Seafarers Log: Vol. 64 No. 5 (2002-05-01)

Volume 64, Number 5

u# rue
unaway-Flag Ships

Still Smuggling Refugees
Disgraceful Case of 'Monica' Imperiled Children - Page 3

New Dredge
Christened

The union last
month joined
Great Lakes
Dredge & Dock
Co. in welcoming
the hopper dredge
Liberty Island,
christened April 9
at Port
Everglades, Fla.
SIU President
Michael Sacco,
pictured at the cer­
emony, called the
dredge "an all­
American vessel."

~-- Page4.

40 Years of SPAD
Since its founding in 1962, the
union's voluntary political action fund
has helped protect the SIU's inter­
ests. In this 1976 photo, presidential
candjdate Jimmy Car:ter:-pledges-Su
port for a cargo-preference bill as

.. then-SIU President Paul Hall (seated
to Carter's right) listens. Page 6.

Midnight Sun Construction Proceeding Well LNG Ships
l
i Construction that began in June 2001 is entering its final stages as the roll­

on/roll-off vessel Midnight Sun rounds into shape in San Diego. Page 7.

Rescue 12
-----Page4

CIVMAR
News
-----Page9

Port Security
Update
_____ Page5



President's Report
The Face of Runaway-Flag Shipping

The story in this month's LOG about the runaway-flag vessel that
transported more than 900 illegal immigrants to Italy casts a reveal­

ing light on the lack of accountability that charac­
terizes flag-of-convenience shipping.

It's tough to say which is more regrettable in
this case-the human suffering, or the fact that it's
not all that unusual when it comes to runaway
flags.

The run-down freighter Monica, flying the flag
of a nation that has no business running a ship reg­

Michael Sacco ister, somehow delivered its human cargo. So des­
perate were the passengers that some actually

threatened to throw children into the sea when faced with possible
boarding of their decrepit vessel by Italian maritime authorities.

Later, with the ship in port and I.he situation relatively more calm,
the story took on a face: that of the sick 4-year-old boy, dressed in
rags and unclaimed by anyone. Such is the commerce of runaway
flags.

The Monica episode is eerily similar to one that took place a year
earlier in France. In both cases, the refugees paid thousands of dol­
lars apiece for their transport-money that flowed into criminals'
hands and fueled the FOC dilemma.

If you've followed the International Transport Workers'
Federation campaign against runaway flags, you know those aren't
isolated incidents. Among other examples, during the 1990s the
United States literally faced shiploads of illegal Chinese immigrants
who paid their way aboard runaway-flag ships bound for America.

The pitfalls of runaway-flag shipping aren't limited to smuggling
illegals. In a high-profile case last year, the head of the ITF-with no
shipboard experience-purchased a first officer's certificate from the
Panamanian registry. That situation symbolized the enormous safety
hazards spawned by FOC registers whose monitoring of their so­
called mariners begins and ends as soon as the application fees are in
the bank.

The runaway-flag scam also leads to circumstances like the one
recently investigated by SIU ITF inspectors in Florida. As reported
on the next page, the inspectors discovered slave-like conditions on
the FOC vessel Ismael Express-lack of stores, lack of pay, extreme­
ly unsafe conditions.

It is so common for crews on runaway-flag ships to be owed
wages that ITF inspectors last year recovered more than $1 million in
back pay for mariners aboard FOC ships.

Additionally, dangers of runaway flags have taken on added
urgency in the wake of the terrorist attacks against the U.S. Port
security has become a gigantic issue in Washington, D.C. and
throughout the nation, due in no small part to the large number of
FOC ships calling on our harbors every day. The very nature of run­
away-flag shipping-often intentionally elusive- makes it a serious
threat to national security.

For all of those reasons, the SIU is more committed than ever to
supporting the ITF campaign against FOCs. We recognize the threats
as well as the extent of the task, and we remain undeterred.

Honoring Our Heritage
This month, at ceremonies in Washington and elsewhere through­

out the country, America will honor its maritime history on National
Maritime Day.

Appropriately, most of the focus will be on those mariners who
gave their lives in the line of duty, especially the thousands who per­
ished during the monumental seali:ft operations of World War II.

The ceremonies are important and worthwhile. Still-and this has
been said before-the best tribute our nation can pay to those
mariners who answered the call is to reinforce our commitment to
building and maintaining a strong U.S. fleet.

History has demonstrated that maritime is a proven, vital and cost­
effective defense industry. At a time when America is weighing its
safety needs and vulnerabilities, our citizens deserve a robust U.S.
Merchant Marine that will continue to protect our national and eco­
nomic security.

Volume 64, Number 5 May 2002

The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org

The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published month­
ly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf,
Lakes and Inland Waters District/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,
5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746.
Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing
Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim
Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne
Textor.

Copyright © 2002 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD
All Rights Reserved.

2 Seafarers LOS

ANWR Fight lsn1t Finished
Senate Fails to Limit Debate on Amendments

The U.S. Senate on April 18
failed to secure cloture on two
amendments to the Senate energy
bill from Alaska's Senators Frank
Murkowski and Ted Stevens and
Louisiana Senator John Breaux to
open the Coastal Plain of the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
(ANWR) to oil and gas develop­
ment.

The ANWR amendments fell
14 votes shy of prevailing over a
filibuster, falling on a 46-54 tally.

But the fight isn't over. The
aforementioned senators as well
as other backers of safely devel­
oping ANWR vowed to advance
the cause. Stevens pledged to
introduce an amendment (as the
LOG went to press) that would
provide native Alaskans living in
ANWR the right to drill on the
92,000 acres they own. That
expected amendment highlights
what some Alaskans reportedly
see as a fight against federal law­
makers for states' rights.

"They have a right to drill on
their own land," Stevens said.

"We're just getting warmed
up," Murkowski stated.

The amendments would give
the president the authority to
safely explore, develop and pro­
duce the Coastal Plain's resources
if it serves U.S. national econom­
ic and security interests. They
also would also designate an
additional 1.5 million acres of the
refuge to wilderness status.

The SIU strongly favors safe
development of ANWR. The
union has lobbied for opening the
Coastal Plain because it would
create good jobs for U.S. citizens
as well as lessen the nation's
reliance on foreign energy
sources.

"My own state of Louisiana
has a 60-year track record of pro­
ducing oil and gas in ecosystems
far more fragile and sensitive
than the desolate tundra of the
coastal plain of Alaska," said
Breaux. "I have visited ANWR in
the winter and summer, and I
believe limited exploration on the
Coastal Plain is consistent with
protecting the environment
because modern technology
drilling and development are sen­
sitive to both ecology and to local
concerns. Energy development
has the support of the people of

Safe development of the Coastal Plain would lessen U.S. reliance on
foreign energy sources.

Alaska and can be done today
without damaging Alaska's
ecosystem."

Arctic Power, a prominent
coalition in favor of safely devel­
oping ANWR, said the Senate fil­
ibuster last month ignores both
"the critical national security
implications of our need for
increased domestic production"
and "the voice of organized labor
and the native Alaskans who live
and own land in ANWR. By fail­
ing to pass these amendments the
Senate failed not only the Inupiat
land holders in the Coastal Plain
and Alaskans who rely on a
resource economy, but all
Americans who face rising gas
prices and greater dependence on
foreign and unstable sources of
oil."

Stevens described ANWR's
opponents as "radical environ­
mentalists." He also posed this
question: "Why should the
Alaska Eskimos be the only
indigenous people who own land

that are forbidden from drilling
on it, forbidden from using it to
provide jobs for their people and
jobs for American industry?"

Later on April 18, the Senate
passed an amendment from
Murkowski that bans oil imports
from Iraq until the United
Nations confirms that the country
is adhering to weapons-inspec­
tions programs.

"We need only look back on
the past month to understand the
extent of the chaos and uncertain­
ty that exists in the Middle East,"
Murkowski said earlier in the
month. "Iraq increased the reward
to each Palestinian suicide
bomber to $25,000 and imposed a
30-day oil embargo against us.
With labor strikes cutting exports
from Venezuela and the Iraqi
embargo, nearly 30 percent of our
imported oil is now in jeopardy.
Saddam Hussein has called on the
Arab world to use oil as a weapon
against the United States. Are we
going to defend ourselves?"

Sen. Ted Stevens Sen. John Breaux Sen. Frank Murkowski

Federation's Lawsuit
Challenges Parts of
Campaign Finance Law

munication that refers to a federal candidate, includ­
ing incumbent lawmakers, in any manner within 60
days of a general election or 30 days of a primary or
a convention.

The lawsuit also challenges provisions that rede­
fine what kind of "coordination" of a union's public
advocacy (by the union on the one hand, and a can­
didate, including an incumbent office holder or a
political party on the other) might be considered an
unlawful union contribution to that candidate or
party. These provisions will impede the labor move­
ment's efforts to work with legislators and engage in
public issue advocacy.

The AFL-CIO on April 22 filed a complaint in
federal court in Washington, D.C. challenging the
constitutionality of several provisions of the new
campaign finance statute signed into law in March.

"The AFL-CIO strongly supports meaningful
campaign finance reform, including banning or lim­
iting soft money at the national party level, as well
as other key parts of the new statute. But this law
also unfairly and severely interferes with the ability
of unions to communicate with the public and to
advance working family interests in the U.S.
Congress," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.
"Although other legal challenges to the new law are
pending, the labor movement will now be able to
advance our own claims and principles directly."

The lawsuit challenges three aspects of the new
law, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002,
under the First and Fifth Amendments to the
Constitution. It contests provisions that will make it
a crime for a labor organization to broadcast a com-

Additionally, the lawsuit challenges provisions
that compel unions and political committees to
make advance public disclosures of possible public
communications, broadcast and otherwise, that
might refer to candidates or important issues. The
AFL-CIO supports strong disclosure laws, but
forced publication of the mere intention to speak
later will exert chilling effects and impose unjusti­
fied burdens and costs.

The AFL-CIO lawsuit does not contest signifi­
cant portions of the new law, including its prohibi­
tions and restrictions on soft money contributions to
national, state and local parties, officeholders and
candidates, and its extensive other new disclosure
requirements.

May2002



Tonga-Flagged Refugee Ship Another Case of FOG Sleaze
Incident Shows Role of Runaway Flags as Instruments for People-Smuggling

To those unfamiliar with the
maritime industry's sordid side,
the case of the dilapidated run­
away-flag freighter Monica may
seem too disgraceful to be true.

The story came to light in
March, when the Tonga-flagged
ship-which has used 10 names
and at least seven runaway flags
since 1988- was apprehended by
the Italian navy after arriving off
the coast of Sicily carrying 928
people, most of them Kurdish
women and children seeking asy­
lum from Iraq.

As in many other well-docu­
mented cases involving runaway­
flag ships (also known as flags of
convenience or FOCs ), the details

Suspended or Not?
Tonga is a South Pacific tsland

In Western Polynesia. It's also one
of the latest additions to the
International Transport Workers'
Federation's list of flag-of-conve­
nience (FOC) countries.

In just two years, the Tongan
registry has gone from zero to 200
ships. Until last month, it had been
operated from Piraeus.

On April 11, the maritime
industry newspaper Lloyd's List
chronicled several disturbing
developments involving the reg­
istry in recent months which
underscore the pitfalls of runaway­
flag shipping.

Early this year. Tonga's Karine
A was seized by Israeli authorities
in the Red Sea carrying 50 tons of
weapons for Palestine. The U.S.
Navy searched another Tonga­
flagged ship, the Rasha J. The reg­
istry then supposedly suspended
the additions, of any additional

. ships.
According 10 Lloyd's, however,

"Agents, based in Sweden and ,
Syria approached by this newspa- '
per ·under the guise of fictitious
UK-based shipping companies
seeking to register small ageing
tonnage. gave the green light to
proceed and presented conflicting
stories regarding the flag's sus..:
pension."

Five days after the story was
published) Tonga terminated the
contract of Greece-based TIRS to
operate its registry.

aren't pretty. According to press
reports as well as information
from the International Transport
Workers' Federation (ITF), the
refugees said they each paid
between $2,000 and $4,000 for
the transit, which is believed to
have originated up to two weeks
earlier in Lebanon or Turkey.

On March 18, Italian authori­
ties guided the badly overcrowd­
ed Monica into port in Sicily,
even as they refrained from going
aboard the rusting vessel because
some crew members and passen­
gers had threatened to throw chil­
dren overboard, to prevent the
ship being boarded. (Refugees'
legal status reportedly may be
stronger, in some cases, if they
actually get into the country
rather than facing detention at
sea.)

Considering the extremely
congested and dirty conditions
aboard the Monica, most of the
passengers arrived in decent
shape. That was not the case,
however, for the 4-year-old boy
whom authorities found on the
ship dressed in rags, unclaimed
by anyone aboard. According to
one international news report, the
child was suffering from a
growth-stunting illness and
weighed less than 15 pounds.

During the ensuing weeks, at
least 19 arrests were made,
including the captain and five
crew members as well as others
suspected of involvement in
smuggling illegal immigrants. Ali
Attia, believed to be the shipown­
er, also was among those taken
into custody.

The vessel itself, built in
Budapest sometime during the
mid-1970s, has been registered
with the following runaway flags
at various times since 1988:
Malta, Honduras, Cambodia,
Equatorial Guinea, Belize, Sao
Tome & Principe, and Tonga.
During that period, it operated
under the names Blue Sea,
Cynthia, Sanamar, Samar, St.
Elias, Lujin, Kasanava, Geni,
Nagham and Monica.

The ship was in such bad
shape that an Italian court last
month ordered it scrapped.
· The episode was reminiscent

ITF Secures Pay, Repatriation
For Ismael Express Mariners

The International Transport Workers ' Federation (ITF) in · late
March secured $15 ,000 in back pay for crew members aboard the run­
away-flag cargo vessel MV Ismael Express. The entire crew also was
repatriated after their medical needs were addressed.

As reported earlier in the Seafarers LOG, ITF inspectors in January
discovered "slave-like" conditions on the Panamanian-flagged vessel
when they boarded it in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

'Crew accommodations were crawling with rats, according to ITF
Inspector Scott Brady of the SIU who said he'd never seen anythiiig to ·
rival the vessel's conditions in his 20 years in the transport industry.

When the Ismael Express was boarded, the local Baptist Seafarers
Ministry had supplied the only food available to the 10 crew members.
From late January at least through early February, the mariners-from
the Philippines, Chile and Haiti-had survived on rice. No water was
available for washing, even though grease and oil covered most walls.
The crew slept two to a bunk, with little or no bedding, shared a single
bathroom with a shower and had an inoperable refrigerator in the
kitchen.

Even though tfiis was a radical case, according to the ITF, this is not
the first time it has seen these kinds of problems on ships they call
"Miami River Boats." Brady said these vessels trade between Florida
and Haiti, and the crews often are treated very poorly and then aban-

. doned in Haiti when the vessel is of no more use.
The ITF constantly is on the lookout for flag 9f convenience vessels

that are fraught with danger, poor working conditions and lack of pay.

May 2002

of a similar case from one year
earlier, when 910 other Kurdish
refugees (including more than
400 children) landed in France
after their decrepit, Cambodian­
flagged ship East Sea deliberately
was run aground. Criminal gangs
based in Turkey and Iraq report­
edly were behind the smuggling,
and charged up to $2,000 per pas­
senger.

. Ducking Responsibility
A runaway-flag or FOC ship is

one that flies the flag of a country
other than that of its real owner­
ship. Shipowners register under
foreign flags where fees, taxes,
trade unions and laws protecting
mariners may be minimal or
nonexistent.

"Criminals smuggling drugs,
arms and other illegal cargo, and
even terrorists often use FOC
ships," the ITF said in a recent
statement. "They are also fre­
quently used by people-traffick­
ers-gangs that charge high fees
to smuggle emigrants to countries
where they can claim asylum."

Runaway-flag ships long have been known as conduits for smuggling
illegal immigrants. Pictured above and below are three runaway-flag
vessels in New Orleans earlier this year.

ITF General Secretary David
Cockroft said FOCs are part of a
shady business which makes it
easy for people to conceal their
identities, although the new envi­
ronment post-September 11 is at
last focusing government atten­
tion on the problem. "This usual­
ly involves operating substandard
ships without proper regulation,
but it could also involve money
laundering, gun running, drug
trafficking, people smuggling or
terrorism," he said.

"Later this year the Inter­
national Maritime Organization,
the United Nations body respon­
sible for maritime safety, will
probably adopt rules making it
compulsory for every ship to dis­
play its real owner's identity,"
Cockroft added. "That will be one
important step towards ending a
system which encourages secre­
cy."

For more than 50 years, the
ITF-to which the SIU is affiliat­
ed- has conducted a campaign
for the elimination of runaway
flags and for a genuine link
between a vessel and the flag it
flies .

Mississippi Que.en Set to Sail; Auction Scheduled for May 3
It 's a big month for the Delta Queen Steamboat

Co. .
The SIU-crewed Mississippi Queen is scheduled

to resume service May 7, and the company's prop­
erties are scheduled for auction May 3 in Chicago.

According to news reports , Chicago-based
Waveland Investments has offered to pay $3. 7 5 mil­
lion for the Mississippi Queen and the Delta Queen
during the auction. The company also reportedly
will put up $10 miilion in operating money and keep
Delta Queen's headquarters in New Orleans.

American Classic Voyages, parent company of
Delta Queen, recently indicated that Waveland also

wants to purchase other American Classic passenger
boats, including the coastal cruise vessels Cape Cod
Light and Cape May Light as well as the American
Queen and Columbia Queen.

Waveland is not a lock to win the auction.
Several other companies are expected to enter bids.

Late last month, another potential bidder
emerged when Los Angeles-based Uniworld stated
its interest in Delta Queen's assets. Uniworld owns
Global River Cruises, which offers river voyages in
Europe on a 15-ship fleet. The company reportedly
said New Orleans would become the U.S. headquar­
ters of Global River Cruises.

Any uncertainty regarding the auction hasn't
slowed preparations for the Mississippi Queen to
resume sailing. The boat had been laid up since late
last year, following American Classic Voyages' fil­
ing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization that
was spurred by economic fallout from September
11.

Seafarers began reporting to the Mississippi
Queen earlier this year. The boat has a full schedule
planned for the rest of the year that includes stops in
Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana, Pennsylvania,
Kentucky, Minnesota and Ohio .

The Mississippi Queen has been docked since last year
- but is slated to sail this month .

..,...t::........:...,,..:.....=!::?!!§,~=-::~~

Seafarers LOS 3



Seal arers-Crewed LNG Ships Rescue 12
Twelve people today are safe

and out of harm's way, thanks to
the efforts of mariners aboard the
SIU-crewed LNG Virgo and LNG
Gemini.

Crews from the two Pronav
Ship Management vessels saved
the dozen individuals-an 11-
person crew from a sunken
Indonesian wooden boat and a
Filipino fisherman- from certain
doom Feb. 14 and Feb. 24,
respectively, in a pair of rescues
on the high seas.

The LNG Gemini was under
way from Bontang, Indonesia to
Himeji, Japan and located some
12 miles off the southeast tip of
Borneo Island during the early
afternoon hours of Feb. 14. The
bridge watch observed heavy
smoke rising from the forecastle
of a nearby wooden boat-the
Harapan Bahagia. People on
board the vessel could be seen
moving their arms and waving
colored clothing.

After being called to the deck,
Captain Anthony G. Papadopou-

los safely maneuvered the LNG
Virgo toward the wooden craft for
a closer look. Once in position,
the master and his crew saw that
the boat was loaded with live­
stock (cows) and bagged cargo.
Eleven men were on board.

