http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/a3e93ace86aa6e685ab9f8e905c2328b.pdf 4d3775d289ae52093083e38fa95721cd PDF Text Text Volume 58, Number 4 April 1996 MarAd Head Rebuts Attack on Ship Bill SIU Members Crew First Converted RO/RO Page3 Page3 Proving that being retired does not mean staying home, pensioner Bill Drew heads up the gangway of the Stonewall Jackson to deliver Seafarers LOGsto SIU members when the vessel recently docked in Morehead City, N.C. Besides supplying LOGS, the retired QMED voluntarily provides members with trips to town to acquire personal items or takes them to visit with doctors during the short time ships are docked near his home. ---~ -- · ~ ~-- ----.-- - --.-... .. ... - .... - ~ _.. .- ~~- _,__.._ --- �2 APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOG President's Report Lockheed Martin Crews Ratify Jones Act Impact Periodically, forces seek to eliminate the Jones Act- one of America's great assets from an economic and national security aspect. These opponents of the nation's freight cabotage law are generally motivated by their own self interests. The present effort against the measure is being led by someone who has been involved with foreign-flag interests who would benefit tremendously if the Jones Act were altered. Seafarers must understand what the Jones Act is, what it is intended to do as well as how imporMichael Sacco tant it is to the nation and to the membership. First, Seafarers should know the tugs, barges and ships covered by the Jones Act provide the U.S. economy with approximately $15 billion annually in revenues. This figure includes such items as stores, supplies, equipment and fuel used by the vessels and their crews. These are goods that are purchased from American companies by other Americans for use on U.S.-flag vessels. Within that $15 billion figure is the estimated amount of federal income taxes paid by the Americans working on vessels covered by the Jones Act or in shoreside jobs directly related to the 1920 cabotage law. These working men and women provide nearly $1.1 billion each year in federal income taxes. As Congress continues seeking ways to balance the budget, $1.1 billion in government revenues is no small amount - especially when it is noted that the Jones Act does not require one penny of funding from the U.S. Treasury. Over and above the $1.1. billion that goes to the federal government, an additional $272 million in state income taxes are generated annually by these working Americans. As at the federal level, these are much needed dollars to help state governments across the country provide the services required by the citizens of their respective jurisdictions. Another way of looking at the impact of the Jones Act is to realize that nearly 124,000 Americans are employed in jobs that are directly related to the measure. The most obvious of these are the mariners who crew the many . vessels that move cargo between domestic ports. For Seafarers, this includes the Orgulf boatmen pushing loads of grain and coal along the Mississippi River, Great Lakes members moving ore on American Steamship Company bulkers, Higman Towing boatmen transporting petroleum goods along the Texas Intracoastal Waterway, Moran tugboatmen providing harbor services in the Chesapeake Bay, deep sea members working on a Navieras NPR, Inc. containership or union members bringing Alaskan oil aboard a Maritime Overseas tanker to various West Coast ports and others. There are many more people working in shoreside jobs related to the Jones Act fleet. Among them are the workers who repair and maintain U.S.-flag vessels and barges in domestic shipyards, the suppliers who make sure the yards have necessary materials, the chandlers who provide stores and equipment for the vessels, and many more. Another impact of the Jones Act is how it bolsters America's security. The law was created immediately following World War I to ensure America would have a strong shipbuilding infrastructure and merchant fleet to make sure it would not have to depend on other nations to build the ships or to move the goods produced by this country. The Jones Act provides that the United States, and no other government, controls the domestic waterways transportation infrastructure in times of peace and war. It specifies that vessels covered by the measure must be built in American shipyards. The law also makes sure that there are trained American mariners to crew the U.S.-flag vessels activated in times of national emergency, as demonstrated during the Persian Gulf War and, more recently, the peace mission in Bosnia. Environmental safety is another way the Jones Act impacts all Americans. U.S.-flag vessels sailing along America's coastlines, waterways and Great Lakes must meet stringent requirements established by federal, state and local governments. These laws are among the strongest in the world- by far, much stronger than the rules thought up by runaway-flag ship registries. Why is all of this so important? There are forces trying to convince Congress, state legislative bodies and the American public that the Jones Act is no longer needed. These forces are trying to say that foreign crews aboard foreign-flag vessels can do the jobs for less money that are now being performed by U.S.-flag, American-crewed boats and ships. But what these forces fail to say is what the total impact of weakening or killing the Jones Act would be. They fail to say that foreign crews will not pay federal, state and local taxes. They fail to say what will happen to the thousands of Americans removed from their jobs, replaced by exploited foreign crewmembers. They fail to say that, in some instances, foreign crews during the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars refused to deliver needed supplies to American troops. They fail to say that the foreign-flag vessels would not have to meet America's high environmental and safety standards, creating the increased likelihood of accidents and oil spills. They fail to say that foreign-flag vessels cannot provide the same level of quality and efficient service offered by today's U.S.flag fleet. The Jones Act today remains a viable, effective law. That is why the! union will continue its fight together with others in the maritime industry to make sure the Jones Act remains the same strong, important measure it has been since its enactment in 1920. First SIU-Negotiated Contract When the mariners who work aboard Lockheed Martin vessels and in shoreside capacities for the company in Fajardo, P.R. voted to join the SIU, they listed job security and workplace safety as two of their primary concerns. Those issues were targeted by the union's bargaining committee when it tackled contract negotiations with the company. Recently, the bargaining committee -made up of rank-and-file boatmen as well as union officialsan nounced its goal had been reached in a two-year contract unanimously approved by the members. The pact is the first collective bargairung agreement between the boatmen and Lockheed Martin. "It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it," stated Second Mate Rick Rinehart, who served on the bargaining committee along with fellow Seafarers Bill Puhle, Peter Torrens, Samuel Pagan, Osvaldo Cordero, Car1os Figueroa and Roger Figueroa, SIU Vice President Atlantic Coast Jack Caffey, Santurce Port Agent Steve Ruiz and Santurce Patrolman Mike Rivera. Ruiz noted that negotiations were lengthy. "It was difficult, but the committee did an outstanding job. They gave up many nights and weekends, time they would have spent with their families," Ruiz observed. "But Among the Seafarers employed at Lockheed Martin in Puerto Rico who unanimously approved their first contract with the company are (front row, from left) Harry Wessel, Samuel Pagan, SIU Port Agent Steve Ruiz, Jose Valentin, Bill Puhle, SIU Representative Mike Rivera, (back row) Carlos Figueroa, Faustino Hernandez and Peter Torrens. the result was job security, a right to voice their complamts and other benefits they didn't have before they got a contract." The agreement calls for monthly safety meetings between the SIU crews and management. It also clarifies job descriptions and establishes a seniority system as well as a grievance procedure. The contract further spells out that the company will provide uniforms (including safety boots) for the crewmembers. The new pact also establishes a break time for the employees and maintains medical and pension benefits. Ruiz observed that the Seafarers "did an excellent job of soliciting input from their fellow members regarding what they wanted in the contract. They all were very com- mitted and professional, and this helped allow everyone to make an informed decision." The crews are employed at the Marine Ocean Engineering Department (MOE) of Lockheed Martin Services, Inc. in Fajardo. The MOE workers maintain and operate several types of vessels which are used to support the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility at the U.S. Naval Station at Roosevelt Roads. Among the ratings that are included in the bargaining unit are chief officer, second officer, second mate, chief engineer, certain classes of marine technicians, basic repairer and repair technician. Also included are facility monitors, who work on shore. Rank-and-Filers Review Union Financial Records The union's financial records for 1995 are in order, according to seven rank-and-file members who reviewed the documents as specified by the SIU constitution. The seven were elected at the March Piney Point membership meeting. They conducted their review at the union's headquarters during the week of March 4. Posing with SIU Secretary-Treasurer John Fay are (from the left) OS John McCain (who served as chairman), QMED Mike Coyle, QMED Dustin Niemoeller, Fay, Electrician John Hoskins, Chief Cook John Bukowsky, Electrician Rich Williams and Chief Steward Alexander Reyer. New Pact Approved at Luedtke in Frankfort. Members of the union negotiating team included Deckhand Dale Leonard, Crane Operator Rich Arnold, Foreman Kevin Hollenbeck, Diver/Welder Randy Johnson, Tugboat Captain Jim FISCher and Tugboat Captain Kenneth Glaser. SIU Vice President Great Lakes Byron Kelley, Algonac Patrolman Tim Kelley and union representative Ken Horner also participated in the contract discussions. Volume 58, Number 4 April 1996 "This was an excellent negotiating team, and we were The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published pleased that we were able to bring monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, back such a good contract to the Gulf,LakesandinlandWatersDistrict;AFL-CI0;5201 members. They voted overAuth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) whelmingly to ratify the pact," 899-0675. Second-class postage paid at Southern noted Vice President Kelley. Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. Luedtke Seafarers covered by ~" POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers the agreement include service LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. truck drivers, firemen, linemen, oilers, welders, divers, rangemen, Communications Director, Daniel Duncan; Managing tankemlen, deckhands, lead deckEditor, Jordan Biscardo; Associate Editor/Production, hands, scowmen, engineers, capDeborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Corrina Christensen tains, mates, cranemen, pipelayers, Gutierrez; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, piledrivers, laborers and operators .___ _ _ _ _li_ean_n_e_Ti_ex_r_or._.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' of all types of equipment. More than 50 Seafarers who work for Luedtke Engineering Company of Frankfort, Mich. overwhelmin~ly ratified a new contract that improves wages as weil as medical and fringe benefits into 1998. The pact, which began January 1, included medical care for the spouses and dependents of members who work aboard the company's tugboats, launches, dredges, derrickboats and other types of self-propelled vessels and floating equipment. The SIU members will receive annual wage increases throughout the life of the contract. Also covered in the new agreement were improvements in various working conditions. A series of negotiations took place at the SIU Algonac, Mich. hall and at Luedtke headquarters �APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOG MarAd Head Refutes NY Times Editorial Against U.S. Ship Bill As the Senate prepares to talce action on the Maritime Security Act, U.S. Maritime Administrator Albert Herberger strongly rebutted a March 12 New York Times editorial that dubbed the legislation "Unjustified Shipping Subsidies." In a letter dated March 14, Herberger said the bill "is the most cost-efficient and reliable sealift available to the United States for sustainment of cargo carried to our troops abroad." The retired vice admiral, who graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and sailed on U.S.-flag merchant ships prior to joining the U.S. Navy, charged that the New York Times editorial had several inaccuracies, starting with a comment that full hearings were not held. "Your implication that somehow Congress does not have the information it needs to determine tional defense by calling it "quite Since January, SIU members have been training in San Diego that the American merchant simply false. The U.S.-flag meraboard the USNS Shughart, an Army prepositioning vessel very marine is worth saving is contrary chant marine played a crucial role similar to the one shown in the artist's conception above. to the fact that Congress has held in the sustainment of our troops three years of hearings, debated during Operations Desert Shield the bill on the floor of the House and Desert Storm, just as they of Representatives three times have in every conflict we've ever and has received voluminous been engaged in." documents from opponents and Herberger pointed out that proponents of a U.S.-flag fleet several national leaders during supported by the United States the Persian Gulf War-including government," Herberger wrote. General Norman Schwarzkopf, ''This administration and the who led the Allied forces in the previous administration, this war; General Colin Powell, who The first of five SIU-crewed roll-on/roll-off U.S. Army Congress and previous Congres-_ was the head of the Joint Chiefs of prepositioning vessels being converted to U.S. standards foroperases, all have had the opportunity Staff at the time; and President tion by Bay Ship Management is scheduled for delivery this month to examine these issues in depth. George Bush-"praised the impor- following final sea trials. Critics' voices have been echoed tant sealift support provided by the The USNS Shughart, an Army support ship operated by the U.S. in the halls of Congress and their American fleet." He added their Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), will have four Navy arguments have been generously statements "conflict sharply with admirals and 100 Navy inspectors aboard when it undergoes reported in the press." the biased impressions offered by acceptance trials April 16-17. The drills will test the ship's He challenged the notion opponents of the U.S.-flag fleet" maneuverability, the capability of the main propu1sion and In response to the Times' com- auxiliary systems, and the navigation systems, among other funcproposed by the newspaper that the U.S. armed forces no longer ment that the Defense Depart- tions. Delivery is slated for April 30. need the U.S.-flag fleet for na- ment has its own fleet to carry Seafarers in the deck and engine departments as well as memsupplies for U.S. forces, Her- bers of the American Maritime Officers (AMO), who serve in berger informed the newspaper licensed capacities, have been working aboard the Shughart at the The U.S. Ship Bill: that these ships are crewed by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASCO) shipyard in Subject of Many Hearings San Diego since January. The crewmembers have undergone U.S. merchant mariners. The New York Times editorial of March 12 referred to in the article "Without a U.S.-flag merchant extensive training (provided by the Navy) relative to operating the above stated the Senate should have the opportunity to hold fleet, this irreplaceable base of vessel, which is greater than 900 feet in length. hearings on the U.S. ship bill. Foes of U.S. shipping have called Meanwhile, shipyard workers have been converting the former U.S.-citizen seafarers would disfor hearings as well, claiming the version of the legislation before Danish-flag Maersk containership, including fitting it with cranes The cost of full-time appear. the Senate has not been subjected to the hearing process. In his military crews for these ships and RO/RO decks. Similar conversions are being done to two other response to the paper, Maritime Administrator Albert Herberger would far surpass the compara- vessels at NASCO (the USNS Yano and USNS Soderman) and two noted the measure has been the subject of hearings in both the more at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia (the USNS Gortively modest public investment don and USNS Gilliland). House and Senate since 1992. The following is a chronology of action taken by Congress, the Bush administration and the proposed for the Maritime The four converted vessels, as well as the Shughart, will be Clinton White House to secure passage of a U.S. ship bill. Security Program," stated the crewed by SIU members. Last year, MSC awarded a three-year former deputy commander-in- operation and maintenance contract for the vessels to Bay Ship June 1992 Transportation Secretary Andrew Card presents the of the U.S. Transportation Management. Tentative delivery dates for the other ships range chief Bush administration's maritime proposal for a Command, which oversees logis- from Au~ust of this year to April 1997. seven-year, $1.1 billion program to Congress. Senate Merchant Marine SubcommJttee holds hearing. tics for the U.S. military. Captam Cornelius "Mickey" Spillane of the Shughart noted that (Congress adjourns without further action.) Because the U.S.-flag fleethas the Seafarers and AMO members aboard the ship have "made the March 1993 Transportation Secretary Federico Pena meets with been the worldwide innovator of most" of their training. He said the crew actively and intently has representatives from maritime labor, U.S.-flag shipinten.n odal freight movement, participated in both practical training and classroom instruction. ping companies and sh~pbuilders to discuss a poscargo tracking and identification "Training aboard the ship is a luxury we don't normally have in sible Clinton administration maritime program. technology, Herberger argued the merchant marine. Usually, you get the job and go straight to A 10-year maritime revitalization program is introMay 1993 that the military has benefitted work on the ship," the captain observed. duced and becomes H.R. 2151. House Merchant He added that the Shughart's immense size ("it's as big as an and continues to profit from using Marine and Fisheries Committee holds hearing. aircraft carrier") necessitated the schooling. "For instance, the most U.S.