The Lady M
By Fred J. Ferber
Printed by kind permission of Fred and Marilyn Ferber
THE DISCOVERY
The anticipation for Marilyn’s and my trip to the 2007 Nordic Tug Rendezvous in Travers City Michigan had been building ever since I had read about it on the Nordic Tug website. It was only a few weeks after my daughter Melissa’s wedding but I felt it would do us good to get away and unwind, and being around the tugs would feed my dreams that started 20 plus years ago when I first saw the 26’ Nordic Tug at the Chicago boat show at McCormick Place.
I can not tell you why I fell in love with them at first site but have found since that I am not alone and in fact have found that the sight of the small tugs stir feelings in both young and old of both sexes. Perhaps its because when we were small someone read us a popular children’s book about tugs or we saw them is such cartoons as Popeye or just the fact that they are so darn cute. As we grew older and learned more about boating and the sea we also found the Nordic Tug to be one of the finest boats being built and envied by the boating community, as not only cute but extremely seaworthy.
The Rendezvous was hosted by Bay Breeze Yacht Sales of Traverse City Michigan. Not next door to our home in LaGrange Park Illinois but not half way across America as most of the Nordic Tug dealers were located. The 6hour 30 min scenic drive (mostly construction) passed relatively quickly with our anticipation of a good time. We checked into the Holiday Inn in Traverse City which sits right on the water front of Traverse Bay and has great views from just about all the rooms. We then called Bay Breeze for driving directions to their location. Our call was taken by Bill Allgaier who we were to get to know real well during our stay and involvement with the LADY M. Bill asked if we could see the bay from our room and when I said yes he told use to look across the bay for a large brown building with several sailboat masts sticking up. Ok, there they were, one right turn out of the parking lot of the Holiday Inn and one right turn into the lot of Bay Breeze and we had arrived!
What a sight, at least ten Nordic Tugs of various sizes and colors spread out before us nestled in their slips. Red ones, blue ones, green ones, and white ones a smorgasbord for the eyes. Several owners aboard their respective tugs each with cleaning materials in hand wanting theirs to be the queen of the fleet. People walking along the docks with eyes wide open admiring each vessel in turn, stopping to ask questions or just compliment the lucky people on board. I was in heaven and Marilyn was enjoying my excitement. Then as we strolled along the dock we came to a well with an older faded blue 32’ footer that looked like she had traveled far in her life but most interesting was the fact she had a for sale sign on her. I took the for sale sign as an open invitation to go aboard and see what she was like knowing that any 32’ was far from being affordable in the Ferber family. Marilyn followed at a distance perhaps worried that I might push her overboard in my haste to see everything at once. She has indeed traveled far but there was something………I just hadn’t discovered what yet. My heart raced as I stepped on board and she felt stable and sure under my feet. I had boarded at the stern and now stood in front of two weather beaten teak wood doors leading to the main salon. My hands were shaking in anticipation as I was about to explore the unknown secrets held by this faded, weather beaten, somewhat sorry looking gorgeous vessel The worn brass handles felt warm to my touch and the doors opened to a cavernous void. Two worn wooden steps and I was surrounded by teak and windows. I tried to drink it in all at once but my concentration was broken as Marilyn asked for assistance boarding. You have got to see this I yelled as I ran to help her aboard wanting her to feel as I did. I led her down into the interior and began pointing out every feature as if I had just seen it for the first time. The refrigerator/freezer, stove and oven microwave and sink for the galley. The large wooden table sitting in front of the L shaped settee. It was all surrounded by dark wood teak and floors but the large windows everywhere let enough light in so no one area was even considered dark. Cabinets and bookracks where everywhere and on the starboard side wall was a beautiful old brass ships light that looked like it came right out of a dream or at least an old book that I had read so many times it was committed to memory. Looking forward I saw two more steps looking up toward what had to be the pilothouse.
