http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/a8867f29bf737ace860d5d8164879b8c.pdf b8828f5562f4b5fb295b67e29575c96f PDF Text Text House Holds U.S. Ship Bill Hearings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Page3 May1995 Volume 57, Number 5 Union Wins Pay Package For Seafarers On Rella ed -L Convenient Clinic Thanks to SIU Suit, USCG Halts Fee for FBI Records Check Page6 ~-·1,~ l~UL..1~J.miw~....-.---­ Texas boatmen and their families now are able to receive medical attention near their homes, thanks to the newest facility approved by the Seafarers Welfare Plan, the Tower Medical Center of Nederland. Page 8. New Bedford Fleet Seeks Overseas Fishing Grounds Page6 �2 SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 President's Report Full Senate Ready to Consider Grassroots Activity: The Key to Job Security The remainder of 1995 will be a crucial time for the U.S.flag merchant marine-a period in which the fate of our in~~ dustry well may be decided. During the coming months, the SIU will be working with Congress on a number of key issues. We will make sure that our elected representatives fully understand the necessity of enacting a federal maritime revitalization program, allowing the export of Alaskan oil on U.S.-flag ships, preserving the Jones Act and cargo preference programs and maintaining both the Federal Michael Sacco Maritime Commission and the Shipping Act of 1984. Throughout our existence, the Seafarers International Union has fought to preserve and expand the American-flag merchant fleet. But the time has come for us to launch greater efforts, and that means an increase in grassroots political activity. Many New Legislators You will recall that nearly 100 new members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate were elected last November. It is up to us to effectively inform those new members of Congress and their staffs about the vital need to maintain a strong U.S.-flag merchant fleet, both from the standpoints of national security and economic security. The SIU will be providing materials and information to help legislators learn more about the maritime industry. And of course, we must send that message not only to the freshmen, but also to every member of Congress. When you consider that roughly 140 federal agencies and 100 congressional committees have some form of jurisdiction over our industry-and therefore, over the lives of Seafarers-it is easy to see that we have a large audience with which we must communicate. I know from experience that grassroots work, whether manning phone banks and distributing literature as part of a campaign, or circulating petitions, writing letters and participating in rallies to advance a legislative issue, is not glamorous. Very often, in fact, it is difficult, requiring long hours and personal sacrifice. But grassroots lobbying is the most effective tool that average citizens possess in the United States. Elected officials definitely listen when you write to them or call their offices. They take note of the interests of people who work in their campaigns and who have the power to help get them reelected. Take Time to Help So when your port agent or another SIU official or a fellow Seafarer asks you to help out, please lend a hand. When you are called upon in the upcoming months, remember what you are fighting for: your job, the future of our industry and the security of our nation. Job security always has been the top priority of the SIU, but these days, it is a difficult fight. We must make efficient use of every one of our resources in order protect our jobs and our industry. Along those same lines, it is also important for Seafarers to continue their voluntary support of the Seafarers Political Activities Donation fund, also known as SPAD. SPAD allows the union and its members to participate in campaigns to help candidates who support a strong U.S. merchant marine. These are not the best of economic times for most working Americans, so I do not take it lightly when I ask each SIU member to consider increasing voluntary SP AD donations. But again, this is a critical period for our industry, and it is going to require a powerful effort from all of us to help set the U.S. merchant marine back on course. I have every confidence that, together, we will succeed. Volume 57, Number 5 ~16 May 1995 The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 0160-2047) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 520 l Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone(301) 899-0675. Second-class postage paid at MSC Prince Georges, MD 20790-9998 and at additional mailing offices. POS1MASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Managing Editor, Daniel Duncan; Associate Editors, Jordan Biscardo and Corrina Christensen Gutierrez; Associate Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Lifting Alaskan Oil Export Ban House Also Prepares to Hold Hearings on Measure This month, both the Senate and House of Representatives are expected to take up legislation that would end the export ban of Alaskan North Slope oil as long as it is carried aboard U.S.-flag tankers. The SIU is pushing for passage of such legislation in order to provide jobs for American mariners and keep the U.S.-flag independent tanker fleet active into the next century. As written and being considered in both the Senate and House, the measure calls for Alaskan North Slope oil sold to other countries to be carried from Alaska aboard U.S.flag tankers. Senate Tackles Issue The Senate is due to take up the Alaska Power Administration Sale Act (S. 395) this month following action in a committee. The bill, sponsored by Senator Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska), was marked up and made ready for Senate consideration by a bipartisan 14-4 vote of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on March 15. (Murkowski serves as the committee's chairman.) No date has been set for Senate debate. Meanwhile, the House Resources Committee plans to hold a hearing on May 9 for its version of the legislation. As of mid-April, the House bill (H.R. 70) had 69 sponsors from both the Republican and Democratic parties. H.R. 70 was introduced by Representative William Thomas (R-Calif. ). The chairman of the House Resources Committee, Representative Don Young (R-Alaska), has stated that his group is willing to consider S. 395 should the Senate act on it in a timely manner. The legislation would end a 22-year ban on the sale of Alaskan North Slope oil overseas. The prohibition was implemented by Congress in response to the 1973 Arab oil embargo. Aids Tanker Fleet During a March 1 hearing before the Senate committee, SIU President Michael Sacco stated the SIU had opposed lifting the ban in prior years because it would have been carried aboard foreign-flag tankers. However, the union changed its stand last year when SIU-contracted tanker companies showed that the decline in North Slope production was leading to the premature scrapping of vessels used in the Alaskan oil trade. Sacco also testified that passage of S. 395 would help keep the U.S.-flag independent tanker fleet sailing on the high seas into the next century. This would provide jobs for American mariners and make sure the fleet is available in times of national emergency, he told the legislators. The committee also was reminded of a Department of Energy announcement made last year that it would support export sales of Alaskan North Slope oil. During the Senate hearing, Energy Deputy Secretary Wil- liam H. White reaffirmed the department's position. He stated that the Clinton administration believes all Alaskan oil "must be exported in U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed vessels. Legislation must provide substantial protection of seafarer employment opportunities for American workers." Questions Answered Senator J. Bennett Johnston (D-La.) raised questions whether this position would draw concern from America's trading partners in the wake of recently signed agreements, such as the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) regarding shipbuilding and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). He requested clarification from the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. During the March 15 committee meeting, Johnston announced he had received a letter from U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor stating S. 395 as written was satisfactory. "I can state categorically that S. 395, as currently drafted, does not present a legal problem," Kantor wrote to Johnston in a letter dated March 9. In order for the export sales of Alaskan North Slope crude oil carried aboard U.S.-flag tankers to become law, it must be passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. After passage by both branches of Congress, it would go to the president for his signature. Rank-and-File Panel Approves Union's 1994 Financial Records Meeting with SIU Secretary-Treasurer John Fay are members of the SIU financial review committee. From the left are AB Don Graves, QMED Greg Eastwood, SA John Mclain, AB Tom Keenan, Fay, QMED Robert Ott, Bosun Henry Bentz and Bosun Rowland "Snake" Williams. Seven rank-and-file Seafarers have reviewed the union's financial records for 1994 and found them in order, according to a report issued by the committee. That report will be delivered during the May membership meetings. Elected by fellow SIU members at the April headquarters meeting in Piney Point, Md., the annual financial review committee is authorized by Article X, Section 15 of the union's constitution to make an examination "for each period of the finances of the union and [to] report fully on their findings and recommendations." John McLain, a steward assistant who sails from the port of Philadelphia, stated there were no problems during the group's review. McLain, who was elected chairman by his fellow committee members, said the group carefully looked over the union's financial documents for 1994. "We were able to proceed smoothly," McLain said after the examination was completed. "We had a really hard-working group, and everyone worked well together." Adding his praise for the effort given by the committee was Bosun Rowland "Snake" Williams, who in his final act for the union before retiring served as the group's vice chairman. "We understood what our job was and went right to work," Williams noted. "We found everything in order." Joining McLain and Williams on the committee were Recertified Bosun Henry Bentz, QMED Greg Eastwood, AB Don Graves, AB Tom Keenan and QMED Robert Ott. The group took five days in early April to complete its review of the union's records. �MAY1995 SEAFARERS LOG 3 SIU Wins Pay Package For Members' Jobs Lost In Sea-Land Reflagging Freshman Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-R.1.) tells SIU President Michael Sacco that he learned a great deal about the challenges facing U.S. shipping. Sacco had just testified before the April 6 hearing of the House Merchant Marine Panel. House Marine Panel Begins Hearings on U.S.-Flag Ship Bill Swift Enactment Urged by SIU The SIU urged Congress to enact maritime revitalization legislation this year when the House Merchant Marine Oversight Panel held its first hearing on the Maritime Security Act of 1995 (H.R. 1350) on April 6. SIU President Michael Sacco, testifying on behalf of all U.S. maritime unions, told the panel, "Enactment of maritime reform legislation is essential to our nation. "Our country's security, the survival of our industry and thousands of American jobs are at stake," he added. In opening the hearing on H.R. 1350, U.S. Representative Herbert H. Bateman (R-Va.), chairman of the panel, said members of Congress "have an obligation to consider the administration's submission." H.R. 1350 was presented to Congress on March I 0 by Transportation Secretary Federico Pena. The legislation calls for a 10-year, $1 billion program that would provide annual funding for approximately 50 U.S.-flag containerships. As presently written and outlined by Maritime Administrator Albert Herberger during a March 28 hearing before the panel, the bill would authorize $2.5 million for up to 40 ships during the first three years. Then, it would provide $2 million per vessel per year for the remaining seven years for up to 50 ships. If passed by Congress and signed into law by the president, the legislation is scheduled to begin in Fiscal Year 1996, which starts October 1. In order to receive funding from the program, U.S.-flag shipping companies would have to make the vessels receiving the dollars available to the government in times of war or national emergencies. Similar legislation had solid support from Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate during the last session of Congress. However, the bill was killed by farm-state senators through the use of a parliamentary procedure. Following the close of Congress last year, President Clinton renewed his vow to enact maritime revitalization legislation. Funds Within Budget Military and Economic Needs Unlike a similar bill that was supported overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives during the last session of Congress, H.R. 1350 gets its dollars from a direct annual appropriation within the Department of Transportation, rather than an increase in the tonnage fees paid by vessels entering U.S. harbors. Noting efforts to pass maritime revitalization in Congress have been going on since 1992, Rep. Bateman said the past difficulty has been finding the money to fund such legislation. "Certainly, we've gained an advantage this year in that this recent proposal by this administration is funded through general receipts of the Treasury, not through a tonnage tax on vessels entering U.S. ports," he said at the hearing. In outlining the maritime unions' support for H.R. 1350, Sacco noted the military and economic needs provided by the U.S.-flag merchant fleet. "Only a U.S.-flag, U.S.-citizen crewed merchant fleet provides our country with guaranteed availability," Sacco said. "There is no such thing as an effective controlled fleet. Without American crews, without firm operational control under American laws, 'effective control' is merely a front to allow vessels to avoid taxes, regulations and operational requirements while enjoying all the benefits of participating in our open and profitable shipping trades." He drew the panel's attention to the problems created when Continued on page 10 The SIU won a large compensation package for Seafarers who were sailing aboard Sea-Land vessels that were recently transferred to the Marshall Island registry. The union extracted from the company three months back pay for every mariner who was working aboard one of the five SeaLand containerships at the time of the flag switch. SIU Vice Presi dent Contracts Augustin Tellez announced the agreement, reached April 24 after two months of negotiations also includes severance pay and benefits for Seafarers who lost their jobs because of the reflagging. Tellez noted the SIU pushed for these payments despite the fact they are not called for under the standard freightship agreement's sales and transfer provision. Article VI, Section 1 applies only when a vessel stays under the U.S.-flag when it is sold or transferred to another owner. The contract has no provisions addressing a U.S.-flag vessel reflagged overseas. Efforts to acquire an agreement for severance, wages and benefits with Sea-Land began immediately after the company announced in February its intention to reflag five of its containerships. On February 14, the Maritime Administration (MarAd) approved Sea-Land's request to transfer the registry of the vessels-the Sea-Land Freedom, Sea-Land Mariner, Sea-Land Pride, Sea-Land Motivator and Sea-!And Value-to the Marshall Islands. Within days of the approval, Sea-Land removed the American crewmembers of the Sea-Land Freedom and replaced them with foreign mariners. The company expects to complete the reflagging process on all five vessels by early this month. Pay for Seamen A memorandum of understanding, dated April 24, between the SIU and Sea-Land calls for the company to pay three months wages for all members of the unlicensed departments who sailed aboard the Sea-Land vessels. These wages will include the total of the applicable base wage as well as the average overtime pay for the three months prior to the reflagging. Sea-Land is required to pay the wages within 30 days of the date of each vessel's reflagging or the signing of the memorandum (if the reflagging already has taken place). Regarding severance pay for those who sailed aboard the five Sea-Land vessels, the company has agreed to pay a base wage to the bosuns, chief electricians and steward/bakers relative to their time of service in those positions aboard any Sea-Land containership. For those with less than one year of service as a bosun, chief electrician or steward/baker, the severance payment will equal four months of base wages. For members with one to five years aboard a Sea-Land vessel in those positions, the company will pay seven months of base wages. Those Seafarers with more than five years of sailing aboard SeaLand vessels in one of the three positions will receive the 12month equivalent of base wages. (For the agreement, service means time aboard any Sea-Land vessel in the position of bosun, chief electrician and steward/baker with consideration given to vacation time as provided for in the shipping rules. An example of how this would work is a member who sailed as a bosun on a Sea-Land ship 10 years ago for a total of one year, then caught jobs aboard vessels Continued on page 10 nion Expands Political Efforts Job Security Is Goal of Stepped-Up Campaign In response to the com- mosteverycabinet-leveldepartplexities of a new Congress, ment in the federal government myriad federal agencies with in some way or another has an oversight into the U.S. merchant impact on the membership of the marine and the changing politi- union. cal philosophy that favors universal deregulation, the SIU The vast array of congressional has launched an intensive effort committees and federal agento boost its political activities. cies that have some form of in"What is at stake is the fate of fluence on the activities and lives the U.S. merchant marine," SIU of Seafarers is outlined on President Michael Sacco stated in calling on union members to pages 12 and 13· redouble their efforts. ,.______________ With a record number of The SIU' s legislative efforts freshmen legislators in Congress have to stay abreast of decisions · d e among the and regulations being issued an d a strong attltu from these various bureaus, nation's policy-makers that branches and divisions in order government support for · bl e · · d · key· in- to keep the mere hant fl eet via d ustnes IS unwarrante m times and strong. of a high budget deficit, the To continue the much needed SIU's political action apparatus poli.tical work of the SIU, Sacco d · r·~ · has mcrease its e iorts to ensure has called on all union members that elected officials recognize · f u s fl to voluntarily increase their conth e Importance o a .. - ag tributions to SPAD-the fleet to the nation's economic ~ Seafarers Political Action Dona· an d d e1ense. secunty tion. Additional Effort Required SPAD serves as the mechanism used by the SIU to The expanded effort means tb d b voice support for those can.t. I 11 a dd1 10na ca s mus e ma e Y · 1 · di dates who stand in favor of the S Iu representatives to eg1slators and their staffs to let them U.S. merchant marine and its know how vital the U.S. mer- policies. Monies raised by chant fleet is to the nation. SPAD through the Voluntary Materials are being designed to donations of Seafarers are used help with this endeavor. At the for political activities and consame time, the union is working tributions to political can· h h · · didates. wit ot er orgamzat10ns to promote the merchant fleet and New Vacation Forms secure jobs for mariners. Also garnering more attenBeginning this month, memtion is the multitude of agencies hers filing for vacation will be at the federal and state levels that using a new form with a revised have some jurisdiction over the statement for donating to SPAD. work and lives of Seafarers. AI- Unlike the old application which lirnitedthedailySPADdonation to 50 cents, the new form allows a member to determine how much more, in addition to the 50-cent daily amount, he or she wishes to contribute. A member may simply mark the box provided or write in the additional voluntary contribution he or she would like to make, then sign the form. SPAD provides Seafarers with a foot in the door of legislators on Capitol Hill. So much of what happens to Seafarers and the U.S. merchant marine depends on what takes place in Congress. Already th1's year, hean·ngs have been held on legislation designed to provide a IO-year, $1 billion program to help fund approximately 50 U.S-flag containerships and to open Alaskan North Slope crude oil to export sales as long as it is transported aboard U.S-flag tankers. Expected to be brought before the legislators during this session of Congress are an agn·cultural bill that deals w1'th cargo preference, defense and national security matters that could determine the size and composure of the U.S. merchant fleet, trade policies that cover how the U.S. deals with foreign nations and much, much more. OtherwaysCongressdrrectly affects the lives of Seafarers and their families is through legislation dealing with labor laws, health and safety concerns, budget appropriations and the environment. �r--- - -- -- -- -- - - - - - - - -- - - -- - - - --- --. - - 4 SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 Runaway Shipowner Abandons Crew, Vessel For Ten Months Taxiarchis' Seamen Are Sustained by Charity Most people would think it unconscionable for a shipowner to abandon his vessel and strand his crewmembers thousands of miles from their homes. But such shameful actions are all too common among shipowners who operate their vessels under runaway flags. One recent example of this despicable system is the ordeal of a stranded, multinational crew of the Greek-owned, Cyprus-flag bulk freighter Ta.xiarchis. Last June, 17 crewmembers from the Taxiarchis were marooned in Virginia's Tidewater area by the shipowner (Kent Trading Corp. of Piraeus). The seamen spent eight months living on the arrested vessel, then were kicked off the ship when a U.S. court forced the heavily indebted owner to sell the Taxiarchis. Comprised of citizens from Palcistan, Romania, Guatemala, Honduras, Greece and the Philippines, the crew spent the next two months living in donated hotel rooms in Newport News, Va. Through the tireless assistance of the International Seamen's Friend House in Newport News, as well as the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and other groups, including the SIU and the Hampton Roads Port Council of the AFLCIO Maritime Trades Department, the crewmembers received aid to survive winter on the inoperable ship, as well as legal counsel, airfare back to their respective countries (they flew home April 15) and other assistance. Alice Reese Thomas, director of the Seamen's Friend House, a non-profit, church-founded organization, said she was both saddened and angered about the way the Taxiarchis crewmembers were deserted. "It's criminal, the way those men were treated. Some of them had deaths in their families but couldn't return home," says Thomas, who has worked at the center for 13 years. "The seamen were little more than indentured slaves." Indeed, when the shipowner turned his back on the crew and when Cyprus, the nation where the ship was registered, shirked its responsibility for the vessel, the mariners had no recourse. U.S. courts were left to determine the fate of the ship and crew, who only were sustained by philanthropic acts throughout the 100-degree summer months and the cold of winter. Even before they arrived in Virginia, the seamen had to endure substandard shipboard conditions. The Taxiarchis was riddled with engine problems, faulty navigational equipment, broken pipes, insufficient stores and an overall long-term Jack of proper maintenance. 