Charlie Blair took over as the Edgartown harbor master in 1995, but his love of being on the water began much earlier, as a boy growing up in Florida.
Every night for the past 30 years, Edgartown harbor master Charlie Blair has slept with a radio beside him. Now and then a voice would wake him up before the sun rose and Mr. Blair would quickly respond, heading out on the water to help a boater in distress.
Patrolling the harbor and overseeing the moorings of Edgartown have been Mr. Blair’s life’s work for the past three decades. He said he doesn’t remember ever taking a sick day, but in March he will retire for medical reasons.
“It’s bittersweet but I’ve had a wonderful time,” said Mr. Blair, who turned 76 this year.
Mr. Blair’s long history of being on the water began when he was a kid living in Coconut Grove, Fla. His father would sail people’s boats to their desired destinations and the young Mr. Blair was his best mate. He learned to tie knots, trim the sails and navigate with charts.
He also spent summers on the Vineyard, and in 1970, George Moffett, who donated the land that would become Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, asked Mr. Blair if he would sail his boat from Nice to the Vineyard.
In a matter of 12 hours, a 22 year-old Mr. Blair was on a plane headed for France. It took him a couple of months to prepare the ship, but only 16 days to sail to the Vineyard.
At the wheel in 2014.
At the wheel in 2014.
Wanting to sail greater distances, he later joined a crew sailing to the west coast of Greenland.
“I was always under sails going somewhere,” Mr. Blair said about his youth.
By the time he was 24 years old, he was running a charter boat service out of Edgartown, directing 16 captains and moving 250 people on and off the water every day. He would work 22 hours a day, but found time to work for Steven Spielberg during the filming of Jaws in 1974.
“I slept on the set.” Mr. Blair said. “I just remember Spielberg saying ‘no one wakes the boat boy.’”
Mr. Blair explained that the film crew barely knew anything about oceans, tides, currents or horizons, and he would often be called in to advise them. By the end of that summer, Mr. Blair had made enough money to compete in the Southern Ocean racing circuit. He took first place in his class and used the prize money to buy materials to build a fishing boat. He named it Nisa, after the Greenlandic word for porpoise and a nod to his earlier ventures on the Arctic Ocean.
Nisa was launched in 1977, and Mr. Blair spent the next several years catching and selling cod, quahaugs, little necks and bay scallops.
“I still hold the bluefish boat fly rod derby record,” Mr. Blair said about the 18.75-pound fish he caught in 1984 during the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. “The only reason I still have that record is because the bluefish disappeared.”
Back in 1995.
Back in 1995.
By the time the town hired him as harbor master in 1995, Mr. Blair knew the waters around Edgartown better than anyone, having worked with ships of all sizes from dinghies to yachts. Still, Mr. Blair said the town took a chance on him.
“Previously, I tortured harbor masters and hid from them and broke every rule,” Mr. Blair said about his youth.
Times have changed since Mr. Blair first started his job. In the old days, they would write the mooring schedules on paper and the town did not accept credit cards. Mr. Blair led the department through these changes and more, and during his 30-year tenure raised millions of dollars in revenue for the town.
He would also accompany police officers to the bars at closing time to take the keys away from drunk boaters or follow them to the harbor and pull them out of their boats.
“Now there’s designated people on the boat that aren’t drinking that are operating,” Mr. Blair said. “In the old days it was like the Wild West.”
Some of the incidents he’s witnessed over the years still haunt him. He was often first on the scene after a drowning or heart attack.
Twenty-five years ago, Mr. Blair was called to the scene where a man had been mangled by a propeller during the Fourth of July festivities. He did his best to save the man’s life before EMS arrived, but the man didn’t survive.
Dockside.
Dockside.
“That bothered me so bad that I couldn’t sleep for really quite a while . . .” he said. “It was worse than gory.”
Mr. Blair said he will carry the memory forever.
There were joyous moments too. Mr. Blair said that training young people was always the most rewarding and made all difficult times worth it. Every summer the department hires high school kids, and Mr. Blair teaches them how to run boats, manage moorings and go on rescues.
“They all say they were ‘Charlie-trained,’” he said and laughed. “These guys didn’t even know how to tie a knot.”
He estimates he has worked with an estimated 300 kids over his 30 years as harbor master, teaching some how to speak English and building up their work ethic. He noted that many police officers in town were “Charlie-trained.”
In retirement, he will miss his daily walk to the harbor, greeting the scallopers and seeing families swimming by their boats. Mr. Blair hopes whoever inherits the position will lead with kindness.
