Seafarers Log: Vol. 66 No. 8 (2004-08-01)

Volume 66, Number 8 August 2004

SIU-Crewed Cruise Ship
Christened in Honolulu

Seafarers and SIU offi-
cials last month wel-
comed the christening
of NCL America’s Pride
of Aloha in Honolulu.
Mrs. Margaret Inouye
(above, left) with U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), served as the vessel’s godmother. In
the other photo directly above, Seafarers and union officials including SIU President Michael
Sacco (fourth from left) are pictured at the event. Among those also pictured are Secretary-
Treasurer David Heindel, VP West Coast Nick Marrone, VP Contracts Augie Tellez and Executive
VP John Fay. Seafarers from the steward department are shown in photo at top right. Pages 3, 12
and 13.

New Matson Ship Christened
Seafarers-contracted Matson Navigation Company’s new container-
ship Maunawili (above) was christened July 17 at Kvaerner
Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. The vessel was slated for sea trials in late
July and is expected to enter Matson’s Hawaii service in the fall.
Page 3.

USNS Br idge Joins
SIU CI VMAR Fleet

Members of the SIU’s Government Services Division have
new shipboard jobs on the horizon as the result of the
recent transfer of the USS Bridge (left) from commissioned
service in the U.S Navy’s combat fleet into its Military
Sealift Command. Now known as the USNS Bridge, the
vessel will have a crew of 160 civilian mariners. They will
be joined aboard the Bridge by a military department of 28
sailors who will perform communication support and supply
coordination. Page 2.

NCL America’s Pride of

Aloha Signals Rebirth

Of U.S.-Flag Deep Sea

Passenger Ship Industry

Alaskan Explorer
Hull Launched

Page 3

SIU Boatmen Ratify
Inland Contracts

Page 8

Seafarers Honored
For Operation Haiti

Page 24

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2 Seafarers LOG August 2004

USNS Bridge Joins
SIU CIVMAR Fleet

The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published month-
ly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf,
Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201
Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301)
899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern
Maryland 20790-9998. 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, Misty
Dobry.
Copyright © 2004 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD
All Rights Reserved.

Volume 66, Number 8 August 2004

The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org

Excellent IInland CContracts

During this exceptionally active time for the SIU, my first mes-
sage this month is a heartfelt congratulations to the union’s negotiat-

ing teams in the Gulf who recently completed
work on four separate contracts covering boatmen
at E.N. Bisso, Crescent, Moran and Seabulk.

It’s a tribute to our members and officials—
and our contracted companies—that all four
agreements feature top-of-the-line medical cover-
age for Seafarers and their families. The contracts
also call for wage increases and other gains.

But in particular, the health benefits that are
included in the contracts are a remarkable

achievement, considering what’s happening with health insurance
across the nation. Make no mistake: America is suffering through a
major health care crisis that is seriously hurting the nation’s working
families.

Throughout the country, businesses are shifting an unfair share of
high health care costs onto their workers. And whether those work-
ers pay a bigger percentage of their premiums or they pay more in
deductibles and co-payments, the effect is disturbing.

Perhaps the only thing that’s worse in this crisis is the fact that
there are the 44 million Americans who lack medical coverage alto-
gether.

In union contract negotiations today, health coverage is almost
always the top issue. And it almost always leads to some bitter
fights at the bargaining table.

While the SIU’s recent negotiations in the Gulf were tough, they
also were respectful and productive. Dean Corgey, vice president of
our Gulf Coast Region who headed up all four bargaining commit-
tees, said the most significant factor in our success was the unprece-
dented solidarity among the boatmen—not only within each compa-
ny, but from location to location. “It’s an honor and privilege to rep-
resent folks like that,” Corgey told me. “The guys looked out for
each other, and not just at their own companies. They understood
we’re all in this together and they really gave each other a great
level of support. It’s invigorating.”

The result is four agreements that include full medical coverage
for SIU boatmen and their families. That’s something our entire SIU
family should feel proud about.

Aloha!

Progress and “Pride” for our union also were evident last month
as the new U.S.-flag cruise ship Pride of Aloha was christened in
Honolulu. The Pride of Aloha is a first-rate ship. The Seafarers
aboard her are a first-rate crew. The vessel’s reflagging in June to
the Stars and Stripes, followed by the christening on Independence
Day, marked the start of what I believe will turn out as one of the
greatest success stories in SIU history.

As mentioned last month, any project of this size is bound to
bring at least a few challenges. But this is a fantastic victory for the
SIU, and we’re up to the task.

The U.S.-flag deep sea cruise ship industry is reborn. The SIU
will do our part to help ensure that it succeeds.

Register aand VVote

Since our union’s founding in 1938, SIU members always have
understood that political action is a must for our survival. We work
in a very heavily regulated industry. We have to stay involved politi-
cally, at every level, in order to protect our interests.

With that in mind, I encourage all Seafarers, pensioners and their
families to be active during this election season. Make sure you are
registered, and if you’re not, please register. Stay familiar with the
issues and support the candidates who’ll support the U.S. Merchant
Marine. If your port agent asks you to assist in getting out the vote,
please donate your time and effort.

I thank you for your continued participation. Voting, writing let-
ters, calling, talking with your elected representatives, donating to
SPAD…. All of those activities help us advance the SIU’s message.

Let’s make sure our message continues to be heard.

Michael Sacco

President ’s Report

New shipboard jobs are on the
horizon for members of the SIU’s
Government Services Division,
the result of the June 29 transfer
of the USS Bridge (AOE 10) from
commissioned service in the U.S
Navy’s combat fleet into its
Military Sealift Command
(MSC).

Now known as the USNS
Bridge, the vessel has a crew of
160 civilian mariners. The federal
civil service mariners (CIV-
MARS) will be joined aboard the
Bridge by a small military depart-
ment of 28 sailors who will per-
form communication support and
supply coordination. An addition-
al 30 or more sailors will augment
the crew when necessary to sup-
port helicopter operations.

As a Navy ship, the Bridge
was crewed by a complement of
544 active-duty sailors.

“The transfer of the Bridge
from the Navy’s combat fleet to
the Military Sealift Command
marked another great day for the
SIU,” noted SIU Government
Services Division Representative
Chet Wheeler. “It means more
welcomed jobs for our mariners
and stands as a great example of
our tremendous working partner-
ship with the Navy. The other
point is that everyone benefits
from the move.

“The Bridge is the fourth ves-
sel that has been transferred to
MSC from commissioned service
in the Navy fleet,” Wheeler con-
tinued. “Each transition went very
smoothly, and all parties con-
cerned deserve a great deal of
credit for the ease with which it
occurred.”

In its new role, the Bridge will
be joining more than 30 civilian-
crewed ships providing combat
logistics services to Navy fleets
worldwide.

A formal ceremony marking
the vessel’s decommissioning and
transfer took place June 24 at the

U.S. Naval Base in Bremerton,
Wash.

The Bridge became the last of
four U.S. Navy Supply-class fast
combat support ships to leave
commissioned service for what
the Navy termed “an even more
active role with MSC.” Navy
sources say the transfer of the
Bridge and its sister ships, the
USNS Rainier, USNS Arctic and
USNS Supply, are part of the
Navy’s continuing transformation
into a more efficient and cost
effective fighting force for the 21st

century. According to a May 1998
Center for Naval Analysis study,
the Navy will save a projected
$76 million annually with the
change. The transfers also free up
more than 100 active-duty Navy
officers and nearly 2,000 enlisted
sailors to return to the war-fight-
ing roles for which they were
trained.

With a top speed in excess of
25 knots, the 754-foot fast combat
support ships are ideally suited to
travel with U.S. Navy strike
groups to provide underway
replenishment of fuel, ammuni-
tion, spare parts and stores at sea,
eliminating the need for the com-
batants to constantly return to
port.

The MSC has awarded a con-
tract for modifications on the
USNS Bridge. Work was sched-
uled to begin late last month and
conclude in early October.

USNS Bridge
Quick Facts

Keel Laid: 1993
Commissioned: August 1998
Decommissioned: June 2004
MSC ‘in service’: June 24,

2004
Builder: National Steel and

Shipbuilding Company
(San Diego)

Propulsion System: 4 General
Electric LM 2500 gas tur-
bine engines

Propellers: 2
Length: 754.6 feet
Beam: 107 feet
Draft: 39 feet
Displacement: 48,800 tons
Speed: 26 knots
Aircraft: 2 CH-46 Helicopters
Armament: None

The USNS Bridge signals new jobs for members of the SIU’s
Government Services Division.

The SIU last month
hosted a meeting of
a high-level interna-
tional maritime tri-
partite working
group, pictured at
right with SIU VP
Contracts Augie
Tellez (10th from
right), at union head-
quarters, located in
Camp Springs, Md.
Representatives
from labor, manage-
ment and government took part in the sessions July 6-8. They included delegates from the
International Labor Organization; International Transport Workers’ Federation; U.S. Department of

Transportation, including the
U.S. Maritime Administration;
the Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and
Education; the Chamber of
Shipping of America; the
International Shipping
Federation; and the respective
governments of the Bahamas,
Norway, France, China, Japan,
Namibia and Denmark. The
representatives covered numer-
ous topics important to all seg-
ments of the maritime industry.

SIU Hosts International Working Group

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August 2004 Seafarers LOG 3

In November of last year, when National Steel
and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) floated out
Hull 484 (the Alaskan Frontier), keel-laying cere-
monies also were being held for Hull 485 (the
Alaskan Explorer). The two vessels represent the
first and second of four Alaska Class double-hull oil
tankers being built for BP Oil Shipping Company,
USA. Both will be operated by SIU-contracted
Alaska Tanker Co. (ATC).

Early last month, eight months after that first ves-
sel was launched, the Alaskan Explorer was floated
out from the construction dock. It will be finished
dockside in preparation for delivery in November
2004. Meanwhile, the Alaskan Frontier is undergo-
ing sea trials and is expected to go into service later
this month. The other two new builds are scheduled
for delivery in 2005 and 2006.

Each of the four oil tankers is 941 feet long and
is designed for maximum flexibility in the transport
of crude oil from Valdez, Alaska to oil refineries
located along the U.S. West Coast, including BP
refineries in Los Angeles and Cherry Point, Wash.
With a beam of 164 feet and a capacity of 1.3 mil-
lion barrels, the vessels are expected to last a mini-
mum of 35 years.

BP reported that each of the tankers will be filled
with state-of-the art machinery and cargo control
systems as well as an integrated navigation system.
To help eliminate accidental oil leaks, the propeller

shafts will be cooled and lubricated with seawater
instead of lubricating oil. Cargo piping will be
installed in the cargo tanks, instead of on deck, to
reduce the risk of small spills. Additionally, each
ship will have redundant propulsion and steering
systems that include twin diesel-electric power sys-
tems in segregated engine rooms, twin propellers
and twin rudders. Use of diesel-electric propulsion
system will reduce air emissions at sea and in port
while reducing maintenance “down time.”

NASSCO Floats Out
Second BP Tanker

The second of four double-hull oil tankers being built
for BP Oil Shpping Company, USA, the Alaskan
Explorer is launched from the NASSCO construction
dock and will join the Alaskan Frontier and two other
tankers in the transport of crude oil from Valdez,
Alaska to refineries on the West Coast.

Please be advised that SIU headquarters and all
SIU hiring halls will be closed Monday, August 16,

2004 for the observance of Paul Hall’s birthday and
Monday, September 6, 2004 for the observance of
Labor Day (unless an emergency arises). Normal
business hours will resume the following workday.

SIU-Crewed Pride of Aloha Christened
The latest milestone in the

U.S.-flag cruise ship industry’s
rebirth took place on Inde-
pendence Day in Honolulu, as dig-
nitaries, crew members and guests
celebrated the christening of NCL
America’s Seafarers-crewed Pride
of Aloha.

SIU President Michael Sacco
was a featured speaker for the
event. Also delivering remarks
were U.S. Senator Daniel K.
Inouye (D-Hawaii), U.S. Rep.
Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii),
U.S. Maritime Administrator
Capt. William Schubert, Hawaii
Governor Linda Lingle, Star
Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT
Lim, and NCL America President
and CEO Colin Veitch. Mrs.
Margaret Inouye served as the
vessel’s godmother.

The Pride of Aloha is the first
of three U.S.-flag cruise ships
planned by NCL America. The
others are the Pride of America
and the Pride of Hawaii, with the
latter scheduled for delivery in the
summer of 2006.

“The Pride of Aloha represents
a partnership between NCL
America, the shipboard workers
and their unions. We’re all in this
together, and I’m 100 percent con-
fident we’re going to succeed,”
Sacco stated. “Today, thanks to an
unprecedented level of coopera-
tion between labor, management
and government, the U.S. Mer-
chant Marine is on the rise. New
ships are entering the U.S.-flag
fleet—not only in the cruise indus-

try, but also cargo ships, military
support vessels, passenger ferries,
modern tugboats and barges,
Great Lakes ships and more. That
type of progress doesn’t happen
without teamwork by all con-
cerned. And that same type of
cooperation and commitment will
lift NCL America to great
heights.”

Senator Inouye, a driving force
behind the industry’s revival and a
longtime supporter of the U.S.
Merchant Marine, noted, “I am
pleased to have sponsored legisla-
tion that led to the return of the
U.S. flag to passenger cruise ship
operations in the United States,
and especially in Hawaii. The
Pride of Aloha will be a welcome
addition to Hawaii waters, and the
visitor industry and all of Hawaii
will benefit from its activities.”

Another fervent backer of the
U.S. fleet, Abercrombie said the
recently reflagged ship’s arrival
“is a tremendous boon to our
state’s economy. Having a U.S.-
flag ship operating among our
Islands will have vital long-term
economic benefits including the
creation of thousands of new
jobs.”

Schubert described the revival
of oceangoing U.S.-flag cruising
as “great news for the U.S.
Merchant Marine. NCL America’s
planned U.S.-flag expansion,
starting with Pride of Aloha, helps
grow our U.S.-flag fleet and create
thousands of jobs for American
seafarers, which is vital to our
economic well-being and national
security.”

Tan Sri KT Lim offered pas-
sionate remarks about the indus-
try’s revival. He touched on the
“concept of Ohana, the extended
family, and the benefits and oblig-
ations that being part of the Ohana
brings.... I have personally com-
mitted our own extended family to
making sure that this venture suc-
ceeds. We will commit the neces-
sary assets and management
resources to make sure it does
well, and we will draw on our
resources to the full extent neces-
sary to beat back any attempts to
undermine it. An assault on U.S.-
flag shipping is an assault on our
family. Attempts to dismantle laws
that preserve coastwise trade for
domestic vessels and domestic
seafarers is an attack on our fami-
ly.”

“On this day when Americans
celebrate our independence, NCL
America is proud to inaugurate a
whole new cruise experience—
one that represents all that

America and Hawaii have to
offer,” said Veitch. “This is truly a
proud day for NCL.”

“The state is proud to welcome
the Pride of Aloha to Hawaii,”
said Lingle. “This
beautiful new

NCL America ship will bring
more visitors to Hawaii, increase
business for our merchants on the
different islands and provide more
job opportunities for our resi-
dents.”

The ship is sailing seven-day,
round-trip Hawaii itineraries, vis-
iting all four main islands and giv-
ing passengers up to 96 hours in
port. The 77,000-ton Pride of
Aloha is a 2,000-passenger ship
and is projected to annually gener-
ate more than $275 million in
expenditures, $199 million in
direct and indirect wages and
salaries, $42 million in federal tax
revenues, and nearly 7,000 jobs,
according to the company.

Once NCL America’s plans are
fully implemented, its U.S.-
flagged ships are expected to gen-
erate more than $828 million in
U.S. economic activity and 20,400
jobs, according to a recent study
by one of the nation’s leading eco-
nomic consultancies.

See pages 12-13 for more
photos of the christening.

Seafarers-contracted Matson
Navigation Company’s new con-
tainership Maunawili was chris-
tened July 17 at Kvaerner Phila-
delphia Shipyard, Inc. by Ms.
Maryanna G. Shaw, great grand-
daughter of Samuel T. Alexander,
one of the founders of Matson’s
parent company, Alexander and
Baldwin, Inc. (A&B).

SIU President Michael Sacco
and SIU Vice President Contracts
Augie Tellez represented the
union at the ceremony.

In his keynote speech, Lt.
General Gary Hughey, deputy
commander of the U.S. Trans-
portation Command (USTRANS-
COM), reinforced the important
role of the Jones Act. “I have no
doubt that as long as America
maintains the Jones Act as the
foundation of our maritime policy,
U.S.-flag vessel operations will
meet the needs of waterborne
commerce. And it will sustain the
maritime infrastructure—the
builders, the owners, the mariners
—whose labors always have and
always will ensure our security,”
he stated.

Hughey added, “USTRANS-
COM, Military Sealift Command,
the Surface Deployment and
Distribution Command, and the
Maritime Administration support
the maintenance of a viable U.S.-
flagged fleet and U.S. mariner
pool. We can’t do business with-
out either.”

The Maunawili is the second
new Matson ship of the 21st centu-
ry. The first, the Manukai, was
delivered to Matson by Kvaerner
Philadelphia in September 2003.
Each ship is 712 feet long and can
carry 2,600 containers.

The newer vessel was slated
for sea trials in late July and is
expected to enter Matson’s Hawaii
service in the fall.

James Andrasick, president and
CEO, Matson, noted, “Investing
$220 million in two new U.S.-
built containerships was a signifi-
cant step for Matson and repre-
sents a significant commitment to
the Hawaii market that we have
served for more than 120 years.
This new ship will help ensure
that Matson continues to provide
Hawaii with efficient, dependable
ocean transportation services of
superior quality and value.”

Matson’s Maunawili Christened

Lt. Gen. Gary Hughey,
deputy commander,

U.S. Transportation Command

The SIU-crewed Pride of Aloha means new jobs for Seafarers. It’s the first of three U.S.-flag ships planned
by NCL America.

SIU President Michael Sacco
expressed strong confidence that
the new cruise ship will succeed.

Mrs. Margaret
Inouye, wife of

U.S. Senator
Daniel K. Inouye
(D-Hawaii), does
the honors at the
christening, with

an assist from
NCL America

President and
CEO Colin

Veitch.

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4 Seafarers LOG August 2004

NMU PENSION & WELFARE PLAN
NMU VACATION PLAN

Trustee, Administration
and

Summary of Material Modifications for the Year 2003

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES – Co-Chairmen
NMU Pension & Welfare Plan and NMU Vacation Plan

EMPLOYER TRUSTEES UNION TRUSTEES
Thomas Murphy, President René Lioeanjie, Vice President-
Marine Personnel & Provisioning, Inc. at-Large
1083 N. Collier Blvd, PMB #387 Seafarers International Union of
Marco Island, FL 34145 N.A., AGLIWD/NMU
(941) 393-0435 1150 17th Street, N.W., Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036
(202) 466-7060

AMENDMENTS & OTHER ITEMS
NMU Pension Plan, Annuity Plan and 401(k) Plan:
During 2003, the Board of Trustees adopted several amendments of signifi-
cant importance to the membership and the Plans. Generally the amend-
ments:

1. Provided for a suspension of benefits during months in which a Pensioner
is receiving vacation benefits from the NMU Vacation Plan.

