Seafarers Log: Vol. 63 No. 11 (2001-11-01)

www.seafarers.org Volume 63, Number 11 November 2001

25 YEARS OF RELIAB LITY

eady eserve Force,

Ceremonies Recognize Fleet as 'High-Value Sealift Asset'
Representatives of government, the military,
maritime labor and U.S. ship operators on Oct.
18 praised the Ready Reserve Force (RRF)
as a key, cost-effective component of
America's national defense capabilities.
Ceremonies marking the RRF's 251

h anniver­
sary took place aboard the SIU-crewed Cape
Wrath in Baltimore. Pictured aboard the ves-

Helping the Heroes

sel, with apprentices from the Paul Hall Center
for Maritime Training and Education, are (front
row) U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman
Mineta and SIU President Michael Sacco;
(back row, from left) SIU Port Agent Dennis
Metz; SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez; Rear
Adm. Edward Fahy, director, plans and policy
directorate, U.S. Transportation Command

(TRANSCOM); and Rear Adm. David Brewer,
commander of the U.S. Military Sealift
Command (MSC). The apprentices are (from
left) Jason Varner, Jennifer Senner, Alasha
Dixon, Brandon Harrison, Robert Treloar,
Kevin Kirk, Joseph Jesnes and Quincy Wilson.

Page3

USNS Comfort Provides Respite
Sept. 1 Attacks
Affect American
Classic Voyages
------ l'age 2

For New York Rescue Workers
AFL-CIO Depts.
State Case
For Opening ANWR
------ l'age 5

Coast Guard:
Port Security
Reaches
'AH-Time High'

l'ageB



President's Report
Rebulldlng

The terrorist attacks on America have harmed many U.S.
industries, including maritime. That truth really hit home on

October 19, when SIU-contracted American
Classic Voyages filed a voluntary petition to
reorganize through Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

However, much like the nation itself,
American Classic is working to regain its full
strength. The company will continue to operate
the Delta Queen riverboat, with an SIU crew.

Michael Sacco Plans are being made to bring back the
Mississippi Queen next year. The hope is that
September 11 's impact on the U.S. cruise indus­

try (and all others, for that matter) is only temporary.
It's important to understand that Chapter 11 is a truce, not a

surrender. Basically, it gives a company a chance to operate its
business while creditors and courts approve plans to repay debts.
It offers an opportunity to get a company back on its feet and
rebuild.

Additionally, American Classic is hardly alone in its predica­
ment. As reported elsewhere on this page, U.S. layoffs since
September 11 have topped half a million. Chapter 11 is a viable
option in some cases, including that of Bethlehem Steel, which
filed for reorganization four days before American Classic.

The SIU, of course, will do everything we can to help our
friends at American Classic in returning to full steam.

More importantly, the union is eager and available to help all
SIU brothers and sisters who are impacted by the layoff. One of
the best things about belonging to this union is, there's no short­
age of work. We have many opportunities, and I encourage
mariners from the American Classic fleets to contact their nearest
SIU hall for more information. Please also keep in mind that we
offer top-notch vocational training at the Paul Hall Center in
Piney Point, Md., which can help you make the transition from
passenger ships to cargo vessels.

On a personal note, I thank each and every Seafarer for your
professional, mature conduct in the face of the layoffs. As disap­
pointed as we all felt upon hearing the reorganization news, that
didn ' t stop the SIU crews from completing your respective voy­
ages and then departing the ships with class and dignity. You have
my thanks and admiration.

Just as it will take time, patience and hard work to win the war
on terrorism, so too will America need sustained, strong efforts to
restore our work force . We have no other choice but to succeed.

In Praise of the RRF

The ceremonies for the Ready Reserve Force's 25th anniversary

(see page 3) brought lots of encouraging words from high-ranking
offi cials from the government and military. Clearly, there is
recognition, at top levels, of the importance of U.S. sealift capa­

bility. That includes the need to maintain a strong pool of quali­

fied shipboard manpower-American crews for American ships,
supporting our nation in times of war and peace.

While the praise for the RRF is well-deserved, it's time to step

up efforts to revitalize the U.S. fleet. As I said during the cere­
monies, there are indications that our industry stands on the verge

of a manpower shortage that could threaten our national sealift
capacity. The SIU is doing everything possible to prevent such
problems, but we're not in this alone.

America learned many lessons on and after September 11. One

of them is we can 1 t afford to ignore warning signs. That goes for
the health of the U.S. Merchant Marine-a sound~ smart invest­
ment for this country 1s security.

' Volumt1 63, Numbt1r 11 November 2001

The SIU on line: www.seafarers.urg
The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published month­
ly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf,
Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201
Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301)
899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern
Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POST­
MASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG,
520 l 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© 2001 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD
All Rights Reserved.

2 Seafarers LOS

American Classic Voyages
Files Voluntary Petition for
Chapter 11 Reorganization

SIU-contracted American Classic Voyages, the
largest U.S.-flag cruise company, on Oct. 19
announced that it has filed a voluntary petition for
reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code in Wilmington, Del. The move was
driven by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 , which have
harmed the tourism, entertainment and transportation
industries more than any others (see story, this page).

"We will work with the company in every way
possible to get those ships back in operation and to
help ensure the continued construction of the new
deep-sea cruise ships," said SIU Vice President
Contracts Augie Tellez. "For the SIU members who
were laid off, this union offers many other opportuni­
ties to work aboard ship, especially in the deep sea
division."

Seafarers will continue to sail aboard the Delta
Queen riverboat, and the company also announced it
is working to reintroduce the Mississippi Queen next
year. As this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press,
work had been suspended on the two 1,900-passenger
Project America cruise ships being built at Northrop
Grumman's Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
''Northrop Grumman will continue its efforts with the
U.S. Maritime Administration to obtain guaranteed
funding for Project America," the shipyard said in an
Oct. 25 new release. "Ongoing work on the program
[is] subject to Project America's ability to secure
immediate financing for the balance of the contract."

Tellez added that the Paul Hall Center 's safety
school in Hawaii will remain open.

"The tragic events of Sept. 11 dealt a devastating
blow to our business that has made it impossible to
continue our full operations," said Phil Calian, CEO
of American Classic Voyages. "We will continue to
operate on a much reduced scale to focus on our
Mississippi River cruises, which have been the his­
toric core of our company."

In August, the company had reported increasing
per diems and occupancy on its Hawaii ships, prof­
itable performance on its Delta Queen vessels and that
it had successfully reached an agreement with
N ortbrop Grumman on the continuation of construc­
tion of the Project America cruise ships. In the four
weeks subsequent to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in
New York and Washington, D.C., the company said
its gross bookings declined 50 percent, its cancella­
tions increased 30 percent and it faced a weakened
cash position with no prospects for additional capital
at this time.

American Classic is the parent company of United
States Lines, The Delta Queen Steamboat Co.,
American Hawaii Cruises, and Delta Queen Coastal
Voyages. The company said it believes the Chapter 11
process "will allow us to rebuild our business in the
aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and contin­
ue our proud tradition as America's cruise line."

For now, the reorganization includes shutting
down many of the company's vessels-the ms Patriot
and Independence, American Queen, Mississippi
Queen and Columbia Queen, and the Cape May Light.
The result is approximately 2, 150 layoffs, including
roughly 1,700 shipboard jobs. SIU crew members
from those vessels may call the following toll-free
number for information on benefit continuation: 800
252-4674.

The company has established a customer informa­
tion hotline (800 856-9904) and additional informa­
tion is available on the company's web site at
www.amcv.com. Individuals with reservations on
future American Classic cruises other than the Delta
Queen steamboat should contact their travel agent,
their travel insurance company or their credit card
company for information about obtaining refunds.

,,_.

U.S. Layoffs Top 528,000 Sector ti.s. Layoffs

Hospitality
The United States economy is

expenencmg an accelerated
downturn in the wake of the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks.

Hundreds of thousands of
workers have lost their jobs, con­
sumer confidence has plummet­
ed, sales are down at major retail­
ers and companies are scaling
back on new investments.

Little is expected to change in
the immediate future , according
to Federal Reserve Chairman
Alan Greenspan, who testified
Oct. 17 before the Joint Eco­
nomic Committee of Congress.
The Fed chairman indicated that
while the fallout from the attacks
currently has the economy in a
depressed state, he believes the
resulting damage will only be
short-term and that the country
should recover once it gets over
the initial shock of being
attacked.

''The terrorist attacks have sig­
nificantly heightened uncertainty
in an economy that was already
weak," stated a Federal Reserve
Board news release, which was
circulated shortly before Green­
span 's appearance before the
committee. "Nonetheless, the
long-term prospects for produc­
tivity growth and the economy
remam favorable and should
become evident once the unusual
forces restraining demand abate."

Meanwhile, workers across
the country- many of them union
members--continue to suffer. As
of press time for the Seafarers
LOG, announced layoffs nation­
wide had exceeded 528,000.
Published reports suggest there
are more than 140,000 aviation
workers who face current or

future layoffs. AFL-CIO research
shows more than 260,000 in the
transportation and hospitality
industries, and another 66,000 in
aerospace will join the ranks of
the jobless.

In New York City, an estimat­
ed 108,500 jobs were lost within
one month of the Sept. 11 terror­
ist attacks, according to the Fiscal
Policy Institute.

While Congress and the ad­
ministration floated the idea of a
$75 billion economic stimulus
package for the national econo­
my, the New York City comptrol­
ler estimated Oct. 4 that the attack
could cost New York City alone
$105 billion in damages and lost
revenue

By sector, the figures in the
box at right show layoffs, which
have either been carried out or are
projected.

tourism,
entertainment

Transportation

Manufacturing

Aerospace

Communications
& utilities

Service

Finance,
insurance,
real estate

Public
administration

Retail trade

Other

Totals

132,545

128,094

99,153

66,535

39,840

33,996

15,764

7,033

4,968

775

528,703
,,,,,,

From Front Page to Paster
Prints Available to SIU Members

Based on suggestions and requests from the member­
ship, the front page of the October issue of the Seafarers
LOG is being turned into a poster, with minor variations.
The main artwork from last month's front page (a paint­
ing by freelance artist Bill Brower, who has worked with
the SIU for many years) is the poster's centerpiece. The
top features the words, "These Colors Don't Run!" The
bottom includes a message about the Seafarers Political
Action Donation (SPAD).

SIU members who would like to receive a print of the
new SP AD poster should send their name and home
address to the Seafarers Political Action Donation, 5201
Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746.

I

November 2001



25 Years of Reliable Service
Ready Reserve Force Praised as 'High-Value Sealift Asset'

High-ranking representatives
of government, the military, mar­
itime labor and U.S. ship operators
on Oct. 18 cited the Ready
Reserve Force (RRF) as a key,
cost-effective component of
America's national defense capa­
bilities.

U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Mineta served as keynote
speaker during RRF 251

h an­
niversary ceremonies sponsored
by the U.S. Maritime Admin­
istration (MarAd) aboard the SIU­
crewed RRF vessel Cape Wrath in
Baltimore. Also weighing in with
their support for the RRF were
Rear Adm. David Brewer, com­
mander of the U.S. Military Sealift
Command (MSC); Rear Adm.
Edward Fahy, director, plans and
policy directorate, U.S.
Transportation Command
(TRANSCOM); Acting Maritime
Administrator Bruce Carlton; SIU
President Michael Sacco, who
also serves as president of the
AFL-CIO Maritime Trades
Department (MTD); Capt. Tim­
othy Brown, president of the
Masters, Mates & Pilots; and
Richard du Moulin, chairman,
president and CEO of Marine
Transport Corp.

In addition to those from the
Cape Wrath, a number of other
SIU members attended the cele­
bration. Seafarers crew several
RRF ships based in Baltimore, as
well as cable ships and tugboats.
Unlicensed apprentices from the
Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education, based in
Piney Point, Md., also attended.

'We Know 1her Stand Ready'

Mineta recognized unions' and
merchant mariners' contributions

to the RRF's accomplishments.
"The key to the success of the
Ready Reserve Force is its use of
experienced American ship oper­
ating companies which manage
the ships, and the skilled and ded­
icated professionals from mar­
itime labor organizations who
crew them," he stated. "America's
merchant marine, maritime indus­
tries and merchant seafarers have
come through for us every time
our nation has needed them. We
know they stand ready to do so
again, whether tomorrow, next
week, next year or in the distant
future."

The secretary said the RRF par­
ticularly proved its worth 10 years
ago during the Persian Gulf War,
when the merchant fleet reliably
supplied American military forces
for Operations Desert Shield and
Desert Storm. "The Cape Henry
and the Cape Inscription-the first
RRF ships to arrive in Saudi
Arabia-along with their sister
ships, helped ferry nearly one­
quarter of the 3.2 million short
tons of dry cargo needed to sup­
port allied forces in the Persian
Gulf."

He also noted the effective
cooperation that helps spearhead
the RRF's viability. "Our industry
and labor partners make the Ready
Reserve Force a reliable, cost­
effective source of sealift," Mineta
declared.

He thanked MarAd employees
for their "stellar efforts in service
to our nation, especially today, in
support of the Ready Reserve
Force program."

Mineta concluded, ''The RRF
has served America well. Presi­
dent Bush, Vice President Cheney

SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez (right) presents a Seafarers LOG to U.S.
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta following the RRF cere­
monies in Baltimore.

~ Plf?~Se be advised that SIU headquarters and all
.. : SIU hiring halls will be closed Tuesday,

December 25, 2001 for the observance of

.. Christmas Day (unless an emergency

arises). Nf?rmal business hours will resume

the following workday.

Na.,,ember 2001

Acting Maritime Administrator
Bruce Carlton

Rear Adm. David Brewer,
commander, MSC

and I are proud of your accom­
plishments and determined to give
you the tools to continue your
exemplary record of service
and success."

Steel Bridge

Brewer pointed out that the
RRF has proved its worth many
times since the Persian Gulf War,
including during missions to
Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and
Central America.

But the most vivid image of the
RRF he described was that of the
"steel bridge" of ships formed by
merchant mariners to support U.S.
troops during the Persian Gulf
War. "During Desert Storm, we
literally pushed a steel bridge to
the Middle East," Brewer stated.
"Ifyou flew over the ocean, you'd
see one ship every 50 miles
supplying our troops.

"Whatever we do as a nation,
we must never, ever bum that
steel bridge to democracy," he
continued. "I say to the RRF,
thank God for your service."

Fahy relayed comments from
Gen. Tony Robertson, conunan­
der of TRANSCOM: "The suc­
cess of the RRF rests squarely on
the shoulders of MarAd, working
with our partners in the maritime
industry .... You set the pace for
defense transportation.... The
highly trained men and women
who crew the ships are true
unsung heroes."

Fahy himself described the
RRF as "one of our treasured
national assets."

Carlton noted that everyone
involved in the RRF program
helps ensure the fleet's readiness
by regularly participating in test
activations, sometimes unan­
nounced.

He said that some of the cbal- ·
lenges faced by mariners activat­
ing vessels for the Persian Gulf
War provided a valuable lesson,

U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Mineta

MM&P President
Capt. Timothy Brown

leading to the establishment of
reduced operating status (ROS)
crews who maintain the ships.
''You cannot 'park' ships and lock
them up for 13 years and then expect
them to perform," Carlton said. "We
aggressively test these ships and
ourselves on a no-notice basis."

He added, "As we celebrate the
success of our RRF, we stand
ready to perform the mission of
sealift for our armed forces."

Shipboard Manpower

Sacco and Brown stated that
the nation must back its merchant
fleet during peace time to help
ensure adequate shipboard man­
power for the RRF and other civil­
ian-crewed, military support
ships. Both pointed to a recent
series of articles in the Baltimore
Sun which quoted numerous
high-ranking officials expressing
concern about sufficient man­
power for surge sealift.

"The merchant marine is vital
to this country's national defense,

SIU and MTD President
Michael Sacco

Marine Transport Corp. President
Richard du Moulin

Rear Adm. Edward Fahy, director,
plans and policy directorate,

TRANSCOM

and it's time America started act­
ing like it," Sacco said. "We must
never send our soldiers into battJe
without knowing-for sure-that
we've got the people and the ships
to give them every tool they need.

Continued on page 5

Ready Reserve Force Facts
• . fleet includes 76 government-owned, civilian-crewed ships nor­

mally kept in reserve by the U.S. Maritime Administration
{MarAd) to meet surge shipping requirements for the
Department of Defense.

• RRF ships transport materiel to deployed U.S. forces in peace
time and war.

• Vessels are maintained at 21 U.S. ports near potential military
load-out sites. as well as two overseas ports.

• Ships can be fully crewed and ready to proceed to a loading site
in four, five, 10 or 20 days, depending on activation schedule.

• Currently, four RRF ships are in active service as prepositioning
ships. Twenty-six others are in reduced operating status (ROS}
with four-day activation periods. Twenty-five more have five-day
activation schedules~ 19 ships have 10-day activations; and two
vessels have 20-day activations.

• RRF fleet includes 31 roll-on/roll-off ships, 15 breakbulk vessels,
10 crane ships, nine tankers, seven heavy lift ships, two aviations
repair vessels and two troop ships.

Source: U.S. Maritime Administration

: '

Seafarers LOB 3



Helping the Heroes
Seafarers-Crewed USNS Comfort
Provides Respite for NY Rescuers

Sooner or later, even the near­
ly tireless rescue workers in New
York City needed recuperation.

When those moments arrived,
the Seafarers-crewed hospital
ship USNS Comfort provided
food, shelter and other services to
thousands of fellow Americans
involved in salvage operations at
ground zero.

"I didn't care what we did, just
as long as we helped. Whatever
we could do to help America,"
stated AB Joseph Lee. "All the
people who came aboard were
glad to see us. It was really great
just to take part in the relief
effort."

Stationed in Baltimore in
reduced operating status (ROS),
the Comfort received activation
orders on Sept. 11, following the
terrorist attacks on New York and
Washington. The ship arrived at
New York's Pier 92 on Sept. 14.
During the next two-and-a-half
weeks, the steward department
served 1 7 ,000 meals to guests,
and the ship accommodated
2,300 overnight visitors.

Also in that time, crew mem­
bers and medical personnel
processed 4,400 pounds of laun­
dry; handled 561 sick-call visits
and 14 dental treatments; provid­
ed 500 mental-health consulta­
tions; hosted 1,359 medical mas­
sages given to guests by volun­
teer massage therapists from the
New York area; and gave 227
haircuts.

The shipboard staff included
54 civilian mariners and 335 mil­
itary personnel.

The Comfort's availability and
its capacity to dock near the res­
cue site proved invaluable for
many reasons. For one, a lot of
the rescue workers had nowhere
else to stay, because they had
traveled to New York from out-

side the region. Even those who
lived nearby would have had dif­
ficulty commuting between
downtown and the suburbs,
because of severe disruptions to
the local transportation systems.

Seafarers from the USNS
Supply and USNS Spica also
helped in the relief efforts.

"It brought tears to

my eyes, to be hon­

est. The first thing

you want is pay­

back. Then, you

think of the fami­

lies, and you 're just

glad you 're able to

help."

- Yeoman Storekeeper
Robert Allen

Ahead of Schedule
When news of the attacks

reached the Comfort, crew mem­
bers immediately prepared for
activation, even before receiving
orders. The ship was ready to sail
by 10 a.m. the next morn­
ing-four days earlier than
required.

As with many of the land­
based hospitals in the New York
area, the Comfort initially expect­
ed to be utilized for treating
patients. The vessel is outfitted
with 1,000 beds, 12 operating
rooms, 80 intensive-care beds
and all the other equipment and

USNS Comfort
In NY Relief

• Ordered to activate Sept. 11. Ready to sail less than 24 hours
later.

• Loaded supplies and personnel in Earle, N.J. Sept. 14. Arrived
NY Pier 92 same day.

• From Sept. 15-30, served 17,000 meals to guests. Housed
2,300 overnight guests.

• Handled 561 guest sick-call visits and 500 mental-health con­
sultations (among other services).

• Processed 4,400 lbs. of laundry for guests.

vessel Data:
• Crewed by members of SIU Government Services Division
• Length: 894 feet
• Beam: 105 feet, 9 inches
• Design draft: 32 feet, 9 inches
• Full load displacement: 69,360 long tons
• Speed: 17.5 knots
• Total hospital bed capacity: 1 ,ODO
• Comprehensive surgical capability

4 Seafarers LOG

capabilities of a typical large U.S.
hospital.

At some point en route to New
York, word spread aboard the
ship that its mission had changed
to that a floating morgue. But,
when the vessel docked at the
U.S. Naval Weapons Station in
Earle, N.J. in the pre-dawn hours
of Sept. 14 (to load additional
medical supplies and Navy per­
sonnel), crew members were
informed their mission had been
changed to supporting the rescue
workers.

"The unlicensed crew did a
good job," stated Chief Mate Jim
White. "We basically rolled out
the red carpet."

Recalling the Scene
After the Comfort returned to

ROS in Baltimore, several mem­
bers of the SIU's Government
Services Division shared their
thoughts on the mission.

"When we arrived, we could
still see smoke off the stem," said
Chief Electrician Pat Brown.
"That was the first time I'd ever
seen the Statue of Liberty. It was
eerie, with all the smoke in the
city. It put a knot in your throat."