My heart began racing again as I put one foot in front of the other and began to climb. This was a man’s ship! The pilothouse sat high with a commanding 360 degree view of the entire ship. The helm was stuffed with enough electronics to lead a blind man to heaven in a storm and it had a real ships wheel. Large and wooden with spokes and handles, such things dreams are made of. There was a pilothouse berth, although I couldn’t yet figure out how anyone would want to sleep surrounded by all this to see, and a chart table large enough to plot your course to places yet to be discovered. Sliding wooden doors on both the port and starboard sides gave unlimited entry and additional viewing area wich would make docking all that much easier. Light, airy, large and seaworthy were words that popped into my mind to describe the pilothouse as Marilyn followed me on my tour and accompanying running dissertation. Two steps down from the pilothouse forward led to the master stateroom and enclosed head. Can you imagine a stateroom large enough for a 6 foot plus large frame man and his lovely wife to stand up and move about in? After owning two sailboats and a cutty cruiser this was unheard of and the large berth to starboard made both Marilyn and I smile. The smiles continued to grow as we observed the large standup head with a shower! Luxury on the water, it just gets better and better. What’s this? Heat and air-conditioning, don’t pinch me I might wake up. As Marilyn and I where admiring all we had just seen and commenting that if only she was a 26 and cheaper we might, emphasis on might have a chance of affording her. She seemed solid and with time hard work and whatever money we could scrape together she could be the answer to a long ago wish. Of course at this point I had no idea what the owner was even asking for her so off we went to one of the organized activities at the rendezvous It was hard to concentrate on the speaker with all the what ifs running thru my mind and when the lecture was over I asked Marilyn if we could inquire about the boat at Bay Breeze Yacht Sales our host. Marilyn always being the one to believe in dreams coming true and the never say die attitude readily agreed.
Enter Bill Allgaier sales representative for Bay Breeze and Nordic Tug expert whom we had previously spoke to in order to get directions. Bill was kind enough to pull all the printed material they had on the boat, including the asking price (oh my gosh!) and suggested he accompany us back on board for tour only this time with him acting as our guide and able to answer any questions we might have. Bill must have spent well over an hour that first day answering my endless questions and pointing out the little things that I had missed that make Nordic Tugs what they are. The day passed quickly meeting Nordic Tug owners and “want to be’s” like ourselves and attending the days activities thoughtfully planed by Bay Breeze, but only one thing seemed to occupy my mind. A faded little blue tug that needed a home. That night as Marilyn and I enjoyed a bite to eat and some liquid refreshment (maybe courage) a plan began to form in my mind and before I could stop myself out it came. M’s what do you think…….? Marilyn being the person she is and the most supportive wife I’ve ever heard of replied, “of course we can do it! So the plan to make my dream come true took form. That night with a million and one questions and doubts running lose it my head was a very long one. Waiting for dawn to break and the cock to reach a reasonable hour before waking Marilyn I shook in nervous anticipation. I was going to make an offer on a Nordic Tug of my own.
THE OFFER
The day broke cool and crisp but unbelievably bright with a cool breeze just starting to ripple the multi shaded blue water as I woke Marilyn from her sleep. I could wait no longer. Time and tides wait for no man at least that’s what I heard or read somewhere, so let’s get to it. Perhaps I just wanted to make sure my conversations last night were not dreams and Marilyn had indeed given me the green light to make an offer on my dream. Marilyn stirred while I poured her a cup of much needed coffee, one of her only vices. With the look she gave me there was no doubt that she had consented to making the offer as she was smiling like she had just given me the best Christmas present ever. My heart was racing and my mind was in high gear again with a million and one questions and details. Sure, I had purchased boats before and been excited but not like this. This was akin to seeing my children for the first time or when I soloed an aircraft and felt I was the greatest pilot of them all. I wasn’t but I did try. I have no idea of what we had for breakfast or if in fact we even had one but I do know that when we arrived at Bay Breeze there was not another soul stirring, so Marilyn and I headed for “our new boat” as we thought of her and started poking around.
