http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/78fce78894b08b9921a4dfdae81936de.pdf 539e80f0754d0cca829d539d2e74349d PDF Text Text 48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 8:25 PM Page 1 Volume 70, Number 6 June 2008 Car Carrier Independence II Joins SIU-Contracted Fleet U.S. TRANSCOM Commander Cites Vessel’s Military Usefulness SIU members and officials took part in a naming ceremony May 8 in Baltimore, celebrating the addition of the Independence II to the Seafarers-contracted fleet. Altogether, hundreds of people were on hand to mark the occasion with the host and vessel operator, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier. Pictured clockwise from upper left are the ship; General Norton Schwartz (center), commander, U.S. Transportation Command, greeting Bosun Carl Pedersen as SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez (right) looks on; (from left) SIU Patrolman Joe Baselice, SIU President Michael Sacco, AB ElSayed Mohamed, SIU VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi and SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel; and students from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center along with Gen. Schwartz, SIU officials and AMO President Tom Bethel (back row, center). Page 3. 3 Seafarers-Crewed Vessels Offload Marine Corps Cargo For Annual Military Exercise Three SIU-crewed ships recently helped with preparations for an annual military exercise overseas. The prepositioning vessels USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez and USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin as well as the Great Land each played a role in supporting American forces readying for “Cobra Gold” – a yearly drill designed to promote regional stability and security throughout Southeast Asia. At right, the Lopez conducts an at-sea offload of Marine Corps cargo May 2 off the coast of Thailand. Page 6. TWIC Updates/New Deadline Pages 2, 10 SHBP Scholarship Winners Pages 2, 7 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 8:37 PM Page 2 TWIC Deadline Changes to April ’09; Mariners Still Urged to Apply ASAP President’s Report Continuing Efforts to Enact EFCA Our union is fully on board with the “million-member mobilization,” a recently launched grassroots effort led by the AFL-CIO in support of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). In the weeks and months ahead, Seafarers will have a chance to place their signatures on postcards calling on the new U.S. president and Congress to enact the EFCA. Those signatures along with many others from fellow trade unionists and supporters will be delivered by the labor federation after the November elections. The cards themselves will be available soon at the union halls. Michael Sacco There’s a way to participate in the signature drive via the internet, too, at the following web address: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/efca_card_support As noted on the postcards, the EFCA will enable employees to form unions when a majority signs authorization cards. It will strengthen penalties for companies that coerce or intimidate workers trying to form unions and bargain. Also, it will establish mediation and binding arbitration when the employer and workers cannot agree on a first contract. The message to the new president and Congress reads as follows: “I urge you to enact the Employee Free Choice Act immediately. This crucial legislation will protect workers’ freedom to choose a union and bargain, without management intimidation. Allowing more workers to freely join unions and bargain with their employers will help rebuild the middle class by expanding health care, improving retirement security and raising the standard of living for America’s working families. My bargaining rights are worth working for and voting for!” That point about rebuilding the middle class is especially important and accurate. If you’re familiar with the labor movement’s history in this country, you may recall that the creation of the American middle class happened only after the passage of a law in 1935 (the National Labor Relations Act, also known as the Wagner Act) which protected the ability of workers to form unions and bargain collectively. Unfortunately, over time, those protections have been terribly eroded. We’ve reached the point where the system for forming and joining unions in this country is flat-out broken. As I’ve said before, this is old news to many who have participated in organizing campaigns in recent years, but many if not most Americans may not realize just how badly some workers are treated by management when they try to join a union. The AFL-CIO has documented a staggering number of cases in which employees suffer through nasty, long campaigns of company intimidation, surveillance, threats and even firings. Some who fight through it and actually manage to join a union have trouble securing a first contract because management stalls and stalls, with no repercussions. All because the employees try to exercise what is supposed to be their legal right to join a union. It’s time to stop those unjust actions from happening. It’s time to restore fairness to the process – time to once again give workers a genuine opportunity to decide for themselves when it comes to union representation. There is reason for optimism among those of us supporting the EFCA. The bill passed in the House of Representatives in 2007 and has bipartisan majority support in the Senate. Clearly, there is strong support for labor law reform in both the U.S. House and Senate. Yet it remains a battle. That’s ironic in many ways, because unions are associated with higher productivity, lower employee