The Steamship Authority has promoted its director of engineering and maintenance to the position of chief operating officer, according to an announcement from the boat line Friday evening.
Starting immediately, Mark Amundsen is responsible for all aspects of the Steamship Authority’s marine and shoreside operations as well as the engineering department and communications center.
A veteran of the international shipping industry, Mr. Amundsen was originally hired by the Steamship Authority in 2019 for the newly-created position of director of marine operations, which was renamed last year to director of engineering and maintenance.
Mr. Amundsen has overseen the purchase and conversion of the Steamship Authority’s three new freight ferries, M/V Barnstable, M/V Aquinnah and M/V Monomoy, as well as the dry docking and maintenance of the rest of the fleet.
The chief operating officer position is a relatively new job at the Steamship Authority. The role came at the request of the boat line board of governors following a comprehensive study of the Steamship’s operations in 2018. The governors wanted someone who could prioritize vessel operations at the executive level, while also taking some of the burden off the general manager.
Mr. Amundsen is the second person to step into the position. Mark Higgins, a former Maine state ferry service employee, was hired as the first COO in 2023, but left last year to return to the Pine Tree State.
The Steamship Authority is also working to find a replacement for general manager Robert Davis, who will be stepping back later this year to take on an advisory role. The Steamship Authority did multiple internal interviews for the COO position and Mr. Davis praised Mr. Amundsen’s experience.
“Mark brings an extensive amount of experience and knowledge to the Steamship Authority, and I am pleased to continue to have him as a member of the team,” Mr. Davis said in a statement.
Mr. Amundsen received his bachelor’s degree in marine engineering at Maine Maritime Academy and is a licensed chief engineer of steam and motor vessels, according to the Steamship Authority announcement.
