http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/eb313f41318b4ae25990f1f547271cee.pdf 521444e803c726fd56e6f643a04eafd1 PDF Text Text Volume 57, Number 2 February 1995 APL's Flag-Out Waiver Violates Law, SIU Charges ANTI-AMERICAN TfRROR,~M--~ A NEW LOOK! Unions Ask Court ta Overturn Abuse at Subsidy Contract A U.S. government agency ruling that APL can operate six new ships under foreign-flag registry is under challenge by an SIU lawsuit. Page3 In this Issue Out of the Ice to Working With Ice Congress Reallocates Panels' Authority of U.S. Shipping Issues Page3 Gov1t Appeals Order Of Court to Refund Part of Z-Card Fees Page2 Louisiana Bestows $250 to WWII Seamen Who Lived in State Page9 Ending an unusually long sailing season, Great Lakes vessels laid up last month, giving Seafarers such as Chief Cook Ray Calo a chance to compete in ice sculpture competitions. Great Lakes Seafarers reflect on the '94 shipping season and speculate on their winter vacation plans. Page 5. �2 SEAFARERS LOG President's Report Congress in 1994-What's On Deck Although the 104th Congress has been in session for only a month, many matters concerning U.S. shipping are already front and center. For instance, right off the bat, the new Republican-majority Congress reorganized the committee structures, reducing the number of ~~:::::; panels. Merchant marine issues have been transferred to defense, transportation and natural resources committees in the House. In the Senate, the merchant marine subcommittee has been merged with a ground transportation subcommittee of the Commerce Committee. The reorganization poses a cha]]enge for the SIU and other proponents of a vital U.S.-flag fleet in that many members of the committees with jurisdiction over shipping affairs have not been heavily exposed to maritime isMichael Sacco sues. Additionally, many legislators are new and, thus, have never voted on U.S. shipping policies. All of this means we in the SIU and all American maritime elements have a big job to do educating recently elected representatives and senators and those with new maritime responsibilities on the need for a viable U.S. merchant marine to serve the nation's security and economic interests. Despite the many new forces at work in the Congress this year, there are a number of backers of U.S. shipping in both the House and the Senate who hold key committee and subcommittee chairmanships. Among them are Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.), who heads the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Representative Herbert H. Bateman (R-Va.), chairman of the Military Readiness Subcommittee of the House National Security Committee, which used to be known as the Armed Services Committee. A top priority for Sen. Lott and Rep. Bateman and other elected officials concerned with America's seapower will be enactment of a maritime shipbuilding and ship operating revitalization program. Remember that the last Congress came within an inch of passing a bill that would have provided funding for 10 years for more than 50 U.S.-flag containerships in exchange for their availability in times of conflict and allocated monies to assist U.S. shipyards. The Senate did not get to vote on the legislation because a lastminute parliamentary maneuver by Senators Larry Pressler (R-S.D.), Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) and Hank Brown (R-Colo.) blocked the bill from going to a floor vote. Pro-maritime legislators indicate that a bill similar to the one that came close to passing last year will be introduced in both chambers of Congress this year. To pass this legislation, the SIU and all groups that believe in the necessity of a U.S.-flag fleet must muster all their energies to use in an effort to secure backing from Congress for the bill. Once a maritime program passes the Congress, President Clinton has vowed to sign it into law. A maritime issue that was introduced in both the House and the Senate on the first day of this year's session was the lifting of the ban on exporting Alaskan oil. A key part of this bill is the requirement that any exported Alaska oil must be shipped on U.S.-flag tankers. In addition to new maritime policies that are being taken up by Congress, there are existing programs and governmental structures which serve as a foundation for the U.S . merchant marine that are being examined by both the administration and Congress in an effort to cut back on government costs and reduce the federal budget. It will be up to the SIU and other American maritime groups to work with pro-maritime elected officials to ensure that such programs and agencies are not eliminated simply to save money in the short term, arguing that in the long run the nation could pay dearly for its lack of an American-flag shipping capability. One item that faces possible elimination is the U.S. government's program to donate food aid to the citizens of poor nations. This program is known as P.L. 480. The American government purchases surplus grains, rice, flour and other food stuffs from U.S. agricultural interests and distributes the commodities through private, charitable organizations in underdeveloped countries. This program is subject to the nation's cargo preference laws which require that at least 75 percent of U.S.-government agricultural cargoes be carried on American-flag ships. Cargo preference laws also are being scrutinized by some in Congress who believe that government funds could be saved by allowing foreign-flag vessels to carry the U.S.-aid cargoes. The SIU is not only working to ensure that the nation's cargo preference laws are maintained, but the union also is combining forces with a number of groups that hope to save the P.L. 480 program. A coalition of voluntary relief organizations, agriculture and transportation interests have combined their efforts to convince Congress and the administration that American food aid is an effective way to promote good will towards the United States at a very low cost. Some of the government agencies that regulate shipping also are under fire. In the name of trimming government, some elected officials have proposed scratching the Federal Maritime Commission, which protects American consumers, shippers and ship operators from unscrupulous and unfair shipping practices by allowing rates to be set for ocean shipping. Another budget cutting target is the Interstate Commerce Commission, which establishes tariffs for shipping between two U.S. ports linked by an ocean or sea. (The ICC does not regulate inland waterway operations.) As the 104th Congress takes up maritime-related issues, the SIU will be vigilant in ensuring that the needs and concerns of the men and women who earn their living working aboard U.S.-flag vessels are heard and considered. We in the SIU do not kid ourselves; the task ahead will not be easy. But with a lot of work on our part and that of other maritime groups and the help of the representatives and senators who understand that the world's greatest power must have a correspondingly powerful maritime capacity, the upcoming session of Congress should bring some gains for U.S. shipping. FEBRUARY 1995 SIU1s Work-Tax Lawsuit Moves to Appeals Court Gov't Disputes Judge's Order to Refund Part of Fees A decision by a federal judge ordering the U.S. Coast Guard to cease charging seamen and boatmen $17 for an FBI background check when applying for marine documents or licenses and refund what has been charged for this action was appealed by the government last month to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The government's January 19 appeal seeks to overturn a ruling by Judge Louis F. Oberdorfer on the SIU' s lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the validity of socalled user fees attached to merchant mariner's documents (or z-cards) and licenses. Protest New Fee-Setting U.S. Justice Department attorneys, who represent the Coast Guard, also have appealed the lower court judge's order that the Coast Guard recalculate the costs currently charged to mariners for their agency-issued merchant mariner's documents and licenses. These charges range from $35 for an entrylevel merchant mariner's document to close to $250 for an upper level license. The union also has challenged a portion of Judge Oberdorfer' s ruling. In a notice of appeal filed with the court on January 20, the SIU asked the court of appeals to overturn the portion of the judge's decision that "concluded that the Coast Guard could appropriately impose any license and document fees at all against merchant seamen and boatmen." SIU Disputes 'Private Benefit' The union's lawsuit has argued that user fees charged to mariners for government-required z-cards and licenses is essentially a work tax, and, as such, unconstitutional. In his memorandum accompanying the November 23, 1994 order, Judge Oberdorfer found that the Coast Guard did have the right to set the fees as it "is not irrational" to assume that seamen and boatmen derive some independent benefit from a license that "confers the benefit of professional employment." Thus, the judge did not accept the union's contention that fees for issuing z-cards and marine licenses and processing and evaluating data associated with those documents should be prohibited. Judge Oberdorfer did concur with the union's position that the manner in which the fees had been calculated by the Coast Guard was flawed . He also sided with the union in determining that the FBI background check provides no independent benefit to the mariner and thus he or she cannot be charged for that process. (An FBI criminal records check is done when a document or license applicant first files his or her paperwork with the Coast Guard.) Appeals May Delay Order With both the Justice Department and the SIU chaJlenging portions of Judge Oberdorfer' s decision, the Coast Guard might wait to implement the recalculation of fees and prohibition and refund of the $17 PB I criminal records check. The agency also can implement these orders as well while its appeal is being considered. As the LOG was going to press, it was unclear which action the Coast Guard would choose. Joining the SIU in the lawsuit are five men who earn their living working on deep sea, Great Lakes or inland vessels and other maritime unions-Sailors' Union of the Pacific; Marine Firemen's Union; District 4National Maritime Union!IvlEBA; American Maritime Officers; International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots; and District No. I -Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. The suit was filed in April 1993 when the Coast Guard began charging mariners fees for z-cards and marine licenses. The fee-collection process was established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 in an attempt by Congress and the then Bush administration to raise funds to cut the federal deficit. Prior to this act, it was against the law to charge a fee for a seaman's license. MSC Chief: Prepositioning Ships Key to Nation's Sealift Assets America's future military sealift needs primarily will be met by prepositioning ships such as the civilian-crewed vessels used last year during a rapid buildup of U.S. armed forces in the Persian Gulf, said the head of the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC). U.S. Navy Vice Admiral P.M. Quast told the Propeller Club in Washington, D.C. on November 30 that prepositioning vessels, aided by ships from the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), will be crucial in future conflicts. "These pre-loaded ships are the key to getting the necessary military equipment and supplies married up with our military forces wherever and whenever needed," stated Quast, who is in charge of the agency within the U.S. Navy responsible for waterborne transport logistics. "The mobility of U.S . forces in times of crisis is one that sends a powerful, fast message to any aggressor." Additionally, Quast noted that the deployment last year of RRF ships in support of U.S. armed forces in Haiti reminded the American mi1itary that "when operating in less developed ports, we depend heavily on the (maritime) Volume 57, Number 2 industry to provide a wide variety of infrastructure support equipment such as tugs and barges and crew boats to facilitate operations." The most recent mobilization of U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf, known as Operation Southern Watch, commenced in October, in response to a buildup of Iraqi troops near Kuwait. MSC directed 19 prepositioning and RRF ships to sail in support of the mission. (SIU members crewed 11 of those vessels.) "Without a doubt, having prepositioned ships stored with stocks of weapons, food and other essential equipment proved invaluable in the recent rapid buildup in the Persian Gulf," Quast said. U.S.-flag prepositioning ships remain fully loaded to support American troops and are ready to set sail immediately after a military activation has been called. They are located in strategic ports around the world and crewed by civilian mariners. The RRF, meanwhile, is a fleet of former commercial ships that have been laid up and placed under U.S. government ownership for use in surge shipping during times of conflict. February 1995 The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 0160-2047) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Secondclass postage paid at MSC Prince Georges, MD 20790-9998 and at additional mailing offices. POS1MASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Au th Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Managing Editor, Daniel Duncan; AssociateEditors,JordanBiscardo and Corrina Christensen Gutierrez; Associate Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. �FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, PACIFIC DISTRICT 350 Fremont street San Franc i sco, Cal i forni a 94 1 05 , Plaint i ff , CASE NUMBER v. l; 95CV0006 2 JUDGE • Stanl ey s. Harri s UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, c/o The U.S. Attorney General of the United States Washington, D.C . DECK TYPE• c1v1l Gene ral nue is proper APL Flag-Out Waiver Violates U.S. Law, Charge SIU Unions An exemption from U.S. laws that allows American President Lines (APL) to operate six new containerships under foreign flags in competition with the company's U.S.-flag ships has been challenged in federal district court by the Seafarers International Union Pacific District. The three unions that make up the SIU' s Pacific District-the Sailors' Union of the Pacific; Marine Firemen's Union and SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District-have asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to overturn a decision by the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MarAd) permitting APL to flag-out six C-11 ships SIU Pacific District unions have asked a federal court to overturn a which will be delivered to the government decision that permits APL to operate six new container- company over the next two years. The lawsuit, filed January 12, ships under foreign-flag registries. . ~-·-" 0~ ~ · of the of a decision . for revie . . tration . . s an action itime Adlllinis This i f the Mar . 2. . . strator) o t of iunerican the "AdJlini . the reques . istrator ( ) granting operator, 11.Qlllin s-902 (a . d u.s.-flag ") in oocket subsidize Marine ("MarAd ("APL")' a the Merchant . Ltd. (a) of 4 . dent Lines' ction so . t APL to presi revisions of se · n order to permi to waive the p ded (the n11.ct") ' i i~ foreign-fl.a9 36 as amen . d services s for t.ne :p.ct of l.9 ' . in9 subsidize tJY a11owin9' in its eXist erate, there t\, operate · 11 own and op t Marine, a that APL wi e u. S' Merchan much vessels . torY of th one vessel' \ ime in the his eratin9 even . first t operator op tition with \\ U -tla9 . t co111pe . dized • 5 • in direc d ('b) subsi foreiqn-fla9 service; an i . under . the same iess six, sselS in -. to APL' 5 -flag ve ' fication \ dized u.s. or modi 11 withou . MA/MSB-4 ii suPsi . a contract.ual change eement No. . subsidY 11.gr ' effecting rential ating-oiffe . tnerefor, APL' s wai oper ca acitY to grant . 'W challenges MarAd's November 15, 1994 ruling granting APL a waiver from the nation's law that prohibits a shipping company receiving federal subsidy dollars from owning or operating a foreign-flag vessel in competition with U.S.-flag operators in trade routes deemed essential to America's interests. This prohibition is found in Section 804(a) of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. stated that the C-11 s would be used on the transpacific routes between California ports and Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, the government is allowed to waive the provisions of Section 804(a) in certain special circumstances. The unions' court paper contends, however, that giving APL a waiver was not permissible as it constitutes a violation of the law that prevents American operators from enterSubsidized on One Hand ing foreign-registered vessels APL requested the exemption into head-to-head competition from Section 804(a) in July 1993, with ships subsidized by the U.S. shortly after it had placed its order government. with foreign shipyards for the six Foreign On the Other containerships. Last year, APL, a subsidiary of the Oakland, Calif.APL, by its own admission, based American President Com- intends to operate the new cargo panies, asked MarAd to expedite ships on the same routes currently its waiver application, which Continued on page 8 Republican Reorganization o,f Congress Senate Combines Maritime, Transport Bodies; Three House Committees Cover Marine Issues Maritime issues will be taken up by a newly formed subcommittee in the Senate as a result of the consolidation of two subcommittees of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The Senate merchant marine subcommittee has been merged with the surface transportation group, announced the chairman of the Commerce Committee, Senator Larry Pressler (RS.D.), on January 12 during an organizational meeting of the panel. The new panel, named the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee, will be made up of six RepublicansSenators Trent Lott (Miss.), Bob Packwood (Ore.), Ted Stevens (Alaska), Conrad Bums (Mont.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas) and Olympia Snowe (Maine) and five Democrats-Senators Daniel K. Inouye (Hawaii), J. James Exon (Neb.), John Breaux (La.), Richard Bryan (Nev.) and Byron L. Dorgan (N.D.). Chaired by Sen. Lott, who serves as Senate Majority Whip, the second highest position in that body, the group also will have jurisdiction over trucking and rail matters. U.S. Coast Guard issues and fisheries questions will be handled by a newly named subcommittee within the Commerce Committee. The Oceans and Fisheries Subcommittee, which replaced the National Ocean Policy Study Subcommittee, will be headed by Sen. Stevens. Maritime's Military Role While the Senate was fashioning its organizational structure for the 104th Congress, the House of Representatives adopted a rule that made official plans to reshape the chamber's committees and procedures that had been put forward by Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) in consultation with the Republican majority's members. The rule, enacted January 4, reduced the number of House committees from 23 to 20, abolishing the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and distributing its jurisdiction to three other groups-the National Security Committee, headed by Representative Floyd D. Spence (R-S.C.), the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Public Lands and Resources Committee. Each of those committees in tum has designated a subcommittee to be its primary group to work on maritime matters. The House's Military Readiness Subcommittee of the National Security Committee, previously known as the Armed Services Committee, will oversee merchant marine policy. Issues to be addressed by the Military Readiness Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Herbert H. Bateman (R-Va.), are U.S.-flag ship construction and operation, cabotage requirements and cargo preference laws which dictate that certain percentages of government-impelled cargoes are carried on American-flag vessels. Sealift Concerns Highlighted The subcommittee also will be concerned with sealift matters, such as the status of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), the government's fleet of laid-up ships that can be broken out in support of U.S. military operations. Another focus of the Military Readiness Subcommittee will be merchant vessel personnel. Under the realm of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, headed by Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.), will be the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. The subcom- House Maritime Jurisdiction The Republicans listed are chairmen of the new committees and subcommittees. The Democrats are the groups' ranking minority party members. Merchant Marine and Fisheries Old House Committee Rep. Herbert H. Bateman / New House Committees National Security Rep. Floyd Spence (R·S.C.) Rep. Ronald Dellums (D-Calif.) Transportation and Infrastructure Resources Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.) Rep. Norman Mineta (D-Calif.) Rep. Don Young (A-Alaska) Rep. George Miller (D·Calif.) Oversight Issues New House Subcommittees Military Readiness Rep. Herbert Bateman (A-Va.) Rep. Norman Sisisky (D·Va.) mittee, chaired by Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.) will oversee the nation's inland waterways policies and governmental agencies associated with maritime affairs such as the Coast Guard, Maritime Administration and Federal Maritime Commission. Another Transportation and Infrastructure Committee subcommittee will have jurisdiction over the nation's dredging opera- Coast Guard and Maritime Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.) Rep. James Traficant (D-Ohio) Fisheries Wildlife and Oceans Rep. Jim Saxton (R·N.D.) Rep. Gerry Studds (D·Mass.) tions, dams and locks. Called the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, it will be headed by Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert (R-N.Y.). The third committee to absorb part of the work of the former Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee will be the new House Public Lands and Resources Continued on page 8 House Creates New Panel to Study Maritime Revitalization The House National Security Committee has approved the formation of a panel charged with developing legi·slation to revitalize the U.S.