After 48 years with the Steamship Authority, port captain Charles Monteiro has retired, according to an announcement from communications director Sean Driscoll.

Assistant port captain Paul F. Hennessey, a Steamship Authority employee since 1991, took over for Mr. Monteiro this week.

The port captain is responsible for ensuring that Steamship Authority ferries conform to U.S. Coast Guard requirements and that crew members observe the boat line’s safety and quality policies. Training crew members is also part of the job.

Mr. Monteiro began his Steamship Authority career as an ordinary seaman in 1976, later serving as an able-bodied seaman, a bosun, a purser, a mate, a pilot, a vessel captain and assistant port captain before being named port captain in 2019 after the retirement of Capt. Greg Gifford.

At a retirement luncheon held last week, Mr. Monteiro received a commendation from the Coast Guard for “exceptional public service and significant contributions promoting maritime safety,” Mr. Driscoll wrote.

Like Mr. Monteiro, Mr. Hennessey rose through the Steamship ranks, beginning as a wiper, then an ordinary seaman, an able-bodied seaman, a bosun and a pilot before being named a vessel captain in 2000. 

Mr. Hennessey has operated every ferry in the fleet and served as senior captain on four, according to the announcement.

“Paul’s exceptional dedication, expertise, and contributions have been instrumental in his success at the Steamship Authority,” chief operating officer Mark Higgins said in a statement.