Francesca Ripani is the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson ferry's first full-time female licensed chief engineer

At 5 a.m., Francesca Ripani can be found starting up generators and the main engines on the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson ferry’s Park City vessel. Then she makes her rounds on the boat, making sure the vessel’s oil, water, and sewage levels are correct. If there’s a mechanical issue, she’s happy to fix it.

"I like getting my hands dirty," Ripani said.

Ripani, 25, oiler/assistant engineer, is the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company's first full-time female licensed chief engineer since the company began in 1883, according to Frederick Hall, vice president and manager.

The ferry has employed full-time female deck employees and had a woman work on their engineering side. But Ripani is the first to have her engineering license. 

She began working for the ferry more than two years ago and obtained her chief engineer license in April.

Port engineer Harold Jacobson said they referred to Ripani as a chief engineer after she received her license and could fill in for chief engineers when they call out. However, she must await a vacancy to secure the position.

"We were really pleased when she got her chief engineer license," Jacobson said.

A chief engineer officer is responsible for making sure a vessel is operating smoothly and for maintenance of machinery and equipment, while an assistant chief or oiler assists the chief with those tasks.

Ripani graduated from SUNY Maritime with a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Although she grew up in Northport, a hamlet associated with sailing, Ripani said she had no experience on the water or boating before working for the ferry.

Making history on the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company wasn’t her primary goal when she started, Ripani said.

After working for SUNY Maritime on a boat in 2022, a friend who worked part time on the ferry suggested she apply for an open position on the vessel.

Blending in with the guys

Thanks to her maritime education, Ripani graduated with a third assistant engineer license, which qualified her for the oiler position.

"She just made it very easy, just the way she is, her approach to her job, her professional attitude, and it just makes it simple," Jacobson said about working with Ripani, whom he considers one of the guys. "Whether she's a female or male, you know, she's doing the job, and that's what we're looking for."

After working as an oiler, Ripani decided it made sense to continue her career progression and obtain her chief engineer license.

The chief engineer license requires 720 days spent at sea and passing a set of exams.

Achieving the required number of sea days took a little more than two years, Ripani said.

When applying for work in a male-dominated field, Ripani said she didn’t think about the differences between her and her co-workers.

Support of colleagues

If she ever felt intimidated, it was only because she wanted to be seen as a good employee.

"I was more nervous about my performance and how I work and if I could be an effective worker," Ripani said. "I came in here knowing absolutely nobody."

Ripani said she had learned a lot on the job, and she's thankful for the support of her co-workers, who have become like a second family.

"They haven’t treated me weirdly or differently than if I were a guy," Ripani said. "They are great to work with in both departments, on both the deck and engine side."

Ripani and the crew spend three days on and three days off the ferry. When she is on the ferry, she said, she works two shifts per day: 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and then 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

On the ferryboats, one chief engineer and one oiler are on duty at the same time.

Crew has their own quarters that hold two to four occupants depending on the vessel. About 10 crew members will be on board at a time, with rotating shifts.

Ripani said she sometimes shared rooms depending on the schedules of other crew members and had no issue, as the crew tried to be accommodating. Ripani said she never demanded a room to herself and was "nonchalant" about it.

"At the end of the day, I think we all get to know each other," Ripani said. "We’re all just a bunch of roommates."

Although becoming the ferry’s first full-time female licensed chief engineer was something she just fell into, Ripani said she recognizes the accomplishment. Applying to the ferry didn’t feel like an obstacle or uphill battle she had to overcome, and that should be the standard.

"I took some exams, I passed, I got my license, I came home, went back to work," Ripani said. "If I can do it, other people, other girls can do it. It's not that hard, it's not that scary."