Brown said the crew was "too
busy to chat with the rescue
workers. We just said hello .... It
goes without saying that every
American became a real
American on Sept. 11. It made
everyone realize how precious
this country really is."

Engine Utility Shawn Brown
joined the Comfort in New York,
after taking a military flight.

"It was busy, to ~ay the least.
We did the engine work, plumb­
ing, lighting, pulling lines, secur­
ing the ship. We had it from bow
to stern," he recalled.

Shawn Brown said that when
Marines came aboard from
ground zero, "You could tell by
their expressions and the dust, it
looked like a rough time.... The
rescue workers looked relieved
when they saw us. They were
very appreciative of the hot
meals.

"I felt like a hero since I was
actually involved, helping, practi­
cally right in the middle of
things."

AB Joseph Lee said shaking
hands with New York Mayor
Rudy Giuliani when he boarded
the ship provided a highlight.

"It was good to take part in the
relief effort," said Lee. "All of the
people were glad to see us. You
could tell the ship was a relief for
them."

For Yeoman Storekeeper
Robert Allen, part of the ROS
crew before Sept. 11, arriving in
New York proved particularly
poignant. Allen resides in
Norfolk, Va. but grew up in New
York City.

.. Personally, whenever I make
that trip, I always stand outside
(on deck) and look at the Statue
of Liberty," Allen noted. "It was a
sad experience. A lot of thoughts
run through your head-that it
can happen to anyone, anywhere
at any time. It brought tears to my

Continued on page 8

AB Joseph Lee Engine Utility Shawn Brown

Letter Offered to Help CIVMARS, Soldiers
Wnh Late Fees Due to Mail Curtailment

Even before last month's episodes involving anthrax, the head of
the military's mail system distributed a letter asking creditors to
exempt overseas soldiers and civilians from late fees on payments
delayed by the reduced flow of military mail to and from Europe. The
letter is signed by Maj. Gen. Kathryn G. Frost, executive director of
the Military Postal Service Agency.

Soldiers, as well as civilians employed by the military (including
CIVMARS), can obtain a copy of the letter at Army post offices, con­
solidated mailrooms and battalion S-1 sections. They may enclose the
letter in correspondence or payments to their creditors.

Mail services to Europe already were sharply curtailed following
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. Services further were
disrupted after the anthrax incidents.

U.S. military officials caution that the letter itself does not auto­
matically exempt personnel from the late fees. That, they say, is the
decision of the creditor. Rather, the letter explains to creditors that the
late payment is the result of delays in military mail, and asks the cred­
itor to exempt the soldier or civilian from the fees.

"The resumption of mail movement is very slow and in some cases
has not resumed," the letter says. "We know that this interruption of
mail movement has significantly delayed correspondence between you
and our military and civilian Department of Defense personnel."

Notice
The Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration {NOAA) have announced the
approval of wage adjustments for crvitian mariners in their respective
fleets at the rate of 3.83 percent.

Mariners should have seen the increase in their "leave and earn­
ing" statements in mid~October. The increase was effective July 1,
2001 and is applicable to base wages and premium pay. MSC West
Coast mariners started receiving their increase in August.

MSC and NOAA are working on payrolt procedures to make sure
mariners receive their retroactive pay about eight weeks from the
time they receive their initial increase.

llarembel' 2001



AFL-CIO Depts. State Case for Opening ANWR
MTD, BCTD Urge Senate to Okay Energy Policy

The AFL-CIO 's Maritime
Trades Department (MTD) along
with the Building and Con­
struction Trades Department
(BCTD) last month called upon
the Senate to pass national energy
policy legislation that includes the
opening of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge to environmental­
ly safe oil exploration and drilling.

be safely explored and drilled by
American workers. The oil will be
moved through U.S.-built pipe­
lines. It will be carried aboard
U.S.-flag tankers with American
crews. It will be refined and dis­
tributed in American facilities.
And, American consumers will
use it. On top of all this, American
workers will staff, maintain and
service the production facilities in
Alaska.

foreign sources. Within a decade
without any changes, estimates
show that figure could grow to 70
percent. The BCTD and MTD
believe development of domestic
oil reserves is needed. Exploration
of the 2,000 acres within 1.5 mil­
lion acres set aside in ANWR for
development as provided in the
House of Representatives bill
would permit access to one of the
nation's largest domestic sources
of untapped oil. This would great­
ly reduce America's dependence
on foreign oil, thus helping to
make the nation more secure.

The departments pointed out
that in these uncertain economic
times, such a national energy poli­
cy which includes ANWR ex­
ploration would mean hundreds of
thousands of good-paying jobs for
American workers. Estimates range
between 250,000 and 750,000
jobs would be created, affecting
all parts of the country. The BCTD
and MTD realize these new posi­
tions would be a tremendous boost
for the American economy.

In a joint news release, the
departments stated, "ANWR can

"Thanks to improvements in
technology, today's workers will
be able to explore and drill for oil
in a far more environmentally safe
fashion than when Prudhoe Bay
was opened nearly 30 years ago.
The BCTD and MTD remain
committed to protecting ANWR's
ecosystem and using the least
invasive measures possible in its
development.

"Presently, about 58 percent of
America's oil needs come from

"The Building and Construc­
tion Trades Department, AFL-CIO
and the Maritime Trades Depart­
ment, AFL-CIO jointly believe
developing ANWR can be done in
a way that adds good American
jobs, protects the environment and
assists the growth of the American
economy."

During an Oct. 2 conference in Washington, D.C., SIU President
Michael Sacco (speaking), who also serves as president of the MTD,
describes some of the potential benefits of opening ANWR for explo­
ration and development. Also pictured are (first row, from left) Energy
Secretary Spencer Abraham, Teamsters Rep Jerry Hood, Interior
Secretary Gale Norton, (second row, from left) MESA Secretary­
Treasurer Bob McFeeters, IUOE Pres. Frank Hanley, UA Pres. Martin
Maddaloni and Laborers President Terence O'Sullivan.

Labor Federation Warns
Of Fast-Track's Perils

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney early last month
urged the top officials of national and international unions
to mobilize in force to defeat "fast track" trade legislation
making its way through Congress.

Tagging the legislation as "completely inadequate,"
Sweeney said that while the Bipartisan Trade Promotion
Authority Act of 2001 (H.R. 3005) mentions the words
"labor" and "environment," it falls well short of ensuring
that any enforceable standards will be incorporated into
future trade agreements. Further, Sweeney said, the bill fails
to adequately address any of the key concerns that have been
raised during the trade debate over the last several years.

Sponsored by Chairman of the House Ways and Means
Committee, Rep. William Thomas (R-Calif.), the legisla­
tion was referred to Congress Oct. 3 in the wake of the

cpt. 1 1 tragedie i ew or , ashington and Penn-
sylvania. Supporters of the bill at that juncture said it was
needed to help build and maintain the international coali­
tion against terrorism and to help stimulate our struggling
economy. Without fast track, they maintained, countries

would refuse to negotiate seriously with the United States
because Congress could change any pact.

"We strongly support stimulating the U.S. economy and
responding to the tragedies of Sept. 11, but fast track does
nothing to achieve either of these aims," Sweeney said fol­
lowing the legislation's debut in the U.S. House of
Representatives. "Fast track was controversial prior to the
recent tragedies, and it would not have passed in the
Congress.

"Pursuing the Thomas fast track approach at this time
will erode the sense of cooperation and spirit of bipartisan­
ship that we want to see our country and its leaders contin­
ue to take-not only on this issue, but on other issues as
well," the labor president said.

Under fast track, the president negotiates trade agree­
ments and sends them to Congress for approval, but Con­
gress can only vote "yes" or "no" on the overall pacts with­
in a specified period. It can not amend them.

Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Committee on
Oct. 10 approved the bill by a 26-13 vote. Undoubtedly, this
development has set the stage for an intense and potential­
ly disruptive debate in the House. The same panel earlier
rejected a fast track bill offered by Rep. Charles Rangel (D­
NY), Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) and Rep Bob Matsui
(D-Calif.) by a 26-12 vote.

In a related development, the AFL-CIO on Oct. 21
launched a television ad campaign calling on members of
Congress to vote "no" on the fast track legislation, saying it
will be divisive and a further drain on the faltering
American economy. In addition to the television spots, the
13 million-member AFL-CIO has organized a grassroots
campaign including tens of thousands of telephone calls to
members of Congress, en "e-activism" campaign, and
member-to-member contact throughout the country. The
ads are part of the AFL-CIO's continuing educational out­
reach program to mobilize America's working families
around issues central to their lives.

At press time for the Seafarers LOG, some lawmakers
were pushing for an immediate vote on the controversial
legislation. The same type of legislation was defeated in
1997 and 1998 when groups pointed out that despite includ­
ing hundreds of pages of protections for business interests,
the legislation did not include enforceable protections for
workers rights and the environment.

The so-called North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) was pa sed under previous fast track negotiating
authority, which expired in 1994. NAFTA has cost U.S.
workers hundreds of thousands of jobs; in Mexico, wages
have actually fallen and poverty has increased; and the wages
of Canadian workers have dropped below U.S. standards.

Support Given to RRF at 25

Left: Unlicensed appren·
tices from the Paul Hall
Center represented the
school during the obser­
vance.

Continued from page 3

"A good first step would be
expanding the Maritime Security
Program," he continued.

"Another would be opening the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
(ANWR) for development, which
will boost the American-flag
tanker fleet. We also must main­
tain the Jones Act and our cargo­
reservation laws. And we must do
whatever it takes to eliminate
unfair competition from flag-of­
convenience vessels, which have
been called floating sweatshops."

history, right up to the aftermath
of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Mariners helped evacuate sur­
vivors from Manhattan, an opera­
tion described by du Moulin and
others as "another Dunkirk."

mariners who sail our merchant
vessels," he said.

He also noted the "effective
cooperation of industry, labor and
government" in helping drive the
RRF. "Of course, that cooperation
goes much further back" than just
the past quarter-century.

NaJ1emller 2001

Below: SIU members from
cth~r ships and appren.
tices from the Paul Hall
Center attended the festiv­
ities. Pictured (from left)
are SIU VP Contracts
Augie Tellez, Chief Stew­
ard McKinley Jones Jr..
SIU Pres. Michael Sacco,
ChiM St~ward James Kidd
and Baltimore Port Agent
Dennis Metz.

He added that in addition to
providing billets for mariners, the
RRF "also helps keep commercial
ship operators involved in the
'fourth arm of defense.' It in­
volves longshore workers who
load the vessels, and shipyard
workers who repair them. In short,
the RRF is a winner."

Brown called for "our nation's
maritime programs, policies, tax
and regulatory frameworks to be
adapted to today's shipping envi­
ronment. To successfully accom­
plish this, maritime labor, man­
agement and the government must
come together to s-upport innova­
tive poli~ies and programs that
will increase the pool of trained,
loyal, active American mariners
and that will keep and attract mer­
chant vessels to the United States
flag."

The final speaker, du Moulin,
described the merchant marine's
important role throughout U.S.

"Like our respect for the rescue
workers, we must focus on the

The SIU-crewed Cape Wrath, based in Baltimore, hosted ceremonies
commemorating the RRF's 251

h anniversary. Pictured below are some
of those in attendance.

Seafarers LOS 5



... -----------------------,......_..-.....,. ______ - - - -- - - - -

SEATO Triennial Convention ldentif ies
Organizing, Political Action as Priorities

During their second triennial
convention, held Oct. 15 in Piney
Point, Md., members of the SIU­
affiliated Seafarers Entertain­
ment & Allied Trades Union
(SEATU) met to discuss their
plans and goals for the next
three years, chief among them,
organizing new members.

SIU President Michael Sacco
(who also serves as president of
SEATU) welcomed the delegates
and noted how far the union has
come since its inception six years
ago.

"When this union gained its
charter in November 1995," he
stated, "we represented the crew
of one small vessel in Alton, Ill.
By the time of our first conven­
tion, in 1998, we were up to
2,000 members. Today, 3,000
members are covered by SEATU
contracts."

He noted that while achieving

a 50 percent membership growth
in the past three years is a great
beginning, there is more to be
done to expand and grow.
Continuing to diversify ts one
way to keep the union strong,
according to Sacco.

One point he stressed to the
delegates was that SEATU enjoys
the solid backing of the SIU. Its
affiliation with the Seafarers
International Union gives
SEATU members many benefits;
chief among them are enhanced
political strength, training oppor­
tunities and wide-ranging mar­
itime job opportunities for
SEATU members.

Valerie Lilja, Union Privilege
representative, informed those
assembled about the cost-saving
programs offered by her organi­
zation, which was established by
the AFL-CIO to offer union
members and their families

Left: James
Hanson, safety
director at the Paul
Hall Center, talked
about safety train­
ing available to
SEATU members.

Below: Following
the triennial meet­
ing, SEATU dele­
gates and officials
posed for a group
photo.

Unions tram Here and Abroad
Vow Support for Triaa Mariners

Representatives of Brazilian
maritime and petroleum worker
unions artd U.S . sea.faring unions
put into effect a bilateral solidari­
ty pact last month in Rio de
Janeiro pledging international
cooperation to promote fairness,
justice and a voice at work for
mariners working on U.S.-flag
vessels of Trico Marine Services,
Inc. In addition, maritime unions
throughout Latin America
pledged to work in concert to
legally convince Trico to cease its
anti-union campaign and allow its
mariners in the Gulf of Mexico to
have a union.

First announced in the United
States on Aug. 22, 2001, the soli­
darity pact states, "The Brazilian
and U.S. unions call peacefully
and lawfully on the customers of
Trico not to engage in any further
contracts with Trico from this day
forward until Trico ceases its
anti-union activilies and. upon
demonstration of majority sup­
port, recognizes the OMU as the
Union representing mariners
working on the company's U.S.

6 Seafarers LOG

Gulf of Mexico fleet and negoti­
ates in good faith a collective bar­
gaining agreement providing
these workers all the protections
of union representation."

Trico Marine operates a fleet
of nearly 100 vessels worldwide.
The company's primary markets
are the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the
North Sea and Brazil. Mariners in
the North Sea and Brazil enjoy
the protection of a union contract.

Four U.S. maritime unions
formed the Offshore Mariners
United (OMU) to assist U.S.
mariners in their struggle for dig­
nity and respect. Trico Marine
operates approximately 15 ves­
sels in the Brazilian offshore mar­
ket. Most of the vessels are under
contract with Petrobras.

"Trico operates in Brazil with
union crews. Trico operates in the
North Sea with union crews. But
Trico refuses to allow its crews in
the Gulf of Mexico to have a
union," David Heindel, secretary­
treasurer of the SIU, said in Rio at
the pact's announcement. Heindel
signed the accord on behalf of the

attractive rates on various goods
and services. The Union
Privilege programs serve as a
good example of how there is
strength in numbers. Included in
the offerings are low-interest
credit cards, free and discounted
legal services, a scholarship pro­
gram, student loans, and more.

James Hanson, safety director
at the Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and Education
(which hosted the convention),
talked about the training avail­
able to SEATU members both at
the school and at on-site loca­
tions aboard the gaming vessels.
In the past year, he stated, he and
other instructors from the school
have held training sessions on
everything from basic and
advanced fire fighting to general
safety and first aid awareness to
newer classes on ergonomics and
bloodborne pathogens. He said
he and his staff are working on
their schedule for the next year
and plan to start with two trips
per year on each gaming vessel
beginning in March.

In addition to the safety and
health programs, job-specific
training courses were held on-site
for shop stewards and delegates
and have proven very valuable
for members who are taking a
more active leadership at work
through their union.

Leslie Tarantola, SEATU gen­
eral counsel, spoke about this

following four U.S. seafaring
unions: SIU; American Maritime
Officers (AMO); International
Organization of Masters, Mates
& Pilots (MM&P); and Marine
Engineers' Beneficial Association
(MEBA).

"For over a year, Trico
mariners have sought a union.
Trico has responded by firing
union supporters, blocking union
representatives from visiting
ships ... and finding all manner of
ways to prevent their mariners
from being able to communicate
with our unions," Heindel said.
"Further, Trico has run a strong
campaign of harassment, intimi­
dation, interrogation and pressure
to scare mariners away from their
aim of having a union."

"We live in a globalized
world," said Severino Filho, pres­
ident of the Brazilian Con­
federation of Maritime and
Aviation Transport Workers,
Fishermen and Port Workers,
which represents more than 200
unions with a combined member­
ship of 1,000,000. "We accept
that companies will operate freely
all over the world. But we believe
in the rights of workers as well

Michael Gale, boat delegate from
Sioux City, Iowa, presented the
reports of the credentials and res­
olutions committees.

The report from the convention
arrangements committee was
read by Lawrenceburg delegate
Justena Duvall.

country's labor laws and how
they affect the labor movement.
She noted that immigrants have
played a vital role in making
America as strong as it is today,
but that many of these hard work­
ers are undocumented and are
afraid to openly and actively seek

and this is a very strong feeling.
Therefore it is impossible to
accept that Trico will expand in
Brazil when it will not recognize
the rights of their North American
mariners to be in a union .... One
of our basic trade union princi­
ples is solidarity and we in Brazil
will do everything possible to
assist the workers of Trico in the
United States."

The agreement was signed
during a meeting of the Inter­
national Transport Workers'
Federation (ITF) for Latin Ameri­
can affiliates. The conference
brought together trade union offi­
cials from close to 40 unions rep­
resenting dock workers, seafarers

SIU Secretary­
Treasurer David

Heindel signed the soli­
darity pact on behalf of

four U.S. seafaring
unions during a recent

meeting in Rio de
Janeiro.

SEATU Delegate John Benjamin
read the report from the auditing
committee to the officials and del­
egates at the convention.

Valerie Lilja, Union Privilege rep­
resentative, informed convention
participants of cost-savings pro­
grams available to them.

to JOlll a union. She spoke in
favor of a new immigration sys­
tem-one that works, is fair and
protects the American worker.

In addition to the push for
increased organizing efforts, offi­
cials and delegates also agreed
that SEATU's involvement in
political activities is crucial to its
continued existence. Issues such
as ergonomics, fair trade, health
care, cial ecurity, p itical
action and support for maritime
are among the union's priorities.

Prior to adjournment of the
convention, delegates reelected
Michael Sacco as president,
David Heindel as executive vice
president/ secretary-treasurer, and
Augustin Tellez and Thomas
Orzechowski as vice presidents.
They were elected to three-year
terms.

and other maritime trades work­
ers in 15 Latin American nations.

At the conference, the Latin
American union representatives
adopted unanimously a resolution
to "support OMU and the
Bilateral Solidarity Pact by taking
steps to persuade Trico Marine to
end its campaign of intimidation,
including any and all steps sanc­
tioned by applicable law which
would have the effect of limiting
Trico's ability to expand its oper­
ations anywhere in Latin
America, until such time as Trico
Marine recognizes the rights of
its employees to organize and
bargain collectively through the
representatives of their choice."

November 2001



13 Bosuns Attain Recertification ple and had a lot of ups and
downs," Perry continued. "And I
now see what President Sacco
means about [the importance of]
upgrading. I thank everyone for
the help you have given me. I
could not have done it without
your assistance."

Seafarers Like What They See in SIU, School
Thirteen of the SIU's newest

recertified bosuns addressed their
brothers and sisters and accepted
completion-of-training certifi­
cates Oct. 8 during the member­
ship meeting at the Paul Hall
Center for Maritime Training and
Education in Piney Point, Md.

Finishing the four-week class,
considered the top curriculum
available for deck department
Seafarers, were Tom Arriola,
John Baker, William Bratton,
Herbert Charles, Emanuel
Gazzier, William Henderson,
John Nichols, Ron Paradise,
Eric Perez, George Perry,
Henry Peterson, Fadel Saleh
and Thor Young.

In addition to their hands-on
exercises and classroom work at
the Paul Hall Center, the recerti­
fied bosuns met at the union's
headquarters building in Camp
Springs, Md. with representatives
from all departments. Through
discussions with them about the
health and benefits plans, con­
tract negotiation and enforce­
ment, and the Seafarers LOG, the
deck department upgraders
enhanced their understanding of
the many facets that must come
together to make the union
strong.

Besides making complimenta­
ry remarks during the meeting
about the instruction they
received and the training center's
staff and facilities, the bosuns
collectively lauded the SIU lead­
ership and offered words of
ncouragement to the audience's

unlicensed apprentices and
lfti~ll&s.vii"Trr~')? 11r r,. , , )

Arriola sails from the port of
Houston and has been going to
sea for more than 30 years. He
challenged the trainees to be pro­
fessional in all their dealings and
to always put safety first.

"Strive to be professional at all
times.'' he said. "You can never
go wrong by respecting others. I
also ask you to be safety-con­
scious on the job; be especially
alert while docking."

After thanking the union offi­
cials and membership for his
opportimity to attend bosun recer­
tifaation training. Arriola offered
the trainees one final piece of
advice: "Keep gossip and rumors
to a minimum. There's no room
for either of them in our profos&
sion."

Baker claims several home
ports, having regularly sailed out
of Los Angeles, Tacoma, Wash.,
Hawaii, Piney Point and Jack­
sonville, Fla. No stranger to
Piney Point, Baker has upgraded
six times since starting his SIU
career in 1982.