-flag merchant vessels. House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee August 1993 clears H.R. 2151 for full House debate and vote. If the U.S. government had to fire stations I'd ever seen on a ship was 32. This one has 118." During their vocational instruction, crewmembers have learned pay to replace what the U.S. comNovember 1993 House passes H.R. 2151 (347-65). During ffoor all aspects of the ship, which will be stationed in the Western debate, House also rejected by 309-109 margin an mercial fleet now provides, "the Pacific. This includes operating the 50-ton cranes, testing the attack on cargo preference laws. Bill sent to Senate cost to the U.S. taxpayer for veswithout funding mechanism. portable ramp (which attaches to the ship for RO/RO operations), sels alone would be at least $450 using various pumps, and operating and repairing the heating, air March 1994 Pena unveils funding mechanism for maritime million per year and could ap- conditioning and ventilation systems. Crewmembers also have revitalization. H.A. 4003 calls for tonnage duties to proach $800 million once the cost utilized the shipboard computer system, from which they can be raised to fund 10-year, $1 billion effort to help fund up to 52 U.S.-flag liner vessels. House Merof providing a total intermodal (among other options) open and close watertight doors, open chant Marine Subcommittee holds hearings. capability is factored in." valves and perform ballasting. April 1994 Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation He added that the Maritime Committee holds hearings on marttlme Security Act being considered by revitalization funding program. the Senate would cost less than House Merchant Marine and F1Sheries Committee May 1994 half of the present program that passes H.R. 4003as10-year, $1.7 bilflon pr~ram to expires in 1997, restrict business help the U.S.-flag merchant fleet and U.S. shipbuilding_ Bill goes to House Ways and Means Committee. less and encourage greater competitiveness. Ways and Means removes shipbuilding component July 1994 Resident Commissioner Car- (H.R. 3020) to drop the island's from H.R. 4003 and sends bill to full House as a The Maritime Security Act out10-year, $1.05billion program designed to aid U.S.lines a 10-year, $1 billion program los Romero-Barcelo (D-P.R.) an- coverage by the Jones Act, the flag vessels. that would help fund approximate- nounced he will not support a 1920 law that states cargo moved August1994 House passes HR. 4003 (294-122) after amending ly 50 U.S.-flag, militarily useful measure introduced in Congress between two U.S. ports must be bill to include shipbuilding funds. Senate Comcontainerships. In return for receiv- last month to exempt the Jones carried aboard U.S.-built, U.S.merce, Science and Transportation Committee holds hearings on 10-year, $1.35 billion legislaing the money, the U.S.-flag ship- Act from trade between Puerto crewed and U.S.-owned vessels. tion. (Congress adjourns without any further action.) ping companies would malce their Rico and the U.S. The Jones Act: Good for America March 1995 House Merchant Marine Oversight Panel begins vessels and facilities available to Romero-Barcelo is elected by See pages 10-11. hearings on 10-year, $1 billion maritime the military in times of national the citizens of Puerto Rico to rep- - - - - - - - - - - - revitalization bill, H.R. 1350. resent their interests in the House emergency or war_ In introducing H.R. 3020, the H.R. 1350 clears House Merchant Marine Oversight May 1995 of Representatives. While he is elected officials said they were filing The House of Representatives Panel, then House National Security Committee. Bill not able to cast any votes for passed the legislation with a is sent to full House for consideration. the bill on behalf of the Puerto Rico strong showing of bipartisan sup- legislation being debated on the legislature which had passed a Senate Merchant Marine Subcommittee holds July 1995 port in December. The Senate is House floor, he is allowed to vote resolution asking this be done. hearings on its version of maritime revitalization legislation, S. 1139. expected to consider the ship bill on measures brought before the H.R. 3020 has been assigned August1995 when its members return to committees on which he serves. to the House National Security Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee clears S. 1139. Bill is sent to full Senate Washington in mid-April followU.S. Representatives Luis Committee. No date for hearings for consideration. ing a break to work in their home Gutierrez (D-Ill.), Jose Serrano has been set. By voice vote, the House of Representatives passes December 1995 The SIU opposes any legislastates. President Clinton has (D-N.Y.) and Nydia Velazquez H.R. 1350 and sends the measure to the Senate, tion, like H.R. 3020, which would (D-N.Y.) offered the bill known stated he will sign the measure which replaces S. 1139 with the House bill. as the Puerto Rico Fair Trade Act amend the Jones Act. when it is passed by Congress. Seafarers Prepare Conrterled RO/RO For Trials, Delivery. .._~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--- PR Delegate Not in Favor 01 Jones Act Exemption 3 �4 APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOG Nosac Ranger Crew Protests Distortion In Time Magazine Time magazine featured this photograph of the Nosac Rangertoleadthejournal'sstoryonsubsidiesinitsMarch 25 i.ssue. The ship's op~ratin~ comp~ny, Pacific-Gulf Manne, wrote the magazine to inform 1t that the vessel does not receive federal funds. LEFT: QMED Paul Patterson, working on a valve, says the crew works hard to represent America when overseas. BELOW: AB Mario Cooper operates the deck elevator during the loading of fami equipment to be sent from Baltimore to Europe. PubJ•1cat•ion L•Illk s V esseJ t 0 Su b SI•d•1es When Ship Receives No Gov't Furids When the Seafarers aboard the Nosac Ranger returned to the United States in late March from their regular voyage to Europe, they were greeted with copies of the March 25 issue of Time magazine with a photograph of the vessel, implying it would benefit from the maritime revitalization bill being considered in the Senate. "We don't know why they chose us," noted Steward Gus Carter while the vessel was loading Americanmade farm equipment in Baltimore for delivery to Kazakhstan in the former Soviet Union. ''This ship does not receive any subsidy money." That statement was backed up in a letter to Time by Daniel D. Smith, marine department manager for Pacific-Gulf Marine, which operates the Nosac Ranger as well as the Faust and Fidelio. ''This vessel was neither constructed with subsidy money, nor have its owners ever received one penny of subsidy money from the U.S. government since the vessel entered U.S.-flag service in 1988," Smith wrote. "The Nosac Ranger is crewed by hardworking, taxpaying U.S. citizens who take umbrage with the inference that either they or the vessel owners have been the recipient of U.S. government 'corporate welfare."' In the article, Time used a fullcolor half-page photo beneath a headline of "Why Subsidies Survive." The Great Lakes Seafarers Start '96 Sailing Season Seafarers aboard the Buffalo were the first Great Lakes members to kick off the 1996 sailing season when the 635-foot-long self-unloader sailed from a storage dock on the Cuyahoga River to load iron ore for delivery to a steel mill in Cleveland, Ohio on March 4. The sailing of the American Steamship Co. (ASC) vessel marked the end of the briefest winter layup in the history of Great Lakes shipping, with the last laker coming in for the winter only 17 days before the Buffalo sailed out of its winter port. The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., located between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, opened at midnight on March 25, signifying the traditional begin- ning to the sailing season on the five lakes. However, lingering winter conditions contributed to a difficult beginning to the season. Cold temperatures and large ice fields caused minor delays, but a high demand for steel products on the Great Lakes kept ships steaming. To facilitate the resumption of the season, the U.S. Coast Guard sent the Mackinaw, the largest and most powerful icebreaker stationed on the Great Lakes, through the Soo Locks in advance of the first lakers. The Soo Locks connect the iron ore, coal and grain loading ports of Lake Superior to the lower Lakes. Prior to sailing from their respective winter ports, Seafarers reflected on the traditional open- photo caption read, "Shipbuilders get government support to construct vessels that the merchant fleet may not need." The maritime revitalization bill, known as the Maritime Security Act, would provide $1 billion over a 10year period to help fund approximately 50 U.S.-flag, militarily useful containerships. The companies receiving these dollars would make the ships available to the U.S. armed forces in times of war or national emergency. The bill is being considered by the Senate. "We work hard on this vessel and do our best to represent our country," noted QMED Paul Patterson, who started sailing with the union four years ago after retiring from the U.S. Navy with 25 years of service. SA Will Brown, an 18-year Seafarer from the port of Baltimore, added, "The U.S. merchant marine needs to be supported by the American public. We stand ready to serve our country at any time." The Nosac Ranger is a roll-on/rolloff vessel that transports commercial and military cargo between the U.S. and western Europe. Among its regular ports of call in the U.S. are New York, Jacksonville, Fla., Charleston, S.C. and Baltimore. Across the Atlantic, the vessel makes stops in Antwerp, Belgium, Le Havre, France; Southampton, England and Bremerhaven, Germany. ing of tQ.e sailing season and predicted that the winter weather would cause some delays. ''There is no doubt that we will have a tough time getting out and delivering the first cargoes of the year," noted Coveyorman John Norick, who was preparing for fitout aboard the H. Lee White. "There are a lot of icebreakers out right now and the smaller ones are having a hard time maneuvering through the ice. It is going to take a whole lot of ice breaking. It is hard for any kind of lake vessel at this time of year," said the member, who sails from the port of Algonac, Mich. "Lake Superior is completely frozen over for the second time in 16years but we have a lot of cargo to deliver and I'm sure the Coast Guard will be out in full force," added Norick. According to Glen Nekvasil, communications director for the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA), which monitors the action ofU.S.-flag shipping on the Great Lakes, the Coast Guard has been working around-the-clock since the beginning of March to break up ice on lakes Superior, Huron, · ~···J lJ Offering· freshly baked eclairs to a crewmember is Chief Steward Gus Carter. Michigan, Erie and Ontario. "The Coast Guard has been working non-stop to clear the region of ice so that shipping successfully could resume. They have been doing an excellent job of track maintenance and widening the channels. Everyone should be up and running by midmonth. "We have had some problems but we have had daily meetings with officials from the Coast Guard to decide what order the ships will be going through the locks and lakes. We will still need ice breaking assistance into the beginning weeks of April," Nekvasil stated. Second Cook Doris Sabin is ready to begin another busy sailing season on the Lakes. "It has been a very cold winter but I am ready to go. I think that it is going to be a good year because we have a lot of orders to fill," said the galley gang member who sails aboard ASC vessels. , Vernon Gimpel, who has been busy breaking up ice in the Duluth, MinnJSuperior, Wis. harbor aboard his Great Lakes Towing vessel, checks in at the Duluth hall. �~------------------------------------------~~~~· ~ -- APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOG 5 SIU Ferry Crew Honored for Nighttime Rescue in NY SIU members John Willette and Teddy Terzakos recently were honored for their roles in the nighttime rescue of five yacht passengers whose vessel overturned in New York's East River. The Seafarers, who sail aboard the NY Waterway commuter ferry Manhattan, were the first to arrive on the scene when the 50foot motor yacht Other Office capsized on July 13. Captain Willette and AB Terzakos sent a mayday on tbe region's emergency radio frequency as they maneuvered the ferry toward the stranded passengers. They subsequently rescued five of the 38 people before the U.S. Coast Guard and harbor-police rescue boats arrived and rescued the others. There were no serious injuries reported. For their efforts, Terzakos and Willette on February 22 received the Admiral of the Ocean Seas (AOTOS) award, an honor given to only a few people annually. During a ceremony at the Jamestown ferry slip in Weehawken, NJ., the Seafarers also received American flags from Rep. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol in their honor on February 12. Besides the congressman, others taking part in the ceremony were SIU Representative Ed Pulver; Arthur Imperatore, owner of NY Waterway; and his son, Arthur Jr., president of the company. "It is said there are no heroes anymore in America, that people will not take responsibility for others," said Torricelli. "Here today is testimony that that is very much not the case." Pulver added, "These men showed outstanding seamanship skills in executing the rescue. They are true examples of the fine men and women who belong to the SIU." Willette and Terzakos (along with personnel from the Coast Guard, fire department and police department) also were honored last year at City Hall by New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for their part in the rescue. Terzakos recalled that the rescue began around 9:20 p.m. and received extensive coverage on local television news. "Thank God, my wife slept through the reports, because the initial reports said the ferry had capsized," the AB said. "My mother and nephew also live nearby, and they ran down to the pier to see what was happening." Just six days after the Other • Seafarers Teddy Terzakos (left) and John Willette (not pictured), who crew the NY Waterway passenger ferry Manhattan, are honored for their roles in a rescue during a ceremony February 22 in Weehawken, N.J. Presenting an award for both SIU members to Terzakos is Rep. Robert Toricelli (D-N.J.). Also pictured are Arthur Imperatore, Jr. (second from left), president of NY Waterway; Arthur Imperatore Sr. (fourth from left), owner of the company; and SIU Representative Ed Pulver. Office incident, the two Seafarers saved a local man who attempted suicide by jumping off the Pulaski Bridge and into the East River, some 70 feet below. (He changed his mind after hitting the water. Full accounts of both rescues can be found in the September 1995 issue of the Seafarers LOG.) The Manhattan is one of 13 SIU-crewed NY Waterway passenger ferries. Altogether, they transport approximately 20,000 passengers each day between lower and midtown Manhattan, the Colgate Center in New Jersey and the towns of Weehawken and Hoboken, N.J. Each boat has a capacity of about 400 passengers, travels at an average speed of between 15 and 18 mph and is roughly 100 feet long. Plans for a new, bigger terminal for the ferries recently were announced. Funded through public and private sources, the $27 million project is expected to be completed in approximately three years. Appeals Board Reaffirms 240-Day, 180-Day Trip Action Designates PR, VI for Extended Run, Takes Up Clinic Card Invalidation, Clarifies 1995 Chief Cook Job Rule The Seafarers Appeals Board (SAB) has issued a series of actions and one amendment to a previous action affecting the length of time a member can sail on a ship as well as setting ground rules for invalidating a clinic card and determining job priority for certain steward department positions. The first three actions deal with the length of time a Seafarer is able to sail aboard a vessel. All of the actions and the amendment to a previous action went into effect ifillllediately. Action number 381 alters the shipping rules to state Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are an area outside the continental United States. Any Seafarer who has sailed a U.S.-foreign run aboard an SIU-contracted vessel for the maximum number of days as determined by his or her seniority will not be required to sign off in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. He or she can wait until the ship docks in the first continental U.S. port. To illustrate what the new action means, an "A" seniority crewmember sailing on a containership returning from Europe reaches the 240-day limit when the vessel docks in San Juan, P.R., before continuing to Jacksonville, Fla. Action number 381 allows the crewmember to continue working aboard the ship until it docks in Jacksonville where he or she has to sign off the vessel. Under the change to the shipping rules found in action number 382, a Seafarer whose seniority increases because he or she meets all the elements for a higher seniority while he or she is at sea (and has the higher seniority verified by the SAB) will be entitled to the maximum days at sea as determined by the higher rating. As an example, a crewmember "B" . . . d . b c1aime a JO as a semonty member. ThisSeafarerisatseaon this samh~job when he or she'~Aa~ enoug ttme to move up to an seniority. Because ofaction number 382, the crewmember may stay aboard ship and retain the position for the length of time he or she would have received had he or she shipped out originally with an "A" seniority. Action number 383 reaffirms the provisions found in earlier acf tr . th . wn~ ou0 ;n~ng ~ tmaxm:,um num e! ays a mem ers may sail aboard a contracted vesF "A" · · b se1· or~ semonty mem er, the maximum number of da.ys remains 240 or one roundtnp, whichever is longer. For those holding a "B" seniority, the figure stah~shat 180.d~ys or one roundtrip, w IC e~e! IS onge~. . f . ~ovlSlo~s for mvalida mg a clime card issued f: d. . .by a Seafarers W ~lfare Pl an c1true are ioun m action number 384· A clinic card may be ruled invalid if a Seafarer provided false information in order to obtain a clinic card, if full ~edical.disclosure was not provided dunng a medicalex~atio~ori!~member possessmg a vahd chmc card is found unfit for duty for seven or more days. The amendment to action number 375 (which originally appeared in the April 1995 issue of the Seafarers WG) gives priority in each class of seniority for Chief Cook and Cook and Baker jobs to tho se steward department Seafarers who have graduated from advanced classes on those subjects offered by the Seafarers Harry Lunde berg School of Seamanship. In the event no one with such certification is avail- able to claim the job, priority in each seniority is given to a galley gang member who possesses a certificate in the Chief Cook or Cook and Baker ratings from the school. In both cases, the Seafarer has to be registered in Group I, Steward Department. The SAB is composed of representatives from the union and h its contracted operators. T e complete text of each of the actions and the amendment to an action is printed below. Action #381 Wh th . t t if th . ~reas, ~ m en <! . e provisions 0 f Article IX Shipping Rules, Section 2 Rule 2 · G. l ., 2.G.19. and 2.H. was to ensure equitable rotation of employment according to seniority, and Wh th · t t if th ereas, e men o e Shipping Rules was while offeringequitableemploymenttolimit the adverse impact of such rules on the industry and on the membe rs by providing exemptions as specified in Rule 2.1., Now therefore, the Seafarers Appeals Board hereby declares . IX, thatforthepurposesofArticle Section 2, Rule 2.1. