Meet Captain Rob Osborne. He has, without a doubt, the best job in the city.
As the captain of The William Ramsey and an unofficial city ambassador, he takes locals and tourists cruising on the urban lake that was named for the surveyor who charted the path for the railway heading toward Sudbury Junction some 140 years ago.
On a sunny blue sky summer day, the sparkling waters of Ramsey create a stunning working environment. Even a rainy day has a bright side on this pleasure cruise.
"A bad day on the water is better than a good day on land,” said Osborne, who estimates he has navigated Ramsey Lake at least 22,000 times over the years.
"It never gets boring because I am meeting new people all the time," he said.
Tourists are generally impressed with the rugged landscape, the clean freshwater lake and the impressive homes along the shoreline which they can see from the cabin windows, he said.
He remembered with a chuckle, "Two American ladies asked if they could expect to see any whales.
"I told them they probably wouldn't get to see the elusive freshwater whale."
One tiny passenger on a recent trip was delighted to see seagulls as he grooved to the captain's relaxing soundtrack of Big Band music, jazz and blues.
Osborne especially enjoys inviting children up to the bow to help him steer the boat.
Mom and dad are close by with a camera to capture the moment, and each junior captain is rewarded with a "William Ramsey Captain" button to commemorate their experience.
A reviewer on Facebook wrote, "Went with my family tonight … seven kids, and the captain let each of them drive the boat. On the ride home, my daughter said she will remember this day forever."
What's the best thing that ever happened on a cruise?
"There was a boy who was legally blind. We brought him up to steer the boat," said Osborne.
"His mother thanked me again and again, and she finally said, 'This is a kid who will never ride a car or ride a bike. You have no idea what it means to him.' It gave me goose bumps."
In 1985, a year after Science North opened, Osborne, who was a senior manager with Cortina Pizza at the time, bought the boat with Cortina's founder Tony Masotti.
The Cortina lake cruise was an instant hit with residents and with visitors to the new science centre.
About 1990, Osborne completed the courses to be a captain. He left his desk job to take over the helm of the boat.
In 2014, The Cortina was renamed The William Ramsey. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing.
First there were the COVID years when everyone had to stay home.
During the recovery period, it was hard to get parts for the boat, explained Osborne, who has otherwise never missed a shift except when he got a mild case of COVID – after the shutdown was lifted – and he had to cancel cruises for a week.
Then last summer, he couldn't operate because repairs were needed to the Science North dock.
But The William Ramsey is back this summer. Cruises resumed July 19 and will continue to Thanksgiving.
During August there are five scheduled one-hour cruises daily. In September and October, there are public cruises on weekends but private charters are available daily on request.
Tickets, which can be purchased online at the Science North website or at the admission desk, are $25 for adults; seniors and children pay $20.
Private or group charters can be reserved by phoning Osborne directly at 705-691-5237.
Refreshments are available on The William Ramsey and it is licensed by LCBO.
For whatever reason, Osborne has noticed liquor sales have fallen off considerably from the "booze cruise" heydays of the 1980s and 1990s.
Osborne married broadcaster Shirley Harasym in 2010 while on a cruise to Barbados.
"But Shirley's not big on boats," he said, with a smile.
For many years, Osborne owned a convenience store that kept him busy in the off season. Now, he stays active working in maintenance at St. Gabriel's Villa in Chelmsford.
Osborne, 66, is starting to think about retirement but for now he is happy to be back commanding The William Ramsey, which is after all, the best gig in town. There's no stress.
"Passengers on holidays or enjoying a private charter with friends and family are in a good mood," he said. "I love this lake and the people I meet."
Vicki Gilhula is a freelance writer.