Meet the "Captain." I was at the San Diego Embarcadero recently to observe the raising of two yachts which had sunk in the harbor after the recent heavy storm which passed through. The two old yachts had broken from their moorings and were unceremoniously sunk near the pier.
Sadly, like any other major urban area -- especially those geographically located in temperate climates -- San Diego has its fair share of vagabonds, vagrants and the purposefully homeless. A harsh reality when homelessness is an accepted part of the moving city.
But I digress; as I watched, "The Captain" slid alongside of me and began to give me a narrative of the salvage operation. He was quite articulate, funny and informative. The Captain told me that the sunken yachts were used by homeless people and were abandoned when the winds came and the harbor sea became extremely rough. He pointed out that the lines weren't frayed from straining against the wind, rather they had been cut, hastening their demise of the old, dilapidated vessels.
While I talked to him, he recounted that he loved the ocean and that before his druggie days he crewed various yachts and working vessels around the port. But that was in another time. Now he hangs about the harbor, occasionally yelling a "hello" to a fellow traveler as he talked of the old times.
Before I left, I asked the Captain for a couple portraits; he readily complied. The rugged face, the large nose, the stringy hair, the ragged beard: all part of the persona of a man who struggles along the waterfront just like those old yachts did that stormy night.
Aye-aye Captain.
Tech Information: Fuji x100s; ISO 200; F/8; 1/320 sec. Black and white from Nik Software Efex Pro 2.
