I am Karen Wheatland and this is the start of my story.

A huge part of my life has been in, under or on top of the sea!

I was born in Geraldton a port city that is embraced by the beautiful Indian Ocean.

I lived across the road from the beach, which became my first love and friend from an early age.

My life at sea began at the age of 21, where I flew to Groote Eylandt from the Gold Coast to join my brother on the Caden 3 – a Caden fisheries trawler from Geraldton trawler to fish for prawns from the Kimberley’s to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

My seafaring journey has included prawn trawlers, fish-trap boats, pearl farms, pearling mother ships, driving charter boats, Recreational Skippers Ticket assessor to Merchant Navy. I’ve been a cook, deckhand, mate, pearl diver, engineer, captain and integrated rating. I’ve also worked on a bulk cargo ship, on oil tankers, seismic survey vessels, rig tenders, support vessels and settled up on tug boats in the Fremantle harbour.

I have 2 strong passionate and beautiful young daughters with a passion for the ocean. Named after the stunning Kimberley’s in northern WA and the beautiful Karri Forrests in the southern regions of WA.

The ocean is in my veins and always will be. I am and always will be a Seagal.

Enjoy my story and the stories of other amazing people that Ive encountered throughout my journey.

This first image I am sharing is a tribute to the majestic sailing ship the STS Leeuwin. I was heartbroken to hear of the incident recently in the inner harbour in Fremantle that saw a container ship collide with the Leeuwin. She was alongside the berth as she sits here in this image. I understand there is planning to rebuild her back to her glory. Let’s hope there are no barriers in the way.

I love this image and was incredibly happy when the Sea-gull took flight. The sun setting and caressing the sails on the museum, kissing the sails and the deck on the Leeuwin and bathing the gull in beautiful light.