East Coast Rendezvous 2017

Lord Nelson Victory Tugs gathered for the tenth east coast gathering in Fairhaven, MA. The Fairhaven Shipyard's marina is home to two LNVTs, Neptune and LaSalle. Salty Paws, Sally W, Tugnacious, and Victorious brought the count to six. Crews from six other tugs, plus past owners and family and friends of hosts John and Ellen Isaksen, LNVT Neptune #37 brought the body count close to 40.

Hosts Ellen and John Isaksen

The Isaksens put together a great variety of activities which included tours of the harbor, a scallop boat, and a guided walk of the historic area, meals featuring local favorites, and of course, ongoing tug talk. 

"So good to see you again."

Something new this year was planned arrivals on Thursday to give everyone two solid days to enjoy the event before departures on Sunday. It worked well.

John Mackie and Dave Howell 

John Mackie and Dave Howell compared notes on their recent trips. The Mackies spent three months in the Bahamas. The Howells are in their second year of cruising the Great Loop in reverse. They began in Ft. Myers, FL in 2016 and have made it to the top of Lake Michigan.

Jeanne Koenig

The Isaksen family ensured that no one was ever hungry. Menus of local fare included sea scallops, clam chowder, Portugese pulled pork sandwiches, and sweets featuring local favorites such as Butter Almond Bars, cookies, cakes and pastries. All were homemade on the spot. 

Saturday morning's Tug Talk was held in one of the shipyard's buildings called "The Big Shed." People shared a variety of interesting stories from voyages to composting toilets.

And Tug Talk continued throughout the event with everyone inspecting all the boats. Bob Allnutt admired the shiny brass aboard Neptune.

Tug talk aboard Victorious: L-R: Bob Allnutt, Jeanne Koenig, Bob Ewing and Sue Mackie

Harbor tours were conducted aboard Neptune. The NewBedford/Fairhaven Harbor is home to the largest fishing fleet in New England.

A local historian conducted a walking tour of Fairhaven, highlighting several buildings donated to the town by a financier who grew up there. Henry Huddleston Rogers built the town hall, library, high school and Unitarian Church, each in a separate and distinctive architectural style.

The Isaksens were thanked by Dave and Bicki Howell for the very successful event. The Isaksen's children Randi and Mark, and cousins Arne, Gail and Max also worked tirelessly.

The happy group gathered on the final night for a photo record of the event.