Chief Marine Engineer - Sean Pfarrer, Hometown:Pascagoula, MS

Been on Oregon II since March 2007

No Data Available

1st Assistant Engineer Vincent Palazzolo, Hometown:Gloucester, MA

Been on Oregon II since March 2008

Before obtaining his engineer’s license and joining NOAA, 1AE “Vinnie” Palazzolo worked 18 years fishing in New England waters, doing both bottom and mid-water trawling. He spent several months serving on the NOAA Ship Albatross IV before coming to the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico to join the Oregon II. 1AE Palazzolo was also a self-employed tractor-trailer truck driver for 10 years. His prior service consists of two years active and four years inactive in the Navy. His parents are originally from Sicily, and he is married to his wife of 23 years. They have two sons.

2nd Assistant Engineer Charles Erich, Hometown:Elk County, PA

Been on Oregon II since March 2007

Following his father’s footsteps of US Navy Service, 2AE Erich is a retired Navy machinist mate, having served aboard the USS Truett FF-1095, USS Conyngham DDG-17, and USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71. Before joining NOAA he worked a variety of jobs: shipyards in Alabama, oil field supply boats in the Gulf of Mexico, and as a refrigeration engineer with MSC. He is an avid fan of the Phillies, Penn State, and Kentucky teams, and enjoys bowling, golf, and poker. He has three grown sons.