Interview: Dave Anderson, President, Passenger Vessel Association
Dave Anderson is the President of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA). He also serves as General Manager/Director of Operations of Fire Island Ferries, Inc., Bay Shore, N.Y. on Long Island. The company has provided passenger service, freight service and water taxi service to Fire Island communities since 1948. The firm operates 23 subchapter T and K vessels ranging from six to 400 passengers. Anderson, an honors graduate from CW Post Long Island University where he earned his BA in Communication Arts in 1984, also holds a 100 ton Masters license which he earned in 1983.
Werner Named Academic Dean of Webb Institute
Webb Institute announced that Matthew R. Werner has been named Webb Institute’s next Academic Dean. Professor Werner, the American Bureau of Shipping Chair of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, will begin his term on July 1, 2015. Professor Werner is an accomplished educator with extensive leadership and administrative experience. Professor Werner began his career in the ship design, construction, and operations fields and joined the Webb faculty in 2002. In 2010, he was designated Webb’s first American Bureau of Shipping Chair in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
Bishop to Address SUNY Maritime Commencement
Congressman Tim Bishop will deliver the commencement address when SUNY Maritime graduates its mid-year class Friday, January 31. Maritime’s President, Dr. Approximately 100 students will receive Associate’s, Bachelor’s,or Master’s degrees during the ceremony, which is open by invitation only. Approximately 60 of the January graduates will have also passed the examinations required for licensing by the US Coast Guard as Merchant Marine Officers. All were members of the College’s Regiment of Cadets – a requirement for licensing.
Report: Ferries Remain Vulnerable to Attacks
The Advance reported that while terrorist attacks on Staten Island's bridges would be difficult, experts say, the Staten Island Ferry remains a high-profile, vulnerable target. Harvey Kushner, a Long Island University professor of criminal justice and a federal government counterterrorism adviser, said the payoff for terrorists would be the sea disaster spectacle value. Officials said city ferries remain vulnerable despite the post-9/11 ban on trucks and cars. Instead of using car or truck bombs to attack the ferries, terrorists simply could send suicide bombers aboard the boats posing as passengers, it was explained. Police and Coast Guard officials have beefed up security on the ferries since 9/11. The NYPD assigned additional officers to patrol the boats and the ferry terminals.
