Maersk to Operate 10 Prepositioning Shipsseafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/548c8bb5c0b24211cbc5d567… · Hall Center classroom and deploying booms as part of their hands-on

SIU-Contracted Companies Honored for SafetyPage 6

July 2010Volume 72, Number 7

USNS Martin Crew Donates to Navy-USMC FundPage 4

Maersk to Operate 10 Prepositioning Ships

The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command on May 27announced that it had completed “one of the largest acquisi-tions in the command’s history,” in which the agency select-ed SIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited to operate andmaintain 10 ships in the Maritime Prepositioning Force(MPF). Additionally, Seafarers-contracted Patriot won the bidto operate another prepositioning ship, the 1ST LT USNSHarry L. Martin. The agreements contain a series of one-yearoptions which would extend through September 2015. TheMPF ships include the USNS 2ND LT John P. Bobo (below)and USNS 1ST LT Baldomero Lopez (left). Page 3.

SIU Members ContinueAssisting in Gulf CleanupSIU members from the union’s inland and deep sea divisions arestill helping with the massive cleanup operation along the GulfCoast, following the Deepwater Horizon disaster that began April20 with a deadly explosion. Among the Seafarers involved with thecleanup are mariners aboard Overseas Shipholding Group’s shut-tle tanker Overseas Cascade (left), pictured near the heart of thespill. Meanwhile, erroneous attacks against maritime labor, theObama administration and the Jones Act emerged in mid-June,and an SIU official wrote an op-ed piece making a powerful casefor union representation in the offshore oil industry. Pages 2, 5.

Industry Rebuts False Claims About Jones Act

Paul Hall Center’s Oil Spill PreventionAnd Containment Class in 20th YearThe union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md.,continues offering a U.S. Coast Guard-approved oil spill prevention and containmentcourse. Students from a mid-June offering ofthe class are pictured (in-lay at left) in a PaulHall Center classroom and deploying boomsas part of their hands-on training. The Paul HallCenter has conducted the course since 1991.Pages 12-13.

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2 Seafarers LOG July 2010

The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the SeafarersInternational Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675.Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMAS-TER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs,MD 20746.

Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; ManagingEditor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Associate Editor, MarkBowman; Photographer, Mike Hickey; Art, Bill Brower;Administrative Support, Misty Dobry.

Copyright © 2010 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD. All RightsReserved.

Volume 72, Number 7 July 2010

The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org

PPrreessiiddeenntt’’ss RReeppoorrttJones Act: Setting the Record Straight

The Seafarers International Unionengaged an environmentally friendlyprinter for the production of thisnewspaper.

There were times in June when I almost had to check my calendarto make sure we weren’t back in the mid-1990s. During that era, well-financed, calculated opposition to American-flag shipping repeatedlyattacked the Jones Act, one of the staples of our industry for the last 90years.

As SIU members know, the Jones Act requires that vessels operat-ing between domestic ports be crewed, built, ownedand flagged American. Most if not all other majormaritime nations have laws that basically require thesame thing.

Orchestrated or not, attacks on the Jones Actrecently resumed in the wake of the Gulf oil spill,with various publications, politicians and think-tanksfiring off accusations ranging from the confusing tothe insulting. The most ridiculous of those claimsinvolved a supposed refusal by the administration towaive the Jones Act and a supposed corresponding

request (which never happened) from unions not to waive it.Let me cut right to the bottom line: It is offensive for anyone to

suggest that American maritime labor would hinder cleanup opera-tions in the Gulf, in any way, shape or form. Our industry has beenclear from the start of this disaster – which, by the way, involved anon-union operation under the flag of the Marshall Islands. Speakingwith one voice, U.S. maritime labor and management have said thatwe wouldn’t try to stand in the way of using foreign-flag assistance ifno qualified, viable American-flag tonnage was available. That’s sim-ple common sense, and shame on all those who try to distort ourposition.

And what troubles me even more is that those attacking the JonesAct and the U.S.-flag maritime unions do not have the relationshipwith the water that we do. Many of our members and their familiesdepend on the Gulf, its bayous and its estuaries for their livelihoodand recreation. We are hurting because they are hurting. For anyoneto say we don’t care simply shows how ignorant of the situation theytruly are.

We have plenty of supporters, too, and there have been media out-lets that reported the truth. But again, the attacks aren’t anything new,nor are the methods. Enemies of American-flag shipping toss outhalf-truths and accusations designed to bring out emotion. They usewords like “protectionist” to describe a law that benefits our nation’seconomic and national security.

What’s their real agenda? I agree with U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye,who stated that recent attacks on the law smack more of “pushing apolitical agenda than any genuine interest in helping Gulf Coast com-munities with their clean-up.”

Meanwhile, SIU crews and other American mariners continueassisting with the Deepwater Horizon cleanup, as do a number of for-eign-flag ships that have been on the scene almost from the begin-ning.

As for the Jones Act, our industry came together in the mid-1990slike never before to set the record straight. Our efforts worked,because the truth is that the Jones Act is a sound, proven, vital regu-lation that benefits America. Now, we’re in the process of resumingan educational effort to reinforce those facts. As we did in the past,we’ll succeed this time, too.

Thanking SeafarersOn another topic, I want to thank the rank-and-file membership

for authorizing action on the Horizon Lines contract. Just like always,you did the right thing and you showed your true colors. I am proudto represent you, and I appreciate your ongoing support.

Michael Sacco

Following a proposal by InternationalMaritime Organization Secretary-GeneralEfthimios E. Mitropoulos, the IMO Council inJune unanimously approved that next year’sWorld Maritime Day theme will be “Piracy:orchestrating the response.”

In presenting the proposal, the secretary-gener-al said that piracy continues to be an endemicproblem for the international community, not onlyaround the Horn of Africa but in other parts of theworld as well, despite the many and varied effortsto contain if not eliminate it.

These efforts notwithstanding, he added, muchwork remains to be done if the ultimate goal ofconsigning piracy to the realms of history is to beachieved.

He identified five objectives that IMO and theinternational maritime community should pursuein promoting the 2011 WMD theme:

■ Secure the release of hostages by calling theworld’s attention to the unacceptable plight of allthose being held by pirates and, by so doing, cre-ate a worldwide demand for action that wouldeventually set them free;

■ Strengthen the protection of individuals,

ships and cargoes by constantly improving guid-ance to the industry; promoting even greater lev-els of support from navies; and providing care forthose attacked or hijacked by pirates;

■ Ensure compliance with adopted measuresby making certain that merchant vessels are awareof how to access the available naval protection,and that they are implementing the recommendedpreventative, evasive and defensive measureseffectively;

■ Promote cooperation between and amongmember states, regions and organizations inreducing the risk of attacks on innocent shipsthrough information sharing; coordination of mil-itary and civilian efforts; and regional initiatives,such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct; and

■ Build up the capacity of affected memberstates to deter, interdict and bring to justice thosewho commit acts of piracy and armed robberyagainst ships – and, while so doing, help tackle theroot causes of piracy.

The IMO is the United Nations specializedagency with responsibility for the safety and secu-rity of shipping and the prevention of marine pol-lution by ships.

IMO to Focus on Piracy ResponseIn 2011 World Maritime Day Theme

Seafarers-contracted Express Marine hastaken delivery of the tug Freedom (right)and accompanying barge EMI-2400 (twoother photos), which together form anarticulated tug-barge (ATB). The 115-foottug was built by Patti Shipyard Inc. inPensacola, Fla., while the 480-foot bargewas constructed by Gunderson Marine inPortland, Ore. The ATB will sail in theJones Act trades, transporting coal to vari-ous Gulf Coast ports. Express Marine isbased in Camden, N.J., and provides avariety of services including lightering, shipdocking and general towing, both coastaland offshore. In recent years the family-owned company – in business for morethan 100 years – has added other new ton-nage including the tugboats Duty andHonor. (Photos by Harold Hutchinson)

Freedom, Barge EMI-2400Become Newest Additions To Express Marine Fleet

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July 2010 Seafarers LOG 3

Maersk Wins U.S. Navy Prepositioning ContractFollowing a bidding process that lasted

longer than a year, the U.S. Military SealiftCommand in late May announced thatSIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited hasbeen awarded a contract for the operationand maintenance of 10 ships in MSC’sprepositioning fleet. Seafarers-contractedPatriot Contract Services won the bid forthe 11th ship in the fleet, the USNS 1ST LTHarry L. Martin.

At press time, it was learned thatturnover on the 11 vessels will be delayed,in part because of the time required toaddress a protest filed after the contractawards. However, if the original awardsremain intact as expected, Seafarers willreceive wage increases aboard all 11 ves-sels: the USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham,USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat, USNS 2ND LTJohn P. Bobo, USNS 1ST LT Jack Lummus,USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams, USNSSGT William R. Button, USNS 1ST LTBaldomero Lopez, USNS SGT MatejKocak, USNS MAJ Stephen W. Pless,USNS PFC Eugene A. Obregon and USNSMartin. Each contract includes a series of

one-year options which if exercised willextend the agreements through September2015.

The 10 ships included in the Maerskawards actually are covered in four sepa-rate agreements while the 11th vessel iscovered in what is known as a small busi-ness set-aside. The SIU represents all unli-censed mariners aboard Maersk Line,Limited (MLL) vessels and represents thesteward department mariners aboardPatriot ships.

In announcing the awards during theJune membership meetings, SIU VicePresident Contracts George Tricker pointedout that there were no guarantees the bidswould be won by Seafarers-contractedcompanies. The union is grateful to keepthese vessels under SIU contracts, he said.

MLL issued a statement in which thecompany noted it will “provide personneland mariners, operational and technicalsupport ashore and afloat, as well as all theequipment, tools, provisions and suppliesnecessary to operate these vessels world-wide. MLL also will support MSC in the

management of government-owned cargo,including, but not limited to, hazardousmaterials, vehicular, bulk, and general car-goes.”

“MLL’s support of MaritimePrepositioning Ships goes back to 1983when we converted five commercial ves-sels and operated them for 25 years. We’repleased that MSC has recognized the valueof our service and has entrusted us withthese ships,” said Scott Cimring, MLL’ssenior director of Government ShipManagement. “Our approach to ship man-agement leverages our global network,proven management practices, and a mind-set of continuous improvement. Cost-effective readiness is a MLL hallmark, andwe’re ready and excited by the opportunityto continue serving the nation.”

According to MSC, all 11 ships aredeployed to strategic locations worldwidecarrying U.S. Marine Corps cargo includ-ing tanks, ammunition, food, and medicalsupplies ready for rapid delivery ashorewhen needed.

The agency describes its overall prepo-

sitioning program – which consists of 32ships supporting the Army, Navy, AirForce, Marine Corps and DefenseLogistics Agency – as “an essential ele-ment in the U.S. military’s readiness strat-egy. Afloat prepositioning strategicallyplaces military equipment and suppliesboard ships located in key ocean areas toensure rapid availability during a majortheater war, a humanitarian operation orother contingency…. Prepositioning shipsprovide quick and efficient movement ofmilitary gear between operating areas with-out reliance on other nations’ transporta-tion networks. These ships give U.S. warfighters, who are flown into a theater ofoperations, the assurance that they willhave what they need to quickly respond ina crisis – anywhere, anytime.”

The prepositioning fleet features bothU.S. government-owned vessels, privatelyowned ships chartered by the military, andvessels activated from the U.S. MaritimeAdministration’s Ready Reserve Force(RRF). All are crewed by U.S. civilianmariners.

The USNS Stockham (above) is a combination containership and roll-on/roll-off vessel. Civilian-crewed ships like the USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams (right) are vital to America’s militaryreadiness strategy, according to the Navy.

The USNS 1ST LT Baldomero Lopez (left), pictured in 2008 in a military exercise inThailand, is part of the MSC prepositioning fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by MassCommunication Specialist 2nd Class Brian P. Caracci) Like a number of other ships inMSC’s fleet, the USNS MAJ Stephen W. Pless (above) is named after a Medal of Honorrecipient.

The U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP) wouldbe extended through 2025 under language contained inH.R. 5136, The National Defense Authorization Act.

Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on May28 by a vote of 229 to 186, the measure extends by 10years the MSP, which previously had been authorizedthrough the end fiscal year 2015. The legislation onJune 9 was received by the Senate where it was readtwice and placed on the body’s legislative calendar. Asof press time for this edition of the Seafarers LOG, nofurther action had taken place. The measure still mustbe passed by the Senate and signed by President Obamabefore it becomes law.

Title 35, Section 3501 of House’s version of the act

addresses the authorization of appropriations forNational Security Aspects of the Merchant Marine forFiscal Year 2011. This section authorizes a total of $359million for the U.S. Maritime Administration of theDepartment of Transportation for fiscal year 2011.

Of the funds authorized, $174 million would beavailable for the MSP, and $60 million for the loanguarantee program authorized by chapter 537 of Title46, United States Code, commonly referred to as theTitle XI Loan Guarantee Program. Section 3502 of theact, titled “Extension of Maritime Security FleetProgram,” would extend the authorization of theMaritime Security Fleet through fiscal year 2025.

Describing the entire National DefenseAuthorization Act, House Armed Services CommitteeChairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) stated, “This defensebill aligns our military strategy with the 21st century tosustain the two wars today and prepare for the threats oftomorrow – whatever and wherever they may be. The

bill reflects our continued commitment to defendAmerica, support U.S. service members and their fami-lies, and keep Americans safe.”

The MSP consistently has been hailed by U.S. mili-tary leaders as a vital, efficient, cost-effective program.In addition to offering access to militarily useful U.S.-flag tonnage and other American-owned maritimeresources, the program also helps maintain a pool ofreliable, well-trained, loyal U.S. citizen seafarers.

Further, as has been pointed out by top-ranking offi-cers at the U.S. Transportation Command and U.S.Military Sealift Command and by other proponents, theMSP costs only a fraction of what the governmentwould have to spend in order to replicate its capabili-ties. Legislators and military officers at various timeshave estimated that it would require at least $800 mil-lion – per year – from the Defense Department to pro-vide similar sealift and related system capacity on itsown.

House of RepresentativesVotes to Extend MSP

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Earlier this year, SIU members and officersaboard the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC)prepositioning vessel USNS 1st LT Harry L.Martin contributed $3,000 to the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

The money came from an award by SIU-con-tracted Keystone, the vessel operator, for threeyears of environmentally safe operations by theMartin. A presentation took place April 14 atBlount Island Command in Jacksonville, Fla.

According to the Navy-Marine Corps ReliefSociety web site, the non-profit organization’smission is “to provide, in partnership with theNavy and Marine Corps, financial, educational,and other assistance to members of the NavalServices of the United States, eligible familymembers, and survivors when in need; and toreceive and manage funds to administer these pro-grams.”

