The Port of New York Branch Remembers 2019
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DECEMBER, 2019 VOLUME XXXVI, # XI THE PORT OF NEW YORK BRANCH REMEMBERS 2019 March 24: Luncheon on the NORWEGIAN ESCAPE August 18 – 25: Bermuda Cruise on the INSIGNIA September 22: Luncheon on the CARNIVAL SUNSHINE October 4: Royal Tea on the QUEEN MARY 2 (All photos by Bob Allen) MORE FUN MARITIME ACTIVITIES ARE IN THE WORKS FOR 2020. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! NEXT EVENTS: Membership meetings: January 24, “Floating Rivieras – the Great Italin Line,” by Bill Miller; February 21, March 27, 2020 - Programs TBA. ADDRESS: PO Box 384, New York, NY 10185-0384 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.worldshipny.com THE PORTHOLE, published by the Port of New York Branch, World Ship Society, welcomes original material for publication. Address to the editor, Bob Allen, at [email protected] or via the PONY mailing address. MEMBER PHOTO OF THE MONTH On her maiden call to New York, Saga’s SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY is docked at Manhattan’s Pier 90 on December 28, 2019. (Bob Allen) ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES SHIP FROM TO VOYAGE PASSENGER(S) DATE HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS Greenock Greenock Scotland Pat & Denise Dacey 11/19 QUEEN MARY 2 Southampton Southampton Western Europe Pat & Denise Dacey 11/19 QUEEN MARY 2 Southampton New York Transatlantic Pat & Denise Dacey 11/19 PREVIEW, JANUARY 24, 2020: FLOATING RIVIERAS – THE GREAT ITALIAN LINE By Bill Miller The great Italian Line, with its fine fleet of passenger liners, will sail once more. Created in 1932, but gone from the seas since the mid-1970’s, the Italian liners were known for their glorious warm-weather, mid-Atlantic crossings – to Genoa and Naples, to Venice and Trieste, and of course to many other Mediterranean ports. And even if Sophia Loren won’t be joining us, Bill’s program will make it seem like yesteryear’s crossings on those fine ships. The cast will include the likes of the CONTE BIANCAMANO, VULCANIA, ROMA, REX, CONTE DI SAVOIA, ANDREA DORIA, LEONARDO DA VINCI and MICHELANGELO. Longtime member Bill Miller will play the part of guest speaker/commandante, recalling those grand Italian liners. LEONARDO DA VINCI, seen at right departing New York in 1975, will be one of the grand Italian liners featured in Bill Miller’s January, 2020 program. (Bob Allen) 2 SHIP’S LOG By Pat Dacey On Friday, September 27, 2019, Captain William A. Speiser, Jr., provided a captivating presentation on the history and role of Sandy Hook Pilots, who have been bringing ships into and out of the Port of New York/New Jersey for 325 years. Captain Speiser grew up on the New Jersey Shore watching ships enter and depart the Port, and from a young age sought a career in the maritime industry. Graduating from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY in 1994, he began a seven-year apprenticeship with the Sandy Hook Pilots and became a pilot in September 2001. To listen to Captain Speiser tell his story, it is obvious that he has great passion and enthusiasm for his chosen career. Captain Speiser began his presentation by educating our members and guests on what exactly a maritime pilot does, including those often frequently witnessed and sometimes harrowing pilot boarding and disembarking procedures as we set sail from New York on our own ocean voyages. He briefly provided the history of pilots and pilotage in New York beginning in 1694 when the Colonial Assembly began issuing licenses to mariners who would pilot ships “by way of Sandy Hook.” In 1895, New York and New Jersey licensed pilots merged and purchased the first steam powered station boats, the NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY. Captain Speiser continued to document the rich history before detailing some of the significant events in which the Sandy Hook pilots provided rescue and assistance. On September 8, 1934, the Sandy Hook Pilots responded to the fire- engulfed liner MORRO CASTLE as she drifted off the New Jersey Coast. The Sandy Hook Pilots responded to rescue passengers and attempted to bring the ship under tow. Among numerous documented rescue and assistance events ever since, the Sandy Hooks Pilots once again provided heroic assistance in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in New York on 9/11/01 to include “Boatlift 9/11/01”. Pilot Boat NEW YORK rushed into New York Harbor anchoring off the World Trade Center Site and became an “on-scene” staging ground for United States Coat Guard’s response operations. Captain Speiser thoroughly detailed the process of becoming a Sandy Hook Pilot to include education and qualifications. Interested individuals must be under 27½ years old, a graduate of a maritime academy, and have sailing experience before the application process begins. Once started, applicants must go through a rigorous testing and interview process by New Jersey