Under Way In San Francisco

The year was 2016, or 2017, I think. I’ve never been good with dates. Memory works in its own ways though as I have a fresh perception of the feel of that morning - cool, dense air that smelled of kelp with faint metallic notes from the surrounding industry. The rising sun split the Pacific chill even through the smog and mist.

We had just steamed under the Golden Gate Bridge from Oakland, Alameda bound for Alaska. Excitement pulsed through all the crew.

Our 35-foot Everglades tender would soon be on tow for the long haul up the Pacific Coast to our first port of call, Ketchikan, Alaska.

Before departing we’d completed a brief yard period for maintenance before the summer charter season. I had just bought my first serious film camera, a Leica M7 which I still have today.

In memory, Owen was always smoking and the light was always good.

I had the film bug and carried the camera with me any moment I wasn’t required to work with my hands. We watched this overloaded truck tip over before our eyes and I was stoked to get it in frame.