Introduction

Mike Lindgren is a close friend of mine who lives in Ketchikan, Alaska. We first met each other at our Church in Seattle back in 1976 and have been friends since; some 45 years now. For the last 30 years, Mike has made his living in Ketchikan as owner and captain of the Seven Seas, an 86-foot fishing boat which he bought in 1990 and personally renovated and refurbished, converting it to a tender vessel. From that time to this Mike and the Seven Seas have served the salmon fishermen of Southeast Alaska, meeting them at sea, unloading their catches into refrigerated holds and transporting them to the canneries. In addition, he has helped with salmon conservation in Southeast Alaska, transporting salmon fry from their holding ponds to their release points in the sounds, straits and inlets in the region. Needless to say, Mike’s adventures in this line of work have been many; often braving foul weather and heavy seas; even rescuing a couple from certain death in the cold sea after their boat capsized and sank. Through the years Mike and Seven Seas have acquired a reputation for honesty, good service, reliability and helpfulness second to none in Southeast Alaska. In short, in the area they serve they have become a local legend, known and admired by many. Late last summer Mike was in Seattle for a few weeks and I got the chance to visit with him and his wife Jill for several hours. It was good to catch up with him, and it got me to thinking about writing this poem. It took a while to manifest, but now, in honor of my good friend Mike Lindgren, here is Mike Lindgren and the Legend of Seven Seas…MA

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