The Ocean Ranger

I was a younger woman then - still in university - working in radio - news - starting unions - kicking up some early protest.

I had a friend on that rig - he hailed from Bell Island. A young graduate of Memorial - Geology - and a really nice person.

You know - it was a hard and tragic human event - that turned our world - I remember going through the ups and downs of every news announcement. The moment by moment history being written as we waited.

You could hear the sighs and crys that day and night - the mariners last breath - the ocean taking at her will.

I respect our lady sea - and I visit her often. There is nothing so soothing as a wave against a grain of sand - and nothing as fierce as the same wave against a majestic cliff. It is always where I go - when real thought is necessary - and the truth is always told. It's as if that vast blue mass has the combined wisdom of all she has taken savagely to her bosom - and protected by her power.


The Ocean Ranger collapsed - lives were stolen - and lessons were taught. We must be ever vigilant that the lessons were learned. We take from her and she has taken from us. That night and day lady sea took too many from us - too quickly - too violently - and we will not forget those sons - husbands - fathers - grandfathers - brothers - uncles - and friends. As we must never forget all who have lost their lives to our waters - pursuing dreams that vary as much as the tides.

But she will always beckon - and we will always answer.
It is who we are - and who we have always been. Remember