Seafarers Log: Vol. 63 No. 5 (2001-05-01)

www.seafarers.org

Coalition Urges
ANWR Development
Job Growth, New Energy Source
Cited as Key Benefits by 'JobPower1

U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), speaking at a March
27 press conference on Capitol Hill, explained some of
the expected benefits of exploration and development
of the Coastal Plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge (ANWR). The SIU supports ANWR develop­
ment and recently joined the coalition JobPower to
promote it. Also present at the press conference were
(from left) SIU President Michael Sacco and Operating
Engineers President Frank Hanley. Page 3.

Volume 63, Number 5 May 2001

Seal arers Crew Coastal Cruise Ship
The new coastal cruise ship Cape May Light is the lat­
est addition to the fleet of SIU-crewed vessels.
Following ceremonies April 25 in Alexandria, Va., the
ship begins its itinerary this month. Below left, OS
Richard Bergeron and AB Giovanni Feliciano load pro­
visions for the dedication ceremony, and at right, OS
Jason Musmeci welcomes guests aboard the vessel.
Page 3.

Patriot Sparkles

A number of improvements have been made to the Hawaii­
based cruise ship ms Patriot. Pages 11-14.

Administration Signals
Jones Act Support

• Newest LMSR, Pomeroy,
Launched in San Diego

• SIU-Crewed USNS Dahl
Commended for Rescue



President's Report
Cruise-Ship Gains
Benefit SIU, Nation

The fleet of SIU-crewed cruise ships keeps growing.
That's good news for the union and for the

nation.
During a shipboard ceremony last month in

Alexandria, Va. on the Cape May Light, I was
struck by the progress of the American-flag
cruise ship industry in the past year. From the
Columbia Queen in the Pacific Northwest to

Michael Sacco the ms Patriot in Hawaii, and from the Cape
May Light to its sister ship Cape Cod Light

along the coasts, we're witnessing the beginning of a potential
boom for U.S.-flag passenger vessels.

The best is yet to come. As you probably know, U.S. Lines
is building the two largest cruise ships ever constructed in an
American yard, with launches scheduled for 2003 and 2004.

Credit must go to American Classic Voyages, parent compa­
ny of the aforementioned ships. Their commitment to the U.S.
flag is leading the way in building a newer, bigger and better
American-flag cruise ship industry.

I'm sure that when most people look at beautiful new ves­
sels like the Cape May Light (and the others), they see it from
a passenger's point of view. And from that perspective, there's
plenty to be excited about.

But I see this from a different angle.
When I see the Cape May Light, I see new jobs for

American citizens. I see more proof that U.S. shipyards can get
the job done. And I see an enhancement of America's national
and economic security.

That last point is especially important. The cruise ship
industry isn't the best-known segment of the U.S. Merchant
Marine, but it's an important part just the same.

It helps build a manpower pool of qualified mariners. Many
of the same crew members who prepared the Cape May Light
for its inaugural voyage may someday use their skills to deliv­
er vital cargo to U .S. troops overseas. A lot of the training and
skills that they need to operate the Cape May Light also can be
used on tankers and containerships and military RO/ROs.

There are other benefits. Compared to the runaway-flag
ships which-for now-dominate the market, I'm positive that
U.S.-flag cruise vessels will provide a safer product, both for
the passengers and for the environment.

Already, the Patriot has created new shoreside work with
the opening last year of the SIU's new safety school in Hawaii.

And it's about time this nation started benefiting from the
millions and millions of dollars spent each year by U.S. citi­
zens on vacation cruises.

During the April 25 ceremony on the Cape May Light, I
couldn't miss the irony of welcoming a new ship almost liter­
ally in the shadow of the nation's capital, where so much of
our industry's fate is decided. Part of our job is working with
Congress and the administration to help ensure that they
understand the multi-faceted advantages for America with the
addition of each new U.S.-flag vessel. There's much more to
such ships than a nice appearance and an enticing itinerary.

We will continue that work, just as we remain committed to
providing the world's best-trained crews--on every type of
vessel.

The SIU is proud to be aboard the Cape May Light. We'll
continue to do everything possible to support companies like
American Classic Voyages and to make sure that ceremonies
like last month's become the rule, rather than the exception.

Volume 63, Number 5 May 2001

The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org

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

Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing
Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim
Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne
Textor.

Copyright© 200 I Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD
All Rights Reserved.

2 Seafarers LOS

Another Month, Another
List of FOC Detentions

Runaway-flag ships accounted
for more than half of the vessel
detentions in March by the U.S.
Coast Guard.

Nine of the 15 ships detained
are runaway-flag vessels, also
known as flag-of-convenience
(FOC) ships. All 15 fly foreign
flags.

Among the detainees, two are
Panamanian-flagged. According
to Coast Guard reports, the main
deck of the general dry cargo ship
llha Do Fogo, inside the deck
house, "was wasted and holed."
Combustible liquids were stowed
in an unprotected space, and the
emergency portable fire pump
didn't work. Additionally, "there
were electrical hazards through­
out the vessel from improper
installation and maintenance:
anchor windlass, light fixtures,
and electrical appliances on the
weather deck." The llha Do Fogo
was confined in Fall River, Mass.
on March 2.

Apparently, things weren't

much better aboard the
Panamanian-flagged bulker
Krissa, held in New Orleans on
March 26. The crew couldn't per­
form a fire drill; the engine room
bilges were contaminated; the
chief engineer's certification had
expired; and the emergency fire
pump "leaked cooling water
excessively."

One of the more unsettling
reports described conditions on
the Liberian-flagged chemical
tanker Marine Pioneer, halted in
Houston on March 10. According
to the Coast Guard account,
"qualified personnel were not
available in the cargo control
room during cargo offioading."

Also on the Marine Pioneer,
there were no toxic gas indicators
(benzene) or procedures in place
for maintaining vapor-testing
equipment or tank overfill
alarms. Nor were there any oper­
able oxygen analyzers on the
tanker.

The agency also indicated that

AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS
The U.S. Coast Guard's monthly list of vessel detentions reveals many
of the hazards connected with runaway-flag shipping. Above, the run­
away-flag tanker Westchester-which spilled half a million gallons of
crude oil near New Orleans last November-trails a containment boom
in the Mississippi River.

the ship operator (Parakou
Shipping, Ltd.) "was not respond­
ing quickly to the vessel's request
for required parts," and that the
crew's waste-management plan
and record-keeping were lacking.

Similarly, a lengthy report was
issued for the general dry cargo
ship Multi.flex Sprint, registered
in the Bahamas. Detained in
Baltimore on March 31, the ves­
sel was cited for inoperable
bridge propulsion controls; an
inoperable emergency fire pump;
excessive leakage of fuel and
water from the main propulsion
engine and auxiliary machinery;
and leaking "hazardous amounts
of exhaust gas into the engine
room" from the main engine.

In addition, the hatch cover
hydraulic system leaked oil onto
the main deck, and the rescue
boat release mechanism didn't
work. The Coast Guard further
noted a shortage of stores, conta­
mination of the potable water,
and an inoperable food cold-stor­
age system.

A runaway-flag or FOC ship is
one that flies the flag of a country
other than the country of owner­
ship. Shipowners who participate
in the FOC scam typically do so
to avoid taxes and regulations
while employing cheap, often
unqualified labor.

Very often, mariners who sail
aboard runaway-flag ships are
denied the most basic rights. It is
not uncommon for FOC ships to
sail with a shortage of stores, and
crew members often need assis­
tance from the International
Transport Workers' Federation
(ITF) just to secure their wages.
Unsafe working conditions, inad­
equate medical attention and very
low wages also are prevalent.

Panama's False-Document Saga
Indicates 1,000 Bogus Certificates
Firings Follow Embarrassing Expose by ITF

On the heels of a high-profile incident in which
the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) sold a first
officer's certificate to the head of the International
Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), news reports
last month stated that more than 1,000 "mariners" are
working under false documents issued by Panama.

Meanwhile, the AMP reportedly fired 14 employ­
ees, including the manager of the licensing division,
and suspended at least 26 others while government
attorneys ostensibly continue investigating the false­
document situation.

In March, ITF General Secretary David
Cockroft-with no seafaring experience-purchased
(for approximately $4,500) mariner 's credentials
from the AMP authorizing him to navigate a vessel.
Although the notion of a runaway-flag registry sell­
ing documents wasn 't new, the incident crystallized
the danger and corruption connected to runaway
flags, also known as flags of convenience (FOC). The
episode received substantial coverage in the industry
press and some high-profile reporting in the commer­
cial media.

The ITF has fought against runaway-flag shipping
for more than a half-century. (The SIU is one of 570
unions affiliated with the London-based federation.)

Reacting to the AMP dismissals, Cockroft stated,
"So long as these are some of the guilty parties, then
it is a useful first step. It is also a recognition of what
the rest of the world has known for years: that
Panama has been not just a pioneer of the flags of
convenience system, but also of the laxity and legal
abuses which that system encourages.

"If Panama is truly committed to improving its

maritime operations, it needs to change its register
from an operation without responsibilities, whose
sole purpose is making money," Cockroft added.
"The ITF is happy to meet with the AMP at any time
to assist with what would be the long and difficult
task of cleaning up the Panamanian register."

Panama is the world's largest shipping register.
Almost none of the 6,000-plus vessels registered in
that nation are owned by genuine Panamanian com­
panies, staffed by Panamanian crews or commanded
by Panamanian officers.

In the weeks after Panama sold credentials to
Cockroft, press reports quoted an anonymous AMP
spokesman as saying that an initial investigation
allegedly turned up more than 1,000 mariners hold­
ing phony documents.

Additionally, the magazine Fairplay reported that
the inquiry will check assertions made by former
Panama President Guillermo Endara that his nation's
consulates in New York and Miami employ relatives
of AMP workers who are involved in the scam.
Applications for mariner licenses are accepted at
Panamanian consulates worldwide.

Among the ITF's goals in its campaign against
runaway-flag shipping are the elimination of the FOC
system and the establishment of a regulatory frame­
work for the shipping industry based on the concept
of a genuine link between the flag a ship flies and the
place where it is beneficially owned and controlled.
The federation also seeks to attack all substandard
shipping and secure ITF-acceptable standards on all
ships irrespective of flag.

May2i



1st Coastal Cruise Ship Christened
SIU members are sailing

aboard the newly christened Cape
May Light, a coastal cruise ship
scheduled to enter service this
month.

Ceremonies for the 224-pas­
senger ship took place April 25 in
Alexandria, Va., near Washing­
ton, D.C.

"We 're all here because we
love the U.S.-flag Merchant
Marine," said U.S. Labor
Secretary Elaine Chao at the
christening. "We want to see it
strong and revitalized."

Chao said the Cape May Light
means "increased employment,
and that's why I'm so pleased. I
salute the men and women who
will sail aboard her."

She further credited SIU
President Michael Sacco "for his
wonderful leadership" in promot­
ing a strong U.S.-flag fleet.

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, keynote speaker at the christening, said that "every single vessel enter­
ing the U.S. fleet is vitally important to national security." Pictured with her are (from left) American Classic
Voyages CEO Philip Calian, U.S. Coast Guard Chaplain Capt. Leroy Gilbert, Cape May Light Capt. Charles
Beverly, American Maritime Officers President Michael McKay, Chao, SIU President Michael Sacco, and
Emanuel Rouvelas, chairman of Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP

in the new Delta Queen Coastal
Voyages fleet. A sister ship, the
Cape Cod Light, is expected to

enter service in August. The com­
pany, a subsidiary of SIU-con­
tracted American Classic Voy-

ages, plans three more additions
to its coastal fleet during the next
few years.

"This is a nice boat, it really
is," stated OS Jason Musmeci
aboard the Cape May Light.
"Everyone is working well,
across all departments, and the
technology aboard the ship is
very advanced."

The 300-foot vessel is named
after an historic lighthouse and is
"designed to resemble the classic
coastal ships of the late 1800s,"
noted the company.

Itineraries for the Cape May
Light and Cape Cod Light include
the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, Great
Lakes, Canadian Maritime Pro­
vinces, Belize, Costa Rica,
Honduras, Mexico and Panama.

At the christening, American
Classic Voyages CEO Philip
Calian credited the partnership
between labor, business and gov­
ernment for facilitating the new
coastal cruise ships. He said the

Continued on page 7 Sacco pointed out at the cere­
mony that the vessel represents
new shipboard jobs and enhances
U.S. national and economic secu­
rity. He noted that the new billets
will help build and maintain a
pool of qualified mariners- a
sentiment later echoed by Chao.

ANWR Development Offers Major Benefits

Built in Jacksonville, Fla., the
Cape May Light is the first vessel

AB Frank D'Amelio helps load
stores for the ship's dedication.

Coalition Points to 700,000 New Jobs,
Decreased Dependence on Foreign Oil

The SIU is part of a new coali­
tion of trade unions, elected rep­
resentatives and businesses that is
urging Congress to open the
Alaska Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge (ANWR) for oil explo­
ration and development as part of
a comprehensive energy package
-an action that will generate up
to 700,000 domestic jobs.

SIU President Michael Sacco,
joined by presidents of other
unions and members of Congress,
endorsed ANWR development at
a Capitol Hill press conference on
March 27.

"By opening ANWR, the
United States can increase
domestic oil production, reduce
our reliance on foreign sources of

oil, and create hundreds of thou­
sands of new jobs for American
workers," stated Sacco, who also
serves as president of the 8-mil­
lion member Maritime Trades
Department, AFL-CIO. "ANWR
will be explored and drilled by
American workers; the oil trans­
ported through U.S.-built
pipelines; refined and distributed
by domestic facilities; and its by­
products used by U.S. energy pro­
ducers and U.S. consumers."

He added, "Many of our broth­
ers and sisters in maritime labor
will crew the growing fleet of
environmentally safe, double­
hulJed, U.S.-flagged tankers that
will carry the oil from Alaska."

The coalition is named

Seafarers Begin Crewing Pomeroy May 1
The newest ship to be crewed

by Seafarers for the U.S. Navy's
Military Sealift Command (MSC)
was christened the USNS
Pomeroy (T-AKR 316) March 10
at NASSCO Shipyard in San
Diego. It is the seventh of eight
new construction ships completed
by NASSCO under the govern­
ment-mandated initiative known
as the Strategic Sealift Program.

The 950-foot vessel was
named in honor of Army Private
First Class Ralph E. Pomeroy, a
Korean War Medal of Honor
recipient whose brave actions in
Korea in 1952 cost him his life
but enabled his platoon to hold
their position during a surprise
attack.

On hand at the christening cer­
emonies were members of
Pomeroy's family, including two
brothers and three sisters. One of

his sisters broke a bottle of cham­
pagne over the ship's bow, while
another served as maid of honor.
The vessel was then released
stem-first into San Diego Bay.

Speakers at the launching cer­
emony were U.S. Rep. Duke
Cunningham (R-Calif.), a mem­
ber of the Defense subcommittee
of the House Appropriations
Committee; U.S. Rep. Bill Young
(R-Fla.), chairman of the House
Appropriations Committee; and
Vice Admiral Gordon S. Holder,
commander of MSC. Other
speakers included Rear Admiral
Dennis G. Morral, U.S. Navy
Program Executive Officer for
Expeditionary Warfare Programs;
Brigadier General Edward T.
Buckley, Assistant Division Com­
mander 7th Infantry Division, and
Richard H. Vortmann, president
ofNASSCO.

The vessel will be delivered to
the MSC in August and in
December will join her sister
ships of the Watson class-the
USNS Walson, USNS Sisler,
USNS Dahl, USNS Red Cloud,
USNS Charlton and USNS
Watkins-in the prepositioning
fleet. The final ship of the Watson
class, the USNS Soderman, is
scheduled to be launched in April
2002 and delivered the following
September.

The christened USNS Pomeroy is
released stern-first into San
Diego Bay.

Representing new jobs for SIU
members, the Pomeroy, one of
the U.S. Navy's largest ships with
a cargo-carrying capacity of more
than 380,000 square feet, will
preposition Army cargo at Diego
Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

The strategic sealift ships are
large, medium-speed, roll­
on/roll-off ships (LMSRs), the
largest ships ever launched down
a sliding ways in the United
States and the largest ships that
can fit through the Panama Canal.

Teamsters Pres. James P. Hoffa

Job Power.
Also voicing support at the

press conference were U.S. Sens.
Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) and
Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and
Teamsters President James P.
Hoffa.

Murkowski recently intro­
duced S. 388, the National
Energy Security Act of 2001,
·which includes authorizing lan­
guage to develop ANWR. Young
is sponsoring H.R. 39, the Arctic
Coast Plain Energy Security Act
of2001.

"I'm pleased to see JobPower
join the growing chorus of calls to
open ANWR," noted Murkowski.
"This group will help educate key
members of Congress on the need
for a sound, responsible energy
policy that promotes economic
development and job creation,
enhances our national security,
and meets the nation's energy
demands. ANWR is a key part of
such a policy-one that provides
jobs for Americans and power to
the American people."