2. Authorization of the thirteenth check distributed to Retirees or
Beneficiaries who were eligible to receive a pension benefit after
December 2002.

3. Clarification that a Participant who attains Normal Retirement Age before a
Permanent Break in Service shall be eligible for a Vested Pension.

4. Changed the definition of the Union Name to the Seafarers International
Union – Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters/NMU, AFL-CIO.

5. Provided for payment of benefits at Normal Retirement Age and Required
Beginning Date.

6. Provided for a 2 percent increases at December 31, 2003 for Participants
active in 2004.

7. Amendment regarding compliance with IRS Regulations.

NMU Welfare Plan:
During 2003, the Board of Trustees adopted several amendments of signifi-
cant importance to the membership and the Plans. Generally the amend-
ments:

1. Amended the ISOV payment arrangement to exclude reimbursable
illness/injury claims such as those that may be reimbursed by MARAD.

2. Established a cap of $100,000 per incident/per person in ISOV cases
3. Changed the definition of the Union Name to the Seafarers International

Union – Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters/NMU, AFL-CIO.
4. Extended the Viagra exclusion to July 31, 2004.
5. Provided an exclusion of medical coverage for ADD/Autism.
6. Extended the age for dependent students from age 23 to age 25.
7. Provided well baby coverage including physical examinations and immu-

nizations.
8. New eligibility requirements as of January 1, 2004.
9. Provides for eligibility for new employees.
10. Deleted the provisions of Section 11.

NMU Vacation Plan:
During 2003, the Board of Trustees adopted an amendment to the Declaration
of Trust Changed the definition of the Union Name to the Seafarers
International Union – Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters/NMU, AFL-CIO.

ADMINISTRATOR
William J. Dennis
NMU Benefit Plans
360 West 31st Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10001-2727

Jim Malone, the SIU’s port agent in
Philadelphia, died June 22 in Newark,
N.J. of a heart attack. He was 56.

Fellow officials remembered Malone
as a dedicated, respected and well-liked
individual whose commitment to the
union easily exceeded his considerable
size.

“He really cared about the member-
ship,” said SIU President Michael Sacco.
“He was a good union rep, very conscien-
tious, and he was also a loving father.
He’ll sorely be missed.”

SIU Secretary-Treasurer David
Heindel, who worked closely with
Malone when they were based in
Philadelphia during the early and mid-

1990s, stated, “Jim was a dedicated and
loyal official. He had a heart of gold and
always looked out for the members’ inter-
ests.”

SIU Vice President Contracts Augie
Tellez said Malone’s “heart was as big as
the rest of him.”

SIU Representative Joe Mieluchowski
lived in Philadelphia when he went to the
SIU hall to inquire about joining in 1991.

“Jim was the one who handed me my
application,” Mieluchowski recalled. “If
you knew him, you liked him. He was
extremely loyal to the union and he was
very dedicated to his family. All of that is
fact.”

A Philadelphia native, Malone sailed

in the SIU’s inland division, beginning in
1982. He sailed as a deckhand with
Moran, McAllister and Taylor & An-
derson in Philadelphia, most recently in
1988. That same year, he came ashore to
work for the union.

Malone became the union’s port agent
in Philadelphia in 1997. He later assumed
the same post for the SIU in Norfolk, Va.
before returning as port agent in
Philadelphia.

Survivors include Malone’s wife,
Patricia; three daughters and a son; and
nine grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass took place June 26 at
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in
Philadelphia.

Union Mourns Port Agent Malone
Philly-Based Official’s ‘Heart Was as Big as the Rest of Him’

A heart attack claimed Philadelphia Port
Agent Jim Malone, who loved his family
and his union.

The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan
(SHBP) has recently contracted with two clin-
ics—one in Boston and the other in
Charleston, S.C.—to assist Seafarers in get-
ting the medical testing necessary for them to
sail. These services include pre-employment
physical exams and benzene clearances as
well as drug screens and physicals mandated
by the U.S. Coast Guard.

When the New Bedford, Mass. union hall
recently relocated to Boston, a clinic—Health
Resources at 185 Devonshire Street—was
found just 1½ miles from the hiring hall (or a

three-minute walk from South Station).
Health Resources opened its doors to
Seafarers this year around the beginning of
June.

As of June 14, Seafarers on the southeast
coast of the U.S., anywhere from
Jacksonville, Fla. to Charleston, can utilize
the services of the Carolina Center for
Occupational Health, the newly contracted
Charleston clinic, at 5290 Rivers Avenue.

To date, the Seafarers Health and Benefits
Plan has 28 designated clinics (see boxed list)
to service the SIU membership.

Boston, Charleston Clinics
Open Doors for Seafarer Testing

ALGONAC, MI
Munson Medical Center
550 Munson Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 935-8590
St. Josephs/Chesterfield Health

Center
30795 23 Mile Road
Chesterfield, MI 48047
(586) 421-3065
ANCHORAGE, AK
U.S. Healthworks/Primary Care

Associates
4100 Lake Otis Pkwy, Suite 322
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 562-1234

or (907) 646-2506
Tongass Substance Screening
120 Carlanna Lake Road
Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 247-1431
BALTIMORE, MD
Johns Hopkins Community

Physicians
Int. Med. Wyman Park

Med. Ctr., 2nd Floor
3100 Wyman Park Drive
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 338-3357
BOSTON, MA
Health Resources
185 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 357-4140
DULUTH, MN
Duluth Clinic Occup. Medicine
400 East 3rd Street
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 786-3392
GUAM
Harmon Doctors Clinic
2214 Rte. 16
Dededo, Guam 96929
(671) 637-1777
HONOLULU, HI
Dr. William B. Meinke
35 Luna Lilo Street, Unit 102
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 249-2285
Straub Occupational Health
839 S. Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 522-4441

HOUSTON, TX
Methodist Hospital Institute for

Preventive Medicine
6565 Fannin, SM583
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 394-6065 or 6079

Tower Medical Center of
Nederland

2100 Highway 365
Nederland, TX 77627
(409) 724-2321

JACKSONVILLE, FL
Industrial Medicine Group
3604 University Blvd S.
Suite 1
Jacksonville, FL 32216
(904) 739-4629

Industrial Medicine Group
1205 Monument Road
Suite 203
Jacksonville, FL 32225
(904) 727-5120

Carolina Center for
Occupational Health

5290 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101
N. Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 554-1029

JOLIET, IL
The Joliet Medical Group
2100 Glenwood Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 725-2121

MOBILE, AL
Mobile Family Physicians
1924K Dauphin Island Pkwy
Mobile, AL 36605
(251) 476-6330

NEW ORLEANS, LA
Occupational Medical Center

of West Jefferson
4475 Westbank Expressway
Marrero, LA 70072
(504) 347-8471
NEW YORK, NY
Bay Park Medical
Occupational Health Services
794 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 783-6578

NORFOLK, VA
Internal Medicine Specialists
142 W. York Street, Suite 518
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 627-7283
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Healthmark, Inc.
2301 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 952-9900
PINEY POINT, MD
Calvert Internal Medicine

Group
14090 Solomons Island Rd. S.
Suite 2500
Solomons, MD 20688
(410) 326-0305
PORT EVERGLADES, FL
AMO Medical Center
2 West Dixie Highway
Dania, FL 33004
(954) 927-5213
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Mercy Doctors Med. Group,

Inc.
1 Shrader Street, Suite 640
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 752-0100
SAN JUAN, PR
Luis Marquez-Gonzales, MD
Ashford Medical Center
#29 Washington Street
Suite 502
San Juan, PR 00907
(787) 723-6110
ST. LOUIS, MO
Concentra Medical Centers

(Soulard)
1617 S. Third Street
St. Louis, MO 63126
(314) 421-2557
TACOMA, WA
Franciscan Occup. Health-Port

Clinic
1930 Port of Tacoma Road
Tacoma, WA 98421
(253) 272-6677
WILMINGTON, CA
P.V. Family & Immediate

Medical Care Center
26516 Crenshaw Boulevard
Palos Verdes, CA 90274
(310) 541-7911

SSHHBBPP-CCoonnttrraacctteedd
CClliinniiccss

Pg1,2,5,12,13,24, 4cx.qxd 7/22/2004 4:33 PM Page 4



August 2004 Seafarers LOG 5

SIU VP Soresi Elected to State AFL-CIO

SIU VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi (second from left) recently was
elected to serve as a vice president of the New Jersey State AFL-
CIO. Additionally, the New York Port Maritime Council of the
Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO became an affiliate of New
Jersey’s state labor federation. Presenting the certificate of affilia-
tion to Soresi (who also serves as president of the port council) dur-
ing the federation’s meeting June 16 in Atlantic City, N.J. are (from
left) Pete Busacca, president of the Hudson County Central Labor
Council; Charles Wowkanech, president of the state federation;
and Laurel Brennan, secretary-treasurer of the state federation.

‘Team Effort’ with Maritime Industry
Helps USCG Tackle New Security Rules

Some 30 days after the new
United Nations International Ship
and Port Facility Security code
(ISPS) and related U.S. Maritime
Transportation Security Act
(MTSA) went into force, the U.S.
Coast Guard continues to take
proactive measures to keep
America’s ports safe and secure.

The two new sets of regula-
tions, designed to thwart seaborne
terrorist attacks, became effective
July 1. “Things have been running
smoothly with very little disrup-
tion to trade and travel,” said
Adm. Thomas H. Collins, com-
mandant of the Coast Guard.
“This has truly been a team effort,
and everyone—from the maritime
industry to local governments and
private citizens to the internation-
al community—has played an
important role in ensuring that
U.S. ports and waterways run effi-
ciently and effectively while we
implement the new security
regime.”

Vice Adm. James D. Hull,
commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Atlantic Area in Portsmouth, Va.,
also acknowledged the key roles
played by governmental and civil-
ian agencies in the implementa-
tion of the new regulations. In a

letter to the Norfolk, Va.-based
Virginian-Pilot, Admiral Hull said
in part: “Despite many who ques-
tioned the industry’s ability to
comply with the stringent require-
ments on a short timeline, thou-
sands of foreign vessels have
since come and gone, 98 percent
of our facilities remained open for
business and store shelves re-
mained stocked. This remarkable
accomplishment is attributed to
the unheralded cooperation of
government at all levels and civil-
ian port authorities, whose liveli-
hood depends on our ports
remaining safe, secure and open
for business.

“Today our nation faces the
very real threat of a terrorist
attack, and our goal is to deter
and/or prevent that from happen-
ing in the maritime arena,” he con-
tinued. “With 361 ports accepting
95 percent of our country’s
imports, the task seems daunting.
While we cannot guarantee that a
terrorist attack will not happen,
the MTSA and ISPS code, and our
nation’s overwhelming effort to
comply with those laws and regu-
lations, have certainly made our
ports safer than ever before….
“In this critical effort, the mar-

itime community of the United
States and their partners in foreign
trade should be applauded for
quickly complying with the new
security regulations.”

According to the latest statis-
tics (released July 21), three
weeks after ISPS/MTSA enforce-
ment began, 5,002 foreign vessels
had arrived at U.S. ports. Of these,
3,494 had been inspected and
approved before the July 1 dead-
line. The U.S. Coast Guard had
inspected 1,209 foreign vessels in
port and another 40 at sea. Forty-
two foreign vessels had been
denied entry into U.S. ports and
another 50 had been detained in
port since July 1.

Thirty-two U.S.-flag ships
were under restricted operation
orders, and 18 shore facilities had
been closed for non-compliance
with the MTSA.

During the initial days of
inspections, the Coast Guard said
that non-compliance with ISPS
was concentrated among vessels
of smaller than 500 tons. The
agency estimated that about 8.5
percent of vessel exams have
resulted in enforcement actions,
including denial of entry, expul-
sion and detention.

Panamanian-flagged vessels
fared the worst with nearly 25 per-
cent of the non-compliant vessels
flying that country’s flag. As the
world’s largest ship registry,
Panamanian-flagged vessels typi-
cally make up 25-27 percent of the
foreign vessels that call on the
U.S., according to the Coast
Guard. Other flags that the Coast
Guard closely is tracking include
Cyprus, Antigua and Barbuda,
Bolivia, Honduras and Malta.

In a related development,
Lloyds List on July 20 reported
that the Panamanian flag is bracing
itself for a series of defections fol-
lowing earlier criticism of the way
ISPS Code certificates have been
processed, which saw many ships
fail to meet the July 1 deadline.

Most notably, according to the
report, Japanese owners, who
account for 40 percent of the
world’s largest register, are con-
sidering moving away. A represen-
tative in Singapore for the
Panamanian flag, Capt. Sam Say,
admitted, “The Japanese are think-
ing of reflagging. Some owners
might reconsider the situation and
reflag to other flags.” Captain Say
works as a consultant for Panahon
Marine, the Panamanian flag
agency.

The Panamanian registry’s
London office refused to com-
ment, the report said, but Capt. Say
continued, “From the feedback of
owners we have got, they do
express dissatisfaction with
Panamanian authorities in imple-
menting the ISPS Code. The
Panamanian authorities were slow
in issuing [International Ship
Security Certificates] and they
required owners to pick them per-
sonally.”

Say said that in Singapore the
problems were minimized and
agents were employed to help
deliver the certificates to the own-
ers. However, he re-emphasized:
“Owners are very disappointed
with the actions leading up to ISPS
implementation.”

Elsewhere, the U.S. Coast
Guard on July 13 urged ship oper-
ators to ensure that they adhere
strictly to its notification of arrival
requirements, stressing that failure
to do so could result in delays, or
denial of entry to their destination
port.

In a statement formally reiterat-
ing declarations made by officials
during the opening week of com-
pliance, the agency said operators
must have valid International Ship
Security Certificates and provide
other information as part of their
notice-of-arrival requirements to
enter U.S. ports.

Coast Guard Port Security
Director Rear Admiral Larry
Hereth said, “We have experienced
problems with vessel operators
failing to obtain the required cer-
tificates and in some cases filing
incomplete or inaccurate informa-
tion. This has led to delays or entry
denials.”

Coast Guard spokeswoman
Jolie Shifflet added, “The message
we would like to get out is for
those who have ISSCs to please
report it.”

She added that the agency is
strictly enforcing its notice-of-
arrival requirements. “It is one of
our primary tools for making
determinations about ships coming
in.”

The requirements charge ship
operators with submitting accurate
vessel, crew, passenger and cargo
information to the Coast Guard at
least 96 hours prior to arrival in a
U.S. port. Failure to submit the
notice will result in denial of entry
while incomplete or inaccurate
information could result in signifi-
cant delay.

In a related development, the
International Transport Workers’
Federation’s (ITF) port workers
unions on July 14 pledged to
assure port security, and warned
that the ISPS code must be rigidly
upheld—not undermined by using
it as a backdoor way of introduc-
ing casual labor and self-handling.
Meeting in Singapore, the ITF
Dockers’ Section Conference
moved to support the new legisla-
tion but flagged up areas of con-
cern.

These included: possible use of
casual labor who do not meet
security standards and the poten-
tial use of ISPS to exclude ITF
inspectors and even dockers from
ships. The conference also reiter-
ated the ITF’s opinion that empty
containers are a security risk
unless they are inspected.

A pair of SIU officials recent-
ly became members of maritime
security committees in their
respective geographical regions.
They are Victor Nuñez, port
agent in the port of Santurce, P.R.
and Steve Judd, port agent in the
port of New Orleans.

Nuñez received an invitation
to serve on the Puerto Rico Area
Maritime Security Committee
(AMSC) from U.S. Coast Guard
Capt. W.J. Uberti, Federal
Maritime Security Coordinator
(FMSC) for Puerto Rico while
Judd received similar correspon-
dence for membership in the New
Orleans Area Maritime Sub-
committee from U.S. Coast
Guard Capt. R.W. Branch, FMSC
for the New Orleans area. Both
SIU officials completed required
acceptance forms to verify their
approval to the posts and now are
full-fledged members.

Earlier this year, the following
SIU officials also accepted
AMSC appointments: Gulf Coast
Vice President Dean Corgey,
Atlantic Coast Vice President
Joseph Soresi, Hawaii Port Agent
Neil Dietz, Baltimore Port Agent

Dennis Metz and Boston Port
Agent Gerard Dhooge.

The AMSC positions are vol-
untary.

“It’s a real honor for me to be
a part of this committee,” said
Nuñez, who has been in his posi-
tion as port agent since 1999.
“I’ve been looking forward to
this opportunity because a lot of
decisions are made (by the
agency) that directly affect SIU
members and the vessels they
crew. This is a chance to provide
more input and further voice our
concerns prior to final decisions.”

Nuñez served as a patrolman
in Santurce from 1997 to 1999.
He sailed as an AB for eight years
before coming ashore.

Judd’s affiliation with the SIU
dates back to the late 1970s when
he worked as a deckhand aboard
inland boats. In addition to hold-
ing a master’s license, Judd also
has served as a safety director and
union representative. He has held
office in the local port council of
the Maritime Trades Department
and the New Orleans AFL-CIO.
Judd became port agent in 1997.

“I look forward to serving on

the committee,” said Judd,
“because homeland security mat-
ters have a direct bearing on qual-
ity-of-life issues for our member-
ship. My main goal will be to fos-
ter a happy balance between deci-
sions affecting homeland security
and issues relating to the interests
of Seafarers. Such things as shore
leave and entering and exiting
ports affect our membership as a
whole and our concerns need to
be heard.”

AMSCs were instituted as a
result of the Maritime Trans-
portation Security Act of 2002.
They are intended to provide a
framework for communicating,
identifying risks and coordinating
resources to reduce threats and
help ensure efficient responses.
Chaired by the Coast Guard
Captains of the Ports (COTP), the
committees bring together a
diverse group of port stakehold-
ers to discuss maritime domain
awareness and transportation
security issues.

Committee members are
appointed by COTPs. Those
appointed must have at least five
years of experience dealing with
maritime or port security opera-
tions.

SIU Officials to Serve
On Security Committees

SIU New Orleans Port Agent
Steve Judd takes notes during an
MTD meeting which included
detailed discussions on ship-
board and port security.

SIU Santurce Port Agent Victor Nuñez (second from right, with
Seafarers on the Horizon Discovery), will serve on the Puerto Rico
Area Maritime Security Committee.

Pg1,2,5,12,13,24, 4cx.qxd 7/22/2004 6:20 PM Page 5



6 Seafarers LOG August 2004

SIU-contracted Alaska Tanker
Company (ATC) has won a pres-
tigious safety award issued by the
U.S. Coast Guard.

