Joy on the Water
Captain of a small ship…
Skipper Johnny of Vancouver Aquabus
My Gran’s brother Len was a Captain with P&O in the glory days when cruises were the only option for long distance travel. His son Andrew was a Harbour and River Master on the River Thames in London. And I understand my dad loved to sail, so I guess it’s in my blood.
In our college days we’d take day trips from Dover to Calais in France, crossing the English Channel to eat delicious food and purchase cheap wine… and in Berlin I recall seeing the city from the water as a way to get my bearings in readiness to explore the city on bike for a few days.
Then there are the wonderful BC Ferry rides up and down the coast, and to/from Vancouver Island, yes I love being on the water. Born next to the water on Devon’s south coast, a Cancer, maybe it’s destiny, a water baby.
Now I get the delight it brings as a skipper of a small ship in the city of Vancouver, where AQUABUS offers a passenger water taxi in False Creek from Granville Island to Science World and Yaletown every 15 minutes or less.
Not only are the views quite exceptional, the city and mountains from the water, but the joy it brings to kids and families from near and far. Kids often are uncertaining getting onto the wee vessel and soon relax into the view as they stand on the seats looking out from the bow. At some point they realize who’s driving, look up and wave… all too cute.
Families reconnecting, showing off their city, or exploring, and some folks simply using the water as an effective way to go about their day.
Granville Island offers amazing food, and art and place to eat. Sunny patios fill up and on the water we deal with full docks of folks waiting to go where they want to go.
Originally I took the job in hopes of moving back up the coast with more experience and confidence, a newly qualified SVOP, a coastal waters skipper, Capitan of a small ship.
Come for the view and experience the joy.
I feel blessed to drive, navigating the traffic and boaters and daily sunsets.
Hoping to see you on the water soon.
