Humboldt Today with John Kennedy O'Connor

The Madaket’s Captain Zippo is Itching to Take You Cruising on Humboldt Bay Again

It’s been around a decade since Libby Tonning left her New Mexico home to venture west to Humboldt State University to major in marine fisheries. She ultimately obtained her degree, but it was her desire to work on boats in Humboldt Bay that led her to the role she enjoys now.

“I went down to the marina here at Woodley Island and just kind of hung out on the docks bugging random fishermen, asking for work,” Tonning told the Outpost. “I got laughed at a lot.”

On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, LoCO’s good enough podcast, we trace the story of how Tonning earned the attention of ubiquitous local mariner Leroy Zerlang — who would go on to bestow her with her more well-known moniker, “Captain Zippo” — to obtaining her captain’s license at age 27, to eventually going on to helm the MV Madaket, Humboldt’s historic pleasure cruiser.

Obviously, due to COVID concerns, the Madaket took 2020 off, but as Tonning explains preparations are underway to get her back on the water for this season. Stay tuned.

Listen to this episode

The Madaket’s Captain Zippo is Itching to Take You Cruising on Humboldt Bay Again