BOATERS OF INTEREST
Irwin, a native of Maryland, first came to the Treasure Coast when he enrolled
44
TREASURE COAST BOATING
ANTHONY INSWASTY
STEVE IRWIN
at Florida Institute of Technology in Jensen Beach.
Irwin likes to spends his weekends in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve where
he captured this haunting image of a swamp lily.
a local marine electronics company keeping abreast of all
the latest developments in the industry. When it went out
of business, he opened his own boat maintenance business
where he did electrical and mechanical installation and repairs,
as well as washing and waxing the vessels.
“I also ran boats and was a fishing mate until I finally
settled down with Island Marine Services,” he said with a
chuckle. “I was kind of a jack-of-all-trades. I knew that whatever
I did for a living had to revolve around the water. I’ve
been doing this in the same location just about 20 years now.”
Island Marine Services, located on the Fort Pierce Inlet
just a couple of minutes from the ocean, has evolved into the
premier destination for high-tech, navigation equipment for
the sports fishing and yachting community. Its highly trained
technicians provide dockside and in-house electronic and
STEVE IRWIN
Age: 60
Occupation: owner of
Island Marine Services
Lives in: Jensen Beach
Family: Single
Education: Florida Institute
of Technology, Jensen
Beach
Hobbies: Flying, boating,
fishing, diving, hiking in
the Everglades swamps,
photography
What inspires you: “Nature.”
Something people don’t know about you: “I spend my free
time hiking in the swamps of the Everglades.”
electrical services, and its showroom has a full complement of
marine electronics on display for real time, hands-on demonstrations
and test drives.
“Our staff is certified through the American Boat and
Yacht Council and National Marine Electronics Association,”
explained Irwin. “We take great pride in staying on top of current
technology and emerging trends. We carry the top brands
of multifunction display screens with user interface that
allows you to see the radar, camera inputs, depth charts and
pretty much everything else you’ll need to see. Plus, we have
underwater lighting, Global Positioning Systems GPS, VHS
radios, satellite TVs, Wi-Fi and more. Our goal is to provide
our customers with the best equipment and service possible.”
Irwin has been a pilot since the early ’90s. “I fly for fun,” he
said excitedly. But he also supplemented his income taking
aerial photos for Realtors from his Robinson R-44 helicopter.
“Now drones have taken over that niche so I focus on
aerial photos of landscapes. It’s a hobby but I sell a few here
and there.”
The photography bug has led him down some swampy,
dangerous paths as well. Irwin has been hiking waist deep in
the reptile infested swamps for about eight years.
“I love to go by myself, unwind and get lost in the peaceful
beauty of nature,” he said. “The swamps are the last untouched
wilderness in Florida and they can be magical. I’ve
seen thousands of wild orchids in one day and come across
panthers, bears, alligators, moccasins and pythons. If you leave
them alone, they leave you alone. Believe it or not the biggest
danger comes from the little guys like bees and parasites.”
His favorite stomping ground is the Big Cypress Bend
and Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, one of the most
biologically rich places in the Everglades. While exploring
the 85,000-acre park area, he encountered many like-minded
botanists, biologists, photographers and rangers. He’s so
enthralled that he is now a member of the Friends of Fakahatchee
volunteer group that strives to preserve the unique
ecology and cultural heritage of the strand.
“I’ve always just followed my passion in life and it’s
always taken me where I’m supposed to be,” he concluded.
“Even in this high-tech world, nothing beats the beauty and
serenity of nature.”
For all your boating electronic needs, you’ll find Irwin
working diligently at Island Marine Services on weekdays,
but he’ll be off in the swamps most weekends.
Visit www.fineartamerica.com/art/groupertoes for a look at
his stunning landscape photography.
/groupertoes
