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After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard aboard an ice-breaker that
took him to both Poles, Ed Hale moved to Arizona, and, in 1996 began a
"mobile-only" small-boat repair. The first service truck was a small
Ford Ranger. In 1998 he acquired a Ford E-350 van equipped it with
shelves to carry frequently needed parts, oils, and tools. He quickly
found he could also use the van to transport some fairly large boats
from place to place, if needed.
Soon, another Ford van was acquired, and he hired his first
assistant. More jobs could be handled that way. But it was still
making "house calls" and no major work could be performed.
But he was being hired to haul boats to "fixed base" repair
shops, and then was getting calls from boat dealerships to transport
new boats for them. Hale’s Marine Transport emerged.
A small piece of property was leased about 1999, and Hale’s
Marine Service had its own "fixed base" where more extensive repairs
could be done.
In mid-summer 2003, his Lead Technician crossed paths
accidentally with a fellow he’d worked with at another shop and
within 2 days, Rick joined Hale’s Marine as parts department
manager.
Rick was someone who could take phone calls and speak to the
customers with knowledge, allowing work to go on in the yard. Now
Hale's Marine had a Customer Service Department as well.
In mid-summer 2004, the company acquired the whole north end of
the property as well, and moved the offices to that portion.
More and more equipment had been purchased, both for Service and
for Transport.
More trailers were added to move various size and types of hull
configurations, the latest being one for haul-out of large
house-boats for servicing, and the Con-O-Lift hydraulic trailer for
over-the-road transports. And of course the Freightliner tractor and
the Kenworth tractor, to tow the loads. |
