This year’s Expo News cover is something truly special—an intricate, lively illustration of 50 vessels representing the diverse trades of the maritime industry. Tom Crestodina, an Alaska fisherman-turned-artist, has poured his passion for the sea into this ambitious project through The Scow, which began as a passion project to reach his son while out fishing. In our recent conversation, he shared the creative process behind the cover, the personal meaning embedded in many of the vessels, and how he hopes the maritime community will connect with the artwork.

When National Fisherman approached Crestodina to create the cover, the request was simple but challenging: represent the full scope of the commercial marine community. For Crestodina, this meant more than just drawing boats—it meant capturing the essence of a working waterfront, where every vessel plays a vital role. His own salmon boat, the Alsek, anchors the artwork at its center, a quiet nod to his personal journey as both a fisherman and artist.

“This piece had to include everything: salmon tenders, fish processors, workboats, cargo ships—every trade and every type of boat that makes this industry what it is,” he explained. “It was important to me that no one part of the industry was left out.”

What started as a straightforward commission quickly became a labor of love. Crestodina challenged himself to fit as many vessels into the scene as possible, knowing that each boat carried significance—both to him and to the broader maritime community. 

From Sea to Studio

Crestodina’s life has taken him in and out of many ports. After studying at the Seattle Maritime Academy and working in a boatyard, he landed his first job on the Alsek, a salmon troller built in 1946 by Grandy Boat Works. This vessel helped shape much of his fishing career and art inspiration. Life later took him abroad to Krakow, Poland, where he met his wife, but the call of the sea remained constant. As the owner of the Alsek looked to retire from fishing, Crestodina jumped on the opportunity to own and operate the boat that sparked his fishing journey. 

He began making cutaway drawings in 2011 while away at sea fishing to cope with missing his family. His passion soon turned into a whole business, which educates those not from the commercial marine world and brings a colorful, unique touch to industries offshore from the rest of society. 

His signature cutaway drawings, which reveal the internal mechanics of vessels, became a defining feature of his work. This mix of technical precision and artistic flair continues to set his art apart, and it’s what makes his Expo cover a true celebration of maritime life.

Hidden Stories Beneath the Surface

The beauty of Cresodina’s cover artwork lies in its vibrant detail and the stories hidden within. Some vessels are drawn with subtle, almost secretive meanings with references that he is eager to see people uncover before and at the Expo.

“There are some Easter eggs in there,” he said with enthusiasm. “A few boats have personal significance, and others are nods to well-known vessels. There’s even one from a movie—let’s see who picks up on that, but I’m not giving any more hints!”

Including these subtle references is Crestodina’s way of inviting viewers to engage with the piece on a deeper level. He hopes people will recognize certain boats or spot details that connect to their own experiences on the water.

“The fun part will be hearing people say, ‘Hey, that’s my boat!’ or ‘I know that one!’”

A Community Coming Together at the Expo

The Expo offers Crestodina and other artists more than just a venue to showcase their work; it provides a chance to reconnect with the community that inspires it. In addition to the Expo News cover, he will sell posters and T-shirts featuring the illustration at the Artist Corner Booth #250.

“I can’t wait to share the finished products. There’s something special about being at the Expo,” he reflected. “You see old friends, meet new ones.”

Those connections are core to the sense of camaraderie the Expo fosters. From old friends reuniting to newcomers sharing their stories, the Expo is as much about relationships as it is about business. It highlights how Pacific Marine Expo is about more than the business of fishing; it’s about the people who live and breathe this lifestyle.

“It’s always great meeting people who not only appreciate the art but also live the life it represents,” he said.

For many attendees, the event represents a chance to share stories from the past fishing seasons and reflect on the shared experiences that bind the community together. Crestodina’s artwork captures this spirit by bringing together vessels from different trades, much like the few days in Seattle unites individuals from across the industry. WorkBoat West will be added this year, bringing together even more of the commercial marine community. Each ship in his illustration tells its own story, just as every attendee carries tales of hundreds of trips, challenges on and off the water, and triumphs.

“You realize that we’re all connected no matter where you fish or what kind of boat you run,” he outlined. “The boats might look different, but at the end of the day, we all love the same ocean.”

The Expo reminds us that the maritime world thrives not just on business deals but on relationships forged through shared history and mutual respect. It’s a place where captains, crew members, artists, and entrepreneurs come together to celebrate what it means to work on the water. Crestodina’s artwork graces the cover, so this year’s event will start with a visual reminder of that shared bond.