Cruiseport bill will land improvements
The economic future of Boston is indeed far more promising today, now that our state government has approved a $100 million landmark economic stimulus initiative that also contains visionary environmental safeguards at the Raymond L. Flynn Cruiseport in South Boston. Not only will the physical improvements to the Cruiseport make our city one of the most economically competitive and attractive ports in America, it will also be recognized for its community support and its commitment to workers, ship passengers, health and safety. The legislation was introduced by state Sen. Nick Collins of South Boston and had the strong support of Gov. Charlie Baker. A positive and respectable working relationship between Mass Port Director Tom Glynn and the community, headed up by Joanne McDevitt, paved the way for both major improvements and community protections.
In addition to the major physical upgrades to the Flynn Cruiseport, very strong environmental language is contained in the legislation that contains landmark “Ship to Shore Power” technology, which means when big ships are in port, they can plug into advanced technology by shutting down the ship’s engines and eliminating harmful and unhealthy emissions into the environment. In California, where these innovative policies have already been put in place, this has resulted in significant reductions in emission and deadly pollution by ships in port.
I was in California recently, talking to union, academic, business and community leaders, and they all thought these improvements for Boston would mean that the Flynn Cruiseport would be able to operate for the entire 12 months, not just the six months out of the year that it does now. It would also mean that Boston could accommodate larger passenger ships, which would significantly increase the number of jobs and revenue for Boston, improve the security of the port and build a modern passenger facility.
My family has worked as union dockworkers for 100 years. My dad and my wife’s immigrant father were seriously injured on the ships and not able to work again. My uncles, brothers, neighbors and I worked as union longshoremen for many years. The work was dangerous and hard, but it was an honest job and they raised wonderful families who served our nation in time of need and contributed to the building of our great country.
As I said at the dedication of the Raymond L. Flynn Cruiseport, “It is the men and women who worked on these ships, the immigrants who arrived here with hope in their heart and love for their new country, that we honor today.”