Within minutes, the crew saw
the boat's bagged cargo as well as
livestock being jettisoned over­
board. Moments later, the Hara­
pan Bahagia overturned rapidly
and all 11 people aboard were in
the water without lifejackets. To
remain afloat, they were holding
onto empty drums and 5-gallon
plastic containers.

Despite strong winds and
rough seas, the LNG Virgo low­
ered and launched its No. 1
lifeboat and successfully rescued
all 11 people. Once aboard the
Virgo, each of the survivors
showered, had their clothing
dried and was served a hot meal.
Some five hours later, the sur­
vivors safely disembarked to the
tugboat Bontang 04 which ren­
dezvoused with the Virgo.

AB Chad Cunningham, right, cbats with members of the 11-person
Indonesian crew that he and his shipmates aboard the LNG Virgo res­
cued Feb. 14.

Seafarers aboard the LNG
Virgo during the rescue operation
included Bosun Carlos Pinida,
ABs James Eastman, Chad
Cunningham, Robert Triano
and Peter Wojcikowski, QEDWs
David St. Onge and Endang
Abidin, Recertified Steward
Franklin Robertson, Chief
Cook Anthony Jacobson and
SAs Carlos Julio and Robby
Lapy.

Ten days later, at about 6 p.m.
near the Philippines, AB Carlos
Eclevia aboard the LNG Gemini
spotted a small fishing boat with
a man standing and waving fran­
tically.

Captain John Denton slowed
the Geminis engines and moved
in closer toward the small craft to
investigate. Once within range,
Eclevia established communica­
tions with the fisherman. Follow­
ing some skilled shiphandling,
the small craft was worked along­
side, and Filipino fisherman Jauier
Sahibal was brought on board.

After providing him with fresh
water and dry clothing, LNG
Gemini crew members learned
that their new guest had departed
his home port (Mindanao Island)
Feb. 2 with three other fishermen,
all in separate boats. Piloting the
three other boats were his two
brothers and his best friend. After
exhausting their respective fuel
supplies, the four fishermen tied
their boats together to make a
bigger target for the radars of
passing ships.

Over the next two weeks, the
four vessels drifted further and
further to the open seas after
being caught in currents. The
other three fishermen died of star­
vation and thirst; Sahibal kept
himself alive by drinking sea­
water and urine two days before
his rescue. He shared that he had
to cut himself away from the

New Dredge Christened
The union last month joined

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co.
in welcoming the hopper dredge
Liberty Island, christened April 9
at Port Everglades, Fla.

The 315-foot dredge already
had been operating near Palm
Beach, Fla.

"The Liberty Island is an all­
American vessel- built in an.
American yard, crewed by
American mariners and owned by
Americans," said SIU President
Michael Sacco, a featured speak­
er at the ceremony.

"We are proud to see Old Glory
flying from the Liberty Island,"
stated SIU President Michael
Sacco at the April 9 christening.

4 Seafarers LOG

"We in the Seafarers are proud
to crew this fine dredge," he
added. "The SIU members who
are working aboard this vessel are
among the best-trained, safest
and most productive mariners in
the world. I know you'll do a
great job."

The Liberty Island was con­
structed by Bay Shipbuilding of
Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Its potential
uses include harbor development,
channel maintenance and beach
replenishment, among others.

According to the company, the

dredge "incorporates technologi­
cal advances that make it the
most efficient dredge of its kind
operating in the U.S." It can dis­
pose of material by bottom­
dumping and also can discharge
through a shipboard pump-out
system.

Right: A bow connector is used
to connect dredge off-loading

pipelines for delivery of material
to the shore. Also, a nozzle

allows bypassing the shore-side
pipeline system.

From here, Seafarers can
operate the controllable-pitch
propeller propulsion, bow
thrusters and steering as well
as monitoring systems.

Aboard the LNG Gemini, Steward Assistants Mohammad Kassem, left,
and Thomas Cyrus, right, attend to Filipino Fisherman Javier Sahibal
shortly after their shipmates pulled him from the sea.

deceased fishermen because the
odor-mentally and physically­
was more than he could bear.

The Gemini crew made the
overnight hours as comfortable as
they could for Sahibal. He was
dropped off the following day
back at his home port where he
would rejoin his wife and three
young children.

In addition to AB Eclevia,

Seafarers aboard the LNG Gemini
during the rescue included Re­
certified Bosun Charles Kahl,
ABs Zaine Basir, Scott Snod­
grass and John Ray, QEDWs
Leonides Bacal, J an Haidir and
Robert Rester, GUDE Ali
Amran, Recertified Steward
John Gibbons, Chief Cook Jose
Mandie and SAs Thomas
Cyrus, Mohammad Kassem
and Syed Murtaza.

Sea Star Line Acquires
NPR-Navieras Assets

Seafarers-contracted Sea Star Line has acquired the assets ofNPR­
Navieras, another SIU-contracted company which had owned and
operated five Jones Act vessels.

A court approved the transaction April 8. As reported in past issues
of the LOG, Holt Group Inc.-parent company ofNPR-Navieras-last
year filed for Chapter 11 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code,
although the move didn't interrupt NPR's ship operations.

The newly approved agreement covers the purchase of ships, equip­
ment, assignment of terminal leases, trade names and other assets
related to PR's Puerto Rico service. It took effect at the end of last
month.

In announcing the acquisition, Sea Star touted its expanded service
as "the premium intermodal transportation system between the conti­
nental United States and Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the
U.S. Virgin Islands. The operation will combine Sea Star's versatile
roll-on/roll-off, lift-on/lift-off service with Navieras' market-leading
container service."

Earlier this year, Sea Star acquired the El Yunque and El Morro
from Matson Navigation Co.

May2002



Report: Cabotage Laws Afore Imperative
To National Security Than Ever Before

threats continues to come from
abroad, according to the report.
Powerful nations are attempting
to use the World Trade Organ­
ization negotiations to eliminate
the Jones Act and other cabotage
laws. The report warns that these
and other threats to domestic cab­
otage laws are on the horizon, but
the MCTF stands ready to ensure
the continued viability and
growth of the domestic fleet.

Using the tragic events of
September as a cue, the Maritime
Cabotage Task Force (MCTF), in
its recently released 2001 annual
report, said the Jones Act and
other cabotage rules today are
more vitally significant to nation­
al security than ever before.

Since September 11, accord­
ing to the report, national security
has become not only a matter of
protecting U.S. interests abroad,
but also here at home.

"The flag of the vessel and the
crews of the vessels are now
under tremendous scrutiny, par­
ticularly after revelations that
international terrorist Osama bin
Laden owned and operated a
number of flag-of-convenience
ships," the report said. "These
events (of September 11) have
only strengthened the important
role that American-flagged ves­
sels, crewed with U.S. seafarers,
and owned and controlled by U.S.
citizens, play in the U.S. econom­
ic and national security."

A presidential commission has
recognized domestic marine
transportation as part of the criti­
cal infrastructure upon which our
economic welfare and security
depend. The Jones Act and relat­
ed cabotage laws, stated the
report, are a critical first line of
defense against foreign control
over this key part of our trans­
portation system. In this vein,
America's . fourth arm of
defense-its merchant rriarine­
will continue to play crucial roles
in any conflicts involving U.S.
interests.

The MCTF document noted
that America's domestic fleet has
grown dramatically in the past
35-plus years. Today, it has more
than twice as many large vessels
as its 1965 counterpart- vessels
that are larger, faster and much
more productive. The Jones Act
fleet represents 81 percent of all
U.S.-flag tankers; 50 percent of
all U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off
ships; 30 percent of all Voluntary
Intermodal Sealift Agreement
(VISA) capacity; and 29 percent
of U.S.-flag commercial contain­
erships.

Support for our nation's cabo­
tage laws is ·stronger today than
ever before, the report continued.
It can be found in the White

House, in the halls of Congress
and within the U.S. military.

"Repeatedly, our nation's
elected officials and military
leaders continue to emphasize
their commitment to and support
for the Jones Act and other mar­
itime statues," the report said.

Presidential candidate Gov­
ernor W. Bush was unambiguous
in 2000 about his position on the
Jones Act, stating, "programs that
have contributed to the growth of
our domestic fleet, such as the
Jones Act. .. should be main­
tained."

The president's administration
has echoed his strong support for
the cabotage laws. Transportation
Secretary Norman Mineta called
the Jones Act "an essential ele­
ment of U.S. maritime policy that
provides important economic and
national security benefits." Capt.
William Schubert, U.S. Maritime
Administrator, also is an enthusi­
astic supporter of the Jones Act.
"I am 100 percent in support ... of
the Jones Act [and] cabotage
laws," he told a congressional
audience.

The U.S. Congress always has
strongly supported U.S. maritime
cabotage laws, the report said,
noting that few bills challenging
the cabotage laws were intro­
duced in 2001 and that none was
passed.

The Passenger Vessel Services
Act (PVSA) received the most
attention. A bill introduced by
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), S.
127, amending the PVSA to tem­
porarily allow foreign-built ships
into domestic trades, was report­
ed by the Senate Commerce
Committee but received no fur­
ther action. A companion bill,
H.R. 2901, also was · introduced;
however, it received no consider­
ation. PVSA will in the coming
year, likely remain an issue as
opponents consider taking action
to capitalize on the adverse
impact the terrorist attacks had on
the U.S.-flag cruise industry.

Moving to the Jones Act front,
U.S. Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.)
last year renewed his efforts to
repeal the Jones Act, introducing
a new bill, H.R. 2046. This bill
received no other support and
remains blocked· in committee.
No similar Jones Act bills were

introduced in the Senate.
Support among Senate leaders

remained robust, with both
Majority Leader Tom Daschle
(D-S.D.) and Minority Leader
Trent Lott (R-Miss.) continuing
their advocacy of a viable Jones
Act fleet.

In the construction arena, the
Jones Act fleet is undergoing a
significant renewal and expan­
sion program. Some 115 vessels
with a market value of $3 .4 bil­
lion are under construction in
American shipyards, with more
orders pending financing or com­
pletion of negotiations. Included
in these U.S.-flag vessels are:

§ Double-hull tankers to
bring Alaskan crude to West
Coast refineries;

§ Roll-on/roll-off trailer ships
for the Washington/ Alaska trade;

§ Tank barges and tugs for
virtually every waterway;

§ Ferries for New York Har­
bor and San Francisco Bay area;
and

§ Offshore supply vessels for
the Gulf Coast.

While the MCTF has been
very successful in defending the
nation's cabotage laws, oppo­
nents continue to attack them­
but in more subtle ways, the
report said. Foreign cruise lines
have asked U.S. lawmakers to
designate Panama a "distant for­
eign port" for purposes of the
PVSA. This would enable them
to engage in otherwise domestic
voyages from Florida to the U.S.
West Coast by way of the Panama
Canal.

More extensive exclusions of
the PVSA have been proposed to
allow foreign-flag cruise ships to
perform coastwise voyages, an
action that would establish an
indefensible example for cargo
cabotage. Finally, foreign ship­
ping companies also have sought
to use a vessel-lease financing
law to gain a grip in the domestic
U.S. trades. If successful, this
loophole could gut the U.S. citi­
zen ownership requirements of
the cabotage laws and surely
undermine the Jones Act.

One of the most significant

"September 11 has changed
the face of the nation forever,"
Phillip M. Gill, MCTF chairman,
wrote in his letter which accom­
panied the annual report. "Many
challenges confront the nation in
the years ahead. But whatever the
future holds, the MCTF is poised
to respond and will remain the
leading voice in support of the
nation's vital cabotage laws."

The MCTF is the most broad­
based alliance ever assembled by
the U.S. Maritime industry to
promote U.S. cabotage laws. Its
membership spans the United
States and represents ship and
barge owners and operators, labor
groups (including the SIU), ship­
builders and repair yards, marine
equipment manufactures and
vendors, trade associations and
pro-defense groups and compa­
nies in other modes of transporta­
tion.

Some Steps Taken,
More Needed for
U.S. Port Security

itime industry, particularly in the port security arena,
remain in flux.

One port and maritime security bill already has
been debated and approved in the Senate. Another
still is awaiting action in the House. Once the House
acts, additional delay likely will take place because
the two bodies will then debate to recon~ile the dif­
ferences in the two pieces of legislation. Issues such
as scope, agencies that should be in charge of various
security tasks, and funding also will have to be set-

Nearly eight months after the tragic events of
September 11, a comprehensive plan on how to best
fortify security at the nation's seaports-a package
on which both the administration and lawmakers can
agree-remains elusive.

And although the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S.
Customs Service and port agencies collectively have
stepped up patrols and increased surveillance mea­
sures on all ships entering U.S. ports, many experts
believe the nation's seaports remain at extreme risk.

"If terrorists found a way to use the U.S. aviation
industry against our country, they are potentially
capable of exploiting the vulnerabilities in our mar­
itime transportation system as well," Captain
Anthony Regalbuto said during recent testimony
before Congress. Regalbuto is chief of U.S. port
security for the Coast Guard. "We are absolutely con­
vinced that our maritime sector is one of our nation's
transportation systems that is the most vulnerable."

America's lawmakers in November approved avi­
ation security legislation that spent billions for inno­
vations to more closely scrutinize passengers and
baggage. Many procedures which resulted from that
legislation are being implemented at air terminals
throughout the country. Such measures for the mar-

tled. ·
Aggravated at the sluggish pace at which port

security legislation and related measures are taking
shape, World Shipping Council President Christo­
pher Koch went on record and expressed what many
in the maritime industry feel about the port security
quandary when he offered, "We can do a.better job,
we need to do a better job, ·and we need to get start­
ed on it very soon. We need the federal government
to establish its security requirements and we need to
get n·ew rules in place," he said.

Latest Developments
In the latest port security developments, the U.S.

Department of Transportation on April 11 advanced
its efforts as Secretary of Transportation Norman Y.
Mineta announced that TRW Inc. has been selected
to perform port vulnerability assessments (PVA)
under contract to the Coast Guard for the nation's
most critical commercial and military seaports. The
selection came in the wake of successful implemen-

Continued on page 7

Union Industries Show 2002
The Paul Hall Center for

Maritime Training and Education as
well as the SIU-affiliated United
Industrial Workers (UIW) partici­
pated in the annual AFL-CIO Union
Industries Show, which took place
April 5-8 at the Minneapolis
(Minn.) Convention Center.

May2002

Sponsored annually by the AFL­
CIO Union Label & Services Trades
Department, the well-attended event
showcases the jobs, products, skills
and services of union workers
throughout American industries.

· Next year's show is scheduled to
take place in Pittsburgh.

Left: AFL-CIO Secretary­
Treasurer Richard Trumka, fifth
from left, cuts the ribbon offi­
cially opening the 2002 AFL­
CIO Union Industries Show in
Minneapolis. Union Label and
Service Trades Department
President Charles Mercer,
second from right, was among
the 10 other union and corpo­
rate officials who joined
Trumka in the ceremony.

Top left: Manning the UIW booth,
which included a display from
the Paul Hall Center, are (from
left) UIW Representative
Emiliano Garcia, retired Great
Lakes VP Bill Dobbins, National
Director John Spadaro, Great
Lakes VP Bill Ellis, West Coast
VP Herb Perez and Paul Hall
Center Public Relations Director
Mike Hickey.
Top right: Giveaways that reflect
the quality of union-made prod­
ucts are part of the attraction.

Seafarers LOG 5



Protecting Seafarers' Interests for 40 Years
In a nation governed by laws,

it almost goes without saying that
practically every part of our lives,
from the clothes we wear to the
food we eat and far beyond, is
affected by government.

Still, some things are more
closely watched-over than others
- and the U.S. maritime industry
arguably is one of the country's
most regulated trades. At the fed­
eral level, there are nearly 150
agencies, bureaus and councils
within the government that pos­
sess some amount of authority
over the U.S. fleet and its
mariners. That's not counting the
many dozens of committees, sub­
committees and panels in
Congress which also impact the
industry, nor the state and local
entities that have maritime juris­
diction.

With that in mind, the SIU
always has been politically
active. In fact, the union's fore­
runner (the ISU) was a driving
force behind the passage of the
Seamen's Act of 1915, a law that
in many ways revolutionized the
industry by setting minimum
safety standards and removing
many restrictions that had imped­
ed the careers of merchant
mariners.

More recently, the SIU has
played important roles in the
enactment of the Maritime
Security Program (1996) and the
Merchant Marine Act of 1970.
The union also has been a consis­
tently strong advocate for other
laws and programs that help
engender a strong U.S. fleet,
including the Jones Act and the
Passenger Vessel Services Act,
cargo preference, the Title XI
shipbuilding loan guarantee pro­
gram, and the export of Alaskan
oil, to name a few.

SPAD's Roots
One way the SIU makes its

voice heard on Capitol Hill is
through the Seafarers Political
Activity Donation, better known
as SPAD. The voluntary fund was
created in 1962, originally under
the name "COPE," which stands
for Committee On Political
Action.

At first, the fund mostly
served as a vehicle for the SIU's
support of the AFL-CIO's politi­
cal endeavors. Through the years,
it evolved into a program specifi­
cally focused on political candi-

dates and legislative issues of
importance to the SIU.

Today, SPAD is an indispens­
able tool in the ongoing effort to
revitalize the U.S. Merchant
Marine.

"Membership participation in
SPAD helps give the union a
fighting chance to preserve, pro­
mote and expand the U.S. fleet
and the good jobs that go with it,"
noted SIU Secretary-Treasurer
David Heindel. "Because such
participation is so vital, I thank
the membership for their gener­
ous involvement in the past, and I
encourage every SIU member to
sign a SPAD authorization. I par­
ticularly welcome the participa­
tion of our brothers and sisters
who were in the NMU."

Get Your Shirt Together
The contest to come up with

a new catch-phrase that signifies
the importance of SPAD to the
SIU membership is nearing its
end. As reported in the past two
issues of the LOG, the new slo­
gan (similar in sentiment to the
"Politics is Porkchops" of the
past) will be printed on T-shirts.

Details on the shirts' avail­
ability will appear in future
issues of the LOG. Meanwhile,

6 Seafarers LOG

active and retired Seafarers are
encouraged to submit entries for
the contest. Up to three slogans
per entrant may be submitted.
Entries must be received by
June 10 for consideration.

The winner will get an SIU
jacket, an SIU cap and an SIU
shirt.

To enter, please complete the
form printed at right and mail it
to the address indicated.

Beginning last month, there is
a new vacation application for the
NMU vacation plan that includes
authorizations for working dues
and SPAD. Members who were in
the NMU at the time of the merg­
er last year now are eligible for
the first time to participate in
SPAD. The authorization need
only be signed once.

Presidents' Insight
In a 1976 editorial, then-SIU

President Paul Hall noted, "The
SIU's past political successes as
well as any we will achieve this
year or in the future, depend sole­
ly on one critical factor-the
active support of the SIU mem­
bership through SPAD .... It is the
individual Seafarer who must

The SIU's political activities have been buoyed by SPAD since the vol­
untary fund's inception in 1962. Delivering the union's message are
(clockwise, from upper left) Paul Hall to Richard Nixon (1970), Joseph
Sacco to Bill Clinton (1992), Frank Drozak to Jimmy Carter (1980) and
Michael Sacco to George Bush (1989). (Hall and Drozak are late SIU
presidents; Joe Sacco, a late SIU executive VP.)

carry the weight of the SIU's
political programs. Seafarers
have always come through
before, whether it was walking a
picket line or donating to SPAD. I
am confident that our members
will do so again."

