Yet, unity and the cooperative spirit in the port continues to be as strong as ever, and this month, it’s really about celebrating this great vibe in the port.
In spite of the ‘Polar Vortex’, social events around the port have been extremely well attended. The Propeller Club, now rejuvenated from its moribund state, held a gathering at a re-christened Whitehall Club which is actually a lounge in the executive offices at the Staten Island Ferry terminal downtown.
Keynote speaker, Captain of the Port, Gordon Loebl talked about the ongoing recovery from the devasting hurricane of late 2012, and also noted that the ice-breaker crews were finally experiencing a real winter following several milder years. The host for the event, Captain Jim DeSimone, who heads up the ferry department within New York’s Department of Transportation, noted co-operation among agencies at all levels of government in a project where one boat will be converted to LNG propulsion, with the twin benefits of cost saving and cleaner operation.
The co-operative spirit in New York, a model for all US ports, was visible again at the gala awards of the Working Harbor Committee, as Capt Andrew McGovern, president of the Sandy Hook Pilots, was honoured. In accepting his award from Admiral Rick Larrabee, one time Captain of the Port, Capt McGovern praised all the groups in the port who co-operate every day with hundreds of vessel transits.
The Working Harbor Committee, which draws all manner of folks from the waterfront, is another model to be emulated. Under the guidance of Captain John Doswell, the organisation has created a wide awareness of the harbour and provides a venue for politicians and regulators to interact with the industry. Activities held in the warmer weather include tugboat races and tours of the harbour.
Board members have placed great importance on media outreach, a vital function for an industry that’s often described as ‘invisible’ – except for those times when it’s containers that are slipping and sliding in the icy chill