Chief Storekeeper Eurico Liboon recalled,“We had a crew meeting on board the ship and dis-cussed a lot of different suggestions on what to dowith the money. We decided that donating for ourwounded troops who risked their lives in protect-ing us would be a great cause and a thank-you tothem from us.”

Keystone commended the crew members andofficers for their heartfelt gesture. In a recent com-munication, the company wrote, “We saluteCaptain Mike Donovan and the entire crew of theHarry L. Martin for their generously donating thetotal proceeds of their three-year environmental

incentive monies to the Navy-Marine Corps ReliefFund during their recent visit to Blount IslandCommand. To Capt. Donovan and his crew, BravoZulu!”

Col. Steven R. Peters, commanding officer ofBlount Island Command, said in a letter to RearAdm. Mark Buzby, commander of MSC, “Sir, Iwanted to pass on my sincere thank you to you andCapt. Michael Donovan and the crew of the USNSHarry L. Martin for their very generous gift to theNavy-Marine Corps Relief Society (CombatCasualty Assistance) while in port here…. As Iunderstand it, the funds donated were generatedfrom the crews’ excellent hazmat and waste dis-posal performance (pollution-free operations) sus-tained over the last three years. Their stellar per-formance is only bested by their generosity to thismost worthy cause.”

Donovan told the MSC newspaper Sealift thatthe crew’s selection for this donation reflects theircamaraderie with our armed forces.

“Our mission is to support Marine Corps logis-tics when needed,” he told the paper. “In this mis-sion, we have met and interacted with a number ofMarines and have come away with a deep appreci-ation for the work the Corps does…. With theongoing war in Afghanistan and Iraq, we felt thisprogram could make the best use of the money.Everyone felt it was a worthy cause to donate to.It’s always a good feeling to be able to donate,whether it’s time or money, to people who couldreally use the help.”

Mariners Donate Funds

This photo was taken aboard the ship as the check was presented. Among those pictured areAB John Shank, AB Gustavo Arzu, AB Wallace William, Chief Storekeeper Eurico Liboon, OSGeorge Galanis, Chief Engineer Steve Granahan, Capt. Mike Donovan, Col. Steven Peters,Oiler Kerry Coleman, 1st Engineer Justin Litterine, QMED Drew Brown, Bosun Jose Jimenea,Chief Mate Mark Nowak, 3rd Mate Sam Leshner, Cadet Greg Otto and AB Brooke English.

Papp Replaces Allen as U.S. Coast Guard CommandantAdm. Robert J. Papp Jr., assumed com-

mand as the 24th commandant of the U.S.Coast Guard on May 25, relieving Adm. ThadW. Allen during a military ceremony at FortLesley J. McNair in Washington, D. C.

SIU officials President Michael Sacco,Executive Vice President Augie Tellez andSecretary-Treasurer David Heindel attendedthe ceremony.

“I am honored to serve as the 24th com-mandant of the Coast Guard,” said Papp.“When I assumed the duties from AdmiralThad Allen at noon today, it concluded aseries of key rotations and marked the settingof a new watch to lead our service.”

During the ceremony, Secretary ofDefense Robert Gates awarded Allen theDefense Distinguished Service Medal.Secretary of Homeland Security JanetNapolitano presided over the change of com-mand and awarded Allen the HomelandSecurity Distinguished Service Medal.

Although the ceremony marked the end ofhis term as commandant, Allen continuesserving as the National Incident Commanderfor the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, manag-ing an unprecedented response effort.

“I have the utmost confidence in AdmiralPapp’s and Admiral Brice-O’Hara’s ability to

lead the Coast Guard during a period oftremendous changes, challenges and opportu-nities,” said Allen. “The new leadership teamis well equipped to continue to elevate thevalue of the U.S. Coast Guard to America andthe global maritime community.”

Papp reports to Coast Guard Headquartersfrom Portsmouth, Va., where he served ascommander of Coast Guard Atlantic Areasince 2008. In this position, he served as theoperational commander for all Coast Guardmissions from the Rocky Mountains east tocentral Asia, covering more than half of theworld including the recent Haitian earthquakedisaster response, Coast Guard support toOperation Iraqi Freedom and counter-drugoperations in the Caribbean.

Allen became the 23rd commandant ofthe U.S. Coast Guard on May 25, 2006. Hehas led the largest component of theDepartment of Homeland Security, com-prised of 42,000 men and women on activeduty, 7,000 civilians, 8,000 reservists and34,000 volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliarists.Allen’s leadership in times of crisis includesthe aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,when he served as the principal federal offi-cer responsible for response and recoveryoperations.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano presides as Adm. RobertJ. Papp Jr. (right) relieves Adm. Thad W. Allen as Coast Guard Commandant during thechange of command ceremony at Ft. McNair. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer1st Class Kip Wadlow)

Four Honored by St. Louis Port Council

The AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department’s St. Louis Port Council on April 24conducted its 30th annual awards dinner honoring individuals who supportthe maritime industry specifically and working families in general. Picturedfrom left to right are the honorees along with MTD and port council officials:MTD and SIU President Michael Sacco, Port Council VP Jack Martorelli, PortCouncil President Dick Mantia, Congressman William Lacy Clay (recipient ofthe Able Helmsman award), Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 BusinessManager and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Kellett (Labor Man of the Year),Murphy Company CEO Jim Murphy Jr. (Management Man of the Year),retired Local 562 official Dick Kellett (Joe Sacco Friend of Labor award), St.Louis Building & Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-TreasurerJerry Feldhaus and SIU St. Louis Port Agent and Port Council Secretary-Treasurer Becky Sleeper.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Receives Check

Seafarer’s Son WinsUnion Plus Scholarship

The son of SIU Steward Roberto A.Firme is on a roll.

First, Robert Firme was awarded a$20,000 scholarship through the SeafarersHealth and Benefits Plan, as reported in theJune LOG. Shortly thereafter, the youngerFirme received notification that he’d won a$4,000 grant through Union Plus, a non-profit organization founded by the AFL-CIO.

Firme was eligible to apply for theUnion Plus scholarship because of theSIU’s participation in various Union Plusprograms. Overall for 2010, Union Plusawarded $150,000 in scholarships to 121students representing 42 unions. More than5,000 applications were received from stu-dents representing all 50 states, PuertoRico and Canada.

Robert Firme is from Ewa Beach,Hawaii, and has been accepted at StanfordUniversity. He graduated first in his class atJames Campbell High School. Of hisSeafaring father, he said, “His selfless sac-rifice motivated me to work hard in schooland become the first person in my family toattend college.”

Roberto Firme has been an SIU mem-ber since 1986.

Leslie Tolf, president of UnionPrivilege (the organization overseeingUnion Plus), stated, “During these chal-lenging economic times, with collegetuition rising and many working familiesstruggling just to get by, we’re pleased tobe helping some of the labor movement’smost promising students achieve their col-lege dreams.”

Union Plus scholarship awards aregranted to students attending a two-yearcollege, four-year college, graduate schoolor a recognized technical or trade school.Since starting the program in 1991, UnionPlus has awarded $3 million in educationalfunding to more than 1,900 union mem-bers, spouses and dependent children(including other SIU members and depen-dents and members of the SIU-affiliatedUnited Industrial Workers). Recipients areselected based on academic ability, socialawareness, financial need and appreciationof labor.

Visit UnionPlus.org/Education forapplications and benefit eligibility.

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SIU VP: Union Representation Would Make Difference in Gulf

While various pundits across the nationpondered what led up to the DeepwaterHorizon oil spill and how to prevent asimilar disaster, SIU Vice President GulfCoast Dean Corgey last month served upan otherwise-overlooked suggestion.Specifically, in an op-ed piece in the dailynewspaper Houston Chronicle, Corgeystated that union representation in the off-shore oil industry might have helped pre-vent the spill and certainly would improveoperations moving forward.

“What’s wrong in the Gulf of Mexico?We think the answer is simple,” Corgeywrote. “The offshore exploration, produc-tion and service industry in the Gulf ofMexico, to the best of our knowledge, is100 percent nonunion and increasinglyforeign. Past attempts to organize theseworkers have been met with bitter opposi-tion — not from employees but fromemployers. These largely anti-unionemployers struggle in a volatile, hyper-competitive environment that has resultedin unsafe working conditions and unstableemployment. Lack of union representationhas denied oil-field workers a voice in theworkplace, which in turn has created anout-of-control industry with little over-

sight or accountability. It is painful to seeoil-soaked birds receive more media atten-tion than injured, deceased or displacedworkers. It is also painful to see the lack ofan organized workers’ voice in the legisla-tive and regulatory processes contribute to11 deaths and the worst spill in U.S. histo-ry. This clearly did not have to happen.”

A lifelong resident of Houston, Corgeycited the cooperative spirit that exists inthe U.S. Merchant Marine between labor,management and government – a condi-tion that fosters safe operations and opencommunication.

“In my experience, the most effectivehealth, safety and environmental pro-grams are a three-legged stool consistingof a committed employer, effective gov-ernment regulation and meaningful safetyprovisions contained in a binding unioncontract subject to a grievance and arbitra-tion procedure with teeth,” he wrote. “Wepractice this model in the deep-sea, U.S.-flag fleet with measurable success. Iserved on the Towing Safety AdvisoryCommittee of the United States CoastGuard in the early 1990s following theExxon Valdez disaster and participated inadvising the Coast Guard on writing the

regulations for the Oil Pollution Act of1990. I also served on the Area MaritimeSecurity Committee of the Department ofHomeland Security for the Port ofHouston following the Sept. 11, 2001, ter-rorist attack and participated in writing theoriginal Port Security Plan, which becamethe model for security plans nationwide.After Exxon Valdez and the 2001 terrorattacks, government, industry and laborworked together to accomplish somethingpositive for the nation. This model mustbe replicated to save our domestic off-shore industry.”

Among his specific recommendations,Corgey urged re-establishing Jones Actprovisions on the outer continental shelf“to require American companies to oper-ate American vessels, built in America,employing American workers subject toU.S. government oversight and laborlaws.”

He concluded, “The American politicalsystem is based on checks and balances.This evidently does not currently exist inthe Gulf as can be evidenced by represen-tatives for deceased Deepwater Horizonworkers being either aggrieved familymembers or personal injury trial lawyers.

These workers would clearly be betterserved by the unified voice of effectivetrade unions to help protect the environ-ment, proactively work to prevent theneed for personal injury representationand ensure that all workers safely returnhome to their families. That’s the unionway and that’s the American way.”

SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey

4 Crowley Tugs ‘Cleaner and Greener’Seafarers-contracted Crowley Maritime Corporation in mid-June reported that

four of its Harbor-Class tugboats have been “repowered and reintroduced” for

service assisting vessels in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif.

The SIU-crewed tugs Admiral (below), Leader, Scout and Master “underwent

an extensive repowering as part of an emissions and air quality initiative pro-

gram by the Port of Los Angeles,” according to Crowley, which described the

updated boats as “cleaner and greener.” The project, launched in late 2006,

focuses on repowering the vessels’ main engines and generators, and is part

of a larger Port of Los Angeles emissions and air quality initiative known as the

San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan. The plan requires all vessel oper-

ators in the area to upgrade their engines to be Tier II emissions compliant by

2013.

Jones Act Critics Miss the MarkAs the Deepwater Horizon saga dragged on

through June, a vital United States maritimelaw – the Jones Act – suddenly became a hottopic in the media and, to lesser extent, inCongress.

Critics attacked President Obama for notwaiving the Jones Act to supposedly open thedoor for additional assistance in the Gulfcleanup operations. At least one also chargedthat U.S. maritime unions were thwartingprogress by their purported unwillingness tosupport a suspension of the law, whichrequires that all vessels operating betweendomestic ports be crewed, built, owned andflagged American.

Following that initial round of erroneousclaims and inaccurate reporting, the truth grad-ually emerged. Statements from industrygroups, senators, congressmen and the head ofthe Deepwater Horizon Unified Command,Admiral Thad Allen, exposed the critics’ argu-ments as flawed at best, as did certain newsarticles. White House Press Secretary RobertGibbs did the same.

For starters, Allen pointed out that as ofmid-June, more than a dozen foreign-flag ves-sels already were assisting in the cleanup. NoJones Act waivers had been issued becausenone of the vessels required one to operate inthat area. Presumably, that’s also why the gov-ernment neither had submitted nor receivedany waiver requests.

Moreover, federal law includes allowancesto help ensure an adequate supply of vesselsduring an emergency. For instance, the vessel“skimmers” operating more than three milesfrom shore also do not require Jones Actwaivers. (The Deepwater Horizon spill is hap-pening 50 miles from shore.)

Nevertheless, the Unified Command devel-oped specific guidance to ensure acceleratedprocessing of requests for Jones Act waiversshould they be received.

As one reporter said of those clamoring tosuspend the law, there is “just one problemwith these arguments: They are almost entire-ly false.”

Indeed, the Maritime Cabotage Task Force(MCTF), the largest coalition in the history ofthe domestic American maritime industry,made it perfectly clear that the industry’s goalsare, as always, what is best for the nation. In astatement issued June 11, the MCTF said,“The American maritime industry supportsimmediate action to address the unfoldingenvironmental disaster in the Gulf. Federallaw called the Jones Act requires thatAmerican vessels be used for domestic trans-

portation activities in the U.S., and countlessAmerican vessels are already responding inthe Gulf. In addition, we know that many otherAmerican vessels are standing by ready tohelp. There are well-established federal proce-dures for waiving the Jones Act to bring in for-eign vessels in those situations were Americanvessels are not available. The American mar-itime industry has not and will not stand in theway of the use of these well-established waiv-er procedures to address this crisis.”

Others including Congressman Don Young(R-Alaska) and Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) also helped clarify the situation. In astatement issued on June 16, Inouye said, “Iwas taken aback by the suggestion that wesuspend the Jones Act to bring in foreign shipsto deal with the catastrophic oil spill in theGulf. That is not necessary. American vesselsfrom the Navy, Coast Guard, state and countygovernments are working with private citizensand foreign vessels in support of the clean-upeffort. To suggest that we suspend the JonesAct to allow foreign ships into the Gulf ismore about pushing a political agenda thanany genuine interest in helping Gulf coastcommunities with their clean-up.”

Finally, still others wondered not why theJones Act hadn’t been waived, but rather, whyall available U.S.-flag, Jones Act-qualifiedvessels hadn’t been utilized in the cleanup. Inparticular, U.S. Rep. John Mica (Fla.), rank-ing Republican member of the HouseCommittee on Transportation andInfrastructure, urged that domestic operatorsbe contacted immediately “to review boththeir assets and capability to be part of thisimportant response.”

In May, the Transportation Institute (aWashington, D.C.-based coalition that pro-motes the Jones Act and other U.S. maritimelaws) announced results of a study thatdemonstrated in a strong economy, Jones Actvessels will carry more than 1 billion tons ofcargo, or more than 40 percent of all water-borne commerce in the United States. Thisactivity generates $100.3 billion in economicoutput, adds another $45.9 billion to the valueof U.S. economic output, and contributes$11.4 billion in federal, state and local taxes.Further, the Jones Act fleet generates nearly500,000 family-sustaining jobs.

