My first week in Fort Lauderdale

Hello everyone!

I have had a very welcoming week in Fort Lauderdale. Entering Port Everglades, the little tug Hero escorted me up the river to where I would call home for the next month. I was met by cameras and reporters once dockside as everyone here were happy to finally see us! I was feeling very proud supporting Nova Scotia and wasn't shy for my spotlight on the evening news. I am located directly downtown Fort Lauderdale and have had lots of questions to answer about the trip and my plans for the winter.

The week consisted of more cleaning and preparation for the Family Day event this past Sunday. The crew is always busy keeping me looking my best and keeping me happy. Winterfest Family Day was a part of the build up to the Winterfest Parade. I was open for the public to come and look around my decks, and have a seat in the Captain's Chair. I went out for a short cruise with some close friends to have a look at the beautiful waterfront around Fort Lauderdale.

I have a little down time before the big event on December 10th. Some of the crew are going to take a short break, but will be back to have me looking my best for the parade. I will still be answering questions to curious passer-byes and chatting about the Port of Halifax and our beautiful province. I am also happy to just hang out and take in the tropical weather. Until next time. Toot Toot!

Sprucing up for the Parade!

Hi all!

I have been wanting to look good for my arrival in Ft. Lauderdale. When I woke up in West Palm Beach I wanted to get fit for a new suit. And for a tugboat, that means a new paint job. The friendly people at Cracker Boy Boat Yard were more than helpful getting me ready for the last leg of my journey. They had a lift to get me out of the water, and allow for the crew to get some work done on me below the water line! It felt good to get out of the water for a few days, and have some old barnacles and mussels scrubbed off, a good sanding, and some much needed paint after a 1600 mile trip.

The yard was full of boats, from small motor boats to some of the fastest sailing boats in the waters. I was excited to talk to the other boats and exchange stories on our recent adventures. They were getting just as much care from their crew as I was! In just a few days my crew was able to spruce me up, and I am now ready for my big debut in Ft. Lauderdale. Tomorrow I am happy to get back into the water and the environment I'm more use to!

I am going to stay the weekend in West Palm beach as the crew prepares for me to arrive in Lauderdale. I am getting very excited and the crew says it seems to be all I can talk about! My confidence is definitely up now that I am dressed and looking my best... Now if only the crew good look that good. I wish everyone well back at home. I will represent Halifax well!

Until next time!

En Route from Cape May to Fernandina Beach to West Palm Beach!

Hi everyone!

I was out to sea for the longest leg of my life.... 650 nautical miles from Cape May New Jersey to Fernandina Florida. I was in the grove, having good weather and fair seas, managed to navigate another large obstacle of the trip to Ft. Lauderdale. Cape Hatteras is a treacherous section of offshore shoals along North Carolina. Notorious for ship wrecks and also close to Cape Fear. There was no fear for me though as I happily made it into the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream.

There are still lots of dolphins along my bow as I pulled into Fernandina Florida for a much needed washing and re-fueling. I was met well by locals and kids coming from the area. I also had lots of friends from Nova Scotia who were taking their boats down for the winter. After the salt was scrubbed off and few provisions were taken on, the crew and I were ready to tackle some more southern distances of the trip.

The leg from Fernandina to West Palm Beach was the first time I had a head on wind to deal with. It slowed me down a bit and made for a little rougher conditions. I like riding the wind and the waves much more then slamming into them. I managed the 250 mile distance with little complaint. I've been having good luck and lots of help along the way. I arrived early Monday morning under the lights of West Palm Beach. Lots of curious onlookers wanting to hear my story, and I am always happy to tell them of the big harbour where I come from.

Until next time!

I LOVE THE BIG APPLE!

Hi Everyone,

I was excited to get to New York! My passage through Buzzards Bay into Long Island Sound went very well. A following tide pushed me along above my normal cruising speed. I always like going a little faster. Through the sound, I met lots of fishing boats. I thought there were a lot in Nova Scotia, but all along the Eastern Sea Board people are out there enjoying the seas and the resources they provide. Exploring new territory, I made a lot of new friends. Boats were coming up to have a closer look and I would respond with my familiar "Toot Toot".

