I wasn't always a sailor, but I had a sailor's heart. My own Great Grandfather was a sailor, who came to this country as a deckhand from Norway. Fortunately for me, he met my Great Grandmother and fell in love!

I began working on the boat above 7 years ago. After about a year, I was asked by my company to make a trip on a tug for them in California. After that, my 3 miles back and forth from shore to shore just would never be enough.

I began working for a shipping company that travelled up the inside passage from Washington to Alaska. The views were incredible! The mountains, the ocean life, the glaciers! Even the waves proved themselves to be exciting! You've not seen anything until you've seen a 40 foot wave coming at you!

Since then, I've gone back to California and travelled between there and Canada. I have to confess that I like the warm weather better! That -40 degrees in Alaska was tough!

Currently, I am working for the Seafarer's International Union and am subcontracted by Military Sealift Command. I have a lot of opportunity to travel the world now. Of course, the worst part is that I have to be away from my wife and children for so long. It's a tough choice for us all, but I have the total support of my family. They understand that it's not just a job, it is a part of who I am.