Enacted in 1920, the Jones Act protectsAmerican’s national and economic security. Inpart, it does so by helping maintain a pool ofwell-trained, loyal, U.S.-citizen mariners whosail aboard all types of American-flag ships,including military support vessels.

Shoddy Reporting Paints Erroneous Picture of Vital Law

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SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindelon June 15 touched on several important top-ics during a meeting of U.S. maritime repre-sentatives and officials from theConsultative Shipping Group (CSG), whichis composed of shipping administrationsfrom more than a dozen countries.

Heindel, who also serves as first vicechair of the International Transport Workers’Federation Seafarers’ Section, was a featuredpanelist for the meeting, which took place atAFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.He discussed the need for the United Statesto ratify certain maritime labor conventionsand also called for stronger international

efforts to fight piracy.Other featured speakers included U.S.

Deputy Secretary of Transportation JohnPorcari, Acting Maritime Administrator DavidMatsuda and CSG Chairman AndreasNordseth, who is the director general of theDanish Maritime Authority.

Heindel was invited to discuss some of thechallenges facing maritime labor. He pointedout that even though nothing on the attention-grabbing scale of last year’s Maersk Alabamaincident has occurred since then involvinganother U.S.-flag ship, the problem definitelyhasn’t disappeared. In fact, it has grown.

“All ships sailing off the coast of eastern

Africa and in the waters of the Indian Oceankeep on constant lookout for possible attacks,”he stated. “Every week, the reports come inthat more vessels have been attacked, withsome captured. Crews spend agonizing monthsdocked in Somali ports as the pirates and ship’sowners haggle over the price of freedom.”

He said that although some of the potentialsolutions are complex, the bottom line is thatgovernments must do everything possible toend this scourge.

Heindel also called for the U.S. to pass twoInternational Labor Organization conventions.One is known as ILO 185, and it concerns auniform identification credential for mariners.

The other is the Consolidated Maritime LaborConvention, which the ITF has described as a“bill of rights for seafarers.”

“Both of these conventions from the ILOdeserve support and ratification,” Heindel con-cluded. “The United States should take the leadin doing so in order that mariners around theworld will have safer and better working con-ditions.”

The CSG includes representatives fromBelgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Republic ofKorea, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore,Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and theUnited Kingdom.

SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel (center) speaks during the U.S.-Consultative Shipping Group meeting, where he promoted mariners’ rights.

Heindel Addresses International Maritime Forum

Crew, QMED Donate for Haiti Relief

Recovery operations in Haiti no longer makefor everyday headlines in the U.S., but thosehumanitarian efforts remain in the thoughts ofSIU members, as recently demonstrated by anumber of Seafarers.

In late May, SIU members aboard the USNSPaul Buck chose to donate their portion of theship’s fund to Haiti relief. The $300 donationcomes on the heels of earlier maritime laborefforts which saw $82,000 given by MaritimeTrades Department-affiliated unions (includingthe SIU) to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center’sEarthquake Relief for Haitian Workers’Campaign.

Operated by Ocean Shipholdings Inc. for theU.S. Military Sealift Command, the Buck recent-ly delivered vital cargo to McMurdo Station inAntarctica as part of the annual Operation DeepFreeze mission.

Additionally, QMED Esmeil Aborady donat-ed his overtime pay (earned while sailing aboardthe USNS Fred Stockham) to Haiti relief efforts.Ship operator Keystone matched the contribu-tion.

A number of Seafarers-contracted companies andtheir SIU crews recently were recognized for safe opera-tions and outstanding seamanship.

The accolades were delivered June 3 in New Orleans,where the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) con-ducted its 52nd annual awards program. The CSA pre-sented awards for specific incidents as well as for pro-longed operations (at least two years) without a marinerinvolved in a lost-time injury. The latter decorations areknown as the Jones F. Devlin Awards.

CSA President Joseph Cox told an audience of morethan 170 people, “CSA’s involvement in safety is long-standing. We continue to represent the industry, domesti-cally and internationally, on safety issues encompassingevery facet of ship operations. It is therefore only fittingthat an industry so focused on safety, publicly recognizesthe skills and dedication of the women and men who areresponsible for actions in keeping with the highest tradi-tions of the sea – aid to those in peril.”

Dozens of companies were represented at the event.Many of them are members of the CSA, which representsU.S.-based businesses that own, operate or charteroceangoing tankers, containerships, and other merchantvessels engaged in both the domestic and internationaltrades and other entities that maintain a commercialinterest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels.

SIU-crewed vessels and Seafarers-contracted compa-nies receiving letters of commendation included USNS1st LT Jack Lummus and USNS PFC Dewayne T.Williams, both operated by American Overseas Marine,and the USNS Richard G. Matthiesen, operated by OceanShipholdings Inc. Also receiving letters were CrowleyMarine Services and OSG Ship Management.

Recipients of the Devlin Awards included AlaskaTanker Company, Crescent Towing, Crowley MaritimeCorporation, E.N. Bisso & Son Inc., American OverseasMarine, Higman Barge Lines Inc., Horizon Lines,Interocean American Shipping Corporation, KeystoneShipping Co., Maersk Line, Marine Transport Lines,Moran Towing, Ocean Shipholdings Inc., OSG ShipManagement, PASHA Shipping Group, Sea Star Line,Seabulk Tankers Inc., Seabulk Towing Inc., TotemOcean Trailer Express, and USS Vessel ManagementLLC.

SIU-Contracted CompaniesEarn Safety Recognition

Bosun Phil Corl (second from left in photo above) delivers thecrew’s donation to the care of Patrolman Brian Guiry. Alsopictured (from left) are SA Charlotte Chastain, GUDE AristotleBone and QMED Endang Abidin. In photo below, Seafarersare pictured aboard the USNS Paul Buck in late May inCharleston, S.C.

Seafarers from USNS Buck Contribute to Humanitarian Cause



USNS Comfort Honored for Haiti MissionThe U.S. Military Sealift Command

(MSC) hospital ship USNS Comfort waswelcomed as an honorary member in theMaryland Hospital Association at theorganization’s annual meeting inBaltimore on June 4. The Comfort iscrewed by members of the SIUGovernment Services Division and ishome-ported in Baltimore.

According to MSC, the honorarymembership recognizes the Comfort’srole in international relief efforts follow-ing the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. Thevessel spent seven weeks anchored off thecoast of Port-au-Prince, where shipboardmedical personnel treated nearly 900earthquake victims.

“It’s an honor for the men and womenwho served on Comfort during the Haitimission to be recognized as part of theMaryland Hospital Association,” saidCapt. James Ware, the commanding offi-cer of Comfort’s Medical TreatmentFacility. “We are very proud of all of ourenduring relationships with the broadermedical community, including partnersranging from other U.S. military servicesand government agencies to non-govern-mental organizations and even foreignmilitaries and health ministries.”

Ware and David Lieberman, the civil-ian officer in charge of the ship, acceptedthe honor on behalf of the more than1,000 Navy medical personnel and 79civil service mariners who coordinatedwith 170 Navy planners and support per-

sonnel and an additional 244 civilianmedical volunteers from eight non-gov-ernmental organizations.

“Maryland’s hospitals and the USNSComfort share more than a home. We alsoshare a mission of providing care andcompassion to all who need it,” saidCarmela Coyle, MHA president andCEO. “For Maryland’s hospitals, thatmeans being there to provide care. For theUSNS Comfort, it means getting there toprovide care.”

Lieberman and the rest of Comfort’sCIVMARS are also happy with the honor.

“Part of what makes Comfort’s hospi-tal so exceptional is the fact that we cantake it where it’s needed,” saidLieberman. “Although the mariners don’ttreat patients, we are so proud of the rolethat we play in getting this ship to peoplein need and ensuring that the hospital haselectricity and water.”

Ware and Lieberman accepted aplaque that will be displayed aboard theship.

“The people who man Maryland’s hos-pitals are proud to now be associated withthe people who man the USNS Comfort inall capacities, and we welcome them ascolleagues,” said Coyle.

According to MSC, the Comfort wasdelivered to the Navy Dec. 1, 1987, andarrived in Baltimore July 13, 1988. Whennot deployed, the ship is kept pier-sidewhere a small crew of CIVMARS andNavy medical personnel maintain the ves-

sel and Medical Treatment Facility in ahigh state of readiness. When activated,the Comfort can deploy on a mission infive days.

The Maryland Hospital Association isthe advocate for Maryland’s hospitals,

health systems, communities and patientsbefore legislative and regulatory bodies.MHA’s 61 member hospitals includeteaching hospitals, health systems, spe-cialty hospitals, veterans’ hospitals andlong-term care facilities.

Navy Capt. James Ware, commanding officer of hospital ship USNS Comfort’s medicaltreatment facility; David Lieberman, Comfort’s officer in charge; Navy Capt. James Rice,Military Sealift Command force medical officer; and Richard Haynes, MSC executivedirector, accept a plaque from Maryland Hospital President and CEO Carmela Coyle andMHA Board Chair Albert Counselman (far left) commemorating the Comfort’s honoraryMHA membership at the organization’s annual meeting June 4 in Baltimore.

The SIU-crewed high-speed vessel HSV 2 Swiftarrived in Balboa-Rodman,Panama, May 22, to kick offthe Southern PartnershipStation 2010 visit to theCentral American nation.

The vessel is operated bySealift Inc. for the U.S.Military Sealift Command.

Southern PartnershipStation (SPS) is a deploymentof various specialty platformsto the U.S. SouthernCommand area of responsi-bility in the Caribbean andLatin America, with the pri-mary goal of informationsharing with navies, coastguards, and civilian servicesthroughout the region.

“This visit to Panama andthe other nations we’ll visitduring this deployment areopportunities for us to fosterfriendly, mutual cooperationand understanding by comingtogether to enhance regional

maritime security,” saidCapt. Kurt Hedberg, missioncommander of SPS 2010. “Ilook forward to getting toknow and learning from thepeople of Panama throughour subject matter expertexchanges over the next fewweeks.”

While deployed in supportof SPS 2010, the Swift willvisit various countries in theCaribbean island nations,Central and South Americaduring the upcoming months.Some of the topics to be dis-cussed during the visits areport security, personal securi-ty, junior and senior enlistedleadership principles, out-board motor maintenance,maintenance managementand small boat operations.The U.S. Marine Corps alsohas an eight-man mobiletraining team on board theSwift to participate in theexchanges.

The HSV 2 Swift serves different branches of the U.S. military,depending on its specified assignment.

HSV 2 Swift Arrives in PanamaFor Southern Partnership Station

Hospital Ship Mercy MobilizesFor Pacific Partnership 2010

Civilian mariners in the SIUGovernment Services Divisionon board the hospital ship USNSMercy showed once again theycan play the dual roles of ambas-sador and humanitarian on arecent trip to Vietnam in supportof exercise Pacific Partnership2010.

During the mission, theVietnamese vice minister ofhealth and the U.S. ambassadorto Vietnam experienced partner-ship firsthand as they toured boththe USNS Mercy and a Seabeeconstruction project on June 4.Vice Minister of Health TrịnhQuân Huấn and AmbassadorMichael W. Michalak were inter-ested in seeing exactly whatcapabilities Pacific Partnershipbrings to the people of QuyNhon, Vietnam, during the 13-day mission stay.

According to the U.S. MilitarySealift Command, which oper-ates the Comfort, PacificPartnership was created in thewake of the tsunami which struckIndonesia in 2004. Since 2006,partner nations and nongovern-mental organizations (NGOs)have come together each year tocontinue fostering the relation-ships developed during thosechallenging months to providemedical, dental, veterinary andengineering civic action pro-grams as well as “subject matterexpert exchanges” with localmedical professionals.

This was Pacific Partnership’sthird visit to Vietnam, and thesecond time there for the USNSMercy.

As the ambassador walked thepassageways of the hospital ship,he noticed not only the variety ofU.S. military uniforms, but alsothe large number of partnernation military professionals and

NGO volunteers going abouttheir day, helping maintain theMercy’s ability to provide surgeryand other health care to those inneed. Also noteworthy was thenumber of Vietnamese medicalspecialists on board the Mercy –not for medical care, but rather toparticipate in informationexchanges.

“I think that we’ve had excel-lent cooperation from theGovernment of Vietnam, andwe’ve learned an awful lot indoing these missions,” saidMichalak. “And this one, fromwhat I understand, has beenabsolutely the smoothest and thebest coordinated mission of all.”

MSC reported that a Japaneseship worked alongside the Mercyto also provide medical care, with

more than 30 medical profession-als from the JDS Kunisaki goingashore each day to treat those inneed. Additionally, the vice min-ister and the ambassador visitedone of the Seabee engineeringsites in Quy Nhon upon comple-tion of the Mercy tour. The con-struction project focused on theQuang Trung Clinic DistrictHealth Center, which provideshealth services to more than24,000 residents that live in thearea, with an average of 300 to400 patients seen each month.

The clinic is the second of fourengineering civic action pro-grams to be completed by engi-neers from Australia, the U.S.,and Vietnam. Vietnamese volun-teers had a major role in execut-ing the project.

Builder 3rd Class Scott Bishop, right, Capt. Lisa M. Franchetti, com-mander of Pacific Partnership 2010, and U.S. Ambassador to VietnamMichael W. Michalak cut a ribbon with a Ministry of Health of Vietnamofficial and a Quang Trung Hospital physician during a rededicationceremony. The Seafarers-crewed Military Sealift Command hospitalship USNS Mercy is in Vietnam conducting the fifth in a series of annu-al U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance endeavors tostrengthen regional partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by MassCommunication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Jackson)



‘Piney Point is a Great Place to Start a Career’

Between its renowned entry-level program andnumerous upgrading courses, the SIU-affiliated PaulHall Center for Maritime Training and Educationoffers plenty of opportunities for Seafarers to helpadvance their careers.

Korron Richardson knows all about those oppor-tunities, and he stands as one of the most recentexamples of the school’s long-held axiom that its stu-dents can progress as far as their ambitions takethem.

Richardson, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., graduatedfrom Paul Hall Center Trainee Class 578 in 1998.Since then, he has returned to the Piney Point, Md.-based campus upwards of 20 times for variousupgrading courses. Earlier this year, he completedthe third mate’s class and subsequently passed theexam to earn his license.

“This school is a great place to learn,”

Richardson, 31, said in Piney Point immediately fol-lowing the June membership meeting. “Piney Point isa great place to start a career and to become part of agreat union. The SIU offers excellent jobs and realopportunities to move up, to better yourself and bet-ter your family’s situation.”

As with virtually any worthwhile achievement,Richardson’s ascension wasn’t easy. He said themate’s class (which lasts 16 weeks and formally iscalled Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch) byfar was the most difficult one he’s ever taken.

