<p>The Steamship Authority port captain has resigned, boat line general manager Robert Davis confirmed Thursday.</p>
The Steamship Authority port captain has resigned, boat line general manager Robert Davis confirmed this week.
Capt. Greg Gifford, 64, who has served as port captain since 2004, will retire next month, Mr. Davis said.
The port captain oversees vessels and crew, including 60 licensed deck officers, and acts as a liaison with the Coast Guard. The management position is a non-union job. Captain Gifford’s salary in 2017 was 108,669.60, according to boat line payroll records.
Mr. Davis could not say whether Captain Gifford’s retirement is connected to the recent turmoil at the boat line.
“He indicated at this stage of his life that he wants to spend more time with family,” the general manager said.
Mr. Davis said Mr. Gifford, who lives on the Cape, has an unlimited master’s license and formerly sailed all over the world.
He said the assistant port captain, Capt. Charles Monteiro, will become port captain in the interim.
Comments
This is the tip of the
Doug R. OBThis is the tip of the iceberg.
Here we go.... keep the
Dan OBHere we go.... keep the pension and retire.... classic.....
Unfortunately nothing will happen...
Like Trip Barnes said call in the NTSB to look at this..
I agree To much silence and
Fred EdgartownI agree To much silence and old boy network... we depend on the SSA
I am not surprised, it always
Bruce EdgartownI am not surprised, it always has been that way......
First, it’s a good idea to
ECS Ft LauderdFirst, it’s a good idea to keep in mind that the Vineyard is still an island. I have traveled to and from the Island on every possible form of transportation from 17’ inflatable to Cape Air including Peter Pan and each of those methods of transportation can quickly remind one that getting to the Vineyard is still and hopefully always will be challenging. The access challenge is what has saved the Vineyard from more quickly deteriorating into ‘Coney Island’ atmosphere.
Second, surprisingly the comments I read did not lambast the Bob Davis and they shouldn’t have. This sort of thing is his problem to solve but he sure didn’t create it!
Third, the Vineyard has always had an issue with outside hires, individual or corporate, and has bordered on a rework of the concept of “Not invented here …” to “A ‘Vinyarder’ was not hired for the job ....”
As the Island and its support organizations, the airport, SSA, more serious island police departments, have grown in complexity, at best the Islander skill set has not kept pace. In all probability it may well have always lagged due to compensation issues and ‘off island’ opportunities which provide even greater challenges and reward. More critical is the fact that town leadership seems spacious at best. Witness the ongoing Stop and Shop fiascos and attendant ‘solutions’ which show no leadership, imagination or intelligence.
Fourth, the SSA, thanks to pressure from the ‘Vineyarders’, has been successful in keeping fares so low that the boats can’t be replaced timely [Martha’s Vineyard is a rust bucket] or maintained properly, the web site is still horrendous, reaching reservation agents is difficult when everything is going well and impossible when issues arise, and of course after 5:pm and before 8:am – really what successful service organization operates on that schedule in this day and age. As this last episode points out, capable, reliable backup is non-existent [the fast ferry was joke].
From what most islanders hear
Fred Dwyer Vineyard Haven and New YorkFrom what most islanders hear this is one of many . A deck of cards .
I am a trial lawyer by trade
Mike S. / lawyer in Edgartown EdgartownI am a trial lawyer by trade and I am rather dubious about this abrupt resignation. We should drill down on it regardless of the rumors. It’s disgusting.
Why?????????? Cant Mr. Davis
Gail OBWhy?????????? Cant Mr. Davis comment ???? HMMMM
I agree Islanders! We need
VH Villager Vineyard HavenI agree Islanders! We need to keep the pressure on. The issues run deep and it’s going to hurt us further if we don’t dig in and fix this corrupt organization.
The guy wants to retire -
BK WTThe guy wants to retire - fine. Let’s move on, and find out what the problem is, and find a solution. I find it hard to believe all the disruptions came down to one person. Unless he was the head of a shadow network of scurrilous disrupters looking to bring the SSA to its knees, and bend to union grievances. That he was non union is beside the point. Total bs, but Islander talk will love it.
Right. It's like the great
Debby Gay HeadRight. It's like the great restaurant... Serves up wonderfully for years. One bad meal and it's all anyone's talking about. Yes, Ferries need to run normally but we can't scapegoat. The truth will come forth.
I agree with BK. Disasters
ECS Ft LauderdaleI agree with BK. Disasters almost never happen because of a single failure. The corporate culture is clearly the problem and has been for years. I've been told on more than one ocassion that I can't take photos of the boat[s]. Really, in this day and age? What are they ashamed of; what do they think they are hiding? Maybe a lot. Some blame must be laid at the feet of the Islanders who pressure management to keep fares too low to fund proper maintenance, et al. An outside consultant would be a GREAT place to start.
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