I'm at the Erie Yacht Club. One of the skippers here at the club is taking me on a boat ride. However, I'm just tagging along as he has more important passengers today. He can't wait to have them on board.

I'm taking a ride on a boat called Second Obsession. Joining me are very special guests Jennifer Whaling, her nurse, and her mom and dad. Also on board is Kevin Moczulski and his mom. Jennifer and Kevin are clients of Hope on Horseback and they have been looking forward to this day. It's time for Frolic on the Bay. It's the day some boat owners at the Erie Yacht Club provide boat rides to individuals with physical and emotional disabilities. At the helm of our boat is Captain Fritz Curtze. Captain Fritz has also been looking forward to this day.

"I feel for these kids and these people. I don't really take it for granted. I like to see them light up,” he says.

This is the 34th year the yacht club has hosted Frolic on the Bay. Captain Fritz has been involved every year. He was hooked the very first time he saw the delight on the faces of his Frolic on the Bay passengers. He told organizers to keep signing him up.

"I told them I'd do it every time. No problem,” he says. “It's worth it. It really is."

Captain Fritz remembers a Frolic on the Bay cruise about 20 years ago when he hosted a young man who was blind. The young man was especially interested in the engines of the boat.

"So I raised the hatch,” says Captain Fritz. “I remember he was in awe then. I had them running. He goes Rev 'em!"

Captain Fritz powered-up the engines. The engines responded with a loud Ver-r-o-o-m ! ! !.

“He loved that.” says Captain Fritz. “I still remember it." 

Captain Fritz loves Frolic and the Bay and his passengers love him. This same group from Hope on Horseback has ridden on the Second Obsession for the past 15 years.

"They request my boat which I get a kick out of,” he says.

Our group is enjoying a wonderful tour of the Erie Bayfront, with a view you can only see from the water. We get a close-up look at a giant barge and tugboat that had just docked in Erie a few hours before. We wave to other vessels. Those passengers wave back. What a nice boat ride!!! Jennifer loves it. Kevin loves it. Captain Fritz loves it. His first mate and wife Michelee loves it.  Hey. Let's all meet on board the Second Obsession again next year!

16 boats and 140 passengers took part in this year's Frolic on the Bay. After the boat rides, everyone had lunch and had the opportunity to play games and have their face painted.