Sylvia’s vast fishing experience makes him ideal mentor for younger fishermen

Veteran boat captain Rick Sylvia understands better than most the “co-op” part of Sea Services North America’s perch as the nation’s leading fishermen’s co-op supporting the full lifecycle of offshore wind projects.

That’s because Sylvia has raised “cooperation” to a new level, frequently mentoring young crew members providing survey and security services to wind farm developers.

“We have a lot of experienced captains working with us and Rick is a great addition because of his ability to take these younger guys and bring them up to speed on the importance of safety and respect for everyone onboard – and the water,” said Gary Yerman, SSNA Founder, Fleet Manager and an experienced commercial fisherman who knows the importance of safety and training.

“Mentoring is extremely important to me because without the knowledge that was passed along to me by more experienced mariners, the ‘old timers,’ and at times even from less experienced mariners, I would not have been able to achieve all that I have in my profession,” Sylvia said. “I enjoy watching others achieve their goals and have success, and this joy that I have in that regard drives me to be open and willing to share my limited knowledge with all that would seek it.”

Sylvia’s family has been on the water, literally, forever.

“I was born and raised in New Bedford (Mass.). My Mom is a Brightman, and our family has been in the area since the 1600s,” Sylvia said. “Growing up in New Bedford with the Seaman’s Bethel, Whaling Museum, Johnny Cake Hill, historic working waterfront, and as the launching point from which Ishmael set off on his adventure in ‘Moby Dick,’ all fueled my youthful imagination and a yearning for adventures of my own.

“It wasn’t until adulthood that I learned of the many ship captains, mariners and adventurers within my ancestral line, and began to recognize the fact that my becoming a mariner must be, not only from my growing up in New Bedford, but also in the blood.”

Sylvia’s life as a mariner began on swordfishing boats that would come to his homeport in the spring, using it as a setting off point for trips to Georges Bank off Cape Cod, and the Grand Banks and Flemish Cap off Newfoundland.

“As a sword fisherman, I worked out of ports from New Bedford to Florida and the Caribbean Islands. Over the years, I worked in swordfishing, sea scalloping, trawling, offshore clamming, lobstering, and shark fishing. Yachts also came to New Bedford in the spring, and seeing them over the years, I decided one day that I may try my hand at yachting.”

Sylvia attained a Coast Guard 100 Ton Near Coastal Master credential to get into yachting. He has been to Alaska, Australia, the Canary Islands, Azores, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean and the Bahamas, crossing the Atlantic and the Panama Canal, visiting assorted other places along the way.

Clearly, Sylvia brings a wide variety of significant experience to SSNA.

“All I know about Sea Services comes through direct engagement with Doug (Van Verdeghem, SSNA’s Operations Manager) and Mike Plis (SSNA’s Training Manager),” Sylvia said. “Doug and Mike have shown genuine concern for the safety of me and my crew, have done their utmost to be sure I am well prepared for the tasks they set forth, and have exhibited professionalism at the highest standard. On a personal note, I will go so far as to say that they have also become friends to me.”