Lets start the tale of two vessels...the CF20 and the John F Kennedy Staten Island Ferry. The CF20 is an Army powered causeway ferry. It is used in a JLOTS operations and is very good at what it does. However....working on this little piece of c#$p is painful. It is very small, it is like painting 9 boats vice 1, the engine rooms are filled with hidden corners are very difficult to reach areas to attempt painting. And due to the difficulty in painting this little POS, I am 5 weeks behind on the project. So much for making a spectacular entrance into my new position! The second vessel is the John F Kennedy, one of the storied Staten Island Ferries. When I had my interview to get this position, I told them I thought it was really cool they were working on these ferries. It was "commissioned" in 1965 and I swear, EVERYTHING is hazardous on this beast! It has lead in the paint, asbestos throughout, I was joking the other day that all it needs is PCB's to make it perfect! However, we have a great paint contractor working this vessel, and it seems, for the time being, I have a good working relationship with the NYCDOT folks. So far so good. After 5 1/2 years working for the "other" shipyard on the same class vessel that I retired from, it is nice to be working on such varied vessels.

Well, I have been with my new company for three months now. Hit the ground running! I came in for orientation and after it was over went to the back to see where I would be reporting into. My boss handed me a binder and told me my first vessel arrived on Thursday, three days later! Talk about hitting the ground running. It has been a blessing in disguise. It forced me to learn, quickly, the policies and procedures here on the fly. I have learned who to talk to for what, all the key players in the trades, and feel I have ingrained myself well into the fabric of this company. This shipyard is family owned for over 150 years and you really have to get along and become "part of the family" to make it here. So far, so good! My next job is coming on Monday....I am working the Staten Island Ferry, the John F Kennedy! I am really quite excited about working on this iconic vessel. Kinda cool.

Unemployed! And loving it!

Well, I ended my tenure with BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair last Friday. I am sad to leave the people that I worked with behind but it is time for something new and different. If you count the my time as a Combat Cargo Officer, I have either served on or repaired LHD US Navy ships for over 10 years! It shocked me when I suddenly realized that fact. Have no fear though. I do have another job. I will be working as a ship repair superintendent once again starting in March but with a new company. No more Navy ships however. Nope, going to be working on cmmercial vessels now. Much faster pace, no more 9 month monster repair periods....."Alright ya got a week, get it done!" Fast and furious work. It will be a welcome change of pace. A lot has happened in the time that has passed between now and my last post (I am the worlds worst blogger!). My son joined the US Army. He is training now in satellite communications. He wants to go to Airborne School so he can have some "chest candy" like his Grandfather (Marine Corps Pilot) or his old man (me) (Airborne and SCUBA qualified Recon Marine). i told him when he gets some stuff on his chest we will get a formal picture taken like me and my Dad did. My daughter is a athletic animal and a giant brain on top! Lettered in three sports so far in high school and she is a Sophmore! Plus she is in the Virginia Beach High Schools STEM Academy studying robotics! After my past and the hell I put my parents through, I do not deserve such kids. It's their Moms doing. She has been the rock of the household and she keeps them, and me, on the straight and narrow! Life is good so far!