Capt. Charles Martin is living his dream driving a limousine on the water. Martin doesn’t own a submersible car, but pilots a 26-foot yacht for his business, The Water Limousine.
"It really is like a limousine but on the water. It’s your private cruise ship," Martin said.
Moving to Sequim two years ago from Denver, Colo., Martin started the business after he caught the "boating bug."
Martin takes groups of up to six passengers on the waters of Washington and Canada in his Glacier Bay yacht fittingly called "Living the Dream."
Before Martin moved to
Sequim, he owned "The Computerist," a computer retail and repair store for 23 years.
"All of my other jobs have been circumstance … With computers I’ve always had experience and people just contacted me about it. With boating, it is something I’ve always wanted to do," he said.
Martin moved to Sequim because he fell in love with the town and the sunshine.
"The scenery and wildlife is just amazing here because you see something different every time you go out on the water," he said.
The limo service takes groups to places such as Neah Bay, Vancouver Island and Seattle. His most popular trip is to see Protection Island but his favorite place is Chatterbox Falls, 100 miles north of Vancouver.
"Some say it is the most beautiful place on Earth,"
Martin said.
He is able to take multiday trips but only lands at docks in ports and cities.
"It’s the best job I’ve ever held. My office is wherever I am on the water."
He offers a unique service along with the water limousine. Martin takes families three or more miles out to sea for them to spread ashes of loved ones or pets. Families from as far as Arizona and Nicaragua have come to Sequim to spread ashes in the water. An ashes-at-sea ceremony comes with a photo provided of the time and latitude and longitude of the moment.
Martin is a certified boating instructor for the state of Washington and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He will be leading a class on boating safety, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at Port Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend. Cost is $35 for one person and $15 for each family member.
Martin strives for safety. The water conditions and weather are difficult to predict in the area, so Martin checks six or more Web sites’ forecasts before he goes out on a trip. His boat has a
full-displacement hull, which allows the boat to cut through waves smoothly.
"It is a comfortable ride – an incredibly smooth riding boat."
Martin carries more safety equipment than required on the yacht with numerous backup radios, global positioning satellites and lights. He also has an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, which sends a distress signal once it is in saltwater.
Matthew Nash can be reached at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
The Water Limousine
• 2-hour trips available
• Potential for closed cabin and heating
• Pets allowed
• Catering available
Call: 775-2288 or 800-860-8341
www.thewaterlimousine.com
