Seafarers Log: Vol. 66 No. 3 (2004-03-01)

Volume 66, Number 3 March 2004

Seafarers Deliver for
U.S. National Defense

Liberty Eagle Joins SIU Fleet
The SIU gained new shipboard jobs with
the Jan. 27 delivery of the MV Liberty
Eagle (left). It is the eighth vessel in Liberty
Maritime Corporation�s SIU-crewed fleet,
which transports food shipments overseas
as part of the U.S. government�s �Food for
Peace� program. The Liberty Eagle is 623
feet long and can travel at 15.3 knots.
Page 3.

AP Photo/Cpl. Matthew Orr

MSC Photo by Ed Baxter

SIU members and officials last month rallied in support of striking UFCW members who are fighting to main-
tain affordable health coverage. In Carson, Calif., SIU President Michael Sacco (right photo, far right) on Feb.
11 joined officials from the Seafarers-affiliated UIW on a grocery store picket line, as did (left photo, from left)
SIU Executive VP John Fay and SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel. Earlier, dozens of Seafarers and
officials from New York and Philadelphia took part in a major UFCW demonstration on Wall Street. Page 3.

SIU Backs Grocery Workers

SIU members are sailing aboard dozens of U.S.-flag military support ships
in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2. Last month, Seafarers reported to the Ready
Reserve Force vessels Cape Wrath (right) and Cape Washington (center)
in Baltimore, while the Seafarers-crewed LMSR USNS Brittin (lower left)
helped move vital cargo from Antwerp, Belgium for the U.S. Army�s 1st

Infantry Division. Overall, at least 57 SIU-crewed ships have mobilized for
OIF2. Pages 3, 12, 13.

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2 Seafarers LOG March 2004

ITF Secures Millions for Crews

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)
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Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp
Springs, MD 20746.
Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing
Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim
Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne
Textor.
Copyright © 2004 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD
All Rights Reserved.

Volume 66, Number 3 March 2004

The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org

Jones AAct MMust SStay IIntact
I�ve never understood how anyone can keep a straight face when

they say the Jones Act somehow is bad for the national economy or
for U.S. citizens.

The facts overwhelmingly support the nation�s
freight cabotage law, which specifies that cargo
moving between domestic ports must be carried on
U.S.-crewed, U.S.-owned, U.S.-built, U.S.-flag
ships.

The Jones Act helps preserve a viable American
maritime industry. It provides an estimated
125,000 American jobs. It generates tax revenues
without any cost to the government.

As Seafarers know, jobs aboard Jones Act ships
help maintain a pool of loyal, well-trained U.S. crews. With the sec-
ond phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom under way, the importance of
dedicated U.S. mariners to our nation�s military capabilities once
again is as plain as day.

There are other specific benefits to the law, but the bottom line is
that the Jones Act works. It helps our economy and our national
defense capabilities. It�s a source of good jobs.

It�s also constantly under attack by foreign-flag interests who
couldn�t care less about what�s best for America. Unfortunately, that
has been the case since the law was enacted back in 1920. The ene-
mies of the Jones Act apparently don�t see a problem with opening
the domestic trades to runaway-flag rustbuckets. They don�t see a
problem with massive U.S. job loss, or threats to our national securi-
ty or environment.

In the late 1980s, there was a full frontal assault against the law.
Foreign shipping interests launched a well-funded grassroots effort to
have the law repealed. Eventually, the Persian Gulf War helped kill
the anti-Jones Act movement, partly because it reminded policymak-
ers that sealift remained as important as ever.

Since then, opponents of the Jones Act have changed tactics by
trying to weaken the law one waiver, one exemption at a time. Most
recently, it happened last year with the introduction of Congressional
legislation that supposedly centers on shipping rates in the Hawaiian
livestock trade. Those bills haven�t gotten much support, but the
issue isn�t dead.

A related development involves the Passenger Vessel Services Act
(PVSA), a companion law to the Jones Act that covers domestic
cruises and ferries. The government of Panama is pressing the U.S.
Customs Service to change the Central American country�s designa-
tion as a �nearby foreign port� to that of a �distant foreign port.� If
that happens, then Panama could avoid parts of the law that block
foreign-flag cruise ships from carrying passengers from one U.S. port
to another.

That�s not all. Some Mexican and Canadian officials want
changes to the so-called North American Free Trade Agreement that
would allow one cabotage law encompassing U.S.-, Canadian- and
Mexican-flag ships. This would have the same devastating effect on
the Jones Act fleet as we�ve seen in the domestic manufacturing sec-
tor.

Similarly, foreign groups may push to use short sea shipping�
waterborne alternatives to ease congestion on the nation�s highways
and railways�to open the Jones Act trade to Mexico and Canada. In
promoting short sea shipping, the U.S. Maritime Administration
clearly has stated that its plans don�t include changing U.S. cabotage
laws. But there are warnings that opponents of the U.S. maritime
industry will try to use the program to abolish or weaken the Jones
Act.

On that note, I offer a word of praise for the recent ruling by the
U.S. Coast Guard on vessel lease financing. The agency�s decision
clearly shows that regulations for vessel documentation are not tools
for opening the Jones Act to foreign interests.

It�s no stretch to say that, without the Jones Act, the U.S. eventu-
ally would be forced to rely on foreign-flag ships to supply American
forces overseas with vital materiel.

And it�s just good common sense to recognize that without Jones
Act vessels and their U.S. crews, America would depend on foreign-
ers to deliver the 2 billion barrels of refined petroleum products on
U.S. waters currently handled each year by U.S.-flag ships.

Those scenarios are beyond risky. They�re unacceptable.
The Jones Act is a huge plus for national security, economic secu-

rity�and our job security. That�s why the SIU will do whatever it
takes to uphold this essential, effective law.

Michael Sacco

President ’s Report
The International Transport

Workers� Federation (ITF) last
month announced that the claims
of 700 mariners on the Greek-
flagged Olympia Explorer and
Olympia Voyager have been set-
tled after six weeks of work by
the federation, which applauded
the cooperation with the owners
and bank.

SIU ITF inspector Scott Brady
played a key role in helping
multinational crew members
from the Voyager. Overall,
mariners from both vessels
received more than $5 million in
back pay and severance. They
have been repatriated.

The ships remain arrested in
the ports of Long Beach and
Miami, respectively, following
demands by creditors�among
them German state bank KFW, the
ships� mortgage holder�that the
owners pay all outstanding debts.

The ITF said it is working to
settle outstanding claims for
Greek crew members who are on
leave, and may need to intervene
legally on their behalf. According
to the federation, ITF representa-
tives are on board both vessels in
support of ITF affiliate the Pan-
Hellenic Seamen�s Federation
(PNO), and are seeking to secure
an amicable resolution with the
owners, Royal Olympic Cruise
Lines, and KFW.

�The responsible role taken on
by both the owners and the bank
played a significant part in reach-
ing this settlement. We hope the
outstanding claims for the crew
members on leave will be similar-
ly resolved,� said Steve Cotton,
secretary of the ITF�s Special
Seafarers� Department.

After crew members from the
Voyager contacted Brady, he

boarded the ship in Port
Everglades, Fla. and stayed there
for nearly two weeks, negotiating
with a shipping manager appoint-
ed by the owner. �They were long
and grueling, round-the-clock
negotiations, but the ITF and the
entire crew showed solidarity
from day one and prevailed,�
Brady stated.

The Voyager crew�from
Greece, the Philippines and sev-
eral Eastern European nations�
received $2.5 million in back
wages and severance.

The ITF is a federation of 621
transport trade unions (including
the SIU) in 137 countries, repre-
senting approximately 5 million
workers.

Crew members from the Olympia Voyager (above) have reason to
smile following a shipboard payoff Jan. 30. The ITF secured more than
$5 million for mariners from the Voyager (below) and sister ship
Olympia Explorer.

Apostleship of the Sea
Steps Up to Protect
Shore-Leave Rights

The Apostleship of the Sea of the United States is
working to improve potentially dangerous and often
unnecessary restrictions on mariners� shore-leave
rights.

Fr. Sinclair Oubre�president of the
Apostleship of the Sea and an active SIU mem-
ber�recently met with representatives of Congress,
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the
labor movement in Washington, D.C. to advance the
cause. He also conferred with SIU President
Michael Sacco.

The organization is urging Congress to begin rat-
ifying International Labor Organization (ILO)
Convention 185 �in the most expedient manner pos-
sible so that seafarers do not become the latest vic-
tims of terrorism.�

Unanimously ratified (392-0) last year by dele-
gates to the ILO forum in Geneva, Convention 185
calls for a universal mariner identification docu-

ment. It also states the critical need for shore leave
and further specifies that �seafarers shall not be
required to hold a visa.� Convention 185 also indi-
cates that �any member (nation) which is not in a
position to fully implement this requirement shall
ensure that its laws and regulations or practice pro-
vide arrangements that are substantially equivalent.�

For now, however, all mariners must possess �D-
1� (non-immigration) visas to go ashore in the U.S.
�After September 11, 2001, the Immigration and
Naturalization Service ceased issuing crew list
visas,� explained Oubre. �It also changed its rules
regarding the INS agent issuing waivers for
mariners to go ashore if they did not have a D-1
visa. The new regulations only allow a supervisor to
waive the D-1 visa requirement and, unlike the air-
line industry, have no avenue for appeal.�

One consequence is that mariners have been
denied shore-side medical care because they lack
visas. �They can�t get off the ship unless it�s a life-
threatening condition,� Oubre noted. �This has led
to mariners sailing from U.S. ports on voyages that
are weeks long without necessary health care. We
can only hope that by the time the vessel reached its
next port, the situation did not evolve into a life-
threatening problem.�

Another concern is that such instances may lead
to U.S. mariners unjustly being denied leave over-
seas.

�The bottom line is we don�t see the relationship
between the D-1 visa and security,� Oubre said.
�Our present policies assume that the greatest threat
to maritime security comes from mariners leaving
the vessels. However, the real threat is a terrorist
posing as a mariner and staying on the vessel. He or
she could blow up the ship at dock or scuttle it at an
important waterway junction. Preventing the seafar-
er from leaving the vessel because the mariner lacks
a visa will not prevent either of these security con-
cerns.�

In a recent letter outlining the situation, the
Apostleship of the Sea asks Congress to enact
Convention 185 on seafarer documents �and let
these new documents be accepted as identification
for the mariner, and in place of the D-1 visa.�

SIU President Michael Sacco (left) and Fr. Sinclair
Oubre discuss the importance of ILO Convention
185, which addresses mariner identification and
shore leave.

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March 2004 Seafarers LOG 3

Liberty Eagle Joins SIU Fleet
The union recently welcomed new shipboard jobs

with the Jan. 27 delivery of the MV Liberty Eagle. It
is the eighth vessel in Liberty Maritime
Corporation�s SIU-crewed fleet, which transports
food shipments overseas as part of the U.S. govern-
ment�s �Food for Peace� program.

Seafarers flew from New York to Japan to join the
ship and sail it to the United States. It arrived in New
Orleans late last month to load humanitarian aid
cargo for East Africa.

�The addition of this vessel to the U.S.-flag fleet
not only strengthens America�s economic security
but also boosts our national defense,� stated SIU
Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez.

SIU members aboard the Liberty Eagle�s first
voyage were Recertified Bosun Thomas W.
Lasater, ABs Juan L. Torres, José E. Ortiz, Ed-

gardo Castro, Mohamed S. Soliman and John S.
Daunoras, GUDE Vicente T. Cueva Jr., QMED
Jimmy Sabga, Oiler Calvin Hicks, Recertified
Steward Richard M. Worobey, Chief Cook
Benjamin J. Advincula and GSTU Simon Perez .

The U.S.-flag vessel was built at Oshima
Shipyard in Japan as were two sister ships, the
Liberty Glory and Liberty Grace, delivered in April
2001 and July 2001, respectively. All are 623 feet
long with a 105-foot beam and can travel at 15.3
knots. The bulk carriers are equipped with four
cranes and six hatches apiece and have the addition-
al ability of carrying containers. The Liberty Eagle,
however, at 52,500 DWT, is slightly heavier than the
other two at 50,599 DWT each.

Liberty Maritime Corporation is based in Lake
Success, N.Y.

The SIU-crewed Liberty Eagle is the eighth vessel in Liberty Maritime
Corporation�s fleet. Following its arrival in New Orleans last month, the
bulk carrier loaded humanitarian aid cargo for East Africa.

Seafarers are tackling the giant
sealift component of Operation
Iraqi Freedom 2, crewing dozens
of ships in support of U.S. troops.

By mid-February, at least 57
SIU-crewed vessels had mobi-
lized for a mission that�s expected
to last at least into summer. The
U.S. Military Sealift Command
(MSC) early this year announced
that an estimated 23 million
square feet of cargo will be
moved by sea to support the
armed forces as nearly a quarter-
million military personnel rotate
into and out of the Middle East.

An early highlight of the mis-

sion involved five Seafarers-
crewed large, medium-speed,
roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) ships
loading out more than 70,000
tons of Army hardware in

Antwerp, Belgium for the U.S.
Army�s 1st Infantry Division�
better known as Big Red One.
From Jan. 25 to early last month,
the LMSRs (USNS Brittin, USNS
Red Cloud, USNS Dahl, USNS
Charlton and USNS Watkins)
took on a wide range of materiel
for delivery to an area northwest
of Baghdad, where Big Red One
is relieving the 4th Infantry
Division. The cargo included M1-
A1 Abrams heavy battle tanks,
armored personnel carriers,
Bradley fighting vehicles, heavy
trucks, humvees, fuel trucks and
containers loaded with various
supplies.

During a ceremony aboard the
Red Cloud in Antwerp, Col.
Susan Sowers, USA, commander
of the Army�s 37th Transportation
Battalion, told the crew members,
�It makes a difference in the
world, what you do. We couldn�t
get there without you.�

SIU members are embracing
the mission. Bosun William
Dowzicky, helping ready the
Cape Wrath last month in
Baltimore, said, �The major com-
bat may be over, but it�s still very
important that we resupply our

troops. We�re going to do our
part. This is still serious� we still
have soldiers over there.�

Jim Porter, making his first
trip as third engineer after sailing

as a QMED with the SIU, noted,
�The first trip (last year) was
smooth, and I expect the same
thing this time.�

Among the SIU-crewed ships

sailing in OIF2 are SL-7s operat-
ed by AMSEA; Ready Reserve
Force vessels operated by Crow-
ley, Keystone, Mormac, Marine
Transport Lines, Pacific Gulf
Marine, and Patriot Contract
Services; and LMSRs operated
by Maersk Line, Limited.

Sealift Statistics from
Operation Iraqi Freedom

� More than 2,000 SIU
members sailed aboard
100-plus U.S.-flag ships in
support of American and
Allied forces.

� U.S.-flag commercial
ships carried more than
45,000 TEUs to our forces.

� 12 Voluntary Intermodal
Sealift Agreement ships
were charted by MSC, and
18 VISA liner ships were
used by the Military
Traffic Management Com-
mand.

� An average vessel moved
the equivalent of 300 C-17
cargo aircraft, which freed
up aircraft for other critical
missions.

See pages 12-13 for

more coverage of OIF2

Bosun William Dowzicky (top
photo) and AB John Barcroft
(below) help prepare the Cape
Wrath last month in Baltimore.

The SIU-crewed
USNS Watkins
recently helped
transport
materiel for the
U.S. Army�s 1st

Infantry Division.

SIU Mobilizes for OIF2

Seafarers-Crewed LMSRs Carry
Vital Materiel for ‘Big Red One’

SIU Rallies with Grocery Workers
In a show of solidarity with

their fellow union brothers and
sisters, SIU members and offi-
cials last month marched with
striking and locked-out members
of the United Food and
Commercial Workers (UFCW) in
New York and California.

SIU President Mike Sacco,
Executive Vice President John
Fay, and Secretary-Treasurer
David Heindel walked a UFCW
picket line in Carson, Calif. for
several hours on Feb. 11.

One week earlier, dozens of
Seafarers and officials from New
York and Philadelphia took part
in a major UFCW demonstration
on Wall Street.

At the New York rally on Feb.
5, workers marched on Wall
Street to urge investors to avoid
buying supermarket stocks one
day after stores in Southern
California rejected an offer from
the UFCW. About 1,500 people,
including elected leaders and
community and faith-based
activists, rallied in support of the
UFCW members.

Roughly 59,000 grocery
employees have been on strike or
locked out for four months at
Safeway Inc., Kroger Co. and
Albertsons Inc. They are fighting
against unfair cuts in their health
benefits, among other concerns.

All three companies are publicly
traded.

�Your support has kept us
stronger day after day,� Maria
Patrice, a worker at a Safeway
store in California and a 31-year
member of the UFCW, told the
New York crowd. �We are going
to stay out there as long as it takes
to win this whole thing.�

The rally�s speaker list includ-
ed: AFL-CIO Executive Vice
President Linda Chavez-
Thompson; New York City
Central Labor Council President
Brian McLaughlin; U.S. Rep.
Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.); and
New York State Comptroller Alan

The SIU contingent at the New York demonstration included (from left)
Raphael D�Ambrosio, Chris Nardone, Charlie Collins, Bennie Santos,
Marie Sacco, C.J. Williams, George DiCanio, Justine Soresi, Joe Corr,
Eddie Doruth, VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi and Jake Joyce.

Continued on page 9

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4 Seafarers LOG March 2004

Merlin Rescues Egyptian Officer
The captain and crew of the

SIU-contracted MV Merlin on
Jan. 23 came to the rescue of an
officer who was adrift from the
stricken vessel MV Kephi near
Malta.

Laden with some 8,800
pounds of cement from Istanbul,
Turkey, the 390-foot Greek-
owned Kephi was headed to a
West African port. While situated
some 320 nautical miles east of
Malta, the vessel found itself in
difficulty and faced with extreme
sea conditions. Registered in the
Comoros, the vessel was carrying
16 Egyptian crew members and
one Greek when it began taking
on water.

At about 0055 hours, the
Merlin received a Mayday call
from the Kephi. According to
Merlin Captain Joe Solberg, the
Kephi reported that it had a heavy
list and was in danger of capsiz-
ing. Responding to the call, the
SIU ship altered course and head-
ed for the distressed vessel�s loca-
tion. Not long thereafter, the
Merlin crew caught sight of the
Kephi�s lights. According to
Solberg, at that time, it was

underway and doing about seven
knots.