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands shall be considered a separate area, and therefore seamen whose time is up in those ports will not be requiredtoleavethevesselifsaid vessel is scheduled to return to the original area of engagement as provided for in Rule 2.1. Action #382 Amend Rule 1 Seniority, Subsection B 3, by adding the following provision: "If during the period of employment aboard a contracted vessel, a seaman acquires sufficientseatimetoqualifyforahigher seniority classification such as Class "C" to Class "B" or from Class "B" to Class "A," he shall be entitled to the applicable employment provisions specified in Rule 2.G." Action #383 The Seafarers Appeals Board acting under and pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Union and the various Contracted Employers, hereby takes the following action. Wh b A t. A _ . ereas, . Y c ion 327 .· ' c tion 331 •.Action 361, Action 367, anddActu!n 371 where promulifgate to increase t e amount o time Class "A" seamen could remain aboard their assigned vessels for two hundred forty (240) days or one round trip whichever was longer and Class "B" seamen could remain aboard their assigned vessel for one hundred eighty (180) days or one round trip whichever was longer, and, Whereas, available employment conti·nues at the same hi.gh level, Therefore, the pro~isions pro'!1ulgated by ~AB Action 3 ~ 7• Action 331, ~ction 361, Action 3.67, a_nd Action 371 shall contmue m ~ll force and effect f.or another six (6) months, ~ffec~ive February 12, 1996.at w_h~ch ti"!e emp l oymen t avai la b l l itY w_i l l again be evaluated to dete:n!me whet.her c:r not the. provisions specified m SAB Action 32 7, Action 331, Action ~ 61 • and Action 3~1 should continue or be termmated. Action #384 . . Whereas, the Shipping Rules Cf!rre'!tly provide for the submission, m Ports whe:e .a ~eafar~rs W~lfare Pla.n cl!n.ic is maintame~, a valid clmic card as a requirement for employment, and Where as, the re may be occasion when a clinic card may need to be invalidated by reason of information obtained after the issuance of a clinic card, and/or a subsequent determination of Unfit For Duty status. Now Therefore, effective im- mediately the Rules shall provide for th~ ~nvalidat~on ?f a c~inic card, if information is obtained that false statements were mad~ by the seaman, and or full medical. disclosure. was not. ma_de dunng the medical examination or if the seaman in possession of a clinic card is found to be Unfit For Duty for seven ( 7) days or more. Amendment to Action #375 . Amend Rul~s by .deleting t~e 4~hparagraph '':"Article IX, Shipping Ru_le~ ~ection Preferences an~tr!o~itzes, A 6 · . . Within each class ofseniority in. th.e Stewa~d Depa~tment, priority for the 1ob of Chief Cook or Cook & Baker shall be given to h h t. ose seamen w. o po_sses~ acertificate of certification m such ratingsfrom·theSeafarersHarry Lunde berg School ofSeamanship in the event such program is being offered and that the seaman is registered in Group I, Steward Department.,, and replace with: "Withineachclassofseniority in the Steward Department, priority for the job of Chief Cook or Cook & Baker shall be given to those seamen who possess an advanced certificate of certification in such ratings from the Seafarers Harry Lunde berg School of Seamanship in the event such program is being offered and that the seaman zs registered in Group I Steward Department." ' If no one with an advanced certificate is available, then priority for the job of Chief Cook or Cook & Baker shall be given to those seamen wlw possess a certificate of certification in such ratings from the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School ofSeamanship in the event such program is being offered and that the seaman is registered in Group I, Steward Department." ! 1 �6 APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOG ABs, Pumpmen Need STCW Certificate by Oct. 1 Other Watchstanding Ratings Have Until Feb. 1997 The U.S. Coast Guard has finalized its rules and announced that all tankermen assistants, ABs, chief pumpmen and second pumpmen who sail in international waters must have a Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificate for a rating forming part of a navigational watch by October 1, 1996. This certificate, for which there is no fee, simply is an identification that supplements a mariner's z-card. It may be secured through the Coast Guard's Regional Exammation Centers (RECs), either in person or through the mail (see addresses below). Other unlicensed personnel-specifically, engine department members with watchstanding ratings-will not need the STCW certificate until February 1997. TheCoastGuardhasnotbegunissuingthe STCW certificates for those engine department personnel. However, the agency will do so in the near future, giving mariners time to meet the deadline. According to Bill Eglinton, director of vocational education at the Paul Hall Center and a regular participant in international meetings leading to last year's amendments to the STCW treaty, it is very important that engine department ~rsonnel who sail as r.umpmen-even 1f they do not have 'pumpman" listed on their z-card-inform the REC that they do in fact sail as pumpmen and therefore need to secure the STCW cer- Discharges or Letter Needed To Qualify as Tankerman-Asst. As of April 1, all ABs and pumpmen who sail aboard tankers must meet the U.S. Coast Guard's grandfather provisions enabling them to sail as tankermen assistants (see chart), as reported in previous issues of the Seafarers LOG. In order to be considered a tankerman tificate before October 1. All Seafarers applying for the STCW certificate by mail should include photocopies of their z-cards, certificates reflecting successful completion of a firefighting course, and discharges or letters proving 90 days'. seatime aboard t~e~s. ~e sure to md1cate t~at the application is for the STCW certificate. Also, ~eep a photocopy of what has been mailed, for personal. ~ecords. ~eafarers m.ay want .to send their mf?rmat10n by certified mail to ensure receipt by the Coast Guard. Due to the workload at the RECs, it is recommended that applications be sent in well before the deadline to ensure you have the certificate by October 1, 1996. If SIU members have any problems in these matters that are not being addressed at the RECs, they may contact Eglinton at (301) 994-0010, extension 5270. Seafarers should note that the STCW form automatically will be issued to mariners who renew their z-cards or test for an upgrade in their rating before October 1. But a mariner who renews a document or license strictly for continuity purposes will not be issued the STCW form until he or she shows proof of being ready to sail. The STCW certificate 1s a letter-size piece of paper listing a mariner's ratings and any applicable limitations including medical waivers. It utilizes terminology to create a universal form of identification as specified by the STCW convention, but it provides the same information found on a z-card. Notice assistant under the grandfather clause, ABs and purnpmen, while aboard ship, must possess discharges or a letter proving at least 30 days' seatime aboard tankers during the last five years. There is no need to go to a Coast Guard Regional Exam Center. Due to a recent change in policy of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Feoruary 1996 Seafarers LOG article on STCW certificates for U.S. seamen is out of date. The February LOG contamed an article stating that all deep-sea mariners who hold a lifeboat ticket must possess an STCW certificate by October 1. Now, according to the latest policy, only active deep-sea members who sail as ABs, pumpmen and tankerman assistants must possess the STCW certificate by October 1. Additionally, engine department members with watchstanding ratings must possess the certificate by February 1997-however, the U.S. Coast Guard has not begun issuing the STCW certificates for those engine department personnel. The Coast Guard modified who is required to hold the certificate by October 1, in order to fully comply with the STCW agreement. Securing an STCW Certificate and Being 'Grandfathered' as a Tankerman Assistant If You Are Then You Need Here's How to Get It An AB sailing any deep-sea An STCW certificate (1denbf1catton) for a rating ship other than a tanker (ex- forming part of a navigational watch by October f, ample: containership) 1996. Go to an REC and show your z-card tnd1cating you possess an AB rating and a lifeboat ticket. Or, you may do this by mail (see listing below). An AB sailing tankers While aboard ship, keep in your possession discharges or a letter proving at least 30 days' seatime aboard tanl<ers during the last five years. You will be considered "grandfathered" for the endorsement.lhe endorsement may be added to the z-card wnen renewed. You do not need to go to an REC. A tankerman assistant endorsement as of March 31, 1996. AND A chief pumpman or second pumpman An STCW certificate by October 1, 1996. The certificate will indicate (Ci) that you hold a rating forming part of a navigational watch, and (b) you possess the rating of lankerman assjstant. Go to an REC and show your z-card plus discharges or a letter indicating at least 90 days' seatime aboard tankers, plus a certificate reflecting successful completion of a firefighting course.* Or, you may do this by mail. A tankerman assistant endorsement as of March AND While aboard ship, keep in your possession discharges or a letter proving at least 30 days' seatime aboard tanl<ers during the last five years. You wilt be considered "grandfathered" for the endorsement, which may be adoed to the z-card when renewed. You do not need to go to an REC. An STCW certificate by October 1, 1996. The certificate will indicate that you possess the rating of tankerman assistant. Go to an REC and show your z-card plus discharges or a letter indicating at least 90 days' seatime aboard tankers, plus a certificate reflecting successful completion of a firefighting course.• Or, you may do this by mail. 31, 1996. • If a member has lost his or her copy of the firefighting course certificate, he or she may call the admissions office at Piney Point, (301) 994-0010, and request a copy. Certificates issued prior to 1989 may not be available. Hall Center Instructors Bring 'Hazwoper' Training To Jacksonville and San Juan More than 100 Seafarers who work for Crowley Maritime in San Juan, P.R. and Jacksonville, Fla. recently completed an on-site health and safety course covering hazardous waste and emergency response (hazwoper). Seafarers who graduated from the course, offered at the SIU halls in San Juan and Jacksonville between January 17 and 25, received U.S. Coast Guard-approved hazwoper certificates. "Our primary goal for the training was to ensure that SIU members are properly informed about the hazardous materials they work around, and with, daily," said Lundeberg School instructor Mark Jones, who along with fellow instructor John Wiegman conducted the sessions. In Jacksonville, SIU members completed an 8-hour hazwoper health and safety/first responder course which primarily covered identification of hazardous materials, use of protective gear and procedures for contacting emergency response personnel. San Juan-area members also were offered the 8-hour course as well as an additional 24-hour hazwoper training session. Those Seafarers who completed the ad- U.S. Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers [Address correspondence to: "Commanding Officer (REC), U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Safety Office," followed by the address] 51 0 L. Street Suite 100 Anchorage, AK 99501-1946 (907) 271-6733 or 6735 Customhouse Baltimore, MD 21202-4022 (410) 962-5132 Claude Pepper Building 6th Floor 51 S.W. First Avenue Miami, FL 33130-1608 (305) 536-6548 1440 Canal Street Eighth Floor New Orleans, LA 701122711 (504) 589-6183 455 Commercial Street Boston, MA 02109-1045 (617) 223-3040 Battery Park Building 196 Tradd Street Charleston, SC 29401-1899 New York, NY 10004- 1466 (212) 668-6395 (803) 724-7693 Reviewing manuals used during the Crowley hazwoper course at the SIU hall in Jacksonville, Fla. are (from left) AB Randolph Wansley, AB Wade Wansley, Captain Dan Morris and AB Rick O'Keefe. vanced training are considered "hazmat technicians" and are able to handle the initial responses to a hazmat spill. "The more advanced session teaches them how to handle a hazardous materials spill in a safe, professional and efficient manner, whether on board the vessel or shoreside," Jones added. In January 1994, Seafarers in Puerto Rico had to call on such skills when a massive oil spill occurred in the San Juan area after the non-union barge Morris J. Berman broke loose from its line to a tugboat, drifted onto a coral reef and spilled more than 650,000 gallons of oil. More than 200 Seafarers (many of them Continued on page 8 433 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm 1 6767 N. Basin Avenue Portland, OR 97217-3992 Honolulu, HI 96813-4909 (808) 522-8258 (503) 240-9346 1222 Spruce Street 8876 Gulf Freeway Suite 211 Suite 210 St. Louis, MO 63103-2835 Houston, TX 77017-6595 (314) 539-2657 (713) 947-0044 Building 14 2760 Sherwood Lane Coast Guard Island Suite 2A Alameda, CA 94501-5100 Juneau, AK 99801-5845 (510) 437-3092 or 3093 (907) 463-2450 . 1519 Alaskan Way S. 165 N. Pico Avenue Building 1 Long Beach, CA 90802- Seattle WA 98134-1192 1096 ' (310) 980-4483 or 4485 (20 6) 217-6115 200 Jefferson Avenue Suite 1301 Memphis, TN 38103-2300 (901) 544-3297 Federal Building, Room 501 234 Summit Street Toledo, OH 43604-1590 (419) 259-6394 or 6395 ...._~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ �APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOG 7 Stewards Espouse Many Benefits of Upgrading Paul Hall Center Courses Enhance Seafarers' Work Speaking from experience, six newly recertified stewards last month advised fellow SIU members that upgrading at the Paul Hall Center is vitally important- not only as a vehicle for individual advancement, but also as a means of helping ensure long-range job opportunities for future Seafarers. Ruben Casin, Jr., Brandon Maeda, Bruce Mesger, Catherine Scott, Stephanie Sizemore and Richard Worobey made their remarks at the March membership meeting in Piney Point, Md. as they accepted certificates documenting successful completion of the five-week class. The course is the highest curriculum available at the Paul Hall Center for Seafarers who sail in the steward department. "I'd like to thank those who have spent lifetimes sustaining this industry, making it possible for me to be here." stated Sizemore, who joined the union nine years ago in Honolulu. "To those of you who are beginning your careers and/or upgrading - whether in the steward, deck or engine department - be assured your goals are attainable through this facility. Our industry deserves our continued efforts to keep it strong and afloat for those who follow." Sizemore also asked her fellow SIU members to consider giving to the Seafarers Political Action Donation, "because contributions to SPAD are essential to keep this industry alive." Echoing those sentiments was Scott, who urged Seafarers "to always remain the best-trained merchant mariners in the world. In order to do that, we must work even harder and change with the times. Upgrading at Piney Point means we can grow with the industry; as you can see, the classes offered here are changing to meet our needs." Scott, whose husband, Matthew, graduated from a recertified steward class last year, encouraged the trainees and upgraders in the audience to participate in the union's political activities. "There are bills that regularly come up in Congress that can dramatically affect our livelihoods," she pointed out. "We have dedicated union officials who do an excellent job keeping track of things in this area, but they can't do it without us. We are the union! Our actions help the officials to help us. Donating to SPAD, writing letters to our senators and representatives, volunteering to help in campaigns for politicians who will work in behalf of our interests these are some of the most important things we can do." 