U.S. Coast Guard Assistant
Commandant for Marine Safety
and Environmental Protection,
Rear Adm. Thomas H. Gilmour,
recently announced that ATC
earned the 2004 William M.
Benkert Environmental Award.
ATC won “gold level” recogni-
tion in the “large business vessel”
category.

The award was presented in
late June in San Diego.

“This award has been earned
by the men and women of ATC,”
stated Alaska Tanker Company
President Anil Mathur. “I am
proud to lead this team that har-
moniously brings together help-
ing provide energy for Americans
and caring for our environment.”

According to the agency, the
William M. Benkert Award “is
the premier national award that
recognizes excellence in marine
environmental protection. The
evaluation process is competi-
tive; standards are rigorous and
demanding. This award was cre-
ated to recognize vessel and facil-
ities operators who have imple-
mented outstanding marine envi-
ronmental protection programs—
programs that far exceed mere
compliance with industrial and
regulatory standards.”

The award is named in honor
of Rear Adm. William M. Ben-
kert (1923-1989), a distinguished
Coast Guard officer widely
known for his leadership and
vision in marine environmental
protection.

ATC, based in Beaverton,
Ore., operates a fleet of eight
SIU-crewed tankers. The Coast
Guard, in announcing the award,
credited the company with main-
taining “well-defined environ-
mental policies and objectives
with outstanding measurement
tools. The company established
performance contracts between
owners, management, senior offi-
cers anrd the ship’s crew. These
performance contracts identified
clear and specific goals, mea-
sured trends and/or areas for
improvement that allowed ATC to

identify mitigation strategies to
produce positive results. Each
year, the specific goals and objec-
tives of these contracts are set at a
higher standard than the year
before. During 2002 and 2003
ATC transported approximately
311 million barrels of crude oil
with less than 2.2 gallons of oil
being spilled in the environ-
ment.”

SIU-contracted Ocean Ship-
holdings, Inc. (OSI) received
honorable mention. The company
operates five U.S.-flag tankers for
the U.S. Military Sealift
Command (MSC).

The Coast Guard noted that
Ocean Shipholdings’ vessels

“operate worldwide, including
the sensitive environmental
regions of Antarctica and
Greenland. OSI’s environmental
polices are clear and concise cov-
ering the avoidance of damage to
the environment with particular
consideration to the marine envi-
ronment. To meet the objectives
of their mission and policy state-
ments, risks are continually iden-
tified and evaluated to help
reduce any impact on the envi-
ronment. OSI also developed spe-
cific Marine Regulations to
address the risks to vessels and
the environment while operating
in a harsh environment such as
Antarctica.”

SIU-contracted Alaska
Tanker Company has
earned several high-
level safety awards in
recent years. Among
other vessels, the ATC
fleet includes (from top)
the Overseas Chicago,
the Denali and the
Prince William Sound.

U.S. Labor Department Updating
Confidential Maritime Database
Agency Seeks Volunteers for ‘O*NET’ Project

The U.S. Department of Labor is asking
SIU members who have been in the indus-
try for at least five years to consider volun-
tarily participating in a program known as
the Occupational Information Network
(O*NET).

The program is sponsored by the
Department of Labor. It is intended to
gather occupational information for a
national database that is used by millions
of employers, workers, educators and stu-
dents across the country.

Individual data will be kept strictly
confidential. Names are not used in the

database, and no identifying information
about anyone will be published or released
in any form to anyone outside the research
team.

The database’s maritime component
provides information about the knowledge,
skills, abilities and activities for the occu-
pations of masters, mates, pilots, engi-
neers, deckhands and oilers. “We want to
make sure that the right information is pre-
sented for these positions,” noted Dr. Jon
Blades, who helps head up the project. “It’s
important that the information is accurate
and up to date, because millions of

employers, workers, educators and stu-
dents use O*NET to help them make
informed decisions about education, train-
ing and careers.”

He added that the agency seeks volun-
teers with at least five years of experience
to “serve as experts and [to] complete
questionnaires about their work.
Responses will be strictly confidential and
will be combined with all other responses
to define the skills, knowledge, and other
aspects of work in the maritime field. Each
person who completes the questionnaires
will receive $40 and a certificate of appre-

ciation from the U.S. Department of
Labor.”

Seafarers who are interested in partici-
pating may contact Dr. Jon Blades at the
National Center for O*NET Development,
P.O. Box 27625, Raleigh, NC 27611; tele-
phone (919) 733-2790; fax (919) 715-
0778; email jon.blades@ncmail.net. Please
provide your name, telephone number and
a mailing address.

More information about O*NET is
available on line at http://www.onetcen-
ter.org/.

Alaska Tanker Co. Wins
Prestigious Safety Award

Claims Dept. Co-Director
Martha Carr Dies at 51

Martha C. Carr, a longtime
medical claims employee who
rose to the post of co-director in
the Seafarers Health and Benefit
Plan’s Piney Point, Md.-based
claims department, passed away
June 25 at her home in Piney
Point. She was 51.

“Martha was a solid citizen
here in Piney Point,” said Paul
Hall Center Vice President Don
Nolan. “Her dedication to the job
was unbelievable. No problem
was too small for Martha when it
came to the membership. She will
sorrowfully be missed, and we will
never forget her wonderful smile.”

John Spadaro, national director of the SIU-affiliated United
Industrial Workers, also speaking of Carr’s commitment to the union
noted, “Martha was one of the most dedicated people I have ever
worked with. She was extremely compassionate and certainly very
helpful on a day-to-day basis. Martha went about the business of
doing her job like the true professional that she was, but she always
added that personal, caring touch to whatever she was involved in.
There is no doubt that she will be missed a great deal by everyone
who knew her.”

Seafarers Plans Administrator Bill Dennis said Carr “was truly
special. During her illness she always maintained a very positive atti-
tude. It seemed that she was trying to make us feel better. She touched
all of us in a very special way.”

“Martha and I worked very well together as a team over the
years,” said Pat Benoit of her deceased colleague and close personal
friend. Benoit is co-director of the claims department.

“Jointly, we supervised 45 employees,” Benoit continued. “The
one thing I remember and treasure most about Martha was her
unselfishness, her willingness to go that extra mile for the member-
ship. Regardless of how simple or complicated a particular situation
was, she time and again made herself available to members, port offi-
cials and anyone else who required her assistance. Even when her ill-
ness started to get the best of her, she still put the needs of others
ahead of her own personal welfare; this is a rare quality indeed.

“I’m certain that I speak for all of her co-workers and those who
had the good fortune of knowing her when I say that she was greatly
loved and highly respected,” Benoit concluded. “Martha will be
missed by all of us.”

A native of Washington, D.C., Carr joined the UIW in 1985 while
working at SIU headquarters in Camp Springs, Md. She initially
worked as a claims processor. Carr advanced to the position of claims
coordinator in 1990 and to claims section manager in 1991.

In January 1998, she became co-director of the claims department.
She held this position until her
demise.

Carr was preceded in death by
her parents, Edward J. and
Margaret V. Holt; two sisters,
Margaret J. Kendall and Dorothy
Jones; and two brothers, William
and Richard Gray.

Survivors include her husband,
Steven; one son, Gary Hartman;
two daughters, Susan Owen and
Sandy Carr; five grandchildren; a
host of other relatives, friends and
her SIU “family.”

A viewing was held June 29 at
the Brinsfield Echols Funeral
Home in Charlotte Hall, Md.

Martha Carr, left, talks with then
SIU Plans Administrator Lou
Delma in a 2001 meeting at the
SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center.

Minette Clarke, left, and Carr
are all smiles during a claims
department outing in Southern
Maryland.

23844_P3,6,8.qxd 7/22/2004 2:56 PM Page 6



August 2004 Seafarers LOG 7

Congressman Hunter Honored
By Shipbuilding Association

House Armed Services
Committee Chairman U.S.
Representative Duncan Hunter
(R-Calif.), a strong advocate for
the U.S. Merchant Marine, is the
recipient of the American
Shipbuilding Association’s
(ASA) 2004 Herbert H. Bateman
Award.

Congressman Hunter on June
23 received the award during the
ASA’s Salute to the 108th

Congress reception in the foyer of
the Rayburn House Office
Building in Washington. D.C.
Established by ASA in 2000, the
award is described by the associ-
ation as the shipbuilding indus-
try’s uppermost acknowledgment
of an individual in the executive
branch, legislative branch, or
industry who has demonstrated

years of consistent, outstanding,
and inspirational leadership in
fighting for a stronger shipbuild-
ing industry.

Congressman Herb Bateman
of Virginia, the award’s name-
sake, was credited with demon-
strating these qualities throughout
his tenure in the U.S. House of
Representatives from 1981-2000.
The late nine-term congressman
passed away in September 2000
following a lengthy battle with
cancer.

“Duncan Hunter, throughout
his nearly 24 years on the Armed
Services Committee, has been a
tireless advocate of a stronger
defense shipbuilding industrial
base,” noted Cynthia Brown,
ASA president, in presenting the
congressman with the award. “He

has consistently worked for larger
defense procurement budgets to
fund the required number of
naval ships.

“His long and impressive
record in support of a larger naval
fleet and supporting manufactur-
ing industry has made him a
deserving recipient of the Herbert
H. Bateman Award,” she conclud-
ed. Previous recipients of the
honor include: U.S. Repre-
sentative Herbert H. Bateman (R-
Va.); U.S. Senator Olympia
Snowe (R-Maine); U.S. Repre-
sentative Gene Taylor (D-Miss.);
and U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (R-
Alaska).

Congressman Hunter repre-
sents California’s 52nd Congres-
sional District consisting of east-
ern and northern San Diego
County. He is a Vietnam veteran,
who served in the 173rd Airborne
and 75th Army Rangers. In 1973,
Representative Hunter attended
Western State University Law
School in San Diego on the G.I.
Bill, while also working at farm-
ing and construction.

Prior to his current position as
chairman of the full committee,
Congressman Hunter served as
Chairman of the House Military
Research & Development Sub-
committee from 2001-2002. The
congressman also served as chair-
man of the House Armed
Services Subcommittee on
Military Procurement from 1995-
2000.

ASA is a national trade associ-
ation representing American ship-
builders—the designers and pro-
ducers of the safest and most
technologically advanced ships in
the world. ASA’s mission is to
educate policymakers and the
American public on the need for a
strong shipbuilding industrial
base to build the ships that help
keep America secure and eco-
nomically prosperous. To this
end, ASA supports a strong
American Navy and Marine
Corps, Coast Guard, and mer-
chant fleet of American-built
ships.

Collectively, ASA member
shipyards employ more than 90

percent of all the workers
engaged in ship construction in
the United States. Many of them
are the largest private-sector
employers in the states in which
they operate.

The association also repre-
sents 54 partner companies
engaged in the design and manu-
facture of ship systems, compo-
nents, technologies, equipment
and in providing technical sup-
port services.

TTrriibbuuttee ttoo MMeerrcchhaanntt MMaarriinneerrss
IInncclluuddeedd iinn DDeennaallii MMeemmoorriiaall

We dedicate this quiet place
to the remembrance of the veter-
ans of Alaska who have served

their country at home and
throughout the world. We honor

their heroism and dedication.

At mile 147 of the Parks
Highway at Denali State Park—
centrally located between An-
chorage and Fairbanks—is a
plaque with those words.

AB Robert Franxman of
Florence, Ky. was on a fishing
trip in the area not long ago,
when he came upon the beauti-
fully designed memorial, and
sent the photos appearing with
this article to the Seafarers LOG.

The Alaska Veterans Mem-
orial, the first to honor the state’s
veterans, was erected in 1983
and dedicated the following year.
The main part of the site consists
of five, 20-foot tall concrete pan-
els, one each to represent the
Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines
and Coast Guard. They are
arranged in a semi-circle to form
an alcove in a natural grove of
trees. On top of each panel is a
large star and below the star is a

short history of that branch’s
contribution to Alaska.

At the entrance of the alcove
is a statue of two figures repre-
senting the Alaska Territorial
Guard (ATG), carved by
Canadian sculptor George Pratt.
The binoculars of one of the
ATG members is trained on
Denali (Mt. McKinley), which is
only 35 miles away at that point.
A large plaque beside the statue
explains the work of the ATG.

In 1998, World War II mer-
chant mariners were granted

“active duty” veterans status,
so another large plaque was
added the following year to
one of the walls forming the

entrance to the alcove where the
main panels are set. It honors
members of the U.S. Merchant
Marine who served in World War
II and was dedicated by
Governor Tony Knowles, an
Army Vietnam veteran.

Also in 1999, two flagpoles
were erected by a group of vol-
unteers so that an Alaskan flag
now flies to the right of an
American flag, and to its left
flies a POW/MIA or other flag
for special events.

The Alaska Veterans Mem-
orial was made possible by legis-
lation introduced by the late
State Senator Charles Parr in
1981 and passed that year. Parr,
a World War II Army veteran
from Fairbanks, recognized that
Alaska was one of the few states
in the nation without a memorial
to its veterans.

For travelers, the memorial
provides both a refreshing stop
along the highway as well as an
important insight into Alaska’s
history. Adjacent to the memorial
is a visitor’s center, where sever-
al interpretive signs describe the
historical role of the military in
the Bering Sea during the Civil
War and World War II and
throughout the Cold War.

In 1999, a plaque was erected at the Alaska Veterans Memorial in
honor of U.S. merchant mariners who served during World War II.

At the
entrance to

the state
memorial is a
statue repre-

senting the
Alaska

Territorial
Guard (right)
and a plaque
in memory of
all veterans.

U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter
(R-Calif.)

Secretary Mineta
Underscores Need
For U.S.-Flag Fleet

U.S. Secretary of Trans-
portation Norman Y. Mineta
recently reiterated his strong sup-
port for the U.S.-flag maritime
industry. He did so while
addressing an audience June 21
at the U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

“Rarely in our history has the
importance of our maritime oper-
ations been so clear, or the
opportunities for mariners so
great,” Mineta stated. “For the
first time in recent memory, we
are adding demonstrably to the
number of ships sailing under the
American flag. In the past two
years, our efforts have attracted
three modern and militarily use-
ful vessels to the U.S.-flag fleet.
Additionally, thousands of new
sea-going jobs will be created
when three new U.S.-flagged
cruise ships are placed in service.

“The Maritime Security Act,
signed by President Bush last
November, is another measure of
our commitment,” he continued.
“The $1.7 billion reauthorization
of the Maritime Security
Program will expand the fleet
from 47 to 60 ships. And there is
more to come.”

The secretary commended
U.S. mariners for their quick
response on September 11, 2001
and also for their highly regarded
performance in Operation Iraqi
Freedom.

“From the earliest days of our
founding, America has always
been a maritime nation,” he
added. “And so we remain today.
Indeed, rarely in our nation has
the importance of our maritime
operations been so clear or the
opportunities for mariners so
great. Today, we recognize our
sea lanes as the logistical lifeline
to the troops defending our free-
doms abroad. And for the world’s
leading trading nation, those sea
lanes serve as the primary arter-
ies through which almost 95 per-
cent of U.S. overseas cargo
flows.

“With the American economy
surging forward—creating nearly
one million new jobs in the last
100 days—the stage is set for a
renaissance for the maritime
industries and a growing role for
the merchant mariners who link
us to our trading partners around
the world,” Mineta continued.
“We have made a strong commit-
ment to building a robust mar-
itime system….

“And there is more to come.
At the Department of Trans-
portation, we are working to
develop the most comprehensive
maritime review that the nation
has ever seen. This initiative,
known as SEA 21, encompasses
the entire marine transportation
system—from ports to shipbuild-
ing to mariner training. SEA 21
has the potential to modernize
and enhance our maritime capac-
ity, making it more secure and
efficient while developing new
areas of opportunity, such as
short sea shipping.”

Mineta noted that he took part
in the dedication of the National
World War II Memorial in
Washington, D.C. and that the
U.S. Merchant Marine “is includ-
ed, prominently…. We know
those mariners today as members
of the ‘Greatest Generation.’”

U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Y. Mineta

23844_P7,9_11,18,20_23.qxd 7/22/2004 4:24 PM Page 7



8 Seafarers LOG August 2004

Top Health Care Benefits
Highlight Inland Contracts
Bisso, Moran, Seabulk Boatmen Approve Pacts

Gulf-area Seafarers recently
approved three new contracts that
call for wage increases and main-
tain top-of-the-line medical bene-
fits.

Each of the respective agree-
ments is for five years. Boatmen at

E.N. Bisso in New Orleans unani-
mously approved their new con-
tract, while Seafarers at Seabulk
and at Moran of Texas, respective-
ly, ratified their pacts by over-
whelming margins.

SIU Vice President Gulf Coast

Dean Corgey led the SIU negotiat-
ing teams for all three contracts.
He stated that maintaining Plan G
medical coverage for the boatmen
and their families while also
securing wage gains “is a great
credit to all concerned and a major
accomplishment. The struggle to
maintain good, affordable health
care benefits is the main issue in
practically every union contract
negotiation—for all unions—
across the country. The fact that
we kept the top coverage for
members and their dependents and
still got wage increases is a great
achievement.”

Corgey, SIU Assistant Vice
President Jim McGee and SIU
Representative Kevin Marchand
were joined on the Seabulk bar-
gaining committee by Captain
Chuck Taylor, Chief Engineer
Kenneth Beach, Deckhand Gus
Leday and Quartermaster Chris

Thibodeaux.
“Everything’s cool,”

Taylor said when asked
for his thoughts on the
contract. “Everything
went okay—Dean and
Jimbo and Kevin did a
darn good job. The
medical benefits are
really valuable.”

The Moran negotiat-
ing committee consist-
ed of Corgey, McGee,
Marchand, Capt. Clint
Campbell, Chief En-
gineer Jimmy Brous-
sard, Quartermaster
Andy Ashworth and
AB Paul Paszkiewicz.

“What we ended up
with is very good,”
Campbell said. “We got
wage increases and kept our med-
ical benefits. I think everything
looked good.”

The Moran contract has one
unresolved issue that is scheduled
for arbitration, as agreed to by the
union and the company.

The Bisso bargaining commit-
tee included Corgey, SIU New
Orleans Port Agent Steve Judd,
Safety Director Chris Westbrook,
Engineer Delegate Robert
Jordan and Deckhand Delegate
David Abney.

Judd pointed out that this was
the first time the company “com-
municated directly with the union
reps and members without using
attorneys. Negotiations were hard-
fought, but they had a better tone
this time. They were constructive
and respectful with good, direct

communication between the nego-
tiating teams.”

Jordan agreed, characterizing
the negotiations as “much better
than last time. The cooperation,
the good faith of sitting down
without the lawyers—I liked it.
Dean and those guys can negotiate
with the best, so I wasn’t worried
about that, but it was all very
smooth.”

Commenting about the con-
tract itself, Jordan added, “We got
some money out of it and the most
important part was we continue to
have our (health) insurance. That’s
one of the big things the guys
wanted.”