"It will mean more jobs to
make sure we do it right," assert­
ed Stevens. "The technology is
there to develop this area.... If

U.S. Sen. Frank Murkowski

SIU Pres. Michael Sacco

predictions are right, the supply
of oil from ANWR will be about
equivalent to the amount of oil we
have imported from Saudi Arabia
for more than 30 years."

U.S. Rep. Don Young (R­
Alaska), though unable to attend
the press conference, also
weighed in with his backing.
"The support of this group under­
scores the profound importance
the opening of ANWR means to
the working men and women in
the U.S.," Young said. "Hundreds
of thousands of jobs depend
directly on Congress' decision to
permit environmentally sound
production in what could be one
of our largest oil discoveries. This
signals a sea change in this
debate, and a bill permitting envi­
ronmentally sound development
is going to happen."

Hoffa declared that ANWR
development will help free
America's working families from
a current predicament "between a
rock and a hard place. On one
side, there's an economic reces­
sion that is darkening our
doorstep. On the other side, an

Continued on page 9

U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens

Seafarers ·106 3



Parent Co.'s Filing Not Expected to Disrupt NPR-Navieras
It's "business as usual" for SIU-contracted NPR­

Navieras, even as its parent company, Holt Group
Inc., reorganizes its financial structure.

company to continue operating its business while it
seeks a settlement of its debts.

Holt Group recently filed for Chapter 11 protec­
tion under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The
Philadelphia-based container shipping, stevedoring,
warehousing and trucking group plans to shake up
and reorganize its fiscal composition, which is over­
burdened by a $300 million debt. Holt and 24 of its
subsidiaries and affiliates, including NPR-Navieras,
filed petitions in the District of Delaware.

In the first nine months of last year, published
reports said, Holt posted losses of nearly $40 mil­
lion, compared with $7 .5 million in losses during
the corresponding period in 1999. Revenues also
declined, by $23.5 million over the same time
frame.

The revised company strategy is for creditors to
translate debts into equity and free up capital to
invest in its shipping and stevedore operations.

The company plans to come out of protection
sometime this summer. Meanwhile, it will operate
as normal, continuing payment of employee
salaries, wages and benefits with no interruption or
change in any customer-related practices.

"It's very much business as usual," said family
spokesman Leo Holt, after the company made the
voluntary petition March 21. Chapter 11 allows a

The Holt Group, with annual sales in excess of
$300 million, is a leading provider of integrated
cargo transportation and logistics management ser­
vices in the contiguous United States. It also pro­
vides cargo-related services including stevedoring,
warehousing and trucking at owned and leased
marine terminal facilities in New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Bosun Antonio Mercado poses near a new paint scheme he completed
at NPR-Navieras in Puerto Rico. Although the line's parent company
recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, no interruption is expected at
NPR-Navieras.

Seafarers Earn Bonuses
From 3 MSC Companies

SIU crews soon will
receive pay bonuses from
three U.S. Military Sealift
Command- (MSC) contract­
ed companies, reported SIU
Vice President Contracts
Augie Tellez.

Maersk Line Limited,
Patriot Contract Services,
Inc. and Dyn Marine
Services recently were des­
ignated to receive bonus
money from MSC under two
performance recognition
programs, Tellez noted.
Each company, in turn, will
distribute payments to crews
working on their respective
vessels based upon previ­
ously negotiated formulas.

Maersk and Patriot were
recognized under MSC's
large, medium-speed, roll­
on/roll off (LMSR) perfor­
mance award program while
Dyn Marine Services was
cited under the command's
technical analytic geograph­
ic survey (TAG-S) perfor-

mance award program.
Maersk was graded as

"superior" and has already
received funds from MSC.
Individual bonus checks will
be based on the time crew
members were employed
within the LMSR fleet,
according to Tellez.
Unlicensed crewmembers
employed aboard Patriot­
operated LMSR vessels will
receive funds based on a
similar framework.

Dyn Marine crews are
sharing in $80,000 in award
funds from MSC. Like the
Maersk and Patriot crews,
those working under Dyn
Marine contract will receive
bonuses based on previously
negotiated formulas by unli­
censed and licensed unions.

"We have reviewed the
payment schedules and
agree that they all comply
with our negotiated settle­
ments," Tellez said.

SIU-Crewed MV Ascension
Featured on Island Stamp

An SIU-crewed vessel is fea­
tured on a postage stamp printed
by a British-governed island in
the South Atlantic.

The MIV Ascension, operated
by Sealift, Inc., is one of three
vessels portrayed on the postage
stamp issued by the Government
of Ascension Island. Also shown
are the Wide Awake II and the
Maersk Gannett.

The stamp, issued as part of a
four-stamp series, was circulated

4 Seafarers LOG

for Christmas 2000. The themes
of the series are local island scenes
relating to Christmas songs. The
15-pence (cent) stamp on which
the MIV Ascension appears is
titled "I Saw Three Ships."

The MIV Ascension is a con­
tainership that provides dedicated
liner service from Port
Canaveral, Fla. to Ascension
Island. The vessel resupplies the
U.S. Air Force Base on that
island.

The MN
Ascension,
the vessel at
left in the set
of stamps, is
crewed by
SIU mem­
bers.

Crowley Authorized for Cuba Run
SIU-contracted Crowley Liner Services in early

March received authorization from the Bush admin­
istration to provide common carrier services for
licensed cargo from the United States to the
Republic of Cuba.

been authorized to ship.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a
component of the U.S. Treasury Department, issued
the authorization.

Jacksonville and Port Everglades are expected to
be the ports that Crowley utilizes for service to
Cuba. Jacksonville served as the largest port of entry
end exit for trade to Cuba before the 1959 Cuban
revolution.

The company applied for permission to do busi­
ness with Cuba late last year when the Clinton
administration hinted that portions of the United
States' 1960 trade embargo against the island nation
could be rescinded. Congress last year passed the
Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement
Act of 2000. This legislation authorized OFAC to
license the transport of agricultural commodities,
medicine, medical devices or other products direct­
ly from the United States to the Republic of Cuba.

In gaining the approval, Crowley becomes the
first U.S. ocean carrier sanctioned to do business in
the communist country in more than 40 years.
Officials for the Jacksonville, Fla.-based business
said they hoped to begin shipments right away, but
that everything was contingent on potential cus­
tomers securing licenses to ship goods.

Agricultural goods such as poultry and dairy
products primarily constitute the cargo Crowley has

Mayaguez Rescues 5 from Sinking Sailboat
The SIU-crewed Mayaguez on

April 5 rescued all five people
from a sinking sailboat approxi­
mately 70 miles off the coast of
Cape Canaveral.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a
public service commendation to
the captain and crew of the
Mayaguez, citing their "deter­
mined efforts, outstanding initia­
tive and adept seamanship skills."

After receiving a distress call
from the sailboat Spinning Jenny
of Lune, the Coast Guard dis­
patched an aircraft to locate the
boat's position, according to the
commendation. Subsequently, the

agency requested the Mayaguez
to take aboard the five mariners
from the foundering boat. "The
crew of the Mayagu,ez quickly
and diligently altered course to
render assistance to the mariners,
who had abandoned ship to a life
raft," notes the citation. "Due to
the quick response and dedica­
tion, the five sailors were res­
cued. . . . The crew of the
Mayaguez s commitment and
decisive, selfless actions are most
heartily commended and are in
keeping with the highest tradi­
tions of public service and the
United States Coast Guard."

No Relation ... But 31h Stars

\

Seafarers sailing aboard the
Mayaguez during the rescue
included Recertified Bosun
Patrick Ray, ABs Marvin
Chester, James Frank, Michael
McKnight, Alan Barnett and
Charles Wright, Chief Electri­
cian Michael Martykan, OMUs
Joseph Arch, Blanca Ortega
and Allen Newgen, EU Juma
Juma, Recertified Steward Eva
Myers, Chief Cook Ivan Salis
and UMMs Roque Lambert and
Jorge Mora.

The ship is operated by NPR­
Navieras.

While ashore in Apollo Bay, Australia, camera-equipped Storekeeper Terry Malone discovered a mag­
nificently named motel. No, it isn't affiliated with the SIU-but it does offer 12 guest rooms and free
parking. As for the name, the lodge is located near "beaches, boating, fishing" and other amenities,
according to information found on several travel-related web sites.

lfay200



New Twist on Army Headgear: Bush Administration:
Black Berets Made in China

As the contentious issue concerning the distribution of black
berets to all U.S. Army soldiers played out during the past two
months, a staggering twist came to light. Namely, the Pentagon
reportedly skirted a long-standing "buy American" law when it
ordered more than one million of the berets from China and other
Third World countries.

Jones Act 'Essential'

As this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press, .it remained
unclear whether the Army would proceed with the order. The
House Committee on Small Business on April 5 ordered the
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to suspend the contracts, pend­
ing completion of congressional investigation into the matter.

One day earlier, a Pentagon news conference-scheduled
essentially to justify the $27 million procurement-abruptly was
cancelled. At that time, 24 crew members from a downed
American reconnaissance plane were being detained in China.

U.S. apparel manufacturers charge that the order last October
by U.S. Army Gen. Eric Shinseki for foreign-made berets stems
from an arbitrary deadline. A federal law known as the Berry
Amendment requires the Pentagon to purchase clothing made in
the U.S. of 100 percent domestic components. Shinseki wanted
every soldier in the Army outfitted with a black beret by June 14,
the Army's 226th birthday. Because U.S. factories could not
meet that deadline, the DLA uncharacteristically waived the
amendment.

According to news reports, U.S. factories could have pro­
duced the berets if given a longer and more traditional deadline.

A spokesman for the American Apparel and Footwear
Association told a Washington reporter that the Pentagon usual­
ly waives the Berry Amendment only if no U.S. company makes
the item.

Black berets traditionally have been exclusive to Army
Rangers. Now, Rangers will wear tan berets, while the rest of the
troops will wear the black models.

In its first public statement on
the Jones Act, the Bush adminis­
tration declared the law must be
maintained as "an essential ele­
ment of U.S. maritime policy that
provides important economic and
national security benefits to the
nation, such as support of the
U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair
industries, and maintenance of a
labor base of skilled American
mariners."

Transportation Secretary Nor­
man Mineta made the statement
in response to a written question
following his confirmation hear­
ing before the Senate Commerce
Committee.

The Jones Act requires that
cargo moving between U.S. ports
be carried in vessels that are U.S.­
crewed, U.S.-built and U.S.­
owned. Similar U.S. cabotage
Jaws reserve the movement of
passengers and the performance
of marine services such as dredg­
ing, towing and salvage to vessels
that are U.S.-crewed, U.S.­
owned, and U.S.-built.

During the 2000 campaign, the
Bush/Cheney ticket issued an
equally strong statement of sup­
port for the Jones Act. "Programs
that have contributed to the
growth of our domestic fleet,
such as the Jones Act ... should be

Rear Admiral Robert C. North Retires;
Pluta Named Successor to USCG Position

A change of command took
place April 27 when Rear
Admiral Robert C. North retired
as assistant commandant for
marine safety and environmental
protection at the U.S. Coast
Guard headquarters in
Washington, D.C. In that capaci­
ty, he coordinated national and
international regulatory programs
for commercial vessel safety, port
safety and security, and marine
environmental protection.
Admiral Paul J. Pluta was named
his successor.

RADM North, who was the
assistant commandant since May
1997, has been very supportive of
the SIU and its attempts to
improve marine safety. Bill
Eglinton, the director of training
at the Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and Education
in Piney Point, Md., has worked
with Admiral North over the past
few years. "The admiral has been
very supportive of MERPAC (the
Merchant Marine Personnel
Advisory Committee of which
Eglinton was chairman for sever­
al years)," Eglinton noted.

(MERPAC serves as a deliber­
ative body to advise the secretary
of transportation, via the U.S.
Coast Guard commandant, on
matters relating to the training,
qualification, licensing, certifica­
tion and fitness of seamen serving
in the U.S. merchant marine.)

Eglmton also recalled that two
years ago, when the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), a
United Nations specialized
agency headquartered in London,
England, was pushing to have

. sole lookouts on the bridge at
night, Admiral North, who head­
ed the U.S. delegation to meet­
ings of that organization, helped

May2001

RADM Robert C. North

stop the proposal in its tracks.
Prior to assuming the duties of

his most recent position, RADM
North served as assistant com­
mandant for acquisition at Coast
Guard headquarters, where he
had responsibility for directing
programs for the acquisition of
major systems, products and ser­
vices to support Coast Guard mis­
sion requirements worldwide.
Before that, he served as com­
mander of the eighth Coast Guard
district in New Orleans, where he
was responsible for all Coast
Guard operations over a 26-state
area from the Gulf of Mexico to
the border with Canada.

A graduate of the Baltimore
Polytechnic Institute, State
University of New York Maritime
College at Fort Schuyler and the
U.S. Army War College in
Carlisle, Pa., RADM North has
received many decorations,
among them the Legion of Merit,
the Meritorious Service Medal,
the Coast Guard Commendation
Medal and the Coast Guard
Achievement Medal, as well as

RADM Paul J. Pluta

numerous citations and special
operations service awards.

Like his p~edecessor, Rear
Admiral Paul J. Pluta served as
commander of the eighth Coast
Guard district, headquartered in
New Orleans before being named
assistant commandant for marine
safety and environmental protec­
tion.

He is a graduate of the Coast
Guard Academy and holds an
M.S.E. degree in naval architec­
ture and marine engineering from
the University of Michigan.

RADM Pluta first served as an
assistant engineering officer
aboard the cutters Chincoteague
and Minnetonka. From 1988 to
1991, he served as commanding
officer at the Marine Safety
Office in Wilmington, N.C.,
where his command played a key
role in support of Operation
Desert Storm.

He holds the Legion of Merit,
Meritorious Service Medal and
two Coast Guard Commendation
Medals.

maintained," Bush declared when
a candidate for the nation's high­
est office.

Elsewhere in his written
responses to questions from the
Senate committee, Mineta said,
"A strong maritime industry
capable of serving the commer­
cial and national security needs of
the country requires more than a
fleet of U.S.-flag commercial
vessels. It requires a base of
trained mariners to crew our
ships, a shipbuilding and repair
industry capable of building and
repairing those ships, and a
national maritime infrastructure
including ports, waterways and
intermodal connectors that can
serve the economic growth and
national security requirements of
our nation. I hope to work to bol­
ster the strength and effectiveness

U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Mineta

of each of these critical aspects of
a strong maritime industry.

"While it is necessary to con­
tinue support for key elements of
the U.S.-flag commercial fleet,
such as the Jones Act and the
Maritime Security Program," he
continued, "this administration
will also vigorously pursue nego­
tiations aimed at ending interna­
tional practices that disadvantage
U.S. companies."

Maritime Alliance Requests
Ballast Water Standards

The Transportation Institute in
late March formally asked the
U.S. Coast Guard to initiate the
process establishing a mandatory,
nationwide ballast water manage­
ment program.

A joint appeal from a broad­
based alliance of organizations
representing the majority of ves­
sels involved in domestic as well
as foreign trade, the request took
the form of a letter. It was
addressed to Coast Guard Com­
mandant Admiral James Loy.

The petition suggested to
Admiral Loy "that a realistic and
comprehensive national ballast
water management program is
necessary to address the transfer
of aquatic invasive species in bal­
last water in an environmentally
sound manner, while preserving
the operating safety and flexibili­
ty required by vessels trading in
U.S. waters."

The international coalition
advised the Coast Guard that
development of such a program
should-to the extent possible
-be synchronized and consistent
with the International Maritime
Organization's continuing efforts
to formulate an international plan
governing ballast water.

The alliance of trade associa­
tions said in the petition that it
will support a mandatory ballast
management program that per­
mits the use of ballast water
exchange as well as other man­
agement methods. Such a pro­
gram, the group contends, com­
prehensively will address ballast
water management issues on the
wide spectrum of vessel types
calling at U.S. ports.

Currently, ships entering U.S.
waters from outside the exclusive
economic zone, under guidance

contained in the National Invasive
Species Act of 1996, have been
asked to report their ballast water
management practices. In addi­
tion to other specifics, these
reports are supposed to include
information on how ballast water
is retained aboard each vessel.

The coalition views the follow­
ing as essential elements of an
acceptable management program:

• Promulgation of a manda­
tory national ballast water man­
agement program.

• Creation of a ballast water
management standard.

• Certification/ Approval of
ballast water management tech­
nologies and practices.

In addition to the Trans­
portation Institute, the alliance
consists of the American Mari­
time Congress, American
Petroleum Institute, Chamber of
Shipping of America, Inter­
national Association · of Inde­
pendent Tanker Owners, Lake
Carriers' Association, Maritime
Institute for Research and In­
dustrial Development, and World
Shipping Council.

Ballast water is carried by
ships to provide stability and
adjust a vessel's trim for optimal
steering and propulsion. The use
of ballast water varies among ves­
sel types, among port systems,
and according to cargo and sea
conditions.

Ballast water often originates
from ports and other coastal
regions, which are rich in plank­
tonic organisms. It is variously
released at sea, along coastlines,
and in port systems. As a result, a
diverse mix of organisms is trans­
ported. and released around the
world with the ballast water of
ships.

