Bill Ditty brings wide experience to Port Captain at White Lake

New Port Captain at White Lake (M-21)

Bill Ditty talks about his life on the water:

As a native Minnesotan, I was fortunate to grow up around water and sailing from about the age of 12. As a family, we started boating on the inland lakes then graduated to Lake Superior, ultimately sailing in the Apostle Islands on most summer weekends. I continued to sail at the United States Coast Guard Academy, including earning a spot at Collegiate Nationals for the first time in school history.

After graduating with engineering degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, I served as a commissioned officer aboard two Coast Guard cutters. I was responsible for many ships east of the Mississippi River before returning to the Midwest to work on my PhD. 

Ironically, as a maritime service member, I was told I was the first person to move by "boat" during one of my moves (I still laugh about that to this day). 

Since then, I have earned my USCG 100-Ton Masters License, alternated between power and sail, and have served as an instructor for US Power Squadron as well as the Detroit Yacht Club sailing program. I was fortunate to make White Lake, MI, my home full time in 2019 and carry on the family tradition of GLCC membership starting in 2020. 

I currently serve on the GLCC Board of Directors and work with the GLCCSchool as a coordinator.

We enjoy sailing the waters of Lake Michigan on my Farr 50 Pilothouse, aptly named Wandering Farr ,which I sailed from Newport to White Lake (over 2,300 nautical miles) via the St. Lawrence Seaway and 4 of the 5 Great Lakes. 

I am happy to take on the role of Port Captain. I hope you will stop by the area and/or the White Lake Yacht Club, where I continue to promote safe boating.