North Star Port

4 | NORTH STAR PORT | FALL 2024 I called on the radio, 'man overboard,' then I took my radio off and jumped in just like that, still in my boots and with my phone." / Zoran Pedisic Z O R A N P E D I S I C Pedisic was named lead foreman in 2020. Throughout his rise in the company, he has proved himself to be a strong, effective leader who is as comfortable driving a forklift or operating a reachstacker as he is scheduling workers and overseeing the complicated logistics of loading and unloading vessels. He can be stern, but is always fair, and he has a saying, "When you are in command, command." "If he is entrusted with running certain aspects of the busi- ness and day-to-day operations, he takes that responsibility to heart," Lamb said. "He directs the crew to do what needs to be done safely and in a way that meets customers' needs." One such customer is Ed Clarke, who retired seven years ago after a long career as a logistics consultant for major oil compa- nies in Canada. Clarke was involved in virtually every high-value, heavy-lift cargo that passed through the Port of Duluth-Superior en route to major energy projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Pedisic's personality and work ethic always impressed him. "Zoran is a good problem solver, and his nature is something you don't see every day; he's just a heck of a nice guy," Clarke said. "Whether it was midnight or five in the morning, Zoran was always there on time with a big smile on his face. I've never seen anybody that had so much patience with all of the people work- ing, and safety was always foremost in his mind. These were com- plicated projects, and we never had any incidents or injuries." "I like challenges," Pedisic said when asked about the stress of handling large dimensional project cargo and multimillion dollar components such as the wind energy towers, blades and nacelles that frequently pass through the port. "Almost every year, we have some kind of unique cargo that comes in, and we have to figure out how to load or unload it. There is always a way." Pedisic's winning personality and unique background have made him a skilled ambassador when dealing with captains and crews of foreign flag vessels. He speaks two languages — English and Croatian — and relates well to ship officers and maritime professionals who respect his experience as a seaman and his deep knowledge of cargo handling and rigging. Ruth Nicholson, retired marine cargo surveyor and widow of Gary Nicholson, often worked side-by-side with Pedisic as he was overseeing dockside operations and she was working to verify cargo going on and coming off visiting vessels. "It is a great asset to have someone like Zoran who has worked on a ship and who understands the way cargo can move and the way it needs to be rigged and secured," Nicholson said, noting his attention to detail and to safety in a potentially dangerous work environment. "There are cranes with rigging overhead and fork- lifts and moving equipment all around you. You have to be very careful where you stand and how you move. Frequently, Zoran would tell me to duck or get out of the way." Pedisic's watchful eye led to an act of true heroism in Novem- ber 2013, when he spotted an elderly man walking near the gantry cranes and disappear over the side of the slip. Pedisic leapt into action, radioed for help and jumped into the frigid water to save the man from drowning. "I called on the radio, 'man overboard,' then I took my radio off and jumped in just like that, still in my boots and with my phone," he said. "I grabbed him and had to swim 30 feet to the ladder. I was pushing him from the water and a couple of guys came down the ladder and pulled him up." It turned out the older gentleman was depressed and attempt- ing suicide. His grateful family got him help and into a safe facil- ity where he lived out the rest of his natural life. Pedisic was honored with the U.S. Coast Guard's Silver Lifesaving Medal and the American Red Cross Good Samaritan Award for his courage and integrity. Pedisic plans to spend retirement enjoying time with family and traveling the world. He looks forward to visiting his native Croatia, traveling to Costa Rica, and taking cruises, something he and his wife of 36 years enjoyed doing together. Sadly, she passed away five years ago and won't be able to accompany him on these adventures. He will miss the hustle and bustle of working on the waterfront. "I love my work, and I enjoy the people here," he said, reflecting on retirement, "There are always challenges and new things to learn. You can never say, 'I know everything,' because there is always someone who knows more and can teach you something." As he casts off for parts unknown, Duluth will always be his home port — a place where his legacy stands tall, and he will be missed. PHOTO S / Pedisic Personal Collection PEDISIC RECEIVED THE U.S. COAST GUARD'S SILVER LIFESAVING MEDAL AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD FOR A WATER RESCUE IN LAKE SUPERIOR.

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