Instructor Stacey McNeely credited Richardsonfor bearing down.

“He definitely did not give up when the going gottough,” she stated. “Korron worked really hard. He isan example that you can go as far as you want to go.This career path is achievable by anyone who wantsto do it and is willing to do the work. He will make agood mate.”

Richardson, who most recently sailed aboard theSealand Eagle, enthusiastically cited McNeely’ssteady guidance as an invaluable aid throughout hisstudies. He also enjoyed the support of his family,including his wife, Latasha, who pointed out thatKorron “has made great progress in a short period oftime. He’s only been in the union for about 12 yearsand for him to have gotten as far as he has in such ashort period is a real accomplishment. I’m reallyproud – he didn’t let anything stop him.”

Good FitFor Korron Richardson, Piney Point and the SIU

were a good fit from the beginning. He learned aboutthe unlicensed apprentice or trainee program from hisbrother, Rashawn, who preceded him at the school.(Other family members also sail with the SIU,including cousins Curtis Richardson, Lavell Smithand Corey Richardson.)

He started sailing in the engine department butquickly switched to the deck, where he found hisniche.

Richardson said he liked the maritime industryright away, including a schedule that contained someunforeseen benefits. But his desire to advanceevolved through a number of years, thanks in part torepeated encouragement from fellow Seafarers aswell as officers who saw his potential.

“I enjoy the traveling and then having that timeoff afterward with your family,” he said. “It’s great –you can catch up, get things planned. It’s a gooddeal. You work hard, then you come home and canenjoy a nice long vacation with your family.

“As far as wanting to keep upgrading,” he contin-ued, “when I saw those opportunities, I just tried tomake it a habit: go to work, get enough sea time, seewhat classes I can take, and just go for it. You learnso much, and you have opportunities to get betterjobs.”

Time after time, he came back to the Paul HallCenter to help achieve his goals. (His fondness forthe school is so great that he even took his familythere for vacation, including son, Korron Jr., anddaughter, Kariah.)

“The environment makes it the right fit for learn-ing,” Richardson noted. “It’s quiet and there aren’tmany distractions. All the resources are here, and theschool has made a lot of improvements over theyears, such as the simulators and the fire fightingschool.”

He also pointed out that the lessons aren’tabstract. Recalling a voyage on the OverseasAmbermar, Richardson remembered relieving thebosun for a midnight watch as the vessel was prepar-ing to go through the Panama Canal. The ship loststeering, but Richardson’s training paid off when thecaptain gave orders to drop the anchors. Richardsondid so – port first, then starboard, then putting themon the brake – and helped save the ship.

Reflecting, Looking AheadReflecting on his still-unfolding career,

Richardson said he has enjoyed sailing on a widevariety of ships including tankers, containerships androll-on/roll-off vessels. He is proud to have support-ed our troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom – he earnedthe U.S. Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal for avoyage aboard the USNS Capella – and in generalwishes more of the public understood the importanceof the U.S. Merchant Marine.

“Somebody’s got to deliver the cargo, the ammu-nition,” he observed. “It’s not just dropping out ofthe sky. People fail to realize who’s doing that job.We do it, and we’re willing to sail into harm’s way todeliver.”

Looking forward, Richardson eventually wants tosail as captain. He already knows the training andtesting requirements.

His advice to people just entering the industry?“Don’t listen to he said, she said. Go out there andgather information for yourself. When it comes towork, just do the job and your character will show.Learn that job, master your position, and then moveon to something else. I remember there were times asa wiper, cleaning the heads. It’s a dirty job, butsomebody’s got to do it, so take some pride in it.People notice.”

Asked to summarize his experience at the school,from the beginning until now, Richardson thought fora moment and then replied with a hearty laugh,“Pleasure and pain! Starting out as a trainee, you’retrying to get used to something new but you don’treally know what’s going on. But when you get outon the ships, you remember the things you learned atschool. The other pleasure part is a decent check –the money. You start to see the big picture.”

Seafarer Richardson Utilizes School to Advance from Trainee to Mate

The master of the SIU-crewed MV AllianceCharleston recently thanked crew members for theirefforts during the newly reflagged ship’s first voyageunder the Stars and Stripes.

Captain David A. McLean III in early May sent a

letter to the entire crew of the Alliance Charleston,which joined the SIU fleet in February.

“During the initial voyage of the MV AllianceCharleston I commend you all and want you to knowyou have been exemplary of the United StatesMerchant Marine,” McLean wrote. “During my timeaboard, the entire crew was an asset to the vessel.Good shipmates, you endeavored to take on responsi-bility and gain knowledge in all aspects of vesseloperations and company and ship policies and proce-

dures. You listened well, learned quickly, followedorders explicitly, took initiative, paid great attentionto detail and each and every one became a valuedmember of my crew.”

McLean added that the crew worked safely andmaintained “a great attitude.”

Built in 2008, the Alliance Charleston is operatedby Farrell Lines for Maersk Line, Limited. The ship is751 feet long and has more than 710,000 square feetof cargo space. It can sail at greater than 20 knots.

Alliance Charleston Captain Credits Crew

A frequent upgrader, Karron Richardson says of the PaulHall Center, “All the resources are here.”

Family support helped Karron achieve his goal of earninga license. Pictured with him at the school are his wife,Latasha, and children Korron Jr. and Kariah. “I couldn’thave done it without them,” Karron said.

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The SIU-crewed USNS LCpl.Roy M. Wheat recently served asground zero for the at-sea portion ofa U.S. Navy maritime exercisedubbed Phoenix Express 2010(PE210) in the Mediterranean Sea.

A dual-phased multinationalevent, the exercise was two weeks induration. It was designed to strength-en maritime partnerships andenhance stability in theMediterranean region throughincreased interoperability and coop-eration among partners from Africa,Europe and the United States. PE210commenced May 10 with phase one(in-port segment) and culminated

June 2 with phase two (at-sea seg-ment).

Phase one of the exercise focusedon maritime interdiction operationstraining and was conducted in SoudaBay, Greece. Phase two focused onmaritime interdiction operationswherein the USNS Wheat–because ofits enormous size—was used as amock boarding platform. An averageof two boardings per day by differentcountries took place aboard theWheat while the exercise was under-way. During this segment, forcesfrom the different countriesenhanced their techniques, tacticsand procedures during visit, board,

search and seizure drills aboard theWheat. They also conducted searchand rescue, medical, maritimedomain awareness and automaticidentification system drills.

The Wheat’s commanding offi-cer, Capt. John W. Matfield, was onthe bridge to meet each newly arriv-ing team and watch as they comman-deered his ship.

“It’s been interesting to see thedifferent forces at work and howhard it is to pull it all together,” hesaid “But it also surprises me thatthese teams do as well as they do onsuch short notices.

“The Wheat’s motto is

‘Whatever, wherever, whenever’ sothe crew and I see this exercise as apart of our job as well as a breakfrom our normal routine,” Matfieldconcluded. “We want to provide theteams with a realistic experiencebecause for the most part their train-ing platforms are not as similar as acommercial vessel.”

SIU members aboard the USNSWheat during PE210 included BosunWilliam Lima, ABs Glenn Davis,Sylvan Harris, Harvey Carvajal,Eric Moreira, and Bryan Benak;Electricians David Spaulding andDave Higdon; Storekeeper ReneeClayton; Oilers Victor Chance,

Francis Yapching and KevinJohnson; Steward Walter White,Chief Cook Jermaine Robinson,GVAs Anthony Newbell andEmmanuel Korsah and StewardAssistant George Jenkins.

The USNS LCpl. Roy M. Wheat isone of the U.S. Military SealiftCommand’s 13 container and roll-on/roll-off ships and is part of theagency’s prepositioning fleet.Commissioned in late 2001, theWheat is named in honor of MarineCorps LCpl. Roy M. Wheat whodied in 1967 during the Vietnam Warand was posthumously awarded theMedal of Honor.

A Turkish Navy-operated, rigid-hull inflatable boat (above)transfers members of a visit, board, search and seizureteam to the Military Sealift Command operated and SIU-crewed USNS LCpl. Roy H. Wheat (far right). A Spanishnavy visit, board, search and seizure team member (right)provides cover for his team while conducting a boardingexercise aboard the Wheat. (U.S. Navy photos by MassCommunication Specialists 2nd Class Jimmy C. Pan and FelicitoRustique)

SIU-Crewed Ship Serves as Mock Boarding Vessel

Portuguese navy visit, board, search and seizure team members (above) climb down a lad-der into their ridged-hull inflatable boat after completing an inspection aboard the USNSLCpl. Roy M. Wheat. In photo at right, Italian team members secure the Wheat’s flight deckduring their operations. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialists 2nd ClassJimmy C. Pan and Felicito Rustique)

A member of a Spanish navy team stands guard over a detained crew member (photoat left) aboard the USNS LCpl. Roy M. Wheat while one of his comrades (above) ver-ifies identification of another mariner. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass CommunicationSpecialist 2nd Class Felicito Rustique)



AAtt SSeeaaAAnndd AAsshhoorreeWWii tthh tthhee SSIIUU

SUPPORTING PRO-MARITIME CONGRESSMAN – SIU members in early June turned out in support of U.S. Rep.Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) during a re-election campaign kickoff in Everett, Wash. Some of those Seafarers are pictured with thecongressman, who is standing third from left.

SEALAND EAGLE’S ICY TRANSIT – AB BradBrunette (above) and his fellow mariners aboardthe Sealand Eagle didn’t let icy conditions in theNorth Atlantic deter them during a recent voyage.

PHASE II ABOARD MAERSK OHIO – One of the mostvaluable components of the unlicensed apprentice program con-ducted by the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center is Phase II – a 90-day period during which trainees rotate through each depart-ment on a Seafarers-contracted ship. Here, Recertified BosunDomingo Leon Jr. (right) and UA Osamah Saleh pause for aphoto before resuming their duties aboard the Maersk Ohio.

MILESTONES IN HOUSTON – SIU officials at the Houston hall recently congratulated two Seafarers on sep-arate milestones. In photo at right above, Port Agent Mike Russo (left) presents an A-seniority book to AB CarlosColon. In the other snapshot, Safety Director Brian Kinard gives newly retired Steward/Baker Loicy Jones herfirst pension check. Congratulations to Brother Colon and Sister Jones on their achievements

MEETING ABOARD

EL MORRO – PortAgent Amancio Cresposubmitted this photo ofmembers on the ElMorro in San Juan, P.R.It was taken shortly aftera late-May meetingaboard the vessel.Pictured from left areOMU Rickey Pettaway,Chief Cook John Foster,AB Errick Nobles,Recertified StewardRafael Cardenas, OMUDana Thomas and ABAngelo Wilcox.

SNAPSHOT FROM SISLER – Bosun Ken Steiner(right) and AB William McIntyre are pictured aboard theUSNS Sisler in the Mediterranean. The vessel is part ofthe U.S. Military Sealift Command’s prepositioning pro-gram.

NEW YORK-AREA MEM-

BERS BACK JOBS FORUM

– More than a dozen New York-area SIU members, includingthose pictured here, participatedin a major gathering of labor andenvironmental groups invited bythe Cornell Global LaborInstitute in New York City. Theoccasion (last fall) was a sympo-sium titled “Jobs, Justice,Climate: A Rally for Labor andEnvironment Movements.” AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka wasa featured speaker at the event,which took place at the NewYork Society for Ethical Culture.He and other speakers empha-sized their unity in supportingsolutions to climate change thatinclude major focus on the needfor good, family-sustaining jobs.



DEU John Cooper recently sub-

mitted these photos from voyages

aboard the Sealand Eagle and the ElFaro, respectively. A regular contrib-

utor to the Seafarers LOG, Cooper

extended his thanks to SIU Vice

President Contracts George Tricker,

Assistant Vice President Bryan

Powell, Assistant Vice President

Archie Ware and Port Agent

Elizabeth Brown for their efforts and

support.

Some of the photos show unli-

censed apprentices from the union-

affiliated Paul Hall Center for

Maritime Training and Education.

Those apprentices are in Phase II of

the program – a 90-day shipboard

training period during which they

rotate through each department.

Pictured from left to right aboard the El Faro are SA Dennis Uchic, Recertified StewardLauren Oram, Chief Cook Marychris Littel and Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown.

UA Lisa Lee, QMED Daryl ThomasSealand Eagle

Snapshots from Sealand Eagle, El Faro

Recertified Steward Edward Collins, UA Kevin Cunningham

Sealand EagleUA Lisa Lee, DEU John Cooper

Sealand Eagle

OMU Thomas HawksEl Faro

UA Gwendolyn GarciaEl Faro

UA Kevin CunninghamSealand Eagle

UA Ann MenschEl Faro

AB David EllerEl Faro



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Oil Spill

A Valuable Part of Paul Hall Center Training for 20 YearsSince 1991, the union-affiliated Paul Hall

Center for Maritime Training and Education hasoffered a U.S. Coast Guard-approved coursetitled Oil Spill Prevention and Containment. Itis a 35-hour class available to mariners fromeach shipboard department who meet theschool’s general admission requirements.

Like many other Paul Hall Center courses,

this one blends practical training exercises withclassroom instruction. Topics include oil typesand petroleum products’ behavior on water;pollution prevention regulations; hazardousmaterials training; spill prevention; absorbents;suction equipment; skimmers and their properuse; and small-boat operations. Students alsoreceive instruction involving spill containment

booms, boom towing configurations, andanchoring operations.

Based in Piney Point, Md., the Paul HallCenter opened in 1967.

The photos on these two pages were takenduring a mid-June class. The students areSeafarers from SIU-contracted Penn MaritimeInc.


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Oil Spill

A Valuable Part of Paul Hall Center Training for 20 YearsSince 1991, the union-affiliated Paul Hall

Center for Maritime Training and Education hasoffered a U.S. Coast Guard-approved coursetitled Oil Spill Prevention and Containment. Itis a 35-hour class available to mariners fromeach shipboard department who meet theschool’s general admission requirements.

Like many other Paul Hall Center courses,

this one blends practical training exercises withclassroom instruction. Topics include oil typesand petroleum products’ behavior on water;pollution prevention regulations; hazardousmaterials training; spill prevention; absorbents;suction equipment; skimmers and their properuse; and small-boat operations. Students alsoreceive instruction involving spill containment

booms, boom towing configurations, andanchoring operations.

Based in Piney Point, Md., the Paul HallCenter opened in 1967.

The photos on these two pages were takenduring a mid-June class. The students areSeafarers from SIU-contracted Penn MaritimeInc.

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Graduating from the course in mid-June are (from left) Seafarers Felix Alfonso, Mike Washburn, Kevin Snick, John Neal,Jesus Medrano, Paul Starvish, Greg Greene and Paul McCready. Instructor Stan Beck is at far right.