"T want to say thanks to all
Seafarers who made it possible
for me to stand up here today.
This thanks is not just to the
bosun selection committee," he
said, "but also to those who built
this union and this school."

Baker urged apprentices and
upgraders to continue taking
advantage of all training opportu­
nities available to them. "You as
Senfo.rcr~ will continue lo build
this union and this school," he
said.

Bratton hails from the port of
Norfolk, Va. and joined the SIU
in 1990 in Houston. He joined his
classmates in their common

November 2001

Thirteen bosuns completed recertification training Oct. 8 at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and
Education in Piney Point, Md. Shortly after graduating, they joined SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez (front row,
third from left), SIU Asst. VP Contracts George Tricker (front row, far right) and SIU Plans Administrator Lou
Delma (second row, far left) for this photo. Pictured are (in alphabetical order) Tom Arriola, John Baker,
William Bratton, Herbert Charles, Emanuel Gazzier, William Henderson, John Nichols, Ron Paradise, Eric
Perez, George Perry, Henry Peterson, Fadel Saleh and Thor Young.

assessment of the valuable train­
ing they underwent and collective
words of encouragement they
offered to fellow Seafarers.

He used his time at the podi­
um, however, to reflect on the
tragic events of Sept. 11 and how
they affected his class as a whole.
In short, he said the events were
crimes against all humanity, and
he labeled the perpetrators as
insane, malicious and cowardly.

Charles, one of the two recer­
tified bosuns who sails from
acksonville, became a Seafarer

in 1987. He has upgraded once
before at Piney Point.

"I'd like to thank everyone
involved in the bosun recertifica­
tion program," he offered. "Your
collective efforts have made it a
great success."

Charles told the apprentices
the SIU has the only school of its
kind for mariners in the world
and that it affords great chances
to develop skills.

"The opportunities here are
tops," he said. "I urge you to con­
tinue taking advantage of them to
develop and refine your skills."

Gazzier currently sails out of
Mobile, Ala. This upgrading trip
to Piney Point was his fourth
since joining the SIU in 1979.
Gazzier last attended the school
in March for STCW training.

"This union offers everyone
the opportunity to make higher
pay and secure better benefits,"
he said, "and I would like to say
thanks to everyone who made all
of these things possible. God
Bless America and the SIU."

To the apprentices, Gazzier
said that the school provides a
great opportunity to receive valu­
able training. "Take advantage of
it now," he said.

Henderson is the second mem­
ber of the class who sails from the
port of Norfolk, the location at
which he joined the SIU.

He told the apprentices that
continuous upgrading is the key
to a successful SIU career.
"Everyone should take full
advantage of the training and
skills that are being offered here,"
he said.

Nichols' home port is
Houston. He joined SIU there in
1990 and has upgraded at Piney
Point three times.

Besides being pleased with the
bosun recertification course and
all it taught him, Nichols was
impressed with oth the union
officials and school staff.

"I can't say enough about how
knowledgeable and dedicated the
leadership and staff are," he said.
"They taught me a lot, especially
about union history, contracts and
the working relationships be­
tween the Military Sealift
Command and shipping compa­
nies."

Nichols said he thoroughly
enjoyed being at Piney Point
again. "My wife and I, as well as
my children, have always
enjoyed coming here," he said.
"The atmosphere is relaxed and
very conducive to learning. In
addition, there are many extracur­
ricular activities and historical
sites nearby."

Paradise is the third class
member who ships out of
Norfolk. He joined the SIU in
1975 in Piney Point and since
then has upgraded six times at the
school.

"I'm proud to be in this union
and glad to have met so many
good friends over the years,"
Paradise said. "I'd like to thank
the staff and all the good people I
have met here this time and those
I am going to meet when I come
back."

He said he learned a great deal
about the political ramifications
associated with the workings of
the union. "I was very impressed
with the talks we had with the
union leadership about contracts
nnd the nmount of effort it takes
to sustain our medical plans,
vacation plans, pay and so on."

nities are out there and they are
yours for the taking."

Perez sails out of San Juan,
P.R. and joined the SIU in the
same port in 1988. Attending the
bosun recertification class was
his third trip to Piney Point for
upgrading.

"To all my brothers and sis­
ters, I just want to say thanks," he
said. "I'm real proud to get recer­
tified. And I realize that it was
because of you that this was pos­
sible for me."

Perez, like many of his class­
mates, also was pleased to
become better informed about the
union's contracting process and
what it takes to maintain and
improve Seafarers' benefits. He
encouraged apprentices to seize
the training opportunities avail­
able at the school and noted
"upgrading gives you better skills
to be more professional and pro­
ductive on your job."

Perry joined the SIU in
Norfolk and currently sails out of
Jacksonville. The class marked
his second upgrading trip.

"This [bosun recertification
training] is an achievement that I
have worked very hard for over
the years," he told those in atten­
dance. "I started with the SIU in
1983 and today I'm getting recer­
tified.

"I've sailed with a lot of peo-

Peterson resides in St. Louis,
the same location in which he
joined the SIU in 1987. "Bosun
recertification is the pinnacle of
my sailing career," he said, "and I
thank the SIU for helping me get
there."

For those in the audience who
had never gone to sea, but look
forward to it, Peterson said,
"When you go out to a ship, you
may meet all kinds of people ....
Stay focused and keep going," he
said. "Take pride in what you do,
take pride in the SIU and take
advantage of upgrading opportu­
nities every time they present
themselves."

Saleh, whose home port is
Tacoma, joined the SIU m
Seattle.

Being selected for the recerti­
fication class was the greatest
thing that ever happened to him,
Saleh said. "I have been sailing
since 1975 and it has always been
the union that has provided me
with employment opportunities
through their hard work in the
political arena," he said. "I want
to personally thank President
Sacco and the union leadership
for all of their efforts, and the
members who have stood ready
to answer the call by their show
of unity in political action. We
can all be thankful for the bright
future we will enjoy as a result of
our being able to upgrade here at
Piney Point."

Young also calls Norfolk his
home port. This marked his sec­
ond trip to Piney Point for
upgrading since joining the SIU
in 1987.

"I'm very proud to be here.''
he said. "I want to say thanks to
the leadership and all my instruc­
tors. I learned about many things
that go on behind the scenes that
I never knew about, especially
that our officials are really head­
strong about us keeping our jobs
-that's their number one priority
and I very pleased about that,"
Young asserted.

Young had a special message
for the apprentices. "Treat this
union, your career, and the ship­
ping life with the utmost respect
and professionalism," he said.
"Know your union history, where
we came from and where you are
going. There are a lot of guys out
there-and in here-who went to
bat for us, and you ought to know
that and never forget it."

"I'd just like to thank the SIU
leadership and port officials in
Norfolk for lhe opportunity they
have provided me to be here,"
Henderson said. "I really enjoyed
the training because I learned a
great deal about how the union
works ... everything from con­
tracts to our pension."

To the apprentices, Paradise
advised, "Keep upgrading your
skills because you can do any­
thing you want to ... the opportu-

The bosuns took part in all aspects of firefighting during their recertifi­
cation training. Above, class members battle a blaze at the Joseph
Sacco Fire Fighting School.

Seafarers LOG 7



Seafarer Slater Featured
In AFL-CIO Magazine

SIU member Kirk Slater, a captain for NY Waterway passenger
ferries, is featured in the October issue of the AFL-CIO magazine
America@work. Slater is profiled on page 17 of the publication, which
features extensive coverage of union members involved in rescue and
relief operations stemming from the attacks of Sept. 11.

Seafarers aboard NW Waterway boats transported more than
158,000 people from Manhattan during the first 13 hours following the
attacks. A few of the boats operated long past midnight, providing help
for emergency crews. (For more detailed coverage, see page 3 of the
October issue of the Seafarers LOG, or visit the LOG section of
www.seafarers.org.)

Slater told the federation's magazine that he and other mariners
aboard the ferries lately have been keeping an eye out for their regular
customers. "You get to know people by their faces. They take the same
boat every day. I can't help but wonder about the people I took over
there that morning, how many were in those buildings. We're all look­
ing for familiar faces," he said.

Seafarer Kirk Slater is profiled in
.. U)e,f\FL-CIO magazine America@work.

Seafarer-Tumed-Artist
Credits School, Union
For SoHd Foundation

Whether an individual Sea­
farer makes a career of the sea or
utilizes the merchant marine as a
springboard to a new vocation,
the Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and
Ed1,1cation stai1ds rtady to help
students increase their knowl­
edge while boosting their earn­
ing potential.

Despite that basic tenet, for­
mer Seafarer James B. Carter
made an atypical move when he
left the industry_ Carter is one of
very few students from the Piney
Point. Md. facility to swikh
from sailing to earning a living
as an artist.

Carter graduated from the
Paul Hall Center's entry training
program in 1978. He sailed for
five years, starting in the engine
department before switching to
the deck and upgrading to AB.

But along the way, he had
stumbled on another trade that
intrigued him_ Working with Bud
Adams, who heads up the
school's arts and crafts depart­
ment. Carter developed his pre­
viously untapped talent. He
made all kinds of jewelry and
also continued his education,
eventually earning multiple art
degrees. Additionally, he taught
classes at the University of West
Florida.

Those activities were precur-

8 Seafarers LOG

sors to Carter's biggest step-­
becoming a self-employed, pop­
ular and profitable artist. He is a
"studio goldsmith/ ' specializing
in cloisonne enamel technique.

"Most of my customers are
collectors who collect this type
of work," he explained_ "It's cre­
ativity on demand_"

Carter, who lives in Florida,
credits the Paul Halt Center and
the SIU with helping him
become more responsible and
focused. "The union straightened
me out and took care of me, and
I know it has helped others," he
recalled_ "I didn't have two nick­
els to rub together when I went
to the school ....

Coast Guard Port Security at 'AH-Time High'
The U.S. Coast Guard last month reported that it has

implemented "an unprecedented number of maritime
safety and security measures."

sels, at the discretion of the local captains of the port.
• The escort of cruise ships and certain U.S. naval

ships in and out of a number of U.S. ports.
"We continue to be at a heightened state of alert and

awareness," said Lt. Cmdr. Brendan McPherson, a
spokesman with the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area head­
quarters in Portsmouth, Va.

• Joint interagency boardings and maritime security
operations with local, state and federal law enforcement
agencies.

As an example of the heightened security, the Coast
Guard reported that in a typical 24-hour period last
month, the agency conducted more than 340 maritime
security patrols, conducted 52 vessel escorts and com­
pleted 30 air surveillance patrols within the Atlantic
region, an area covering 40 states east of the Rockies.

The agency stated that among the most recent safe­
guards put in place to maintain port safety and security in
more than 360 ports, along 95,000 miles of U.S. shoreline
are:

• 94 security zones, an all-time high, have been
established nationwide.

•Most commercial vessels bound for U.S. ports are
required to provide 96-hour advance notice of arrival
information to the Coast Guard's new National Vessel
Movement Center. Reporting to the center will streamline
the notification process while the longer advance notice
will allow the Coast Guard and other U.S. law enforce­
ment agencies more time to review the information.

Other regulations and security measures implemented
since the Sept. 11 attacks include: Naval vessel protection

• Armed Coast Guard boardings of commercial ves-

·zones that provide a 500-yard security zone around U.S.
naval vessels; Authority to control the anchorage and
movement of any vessel in US. waters; and Recalled
more than 2,700 reservists to active duty, and approxi­
mately 28,000 Coast Guard volunteers are helping out in
non-law enforcement roles, thereby freeing up Coast
Guard personnel for those duties.

Charleston 5 Head to Trial this Month
After Release from House Arrest

Five union dockworkers,
known as the Charleston 5, have
been released from more than a
year-and-a-half of house arrest.

In early October, South
Carolina Attorney General
Charlie Condon removed himself
from the case against the
Charleston 5 after attorneys for
the dockworkers demanded that
he be disqualified for gross mis­
conduct. The case was transferred
to a local prosecutor, Walter M.
Bailey Jr., solicitor of the First
Judicial Circuit, near Charleston.
The removal of Condon from the
case cleared the way for lifting
the curfew. On Oct. 15, with
Bailey's consent, Judge Vic Rawl
signed the order releasing the
men.

Left: Former Seafarer James B.
Carter says the union "straight­
ened me out and took care of
me." A sample of his artwork (an
18 KT gold and sterling silver
brooch) is pictured above.

"Another thing the union did,
it gave me so many opportunities
to see the world_ Russia, Egypt,
West Africa .. .. Plus, I picked up
a lot of self-discipline_"

Adams said that Carter's
success in disparate fields did­
n't surprise him because "the
basis of what we teach is
abstract thinking and problem­
solving, and those are things
you utiliz~ in many different
occupations."

For his part, Carter never will
forget his days as a Seafarer. "I
really enjoyed the time," he said.
"When I had the chance to go to
Piney Point in 1978, J just said,
'Thank God.' I sailed a lot dur­
ing my time with the union, and
it was great"

On Jan. 20, 2000, about 150
members of the AFL-CIO
International Longshoreman's
Association locals 1422 and 1771
in Charleston, S.C. assembled for
a legal informational picket to
protest the use of a non-union
crew to unload a Danish freighter.
The dockworkers were attacked
by 600 police officers in riot gear.

That night, eight dockworkers
were arrested and charged with
misdemeanors, mainly trespass­
ing, by Charleston municipal
police and prosecutors. State
Attorney General Condon, an
announced candidate for gover­
nor, intervened and raised the
charges to rioting and conspiracy

Continued from page 4

eyes. to be honest. The first thing
you want is payback. Then, you
think of the families, and you're
just glad you're able to help."

Allen credited the crew with a

to riot, which are felonies, and
took over the prosecution of the
Charleston 5. Although a
Charleston judge dismissed these
charges for lack of evidence in
preliminary hearing, Condon
secured felony indictments
against the men from a secret
grand jury.

While they were under the cur­
few, the dockworkers were pro­
hibited from leaving their homes
between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. unless
they were working or at a union
meeting. Travel restrictions pro­
hibit them from leaving the state.

The Charleston 5 are still
scheduled to go on trial the week
of November 12.

calm, determined performance.
"The officers did a great job, and
the crew really jelled," he said.
"We weren't worried at all.
Whenever there's a crisis and you
work for MSC, that's where you
go."

Steward Rudy Victa prepares
lunch for the ROS crew.

Steward Utilities Gerald Filkins, Jr.
(left) and Gardner Powell put away
stores.

November 2001



Cook/Baker Cleto Lingong displays
some of his doughy creations, includ·
ing a culinary tribute to the Statue of
Liberty.

Nor1ember 2001

ABOVE: Upgrader Elston Yu keeps
a close eye on his work.

LEFT: Robert Johnson gets into the
Halloween spirit.

At the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and
Education, plenty of upgrading opportunities are
available for steward department members. The
school, located in Piney Point, Md. , offers courses in
galley operations, advanced galley operations, and
certified chief cook/chief steward, among others. The
classes are structured so that students may complete
certain components or modules in any order, which
allows for flexibility in scheduling.

Upgrading is an essential part of any Seafarer's
career. It helps students stay on top of the latest
trends and technology in the maritime industry, and it
helps boost individual earning power, too.

For more information about the school and
upcoming courses, turn to page 21, visit www.seafar­
ers.org/phc/index.html, or call the school at (301)
994-0010.

Post-meal cleanup is part of the day's work for Unlicensed
Apprentice Abdul Ali.

HOLD THE ANCHOVIES? Christopher Deluca slices a tray
of delicious pizza.

Seafarers LOG 9



- - - - ------

Ret11111ing to Sea by Walter Karlak
In the September 2001 issue

of the Seafarers LOG, Walter
Karlak wrote about catching his
first ship in 1951, the SS Greeley
Victory, which was headed to the
Persian Gulf. What follows is a
continuation of his learning
experiences aboard ship and of
his seafaring adventures .

A fter many weeks on the
beach, it was time to ship
out again. Besides, my

friends were already tired of my
sea stories

Each day, I would be at the
Beaver Street hall before 9 a.m.
and would leave at 4:30 or 5
p.m., thinking possibly I could
get a pierhead jump (meaning a
member gets off a ship at the last
minute).

As I rode the subway to the
hall, I continually thought about
how lucky I was to be a Seafarer.
Once aboard a ship, there's no
hurrying to get to work, no pay­
ing for rent or meals, and I got to
visit many places I otherwise
would never have seen- and get
paid. And at the hall, I was
among veteran seamen, includ­
ing some who sailed in World
War IL I felt I was among the
best- and was proud of it.

As each job was called, I'd
throw in my shipping card. only
to be beaten by full book mem­
bers-which is the way it should
be.

Day after day I threw in for
jobs as a wiper. And then I final­
ly got one, aboard the North
Platte Victory. It was going­
where else-but the Persian
Gulf.

I packed my gear and was
ready to go. At that time~ there
were 32 to 40 crew members,
and we had to wait in a long line
until our tum to sign the articles
(an agreement to sail aboard the
ship and return with it).

With gear in hand, I boarded

the ship in Brooklyn (at 59th
Street) and reported to the chief
engineer. Two wipers showed me
to my bunk (there were three
wipers in one room with double
bunkbeds). First, I made it a
habit of knowing where my fire
and lifeboat station was so I
would know where to go
and what to do when
the monthly
drills
occurred. I
then set
out
doing
my
routine
work
in the
engine
depart­
ment,
assisting
the engineers
in whatever they
were doing. I liked
learning how to use all
the tools and taking broken
machinery apart and putting it
back together in working condi­
tion.

After loading tanks, trucks
and other military cargo, we left
for Leonardo, N.J. There was a
very long pier there, loaded with
ammunition. Marine Guards
made sure no one smoked to and
from the ship, and all lighters
and matches were put in a box
before leaving the ship and
returned when reboarding.

When I later thought about it,
I realized that credit was seldom
given to the longshoremen who
loaded the ships. They worked
very hard in the holds, securing
the heavy cargo, piece by piece.
Just think what would have hap­
pened if they didn't know their
jobs-tanks might break loose in
bad weather, most likely going
through the ship's side. No
te1ling what the results might

Everyone Performs Aboard the Performance

have been.
After a few days, we sailed

for Naples, Italy.
No sooner had we left the

States than we three wipers were
ordered to paint the entire engine
room. The first engineer had a

(advance on salary) or at payoff.
This continued the entire trip
while at sea. But when in port,
no one thought about cards any­
more.

When we arrived in Naples, I
went ashore to take pictures. I
recall a medieval fort and was

awed by how old it was and
~;=::;:::::::::::~ the fact that it was still

specific color code for each sys­
tem. Yellow was for lube oil, red
was for hot water and the steam
lines were aluminum. Even the
water cooler was painted-pink.
It wasn't too bad when we start­
ed, but once we passed through
the Suez Canal, it was hot, hot,
hot, and in the Persian Gulf, it
was even hotter.

The bilges had to be cleaned
out before we painted them,
which meant crawling over and
under hot pipes.

This period at sea was also
the time when the playing cards
came out. I was introduced to
games I had never heard of.
Even the officers played. There
must have been three or four
games going at one time in the
crew messhall. One guy would
record the losses of each player,
and the winner would be paid
whenever there was a draw

standing after all the
fighting it had

been a part of.
Here I was, a

kid from
Brooklyn,
seeing
what I'd
read about
in history

books, all
because the

SIU accepted
me as a mem­

ber.
After unloading

Army cargo and contain­
ers of household goods for

American service personnel, we
left Naples and headed for a
small port in Turkey. I and a few
crew members took a long train
ride to Istanbul. It wasn't too bad
a trip. One of the train's crew
borrowed a guitar from a passen­
ger, and he sang and played
western songs. He was actually
pretty good. After the weekend
in Istanbul, we returned to the
ship and set sail for Port Said,
Egypt.

It was a short trip to the long
breakwater, where we dropped
the hook and waited for more
ships to form a convoy before
entering the canal. As usual, no
sooner had the anchor been
dropped, than the bumboats
pulled up alongside to sell their
wares. An OS named Pete, who
was making his first trip, bought
a bottle of "whiskey," which
turned out to be anything but.

Once I heard the high whin-

Right: GSU Ali
Abdulla always
has a smile for

everyone aboard
the U.S. Ship

Management Co.
vessel.

Left: Taking a break
prior to docking the
Performance in Malta
are Chief Electrician
Rex Bolin and QMED
Sammy Montana.

ing of the turbines, I knew we
were on our way to Karachi,
Pakistan. It was music to my
ears because it meant we'd get a
nice sea breeze instead of the
hot, dry weather that the canal
offered.

Work involved painting,
painting, painting all the way.
Before we reached Karachi, we
stopped at Aden for bunkers
(fuel oil). And then, after hitting
all the Persian Gulf ports, we
headed back for the States, with
only port holes and wall fans to
cool us off.

While in the Gulf, some of
the suppers were held on deck.
The steward department really
did a wonderful job. One engi­
neer said it was so hot, he could
fry an egg on deck. Sure enough,
in one Gulf port, the eggs were
sizzling.

Three weeks later we paid off
in New Jersey. Shipping was ter­
rific because of the Korean con­
flict, so I thought I'd make
another trip.

