Working Senators: Finley Bean

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PrideTime Reporter

On a hot June afternoon, Fin Bean drives his 26 foot long Duffy 26 Launch-in -motor boat out in the sound. Bean works at the Norwalk Yacht Club down in Wilson Point, he started last summer officially as a launch service driver slash general maintenance assistant. He wakes every morning to perform colors at 8 am, which consists of raising the American Flag which overlooks the harbor and fires a cannon. When he leaves in late afternoon, he has to do the same procedure but he lowers the flag at sunset. He also has to help with various maintenance jobs such as maintaining the gas dock, filling up the kegs, and dishes. It's tedious, laborious work but he enjoys every second of it.


“Although i’m nearly drenched in sweat by the end of the day i still enjoy the unique aspects of my job,” said Bean
    
Bean has been a member of the Norwalk Yacht Club almost his entire life - he spent a lot of time out on the water. He was part of the junior sailing program at the Yacht Club where he played a role in the race team. His team would face off against other Yacht clubs in the region, so Bean is very knowledgeable of sailing. Not only does he get to help around within the Yacht Club but he actually drives clients out to their boats in the harbor. This is the part of his job that he enjoys the most.


“Even though it is tiring,” said Bean, “being out in the water is an escape from the many things that stress me out, I guess you can say being in the water is my peace.”


The Yacht Club ethos is very serious, the club members expect a lot from the staff there. They insist that Bean knows what he is doing and won't have to ask perform a task, there is not a lot of pity for Bean when he is out in the water. If he were to mess up the consequences would be quite severe.
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“It is very demanding, if I mess up and hit a boat, there is a possibility that renovation fees are coming out of my pocket, so I have a lot weight on my shoulders.