Skipper Andy Cates of the Red Rooster III has told Bill Roecker that he has hired a new second skipper, relief skipper and chief engineer in Derek Waldman, crewman for the past few seasons on the Excel. Former second skipper Joe D'Acquisto is leaving the boat to go commercial tuna fishing.

Waldman has experience prior to his stint on the Excel when he worked aboard the Polaris Supreme. He's 28, a San Diego native, and went to Pt. Loma High where he participated on the surf team. He's had his skipper's license for about four years.

Derek will make a couple more trips on Excel before he moves over to the Rooster November 2. He has a steady gal, Whitney Crowell, who cooks aboard the American Angler. He also has a hot rod hobby, currently putting those energies into his 1953 Buick two-door hardtop.