FIRST MATE

Deb grew up on Canada’s beautiful west coast and spent a lot of childhood hours swimming. She added boating to her list of favourite things to do thanks to Drew, her partner of many years.
When Drew announced one chilly day in the fall of 1997 that he’d found a tugboat to buy she wasn’t sure what to expect but his enthusiasm was contagious and soon the whole family jumped into the project of refurbishing the old tug — a task that would take many years to complete. Deb is delighted to have been able to share many happy weeks out on the water each year with their three kids and many friends.

After a career that included writing for magazines and teaching writing, in 2006 Deb purchased and revitalised 32 Books & Gallery, an independent bookstore in North Vancouver which continues to thrive thanks to her loyal customers and staff.

Hornby Island is now home but Deb spends time away to visit their grandkids and her busy little bookstore in Edgemont Village. Life is good!

CAPTAIN

Drew’s boating experience could be traced back to the stormy crossing he made with his family from England to Canada when he was just two.
After spending time in Ontario they moved to northern BC and then Vancouver’s North Shore where he spent many happy hours as a kid just messing about in boats. Racing sailboats was a passion during his teen years and he crewed in races from the north to the coast of California.

Work in BC logging camps kept him close to the ocean and he also spent time as a professional firefighter until he decided to put his energies into his heavy equipment marine repair business which specialised in large engine repairs on commercial coastal vessels.

When Drew “found” La Fille she was in a bit of a sorry state but he could see the possibilities and is now able to enjoy the fruits of all the love and labour he has poured into this old tug, a piece of BC coast history.

You’ll find Drew almost any time of the year enjoying the tug with family and friends — or he might be in the engine room.

CHEF / DECKHAND

Jaimie grew up on Canada’s wild west coast and trained as a chef in the heart of San Francisco’s uber-foodie scene. Her culinary creations reflect a local coastal vibe but are also informed by her many travels to other parts of the globe — Peru, Italy, Budapest, Portugal, the UK, Mexico, Colombia, New York, Vancouver — where she worked in restaurants from small hostels to world-renowned establishments. You will often find these international influences in her delicious preparations.

She is also an accomplished mariner and fisher. Jaimie has worked on charter boats from Vancouver to the central BC coast where she shares her passion with on-board guests for all things ocean.

When she’s not on the water. you might find her on her snowboard up a mountain or camping by a remote lake.

Jaimie is currently working toward her 60 ton limited masters ticket when she’s not wandering the world or cooking up a storm.