Today in honor of Father’s Day, we are excited to feature HOST operations manager Paul Gaffney – who genuinely grew up in maritime – and his dad, port captain Russ Gaffney, who has spent over 40 years in the industry.
For Russ, starting a career in the maritime industry started as a summer job. He was initially interested in teaching after graduating from college, but took a job working at a marine terminal as a stevedore during the summer. Now, 46 years later, Russ is still working in the maritime industry – and his experience has been broad, from stevedoring, vessel boarding, surveying and much more.
“One advantage I’ve had is being able to do a little bit of everything and absorb so much information,” explained Russ. “I brought something new with me to every job.”
From his first job as a stevedore on the Delaware River, Russ transitioned to another stevedoring company before starting work for Navios Ship Agencies Inc., a former ship agency company that later became NSA Agencies Inc. Fun fact, HOST acquired this New Orleans, LA-based company in 2011 that is now our main gulf-based agency office on the Mississippi River, handling vessels as far north as Baton Rouge, LA.
Shortly after the acquisition, Russ gave retirement a try after the acquisition and suggested that his son Paul work for HOST, but wasn’t quite ready to retire after all. Russ returned to the industry in 2014, where he currently works as a port captain in Philadelphia, or, as Russ likes to call it, supercargo – because he’s handled a little bit of everything.
Paul grew up familiar with the lifestyle of a maritime career, but initially pursued a career in biology before getting into the industry with HOST. At the recommendation of his father, he started as a boarding agent in Wilmington, DE on the Delaware River, boarding ships handling the intricacies of successful port calls – his first maritime job.
“I always thought the maritime industry was neat, but never thought I’d end up here. Almost 10 years later, I can’t see myself anywhere else,” said Paul, who will be celebrating his 10 year anniversary with HOST later this year!
Paul worked in the Northeast during HOST’s early days there. He moved from Wilmington to Philadelphia, PA in 2016, opening our first office there, and expanded the agency business into the New York Harbor. That same year, he was promoted to operations manager.
Both Russ and Paul appreciate the life experience and opportunities that working in the maritime industry gives them, but also what they learn from each other as well.
“I learned a lot from my son watching him work hard and be responsible,” said Russ. “I could never do what he’s doing now.”
“I learned how important a strong work ethic was when I got into this industry, thanks to my dad,” said Paul.
Even in their off-time, Paul and Russ still spend their time on the water. They enjoy scuba diving in the Outer Banks, NC. and off the coast of New Jersey, although not as often as they’d like. They both enjoy the feeling of “everything else fading away,” and it being “just you and the water.”
The imprint of this father-son duo continues to leave a widespread impact in maritime, and we’re so grateful for their collective experience that keeps the industry moving forward!
