My Time on the Great Point Tour

In New York Harbor there are many boats that we see on a daily basis. I see Water Taxi, NYC Ferry, Waterway, Hornblower, Staten Island Ferry and many more. This industry has a wide variety of different types of vessels and I am one of those mariners who think about how other vessels are maintained. The Work Based Learning Factor ideas in the VO Program helps us interact, in a professional way with maritime related folks. My senior year in the Vessel Ops. program has so far been about site visits and networking. We’ve been to many site visits throughout my years in the Vessel Ops. program but visiting Great Point was one of my favorite tour. As soon as we stepped onto the boat we went directly to the wheelhouse and was welcomed by the mate, Paola who is a Harbor School alumni and we saw her not that long ago because we went on a site tour on Hornblower Serenity and she was also the mate on that boat. She gave us some history on the vessel and then she started to speak about how she got into the maritime industry. It’s exciting to see the Harbor School amuni because I know they started the same way I started and since I am trying to decide on what career choice to choose, I can speak to them about their decisions and decide what’s good and bad for me. Then we meet Captain Kevin who sounded enthusiastic about teaching us about the vessel. The site visit didn’t feel like a school trip the visit felt like we were interning there. Before going underway, Captain Kevin said confidently, “ Alright, who’s driving?”. We awkwardly looked around at each other and had puzzled looks because we had never been on a tour and we got to drive. We all volunteeringly said Daniel and pointed him out. With no hesitation Kevin grabbed Daniel to the console outside and was teaching him about the outside console. We all gathered around and then he asked, “ Alright who’s my bow watch?” And two other students put their hands up to be the bow watch. He set up the two students in positions so they can see the surroundings of the boat. Then he asked, “ Alright, who’s my navigator?” And we again looked around awkwardly not knowing who should do it. Then my classmates volunteeringly said my name. I hesitated because I haven’t practiced navigation since sophomore year but I remember some equations, so I said sure. Paola was showing me how to use the Radar and the AIS. We had the chance to work professionally with people who we don’t see on a daily basis and this sets us up for future careers. We won’t always know who we will meet but it’s amazing how we as high school students get to practice that now as a student and not practice it as an adult and make bad choices. Once we dropped lines Daniel came back in the wheelhouse and steered the boat inside. We then started to ask questions to the crew on how they got in the maritime industry and the whole time we were intrigued by their stories. The opportunities we had on that day was an experience we will not forget and cherish those moments. I would take these moments and apply them to my job which is New York Water Taxi and practice on my navigating skills. Practice makes perfect and asking all the questions can help me on a long run. 

~ Ashley Cruz