On a bright, summer morning, Bryan Kolstad grabs his tool kit from a store room before he heads to the marina. On his way, he meets other marine mechanics wearing the same oil-stained overalls and enters a repair bay. The motorboat engine is in the corner; it’s dull-colored diesel engine exposed. He sets his toolbox down beside the engine, determined to complete the work so the boat’s owner can enjoy a hassle-free summer.
Bryan Kolstad is a marine mechanic in Maine. He chose this line of work immediately after completing high school, enamored by the prospect of fixing mechanical parts and working close to water. He is responsible for repairing and maintaining boats within his shop.
“I like this work because it allows me to work outside and there’s always a different problem to address,” said Kolstad, a three-decade-old native of Maine. “You might work on similar issues in a given week, but handle them differently. I like that variety.”
Bryan Kolstad is replacing the engine’s transmission unit with a new one because of an unfixable break. His experienced eyes carefully select the tools he requires to complete the work, and within three hours, he’s done with the job.
