Page 32: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2020)

FERRIES “When people start to talk about 2050 it still seems far off. But if we are sitting here now in 2020 talking about building a new class of vessels, these vessels will likely be operating up to or through 2050.”

Jim DeSimone has led a maritime life, with his time equally came to return to his roots as the captain of the training ship split between the private and public sectors. His maritime af- and the commandant of the cadets at the Maritime College in ? liation is literally in his blood, as his father Guy J. DeSim- the Bronx, NY. While he enjoyed his tenure helping to shape one was a 1936 graduate of and long-term, highly regarded the next generation of mariners, after 10 years in academia, professor at the New York State Merchant Marine Academy – DeSimone was itching to get back to the commercial side, which later became SUNY Maritime College – in the Bronx. where he landed ? rst as a senior vice president with Great

In fact, Guy J. DeSimone is a SUNY Maritime Heritage Hall Lakes Towing, followed by a stint as a Vice President of Op-

Inductee, credited with transitioning a nautical school into a erations for NY Water Taxis. Then, unexpectedly, the posi- fully accredited college. “We grew up on the campus,” said tion with Staten Island Ferries opened up in the wake of the

DeSimone, “around boats and on the water, so I always kind most signi? cant accident in Staten Island Ferry history, the of ? gured it was my natural career path.” ferry Andrew J. Barberi allision of October 2003, an accident

After graduating SUNY Maritime, DeSimone sailed mostly which included a number of fatalities and serious injuries. on tankers, serving in nearly every capacity from Able Sea- “For the city to go outside the system to hire was huge,” said man through Master. He and his wife were enjoying the com- DeSimone. “At the time, both the mayor and city council had mercial shipping life living in Florida when the opportunity a strong mandate to improve ferry operations, and to make

All in the (Maritime) Family: Left: RADM Michael Alfultis, President, SUNY Maritime College, with Jim’s brother Rich DeSimone and Jim DeSimone. Right: “An Of? cer, Gentleman and Educator” is how a plaque at the entrance of Fort Schuyler reads honoring

Guy. J. DeSimone. Jim DeSimone’s Heritage Honoree plaque hangs next to his father’s.

Photos courtesy Jim DeSimone 32 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • March 2020

MR #3 (18-33).indd 32 3/4/2020 10:43:21 AM