Altogether, more than 150 SIU
boatmen are covered by the new
agreements—approximately 75 at
Bisso, more than 50 at Seabulk

and more than 30 at
Moran.

ARC Clinical Director Bill Eckles Retires
The longtime clinical director

of the Addictions Rehabilitation
Center (ARC) in Piney Point, Md.
is retiring, but Bill Eckles plans to
remain a familiar and readily
available face both at the facility
and at its affiliated Paul Hall
Center for Maritime Training and
Education.

“It’s a lot to walk away from,
but I’m part of the family,” said
Eckles, 61. “Between going to sea
and working down here, you’re
talking about almost 40 years of
my life. I’ll come down for the
(membership) meetings, and the
door will always be open.”

Eckles joined the SIU in 1965
in his native Philadelphia. He
completed the bosun recertifica-
tion program and later earned a
second mate’s license before com-
ing ashore in 1985 as a counselor
at the ARC. Three years later he
became the clinical director.

Eckles said his decision to
retire proved difficult, but he looks
forward to spending time with his
family, including both parents and
five grandchildren. He lives in
Silver Spring, Md.

“His job wasn’t the easiest in
the world, but he saved many,

many lives,” stated Don Nolan,
vice president of the Paul Hall
Center. “He certainly was a dedi-
cated employee, and he cares
about other people. He was the
hands-on, day-to-day person who
ran the ARC and he was there
every single day.”

Coworkers also praised Eckles
as committed and effective.

John Gallagher, director of the
ARC, noted, “For the past 18
years, Bill has been both advocate
and representative of the alcohol
and drug recovery movement
within the maritime industry. As
clinical director of the Seafarers
Addictions Rehabilitation Center,
his professional contribution and
personal involvement in the treat-
ment of every patient has been
instrumental in assisting their
recovery process.

“Concern, caring and commit-
ment to his seafaring brothers and
sisters are the primary components
of Bill’s legacy to the ARC,”
Gallagher added.

Counselor Frank Torres
described Eckles as “undeniably
the heart and soul of the ARC. His
wisdom and knowledge will be
sorely missed.”

Counselor Jerry Foley ex-
pressed pride in a 27-year friend-
ship with Eckles. “At times over
the years when I felt like giving
up, he always had faith in me. For
that, I have to say I love the big
guy! God bless him and God bless
the SIU.”

Kerrie Thompson, ARC secre-
tary, said Eckles “had an impact on
everyone who came through this
facility, and I personally have
learned a lot from him. We’re all
glad that we aren’t saying goodbye
to Bill, but instead, see you later.”

House Manager Joe Zook stat-

ed, “Bill Eckles has always been
the biggest inspiration in my life
and recovery and also the best
friend I have in the industry. I’ll be
forever in his debt for all that he
has done for me. May God keep
him in His hands.”

Eckles said he got started as a
counselor because he had gone
through the ARC when it opened
(in 1975) and he “had a desire to
put something back into it.”

He has been a leading advocate
of relapse prevention—his presen-
tation at the 1992 International
Transport Workers’ Federation
convention helped convince mar-
itime unions worldwide about its
importance.

Eckles said the most rewarding
part of his work at the ARC was
“working with the guys, the mem-
bers who needed help.”

In a 1992 article commemorat-
ing the Paul Hall Center’s 25th

anniversary, Eckles wrote, “I
wouldn’t have worked in this field
if it wasn’t with merchant marin-
ers. I wasn’t looking for another
profession, but going through the
ARC program had turned my life
around, and I felt I could con-
tribute.”

Celebrating his well-earned retirement with Bill Eckles (second from
left) are his daughter, Erin, Paul Hall Center VP Don Nolan and Eckles’
wife, Elda.

After many months of investigation and advocacy,
the SIU has secured a substantial settlement award
for employees who sailed aboard the USNS Kilauea
during parts of the year 2003. Approximately 86
mariners, including those not covered by union con-
tracts, will be eligible for this settlement payment.

The problem arose after the Kilauea left Port
Haddock, Wash. en route to Guam. Mariners noted a
problem with the water quality, color and odor aboard
the vessel. Some crew members also experienced a
stinging and burning sensation on their skin, lips and
throat when they came into contact with the water.

The crew notified SIU Government Services
Division Representative Chester Wheeler and a griev-
ance was filed. A detailed investigation into the cause
of the problem took place with Naval Environmental
Medicine as well as Industrial Hygiene Department
personnel visiting the vessel. Air and water samples
were taken. While the investigation continued, the
union advocated for the delivery of bottled water to
the vessel and other modifications to ensure the ship
was as safe as possible. The crew and contractors
worked on the tanks as the ship continued sailing to
various Pacific ports.

Wheeler closely followed the situation for
months. To settle the grievance, the union requested
monetary compensation and medical monitoring
specifically targeted to this exposure for each
mariner. MSC, however, would not agree to the
amount requested by the SIU. The union filed for
arbitration, and the parties were in the process of
selecting an arbitrator when MSC representatives
agreed to the union’s demand of $10 per day for the
period between March 6, 2003 and June 22, 2003.
SIU Government Services Division members who
believe they are eligible for this settlement payment
but haven’t received it are asked to contact the union.

While MSC maintains that there were no expo-
sures to unhealthy substances, the SIU is encourag-
ing all mariners who were exposed to this unpotable
water to mention the situation at their next MSC
physical examination. Direct the medical examiner to
note this exposure on your medical records and get a
copy of your record. You should have the medical
examiner order blood screens that may detect any
problems which may be developing. You should also
have the same thing done at your private physician’s
office when you go for your next examination.

Union Secures Substantial Settlement for
CIVMARS in Health & Safety Grievance

Moran boatmen
and SIU officials
quickly pose for a
group photo after
discussing key ele-
ments of the new
five-year contract.

Bisso boatmen unanimously approved their new five-year contract.
Among those happy with the pact are (from left) Deckhand Michael
Tomlin, Engineer Christopher Lambert, Engineer Delegate Robert
Jordan, Deckhand Delegate David Abney, Engineer Frank Arnona and
Deckhand Eric Burlette.

The SIU’s negotiating team
for the Bisso contract included
(seated) Engineer Delegate
Robert Jordan, (standing,
from left) Deckhand Delegate
David Abney, SIU New
Orleans Safety Director Chris
Westbrook and SIU New
Orleans Port Agent Steve
Judd.

Serving on the Seabulk negotiating team
were (from left, kneeling) Captain Chuck
Taylor, Deckhand Gus Leday, (standing) SIU
Representative Kevin Marchand, Chief
Engineer Kenneth Beach, SIU VP Gulf Coast
Dean Corgey, Quartermaster Chris Thi-
bodeaux and SIU Assistant VP Jim McGee.

23844_P3,6,8.qxd 7/22/2004 2:57 PM Page 8



August 2004 Seafarers LOG 9

SIU Bosun Named ‘Outstanding Mariner’
SIU-contracted American Steamship

Company (ASC) announced June 25 that
Seafarer Charles B. Neigebauer has been
named recipient of ASC’s 2004 Outstanding
Mariner Award. Neigebauer is a bosun on the
M/V St. Clair.

SIU Vice President Great Lakes Tom
Orzechowski described Neigebauer as “a
longtime member who takes great pride in his
work. Charlie also instills a strong work ethic
into younger mariners. He’s very deserving of
this recognition.”

“ASC presents the Outstanding Mariner
Award annually to an employee, nominated
by his or her peers, whose performance exem-
plifies the spirit of dedication, commitment to

excellence and results-oriented drive that are
the foundation of the American Steamship
Company,” the company said in a news
release.

Jerome K. Welsch, president and CEO of
ASC, said, “Through the Outstanding
Mariner program, ASC recognizes shipboard
and office personnel who have distinguished
themselves through meritorious service.
Charles’ 24 years of service to ASC are
deeply appreciated and I am pleased to pre-
sent him with this recognition from his com-
pany and his peers.”

In nominating Neigebauer, 62, his ship-
mates noted that he “is always willing and
able to work with all crew members. He is a

leader with a positive attitude, and his focus
on the safety and wellbeing of the crew and
vessel is evident at all times.”

Neigebauer has sailed with ASC since
1980 and aboard the St. Clair since 1986. His
wife, Sondra, also is an SIU member.

Charles Neigebauer began sailing in 1969,
first working as a deckhand.

“I would have to say that I like working
out on the deck the most,” he noted. “The
work is hard but the rewards are great. When
you finish a job—from cargo handling to rou-
tine maintenance—and think back on how
well everyone worked, it makes you feel
proud.”

Bosun Charles Neigebauer
found a home in the deck depart-
ment in 1969 and has sailed
ever since.

The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) formally
has endorsed the enactment of
the Belated Thank You to the
Merchant Mariners of World War
II Act of 2004.

DOT’s position on the bill,
H.R. 3729—“To amend title 46,
United States Code, to provide a
monthly monetary benefit to cer-
tain individuals who served in the
United States merchant marine
(including the Army Transport
Service and the Naval Transport
Service) during World War II”—
recently was outlined in official
correspondence to U.S. Repre-
sentative Christopher Smith (R-
N.J.), chairman of the House
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
In part, the correspondence read
as follows:

“H.R. 3729 would provide a
$1,000 monthly monetary veter-
ans’ benefit to certain members
of the United States Merchant
Marine who served in World War
II. This benefit would also be
available to a deceased Merchant

Mariner’s surviving spouse or
disabled child. Merchant Mar-
iners seeking the monthly benefit
would be required to apply to the
Secretary of Transportation for a
certificate of honorable service,
to be determined by applying the
same standards used to grant an
honorable military discharge.

“The Department supports
H.R. 3729, which provides Mer-
chant Mariners with long-over-
due recognition of their service
during World War II. Carrying
the troops and supplies integral to
the war effort, Merchant Mar-
iners faced the enemy alongside
members of the Army, Navy, and
Marine Corps, putting their lives
at risk for the freedom of a
nation. Their sacrifice was great
indeed, as the U.S. Merchant
Marine suffered a higher casualty
rate than any branch of the armed
forces in World War II except the
Marine Corps: almost 1 in 30
Mariners lost their lives.

“Despite their extraordinary
contributions during the war,

Merchant Mariners were not
included in the Servicemen’s
Readjustment Act of 1944, the
first G.I. Bill which granted ben-
efits to World War II veterans.
This Act provided unemployment
pay, loan guarantees, tuition
assistance and other benefits to
members of the armed forces to
help them transition into civilian
life. Lacking the benefits con-
ferred on their military counter-
parts, some Merchant Mariners
were faced with severe economic
and social disadvantages in the
aftermath of the war. It was not
until 1988 that members of the
U.S. Merchant Marine were
granted veterans status, more
than forty years after many of
them had risked their lives in ser-
vice to their country during
World War II.

“The Department of Trans-
portation believes that the eco-
nomic benefit contained in H.R.
3729 is an appropriate means
through which to address the dis-
crepancy in the treatment of

World War II Merchant Mariners
that has existed for decades. We
believe this benefit, to be con-
ferred at a time when those eligi-
ble for it average over 80 years in
age, is modest when compared to
the years of assistance provided
to other World War II veterans. In
fact, it is impossible to quantify
the economic compensation that
other veterans received as a result
of benefits such as access to
higher education, and the
increased earnings associated
with it. Additionally, due to the
advanced age of merchant
mariners (or their surviving
spouses) we believe that the eco-
nomic impact on the Federal gov-
ernment will be small.

“At the dedication of the
National World War II Memorial
on May 29, 2004, President Bush
recognized Merchant Mariners as
integral members of America’s
fighting forces, noting “In all,
more than 16 million Americans
would put on the uniform of the
soldier, the sailor, the airman, the
Marine, the Coast Guardsman or
the Merchant Mariner.” The
Department encourages enact-
ment of this bill.”

Copies of the foregoing corre-
spondence also were transmitted

to U.S. Rep. Lane Evans (D-Ill.),
ranking member of the House
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs;
U.S. Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.),
chairman, House Committee on
Ways and Means; and U.S. Rep.
Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), rank-
ing member, House Committee
on Ways and Means.

As was reported earlier in the
Seafarers LOG, the American
Merchant Marine Veterans,
which includes thousands of
retired Seafarers, also is urging
passage of H.R. 3729. The legis-
lation on Jan. 27 was introduced
in the House by U.S. Rep. Bob
Filner (D-Calif.).

During his presentation on the
House floor, Congressman Filner
observed, “While it is impossible
to make up for over 40 years of
unpaid benefits, I propose a bill
that will acknowledge the service
of the veterans of the U.S.
Merchant Marine and offer com-
pensation for years and years of
lost benefits….”

The bill on April 13 was
referred to the House Sub-
committee on Benefits. As of
press time for the LOG, the legis-
lation had 84 co-sponsors.

Transportation Dept. Backs Bill
Compensating WWII Mariners

U.S. Health Care Costs Continue Upward Spiral
Seafarers, Dependents Can Help Union Reduce Fees to Plan and Participants

The high cost of health care in America continues to be a major concern for U.S.
workers and their families.

Retaining affordable, quality health care is a top priority for workers in a wide range
of industries as they head to the bargaining table.
This was never more evident than in the five-month
strike by Southern California grocery workers—the
longest grocery strike and lockout in U.S. history—
that ended earlier this year. The dispute began in
October 2003 when UFCW members refused to
give in to demands to slash their health care bene-
fits. Following 20 weeks without paychecks, the
union workers finally won their fight to protect
affordable health care as well as their pensions and
job security.

They were, perhaps, the lucky ones. In today’s
weakened economy, many firms are successful in
passing on high health care costs to their employ-
ees. Some workers are paying more for their insur-
ance, while others are paying an increasing per-
centage of the premiums or seeing increases in
deductibles and co-payments.

The sad fact is that the United States spends
more on health care than any other country in the
world, yet nearly 44 million Americans lack med-
ical coverage. Low-income families with at least
one full-time worker are only half as likely to have
job-based coverage as higher-income working fam-
ilies. And nearly 54 percent of workers in small
business have no health coverage at all. Children
and spouses are typically the first victims of
decreases in health coverage.

Minimizing prescription costs is one component
of affordable health care. The Seafarers Health and

Benefits Plan’s agreement with Prescription Solutions, which took effect Jan. 1, 2004,
is one way the union is trying to reduce the cost of prescribed drugs. With more than
55,000 participating pharmacies in their network, Prescription Solutions is proving to

be a popular benefit for Seafarers and is resulting in
a savings both to the Plan and to the participants.

In addition to the work the Plan officials are
undertaking, there are ways that individual mem-
bers can help reduce the costs of their medical care.
Staying fit, eating nutritious food and wearing seat
belts are some of the obvious ones. Other sugges-
tions include asking your doctor to prescribe (or
your pharmacists to fill) a generic version, whenev-
er possible, of a prescribed drug. In some cases, the
difference in price is significant.

When Seafarers receive a bill from a health care
provider, they should look it over carefully to see if
it includes charges for services not received or ser-
vices billed twice. If it does, the doctor or hospital
should be contacted to have the mistake corrected.
Once a correction has been made, the Seafarer
should contact the Health and Benefits Plan office.
After verifying the correction, the Plan will pay the
Seafarer a bonus that is equal to 25 percent of the
amount he or she saved the Plan—up to a maximum
of $500.

Of particular importance, especially during this
election year, is to keep informed of national and
local health care issues. In several states, union
activists are fighting for legislation to bring health
care coverage to low- and moderate-income work-
ers and their families.

23844_P7,9_11,18,20_23.qxd 7/22/2004 4:24 PM Page 9



10 Seafarers LOG August 2004

SSeeeenn iinn SSaann FFrraanncciissccoo .. .. ..

Crew members aboard the IUM vessel Great Land pose for a group shot.

It was all smiles for these members of the ITB Baltimore’s crew. From the
left are ABs Oscar Lacayo, Thomas Roberts and Sajid Ali.

Galley gang members aboard the Cape Girardeau, an
American Ship Management vessel, include Chief Steward
Donna Moore (left) and Chief Cook Brian Cushing.

Happy to be in the port
of San Francisco
aboard the Cape

Orlando are (from left)
Bosun Barry Patin,

Capt. Pete Grealy and
AB William “Buzz”
Brown. The Cape

Orlando is an American
Overseas Marine ves-

sel that sails on the
West Coast.

Left: Following a 90-day trip to Iraq
and the Middle East, crew members
aboard the Cape Orlando returned to
the port of San Francisco and were
awarded Merchant Marine
Expeditionary Medals and certificates
of appreciation from the Maritime
Administration.

Right (top photo): SIU Assistant
VP Nick Celona (left) presents SS

Jeremiah O’Brien Capt. Patrick
Moloney with a contribution from

the union for shipyard repair work
for the old Liberty ship.

At right: During Martime Day cer-
emonies aboard the Jeremiah

O’Brien, a wreath was presented
in memeory of the late SIU VP

West Coast George McCartney,
who died in March. Captain

Moloney poses with McCartney’s
wife, Helga (right) and daughter,

Heidi.

Below (top photo): SIU Assistant VP Nick
Celona (right) greets Mike Mason, maritime
security instructor, who went to the San
Francisco hall (as well as other SIU halls
across the country) to instruct SIU mem-
bers about shipboard security. At the con-
clusion of Mason’s presentations, students
were awarded certificates of completion. In
the bottom photo, Douglas Sweet asks
Mason a specific safety question.

23844_P7,9_11,18,20_23.qxd 7/22/2004 4:37 PM Page 10



August 2004 Seafarers LOG 11

.. .. .. AAnndd AAccrroossss tthhee UU..SS..
OS Ismael Manley and OS Erigardo “Junior” Guity appear as small specks
as they work aloft on the Overseas Philadelphia. The photo was taken
aboard the tanker by Bosun Tim Olvany.

Gathering in the galley of the SIU-contracted El Toro are (from
left) SA Toni Grant, Chief Cook Theodore Quammie, UA
Richard McKain, Cadet Tim Boorman, UA Shantay Joquin
and Steward/Baker Michael Amador. The El Toro makes runs
from the port of Jacksonville, Fla., to Puerto Rico.

AB Jay Thomas (left) and DEU Cecil Edwards pose for a
quick photo on board the El Toro after helping tie up the
vessel in the port of Jacksonville.

Bob Grubbs is the bosun on the El Toro. In the
photo above, he is operating the ship’s crane to
unload cargo.

When the Cape Knox arrived in New Orleans from operations in the Middle East, crew members were
welcomed home and presented by the Maritime Administration with Merchant Marine Expeditionary
Medals and certificates for their service aboard the U.S.-flag ship in support of operations involving
American and allied military forces.

Left: AB Tom Gavagan (left) and Bosun Chad
Cuningham catch a blue marlin from aboard
the Tallahassee Bay (Keystone Shipping
Service). It weighed approximately 300
pounds. This snapshot was taken of the trio
fairly quickly, since the fish was released,
unharmed, back to its home in the sea.

