NEW YORK - The crew of the W.O. Decker recently prepared to cruise the harbor with a passenger on board: Me. My first time taking a ride on a tugboat. In this case, not just any tugboat.

The Decker is the last surviving New York built, wooden tugboat made in Queens in 1930. The 52-foot-long tug is the marine equivalent of a railroad locomotive, working the harbor for years, part of the city's maritime heritage celebrated by the museum.   

"This built was actually built for shifting barges and for local towing," said Jonathan Boulware, President and CEO of South Street Seaport Museum.

The Decker was donated to the South Street Seaport Museum in 1986, part of its fleet of five historic vessels. It was once steam powered, but later refit with a diesel engine. After a thorough overhaul, the tug is now taking visitors on harbor sails, for the first time in nearly a decade. 

"What we have just done is a massive rebuild project, historically accurate rebuild project, and in fact got back her coast guard certification, so she is actually licensed as a passenger vessel," Boulware said.

I went from passenger to tugboat pilot when Boulware let me take over the wheel. So there I was, cruising towards the Statue of Liberty, very carefully of course. Captain Boulware says it was important to get the Decker back out on the water, because a lot about keeping a vessel afloat, is giving it a job to do. 

"This tugboat being out on the water regularly, that's a part of the job that will keep her alive, keep her afloat, keep her in good condition," Boulware said.

The Decker has public sails Wednesday through Sunday, but Captain Boulware says that won't be her only duty. 

"We still use her as an active tugboat. She is still capable of pushing around our own fleet or doing small things around our own waterfront. So she looks like a tugboat, she functions like a tugboat, but she is also a passenger vessel," Boulware noted.

For more infomration, visit southstreetseaportmuseum.org.