At 0230 and at location 35-
10.9N/021-09.3E, the Kephi
sank. Some 35 minutes later, the
Merlin arrived at the scene and
commenced search and rescue
operations. After investigating the
scene to get a positive sighting
(debris, lifejackets, etc.), a flare
was spotted at 0620 hours.

Shortly after daybreak, the

Merlin crew saw a life raft with
two people aboard. Solberg
maneuvered his vessel into posi-
tion to rescue the pair. At 0915,
one survivor was brought aboard
the Merlin. The second individual
slipped away in the heavy weath-
er. Subsequently, several passes
were attempted to save the second
survivor, but to no avail. Another
vessel in the area, the MV Yuri
Savinov, recovered the second

person. He, along with his 15
remaining shipmates, however,
did not survive.

Gale force winds and high
waves were cited as a major cause
of the crew members� demise.
Both significantly hampered res-
cue operations. According to a
Greek Merchant Marine
spokesman, �The weather condi-
tions in the area are atrocious.�

The rescued crewman aboard

the Merlin was treated, given
food and dry clothing. He had
sustained fractures to his right
shoulder and had symptoms of
shock. The mariner, who later
was evacuated by the Malta
Armed Forces, was identified as
Eslam Hassan Osman Morgan, a
28-year-old Egyptian who was
the Kephi�s Second Officer.

Seafarers aboard the Merlin at
the time of the rescue included:
ABs Michael Nee, Harry
Champagne, Jules Delgado,
John Holmes, Luisito Tabada,
and Joey Pauley; GUDE George
Melton, OMUs Glenn Barnes
and Michael Watkins; Chief
Cook Prescillano Gamboa and
GSTU Terrance Bing.

Following the rescue, the
Merlin received a congratulatory
message from Sealift, Inc. the
vessel�s operator. In part the mes-
sage said: �Captain Joe, all of us
at Sealift are proud of what you
and the crew have done�.The
message you received from the
Navy advising that you have been
professional and timely with your
actions is also shared by us�This
was a job well done.�

The Seafarers-crewed Merlin overcame rough weather to save an officer from a disabled runaway-flag ship.

Bill Dennis is the new Sea-
farers Plans Administrator, SIU
Secretary-Treasurer David Hein-
del (chairman of the union
trustees) announced in December.

Formerly the plans administra-
tor of the National Maritime
Union (NMU)�which merged
into the SIU in May 2001�
Dennis replaces Lou Delma, who
retired effective Jan. 1 following
more than 38 years of service to
the various employee benefit
plans. Delma had been the
Administrator since 1995.

Dennis served in his previous
position for six years. Prior to that,
he held the title of NMU Benefit
Plans controller for three years
beginning in 1994.

A former member of the U.S.
Army Reserve, Dennis holds a
bachelor�s degree in business
administration from St. Francis
College in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was
born and raised in Brooklyn and
has spent most of his adult life

working in the accounting profes-
sion.

Dennis and his wife, Mary
Jane, have been married for 42
years. They are the proud parents
of three children and grandparents
of two.

�I look forward to the chal-
lenge of continuing to maintain
the high level of service that the
Plans provided to the member-
ship,� Dennis said. �Like Lou, I
have a very high level of concern
for the welfare of our member-
ship. To that end, I�ll ensure that
all of our programs are carried out
in accordance with established
rules and regulations so that all
benefits are disbursed in a timely
fashion.�

Dennis said he will continue
the practice of evaluating existing
services to the membership and,
like Delma, he will continuously
look for opportunities to improve
the benefit delivery system. He
cited the recently enacted pre-

scription program as an example
of improvements in the benefits
system. He said, �In today�s
world, we see annual increases of
15 to 20% in the cost of health
benefits. A big part of my job is to
contain these cost increases while
providing these benefits to plan
participants. I fully expect to draw
on Lou�s almost 40 years of
acquired knowledge concerning
our Plans. Lou has put together a
very good staff. I look forward to
working with them. I consider
myself to be a hands-on type of
manager. To this end, we will have

regularly scheduled staff meet-
ings. We will always look for
ways to improve our internal oper-
ating procedures. We are a team
with a big responsibility. Working
together, we will accomplish our
mission.�

Although Delma retired as
administrator, he will remain at
headquarters as a consultant.

A native of Brooklyn, Delma
began his career with the
Seafarers Plans in 1965 in the
claims department preparing
Seafarers� medical expense
requests for processing at the for-
mer office, located at 17 Battery
Place in Manhattan, N.Y.

From 1965 until 1977, he held
various positions in the Seafarers
claims department. At the end of
1977, Delma went to work with
the manpower department.

In 1980, he became supervisor
of the records and vacation depart-
ment, assisting Seafarers in pro-
cessing their vacation applica-
tions.

Delma began working as an
assistant to the Administrator for
the Benefits Plans in 1991. In
1992, he became the Assistant
Administrator for the welfare,
pension and vacation programs.
Continuing his career, he assumed
his position as Seafarers Plans
Administrator in 1995. In this
capacity, he was responsible for
all aspects of the welfare, pension
and vacation programs associated

with the union.
�Bill will have some big shoes

to fill in replacing Lou Delma as
Plans Administrator,� SIU
President Michael Sacco said. �I
have only good things to say about
Lou because he has been one of
the most dedicated employees this
organization has ever had. Over
the years, no one has worked hard-
er or been more energetic than he
has been in getting our member-
ship every kind of advantage that
they deserve. I can�t put into
words what having him on our
team has personally meant to me.

�But Bill�s track record speaks
for itself and I have every confi-
dence in his abilities,� Sacco
added. �He has a rich history
that�s marked by consistent contri-
butions to the membership and I
look forward to more of the same
from him.�

NMU Medical Plan Merges
Into Seafarers Health Plan

Trustees of the National Maritime Union (NMU) Welfare Plan last
month recommended that the Plan merge into the Seafarers Health and
Benefits Plan (SHBP). Seafarers Trustees approved the recommenda-
tion Feb. 6 during a meeting at SIU headquarters in Camp Springs,
Md.

The target date for implementation of the health plans� merger is
June 1.

�It should be a seamless move and a big money-saver,� stated
Seafarers Plans Administrator Bill Dennis. �The NMU schedule of
benefits will remain unchanged, other than they will be administered
by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. But the benefits themselves
are exactly the same, and they�re available specifically for people who
had been covered by the NMU.

�Likewise, there�s no change for members covered by the Seafarers
Plans,� Dennis added.

Carolyn Gentile, General Counsel to the Seafarers Plans, noted,
�The merger basically keeps the status quo in terms of benefits, but the
administration will be under one roof. It will be more efficient because
operations will be uniform, though of course according to the separate
benefit schedules.�

Similar consolidations of medical plans have occurred between
other unions that merged with the SIU. The NMU merged into the SIU
in June 2001.

The last NMU contract expires in 2006. NMU retirees don�t receive
medical benefits.

SIU members are happy with the new prescription
identification cards recently issued as part of a new
program with Prescription Solutions. Member feed-
back at the union halls and at the Seafarers Health and
Benefits Plan office has been very positive, according
to port officials and Plan representatives.

�The card is really good. I�ve already used it and
I�m very happy with it,� said SA Leonel Montes at the
Houston hall.

�I�ve used it several times and it has worked out
fine,� said AB Lonale Andrews at the hall in Norfolk,
Va. �You hand them your card, they scan it and you get
your medicine.�

As reported in previous issues of the Seafarers
LOG, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan in

December entered into the agreement with
Prescription Solutions to provide pharmacy benefits to
all eligible participants. The program provides cover-
age for new as well as refill prescriptions filled at par-
ticipating retail pharmacies and through the
Prescription Solutions Mail Services Pharmacy. To use
the program, members need only present their
Prescription Solutions ID cards at any participating
pharmacy.

For AB Edward Milstead, eliminating or reducing
out-of-pocket costs is a highlight of the new program.
�That�s big, especially if you have kids,� Milstead
noted at the hall in Mobile, Ala. �Everyone I�ve talked
to is happy with the new card, and I look forward to
using it when needed. I�m sure it�ll come in handy.�

Dennis Is New Plans Administrator
Delma Retires After 38 Years, Will Remain as Consultant

Seafarers Plans Administrator
Bill Dennis

SIU President Mike Sacco (left)
presents Lou Delma with a ship�s
wheel at Delma�s retirement gath-
ering late last year.

Seafarers Say Prescription Card Is Just What the Doctor Ordered

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March 2004 Seafarers LOG 5

Manuel �Joe� Sigler, a former
SIU patrolman, business and port
representative and safety director,
passed away Feb. 12 in
Indianapolis following a lengthy
illness. He was 76.

�He was a great union repre-
sentative�always considerate
and always looking out for the
underdog,� said SIU President
Michael Sacco upon learning of
Brother Sigler�s death. �Joe was

just a really great union guy, all
the way around. He�ll be missed.�

�He was a beloved union guy
from the old school,� said St.
Louis SIU Port Agent Becky
Sleeper, whom Sigler mentored.
�Joe was port agent when I
arrived here. He took me under
his wing, taught and showed me
what I needed to know and do to
be successful as a port agent�.
He was totally union and would

take the shirt off his back and
give it to just about anybody if he
thought it would help them.�

�Joe�s death is such a great
loss to all of us,� offered Valerie
Miller, St. Louis SIU representa-
tive. �I have known him since I
was about 6 or 7 years old �
from way back in the old
Lundeberg days. He always cared
about his union brothers and sis-
ters and kept in touch with us

here at the port. Joe always wore
his SIU T-shirt, jacket and his
Lundeberg beef cap. He was SIU
through and through.�

Born in Gary, Ind., Brother
Sigler donned the SIU colors in
1952 in the port of Chicago. Prior
to joining the Seafarers, he served
honorably in the U.S. Navy from
1944 to 1947. Brother Sigler
spent the majority of his career
working on the Great Lakes, but
also worked in the deep sea and
inland divisions. A deck depart-
ment member, he sailed primarily
aboard vessels operated by Great
Lakes Towing Co.

Brother Sigler came ashore in
1980. Thereafter, he held the
positions of patrolman and SIU
representative in Chicago; SIU
representative, port representa-
tive and safety director in
Algonac, Mich.; and safety direc-
tor and port agent in the port of
St. Louis. He retired in January

1995.
Brother Sigler�s two sons,

Manuel and Raymond; and one
daughter, Terrilyn, survive him. A
memorial service for Brother
Sigler was held Feb. 14 in
Indianapolis.

Even though the National
Labor Relations Act�which
established the legal right to form
unions and negotiate for better
benefits, pay, safety standards
and working conditions�was
enacted in 1935, employers
across the country continue to use
threats, coercion and intimidation
to block workers� efforts to
unionize.

For that reason, Sen. Edward
Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Rep.
George Miller (D-Calif.) on Nov.
21, 2003 introduced the Em-
ployee Free Choice Act (S.1925
and H.R. 3619). The proposed
legislation ensures that when a
majority of employees in a work-
place decide to form a union, they
can do so without the debilitating
obstacles used by employers to
block their workers� free choice.

�We like to think that workers
are free to join a union,� Kennedy
stated. �But too often that basic
aspect of freedom is denied in our
modern society because hard-line
corporate managers succeed in
denying a fair choice by work-
ers.�

Miller added, �We are
here�to demand for workers in
America the basic legal, labor
and human rights by which we
judge other nations around the
world: the freedom of association
and the right to collectively bar-
gain.�

The AFL-CIO picked Dec.
10�International Human Rights
Day�to highlight the fact that

U.S. labor laws not only do not
protect workers who want to
organize unions, but in many
cases facilitate employers� efforts
to block them. Civil rights lead-
ers, Democratic presidential can-
didates and major labor advo-
cates stood with tens of thou-
sands of workers at 90 events in
37 states that day to ask that their
rights be recognized.

Workers at many of the
marches, press conferences, hear-
ings and other venues spoke
about the opposition they have
faced in attempting to exercise
their right to form a union.

�Behind the closed doors of
the workplaces of America,
workers face incredible�often
ruthless�opposition when they
try to come together in a union,�
said AFL-CIO President John
Sweeney. �These employers are
literally robbing working people
and their communities of better
lives. At a time in our nation
when the middle class is shrink-
ing, when the gap between the
rich and poor is growing, workers
deserve the right to form a union
to win a real voice on the job
through collective bargaining.�

Federal labor law protects
workers� freedom to form
unions�in theory. In reality,
employers� most powerful tactics
to suppress workers� freedom to
form unions are legal under U.S.
law. Others, such as firing work-
ers for union activity, are techni-
cally illegal�but are penalized

so lightly or enforced so poorly
that the law is no deterrent.

The Employee Free Choice
Act will:

� Allow employees to freely
choose whether to form unions
by signing cards authorizing
union representation.

� Provide mediation and
arbitration for first contact dis-
putes.

� Establish stronger penalties
for violation of employee rights
when workers seek to form a
union and during first contract
negotiations.

Members of Congress appear
to be listening to the workers. In
less than three months, 155 mem-
bers of the House and 27 senators
had agreed to co-sponsor the bill.
Union members are encouraged
to get involved with the nation-
wide campaign by calling their
U.S. senators (202) 224-3121 and
representatives (202) 225-3121,
and urging them to co-sponsor
the Employee Free Choice Act.

John Sweeney
AFL-CIO President

Free Choice Act Gains
Support in Congress

Michael E. Swayne, an SIU
trustee, passed away Jan. 23 at
Somerset Medical Center in
Somerville, N.J. He was 69.

Born in Bronx, N.Y., Swayne
initially was appointed alternate
trustee for the SIU Employment
Board in June 1981. He
achieved full board status in
August 1992 and thereafter
served as a trustee for the
Seafarers Welfare Plan, the
Seafarers Pension Plan, and the
Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School of Seamanship in Piney
Point, Md.

Swayne worked as a manag-
er of labor relations for SIU-
contracted Transoceanic Cable
Ship Co. of Morristown, N.J. for
more than 40 years. He retired
in 1996.

�Mike was a strong supporter
of the U.S. Merchant Marine,�
said SIU President Mike Sacco.
�He really looked out for the
people aboard the ships and
made sure that they got a fair
shake. I�m personally grateful
for everything he did for the
union and especially our mem-
bership. He was a model for
good labor-management rela-
tions and he will truly be
missed.

SIU Vice President Contracts
Augie Tellez echoed Sacco�s
views, offering, �Mike was a
real advocate for the welfare of
the ship�s crew. He understood
that the success of a vessel
depended on the continued
effectiveness and efficiency of
its crew. Mike worked tirelessly

to ensure that crews always
were treated fairly. He was a
very strong advocate for train-
ing and, in short, a real people�s
guy.�

Carolyn Gentile, general
counsel to the Seafarers Plans,
worked closely with Swayne.
�He was a consummate gentle-
man and a real pleasure to work
with,� Gentile said. �Michael
had a very sweet disposition
about him and wonderful sense
of humor. I�m sure I speak for
the entire SIU family when I say
we all will miss him and his tal-
ents.�

An avid gardener, Swayne
took great pride in his horticul-
tural skills. He also enjoyed the
culinary arts. He was a commu-
nicant of St. Matthias Roman
Catholic Church and was on the
board of trustees for the
American Maritime Officers in
Dania, Fla. Swayne also was
past vice chairman of the
American Maritime Officers
Service.

He is survived by his wife of
44 years, the former Ida
Murphy; three sons, Michael,
Jr., James, Sr., and John; three
daughters, Patricia Swayne,
Maureen Swayne and Anne
Sickles; and seven grandchil-
dren.

Funeral services for Swayne
on Jan. 28 were held at St.
Matthias Roman Catholic
Church in Somerset, N.J.
Interment followed in the Cedar
Grove Cemetery in Franklin,
N.J.

Trustee Mike Swayne
Passes Away at Age 69

The late SIU Trustee Michael Swayne, left, chats with Tony
Naccarato of Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning during a 1993
trustee/port agents meeting in San Francisco. Swayne, who
achieved full board status as an SIU trustee in August 1992, passed
away Jan. 23.

NCL America recently confirmed plans to
rechristen the Norwegian Sky as the Pride of
Aloha and introduce the 2,000-passenger vessel
into the company�s new U.S.-flag division this
summer. The ship will undergo a multi-million
dollar refurbishment.

The Pride of Aloha will fill in for the Pride of
America, which recently sustained storm damage
in a German shipyard. The latter vessel was
refloated Feb. 15, exactly one month after the
storm hit it.

According to news reports, though other parts
of the ship were damaged, the Pride of America�s
hull wasn�t harmed and the vessel will be com-
pleted. No official estimated completion date has
been announced.

The Pride of America initially was included in
Project America, a substantial effort to enhance
U.S. shipbuilding and the U.S.-flag cruise indus-
try. The development was hurt by the attacks of
September 11, 2001, but NCL last year commit-
ted to beginning a U.S.-flag operation in Hawaii.

U.S.-Flag Cruise Plan Remains on Schedule

SIU Mourns Retired Patrolman Joe Sigler

Joe Sigler, pictured at his retire-
ment gathering in St. Louis, start-
ed his SIU career in 1952.

Mississippi
Mishaps

A 739-foot freighter owned
by the same Chinese company
whose vessel Bright Field hit
New Orleans� Riverwalk shop-
ping center in 1996 added to the
unfortunate legacy last month.

Cosco Shipping�s Bright State
on Feb. 19 hit the stationary 600-
foot vessel Genmar Alexandra
on the Mississippi near New

Orleans. The accident reportedly
caused 22,000 gallons of fuel oil
to leak from the moored Mar-
shall Islands-flagged tanker into
the river.

In 1996, the Bright Field
smashed into the shopping center
and nearby Hilton Hotel, causing
about $19 million in damage.

Just two days after last
month�s mishap, the Missis-
sippi�s only entrance for deep sea
ships from New Orleans to the
Gulf of Mexico was closed
again�this time due to a fatal

accident. According to news
reports, the 178-foot supply boat
Lee III sank Feb. 21 after strik-
ing the 534-foot containership
Zim Mexico III in the fog. The
five-man crew of the supply boat
remained missing after two days
of searching (as this issue of the
LOG went to press).