House Okays Memorial Support
The U.S. House of Representatives on March 21 passed legislation

authorizing support for an addition to the American Merchant Marine
Memorial Wall of Honor located at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum
in San Pedro, Calif.

The House approved the Maritime Policy Improvement Act by a
vote of 415-3. The bill bas been referred to the Senate. The measure
authorizes up to $500,000 in federal support for the addition to the
memorial.

As noted in the text of the bill, "The United States Merchant Marine
kept the lifeline of freedom open to the allies of the United States dur­
ing the Second World War, making one of the most significant contri­
butions made by any nation to the victory of the allies in that war."

Seafarers LOB 5



Porter Yehia Kaid replenishes the cereal dispenser
aboard the American Republic.

DEU Richard Cole clamps down on
one of the Buffalo's hatches.

Preparing the tug Hannah D. Hannah for fitout of the 2001 season in
South Chicago, Ill. are OS Steve Nemeth (left) and AB Eric Meier.

Fitout on tb.e Great Lakes 2001

DEU Musid Musleh tightens a clamp
aboard the John J. Boland.

Below: Martin Hochstafl is the gateman
on the John J.
Boland.

Right: AB
Jeffery Laland

secures a hatch
aboard the John

J. Boland.

6 Seafarers LOS

Aboard the ITB Susan W Hannah/Southdown Conquest in Port
Huron, Mich . are (from left) SIU Safety Rep. Todd Brdak,
Conveyorman Courtney King, Cook Gerald Rifenbark and AB
Lawrence Budnick.

Above: There's nothing
like freshly baked
bread, being removed
from the oven by 2nd
Cook James
Martineau aboard the
St. Clair in Toledo.

Left: Checking out the
navigation equipment

on the St. Clair is
Wheelsman Nels

Johnson.

DEU Hamid Hizam is happy the shipping season
has started again on the American Republic.

Above, 2nd Cook Nasser Aljalham takes out a fresh batch of buns
from the oven aboard the John J. Boland, while at right, Porter Mohamed
Saadi gets dessert ready to put out for the St. Clair crew members.

May2001



USNS Dahl Aids Injured Mariner sustainable speed would be only
about 12 knots. The Dahl, being a
significantly faster ship, could get
Mavromanolakis to the closest
port faster. So, the patient was
transferred to the Dahl.

A Greek mariner is out of
harm's way today, thanks largely
to the training and actions of the
captain and crew of the SIU-con­
tracted USNS Dahl.

The large, medium-speed,
roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) vessel on
Feb. 17 was in the South Pacific
Ocean transiting from Charle­
ston, S.C. to Diego Garcia. At
about 1 :30 p.m., the vessel's
radio operator received an emer­
gency call for help from the
Rescue Coordination Center in
Norfolk, Va.

The transmission alerted the
Dahl crew of an emergency
aboard the Greek Tanker Astro
Beta. The Greek vessel was locat­
ed some 140 nautical miles south
of the Dahl s position. Theodoros
Mavromanolakis, a pumpman on
the Astro Beta, sustained a seri­
ous wound when a grinding
wheel disc he was using in the
vessel's machine shop disinte­
grated and cut his neck and throat
with fragments.

Upon receiving the call, Capt.
Mike Burke, master of the USNS
Dahl, immediately changed the

Petersburg
Retums
To Guam

It's steady as she goes for the
crew aboard the SIU-contracted
Petersburg. The vessel recently
returned to her home port in
Guam following a short stay in
the shipyard in Singapore.

The crew expressed their hap­
piness with their new contract
during a recent visit by SIU rep­
resentatives. In addition, they
indicated that they enjoy the ves­
sel's run and working with their
fellow crew members.

The Petersburg is a tanker
operated by Interocean Ugland
Management Corp. (IUM) under
contract with the U.S. Military
Sealift Command (MSC). The
vessel is one ofMSC's four Afloat
Prepositioning Tankers and is part
of the 37 ships in the MSC's
prepositioning program.

IUM is based in Voorhees,
N.J.

Active in Alaska

After the transfer, Capt. Burke
charted course for Georgetown,
Ascension-an island in the
Atlantic Ocean between Brazil
and Africa-and the Dahl got
underway. Mavromanolakis was
cared for in the LMSR's hospital
by Larkin and Third Mate Will
Bentley during the voyage to
port. Along the way, the duo con­
sulted with a doctor from the
Medical Advisory Service in
Bethesda, Md. via satellite phone.
Once at Georgetown, Mavro­
manolakis received professional
assistance.

The SIU-crewed USNS Dahl, which entered service in 1999, diverted course to answer an emergency call.

"The first aid training these
men received at the Seafarers
International Union's Piney Point
training facility, the American
Maritime Officers' training center
and the Military Sealift Com­
mand's training center paid off,"
said Capt. Burke. "I was extreme­
ly proud of my crew, particularly
Chief Mate Larkin, Third Mate
Bentley, Third Assistant Engineer
Pisch and Bosun Armas."

ship's course to rendezvous with
the Greek tanker. About four-and­
a-half hours later, the LMSR
reached the tanker and launched
its inflatable boat crewed by
Bosun Terry Armas, Chief Mate
Chris Larkin and the third assis-

tant engineer.
The three mariners boarded

the Astro Beta with medical sup­
plies. They examined and treated
the victim's wounds. Mavro­
manolakis' injury was discovered
to be within two inches of his

carotid artery, so he needed
immediate professional medical
attention.

Meanwhile the two ships'
masters discussed expeditious
action. Since the Greek tanker
was fully loaded, her maximum

AB Bruce Buchard
(left) and AB Miles
Copeland take a brief
break from their re­
spective duties.

AB Curtis Nicholson
stands near the
"warning" sign he
made to promote
shipboard safety.

Pictured above from the left are Third
Mate Andrew Matthers, QMED Don
Montoya, Oiler Gerome Slade and AB
Sjamsidar Madjidji. In the photo at left,
AB Robert Wankmueller performs
maintenance on the nets.

Wiper Edmund Livings
prepares to paint a boil­
er. Livings is a 2000
graduate of the Paul Hall
Center.

AB Brock Booker (left) briefs Bosun Peter Funk on the
bench he built on the ship's deck, which contains eye­
wash and a fire extinguisher.

Members of the steward department keep the
remainder of the crew happy with their culinary cre­
ations. Pictured in the galley are (from the left) SA
Minnie Thomas, Chief Steward Oscar Angeles, Chief
Cook Thalis Ealy, SA Ros Clark, SA Erni Lizada and Pumpman Dave Bouda
SA Qais Ahmed. checks a valve.

Cape May Light Readies for 1st Cruise
Continued from page 3
Cape May Light and its sister ships are
reminders of the importance of the
Passenger Vessel Services Act and the Jones
Act-cabotage laws which enhance U.S.
security.

American Maritime Officers President
Michael McKay described the coastal cruise

ships as "an ambitious undertaking by a
courageous company. This vindicates the
Passenger Vessel Services Act, which has
been under unjust criticism in recent
years .... Without Congress' support of the
Jones Act and the Passenger Vessel Services
Act, ceremonies like today's are not possi­
ble."

The SIU participated in the Alaska AFL-CIO legislative conference in February,
with the event taking place in Juneau at the governor's mansion. Pictured at the
meeting are (from left) SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone; Susan Knowles, wife of
Alaska Governor Tony Knowles; Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer; and SIU Representative
Harold Holten. The Cape May Light enters service this month following dedication ceremonies April 25.

Seafarers LOii 7



New Orleans-Pictured from left to right are Patrolman
James Brown, Port Agent Steve Judd, VP Contracts Augie
Tellez, VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, President Mike Sacco
and Executive VP John Fay. SIU President Mike Sacco addresses Seafarers at the April membership meeting in New Orleans.

West and Gulf Coast Seafaren
Welcome Headquarten Ofticials
Meeting Topics Include STCW, SIU-NMU Merger

Seafarers recently welcomed SIU headquarters
officials to the union's halls in Wilmington, Calif.
and New Orleans, respectively.

Pictured on this page are photos from an infor­
mal gathering at the Wilmington hall in February;
from the April membership meeting in New
Orleans; and also from the March membership
meeting at the SIU hall in Mobile, Ala.

Among the topics discussed at the halls were
the SIU-NMU merger; the union's support of
exploration and development of the Alaskan Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR); upgrades to
various SIU halls in recent years as well as the
opening of several new halls; new job opportuni-

ties for Seafarers in the inland and cruise-ship
industries; and upcoming contract negotiations.

Other subjects presented at the halls included
the training requirements for the amended STCW
convention; performance bonuses earned by
Seafarers-contracted U.S. Military Sealift
Command ships; wage increases for Waterman's
prepositioning ships; a manning increase on
AMSEA's fast sealift vessels; and a change in
management operations for the double eagle
tankers, from Interocean Ugland Management to
Hvide Marine (with all contracts remaining in
place).

SIU President Mike Sacco greets (left photo) GSU
Jennifer Smith and (above) 2nd Pumpman Linton
Acliese in Wilmington.

Wilmington-SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone, GSU Eduardo
Munizaga, SIU President Mike Sacco

Mobile-Retiree Red Roach, SIU Representative Hubert Cain, Retiree
Tobe Dansley

Left: Wilmington- AB
Mike Blunt, AB Bernard
DeRepentigny, SIU
President Mike Sacco,
Port Agent John Cox

Right: Mobile-Port
Agent Ed Kelley, Capt.

Mike Yarbrough

Mobile-SIU boatmen from Crescent Towing (left photo) meet with VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey
(second from right) following the meeting. Pictured from left to right are Joe Tucker, Charles Tucker,
Kyle Tucker, William Tucker, Corgey and Benny Tucker. The meeting (above) packed a full house.

B Seafarers LOB 8ay2001



Former Cargo Vessel,
l'age Now Carries Ammo

renamed in honor of a Korean
War hero. Patricia T. Holder, wife
of MSC Commander Vice Adm.
Gordon S. Holder, was the ship's
sponsor during the Feb. 21
renaming ceremony. Admiral
Holder served as the event's
keynote speaker.

Chief Cook McKinley Jones Jr.
serves up a meal to crew mem­
bers in the galley.

GSU Wanda J. Glinke is hard at
work in the galley.

It's lunch time for
Electrician Mohamed
A. Ali (above) and
QMED Richard K.
Larsen (below).

Bosun Michael Moore and AB George Marfo

Crew members aboard the
Seafarers-contracted Lt. Col.
John U.D. Page continue to rep­
resent the union in a professional
manner during the performance
of their daily duties.

The vessel, chartered by the
U.S. Military Sealift Command
(MSC), is a self-sustaining·
ammunition transporter. Former­
ly a cargo ship, which sailed
under the name Newark Bay, it
recently was tied up in Sunny
Point, N.C. to load cargo.

Following completion of a
conversion program, which com­
menced in October 2000 at the
Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry­
dock Co. in Norfolk, Va., it was

The Page and its sister ship,
the SIU-crewed Sgt. Edward A.
Carter Jr.- scheduled for deliv­
ery to MSC in June-will carry
all the U.S. Army's containerized
prepositioned ammunition, by the
end of the year.

The 949.8-foot Page is owned
and operated by Maersk Lines
Ltd. of Norfolk, Va., under a five­
year charter to MSC. Maersk
operates some two dozen SIU­
crewed vessels for MSC and in
the Maritime Security Program.
The company's fleet includes
containerships, roll-on/roll-off
prepositioning vessels and T­
AGOS vessels.

AB George Marfo, left, joins Bosun Michael Moore, AB Steve Westfall
and AB Ed Jaynes for a meal.

Chief Steward James 0. Kidd Jr.
shows off one of his prized cre­
ations in the steward department.

AB Thomas Murphy

AB Steve D. Westfall prepares to post the
sailing board.

Chief Steward James 0. Kidd Jr.,
Bosun Michael Moore, Chief Cook
McKinley Jones

Wiper Jared M. Lee
heads to the fourth
deck for a meal fol­
lowing a productive

Bosun Mchael Moore displays the stencils for the vessel's new day in the engine
name. room.

SIU Joins Coalition Urging
Congress to Open ANWR
Continued from page 3

energy crisis that is threatening to
cut off electricity, heating oil and
other necessary fuel.

"The Teamsters support
actions that will help working
families with both problems," he
continued. "All of organized
labor does. Opening up the
Coastal Plain of ANWR will
pump millions of dollars of new
activity into our nation's econo­
my, while at the same time dra­
matically increasing our domes­
tic oil production."

The coalition also pointed out
that developing America's largest
untapped domestic source of oil
not only will reduce U.S. depen­
dence on foreign energy sources,
but also boost the nation's sealift
capabilities and industrial base
by encouraging construction of
more American-built ships,
which will be crewed by U.S.
manners.

Further, despite concerns from
environmental groups, the coali­
tion emphasized that developing
an energy policy which includes
ANWR will be done in an envi-

ay2D01

ronmentally responsible manner.
Technological advances and the
dedication of American workers
to ecologically sound operations
will enable safe, efficient and
environmentally sound develop­
ment.

Finally, the group observed
that the area proposed for explo­
ration constitutes less than 1 per­
cent of the 1.5 million acres that
make up ANWR. That area basi­
cally is an Arctic desert and a
small fraction of the 88,000 acres
that make up the North Slope.

Organizations represented at
the conference included the SIU,
MTD and Teamsters; American
Maritime Officers; International
Association of Bridge, Structural,
Ornamental, and Reinforcing
Ironworkers; International Union
of Operating Engineers; Labor­
ers' International Union of North
America; National Marine En­
gineers' Beneficial Association;
Transportation Institute; and
United Association of Journey­
men and Apprentices of the
Plumbing and Pipe Fitting
Industry of the United States and
Canada.

CAPTAIN AND CREW
REUNITE-Following a
luncheon in his honor,
retired Capt. Ted Vickers
is happy to be with his
former crew members at
the Paul Hall Center.
From the left are Capt.
Steve Sears, Capt. Mike
Lydick, Capt. Mike
Davis, Capt. Ted
Vickers, Chief Mate
Vladimir Salamon, Chief
Mate Scott Trester,
Capt. Bill Gossett and
Chief Mate Chester
Stephens. Not pictured
is Chief Mate Roger
Rothschild.

Capt. Vicken: Mentor aa.d Moti.vator
It has been said that the accomplishments of a

student are measured by the successes of his or her
teacher. If that is the case, then Capt. Ted Vickers
is a very successful man, indeed.

A number of SIU members recently attended
the Paul Hall Center to take STCW-related cours­
es. They were all crew members who worked for
Capt. Vickers at one time or another between 1983
and 1986. All are now captains and mates them­
selves and claim that Capt. Vickers was a true role
model. They note that Vickers ran a tight ship (tug)
with respect, good humor and caring. In addition
to his nautical knowledge, they say that Vickers

served as a mentor and motivator for everyone
who sailed with him. Because of his caring
approach to his crew, a true bond has formed over
the years. And every time one of his crew mem­
bers upgraded, they took his teachings and applied
them to their own studies.

When the upgrading Seafarers learned that
Capt. Vickers lives not too far from the school,
they invited him to lunch, setting up one of the
dining room tables with a sign reading "Reserved
for Capt. Vickers' Crew."

And for just a little while, it was like old times.

Seafarers LOG 9



With the sm

I C J
The galley gang aboard the Mayaguez includes (from left) Chief Cook
Ivan Salis, Chief Steward Edward P Dunn and Messman Roque Lambert.

= =
!

Right: The two Neils share a
laugh at the MTD executive board

meeting last February in Los
Angeles. From the left are SIU
Port Agent Neil Dietz and U.S.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii).

10 Seafarers LOB

Right: Working
on the deck of

the Mayaguez is
AB John Weaver.

Left: Unlicensed Apprentice
Ole Olsen (left) and OS David
Parks enjoy the scenery as
the Global Sentinel approach­
es the port of Vancouver,
British Columbia.

Above: San Juan SIU
Port Agent Victor Nunez
(right) inspects the work­
ing conditions on the
NPR, Inc. cranes in
Puerto Rico. With him is
AB Roberto Flores.

Left: AB Joseph Hubert
shows his painting tech­
nique on one of the
NPR, Inc. cranes.

Left: Everyone enjoys
returning to the Paul
Hall Center and seeing
old friends while
upgrading their skills.
From the left are
Recertified Steward

Robert Wilcox, Chief
Electrician Christo

Tsipliareles and Recertified
Steward Joseph Gallo Jr.

Russell Barrack is the bosun aboard the
Mayaguez, an NPR, Inc. vessel.