Many years later, the union's
emphasis on grassroots political
action and participation in SPAD
remained prominent. In a May
1995 column that preceded a
number of key elections, SIU
President Michael Sacco wrote,
"When your port agent or another
SIU official or a fellow Seafarer
asks you to help out, please lend a
hand. When you are called upon
in the upcoming months, remem­
ber what you are fighting for:
your job, the future of our indus­
try and the security of our
nation .... We must make efficient
use of every one of our resources

in order to protect our jobs and
our industry. Along those same
lines, it is also important for
Seafarers to continue their volun­
tary support of the Seafarers
Political Activity Donation fund."

More recently, Sacco
observed, "For as long as I can
remember, one of the greatest
strengths of the SIU has been our
members' enthusiastic participa­
tion in political activities, includ­
ing SPAD.... Because the mar­
itime industry is so heavily regu­
lated, politics is as important to
our survival as securing new con­
tracts and upgrading. A quick
look towards current debates on
Capitol Hill reinforces this point.
Politics dominates our industry. It
has been that way since our
union's founding in 1938, and it
won't change. That's why it's up
to Seafarers to stay involved."

r----------------------------------------------------------------------------,
NAME THAT T-SHIRT CONTEST

Here are my ideas for a new SPAD slogan: (You may submit up to three ideas)

1.

2.

3.

Name:

Address:

Telephone Number: - ---------------------------
0 I am an active Seafarer

D I am a retired Seafarer
Send completed form to SPAD Slogan Contest,

Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746.

L----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I

May2002



Additional Port Security Needed
Continued from page 5
tation of the department's new
Port Security Grants Program,
which provides funding for port
security enhancements.

"Securing our nation's ports
and maritime transportation sys­
tem is a vital component of our
overarching our transportation
security mission," Mineta said.

Under the recently inked con­
tract, TRW will:

§ Develop model port securi­
ty guidelines as recommended in
the August 2000 report of the
Interagency Commission on
Crime and Security in U. S.
Seaports;

§ Develop methods for and
conduct PVAs for at least 55 ports
throughout the United States; and

§ Develop a port vulnerability
self-assessment methodology to
help local port stakeholders evalu­
ate security conditions and make
improvements within their ports.

"This issue is a very high pri­
ority for the Bush Administration,
and for the Department of
Transportation," said Associate
Under Secretary of Transportation
for Maritime and Land Security,
Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis.
"With more than 25,000 miles of
navigable waterways and over
350 ports, the nation's maritime
system presents one of our great­
est security challenges."

Commandant of the U.S. Coast
Guard Admiral James M. Loy
concurred with Bennis' assess­
ment and offered, "Model port
attributes and port vulnerability
assessments are critical tools to
ensure industry and government
dollars are spent wisely to address
risks in our ports."

The foundation for the PVA
a wa u in pl e in I 999

when the Coast Guard reviewed
methods used by federal and state
agencies to gauge the strengths
and weaknesses of U.S. ports. The
Coast Guard used this experience
and research to finalize the
requirements for a comprehensive
analysis of ports and critical infra­
structure.

Congressional Hearing
Elsewhere, the subcommittee

on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the House
Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure on March 26 in
Elizabeth, N.J. conducted a field
hearing on port security. During
the hearing, Rep. Frank LoBiondo
(R-N.J.) and several of his state
colleagues heard testimony from a
wide range of government and
private industry experts on the
increased security efforts being
implemented in the port of New
York and New Jersey. Also
addressed were the increased port
security challenges facing the
entire maritime industry follow­
ing the September 11 attacks.

The U.S. maritime industry
handles more than 2 billion tons
of freight and 6 million containers
annually. More than 5,000 ships
arrive each year at the port ofNew
York and New Jersey alone.

"Protecting this port area has
been a top priority since the
September attacks and the efforts
under way here are critical to
keeping this large port secure and
the surrounding region safe from
terrorism," said LoBiondo.

The hearing was the congress­
man's third at the port of New York
and New Jersey since last August
and came on the heels of the unan­
imous March 20 approval of H.R.
3983, the Maritime Transportation
Antiterrorism Act of 2002.

May 2002

Introduced by Representative
Don Young (R-Alaska), H.R.
3983 represents the House of
Representatives' reply to the mar­
itime security bill passed at the
end of the last term of Congress
by the Senate. It would require
port and facility vulnerability
assessments, catastrophic emer­
gency planning, vessel and facili­
ty antiterrorism plans, transporta­
tion security cards for individuals
entering secure areas on a vessel
or facility, establishment of mar­
itime antiterrorism teams, foreign
port assessments, and develop­
ment of an antiterrorism cargo
identification and screening sys­
tem for containerized cargo. The
bill also would mandate installa­
tion of automatic identification
system (AIS) equipment on vari­
ous vessels operating in U.S.
waters and would authorize finan­
cial assistance-$7 5 million
annually for the next three fiscal
years-for enhanced facility secu­
rity to implement a maritime
antiterrorism plan approved by
the secretary.

Financial Responsibility
Meanwhile, the subcommittee

on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the House
Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure on March 14, 2002,
held a hearing on financial
responsibility for port security.
The purpose of the hearing was to
examine who is responsible for
implementing enhanced security
measures in U.S. ports and con­
sider ways to finance the new
security equipment that individual
ports and marine terminals must
install to reduce the risk of a ter­
rorist attack.

Capt. William Schubert, U.S.
maritime administrator, testified
t a h Departm of Tran -
portation has implemented a pro­
gram to receive and evaluate grant
proposals to finance the cost of
enhancing facility and operational
security in critical national sea­
ports. The maritime chief also
noted that the Coast Guard has
begun vulnerability assessments
in various U.S. ports.

Joseph Cox, representing the
Chamber of Shipping of America,
discussed various security mea­
sures intended for implementation
on ships, including automatic
identification systems, ship secu­
rity officers, and ship security
plans. Richard Steinke of the
American Association of Port
Authorities noted that protecting
U.S. seaports is a shared responsi­
bility and that the monies current­
ly appropriated for seaport securi­
ty grants are insufficient to prop­
erly enhance security. Fredrick
Ferrin of the Jacksonville Port
Authority discussed the vital role
of seaports in the national econo­
my and the need for federal and
state funding to pay for mandated
security upgrades. Paul Richard­
son of the U.S. Maritime Alliance
stated that Congress should create
a dedicated funding mechanism
for port and intermodal cargo
security requirements.

What Others Are Doing
Los Angeles Mayor James K.

Hahn's task force on waterfront
security has formulated a plan to
have everyone who visits that port
show a valid photo ID. And
Canadian Transport Minister
David Collenette announced
March 27 that enhanced security
screening procedures for ships
entering the St. Lawrence
Seaway-Great Lakes system have
been updated and agreed to by
Canadian and U.S. authorities.

Orea-Class RO/RO
Still on Pace for
Delivery This Year

Right: The bow's
last section is

moved into place.

Golden Gate Monument
Includes Merchant Marine

A monument to the men and
women of the U.S. Merchant
Marine, Navy, Marine Corps and
Coast Guard who have sailed past
the Golden Gate Bridge in
service to their country was dedi­
cated in San Francisco on April
14.

Hundreds of people-includ­
ing VIPs, state and local officials
and active and retired military
members- attended the ceremo­
ny, which was held at Vista Point
on the north end of the Golden
Gate Bridge.

Dubbed the San Francisco
Lone Sailor Memorial, the monu­
ment is a replica of the original
Lone Sailor statue situated at the
U.S Navy Memorial on Penn­
sylvania Avenue in Washington,
D.C. Stanley Bleifield, the U.S
Navy Memorial's official sculp­
tor, created the latest Lone Sailor
version. It stands 7 feet tall and
weighs in at a reported 800
pounds. Fred Warnecke, a San

Francisco architect, designed
portions of the edifice.

The memorial recognizes all
four of the country's sea services
through sculptures in relief: mer­
chant marine cargo vessels being
attacked during World War II, an
aircraft going airborne from the
deck of a Navy carrier, a Coast
Guard cutter and helicopter con­
ducting rescue operations involv-

Crowley Seafarers
Approve Contract

SIU members who work for
Crowley Liner Services at Petty's
Island, N.J. have approved a new
three-year contract.

The agreement, which goes
into effect this month, calls for
wage increases as well as better
medical and pension benefits.
Seafarers covered by this con­
tract will receive "plan G" med­
ical insurance, which provides
comprehensive coverage for

Construction of the Midnight
Sun is entering the home stretch,
with the roll-on/roll-off vessel
still on schedule for an October
delivery.

The Midnight Sun is the first
of two RO/ROs being built at San
Diego's NASSCO shipyard for
SIU-contracted Totem Ocean
Trailer Express, Inc. (TOTE).
Construction began June 4, 2001.

Designated as Orea-class ves­
sels, the two new builds are the
first U.S. -built commercial dry
cargo ships in a decade. They will
join TOTE 's Tacoma-to­
Anchorage service. Ship deliver­
ies are scheduled for October
2002 and April 2003.

Each vessel will be 839 feet
long, with a beam of 118 feet.

Left: TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE?
In this case, the house is taken
to the top of the Midnight Sun.
The maneuver at NASSCO took
place late last month.

Left: The vessel will be
839 feet long with a beam
of 118 feet.

ing a sailboat at sea, and Marines
landing on a beach.

The number of sea-service
men and women who have
shipped out through the Golden
Gate over the years is gargantuan
by any standard. During World
War II alone, more than 1.5 mil­
lion utilized the route.

A plaque on the statue reads:
"This is one last chance to look
back at the city of San Francisco,
shining on its hills, one last
chance to look back at the coast­
line of the United States, one last
chance to look back home."

members and their dependents.
Serving on the negotiating

committee were Seafarers John
Wozunk, John Gallagher, John
Haller, Bruce Swanson and
Michael Fay along with SIU
Atlantic Coast VP Joseph Soresi
and Philadelphia Port Agent Jim
Malone.

"It's an excellent contract that
was approved by a nearly unani­
mous tally," stated Wozunk.

Crowley operates roll-on/roll­
off barges that run between
Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Fla.
and Puerto Rico.

Seafarers LOii 7



2 Die In Cape Horn Fire
Two members of the Marine

Engineers' Beneficial Associa­
tion (MEBA) died March 31 in a
main engine room fire aboard the
SIU-crewed Cape Horn.

Chief Mate Tim Bohan and
First Asst. Engineer Phil Hellesto
perished in the accident, which
took place in the Pacific Ocean
approximately 800 miles east of
Honolulu. The fire's origin is
being investigated, although the
U.S. Coast Guard has indicated
that the suspected cause "is a bro­
ken fuel line between No. 8 and
No. 9 cylinder heads for the
injectors or valve lifters."

. The 749-foot Cape Horn, part
of the U.S. Ready Reserve Force
(RRF), was transporting military
cargo in support of the annual
exercise Cobra Gold. A "Class B"
fire started in the upper level of
the engine room; it was contained
and extinguished, thanks to the
heroic efforts of Bohan and
Hellesto as well as those of other
crew members.

The USNS Shasta, a U.S.
Military Sealift Command
(MSC) ammumtlon carrier
crewed by members of the SIU's
Government Services Division,
was en route from Port Hadlock,
Wash. to Pearl Harbor on March
31 when it received a distress call
about the Cape Horn. Billy
Bushey, an AB on the Shasta,
reported the following:

"Upon receiving the distress
call, Shasta immediately diverted
and proceeded at full speed to the
Cape Horns location. Bosun Pat
Arabaca and the deck depart­
ment broke out and rigged all the

Former Port Agent
George Vukmir Dies

A former SIU official who
came ashore in the early 1980s
and then went back to sea has
passed away. Brother George
Vukmir, 54, died Feb. 16--the
victim of a heart attack.

Born in Washington, Brother
Vukmir joined the SIU in 1969 in
Seattle. He shipped in the deck
department, first sailing under the
SIU colors aboard the Isco-operat­
ed Steel Apprentice. No stranger
to self-improvement, he upgraded
his skills at the Seafarers training
school in Piney Point, Md. in 1973
and again in 2001.

Brother Vukmir came ashore in
the early '80s as a patrolman in
the port of Tacoma, Wash. Several
years later, he was appointed
Tacoma port agent. He went back
to sea in the late '90s and contin­
ued sailing until 2001. His last
vessel was the Tacoma, a CSX
Lines ship.

SIU Tacoma Secretary Brenda
Delia had particularly fond memo­
ries of Vukmir. "Both my sister
and I worked for George over the
years," she recalled. "I started
working for him in 1989 when I
became secretary here, but my sis­
ter worked for him in the earlier
years.

"We both regarded him as a
very sweet, fair and outgoing per­
son who was a pleasure to work
with and be around," Delia contin­
ued. "Beyond all else though, he
was union through and through ... .
Although some people thought he
had a tough exterior, he was really
just a teddy bear. He would do
anything he · could to help SIU
members," she concluded.

"He was a real thorough guy
from the very first time I met
him," offered Harman do Salazar,

B Seafarers LOG

ship's towing gear m just six
hours.

"Shasta arrived on scene early
a.m. of April 1 and at sunrise
commenced transferring fuel,
drinking water and personnel to
the Cape Horn to assist in rigging
for tow. Eventually, three deck
machinists, ship's Cargo Bosun
Gary Vargas and Bosun Mate
Guillermo Reyes worked very
long hours aboard the Cape Horn
to break the anchor and rig the
chain for tow.

"High winds, rough seas and
rain made it impossible to get a
messenger across until the morn­
ing of April 3. Capt. Greg Hague
very skillfully maneuvered the
Shasta across the Cape Horns
bow, and the ship's RHIB boat
crew got the messenger across
and the tow was rigged. Shasta
towed the Cape Horn for about
24 hours until [a locally contract­
ed tug] showed up and we passed
the tow to her.

"Shasta s last duty was to take
on board the remains of the two
unfortunate brother mariners who
perished in the fire and transport
them to Hawaii, where we arrived
April 6.

"All hands participated at ·one
time or another over the four days
of this operation."

The photos accompanying this
story were taken by Carl Go, radio
electronics technician aboard the
USNS Shasta. They illustrate some
of the salvage operations involving
the Shasta and the Cape Horn fol­
lowing the fatal engine room fire
aboard the latter vessel March 31.

Brother George Vukmir
Jan. 13, 1948 - Feb. 16, 2002

SIU Jacksonville, Fla. representa­
tive. "I knew George for a good 25
years, and during that time, I
never heard anything bad about
him."

Salazar initially met Vukmir in
New Orleans when he (Salazar)
was a patrolman paying off a ship.

"George told me that he was
the nephew of Steve Troy when
we first met, so right away I knew
he was all right (Troy is a former
SIU official).

"He always carried himself
well and people thought a lot of
him," Salazar continued. ·"I was
real hurt when I heard the news
about his death. I'll miss him and
I'm sure the union will too."

SIU Honolulu Port Agent Neil
Dietz also had warm memories of
the late Vukmir. "George was
quite the character," said Dietz.
"He was a lot of fun and a very
interesting person to work with."

"When I first got hired and sent
to Seattle, he was the patrolman
out there," Dietz continued. "I
guess that was around 1986, and I
have known him ever since. He
was a loyal SIU member who will
be missed a great deal by union
brothers and sisters."

Vukmir was buried Feb. 25 at
the Evergreen Cemetery m
Enumclaw, Wash.

In the photos above and below left, the Cape Horn, part of the RRF, is pictured from aboard the USNS Shasta
in the Pacific. Below right, crew members on the Cape Hom begin the early stages of the recovery operation.

The rescue-boat crew got a
messenger across and the
tow was rigged (four photos
below). Pictured in photo at
left, from left to right, are the
boat crew and one of the
men who rigged the tow on
the Cape Horn. They are AB
Fred Occular, Jr. Engineer
Fred Alexander, Second
Officer Alex Munz, Bosun
Mate Bob Sanchez and
Bosun Mate Gil Reyes.

May2002



Devil in the Details?
Getting mariners to their ships

and home again is a time-con­
suming and complicated job. It 's
also job that will grow bigger and
more complicated because in
2005 the U.S . Military Sealift
command (MSC) estimates that
there will be more than 5,000
unlicensed civil service mariners
operating MSC vessels.

For the past several years the
union has heard many concerns
from mariners about the difficul­
ties they have encountered deal­
ing with Afloat Personnel Man­
agement Center (APMC) place­
ment representatives or "detail­
ers." Sometimes detail problems
occur as a result of MSC system
issues such as the current man­
power shortage and recruitment
and retention issues. MSC is
addressing these issues and the
union is working with MSC in
several areas to resolve the man­
power deficit.

The union and Civmars appre­
ciate the efforts of those place­
ment representatives who work
hard to communicate regularly
with Civmars about their assign­
ments and other requests. Still,
pr?blems such as overdue relief,
failure to get adequate vacation
or training time still exist.

MSC and the union are negoti­
ating Civilian Marine Personnel
Instruction (CMPI) provisions
and will negotiate new contracts
this year. It is important for the
union and MSC to fully under­
stand these issues and address
them.

Union representatives have
already brought these concerns to
the attention of APMC labor and
placement team representatives
and their supervisors. We have
also brought these concerns to
representatives at MSC head­
quarters in Washington, D.C.

The union has proposed sever­
al changes that we believe would
result in better placement support
for mariners.

Additionally, the union has
established an e-mail address to
receive information from Civ­
mars describing your interactions
with the MSC placement special­
ists. Mariners are encouraged to
send examples, both positive and
negative of their interactions and
communications with APMC

placement personnel.
Please make your message as

detailed as possible. Include the
dates and times of communica­
tions (or dates and times of calls),
who you spoke with or who you
were trying to reach. Let us know
the results of these calls (For
example, were the calls returned?
Was your call returned in a time-
1 y manner? Was your issue
resolved in a satisfactory way?).

Please include your name, rat­
ing and ship assignment. The
union will not share personal
information with the agency
unless it is authorized by the
mariner; and union representa­
tives will ensure that you won't

OPM Starts Federal
Long-Term Care
Insurance Program

The U.S. Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) on March
25 kicked off a new federal bene­
fit- a long-term care insurance
program through which approxi­
mately 20 million federal
employees and members of the
uniformed services, as well as
retirees of both groups and cer­
tain family members, may apply
for coverage.

OPM is the insurance pro­
gram's sponsor. The early enroll­
ment period (which began March
25 and ends May 15) coincides
with a nationwide education cam­
paign conducted by Long Term
Care Partners, LLC. Long Term
Care Partners is a joint venture of
MetLife and John Hancock, the
program's insurers, and will be
devoted exclusively to this insur­
ance plan.

During early enrollment, pre­
packaged policies can be pur­
chased for three- or five-year
periods, with daily benefits of
$100 or $150. For individuals
who want greater flexibility, daily
benefits ranging from $50 to
$300 (in $25 increments) can be
purchased. (Additional plan
options, including an unlimited
benefit, will be available during
the regular open enrollment,
which runs from July 1 through
Dec. 31, 2002.)

With Civmars in Norfolk, Va.

SIU Government Services
Division Representatives Kate
Hunt (top photo, right) and
Maurice Cokes (at right, third
from right) met recently with
members aboard the USNS Mt.
Baker and the USNS Supply,
respectively. The shipboard
meetings took place in Norfolk,
Va.

May2002

be penalized for sharing this
information.

This e-mail address is estab­
lished to receive information
about placement experiences
only. If you do not have access to
e-mail, please send a letter to
your union representative

For grievances or other
issues please follow the estab­
lished procedures for commu­
nication with union representa­
tives. Generally, participants in
this survey will not receive a
response. If you would like a
response to your submission,
please send your e-mail directly
to your union representative.

Thank you for taking the time
to share your experiences with
the union. Send your information
to: civmarsupport@seafarers.org.

