Captain William Wells was born in Wellington, New Zealand, but he chose to base himself in the UK where he pursued a continuous loving relationship with his mistress, the sea, for almost 49 years. A Master Mariner, former Ship's Captain and licensed Marine Commercial Pilot this story follows his career at sea and then his post career, career as a successful Public Speaker. The book is interspersed throughout with many amusing and interesting anecdotes as his career unravels and he lives with his family in, and travels extensively throughout, the Middle East and the Bahamas. Before his retirement as the Senior River Pilot in the Port of London, England, he developed another passion: Public Speaking. Through this medium he shares his extensive knowledge of the sea and matters maritime to a wide range of mixed audiences throughout the world, both ashore and aboard cruise ships. So WELCOME ABOARD as he invites you, through his book, to join him on the cruise of a lifetime. This book, suitable for all readers, is a story of a passionate man with strength of character and ambition; a man who has literally lived his boyhood dream.