Page 33: of Marine News Magazine (March 2019)

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TOWING COMPANY PROFILE

Broward County Circuit Judge removed the frst executor and ruled Heidi and Isabella as co-representatives in charge of P&L and the estate of Herbert “Beau” Payne in October of 2018, according to court records.

Getting Started Again

Now teamed together as partners after years of loathing,

Heidi Payne, 53, and Isabella Clark, 52, cheerfully man- age P&L with their sister-in-law, Cathy Sedano, 52, the offce manager. From a cursory glance, the two ex wives are polar opposites. Nevertheless, the former rivals grew to respect each other while also comforting Payne’s grief- stricken children. They speak lovingly of their common ex-husband in each other’s presence and today, their per- sonal support group of two fuels ‘girl power’ to run Payne’s towing company, a totally new challenge.

“We fought to get the company for our kids,” said Hei- di. “The bonding wasn’t immediate. It was awkward and took time.”

Heidi and Isabella rotated out uncooperative crew and had a few quit. After attending their frst Workboat Show, they hired John Tomlinson as operations director in De- cember. “We assembled a good team,” said Heidi. “We believe in them and they believe in us.” “I am protective of them,” said Capt. John Tomlinson, operations director at P&L. “There are companies who won’t answer their calls, but take mine. I don’t know if that’s because I know what I’m talking about or because

I’m a man.” A captain with an unlimited master’s license,

Tomlinson is an experienced mariner and a 2003 U.S.

Merchant Marine Academy graduate. Managing P&L’s feet and personnel, Tomlinson is the point of contact for captains and quotes jobs while pursuing new business op- portunities and niche markets for P&L.

Beau’s angels tackle Subchapter M “Heidi and Isabella are shrewd and intelligent women with strong business sense,” said Tomlinson. Tomlinson initially worried that people “would smell blood in the water,” and take advantage of his principals. “I believe in them and have put my reputation on the line for them,” he said. “I want this to work. I’m in it to win it.”

After meeting Isabella and Heidi, any blood that might be in the water would probably emanate from these two pi- ranhas defending their turf against predatory sharks. While neither had experience in towing or the shallow draft market,

Beau’s angels were so charmingly green they actually wore

Dramamine bracelets to prevent nausea when meeting their crews on board for the frst time. “I was envisioning chum- www.marinelink.com