For individuals ages 18-30,
premiums are $8.40 per month
for a policy that offers a three­
year, daily benefit of $100 and a
90-day waiting period, or $32
depending on the type of inflation
protection chosen. After age 30,
premiums will vary based on age,
amount of coverage, length of
coverage, and other factors.

For more inf~ ;,~, Uon q(fa
OPM's new insuran progrartt~'s"
call 800 582-33S7 or visit -
http://www.opm.goyUnsurelttcl.~,
or http://www.ltcfeds.c;omf

Two methods of inflation pro­
tection are offered, according to
OPM. The automatic compound
inflation option increases benefit
levels by 5 percent each year,
without a corresponding rise in
premiums. Under the future pur­
chase option, policyholders
receive benefit increases based
on the Medical-Consumer Price
Index every two years. An addi­
tional premium will be charged
and based on the individual's age
at the time of the increase.
Enrollees can decline increases
under this option.

The early enrollment period is
most appropriate for individuals
who are better informed about
long-term care insurance. OPM
urges those who are not as famil­
iar with this insurance product to
use the education period to
decide which, if any, long-term
care insurance best fits their
needs.

Oorah! Celona Named
Honorary U.S. Marine

SIU Asst. VP West ~oast Nick Celena (left) is congratulated by Col. J.L.
Ledoux, co_mmandmg officer of the 23rd Marine Regiment, on his hon­
orary apprnntment to the Corps.

The U.S. Merchant Marine always has maintained close ties with
the nation's military, but for one SIU official the bond recently became
even tighter.

On March 19, SIU Asst. Vice President Nick Celona was named an
honorary member of the 23rd Marine Regiment during ceremonies at
~he Marine Corps base in San Bruno, Calif. The certificate proclaim­
mg Celona's appointment cited his work with the union and with mil­
itary ve~erans. It also noted the SIU official's efforts to publicize the
Corps (m the context of the merchant marine).

"He coi:itinues to display th~ highest degree of patriotism in support
of the Umted States of Amenca and America's Corps of Marines,"
states the document.

~he hoi:ior includ~d a flag-raising ceremony and a reception, the
certificate itself, Marme Corps pins and decals and an invitation to the
regiment's annual "birthday ball" later this year.

"This isn't something the Marines do too often so it means a lot to
me," Celona noted. '

~oth he .and Col. J.L. Ledoux, commanding officer of the 23rd
Manne Regiment, used the occasion to speak to the troops about the
merchant marine's role in national defense. Ledoux, who has served
aboard the SIU-crewed prepositioning ship MV Jack Lummus, noted
that the "fourth arm of defense" is vital in delivering materiel to U.S.
forces both during conflicts and during peacetime missions.

"He was very complimentary toward the merchant marine, and the
troops seemed very interested," Celona recalled. "I then had a chance
to speak to them, and pointed out that the U.S. Merchant Marine and
the U.S. Marine Corps have been intertwined since the very first days
of this country, all the way through to the present. We've been on the
forefront of supplying the cargo so they can get the job done."

~elona conc_luded by reiterating the union's commitment to pro­
tectu~g U.S. national and economic security, and the Marines respond­
ed with a hearty "oorah," the service's signature call.

Celona's father served in the U.S. Navy from 1946-50.

Pictured at the reception are Col. Bill Bremer (Ret.) , Col. Hank Morris
(~et.) , SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona, Col. Donald Reed (Ret.) and
Richmond, Calif. Sanitary Service VP Len Stefanelli.

Seafarers LOG 9



,.... ____________________ - - - ~

LOG-A-RHYTHMS

by Todd M. Curry

Teardrops of angels falling from heavens domain
Falling to the earth to show all His children
His mercy, love and grace.
He cries for His children who gave their very lives
So others can live once more in His heavenly delight.
They show us the path back to Gods holy ways
For their sacrifice was given in love
and they did not die in vain.
They planted a seed that will always grow fast
And it is in the simple act of love
That their memory will always last.
So do not weep out of sorrow,
Do not weep out of pain
Just love others as you have so been loved
and their memory shall always go on
Forever and a day.

(This poem, penned Sept 11, 200 l by SA Todd M. Curry aboard
the USNS Shughart, is (•dedicated to the memory of all the brave
Americans who gallantly gave their lives for the well-being of oth­
ers so we can continue to pursue life) liberty and happiness for all."
Another poem by Curry follows.)

by Todd M. Curry

I cannotpredict the future

lam unable to change the past

I can only live for the moment

Loving others as I have so been loved

So the memory of fallen friends

Will always last.

An Easter Rhyme for My Angel
by Jeffrey A. MatJgold .

An Easter rhyme

to help our time

apart,

remain free

of disparity.

Jesus will

help us claifY

the reas_ons why

we have a need

to always be

of.for, with

the other, in spirit.

Listen! Can you hear it?

At this time every year,

His message, ever so clear.

At distance in flesh,

yet still we mesh

our hearts, our minds,

forever intertwined Our roles, our souls,

coincide our goals.

with His.

Thank God

for His promise.

thank God

for us!

(Jeffrey A. Mangold, who sailed as an AB, wrote this poem for his
best friend of more than 30 years.)

10 Seafarers LOG

Seafarer Oubre Says Sailing on Friday
Worth Reading Any Day of the Week

The follo wing book review
was written by Rev. Sinclair
Oubre, a member of the SIU
The volume is "Sailing on
Friday: The Perilous Voyage of
Americas Merchant Marine, " by
John Butler. The book is pub­
lished by Brassey Books, based
in Washington, D. C.

instance) Mr.
Butler explains ·
that the term
"packet ship"
comes from the
canvas and
leather packets of
mail that were

SailiDll on Friday

When I prepared to ship out
on the MIV Seabulk Challenge, I
searched my "to-be-read" library,
and pulled this little volume out)
and threw it in my sea bag. Over
the last five days, as we sat at
anchor at Galveston Roads mon- .
itoring the anchor chain during
the 8-12 watch, I have enjoyed
this wonderful book.

Beginning with the first chap­
ter) Mr. Butler) a graduate of the
Massachusetts Maritime
Academy, takes us on a brisk
voyage covering more than 200
years of U.S. merchant marine
history. He does this by taking
sections of maritime history to
describe the ups and downs of
our industry. At the same time,
he provides a cornucopia of mar­
itime trivia and facts to hold our
interest.

In the opening paragraph, he
describes the meaning of the
title: "Superstitious sailors, and
few are not to some degree, have
long believed that if they set sail
on Friday something would go
wrong and that misfortune
almost certainly would befall
them if thaf day was also the
thirteenth of the month. Yet
probably more ships leave port
on Friday than on any other day
of the week. A merchant ship
earns money only while under
way) so it makes sense for the
captain to put to sea before a
weekend to keep otherwise idle
crew members occupied in pro­
ductive work."

Over the next 249 pages, Mr.
Butler narrates both the high and
low points of that 200-year his­
tory, and holds the reader spell­
bound with maritime trivia. For

routinely shipped
across the
Atlantic. He
reveals that the
ship Alert which
Richard Henry
Dana Jr. (author
of Two Years
Before the Mast)
returned from
California on,
was destroyed by
the Confederate
Naval Ship
Alabama under
the amazing command of
Commander Raphael Semmes.

As a priest who is very
involved with worker issues, and
organized labor, I most appreci­
ated Mr. Butler's sensitivity to
the working conditions of seafar­
ers. He shows a good under­
standing of maritime labor histo­
ry, and the important role it
played in U.S. seafarer welfare.
However, he is no apologist for
labor) and has no problem
recounting some of its foibles
and shortsightedness

Mr. Butler concludes the book
with an epilogue that draws on
the lives of three different sea­
farers. One is a mariner at the
end of his career, the second is a
young tanker captain, and the
third is a young woman cadet at
the U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy. These three persons
symbolize our maritime history
and national maritime policies.
Like the old mariner, the U.S.
merchant marine as we have
known it since the end of World
War II is at the end of its voy­
age. It has done well, and was
the largest and greatest in the
world, but many of the historical.
events that lead to its ascendancy

Thanks from Express Marine

Three retiring inland Seafarers each
were given a parting gift from New
Jersey-based Express Marine, lnc.-a
framed photograph of the tugs on which
they last worked. Clockwise from above
are Charlie Foster at his retirment party
on the tug Consort; Stewart Parks and
his wife, Connie, with their picture of the
tug Escort; and Walton McHorney and
his wife, Josie, with their framed memen­
to. Express Marine's SIU-crewed tugs
push coal barges from piers in Hampton
Roads, Va. up the East Coast to power
plants in the Northeast.

have passed) and so has its mar­
itime primacy. However) like the
young tanker captain, there will
continue to be work to do,
whether it is Jones Act cargo,
military sealift or PL 480 agri­
culture cargo. However, like the
young, optimistic cadet, there
remain tremendous optimism
and enthusiasm in our industry.
For our nation to see a new
dawn for its merchant marine)
we must dedicate our national
treasurers of innovation and
leading-edge technology.

The book contains a good
index which allows the reader to
find people, ships and events
with ease. The author also
includes a time line that helps
the reader see the historical rela­
tionship between events. The
book contains chapter notes, but
I would have preferred that the
author used more conventional
footnotes.

For those readers of the
Catholic Maritime News who are
interested in understanding
where we have been as a mar­
itime people, this book is a great

· introduction that will lead the
reader to further and deeper
studies.

May2DD2



DEU Ali K. Zaidan is
ready to replace some of
the burned-out light ·
bulbs aboard ship.

USNS Martin OD Duty
As part of the Maritime Prepositioning Program of the U.S. Navy's Military

Sealift Command, the SIU-crewed USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin (and the other ves­
sels in that fleet) support a full range of activities. They carry everything from tanks
and ammunition to food, hospital supplies and fuel for both humanitarian missions
and major military operations.

With special equipment, the prepositioning ships are able to off-load at piers or
from offshore, and their roll-on/roll-off ramps are ideal for loading and off-loading
wheeled vehicles and tanks. Each ship has a flight deck for helicopter operations but
carries no operational aircraft.

The USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin first loaded up at Blount Island, Fla. in 2000
and was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea.

Operated by Osprey Ship Management, Inc., the 754-foot vessel was named in
memory of 1st Lt. Harry L, Martin, who posthumously was awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands,
26 March 1945."

Left: Chief Steward Stanley J.
, Krystosiak gets a bit teary­

eyed as he chops onions.

Right: With paintbrushes
at the ready,

ABs Miguelita Salada
(left) and AB Wayne
Smiley (right) begin

work while Chief Mate
Christopher Hill looks on.

Left: The engine gang
consists of (from left)
QMED Sergio Ayala­
Diaz, DEU Ali

Keeping the vessel ship-shape is SA
Saleh Ahmed.

Zaidan, 3rd Asst.
Engineer Andrew
Putski and Engine
Cadet Christopher
Kapfer.

'Fourth Arm of Defense'
Oft'ersJob Opportunities

A vital, civilian component of America's nation­
al defense structure offers job opportunities for
entry-level personnel and military veterans alike.

One avenue leading to employment openings in
the U.S. Merchant Marine is the Paul Hall Center
for Maritime Training and Education, located in
Piney Point, Md. The school, open since 1967,
guarantees its graduates a job.

Offering dozens of U.S. Coast Guard-approved
courses and world-class training equipment, the
Paul Hall Center provides the training needed for a
successful career in the merchant marine, including
a highly regarded entry-level program as well as
courses for veterans who have qualifying sea time
in a deck or engine rating.

Although it's not part of the armed services, the

U.S. Merchant Marine has been a key part of
America's national defense since the country's ear­
liest days. That role never was more evident than
during World War II, when General Eisenhower
dubbed the civilian mariners America's "fourth
arm of defense."

Today, the merchant marine consists ofU.S.­
flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and
inland trades. Some serve in military support roles,
while others operate only in the commercial sector.

Since its founding, the Paul Hall Center (named
for the SIU's second president) has helped tens of
thousands of SIU members hone their skills and
advance their shipboard careers. Overall, more
than 50,000 rated and licensed seamen have com­
pleted upgrading classes at the training center; and

Unlicensed Apprentice
Tiffany Nettles trains
on a lifeboat davit at
the Piney Point, Md~

21,000 young men and women from every
state in the U.S., Puerto Rico and several
U.S. territories have graduated from the
trainee program for those just beginning
their maritime careers. school.

May2002

Among the school's most beneficial
training tools are the bridge and engine sim­
ulators, the marine fire fighting and safety
school and the culinary lab. Students at the
southern Maryland school may receive col­
lege credit recommendations for successful­
ly completing certain sanctioned courses.

For information about the training center
and the union, visit the web site www.sea­
farers.org, or call toll-free at 1-877-235-
3275.

Joseph Manning (at
wheel), guided by his instructor
Maurice Chambers, demonstrates
the hands-on nature of the
apprentice program.

Right: Arts and crafts schooling,
such as that practiced by Harold

Gerber 11 in this photo, is
designed to help students
develop and refine certain

skills that are relevant to their
shipboard assignments.

In the wheelhouse are Capt.
Jeffery L. Sutton (left) and
AB James Davis Jr.

Seafarers LOG 11



From Sea
to
Sliining Sea
Wit.Ii
tlleSIU

NEW JERSEY - SIU Rep Edward Pulver (second from right) lends his support to
CWA Local 1034, which is engaged in a bitter organizing struggle with Enable
Health Care. Key organizers in the campaign have been summarily fired without
justification. The CWA organizing slogan for this campaign is "Jobs with Justice."
Pulver also serves as the president of the Hudson County Central Labor Council.

Left: CME Gregorio
Abalos checks to see
that the cranes are
operating smoothly
in port.

Left: HOUSTON - SIU
Asst. VP Jim McGee (left)
congratulates Capt.
William Fisher (accompa­
nied by his wife, Mary)
upon receipt of his first
pension check. Fisher
worked with Higman Barge
Lines as well as Sabine
Towing & Transportation
Co. for 40 years.

DEFENDER - Chief Cook Saundra
Leonard prepares her grandmother's
southern fried chicken recipe for crew
members aboard the Defender
(USSM).

Left: TAMPA - Jacksonville
SIU Port Agent Anthony McQuay
(right) meets with Bosun Michael
Proveaux (left) and AB Almus Allen
aboard the Sulphur Enterprise.

Up to his neck in work is AB Travis Jackson
on the deck of the Prince William Sound.

Above: Richard
Barnhart (right)
receives his new "A"
seniority book from
SIU Wilmington Port
Agent John Cox.

Right: Sidney
Wallace is the

bosun aboard the
/TB Groton.

Stephen Kastel (center), bosun aboard the Innovator (USSM), is
pleased to receive copies of the new standard contract from SIU
Wilmington Port Agent John Cox (left) and SIU Tacoma Port
Agent Bryan Powell.

12 Seafarers LOS May2002



. The ~eatt1{B~,.LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard
· ininiltes as possible~ On occasion, because of space

~ · liRJilations~ some will be omitted.

Ships f!llnutestirst are reviewed by the union's contract department.
Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union

upolrrecefpt of the ships' minutes. The minutes are then forwarded
···· to the Seafarers LOG for publication.

GLOBAL LINK (Transoceanic
Cable Ship Co.), Jan. 18-Chair­
man Bernardo Cruz, Secretary
Jennifer K. Jim, Educational
Director Franklin A. Coburn,
Deck Delegate Robert V. Bake­
man, Engine Delegate John
Hoskins. Chairman announced
payoff Jan. 31 in Baltimore. Vessel
docked in Baltimore; no word yet
on future operations. Educational
director advised crew members of
deadline for compliance with
STCW training. He also led dis­
cussion on prevention of drug and
alcohol problems. Secretary stated
$3,000 in ship's fund. Deck dele­
gate noted need for proper relief in
his department. No disputed OT
reported.

GREEN DALE (Waterman
Steamship Corp.), Jan. 6--Chair­
man Shawn T. Evans, Secretary
Donald J. Mann Jr., Deck Dele­
gate James T. Early. Chairman
thanked crew for good trip. He
noted needed repairs to ship and
asked crew members to be patient
until changes can be made. Educa­
tional director urged everyone to
watch safety videos on board ves­
sel and attend upgrading courses at
Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education in Piney
Point, Md. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Recommendations
made for revising pension plan
benefits. Thanks given to steward
department for good job. Ship will
pay off in Long Beach, Calif., then
sail to Oakland, Calif. before head­
ing to Far East.

HM/ DEFENDER (Seabulk
Tankers), Jan. 31-Chairman
Bradley L. Seibel, Secretary
Steven R. Wagner, Educational
Director Charles K. Dunnavant,
Deck Delegate Tan A. Joon,
Engine Delegate Demetrius
Simmons, Steward Delegate Peter
L. Crum. Chairman announced
payoff Feb. 2 upon arrival in Lake
Charles, La. although noted possi­
ble delay due to fog. Secretary
asked everyone to leave rooms
clean and with new sets of linen
for reliefs. Educational director
talked about STCW training and
taking advantage of facilities at
Piney Point. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Next ports: Lake
Charles; Tampa, Fla.

INNOVATOR (USSM), Jan. 13-
Chairman James R. Wilson,
Secretary Charles A. Medeiros,
Deck Delegate James D. Morgan,
Engine Delegate Hassin Ali.
Chairman thanked crew for profes­
sionalism, noting smooth trip and
pleasant sailing experience. He stat­
ed that former bosun, John Stout,
had retired. Entire crew wished
Stout a long and happy retirement.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Request made for new mattresses
and pillows as well as an article in
the LOG about making individual
contributions to the Money
Purchase Pension Plan. Next ports:
Long Beach and Oakland, Calif.

KENAI (ATC), Jan. 30--Chairman
Eric Berry, Secretary Dorothy M.
Odoms, Educational Director
Anthony R. Hulsey, Engine
Delegate Patrick Lynch, Steward
Delegate Self Salvation. Secretary
stated galley in need of new equip­
ment, including stoves, deep-fat

May2002

fryer, grill, ventilation fans, heating
lamp to keep food warm and
refrigerator/freezer. Educational
director encouraged crew members
to attend Paul Hall Center to
upgrade skills. No beefs reported;
some disputed OT noted in deck
department. Suggestion made that
satellite cables be run into all unli­
censed crew rooms. Chief Steward
Odoms was welcomed back after
being off for five months. Vote of
thanks to Chief Cook Salvation for
good job as relief steward, and
thanks to Patrick Lynch and Ray
Ramos for installing TV and
refrigerators.

LIBERTY GLORY (Liberty Mari­
time), Jan. 27-Chairman Juan M.
Rivas, Secretary Michael L.
Baker, Educational Director Erik
T. Bradshaw, Deck Delegate
Robert C. Hoppenworth, Engine
Delegate Robert L. Stevenson.
Secretary asked crew members to
leave rooms clean for next arrivals.
Educational director advised every­
one of STCW enforcement policy.
He urged crew to upgrade and take
advantage of all Piney Point has to
offer. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Request made for copies
of contract. After Houston, ships
heads to Mozambique and Kenya.

MAERSK TENNESSEE (Maersk
Lines), Jan. 27-Chairman James
J. Keevan, Secretary Dwight E.
Wuerth, Educational Director
Peter G. Murtagh, Deck Delegate
Danny H. Davis, Engine Delegate
Daniel A. Beshears, Steward
Delegate Carlos A. Rosales.
Chairman thanked ABs for good
job. He mentioned that if anyone
gets injured aboard ship, the acci­
dent should be reported immediate­
ly to department head or nearest
officer. Change of captains will
occur in port of Balboa, Panama.
Chairman asked that everyone help
keep laundry room clean and in
good order. Educational director
stressed importance of upgrading at
Paul Hall Center and of complying
with required STCW training. He
stated chief mate will fill out
TRBs. Treasurer announced $600
in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Recommendation
made to increase available items in
slop check locker. Suggestion also
made to have shipboard water test­
ed. Ship heading to ports in Pana­
ma, Colombia, Peru and Chile.

