Page 51: of Marine News Magazine (October 2021)

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CROWLEY

January, said many of its existing U.S.-? agged vessel assets, As the world began to slowly open back up, Hornblower engineering and logistics services could quickly and eas- plotted its safe return to vessel operations. Certainly, this ily pivot to support the offshore wind industry. In March, is no easy task.

Crowley announced it is teaming up with Danish shipping According to Richard Paine, the group’s vice president company ESVAGT to build and operate purpose-built, of HSSQE, one of the main challenges has been rehiring

Jones Act vessels to support the emerging U.S. offshore its vessel staff, which led Hornblower down a path toward wind market. improving the employee culture and experience. “[Now], as our employees come back and as we hire new employ- ees, there’s tracks for development and career paths that can prolong lengthy careers with us in the industry,” Paine said.

The Hornblower

Another dif? cult task has been training new and veteran crews amid pandemic-related shutdowns and restrictions.

Group

The Hornblower Group is currently in a period of major “We’ve introduced more digital technology-based training, computer-based training, online training. This has really expansion, now with operations in 111 countries. Horn- blower operates a ? eet of about 200 vessels in three of those allowed us to expand and be ? exible,” Paine said, noting countries, through brands such as NYC Ferry, American that the digital component is just a piece of the puzzle,

Queen Steamboat Company, Alcatraz City Cruises and existing to compliment hands-on, onboard training. “Us- others. Its vessel operations range from overnight cruise ing Microsoft Teams, Zoom, online learning management systems allowed us to keep our crew coming back and be- ships, traditional small passenger vessels, high-speed fer- ries, water taxis, excursion vessels, high-thrill jet boats and ing able to train on things that might have been done on board a vessel or in a classroom setting, now at their ? nger- even vessels for military contracts.

tips and a little bit with the comforts at home or in some of

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, some of the Horn- blower ? eet remained in service as “essential operations”, the of? ces that were reopened.” “Digital technology has become a staple of how we move but many vessels were brought to dock and out of service. www.marinelink.com MN 51|