Working on the Waterfront: Captain Aaron Singh
Captain Aaron Singh, former skipper of the South Street Seaport Museum's schooner Pioneer, didn't come from a yachting or sailing background. He grew up in the Stanley Isaacs housing projects in the East 90's of Manhattan, the son of immigrants from Trinidad who, as far as he knows, never counted sailors among their relations. Singh got his first taste of sailing at the age of 12, as a member of a Sea Scouts troop that met on City Island in the Bronx. In high school, love of the sea led him to an internship at the South Street Seaport. During and after high school, Singh also volunteered at the seaport and eventually took on a succession of paying positions.

"I must have had at least 20 different jobs at the seaport," Singh recalled. including vessel repair and maintenance jobs, positions in the Education Department, where he developed and coordinated shore-based programs for schoolchildren, and even a stint as cook on the schooner Lettie G. Howard.

While still a teenager, Singh studied and put in the required sea time to receive his Mate's license. At 19, he received a Master's license for vessels of up to 100 tons with an Auxiliary Sail endorsement. Now 29, Singh is currently studying for his 500-ton Master's license.

Singh has been the skipper of the 103-foot, 40-passenger Pioneer since April 2005 . The steel-hulled schooner, built in 1885, is used extensively by the seaport for harbor tours, charters and educational sails. Singh is responsible for the operation of the vessel, program outreach and grant writing, and scheduling, as well as making sure that the Pioneer has crew and provisions and is in good repair.

For several years, Singh was also the captain of the Lettie G. Howard, the same vessel on which he was once the cook. The Howard is an 1890's-vintage fishing schooner used as a floating classroom by the Harbor School, a New York City public school with a maritime theme to its programs. During the warmer months, the Howard also takes passengers on educational and marine ecology cruises of several days duration.

While working at the museum on a regular basis since 1995, Singh has spent time aboard other sailing vessels as well. He has also worked on more modern vessels, including research and environmental ships.

Singh sees his role primarily as that of an educator who provides students with nautical experiences relatively rare in today's world. Singh pointed out that while private schools can afford to pay for sailing programs on Pioneer and similar vessels, the opportunities are very limited for children from more modest backgrounds. South Street Seaport Museum has a number of grant-funded programs that enable students from New York City public schools to spend time on sailing vessels.

Captain Singh feels that his greatest contribution comes in providing sail training to kids who wouldn't normally have the chance to be around boats. "If they become a bunch of sailors, that's fine," he said. "But sail training is a great teaching tool. It teaches kids teamwork, cooperation and leadership skills, and they can transfer those skills to school and work."

By Paul Margolis
May 11, 2006

Image: Paul Margolis

Working on the Waterfront is a series highlighting the faces of New York Harbor —- both seen and unseen —- that keep the engine of the port running.