US Coast Guard steps in after Wellfleet harbormaster crew walks off job

The town of Wellfleet is figuring out its next move after the interim harbormaster and a staff member walked off the job Friday afternoon, leaving officials to scramble to provide marina services this weekend.

Selectboard Chairman John Wolf said on Tuesday that the marina functioned without missing a beat on a very busy summer weekend. He credited the Department of Public Works, Police and Fire Department personnel with stepping in to help.

“There were no glitches,” Wolf said.

Marina Advisory Chairman Joseph Aberdale said on Monday that two assistant harbormasters were working with the Department of Public Works and the Police Department at the pier.

“The marina is in full operation and meeting all the needs of boaters,” he said in a phone call Monday.

The town had appointed Brittany Tilton as interim harbormaster after William Sullivan left the Wellfleet post to take the top job in Provincetown on July 1. Tilton could not be reached for comment.

In a phone call on Sunday, Sullivan said there is more to the walkout story, but declined to elaborate. He said Wellfleet officials got in touch with him over the weekend to talk about the "mass exodus."

Wellfleet Harbormaster and Marina Department includes a full-time staff harbormaster and assistant harbormaster and three summer assistants, Wolf said. Assistant Harbormaster Tilton left on Friday along with one summer assistant, according to Wolf.

The US Coast Guard is providing emergency services for boaters out of Wellfleet Harbor, according to a Tuesday morning press release from the Town of Wellfleet.

Wellfleet Town Administrator Tom Guerino could not be reached for comment. He had been at his home in Vermont this weekend and was scheduled to return Monday afternoon.

Aberdale, speaking at the Marina Advisory Committee meeting on July 1, said Guerino had instituted a search for the interim harbormaster. Wolf said Guerino will be considering hiring a retired harbormaster in the interim.

Denise Coffey writes about business, tourism and issues impacting the Cape’s residents and visitors. Contact her atdcoffey@capecodonline.com .

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