New York, New York (June 1, 2022) – Hornblower Group announced today that Brendan Smith, formerly VP of Engineering, NYC Ferry, has been named President of Seaward Services, Inc. Brendan will report to Scott Thornton, chief operating officer of Hornblower Group’s Ferries and Transportation Division.
Mr. Smith replaces esteemed maritime expert John Keever, who has retired after 50 years in the industry.
As President of Seaward Services, Inc., Smith will oversee the operation and maintenance of both government and privately owned craft, including High-Speed Craft, Range Craft, Experimental Craft, Training Craft, Research Vessels and Unmanned Surface Vessels. He will also lead Seaward Services’ maintenance of U.S. Navy Ranges and port facilities, including local oil spill response.
“Brendan’s vast experience and continued success in the U.S. Navy, and more recently, with NYC Ferry, gives me confidence in his industry expertise and incredible ability to continue to build upon the legacy and great work of our Seaward Services team,” said Scott Thornton, chief operating officer of Hornblower Group’s Ferries and Transportation Division. “With Brendan’s maritime knowledge, experience, and passion, the Seaward crew is in great hands.”
Mr. Smith added, “I’m thrilled to build upon the success of my predecessor, John Keever, and to have the chance to work on government and private projects alongside the Seaward Services crew. Both government and private operations are familiar worlds to me, each with interesting and unique challenges to solve, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. I’m proud of the engineering team at NYC Ferry and our collective accomplishments over the past five years, and I look forward to leading a new team at Seaward Services, Inc.”
Brendan brings more than a decade of maritime experience to his role as President, including 6.5 years with the U.S. Navy, where he served aboard the nuclear-powered submarine, USS Santa Fe. His roles included Chemistry and Radiological controls Assistant (CRA), Quality Assurance Officer (QAO), and Combat Operations Instructor. In his first role as a civilian, he oversaw Property Operations at Paramount Group, a Manhattan-based real estate investment company. Smith joined Hornblower Group in 2016, citing a desire to return to the water. He joined NYC Ferry in 2016, first as Director of Engineering before his promotion to Vice President.
Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Climatology from The Ohio State University and a Master’s of Engineering Management from Duke University. He also graduated from the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and the Navy’s Nuclear Prototype Training Unit where he received certification from the Department of Energy to manage an S5W nuclear reactor.
Seaward Services is one of the many offerings under the Hornblower Group umbrella, which also includes City Experiences, City Ferry, Hornblower Marine, Hornblower Consulting, and American Queen Voyages. Hornblower Group’s offerings have recently expanded to include land-based activities through the acquisition of WALKS, Devour Tours, and Journey Beyond.
About Seaward Services
Seaward Services, Inc., part of Hornblower Group, is professionally managed marine services company specializing in the operation, maintenance and repair of government and privately owned High-Speed Craft, Range Craft, Experimental Craft, Training Craft, Research Vessels and Unmanned Surface Vessels. The company also operates and maintains U.S. Navy Ranges and port facilities, including local oil spill response. Seaward Services is an ABS ISO 9001:2015 certified company in addition to being fully certificated by Germanischer Lloyd and compliant with the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code).