Bob Mitchell has deep connections to the fishing industry. He was born and raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and comes from a family of Fairhaven natives. After completing his service in the Navy, his father, who was also a fisherman, started a business called R.A. Mitchell Company in 1954, specializing in marine engines and engine repairs for the fishing industry. Bob Mitchell joined the family business in 1961 after completing high school. He further pursued his education in England, attending the Lister Engine Factory School for a year and a half. The Lister engine, renowned for its use as an auxiliary generator engine and for running pumps, was widely utilized in the fishing industry. During his time in England, Mitchell interacted with people from various backgrounds and countries who were attending the school. He gained valuable knowledge and experience in engine assembly, testing, and servicing. Returning to the United States in 1962, Mitchell resumed his role in the family business. With over 20 employees, many of whom have extensive experience in the fishing industry, R.A. Mitchell Company continues to play a vital role in supporting the fleet's maintenance and operational needs. Mitchell's daughters are actively involved in the business, ensuring a potential family succession in the future.

Scope and Content Note
During the interview conducted on September 23, 2005, at the Harbor Master's Office in New Bedford, Bob Mitchell discusses various aspects of his life and work. Mitchell shares details about his family's background in Fairhaven, his education at the Lister Engine Factory School in England, and his involvement in R.A. Mitchell Company. Bob Mitchell has witnessed significant changes in the fishing industry over the past 45 years. He recognizes the hard work and dedication of the fishermen and the importance of maintaining a reliable fleet. Mitchell remains optimistic about the industry's future and continues to provide essential marine services and shore support to the fishing community. Over the years, R.A. Mitchell Company became one of the main suppliers of auxiliary engines to the fishing fleet in New Bedford. They supplied engines to a majority of the fleet, ensuring the availability of parts and reliable service to support the 24-hour operations of the fishing industry. As the company expanded, Mitchell and his team engaged in marketing efforts, attending trade shows across the country and collaborating with shipyards and naval architects involved in boat design. They supplied engines not only to the local fishing industry but also to international markets, including Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. In addition to marine engines, the company diversified its product offerings, providing standby generator systems for banks and businesses. He explains the significance of Lister engines in the fishing industry, especially as auxiliary generators, and the company's role as one of the major suppliers of engines to the fishing fleet in New Bedford. Mitchell discusses the range of prices for engines, the life span of engines with proper maintenance, and the expanding scope of their business, including international markets and standby generator systems for commercial use. Mitchell also touches on the impact of hurricanes on the industry and expressed optimism about the resilience of fishermen and shipyards. He highlights the importance of his company's shore support role in maintaining and servicing engines to ensure the uninterrupted operation of fishing vessels. Regarding the future, Mitchell confirms that his daughters are involved in the family business, indicating a potential continuation of the company within the family. While Mitchell himself has not been a fisherman, he possesses a deep understanding of the industry, having observed its evolution over several decades.