Before long we heard the voices of others getting ready for the days activities since this was day two of the Nordic Tug Rendezvous and went to find our new friend, mentor, salesman and all around good guy Bill. We found him having a cup of coffee with the other attendees in the gathering tent where breakfast was being served to the guests and I told him about wanting to make an offer. Noting our excitement he put down his coffee and off we went to the office. Bill explained everything we needed to know and produced the needed paperwork and the deed was done. Bill said he would get back to us as soon as he heard from the seller but suggested we make a sea trial that very afternoon to make sure we liked the boat. My heart sang at the thought of being at her helm and said we would be ready when he was. He said it would have to be in the early afternoon to which we agreed and left to attend some of the lectures planned for the attendees which we were to find invaluable. Even though I was keenly interested in what was being said my thoughts were on “our” boat and never has the time passed so slowly as it did waiting for our first voyage. At the appointed time Bill arrived and gave us a short introduction on checking her out before starting and how to leave the slip. The engine started with the push of a button and sang as sweat as any I have heard. We backed out into the harbor and proceeded out into Traverse Bay. The sky was broken by a few white puffs of cloud and the wind blowing approximately 10 -15knots with 2-3 foot waves. Running with the waves the ride was like glass but with Marilyn tucked down in the cavernous salon I turned her into the wind and waves. I opened the throttle to the stop and waited and learned rule number one. Nothing ever really happens fast on a tug. But soon we were plowing thru the seas with spray over the bow and my smile growing like a happy cat.
Soon Marilyn came up to the pilot house looked outside and said she had no idea we were “getting wet” as the ride was so comfortable. “You need to buy this boat” she said with a grim and disappeared aft. I felt at peace with the world and everything seemed to be going our way. All too soon it was time to take her back to the slip and end our short but wondrous voyage of discovery. I felt like a young man coming back from his first date with his first true love. The world just doesn’t get any better.
That evening we were hosted by one of the local yacht clubs that was famous for its spiced shrimp and as a group we paid homage to their reputation by consuming mounds and mounds of shrimp all washed down with various types of liquid refreshment. The feeling was jovial and since the word of our offer on the tug had gotten around there was a fair amount of back slapping and well wishing as the other owners welcomed us to the family of Nordic Tug owners. When Marilyn and I returned to our room at the Holiday Inn that night all was right with the world.
The following morning again broke bright but cool and we were a little forlorn as we packed for the trip home as it was the last day of the rendezvous but wanted to get back to see Bill if he had any word from the owner on our offer. We found Bill right away but alas no news. He promised to call the owner as soon as he was free and would let us know something before we left for home. Everyone was having a great time as we all said good by and made our plans for next year as everyone agreed we just had to do this again as not a despairing word was heard. It was hard to see our newfound friends drift off one by one but watching the boats depart only reinforced my desire to become a Nordic Tug Captain. It was while we were standing at the pier waving that we heard our names being called as Bill walked towards us. From the look on his face I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear what he had to say. Sure enough the owner had turned down our offer making a counter offer that was still beyond our reach. We said good by to Bill and began what seemed like one of the longest rides home I had ever taken. Marilyn being the good sport she is tried everything to cheer me up with little success. It was only that night after getting home that I felt a little better when Marilyn said we could talk about our boat again in the morning and possibly make another offer. We did talk and talk, knowing that is was impractical for us to even consider upping our offer but since we both wanted the LADY M as she was to be known we bit the bullet and increased our offer. Bill was honestly glad to hear from us again and said he would do everything he could to help us get the boat. The negotiations went on for over a week but when all was said and done we were going to be the new owners of Nordic Tug 94-75! Our many thanks to the old owner who came to realize how bad we wanted her and what a good home she would have which included a new paint job and teak restoration. Bill and the team at Bay Breeze worked a miracle for us and we will never forget it. Now if the banks can do the same……………
OK, WE OWN IT
NOW WHAT?
