Wharfinger

Just over a year ago, when we arrived at South Beach Marina the good folks at the marina office gave us a lot of information about staying at the marina just as I imagine they give to everybody.  One small tidbit that stood out was an item about our Wharfinger, Keith.  They told us that he lived on a boat in the marina and walked the docks everyday and kept a good eye on things.  Now that struck me because after spending most of my adult life around docks and marinas I'd never heard the term Wharfinger so I googled it.  I found this in Wikipedia: 

Wharfinger (pronounced wor-fin-jer) is an archaic term for a person who is the keeper or owner of a wharf. The wharfinger takes custody of and is responsible for goods delivered to the wharf, typically has an office on the wharf or dock, and is responsible for day-to-day activities including slipways, keeping tide tables and resolving disputes.

The term is obsolescent; today a wharfinger is usually called a "harbormaster".

Etymology

The word's etymology is probably Elizabethan-era English, and possibly a corruption of wharfager.  An 1844 usage appears in Pigot's Directory of Dorset in which Beales and Cox are noted to be wharfingers for the Port of Weymouth.

Here's a photo of our beloved Wharfinger Keith who, when not patrolling the marina docks, saving boats, and passing on wisdom such as; "Boats, they're all going to sink or have already sunk and they are all pains in the ass."

When Keith is not taking care of the marina, he lives on and maintains one of the most shipshape and bristol fashion sailboats around.  He recently confided to me that he's considering one more cruise south but, at the same time he's wondering if his seventy plus year old body is up for it. That's something we've all got to come to terms with in our own ways and in our own time.  I get much inspiration from 75 year old Web Chiles who is just wrapping up his 6th unsupported circumnavigation.  So here's to Keith, the humble servant & master of South Beach Marina and Web; master mariners who continue to track & contemplate the ocean.