1 P. Kevin Morley/Times-Dispatch Abandoned by an indebted owner and denied help by the country where the vessel was registered (Cyprus), multinational crewmembers of the freighter Taxiarchis, including those pictured above, were stranded in Virginia for ten months. Pictured from left are Antonio Ruiz, Israel Quiroz, Jose Pineda, Neri Valenzuela, Arshad Hussain, Julian Chitiga and Mihai Stanciu. In addition, crewmembers said they were forced to work overtime for months after the company had stopped paying them. Several acknowledged they had paid hundreds of dollars apiece to get their jobs. Unfortunately, the crew is not alone in its plight For the last 40 years, the runaway-flag ship registry has been a device used by North American, European and Japanese shipowners to evade the strict conditions called for by the governments and seamen's unions of their own nations. Runaway-flag shipowners also use a series of services such as manpower supply, insurance and inspections from different parts of the globe to make it more difficult to assert legal actions against their vessels. Often, those ships are characterized by defective equipment, inhumane living conditions and unqualified crews. Exploitation of Crew The case of the Taxiarchis demonstrates how runaway registries foster exploitation. In this instance, the crewmembers were abandoned by the shipowner and were snubbed by the flagstate (the country in which the vessel is registered), yet they had little recourse. In June 1994, the 400-foot vessel was carrying sugar from South America to Canada when it developed engine trouble. When the ship docked in Newport News for repairs, U.S. Coast Guard inspectors discovered a plethora of safety hazards aboard the Ta.xiarchis and ordered additional repairs. Kent Trading Corp. agreed to the repairs but quickly fell behind on payments. Meanwhile, port officials discovered that the company had run up $2 million in other debts. While creditors of the Taxiarchis went to court to battle for payment, Cyprus officials refused to aid the crew, on the grounds that the ship allegedly was not entitled to fly that nation's flag. According to press accounts, Capt. Andreas Constantinou, maritime attache for the consulate general of the Republic of Cyprus, said the Taxiarchis' certificate of registry expired July 5. He added that the shipowner did not seek renewal. So while the creditors fought for months in court, the crewmembers effectively were stranded on the ship. As one crewmember put it, were it not for the aid of the Seamen's Friend House and other groups, "We would have died." Through the charitable organization, Thomas coordinated donations of 7 ,400 gallons of diesel fuel (to heat the ship) and 60 tons of fresh water (delivered by barge), as well as stores, clothing, medical care, money, counseling and more. Mean while, in December the crewmembers' legal counsel filed a claim for back wages on the mariners' behalf in U.S. District Court in nearby Norfolk, Va. Court Orders Sale The court eventually ordered the sale of Despite their hardships, the Taxiarchis crewmembers were extremely appreciative of the Ta.xiarchis at auction, and on February the charitable efforts made by the Seamen's Friend House, the International Transport 3, another Greek shipping company Workers Federation (ITF), the SIU and many other groups. The stranded mariners last bought the vessel for $310,000. The new owner ordered the crew off the month returned to their respective homelands. ship in mid-February. But the seamen were rescued by a local hotel owner who donated rooms for them. The crew spent its time there and at the Seamen's Friend House, where they had access to church services, meals, recreation, telephone services and reading material. ''We stayed in our rooms. What could we do?Wecannotworkhere. Wehadnopapers, no visas," Israel Quiroz, one of the crewmembers, told a Newport News newspaper. --------------- "It's criminal, the way those men were treated ... The seamen were little more than indentured slaves. " - Alice Reese Thomas, Director, Seamen's Friend House (Thomas noted that the lengthy case has drained the Seamen's Friend House's annual budget. Donations may be sent to: International Seamen's Friend House, 128 32nd Street, Newport News, VA 23607, or call (804) 247-6113.) The crew's lawyers eventually settled out of court, accepting roughly 65 percent of the $108,000 in back wages owed to the men. The mariners agreed to the settlement in part because there was a strong chance the courts would have awarded them less, since they had to battle other creditors for part of the ship's $310,000 selling price. Most of the men received only about $2,000 dollars apiece-this for a period spanning nearly one year. "These conditions wouldn't happen if the flag states verified the conditions of the ships, or if they verified the financial status of the companies that buy them," noted Edd Morris, the SIU' s ITF inspector. "Anotherpartofthe problem is thatcrewmembers are lied to when they're recruited," he added. 'They're lied to about wages and working conditions. Once they're on board and they find out about the lies, it's too late. Their countries won't do anything for them, so they're basically trapped." �MAY1995 SEAFARERS LOG 5 GL Towing Pact Ratified by Crews Seafarers who sail aboard Great Lakes Towing harbor tugs in the Great Lakes region have approved a new five-year contract that will cover their wages, benefits and working conditions into the year 2000. "Negotiations were very satisfying and the new contract is fantastic," Deckhand Don Thornton told the Seafarers LOG. "The wage increase is significant and we have the gurantee of stable employment and benefits for next five years. It gives Great Lakes Towing Seafarers a good outlook on their future with things in the everyday world changing so fast," statedThornton, who was part of the SIU negotiating committee. "The SIU did an excellent job in negotiating the new contract and represented the membership very well. I came out of negotiations feeling proud and happy," concluded Thornton. Joining the deckhand from Detroit on the negotiating committee were SIU Vice President Great Lakes Byron Kelley, Representative Timothy Kelley, Patrolman Ken Horner, Deckhands Mike Lock of Toledo, Tim McKenna of Cleveland, Ray Smith of Ashtabula, Ohio and Mike McCormick of Rockwood, Mich. Representatives for the Seafarers and the company held eight negotiating sessions beginning in early January and ending on March 31. The meetings took place in Detroit and at the company's The SIU negotiating committee included (from left) Deckhands Don Thornton, Mike Lock, Tim McKenna, Ray Smith and SIU Algonac Patrolman Ken Horner. Not pictured is Deckhand Mike McCormick. headquarters in Cleveland. A review copy of the new contract was mailed to each SIU member employed by Great Lakes Towing. Once all Seafarers had a chance to examine the proposed contract, voting meetings were called for crewmembers across the Great Lakes. Seafarers discussed the new pact, and an appointed port steward called the Algonac union hall with questions posed by the members. Once all questions had been answered, Seafarers voted on the contract. The port steward counted the votes and called the Algonac hall with the results. The tugs, all named after U.S. states, accompany vessels in need of assistance into and out of ports along all five Great Lakes. The primary ports serviced by the SIU-crewed tugs are Duluth, Minn.; Superior, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Oak Creek, Wis.; Chicago, Indiana Harbor and Buffington Harbor, Ill.; Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.; Toledo, Lorain, Cleveland, Ashtabula and Conneaut, Ohio; Buffalo, N.Y; and Erie, Pa. Seafarers Approve 10-Year Crowley RO/RO Accord Seafarers who sail aboard Crowley American Transport vessels have approved a new 10-year contract that improves wages as well as medical and fringe benefits into the next century. The agreement, retroactive to January 1 of this year, will cover SIU members sailing on the roll-on/roll-off vessels Sea Fox, Sea Lion, Sea Wolf, Senator, Ambassador, American Condor and American Falcon. "The SIU always seeks to advance the job security of its members and this contract does that. It will keep the seven vessels running efficiently and provide employment for our members for many years," said SIU Vice President Contracts Augustin Tellez. Although the agreement for wages and shipping rules goes back to January 1, medical benefits provided by the new pact do not take effect until May 1 because of previous contract obligations. As of that date, anyone who has been employed regularly on Crowley American Transport ships will be eligible for Seafarers Welfare Plan benefits and coverage. This includes spouses and dependents of Seafarers. Beneficiary Cards Needed To participate in the Seafarers Welfare Plan, all dependents must be listed on a member's beneficiary carcl. The beneficiary cards can be obtained on board vessels and at hiring halls. Seafarers also can receive a Seafarers Welfare Plan lxloklet at their union hall, aboard their ship or by requesting a copy in writing from the Seafarers Welfare Plan Office at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. If a Seafarer is sick or hurt prior to May 1 and is receiving treatment, it will be covered under the original program until treatment is concluded. Pregnancies prior to May 1 also will be covered under the old program. SIU members aboard the Crowley vessels will continue to file for vacation and claim their vacation checks as they have in the past. The new collective bargainging agreement provides wage increases for SIU members during the first five years of the pact. During the last years of the contract, there will be contract openers between the union and the company to renegotiate wages, overtime rates and fringe benefits for the remainder of the agreement. Seafarers were presented with the contract and ratified the pact through a show of hands aboard their respective vessels. The Sea Fox, Sea Lion and Sea Wolf sail between the U.S. East Coast and South America. The Senator and Ambassador sail between Miami and Central America. The American Condor and American Falcon operate on military charters. The Seafarers negotiating committee included Tellez, SIU Assistant Vice President Dave Heindel and SIU Dania, Fla. Port Representative Ambrose Cucinotta. Negotiations were held in Dania. Signing on the Sea Fox in Port AB Doug Lawton adjusts a safety lashing on one of the Senator's EPA-certified QMED Bradley Everglades is AB Chris Conway. inflatable life rafts during the ship's stay in Port Everglades, Fla. Geidnerexaminesthepressureon a refrigeration unit on the Senator. Between the Americas ... The booming export/import trade between the U.S. and Latin America provides constant cargoes for Crowley's fleet of seven roll-on/roll-off ships. Seafarers on the Sea Fox, one of the RO/RO ships, sail from the East Coast of the U.S. to South America on a 42-day run, while the ABs Michael Williams (left) and crew of the Senator makes a 14-day trip between southern U.S. ports Ishmael Bryan are two members and Central America. covered by the new pact on the Crowley American's Senator. {]/'··~ Senator QMED Robert E. Lee checks the connections for a GSU Porfirio Alvarez brews up a Overseeing the evening meal is AB Larry Vouga maintains radio contact while working on the delivery of diesel oil. fresh pot of coffee on the Senator. Senator Chief Cook George Sapp. Senator's heeling tank pumps. �6 SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 New Bedford Seafarers Seek Alternative Fishing Sites Action Necessitated by Federal Restrictions to Rebuild New England Groundfish Stocks To ensure continued fishing opportunities for SIU fishermen based in New Bedford, Mass., Port Agent Henri Francois and other representatives from that area's fishing industry traveled to Cape Verde to investigate fishing opportunities on the island nation off the west co~st of Africa. The trip in late March allowed Francois, Armando Estudante (the owner of an SIU-contracted fishing vessel in New Bedford), Elsie Sousa from U.S. Representative Barney Frank's (DMass.) staff and others to inspect fish holding and port facilities in Cape Verde that could be used by fishing vessels from the New Bedford fleet. The group from Massachusetts also met with Cape Verde government officials and fishermen to learn as much as Maritime Briefs 11 possible before making any commitments to bring part of the New Bedford fleet to fish the waters off the island nation. In his report about the trip, Francois noted Cape Verde facilities could handle the needs of the New Bedford fleet. He also pointed out that residents of the nation speak English and Portuguese, as do many of the SIU fishermen from New Bedford. The trip had been set up by Rep. Frank, whose district ineludes New Bedford. The congressman and his staff had held Discussing the possibilities with Cape Verde officials of SIU fishermen from New Bedford, Mass. fishing off the coast of the island nation are officials prior to the March visit by (left to right) Elsie Sousa of U.S. Rep. Barney Frank's office, SIU Port Jail Sentences Imposed the New Bedford delegation. Agent Henri Francois, Dana Morse of the National Marine Fisheries For Marine Oil Pollution Frank and others have taken an Service and U.S. Consul for Cape Verde Teofilo J. Rose. Federal indictments have been handed down to Pedro Rivera, 11 ~======================:.1 several meetings with Cape Verde general manager of the Bunker Group, Puerto Rico, and three companion companies for their roles in the 1994 oil spill off the coast of San Juan, P.R. in which the barge Morris J. Berman lost more than 650,000 gallons of heavy number 6 bunker oil after running aground. Rivera faces up to five years in prison, if convicted, and the companies may have to pay fines of more than $100 million. In another case, Evelyn Berman Frank was ordered to begin a three-year sentence for violating her probation from a previous indictment for pollution of Newark Bay and the New Jersey shore. Her family's tug, barge and tank-cleaning companies have been banned from doing maritime business in New York because of environmental acddents. New Jersey records reveal a connection between New England Marine (one of the three companion companies of the Bunker Group which operated the Morris J. Berman) and the Frank family Shipping Groups Excluded From WTO's Maritime Talks U.S. and European/Japanese shipping lobbies recently were denied admittance to the World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings on maritime transport, reportedly because the newly created parent organization wants only government representatives to participate in its talks. The WTO, an international body designed to govern commerce among nations, was created through passage last year of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), a voluminous and complex trade deal. Maritime services were not included in the GATT, but the U.S., the European Union and five other countries are set to resume negotiations on shipping. They have until June 1996 to reach an agreement on liberalizing maritime transportation. The SIU opposed GATT' s passage and believes maritime should be excluded from the pact. CG Bill Would Revise Inspection Standards The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is expected to mark up the fiscal-year 1996 Coast Guard authorization bill soon. (Mark up is the process of preparing a bill for its next step in the legislative process.) Among the bill's provisions are measures that would alter Coast Guard standards for design, construction and inspection ofU.S.-flag vessels, with the intent of making U.S. standards comparable to international ones. The provisions would allow the Coast Guard to implement the Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention adopted in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). They also would permit the agency to rely on reports and documents of third parties to carry out ship inspections, and allow "model" companies to self-inspect their vessels; approve construction equipment for use on private U.S. ships that foreign governments, in line with SOLAS standards, have approved; issue a certificate of inspection every five years instead of the current two; and allow recognized foreign classification societies to conduct inspections and examinations of ships. The House of Representatives approved similar language when it passed the FY '95 Coast Guard authorization bill last year. However, the Senate never acted upon the measure. ~ ~ ~ David Sanders Named Acting Administrator For St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. David Sanders, chiefof stafffor the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., has been named its acting administrator. The 35-year-old Sanders replaces Stan Parris, who has held the position since 19'J 1. The St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. oversees U.S. interests on that waterway, which links the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. active interest in assisting the Massachusetts fishing industry in finding alternative fishing sites for the fleet because the U.S. government continues to impose stricter rules that further reduce the amount of groundfish (cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder) allowed to be caught during the next five to seven years. Last fall, reports issued by biologists with the New England Fishery Management Council stated that fish stocks off the New England coast had col- lapsed, and efforts to catch these stocks would have to be reduced to levels approaching zero. Last spring, SIU fishermen led protests over the restrictions being imposed on groundfish fishing. As a result of the protests, the federal government provided an aid package of $30 million to assist the New England fishing industry. The SIU is working with its members to secure grants to explore the feasibility of switching New Bedford fishermen from groundfish to mackerel fishing. Although mackerel is a less lucrative market than groundfish, its stock is in good shape. Also working to help the New Bedford fishing fleet is U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (DMass.), whose staff is looking into a venture that would allow part of the fleet to fish in the waters off the coast of Argentina in South America. Coast Guard Ceases Fee Collection For Merchant Mariner's Documents Union Presses for Refunds Retroactive to 1993 Responding to a federal court order pertaining to a lawsuit filed by the SIU, the U.S. Coast Guard stopped charging a $17 fee for background checks when seamen apply for merchant mariner's documents (z-cards) or licenses as of December 5, 1994. The union also continues to press the federal agency to refund the $17 charged to all mariners who have paid the fee since it was implemented in 1993. The Coast Guard has stated it is not obligated to do this. In a letter sent to the Coast Guard last month, the SIU pointed out the Supreme Court has ruled several times that when such a fee or charge has been declared illegal, it should be considered retroactive to the time of implementation. The union said it considers "any continuing refusal by the Coast Guard to refund these fees ... to be not substantially justified." In his decision of November 23, 1994, U.S. District Court Judge Louis F. Oberdorfer declared the $17 fee to be illegal because the background checks conducted by the FBI did not benefit mariners but were for "primarily maritime safety." The Coast Guard, an agency within the Department of Transportation, started collecting the $17 as part of the overall fees charged for z-cards and licenses in a program implemented on April 19, 1993. Four days earlier, the SIU, other maritime unions and five individual mariners filed the suit against implementation of all such fees. Because the union had not been notified that the Coast Guard was complying with the judge's orders, the SIU, on behalf of all the plaintiffs in the case, wrote the agency in a letter dated March 16 that the collection of the $17 background check fee should end. Centers Notified In its reply of March 29, the federal agency said it had notified all the regional examination centers to stop charging the fee as of December 5, 1994. The letter noted that some mariners had been charged since the cutoff date and efforts are under way to refund the money. The letter also asked the SIU to notify the Coast Guard if the union was aware of any additional cases where the $17 fee was charged after December 5 so corrective action could be taken. Additionally, Judge Oberdorfer ordered the Coast Guard to recalculate the way it determines the costs for z-cards and licenses. Presently, fees range from $35 for issuing an entry-level merchant mariner's document to $250 for an upper-level license. In its March 16 letter, the SIU asked the Coast Guard for an update on this issue. The federal agency replied