CAPE MAY – Cape May–Lewes Ferry has officially announced that Robert Brinck has been selected to be the new Port Engineer for the Delaware Bay ferry service. Mr. Brinck, who began his official duties on Feb. 16, reports to Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations. Mr. Brinck will succeed Mr. James Gillespie who retires on March 31, 2016.
“I appreciate the confidence that the Authority’s leadership has in my abilities and I’m honored to have been selected as the agency’s new Port Engineer,” Brinck said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to gain years of valuable experience building and maintaining large commercial marine vessels and facilities while earning the respect and trust of peers, partners and stakeholders. The repowering project currently underway is exciting and I’m eager to get my feet wet.”
Serving as the Port Engineer for the Cape May–Lewes Ferry, Mr. Brinck manages and directs the ferry service’s marine mechanics and marine engineers. In this leadership role, he is responsible for determining priorities and establishing plans to ensure that the ferry vessels are operated and maintained in accordance to regulatory requirements, company standards and customer expectations.
“For more than 20 years, Mr. Brinck has served with a variety of marine operations, gaining a unique combination of marine expertise, operational knowledge and management skills that will prove valuable to the Cape May–Lewes Ferry operation,” said Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations. “With Robert’s wealth of experience and knowledge in this industry, the Authority is fortunate and pleased to have him on board as our new Port Engineer.”
The Port Engineer’s office is currently overseeing and directing the repowering effort on the M/V DELAWARE at Caddell’s Drydock and Repair Company in Staten Island, New York. “Given the complexities of this capital project, it is fortunate that Mr. Brinck will work alongside Mr. Gillespie at the Shipyard to learn our new propulsion system,” Gehrke added. “This six week overlap will greatly facilitate an orderly transition.”
For the past four years, Mr. Brinck has served as the Port Engineer for the high-speed vessels, USNS GUAM and USNS PUERTO RICO, managing a $7 million project to convert these former Hawaii Superferrry vessels for military service. Prior to that, he was Director of Operations for the Caesar’s / Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, Elizabeth, Indiana; and served as Chief Engineer aboard the S/S AMERICAN QUEEN, a 418 foot steamship paddle wheeler as well as several other high-capacity passenger vessels in the casino industry in the Midwest.
Mr. Brink is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Chief Engineer – steam or motor, 6000 horsepower, and gas turbine, 7000 horsepower. OSHA certified, Robert is also accredited in Basic and Advanced Ship Firefighting, General Electric Marine Automation Training and Marine Survival Training.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