-flag merchant fleet. In the prior session of Congress, this work was handled by the House Merchant Marine Subcommittee. However, that group was disbanded under rules adopted by the House on January 4. A panel differs from a subcommittee in that it can create legislation but cannot have bills referred to it. Panels also are limited in length of service, generally lasting six months. Subcommittees are fully functioning parts of the whole committee. They can create bills, have legislation referred to them from other committees and have no time limit on their duration. Named to head the group is Representative Herbert H. Bateman (R-Va.), who also serves as the chairman of the committee's Military Readiness Subcommittee. In accepting the chairmanship, Bateman said the panel "will assess ways to reverse the alarming reductions in the number ofU.S.flag vessels, which are critical to Continued on page 8 3 �4 FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG Earthquake Shatters Kobe Port's Cranes Ships Docking in Other Ports A major earthquake that devastated the port city of Kobe, Japan has left shipping lines scurrying to find alternative ports. Kobe, Japan's second largest city, had been that nation's largest conta iner port until an earthquake registeri ng 7 .2 on the Richter scale rumbled through the area on the morni ng of January 16. The port handled, on average, 2.7 million containers annuaJJy. SIU-contracted operators SeaLand and American President Lines (APL) both had major operations in Kobe. Both companies' facilitie suffered major damage. The four container cranes located at the Sea-Land facility on Rokko Island derailed during the quake. One of the cranes also was bent in the tremor . At the APL facility on Port Island, the company lost all three of its cranes lo derai lment. However, like Sea-Land, no APL ships were tied up at the dock when the quake occurred. Major Repairs Needed "It's a disaster over there," noted Frank Riley, vice president for labor relations at APL. He said engineers from the company's headquarters in Oakland, Calif. had arrived in Kobe on January 23 and were "speaking in tenns of months for repairs" in their initial reports. Both islands suffered major land damage when the landfill from which they were built buckled, cracked and rolled. This affected the container storage areas as well as roads and bridges leading to and from the islands. Sea-Land and APL are competing with other companies to use smaller dock and storage spaces available at various other ports in Japan, like Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama and nearby Osaka, which also suffered damage to its container facilities. Speculation in the press on the time it may take to rebuild the Kobe port facilities range from six months to three years. LNG Operations Continue Another SIU-contracted company, Energy Transportation Corp. (ETC), uses port facilities in Osaka, which is across the bay from Kobe. No ETC ships, which transport liquified natural gas from Indonesia to Japan, were in port at the time of the earthquake. According to George Reiily, ETC' s vice president for marine personnel, the company has been able to dock at the port and offload with no trouble. "The only problem we have encountered is getting fresh stores to the ship," Reilly relayed to the Seafarers LOG. "Because so many of the roads have been damaged, we are having difficulties getting fresh milk and other foods to the ships. But we are working on it." The earthquake is being called the worst to affect Japan since World War II-in terms of loss of life and cost to the infrastructure. It was centered approximately 20 miles from Kobe and struck just before 6 a.m. local time. AP PhotolKY.odO The port city of Kobe, Japan was devastated by a January 16 earthquake, powerful aftershocks and tires caused by ruptured pipes, leaving the city bereft of its vital transport arteries such as the Osaka-Kobe highway in photo inset. Damage to port facilities from the 7.2 Richter scale quake has forced ships to secure berths in Tokyo, Osaka and other Japanese cities. European Shipping Survives Floods Despite the worst flooding in the 20th century across northern Europe, deep sea vessel operations in port cities in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands are not slowing down. Deep Sea Shipping OK "Our vessels have not been impacted," stated William Summers, a spokesman for SIU-contracted Sea-Land Service. "No ship operations have been affected. The flooding mainly affects inland and intermodal operations." The flooding began in late January following several days of torrential rain. Also, winter temperatures in Europe have been Bill Allowing Export of Alaska Oil On U.S.-Flag·Ships Before Congress Efforts are under way in both bodies of Congress to lift the ban on the export of Alaska North Slope oil as long as the crude is carried aboard U.S.-flag vessels. Bills introduced in both the House and the Senate on January 4, the first day that the 104th Congress met in Washington, D.C., seek to end the 22-year restriction on the export of Alaska North Slope oil. Presently, U.S.-flag vessels carry the oil from Alaska to domestic ports on the West Coast, as called for by the Jones Act. Both the House and Senate versions of the legislation state that "the oil shall be transported by a vessel documented under the laws of the United States and owned by a citizen of the United States." Known as H.R. 70 in the House, the bill has been referred to the House Resources Committee, headed by Rep. Don Young CR-Alaska). H.R. 70 is sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas CR-Calif.) and has bipartisan support from 13 fellow legislators. The counterpart bill in the Senate,S.70,isbeforetheSenate Banking Committee, whose chairman is Sen . Alfonse D'Amato (R-N.Y.). Sponsoring the bill is Sen. Frank Murkowski (RAlaska). Co-sponsors include Senators Ted Stevens CR-Alaska), John Breaux (D-La.) and Howell Heflin (D-Ala.). warmer than normal, causing earlier snows to melt. While flood waters have reached port cities, no oceanshipping companies are reporting any problems. Barge traffic on the Rhine River in Germany as well as the Maas and Waal rivers were halted for a time. Barges carry many of the containers that are transported across Europe. While some containers that were being sent to deep sea ports are stranded, most companies are Rivers Out of Control Flooding in northern Europe has forced nearly a half million residents to leave their homes as of February 1. Besides Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, rivers in France and Luxembourg also have left their banks. Random Drug Test Pool Reduced by Federal Regs New federal rules requiring alcoho I testing programs and extension of drug testing programs impact the maritime industry by lowering the random rate for drug testing to 25 percent of employees, from the previous 50 percent. The testing program, which will affect more than 7.4 million employees who perform safety-sensitive functions in In letters sent last month urging members of Congress to support the legislation, the presidents of the SIU, District No. 1MEBA and American Maritime Officers said removal of the Ala ka North Slope oil export ban would help keep America's independent tankertleetonthehighseas,aswell as "promote our military security by extending the life ofourmilitarily useful tanker fleet." Applicants Must Be Screened For Use of Illegal Substances Tankers Necessary for Defense Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary stated last month that she support the lifting of the export ban and expects to urge Congress to enact uch a mea ure, according to press reports. Last year, the Department of Energy released a report stating that lifting the ban would create new jobs both on land and at sea as well as raise revenues that could reduce America' export deficit. The law banning the export of Alaskan oil wa instituted in 1973 following the first Arab oil embargo. The legislation was designed to make the United State more energy independent. The Export Administration Act, which includes the ban on the export of Alaskan oil, expired last yearwithoutacongressionalextension. However, the Clinton administration issued an executive order keeping the Act in place. The U.S. Coast Guard last month issued a final rule that requires chemical testing for use of dangerous drugs of all applicants for issuance or renewal of merchant mariner's documents (also known as z-cards or MMDs), licenses or certificates ofregistry. The new regulation, which implements provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90), becomes effective on March 24. It also require applicants for a first endorsement as an AB, lifeboatman, QMED or tankerman to be chemically tested for drug use. There are exceptions to the testing requirement. An applicant will not be required to undergo chemical testing if he or she provides evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs within the previous six months, with no subsequent positive chemical tests during the remainder of the sixmonth period. A test also is not necessary if Similar bills to repeal the ban using U.S.-flag tankers were introduced in both chambers of Congress last year. Neither the House nor the Senate completed work on the legislation before Congress adjourned. finding alternate routes . Many carriers have made provisions to move containers by truck and rail to keep their operations moving as smoothly as possible. the applicant, during the previous 185 days, has been subject to a random testing program for at least 60 days and did not fail or refuse to participate in a chemical test for dangerous drugs. Additionally, with regard to unlicensed personnel, because ABs, QMEDs and tankermen must take a physical (which ineludes a drug test) when sitting for those respective ratings, only entry ratings and prospective lifeboatmen who do not meet the exemption standards are affected by the new rule. "From a practical standpoint, it's almost the same as what's already going on," said Lt. Commander Ken McKinna of the U.S. Coast Guard's Merchant Vessel Personnel Division. Moreover, because of random and pre-employment testing already in practice, along with the fact that the SIU requires drug tests of all entry ratings, the new testing rule creates little or no procedural change for most Seafarers. transportation industries, went into effect on January 1. In fact, each transportation industry where the positive, industrywide rate for random testing is less than 1.0 percent for two consecutive years, wilJ have its random testing rate dropped to 25 percent, according to the new rules. The regulations, issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, do not apply to the maritime industry with respect to preemployment, post-accident, random and probable-cause testing. This is because the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90) already requires the testing of mariners for drug and alcohol use. Additionally, other regulations requiring post-accident and probable-cause alcohol testing of mariners have been in effect since the mid-1980s. Testing Pool Can Increase Should the U.S . Coast Guard receive data that the reported positive random testing rate is equal to or greater than 1.0 percent, the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing will return to 50 percent of all covered crewmembers. The new regulations now require random drug-testing of employees who have safety-sensitive transportation jobs (in rail, air, truck and other transport services) in the public and private sectors. �SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 1995 5 Lakes' Seafarers Reflect on '94 Season Crews Anticipate Brief Layup And Early Fitout he productive, nonstop '94 Great Lakes sailing season came on the heels of the most severe winter in 16 years, recalled several Lakes Seafarers in interviews with the Seafarers LOG. Now signing off their vessels after working well into the new year, Lakes mariners looked back on an exceptionally mild winter in the last few months of '94 and this January. "December and January were unusually mild and we never really had extremely cold weather. It was more like a chilly October," Watchman Ronnie Dandrea told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG. "The St. Clair usually lays up around Christmas, so it was a long season," added the watchman, who signed off the ship last month. The St. Clair sailed until midJanuary when it docked for the winter in Superior Harbor in Duluth, Minn. The 770-foot American Steamship vessel is a self-unloader which primarily carries coal from Superior, Wis. to St. Clair, Mich. for Detroit Edison, a local power company. ii QMED William Coriel pumps the St. Clair's tanks while the vessel docks for the winter at Superior Harbor in Duluth, Minn. St. Clair Gateman Jae Bergstrom took the photos accompanying this story while the SIU crewmembers were preparing their ships for layup Getting ready to clean the St. Clair's in Duluth, Minn. cargo holds one last time before Commodities In Demand winter layup is Gateman Tim It was not only mild weather Frankovich. that contributed to a banner year for U.S.-flag Great Lakes carriers; an unrelenting demand for the iron ore, stone, steel and grain cargoes also kept the Lakers traversing Lakes Michigan, Superior, Erie, Huron and Ontario and calling at such ports as Milwaukee; Marquette, Mich.; Cleveland; Alpena, Mich.; and Rochester, N.Y. QMED Thomas Tucker, who Conveyorman Marvin helped prepare the Sam Laud Schmitz also signed off the St. Clair. He noted that the season's After signing off of the St. Clair for the for layup, notes the March 25 high demand for commodities winter, Conveyorman Marvin opening of the Soo Locks on other than coal caused the Schmitz (left) and Second Cook his calendar before beginning American Steamship vessel to Raymc:md Maynard fill out vacation his winter vacation. visit a number of ports and carry forms in the Duluth hall. different cargoes from the usual. "It was a very busy year, a good year. We went into a lot of different ports and had some cargo changes," said Schmitz. Ronnie's twin brother, Donnie Dandrea, a wiper who also signed off the St. Clair after helping prepare it for the winter layup, said, "It was an exceptionally good season with lots of loads, and with the mild winter it really was incredible. Thank goodness Filling out a change of address for the weather. Last year was so form in the Duluth hall after horrible, and usually it [Lake SuChecki.ng.inwiththeDulu~hunionhall signing off the American perior] is so frozen by now that after signing off the Indiana Harbor Mariner is Porter Edward you can't even move the boats," are Bosun Mark Fraley (left) and OS Ringsred. he added. Brian Surhigh. The Lake Carriers' Association, an organization of U.S.-flag shipping companies on the Lakes, reported that all movement of cargo on the Great Lakes had halted by the end of January. The 1994 navigational season marked a record year-a total of 116 million tons of cargo was moved on the Lakes. Sailing Season Ends "To prepare the St. Clair for winter, we had to put the strings ~mt, which is the process of sec.urmg the boat to the dock usmg cable wires and mooring lines. It _- - - - - Twin brothers AB Ronnie Dandrea (left) and Wiper Donnie Dandrea file for vacation pay at the SIU hall in Duluth, Minn. AB Bill Padgett picks up a form for his annual physical after layup of the Indiana Harbor at Superior Harbor in Duluth, Minn. QMED Glen Lahti makes sure the St. Clair's generator is working properly before signing off for the winter. secures the vessel in order to protect it from strong winds, solid ice and major storms," recalled Ronnie Dandrea. He added that deck department members also must store all safety gear until the spring inspection. At that time, Coast Guard officials come on board to check the quality of the equipment, including life rings, jackets, survival suits, rafts and lifeboat equipment. QMED/Oiler Ricky Couillard recently signed off the Sam Laud, an American Steamship self-unloader that transports mostly stone to various ports in the Great Lakes region. To ready the ship for layup, Couillard and other engine department memhers aboard the Sam Laud performed general engine maintenance work such as rebutting the ballast pump, replacing power packs and clutch work. Seafarers' Winter Plans However short or long the winter break in sailing may be, Seafarers who sail on the Great Lakes intend to take full advantage of their time off. Many members cited spending time with their families as their first priority while others stated their winter days would be spent in solitude-relaxing and doing nothing at all. "I plan to do as little as possible," noted Ronnie Dandrea. "I always look forward to my winter break, but after a few weeks I can't wait to get back to sailing," the watchman said. Jae Bergstom, a gateman from Superior, Wis., noted, ''I look forward to the close of the season because it means I will get to spend time with my family." (Bergstom also took the pictures accompanying this story of crewmembers on board the St. Clair and Indiana Harbor when they arrived for the winter layup in Duluth.) Wheelsman Lowell Amundson, who recently signed off American Steamship's H. Lee White, stated he plans to visit his grandchildren for the winter break. The White was the last vessel on the Lakes to sail through the Soo Locks before they closed for the season on January 15. Fitout Predictions Due to the continued high demand for cargoes on the Great Lakes, combined with the betterthan-average winter conditions, many Seafarers as well as industry represen ta ti ves predict fitout could begin with the reopening of the Soo Locks on March 25. "This was a very good year, and it looks like the 1995 season will be off to a great start," stated Schmitz. "There is a big demand for ore on the Great Lakes now, and I think this will be a short winter for Seafarers on the Lakes. I think we will see fitout in a couple of months. " "I am looking forward to fitout in March. There is just more cargo than in years past, and we need to be there to deliver," said Second Cook Raymond Maynard, who was one of the last crewmembers to sign off the St. Clair after preparing the ship for layup. "Everyone is talking about fitting out in March," said Amundson. Glen Nekvasil of the Lake Carriers' Association said fitout could begin as soon as the locks re-open-which has not always been the case, especially with last year's buildup of ice. "The weather has really been mild, and there have not been any major delays because of ice," Nekvasil told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG. "Because this winter season has been so busy, there is every indication that it will pick up again in March. That doesn't leave us much time for a layup. Even before the season was completely wrapped up, everyone was already looking toward spring-and that is a good sign," he added. �6 SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 1995 comply with the Coast Guard's deadline of December 28, 1994. The requirement of showing ability to pay huge sums particularly is tough for independent operators, because they are not of the American exclusive do not carry hazardous substan- affiliated with parent companies that have vast financial resources. economic zone (which extends ces as cargo. 200 nautical miles off the U.S. It Was Touch and Go Establishing Responsibility coast) to tranship or lighter oil Additionally, because the rule (whether delivering or receiving) Methods for establishing destined for a place subject to the financial responsibility include states that insurers and other jurisdiction of the United States. evidence of insurance, surety providers of financial responThey also apply to all other ves- bond, qualification as a self-in- sibility will be subject to direct acsels using the navigable waters of s urer, guarantee and other tion from claimants, the traditional the U.S. or any port subject to evidence. (Any one or combina- marine liability insurers balked at American jurisdiction (since they tion of these means may be used offering the new coverage. But late last year, two competcarry bunkers which may be by an operator to show proof of ing companies (Shoreline Mutual spilled). ability to pay for spills.) The cost of securing the certificates can be and First Line) were formed which Exempt from the rule are as much as $200,000 per year for offered the coverage to vessel public vessels, including ships a large tanker. owners. In a last-minute rush, owned by the military and hundreds of tanker owners secured private ships bareboat-chartered Due to the costs and com- the certificates before the deadline. by the military; and non-self- plexities involved in obtaining the First Line and Shoreline also certificates, there was concern that are offering coverage for drytanker owners might not be able to cargo vessels. Dry-Cargo Ships, Tank Barges Need COFR 1,000-Plus Tankers Prove Ability to Pay Spill Damages More than 1,000 self-propelled tankers now are in compliance with a federal regulation that requires shipowners and operators to guarantee their capacity to pay for costs and damages resulting from an oil spill or other hazardous materials spill. Tank barges and dry-cargo ships are the next vessels which will need certificates of financial responsibility in order to comply with a U.S. Coast Guard rule that stems from both the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), which was passed in 1980. Tank barges must be in compliance by July 1. The date for dry-cargo ships depends on when a particular vessel's existing certificate of financial responsibility, expires, but all vessels must be certified by the end of 1997. According to newspaper reports, as many as 4,000 drycargo ships will need new certificates by the end of this year. Rule Application The financial responsibility requirements are applicable to all owners and operators of U.S. and foreign-flag vessels of more than 300 gross tons that use the waters ===M=a=rt=im=e=B=r=ie=rs==~ll ~:~;;:~:;;::Force Plan Balances la.