Graduating from the course in mid-June are (from left) Seafarers Felix Alfonso, Mike Washburn, Kevin Snick, John Neal,Jesus Medrano, Paul Starvish, Greg Greene and Paul McCready. Instructor Stan Beck is at far right.

Prevention &

Containment

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59996_P01_24:January 08 6/23/2010 8:07 PM Page 14


JJuullyy && AAuugguusstt22001100 MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp MMeeeettiinnggss

Deck DepartmentAlgonac 15 6 1 11 7 3 1 13 6 3Anchorage 2 4 1 1 4 1 2 2 6 0Baltimore 7 13 1 4 5 1 3 9 16 2Fort Lauderdale 18 15 2 11 10 0 11 21 20 8Guam 5 3 2 3 3 1 0 7 5 1Honolulu 12 5 0 11 4 0 1 16 17 1Houston 52 20 2 31 17 3 18 103 35 6Jacksonville 31 27 1 30 14 1 17 57 53 3Joliet 5 6 1 4 5 0 0 3 7 1Mobile 14 4 1 10 3 1 4 20 13 2New Orleans 13 6 2 8 7 0 9 19 6 4New York 35 23 3 26 13 2 16 77 36 5Norfolk 21 28 8 11 25 2 7 30 46 14Oakland 16 18 1 20 8 0 12 42 20 2Philadelphia 4 5 0 3 4 0 2 6 11 0Piney Point 2 10 2 1 11 1 2 2 2 5Puerto Rico 12 8 3 3 8 0 3 14 10 4Seattle 38 17 1 24 13 0 14 69 35 0St. Louis 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 5 7 0Wilmington 40 19 3 26 19 1 21 63 47 15TOTALS 345 237 35 238 183 17 143 578 398 76

Engine DepartmentAlgonac 5 1 0 2 2 2 1 4 2 2Anchorage 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 0Baltimore 9 2 0 4 1 0 3 11 7 0Fort Lauderdale 8 6 0 7 5 0 5 18 12 0Guam 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 0Honolulu 4 5 1 2 3 1 1 9 8 1Houston 14 18 0 7 12 1 9 31 25 1Jacksonville 16 21 0 15 14 0 12 29 42 0Joliet 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 1 1Mobile 4 6 0 7 1 0 2 14 12 0New Orleans 8 0 0 6 1 0 3 8 2 0New York 14 13 1 13 5 2 10 28 27 5Norfolk 8 9 2 3 10 0 1 20 20 2Oakland 13 6 1 10 8 2 5 21 14 1Philadelphia 2 5 0 2 0 0 1 6 6 0Piney Point 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 2 1 0Puerto Rico 2 8 0 1 8 1 1 3 17 1Seattle 14 14 0 7 7 0 3 20 26 0St. Louis 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 3 0Wilmington 10 13 0 6 5 0 5 24 19 4TOTALS 136 132 7 95 87 10 64 253 250 18

Steward DepartmentAlgonac 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 4 4 0Anchorage 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Baltimore 2 2 1 4 0 0 0 5 4 1Fort Lauderdale 11 6 0 7 2 0 5 9 10 0Guam 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 2Honolulu 11 2 0 6 1 0 3 25 3 1Houston 11 7 0 18 5 0 9 23 14 0Jacksonville 18 12 0 10 6 0 9 27 14 0Joliet 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0Mobile 3 1 0 6 1 0 0 8 4 0New Orleans 8 3 0 3 2 0 3 15 5 0New York 23 7 0 13 4 0 6 44 9 0Norfolk 14 13 1 12 12 1 9 16 19 1Oakland 20 2 1 16 5 1 7 40 6 0Philadelphia 3 4 0 2 1 0 0 2 3 0Piney Point 5 2 0 0 1 0 0 7 3 0Puerto Rico 2 0 0 1 2 1 3 6 5 0Seattle 18 5 0 15 2 0 12 33 9 1St. Louis 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 2 1Wilmington 19 3 0 13 4 0 11 44 5 2TOTALS 170 75 4 130 52 6 78 311 122 9

Entry DepartmentAlgonac 1 8 7 2 13 5 3 0 11 4Anchorage 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1Baltimore 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 5 2Fort Lauderdale 0 9 5 0 6 0 1 0 10 9Guam 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1Honolulu 1 3 1 0 4 3 0 3 9 8Houston 3 10 5 3 9 0 2 3 31 17Jacksonville 5 17 9 0 16 1 6 7 34 18Joliet 2 3 2 1 2 0 0 0 2 2Mobile 0 5 2 0 3 2 0 1 7 5New Orleans 1 5 3 1 2 0 0 1 8 5New York 5 23 8 4 20 1 3 10 55 12Norfolk 0 17 15 0 12 4 0 0 32 39Oakland 4 16 5 3 6 4 0 4 34 9Philadelphia 0 1 3 0 2 1 1 0 1 3Piney Point 0 6 22 0 4 24 1 0 3 5Puerto Rico 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0Seattle 4 14 3 5 8 3 4 7 24 9St. Louis 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0Wilmington 2 14 5 2 5 1 1 7 43 35TOTALS 28 158 97 22 115 49 22 44 316 184

GRAND TOTALS: 679 602 143 485 437 82 307 1,186 1,086 287

DDiissppaattcchheerrss’’ RReeppoorrtt ffoorr DDeeeepp SSeeaaOnline Petition UrgesAction Against Piracy

As previously reported inthe LOG and at the Junemembership meetings, anunprecedented coalition oforganizations – from tradeunions to shipowners’ asso-ciations and insurers –recently teamed up to launchan online petition demand-ing action to end piracy. Theweb address for the petition,which launched on May 20,is:www.endpiracypetition.org

A link to the petition alsois available on the SIU homepage, www.seafarers.org.

The SIU had a hand in

developing the petition,which is part of theInternational MaritimeOrganization’s Year of theSeafarer campaign. It isintended to call worldwideattention to piracy and inparticular is designed tograb the interest of leadersacross the globe. The plan isto deliver at least half a mil-lion signatures to govern-ments by September 23,which is IMO WorldMaritime Day.

Seafarers are encouragedto make their voices heardby signing the petition.

Seafarers Political Action Donation

(SPAD)

Contribute to the

Keep Us On YourRadarScreen

ATTENTION SEAFARERS

Piney Point......................*Tuesday: July 6, Monday: August 2

Algonac .................................................Friday: July 9, August 6

Baltimore..........................................Thursday: July 8, August 5

Guam............................................Thursday: July 22, August 19

Honolulu ...........................................Friday: July 16, August 13

Houston..............................................Monday: July 12, August 9

Jacksonville......................................Thursday: July 8, August 5

Joliet.............................................Thursday: July 15, August 12

Mobile........................................Wednesday: July 14, August 11

New Orleans.........................................Tuesday: July 13, August 10

New York............................................Tuesday: July 6, August 3

Norfolk.............................................Thursday: July 8, August 5

Oakland .........................................Thursday: July 15, August 12

Philadelphia...................................Wednesday: July 7, August 4

Port Everglades .............................Thursday: July 15, August 12

San Juan ...........................................Thursday: July 8, August 5

St. Louis ............................................Friday: July 16, August 13

Tacoma..............................................Friday: July 23, August 20

Wilmington...........................................Monday: July 19, August 16

* Piney Point change created by Independence Day holiday

Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.

May 16, 2010 – June 15, 2010Total Registered Total Shipped Registered on Beach

All Groups All Groups Trip All GroupsPort A B C A B C Reliefs A B C

59996_P01_24:January 08 6/23/2010 8:07 PM Page 15


SSeeaaffaarreerrss IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall UUnniioonn DDiirreeccttoorryy IInnqquuiirriinngg SSeeaaffaarreerr

If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned,

if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to [email protected]

PPiicc--FFrroomm--TThhee--PPaasstt

Editor’s note: This month’squestion was answered inBrooklyn, N.Y.

Why did you enter thisindustry and why have youstuck with it?

William G. RackleyAB

My father, William LeeRackley, was a longtimemember of the SIU – he start-ed back in 1940. I wanted totravel and I followed in hisfootsteps. He sailed as bosun.I’ve stuck with it for 28 years.I’ve lived in two differentplaces in Hawaii and I cur-rently live in the Philippines.It has given me the opportuni-ty to live all over the worldand to live freely.

James TriassiBosun

Fairly simple: I got into

the industry because I love totravel, and this is a perfectopportunity. Of course, it’sdifferent now. I started in1971. I love the work andlearning new things. With allthe new and different kinds ofships you get on, you’ve gotto learn something new everyday, and in this industry, youcan. At my age, what else amI going to do? I’m 62, will be63 next month.

Timothy KoebelRecertified Bosun

I got into it because Iheard the SIU was the bestunion to join if you’re goingto go to sea, which it hasturned out to be. And alsothey had a veterans’ program(at Piney Point), which Ientered in 1979. The reasonI’ve stayed with it is I’vedone very well. Bobby Selzer(New York port agent) has

helped me a lot and I’ve beenvery happy. I’ve been veryhappy.

Domingo Leon Jr.Recertified Bosun

It was a way to travel, butit was also during theVietnam War and the industrywas short of men. I filled outan application in 1970 andwas accepted. It has providedme a way to make money. Itgave me the experience of

working with other men. Istayed with it because of thetravel part, of course, andlastly, it has been a way tosupport my family withouthaving to work too hard. Itprovides a good vacationtime, also.

Eric ClotterChief Cook

I wanted to do somethingbetter for myself, for thefuture. My father was in theindustry for so many years –he sailed as an SIU electri-cian. My brother was a chiefcook, now he’s a chief stew-ard. I joined the family busi-ness. It’s a blessing and achallenge to be part of theSIU. I’m looking forward tomore challenges and for thefuture, and I thank God foreverything. I joined the SIUin 2003.

Retired Seafarer Vincent Patterson of Signal Mountain, Tenn., sent the above photo. Pictured are crew members aboard theLiberty Ship SS James E. Howard, including Seafarers, and personnel from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. Vincent is seated inthe middle wearing a white shirt and tie. The photo was taken in July 1943 while the Howard was docked in Cario, Egypt. Thevessel was transporting supplies into the Suez Canal for use in the invasion of Sicily.

Michael Sacco, PresidentAugustin Tellez, Executive Vice President

David Heindel, Secretary-TreasurerGeorge Tricker, Vice President Contracts

Tom Orzechowski,Vice President Lakes and Inland WatersDean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West CoastJoseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast

Kermett Mangram,Vice President Government Services

HEADQUARTERS

5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746(301) 899-0675

ALGONAC

520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001(810) 794-4988

ANCHORAGE

721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503(907) 561-4988

BALTIMORE

2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224(410) 327-4900

GUAM

P.O. Box 3328, Hagatna, Guam 96932Cliffline Office Ctr. Bldg., Suite 103B

422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96910(671) 477-1350

HONOLULU

606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819(808) 845-5222

HOUSTON

1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002(713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 281-2622

JOLIET

10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432(815) 723-8002

MOBILE

1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605(251) 478-0916

NEW ORLEANS

3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058(504) 328-7545

NEW YORK

635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232(718) 499-6600

Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600

NORFOLK

115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510(757) 622-1892

OAKLAND

1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607(510) 444-2360

PHILADELPHIA

2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148(215) 336-3818

PINEY POINT

P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674(301) 994-0010

PORT EVERGLADES

1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316(954) 522-7984

SANTURCE

1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16Santurce, PR 00907

(787) 721-4033

ST. LOUIS/ALTON

4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116(314) 752-6500

TACOMA

3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409(253) 272-7774

WILMINGTON

510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744(310) 549-4000

59996_P01_24:January 08 6/23/2010 8:07 PM Page 16


Each month, the Seafarers LOG paystribute to the SIU members who havedevoted their working lives to sailingaboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deepseas, inland waterways or Great Lakes.Listed below are brief biographicalsketches of those members who recently

retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for ajob well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead.

WWeellccoommee AAsshhoorree

DEEP SEA

ENRIQUE BODDEN

Brother Enrique Bodden, 66,became an SIU member in 2001.His first shipwas theMormac Sun;his last wasthe AmericanQueen.BrotherBoddenworked in theengine department. He attendedclasses on three occasions at thePaul Hall Center in Piney Point,Md. Brother Bodden resides inMarrero, La.

WILLIAM DAY

Brother William Day, 65, joinedthe union in 1990. He initially

sailed on theCourier. In2000 and2001, BrotherDay visitedthe union-affil-iated school inPiney Point,Md., toupgrade his

skills. The engine departmentmember most recently shippedaboard the 1st Lt. BaldomeroLopez. Brother Day is a residentof Nolanville, Texas.

SHELDON GREENBERG

Brother Sheldon Greenberg, 56,started sailing with the Seafarersin 1978 whilein the port ofJacksonville,Fla. His earli-est voyagewas on theBradfordIsland.BrotherGreenberg frequently upgradedat the maritime training center inPiney Point, Md. He was amember of the engine depart-ment. Brother Greenberg’s finaltrip to sea was aboard theMaersk Michigan. He lives inOrange Park, Fla.

THOMAS HARTMAN

Brother Thomas Hartman, 55,signed on with the SIU in 1974

in the port ofSan Francisco.He originallyshipped on theBaltimore.BrotherHartmanupgraded oftenat the

Seafarers-affiliated school inPiney Point, Md. He sailed in allthree departments during hiscareer. Brother Hartman’s lastship was the Oakland. He con-tinues to make his home in hisnative state of California.

VARNEY MILNER

Brother Varney Milner, 64,began sailing with the union in2001.BrotherMilner firstsailed on theSgt. MatejKocak. Hewas born inNew Yorkand shippedin the deckdepartment. In 2002, BrotherMilner enhanced his skills at thePaul Hall Center. His final tripwas aboard the Comet. BrotherMilner calls Downers Grove,Ill., home.

MARIANO MORENO

Brother Mariano Moreno, 65,donned the SIU colors in 1968.

His first voy-age was onthe Sea Del.BrotherMoreno, whosailed in allthree depart-ments, wasborn in Puerto

Rico. His last ship was thePonce. Brother Moreno residesin Spring Hill, Fla.

WAYNE SHINDLER

Brother Wayne Shindler, 71,joined the union in 2001 whilein the port of Norfolk, Va. Heinitially sailed aboard the USNSDahl. In 2001 and 2006, BrotherShindler took advantage of edu-cational opportunities at theunion-affiliated school in PineyPoint, Md. His most recent tripwas on the USNS Watson.Brother Shindler, who sailed inthe steward department, is a res-ident of Norfolk.

MACARIO TORRE

Brother Macario Torre, 60, wasborn in the Philippines. Hebegan sailingwith the union1980. BrotherTorre, a mem-ber of thedeck depart-ment, wasoriginallyemployed onthe Express.He attended classes on numer-ous occasions at the Paul HallCenter. Brother Torre’s finalvoyage was aboard the MaerskVirginia. He settled in Clark,N.J.

