In celebration of MARY A WHALEN's 83rd birthday during the COVID era, May 2021, PortSide toured the ship live on FaceBook.

Among the folks  who responded to the video were two with memories of MARY A WHALEN when she was a working ship.

Met on one whistle

Robert J. Tombari:
Met on one whistle many times while working tugs in the harbor.

PortSide NewYork: Robert J. Tombari Could we talk to you to get some anecdotes about passing the Mary? We don't have any stories like that. It would be great to add to her more history. 

Robert J. Tombari: I was sailing on McAllister’s tug RESOLUTE, pushing four barges of trash from various facilities in NewYork to the disposal facility at Fresh Kills Staten Island. We met MARY WHALEN many times while we were making four round trips per day. I was always impressed with the sight of this old girl! I built up much of my sea time to work my way up to Chief Engineer Unlimited. I also hold license as Master.

[Meeting "on one whistle" refers to the signal ships make when approaching each other.  One whistle means that the tooter will be passing the other vessel on its port (left) side]

Two Brucato related by MARY

Deborah J Brucato:
My father in-law, John A. Brucato, was her captain for a few years in the late 60's early 70's. He brought my husband, as a teenager, onboard. Both men loved her.

Mary A Whalen:
Deborah J Brucato How is John Brucato related to Bill Brucato?

Bill Brucato: 
Distant, if at all. My grandfather was William, his brother Joseph.

Deborah J Brucato:
Wow, I cannot find a connection in my husband's tree. Interesting that 2 Brucatos have a relation to Mary A