Member Spotlight - Anthony Nigro
After graduating from Chaminade H.S. in Mineola, NY in 1987, Anthony Nigro received a B.E. in Marine Engineering and a Third Assistant Engineer U.S.C.G. license from the State University of New York Maritime College, Bronx, NY in 1991. Upon graduation, he sailed as Third, Second, First and Chief Engineer aboard numerous Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) contracted vessels. Prior to retiring in 2012, he was the permanent Chief Engineer of the MV Maersk Kentucky, a 56,800 horsepower container vessel, operated by Maersk Line Limited, Norfolk, VA. Anthony has gained experience on all types of vessels: tanker, container, car carrier, RO/RO, break bulk, LASH and passenger ships from steam and motor propulsion to newer technologies such as the electronic, common rail, Wartsila RTFLEX slow speed diesel engine. During his 20+ year career at sea, he participated in Somalia Operation Restore Hope and Operation Iraqi Freedom and earned the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Award. He holds a USCG Chief Engineer license of Steam, Motor and Gas Turbine Vessels, Unlimited horsepower and an STCW 2010 credential. Anthony received a M.S. in Marine Engineering from the USMMA, Kings Point, NY in June of 2017.
Anthony served as the (STCW) “Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeeping” Coordinator for the Department of Engineering and the Director of the Graduate Program at the USMMA in Kings Point, NY. He is currently a Professor of Marine Engineering and is Head of the Marine Engineering Department at the USMMA. He has the unique privilege of educating and training young men and women for careers in the Maritime Industry. His subject areas are lower and upper division engineering courses, including Introduction to Marine Engineering, Internal Combustion Engines, Marine Steam Plants and Components, Marine Plant Automation and Controls, Engine Resource Management, Strength of Materials, Materials Engineering Laboratory and Chemistry for Marine Engineers. He has been an active member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers since 2012 and presently serves as the Chair of the NY Metro section of SNAME. Anthony resides in Manhasset Hills, NY.
Questions:
1.) At what point in your career did you join SNAME?
I first got involved with SNAME when I was a Marine Engineering student at Fort Schuyler in the late 1980’s. I sailed upon graduation for 20+ years. I spent a lot of time at sea, and it was difficult to participate during these years (no remote communications platform like ZOOM at that time!). I reunited with SNAME in 2012 when I retired from sailing and began teaching at the USMMA.
2.) How has SNAME membership been of value to you in your career?
I consider myself blessed to have had such a great career as a marine engineer and I wanted to give back. Becoming part of the faculty at the USMMA and joining SNAME afforded me the opportunity to give back to the profession. Since entering academia, I have greatly appreciated the value of SNAME books, the MT magazine, the on-line webinars, T&R bulletins, and the annual maritime conference. SNAME membership has also allowed for great networking opportunities and has enabled me to meet leading experts in my field.
3.) When did you know you wanted to pursue a job in the maritime field?
Engineering has always held my interest because it is the process of creating novel, tangible objects. As an engineer, I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on society by creating or improving the efficiency of machinery that facilitate daily processes. I have greatly enjoyed my studies in the field of engineering, and I am passionate about the profession I have chosen. My undergraduate and master's degrees are in Marine Engineering.
The opportunity to see the world and get paid was intoxicating as well. Sailing in the U.S. Merchant Marine for more than 20 years has taken me to many countries and exposed me to many different cultures. My awareness and appreciation of cross-cultural understanding grows continually through my work as the USMMA as well. As a mentor and a teacher, I try to carefully listen to my students. I strive to set aside my own perceptions of what engineering concepts are “easy” or “hard” to understand because these assumptions are based on my cultural and educational background, not that of my students. My teaching style is based on my students’ needs, and my diverse background allows me the sensitivity I need to relate to them. I believe I can contribute to my students’ personal growth and motivate them to obtain their educational goals.
4.) What advice would you give to those entering the maritime field?
With the Maritime Industry constantly evolving and technology advancing, I believe it is necessary for an engineer to continually pursue education. This has been evidenced throughout my career with the many professional courses I had taken at the M.E.B.A. Calhoon Engineering School and my pursuit of a graduate degree. Young engineers must be lifelong learners and be active in a professional society (SNAME)!
5.) What do you do in your spare time?
I try to stay physically fit with exercise and I am an avid football fan. I am the Faculty Advisor/ Team Mentor for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy football team. This enables me to get involved with the students on another level. It keeps me busy on the weekends in the fall.
6.) What is your favorite book, movie or tv series?
My favorite book is “A Man and his Ship.” I read this book for a course I took in graduate school (the MMarE program at the USMMA), and I fell in love with it. It is a story of America’s greatest Naval Architect and his quest to build the S.S. United States.
My favorite movie was the first “Rocky” movie. My babysitter took me to the theater to see it in 1976. I always root for the underdog. It is refreshing to see a surprising win rather than the obvious victory from someone everyone expects to win.
7.) What is a fun fact about yourself?
My hobby is to play the electric guitar. I have a sunburst, Gibson, Les Paul Standard and a Marshall, Tube Amplifier. There is nothing more exhilarating than to dial everything up to “10”and striking an “E” chord! However, the neighbors do not appreciate it as much!