The plan...

If you read the previous post, you know how many opportunities there were for the day's schedule going awry... and the day started with the ferry being 20 minutes late.  Joan was working for me and met people as they came down the steps, before they could get to the office - every minute counts.

She got them all routed to the boat, and the naturalist leading them.  We knew an approximate number and had put additional seating on the boat.  We got them on and seated, I did a quick safety talk, and we shoved off.  I put a few more ponies to work, and managed to make up 10 minutes enroute to their island destination.

These types of trips are always interesting, because you never know what the dock situation will be.  Plenty of rocks near the dock, but it was slack tide and we could see into the water.  We helped people off the boat, confirmed when we were to be back for them, and took off.

I made up an additional 10 minutes on the way back, since the boat was now much lighter.  We pulled up to our dock just in time to have the guests for the next trip escorted to the boat.  (And, Joan brought me lunch.)  I had gotten the most current reports on the way in... after nearly a week, there are Orcas in the area again! 

The guests had already been told (by who knows??) that there are no Orcas to be found.  They were delighted when I told them we had "a good report."  Another safety talk and we were off; an hour to an hour and a half before most of the other Friday Harbor boats.

When I got to the area where the Orcas were reported, I had to decide: north or south.  There were a couple whale watch boats already on the scene, so I had some decent info... south it is.  The "show" started almost immediately when we slowed down.  A spy hop, plenty of porpoising, then a full breach - yep, we chose the right direction.  The boats to the north had a couple animals, we had at least a dozen, and they were being plenty active.  The guests were in awe... OK, we were all in awe; it was a delight (and a relief) to have the Orcas back.  And, in a big way!

The guests got to see Soundwatch in action, when several private boats violated the distance laws, nearly running up on the whales.  We do more than just show people the whales: we also educate them and get them interested in conservation and protection of the marine mammals.

We were perfectly positioned, and the whales weren't moving any particular direction.  The salmon-fest must have been good, since happy whales are active whales.  After nearly an hour with the Orcas, I had to carefully pick my way out and get some distance in order to start heading back.  More good timing: bald eagles, including a juvenile.  Cute baby seals.  All the usual wild game across Spieden.  More eagles.  More seals.

With a very full tour, a boat full of happy guests, and a schedule to maintain, we pulled back up to our dock right on the button.  Sometimes things just work out... I didn't want to say anything so I wouldn't jinx this last water taxi trip.  We exchanged thank you's and good-bye's, and got ready to shove off again.  Joan got me a fresh soda (nice to have her looking out for me).  And we were off again.

Listening to the radios on the way, it sounded like the boats that were still out were seeing the Orcas, but not in the group size we had been treated to.  No one was complaining.  We pulled up to the dock 10 minutes early to bring the folks back that we took out this morning.  Good thing, 'cause the current was really ripping; it took a second swing at the dock and using a spring line to haul the boat in.

These folks were happy we were on time (apparently they had been told that we'd probably be behind because of the ferry), and we were off again.  I called the office to see how the ferry was running... on time!  I knew it was going to be close (the only time in the last few days when I was hoping the ferry would be late).  As I made my turn into Friday Harbor (the bay), the ferry was making the same turn from the other side... no way could I maintain my speed like the ferry can.  I told the first mate to get the boat ready to dock at the Spring Street Landing... the water around our dock would be in a swirl for well over 5 minutes due to the ferry.  The guests were in time to make that ferry, but not much time to spare.  One lady hugged me on the way out and said, "That was fun!"  I was just glad we were able to make the timing work.

We sat with an empty boat for a few minutes, letting the swirling wake settle before bringing the boat back to our dock.  Happy guests all around... and a happy boat crew, too.  9 1/2 hours of boat time.  And back in time to take my Honey out for supper.