'Set High Standards' A Seafarer since 1981, Maeda reminded the audience that fu11y applying oneself to a course at the Paul Hall Center A frequent upgrader at the Lundeberg School, Bruce Mesger says he is "very proud to be a member of the SIU." will yield the most benefits. ''To realize the greatest potential of each upgrading class, we must take useful advantage of all the school's facilities and tap- into the wealth of knowledge each instructor brings. Each upgrading class i's what you make of it. That is one reason why I encourage all of you to set high standards for yourselves. In the end, it is you who are held accountable for your culinary skills," he said. Maeda, who joined the SIU in Honolulu, also offered special thanks to SIU President Michael Sacco "for reminding me, through your positive thinking and your proven leadership, that there is no giving up, no giving in and no running away." Additionally, he commended Betty Smith, who works in the port agent's office in Piney Point, "for helping me and many others like me, by addressing our special questions with unending patience and a helpful generosity that is sorely lacking in Graduating last month from the Paul Hall Center's recertified steward program are (front many parts of our society today." row, from left) Catherine Scott, Stephanie Sizemore, Ruben Casin, Jr. (back row) Byran Knowledgeable Instructors For Mesger, the Lundeberg School is familiar territory. He graduated in 1978 from the trainee program for entry-level mariners. Mesger stated he believes the school "is really headed in the right direction and open to new ideas. I'm very proud to be a member of the SIU." Of the recertification program, he remarked, "It's a good course with very good teachers. I'm impressed with how knowledgeable and thorough they are." Cummings (instructor), Brandon Maeda, Richard Worobey and Bruce Mesger. Similarly, Casio said he "learned a lot" during the class and that the knowledge will help him do a better job aboard ship. "It's a tremendous school, and the class was exciting. Leaming more about computers, food sanitation, firefighting and CPR were some of the more valuable parts," said Casin, who joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in New York in 1971, seven years before that union merged with the SIU' s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District. Ruben Casin Jr. (seated, facing camera) and his classmates practice using computers to order stores. Standing is Karen Kesseru, a Lundeberg School Instructor. Worobey, who joined the SIU in New York in 1976, seemed surprised at how much he learned during the course. "There were so many things in steward recertification that I didn't know," said Worobey, a frequent upgrader. "The whole class was a good experience. This proves once again that when you've got the experience and education from the Paul Hall Center, you're going to do a good job." Many Topics The stewards covered numerous subjects during their studies. They learned new recipes and practiced the most modem cooking techniques via a mix of practical training and classroom instruction. The Seafarers paid particular attention to developing healthy, low-fat menus for fellow crewmembers, as well as exercising the safest food-sanitation practices (see related story). Mainly to assist them when ordering stores, the students received training in the school's computer center. Since many SIU-contracted companies track their stores by utilizing computer programs, stewards normally place orders through the electronic machines (rather than writing them by hand). The SIU' s emphasis on shipboard safety was evident as the stewards took refresher courses in CPR, first aid and firefighting. They also studied and practiced effective communications skills. Another part of the curriculum was <;onti.nued on page 8 Food Sanitation Segment Stands Out Answers varied when the latest graduates of the Paul Hall Center's steward recertification program were asked to cite some of the course highlights. Computer training, thoroughness in covering all subjects, and the excellent condition and usefulness of the school's lecture/demonstration galley were among the responses. But the one topic identified by each of the six stewards as particularly valuable was food sanitation. The Seafarers observed that, because food sanitation is a constant concern, this segment of the class proved quite worthwhile. Executive Chef Allan Sherwin, director of culinary education at the Paul Hall Center, noted the stewards successfully completed a comprehensive test covering food sanitation and prevention of food-borne illness. As a result, they each received a certificate in food sanitation from the National Restaurant Association, as well as one from the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. "This is a very intensive part of the course, and the students always are very responsive. We cover food preparation, storage, meat and poultry inspection, danger factors (such as storing and cooking food at appropriate temperatures) and a number of other relevant subjects," said Sherwin. "We try to focus on contemporary issues, which isn't difficult, because there are items in the news about food poisoning almost daily. The students eventually become so in-tune with this issue that they start bringing clips from the news. A recent example was a petting zoo. Kids were petting the animals, then eating (without first washing their hands), then getting sick." How important is food sanitation? Sherwin pointed out that there are more than 20,000 reported deaths from food poisoning in the United States each year. There also are many less severe cases - often misidentified by the sufferer as a 24- or 48-hour bug. Through practical training, discussions and classroom instruction includ- ing videotapes and journal articles, the stewards honed their skills for proper storage, preparation and disposal of foods, Sherwin added. They also received telephone numbers of government agencies that may be contacted with questions or comments concerning food sanitation, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Among the key facts the stewards reviewed is: 90 percent of occurrences of food-borne illness is related to personal cleanliness (such as hand-washing or removing one's apron prior to using a restroom). They also were reminded that the organisms that cause food poisoning are tasteless and colorless; therefore, they primarily are identifiable through the scent of their waste. "Everyone who takes the recertification class wants to protect themselves and protect the rest of the crew," Sherwin concluded. "If they don't, then the results can be disastrous." �8 SEAFARERS LOS APRIL 1996 Burned Filipino Mariner's Ordeal SpoUights Inhumane Conditions Aboard Runaway-Flag Vessels ITF Inspector Steps in to Secure Care The inhumane conditions aboard runaway-flag vessels were evident in a recent grim case of a badly burned Filipino seaman who was denied speedy shoreside medical attention when it was requested. But intervention last month by an International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) inspector may have saved the life of the Filipino mariner, who was hurt in a shipboard accident. Spiro V arras, an SIU representative as well as an ITF inspector, secured much-needed medical attention for motorman Roberto Umali. The mariner had contacted Varras after the vessel on which Umali was sailing, the runaway-flag Nosac Tai Shan, arrived in Elizabeth, N .J. on March 1. The captain initially resisted permitting Umali to sign off the ship, but V arras demanded that the wounded man be let go. Umali sustained bums on his face, neck, chest and arms as a result of an accident last year in the port of Miami aboard the Nosac Tai Shan's sister ship, the Nosac Takayama. (Both ships are Norwegian-owned, Liberianflagged roll-on/roll-off vessels operated by the same company.) He subsequently was treated for two weeks in a Miami hospital before being tr an sferred to a hospital in the Philippines. Umali then underwent several months of physical therapy. But the bums were so severe, they did not properly heal. When Varras met Umali on the Nosac Tai Shan, "I saw that some of his wounds still appeared raw. His arms looked infected," Varras noted. Despite the time elapsed since the accident, the infections (later confirmed by doctors) could have resulted in fatal blood poisoning - specifically, a condition known as septicemia. Anxious to support his wife and their three children, Umali had signed on the runaway-flag ship in spite of his injuries. However, he soon realized that his wounds continued rendering him unfit for duty, so he called V arras. But when Varras brought this matter to the captain's attention, the captain balked at relinquish- ing Umali. "The captain refused because he said the seaman never asked the officers to see a doctor, and he never complained," recalled Varras. Approximately two hours later, at Varras' insistence, the captain agreed to let Umali sign off. The ship agent then transported Umali to a local hospital, where doctors confirmed that the bums were infected. Additionally, physicians there recommended that Umali undergo plastic surgery. Varras later visited the hospital to monitor Umali's progress, but the mariner had been released. He reportedly left with relatives and planned to seek further medical attention elsewhere in the United States, closer to his relatives in California. The original accident took place on the Takayama when the second engineer instructed Umali to light a fire in the boiler. Umali was told to remove the burner, "then he gave me a flashlight to check if there was fuel spilled in the fire case," Umali said in a written report of the accident. "Upon checking, fire shot out of the boiler and burned me." This Roberto Umali's burns were so severe, doctors recommended plastic surgery. He received treatment after Spiro Varras, an SIU ITF inspector, intervened and got Umali off the ship on which he was sailing. took place while the vessel was maneuvering to dock in Miami. The ITF is a London-based federation of more than 400 transportation unions from around the world, including the SIU. Among other activities, it has been fighting to end substandard working and safety conditions found on runaway-flag vessels. ITF Secures Thousands in Back Pay For Crew on Runaway-Flag Ship ras of their respective grievances. Both men wanted to sign off the vessel, but the captain would not let them do so - even though, according to the ITF contract, it was their right. The value of an International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) contract once again was evident when crewmembers aboard a runaway-flag ship recently received thousands of do11ars in back pay as well as repatriation expenses. SIU Representative Spiro Varras, an ITF inspector, met with the crew of the Greek-owned, Cyprus-flag Malvina in New York. "I informed the entire crew (consisting of Greek and Syrian officers and Indonesian unlicensed personnel) about the contracts that were in force. These inc1uded an ITF contract as well as a contract reached through the Greek seafarers' union. Two of the officers then stood up for their rights," recalled Varras. Second Engineer Anastasios Bakaukas and Radio Officer Thanks to ITF intervention, crewmembers aboard the runaway-flag Mohammad Yasin informed Var- Malvina received back wages and repatriation expenses. The second engineer, in addition to performing his duties, had been forced to also do the work of the third engineer. Bakaukas also had not been paid for 92 hours of overtime. Meanwhile, during his eightmonth stint on the Malvina, the radio officer consistently had been paid less than the amount called for by both contracts. The captain initially refused to rectify these situations. When V arras prepared documents to arrest the ship, the captain put him in direct contact with the shipowner. The owner then agreed that Bakaukas and Yasin could sign off the ship. He further consented to pay the second engineer all back wages, including overtime, plus repatriation expenses-a total of approximately $5,000. Similarly, the radio officer received back wages totalling $9 ,464, along with repatriation expenses. "The money arrived from Greece the next day," Varras stated. "Both of the officers received their balance of wages in front of me, and on their request I remained with them until they were picked up for customs and immigration. Many crewmembers thanked the I1F for this success." Seafarers Receive On-Site Hazwoper Training Continued from page 6 working for Crowley) took part in a swift cleanup operation which recovered much of the oil and allowed San Juan Harbor to stay open. Topics covered in the training at the SIU halls in Jacksonville and San Juan (both in the 8- and 24-hour courses) included legal overviews of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and U.S. Coast Guard regulations; basic chemistry of hazardous materials; use and care of different safety and breathing equipment; emergency first aid; sampling techniques; emergency response plans; decontamination; and many other subjects. (As of February 19, 1993, any vessel handling, storing, transporting or lightering oil in U.S. navigable waters must submit a response plan to the Coast Guard. The plan must address notification procedures, spill mitigation procedures, shorebased response activities and a list of contacts, among other things. As of August 19, 1993, any such vessel not operating under a plan may not transport or handle oil in U.S. waters.) Seafarers who have completed the courses should be able to identify the hazardous material, monitor the danger level, select and use the appropriate safety gear (such as boots, gloves, protective suits, etc.), contain the spill (whether the hazardous material is only on board the vessel or also is in the water), and identify the solution needed for decontamination of the equipment. According to Jones, the hazardous material may be any one or more of thousands. "We cover how to handle just about any dangerous material there iseverything from cleaning solutions to highly flammable gasses," the instructor noted. Jones pointed out that the information presented to the SIU members in both locations should be useful to them on a daily basis. San Juan Port Agent Steve Ruiz noted that the training "was outstanding and the participation incredible." No Overtime Pay Benefits of ITF Contract The ITF is a London-based organization of the world's transportation unions, of which the SIU is a member. Its contract establishes wage rates that meet international standards and helps ensure that crewmembers are paid in a timely manner. It also provides for overtime and holiday pay and manning according to ITF policy. The contract further includes a cJause for free medical attention, sick pay, a death benefit, disability insurance and other benefits. Stewards Emphasize Upgrading Continued from page 7 question-and-answer sessions between the students and representatives of the Sill's contracts, communications, government affairs and welfare, training, vacation and pension fund departments. These sessions are designed to enhance Seafarers' understanding of their union's operations; they also provide upgraders with the latest information from each department so it may be relayed to crewmembers aboard ships. Additionally, during a visit to SIU headquarters in Camp Springs, Md., the stewards met with SIU President Michael Sacco and SIU Executive Vice President Joseph Sacco to review matters of importance to the union and the maritime industry. Scott summarized the importance of upgrading when she said that the purpose of such courses is to enhance Seafarers' performances on ships. "It's important that we apply what we learn at the school, because [mariners on U.S.-flag ships] are constantly scrutinized. We need to prove ourselves every day in order to keep the jobs and wages we have, as well as to give us the power to gain more ships and more jobs," she said. �APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOB Come to Piney Point and Experience The Wonders of Southern Maryland waterfront village and harbor that Monastery. Two of the seven This is the land where as history books explain, General colonists sent by the second Lord has numerous restaurants and uni- original buildings belonged to the Smallwood was such an inBaltimore in 1634 established the que shops. first convent of religious women dividual. fourth permanent settlement in Guests to the island can visit in the original 13 colonies. While Southern Maryland British North America. the renowned Calvert Marine In White Plains, Seafarers can may capture the hearts of many Today the site is an 800-acre Museum, where the maritime his- take their children to visit the Pis- Seafarers and their families when living history museum complete tories of the Patuxent River and cataway Indian Museum where ex- enjoying a Piney Point vacation, with authentically costumed inter- the Chesapeake Bay are revealed. hibits, displays and a trading post there are still many more sights to preters who make the past come While traveling on through preserve the American Indian cul- behold outside of the historic alive in a reconstructed 17th-cen- Calvert County, vacationing ture. region. here black-eyed tury village. In Marbury, families can pay a Seafarers can stop at the Jefferson Baltimore and Annapolis, both Susans can be While activities of the historic Patterson Park and Museum lovisit to the former plantation of large and fascinating Maryland found growing in city are continuous from March cated in St. Leonard. William Smallwood, a Maryland cities, have many more interesting abundance along through November, notable fesSituated on 512 acres of land patriot leader during the era of landmarks and summer festivals picturesque tivities are conducted during the on the Patuxent River and St. the Revolutionary War. and fairs. Also, the nation's capicountry roads and where history summer months. Leonard Creek, the park is an en- "Smallwood's Retreat," the name tal of Washington is only a 90has been preserved so that Charter Days: June 15-16. vironmental preserve with more of the plantation house, is the minute drive from the center. modem-clay explorers can step Vacationers can partake in the an- than 70 archaeological sites highlight of the park. The entire However, it will take more than a back into colonial times, this is documenting many years of nual celebration of Maryland's weekend--and even more than estate reflects the lifestyle of a where Seafarers will find a vacafirst constitution complete with Maryland's rural history. Families Southern Maryland "gentleman" one week- to take in all the tion land that will provide enjoyperiod dress, drink, food and are bound to find the museum ex- and planter of the late colonial sights and happenings surroundment for the entire family at the entertainment. hibits, archaeology, nature trails and early national period because, ing the Paul Hall Center. Paul Hall Center for Maritime Tidewater Archaeology Dig: and wagon tours exciting. Training in Piney Point, Md. July 27-28. Visitors can exWith no point in the county Located in historic St. Mary's perience hands-on archaeological being more than five miles from County in Southern Maryland, opportunities at the site of navigable water, Seafarers can try Seafarers vacationing at the Paul Maryland's first capital. charter boat fishing and venture Hall Center need only step outSt. Mary's Governor's Cup onto the Chesapeake Bay in side of the facility's gates to disYacht Race: August 2-3. Located search of a big catch. cover the beauty and splendor on the St. Mary's College Or, just south of Prince that the region has to offer. waterfront in St. Mary's City, Frederick, the county seat of CalFishing, swimming, sunning, Seafarers and their families can vert County, families can visit Batboating, picnicking and exercising witness the largest overnight tle Creek Cypress Swamp are just a few of the fun.filled ac- yacht race on the East Coast. Sanctuary where sabertooth tigers tivities available for Seafarers stayand mammoths roamed the While St. Mary's City may be ing at the Paul Hall Center, fascinating, it is only one of many Maryland swamps of 100,000 which is nestled on the hanks of places Seafarers and their families years ago. The 100-acre sanctuary St. George's Creek. protected by Maryland Nature can visit in St. Mary's County. Offering affordable accomConservancy contains one of the In one of Maryland's first inmodations and satisfying meals, northernmost significant stands of dustrial districts, Great Mills, the maritime center is an ideal esSeafarers can discover Cecil's Old bald cypress tress in North cape from everyday life. America. Mill. While there is little need to While Seafarers may be fasBuilt in 1900, the mill now is journey outside of the peaceful 60cinated by the happenings and acre waterfront site that the Paul home to more than 60 local artisans and craftsmen who display sites available in St. Mary's and Hall Center calls its own, there Calvert Counties, the spectacular and sell their exceptional work. are numerous recreational and mix of beauty and history conAt Point Lookout State Park sightseeing opportunities for histinues when one ventures a bit in Scotland, Md. Seafarers and tory lovers to relish. further and crosses the