The Zim Mexico III reported-
ly is registered in Antigua and
Barbuda, owned by Germany�s
B. Rickmers GMBH Cie., and
operated by Zim American
Israeli Shipping Co.

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6 Seafarers LOG March 2004

Maritime Administration Approves
Deepwater Liquid Natural Gas Port

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) last
month stated that it soon will be easier to import nat-
ural gas from fuel tankers without disruption to
shoreline communities and the environment, thanks
in part to a new deepwater liquid natural gas (LNG)
port approved by the agency.

The LNG port, to be built by El Paso Energy
Bridge Gulf of Mexico LLC about 116 miles south
of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, is a terminal
to process and transfer natural gas received from
LNG transport ships to a pipeline system, which
will carry the natural gas ashore for distribution to
U.S. markets.

�This new facility will improve efficiency by
eliminating the need for a carrier to come all the
way into a shore side port and save money in the
process,� said U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Norman Y. Mineta.

Worldwide, natural gas is in plentiful supply.
However, the United States holds less than 4 percent
of the world reserves. The Deepwater Port Act of
1974, as amended in 2002, recognized the need for
new LNG import facilities and provided American
industry with the option of constructing new LNG

port facilities in the waters beyond U.S. territorial
limits.

According to MarAd, the construction and oper-
ation of deepwater ports �will enhance the options
available for the importation of natural gas into the
U.S., thus allowing greater benefits from the eco-
nomic and environmental advantages of LNG
imports.�

This is the second approval issued under the
Deepwater Ports Act; the first approval was issued
in November 2003. Maritime Administrator Captain
William G. Schubert noted that his agency has three
additional applications under review, and expects to
receive more. �Natural gas consumption is rising
rapidly, and an increased supply is important for our
energy independence,� he said.

MarAd reported that Energy Bridge Gulf of
Mexico LLC (Energy Bridge GOM) is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of El Paso Field Services Holding
Company, which is 100 percent owned by El Paso
Tennessee Pipeline Company, which is, in turn, a
major subsidiary of El Paso Corporation, based in
Houston, Texas.

Joint Action With Saudi Arabia
Aims to Fight Terrorist Financing

The United States and Saudi
Arabian governments again have
joined together to ask the United
Nations to add four branches of
the Al-Haramain Islamic Founda-
tion to its consolidated list of ter-
rorists tied to al-Qaida, Osama
bin Laden and the Taliban. The
U.S. Treasury Department recent-
ly announced that the designation
of the Al-Haramain branches in
Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania and
Pakistan under Executive Order
13224 �is the latest in a series of
public joint actions with our ally
in the war on terrorist financing.
These branches have provided
financial, material and logistical
support to the al-Qaida network
and other terrorist organizations.�

U.S. Treasury Secretary John
W. Snow stated, �The United
States and Saudi Arabia share a
deep commitment to fighting the
spread of terrorism in all its
forms. The branches of al
Haramain that we have singled
out today (Jan. 22) not only assist
in the pursuit of death and
destruction; they deceive count-
less people around the world who
believe that they have helped
spread good will and good works.
By working together to take
action today and calling on the

United Nations to do the same,
our two countries send a clear
message: Those who hide inten-
sions of terror behind a veil of
benevolence and charity will not
escape justice from the interna-
tional community.�

The Saudi government in 2003
ordered Al-Haramain to close all
of its overseas branches. Al-
Haramain stated it closed branch-
es in Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania
and Pakistan, but continued mon-
itoring by the United States and
Saudi Arabia indicates that these
offices and/or former officials
associated with these branches
are either continuing to operate or
have other plans to avoid these
measures. The actions by the
Bosnia-Herzegovina branch, des-
ignated in March 2002, to recon-
stitute itself and continue opera-
tions under the name �Vazir� is
one example. Similarly, the
Indonesian branch of Al-
Haramain has attempted to oper-
ate under an alias.

According to the Treasury
Department, the four branches
designated earlier this year �are
only the most recent of Al-
Haramain�s overseas branches to
be investigated, and the U.S.
remains committed to ensuring

that the branches of this charity
cannot be used to support terror-
ism. The Saudi Arabian govern-
ment has informed the host coun-
tries that these entities are not
Saudi entities and should be treat-
ed appropriately under local law.
Designation at the UN triggers
international obligations on all
member countries, requiring
them to take steps to ensure that
these offices cannot continue to
use their remaining infrastructure
or finances to fund or otherwise
support terrorism. It is also a crit-
ical action to publicly identify
these supporters of terrorism,
providing warning to other enti-
ties that they are prohibited from
doing business with them.�

U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Y. Mineta

U.S. Maritime Administrator
Captain William Schubert

U.S. Treasury Secretary
John W. Snow

After more than 38 years of ser-
vice, C. Bradley Mulholland
retired Jan. 1 from Seafarers-con-
tracted Matson Navigation Com-
pany, Inc., which he served as vice
chairman of the board. He also
retired from his position as execu-
tive vice president of Alexander &
Baldwin, Inc., Matson�s parent
company, and from director posi-
tions on the boards of both compa-
nies.

Mulholland joined Matson in
1965 and served in a variety of
increasingly responsible positions
throughout the company, ultimate-
ly being named president and chief
operating officer of Matson in
1990, and then president and chief
executive officer in 1992. He
became vice chairman of the board
in 2002.

�We thank Brad for his many
years of devoted service to Matson
and his contributions to the organi-
zation over an extended period,�

said A&B President and CEO
Allen Doane. �We wish him the
best in his retirement.�

Mulholland started as an assis-
tant booking clerk in Southern
California and, over the years, held
such varied positions as district
sales manager, regional sales man-
ager, vice president sales, vice
president of Matson Agencies,
senior vice president in freight
operations and president of
Matson Terminals, Inc.

In 1996, Mulholland was hon-
ored by the United Seamen�s
Service with the prestigious
Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award
(AOTOS). He is a lifetime mem-
ber of the National Defense
Transportation Association and
currently serves on the Board of
the Standard Steamship Owners�
Association and the San Francisco
Bay Area Council. Mulholland is
also on the Board of Trustees of
the National Maritime Museum

Association in San Francisco. He
also served for 10 years on the
Mainland Distribution Committee
of the A&B Foundation, the com-
pany�s charitable giving arm.

Matson is the principal carrier
of containerized freight and auto-
mobiles between the U.S. Pacific
Coast and Hawaii, Guam and the
mid-Pacific.

Mulholland Retires from Matson

C. Bradley Mulholland

Liberator Crew Welcomes
SIU President, Other Officials

Seafarers aboard the Liberator welcomed SIU President Michael
Sacco, Executive VP John Fay, Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel,
West Coast VP Nick Marrone and Wilmington Port Agent John Cox
for a surprise shipboard meeting Feb. 11 at Berth 403 in Los Angeles.
Sacco led discussions with the crew about Operation Iraqi Freedom 2,
the new U.S. Maritime Security Program, political action, health care
and more. Below are a few snapshots from the impromptu meeting.

Pictured from left to right are AB Dante Cruz, AB Joshua Mensah,
President Sacco and AB Ivan Ingram.

Executive VP
John Fay
(left) and
President
Michael
Sacco climb
aboard the
Liberator.

President Sacco
and crew mem-

bers discuss the
vital role of

Seafarers in
Operation Iraqi

Freedom 2.

West Coast VP
Nick Marrone
(left) and Port

Agent John Cox
(right) flank

Bosun Manola
Delos Santos.

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March 2004 Seafarers LOG 7

U.S.-Flag Vessels, Port Facilities
Submit Security Plans to Coast Guard

By early February, 90 percent
of U.S.-flag vessels and port
facilities had submitted security
plans as required by the Maritime
Transportation Security Act
(MTSA) of 2002, according to
the U.S. Coast Guard. The agency
said penalties already are being
issued to those that have not sub-
mitted any of the information
required.

The organization has begun
issuing notices of violation with a
$10,000 penalty. The names of
specific vessels and facilities that
have received notices have been
designated �Sensitive Security
Information� and will not be
released to the public.

It is believed that all SIU-con-
tracted companies already are
complying.

�Security in America�s ports is
a shared responsibility,� said
Rear Adm. Larry Hereth, director
of port security for the Coast
Guard. �We have made tremen-
dous progress protecting the
ports, and we need everyone to
continue that progress by meeting
these requirements.�

Designed to protect the
nation�s ports and waterways
from a terrorist attack, the MTSA

requires the develop-
ment and implementa-
tion of security plans for
vessels and facilities that
have higher risks of involvement
in transportation security inci-
dents. The act further mandates
that all affected vessels and facil-
ities be in compliance by July 1,
and timely security plan submis-
sion is a key milestone in reach-
ing that goal.

Under the act, large cargo and
passenger vessels, port facilities,
outer continental shelf facilities,
and others in the maritime indus-
try were required to submit vul-
nerability assessment reports and
security plans. Additional civil
penalties for failing to submit the
security plan may be issued at a
later date, and non-compliant

operators may have their opera-
tion shut down after July 1, if an
approved security plan is not in
place.

The Coast Guard has estab-
lished a Help Desk to assist
industry with understanding the
regulations. It can be reached
from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST
Monday through Friday at (202)
366-9991, toll-free at (877) 687-
2243 or, or by e-mail at uscgregs
@comdt.uscg.mil. The full text of
the rules and other information
can be found on the Coast
Guard�s Help Desk website at:
h t t p : / /www.uscg .mi l /hq /g -
m/mp/mtsa.shtml.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the
U.S. Department of Justice
recently announced that a woman
has been sentenced to 14 months�
imprisonment and two years of
supervised release following her
conviction for conspiring to cre-
ate false mariner documents.

According to the agencies,
Maria Machado Diaz �was found
by United States District Judge
Adalberto Jordan to be a leader
and organizer in the conspiracy,
which involved the smuggling of
illegal aliens into the United
States posing as commercial sea-
men. Three other defendants in
the case pled guilty and were
sentenced to lesser sentences.�

Diaz was sentenced Jan. 21.
The announcement was jointly
made in Miami by Marcos
Daniel Jiménez, United States
attorney for the Southern District
of Florida; Rear Adm. Harvey
Johnson, commander, Seventh
Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast
Guard; and Jonathan Sall, special
agent in charge, U.S. Coast
Guard Investigative Service.

According to the U.S. De-
partment of Justice, one defen-
dant, Marvin Joseph, Jr., fled
South Florida after his indict-
ment and remains a fugitive. All
defendants were charged with

conspiracy to commit offenses or
to defraud the United States, in
violation of Title 18, United
States Code, Section 371, and
encouraging or inducing an alien
to come to, enter, or reside in the
United States, in violation of
Title 18, United States Code,
Section 1324.

The agencies investigated
Diaz and her co-defendants from
October 2002 until March 2003.
Undercover agents conducted
numerous operations in which
they purchased false mariner
employment documents, kept
tight surveillance and obtained
video and audio recordings of the
suspects.

The indictment charged that
the defendants sent numerous let-
ters to the United States govern-
ment stating that certain aliens
were guaranteed employment on
ships docked in Miami. In each
case, the aliens were not guaran-
teed employment on the vessels
as stated by the defendants. The
indictment also charged that by
sending the letters, the defen-
dants were inducing and encour-
aging the aliens to enter the
United States despite knowing
that the aliens did not have
authority to enter the country.

Sentencing Announced in
Mariner Document Scam

Shipboard and port
security has come

under closer scrutiny
because of new regu-

lations including the
Maritime

Transportation Security
Act.

SIU President Describes Key Aspects of Union, School
Emphasizing the U.S. Mer-

chant Marine�s role as America�s
fourth arm of defense, SIU President
Mike Sacco delivered an infor-
mative and well-received presen-
tation Jan. 22 to more than 100
officials and staff members from
the U.S. Department of Labor.

Sacco also highlighted the
unlicensed apprentice program
offered by the Paul Hall Center
for Maritime Training and Edu-
cation�a program approved last
year by U.S. Secretary of Labor
Elaine L. Chao through the
department�s National Appren-
ticeship Standards.

The speech took place in
Washington, D.C. and was part of
the department�s staff training.

Sacco noted that Seafarers
were mobilizing for the next
phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom
�a mission that involves trans-
porting new materiel and troops
to Iraq as well as bringing back
other equipment.

�More than 2,000 of our mem-
bers sailed during the all-out
combat phase of the war, and they
delivered the goods. In fact, the
entire U.S. Merchant Marine has

been praised at the highest levels
of government for what has been
described as the most efficient
sealift operation in history,�
Sacco told the audience.

SIU members crewed more
than 100 vessels during the war.
Overall, the merchant marine
moved more than 20 million
square feet of vital cargo�
enough to fill more than 350 foot-
ball fields.

�I want all of you to know that
our membership is very proud
and very serious about supporting
our troops,� the SIU president
stated. �They understand their
role as the nation�s fourth arm of
defense, and they are committed
to getting the job done, wherever
and whenever needed.

�Here again, the Paul Hall
Center plays an important role.
The school helps ensure that our
loyal U.S. citizen crews are prop-
erly trained to work aboard all
types of vessels.�

Speaking of both the union
and its affiliated training center in
Piney Point, Md., Sacco noted,
�We help people by giving them
great career opportunities and
educating them for a lifetime. For
instance, earlier this month I met
a first-time student at the Paul
Hall Center who told me the
school almost seemed too good to

be true. Here was a guy who sim-
ply needed some direction�who
just needed an opportunity to

have a good career. And he�s find-
ing that opportunity in Piney
Point. He was absolutely beaming
when he talked about the school.�

Among the other points made
by Sacco were:
 The Paul Hall Center

(named after the union�s second
president, who was inducted into
the Department of Labor Hall of
Fame last year) offers education
beyond vocational training, from
remedial reading and math, all the
way to a two-year college pro-
gram that offers degrees in nauti-
cal science and marine engineer-
ing
 Since 1984, more than

2,000 Seafarers have earned their
GEDs through the Paul Hall

Center�s high school equivalency
program.
 The Seafarers Health and

Benefits Plan offers annual schol-
arships for SIU members and
their dependents. The scholarship
program started in 1952, with the
values of the scholarships
increasing from time to time.
Currently, the Plan offers eight
scholarships annually, with a total
value of $132,000.

Sacco also discussed the
school�s facilities; the manpower
office; the veterans� program;
anti-terrorism training; recruiting
efforts made by the union and the
school; and the SIU�s history of
wartime service.

Even for a business that must
be accustomed to racking up safe-
ty awards, the latest milestone
attained by SIU-contracted
Alaska Tanker Company (ATC)
stands out.

ATC President and CEO Anil
Mathur recently reported that the
company in late January complet-
ed 5 million man-hours without a
single �lost time� injury.

�When our young company
started up some five years ago,
we used to have on average one
lost time injury every month,
matching the industry average at
the time,� Mathur reported. �We
have now gone well over two
years�including all of 2002 and
2003�without any lost time
injuries.

�The ATC team�s relentless
drive to create an incident-free
workplace continually propels us
past significant safety and envi-
ronmental milestones,� he added.

SIU Vice President Augie
Tellez said that ATC �deserves all

of the positive recognition that
they receive. They�re always
eager to accept input from the
crews, and they�re very inclusive
when it comes to building a com-
mitment to safety. The SIU mem-
bers who crew their ships, along
with the officers and company
personnel, have every reason to
feel proud.�

Last year, seven Seafarers-
crewed ATC ships received vessel

safety awards at an annual indus-
try gathering in New Orleans.
Also last year, the Alaska state
legislature formally congratulat-
ed the company for its outstand-
ing safety and environmental
record. ATC then earned a major
Washington State award for
excellence in marine safety and
environmental stewardship.

ATC�s fleet eventually is
expected to include four new
Alaska-class tankers. The double-
hull ships are being built in San
Diego for BP Oil Shipping
Company, USA; the first is slated
for delivery in June.

Alaska Tanker Company
Reaches Safety Milestone

The Alaskan Frontier, scheduled for delivery in June, is one of four dou-
ble-hull Alaska-class tankers being constructed on the West Coast.
SIU-contracted Alaska Tanker Company will operate the new vessels.

SIU President Mike Sacco addresses a U.S. Department of Labor audi-
ence�including Secretary Elaine L. Chao, right�during a Jan. 22 pre-
sentation in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L.
Chao warmly introduces SIU
President Mike Sacco.

21722p3_4_7_12_13.qxd 2/23/2004 5:09 AM Page 7



8 Seafarers LOG March 2004

Seafarers and Guests
Enjoy Holiday Event
In Wilmington Hall

Steward/Baker James Lewis

Chief Cook James Boss

Storekeeper Terry Malone, AB Richard Volkart and EU Steven Benavides.

Chief Cook
Douglas Burch

QMED David Watkins

QMED Erik Nappier and
SIU Wilmington

Dispatcher Nick Rios

AB Vincent Ippolito

QMED David Hamilton

GUDE/EU Rigoberto Beata

Tausha Cox, GVA/Wiper Alonzo Sanz and AMC CEO Bob Shanazarian

GSTU Jorge Barahona

EU Steven Benivedes, Bosun Mauro Gutierrez and GVA James Smith

SIU Wilmington Safety Director Marshall Novack and
MTL Port Captain Igor Loch

SIU Wilmington Dispatcher Jesse Solis

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/20/2004 3:25 PM Page 8



March 2004 Seafarers LOG 9

When devastating fires blazed
through the San Diego, Calif.
area last fall, hundreds of homes
were destroyed, and residents
were ordered to evacuate.

Temporary housing was set up
in gymnasiums and theaters on
local military bases and at the
Naval Medical Center in San
Diego�as well as aboard the
Military Sealift Command hospi-
tal ship USNS Mercy�to serve as
shelters for the displaced persons.
The USNS Mercy is crewed by
SIU members in the Government
Services Division. The vessel,
normally kept in reduced operat-
ing status in San Diego, is
designed to provide emergency
care for U.S. combat forces.

More than 100 victims of the
fires were given beds and meals
aboard the 894-foot vessel, and
the ship�s medical treatment
facility was prepared to open an
intensive care unit for those
requiring respiratory care.

The USNS Mercy is the sister
ship of the Baltimore-based
USNS Comfort, also crewed by
SIU members in the Government
Services Division. It was the
Comfort that assisted in the relief
efforts in New York following the
September 11, 2001 terrorist
attack on the World Trade Center
and also took part in Operation
Iraqi Freedom, treating more than
650 patients, including members
of the U.S. forces as well as Iraqi
civilians and prisoners of war.