that it still is working on the recalculations and does not expect to have the new figures before July of this year. Deficit-Cutting Measure User fees for z-cards and licenses were implemented by the Coast Guard after Congress passed and President Bush signed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. The legislation intended to reduce the federal deficit. Within the act, Congress removed a longstanding prohibition on the charging of fees for z-cards and licenses. The Coast Guard issued its proposal to charge user fees in 1991, allowing for a comments period. The SIU challenged the agency's action with a series of strong protests. The Coast Guard announced on March 19, 1993 that it would begin collecting the user fees as of April 19, 1993. The SIU-along with the District 4-National Maritime Union/MEBA, District No. 1-Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, American Maritime Officers, International Association of Masters, Mates and Pilots, Sailors' Union of the Pacific, Marine Firemen's Union and five individual mariners-filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on April 15, 1993 to stop the collection of all fees associated with z-cards and licenses because they constituted an illegal work tax on mariners. In his ruling of November 23, 1994, the judge denied that the user fees were a work tax because mariners benefit from being documented and licensed. The SIU and others have challenged that decision and filed on January 20 an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Likewise, the Coast Guard has appealed Judge Oberdorfer's rulings to stop charging for background checks and recalculate the fees charged for z-cards and licenses. No date has been set for either case. �SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 7 Advisory Group Analyzes Inland Training Needs The Paul Hall Center's Inland Advisory Board Subcommittee met on April 26 at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. to discuss the industry's training needs and to review the full slate of new courses now available for boatmen at the school. The subcommittee also reviewed new and possible regulations affecting inland waterway shipping. Representatives from the SIU, Seafarers-contracted inland operators and instructors from the Lundeberg School comprise the group, which was formed by the school and is part of the Inland Towboat Advisory Board. The Board's primary mission is to make recommendations regarding the school's curriculum for boatmen. (Both the Board and the subcommittee are volunteer groups formed by the school.) As in years past, representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard also attended the meeting of the Inland Towboat Advisory Board Subcommittee. They :~;~;~?:n~u~~t~o~~~~~~~;e~~~~ cludmg the recently issued The instructors also reiterated that the Lundeberg School is able and willing to customize classes to meet the particular training needs of individual companies, and that such training may be made available at SIU halls. "In order for everyone to get the most out of these classes, we have to have effective communication between the school and companies," said Malzkuhn. New Political Climate Terry Turner, the SIU's director of legislative affairs, presented the subcommittee with an overview of the new political climate on Capitol Hill and how it may affect several key pieces of maritime legislation. "Maritime has always enjoyed bipartisan support, but there's still a lot of work to be done," Turner said. He noted that the Jones Act and cargo preference programs are under attack, as are the Federal Maritime Commis- Members of the Lundeberg School's Inland Advisory Board subcommittee discuss the selection of new courses available at the Paul Hall Center for Seafarers who sail in the inland division. sion (FMC) and the Shipping Act of 1984. (The Jones Act calls for cargo transported between domestic ports to be carried by U.S.-flag and U.S.-owned ships and crewed by American mariners. Cargo preference programs require that set percentages of Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture cargoes be carried on U.S.-flag vessels.) In addition to fighting to preserve the FMC and the aforementioned legislation, the SIU this year is pushing for measures that would raise safety standards by improving towing procedures, licensing boatmen, documenting boatmen and estab- lishing manning levels, Turner said. (Those measures nearly were enacted last year as amendments to the Coast Guard Authorization Act, but died in the Senate.) SIU Executive Vice President Joseph Sacco welcomed the group and pointed out that the Lundeberg School, in addition to expanding the amount of handson training in its classes, also "has renewed the emphasis of teaching upgraders about the industry's big picture. They need to be fully aware of their responsibilities to be safe, productive workers. And we want to make sure you have the best and most competent and most qualified people." In attendance were Dave Brown and Bill Ferguson of Orgulf, Art Knudsen of McAllister of Norfolk, Va., Don Ivins and Stan Latka of Express Marine, Bob Baumann and John Burns of Maritrans, David Kish of Delta Queen Steamboat Co., Jeff Parker of Allied Towing of Norfolk, Va. and Herb Walling of Moran Towing of Connecticut. Also present were Leo Braun of Dixie Carriers, Charlie Nalen of Crowley of Seattle, Tom Kelly of Sheridan Transportation, Tom Bethel and Bob Kiefer of the American Maritime Officers, and Coast Guard representatives Randy Dekroney, Craig Bone and Greg Cope. ITF, Coast Guard Reps Tackle Safety Issues ~~~~:~~~~~~~11;:;~~:::~;0~~=~ Participants Strive to Strengthen International Maritime Standards ment. New Courses Lundeberg School instructors J.C. Wiegman, Eric Malzkuhn and Jim Brown reviewed some of the new courses available to inland Seafarers at Piney Point. They also conveyed to the companies the feedback received by Seafarers who have taken the classes. Since last year, the school has established a curriculum that is specially designed for inland members, whose time-off requirements are different from those of members who sail on deep sea vessels. Those courses include deck-inland, radar observer/inland and radar observer/ rivers, engineroom familiarization, diesel engine maintenance, electrical, hydraulics, welding and DDE/limited license preparation (see page 23 for a schedule of upcoming classes). Also during the past year, Lundeberg School instructors conducted a nationwide series of refrigeration technician classes and radar operation courses in order to enable all Seafarers to comply with the latest environmental regulations. Brown outlined the various radar courses offered at the Paul Hall Center and explained who needs which type of certification. He also stated that the most recent additions to the school's fleet of training vessels feature several different types of radar, which will be utilized by upgraders in the radar courses. Malzkuhn and Wiegman, with plenty of feedback from company representatives, led a discussion about how the various companies and the boatmen who are in their employ can make the best use of the inland courses, from timely scheduling to choosing the mostneeded training. Representatives from the Seafarers' Sec~ ··· tion of the International Transport Workers ,, Federation (ITF) and the U.S. Coast Guard met April 7 at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, ,.........._..~ Md., to discuss a wide range of maritime safety issues. SIU officials and Lundeberg School representatives also participated in the day-long meeting, which largely focused on upcoming l~!!fl!!ft"3 revisions to the International Convention of the Standards of Training, Certification and _ .., Watchkeeping (STCW). The conference was scheduled in order to / capitalize on the presence of more than two • dozen ITF delegates who already were in llJ Maryland to conduct meetings of the ITF's Maritime Safety Committee. (The safety committee, which strives to protect mariners' rights, planned strategy for the Diplomatic ITF delegates meet with U.S. Coast Guard officials last month at the Paul Hall Center to Conference of the STCW, scheduled to take discuss maritime safety issues. SIU officials also participated in the day-long conference. place June 26 through July 7 .) "I know you're aware of the forces who certification, training and skills needed by serious problem, and we must find a soluare fighting against the international move- mariners worldwide. (Signatory nations may tion," he said. Joseph Angelo, associate program direcment for improved safety," said SIU Presi- have more stringent rules than the ones set out tor from the Coast Guard's Office of Marine dent Michael Sacco in welcoming in the STCW.) During last month's meeting at Piney Safety, Security and Environmental Protecparticipant to the one-day meeting. "They not only don't want stricter standards, they Point, Sven-Eric Nylund, an ITF/IMO coor- tion, urged representatives from other nations dinator and representative of the Finnish to join together in defeating the proposal to want to escape the ones that already exist. "It' s a serious threat, and that's why the Ship's Officers Union, outlined the ITF's include solo bridge watch at night in the SIU supports you and joins with you in your main goals for revision of the STCW, the vast STCW revisions. He also gave a detailed presentation on the majority of which the SIU supports. They efforts." Coast Guard's port state control initiative, as include: •raising the training and competence level an example of what the U.S. has done to 500-Plus Unions identify and correct safety hazards on ships The ITF is based in London and is com- for all categories of mariners • introducing mandatory rest periods and calling at American ports. The 25-year-old prised of more than 500 unions-repreprogram was revised in May 1994, in part to senting individuals employed in the maximum hours of work • maintaining existing requirements on help the Coast Guard "take a harder line maritime, rail, trucking and airline industries against substandard ships" by strictly enforc- from 110 nations. The SIU is a member of sea-going service • retaining the watchkeeping provisions in ing international treaties, Angelo said. the ITF' s Seafarers' Section, whose primary During the past year, Coast Guard interobjective is to eliminate runaway shipping the STCW, including night lookout • making basic safety training mandatory ventions rose to 273, compared with 55 the and secure a link between a vessel's flag and previous year. the nationality of its owner. The group' s for all seafarers, and Sacco summed up the focus of the meeting second objective is protecting and improving Obstacles to Safety when he said, "During the past couple of the conditions of employment of seafarers Throughout the day, participants pin- meetings on the STCW, foreign-flag serving aboard flag-of-convenience vessels, as well as ensuring that those mariners are pointed some of the main obstacles to inter- shipowners have consistently tried to weaken existing international standards for safety and protected from exploitation by shipowners, national maritime safety. Ake Selander, ITF assistant general training. They want to reduce manning levels ship managers and manning agents. Like other maritime organizations secretary, noted that "crew cost is the main and cut back on training requirements . .. . throughout the world, the ITF has been source of competition between shipowners. They say shipowners should be able to police preparing for this summer' s meetings to up- That leads directly to exploitation and to themselves. They want voluntary compliance, voluntary surveillance and voluntary date the STCW. That 17-year-old agreement, deplorable conditions." Sacco raised the issue of seamen in certain reporting. administered by the International Maritime "We might just as well ask inmates to lock Organization (IMO) and adopted by more nations purchasing certificates for any rating, than 90 countries, sets minimum standards for regardless of their work experience. "It's a the jailhouse doors at night." �8 MAY1995 SEAFARERS LOG Clinic Opens for Texas Boatmen Full Range of Medical Services Available for Inland Members The SIU has entered into a contract with the Tower Medical Center of Nederland (Texas) which will provide inland members and their dependents with workrelated and routine medical examinations, diagnoses and treatments. Located at 2100 Highway 365 in Nederland, the clinic is approximately 80 miles from the Houston hall. ''The facility was selected," said Dr. Kenneth Miller, Seafarers Welfare Plans medical director, "in an effort to address the need for annual physical examinations for our inland members who are employed aboard Moran, Higman, Sabine and Crowley tugs and dredges." Taking advantage of the convenient location, Kenneth Moore receives his annual physical examination at the new Nederland clinic. Moore works aboard Sabine Towing vessels as a chief engineer. Experience With Mariners He added that The Tower Medical Center was referred to the union as an excellent clinic in the area because of its long-standing interest and experience in evaluations of maritime employees, as well as workers in other occupational settings, particularly those in the petroleum industry. The Tower Medical Center staff of 15 includes doctors, nurses and technicians who are able to provide all the medical services required by Seafarers, including annual physical examinations and drug and benzene tests. The center also is able to perform hearing and vision tests, Xrays, stress tests and other diagnostic studies. Open Six Days a Week The Tower Medical Center of Nederland is open six days a week: Monday Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Inland members, their dependents and pensioners wishing to utilize the services of the clinic should contact the Houston hall one or two days in advance so that eligibility can be determined and the necessary paperwork can be processed and Boatmen along the Texas-Louisiana border can get physicals and medical attention at the Tower Medical Center. sent over before the scheduled appointment. Those members requiring MSC-related services or deep sea medical evaluations should continue to use the services of the Houston clinic, located at Med. Place 1, Suite 1605. Ex-Seafarer Discovers Hidden Sea Treasures A life of sailing the world's seas inspires many Seafarers to take up maritime-related special interests and hobbies. For former SIU member Nelson Jecas, that special passion has become deep sea treasure hunting. Jecas first became interested in discovering hidden treasures of the ocean, following his 1960 graduation from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in Brooklyn, N.Y. "I was 18 years old when a buddy and I decided that we wanted to go to sea," recalled Jecas. "The training that I received was excellent," Jecas told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG. Shortly after sailing for the SIU, Jecas went to work with a private organization which performed scientific research of the sea. It was at this time Jecas began collecting various artifacts from the bottom of the sea that had been preserved over time by sand and salt water. "I began finding old coins, bottles and lighters which have been dated from the early 1900s. It stirred my interest and I thought that I might be able to find more at the bottom of the ocean," noted the former engine department member. "I am mainly interested in finding old Navy stuff from where ships have sunk. I also have read a lot about pirates who used to bury their treasures," added Jecas. "I am still looking for my chest of gold." Jecas also has found medieval artifacts and an iron anchor from the tum of the century. While he likes to keep some of his treasures for use in shows, he donates many to museums. J ecas now owns his own watch- and clock-repair business, but his spare time is devoted to discovering treasures of the sea. He spends a lot of time visiting museums and libraries as well as researching old shipwrecks and determining where ships have sunk. Jecas primarily hunts for treasures along the New Jersey and Delaware coast but will occasionally travel to the coast of Florida and to the Caribbean. While much of Jecas's findings are simple treasures, a recent find proved to be perhaps his most fascinating treasure to date. Following a storm off the coast of New Jersey, Jecas hit the beach with his metal detector, his normal routine for discovering seaside treasures. This time he came upon what he described as his "biggest find yet." "I discovered a metal chest near the shore under two feet of water," recalled Jecas, who added that the chest may have been washed to shore during the storm. "It had an etched picture of a ship on top, and when I opened it up I found a leather carrying case labeled with a U.S. Merchant Marine embJem and stamped with 'Seaman' s Identification Papers,"' stated Jecas. Inside the leather case, Jecas found a ribbon and a picture of a man in a U.S. Navy uniform. According to Frank Braynard, historian for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. who examined the articles, the seaman's leather case dates from near the end of World War II. The photograph is unidentified, but the uniform has been determined to be what was worn by Navy personnel near the turn of the century. Jecas noted that the metal box appears to be much older than the seaman's wallet. "It is probably something that this person inherited from someone like his father or grandfather who was also a seaman," noted Jecas. "This find will keep me going. I really hope to find even bigger and better remnants of the sea, but for now I am really proud to have discovered such a treasure," concluded Jecas. Nelson Jecas, a former engine department member, holds the metal case he found nearthe shore. For Ombec, Creativity Is the Key Discovered inside a submerged metal chest was this zippered leather case (see inset), perfectly preserved by sand and salt water. In it, Nelson Jecas found a photograph of a man in a U.S. Navy uniform and a military ribbon, dating from the turn of the century. Anyone who may have information about the background of the photograph and ribbon may contact Jecas through the Seafarers LOG. To be a chief steward aboard an SIU-crewed ship, creativity with the menu is important in making a long voyage a success for those on board. For Ed Ombac, that creativity extends into his private life as well. Ombac enjoys creating and carving objects out of wood and ice. These skills have come in handy when he has sailed in the steward department aboard American Hawaii Cruises passenger ships. Recently he learned a new skill in his spare time while completing the recertified steward class at the Lundeberg School. During evening sessions at the Lundeberg School's arts and crafts department, Ombac designed and built out of newspaper a scale model of a fishing boat found in the South Pacific. Following the March membership meeting at Piney Point, Md., the steward presented the model to the school. "I like to use my imagination," Ombac told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG. "I enjoy making things." The model, recycled from earlier editions of the LOG, features a small house with a thatched roof, oars and a sail made from cloth. The vessel is just a Ii ttle more than a foot in length and took about one Ed Ombec (right) shows off his paper model of a fishing boat to SIU Executive VP Joseph Sacco. week to build. �SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 9 Tanker Course Stresses Accident Prevention One of the central goals of the Paul Hall Center's tanker operation/ safety course is to emphasize and illustrate the critical need to prevent oil spills, shipboard fires and other potential problems related to tanker operations. With that in mind, Seafarers who take the course receive detailed instruction on how to prevent accidents, as well as what to do in case a mishap should occur. Last month, 35 upgraders representing all departments became the third class to complete the course this year. (For Seafarers who sail in the deck or engine departments, the class lasts four weeks. For steward department members, it is a two-week course.) Pumpman Paul Lewis said that, overall, the course will help him by making him even more safety conscious when he resumes sailing. The four-year member of the SIU, who lives in San Diego and ships from the port of Wilmington, Calif., noted, "The instructors in the tanker course are well-versed on the technology we need to know aboard our ships." Questions Answered Chief Pumpman Keith Donovan commended the Lundeberg School instructors for "answering any and all questions." Donovan, whose home port is New Orleans and who resides in Pensacola, Fla., singled out the hazardous materials training as a course highlight. The class is required for all Seafarers who sail on tankers. When the SIU and Seafarerscon tracted companies agreed during negotiations to establish the tanker operation/safety course, and when Lundeberg School instructors developed the curriculum, a number of course objectives were set. Besides stressing prevention, they include: increasing Seafarers' awareness of various provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90) as well as their impact on the tanker industry • instilling greater knowledge of the hazards and characteristics of products carried aboard tankers broadening students' familiarity with the shipboard duties, including safety responsibilities, of various crewmembers bolstering members' firefighting skills through a mix of hands-on training and classroom instruction • providing comprehensive studies of tanker construction and safety, and more. Instructors seek to accomplish those and other goals by overseeing hands-on exercises such as confined-space safety training and rescue operations, as well as fit-tests using respirators, taking meter readings with atmospheric monitoring equipment and creating site-specific shipboard safety plans. Topics covered in the classroom include fire chemistry, rules for protecting the marine environment, inert gas systems, chemical and physical properties of petroleum products, federal regulations, chemical data guides and more. Student Feedback A key part of the new class, particularly during the first few months of this year, has been student feedback. Upgraders are encouraged to fill out written critiques of the class, and they also verbally have given suggestions for refining parts of the As part of the course curriculum, upgraders practice donning the proper protective clothing for hazardous materials operations. 