Commissioners and Pilots. Once selected, the process continues with a minimum five-year apprenticeship from Deckhand to Captain, riding 1,000 ships, evaluations and finally Federal Pilotage and State Exams. Once qualified, every deputy pilot serves for seven years before becoming eligible to become a full Branch Pilot. Today, the Sandy Hook Pilot Association has 70 pilots who handle more than 10,000 vessel movements each year for all foreign flag vessels and American vessels under register (regulated vessels) entering or departing the Port of New York/New Jersey, the Hudson River, the East River, Atlantic City, Jamaica Bay and Long Island Sound as required by state law. Pilotage services are provided on a 24-hour basis, 365 days of the year in all weather conditions and port circumstances. Captain Speiser then transitioned to what it is actually like to pilot a vessel starting with the Master and Pilot Exchange, which includes the Pre-Departure/Arrival Conference. This mandatory meeting reviews and verifies the working conditions on all navigational equipment, verifies orders, verifies the length, draft, air draft, propulsion and thrusters as well as discussing the passage, traffic, weather, tides and currents. It concludes with answering any questions from the Master or Bridge Team. Captain Speiser took our audience through an historical journey on the handling of ships, examining the evolution of propulsion and steering. He also noted the many differences between ocean liners and modern-day cruise ships. Captain Speiser concluded with personal accounts and memories of the many ocean liners, cruise ships and other interesting jobs that he has had as a pilot. Some of the many ships discussed were QE2, ROTTERDAM, QM2, ANTHEM, OVATION and EXPLORER OF THE SEAS, SAGA RUBY, REGAL EMPRESS, NORWEGIAN GEM, CROWN, ESCAPE, BREAKAWAY and GETAWAY, and PACIFIC PRINCESS. At the conclusion of his presentation, Captain Speiser answered numerous questions for the assembled audience, which included a number of Midshipman from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, continuing well into the after-meeting refreshments. We thank Captain Speiser for his educational and enthusiastic presentation and look forward to his future presentations. TIME TO RENEW! Don’t miss the exciting events scheduled for 2020 – more delightful talks, events and shipboard luncheons are in the planning stages! Your renewal form was sent in early November; please return it by December 31, 2019. PARTYING IN PARIS By Marge Dovman As we did last year, 42 members and friends navigated to the South Street Seaport area to do our bit for the holiday season. Once again we enjoyed the historic (1873) ambiance of the Paris Café, and the friendly staff that made us feel right at home. And to create the proper atmosphere, the TV set over the door displayed a stream of ship pictures taken by various PONY Branch members over the years. As we settled in at our tables, indulging in favorite beverages and equally favorite nautical conversation, Santa Claus, disguised as our chairman Pat Dacey, could be seen distributing small, colorful boxes that contained gaily-wrapped chocolate-covered pralines. They did not diminish the collective appetite one bit! We had a three-course menu with many delicious and substantial dishes to choose from. Among the appetizers, we could choose a green salad, chicken-vegetable soup, vegetable spring roll or fried chicken fingers. Entrees: roasted chicken breast, Scottish salmon, shepherd’s pie, vegetable bowl, fish and chips or Angus beef sliders – something for every taste! Choosing 3 dessert was easier; the choice was narrowed to lemon tart or chocolate brownie. There were, of course, the usual tea or coffee, and other beverages were available at the imbiber’s expense. As we ate, we were welcomed and wished happy holidays by the restaurant manager, Peter O’Conell. Another welcome, and then some, came from Chairman Pat (it wasn’t Santa after all) with thanks to the members and especially to the hardworking Board members and others who contributed their time and efforts to the club. Adding to the festivities was a raffle, at the cost of one’s signature on the back of a very special WSS/Royal Bermuda Yacht Club card. Prizes were a package of Italian savories or sweets. We also got a glimpse into the future. It was announced that next year’s club cruise will be an eastbound voyage on QUEEN MARY 2 from New York to Southampton, departing on December 8, 2020. SHSSA will also be promoting the crossing as its membership voyage. Getting back to that Santa situation, those little signed cards were collected, and Marge Dovman (me!) was selected to choose the first winner. The winner was – Marge Dovman! She generously tossed the card back in the bowl, then selected the name of Patricia Riccio, who became the first real winner. She requested the savory package. The name of the second winner was then drawn – Jeff Montgomery, who took home the sweet package.