Well we did it. She was officially ours and with undue ceremony had become red and white vs. her blue and was renamed the LADY M after my wife Marilyn without whose support I would have never gotten this far. Now for a whole new set of problems some shared with other new owners and some not. First things first, we owner now we better insure her just in case. Just in case of what? Who cares all I know if it happened I wanted it covered. Again thanks to all we had learned at the rendezvous from the seminars and talking with other owners we were a little better prepared and were able to insure her without much difficulty. What do you mean I need YACHT INSURANCE, I can’t afford a YACHT! Ok, now that we are insured for most anything and our bank account is looking very pale its time to do more thinking.
We live approximately 20 miles west of the City of Chicago, Illinois. The nearest affordable and available marina to our liking was about an hours drive north of our home in LaGrange Park and was named North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor Illinois, which lies just about on the Illinois-Wisconsin border. We drove up looked around liked what we saw a signed a contract. The LADY M would have a new home. Ok, sounds easy so far and now that she has a new home lets think about getting her there after all its only 305 nautical miles from Traverse City Michigan to North Point by water or about an 8 hour drive by car so it would seem we have two options. Lets see, option one by water should only take about 31 hours non stop and about 124 gallons of fuel. Not to bad……
31 straight hours! Who am I kidding, that’s more time than I’ve ever spent on Lake Michigan or about 30 times the amount of time I have spent at the helm of a trawler. Ok, the fuel in no problem I have two hundred gallons to play with, and I have enough electronics on board to lead a blind man to heaven in a storm including an autopilot, but that 31 hours still bothers me. Well let’s see, if I have her hauled out and put on a truck and driven to the marina and then lifted back into the water it seems I would save a lot of time. Let’s make some calls and see. HOW MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! What do I know about routes and permits, lowering the mast and taking down the smoke stack and a few other details I was blissfully unaware of. Ok, back to plan one.
While giving my brain a rest from the latest sticker shock I decided to pick up a few reference books and charts after all I’m the Captain you know! It was my first trip to Marine Navigation in LaGrange, Illinois although I had passed by it many, many, times in my travels as it’s less than a mile from my home. The charming and knowledgeable female owner asked to my needs and proceeded to fill my request. As we talked she asked what I need the charts and books for so I told her of my plight. It was at this time that I got what turned out to be very sound and financially satisfactory advice. Why not hire a delivery Captain to help me bring the boat back and get some boating education at the same time!
Thinking back to the trucking idea I asked if she had any idea of what that might cost. When she replied I thought I had won the lottery as it was less than half what the truck would cost and I had everything to gain by making the trip. I quickly asked for some names and numbers which were supplied along with a personal description of each individual as well as their areas of expertise All of them sounded excellent so I had no idea of whom to call first but dove in and called each in turn to see if they were available and would they consider making the trip. About half where available and most of those were willing to make the trip with each having their own ideas on how it should be done. One individual stood out by seeming to share my ideas so casting my fate to the winds and Capt. Bill Russell I signed an agreement with him and in doing so was lucky enough to obtain the services of Capt Stafford Crossland as well to serve as helmsmen. If one is good two has got to be better and so it was.
Now it was time to plan in earnest and set a date to bring her home. A quick call to Bill at Bay Breeze to see how the new paint and other minor work was coming revealed that he had seen the boat at the paint shop and was really impressed and taken care of the minor work himself and thought the boat would be ready by the third of August. A quick call to Capt Russell and the dates for our voyage home would be the third and fourth of August with an estimated time enroute of 35 hrs. I would fly to Traverse City on the second of August to make sure all was ready and Captains Russell and Crossland would drive up the morning of the third. The master plan was in operation and my excitement level was beyond reason. Marilyn put up with my not stop talking about the up coming trip and boat and was there whenever I needed help. I bought my plane ticket and packed everything I thought I would need but as I will explain over did it just a tad.
