Rapids of Disaster

I hadn't heard from Hubby since he left Monday morning until he phoned me late last night to let me know that he was okay.

There's an old saying that tugboating is hours of boredom followed by moments of sheer terror! Well Hubby had his moment. He spends a lot of his time working further north in Seymour Inlet and taking his log tows through the Nakwakto Rapids which have the fastest navigable currents in the whole world (according to the Guinness World Book of Records) and it just happened that the gear in his boat blew there. He had no control and had to cut his tow loose, watch it disappear and smash into pieces. Luckily they could throw down the anchor to hold them from heading into the rapids themselves.

I think I was in a bit of shock when he told me. They had been floating there for over 30 hours already and since phone service is sporadic at best it had been the first chance he could call to tell me what was happening. The other guys from the company were up there with them collecting bundles and working on rebuilding the tow and sometime this weekend they'll tow him back home. I am just so thankful that he is safe!

In 2007 another local tug company towing a barge through the rapids had a mishap when they were overtaken by the barge they were pulling and their tug was completely sunk. They managed to scramble aboard the barge as it hung off of the sunken boat and thankfully they were all found safe but what a scare!

I can't wait for him to come back home :)

Hugs,
Rosina

Waving From Afar

The phone rang early this morning while we were just getting breakfast started and it was Hubby. He was heading our way and if we were quick enough we could make the trip down to the wharf and watch him go by :) So we gobbled down oatmeal, threw on clothes and headed out into the drizzle and cold.

With binoculars in hand we scanned the distant waters for signs of Hubby's tug boat and finally we spotted him not far from us :) As soon as he got close enough to the wharf for us to stand out and wave the kids were out there waving and smiling as daddy stepped out the door and stood on the side of the tug for them to see him :)

I love moments like these. It seems like he is so far away from us for most of the year yet once in a while we get the chance to cross paths and to reunite unexpectedly when we have no expectation to see him so soon. Whether it be a surprise as he returns home early or as we travel to one of the nearby wharves to spend an afternoon with him or to wave and smile as he goes by.

All these little things make each homecoming so much sweeter :)

We watched as he headed north and on to another job.

My little guy watched with the binoculars until Daddy had completely disappeared around the point and then we piled back into the car to get warm. Only a few more days and we'll all be together again :)

Hugs,
Rosina