USNS Mercy Becomes Home
For Displaced Fire Victims

The USNS Mercy became home
to victims of the San Diego fires.

On Oct. 23, 2003, the USNS Kilauea, a Military
Sealift Command ammunition ship crewed by SIU
members in the Government Services Division, and
the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz completed the largest

at-sea transfer of ordnance since the beginning of
Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Aircraft operating off the Navy carrier had
dropped 125,000 pounds of ammunition during
Operation Iraqi Freedom but the Nimitz had to off-
load the remaining 4.3 million pounds before head-
ing for home.

Planning and coordinating for the transfer began
45 days in advance. With personnel from both ves-
sels working together as one team, it then took 12
hours of vertical replenishment (assisted by a
Seahawk helicopter) and five hours of connected
replenishment with the 564-foot Kilauea for each of
two days to complete the transfer.

Kilauea Completes Record Transfer

SIU crew members from the USNS Kilauea, a
Government Services Division vessel, helped
offload the largest at-sea transfer of ammunition
from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.

Hevesi (D).
Along with SIU rank-and-file

members, the event was attended
by SIU Vice President Atlantic
Coast Joseph T. Soresi, SIU
Government Services Repre-
sentative Kate Hunt, SIU Brook-
lyn Patrolman Joe Baselice, and
SIU Philadelphia Representative
Joe Mieluchowski.

The work stoppage has idled
grocery clerks from San Diego to
San Luis Obispo. The companies
have kept stores open with scabs
but have lost tens of millions of
dollars in sales.

�I don�t see how they can stay
in business unless they agree to a
fair contract with the workers,�
said Heindel. �We were on the
picket line for at least three hours,
and in all that time maybe a hand-
ful of people went into the store
(an Albertsons Market). More
than twice that many people
respected the line and went to a
different (non-boycotted) store
two blocks away.�

In the latest development

before the LOG went to press,
supermarket executives and
UFCW leaders on Feb. 11 met in
a secret location for the first for-
mal strike negotiations in nearly
two months. Sources said the
talks went into the evening and
were expected to continue the

following day.
The three supermarket opera-

tors on Feb. 3 rejected an offer
from the union to have its mem-
bers return to work immediately
if the markets would agree to
binding arbitration.

Seafarers took part in a major rally for UFCW members Feb. 5 on Wall
Street.

Continued from page 3

Seafarers Rally with UFCW Members

BLS Updates Union Statistics
Union membership among wage and salary workers in the

United States declined to 12.9 percent in 2003, according to the U.S.
Department of Labor�s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate fell from
13.3 percent the previous year.

Labor Department statistics show that men are more likely to be
union members than women; blacks are more likely to belong to a
union than whites, Asians or Hispanics; and nearly two-fifths of
education workers and police and firefighters are union members.

From a geographical perspective, four states had union member-
ship rates over 20 percent in 2003�New York (24.6 percent),
Hawaii (23.8 percent), Alaska (22.3 percent), and Michigan (21.9
percent).

The largest number of union members, 2.4 million, lived in
California. New York came in second with 1.9 million followed by
Illinois with 1.0 million. About half�7.9 million�of the 15.8 mil-
lion union members in the United States lived in six states
(California, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania)
although these states accounted for just over one-third of wage and
salary employment nationally.

In the earnings arena, full-time wage and salary workers who
were union members in 2003 had median usual weekly earnings of
$760, compared with a median of $599 for wage and salary work-
ers who were not represented by unions.

Union Plus gives Seafarers and their families access
to a number of cost-saving benefits programs.

Union Plus (formerly Union Privilege) is a non-profit
entity created in 1986 by the AFL-CIO to provide union
members and their families with valuable consumer ben-
efits. Basically, the organization secures good rates for
union members who are enrolled in the various pro-
grams, based on the potential collective purchasing
power of all members of participating unions. In short,
it�s a case of strength in numbers.

The following is a list of Union Plus programs in
which the SIU participates. For more information about
a particular program, call the appropriate Union Plus
telephone number or visit www.unionplus.org
Credit CCard

This union-endorsed credit card may save you money.
Features of the card include a competitive rate, no annu-
al fees and a unique, valuable member advocacy pro-
gram. Apply online at www.unionpluscard.com or call 1-
800-522-4000.
Secured CCredit CCard

This is a special credit card that is designed to help
you establish or reestablish your credit. Features include
no application fees, a credit line equal to 100 percent of
deposit and a 25-day grace period. Call 1-800-622-2580.
Mortgage aand RReal EEstate

Buying, selling or refinancing a home can be made
easier and more affordable through this offering.
Program features include strike, layoff and disability
assistance and an easy over-the-phone application
process. The program also is open to your parents and
children. Call 1-800-848-6466.
Life IInsurance

Members may purchase term insurance at low group

rates and premium waver during layoffs. Call 1-800-899-
2782.

Health SSavings
This program makes it possible for members to

reduce their out-of-pocket expenses on a variety of
health care services such as prescriptions, vision care and
more. Participants receive quarterly savings statements.
Call 1-800-228-3523 for more details.

Auto IInsurance PProgram
Under this program, low rates and many discounts are

available for members who have good driving records
and safety devices installed on their vehicles. Customer
service is available 24 hours a day. For comparison
quotes, go to www.unionplus.org or call 1-800-294-9496
to apply.
Education SServices

Information about loans, scholarships, how to select a
school, prepare for college entry tests, and much more is
provided in this program. Visit www.unionplus.org or
call 1-877-881-1022.
National LLabor CCollege SScholarship

This offering is designed especially for working
adults who want to pursue a bachelor of arts degree while
continuing their trade union work. For more details, call
1-301-431-5404.
Loan PProgram

Competitive-rate personal and home equity loans are
available under this program. It can be ideal for debt con-
solidation. Apply online at www.unionplusloan.com or
call 1-888-235-2759.
Accidental DDeath IInsurance

Members can receive $10,000 worth of workplace
accidental death insurance at no cost. They also may pur-

chase �all-cause� accidental death coverage up to
$200,000. Call 1-800-899-2782 or enroll online at
www.unionplus.org.

Family SSavers HHotel RRoyal PPlaza
Special leisure rates are available at the Hotel Royal

Plaza in the Walt Disney World Resort. Call 1-800-248-
7890.

Car RRentals
Union members can receive discounted rates on

rentals. To find out more, visit www.unionplus.org; call
Avis at 1-800-6985685, ID# B723700 or Budget at 1-
800-455-2848, ID# V816100.
Union-MMade CChecks

Union-printed checks and return address labels that
feature your union logo are offered under this program.
Call 1-888-864-6625.
Flower SService

As an SIU member, you can save 15 percent when
you send floral arrangements, wreaths or gift baskets.
Visit www.unionplus.org or call 1-888-667-7779 to place
an order.
North AAmerican VVan LLines

Members can realize savings on interstate moves.
Call 1-800-524-5533.
Your CCredit SScore

For $11, you can get your credit score, credit report,
and suggestions for improving your score. Visit
www.unionplus.org.
Vacation TTours

Discount travel packages are available to worldwide
destinations. This program is open to union members,
retirees and their families. Call 1-800-590-1104 for more
information.

‘Union Plus’ Offers Consumer Benefits

21722p1_2_4_5_9-10_14_24.qxd 2/26/2004 11:55 AM Page 9



10 Seafarers LOG March 2004

The American Merchant
Marine Veterans (AMMV),
which includes thousands of
retired Seafarers, is urging pas-
sage of a new bill that would pro-
vide a monthly payment to World
War II merchant marine veterans
or their widows.

U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D-
Calif.) on Jan. 27 introduced the
�Belated Thank You to the
Merchant Mariners of World War
II Act of 2004.� The legislation
(H.R. 3729) calls for compensa-
tion of $1,000 per month.

In official remarks to fellow
members of Congress, Filner
noted, World War II Merchant
Mariners suffered the highest
casualty rate of any of the branch-
es of services while they deliv-
ered troops, tanks, food, air-

planes, fuel and other needed
supplies to every theater of the
war. Compared to the large num-
ber of men and women serving in
World War II, the numbers of
merchant mariners were small,
but their chance of dying during
service was extremely high.
Enemy forces sank over 800
ships between 1941 and 1944
alone.�

Filner further pointed out
mariners weren�t included in the
GI Bill of Rights, which
Congress enacted in 1945. �The
merchant marine became the for-
gotten service,� he said. �The fact
that merchant seamen had borne
arms during wartime in the
defense of their country did not
seem to matter.�

Many WWII mariners finally

received veterans� recognition in
1988, along with access to what
Filner described as a �watered-
down� GI Bill. It took another 10
years to extend the cutoff date for
recognition of mariners as veter-
ans so it matched the date utilized
by the military.

A member of the U.S. House
Committee on Veterans� Affairs,
Filner observed, �While it is
impossible to make up for over
40 years of unpaid benefits, I pro-
pose a bill that will acknowledge
the service of the veterans of the
U.S. Merchant Marine and offer
compensation for years and years
of lost benefits. The average age
of (World War II) merchant
marine veterans is now 81. Many
have outlived their savings. A
monthly benefit to compensate

for the loss of nearly a lifetime of
ineligibility for the GI Bill would
be of comfort and would provide

some measure of security for vet-
erans of the U.S. Merchant
Marine.�

Bill Calls for Monthly Payment to WWII Mariners

The S.S. Samuel Parker
Chapter of the American Mer-
chant Marine and U.S. Navy
Armed Guard Veterans (AMMV)
continues doing its part to help
ensure that World War II-era
mariners are recognized and
remembered.

Late last year, the chapter had
a hand in the dedication of two
U.S. Merchant Marine memorials
�one in Woodson Terrace, Mo.,
the other in St. Peters, Mo.
Altogether, the chapter (with
varying degrees of involvement)
has helped spur the creation of
four such memorials in and
around St. Louis since 1998.

Bill Hessi, head of the Samuel
Parker Chapter, said he and the

other members particularly were
pleased with the St. Peters dedi-
cation last Veterans� Day. That
memorial is sponsored by the
local V.F.W., whose national
organization hasn�t officially rec-
ognized merchant mariners as
veterans.

�The ceremony was awe-
inspiring and we were extremely
proud to be a part of it,� said
Hessi, who sailed on two Victory
ships during the war, starting at
age 19. �The recognition can only
help, and I think it also may help
our chances of passing H.R. 3729
(see story, this page).�

Earlier last November, the
Woodson Terrace memorial was
unveiled. It includes the U.S.

Merchant Marine flag along with
those of the armed forces.

Previously, the chapter dedi-
cated a nine-ton anchor in down-
town St. Louis (1999) and a gran-
ite memorial in the Jefferson
Barracks National Cemetery.

The anchor is located outside
the Soldiers� Memorial, a muse-
um with displays from various
wars.

In 1944, President Franklin D.
Roosevelt said of the U.S.
Merchant Marine, �They have
delivered the goods when and
where needed in every theater of
operations and across every
ocean in the biggest, the most dif-
ficult and dangerous transporta-
tion job ever undertaken. As time
goes on, there will be greater pub-
lic understanding of our merchant
fleet�s record during this war.�

The National World War II Memorial, scheduled for dedication
May 29, in Washington, D.C., includes the U.S. Merchant Marine.

According to the memorial�s parent organization, �The memori-
al plaza and Rainbow Pool are the principal design features of the
memorial, unifying all other elements. Two flagpoles flying the
American flag will frame the ceremonial entrance at 17th Street. The
bases of granite and bronze will be adorned with the military service
seals of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air Forces, Coast
Guard and Merchant Marine.�

Attn: WWII Mariners
The AMMV�s Just Compensation Committee urges all U.S.

mariners who sailed during World War II to help gain more support
for H.R. 3729 � the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of
World War II Act of 2004.

�It will take a lot of determined effort to finish this job,� said Ian
Allison, retired Seafarer and co-chairman of the committee.

For a copy of the bill, along with guidelines on how to help sup-
port the legislation, send your name and address to:

Henry Van Gemert, Co-Chairman
Just Compensation Committee
800 West 25th Ave.
Palmetto, FL 34221
Telephone (and fax) (941) 722-1194
Email Henry1124@aol.com

National WWII Memorial
Includes Merchant Mariners

The National World War II Memorial will be dedicated in
Washington, D.C. during a four-day span in late May.

St. Louis AMMV Chapter Helps Secure
Recognition for WWII Merchant Mariners

Members of the St. Louis AMMV (top photo) stand beneath the U.S.
Merchant Marine flag at the Woodson Terrace Memorial (pictured
below, far right).

Last Veterans� Day, a
new Field of Dreams
Memorial (above, at
left and below) was
dedicated in St.
Peters, Mo. that
includes the U.S.
Merchant Marine.

Photos by Ivar Link

This stone at the Jefferson Bar-
racks National Cemetery memori-
alizes U.S. Merchant Mariners
and U.S. Navy Armed Guard
members who gave their lives in
the war.

A nine-ton anchor outside the
Soldiers� Memorial in downtown
St. Louis recognizes the contribu-
tions of the U.S. Merchant Marine
and U.S. Navy Armed Guard in
World War II.

21722p1_2_4_5_9-10_14_24.qxd 2/27/2004 4:05 PM Page 10



March 2004 Seafarers LOG 11

ROYAL TREATMENT � The SIU-crewed tugboats
Z-ONE and Z-TWO, operated by Great Lakes
Towing, expertly escorted the Queen Mary 2 (right)
into Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. on Jan. 26 as the new
ocean liner made its first arrival into the United
States. The cruise ship is 1,100 feet long. Pictured
above at the arrival are (from left) SIU members
Ken Bower and Derek Tracy; Sheldon Guren,
owner of The Great Lakes Group; Gregg
Thauvette, assistant VP operations of The Great
Lakes Group; and Seafarers Al Zapata, Miguel
Martinez, Ben Johnson, David Wander, Michael
Worthington and Rich Williams.

In the Santurce, P.R. hall, SIU Patrolman Amancio Crespo issues union
books to Seafarers (clockwise from top left) John Walsh, Daniel Herrera,
Helia Calderon and Antony Mendez.

At Sea and Ashore With the SIU

From Bosun Andrew
N. Boney come these
two photos of the
Keystone State during
the first operation of
the cranes.

Mississippi Queen Executive
Chef Paul Wayland-Smith (left)
presents 2nd Cook James H.
Neuner with a cake, congratu-
lating him on his retirement last
August. Brother Neuner started
sailing with the SIU in 1993 pri-
marily aboard vessels operated
by the Delta Queen Steamboat
Co., including the American
Queen and Mississippi Queen.
He makes his home in
Paducah, Ky. Thanks to Delta
Queen Chief Purser Kathleen
Cade for sending in this photo.

Recertified Bosun Jesse
Mixon celebrates his

November birthday on
board the Overseas

Chicago with fellow ship-
mates (from left) Chief

Steward Don Lewis,
Capt. Craig Grosso, Chief

Pumpman Mark Sawin,
Mixon, Chief Mate Nick

Karagiannis, 2nd Engineer
Gordon Marsh and Chief

Engineer Mark Nowak.
Thanks to AB James

Elbe for sending in this
photo.

Seafarers
gather in the
SIU Algonac
hall for the
November
membership
meeting.

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/20/2004 3:26 PM Page 11



12 Seafarers LOG March 2004

` MSC Photo by Ed Baxter
The USNS Red Cloud and four other
Seafarers-crewed LMSRs loaded more than
70,000 tons of U.S. Army hardware in Antwerp,
Belgium from Jan. 25 into early February.

MSC Photo by Ed Baxter
Materiel loaded on SIU-crewed ships in
Antwerp (more than 1 million square feet of
cargo) included tanks, personnel carriers,
heavy trucks, Humvees, fuel trucks, containers
and more.

Baltimore Port Agent De
Metz, 3rd Engineer (and

hawsepiper) Jim Port
Cape Wrath

MSC Photos by Ed Baxter
During the first phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom,
an average U.S.-flag vessel moved the equivalent
of some 300 C-17 cargo aircraft, which freed up
aircraft for other critical missions.

MSC Photo by Ed Baxter
SIU-crewed LMSRs handling the load-
out in Antwerp included the Brittin, Dahl,
Watkins, Red Cloud and Charlton.

MSC Photo by Ed Baxter

fo

Just as th
first phase o
roles in �pa
crewed ship
(MSC) rece
at several U
240,000 U.
An estimate
those troop

The pho
porting our
Merchant MSIU DELIVERS

21722p3_4_7_12_13.qxd 2/27/2004 4:54 PM Page 12



March 2004 Seafarers LOG 13

nt Dennis
(and SIU
Porter

h

SA Ricky Goodman, GVA Jacqueline
Ellsworth, Chief Steward McKinley Jones

Cape Wrath

DEU Dawn Williams
Cape Wrath

AB John Barcroft
Cape WrathThe SIU-crewed Cape

Washington mobilized last month.

Pictured on the Cape Wrath in Baltimore are (kneeling, from left) AB
Charles Ellsworth, GVA Jacqueline Ellsworth, AB Al Barnett, (standing)
AB John Barcroft, QMED Dennis Bennett, AB John Toomey, GVS
William Scott, QMED Bob Oppel and Bosun William Dowzicky.

AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

AP Photo/SSG. Eric Foltz

for U.S. Troops in Iraq

t as thousands of SIU members answered their nation�s call during the
hase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Seafarers once again are playing vital
n �part 2� of the mission. By mid-February, no fewer than 57 SIU-
d ships had mobilized for OIF2. The U.S. Military Sealift Command
) recently announced that sealift operations for this phase �will occur
eral U.S. and overseas ports over the next few months. Approximately
00 U.S. military personnel will rotate into and out of the Middle East.
imated 23 million square feet of cargo will be moved by sea to support
troops�.�
e photos on these two pages exemplify the SIU�s commitment to sup-
g our troops and helping maintain the proud tradition of the U.S.
ant Marine as America�s fourth arm of defense.

21722p3_4_7_12_13.qxd 2/27/2004 6:03 PM Page 13



14 Seafarers LOG March 2004

SEAFARERS BENEFIT PLANS NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS
Keep the Plan Informed of your Address Changes

It is important that all participants remember to keep the Plan informed of any
change of address.