'D Members of the latest tanker operation/safety course meet with SIU Executive VP Joseph Sacco (left) to discuss the long-range effects that OPA '90 and other safety-related laws are having on the industry. course curriculum. "As planned, we' re getting ready to re-evaluate the program," noted Bill Eglinton, director of the Lundeberg School's vocational The tanker operation/safety education department. "The stu- class is scheduled to be conducted dent feedback has been excellent, at the center each month during and we will utilize their input." this year. Boatmen Use Moore's Landing As Staging Area for Tugs/Barges Moore's Landing near Wyatt, Mo. is a place that does not exist on tourist maps. But for Seafarers who ply the waterways of the Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio rivers aboard Orgulf Transportation tugboats, it is the busiest water terminal in the region and is known as the hub of the entire industry. Moore's Landing, as it was dubbed by the company, is a small inlet on the Mississippi River. Orgulf uses Moore's Landing as its transfer or staging area for upper and lower river tugs and barges. Because the Mississippi is wider south of Moore's Landing, the river can handle additional traffic. Orgulf operates larger tugs with up to 35 barges on this part of the river. North of Moore's Landing, Orgulf tugs have to deal with narrow waterways and locks. The company runs smaller tugs that push up to 15 barges, depending on conditions. At Moore's Landing, the company moves the barges to make up the proper tows for their final destinations. Orgulf Transportation, which is based in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, carries mulch, coal, scrap and other dry cargoes on its barges along the Mississippi and its tributaries. When the tugs pushing the barges reach Moore's Landing, they are broken up to create new tows in order to reach their final destinations. "Moore's Landing is a place that is always bustling with activity. At any given time there can be well over 100 barges tied together waiting to be picked up and transported elsewhere," said SIU Representative Becky Sleeper, who provided the photos accompanying this article. ''The Orgulf tugs run on a 30-day schedule, so Reporting to the Omar's this is the only lengthy crew lounge for a spestop in a very busy cial safety meeting is Utilityman David Bryant. schedule," she noted. Twin Cities Cook Dorlis Organizing stores Utilityman Bill Brown Ready for the Robert Taylor signs in at the aboard the Robert Stout contacts the pilot house Stout meeting is Utilityunion meeting. is Cook Pam Johnston. on board the J.N. Phillips. man David Johnson. �10 MAY1995 SEAFARERS LOG Union Gains Pay, Benefits Package For Crews Affected by 5-L Flag Switch Continued from page 3 for other companies before returning to another Sea-Land vessel two years ago as a bosun and has sailed regularly aboard Sea-Land vessels since then. Having lost his bosun job on one of the reflagged vessels, he would be considered as having three years of service to Sea-Land for the severance payment.) In consideration of the other unlicensed jobs aboard the five reflagged Sea-Land vessels, in lieu of severance the company will pay into a special pool within the SIU employee benefit plans. The money contributed by Sea-Land will be used to help Seafarers adversely affected by the shrinking job pool created by the loss of the five ships. Plan representatives will meet in the near future to determine the guidelines for how the funds will be used. With regard to the benefits plan, Sea-Land will make regular contributions for the next two years based on what would have been paid had the five vessels not been reflagged. These funds will help keep the various plans sound and viable in order to provide benefits into the future. The union was able to reach this agreement with Sea-Land because of a variety of measures the SIU implemented as soon as the reflagging was approved by MarAd. The union immediately launched a strongly worded protest with MarAd over the SeaLand action, calling on the Department of Transportation agency to conduct public hearings to collect evidence on the impact that such a reflagging would have on the nation. The SIU noted that approval of the reflagging was premature because Congress is involved in enacting maritime revitalization legislation that will affect the Sea-Land fleet. Also, the union noted the U.S. military had stated its preference that the ships remain under the U.S.flag. At the same time, the union began investigating options open to it through the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the Londonbased organization whose membership includes most of the world's seafaring and long shore unions. The SIU has a long history with the ITF, going back more than 40 years. The ITF has long fought to improve the working conditions and wages for mariners, especially those from non-traditional maritime nations. With Sea-Land's decision to reflag the five vessels to the Marshall Islands, the SIU held meetings with ITF representatives to come up with ways of ensuring the Sea-Land vessels would meet internationally accepted safety and crewing standards. One such meeting took place in Felixstowe, England shortly before the recrewed Sea-Land Freedom was scheduled to make its first port visit there. (However, the vessel was re-routed just before its scheduled arrival.) Sea-Land began its effort to reflag part of its fleet in June 1993 when it applied to MarAd to House Panel Holds First Hearing Continued from page 3 Companies Urge Support Also testifying before the panel were representatives from SIU-contracted companies SeaLand Service, American President Lines, Crowley Maritime and Waterman Steamship. Speaking for the shipping companies, John Snow, the president of CSX Corporation, which owns Sea-Land, informed the elected officials that the companies also supported maritime her 1994 after the farm-state senators killed Senate consideration of the bill through a parliamentary procedure. (The bill had been passed by the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support.) International Options SIU Pushes Congress To Pass Maritime Bill foreign seamen refused to sail into the Persian Gulf to deliver materiel during Operation Desert Storm. Sacco stated maritime revitalization legislation is needed to keep America active in carriage of world trade. "Allowing foreign vessels to gain total control over our trade, especially as the United States moves to eliminate international trade barriers, would create an opportunity for economic blackmail. The United States can only realize the goals of free trade if it remains a full participant in all aspects of international trade, including shipping," he told the panel. transfer 13 containerships from the U.S.-flag to a foreign flag. That request was held up while Congress debated a maritime revitalization bill. The company filed a new petition to reflag five ships in Novem- The SIU has been working with elected officials from both parties to enact maritime revitalization legislation. Last month, the House Merchant Marine Oversight Panel held its first hearing on the Maritime Security Act, H.R. 1350, which calls for a 10-year, $1 billion program to provide funds for approximately 50 U.S.flag containerships. President Clinton has said he will sign maritime revitalization into law when it is passed by Congress. House Merchant Marine Panel Chairman Herbert H. Bateman (RVa.) stresses the importance for Congress to act quickly in passing a shipping bill. ------ revitalization legislation. Snow noted that passage of such a bill would be "a critical step forward in fostering an American liner fleet which is able to compete in world markets and provide substantial sealift in support of our armed forces." H.R. 1350 is awaiting action by the House National Security Committee, which has jurisdiction for the actions of the House Merchant Marine Oversight Panel. ~ ""'~ Working through the ITF, officials from the U.S. maritime unions affected by the reflagging of five Sea-Land vessels met in Felixstowe, England in March with representatives of the British dockers union. From the left are Mark Zalenski, District No. 1-MEBA secretary-treasurer; James Hopkins, MM&P secretary-treasurer; Trevor Kent, representative of Britain's Transportation and General Workers Union (TGWU); Peter Landles, TGWU secretary-convenor; John Fay, SIU secretary-treasurer; and John Sansone, ITF representative. Company: The Bron-Shoe Company UIW members at Bron-Shoe: Responsible for all manufacturing services, from order entry to processing to shipping Facilities: Production plant and headquarters in Columbus, OH Services provided: Baby shoe bronzing and silver restoration Distribution: Nationwide That's a fact: For information about bronzing or silver restoration services, ca/11-800-722-8464, extension 614. · Bron-Shoe is America's oldest and largest baby shoe bronzing company as well as the nation's largest silver restoration company. When Seafarers utilize the services of Bron-Shoe, they are putting their purchasing dollars to work for themselves and their fellow trade unionists. That is because within the family of unions which make up the Seafarers International Union of North America (to which the Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District belongs), there are workers who produce a wide variety of goods and services. When Seafarers buy products from companies like Bron-Shoe, they not only are getting the bestmade American goods, they also are supporting union workers. The United Industrial Workers (U/W) is one of the autonomous affiliates of the SIUNA, and employees of Bron-Shoe are U/W members. The Seatare rs LOG regularly highlights various union-made products and services. �SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 11 Kids Rate a Piney Point Vacation Tops From left to right, posing at the entrance to the maritime center's grounds are cousin John, Jessie, cousin Emily and Bobby. Bobby and Jessica Darden, the children of AB cousins on trips to the maritime center. Their Jim Darden and his wife, Pam, consider the father notes, "There is never a shortage of volunPaul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. to be their teers to go to Piney Point. The children just love home away from home. In their short lives of 11 it so much, and every trip brings something new and 9 years respectively, the two children from Newville, Pa. have discovered something that many other Seafarers and their families also have experienced-a vacation at Piney Point is relax· ing, fun, adventurous and an all-around good time. Having made their first trip to the facility eight years ago, the Darden family has returned each year-sometimes twice a year-to enjoy the sprawling campus, tranquil waters and exquisite beauty surrounding the maritime center. Fishing, swimming, boating and crabbing are but a few of the activities which the Darden family enjoys while vacationing at Piney Point. Bobby and Jessica ("Jessie" as she is affectionately known by her family and friends) also enjoy meeting other children of Seafarers from all over the country. The Darden children often bring friends and for them, no matter how many times we visit." Several years ago, in fact, Jessie requested that her family travel to Piney Point each year to celebrate her birthday. True to her wishes, the family returns to the center for the special occasion, in addition to their annual family vacation at the site. On this page, are letters written by Jessie and Bobby about their vacations at Piney Point, as well as pictures of them at the center as they have grown over the years. Other Seafarers and their families also can create their own treasured times by indulging in a fun-filled Piney Point vacation. Filling out the application below and mailing it to the address listed is the first step in obtaining wonderful memories from a true family vacation at Piney Point. On board one of the center's vessels and ready for a day of sailing on the Chesapeake Bay are (from left to right) Jessie, cousin Emily (standing), cousin John and Bobby. Inset is a recent portrait of the Darden family. Jessie jumps off the diving board of the Olympic size pool at the Paul Hall Center. . I have been going to Piney Point X~:ce ~ was t~ree. Now I am eleven. I gomg to Pmey Point because there are many thinns to Ao 7i"" b ki 'b ~· ui · 11ere are as et. all courts, tennis courts and a P?ol. I like to crab off the pier. My d fnend Ritch takes me fishi~g ;%o;;s b?d:at. /n the summerI meetalot ofother kIS. The food there is great. Between meals and at night lunch there is ice ~ream. W!Jen dad and mom say it's ftme to go, we beg them so that we can s~ay one more night. There's also agift s op w~ere we go to shop before we :~~~· Ive had a great time there I ,. m hyou should go and have a vac~1/0n t ere too. SEAFARERS TRAINING & RECREATION CENTER-Vacation Reservation Information Number in party I ages of children, if applicable: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- ! I Social Security number: _ _ _ _ _ __ Book number: _ _ _ __ Date of arrival: 1st choice 2nd choice A vacation stay at the Lundeberg School is limited to two weeks per family. Member $40.40/day $ 9.45/day Spouse $ 9.45/day Child Note: There is no charge for children 11 years of age or younger. The prices listed above include all meals. Stay is limited to a maximum of two weeks. Telephone number: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 3rd choice Date of departure _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Send this completed application to the Seafarers Training & Recreation Center, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674. _____ J �12 SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 WHY POLITICAL ACTJ i4o Agencies, 100 C~ngressional Groups ~ The SIU continually represents the interests of its members before congressional groups considering legislation that, if passed, would impact the lives of Seafarers and their families. Above, SIU Executive Vice President Joseph Sacco recommends steps to promote a strong U.S.-flag shipping capability. THE HOUSE The following committees, subcomon International Relations mittees and panels have some form of Committee Oversight for U.S. relations with foreign jurisdiction over government programs nations; export controls; international that bolster the U.S. -flag fleet and impact commodity agreements; intervention abroad and declarations of war; protecon the lives of Seafarers who work in all tion of American citizens abroad; U.S. segments of the American maritime inCustoms administration; international dustry-deep sea bottoms, domestic fishing agreements. waterways towboats, Great Lakes vesSubcommittees: International Economic Policy and Trade sels, fishing boats, military support International Operations and Human ships, passenger carriers of all kinds, Rights among others. After the name of the committee and Committee on the Judiciary a description of what it does are names Oversight for treaties, conventions and international agreements; matters dealof subcommittees that have an oversight ing with mutiny. role on the merchant marine. Subcommittee: Immigration and Claims Committee on Agriculture Oversight for matters dealing with agriculture, including the farm bill and Committee on National Security Oversight for merchant marine; national cargo preference. defense and Department of Defense; Subcommittee: maintenance, operation and administraDepanment Operations, Nutlition and tion of interoceanic canals; Merchant Foreign Agliculture Marine Academy at Kings Point and state maritime academies; maintenance of Committee on Appropriations U.S. shipbuilding and repair yards. Oversight for raising the revenue to supSubcommittees: port the government and its operation. Military Readiness Subcommittees: Military Procurement Agliculture, Rural Development, FDA Panel: and Related Agencies Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Energy and Water Development Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Interior and Related Agencies Labor, Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies ' National Security Transportation and Related Agencies Veterans Affairs, HUD and Independent Agencies Merchant Marine Committee on Resources Oversight for fisheries management; mineral resources of public lands. Subcommittees: Fishelies, Wildlife and Oceans Energy and Mineral Resources Water and Power Resources Committee on Rules Oversight for how and when a bill will be considered by the House. Committee on the Budget Oversight for the federal budget; to study and evaluate the spending of federal Committee on Science taxes; to coordinate tax expenditures Oversight for scientific research, with federal policies and programs. development and demonstration. Subcommittees: Committee on Commerce Energy and Environment Oversight for interstate energy compacts; interstate and foreign commerce; Committee on Small Business measures dealing with storage, supply Oversight for assistance and protection and regulation of energy resources; of small business; participation of small measures related to the general managebusiness enterprises in federal procurement of the Department of Energy; nament and government contracts. tional energy policy; public health. Subcommittees: Subcommittees: Government Programs Commerce, Trade and Hazardous Procurement, Exports and Business Op· Matelials Health and Environment Energy and Power Telecommunications and Finance Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities Oversight for labor and educational matters; labor statistics and standards; mediation and arbitration of labor disputes; wages and hours of labor. Subcommittees: Employer-Employee Relations Workforce Protections portunities Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Oversight for flood control and improvement of rivers and harbors; oil and other pollution of navigable waters; public works for the benefit of navigation, including bridges and dams; water transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Subcommittees: Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Water Resources and Environment Committee on Gov't Reform and Oversight Committee on Ways and Means Oversight for Customs, collection disOversight for overall economy and eftricts and ports of entry and delivery; ficiency of federal government operareciprocal trade agreements; revenue tions and activities. measures; transportation of dutiable Subcommittees: goods. Civil Service Subcommittee: National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice Trade - - - - H E U.S. MARITIME industry is one of the most watched-over and regulated businesses in America. At the federal level alone, there are more than 140 agencies, bureaus and councils within the government as well as nearly 100 committees, subcommittees and panels in Congress that have some degree of jurisdiction over the U.S.-flag fleet and merchant mariners. Some of the agencies are obvious, like the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration, which oversees the U .S .-flag merchant fleet, domestic shipbuilding and trade policies that affect the merchant marine. Others-such as the Senate and House committees on rules which determine how and when legislation within the Congress is discussed and voted upon-are not as clear to the casual observer. Also, these figures do not even begin to include the numerous regional, state and local agencies that oversee ports, inland waterways, the Great Lakes and fishermen. Federal Ties Are Strong Oversight of this nature is nothing new to the U.S. merchant marine. The industry had long been considered a ward of the nation with guidance coming THE from the federal government. In fact, as late as the end of the last century, mariners leaving their vessels prior to the end of a tour of duty were considered under federal law as deserters, punishable by imprisonment. However, these attitudes toward mariners and the industry began to change at the beginning of the 20th century. Andrew Furuseth, president of the International Seamen's Union, realized the need to lobby Congress and the federal government to change the laws affecting mariners. Despite being based in San Francisco, he took up residence in Washington, D.C. to fight for legislation for the fair treatment of merchant mariners. Furuseth worked with members of the administration and Congress. Through a friendship he made with Senator Robert Lafollette of Wisconsin, Furuseth was able to push Congress to pass and President Woodrow Wilson to sign the Seamen's Act of 1915. This law set minimum safety standards and removed many restrictions that had been in place which affected the lives and careers of merchant mariners. Because of Furuseth's diligence, mariners discovered how government, and being involved in the law-making process, could change their lives. The SIU has taken up this cause from its inception in 1938. The union has maintained a strong presence in Washington to push for laws to make shipping conditions and the industry better and stronger. SIU President P believer in the mem in political and leg motto, "Politics is a union rallying cry Hall was very act working condition. keeping the U.S. strong. He led the fi of the 1970 Merch first major piece enacted that was dir dustry since before, Today, with so federal governmen maritime matters, th remains. The union the watch through tributions of memb Political Action Dor gram. Already, in the this sessionofCongr taken up bills conce tankers carrying Al crude oil overseas a flag containerships. The SIU will b U.S.-flag bulker ind activities associated tion of a new farm bi legislation, which Seafarers who sail be included in the d Other issues tha Congress recently a again are inland w FEDERA L "~~ Defense Mapping Int'l. Cooperation and Development Among the confines of the federal International Trade Policy Personnel and Read government are various departments, Commodity Credit Corporation Joint Chiefs of Staff agencies and bureaus that have some Marketing and Regulatory Programs U.S. Transportatio form of oversight regarding U.S.