TestimonialsLetter written by a recent delivery client:...Last October I was in need of a delivery captain to help me move my 42' Whitby ketch from Sandy Hook, New Jersey to the Bar Harbor (Frenchman's Bay) area of Maine. I was able to make contact with Captain Scott Mills and although a bit late in the year for a sail delivery to Maine, Scott was willing to help me do so. Although I had no personal recommendations about Scott, after discussing the trip with him on the phone I felt comfortable with him (and apparently him with me). Other delivery captains that I had contacted required that they supply an additional crew member for the trip. I was impressed with Scott's confidence in his ability to handle the delivery with me, not knowing anything about my sailing skills. As to be expected, we encountered weather and mechanical issues on the trip and we were able to handle them calmly and effectively. Scott has the sailing skills, knowledge, confidence and personality to make him a desirable charter/delivery captain and I highly recommend you give him serious consideration... Kevin King Letter written by a recent charter clientI want to thank you for an exciting and refreshing cruise. Your knowledge and patience under fire (the firing of my questions, that is) made for a thrilling week. Your demeanor put a pleasant wrap around the hard-core tenacity and dedication you bring to your job. The Europeans might call it sprezzatura — grace under fire, or making the difficult look easy — all while keeping your cool with no ego-need to show off your considerable skill and hard work. It must be a challenge, in general, to know how and when to engage clients you just met, especially two old friends catching up after a year apart. You also have to know what level of familiarity is appropriate and how much you should take-charge as the skipper on a charter of two guys who already consider themselves sailors. You nailed it. As far as I can see, you have a remarkable skill for reading people. We enjoyed the balance of having you ready with good stories, historical facts, and other goodies to season the conversations on the boat. Torn and I would continue catching up on our wives and kids and professions, only later noticing that you had disappeared below to chart some new courses and destinations for the next night, to fix up an appetizer, and just to keep her safe and tidy. You waited for us to bring you into conversations, and when we did we heard some great nautical tidbits and enjoyed your general curiosity about the sea and life itself. As I told you, curiosity is my best definition of intellect. After seeing you in action, I know you’ll succeed in your chosen field, especially as a great skipper-host-conversationalist, and all while keeping business first. Good mix. Thanks again for some relief from the corporate grind. I know you might be relocating, but I hope that wherever you move, you might he available for our next trip. Please keep in touch. JL Letter written by a longtime sailing friend:This letter is written on behalf of Scott Ladd Mills, or Captain Ladd, in hearty avowal of his qualifications as a top notch sailor and man of integrity. I have known Scott since childhood, and that puts the length of our friendship at over 35 years. We sailed together as teenagers, in Maine, at the Northport Yacht Club. Scott taught sailing there throughout his teen years, and his passion for and agility with sailing was always clear. As an adult I have, at times, been aboard a sailboat skippered by Scott, or witnessed his commandeering of a vessel for others. Scott’s ease on the water and intuitive sense of wind and weather assure comfort and safety for anyone sailing with him. He is able to challenge those who want it; for example, when racing. However, he is equally able to nurture novice sailors, providing calm aboard even amidst stormy weather. I cannot give a more sincere affirmation of my belief in “Captain Ladd,” both personally and professionally. Anyone employing him for any aspect of sailing work, be it charters, deliveries, sailing lessons, marina management, or anything marine-related, can expect only the best from him. It is a lucky crew who invites Scott Mills aboard as a member. Daniel T. Webster |
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