Mr. Blair’s last day will be March 27, the anniversary of his first day on the job. He said it is hard to leave, but is looking forward to some rest, spending time with his family and enjoying the water he’s been watching for so long. “The town and I had the best relationship . . .” Mr. Blair said. “There was never anything but support.”
Comments
Thank you for the service
Thank youThank you for the service Charlie, strong work! All the best in your next chapter
a nice article about a nice
dpw edgartowna nice article about a nice guy.
Role model extraordinaire.
George Stein OBRole model extraordinaire. When is the farewell event ?
A wonderful article about a
Peter EdgatownA wonderful article about a person we've been lucky to have on the Vineyard.
Modern technology has made the sea seem like a video game, but it's not. The sea offers deep lessons but requires respect and learning the basics and then learning more. Thank you Charlie.
Well done Charlie. Fair
William Wilcox West TisburyWell done Charlie. Fair winds to you!
Well, done, Charlie! Thank
Ann Floyd ChappaquiddickWell, done, Charlie! Thank you!Now it’s time for some fun and relaxation.
"Edgartown Harbor Master
Peter West Tisbury"Edgartown Harbor Master Lifts Anchor for New Adventures"
That's right! He's raising
Mr. B, ChilmarkThat's right! He's raising the anchor and moving on to other things!
nice article about a nice guy
dpw edgartownnice article about a nice guy -- stay young Charlie. -- you be the best
Charlie, you will stand alone
Victor A. Zollo, Jr. EdgartownCharlie, you will stand alone as the greatest ever! See you on the water, Victor
Fair winds and following seas
David Coward EDGARTOWNFair winds and following seas Charlie. Job well done!
Edgartown was served well by
J Klingensmith Naples , FloridaEdgartown was served well by this man.
Edgartown could not have had
Nancy Blair Vietor EdgartownEdgartown could not have had a better Harbormaster! (And of course I am prejudiced!) Charlie came to the role with an incredible background in the sailing world, the commercial fishing world and a tremendous knowledge of life on the waterfront! He used these skills to handle all sorts of situations and has made Edgartown Harbor one of the premier destinations for boating, while maintaining the beauty of its waterfront.It remains today one of the loveliest of harbors, in part thanks to Charlie's leadership. Thanks, Charlie for putting all this effort into keeping it so!
Well said big sister! Fond
Ed Kern Lincoln, MAWell said big sister! Fond late 50s and early 60s memories of Edgartown summers, Beach Boats, Woodpussies and 110s and little Charlie back in the day. Did he really torment George Silva, I'm hoping not so much.
Congratulations, Charlie on
Ben Mixter FloridaCongratulations, Charlie on your life on the water in and around Edgartown and the Vineyard. NISA, NISA - Kittiwake - anything happening over there?
Thank you Charlie for your
Captain Bob Kellogg CotuitThank you Charlie for your years of service. I hope to see you this summer and chat about the good old days!
What will we all do without
Platt Johnson EdgartownWhat will we all do without you? Large shoes to fill for sure.
You deserve some time off, to hone your stories that we are all eager to hear.
Thank You for your service to the town and to all the mariners and just plain folks that you assisted over the years.
Charlie…. You were always
Brien O’Brien Edgartown and ChicagoCharlie…. You were always Dwight’s favorite guy for a boat issue… You totally rocked as the Edgartown Harbormaster
Thank you
Brien O’Brien
Wow Charlie, I can't even
Lucia EdgartownWow Charlie, I can't even imagine the waters he's seen. And to see the Jaws up close? A marvelous life.
Charlie, thank you for all of
Ryan Rossi ChilmarkCharlie, thank you for all of your help and wisdom that you shared with me after being hired in Chilmark. Edgartown has some big shoes to fill and you will certainly be missed not only in Edgartown, but by the island as a whole. I wish you all the best in your retirement.
Charlie -- Great job over the
Steve Chaffee Vero Beach FloridaCharlie -- Great job over the years / decades !! We always knew our boats, kids, friends, and everyone else out on our waters were well looked after. Thanks for a lifetime of service ! I always figured you'd take your last breath out there in a Harbor Master's vessel somewhere helping someone in need.
When is the Farwell kickoff party ? We won't miss it !!
On behalf of the Katama
Joseph Sieber - President Katama Association KatamaTo Charlie:
On behalf of the Katama Association I want to thank you for years of dedicated service to the town and for the management of the Katama moorings and Fishermen’s Landing and support of the Town Landing. Your presentations at our annual meeting have always been a highlight of the summer. We hope to have you back this year!
