Walking the docks of the Hamilton Princess marina at any time of year is a spectacle not to be missed and at its busiest, it is also action-packed.
There could be tall sport fishing boats hoping for a tournament-winning catch, superyachts taking owners and guests on site-seeing or diving trips, speed boats motoring off for some water sports or raft-up fun, charter boats coming in to pick up guests, or a party of jet skis in search of adventure.
Managing all this marine activity is Dockmaster, Larry Dean.
With over 60 berths under his care, as well as the base for boat tour and rental company, KS Watersports, Larry’s number one priority is safety and every day begins with a walk around the docks checking that everything is ship shape:
“It’s my responsibility to make sure the lines aren’t broken or chafed. All of these docks on the interior are floating and they’re set on the outside with metal beams. There’s chafing gear between all of that to make it work and flow properly. All of that has to be maintained and checked regularly,” he explains.
Then, it’s admin. Dockage requests from local residents, messages from fishing boat and superyacht captains about dock availability for next season, working with local marinas to find them accommodation if the Hamilton Princess is full, and coordinating with Customs who come to the hotel to clear new boat arrivals, saving them from an extra stop in St. George’s.
Larry is always the first port of call for the owners and crew, and he prides himself in anticipating their needs before they ask. For local residents, that’s usually ice:
“We have to ensure the freezer is full,” he laughs. “It’s on an honour system. They just go, take what they need and sign for it.” This could be one bag for cold beverages or ten bags for wahoo fishing.
For the large boats, he often has to call mechanics or divers to check an engine, supply oil, find a BBQ gas canister, or help move guests and their luggage around comfortably. He even helps the crew load their huge grocery shops onto the marina’s golf carts.
If a boat with an interior berth is struggling to dock, Larry will help with that too:
“I tell every single owner: If you’ve gone out, it’s a great day, but by the time you get back, you’ve got a strong southerly wind that makes it difficult for you to dock, don’t risk the boat.
“If you can’t get it in there, put it somewhere that’s open, anywhere safe. Let me know and we’ll get it put away the next morning.”
Before joining the Hamilton Princess, Larry was in the Bermuda Police Service for 33 years, but his “first love” has always been the ocean:
“Boats and the water, that’s just in my blood,” he says.
And his job means he gets to see some impressive boats, from the “fantastically modern” 340-foot sailing yachts to traditional 52-foot classic wooden sailing ketches, and every boat in between.
He also enjoys watching the abundant sea life around the marina such as chub, snapper, bream, jacks and sea turtles.
There are even spotted eagle rays, one of which, a mother and her calf, created quite a spectacle recently:
“The mother turned toward the dock and I think she saw me and all of a sudden she dove quickly, the calf followed her and she jumped within 10 feet of where I was, straight up in the air and then they took off,” he exclaimed.
Larry loves his job but not just because of the boats and sea life. It’s about the people too:
“It’s normally the crew or the clients, the friends I’ve made. I never expected that side of it,” he says.