May 2i



DAWN OF A NEW ERA

FACILmES
9 passenger decks
7 passenger elevators
Extensive open deck space
2 outdoor swimming pools
Shuffleboard area
Fifth Avenue shops and

boutiques
Barbershop and beauty

parlor
Photo galleries
Medical center
Self-service laundries
Conference and meeting

center
Theater

FACTS AND FIGURES
Gross tonnage: 33,930 GRT
Height: 126 feet from water

line to top of stack
Length: 704 feet
Beam: 90 feet
Draft: 25 feet
Main Engines/Propulsion: 2

Sulzer main engines,
22,400 total hp;
2 bow thrusters, total
3,000 hp; 2 stern thrusters,
total 3,000 hp

Speed: 19 knots
Stabilizers: Sperry Marine

automatic stabilizers

Recent Projects to Crew Member Areas
• Crew shower partitions were improved to eliminate standing water

by extending the shower walls down to the deck in order to channel
water into the drains.

• All crew clothes washers and dryers are fully functional.

• Ventilation has been improved and the series of "hot" cabins has
been corrected and are now much cooler.

• All crew cabins have had new lock cylinders installed in order to
improve crew security.

• Vending machines and additional food service equipment-ice
cream chest, ice chest, hot dog machine-have been added to the
crew dining area.

• During February, the crew bar and "slop chest" officially was opened
and is now operating on a daily basis. Profits from this area are being
credited to the crew fund.

• An onboard Crew Welfare Committee has been formed. This repre­
sentative group from all shipboard departments will address crew
recreational needs.

• Regular meetings are being conducted with SIU representatives to
address any crew issues.

• A review of the crew menus has been undertaken to increase satis­
faction and selection. The Hotel Director has surveyed the crew for
their input and has organized a crew "food committee."

May2001

The
Vessel Signals New Beginning

For U.S. Cruise Industry

United States Lines began carrying passengers
between New York and Europe in the early part

of the 20th century-in the golden age of ocean­
going passenger travel. It was a glamorous world

enjoyed by such famous actors, artists and inventors as
Cary Grant, Salvador Dali, Mary Pickford and Thomas

Edison.
Today, a part of that golden age has returned with the ms Patriot,

the first in a new fleet of elegant and modem United States Lines
cruise vessels.
Meet the SIU-crewed ms Patriot .. .

Shipshape!
As with any ship that undergoes refur­

bishment, the Patriot had to work out its
share of kinks. Fortunately, the issues
that surfaced during the vessel's West
Coast stay have been addressed.

Improvements have been made to the
crew shower partitions, clothes washers
and dryers, cabin ventilation and securi­
ty. Vending machines and additional
food service equipment have been added
to the crew dining area. In February, the
crew bar and "slop chest" opened, with
profits credited to the crew fund.

Additionally, other improvements are
pending, such as installation of a satellite
TV system, replacement of various fix­
tures in the restrooms, and repair or
replacement of certain floor tiles.

"It's important for us to do a good job
crewing the ship," noted SIU Vice
President Contracts Augie Tellez. "You
can see a big part of the future of our
union in the Patriot-namely, the two
new cruise ships that are being built for
U.S. Lines. The Patriot itself is a beauti­
ful ship, but it's a springboard to bigger
and better things for SIU members.

"The union and the company are
working together to identify and address
the crew's concerns," he continued.
"We're putting together programs to
tackle those issues. Our ultimate goals
are to provide a stable, well-trained man­
power group and a positive working
environment. All of our efforts are
geared toward that."

Brief History
The ship, which carries up to 1,212

passengers, was built as the Nieuw
Amsterdam in 1983 by Chantiers de
l 'Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France. It
was acquired from Holland American
Line at a cost of $114.5 million and was
delivered to American Classic Voyages
(AMCV, the parent company of United
States Lines) Oct. 18, 2000. After under­
going a $21 million renovation at
Cascade General Shipyard in Portland,
Ore., it sailed on Thanksgiving Day to
host a series of trade industry preview
events in Los Angeles and San
Francisco. The ship was renamed the ms
Patriot and launched in Hawaii under

American Classic Voyages Co. 's United
States Lines on Dec. 9, when it inaugu­
rated year-round, seven-night cruise ser­
vice throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
The christening ceremony reflected both
the heritage of Hawaii and the spirit of
America as Maggie Inouye, wife of
Senator Daniel Inouye, officially dedi­
cated the ship.

The United States Lines' logo, a stylized
American bald eagle, is prominently dis­
played on the Patriot's smokestack.

"We envision United States Lines as
'America's cruise line,"' stated AMCV
President and Chief Operating Officer
Roderick K. McLeod. "It offers a brand­
new experience for cruise enthusiasts:
the convenience of a cruise vacation in a
comfortable, all-American-type atmos­
phere with emphasis on experiencing the
Hawaiian Islands, up-close and person­
al."

Adorning the smokestack is a stylized
American bald eagle centered on a field
of gold stars. The wings of the eagle sug­
gest the stripes of the American flag; the
three top stars represent the initial three
vessels in the United States Lines fleet;
and the other six stars represent United
States Lines' commitment to its cus­
tomers, employees, shareholders, com­
munity, the environment and our nation.

Seafarers LOG 11



T • ted States •

llle U.S. Flag
From the moment United States

Lines introduced the ms Patriot on Dec.
9, 2000, a star-spangled tradition was
born-one befitting the largest
American cruise ship and the first major
ocean-going passenger vessel to register
in the United States in more than 40
years. Each American flag that flies
over the vessel during its weekly
Hawaii cruises is one that has flown
over the nation's Capitol in Washington,
D.C. According to AMCV's McLeod,
"The Stars and Stripes reflect our com­
mitment to providing high-quality, all­
American cruise vaca­
tions and revitalizing
the U.S.-flag cruise
industry."

AB Jeff Kalbach

The logo of United States Lines is a stylized American bald eagle
centered on a field of gold stars.

Hawaiian Influence
In addition to the regular cruise experience, the ms

Patriot offers passengers the opportunity to gain
more knowledge about the rich heritage of the
Hawaiian Islands.

The Destination Leaming Center is the "heart" of
the vessel, a place where travelers can learn about
Hawaii and the 80 optional shore experiences offered
in the ship's island exploration program. The ship's
Hawaiian teacher, or "kumu," shares the islands' his­
tory and lore, and passengers may choose to learn to

Destination Learning Center

12 Seafal'el'S LOB

GU Nabil Sharif, GU Ebrahim El Shaibi
and GU Esa Abdullah

Cocktail Server
Brenda Black

/(::_1ai .

speak the Hawaiian language, dance the hula, play
the ukulele and create a lei. Resource materials and
displays of island artifacts and furnishings add to the
total Hawaiian experience.

Children enjoy the knowledge shared by the
kumu, but they also have their own part of the ship.
During its refurbishment, special centers-Graffiti 's
for teens and Kaleidoscope for pre-teens-were
designed to offer different activities away from their
parents featuring games, parties, contests, movies,
tournaments and more.

But many of the optional excursions are wonder­
ful opportunities for families
to enjoy together and include
a submarine exploration of
undersea life around the
islands, kayaking, horseback
riding and snorkeling.

Additionally, at certain
times of the year, special
cruises are featured. For
example, over the Memorial
Day, Independence Day,
Veterans Day and Pearl
Harbor Day holidays, the ship
will sail into Pearl Harbor to
visit the memorial built above

The ms Patriot sails weekly to
five ports on four of the
Hawaiian islands

r-tonolulu

the U.S.S. Arizona (which was sunk Dec. 7, 1941),
and passengers can learn more about the meaning of
the Hawaiian harbor in the course of American his­
tory.

Whale watching cruises take place from January
through March, and Aloha festival cruises are sched­
uled during the month of September to help the
Hawaiians enjoy their native culture.
Celebrating a birthday, engagement, honey­
moon, anniversary? Different packages also can
be arranged for any of these events. Even wed­
dings can now be performed aboard the ship.

lfay 2001



Waikiki Beachboys Club

Living Room of Presidential Suite

Accommodations
Aboard the 33,930-ton ms

Patriot, there are so many things to
do that returning to your room is
necessary just to rest up for your
next island adventure. There are
606 suites and staterooms divided
into 15 categories-everything
from the luxurious presidential

ttinerary
The ms Patriot departs every

Saturday evening year-round from
Honolulu on seven-night, five-port
cruises of four of the Hawaiian
islands-Nawiliwili, Kauai; Kahului,
Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii­
before returning to Honolulu.

Bedroom of Presidential Suite

suite to the 20 parlor suites and 122
superior ocean view staterooms to
the 266 ocean view staterooms or
197 of the more economical interi­
or staterooms. All feature TV,
radio, telephone and individual cli­
mate controls. Fares vary accord­
ing to season, and all include
onboard meals, activities, enter­
tainment and port charges.

Graffiti's Teen Center

Kumu Study

But the ship's Island Explorations sengers right at the ship's dock for vir­
program is there to help, showcasing 80 tually all excursions.
optional shore
excursions with
tour itineraries
that can be cus­
tomized based on
a passenger's
personal in­
terests or fitness

/ /
' 1 '>r ff"tn:i

No wonder Hawaii is known as
America's paradise! Each island has
something different to offer for both
adults and children-from black sand
beaches and tropical rainforests to fiery
volcanoes and ancient Polynesian sites
to coffee plantations and sugar cane
fields to hiking trails and incredible
golf courses-and more. All these
options make it a little daunting for a
visitor to figure out exactly what to see.

evel. Passengers
receive detailed
excursion infor­
mation for each
port to help them
choose specific
tours, and expe­
rienced local
guides meet pas-

Ship SpecHications and Facilities

• 1,212 Passengers
• 33,930 Gross Tons
• 704 Feet Long
• Automatic Stabilizers
• 9 Passenger Decks
• Destination Learning Center
• Destination Services Desk
• Kaleidoscope Kids' Center
• Graffiti's Teens' Center
• Internet Lounge
• 2 Outdoor Swimming Pools
• Kohala Spa & Fitness Center
• Princess Kaiulani Movie Theater
• Fifth Avenue Shops and Boutiques
• Conference & Meeting Center
• 7 Passenger Elevators

May 2001

Eagle Deck
Bridge Deck
Mariner Deck
Promenade Deck
Broadway Deck
Main Deck
A Deck
B Deck
C Deck

Discover Hawaii's Tropical Beauty

One of the ship's lifeboats

Kaleidoscope Kids' Club

Seafarers LOG 13



Activities
Daytime hours are mostly spent

exploring the islands or enjoying
the amenities of the ship, including
two outdoor pools, a whirlpool and
comfortable lounges for taking in
all the beautiful scenery. And for all
those who can't exist without e­
mail, an Internet Cafe is at the
ready with nine computers standing
by for some indoor surfing.

The nights are a different story.
Passengers may enjoy listening and

dancing to the ms Patriots musi­
cians, who play a variety of jazz,
swing, contemporary Hawaiian and
classic rock throughout the ship's
nine bars and lounges. Cultural
shows, revues, comedy acts,
singing, dancing and passenger tal­
ent shows keep things lively. There
is also a 230-seat theater which
shows first-run movies.

"Madam Pele's Night of Fire,"
however, is the signature event

which occurs when the ship passes
the crimson lava flow of Hilo's Mt.
Kilauea, the world's most active
volcano. Crew members and pas­
sengers gather on deck to view
Madam Pele, the volcano goddess,
and festivities ensue, including an
outdoor volcano-theme dessert buf­
fet, known as the Feast of Fire, as
well as an award-winning comedy
show.

SIU Safety Director Jim Storm and
1st Cook Johnny Palencia

2nd Cook
David Moulder

Cabin Attendant
Angie Sticka

1st Cook Reuben Maldonado and
2nd Cook Anthony Angel

While the ms Patriot is the first in a fleet of new U.S. cruise lin­
ers, United States Lines currently has two 1,900-passenger vessels
under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss.
The 72,000-ton cruise ships-the largest ever built in a U.S. ship­
yard-will enter service in Hawaii in 2003 and 2004.

14 Seafarers LOB

Food
In speaking about the cuisine, the

passenger dining experience aboard
the ms Patriot is truly a highlight. A
galley staff of 90 SIU chefs, cooks
and specialists create the meals for
the main dining room (the
Manhattan Dining Room) as well as
for the alternative Outrigger Cafe's
fare (which serves breakfasts, theme
lunches, afternoon grill service and
evening dinners). American and
Pacific Rim specialties are show­
cased in the main dining room and
are served on china, custom­
designed by the suppliers of the orig­
inal United States Lines. Other infor­
mation about the art and history of

AB Willie Johnson,
OS Jorge Soler,

Bosun Christy
Fernando, OS

Alfonso Banda, OS
Andrzen Bronkowsksi

and OS Gary Lauer

AB Robert Mason and
Carpenter Eric Orcwein

2nd Cook John Arciaga

the original fleet is featured in the
menus. And should a passenger still
have some room after dinner, there
is 24-hour room service as well as
an ice cream station. (But not to
worry, the shipboard Kohala Spa
and Fitness Center can help you
shed some of those newly gained
pounds. And for pampering, there's
a beauty salon with hair, skin and
nail service for men and women.)

May 2001



Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea
MARCH 16 -APRIL 15, 2001

*TOTAL REGISTERED
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

Port
Aigonac , .. ,,

Baltimore
Guam
Honolulu
Houston
Jacksonville
Mobile
New · Orl~ans
New York

1
6
l " ,
4

18
37
6

15
22

Norfolk 8
Philadelphia 2
Piney Point 5
Puerto Rico 11
San Francisco 18
St. Louis 2
Tacoma
Wilmington
Totals

Port
Algonac
Baltimore
Guam
Honolulu
Houston
Jacksonville
Mobile
New Orleans
New York

23
25

204

0
5
0
7

15
13
6
s
8

0
6
0
3

10
23

3
12
7

12
4
4
3
9
2

10
12

120

-0
2
1
8
4

14
4
8

11

1
3
2
4
6

12
7
9
5
4
3
0
3
3
6
7
5

80

1
2
0
5
5
9
0
5
1

Norfolk 6 11 2
Philadelphia 2 2
Piney Point 1 5 0
Puerto Rico 6 2 0
San Francisco 8 7 2
St. Louis 2 2 0
Tacoma 13 6 6
Wilmington 8 11 5
Totals 104 98 45

Port
Algonac 1 0 0
Baltimore 0 0 0
Guam 0 0 0
Honolulu 4 3 20
Houston 15 2 0
Jacksonville 11 5 4
Mobile 5 3 0
New Orleans 7 6 3
New York 11 · 4 2
Norfolk 7 9 4
Philadelphia 7 1 1
Piney Point 0 3 0
Puerto Rico 0 0 0
San Francisco 13 4 1
St. Louis 2 1 l
Tacoma 15 4 1
Wilmington 13 4 3
Totals 111 49 40

Port
Algonac 0 0 4
Baltimore 0 3 1
Guam 0 2
Honolulu 8 22 94
Houston 1 10 3
Jacksonville 3 16 14
Mobile 1 5 2
New Orleans 3 5 7
New York 4 21 20
Norfolk 0 11 9
Philadelphia 0 1
Piney Point 0 20 22
Puerto Rico 2 10
San Francisco 4 7 6
St. Louis 0 2 0
Tacoma 3 10 20
Wilmington 5 14 12

Totals 33 150 227

Totals All
Departments 452 417 392

TOTAL SHIPPED
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

0
3

24
24
12
9

16
12
8
2
5

21

1

DECK DEPARTMENT

3 1
0 0
5 5

14 4
13 9
6 4

9 10
5 6
5
5
3
4
4
3

3
3
3
5
3
4

Trip
Reliefs

0
1
0

5
8
6
2
0
0

1
6
5
1

22 11 5 10
20 10 4 7

181 101 70 54

ENGINE DEPARTMENT
0
2
0
3

22
8
4
6
5
4

0
0
0
8
2
7
4
8
5
9

0
3
0
2
2
4
0
3
0
3

0
0
Q
0
,3
3
1
3
1
0

2 2 0 1
2 3 0
3 2 0
7 5 4
4 1 0
9 6 7 2
4 8 3 3

85 70 33 19

STEWARD DEPARTMENT
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0
4
9
8
3
3
8
5
5
2
2

15
0

0
0
1
4
0
2
2
4
0
1
0
5
1

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0

0
0

0
0
4
3
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
2
0

18 0 5
13 3 5
95 24 6 23

ENTRY DEPARTMENT
0 0 0 0
0
0
0
0
5
I
2
3
l
0
0
2
4
0

3
22

383

1
0

11
13
7
0
8

15
10
0

14
0
8

11
4

103

298

0
0

45
4
8

5
12
8
1

19
8
5
0

21
4

141

250

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

96

**REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

l
7
1

16
42
55
16
25
49

5
2
8

11
30
12
25
22

1
3
2
2
7

24 20

14

9
9
7
6
2
1
2'

6 ~ 3

7 5
16 2
33 10 2

6 4 3
40
38

380

0
9
0
9

17
33
16
12
27

9
4
2
8

11
0

21
11

189

3
0

14
25
28
13
15
25
10

5
3
2

36
3

33
24

240

0
0
0

15
3
6
1
6
8
2
0
0
4
7
0
7
7

66

875

14
13

186

1
6
1

10
6

22
5

11
16

13 ·
14

100

2

0
5
8
9
0
8
1

12 2
5 3
5
2
6 2
3 1

13 8
13 10

137 62

1 2
0 0
0 0

10 38
3 2

10 8
6 0

10 4
10 2
10 2

1 1
4 1
2 0
4
2
3 2
7 6

83 70

3 4
5 3

3
43 179
15 8
23 25
12 8
10 10
41 33
15 24
3 2

28 26
6 5

22 7
3 2

21 34
23 21

274 394

680 626

*"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.

lfay 2001

Piney Point ............. Monday: June 4, July 2

Algonac ................. . Friday: June 8, July 6

Baltimore ................ Thursday: June 7, July 5

Duluth ..... ................ Wednesday: June 13, July 11

Honolulu ................. Friday: June 15, July 13

Houston .................. Monday: June 11, July 9

Jacksonville ............ Thursday: June 7, July 5

- Jersey City .. : ........... Wedne$day: June 20, July 18

Mobile .................... Wednesday: June 13, July 11

NewBedford .......... Tuesday: June 19, July 17

New Orleans ........... Tuesday: June 12, July IO

New York ................ Tuesday: June 5, July 3

Norfolk ................... Thursday: June 7, July 5

Philadelphia ............ Wednesday: June 6

Thursday: July 5*
(*change created by Independence Day holiday)

Port Everglades •...... Thursd€ly: June 14, July 12

San Francisco ......... Thurs4ay: June 14, July 12 .

