Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Thank you Andy, hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas .

Chief1-
Yes, appears Capt. Lillian Kluka started relief Captain work in 1986, onboard Ontadoc first, then other vessels, before permanent Captain position. This report came from Toronto Marine Historian newsletter in 1986:
"On July 11, ONTADOC arrived in port under command of Captain Lillian Kluka, the first female master of a major lake vessel. Capt. Kluka has been serving as alternate skipper aboard a number of Paterson vessels in 1986, and she has been the subject of many feature articles in the lake-area press."

Guest wrote: December 6, 2025, 2:07 pm Happy Holidays from Marc & Jill Vander Meulen

Looking fantastic Marc and Jill!

Andy do I recall correctly that the first Canadian female skipper sailed the VANDOC back in the day?

Andy Torrence

Know Your Ships

Bill and Barbara Worden

Bob Strauss

Western Great Lakes Pilots Assn

From the Detroit Fire Department fireboats.

Happy Holidays from Marc & Jill Vander Meulen

Seasons Greetings from Joe Van Volkenburg

Happy Holidays from Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, MI !

From Jimmy Gallant

Feel free to share your boat-themed Christmas and Holiday cards by posting them in this thread. Attachments must be under 2 MB.