SUNY Hosts Ceremony for Hornblower E-Navigation Lab

Ongoing partnership between Hornblower and Maritime College provides access to internships and jobs for students & alumni along with access to training facilities for Hornblower crews

There is a new wave of maritime talent hitting the shores of New York Harbor as one of the oldest maritime institutions in the country continues to expand its partnership with one of the biggest ferry operators in the country.  SUNY Maritime College officials joined Hornblower executives for a ceremony renaming the College’s navigation lab the “Hornblower E-Navigation Lab.” The naming served as a celebration and expansion of Hornblower’s longstanding partnership with Maritime College to inspire local maritime talent.

Other components of the Hornblower Maritime College partnership includes Hornblower crews having access to Maritime College facilities for training purposes including its two, 360-degree full-mission bridge simulators, mentorships for students to engage with Hornblower crews and workforce opportunities across its several business units including its dining and sightseeing cruise operations, Statue Cruises and NYC Ferry by Hornblower.  Many Hornblower employees are also Maritime College graduates.

The Hornblower E-Navigation Lab is used for instructional exercises and applied learning for deck license students in their sophomore and junior year, with a total of 20 workstations, 10 in each of the lab’s two floors. Each station mimics the bridge of a ship, allowing students to work individually or as a team of two at each station. Instructors control simulation exercises, which promotes an interactive class experience and students gain exposure to the electronic navigation equipment in a vessel’s bridge. Students are also taught the importance of promoting safety through communication by being introduced to interacting with other vessels. The lab is essential to the license program and helps students focus and familiarize themselves with key equipment, one piece at a time.  

“We are extremely grateful to have Hornblower as a valued industry partner,” said Rear Admiral Michael Alfultis, Maritime College President. “Their generous donation demonstrates a commitment to supporting the maintenance and modernization of these sophisticated navigation simulators and helps ensure that our students graduate with the training and skillset they need to operate vessels safely.”

SUNY Maritime College has over 1,800 students, including over 360 from New York City, many of whom learn about maritime operations in the classroom. Students and cadets also have access to internship and career development opportunities with the Hornblower team. Hornblower is also beginning to hire additional crew for NYC Ferry in anticipation of upcoming route launches the next two years, including the addition of a stop in nearby Throggs Neck.