Update your Beneficiary Designations
Keep your beneficiary designations up to date. In the event that your beneficiary

predeceases you, you must submit a substitute designation.
Inform the Plan of your Divorce

In order for your spouse to be eligible to receive continuation coverage (under
COBRA) from the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, you or your spouse must
inform the Plan at the time of your divorce. Please submit a copy of the divorce
decree to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan.

Full-time College Students
If your dependent child is a full-time college student, you must submit a letter of

attendance every semester in order for your child to be covered by the Seafarers
Health and Benefits Plan.

Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan
P.O. Box 380
Piney Point, MD 20674

During this election year especially,
help SPAD push the SIU message.

Seafaring Career Agrees with Hansen
Although she never fulfilled

her ambition to become a mem-
ber of the U.S. Navy, steward
department Seafarer Kathryn
Hansen still is enjoying a
rewarding career at sea�one
that in her estimation rivals any
which she may have experienced
while wearing a Navy uniform.

�When I graduated from high
school, my dream was to go into
the Navy as a WAVE (Women
Accepted for Volunteer
Emergency Service) but I did
not,� recalled the Michigan
native who embarked on her sea-
faring career in 2000 in the port
of Piney Point, Md. �Before
becoming a Seafarer, my failure
to join the Navy was one of the
biggest disappointments in my
life because I thought I had
missed out on my chance to get
quality sea service training and
be exposed to the regimented
and highly disciplined lifestyle
that are hallmarks for the mili-
tary.

�But the Seafarers gave me
that chance even at my age,� she
continued, �and it�s been smooth
sailing ever since. I love being a
merchant mariner and I�ll contin-
ue sailing as long as my health
permits me to do so.�

Hansen�s love for the mer-
chant marine and life at sea put
her in potential danger last year
when she�along with some
2,000 of her fellow SIU brothers
and sisters�was called upon to

crew vessels laden with military
personnel, equipment, ammuni-
tion and various other supplies
bound for the war zone during
Operation Iraqi Freedom. As
always, Seafarers answered their
call to duty, and Hansen was no
exception. She heeded her coun-
try�s appeal without hesitation.

�I made two trips to Kuwait
during the war against Iraq,� said
Hansen, who sailed aboard the
USNS Pillilau and USNS
Gordon. She worked 12-hour
days during both runs and not
surprisingly encountered little
difficulty keeping up with the

hectic pace.
�Being in a war zone while

working on those vessels was
stressful, but I really had no
trouble coping� she said. �Once I
got everything organized, it went
very smooth.� In addition to
crew members, active duty mili-
tary people were aboard each of
the ships during her voyages.

�They all were well-mannered
and extremely disciplined,�
Hansen said. �Most of them
were very young �you could
tell when they came through the
food lines. This part was rather
difficult for me because I have
children (Sean, who served dur-
ing Desert Storm; Joseph and
Travis) who are their ages,� she
continued. �When I looked at the
young soldiers, I thought of my

own children and I just kept
praying that they all would
return home and have the chance
to have a good life.�

Hansen made it through her
trips to the war zone without
incident, but the experiences left
a lasting impression. �I came
home with a totally new outlook
on life and a different apprecia-
tion of the world and the things
that go on in it,� she said. �You
can only imagine what it�s like
to live in a Third World country
until you see it firsthand � then
you get a sense of how blessed
we are to live in the United
States. You finally understand
how fortunate we all are.�

When Hansen�s war zone voy-
ages ended, she returned to the
familiar surroundings of vessels

on the Great Lakes. It was there
that she spent the early days of
her career sailing in the steward
department on such vessels as the
Adam E. Cornelius, Walter J.
McCarthy and Paul H.
Townsend. Currently, she is
undergoing certified chief cook
upgrade training at the Paul Hall
Center for Maritime Training and
Education in Piney Point, Md.

�I�d put the quality of the
training that I am receiving here
up against any available any-
where,� Hansen said. �The
instructors are all wonderful peo-
ple who answer all your ques-
tions. If you don�t know how to
do something, they�ll gladly
show you.

�As far as the facilities here
are concerned, I can only say
that they are excellent. I highly
recommend that all brothers and
sisters come here to enhance
their skills and make a better liv-
ing for themselves and their fam-
ilies. It�s the best.

�Although I�ve only been
sailing SIU for about five years,
I�ve actually been involved with
the merchant marine for more
than 30 years,� Hansen said.
�Previously, I was married to a
chief engineer who also sailed
on the Great Lakes, so the mer-
chant marine is a way of life for
my family.�

Apparently, Hansen wants to
keep it that way. She recently
convinced her nephew to take
advantage of all that the SIU has
to offer. He is slated to attend
entry level training at the union�s
affiliated school in Piney Point.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN

COBRA NOTICE
HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION

Under federal law, a participant and his or her dependents have the right
to elect to continue their Plan coverage in the event that they lose their eligi-
bility. This right is granted by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act, better known as “COBRA.” The COBRA law allows a par-
ticipant and his or her dependents to temporarily extend their benefits at
group rates in certain circumstances where coverage under the Plan would
otherwise end.

A participant and his or her dependents have a right to choose this con-
tinuation coverage if they lose their Plan coverage because the participant
failed to meet the Plan’s seatime requirements. In addition, a participant and
his or her dependents may have the right to choose continuation coverage if
the participant becomes a pensioner ineligible for medical benefits.

The participant’s dependents may also elect continuation coverage if they
lose coverage under the Plan as the result of the participant’s (1) death; (2)
divorce; or (3) Medicare eligibility. A child can also elect COBRA if as the
result of his or her age, he or she is no longer a dependent under the Plan
rules.

If a member and his or her dependents feel that they may qualify, or if they
would like more information concerning these rights, they should contact the
Plan office at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Since there are
important deadlines that apply to COBRA, please contact the Plan as soon
as possible to receive a full explanation of the participant’s rights and his or
her dependents’ rights.

From sailing in a war zone to upgrading at the Paul Hall Center, Kathryn Hansen takes her tasks in stride.

Attention: Seafarers

21722p1_2_4_5_9-10_14_24.qxd 2/26/2004 2:18 PM Page 14



April & May 2004
Membership Meetings

Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters

March 2004 Seafarers LOG 15

PAUL MORAN (QMED or Wiper)

Mike Sano, a fellow shipmate from the late 1980s and
early �90s on Maersk Lines� M/V Anderson in Diego
Garcia, is trying to get in touch with you. Please call him
at (504) 259-7546 or contact him by e-mail at:
masanoce@aol.com.

Personals

Correction

The February issue of the LOG contained an incor-
rect phone number for Prescription Solutions customer
service. The correct number is 800 797-9791.

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD

20746

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea
JANUARY 16 � FEBRUARY 15, 2004

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

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

Port DECK DEPARTMENT
Algonac 1 1 4 0 0 1 0 3 1 4
Baltimore 8 2 0 5 5 1 2 11 3 1
Guam 1 7 1 1 3 1 0 1 7 2
Honolulu 5 11 4 3 8 1 0 16 13 4
Houston 26 15 14 25 10 9 7 43 24 26
Jacksonville 29 31 16 27 28 8 14 62 40 27
Joliet 0 1 3 0 0 2 1 0 1 2
Mobile 14 12 2 9 8 2 4 18 16 2
New Orleans 9 17 11 14 13 6 7 31 23 14
New York 23 12 10 25 14 4 10 41 20 25
Norfolk 14 12 6 12 16 4 3 19 16 8
Philadelphia 1 3 0 5 3 1 1 4 4 4
Piney Point 0 4 1 1 6 0 1 0 3 2
Puerto Rico 7 4 1 7 7 2 3 13 7 1
San Francisco 18 9 4 22 8 3 6 32 12 3
St. Louis 2 2 2 1 2 2 0 1 2 4
Tacoma 28 24 22 23 24 24 8 50 35 20
Wilmington 23 18 11 18 15 8 9 40 26 19
Totals 209 185 112 198 170 79 76 385 253 168

Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 2 2
Baltimore 4 6 1 3 8 0 0 10 5 1
Guam 1 5 0 0 2 1 0 1 5 0
Honolulu 6 5 0 2 3 1 2 9 11 2
Houston 10 7 2 10 6 4 1 20 12 11
Jacksonville 19 23 5 16 18 8 3 41 34 8
Joliet 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Mobile 7 2 1 3 5 1 2 14 5 1
New Orleans 6 7 1 9 6 1 1 10 14 6
New York 10 3 5 8 2 3 2 20 12 14
Norfolk 4 15 5 9 10 3 6 8 19 5
Philadelphia 2 1 2 4 2 1 1 1 2 1
Piney Point 2 4 0 2 2 0 0 3 6 1
Puerto Rico 1 3 2 5 4 2 2 6 1 0
San Francisco 13 8 1 10 2 1 5 16 12 4
St. Louis 2 2 0 1 1 1 0 2 4 0
Tacoma 9 15 8 9 13 3 7 20 20 11
Wilmington 9 4 6 5 6 2 1 17 10 10
Totals 105 112 40 98 91 32 33 198 175 78

Port STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Baltimore 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 2 3 1
Guam 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 0
Honolulu 14 4 2 9 6 0 2 23 5 3
Houston 15 3 2 10 1 1 6 28 6 4
Jacksonville 20 9 8 16 7 2 1 33 25 11
Joliet 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Mobile 4 3 2 6 4 1 1 8 3 3
New Orleans 4 3 0 7 1 0 2 14 7 3
New York 13 4 5 15 6 1 7 20 7 11
Norfolk 5 13 6 7 5 5 4 13 18 4
Philadelphia 2 1 0 3 1 0 0 4 0 0
Piney Point 3 2 1 2 2 2 0 4 2 1
Puerto Rico 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 2 1 2
San Francisco 14 0 3 18 4 3 6 28 4 2
St. Louis 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
Tacoma 23 4 3 14 2 3 12 35 7 4
Wilmington 14 3 3 13 2 0 1 34 4 5
Totals 134 54 38 127 45 20 44 250 97 54

Port ENTRY DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
Baltimore 0 5 7 0 5 8 0 0 3 3
Guam 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 6 0
Honolulu 4 8 6 3 5 2 0 13 13 17
Houston 2 13 14 1 11 8 0 4 23 32
Jacksonville 2 13 21 4 7 13 0 2 21 28
Joliet 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Mobile 0 4 1 0 2 1 0 2 10 2
New Orleans 1 3 5 0 4 1 0 4 13 10
New York 3 31 20 3 16 8 0 7 44 52
Norfolk 0 7 13 0 12 12 0 0 8 14
Philadelphia 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
Piney Point 0 6 46 0 5 19 0 0 7 47
Puerto Rico 0 4 3 1 5 1 0 2 5 2
San Francisco 1 9 6 3 7 4 0 7 18 9
St. Louis 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 3
Tacoma 4 26 22 5 9 13 0 7 33 29
Wilmington 5 8 13 2 5 10 0 5 16 25
Totals 22 147 180 22 98 100 0 53 225 277

Totals All
Departments 470 498 370 445 404 231 155 886 750 577

*�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.

Piney Point .............Monday: April 5, May 3

Algonac ..................Friday: April 9, May 7

Baltimore ................Thursday: April 8, May 6

Boston.....................Friday: April 9, May 7

Duluth .....................Wednesday: April 14, May 12

Guam ......................Thursday: April 22, May 20

Honolulu .................Friday: April 16, May 14

Houston ..................Monday: April 12, May 10

Jacksonville ............Thursday: April 8, May 6

Joliet .......................Thursday: April 15, May 13

Mobile ....................Wednesday: April 14, May 12

New Bedford ..........Tuesday: April 20, May 18

New Orleans ...........Tuesday: April 13, May 11

New York................Tuesday: April 6, May 4

Norfolk ...................Thursday: April 8, May 6

Philadelphia ............Wednesday: April 7, May 5

Port Everglades.......Thursday: April 15, May 13

San Francisco .........Thursday: April 15, May 13

San Juan..................Thursday: April 8, May 6

St. Louis..................Friday: April 16, May 14

Tacoma ...................Friday: April 23, May 21

Wilmington ...............Monday: April 19, May 17

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

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/20/2004 3:26 PM Page 15



16 Seafarers LOG March 2004

Seafarers International 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

René Lioeanjie, 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, MI 48001

(810) 794-4988

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

(618) 462-3456

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

(907) 561-4988

BALTIMORE
2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224

(410) 327-4900

BOSTON
520 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02127

(617) 269-7877

DULUTH
324 W. Superior St., Suite 705, Duluth, MN 55802

(218) 722-4110

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

125 Sunny Plaza, Suite 301-E
Tun Jesus Crisostomo St., Tamuning, Guam 96911

(671) 647-1350

HONOLULU
606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819

(808) 845-5222

HOUSTON
1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002

(713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE
3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206

(904) 353-0987

JOLIET
10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432

(815) 723-8002

MOBILE
1640 Dauphin Island 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
Government Services Division: (718) 832-8767

NORFOLK
115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 622-1892

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

(215) 336-3818

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

(301) 994-0010

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

(954) 522-7984

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

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

SANTURCE
1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16

Santurce, PR 00907
(787) 721-4033

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

(314) 752-6500

TACOMA
3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409

(253) 272-7774

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

(310) 549-4000

PICS-FROM-THE-PAST

NMU Monthly Shipping & Registration Report
JANUARY 16 � FEBRUARY 15, 2004

TOTAL REGISTERED TOTAL SHIPPED REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups All Groups Trip All Groups

Group I Group II Group III Group I Group II Group III Reliefs Group I Group II Group III

Port DECK DEPARTMENT

Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Houston 1 1 5 6 4 7 4 13 4 14

Jacksonville 3 1 1 6 1 1 4 16 6 10

New Orleans 6 2 5 9 4 5 3 11 2 14

New York 12 0 7 16 1 7 6 37 7 0

Norfolk 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0

Tacoma 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 2 0

Wilmington 6 0 0 8 1 0 0 17 2 2

Totals 29 4 18 47 11 20 19 103 23 40

Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT

Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Houston 3 1 5 6 2 4 1 8 3 14

Jacksonville 3 2 0 4 2 0 2 10 6 11

New Orleans 2 0 5 4 0 3 1 6 2 9

New York 1 2 3 4 1 3 4 14 5 0

Norfolk 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0

Tacoma 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 2 2

Wilmington 12 1 0 12 0 0 0 11 7 0

Totals 24 6 13 32 5 10 11 54 25 36

Port STEWARD DEPARTMENT

Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

Houston 3 0 11 4 0 1 0 6 2 14

Jacksonville 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 5 1 5

New Orleans 3 1 7 6 1 3 0 5 3 9

New York 6 4 5 5 0 6 2 14 8 1

Norfolk 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 0

Tacoma 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 0

Wilmington 1 4 0 1 4 0 1 10 5 2

Totals 17 10 24 20 5 10 5 47 24 31

Port ENTRY DEPARTMENT

Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Houston 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

Jacksonville 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

New Orleans 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

New York 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

Norfolk 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

Tacoma 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Wilmington 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 3

Totals All
Departments 70 20 55 99 21 40 40 204 72 110

These photos were sent to the LOG by Pensioner Troy
Smith of Rome, Ga.

The picture below was taken aboard the SS Mary
Adams in 1952. The Liberty ship was on a run to Korea.
Smith is at far left.

The other picture was taken aboard the SS Steel
Worker in 1956, sailing to the Persian Gulf. Smith sits in
the center of the front row. He shipped as a wiper on
both vessels.

Troy Smith, 76,
began his seafaring
career in 1945 in the
port of Baltimore. He
retired in 1989. In
addition to the above
mentioned vessels,
Brother Smith�s
career also included
voyages on the Sea-
Land Consumer, the
Humacao and the
Ponce.

If any of the other
crew members in
either photo would
like to contact Troy
Smith, they may write
to him at: 5 Claren-
don Place, Rome, GA
30165.

If anyone has a vintage union-related pho-
tograph he or she would like to share with
the LOG readership, it should be sent to the
Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp
Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be
returned, if so requested.

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/20/2004 3:26 PM Page 16



March 2004 Seafarers LOG 17

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

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

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

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

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

DEEP SEA
SALIF
AHMED, 64,
began his sea-
faring career
in 1968 in San
Francisco. His
first ship was
the Robin
Hood. Born in

Yemen, he shipped in both the
deck and engine departments.
Brother Ahmed upgraded his
skills at the Seafarers Harry
Lundeberg School of Seamanship
in Piney Point, Md. in 1977. He
last went to sea on Interocean
Management�s Great Land.
Brother Ahmed lives in Seattle.

ELBIO
CALACE, 66,
joined the SIU
in 1995. Born
in Uruguay,
Brother
Calace worked
primarily
aboard
American Hawaii Cruises� SS
Independence. A member of the
steward department, he enhanced
his skills in 2001 at the Seafarers
training school. Brother Calace is
a resident of Honolulu.

BILLY RAY
EAST-
WOOD, 48,
hails from
Louisiana.
Brother
Eastwood
started his
career with the

SIU in 1972 in the port of Piney
Point, Md. His first voyage was
aboard the Suamico. Brother
Eastwood worked in the deck
department as a bosun and
improved his skills often at the
Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School of Seamanship in Piney
Point, Md. He completed the
bosun recertification course there
in 1996. Brother Eastwood last
sailed on the Cape Texas, a
Mormac Marine Enterprise ves-
sel. He makes his home in
Beaumont, Texas.

JAMES A.
HATFIELD,
64, started his
seafaring
career in 1972
in San
Francisco.
Brother
Hatfield�s first
voyage was aboard Delta
Steamship Lines� Santa
Magdalena. The Louisiana-born
mariner shipped in the steward
department, last sailing on the
R.J. Pfieffer. Brother Hatfield
lives in San Francisco.

WILLIAM
HUDSON,
63, joined the
SIU in 1957 in
the port of
Mobile, Ala.
His first ship
was Emerson
Steamship

Co.�s Catherine. Brother Hudson
was born in Leaksfield, Miss.,
and worked in the engine depart-

ment. He enhanced his skills on
three occasions at the Seafarers
training school in Piney Point,
Md. Brother Hudson�s final voy-
age was on the Blue Ridge. He
resides in Mobile.

WILFREDO
MIRANDA,
64, hails from
Puerto Rico.
Brother
Miranda start-
ed his seafar-
ing career in
1969 in the
port of New York. His first voy-
age was aboard Isco�s Steel
Engineer. Brother Miranda
worked in the steward depart-
ment, last sailing on the Horizon
Expedition. He lives in his native
commonwealth in the city of
Santurce.

