Bayonne Dry Dock and Repair Corporation (BDD) christened the Northeast’s largest mobile boat lift on the New Jersey waterfront on Dec. 9.

BDD, founded in 1997 by President Michael Cranston, is a full-service ship repair outfit with a 1092 foot drydock, a 1280 metric ton (1410 US ton) Mobile Boat Hauler (MBH) and 1,600 feet of wet berth space. Over 300 employees, 85 percent of them minority according to BDD, come to work daily at BDD to support drydock, MBH and facility maintenance projects.

BDD has completed 15 required overhauls on U.S. Flag Naval vessels in the past five years through use of its drydock, which has experienced 99 percent occupancy during that time period. In 2018, BDD launched a capital improvement project to install the MBH on the south end of its facility.

The project involved the purchase of the approximately $25 million MBH machine, development of the pier to support future operations, and hiring a dedicated staff to manage new projects. The MBH became fully operational in July 2021 and to date has lifted over 60 vessels from the water for repair projects.

The new MBH has cemented the drydock’s role as the key maintenance facility for upkeep of commercial and military vessels in the harbor. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chair Kevin O’Toole, Port Director Bethann Rooney, former Navy pilot and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) and Bayonne Mayor James Davis joined BDD President Cranston as the MBH was christened in memory of his brother Christopher Edward Cranston.

In honor of Christopher Cranston

Christopher Edward Cranston was a retired NYPD Detective who died in the early hours of July 20, 2019 from 9/11-related illness. Christopher was the youngest of seven children in a quintessential Brooklyn household. He was the son of Donald Cranston and was a New York City Corrections captain who eventually served as president of both the Correction Officers Benevolent Association and Correction Captains Association.

Christopher became a member of the NYPD in spring of 1991 at the ripe age of 20 years old, initially assigned to the 62 Precinct. He was promoted to Detective in 2001 and transferred to the 60 Precinct Detective Squad in 2003, and remained there until his retirement in 2012.

In the aftermath of Sept. 11, Christopher worked six days per week in support of the search efforts at Ground Zero and the Staten Island Landfill, with the goal of providing closure to as many families as possible.

Family life was paramount to Christopher, who along with his wife Clare, carved out a wonderful domestic experience for their five children in Staten Island. He enjoyed cooking, rooting on his beloved New York sports teams including the Mets, Jets and Rangers, and taking his family on trips to Disney World.

What is a Mobile Boat Hauler?

The MBH operates as a “crane on wheels” that uses a strap system to lift vessels from the water and relocate them to a land-based berthing station for inspection and repair. It is a safer, more efficient and environmentally-friendly method of removing vessels from the water for repair because an MBH lift eliminates the need to operate complex pump systems and diesel-driven support equipment that are required in a drydock setting.

A typical vessel drydocking can take anywhere from four hours to one day while an MBH can lift a vessel out of the water in one hour for a quick inspection. The MBH gives BDD the opportunity to better serve the Port of New York and New Jersey’s commercial community: tug boats, barges, ferries and pleasure boats. The consistent occupancy of the facility drydock by Naval projects precluded BDD from servicing smaller vessels in the past.

BDD installed six berthing stations for vessels lifted by the MBH. Once safely staged on land, the vessels can receive electricity, potable water, salt water and material offload at the berthing stations. In addition to providing a valuable service to the Port of New York and New Jersey, the MBH increased BDD’s workforce by 20 percent, with an opportunity to scale up to a 40 percent workforce increase as project demand rises.

The vessels primarily serviced by the MBH’s operation, specifically tug boats and barges, are vital to the Port’s supply-chain and transport operation.

‘Key maintenance facility for commercial and military vessels’

Christopher Cranston’s family joined in the ceremonies at the drydock facility on the New York Harbor waterfront. NYPD chaplain Rev. Monsignor David Cassato presided at the christening.

“My brother Christopher knew what is meant to serve his community in the police department, and after the September 11, 2001, attack on our nation,” said BDD President Michael Cranston.

“We honor his memory with this christening and pledge to continue our work to serve vessels critical to our naval readiness and commercial success,” he said.

The Christopher Edward Cranston Mobile Boat Hauler can lift ferries, tugboats, barges and the like for inspection in about an hour, cutting the time needed from between four hours to a full day.

These vessels are critical to the smooth operation of the Port of New York and New Jersey, which is operated as a business line department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The boat hauler will allow the BDD to increase potential employment, now around 300, by between 20 and 40 percent as demand increases. The BDD company also services U.S. Navy ships, including the USNS Pomeroy, which is docked at the facility nearing completion of an overhaul before returning to service.

Officials salute BDD for investment in critical port operations

O’Toole, joined by Rooney, saluted the company for its investment and its continuing role in maintaining critical port operations.

“The Bayonne Dry Dock’s role in providing service to the various vessels that call on the Port of New York and New Jersey and the region helps make our seaport more attractive to port partners and keeps our nation’s maritime fleet safe and ready to sail,” said O’Toole. “Just as the Port Authority’s mission is to keep the region moving, this new boat hauler will improve the safety and efficiency of the users of our marine facilities and the neighboring waterfront. We are honored to join the Cranston family in christening this incredible new resource to the port in the memory of Christopher for his work, dedication and sacrifice.”

Sherrill noted that the work generated by the MBH has already increased the BDD workforce by 20 percent. She noted that it has the potential to scale up an additional 20 percent as demand for its services rise.

“Servicing ships more quickly and efficiently means more trade can move in and out of the port, and more good jobs will be created for New Jersey residents,” said Sherrill. “As a former Navy pilot, I know how essential it is to keep our naval vessels in top condition, and Bayonne Dry Dock is a critical player in that effort.”

Bayonne mayor touts partnership with Dry Dock

Davis looked forward to working with Cranston and his colleagues in government.

“I am honored to join with the Cranston family for today’s ceremony,” said Davis. “Like Chris Cranston, as a police officer, I took part in the emergency response at Ground Zero in 2001. It is fitting that the Northeast’s largest boat hauler will be named after him.”

Davis concluded: “Our community is proud that this boat lift will operate at the Bayonne Dry Dock, which is a great asset to our nation and our city.”

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.