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Retiring Senior Pilot In NH Says Years Aboard Tugs Were His Best After 45 years working as a ship pilot and docking master in Portsmouth, N.H., Dick Holt Sr. says he still looks back fondly on the days when he ran Portsmouth tugboats for MORAN and its predecessor company on the Piscataqua River. Holt, who retired in the spring of 2006, ended a career that marked three generations of Holts working on the Portsmouth waterfront. The fourth generation continues. His son is assistant manager of MORAN’s Portsmouth office, while two nephews are working as tug skipper and pilot. Holt’s older brother, also a former pilot, retired six years ago.  "When I look back over all those years, what I enjoyed most was operating the tugboats," said Holt. "I'm a tugboat man at heart, and although being a pilot is professionally very rewarding, it's still the tugboats that draw me to the waterfront. I'm sure that's what I'll miss the most when I'm no longer involved," he added. After service in the Navy, Holt started working with his father, a pilot, and with the local tugboat company in Portsmouth in the early 1960s. At that time tugs on the Portsmouth waterfront were still steam-powered, soon to be replaced by diesel boats after MORAN acquired the former Portsmouth Navigation Co. For a time, Holt worked as a tug captain and apprentice pilot. He later helped to manage MORAN operations in Portsmouth, and eventually became a full-time pilot. Holt said he intends to keep active as long as his health allows, working as a substitute pilot and taking on special jobs as they arise. "As long as I keep seeing those tugs on the waterfront, I know that I'll do what I can to stay involved," he said. |
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50 Locust Avenue | New Canaan, CT 06840-4737 USA | Tel: 203.442.2800 |
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