The first assistant engineer
had me take fuel oil soundings
with a reel as the ship was taking
on fuel. I would drop the weight
into a hold and measure how
deep it went in. I did it many
times and the rod went down
easily. But then one time it hap­
pened-I could feel something
went wrong. I reeled in the
weight. When it cleared the
opening, oil came bubbling out. I
tried to recap it. The oil was
warm and thin at first. Then it
thickened. By that time the side
of the ship as well as the Army
trucks and part of the dock had
been coated in it.

No doubt you figured out I
didn't make the next trip. But it
was all a great learning experi­
ence. And every time I returned
from a foreign port, it didn't take
much for me to remember what
a great country we live in.

Performance crew members thanked Chief
Cook Richard Hick5 for the great food he
and his department prepared and served
during the voyage.

At the gangway in Algeciras, Spain are AB Sherman
Hudson (left) and Bosun J.R. Wilson.

AB Tim O'Brien (left) and AB Bennie Spencer wait at the gang­
way of the ship before disembarking in Algeciras, Spain.

10 Seafarers LOG November 2001



Memo Retlects
Merdumt Crew's
Bravery
Captain Recalls Efforts to Scuttle Ship,
Rather than Allow Capture by Enemy

Editors note: The following text, for­
warded to the Seafarers LOG from retired
West Coast VP George McCartney, is
from an undated memo written by the late
Orel Pierson, master of the SS President
Harrison at the dawn of Americas in­
volvement in World War II. It tells the
gripping tale of how the crew-caught in
the Far East as Pearl Harbor fell under
attack-tried to scuttle the ship so it
wouldn't be captured. A much more de­
tailed account of the President Harrison s
saga is told in the book "Captives of
Shanghai,,, published in 1989.

AMERICAN PRESIDENT LINES
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Operating Manager -

American President Lines
FROM: Master (Ex.)- SS President

Harrison
SUBJECT; Loss of Harrison, December 8,

1941
This report is necessarily vague as to

exact time and dates as I do not have at
hand any data from which I might extract
same.

Some time late in November 1941 we
arrived at Manila P.I. from the Pacific
Coast via Honolulu, Suva and the Torres
Straits. Here we were informed that we
would proceed to Hong Kong whhout dis­
charging cargo and outfit as a transport
and proceed to Shanghai to aid in evacu­
ating the U.S. Fourth Marines to the
Philippines. Aided in this operation by the
SS President Madison we removed rhe
Marines and all their equipment and land­
ed them at Olongapo. On December 3"1,
we made a rendezvous off the north end
of Formosa with four U.S. submarines,
and with machine guns mounted ready for
instant action and escorted by the subs1

we delivered thiEI unit successfully at its
destinatiort. At this time, it was apparent
to all that war was immimmt. We noted,
and reported 1 that Japanese Naval units
and transports were steaming south in
large numbers.

On December 4in, we were at Manila
once more and on that date were again
ordered back to North China, this time to
Chingwangtao to evacuate the Peking and
Tientsin Legation Guard. The vessel was
chartered hy the U.S. Navy on a day-to~
~y O~$i$ for thi$ purpO$C, We wr;rr; under
direct orders of Admiral Hart and were
"on the drum" of the Cavite Naval Radio.
In other words, we were in constant con­
tact, on a specified frequency and a secret
call letter. The only actual orders I ever
received were verbal "to proceed to
Chingwangtao and bring out the
Marines."

From the time we left Manila we were
entirely on our own, and any subsequent
actions taken were entirely of my own
volition aided and abetted by my officers
and crew who gave me their fullest co­
operation, and I have nothing but the
highest praise for their assistance.

Consider now the situation in the Far
East. Tension was mounting, war or the
possibility of it was on every man's
tongue, the destination of the Harrison
(though it was supposed to be a deep dark
secret) was the talk of every hotel and bar

November 2001

room in Manila. The Japanese most cer­
tainly knew where we were going and for
what reason, or else I have formed a great
misconception of their intelligence during
the years I have been in contact with
them. In fact, I was later informed by the
Captain of a Japanese destroyer that "they
knew all about our movements."

All American ships bound for Chinese
ports had been ordered to Manila, and to
my certain knowledge all British ships in
North China waters as early as December
2"d had been ordered to proceed at full
speed to Singapore.

Proceeding north from Manila, we
again noted heavy Japanese shipping
moving to the south. On the night of
December 61

\ just after dark, we were
approached by some sort of a craft which
flashed, "stop!" We stopped but as this
craft did not come alongside and we were
an American ship proceeding upon a
peaceful mission, l decided to ignore him
entirely and proceed upon our way. As we
were faster than this craft we soon out­
distanced him. Long afterwards while in a
camp in Japan, I learned that this was a
small Japanese Naval craft who had
stopped the SS Elsie Moeller just before
dark and then seeing us coming up on the
horizon had left the "Elsie" and proceed­
ed in our direction. The Captain of the
Elsiit had left Chingwangtao with a load
of coal for Shanghai but had been ordered
to make all speed for Singapore instead.
He had been told we were bound there
and that no doubt he would meet up with
us somewhere along the way. Being a
China coast skipper and knowing our
ships he recognized us.

About 2:30 a.m. on the morning of
December 7'\ we passed the North
Saddles and set course for Shaweishan on
the north side of the Yangstze estuary.
Somewhere about 3~30 I received a mes-

sage from Cavite that Pearl Harbor had
been attacked. The show was on.

The vessel was in ballast without a
pound of cargo in her. We were in hostile
waters, surrounded on all sides by
Japanese-held territory or Japan proper.
The vessel was completely outfitted for
the carriage of troops and if she fell into
Japanese hands, could have been loaded
and used for that purpose within a matter
of hours against our forces in the Far
East. I was bound and determined to use
every means in my power to prevent this.

What to do? I have given some thought
to the matter after leaving Manila. The
first and obvious thing of course was to
try and escape with the ship. Even though
this might prove to be a hopeless move,
we turned off immediately to the south­
west hoping by some miracle we might
work our way out through the islands
south of Van Dieman Strait, make for the
extreme north Pacific and eventually back
to some Pacific Coast port. After inform­
ing the officers and crew as to what had
happened, we started to paint out the
stack and superstructure hoping to get on
as much grey paint as possible before we
met up with any Japanese craft.

Being able to make about fifteen-and­
one-half knots, we had not made many
miles when daylight came and with it a
Japanese plane with her bomb racks full.
She signaled us to stop with a burst of
machinegun fire and then after circling us
flew off towards another ship that was
coming up on the horizon. This ship
turned out to be the Nagasaki Maru, a fast
twenty-two knot mail boat on the Japan­
China run. Apparently, he had been told
to tail us and keep us under surveillance
while he reported our whereabouts to the
naval authorities in Shanghai. I knew this
ship well and realized the futility of trying
to escape from her. We were in no way
afraid of her and as soon as we recog­
nized her we got under way, but try as we
would, could not lose her. As often as we
changed course, she did the same and
stayed on our heels. I thought at one time
of ramming her, but she was smart
enough to keep well clear of us while still
keeping guard over us.

Now the problem arose what to do
next. l called all my officers together and
explained the situation. I pointed out that,
as I thought then and still think, with a
vessel in a ballast condition and the sys­
tem of bilge lines and drains, we would
never get enough water into the ship to
scuttle her in the limited time we would
have available. Most of the tanks we
could not flood throughout the ship would
give her enough buoyancy to keep her
afloat, and it would be a simple matter to
tow her into port and pump her out. I then
pointed to the chart of the China Coast
and showed them the many wrecks strewn

up and down in this vicinity and pointed
out that few of them when once high and
dry in these waters were ever floated. My
plan, to which they all agreed, was to run
for the beach and send the ship up as high
as possible at full speed, hoping to
accomplish this before any further ships
made their appearance. We had nothing to
worry about as far as the Nagasaki Maru
was concerned (other than her following
us) as she was unarmed. We started in the
direction of Shaweishan as this was the
nearest land and as we approached it I
conceived the idea of sending the ship
over the edge of it and ripping her bottom
out completely. If we could achieve this,
the vessel would go down completely and
most surely be a total loss. We had provi­
sioned all the lifeboats and had them
swung out and the crew standing by for
any emergency that might arise.

As we approached the island we sight­
ed a Japanese destroyer making toward us
under forced draft and the plane again
returned overhead. He did not open fire or
drop his bombs-the reason, I learned
later, they wanted the ship intact. The
Captain of the destroyer also informed me
that his orders were that if we did not sur­
render to open fire and sink us so the loss
of the Harrison was inevitable, and at
best all we could hope to do was to create
as much damage as possible.

It became a race as to whether we
could make the island before the destroy­
er could intercept us. The Nagasaki Maru
had by now turned off as we were getting
into shoal water and the destroyer was
approaching. Five minutes before we
struck, we ordered the engineers out of
the engine room, leaving the plant wide
open. They had agreed to stay on the job
until the very last minute if I would give
them time enough to get out before we
crashed. The co-operation of Mr. J.C.
Smith, Chief Engineer, and his engineers
and men made this possible.

Shortly after 1 p.m. and making around
sixteen knots, we struck the edge of the
island in the vicinity of Number One
Hatch on the port side. Being thoroughly
familiar with the construction of these
ships and their sturdiness I knew it would
be useless to take the ship in head on. She
would only have banged up her bow and
most likely backed off and still floated.
Several accidents in the past have proved
this on vessels of this type. The island is
rounded and steep on the side we
approached it from. She rode along the
edge of the island for a considerable dis­
tance, then heeled away over to starboard
and rolled off It turned out later we had
ripped a hole in her 90 feet long but,
unfortunately, she rolled off before reach­
ing the engine room spaces.

Not knowing exactly how much dam­
age we had done and whether or not a
boiler explosion would shortly occur, I
deemed it advisable to get the crew off
the ship into the boats. As there were no
men in the engine spaces, we shut the
steam off by use of the boiler stops on the
boat deck and shortly thereafter sent the
boats away except for my own with
orders to make for the island. We had kept
our radio silent until close in, then I gave
the operator orders to open up and get a
message away as to what we were doing.
This message was received and acknowl­
edged, I believe, by a San Francisco shore
station. As the boats were getting away I
went back to the radio shack and we kept
the set going until the power finally died
and we had to quit for the lack of power
to transmit any further. By now the plane
had opened up with his machine gun and
was strafing the ship presumably to stop
us from using the radio.

As there was nothing further we could
do1 we launched the last remaining boat
and made for the island. The tide was run­
ning strong ebb. the vessel filling fast for­
ward and listing badly to starboard, and at
the time we cleared her side both pro­
pellers dead in the water. The plane made
no attempt to strafe the boats in the water
making for the island. The destroyer, run-

Continued on page 13

Seafarers LOG 11



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Filling out the coupon below is the first step toward pursuing your hopes,

dreams and goals for a higher level of education.

All Seafarers and their spouses and children who plan to attend college

next year are encouraged to send away for the 2002 SIU Scholarship

Program booklet. It contains eligibility information and procedures for

applying. It also contains a copy of the application form.

Eight monetary grants will be awarded next year to three SIU members

and five dependents. One of the three scholarships reserved for SIU mem­

bers is in the amount of $20,000 for study at a four-year college or universi­

ty. The other two are for $6,000 each and are intended as two-year awards

for study at a post-secondary community college or vocational school. Five

scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $20,000 each to the spouses

and dependent children of Seafarers.

Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check

the eligibility information carefully to make sure that certain conditions are

met.

No one can be awarded a scholarship without filling out an application and

mailing it to the Scholarship Program by April 15, 2002. Do it today!

Scholarships Available
Through 'Union Plus'

SIU members, their spouses,
and dependent children (as
defined in IRS regulations) are
eligible to apply for college schol­
arships available through Union
Privilege, an AFL-CIO entity.

The Union Plus scholarship
program, in its 11th year, is open
to students attending or planning
to attend a four-year college or
university, a community college,
or a technical college/trade
school. As noted by Union Pri­
vilege, "Applicants are evaluated
according to academic ability,
social awareness, financial need
and appreciation of labor. Ap­
plications are judged by a commit­
tee of impartial post-secondary
educators .... Program judges in­
clude representatives from the
American Association of Com­
munity Colleges, the United
Negro College Fund, the Ameri­
can Association of State Colleges
and Universities and the National
Association of Independent Col­
leges and Universities."

Since its inception, the pro­
gram has awarded more than $1.5
million to union members and
members of their families who
want to begin or continue their
secondary education. Last year,
115 students, representing 31
AFL-CIO unions, received
$151,000 in scholarships. The
program's top $4.000 awards
went to 12 students, while 79 stu­
dents attending four-year institu­
tions received awards ranging
from $500 to $2,000. Addition­
ally, 24 others attending commu­
nity colleges and trade schools
received scholarships ranging
from $500 to $1,000.

The application deadline for
the 2001-02 school-year schol­
arships is Jan. 31, 2002. The
scholarship application is avail-

able for download at:
www.unionprivilege.org.

To receive an application by
mail, send a postcard, with your
name, return address, tele­
phone number and internation­
al union name clearly printed
on it, to: Union Plus Scholar­
ship Program, P.O. Box 34800,
Washington, DC 20043-4800.

Letters will be sent to winners
on May 31, 2002. Due to the vol­
ume of applications, only those
receiving scholarships will be
notified. However, if you would
like to receive confirmation of
your application's receipt, include
a self-addressed stamped postcard
with your application.

Seafarers and their dependents
are eligible to apply for the schol­
arship benefit because of the
union's participation in Union
Privilege's Union Plus credit card
program. Having a Union Plus
credit card is not a requirement,
but one year of continuous good
standing union membership is
required when the award is made.
In addition, the recipient must be
accepted into an accredited col­
lege or university, community
college or recognized technical or
trade school when the award is
issued. Graduate students are not
eligible.

The scholarship program is
funded and administered by
Union Privilege and Household
Credit Services. The Union Plus
credit card program offers a no­
annual-fee MasterCard with a low
variable annual percentage rate.
More than 2 million union mem­
bers carry the Union Plus credi
card, which is issued by House­
hold Bank (Nevada), N.A., an
equal-opportunity lender. For
more information about the card,
call 1-800-472-2005.

FILL OUT THE COUPON

Revised Tax Laws Offer
Options far College Savings

donors maintain control over the
assets. With a UGMA, once the
beneficiary reaches the age of
majority (usually 18), the young­
ster bas complete control over the
account.

BELOW AND MAIL IT

TO THE ADDRESS LISTED

TO GET YOUR COPY OF

THE 2002 SIU SCHOLARSHIP

PROGRAM BOOKLET.

In this tumultuous market. the
idea of paying for college may be
enough to concern any parent­
especially as the average cost of
tuition rises at a rate almost dou­
ble that of inflation. Fortunately,
the U.S. government earlier th1s
ycur crcutcd :some potential relief
by amending section 529 of the
Internal Revenue Service of
1986.

Essentially. the amendments
allow for a tax-free way to invest
for a child's higher education
expenses while maintaining com­
plete control over the money and

r----------------------------------------------------------------------------~

Please send me the 2002 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligi-
bility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form.

Mariner's Social Security Number ___________________ _

Street Address

City, State, Zip Code ______________________ _

Telephone Number ________________________ _

This application is for: O Self O Dependent

Mail this completed form lo Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan,
5201 Auth Way. Camp Springs. MD 20746

12 Seafarers LOS

11/01

reducing your taxable estate.
Each state's 529 plan is different
and each has highly customized
requirements, investment options,
contribution maximums and state
income tax treatments. However.
certain key components of the
savings plan are the same.

Participants may contribute up
to $50,000 per child up front and
not be subject to gift tax. A couple
that files jointly may make a tax­
free donation of up to $ 100,000
per beneficiary. This contribution
is deducted from your taxable
estate. Not only does the account
grow tax-deferred, when monies
are used for higher education
related expenses, the funds are
distributed tax-free.

Typically, any accredited post­
secondary institution is eligible.
This indudes out-of-state and pri­
vate institutions as well. Monies
may be used for room, board,
tuition, books and equipment.
The beneficiary may be changed
at any time, but the new benefi­
ciary must be related to the previ­
ous beneficiary. If the donor(s)
choose to take back the money,
they must pay a I 0 percent penal­
ty on the earnings. The remainder
of the earnings are then taxed as
ordinary income.

Unlike a "Uniform Gift to
Minor's Account" (UGMA), 529

Additionally, the advantage a
529 plan has over an Education
IRA is much greater contribution
allowances. Donors may con­
tribute up to $250,000 to a 529
plan while the Education IRA's
current contribution limits are
$500 per year, slated to rise to
$2 1000 per year in 2002. Also,
there is no limit on the number of
people who may contribute to an
individual 's 529 plan.

There are several investment
firms that offer the 529
CollegeBound plan. Some are
more thorough than others, offer­
ing the most investment choices
and being the most lenient re­
garding which expenses and insti­
tutions qualify.

In any case, the 529 plan is a
tremendous benefit.

Editors note: This article was
submitted by former Seafarer
Peter Jablonski, currently a
financial advisor at the head­
quarters of UBS Paine Webber in
New York City. He may be
reached at 800 635-1983 or by
email at: peterjablonski@­
ubspainewebber.com. This article
is l1Q1 meant as an endorsement of
the 529 plan by the SIU.
Individuals should check with
their own advisors for more
details.

November 2001



Sumner Assists Relocation
Of Japanese Fishing Vessel

The Seafarers-crewed
USNS Sumner last month
supported the U.S. Navy's
relocation of the Japanese
fishing vessel Ehime Maru.

The fishing boat sank
south of Honolulu Feb. 9
after being struck by the
U.S. submarine USS
Greeneville during routine
operations.

An oceanographic re­
search craft, the Sumner
acted as the eyes and ears
of the relocation opera­
tion's primary salvage ves­
sel, the Rockwater 2.
Arriving several months

before the operation com­
menced in the deep water
recovery site (DWRS)
where the Ehime Maru
rested, the Sumner crew
conducted a complete
bathymetry study (depth
measurement) of the entire
vicinity.

This analysis com­
menced June 17 and con­
tinued in various phases
until Aug. I 7. During this
period, the crew surveyed
the route along which the
submerged ship would be
moved during the reloca­
tion; took conductivity

USNS Sumner (T-AGS 61)

temperature depth mea­
surements of the area; and
collected bottom samples
at both the D WRS and
shallow water relocation
sites (SWRS)-the loca­
tion where the vessel rested
as well as the one at which
it would be relocated. In
addition, the crew de­
ployed current monitors at
both relocation sites to stay
abreast of conditions.
Finally, they tested an in­
strument called an Acou­
stic Doppler Current Pro­
filer to measure the area's
water currents from the
surface to the bottom.

raise the sunken vessel
some 90 feet from its deep­
water resting place. It
remained at this eleva­
tion--or very close to it -
during the transit to the
SWRS. And this is where
the most vital part of the
USNS Sumners mission
took effect.

• Length: 328 feet, 6 inches

The foregoing analysis
and assessments were
conducted as many times
as were necessary to col­
lect the desired data. It
would later be used to
assure "smooth sailing"
for the Rockwater 2 dur­
ing the actual Oct. 12
relocation.

Arriving at the DWRS,
the Rockwater 2 deployed
cable lines over its sides to
be attached to a lifting
plate, which previously
had been positioned under­
neath the Ehime Maru.
Once the lines were
atta,hed. the Rockwater 2
used its linear winches to

The Sumner took the
point for a convoy of ves­
sels, which accompanied
the Rockwater 2 along its
transit route from the
DWRS to the SWRS. By
referring to its previously
collected data, comple­
mented by fresh inputs
gathered during the actual
transit, the Sumner provid­
ed the Rockwater 2 with
real-time information about
prevailing ocean condi­
tions (bottom profile, depth
and current conditions).
Armed with this informa­
tion, the Rockwater 2 could
raise or lower the Ehime
Maru to match inclines
associated with the ocean's
bottom profile, and in the
process virtually eliminate
hazards associated with
sudden load shifts or vessel
rolls.

Although several stops
were made along the way,
the 14-mile transit went off
without a hitch. The final
relocation of the Ehime
Maru was completed Oct.
14. For its very significant
role in the relocation effort,
the USNS Sumner and its
crew received a thanks for

Bosun Art Cross (on frame), AB Collins Agyemang (cen­
ter) and Chief Mate Charlie Reina deploy the ship's ADCP
transducer assembly.

• Beam: 58 feet

• Draft: 19 feet

• Displacement'. 4, 762 long tons

• Speed: 16.0 knots

President Harrison in WWII
Continued from page 11

ning into shoal water, was feel­
ing her way in to am;hor. I land­
ed on the island with my boat
crew, including the stewardess,
thinking that all was well and all
safely ashore_ There I found that
one boaL had gone under the
quarter and that the port pro­
peller was still slowly turning
over, due to steam within the
@ngin@ it~@lf not b@ing folly
exhausted, and that the boat had
been capsized, the crew thrown
into the water and three of the
men lost. All the others had been
picked up by the other boats
including Mr. J.L. McKay, Chief
Steward. who had sustained sev­
eral broken ribs. The Chief
Engineer was suffering from a
dose of fuel oil and from the
shock of being immersed in the
icy water. All others were appar­
ently all right.

All of the men had climbed to
the top of the i~land where the
lighthouse is and the light keep­
ers (Chinese) had turned one of
the buildings over to them and
they had set up a snack bar and
were feeding the men. Just as
dark came on, which is early at
this time of the year in these
parts, a Japanese Naval Landing
Unit (which is the same as our
Marines) from the destroyer
landed on the island and made
their way to the top, bristling
with gun~ and bayoncb fixed.