Above: Seated around the table on the
Dodge Island (Great Lakes Dredge &
Dock) are (from left) AB Larry Parker,
AB/Dragtender Tommy Davis, 3rd

Engineer Brett Sollee, 3rd Engineer
Armando Evangelista and Cook Mario
Fernandez.

A picture of the USNS Watson was presented to Mobile
SIU Port Agent Ed Kelly by Herman “Dusty” Rhodes.
Rhodes, who is the chief elecrician aboard the Maersk
Lines, Ltd. vessel, also made the ornate frame. The picture
will hang prominently in the Mobile hall.

23844_P7,9_11,18,20_23.qxd 7/22/2004 4:37 PM Page 11



12 Seafarers LOG August 2004

U.S.-Flag Deep Sea Cruise Ship I
Snapshots

Of SIU-Cre

The Seafarers-c
christened July
rebirth of the U.S
article covering t
these pages are

SS ee nn aa
AA tt HH

The SIU honored U
month during a cerem
safety training center

SIU President Mic
ardent backer of the U
ing him for his unwav

“Senator Dan Inou
thy of an entire book
introduction,” Sacco

The Reverend David
ing and safety trainin

U.S. Maritime Administrator
Capt. William Schubert

U.S. Senator
Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii)

Star Cruises Chairman
Tan Sri KT Lim

Hawaii Governor
Linda Lingle

U.S. Representative
Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)

NCL America President and
CEO Colin Veitch

The 853-foot Pride of A
personnel and can carr

SIU President
Michael Sacco

Pg1,2,5,12,13,24, 4cx.qxd 7/23/2004 7:39 PM Page 12



August 2004 Seafarers LOG 13

Industry Is
ots from Christening

Crewed Pride of Aloha

rs-crewed Pride of Aloha was

uly 4 in Honolulu, marking the

U.S.-flag cruise ship industry. An

ng the event is on page 3. On

are photos from the day.

nn aa tt oo rr II nn oo uu yy ee HH oo nn oo rr ee dd
HH aa ww aa ii ii SS cc hh oo oo ll BB ll ee ss ss ii nn gg
ored U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) last
ceremony at the union’s affiliated fire fighting and
enter in Honolulu, which opened last year.
t Michael Sacco presented the senator—a longtime,
the U.S. Merchant Marine—with a porthole thank-

unwavering support.
n Inouye’s record of service to our country is wor-
book, so there’s no way to do it justice in a brief
acco remarked at the July 2 event. “But I want

everyone here today to know that without Senator Inouye, this
school would not have been possible. He is the driving force behind
the school’s success. He is committed to American seafarers. He is
ensuring that people have opportunities for proper training and
good careers aboard American-flag ships. In short, he’s doing
what’s right for the people of Hawaii and for other citizens from
around the country who want to answer the call of the sea.”

The SIU president described Inouye as “an exceptional friend to
the American mariner, standing together with us on laws like the

Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program and many other impor-
tant issues.”

Inouye later send a letter to Sacco describing the establishment
of the Honolulu school as “a true partnership that has resulted in a
win-win for Hawaii, as residents are trained and certified as
mariners…. I thank you for your support and friendship.”

He also wrote that the “launching of the Pride of Aloha is indeed
a victory and a reason for celebration…. To walk through the beau-
tiful ship, to see the lines of people checking in all so very excited
about their cruise, and most important, to watch the hundreds of
employees—of seafarers marching proudly through the audience
full of optimism about their future makes it all worthwhile.”

avid Kaupu blesses the union’s affiliated fire fight-
aining school last month in Honolulu.

SIU President Michael Sacco (left) presented U.S. Senator Daniel
K. Inouye with a porthole inscribed with a message conveying the
union’s thanks for the senator’s powerful support of the U.S.
Merchant Marine.

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (second from left) congratulates
Seafarer Michael Zagala on completing STCW Basic Safety
Training in Honolulu. Also taking part in the presentation are (from
left) SIU President Michael Sacco, NCL Senior VP Robert
Kritzman and Joe Curtis, an instructor at the school.

e of Aloha reflagged U.S. in June. It employs nearly 800 shipboard
carry 2,000 passengers.

SIU officials and crew members were a big part of the christening
ceremonies. Pictured directly above with two Seafarers are SIU
President Michael Sacco (second from right), Secretary-Treasurer
David Heindel (far right), VP West Coast Nick Marrone (left) and
Paul Hall Center VP Don Nolan (third from left).

Pg1,2,5,12,13,24, 4cx.qxd 7/23/2004 3:27 AM Page 13



14 Seafarers LOG August 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 bene-

ficiary 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 let-

ter 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

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 con-
tact 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.

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 creat-

ed in 1986 by the AFL-CIO to provide union members
and their families with valuable consumer benefits.
Basically, the organization secures good rates for union
members who are enrolled in the various programs,
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

In March 2004, the Trustees of the Plan
decided that the Plan would not cover the
costs of weight loss surgery, which is often
referred to as “bariatric surgery,” “gastric
stapling” or “gastric bypass.” This decision
was made because of the many risks

associated with these procedures, and the
complications that frequently result from
such surgeries. In the past, the Seafarers
Health and Benefits Plan would only pay
for such surgery in rare occasions, in
extremely limited circumstances.

NOTICE FROM SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN

800 E. Diamond Blvd., Suite 3-227
Anchorage, AK 99515
Phone: (907) 271-6736

40 South Gay Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-4022
Phone: (410) 962-5132

455 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109-1045
Phone: (617) 223-3040

196 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401-1899
Phone: (843) 720-3250

433 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813-4909
Phone: (808) 522-8264

8876 Gulf Freeway, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77017-6595
Phone: (713) 948-3350

2760 Sherwood Lane, Suite 2A
Juneau, AK 99801-8545
Phone: (907) 463-2458

1001 S. Seaside Avenue, Bldg. 20
San Pedro, CA 90731-0208
Phone: (310) 732-2080

200 Jefferson Ave., Suite 1302
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 544-3297

Claude Pepper Federal Building
51 S.W. 1st Ave., 6th Floor
Miami, FL 33130-1608
Phone: (305) 536-6548/6874

9820 Lake Forest Blvd., Suite P
New Orleans, LA 70127-3077
Phone: (504) 240-7300

Battery Park Building
1 South Street
New York, NY 10004-1466
Phone: (212) 668-7492

6767 N. Basin Avenue
Portland, OR 97217-3992
Phone: (503) 240-9346

915 Second Ave., Room 194
Seattle, WA 98174-1067
Phone: (206) 217-6115

Oakland Federal Bldg., North Tower
1301 Clay Street, Room 180N
Oakland, CA 94612-5200
Phone: (510) 637-1124
Fax: (510) 637-1126
E-mail: recsfbay@d11.uscg.mil

1222 Spruce Street, Suite 8.104E
St. Louis, MO 63103-2835
Phone: (314) 539-3091

420 Madison Ave., Suite 700
Toledo, OH 43604
Phone: (419) 418-6010

Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers

Don’t let
your
documents
expire!
Allow plenty
of time for
renewal.

23844_P4,14_17,19.qxd 7/22/2004 4:49 PM Page 14



August 2004 Seafarers LOG 15

September & October 2004
Membership Meetings

JERRY TACKETT & JOHN J. JONES
Robert E. Allen, an old shipmate, is trying to get in

touch with you. Please call him at (757) 851-6190.

CLYDE E. JONES
Please contact Anthony Allen at (228) 435-4740.

JAMES MATTHEW PERRODIN
Your nephew, Russell Zaunbrecher, would like to hear

from you. Please call him at (337) 788-1610, or write
him at 206 W. Northern, Crowley, LA 70526.

LYN O. SEARS
Please contact your brothers, Jack and Victor.

HENRY SIMMONS
Please get in touch with an old friend, Mary Ross, at

353 W. 23rd Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206.

Personals

Piney Point .............Tuesday: September 7*
................................Monday: October 4
............................................*(change created by Labor Day holiday)

Algonac ..................Friday: September 10, October 8

Baltimore ................Thursday: September 9, October 7

Boston.....................Friday: September 10, October 8

Duluth .....................Wednesday: September 15, October 13

Guam ......................Thursday: September 23, October 21

Honolulu .................Friday: September 17, October 15

Houston ..................Monday: September 13, October 11

Jacksonville ............Thursday: September 9, October 7

Joliet .......................Thursday: September 16, October 14

Mobile ....................Wednesday: September 15, October 13

New Orleans ...........Tuesday: September 14, October 12

New York................Tuesday: September 7, October 5

Norfolk ...................Thursday: September 9, October 7

Philadelphia ............Wednesday: September 8, October 6

Port Everglades.......Thursday: September 16, October 14

San Francisco .........Thursday: September 16, October 14

San Juan..................Thursday: September 9, October 7

St. Louis..................Friday: September 17, October 15

Tacoma ...................Friday: September 24, October 22

Wilmington ...............Monday: September 20, October 18
............................................

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

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea
JUNE 16 — JULY 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 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 2 2
Anchorage 0 6 1 0 1 0 0 0 5 1
Baltimore 14 4 2 4 5 3 1 14 5 2
Guam 5 5 0 4 3 0 2 3 6 2
Honolulu 10 7 3 7 4 1 4 13 12 7
Houston 28 24 16 16 8 10 10 50 31 35
Jacksonville 38 37 15 28 13 8 22 70 60 31
Joliet 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 2
Mobile 10 13 3 12 10 3 8 23 16 8
New Orleans 16 15 10 13 12 8 15 26 18 19
New York 23 17 18 14 8 6 3 47 30 31
Norfolk 10 20 5 10 9 2 4 19 30 13
Philadelphia 3 2 0 5 2 0 2 7 5 2
Piney Point 1 2 2 0 16 1 3 2 17 4
Puerto Rico 9 9 1 4 4 1 6 15 13 1
San Francisco 18 8 3 12 8 5 15 43 12 10
St. Louis 1 4 2 0 4 0 3 2 5 4
Tacoma 27 25 13 18 19 11 14 58 39 26
Wilmington 20 22 10 15 18 6 11 39 38 24
Totals 234 223 106 162 146 66 124 433 344 224
Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2
Baltimore 4 7 0 1 4 0 0 7 8 0
Guam 1 2 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 0
Honolulu 7 4 1 6 5 0 4 12 3 1
Houston 11 7 5 4 5 1 3 20 13 15
Jacksonville 21 25 3 12 12 4 9 36 45 11
Joliet 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Mobile 9 4 0 2 2 3 2 17 10 1
New Orleans 9 8 3 12 4 1 4 10 19 7
New York 9 10 5 8 6 1 5 16 15 13
Norfolk 7 16 1 3 9 1 3 13 21 5
Philadelphia 1 6 0 1 3 0 0 5 5 1
Piney Point 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 0
Puerto Rico 4 0 0 4 2 1 3 4 2 0
San Francisco 12 6 2 11 6 1 10 16 9 2
St. Louis 0 2 2 3 2 1 0 0 1 2
Tacoma 12 20 4 6 11 2 10 22 27 6
Wilmington 9 11 10 7 10 6 7 12 13 10
Totals 118 132 37 83 85 23 62 193 197 76
Port STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Algonac 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 2
Baltimore 4 1 0 1 1 0 0 6 0 0
Guam 0 2 0 1 3 0 0 0 1 0
Honolulu 14 6 1 6 1 0 3 21 11 1
Houston 14 3 3 11 3 1 6 24 6 4
Jacksonville 11 11 8 16 7 3 14 22 19 13
Joliet 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mobile 2 5 0 1 3 0 2 10 8 1
New Orleans 7 2 1 5 2 1 4 13 9 1
New York 20 7 4 5 4 3 6 37 12 4
Norfolk 6 5 5 4 4 3 2 13 12 7
Philadelphia 3 1 1 2 0 0 1 5 2 1
Piney Point 3 0 2 2 3 0 0 6 2 2
Puerto Rico 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 6 2 0
San Francisco 20 8 1 10 3 0 5 40 11 3
St. Louis 2 2 0 2 0 0 1 1 2 0
Tacoma 11 6 2 11 3 0 10 27 8 8
Wilmington 16 5 6 9 4 3 4 33 12 9
Totals 136 66 35 87 42 14 58 264 119 56
Port ENTRY DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3
Anchorage 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
Baltimore 0 3 3 0 1 2 0 0 3 5
Guam 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 4 2
Honolulu 8 9 8 5 8 3 0 7 21 14
Houston 1 12 20 4 5 10 0 5 24 40
Jacksonville 2 18 22 4 9 7 0 5 36 38
Joliet 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Mobile 0 2 2 1 3 1 0 0 5 3
New Orleans 3 5 12 2 1 2 0 3 11 20
New York 7 23 32 7 13 6 0 7 49 72
Norfolk 0 7 14 0 6 6 0 0 14 19
Philadelphia 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
Piney Point 0 2 28 0 9 5 0 0 15 54
Puerto Rico 3 5 0 1 4 1 0 3 7 0
San Francisco 2 17 5 5 7 6 0 7 27 10
St. Louis 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 0 1 3
Tacoma 6 14 18 1 14 8 0 15 29 44
Wilmington 1 10 12 0 5 2 0 5 14 35
Totals 33 131 184 30 89 62 0 57 267 366
Totals All
Departments 521 552 362 362 362 165 244 947 927 722

*“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.

Remembering Paul Hall
August 20, 1914 – June 22, 1980

23844_P4,14_17,19.qxd 7/22/2004 3:21 PM Page 15



16 Seafarers LOG August 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
Marine Industrial Park/EDIC

27 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210
(617) 261-0790

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

(218) 722-4110

GUAM
P.O. Box 315242, Tamuning, Guam 96931-5242

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 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

PIC-FROM-THE-PAST

NMU Monthly Shipping & Registration Report
JUNE 16 — JULY 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 1 0 0 0
Houston 7 0 6 13 0 5 4 30 5 31
Jacksonville 7 0 4 7 1 4 2 11 3 6
New Orleans 7 1 2 2 1 0 1 14 4 10
New York 18 1 2 19 0 2 7 33 3 0
Norfolk 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 7 0 0
Tacoma 0 0 3 0 0 3 1 1 0 0
Wilmington 3 3 7 7 3 7 2 18 7 0
Totals 47 5 24 49 5 21 18 114 22 47

Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT

Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
Houston 2 0 5 4 1 1 1 14 5 22
Jacksonville 5 3 8 3 4 7 4 11 3 5
New Orleans 1 1 1 3 0 1 2 3 2 7
New York 4 1 2 7 0 2 4 10 3 0
Norfolk 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0
Tacoma 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 4 0 0
Wilmington 7 3 2 9 2 2 4 15 3 0
Totals 20 9 20 27 9 15 19 59 16 34

Port STEWARD DEPARTMENT

Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Houston 2 2 1 4 1 1 1 8 4 20
Jacksonville 4 1 6 3 1 6 4 6 0 3
New Orleans 5 0 2 4 1 0 0 6 2 9
New York 7 4 1 6 6 1 1 13 15 0
Norfolk 1 0 4 1 0 3 2 1 0 1
Tacoma 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 0
Wilmington 3 4 9 5 3 8 1 9 6 1
Totals 23 11 23 24 12 19 9 45 29 34

Port ENTRY DEPARTMENT

Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Houston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 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 2 0 0 0
Norfolk 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Tacoma 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wilmington 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0

Totals All
Departments 90 25 67 100 26 55 51 218 67 115

This photo was sent to the LOG by
Pensioner John M. Clarke of
Houston.

It is of the ship’s committee on
board the Steel Architect, taken at
payoff in New York, probably in
September 1969.

Clarke was the steward delegate
on board the vessel. The others pic-
tured are Lester Moore, engine del-
egate; Jake Longfellow, ship’s sec-
retary; Jimmy Toone, deck delegate;
and Elmer Barnhill, ship’s chairman.

Brother Clarke, 73, joined the
Seafarers in 1953 in the port of New
York following service in the U.S.
Army from 1950 to 1952. He retired
in 1994.

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

23844_P4,14_17,19.qxd 7/22/2004 3:23 PM Page 16



August 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
CLINTON ANDERSON, 64,
joined the SIU in 1978 in the port
of New York after serving in the
U.S. Army. Brother Anderson’s
first voyage was aboard the
Westward Venture. Born in
Jamaica, he shipped in the engine
department. Brother Anderson
upgraded his skills on a number
of occasions at the Paul Hall
Center in Piney Point, Md. and
last went to sea aboard the
Overseas Boston. He makes his
home in Seattle.

JOSEFINE
BALANAY,
64, hails from
the Philip-
pines. Brother
Balanay began
his career with
the SIU in
1989 in Hono-

lulu. He shipped primarily aboard
American Hawaii Cruises’
Independence in the engine
department and enhanced his
skills on three occasions at the
Seafarers-affiliated training
school in Piney Point, Md.
Brother Balanay is a resident of
Honolulu.

WILLIAM
CHRISTO-
PHER III, 59,
started his
career with the
SIU in 1966 in
the port of
Mobile, Ala.
after serving in
the U.S. Army. Brother
Christopher first went to sea
aboard a Platte Transport vessel.
He worked in the deck depart-
ment and in 1996 enhanced his
skills at the union’s affiliated
school in Piney Point, Md.
Brother Christopher makes his
home in LaPorte, Texas.

JIM
HASSAN, 57,
launched his
seafaring
career in 1977
in the port of
New York.
Brother
Hassan, who

was born in Egypt, first sailed on
the Charleston. The deck depart-
ment member was a frequent
upgrader at the Paul Hall Center.
In 1988 he completed his bosun
recertification training there.
Brother Hassan last sailed on the
Missouri, a Maersk Lines vessel.
He currently resides in Elmont,
N.Y.

JAMES
LARATTA,
64, was born
in Glen Ridge,
N.J. Brother
Laratta joined
the SIU in
1987 in the
port of
Norfolk, Va. and initially sailed
aboard the USNS Capella. A U.S.
Navy veteran, Brother Laratta
shipped in the engine department.
He enhanced his skills on a num-
ber of occasions at the Paul Hall
Center. Brother Laratta currently
lives in Merritt Island, Fla.

ABEL
MACK, 64,
joined the SIU
in 1972 in the
port of New
York. Brother
Mack’s first
voyage was on
the USNS

Potomac. In 1978 the deck
department member upgraded his
skills at the Seafarers-affiliated
training school. Brother Mack
now calls Chesapeake, Va. home.

OLE J. MORTENSEN, 64,
began his seafaring career in
1967 in Piney Point, Md. His first
voyage was aboard the Kenmar, a
Calmar Steamship Co. vessel.
Born in Denmark, he worked in
the engine department. Brother
Mortensen was a frequent
upgrader at the union’s affiliated
school. He makes his home in
Tacoma, Wash.

HUGH S. WOODS, 64, hails
from Barbados. Brother Woods
began his seafaring career in
1971 in the port of New York.
His first ship was the Steel
Chemist. He worked in the engine
department and on two occasions
enhanced his skills in Piney
Point, Md. at the Paul Hall
Center. Brother Woods most
recently worked aboard Maersk
Lines’ USNS Prevail. He is a resi-
dent of Norfolk, Va.

