The Bitter End - My Work Family

By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

It would seem the North’s drunk and disorderly weather habits have found their way down to our sandy shores, bringing temps in the 20s and 30s. I, for one, am over it. I didn’t sign on for this. Given the cold and it being the off season for charters, I may as well blow Amy’s mind and get this column done – not just on time, but early even. [Mind blown. And precedents established. ~ Your editor]

I’ve been contemplating why I do this (the charter thing, not the column writing thing), and I find the thing I come back to is a feeling of family. It’s been said that if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life. That may be, but at the end of the day, work is still work. I’ll concede that it can be much more enjoyable if you love what you do, but it’s still work. And there’s nothing wrong with that – it’s part of life. How you approach it and the people you approach it with both help to determine the outcome and enjoyment of your job.

And that’s what I want to talk about today. The people you approach it with. If you surround yourself with the ones you love, your work will become much more tolerable. Enjoyable even. It seems in some dog-eat-dog work worlds, people become focused on clawing their way up the ladder, stepping on those below and tugging at the ones above and everyone else on the ladder is trying to do the same to you.

By now I’m sure you’re scratching your heads, wondering what this has to do with boating, coastal living or anything else for that matter. I’m really not sure either, but I’ll try to make some sense of it.

I’m on a month and a half break from work, but even though we don’t see each other daily right now, my coworkers and I still have a sense of family (and I mean that in a good way). I know that everyone on our team has my back, I know I can count on them if things go sideways, and they always do, even at the least opportune times. I’ve noticed that many boaters share these same qualities and values in life, in addition to the same pastimes. Many of us not only fish and swim, ski and surf, but also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, hunting, and other shooting activities like skeet and clays.

A few days ago our crew did one of our annual teambuilding events, one that’s always hugely anticipated, called Guns and Grub. It can be tough to find a place to shoot, but we use the DNR range in Bryan County, near Kilkenny, called the Richmond Hill WMA Range. The range was renovated in 2019

Krista taking her spot on the firing line as range officers Austin and Gator observe. Photo by Matt Norrman

and now has 14 100-yard rifle stations and 10 50-yard pistol stations, and it’s free if you have a current hunting or fishing license, or land use pass.

As to team building, a range day is an awesome experience! We share our mutual enthusiasm as well as firearms experience. We get a chance to foster those with little or no experience and help them enjoy a great sport, as well as a chance to talk through common misinformation regarding firearms. We have an open and fun shoot that lasts a couple of hours, and then we have a competition which changes every year and no one other than the hosts have a clue as to what it will be. Afterwards we go to Fish Tales at the Ft. McAllister Marina, which is not only a fantastic boating location, but the food is always off the hook (pun intended).

So, what I’m trying to get across is this: why not take some time to foster your professional relationships and guide them more into family-like relationships? The same can apply to those people you have on your boat regularly. You may find that if the time ever comes and you need to know you can count on them, you’ll be able to.

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

Complimentary High-Speed Wi-Fi 30-50-100 amp electrical service 4,000 feet of floating concrete docks 600 feet of deepwater face docks

Introducing our new addition, Marker 46A, exclusively for Isle of Hope Marina guests! Featuring an outdoor deck with comfortable seating and picturesque water views. Inside, you can find complimentary coffee, WiFi, high definition TV, and ceiling fans. Complimentary loaner cars and bicycles Ship ' s Store and Laundry Facilities 2,000 sq ft overwater pavilion Private restrooms and showers Gas, Diesel, and Pump-out facilities

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