F/V Debbie Sue

Dad sold Thunder last year (the pleasure yacht we came to AK on last year and has since been renamed the Sea Lion) and bought a new boat that he could put to work during the Alaskan fishing season. The girls still frequently say they miss "Lightning" AKA Thunder, but it is sure hard to beat all this deck space to play on! Meet Debbie Sue:
She is a 110 ft. US built Martinolich originally built for Alf (pronounced all-f) Sorvk for crab fishing in the Bearing Sea in 1972. She is powered by a V-12 Caterpillar D398 (850hp). It crabbed actively in the Bearing Sea as the “Rainer” until 2006. It was refit in 2010-2011 at Gardner Boat Repair in Seattle, Wa. Sidenote for you Deadliest Catch fans...in Ballard we tie up alongside the Wizard and Northwestern.

What's on the levels:

Belowdeck: 3 fish holds and a spacious engine room. [This is Uncle Brett's domain].

Deck level: Laundry, walk-in freezer, 3 living quarters (sleeping 8) and bathroom, large galley and dining area. {Most of our time is spent here and in the wheelhouse]

2^nd level: Captain’s quarters with office & private bath. [1st choice location for watching movies]

3^rd level: Wheelhouse. [Fabulous 360 scenery views out the 20 windows, not to mention is is where most of the excitement takes place]

This summer, the Debbie Sue has secured a contract tendering fish between Sitka and Craig for Silver Bay Seafoods.

{this pic gives a more accurate representation for the massive size of the back deck}