GREAT LAKES
YAHYA N.
ALI, 64,
launched his
career with the
SIU in 1968 in
Detroit.
Brother Ali
shipped in the
engine depart-
ment and last worked on
American Steamship’s Charles E.
Wilson. He was born in Arabia
and currently lives in Yemen.

INLAND
CHARLES
BAKER, 62,
embarked on
his seafaring
career in 1972
in Piney Point,
Md. after serv-
ing in the U.S.
Navy. Boat-

man Baker first sailed aboard a
Steuart Transportation Co. vessel.
He worked in the engine depart-
ment and upgraded his skills on
two occasions at the union’s affil-
iated school. Born in Pittsburgh,
Pa., Boatman Baker calls Ocala,
Fla. home.

JIMMY DEE
McNUTT, 68,
launched his
seafaring
career in 1980.
Boatman Mc-
Nutt upgraded
his skills on
numerous
occasions at the Seafarers-affiliat-
ed training school. He worked in
the deck department as a captain,
primarily aboard Crowley Towing
& Transportation vessels. Boat-
man McNutt was born in Ala-
bama, and now makes his home
in Gulfport, Miss.

ALICE
NACCAR-
ATO, 64,
joined the SIU
in 1984 in the
port of
Houston.
Sister Nac-
carato was

born in Kentucky. She shipped as
a member of the steward depart-
ment, working primarily aboard
Delta Queen Steamship vessels.
Sister Naccarato currently resides
in Princeton, Ky.

CHARLES
PEAVY, 62,
was born in
Alabama.
Boatman
Peavy joined
the SIU in
1965 in the
port of
Mobile. He shipped in the deck
department and worked primarily
aboard vessels operated by Dravo
Basic Materials Co. Boatman
Peavy lives in his native state.

NILES PETERSON, 63, began
his seafaring career in 1986. Born
in Louisiana, Boatman Peterson
is a U.S. Navy veteran. He
worked in the deck department,
primarily aboard Delta Queen
Steamship vessels. Boatman
Peterson makes his home in New
Orleans.

PAUL
TULLIS, 64,
hails from
Georgia.
Boatman
Tullis joined
the SIU in
1977 in New
Orleans. He

first worked aboard a Crowley
Towing & Transport vessel.

Boatman Tullis shipped in the
deck department, most recently as
a captain. He last sailed on the
Sugar Island. Boatman Tullis
lives in his native state.

WILLIAM
M. WILLI-
FORD, 62,
joined the SIU
in 1972 in the
port of Phila-
delphia after
serving in the
U.S. Army.
Boatman Williford sailed in the
deck department and was em-
ployed primarily aboard vessels
operated by Maritrans. He en-
hanced his skills at the Paul Hall
Center in 1981. Boatman Willi-
ford was born in Pittsburgh and
now resides in Coatesville, Pa.

Editor’s Note: The following
brothers, all former members of
the National Maritime Union
(NMU) and participants in the
NMU Pension and Trust, recently
went on pension.

STEWARD
McDANIEL,
65, was born
in Port Arthur,
Texas. Brother
McDaniel
started his sea-
faring career
with the NMU

in 1964. His first voyage was on
the Green Harbor, where he
worked in the engine department.
Brother McDaniel last went to
sea on the Texaco Rhode Island.

LINCOLN RICH, 66, joined the
NMU in 1972 in Providence, R.I.
Brother Rich was born in
Honduras. The steward depart-
ment member’s last voyage was
on the Moore McCormack.

DARIO
RODRI-
GUEZ, 68,
began his
career with the
NMU in 1964.
Born in
Isabela, P.R.,
his first voy-
age was on the United States.
Brother Rodriguez worked in the
steward department, most recent-
ly aboard the American Legion.

JAMES
SCHULTE,
71, was born
in St. Louis.
Brother
Schulte began
his NMU
career in 1967
in the port of

Seattle, where his first vessel was
the Kings Point. The deck depart-
ment member last sailed on the
Fredericksburg.

WILLIAM SEPULVEDA, 69,
joined the NMU in 1963. Brother
Sepulveda initially shipped from
New Orleans aboard the
Cristobal in the steward depart-
ment. Born in Puerto Rico, his
last voyage was on the American
Challenger.

MANUEL
SURILLO,
59, started
sailing with
the NMU in
1966 from the
port of New
York. Brother
Surillo sailed
in the steward department aboard
the Atlantic. The Puerto Rico-
born mariner last went to sea on
the American Legion.

Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG.

1948
The Atlantic and Gulf District of the SIU smashed
through with a precedent-making pattern for the
maritime industry
August 6, when a two-
year contract with the
Mississippi Shipping
Company for the highest
wages ever set in the his-
tory of maritime was
signed in New Orleans.
The contract will run
until September 30,
1950 and guarantees a
wage increase of $12.50 across the board for
every rating except bosun, for whom a $25 raise
was secured.
The signing of the two-year contract was made
doubly important by the securing of a clause which
contained guarantees that the present manning scale
on all Mississippi ships could not be reduced during
the full life of the pact, unless both parties agreed
to such reduction. Substantive gains were made in
almost every area of Union concern, making this by
far the most significant contract ever negotiated.

1968
As of August 31 of this year, the SIU’s Welfare
and Vacation plans have paid out a total in benefits
of $101,039,786.89. The SIU Welfare Plan was
first launched in 1950 and, since that time, more
than $41,555,958.55 has been paid out for hos-

pital, death, disability, maternity, dependent, opti-
cal and out-patient benefits. In February 1952 the
SIU Vacation Plan was inaugurated and it has since
paid a total of $59,483,828.34 in vacation bene-
fits for SIU members.
The total value of welfare benefits is actually con-

siderably higher, since
the cost of scholarship
payments, meal books,
training facilities and
medical
examinations—for SIU
members and their
dependents—are not
included in the above
figures.

1982
The officers and SIU crew of the USNS Southern
Cross were honored in Washington, D.C. recently
by the American Institute of Merchant Shipping for
their “humanitarian assistance to Vietnamese
refugees adrift in the South China Sea during late
September 1981.”
The USNS Southern Cross, part of the SIU
Government Services Division fleet operated by the
Military Sealift Command, Pacific, picked up 58
desperate “boat people” from a small 35-foot boat
on July 15, 1981 while en route from Subic Bay,
the Philippines, to Diego Garcia in the Indian
Ocean.
At the time, their actions were lauded by the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in
Singapore…. On the small boat were 18 men, 13
women and 27 children.

TThhiiss MMoonntthh

IInn SSIIUU HHiissttoorryy

23844_P4,14_17,19.qxd 7/22/2004 3:23 PM Page 17



18 Seafarers LOG August 2004

Final Departures
DEEP SEA

LONALE ANDREWS
Brother Lonale
Andrews, 42,
passed away
May 21. He
started his
career with the
SIU in 1987 in
the port of
Norfolk, Va.
The Virginia-

born mariner first went to sea aboard
the USNS Prevail. Brother Andrews
worked in the deck department and
last sailed on the Sea-Land Develop-
er. He resided in his native state.

PERRY BOSARGE
Brother Perry Bosarge, 63, died
April 1. He joined the SIU in 1990
in the port of Mobile, Ala. and sailed
on the Cape Florida. Born in
Alabama, the deck department mem-
ber last shipped aboard the Atlantic
Forest, a Waterman Steamship Corp.
vessel. Brother Bosarge lived in
Mobile.

PATRICIO CECILIO
Pensioner
Patricio Cecilio,
88, died April
30. Brother
Cecilio
embarked on
his career with
the Marine
Cooks and
Stewards

(MC&S) in San Francisco. Born in
Culebra, P.R., he worked in the
steward department. Brother Cecilio
lived in Aguadilla, P.R. and started
receiving his pension in 1973.

DOMENIC CITO
Pensioner
Domenic Cito,
95, passed
away May 7.
Born in Lerici,
Italy, Brother
Cito began his
career with the
MC&S in San
Francisco. The

steward department member resided
in Lynnwood, Wash. and began
receiving stipends for his retirement
in 1972.

PEDRO FIGUEROA
Pensioner
Pedro Figueroa,
84, passed
away April 11.
Brother
Figueroa was
born in Puerto
Rico and began
his seafaring
career in 1956.

His first ship was the Beauregard.
Brother Figueroa worked in the
engine department, last sailing
aboard the Nuevo San Juan. He
began receiving his pension in 1991.

THOMAS GAGNON
Brother Thomas
Gagnon, 64,
died April 27.
Brother Gagnon
started his
career with the
Seafarers in
1963 in the port
of Norfolk, Va.
after serving in

the U.S. Marine Corps. Born in Fall
River, Mass., he shipped in the deck
department. Brother Gagnon’s last
voyage was on Ocean Ships’
Richard Matthiesen. He lived in
Talofofo, Guam.

SIDNEY GARNER
Pensioner Sidney Garner, 77, passed
away Feb. 4. Brother Garner com-
menced his seafaring career in 1953

in the port of
Norfolk, Va.
after serving in
the U.S. Navy.
He was born in
North Carolina
and worked in
the steward
department.
Brother Garner

last shipped aboard a Puerto Rico
Marine Management vessel. The
Baltimore resident went on pension
in 1990.

STANLEY GONDZAR
Pensioner
Stanley
Gondzar, 82,
passed away
April 18. Born
in Maryland,
Brother
Gondzar joined
the SIU in 1943
in the port of

Norfolk, Va. The engine department
member first went to sea aboard an
A.H. Bull Steamship Co. vessel. He
last shipped aboard the Sea-Land
Leader. Brother Gondzar began
receiving pension in 1986. He
resided in Berlin, Md.

JUDITH HARRINGTON
Sister Judith
Harrington, 53,
died in April
2003. She
launched her
SIU career in
1991 in the port
of Philadelphia.
Her first ship
was the Lt.

Calvin P Titus. Born in Merced,
Calif., she worked in the deck
department, most recently as a
bosun. Sister Harrington last shipped
aboard American Overseas Marine’s
USNS Capella. She made her home
in St. George Island, Fla.

EDDIE JACKSON JR.
Pensioner Eddie
Jackson Jr., 68,
passed away
April 19.
Brother Jackson
joined the SIU
in 1957 in the
port of New
York after serv-
ing in the U.S.

Air Force. Born in Mobile, Ala., he
worked in the steward department.
Brother Jackson last sailed on the
Sea-Land Independence and started
receiving compensation for his
retirement in 1991. He lived in
Seattle.

WILLIAM JEMISON SR.
Pensioner
William
Jemison Sr., 66,
died April 22.
Brother
Jemison
launched his
seafaring career
in the port of
Mobile, Ala. in

1960 after serving in the U.S. Navy.
His first voyage was aboard the
Mermaid. The Alabama-born
mariner worked in the engine depart-
ment, last sailing aboard Ocean
Chemical Transport’s Chemical
Trader. He resided in his native state
and began receiving stipends for his
retirement in 1999.

WILLIAM JORDAN
Pensioner William Jordan, 84,
passed away Sept. 18. Brother
Jordan joined the SIU in 1959 in the
port of New York. Born in Missouri,
the engine department member last
sailed on Waterman Steamship
Corp.’s Thomas Lynch. He began
receiving compensation for his

retirement in 1986 and called
Albany, La. home.

EVERETTE LAMBE
Pensioner
Everette
Lambe, 84, died
May 3. Brother
Lambe started
his career with
the Seafarers in
1951 in the port
of Baltimore.
Born in

Cabarrus, N.C., he worked in the
steward department, last sailing on
the OMI Charger. Brother Lambe
went on pension in 1986 and lived in
his native state.

MANUEL LANDRON
Pensioner
Manuel
Landron, 91,
passed away
May 5. Brother
Landron was
born in Puerto
Rico and was a
charter member
of the SIU, hav-

ing joined the union in 1939. His
first voyage was aboard the
Bradford Island. Brother Landron
shipped in the deck department and
last worked aboard the Mayaquez.
He resided in Tampa, Fla. and began
receiving his pension in 1978.

LOURICE MARTIN
Pensioner
Lourice Martin,
79, died July 2,
2003. Brother
Martin joined
the ranks of the
SIU in 1959 in
Portland, Ore.
Born in
Louisiana, he

worked in the steward department
initially aboard Delta Steamship’s
Del Oro. Brother Martin last sailed
on the Sea-Land Patriot. He lived in
Covington, Wash. and began receiv-
ing stipends for his retirement in
1992.

MAYO MUNDINE
Pensioner Mayo Mundine, 88,
passed away Dec. 22. Brother
Mundine joined the SIU in 1967 in
the port of New York. Born in Texas,
he worked as a member of the stew-
ard department, last sailing on the
Cove Leader. Brother Mundine went
on pension in 1987 and called
Columbus, Texas home.

LUTHER MYREX
Pensioner
Luther Myrex,
77, died Jan. 8.
After serving in
the U.S. Army,
Brother Myrex
joined the SIU
in 1945 in the
port of San
Francisco. His

first voyage was on the Alcoa
Patriot. The deck department mem-
ber was born in Alabama. Brother
Myrex last went to sea aboard the
LNG Taurus. He began receiving his
pension in 1992 and resided in his
native state.

DONALD PETERS
Pensioner Donald Peters, 88, passed
away Aug. 8, 2003. Brother Peters
became a Seafarer in 1966 in the
port of Wilmington, Calif. His first
voyage was on a Calmar Steamship
vessel. The engine department mem-
ber began receiving stipends for his
retirement in 1986. Brother Peters
was born in California but called
South Gate, Ga. home.

ROBERT PICKETT
Pensioner Robert Pickett, 68, died

Oct. 20. Brother
Pickett com-
menced his
career with the
SIU in 1952 in
New Orleans.
Born in Mobile,
Ala., he was a
member of the
engine depart-

ment. Brother Pickett first went to
sea on Delta Steamship’s Del Oro.
His final voyage was aboard the
Inger. Brother Pickett started receiv-
ing his pension in 1988. He resided
in Mission, Texas.

WILLIAM ROGERS
Pensioner
William
Rogers, 81,
died May 4.
Brother Rogers
embarked on
his seafaring
career in 1944
in the port of
New York. He

first went to sea aboard a Waterman
Steamship Corp. vessel. Born in
Maine, Brother Rogers shipped in
the deck department. He last worked
on the Patriot and resided in
Waterbury, Conn. Brother Rogers
went on pension in 1987.

FRANK RUIZ
Pensioner Frank Ruiz, 84, passed
away April 10. Brother Ruiz started
his career with MC&S in San
Francisco. Born in Washington, the
steward department member began
receiving compensation for his
retirement in 1969. Brother Ruiz
resided in Las Vegas.

ARTHUR SHAW
Brother Arthur Shaw, 53, passed
away March 6. Born in Seattle,
Wash., Brother Shaw joined the SIU
in 1967 in San Francisco. The
engine department member first
sailed on Delta Steamship’s
Southwestern Victory. Brother Shaw
last went to sea aboard the Sea-Land
Explorer. He called Oakland, Calif.
home.

WILLIAM STEVENS
Pensioner
William
Stevens, 63,
died Feb. 1.
Brother Stevens
launched his
SIU career in
1957 in the port
of Houston. He
initially worked

on Calmar Steamship’s Alamar.
Brother Stevens shipped in the deck
department. He made his home in
Las Vegas and began receiving com-
pensation for his retirement in 1995.

CLAUDE STURGES
Pensioner
Claude Sturges,
63, passed
away April 22.
Brother Sturges
began his career
with the
Seafarers in
1951 in the port
of Norfolk, Va.

The Virginia-born mariner shipped
in the steward department, first sail-
ing on the Seagarden. Brother
Sturges went on pension in 1977 and
continued to live in his native state.

AMBROCIO SUGUITAN
Pensioner
Ambrocio
Suguitan, 96,
died May 1.
Born in the
Philippines,
Brother
Suguitan
launched his
career with the

MC&S in San Francisco. He went
on pension in 1970. Brother
Suguitan made his home in
Honolulu.

CLYDE WOODS
Pensioner
Clyde Woods,
89, passed away
April 23.
Brother Woods
embarked on
his seafaring
career in 1945
in Savannah,
Ga. The stew-

ard department member last sailed
aboard a Gulf Atlantic Transport
Corp. vessel. He called Candler, Ga.
home and began receiving stipends
for his retirement in 1975.

GREAT LAKES

FRANK KASPERSKI
Pensioner
Frank
Kasperski, 86,
died March 15.
Brother
Kasperski
joined the
union in 1960
in Detroit, after
serving in the

U.S. Army. The New York-born
mariner worked in the deck depart-
ment, last sailing on the William
Roesch. Brother Kasperski started
receiving his pension in 1981 and
resided in his native state.

INLAND

CHESTER LEWIS
Pensioner
Chester Lewis,
85, died April
19. Before join-
ing the SIU in
1969 in the port
of Norfolk, Va.,
Boatman Lewis
served in the
U.S. Army. He

was born in Pamlico, N.C. and
worked in the steward department,
shipping primarily aboard vessels
operated by Maritrans. Boatman
Lewis resided in Grantsboro, N.C.
and began receiving his pension in
1983.

ROLAND MASON SR.
Pensioner
Roland Mason
Sr., 80, passed
away May 14.
Boatman
Mason
embarked on
his career with
the SIU in 1958
in the port of

Baltimore. Born in North Carolina,
he sailed in the deck department as a
captain. Boatman Mason initially
worked aboard the Government
Camp. His final voyage was on the
STC Little Curtis. Boatman Mason
started receiving his pension in 1988
and resided in Chesapeake, Va.

JACK STOUT
Pensioner Jack
Stout, 73,
passed away
May 6. After
serving in the
U.S. Navy,
Boatman Stout
joined the SIU
in 1970. His
initial voyage

was aboard a Michigan Tankers ves-
sel. Born in Wichita, Kan., Boatman
Stout worked in the deck depart-
ment. He last sailed on a G&H
Towing vessel. Boatman Stout made
his home in Rye, Texas and began
receiving stipends for his retirement
in 1993.

