In October, 1947 I was born at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester. A few days later I was brought to my new home in Rockport.
Fast forward to 2013. I was looking for a retirement job and received the opportunity from former Gloucester Harbormaster Jim Caulkett. A boat had been purchased to be used as a launch to transport residents and transient visitors to and from their boats. I began to learn about Gloucester under Jim’s leadership.
The Harbor Loop floats and building and Maritime Gloucester’s wharf began to be replaced over the years. Newly appointed Harbormaster TJ Ciamataro and Deputy Chad Johnson took over, enhancing the professionalism and services of the department and adding a second launch.
Two years ago Chris Lucido was appointed harbormaster and continues to improve the services of the department through training of personnel, maintenance and upgrading of resources. Recently Rick Bowen was appointed deputy harbormaster.
Gloucester Harbor is an always active and interesting place to work. But, the area between and in front of Maritime Gloucester and the US Coast Guard Station are special to me.
As one of several Gloucester Launch operators, we are usually the first personal contact for visiting boat owners from all over the country and world.
And, each day, we also transport our residents and others to their permanent moorings.
Chris Lucido, Rick Bowen, and the assistant harbormasters are there to assist our visitors and provide basic services such as providing directions to our five areas of transient moorings or pumping out waste from vessels. One assistant harbormaster manages the always active Dun Fudgin boat ramp. They also interact with both local, state and federal agencies, as well as many visitors on land. Office manager Leslie Pacheo provides information on permits and mooring availability to residents and potential visiting boatowners. When an emergency occurs at any time of day or night, the harbormasters pump out sinking vessels, provide initial emergency medical treatment, and tow vessels that break down or may be going on the rocks.
The harbormaster, his deputy, assistant harbormasters, and the launch operators all come from years spent on the water. They also all have various prior work experiences as well in law, law enforcement, military, building trades, technology, finance, fishing and local industry. These experiences enhance their interaction with the public and visitors. While in the office at Harbor Loop or in the “field” Shellfish Warden Rebecca Visnick and assistant Rylie Blanchfield provide information on shellfish activity, regulations, and enforcement.
To the right of our building is US Coast Guard Station Gloucester. The Coast Guard personnel are constantly training for emergency situations. They are the men and woman who go out to sea in the worst weather conditions to help others.
To our left is Maritime Gloucester which for 25 years has offered a multitude of educational programs and mentoring for local youths. Maritime Gloucester hosts the very active and enthusiastic Gloucester Gig Rowers and hosts the annual Schooner Festival on Labor Day weekend.
To quote Jack Clarke, (“Maritime Gloucester’s time has come,” Times, July 31) “Today, Maritime Gloucester is the gateway to the waterfront and the authentic maritime experience … Maritime Gloucester is a place where visitors and residents of all ages enjoy the harbor, take in its breezes, learn about the history of the fishing industry, and study the maritime environment.”
At the head of Maritime Gloucester’s pier is the schooner Adventure which is manned by both young and retired crew. Adventure, built in 1926, offerstraining, on the dock tours, and charters under sail.
Harold Burnham, skipper and owner of the schooners Ardelle and Isabella, can be observed daily offering sailing charters to visitors to Gloucester as well as residents. Both onboard and between charters, Burnham mentors future captains with hands-on training.
Steve Douglass, skipper and owner of Lady Gillian, offers colorfully narrated daily harbor tours while training his young mates for potential future maritimelicenses.
It is a joy to watch the Gloucester Police Department’s Community Impact Unit Officers Joe Parady and Peter Sutera treat young children and their parents to hands-on lobster and fishing trips aboard the Gloucester Police boat. Add to that the annual Gloucester Lobster Crate Race sponsored by the Impact Unit. The police boat is also manned for regular patrols and response to emergencies.
Between the Coast Guard Station and the Harbormaster’s Office, the Gloucester Sea Scout Ship 5 leaders Lynn Colletti and Damon Cummings teach essential hands on boating skills, including navigation, and safety protocols.
Finally, watching Hillary Frye enthusiastically mentor youths in the Gloucester High Sailing Program is yet another “treasure” within my view. Their success in racing regattas is testament to the program.
All of this, as I said, is just a part of what Gloucester Harbor offers. And, at the end of my shift, I get to go back to my home of 77 years, Rockport!
Rockport resident and Navy veteran Roger Lesch retired from the Rockport Police Department and now works for the Gloucester Harbor Department.