MICHAEL WATSON

Brother Michael Watson, 61,became an SIU member in 1968.He first sailed on theYellowstone. Brother Watson,who sailed in the deck depart-ment, was born in Seattle. Hemost recently shipped aboard

the North Star. Brother Watsonmakes his home in Tacoma,Wash.

INLAND

PETER ALLERT

Brother Peter Allert, 62, joinedthe SIU ranks in 1999 while inthe port ofHouston. Hefirst sailed onvessels oper-ated byMoranTowing ofTexas.Brother Allertwas a member of the enginedepartment. His last trip waswith Crowley Towing &Transportation of Jacksonville.Brother Allert lives in Ingleside,Texas.

HAROLD FLANAGAN

Brother Harold Flanagan, 58,signed on with the union in1977 in the port of NewOrleans. He primarily workedaboard Crescent Towing of NewOrleans vessels. BrotherFlanagan shipped in the deckdepartment. He calls Canton,Miss., home.

WILLIAM HOLCOMB

Brother William Holcomb, 64,donned the SIU colors in 1967.He originally sailed with

Higman BargeLine. BrotherHolcomb wasborn in Texasand worked inthe enginedepartment.His final voy-age was on

the Seabulk Tanker. BrotherHolcomb resides in Zavalla,Texas.

THOMAS MACEY

Brother Thomas Macey, 63,started his seafaring career in1973. Thestewarddepartmentmembershipped most-ly on CrowleyTowing ofWilmingtonvessels.BrotherMacey was born in Long Beach,Calif. He was a frequent upgrad-er at the Piney Point school.Brother Macey is a resident ofCypress, Calif.

HILARIO MORANTE

Brother Hilario Morante, 56,joined the SIU in 1985 and pri-marily sailed in the deck depart-ment aboard vessels operated byCrowley Towing &Transportation of Wilmington.

BrotherMoranteenhanced hisskills at theunion-affili-ated schoolin PineyPoint, Md.He makes

his home in Jacksonville, Fla.

JOAQUIM PEREIRA

Brother Joaquim Pereira, 66,became anSIU memberin 1986. Hemainly workedwith PennMaritime Inc.BrotherPereiraupgraded in2001 at the Seafarers-affiliatedtraining center in Piney Point,Md. He lives in New Bedford,Mass.

Reprinted from past issues of the SeafarersLOG

1950On July 20, the SIU signed agreements with

its contracted operators providing thatSeafarers aboard contracted ships in the fivezones along the Chinese coastwill be protected against warrisks by teams of riders supple-menting the ships’ articles untilagreement is reached with theoperators on adequate bonuspayments, personal effectspayments and attack bonuses.The agreement on the warbonuses payments was maderetroactive to the date that theKorean hostilities broke out. Crew members ofthe affected ships will receive in addition tobasic wages and allowances, 100 percent oftheir base wages while in the five specifiedareas rendered unsafe, including the watersaround Korea.

1959Seafarers on the cement carrier Florida

State were caught in the crossfire stirred by anattempted revolt in the Dominican Republicbut all escaped unhurt. The SIU-manned shipwas strafed by planes and stopped by gunboatsseveral times off the Dominican coast beforereturning to Port Everglades, Fla. The latestincidents occurred a few hours before an

alleged “invasion force” in two armed launch-es was stopped on the coast by Dominican gov-ernment forces. The “invaders” had reportedlybeen based in Cuba.

1967In a report to the Atlantic and Gulf member-

ship during the regular Julymembership meeting at head-quarters, President Paul Halltold the members that facili-ties for the training andupgrading of seamen werebeing expanded. In addition tolocal training sites in NewYork and other outports, theSIU has recently purchased a28-acre site at Piney Point,

Md., to train young men for entry-level jobsaboard American-flag ships. This will be inaddition to upgrading training to enable work-ing seamen to qualify for promotions after spe-cialized training.

1994SIU members in the Port of San Juan, P.R.,

helped pull a grounded oil tanker to safetywithout spilling any of the 13 million gallonsof fuel oil the runaway-flag vessel was carry-ing. Seafarers aboard tugs operated byCrowley Maritime moved the Greek-flagged,Liberian-owned Mantinia safely intoGuayanilla Bay. The 749-foot ship had beengrounded in sand.

TThhiiss MMoonntthh IInn SSIIUU HHiissttoorryy

59996_P01_24:January 08 6/23/2010 8:08 PM Page 17


FFiinnaall DDeeppaarrttuurreess

DEEP SEA

THOMAS ARMSTRONG

Pensioner Thomas Armstrong, 87,passed away Jan. 1. Brother

Armstrongbecame aSeafarer in1953. Hisfirst trip waswith SeatrainLines Inc.BrotherArmstrongwas born inIllinois. Priorto his retire-

ment in 1987, he shipped on theBeaugard. Brother Armstrong set-tled in Florida.

CLARENCE FELDER

Pensioner Clarence Felder, 77,died Jan. 13. Brother Felder beganshipping with the Marine Cooks& Stewards while in the port ofSan Francisco. He was born inMississippi and sailed in the stew-ard department. Brother Felder’searliest trip to sea was aboard thePresident Madison; his last wason the President Johnson. Hestarted collecting his retirement in1987 and made his home inCalifornia.

JAMES LARATTA

Pensioner James Laratta, 70,passed away Feb. 20. BrotherLarattajoined theSIU ranks in1987 whilein the port ofNorfolk, Va.He initiallysailed on theUSNSCapella.BrotherLaratta, amember of the engine department,was born in Glen Ridge, N.J. Hisfinal voyage took place aboard thePortsmouth. Brother Larattabecame a pensioner in 2004. Heresided in Titusville, Fla.

CARLITO NAVARRO

Brother Carlito Navarro, 59, diedFeb. 11. He was born in thePhilippines. Brother Navarrosigned on with the SIU in 1979while in Piney Point, Md. His firstvoyage was on the Adventurer.Brother Navarro sailed in thesteward department. His final tripwas aboard a Matson NavigationCompany vessel. Brother Navarrocalled Anaheim, Calif., home.

CHESTER PRESTON

Pensioner Chester Preston, 69,passed away Feb. 16. BrotherPreston started shipping with theunion in 1991. He first sailed onthe Cape Ann. Brother Prestonwas born in the Philippines andworked in the engine department.He was last employed aboard the

GopherState.BrotherPreston livedin Norfolk,Va., andwent on pen-sion inJanuary of2010.

WILLIAM REID

Pensioner William Reid, 82, diedJan. 23. Brother Reid was born inLong Island, N.Y. He joined the

union in1953 in theport of NewYork.Brother Reidoriginallyshipped withEmersonSteamshipCompany asa member of

the steward department. His finaltrip was on the Value. BrotherReid continued to call New Yorkhome. He retired in 1992.

ANTONIO VILLANUEVA

Brother Antonio Villanueva, 86,passed away Feb. 2. He firstdonned the SIU colors in 1963while in the port of New Orleans.Brother Villanueva initially sailedaboard the Trans Indiana. Thedeck department member mostrecently worked on the Aguadilla.He was born in Honduras butmade his home in Surprise, Ariz.

RICHARD WILLIAMS

Pensioner Richard Williams, 84,died Feb. 4. Brother Williamsbegan sailing with the union in1951. His earliest trip was on theDevils Lake.The Virginianativeshipped inthe deckdepartment.BrotherWilliams’final shipwas the LNGGemini. Hewas a resi-dent of Windsor, N.C. BrotherWilliams became a pensioner in1991.

INLAND

RAYMOND DANLEY

Pensioner Raymond Danley, 82,passed away Jan. 2. BrotherDanley was born in Florida. Hestarted his seafaring career in

1966.BrotherDanley’sfirst vesselwas operat-ed by De-BardelebenMarineCorpora-tion.

Before retiring in 1994, heworked with Crowley Towing ofJacksonville. Brother Danley con-tinued to reside in his native state.

RICHARD ECKLES

Pensioner Richard Eckles, 77,died Feb. 9. Brother Ecklesbecame a union member in 1962while in the port of New Orleans.He primarilysailedaboardCapitalTowingCompanyvessels.BrotherEckles wasborn inBatonRouge, La.He went on pension in 2001 andcalled Zachary, La., home.

ADELL GAUTHIER

Pensioner Adell Gauthier, 83,passed away Feb. 26. BrotherGauthier signed on with the SIUin 1967. He was employed withNational Marine Service Inc. forthe duration of his career. BrotherGauthier was born in Pilottown,La. He started collecting hisretirement pay in 1988. BrotherGauthier lived in Freeport, Fla.

GREAT LAKES

MARK FRALEY

Brother Mark Fraley, 49, diedFeb. 19. He was born in St. Clair,Mich. Brother Fraley joined theunion 1979 while in Piney Point,Md. His first ship was the Sharon;his last was the Indiana Harbor.Brother Fraley continued to makeMichigan home.

NELSON HAWLEY

Pensioner Nelson Hawley, 75,passed away Feb. 24. BrotherHawley began sailing with theSIU in 1966. He was born inFairview, Mich., and shipped inthe engine department. BrotherHawley originally worked aboarda vessel operated by HuronPortland Cement. His last trip wason the JAW Iglehart. BrotherHawley retired in 1996 andresided in Alpena, Mich.

NATIONAL MARITIME UNIONEditor’s note: The following

brothers, all former members ofthe National Maritime Union(NMU), have passed away.

TELISFORD AMAYA

Pensioner Telisford Amaya, 91,passed away Feb. 27. BrotherAmaya was a native of Honduras.He retired in 1978. BrotherAmaya lived in Johnson City,Tenn.

ANTONIO BARROS

Pensioner Antonio Barros, 89,died Feb. 28. The Massachusettsnative went on pension in 1968.Brother Barros made his home inBronx, N.Y.

ERNEST BURNETT

Pensioner Ernest Burnett, 82,passed away Feb. 14. BrotherBurnett was born in Colver, Pa.He became a pensioner in 1992and resided in Falmouth, Mass.

ROBERT CAIN

Pensioner Robert Cain, 88, diedFeb. 2. Brother Cain, a native ofGeorgia, went on pension in 1978.He made his home in Mobile, Ala.

WILLIAM CONYERS

Pensioner William Conyers, 85,passed away Jan. 25. BrotherConyers was born in Love Grove,N.C. He retired in 1984. BrotherConyers lived in Port Arthur,Texas.

JOHN CZUPLAK

Pensioner John Czuplak, 82, diedFeb. 4. Brother Czuplak was bornin Pennsylvania. He started col-lecting his retirement compensa-tion in 1969 and settled inChesapeake, Va.

WILLIAM HARRISON

Pensioner William Harrison, 76,passed away Jan. 6. The NewYork-born mariner became a pen-sioner in 1998. Brother Harrisonwas a resident of Hayward, Calif.

VANN HATLEY

Pensioner Vann Hatley, 84, diedJan. 13. Brother Hatley was aNorth Carolina native. He went onpension in 1972. Brother Hatleylived in Concord, N.C.

THOMAS HAYNES

Pensioner Thomas Haynes, 86,passed away Feb. 5. BrotherHaynes was born in Georgia. Heretired in 1990. Brother Haynescalled Union Point, Ga., home.

LAWRENCE HUTSON

Pensioner Lawrence Hutson, 89,died Feb. 7. Brother Hutson was anative of Britain. He started col-lecting his retirement compensa-tion in 1973. Brother Hutsonmade his home in Mobile, Ala.

RAMON JIMENEZ

PensionerRamonJimenez,100, passedaway Feb.17. BrotherJimenez, anative ofPuerto Rico,became apensioner in 1973. He settled inOpalocka, Fla.

JUSTO MIRANDA

Pensioner Justo Miranda, 89, diedJan. 19. Brother Miranda wasborn in Honduras. He went onpension in 1970 and resided inBrooklyn, N.Y.

WALTER REYNOLDS

PensionerWalterReynolds,90, passedaway Feb.20. Born inLowell,Mass., heretired in1984.BrotherReynoldswas a resident of Seattle.

PHILLIP RILEY

Pensioner Phillip Riley, 78, diedJan. 28. Brother Riley was anative of Savannah, Ga. He beganreceiving his pension in 1996.Brother Riley continued to live inGeorgia.

VIDAL RIVERA

Pensioner Vidal Rivera, 84,passed away Jan. 22. BrotherRivera was born in Puerto Rico.He started collecting his retire-ment compensation in 1987.Brother Rivera made his home inNew York.

DAVID SHAW

Pensioner David Shaw, 86, diedJan. 16. Brother Shaw, a native ofTexas, retired in 1989. He calledSun City, Calif., home.

EDWARD TUCKER

Pensioner Edward Tucker, 56,passed away Jan. 7. BrotherTucker was born in Rhode Island.He went on pension in 2008.Brother Tucker made his home inFalmouth, Mass.

The following former mem-bers of the NMU also havepassed away, however, no datawas available to construct indi-vidual biographical sketches:

Name Age DOD

Bergeron, Anthony 81 Feb. 5Carruthers, Troy 83 Feb. 3Guerrero, Antonio 78 Feb. 26Jones, Linwood 80 Feb. 1Loy, Peter 82 Feb. 4Mackey, Warren 83 Feb. 8Martin, Charles 85 Feb. 14Rocco, James 84 Feb. 4Salih, Ali 89 Feb. 11

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DDiiggeesstt ooff SShhiippbbooaarrdd UUnniioonn MMeeeettiinnggss

The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard minutes aspossible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted.

Ships’ minutes first are reviewed by the union’s contract department. Those issuesrequiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships’minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication.

CAPE TEXAS (Crowley), May25 – Chairman Jimmy Ocot,Educational Director QuincyWilson, Deck Delegate JuliusObilana, Engine Delegate LouisSantiago. Chairman urged crewmembers to keep documentsupdated. He also asked them toplace life preservers in the port-side deck room. Secretaryreminded mariners to cleanrooms and leave laundry bagsoutside of rooms for collection.Educational director discussednew style and requirements for z-cards and the quick turnaround.Treasurer stated money in ship’sfund was used to purchaseDVDs. Deck delegate reportedthat weekly sanitary pay was notbeing received. Engine delegateinquired about the 401K plan.Steward delegate thanked every-one for a smooth voyage.

HORIZON EAGLE (HorizonLines), May 12 – ChairmanAnton Sulic, Secretary Rang V.Nguyen, Educational DirectorSteling Cox, Deck DelegatePeter Koucky, Engine DelegateServando Canales, StewardDelegate Muckbil A. Shabi.Chairman thanked crew for agood trip and went over ship’sitinerary. He stated pay-off wouldtake place May 22 at sea.Members were asked to emptytrash cans before departing vesseland leave fresh linen for reliefs.Secretary encouraged crew mem-bers to donate to SPAD(Seafarers Political ActionDonation) and keep dues current.Treasurer noted ship’s fundmoney would be used to get twonew bikes. No beefs or disputedOT reported. President’s reportwas read and discussed from theApril 2010 Seafarers LOG. Nextport: Oakland, Calif.

