The Bitter End

By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

The end of the year is quickly approaching and I always find it a good time for a bit of self-reflection and looking back, and a time to look forward as well. More often than not, our lives are shaped and impacted by major events and changes. We are still dealing with the effects of COVID and struggling with the impact from supply chain issues for commodities, to the lack of workers providing services we have taken granted for so long. A few nights ago after work, I just wanted to stop at McDonalds, grab a quick burger and go home. At seven o’clock my local Golden Arches was closed, due to lack of personnel.

Seems like a small thing, right? But it reminds me of an old adage, for want of a Big Mac the sailor was lost, for want of a sailor the ship was lost, for want of a ship the business was lost, and for want of a business, mankind was lost. Or something like that. I never was really good at quotes. Yes, that’s hyperbole. Or is it really?

I know, I’m a veritable ray of sunshine. So now to look at some positives. For me, on a personal level, I got a new pair of Cummins engines for my Monster boat (well, the boss’s boat), which has been a real stress reducer in my day-to-day life. Some of you can relate to this feeling, if you have ever had an engine that you knew was going to fail, but you never knew when, and every day it reminded you of this. So, if you are in that position and are able to, make the change. It is well worth it.

Like some of you, I’m here in Georgia all on my own, no family, but I do have an incredible work family. We work hard as a team, we play hard as a team, and have each other's sixes. As our work season changes gears, it allows us a little time once again for fellowship outside the work environment. Tonight, we are headed out to see the new release of Devotion, which was filmed in part here on Tybee and the surrounding area. It’s based on a true story about Naval Aviator Jesse Brown, played by Jonathon Majors, the first African American Navy fighter pilot in the Korean War. If you like seeing parts of the lowcountry on the big screen or just love history, give it a view.

One major accomplishment on which I was able to assist (as well as many others from the Parks Service, F.O.C.I.L, and my coworkers with Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventures) was the relighting of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. (I wrote a little piece about it a while back. If you missed it, you can find it in our on-line version at southerntidesmagazine.com.

Captain Derek’s hosted a fundraiser complete with all the usual activities, like raffles, silent auctions, food, three bands, and informative boat rides to get you up close and personal with the star of the show. In spite of the rains which moved in a day earlier than had been forecasted, I still consider it a win.

Which brings me to this final day of November, as I write this column. The weather has cooled and Jack Frost will soon be nipping at our heels. Tourist season has slowed to a crawl, which means boat companies change gears. Whether you operate one boat or a fleet, maintenance is a vital part of being successful. I don’t usually play a big part in that, so my winter will be filled with a new film project I hope to have up and going in the upcoming year.

Just as this year is sliding by so are my days, and though hopefully there are many more to come, I’m not getting any younger. Nor any of us, for that matter. So, if there are things in your life you’ve

The relighting of Cockspur Light. Photo by Captain Gator

wanted to accomplish but never made the time for, DO THEM. Get off your ass and get out there! I say this to guests on my tours, especially on less than hospitable days, when it may be rainy or windy: “No great adventure was ever had on the living room couch.” If I could give any advice to parents, it would be to get the phones and tablets out of the kids’ hands. Give them a fishing pole, a surfboard, teach them to shoot, or raise a garden. Sadly, the Eagles seemed to sum this age up best with the lyrics, “We are all just prisoners here, of our own device.” Don’t be prisoners of your devices, get out there and live.

Well, that’s about it for me, folks. May the new year find you and yours in good spirits and health!

'Til our wakes cross again, peace and love, and shrimp and grits. I'll see you on the water!

Captain Gator has spent the past several decades truly living the salt life, from living on and racing sailboats, to being a paddle guide, to becoming a 100-ton master and working in the tour boat industry. A strong love of history and the water has shaped him into becoming one part educator, one part entertainer, and one part storyteller. When asked if he is a native, his reply is yes, by osmosis. TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com

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