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.