News
Wait. What? We’re up for an Award?!
At the beginning of the year, I found out that we had been nominated by members of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County for the Whatcom Business Alliance’s Small Business of the Year Award. Jeffrey and I felt honored that our nominators were part of Bellingham’s greater maritime community. It felt good to be recognized for our hard work and dedication, especially by those who understand the challenges of running a marine-based business.
Honestly, we didn’t think the nomination would go beyond that. But then, later in January, I got a phone call from the Business Alliance’s Executive Director informing us we were finalists for Small Business of the Year Award. “Wait, what? Really?” I think I remember saying back to her. I’ve never really felt like we were award material.
The Executive Director explained that we would be contacted by a reporter for their Business Pulse Magazine as well as a video production crew. Each finalist would have a short video produced about them to show at the awards gala. The event was described as a black and gold themed event. “Yikes,” I thought. I would need to shop for a dress, since dressing up is not something I usually do.
As I texted Jeffrey and Sarah to let them know, I experienced a rush of emotion I hadn’t felt since starting to write More Faster Backwards about our startup years. This honor reminded me of the eight years of rebuilding and the hurdles we faced, leading up to the joy of our boat christening party where Jeffrey’s mom, with all her might, broke a bottle of champagne over the bow. I remembered my mom too, and how she found working on the David B with me healing for her as she battled cancer.
Reflecting on our business’s inception and our first years brought back memories of overcoming economic downturns, a catastrophic winter engine freeze, and a global pandemic. Despite new rules and regulations, we are here, stronger than ever, 26 years after buying the David B.
In that time, we’ve forged new connections, friendships, and adventures. The David B has taken us to many places with numerous people. More than anything, I cherish the community that has supported our vision of restoring an old, decaying wooden boat and taking people on wilderness journeys we hope are fulfilling and transformative.
The award ceremony was this past weekend. Dressed to the nines, we enjoyed a wonderful time with our crew and family. While we didn’t win Small Business of the Year, we gained much more. The event allowed us to celebrate our identity and mission, reflecting on what makes our business special and why we approach each day with dedication, focus, and persistence.
My only regret is that this recognition came too late for our mothers to see. I know they would be incredibly proud. Seeing what we’ve built, and the extensive community that is “Team David B” fills me with joy. Your support too, dear reader, during both good and challenging times has been invaluable too, and is what made us shine in front of our local business community. Jeffrey and I can’t thank you enough for keeping our dreams afloat.
With the deepest love and gratitude,
Christine
PS -We are hoping that we’ll be able to share a link of the video they made of our business with you soon. They did a fantastic job.
Alaska Trips Not Affected by Ban
Northwest Navigation Company’s Motor Vessel David B Alaska Cruises Unaffected by Canada’s Cruise Ship Ban
BELLINGHAM, Wash., Feb. 17, 2021 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Northwest Navigation Co., which operates the small cruise boat, M/V David B in Alaska, is unaffected by Canada’s recent extended cruise ship ban for the summer of 2021. The company will still be offering multi-day cruises this summer, as are a number of small US-flagged Alaska boutique cruises, yacht charters, and niche market adventure cruises that specialize in remote wilderness small group tours.
Canada’s ban on cruise ships with over 100 passengers may force major cruise lines that are registered in countries outside of the United States to cancel their Alaska sailings due to laws that require those ships to stop in countries outside the United States. As one of several small US-flagged vessels that operate with 12 or fewer passengers, the David B is unaffected by Canada’s ban and will be able to continue regularly scheduled operations in southeast Alaska.
“Most people are not aware that there is a class of small American boats which run tours in Alaska,” says Christine Smith who’s the co-owner, chef, and naturalist aboard the David B. “Boats like ours are unique, for example, we have a maximum of just eight passengers. Some of our closest competitors carry only 10 or 12. The boats are big enough that we’ve always given people plenty of space. There’s never been a good name for our niche, but some people call us a micro-cruise, boutique cruise, small boat or small ship cruise. We offer light impact eco-tours that are more on the adventure side of Alaska cruises. We focus on being in nature and visit wilderness locations for our anchorages, hikes, and kayaking excursions.”
