OUR HUMBLE Beginnings
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Captain Satch and his sons Whitney and Dennis purchased the "Ole Gath III" (1944 Bibbs and Coffin) for $100 dollars from Captain Bobby Coombs wife Agatha when the boys were still in High school. Gath III was refurbished with the help of our Chief engineer Keith McAvoy. After a great 25 year stretch Keith is still Sachie's right hand man today. My sons, Captain Whit and Dennis have mostly moved on. Whit to a career as a federal enforcement officer and Dennis to a successful career as a design and build contractor in Wells. My oldest grandson Joey "after mating for over 10 years" received his USGC license three years ago. Joey is also an avid and successful tuna fisherman.
Captain Rich Gargan joined the crew in 2018, Captain Mike Johnson and his son Sunny and 1st mate Johnathan Lane rounded out the crew in 2021. All these kind and caring crew members are returning for your benefit this summer. |
THE Captains
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Captain Satch.. This is Captain Satch's 25th year taking guests from Wells Harbor on his own fleet of charter vessels. Satch also crewed on the famous fishing vessel "Bunny Clark in Perkins Cove" for 10 years before starting the family business with his sons Whitney and Dennis. Satch has loved taking guests fishing since he and his dad purchased their first lobster boat "The'll with it" when he was thirteen years old. A graduate of Pace University (NY) Satch spent 10 years as a construction engineer in New Orleans before returning to New England to enjoy life in Maine with his family and friends. Satch also hold a Master Maine tidewater guides license and a full box of graduate credits in education to boot.
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Captain Rich Gargan joined the crew at Captain Satch and Sons five years ago. Rich has captained both commercial and charter fishing vessels since he was 18 years of age. This year will be his 37th year with his USCG Captains license. For over twenty of those year's, he was a successful Marine Patrol officer in the New York City area. He has exceptional boat handling skills, but beyond that he is the kindest and most caring captain I have ever sailed with. Even as good as "Ole Captain Howard Cutler" himself. A great fisherman as well, you can be assured of a fun filled, safe trip for your family with Captain Rich at the helm.
Captain Mike Johnson and his son 1st mate Sunny joined the crew last season. Mike's family were one of the earliest settlers of Wells in the late 16th century. Brought up fishing on Moody beach. Mike literally knows the waters like his own backyard. Sunny (shown in pic on the Gath IV at age 3) is now sixteen and a Junior at Seacoast Christian Acadamy. Sunny has been an apprentice lobsterman for four years. He and Captain Mike also operate their own lobster tour boat the Lydia J. ( The "Ole Gath IV ) they can take large groups of up to 12 guests on their special 2.5 hour lighthouse and lobster tours.
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Captain Joey Tavares "The big fish guy" My oldest grandson and our family's 3rd generation USCG Captain. At age two Joey sat on my lap, at the helm of the " Gath III" when we when we first sailed her across the bay from Perkins Cove to Wells Harbor. His very sharp fishing skills, his love of the sport and his caring attitude make him one of the best anglers and charter captains on the Maine coast today. A skilled Tuna captain Joey landed seventeen Blue Fin Tuna last season. Joey often fills in for me on our offshore ground fishing aboard India, with an occasional shark and tuna trip.
Chief Engineer Keith McAvoy... Keiths a superb friend, advisor, engineer and craftsman who's stuck by me since the earliest of Gath III days. Keith redesigned and retrofitted all of our vessels, "Gath III, Gath IV and the India Marie". It is only with his skills, caring attitude, and advise that my family and I have been able to offer you 25 years of quality service. For the last twenty years Keith has also been sailing with me on all offshore charters aboard the " Indi Marie". Many of our honored guests like Al Turner pictured with his Blue Fin Tuna have benefited from Keith good nature and skills.
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I first met "Lil Dennis Bourgeois thirty-three years ago when we both worked for a compassionate southern Maine chemical company, who after treating their employees a bit like dirt, finally was forced to sell their operation. Dennis has been our chief mechanic ever since; he has an uncanny and innate ability to troubleshoot and fix anything. On any given evening you may see this pleasant little guy puttering around the engines to keep them in top notch shape for your trip.
My grandsons McCarey (left), Whit (right), enjoy helping with mating duties. Great grandson Jaxson (age 5) Our fourth-generation guy "in center" is still learning the ropes....
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Captain Satch and Sons... Big Fish! Family Fun!