Having no real idea what I might need on the voyage I decided to bring everything I owned in regards to navigation, which included a handheld VHF radio and handheld GPS unit as well as new binoculars charts, plotters, pens, pencils, and everything else I could think of. This probably would not have caused me any grief if I had put it into my checked baggage but fearing any theft or damage I elected to hand carry it onto the plane.
I arrived at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago three hours before my flight was scheduled to leave after saying goodbye to Marilyn and her wishing me well. I had my bag checked at curbside and was happy as a lark. I wandered about the terminal for a bit as being a commercial pilot I’m always intrigued by goings on and then preceded to the security lines to be checked in for my gate assignment. Being an older male white gentleman with grey hair and clean shaven beard and what some would consider to be slightly overweight ( I like to think of it as a large John Wayne type build) I expected to breeze right thru. WOW was I wrong. As they x-rayed my carry on bag with all the equipment the security people started to get a little curious and when the alarm went off as I passed thru the screening machine everything came to a screeching halt. I was taken off to the side and all the equipment was taken apart and examined in detail as I explained what each one was. I was then frisked by the security men and gone over with a wand that still said I was carrying something metallic. After removing most of my clothes opening the front of my pants I was finally allowed thru even though the alarms still activated. I have no idea why as this had never happened before when I traveled, but in the interest of the security of our great nation I put it all behind me.
I do admit that having spent twenty five years in law enforcement probably helped me to understand where the security people were coming from but the idea of stopping at one of the bars on the way to my gate in order to help me relax was on my mind. It was over and my mind went make to the voyage ahead and all was right with the world again. I was glad the flight was only to be thirty-seven minutes long but thought it ironic that it took us six and a half hours the first time we drove up to see her, and now only 37 minutes to fly the same distance to pick her up but again there was the idea of thirty five hours underway to get her home. Well no one ever called her speedy. The rest of the flight was uneventful until after landing in Traverse City when I learned that there are no cabs to be had at the airport unlike Chicago with its hoards. Oh well, live and learn I still managed to make my way to the marina where the most beautiful boat I had ever seen awaited me. Bill along with Jay and John Kraft of Bay Breeze met me at the boat and made sure she was as I wanted and to answer any questions that I might have. After a few minutes of congratulations and smack talk they left me to explore my new boat and begin my learning curve with Bill telling me he would return later in the day to take me to my motel in order to get a good nights rest for leaving the following day. To this day I can’t tell you how much sleep I got or didn’t, what I ate or didn’t or much of anything else that evening.
THE VOYAGE HOME
It must have been about zero dark thirty when I awoke as the room was still dark when I opened my eyes. Yes, this was no dream for after almost 28 years of dreaming. I was going to Captain my very own Nordic Tug home. Miracles can and do happen if you’re very lucky and loved by the right people. I got up showered and shaved, put on my new Nordic Tug shirt I had gotten at the rendezvous and looked out the window over looking the Bay just as the pink dawn began to break. Pink dawn, oh no what was that saying “red sky at night sailor delight red skies in the morning sailor take warning”? I quickly threw on the television and flipped the channel changer till I located the weather channel. This doesn’t look to bad as the map of the United States popped up on the screen but as the narrator began breaking things down the more nervous I became. Today looked nice but as time moved on the weather picture for our route began to look questionable.
Hey wait a minute I have a Nordic Tug, I’m with not one but two Captains and look at all the electronic equipment I have on board what am I worried about? Simple I should be worried about what I had just thought.. First the Nordic Tug could probably handle more weather than I could but why would I want her to if I could avoid it. Second these people did not get to be seasoned Captains with great reputations by putting themselves in harms way just for the fun of it, and hold on a minute. Whose boat is this? It’s yours dummy and if you’re ever to truly be her captain you had better learn right now that a great boat can make a captain better but a poor captain can only ruin a great boat, and himself. Ok, when the guys get here we will have a serious discussion and then deicide on a course of action.