MARINE COLUMBIA (ATC),
Jan. 23-Chairman Gregory L.
Hamilton, Secretary John F.
Huyett, Educational Director
Charles Walker, Deck Delegate
Bonifacio B. Fortes, Engine
Delegate Bryan Wells. Chairman
announced arrival Jan. 28 in
Cherry Point, Wash. He stated
repair list posted and crew should
fill it out. Chairman reminded crew
members to check with supervisor
prior to going on deck in inclement
weather and to use centerline walk­
way. He also talked about separat­
ing plastic items from regular trash
and about keeping watertight doors
dogged. Educational director spoke
about deadline for STCW compli­
ance and advised crew to take
advantage of Paul Hall Center. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Suggestion made for next contract
regarding working in bilges off­
watch. Chairman answered ques-

tions from crew members pertain­
ing to clothing allowances and
work performed during meal hours.

OVERSEAS JOYCE (OSG), Jan.
27-Chairman Roger C. Tupas,
Jack A. Hart Jr., Steward
Delegate Paul F. Diesner. Chair­
man announced payoff Feb. 9 in
Jacksonville, Fla. He suggested
crew read LOG to find out latest
union news. Secretary thanked
crew for good trip and for helping
keep ship clean. Educational direc­
tor reminded everyone to upgrade
skills at Piney Point and make sure
all shipping documents are up to
date. Treasurer announced $128 in
ship's fund. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Clarification request­
ed on no-injuries policy aboard
vessel. New chairs needed for crew
lounge. Vote of thanks given to
steward department for fine holi­
day meals and for Capt. Balano's
delicious birthday party fare.

PATRIOT (Intrepid Ship Mgmt.),
Jan. 31-Chairman Wayne D.
Casey, Secretary Ronald D.
Jones, Educational Director Lino
E. Remorin, Engine Delegate
Vicente S. Cacacho. Chairman
announced job well done by deck
department. Secretary noted suc­
cessful ship inspection. He advised
crew members to watch for lint
buildup on overhead exhaust vents.
Educational director reminded
everyone of deadline for STCW
compliance. Treasurer explained
two shipboard funds. Movie fund is
given $2,000 annually ($166.60 per
month) by company. Company also
pays $300 each month to ship's
fund for every month there are no
lost-time injuries. There presently
is $1,080 in ship's fund. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Crew
members were asked to return all
movies brought to crew lounge.
Steward given vote of thanks for
great job. Bosun said he hasn't
eaten so well in a long time, and
day man joked he wants to rent a
room when his time is up, just for
the good food! Ship heading to
Israel.

SEABULK MARINER (Seabulk
Tankers), Jan. 28-Chairman
Rimvydas Ourbonas, Secretary
George Monseur, Educational
Director Oscar Garcia, Deck
Delegate Blair C. Baker, Engine
Delegate Jerome Dooms. Chair­
man announced payoff expected
Dec. 31 in Norco, La. Crew mem­
bers reminded to use safety equip­
ment at all times and separate plas­
tic items from regular garbage.
Secretary thanked everyone for
help keeping house clean. Educa­
tional director encouraged crew to
be sure sailing papers are in order.
No disputed OT reported; beef
noted in deck department. Crew
members requested union help with
processing of Coast Guard paper­
work. Also requested clarification
on travel (cash vs. tickets) and
asked for SMPPP statements.
Another suggestion was for all
ships to have same medical plan
coverage. Next port: Fort Lauder­
dale, Fla.

CAPE JACOB (American Over­
seas Marine), Feb. 7-Chairman
Robert W. Johnson, Secretary
Lauren J. Oram, Educational
Director George C. Cruzen Jr.,
Deck Delegate Harry Massa,
Steward Delegate Marco
Guevara. Chairman reported ship
still on heightened alert in Diego
Garcia and could deploy at any
time. Inspection will occur Feb. 15,
and vessel will go on exercises
Feb. 18. Secretary noted $500 in
ship's fund. Recommendation
made to buy software for crew's
computer or more videos. Educa­
tional director reminded crew
members to check shipping docu­
ments and make sure all are cur­
rent. He advised everyone to try
and learn something every day.
"Whether on board ship or at Piney

Point, knowledge is power." No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Copy of SPAD poster received and
posted in crew passageway. Sug­
gestion made for crew to receive a
day's pay for travel when joining
ship. Thanks given to steward
department for keeping everything
rolling, especially chief steward
"for mixing it up and keeping
everyone upbeat and positive!"

CHEMICAL TRADER (Intrepid
Ship Mgmt.), Feb. 28-Chairman
Raymond A. Tate, Secretary
Alexander Banky III, Educational
Director Nelson S. Lazo, Deck

helping keep ship clean. He asked
crew to use street clothes washer
and dryer only for street clothes.
Educational director reminded
crew members of safety precau­
tions while at sea. Some disputed
OT reported by deck and engine
delegates. Clarification requested
on whether steward department
members need STCW training.
Suggestion made for ship to have
headquarters e-mail address in
order to clarify issues aboard ship
while at sea. Repairs/replacements
requested for chairs and settee in
lounge as well as chairs in crew
mess hall. Steward department

Sailing with the "A-Team"

From Recertified Chief Steward Russell B. Beyschau comes this
photo of the "A-Team"-the galley gang-on the Endurance.
Beyschau (right), who is known for his decorated birthday cakes
aboard the USSM vessel, is joined here by Chief Cook Enrique
Garrido (left) and SA Jaime Castillo

Delegate Michael D. Wittenberg,
Engine Delegate Victor I.
Mondeci, Steward Delegate
Timothy R. Hubbert. Chairman
announced March 2 payoff in
Savannah, Ga. He expects satellite
dish to be fully installed by March
8. Secretary talked about engine
room fire aboard ship and
expressed his thanks to everyone
for fast and professional response.
"I would like to thank the union for
having all of our crew take basic
safety training," he said. "It
works." Educational director
advised crew members to take time
to upgrade at Paul Hall Center.
Treasurer announced $74 in ship's
fund. All other funds were used to
purchase satellite dish. Beef rep01t­
ed in deck department; some dis­
puted OT reported in steward
department. Next ports: Savannah,
Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia.

EXPLORER (USSM), Feb. 3-
Chairman Raymond "Skip"
Yager, Secretary William R.
Burdette, Educational Director
Kenneth Smith, Deck Delegate
Edward F. O'Brien, Engine
Delegate Fadel A. Mohamed,
Steward Delegate Larry Lopez.
Chairman announced payoff Feb. 6
in Long Beach, Calif. Secretary
asked crew members to separate
bottles and cans from rest of trash.
Educational director talked about
compliance with STCW regula­
tions and advised everyone to take
advantage of upgrading opportuni­
ties available at Piney Point facili­
ty. Treasurer stated $3,600 in ship's
fund. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Suggestion made to pur­
chase new antenna for crew lounge
and upgrade video service to
DVDNCD (which would require
machines that work in both USA
and Asia). Request also made for
computer software. Next port:
Long Beach.

INTEGRITY (USSM), Feb. 30-­
Chairman Domingo Leon,
Secretary Stephanie L. Sizemore,
Educational Director Dennis R.
Baker, Deck Delegate Leopoldo
P. Emnace, Engine Delegate
Conrado Martinez. Bosun report­
ed wonderful trip and great weath­
er. Secretary thanked crew for

praised for fabulous menus and
meals. Bosun asked crew to re­
member to re-wrap night lunch for
next person. Crew requested com­
puter for communal use. Wiper
suggested refrigerators for each
room.

NAVIGATOR (CSX Lines), Feb.
24-Chairman Werner H. Becher,
Secretary Lynn N. McCluskey,
Educational Director Daniel F.
Dean, Deck Delegate Kevin A.
Kellum, Engine Delegate James
B. Spranza, Steward Delegate
Glenn A. Taan. Chairman said
crew joined ship Feb. 9 in Singa­
pore. Following March 1 payoff in
Tacoma, Wash., vessel will begin
Triangle Run (Oakland, Long
Beach, Hawaii). He thanked crew
for working well together and for
help in cleaning ship after period in
shipyard. He reminded everyone to
keep doors closed while in port and
to be sure shipping documents are
up to date. Secretary stated $30 in
tuna fund was transferred to movie
fund. Educational director urged
members to upgrade at Paul Hall
Center for higher ratings. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Request
made for new furniture for crew's
lounge and fans and refrigerators
for each cabin. Thermostats should
be turned off in empty rooms.

OVERSEAS MARILYN
(Maritime Overseas), Feb. 3-
Chairman Marco A. Galliano,
Secretary Earl N. Gray Sr., Deck
Delegate Daniel P. Seymour,
Engine Delegate Linton L. Rey­
nolds Jr., Steward Delegate Isabel
Miranda. Bosun informed crew
that captain will reimburse every­
one who paid for launch services
while ship was anchored in Manta,
Ecuador. They should bring re­
ceipts to captain. Chairman an­
nounced Feb. 7 payoff on arrival in
Galveston, Texas. Secretary
stressed importance of contributing
to SPAD and of upgrading skills in
Piney Point for job security. Some
disputed OT reported in engine
department. Suggestion made for
next contract to include paid return
transportation following four­
month tour of duty. Vote of thanks
given to steward department for
job well done.

Seafarers LOG 13

•



•

·. Vacation at Piney Point • • •
How people choose to spend their hard-earned vacation time is a scaped grounds. And three delicious meals are provided each day!

personal thing. Some may wish to relax and just get away from But, definitely, take a box lunch and a camera and go to the zoo.
their busy routines at home or at work. Others may take the oppor- If it's relaxation you want, just stroll around the zoological park,
tunity to educate themselves by reading, sightseeing or going to looking at the incredible collection of animals and soaking up the
museums. Still others may simply just want to have fun. warmth of Washington's summer weather.

It's rare you can get all those possibilities wrapped into one If it's educational opportunities you seek, the zoo will fit the bill.
activity. But we have the spot for you-The National Zoo in The 163-acre Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Rock Creek
Washington, D.C. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Park was established by an Act

When you choose to spend of Congress in 1889 "for
up to two weeks of your sum- · advancement of science and the
mer vacation at the Paul Hall instruct~on and recreation of the
Center in Piney Point, Md., people.' ' Itis a world leader in
the zoo is an easy day trip exhibition, conservation, zoo-
away, as are many other logical research and education.
attractions in the nation's cap- Home to more than 5,800 ani-
ital or in nearby Baltimore, mals, it was the first zoo estab-
Annapolis and northern lished with the purpose of sav-
Virginia. ing animals on the brink of

Each summer, a number of extinction. Today, nearly 130 of
rooms in the center's training the zoo's species of animals are
and recreation center are set endangered or threatened.
aside for vacationing SIU If it's just fun you're seeking,
members and their families. watch the famous cuddly panda

With an ideal location on bears, Mei Ziang and Tian Tian,
the banks of the St George's as they frolic about, munching
9reek in Southern Maryland, on vast: quantities of bambq~>.
the Paul Hall Center is the .-. -Or check out the baby Suinatran
perfect place from which to tiger cub, born Sept. 18, 2001,
base a family vacation. as he develops his skills as a tiger. Or wander around the elephant

The center, which houses the largest training facility for unli- house and see Kandula, the male Asian elephant born Nov. 25, who
censed deep sea merchant seafarers and inland waterways boatmen is growing fast, gaining from one to four pounds each day. There"s
in the United States, is composed of a number of administrative and also Kraken, a Komodo dragon, and Mechi and Kali, greater one­
educational buildings as well as a library and maritime museum and homed Asian rhinos, and Jana, a giraffe bom Jan. 18, 200 L
"a ·six .. story training and recreation center on more than 60 acres of The zoo is open every day of the year (except Dec. 25). During
waterfront property the summer, the grounds are open.from 6 a.m. unt-il 8 p.m. and the

The rooms are comfortable and well equipped, and there are cer- buildings from .-.10 a.m. to ·6 p.m. And-admission is free! (Parking
tainly enough amenities and activities to keep everyone in the fami- is $5 for the first three hours and $2 for each additional hour.)
ly happy. There is a picnic area with grills and tables, outdoor ten- Use of the Piney Point facilities as a vacation spot is a special
nis and basketball courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a health benefit for Seafarers and their families. Why not take advantage of
spa and plenty of space for walks or jogs on the beautifully land- it this summer by sending in your reservation form now!

• • • and Visit the Zoo
,.-.--- --·----- ------ ___ .. --- -------- ------ ---- --- ----- ------------- ----·--- ---- ---- -·------ --- ~-- ---- ------ ---- ----- ----,.
I I

l PAUL HALL CENTER TRAINING & RECREATION CENTER i
l l

: Vacation Reservation Information :
I
I
I

: Name:
I
I

: Social Security number: Book number:
I
I

: Address:
I
I
I
I
l

Telephone number:

Number in party I ages of children, if applicable: ______________ _

Date of arrival: 1st choice: 2nd choice: __ _ 3rd choice: __ _
(Stay is limited to a maximum of two weeks)

Date of departure: ___________ _
5102

Send this completed application to the Seafarers Training & Recreation Center, PO. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075.

UNION MEMBER
VACATION RATES

A vacation stay at the Paul Hall
Center is limited to two weeks per
family.

Member $40.00/day

Spouse $10.00/day

Child $10.00/day

Note: There is no charge for chil­
dren 11 years of age or younger.
The prices listed above include all
meals but do not include tax.

14 Seafarers LOG May2002



Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea
MARCH 16 -APRIL 15, 2002

*TOTAL REGISTERED
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

Port
Algonac
Baltimore
Guam

4
3

Honolulu 7
Houston 25
Jacksonville 28
Mobile 16
New Orleans 23
New York 26
Norfolk 11
Philadelphia 3
Piney Point 3
Puerto Rico 9
San Francisco 28
St. Louis 4
Tacoma
Wilmington
Totals

Port
Algonac­
Baltimore
Guam
Honolulu

32
32

255

1
8
0
6

l
0
3
7

16
27

9
10
13
18
2
4
4

11

17
15

158

0
2
0
3

Houston 15 2
Jacksonville 23 24
Mobile 10 2
New Orleans · 12 8
New York · 9 . 9
Norfolk 9 9
Philadelphia 0
Piney Point 0 0
Puerto Rico 9 5
San Francisco 10 7
St. Louis 0 3
Tacoma 12 15
Wilmington 9 7

al 134 96

Port
Algonac 0 0
Baltimore 0
Guam 0 0
Honolulu 12 2
Houston 17 3
Jacksonville 14 4
Mobile 4 0
New Orleans 7 5
New York 18 4
Norfolk 5 11
Philadelphia 3 1
Piney Point 1 2
Puerto Rico 2 1
San Francisco 14 3
St. Louis 2 0
Tacoma 25
Wilmington 16 7
Totals 141 · 44

Port
Algonac 0 2
Baltimore 0 4
Guam o 1
Honolulu 4 16
Houston 1 9
Jacksonville 1 21
Mobile 0 5
New Orleans 3 14
New York 6 28
Norfolk 2 13
Philadelphia 0 2
Piney Point 0 6
Puerto Rico. 4 4
San Francisco 8 9

.. $t. Lguis~ 0 1
Tacoma 7 22
Wilmington 6 8
Totals 42 165

Totals All
Departments 572 463

2

5
19
12
6
6

20
5

4
3

14
21

124

l
l
0
3
7
8
1
2
7,
4
0
0
0
3

9
3

50

1
0
0
1
0
5

0
l
4
3
0
1
l
0

2
0

20

I
6
0

18
17
17
4

15
19
7
1

22
3

12
I

16
15

174

368

TOTAL SIIlPPED
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

DECK DEPARTMENT

Trip
Reliefs

0 1 1 0
5 2 I 2
0 l 0
4

18
20
8

22
13
12
0
0
6

12
2

24
21

4
7

11
2

10
9
5
1
3
5
6
2
7
6

3
11
3
6
6
4
3
1

0
0
3
5

10

2
6

11
5
8
4
6
0
0
2
9

11
12

167 82 59 79

ENGINE DEPARTMENT
1 0 0 0
6 1 0 1
1 0 0 0
2
7

14
12
10
7
4
1
3
4

0
11
3

3
11
4
4
3

11
3
3
2
5
2
9
4

2
3
1
2
3
1
0
0

0
4
0
6
2

4
8
2
2
5
4
0
2
3
2
2
9
0

87 66 25 45

STEWARD DEPARTMENT
· o o o o

0 0 0 0
0 . 0 0 0
3 2 1 0
9 2 0 5

10
3
9
6
5
2
2

1
I 1

18

3
1
2
2
5
1
1
0
2
0
0

0

0
0
0
1
0

2
0

0
0

9

3
3
4
4
1
0
2
3
0

18
7 7 1 9

87 28 6 61

ENTRY DEPARTMENT
0 0 0 0
0 4 4 0
0 0 5 0
5 8 2 0
2 11 6 0
3 8 11 0
0 2 3 0
1
2
0

0
0

0
3
0
4
2

22

8
12
5
0
5
2
5
1

16
6

93

363 . 269

4
7
3
0

7
3
6
0
2
4

67

157

0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

185

**REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

4
8
4

14
47

53
25
27
48
17
10
3

13
43

3
47

56
422

7
0

12
29
33
10
16
14
12
4
1

10
18

17
20

206

0
5
0

23
23
31

13
14
26
lO

6
4
3

36
l

39
29

263

0
0
0
6
3
1
0
5

12
2
0
0
7

10
0

9
11
66

957

2
4
2

11
26
44
18
18
15
29

3
4
9

18
4

27
24

258

2
5
0

12

2
3
q __
6

24
17
5

11
37
14
2

0
4
7
5

21
26

184

1
1
0
7

9 16
38 16
6 . 2

8 3
20 13
15 6
0 2
4
4
8 5
3

19 15
14 7

167 97

0 1
2 0
0 l
5 13
7 5
7 19
4 4
6· 3
8 7

19 5
0 1
8 0
1
7
0 2
2 3
8 0

84 66

4 2
1 5
1 4

39 62
19 46
32 50
13 3
18 31
65 69
19 19
3 1

19 26
9 7

22 19
3 2

33 44
19 36

319 426

828 773

*"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.

May 2002

June & July 2002
Membership Meetings

Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters
Piney Point ............. Monday: June 3, July 8

Algonac .................. Friday: June 7, July 12

Baltimore ................ Thursday: June 6, July 1 I

Boston ..................... Friday: June 7, July 12

Duluth ..................... Wednesday: June 12, July 17

Honolulu ....... .......... Friday: June 14, July 19

Houston .................. Monday: June 10, July 15

Jacksonville ............ Thursday: June 6, July 11

Jersey City .............. Wednesday: June 19, July 24

Mobile .................... Wednesday: June 12, July 17

New Bedford .......... Tuesday: June 18, July 23

New Orleans ........... Tuesday: June 11, July 16

New York ................ Tuesday: June 4, July 9

Norfolk ................... Thursday: June 6, July 11

Philadelphia ............ Wednesday: June 5, July 10

Port Everglades ....... Thursday: June 13, July 18

San Francisco ......... Thursday: June 13, July 18

San Juan .................. Thursday: June 6, July 11

St. Louis ................. Friday: June 14, July 19

Savannah ................ Friday: June 7, July 12

Tacoma ................... Friday: June 21, July 26

Wilmington ............... Monday: June 17, July 22

Each port's meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.

