The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), New York Shipping Association (NYSA) and the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) honored three maritime executives at a special retirement dinner on July 10, 2013 in Jersey City, NJ.

Honorees James A. Capo, former Chairman & CEO of USMX, Joseph C. Curto, Former President of NYSA, and Brian E. Dugan, Sr., former Vice President of Labor Relations for USMX, brought a combined total of more than 120 years of experience to the maritime industry and the three received a rousing send-off befitting their many years of loyal service.

M. Brian Maher of Essex Equity Management served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Speakers included Benny Holland, Executive Vice President of the ILA and President Emeritus of the South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District, ILA; Anthony A. Scioscia, Maritime Consultant and former USMX Director; James J. Devine, President & CEO of New York Container Terminals; Harold J. Daggett, President of the International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO; David F. Adam, Chairman & CEO of USMX; and John J. Nardi, President of NYSA.

Highlights of the evening included the "toot & salute" by the FDNY Marine Division on the Hudson River during cocktail hour. Set against the background of the new Freedom Tower in Manhattan, the beautiful waterworks display and whistle toots of the fireboat amazed the crowd of some 300 attendees as they enjoyed cocktails and watched the spectacle from the terrace of the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson. What a photo opportunity!

They say no party is complete without a cake...and oh, what a cake it was! Designed by Carlo's Bakery, home of TV's The Cake Boss, the 3-foot by 3-foot cake was modeled after an actual marine pier, complete with a ship, cranes, containers, longshore personnel and miniatures of the honorees themselves. It was truly amazing!

All Photographs in this gallery are courtesy of Dominick Totino Photography, Whitestone, New York.