Then New York city came into view. I was overwhelmed with emotions. Coming into the East River, I saw all kinds of different boats. All kinds of tugs were around pushing barges and pulling other boats. Police boats were buzzing by giving off welcoming cries of their sirens. Tour boats passed with lots of people taking pictures, and ferries bringing people to and from work flew by. I was a little anxious at first, but then felt at home with all the activity. I wanted to look my best for everyone, and the crew made sure I was tip top.

I passed under all the famous bridges along my way to Manhattan. Queensborough, Brooklyn, and Manhattan to name a few, I made sure to tell them about Benjamin back at home. A special spot was reserved for me right downtown. I had amazing views of the large skyscrapers bending my head back as high as I could see. I couldn't stay long though, my date was waiting for me as the sun was setting over the Big Apple. Out of my protect marina, there she stood proud and brave. I was blushing as we went to say hello, and she wished me well on my trip. I can't wait to see her again next year.

The weather was favourable for me to make some more progress South. I shot out of New York Harbour and set my sights for the Jersey shore. After a long night of bouncing around, I needed a rest and a nice place to slip in to avoid another storm. I was welcomed in Cape May with open arms. Lots of kids have come by to say hello, and I felt very welcomed away from home. I miss my friends back in Halifax, but am making great ones along the way. I have some big days ahead of me and can't wait to get to some warmer weathers, and take in some nice Southern hospitality.

Till next time!  

TRAVELING TO NYC!

Hi Guys!

I had the longest day of my trip South. The storm subsided, the seas calmed down, and I had smooth sailing across the 180 mile stretch between southern Nova Scotia and Cape Cod. With beautiful sunsets to the west and miraculous sunrises to the east, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. While the last light houses along the Southwest Shore winked goodbye to me, I had one last glance of Nova Scotia's spectacular coast line.

The first night revealed a star studded sky only to quickly disappear with cloud cover. The next morning was much of the same. The crew remained vigilant on their watches. Keeping a close eye on the horizon, a pod of white sided dolphins came into view. Swimming straight at me, they quickly altered course and began to play in his bow wake. I was very excited. And to top off the day, a brilliant sunset revealed a green flash of light just as the sun dropped below the horizon. A phenomenon that is usually seen in the tropics, but then again who says it can't be tropical along the Gulf of Maine in November.

We spotted land in the early hours Monday morning. I came down Cape Cod Bay, shot through Cape Cod Canal with some other tug boat friends, and arrived in Fairhaven as the sun rose over the beautiful maritime town. After a long stretch of steaming, I was thirsty. The crew fueled me up, filled my water tanks, picked up one more crew and now I'm is off to the Big Apple. I have a date with Lady Liberty!

Leaving Halifax Harbour

Hello Everyone!  

I was excited to take off for my trip to Ft. Lauderdale. I was up early Saturday morning to take off on my grand adventure. With a beautiful sunrise as I pulled out of the Halifax harbour, I enjoyed a sunny sail down the southwestern shore. Gannets were diving in front of me,  pilot whales were seen off the bow, and even some tuna came close to wish me a safe voyage. I pulled into Shelburne at 9pm to rest up and avoid the inclement weather that was on the way. Once the lines were secure and the crew sat down for dinner, the winds picked up and I couldn't have been happier to make it to a safe harbour like Shelburne.

That night the winds howled as they intensified up the coast of Nova Scotia. The next morning the storm was right over me, bearing its teeth down! I was rafted up to some old fishing boat friends and they kept me secure and safe. A lot of boats were in the Shelburne harbour waiting out the storm, so I was glad to be amongst friends. That night the winds died down as the storm finally passed.

I woke up to sunny skies and light winds, once again excited to get under way. The crew are doing their final preparations, and I will be off again this afternoon. He wishes everyone a happy Halloween. Next stop New Bedford.