Luau on the Maui

Each voyage, on the evening before arrival in Honolulu,
everyone aboard Matson Navigation Co.'s SS Maui looks
forward to a shipboard luau. This photo of the steward
department was taken during a recent luau by the ves­
sel's master, Donald Marshall. From the left are Chief
Cook Khalid Mohamed, Asst. Cook Carmelo Dela Cruz,
Room Steward Mohamed Ahmed and Chief Steward
Muhamad Sani. Marshall notes, "This SIU steward
department is a credit to the union and has made the SS
Maui a real feeder."

Seafarers LOG 15

;

•

,..



Seafarers lntemalional Union
Directory

Michael Sacco, President

John Fay, Executive Vice President

David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer

Augustin Tellez. Vice President Contracts

Tom Orzechowski,
Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters

Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast

.Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast

Kermett Mangram,
Vice President Government Services

Rene Lioeanjfo, Vice President at Large

Charles Stewart, Vice President at large

• •
HEADQUARTERS

5201 Auth Way. Camp Springs, MD 20746
(301) 899-0675

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

(810) 794-4988

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

(618) 462-3456

ANCHORAGE
721 Sesame St.. #1 c. Anchorage, AK 99503

(901) 561-4988

BALTIMORE
2315 Essex St, Baltimore, MD 21224

(410) 327-4900

BOSTON
~20 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02127

(617) 269-7877

DULUTH
705 Medical Arts Building, Duluth, MN 55802

(218) 722-4110

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

125 Sunny Plaza, Suite 30 l-E
Tun Jesus Crisostomo St., Tamuning, Guam 96911

(67l) 647-1350

U:ONOLl.JLU
606 Kalilii St., Honolulu, Bl 96819

(808) 845-5222

HOUSTON
1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002

(713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE
3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206

(904) 353-0987

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

(201) 435-9424

MOBILE
1640 Dauphin Jsland Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605

(251) 478-0916

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

(508) 997-5404

NEW ORLEANS
3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058

(504) 328-7545

NEW YORK
635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232

{718) 499-6600

NORFOLK
115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 622-1892

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

(215) 336-3818

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

(301) 994-0010

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

(954) 522-7984

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

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

SANTURCE
l057FemandezJuncosAve., Stop !6

Santurce, PR 00907
(787) 721-4033

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

(314) 752-6500

SAVANNAH
2220 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401

(912) 238-4958

TACOMA
3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409

(253) 272-7774

WlLMINGTON
510 . Broad Ave., Wilmington. CA 90744

(310) 549-4000

16 Seafarers LOS

N1'111 1'1onthl7 Shipping A Registration Report

TOTAL REGISTERED
All Groups

MARCH2002

TOTAL SHIPPED
All Groups

Group I Group II Group ill Group I Group II Group III

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

Boston
Houston
Harvey, LA
New York
Norfolk
San Pedro
Savannah

Tacoma
Totals

Port

Boston

7
7
9
8
2
7
6
7

53

2
2
5

3

6
30

2

3

1

2

1
12

1
Houston 4

Harvey, LA 4
New York 3
Norfolk
San Pedro 5
Savannah 0
Tacoma 5
Totals 23

Totals All
Departments 118

2
0
0

0

0

0
1
4

0

0

0

0

2

-6

0

0
0
0
0
0
1

6
4

3
0
0
3
0

3
19

26

0

0

0

0
1
0

1
3

0
2

0

0

4

0
0

0
0
0
0
0

0
5
1
4
0
0
2

0
12

19

DECK DEPARTMENT

3 0 0
5
3
9

0
3

7
3

33

0

0

0

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
1
0
0
0

0

1

ENGINE DEPARTMENT

0 1 0

"-----~ 4 0 l
0

0
2

11

0

0
0

1

STEWARD DEPARTMENT

3 0 0

"""--·~-···~"''''''~ 2 0 0
4

2
0
0
0
0

11

0

0

0
0
0

0
0

0

0
· o

0
0

0

0

ENTRY DEPARTMENT

0 0 0
2
1
2
0
5
0

5
15

70

0

0
0
0
1

3

4

2
1

0
0
0
0

0
3

6

PIG-FROM-THE-PAST
This photo, taken by Seafarer

Hector Reyes, was originally
printed in the Feb. 19, 1954
issue of the Seafarers LOG. Nino
Valdez (seated at right) and his
wife were visiting old friends
aboard the SIS Florida while the
SIU-contracted vessel was in
Havana Harbor.

The Cuban-born Valdez was a
professional boxer from 1941
until his defeat in 1959 by Sonny
Liston. At one time, he was even
one of the top contenders for
Rocky Marciano's heavyweight
title, but the fight never came
about. The record books state
that Valdez fought 69 pro fights
in his career, compiling a 49-18-
2 record with 36 KO wins and 5
KO defeats.

When heavyweight bouts were
hard to come by in the early '40s
in Cuba , he worked as a long­
shoreman and construction
laborer, which probably is how
he befriended the Seafarers
when they arrived in Havana.

Nino Valdez died in New York
June 3, 2001.

Trip
Reliefs

REGISTERED ON BEACH
AU Groups

Group I Group II Group III

4

16
11
5

0
11

11
59

2
16
15

53
2

16
10
16

130

2 6
2 27
5--· .. ~-"" .. d

3 -~~
8 4
3 32

24 105

2

1

0
o_

0

8

0
13

2

5

0
5
3

5

33

124

4

19
1
6
6
6

50

2
16
6

21

1
19

1

19
85

370

4
3

7

0
11
0

11

37

2

0
18

50

0
2
2

3

0

. 2 -·

2
12

10
15
8

40
0

15

7

15
110

209

0
4

4

0

12

0
5
0
5

0
6
0
6

22

0

0
0
2
0
4
0
4

10

0
30

4

34

0
18
6

18

110

154

May2002



On this page, the Seafarers
LOG presents brief bio­
graphical accounts of the

21 Seafarers announcing their
retirements this month.

DEEP SEA

FIDELS.
BROAS, 65,
hails from the
Philippines.
Brother Broas
served in the
U.S. Navy
from 1958 to
1961. He

started his SIU career in 1979 in
Seattle, first sailing aboard the
Del Sol. The engine department
member upgraded his skills at the
Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education in Piney
Point, Md. in 1995. His most
recent voyage was aboard the
Liberator, operated by U.S. Ship
Management. Brother Broas
makes his home in New York.

PLARIDEL
P. CADIZ, 66,
joined the SIU
in 1970 in San
Francisco. His
first ship was
the Buckeye
Atlantic. The
steward de­
partment member was born in the
Philippines and upgraded his
skills at the Seafarers training
school in 1990. Broth diz
as wen o sea on the Sea-Land

Producer. He is a resident of
Sacramento, Calif

JACKJ.
COOPER,
71, was born
in Virginia.
Brother
Cooper began
his SIU career
in 1980 in the
port of

Norfolk, Va., having served in the
U.S. Coast Guard from 1950 to
1970. His first ship was the
Columbia. The deck department
member upgraded his skills often
at the Seafarers training school in
Piney Point, Md., completing
bosun recertification training
there in 1992 and LNG recertifi­
cation instruction in 1998.
Brother Cooper's last voyage was
on the LNG Gemini. He makes
his home in Chesapeake, Va.

NORMAN DUHE, 63, started
his career with the Seafarers in
1970 in the port of New Orleans.
The steward department member
frequently enhanced his skills at
the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School of Seamanship, complet­
ing the steward recertification
program in 1986. Born in
Louisiana, he last worked on the
Stonewall Jackson, a Waterman
Steamship Corp. vessel. Brother
Duhe lives in his home state in
the city of Slidell. ·

EUSEBIO
FIGUEROA,
65, hails from
Puerto Rico.
He started his
career with the
SIU in 1970 in
the port of
New York.
Brother Figueroa fust sailed on

May2002

the Seatrain Texas. The deck
department member 's last voyage
was aboard the Equality State.
Brother Figueroa calls Kirbyville,
Texas home. ·

-~~I JAMES D.
HARRIS, 65,
joined the
Seafarers in
1966 in the
port of
Norfolk, Va.
The North
Carolina

native served in the U.S. Army
from 1960 to 1962. His first ship
was the City of Alma. A member
of the deck department, Brother
Harris upgraded his skills at the
Seafarers training school in 1977.
His last trip was aboard Newport
Tankers' Achilles. Brother Harris
calls Wilmington, N.C. home.

IGNATIUS
MUZICH, 70,
began his SIU
career in 1 994
in the port of
New York.
The Croatian­
born mariner
first sailed on
the USNS American Osprey. A
member of the deck department,
Brother Muzich was a frequent
upgrader at the Seafarers Harry
Lundeberg School of Seaman­
ship. His last voyage was aboard
the Integrity. Brother Muzich is a
resident of his native country.

EUGENIO
OYA, 69, was
born in Spain.
He joined the
Seafarers in
1960 in the
port of New
York. The
deck depart­

ment member upgraded his skills
at Piney Point, Md. Brother Oya
last worked on the Express, a
U.S. Ship Management vessel.
He lives in Sunnyvale, Calif.

LEIFV. PED­
ERSEN, 66,
joined the
Seafarers in
1991 in the
port of New
Orleans.
Brother
Pederson first
sailed on the Sealift China Sea.
Born in Denmark, the deck
department member last worked
aboard the Nantucket Shoals. He
calls Pearl, La. home.

RODNEY J.
PENCE, 45,
began his
career with the
Seafarers in
1974 in the
port of Piney
Point, Md. He

"---..I..--' first sailed on
the Ft. Hoskins, an Interocean
Ship Management vessel. Born in
Texas, Brother Pence worked in
the deck department. He upgrad­
ed his skills at the Seafarers
Harry Lundeberg School of
Seamanship in 1979 and 1995.
His last voyage was aboard the
Sea-Land Quality. Brother Pence
is a resident of Bacliff, Texas.

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

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

Great Lakes. Listed below qre 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.

DONALD
RUND BLAD,
71 , joined the
SIU in 1948 in
the port of
New York. He
served in the
U.S. Army
from 1952 to

and completed
the steward
recertification
program in
1987. He last
shipped on the
Sea-Land
Expedition.
Brother

Aquila. The engine department
member upgraded his skills at the
Seafarers training school in 1998.
Boatman Crowley makes his
home in Moreno Valley, Calif.

~liJ~l WILLIAMS.

1954. Born in New York, he
shipped in the deck department.
Brother Rundblad lives in
Tacoma, Wash.

Vazquez lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

FISHER, 61,
was born in
Texas. He
joined the
Seafarers in
1963 in Port
Arthur, Texas.
A member of

TOMMIE
VINES, 47,
was born in
Alabama. He
began his
career with the
Seafarers in
1969 in the
port of New

the deck department, Boatman
Fisher shipped as a captain. He is
a resident of Corrigan, Texas.

ALVE CARL -

HAN ABLE
SMITH, 57,
hails from
Alabama.
Brother Smith
started his
career with the
Seafarers in
1964 in the

port of Mobile, Ala. The deck
department member enhanced his
skills at the Seafarers training
school in 1977. Brother Smith
last shipped on the MV Courier.
He makes his home in Mobile.

York. Brother Vines first sailed
aboard the Buckeye Atlantic. The
deck department member last
worked on Puerto Rico Marine
Management's Humacao. Brother
Vines lives in Mobile, Ala.

HOLMES,
61 , hails from
Pennsylvania.
Boatman
Holmes start­
ed his SIU
career in 1988
in the port of

GREAT LAKES .

JEROLD
SAXON, 60,
was born in
Fayette, Mich.
After serving
in the U.S .
Navy, he be­
gan his career
with the Sea­

New Orleans. He worked as a
launch operator, last sailing on a
vessel operated by Alabama Pilot,
Inc. He calls Pensacola, Fla.
home.

FLOREN­
CIO UMALI,
65 , joined the
SIU in 1986 in
the port of
Honolulu fol­
lowing a 20-
year career in
the U.S. Navy.
Born in the Philippines, Brother
Umali first shipped aboard the
UNSN Contender. One of hi
daughters was an SIU scholarship
recipient who graduated from the
University of Illinois with a
degree in education. Brother
Umali sailed in the steward
department, most recently aboard
the Constellation, a Maersk Lines
vessel. He resides in Newport
News, Va.

farers in 1964 in Frankfort, Mich.
Brother Saxon shipped in the
deck department, last sailing on
the JA. W Iglehart. He makes his
home in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.

STEVENT.
MORTON,
57, joined the
Seafarers in
1974 in the
port of New
Orleans. Boa­
man Morton is

=-=...._...- .. a military vet­
eran, having served in the U.S .
Army from 1963 to 1967. The
engine department member last
worked on a vessel operated by
Crescent Towing & Salvage Co.
Boatman Morton lives in Frank­
lenton, La.

INLAND

THOMASJ.
CROWLEY,
71 , started his
SIU career in
1977 in Wilm­
ington, Calif.
Boatman
Crowley is a
military veter­

EDGARDO VAZQUEZ, 71 ,
started his career with the SIU in
1963 in the port ofNew York.
The steward department member
upgraded his skills at the
Seafarers training school in 1981

an, serving in both the U.S. Army
and U.S. Navy. A native of New
York, he first worked aboard the

STEWART W. PARKS, 62,
began his career with the SIU in
1981 in the port of Philadelphia.
A member of the deck depart­
ment, he upgraded his skills at
the Seafarers training school in
2001. Boatman Parks makes his
home in Tangier, Va.

Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG

1949
The Atlantic and Gulf District of the Seafarers
International Union scored a landslide victory in the
recently concluded col-
lective bargaining elec-
tion on nine Cities

ships that are effectively controlled by the United
States," Scott said, uare United States-flag vessels."
He urged the Nixon Administration to base its deci­
sions on maritime needs solely on "ships which fly
the American flag and are manned by American
citizens."

Scott was the principal
speaker at a day-long

Service ships, with the
company's unlicensed
personnel casting 8 9
percent of the valid bal­
lots in favor of the
union. Although only 12
of 11 0 ballots were cast

THIS MONTH
seminar sponsored in
Washington, D.C. by
the AFL-CIO Maritime
Trades Department. The
seminar was devoted to
the problem of the JN SIU HISTORY

in favor of the company-
sponsored Cities Service Tanker Men's Association,
the company again challenged the election before
the National Labor Relations Board. A previous
election, in which 83 percent of the seamen voted
for the SIU, was challenged and another election
ordered.
Seafarers are urged to stay on their ships until the
NLRB sanctions the election, since the company is
trying to replace them with "company union" men
to reverse the SIU victory.

1969
A long-standing Defense Department theory that
American-owned ships, registered under th~ flags of
other countries, are under the "effective control"
of the United States in time of crisis was sharply
attacked by Senator Hugh Scott (R-Pa.). "The only

"runaway-flag" fleet,
which is now larger, in
terms of tonnage, than

American-owned vessels registered and crewed in
this country.

1989
Navy Secretary William L. Bell Ill said the crews of
the Seafarers-manned Pacific T-AGOS fleet
"demonstrated exceptional professional compe­
tence, resourcefulness, innovation and dedication in
support of Pacific Fleet ASW operations while con­
ducting consistently superb daily operations, numer­
ous special ASW tasks and the development and
employment of new systems."
Secretary Bell's remarks were part of the citation
accompanying the celebrated Navy Unit
Commendation pennant and certificate presented ·
to the five SIU-crewed T-AGOS vessels operating
in the Pacific. The SIU-crewed vessels play a key
role in the national defense of the United States.

Seafarers LOS 17

....



r
~

!
. ,

~nal Departures
DEEP SEA

FLOYD ACORD
Brother Floyd Acord, 45, died Jan
28. He started his career with the
SIU in 1973 in the port of Piney
Point, Md. The California native
first went to sea aboard the William
T. Steel, a Richmond Corp. vessel.
Brother Acord shipped in the engine
department. Brother Acord called
Houston home.

WOODY AINSWORTH
Brother Woody
Ainsworth, 55,
passed away
Jan. 19. Brother
Ainsworth
began his
career with the
Seafarers in
1964 in the port
of Houston. He

first sailed on the Walter Rice, a
Reynolds Metal Co. vessel. Born in
Texas, he worked in the deck depart­
ment. Brother Ainsworth last went to
sea aboard the OM! Sacramento. He
made his home in Arcadia, Texas.

VERNER ANDERSEN
Pensioner
Verner
Andersen, 84,
died Feb. 3. He
joined the SIU
in 1943 in the
port of New
York. The
engine depart­
ment member

last worked on the Cove Navigator,
a Cove Shipping vessel. Brother
Andersen started receiving compen­
sation for his retirement in 1977. He
was a resident of Wayne, Fla.

GEORGE BIETE
Pensioner
George Biete,
88, passed
away Jan. 21 .
Brother Biete
started his
career with the
Marine Cooks
and Stewards
(MC&S). Born

in the Philippines, he worked in the
steward department. Brother Biete
began receiving stipends for his
retirement in 197 5. He made his
home in Sacramento, Calif.

CASSEL BRIDGMAN
Pensioner
Cassel
Bridgman, 85,
died Feb. 12.
He started his
SIU career in
1953 in the port
of New York.
Brother
Bridgman

served in the U.S. Army and the
U.S. Coast Guard. His first SIU voy­
age was aboard the Bradford Island,
operated by Cities Service. The
Hyde County, N.C. native shipped in
the deck department. He last worked
on Waterman Steamship Corp. 's
William Harper. Brother Bridgman
started receiving retirement compen­
sation in 1972. He was a resident of
Elizabeth City, N.C.

GEORGE BURKE

~iljifl~~:;:-1 Pensioner
George Burke,
74, died March
14. Brother
Burke joined
the Seafarers in
1946 in the port
of New York.
He served in
the U.S. Army

from 1953 to 1955. Brother Burke's
first SIU voyage was aboard an A.H.
Bull Steamship Co. vessel. A mem­
ber of the deck department, Brother

18 Seafarers LOB

Burke shipped as a bosun. He last
went to sea aboard the Sea-Land
Value. Brother Burke started receiv­
ing his pension in 1993 . He called
Brooklyn, N.Y. home.

BOBBY BUTTS
Pensioner
Bobby Butts,
76, passed away
Feb. 15.
Brother Butts
started his SIU
career in 1955
in the port of
Mobile, Ala,
after serving in

the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1954.
His initial voyage was aboard a
Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel.
The Mississippi-born mariner sailed
in the deck department as a bosun.
He last worked on the OM!
Champion. Brother Butts started
receiving his pension in 1989. He
was a resident of Mobile.

JOHN DMOCHOWSKY
Pensioner John
Dmochowsky,
77, died Feb.
19. Brother
Dmochowsky
began bis career
with the
Seafarers in
1977 in Detroit.
He was a veter­

an of the U.S. Navy, serving from
1942 to 1946. The Perryopolis, Pa.­
born mariner shipped in all three
divisions, working in the steward
department. Brother Dmochowsky
last worked on the Cornhusker State,
an Interocean Management Corp.
vessel. He started receiving his pen­
sion in 1991 and made his home in
Flat Rock, Mich.

JESUS FERNANDEZ
Pensioner Jesus
Fernandez, 91
passed away
March 3. Born
in the
Philippines,
Brother
Fernandez start­
ed his SIU
career in 1951

in the port of New York. The stew­
ard department member last worked
on the Sea-Land St. Louis. Brother
Fernandez began receiving his
retirement stipend in 1976. He lived
in Daly City, Calif.

OLAV GUSTAVSEN
Pensioner Olav
Gustavsen, 81 ,
died Dec. 13.
Brother
Gustavsen
began his career
with the
Seafarers in
1951. His initial
voyage was

aboard the Ft. Hoskins, an
Interocean Management Corp. ves­
sel. Born in Norway, the engine
department member started receiv­
ing retirement payments in 1984.
Brother Gustavsen made his home in
San Francisco.