turnover, improved workplace communications and a better-trained work force. A recent compilation of more than 70 independent studies on unions and productivity supports those claims. So do the reallife experiences of rank-and-file union members across the country. The bottom line is that workers are supposed to have the right to bargain collectively for higher wages, better benefits and a better life for themselves and their families. With that in mind, the SIU joins with our fellow unions under the AFL-CIO umbrella and with the federation itself in pledging to fight to enact the Employee Free Choice Act until it becomes law. Volume 70, Number 6 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on May 2 announced that the deadline for Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) compliance by mariners has been bumped back to April 15, 2009. Even though the compliance date has changed, Seafarers are encouraged to enroll for their TWIC well before the new April 15, 2009 date. The original deadline was Sept. 25, 2008. In announcing the change, the DHS reported, “The sevenmonth extension is a direct result of collaboration with port officials and industry, and realigns the enrollment period with the original intent of the TWIC final rule. TWIC was established in the Maritime Transportation Security Act and the SAFE Port Act to serve as an identification program for all Coast Guard credentialed mariners and personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas within a port.” Reacting to the announcement, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, stated, “The TWIC program is an essential component in protecting our nation from potential terror threats, and we must ensure that its implementation is conducted in the most efficient and effective manner. In light of the reported problems in the TWIC rollout thus far, I applaud the decision of DHS to extend the deadline for enrollment. When workers must pay to enroll in a program necessary for them to do their jobs and provide for their families, they have the right to expect reliable, efficient service with little to no interruption to their schedules. “It is my hope that this extended deadline will be supplemented by the provisions included in the Coast Guard Authorization Act to help improve the TWIC program. This legislation passed in the House by an overwhelming majority, and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to quickly act on this legislation to enact these common-sense provisions into law.” Estimates vary on the number of workers who eventually will be required to carry a TWIC, but that figure generally is expected to top 1.2 million. At the time the DHS announced the extension, roughly 260,000 people had enrolled for the card, but fewer than 90,000 TWICs had actually been activated. At press time for this issue of the LOG, more than 100 TWIC “fixed enrollment cen- See Page 10 for a list of TWIC enrollment centers & additional information. ters” had opened, and dozens of mobile enrollment centers also had set up shop. Based on informal feedback from Seafarers and SIU officials who have applied for a TWIC, the experience is inconsistent. Some individuals reported a practically seamless process with minimal waiting times, while some said they eventually received their TWIC, but not before very long delays. Others had it worse, noting their cards weren’t available for pickup even after they received notification to go to a particular enrollment center and get the document. Partly with those experiences in mind, Seafarers again are encouraged to enroll for the TWIC as soon as possible. Committee Selects Seven Individuals To Receive 4-Year, $20K Scholarshps The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) for more than half a century has awarded scholarships to deserving Seafarers, their spouses and dependents. That tradition continued May 2 in Portland, Ore., when the SHBP Scholarship Selection Committee selected seven individuals—one active Seafarer and six dependents—as scholarship recipients for the upcoming school year. The recipients each will receive an award of $20,000 to pursue their educational goals at four-year institutions of higher learning of their respective choices. In total, the 2008 scholarship recipients will receive $140,000 from the SHBP. This year’s winners are: AB Peter R. Hokenson; Brittany Redding, daughter of Chief Steward Dennis Redding; Christopher Wozunk, son of FOWT John Wozunk; Benjamin Wilmoth, son of QE Wendell Wilmoth; Albert Balatico, son of AB Albert Balatico; Xiao Xiao Li, daughter of SA Meili Seegers; and Sidney Kirk, daughter of AB Robert Kirk. The scholarship recipients were selected by a panel of dis- tinguished professional educators: Dr. Keith Schlender, Medical University of Ohio; Dr. Gayle Olson, University of New Orleans (retired); Dr. Trevor Carpenter, Charles County Community College (retired); Dr. Michael Glaser, St. Mary’s College; Dr. Henry Toutain, dean of students, Gastavus Adolphus College; and Dr. Charles Lyons, American Association of Colleges and Universities (retired). See Page 7 for brief biographical backgrounds and educational goals on each of the above college-bound students. June 2008 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly 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 207909998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Associate Editor, Mark Bowman; Photographer, Mike Hickey; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2008 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG The 2008 SHBP Scholarship Selection Committee on May 2 in Portland, Ore., selected seven individuals as recipients of $20,000 