county their families can visit the With the Potomac River to line into Charles County. museum exhibits depicting Point the west, the Chesapeake Bay to Lookout's role in the Civil War. the east and the Wicomico and Charles County Two monuments at Point Patuxent rivers splitting it in the Charles County prides itself Lookout Confederate Cemetery middle, Southern Maryland was with four state and five county show where Confederate borne of and is still ruled by a life parks. If fishing is a passion, naprisoners are buried. Also part of and love of the water. tives relate that the county has the state park are the remains of The counties of the area, St. the best bass fishing in the world. Fort Lincoln which was built by Mary's, Charles and Calvert, Among the area's highlights, of war Confederate prisoners boast many summer festivals, Charles County claims the circaunder Union supervision. celebrations and wondrous sites 1650 village of Port Tobacco. The not to be missed by vacationing Calvert County preserved village is one of the Seafarers and their families. oldest communities on the East Adjoining St. Mary's County St. Mary's County Coast and existed as the first Inacross the Thomas Johnson In walking distance of the cen· Bridge over the Patuxent River is dian settlement of Potopaco, a major seaport in the 17th-century. ter, Seafarers can enjoy a picnic at Calvert County. Once over the bridge, Not far from the historic vilthe tables surrounding the Piney Seafarers can stop and enjoy lage, in La Plata, vacationers can Point Lighthouse. Solomons Island, a quiet visit the 1790 Mt. Carmel Dating back to 1836, the unique tower-design lighthouse was the first permanent lighthouse r 4196 built on the Potomac River. It is Vacation Reservation Information the only remaining accessible lighthouse in its original location in Southern Maryland. Seafarers need only drive a Social Security number: _____________ Book number: _______________~ few more minutes down the country roads of St. Mary's CounAddress: _________________________________________ ty to retrace the footsteps of the first settlers in Maryland's earliest seat of government: St. Mary's City. W --.. SEAFARERS-TRAINING &RECREATION CENTER- Telephone number: _____________________________________ UNION MEMBER VACATION RATES 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. Numberinpa~/ages~children,~appl~ab~:-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date of arrival: 1st choice: _ __ 2nd choice:. _ __ Date of departure: ___________ 3rd choice:. _ __ (Stay is limited to two weeks) Send this completed application to the Seafarers Training & Recreation Center, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674. L---------- ____ _ __ _ _ _J g �10 APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOG The Jones Act: Cabotage Law Works for All Americans Each day in the United Senator Wesley Jones (for States an average of nearly 2.7 whom the Jones Actis named) mill ion tons of cargo is moved of Washington told his fellow on U.S.-flag vessels covered senators, "Nations are not free by the 1920 cabotage law, bet- that depend on foreign fleets ter known as the Jones Act. to carry their products and The importance of the bring them their supplies." Jones Act can be seen when A strong supporter of a lookingatamapoftheUnited U.S.-flag merchant fleet, States. A total of 23 states Jones was recalling what haphave a shoreline along the At- pened to America only a few !antic Ocean, Pacific Ocean or years earlier. Gulf of Mexico. Eight states At the tum of the century, are located on the banks of the American producers and Great Lakes. More than half of storekeepers depended heavithe 50 states have rivers, lakes ly on the British merchant and harbors that make up the fleet to move their goods. nation's 25,777 miles of However,theAmericanswere navigable waterways. forced to pay higher rates to Found in Section 27 of the transport their wares when the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, British fleet was called into the Jones Act states that cargo service to assist that nation's destined from one domestic troops during the Boer War in port to another must be moved South Africa in 1899, then aboard a U.S.-crewed, U.S.- again to support the forces built and U.S.-owned vessel. fighting in Europe during . - - - - - - - - - - - W o r l d War I (1914-1918). Jones foresaw a future Did you know... where privately owned That 87 percent of all ship- American steamship lines board employment oppor- wouldinstituteregularservice tunities for U.S. merchant to move American goods. mariners comes aboard ves"Our shipowners and ship operators must be placed as sels covered by the Jones Act? nearly as possible on an equity in operating costs and operating conditions with their competitors," Jones stated during Did you know ... the debate on the 1920 That 97 percent of all U.S.- measure. "Unless proper steps flag waterborne commerce are taken to do these things, it will be but a short time until comes from vessels covered our fleet will be dissipated and by the Jones Act? our flag driven from the sea, and we will again be in the same dependent and humiliating position we were before Did you know ... the war." That the Jones Act applies National Security Aspects to maritime commerce beToday, the Jones Act contween the U.S. mainland and tinues to provide for the naPuerto Rico, the U.S. mainland tional security in a variety of and Hawaii and Guam, and ways. Besides confirming the domestic ports on the Great fact that all vessels plying the Lakes as well as river traffic nation's waterways are and harbor tugs within the bor- American owned, it answers the call issued by Senator ders of the U.S.? .....___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___.Jones in 1920tocreateastable For more than 75 years, the investment climate for Jones Act has guaranteed that American shipbuilders and American crews operated the ship operators. FromtheranksoftheJones vessels on the nation's waterways, ensuring that the boats, Act fleet come trained ships and barges met the high American mariners to crew safety and environmental the nation's Ready Reserve standards set by the U.S. Force (RRF) vessels. These government. The law also has ships are docked in various provided the U.S. armed for- ports around the country and ces with the security that are activated in times of war or trained American merchant national emergency. RRF mariners would be available ships recently were called to to crew U.S.-flag ships in action during the Persian Gulf times of national emergencies War as well as during the military efforts in Haiti, or war. Somalia and Bosnia. Build Up U.S. Fleet To show how much things When the Jones Act was have changed since the beginenacted, the United States had ning of the 20th century, U.S.just finished its involvement flag vessels were used in in World War I. The Merchant December 1995 to move Marine Act of 1920 sought to British troops and supplies to Bosnia because the United address some of the problems dealing with the U.S.-flag Kingdom did not have the merchant fleet during the war available ships in its dwindling fleet. A recent investigayears. tion by the British parliament, One of the problems was that America's merchant fleet which has repealed much of was woefully unprepared for that nation's cabotage laws, war in Europe. The nation em- revealed its merchant fleet barked on a major shipbuild- was not capable of supporting a military operation. ing program. With regard to shipbuildDuring the debate on the ing, the domestic fleet covered Merchant Marine Act of 1920, U.S. Oabotage Routes by the Jones Act is expected to create 70 percent of the future construction opportunities within U.S. shipyards. This will ensure that skilled labor and technology stay in the U.S. and can be called upon in times of crisis. All States, Territories Impacted Because the Jones Act stipulates that U.S.-flag vessels ply the nation's waterways, the towns and villages along the oceans, lakes and rivers are assured that the vessels and marine equipment operating near their communities meet stringent U.S. safety and environmental laws. Safety and environmental laws are not the only way the 1920 law affects every state as well as the U.S. offshore territories. Besides covering the waterborne commerce on America's inland waterways, the Jones Act also covers the movement of goods along the nation's Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coastlines. Goods transported between the continental United States and Hawaii and Alaska fall under the measure's jurisdiction as does trade between the U.S. and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean and Guam in the Pacific. But how can the Jones Act play an active role in the economies of such landlocked states as Nebraska or Montana? First, American mariners come from all over the United States. The income they draw from working on U.S.-flag vessels allows them to buy groceries, clothing and other staples from local merchants, keep money in a local bank, and pay state and local taxes which support schools, highway construction and other needed projects. However; each state benefits in another way. Jones Act vessels, along with surface transportation modes, carry goods that originate from all states and take finished products back. These products include such items as coal, petroleum goods, lumber, grain, iron ore and much, much more. Cabotage Found Worldwide Cabotage laws are not unique to the United States. A survey conducted by the Maritime Administration (MarAd) of 57 maritime nations revealed 47 countries had laws on their books restricting foreign access to their domestic trades. Among the nations who responded to MarAd that they have cabotage restrictions, crewing. requir~~ents and ow~ersh1p restnct10ns were Chma, Fmland, Greece and Japan. . . Other nat10ns-bke Germany, South Korea and Sweden-:state~ t~ey l~mited cargo earned w1thm.theu bo.rder~ to vessels registered m their country. () Q I HAWAlr I GUAM & Jones Act Was Created to Ens While the Jones Act is not the only law governing the movement of goods between U.S. ports, it is probably the best known. The Jones Act is the common name for Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. It has been dubbed the Jones Act because it was sponsored by Senator Wesley R. Jones, a Republican from the state of Washington. (The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 called for the promotion and maintenance of the American merchant marine. It also sought to create a strong shipbuilding industry within the country.) After World War I, Jones, who served as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, sought to make America free from dependence on rapacious foreign shipping by having a U.S.-flag merchant fleet play a major role in world trade. The senator saw this period as "a splendid time to unshackle ourselves ... to promote our welfare in the world's readjustment." In proposing and supporting Section 27, Jones took up the suggestion ofW.S. Benson, chairman of the U.S. Shipping Board, the forerunner of today's Maritime Administration. In a letter dated April 19, 1920, Benson advised Jones, "Unless our coasting fleet be wholly and unequivocally owned by loyal United States citizens, it cannot be rated a dependable unit in time of national emergency. Suchdependabilitymustalways be insured, and this can only be ac percent bona fide Americ our coasting trade." When Jones proposed t 1920MerchantMarineAc criticism from abroad. Jones responded by n and the government had t attack: "We are entering no br seeking our part of the wo and foul will be used to d be made upon us from eve the cheek will win. We m to maintain ourselves, and be used to advance." The amendment was ac overall measure. The Jones Act was a cabotage bills enacted by in 1789. In fact, nine oft Congress in its initial ye What follows is a brief affecting the U.S. coastal the United States: 1789 - Duties are re imported aboard U.S.-flag 1791- U.S.-flag vess �SEAFARERS LOG APRIL 1996 Cabotage Laws from Around the World and Waterways Country Algeria Argentina x x x Canada Chile x Belgium China Colombia x x Denmark Greece x x x x x x Honduras x Ecuador Egypt Finland France Germany x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x India x x x Indonesia x x Italy x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Ivory Coast Japan Malaysia Malta omplished by making 100 U.S. citizens in American shipyards and commanded by ownership the only key to an American. 1793 - All vessels in the domestic coastal trades are cabotageamendmenttothe required to be U.S.-flag, U.S.-owned vessels. 1793 - Foreign-flag fishing vessels are prohibited the measure received strong from landing any part of their catch in U.S. ports. 1817 - Goods carried from one U.S . port to another ting the maritime industry stand together to repel the by a foreign vessel are subject to forfeiture. 1866 - Foreign vessels are prohibited from taking herly love Sunday School in cargo from one U.S. port to a foreign port, then having it d carrying trade. Fair means shipped to another U.S. port by amending the 1817 law. 1874- Foreign-built fishing vessels are prohibited feat us. Fierce assaults will angle. No meek turning of in domestic fishing. 1886 - Foreign vessels are prohibited from carrying st fight back and fight hard very honorable means must passengers from one U.S. port to another. 1892 - Foreign vessels are allowed to register epted and became part of the under U.S. flag only if owners build an equal amount of tonnage in U.S. shipyards. Formerly foreign-owned culmination of a series of vessels are prohibited from trading in U.S. domestic e Congress since it first met commerce. 27 laws passed by the first 1893 - Reinforced 1866 amendment against split dealt with maritime issues. voyages after the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the ·story of the various laws act. 1898 - All vessels engaged in domestic trade must ades since the beginning of be built in U.S. shipyards to American specifications. uced 10 percent on goods Owners must be Americans. 1920 - Movement of domestic cargo is limited to essels. s are required to be built by U.S.-owned, U.S.-crewed, U.S.-flag vessels. x Ownership Restrictions x x x x Hungary e Dependable Merchant Fleet x x x x Bahamas Bulgaria RIGO x x x x Brazil PUERTO Crewing Requirements x x Australia UN lTED STATES Cabotage Restrictions Mexico x x x x Netherlands New Zealand x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Nigeria Norway Peru Philippines Poland Romania Saudi Arabia South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand United Kingdom Uruguay USSR Venezuela Yugoslavia x x x x Source: U.S. Department of Transportation x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 11 �12 SEAFARERS LOG APRIL 1996 Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or _Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently ~retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. A 50-year veteran of the engine department is among the 14 Seafarers who are announcing their retirements this month. George Elot Jr. began sailing with the SIU in 1945 from the port of Norfolk, Va. He is one of five pensioners retiring this month who sailed the deep seas. Of the others. three each navigated the inland waterways or sailed the Great Lakes or worked in the railroad marine division. Calif. Brother Capito sailed in both the deck and engine departments. Born in the Philippine Islands, he makes his home in California. RAMON DeLaPAZ, 65, started sailing with the SIU in 1957 in the port of New York. Born in Puerto Rico, he sailed as a member of the steward department. Brother DeLaPaz has retired to New York. GEORGE ELOT JR., 69.joined Among this month's the retirees, Abdul R. Hassan comSeafarers in 1945 in the pleted the steward recertificaport of Nortion course at the Lundeberg folk, Va. School. This course offers the ~----~ The Illinois highest level of training for native sailed in the engine steward department members at department and upgraded to the Piney Point, Md. facility. QMED at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Seven of the retiring Brother Elot resides in New Seafarers served in the U.S. military - six in the Army and York. one in the Navy. EMMANOUIL HALKIAS. On this page, the Seafarers 61, began sailing with the SIU LOG presents brief biographiin 1962 from the port of New York. Brother Halkias shipped cal accounts of this month's in the deck department and pensioners. upgraded at the Lundeberg School. Born in Greece, he has DEEP SEA retired to his native country. PATRICIO CAPITO, ABDULR. 65,began HASSAN, his career 65. started with the sailing with Seafarers in the 1974 in the Seafarers in port of Wil1966from mington, the port of New York. A member of the steward department, Brother Hassan upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School and completed the steward recertification course there in 1982. Born in Malaysia. he now makes his home in Florida. INLAND JACKA. COOLEY, 62,joined the SIU in 1968 in the port of Mobile, Ala. The Missis._____ _ _ ___, sippi native worked as a crane operator primarily for Dravo Basic Materials, formerly known as Radcliff Materials. Boatman Cooley has retired to Alabama. WILFRED POPOUR, 62, started his career with the Seafarers in 1977 in the port of Jackson ville. Fla. after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy. A member of the deck department, Boatman Popour upgraded at the Lundeberg School. He was licensed as a towboat operator and last sailed as a captain. Born in Michigan. Boatman Popour resides in Florida. HARRY E. SPRINGFIELD SR., 66, began his SIU career Fresh Coat for Overseas Washington While receiving instructions before beginning the day's work aboard the Overseas Washington, deck department crewmembers pose on the Maritime Overseas tanker. From the left are 3rd Mate William Kelly, Bosun Cesar Gutierrez (who provided the Seafarers LOG with this photograph), AB Dennis Goodwin and AB Ishmael Bryan. At the time the photograph was taken, the vessel was on a run in the Gulf of Mexico. in 1967 in the port of New York. Boatman Springfield sailed on deep sea vessels and ~----~ later transferred to the inland division. The New Jersey native sailed in the steward department and upgraded to chief cook at the Lundeberg School. Boatman Springfield lives in New Jersey. GREAT LAKES WILLIAM F. COYER, 62, joined the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of Buffalo, N.Y. Sailing in the deck department, the New York native upgraded at the Lundeberg School. From 1956 to 1958, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Coyer still calls New York home. JOSEPH WILLARD, 62, joined the SIU in 1962 in the port of Toledo, Ohio. The Ohio native sailed as a member of the deck department. From 1952 to 1955, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Willard lives in Ohio. DANIEL J. DALY, 61, started his career with the SIU in 1963 in the port of Chicago. Sailing in the deck department. Brother Daly began shipping in the in- land division and later transferred to Great Lakes vessels. From 1954 to 1956, he served in the U.S. Army. Born in New York, Brother Daly has retired to Florida. RAILROAD MARINE JOSEPH BAK0,65, joined the Seafarers in 1983 in the port of New York. He sailed as a ~----~ member of the deck department. Born in Italy, Brother Bako lives in New York. LEONARD A. DOWNS SR., 67, started his career with the SIU in 1968 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Sailing in the deck department, the Virginia native upgraded at the Lundeberg School. From 1948 to 1952. he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Downs still calls Virginia home. CHARLES GWALTNEY 65, began his career with the Seafarers in 1947 in the port of Norfolk, Va. The Virginia native sailed in the deck department. From 1951to1953, Brother Gwaltney served in the U.S. Army. He has retired to Virginia. Retired Bosun Renews Acquaintance with Shipmate Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.)