San Juan .................. Thursday; June 7, July 5

St. Louis ................. Friday: June 15, July 13

Tacoma ................... Friday: June 22, July 20

Wilmington .......... ..... Monday: June 18, July 16

Each port's meeting starts at 111:30 a.m.

Personal

ALTON mcKMAN JR.
Please contact Sean Hanley at (718) 926-4902.

FRIENDS OF JAMES E. HILL

James E. Hill would like to hear from any ship­
mates who sailed with him aboard the Penn
Vanguard or the Keva Ideal. You may write him at
1805 Mitchell St., Apt. 1, Tampa, FL 33602.

Correction

In the April edition of the Seafarers LOG, page
13, several photos taken aboard the Sea-Land
Voyager inadvertently were included with an unre­
lated article about the USNS Watkins.

Seafarers LOB 15



Seafarers lnlernalional Union
Directory

Michael Sacco
President
John Fay

Executive Vice President

Dafld Heindel
Secretary-Treasurer

Augustin Tellez
Vice President Contracts

Jack Caffey
Vice President Atlantic Coast

Tom Orzechowski
Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters

Dean Corgey
Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone
Vice President West Coast

Kermett Mangram
Vice President Government Services .. .

HEADQUARTERS
5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746

(301) 899-0675

ALGONAC
520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001

{810) 794-4988

ALTON
325 Market St, Suite B, Alton, IL 62002

(618) 462-3456

ANCHORAGE
721 Sesame St., #lC, Anchorage, AK 99503

{907) 561-4988

BALTIMORE
2315 Essex St, Baltimore, MD 21224

(410) 327-4900

DULUTH
705 Medical Arts Building, Duluth, MN 55802

(218) 722-4110

GUAM
125 Sunny Plaza, Suite 301-E

Tun Jesus Crisostomo St., Tamuning, Guam 96911
(671) 647-1350

HONOLULU
606K.alihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819

(808) 845-5222

HOUSTON
1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002

{713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE
3315 Liberty St., JacksonvilJe, FL 32206

(904) 353-0987

JERSEY CITY
99 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302

(201) 435-9424

MOBILE
1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605

(334) 478-0916

NEW BEDFORD
48 Union St., New Bedford, MA 02740

(508) 997-5404

NEW ORLEANS
3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058

(504) 328-7545

NEW YORK
635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232

(718) 499-6600

NORFOLK
115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 622·1892

PHILADELPHIA
2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148

(215) 336-3818

PINEY POINT
P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674

(301) 994-0010

PORT EVERGLADES
1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316

(954) 522-7984

SAN FRANCISCO
350 Fremont St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 543-5855
Government Services Division: (415) 861-3400

SANTURCE
1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16!/i

Santurce,PR 00907
{787) 721-4033

ST. LOUIS
4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116

(314) 752-6500

TACOMA
3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409

(253) 272-7774

WILMINGTON
510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744

(310) 549-4000

16 Seafarers LOB

Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes
MARCH 16 - APRIL 15, 2001

L-Lakes NP - Non Priority CL - Company/Lakes

*TOTAL REGISTERED TOTAL SHIPPED **REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups All Groups All Groups

Class CL Class L Class NP Class CL Class L Class NP Class CL Class L Class NP

Port DECK DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 13 13 0 7 6 0 6 7
Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 10 3 0 3 2 0 7 1
Port STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 7 3 0 4 0 0 3 3
Port ENTRY DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 18 35 0 4 5 0 14 30

Totals All Depts 0 48 54 0 18 13 0 30 41
*"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
MARCH 16 - APRIL 15, 2001

*TOTAL REGISTERED TOTAL SIIlPPED **REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups All Groups All Groups

Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B

Region DECK DEPARTMENT
Atlantic Coast 0 0 0 Q 0 0 0 0
Gulf Coast 2 I 4 0 0 2 3 2
Lakes, Inland Waters 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
West Coast 0 1 5 2 0 8 1 3
Totals 2 2 9 2 0 10 4 5
Region ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Atlantic Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gulf Coast 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Lakes, Inland Waters 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
West Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Region STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Atlantic Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Gulf Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lakes, Inland Waters 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
West Coast 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Totals 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0

Totals All Depts 2 2 10 2 0 12 4 5
*"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.

PIC-FROM-THE-PAST
This photo was sent to the

Seafarers LOG by Ted Vargas of
Princeton, W.Va. It was taken in
Rotterdam, Holland on the fantail
of the Muncie Victory in July 1947.

The ship, operated by South
Atlantic Steamship Co., was mak­
ing its last voyage as an SIU-con­
tracted vessel. The crew members
had just unloaded their aid cargo
of grain to wore-torn Europe.

"We had to tie up to a buoy and
offload into barges," Vargas noted
in a letter accompanying the photo.
"All piers were either occupied or
had been destroyed in the war."

With Wiper Vargas (left) is
Messman Eric Joseph. The vessel
at right is the Atlantic Wind, a
Liberty ship under Panamanian
flag.

Vargas mentioned that Joseph,
an ex-boxer, went on to become
well known in the SIU because of

Class C

0
6
0

17
23

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
1
1

24

an act of generosity: He donated the cornea of his right eye to another SIU member, Phil Pron. Pron had been the victim of a ship­
board injury that was slowly destroying his eyesight. His only hope was for a corneal transplant. Joseph's retina had been damaged,
a carryover from his boxing days. The men, who had not known each other previously, met in the Staten Island Marine Hospital. An
article was written about the two Seafarers in a March 1951 LOG.

Ted Vargas sailed on three Liberty ships in the '40s and '50s. He presently volunteers as the 12-4 oiler aboard his fourth Liberty
ship, the John W Brown, based in Baltimore, and says that vessel's trip to the Great Lakes last year was a huge success.

Nlay 2001



T hree captains and one pilot
are among the 21 Seafarers
announcing their retire­

ments this month. Captains Jam es
M. Bowers, Julio R. Santana and
Steve R. Warford, along with
Pilot Percy P. Daucet, sailed the
inland waterways for nearly 100
combined years at the helms of
their respective vessels.

Nine of the retirees sailed in the
deep sea division. Three plied the
Great Lakes, while the remaining
nine, which include the former
captains and pilot, navigated the
inland waterways. Fifteen of the
retirees worked in the deck depart­
ment, three shipped in the engine
department and three sailed in the
steward department. On this page,
the Seafarers LOG presents brief
biographical accounts of the retir­
ing Seafarers.

DEEP SEA
r---.:::;;;~~---, ABDULLA

K.ALMAN­
SOOB, 64,
hails from
Yemen.
Brother
Almansoob
joined the SIU
in 1976 in

Seattle. He first sailed aboard the
Overseas Juneau. The steward
department member upgraded his
skills at the SIU's training school
in Piney Point, Md. in 1988 and

9. He last shipped aboard
Interocean Ugland Management's
Northern Lights. Brother
Almansoob lives in Seattle.

WILLIAMJ.
BEATTY, 68,
started his SIU
career in 1964,
joining in the
port of
Houston. Prior
to becoming a
Seafarer,
Brother Beatty served in the U.S.
Navy from 1960 to 1964. A mem­
ber of the engine department, he
first shipped in the inland divi­
sion aboard a G&H Towing Co.
vessel. Brother Beatty upgraded
his skills at the Seafarers Harry
Lundeberg School of Seamanship
in Piney Point, Md. in 1986, 1995
and 1997. He last worked aboard
a Waterman Steamship Corp. ves­
sel. Brother Beatty lives in
Roanoke, La.

ROBERT J. FRANKEL, 75,
started his SIU career in 1986 in
Seattle. Brother Frankel served in
the U.S. Navy from 1943 to
1946. Born in New Brunswick,
N.J., he sailed in the deck depart­
ment. His first ship was the USNS
Desteiguer, operated by Lavino
Shipping Co. He last worked on
the Sea-Land Quality. Brother
Frankel calls East Brunswick,
N.J. home.

ROBERTF.
LEWIS III,
57, was born
in Woodbury,
NJ. Brother
Lewis started
his SIU career
in 1966, join­
ing in the port

of New York. Prior to becoming a
Seafarer, he served in the U.S.
Navy from 1961to1965. Brother
Lewis first sailed aboard the
Sapphire Sandy. The deck depart-

May 2001

ment member last worked aboard
the Sea-Land Florida. Brother
Lewis resides in Lakeland, Fla.

JAMES McHUGH, 66, started
his SIU career in 1970, joining in
the port of New York. Brother
McHugh served in the U.S. Navy
from 1950 to 1954. The Tamaqua,
Pa. native sailed as a member of
the deck department. Brother
McHugh first shipped aboard the
Steel Design. He last worked
aboard Puerto Rico Marine
Management Inc. 's Carolina.
Brother McHugh lives in
Philadelphia.

EFRAINM.
SANTANA,
61, hails from
Puerto Rico.
Brother
Santana start­
ed his SIU
career in 1967,
joining in the L~~~~~
port of New York. His first ship
was the Penn Sailor, operated by
Penn Transportation Co. A mem­
ber of the deck department, he
upgraded his skills at the SIU's
training school in Piney Point,
Md. in 1977 and 1987. He last
shipped aboard Ocean Ships,
Inc. 's Gus W Darnell. Brother
Santana calls Bronx, N.Y. home.

GARYB.
EARL
SCOTT, 64,
began his SIU
career in 1989,
joining in the
port of
Houston. Prior
to becoming a

Seafarer, Brother Scott served in
the U.S. Coast Guard from 1955
to 1958. A bosun, he shipped in
the deck department. Brother
Scott first sailed aboard Sea
Mobility, Inc. 's USNS Invincible.
The Portland, Ore. native last
worked aboard the USNS Bold,
operated by Maersk Lines.
Brother Scott resides in
Dickinson, Texas.

ALVIN TUT­
SON, 68,
started his SIU
career in 1 964,
joining in the
port of
Houston. The
Louisiana
native served
in the U.S. Army from 1953 to
1955. Brother Tutson first sailed
aboard the Tamara Guilden, oper­
ated by Transport Commercial.
The steward department member
last worked aboard Interocean
Ugland Management Corp.'s
Pacific. Brother Tutson lives in
Houston.

ELLIS
YOUNG, 57,
hails from
Savannah, Ga.
Brother Young
started his SIU
career in 197 0,
joining in the
port of Jack­

sonville, Fla. His first ship was
Penn Transportation Co. 's Penn
Sailor. The engine department
member upgraded his skills a
number of times at the SIU's train­
ing school in Piney Point, Md.
Brother Young last sailed aboard

Welcome Ashore
Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their

working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-jlag 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.

the LTC John UD. Page, operated
by U.S. Ship Management. He
resides in Jacksonville, Fla.

INLAND
GEORGE A.
BODDEN, 62,
joined the SIU
in 1971 in
Tampa, Fla. A
member of the
deck depart­
ment, Boat­
man Bodden
was born in Honduras. He sailed
primarily aboard Red Circle
Transport Co. vessels. Brother
Bodden calls Tampa home.

JAMES M. BOWERS, 61, was
born in Rocky Mount, N.C. He
started his SIU career in 1968,
joining in the port of Norfolk, Va.
Boatman Bowers served in the
U.S. Air Force from 1955 to
1958. A member of the deck
department, he first shipped
aboard a Gulf Atlantic Transport
Corp. vessel. Boatman Bowers
last worked as a catain aboard the
Interstate 85, operated by Lynn­
haven Services. He calls Kill
Devil Hills, N .C. home.

PERCY P. DAUCET, 62, started
his SIU career in 1961 , joining in
Port Arthur, Texas. Boatman
Daucet first shipped aboard a
National Marine Service Inc. ves­
sel. The Louisiana native sailed
as a pilot and upgraded his skills
at the SIU's training school in
Piney Point, Md. in 1987 and
1993. Boatman Daucet last
worked aboard a Hvide Marine
vessel. He resides in Welsh, La.

HARVEYR.
GALLOP
JR., 63, hails
from Nags
Head, N.C.
Boatman
Gallop started
his SIU career
in 1967, join­

ing in the port of Norfolk, Va. He
first sailed aboard a Steuart
Transportation Co. vessel. The
engine department member last
worked aboard an Allied Towing
vessel. Boatman Gallop lives in
Powells Point, N .C.

DANIEL J. GAYLOR, 68,
joined the SIU in 1990 in the port

of New Orleans. Brother Gaylor
served in the U.S. Air Force and
the U.S. Navy before becoming a
Seafarer. A member of the deck
department, he first shipped
aboard the USNS Triumph, oper­
ated by Sea Mobility Inc. Brother
Gaylor last worked aboard a Red
Circle Transport Co. vessel. The
Massachusetts native calls Pine­
ville, La. home.

JOHN PATRICK MORAN, 61,
joined the Seafarers in 1973.
Boatman Moran first sailed
aboard a National Marine
Services Inc. vessel. A member of
the deck department, he last
shipped aboard a Hvide Marine
vessel. Born in New York,
Boatman Moran now calls
Cheboygan, Mich. home.

RAYMOND
RUSHON, 65,
started his SIU
career in 1972,
joining in the
port of
Philadelphia.
Boatman
Rush on
shipped as a member of the deck
department. The Pennsylvania
native sailed primarily aboard
Crowley Liner Services vessels.
Boatman Rushon resides in
Havertown, Pa.

JULIO R.
SANTANA
62, joined the
SIU in 1976
in his native
Puerto Rico. A
captain, he
sailed primari­
ly aboard

Crowley Towing and Trans­
portation Co. vessels. Boatman
Santana upgraded his skills at the
SIU's training school in Piney
Point, Md. in 1989. He lives in
Carolina, P.R.

STEVER.
WARFORD,
71, started his
SIU career in
1978, joining
in the port of
Wilmington,
Calif. Born in
Arkansas, the

deck department member shipped
as a captain and upgraded his
skills at the SIU's training school
in Piney Point, Md. in 1991.
Boatman Warford sailed primari­
ly aboard Crowley Towing and
Transportation Co. vessels. He
calls San Marcos, Calif. home.

GREAT LAKES

JULIANW.
BUDNICK,
64, joined the
SIU in the port
of Detroit.
Brother Bud­
nick served in
the U.S. Army
from 1960 to

1962. He first shipped aboard an
American Steamship Co. vessel.
Born in Rogers City, Mich., the
steward department member last
worked aboard the Buffalo, anoth­
er American Steamship Co. ves­
sel. Brother Budnick lives in
Michigan.

ABDON.
FOTAIH, 59,
hails from
Yemen.
Brother F otaih
began his SIU
career in 1972,
joining in the
port of
Detroit. He first sailed aboard a
Michigan Tankers Inc. vessel.
The deck department member
upgraded his skills at the SIU's
training school in Piney Point,
Md. in 1978. Brother Fotaih last
worked aboard American
Steamship Co. 's Walter J.
McCarthy. He resides in
Dearborn, Mich.

DONALDR.
GIMPEL, 66,
started his SIU
career in 1967,
joining in
Duluth, Minn.
Born in
Duluth, the
deck depart­

ment member upgraded his skills
at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School of Seamanship in Piney
Point, Md. in 1998. Brother
Gimpel last sailed aboard a Great
Lakes Towing Co. vessel. He
lives in Duluth, Minn.

Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG first-class vacations at the lowest possible .... Fishing,
swimming, tennis, saiJing, soaking up the sun and
exploring the lands that fonn the coast of the
Chesapeake Bay area are some of the things avail·
able at the vacation center.

1941
The SS Robin Moor, an SIU ship, was the first
U.S.-tlag vessel to be
sunk by the Gennans
(May 2 l). The crew 1991
was given 20 minutes by
the German submarine
commander to leave the
vessel. After the crew
launched the lifeboats,
and were approximately
one mile from the ship,

THIS MONTH In the aftermath of the
conflict in the Persian
Gulf, the American mili­
tary is evaluating the
effectiveness of all ele-IN SIU HISTORY

the German submarine
torpedoed the Robin Moor, sinking it. The attack
evenwally helped lead to all American-flag ships
being armed and supplied with gun crews.