HARRY HAGERMAN
Pensioner Harry
Hagerman, 87,
recently passed
away. Born in
Samish Island,
Wash., he
joined the SIU
in 1965 in
Seattle. His ini­
tial voyage was

aboard Moore-McCormack Lines'
Robin Kirk. The deck department
member last went to sea on the Sea­
Land Newark. Brother Hagerman
began receiving his pension in 1989
and lived in his native state.

MILTON HENTON
Pensioner
Milton Henton,
76, died Feb.
25. Brother
Henton began
his SIU career
in 1951 in the
port of New
York. The
Mississippi­

born mariner first went to sea aboard
the Gulf Water, a Metro Steamship
vessel. A veteran of the U.S. Army,
he sailed in the deck department.
Brother Henton last worked on the
OM! Missouri and started receiving
his pension in 1988. He made his
home in Mobile, Ala.

PAUL HOLLOWAY
Pensioner Paul
Holloway, 77,
passed away
Jan. 7. Born in
Wilkes County,
N.C., Brother
Holloway
joined the SIU
in 1953 in the
port of New

York. The U.S. Navy veteran first
sailed aboard the French Creek, an
Interocean Management Corp. ves­
sel. The deck department member
last worked on a Sea-Land Service
vessel. Brother Holloway began
receiving his pension in 1989. He
lived in Elkin, N.C.

ROBERT LAMBERT
Pensioner
Robert
Lambert, 71 ,
died March 8.
Brother
Lambert
launched his
career with the
Seafarers in

Wllllllll••lm 1960 in the port
of Mobile, Ala. The U.S. Navy vet­
eran frrst shipped under the SIU col­
ors aboard a Sprague Steamship Co.
vessel. Brother Lambert sailed in the
deck department as a bosun and last
worked aboard the Sealift Arctic.
Born in Florida, he began collecting
retirement compensation in 1994.
Brother Lambert made his home in
Daphne, Ala.

ARTHUR MEDEIROS
Brother Arthur
Medeiros, 49,
passed away

• recently. Born
in Hawaii, he
joined the SIU
in 1985 in the
port of
Honolulu.
Brother

Medeiros served in the U.S. Navy
from 1969 to 1972. His initial voy­
age for the Seafarers was aboard
American Hawaii Cruises' SS Inde­
pendence. The steward department
member last worked on the Sea­
Land Navigator. Brother Medeiros
lived in Honolulu.

CHARLES POLK

Pensioner
Charles Polk,
60, died Feb. 1.
Brother Polk
started his
career with the
Seafarers in
1964 in the port
of Mobile, Ala.
He worked in

the inland and deep sea divisions
and first shipped aboard a G&H
Towing Co. vessel. The Alabama
native sailed in the engine depart­
ment and last worked aboard
Waterman Steamship Corp. 's Green
Island. Brother Polk began collect­
ing retirement stipends in 1998. He
made his home in Mobile.

LESTER PUGH
Pensioner
Lester Pugh,
87, passed
away Feb. 28 .
The Alabama
native was a
charter member
of the
Seafarers, hav­

L!-C"1<.~....:zi~~_--J ingjoined the
union in 1938 in the port of Mobile,
Ala. His first ship was the City of
Alma, a Waterman Steamship Corp.
vessel. Brother Pugh left the SIU
briefly to serve in the U.S. Army
from 1943 to 1944. The engine
department member last worked
aboard the John Tyler, another
Waterman vessel. Brother Pugh
started receiving his pension in
1977. He lived in his native state.

RUSSELL SHELTON
Pensioner
Russell Shelton,
83, died March
1. Brother
Shelton started
his SIU career
in 1948 in the
port of New
York. Born in
South Carolina,

he served in the U.S. Army from
1942 to 1946. His initial SIU voyage
was on Ore Navigation's Bethflor.
The steward department member last
went to sea on the Carolina, a
Puerto Rico Marine Management
vessel. Brother Shelton began
receiving his pension in 1976 and
made his home in Pumphrey, Md.

MICHAEL TRAUB
Pensioner
Michael Traub,
92, passed away
Jan. 25 . Brother
Traub started
his career with
the MC&S. The
steward depart­
ment member

~,..w..-.'"""""==...,.>-..311 was born in
Poland, but called Riverside, Calif.
home. Brother Traub began receiv­
ing his pension stipends in 1974.

MARVIN WEST
Pensioner
Marvin West,
84, passed away
March 4.
Brother West
joined the SIU
in 1968 in San
Francisco. The
Tennessee-born
mariner was a

veteran of the U.S. Army, serving
from 1942 to 1945. Brother West
first sailed aboard Newport Tankers '
Achilles. A member of the deck
department, he last worked on the
Manatee. Brother West started
receiving his pension in 1983. He
was a resident of Pine Knot, Ky.

ALCIDE WILTZ
[7-:;illlJll!lii~I Pensioner

Alcide Wiltz,
85, died Jan. 8.
Brother Wiltz
started his
career with the
MC&S in 1957
in San
Francisco. Born
in Louisiana, he

worked primarily aboard vessels
operated by American President
Lines and States Steamship Lines.
The steward department member
began receiving retirement stipends
in 1979. Brother Wiltz made his
home in New Orleans.

PAUL WOLF
Pensioner Paul Wolf, 62, passed
away Feb. 13. A native of Brooklyn,
N.Y., he joined the Seafarers in 1962
in the port of New York. Brother

Wolf served in
the U.S. Army
from 1957 to
1960. His initial
SIU voyage
was aboard the
Capri. An
engine depart­
ment member,

-.........~__...______, Brother Wolf
last worked on Pronav Ship
Management's LNG Gemini. He
started receiving his pension in 2000
and made his home in Melbourne,
Fla.

INEZ WOO
Pensioner Inez
Woo, 84, died

u March 3. Sister
Woo joined the
MC&S in 1952
in San
Francisco. The
steward depart­
ment member
sailed primarily

aboard vessels operated by States
Steamship Co. and American Ship
Management. The Colorado native
began receiving retirement compen­
sation in 1979. She lived in
Honolulu.

INLAND

THEODORE BOEHLER
Boatman Theodore Boehler, 59, died
Feb. 27. He started his SIU career in
New York. Born in Newark, N.J., he
shipped in the deck department and
worked primarily aboard vessels
operated by Maritrans Operating Co.
Boatman Boehler was a resident of
Hazlet, N.J.

HAROLD DANIELS
1 Pensioner

~µ.;.u • .i...uµ,,1....1 Harold Danid:s, 1

70, passed
away March 12.
The North
Carolina native
joined the
Seafarers in
1957 in the port
of Philadelphia.

Boatman Daniels sailed as a captain,
first working aboard a C.G. Willis
vessel. His final SIU job was on a
vessel operated by Maritrans
Operating Co. Boatman Daniels
started receiving his pension in
1996. He made his home in Atlantic,
N.C.

LUTHER JONES
Pensioner
Luther Jones,
74, died March
3. He started his
SIU career in
1969 in the port
ofNorfolk, Va.
The Ohio-born
mariner first
shipped on a

Southern Carriers Corp vessel. A
member of the deck department, he
shipped as a captain. Brother Jones
last worked at the helm of an Allied
Towing vessel and began receiving
his pension in 1990. He made his
borne in Pooter, Ga.

JAKE E. KEELEY
Pensioner Jake
Keeley, 75,
passed away
Feb. 16.
Boatman
Keeley joined
the Seafarers in
1949 in the port
of New York.
Born in

Alabama, he sailed in the inland as
well as deep sea division. The
engine department member first
shipped aboard the Monarch of the

Continued on page 19

May2002



ftnal Departlfres
Continued from page 18

Sea, a Waterman Steamship Corp.
vessel. Boatman Keeley last worked
aboard a G&H Towing Co. vessel
and started receiving retirement
stipends in 1992. He lived in
Mobile, Ala.

LESTER LEBLANC
Brother Lester
LeBlanc, 60,
died March 13.
The Morgan
City, La. native
joined the
Seafarers in
1987 in the port
ofNorfolk, Va.
A captain,

Boatman LeBlanc shipped in the
deck department. He worked primar­
ily at the helm of vessels operated
by McAllister Towing of Va.
Boatman LeBlanc resided in his
native state in West Lake.

LOUIS LOUPE
Pensioner
Louis Loupe,
72, passed
away Jan. 9. He
was a veteran
of the U.S.
Army, serving
from 1947 to
1948. Boatman
Loupe joined

the Seafarers in 1960 in the port of
Houston. A member of the deck
department, he shipped as a captain.
He worked primarily aboard vessels
operated by National Marine
Service. The captain started receiv­
ing his pension in 1991 and resided
in Lafourche, La.

DOLPHIN MOORES
oatman

Dolphin
Moores, 43,
died Feb. 8. He
started his
career with the
Seafarers in
1979 in the port
of Houston.
The deck

department member first worked
aboard a G&H Towing Co. vessel.
Born in Pensacola, Fla., he last
shipped on a Maritrans Operating
Co. vessel. Boatman Moores lived in
Whitney, Texas.

RUPERT PERRY JR.
Pensioner
Rupert Perry
Jr., 69, passed
away Feb. 5.
The Dare
County, N.C.
native launched
his SIU career
in 1977 in the
port of

Philadelphia. Boatman Perry served
in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1949
to 1971. He first sailed with the
Seafarers aboard an Interstate Oil
Transport Co. vessel. A member of
the deck department, he last worked
on a Maritrans Operating Partners
vessel. Boatman Rupert started
receiving retirement stipends in
1994. He made his home in Coin­
jock, N.C.

BERYL PETERSON
Pensioner Beryl
Peterson, 86,
died Jan. 20.
Boatman
Peterson joined
the Seafarers in
1958 in the port
of Mobile, Ala.
A veteran of the
U.S. Navy, he

first shipped under the SIU colors
aboard the Floridian, an Ideal
Cement Co. vessel. He was born in

May2002

Trenton, Fla., and worked in the
engine department. Boatman
Peterson last sailed on the New
Yorker and started receiving his pen­
sion in 1980. He was a resident of
Houston.

WILLIAM WEISE
Pensioner
William Weise,
78, died Feb.
11. He started
his career with
the Seafarers in
1943 in the port
of New York.
The Phila-

1...---~---""LJ delphia native
worked in both the deep sea and
inland divisions. Brother Weise
shipped in the deck department as a
bosun. He last worked on a Moran
Towing Co. vessel. Brother Weise
began receiving pension payments in
1980. He called Daytona Beach
Shores, Fla. home.

GREAT LAKES

CLIFFORD KRACHT
Pensioner
Clifford Kracht,
62 passed away
Feb. 2. Brother
Kracht joined
the SIU in 1967
in Frankfort,
Mich. The
Michigan native
first sailed

aboard the Milwaukee Clipper. He
shipped in the deck department and
last worked on American
Steamship's American Republic. He
started receiving compensation for
his retirement in 1996 and was a res­
ident of Orlando, Fla.

WILLIAM "B L

RUSH
Pensioner
William
"Buffalo Bill"
Rush, 81, died
March 1. Born
in Wilkes­
Barre, Pa.,
Brother Rush
started his
career with the

Seafarers in 1947 in Detroit. His ini­
tial voyage under the SIU colors was
aboard the John Gibbon. The engine
department member last went to sea
on the City of Alma. After corning
ashore, he worked in the SIU hall in
Buffalo. Brother Rush also served as
a dispatcher in River Rouge and
Algonac, Mich., and began collect­
ing retirement stipends in 1985. He
made his home in Bradenton, Fla.

ABDULSHAHTER
Pensioner
Abdul Shahter,
66, passed
away Feb. 4.
He started his
SIU career in
1966 in the port
of Cleveland.
His initial voy­

.__......,. ....... .a...;;-.. age was aboard
the Consumers Powers, an American
Steamship Co. vessel. Born in
Yemen, Brother Shahter shipped in
the engine department. He last went
to sea on the H. Lee White, another
American Steamship Co. vessel.
Brother Shahter began receiving
retirement compensation in 2000. He
was a resident of Dearborn, Mich.

RAILROAD MARINE

ANDERS ANDERSEN
Boatman Anders Andersen, 72 died
May 30. He started his career with
the Seafarers in 1960, joining in the

port of New
York. Boatman

~ Andersen
served in the
U.S. Navy from
1946 to 1948.
He first shipped
for the SIU
aboard a

'---~-~-~ Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad Co. of Baltimore ves­
sel. A native of Jersey City, N.J., he
was a member of the deck depart­
ment. He last worked on a vessel
operated by New York Cross Harbor
Railroad. Boatman Andersen called
Wayne, N.J. home.

JOHN DEFAZIO
Pensioner John Defazio, 78, died
Feb. 12. Brother Defazio started his
SIU career in 1960 in the port of
New York. He served in the U.S.
Army from 1943 to 1946. He sailed

1-:;:;;•lllT!ii~-1 as a captain,
working primar­
ily for the
marine division
of the Baltimore
&Ohio
Railroad.
Brother Defazio
started receiving
stipends for his

retirement in 1974. Staten Island,
N.Y was his home.

EDWARD SIMMS
Boatman Edward Simms, 85, passed
away Feb. 27. He started his career
with the SIU in 1963, joining in the
port of New York. The New Jersey­
born mariner shipped in the deck
department and worked primarily
aboard Erie Lockawanna Railroad
Co. operated vessels. Boatman
Simms started receiving compensa­
tion for his retirement in 1977. He

Union
~LPlus®
Working For Working Families

Contact Information, Toll-Free
Phone Numbers for Union Plus

SIU members are eligible for a
number of benefit programs
through the union's participation
in Union Plus (formerly Union
Privilege), a non-profit organiza­
tion created in 1986 by the AFL­
CIO. Union Plus aims to provide
union members and their families
with valuable c · mer bene its.
By using the collective buying
power of America's union mem­
bers, Union Plus offers a variety
of high-quality, discounted goods
and services exclusively to work­
ing families.

Printed below are toll-free
phone numbers and other contact
information for some of the pro­
grams in which the SIU partici­
pates.

For additional information,
visit Union Plus on-line at
www.unionplus.org or call the
appropriate, program-specific
number from among those listed
below:

Insurance Programs
•Auto Insurance (AIG)-For

AIG claims, call 1-800-433-
8880 24 hours a day

• For AIG customer service,
call 1-877-310-5687-Mon-

day-Friday 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.,
and Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Apply by phone at 1-800-294-
9496

Credit Card
Union Plus, in conjunction

a er H u e
Services, has created the Union
Plus credit card exclusively for
working families. Among other
features, the card offers:

• Competitive interest rate
• No annual fee
• Money-saving balance trans-

fer offers
• A scholarship program
• Free additional cards
• No liability if cards are lost or

stolen
• Strike-payment protection (if

applicable)
• Skip-payment options
• Grace periods on new pur­

chases
• Complete online account

management
• To apply by phone, call 1-800-

522-4000
• For customer service, call 1-

800-622-2580

~-'-.... riliiitiil8i~~ .......

lived in Greensboro, Ga.

ATLANTIC FISHERMEN

EARL WITHEE
Pensioner Earl
Withee, 61,
passed away
Jan. 30. He
joined the
Seafarers in
1984 in New
Bedford, Mass.
Born in Rock­

~-"---' land, Maine,
Boatman Withee served in the U.S.
Army from 1957 to 1959. The stew­
ard department member first sailed
aboard the Canton, a Western
Scalloping Corp. vessel. He last
worked aboard an Allied Towing
vessel and started receiving his pen­
sion last year. Boatman Withee made
his home in Ocala, Fla.

Health Savings
• Discounts are available on

prescriptions, dental, vision,
foot & ankle, hearing care,
diabetic supplies and nurse
"help line." To find a provider
or to enroll, call 1-800-228-
3523

Car Rental Discounts
•Avis (Discount #B723700)­

Get rate quotes and make
reservations online, or call 1-
800-698-5685

• Budget (Discount #V816100)
--Get rate quotes and make
reservations online, or call 1-
800-455-2848

Other Programs
• Education Loans (Sallie Mae)

-Apply (;}nline, or oall-1-8
881-1022

• Flower Discounts-Order
flowers online, or call 1-888-
667-7779

• IBM Computer Discounts­
Call 1-800-426-7235 ext.
6250 to order

• Legal Services-Find a
lawyer online, or call 1-888-
993-8886

• Hotel Royal Plaza at Walt
Disney World-Call 1-800-
248-7890

• North American Van Lines­
Call 1-800-524-5533

• Union Checks-Call 1-888-
864-6625 for information and
order forms

• Vacation Tours-Book tours
online, or call 1-800-590-1104

• Workingfamilies.com ISP­
Go online to www.working­
families.com, or call 1-800-
806-2150.

Send your stories, photographs and news items to the Seafarers LOG,
5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 207 46.

Seafarers LOG 19



Letters to the Editor
(Editors note: the Seafarers

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 basis.)

Recognizing the
Merchant Marine

I retired from the National
Maritime Union in 1967. At least half
of my 20 years in the NMU was as
bosun and quartermaster. My last
ship was the SS Boise Victory. I was
bosun on that ship for eight months
and then went to school and got my
third mate's license. I sailed with the
Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P)
for 18 years and took early retirement
at age 60.

The MM&P sent me a Merchant
Marine flag, which I presented to the
Veteran 's Band here in Corpus
Christi. Whenever the Veteran's Band
performs on various patriotic holi­
days, the Merchant Marine flag flies
next to the Army and Navy flags.

I met with the mayor of Corpus
Christi, and he agreed to recognize
the U.S. Merchant Marine. At a spe­
cial ceremony at City Hall last year, I
joined other NMU retired merchant
mariners and two retired ship cap­
tains as the mayor declared Aug. 21 ,
2001 "U.S. Merchant Marine Day."
Our city council meetings are tele­
vised and rebroadcast twice more
during every week, so a lot of people
saw this.
Phil Rosenstein
Corpus Christi, Texas

(Editor s note: Phil Rosenstein
included with his letter a copy of the
proclamation declaring August 21,
2001 as "U.S. Merchant Marine
Day. " Rosenstein used to write many
stories for the NMU Pilot. Now 76,
he remains active in senior citizens '
affairs and got married for the first
time at the age of 7 4.)

~

Remembering
Brother Lawson

I would like to say a few words
about Jim Lawson, an SIU pensioner
who recently passed away.

Jim truly was a friend to the
SIU-especially to the staff and
members at the Algonac union hall
and on the Great Lakes.

Jim always helped around the
union hall. He didn't hesitate to offer
suggestions if there was a problem
aboard ship that called for a union

member to stand up
to a captain.

Jim also was a
master craftsman in
working with
wood. Once, we

llE::::~•J needed a podium
for a meeting at the

Jim Lawson
ball. We had rented
one, but it was too

small. With the meeting scheduled
for the following day, we were in
trouble.

Jim was in the union ball and
overheard what was happening. He
told us not worry, he would take care
of it. He then went home and returned
with a podium he constructed. It took
him about five hours and looked bet­
ter than the one we had rented. We
still have it!

During the Detroit newspaper
strike, I remember we had a couple of
carloads go down to Detroit to help
on the picket line. We stayed for the
day and then left. I didn 't see Jim for
the next week, and when we finally
caught up, I asked what happened to
him. He told me that the people on
the line needed him, and he had been
returning to support them throughout
the week.

That's the kind of guy Jim was:
always willing to help his union
brother.

Don Thornton, Port Agent
Algonac, Mich.

~

(The following letters were among
those received at headquarters fol­
lowing last month s mailing of the
bonus checks to SIU pensioner.s.)