=1 Coast Guard Rule Would Permit Single-HullTankerlightering •1i1··~1 rD11•t n•a""n•n~n, rn11i•11nment ., •• The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed a rule that would designate . , J . . . V• I . , . l#U~·j :I~ i;~ lightering zones in the Gulf of Mexico in order to alJow single-hull Creating regional dredged efforts, without compromising tankers to off-load oil in that area. material planning groups and environmental protection, to If established, the three lightering zones each would be more than 60 1· d ·f · h h · · f 1 h · · al d miles from the baseline from which the United States' territorial sea is entI ymg t e c aractensttcs 0 reso ve t e navigatwn an ensuccessful federal, state and local vironmental concerns that have measured. Single-hull tankers could lighter within the zones until partnerships for use in planning long stymied the dredging of our January 1, 2015. The operations of double-hull tankers and single-hull tankers con- efforts are among 18 separate nation's ports," Pefia stated in a forming to standards set by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90) recommendations for improving press conference announcing essentially would be unaffected by the proposed rule, since those vessels the dredging process of U.S. release of the report. could continue lightering in traditional areas. Vessels that previously ports. They were issu~ in late "Because 95 percent of were not allowed to operate within the waters of the U.S. exclusive Decemb~r as part of an mteragen- America's foreign commerce is economic zone (which extends 200 nautical miles off the U.S. coast) cy working group, convened by carried by ships and foreign trade percent of our would be permitted to lighter only in the three designated zones-off the Secr~tary _of. Transport~tion accounts for coasts of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Fedenco Pena m 1993, to mves- Gross Domestic Product our tigateandsu~estmeth~ to.ensure ports are vital to our national that the nation can mam~ ~d security and economy," the develoJ? needed port ~a?ty while Secretary of Transportation conBill Introduced to Recognize prot;ectmg and conservmg lillportant tinued. "Yet many ports are loWorld War II Merchant Mariners cated in or near some of our enYironmental resources. One of the first bills introduced this year in the House is one that The report, entitled "The nation's most environmentally would extend World War II veterans status to merchant mariners who Dredging Process in the United sensitive areas such as wetlands, began sailing between August 15, 1945 and December 31, 1946. Sponsored by Rep. Jack Fields (R-Texas), the Merchant Mariners States: An Action Plan for Im- estuaries and associated fisheries, Fairness Bill (H.R. 44)-which is supported by the SIU-would give provement," has two major objec- all of which have economic, veterans status to more than 2,000 retired merchant mariners. The bill, tives: to promote greater certainty recreational and aesthetic value. which has 16 co-sponsors, has been referred to the House Committee on in the dredging project review Coordinated action to resolve Veterans' Affairs. process and to facilitate effective conflicting interests is important H.R. 44 is intended to correct what its backers believe is an obvious long-term strategies for addressing to our national interest." mistake by the U.S. Department of Defense. In 1988, that department named dredging and disposal needs at the August 15, 1945 (the day the Japanese surrendered) as the cutoff date for national and local levels. Six Agencies Comprise Group awarding veterans status to merchant seamen who sailed during World War Chaired by Deputy Maritime Adopted by six federal agenIL This date was selected despite the facts that former President Hany Administrator Joan Yim, the incies, the action plan focuses on Truman declared December 31, 1946 as the official end of World War II teragency group included parhostilities and that military personnel who began serving between August four problem areas: strengthening ticipants from the Maritime the existing planning mechanism, 15, l 945 and December 31, 1946 received war veterans status. enhancing coordination and com- Administration, Army Corps of munication in the dredging ap- Engineers, Environmental p ro v a 1 process, addressing Protection Agency, Fish and scientific uncertainties about Wildlife Service, National Karl Luedtke, president of dredged material and identifying Marine Fisheries Service and OfSIU-contracted Luedtke Enconsistent and efficient ways to fice of Ocean and Coastal gineering Company, which is Resource Management. fund dredging projects. based in Frankfort, Mich., passed Additional representatives to away December 23 due to heart MTD Commends 'First Step' the group came from the White failure. He was 64. The report was welcomed by House Office on Environmental Luedtke Engineering was the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Policy, the Office on Managefounded in 1930 by Karl Department (MTD), representing ment and Budget, the Navy, the Luedtke' s father. Karl joined the 42 affiliated unions whose mem- Department of Transportation, business in 1955, and in 1967 he became president. bers earn their living in marine- the Office of the Secretary and the He was a past president of the Coast Guard. related work. Northern Chapter of the Michigan Other recommendations listed "It is our sincere hope that this Society of Professional EnNational Dredgjng Action Plan in the report include developing gineers, past director of the River will prevent future regulatory public outreach and education Karl Luedtke and Harbor Improvement Asreview logjams," said MTD programs, providing guidance to sociation and past president of the President Michael Sacco, who relevant agencies on opporAmerican Association of Small sister and six grand-children. Dredging and Marine Construction Luedtke maintained an excel- also serves as president of the tunities for using dredged material, updating guidance on Companies. He also was a member lent working relationship with the SIU. of the Society of American Military SIU, recalled Byron Kelley, vice William F. Zenga, National disposal site monitoring requireEngineers and the Permanent Inter- presidentoftheunion's Lakes and Vice President of the MTD, ap- ments, en uring that dredged national Association of Navigation Inland Water Di trict. "I worked plauded the interagency working material management planners Congresses. with him for 25 years. He always group for preparing a report "that work with pollution control agenAdditionally, Luedtke served treated his employees as equals will serve as a basis to improve cies, reviewing federal studies to on the Frankfort School Board of and he was very down-to-earth," the regulations and planning pro- determine whether changes are Education for 20 years (including said Kelley. cedures that now govern dredging needed to better integrate several years as president) and Approximately 60 Seafarers and dredged material disposal economic and environmental obwas co-founder and chairman of are employed by Luedtke Enjectives and revising legislation the board of West Michigan Na- gineering, a full-service marine projects in the U.S." to ensure better planning of tional Bank in Frankfort. "This report responds to Presiconstruction company that operates He is survived by his wife, four throughout the Great Lakes Basin dent Clinton's request last year dredging projects. The list of recommendations children, his mother, brother, and the upper Mississippi River. that federal agencies double their 20 Luedtke President Dies at 64 U, also includes establishing national and regional dredging issues teams, scheduling meetings among interested agencies for potentially controversial dredging projects, developing and distributing a permit application checklist which identifies information required from applicants, developing or revising procedures for coordinating interagency review, establishing a national agreement to clarify roles and coordination mechanisms between agencies and clarifying and improving the guidance used to evaluate contaminants from dredged materials. The action plan additionally suggests looking at ways to identify the practical barriers to managing contaminated sediments and identify a means to reduce the volume of material which must be dredged. The last two recommendations deal with funding: revising the Water Resources Development Act to establish consistent federal and local sponsor cost sharing of dredged material disposal methods and determining the feasibility of a fee for open-water disposal for nonfederal dredgjng projects. In concluding the dredging report, · the interagency group stated its belief that the 18 recommendations (which are not listed in any specific order of importance) represent an approach to the dredging process which recognizes the economic benefits of improving and maintaining U.S. ports and channels and addresses environmental concerns associated with dredging and dredged material disposal. It anticipates that most of the recommen da ti o ns can be initiated immediately. Others may require a bit more time due to needed legislative or regulatory modifications. National and regional dredging teams are expected to replace the current interagency working group and have been given the responsibility for implementing the action plan. Co-chaired by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency, with representatives from the departments of Transportation, Interior and Commerce, the teams are expected to convene early this year. �FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG Boat Operators Need Radar Endorsement February 15 marks the deadline for mariners to comply with a new federal regulation which requires towboat operators to hold a radar-observer endorsement. Issued last November by the U.S. Coast Guard, the rule extends the endorsement requirement to licensed operators and all other pilots of radar-equipped, uninspected towboats which are 26 feet or more in length and which operate on U.S. waterways. Deadline This Month As of February 15, such mariners must have the radar endorsement before testing for original licenses, renewal licenses or upgraded licenses. A provision of the regulation stipulates that mariners who already have a towboat operator's license but no radar endorsement may take a four-hour radar operation course, by February 15, which will result in obtaining a radar certificate that is valid as an endorsement until the mariner's license expires or is renewed or upgraded. (This is a potential time-saver for boatmen, as courses which lead to earning a radar endorsement take anywhere from several days to weeks to complete.) But licensed operators who do not obtain a radar certificate by February 15 must secure a radar endorsement in order to maintain the validity of their respective licenses. In other words, after February 15, operators' licenses will not be valid without the radar endorsement. Three Categories Towboat operators licenses and radar-observer endorsements expire after five years. Since the expiration dates of a mariner's license and his or her radar endorsement may differ, license renewal does not terminate the radar endorsement, which may be renewed at any time. Formerly, only operators of vessels of at least 300 gross tons were required to hold a radar endorsement (known as radar observer/unlimited). But the new regulation added two types of radar endorsements-radar observer/inland and radar observer/rivers-as well as specifying which subject matter must be covered in radar observer courses. Lundeberg School Classes Anticipating the rule and the new categories, the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education included three separate radar observer courses (unlimited, inland and rivers) in its vocational upgrading schedule this year. All are approved by the Coast Guard, as is the four-hour radar operation course which the Paul Hall Center's Lundeberg School has been conducting since November at SIU halls throughout the country (see accompanying article). In fact, the SIU, the Lundeberg School and SIU-contracted companies had a hand in developing the new rule. They participated last year in meetings of the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC), which is a congressionally mandated group consulted by the Coast Guard on safety matters. The SIU also has testified before Congress that stricter safety regulations governing the inland industry are needed. Rule Stems from Disaster The rule requiring a radar endorsement for towboat operators was spawned by the fatal derailment of Amtrak's Sunset Limited passenger train in September 1993 near Mobile, Ala. Fortyseven people were killed in that disaster, as the train derailed and plunged into the Big Bayou Canot justminutesafterabargepushedby the tugboat MV Mauvilla rammed into a railroad bridge over the bayou, knocking the railroad tracks severely out of alignment. In the wake of the accident, Congress ordered a thorough study of marine safety issues related to uninspected towing vessels . One of the ensuing recommendations called for operators of radar-equipped towing vessels of26 feet or longer to hold radar endorsements. With Training at the Lundeberg School In classes held at union halls, the Paul Hall Center is assisting SIU tugboatmen, such as the Norfolk-based Seafarers above, to obtain a radar-observer certification that will run concurrently with their present towboat operator's license. Port Courses Enable SIU Boatmen To Meet Feb. 15 Radar Deadline In response to new federal rules which require towboat operators to possess a radar-observer endorsement, the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education last month continued its series of port-to-port radar operation courses. The four-hour class, conducted by the Paul Hall Center's Lundeberg School, was held at SIU halls in Norfolk, Va.; Philadelphia; Mobile, Ala.; New Orleans (twice); Wilmington, Calif.; Algonac, Mich.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. The course also was taught at the SIU hall in Houston late last year. Additional classes are scheduled to take place this month at the SIU hall in San Juan, P.R. (Feb. 2 and 6) and at Piney Point (dates to be determined). Upon completing the fourhour course, Seafarers receive a radar certificate which is valid as an endorsement until his or her operator's license expires or is renewed or upgraded. However, in accordance with the new regulation, the four-hour course will not be available after February 15. Informative and Convenient Similarly, Jerry Stillman, a pilot boat operator who sails with the Maryland Pilots Association, said that the classroom-style course in Norfolk helped build on his knowledge. "We already do a lot of the (radar) work in our heads, but it's nice to actually see it on a board," he stated. "It brought to life what a lot of guys had taken for granted." Also taking the class in Norfolk was Captain Raymond Charnock, an employee of Piney Point Transportation. "I enjoyed all of it. Even with 25 years of experience, you learn something new every day, and this helped me," said Charnock. Course Well-Received Seafarers who took the course in Mobile also praised its content. "It was really, really helpful and everyone got something out of it," said Captain Joe Tucker, who sails with Crescent Towing. "The presentation was done so that everyone could understand all the information, and I appreciate the union bringing (the class) to us." Said Doug McClure, a boat operator with Pilot Service Corporation, "It was very educational, and everyone from Pi lot Service got to attend. The information is something we will use each time we look at a radar screen." To the north, Deckhand Larry Potts, who attended the class at the Philadelphia hall, said the instructors were thorough and accurate. ''They went over everything and it was very clear. It was geared toward practical aspects of when you're looking at the screen, rather than plotting, blind spots, etc.," said Potts, who works for Turecamo Coast/Harbor Towing Corp. He added that the course content is extremely important: "You might only need to use that knowledge once or twice, but you'll need it badly." 7 �B FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG SIU Asks Court to Void APL Flag-Out Waiver Continued from page 3 serviced by its subsidized U.S. containerships. The lawsuit of the unions, which represent unlicensed crewmembers working aboard APL vessels, points out that APL' s submission to MarAd requesting the waiver admits that the new C-11 cargo vessels will be used as "'replacements for the over-age or inadequate vessels in our present fleet."' APL currently receives operating differential subsidy (ODS) from the government for its 19 U.S.-flag containerships. These funds, which will expire in 1997, allow the company's vessels to compete with foreign-flag ships that are crewed by seamen paid substantially less than American mariners and that do not have to meet U.S. government-mandated safety, construction, tax and environmental standards. Additionally, the foreign-flag liner companies generally are subsidized by their governments or are under government control. foreign-flag vessels on an essential service not only in directcompetition with its subsidized U.S.-flag fleet, but also to replace those taxpayer subsidized vessels, and crews, with foreign vessels and foreign crews," the unions contend in their courtfiled document. in an actual national emergency, and foreign crews have no allegiance to the United States that would suggest their willingness to put themselves in harm's way in defense of, to them, a foreign country." For example, the unions point to APL' s recent announcement that the company had contracted with a Cypriot ship management group to operate and crew the new C-1 ls. Such an arrangement suggests that in the event of an American military conflict, APL will not have direct control of its vessels or have available a pool of seafarers responsible to the company and the United States to operate the ships in dangerous zones. The unions' lawsuit asks the court to overturn MarAd' s decision because the agency erred in allowing APL to operate foreign-flag ships that would compete against its govemmentsubsidized U.S.-flag vessels; a decision that was contrary to U.S. law and regulations. The court filing argues that MarAd made its decision with insufficient findings and without due process. It also states that the MarAd's granting of the waiver exceeded the agency's powers. The lawsuit seeks a court order declaring the waiver granted to APL to be null and void. The lawsuit has been assigned to Judge Stanley S. Harris. The next move in the court case is APL' s. The company must answer the SIU' s lawsuit charges and file those responses with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Budget-Driven Congress Looks at Food Aid Cuts Ship Groups Join Coalition to Keep U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs Surplus American commodities that in the past have been purchased by the U .S . government, donated to impoverished citizens in underdeveloped nations and, for the most part, shipped on U.S.-flag vessels, may no longer find their way across the seas if budget-cutting legislators succeed in slashing funds for these food aid programs. Joining together to fight cuts to foreign food assistance programs are volunteer relief agencies such as CARE and Catholic Relief Services, U.S. agricultural interests and American maritime organizations, including the SIU. Under the banner "Alliance for Food Aid," the groups are urging congressmen and senators to maintain funding for the surplus commodities foreign assistance programs, which are known as P.L. 480, section 416 and Food for Progress. Agricultural Act of 1949. Under this provision of the law, bulk food stuffs, such as grain, are given to needy countries. The Food for Progress program stems from the Food for Progress Act of 1985. It donates food commodities in exchange for pledges from the recipient governments that steps will be undertaken to MarAd Had Other Options advance their countries' agriculThe unions' lawsuit points out tural markets and entrepreneurs. that Mar Ad had other options Other laws govern how the than to grant APL a waiver to government-donated food aid is operate the new cargo carriers transported to the receiving party. under foreign ship registries. For These are cargo preference laws, example, MarAd could have inwhich require that a certain percluded the six containerships centage of U.S. government carunder APL's current ODS congoes be carried on American-flag tract and eliminate the subsidies vessels. The Cargo Preference of certain older vessels in its fleet, Act of 1954 (which amended the the lawsuit states. Merchant Marine Act of 1936) esAnother aspect of the decision tablished that at a minimum, 50 to allow the flag-out came under percent of American government attack in the unions' lawsuit. As cargoes must be shipped by part of its rationale for allowing privately-operated U.S. carriers, the exemption, MarAd stated that with the exemption of Department unless the waiver was granted of Defense supplies, 100 percent of pro mp ti y, "the new vessels would Developing Nations Benefit which must be transported on likely be sold to a foreign owner P.L. 480, also known as the American-flag ships. upon delivery beginning in May Agricultural Trade Development 1995 with the result that the Shipped on U.S. Carriers and Assistance Act of 1954, con'An Anathema' to the Act United States would have no sists of three programs. The first, In 1985, during Congress' The effect of the waiver ready access to the vessels in time title I, extends grants to lesser debate on the comprehensive packgranted by MarAd "is to per- of national emergency." developed nations that are in tum age of agricultural initiatives mit...the driving out of subsidized used to buy American-grown or known as the farm bill, that is taken What Really Happens U.S.-flag vessels" on two essenproduced food. Title II, the up by the elected officials every In strong language, the unions' tial trade routes, states the SIU second program under P.L. 480, five years, the Merchant Marine lawsuit counters that "it should be suit. "The waiver provision of donates U.S. commodities to Act of 1936 again was amended, Section 804 was not intended to self-evident that the way to endeveloping countries. These food this time upping the minimum perof vessels in sure the availability allow APL foreign-flag vessels to products are then distributed centage of agricultural foreign aid compete directly with APL U.S.- national emergencies is for those through voluntary relief agencies. cargoes to be transported on US.flag vessels on taxpayer sub- vessels to be U.S.-flag vessels Title III calls for funds to govern- flag ships to 75. sidized routes," the lawsuit notes. manned by U.S. crews, not ments of underdeveloped nations foreign-flag vessels manned by "It is an anathema to the entire The total amount of funds althat are used to promote advances premise of the Act that a sub- foreign crews, particularly when located to P.L. 480 and section in those countries agricultural sidized U.S.-flag operator would the governments of those foreign416 programs was $1.6 billion in systems. be given permission to operate flag vessels may prohibit their use Section 416 is a part of the fiscal year 1994. For fiscal year 1995, $1.3 billion is slated. The Alliance for Food Aid has noted that the amount of funds allocated for these programs has decreased substantially in the past few years. The Alliance points to fiscal year 1993 funding which Continued from page 3 stood at $2.3 billion. tions assigned to the National matters handled by each commit- policies. He also stated that while the Committee, chaired by Rep. Don Security Committee, Transporta- tee and subcommittee. A ruling SIU opposed the dismantling of Food Aid: Double Benefits Young (R-Alaska). Its Fisheries, tion and Infrastructure Commit- from the parliamentarian is exthe House Merchant Marine and The coalition group, in its tee and Public Lands and pected shortly. Wildlife and Oceans SubcommitNoting that maritime issues Fisheries Committee, the union commu~ications to repretee, operating under Rep. Jim Resources Committee, as outSaxton's (R-N.J.) hand, will take lined in this article, have one will be handled by committees views the transfer of maritime is- sentatives and senators, notes that more formal step to take in the that will be concerned with many sues to the National Security the food assistance programs not up fisheries legislation. House. The chamber's par- other subjects, SIU President Committee as a positive develop- only increase good will towards House Changes: One More Step liamentarian will make a final Michael Sacco noted that the ment. 'The new Congress' action the United States and its citizens The maritime-related jurisdic- determination on the specific union has a big job to do educat- demonstrates a strong under- among the poor of lesser ing the congressmen and senators standing of the essential role of the developed countries, but also who have new responsibilities merchant marine in the nation's serve American interests as well. Senate Commerce, Science overseeing the nation's shipping defense strategy," Sacco said. The funds allocated to P.L. 480, and Transportation Committee . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .!section 416 and Food for Progress Maritime Jurisdiction Distributed in House; Senate Merges Marine, Transport Subcommittees The Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over maritimelegislation. The Committee's subcommittee on surface transportation and merchant marine is charged with the responsibility of first working with a maritime-related bill, before it goes before the full Commerce Committee. Listed below are the 104th Congress' members of the Commerce Committee and its Merchant Marine and Surface Transportation Subcommittee (in bold): ori~nted REPUBLICANS Larry Pressler (S.D.), Chmn. Trent Lott (Miss.) Subcommittee Chmn. Bob Packwood (Ore.) Ted Stevens (Alaska) John McCain (Ariz.) Conrad Burns (Mont.) Slade Gorton (Wash.) Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas) Olympia Snowe (Maine) John Ashcroft (Mo.) Natl·onal Securi·ty Commi·ttee • Pl an T0 Propose U.S. Sh Ip Continued from page 3 DEMOCRATS Ernest F. Hollings (S.C.), Ranking Member sustaining the country's military sealift capabilities." National Security Committee Chairman Floyd D. Spen~e (RDaniel K. Inouye (Hawaii), S.C.) announ~ed the creat10n ?f Subcommittee Ranking the P.anel dunng t~e first pub~1c Member meetm~ of the National Secunty Wendell H. Ford (Ky.) Committee o!1 January 10. The J. James Exon (Neb.) panel also will l?ok ~t .ways to John D. "Jay" Rockefeller (W.Va. help the U.S. sh1pbm~dmg proJohn F. Kerry (Mass.) gram. ~~teman, a longtime fnend John Breaux (La.) of m~tlme,. rel?resents ~he conRichard Bryan (Nev.) gress10nal d1stnct that mcludes Byron L. Dorgan (N.D.) a!1d .the the port of Norfolk, Ne~port News Sh1pbu1ldrng facility. --------------------------J ya. Joining Bateman on the panel is Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.), who has been named as its vice chairman. Other members of the bipartisan panel are expected to be anounced later this month. An organizational meeting will be held shortly after the panel is named. The National Security Committee has jurisdiction over legislation dealing with the national security aspects of the U.S. merchant marine, including financial assistance for the construction and operation of vessels, as well as the maintenance of U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair industry. programs are. in effect, recycled in the American economy, the Allianceargues. By purchasing surplus American agricultural commodities, such as seed oils, grains, and other foods, U.S. farmers and related industries benefit By shipping the goods on American-flag vessels, the nation's merchant marine is strengthened, which contributes to U.S. sealift capacity, supports U.S.