-flag Marketing Programs Joint Transportati Logistics Directora International Services shipping operations and the activities of Manpower and Pe Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Seafarers whether they sail on the Ocean Policy Aff · Ad.ministration oceans, inland waterways and Great Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Strategi National Forest System Department of the Lakes or as fishermen. Watershed and Air Management Corps of Engineers For the purposes of this outline, the Military Traffic M federal government can be divided into Department of the N of Commerce three parts: the executive office of the Department Military Sealift Co Economic Development Administration president, the cabinet and independent Bureau of Export Administration Plans, Policy and Manpower and Res agencies. All three have offices, coun- International Trade Administration Civilian Personne cils and bureaus with jurisdiction over National Institute of Stds. & Technology Employment 0 Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin. the lives of Seafarers and the merchant Nat'l. National Marine Fisheries Service marine, which are listed. New England Fisheries Mgmt. Council Department of Energy Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Mgmt. Council The executive office of the president Energy Efficiency a Office of Federal E South Atlantic Fisheries Mgmt. Council is overseen by the president of the Gulf Fisheries Management Council Fossil Energy United States and his staff. The various Coal Technology Caribbean Fisheries Mgmt. Council groups with some involvement with the Pacific Fisheries Mgmt. Council Fuels Program merchant marine are listed below that North Pacific Fisheries Mgmt. Council Naval Petroleum Strategic Petrole Western Pacific Fish. Mgmt. Council title. National Ocean Service Office of Oil and Gas Within the cabinet-level departments National Security an National Weather Service are the many agencies and bureaus af- National Telecommunications & InformaManagement Progy Federal Energy R fecting the lives of Seafarers and the tion Administration Office of Pipeline R state of the merchant marine. Finally, independent agencies are not Department of Defense and Technology directly tied to the office of the president Acquisition Defense Logistics Agency or to any cabinet-level department. Defense Procurement However, some of them also deal with Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence issues and concerns of merchant mariners and their industry. All of these agencies are reviewed by Congress and receive their funding through congressional appropriations. EXecutive Office of the President ···········-············· --····· ···············--····-····-····················-·······-······-··-········-······-····-····-) Council on Economic Quality Domestic Policy Council Council of Economic Advisors Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Office of Legislative Affairs Office of Management and Budget National Security Council Office of the U.S. Trade Rep. ~~-~~~:-~~.!~I.~.~P.~~~~~~-------! Department of Agriculture Farm and Foreign Agri. Services Foreign Agricultural Service Commodity and Marketing Programs Foreign Agricultural Affairs Federal government departments and agencies have much t defends the interests of Seafarers before these government addresses a Department of Transportation meeting called to bill. Steve Edney, the union's national director of its industri on the need to end unfair taxation schemes that hurt Americ �SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 13 ON IS SO IMPORTANT >irect the Course of the Merchant Marine 1 Hall was a firm pertains to the work of boatmen as well rship being active as clean water and wetlands acts that lative affairs. His have an impact on fishermen. rkchops," became Agency Oversight e in improving the of Seafarers and erchant marine t to secure passage pt Marine Act, the f legislation to be ~cted toward the inVorld War II. 1ntinues many parts of the having a say on ~ need for vigilance is able to maintain the voluntary con~rs to the Seafarers iation (SPAD) proirst few months of ess, legislators have med with U.S.-flag askan North Slope td funding for U.S.working with the stry to monitor the with implementa. Cargo preference irectly affects the .board bulkers, will ~bate. : have been before td can be brought up terways safety that But Congress is not the only part of the federal government that affects the lives and jobs of Seafarers. Government agencies associated with cabinet-level departments and the executive branch make decisions daily that concern the U.S. merchant marine and American seamen. The SIU is thus always offering suggestions and comments in behalf of its membership. One government agency known very well to all SIU members (if for nothing more than the merchant mariner's documents they carry) is the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard also handles maritime safety issues, port activities and crewing standards that affect the day-to-day regimen of the U.S. merchant marine. Some agencies, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Federal Maritime Commission, have names that show their direct involvement with the industry. But there are other, less obvious organizations in the government that have policy-making abilities which affect merchant mariners. For example, the Office of the U.S. ~rade Representative negotiates intemat10nal trade agreements that could have a bearing on the industry. This office handled the talks on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATI) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFf A) in which maritime was discussed, but eventually was excluded, thanks to the efforts of the SIU and others in the industry. A decision last year by the Department of Energy to allow export sales of Alaskan North Slope crude oil has led the way to a bill now being considered by Congress. The legislation would permit the oil exportation as long as it is carried aboard U.S.-flag tankers. The Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services sets the standards for cleanliness and pest eradication aboard U.S.-flag vessels. Finally, the ultimate authority of the executive branch, the president of the United States, sets the course for his administration and determines what will be a priority. Through SPAD, the SIU is able to monitor and act on proposals, ideas and policies designed to affect the lives of Seafarers and their families. It also allows Seafarers to voice their support collectively to those candidates for political office who stand for a strong U.S. merchant marine. Since the founding of this country, the merchant marine has been tied strongly to the federal government. With more and more agencies and committees having oversight into the activities of the merchant fleet, the union's effort to fight for its members and their families is moving to keep up with the changing times. GOVERNMENT -· ~gency ness 1Command mBoard te sonnel Directorate agement Command U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries International Affairs Natural Resources Land and Minerals Management Minerals Management Service Offshore Minerals Management Water and Science U.S. Geological Survey Office of Energy and Marine Geology Water Resources Division National Fish and Wildlife Foundation vy and perations erve Affairs Policy /Equal portunity Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Immigration and Naturalization Service Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration Office of Federal Contract Compliance d Renewable Energy Programs ergy Mgmt. Programs Wage and Hour Division Occupational Safety & Health Admin. Pension and Welfare Benefits Admin. Maritime Administration Office of Policy, Int'l. Trade & Marketing National Security Office of Port, Intermodal and Environmental Activities Office of Ship Financial Assistance and Cargo Preference Office of Shipbuilding & Tech. Dev. Office of Intermodalism Office of Int'l. Transportation and Trade U.S. Coast Guard Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Personnel Marine Environ. Response Division Marine Investigation Division Marine Technical and Hazardous Materials Division Marine Vessel Inspection and Documentation Division Merchant Vessel Personnel Division Port Safety and Security Division Office of Navigation & Waterway Svc. Bridge Administration Division Ice Operations Division Radionavigation Division Search and Rescue Division Vessel Traffic Services Division Towing Safety Advisory Committee Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee Navigation Safety Advisory Council Chemical Transport. Advisory Committee St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. Department of State Global Affairs Bureau of Oceans and Int'l. Environment and Scientific Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs Overseas Citizens Service Passport Services Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Trade Policy and Programs Department of the Treasury Transportation Affairs U.S. Customs Service Office of Maritime and Land Transport Internal Revenue Service :.Environmental ~~~.l!~~~~.~~Protection . ~9.~!!~~~·--·-·······--·· ----..-·---··J Agency ~ say about the course of the U.S. merchant marine. The SIU bodies. In photos ahove, SIU President Michael Sacco (left) go over the administration's proposed maritime revitalization I branch, testifies before the International Trade Commission n tuna fishermen and tuna-packing operations. Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water Office of Wetlands, Oceans & Watersheds Delaware River Basin Commission Equal Employment Opportunities Comm. Federal Communications Commission Federal Labor Relations Board Federal Maritime Commission Federal Trade Commission Int'l. Development Cooperation Agency Agency for International Development International Trade Commission Interstate Commerce Commission National Labor Relations Board National Transportation Safety Board Occupational Safety & Health Review Comm. Panama Canal Commission Small Business Administration Susquehanna River Basin Commission Tennessee Valley Authority Trade and Development Agency The merchant marine has been a top concern of the U.S. government since the Revolutionary War and the nation's birth. As a result, hundreds of laws have been enacted that determine the fate of America's maritime industry, and many more are taken up in Congress each year. Above, SIU President Michael Sacco indicates SIU support for a measure to expand the U.S.-registered passenger ship fleet. THE SENATE teroceanic canals; regulation of interWhat follows is a listing of all comstate common carriers, including vesmittees and subcommittees in the Senate sels; transportation; transportation and that have some jurisdiction over U.S. commerce aspects of Outer Continental shipping and the activities of Seafarers Shelf lands. Subcommittees: who sail on the deep seas, inland waterConsumer Affairs, Foreign Commerce ways and Great Lakes or as fishermen. and Tourism The name of the committee is folOceans and Fisheries Surface Transportation and Merchant lowed by a brief description of the Maline committee's work on issues dealing with the merchant marine and Seafarers. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources After that is a list of the subcommittees Oversight for energy policy; energy related aspects of deepwater ports; extracwhich oversee the matters of interest to tion of minerals from oceans and Outer union members and the merchant Continental Shelf lands; oil and gas marine. (As in the House, not all subproduction and distribution. committees of the full committee are Subcommittees: listed. Only those that play a role in the Energy Production and Regulation Forest and Public Land Management lives of Seafarers are included.) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Committee on Environment and Public Forestry Works Oversees cargo preference; food from Oversight for environmental policy; fresh waters, rural development, rural ocean dumping; fisheries and wildlife; electrification and watersheds; and food, environmental control and improvenutrition and hunger in the U.S. and ments of rivers and harbors, including foreign nations. environmental aspects of deepwater Subcommittees: ports; public works, bridges and dams; Marketing, Inspection and Product water pollution. Promotion Subcommittees: Forestry, Conservation and Rural Transportation and Infrastructure Revitalization Research, Nutrition & General Legislation Committee on Appropriations Funding federal budget. Subcommittees: Agriculture, Rural Development and Re lated Agencies Commerce, Justice and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Defense Energy and Water Development Foreign Operations Interior and Related Agencies Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Military Construction Transportation and Related Agencies Veterans Affairs, HUD and Independent Agencies Clean Air, Wetlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety Drinking Water, Fisheries and Wildlife Committee on Finance Oversight for Customs, collection distric_ts and ports of entry and delivery; reciprocal trade agreements; transportation of dutiable goods. Subcommittee: International Trade Committee on Foreign Relations Oversight for relations of the United States with foreign nations; treaties and executive agreements; protection of United States citizens abroad; intervention abroad and declarations of war; foreign economic, military, technical and humanitarian assistance; oceans and inCommittee on Armed Services ternational environmental and scientific Oversight for the common defense of the affairs as they relate to foreign policy. nation; maintenance and operation of the Subcommittees: Panama Canal. International Operations Subcommittees: International Economic Policy, Export Seapower and Trade Promotion Airland Forces Readiness Acquisition and Technology Committee on Governmental Affairs Oversight for federal civil service. Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Subcommittee: Affairs Post Otti.ce and Civil Service Oversight for export controls; export and foreign trade promotion. Committee on Labor and Human Resources Subcommittee: Oversight for education, labor, health International Finance and public welfare; labor standards and statistics; wages and hours; mediation and arbitration of labor disputes;equal Committee on the Budget employment opportunity; occupational Oversight for the federal budget. safety and health; private pension plans. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Rules and Administration Oversight for U.S. Coast Guard; coastal Oversight for how and when a bill will zone management; inland waterways, be considered by the Senate. except construction; interstate commerce; marine and ocean navigation, safety and transportation, including Committee on Small Business Oversight for study and survey, through navigational aspects of deepwater ports; research and investigation, of all marine fisheries; merchant marine and problems of American small business navigation; oceans, weather and atmosenterprises. pheric activities; Panama Canal and in- - �14 MAY1995 SEAFARERS LOG Another Booming Sailing Season Takes Off on Lakes From Duluth, Minn. on Lake SuperiortoBuffalo,N.Y.onLake Erie, Seafarers on the Great Lakes are back out on the waters in full force aboard every SIU-contracted vessel in the Lakes region, busy transporting commodities that remain in high demand. The first Seafarers began preparing for their work-packed schedule in early March when a mild winter permitted an early fitout and allowed them to crew their respective vessels. SIU Duluth Representitve Delores Cheslak noted the flurry of activity prior to fitout. "All the guys were so busy getting ready for the season," she said. Some Great Lakes vessels sailing into the port of Duluth experienced slight delays due to ice which was pushed into the harbor entrance by northeast winds during the last weeks of March. However, members aboard SIUcontracted Lakers-such as American Steamship vessels Buf falo, H. Lee White, Indiana Harbor, Walter J. McCarthy and St. Clair-sailed from the port without delay. Glen Nekvasil of the Lakes' Carriers Association, which monitors the activities of vessels on the Great Lakes, noted that there was no ice inside the breakwall, and the SIU-contracted ships were able to steam out of port "at full speed ahead," while those coming in had to slow to a maneuvering speed which caused them to become stuck in the ice. The U.S. Coast Guard ice cutter Mackinaw was able to cut through the ice jam, thus clearing the way for the outbound vessels. The 1994 sailing season saw more than 155 million tons of cargo transported by U.S-flag Lakes carriers. As the extraordinary demand for iron ore, grain, coal, cement, limestone and gypsum continues into the 1995 sailing season, another banner year is predicted. According to Nekvasil, shipping on the Great Lakes this year already has begun to surpass previous cargo records. The association representative noted that the fast start to the season on the Great Lakes put more than 40 ships into service by April 1, compared with only 21 at the same time last year. engineroom are QMED Will Mogg (left) and Wiper Norman Fittahey. Bosun Mark Fraley (left) displays the Coast Guard commendation honoring the crew of the Indiana Harbor for its rescue of Third Mate Theodore Lalonde (right). Joining them are Captain Pete Gronwall and Gateman Jae Bergstrom. Replacing light bulbs on the H. Lee White's wheelstand is Wheelsman Russell Brown. Hero Status Goes to Crew, Bosun Says Bosun Mark Fraley believes the honors he has received for his role in rescuing fellow crewmember Theodore LaLonde from the icy waters of Lake Superior in December 1993 really belong to the whole crew of the Indiana Harbor. "It was a joint effort by the entire crew," Fraley told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG. "I couldn't have done it without the help of the others. Even though I was the one to actually go into the water to get him out, we all worked really hard and well together. But that is generally how it is everywhere on the Lakes," said the Marine City, Mich. native. Fraley has been recognized for his bravery by several organizations. Most recently, on March 22, the bosun was presented with a Public Service Commendation from the U.S. Coast Guard at the Superior, Wis. Propeller Oub. Fraley was working aboard the Indiana Harbor while it was loading coal at the Midwest Energy Company terminal in Superior on December 7, 1993. Third Mate LaLonde was checking the draft marks on the ship when he slipped and fell into the ice-packed water of the Twin Ports harbor. Teamwork Prevails The crew of the Indiana Harbor immediately sprang into action. The dock foreman threw a life ring to the third mate, who had been injured as numerous ice floes struck his body. Chief Engineer Darryl Bertrand Sr. was notified of the accident and quickly de-clutched the ship's engines to prevent LaLonde from being injured by the vessel's propeller. First Engineer Lee Heinonen, QMED Frank Lawrence and QMED Jan Thompson provided assistance on the dock while Gateman Floyd Larsen, also on the dock, quickly retrieved a survival suit which proved crucial to Fraley's performance during the rescue. Steward Bill Van Vlack rounded up blankets for the rescue group. Disregarding the potential danger to himself, Fraley quickly donned the survival suit and braved the ice and sub-zero temperatures as he entered the freezing water. He swam to LaLonde and brought him to a ladder on the dock where the third mate was pulled to safety by the other crewmembers. LaLonde had been in the water for at least 10 minutes and was in danger of water shock, hypothermia and drowning. Fortunately, he only suffered cuts and bruises, thanks to the crew's efforts. "It felt really good when I realized that I had saved Ted's life," recalled Fraley. "He is a really good guy who has been around a long time. I'm just glad I could help," the bosun said. The award presented to Fraley by the Coast Guard last month stated, "Because of Mr. Fraley's courage, initiative and quick thinking, injuries to Mr. LaLo n de were minimal. Mr. Fraley' s unselfish actions and valiant service reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of humanitarian service." Wheelsman William Maurer enjoys his lunch in the galley aboard the Indiana Harbor. Adjusting hydraulic take-up for the conveyor system aboard the H. Lee White is Gateman Saif Shajira. QMED Mark Wyman heads for the engine room aboard the H. Lee White. H. Lee White Wheelsman Don Brye reports to the pilot house to Regulating a valve on the H. Lee begin his shift. White is QMED Abdul Shahter. �SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea MARCH 16 - APRIL 15, 1995 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Clas.s C Port New York 31 Philadelphia 2 2 Baltimore Norfolk 5 Mobile 5 New Orleans 30 Jacksonville 22 San Francisco 29 Wilmington 14 Seattle 27 Puerto Rico 11 Honolulu 8 Houston 38 St. Louis 2 Piney Point 1 Algonac 0 Totals 227 Port New York 20 Philadelphia 2 Baltimore 6 Norfolk 6 Mobile 8 New Orleans 13 Jacksonville 13 San Francisco 13 Wilmington 9 18 Seattle 3 Puerto Rico 3 Honolulu 15 Houston St. Louis 0 Piney Point 4 Algonac 0 Totals 133 Port New York 22 Philadelphia 1 Baltimore 2 Norfolk 3 Mobile 9 New Orleans 10 Jacksonville 10 San Francisco 37 Wilmington 16 Seattle 16 Puerto Rico 2 Honolulu 4 Houston 10 St. Louis 1 Piney Point 4 Algonac 0 Totals 147 26 7 7 13 12 27 19 10 14 17 3 16 36 0 6 1 214 3 2 1 7 1 2 3 1 7 2 6 11 10 0 1 0 57 21 6 2 3 0 3 1 1 2 1 7 5 14 12 15 7 16 3 7 19 2 9 0 146 1 DECK DEPARTMENT 11 17 6 0 5 0 3 6 3 4 7 9 1 5 9 21 22 3 4 20 10 11 1 7 2 10 7 24 0 13 1 13 3 8 8 7 28 21 2 0 0 0 161 0 3 0 140 5 3 1 12 3 1 11 1 7 1 7 5 1 1 3 4 0 0 2 0 24 0 1 8 0 4 6 12 2 2 5 2 7 9 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 5 2 1 4 2 0 1 0 0 74 26 0 1 0 35 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 13 5 1 1 2 0 3 4 0 0 6 0 5 0 7 11 15 0 12 7 0 0 9 6 3 10 1 0 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 0 89 0 1 Trip Reliefs 7 2 0 4 2 4 9 4 4 7 4 12 13 0 2 0 74 2 1 2 1 0 2 11 3 0 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 62 62 4 3 16 14 42 35 57 27 41 13 5 47 11 8 28 22 36 32 2 2 0 370 38 3 6 14 9 22 18 26 18 26 7 10 22 7 7 1 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 75 11 47 224 4 0 36 1 4 10 14 16 19 71 23 32 5 11 17 1 8 0 268 1 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 2 8 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 4 3 3 0 6 12 1 5 4 0 9 1 20 0 4 1 7 18 2 1 0 1 0 4 0 1 3 1 10 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 7 99 33 2 3 0 4 3 4 7 7 1 2 5 0 0 0 42 0 5 0 40 37 41 5 27 57 1 8 2 417 29 6 8 19 14 24 23 33 19 24 9 15 32 3 16 0 274 27 3 1 15 10 19 11 14 9 10 3 14 12 0 8 1 157 Port ENTRY DEPARTMENT New York 4 29 2 0 15 69 10 16 0 I 1 1 Philadelphia 0 0 1 0 3 0 4 Baltimore 5 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 22 Norfolk 4 6 4 7 13 19 0 0 34 1 l 4 Mobile 13 0 0 0 0 New Orleans 11 11 2 0 37 9 16 10 7 Jacksonville 7 2 26 2 3 6 7 1 0 San Francisco 10 15 3 22 39 1 5 3 0 0 33 Wilmington 2 3 20 6 0 8 9 12 30 20 5 15 0 0 Seattle 7 5 12 Puerto Rico 2 3 0 8 6 7 8 0 83 Honolulu 4 l 7 18 0 9 35 72 4 2 0 0 5 38 17 5 6 Houston 1 St. Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 Piney Point 0 0 0 0 0 20 1 8 Algonac 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 57 217 156 27 95 27 0 99 465 Totals All 651 263 376 343 80 163 961 De~artments 564 12313 * ''Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 8 2 3 15 0 4 10 7 12 5 June & July 1995 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters Piney Point Monday, June 5, July 3 New York Tuesday: June 6; Wednesday, July 5* *changed by Independence Day holiday Philadelphia Wednesday: June 7, July 5 Baltimore Thursday: June 8, July 6 Norfolk Thursday: June 8, July 6 Jacksonville Thursday: June 8, July 6 9 13 Algonac Friday: June 9, July 7 14 0 Houston Monday: June 12, July 10 1 0 103 New Orleans Tuesday: June 13, July 11 2 1 2 12 2 7 5 2 8 3 4 8 4 0 3 0 63 0 15 Mobile Wednesday: June 14, July 12 San Francisco Thursday: June 15, July 13 Wilmington Monday: June 19, July 17 Seattle Friday: June 23, July 21 San Juan Thursday: June 8, July 6 St. Louis Friday: June 16, July 14 Honolulu Friday: June 16, July 14 Duluth Wednesday: June 14, July 12 Jersey City Wednesday: June 21, July 19 New Bedford Tuesday: June 20, July 18 Each port's meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. 3 0 4 3 3 4 7 6 2 3 12 5 0 2 0 Personals LEE RUSSELL Please contact Leo Castro at 1090 W oodycrest Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10452; or telephone (718) 590-4047. AB GERARD (JERRY) McCARTHY Anyone who knew Jerry and sailed with him on the Sgt. Matej Kocak from February 2 to February 23, 1995, prior to his passing away, please contact his wife, Janet, at (904) 375-0004. 54 RAYMOND CHARLES MEEHAN 30 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Raymond Charles Meehan, please contact Roz Kocik at (716) 883-1360. 5 12 38 1 23 21 16 27 19 13 155 14 0 4 2 380 600 JOE TRAVIS Please contact Edna Mitchell at 125 Taylor Street, #3-B, Brooklyn, NY 11211; or telephone (718) 384-3415. - �16 SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco President John Fay Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Sacco Executive Vice President Augustin Tellez Vice President Contracts 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 DeanCorgey Vice President Gulf Coast r- .- HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 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 1221 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 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Mobile, AL 36605 (334) 478-0916 NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St. New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave. New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 529-7546 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St. Norfolk, VA 23510 (804) 622-1892 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S.4 St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75 Piney Point, MD 2067 4 (301) 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 Di vision (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop l6V2 Santurce, PR 00907 (809) 721-4033 SEA'ITLE 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 MARCH 16- APRIL 15, 1995 CL-Company/Lakes L-Lakes NP-Non Priority *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Cla~ L Class NP DECK DEPARTMENT 15 2 0 26 1 0 34 4 0 18 1 0 10 1 0 35 21 97 52 2 43 13 0 0 Totals All Departments 0 * "Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. ** "Registered on the Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 27 0 0 12 1 0 3 0 0 13 10 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 18 0 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 1 0 8 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters MARCH 16 - APRIL 15, 1995 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 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Cla~ C TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Cla~ B Class C Class A *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 43 0 7 0 3 10 1 1 0 0 12 0 0 2 6 32 3 14 0 0 1 1 1 0 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 9 13 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 5 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 49 5 8 63 5 8 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 1 0 0 0 4 2 7 0 0 0 0 2 0 9 0 6 0 37 72 17 45 3 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 3 0 21 8 36 7 0 0 0 0 2 17 0 22 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 1 0 0 0 2 5 8 0 0 3 2 0 0 2 2 2 1 4 0 0 I 1 6 0 11 0 1 0 6 8 2 2 3 Totals All Departments 60 11 19 74 7 9 105 22 * ''Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. ** "Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 56 ~.elU BULLETIN BOARD R & ~ tr7 DOCUMENTARY RECOGNIZES WWII MERCHANT MARINERS Seafarers and their families should tune in to their local Public Broadcasting System network on May 19, when an hour-long film, "The Men Who Sailed The Liberty Ships," will be shown nationally. The documentary explains how merchant mariners helped win World War II but were not recognized for their efforts until 1988. It includes tales of heroism and sacrifice by World War II mariners. It also describes the role played by maritime unions to provide mariners for the world's largest sealift operation. ~-SEAFARERS MUST RENEW Producer-writer-director Maria Brooks used a combination of oral interviews, films, photos and other sources to complete the project. Viewers should check their local public television station for the exact date and time of the viewing in their area. The film also is available on VHS cassette for $29.95 (plus $3.00 for shipping and handling) from Waterfront Soundings Productions, 3254 Kempton A venue, Oakland, CA 94611. Checks should be made payable to "Men: Liberty Ships Documentary." Issuance Year Z-CARDS BY 1999 Merchant seamen must renew their z-cards every five years, according to U.S. Coast Guard regulations. In order to keep their merchant mariner's documents up to date, Seafarers can use the chart on the right. Renewal dates are determined by the issuance date on the z-cards. The exact date of expiration matches the month and date when the document was issued. Renewal Year <(J UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS In order to ensure that SIU members and pensioners receive a copy of the Seafarers LOG each month-as well as other important mail-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 SIU 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 Contrql, Seafarers International Union, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 .. 1990 1985 1980 1975 1970 1965 1960 1955 1950 1945 1940 1991 1986 1981 1976 1971 1966 1961 1956 1951 1946 1941 1992 1987 1982 1977 1972 1967 1962 1957 1952 1947 1942 1937 1993 1988 1983 1978 1973 1968 1963 1958 1953 1948 1943 1938 1994 1989 1984 1979 1974 1969 1964 1959 1954 1949 1944 1939 1995 1996 1997 , 1998 1999 Source: Federal Register, September 27, 1994 �SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 J oining the growing number of SIU pensioners this month are a total of 14 members who have retired after many voyages on the world's oceans, waterways and lakes. Eight of those signing off shipped in the deep sea division, five navigated the inland waterways and one sailed on the Great Lakes. Four of the retiring Seafarers are veterans of the U.S.Navy. Two served in the U.S. Army. Another two were in the U.S. Coast Guard. One of the new retirees was in the U.S. Marine Corps. Among those joining the ranks of the retirees, William Mortier completed the bosun recertification course at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Of all the union brothers signing off this month, Rowland "Snake" Williams sailed with the SIU the longest - having joined the Seafarers in 1945 in the port of New York. Williams also sailed in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland divisions. On this page the LOG presents brief biographical accounts of this months pensioners. DEEP SEA WILLIS "WILLY" R. CAMPBELL,68, began his sailing ' career with the Seafarers in 1957 from the port of Detroit. The Michigan native started sailing in the union's Great Lakes division and later transferred his book to union's deep sea section, where he sailed as a member of the deck department. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1950 to 1952. Brother Campbell makes his home in Ohio. JOSEPH ''FRENCHY'' B.FRUGE, 60,joined the SIU in 1955 in the port of Lake Charles, La. He sailed in the deck department. Born and raised in Louisiana, Brother Fruge has retired to his home state. SAIFM. KASIM,65, signed on with the union in 1967 in the port of Seattle. Brother c...::.;;_-==-=-== Kasim shipped in the engine department. A native of the Republic of Yemen, he has retired to the country of his birth. WILLIAM MORTIER, 65, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1968 from the port of New York. Shipping as a member of the deck department, Brother Mortier upgraded regularly at To Our New Pensioners • • . Thanks for a Job Well Done 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. the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. and completed the bosun recertification program there in 1979. Born in the Netherlands, he now resides in Washington. LOUISR. SHULTZ, 65,joined the SIU in 1960 in the port of Detroit. Brother Shultz first began sailing in the deck department aboard Great Lakes vessels and later transferred his membership to the deep sea division. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1947 to 1950. Brother Shultz has retired to his home state of Ohio. port of Norfolk, Va. following a 25-year career with the U.S. Coast Guard, from 1950 to 1975. He sailed as a pilot and, most recently, as a captain. Boatman Daniels attended the SIU Atlantic Coast-Inland educational conference at the Lundeberg School in 1978. He has retired to his native North Carolina. DAVIDP. FARROW, 65,began his sailing career with the union in 1968 from the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Farrow sailed in the engine department. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1946 to 1966. Brother Farrow has retired to his native state of North Carolina. ROWLAND "SNAKE" WILLIAMS, 66, joined the SIU in 1945 in the port of New York. Boatman Williams shipped in both the deep sea and Great Lakes divisions before he began sailing the inland waterways. He mainly sailed in the deck 17 department and worked his way up to the rating of bosun. He also worked in the engine department. Brother Williams has been active in many SIU organizing drives and beefs. He served most recently on the union's annual financial review committees in 1994 and 1995. A native of Maryland, Brother Williams continues to reside in his home state. JOHN LEE TAYLOR, 62, signed on with the union in 1967 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Taylor sailed as a captain and upgraded at the Lundeberg School. A native of Virginia, Boatman Taylor continues to live there. GREAT LAKES JOHN E. PARKS, 62, a native of Michigan, began his sailing career with the Seafarers in 1961 from the port of Detroit. He sailed in the deck department as a deckhand and dredgeman. Brother Parks still calls Michigan home. RONALD SWANSON, 54, signed on with the union in 1968 in the port of Seattle. A member of the engine department, the North Dakota native upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961to1964. Brother Swanson makes his home in Washington state. TUVAO T. TAULA, 65, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1964 from the port of Wilmington, Calif. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Lundeberg School. Born in American Samoa, Brother Taula served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1961. He has retired to California. WILLIAM "WILLIE" R. WILLIAMS, 74, started sailing in 1936 and joined the SIU in 1947 in the port of Norfolk, Va. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Williams was actively involved in union affairs and participated in several organizing drives and beefs. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1947. Born in Virginia, Brother Williams now lives in New York. Quality is always a goal of Seafarers aboard SIU-contracted vessels, but aboard the Sea-La,nd Quality, crewmembers have the additional aim of making sure they live up to its name. Everything aboard the Sea-Land Services' ship is performed with quality in mind-from the nutritious meals to the smooth-running engines to the well maintained cargo areas. Following its monthly stopover in Elizabeth, N.J. for loading (where Patrolman Jack Sheehan met with the crew and took these photos), the containership headed to the North Atlantic ports of Rotterdam and Bremerhaven. INLAND WILLIAM M. BURRISS, 55, signed on with the union in 1963 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Burriss became a licensed marine operator and sailed as captain. The North Carolina native served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1962. Boatman Burriss continues to reside in North Carolina. AMOS R. DANIELS, 62, joined the SIU in 1977 in the / Representing the three departments aboard the Bosun Kadir P. Amat (left) and AB/Deck Main- Sea-Land Quality are (standing) Steward Terry J. tenance Porfirio Sambula take part in the union Smith, AB Howard Yaekel (left) and Electrician Kenmeeting held aboard ship. neth F. Linah. �18 SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 Safety Is Priority #1 for Liberty Sea Crew Whether loading grain bound for Israel or performing routine maintenance on the 738-foot bulk carrier, Seafarers aboard the Liberty Sea note that safety is always their first concern. "Bosun Tyrone Burrell really stresses the need for safety aboard ship," said SIU Patrolman Bobby Milan, who recently visited the Liberty Sea while it took on cargo in the port of New Orleans. "No matter what task crewmembers are performing, they do it safely. It is something the entire crew is proud of." The Liberty Sea travels to many different ports worldwide and has completed several consecutive trips to the Israeli ports of Haifa and Ashod, carrying grain cargoes of com and soybeans. While the 63,739 ton Liberty Maritime bulk carrier recently was docked in the Crescent City, deck department members were chipping and painting the starboard bridge wing, which the bosun noted could be dangerous because of the location of the wing as well as sea and weather conditions. Milan added that Liberty Sea deck crewmembers took every precaution necessary while completing the chipping and painting. This included the use of proper safety belts and the placement of nets under the deck department members while they worked. "The guys were very high up in the air and had to be very careful," recalled Milan. "The safety belts and nets secured them as they did their work. You have to be really careful when performing such duty because a slip to the left or right and you could fall. But, as with all Seafarers-who are well trainedsafety is observed and the job is completed successfully," concluded Milan. Chief Cook Antoinette Spangler gathers the necessary items in the chill box to prepare lunch for the crew of the Liberty Sea. Bosun Tyrone Burrell points to a safety net placed below deck department members who are scraping and painting the Liberty Sea's starboard bridge wing. Making sure the engines are running properly before another long voyage is QMED Bruce Zenon. Shifting the bulk carrier's gangway are (from left to right) DE Us Walter Laux and Guadalupe Campbell, Bosun Tyrone Burrell and ABs Wilfred Rice and Bruce Robinson. Seafarers Aboard Car Carrier Witness l'ierside Collision in NJ Seafarers aboard the Faust were spared a potentially devastating accident when a large German-flag, German-registered containership quickly diverted its course to avoid colliding with the car carrier. Seconds later, the containership plowed into a cement pier. On March 7, in a heavy fog, crewmembers aboard the Faust had just finished cargo operations at the Northeast Auto Terminal in the port of Bayonne, NJ., when they were alerted that the Genoa Senator was sailing at a swift speed toward that pier. QMED Glen Benoit was on the stem ramp when he saw the ship coming. He quickly notified the other crewmembers. Visibility was reported to be so limited that crewmembers did not even spot the speeding German containership until it was about 200 feet away. "The bow was coming straight toward us, and we all wondered what the ship was doing," recalled Steward/Baker Frank Cummings, who supplied the photo accompanying this story. "The only thing we can figure is that they just didn't see us or the pier. When they did, they thrust the ship onto the pier instead of hitting us," Cummings told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Genoa Senator hit a small section of the loading ramp at the Northeast Auto Terminal. The force of the accident knocked two plates off the Faust's stem ramp. The damage was very minimal, and the Faust was able to sail later that day following a thorough inspection. The Genoa Senator, however, was not as lucky. Cook Chris Arrocena, chief cook aboard the Faust, recalled the severity of the damage done to the vessel. "The ship plowed into the cement dock and peeled 45 feet off the bow of the ship-like a can opener," Arrocena recalled. TomMurray,thevesselsuperintendent for International Marine Carriers (which operates the Faust) was in the engineroom at the time of the collision and came topside when he heard the commotion. "We were very, very lucky that no one was hurt," Murray said. "The Faust was checked for leakage where the gangway had been hit, but no damage was found and the ship was able to sail," the superintendent noted. "We came very close to a catastrophe. We are all very lucky," he concluded. Faust transports The automobiles between the U.S. and Europe. Built in 1985, the car carrier is equipped with 600,000 square feet of parking area. An investigation into the cause Chief Cook Chris Arrocena stands on the deck of the Faust and points of the collision is being con- to the damage done to the bow of the Genoa Senator after the ducted by the U.S. Coast Guard. containership hit a cement pier in Bayonne, N.J. �SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 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. AMERICAN MERLIN (Osprey Shipping), January 29-Chairman Antonio Trikoglou, Secretary Charles Roldan, Educational Director Rex Bolin, Deck Delegate Edward French, Engine Delegate Frank Mannino, Steward Delegate Steve Dickson. Chairman advised crewmembers to take advantage of upgrading courses offered at Piney Point. Educational director reported purchase by captain of compact disc player in Rota, Spain for crew's entertainment. Treasurer announced $250 in ship's fund. Deck, engine and steward delegates reported disputed OT. AB Joe Whalen asked crewmembers to help keep laundry room clean. OVERSEAS HARRIETTE (Maritime Overseas), February 21-Chairman Jim McDonald, Engine Delegate Ronnie Bond. Chairman stated everything running smoothly and thanked crew for cooperation. Educational director reminded members to upgrade at Lundeberg School. Deck delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward delegates. Crew asked union to check quality of linens and food aboard ship. SEA-LAND HAWAII (Sea-Land Services), February 26-Chairman James Carter, Secretary Rolando Lopez, Educational Director Gerald Stacy, Deck Delegate Ab· dulhamid Musaed, Engine Delegate Darrell Hurts, Ste-ward Delegate Glenn Taan. Chairman thanked crew for cooperation in separating plastic items from other garbage. He advised members of no smoking policy in crew mess area. Secretary thanked engine department for safety repairs completed in galley. Secretary also thanked bosun and deck delegate for replacing old non-skid surface in galley deck. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed posting of movie funds . Extra pillows and mattresses also requested by crew. Next port: Oakland, Calif. SEA-LAND KODIAK (Sea-Land Services), February 1-Chairman Glen Christianson, Secretary Aubrey Gething, Educational Director Clifford McCoy, Steward Delegate Cynthia Caster. Chairman announced payoff upon arrival in port. Secretary reported smooth voyage. Educational director discussed upgrading at Lundeberg School. Treasurer announced $40 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman asked captain to provide dockside transportation for crew. He also asked chief engineer to move trash compactor from galley area to garbage room where it can be utilized for plastic reduction. Chairman requested slop sink be placed in garbage room. Crew reported ventilation fan to be taken ashore for repair. Chairman announced transportation will be furnished four hours after arrival and four hours prior to sailing. Crew extended special vote of thanks to galley crew for good food. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. RANGER(Vulcan Carriers), February 5-Chairman Johnny Wolfe, Secretary Chih·Hua Chang, Educational Director Theodore Quinones, Deck Delegate Robert Desmarteau, Engine Delegate Craig Spencer, Steward Delegate Tookie Davalie. Chainnan asked that no plastic items be thrown overboard. He reminded crewmembers to be careful on main deck in bad weather. Bosun also advised crew to be cautious when ashore in foreign countries. He reminded members of no-smoking-on-deck policy and discussed purchase of movies in next port. Educational director noted importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT. Crew gave chief cook vote of thanks for excellent job. SEAL/FT ARCTIC (IMC), February 17-Chairman Warren Blankenship, Secretary Beverly Harris, Educational Director Neil Carter, Deck Delegate Jack Mottia, Engine Delegate Dennis Swords, Steward Delegate Neville Hughes. Chairman announced smoking allowed 30 minutes before and after meals. He also noted no smoking at any time in crew laundry room. He reminded crewmembers to close water tight doors on main deck because of air conditioning and put tools away after use. Educational director advised members to take tanker safety class at Piney Point. Deck delegate reported crew dryer needs repair or replacement. Steward delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck or engine delegate. Crew asked for locks on all rooms. Crew noted vessel being sold and is scheduled for layup in Houston at end of month. CAROLINA (Navieras), February 21-Chairman Jose Martin, Secretary Albert Coale, Educational Director David Able, Engine Delegate James Brown, Steward Delegate Richard Worobey. Engine delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT by deck or steward delegates. Galley Gangs Get Rave Reviews OMI Dynachem crew praises Chief Cook Tom Kreis ... USNS Stalwart's galley crew receives kudos ... SeaLand Consumer Seafarers hail culinary skills ofArthur Edwards ... Ranger seamen extol Chief Cook Tookie Davalie's work . .. Sealift Atlantic's 'Big Al' Williams lauded ... Overseas Marilyn steward group recognized . .. LNG Leo's food handlers applauded . .. Green Island's galley gang commended . .. Sea-Land Kodiak's steward department members' work complimented. GREEN ISLAND (Waterman Steamship), March 26-Chairman Robert Van Brunt, Secretary Howard Williams, Educational Director James Laratta, Deck Delegate Robert Stevenson, Engine Delegate Andre Smith, Steward Delegate Ovidio Crespo. Chairman thanked crewmembers standing watch for being quiet while others are sleeping. Bosun thanked Brother Williams for running effective steward department. Secretary announced ship laying up in port of Singapore on March 28. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew commended galley gang for job well done and announced receipt of two new washing machines and dryers . LNG CAPRICORN (ETC), March 5-Chairman Billie Darley, Secretary J.L. Gibbons, Educational Director Thomas Harris, Deck Delegate Michael McCartney, Engine Delegate Aaron Thaxton. Chairman congratulated crew for excellent safety practices. He stressed importance of shipboard union meetings to keep communication flowing. Treasurer announced $152 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Captain addressed members at union meeting concerning loading of gas in Arnn, Indonesia. He noted that port is running out of gas and ship will be re-routing to Bontang, Indonesia to pick up LNG cargo. Crew discussed taking up donations for Japanese earthquake victims. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. LNG LEO (ETC), March 5Chairman Philip Parisi, Secretary Henry Jones Jr., Educational Director Paul Pagano, Engine Delegate Richard Robertson, Steward Delegate Glenn Wil· Iiams. Chairman announced union and company to meet this month to resolve shipboard concerns. He discussed telex from union headquarters concerning AB watch standing. Educational director noted Piney Point open year round for upgrading classes. Deck delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward delegates. Chairman said Seafarers LOGs received and SIU President Michael Sacco's report posted. Chairman noted cable will be run from radio room to crew decks so crewmembers can hook up if they have a TV - for CNN, TNT and ESPN. Entire crew gave big hand to steward department for good food and clean ship. Next port: Arnn, Indonesia. OM/ DYNACHEM (OMI), March 26-Chairman Larry Kunc, Secretary S. Wagner, Educational Director Eusebio Figueroa, Deck Delegate Amante Gumiran, Engine Delegate Ali Asumari, Steward Delegate Tom Kreis. Chairman reported discussion by patrolman of SIU's role in politics concerning U.S. merchant marines. He also informed crew of tanker operations course at Paul Hall Center. Bosun announced expected payoff date and added room inspection will be conducted. He discussed letter from union concerning SeaLand' s reflagging. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department with special appreciation to Chief Cook Kreis who will be signing off after voyage. Next port: Texas City, Texas. OM/ MISSOURI (OMI), March 13-Chairman Stephen Argay, Secretary C. Clanton, Educational Director Glenn Bumpas, Deck Delegate John Shepherd, Steward Delegate John Arvanites. Chairman asked crewmembers to voice any concerns about safety on the job. Secretary announced union benefit forms available for all members. Educational director encouraged crewmembers to take advantage of upgrading classes at Lundeberg School. Treasurer noted $50 in ship's fund and discussed using money for telephone calls or sympathy flowers. Deck and steward delegates reported disputed OT. Bosun read letter from union headquarters concerning questions from members about shipping limits, pension benefits and relief. Crew requested new TV, VCR and videotapes. Crew thanked steward department for job well done and thanked bosun for good union leadership and representation. Chairman encouraged all members to practice common sense and judgment in safety matters at all times and stressed importance of safety meetings. Next port: New Orleans. OVERSEAS MARILYN (Maritime Overseas), March 12Chairman Marco Galliano, Secretary Jose Rivera, Educational Director Louis Gracia, Steward Delegate Thomas Gingerich. Chairman informed crew of layup and payoff in Texas. Secretary reminded eligible crewmembers to apply for upgrading courses at Piney Point. Engine delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck or steward delegates. Crew requested increased optical benefits. Entire crew gave vote of thanks to galley gang for job well done. 19 well done with special thanks given to "Big Al" of galley gang for always being happy and smiling. QMED Peter Sorensen reminded crew to clean quarters before signing off. SEA-LAND CONSUMER (SeaLand Service), March 12-Chairman Amado Abaniel, Secretary Ray Garcia, Educational Director Brian Connell, Deck Delegate Frank Cammuso, Engine Delegate Teddie Carter, Steward Delegate Arthur Edwards. Chairman extended special vote of thanks to deck department and reminded crew to take tanker safety course at Paul Hall Center. Secretary reminded members to check expiration date on z-cards. Educational director noted that Staying Informed Aboard the Duchess - A shipboard union meeting while in port means, among other thin9s, an opportunity to receive and catch up on all the latest union news. So it was recently in San Juan, P.R., when the crew of the Duchess met with an SIU patrolman. From the left aboard the Ocean Ships, Inc. vessel are Bosun David Newman, AB A. Reed and QMED Felipe Torres. OVERSEAS OH/O(Maritirne Overseas), March 19-Chairman Greg Hamilton, Secretary Earl Gray Sr., Educational Director Scott Wilkinson, Deck Delegate Santiago Ludan, Engine Delegate Gregory Johns, Steward Delegate Ernest Polk. Chairman commended deck department for stripping and waxing decks. Permission given by captain for purchase of lamp shades for crew recreation room. Bosun thanked everyone for hard work during recent bad weather. He reported ship will discharge in Long Beach, Calif. next voyage. Secretary reminded crew to take new tanker safety course at Lundeberg School. Educational director discussed importance of attending this and other classes at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked headquarters to check on mail delivery. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port: Honolulu, Hawaii. RICHARD G. MATTHIESEN safety comes first in all shipboard work. Beefs reported by steward delegate. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck or engine delegates. Chairman asked crew to read Seafarers LOG. Crew thanked galley gang, especially Arthur Edwards, the 30-year man, for excellent meals. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND PATRIOT (SeaLand Service), March 25-Chairman Robert Garcia, Secretary Peter Schutz, Steward Delegate Ernesto Meneses. Chairman noted crew recreation area furniture to be redone. Educational director advised crew to upgrade at Piney Point, utilizing courses such as tanker operations class to increase knowledge. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew noted letter from headquarters posted. Chairman asked crew to turn TV and VCR off when finished . Members reminded to return room keys and clean quarters before signing off. Chairman asked entire crew for help in keeping ship clean. Bosun also reminded crewmembers smoking not allowed in mess halls. (Ocean Shipholding), March 12Chairman James Martin, Secretary Lovell McElroy, Educational Director Ronnie Day, Deck Delegate Dana Naze, Engine Delegate Dean Dobbins, Steward Delegate Daniel Maxie. Educational director reminded crew that members working on tankers must enroJI as soon as possible in tanker operations class at Piney Point. Treasurer announced $1,080 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked contracts department to look into increasing number of vacation days awarded per month aboard vessel. Next port: Charleston, S.C. SEA-LAND PRIDE (Sea-Land Service), March 11-Chairman M. Abdulla, Secretary P. Scott, Educational Director K. Pamagotis, Deck Delegate Donald Boatright. Chairman discussed with crewmembers upcoming reflagging of the Sea-Land Pride in Singapore. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman thanked entire crew for job well done during last few sailing weeks while waiting for reflagging and change of crews. SEAL/FT ATLANTIC (IMC), March 18-Chainnan Carlos Loureiro, Secretary Al Williams, Deck Delegate Ricardo Ramos, Engine Delegate Bernard Hutching, Steward Delegate Luis Caballero. Bosun announced ship has been sold to Greek company and reported payoff in Orange, Texas. He thanked crew for job well done in tank cleaning, cargo operations and for good seamanship. Educational director reminded crew about tanker safety course in effect at Lundeberg School. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department for job USNS STALWART(U.S. Marine Management), March 1-Chairman T.C. Oneyear, Secretary John Neal, Deck Delegate John Stambach, Engine Delegate Chuck Stamper. Chairman discussed Seafarers LOG and future of U.S. maritime industry with crewmembers. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew also discussed future ship assignments. Crew thanked steward department for outstanding ship. They noted deep satisfaction with chow and excellent attitudes of entire galley gang. Next port: Key West, Fla. �20 SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 •a a.s','i'·l! 11~u1 nw1 Preparing to participate in a union meeting aboard Chief Steward Dorothy Barnes (left) and Bosun the Sea/ift Caribbean are AB Arthur Machado (left) Michael Galbraith sign the ship's minutes following and OS Jerome Sorupia. the shipboard meeting. Smooth Sailing Reported Aboard Sealift Caribbean Smooth sailing was the word from the SIU crew aboard the Sealift Caribbean during its -latest voyage. Bosun Michael Galbraith reported to the SIU Contracts Department through the minutes of the crew's shipboard union meeting on March 14 that all was going well aboard the IMC tanker. That view was backed up by AB Arthur Machado, who provided the accompanying photographs to the Seafarers LOG. "We had a great crew on board," he said after signing off. "Everyone got along and worked well together." Among the crewmembers Machado praised was OS Jerome Sorupia, who was sailing aboard his first vessel after completing the entry level pro- Heading for their work stations on the Sealift Caribbean are, from the left, SA Eugene Barnes, QMED Ty Harden and SA Van Monroe. gram at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. "Jerome had a wonderful attitude," Machado recalled. "Like others who come straight from Piney Point, he worked hard and wanted to learn all that he could." In the minutes, the whole crew praised the work of the galley gang. Chief Steward Dorothy Barnes, Chief Cook W.G. Lombard and Steward Assistants Eugene Barnes and Van Monroe were singled out for their superb meals which made the voyage along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts better. The Sealift Caribbean is one of nine vessels operated by IMC to transport jet fuel and other petroleum products for the Military Sealift Command (MSC). The 20-year-old Sealift Caribbean recently laid up in Port Arthur, Texas. The fate of the tanker and the other eight in Wiper Shawn Tapp (left), QMED C.M. Devonish (center) and ABC. the fleet is unclear as charters Wentworth listen during the shipboard meeting. on the vessels are expiring. Sealift Pacific Galley Crew Is Ready to Serve Waiting to fill the meal orders of their fellow crewmembers is the steward department aboard the Sealift Pacific. From the left are Chief Steward Stephen Bird, Chief Cook Neville Monteith and SA Nawa Williams. The vessel transports petroleum products for the Military Sealift Command. FINANCIAL REPORTS. The PAYMENT OF MONIES. No constitution of the SIU Atlantic, moniesaretobepaidtoanyoneinany Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters Dis- official capacity in the SIU unless an trict makes specific provision for official union receipt is given for safeguarding the membership ' s same. Under no circumstances money and union finances. The should any member pay any money constitution requires a detailed for any reason unless he is given such audit by certified public accountants receipt In the event anyone attempts every year, which is to be submitted to require any such payment be made to the membership by the secretary- without supplying a receipt, or if a treasurer. A yearly finance committee member is required to make a payof rank-and-file members, elected by ment and is given an official receipt, the membership, each year examines but feels that he or she should not the finances of the union and reports have been required to make such payfully their findings and recommenda- ment, this should immediately be tions. Members of this committee reported to union headquarters. may make dissenting reports, C 0 N s TIT u TI o NA L specific recommendations and RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. separate findings. Copies of the SIU constitution are TRUST FUNDS. All trust available in all union halls. All funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, members should obtain copies of Lakes and Inland Waters District this constitution so as to familiarize are administered in accordance themselves with its contents. Any with the provisions of various trust time a member feels any other fund agreements. All these agree- member or officer is attempting to ments specify that the trustees in deprive him or her of any constitucharge of these funds shall equally tional right or obligation by any consist of union and management methods, such as dealing with charrepresentatives and their alternates. ges, trials, etc., as well as all other All expenditures and disburse- details, the member so affected ments of trust funds are made only should immediately notify headupon approval by a majority of the quarters. trustees. All trust fund financial EQUAL RIGHTS. All memrecords are available at the head- hers are guaranteed equal rights in quarters of the various trust funds. employment and as members of the SHIPPING RIGHTS. A SIU. These rights are clearly set forth member's shipping rights and in the SIU constitution and in the conseniority are protected exclusively tracts which the union has negotiated by contracts between the union and with the employers. Consequently, no the employers. Members should get member may be discriminated against to know their shipping rights. ~use of race,~· ~l~r, sex, naCopies of these contracts are posted t:mnal or geographic ongm. If ~y and available in all union halls. If me~ber feels t~at he or ~he is members believe there have been demed the equal nghts to which he violations of their shipping or or she is entitled, the member seniority rights as contained in the should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the ACTIVITY DONATION Seafarers Appeals Board by certified SPAD. SPAD is a separate mail, return receipt requested. The segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purproper address for this is: poses including, but not limited to, Augustin Tellez, Chairman furthering the political, social and Seafarers Appeals Board economic interests of maritime 5201 Auth Way workers, the preservation and furCamp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred thering of the American merchant to are available to members at all marine with improved employment times, either by writing directly to the opportunities for seamen and boatunion or to the Seafarers Appeals men and the advancement of trade Board. union concepts. In connection with CONTRACTS. Copies of all such objects, SPAD supports and SIU contracts are available in all SIU contributes to political candidates for halls. These contracts specify the elective office. All contributions are wages and conditions under which an vol.u~tary. No ~ontribution may be SIU member works and lives aboard solicited or received because of force, a ship or boat. Members should know job discrimination, financial reprisal, their contract rights, as well as their or ~~t of such con?u~t, or ~ a obligations, such as filing for over- cond1tlonofmembershipm ~e~ru~n time (01) on the proper sheets and or of employment If a contnbut10.n is in the proper manner. If, at any made by reason of the above rmtime a member believes that an proper conduct, the member should SIU ~atrolman or other union offi- not!fy the Seafarers Int~rnation~l cial fails to protect their contrac- U~~n or SPAD by ce~fi~ mail tual rights properly, he or she ~1thi~ 30 ?ays of the con~butlon.for should contact the nearest SIU port mvestJ.gatJ.on and appropnate action agent. and refund, if involuntary. A member EDITORIAL POLICY - should support SPAD to protect and THE SEAFARERS LOG. The further his or her economic, political Seafarers LOG traditionally has and social interests, and American refrained from publishing any article trade union concepts. NOTIFYING TIIE UNIONserving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officeror mem- If at any time a member feels that ber. It also has refrained from publish- any of the above rights have been ing articles deemed harmful to the violated, or that he or she has been union or its collective membership. denied the constitutional right of This established policy has been reaf- access to union records or informafinned by membership action at the tion, the member should immediSeptember 1960 meetings in all con- ately notify SIU President Michael stitutional ports. 'The responsibility Sacco at headquarters by certified for Seafarers WG policy is vested in mail, return receipt requested. an editorial board which consists of The address is: the executive board of the union. The Michael Sacco, President executive board may delegate, from Seafarers International Union among its ranks, one individual to 5201 Au th Way carry out this re.5p0nsibility. Camp Springs, MD 20746. �SEAFARERS LOG MAY1995 21 Final Departures DEEP SEA SCOTT C. ALDERSON union merged with the SIU's AGUWD. Brother Colar retired in August 1973. ROBERT M. DEAN Pensioner Alfred H. Anderson, 76, died March 9. Brother Anderson signed on with the SIU as a charter member in 1939 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Sailing in the deck department, he completed the bosun recertification course in 1974 at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. A native of Virginia, he retired in April 1980. • DONALD J. BIRKLAND Donald J. Birkland, 71 , died February 19. Born in South Dakota, he began sailing with the union in 1988 from the port of New York. He shipped in the engine department and held the rating of electrician. Brother Birkland attended upgrading courses at the Lundeberg School. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. CHARLES J. BRENNICK Pensioner Charles J. Brennick, 69, passed away December 16, 1994. Brother Brennick signed on with the i l Seafarers in 1956 in the port of New York. He sailed in the engine department. A native of Massachusetts, Brother Brennick retired in August 1990. SANTIAGO CERRA TO Pensioner Santiago Cerrato, 66, died -February 19. Born in Honduras, he began his sailing career with the SIU ~-----~in 1969from the port of New Orleans. Brother Cerrato shipped in the engine department and upgraded at the Lundeberg School . He began receiving his pension in July 1994. DAVIDE. CHRISTIAN Pensioner David E. Christian, 85, died November 1, 1994. He joined the union in 1966 in the port of New York. Brother Christian shipped in the steward department. Born in Germany, he retired in June 1976. WILLARD C. COLAR Pensioner Willard C. Colar, 70, died April 17, 1994. He signed on with the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1955, before that RobertM. Dean, 63, passed away March 12. Born in the Philippines, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He began sailing with the SIU in 1968 from the port of New York. Brother Dean sailed in the engine department and upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. WALTERE.DEVEREAUX WalterE. Devereaux, 50, died March 26. Born in Texas, he signed on with the Seafarers in 1972 in the port of San Francisco. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Devereaux upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. PETER J. GARAY Pensioner Peter J. Garay, 66, died September 15, 1994. Following his graduation from the Andrew Furuseth Training School for entry level seamen, he began his SIU sailing career in 1956 in his native New York. He sailed in the engine department and upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. Brother Garay began receiving his pension in February 1983. ARVID GYLLAND Pensioner Arvid GylIand, 78, died October 5, 1994. Brother Gylland signed on with the Seafarers in '-------------'= '-'--------' 1943 in the port of New York and sailed in the deck department. Born in Norway, Brother Gylland began receiving his pension in September 1971 . YACOB B. HASSAN Pensioner Yacob B. Hassan, 68, passed away February 19. He joined the SIU in 1969 in the port of Baltimore. Brother Hassan sailed in the deck department. Born in Singapore, he retired in May 1992. GORDON M. JOHNSON GordonM. Johnson, 56, died March 18. A graduate of the Andrew Furuseth sailing career with the union in 1965 from the port of New York. Brother Johnson shipped in the steward department. Born in New York, he served in the U.S. Anny from 1956 to 1960. STEPHEN J. JURETIC Pensioner Stephen J. Juretic, 67, died December 10, 1994. Born in Oregon, he joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1951 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU' s AGLIWD. He served in the military from 1945 to 1948. Brother Juretic began receiving his pension in July 1973. ELMER MOYER Elmer Moyer, 66, died January 2. He joined the union in 1971 in his native New York. Brother Moyer shipped in the deck department. He served in the U.S. Navy .from 1945 to 1954. DAVIDH.PALI Pensioner David H. Pali, 81, passed away November 17, 1994. Born in Hawaii, he joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in the late 1940s, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Pali began receiving his pension in July 1978. EVERETT R. PERRY Pensioner Everett R. Perry, 80, died March 20. Brother Perry graduated from the Andrew ._____ _ _ _ ____, Furuseth Training School for entry level seamen in 1958. He began shipping with the Seafarers from the port of New York as a member of the steward department. He served in the U.S. Army from 1940 to 1941. A native of Missouri, Brother Perry retire.cl in December 1982. LUCIANO RAMOS Pensioner Luciano Ramos, 95, passed away January 17. He signed on with the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1946 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU ' s AGLIWD. Born in the Philippines, Brother Ramos began receiving his pension in March 1967. JOHN E. ROBBINS John E. Robbins, 53, passed away March 17. Brother Robbins graduated from the Andrew °'§j': Furuseth Training School for entry level seamen in 1964 and joined the union in the port of New York. Brother Robbins sailed in the deck department. He served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962. WALENTY ROZMUS Pensioner W alenty Rozmus, 72, passed away January 18. Born in New Jersey, he joined the union in 1964 in the port of New York. Brother Rozmus began his SIU career aboard Great Lakes vessels and later transferred his book to the deep sea division. Sailing in the engine department, he upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Anny from 1942 to 1946. Brother Rozmus retired in October 1985. JOSE L. ROMERO ~ Pensioner Jose L. Romero, 65, passed away March 18. A native of Texas, he began his sailing career with the SIU in 1951 from the port of Galveston, Texas. He shipped in the steward department. Brother Romero began receiving his pension in September 1988. pleted the steward recertification course at the Lundeberg School in 1980. Brother Wilson began receiving his pension in April 1990. INLAND JOHN BENITEZ John Benitez, 59, died ;;; March 12, ti J:~~!~~e signed on with the Seafarers in 1953 in the port of New York. Boatman Benitez sailed as a member of the deck department. ROGER R. FARROW Pensioner Roger R. Farrow, 67, passed away September 18, 1994. A native of North Carolina, he joined the SIU in 1971 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Farrow sailed in the deck department. He began receiving his pension in May 1989. JEFFREY D. SERMAN EDWARD A. SCHAEFFER Jeffrey D. Serman, 42, passed away May 5, 1994. Born in Ohio, Brother Serrnan joined the Seafarers in 1990 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. Brother Serman shipped in the deck department. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1972 to 1975. Pensioner Edward A. Schaeffer, 86, died February 19. Boatman Schaeffer joined the SIU in 1956 in the port of Baltimore. He sailed in both the engine and deck departments. A native of Maryland, Boatman Schaeffer retired in November 1980. PETERSPATALO EARL STABLER Pensioner Peter Spatalo, 75, died December 12, 1994. Born in New Jersey, he began sailing with the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1940 from the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Spatalo retired in December 1975. Pensioner Earl Stabler, 74, passed away January 31. A native of Alabama, he signed on with the union in 1974 in the port of Mobile, Ala. Boatman Stabler sailed in the deck department. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. Boatman Stabler began receiving his pension in February 1984. O.B.D. THOMPSON Pensioner O.B.D. Thompson, 76, died March 13. Brother Thompson signed on with the SIU as a charter member in 1938 in the port of Mobile, Ala. He sailed in the deck department. Born in Alabama, he began receiving his pension in January 1973. JOSEPH TRAMONTANIC Pensioner Joseph Tramontanic, 79, passed away January 18. He began sailing with the Seafarers in 1948 from the port of New York. Brother Tramontanic shipped in the engine department and upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1942 to 1945. Born in Yugoslavia, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Brother Tramontanic retired in December 1990. WILLIE F. WILSON Pensioner Willie F. Wilson, 78, died March 19. Born in Alabama, Brother Wilson joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1939, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. He corn- GREAT LAKES WOODROW L. MULL Pensioner Woodrow L. Mull, 78, died March 12. Born in Michigan, he joined the union in the port of Frankfort, Mich. in 1961, sailing as a porter and coalpasser for the Arcadia (Mich.) Railroad No. 1 and the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Car Ferries Railroad from 1960 to 1979. Brother Mull began receiving his pension in February 1979. ATLANTIC FISHERMEN DANNY CIARAMITARO Pensioner Danny Ciaramitaro, 87, died February 28. He signed on with the Atlantic Fishermen's Union as a charter member in 1938 in the port of Gloucester, Mass. Brother Ciaramitaro was skilled at making and repairing fishing nets and was known as one of the best twine men in Gloucester. Born in Massachusetts, he began receiving his pension in April 1972. �22 MAY1995 SEAFARERS LOG Lundeberg School Graduating Classes SEAFARERS HARRY LUNDEBERG SCHOOL LIFEBOAT CLASS 535 I Chief Steward Class- Marking their graduation from the nine-week chief steward class are (from left) Sedonia Sparks, Michel Noeffer, Alan W. Bartley, Ben Henderson, Amy K. Rippel, Gum Poy Wong and Saundra Leonard. -·-=--. Trainee Lifeboat Class 535- Graduating from trainee lifeboat class 535 are (from left, kneeling) Robert C. Hoppenworth, Auja L. Rogers, Jeffrey M. Gill, Christopher L. Millikan, (second row) James A. Fekany, Randall W. Reed, Jeffrey K. Spradlin, Julie D. Gramling, Johnny Delgado and Troy Gruber (instructor). Hydraulics- Completing the hydraulics class on Maf9h 15 are (front row, from left) Sean Nolan, Edward Rynberg, John Groom, (second row) George Hoopes, DiMarko Shoulders, Dan Holden (instructor), Stanley Golden, Dennis Riley and Steven Melendez. Welding- Certificates of graduation were received on March 15 by upgrading members taking the welding class. They are (kneeling, from left) Michael Novak, William Mogg, Craig Niedzielski, (second row) Samuel Garrett, Robert Ashmore, Gregory Eastwood and William McClure (instructor). Advanced Firefighting- Upgrading SIU members completing the advanced firefighting course on March 9 are (from left, kneeling) John Smith (instructor), David Sundling, John Crockett, Nicholas Conway, Stephen Welsh, John Gibbons, Jose A. Lopez, (second row) Gustavo Osorio, Michael Morrissey, Larry Jones, Robert Torres, Robert Papale, Michael Ellis, Frank Hedge, Mark Ramsey, (third row) Christopher Conlin, Phillip Yeomans, Charles Brr.1shaw, Jerrry Stropich, Raymond McKnight, Lawrence Holbert, Scott A. Coburn, Thomas Stropich, William Shelly and Randy Peterson. �MAY1995 23 SEAFARERS LOG LUNDEBERG SCHOOL 1995 UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE The following is the course schedule for classes beginning bet\\\een May and October 1995 at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship located at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Pinex 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 Steward Upgrading Courses Course Assistant Cook/Cook and Baker, Chief Cook, Chief Steward Course QMED ·Any Rating Diesel Engine Technology Refrigeration Technician Certification Fireman/Watertender & Oiler Start Date Date of Completion Able Seaman July 31 October20 Bridge Management (Shiphandling) July 17 October9 July 28 October 20 Hydraulics Lifeboatman July 17 July 28 Marine Electrical Maintenance I Limited License/License Prep. July 3 September 25 August 11 November3 Radar Observer/Unlimited May22 July 10 August 14 September 25 May26 July 14 August 18 October29 Third Mate August28 December 15 Power Plant Maintenance Pumproom Maintenance Refrigeration Systems & Maint. Welding Basic Electronics Marine Electronics Course Start Date Date of Completion Advanced Firefighting September 11 September 22 Oil Spill Safety Recertification May 25 June 22 July 20 September 21 October 19 May25 June22 July 20 September 21 October19 Oil Spill Prevention & Containment August 7 Augustll Sealift Operations and Maintenance June 5 October9 June30 November3 Tanker Operations May 22 June 19 July 17 August 14 September 11 October9 June 16 July 14 August 11 Septembers October6 November3 Course Deck Inland Designated Duty Engineer/ Limited License/License Prep. Radar Observer/Inland Welding Electronics Hydraulics Date of Completion Junes November 6 August 7 Start Date May29 Augustl4 October23 July 24 Date of Completion June9 August25 November3 August4 May8 May22 July 17 September 25 May12 June2 July 28 October6 Additional Courses Course GED Preparation Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) Recertification Programs Steward Recertification Date of Completion November 3 July 28 November 3 June 23 June 30 July 14 October 20 December 15 July 7 November 10 June 30 September 8 August 25 September 22 October 6 November 17 June 2 June 30 Inland Courses Safety Specialty Courses Start Date May 1 October 2 July 3 Start Date August 14 July 3 October 9 June 19 June 26 May 1 August 7 October 2 June 5 October 9 May 22 July 31 July 17 September 11 August 28 October 23 May 8 June 5 All students must take the Oil Spill Prevention and Containment class. All students must take the Oil Spill Prevention and Containment class. Course Bosun Recertification Date of Completion September8 November17 Engine Upgrading Courses Course . Start Date June 16 August25 Start Date Mayl August22 Junes Septembers Date of Completion July 21 November to July 28 October27 Deck and Engine Department College Courses Course Session II Start Date June 5 Date of Completion July 28 Session III September 5 October 27 --~----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPGRADING APPLICATION Primary language spoken Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address (First) (Last) (Middle) ------------------------(Street) (City) (Zip Code) (State) Date of Birth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Telephone_...._-~-----(Area Code) (Month/Day/Year) lnland Waters Member D Lakes Member D Deep Sea Member D -· With this application, COPIES of your discharges must be submitted showing sufficient time to quo.Lify 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. END BEGIN DATE DATE COURSE If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed Social Security # Book # _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Seniority - - - - - - - - - - - - - D e p a r t m e n t _ _ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: D Yes D No Home Port - - - - - - - - - - - Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS trainee program? DYes DNo If yes, class# - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Have you attended any SHLSS upgrading courses? DYes DNo If yes, course(s) taken _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? DYes DNo Firefighting:DYes DNo CPR:DYes LAST VESSEL: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rating: _ _ _ __ Date On: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Date O f f : - - - - - - - - - - DNo 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. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Lundeberg School of Seamanship, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075. 5195 �SEAFARERS Have you planned your summer vacation? The Lundeberg School can provide you and your family with all the ingredients for an exciting vacation. For details and rates, see page 11. . ~ ~ .... O'Yy -:>»:='~ ,..,~ <""''~:::>~><%" •' .. •:::w. ~;.;:-w,« ~"* Volume 57, Number 5 May 1995 Narin's Journey From World War II Boxer and Seaman To Loyal Volunteer SIU charter member Ben Narin, 80, spends each day helping other senior citizens in his native Philadelphia. Whether driving someone between a doctor's office and home, consoling a person after the loss of a loved one or assisting with feeding at a local nursing home, Narin maintains an extremely busy volunteer schedule. Many of the people he aids are friends. Many more are strangers. Few would suspect the harrowing experiences which Narin, a lifelong trade unionist, survived during his years as a merchant mariner. An extrovert who possesses an unusual blend of ruggedness and kindheartedness, N arin survived two sinkings during World War II, spending a total of more than two weeks in lifeboats. On other occasions during the war, he narrowly avoided becoming a prisoner of war, permanently lost sight in one eye due to a shipboard injury, and was hospitalized in Beirut for three months because of typhoid fever. Narin also suffered a severe stab wound while fighting in the Spanish Civil War prior to World War II. Perhaps it is not surprising that from the late 1930s until he stopped sailing in 1944, Narin's idea of recreation was boxing. He trained aboard ship and fought all his bouts overseas, while his vessels were in port. He won the vast majority of his 90 fights, all against foreigners. "He has always been tough but friendly," says Paula Gart, one of Narin's twin daughters. Sailing at 13 Benjamin Leonard Narinsky was 13 years old in 1927, the year his father passed away. (He eventually shortened his last name.) Soon thereafter, he quit school and began searching for a way to help support his mother, brother and four sisters. "I was hopping boxcars, I didn't know where I was going," says Narin. ''Then I joined the merchant marine. I loved it." He lied about his age and caught a job as an OS aboard a Belgianflag ship. For the next 10 years, he sent his family what little money he earned at sea. In 1937, Narin sailed on a ship to Spain. While in port, he joined with the forces fighting against those of General Francisco Franco, who was backed by Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. "I was a crazy kid and I wasn't scared of anything, and I wanted to help," Narin explains. He fought for months before a bayonet wound temporarily rendered him lame. (The war lasted three years and resulted in more than 1 million casualties. Franco's side won.) After he returned home and his wound healed, Narin heard about the newly formed Seafarers International Union. "I was always a union man, always believed in them," he notes. He joined the SIU in 1939 in Philadelphia and returned to sea. Undeterred by his experience in Spain, Narin utilized his knowledge of freight and cargo operations to assist Jews in Palestine during the early stages of their battle for independence. He helped them on and off for a year, when his ship was in port. "I was able to get guns, food and other supplies for them. I'm Jewish, I felt I should help," he recalls. Close Call In December 1941, N arin was working as an AB on an SIU-contracted ship that was in port near Japan. "We had been there about a month. We left a few days before the attack on Pearl Harbor," he remembers. "If we hadn't left when we did, I'm sure we would have been POWs." His luck took a downward tum after the U.S. entered the war, though it could have been worse. In 1942, Narin survived a sinking in the Atlantic, eventually being rescued after nine days in a lifeboat. Later that year, during a severe storm, he fell and sustained a detached retina in his left eye. The injury eventually led to total blindness in that eye. But he kept sailing, even after a horrifying experience in 1943. Narin does not remember the name of the ship, only that it was sailing "somewhere in the Pacific." A Japanese submarine torpedoed and sank the vessel, and the survivors got into two lifeboats. "Then the Japanese sub came up and [machine-gunned] everyone in the other lifeboat." Everyone in that lifeboat was killed. The submarine's captain, who spoke English, emerged from his craft and loudly instructed the remaining survivors to warn their countrymen that the Allies wouldn't win the war. He then went back inside, and the submarine again slipped under the water. A week later, Narin and the others were rescued. Back to Sea Like so many of his fellow Seafarers from that period, N arin was not easily discouraged. After the incident in the Pacific, he resumed sailing. "I never thought about quitting. We had a patriotic duty," he says. He also continued boxing. Using the ring-name Benny Leonard, N arin fought at a weight of 160 pounds. He often faced opponents-pros as well as amateurs-who were as much as 20 pounds heavier, but he almost never lost. Accounts of some of his bouts appeared in the Seafarers LOG. "I was in top shape," he says. "I never smoked or drank, and I trained a lot on the ships." N arin relates that he never had trouble finding an opponent in the foreign ports. "As long as you were American, they wanted to see you fight" But both his sailing career and From his days of boxing by training aboard ship in the '40s to his current recognition for dedicated volunteer work (inset), Narin has always lived life to its fullest. his avocation of fighting were curbed a short time after the incident in the Pacific. Narin was struck with typhoid fever, an acute infectious disease acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water. He was taken off his ship, the William Patterson, in Beirut and spent the next three months in a hospital. After recovering, he made a trip on the Azalea City. Brother Perishes Narin never considered retiring from the sea because of his own hardships, but in the summer of 1944, his sailing career came to a tragic conclusion. Narin's older brother, Isadore, a member of another maritime union, was in San Francisco Bay aboard the Quinault Victory when an explosion devastated the ship. Isadore was one of the 23 crewmembers killed in the blast; there were 12 survivors. "We didn't see each other too often, but we were close," says Narin, who received several citations for his war service. At the urging of his sisters, Narin reluctantly stopped sailing. His timing proved fortunate. He was about to sign on the Azalea City again when he acquiesced to his sisters' wishes. Weeks later, the ship was sunk. By 1946, Narin had gotten married and his wife had given birth to twin girls. Narin got a job in the mail room of the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, where he would work for 23 years as a member of the Teamsters. He still maintains his Teamsters membership. "I believe in unions," he explains. "If it weren't for unions, people would be working for nothing." Narin retired 18 years ago, and since then has remained active with local charities and other volunteer organizations. Several groups have honored him for his efforts, and hundreds of people have written to thank Narin for his kind deeds. Despite his tough upbringing, his boxing exploits and his near-fatal experiences, Narin considers himself fortunate. "God has been good to me. I figure the best thing I can do is help other people," he says. Additionally, he is in good health and works out every day, running, playing handball and occasionally hitting the punching bags. "I don't take any medication," says Narin, who weighs 140 pounds. "Sometimes I feel like I'm 20." N arin needed all of his strength-along with plenty of support from family and friends-two years ago, when he was staggered by the death of his wife of 49 years, Ethel. "She was never sick ... but there's a reason why God takes you," Narin reflects. He took the loss very hard, but refused to dwell on it. Instead, he increased his already full schedule of volunteer activities. In accordance with his faith, he also began attending daily religious services to mourn Ethel's passing. "I thank God for the strength to keep doing whatever I can to help others," he concludes. N arin's Grandson . Retraces Merchant Mariners' Stories Jason Gart, grandson of SIU charter member Ben Narin, is a 23-year-old graduate student at Arizona State University. His thesis topic is the treatment of U.S. merchant mariners before, during and immediately following World War TI. While researching the subject, Gart has met with more than 100 retired merchant mariners who sailed during the war. "You have this vision of rough people who drink and curse," Gart says. "But the seamen I've met, they are the nicest people in the world. They've welcomed me into their homes, cooked for me. And the bond between them is incredible. They're real proud of what they did." Less appealing to Gart is the plight of World War II merchant mariners who didn't receive veterans status until 1988. "The government shafted them," says Gart. "That's one reason why I'm writing about this. I want to help set the record straight." (Editor's note: Gart would like to communicate with other merchant mariners who sailed during the 1930s and/or 1940s. He may be reached at P. 0. Box 2024, Newport Beach, CA 92659, telephone (714) 640-4771.) "'-' • ~ _ _..., Jason Gart pores through old bound volumes of the Seafarers LOG as part of his thesis research. � 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 May 1995 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES FULL SENATE READY TO CONISDER LIFTING ASLAKSAN OIL EXPORT BAN RANK-AND-FILE PANEL APPROVES FINANICAL RPORTS SIU WINS PAY PACKAGE FOR MEMBER’S LOST IN SEA-REFLAGGING HOUSE MARINE PANL BEGINS HEARINGS ON US. FLAG SHIP BILL UNION EXPANDS POLITICAL EFFORTS RUNAWAY SHIPOWNER ABANDONS CREW, VESSEL GL TOWING PACT RATIFIED BY CREWS SEAFARERS APPROVE 10-YEAR CROWLEY RO/RO ACCORD NEW BEDFORD SEAFARERS SEEK ALTERNATIVE FISHING SITES COAST GUARD CEASES FEE COLLECTION FOR MERCHANT MARINER’S DOCUMENTS ITF, COAST GUARD REPS TACKLE SAFETY ISSUES CLINIC OPENS FOR TEXAS BOATMEN EX-SEAFARER DISCOVERS HIDDEN SEA TREASURES TANKER COURSE STRESSES ACCIDENT PREVENTION BOATMEN USE MOORE’S LANDING AS STAGING AREA FOR TUGS/BARGES UNION GAINS PAY, BENEFITS PACKAGE FOR CREWS AFFECTED BY S-L FLAG SWITCH KIDS RATE A PINEY POINT VACATION TOPS WHY POLITICAL ACTION IS SO IMPORTANT ANOTHER BOOMING SAILING SEASON TAKES OFF ON LAKES HERO STATUS GOES TO CREW, BOSUN SAYS SAFETY IS PRIORITY #1 FOR LIBERTY SEA CREW SEAFARERS ABOARD CAR CARRIER WITNESS PIERSIDE COLLISION IN NJ SMOOTH SAILING REPORTED ABOARD SEALIFT CARIBBEAN NARIN’S JOURNEY FROM WORLD WAR II BOXER AND SEAMAN TO LOYAL VOLUNTEER 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 05/01/1995 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 5 1995 Periodicals Seafarers Log