Living with danger, a harsh environment, isolation and loneliness is the reality for the lighthouse keepers. Since the early 1800's, hundreds of courageous men and women have garrisoned these saviours of Newfoundland's unforgiving seas. Although keeping the lights aglow and blowing the foghorns were their main responsibilities, there are few who haven't participated in daring sea rescues, sometimes paying the ultimate sacrifice of their own life trying to save others.

Jim Wellman grew up in Port Anson, a small fishing and logging community on Newfoundland’s northeast coast. The son of a schooner captain, Jim never strayed far from his marine roots despite choosing a career in journalism. For fifteen years, Jim was host of the popular radio program the Fisheries Broadcast on CBC Radio in Newfoundland. After taking an early retirement from the radio business in 1997, Jim turned off the microphone and picked up a pen. He has written ten books with marine connections. Jim has been contracted by several agencies and corporations such as Marine Atlantic, the Canadian Sealers Association, and Heritage Canada to draw from his marine knowledge, particularly in the fishing industry. Jim became managing editor of the Navigator, Atlantic Canada’s premier fisheries and marine magazine in Nov. 2002, he continues to write the very popular column Final Voyages today, as he has since their first issue.

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