SPRING 2010
The
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Earth Echo International PAGE 16:
PartnerSHIPS At Sea PAGE 18:
2011 Schedules
Notes by Michael McIntosh
President, The Boat Company
We’ve Joined the Credit Card Crowd. Shortly before the end of 2009 we began thinking it might be time to consider taking credit cards (over the years a number of customers had asked about it). So late in December we approached our bank, Wells Fargo (that connection started over 40 years ago with the Bank of Palm Beach & Trust, which was bought by First Union, which was merged with Wachovia, which was then bought out by ...). Wells Fargo was willing if (1) we gave them a $1.2 million guarantee (about half our annual income) and (2) total control over all our assets. Then in mid-February while Wells Fargo negotiations were still dragging on we called PayPal (eBay). They gave us a quick yes and then, after two weeks of doing business together, cancelled but said that if we met a series of conditions, they might reconsider their decision. In the meantime they also informed us they were going to keep some of our money even though they had suffered no losses. I’d add that dealing with them was made more difficult by the fact that all communications had to be either by email or fax (the new age!). We preferred being able to talk with those we’d dealt with so we moved on. Since then we have found a third party to handle Visa and MasterCard transactions. American Express? God bless them. In the midst of all this, they broke away from the banks and now handle us direct. Perhaps we are a bit naive but we like to think their decision is a testament to our 30 years of uninterrupted good relations with our customers.
What’s the Latest on the Tongass. First, we would like to thank those who were kind enough to help us fund our attendance at the Tongass Futures Roundtable Meetings dealing with the U.S. Forest Service’s plans and policies for the future. While those discussions have been ongoing, another player, Sealaska, has entered the scene. Sealaska is Southeast Alaska’s Regional Native Corporation. In 1971 Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and Sealaska was given the rights to 375,000 acres. They received 290,000 and are now pressing for the remainder. The land they originally chose (primarily the 1,000-year-old trees) has essentially been clearcut and sold to foreign buyers. With the help of Alaska Senators, they now are proposing a Congressional bill to gain the remaining 85,000 acres (mostly the last of the best) plus land
NOTES + COMMENTS
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for 50 odd enterprise zones (Bays and Coves for lodges) and land for over 200 cultural sites (“hallowed” Native burial grounds). Interestingly enough, development isn’t excluded on these cultural sites (includes some choices in federally designated wilderness areas). The environmental community is split. Some (The Alaska Wilderness League, The Wilderness Society, Audubon and Trout Unlimited) want to come out of the negotiations with Sealaska with 800,000 acres set aside for non-development. Presumably the rest, several million acres, could be cut. A majority of the other conservation organizations (Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, NRDC, EarthJustice, Greenpeace et al) feel that time is finally on the side of conservation, so giving up further lands is not necessary. Some seem to forget that Southeast Alaska timber operations, unless it’s old growth and sold to overseas customers, has to be federally subsidized. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out over the next 6 to 9 months.
The Boat Company can be reached at: Corporate Office The Boat Company 1200 Eighteenth Street NW Suite 801 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 338-8055 phone (202) 234-0745 fax www.theboatcompany.com Conservation Programs and Reservations Street Address: 18819 3rd Ave. NE, Ste. 200 Poulsbo, WA 98370 Mailing Address: PO Box 1839 Poulsbo, WA 98370 (360) 697-4242 phone (360) 697-5454 fax email: kathy@theboatcompany.com Staff: Michael McIntosh, President Hunter McIntosh, Vice President Bob Vey, Comptroller Kathy Nissley, Reservations Manager Ken Gerken, Operations Manager Mary Ann Confar, Office Manager Joel Hanson, Conservation Director Board of Directors: Michael McIntosh Winsome McIntosh Hunter McIntosh Colin McIntosh
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My travels have taken me diving, rock climbing, trekking, and snowboarding around the world, from expeditions in the highlands of Papua New Guinea to war-torn Sarajevo. Alaska is one of the few places that I have yet to visit. I have learned that exploring the connections between humans and the environment are as important as exploring nature itself... I look forward to exploring those connections with our friends at the Boat Company
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POINT OF VIEW
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in the Tongass in July 2011.
The Boat Company
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- PHILIPPE COUSTEAU
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The Boat Company
SCRAPBOOK
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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what is your earth echo?
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If we truly want to save our water planet, - PHILIPPE COUSTEAU youth are the solution.
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Over the years we have spent cruising to
Alaska, we have learned that water is the single most important substance on the planet – it is the one element that connects each and every being on earth to one another. It is also expected to be the cause of the greatest crises of our century. EarthEcho International has also learned this‌and is in the business of mobilizing the next generation to do something about it.