ABDULLA SALEH, 65, began
his seafaring career in 1991 in the
port of New York. His first voy-
age was aboard the Franklin J.
Phillips. Born in Yemen, Brother
Saleh worked in the steward
department. His final trip to sea
was board the Cpl. Louis J.
Hauge. Brother Saleh is a resi-
dent of Brooklyn, N.Y.

INLAND

W. ROY
GOLDEN ,
64, was born
in Harold,
Texas. He
started his SIU
career in 1981
in Houston.
Boatman

Golden worked mainly aboard
vessels operated by Higman
Barge Lines. He shipped in the
deck department as a captain and
calls Many, La. home.

MARC F.
GORFINE,
61, joined the
Seafarers in
1987 in the
port of
Norfolk, Va.
after serving
in the U.S.
Marine Corps. Boatman Gorfine
sailed in the deck department and
worked chiefly aboard vessels
operated by the Association of
Maryland Pilots. Virginia Beach,
Va. is his home.

WILLIAM
GOSSETT,
62, is a veter-
an of the U.S.
Navy. He
joined the
Seafarers in
1980 in the
port of

Philadelphia. Boatman Gossett
initially worked on an Admiral
Towing vessel. Born in Ottawa,
Kan., he shipped in the deck
department as a captain. He
upgraded his skills on two occa-
sions at the Seafarers training
school in Piney Point, Md.
Boatman Gossett resides in
Aiken, S.C.

MARTHA KELL, 61, launched
her career with the Seafarers in
1987, joining in the port of Piney
Point, Md. Born in Arkansas,
Sister Kell worked in the steward
department. She upgraded her
skills in 1995 and 1999 at the
Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School of Seamanship. Sister
Kell worked mainly aboard ves-
sels operated by Orgulf Transport
Co. She makes her home in
Edwardsville, Ill.

ROBERT
MORTON,
63, joined the
SIU ranks in
1980 in the
port of
Norfolk, Va.
The U.S. Navy
veteran first
sailed with the SIU aboard a
Steuart Tanker Co. vessel.
Brother Morton worked in the
deck department and upgraded
his skills at the Seafarers training
school in 2001. He last shipped
on a Pennsylvania Maritime, Inc.

vessel. Brother Morton was born
in Nashville, Tenn. and makes his
home in Hertford, N.C.

HARRY
SCHOLER,
61, was born
in New Jersey.
He began his
seafaring
career in 1979
in the port of
New York

after serving in the U.S. Navy.
Boatman Scholer worked in the
inland as well as deep sea divi-
sions, first sailing on the
Guayama. A member of the deck
department, he enhanced his
skills in 1982, 1992 and 1998 in
Piney Point, Md. A resident of
Orlando, Fla., he last sailed
aboard a Maritrans Operating Co.
vessel.

JOSEPH SHUBERT, 62, began
his SIU career in 1968 in St.
Louis. Before launching his sea-
faring career, Boatman Shubert
served in the U.S. Air Force. The

Gastonia, N.C. native sailed in
the deck department as a captain
and worked mainly aboard
National Marine Service, Inc.
vessels. Boatman Shubert resides
in Orlando, Fla.

Editor�s Note: The following
brothers, all former members of
the NMU and participants in the
NMU Pension Trust, went on pen-
sion effective the dates indicated.

Name Age EDP

Bello, Ramon 65 Jan. 1

Coiro, Louis 78 Jan. 1

Dorsey, John 60 Dec. 1

Ebanks, Willam 58 Jan. 1

LaPlante, Raymond 60 Jan. 1

Richard, Virgil 60 Feb. 1

Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG.

1941
More than 2,500 members of the Atlantic
and Gulf District participated in the election of
officers of the SIU Atlantic & Gulf District for
1941. This was the first election conducted
since the two districts were amalgamated into
the one district.
The election covered the Atlantic District rep-
resentative, the Gulf District representative,
and the port agents and patrolmen in all ports
from Boston to Texas City and including San
Juan, Puerto Rico.

1955
The membership of
the Seafarers
International Union,
Atlantic & Gulf
District, ratified a
newly negotiated con-
tract clause establish-
ing a seniority hiring provision with contracted
companies. The new hiring system involves
three classes of seniority. Men sailing before
Dec. 31, 1950 got �A� ratings; men sailing
regularly since Jan. 1, 1951 were rated Class
�B� and men who had no time aboard SIU
ships before Jan. 1, 1955 or who had not
shipped regularly during the periods to cover
classes A and B received a �C� rating.
In the future, seamen with �A� ratings will
receive preference over the other two cate-
gories for job calls and the �B� rated seamen
will receive preference over �C� men.

1963
The SIU-manned Floridian became the first
American merchant ship fired on by Cuban
MIG jet airplanes when she was attacked last
Thursday, March 28, by two Russian-built air-
craft about 50 miles north of Cuba. The jets
first circled the ship for 20 minutes before
opening up with their machine guns.
The attack came in the same waters between

Cuba and Florida where Cuban MIGs attacked
the American shrimp boat Ala with rockets
and machine guns on February 20. Seafarer
Jack Nelson, an AB, took pictures of the
attack from the deck, which he handed over
to U.S. intelligence sources when the ship
docked in Miami.

1975
The SIU-contracted Golden Monarch, the last
of three 90,000-ton tankers built for Aeron
Marine Shipping Co., was launched last month
at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. in
San Diego, Calif. The Golden Monarch joins

her sister ships the
Golden Dolphin and
Golden Endeavor on
the waterways; both
of those ships were
launched in San Diego
last year.
All three vessels are
894 feet long, and

are capable of carrying 25 million gallons of
crude oil (500,000 barrels). They are the first
double-bottom ships (to protect against oil
spillage in collisions) of their size ever con-
structed, and the largest vessels ever built on
the West Coast.

1993
SIU-crewed ferries were called into service to
transport thousands of people from Manhattan
across the Hudson River following the explo-
sion which rocked the World Trade Center.
The ferries, which traditionally operate
between Manhattan and New Jersey, quickly
increased the number of runs and pick-up
locations.
The blast, which resulted in at least five deaths
and thousands of injuries, also severely disrupted
local subway, train and bus service. But 10
SIU-manned passenger ferries, operated by
ARCORP of New Jersey, quickly started an
emergency schedule that afternoon and
relieved the overcrowding for the city�s strand-
ed commuters.

This Month

In SIU History

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/20/2004 3:27 PM Page 17



18 Seafarers LOG March 2004

Final Departures
DEEP SEA

EDWARD ATKINS
Pensioner
Edward Atkins,
76, passed away
Dec. 11. Born
in North
Carolina,
Brother Atkins
joined the SIU
in 1948 in the
port of New

York after serving in the U.S. Army.
His first ship was the Robin Gray, a
Sinclair Oil Corp. vessel. Brother
Atkins worked in the deck depart-
ment and last sailed on the SS
Independence. He resided in San
Luis Obispo, Calif. and began
receiving his pension in 1992.

JAMES BROOKS
Pensioner
James Brooks,
73, died Nov. 7.
He began his
SIU career in
1965 in the port
of Mobile, Ala.
A veteran of
both the U.S.
Navy and U.S.

Army, Brother Brooks� first SIU
ship was the Wingless. The
Alabama-born mariner sailed in the
deck department. He last went to sea
on the Cove Leader and made his
home in Gulfport, Miss. Brother
Brooks started receiving compensa-
tion for his retirement in 1990.

ROBERT CASTILLO
Pensioner
Robert Castillo,
59, passed
away Oct. 15.
Brother Castillo
became a Sea-
farer in 1978 in
the port of New
York. His first
ship was Inter-

ocean Management�s Cantigny. Born
in Chile, Brother Castillo worked in
the steward department. His last ves-
sel was the Sea-Land Developer.
Brother Castillo resided in Lynwood,
Wash. and began receiving retire-
ment compensation in 2003

JOSEPH CROWLEY
Pensioner
Joseph
Crowley, 76,
died Oct. 11.
Brother
Crowley began
his seafaring
career in 1956
in the port of
New York after

serving in the U.S. Navy. His first
vessel was the Ocean Deborah. The
New York native worked in the
deck department and went on pen-
sion in 1992. He last sailed aboard
the Sea-Land Anchorage. Brother
Crowley made his home in Shelton,
Wash.

JUAN GARCIA
Pensioner Juan
Garcia, 72,
passed away
Dec. 9. He
joined the SIU
in 1969 in San
Francisco.
Brother Garcia,
who was born
in Puerto Rico,

first sailed aboard the Osprey, a
Puerto Rico Marine Management
vessel. He worked in the engine
department. Brother Garcia started
receiving his pension in 1993. He
called Stockton, Calif. home.

JOHNNIE H. GREEN
Pensioner Johnnie H. Green, 85,
died Jan. 8. Brother Green began his
SIU career in 1947 in the port of

Norfolk, Va.
His first vessel
was the Alcoa
Patriot. Born in
Savannah, Ga.,
he worked in
the steward
department.
Brother Green
last sailed on

the Sea-Land Pittsburgh. The Bronx,
N.Y. resident started receiving com-
pensation for his retirement in 1985.

DAVID GUAJARDO
Brother David
Guajardo, 53,
passed away
Oct. 19. He
embarked on
his seafaring
profession in
1977 in the port
of Houston.
Brother Guajar-

do�s maiden voyage was on Inter-
ocean Management�s Banner. The
Texas-born mariner worked in the
engine department, last sailing
aboard the Overseas Marilyn. He
resided in San Antonio.

ANIBAL GUTIERREZ
Brother Anibal
Gutierrez, 79,
died Oct. 10.
Brother
Gutierrez
launched his
seafaring pro-
fession in 1992
in the port of
Wilmington,

Calif. His first vessel was the Sealift
Pacific. Brother Gutierrez shipped in
the deck department and last worked
aboard the Sea-Land Developer.
Born in Honduras, he called
Houston home.

ROBERT HUTCHINS
Pensioner
Robert Hutch-
ins, 88, passed
away Nov. 18.
He started his
career with the
Seafarers in
1944 in the port
of Norfolk, Va.
A native of

Blakely, Ga., he worked in the stew-
ard department, last sailing on the
Sea-Land Pioneer. Brother Hutchins,
who lived in Jacksonville, Fla., went
on pension in 1981.

EVERETTE KLOPP
Pensioner
Everette Klopp,
76, died Dec.
24. Brother
Klopp com-
menced his
SIU career in
1951 in San
Francisco. A
native of

Minnesota, he sailed in the deck
department and worked in both the
deep sea and inland divisions.
Brother Klopp last sailed on
American Maritime Transport�s
Golden Endeavor. The Granite
Bay, Calif. resident started receiv-
ing his pension in 1992.

CHRIS MAGBANUA
Pensioner Chris
Magbanua, 87,
passed away
Dec. 12. He
began his sea-
faring career in
1965. Born in
the Philippines,
Brother Magba-
nua first sailed

on the Ocean Pioneer. The steward
department member resided in San
Francisco and went on pension in
1982. He last worked on the Sea-
Land McLean.

JAMES MATES
Pensioner
James Mates,
73, died Oct.
26. Brother
Mates
embarked on
his seafaring
career in 1960.
He worked in
the deck depart-

ment and last sailed on the Sea-Land
Innovator. Brother Mates began
receiving compensation for his
retirement in 1999. He was a native
of Pennsylvania, but called San
Francisco home.

NICHOLAS MORAMARCO
Brother
Nicholas Mora-
marco, 54,
passed away
Oct. 15. He
began his career
with the SIU in
1989 in the port
of Piney Point,
Md. after serv-

ing in the U.S. Navy. Brother
Moramarco�s first vessel was the SS
Independence. The California-born
mariner worked in the deck depart-
ment and last shipped on the
Horizon Navigator. He began receiv-
ing retirement stipends in 2000.
Sherman Oaks, Calif. was his home.

GILBERT MURRAY
Pensioner
Gilbert Murray,
73, died Dec. 8.
Brother Murray
embarked on
his profession
with the SIU in
1967 in San
Francisco after
serving in the

U.S. Army. Brother Murray first
went to sea aboard Hudson
Waterways� East Point Victory. Born
in Yale, Mich., he shipped in the
steward department. Brother Murray
last sailed on the Ambassador, a
Crowley American Transport vessel.
He became a pensioner in 1992 and
resided in Jacksonville, Fla.

JAMES O�DONNELL
Pensioner
James
O�Donnell, 83,
passed away
Oct. 5. A native
of Montana,
Brother
O�Donnell
launched his
SIU career in

1968 in San Francisco. He initially
went to sea aboard the Burbank
Victory. Brother O�Donnell shipped
in the engine department and last
worked on the Sea-Land Mariner.
He began receiving his pension in
1986. He made his home in Cave
Junction, Ore.

ANN RAFALOVICH
Pensioner Ann
Rafalovich, 93,
died Nov. 17.
Sister Rafa-
lovich started
her career with
the Marine
Cooks & Stew-
ards (MC&S) in
San Francisco.

The McKees Rock, Pa. native
worked in the steward department
and made her home in Portage, Pa.
Sister Rafalovich began receiving
compensation for her retirement in
1978.

RALPH REYNOLDS
Pensioner Ralph Reynolds, 82,
passed away Dec. 17. He embarked
on his profession with the MC&S in
San Francisco. Brother Reynolds
sailed as a member of the steward

department and became a pensioner
in 1975. He was born in New York,
but made his home in Jacksonville,
Fla.

RAMON SANTANA
Pensioner Ramon Santana, 93, died
Oct. 30. Brother Santana com-
menced his career with the MC&S
in San Francisco. The steward
department member started receiv-
ing stipends for his retirement in
1972. Brother Santana made his
home in San Diego.

PEDRO SAQUILAYAN
Pensioner Pedro
Saquilayan, 85,
passed away
Dec. 13. He
began his sea-
faring career in
1953 in the port
of New York
after serving in
the U.S. Army.

His first ship was Isco�s Steel
Worker. Born in the Philippines, he
sailed in the steward department.
Brother Saquilayan last went to sea
on the Santa Lucia, a Delta
Steamship vessel. He became a pen-
sioner in 1981 and resided in
Melbourne, Fla.

JOHN SCHAEFER
Pensioner John
Schaefer, 75,
died Nov. 22.
Brother
Schaefer started
his career with
the SIU in 1964
in the port of
New York. His
first vessel was

Delta Steamship�s Del Aires. Born in
Detroit, he sailed as a member of the
engine department. Brother Schaefer
last worked aboard the Duchess, a
Seahawk Management vessel. The
Rose City, Mich. resident began
receiving compensation for his
retirement in 1993.

WALTER SUSKA
Pensioner
Walter Suska,
79, passed away
Jan. 2. He
began his sea-
faring career in
1943 in the port
of Norfolk, Va.
Brother Suska�s
first vessel was

Isco�s Steel Fabricator. The South
River, N.J. native worked in the
engine department. Brother Suska
lived in his native state and started
receiving his pension in 1986.

WILLIAM WALKER
Pensioner
William Walker,
82, died Oct.
20. Brother
Walker initiated
his SIU career
in 1953 in Lake
Charles, La.
after serving in
both the U.S.

Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.
Brother Walker worked in the deck
department, last sailing on the
Stonewall Jackson. He went on pen-
sion in 1992 and resided in Wiggins,
Miss.

INLAND

ROBERT CAMPBELL
Pensioner
Robert
Campbell, 83,
passed away
Oct. 7. Boat-
man Campbell
launched his
career with the
Seafarers in
1977, joining in

the port of Piney Point, Md. Born in
Philadelphia, he sailed in the deck
department and worked primarily
aboard vessels operated by Taylor
Marine Towing Co. Boatman
Campbell began receiving his pen-
sion in 1986. He resided in Camden,
N.J.

ELLIS SPIVEY
Pensioner Ellis
Spivey, 75, died
Nov. 8. He
joined the SIU
in 1970 in Port
Arthur, Texas.
Born in Tampa,
Fla., Boatman
Spivey worked
mainly aboard

vessels operated by Higman Barge
Lines. He shipped in the deck
department as a captain. Boatman
Spivey went on pension in 1993.
He made his home in Beaumont,
Texas.

GREAT LAKES

ANDREW ASPSETER
Pensioner
Andrew
Aspseter, 95,
passed away
Dec. 21.
Brother
Aspseter
embarked on
his career with
the SIU in

1963. Born in Michigan, he worked
primarily aboard vessels operated by
American Steamship Company. The
deck department member made his
home in Sawyer, Wis. and began
receiving his pension in 1974.

ROBERT BAUGHMAN
Pensioner
Robert Baugh-
man, 75, died
Oct. 29. He
commenced his
SIU career in
1963 in Frank-
fort, Mich. The
Michigan-born
mariner worked

in the engine department and started
receiving compensation for his
retirement in 1992. Brother
Baughman lived in Frankfort.

THOMAS HART
Pensioner
Thomas Hart,
64, passed
away Nov. 24.
Brother Hart
joined the ranks
of the SIU in
1970 in Detroit.
He first sailed
aboard the

Raymond Reiss. Born in Michigan,
Brother Hart sailed as a member of
the engine department, last working
on the H. Lee White. He went on
pension in 1991. New Matamoras,
Ohio was his home.

JOHN McCLINTON
Pensioner John
McClinton, 78,
died Oct. 21.
He became a
Seafarer in
1960, joining in
Detroit after
serving in the
U.S. Navy. His
first SIU ship

was the Mt. McKinley, an American
Tramp Shipping & Development
vessel. Brother McClinton shipped
in the deck department and worked
in both the Great Lakes and deep sea
divisions. His final voyage was on
the Paul H. Townsend. Brother
McClinton was born in Detroit but
lived in Alpena. Mich. He became a
pensioner in 1991.