I do not know what they
expected to find, but as we had
done all we could (however
good or bad it was) there was
nothing left to do but get rid of
our guns (we threw the few
rev<>lvers we had intC> the bush­
es) and surrendered. First they
destroyed the lighthouse radio

llovember 2DIJ1

station and then lined us all up
and searched us for weapons­
we had none-but anything we
had such as money or papers
were thrown on the ground and
left. The entire crew was then
placed under guard on the island
and I wa~ taken off to the
destroyer where I spent the
night.

I was taken into the ward­
room where I found the officers
in a jubilant mood with the radio
going full blast, and as I soon
learned reports coming in of the
sinking of the Prince of Wales,
the various ships in Pearl
Harbor, ek. Of course. the radio
was in Japanese but several of
the officers spoke excellent
English and they certainly laid it
on. They tr aicd me very kindly,
however, and later the
Commander made his appear­
arn;e and, after telling me how
easy it would be for Japan to lick
the world1 broke out a bottle of
Johnnie Walker Black label and
treated everybody in the ward­
room including myself. Later I
was given coffee and rice cakes,
a bed was made up for me on
one of the settees and I was
made as comfortable as possible.
In the morning [ was fed the
usual Japanese food and they
even went so far as to find me a
knife and fork to eat with.

Around 7 a.m. I was taken on
deck- a boat launched and I was
told we would return. to the
island. The boat, halfway to the
island, was ordered back to the
ship by a signal-the officer
went on board and shortly after
returned_ From that moment on
their attitude towards me
changed entirely-they were curt
and abusive, and I spent the bet-

ter part of the next ten days
under guard with an officer over
me, armed night and day. I am
still at a loss to know the reason
for their complete about-face
unless they realized when day­
light came that the Harrison was
not the easy prize they expected
it to be. As we left the destroyer,
she was clearly visible a half­
mile away way down by the
head and with about a heavy list
to starboard. When we got to the
island the Japanese officer
ordered the entire crew into the
boats and back to the ship.
Resistance being useless, we car­
ried out his orders and after a
hard row boarded the vessel. We
found No. 1 hold partly flooded -
Nos. 2, 3 and 4 flooded into the
Upper Tween Deck, No. 5 partly
flooded and 12 feet of water in
the engine room. After hatches
were dry, we were able to relight
the fires and get up steam and
two men volunteered to relight
the fires. Two men vo1unteered
to dive into the icy water and
open and close the necessary
valves to pump out the engine
room. We were solidly aground
forward but afloat aft.

After trying to work the ship
off with the engines (which
would have no doubt caused her
to sink in deeper water) and after
breaking a couple of wires trying
to pull her off with the destroyer,
we suggested the possibility of
lightening the ship by stripping
her and throwing everything
overboard_ The Japanese agreed
to this and we passed the word
to sabotage everything possible.

We threw at least a hundred
thousand dollars worth of equip­
ment over the side including
motion picrure equipment,
pianos, furniture, stores, tarpau­
lins, hatches and even the strong
hooks. When we suggested

a job well done from Capt.
Bret Marsh, supervisor of
Diving and Salvage, U.S.
Navy Sea Systems Com­
mand.

one of the seven Oceano­
graphic Survey Ships that
is part of the 29 ships in the
Military Sealift Com­
mand's Special Mission
Ships Program. The USNS Sumner is

unshipping the booms and
putting them over, however, they
apparently decided it had gone
far enough and put a stop to it.
Realizing by now that they could
not float her without assistance
they sent to Shanghai for divers
and salvage equipment- at one
time they had twelve divers on
the job.

Then they sent to Japan for
the Nippon Salvage Co. and they
arrived with a complete salvage
unit including a salvage master
-a Japanese born in Portland,
Oregon and thoroughly familiar
-with salvage work. He went at
the job in a more scientific man­
ner and after 43 days of diving,
patching and plugging they man­
aged to get number one and two
holds tight enough so that the
heavy pumps could hold the
water down. Then by flooding
the after holds on the high tide
of the month, she floated off and
was taken into Shanghai where
she was placed alongside the
dock and the divers, working in­
between in the slack water
plugged the holes enough to
eventually get her to Japan and
into a dry dock.

While on the rocks we faired
fairly well for food, but after
entering Shanghai the ship's
food ran out and the Japanese
took over the feeding. We went
on very short rations then and I
never did get a really full meal
again until the war ended in
1945. We lived on the Harrison
until the middle of March when
the crew was released in
Shanghai and the officers sent to
a detention camp at Honkew
Park. None of the officers were
ever released and sixteen of the
crew died in Shanghai before the
war ended.

I was taken to Japan the first
of April 1942 to attend. as they

said, a prize court. I was con­
fined along with quite a few
China Coast men in the Sasabro
Naval Hall and until the middle
of August, no person asked me a
single question concerning the
Harrison (Japanese I mean) and
then one day the Court, consist­
ing of one man and his inter­
preter. made his appearance and
asked me a series of routine
questions. They informed me
that they thought it would go
very bad for me for the damage
we had caused. At this time I
was the only person in the camp
except for four Filippinos and I
spent the six longest weeks of
my life in virtual solitary con­
finement, being allowed out of
doors only one hour per day. At
the end of this time, they
returned and asked me the same
questions over again, apparently
to see if they could trip me up. A
few days later I was taken under
guard and blindfolded (part of
the time) to Zentsuj i War Prison
Camp on the Island of Shikoko.
This was a mi1itary prison and I
was sent there apparently
because I held a Lt. Commo­
dore's commission in the U.S.
Naval Reserve.

I arrived at Zentsuji on
November 5, 1942 and remained
there until June 23, 1945 when
the camp was broken up and we
were transferred to N okoroshi
Camp in the mountains of west­
ern Honshu. The story of my
years in prison camps closely
parallels that of any American
held by the Japanese with all the
heartaches, abuses, uncertainties
and slow starvation accorded to
them in the military prisons. I
lost 85 pounds, need I say more.

Respectfully,
Orel A. Pierson
Master. SS President Polk

Seafarers LOG 13

•



•

(Editor s note: the Sea/ are rs
LOG reserves the right to edit let­
ters for grammar as well as space
provisions without changing the
writers intent. The LOG wel­
comes letters from members, pen­
sioners, their families and ship­
mates and will publish them on a
timely bas is.)

Upgradar Thanks
Fellow Students

I would like to thank (fellow
Seafarers) Brenda Littlefield
and Ray Johns for all the help
they gave me in my class work at
the Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education. I also
would like to thank my wife,
Linda L. Hoffman, for all the sup­
port she has given me and to wish
her a happy birthday, which we
celebrated Aug. 15 at the school.
Lester C. Hoffman
Piney Point, Md.

rs tO the Editor
Hats Off to
Health Plan

I want to thank the ladies of
the Seafarers Health and Benefits
Plan for all their help in getting
my hospital bills paid. I am a
retired seaman, and I hope the
membership will join me in tak­
ing our hats off to the personnel
and management of the Plan.
They deserve appreciation.
Larry D. Rust
Houston, Texas

Seafarer Shares
LessonsLeamed

I wish to share with my broth­
ers and sisters of the SIU some
lessons I learned, so that no one
else has to endure the expense
and anguish I experienced. It has
to do with avoiding conflicts
when on shore leave.

While on shore leave in Pusan,
(S. Korea), I allowed myself to get
into a shoving match in a bar.
Although the other guy started it
and escalated the problem, I now
realize I should have walked away.
Hanging around came back to
haunt me in ways I didn't foresee.

For one thing, it is not a pleas­
ant experience being on the
receiving end of a Coast Guard
investigation. Don't count on a
plea of self-defense getting you
out of it cleanly, because chances
are it won't. Plus I had to spend a
small fortune . . . money I could
have put to better uses than giv­
ing it to lawyers.

So, when you go ashore, don't
have an attitude-and don't carry
any tool that could be construed
as a weapon, even if it's some­
thing you may use as a matter of
routine in your job.
John Cooke
Houston, Texas

WILL YOU BE SAILING ON FEB. 1, 2002?

0

Yes, I have completed the

required STCW training.

No, I have not completed the

required STCW training.

Without STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) and
a 1995 STCW certificate, the following unli­
censed Seafarers will not be able to sail after
Feb. 1, 2002: Bosuns, ABs, QMEDs and FOWTs.
{Steward department personnel are not
required to possess a certificate.)

Also, all unhmited and limited license holders
with a near-coastal and ocean endorsement
need a '95 certificate. All Seafarers sailing on
deep sea or near-coastal vessels must com­
plete BST.

14 Seafarers LOG

Don't wait any longer.
Sign up today tar your
STCW training. Please
contact the Paul Hall
Center for Maritime
Training and Education at
this toll-free number:
1-800-732-2739.

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-trea­
surer. 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 recommen­
dations. Members of this committee
may make dissenting reports, specif­
ic recommendations and separate
findings.

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of
the SIU 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
available in all union halls. If mem­
bers believe there have been viola­
tions of their shipping or seniority
rights as contained in the contracts
between th union and the employ­
ers, 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 SIU
halls. These contracts specify the
wages and conditions under which
an SIU member works and lives
aboard a ship or boar. Members
should know their contract rights, as
well as their obligations, such as fil­
ing for overtime (OT) on the proper
sheets and in the proper manner. If,
at any time, a member believes that
an SIU patrolman or other union
official fails to protect their contrac­
tual rights properly, he or she should
contact the nearest SIU port agent.

EDITORIAL POLICY - THE
SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers
LOG traditionally has refrained from
publishing any article serving the
political purposes of any individual
in the union, officer or member. It
also has refrained from publishing
articles deemed hannful to the union
or its collective membership. This
established policy has 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 be 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
contents. Any time a member feels
any other member or officer is
attempting to deprive him or her of
any constitutional right or obligation
by any methods, such as dealing
with charges, trials, etc., as well as
all other details, the member so
affected should immediately notify
headquarters.

EQUAL RIGHTS. All members
are guaranteed equal rights in
employment and as members of the
SIU. These rights are clearly set
forth in the SIU Constitution and in
the contracts which the union has
negotiated with the employers.
Consequently, no member may be
discriminated against because of
race, creed, color, sex, national or
geographic origin.

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

SEAFARERS POLITICAL
ACTIVITY DONATION
SPAD. SPAD is a separate 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 distrimination, 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
SPAD to protect and further bis 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 infonnation, the
member should immediately notify
SIU President Michael Sacco at
headquarters by certified mail,
return receipt requested. The address
is:

Michael Sacco, President
Seafarers International Union

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746.

November 2001



Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea
SEPTEMBER 16 - OCTOBER 15, 2001

- *TOTAL REGISTERED
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

Port
. Algonac ,,._:: "";"':",,," '2

·'Baltimore 4
_ Gl.KUll o

Honolulu 13
Houston 28
Jacksonville 31

Mobile 16
New Orleans 22

_ _New York 21
Norfolk 14
Philadelphia 2
Piney Point 4
Puerto Rico 9
San Francisco 16
St. Louis
Tacoma 24
Wilmington 20
Totals 227

Port
·: ~lgonac

'j;l~ltitn6t~ .
0

6
· Guam 0

Honolulu 5
Houston 14
Jacksonville 23
Mobile s"

.. ·New . Orle~ ..... · ... · lJ ... ·

. /,NeW .. Y<?t~·'<rtf";'~:~~,~~ii',i: :"
Norfolk 4
Philadelphia 2
Piney Point 3

l
2
2
4
6

19

3
14
15
11
5
4
4

11
1

13
12

127

5
1
3
6

l
3
4
5
6
6
5
7

11
7
3
3
2
I
4

12

13
93

1
0
0

TOTAL SHIPPED
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

1
5
1

11
19
22

9
19
19
11
3
2
8

18
1

19
18

DECK DEPARTMENT
0 0
1 1

1
6 3

16 4
11
4

10
12
11
2
2
5
9
3

12

9

3
4
9
5
3
2

1
0
2
4
8
3

Trip
Reliefs

0
0
0
3
6

11
3
5
9
4
0

0
3
7
0

10
13

186 114 53 74

ENGINE DEPARTMENT
1 0 0 0
5
I
4

12

5
0
4
4

18 2
8

12
... ;5

4
3
5

6
1
0

0
0
4
5

1
l
0

3
0
0

2
0
0

"XPli~rr~·ttfo" · · s
;,:. :g~ri -FrahClscd 4
;.~.:~$.t!'touis

fii .. ;:~;:~~1}f; ·~~*11~~~~2~fff?{t'~:;r.g;;;-?i1~; '; :l·
tR(~~~~~~~~*~~~~ 3

0
Tacoma 7
Wilmington 6

Totals 113

Port

·:.-;$~ francfaco
.'{St~ L;puis

Tacoma
Wilmington
Totals

Po.-t

~t~~~~ -
.... Guam ..

Honolulu

Houston
Jacksonville

·: " M4'>hH~(: .. · · · ·
:::)~!~~- QrJeans
,·:N¢~Yµrk

Norfolk
Philadelphia
Piney Point
Puerto Rico
San.Francisco

)::·$~:. ~9µ,ja
Tacoma
Wilmington
Totals

3
' 0 ','
21

0
17

17
146

:o
'l
0
6

1
2
.0
4
5
0
0
2

4
6
0
5
6

42

Totals All
Department§ 528

12
7

106

7
5

44

3

0
3 1

.o 0
: 7 1 ,. ":,

··"o· ,.:"· o ..
0 l

4 0
47 34

'· l · ·Jf."
. 6:., ~" :J .

4
21 ] ll

18 18
17 16
· 6 2
9 11

~4 26
12 10
2 0

16 5
6 3

11 8
2 0

15 13
13 15

180 245

460 416

11
3

105
9

67

7
3

27

6
2

42

STEWARD DEPARTMENT

4

5
3

1
.15

0

3

0
2

""· 0

0 {)

1

2
8
0

17 0 0 6

10 3 0 3
111 25 13 58

ENTRY DEPARTMENT
0
1,
0

1
0
3
2

0
0
1
5
0

I

18

420

0 0
s 3
2 ' .·.. ' i' '
4

10
5
5
9

16
8
0
3
2

4
1
8
7

89

295

33
2

11
1
7

11
6
0

13
2

3
0

5
6

104

197

0
0
o·
0

0
0

·o .
0
0
0
0
0

O ·
0
0

0
0
0

174

**REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

2
7
2

13
45
62
21
37
38
24

7
4

17
38

1
50
50

418

0
7
0

10
24
38
10
13
2~
11
3
3

12
12

182

5
2

38
0

35

37
261

0
0
0

13

4
3

. . I
6

. 10
0
1
2
7

10
0

9
13
79

940

3
4
2
9

10
32
9

24
23
19
8
7

11
11

1
9

21
203

1

5
1
6

11
24
7

15
16
11
8
7

20
14

165

2
1
8

1
2

3
10
12
13
4

13
21
15
2
3
5
2
5

17
19

147

0
2
2
7

11
12
1
6
8
3

0
4

10
7

76

0 . ·;.._'
3

7
81

1
5

59

21
24
12
15
50
15
3

24
10
20

4

30
23

317

766

2

3
72

0
2

10
251

27
31
6

14
55
22

0
11
10
14

l

37
26

517

812

+"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.

Noflember 2001

December 2001 & January 20IJZ
Membership Meetings

Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Wafers
Piney Point ............. Monday: December 3, January 7

Algonac .................. Friday: December 7, January 11

Baltimore ................ Thursday: December 6, January JO

Boston ..................... Friday: December 7, January 11

Duluth ..................... Wednesday: December 12, January 16

Honolulu.~ ............... Friday: December 14, January 18

Houston .................. Monday: December 10, January 14

Jacksonville ............ Thursday: December 6, January 10

Jersey City ............. . Wednesday: December 19, January 23

Mobile ... ... 3 ... ~ .... .. .. . Wednesday: December 12, January 16

New .Bedford .......... Tuesday: December 18, January 22

~ew, Ortei:ins ........... Tuesday: December 11, January 15

New York ................ Tuesday: December 4, January 8

Norfolk ................... Thursday:December 6, January 10

Philadelphia ............ Wednesday: December 5, January_9

Port Everglades ..•.... J'hursday:";Qe¢e~b'er ·{3 ;)m;\uafr l.7:
~-· . ., .. __ , ·- - \\- ' - ·. '.'_ ... ~ ·~ .• :. : . .-::c.: . ·~ .

LOG-A-RHYTHM

At Sea
by Albert W. Austin Jr.

Thought ...
I'd go a sailing.
Had .. .
Nothing more to do~

!was ...
Young at the time.
My.
Age was seventeen.

Just .. .
Ayoungman.
New ...
In the Merchant Marine.

Sailed ...
On every kind of
ship.
Since .. .
That day back then.

Doing ...
One trip at a time.
And ...
I'd do it all again!

The lifetime ...
That I have spent.
The years ...
I've been away.

Yes ...
I would do it over.
Each and everyday I

Why ...
Would one do it?
You ...
Have to go to know.

The ocean . ..
Is a way of life.
The only ... ·
Life I know.

Through ...
All the ups and downs.
Both .. .
Good and bad.

A seaman s life ...
A good life.
Best ...
I ever had!

AB Albert W. Austin
wrote this poem in August
while aboard the Global
Mariner as it headed to
Singapore.

Seafarers LOS 15



.. -

-

-

-

Seafarers Inl:ematlollal Union
Directory

Michael Sacco, President

John Fay, Executive Vice President

David Heindel. Secretary-Treasurer

Augustin TeJlez, Vice President Contracts

Tom Orzechowski,
Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters

Dean Cori~ey, Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast

Kermctt Mangram,
Vice President Government Services

Rene Lioeanjie, Jlice President at Large

Charles Stewart, Vice President at Large . ...
HEADQUARTERS

5201 Autb Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746
{301) 899-0675

ALGONAC
5W 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

BOSTON
520 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02127

( 617) 269-7877

DULUTH
105 Medical Arts Building, Duluth.. MN 55802

(218) 722-4110

GUAM
P.O. Box 23127, Barrigada, Guam 96921

125 Sunny Plaza, Suite 301-E
T\11'.1 J~us. Crlsosromo St., Tamuning, Guam 96911

· (§7-1) ~?~nso.
. ' "'uoNOLUl~U . '·:·

~O.Q ~~(~~~~~ti!~t~~ :t{j.~}{- 3:: ·: ;·
HOUSTON -:::.··········

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

JACKSONVILLE
3315 Liberty SL, Jacksonville, FL 32206

. . (904) 3 53-0987

JERSEY CITY
99 Mor'ltt,omcry St., Jcmy City, NJ 07302

(201) 4~.5-9424

MOBILE

N(!;W BEDfORO
. . 4S Unfo.n Sc., New ne4fQli;l, MA ~2740

(50&) 997-5404

NEW ORLEANS
3911 Li.pnlco Blvd .. Harvey. LA '70038

(504) 328-7.545

NEW YORK
u3·$ Fourth.Ave., Brooklyn.NY 112.32

('7'18) 499-6600 - ' .

: .' NO&ff()LK
":' · L ,' · ·llS Third St., NorfQlk. VA 23$1~

' ~' (7 5?) 62.2-c 1892

· 1221 S. ,Aadruw>; Ave., Ft. Lauderdllle, FL 33316
{954) 5:;!2-7984

SAN FRANCISCO
3$0 Fremont St .. San Franciscu. CA 9410.5

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

SANTUliClt
1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave,, Stop J (j~

Santurcc, PR 00907
(787) 721-4033

ST. LOUIS
4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 631 l6

(314) 7.52-<;i5QO

SAVA NAH
222'o Bull ~l.. Scmlnnu.h. GA 31401

(~ l1)2U.491&

l"ACOMA
34 ll South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409

(253) 'l72-7774

WILMINCTON

16 Seafarers LOG

Nml1 monthly S hipping A Registration Report

Port

Boston
Houston
Harvey, LA
New York

Norfolk
San Pedro
Savannah
Tacoma
Totals

Port

Boston
Houston
Harvey, LA
New York

Norfolk
San Pedro
Savannah

Tacoma
Totals

Port

BostQn \_
.. ·,-- - -... -.

Houston '···
Harvey, LA

New York

Norfolk
San Pedro

Savannah

Tacoma
Totals

Port

Boston ·
Houston
Harvey, LA

New York

Norfolk
San PedrQ
sa.va.nnah
Tacoma
Totals

TOTAL REGISTERED
All Groups

Group I Group II Group III

10
7
4

10
3

10
0

5

49

1
2

5
1
2
2
2

16

2

1
0
1

0
0

1

0
5

0

1

1

0
0
2
0

5

8 0
6 0
0 0
8 0
i . .--:. o: ...

3 0
0

0
29 0

3
4

0

3
0
6
2

0
18

0
5

1

2

0
l
2
3

14

0

0
0
4

0

0
0

0
4

0

l
0
4

0

/ -~o ....
0
0

5

0
0

0

0

1

30
4

0

7
0
0
3
2

46

Tofals All
Departments 112 24 56

SEPTEMBER 2001

TOTAL SHIPPED
All Groups

Group I Group II Group III

DECK DEPARTMENT

11
3
2
6

6
6

7
0

41

11
0
0
0

0

0

0
0

11

0
0
0
1

0
0
0
0

1

ENGINE DEPARTMENT

0
2
2
4
I

-~?

