Who is Albert Tracy from To Have and Have Not and what is their importance?

Albert Tracy narrates the opening of Part III. He is on the relief, digging sewers and taking up old streetcar rails for $7.50 a week. Albert has three children to feed, in addition to his wife, who bawls him out for drinking and coming home late for supper. He is described as a dumb, honest man, who is good on a boat and doesn't spook easily.