MARINE WAVE


“The experience of feeling so isolated up there and being far from home was difficult,” adds Brandon. “The Internet was often down. If you could call home, it was for short periods of time. But communications have improved so much since then. I can now speak to my wife daily.”


When off-duty on the tug, Brandon spends his time studying. Following 36 months of mandatory sea time, he is hoping to get his mates certificate in late 2016. He will then continue to work as a Mate, return to school to get his 500 tonne ticket and Captain a tug. While going up through the hawes pipe instead of attending classes for three years, is considered more difficult by many, it does have its benefits. Brandon is thrilled to be getting paid as he gains valuable experience, and Atlantic Towing has provided the funding for his independent coursework.


“My career choice came so naturally to me,” says Brandon. “I couldn’t be happier with my decision, nor could I picture myself doing anything else. I have had this plan for a while now.”


Brandon and his wife are expecting their first child in July, when he will be taking some leave pre and post-delivery. He will then travel to Nunavut to assist with the ongoing contract Atlantic Towing has with Desgages Transarctik. Here he will be supporting annual sealift operations in Baker Lake for resupply of necessary goods for the town and the gold mine. For now, he is happy to be closer to home, helping with a refit on the Atlantic Beech at Atlantic Towing’s Indiantown tug base.


At 21, Jesse Myalls, the youngest of Joey’s three sons, is a deckhand on various Atlantic Towing’s tugs in the coastal and harbour fleets in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He always knew he wanted to work in the Marine industry and began working with the company over one year ago, following his Bridge Watch Ticket studies in Port Hawkesbury.


Like his brother, his father and his grandfather, Jesse inherently knew the career path he would follow at an early age.


Albert Myalls Captained numerous salvage missions. Pictured here is the HMCS Pelican after being raised from the sea floor.


The late Captain Albert Myalls on the Irving Cedar at the Irving Oil dock in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.


Recently Jesse had the opportunity to board the Atlantic Hemlock to meet and assist the Atlantic Larch with the transport of the HMCS Protecteur into Liverpool, Nova Scotia. The contract was the first big sail for the rookie, and among other things, he enjoyed assisting with the tie up procedures of the large vessel.


“Being away from home can be hard, but I love my job,” says Jesse. “I find it so interesting and I am always doing something new and challenging. I get to meet great people from all over Canada, and I appreciate being treated and feeling like a valuable member of a team.”


Jesse’s aspirations are similar to his big brother’s. He is hoping to someday Captain a tug of his own.


Jeremy Myalls, Joey’s oldest son, studied to be a mariner, but another exciting career opportunity pulled him elsewhere. Jeremy brings his wife, Tara and his son, Jackson (3), to visit the tugs and family members when they are in port as often as he can.


Throughout generations, the Myalls family have seen the marine industry change and grow and have been valuable employees to Atlantic Towing. ‘Talking shop’ is commonplace amongst father and sons, where they share their experiences and knowledge gained at sea. Through his steadfast love of a mariner’s life, coupled with his vast knowledge of his family’s history in the industry, Joey is the thread that holds the generations together, and Joey’s two sons, Brandon and Jesse, rely on Joey for valuable advice. Their legacy with Atlantic Towing continues, hopefully for generations to come.


Research on Captain Albert Myalls was obtained from the book, ‘Masters of Tides and T E. Neil McKelvey O


.C. Q .C. ugs,’ written by Captain Donald H. Duffy and


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