1970
The SIU has opened a vacation center at the Harry
Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point,
Md. This is a new and unique union program to
make available to SIU members and their families

ments that went into
Operation Desert Shield
and Desert Storm.

Insofar as U.S. shipping is concerned, the verdict of
commanders and planners throughout the military
is that the nation's defense interests require more
sealift capability and a healthy American-flag mer­
chant marine ....
Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney has highlighted
the importance of mobility for the purpose of an
adequate defense. A priority of DOD is 1'the ability
to project military power rapidly to areas of U.S.
strategic interest," Cheney said.

Seafarers LOS 17



final Departures
DEEP SEA

PABLO BARRIAL
Pensioner Pablo
Barria!, 78, died
Dec. 21, 2000.
Brother Barria!
began his SIU
career in 194 3,
joining in the
port of New
Orleans. The
deck depart­

ment member first shipped aboard a
Delta Steamship Lines vessel. A
native of Havana, Cuba, he last
worked aboard the Bay Ridge, oper­
ated by Bay Tankers, Inc. Brother
Barrial began receiving his pension
in 1986. He lived in New Orleans.

EDGAR BIVENS
Pensioner Edgar
Bivens, 76,
passed away
Feb. 11. Brother
Bivens started
working with
the SIU in 1966
in the port of
Mobile, Ala.
The Alabama

native first sailed aboard the Penn
Export, operated by Penn Export Co.
Inc. Brother Bivens shipped as a
member of the steward department
and last worked aboard Cove
Shipping Co. 's Cove Navigator.
Brother Bivens served in the U.S.
Army from 1941 to 1946. He began
receiving his pension in lfJ86.
Brother Bivens lived in Mobile.

GEORGE BLACK
Pe ioner
Geor Black,
80, died ec.
19, 2000. He
started his SIU
career in 1948,
joining in the
port of New
York. Born in
Burma, Brother

Black first sailed aboard Sinclair Oil
Corp. 's Robin Wently. He shipped in
the deck department, last working
aboard a Michigan Tankers, Inc. ves­
sel. Brother Black started receiving
his pension in 1978. He called Las
Vegas, Nev. home.

WALTER BOWEN
Pensioner
Walter Bowen,
84, passed away
Jan. 5. He
joined the
Marine Cooks
and Stewards
(MC&S) in San
Francisco. The
steward depart­

ment member was born in Washing­
ton and began receiving his pension
in 1971. He resided in Ben Wheeler,
Texas.

ROBERT BRIAN
Pensioner Robert Brian, 77, died
Jan. 12. The West Virginia native
started his SIU career in 1946 in the
port of Houston. Brother Brian first
shipped aboard the Rob Gray, oper­
ated by Sinclair Oil Corp. He sailed
in the deck department, most recent­
ly aboard the Long Beach. Brother
Brian served in the U.S. Navy from
1941 to 1945. He began receiving
his pension in 1983. Brother Brian
lived in San Francisco.

CLAUDE DICK
Pensioner
Claude Dick,
76, passed away
March 6. He
began his SIU
career in 1953,
joining in
Galveston,
Texas. Born in
League City,

18 Seafarers LOB

Texas, he first sailed aboard a
Bloomfield Steamship Co. vessel.
Brother Dick shipped as a member
of the deck department and last
worked aboard the Pride of Texas,
operated by Seahawk Management.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps
from 1942 to 1945. Brother Dick,
who lived in Galveston, started
receiving his pension in 1991 .

WILLIAM EDWARDS
Brother William
Edwards, 43,
died Jan. 10. He
joined the SIU
in 1974 in the
port of Piney
Point, Md. The
Virginia native,
who was a

....................... ~_..-....__,memberofthe
deck department, first sailed aboard
an Interocean Management vessel.
Brother Edwards last shipped aboard
the Sgt. Matej Kocak, operated by
Waterman Steamship Corp. He
called Norfolk, Va. home.

WILLIAM GOEPPNER
Pensioner
William
Goeppner, 87,
passed away
Jan. 20. Born in
California, he
started his
career with the
MC&S in San
Francisco.

Brother Goeppner shipped as a
member of the steward department.
The Matsonia, operated by Matson
Navigation Co., and American
President Lines' President Hoover
were among the vessels on which he
sailed. Brother Goeppner started
receiving his pension in 1972. He
lived in Sunnyvale, Calif.

DANIEL HALLEY
Pensioner
Daniel Halley,
89, died Nov.
11 , 2000. He
started his
career with the
MC&S in San
Francisco.
Among the ves­

. sels the steward
department member sailed aboard
were Waterman Steamship Corp. 's
Young America and Matson
Navigation Co. 's Matsonia. Brother
Halley started receiving his pension
in 1977. He made his home in
Germany.

PETER HAMMEL
Pensioner Peter
Hammel, 86,
passed away
Feb. 24.
Brother
Hammel started
his SIU career
in 1955, joining
in the port of
New York. The

New Orleans native first sailed
aboard a Delta Steamship Lines ves­
sel. Brother Hammel shipped in the
steward department, last working
aboard the Overseas New York. He
served in the U.S. Navy from 1942
to 1945. Brother Hammel called
Chalmette, La. home. He began
receiving his pension in 1983.

CHARLES KRAUSE
..-----------., Pensioner

Charles Krause,
85, died Jan.
2 7. A charter
member of the
SIU, Brother
Krause joined
the union in
1938 in Boston.

L_ _ __._~ _ __i He shipped as a
member of the steward department.
The Massachusetts native began

receiving his pension in 1972.
Brother Krause resided in Plymouth,
Mass.

PETERLYPEN
Pensioner Peter
Lypen, 76,
passed away
Feb. 26. He
started his SIU
career in 1944,
joining in the
port of New
York. Brother
Lypen shipped

as a member of the deck department
and first sailed aboard a Bloomfield
Steamship vessel. He last worked
aboard the Borinquen, operated by
Puerto Rico Marine Management,
Inc. Brother Lypen served in the
U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952. He
called Elizabeth, N .J. home and
began receiving his pension in 1986.

WILLIAM MASON
Pensioner
William Mason,
79, died Dec.
12, 2000. Born
in California,
he started his
career with the
MC&S. Brother
Mason sailed in
the steward

department. States Steamship's
Montana and Matson Navigation
Co. 's Manulani were two of the ves­
sels on which he sailed. Brother
Mason started receiving his pension
in 1976. He lived in Long Beach,
Calif.

PAUL PARSONS
Pensioner Paul
Parsons, 72,
died Feb. 3.
Brother Parsons
started his SIU
career in 1961
in the port of
Jacksonville,
Fla. The Wilkes

-1::------.1 County, N. C.
native first sailed aboard the Steel
Architect, operated by ISCO Inc.
Brother Parsons shipped as a mem­
ber of the deck department and last
sailed aboard Interocean
Management Corp. 's Cape Fear. He
served in the U.S. Navy from 1946
to 1948. Brother Parsons started
receiving his pension in 1992. He
called Lenoir, N .C. home.

BERNARD ROMANOFF
Pensioner
Bernard
Romanoff, 81,
passed away
Jan. 22. He
joined the SIU
in 1941 in the
port of New
York. A mem­
ber of the deck

department, Brother Romanoff first
sailed aboard A. H. Bull Steamship
Co.'s Rebel. The New York native
last worked aboard the Borinquen,
operated by Puerto Rico Marine
Management, Inc. Brother Romanoff
started receiving his pension in
1988. He resided in Brooklyn, N.Y.

ANTHONY SANTO
ROTUNDA

Pensioner
Anthony Santo
Rotunda, 64,
died Feb. 8. He
started his SIU
career in 1961 ,
joining in the
port of New
York. Born in
Shinnston, W.

Va. , the engine department member
first sailed aboard a Waterman
Steamship Corp. vessel. He last
worked aboard the Carolina, operat­
ed by Puerto Rico Marine Manage-

ment, Inc. Brother Rotunda served
in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1960.
He lived in Fairmont, W.Va. and
began receiving his pension in 1995.

ANTONIO SANTIAGO
Pensioner
Antonio
Santiago, 82,
passed away
Jan. 12. Brother
Santiago joined
the SIU in 1955
in the port of
New York. He
first sailed

aboard the Stony Creek, operated by
American Tramp Shipping and
Development Co. A native of Puerto
Rico, Brother Santiago worked in
the deck department, last sailing on
Puerto Rico Marine Management,
Inc. 's San Juan. Brother Santiago
began receiving his pension in 1983.
He called Staten Island, N.Y. home.

FRANKIE SNOW
Pensioner
Frankie Snow,
80, died Feb.
16. Brother
Snow joined the
SIU in 1951 in
New York. He
first sailed
aboard the
Southern

Counties, operated by Terminal
Steamship Co. Born in Virginia,
Brother Snow shipped as a member
of the steward department. He last
sailed on Waterman Steamship
Corp. 's Jefferson Davis. Brother
Snow served in the U.S. Army from
1942 to 1945. He began receiving
his pension in 1985. Brother Snow
resided in his native state.

DONALD THOMPSON
Pensioner
Donald
Thompson, 66,
passed away
Feb. 2. Brother
Thompson
started his
career with the
MC&S. The
Monterey and

Matsonia were among the vessels
aboard which the steward depart­
ment member worked. A native of
Verndale, Minn., he started receiving
his pension in 1977. Brother
Thompson called Syracuse, Utah
home.

EDWARD UZIEL
Pensioner
Edward K.
Uziel, 84, died
Dec. 18, 2000.
Brother Uziel
started his
career with the
MC&S. The
steward depart­
ment member

sailed aboard the American
President Lines' President Hoover
and President Wilson during his
career. Born in Ohio, he began
receiving his pension in 1974.
Brother Uziel lived in Santa Rosa,
Calif.

JACK WONG
Pensioner Jack
Wong, 80,
passed away
Dec. 22. Born
in China,
Brother Wong
started his SIU
career in 1964,
joining in the

.......... __....~-~-~ port of
Houston. His first ship was the
Eldorado, operated by Transasia
Transport Corp. A member of the
steward department, Brother Wong
last sailed aboard the Sea-Land
Innovator. He served in the U.S.

Navy from 1944 to1946. Brother
Wong, who began receiving his pen­
sion in 1986, called Santa Clara,
Calif. home.

MAURILIO ZEPEDA
Pensioner
Maurilio
Zepeda, 68,
died Feb. 17.
Brother Zepeda
started his SIU
career in 1961,
joining in the
port of
Houston. Born

in San Juan, Texas, he first sailed
aboard Delta Steamship Lines' Del
Valle. The deck department member
last shipped aboard the Overseas
Vivian, operated by Vivian
Tankships Corp. Brother Zepeda
began receiving his pension in 1998.
He lived in Galveston, Texas.

INLAND

TOMISLAV
BAKIC
Boatman
Tomislav Bakic,
67, passed away
Jan. 31. He
joined the SIU
in 1979 in the
port of
Wilmington,

Calif. Born in Croatia, Boatman
Bakic first sailed aboard a Crowley
Towing and Transportation Co. ves­
sel. The engine department member
last sailed aboard an American
Marine Services vessel. Boatman
Bakic lived in San Pedro, Calif.

GEORGE BAUM
Pensioner
George Baum,
88, died Jan. 2.
He began his
SIU career in
1956 in the port
of Baltimore.
Boatman Baum
first shipped
aboard an

Intercontinental Bulk Corp vessel. A
member of the deck department, he
last worked aboard a Moran Towing
Co. of Maryland vessel. Boatman
Baum began receiving his pension in
1974. He called Stoneleigh, Md.
home.

KENNETH GODEKE
Pensioner
Kenneth
Godeke, 74,
died Jan. 5. The
Texas native
started his
career with the
SIU in 1974 in
Houston. A
member of the

deck department, Boatman Godeke
sailed primarily aboard G&H
Towing Co: vessels. He served in the
U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. Boat­
man Godeke called Houston home.
He began receiving his pension in
1988.

HAYWOOD TRICHE
Pensioner
Haywood
Triche, 82, died
Jan. 7. Boatman
Triche started
his SIU career
in 1964 in Port
Arthur, Texas .
Born in Lock­
port, La., he

sailed as a captain. He first shipped
aboard a Slade Inc. vessel and last
worked on a Michigan Tankers, Inc.
vessel. Boatman Triche began
receiving his pension in 1977. He
lived in Gibson, La.

Continued on page 20

May2001



Digest of. Ship~~rcl
• • '/'' "%) .~.

•nion Meetings
The Seararers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard

minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space
limitations, some will be omitted.

Ships minutes first are reviewed by the union's contract department.
Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union

upon receipt of the ships' minutes. The minutes are then forwarded
to the Seafarers LOG tor publication.

CHALLENGER (CSX Lines), Feb.
I I-Chairman Paul Domes,
Secretary Milton M. Yournett,
Educational Director Roy S. Frett,
Deck Delegate Julio Mattos Jr.,
Engine Delegate Gustavo R.
Osorio, Steward Delegate Angel
Correa. Chairman informed crew of
payoff Feb. 12 in Jacksonville.
Educational director led discussion
on need for basic fire fighting course
to comply with STCW. He advised
crew members to apply now rather
than wait until last minute. He also
encouraged them to read LOG for
union and industry news and con­
tribute to SPAD. Treasurer reported
$58.50 in ship 's fund after purchase
of movies. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Suggestion made to reduce
time required to file for vacation
benefits. Discussion held on improv­
ing pension and medical benefits.
Captain to be asked about feasibility
of installing radio, TV antenna dur­
ing yard period.

DEVELOPER (U.S. Ship Mgmt.),
Feb. I9-Chairman Dana M. Cella,
Secretary Robert A. Castillo,
Educational Director Dimarko L.
Shoulders, Deck Delegate Mohsin
A. Ali, Engine Delegate Jason
Vogel, Steward Delegate Amin A.
Mohamed. Chairman announced
payoff Feb. 26 in· Houston. He said
· as a good trip with a good crew.
He stressed importance of contribut­
ing to SPAD. Crew bade farewell to

ee unlicensed apprentices in
Charleston, S.C. Secretary thanked
everyone for good voyage, and edu­
cational director advised crew to
ead LOG and take advantage of

courses offered at Paul Hall Center
in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or dis­
puted OT reported. Suggestion made
to purchase smokeless ashtrays for
those members who smoke in their
rooms. Unanimous vote of thanks
given to steward department for
great meals.

ENDURANCE (U.S. Ship Mgmt.),
Feb. 18-Chairman Francisco C.
Munoz, Secretary Russell B.
Beyschau, Educational Director
Ramona P. Gayton, Deck Delegate
Paul S. Wills, Engine Delegate
Chromer W. Jefferson. Chairman
and secretary reported smooth trip
and look forward to their vacations.
Secretary also urged crew members
to read LOG to keep up with union
news, upgrade skills at Piney Point
and contribute to SPAD. Educational
director asked for everyone's help in
keeping dryer clean and free from
lint. He also stressed need to com­
plete STCW requirements by Feb. 1,
2002. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Suggestion made to have
contracts department look into reduc­
ing time needed for vacation check.
Crew gave vote of thanks to steward
department for job well done.

EXPEDITION (CSX Lines), Feb.
I I-Chairman Norberto Prats,
Secretary Edgar M. Vazquez,
Educational Director Douglas D.
Greiner, Steward Delegate Melvin
W. Hite. Everything running
smoothly, according to chairman and
secretary. Educational director
advised crew to upgrade skills at
Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disput­
ed OT reported. President's report
from LOG about importance of
meeting STCW requirements by
Feb. 1, 2002 read and discussed.
Suggestion made for contracts
department to check into prescrip­
tion coverage for dependents and to
reduce time needed to collect vaca­
tion benefits.

Afay2001

GUS W. DARNELL (Ocean
Shipping Inc.), Feb. I-Chairman
Patrick B. Rankin, Secretary,
Kenneth Whitfield, Engine Dele­
gate Mike Kille. Chairman
announced ship to pay off Feb. 3 in
Charleston, S.C. Secretary noted
repair list passed around. Crew
should check rooms and add any
repairs needed. Members also asked
to fill out address correction card and
update any other forms. All three
departments reported beefs pertain­
ing to allotments. No disputed OT
noted. Recommendations made to
have allotments available throughout
voyage and increase pension plan
benefits. Steward department
thanked for job well done.

HAWAII (CSX Lines), Feb. I8-
Chairman Billy G. Hill, Educational
Director Ronald A. ·Belcher, Deck
Delegate James R. Blitch. Chairman
announced payoff Feb. 23 in
Jacksonville. He noted computer
now ready for e-mail use by crew.
He asked crew members to keep
safety in mind at all times aboard
ship. Crew expressed gratitude for
new satellite digital TV system.
Educational director reminded every­
one to keep shipping documents up
to date. He also stated that attending
upgrading courses at Piney Point " is
a must to protect your job" and noted
need for STCW compliance by Feb.
1, 2002. He advised.crew members
to read monthly LOG and have TRBs
signed before getting off vessel.
Treasurer stated direct TV system
costs $55 monthly; donations accept­
ed. No beefs or disputed OT report­
ed. Suggestion made to reduce
seatime needed for vacation benefits.
Bosun thanked crew for working
together and helping separate plastic
items from regular trash. Crew gave
thanks to staff of LOG for good
work. Next ports: Jacksonville; San
Juan, P.R.; Elizabeth, N.J.

