"I'm just a son of a son of a sailor, the sea's in my veins, my tradition remains"Long-tenured musician Jimmy Buffett penned the above lyric, apparently acknowledging the customs of many mariners. Never mind that the rest of the tune isn't especially flattering-- he at least hit the mark on legacies.
Recently at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, this tradition was prominent with three pairs of father-and-son Seafarers. All six work for Express Marine and recently attended the school for group training in the deck, engine and steward departments.
Hilton Foster Jr., 47, began sailing with the SIU in 1980. He chose the industry in part because he'd seen his father-- also a merchant mariner--provide well for his mother, brother and him.
Today, Foster's son, Jason, 22, also sails with Express Marine. Jason graduated from the Paul Hall Center's unlicensed apprentice program in 1999. He switched to the inland division after one voyage each aboard the Overseas New Orleans and the M/V Patriot. Jason has now worked on tugs for two years.
Miles Ireland Sr., 55, and his son Miles Jr., 24, have spent their combined 34 years with towing companies. Miles Sr. began his career in 1972 with the Plymouth Towing Company before going to work for Express Marine in 1974. Miles Sr. is the son of a World War II veteran and commercial fisherman, which led him to choose a career on the water. Miles Jr. chose the industry after seeing his father make a good living.
George O'Neal, 59, sailed with the Coast Guard for 20 years before retiring from the agency in 1981. The following year, he started working aboard hopper dredges, clearing inlets and rivers from Maine to Brownsville, Texas. He later worked for the state ferry division of North Carolina before signing on at Express Marine last September, where he now works with his son, Mark.
"We are a seagoing family," George stated. "As we grew up on the water, I had numerous uncles and other family members working on dredges and tugboats throughout the east coast."
With two sons currently on tugboats and five nephews also sailing, the O'Neal family has over 300 combined years in the maritime industry.
Mark O'Neal, 35, said he proudly carries on the family tradition. He is spurred by his love of working on the water combined with the pride of following in his father's footsteps as well as those of his five uncles and other family members who've sailed.
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