2

18

0
0

0

STEWARD DEPARTMENT

5
0

0

1
15

7
0

0

0

0 0
0 0
0

:;0 .

0

0
7

0

0

0

ENTRY DEPARTMENT

0 3 0
3

l
l

.- 0
.4 .. :
0

0
9

83

0

0
1

0
.0

0

0
4

22

0
1

0

0.
0
0
0
1

2

PIC-FROM-THE-PAST
This photo, originally print@d

in the May 14, 1954 issue of the
Seafarers LOG. was taken
~bo~rd the new Penins(J/a
Mariner (Waterman Steamship
Corp.), one of 35 high-speed
freighters contracted by the gov­
ernment.

A unique feature of the
Peninsula Mariner was a spe­
cially designed deck structure
for carrying aircraft. In the photo
at right, Bosun Jim Finnell (left)
explains how it works to deck
department members (from left)
AB Andy Anderson, AB Johnny
Johnston, OS John Owens, AB
Jimmy Crawford, OM Bo
Anderson, OS Jimmy Waldrop
and AB Ray Vaughan.

The steel framework created
a new challenge for the deck
department since it had to be
lifted from the accordion-type
hatch i;;overs, section by sec­
tion. before loading cargo.

If anyone has a vintage
union-related photograph he or
she would like to share with the
LOG readership, please send it
to the Seafarers LOG, 5201
Auth way, camp Spring~. MD
20746. Photographs will be
returned. if so requested.

Trip
Reliefs

5
3
2

5
0

17
1
9

42

0
2

2
2
0
5
2

3

16

3
2
2
3
·o
4

16

0
7

4
:Q ..

9
l

4
26

100

REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups

Group I Group II Group ID

0

34
12

109
4

16
9

15
199

0
7
2

107
0

25
8

11
160

0
19
2
1
1
5
2

1
31

11
5

111

0
8
l

0
136

526

0

3
2

39

0

11
2

2
59

0
3
3

89
0

30
2
1

128

0

13
... 0 ,

1

18

0

16
2

94
0

37
5

38
192

397

0

0

11

0

1
0
0

13

0
3
0

13
0
9

0

26

0
0
0
3
0

14
0

0
17

0

14
2

92
0

16
5

2
131

187

November 2001



A captain, a master and a
recertified steward are
among the 19 Seafarers

announcing their retirements this
month.

Captain Antonio Colon and
Master George T. Decker con­
trolled the helms of vessels in their
respective divisions for nearly a
half-century, while Recertified
Steward Gene Sivley completed
the highest level of training avail­
able to members of the steward
department at the SIU's training
school in Piney Point, Md.

Including the recertified gradu­
ate, 11 of the retirees sailed in the
deep sea division. Three plied the
Great Lakes, and the remaining
five navigated the inland water­
ways. Seven of the retirees worked
in the deck department. four
shipped in the engine department
and eight sailed in the steward
department.

On this page, the Seafarers
LOG presents brief biographical
accounts of the retiring Seafarers.

DEEP SEA

THOMASE.
ARNOLD,
65, started his
career with the
Seafarers in

' 1969 in the
port of
Houston. The
Georgia

nati e ' initial sea oyage was
aboard the Sabine, operated by
Ship Operators Corp. ro
Arnold upgraded his skills in
1982 at the Seafarers Harry
Lundberg School of Seamanship
in Piney Point, Md. A member of
the deck department, he last sailed
on the Sea-Land Hawaii . Brother
Arnold re~ide~ iri Rittggold, Ga.

JORGE .E. BERMEO, 57, was
born in Ecuador. He started his
SIU career in 1969, joining in the
port of New York. Brother Ber­
meo first sailed on Delta Steam­
ship Lines' Del Valle. A member
of the engine department, he
upgraded his skills nt the SIU's
training school in Piney Point,
Md. in 1976 and 1984. Brother
Bermeo last shipped on the
HxpMitiM1., oper~ted by CSX
Lines. He lives in Englewood, N .J.

RICHARD
N. HATT. 65,
started his
career with the
Seafarers in
1987 in the
port of Scuttle.
Brother Hatt
served in the
U.S Navy from 1959 to 1984.
The Massachusetts native first
shipped aboard the USNS
Vindicator. Tho :Jfownrd doprui:­
ment member last wi;:nt to s«;a
aboard Dyn Manne Services '
USNS Pathfinder. Brother Hatt
makes his home in Seattle.

LARRY A.
JORDAN, 50,
was born in
Charleston, W.
Va. He started
his SIU career
in 1968, join­
ing in the port

·,, of New York.
Brother Jordan's initial voyage
was aboard aterman Steamship
Corp. 's Iberville. The deck

Norember 2001

department member last shipped
on Liberty Maritime's Liberty
Sea. Brother Jordan is a resident
of Picayune, Miss.

