As if being a windjammer captain isn’t enough to keep a person busy, the captains of the Maine Windjammer Association find even more to do when their vessels are under wraps for the winter. This month, Captain John launches his longtime pet project: a tug.

After ten years of hard work and determination, Captain John Foss of the American Eagle is putting the finishing touches on a tugboat. “My wife said, ‘If you fix up that tugboat, I’ll go cruising with you.’” And so, ten years ago, Captain John saved this vessel from the scrap heap and bought her for $1. After ten years of replacing, rebuilding, remodeling, and restoring, she’s ready to be launched. Does he mind the work? Not at all. He says, “You better like taking care of boats because when you’re the Captain of a wooden sailing vessel, that’s what you’re going to spend most of your time doing.” He must love it because this tug is gorgeous!