Some Local Gossip From the Boat to Block Island

Captain John Sinning of Southold greeted me with a bit of hesitation on Tuesday morning as I approached the Peconic Star Express tied up at the Greenport Railroad Dock.  I was on a mission and had practically run down the dock to assess if the "ferry" would run that day to Payne's dock on Great Salt Harbor, Block Island.  

This is the fourth year I planned to take time to holiday with my boys on the Block, squeezing in a few days in an otherwise hectic summer.

Two couples sat on the dock waiting for the verdict on this fine summer morning.   Less than 10 passengers renders a cancellation of the trip.  With only 3 days to spend on a break with my sons on Block,  I was on edge.  The thought of having to race to the alternative transport, first to Orient to catch the Cross Sound Ferry to New London and then to catch the Block Island ferry from New London was weighing on my mind. The New London route is inconvenient and a much longer journey than the Peconic Star Express' direct route.

Monica and Gerard Kruisman, on holiday from the Netherlands, sat on the pier and observed the exchange.   

Why would the boat not run?  

They were highly aware of the lack of definition swirling around them.  The answer:  fuel and wages cost more than the excusion's proceeds when there are less than 10 fares, according to Captain John, who was filling in for the regular captain who was off to participate in this week's Block Island fishing tournament. 

The Peconic Star is dedicated 24/7 to the popular drift fishing excursions out of Greenport, whereas the Express vessel is occupied 5 days a week with the Block Island daily.  Fridays and Saturdays the vessel is on call for the overflow from the drift fishing business and is employed as a charter for cruises to lighthouse locations. 

As my boys carried our holiday gear down the dock, I returned to my truck and moved it to the parking lot nearby.  Returning to the dock,  I was greeted by Roy Morrow and his brother Lance.  The two had decided to take a day trip over to Block Island to check out the Coast Guard station and one of Block Island's historic lighthouses. 

As introductions were made all around,  I explained to "Sir" Roy that the excursion was still shy a passenger or two and that was why we were all waiting to embark. Roy looked at me with a familiar twinkle in his eye.

"The boat will run today," he said.

Five minutes later we were all aboard and off the dock to take the two-hour and 15-minute ride, cruising at 18 knots through a bit of morning mist to Payne's Dock.  

While owner, Bob Kujawski served up fresh coffee, soda and Milky Way bars from the galley,  16-year old Kyle Krause of Laurel attended to his duties as mate, tidying up lines and attending to the activites that keeps the pristine, compact ferry in ship shape.

As we traveled comfortably over the smooth, gently rolling ocean, Roy Morrow shared his latest news with me. He said the previous evening, the Maritime Festival Committee decided it would no longer allow the participation of the pipe and drum corps, which have become wildly popular over the past several years, in the Maritime Festival Parade.  

Yes, the brilliant squadrons would be barred from entering the parade. Shooting themselves in the foot, it seems, the festival committee axed the exciting sights and sounds that symbolized much of what the maritime festival has come to be expected by many attendees.  Aside from the local corps of North Fork volunteers and service organizations in the parade, the pipes and drums were a crowd pleaser.  When the committee axe struck the pipe and drum corps trunk the towering branches of the Morrow funded fireworks had naturally fallen in sympathy.

What were the festival organizers thinking?  I am unsure of the answer.  I was not at the festival committee meeting and have been on Block Island for the past few days so my information is limited.  My thoughts are though, in keeping with such a radical decision, perhaps the committee will also elect to get rid of the very little fine arts and crafts offered by sidewalk vendors and assure only imported plastic tchochkas and trinkets are available for festival attendees to take home as a memory of Greenport?  And perhaps one more sausage vendor will block the path to the local shops?

Me thinks this is not the last word on the subject.  I am certain another chapter is yet to be written. Perhaps I will have more fodder on the subject by the time I make the Peconic Express II run home from Block Island?

Editor's Note: Greenport Mayor David Nyce told Patch that Morrow has asked him to send a letter to the bands today but he was waiting for an official okay from museum officials. In the past Morrow has paid for the bands and fireworks for the event. The Mayor also said the museum just needed to amend the wording in the mass public assembly permit for the fireworks. East End Seaport Museum officials did not return calls prior to publication. Patch will follow up when we have the story.