EarthEcho International is a nonprofit 501(c)3
organization founded by siblings Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau in honor of their father Philippe Cousteau Sr., famous son of the legendary explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau. As a supporter of EarthEcho EarthEcho International's mission to empower youth to take action that restores and protects our water planet. This includes supporting the development of pioneering educational resources for our nation's middle and high school students through such
The Boat Company
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International, the Boat Company contributes to
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programs as the Water Planet Challenge, Leadership Ocean Fellows, and Going Blue: A Kids' Guide to Saving Our Oceans and Waterways.
In 2011, EarthEcho International
co-founder and CEO Philippe Cousteau will begin hosting premium trips for The Boat Company. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the Alaskan Wilderness with one of the world’s most engaging and dynamic explorers, who will share stories of his adventures, as well of those of his father and grandexclusive trips will be donated back to EarthEcho International to aid in their nationwide programs, while continuing to bring more awareness to Ocean issues faced in Southeast Alaska. Both organizations gain from the marketability of the joint venture, while the communities that we visit and youth across the country gain from the increased awareness brought to the region regarding Ocean health and sustainability.
Philippe Cousteau is thrilled about the relation-
ship with the Boat Company and what this means theboatcompany.com | PAGE 10
for his work. “My travels have taken me diving, rock climbing, trekking, and snowboarding around the world, from expeditions in the highlands of Papua New Guinea to war-torn Sarajevo. Alaska is one of the few places that I have yet to visit. I have learned that exploring the connections between humans and
PHOTO: A GIANT SEA STAR PULLED UP WITH ONE OF THE BOAT COMPANY'S CRAB POTS
father. A percentage of the proceeds from these
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the environment are as important as exploring nature itself. I look forward to exploring those connections with our friends at the Boat Company in the Tongass in July 2011.” In addition to his work with EarthEcho, Philippe is the Chief Spokesperson for Environmental Education for Discovery Education—the #1 provider of K-12 broadband-delivered educational content to U.S. schools—and the Chief Ocean Correspondent for both the Animal Planet and Planet Green channels, where he works on various ocean and water-focused documentary programs. He is currently a host for Oceans, a new High Definition Discovery Channel/ BBC series which premiered in the UK in 2008 and will premier in the US on Discovery Channel in 2010. He will be sharing media and experiences from his expeditions—including that with The Boat Company— at www.EarthEcho.org.
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Learn more about Pilippe Cousteau and EarthEcho International: www.EarthEcho.org
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SCRAPBOOK
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partnerSHIP
by Hunter H. McIntosh
part·ner·ship – noun 1. the state or condition of being a partner; participation; association; joint interest. 2. Law. a. the relation subsisting between partners. b. the contract creating this relation. c. an association of persons joined as partners in business.
When my father started The Boat Company 30 years ago, it was started on several principles or ideas. Not least of which was the idea of partnerships. Since The Boat Company's incorporation, we have partnered with more groups, organizations or individuals than I can remember. From the local mom and pop stores in Wrangle, Alaska, one of our first ports of call in the 80’s, to some of the largest environmental groups in the United States. As The Boat Company has evolved, so to have our partnerships. As many of you know we have been involved in bringing members of Congress up to Southeast Alaska, to “educate” them on the environmental dangers faced by deforestation and over fishing, and have done this in partnership with more than half a dozen local, state and national conservation groups. We have also branched out our portfolio of relationships to include leading providers of fly-fishing and kayaking equipment, to include Orvis, and our most recent partnership with Confluence Watersports/Wilderness
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Systems Kayaks.
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This topic is of particular importance to us at The Boat Company heading into the summer and fall of 2010. The Boat Company has been invited to participate in a major conference covering ecotourism and sustainable tourism.