-owned companies and keeps seafaring jobs for American citizens. The Alliance for Food Aid's efforts to halt cuts in the nation's foreign food assistance programs are presently directed to members of the House Budget Committee, which is considering ways in which to reduce federal spending. �FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG Marmo Dies, Was Head of Vacation Plan Andy Marmo, vacation and records supervisor for the SIU, died December 20, 1994 due to complications involving his illness with cancer. He was 44 years old. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he began his career with the Seafarers in June 1981 asaclaims processor when SIU headquarters was located at 675 4th Avenue in his native city. When the union moved its headquarters from New York to Camp Springs, Md. in 1982, Marmo moved to Alexandria, Va. to be near the new location. Marmo continued working with the claims department until he became assistant coordinator of the Seafarers Vacation Plan late in 1982. In January 1991, Marmo took over the position of supervisor of vacations and records, a position in which he served until the time of his death. "Andy Manno will be sorely missed," said SIU President Michael Sacco. "He stuck with the union, moving when he had to. He was hardworking and conscientious, and he cared about the Seafarers he was serving." He was known simply as "Andy" to the many Seafarers who called headquarters about filing their vacation claims. "Andy was always there when you needed help. He was always there and never asked for anything in return. He always treated Louisiana-Based WWII Mariners Eligible for State Bonus of $250 As a result of legislation enacted by the Louisiana legislature and signed into law by the state's governor, World War II merchant mariners who sailed at any time from September 16, 1940 through July 25, 1947 and who resided in the state when they began their war service are eligible for a one-time bonus of $250. Surviving spouses of Louisiana-based WWII seamen also can receive the payment if their husband or wife died between September 16, 1940 and July 25, 1947 due to war-related causes. A Matter of Fairness Andy Marmo the members with respect," QMED Charlie Clausen of New York told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG. Although Marmo never married nor had children of his own, he held a special love for children. In considering this, his family has set up a memorial at the Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. Donations in memory of Andy Marmo may be sent to Joyce Buck, Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 91896, Washington, D.C. 20090. Following a funeral service, burial took place in St. Mary's cemetery in Alexandria Marmo is survived by his father, Anthony, sisters Catherine and Betty and brothers Tony and Martin Marmo. The law which made the bonus possible was introduced by Louisiana House representatives Ken Odinet (D-Arabi), John Siracusa (D-Morgan City) and Frank Patti (D-Belle Chasse). The bill got its start when a "constituent who had been a merchant mariner came by and asked why the state didn't recognize seamen's World War II service now that the federal government did," said Representative Odinet. Odinet quickly moved to rectify the situation, introducing a bill in the House calling for a veterans benefit of $250 for Louisiana WWII seamen. The Louisiana House held hearings on the legislation in April 1993; the Senate did the same in May. Each branch of the legislature quickly passed the bill, and Governor Edwin Edwards approved the measure on May 26, 1993. Advancing the interests of WWII seamen strikes a cord for Odinet "I had an uncle who was a mariner on an Esso tanker.... He was the vessel's master." His ship, the SS Benjamin Brewster, was sunk by the Germans at the mouth of the river outside New Orleans. The high octane cargo caught fire and everyone aboard died, Odinet recalled. After the bonus bill was enacted, the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs established the procedures for making a bonus application. The agency began receiving applications for the onetime payment on July 1, 1994. It will continue to accept bonus requests until July 1, 1999. To apply for the $250 bonus, a mariner who believes he or she is qualified, or a surviving spouse of a Louisiana-based seaman who died in wwn merchant marine-related activities, should obtain an application form from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The form is available by writing the department at Bonus Division; P.O. Box 94095; Capitol Station; Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095; or calling (504) 922-0500 or sending a facsimile transmission to (504) 922-0511. The application form asks, among other questions, if the merchant mariner was "a citizen of Louisiana at time of entry into the merchant marine." It asks if the seaman sailed between September 16, 1940 and July 25, 1947. When the application is sent to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, it should be accompanied by proof of state residency at the time the seaman began first started shipping and a copy of a discharge document (such as DD 214, copy 4 or 6, or the equivalent). A spouse who has survived his or her merchant seaman husband or wife must include proof that the mariner died of a war-connected incident between September 16, 1940 and July 25, 1947. A surviving spouse also can attach proof that the· seaman was disabled due to merchant marine service (DD 1300 or the equivalent). Louisiana WWII Mariners' Bonus Eligibility: A seaman who resided in Louisiana when he began shipping and who sailed between September 16, 1940 and July 25, 1947. A surviving spouse of a seaman who meets the above-listed qualifications and who died or was disabled in warrelated experience. Application: Obtain an application form from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs; Bonus Division; P.O. Box 94095; Capitol Station; Baton, Rouge, LA 70804-9095; or call (504) 922-0500 or fax (504) 922-0511 and request the material. Applications must be submitted by July Deadline: 1, 1999. Retired Bosun Dawson, Veteran of 4 Wars, Maintains Push for Strong U.S-Flag Fleet Bill Dawson may have retired from sailing in 1991, but he isn't about to stop taking part in union activities. A career merchant mariner who sailed during four wars, Dawson remains a vocal , active supporter of the SIU and of the U.S .-flag merchant fleet. The 64year-old resident of Norfolk, Va. is particularly interested in politics, because, he says, he believes the future of the American merchant marine directly is tied to lawmakers' decisions on Capitol Hill. "If we get the right politicians in office, we can save the U.S.flag fleet," says Dawson, who last year volunteered his time to campaign for pro-maritime candidates Senator Chuck Robb (D-Va.) and Rep. Herbert Bateman (R-Va.). "It's obvious we need to keep jobs in this country, and by now it should be obvious that we need (an American) merchant marine during wars. As the saying goes, we deliver the goods .... Maybe one day the politicians will wake up and realize that they do need an American merchant marine." Indeed, Dawson knows firsthand the active roles played by the U.S. merchant marine in support of U.S. armed forces during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. He and his fellow crewmembers aboard the Cape Ann (his final ship) were commended by the U.S. Navy for their performance during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. As a charter member of the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War IT, Dawson espouses the belief that the Allied war effort would not have succeeded without the U.S. merchant marine. Of course, behind the wartime medals and commendations are grim tales of sacrifice. "I remember a time in Inchon (Korea), a landing barge took a direct hit," Dawson rec~lls. "I was sailin~ on the Duke Victory, a Bull Lmes ship, and we lowered a lifeboat and saved five men. I'm glad we sav~d them, but that was an expenence I. n~ver want to go through agam. Early Start The Sgt. Matej Kocakwas one of three Waterman Steamship vessels to participate in 'Dynamic Impact,' a recent U.S. military exercise in Turkey. The ship then sailed to Crete, where this photo of the deck department was taken. From the left are AB Reeves Homby (who sent this photo to the LOG), 3rd Mate Michael Dougherty, AB Otto Borden, Chief Mate Robert Ford, AB John Thomas, AB Gary Vargas, AB Steve Sylvia, 2nd Mate William Frappier, AB Frank Hedge, Military Liaison Gail M. Becker and Bosun Angelo Urti. But neither the dangers of war nor the date on his birth certificate could stop Dawson from shipping out in 1944-at age 14. "My whole family was either ship pilots or merchant mariners, so I knew what I wanted to do. When I was 14, I was big for my age. I could easily pass for 18, and I didn't have any trouble/' he remembers. Dawson describes his career as satisfying and says one of the highlights was completing the bosun recertification course at the Paul Hall Center in 1987. "Sailing was the only thing I knew," he adds. "It was born in me. It was Brother Dawson attends the monthly membership meetings in Piney Point, Md. and Norfolk, Va. my profession and I was proud of it, and if I had to do it all again, I'd be sailing." Worldwide travel is one of the things Dawson says he misses, but he has not had an abundance of idle time since retiring. He attends virtually all of the monthly membership meetings at the SIU hall in Norfolk and at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. He also walks the half-block from his home to the Norfolk hall almost every day, where he visits former shipmates and stays abreast of union news. In addition, Dawson is active in the Greater Tidewater Central Labor Council. "Being a Seafarer doesn't end when you stop sailing," Dawson concludes. "I look at this as a lifetime commitment, and I'm proud to be part of the union." 9 �10 FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG Seafarers Praise New Tanker Safety Course Paul Hall Center's Four-Week Class Is Rigorous but 'Worth the Time' Ten Seafarers last month became the first group to complete the full-length tanker operation/safety course at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. The four-week class, which blends hands-on training and classroom instruction, is open to all Seafarers and is required of all SIU members who sail on tankers. SIU members who took the course described it as valuable, informative and challenging. "There's a lot of material to cover. I expanded my knowledge of OPA '90, proper safety equipment and IG (inert gas) systems (which are used to lower the explosive limits in tanks)," said OMU Tom Steinke, who most recently sailed on the Overseas Alaska. Steinke, 37, also stated that the confined-space safety practical training was "very, very good" and that he gained valuable knowledge about deck operations. "I've got a much better idea of what's going on above the engineroom, and that can only help." Bosun Mike Galbraith, 39, who graduated from the Lundeberg School in 1977, said he was "surprised at the volume of material. Learning how to use the Chemical Data Guide and the Emergency Response Guidebook was particularly helpful. The course as a whole will help me when I go back on the tankers." (The Chemical Data Guide for Bulk Shipment by Water and the Emergency Response Guidebook both are published by the U.S. Department of Transportation and in part were created as aids for mariners.) Full Curriculum Galbraith, Steinke and their classmates were introduced to the chemical and physical properties of petroleum products, along with flammability traits, toxicity/asphyxiation characteristics and health hazards associated with exposure to petroleum products. They reviewed how to correctly monitor tanks for oxygen deficiency and take other meter readings with atmospheric monitoring equipment. Other topics and exercises included: • Creating site-specific shipboard safety plans. • Reviewing final rules on benzene products. • Troubleshooting and basic maintenance of monitoring gear. • Extensive confined-space safety training and rescue operations aboard the Empress II, the Lunde berg School's modem training barge. • Fit-tests using respirators and other breathing apparatus and emergency equipment. • An introduction to fire chemistry and other aspects of firefighting, including fire hazard awareness and iden- A course highlight for a number of students was the confined-space Part of the four-week course teaches students how to use the proper safety training (shown in photo above), involving simulated rescues protective gear for a specific job. of incapacitated crewmembers. tification; fire prevention via vapor control; fire prevention by ignition source control; fire extinguishing equipment; firefighting techniques and fire/emergency duties. • Tanker construction and safety. Additional areas of study included different types of oils, medical surveillance, vessel oil pollution prevention, national pollution contingency plans, water pollution, water program requirements and removal of oil and other hazardous substances. Students also covered regional oil removal contingency plans; rules for protecting the marine environment; vessel pollution prevention equipment design and approval requirements; site safety, organization and coordination and more. "I encourage all of my fellow two-week pilot course in OcElectrician/Oiler Tom tober, and their input was utilSnead said that the hands-on members to take the course." training proved particularly useful and also commended the Lundeberg School instructors. "Testing spaces for combustibility and toxicity was one of the best parts of the course," said the 27-year-oldSeafarer. "I got a lot out of the practical wo_rk, and overall I learned quite a bit." Second Pumpman/OMU Jose Martin Ramirez, 3 9, stated that the bottom line on the tanker operation/safety class is that "it will help us do our jobs better, increase our knowledge about safety and operations. In the long run, it's better for us and for the companies. Response to OPA '90 Establishment of the course was agreed upon during negotiations between the union and SIU-contracted tanker companies. Developed in response to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90) by Lundeberg School instructors, the class represents "an ongoing effort to promote safety and efficiency aboard SIU-contracted tank vessels," noted Augie Tellez, SIU vice president for collective bargaining. Six Seafarers and four members of the American Maritime Officers (AMO) completed a ized to help curriculum. refine the The SIU members who in January took the four-week course also offered critiques, as wiil members of future classes. "Later this year, we']] probably meet again with representatives of the (SIU-contracted) tanker companies to further hone the course content," noted Lundeberg School instructor Jim Shaffer, who teaches a segment of the tanker operation/safety course. "Students' input also will be an important consideration as we continue fine-tuning the curriculum." Everyone Benefits Chief Steward Dorothy Barnes said she believes her fellow galley gang members will benefit from the new course. "It's an excellent opportunity for members of the steward department. It makes you aware of different hazards and what you' re really dealing with on tankers," said Barnes, who has upgraded several times at Piney Point. A 13-year member of the SIU, Barnes added that the class "was more than worth my time and effort, you better believe it. The hazmat and oil spill training taught me a lot, I learned how to check for gases, and the rescue Seafarers who completed the tanker operation/safety course are (from left) Ben Cusic (instructor), Larry simulation on the Empress was Watson, Thomas Steinke, George Dehlmar, Tom Stead, Michael Galbraith, Dorothy Barnes, William valuable." Foley, Edward Rynberg, Jose Martin Ramirez, Nester Valentin Martinez and Jake Karaczynski (instructor). �FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG TAX TIPS 11 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT FOR SEAMEN SEAftflREBS Preparing a tax return for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service can be a difficult job, particularly if you are a seaman away from home in the months leading up to the filing deadline-April 17, 1995. Presented on this page and the following three are handy tax tips that have been prepared especially for seamen. Mariners will find information on filing for extensions, which overseas U.S. embassies have tax information, state tax requirements and much more. The LOG welcomes comments from Sea/arers on this guide so that future tax tips for seamen can continue to provide helpful information. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person's last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 1994, the taxpayer's personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer's property. rm liiiiiiiil WHATTODO WHEN OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should a seaman find himself or herself overseas and seeking IRS forms or IRS assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates. The U.S. embassies and consulates located in the following cities can provide IRS assistance: Bonn, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia, and Tokyo, Japan. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount: The est, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, deduction for each exemption-for the individual, hjs or her spouse and dependents has increased to $2,450 per person. In 1994, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Standard Deducation Has Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box below to the right). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual's benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 1994, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards and personal loans. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or secured loans is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman's work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union's designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are workrelated but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses--either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 29 cents per mile. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including inter- depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on the meal allowance of $32 per day in the continental U.S. and $36 per day outside the continential U.S. Otherwise the IRS standard meal allowance is generally $28. In some locations it is $36, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Travel expenses, including meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one's work and if they have not been reimbursed from any other source. Limit on Itemized Deductions: In 1994, itemized deductions may be limited for individuals earning more than $111,800 of federal adjusted gross income (or $55,900 if married and filing separately). Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit (EiC) is available to certain low income individuals who have earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income thresholds. Effective for tax year 1994, an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met. Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer's income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $9,000 and no qualifying children - $306 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $23,750 and with 1 qualifying child - $2,038 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $25,296 and with 2 or more qualifying children - $2,528 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below iero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EiC to see if they are eligible for the credit. Dependent's Social Security Number: If an individual claims an exemption for a dependent who is at least 1 year old by December 31, 1994, he must list the dependent's social security number on Form 1040 or Form 1040A. A social security number requirement applies to all dependents (not just children) cJaimed on the tax return who are at least 1 year old. WHERETO GET INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 can be called for general information. IRS staff answer questions from 8:00 a.m. to 4: 15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Publications: 1-800-829-3676 operators will take orders for publications. "#17 Your Federal Income Tax" and "#552 Record Keeping for Individuals" are two publications that many people find especially useful. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under "United States Government, Internal Revenue Service." Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency's taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering more than 18 major topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS' s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the letter "R" or number "7'' will repeat the topic and the letter "C" or number "2" will cancel the message. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. This telephone service is available from 7:00 a.m. until 11 :30 p.m. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (see page 12 for the addresses of IRS regional offices). Include a social security number with the letter. STANDARD DEDUCTIONS This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions. (Note that the personal exemption deduction is $2,450.) Filing Status Standard Deduction Single. $3,800 Married filing joint return or Qualifying widow( er) $6,350 Married filing separate return . . $3,175 Head of household $5,600 �12 SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 1995 NOTICES OF INCOME RECEIVED Employer W-2's: Employers are required to mail W-2 forms to employees by January 31, 1995. If an individual believes he or she is missing W-2's, contact the employer. For seamen who have used a union hall as a return address, check with the SIU port agent to determine if a W-2 has been sent to that address. Seafarers Vacation Plan W-2's: If a Seafarer has received monies from the SIU Vacation Plan (SVP), he or she should receive a W-2 from that fund. Seafarers who have received SVP monies but who have not received a W-2 from the plan should contact their union hall or call Ms. Peggy Page at the SVP office in Camp Springs, Md.: (301) 899-0675, ext. 4353. Unemployment Compensation-1099-G: Unemployment compensation (insurance) is fully taxable. By January 31, 1995, an individual who has received unemployment compensation should receive a Form 1099-G showing the total unemployment compensation paid during 1994. Use line 20 on the tax return to report unemployment compensation. H • WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: Benefits from government welfare programs. Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, medical costs. Maintenance and Cure. Workers' compensation benefits, insurance damages , etc. for injury or sickness. Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans ' Administration. Child support. Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. Dividends on veterans' life insurance. Life insurance proceeds received because of a person' s death. Amounts received from insurance because ofloss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. Certain amounts received as a scholarship. rn B WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, sa1aries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported. Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. Wages , salaries, tips, etc. Allocated tips (box 8) Dependent care benefits (box 10) Gambling winnings (box 1) Mortgage interest Points paid on a mortgage (box 2) Stocks, bonds, etc . (box 2) Canceled debt {box 2) Ordinary dividends (box 1b) Capital gain distributions (box 1c) W-2 W-2 W-2 W-2G 1098 1098 1099-B 1099-C 1099-DIV 1099-DIV Investment expenses 1099-DIV Unemployment compensation (box 1) 1099-G 1099-G State or local income tax refund (box 2) 1099-INT Interest income (box 1) 1099-INT Early withdrawal penalty (box 2) 1099-INT Interest on U.S. savings bonds and Treasury obligations (box 3) 1099-MISC Other income 1099-R Distributions from IRAs Distributions from pensions, annuities, etc. 1099-R Capital gain (box 3) 1099-R Gross proceeds from real estate transactions (box 2) 1099-S Buyer's part of real estate tax 1099-S *NOTE: If you have not received this form, please (e.g., employer, bank, etc.) Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. Itemized deductions and tax credits. Medical and dental payment records. Real estate and personal property tax receipts. Interest payments records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist Original Issue Discount. in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled "Your Federal Income Tax for Use in Preparing 1994 Returns" is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Distributions from self-employed plans. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. Endowments. Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. Lump-sum distributions. Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). Accumulation distributions from trusts. Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). Earned income from sources outside the United States. Director's fees. Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. Embezzled or other illegal income. The most common form to use when filing one's income tax is the 1040. But income may come from many sources, not just wages and salaries. Listed below are some of the different kinds of income an individual may receive, on which form that income is received by the individual, and where that income should be reported on Form 1040. If the individual itemizes deductions, any state or local income tax withheld from these forms should be reported on Schedule A, line 5. Form Received from Income Source• Step 1. Get all records together. Jones Act settlements for lost wages. WHERE TO REPORT CERTAIN KINDS OF INCOME WHEN USING THE STANDARD 1040 FORM Source of Income Received HOW TO PREPARE ATAXRE'nJRN Where to Report Income Income on Form 1040, Page in IRS Instruction Book Form 1040, line 7 See Tip Income on page 15 Form 2441 , line 11 Form 1040, line 21 Schedule A , line 1O** Schedule A, line 1O** Schedule D Form 1040, line 21 Form 1040, line 9 See instructions for Form 1040, line 13, page 16 Form 1040, line 9, and Schedule A, line 22 Form 1040, line 19 See instructions for Form 1040, line 10, page 16** Form 1040, line Ba Form 1040, line 28 See instructions for Form 1040, line Sa, page 15 Form 1040, line 21 ** See instructions for Form 1040, lines 15a and 15b, page 17 See instructions for Form 1040, lines 16a and 16b, page 17 See instructions on Form 1099-R Form 2119 (or Form 4797 or Schedule D if the property was not your home) See instructions for Schedule A, line 6, page A-2** contact the source of the income **If the item relates to an activity for which you are required to file Schedule C, CEZ, E or F, or Form 4835, report the taxable or deductible amount allocable to the return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach the first copy ofCopyB of Forms W-2, W-2Gand 1099Rto the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, social security number and form number on your check or money order. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $2.50 becomes $3. Fast Refund: If a tax refund is expected for 1994, instead of mailing the return to the Internal Revenue Service, it can be filed electronically. When filed electronically, a refund will bereceivedinabout3 weeks, orin2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an indi victual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the Electronic Filing Office. WHERE TO FILE Tax returns should be mailed to the Internal Revenue Service Center designated forthe area in which the taxpayerlives. These addresses are listed below. No street address is needed for the IRS. For individuals living in the following states Use this address Florida, Georgia, South Carolina IRS Atlanta, GA 39901 New Jersey, New York (New York City and counties of Nassau, . Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester) IRS Holtsville, NY 00501 New York (all other counties} , Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont IRS Andover, MA 05501 . . . . . . IRS Kansas City, MO 64999 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, . Virginia IRS Philadelphia, PA 19255 Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia IRS Cincinnati, OH 45999 Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas . . . . . IRS Austin, TX 73301 Alaska, Arizona, California (counties of Alpine, Amador, Butte, . Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba), Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming IRS Ogden, UT 84201 California (all other counties) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hawaii IRS Fresno, CA 93888 Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee IRS Memphis, TN 37501 American Samoa . . . . . . IRS Philadelphia, PA 19255 Guam (permanent residents) Department of Revenue and Taxation 378 Chalan San Antonio Tamuning, GU 96911 Puerto Rico (or if excluding income under section 933) . . . . . . . . . . . nonpermanent residents of Virgin Islands, nonpermanent residents of Guam IRS Philadelphia, PA 19255 Virgin Islands (permanent residents) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue Lockhart Gardens No. 1-A Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, VI 00802 Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri , Wisconsin All A.P.O. or F.P.O. addresses . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IRS Philadelphia, PA 19255 �SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 1995 13 r-----------------------------------------------------------------------, DEADLINE for filing TAXES: APRIL 17, 1995 HOW TO FILE AN EXTENSION IRS Form 4868 can be used to ask for a fourmonth extension to file IRS Form 1040A or Form 1040. An individual requesting an extension is under no obligation to explain why the additional time is needed. Filing of the form gives an individual until August 15, 1995 to file his or her 1994 federal tax return. The IRS will contact the individual directly only if the request for an extension is denied. To extend the period of time in which one can file his or her tax return, that individual must correctly fill out Form 4868 and pay all of the tax monies due (as noted on line 6 of the form). If the filing of Form 4868 and the subsequent four-month extension to file does not provide the individual with enough time, he or she can then file Form 2688, known as "Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return." Another option open to the person seeking more time in which to file is to write a letter to the IRS stating the reason the extension is necessary and mail it to the correct IRS location (see "Where to File" on page 12 in this supplement). An individual seeking an extension is advised by the IRS to file Form 4868 before filing Form 2688. At right is Form 4868 which may be used by Seafarers to file for an extension. This form will be recognized by the IRS. Additional copies of Form 4868 are available by calling the agency's toll-free number which is dedicated to tax form requests. That number is 1800-829-3676. Also, Form 4868 is available from all main IRS branch offices. And if a Seafarer finds himself or herself overseas, he or she can obtain the form from any U.S. embassy or consulate. It is important to bear in mind that the filing of Form 4868 requesting an extension does not get one offthe hook from having to pay any taxes due. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due the U.S. government from the individual filing the extension. The deadline for filing the form and the taxes due is April 17. II Form 4868 Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return OMB No. 1545-0188 ~®94 Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Please Type or Print Your first name and initial Last name Your social security number If a joint return, spouse's first name and initial Last name Spouse's social security number Home address {number, street, and apt. no. or rural route). If you have a P.O. box, see the instructions. City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code I request an automatic 4-month extension of time to August 15, 1995, to file Form 1040EZ, Form 1040A, or Form 1040 for the , for the fiscal tax year ending , 19 calendar year 1994 or to , 19 1@11 Individual Income Tax-You must complete this part. Total tax liability for 1994. This is the amount you expect to enter on Form 1040EZ, line 9; Form 1040A, line 27; or Form 1040, line 53. If you expect this amount to be zero, enter -0-. Caution: You MUST enter an amount on line 1 or your extension will be denied. You can estimate this amount, but be as exact as you can with the information you have. If we later find that your estimate was not reasonable, the extension will be null and void. 2 3 Total payments for 1994. This is the amount you expect to enter on Form 1040EZ, line 8; Form 1040A, line 28d; or Form 1040, line 60 (excluding line 57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . BALANCE DUE. Subtract line 2 from line 1. If line 2 is more than line 1, enter -0-. If you are making a payment, you must use the Form 4868-V at the bottom of page 3. For details on how to pay, including what to write on your payment, see the instructions . . . . . . . . ..,.. 1@111 .,__2--+-----+-- 3 Gift or Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) Tax-Complete this part if you expect to owe either tax. Caution: Do not include income tax on lines Sa and Sb. See the instructions. If you or your spouse plan to file a gift tax return (Form 709 or 709-A) for 1994, } Yourself ..,.. generally due by April 17, 1995, see the instructions and check here . . Spouse ..,.. 4 D D 5a Enter the amount of gift or GST tax you are paying with this form. Also, you must use the Form 4868-V at the bottom of page 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b Enter the amount of gift or GST tax your spouse is paying with t~ls form. Also, you must use the Form 4868-V at the bottom of page 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1--Sa~-------+--- 5b Signature and Verification Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this form, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete; and, if prepared by someone other than the taxpayer, that I am authorized to prepare this form . ~ ~ Your signature Date ~ Spouse's signature, if filing jointly Preparer's signature (other than taxpayer) Date Date If you want correspondence regarding this extension to be sent to you at an address other than that shown above or to an agent acting for you, please enter the name of the agent and/or the address where it should be sent. Name Please Type or Print Number and street (include suite, room, or apt. no.) or P.O. box number if mail is not delivered to street address City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code 4868 (1994) ______________________________________________________________________ _J For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see page 3. Cat. No. 1~l141W Form Seafarers are welcome to use the above form in case they need to file for an extension for income tax returns. The form is an exact duplication and will be honored by the Internal Revenue Service. Filing an extension does not exempt a Seafarer from paying any taxes owed the IRS. SEAFARERS AND STATE TAXES The law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of seamen working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that "no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or noncontiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer." The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. A seaman, just like any other citizen of any given state, must meet his or her obligations to the government of the area in which he or she lives. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office ifhe or she is unsure as to his residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman-despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year-was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. On page 14 in this issue of the Seafarers LOG is a chart for seamen to use if questions arise on residency and state tax issues. It includes a list of phone numbers of state tax boards and offices to call for more information. It also provides information on what each state considers to be taxable income for residents. The chart indicates that seven states do not require state taxes to be paid of its residents, and three states limit state taxes to profits earned from investments but do not consider wages subject to taxation. ADDITIONAL STATE TAX INFORMATION ON NEXT PAGE �Ill 14 SEAFARERS LOG STATE TAX LIABILITY AND WHERE TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RESIDENT'S TAXABLE INCOME STATE OFFICE ADDRESS Alabama Subject to state income tax on all income. Alaska Arizona Arkansas No state tax. Subject to tax on entire net income. A credit is only allowed for taxes paid to the other state on income derived from sources within that state which are taxable under that state's laws without regard to the residence or domicile of the recipient. No credit is allowed if the other state allows residents of Arizona a credit against taxes imposed by that state for taxes paid to Arizona Subject to state income tax on all income. Dept. of Revenue, Income Tax Division, 1021 Madison Ave., P.O. Box 327490, Montgomery, AL 36132-7490 De~t. of Revenue, P.O. Box 110420, Juneau, AK 99811-0420 Dept. of Revenue, P.O. Box 29086, Phoenix,~ 85038-9086 Tax Administrator, P.O. Box 3628, Little Rock, AR 72203-3628 California Subject to state income tax on all taxable income. Taxpayer Information, P.O. Box 942840, Sacramento, CA 94240-0000 Colorado Subject to state income taxation on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Subject to state income taxation based on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Subject to state income taxation on federal adjusted gross income with cerlain modifications. Subject to DC income tax on net income. Taxpayer's Assistance, 1375 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80261 STATE Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida No state tax. Georgia Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income less certain items. Hawaii Subject to tax on entire income; credit is allowed for taxes paid to another state which is paid on income derived from sources outside the state. Subject to tax on federal taxable income with a credit for income taxes paid to another state or territory. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications and with the possibility of a credit for state taxes paid to another state. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with modifications and with the possibility of a credit against Iowa tax for taxes paid to another state on income subject to tax in Iowa. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Subject to tax on all income reportable for federal purposes with certain exceptions. Subject to tax on taxable income with the possibility of a reduction of taxes for taxes paid to another jurisdiction. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Minnesota Subject to a tax on federal adjusted gross income. A credit for taxes paid to other states is allowed. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income allocable to sources within Michigan. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Mississippi Missouri Subject to tax on entire net income. Subject to tax on Missouri taxable income with certain modifications. Montana Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Credit for taxes paid to other states is allowed. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Michigan Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York No state tax. Subject to tax on interest and dividends over $1 ,200. Subject to tax on entire New Jersey gross income; credit is allowed for tax paid to another state on income subject to New Jersey income tax. Subject to tax on federal taxable income with certain modification and with the possibility of a credit for taxes paid to another state. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Taxpayer's Assistance, 25 Sigourney St., Hartford, CT 06105 Division of Revenue, State Office Bldg., Ninth & French Streets, Wilmington, DE 19801 Taxpayer Assistance Office, 1 Judiciary Square, 441 Fourth St., NW, Suite 550 North, Washington, DC 20001 Taxpayer Assistance Section, 5050 W. Tennessee St., Bldg. I, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0100 Dept. of Revenue, 322 Plaza Level, West Tower, Floyd Bldg., Atlanta, GA 30334 First Taxation District, Oahu District Office, P.O. Box 3559, Honolulu, HI 968113559 Tax Commission, P.O. Box 56, Boise, ID 83756-0201 Taxpayer Information Division, The Willard Ice Bldg., 101 West Jefferson, P.O. Box 19044, Springfield, IL 62794-9044 Taxpayer Information, 100 N. Senate Ave., Room N105, Indianapolis, IN 462042253 Taxpayer Service Section, Iowa Dept. of Revenue and Finance, P.O. Box 10457, Des Moines, IA 50306 Taxpayer Assistance Bureau, Docking State Office Bldg., 915 Harrison, 3rd floor, Topeka, KS 66612-1588 Revenue Cabinet, 200 Fair Oaks Lane, Frankfort, KY 40620-0001 Taxpayer Information, P.O. Box 3440, Baton Rouge, LA 70823-0001 Bureau ofTaxation, P.O. Box 1067, Augusta, ME 04332-1067 Comptroller of the Treasury, Revenue Administration, Annapolis, MD 21411-0001 Massachussetts Dept. of Revenue, 100 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02204 Taxpayer Information, Treasury Bldg., 430 W. Allegan St., Lansing, Ml 48922 Dept. of Revenue, Taxpayer Information, 10 River Park Plaza, St. Paul, MN 55146-4450 Tax Commission, P.O. Box 23050, Jackson, MS 39225-3050 Dept. of Revenue, Truman State Office Bldg., Room 330, Jefferson City, MO 65101 Dept. of Revenue, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, MT 59604 Taxpayer's Assistance, 301 Centennial Mall South, P.O. Box 94818, Lincoln, NE 68509-4818 Deet. of Taxation, Caeital Comelex, Carson Ci~. NV 89710-0003 Taxpayers Assistance Office, P.O. Box 637, Concord, NH 03302-0637 Taxpayer Information, 50 Barrack St., CN 269, Trenton, NJ 08646-0269 Tax & Revenue Dept., P.O. Box 360, Santa Fe, NM 87509-0630 Taxpayer's Assistance, W.A. Harriman State Campus, Bldg. 8, Albany, NY 12227 Dept. of Revenue, Revenue Bldg., 501 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC 27640 North Dakota Subject to tax on net income with the possibility of a tax credit for taxes paid to another state. Subject to tax on federal taxable income with certain modifications. Ohio Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Oklahoma Subject to tax on the federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Oregon Rhode Island South Carolina Subject to tax on federal taxable income with certain modifications ;credit against Oregon income taxes for taxes imposed by another state is allowed. Subject to tax on income with a credit for taxes paid to another state on income also subject to tax in Pennsylvania. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. Subject to tax on entire net income. South Dakota Tennessee No state tax. Subject to tax on dividends from stock and interest on bonds. Division of Taxation, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5801 Dept. of Revenue, Columbia Mill Bldg., 301 Gervais St., P.O. Box 125, Columbia, SC 29214 Dept. of Revenue, 700 Governors Dr., Pierre, SD 57501-2291 Dept. of Revenue, Andrew Jackson State Office Bldg., Nashville, TN 37242-0482 Texas Utah No state tax. Subject to tax on federal taxable income with certain modifications. Taxpayer Assistance, Capital Station, Austin, TX 78774 Utah State Tax Commission, 210 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84134 Vermont Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with a credit for income taxes paid to another state or territory upon income derived from sources within that state or territory. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. No state tax Dept. of Taxes, 109 State St., Montpelier, VT 05609-1401 North Carolina Pennsylvania -- FEBRUARY 1995 Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Subject to taxable income as defined in terms of federal adjusted gross income with modifications. Subject to tax on federal adjusted gross income with certain modifications. No state tax. Taxpayer Information, State Capitol, Bismarck, ND 58505-0599 Ohio Dept. of Taxation - Taxpayer Service, P.O. Box 2476, Columbus, OH 43266-0076 Taxpayer Information, Connors Bldg., 2501 Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73194 Revenue Bldg., 955 Center St., NE, First floor, Room 135, Salem, OR 97310 PA Dept. of Revenue, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17128-0101 Taxpayer Information, P.O. Box 1115, Richmond, VA 23208-1115 Dept. of Revenue, 415 General Admin. Bldg., P.O. Box 47454, Olympia, WA 98504-7454 Taxpayer Services, P.O. Box 3784, Charteston, WV 25337-3784 Dept. of Revenue, 4638 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705 Dept. of Revenue, 122 West 25th St., Cheyenne, WY 82002 LOCAL I TOLL-FREE NO. (205) 242-2677 (907} 465-2320 (602) 255-3381 *(800) 352-4090 Phoenix (602) 628-6421 Tucson (501) 682-1100 *(800) 882-9275 (916) 854-6500 (800) 852-5711 (303) 534-1209 (203) 566-8520 *(800) 382-9463 (302) 577-3300 *(800) 292-7826 (202) 727-6103 (202) 727-6104 ~904~ 488-6800 800 352-3671 (404) 656-4071 *(800) 338-2389 (808) 587-6515 (800} 222-3229 ~208) 334-7660 800) 972-7660 (217) 782-3336 (317) 232-2240 (515)281-3114 *(800) 367-3388 (913) 296-0222 (502) 564-4580 (504) 925-4611 (207) 626-8475 *(800) 773-7895 (410) 974-3981 (800) 638-2937 (617) 727-4545 *(800) 392-6089 (517) 373-2873 *(800) 487-7000 (612) 296-3781 (800) 652-9094 (601) 359-1141 (314) 751-7191 (406) 444-2837 ~402) 471-5729 800) 742-7474 (702) 687-4892 (603) 271-2186 (609) 588-2200 *(800) 323-4400 (505) 827-0700 (518) 438-8581 *(800) 225-5829 (919) 733-4682 (701) 328-3450 *(800) 638-2901 (614) 846-6712 *(800) 282-1780 (405) 521-3146 *(800) 522-8165 (503) 378-4988 *(800) 356-4222 (717) 783-1405 (401) 277-2905 (800) 763-1295 (605) 773-5141 (615) 741-3665 *(800) 342-1003 *(800) 252-5555 (801) 297-2200 *(800) 662-4335 (802) 828-2865 (804) 367-8031 (206) 753-5540 (304) 558-3333 *(800} 982-8297 (608) 266-2486 (307) 777-7962 • within state only SOURCE: Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Federal Voting Assistance Program; Voting Assistance Guide 1994-95; Appendix I. Probable State Income Tax Liability. �FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea DECEMBER 16, 1994 - JANUARY 15, 1995 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C March & April 1995 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C Piney Point Monday, March 6, April 3 Port DECK DEPARTMENT New York 48 26 7 21 2 19 58 53 10 13 Philadelphfa 4 2 3 5 1 3 0 5 8 3 12 Baltimore 7 11 4 6 8 3 6 0 0 Norfolk 23 21 19 8 10 4 8 6 6 10 27 4 Mobile 12 11 22 0 6 18 1 5 New Orleans 22 43 4 29 4 21 1 5 31 11 4 12 Jacksonville 31 13 7 51 35 13 19 17 14 San Francisco 12 18 12 0 6 38 37 9 1 Wilmington 22 19 30 30 9 17 I 11 8 8 Seattle 27 16 2 44 31 6 17 1 18 9 2 1 2 Puerto Rico 15 5 3 5 8 5 9 25 Honolulu 4 4 4 15 7 10 6 9 13 44 34 19 Houston 24 20 16 6 9 20 7 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 0 0 St. Louis 0 I Piney Point 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 6 1 2 1 Algonac 1 2 0 0 0 0 147 167 371 383 118 Totals 227 48 38 93 205 Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT 2 New York 14 15 10 39 38 26 10 1 0 4 2 0 1 2 l Philadelphia 2 3 0 0 1 0 2 5 Baltimore 0 5 6 5 2 0 2 3 10 20 9 6 8 5 Norfolk 4 4 2 19 24 0 7 Mobile 11 0 5 0 9 4 20 29 12 2 New Orleans 12 2 6 8 18 6 23 38 11 12 2 6 Jacksonville 18 15 5 10 4 30 27 1 11 8 0 San Francisco 17 17 4 14 19 11 l 6 13 3 8 Wilmington 8 14 3 23 12 12 2 13 Seattle 16 4 9 2 3 4 2 11 4 Puerto Rico 5 1 3 7 14 7 13 1 2 8 2 Honolulu 4 5 8 22 1 11 19 11 14 0 Houston 13 0 10 1 2 1 0 St. Louis 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 0 4 0 Piney Point 3 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 Algonac 0 0 0 0 0 0 225 267 58 17 69 97 118 Totals 142 130 27 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port 2 18 19 7 5 0 6 1 10 New York 11 7 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Philadelphia 1 0 1 0 2 l 0 1 0 Baltimore 1 2 14 4 7 3 6 1 6 5 7 Norfolk 11 0 2 13 0 0 10 3 6 Mobile 8 12 13 5 2 7 6 1 12 3 New Orleans 10 23 17 10 5 1 7 5 Jacksonville 11 9 6 22 7 4 68 4 1 17 San Francisco 32 12 3 6 6 12 19 I 7 9 12 4 3 Wilmington 2 8 11 35 1 13 5 4 1 Seattle 16 4 3 4 1 2 3 0 0 1 2 Puerto Rico 16 12 17 1 4 3 1 3 Honolulu 4 8 5 22 6 6 1 4 4 2 8 Houston 12 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 St. Louis 0 0 3 1 9 2 2 0 Piney Point 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 l 0 Algonac 0 246 148 60 54 55 14 94 125 77 25 Totals ENTRY DEPARTMENT Port 91 38 11 2 0 15 1 4 34 13 New York 4 11 0 0 4 1 0 0 Phi1ade1phia 1 0 7 7 1 0 0 1 0 2 2 Baltimore 0 25 27 6 0 5 1 7 12 Norfolk 2 8 4 34 5 0 14 0 2 0 2 18 Mobile 32 39 11 2 0 2 8 New Orleans 4 20 9 25 4 31 0 7 5 1 11 10 Jacksonville 1 29 26 18 0 2 8 16 10 San Francisco 7 18 14 11 32 0 3 10 9 15 12 Wilmington 6 15 42 12 12 2 0 3 3 23 Seattle 6 13 13 5 1 0 1 2 4 4 Puerto Rico 9 126 11 60 0 15 9 46 20 0 Honolulu 7 11 33 7 3 0 4 1 9 2 15 Houston 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 St. Louis 0 4 32 0 1 0 14 1 0 24 Piney Point 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 Algonac 0 363 470 102 47 0 124 23 144 208 Totals 45 Totals All 599 944 1,268 216 116 464 361 244 620 De2artments 539 * "Total Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month. ** "Registered on the Beach" means the total number of men registered at the port at the end of last month. A total of 1,157 jobs were shipped on SIU-contracted deep sea vessels. Of the 1,157 jobs shipped, 361 jobs or about 31 percent were taken by "A" seniority members. The rest were filled by "B" and "C" seniority people. From December 16, 1994 to January 15, 1995, a total of 216 trip relief jobs were shipped. Since the trip relief program began on April 1, 1982, a total of 22,377 jobs have been shipped. New York Tuesday: March 7, April 4 Trip Reliefs Philadelphia Wednesday: March 8, April 5 Baltimore Thursday: March 9, April 6 Norfolk Thursday: March 9, April 6 Jacksonville Thursday: March 9, April 6 Algonac Friday: March 10, April 7 Houston Monday: March 13, April 10 New Orleans Tuesday: March 14, April 11 Mobile Wednesday: March 15, April 12 San Francisco Thursday: March 16, April 13 Wilmington Monday: March 20, April 17 Seattle Friday: March 24, April 21 San Juan Thursday: March 9, April 6 St. Louis Friday: March 17, April 14 Honolulu Friday: March 17, April 14 Duluth Wednesday: March 15, April 12 Jersey City Wednesday: March 22, April 19 New Bedford Tuesday: March 21, April 18 Each port's meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personals ANTHONY (TONY) ARONICA Please contact Hubert Eugene Jackson at 88 Johnston Highway, Newton Grove, NC 28366; or telephone (910) 594-0127. RAYMOND CHERRY Michele Cherry would like to get in touch with her father-in-law, Raymond Cherry, or anyone who knows him. Please contact Michele Cherry at 1849 Sedgwick A venue, Apt. 12-B, Bronx, NY 10453; or telephone (718) 716-5811. SIDNEY GARDNER (of Baltimore) Please contact Karen Scott at (410) 558-0232 or (410) 342-4611. FREDDIE NEWTON Walton Newton would like to get in touch with his father, Freddie Newton (who sailed from the port of St. Louis), or anyone who knows him. Please call Walton Newton at (813) 870-9827. ANTHONY NOBILE The daughter of Anthony Nobile would like to get in touch with her father. She would like Mr. Nobile, or anyone who knows him, to write to Diane Nobile Serra, 143 Columbia Street, #3A, Brooklyn, NY 11231. JOHN FRANCIS ROBERTS Gail Roberts is trying to locate information about her grandfather (John Francis Roberts) whom she has never met. Her grandfather sailed as a merchant mariner in 1932 and was still sailing in 1961. Ms. Roberts would like to hear from her grandfather or anyone who knew him. Please contact Gail Roberts at 8218 Bernard Drive North, Millersville, MD 21108. 15 .. �16 SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 1995 Seafarers International Union Directory Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes DECEMBER 16, 1994- JANUARY 15, 1995 L-Lakes CL-Company/Lakes NP-Non Priority Michael Sacco President *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP John Fay Secretary-Treasurer TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP Joseph Sacco Executive Vice President Augustin Tellez Vice President Collective Bargaining George McCartney Vice President West Coast Roy A. "Buck" Mercer Vice President Government Services Jack Caffey Vice President Atlantic Coast Byron Kelley Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac 0 35 6 0 15 3 0 7 0 0 12 9 DECK DEPARTMENT 0 15 11 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 16 7 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 5 9 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 42 14 0 17 7 0 10 2 0 36 27 DeanCorgey .---- - - - - - Vice President Gulf Coast - - ----.. HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 (30 I) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr. Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 327-4900 DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building Duluth, MN 55802 (218)722-4110 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St. Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON I 221 Pierce St. Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St. Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JERSEY CITY 99 Montgomery St. Jersey City, NJ 07302 (201) 435-9424 MOBILE I640 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Mobile, AL 36605 (334) 478-0916 NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St. New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 NEW ORLEANS Totals All Departments 18 0 69 0 36 27 0 105 * "Total Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month. ** "Registered on the Beach" means the total number of men registered at the port at the end of last month. 50 Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters DECEMBER 16, 1994 - JANUARY 15, 19954 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals 3 0 5 0 1 0 3 0 0 42 3 12 17 2 1 14 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 0 1 1 1 1 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 2 36 (} 0 1 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 2 0 0 1 4 1 17 0 0 29 2 33 49 34 6 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 2 0 3 2 3 20 2 1 2 44 5 0 9 0 13 0 51 70 13 64 2 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 6 1 22 1 26 2 3 7 1 13 Totals All Departments 20 63 4 63 8 37 109 17 * "Total Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month. ** "Registered on the Beach" means the total number of men registered at the port at the end of last month. 6 72 630 Jackson Ave. New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 529-7546 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave. Brooklyn, NY l 1232 (718) 499-6600 e1u BULLETIN BOARD NORFOLK I 15 Third St. Norfolk, VA 23510 (804) 622-1892 PHILADELPHIA 2604S. 4 St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75 Piney Point, MD 20674 (30 I) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 2 West Dixie Highway Dania, FL 33004 (305) 921 -5661 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St. San Francisco, CA 94105 (415)543-5855 Government Services Division (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE l 057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 161/i Santurce, PR 00907 (809) 721-4033 SEATTLE 2505 First Ave. Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 441-1960 ST.LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave. St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 - ~ & UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS rtJ ~ UPCOMING PORT ARTHUR TEXAS MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS A general informational Seafarers membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. It will take place at the Ramada Inn on Highway 87 in Port Arthur. Future meetings will be held March 1, April 5 and May 3 at the same time and same location. Contact the Houston SIU hall for further information. ~ ,{ii. '-1! NEW YORK CLINIC 'fl In order to ensure that active SIU members and pensioners receive a copy of the Seafarers LOG each month-as well as other important mail such as W-2 forms, pension and welfare checks and bulletins or notices-a correct home address must be on file with the union. If you have moved recently and have not yet notified the union, go to your nearest union hall and fill out a change of address form or send your new address (along with your name, book number and social security number) to: Address Control, Seafarers International Union, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. CHANGES AFFILIATION Dr. Berlin is now affiliated with Occupational Health Services, which serves as the clinic for Seafarers in the New York area. The address remains 794 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215; telephone (718) 783-6578. Hours of operation are: Monday - 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Wednesday - 9 a.m. 6 p.m.; Friday - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ~ NEW AREA CODE <{J FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA Effective January 15, 1995, Alabama has a new area code, 334, which will apply to the southern parts of the state. The telephone number for the SIU Mobile hall is now (334) 4780916; the FAX number is (334) 4784658. ~ THINK WARM: PLAN YOUR VACATION AT PINEY POINT Each summer, a number of rooms at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. are set aside for Seafarers and their families to vacation for up to two weeks. Piney Point vacationers can enjoy the school's comfortable accommodations, use of the recreational facilities and three good meals a day. And the location is ideal for traveling to many of the area's educational and historical sites. Seafarers should start thinking about how Piney Point could be a part of their vacation plans. Watch for additional information in upcoming issues of the Seafarers LOG or contact the Paul Hall Center at (301) 9940010. �FEBRUARY 1995 SEFARERS LOG J oining the growing number of SIU pensioners this month are 13 Seafarers who have retired after many years of sailing the world's waterways. Eleven of those signing off their ships for the last time sailed in the deep sea division, one navigated the inland waterways and one worked on Great Lakes' vessels. Seven of the retiring Seafarers served in the U.S. military-two in the Navy, two in the Army, two in the Air Force and one in the Coast Guard. Two of the new pension enrollees have been SIU members since the 1940s: Alfred Tampol who signed on in Norfolk, Va. and William Holland who joined the union in New Orleans. Among this month's retirees is Claude J. Dockery, who completed the bosun recertification course in 1988 at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. On this page, the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of this month's pensioners. DEEP SEA BILLA. ABULENCIA, 65, signed on with the Seafarers in 1969 in the port of New York. Brother Abulencia sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Born in the Philippines, Brother Abulencia has retired to California. RICHARD BRUMAGE, 66, signed on with the SIU in the port of Honolulu. He sailed in the steward department and upgraded to chief cook at the Lundeberg School. Prior to joining the SIU, Brother Brumage was a member of the Marine Cooks and Stewards union and graduated from their training school in Santa Rosa, Calif. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953. A native of Pennsylvania, Brother Brumage currently resides in Nevada. CHARLES J. DOCKERY,66, was born in Oklahoma. He joined the union in 1966 in the port of Wilmington, Calif., sailing as a member of the deck department. Brother Dockery upgraded at the Lundeberg School and completed the bosun recertification program there in 1988. Brother Dockery has retired to his native Oklahoma. RICHARD GARCIA, 65,began sailing with the Seafarers in 1951 in the port of Savannah, Ga. He sailed Brother Sigler currently resides in Missouri. To Our New Pensioners . . . Thanks for a Job Well Done GREAT LAKES Each month in the Seafarers LOG, the names of SIU members who recently have become pensioners appear with a brief biographical sketch. These men and women have served the maritime industry well, and the SIU and all their union brothers and sisters wish them happiness and health in the days ahead. in the steward department and upgraded at the Lundeberg School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951to1955. Born and raised in Tampa, Fla., Brother Garcia has retired to his home state. LUCIEN GUMM,59, a native of Washington, joined the = ~ SIU in 1968 '''i'i in the port of =t, Seattle. ---""-=-===---' } Brother Gumm sailed in the deck department. He served 20 years in the U.S. Navy. Brother Gumm continues to reside in Washington. WILLIAM L.HOLLAND,65, signed on with the union in 1948 in the port of New Orleans. He sailed in the engine department, starting out as an FOWT and working his way up to QMED. He also sailed as a second assistant engineer. Born in Paris, Texas, Brother Holland now resides in California. JOSEPHJ. McGILL, 59, born in Brooklyn, N.Y., joined the Seafarers in 1958 in the port of Jackson ville, Fla. Brother McGill sailed in both the engine and deck departments. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961. Brother McGill makes his home in Florida. Brother Tampol has retired to New York. TEODORO VALERIO, 58,joined the Seafarers in 1968 in the port of New Orleans. He sailed as a member of the deck department. Born in Honduras, Brother Valerio became a naturalized U.S. citizen and currently resides in Louisiana. DUANEK. WITT,55, signed on with the umonm 1965 in the port of Duluth, Minn. The Wisconsin native started sailing in the union's Great Lakes district and later transferred to the deep sea division as a member of the deck department. Brother Witt presently lives in Wisconsin. INLAND MANUEL "JOE" SIGLER, 67, signed on with the SIU in 1952 in the port of Chicago. He sailed aboard deep sea, inland and Great Lakes vessels in the deck department. Eighteen years ago, Brother Sigler became an official for the union. He was a patrolman in Chicago, worked in the Algonac, Mich. hall and has been a port agent in St. Louis for nearly seven years. As a rank and file member, Brother Sigler participated in a number of beefs. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1947. Born in Gary, Ind., The start of any new year brings many changes in local, state and federal laws. With regard to Social Security and its benefits, 1995 is no different. Perhaps the most anticipated and noticed change is the announcement that benefits for those persons receiving Social Security will go up. The federal government has announced that Social Security recipients should have received a 2.8 percent increase in their benefits with their January check. The increase is based on the annual rise in the Consumer Price Index. As determined by the Social Security Administration, the average monthly benefit for a retired worker will go up in 1995 to $698 from last year's average of $679. For a husband and wife who both receive benefits, the average monthly benefit will be $1,178. This is only an average-many people receive more while others get less. Also increasing in 1995 is the maximum amount of money that Social Security recipients between the ages of 65 and 69 can earn without losing any of their benefits. The new limit is $11,280 of taxable income in a year. After that amount is reached, $1 is withheld from benefits for every $3 over the limit. For those persons receiving Social Security who are under the age of 65, the new maximum annual earning limit is $8, 160. When this amount is reached, $1 is withheld for every $2 over the limit. The maximum earning amount still does not apply to anyone 70 years of age or older. Finally, the Social Security Administration announced there would be no changes in the percentage of withholding tax taken from paychecks for Social Security or Medicare. I LOG-A-RHYTHMS WILLIAM ALFRED TAMPOL, 66, signed on with the • union in 1945 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Born in the Philippine Islands, Brother Tampol became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He sailed in the engine department, starting out as an oiler and later upgrading at the Lundeberg School to electrician. TEDMILLIGAN,62, '~., joined the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of Buffalo, N.Y. Brother Mil"--- - - - - - - ' ligan, a tug fireman, sailed in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Milligan also sailed on inland vessels. He served in the U.S. Air Force from L952 through 1956. Brother Milligan has retired to his native state of Michigan. Social Security Payments To 60 Up 2.8% in 1995 By Michael J. Cushman N. SLUSSER, 68, was born in Roanoke, Va.He began sailing with the Seafarers in 1956 from the port of Savannah, Ga. Brother Slusser sailed in the engine department and upgraded at the Lundeberg School to QMED. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946 and again from 1948 to 1951. Brother Slusser presently lives in the state of Washington. 17 Life at Sea Seafarer I see the ships anchored out in the harbor, I see them unloading in the ports. I wonder if I could be a sailor I am a seafarer, A sailor of the seas. I bring to you the cargo and supplies you need From around the world and across the seas. I am a citizen of the world and a sailor of the seas. Ships have been my mistresses. The sea has been my bride. I am happy with the life I lead. A seafarer until I die. of the seas. Exotic lands await me, Tropical islands chart my way. I would spend my time Carving scrimshaws, Mending the sails, Batting down the hatches, Seeing what's on the poop deck, among other things. Ah, the sailor's life it's for me. (An SIU member since 1980, Michael 1. Cushman has attended a number of courses at the Lundeberg School and upgraded to chief cook in 1987. Brother Cushman has contributed many of his poems to the Seafarers LOG in the past. "Alexander Kane Cushman," published in the March 1994 issue, was from a book of poems he wrote for his son. The poems above are two of his most recent.) - �18 SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 1995 Digest of Ships Meetings The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted. Ships minutes first are reviewed by the union's contract department. Those issues requiring 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. RANGER (Vulcan Carriers), September 25-Chairman Larry Mccants, Secretary Chih-hua Chang, Engine Delegate Alex Resendez III, Steward Delegate Tookie Davalie. Chairman noted refrigerator fixed, new VCR received and new couch put in crew lounge. He announced receipt of Seafarers LOGs. Educational director advised crew of selected upgrading courses offered at union halls and encouraged all members to take advantage of regular upgrading opportunities at Lundeberg School at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman reminded crewmembers to check zcards for renewal dates. Chairman urged crewmembers to send pictures to Seafarers LOG. RANGER (Vulcan Carriers), October 2-Chairman Larry McCants, Secretary Chih-hua Chang, Educational Director Hanable Smith, Engine Delegate Alex Resendez III, Steward Delegate Tookie Davali. Chairman reported crewmembers will have picture and thumb print taken for shore passes. He asked crew to record serial numbers from ship's equipment. Educational director emphasized importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center. Crew discussed setting up movie fund for purchase of new films. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested floor mats be placed at entrances and exits of house. Chairman asked crewmembers to return videotapes after use and reminded them to separate plastics from normal waste. He reminded crew to lock all rooms while in port. Ship heading to Argentina. - SEA-LAND DISCOVERY(SeaLand Service), October 16-Chairman Nelson Sala, Secretary Jose Coils, Educational Director Joseph Shuler, Deck Delegate Efstratios Zoubantis, Engine Delegate R. Collazo, Steward Delegate Jorge Salazar. Chairman announced payoff and sailing time. Secretary expressed good wishes for Captains G.K. Pappas and Richard Sandifer on their recent retirements . Deck delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward delegates. New washing machine requested by crew. Steward department thanked for keeping up good work. Next port: Elizabeth, N .J. SEA-LAND ENTERPRISE (SeaLand Service), October 9-Chairman Elex Cary Jr., Deck Delegate Brian Bassett, Engine Delegate Prentiss Smith, Steward Delegate Donald Garrison. Crew extended special vote of thanks to Chief Cook Garrison for fine meals and excellent barbecue on deck. Crew asked contracts department for clarification of overtime worked. Galley gang thanked crew for helping keep mess hall and lounge clean. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. SEA-LAND NAVIGATOR (SeaLand Service), October 30--Chairman Werner Becher, Secretary Joseph Smith, Deck Delegate George Khan, Engine Delegate Chris Davis, Steward Delegate Jasper Jackson. Crew requested new washing machine and dryer. Chairman announced new lock installed in lounge and asked crewmembers to deep doors locked while in port. He reported payoff in Tacoma, Wash. on October 28. Engine delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck or steward department delegates. Next port: Oakland, Calif. SEA-LAND SP/R/T(Sea-Land Service), October 16--Chairman David Williams, Secretary Steve Apodaca, Educational Director Charles Henley, Deck Delegate Michael Soren- son, Engine Delegate Donnie Hester, Steward Delegate Arthur Medieros. Secretary urged crewmembers to upgrade at Lundeberg School. Educational director stressed importance of donating to SPAD. Treasurer reported $203 in ship's fund and $97 in movie fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported by all three departments . Chainnan asked crewmembers to notify bridge before going on deck in bad weather. Crew thanked galley gang for great barbecue. Chairman reminded crew to keep noise to a minimum while in house so those off duty may sleep. Next port: Honolulu. USNS SEAL/FT ARABIAN SEA (IMC), October 24-Chairman Tom Prather, Deck Delegate Kimberly Clark. Secretary asked all crewmembers to cooperate in keeping mess decks and laundry spaces clean. Crew discussed safety course offered at Piney Point. Crewmembers requested new movies and VCR. Ship heading to port in England. CHARLES L. BROWN (Transoceanic Cable), November 28Chairman Francisco Sousa, Secretary Brenda Kamiya, Educational Director Joe Stores, Deck Delegate Clive Steward. Chairman said rules for meal hours are posted in mess hall. He announced payoff and discussed upcoming cable training exercise. Treasurer reported $200 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman reminded crew to clean up crew mess area and TV lounge at night. HUMACAO (PRMMJ), November 7-Chairman Roberto Diaz, Steward Delegate German Rios, Educational Director Eddie Johnson, Deck Delegate Manuel Sabater, Engine Delegate Lucas Martinez, Steward Delegate Troy Browne. Chairman noted payoff in Elizabeth, NJ. and asked those crewmembers signing off to clean room and tum in dirty linen. Disputed OT reported by engine delegate. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck or steward department delegates. Crew thanked galley gang for job well done. Next port: San Juan, P.R. LNG ARIES (ETC), November 27Chairrnan John P. Davis, Secretary Doyle E. Cornelius, Educational Director Jose A. Quinones, Deck Delegate George M. Silalahi, Engine Delegate Dasril Panko, Steward Delegate Arlene Ringler. Chairman reminded crewmembers of no smoking policy in crew lounge. Educational director asked crewmembers to think about importance of upgrading at Piney Point. Treasurer reported $437 in ship's fund . No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department for job well done, especially delicious Thanksgiving Day dinner. LONG L/NES(Transoceanic Cable), November 18-Chairman Perfecto Amper, Secretary Michael Bonsignore, Educational Director Juanito Danslan, Engine Delegate Anthony Powers, Steward Delegate William Smith. Crew requested new washer and dryer. Chairman and secretary stressed importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Treasurer reported $1 ,800 in ship's fund. Crew thanked galley gang for job well done. Next port: Hueneme, Calif. OMI SACRAMENTO (Vulcan Carriers), November 6-Chairman Ray Gorju, Secretary Dante Slack, Educational Director Robert Caldwell, Deck Delegate George Giraud, Steward Delegate Earl Mathews. Chairman reported ship arriving in Lake Charles, La. on November 9 and asked crewmembers signing off to leave keys. He thanked crew for good trip. Chairman added ship would next sail to Abijan, Ivory Coast. Educational director joined with chairman to urge members to attend upgrading classes at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported by all three departments. Chairman noted holiday messages received from union headquarters and posted. Crew asked contracts department to look into changing time needed for vacation. Discussion held regarding smoking rules for crew lounge. OVERSEAS HARRIETTE (Maritime Overseas), November 27Chairman Daniel Laitinen, Secretary George Quinn, Educational Director David Dunklin, Deck Delegate Donnie R. McCawley, Engine Delegate Donald G. Volluz, Steward Delegate Miguel Aguilar. Chairman thanked crewmembers for smooth trip to Guatemala. He announced ship returning to New Orleans to load before sailing for Mozambique. Secretary thanked crewmembers for help separating plastics for disposal. Educational director encouraged members to upgrade at Lundeberg School. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew extended special thanks to steward department for great Thanksgiving dinner. OVERSEAS OHIO (Maritime Overseas), November 28-Chairman Walter 0. Weaver, Secretary Earl Gray Sr., Educational Director Glenn Henderson, Deck delegate Paul Adams, Engine Delegate Karl Benes, Steward Delegate Musa Ahmed. Chairman thanked crewmembers for job well done in Valdez, Alaska when cold weather and snow made working conditions difficult. He gave belated Thanksgiving wishes to all union members. Secretary extended special vote of thanks to crewmembers for helping keep plastics separated from regular refuse. He urged all members to attend upgrading courses at Piney Point. Educational director updated members on classes offered at Paul Hall Center. He said all crewmembers will be required to take certain courses if sailing aboard tankers. Engine delegate reported beef. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck or steward department delegates. Crew thanked Captain Moore for acquiring lobsters for Thanksgiving meal and gave special vote of thanks to galley gang for excellent job done preparing great holiday meal. Minute of silence observed in memory of deceased SIU brothers and sisters. OVERSEAS WASHINGTON (Maritime Overseas), November 29Chairman Tim Koebel, Secretary Robert Miller, Educational Director Kevin Wray, Steward Delegate Charles Atkins. Chairman advised crewmembers signing off to leave room clean and deposit key with department head. He reminded crew to observe no smoking rule in lounge. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next port: St. James, La. RICHARD G. MATTHIESEN (Ocean Shipholding), November 13Chairman James T. Martin, Secretary Lovell McElroy, Educational Director Ronnie Day, Deck Delegate Dana Naze, Engine Delegate Gilbert Tedder, Steward Delegate Mohamed R. Quarish. Treasurer reported $940 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman reminded crewmembers that all tanker workers must take safety course at Piney Point. Ship heading to port in France. SEA-LAND CHALLENGER (SeaLand Service), November 20-Chairman Roy Williams, Secretary Herbert Scypes, Educational Director Gary Morrison, Steward Delegate Osvaldo Rios. Chairman noted payoff in next port, Elizabeth, N.J. New TV and VCR requested for crew lounge. Secretary asked for new refrigerator and garbage disposal in galley. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department for job well done. SEA·LAND CRUSADER (SeaLand Service), November ?-Chairman Harold Berggren, Secretary Nick Andrews, Educational Director Oswald Bermeo, Deck Delegate Mark Fleming, Engine Delegate Lawrence Craig. Chairman noted payoff in Elizabeth, NJ. and reminded crew to separate plastic from regular refuse. Educational director recommended all members upgrade at Paul Hall Center to enhance job skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported by all three department delegates. SEA-LAND DISCOVERY(SeaLand Service), November 13-Chairman Nelson Sala, Secretary Jose Coils. Educational Director Joseph Shuler, Deck Delegate Efstratios Zoubantis, Engine Delegate R. Collazo, Steward Delegate Jorge Salazar. Chairman announced payoff at next port when patrolman boards ship. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman told crew new captain signing on in Elizabeth, NJ. Crew gave vote of thanks to galley gang for good job done. Steward department thanked crewmembers for keeping mess room and lounge area clean. SEA-LAND EXPRESS (Sea-Land Service), November 27-Chairman Ernest Duhon, Secretary Joe Johnson, Educational Director also extended special vote of thanks to engine department for job well done. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Educational director urged members to upgrade at Lundeberg School. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND PACIFIC (Sea-Land Service), November 7-Chainnan Lothar Reck, Secretary George Bronson, Educational Director Raymond Clock, Deck Delegate Robert Smith, Engine Delegate Bryan Chan, Steward Delegate Dien Short. Chairman reminded members to attend ship's union meetings, read Seafarers LOG and know union contract. He reminded crew to keep personal quarters and laundry room clean. Importance of SPAD donations discussed. Secretary thanked crewmembers for keeping mess hall and crew lounge clean. Educational director advised members to upgrade at Piney Point and renew z-card by date posted on bulletin board in crew Aries Crew Readies for Holiday Meal s.tewar~ departn:ient crewn:iembers a~oard the LNG Aries pose for a p~cture m the midst of their preparations for the Thanksgiving Day dinner aboard ship. From the left are SA Cindy Winter, SA Anthony Jacobson, Chief Cook Arlene Ringler, SA Shawn Fujiwara and (back) Steward Doyle Cornelius. Michael Powell, Deck Delegate Dennis Brown, Engine Delegate Richard Surrick, Steward Delegate MikeBubaker. Chairman thanked steward department for wonderful Thanksgiving Day dinner. Educational director advised members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center. Deck delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward department delegates. Entire crew extended special vote of thanks to galley gang for great holiday dinner. SEA-LAND INDEPENDENCE (Sea-Land Service), November 7Chairman Kenneth McGregor, Secretary James Prado, Educational Director Angelo Dunklin, Deck Delegate George Kriess, Engine Delegate Ronald Adriani, Steward Delegate Amanda Suncin. Chairman discussed z-card renewal information received from union headquarters. He noted ship a day late due to severe storm and high seas. Crewmembers thanked for helping recover gangway and lifeboat which were dislodged during storm. He added that no injuries were sustained under very dangerous conditions. Deck delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by other two departments. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND INNOVATOR (SeaLand Service), November 20-Chairman John Stout, Secretary Jose Bayani, Educational Director David Bautista, Deck Delegate R. Rollins, Engine Delegate Charles Howell, Steward Delegate Gumpoy Wong. Chairman reporteC: tiles on second level need changing. Crew discussed Sea-Land's re-flagging efforts and what U.S. government must do to keep strong U.S.-flag fleet. Chairman advised crewmembers signing off to return keys and clean rooms. He asked crew to avoid slamming doors while others are asleep. Crew thanked steward department for good food and barbecue. Secretary thanked chairman and deck department for clean and freshly painted ship. He lounge. Treasurer anounced $340 in ship's fund and recent purchase of 15 new movies. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked galley gang for job well done. Bosun asked crew to separate aluminum cans from plastic and regular garbage. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. SEA-LAND SPIR/T(Sea-Land Service), November 13-Chairman David Williams, Secretary Steve Apodaca, Educational Director Charles Henley, Deck Delegate Michael Sorenson, Engine Delegate Donnie Hester, Steward Delegate Arthur Medieros. Chairman reminded crewmembers to tum in extra linens. Secretary advised those crewmembers wishing to upgrade skills to visit Paul Hall Center. Educational director stressed importance of donating to SPAD. Treasurer announced $61 in movie fund and $200 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Thanks given to steward department for job well done. Crew also thanked engine department for excellent job done in paint locker. Next port: Honolulu. SEA-LAND TRADER (Sea-Land Service), November &--Chairman Larry Watson, Secretary Ronald Fluker, Educational Director Milton Sabin, Deck Delegate Rick Patek, Engine Delegate Joe Graves, Steward Delegate Clarence Page. Chairman advised crew that ship arriving in Tacoma, Wash. three days late due to rough seas. He urged members to read Seafarers LOG and get involved in union activities. He encouraged crewrnembers to bring families to Lundeberg School while upgrading. Crew extended special vote of thanks to galley gang for special culinary efforts. Educational director reminded members to send holiday greetings through the Seafarers LOG. Treasurer reported $200 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported by department delegates. Chairman announced letter of thanks received from wife of Oiler Lee Stantinos who suffered a ruptured gall bladder and was air-lifted from ship. Next port: Oakland, Calif. �FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG 19 More than 50 children of Seafarers and their guests gather around Santa at the Mobile hall's holiday party to listen Alicia Watkins, daughter of Justin Tew, Alicia Lorge's to him read a Christmas story and let them know he's ready to visit each of them on his midnight sleigh ride. Bosun Reginald Watkins, tells guest, hopes Santa will bring Santa she's been a good girl. him lots of toys this Christmas. H oliday festivities got off to an early start in the SIU hall in Mobile, Ala. when active and retired Seafarers, with their families and friends, came together on December 17 for an afternoon of food, fun, fraternization ... and Santa Claus. A great holiday buffet was provided for the more than 200 persons who packed the hall. Retired Bosun Albert "Tony" Bourgot and his wife, Beverly, and Retired Chief Steward Esau Wright volunteered to do all the food preparation, cooking and serving. In addition, Delia Carter, wife of Port Agent Dave Carter, roasted some turkeys for the event. And what a spread it was! There were hams and turkeys with all the usual holiday trimmings. And desserts galore! But the highlight, at least for the more than 50 children in attendance, was the appearance of Santa Claus, who read ''The Night Before Christmas" to the kids and let them know he was prepared for his upcoming midnight sleigh ride. Each child had the opportunity to sit on Santa's knee to whisper his or her Christmas wish list to him, and each received a Christmas stocking filled with candy, including a large peppermint stick. Retiree Fred "Bull" OMU Joe Previto's nephews, Corey and Blake, Pumpman William · Olivia Nicole Lorge, Lindsey used to sail are two of more than 50 children who came to Dunklin socializes Alicia Lorge's daughas a steward/baker. the union hall to see Santa. with fellow Seafarers. ter, has a great time. Carrying food from the buffet to his seat is SA Kenneth Seals. FOWT Cornelius Cade and his wife pose for the roving photographer at the Mobile hall's Christmas party. Amos and Ernestine Myers join in on the festivities. Amos sails as an FOWT from the Mobile hall. OMU Percy Payton is surrounded by other members of his family at the afternoon holiday party in the Mobile hall. Bosun James Blanchard is accompanied by his wife and son for a delicious holiday meal. From left, Retiree Albert ''Tony" Bourgot, Beverly Bourgot, Retiree Esau Wright and Delia Carter can take the credit for all the delicious food. Enjoying the holiday event are QMED Charles Kennedy with his wife, Brenda, and daughter, Tameka. �20 SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 1995 Galleys Provide Cheer Over Holidays at Sea HoJiday times-often filled with warm memories of family comfort, good food and close friends-can be lonely times aboard ship. But reports to the Seafarers LOG from SIU members who have spent their hoJidays at sea indicate that the steward department members aboard ship work hard to provide that homey, holiday feeling. Grateful crewmembers from three ships recently contacted the Seafare rs LOG to tell about the efforts put forth over the holidays by the galley gang members on their vessels. SIU Scholarships: Windows to the Future Snow, ice, flooding-these are aJI fami]iar visions of winter in various regions of the United States-often leading to the "winter blues." But one way to combat the winter blues is to think about the future-your future. Think about continuing your education. Some 38 years ago, the Seafarers International Union's Atlantic and Gulf District became the first maritime union in America to estabJish a scholarship program to help qualified members, their spouses and dependent children finance college and vocational education. In 1995, the union wilJ offer seven scholarships. As in past years, four are set aside for the children and spouses of Seafarers. Each of these four cholarships is for $15,000 to be used at a fouryear college or university. The other three are for Seafarers themselves. One of the awards is for $15,000 for use at a four-year institution of higher ]earning. The other two scholarships amount to $6,000 each and may be used for study at a community college or vocational school. Eligibility requirements for Seafarers and their spouses and unmarried dependent children are spelled out in a booklet which contains an appJication form. It is available by filJing out and returning the coupon below to the Seafarers Welfare Plan. postmarked on or be/ore April 15, 1995. Since SAT or ACT exam results are part of the application package, and since they are given only at certain times of the year, applicants should plan ahead to take the exam required by the co]lege or trade school they plan to attend. (Tests must be taken by February 1995-this month-to ensure the resuJts will be available for inclusion in the scholarship application package.) CHECKLIST Apart from the scholarship application itself, other necessary items and paperwork form part of the application package and must be received by the Scholarship Committee, a panel of professional educators, by April 15. They include: • autobiographical statement, • photograph, • certified copy of birth certificate, • high school transcript and certification of graduation or offic i a 1 copy of high school equivaJency scores, • college transcript, • letters of reference and • SAT or ACT results. For most scholarship winners, receiving a cash grant can greatly ease the financial burden associated with attending college. And while there are only two months left to collect aJI the necessary material to appJy for DEADLINES the scholarship, that shou]d be Completed applications with enough time for anyone interaJI necessary information in- ested in advancing their skills, cluded must be mailed and their careers, their dreams. Aboard the SS Carolina Crewmembers aboard Puerto Rico Marine' s SS Carolina sent the LOG a letter of praise for their steward department, along with a copy of their Thanksgiving Day menu. "The steward, Albert Coale, worked for days and nights preparing the best Thanksgiving meal I've ever had on a ship in 30 years of going to sea," wrote PhilJip Ammann, third assistant engineer, in behaJf of his shipmates. "The chief cook, Ali Hydbra, and the pantryman, James O'Reilly, and the BR Michael Anzalone, all did more than anyone could ask for." Aboard the Global Link In another letter to the LOG, Chief Steward Brandon Dwight Maeda expressed the pride of the Global Link's crew in two of their galley gang membersCook/Baker Dan Wehr and Chief Cook Mark Kotajarvi. "Mark is a culinary school graduate and has established ~ A specially printed Thanksgiving Day menu aboard the SS Carolina includes everything "from soup to nuts." himself in the hotel-food industry," Maeda wrote. "Dan is a graduate of the trainee program at the Lundeberg School of Seamanship (Class #502). Both gentlemen have done extensive and repeated upgrading at the Paul Han Center and credit the superb culinary instructors and facility there for their food preparation techniques" aboard the vessel, operated by Transoceanic Cable Ship Co. Aboard the Overseas Ohio AB Benedicto Miranda sent the LOG two photos "of four very fine men of the Seafarers International Union's steward department aboard the Overseas Ohio." Chief Cook Eugene P. Diego, GSU Musa Ahmed, DEU Qasem Saeed and Recer- tified Steward Earl Nelson Gray Sr. are known as the 'Fantastic Four' because "that's just what they are. The preparation of the menus and cooking of the food is just superb. The cleanliness of the ship just can't be beat; it simply sparkles, thanks to brothers Ahmed and Saeed. The attitudes of these four brothers cannot be put in words. They will do anything for anyone within their power to keep the ship a good ship." Brother Miranda also enclosed a copy of the Christmas Day menu from aboard the Maritime Overseas Corp. vessel, which included such treats as deviled eggs, prime rib of beef, turkey (and all the trimmings) and lobster, in addition to assorted soups, vegetables and desserts. Standing in the spotless galley of the cable ship is Chief Cook Mark Kotajarvi. r---------------------------------1 Send for Your Application Form Today! P lease send me the 1995 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility infomrntion, procedures for applying and the application form. Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~ Book Number _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ City, State, Zip Code_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Telephone Number _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ This application is for: D Self D Dependent Mail this completed form to: Scholarship Program, Seafarers Welfare Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 2195 ---------------------------------~ The "Fantastic Four" aboard the Overseas Ohio are, from left, Chief Cook Eugene Diego, GSU Musa Ahmed, DEU Qasem Saeed and Recertified Steward Earl N. Gray Sr. �FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG 21 Final Departures DEEP SEA GEORGE AUSTIN Pensioner George Austin, 82, passed away December 12, 1994. A native of Alabama, he began his shipping career with the Seafarers in 1939 in the port of Mobile, Ala. He sailed in the steward department and worked his way up to the position of chief steward. He began receiving his pension in November 1978. ANGEL N. AVALOY Angel N. Avaloy, 34, passed away July 4, 1994. Born in Honduras, he began sailing with the SIU in 1988 from the port of Houston. Brother A valoy primarily sailed in the steward department aboard two Hawaiian-based passenger ships, the SS Constitution and SS Independence. MELVINW.BASS Pensioner Melvin W. Bass, 71, died January 6. He signed on with the union in 44 · ew York. Brother Bass sailed in the steward department and attended a 1970 union conference at the Harry Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. He began receiving his pension in November 1981. KENNETH C. BATTEN Kenneth C. Batten, 58, died October 17, 1994. At age 55, after retiring from his 25-year practice of commercial real estate brokerage, he joined the Seafarers in 1991. He sailed in the deck department and his first ship was the USNS Wilkes. , THEODORE "T.R." BURNS Pensioner Theodore "T.R." Burns, 88, passed awayDecember21, 1994. Born in Mississippi, Brother Burns grew up in Oklahoma He cooked for various hotels and eventually became a chef. In 1943 he moved to Seattle and joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards, before that union merged with the Sill's Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and lnland Waters Division (AGLIWD). Brother Bums worked his way up the steward department ratings to chief cook and baker. He retired in April 1973. CHESTER K. BURLEY Pensioner Chester K. Burley, 76, died December 22, 1994. A native of Michigan, Brother Burley signed on with the sru in 1954 in the port of Frankfort, Mich. Brother Burley sailed in the deck department. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1940 to 1946. Brother Burley began receiving his pension in May 1983. RICHARD CHAMBERLIN Pensioner Richard Chamberlin, 68, died November 28, 1994. He began sailing with the union in 1972 from the port of Toledo, Ohio. Brother Chamberlin sailed in three of the union's divisions: Great Lakes, inland and deep sea. He upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School. Brother Chamberlin last shipped in the engine department as a QMED. Born in Detroit, Mich., he served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1949. Brother Chamberlin retired in September 1987. MELVERN G. CHILTON Pensioner MelvemG. Chilton, 78, died December3, 1994. Born in Honolulu, he joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1941, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Chilton began receiving his pension in July 1984. ERNEST W. COX Pensioner EmestW. Cox, 73, died December 15, 1994. Born in Mississippi, he began shipping with the Seafarers in 1948 from the port of New Orleans. He sailed in both the engine and steward departments . Brother Cox upgraded his engine department rating to QMED at the Lundeberg School. He began receiving his pension in December 1983. NATHANIEL P. DA VIS Pensioner Nathaniel P. Davis, 69, passed away December9, 1994. Anative of k· Lowell, Mass., he joined the SIU in 1959 in the port of New York. