Captain Helen's Journey

Her connection to water has been a defining force throughout her life. That bond began in her teenage years, when she first discovered the freedom, challenge, and serenity that only the open sea can offer. She spent her younger years, sailing with her father, gaining not only navigational skill but a profound respect for the ocean’s power, rhythm, and beauty.

As an adult, she continued to build on that foundation. She has owned and operated four pleasure craft, navigating extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. 

Furthermore, she sharpened her navigational skills working on commercial vessels. She has spent majority of her maritime career working for Washington State Ferries, the largest fleet in the United States. 

Over the past 30 years, her passion for exploration has carried her across an extraordinary range of waterways around the world—including the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Thailand, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Salish Sea, Pacific Ocean, and the historic canal systems of the United Kingdom.

Every nautical mile has strengthened her appreciation for the sea’s complexity and its ability to inspire. The water shaped her skills, sharpened her perspective, and defined her purpose. It remains the place where she feels most grounded, most challenged, and most alive. 

Merchant Mariner Credentials and Certifications:

Master Inland Unlimited tonnage

Master NC 500 GT 

First Class Pilot Inland Unlimited Tonnage

Vessel Security Officer

Radar Observer Unlimited

Advanced Firefighter

Able-bodied limited

Marine Radio Operator Permit

ECDIS trained

Steward’s Department

Wiper

Nursing Assistant Certified

CPR and First Aide Certified

TWIC

Medical Certificate

Padi Scuba Diver Certified since 1998