HORIZON RELIANCE (HorizonLines), May 16 – ChairmanKissinfor Taylor, SecretaryJoseph Laureta, EducationalDirector Daniel Borden, DeckDelegate Felipe Jimenez,Steward Delegate FrankIverson. Chairman announcedthat ship would be in the yardfrom May 27 until July 15.Secretary reminded mariners toclean up after themselves.Educational director suggestedcrew members take advantage ofupgrading opportunities at theunion-affiliated Paul Hall Centerfor Maritime Training andEducation, located in PineyPoint, Md. Members werereminded to renew documentsearly so they won’t miss jobopportunities. Treasurer stated$138 in satellite fund. No beefsor disputed OT reported. AllSeafarers aboard vessel expressedgratitude to SIU President MikeSacco and the other union offi-cials for their tireless work topreserve jobs in these difficulttimes. Thanks were given toSteward Joe Laureta for goodfood. Next ports: Long Beach,Calif., Honolulu and China.

HORIZON SPIRIT (HorizonLines), May 27 – ChairmanDonald Rezendes, SecretaryRoderick Clay, EducationalDirector Roy Frett, Engine

Delegate Thomas Humphreys,Stewards Delegate RaulNapoles. Chairman announcedpayoff at sea on May 28. Crewmembers were thanked for theexcellent work they did gettingship ready after shipyard. Roominspection took place earlier inthe day. Secretary reminded crewto always be aware of their sur-roundings and respect their ship-mates. Educational directoradvised mariners to attend classesat the Piney Point school toenhance seafaring abilities. Healso reviewed the basics ofSPAD, the union’s voluntarypolitical action fund, with thecrew. Treasurer noted $63 inmovie fund. No beefs or disputedOT reported. Request was madefor a new region 8 DVD player.Mariners were asked to cleanrooms before signing off. Kudosgiven to the steward departmentfor great food. Next port:Honolulu.

HORIZON TRADER (HorizonLines), May 30 – ChairmanAntonio Mercado, SecretaryKevin Dougherty, EducationalDirector Thomas Flynn, DeckDelegate Efrian Alvarez, EngineDelegate Wilmer McCants,Steward Delegate RichardJones. Bosun announced payoffon June 4 upon arrival inJacksonville, Fla. He remindedcrew members that a safety vestis required in all APM ports andthat Jacksonville requires twoforms of ID, one being the TWICcard. Educational directoradvised everyone to upgrade andmake sure they stay up-to-date ontheir TWIC & MMDs. Treasurerreported $1,800 in ship’s fund.No beefs or disputed OT report-ed. It was suggested that directdeposit of vacation checks bemade available. Basic safetyrequirements were discussed.Bosun thanked steward depart-ment for great BBQs. Next ports:Jacksonville, Fla., San Juan, P.R.,and Elizabeth, N.J.

HOUSTON (USS Transport),May 3 – Chairman JohnLamprecht, Secretary RobertWilcox, Educational DirectorScott Fuller, Deck DelegateDean Stanley, Engine DelegateNoel Magbitang, StewardDelegate Irvinson Perez.Chairman expressed his satisfac-tion with work performed bycrew. He stressed the importanceof safety first. Secretary thankedcrew for helping keep pantry andmesshall clean. Crew memberswere asked to keep lint filtersclean to prevent fires and makedryer work more efficiently.Educational director advisedmembers to upgrade, which canlead to better opportunities andadvancement. He reminded crewmembers to keep documents cur-rent. No beefs or disputed OTreported. Announcement wasmade that laptop is available fore-mail on bridge when in port orat anchor. Suggestion was madeto reimburse members for addedbaggage fees when joining ves-sel.

MAERSK CAROLINA (MaerskLine, Limited), May 2 –

Chairman Brian Fountain,Secretary Alexander Banky,Educational Director KevinCooper. Chairman reportedanother safe trip with no lost timeinjures. He noted payoff to takeplace on May 10 in Newark, N.J.Crew members were reminded tokeep garbage room locked.Secretary urged mariners to makesure they have all receipts turnedinto the captain and check payvouchers at payoff. He alsoencouraged them to contribute toSPAD and leave rooms clean fornext member. No beefs or disput-ed OT reported. Crew membersthanked AB Ron Mena fordonating his time and showinghis knot-making skills. His art-work is on display throughout theship. Next ports: Newark, N.J.,Charleston, S.C., and Norfolk,Va.

RACER (Maersk Line, Limited),

May 12 – Chairman ThomasFlanagan, Secretary GlenWilliams, Educational DirectorJeffrey Levie, Deck DelegateKenneth Simmons, EngineDelegate Bernard Smalls,Steward Delegate Sandra Vann.Chairman announced payoff inNewark, N.J., on May 18. Heasked those departing the vesselto leave rooms clean and sup-plied with fresh linen for newcrew. Request was made formembers to submit ideas forupcoming contract negotiations.Educational director encouragedfellow mariners to keep going toPiney Point to upgrade skills.Treasurer stated $550 in ship’sfund. No beefs or disputed OTreported. Clarification requestedon transportation policy andreimbursement. Crew was askedto be considerate of others con-cerning computer and phones.Next ports: Charleston, S.C.,

Miami, Houston and Mobile, Ala.

ST LOUIS EXPRESS(Crowley), May 25 – ChairmanMatthew Sagay, Secretary JackMcElveen, Educational DirectorJoaquim Figueiredo, DeckDelegate Boyd Spivey, EngineDelegate Michael Warner,Steward Delegate FeleciaRoyalty. Chairman informedmariners that if there’s a problemaboard the ship they can call orfax the hall to notify them of thevessel’s next port. Secretary rec-ommended that all Seafarersdonate to SPAD and know whatjob you are putting in for beforeyou do so. Educational directorurged crew to upgrade wheneverpossible to improve skills; classdates are in the Seafarers LOG.No beefs or disputed OT report-ed. Suggestion was made toreduce sea time requirements toreceive full pension benefits.

Memorial Day Aboard the Midnight Sun

The crew aboard the SIU-contracted and TOTE operated Midnight Sun on Memorial Day were therecipients of a dual-layered surprise courtesy of their skipper Capt. Daniel J. Severino. Not only did thecaptain reward the crew for their hard work by giving them break relief for the holiday, but also took hisgesture one step further by preparing and grilling an assortment of entrees for their dining pleasure.According to Chief Cook Sal Ahmed, Severino stepped into the galley, prepared all of the meats andseafood (everything from cutting to marinating) and then grilled them. The entrees for the resultingmeal—all Severino’s creations—included grilled leg of lamb steaks, grilled salmon, grilled fillet mignonand hot dogs. The galley gang (photo above) contributed shrimp cocktail, pizza, deviled eggs, potatosalad, baked beans and strawberry short cake. Galley gang members (from left to right) included ChiefCook Ahmed, Recertified Steward Chris Amigable and SA Nasser Abdullah. Captain Serverino is sec-ond from left. Midnight Sun Bosun Fadel Saleh (right) gets a crash course in the art of grilling fromServerino in the photo below.

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FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of theSIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland WatersDistrict/NMU makes specific provision for safe-guarding the membership’s money and unionfinances. The constitution requires a detailed auditby certified public accountants every year, which isto be submitted to the membership by the secre-tary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee ofrank-and-file members, elected by the membership,each year examines the finances of the union andreports fully their findings and recommendations.Members of this committee may make dissentingreports, specific recommendations and separate find-ings.

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIUAtlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland WatersDistrict/NMU are administered in accordance withthe provisions of various trust fund agreements. Allthese agreements specify that the trustees in chargeof these funds shall equally consist of union andmanagement representatives and their alternates. Allexpenditures and disbursements of trust funds aremade only upon approval by a majority of thetrustees. All trust fund financial records are availableat the headquarters of the various trust funds.

SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rightsand seniority are protected exclusively by contractsbetween the union and the employers. Membersshould get to know their shipping rights. Copies ofthese contracts are posted and available in all unionhalls. If members believe there have been violationsof their shipping or seniority rights as contained inthe contracts between the union and the employers,they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by

certified mail, return receipt requested. The properaddress for this is:

Augustin Tellez, ChairmanSeafarers Appeals Board

5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746

Full copies of contracts as referred to are availableto members at all times, either by writing directly tothe union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board.

CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts areavailable in all SIU halls. These contracts specify thewages and conditions under which an SIU memberworks and lives aboard a ship or boat. Membersshould know their contract rights, as well as theirobligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on theproper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at anytime, a member believes that an SIU patrolman orother union official fails to protect their contractualrights properly, he or she should contact the nearestSIU port agent.

EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERSLOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrainedfrom publishing any article serving the political pur-poses of any individual in the union, officer or mem-ber. It also has refrained from publishing articlesdeemed harmful to the union or its collective mem-bership. This established policy has been reaffirmedby membership action at the September 1960 meet-ings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility forSea farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial boardwhich consists of the executive board of the union.The executive board may delegate, from among itsranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility.

PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to bepaid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIUunless an official union receipt is given for same.Under no circumstances should any member pay anymoney for any reason unless he is given such receipt.In the event anyone attempts to require any such pay-ment be made without supplying a receipt, or if amember is required to make a payment and is givenan official receipt, but feels that he or she should nothave been required to make such payment, thisshould immediately be reported to union headquar-ters.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGA-

TIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are availablein all union halls. All members should obtain copiesof this constitution so as to familiarize themselveswith its contents. Any time a member feels any othermember or officer is attempting to deprive him or herof any constitutional right or obligation by any meth-ods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as wellas all other details, the member so affected shouldimmediately notify headquarters.

EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteedequal rights in employment and as members of theSIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIUConstitution and in the contracts which the union hasnegotiated with the employers. Conse quently, nomember may be discriminated against because ofrace, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin.

If any member feels that he or she is denied theequal rights to which he or she is entitled, the mem-ber should notify union headquarters.

SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY

DONATION — SPAD.SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds

are used to further its objects and purposes including,but not limited to, furthering the political, social andeconomic interests of maritime workers, the preser-vation and furthering of the American merchantmarine with improved employment opportunities forseamen and boatmen and the advancement of tradeunion concepts. In connection with such objects,SPAD supports and contributes to political candi-dates for elective office. All contributions are volun-tary. No contribution may be solicited or receivedbecause of force, job discrimination, financialreprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a conditionof membership in the union or of employment. If acontribution is made by reason of the above improp-er conduct, the member should notify the SeafarersInternational Union or SPAD by certified mail with-in 30 days of the contribution for investigation andappropriate action and refund, if involuntary. Amember should support SPAD to protect and furtherhis or her economic, political and social interests,and American trade union concepts.

NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time amember feels that any of the above rights have beenviolated, or that he or she has been denied the con-stitutional right of access to union records or infor-mation, the member should immediately notify SIUPresident Michael Sacco at headquarters by certifiedmail, return receipt requested. The address is:

Michael Sacco, PresidentSeafarers International Union

5201 Auth WayCamp Springs, MD 20746.

KKnnooww YYoouurr RRiigghhttss

Tribute to Late Father

Enclosed are copies of some of therecognition letters/certificates that mydad received after the war ended. Myfather, Lutgardo Silva, was a retiredunion member and decorated veteranfrom World War II. He was so proud ofhis service that he dedicated a letter to hisentire family – specifically, a 1946 letterfrom the War Shipping Administration.That letter, from Acting AdministratorGranville Conway, reads in part:

“During the evening twilight, inOctober 1944, the SS Howard L. Gibson,in which you were serving, was in colli-sion with another vessel of a trans-Atlantic convoy. Both ships immediatelyburst into flames which, in the case of theGibson, extended from bow to stern.Some progress was made in extinguish-ing fires in the after part of the ship, butbecause of the danger of exploding mag-azines the Master ordered the vesselabandoned. All hands were safely pickedup by a destroyer escort. During thenight, you volunteered and joined a partyof 12 shipmates who returned to the ves-sel in an attempt to save her from destruc-tion. You knew that the undertaking wasextremely dangerous as the ship mightblow up at any moment. Nevertheless,you and your companions, working ingroups, fought the fires on deck, andmanned the machinery in the smoke-filled engine room. After a long and haz-ardous period of some 30 hours theflames were extinguished and the shipsaved.

“I congratulate you upon the perfor-mance of a service which was in keepingwith the finest traditions of the UnitedStates Merchant Marine, and I direct thata copy of this letter be made a part of yourService Record.”

My father was an honorable man, rich

with wisdom, loyalty and love. He wasdedicated to his family and country andwas married to my mom for 72 years.(Mom passed away in 2003.) My fatherwas buried with veterans’ honors; theCoast Guard played Taps and gave me theflag.

Teresa SilvaMetairie, Louisiana

Shipboard Memories

Many years ago, I had an adventure onthe great old passenger ship PresidentLincoln. It was April of 1945 and I wasreturning to the USA. I was a sergeant inthe Marine Corps and was appointed tofeed and care for 60 prisoners of waraboard the ship.

We were sailing from the island ofEngebi, part of the Marshall Islands. Ispent the next 16 or 17 days of that voy-age to San Francisco caring for thoseprisoners. It was a good voyage and apleasure to get off that old ship.

Some 25 years later, when I was sail-ing SIU on the Delta Lines vessel DelNorte, I saw and recognized that old shipthe President Lincoln in the harbor in Riode Janeiro. It was still sailing, and carry-ing immigrants from Italy to Argentinaunder the Italian flag.

I proceeded to board the old ship upthe open gangway at the lobby area.There, I approached the fire station andopened the fire axe station doors andturned the axe over and saw the name:President Lincoln. It indeed was that oldvessel that I had ridden home from thewar zone so many years ago.

I am retired from Delta Lines some 28years now.

Harold CraneOpelousas, Louisiana

LLeetttteerrss TToo TThhee EEddiittoorrLetters may be edited for conciseness and clarity.

Submissions may be mailed to 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs,MD 20746 or e-mailed to [email protected].

Seafarers Member Haller Authors His Second Book

SIU electrician and Navy veteran QE4Robert Haller has written a second bookabout his seafaring life and, in particular,the service of merchant mariners and hisexperiences during the Cold War.

His book, “Adventures of a Cold WarVeteran,” takes readers from his child-hood days when his father built a bombshelter, to his Navy life tracking Sovietnuclear subs during the height of the ColdWar and the international tensions of theera, to his experiences as a merchant sea-man.

Haller credits his family for his interestin a life at sea. The Paul Hall Center forMaritime Training and Education gradu-ate’s three brothers were members of theU.S. Merchant Marine and also graduatesof the school. His father was in the U.S.Navy.

In fact, seafaring runs so deeply in hisfamily’s tradition that his older brotherChuck’s ashes are buried beneath a plaqueat the school in honor of his 30 years ofservice in the U.S. Merchant Marine.