scholarships. Following the selections, they joined SIU Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen (right in photo above) and SIU Deputy Plans Administrator Kitty Eno (left) for this photo. Committee members (from left) were Dr. Keith Schlender, Medical University of Ohio; Dr. Gayle Olson, University of New Orleans (retired); Dr. Trevor Carpenter, Charles County Community College (retired); Dr. Michael Glaser, St. Mary’s College; Dr. Henry Toutain, dean of students, Gastavus Adolphus College; and Dr. Charles Lyons, American Association of Colleges and Universities (retired). June 2008 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 8:41 PM SIU President Michael Sacco Page 3 Gen. Norton Schwartz, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command Susan Tellez, wife of SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez (left), served as the vessel’s sponsor. Pictured from left to right before the event are SIU VP Joseph Soresi, Patrolman Joe Baselice, AB El-Sayed Mohamed, Baltimore Port Agent Dennis Metz and AB Tom Bray. Independence II Joins Seafarers Fleet Ceremony Highlights Industry’s Contribution to Defense Seafarers and SIU officials participated in a naming ceremony May 8 in Baltimore as the car carrier Independence II formally joined the union’s contracted fleet. SIU President Michael Sacco Raymond Ebeling President & CEO, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier OMU Rene Gil Jr. and General Norton Schwartz, commander, U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), were the featured speakers. Susan Tellez, wife of SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez, served as the vessel’s sponsor. Raymond Ebeling, president and CEO of the ship’s operating company, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC), was the master of ceremonies. While the speakers had kind words for the vessel itself, most of their respective remarks focused on the overall role of the U.S. Merchant Marine in supporting America’s military. For instance, the Independence II, though privately operated, is part of a program called the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA). That program gives the Department of Defense access to commercial shipping and intermodal facilities during contingencies. Schwartz called the newly reflagged ship an important addition to the nation’s “arsenal of democracy.” He also described the U.S. Maritime Security Program (related to VISA) as “indispensible.” The TRANSCOM commander drew a parallel between a celebrated milestone for the U.S. and Allied forces in World War II (which occurred May 8, the day of the naming ceremony) and America’s current efforts in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom – efforts consistently supported by American mariners and U.S.-flag ships. He said that the Independence II can aid in those missions, and noted that if citizens from the World War II era saw the ship and the ceremony, “They would appreci- Independence II Oilers (from the left) Rene Gil Jr., Anthony Dellorusso, Jonathan Duncan and 1st Assistant Kevin O’Donnell June 2008 ate the significance and, more probably, they’d understand there is still work to be done…. ARC and others move America in the right direction.” Ebeling said his company “is very pleased to be able to continue expanding the U.S.-flag fleet.” He pointed out that Americanflag ships support our armed forces, citing recent deliveries of the relatively new mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) as one example. Ebeling declared that privately owned U.S.-flag ships are “a solid investment” for the country and that depending on foreign-flag vessels “would be an unreliable option for the government.” He credited Sacco with promoting cooperative efforts throughout the industry and said that Mrs. Tellez’s sponsorship of the vessel would serve as “a continual reminder of the importance of the strong partnership with our friends in organized labor.” Sacco focused most of his comments on the strong performance and historic reliability of American mariners. “If you look at the makeup of American crews, I think five things really stand out,” he said. “First, they are reliable – the most reliable crews in the world. By any measure, whether the statistics come from MSC or MarAd or somewhere else, our crews are second-to-none when it comes to safe, on-time deliveries. “Second, they are well-trained. No disrespect to our foreign competition, but I’d stack the American seafarer against anyone in the world in terms of qualifications and training. “Third, they are patriotic,” he continued. “This has literally been Steward/Baker Robert Owens SIU VP Contracts George Tricker (right) chats with unlicensed apprentices from the Paul Hall Center prior to the naming ceremony. proven for centuries, dating back to Revolutionary times, and it’s certainly evident today in Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. “Fourth, they are resilient. It takes a special person to make a living going to sea. It’s hard enough just to secure your documents and papers nowadays, to say nothing of the actual work aboard the ship. It involves sacrifice and dedication, and our people do it every day. “And fifth, they are politically active. I’m especially proud of the voluntary political donations and activities put forth by members of my union, the SIU. But that’s characteristic of American maritime labor as a whole. Rankand-file U.S. mariners understand that their political actions and political support help create and sustain programs like the MSP program. Their support helps make events like this one possible.” He added, “I would argue that now, more than any time since