(center), who briefly sailed with the SIU in the mid-1960s, chats with SIU Vice President West Coast George McCartney (left) and retired Recertified Bosun Tony Palino during a recent dinner honoring Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). McCartney recalled that in 1964, while he was a dispatcher at the SIU hall in New York, he shipped Dodd (then a college student occasionally sailing as an OS) to the SS Transglobe of Hudson Waterways. "Tony Palino was the bosun on that ship," McCartney recently told the Seafarers LOG. "This dinner was the first time that he and Senator Dodd met since they sailed together in 1964." �SEAFARERS LOG APRIL 1996 Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea FEBRUARY 16 -MARCH 15, 1996 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A CJass B Class C Port New York 24 5 Philadelphia 8 Baltimore Norfolk 9 Mobile 8 New Orleans 19 Jacksonville 31 San Francisco 15 16 Wilmington 27 Seattle 7 Puerto Rico 8 Honolulu 26 Houston 2 St. Louis Piney Point 2 Algonac 1 208 Totals Port New York 20 0 Philadelphia Baltimore 5 3 Norfolk 6 Mobile 8 New Orleans Jacksonville 9 San Francisco 14 Wilmington 4 18 Seattle 3 Puerto Rico 3 Honolulu 17 Houston 0 St. Louis 2 Piney Point 2 Algonac 114 Totals Port New York 17 1 Philadelphia Baltimore 3 Norfolk 7 Mobile 8 New Orleans 8 8 Jacksonville San Francisco 31 Wilmington 12 Seattle 16 Puerto Rico 2 Honolulu 17 7 Houston St. Louis 1 Piney Point 3 Algonac 0 141 Totals Port 4 New York Philadelphia 1 2 Baltimore 2 Norfolk 2 Mobile 2 New Orleans 2 Jacksonville San Francisco 10 Wilmington 9 8 Seattle 2 Puerto Rico 7 Honolulu 0 Houston 0 St. Louis 0 Piney Point Algonac 0 51 Totals Totals All De~artments 514 16 4 11 12 11 15 21 21 9 16 4 8 22 0 4 3 177 16 3 2 1 0 3 0 1 2 1 2 0 4 4 3 0 1 0 24 1 1 TOTAL SlllPPED All Groups CJass A Class B Cl~ C DECK DEPARTMENT . 19 1 9 0 2 1 0 10 1 3 8 8 7 0 11 1 11 17 2 16 13 0 16 8 1 11 9 0 23 9 0 2 8 2 8 5 22 12 3 0 1 0 0 3 1 3 167 107 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 13 8 1 0 1 1 2 5 4 5 0 0 2 1 2 12 5 7 0 5 0 8 13 1 4 6 0 6 13 2 7 0 1 1 9 7 1 11 7 11 7 10 15 11 10 4 4 10 8 2 3 0 3 0 0 2 2 7 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 125 16 77 86 9 2 3 10 3 5 5 8 2 4 0 7 4 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 3 1 0 2 0 4 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 1 64 21 31 2 2 0 6 16 6 4 8 8 11 16 7 15 4 33 17 1 5 9 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 4 4 0 3 2 11 18 8 12 3 13 7 1 1 4 6 2 0 1 44 96 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 2 4 2 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 3 7 6 10 6 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 180 87 546 148 3 7 9 0 25 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 56 9 43 6 17 21 14 44 32 0 7 17 15 38 62 35 35 52 15 13 44 2 5 0 74 405 7 3 1 3 3 4 11 5 3 12 1 9 12 0 0 8 2 0 Algonac Friday: May 10, June 7 Houston Monday: May 13, June 10 0 1 New Orleans Tuesday: May 14, June 11 3 1 351 53 Mobile Wednesday: May 15, June 12 41 0 6 Norfolk Thursday: May 9, June 6 San Francisco Thursday: May 16, June 13 7 2 1 0 0 5 2 6 4 15 1 3 8 0 0 31 4 7 10 12 19 18 17 13 27 23 15 3 18 25 4 4 23 l 3 15 14 11 18 26 20 17 2 I Wilmington Monday: May 20, June 17 1 3 0 3 0 0 Seattle Friday: May 24, June 21 5 1 2 9 6 0 0 0 0 4 2 3 9 0 54 192 224 33 4 0 28 17 2 0 2 0 1 1 10 16 17 16 55 21 37 5 14 11 14 0 1 1 2 8 10 3 9 16 10 0 2 1 1 16 3 0 7 8 0 6 0 55 245 131 35 0 14 1 56 14 0 0 6 2 3 12 11 1 17 2 0 0 0 2 4 2 6 17 2 15 17 0 0 4 0 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 9 5 0 22 0 25 0 2 42 0 0 0 35 13 56 22 5 8 86 1 0 0 10 11 8 7 1 0 I 0 2 27 27 18 23 28 38 6 9 2 1 I 1 3 0 28 6 0 109 53 0 97 377 193 368 346 84 183 939 1083 314 2 Philadelphia Wednesday: May 8, June 5 1 5 5 5 44 8 10 0 0 0 0 9 New York Tuesday: May 7, June 4 Jacksonville Thursday: May 9, June 6 26 12 3 0 Piney Point Monday: May 6, June 3 4 5 36 0 0 0 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters Baltimore Thursday: May 9, June 6 0 3 0 5 May & June 1996 8 1 2 5 4 2 11 8 0 1 0 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 13 3 2 0 0 4 0 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 6 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 13 7 0 7 1 6 1 0 4 51 0 0 13 Trip Reliefs 13 * "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. San Juan Thursday: May 9, June 6 St. Louis Friday: May 17, June 14 Honolulu Friday: May 17, June 14 Duluth Wednesday: May 15, June 12 Jersey City Wednesday: May 22, June 19 New Bedford Tuesday: May 21, June 18 Each port's meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personals STEVE LE'ITERMAN Tugboat captain in Houston area, please contact Mitch Pitts at 302 52nd Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, or telephone (804) 425-3000. EUGENE ''DICK" STANG Please contact your sister Betty Stang at (210) 5467349. MICHAELANTHONYJOHNSON Please contact J.J. at 318.· East Petain Street, Pritchard, AL 36610, or telephone (334) 457-0732. STEVE MITCHELL Tugboat captain in Jacksonville area, please contact Melissa Hubbard at (714) 355-3808. �14 SEAFARERS LOG APRIL 1996 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 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. r.Jobile,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 PHILADELPIUA 2604 S. 4 St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O.Box75 Piney Point, MD 20674 (30 l) 994-00 I 0 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St. San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop I 6112 Santurce, PR 00907 (809) 721-4033 SEATTLE 2505 Fust 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 FEBRUARY 16 - MARCH 15, 1996 L-Lakes NP-Non Priority CL-Company/Lakes *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP Port **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP DECK DEPARTMENT Algonac 0 31 0 4 Port 3 0 0 44 7 0 12 3 0 11 2 ENGINE DEPARTMENT Algonac 0 12 0 3 Port 0 6 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 2 0 0 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 11 2 Algonac 0 13 10 0 0 0 0 43 18 Totals All Departments 0 67 19 0 11 0 0 110 30 Algonac Port * ''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. Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters FEBRUARY 16 - MARCH 15, 1996 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C TOTAL SHIPPED AU Groups Class A ClassB Class C Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast 4 1 51 4 0 3 0 2 0 Totals Region 60 5 15 3 0 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 5 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 9 21 3 35 2 5 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 13 2 3 21 10 3 0 4 22 47 9 39 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 7 0 0 3 2 0 0 16 11 0 19 81 5 35 39 3 65 10 9 * ''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. 59 Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region 8 0 7 Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast 1 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 Totals 6 0 20 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 4 0 7 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 4 3 4 0 Totals All Departments ~CIU BULLE"l IN ~ (i MEMBERSHIP MEETING SET FOR APRIL 24 IN PORT ARTHUR A general informational Seafarers membership meeting will beheld at 1 p.m. on Wedn~y. April 24. It will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 545 Savannah Ave. in Port Arthur, Texas. For more information about the meeting, contact the Houston SIU hall. ~ ~ ~ BOARD R ~ PUBLIC HEAL TH 'iP RECORDS AVAILABLE Members who were treated at United States Public Health Service Hospitals may obtain their medical records by writing to PHS Health Data Center, GWL Hansen's Disease Center, Carville, LA 70721. To make sure a request is answered quickly, be sure to include the name, date of birth, social security number, facility where treatment was received and the approximate dates of treatment for the individual in question. ' SEAFARERS MUST RENEW Z-CARDS BY 1999 - Issuance Year 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 'fear 0 17 0 0 c{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 Control, Seafarers International Union, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. -- 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1985 1980 1975 1970 1965 1960 1955 1950 1945 1940 1986 1981 1976 1971 1966 1961 1956 1951 1946 1941 1987 1982 1977 1972 1967 1962 1957 1952 1947 1942 1937 1988 1983 1978 1973 1968 1963 1958 1953 1948 1943 1938 1989 1984 1979 1974 1969 1964 1959 1954 1949 1944 1939 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Source: Federal Register, September 27, 1994 �SEAFARERS LOG APRIL 1996 15 Final Departures HANS E. HANSEN DEEP SEA WARREN D. ALDERMAN Pensioner Warren D. Alderman, 85, passed away February 7. A native of Florida, he joined the '-----"----""':::;;;;_;,,;;;;.__ __, Seafarers as a charter member in 1939 in the port of Miami. Sailing in the deck department, Brother Alderman first sailed on the Joseph R. Parrot operated by Eastern Steamship Co. Prior to his retirement in May 1963, he last sailed aboard the Del Sud. ALFRED D. ALLEN Pensioner Alfred D. Allen, 85, died January 18. Born in the Philippines, he began sailing with the SIU .___;;;'-...::::;_;;--'=-~inl961from the port of Seattle. Brother Allen sailed as a member of the steward department and began receiving his pension in July 1987. IRA 0. BEADLING Ira 0. Beadling, 67, passed away February 24. Brother Beadling started his career with the Marine Cooks = =-== & Stewards (MC&S) in the late 1950s in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU' s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District (AGUWD). He upgraded at the MC&S training facility in Santa Rosa, Calif. in 1966. The Pennsylvania native last sailed in 1989 aboard the Independence operated by American Hawaii Cruises. From 1951to1953, he served in the U.S. Army. HARRY BOURNE Pensioner Harry Bourne, 68, died February 13. He joined theMC&S before that union merged with the l ' - - - - = = - - _ _ J SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Bourne last sailed as a chief steward in June 1992 aboard the Sea-land Express. From 1950 to 1953, he served in the U.S. Air Force. A resident of Oregon, Brother Bourne began receiving his pension in March 1993. U.L. GOFF GRADY Pensioner U.L. Goff Grady, 67, passed away December 23, 1995. The Arkansas native began his career with ' - - - - - - - - - - ' the MC&S in 1965 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Grady retired to California in October 1992. Pensioner Hans E. Hansen, 83, died January 17. A native of Florida, he started his career with the Seafarers L--=~--=--___1 in 1940 in the port of Miami. Brother Hansen sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. He last sailed as a bosun. A resident of Georgia, Brother Hansen started receiving his pension in December 1979. ALBERTO E. HARLAND Pensioner Alberto E. Harland, 74, passed away January 11. Born in Hawaii, he joined the MC&Sin '-"-----------' 1961 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. military from 1941 to 1945. Brother Harland lived in California and retired in November 1983. WILLIS A. HARPER Pensioner Willis A. Harper, 79, died January 16. Brother Harper joined the Seafarers as a charter member in 1938 in ·' the port of Norfolk, Va. The North Carolina native sailed in the deck department. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. A resident of Virginia, Brother Harper began receiving his pension in July 1974. ALBERT A. HA TT . Pensioner Albert A. Hatt, 77, passed away February 5. He began his career with the SIU in 1944 in the port of New York. Sailing in the engine department, Brother Hatt upgraded at the Lundeberg School. During his career, he was active in several union organizing drives and beefs. Born in the British West Indies, he became a U.S. citizen and retired in December 1980. DONALD E. HINES r--:-:;;;;iiipa;:----i Pensioner Donald E. Hines, 69, died January 11. A native of Washington state, he began sailing with the Seafarers in 1968 from the port of Seattle. Brother Hines shipped in the engine department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. From 1947 to 1963, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Hines lived in Washington and began receiving his pension in June 1993. WALTER L. SCHROEDER INLAND JOHN H. HICKMAN John H. Hickman, 56, died October 30, 1995. Born in Delaware, he started his career with the Seafarers in 1965 in the port of Philadelphia. Boatman Hickman sailed in the engine department. From 1956 to 1958, he served in the U.S. Army. THEODORE J. JAMES TheodoreJ. James, 30, passed away January 21. He graduated from the Lundeberg School's inland training program for entry level seamen in 1989 and joined the SIU in the port of Piney Point, Md. Boatman James sailed as a member of the deck department. JOHN H. JONES Pensioner John H. Jones, 68, died December 11, 1995. Boatman Jones began sailing with the Seafarers in 1955 from the port of Philadelphia. The Maryland native sailed in the deck department. From 1945 to 1947, he served in the U.S. Navy. Boatman Jones retired in November 1989. JAMES H. KELLY ' Pensioner James H. Kelly, 78, passed away November 21, 1995. Anative of Pennsylvania, he started his career with the SIU in 1940 in the port of Philadelphia. A member of the deck department, he last sailed as a tugboat captain. Boatman Kelly was a resident of Florida and began receiving his pension in February 1979. ROBERT ODOM Pensioner Robert Odom, 71, died December 25, 1995. He joined the Seafarers in 1956 in the port of Mobile, Ala. The Alabama native sailed in both the deck and steward departments. From 1950 to 1952, he served in the U.S. Army. Boatman Odom retired to Alabama in June 1987. I TED H. PEADEN Pensioner TedH. Peaden, 75, passed away March 3. Born in Alabama, Boatman ~ Peaden started his career with the SIU in 1957 in the port of New Orleans. A member of the deck department, he last sailed as a captain. Boatman Peaden sailed primarily with Dixie Carriers. He began receiving his pension in January 1985. ·· Pensioner Walter L. Schroeder, 70, died November 29, 1995. Boatman Schroeder began sailing =~---..:!!!!!...:!~~ with the SIU in 1961 from the port of Philadelphia. As a member of the deck department, he advanced from deckhand to pilot. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1948. Boatman Schroeder retired in December 1987. THOMAS W. SIMS Pensioner Thomas W. Sims, 75, passed away October 13, 1995. A native of Louisiana, he joined the Seafarers in 1964 in the port of Port Arthur, Texas. Boatman Sims sailed as a member of the steward department. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1947. Boatman Sims began receiving his pension in March 1991. Pensioner PaulP. Greco, 69, died December 15, 1995. A native of Minnesota, he joined the SIU in 1961 i.== =_;;_;::-=== in the port of Duluth, Minn. Brother Greco sailed as a member of the deck department. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. Brother Greco retired in August 1988. ALLEN H. HANNAN JOSEPH B. THOMAS Joseph B. Thomas, 54, died January 19. Boatman Thomas started his career with the SIU in 1975 in the port of Norfolk, Va. The Virginia native sailed as a member of the steward department. THERIN D. WILSON Pensioner Therin D . Wilson, 68, passed away January 5. Born in Arkansas, he began sailing with the =;:__--..:~= Seafarers in 1962 from the port of Houston. As a member of the deck department, Boatman Wilson advanced from deckhand to captain. From 1944 to 1953, he served in the U.S . Navy. He retired in October 1989. GREAT LAKES SYLVESTER J. BRZOZOWSKI Pensioner Sylvester J. Brzozowski, 83, passed away January 15. He joined the SIU as a charter member in 1939 in the port of New York. The New York native sailed in the deck department as a wheelsman. Brother Brzozowski began receiving his pension in June 1975. DALE J. GRANGER r--~==--~ DaleJ. Granger, 35, died December 27, 1995. Brother Granger started his career with the Seafarers in 1993 in the port of Duluth, Minn. Sailing in the deck department, he shipped primarily aboard Kinsman Lines vessels. WILLIAMS. GRAY Pensioner William S. Gray, 61, passed away January 23. Brother Allen H. Hannan, 37, passed away January 1. Born in Michigan, he started his career with the Seafarers ~""--'~-==-.! in 1991 in the port of Detroit. He last sailed in June 1995 aboard the Paul Townsend operated by Cement Transit Co. GEORGE E. PALM Pensioner George E. Palm, 87, died November 2, 1995. Brother Palm joined the Seafarers in '--------'---= 1953 in the port of Frankfort, Mich. The Michigan native sailed in the deck department and began receiving his pension in October 1969. FRED PIOTROWSKI Pensioner Fred Piotrowski, 72, passed awayNovember3, 1995. Born in Michigan, he '-======~ started his career with the SIU in 1960 in the port of Detroit. Brother Piotrowski sailed in both the engine and deck departments. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. Brother Piotrowski resided in Florida and retired in July 1988. ATLANTIC FISHERMEN WILLIAM "ZEKE" ENOS Pensioner William "Zeke" Enos, 76, passed away January 16. A native of I Massachusetts, he joined the J Atlantic :..