Captain Altay Altuğ (1925-2021) graduated from today's Istanbul Technical University Maritime Faculty in 1952.

He worked for Turkish Maritime Corporation (TDI, Türkiye Denizcilik isletmeleri A.S.) on passenger and cargo ships until 1961.

He courageously saved the lives of seafarers from a cargo fire onboard his vessel while he was the second officer and he was promoted to be a harbour pilot in Izmir Port. Thereafter, he was promoted as the Izmir Port Chief Pilot and served his duty until his retirement.

He established the first modern pilot station in Izmir on a floating pontoon with the first VHF radio communication facilities. He played a significant role in establishing pilotage services at Izmir Aliaga Petroleum Refinery.

He retired in 1979, with profound enthusiasm and entrepreneurship to start a business for pilotage and towage services.

He established UZMAR as ‘The First Private Pilotage and Towage Company of Turkey’ and inherited his unmatched vision to the Turkish Maritime Industry.

He acted as a leader and pioneer in order to fulfill his ideals with his unique expertise and innovated those services into their most contemporary applications in Turkey. Today, his family is following his footsteps to fulfill his dreams and to shape the maritime industry in the most visionary way.