If Canada continues with its ban on cruise ships, Alaska’s economy will be adversely affected. A recent article in the Washington Post noted that only 48 passengers cruised Alaska in 2020. “We operated last summer too, but because of our small size I don’t think our passengers were even included in the tally,” Christine said. “We’re a very niche market. You really have to look to find boats like ours. But for the people who do find us this year, they’ll see a quieter Alaska, even if the large cruise ships find a way around Canada’s ban.”
For more information about Northwest Navigation visit: https://northwestnavigation.com/
About Northwest Navigation Co.:
Northwest Navigation Co. is based in Bellingham, Washington, and owns and operates the Motor Vessel David B. Since 2006 Northwest Navigation has offered multi-day, small boat tours in Alaska and Washington state. The David B is an historic 65-foot boat originally built for Alaska’s salmon fishing industry in 1929. Jeffrey and Christine Smith started Northwest Navigation in 1998 with the purchase and restoration of the David B.
Vessel Image 72dpi: https://northwestnavigation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/David-B-Image-72-dpi-scaled.jpg
Logo 72dpi: https://tinyurl.com/nwnav-logo
MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Kirkish
Office Manager/Reservations Specialist
360-474-7218
sarah@northwestnavigation.com
News Source: Northwest Navigation Co
WEATHERING A STORM
As another week passes, and the outside news gets crazier and crazier, with travel bans at the forefront, and big cruise lines canceling, we continue to evaluate how our summer is shaping up.
As a captain, I feel like this is very similar to how I plan for weather and storms. There’s a lot at stake. Every day I make multiple decisions about the voyage, the vessel, the weather, the guests, the crew. It’s what I’ve been doing for 29 years as a captain. I’m continually checking and updating my decisions, and trying to use as much new information as I can. One of the biggest hurdles is to avoid weighing one’s prior decisions over new facts. Just because it was forecast to be calm when I left the dock doesn’t mean that continuing into big seas makes sense. Checking and rechecking myself doesn’t make me wishy-washy; it’s how to make safe decisions.
I make a lot of decisions by playing out the consequences in my head and thinking about how I would explain it afterward if it didn’t go well. It’s part of my training and experience. If I can finish the sentence that begins with “Well, your honor, the reason I was doing that was because…” in a way that seems plausible, it’s probably not such a bad idea. I use a risk/reward model as well. In this case, the reward (the grandeur of Alaska) is high and the risk is still low.
At this point, like before, we’re still operating as if our summer is going to go as planned. Right now, I still feel like it’s safe. Each new piece of news or information makes me re-evaluate the decision and each time I come back to the same decision: We’re still going unless it becomes unsafe or impossible for our guests, our boat or us.
In a lot of ways, I feel like this decision is like all the nautical decisions I’ve made in my career. It takes a lot of thought, a lot of hand wringing and a lot of worry. There are big stakes. I feel like I’ve been training my whole life to make this decision.
We’re still going. Things may change. I’ll reevaluate then.
Captain Jeffrey
Dreaming In Glacier Bay – Adventures NW Magazine
Last year we did our first Photography Workshop in conjunction with Adventures NW Magazine. Here’s a link to their website with an article describing what it was like to spend 8-days learning about photography and post-processing photographs in Glacier Bay on the David B.
http://www.adventuresnw.com/dreaming-in-glacier-bay/
After reading this article, we know you’ll want to go on one of our Photo Workshop cruises, so be sure to check out our 2018 schedule and itineraries for photography workshops.
Alaska’s Fjords and Pack Creek Bear Viewing Photography Workshop
https://northwestnavigation.com/alaska-adventure-photography-cruise/
Glacier Bay Photography Workshop
https://northwestnavigation.com/glacier-bay-photography-cruise/
Jeffrey and Christine on KVRS Radio – Lafayette
Jeffrey and Christine were recently in Lafayette, Louisiana to give a talk about the David B and cruising in Alaska, as well as to have a little downtime and to eat as much cajun food as humanly possible before the 2018 boating season begins. One of the highlights of their time in Lafayette was being interviewed on KRVS radio. Follow the link before to listen to Jeffrey and Christine talk about the restoring the David B as well as what they enjoy most about being in Alaska.
http://krvs.org/post/apres-midi-afternoon-classics-february-22-2018