Retired Canaveral Pilots
Steve Gasecki
⚑ “Unit India”
⚑ US Merchant Marine Academy, 1981
⚑ Unlimited USCG Master License
⚑ Retired January 2021, 26.3 years service.
⚑ Vice President, Florida Harbor Pilots Association 2008 – 2016; Treasurer 2004 – 2008
⚑ Co-Chairman, Canaveral Pilots 2008 – 2011
⚑ Awards: United States Merchant Marine Expeditionary Award; Medal Operation Desert Shield 1990; Desert Storm 1991 – Warren Leback Maritime Administrator; Governor Meritorious Service Medal 1991 – Governor of Guam; General Dynamics Corporation Distinguished Service Award 1990 – James Mellor, President & CEO
Lou Mello
⚑ Unit “Juliet”
⚑ Unlimited USCG Master License
⚑ Retired November 2020, 22.2 years service
Douglas Brown
⚑ Unit “Lima”
⚑ Maine Maritime Academy, 1982 B.S. Nautical Science with a minor in Naval Architecture
⚑ Unlimited USCG Master License
⚑ Retired May, 2020, 17.8 years service
⚑ Co-Chairman 2011 – 2016
⚑ 2017 Space Coast Public Service Award for Distinguished Merit
⚑ Member Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
Dave Callan
⚑ Unit “Delta”
⚑ US Merchant Marine Academy ’72
⚑Retired March 2014, 29 years service
⚑ Unlimited USCG Masters License
⚑ Federal Pilotage in New York, Delaware, Port Canaveral
⚑Council of American Master Mariners since 1981
⚑Awards: Resolution from Canaveral Port Authority in 2008 for dedicated service as Co-Chairman at Canaveral Pilots for 8 years and for being instrumental in the speedy reopening of Port Canaveral after hurricanes; Meritorious Public Service Award from Commandant USCG for outstanding piloting with a vessel during engine failure.
Earl McMillin
⚑ “Unit Golf”
⚑ US Merchant Marine Academy ’63
⚑ Duquesne University Law School, J.D., 1968
⚑ Retired June 2005, 18 years service
⚑ Unlimited USCG Masters License
⚑ Charter member, Propeller Club of Port Canaveral
⚑ Life Member, Maritime Law Association
G. Drew Orton
⚑ “Unit Echo”
⚑ SUNY Maritime College
⚑ Retired November 2002, 17.6 years service
David Richard
⚑ “Unit Hotel”
⚑ SUNY Maritime College, 1981
⚑ USCG Masters License Freight & Towing
⚑ Retired April 2019, 25.8 years service
⚑ Co-Chairman, Canaveral Pilots 2000 – 2008
⚑ Recognition: Youngest person to be promoted to Captain
⚑ Awards: Resolution from Canaveral Port Authority 2008 for dedicated service as Co-Chairman at Canaveral Pilots Association for 8 years and for being instrumental in the speedy reopening of Port Canaveral after hurricanes.
In Memoriam
JOHN BOLTZ
1951 – 2017
1951 – 2017
⚑ “Unit Foxtrot”
⚑ US Merchant Marine Academy ’72
⚑ Retired June, 2006, 19 years service
⚑ Unlimited USCG Masters License
⚑ Crossed the Final Bar August 22, 2017
⚑ Read Captain John Boltz’s Bio
STEPHEN DACOSTA
1928 – 2019
1928 – 2019
⚑ “Unit Charlie”
⚑ Crossed the Final Bar February 23, 2019
FREDERICK DEZENDORF
1914 – 2011
1914 – 2011
⚑ “Unit Alpha”
⚑ Founding Pilot, 1968
⚑ Crossed the Final Bar March 3, 2011
⚑ Read Frederick Dezendorf’s Bio
FREDERICK JONASSEN
1923 – 2019
1923 – 2019
⚑ “Unit Bravo”
⚑ Co-Founding Pilot, 1968
⚑ Retired 1987, 19 years service
⚑ Crossed the Final Bar June, 2019