HUMACAO (NPR, Inc.), Feb. 4-­
Chairman David I. Murray,
Secretary Marvin T. St. George,
Educational Director Angel
Hernandez, Deck Delegate Dwayne
L. Gordon, Engine Delegate
Kenneth A. Adamczak, Steward
Delegate James C. Wadsworth Jr.
Chairman announced payoff Feb. 6
in San Juan, P.R. He advised every­
one that Feb. 1, 2002 is deadline for
STCW compliance. Secretary asked
for help keeping messhall and lounge
clean. He also said that all doors
should be locked for safety while in
port. Educational director talked
about facilities and upgrading cours­
es available for Seafarers at Paul
Hall Center and urged everyone to
attend. Treasurer reported $200 in
ship's fund. All monies will be used
to purchase new movies. Clarifica­
tion requested by steward delegate
on cleaning of rooms. All communi­
cations from headquarters posted in
messhall. Recommendation made to
ask contracts department to look into
increased dental benefits and pre­
scription coverage. Vote of thanks
given to steward department. Next
ports: San Juan; Jacksonville;
Philadelphia, Pa.

LIBERTY SEA (Liberty Marine
Corp.), Feb. 18-Chairman Harold
L. Sebring, Secretary Thomas D.
Kreis, Educational Director Michael
P. Brown, Deck Delegate Gregory
A. Poer. Chairman noted good trip
to and from Bangladesh. Payoff
scheduled Feb. 20 in New Orleans,
La. Crew members reminded to
clean rooms before getting off.

Secretary thanked crew for helping
separate plastics from regular trash
and for turning in dirty linen.
Educational director advised every­
one to check that all documents are
up to date and take advantage of edu­
cational opportunities at Piney Point.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Request made for repair of ship's
radio and TV antenna.

MAERSK TENNESSEE (Maersk
Line, Ltd.), Feb. 26-Chairman
James J. Keevan, Secretary Dwight
E. Wuerth, Educational Director
Peter G. Murtagh, Deck Delegate
Jeffrey A. Lagana. Chairman noted
watchstanders doing outstanding job.
He reminded crew that safety is
everyone's business. Secretary stated
mail is not being forwarded to ship
in accordance with contract and there
are not enough work gloves for
everyone. Educational director talked
about importance of upgrading skills
at Paul Hall Center, keeping TRBs
current and obtaining STCW certifi­
cation before Feb. 1, 2002. Treasurer
announced $504 in ship's fund. Crew
would like to purchase 25- and 30-
pound dumbbells, tape rewinder
(220-volt) and new barbecue grill.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Request made for company to pro­
vide bottled drinking water until
water tests come back showing no
problems. Vote of thanks to steward
department for good food. Ship
heading to ports in Chile, Peru and
Panama.

NAVIGATOR (CSX Lines), Feb.
4---Chairman Werner H. Becher,
Secretary Lynn N. McCluskey,
Educational Director Jorge N.
Fernandez, Deck Delegate Charles
E. Gordon ill. Chairman
announced vessel arriving in
Tacoma, Wash. Feb. 9. Payoff will
take place same day. He suggested
locking doors while in port and hav­
ing clean linen for relief. He also
thanked crew for good job in sepa­
rating plastic items from trash.
Secretary reported $118 in tuna
fund. He advised crew members to
store glasses in proper place during
heavy weather. Educational director
urged crew to take advantage of
SIU's upgrading facilities at Piney
Point. Some disputed OT reported
by deck delegate. President's report
from recent LOG read. Crew dis­
cussed report and importance of get­
ting union representation for oil
patch mariners in Gulf of Mexico.
Request made for company to sup­
ply work gloves. Suggestion made
for contracts department to look into
reducing seatime for pension bene­
fits and having one wage scale for
all SIU-contracted vessels. Next
ports: Tacoma; Oakland, Calif.

NEW YORK (ATC), Feb. 17-
Chairman J. Carlos Loureiro,
Secretary Nancy S. Heyden,
Educational Director Oscar Garcia.
Chairman stated satellite antenna on
order and to be hooked up when ves­
sel returns to West Coast. Payoff
will take place following meeting in
captain 's office. Bosun reminded
crew members to comply with
STCW requirements by Feb. 1, 2002
and thanked deck department for
smooth job during lightering opera­
tions. He reminded crew of dues
increase as of Jan. 1 and led discus­
sion on possible shipboard training.
Secretary asked everyone to help
keep common areas clean. Educa­
tional director talked about upgrad­
ing opportunities at Paul Hall Center
and reminded crew members to
rewind videotapes when finished.
All members advised to take care
when coming off bow, as steps are
slippery when wet. No beefs or dis­
puted OT reported. Communications
on work tours read and posted.
Suggestions made for next contract,
including dependent coverage for
prescription drugs and increasing
pension according to cost of living.
Thanks given to steward department
for good food. Next port: Singapore.

OVERSEAS NEW ORLEANS
(OSG), Feb. 23-Chairman Daniel
Laitinen Jr., Secretary Jonathan
White, Educational Director John

Trent, Engine Delegate Willie J.
Franks, Steward Department Juan
M. Rochez. Chairman thanked
everyone for great job on deck. He
reminded members to upgrade skills
at Paul Hall Center and get required
STCW training before Feb. 1, 2002.
Educational director echoed bosun's
comments regarding need to attend
classes at Piney Point facility. No
beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew
would like union and company to see

Patriotic Meeting

monthly LOG. Treasurer announced
$555.50 in ship's fund. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Crew wel­
comes two new unlicensed appren­
tices on board. Bryan Wells and
Justin Armstrong will spend 3
months aboard ship, learning opera­
tions of each department. Bosun
thanked steward department for bar­
becues, great food and overall clean­
liness. Steward reminded those get­
ting off to get clean set of linen for

Oiler Ahmed Khaul (right) welcomed SIU Wilmington, Calif. Port
Agent John Cox aboard the cruise ship ms Patriot when the vessel
recently was on the West Coast. Operated by U.S. Lines, the Patriot
is based in Honolulu.

about satellite antenna for ship. Next
port: New York.

PACIFIC (CSX Lines), Feb. 25-
Chairman Lothar G. Reck, Secre­
tary Robert P. Mosley, Educational
Director Keith L. Jordan Sr.,
Engine Delegate Rhonda Koski,
Steward Delegate Subagio Wibi­
sono. Chairman explained impor­
tance of contributing to SPAD and
how all members benefit from it. He
reported on events during Singapore
shipyard period and ac\vised crew
members to update STCW require­
ments before Feb. I, 2002 deadline.
He also suggested they read the LOG
and know their contract. He asked
those getting off to clean rooms and
leave fresh linen. Secretary com­
mented on need to complete basic
safety training course at Paul Hall
Center. He also stated all the help
you need for the future is available at
the school. "All the training I
received really paid off. I appreciate
all the training and use it each day."
Educational director reminded crew
members to keep drug testing and all
shipping documents up to date.
Without them, you could lose your
job. Treasurer announced $60 in
movie fund, $164.16 in cookout fund
and $255.50 in ship's fund. Plans are
to buy a new grill in Tacoma, Wash.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Clarification requested on company
contributions to pension plan, avail­
ability of unlicensed apprentices and
extra vacation days. All crew mem­
bers gave vote of thanks to steward
department. Bosun asked everyone to
pitch in and help keep rec. room and
laundry area clean at all times. Vote
of thanks also given by Bosun
Mosley to SIU Assistant Vice
President Nick Celona and his staff
for all their help. Next ports:
Tacoma; Oakland, Calif.; Honolulu;
Guam; Hong Kong; Taiwan.

PRODUCER (CSX Lines), Feb. 4
-Chairman Daniel W. Seagle,
Secretary David A. Cunningham,
Educational Director Michael J.
Wells, Deck Delegate Joe Salcido,
Engine Delegate Gregory L.
Howard, Steward Delegate George
Lee. Chairman reported payoff Feb.
6 on arrival in Oakland, Calif. Union
officials to be on hand for collecting
dues and answering any questions.
Educational director reminded every­
one to check STCW certification
because after Feb. 1, 2002, you will
not be able to sail without it. Fire
fighting is one of required courses
and is available at Piney Point.
Check dates for each course in

next person. Steward also thanked
relief bosun and his crew for help
with barbecues: "Couldn't have done
it without you guys."

SEALAND FLORIDA (U.S. Ship
Mgmt.), Feb. 3-Chairman Thomas
E. Driggers, Secretary Ronald D.
Jones, Educational Director Eric D.
Bain, Engine Delegate Glenn
O'Leary, Steward Delegate Charles
Curley. Chairman announced arrival
in Charleston, S.C. Feb. 8. Payoff
scheduled for Feb. 12 in Houston.
Secretary noted everything running
well aboard ship and crew members
are all good team players. Educa­
tional director advised members to
pay attention to signs posted
throughout ship and work safely. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Request made for new chairs for
messhalls. It was also noted that too
many tapes are collecting in crew
lounge. Everyone asked to rewind
tapes when finished and return to
lockers for others to use. Clarifica­
tion requested on why payoff port is
not first U.S. port after going foreign.

RELIANCE (CSX Lines), Feb. 11-
Chairman Lance X. Zollner, Secre­
tary Thomas M. Wybo, Educational
Director Orlando Cancel, Deck
Delegate Ramon Duran, Engine
Delegate Omar Sharif, Steward
Delegate Abdulla Baabbad. Chair­
man announced payoff in Tacoma
Feb. 16 and Coast Guard inspection
in Oakland, Calif. Feb. 21. He in­
formed crew that hard hats must be
worn on deck at all times. Verbal
warning to be given for first viola­
tion. Secretary asked those members
signing off vessel to leave cabins
clean and get fresh linen for next
person. He also reminded everyone
to keep noise down at all times
because someone is always trying to
sleep. Educational director urged
members to upgrade skills at Paul
Hall Center and make sure STCW is
up to date. Treasurer announced $94
in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Suggestion made for
contracts department to look into
changing seatime needed for medical
coverage. Request also made for
union to provide and post in union
halls and in LOG per diem rates for
travel within U.S. as well as on for­
eign voyages. Are there different
rates in different countries? Bosun
complimented steward department
for being best feeding ship in his 25
years of sailing. Thanks also given to
chief cook and steward assistant for
job well done and to all crew for
helping keep ship clean.

Seafarers LOB 19



Final Departures
Continued from page 18

RALPH TWIDDY SR
Pensioner Ralph
Twiddy Sr., 84,
passed away
Jan. 2. Boatman
Twiddy joined
the SIU in 1961
in the port of
Norfolk, Va. He
sailed as a
member of the

deck department. Born in Dare
County, N.C., Boatman Twiddy
sailed primarily aboard Gulf Atlantic
Towing Co. vessels. He served in the
U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. Boat­
man Twiddy resided in Creswell,
N.C. He began receiving his pension
in 1973.

AARON WILBURN

Pensioner Aaron
Wilburn, 71,
who sailed as a
captain, died
Jan. 7. Born in
Missouri, he
joined the SIU
in 1959. He first
shipped aboard
a New York

Central Railroad Co. vessel. Boatman
Wilburn last worked aboard a G&H
Towing Co. vessel. He began receiv­
ing his pension in 1991. Boatman
Wilburn lived in Liberty, Texas.

GREAT LAKES

JACOB HAJOSTEK
Pensioner Jacob Hajostek, 79, passed
away Jan. 31. Brother Hajostek
began his career with the SIU in
1962 in Cleveland. A member of the
deck department, he sailed primarily
aboard Great Lakes Towing Co. ves­
sels. Born in Cleveland, Brother
Hajostek served in the U.S. Army
from 1942 to 1945. He started
receiving his pension in 1983.
Brother Hajostek called Lakewood,
Ohio home.

JOSEPH KEELAN

Pensioner Joseph Keelan, 88, died
Jan. 22. Brother Keelan started his
sru career in 194 7 in the port of
Mobile, Ala. Born in Pennsylvania,
the deck department member started
receiving his pension in 1977. He
lived in Tampa, Fla.

JOHN O'DEE
Pensioner John O'Dee, 73, passed

LOG-A-RHYTHMS

away Feb. 16. Born in Cleveland,
Brother O'Dee shipped as a member
of the deck department. He worked
primarily aboard Great Lakes
Dredge and Dock Co vessels, last
sailing aboard the Lemmerhirt.
Brother O'Dee started receiving his
pension in 1989. He called North
Olmsted, Ohio home.

WILLIAM G. TRUAX
Pensioner
William G.
Truax, 64, died
Jan. 31. The
Toledo, Ohio
native started
his sru career
in 1967,joining
in Detroit.

~_....... _ __. Brother Truax
first sailed aboard the Reiss Brothers,
operated by American Steamship Co.
The engine department member last
worked aboard Pringle Transit Co. 's
Paul Thayer. Brother Truax served in
the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1963.
He started receiving bis pension in
1994. Brother Truax lived in
Maumee, Ohio.

RAILROAD MARINE

ANTHONY LAUS
Pensioner
Anthony Laus,

• 85, passed away
Feb. 15. Brother
Laus started his
SIU career in
1963 in the port
of New York.
The Hoboken,

Liberty Ships
~--___. N.J. native

shipped as a member of the deck
department. Brother Laus worked
primarily aboard Erie Lackawanna
Railroad Co. vessels. He served in
the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945.
Brother Laus lived in Forked River,
N.J. and began receiving his pension
in 1977.

(And the Men That Sailed Them)
by Viktor R. Henrikson

Kaisers coffins they were called,

Cursed by some but respected by all.

From the Atlantic convoys to the waters of Tokyo Bay,

These are the ships that saved the day. TEDDY RONDA

The ships and the men that went to sea,

Thats what kept America free.

Watch an old Liberty at anchor, awaiting for the tide,

Then stop and remember and thank your God

That these ships, these men were on our side.

Very few are left now, and soon all will be gone.

The ships and the men that once. sailed our oceans,

Pensioner Teddy
Ronda, 82, died
Feb. 1. He start­
ed his SIU
career in 1960,
joining in his
native New
York. A member
of the deck

Both rough and serene, and made us proud of our Merchant Marine.

~L-..~ department,
Brother Ronda worked primarily
aboard New York/New Jersey Hart­
ford Railroad vessels. He served in
the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1944 and
started receiving his pension in 1969.
Brother Ronda lived in Bronx, N. Y.

Viktor Henrikson (aka Mr. Swede), who works in the Government
Services Division, is an MSC carpenter and 28-year SIU member.

The STCW Clock Stops Ticking Feb. 1, 2002

20 Seafarers LOS

Feb. 1, 2002-That is the date by
which mariners sailing aboard deep
sea or near-coastal vessels must
comply with the amended STCW
convention.

If a mariner has not completed
STCW Basic Safety Training (BST)
or acquired the 1995 STCW certifi­
cate, if required, by Feb. 1, 2002,
then that mariner cannot sail
aboard deep sea or near-coastal
ships.

All SIU members who sail on
these types of vessels are asked to
contact the Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and Education at
this toll-free number: 1-800-732-
2739. Please contact the school
even if you already have completed
basic safety and you have an
STCW certificate.

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 con­
stitution requires a detailed audit by
certified public accountants every
year, which is to be submitted to the
membership by the secretary-treasur­
er. 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 recommenda­
tions. The annual financial commit­
tee will be elected during the May 7,
2001 headquarters membership
meeting to review the 2000 records.
Members of this committee may
make dissenting reports, specific rec­
ommendations and separate findings.

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of
the STIJ Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and
Inland Waters District are adminis­
tered in accordance with the provi­
sions of various trust fund agree­
ments. All these agreements specify
that the trustees in charge of these
funds shall equally consist of union
and management representatives and
their alternates. All expenditures and
disbursements of trust funds are
made only upon approval by a
majority of the trustees. All trust
fund financial records are available
at the headquarters of the various
trust funds.

SHIPPING RIGHTS. A mem­
ber's shipping rights and seniority
are protected exclusively by con­
tracts between the union and the
employers. Members should get to
know their shipping rights. Copies of
these contracts are posted and avail­
able in all union halls. If members
believe there have been violations of
their shipping or seniority rights as
contained in the contracts between
the union and the employers, they
should notify the Seafarers Appeals
Board by certified mail, return
receipt requested. The proper
address for this is:

Augustin Tellez, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746

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

CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU
contracts are available in all sru
balls. These contracts specify the
wages and conditions under which an
SIU member works and lives aboard
a ship or boat. Members should know
their contract rights, as well as their
obligations, such as filing for over­
time (OT) on the proper sheets and in
the proper manner. If, at any time, a
member believes that an SIU patrol­
man or other union official fails to
protect their contractual rights prop­
erly, he or she should contact the
nearest sru port agent.