Haller’s first published book was titled“Life of a Bluenose.” The title comesfrom the Bluenose Certificates marinersreceive for crossing the Arctic Circle forthe first time.

The newer publication, “Adventures ofa Cold War Veteran,” is 72 pages and is

published by Professional Press, P.O. Box3581, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3581, tele-phone 1-800-277-8960. It sells for $5.

Robert Haller, who joined the SIU as ateenager, displays both of his books.

Barely visible beneaththe helicopter, amariner aboard theSea fa re rs -c rewedU.S. Military SealiftCommand dryca rgo /ammun i t i onship USNSSacagawea hooks apallet of supplies tothe bottom of an MH-60S Sea Hawk duringa vertical replenish-ment with the USSBataan in theCaribbean Sea. Thephoto was taken in late February. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass CommunicationSpecialist 1st Class Hendrick Dickson)

CIVMARS Support Our Troops

59996_P01_24:January 08 6/23/2010 8:08 PM Page 20


The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training andEducation in Piney Point, Md., for the next few months of 2010. All programs are geared toimproving the job skills of Seafarers and to promoting the American maritime industry.

Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritimeindustry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security.

Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s startdate. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classesending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday.

Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul HallCenter may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010.

Deck Department Upgrading CoursesTitle of Start Date ofCourse Date Completion

Able Seaman August 16 September 10 October 11 November 5

ARPA July 26 July 30September 27 October 1November 8 November 12

Bosun Recertification October 18 November 8Fast Rescue Boat July 26 July 30

August 16 August 20Lifeboatman September 27 October 10Radar Observer (Unlimited) July 12 July 23

September 13 September 24October 25 November 5

Radar Recertification (1 day) August 2 August 2September 8 September 8November 15 November 15

STOS August 23 September 3October 18 October 29

Tanker Asst DL August 2 August 13Tank PIC Barge DL September 27 October 10

Engine Department Upgrading Courses

Advanced Container Maintenance November 15 December 10Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations July 19 August 13

September 13 October 8November 8 December 3

FOWT August 16 September 10October 11 November 5

Marine Refrigeration Technician August 23 October 1Machinist November 29 December 17Pumpman October 4 October 15Welding July 5 July 23

September 27 October 15October 25 November 12November 29 December 17

Safety Upgrading Courses

Basic & Advanced Firefighting July 5 July 16October 18 October 29

BST/Basic Firefighting July 26 July 30August 16 August 20September 20 September 24October 18 October 22November 15 November 19

Title of Start Date ofCourse Date Completion

Medical Care Provider July 19 July 23November 1 November 5

Steward Department Upgrading Courses

Chief Steward July 19 August 27

Galley Operations/Advanced Galley OperationsThese modules start every Monday.

Certified Chief Cook/Chief StewardThese classes start every other Monday. The most recent class began June 28.

Academic Department Courses

General education and college courses are available as needed at the Paul Hall Center. In addi-tion, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, two weeks priorto the beginning of a vocational course.

The following opportunities are currently available: Adult Basic Education (ABE), English asa Second Language (ESL), a College Program and a Preparatory Course. When applying forpreparatory courses, students should list the name of the course desired on upgrading application.An introduction to computers course, a self-study module, is also available.

Online Distance Learning Courses

“Distance learning” (DL) courses are available to students who plan to enroll in classes at theunion-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. The online courses arenot mandatory, but they are structured to benefit students who eventually attend other classes atthe Paul Hall Center, which is located in Piney Point, Md.

The online courses are: DOD Level 1 Antiterrorism Awareness Training, MSC EnvironmentalAwareness, First Aid Preparation, Hazardous Material Control and Management, HearingConservation, Heat Stress Management, Bloodborne Pathogens, Shipboard Pest Management,Respiratory Protection, Back Safety, Fixed Fire Fighting Systems, Shipboard Firefighting,Portable Fire Extinguishers, Fire Fighting Equipment, Shipboard Water Sanitation, CrewEndurance Management, Basic Math Refresher, Intermediate Math Refresher, MarineEngineering Mathematics Preparation, Introduction to Navigational Math, Basic Culinary Skills,and Chief Cook Preparation.

Students MUST have access to the internet and an e-mail address in order to take the afore-mentioned classes. Each course must be taken online, not at the Paul Hall Center. E-mailaddresses should be provided on applications (printed neatly) when applying. Applicants shouldinclude the letters DL when listing any online course on the upgrading application form below.

UPGRADING APPLICATION

Name ____________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________

Date of Birth ______________________________________________________________

Deep Sea Member � Lakes Member � Inland Waters Member �

If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not beprocessed.

Social Security #_______________________ Book # ____________________________

Seniority_____________________________ Department______________________

Home Port_____________________________________________________________

E-mail________________________________________________________________

Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held______________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? � Yes � No

If yes, class #______________________________________________________________

Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? � Yes � No

If yes, course(s) taken_____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to thedate your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back or relevant pages of merchantmariner credential, front page of your union book indicating your department and senior-ity, qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate,valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC.

COURSE START DATE OFDATE COMPLETION

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

LAST VESSEL: __________________________________Rating: ______________

Date On: ___________________________ Date Off:________________________

SIGNATURE ________________________________ DATE___________________

NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if youpresent original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any ques-tions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reim-bursable.Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training andEducation Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to(301) 994-2189.

The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center forMaritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution andadmits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The schoolcomplies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students inits programs or activities. 7/10

SSeeaaffaarreerrss PPaauull HHaallll CCeenntteerr UUppggrraaddiinngg CCoouurrssee SScchheedduullee

Students who have registered for classes at the SIU-affiliated PaulHall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discov-

er—for whatever reason—thatthey cannot attend should informthe admissions department imme-diately so arrangements can bemade to have other students taketheir places.

Notice to Upgraders



PPaauull HHaallll CCeenntteerr CCllaasssseess

Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 730 – Sixteen unlicensed apprenticescompleted training in this 60-hour course April 2. Those graduating (above, in alphabeticalorder) were: Cleavern Brown, Oleg Doskach, Gwendolyn Garcia, Christopher Geraty, ElliottKolner, Dwain Liess, Casey Matheson, Terry Mattison, Terrence Meadows, Ann Mensch,Saleh Mohamed, James Ross, Mohammed Sarreshtedar, Michael Souza, FrederickThompson Jr., and William Lee.

Marine Electrician – Twelve uprgaders finished their training in this 280-hour courseMay 14. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Robin Bourgeois, LeanderCollins, Arman DeBois, Robert Ivanauskas, Thomas Jones, Forrest McGee, TomasMerel, Antoine Rainey, Romel Reyes, Alexander Thodes, Jo-vanio Sprauve andRichard Wright. Jay Henderson, their instructor, is at left. (Note: Not all ae pictured.)

Fast Rescue Boat – Eight upgraders completed this 30-hour course May 7.Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Omar Aswad, Juan Bernal-Helices,Richard Cannady, William Coronacion, Samuel Lloyd, John Manning, Stephen Roelland Marc Simpson. Their instructor, Stan Beck, is at left.

Able Seaman – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from thiscourse May 21: Joseph Barnes, Thomas Braillard, Prymus Buckholtz, Victor Cortes-Maldonado, Kelly Forbis, Christopher Hickey, Andrew Hufana, James Johner, JosephLacaden, Patricia Lamb, John McElhaney, Jonmark Newman, Richard Ong, Rey Ramos,Jonathan Rivera Rodriguez, Santiago Rodriguez-Saldivar, Cedric Short, Rosalind Sparrow,Lisa Williams and Jerald Young. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon, is at right.

Tank Ship Familiarization DL – Twenty-six Phase III unlicensed apprentices finished their training in this 63-hour course May 14. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order)were: Tousif Ahmed, Jason Bimie, Shawn Bising, Timothy Bradstreet, Matthew Caradimos, Ronald Coley, Jessica Crocket, Alethea Earhart, Sheryl Farmer, Gerald Foster II, KevinGebhard, Anthony Green Jr., Andrew Gronotte, Kevin Hanmont, Nita Holly, Ricky Howard, Brandon Hutchison, Eddie Jackson, Nicholas McAbier, Jason Monk, Shoal Nervo, KeithReeder, Gavin Scott, Bryan Smith, Sean Smith and Ticer Sutthipong. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

59996_P01_24:January 08 6/23/2010 8:08 PM Page 22


PPaauull HHaallll CCeenntteerr CCllaasssseessFOWT – The individuals picturedat left finished their requirementsin this course May 21. Graduating(in alphabetical order) were:Kenneth Adams II, DaniloAchacoso, Brandy Baker-Days,Joseph Bankhead, Joel Bell,Sotero Berame Jr., Latiffe Brooks,Derrick Clark, Andrew Delutis,Felix Garcia, John Gryko, KeithJordan Jr., Lucian Lepadatu, AliMohamed, Charles Naze,Muthala Noorudin, Edwin Velez,Mohamed Sylla, Charles Wescottand Rickey Yancey. Their instruc-tor, Tim Achorn, is standing atright in plaid shirt. (Note: Not allare pictured.)

BST (Hawaii) – Ten individuals completed traiing in this course April 10 at the SeafarersTraining Center in Barbers Point, Hawaii. Graduating (above, in no particular order)were: Lucas Lemirande, Mehdi Abad, Rosanna Carriero, Jae Lauren Spurgin, ShelbyHalady, Karia Cain, Chris Fitzsimons, Charles Robles, Chivaughn Anderson and AmberMonge.

STOS – Nine upgraders finished this 70-hour course May 21. Graduating (above, inalphabetical order) were: Douglas Badger, Henrynilo Becodo, Jerrell Dorsey, Sabbah-Yahay Ghaleb, Eduardo Meregillano, Mark Potterville, Andre Robinson Sr., AdamSanders and Richard Sawyer. Stan Beck, their instructor, is standing fourth from left.

BST (Hawaii) – The seventeen individuals shown above on April 17 finished thiscourse. Graduating (in no particular order) were: Ryan Helms, Emily Del Giacco, WilliamHorsley, Leonie Veith, Richard Belch, Krisandra Humphrey, Lisa Sadler, Joseph Gloro,Gabriell True, Megan Wilkins, John Hartman, Ronald Igarta, Adam Ramson, RobertStrickland, Thomas Baker, Kevin Bauer and Tamara Yamin.

BST (Hawaii) – The following individuals (above, in no particular order) on April 3 grad-uated from this course: Robert Lewis, Julie Carpine, Isis Cortes, Elena Lozinschi, RobinWilliams, Hilcar Medina, Stephen Zygiel, Michel Le Naour, Kathleen Jensen, DionneWisdom, John Vargas, Kiara Randolph and Lauren Cain.

Basic & Advanced Firefighting (Crowley) – Six individuals from Crowley Maritimecompleted this 35-hour course May 21. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order)were: Jackqueline Ellsworth, Stanley Jackson Jr., Rick James, Michael Proveaux, DavidSexton and Shawn Williams. Their instructor, Wayne Johnson, is at left.

Basic & Advanced Firefighting (Crowley) – Six of the individuals shown above, allemployees of Crowley Maritime, on May 14 finished their requirements in this course.Graduating (in alphabetical order) were: Leslie Bracey, Eldin Ebanks, Frederick Gathers,Marlon Green, Allen Pryor, and Mariette Wright. Their instructors, Steve Stockwell andWayne Johnson, are at the far right and far left respectively.

59996_P01_24:January 08 6/23/2010 8:08 PM Page 23

CIVMARSIn the News

Page 7

July 2010Volume 72, Number 7

Maritime Day Around the SIU

CEREMONY IN SAN FRANCISCO - SIU Asst. VP WestCoast Nick Celona (right) chatted with VP Richmond SanitaryServices Leonard Stefanelli, following dedication ceremonyhonoring all submariners lost at sea. Stefanelli is a veteran ofthe U.S. Navy. The event took place during the weekend ofMay 22-23 at Pier 45 of the Fishermen’s Wharf in SanFrancisco. The SIU provided a wreath for the event.

WASHINGTON, D.C. EVENT - SIU President Michael Sacco (left) chats with apprentices fromthe union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education during the U.S. MaritimeAdministration’s May 18 Maritime Day Ceremony in downtown Washington.

SEAFARERS OBSERVE MARITIME DAY IN PAKISTAN - While anchored offshore ofKarachi, Pakistan May 22, crew aboard the union-contracted MV Freedom observed MaritimeDay. Taking part in the observance (above, in no particular order) were: Bosun Trevorous Ellison,AB George Parker, Chief Engineer Hibl, 2nd Asst. Engineer Tabaosares, Steward Allen VanBuren, 2nd Mate Elliot, Chief Cook Mary Brayman, OS Angelito Basa, AB Joshua McAtee, OilersMarcus Gramby and Larry Locke Jr., Chief Mate Champion, Capt. Shawn Mcatee Hagerty, ABWadeea Alnasafi, 1st Asst. Engineer Barto, 3rd Mate Phillips, OS Arnold Castro and 3rd Asst.Engineer Kern.

ABOARD THE M/T SUNSHINE STATE - The crew of the Sunshine Stateon May 22 in Tampa, Fla., observed Maritime Day by posing with the U.S.Merchant Marine Flag along with the flag of their contracted company (Intrepid).Taking part in the event (top row from the left) were: Capt. Stephen Foster,Chief Engineer Victor Mull, Steward Gregory Johnson, AB Thomas Brooks andOilers Demarco Holt and Derrick Sullivan. In the bottom row are ABs JoelFahselt, Ed Tennyson and Arnaldo Fernandez; Oiler Mario Delacruz, PumpmanFurman Watson, AB Ed Fuller and ACU Leo Battiste.

Besides National Maritime Day events which tookplace last month in the greater Washington, D.C., met-ropolitan area involving Seafarers, a number of otherswere held at various ashore and at sea locations around

the United States and overseas. The photos appearingon this page—which were provided to the LOG fromseveral sources—highlight some of these events andthe individuals involved.

PORT OF GALVESTON - Maritime Day was commemorated in thePort of Galveston, Texas, May 21 with a wreath laying ceremony at theU.S. Merchant Marine Memorial Plaque near the Elissa at Pier 22 of theTexas Seaport Museum. The event was organized by Capt. JohnPeterlin III. (Clockwise from below) the SIU Government Services VesselThomas Jefferson was docked near the ceremony site. Members of the

color guard from the U.S. CoastGuard Marine Safety UnitGalveston prepare to post the colorswhile Chaplain Karen Parsons ofthe Galveston Seafarers Centerconducts the event’s benediction.Moving into position to place theceremonial wreath are WayneFarthing of the MM&P, DaveWeathers of the AMO and SIU PortAgent Mike Russo. The SIU-con-tracted and G&H operated tugWesley A saluted fallen marinerswith fountains from its two hydrants.


Maersk to Operate 10 Prepositioning Shipsseafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/548c8bb5c0b24211cbc5d567… · Hall Center classroom and deploying booms as part of their hands-on

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