The love of boats, ships and the sea sent

Merritt off to the Navy, NOAA and other

shipping interests after graduating from

college. 

His stints of duty were diverse.  Deep sea

diving officer, deck officer and, eventually,

ship captain.  During the course of the sea

going part of his career, Merritt served

aboard a salvage ship, sea going tug, tanker,

oceanographic, hydrographic and fisheries

research ships, a container/break bulk ship

and the famous NOAA wreck hunters Rude and Heck.

Merritt's natural luck got him sent back to school

for graduate studies, and then was called ashore

by NOAA to be the first Fleet Inspection Officer.

He then went on to Chief of Marine engineering and ship construction.

Sailing schooners are his true love. He founded Rover Marine Inc. in 1978 specializing in USCG

inspected passenger schooners.  More working schooners of his design are paying their own way

than from the board of any other designer in the world.

Where is he now?  Alive and well, living in Florida during the winter. Summers will find

Merritt aboard the Bonny Blue on the Dismal Swamp Canal.

We hope you enjoy his work.