Harbor Hosting and the AGLCA

Some of you who have known us for a while are aware that Karen and I joined the AGLCA (America's Great Loop Cruisers Association) last year.  In fact I posted about this organisation and the active part that we are taking in it as Harbor Hosts.

You can read about that by following this link http://mvtropicalhorizons.blogspot.com/2017/07/more-fireworks-and-aglca-american-great.html

AGLCA Trent-Severn Waterway and Georgian Bay Cruising Seminar

Karen and I really did not have much guidance as to what we should be doing as Harbor Hosts, membership is casual and as a Harbor Host, you can do as much or as little as your resources allow.  Although Karen and I are still working and living in Ottawa we have taken a very active role as Harbor Hosts and have finally figured out what our version of Harbor Hosting will be.

Spending Canada Day with our Looper friends

The first thing we did this year was to compile information that we put together in a document that is handed out to any Looper that is heading through Trent Port Marina.  This document contains local information about goods and services within easy commuting distance from the marina as well as our picks for local restaurants.  We also added a spreadsheet about the Trent Severn Waterway itself, with distances between locks, services available, local anchoring spots, bridge heights, preferred tie for each lock, and so on. 

Looper boat heading through a canal

The spreadsheet is being reviewed by Chad Buchner  who manages the TSW for additional information that will be helpful to Loopers heading through the TSW.  This "Looper Handout" is provided to anyone who identifies themselves as a Looper passing through the Trent Port Marina.  Karen and I have these handouts printed out at our own expense, and so far the information is very well received.  Since we can't be at the marina all the time, we figured this is the best way to help Loopers out.

Looper boats arriving!

The fun part of Harbor Hosting comes when we are actually at the marina where we can actively greet Looper boats as they arrive.  We try our best to welcome every Looper boat we see on the docks, and we often host "Docktails" on the aft deck of Tropical Horizons.

Looper boats at the marina.

  "Docktails" are a great opportunity to meet and interact with people and learn about their experience so far on their journey through the Loop.  There are so many different people out there taking on this adventure and although they all come from very different walks of life, they all have one thing in common .... the Loop.

4th. of July aboard M.V. Short Vacation

Karen and I also try to get out to the fuel dock in the mornings when people are starting their trip on the TSW and take a photo of their boat passing under the "Gateway to the Trent-Severn" sign located on the bridge as they enter the Trent River.  We then email the photos to the individual boats to add to their experience.

The most rewarding part of our Harbor Hosting experience is when we can help people out.  Whether we are providing a lift to a store, or offering advice for accessing medical care or mechanical assistance, suggesting places to visit, or simply catching a dock line.  The satisfaction we get from helping people out, along with the friendships that are forged make Harbor Hosting a rewarding experience.