Soon it was eight am and I was standing outside the Holiday Inn as Bill pulled into the drive to pick me up just as he said he would and take me back to the marina about ten minutes away. He said he would be at the marina all day and that everyone from Bay Breeze would be there to see us off or be available if anything came up at the last minute. Eight fifteen, the guys said they would arrive about noon so I told myself that I would have everything set to go the minute they arrived. Ah, ignorance is bliss. I thought I had gone over the boat stem to stern and she was ready ha, ha. A little before noon Bill and Stafford showed up and introductions were made all around. They boarded the Lady M telling me that they looked forward to this trip as both had done the route many times but never on a Nordic Tug. As they began to check her over together I noticed right away how they worked in an organized professional manner but I began to feel confident that I had made the right choice.
Stafford went off to pick up provisions for the trip (I was to find out later he was also a great cook) while Captain Bill and I finished going over the boat. At each point he pointed out what I needed to know and even made a discovery that would have made the trip illegal as she was but this was soon corrected. Please check the expiration date on your required flare next time you go out and while you’re at it you may want to check your fire extinguishers. Enough said. As we were stowing the provisions that Captain Crossland had obtained we discussed the route home and the reported weather. Again these guys proved how professionals work when from their chart case they produced all the required charts and guides as well as weather reports and only a few hours old. Captain Bill and I went up to the pilothouse and in a few minutes had the first part of our voyage charted and we were ready to go.
True to their word the staff of Bay Breeze was on the dock as I hit the starter and began backing out of the slip. They waved, shouted good luck and were shooting pictures as we got under way at about three pm under blue skies and fair winds. Our first leg would take us up Travers Bay and out into Lake Michigan via the Manitou Passage. Captain Bill had hoped to make the passage by nightfall in order to point out some of the wrecks in the area however it was not to be as darkness had already fallen, as it was almost fifty miles to this point. Between Captain Bill and Capt Stafford I was getting an education in navigation, boat handling, radio procedures and anything else I needed to know at time went by but I still had a grin from ear to ear and was reluctant to give up the helm for even a short break as the weather so far had been clear with 10-15 knot winds and 2-3 foot waves however that was all about to change.
After passing thru the Manitou Passage we plotted a direct route for our destination at North Point Marina. Since the sky had now become overcast we were surrounded in total darkness with only the occasional shore light, or navigation light of another vessel to break the ink black night. Soon I began to notice that the waves had grown along with the winds and the motion of the boat had picked up, not to the point of being uncomfortable but very noticeable along with the increase of spray on the windows and waves breaking over the bow. The white crests of breaking waves became more visible and the wheel in my hand let me know that my education was going to continue.
Surrounded by Captains Russell and Crossland I listened intently as they discussed our options based on the current weather conditions. It was decided a small course correction would be in order to give us an easier ride. It seemed to work for the time being and we became a little more comfortable. It was nearing midnight when I realized how tired I had become and Captain Russell took the helm. After discussing our plans for the next few hours I elected to go to my berth for some rest. Once secure in the forward stateroom I really felt tired and knew I had been running on adrenalin for the last couple of hours and dropped off to a deep sleep. It was sometime around dawn that I awoke to find Captain Crossland at the helm and Captain Russell asleep in the salon. Captain Crossland graciously gave me the helm when I asked so I would see my first sunrise at the helm of my own vessel.
Oh well the best laid plans of men often go astray, as the dawn broke with dirty grey clouds covering the sky and no chance for the brilliant sunrise I had hoped for. The winds now remained constant and four to six foot waves pelted the windows with spray as they broke over the bow and made the ride less comfortable than we would have liked. The morning weather not withstanding we all enjoyed some of the provisions that Captain Crossland had purchased for the trip as we munched our breakfast Yesterday we had enjoyed some sandwiches he had prepared and I looked forward to enjoying some more for lunch. This guy knew more than just boating; his skill around the galley was making that part of the trip even more enjoyable. I might as well tell you right now I don’t know who I learned more from Captain Russell, Captain Crossland, or the LADY M. Each was a masterful teacher.
