Thirty-five years of association with the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) includes twenty-seven years working aboard various ships as chief purser and eight years as a union official representing unlicensed vessel personnel.  Union issues are not germane to my intent herein.

Content is focused on my first thirteen years of employment.  I consider events well remembered to the extent expressed.  In many cases the day, month or year are not recalled.  Some information is based on interpretation from conversation with shipmates whose area of expertise was not my own.  Eighty two years of age allow me to use a declaration of senility to justify any errors, misrepresentations or challenges to credibility.   Therefore, it will be useless for readers to contest content.