Florida charter captain committed to keeping kids safe
The 23-foot Sea Pro bay boat turned sharply starboard and Capt. Mark Gore instinctively reached across and braced my left knee to keep me from slipping off the leaning post.
I knew the inertial shift was coming. My friend of 20-plus years knew that I knew.
Still, he ensured his passenger’s safety.
It’s in him — a mindset to serve and protect that has fueled two decades of inshore guiding and recently landed him in what he views as his most important role, outside of his own family.
The 55-year-old Tampa native served multiple years in the United States Marine Corps, followed by private contract work. He’d later spend nine years with Hernando County Fire Rescue.
In October, 2023, Gore summoned his life’s collective experiences and accepted a job as a Guardian at a Hillsborough County school.
“I never thought, at my age, I could make a difference and I feel like I have,” Gore said.
On the water, he’s prepared to capitalize on the best scenarios. In the hallways, he’s prepared to confront the worst. The common thread: keeping kids safe and happy.
Now, that’s a nice lead. A fair summary that’s not too heavy and easily digestible.
But the soft start was intentional. Kinda like dipping your toes into the creek for an acclimating introduction before wading into the deep water.
Fair warning: We’re gonna wade into some pretty deep water here shortly.
DUTY OF DILIGENCE
For starters, Gore serves in what’s known as the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program. Named to honor those who gave their lives during the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the program places highly trained, armed personnel in public schools.
Often coming from military and law enforcement backgrounds, program applicants train with local Sheriff departments, but they hold no arrest authority. The Guardian’s role: to prevent or abate an active assailant incident.
Now, we’ve already introduced a pretty heavy topic not commonly found in a fishing tale. But stay with us. The clear connection comes from a common thread woven into the fabric of Gore’s being.
See, along with his private charter service, Gore also participates in Tampa-based Florida Fantasy Fishing Camp, which blends fishing skill instruction with that rod-bending action. It takes a certain temperament to work with kids and not to oversimplify, but it really comes down to compassion.
Consider this: While he’s not tasked with student behavior issues, Gore takes a proactive approach to seeking positive interactions. Guardian positions exist at all grade levels, but he prefers his current elementary school post.
“I think you can have a greater affect on them growing up,” Gore said. “It’s like on my boat, I have an affect on how they see the outdoors.
“In the school, I have these students that you can tell, man, they’re not problem kids; they just want someone to love them. Some of them might have (various problems at home), so I try to be there to listen to them.”
Entering those deep waters now.
THE LINE
When it comes to society’s most precious treasure—children—the term “gray area” does not exist. There is an ink black line, and it’s not a thin line that’s easily misread, confused, misunderstood.
This broad, clear boundary was drawn with a conscience-carved clarity that conveys absolute certainty.
DO NOT HARM CHILDREN. Do not even threaten the act.
The extensive Guardian training ensures both the ability and conviction to uphold this universally uniting principle. Gore recalls being pushed pretty hard, but he relished the proving process.
Cardio, marksmanship, threat assessment—would-be Guardians must demonstrate their aptitude and ability in these and other measurements. All critical details, but Gore said his training instructors dug deep to determine the absolute critical detail.
Are you prepared to “go there?”
We know what that means. It’s that defining moment these noblest of professionals train for, but the one they but pray never occurs.
Guardians play a complimentary role to school administrators and security personnel, who handle student disputes and the day-to-day concerns. Gore’s prime directive positions him as the first line of defense should a potentially violent threat materialize.
With the fullest respect for each professional serving anywhere within the educational system, not everyone’s wired to confront the face of pure evil. Some may argue mental illness and, having seen many fellow veterans struggle with challenges for which they cannot be faulted, Gore maintains enormous sensitivity for those who simply need help.
Mental illness and evil are not the same thing.
TOO GREAT A COST
The man who, at 55, can still pancake a 10-foot castnet, walk a full school day with the appropriate gear and hold his own on the jiu-jitsu mat, struggles to get these next words out.
“How someone can harm a child…”
We stand in mutual silence for nearly a minute.
Gore’s words yield to a clearly painful thought that leaves him blinking through encroaching tears and shaking his head as he stares into the middle distance.
No need to glorify, dramatize, or downplay the finality of lethal force, but it has to be stated clearly. Those who would brazenly boast of such actions are not suited for the responsibility.
Factually stated, Mark Gore’s not someone you want mad at you; but the vast majority of people he encounters quickly find he’s the kindest, friendliest, most respectful person you’d ever want to meet.
That’s what people who stay on the right side of that big black line get.
The other side of that line doesn’t end well. It simply must end.
Not everyone’s okay with such statements. It’s a hard concept to reconcile. But weighed against potentially losing a young life to unspeakable tragedy, it’s not up for debate.
A CALMING CLARITY
Gore said he saw Guardian instructors ultimately declining some incredibly capable trainees because one or both parties were uncertain of the individual’s ability and/or willingness to make that ultimate decision.
Daily life brings no lack of struggles, stress, challenges, and conflict. Often, a level-headed professional with the right mix of authoritative presence and sincere patience can diffuse what typically amounts to a perfect storm of human emotions.
Cooler heads, understanding voices. A lot of people just need someone to listen to them for a few minutes.
But to think that the kindness strategy works on the type of mind-twisting malevolence that would direct violence toward the innocent—that’s a dangerous naiveté that Gore and his fellow Guardians will not tolerate.
I asked my friend a couple of poignant questions and his brief responses speak volumes.
Q: If you retire from your position as a Hillsborough County Guardian without ever drawing your weapon, how would you feel?
Gore replies, with a hint of desired relief, “Fantastic.”
Q: If you ever have to do so, how would you feel?
With zero hesitation, he firmly states: “Justified.”
FIRM COMMITMENT
Let’s bring this full circle with the relevant perspective. Every child that steps aboard Gore’s boat gets a friendly greeting and immediately falls under his capable care.
“In your mind, you’re thinking you just hope they catch some fish, but really and truly, you have so much more responsibility,” Gore said. “It doesn’t matter how (an accident) happens to one of those kids, it’s life changing—and not just for that family, but for you.”
Gore traces his protective instincts to raising a son and a daughter, both now adults.
“I’ve always been over-cautious with my kids, so in my head, I treat these kids (on my boat) as if they were my own,” he said. “That’s the way you have to look at it, otherwise, what are you doing?”
Gore carries that same commitment into his work as a school Guardian. Just as he’s ever diligent to keep young anglers far from hooks, fishing knives and sharp teeth, he’s equally concerned with ensuring students never fall under danger’s shadow.
“We can’t have any hesitation, because hesitation will cost lives,” he said.
Gore’s voice breaks: “You have to be willing to sacrifice everything you have…
Another silent pause.
He drops to a struggling whisper now and barely gets through this next soul-piercing statement: “…even not ever seeing your kids again.
“You have to do it, because (a school shooter) is there to make a statement and, if you don’t (take action), they will.”
Red skies at night, sailor’s delight.
Red skies at morning, sailor take warning.
Gore’s time on the water hasn’t necessarily made him the man he is; you kinda have such constitution or you don’t. However, navigating through every version of Florida’s fickle weather has, no doubt, heightened his awareness and cemented his appreciation for days when young anglers step off his boat—never aware of the countless concerns he either avoided or quietly handled.
“You can’t get complacent on the water because when you do, God throws a storm at you and you’re like, ‘Just let me get to the ramp and I’ll never wait this long again,’” Gore said. “In the school, that’s what I want to do—I want to come home. I want to send all those kids home.
“I want everyone to be safe.”
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