JOSE A.
LOPEZ, 55,
launched his
career with the
SIU in 1970 in
the port of
New York.
Brother Lopez
first sailed
aboard an Intercontinental Bulle
Corp. vessel. Born in Puerto
Rico, the steward department
member frequently upgraded his
skills at the Sill's training school
in Piney Point, Md. Brother
Lopez last worked on Puerto Rico
Marine Management's Eli.zabeth.
He lives in Pembroke Pines, Fla.

~~~~~__,CHARLES

MOLL, 59,
began his
career with the
Seafarers in

.. 1967 in the
port of New

,, Orleans. Born
· in Florida,

Brother Moll served in the U.S .
Anny from 1964 to 1966. His
first ship was Venore Trans­
portation Co. 's Chilore. The deck
department member last worked
on Waterman Steamship Corp. 's
Robert E. Lee. Brother Moll
makes his home in Destin, Fla.

GEORGE E. OBERLE, 66,
started his SJU career in 1967 in
the port of Baltimore. The deck
department member wa~ born in
Maryland. He first shipped on a
vessel operated by lnlerocean
Management Corp. Brother
Oberle upgraded hi5 5kills at the
SIU's training school in Piney
Point, Md. in 1975. He 1ast sailed
aboard the cable ship Global
Mariner. Brother Oberle calls
Baltimore home.

OLEE.
POULSEN.
68. hails from
Copenhagen ,
Denmark.
Brother Poul­
sen started his
SIU career in
1961 . joining
in the port of San Francisco. The
engine department member ini­
tially shipped aboard a Colonial
Steamship Co. vesse1. He makes
his home in Federal Way, Wash.

ANTONIO
QUINTANA,
66, is a native
of Puerto
Rico. He start­
ed his career
with the Sea­
farers in 1977,

........... ~~ joining in the
port of New York. Brother Quin­
tana first went to sea aboard the
Overseas Joyce, operated by
Overseas Carriers, Inc. The stew­
ard department member last
shipped on Crowley American
Transport's Ambassador. Brother
Quintana now calls Kissimmee,
Fla. home.

ALI SALEH. 63. started his Sill
career in 1966, joining in the port
of Baltimore. Brother Saleh first

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

working lives to sailing aboard US.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or

Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently

retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job

well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead.

sailed on the
Young
America, oper­
ated by A.L.
Burbank Co.
The engine
department
member
upgraded his
skills in 1987 at the SIU's train­
ing school in Piney Point, Md.
Brother Saleh last went to sea
aboard Waterman Steamship
Corp. 's Robert E. Lee. He cur­
rently lives in San Francisco.

GENE C.
SIVLEY, 64,
is a native of
Alabama. He
started his
career with
the SIU in
1967 in the
port of Seattle.

Brother Sivley served in the U.S.
Navy from 1953 to 1957. He first
sailed on a vessel operated by
Anchorage Tank:ships, Corp. A
member of the steward depart­
ment, Brother Sivley completed
the steward recertification pro­
gram at the SIU's training school
in Piney Point, Md. in 1985. He
last worked on the Sea-Land
Reliance. Brorher Sivley makes
his home in Seattle.

INLAND
JAMESR.
AMBROSE,
54, was born
in Virginia.
Boacman
Ambrose start­
ed his career
with the
Seafarers in
I 97 6. The steward department
member spent his entire career
working aboard vessels operated
by Allied Towing Co. Boatman
Ambrose resides in Hayes, Va.

ANTONIO COLON, 57, started
his career with the Seafarers in

1976 in his native Puerto Rico.
Boatman Colon spent his entire
SIU career working aboard
Crowley Towing and
Transportation vessels. A captain,
Boatman Colon upgraded his
skills in 1984, 1985 and 1995 at
the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School of Seamanship in Piney
Point, Md. He makes his home in
Catano, PR.

GEORGE DECKER, 51, began
his SIU career in 197 5 in the port
of New Orleans. Born in Louisi­
ana, his initial voyage was aboard
a Dixie Carriers operated vessel.
A master, Boatman Decker fre­
quently upgraded his skills at the
SIU's training school. He last
worked aboard a vessel operated
by North American Trailing Co.
He lives in Pearl River, La.

JAMESE.
JOHNSON,
59, joined the
Seafarers in
1982 in St.
Louis. Boat­
man Johnson
first shipped
aboard a Delta

Queen Steamboat Co. vessel.
Born in Missouri, he sailed in the
steward department and sailed in
both the inland and deep sea divi­
sions. Boatman Johnson upgraded
his skills at the SIU training
school in Piney Point, Md. in
1987. He last sailed on the USNS
Denebola, operated by Bay hip
Management, Inc. Boatman John­
son calls Sea Level, N.C. home.

EDGAR OCKMAN, 48, was
born in Louisiana. He started his
career with the Seafarers in 1979
in the port of New Orleans.
Boatman Ockman shipped as a
member of the engine depart­
ment. He spent his entire career
working aboard vessels operated
by Crescent Towing and Salvage
Co., Inc. Boatman Ockman
resides in Belle Chasse, La.

GREAT LAKES
HAD DI
AHMED,66,
began his SIU
career in 1969,
joining in the
port of De­
troit. Born in
Arabia,
Brother
Ahmed first sailed aboard Tom­
linson Fleet Corp. 's G.A.
Tomlinson. The steward depart­
ment member last worked on
American Steamship Co. 's H Lee
White. Brother Ahmed makes his
home in Dearborn, Mich.

MICHAEL J. KORNMEIER,
55, hails from Ohio. He started
his career with the Seafarers in
1967, joining in the port of
Detroit. Brother Kommeier
served in the U.S. Navy from
1964 to 1969. He shipped in both
the Great Lakes and inland divi­
sions, first sailing on an
American Steamship Co. vesse1.
The deck department member
upgraded his skills at the Harry
Lundeberg School of Seamanship
in 1993. He last shipped aboard a
Great Lakes Towing Co. vessel.
Brother Kornmeier makes his
home in Toledo, Ohio.

MOHAMED
MADHIGI,
64, began bis
SIU career in
1989in
Algonac,
Mich. Brother
Madhig1>s first
voyage was

aboard the Paul H Townsend,
operated by Inland Lakes
Management, Inc. Born in
Yemen, he shipped in the steward
department. Brother Madhigi
upgraded his skills at the SIU's
training school in Piney Point,
Md. in 1997. He last worked on
American Steamship 's Sam Laud.
Brother Madhigi is a resident of
Dearborn, Mich.

Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG

1949

erdl hundred Seafarers and their wives and other
guests got under way with a special membership
meeting at which Mayor Thomas D' Ale.sandro,
Congressman Edward Garmatz and others extended

Certified by the NlllB as coUective bargaining agent their congratulations to the men of the SIU for
for nine Cities Service rr::===================================::;JI making the new building
Oil Company tankers, possible.
th~ SIU immediately · TUiS MO,J\JTU The new building fea-
called upon the compa- .f n .f :.f ... .f n tures a modern hiring
ny to ent~r negotiations half and meeting half,
for a contract covering JM SJIJ HJST.01 ay union offices, cafeteria,
the company's unit- .f"' .f 1 ft bar and dance floor,
censed personnel. The barber shop, parking lot,
contract will culminate pool room and game
two years of ·effort by ~=================~ room, television rooms,
the SIU to obtain union wages, conditions and shower room and piped music and public address
security for CS seamen.
The company began firing crew members by the
shipload at the end of each voyage, as the election
drew near, but the replacements hired recognized
the need for union representation and voted for the
SIU. The company's attitude was scored by the
NLRB~ 11

• , , it Ill b@hoove~ the employ@r to file
objections stemming principally from its own recal·
citrance."

1954
With appropriate fanfare in welcoming ceremonies,
th~ SIU in Baltimore formally opened the fin~t
union h.all In th~ Atl.antl~ .and Gulf Dktrtct .and M~
of the belt of its kind in the country on November
10. Openiog c;eremonles before the throng of sev~

system.

1991
Supporters of a comprehensive energy bill which
includes exploratory oil drilling in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR} will continue to
press for the legislation after a vote early last month
was unable to prevent a filibuster on the legislation.

On November 1, supporters of the bill fell 1 0
votes short of the 60 needed to stop an announced
flllbwter .•..

U.SAlag ~hipping interests, including the SIU1 have

been seek1ng an opening of ANWR to exploratfon.

Seafarers L06 17

..

...

•



-

Finaf Departures
DEEP SEA

CLARENCE ANDERSON
Pensioner Clar­
ence Anderson,
58, passed away
Aug. 20. He

J joined the SIU
in 1964 in the
port of Balti­
more. His first
ship was an
Atlantic

Carriers Inc. vessel. Brother
Anderson briefly left the Seafarers
to serve in the U.S. Army from 1965
to 1967 during the Vietnam conflict.
Born in Kentucky, Brother Anderson
shipped in the engine department.
He last worked on the LTC John
U.D. Page. Brother Anderson started
receiving his pension in 1999. He
made his home in West Virginia.

CARMELO ASTE
Pensioner Carmelo Aste, 78, died
July 28. Born in Italy, he started his
career with the Marine Cooks &
Stewards (MC&S) in San Francisco.
The steward department member
began receiving his retirement salary
in 1978. Alameda, Calif. was his
home.

SAMUEL BARNETTE
Pensioner
Samuel
Barnette, 74,
passed away
June 1. Brother
Sarn~tt~ join!!d
the SIU in 1953
in San Fran­
cisco. A native
of Tennessee,

he first sailed aboard a Michigan
Tankers vessel. Brother Barnette
shipped in the steward department
and last worked aboard the Jeb
Stuart, a Waterman Steamship Corp.
vessel·. e began receiving his retire­
ment compensation in 1995. Brother
Rarn@t.ll!! mad@ hi~ ham m

Sunnyvale, Calif.

HORACE BEASLEY
Brother Horace Beasley. 44. died
July lj, He began his Cfilt!t!r with
the SIU earlier this year. Before
becoming a Seafarer, 'Brother
Beasley served in the U.S. Marine
Corps. Born in Elizabeth. N.J .• he
shipped as a member of the engine
department. Maersk Line's SSG
Edward A. Carter Jr. was the only
vessel on which Brother Beasley
:§ailed during his career. He made his
home in Gretna. Va.

EARL J_ BRANNAN

Pensioner Earl
J. Brannan, 72,
passed away
July 14. Brother
Brannan started
his career with
the Seafarers in
1963 in the pon
of New York.

L.lffil<i..-.,......,.=;;;.,,_,...-..;;;i The Alabama
native served in the U.S. Army from
1951to19.'B . His initial sea voyage
was aboard Alcoa Steamship Co. 's
Alcoa Pegasus. The deck department
member last sailed on the Sea-Land
Express. He began receiving ills
retirement pay in 1994. Brother
Brannan was a resident of Benton,
Wash.

HENRY DELL ORFANO
Pensioner
Hi:nry Dell
Orfano, 80,
passed away
July 24. He
started his SIU
career in 1944
in Bost0t1 . The
engine depart­

L....111--"-"-'-'~~~..__ ment member
.started receiving his retirement com­
pem:ation in 197·1. Brother Dell

18 seatarers LOG

Orfano made his home in Geneva,
Fla.

WHIRL L. GARDNER
Pensioner Whirl
L. Gardner, 72,
died June 16.
The Alabama
native joined
the Seafarers in
1973 in the port
of San Francis­
co. He served in
the U.S. Arrny

from 1950 to 1951. Brother Gardner
fust went to sea aboard Delta
Steamship Lines' Santa Mariana.
The steward department member last
shipped on a Michigan Tankers, Inc.
vessel. Brother Gardner started
receiving his pension in 1981. He
resided in Fairfield, Ala.

JAMES GARNER
Brother James Garner, 56, passed
away June 29. He started his SIU
career in 1977, joining in the port of
Norfolk, Va. A native of Columbia,
Mo., Brother Gamer served in the
U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1972. The
steward department member shipped
in the deep sea as well as inland
divisions during his career. Brother
Gamer first sailed aboard an Allied
Towing Co. vessel. His last voyage
was on the SPC 5 Eric G. Gibson,
operated by Crowley American
Transport, Inc. Brother Gamer lived
in Norfolk.

GILES GLENDENNING
Pensioner Giles Glendent'tit'tg

1
72 1

died June 9. Brother Glendenning
starred his SIU career in 1956 in the
port of Baltimore. The Maryland
native served in the U.S. Navy
Reserve from 1947 to 1953. Brother
Glendenning shipped in both the
deep sea and inland divisions during
hi s career with the Seafarers. He
rrt p a y i

Inc. vessel. The steward department
mi;mber last sailed on the Santa
Magdelena , a Delta Steamship Lines
vessel. Brother Glendenning started
receiving his retirement income in
1987. He made his home in San
Francisco.

MATTHEW GOLDFINGER
Pensioner
Matthew
Goldfi11ger1 831
passed away
June 23. He
joined the
Seaferers in
1959 in the port
of San Francis­

i...---=:~iilii •~-.EJ co. Brother
Goldfinger, a World War II Yeteran,
served in the U.S. Army from 1941
to 1945. A native of Buffalo N.Y..
his f'lrsr voyage was on Suwanne
Steamship Co. 's Company s~ntry.
The steward department member last
sailed on the USNS Mt. Vernon.
Brother Go1dfinger staned receiving
his retirement pay in 1983. Buffalo,

, Y. was his home.

Pensioner
Ezekiel Hagger,
66, died Aug. 4.
Brother Hagger
joined the SIU
in 1967 in the
port of Houston.
Born in Gar­
land, La., the
steward depart­

ment member last went to sea on the
Champion , operated by Kirby
Tank.ships, Inc. Brother Hagger start­
ed receiving his pension in 1998. He
resided in Beaumont, Texas.

KENNETH HALL
Brother KeIUleth Hall 54, passed
away June J 5. The Florida native
joined the Seafarers in 1965 in the
port of New York. Brother Hairs

initial voyage was aboard the Ezra
Sensibar, operated by Construction
Aggregates. He shipped in both the
steward and engine departments.
Brother Hall last went to sea aboard
an American Service Technology,
Inc. vessel. He called Bricktown,
N.J. home.

JOSEPHIDCKS
r-~~....-~~---, Pensioner

Joseph Hicks,
83, died Aug. 8.
Brother Hicks
joined the Sea­
farers in 1978
in the port of
San Francisco.
Born in Louisi­
ana, he first

sailed aboard a States Steamship Co.
vessel. A member of the steward
department, Brother Hicks last
worked on the Sea-Land Developer.
He began receiving his pension in
1986. Brother Hicks made his home
in San Francisco.

LEONARD KARALUNAS

career in 194 7
in the port of
Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania native first went
to sea aboard Waterman Steamship
Corp.'s Mobilian . He shipped as a
member of the deck department.
Brother Karalunas ' final voyage was
aboard Penn Tankers ' Ogden
Challenger. He started receiving his
pension in 1986. Brother Karalunas
resided in Kingston, Pa.

DAVID KENDRICK
Pensione; David lte~ fok-:' t5 ', dted
June 21. The Ohio native started his
carl!er with the Seafarers in the port
of Baltimore in 1960, after serving
in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957.
His first ship was the Marore, an
Ore Navigation Corp. vessel.
Brother Kendrick worked in the
engine depanrnent and last sailed on
the Sea-Land Freedom. He began
receiving his retirement income in
1985. Brother Kendrick lived in
Retsil, Wash.

OLAF LEFSAKER
Pensioner Olaf
Lefsaker, 82,
passed away
June 21. He
joined the
Seafarers in
1944 in the port
of New York.
Born in
Norway,

Brother Lefsak.er sailed on a number
of deep sea vessels, among them the
St. Louis, Transindiana and
Charfos10n. The engine department
member started receiving his retire­
ment salary in l 981. Brother
Lefsaker lived in his native country.

ANDREW LESNANSKY
Pensioner
Andrew
Lesnansky, 78,
died Aug. 23.
Brother
Lesnansky start­
ed his SIU
career in l 959
in the port of

""-'-"""""--"'-"'--~~~ ......... New York. The
Mingo Junction, Ohio native served
in tbe U.S Arrny Air Corps from
1942 to 1949. His first ship was
Calmar Steamship's Lo mar. Brother
Lesnansky sailed in the deck depart­
ment and last worked aboard the
USNS Aniaras. He began receiving
his pension in 1987. Brother

Lesnansky called Keystone Heights,
Fla. home.

FELIX MUNIZ
.---;;;/!~,.,....,"""'"-----, Pensioner Felix

Muniz, 89,
passed away
July 10. Brother
Muniz joined
the Seafarers in
1944 in the port
of New York.
Born in Puerto
Rico, he first

sailed aboard A.H. Bull Line's
Suzanne. A member of the deck
department, Brother Muniz last
shipped on the H. Atlantic, operated
by Hydromar Corp. of Delaware. He
started receiving his retirement com­
pensation in 1976. Brother Muniz
was a resident of New Windsor, N.Y.

MATTIA OCCHIPINTI
~-~~~~~ Pensioner

Mattia Occhi­
pinti, 84, died
July 17. A
native ofNew
Jersey, he start­
ed his SIU
career in 1970
in the port of
San Francisco.

Brother Occhipinti first shipped
aboard the President Fillmore, an
American President Lines' (APL)
vessel. A member of the steward
department, he last went to sea on
the President Grant, another APL
vessel. Brother Occhipinti began
receiving his pension in 1982. He
lived in Daly City, Calif.

HENRY OWEN

r-All'lll~~--i Pensioner
Henry Owen,
78, passed away
July 5. He

4- jo!,ned the
·~ '""=-4!~ .. -.,~.;;r, ea arers in

1951 in the port
of New York.
The Norfolk,
Va. native first

sailed aboard Alcoa Steamship Co. 's
G.H Pendleton. Brother Owen
shipped in the engine department,
last working on Delta Steamship
Lines' Def Sol. He started receiving
his retirement pay in 1988. Brother
Owen resided in Reno, Nev.

JOSEPH POZZUOLI
Pensioner
Joseph
Pozzuoli, 78,
died Aug. 22.
'Brother Pozzu-

" oli started his
SIU career in
194 3 in the port
of Baltimore.
The New York

native first sailed on the Steel Archi­
tect, operated by ISCO Inc. Brother
Pozzuoli shipped in the deck depart­
ment and last went to sea aboard the
Northern Lights, a Puerto Rico
Marine Mgmt. vessel. He began re­
ceiving his pension in 1988. Brother
Pozzuoli called Baltimore home.

ALEXANDER PULLES

Brother
Alexander
Pulles, 91,
passed away
Aug. 11. He
joined the
Seafarers in
1961 in the port
of Baltimore.

L....o...,.""""'""'-"".,,......,...c--.i Born in Estonia,
Brother Pulles first went to sea
aboard Ore Navigation Corp. 's
Oremar. The deck department mem­
ber last sailed on a Michigan Tankers
Inc. vessel. Brother Pulles resided in
Baltimore.

MARCELINO REQUISO
Brother Marcelino Requiso, 81, died

April 13. Born
in Hawaii, he
joined the SIU
in 1962 in the
port of San
Francisco. His
first ship was
the Mankato
Victory, operat­
ed by Victory

Carriers, Inc. Brother Requiso sailed
in the engine department, last ship­
ping on the Sea-Land Patriot.
Brother Requiso served in the U.S.
Coast Guard from 1940 to 1946. He
called San Pedro, Calif. home.

PETER SABAN
Pensioner Peter Saban, 91, passed
away July 20. Brother Saban started
his career with the MC&S in San
Francisco. The steward department
member started receiving his pen­
sion in 1975. Brother Saban made
his home in Oakland, Calif.

FRANCISCO SANTANA
Brother
Francisco
Santana, 68,
died July 20. He
joined the
Seafarers in
1970 in the port
of Houston.
Brother Santana

l..d~~=~_Jlllll first sailed
aboard the Sea-Land Oakland. Born
in Puerto Rico, he shipped in the
steward department. Brother Santana
last sailed on Delta Steamship Lines'
Del Sol. He resided in San Francisco.

HARVEYSHERO
Pensioner

,,,,.,, ... " .. -~ ... -· Harvey Shern,
76, a d
away July
native of
A,q~ lq;:, ~.Y.
Br ther r
started his SIU
career in 1950
in the port of

New Orleans. His first trip was
aboard Delta Steamship Lines' Del
Santos. The deck department mem­
ber last sailed on the Fa/con Lady,
operated by Seahawk Management.
Brother Shern started receiving his
pension in 1986. He was a resident
of Houston.

AH YOU SOON
Pensioner Ah
You Soon, 88,
died Aug. 3.
Brother Soon

· joined the SIU
in 1951 in the
port of San
Franci co. Born
in China, the
steward depart­

ment member last shipped aboard
the Sea-Land Mobile. Brother Soon
began receiving his retirement pay
in 1978. San Francisco was his
home.

GEORGE THORESON
Brother George Thoreson, 41,
passed away June 12. He joined the
Seafarers in 1987. Brother Thoreson
first sailed on the USNS Persistent.
He shipped as a member of the deck
department. He last worked aboard
the USNS Stalwart. Brother Thore­
son resided in North East, Penn.

JOHN VORCHAK
Pensioner John Vorchak, 76, died
Aug. 6. Brother Vorchak started his
career with the Seafarers in 1959,
joining in Seattle. A veteran of the
U.S . Navy, the Pennsylvania native
sailed in all three departments. His
final voyage was on the Sea-Land
Endurance. Brother Vorchak began
receiving his pension in 1990. He
lived in Corona, Calif.

Continued on page 20

November 2001



Digest of Shipboard
Union Meetings

The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard
minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space

limitations, some will be omitted.

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

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

ENTERPRISE (CSX Lines), July
21-Chairman Jay C. Dillon,
Secretary Franchesca Rose,
Educational Director Dann G.
Manthei, Deck Delegate Mohsin
A. Ali, Engine Delegate John E.
Coleman, Steward Delegate
William E. Smith. Chairman read
and discussed minutes from last
ship's meeting. He noted receipt of
wage increase but requested clarifi­
cation on budget change by compa­
ny. He also reminded all members
to have TRBs signed. Secretary
urged everyone to upgrade at Paul
Hall Center in Piney Point, Md.
and take necessary STCW courses
for compliance by Feb. 1, 2002
deadline. Educational director
tnlkcd nbout STCW nnd fire fight·
ing certificate renewals. Treasurer
announced $10 in ship's fund.
Some beefs reported in engine and
steward departments related to
travel arrangements and hotel
allowances. New ice machine
requested for crew's laundry room.

EXPEDITION (CSX Lines), July
18- Chairman Norberto Prats,
Secretary Larry Ewing, Deck
Delegate Joseph A. Osorio,
Stc;vy(ln;i Delegate Jose Jor&e.
Chairman announced payoff July
20 in Jacksonville. He thanked all
departments for working well to­
gether and talked about merger of
SIU and NMU. He also reminded
crew member .of · ITlpOrlance of
contributing to SPAD and of gi:t­

ting required STCW training by
Feb. 1, 2002. Secretary noted
everythini:; going well nnd thrutlccd
member~ for liNplng keep hip
clean, including separation of plas­
tic items. Educational director
stressed need to upgrade ~kill~ a.t
Pinc~ Poim facility. Some disputed
OT reported by dc~k delegate.
Steward department given vote of
thanks for very good job.

LIBERTY SUN (Libeny Mari­
time), July 29-Chairman Joseph
W. Moore, Secretary Douglas A.
Neubauer. Educational Director
Samuel M. Addo, Deck Delc~atc
Donald L. Davis. Chairman stated
that after rooru inspeetion, those
leaving in Malta during ship layup
should tum in safety gear along
with room key. He also added that
company will not pay for extra
luggage;, Edw;ational director
advised crew member~ to atknd
upgrading classes at Paul Hall
Center and get required STCW
endorsements. No beefs of disput­
ed OT reported. Cost of living
~llownncr; rr;ceived aboard ship.
Thanks given to ~teward depart­
ment for job we11 done;,

SGT. MATEJ KOCEK (Water­
man Steamship Corp.), July 29-
Chuinmm Angelo J. Urti Jr.,
Secretary Stephen W. R9th,
Educational Director Morri~ A_
Jeff, Engine Delegate Robert C.
Hines Jr., Steward Delegate
Clarence C. Robinson. Chairman
announced payoff Aug. 2 in Jack­
sonville. Following discharge in
Newport News, vessel will enter
shipyard for approximately four
weeks. Bosun reminded everyone
to practice safe working habits
during offload and while in ship­
yard. Secretary said small stores
order, in~luding fresh milk, to be
received prior to ~hipyard period.
Educational director :sugge:sted

November 2001

everyone needing basic safety
training to comply with STCW be
persistent in trying to get into
classes at Paul Hall Center.
Classes are full, but sometimes an
opening appears at last moment
due to no-shows. No beefs or dis­
puted OT reported. Suggestion
made to increase pension days for
all union members aboard Navy
vessels. Request made for infor­
mation about any new changes to
insurance policy for members and
dependents. Everyone asked to
leave room keys on desk, strip
beds and have fresh linen in rooms
when disembarking at layoff. Vote
of thanks given to steward depart­
ment for job well done.

USNS STOCKHAM (Amsea),
July 30--Chairman Andrew
Barrows, Secretary Stephen
Avallone, Educational Director
Joseph Jenkins, Deck Delegate
William Bratton, Engine Dele­
gate Robert E. Lee, Steward
Delegate Debra Gardiner.
Chairman praised entire crew for
fulfilling their jobs throughout
shipyard and cargo-loading period.
He talked about arrival in Durban,
S. Africa and urged crew members
to use caution in pon. Educational
director led discussion about
STCW 95 . He re iewed ways to
obtain nece ary training and
stressed its imponance for those
wh .wish t continue sailin .
Trea~urer reported $275 in ship's
fund and asked for suggestions as
to how to spend the money. Some
di11puted OT rnported in dcok
department. Suggestion m~de to
get up gym on board ship.

ENDURANCE (U.S. Ship
Management), Aug. 6--Chairman
Romeo L. Lugtu, Secretary
Russell B. Beyschau, Educational
Director Kenneth Smith. Bosun
reported smooth trip and wished
everyone a nice vacation. He
brought up issue of coveralls.
Crew report they are too hot to
work in and may be possible sa.fe­
ty problem. Requested union offi­
cials send lotter to company
regarding this matter. Secretary
stated great trip with good team­
work in galley. Educational direc­
tor reminded crew of upcoming
STCW deadline. Ship has movie
fund from which movies ari: pur­
chased cac;:h trip. Somr; disputed
OT reported in engine department.
Crew discussed new contract and
requested some clarifications.
Proposal made for second dryer in
crr;w laundry room and new chairs
for crew mess and lounge. Thanks
given to steward department for
good food and ~ervice . Next port:
Long Beach, Calif.

GUAYAMA (NPR, Inc.), Aug.
19-Chainnan J9seph C. Osvriv,
Secretary Gin::t G . Lightfoot,
Steward Delegate Ossie D.
Statham. Chairman announced
inspection Aug. 20 with payoff in
Jacksonville the following day.
Educational director encouraged
everyone to upgrade at Piney
Point. No beefs or disputed OT
reported . Clarification requested
regarding GSU and wiper jobs.
Suggestion made to open slop
chest aboard ship. Crew member
asked to keep noise down on crew
declc. Next port~: Jachonville; San
Junn. P.R.

GUS DARNELL (Ocean
Shipholding Inc.), Aug. 12-
Chairman Michael A. Presser,
Secretary Kevin Marchand,
Educational Director Chris E.
Chambers, Deck Delegate
Charles J. Pomraning, Engine
Delegate Jacob Teiko, Steward
Delegate Sonia N. Felix. Secretary
noted ship due in Charleston Aug.
14 for payoff. Coast Guard inspec­
tion and fire drills will take place
in port. Educational director
reminded everyone to get STCW
training by first of year. Classes at
Piney Point are pretty full, so con­
tact school as soon as possible. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Request made for copies of con­
tract with OSI. Highlights of new
contract covered, including vaca­
tion time and new benefits cover­
age for dependents. Clarification
requested on rotating out after 75
days. New VCR to arrive in
Charleston, S.C. to replace broken
one in lounge. New exercise equip­
ment bought by captain apparently
off-limits to unlicensed crew.

/TB NEW YORK (Sheridan
Transportation), Aug. 18-Chair­
man Stephen J. Argay, Secretary
Virgilio A. Donghit, Educational
Director C. Price, Deck Delegate
Ron Webb, Steward Delegate
Brian C. Schmeer. Continuing
problem noted with TV reception.
Chairman thanked crew members
for helping out with separation of
garbage, trash and plastic items.
Educational director encouraged
everyone to upgrade skills at Paul
Hall Center and not to wait until
last minute before applying for
STCW training. No beefs or dis­
puted OT reported. Suggestion
made for option of working 2
months off and 2 months on. Also
requested information regarding
pension benefit increases. Special
thanks given to steward depart­
ment for good meals. ext port:
Jackson vi Ile.

Management), Aug. 20--Chairman
John J. Wells, Secretary Ronald
E. Aubuchon, Educational Direc­
tor Patrick J _ Corle§§, Deck Dele­
gttte Funk E. V6gl~l', Engine