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Davis retired in August 1987. JOHN M. DWYER John M. · Dwyer, 49, died on July ·' 22, 1994. He ;fl joined the '" union in 1988 in the port of Houston. Brother Dwyer sailed in the deck department. A native of New York, he served in the U.S . Anny from 1966 to 1968. SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Feight retired in April 1970. DAVID FAGAN David Fagan, 34, passed away October 8, 1994. Born in California, he joined the ~ Seafarers in 1991 in the ,,J port of New Orleans. Brother Fagan sailed in the deck department. EDWARD A.FAHY Pensioner Edward A. Fahy, 65, died January 8. Born in Philadelphia, he signed on with the SIU in 1955 in the port of New York. He sailed in the engine department and attended upgrading courses at the Lundeberg School in 1967. Brother Fahy began receiving his pension in December 1986. HAWTHORNE H. FRASER Pensioner Hawthorne H. Fraser, 79, died October 3, 1994. Born in Trinidad, West Indies, he joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1954 in the port of Wilmington, Calif., before that union merged with the SIU' s AGLIWD. Brother Fraser began receiving his pension in November 1974. ALPHONSO R. GONZALES Pensioner Alphonso R. Gonzales, 84, passed away January 8. A native of Hawaii, he signed on with the ~'--..;;__;_.....J Seafarers in 1952 in the port of New Orleans. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Gonzales attended a union conference in 1975 at the Lundeberg School. He retired in December 1976. GEORGE R. GRAHAM Pensioner George R. ·' Graham, 76, died December 14, 1994. Born in North Dakota, Brother Graham = --=-'-== joined the SIU in 1944 in the port of New York. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Graham began receiving his pension in June 1983. HORACE C. GRAY Pensioner Horace C. Gray, 92, passed away December2, 1994. Anative of Alabama, he signed on L:-.....::........:.:::..:.:_:.==-=--___:.____J with the union in 1946 in the port of Mobile, Ala. as a member of the engine department. Brother Gray retired in November 1967. EDWARD L. HAYNIE GERALD E. FEIGHT Pensioner Gerald E. Feight, 70, passed away October 8, 1994. Brother Feight was a member of the Marine Cooks and Stewards, before that union merged with the Edward L. Haynie, 61, died December 15, 1994. Born in Virginia, he signed on with the Seafarers in 1965 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Brother Haynie sailed in the engine department, and upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951to1954. Brother Penns served in the U.S. Army for eleven years. He retired in September 1989. ANDREW GREEN SIMPSON PHILIPS Pensioner Andrew Green, 75, died December 22, 1994. Born in Arkansas, he began sailing with the union in 1969 from the port of San Francisco. He shipped in the steward department. Brother Green began receiving his pension in November 1989. Pensioner Simpson Philips, 91, passed away November 15, 1994. He signed on with the Marine Cooks and Stewards in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Philips began receiving his pension in July 1966. HORACE HAMILTON Pensioner Horace Hamilton, 74, passed away October 17, 1994. A native of Dallas, he joined the Marine Cooks and '-------~ Stewards in 1955 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Hamilton upgraded his steward department rating at the Lundeberg School. He retired in September 1985. CLIFFORD E. PREVATT Pensioner Clifford E. ' Prevatt, 74, died in March 1994. He began sailing with the Seafarers in 1948 from the port of Tampa, Fla. Brother Prevatt sailed in the engine department. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. A native of Florida, Brother Prevatt retired in April 1982. NATHANIEL RICHARDSON Pensioner Nathaniel Richardson, 75, died September 30, ARTHUR G. JAVIER 1994. He joined the Pensioner Arthur G. Javier, 86, Marine Cooks passed away September 23, 1994. and Stewards Born in the Philippine Islands, he in 1951 in the joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards, before that union merged I port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother AGLIWD. Brother Richardson Javier began receiving his pension retired in December 1983. in July 1971. RASMUS JENSEN Pensioner Rasmus Jensen, 100, died August 18, 1994. A native of Denmark, he joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1930 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Jensen retired in March 1959. CASIMIR J. KROWICKI Pensioner Casimir J. Krowicki, 75, passed away December 28, 1994. He began sailing with the SIU in 1946 from =~--~ the port of Galveston, Texas. Brother Krowicki sailed in the deck department. He erved in the U.S. Am1y during World War II. Brother Krowicki began receiving his pension in November 1985. ADOLPH NEBEL Pensioner Adolph Nebel, 90, died November 5, 1994. Born in Germany, he joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Nebel retired in September 1974. JOHN W. PENNS Pensioner John W. Penns, 69, died June 29, 1994. After , graduating from the Andrew Furuseth =='---==---.:::.__.=== Training School in 1956, Brother Penns signed on with the SJU in his native state of New York. He sailed in the engine department and upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School. INLAND JUAN REYES Juan Reyes, 48, died September 7, 1994. Born in Puerto Rico, he joined the Seafarers in 1976 in the port of San Juan, P.R. Boatman Reyes sailed in the deck department. ANTHONY "TONY" ROSSI Pensioner Anthony "Tony" Rossi, 70, passed away December 26, 1994. A native of Pennsylvania, he signed on with the union in 1951 in the port of Baltimore. During his career, Boatman Rossi advanced in the deck department, last sailing as a tugboat captain. He retired in November 1987. GREAT LAKES JOSEPH J. CHERVENKA Pensioner Joseph J. Chervenka, 88, died December 12, 1994. Brother Chervenka signed on with the Seafarers in 1947 in the port of Duluth, Minn. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Chervenka served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He began receiving his pension in January 1974. FISHERMEN CARLOS GASPER Pensioner Carlos Gasper, 71, died December 10, 1994. Brother Gasper joined the union in 1968 in the port of Boston, and shipped in the deck department. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, 1942 to 1946. Brother Gasper began receiving his pension in June 1987. �22 FEBRUARY 1995 SEAFARERS LOG Lundeberg School Graduating Classes SCHOOL HARRY LIFEBOAT CLASS 532 Trainee Lifeboat Class 532- Graduating from trainee lifeboat class 532 are (from left, kneeling) Adnan K. Nasser, Edward Siu, Victor Smith, Marcos Rivera, Christopher Madore, (second row) Bob Boyle (instructor), Keith Neathery, Mariano Lopez, Jorge E. Soler, Louis Pauole, Samuel Zaso, Scott L. Sumners, Michael Thompson, Christopher Duffy Jr., Stanley E. Howard and Martiz D. Summerville. Upgraders Lifeboat- Certificates of training were received by the graduating class of upgraders on January 10. They are (from left) Bob Boyle (instructor), Robert M. Amon, Victor Frazier, James Johnson, Rodney Roberson Sr. and Andre Holmes. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fu11y their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member's shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR SEAFARERS VACATION FUND This is a summary of the annual report of the Seafarers Vacation Fund, EIN 13-5602047, Plan No. 503, forthe period January 1, 1993 through December31, 1993. The annual report has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The trust has committed itself to pay claims incurred under the terms of the plan. BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENT The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $7,914,933 as of December 31, 1993, compared to $4,880,007 as of January 1, 1993. During the plan year, the plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $3,034,926. This increase includes unrealized appreciation and depreciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the difference between the value of the plan's assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at the beginning of the year or the cost of assets acquired during the year. During the plan year, the plan had a total income of $40, 107,938, including employer contributions of $39,616,716, realized losses of $46,816 from the sale of assets, and earnings from investments of $538,038. Plan expenses were $37,073,012. These expenses included $4,712,989 in administrative expenses, $30,061,066 in benefits paid to participants and beneficiaries and $2,298,957 in other expenses (payroll taxes on vacation benefits). YOUR RIGHTS TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION You have the right to recejve a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request. The items listed below are included in that report: 1. An accountant's report, 2. Assets held for investment, 3. Transactions in excess of 5% of plan assets and 4. Service provider and trustee infonnation. To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call the office of Mr. Nicholas J. Marrone, plan administrator of the Seafarers Vacation Fund, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746; telephone (301) 899-0675. The charge to cover copying costs wi 11 be $ l. 80 for the full annual report, or 10 cents per page for any part thereof. You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or a statement of income and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both. If you request a copy of the full annual report from the plan administrator, these two statements and accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copying costs given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the report because these portions are furnished without charge. You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the main office of the plan (Board of Trustees, Seafarers Vacation Fund, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746) and at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, DC, or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment of copying costs. Requests to the Department should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room, N-5507, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Au th Way Camp Springs, MD .20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing forovertime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY - THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union. officerormember. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers WG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to cany out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headqu~rs. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member 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 and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION-If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. �23 SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 1995 LUNDEBER6 SCHOOL 1995 UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE The following is the course schedule for classes beginning between February and July 1995 at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship located at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All programs are geared to improve job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. The course schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security. Please note that students should check in the Friday before their course's start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. Deck Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion Able Seaman July 31 October20 Bridge Management (Shiphandling) April 24 July 17 Mays July 28 Lifeboatman July 17 July 28 Limited License/License Prep. July 3 Augustll Radar Observer/Unlimited February27 April 17 May22 July 10 March 10 April21 May26 July 14 Steward Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion Assistant Cook/Cook and Baker Chief Cook, Chief Steward March27 Junes June 16 August25 Engine Upgrading Courses Date of Completion Course Start Date Diesel Engine Technology April 14 March20 July 28 July 3 (to be announced) Refrigeration Technician Certification Fireman/W atertender & Oiler Hydraulics Marine Electrical Maintenance I Marine Electrical Maintenance II Power Plant Maintenance Pumproom Maintenance Refrigerated Containers Welding March20 Mayl February 20 Junes May22 July 31 March 13 April 24 July 17 March27 April 24 February 20 April 24 June2 July 14 March24 July7 June30 Septembers April 21 June2 August25 April 7 May19 March 17 May19 All students must take the Oil Spill Prevention and Containment class. All students must take the Oil Spill Prevention and Containment class. Inland Courses Safety Specialty Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion March27 May29 February 27 April 10 July 24 April 10 May8 May22 July 17 April 7 June9 March 10 April 21 August4 April 21 May12 June2 July 28 Course Start Date Date of Completion Deck Inland Advanced Firefighting March 6 March 17 Oil Spill Safety Recertification February23 March 30 April 27 May25 June22 July 20 February 23 March30 April 27 May2S June22 July 20 Diesel DDE/Limited License Prep. Sealift Operations and Maintenance June 5 June 30 Tanker Operations February27 March 27 April 24 May22 June 19 July 17 March 24 April 21 May19 June 16 July 14 Augustll Engineroom Familiarization Radar Observer (Inland) Welding Electronics Additional Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion GED Preparation Mayl July 21 Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) April 3 June5 May26 July 28 Recertification Programs Course Start Date Date of Completion Bosun Recertification Mayl Junes Course Start Date Date of Completion Steward Recertification July 3 August 7 Session II Junes July 28 Deck and Engine Department College Courses --~----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UP6RADIN6 APPL/CAT/ON Primary language spoken-------~---- (Street) (City) (State) (Zip Code) Date of Birth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Telephone_....__ _....__ _ _ _ __ With this application, COPIES of your discharges must be submitted showing sufficient time to qualify yourselffor the course(s) requested. You also must submit a COPY of each of the following: the first page ofyour union book indicating your department and seniority, your clinic card and the front and back of your z-card as well as your Lundeberg School identification card listing the course(s) you have taken and completed. The Admissions Office WILL NOT schedule you until all of the above are received. (Monlh/Day/Year) (Area Code) Deep Sea Member D Lakes Member D Inland Waters Member D COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security # Book # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ S e n i o r i t y - - - - - - - - - - - - - Department _ _ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: D Yes D No Home Port - - - - - - - - - - - Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ LAST VESSEL: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rating: _ _ _ __ Date O n : - - - - - - - - - - Are you a graduate of the SHLSS trainee program? DYes DNo If yes, class# - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Have you attended any SHLSS upgrading courses? DNo DYes If yes, course(s) taken _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Date Off: - - - - - - - - - - SIGNATURE_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~D.ATE ~~~~~~~ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes D No CPR: D Yes DNo RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Lundeberg Upgrading Center, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674. 2/95 -. �IN THIS ISSUE: SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT Seafarers Vacation Fund -Page 22 Volume 57, Number 2 February 1995 Newark Bay and Scores of Ships Converge To Aid in Rescue of Ukrainian Seamen The SIU-crewed Newark Bay was one of 32 ships from 18 different nations which abandoned its regular operations to aid in a rigorous search and rescue effort aimed at finding 31 Ukrainian seamen after their vessel sank in a brutal storm in the North Atlantic. The Newark Bay, a Sea-Land Service containership, received an all-points bu11etin from the U.S. Coast Guard notifying the captain and crew that a Ukrainian merchant vessel, the Salvador Allende, had gone down in the predawn hours of Friday, December 9, 1994 about 1,200 miles east of New York and 750 miles southeast of Nova Scotia. The 450-foot Ukrainian-flagged vessel was sailing from Texas to Helsinki, Finland with a load of rice when it was caught in a storm with 40-foot waves and 50-mph winds. According to Associated Press news reports, the Ukrainian cargo ship began taking on water and listing badly to its port side before sinking, forcing all 31 crewmembers to abandon ship. The Coast Guard requested that all vessels within a 500-mile radius report to the area where the Allende sank in the violent storm. The Newark Bay was on its way back to Elizabeth, NJ. after completing a 28-day run to northern Europe when the captain received the emergency radio ca11. "When we were contacted, I was on whee] watch, and the captain began looking at the charts to plot out our course," AB George Perry told a reporter for the Seafare rs LOG. "We turned the ship about 180 degrees and headed south. It took us about 12 hours to get to the area in which the vessel had sunk and a bit more chances for survival. The Newark Bay and dozens of other merchant ships arrived SEARCH AREA • \ Newark Bay 61,000 sa. Ml. during the night to the area of the ENLARGEMENT sunken cargo ship ready to search \ diverted to OF SEARCH AREA for the Ukrainian seamen. • 39°00'N SHOWN BELOW Despite the drops of supplies \ 49°ao·w IN SMALL SCALE MAP and the ship reinforcements, when rescue efforts resumed the 39°39'N 51°16'W •:soN 49ow next morning, no survivors could Salvador Allende Newark Bay be found. News reports stated sinks ordered to none of the ships was able to spot any of the Allende crew in the search in search for survivors that spanned 7 mile radius ATLANTIC six days and 61,000 square miles around OCEAN of sea. this position The Newark Bay scanned 154 square miles for two days for survivors before the Coast Guard ATIANTIC called off the search. AB Perry, OCEAN who was the helmsman throughout most of the containership' s search efforts, noted that bridge wing lookouts 400 20° 60° were posted on the Newark Bay The search for Allende survivors concentrated in an area 1,200 around the clock during the search and rescue operation. miles east of New York and 750 miles southeast of Nova Scotia. Perry also stated that he heard time to reach the site that the jacket to keep him afloat in the over the radio that some emergenCoast Guard designated for us," stormy seas. The military helicop- cy equipment had been recovered reca11ed the AB. ter spotted the Ukrainian seaman While the Newark Bay was en 70 miles outside the search area. He route, two tankers were the first to also was not injured. Early press reports said all but arrive at the scene shortly after midnight, more than 17 hours three of the 31 Allende crewmemafter the ship sank. Battling the bers had been spotted by aircraft, waves, foreign-flagged Torungen drifting amid the 60-mile-long and Benny Queen took directions patch of debris marking the from U.S. Coast Guard planes sunken ship. However, the comflying above. The Torungen was bination of high waves, fierce able to pu11 to safety a Ukrainian winds and onset of night crewmember from a lifeboat hampered rescue efforts and caught in the squall. Apart from caused all attempts to save the pure exhaustion, the seaman sur- Ukrainian seamen to be put off vived the disaster without injury. until daylight. U.S. Coast Guard aircraft dropped radios, food, AB Craig Amison stood as a lookout A econd survivor was pluckwater and emergency supplies to aboard the Newark Bay during the ed from the sea by a U.S Air Nasome of the Allende crewmem- search for survivors of the sunken tional Guard helicopter after bers to help them endure the Salvador Allende, a Ukrainian having drifted for more than 24 rough seas and improve their cargo ship. hours with little more than his life Newark Bay receives SOSe at 42°04'N 50°49'W . ~ Captain Robert Haagenson plotted a course for the Newark Bay when the U.S. Coast Guard notified him of a sunken Ukrainian vessel. but no survivors had been found. "Of the 31 Ukrainian crewmem bers, 29 are presumed deceased and their bodies remain unrecovered," stated Rich Perry, a Coast Guard representative from the Atlantic Area Command center in New York, which spearheaded the rescue efforts. "Their bodies are now in the hands of mother nature. We did everything we could." "We searched long and hard but we never found anything. It was pretty sad knowing so many seamen had just perished," added AB Perry. David Frantz prepared special sandwiches and refreshments around the clock for Newark Bay crewmembers during the search and rescue mission. Help Locate Missing Child The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has asked the Seafarers International Union to assist them in locating Savanna Catherine Todd. She was abducted from Isle of Palms, S.C. by her non-custodial mother, Dorothy Lee Barnett, when she was 11 months old. A felony warrant for kidnapping has been issued in her name. (She also goes by the name Lee Barnett Todd or Lee Barnett.) Now 20 months old, Savanna Catherine Todd, who also may be known as Savanna Lee Barnett, was 2 ft. 6 in. ta1l when she was abducted. The light brown-haired, hazel-eyed child has a sma11 birthmark near her navel. Anyone having information on the whereabouts of Savanna Catherine Todd should contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 or the Missing Persons Unit of the Federal Bureau oflnvestigation (South Carolina) at (803) 722-0135. Savanna Catherine Todd AB George Perry (center) was on watch when the Coast Guard requested the vessel's aid in a search for 31 Ukrainian seamen. Also among the Sea-Land Newark Bay's crewmembers who participated in the rescue effort were Chief Steward Alphonso Holland (left) and AB Richard Houghton. After the scouting mission, the ship returned to the U.S., docking in Elizabeth, N.J., where above photo was taken. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1990-1999 Description An account of the resource Volumes LII-LXI Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993; Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 1995 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES SIU’S WORK-TAX LAWSUIT MOVES TO APPEALS COURT MSC CHIEF: PREPOSITIONING SHIPS KEY TO NATION’S SEALIFT ASSETS APL FLAG-OUT WAIVER VIOLATES U.S. LAW, CHARGE SIU UNIONS SENATE COMBINES MARITIME, TRANSPORT BODIES; THREE HOUSE COMMITTEES COVER MARINE ISSUES EARTHQUAKE SHATTERS KOBE PORT’S CRANES SHIPS DOCKING IN OTHER PORTS EUROPEAN SHIPPING SURVIVES FLOODS RANDOM DRUG TEST POOL REDUCED BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS BILL ALLOWING EXPORT OF ALASKA OIL ON U.S.-FLAG SHIPS BEFORE CONGRESS APPLICANTS MUST BE SCREENED FOR USE OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES LAKES’ SEAFARERS REFLECT ON ’94 SEASON DRY-CARGO SHIPS, TANK BARGES NEED COFR 1,000-PLUS TANKERS PROVE ABILITY TO PAY SPILL DAMAGES GOV’T TASK FORCE PLAN BALANCES VITAL PORT DREDGING, ENVIRONMENT LUEDTKE PRESIDENT DIES AT 64 BOAT OPERATORS NEED RADAR ENDORSEMENT PORT COURSES ENABLE SIU BOATMEN TO MEET FEB. 15 RADAR DEADLINE SIU ASKS COURT TO VOID APL-FLAG-OUT WAIVER BUDGET-DRIVEN CONGRESS LOOKS AT FOOD AID CUTS MARITIME JURISDICTION DISTRIBUTED IN HOUSE; SENATE MERGES MARINE, TRANSPORT SUBCOMMITTEE MARMO DIES, WAS HEAD OF VACATION PLAN LOUISANA-BASED WWII MARINERS ELIGIBLE FOR STATE BONUS OF $250 RETIRED BOSUN DAWSON, VETERAN OF 4 WARS, MAINTAINS PUSH FOR STRONG U.S.-FLAG FLEET SEAFARERS PRAISE NEW TANKER SAFETY COURSE PAUL HALL CENTER’S FOUR-WEEK CLASS IS RIGOROUS BUT ‘WORTH ALL THE TIME’ GALLEYS PROVIDE CHEER OVER HOLIDAYS AT SEA SIU SCHOLARSHIPS: WINDOWS TO THE FUTURE NEWARK BAY AND SCORES OF SHIPS CONVERGE TO AID IN RESCUE OF UKRAINIAN SEAMEN Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/1995 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 57, No. 2 1995 Periodicals Seafarers Log