Pilots Point Marina Dockmaster Katy Russell: Creating a Welcoming Marina Experience

Within minutes of the 42-foot Silverton pulling up to the fuel dock at Brewer Pilots Point Marina, dockmaster Katy Russell and her team had the boat secured and were preparing to refuel.

Skipper Scott Novak, visiting Pilots Point for the first time with his boat Simple Pleasures, was impressed by the quick, organized service and the scenic setting.

“We keep our boat at Haverstraw Marina in New York, but we decided to stop here for the night after friends recommended it,” Novak says. “So far the marina has made a great impression. The staff is organized, and the area is really pretty.”

Much of that positive impression is credited to Russell, who greets new arrivals at the fuel dock and sets the tone for visitors’ first experience.

“The fuel dock is the first stop for people new to the marina and we want to make a good impression,” Russell explains.

Russell’s connection to Pilots Point runs deep. She grew up in Westbrook and first started working at the marina as a teenager. Her family has long been around boats—her father owns a Pearson 30 and the family often takes out a 16-foot Boston Whaler.

What began as a seasonal job evolved into a long-term career. Eleven years after her first summer on the docks, Russell was named dockmaster at age 23. She credits teammates and mentors from those early seasons with helping her learn the trade.

“My first summer as dockmaster I had a lot of good friends working for me and it was one of the coolest things ever,” she recalls. “They always backed me up and were my go-to people. It was, and continues to be, a great experience.”

The 50-acre marina sits just west of the Connecticut River entrance where Long Island Sound meets the shoreline. It has a steady base of slip-holders, weekend visitors and people who treat their boats like second homes.

Longtime slip-holder Ed Gallagher praises Russell’s friendly, polite manner. “Katy was working on the docks when I came here and she has been a constant feature for as long as I can remember,” he says. “She’s nice and incredibly polite—the kind of person everyone just loves to be around.”

General manager Rives Potts notes that Russell’s youthful appointment was unusual but deserved. “Katy came to work here as a teenager and knows the job better than anyone,” Potts says. “Her integrity is beyond reproach. She deserved a management role and has done extremely well.”

Beyond daily operations, Russell has helped shape Pilots Point into more than just a boatyard—she and the staff have built a community atmosphere with concerts, Friday night movies, pirate races and other events that keep the marina lively on weekends.

“Katy brings a very personable, family atmosphere to the marina,” Gallagher says. “A lot of marinas are quieter, but this one always has boats and activity. That sense of place makes people want to stay and socialize.”

Potts credits Russell with expanding the marina’s calendar. “Katy and I talk about making Pilots Point more than a marina. We want it to be a way of life—a place for families to enjoy. She spends much of the winter planning and designing events for the coming season and is very creative about meeting different customers’ needs.”

Russell holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Springfield College, but she found her calling at the marina. During the busy months she and her crew operate from the dock office, enjoying the view of the neighboring wildlife refuge.

“You can’t beat the view,” she says. “There’s sun, water and boats; it’s hard to get stressed with an office on the water.” Initially thinking she’d stay only a year, Russell has been dockmaster since the summer of 2007 and plans to remain. “I love it. You never know who you’re going to meet, and I love hearing travelers’ stories about their time at sea.”

Russell is hands-on and willing to work alongside her staff. When multiple boats arrived at the fuel dock at once, she helped secure lines and ensured the fueling process went smoothly. Her experience with pumpouts and day-to-day dock tasks gives her credibility with the crew.

As dockmaster she oversees a team of 17, handles reservations for transient boats, supervises the fuel dock, manages pool staff and runs the concession trailer. She also produces the marina newsletter and takes on incremental responsibilities each year.

One notable success under her leadership is the concession stand. After several attempts by outside operators failed, Potts asked Russell to manage a vending trailer staffed by marina employees. The concession has since become a reliable amenity for visitors and slip-holders alike.

Community service is another pillar of Russell’s work. She coordinates seasonal drives—“Stuff a Boat” collects non-perishable food for those in need, and clothing drives support families in nearby Bridgeport. She also organizes charity concerts, securing raffle prizes and local bands to raise funds for causes such as the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and The Leukemia Cup Regatta.

“It’s nice because everyone is here to have a good time and raise money for a great cause,” Russell says.

When winter arrives, the boatyard hauls out most boats and the fuel dock closes a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Russell moves into the main office for the off-season, continuing to take reservations, plan events and support marina operations year-round.

“I’ve learned so many parts of the business,” she says. “Everything I could ask for is right here.”

This article originally appeared in the January 2011 issue.