It was two summers--84 and 86. Believe it or not, I took myself off the list of seminarians scheduled to go on the International Youth Tour of world religious sites in 84 in order to experience Ocean Challenge. I had heard Father talk so often about meeting God at sea that I determined that this was even more valuable to my spiritual life than seeing the great holy sites of the world religions.

I'm not sorry I made that choice. Thanks for reminding me. Actually the most meaningful moment of that first summer for me was the day I almost lost my life in 10 foot seas after Chuck Frumin's (my captains) engine broke down. Galen Brooks came to save us by giving us a tow, and while Chuck was tying up to the bow sprit (is my terminology right?) a huge wave caught us broadside and all then-270 pounds of me went literally flying. I hit the gunwale and somehow miraculously managed to stay in the boat. I am certain that I could not have gotten back in if I had gone overboard in those seas.

Okay... I know those of you who have seen the perfect storm may not be impressed, but believe me, ten foot seas in an open boat with no engine is enough to make any landlubber a real fisherman. The next time out, Father wanted so many boats that the Ocean Church folks actually made me a captain. That made me responsible for my boat and passengers. Anytime the seas grew beyond five feet, I declared that I had engine problems and headed back to the bay for some light sport fishing. I think I may actually hold the record for most days at sea without catching a tuna. 40 in '84 and '21 in '86. I told Father I beat his record. He did not take it kindly.

Saw Perfect Storm for the first time just a couple of days ago. Eerie, seeing those Gloucester landmarks as the Andrea Gayle headed out to her fate. There but for fortune, I figure. Have any of our own brothers ended up on the monument to the Gloucestermen who lost their lives at sea?

Well, let's end on a happier note. This little sea shanty came to me in the summer of 86. It will be on my next album, due out by next holiday season or sooner. Even though Father was angry at me for saying I broke his record, he did like the song, and actually "co-wrote" the last verse by suggesting some lyrics for it. "going for the blue" refers to Blue Fin tuna, but also to the blue of the deep ocean and the treasure that it holds.

Out on the northwest corner where the whales jump and play
The tuna fleet sets out its lines each day
The sun from red to golden in the morning changes hue
And the sea is emerald shining, going for the blue
Yes we're going for the blue

So cast her off me matey and we'll steer a course that's true
Cause we're bound for old Stelwagon's Bank, and going for the blue
Yes, we're going for the blue

Some days so calm and peaceful that the ocean seemed a lake
Some days so cold and stormy that I quake
Some days the seas were mountains when the southeast wind it blew
But you won't forget the day she strikes, a-goin for the blue
Yes we're going for the blue

So cast her off me matey and we'll steer a course that's true
Cause we're bound for old Stelwagon's Bank, and going for the blue
Yes, we're going for the blue

One day the captain told me that we'd catch one certainly
Then he sat a while and stared down at the sea
When up he jumps and shouted, "tuna coming on line two!"
And she struck just like a freight train! Going for the blue
Yes, we're going for the blue

So cast her off me matey and we'll steer a course that's true
Cause we're bound for old Stelwagon's Bank, and going for the blue
Yes, we're going for the blue

Now all you tuna fishermen and fisher women too
There's a lesson to be learned for me and you
The tuna knows its master, one who loves the ocean true
It's a challenge we can answer, going for the blue
Yes we're going for the blue

A hope upon the ocean, a vision for the sea
A way for us to serve humanity
We'll follow the tradition of Father's love so true
The way of Tuna Fishing, going for the blue
Yes, we're going for the blue

So cast her off me matey and we'll steer a course that's true
Cause we're bound for old Stelwagon's Bank, and going for the blue
Yes, we're going for the blue

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