stocking supplies, and passing Coast Guard inspections, to ensure the boats are ready by May 1st.
Another challenge is the nature of working closely with your husband every day, it’s not always easy, but we make it work! Like any seasonal business, we’re always at the mercy of weather conditions, fluctuating water levels, and changing tourism trends, so we never know what’s around the corner. Maintaining a fleet of historic vessels is also a huge responsibility, requiring constant upkeep and unexpected repairs.
Despite all the obstacles, the passion we have for what we do keeps us going. Every challenge is a learning experience, and seeing the smiles on our passengers’ faces as they step off the boats, knowing we’ve provided them with a unique and memorable experience, makes it all worthwhile.

As you know, we’re big fans of Diamond Jack’s River Tours. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Diamond Jack’s River Tours is all about bringing Detroit’s waterfront to life through unforgettable sightseeing cruises and private charters. We specialize in offering narrated river tours that showcase the city’s history, architecture, and vibrant maritime culture, all from the unique perspective of the Detroit River.

What Do We Do?
We operate public sightseeing tours during the summer months and provide private charters for special events, corporate outings, school field trips, and more. Whether you’re a lifelong Detroiter or a first-time visitor, our cruises offer an engaging and scenic way to experience the river.

What Sets Us Apart?
Our cruises offer a one-of-a-kind experience, providing an intimate, close-up look at Detroit’s skyline, bridges, and historic landmarks while gliding comfortably along the river. More than just sightseeing, our narrated tours bring history to life, sharing stories of Detroit’s industrial roots and exciting revitalization. Unlike other experiences, we offer unmatched, unobstructed waterfront views of iconic sites like the Ambassador Bridge, and the Windsor skyline, giving passengers a truly unique perspective of the city. What truly sets us apart is our passionate crew and exceptional hospitality, our experienced captains and team love what they do, ensuring every guest has a memorable and engaging journey on the water.

What Are We Most Proud of Brand-Wise?
We’re proud to be a Detroit staple, giving people a chance to see the city from a different angle and connect with its maritime heritage. We love being part of family traditions, date nights, school trips, and special celebrations, moments that bring people together on the water.

What Do We Want Readers to Know?
If you haven’t experienced Detroit from the water, you’re missing out on one of the city’s best-kept secrets! Whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon cruise, a unique event venue, or a chance to explore Detroit’s history, Diamond Jack’s River Tours offers something special for everyone.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always surrounded by the maritime world, tugboats, tour boats, and the water were simply part of my everyday life. As a child, I would follow my father to work, climbing all over the tugboats and soaking in the environment while waiting for him to finish. Even though I loved the industry, my father had one important rule for me and my two siblings: we all had to go to college.
I always dreamed of being a teacher, which led me to pursue a degree in special education, eventually earning a master’s degree in the field. Throughout my schooling, I still worked at the family tugboat company during summers and school breaks, handling office tasks like payables, payroll, and receivables. Teaching was my plan, a way to carve out my own identity apart from the family business.
However, life had other plans. My father’s health declined, and he asked me to return to help with the company. My brother was meant to take over the tugboat operations, and my sister was set to run the tour boat business, but as time passed, circumstances changed, my sister left the company, and my brother sadly passed away. That left my husband, Steve, and me to continue running the business together, me in the office and Steve out on the boats.
Now, I can’t imagine life without Diamond Jack’s. Every day brings something new, and what once felt like a responsibility has become a passion. The company is no longer just my job; it’s a huge part of my identity, one that connects me to my family’s legacy, Detroit’s waterfront, and the countless people we welcome aboard every season.

Pricing:

• Adults (13-59) – $25
• Seniors (+60) – $20
• Children (6-12) – $15
• Children (5 and under) – $5

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.diamondjack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saildiamondjack/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiamondJacksRiverToursofDetroit
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diamond-jack’s-river-tours/posts/?feedView=all
• Twitter: https://x.com/SailDiamondJack
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Diamondjacktours