The Boat Company
In September 2010, The International Ecotourism Society will hold the Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) in Portland Oregon. The conference is sponsored by one of the most successful eco-adventure outfitters in the world, GAP Adventure, as well as GAP’s nonprofit off shoot Planeterra. ESTC 2010 is North America’s largest and only conference focusing on sustainability in travel and tourism. ESTC brings together innovative minds from across the industry to discuss practical ideas and solutions that inspire positive changes. Together with the help of The Boat Company's partners, we submitted a proposal for a panel discussion that was not only accepted by the planning committee, but also given one of the prime time locations in the agenda for the event. Joining us on the panel will be Philippe Cousteau, co-founder and CEO of Earth Echo International, famed wildlife photographer Robert Glenn Ketchum, Dave Parker of Orvis Travel, and Scott Paul of Greenpeace USA. The topic of the discussion will be Effective Strategies for Cross-Sector Partnerships Benefiting Sustainability of the Local Communities. The "threads" that pull the very diverse group listed above together, are not only their individual and unique relationships with The Boat Company but also the common goal of protecting our natural environment. This session will discuss how these relationships evolved, how they are impacting the operation of our segment of the industry in Southeast Alaska, what the benefits are to all involved, and how the relationships benefit sustainability in the local communities. For more information on the conference visit www.ecotourismconference.org. As we begin to broaden our outreach into the speaking community, our hope is that we will begin to strengthen our place in an ever-growing segment of the travel industry. PAGE 17 | theboatcompany.com
The Boat Company
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2011 Southeast Alaska
MOTOR VESSEL MIST COVE Disembarking
May 21 – May 28
Juneau
Sitka
May 28 – June 4
Sitka
Juneau
June 4 - June 11
Juneau
Sitka
June 11 – June 18
Sitka
Juneau
June 18 – June 25
Juneau
Sitka
June 25 – July 2
Sitka
Juneau
July 2 – July 9
Juneau
Sitka
July 9 – July 16
Sitka
Juneau
July 16 – July 23
Juneau
Sitka
July 23 – July 30
Sitka
Juneau
July 30 – August 6
Juneau
Sitka
August 6 – August 13
Sitka
Juneau
August 13 – August 20
Juneau
Sitka
August 20 – August 27
Sitka
Juneau
August 27 – Sept 3
Juneau
Sitka
September 3 – Sept 10
Sitka
Juneau
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2011 SCHEDULES
Boarding
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Dates
The Boat Company
2011 Southeast Alaska
MOTOR VESSEL LISERON Dates
Boarding
Disembarking
May 21 – May 28
Sitka
Juneau
May 28 – June 4
Juneau
Sitka
June 4 - June 11
Sitka
Juneau
June 11 – June 18
Juneau
Sitka
June 18 – June 25
Sitka
Juneau
June 25 – July 2
Juneau
Sitka
July 2 – July 9
Sitka
Juneau
July 9 – July 16
Juneau
Sitka
July 16 – July 23
Sitka
Juneau
July 23 – July 30
Juneau
Sitka
July 30 – August 6
Sitka
Juneau
August 6 – August 13
Juneau
Sitka
August 13 – August 20
Sitka
Juneau
August 20 – August 27
Juneau
Sitka
August 27 – Sept 3
Sitka
Juneau
September 3 – Sept 10
Juneau
Sitka
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POINT OF VIEW
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The itinerary of The Boat Company trips is flexible and spontaneous. With a skilled and capable crew on the Liseron and Mist Cove – featuring a ratio of two guests per one crew member – the needs and wishes of each guest can be accommodated without difficulty. Hikers can spend as much time off the boat as they like – hiking the forest service trails, beachcombing the tide flats, walking the stream beds and taking leisurely strolls along the beaches in the company of our trained naturalists. Fishermen can stream fish or take out skiffs with guides and try their luck. Canoes and kayaks can explore hidden coves and scenic shorelines. One doesn’t just view the magnificent land from afar... one gets out and experiences it!
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Cruising Into the 21st Century
By Hunter H. McIntosh
When The Boat Company was incorporated in 1980, technology was very different. In school I was learning how to type on a typewriter. Playing “video games” meant dropping a quarter into the pinball machine and hoping that I could keep the ball out of the “gutter” as long as possible, or playing pong on Atari. Needless to say, I got pretty good at pinball. Business ran much differently as well. Back then, a handshake and a phone call was confirmation enough. For 30 years, we have operated the same way. While technology passed us by, our business model remained the same, primarily because it worked. However, as a business, we have had to evolve over the past decade, in the face of a global war on terror, a crumbling economy and a technology sector that comes up with the “latest and greatest” every six months. As you reacquaint yourselves with The Boat Company, you will notice some subtle, and some not so subtle changes that we have made to propel us to another 30 years of providing exceptional experiences for your family. Two of the biggest changes that have taken place directly impact how we communicate and do business with you, our loyal guests. If you should ever need to call on us, we can now be reached toll free at 877 MISTCOVE (647-8268), and further, should you care to book another voyage with The Boat Company, we now accept American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards (if you would still like to pay by cash or check that’s fine too). We have also entered into the realm of social media networking. You can now find The Boat Company on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And improvements are constantly being made to our website to provide you with the most current information we have as it relates to availability as well as conservation efforts. We can also be found blogging quite frequently on the issues that face not only the Tongass National Forest, but also issues that relate to how we operate and “news flashes” for upcoming events.
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EDITORIAL
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There are many exciting things happening in our world and we hope to continue to share them with you in the years to come.
CONNECT WITH US: www.facebook.com/theboatcompany www.twitter.com/McIntoshTBC www.linkedin.com/McIntoshTBC
The Boat Company
RECIPES FROM ALASKAN WATERS
O N THE MENU:
Orca Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
INGREDIENTS 2/3 cup granulated sugar
PREPARATION Heat oven to 375째F
2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup shortening 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine all ingredients except oats, flour and raisins. Slowly add oats, flour and raisins until blended On ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, about 2 inches apart Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until light brown
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs 3 cups old-fashioned oats
Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cool Enjoy cookies on the deck of the LISERON or the MIST COVE while cruising through Southeast Alaska
1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup raisins
The Boat Company
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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The Boat Company
For updated information, schedules, quotes and more, visit our website at: www.theboatcompany.com