Celebrating a Visionary: Honouring Stanley Dorman and the Legacy of Mariner’s Wharf

Recently, respected writer Terry Toohey (Isle of Man) published a feature in Sea Breezes Magazine highlighting Mr Stanley Dorman’s remarkable journey and the legacy he has built through Mariner’s Wharf. It’s a compelling tribute to a visionary who helped shape the character of Hout Bay and theCape’s harbour front experience.

 For over 30 years, we have proudly served as Insurance Brokers for Mariner’s Wharf — South Africa’s original harbour food emporium and a true gem of Hout Bay.

 From humble beginnings to becoming a world-renowned destination, Mr Stanley Dorman’s vision transformed a small fishing operation into a thriving hub of maritime culture, cuisine, and commerce. We’ve had the privilege of walking this journey alongside Mariner’s Wharf — through tides of change, waves of growth and challenge, and seas of opportunity.

 Being part of their story is an honour we don’t take lightly. The continued success of Mariner’s Wharf is a testament to Mr Dorman’s entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and dedication to community — values we deeply share and celebrate.

 Here’s to Mr Dorman, the Dorman family, the team at Mariner’s Wharf, and the decades of hard work and heart that have defined this iconic destination. We are proud to have played a small part in supporting their success.

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HOUT BAY’S MAJOR ATTRACTION:

MARINER’S WHARF

Cape Town is regularly recognised as a leading international cruise destination.

The city and the Western Cape’s offering of a world-class experience for cruise passengers is enhanced by the presence of the imposing and iconic Table Mountain. This area has another first-class drawcard, particularly for those interested in ships and maritime matters.

That attraction is Mariner’s Wharf, in Hout Bay — a breath takingly scenic 25-minute coastal drive from your berthed vessel in Cape Town to this so-called “Harbour Front Emporium.” It has become a major attraction for overseas visitors and, notably, for locals too. Its appeal to the latter is especially significant, given the likelihood of repeat visits.

I had seen earlier favourable reviews of this maritime-themed attraction, including reports by a Facebook contact and now friend, Ian Warren. His description of a previous visit to Hout Bay and Mariner’s Wharf whetted my appetite, and it became a definite inclusion on my ‘must-see’ list.

GETTING TO CAPE TOWN

The opportunity to visit Cape Town and Hout Bay presented itself earlier than expected. I was able to book the final segment of Fred. Olsen’s Bolette 2025 World Cruise, which commenced on 1 April in Cape Town and concluded in Southampton. This route closely followed the former Union-Castle Line homeward passage to the UK, with additional calls at ports in Namibia and at Dakar, Senegal. Another stop, included on certain Union-Castle itineraries, was St Helena, before reaching the more frequently visited Funchal, Madeira.

This opportunity suited me perfectly - and I grasped it with both hands.

MARINER’S WHARF

These notes concern the creation and existence of Mariner’s Wharf. An apt opening might be: “Cometh the hour, cometh the man.”

Step forward that man: Stanley Dorman — backed by a supportive wife, family and staff.

The creation of Mariner’s Wharf has an interesting formative history, choreographed by Stanley himself. Every community, town or city needs a Stanley Dorman, and Hout Bay was tremendously fortunate to have a home-grown son of such calibre. Born and raised in Hout Bay, Stanley began with four fishing boats inherited from his uncle — sounding more promising than it actually was. In 1965, he took over a moribund business called

Chapman’s Peak Fisheries, and over the next 30 years transformed it into what is today known as the Cape Coast Group of Companies.

Cape Coast, in addition to property acquisitions, eventually owned and operated 17 trawler and lobster boats, a seafood factory and smokehouse, workshops, freezers, cold storage and national distribution depots. The growing business occupied land between the beach and Hout Bay harbour entrance. By 1979, further developments included workshops, storage and offices for its fishing operations.

However, due to a serious decline in the industry, Stanley had to repurpose his business — converting it into a Harbour Front Emporium. It initially comprised a fresh fish market, an outdoor fish-and-chips bistro, asea-shanty restaurant, and a small shop selling seashells and souvenirs. Growth was imperative and required a brave, innovative plan driven by unwavering conviction. The times called for determination and inspiration, backed by an entrepreneurial mindset.

Stanley Dorman recognised the need for innovation and recalls the journey in his own words:

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

“Way back in 1974 I visited San Francisco for the first time, and the excitement of its burgeoning harbour front reminded me of my childhood in rustic Hout Bay, the fishing village of my birth.

My thoughts drifted back to the craggy-faced fishermen and how they used to jest about their catch as it lay shimmering on the jetty; the sounds of throbbing boat engines and wailing snoek horns; the thud of the shipwright’s caulking hammer; the exhilaration of a Friday payday; and many other treasured memories, rapidly receding into the mists of time.

Reminiscing made me ponder. Was there not a last chance to encapsulate Hout Bay’s fascinating history for future generations by creating a special place? A place where you and I, old salts and locals, the famous and the not-so-famous, could enjoy each other’s synergy.

