10/22/2026
Every Captain was once a child with a dream. ⚓🎨
In 1981, a 13-year-old boy in Vancouver built his very first sailboat with the help of his father.
He didn’t know where that little boat would take him. He only knew that he belonged on the water.
That boy was Captain Frederick Addison.
From working on tugboats in 1987 to embarking on a professional maritime career, his journey has been shaped by hard work, determination, and a deep respect for the people around him.
Over nearly four decades at sea, he progressed from Deckhand to Officer, earned his Master’s Certificate, helped train fellow mariners, and eventually took command as a Captain.
But what stood out to me most wasn’t the number of years he served or the positions he held.
It was something he learned from his father — to treat people with dignity and respect.
A value he carried from that little sailboat into a lifetime of leadership.
As a fellow Captain and an artist, I had the privilege of presenting him with two of my original watercolour paintings — one celebrating a vessel that has been part of his maritime journey, and another reflecting his passion for craftsmanship beyond the bridge.
For me, these paintings are about more than ships or brushstrokes. They’re about the people, their journeys, and the stories worth preserving.
Because a meaningful career isn’t measured only by how far you’ve travelled, but also by the lives you’ve touched along the way.
Thank you, Captain Addison, for sharing your journey and for the example you’ve set through your dedication and leadership.
Fair winds and following seas. ⚓
— Captain’s Easel 🎨
Where a Captain’s journey meets an artist’s canvas.
Captain’s Easel is an independent art business. This post reflects my personal artistic work and is not affiliated with or endorsed by BC Ferries.