__::==~ Fishermen's Union in 1946 in the port of Gloucester, Mass. Brother Enos sailed as a mate and a twineman. He retired to California in January 1982. �16 APRIL 1996 SEAFARERS LOG Letters to the Editor (Editor's Note: The Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer's intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners and their families and will publish them on a timely basis.) Chapters Work for All Merchant Seamen The American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) is a non-profit organization established in 1983 to gain recognition for all mariners who served in the American merchant marine in times of war and peace. Today, we number more than 60 chapters from coast to coast. I am sure that you are aware of the sacrifices made by merchant seamen during World War II, when more than 250,000 served in the merchant marine. It is estimated that 6,835 were killed, more than 11,000 wounded and 604 taken as prisoners of war. Sixty-one died in POW camps. In 1988, the United States government awarded an honorable discharge to those mariners who served from December 7, 1941 to August 15, 1945. However, for many, this was too little too late. The main goals of the AMMV are (1) to gain recognition and benefits for American merchant seamen who served so loyally during periods of peace and conflict and (2) to urge our nation to rebuild and maintain a strong American-flag merchant fleet in keeping with the reality that the United States is a maritime nation. Presently, the AMMV is working to secure passage of maritime revitalization legislation and to keep the Jones Act secure. TheAMMVis a veterans' organization which deals exclusively with merchant mariners' rights and benefits. The AMMV is open to past and present mariners, both male and female. The organization includes members of the Army Transportation Service, students and graduates of the U.S. and state maritime academies, staff of the U.S. Public Health Service who treated seamen, members of the armed forces who hold honorable discharges and widows of merchant marine veterans who obtained a DD-214 discharge. The AMMV may be contacted by writing 4720 Southeast 15th A venue, Cape Coral, FL 33904-9600orcalling(941)5491010. Gloria Flora Nicolich Vice President Edwin J. O'Hara Chapter, AMMV Brooklyn, N.Y. J, J, J, Keep U.S.-Flag Ships Sailing Being a retired merchant seaman from 1986, I receive the Seafarers LOG informing me of the latest news in the maritime world. The news is rewarding as it informs me of all the advances the union has made to better the life of today's mariners. As encouraging as the news is, at times I am angry and amazed to read of the reflagging of U.S.-flag ships to foreign nations. Every industry is like a game of dominoes-if one business succeeds, more people will be working in a11 the fields related to that business. When more Americans are working, more money is spent in the United States where the dollars help the economy. The "Forgotten Service," the American merchant marine, contributes a great deal when employed, by providing incomes used for buymg goods from local merchants and paying taxes. The more ships under the U.S.-flag, the more Americans are employed. But the reflagging of ships to a foreign nation has the effect of one domino falling backwards which causes others to fall, resulting in unemployment for American merchant mariners and hardships for them and their families. The United States government is supposedly a champion for better living conditions in the world. Yet, it allows the reflaggi ng of American ships to foreign nations which employ Third World people to crew the ships at the lowest wages possible with the poorest safety and living conditions possible. By stopping the reflagging, we will retain employment for thousands of American merchant mariners. By building more U.S.-flag ships, we will provide jobs for many more Americans. Walter Karlak Woodside Queens, N.Y. J, J, J, Captain Praises Crew Of Sea-Land Developer I am honored to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding preparation of the Sea-LandDeveloper'sinaugural call to Laem Chabang, Thailand. Both the quantity and quality of work that was accomplished to help make this celebration a success was phenomenal. These efforts will assist SeaLand greatly in turning this new run and the Thailand call into a profitable endeavor. As per the message we received from the Thailand country manager, he stated "the Developer looked like she was a new build in to be christened rather than a 16-yearold vessel." This superb effort is something that the team Developer can be very proud of. Most importantly, every one of you had to feel a great sense of accomplishment both as part of the team and as an individual, once you had enough time to look at your accomplishment. You have helped make it really easy for me to be proud to say that I am captain of the Sea-Land Developer. Steven J. Garvan Master, Sea-Land Developer J, J, J, Sea-Land Defender Crew Receives Thanks I would like to extend notice and appreciation for the diligent and skillful efforts of all deck department personnel of the SeaLa nd Defender, especially Bosun Bill Dean, concerning all of the work preparing for, enduring through and recovering from our shipyard voyage (158-160). The appearance and condition of the ship stand well. Steward Ray Garcia and Chief Cook Manny Basas also deserve thanks for serving up great victuals consistently. George A. Werdann Jr. Chief Mate, Sea-Land Defender J, J, J, SIU Welfare Plan Receives Kudos I would like to thank the Seafarers Welfare Plan for everything they have done for my husband all these years, and especially these last two years. We were so happy we belonged to the Seafarers International Union and the Seafarers Welfare Plan. All the hospital and medical bills were paid and the insurance money I received was such a big help-it paid for the funeral bill. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Mrs. Antonio L. Dos Santos Finksburg, Md. J, J, J, Bunker: Kind Words From WWII Mariners Thanks for the great review of "Heroes in Dungarees." It will enable many SIU war veterans to learn about the book. I have had letters and phone calls from former seamen saying how glad they are that there is finally a story of the role of merchant seamen in World War II. John Bunker West Palm Beach, Fla. J, J, J, Visit to Union Hall Stirs Many Memories Recently, I stopped off at the San Francisco union hall after working a six-hour shift as a volunteer on the Liberty Ship Jeremiah O'Brien. A young man at the counter took a note I left for a member I worked with in San Francisco. Next thing I knew, Vice President West Coast George McCartney comes out of his office. Like old sailors, we start exchanging names of mutual friends and shipmates-Bob "Sailor" Hall whom I worked for with Waterman from 1967 to 1971, Chuck Allen, Jim Pulliam, Ralph Smith, Leo Gilliken, Harry "Swede" Larson, Frank White, Mike Iwaski, Chung Ping King, Blackie Goose, Don Bartlett and Floyd Loyde Selik. It was great fun. We go way back to John "Whitey" Hawk, J.P. "Jake" Shuler, Paul Hall who was a good union leader who had our welfare at heart, and Frank Drozak who took up the mantel after Paul's death. Then on to Michael Sacco whom I met at Piney Point in 1968 and Joey Sacco who was the port agent in San Francisco in the early 1970s. Good men all! It was a warm dialogue with George that said something about Seafarers. I have been retired since 1972, but the guys had time for me. We are not only "Old Salts," but as human beings, we are. the salt of the earth. It was a neat afternoon for this old Seafarer. Francis ''Mac" McCall San Francisco, Calif. J, J, J, Writing to Elected Officials is Worthwhile As an SIU pensioner, I feel that I AM still an important part of this union. Writing a letter was the least I could do. I won'tlisten to naysayers who suggest that it is a waste of time. Don't believe it. Anyone in public office who is flooded with letters from labor organizations or civic groups will take notice. There is a future to think about. There is also an organization that prides itself in being an innovator in labor training with the finest and most up-to-date facility in the country, maybe the world. The effort to educate, give direction, build character as well as teach basic skills to youth in the workforce is real. It is time to reward these accomplishments with something positive. Anthony Notturno Villas, N.J. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership' s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every · year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretarytreasmer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by amajorityofthetrustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member's shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and isgivenanofficialreceipt,butfeels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. C 0 N S T I TU T I 0 NA L RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are return receipt requested. The used to further its objects and purproper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman poses including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way workers, the preservation and furCamp Springs, MD 20746 thering of the American merchant Full copies of contracts as marine with improved employreferred to are available to members ment opportunities for seamen and at all times, either by writing directly boatmen and the advancement of to the union or to the Seafarers Ap- trade union concepts. In connection peals Board. with such objects, SPAD supports CONTRACTS. Copies of all and contributes to political canSIU contracts are available in all didates for elective office. All conSIU halls. These contracts specify tributions are voluntary. No the wages and conditions under contributipn may be solicited or which an SIU member works and received because of force, job dislives aboard a ship or boat Mem- crimination, financial reprisal, or bers should know their contract threat of such conduct, or as a conrights, as well as their obligations, dition of membership in the union such as filing for overtime (OT) on or of employment. If a contribution the proper sheets and in the is made by reason of the above proper manner. If, at any time, a improper conduct, the member member believes that an SIU should notify the Seafarers Intemapatrolman or other union official tional Union or SPAD by certified fails to protect their contractual mail within 30 days of the contriburights properly, he or she should tion for investigation and apcontact the nearest SIU port propriate action and refund, if agent. involuntary. A member should supEDITORIAL POLICY - portSPADtoprotectandfurtherhis THE SEAFARERS LOG. The or her economic, political and social Seafarers WG traditionally has interests, and American trade union refrained from publishing any article concepts. ~~g the p:>litical P.urposes of any NOTIFYJNG THE UNIONmdivtdual m the umon, .officer or If at any time a member feels that me~~· It ~ has refrained from any of the above rights have been publis~g ~des deel!led harmful violated, or that he or she has been to~~onon~collecti~emember- denied the constitutional right of ship. Thisestablishedpoli~y~been access to union records or inforreaffirmed by membershiJ? acti?n at mation, the member should imthe S<?J>te!Ilber 1960 meetmgs mall mediately notify SIU President co~~t:J.tutlonal ports. The re~p<n~- Michael Sacco at headquarters sibility for SeafGfe~s WG polic~ is by certified mail, return receipt vesa:ct m an editon~ board which requested. The address is: consists of the executive board of the Michael Sacco, President union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way individual to carry out this responCamp Springs, MD 20746. sibility. �SEAFARERS LOG APRIL 1996 Digest of Shipboard Union 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 u~IC)n upon receipt of the ships' minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. /TB BALTIMORE (Sheridan Transportation), January 21Chairman Joseph Caruso, Secretary Joseph Miller, Educational Director Christopher Herring, Deck Delegate Anthony Heinoldt, Engine Delegate Robert Brown, Steward Delegate G. Hyman. Chairman reminded crewmembers not to slam doors and noted ship newspaper posted in lounge. Secretary added everything running smoothly. Educational director urged members to upgrade at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun thanked all departments for jobs well done. Next port: St Croix, U.S.V.I. OM/ DYNA CHEM (OMI), January 21-Chairman Lawrence Kunc, Secretary Leticia Perales, Educational Director Jason Etnoyer, Deck Delegate Amante Gumiran, Steward Delegate Ernest Dumont. Chairman advised crewmembers to wear safety shoes at all times on ship. Crew asked contracts department if tanker operation/safety course is necessary for crewmembers with five or more years of tanker experience. Educational director advised crew to go to Paul Hall Centerand urged all crewemembers to enroll in tanker operation!safety course. Deck delegate reminded crewmembers signing off to clean rooms and put all trash in garbage room. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed upcoming standard tanker agreement negotiations. Chairman thanked all departments for jobs well done. Next port: Port Everglades, Fla. OVERSEAS PHILADELPHIA (Maritime Overseas), January 21Chairman Timothy Olvany, Secretary Mark Flores, Educational Director Donal Swanner, Engine Delegate Spencer Smith. Secretary stressed importance of upgrading skills at Lundeberg School. Educational director advised members to read Seafarers LOG. Treasurer reported $250 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested contracts department look into reducing required seatime for vacation and retirement. Bosun asked crew- members to separate plastic from regular refuse. Crew observed minute of silence for departed SIU brothers and sisters. Crew gave vote of thanks to galley gang. Steward delegate asked crewmembers to clean up all areas. SEA·LAND CONSUMER (SeaLand Service), January 6-Chairman Francis Adams, Educational Director Irwin Rousseau, Deck Delegate R. Rivera. Chairman asked crewmembers to keep donating to SPAD and writing members of Congress seeking support for the Maritime Security Act. He thanked all departments for jobs well done. Secretary advised crew to attend upgrading courses at Piney Point. Educational director reminded members to read Seafarers WG. Deck delegate reported beef. No beefs or disputed OT reported by steward or engine delegates. Crew extended special vote of thanks to galley gang for great meals. WESTWARD VENTURE (IUM), January 28-Chairman J.H. Lewis, Secretary Thurman Johnson, Educational Director R. Ohler. Chairman announced payoff in port of Tacoma, Wash. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Captain read letter from company advising AB watchstanders to prepare for severe weather on the Alaskan run. Crew thanked steward department for job well done. USNS POTOMAC (Bay Ship Management), January 14--Chairman David Zurek, Secretary E. Cordova, Educational Director James T. McParland, Deck Delegate Wayne Powers, Steward Delegate Brad Stephenson. Bosun noted Paul Hall Center schedule for tanker operation/safety course and 1996 union meeting dates posted on crew bulletin board. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading at Lundeberg School. Treasurer reported $100 in ship's fund. Crew discussed purchase of new videos for ship. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun read letter from contracts department answering crewmember' s questions concerning agreement. Crew thanked galley gang for job very well done. Warmer Days Ahead SIU members aboard the Global Link were among those affected by the Blizzard of '96. Chief Steward Brandon Maeda sent this photo of the ice-bound cable ship in Baltimore to the Seafarers LOG. FRANCES HAMMER (Ocean Shipholding), February 11-Chairman Richard Wilson, Secretary Larry Ewing, Educational Director Major Smith, Steward Delegate Dadang Rashidi. Bosun discussed proper fitting of benzene masks. Educational director reminded members to take the tanker operation/safety course at Piney Point. Treasurer reported $872 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested new ice machine and washer and dryer. Chairman noted ship to pay off in New Jersey. Crew gave special vote of thanks to galley gang for job well done and observed moment of silence for departed union brothers and sisters. GALVESTON BAY (Sea-Land Service), February 4--Chairman Walter Petty, Secretary Jerome Jordan, Educational Director Miguel Rivera, Deck Delegate Joseph White, Engine Delegate Robert Gaglioti, Steward Delegate Angel Correa. Secretary encouraged members to upgrade at Lundeberg School and pay attention to union news in Seafarers LOG. Educational director advised members to upgrade skills at Piney Point. Deck and engine delegates reported beefs. No beefs or disputed OT reported by steward delegate. Crew thanked steward department for job well done. LIBERTY STAR(Liberty Maritime), February 12-Chairman Richard Nicholas, Secretary Henry Jones, Deck Delegate Paul Lucky, Engine Delegate Eddie Major, Steward Delegate Norman Jackson. Secretary thanked crew for good voyage. Deck delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward delegates. Crew requested VCR for crew lounge. Next port: Galveston, Texas. LIBERTY SUN (Liberty Maritime), February 18-Chairman Hugo Dermody, Secretary Blair Humes, Educational Director Rogers Bankston, Deck Delegate Charles McPherson, Engine Delegate Michael N. Carubba, Steward Delegate Jessie Jones. Chairman advised members to continue to donate to SPAD. He reminded crew to keep plastics separate from regular garbage. Bosun thanked Seafarers WG for fine job keeping members informed on breaking maritime issues. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested repairs to freezer. Crew extended deep appreciation to galley gang members for job well done. LNG CAPRICORN (ETC), February 11-Chairman Charles Kahl, Secretary D. Paradise, Educational Director David Dinan, Deck Delegate Richard Lewis, Engine Delegate Otis Sessions. Captain informed crew of shipyard schedule. Bosun reminded crew to be careful while ashore in ports. Chairman commended crew for excellent job and asked them to keep all areas of ship clean. Secretary announced vacation and medical forms available for any crewmember signing off. Educational director informed crew of 1996 Lundeberg School upgrading schedule posted in lounge. He added that members applying to Paul Hall Center need to have letter from captain noting seatime on ship. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew extended special vote of thanks to QMED David Dinan for special efforts while in shipyard. Chief Steward commended SAs Dave Wakeman, Anthony Palumbo and Christian Guglielmi for all-around excellent job. Entire crew thanked galley gang for good chow. Next port: Osaka, Japan. 17 Scrumptious Thanksgiving at Sea Seafare~s. aboard the Crowley Ambassador were treated to a Thanksgiving feast, thanks to the efforts of Chief Cook Ivan A. Salis (left) and Steward/Baker Demont Edwards. The menu featured roast turkey, baked ham, prime rib, homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, corn, c~anberry s~uce, tossed salad, stuffed celery, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie, apple pie, chocolate chip cookies and more. OM/ DYNA CHEM (OMI), February 4--Chairman Larry Kunc, Secretary Leticia Perales, Educational Director Jason Etnoyer, Deck Delegate Amante Gumiran, Engine Delegate Earl Adams. Crew asked contracts department for information on new contract. Chairman announced tanker operation/safety course required for all crewmembers who wish to continue sailing aboard tankers. Bosun noted ship just left Port Everglades, Fla. bound for 1.acksonville, Fla. to discharge portJ.on of cargo. He added ship will sail for Houston on February 10. Crewmembers reported new Seafarers LOGs received and distributed. Bosun reminded crew that as of a January 1, 1996 change in the shipping rules, a person with certificate of completion from the tanker operation/safety class has priority over another member who has not taken the course, all other things being equal. Educational director stressed importance of Lundeberg School for SIU members. Treasurer reported $263 in movie fund. Engine delegate reported beef. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck or steward delegates. Crew discussed turning on heating system at night. Next port: Jacksonville. OVERSEAS JOYCE (Maritime Overseas), February 17-Chairman Larry Evans, Secretary Michael Gramer, Educational Director C. Miles, Engine Delegate Leon Fountain. Bosun thanked crew for job well done. Educational director reminded members to upgrade at Piney Point and take tanker operation/safety course. He also encouraged members to donate to SPAD. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked galley gang for excellent meals. Crewmembers requested coffee machine in crew mess area. Next port El Segundo, Calif. SEA-LAND HA WAI/ (Sea-Land Service), February 18-Chairman Barry Carrano, Secretary Don Spangler, Educational Director Clive Steward, Deck Delegate Greg Jenkins, Engine Delegate Ronald Williams. Deck delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward delegates. Crew requested extra dryer in laundry room, washing machine repairs and table for folding clothes. Bosun discussed importance of all SIU members being registered to vote. He reminded crew that President Bill Clinton signed bill allowing Alaskan North Slope oil to be exported on U.S.-crewed, built and flagged tankers. Next port: Elizabeth, NJ. SEA·LAND PRODUCER (SeaLand Service), February 12Chairman J.Edwards, Secretary D. Cunningham, Educational Director W. Thomas, Deck Delegate D. Pickering, Engine Delegate R. Giannini, Steward Delegate Lonnie Bettis. Chairman announced arrival in port will be later than expected due to boiler problems. He noted money from ship's fund will be used to purchase nine small refrigerators in port of Jacksonville, Fla. He added that four were already purchased and installed into rooms. Educational director advised members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center and read Seafarers LOG regularly to keep up-to-date on new course offerings. He also urged crewmembers to continue writing members of Congress asking them to support maritime revitalization legislation. Treasurer noted $1,800 in ship's fund, part of which will be used for purchase of refrigerators. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew said it was awaiting reply on letter sent to contracts department. Crew extended special vote of thanks to steward department for outstanding job on "Top-Your-Own-Pizza Night," shipboard barbecues and Mardi Gras party. AB Larry Reiner announced he still has copies of his book "Minute of Silence" on board and encouraged shipmates to check it out. Next port: Elizabeth, N .J. SEA-LAND TRADER (Sea-Land Service), February 11-Chairman L.E. Watson, Secretary Kevin Dougherty, Educational Director Milt Sabin, Deck Delegate Russ Caruthers, Engine Delegate Tom Evans, Steward Delegate Thomas White. Treasurer reported $500 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed using ship's fund to purchase new movies and extra washer for crew members' dirty, greasy work clothes. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. USNS POTOMAC (Bay Ship Management), February 18-Chairman David Zurek, Secretary E. Cordova, Educational Director James McParland, Deck Delegate Wayne Powers, Steward Delegate Brad Stephenson. Bosun noted crew still waiting for response from union headquarters concerning the purchase of movies for the crew by company. Chairman advised crew to check z-card renewal dates and 1996 Lundeberg School upgrading schedule in January Seafarers LOG. Secretary thanked entire crew for smooth sailing with everyone doing a fine job and keeping ship in good condition. No beefs or disputed OT reported. �18 SEAFARERS LOS APRIL 1996 : I - Lundeberg School Graduating Classes SEAFARERS HARRY LUNDEBERG SCHOOL LIFEBOAT CLASS 546 r~;~~~~~~~;~~~~~ Trainee Lifeboat Class 546--Graduating from trainee lifeboat class 546 are (kneeling, from left) Jason Furtah, Bridgett Manning, George Murphy, Dorian Gillespie, Otto P. Schlicht, (standing) Donley Johnson, Michael Jones, Ernie Gay, Jimmie Laffitte, Jr., Brad Hughes, Bernard Domes and Troy Gruber (instructor). Inland AB- Completing the inland AB course on February 27 are (kneeling, from left) Tom Gilliland (instructor), John King, Robert Jewell, (standing) Dave Andrews Sr., Mike McEachem, Jim Davison and Richard Whitlock. Radar 0 bserver-Upgrading graduates of the February 23 radar observer class are (from left, front row) Robert Hamilton, Peter Fulcher, Jay Norman, Dale Leonard, Steve Reed, Tony Kaplan (back row) Len Scott, Steve Cornwell, Alan Higgins and Jim Brown Upgrader Lifeboat-SIU members completing the upgrader lifeboat class on February 6 are (kneeling, from left) Derold Garbutt, James Dunne, Jaime Castillo, Domingo Barroga, Dominico Dacua, (standing) Ramon Clatter, Jose Bermudez, Terrance Epps, Don Rouse, Joey Gallo and Troy Gruber (instructor). Advanced Firefighting-completing the advanced firefighting class on February 21 are (kneeling, first row, from left) Jim Gibb, Brian Bowman, Steve Tepper, John Dacuag, Barry McNeal, Tim Johnston (kneeling, second row) Robert Ott, Jeff Yegge, Jeffrey Englehart, Stephen Foster, Warren Burke, Jerry Mercer, Barney Fitzpatrick (standing) Tom Culpeper, Franz Eder, Joe Braun, Daniel Malcolm, Raphael D'Ambrosio, Steve Werda, Mark Christiansen, Michael Presser, Lambert A. Soniat DuFossat, D. Presley, Wade Cocek and Sonny Wilson. Tanker Operation/Safetv-Joining the ranks of Seafarers who have comp1eted the tanker operation/safety class are the following members, who finished the course on February 13: Grant Shipley, Dimitrios Papandreou, Charles J. Brockhaus, Sindy Davis, Steven Sun, James Jowers, Rubin Mitchell, Mario Batiz, Moses Mickens, Craig Croft, David Bautista, Melvin A. Santos, Angelo Wilcox, Tommy Cyrus, David St. Onge, Julio Arzu, Antonio Pizzuto, Dorothy Pizzuto, Carmelita Henry, Simone Solomon, Jamie Hernandez, Shawn Fujiwara, Robert Zepeda, James Harper, J. Abagat, Tyler Laffitte, Ronnie Norwood, Malcolm C. Holmes, Henry Manning, Kevin McCagh, John Leiter, Robert Fulk, G.R. Ososrios, Brian Schmear, Leon Grant, Ron Drew, George Keblis, Darren Collins, Steven A. Smith, Jimmy Cordova, Jerry Miller, Rich Williams, Greg Gorenflo, Greg Hamilton, Milton lslael II, Paul Marra, Jim Habberg, Steve Herring and Robert Jackson. �SEAFARERS LOG APRIL 1996 , . . ;l.flNDEBERS SCHOOL 1996 UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE The following is the schedule for classes beginning between May and October 1?96 .at the.Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship located at the Paul HallCenter for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All programs are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the· American 19 Steward Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of C~mpletion Assistant Cook/Cook and Baker, Chief Cook, Chief Steward June3 August 12 August23 November 1 mru:jtime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, them.1ll'itime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday be/ore their course's start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. Safety Specialty Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion Tanker Operation/Safety May27 June24 July 22 August19 September 16 October 14 June21 July 19 August 16 September 13 October 11 November8 Tankerman Recertification August 19 September 16 October 14 August30 September 27 October25 Advanced Firefighting September 30 October 11 Deck Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of Com~letion Able Seaman October 14 December 13 Bridge Management May6 August 19 May17 August30 Limited License Julyl August9 Radar June24 August12 September 16 June28 August 16 September 20 Lifeboatman September9 September 20 Third Mate August26 December13 Celestial Navigation September 30 Novembers Inland Courses Course Start Date Radar Observer/Inland (see radar courses listed under deck department) Date of Completion Recertlticatlon Programs Engine Upgrading Courses Start Date Date of Com~letion Course Date of Completion September6 August2 · l)a,te of Completion ft!.~~ fr2~~;i~~~~ October12 ? ·.·.... ...: . "'' A:awt Basic Education (ABE) Ma.fine Electronics Technician II Augusts Octoberl4 September 13 November22 English as a Second Language (ESL) September 2 Octoberll September6 Refrigerated Containers June 10 Welding July 15 August9 Lifeboat Preparation August26 Pumproom Maintenance August19 Augost30 Introduction to Computers to be announced Power Plant Maintenance May20 September9 June28 October 18 Developmental Math· 098 June3 July I July 26 August3 September 23 December 13 Developmental Math - 099 Julyl August3 Third Assistant Engineer ~--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPGRADING APPLICATION (Last) (Middle) Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _(First) ___________ _ __ (Street) (City) (Zip Code) (State) Dare of Birth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Telephone__.__ ___.__ _ _ _ __ (Month/DayN car) (Area Code) Lakes Member D Deep Sea Member D With this application, COPIES of your discharges mu.st be submitted showing sufficient time to qualify yourselffor the course(s) requested You also mu.st submit a COPY of each of the following: the first page ofyour union book indicating yqur 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 witil all of the above are received. COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE Inland Warers Member D If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Book# - - - - - - - Social Security # Seniority _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Department _ _ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: DYes 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 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ D No Firefighting: D Yes D No CPR: D Yes Date O n : - - - - - - - - - - Dare O f f : - - - - - - - - - - SIGNATURE_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.DATE _ _ _ _ _ __ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? D Yes LAST VESSEL: - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rating: _ _ _ __ DNo Primary language spoken _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Lundeberg School of Seamanship, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075. 4196 �SPRING IS HERE Volume 58, Number 4 April 1996 Now is the time to start thinking about a summer vacation. The Lundeberg School can provide you and your family with all the ingredients for a memorable summer holiday. For additional information and rates, see page 9. Crew Camaraderie Permeates SL Producer AB Reiner Relates Experiences on Containership From extraordinary crew cookouts to unforgettable holidays at sea, Seafarers aboard the Sea-Land Producer agree that their ship is one of the best in the fleet. "As Seafarers aboard the Sea-Land Producer, we experience many changes. There are changes in scenery, ports of call and crewmembers. However, one thing remains the same .... the unique spirit of the Producer which makes her a special ship to sail upon," wrote AB Larry Remer in a recent letter to the Seafarers LOG. "All ships with SIU members are good ships but the Sea-Land Producer is by far one of the best vessels that I have ever sailed upon," wrote the AB. He noted the extraordinary feeling of camaraderie everyone experien- ning. He even makes the crust ces when part of the crew. from scratch!" proclaimed In his letter, Reiner detailed Reiner. the ship's recent activities and "What a sight on pizza night ~o~en~~d crewmembers who, to see as many as 30 pizzas all m _his ~p.1ru~n. help make the over the galley waiting to be ship distmctive. served," the AB said. "We still "They say that an army can't figure out how he travels on its stomach and the manages it. These pizzas are same could be said about a ship. sure better than any that you can Fortunately, the Producer has a buy ashore. Actually, many of steward department that will go us freeze portions of our pizza the extra mile in order to ensure and eat it over the course of a that crewmembers are happy few days," recalled Reiner. and enjoy what they are eating," The night before a recent arthe AB stated. rival in the port of New OrReiner wrote that Chief leans, Producer crewmembers Steward Dave Cunningham dressed in costume and enjoyed loves to ~ake, .cook and watch ~ Mardi Gras party on their off others enJOY his efforts. He time that also was organized by makes fresh pastries in the the chief steward. Crewmembers morning and bakes a variety of had a chance to unwind while lishomemade cookies on a daily tening to music and nibbling on b~sis. In fact, Reiner not~d, Cun- food prepared by the galley gang, mngham puts fresh cookies for according to the AB. crewmembers to enjoy each day The party is held on the in "cookie boxes" which are "veranda" which is located outplaced throughout the ship. side the after house. Reiner ex''Homemade desserts for lunch plained that it is an area of the and supper are not exceptions but ship renowned for its large are ~gular fare. The variety and Hawaiian mural painted by AB quality of our meals are not often Ray Vicari, who is also an artist. seen by many," he added. Reiner noted that all Outside the entrance to the Seafarers aboard the Producer are familiar with the expansive Pro_duce(s galley hangs a sign des1gnatmg the area as the mural created by Vicari. "Oceanside Pizza Parlor." (Vicari's painting was featured According to Reiner, once in the August 1993 issue of the during each trip there is a pizza Seafarers LOG.) night where crewmembers can "Another of the Producer's SJ?Ccial order a pizza from Cun- talented seamen is Bosun Jack mngham who creates and bakes Edwards. The man can make each individual pie. anything out of nothing," stated . "Dave puts out slips that list Reiner. items such as pepperoni, In addition to routine chipsa~sage, anchovies, shrimp, ping, _painting, greasing and olives, tomatoes and a dozen clearung to keep the Producer other combination of things. in tip-top condition, Edwards "You circle the items you has built shelving, tables, park want, sign your name and tum benches, signs and much more in the slip to the galley. This is for crewmembers and the ship's how you get your own inaccommodation spaces. dividual large pizza from the "We all believe that Jack's steward on the following evework will someday be nautical AB Larry Reiner called the SeaLand Producer one of the best vessels on which he has sailed. l Dressed to the nines for the shipboard Mardi Gras party is OMU Ron Giannini. Posi.ng fo~ a photo .d~ring a sho~ break on the stern of the Sea-Land Producer while docked in the port of Rio Hama, Dominican Republic are (from left) Chief Electrician Bruce Zenon Bosun Jack Edwards AB Amin Hussein, AB Brandy Carter, AB Dennis Pickering and DEU Saleh Ali. ' ' Chief Steward Dave Cunningham lines up six pizzas at a time and then tops each one with items that have been requested by his fellow crewmembers on pizza night aboard the Sea-Land Producer. collector items - they are that good," the AB added. Reiner stated that in addition to Cunningham and Edwards' superior work and attitudes, Chief Electrician Jim Smitko always goes out of his way to make shipboard life more pleasant for fellow crewmembers. "Besides tending reefers, winches, and the many other things that fill his days, Jim always finds time to keep our living spaces well-lighted and properly air conditioned," Reiner concluded. While SIU members make for an excellent shipboard group, Reiner added that the officers and mates also contribute to the overall pleasant atmosphere of the Producer. Captains Peter Smith and Don Cocozza and Chief Engineers Jon Jewett and Ed Meeting for a cup of coffee in the crew mess room aboard the Sea-Land Producer are AB John Rawley (left), Bosun Jack Edwards (middle), and AB Mike Silva Sampaia. Robinson are all ve~ "crew oriented and crew friendly," said Reiner. "They really work hard at providin~ the many extras that make livmg aboard the Producer a unique experience," the AB stated. According to Reiner, Smith, Cocozza, Jewett, Robinson and Radio Operator Art Holub regularly shop in the different ports the Producer visits to keep a continuous supply of fresh fish, candy, pretzels, gourmet coffees and special baking goods for the steward department on hand which are not available through the company. Another example of the friendship that exists between the licensed and unlicensed crew aboard the Producer is the spirit in which Christmas 1995 was celebrated. "Christmas at sea is both a joyous and sad time as men and women celebrate the holiday away from their homes and loved ones," wrote Reiner to the WG. "On the Producer this Christmas Eve, the captain and chief engineer played Santa Claus by leaving each crewmember a Christmas card, candy and a beautiful holiday mug outside our doors while we slept. The card contained the simple but meaningful message of 'thanks for all of your good work.' "How much this kind of recognition and treatment means to Seafarers away from home every day and especially during the holidays," concluded Reiner. ~ Standing by the mural he painted on the "veranda" of the Producer is AB Ray Vicari. Reporting for another busy day in the engineroom is OMU Kassam Abdullah. OMU Jim Thomas checks gauges in engineroom prior to sailing out of Santo Domingo. Enjoying their work during a shipboard barbecue are galley gang members (from left) SA Robert Gillian, Chief Cook Ernie Polk, Chief Steward Dave Cunningham and Steward As- Crewmembers dig in at an outdoor barbecue sistant Ali Musaid. aboard the Sea-Land Producer. � 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 April 1996 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES LOCKHEED MARTIN CREWS RATIFY FIRST SIU-NEGOTIATED CONTRACT NEW PACT APPROVED AT LUEDTKE MARAD HEAD REFUTES NY TIMES EDITORIAL AGAINST U.S. SHIP BILL SEAFARERS PREPARE CONVERTED RO/RO FOR TRIALS, DELIVERY PR DELEGATE NOT IN FAVOR OF JONES ACT EXEMPTION NOSAC RANGER CREW PROTESTS DISTORTION IN TIME MAGAZINE GREAT LAKES SEAFARERS START ’96 SAILING SEASON SIU FERRY CREW HONORED FOR NIGHTTIME RESCUE IN NY APPEALS BOARD REAFFIRMS 240-DAY, 180-DAY TRIP ACTION ABS, PUMPMEN NEED STCW CERTIFICATE BY OCT. 1 HALL CENTER INSTRUCTORS BRING ‘HAZWOPER’ TRAINING TO JACKSONVILLE AND SAN JUAN STEWARDS ESPOUSE MANY BENEFITS OF UPGRADING FOOD SANITATION SEGMENT STANDS OUT BURNED FILIPINO MARINER’S ORDEAL SPOTLIGHTS INHUMANE CONDITIONS ABOARD RUNAWAY-FLAG VESSELS ITF SECURES THOUSANDS OF BACK PAY FOR CREW ON RUNAWAY-FLAG SHIP COME TO PINEY POINT AND EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND THE JONES ACT: CABOTAGE LAW WORKS FOR ALL AMERICANS CREW CAMARADERIE PERMEATES SL PRODUCER 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 04/01/1996 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. 58, No. 4 1996 Periodicals Seafarers Log