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www.summerguidecapecod.com 8 Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch 50 Years Creating Lasting Memories Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown is celebrating its 50th Anniversary of whale watching by introducing several exciting new experiences to complement their classic whale-watching trips, which they introduced to the East Coast in 1975. The Dolphin Fleet was founded by Captain Al Avellar, a Provincetown native, fisherman, and Coast Guard Veteran. He started with the original "Dolphin," a deep-sea fishing vessel based in Provincetown Harbor in the 1960's and 1970's. As Capt. Avellar operated the "Dolphin III," he and his wife Connie noticed that passengers were more captivated by the active whale population off Provincetown's shores, especially in the waters of Stellwagen Bank. In 1975, they made the shift to full-time whale watching, and Dolphin Fleet quickly became one of New England's most popular attractions. Capt. Avellar teamed up with Dr. Charles "Stormy" Mayo, now a world-renowned whale researcher, to introduce naturalists aboard the vessels to narrate trips and conduct research. This partnership helped pioneer data collection methods now used by whale-watching operations worldwide. Over the years, Dolphin Fleet has expanded in both size and reputation while remaining a family business. Al's son, Captain Steven Milliken, now owns the company and has become an internationally recognized voice in both eco-tourism and marine life research. Capt. Milliken's son and daughter are managers, and his grandchildren work as deckhands during their high school summers. The fleet now consists of four beautiful vessels designed specifically for whale watching, all docked at MacMillan Pier in Provincetown. Though the boats are newer, faster, and hold more passengers than the Dolphin III, Dolphin Fleet's core mission has remained unchanged since 1975: to ensure that each passenger leaves with unforgettable memories and a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting marine life and its habitat. The staff are highly experienced and ensure the fleet remains pristine. The captains are among the most skilled and experienced in the world. Passengers of all ages will enjoy a fantastic experience. To mark the 50th Anniversary, Dolphin Fleet is introducing several new trips, some of which may sound familiar to seasoned whale watchers: Scenic Harbor Cruises are a guided tour of Provincetown's rich history with its unique natural beauty serving as a stunning backdrop. Sunset Music Cruises are a 2-hour cruise around the harbor with live local music, stunning views, full menu, and a fully stocked bar. All Day Whale Watches are a 6- to 7-hour trip exploring distant feeding grounds and offer more opportunities to encounter larger groups of whales and marine life. Sunrise Whale Watches are a peaceful early morning outing, perfect for observing whales while usually most active without surrounding vessel traffic. Of course, the backbone of the family-owned Dolphin Fleet remains its iconic whale watches. These trips will continue to depart from MacMillan Pier, offering unforgettable memories for the 50th consecutive year. On-lookers Captivated by Curious Whale The Dolphin III Captain Al Avellar Breaching Whale spotted by crew