Captain's Log, 2.1.06

Arriving back to our homeport of Red Hook, Brooklyn, following our BLUE LINK 2005 tour to Kingston, NY, I was on top of the world!

There is absolutely nothing better than traveling down the Hudson River on a wooden barge one has rescued from mud and extinction. I felt like after two large capital projects to refit the barge and build a homeport, the Waterfront Museum was really doing what we set out to do. Working the pumps in hipwaiders, happy as pig in ****, and surrounded by 160 tons of mud towering seven feet all around me in the derelick hulk’s hull, I ambitiously envisioned this very thing over twenty years prior. The Waterfront Museum & Showboat Barge was taking its show on the road -- providing cultural programming and pioneering new paths back to once-bustling waterfronts along the water highway!

The wind left my sails quickly as I found I still had another grand hurdle. Exhausted and awoke from a deep sleep our first morning back, the Coast Guard called to continue our Inspection process the following day. Indeed, we had proved we are a vessel. I was handed a substantial list of deficiencies and work that needed completion prior to the issuance of our Certificate of Inspection. That was mid-August. Now it is early March and I have been at it every day wrestling with at the details required to get us ship-shape.

As I have found is often the case, at the end of the tunnel where enormous projects and big problems loom, I find the greatest people. Each of the tasks on my long daily lists become linked to these individuals I sincerely enjoy getting to know and who completely quell the uprising of challenges which otherwise would certainly overwhelm me. Most of these miracle workers are listed in our sponsor section and have made possible a life-long folly that might not otherwise be economically feasible.

Here are just a few examples of the team who helped accomplish this Herculean task: meeting the Coast Guard commanders and inspectors who appreciate our efforts to save an old barge and have assisted greatly in our inspection process; the generosity of John Dewey of Fire-Light - Honeywell who tells me he and his colleagues Luis Baros and Vito Mileo are willing to donate materials for a sophisticated fire alarm system; the extremely capable and imaginative work of Kevin Dermond of KD Fabricating who has installed our second walkway and designed wonderfully versatile entry gates; the Pier 44 design and permit expertise of Edward M. Weinstein, Architecture & Planning, P.C. and REICON’s Jeff Wollman; the enthusiasm of Robin MacDonald of Parker Hannefin Corporation as he donates flexible marine hose for our boilers, of Bill Donahugh from Sigma Electric for underground feeder connectors;

… and the list of museum supporters continues with: Jim Murray from Thomas and Betts for the terrific electric junction boxes, the thoroughness of Charlie Deroko and Owen Foote RA who developed excellent existing plans of systems aboard the barge, the great news from JP Morgan Chase, Independence Community Foundation and the Hudson River Foundation who have granted funds for our coast guard compliance, the knowledge of John Salusito who loves heating and enjoys teaching me how to hook up our hydronic heaters, the willingness of Jerry Lerner who has at least one of everything and lets me borrow or have one, the tediousness of Matt and Marshall who have greatly improved our electric wiring; the bright joy I sense in Jennifer Bentley of Taylor Made Products who donated life rings, the wisdom and value offered by Former NYC Marine Fire Chief George Eyser, Capt. Pam of the Tugboat Pegasus Project, docking privileges from Greg O’Connell and John Quadrozzi, Jr.; the Museum Board of Trustees who steadfastly encourage; and of course my patient family of Sophie, Dalia and Sarah who daily share my concentrated assault of trying my supreme best to deliver on what I have foolishly and daringly undertaken.

This is the time of year when I begin to get excited thinking of the public that will board the boat in the coming warm weather months. CIRCUSundays in June and our Friday night SUNSET MUSIC SERIES in July have received funding from NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Brooklyn Arts Council Regrant from NYSCA, Independence Community Foundation and Citigroup Foundation. BLUE LINKS 2006 is zeroing in on travels to Pier 63 Maritime for July 4th and the town of Peekskill NY for the final weekend of the Peekskill Celebration August 4,5,6.