Continued on page 20

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August 2004 Seafarers LOG 19

AACCHHIIEEVVEERR (USSM), May 16—
Chairman James E. Davis,
Secretary Kenneth A. Hagan,
Educational Director Miguel
Rivera, Deck Delegate Peter
Wojcikowski, Steward Delegate
Obencio Espinoza. Chairman
reminded crew this is an election
year and to vote for pro-maritime
candidates. He also encouraged
members to donate to SPAD. No
beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote
of thanks to steward department for
keeping living areas orderly. Next
ports: Charleston, S.C.; Houston;
Norfolk, Va.
MMOOTTIIVVAATTOORR (USMM), May
17—Chairman Anthony Mabew,
Secretary Matthew Scott.
Chairman announced ship payoff
in Houston. He thanked crew
members for job well done.
Secretary emphasized educational
opportunities available at Paul Hall
Center in Piney Point, Md. No
beefs reported; OT issue in deck
department to be settled at payoff.
Clarification requested on trans-
portation expenses.
OOVVEERRSSEEAASS HHAARRRRIIEETTTTEE
(OSG), May 21—Chairman John
M. Zepeda, Secretary George
Quinn, Deck Delegate Floyd
Patterson, Engine Delegate
Jerome E. Dooms, Steward
Delegate Leoncio A. Castro.
Chairman announced payoff May
23 in Miami, Fla. with stores
brought on that day. Secretary
thanked crew for help keeping
crew mess hall clean. Beefs and
disputed OT reported in engine
department; none in deck or stew-
ard departments. Recommendation
made to get weight set for exercise
room. Security crew given drill on
how to spot bombs planted aboard
ship. Next port New Orleans.
CCOOAASSTT RRAANNGGEE (Intrepid), June
27—Chairman Gregory R.
Jenkins, Secretary Robert E.
Wilcox, Educational Director Scott
S. Fuller, Deck Delegate Donnie
W. Collins, Engine Delegate Scott
Fuller, Steward Delegate John
Bennett. Chairman reminded crew
members to wait to be properly
relieved before being paid off and
to make sure rooms are left clean.
Secretary thanked crew for helping
keep common areas and mess hall
clean. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Suggestion made to
rename “Vacation Benefit.” Fresh
milk and produce to be brought at
first port of entry. Next port:
Garyville, La.
EELL YYUUNNQQUUEE (IUM), June 27—
Chairman Luis J. Ramirez,
Secretary Francis E. Ostendarp,
Educational Director John J.
Walsh, Deck Delegate Jose
Canales, Engine Delegate Ronald
Williams, Steward Delegate
Nelson F. Morales. Chairman
announced payoff July 1 in Port
Everglades, Fla. He asked crew
members to watch instructional
video in union halls addressing ter-
rorism. Educational director
advised crew to upgrade whenever
possible at Paul Hall Center in
Piney Point, Md. and to keep all
records up to date. No beefs or dis-
puted OT reported. Suggestion
made regarding seatime and age
requirements for pension benefits.
EENNDDUURRAANNCCEE (USSM), June 14
—Chairman Romeo L. Lugtu,

Secretary Jesse B. Natividad,
Educational Director Ron M.
Schexnayder, Deck Delegate
Dennis A. Hurley, Engine
Delegate Teddie H. Carter,
Steward Delegate Thurman C.
Johnson. Chairman thanked crew
for smooth trip and led discussion
on ship security. Treasurer stated
$1,190 in crew’s fund, less $72 for
a dart board set. No beefs or dis-
puted OT reported. Chairman
reminded crew getting off to lock
rooms and give keys to chief mate.
Next port: Los Angeles.
EEXXPPRREESSSS (USSM), June 20—
Chairman George H. Perry,
Secretary Richard E. Hicks,
Educational Director Mohamad Y.
Abdullah. Chairman thanked those
members who took vessel out of
yard for excellent job cleaning and
getting ship running again.
Secretary thanked crew for pleasant
trip and for keeping everything
clean. Communications read
regarding no bus service in port. No
beefs or disputed OT reported. Next
ports: Baltimore, Newark, N.J.
HHOORRIIZZOONN AANNCCHHOORRAAGGEE
(Horizon Lines), June 20—
Chairman Daniel W. Seagle,
Secretary Brenda M. Kamiya,
Educational Director Lorence D.
Pence, Deck Delegate Basil D.
Stolen, Engine Delegate John R.
Day. Chairman announced payoff
June 22 in Tacoma, Wash. He noti-
fied crew of mandatory Coast
Guard security drills June 23.
Educational director advised crew
to keep upgrading at union’s affili-
ated school in Piney Point, Md. No
beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote
of thanks given to engine and deck
departments for keeping living
areas clean and to steward depart-
ment for good meals and service.
Next port: Tacoma, Wash.
HHOORRIIZZOONN NNAAVVIIGGAATTOORR
(Horizon Lines), June 22— Chair-
man Werner H. Becher, Secretary
Vainuu L. Sili, Educational
Director Daniel F. Dean, Deck
Delegate Robert J. Natividad,
Engine Delegate Thomas V.
Hastings, Steward Delegate Henry
O. Wright. Chairman announced
arrival June 22 in Oakland, Calif.
with payoff that same day. He
thanked crew for keeping ship
clean and plastic items separate
from regular trash. Due to security,
only one access door should be
open while in port. Departing crew
members were reminded to leave
set of clean linen for next person.
Educational director stressed
importance of attending upgrading
courses at Paul Hall Center. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Chairman read president’s report
pertaining to training and security
aboard ships. Recommendation
made to reduce seatime needed for
pension and increase monthly ben-
efit. Suggestion made to order new
mattresses and towels.
HHOORRIIZZOONN PPAACCIIFFIICC (Horizon
Lines), June 5—Chairman Donald
D. Rico, Secretary Kristen M.
Swann, Educational Director John
C. Ropp. Chairman asked depart-
ment crew members to clean state-
rooms and leave fresh linen. He
also stressed importance of con-
tributing to SPAD. Secretary
encouraged crew members to
upgrade skills at Piney Point and
make sure all paperwork and docu-

ments are current, allowing plenty
of time for z-card renewal. Educa-
tional director advised crew to
keep up with union and industry
business by reading Seafarers
LOG. Treasurer stated $335 in
ship’s fund and $100 in cookout
fund. Beef reported by engine
department delegate. Vote of
thanks to the steward department
for a job well done.
HHOORRIIZZOONN RREELLIIAANNCCEE (Horizon
Lines), June 21—Chairman
Dominic L. Brunamonti, Secretary
Sherman W. Anderson,
Educational Director Odgen W.
Lafaye, Deck Delegate Wilfredo G.
Caidoy, Engine Delegate George
B. Lockett, Steward Delegate
Bienvenido C. Badillo. Chairman
announced payoff July 3 in Tacoma,
Wash. Everyone reminded to carry
current, up-to-date z-cards in and
out of port gate and not to compro-
mise marked restricted entry doors
and hatches when in port. He
thanked crew members for promptly
extinguishing electrical fire and
working well together this voyage.
Educational director advised
Seafarers to upgrade skills at Paul
Hall Center. Treasurer stated
$1,152.11 in ship’s fund. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Crew
reminded to be cautious around
440-volt cables and to be quiet in
passageways since watchstanders
may be sleeping. Request made that
those going on watch be allowed to
eat first. Deck department asked
that work gloves and coveralls be
available in Slop Chest.
HHOORRIIZZOONN SSPPRRIITT (Horizon
Lines), June 7—Chairman How-
ard W. Gibbs, Secretary Scott A.
Opsahl, Educational Director
Roger M. Wasserman, Deck
Delegate Charles L. Mull, Engine
Delegate Randall P. Story. Chair-
man announced payoff upon arrival
in Tacoma, Wash. followed by
blanket relief. He reminded crew to
check with patrolman before leav-
ing ship and advised them of secu-
rity training. Secretary asked crew
members to keep noise down so
watchstanders can sleep and for
department members to leave
rooms clean for next person.
Educational director encouraged
crew to keep documents current
and to upgrade skills at the Paul
Hall Center. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Recommendation
made to amend shipping procedure
rules. Suggestion made to replace
sofa and chairs. After pricing is
obtained, they can, hopefully, be
purchased in Oakland. Thanks
given to steward department for
job well done.
HHOORRIIZZOONN TTAACCOOMMAA (Horizon
Lines), June 7—Chairman Joseph
Artis, Secretary Lincoln E. Pinn,
Educational Director Michael G.
McGlone, Deck Delegate Robert
Brown, Engine Delegate James B.
Long, Steward Delegate Ronald
E. Dewitt. Chairman encouraged
crew members to keep dues paid
current and support SPAD. He
announced payoff June 8 upon
arrival in Tacoma, Wash. and
thanked everyone for helping keep
ship clean. Educational director
urged all members to take advan-
tage of upgrading classes at Piney
Point. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Chairman announced that
radio and reception would be
repaired as soon as possible.
Suggestion made to shorten
seatime for pension and raise
monthly benefit. Vote of thanks
given to steward department for
job well done.
IINNNNOOVVAATTOORR (USSM), June 20—
Chairman Dirk W. Adams,
Secretary Jose M. Bayani,
Educational Director Roger D.
Phillips, Deck Delegate Eric
Lund, Engine Delegate Bryan T.
Field, Steward Delegate Mostafa
Loumrhari. Chairman compli-
mented crew on job well done and
encouraged them to read articles in

Seafarers LOG about new security
measures. He also recognized the
passing of former SIU VP West
Coast George McCartney.
Secretary thanked crew members,
especially bosun and two day men,
for great job cleaning and painting.
Treasurer stated $326 in ship’s
fund. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Recommendation made
to increase retirement benefits.
Stove plate in galley needs repair.
Next ports: Los Angeles and
Oakland, Calif.
IITTBB BBAALLTTIIMMOORREE (USS
Transport), June 1—Chairman
Jeffrey H. Kass, Secretary Pedro
R. Mena, Educational Director

Geoffrey L. James, Engine
Delegate Hussein A Mohamed,
Steward Delegate Elsayed T.
Amasha. Chairman stressed need
for safety at all time. He asked that
everyone be quiet in passageways
and advised everyone to keep all
documents (e.g., MMDs, TRBs,
benzene cards, passports) current.
He encouraged members to con-
tribute to SPAD—the union’s voice
in Congress. Educational director
stated that movies were due in next
port. Treasurer said that movie fund
would be given $200 per month.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Request made to receive copy of
Piney Point membership meeting
aboard ship. Thanks given “to Mr.
Amasha for his new-found pen-
chant for baking.” His salad bars
are great, as are his freshly made
hot rolls, cookies, breads, cakes and
puddings. Next port: Houston.
OOVVEERRSSEEAASS MMAARRIILLYYNN (OSG),
June 20—Chairman Marco A.
Galliano, Secretary Tyler N.
Laffitte, Deck Delegate Oscar R.
Padilla, Engine Delegate Hilario
C. Martinez, Steward Delegate
Isabel Miranda. Chairman
advised crew to start renewal
process for MMDs early to avoid
last-minute delays. No beefs or dis-
puted OT reported. Thanks given
to steward department for job well
done. Recommendation made
regarding lump-sum option for
pension plan. Next port: New
Orleans.
PPAATTRRIIOOTT (USSM), June 27—
Chairman George B. Khan,
Secretary Daniel Q. Payne,
Educational Director Mario G
Paquiz, Deck Delegate Philemon
C. Quitoriano, Engine Delegate
Sharif Noor, Steward Delegate
Ernest Polk. Bosun reminded
everyone to be aware of new secu-
rity policies. Educational Director
recommended Seafarers upgrade
skills at Piney Point school. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Suggestion made to increase pen-
sion benefits. Crew reminded to
help keep ship clean. Next port:
Long Beach, Calif.

RRIICCHHAARRDD GG.. MMAATTTTHHIIEESSOONN
(Ocean Shipholding), June 14—
Chairman David M. Fridstrom,
Secretary Thomas K. Gingerich,
Deck Delegate Troy R. Ingersoll,
Steward Delegate Gerald Wat-
kins. Chairman notified crew that a
Navy security team would be com-
ing aboard in Long Beach for a
month. Smoking area will be in
crew mess hall, but not during
meal hours. Crew members asked
to show up for meals on time since
security team will eat at 8 a.m.,
noon and 5:30 p.m. Secretary
requested everyone help keep mess
area clean. Educational director
reminded crew to keep documents
up to date. Crew also encouraged

to upgrade skills at Paul Hall
Center. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Steward department
requested third cook on board
when a security team of 10 or more
sails with vessel for long period of
time. Toaster needs to be repaired
or replaced. Crew also suggested
more plastic chairs be purchased
for use during barbecues. Bosun
thanked steward department for job
well done. Steward department, in
turn, thanked bosun for all his help.

SSUULLPPHHUURR EENNTTEERRPPRRIISSEE
(Sulphur Carriers), June 13—
Chairman Nettali Santana,
Secretary Darryl K. Goggins,
Educational Director Alfred G.
Lane, Deck Delegate Tibby L.
Clotter, Steward Delegate Jose R.
Morales. Chairman encouraged
members to upgrade skills in Piney
Point. Secretary requested crew
return dirty dishes to galley. He
also reminded those members get-
ting off to make sure room is clean
and with fresh linen for next per-
son. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Suggestion made regard-
ing increased medical and pension
benefits for members and spouses.
Recommendation made for union
to look into satellite TV issue as
well as increase in pay. Additional
washer needed in laundry room.
Vote of thanks given to chief cook,
steward and SA for jobs well done.
Next port: Tampa.

UUSSNNSS PPAAUULL BBUUCCKK (OSI), June
17—Chairman Kevin A. Kellum,
Secretary Michael Tobman,
Engine Delegate Orlando V.
Pajarillo Jr. Chairman noted con-
cern about current cost of ship-
board e-mail. Secretary reminded
crew members that dues will be
collected in Guam. Educational
director emphasized importance of
keeping all necessary shipping
documents current. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Clarification
requested on pay scale for mess-
man and DEU on MSC-contacted
vessels. Recommendation made to
purchase new printer for computer.
Next port: Guam.

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..`̀`̀`̀

Greetings from the Maersk Constellation

En route from South Africa to
Houston (via Mozambique and
Tanzania), crew members
aboard the Maersk
Constellation were treated to a
shipboard barbecue. These
photos were sent to the LOG
by AB George Jordanides.

Enjoying the
great food are
(clockwise, from
top) AB George
Jordanides and
AB Earl Jones;
AB Nick Adderly;
and AB Jamie
Gill.

23844_P4,14_17,19.qxd 7/22/2004 3:24 PM Page 19



20 Seafarers LOG August 2004

(Editor’s note: The Seafarers LOG
reserves the right to edit letters for
grammar as well as space provi-
sions without changing the writer’s
intent. The LOG welcomes letters
from members, pensioners, their
families and shipmates and will
publish them on a timely basis.)

Merchant MMarine VVet
Thanked ffor WWWII
Service

I was at the dedication of the
new National World War II
Memorial May 29, 2004. It is a
beautiful memorial, and it
includes the seals of the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air
Force, Coast Guard and
Merchant Marine.

On the Mall in Washington,
D.C., people came up to me,
some with tears in their eyes, and
thanked me and others in the
Merchant Marine for keeping
America free. It made me proud
to say that I served in the
Merchant Marine in World War
II.

We delivered 85 to 90 percent
of all goods used by the U.S.

armed forces, in addition to the
fighting troops. We delivered the
goods, but not without a cost. The
Merchant Marine had one of the
highest casualty rates of all the
services.

Of the 200,000 people at the
World War II Memorial dedica-
tion, a local paper, The Wash-
ington Times, took pictures of
some of the World War II veter-
ans. I told my war stories to a
volunteer from the Library of
Congress, where a collection of
similar stories will be housed.

I would like to thank all the
members of the Seafarers Union
for their great help in writing to
their representatives of Congress
for support of H.R. 3729 [the
Belated Thank You to the
Merchant Mariners of World War
II Act].

As of June 10, 2004, there
were 69 representatives of Con-
gress who are co-sponsoring the
bill. We need more members of
Congress to add their support. So,
please keep up the good
work—and we will be victorious.
Richard G. Wiggins
Kansas City, Mo.

Letter to the Editor
FINANCIAL REPORTS. The

Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf,
Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU
makes specific provision for safeguarding
the membership’s money and union
finances. The constitution requires a
detailed audit by certified public accoun-
tants every year, which is to be submitted
to the membership by the secretary-trea-
surer. A yearly finance committee of
rank-and-file members, elected by the
membership, each year examines the
finances of the union and reports fully
their findings and recommendations.
Members of this committee may make
dissenting reports, specific recommenda-
tions 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 agree-
ments specify that the trustees in charge of
these funds shall equally consist of union
and management representatives and their
alternates. All expenditures and disburse-
ments 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 member’s
shipping rights and seniority are protected
exclusively by contracts between the
union and the employers. Members should
get to know their shipping rights. Copies
of these contracts are posted and available
in all union halls. If members believe
there have been violations of their ship-
ping or seniority rights as contained in the
contracts between the union and the
employers, they should notify the
Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail,
return receipt requested. The proper
address for this is:

Augustin Tellez, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746

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

CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU con-
tracts are available in all SIU halls. These
contracts specify the wages and condi-

tions under which an SIU member works
and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members
should know their contract rights, as well
as their obligations, such as filing for
overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in
the proper manner. If, at any time, a mem-
ber believes that an SIU patrolman or
other union official fails to protect their
contractual rights properly, he or she
should contact the nearest SIU port agent.

EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEA-
FARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG tradi-
tionally has refrained from publishing any
article serving the political purposes of
any individual in the union, officer or
member. It also has refrained from pub-
lishing articles deemed harmful to the
union or its collective membership. This
established policy has been reaffirmed by
membership action at the September 1960
meetings 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
circumstances should any member pay
any money for any reason unless he is
given such receipt. In the event anyone
attempts to require any such payment be
made without supplying a receipt, or if a
member is required to make a payment
and is given an official receipt, but feels
that he or she should not have been
required to make such payment, this
should immediately be reported to union
headquarters.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU
Constitution are available in all union
halls. All members should obtain copies of
this constitution so as to familiarize them-
selves with its contents. Any time a mem-
ber 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, tri-
als, 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 employ-
ers. Consequently, no member may be dis-
criminated 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 ACTIVI-
TY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a
separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are
used to further its objects and purposes
including, but not limited to, furthering
the political, social and economic interests
of maritime workers, the preservation and
furthering of the American merchant
marine with improved employment
opportunities for seamen and boatmen and
the advancement of trade union concepts.
In connection with such objects, SPAD
supports and contributes to political can-
didates for elective office. All contribu-
tions 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 employ-
ment. If a contribution is made by reason
of the above improper conduct, the mem-
ber 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
support SPAD to protect and further his or
her economic, political and social inter-
ests, and American trade union concepts.

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

Michael Sacco, President
Seafarers International Union

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746.

Know Your Rights

General elections for the union’s officers will
take place this year. Voting will begin Nov. 1 and
continue through Dec. 31.

In the case of members eligible to vote who
believe they will be at sea during the Nov. 1 through
Dec. 31, 2004 voting period, absentee ballots are
available.

The SIU constitution ensures that members who
are eligible to vote and who find themselves in this
situation may vote. Procedures are established in the
SIU constitution to safeguard the secret ballot elec-
tion, including the absentee ballot process.

Here is the procedure to follow when requesting
an absentee ballot:

� Make the request in writing to the SIU office
of the secretary-treasurer, 5201 Auth Way, Camp
Springs, MD 20746.

� Include in the request the correct address
where the absentee ballot should be mailed.