Captain Russell showed me the operation of all the electronic instruments that were aboard and how to apply them while Captain Crossland taught me the mysteries of being a good helmsman and reading the seas about us. Often just a three way conversation, of which there were many answered questions that were constantly forming in my mind. If you ever need to do a trip and are reluctant to make it alone I would recommend these fine gentleman without reservation and if they are unavailable I’m sure they know others they feel comfortable recommending. After a few hours at the helm and some food I began to feel tired again and decided to do some reading in my berth. The rocking of the boat soon lulled me to sleep and the reading was postponed. I’m not sure what woke me either the change in the motion of the boat or the different sound of the engine but aware of the change I jumped up and flew to the pilothouse to see what was happening. It was still overcast and the seas where still heavy but I also noticed we were in sight of land which was not in the plan as I knew it.
Captain Russell was quick to explain that we had been underway for about straight seventeen hours the majority of which were in heavy seas and he felt we needed a break for ourselves and a chance to check over the Lady M to make sure everything was still tight and right. Sheboygan Wisconsin seemed to be a good choice. It had a nice protected harbor, fuel and water if we needed it and was more or less along our route. It took just a few minutes to locate the transit dock, which also had fuel and tie up. Within minutes the three of us were on the dock and heading in different directions depending on our wants or needs. Since we had been underway for seventeen hours and I don’t trust fuel gages even though I check them with a dipstick I located the fuel and pumped 86 gallons into our tanks. Since the tank holds 200 gallons there was no doubt that the trip could have been made without adding the fuel. After about thirty minutes everyone was back on board and a check of the LADY M revealed nothing out of place so we hit the starter and began our voyage again, estimating our arrival at North Point at approximately 2200 hrs.
The weather had moderated a bit and we each took our turn at the helm and I took advantage of a little sight-seeing as it was a little smoother closer to shore, with the Captains pointing out points of interest such as navigation aids and shoals. The shoals were of great interest to me but I found out as we headed far out to make a straighter run to North Point that there were all shorts of interesting things to get your attention even five miles out from shore. Fishing nets, all of a sudden in seemed like we were surrounded by markers indicating a large field of nets. There were no boats in sight but the markers became all to clear the closer we got. The waves and sky condition had prevented us from seeing them at a distance but once we got close every eye was wide open and we cleared the area without incident. Another lesson learned.
Each of the Captains in turn discussed navigation, seamanship, and systems with me while the miles clicked of under our keel. I can honestly say I was never bored but occasionally I felt sleepy as we all did at times. But even then the sounds of the wind, water, and engine were telling me stories, and I did love to listen. A new sound came in the afternoon the drumming of rain on the decks and pilo house roof. Visibility dropped a little more and I began to rely more and more on the GPS and radar without really realizing it. Rain is just water and this boat belongs in water so no worries. This was a Nordic Tug and one of the things I was told was that she could get me out of situations I did not want to be in. The trick being not getting myself into those situations in the first place. Nordic Tugs like and deserve to be operated professionally. If done so they will reward you with experiences few get to enjoy in this world and those you will never forget. The may be “cute” but they are tugs in every sense of the word.
As you may have noticed I have not mentioned Marilyn during this voyage for a good reason. She didn’t go. Due to her work schedule and other considerations she decided to pass on this trip. Even though I missed her a lot I was somewhat glad as I did not want her first trip on her namesake to be quite this adventurous. We had been in contact via our cell phones so she was up to date on whatever was happening. Ok, I did forget to mention a few things like wind, rain six foot waves and a few others.. Now as we got ever closer to home Marilyn began to make plans to meet us at the dock and to have arraigned for transportation home for my two mentors. During one of my last calls it was decided that she would drive up to the marina in the morning when the weather was forecast to be better and she would not have to face three tired men in the middle of the night. She did however insure that there would be a car at the dock to take my crew home when they were ready. Always dependable Marilyn, just like the LADY M.