Delegate Richard Robertson,
Steward Delegate Brian T.
McEleney. Chairman thanked
everyone for safe tour. Everything
going smoothly. Secretary remind­
ed crew members to help keep ship
clean and set good example. Edu­
cational director stressed impor­
tance of upgrading skills at Piney
Point school. "You have to learn
more in order to earn more." He
also advised them to get STCW
training before Feb. l, 2002 dead­
line. Treasurer announced $1,300
in ship's fund, to be used for
videotapes, magazine subscrip­
tions, pool parties and gym equip­
ment. Deck dcpo.rtmont delegate
reminded crew of safety factors
when working on deck, including
wearing ear protection and safety
goggles when mixing paint or
chemii;;als and wearing safety belt
when working aloft. Engine
department delegate expressed
gratitude to deck department for
assistance while tying up ship. He
also spoke about hazards of throw­
ing aerosol cans into incinerator.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Mail service aboard ship very slow
to and from U.S. Crew compli­
mented steward department for
maintaining high standards of SIU
and thanked steward department
for job well done. "It is a hard job
for the steward to keep up the
morale aboard ship during the
four-month tour. Thank you
again." Singled out was Chief
Cook McEleney, who puts a lot of
effort and extras in every meal.
Next port: Nagoya, Japan.

OVERSEAS MARILYN (Trans­
bulk Carrier Corp.), Aug. 26-
Chairman Jmm Cutillo, Secretary

Mark A. Flores. Chairman
thanked everyone for helping with
deck work. He reported payoff
Aug. 31 in Lake Charles, La.
Secretary noted trip to West Africa
was good. Some disputed OT
reported by deck department dele­
gate. Suggestion made to look into
increased retirement benefits and
money for return transportation
from foreign trip. Request made

A Credit to the SIU

supplied with fresh linen.
Educational director urged every­
one to upgrade skills at Piney
Point and be sure STCW and other
shipping documents are up to date.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Suggestion made to increase pen­
sion payment. Crew members
asked to help keep ship clean­
including trash in crew laundry
room and gear locker-as well as

From J.W. Bert, master aboard the Ewa (a Matson vessel), comes
this photo of Chief Steward Patrick Briggs with a mahi mahi he
caught off the ship's stern. "Not only did he catch it," Bert wrote, "he
cleaned it and made ceviche out of it. This guy is a credit to the SIU
and professional chefs everywhere." The captain and crew say
"Thank you, Pat."

for water filtration system. New
washer and dryer on order which
should be put aboard in Lake
Charles or Houston. Thanks given
to steward department for excel­
lent meals.

PACIFIC (CSX Lines), Aug. 20-
Chairman Lothar G. Reck,
Secretary Clancy T. Hennigan,
Educational Director Keith
Jordan Sr., Engine Delegate
Knolly T_ Wiltshire, Steward
Delegate Subagio Wibisono.
Chairman announced shipping is
good and will only get better. He
reported on new contract and
advised everyone to read LOG,
con i
room for next mariner. Secretary
recognized Aug. 20 as Paul Hall's
birthday. Educational director told
crew that time is running out to
comply with STCW training
requirements. Treasurer announced
$306 dollars in ship's fund and an
equal amount in barbecue fund.
Some disputed OT reported in
deck department. Crew members
happy about SIU-NMU merger. It
gives union stronger voice to fight
foreign-flag shipping. Suggestion
made to relocate gym to more suit­
able space. Crew thanked steward
department for outstanding job.
Next port: Tacoma, Wash.

SEALAND FLORIDA (U.S. Ship
Management), Aug. 5-Chairman
Jose F. Caballero. Secretary Jose
A. Rivera, Educational Director
Eric D. Bnin, Deck Delegate
Steven H. Ledermann, Engine
Delegate Seller T. Brvvks.
Chairman advised crew members
to renew STCW endorsements.
After Feb. 1, 2002, you can't ship
without them. Secretary thanked
all three departments for helping
keep ship clean. Educational direc­
tor urged members to upgrade
skills at Paul Hall Center whenev­
er possible. Some disputed OT
reported in deck department.
Request made that, in future, crew
be informed by e-mail of contract
negotiation results. Special thanks
given to chief cook and SA for
excellent work during illness of
steward. Next port: Houston.

SULPHUR ENTERPRISE
(Sulphur Carriers), Aug. 26-
Chairman Michael J_ Proveaux,
Secretary Tran Nee, Educational
Director Wayne F. Gonsalves,
Steward Delegate Floyd Bishop.
Chairman announced payoff in
Tampa, Fla. Secreta.ry reminded
those crew members gening off to
make sure rooms are clean and

removing lint from dryer filter.
Request made for ice box in each
room. Vote of thanks given to
steward department for job well
done. Next port Galveston, Texas.

PAUL BUCK (Ocean Shipholding
Inc.), Sept. 2-Chairrnan Harry
G. Champagne, Secretary Paul
Sullivan, Educational Director
Murray W. Roberson, Deck
Delegate William H. Bubrig III,
Engine Delegate Roy C. Robinson
Jr., Steward Delegate Adolphus
C. Young. Chairman noted dues
are to be paid in port of payoff. A
member can be pulled off ship for
non-payment of dues. He also
reminded everyone of upcoming
STCW compliance deadline- Feb.
1, 2002. Secretary stated stores
received in Houston and thanked
everyone for their patience.
Educational director led discussion
about STCW. Crew members
expressed desire for satellite dish.
Crew willing to raise funds if com­
pany meets them half-way.
Treasurer announced $60 in ship's
fund. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. New standard agreement
received aboard ship. All agreed it
looked good and expressed grati­
tude for pay increase. Suggestion
made for change in retirement reg­
ulations. Next port: Norfolk, Va.

SMT CHEMICAL TRADER
(Marine Transport Lines), Sept.
2--Chairman Raymond A. Tate,
Secretary Henry Greene Jr.,
Educational Director Nikolay
Entcbev, Deck Delegate Mary R.
Bado, Steward Delegate Aristide
Langlois Ill Chairman announced
payoff Sept. 4. Educational direc­
tor stressed importance of continu­
ally upgrading skills at Paul Hall
Center. Treasurer reported $3,800
in ship's fund. No beefs or disput­
ed OT reported. Communications
from headquarters regarding pay­
offs. vacation pay, draws and relief
read to crew and posted.

USNS ASSERTIVE (Maersk
Lines Ltd.), Sept. 8-Chairman
Michael R. O'Connell, Secretary
Jose K. Sialana. Educational
Director Geoffrey W. Bagley,
Deck Delegate Walter A. Lichotta
Jr., Steward Delegate Marjorie L.
Harris. Chairman stated odor of
fuel detected in water system dur­
ing shipyard period and upon leav­
ing shipyard. Testing found no
contamination. No beefs or disput­
ed OT reported. Vessel to go into
ROS for two months.

Seafarers LOB 19

"'



Paul Hall Center Classes

Welding-
completing the

two-week welding
course Oct. 5 are
(from left) George

Lockett, Arnido
Sindac, Nestor
Martinez, John

Gilston and Buzzy
Andrews (instruc­

tor).

Welding - Under the in~t(U¢ti¢1'1 ¢f Bully AMraws, this group of engine department
members gained weldinQ experience that will help them accomplish basic temporary or
emergency tepeir$ while underway on a workboat or barge. Graduating from the course
Aug. 1 O are {in cilphabetical order) Charle5 Brad5haw, Louis Champa Jr., Richard Grubbs,
Mike Kifle, Patrick Mah~r, Lamar Parker, Ricardo Ouinones. Terry Santruce. Christopher
Syke~ and Vernon White.

Final Departures
Contim1ed from page 18

INLAND

PATRJCK COBBS
Boatman Patrick C6bhs, 33, died
July 5. Ite started his cnreer with the
Seafarers in 1989. The deck depart­
ment member sailed primarily
aboard Orgulf Trun5port Co. YC66d6.

Peoria, I11. was Boarman Cobbs'
home.

DEFINRIVAS
Pensioner Detin
Rivas, 67, died
July 14.
Boatman Rivas
started his SIU
career in 1977,
joining in the
port of
Philadelphia.

--""'"""'~ Born in the
PhiHppines, he served in the U.S.
Navy from 1958 to 1977. Boatman
Rivas worked primarily aboard
Mariner Towing (Maritrans) vessels.
A member of the steward depart­
ment, he started colleciing his pen­
sion in 1996. Boatman Rivas was a
rnsident of Vir~inia Beach, Va.

GREAT LAKES

STEVE GOBRUKOVICH
Pensioner Steve Geibrukovick, 86,
passed away Aug. 29. The New
Jersey m1.tive joined I.he Seaforer:s in
19:6 and sp~nt his ~nti ~ c~reer

20 Seafarers LOS

aboard vessels
operated by
Great Lakes
Towing Co.A
member of the
deck depart·
ment, Brother
Gobrukovich
began receiving

--"------his retirement
compensaLion in 1984. He lived in
Panama City Beach, Fla.

PETER JONAS
Pensioner Peter Jonas, 76, died June
16. Brother Jonas darted his SJU
career in 1964, joining in FrMkfort,
Mich. He served in the U.S. Navy
from 1942 to 1946. Brother Jonas
fir t sailed aboard a Mackinac
TrMsport Co. vessel. The Michigan
native worked in the engine depart­
ment in both the Great Lakes and
deep sea divisions. He last shipped
on Straits Car Ferry Service Corp. 's
Chief Wawatam. Brother Jonas start­
ed receiving his pension in 1990. He
resided in St. Ignace, Mich.

ARANTIC FISHERMEN

PAUL PARISI

Pensioner Paul Parisi, 77, passed
,away June 15. The Massachusetts
native joined the Atlantic Fisher­
men's Union in 1944 in Gloucester,
Mass., before it merged with the
AGLIWD . Brother Parisi spent his
entire career working on fishing ves­
sels. The deck department member
started drawing his retirement
incom@ in 1984. Brother Parisi lived
in Gloucester.

Gl\IDSS - Earning their
GMDSS certificates of com­

pletion sept. 14 are (from left.
trcnt row) Bernabe Pelingon

(instructor), Horace Wood,
Roger Stewart, John Meyers,
Donald Bridenstine Jr .. (sec­

ond row) Jose Marrero,
Stephen Votta, William

Dekker, Howard Hawrey and
Brad Wheeler (instructor).

Tanker Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL)
- Graduating from the tanker familiarization/assis­
tant cargo (DL) course Sept. 28 are (in no specific
order) Ashley Nelson, Patrick Kuhn, Jermaine
Williams, Angelo Bottoni, Kareem Joseph , Paul
Simpson, Brandon Harold, John Herr, Victor
Sahagron, David James, Felix Medina, Miguel
Hernandez, Daniel Thompson, Jose Cuevas,
Christopher Kemper, Brian Manion, Justin Koger,
Michael King, Matthew Himes, Oscar Garcia, Delray
Brown, Danny Minor, Hanapiah Ismail, Lester Hoffman
and Michael Meany.

See pages 22 and 23

for additional

Paul Hall Center

class photos.

ARPA­
Upgrading deck

bers who com­
pleted the ARPA
course Sep.
are (from left,
seated) Scott
Dickinson, Robert
Bakeman, (sec­
ond row)
Ferdinand
Gabuten, Dennis
Hurley, Stephen
Votta and Michael
Daniels.

STCW Medical
Care Provider
- Completing the
medical care provider
course Sept. 28 are
(from left, seated)
Mark Watson,
Emmanuel Wabe,
Zeoko Nikolic, (sec­
ond row) Skip
McCray, Tracy Reed,
Louis Gregoire, Jose
Marrero and Ken
Graybill.

November 2001



~------------------.... ----~----- -- - - - -- - - -

······sEAFAllERSrPAUt ·· HALL .,.CENTER
UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE

The following is the schedule through the end of 200 I at the Paul Hall Center
for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All programs are
geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American mar­
itime industry.

Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the mem­
bership, 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 reserva­

.. 'lions should be made/or Saturday.
Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses oftered at

the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010.

·::·Course

y.:A.ble .Searpan. ,
(i.ncllfding ~imulator

: ... ; .steer!'.!¥ a~~~ssments) .

Deck Upgrading Courses
Arrival
Date

Start
Date

Date of
Completion

November 17

November 16

Date of
Completion

UPGRADING APPLICATION

Name
-------~--------------------

Address ----------------------------

Telephone ______ ___ _ _ Date of Birth -----~---
Deep Sea Member D Lakes Member D Inland Waters Member D

If the following information is not fill~d out completely. your application will not be

proc~ss~d.

Social Security# ___ ____ _ _ Book#
----------~

Seniority _ _ __________ _ Department ________ _

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

Endorsement(s) or License{s) rt¢w be1d - ---------------

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

If yes. class# -------- - ------- ---------­

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

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 D No

Primary 1anguage spoken

11ovemoe1 2001

Engine Upgrading Courses
Arrival

Course Date

Fireman/Watertender & Oiler November3

Welding

Course

Government Vessels

Basic Fire Fighting/STCW
Basic Safety

~·ta.o,k.er Familiarization/
Assistant Cargo (DL) *
(*must have basic ji1l! fighting)

November24

Safety Specialty Courses
Arrival
Date

November 10
November 24

November 10
November 17
November24
December 1
December8
·Decembet 15

November 11

Date of
Completion

December 14

December 14

Date of
Completion

November 30
December 14

November16
November 23
November 30
December7
December 14
December 21

Novemher24

.. . .. . :~ -:~. / ... "'.:'.~·•·: .> .. }.~~.P~~~,,.(~,. D,R~'J~'!t:.Courses
.Ge~er~l ~dtl~~ti6~-·a~~{~~ll~g~"~~~s~~ Jr~ '.~~~l~bt~· ~~ ·~e·~~d. I~ addition, basic
v:ocari,o.nal suppol! prggrarµ}~ou,rses are offered throughout the year, one week

.· iir.il;lrj~o·.·th9 :·:An; ·:: Qhlf?P.;::::F,QWT; . Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water
.· Syryiv:~l co~ses;An iptroduction to computers course will be self-study. _

With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty
(120) days seatimefor the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date
your class starts, USMMD (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 OMED a11olicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard
&e ul SZSO with their anplicadon The nayment should be made with a monev order onlv.
payable to LMSS.

COURSE
BEGIN
DATE

END
DATE

LAST VESSEL:------------ --- Rating: ___ _

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

SIGNATURE - - ----------- DATE

NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you
present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any ques­
tions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point.

RETURN COMPLETED APPUCATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education,
Admis!lions 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 :studcnt:i in it:i programs or activities.

11/0l

Seafarers LOB 21

•



!
I
!'

I

•

Paul Hall Center Classes

Photo above and below: Samuel Addo, William Blees Jr., Johny
Bolton Jr., Joseph Crandley Jr., Francisco Diego, Edward Ellis,
Billy Epps, Clayton Everett, Florencia Farquhar, Allen Faulks,
Keith Grandy, Fernando Guity, Johnny Hammock, Mulai Ismail,
Gregory Jarvi:s, Shaib Jumil, Lloyd LaBeilch, Ge<:>rge Lavender,

Basic Safety Training
Classes Held at
Paul Hall Center

James Reily, Everett Watkins, LaRue Wilkinson, Mark Stewart, Mick
Hall , Christopher Janics, Don Tagart, Capt. Bill Turner, David Stillis,
Jonathan Weaver, Larry Vouga, Greg Tojong, David Vega, Michael
Zoabi. J.O. Willis. Marcelo Solano, Wilfredo Rice. Lionel Taylor,
Michael Watson, Terry White and Edwin Taylor.

Erik Lindgren, Jose MM'$(¢, Mauritio Martine~. William McDonald, Clyde McNatt,
Donald Midgette, Elida Miguel, Raymond Natel'lir\ Ar"lgel Pel'e~. Steven Phelps,
Delmas Price, Robert Rager, Suzanne Santora, Grant Schuman, William Shelley,
Jorge Soler, Thomas Stephens, Roger Stewart, Justin Valencia Rodriguez, Stephen
V~tt~ . R~y w~rrAt\ Rudy wattimAru1, Stev~ Wells, Michael Wende, Ralph Wical, Paul
Will~ and Bruce Wright

William Dize,
Catalino Diaz,
Samuel Bracero,
David Claypool,
John Day,
Bgnjamine Cruz,
Leo Bonser, Todd
Desrosiers,
Karmen Crawford,
Gary Clark, Gray
Bruber, Dale
Beard and Josef
Dudas.

Keith D1.1nnaverit, Jeffrey Fi~lds , John Emrich, Hubert Joseph, David Gannoun.
Victorino Echague, Macie GrabOwski, Greg Johnson, MarK Godbold, Yuano lsril ,
Oscar Garcia, John Grosskurt II and Edilberto Guerrero.

Robert Pagan Jr. ,
Pablo Lopez,

Richard McEvoy,
Eduardo

Munizaga, James
McParlaM,

Nelson Powers .
John Lamprecht.
Gregory Melvin,
George Lockett,

Lon Piner, snane
Parrish and 9asil

Messer.

22 seatarers LO&

Robert Neal,
Alexander Nichol­
son, Rubin Mitchell,
Ralph Moore,
John Mensah, Jacob
Matthew, Francisco
Miranda, Samuel
Norteye, Juan
Mamaril, William
Lowery, James
O'Meara, Abad
Martinez, Justino
Martinez, James
Murphy, Bruce
Milburn, Ali Mohsin,
Eric Manley, Julius
Mathias and Rickey
Mason.

Ali Amran, Ismael Castillo, Flavio Castillo, Mario Bernardez, Joselito Antonio, Roberto
Botin, Romeo Azcarate. Bernard Burns, Gertrudis Arzu, Juan Cantalejo, Ar"lthony Brooks,
Carlos Castillo, Alex Cheek, Oscar Castillo, William Buhrig Ill, Randolph Bolling, Howard
Blake, William Bunch, James Atwell and Martin Allred.

W~ldcn Heblich Jr., Melvin Kerns. Carey Heinz. Andy lliscupidez, Jamal Kassim, Rudolph
Lopez, Ronald Kitlas, Timothy Hallett. Justo Lacayo, Julio Guity, Julio Guzman, Darryl
Jackson, James Jerscheid. Melvin Guerrero. Muslim Khan, Roderick Hall, Amir Kasim and
Gloria Holmes.

NoJ1embel' 2001



Paul Hall Center Classes

Rubin Casin Jr., Alexander Campbell, Ronald Charles, Jose
c1rmer, Randall Brown. Nagmadeen Abdo, Jose Adames,
TMrM5 Fra~er. Jeanette Bosworth. Ali Hussein, Larry Adbrous,
Stanley Daranda, Robert Albers, James Francis, Terry Bass,
Julius Ge>pelend. Albert Alexander. Ngol Allen, Eric Berry, Stephen
Castle, John Barcroft. Kenneth Carruth and Lincoln McRae Ill.

Basic Safety Training
Classes Held at
Paul Hall Center

Kenneth Adams, Efrain Collazo, Anthony Bach, Donte Martin,
Ardale Crim, Charlie Carlson, Gregory Carroll, Joseph Bonys,
Abdo Ashariki, Sterling Adams, Jesley Callum, Victor Chance,
Robert Borchester, Blaga Mircea, Adonis Ard Sr., Nestor Agcaoili,
Ernie Aguinaldo, Bryan Patterson, Franklin Coburn, Hussan
Bouqfa, James Buchowski, Timothy Dally, Roderick Bright,

~---o:::::;•-"""lilf=""..,..,..,..,,,.....,..,,~~,,..,,,..,...,..,,,,,.,....,.,,.. Anthony Brown, Willie Clemmons
and Ramon Camacho.

Raynaldo Ramirez, Louis
Robinson, Hussain Saleh,
DeJesus Santiago, Gloria
Shaprio, Grant Shipley,
Arnido Sindac, Glenn Snow,
Edward Sosa, Stanley
Sporna, David Toves, Gary
Truvia, Manuel Uy, Jesus
Velazquez, Leroy Woods,
Warnie Worthy, Rolf
Zurstrassen and Stuart
Donovan.

Erik Loret, Billy Love,
Jose Macadaiim,

.,__.._.~=-= "'----~-__...,.,icbael Meaay,_S.ye.d

Jose Siinchez, Josiah Tucker, Sifrino Sanchez, Charle~ Sneed, Chaerul Salim,
Gordon Smith, Richard Sanderson, Arlie Villasor, Louis Holder Jr., Frank
Sanchez:, Osvaldo Sanchez:, Carlos Valerio, Guy Prescott, Victor Perez,
Kenneth Smith. Clive Steward. Ken Stratton. Brian Wagoner. Mack Revis,
Antjuan Webb, Van Watler, Andres Watler and Juan DeRivera.

Steve Ahrean5, Obaid Ali, Carlos Aquino, Ismael Ayala, Anderson Azevedo,
Rahal Bagchi, Frank Bennett, Fidel Blanco, Dennis Brown, Gery Byrd, Rene
Cal)allero, Rolando Callejas, Dan Davison, Paul Domes, Ronald Drew, David
Dunklin, Tnomas Allen, Brian Smitn and Oscar Gomez.

Norember 2001

Medhi. Ruben Morales.
Alejandro Morel, Glenn

Naundorf, Domiciano
Nonato, Rodolfo

Orlanda, Richard Parker,
Luis Perez, Nelson Poe,
R.afael Prim and George

Perry.

Roberto Nunez, Joseph Perfetto, James Blanchard, Timothy Olvany, Jackie Jones, James Miller,
Arvid Friberg Ill. Jigarov Mircea. George Legg, Jean Nicastri. Walter Matt. Lucas Majia, Roger
Mosley Jr., Emmett Neathery, Donald Hood, Edward O'Reilly, Chris Pope, George Jenkins, Alice
Poree, Dana Naze, Reginald Hunter, James Johnson, Ali Matari, Michael Perez, Donte Martin,
Carlos Nunez:, Khalifa Mohamed and Jose Perea.

Abdulla Quaraish, Jeffrey Fuller, Rudolph Maycock, Charles Kirksey Ill, Peter Madden, Clyde
Luse. Donald Ouellette, Roberto Gonzalez, George Macaluso, Daisy Joseph, Gregory Greene,
Larry Halley, Eddie Hall, Alan Nelson, Larry Lopez, Wilfredo Lansangan, Roderick Gordon Sr.,
Samuel Johnson, Charles Nieves, James Haskins, Michael Johnson Sr., Raymond Johnson,
Abdalla Gaafar and Jerald Galletta.

Seafarers LOB 23

.,

t

,



t..'

Each yeart the International
Maritime Organization (IMO)
celebrates World Maritime Day, a
24-hour period to focus attention
on the importance e>f shipping
safety and the marine environ­
ment.

The IMO is the United Nations
body whose mandate is to orga­
nize coopcrntion betweett govern­
ments fot rtgulating international
shipping and encouraging the
adoption of the highest standards
of maritime safety.

This year 's theme for the Sept.
27 event was "Globalization- The
Cost to the Seafarer." Its aim was
to celebrate the importance of
seafarers and inform the public on
the sacrifices they make to help
ki:d, clothe and hou~e the rest of
the world.

A~tivitic;;! wr;rr; pl<lnned by
International Transport Workers'
Federation (ITF) affiliates around
the world-from Albania and
Australia to the United Kingdom
and the U.S.A.

The ITF-a worldwide federa­
tion of more than 570 transport
trade unions in 132 countrir;s­
CiMtributed $500,000 toward the
i;:ost of a m~m.orial ta geafarers,
which was unveiled Sept. 27 in
Lortd\)11, at the headquarters of the
IMO.

In Belgium, unions and ship
ownr;n arranged a joint press con­
ference to raise their common
concerns regarding seafarers and
substandard shipping, while in
Kenya seafarers and dockers
unions joined together for a rally
in Mombu;,u to highlight the
objectives of th~ IMO.

A seminar was planned in
C1JlQmbiu to highlight the prob­
km~ faced by seafarers, and in
Trinidad & Tobago, the govern­
ment was informed of t e ismes
relating to employment, safety
i111d training of seafarers.

All over the world, seafaring
unions a~tivdy participated in
some way.

In Washington, D .C ., STU
Secretary-Treasurer David Hein­
d~l, who also serves as the 2"" vice
i;hair for ITF ~s Seafarers' Section,
met at the office of (Acting)
Maritime Administrator Bruce
Carlton. Along with MTD
Executive Secretary Frank
Pecquex and congressional and
government officials, they talked
about the ITF's campaign against
flags of convenience and issues
pertaining to safety at sea.

Globarzation
The shipping industry, much

like regulakd air travel, is truly
global in its scope. The maritime
industry carries most of the
world's trade and i~ crucial to the
global economy.

But mlllly people are unaware
that every day around the world,
seafarers desperate for work put

Volume 63 Number 11

ecognizes Sacrifices
.... en Around the World

World Maritime Day in Washington, D.C. was observed in the office of
(Acting) Maritime Administrator Bruce CarltM {l~ft) . With him (from the
left) are Stew~rt How<!!rd, ITF assistant general secretary: Patrick
Wi@§@, d~puty ehief counsel. MarAd: David Heindel, SIU secretary­
trAasurer and 2nd vice chair ITF Seafarers' Section: and ~rank
Pecque.x, executive secretary, Maritime Trades Department.

to sea in aged ships, uncertain
whether they will arrive in port
safely or whether they will be
paid or even fed.

Many of the world's 1.2 mil­
lion seafarers work aboard flag of
convenience vessels-ship~ fly­
ing the flag of one country other
than that of ownership solely to
bypass health, safety and environ­
mental standards as well as de~ent
wages and basic human rights.
Some mariners work long days
with almost no rest, no training, a
lack of medical provisions and the
risk of being abandoned without
wages if the ship breaks down or
gets detained in a foreign port.

The ITF has identified 30
countries as having flags of con­
venience. Even landlocked
nations like Luxembourg have a
n:gi5try,

Each year, the crews of about
1,500 ships complain to the ITF
about non-payment of wages. In
the three-year period from 1998
to 2000, no less than $105 million
was rr;covered through the ITF for
crews who had not been paid.

The United Nations Con­
vention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS), which was adopted
in 1982 and came into effe~t in
1994, sets out the duties of a flag
state and requires that each one
should "effectiYely exercise its
jurisdiction and control in admin­
istrative, technical and social mat­
ters over ships flying its flag." It
also lays down requirements on
factors such as the maintenance of
record~ , legal jurisdiction on
board ships, the safety of ships,
training, qualifications, confor­
mance with international regula­
tions and the number of people
necessary to crew a ship.

It is these duties which many
flag of convenience registries fail
to carry out. resulting in a loss of
protection for many men and
women trying to make a decent
hfe at~~~-

The International Transport
Workers' Federation (ITF) in late
July-early August supported a
week of a.~tion to carry out ship
inspections throughout the world.

But inspectors of the ITF are
constantly on the lookout for flag
of convenience vessels that are
frought with danger, poor work­
ing conditions and lack of pay.

So it was on Sept. 5, when ITF
inspectors Tony Sacco and Arthur
Petitpas were alerted by ITF
Inspector/Coordinator U.S. East
Coast Ricky Esopa to a bulk car­
rier that departed Albany, bound
for the scrap metal yard in
Chesapeake, Va. The crew mem­
bers aboard this vessel. the
Millenium Africa (which flies the
flag of Malta) had complained
about back wages owed.

When Sacco and Petitpas
boarded the ship the following
day, most of the crew--consist­
ing of 20 Russians, four
Ukrainians and two Romanians
-were afraid to spcnk for fear of
losing their jobs. The ones who
did open up to the ITF inspectors
talked about the low wages
aboard ship and that they had not
been paid in two-and-a-half

Making Life Better for Seafarers
The ITF believes that the following steps would begin to make a
dramatic difference to the lives of seafarers:

• Abolition of the flag-of-convenience system;

• Recognition by the public of the vital work which seafarers per­
form;

• Have ports consider banning ships and flags which do not meet
minimum standards set by UN agencies;

• Reward good shipowners and penalize bad ones;

• Fine companies for using substandard ships to deliver their
products;

• Shipowners and unions to discuss and implement the reforms
proposed by the International Commission on Shipping (an
independent commission of experts);

• Increase the number of crew members aboard a ship; and

• Retention of cabotage (protection of coastal trade) to encour­
age the development of maritime infrastructure and to place
maritime transport within an integrated and sustainable trans­
port policy.

ITF inspectors helped erew members aboard the rust-covered,
Maltese-flag Mil/enium Africa get back pay and repatriation.

months. A number of them want·
ed to be paid and repatriat<;d. The
captain, however, stated there
were no problems.

The c1Jmpany port captain
boarded the ship Sept. I 0 and said
he would contact the owners and
make sure the money was wired
the next business day, Sept. 11.

The devastation caused by the
terrorist attack on America tem­
porarily delayed access to the
money, but by Sept. 12, $30,800
was made available for payoff.

Those crew members who
wished to depart, however, had to

wait another week before the air­
ports reopened and they were
able to fly home. On this date,
Sacco also witnessed the final
payment of back wage~. Ulti­
mately, the total back wage claim
was $53,161.

After loading its cargo of scrap
metal, the Millenium Africa was
heading to Indonesia and then to
the shipyard for repairs. In
approximately three months, it is
going to New Orleans for a load
of grain. Rest assured, ITF
inspectors there will be on the
lookout for this vessel.

From the left: The captain prepares for a payoff;
an AB signs the required form following payment
of his back wages; and some of the crew from the
Millenium Africa wait for repatriation.


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