� Send the request for an absentee ballot by reg-
istered or certified mail.

� The registered or certified mail envelope must
be postmarked no later than midnight, Nov. 15,

2004 and must be received at 5201 Auth Way, Camp
Springs, MD 20746 no later than Nov. 25, 2004.

� The secretary-treasurer, after confirming eli-
gibility, will send by registered mail, return receipt
requested, to the address designated in the request, a
ballot, together with an envelope marked “Ballot”
and a mailing envelope no later than Nov. 30, 2004.

� Upon receiving the ballot and envelopes, vote
by marking the ballot. After voting the ballot, place
the ballot in the envelope marked “Ballot.” Do not
write on the “Ballot” envelope.

� Place the envelope marked “Ballot” in the
mailing envelope which is imprinted with the mail-
ing address of the bank depository where all ballots
are sent.

� Sign the mailing envelope on the first line of
the upper left-hand corner. Print your name and
book number on the second line. The mailing enve-
lope is self-addressed and stamped.

� The mailing envelope must be postmarked no
later than midnight Dec. 31, 2004 and received by
the bank depository no later than Jan. 5, 2005.

Procedure for Absentee Ballots

WILLIAM WATSON
Pensioner
William
Watson, 87,
died April 13.
Boatman
Watson began
his seafaring
career in 1958
in the port of
Baltimore. He

shipped in the deck department as a
captain and worked primarily aboard
Maritrans vessels. Boatman Watson
began receiving compensation for
his retirement in 1981. Swan
Quarter, N.C. was his home.

Editor’s Note: The following broth-
ers, all former members of the
National Maritime Union (NMU)
and participants in the NMU Pension
Trust, have passed away.

PEDRO SOLER
Pensioner Pedro
Soler, 77,
passed away
May 16.
Brother Soler
joined the
NMU in 1963,
first shipping
from the port of
New York. His

first voyage was aboard the Santa
Maria. Born in Puerto Rico, Brother
Soler worked in the steward depart-
ment. He began receiving his pen-
sion in 1990.

MIGUEL SANCHEZ
Pensioner
Miguel
Sanchez, 83,
died May 31.
Born in Puerto
Rico, Brother
Sanchez first
sailed with the
NMU in 1939
from the port of

New York on the Borinquen.
Brother Sanchez’s last voyage was
on the Newberry Victory. The deck
department member went on pen-
sion in 1965.

LOUIS POPEK
Pensioner Louis Popek, 82, passed
away June 9. After joining the NMU

in 1947,
Brother
Popek’s initial
voyage was
aboard the
Sedalia Victory.
He was born in
Massachusetts
and worked in
the engine

department. Brother Popek last
sailed on the Export Freedom and
began collecting compensation for
his retirement in 1978.

WALTER LEYCOCK
Pensioner
Walter
Leycock, 92,
died June 3.
Brother
Leycock was
born in St.
Croix, V.I. and
started his
career with the

NMU in 1953. Sailing from the port
of New York, his first vessel was the
Arlington. Brother Leycock shipped
in the engine department. He last
went to sea aboard the American
Export and started receiving
stipends for his retirement in 1976.

HERBERT GILLARD
Pensioner Herbert Gillard, 74,
passed away May 18. Brother
Gillard began his career with the
NMU in 1945, first shipping from
Port Arthur, Texas. His first vessel
was the James Island. The steward
department member was born in
Texas. He last sailed aboard the
Keystoner and started receiving his
pension in 1973.

NATHAN EBANKS
Pensioner
Nathan Ebanks,
79, died June 4.
Brother Ebanks
was born in the
West Indies and
joined the
NMU in 1941.
He initially
went to sea

from the port of New York aboard
the James W. Cannon. Brother
Ebanks worked in the deck depart-
ment and last sailed on the Marine
Duval. He began receiving compen-
sation for his retirement in 1974.

THOMAS CARTER
Pensioner Thomas Carter, 81, passed
away May 8. Brother Carter started

Final Departures
Continued from page 18

his seafaring
career with the
NMU in 1943.
Born in
Kentucky, the
engine depart-
ment member
first shipped
from the port of
New York on

the Sparrows Point. Brother Carter
last sailed aboard the Genevieve
Lykes. He started receiving retire-
ment compensation in 1987.

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

Anjiras, William 89 May 4
Badger, Stanley 77 June 11
Bloes, Arthur 94 June 5

Bogdan, Lawrence 95 May 18
Carter, Thomas 81 May 8
Cerrato, Alejandro 81 April 5
Damon, George 78 May 21
Davidson, Cecil 77 June 2
Evans, John 77 June 14
Ferrer, Juan 89 June 4
Ferrer, Jose 83 June 5
Ford, Samuel 85 May 19
Gomes, Harwood 77 June 11
Huertas, Pablo 82 May 19
Johns, Earle 76 May 18
Lamot, John 96 June 11
Mazzola, Michael 81 May 31
Nicodemus, John 87 May 20
Padilla, Hector 71 June 10
Redesky, Thomas 73 May 30
Rudnickas, Joseph 81 June 10
Salinas, Nicasio 100 May 27
Tate, Wilton 80 June 14
Torres, Pablo 81 May 27
Wijngaarde, Otmar 68 June 11
Williams, Charles 77 May 15

Attention Seafarers:

23844_P7,9_11,18,20_23.qxd 7/23/2004 6:58 PM Page 20



August 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. through the end of 2004. All programs are
geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime
industry.

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

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

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

Deck Upgrading Courses
Start Date of

Course Date Completion

Able Seaman August16 September 10
September 27 October 22
November 8 December 3

Automatic Radar Plotting Aids* September 13 September 17
(ARPA) November 15 November 19
*(must have radar unlimited)

Celestial Navigation September 27 October 22

GMDSS (Simulator) August 23 September 3
September 27 October 8
November 1 November 12

Lifeboatman/Water Survival August 2 August 13
September 13 September 24
October 25 November 5

Navigation Fundamentals November 29 December 10

Radar August 30 September 10
November 1 November 12

Specially Trained Ordinary Seaman August 9 August 20
(STOS) October 4 October 15

November 29 December 10

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 July 18, 2004.

Recertification

Bosun October 11 November 8

Engine Upgrading Courses
Start Date of

Course Date Completion

Basic Auxiliary Plant Operation September 20 October 15
November 15 December 10

FOWT October 25 December 17

QMED - Junior Engineer September 27 December 17

Welding August 23 September 10
October 4 October 22
November 1 November 19

Safety Specialty Courses

Start Date of
Course Date Completion

Advanced Fire Fighting* August 23 September 3
(*must have basic fire fighting) September 20 October 1

November 8 November 19

Basic Safety Training (BST) August 2 August 6
August 30 September 3

Fast Rescue Boat August 30 September 3

Government Vessels September 13 October 1

Tankerman (PIC) Barge* October 4 October 8
(*must have basic fire fighting)

Academic Department Courses
General education and college courses are available as needed. In addi-
tion, 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 introduc-
tion 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.

�

8/04

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.

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22 Seafarers LOG August 2004

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

Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 651 — Graduating from the water sur-
vival class are unlicensed apprentices from class 651 (in alphabetical order) James Carey, Troy
Davis, Daniel Fields, Adam Guerrero, Clark Howard, Shantay Joquin, Perry Martin, Jamal Ricks,
John Rodriguez, Bryan Singleterry, Adam Soto and Robert Starr.

Able Seaman — Receiving certificates for completion of the AB class end-
ing June 18 are (in alphabetical order) Miguel Baerga, Warren Barney, Harvey
Carvajal, Michael Hames, Larry Howard, Terry Igot, Peter Martin, Carl
Pedersen, Eugene Perez, Jon Phillips, Jay Pierce, Terrell Poole, La Terrance
Ransom, Rigoberto Ruiz, Anthony Sanchez, Marc Simpson, Miles Souders,
James Trotter, Tom War and Lakindra Williams. Their instructor, Bernabe
Pelingon, is at far right.

Basic Auxiliary Plant Ops — Upgrading Seafarers Bon Vannaxay, Selahattin Akpinar and Charles
Johnson joined with unlicensed apprentices in completing the basic auxiliary plant operations course June 11.
They are (in no specific order) Jess Cooper, Adam Begleiter, Taneisha Johnson, Daniel Miller, Michael Snowden
Jr., Michael Maskalenka, Lloyd Clark, Gilbert Johnson, Nicholas Collins, Hashiem Pittman, Orlando Pabon,
Joseph Waller, Nicholas Doffoh and Antoine Rainey. Their instructor, Eric Malzkuhn, is in the back, far right.

Radar — Under the instruction of Mike Smith (far right) are
Seafarers who completed the radar couse June 18. They are
(in alphabetical order) Brook Bowers, James Fekany, Karl
Mayhew, David Steinberg and Jermaine Williams. Not pic-
tured are Nebojsa Milosevic and James Reece.

Welding —
Graduation certifi-
cates for comple-
tion of the welding
course were given
July 2 to Kenji
Hoffman (left),
Steven Haver
(center) and
Gabriel Bonefont
(front). Their
instructor, Buzzy
Andrews, stands
in the back.

ARPA — Earning their ARPA certificates June 25 are (in
no specific order) Loren Wolfe, Harry Claar II, Darryl

Alexander, Jermaine Williams, Louis Barra, Karl Mayhew,
Nebojsh Milosevic and (not pictured) James Reece. Their
instructor, Mike Smith, is at far right.

Fast Rescue — Under the instruction of Stan
Beck (third from left) are Seafarers who completed
the fast rescue boat course June 11. They are (in
alphabetical order) Darryl Alexander, Robert
Carroll, Neil Carter, Frank Mahr and Paul
McCready.

Marine Electrician — Completing the marine electrician
course July 1 are (in alphabetical order) John Alicea, Jeoffrey
Curry, Joseph Egan, Richard Huffman, William McLaughlin, Robert
Nelson, Jose Ramirez, Jeffery Roddy, Terry Santure, Ronald
Smith, Lionel Taylor and Olie Webber. Jay Henderson, their instruc-
tor, is standing at far right.

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.

Computer Lab Class

Showing off his
certificates of
achievement
for completion
of several
computer
classes at the
Paul Hall
Center is
Carlos Diaz.
With him is his
instructor, Rick
Prucha.

Galley Operations — Upgrading their baking skills
in the school’s galley lab recently are (from left) Emilia
Wooden (Advanced Galley Operations), Arlene Ringler
(chief instructor), Peter Williams (Advanced Galley
Operations), Ali Nasser, Lee Holiday, Xu Ziting, Elba
Alfaro, Brian Holmes, Khaled Musleh and Felipa Aranda.

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August 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
Small Arms
Training—

Completing the small
arms training course

June 18 are (in
alphabetical order)

Nicholas Collins,
Michael Cox,

Timothy Dexter,
Rocky Dupraw, Kent

Harper, Gilbert
Johnson, Jamie Me-
dina, John Niday IV,

Antoine Rainey,
Coda Russell,

Michael Snowden
Jr., Joseph Waldera,
Richard Wiltison and

Christopher Yohe.

Tanker Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL) — Graduating from the
tanker familiarization/assistant cargo (DL) course June 25 are (in no particular order)
Steven Hall, Steven Lonas, Douglas Carson, Steven Media, Bruce Heath, Timothy
Dunn, Walter Sainvil, Juan Colon, Irving Rochez, Rigoberto Beata, Bon Vannaxay,
Selahattin Akpinar, Charles Johnson, Camille Diagne and Leonard Soriano. Their
instructor, Jim Shaffer, is at far right.

Basic Safety Training Classes

STCW — May 7: Andrew Baumrucker, Charles Burton, Johnny
Cothren, Amanda Haun, Jessica Koutecky, Chantry McSherry, Kieran
McSherry, Noah Rowan and Lamar Solomon.

STCW — May 28:
Matthew Caplins,
Joseph Corr, Alvin
Moore Jr., Inocencio
Roxas, Ahmed Saleh
and Phillip Stephens.

Lifeboatman/Water Survival — Earning their lifeboatman/water sur-
vival endorsements May 21 are (in alphabetical order) Louie Acerudano,
Alberto Armas, Mark Beleno, Keoni Bounds, Mary DeGuzman, Elizabeth
Dominguez, Danny Fletcher, Brian Grieder II, Sheila Hanson, Kathleen
Kleaver, Aaron Lanet, Tyler Motz, Noheapualani Polendey and Thelma
Sokiano.

Specially Trained OS —
Receiving their STOS certificates
of completion June 11 from
instructor Stacey Harris (front
row, center) are Coda Russell,
Joseph Waldera, Ty Varnadoe,
Christopher Yohe, Christopher
Czarske, Richard Wiltison,
Nathaniel Leachman, Neftali
Erausquin, Santos Gary, Damian
Spedale, Kent Harper and
Mohamed Mosed.

Specially Trained OS —
Another STOS class that gradu-

ated June 11, but under the
instruction of Tony Sevilla (back

row, far right) are Phillip
Maxfield, Timothy Dexter, Jamar

Reed, Kevin Johnson, Jor-el
Holmberg, Mark Beck, John

Crawford, Damar Shaw, John
Niday IV, Donaldo Valencia and

Jaime Medina.

STCW — May 14: Holly Alfrey, Edward Birdsong, Jeffrey Fiegel, Tony Green, Simien James, James
Niotis, Melissa Oakley, Eduardo Osorio, Jimmy Pruitt, Charles Reeve, James Rodriguez, Vasilijs
Semesjuks, Marvin St. George, Edgar Stanley, Rick Leach and Debra Meadows.

STCW — June 25: John Brantly, Harvey Carvajal, George DiCanio, John Habib, Michael
Hames Sr., Peter Martin, Sadeq Nasser, Robert Ott, Andrew Page, Carl Pedersen, Jon
Phillips, Michelle Picton and Miguel Vinca.

23844_P7,9_11,18,20_23.qxd 7/22/2004 4:26 PM Page 23



Tuesday, NNov. 22
is EElection DDay 22004

Remember, yyou ccan’t vvote uunless
you aare rregistered.

Participate .. .. .. RRegister .. .. .. VVOTE!

The SIU-crewed Flickertail
State received the Professional
Ship Award from U.S. Maritime
Administrator Capt. William
Schubert during a ceremony July
15 in Newport News, Va.

SIU Vice President Govern-
ment Services Kermett Mangram
took part in the event. He con-
gratulated the crew for “an out-
standing job” in Operation Haiti
and Operation New Horizons—
performances which earned them
the recognition from the Mari-
time Administration.

“Welcome home, and thanks
for making us all proud,”
Mangram stated.

Speaking to the rest of the

audience, he noted, “Most of you
here today are very familiar with
the long history of the U.S.
Merchant Marine and our role as
the fourth arm of defense. We’ve
proven our value time after time.
We’ve proven our loyalty and
reliability since the very begin-
nings of this country.”

In a letter to the crew, SIU
President Michael Sacco noted,
“Your recognition is well-earned
and it certainly isn’t something
to be taken lightly, considering
that the U.S. Maritime Ad-
ministrator’s Professional Ship
Award is given to non-military
vessels that achieve the highest
degree of readiness, perfor-

mance, efficiency, reliabil-
ity, productivity and safety.

“During Operation
Haiti, when you worked
under fire delivering sup-
plies and equipment to the
Marine Corps, and in
Operation New Horizons,
when you tested new tech-
nology at sea during exer-
cises in the North Atlantic,
you lived up to the U.S.
Merchant Marine’s vital
role as America’s Fourth
Arm of Defense. That role
remains as important as
ever, with our nation lead-
ing the fight in the global
war against terrorism and

also continuing the
rebuilding of Iraq.”

The letter conclud-
ed, “I simply couldn’t
be more proud of each
and every one of you.
Your performance,
your patriotism and your
dedication are a credit to the
entire union and indeed the
entire U.S. Merchant Marine.
Your story will be shared
with the membership as a
shining example of what the
SIU is all about.”

Schubert praised the crew
and officers. “The crew of the
Flickertail State is an out-
standing example of the inte-
gral role the Ready Reserve
Force plays in our national

defense operations,” he said.
“Our nation’s Ready Reserve
Force helps ensure our security
by supporting the men and
women of the U.S. armed
forces.”

The ceremony was attended
by representatives from the U.S.
Transportation Command and
the Military Sealift Command,
which have operational control
of Ready Reserve Force ships
when they support the military.

The Flickertail State is operat-
ed by SIU-contracted Interocean

Ugland Management. Seafarers
sailing aboard the vessel during
Operation Haiti included ABWs
Heather Frizzelle and Curtis
Williams; ABMs Adrian Jones
and Jonathan Davis; STOSs
Melvin Stegall, Christopher
Bryan and Melvin Hall; OMUs
John Morrison, John Steeber
and Brad Neathery; Wipers
Nathan Jenkins and Vincent
Knight; Chief Cook Adele
George and SAs Willie Uzzle,
Teresa MacMartin and Kareem
Walters.

FFlliicckkeerrttaaiill SSttaattee EEaarrnnss PPrrooffeessssiioonnaall SShhiipp AAwwaarrddFFlliicckkeerrttaaiill SSttaattee EEaarrnnss PPrrooffeessssiioonnaall SShhiipp AAwwaarrdd

With Seafarers at the Honolulu Hall

Early last month, Seafarers at the SIU hall in Honolulu greeted a number of offi-
cials who were in town for the Pride of Aloha christening and other union busi-
ness. Pictured from left to right are (top photo, standing) SIU Secretary-Treasurer
David Heindel, SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone, Seafarers Edgardo Ines and
Eddie Tomas, SIU President Michael Sacco, SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez and

Seafarers Alejandro
Quirolgico, Pedro
Amore, (seated)
Sure Anitak and
Domingo Barroga.
The photo below
shows Heindel,
Sacco, AB Tomas
and Tellez.

Pictured from left to right are SIU members Dominico Dacua, Alejandro
Quirolgico, Raul Napoles, Getolio Medallo, Johanis Christiaan, Mariano Ylaya
and Domingo Barroga.

Left: AB Bill
Dwyer

Right: SIU
Honolulu

Port Agent
Neil Dietz

Crew members and officers aboard the Flickertail State were presented with
the Professional Ship Award for an outstanding job in Operation Haiti and
Operation New Horizons during a ceremony July 15 in Newport News, Va.
They are (back row, from left) GUDE Curtis Spencer, Bosun David Brown, 1st

A/E Jim Schwartz, C/E Scott Stillianos, Capt. Joe Regan, AB Bill Humphrey, 3rd

A/E Pat Jarvis, (seated from left) C/M Bernie Fitzgerald, Electrician Mann
Aroon, Wiper James Burke, Wiper Nathan Jenkins, AB Stacy Twiford and AB
Phillip Harmon.

SIU VP Government Services Kermett Mangram (seated at far right) took
part in the ceremony honoring Flickertail State crew members last month in
Newport News, Va.

Volume 66, Number 8 August 2004

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