Edgartown is today,and has
Skandia EdgartownEdgartown is today,and has always been a truly special waterfront community. The extent of your tireless contributions and public service to our waterfront for more than three decades will no doubt be discussed and appreciated by many for many decades to come. Thank You Charlie for all your extraordinary leadership and friendship to those of us who cherish these waters as much as you do.
Notes from guests in 1993,
Tim Maloy New York CityNotes from guests in 1993, Tom " His business card said "If it swims we catch it". Susan " He steered with his foot". Michael:' All the other charter boats followed him". Todd and Lee, who own and operate the Magic Carpet 65' Yawl told us that when Charlie became the Harbor Master, he moved the moorings of the classic wooden boats to the mouth of the harbor so that people entering the harbor could see these beautiful boats. Thank you Charlie.
Perfect guy for the job.
Marian Webster Kona, HawaiiPerfect guy for the job. Take care old friend. Marian
Our guests in 1993 said:
Tim Maloy New York CityOur guests in 1993 said: Susan " he steered with his foot", Tom " His card said that If it swims we will catch it", Michael said the " all of the other charters were following Charlie"
As a kid living aboard
Dave Kaiser Mattapoisett, MAAs a kid living aboard "Claire" in the 70's, Charlie was my hero! I am sure he inspired me to live and work on the water with boats. We witnessed him remove a grounded 30' sailboat off the beach near the Beach Club during a NE gale. The way he handled Nisa was something none of us had seen. It was frightening and impressive. I can only imagine the words coming out of him at that time! And he commanded quite an audience on the docks after every fishing trip. My parents Rex and Claire continued their life on board into their early 80's. They always knew they had a friend in Charlie, just in case they needed a little help. Charlie, your storied career in this part of the world that we call home has been one no one will ever match. Thank you for your wisdom, your stories and your charm! Well done!
I am so damn proud of this
Louisa Blair Pfaelzer VermontI am so damn proud of this wonderful man, I could shout! He has become the icon of Edgartown, the older "salt" with the most delicious stories to tell. I don't think there is any body of water he hasn't be on, weather sailing, ice boating, claming, fishing, or exploring. This is what everyone loves about Charlie!!!! Thank you for all the adventures you have taken me on!
Thank you Charlie for your
Hal Flack ChappyThank you Charlie for your service, for your mentorship, and for your help and assistance all these years to me and to our membership at Chappy Landing. Every time we have had a problem or an approaching storm over 35 knots, you were there with sound advice and help.
I feel truly blessed to have known you all these years and to count you as a dear friend. Wishing you all the best in retirement and Godspeed with your medical issues. I look forward to seeing you on the water.
Great job Charlie! You are
CHRISTOPHER KENNEDY ProvincetownGreat job Charlie! You are more than a pretty face...well maybe not so pretty. But nevertheless, enjoy retirement! I heartily recommend it. Be well, my friend!
One of the best. When I
Rachel Lloyd Knoxville, TNOne of the best. When I worked as a reporter at the Gazette I could always know who had the best info on the water! Such a kind man… he did so much for the watermen/women over the years. God bless and enjoy the retirement.
Congratulations! Lots of good
Jo-Ann West TisburyCongratulations! Lots of good work together. Rocked it!
Decades of service to one and
Mildred Merritt EdgartownDecades of service to one and all. A most heartfelt thank you to Capt Blair and his unfailing reporting to duty for all of us. Fair winds and following seas.
During summers I spent on the
Hap Allen Berkeley, CADuring summers I spent on the Vineyard the Blairs and Vietors were the perennial victors in sailboat races.
Congratulations on your retirement, Charlie.
An Edgatown Icon. Best
JONATHAN SHINN Tahoe CityAn Edgatown Icon. Best managed harbor in the world! ALLWAYS helpful. Thanks!
When I was young Charlie was
Bel Lenssen CaliforniaWhen I was young Charlie was in my sailing class. He kept the instructors very busy.
The best ever!!
Ned Williams POTOMACThe best ever!!
He will be missed on the water!!
Charlie knows so much about
Albert GosnoldCharlie knows so much about Edgartown harbor.
About so many things that few people know.
Always smart.
Always one step ahead.
We named our daughter Maren
Paul Mellen DuxburyWe named our daughter Maren "child of the sea" thanks to Charlie's heroic efforts to watch over my 8 1/2 month pregnant wife and I stuck on our mooring during hurricane Danny in 1997.
My family loves Charlie who has made an indelible mark upon our lives in the harbor.
He is truly the "redwood of the sea" strong and anchored for the ages.
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