Continued on page 20

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/20/2004 3:27 PM Page 18



March 2004 Seafarers LOG 19

CHEMICAL PIONEER (USS
Transport), Dec. 22�Chairman
Kelvin S. Cherington, Secretary
Mark Wertanen, Educational
Director Marvin Wilmoth, Deck
Delegate Phillip A. Morris,
Engine Delegate Joseph L. Sam,
Steward Delegate Wilbert
Williams Jr. Chairman praised
crew for good job on recent fire
incident; everyone reacted quickly
and efficiently. Educational direc-
tor encouraged members to up-
grade skills at Paul Hall Center in
Piney Point, Md. Treasurer stated
$470 donated to steward for death
in his family. No beefs reported.
Engine department requested clari-
fication on weekend time off for
day workers and information about
cleanup of greasy equipment while
on watch. Many thanks given to
Seamen�s Center in Texas City and
Freeport for gifts and support
given to mariners working during
holiday season. Next port:
Norfolk, Va.

COAST RANGE (Intrepid), Dec.
23�Chairman Marvin P.
Zimbro, Secretary Lanette A.
Lopez, Educational Director
Candido Castro, Deck Delegate
Donnie Collins. Chairman
announced end-of-year payoff in
Garyville, La. Dec. 31. He encour-
aged crew members to read LOG
to keep current on union and mar-
itime issues, with particular atten-
tion to president�s report. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Sug-
gestion made to reduce age and
seatime requirements for pension.

ENDURANCE (USSM), Dec. 20
�Chairman Romeo L. Lugtu,
Secretary Michael L. Baker,
Educational Director Ron M.
Schexnayder, Deck Delegate
Feliciano M. Gimutao Jr., Engine
Delegate Teddie H. Carter,
Steward Delegate Thurman C.
Johnson. Chairman reported good
trip. He and secretary wished
happy holidays to crew members.
Treasurer stated $1,825 in ship�s
fund. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Thanks given to steward
department (Steward Baker, Chief
Cook Johnson and GSU A. Saleh)
for fine holiday meals. Next ports:
Oakland and Long Beach, Calif.

1st LT. JACK LUMMUS
(Amsea), Dec. 17�Chairman
William L. Bratton, Secretary
John J. Fallon III, Educational
Director Michael S. Rueter.
Chairman announced crew change
Jan. 6. Secretary read minutes
from last meeting. Educational
director stressed importance of
education and spoke about oppor-
tunities available at Paul Hall
Center to help mariners upgrade
skills. Treasurer stated $198 in
ship�s fund. DVD player was
recently purchased for crew
lounge. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Everyone reminded to
pay dues in order to continue sail-
ing. Thanks given to steward
department for delicious Thanks-
giving Day meals and to engine
department for fixing range.

HORIZON ENTERPRISE
(Horizon Lines), Dec. 28�Chair-
man Roger J. Reinke, Secretary
Steven M. Dickson, Educational
Director Michael J. Wells, Deck
Delegate Erowin C. Udan. Chair-

man announced arrival Jan. 3 in
Tacoma, Wash. with payoff follow-
ing customs inspection. He noted
that repairs to garbage disposal
completed. Fans will be placed in
rooms currently without them.
Secretary noted sanitary inspection
due Dec. 31. Educational director
stressed importance of contributing
to SPAD and for crew members to
keep all documents and paperwork
up to date. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Thanks given to San
Francisco union officials for assis-
tance and information. Everyone
reminded to vote on contract
changes. Steward department
given vote of thanks for holiday
meals and festivities.

HORIZON NAVIGATOR
(Horizon Lines), Dec. 7�Chair-
man Werner H. Becher, Secretary
Vainuu L. Sili, Educational
Director Daniel F. Dean, Deck
Delegate Robert J. Natividad,
Steward Delegate Glenn A. Taan.
Chairman announced arrival Dec.
9 in Oakland, Calif. with payoff
same day. He asked that everyone
have change of linen for relief and
that doors be kept locked in port.
Secretary added that everything
running smoothly. Educational
director talked about opportunities
available at Piney Point to upgrade
skills. Good time to do so would
be from Dec. 30 to Jan. 21, 2004,
when vessel is in Hong Kong ship-
yard. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Discussion held about tax
withholding on vacation checks.
Vote of thanks given to steward
department for job well done.

HORIZON SPIRIT (Horizon
Lines), Dec. 17�Chairman
Howard W, Gibbs, Secretary
Edgardo G. Ombac, Educational
Director Lorance D. Pence.
Chairman announced payoff Dec.
19 in Tacoma, Wash. He thanked
everyone for following safety pro-
cedures and for donating money
for fresh fish in Guam. Educa-
tional director urged crew mem-
bers to upgrade skills at Paul Hall
Center. Schedule of upgrading
courses is listed in each issue of
Seafarers LOG. He also stated that
the Southern Maryland facility is
good place for family summer
vacations. Treasurer stated $210 in
video fund. New movies to be pur-
chased next trip. New tape
rewinder needed as well. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Thanks
given to steward department for
getting ship in holiday spirit with
decorations, good food and lots of
cookies. Next ports: Oakland,
Calif.; Honolulu; Guam; Hong
Kong.

ITB BALTIMORE (USS Trans-
port), Dec. 28�Chairman Jeffrey
H. Kass, Secretary Pedro R.
Mena, Educational Director
Geoffrey L. James, Deck Dele-
gate Khaled Munassar, Engine
Delegate Ahmed Salim. Chairman
spoke about vital importance of
contributing to SPAD. He remind-
ed crew to keep passageways
quiet, respect each other�s work
and keep laundry facilities clean.
He also encouraged everyone to
utilize excellent facilities at Paul
Hall Center for upgrading and
improving skills, and he informed
them of new prescription drug pro-
gram and of need to renew z-cards

early. Educational director stated
$200 in movie fund and said that
magazine subscription to Sports
Illustrated will be renewed. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Next ports: Cherry Point, Wash.;
Long Beach, Calif.

ITB JACKSONVILLE (USS
Transport), Dec. 23�Chairman
John R. Lamprecht, Secretary
John A. Stephen, Educational
Director Stanley M. Sporna.
Chairman noted long trip to
Pakistan. He requested list of
everyone who wants to be re-
lieved. Captain will send those
names to manpower. Educational
director encouraged Seafarers to
contribute to SPAD and vote for
legislators who support maritime
issues. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Crew members asked to
help steward department keep ship
clean. Bosun trying to establish
new system for storing trash.
Request made that prior arrange-
ments be made for shore leave.
Repair to bosun�s sink needed, and
new mattresses on order. Next
ports: Portland, Maine; Houston.

LIBERTY SPIRIT (Liberty
Maritime), Dec. 30�Chairman
Thomas P Banks, Secretary
James A. Jackson, Educational
Director Alton P. Hickman Jr.,
Steward Delegate Romalies J.
Jones. Chairman announced next
trip to Haifa, Israel. Educational
director advised crew members to
take full advantage of upgrading
courses available at Piney Point.
Some disputed OT noted in deck
department; no beefs reported.
Vote of thanks given to steward
department for job well done.

MAERSK VIRGINIA (Maersk
Lines), Dec. 17�Chairman
Mohamed S. Ahmed, Secretary
Hugh E. Wildermuth, Educa-
tional Director John A. Collins
Jr., Deck Delegate Juan I. Arzu,
Engine Delegate Alexander Koro-
teyev, Steward Delegate John
Padilla. Chairman announced pay-
off Dec. 21 in Newark, N.J.
Educational director advised crew
members to check expiration dates
on z-cards and submit for renewal
at least six months in advance. He
also encouraged everyone to up-
grade skills at Piney Point when-
ever possible. Treasurer stated
$1,516.63 in movie fund. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Sug-
gestion made to increase vacation
benefits. Everyone asked to rewind

movies and return them to locker
and to continue keeping laundry
room clean and orderly. Thanks
given to steward department for
job well done. Next ports: Norfolk,
Va.; Charleston, S.C.

OVERSEAS PHILADELPHIA
(OSG), Dec. 20�Chairman
Timothy J. Olvany, Secretary
Jose A. Rivera, Educational
Director Edgar G. Pacana, Deck
Delegate Daniel Vasquez, Engine
Delegate William Pough, Steward
Delegate Henry Greene Jr. Chair-
man informed crew members of
possibility of lengthy job on coast-
wise tankers. Secretary advised
everyone to check that all shipping
documents are kept current.
Educational director spoke about
upgrading opportunities at Paul
Hall Center. Treasurer stated
$1,100 in ship�s fund. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Everyone
asked to check crew mess informa-
tion board daily. Suggestion made
for contracts department to look
into option of retiring after 20 con-
secutive years in union. Vessel in
need of all forms on board (e.g.,
minutes, crew lists, medical, vaca-
tion). Next port: Tampa, Fla.

SEABULK CHALLENGE
(Seabulk Tanker), Dec. 28�
Chairman Harold L. Sebring,
Secretary Timothy J. Dowd,

Educational Director Daniel W.
Fowers. Chairman noted new
washing machine on board.
Educational director advised crew
members to upgrade skills at Piney
Point. Safety money from compa-
ny (for 500+ days with no lost
time) available after first of year.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Clarification requested about end-
of-year pay. Thanks given to stew-
ard department members Timothy
Dowd, Heath Bryan and Nelson
Bernardez for great holiday
spread. Next ports: Jacksonville
and Port Everglades, Fla., Texas
City, Texas.

SEALAND ACHIEVER (USSM),
Dec. 28�Chairman David N.
Martz, Secretary Andrew Hagan,
Educational Director Miguel
Rivera, Deck Delegate Frank L.
Thompson, Engine Delegate John
A. Osburn Jr., Steward Delegate
James R. Thacker. Chairman
thanked crew for pleasant voyage
and for good job separating plastic
items from garbage. Educational
director encouraged everyone to
upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center
and to remember importance of
supporting SPAD. No beefs or dis-
puted OT reported. New mattress-
es and recliner chairs received
aboard ship. Steward department
given vote of thanks for great holi-
day meals. Thanks also given to
those who helped fix washing
machine and ice machine. Next
port: Houston.

MAERSK GEORGIA (Maersk
Lines), Jan. 1�Chairman
Raymond Henderson. Chairman
announced payoff Jan. 3 in
Halifax, Nova Scotia. He asked
crew members to keep all doors
locked while in port and to follow
new Coast Guard security proce-
dures. Educational director
reminded members to take advan-
tage of union�s upgrading program
at Paul Hall Center and of need to
renew z-cards early. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Suggestion
made to purchase larger TV, new
DVD player and treadmill for
gym. Laundry parts on order. Crew
wishes all union brothers and sis-
ters and their families a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thanks given to Steward Billy
Gigante for wonderful holiday
dinner and GU John Nunez for
keeping ship clean. Next ports:
Newark, N.J.; Norfolk, Va.;
Charleston, S.C.

Digest of Shipboard
Union Meetings

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

limitations, some will be omitted.

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

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

The following letter was
received from Tony Mociun,
chief mate aboard the SIU-
crewed Mahimahi during voyage
79.

Guam, January 15, 2004.
At 0940 in the port of Guam,

quick thinking by the crew
members of Matson�s MV
Mahimahi saved Ernesto
(Ernie) Villanueva, the steward
utility, from choking to death.

The recertified steward, Lou
Laupati, heard Ernie choking in
the pantry as he was preparing
for the afternoon meal. He heard
Ernie cough loudly three times
and then the coughs became
softer. Lou called to Ernie from
the galley but there was no
answer. Lou quickly dropped
what he was doing and rushed
into the pantry to find Ernie bent
over the sink with his finger in
his mouth. He immediately
noticed that Ernie�s face and
neck were dark blue. Lou did
what he was trained to do first:
He called for help by dialing

Capt. Ted Bernhard�s number.
The captain got on the radio to
the deck gang and passed the
word for the sailors to �drop
everything� and make haste in
getting to the galley. Without
missing a beat, the captain
radioed the tower and reported
the emergency. Ron Barrer
responded that he was calling
the paramedics. All of this hap-
pened in the space of less than
one minute!

With everyone racing toward
the galley, AB Brian Burns ran
to the sailor�s deck and grabbed
the Automatic Emergency De-
fibulator (AED), which was easi-
ly accessible, being hung on a
hook outside his room. The
bosun, Vernon Haik, grabbed
the resuscitator, and the captain
retrieved the emergency medical
�go-bag.�

In the meantime, after Lou
hung up the phone, he returned
to Ernie, whose head was now
hanging into the sink. Putting
together the clues that Ernie had
given him�choking and a finger

in his mouth, Lou figured Ernie
had something stuck in his
throat. He grabbed Ernie from
behind, clasped his hands togeth-
er just under Ernie�s rib cage and
gave a mighty thrust. Nothing
happened. He gave another more
powerful thrust, and a piece of
ham flew out of Ernie�s throat.

The captain and crewmem-
bers arrived just as Ernie�s
breathing was restored. It was a
happy ending to what could have
resulted in death had it not been
for the quick thinking all around.

As Laupiti said, �I knew what
to do because I pay attention to
those lectures and demonstra-
tions we get on the ship.�

Seafarers’ Training Helps
Save Crew Member’s Life

Recertified Steward Lou Laupiti
put his Piney Point and ship-
board training to practice when
he helped save a crew mate�s
life aboard the Mahimahi.

Seen in San Juan ...

Bosun Charles David James
works aboard the Atlantic
Guardian at Pier 10 in San
Juan, P.R. The Global Marine
Systems vessel is one of the
most advanced cable ships in
operation.

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/27/2004 5:11 PM Page 19



20 Seafarers LOG March 2004

FINANCIAL REPORTS. The
Constitution of the SIU Atlantic,
Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters
District/NMU makes specific provi-
sion for safeguarding the member-
ship�s money and union finances.
The constitution requires a detailed
audit by certified public accoun-
tants every year, which is to be sub-
mitted to the membership by the
secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance
committee of rank-and-file mem-
bers, elected by the membership,
each year examines the finances of
the union and reports fully their
findings and recommendations. The
annual financial committee will be
elected during the April 5 headquar-
ters membership meeting to review
the 2003 records. Members of this
committee may make dissenting
reports, specific recommendations
and separate findings.

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds
of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and
Inland Waters District/NMU are
administered in accordance with the
provisions of various trust fund
agreements. All these agreements
specify that the trustees in charge of
these funds shall equally consist of
union and management representa-
tives and their alternates. All expen-
ditures and disbursements of trust
funds are made only upon approval
by a majority of the trustees. All
trust fund financial records are
available at the headquarters of the
various trust funds.

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

Augustin Tellez, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746

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

CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU
contracts are available in all SIU
halls. These contracts specify the
wages and conditions under which
an SIU member works and lives
aboard a ship or 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 indi-
vidual in the union, officer or mem-
ber. It also has refrained from pub-
lishing articles deemed harmful to
the union or its collective member-
ship. This established policy has
been reaffirmed by membership
action at the September 1960 meet-
ings in all constitutional 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 supply-
ing 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 consti-
tution so as to familiarize them-
selves with its contents. Any time a
member feels any other member or
officer is attempting to deprive him
or her of any constitutional right or
obligation by any methods, such as
dealing with charges, trials, etc., as
well as all other details, the member
so affected should immediately
notify headquarters.

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

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

SEAFARERS POLITICAL
ACTIVITY DONATION �
SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregat-
ed fund. Its proceeds are used to
further its objects and purposes
including, but not limited to, fur-
thering the political, social and eco-
nomic interests of maritime work-
ers, the preservation and furthering
of the American merchant marine
with improved employment oppor-
tunities for seamen and boatmen
and the advancement of trade union
concepts. 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
contribution is made by reason of
the above improper conduct, the
member should notify the Seafarers
International Union or SPAD by
certified mail within 30 days of the
contribution for investigation and
appropriate action and refund, if
involuntary. A member should sup-
port 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 vio-
lated, or that he or she has been
denied the constitutional right of
access to union records or informa-
tion, the member should immediate-
ly 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.

Know Your Rights
(Editor�s note: The Seafarers
LOG reserves the right to edit let-
ters for grammar as well as space
provisions without changing the
writer�s intent. The LOG wel-
comes letters from members, pen-
sioners, their families and ship-
mates and will publish them on a
timely basis.)

A GGrateful FFamily
Of SSeafarers

The SIU has been good to me
ever since I finished high school
and went to work.

I am grateful to the Seafarers
International Union for all the

good work on union ships that it
has brought to my family. Most
of my family worked and orga-
nized out of New Orleans. Nearly
50 years later, uncles and sons
and nephews of my brothers still
are working aboard union ves-
sels.

My uncle, J.A. Spina, and my
brother, S.J. Canales Sr. were
full book members and lifelong
Seafarers. They began in the �40s
from New Orleans. I was taken to
the union hall on Decatur Street
in New Orleans by an uncle to see
Harry Lundeberg and hear Paul
Hall speak.

I began working tugs and

Higgins boats intercoastal to
Orange and Port Arthur. I got my
Coast Guard papers in Mobile
and then sailed deep sea. Back in
1945 and �46, the line around the
Customs House on Canal Street
was two and three rows thick.

I gave up my permit in 1950 to
go to Korea. I had sailed Delta
and Alcoa bauxite and coffee runs
to South America. But I had to
sign up to go fight the commu-
nists. I knew the battle it was to
keep them out of the halls.

God bless the SIU.
Modesto Canales
San Benito, Texas

Letter to the Editor

WAYNE PERKINS
Pensioner
Wayne Perkins,
85, passed
away Dec. 28.
A veteran of the
U.S Army,
Brother Perkins
joined the SIU
in 1963 in
Detroit, initially

working on an Inland Lakes
Management vessel. Born in West
Branch, Mich., he sailed in the stew-
ard department. Brother Perkins� last
voyage was aboard the Niagara, an
Erie Sand vessel. He began receiv-
ing stipends for his retirement in
1984 and called Claire, Mich. home.

Editor�s Note: The following broth-
ers, all members of the NMU and
participants in the NMU Pension
Trust, have passed away.

EMILIO ALDARONDO
Pensioner
Emilio
Aldarondo, 83,
died Jan. 12.
Brother Alda-
rondo launched
his NMU career
in 1947. Born
in Puerto Rico,
his first ship

was the SS Boringuen. Brother
Aldarondo shipped in the steward
department and frequently upgraded
his skills. He started receiving his
pension in 1970.

ANTHONY ARNICEVICH
Pensioner
Anthony
Arnicevich, 84,
passed away
Jan. 30. He
joined the
NMU in 1937
and initially
went to sea out
of the port of

Philadelphia. Brother Arnicevich�s
first ship was the SS Astral. Born in
Italy, he shipped in the steward
department. Brother Arnicevich
began receiving stipends for his
retirement in 1986 and last sailed on
the Chesapeake.

