So we have had a few “warm up” tours close to home. I took the staff of the Campbell River Museum out to MItlenatch Island for the day for fun and Steve and Frieda and Sam ran our first local tour of the season up into Bute Inlet. And of course our first guest comments start to arrive.

But tomorrow, June 3, the season starts in earnest. I leave home with the ship to pick up guests in Campbell River and with good luck and providence, the COLUMBIA III should not be home again until mid-October.

I expend a lot of energy attempting to maintain a safe, fun, handsome ship and business. And as all Mariners know, and all those who stay harbour-side and watch the ship depart, there are many mixed emotions; pride, hope, fatigue, joy and quiet prayers to any entity that might choose to listen.

“Safe, fun, viable”.