It was around ten PM when we spotted the lights of North Point in the rain and began our entry to her new home. Discretion being the better part of valor I elected to have Captain Russell bring her in as the winds and rain were still present. On finding slip K-42 he amazed me by announcing he would back her into the slip! When you’re good, you’re good. Even though it was ten thirty on a wet Saturday night it was not long before a good size group had gathered on the dock to assist us. They to where amazed when with only Captain Crossland helping he slipped her in with a professional touch. When we were secured and ship shape I bid a sad farewell to my two mentors who had shared one of the greatest moments of my life, and watched as they drove off into the night. I lie down in my berth fully clothed and promptly fell asleep as it was well after midnight. A true thirty odd hour voyage of discovery.
Blinking from the sunlight pouring thru the porthole across from my berth I realized the sun had been up for awhile and there were several voices outside. “She’s beautiful”, “what is it?”,” I once waited an hour to see one at the boat show” so many nice things being said by so many I must have been grinning from ear to ear. They were talking about the Lady M. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes and splashing water on my face I went topside to invite one and all aboard for a tour. Shortly there appeared one face in the crowed that put the biggest smile on my face Marilyn. Now we were home!
THE HONEYMOON
Alone at last! My dream had come true and now my new love and I would get to know each other often on intimate terms. She would get to know my moods sometimes tranquil and sometimes tyrannical. I would get to know her as a lady but occasionally a tramp, but despite our occasional misunderstandings, most often my fault we somehow managed to impress each other and often on lookers at the same time. I was very careful to keep her looking like a lady and being ever mindful of her new paint job and she in turn treated me with the respect of not making look to foolish in my first docking attempts. Well at least not too often.
Even though I had been warned by the people I purchased her from and the people at Nordic Tugs I still was not prepared for the amount of people who could not resist the lure of the LADY M. In my very first week of ownership we had over a hundred “visitors” most of whom were admirers of tugs and not very secret about it. This paid unexpected dividends as there was always someone to give me a hand when I needed it and advice whether I needed it or not, but still always appreciated. The more time we spent together the stronger the ties became. The LADY M showed me what I needed to know and what she didn’t the numerous manuals for her systems on board did. Even though I had enjoyed reading everything I could find on Nordic Tugs before I purchased mine I had no idea of the amount material I would find in regards to the everyday operation and those not so ordinary situations we all dread. Well love is blind so no matter how much material I find I will read all of it and love every minute while doing it. Of course other than getting together with other boaters or tug owners it really doesn’t make for good dinner or social conversation.
One of the blessings that accompanied the purchase was the fact that my family was excited as I. Marilyn spent many weekends at the boat and designated herself as the interior designer and spent the week looking for items to make the LADY M a home on the water. It appears that she has also developed a rapport with her as everything Marilyn has done compliments the boat according to our visitors and more importantly me! My daughter and son in law (Melissa and Ryan) have also come aboard and spent some time including a ride on Lake Michigan with the infamous Capt Fred. The best part is they promised to come back often. Guess I did something right!
I must admit this is a great ego building boat as I think my hat size has gone up. Yep you guessed it, its one of those fancy boat captain hats that is so popular with the yachting group.
THE AUTHOR
Fred J Ferber PhD has been involved in boating for over 20 years and has owned both power and sailboats until finding his dream, THE LADY M.
Fred is presently employed as the Academic Coordinator for a prestigious Illinois High School when he is not out on the water. He is married with two children and the grandfather of two. He was born in New Jersey and moved to the Chicagoland area as a teen. After a stint as an Army Aviator in the 60’s he began simultaneous careers in Aviation and Law Enforcement, earning the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor for his work with youths and as an investigator. Upon retirement, he began a third career in education after receiving his Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Psychology from Concordia College and is the author of the WHY NOT ME SELF HELP GUIDE.