DEATRICE BEACHUM
Pensioner
Deatrice
Beachum, 70,
died Nov. 29.
Brother
Beachum began
his NMU career
in 1963. A
native of Mount
Calm, Texas,

his first ship was the SS Gulftiger.
Brother Beachum worked in the
steward department, last sailing on

the SS Galveston Bay. He started
receiving compensation for his
retirement in 1995.

TEOFILO CAMACHO
Pensioner
Teofilo
Camacho, 92,
passed away
Feb. 15. Born
in Chorillis,
Peru, he joined
the NMU in the
port of Phila-
delphia. A deck

department member, Brother
Camacho�s first ship was the SS
Mormacland. He began receiving
his pension in 1978.

WEYMAN DICKERSON
Pensioner Weyman Dickerson, 75,
died Dec. 21. Brother Dickerson
joined the ranks of the NMU in the
port of Philadelphia. A native of
Pennsylvania, he worked in the deck
department. Brother Dickerson last
went to sea in 1966. He began col-
lecting his retirement pay in 1967.

THEODORE FERGUSON
Pensioner
Theodore
Ferguson, 80,
passed away
Jan 25. A native
of St. Louis, he
initially sailed
from the port of
San Francisco.
Brother Fer-

guson�s first ship was the SS Ameri-
can Carrier. The steward department
member began receiving compensa-
tion for his retirement in 1989. He
last sailed on the SS Dawn.

EDWARD HASKINS
Pensioner
Edward
Haskins, 92,
died Nov. 11.
Brother
Haskins
launched his
career with the
NMU in 1963.
Born in

Birmingham, England, he initially
went to sea aboard the Santa
Mariana. Brother Haskins worked in
the steward department and last
sailed on the American Legend. He
began receiving his pension in 1977.

DAVID KISNER
Pensioner Edward Kisner, 80,
passed away Dec. 30. The West
Virginia-born mariner commenced
his NMU career in 1961. Shipping
from the port of New York, he first
went to sea on the Gen. R.M.
Blatchford. Brother Kisner worked
in the engine department and began
receiving stipends for his retirement
in 1983. His last ship was the SS
Texaco Trader.

FRANK RANSOM
Pensioner Frank Ransom, 79 died

Dec. 2. Brother
Ransom joined
the NMU in
1943 in the port
of Houston.
Born in Texas,
his first voyage
was on the SS
O.M. Bernuth.
Brother Ran-

som initially worked in the steward
department and frequently upgraded
his skills. Moving to the deck
department, he became a bosun in
1957. His last voyage was on the
Gulf Supreme. Brother Ransom
began collecting retirement stipends
in 1980.

LEON VANTERPOOL
Pensioner Leon
Vanterpool, 86,
passed away
Jan 16. He
began his NMU
career in 1946.
Born in St.
Thomas, U.S.
Virgin Islands,
Brother

Vanterpool initially sailed on the
Mitchell. He sailed in the steward
department as a chief steward.
Brother Vanterpool last shipped on
the Santa Elena. He started receiv-
ing compensation for his retirement
in 1967.

Final Departures
Continued from page 18

In addition to the foregoing individu-
als, the following NMU brothers and
sisters, all of whom were pensioners,
passed away on the dates indicated.

Name Age DOD

Barabash, Frederick 83 Dec. 12

Berghaus, Herbert 62 Jan. 9

Brown, Charlie 79 Jan. 21

Covington, Curtis 92 Jan. 7

Diaz, Luis 83 Jan. 4

Durborow, Edgar 87 Jan. 2

Ebanks, Erlin 99 Jan. 2

Hernandez, Ramiro 84 Jan. 20

Hunt, Jeanette 82 Dec. 21

Irigoyen, Manuel 82 Dec. 18

Martin, Gilbert 81 Jan. 18

Martinez, Angel 86 Dec. 18

Ortiz Rabassa, Antonio 85 Nov. 15

Ramos, Alejandro 70 Dec. 22

Reyes, Nick 76 Nov. 23

Riva, Antonio 94 Jan. 13

Rivers, Robert 76 Jan. 24

Rodriguez, Mario 84 Jan. 8

Schultz, George 84 Jan. 5

Uscocovich, Marcos 80 Sept. 8

Yoko, Kumagai 90 Mar. 4,�03

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March 2004 Seafarers LOG 21

SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER
UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE

The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. for the next few months. 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 mem-
bership, the maritime industry and�in times of conflict�the nation�s security.

Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before
their course�s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the
morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reserva-
tions 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.

Deck Upgrading Courses
Start Date of

Course Date Completion

Able Seaman March 1 March 26
April 12 May 7
May 24 June 18

Automatic Radar Plotting Aids * March 8 March 12
(ARPA) (*must have radar unlimited)

Celestial Navigation March 29 April 23

GMDSS (Simulator) March 1 March 12

Lifeboatman/Water Survival March 29 April 9
May 10 May 21

Navigation Fundamentals April 26 May 7

Radar May 10 May 21

Specially Trained Ordinary Seaman April 5 April 16
(STOS) May 31 June 11

Steward Upgrading Courses

Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations modules start every week. Certified
Chief Cook/Chief Steward classes start every other week, most recently beginning
February 16, 2004.

Recertification
Bosun (to be announced)

Engine Upgrading Courses
Start Date of

Course Date Completion

Engine Utility (EU) March 22 April 16
May 17 June 11

Marine Electrician May 10 July 2

Refrigeration April 12 May 21

Welding March 29 April 16

Safety Specialty Courses
Start Date of

Course Date Completion

Advanced Fire Fighting* April 19 April 30
(*must have basic fire fighting)

Basic Safety Training (BST) March 15 March 19
March 29 April 2
April 19 April 23
May 10 May 14
May 24 May 28

Fast Rescue Boat May 3 May 7
June 7 June 11

Government Vessels March 22 March 26
April 5 April 9
May 17 May 21
June 28 July 2

Medical Care Provider March 8 March 12

Tanker Familiarization/ March 29 April 9
Assistant Cargo (DL)* May 17 May 28
(*must have basic fire fighting)

Tankerman (PIC) Barge* March 15 March 19
(*must have basic fire fighting)

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

UPGRADING APPLICATION
Name ________________________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Telephone _________________________ Date of Birth ______________________

Deep Sea Member � Lakes Member � Inland Waters Member �

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

Social Security # ______________________ Book # _________________________

Seniority _____________________________ Department _____________________

U.S. Citizen: Yes � No � Home Port _____________________________

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

_____________________________________________________________________

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

If yes, class # __________________________________________________________

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

If yes, course(s) taken ___________________________________________________

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

� Yes � No Firefighting: � Yes � No CPR: � Yes � No

Primary language spoken ________________________________________________

With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty
(120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date
your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indi-
cating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is
Coast Guard tested. All OL, AB and JE applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of
$140 with their application. The payment should be made with a money order only, payable to
LMSS.

BEGIN END
COURSE DATE DATE

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

____________________________ _______________ _______________

LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: ___________

Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________

SIGNATURE __________________________________ DATE ________________

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

RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education,
Admissions Office, P.O. 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.

�

3/04

See page 24 for an overview of the Government Vessels courses.

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22 Seafarers LOG March 2004

P a u l H a l l C e n t e r C l a s s e s

Welding � Certificates of graduation for completion of the welding
course were given Jan. 23 to (in alphabetical order) Towanda Brown,
Thomas Cleary, Adnan Nasser, Johanna Saul and Mark Wain. Their
instructor, Buzzy Andrews, is second from left.

Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 646 � Graduating from the water survival
class are unlicensed apprentices from class 646 (in alphabetical order) Carlo Balajadia, Robert Beck,
Branden Blees, Nicholas Collins, Michael Cox Jr., Timothy Dexter, Rocky Dupraw, Kevin Ford, Peter
Jensen, Kevin Johnson, Brandon Jones, Jayme Jones, Joseph Maloney, Jaime Medina Vazquez, John
Niday IV, Jose Nunez, Orlando Pabon, Hashiem Pittman, Antoine Rainey, Coda Russell, Shawn Sayers,
Christopher Stroh, David Tran, Patrick Van Heck, Ty Varnadoe, Vinh Vo and Djuan Wright. (Note: Not all
are pictured.)

Tanker Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL) � Unlicensed apprentices completing the tanker familiarization/assis-
tant cargo (DL) course Jan. 16 are (in alphabetical order) Brannon Adams, Michael Alexander, Robert Brady, Gary Cruz, Jim
Farmer, David Guthrie, Raymond Hotchkis, Ramsey Ingram,
Reginald Jackson, Damien James, Carlo Johnson, Ryan Krom,
Lance McFarland, Jermaine McNish, Richard Nemanic, Robert
Patterson, Christopher Paul, James Perkins, Xavier Rivera,
Rimothy Ross, Gregory Scott, Jonathan Scurry, John Selman,
Kenneth Sharp, Daniel Smith, Keith Smith and Brett Younginger.
Their instructor, Jim Shaffer, is at far right.

Crane Operations � Malcolm Harris (left)
and Tony Corcino (center) successfully complet-
ed the crane operations course Jan 16. With
them is their instructor, Greg Thompson.

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.

Basic Safety Training Classes

STCW � Jan 9: Mark Campbell, Victor Cintron, Malcolm Demery,
George Heyson, Nathan Hollander, Mark Lance, Jose Montero, Kenneth
Nance Jr., Robert Nelson Jr., Jason Peters, Charles Peyton III, Richard
Sullivan and Jeffrey Williams.

STCW � Jan 23: John Adkins, Alberto Arhas, Patrick Clarke, Keiva-Lei Cadena, Randall
Coard, Paul Conway, Chad Costa, William Gartland, Fernando Grant, Latchesara Kaymakanova,
Tyson Kurtz, Garrett Ireland, Bjorn Ramskog, Jacob Lippertz, Jarrod McNeil, Tor Nygren, Jennifer
Ranada, Chris Robinson, Frosti Smith, Ken Stanley, Derrenda Strother, Gay Netta Taay, Joseph
Taylor IV, Jerald Topasna, Joseph Winningham, Latasha Woodruff and Heidi Zibell.

STCW � Jan 9: André Gross, Benjamin Blanchard, Regina Moore, Errol
Menair, Ralph Lawson, Thomas Solnok, Erin Richardson, Luis Lopez, Glenn

Ferguson, Angelo Golden, Donna Laulu, Danielle Mueller, Tyson Kurtz, Daniel
Stock, Jaime Mullins, James Herring, Santiago Corre, Jon Chavez, Jonathan

Heu, Fernando Grant, Jerald Topasna, Selena Francisco, Rodel Austria, Bryan
Abuluyan, Francis Sueño, Michael Sakalauskas, Adam Brown, Christopher

Barnett, Anna Wagner, Kepola Ahin, Dimitre Mladenov and Todd Steele.

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/27/2004 5:12 PM Page 22



March 2004 Seafarers LOG 23

P a u l H a l l C e n t e r C l a s s e s

ARPA � Boatmen from New York Waterway completed the ARPA course Jan.
30. From the left are Mike Smith (instructor), Richard Silverthorne, John Willette,
Norman Littles, John Winiarski and Brad Johnsen.

GMDSS � With instructor Brad Wheeler (left) are Jan. 16 graduates
of the GMDSS course. They are (in alphabetical order) Daniel Lovely,
Brian Miller, Nebojsa Milosevic, William Powell, Fernando Rigonan and
David Steinberg.

Lifeboatman/
Water Survival

Under the instruction of Stan
Beck (standing) are Dec. 5 gradu-
ates of the water survival course.

They are (in no particular order)
Brenda Nett, Richard Sabino, Eric

Johnson, Luis Rhee, Ryan
Bucasas, Pauahi Maikai,

Giuseppe Saverino, Timothy
Daily, Benjamin Paulo, Lamberto
Palamos Jaime Manzon, Renato

Ballestero, Bianca Contreras,
Celia Acacio, Gabrielle DePaulis

and Pamela Phillips.

With instructors Stan Beck and Tony Sevilla are Jan. 16 graduates
Glenn Ferguson, Tyson Kurtz, Selena Francisco, Kepola Ahin,
Daniel Stock, Dimitre Mladenov, Jonathan Heu, Fernando Grant,
Erin Richardson, Luis Lopez Jr. and Jaime Mullens.

Graduating recently from the water survival course are André Gross,
Geroge Richardson, Adam Brown, Regi Moore, Michelle Hayes, Jon
Chavez, Cheri Conklen, Chris Burnett and Hilary Lohman.

Jan. 30 was graduation day for Garret Ireland, Jarod McNeill,
Frosti Smith, Heidi Zibell, Keiva-Lei Cadena, Jennifer Ranada,
Patrick Clarke, Chris Robinson, Ken Stanley, Gay Netta Taay,
Scott Dayoan, Tanya Fau, Sean Nakamura, Michele Lono,
Melanie Acpal, Renee Hill, Kathleen Silva, Joanne Walden,
Brandy Filtzer and Andrew Ancog. Their instructor was Tony
Sevilla.

Another recent group of gradu-
ates of the water suvival course
are Donna Laulu, Jeff Howard,
Danielle Mueller, Ben Blandard,
Santiago Corre, Mike Hayden,
Kyle Riley and Anna Wagner.

Completing the water survival
course Jan. 16 are Latasha
Woodruff, Andrea Urlie, Bonny
Pak, Derrenda Strother, Joseph
Taylor, Greg Gandeza, Jacob
ZLippertz, Joseph Winningham,
Chad Costa, Daryl Whitney, Ran-
dall Coard, Willy Gartland, Lat-
chesara Kaymakanova, John
Janis, John Adkins, Clint Nishi-
miya and Stacy Ann Nishimura.
(Note: Not all are pictured.)

Another group of Jan. 16 water survival course graduates in-
cludes Ricardo Salazar, Jerry Guglielmeno, Mario Suazo, Angelo
Golden Jerald Topasna, Bryan Abuluyan, Rodel Austria, Francis
Sueño, Todd Steele and John Janis. In the rear is instructor Tom
Gilliland.

21722p6_8_11_15-23.qxd 2/27/2004 5:12 PM Page 23



Upgrading aat tthe PPaul HHall CCenter

Take aadvantage oof tthe uupgrading ccourses

available aat tthe PPaul HHall CCenter. SSee ppage

21 ffor aa sschedule oof uupcoming cclasses.

Government Vessels Courses

Seafarers Train to Support U.S. Military
The Paul Hall Center for Maritime

Training and Education in Piney
Point, Md. offers a curriculum of

Government Vessels courses to boost and
refine the skills of mariners who sail aboard
military-contracted vessels.

Because of the unique requirements of
the military contracts, the program is struc-
tured as three 1-week modules which are
open to mariners sailing in any depart-
ment�but are mandatory for all QMED
Oiler/Motor and Able Seaman (AB) ratings.

The modules may be taken in any order.
Upon completion of the full Government
Vessels curriculum, a certificate will be
issued by the Paul Hall Center.

Included in the first week are an intro-
duction to the U.S. Military Sealift
Command and military vessels, damage
control, CBRD (chemical, biological, radi-
ological defense), Level I: Anti-Terrorism/
Personal Protection Brief and hazardous
materials training.

The second week features forklift opera-
tions, underway replenishment and vertical
replenishment.

Cargo-handling and crane operations are
included in the third week.

Students learn the safe way to operate
and maintain the necessary equipment and
are given opportunities for practical appli-
cation.

The next Government Vessels course at
Piney Point is scheduled to begin March 22.

Each week, as new students arrive to upgrade
their skills and ratings at the Paul Hall Center in
Piney Point, Md., they are required to attend
�Level I: Anti-Terrorism/Personal Protection
Brief,� a one-hour course designed to familiarize
them with the fundamental knowledge and skills
necessary to protect themselves when traveling
abroad, particularly those who are employed, or
may be employed, on government vessels.

Currently being taught by Pat Vandegrift, assis-
tant manpower coordinator, the classroom lecture
meets the requirements issued by the U.S. Coast
Guard. Vandegrift incorporates a training video
and student handouts as part of the course, each
item of which has been selected to support, identi-
fy or reinforce specific learning objectives.

All members of a ship�s crew are critical to ves-
sel security, he stresses, and need to be in compli-
ance with the current maritime security program.
Only through individual awareness, knowledge
and an ability to effectively communicate can there
be an effective security plan aboard ship.

Following a brief introduction of the course in
which Vandegrift defines terrorism as �the calcu-
lated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlaw-
ful violence to inculcate fear intended to coerce or
to intimidate governments of societies in the pur-
suit of goals that are generally political, religious
or ideological,� he then talks about possible caus-
es (e.g., intimidation, notoriety, revenge), charac-
teristics of terrorists (e.g., political, religious, crim-
inal, mentally disturbed), various tactics used by
terrorists (including bombs, kidnapping, hostage-

taking), identification of threat conditions (normal,
heightened, imminent risk) and explains the fac-
tors involved in assessing threats.

The next part of the briefing deals with individ-
ual actions that may be taken to avoid a terrorist
attack and what to do in the event of being taken
hostage. Of particular importance is knowing the
locations of local police, fire departments, the U.S.
Embassy or other safe, public places. He discusses
the importance of a personal contingency plan (up-
to-date will, power of attorney), and gives the stu-
dents important telephone numbers they can use to
keep informed of terrorism alerts.

Damage Control �
This course is
designed to provide
mariners with the
specific objectives of
damage control and
the knowledge,
understanding and
practical experience
required for damage
control at sea.

Material Handling (Forklift) �
This course provides stu-

dents with a comprehensive
examination of basic material
handling operations, mainte-
nance and safety. The class
concentrates on the proper
use and care of equipment

and the prevention of user or
handling errors. Students are

provided an opportunity to
apply the knowledge and

skills learned through partici-
pation in actual cargo hand-

ling operations.

Cargo Handling and Crane Operations �
Included in the third week of the government vessels course of study, this class pro-
vides students with a comprehensive examination of cargo handling situations
aboard vessels. The operation and maintenance of equipment is stressed, along with
safety precautions and requirements. Students are given opportunties for practical
application.

Anti-Terrorism Briefing Given to All Upgraders

Assistant Manpower Coordinator Pat Vandegrift
instructs new students at the Paul Hall Center
about vessel and personnel safety and security in
a one-hour anti-terrorism course.

Volume 66, Number 3 March 2004

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