About Us: Boat, Captain & Crew

Read the Lumina News article from 7-8-2010

Read the Star News article from 7-28-2010

Wilmington Water Tours is based out of Wilmington North Carolina, here to serve the city and its new convention center. We offer sunset cruises and private charters. Our investment in the custom design and state of the art catamaran The Wilmington the first vessel of hopefully many allows us to provide a wide range of offerings.

Captain Doug Springer and his wife Diane Upton returned to Wilmington in 2004 to pursue their dream of life on the water. Doug graduated in Marine Technology from Cape Fear Technical Institute in the early 1970’s. After working in the Gulf of Mexico, and on the waterways of South Carolina for about six years he joined the U.S. Air Force as a computer specialist and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of West Florida. After many years in the computer industry, and their children well on their own, Doug and Diane returned to their favorite city and back with their family of friends. They soon formed NE Cape Fear Charters and Exploration and put their beloved 36’ Willard Vega Trawler to work. After three years of running a successful charter business, a large number of returning and enthusiastic customers provided the confidence in the belief that a water based tour company designed to serve the Cape Fear River basin at large was needed and thus “Wilmington Water Tours, INC." was born.

Garland Valentine and Mary DeLollo have joined with Doug and Diane to make this vision a reality. Garland has southern roots with a mother who was born in Pilot, NC while Mary has a similar connection with the south, with a mother raised in Georgia. So, they both found Wilmington to be a perfect place to relocate and call home. Now they can combine their love for all things southern, their passion for the water and their level headedness for business.

For many years, Garland enjoyed boating on the Hudson River while successfully operating a family-owned adult care facility. Mary owned and operated an embroidery business and retail shop along the Hudson River. They both have a strong affinity for Wilmington, its people, the waterways and the city's southern charm. Long-time experience as successful independent business owners makes them both important assets to Wilmington Water Tours. Their commitment to the future of Wilmington is reflected by their civic minded pursuits and strong interest in environmental issues, and promoting the waterways benefits and historical charm.