CAPTAIN AND CREW

OUR CREW: On any ship, the crew are really special and they make the difference between a good experience and a great experience. Len and Sue have lived and worked Tall Ship THANE together for over a decade. Between them, they have plenty of experience both in coastal waters as well as offshore; and their professionalism shows. Both have lead lives that were a little different from mainstream and that's reflected in their personalities. Aboard the THANE guests can expect to be treated like friends who have come to share Len and Sue's lifestyle; which makes the trip a great experience! Here's a bit of background on each of the crew members.

THE CAPTAIN: Lenard M. Pearson, Master

Len Pearson is a true coast man, born in Vancouver in 1943. His late father was a fisherman and his mother was a teacher. He grew up in Gibson's on a 10-acre stump ranch. Independent and self-sufficient people, early on Len acquired the skills of a sea faring man. He spent his summers as a deckhand on his Dad's fish boat where he was first exposed to the pristine B.C. coast. Inspired to explore, Len's first successful construction was the 'Halfsafe', a gaff rigged scow 5'8", launched in 1957, and later sold for $2.50. In 1959, he found a $10 bill and built one of the first kayaks in Victoria; for which he became infamous in high school. He paddled the coast, was an avid reader and spent his time building cars and motorbikes. Eventually he went walkabout for a few years. Len traveled the world, hitchhiking by sea to get around. He crewed on sailing vessels and research ships in the Mediterranean , Atlantic and Pacific. It was during the course of his adventurous world travels he decided to build his own boat. Len returned to Canada , earned a Teaching Certificate and landed a job. After several years of teaching and a motorcycle accident, a friend told him about an unfinished hull under an apple tree. Having read the book, Len recognized the stout construction and lines of the Spray and promptly traded his '68 Chev for the project. With no money, between jobs he worked steadily for 5 years to complete her, becoming a proficient dumpster diver and scavenger. He has lived aboard the Thane since 1976, exploring the coast from Victoria to Skagway . A love of the sciences and appreciation of nature form the foundation of Len's character. He delivered several vessels to the Beaufort Sea , spent 5 seasons in the ice as skipper of scientific research vessels, and served as Field Supervisor for Gulf Oil in Tuktoyaktuk. Later he operated a landing craft out of Homer, Alaska during the Exxon Valdez cleanup. Len's sailing adventures aboard Thane evolved from private cruising to sharing with passing backpackers in return for maintenance, to offering sailing/camping adventures and more upscale charters. Eventually Len met Sue and now they offer the simplest pleasure of all, a 3-Hour Sail out of Victoria 's Inner harbour. Len and Sue still cruise in the spring and fall months but leave Thane in Victoria and winter on the little island of Koh Jum in Thailand . Their latest ocean voyage took them from Thailand to India aboard a 13m catamaran. Although it was great to be amongst the first foreign tourists to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , Len and Sue quickly realized that Koh Jum was their home. Needing a boat in Thailand , Len built a 17-foot daysailor on the beach using a car battery to power a drill as there is no electricity where they live. With a bamboo mast, gaff and boom harvested from the jungle and hand sewn sails, they sail Ja Pbai Nai (Where are you going? in Thai) daily and are known to the locals by the boats name!

CREW: Susan D. Powers, Mate

Susan is a native of Montreal having moved to Vancouver Island in 1993. She came aboard the SV Thane in the summer of 96 and has remained ever since. She previously owned small sailing dinghies and was happy to finally be aboard a vessel out of the weather. Having never ventured out onto the ocean she earned her Competent Crew certificate and her MEDA3. With over a decade of experience aboard Thane, a trip by catamaran from Thailand to India and numerous day sails on Ja Pbai Nai in the Andaman Sea she has covered over 2000 nautical miles. Independent by nature, Sue earned a Bachelor of Commerce , and has been self-employed operating a variety of businesses. Her life's work is Neurotech Integrated Ventures Inc; which has developed software that turns the TV into a brainwave entrainment device! Her love of the outdoors, need for adventure and appreciation of nature has kept her aboard THANE. Good thing too! Sue is always running around making sure everyone feels safe and comfortable. Having taught downhill skiing and ice skating she is also in the habit of luring people out onto the bowsprit and encouraging them to take advantage of the tall ship adventure. Sue is adventurous, observant, a quick study and has a brilliant sense of humour. She is a wonderful host and a capable first mate.

CREW: Tuxedo Woods: Ship's Cat, Admiral

Tux (aka: Jungle Puss) joined the crew of the THANE in the spring of 2001. Mr. Woods was born on the remote island of Koh Jum in Thailand in December of 1999. Sue found him while hiking near the monkey colony in the jungle. She rescued him at about 4 weeks of age and then nursed him to health. Len and Sue had found a celebrity who entertained the guests at the resort and quickly rose to the status of Admiral with staff running around serving him. They left him to a Thai friend, Ao, who cared for him until Sue and Len returned to their beloved island the following year. Citing countless run-ins with dogs and the likelihood Tux would die without ongoing medical care, Sue and Len decided to bring Tux to Canada . From an island with no electricity to life aboard the Tall Ship THANE; Tux has proven to be a devoted chief who will never be left ashore. He has traveled to Desolation Sound, up to the Broughton Archipelago and has countless nautical miles under his keel. He is a Japanese bobtail and as such prefers to be with his family wherever they go. Dog like in his fearless attitude and devoted to family, Tux loves children and solicits attention from anyone who walks down the dock. His little bobtail does not give him the sea legs a longer one would. Several spills into the deep dark blue sea have taught him to be respectful and cautious. Ever the brave crew member, life aboard is greatly enhanced by the Jungle Puss!

To contact Tux just email him at: tux@3-hoursail.com

CREW: Trinket McMuffin: Ship's Cat, Navigator

Trinket (aka: Angel Puss). Soon after arriving in Canada it became apparent that Tux missed the companionship of the many animal friends he had on Koh Jum. We decided it best to find him a suitable companion and went to the SPCA. Nearing her first heat, we found a young Trinket in amongst all the beautiful animals awaiting adoption. Sue placed her on the floor and she promptly leapt to the top of the cages; an astonishing 8ft! Sue's choice was clear. Len visited the SPCA to check Trinket out, and in true female fashion she won his heart immediately. He reached into the cage to pet her and with both paws Trinket gently held his hand. The decision was made! On introducing Trinket to Tux, she immediately established herself as dominant despite the incredible size of Tux. She is lithe and agile and capable of maneuvers Tux could only imagine. She regularly runs out to the end of the bowsprit as Len pulls in to tie up, guiding THANE safely to her berth. Trinket loves people, especially men! She is the eternal mouser, regularly going ashore to bring home goodies. Trinket is often on the dock working the crowds, and is a fixture within the inner harbour having wondered off countless times. She is most famous for hijacking a whale watching boat! Once we were forced to leave her behind and within minutes of our departure she hitched a ride aboard a whale watching zodiac and got herself delivered. After a few overnight experiences caught under Ship's Point by the tide, she's grown a little older and a little wiser. Trinket now stays closer to her ship and family; making us all a lot happier!

To contact Trinket just email her at:  trinket@3-hoursail.com