How then to transform my vision into reality? The concept was daunting and would need to be unique, authentic, distinctively Hout Bay. It would also need to be thoroughly researched. Thus it was that whenever I could during the following years I travelled the world — to distant wharves and far-flung fish markets. From Reykjavik to Tokyo, from Seattle to Sydney —collecting artefacts, researching ideas, evaluating heritage.

And, ever so gradually, Mariner’s Wharf — South Africa’s first Harbour Front Emporium — began to take shape in my mind. In 1984 its world-famous Fish market opened, and within seven years it had evolved into a time capsule of seafood bistros, markets and nautical shops, culminating with the upgrading of the Wharf side Grill restaurant.”

Stanley Dorman’s achievements have been recognised by his hometown, where he received a special award. The following citation was made during the presentation:

Stanley Dorman is famously known for owning the iconic Mariner’s Wharf, but in this case, he is recognised for his sterling efforts towards improving Hout Bay.”

Graciously accepting the award, Stanley said:

“It is an honour I appreciate very much, but when all has been said and done, credit must also be given to my wife Pam, my sons, and the superb managers and staff employed since Mariner’s Wharf’s inception.”

He added that it was gratifying to see the hundreds of employment opportunities created by the venture.

“I love Hout Bay and will continue to strive for its rightful place as one of the most beautiful villages, valleys and bays in the world.”

His commitment to fostering local employment has also been widely praised.

The Cape Argus newspaper named Stanley Dorman its “Businessman of the Week”, with a caption reading: Turning Hout Bay into a Haven for Tourists.

Mariner’s Wharf and its fish market — built around the hull of the historic trawler Kingfisher — officially opened on 22 November1984 as South Africa’s first harbour front emporium. It showcased fresh and frozen fish, live lobsters, oysters and mussels, alongside seaside gifts and marine artefacts.

In 1991, Stanley expanded the Wharf to include the nautically themed 350-seater Wharf side Grill restaurant, with private dining cabins, the Cray Club cocktail bar and a long deck overlooking the beach and the north-western precincts of Hout Bay harbour. One notable feature is a salvaged lifeboat hoisted alongside the Grill’s deck — enhancing the authentic maritime feel.

Guests may feel they’ve stepped back in time. The open-to-view kitchen is another pleasing touch, allowing diners to watch chefs grilling lobsters, steaming mussels, or shucking oysters. Especially distinctive are the five themed Private Dining Cabins — Queen Mary, Shipwreck, Masthead, Navy, and Union-Castle Line — each with its own décor and mementoes from Stanley’s collections. The Union-Castle cabin, in particular, made a deep impression on me, with a rare poster featuring HoutBay in the background.

Even the placemats were adorned with drawings of the emporium’s layout and activities, further immersing guests in the maritime ambiance. Add to this an in-house bakery, sushi bar, wine and liquor store — and even their own beer, Sea Dog — and the result is a unique destination.

The ground floor, already a hit with fish-and-chips lovers, was re-modelled to include antique, jewellery, curio and shell shops, securing Mariner’s Wharf’s place as a premier tourist attraction.

RECOGNITION AND ACCOLADES

On its 21st birthday in 2005, Maritime Southern Africa paid tribute:

“It’s not just a fish shop; a restaurant; a bistro; an antique, curio or jewellery shop. It’s not even a combination of all these —Mariner’s Wharf is so much more to Hout Bay and its visitors.

Representing the first waterfront emporium development in Africa, Mariner’s Wharf exposes visitors to a culture rich in maritime authenticity. Not ostentatious in appearance, it has shunned the usual trappings of themed waterfront developments.

At Mariner’s Wharf it is all real. From the figurehead of Lord Nelson that welcomes you to the restaurant upstairs, to the fishing boat and wheelhouse that overlook the fresh fish shop and deli. Everything has a story — just like the seafarers who traverse our oceans.

It’s not just about things — it’s about people. Some employees date back to the old fishing days. The artisans and shipwrights craft many of the decor items, as if still working on vessels of old.”

CLEVER ADVERTISING

Equally memorable is the Wharf’s advertising — especially the tongue-in-cheek “Hout Bay Declares Its Independence” campaign and accompanying mock passport. It drew amusing attention and caused confusion where humour was lacking — but more importantly, it highlighted the Wharf’s many offerings and raised funds for local charities.

Despite recent health challenges, Stanley kindly arranged to meet me at Mariner’s Wharf on 2 April and personally showed me around his creation. It was a most pleasurable four hours, culminating in lunch in the Union-Castle cabin — a seafood experience unlike any I’ve had elsewhere.

Stanley also presented me with a signed copy of Embracing Hout Bay, edited

Hout Bay Declares Its Independence

by Gwynn Schrire — a rich history of over a century of effort, from Dorman & Son to Mariner’s Wharf and Fisherman’s World. It has been a fascinating read and informed many of the remarks in this article.

What a man. What a legacy. What a tremendous story for future members of the Dorman dynasty.

Could the Mariner’s Wharf concept be successfully franchised to other fishing ports around the globe?

I think so!

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