'Working on the water' takes flexibility, quick thinking

Capt. James Hocking, a member of UAW Local 1596, has worked the waters of Massachusetts for 25 years.

Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard probably aren't places you'd associate with the UAW. Yet two or three times a day – year round – the islands' Eagle and Nantucket ferry boats travel to and from Hyannis bringing tourists, locals and truckers to the popular Massachusetts destinations.

And behind the wheel are the dedicated and highly trained members of UAW Local 1596 Captains and Pilot Mates, who are employed by the Steamship Authority.

In 1997 the authority's ferry boat captains and pilot mates voted to form their own union. After interviewing six other unions, they chose the UAW.

"The UAW was the most articulate, thorough and responsive union. In fact, they responded to some of our questions and concerns over a holiday weekend, and that impressed us," said Captain James Hocking, the Nantucket ferry's senior captain motor vessel (M/V) for 25 years.

Hocking's typical day begins with a 24-hour shift ahead of him.

He reports to the bridge, checks in with the off-going captain and reviews the ship's logs. These days amid ever-changing new technology, he often must address Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) and cable TV access concerns.

While Hocking stays on the bridge to ensure safe passage for the vessel and its passengers, pilot mates must be top-notch multitaskers. They're responsible for navigating when on the bridge, responding to security risks ranging from bomb scares to fires to rescuing overboard passengers, along with making sure the cars and trucks below deck are safe and secure.

A pilot mate, Sean Burke said flexibility and quick thinking are two important skills needed in order to respond to problems aboard the boat.

One of the most challenging parts of his job, he said, is dealing with changing weather conditions, which requires utilization of various navigation techniques.

Captains and pilot mates undergo extensive apprenticeship training to become licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. In fact, they must be able to draw – from memory on a blank sheet of paper – the local waters, including buoy locations and heights, lighthouses and light distance, water depths, placement of shoals and rocks, and more.

In addition, they are all skilled radar operators who can navigate by instrument only if necessary, such as under heavy fog conditions.

When asked what he liked most about his job, Hocking said "the freedom of being out in the water – there's nothing better in the world."

Pilot Mate Burke agreed. "I love working on the water."

Beverley Brakeman

Brakeman is an international representative in UAW Region 9A.