EDITORIAL POLICY - THE
SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers
LOG traditionally has refrained from
publishing any article serving the
political purposes of any individual
in the union, officer or member. It
also has refrained from publishing
articles deemed harmful to the union
or its collective membership. This
established policy bas been reaf­
firmed by membership action at the
September 1960 meetings in all con­
stitutional ports. The responsibility
for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in
an editorial board which consists of
the executive board of the union. The
executive board may delegate, from
among its ranks, one individual to

carry out this responsibility.

PAYMENT OF MONIES. No
monies are to be paid to anyone in
any official capacity in the SIU
unless an official union receipt is
given for same. Under no circum­
stances should any member pay any
money for any reason unless he is
given such receipt. In the event any­
one attempts to require any such
payment be made without supplying
a receipt, or if a member is required
to make a payment and is given an
official receipt, but feels that he or
she should not have been required to
make such payment, this should
immediately be reported to union
headquarters.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of
the SIU Constitution are available in
all union halls. All members should
obtain copies of this constitution so as
to familiarize themselves with its con­
tents. Any time a member feels any
other member or officer is attempting
to deprive him or her of any constitu­
tional right or obligation by any meth­
ods, such as dealing with charges, tri­
als, etc., as well as all other details,
the member so affected should imme­
diately 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 STIJ Constitution and in the con­
tracts 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 segregat­
ed fund. Its proceeds are used to fur­
ther its objects and purposes includ­
ing, but not limited to, furthering the
political, social and economic inter­
ests of maritime workers, the preser­
vation and furthering of the
American merchant marine with
improved employment opportunities
for seamen and boatmen and the
advancement of trade union con­
cepts. In connection with such
objects, SPAD supports and con­
tributes to political candidates for
elective office. All contributions are
voluntary. No contribution may be
solicited or received because of
force, job discrimination, financial
reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or
as a condition of membership in the
union or of employment. If a contri­
bution is made by reason of the
above improper conduct, the mem­
ber should notify the Seafarers
International Union or SPAD by cer­
tified mail within 30 days of the con­
tribution for investigation and appro­
priate action and refund, if involun­
tary. A member should support
SP AD to protect and further his or
her economic, . political and social
interests, and American trade union
concepts.

NOTIFYING THE UNION-If
at any time a member feels that any
of the above rights have been violat­
ed, or that he or she has been denied
the constitutional right of access to
union records or information, the
member should immediately notify
SIU President Michael Sacco at
headquarters by certified mail, return
receipt requested. The address is:

Michael Sacco, President
Seafarers International Union

520 I Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746.

May 2DIJ1



SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER
UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE

The following is the schedule for classes for the months of May through August 2001
at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All pro­
grams are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American
maritime industry.

Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the
maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security.

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

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

Course

Able Seaman
(including simulator
steering assessments)

Deck Upgrading Courses
Arrival Date

Mays
June2
June 30
July 28
August25

Lifeboatman/Water Survival May19
June 16
July 14
August 11

Radar (simulator)

Radar (one-day renewal)

Radar (three-day renewal)

Automatic Radar Plotting Aids*
(ARPA) (simulator)
(*must luwe radar unlimited)

GMDSS (simulator)

Bridge Resource Management

August 11

July6
July 27
August24

July 3
July 23

June 16
July 7
August 25

May12
June9
July7
August 4

June23
July 14

Course

Engine Upgrading Courses
Arrival Date

Fireman/Watertender
& Oiler

QMED - Any Rating

Welding

May19
July 14

August 25

June9
July 21

Date of Completion

June 1
June 29
July 27
August24
September 21

June2
June30
July 28
August25

August24

July5
July 26

June 22
July 13
August 31

May25
June 23
July 21
August 18

June 29
July 20

Date of Completion

June29
August24

November 16

June29
August 10

Course

Steward Upgrading Courses
Start Date Date of Completion

Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations m-Odules start every week beginning
January 8. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward classes start every other week beginning
January 6.

Recertification
Bosun Recertification

Steward Re(ertification

Septembers

July 7

Safety Specialty Courses
Course

Basic Fire Fighting

Advanced Fire Fighting (one week)

Advanced Fire Fighting - First Aid

Government Vessels

STCW Basic Safety

STCW Medical Care Provider

Basic Fire Fighting/STCW
Basic Safety

Tanker Familiarization/
Assistant Cargo (DL)*
("must have basic fire fighting)

Tankerman (PIC) Barge*
(*must have basic fu~ fighting)

Arrival Date

May12
June9

May5

May19
August 11

May12
May26
June 9
June 23
July 7
July 21
August4
August 18

May12

May19
June9
August 11

May12

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<J:une9 ., ..

June23 ·
June 30

· Jnly.7
July 21
July 28
August 4
August 25

May26
.June 23
.July 21
August4 ,.
August 18 .

June 16
August 11

October 8

August 6

Date of Completion

May19
June 16

May12

June2
August 25

June 1
June 15
June 29
July 13
July 27
August 10
August 24
September 7

May19

June .23
_':August 18

Academic Department Courses
General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic voca­
tional support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the
AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An
introduction to computers course will be self-study.

-·-~~~~--~,;~n~Q;;~ A-·;~n,-;,.·A:,.;;.;·-·-·-·~·-··-~-·-·-;;t~-t~~~:;;;;:;tio;~coPIES~~~~;;~;;~:~-~:;;e-:~;;~n~~~n~~~-~~-tw:~;
UrURH llWU rrl.lflHI IUft (120) days seatimefor the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date

Telephone __________ _

Deep Sea Member D Lakes Member D Inland Waters Member D

If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be
processed

Social Security # _________ _

Seniority _____________ Department

U.S. Citizen: Yes D No D Home Port

Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held ----------------

Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? DYes DNo

If yes, class# _________________________ _

Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? DYes DNo

If yes, course(s) taken _______ _ ____________ _

Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement?

D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes D No CPR: D Yes DNo

Primary language spoken ---------------------

May2001

your class starts, US MMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indi­
cating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is
Coast Guard tested. All FOWT. AB and QMED applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard
fee of $280 with their application. The payment should be made with a money order onlv.
pavable to LMSS.

COURSE

LAST VESSEL:

Date On:

BEGIN
DATE

----------------

Date Off: ------------

SIGNATURE _____________ DATE

END
DATE

Rating: ____ _

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 ques­
tions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point.

RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education,
Admissions Office, PO. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189.

The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and
Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qual­
ified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission,
access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 5101

Seafarers LOG 21



Paul Hall Center Classes

FOWT - Earning their FOWT endorsements May 4 are (in alphabetical order) Muniru
Adam, Milton Ballard, Lance Barabino, Dwayne Brock, Davon Brown, Neil Brown II, Robert
Brown, John Collins Jr., Kevin Fisher, Kevin Hartley, Jon Hemba, Carlton Hendley, Guy
Leary, Steven Lombardi, Mark Maduro, Timothy Manes, Harry Mays, Donald McBride, Fred
McGauley IV, Rupert Mulzac, Robert O'Neal, Cipriano Panganiban, Matthew Redlinger,
Lane Schroeder, Eli Smith, Donna Sylvia, John Westfall and Fred Ziegler. Their instructor,
Mark Jones, is at far left.

Phase ill Unlicensed Apprentices - Unlicensed apprentices
from classes 603, 608 and 609 are in the third phase of their training,
having completed the DEU course April 27. From the left are (front
row) Uverna Johnson, Chris Marquez, Samuel Lloyd and (second
row) Robert Stellon and Shawn Waring. Their instructor, Randy
Senatore, is standing in the back.

Welding- With
their instructor Buzzy
Andrews (in white) ,
upgrading Seafarers
who completed the
welding course April
20 are (in alphabeti­
cal order) Ronald
Celious, Edmund
Erdt, Timothy Horger,
Edward Kelly, Jose
Liwag and Charles
Sneed. Able Seaman - Receiving their certificates for completion of the AB class ending

April 6 are upgrading students with their instructor, Bernarbe Pelingon (far right).
Included in the class roster (although not all are pictured) are (in alphabetical order)
Stanley Adams, Damon Anderson, Gregory Baker, Ronald Bergeron, Avery Brooks,
Carlos Castillo, Thomas Coscia, Earnest Dillard Jr., Ronald Gibbs, Brian Guiry, Randy
Hayme, Alvin Hester, Darrin Howell, Elijah Huff, Dayvien Johnson, L.G. Johnson, Leslie
Klein, John Lightfoot, Douglas Ogle, Randell Porter, Steven Rocker, Silas Sam,
Shauntay Shavies, Robert Taylor, Beverly Williams, Richard Williams and Rodolfo Zena.

Able Seaman - Graduating from the AB course May 5 are (in alphabetical order)
Steve Bentley, Terry Blade, Dana Brooks, Denetrica Brooks, Alexander Busby,
Armando Castillo, Angel Centeno, Jason Dew, David Flores, Ronel Guerzon, Harley
Jones, Jeroma Luckett, Michael McErlean, Troy Mitchell, Mostafa Mostafa, Chad
Reynolds, Marque! Sapp, James Stanford, Stephen Steward and Tawnia Stucker.

Advanced Fire Fighting- Completing the advanced fire fighting class March
9 are (in alphabetical order) Leo Borror, Timothy Burke, Richard DeWitte, Owen
Duffy, Patrick Duvernay, Russell Kopecki and Edward Wilisch. Their instructor is
Anthony Hammett (standing left).

· Any s~udent who has registered for a class and
s~f~t: whatever reason-that he or she cannot
ena;···ptease inform the admissions department
so tha,t another- student may take that place.

.. 22 Seafarers LOB

Tankerman (PIC) Barge - These Seafarers who successfully completed the tanker­
man (PIC) barge course March 16 are (in no particular order) Steven Kroner, Gerard
Costello, Douglas Jones, Pete Hudson, John Bellinger, Andre Bernard, Charles Jackson,
Chris Lisowski, Michael Knighton, Harvey Wilson, Jeffery Mccranie, Bartley Lane, Brian
Wynn, Brandon Ponce 11, John Jaradat, Craig Melwing and llya Ledesma. Not in picture is
Ashby Furlough. The course was taught by instructor Mitch Oakley. ·

Social
Responsibility

- Instructor Joyce
Raum leads a

course in social
responsibility to the

students in unli­
censed apprentice

class 614.

May2001



Water Survival/Lifeboat - Earning
their water survival/lifeboat endorsements are
(from left front) Keith Foster, Jill Robertson,
Gerhard Jakits, instructor Ben Cusic, Tim Molly,
Derek Kurch, David Fletcher, Amin Saleh, Gary
DiPresso, Flavia Manning, Keo Sivongxay,
Elias Parker, David Agosto, Ryan Nakama,
Timoteo Lagula, Khaled Taffi, instructor Steve
Soltysik, Robert Brock and Ken Caffey.

May2001

Paul Hall Center Classes

Lifeboat Endorsement Electrician Paul Su has worked
aboard the SS Independence for more than 20 years. With the help of
Paul Hall Center instructors Ben Cusic and Steve Soltysik, and the
support and tutoring of many of his shipmates, Su earned his lifeboat­
man endorsement in February, when he graduated from the class held
aboard the cruise ship while underway in Hawaii. Joining in the con­
gratulations are, from left, instructor Ben Cusic, Paul Su, instructor
Steve Soltysik, Elizabeth Porter, Nicole Chevalier and Amanda Brown. Water Survival - Handling a big job takes

teamwork! Fellow crew members Will Joquin and
Don Smith have their hands full bringing Mike
Liugalua into the the life raft during water suvival
classes taught aboard the SS Independence.
Crewmates Mike Young and Brandon Allard steady
the raft.

LEFT: Water
Survival/Lifeboat -
Completing the shipboard
water survival/lifeboat
class are (from left front)
Krishinda Bledsoe, Karol
Tovar, Bernard Essiful,
Amanda Brown, Mariana
Ylaya, Brian Moore,
Ronnel Sugui, Frank
Ababa, Paul Su, Jerico
Elgarico, Anthony Lopes,
Charlene Medeiros,
Elizabeth Porter, Matt
Reventas and instructors
Ben Cusic and Steve
Soltysik.

Water Survival/Lifeboat - Completing the water survival/lifeboat
class in between their regular shipboard duties are (from left front) Donald
Smith, Larry Genetiano, Stephen Warren, Dana Duarte, Anthony Pace,
John Rabanal, John Meacher, Brandon Allard, Mike Liugalua, Ruben
Siclot, Will Joquin, instructor Steve Soltysik and David McNeil.

Water Survival/Lifeboat - Graduating from the water sur­
vival/lifeboat class, held aboard the SS Independence, are (from left
front) Melecio Agpoa , Remando Ortiz, Romeo Cacal , Orlando Pajarillo,
Michael Young, Arthur Rallos, Danile Cubangbang, Willis Abaya, Vinn
Sirongxay, instructor Steve Soltysik and Jason Izaquirre.

LEFT: Water Survival/Lifeboat - Successfully mastering the
water survival/lifeboat course held aboard the cruise liner are (from left
front) Albino lnfinada, Ben Reid, Vince Adams, Shane Hayes, instructor
Steve Soltysik, Chester Ramiro, Nicole Chevalier and Vicente Cacacho.

Seafarers LOB 23



ATTENTION SEAFARERS:

Check all your shipping documents to be

sure they are up-to-date and not about

to expire. You can't sail without them.

Paul Ball Center Enrollment SoaJ'B
As S e.rs Eye STCW D e
'Haven't Seen This Many People Here Since Desert Storm'

Despite its rural setting, the
Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education has the
feel of a small city these days.

Students are flocking to the
Piney Point, Md. facility. In mid­
April, more than 300 upgraders
and unlicensed apprentices were
enrolled at the school.

Many were there for the cen­
ter's U.S. Coast Guard-approved
STCW basic safety class, a key
requirement for numerous
mariners under the amended
STCW convention. The deadline
for compliance with the amended
STCW treaty is Feb. 1, 2002.
Seafarers have taken notice, as 75
to 100 or more SIU members per
week are completing the basic
safety course at Piney Point.

Other students are taking
advantage of courses conducted in
the center's new simulator
(installed last fall), which offers
training for shiphandling includ­
ing radar operation, ARP A,
GMDSS, engine room functions,
crane operations and liquid cargo
procedures. Many of the courses
involving the simulator are
designed to meet STCW require­
ments, for deep sea and inland
mariners alike. The cutting-edge
equipment provides teaching sup­
port for a broad range of subjects,
including voyage planning and
execution, tanker assistant DL,
and engine room watchkeeping,
to name only a few.

Still others are participating in
specially tailored courses that ar.e
designed accommodate their
respective work schedules. For
instance, Seafarers from Moran,
Express Marine, and Crowley
attended Piney Point in April.

Additionally, the unlicensed
apprentice program is thriving.
Last month, more than 100

Installed at the Paul Hall Center
last fall, the new simulator offers
training for (clockwise, from upper
left) radar, shiphandling, bridge
resource management, GMDSS
and more.

trainees were enrolled in the first
component of the three-phase cur­
riculum.

Overall, the past few months
may have marked an unprecedent­
ed level of peacetime enrollment
at the school, which opened in
1967. "I haven 't seen hi many
students here since Desert
Storm," observed J.C. Wiegman,
assistant director of training.
"STCW has a lot to do with that,
but we're also still running other
upgrading courses-AB, FOWT,
lifeboat, the steward department
courses and others."

Many of the classes utilize the
Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and
Safety School, an extension of the
Paul Hall Center campus that
opened in June 1999. More than
4,000 students have trained at the
world-class facility, which specif­
ically is tailored for mariner fire
fighting.

The Paul Hall Center offers
approximately 40 courses that are
U.S. Coast Guard-approved.
Hands-on training is the key com­
ponent of most courses, while
classroom lessons complement

Most of the classes at the Piney Point, Md. facility emphasize hands-on training, but classroom instruction
also remains an integral educational component for upgraders and unlicensed apprentices.

the practical learning.
For a list of upcoming courses,

see page 21 of this issue of the
Seafarers LOG. More information
about the school is available on­
line at www.seafarers.org.

The fire fighting and safety
school, pictured in the
photo at left and two
below, hosts numerous
classes, including STCW
basic safety, basic and
advanced fire fighting,
damage control , water
survival, first aid and CPR.

Bosun Touts Life at Sea

Bosun Larry Watson (standing) recently discussed various
aspects of going to sea, with 20 juniors and seniors at South
Whidbey High School's career center. Several students at the
Langley, Wash. school expressed an interest in more information
about seagoing careers. Watson, a 24-year member of the SIU,
previously encouraged one of his neighbors to attend the unli­
censed apprentice program at the Paul Hall Center, located in
Piney Point, Md. Jason Hudkins is completing the program's third
and final phase. Seafarers who wish to interest local youth in a
maritime career are encouraged to contact their local SIU hall to
receive promotional material and guidance on how to be a mar­
itime career mentor.


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