Derek goes to Melbourne

(Friday 29 October 2021)

Acting on a reliable tip off from one of our spies, Tas Maritime's Operators gathered at the Queens Domain base today to farewell past operator Derek Blair who is uprooting himself and soon to relocate to Melbourne to live with his son.

Those among you who have been with Tas Maritime for a while will remember Derek's weekend skeds and the inevitable instances of "sea breezies" which always seemed to occur on Mondies and Tuesdies.Derek was always a popular figure at the TMR tent during Wooden Boat Festivals, especially with the lady mariners who always turned up asking for Derek, much to the chagrin of everyone else (we should have charged admission).

Seriously, Derek was a more than competent operator and his voice was well known among mariners who were always happy when he was on duty looking after them. His retirement is a loss to Tas Maritime and his pending relocation will be a loss to Hobart. We wish Derek all the best for his new future as a mainlander.