Columban

Jeff Luboff and the Columban

Jeff Luboff was the Jewish skipper of the f/v Columban. I only mention he is Jewish because in my experience it was rare, and it also helps explain some of the traits of his personality, positive and negative that somewhat fit the stereo typical tendencies one hears about. He made sure everyone knew he was also a distant relative of Larry of 3 Stooges fame. There was a resemblance, as I had ample opportunity to compare as Jeff would have the 3 stooges playing on his little 8 inch black and white TV between dives Moe, Larry and Curly would carry out there antics, and provide us with an amusing diversion. I never thought they were that funny, to tell tell the truth. More amusing, than anything. Jeff was a hard charger, and slightly temperamental, but he calmed down fairly quickly and he did have quite a sense of humor and did not take himself too seriously.

        The Columban was 40 something fishing boat that did not have divers in mind when it was built. It was used for trolling for salmon in northern waters of Washington and Oregon, It was equipped with flopper stoppers, which were deployed during rough weather, as it seemed the boat wanted to capsize every roll it would take. Full galley and full size bunks allowed were a plus, and a head was included which was a step up from a 5 gallon bucket or over the side, which most urchin boats provided. I liked working with Jeff because he did not mess around scratching local, he went right to the good picking and he knew where to find it.

         Jeff also swordfished during the summer months, so he installed a tower, to spot the swordfish from and a bow plank to harpoon them from. I had the privilege of making a swordfish trip when the tower was incomplete and there was just a metal bar to sit on while scouring the ocean with binoculars in search of a fin. I would yell out every sunfish shark, or any thing with a fin besides a swordfish, much to Jeffs derision. I was happy to climb down from that tower it was fairly miserable in the hot sun especially since nobody spotted a swordfish. 

      There were multiple different divers on the boat but Devin was the most consistent. Devin was a good natured sort, and took things in stride so I did not get too upset at him when he accidentally nearly drowned me.

Jeff had spotted a huge old anchor that looked like it was from the 15^th century. Even tally all 3 of us were filling float balls we had hooked on it in an attempt to float it. Somehow my hose got tangled up in the hoist line and Devin yanked so hard on my hose that it pulled the regulator out of my mouth. That was the last time I went without a clip off on my regulator. We failed to salvage the anchor but I did find the anchor from the Columban when I was working on the Dusky though I did not know it at the time, when I retrieved it from the bottom at San Nicolas Island, though it did look slightly familiar. I was off Dusky not too long after and Jeff let me aboard and asked me if I found an anchor since he lost his the day the Dusky was working nearby. I was happy to say I had and he gave me $50 bucks for it.

       Jeff and I went back and forth he fired me then hired me back a couple times. The polypro line that had to be pulled to set the flopper stoppers back in place was like needles into hands, and with no gloves handy and Jeff impatient, I recall I was looking for another boat the next day.

         Jeff went on to buy a bigger newer Boat the Nikki J and I did my tour on that boat as well. Jeff then purchased a plane to be used to spot the swordfish with and at first hired pilots, then eventually received his pilots license and hired himself out to other sword fishermen. He has been very successful although he did have a little hiccup when he crashed in the ocean. I spoke with him shortly after and he probably was overloaded with fuel. Pushing the envelope again.