Hank Hinckley will run a new marine service division for Wilmington Marine Center.
 
Hinckley, son of the Henry R. Hinckley Company’s founder, worked there until 1978 when the company was sold. He started Ocean Cruising Yachts and later Hank Hinckley Boat Builders, according to a news release.
 
“I was born to boats, and I have never been able to get it out of my system,” Hinckley said.
 
His experience in the industry was a key factor for Wilmington Marine Center to join forces with Hinckley, the release stated.
 
“We took our time to make the decision to assume marine services under the [Wilmington Marine Center] brand, but when the opportunity arose to join forces with Hank to run the operation, the decision became very attractive.” said Chad Paul, one of Wilmington Marine Center’s principal partners. “Hank’s knowledge and reputation in the industry is well known and one you can trust.”
 
The marina, on the Cape Fear River marking its 30 years in service, also announced that Skip Fry, partner and general manager, has retired from daily management of the marina.
 
Mike Loch has taken over the manager role, the release stated.
 
“We didn’t have to look far for someone to take on the daily management, Mike Loch, was right here working as Dockmaster since 2012,” Fry said in the release.
 
Loch holds a captain’s license and over 50 years of boating experience. He retired with 32 years in the printing industry as vice president of Tapco Inc. for Calkins Media Company in 2005 and until 2015 co-owned an art gallery in downtown Wilmington with his wife.