The ongoing political discussion, posturing and wrangling over increasing the allowable national debt ceiling has dominated the news and dismayed all of us. As the nation and the world continue to wallow in an economic malaise that has impacted us all for far too many years, we continue to make the best possible decisions to enhance and invest in our businesses and careers. Meanwhile, we also momentarily stop to wonder how we wound up at this juncture – and what must be done to move forward.
While the 1930s and ‘40s dramatically precede my lifetime, I’m historically familiar with the onset of U.S. involvement in World War II as a major influence in breaking the Great Depression, at least in our country. However, I believe that such a cataclysmic event as a war will not be necessary to get our businesses rolling. Americans have managed time and again to invent and develop new technologies, products and means of accomplishing tasks which add value to the national and global economy as they enhance our lives and enrich the human experience. We continue to raise the bar – the innovation ceiling, if you will – in rich times but also in times when the economic and social currents oppose and threaten us. This certainly holds true for the maritime industry – and continues so in the New York Metropolitan area as well as many other maritime industry centers around the U.S. and the world.
We possess the seeds and the tools of innovation within ourselves, within our own souls, minds and bodies. Reinforcing this thesis is easy when I consider you, our Section membership – singly and collectively – in your past achievements as well as at your ongoing illustrious and innovative endeavors.
Throughout our Section’s history, the unquenchable spirit of innovation has empowered New York Met SNAME members, their companies and affiliated institutions to:
- Design and engineer the NS Savannah, the world’s first nuclear powered merchant ship, now designated an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Historical Mechanical Engineering Landmark.
- Design and engineer the SS United States – which continues to hold the world trans-Atlantic westbound speed record for a merchant ship.
- Supervise construction of twelve of the world’s largest dry cargo container ships in South Korea for U.S. Lines.
- Engineer USS Freedom, LCS 1, Lead Ship of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Class of U.S. Navy vessels that will meet projected coastal war-fighting challenges well into the 21st Century – development and construction of which continues in haste at this time.
- Design Fire Fighter, one of the largest and most powerful fireboats in the world at her inception for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) – a vessel that helped save lives and preserve property through more than 70 years of service.*
- Tank-test and verify hull designs for thousands of commercial ships, naval vessels, workboats, yachts and recreational boats as well as many shoreline developments, floating offshore platforms, seaplanes and amphibious vehicles.
- Design numerous victors of the America’s Cup yacht race as well as some of the world’s renowned cruising sail and power yachts.
- Consult on conversion of eight of the world’s fastest merchant ships to Naval auxiliary vessels.
- Oversee construction of FDNY’s two edge-of the art fireboats, Three Forty Three and Fire Fighter II, both delivered this past year – equipped with a state-of-the-art command and control center, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) abatement facilities and other innovative fire-fighting features.
- Engineer, build and deliver M/Y Cakewalk, likely the largest displacement motor yacht ever built in the United States, and the longest since before World War II.
- Design, engineer and build the largest fuel cell hybrid boat in North America, the Hornblower Hybrid, a passenger excursion vessel incorporating numerous cutting-edge “green” technologies, for New York Harbor’s Statue Cruises – coming due for delivery as I write this now.
- Help replace rust and decay aboard USS Intrepid with archives, artifacts, planes, space vehicles – and enthusiastic tourists.
- Pioneer cutting-edge research and continue to train future generations of marine business and industry professionals at our four area maritime educational institutions.
I’m certain that I’ve barely scratched the surface here – so please don’t take me too greatly to task for any omissions you feel I’ve overlooked!
Some of you recall that the New York Metropolitan Section – the second distinct Section formed within the 1893-founded SNAME Fellowship after the Philadelphia Section, was formed on Armistice Day, 1942 – in the midst of one of the most tumultuous and fearful eras our nation has ever known. Just months earlier, one of maritime New York’s saddest moments took place – the burning and capsize of the French liner SS Normandie at New York Passenger Ship Terminal’s Pier 88 on 9-10 February of that year, claiming two lives. Our Fellowship, our Section and each individual member responded to the call of duty to innovate new ship designs, systems and ship production techniques to meet the desperate challenges posed at those times.
This call to innovate today’s and tomorrow’s solutions to the world’s naval and marine commerce, transportation and recreational needs has never resounded more loudly than right now. And, given the talent and legacy possessed by all of you in NY Met, I truly believe we will meet this challenge together.
With the above track record – I can’t wait to see what you all have in store for us next!
Enjoy the summer, and be well. See you in September,
Don
* Ok – I took some license here (actually, it was an oversight that I caught – and decided to leave alone!) – FDNY Fire Fighter would have been designed around 1938 – and the NY Met Section wasn’t formally founded until 1942. Oh, well ;)