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 100-Ton Masters License and have alternated between power and sail, and have served as an instructor for USPS 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.  sailed our current boat from Newport, RI, back 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.