Straight to the Point
Thank you very much. The

$1,000 bonus check was greatly
appreciated.
Arnold Heatherly
La Follette, Tenn.

..........
Appreciation and Pride

I just wanted to tell you how
much I appreciate the check you sent
me. It was a pleasant surprise.

I am proud to be a part of the
Seafarers Union.

Troy Dean Smith
Rome, Ga.

~

Nice Timing
I was surprised and glad to

receive the bonus check. It came at a
very good time.

I have a birthday coming up; I'll
be 84 years old.

Thanks again and God bless you

Notice

and the staff.

Roosevelt Robbins
Philadelphia

(The writer is a charter member
of the SIU.)

~

Thanks to All
I would like to thank the adminis­

trator and the trustees and anyone
else who had a hand in sending this
bonus check. Those of us who are on
a pension thank you so much for
everything.

Henry W. Miller
Mobile, Ala.

~

Counting Blesslngs
Thank you very much for the

bonus check of $1 ,000 that we
received the other day. What a bless­
ing!

Again, thank you and God bless
the Seafarers Pension Plan.
Mr. and Mrs. Jose Torrefiel
San Francisco

~

Courtesy and Cash
To the administrator and each

member of the trustees, I offer my
heartfelt thanks for your kind gen­
erosity of the thousand-dollar gift.

My wife and I have always been
treated courteously and well by the
members of the health plan, and I
send my thanks to them also.

Richard J. Conner
Boyertown, Pa.

~

Nice Surprise
I really had a wonderful surprise

when I received a bonus check from
the SIU.

I count my blessings every day
that I spent my career working for
such a caring and thoughtful union,
and I appreciate the benefits I have
received. I thank the board of
trustees, from the bottom of my heart,
for remembering the disabled
retirees.
Leonard Paul
Belhaven, N.C.

~

Thanking for 2
On behalf of my husband,

Antoine W. Allemond, and myself, I
want to say thank you for the bonus
check. We are delighted to receive it.
Your generosity is deeply appreciat­
ed.

We have always been very satis­
fied with the Seafarers Pension Plan.
You have taken good care of us.

Helen Allemond
Plaquemine, La.

Information Bulletin from the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center
RECEllT ACTIONS AFFECTINB IMl'LEMENTAnON OF THE STCW

At the recent London meeting of the Subcommittee on
Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW), it was
RECOMMENDED that the signatories to the STCW delay
port-state control enforcement of the STCW through 31
July 2002 to allow adequate time to process the volume of
applications and issue certifications that many Parties
reported as outstanding. The convention still came into
effect on February 1, 2002. The action taken by the
Subcommittee is not binding; it is a recommendation to
port-state control officers and recognized organizations
only. Mariners not holding STCVV-95 certificates serving
·on vessels calling at a port state that does not accept the
Subcommittee's recommendation may cause the vessel
to be detained. At present, we do not have any informa­
tion about which port states, if any, will not accept the rec­
ommendation and will not delay port-state enforcement.

In a recent message, the Commandant, U. S. Coast
Guard established policy for U. S. enforcement of the
STCW. The message can be found at:

http://www. us cg .mi l/hq/ g-m/ nm cf co mp I/·
STCWMessage-lnternet.doc.

In general, for U.S.-flag vessels in U.S. ports, the
Coast Guard does not intend to hold additional boardings
solely for STCW enforcement For U.S. mariners on a

20 Seafarers LOG

U.S.-flagged vessel sailing on a foreign voyage, the
mariner should hold either an STCW-95 certificate or pro­
vide proof that prior to 1 February 2002 they have a com­
pleted application on file with the Coast Guard. However,
some foreign port states may not accept this arrangement
of showing proof of having submitted an application as
meeting the requirements of the STCW. If the application
is submitted after 31 January 2002, the mariner may not
sail on a vessel going foreign until the STCW-95 certifi­
cate has been issued, Please visit the Web site and
review the message for complete details.

Licensed and certificated personnel seeking issuance
of an STCW-95 certificate, must complete all gap-closing
requirements. Once completed, application for the STCW-
95 certificate should be submitted to any U. S. Coast
Guard Regional Examination Center. Until the mariner
receives the certificate, he or she may only serve on ves­
sels not subject to the STCW or on vessels in near
coastal, domestic trades.

Mariners seeking to upgrade a credential or an appli­
cant seeking an original credential, must meet the
requirements of the applicable policy letter(s) posted on
the World Wide Web at:

http:Jlwww.uscg.milJSTCW/m.policy.htm

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 avail­
able in all union halls. If members
believe there have been violations of
their shipping or seniority rights as
contained in the contracts between
the union and the employers, they
should notify the Seafarers Appeals
Board by certified mail, return
receipt requested. The proper
address for this is :

Augustin Tellez, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746

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

CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU
contracts are available in all SIU
halls. These contracts specify the
wages and conditions. under which
an SIU member works and lives
aboard a ship or boat. Members
should know their contract rights, as
well as their obligations, such as 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 harmful 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 he is
given such receipt. In the event any­
one attempts to require any such
payment be made without supplying
a receipt, or if a member is required
to make a payment and is given an
official receipt, but feels that he or
she should not have been required to
make such payment, this should
immediately be reported to union
headquarters.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of
the SIU Constitution are available in
all union halls. All members should
obtain copies of this constitution so
as to familiarize themselves with its
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 headquar­
ters.

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 discrimination, financial
reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or
as a condition of membership in the
union or of employment. If a contri­
bution is made by reason of the
above improper conduct, the mem­
ber should notify the Seafarers
International Union or SPAD by cer­
tified mail within 30 days of the con­
tribution for investigation and appro­
priate action and refund, if involun­
tary. A member should support
SPAD to protect and further his or
her economic, political and social
interests, and American trade union
concepts.

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

Michael Sacco, President
Seafarers International Union

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746.

May2002



SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER
UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE

The following is the schedule of eourses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education in Piney Point~ Md. from June through December 2062. All pro­
grams are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American
maritime industry.

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

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

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

Course

Deck Upgrading Courses
Arrival Date

Able Seaman

Automatic Radar Plotting Aids*
(*must have radar uhlirniled)

Bridge Resource Management
(BRM) - Inland

Bridge Resource Management
,, (BRM) - Unlimited*

("prerequisite required)

GMDSS (Simulator)

Lifeboatman/Water Survival

Lifeboatrnan/Water Survival
(one week)

Radar

September 30
October 28

June 24
July 15
August 19
September 23
October 14

July 1
September 30
October 21
November 11
December 9

August26

July 8
October 7
November4
December 2

September 16
October 14

June 10
July 15
August 19

tember 30

June 10
August 5

Steward Upgratllng Courses

Date of Completion

October25
November22

June 28
July 19
August23
September 27
October 18

July 5
October4
October25
November 15
December 13

August JO

July 19
October 18
November 15
December 13

September 27
October25

June 14
July 19
August 23
October 4

vem

June 19
August 14

Galley OperationslAdvaneed Galley Operations modules start every week beginning
January 7. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Stew11rd classes start every other week beginning
January 7.

Recertification
October 7 November 1

Engine Upgrading Courses
Course Arrival Date

Oiler September 16
November 11

QMED - Junior Engineer September 30

Welding June 10
July 1
August 19
September 23
October21
November 18

Marine Electrical Maintenance I June 17

Course

Advanced Fire.fighting

Government Vessels

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

Tankerrnan (PIC) Barge*
(*must have basicfueflghting)

Basic Fire Figbting/STCW

Safety Specialty Courses
Arrival Date

October7
December 2

July8
September 23

July 15
December 2

August 5
September 23
October 28

June3
June 17
June 24
July 1
Julys
July 15
August 5
August 12
August 19
August 26
September 23
September 30
October 7
October 14
October 21
October 28

ovember4
November 18
December 2
December 9
December 16

STCW Medical Care Provider August 12
October 21

Date of Completion

October 25
December 20

December 20

June 28
July 19
September 6
October 3
November 8
December6

July 26

Date of Completion

October 18
December 13

July 26
October 11

July 26
December 13

August 9
September 27
November 1

June7
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
August 9
August 16
August 23
August JO
September 27
October4
October 11
October 18
October25
November 1
November 8
November 22
December6
December 13
December 20

August 16
October 25

Academic Department Courses

Bosun
_Steward

General education and college courses are available as needed. Io addition, basic vocation­
al support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB,
QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction

July 8 August 2 to computers cour~ will be self-study.

-·-~-·-~-·-·- · -·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·- · -·- · -·-·- · - ·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·- · -·-·-·-·-·- --·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·- ·- · - · -·-·-·-~-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-
UPGRADING APPLICATION

Name ----------------------------~
Address ------------ -----------------

Telephone ___________ _

Deep Sea Member D Lakes Member D Inland Waters Member D

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

Social Security#__________ Book# __________ _

Seniority _____________ Department

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

Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _______________ _

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

Primary language spoken

May2DD2

With this application, COPIES of the follo wing must be sent: One hundred and twenty
(120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last s ix months prior to the
date your class starts, US MMD (z -card) front and back, front page of y our un ion book
indicating y our departm ent and seniority, and qualify ing seatime for the course if it is
Coast Guard tested. All FOWT. AB and QMED aQplicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard
fee of $280 with their application. The payment should be made with a mongy order only.
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 successfally complete the course. If you have any ques­
tions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point.

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

The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and
Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qual­
ified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission,
access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 5102

Seafarers LOG 21

../-



•

Paul Hall Center Classes

PAUL HALL CENTER
LIFEBOAT CLASS

6 2 3 ---=
;_=~;?-~~~~3

~

Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 623 -· Unlicensed apprentices
who graduated from class 623 are (from left, kneeling) Jason Simpson, Marcus
Peters, William Faulkner II, Brian Shaw, (second row) Timothy Tyree, Kennard Taylor,
Josette Brown, Jeff Bruton, Robert McFeeley Jr., Robert Norris, (third row) Antonio
Torres, Stanley Kordinak II, Robert Odmark, Richard Parks, Caleb Buckley and
Jarrod Pestana.

Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 624- Completing the water sur­
vival course are unlicensed apprentices from class 624. They are (from left, kneeling) Antonio
Mendez-Cruz, Austin Ayers, Kenneth Taylor, Brian McAllister, Jerry Solangon, (second row)
Brent Midgette, James Grasseth, Javier Gonzalez, Kevin Steen, Thomas Lovern, Beato Diaz
Jr., (third row) Jayson Ray, Demario Wilcox, Aaron Matuszny, Daniel Amesbury, Gregory
McKinnon, Jonathan Carter, Jeffrey Thomas, Lon Molnar, Joshua McDaniel and Christopher
Bartholmey. ·

Welding­
Graduating from
the welding class
March 22 with
Instructor Buzzy
Andrews (far left)
are (from left)
Brian Carroll,
Dennis Caples,
Dennis Middle­
ton, Jorge
Turcios, Todd
Desrosiers and
Andrew Egressy.

Tanker Familiariz.ation/ Assistant Cargo (DL)- Earning their graduation certificates for com­
pletion of the tanker familiarization/assistant cargo (DL) course March 15 are (in no specific order)
David Lund, David Martz, Bernard Clark, Jessie Bongolan, Daniel Samson, Ryan Nichols, Joseph Tier
Ill, John Paffrath, David House, Marion Cummins, Todd Gatton, Frank Irby, Felipe Zepeda, Stephen
Bird, Dustin Gallop, Trevorous Ellison, Brian Robison, Charles Jones, Tiffany Nettles, Abdulla Ali,
Mark Cooper, ·Jose Molina, Nicholas Manessiotis, Travis Hosea, Michael Knitter, Isaac Spencer, Sean
Farra and Michael Thomas.

GMDSS- Upgrading
SIU members who

enhanced their skills in the
GMDSS course which

ended March 22 are (from
left) Elmer Swarr, Caesar
Del Greco, David Steckel,

John Bilich, Wes Bertrand,
John Comeau, Bruce

Comiskey, Peter Funk and
Bartolome Romero Jr.

Brad Wheeler, their
instructor, is at far right.

Advanced Fire Fighting - Seafarers who graduated from the
advanced fire fighting class March 29 are (in alphabetical order) Rommel Artis,
Archie Bodden, Lawrence Brissette, Kevin Buselmeier, Margarete Carey,
Joseph Cooper, Robert Feltus, Ruben Gamboa, Steven Leschinski, Edward
Mancke, James McDonald, James Meyers, Robert Pinkard, Mark Pruitt, Grant
Shipley, Luis Sosa, Rafael Suris, Donna Sylvia, Robert Timmons, Edward
Whitfield, Michael Woolard, Paul Yose and Robert Young. (Note: Not all are
pictured.)

Any student who has registered for a class and·finds-for whatever reason-that he
or she cannot attend, please inform the admissions department so that

another student may take that place.

Giving the Gift of Life

22 Seafarers LOG

~

Xarry Lumun6erg Scfr.oo[
of Seamanslii'p

Cfass6Z6
Jos6.U11Coo~r
'ftnJOn :Mo5ky

!Afa.sUretfsu41Palet.oag~

CameronStlhy
Zmli.,SefSy

Joli11SUJ1fier=n
JOSLpfi 'Wliitmorr

'11iis artifa:au is ir1 appnciation of your
effort ro meet t!W 6f.ooa nlllls of patients
in our C01Tt111Umty. )f.mffican 1R.ft{ (TOSS

tfiani.§ you for your C{ceptiona( smia.

+

Members of unlicensed
apprentice class 626
recently received a certifi­
cate of appreciation from
the American Red Cross for
their part in ensuring an
adequate blood supply to
those in need. From the left
(back row) are Joseph
Whitmore, John Stephen­
son, Cameron Selby,
Joshua Cooper, Trevon
Mobley, Masteredseed
Paletoaga and (kneeling)
Zerek Selby. Presenting the
certificate are Wondra
Jones and Brian Scully of
the Red Cross.

Government Vessels - Seafarers who completed the
government vessels course April 14 are (from left, front row)
John Murray, Jessie Bongolan, William Horton, (second row)
Greg Thompson (instructor) Enno Vok, Alba Alfaro, Dennis
Middleton and William Miller.

May 2002



Paul Hall Center Classes

Mario Delacruz, Rodolfo Delacruz, Alphonse Dixon, William
Drummond, James Dryden, Ray Garcia, Ellis Gaynor, Silvestre
Gonzaga, Thomas Grosskurth, Rance Hadaway Jr., Gerard
Hayes, Calvin Hicks, Earl Hicks, Tyrone Johnson, Jeffrey Kass,
Thomas Keenan Jr., Alfred Lang, Jong Lee, Erik Leibold,
Anthony Leo and Kevin Hall.

Basic Safety
Training Classes

Arnold Lopez, Ernest Martin, Mariano Martinez, Bruce Mesger,
Abdullah Mohamed, Daniel Monjarres-Kerr, Ahmed Mozed,
Walter Napper, Robert O'Connell, Robert Pabon, Herminio
Pagan, John Parkhurst, Michael Penkwitz, Van Phan, Dennis
Pickering, Ronnie Powell, Ali Quraish, Roberto Ramirez, Rodney
Roberson, Celedonio Roman, Walter Sainvil, John Reber Ill and
Horace Rains.

Amy Shunkwiler,
Jennifer Smith,

~~llJl.IJllllM Theodore Smith Jr.,
Timothy Smithwick,
Curtis Spencer, Daviel
Stavron, Elmer Swarr
Jr., Manuel Tan Jr.,
Daniel Teichman, Larry
Thompson, Curtis
Torres, Samuel Wash­
ington, Charles Welsh,
Kenneth Whitefield,
Subagio Wibisono,
Jimmy Williams,
Edward Winne, Ellis
Wooten, Warren
Wright, Mohsin Yafai,
Carlos Sanchez,
Thomas Woerner,
Nicholas Serritella and
James Crate. (Note:
Not all are pictured.)

John Huyett, Jessie James, Lawrence Kunc, Pedro Laboy, Justo Lino, Randy
Louque, Michael McAlister, Micah Miller, Bernard Mood, Melvin Morgan,
Jawald Pardesi, Michael Pooler, Timothy Porter, Cary Pratts, Jill Prescott,
Clyde Smith, Donald Sneed, William Soto Jr. , Rodger Taylor, Valentine
Thompson, Louis Uleski, Duare Washington, Thomas White, Robert Williams,
Scott Zagn and Pablo Rochez. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

Victor Acevedo, Luis Almodovar, Raminder Bhullar, Michael Blizzard, Carlos Bonefont, Michael
Briscoe, Jaime Cayonte, Adaberto Colon, Arthur Edwards, James Enah, Farook Esa, Jonathan
Gibson, Douglas Greiner, Michael Hinton, James Jackson Jr., Gregory Jaegle, Timothy Kotsis,
Jorge Lanas, Steven Black, Tony Amaro and Gerard Lanzerotti .

Tina Lowery, Harold McAllister, Nebojsa Milosevic, Hassan Oudeif, George Papuchis,
John Pena, Edward Perry, Jeffrey Pope, Nathan Rippey, Abdo Saleh, Gerhard Schwarz,
Robert Scrivens, John Seibel, Dante Slack, Luis Sosa, Timothy Taylor, Cornelio Vilano Jr.,
David Warner, John Willette, Philip Wright, Daryl Coleman, Radames Toro and Carlos
Lugo.

Abdulaziz Alomary, Cornell Andrews, Salah Assabahi, John Austin Jr., Thomas Bain ,
James Baker, Russell Barrack Jr., Jeorge Barahona, Sara Barahona, Kay Bonilla,
Redentor Borja, Wilfredo Caidoy, Dennis Caples, Luis Cercado, Rodney Clements, Eddie
Coe, Jose Colon, Leocadio Colon, Norman Cox Ill, Gilberto Torres, Henry Commager
and Lawrence Soulier.

Seafarers LOB 23

,..

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-

..

The East Coast port of
Norfolk, Va. sees its share
of incoming vessels;
everything from container
ships and tankers to
oceanographic surveil­
lance ships and other mili­
tary craft.

On recent servicing
trips to some of the ves­
sels, SIU Norfolk Port
Agent Georg Kenny
snapped these photos. Of
the six ships represented
on this page, three were in
transit (the Maersk
Arizona, USNS Little
Hales and Seabulk
Challenge) while three
others were in ROS status
(USNS Impeccable, SNS
Mendonca and US
Gordon/ waiting
called up at any ti
support of U.S. mil
operations.

GUDE Louis Gracia
climb the gangway
Seabulk Challenge.

the

P~rt of the USNS Little Hales crew includes (from left) GVA
Nicholas Murgolo, AB Roger Reinke, CSKS Luis Burgos, Bosun
Samuel Duah and AB George Bozman.

Randolph Scott
(above), 2nd pumpman

on the Seabulk
Challenge, and AB

Louis Holder (below) of
the USNS Impeccable,

take part in their
respective shipboard

meetings.

All's well aboard the USNS Im­
peccable with Chief Cook Jacquelyn
Maclaurin and SA Patty Davison.

Vacation at Piney Point
Looking for a great spot for your family

vacation this summer? Check out the
facilities at Piney Point/

See page 14 tor more information.

Chief Cook Harry Brewer (left) and GVA
Larry Baker work aboard the USNS
Little Hales.

Above: Chief Cook
Max Hassel checks
a boiling pot aboard
the USNS
Mendonca.

Right: EU Hussein
Kirkland and OS

Antonia Martir enjoy
a cup of coffee on

the USNS
Impeccable.

Above:
Steward/Baker
Ben Sivells
wraps up the
leftover dessert
from lunch
aboard the
USNS
Mendonca.


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