World War II, this country absolutely must maintain a viable supply of U.S. mariners. That’s part of the significance of this ceremony – new tonnage under the American flag helps maintain that manpower pool…. We need a strong U.S. Merchant Marine so that our armed forces have no doubt whatsoever that their ammunition and other supplies will be there, on time, every time, safely and securely delivered by fellow citizens who are more than willing to sail into harm’s way for them. “We need a strong U.S. Merchant Marine because it’s good business, it is good common sense and it has served America well since the very first days of our nation’s history.” Bosun Carl Pedersen noted that the SIU crew and licensed personnel from the American Maritime Officers climbed the gangway to the Independence II overseas – the reflagging took place in Germany. He said the vessel, built in 1994, “is all good. It’s a nice ship, but we’ve been doing a lot of work with everyday duties.” Pedersen said the ship’s regular run will include stops in Northern Europe and along the U.S. East Coast. The ship can sail at up to 18 knots and is 653 feet long. Bosun Carl Pedersen Seafarers LOG 3 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 8:53 PM Page 4 Hospital Ship Begins Mission USNS Mercy Starts 4-Month Humanitarian Deployment Members of the SIU Government Services Division joined with officers and military and medical personnel last month aboard the USNS Mercy as the hospital ship set sail on a four-month humanitarian mission. The Mercy departed San Diego May 1, signaling the start of “Pacific Partnership 2008” – a humanitarian and civic-assistance mission to the Republic of the Philippines, Vietnam, the Federated States of Micronesia, TimorLeste and Papua New Guinea. According to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), Pacific Partnership is a mission that will take medical, dental, veterinary, engineering and civic assistance to Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific to build on relationships that have been developed during previous similar missions, such as the 2004 tsunami relief efforts and the Mercy’s 2006 deployment. “Mercy is a fully operational, completely modern hospital that can go anywhere in the world, wherever and when- In this 2006 Navy file photo, an Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter from B Squadron 5th Aviation Regiment lands aboard the USNS Mercy. The Mercy was anchored off the Australian coast providing humanitarian, medical and civic assistance to Dili residents. Tugboats assigned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor assist the Seafarers-crewed MSC hospital ship USNS Mercy last month as the vessel maneuvers into Pearl Harbor. The ship was en route for a humanitarian mission to the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia supporting Pacific Partnership 2008. ever there is a need,” said the ship’s civil service master, Capt. Robert Wiley. “Every time we take this ship out, we get smarter about how to use it. We’ll be doing things this time that we didn’t even think were possible a few years ago.” Throughout the 2008 Pacific Partnership mission, the 894-foot-long Mercy will serve as a platform from which U.S. and foreign militaries and nongovernmental organizations will coordinate and carry out humanitarian and civic activities in each country. The mission will include personnel from MSC and other parts of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Public Health Service. As the agency noted, civil service mariners (CIVMARS) embarked for the deployment are responsible for the Mercy’s navigation, propulsion and engineering services. Because of the Mercy’s size, it will not be able to pull pierside in any of the countries, so CIVMARS will also operate two 33-foot utility boats that will be used to ferry patients and mission personnel between ship and shore. The operation of these small boats, which can carry more than twice as many passengers as the Mercy’s two embarked helicopters, will greatly increase the number of people who will benefit from the mission, according to MSC. The USNS Mercy is one of two U.S. Navy hospital ships owned and operated by MSC. Last summer, the Mercy’s sister ship, the USNS Comfort (also crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division), deployed on a similar four-month humanitarian mission that treated more than 98,000 people in 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries. “We are very fortunate as a military and civilian staff and crew to be assisted in our mission by gracious host nations and significantly contributing partner nations,” said Command Master Chief Mike Smith. “It is with great pride that we set sail, knowing that we will not be going at this alone, through selfless acts of friendship and relationships forged during previous deployments.” Majestic May Sell Delta Queen Crew Member Voices Displeasure with Company Majestic America Line was back in the news last month, taking another swipe at the SIU even as one of its mariner employees told a reporter that he believes the company won’t listen to feedback from the crew. In separate news reports in early May, Ambassadors International, Majestic’s parent company, indicated it may sell some or all of Majestic America Line’s assets, possibly as soon as this year. Those assets include the riverboats Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and American Queen, which had been crewed by SIU members prior to the vessels being sold in 2006. According to a report based on the parent company’s most recent earnings call, Joe Ueberroth, chairman, president and CEO of Ambassadors said new buyers would have a “fresh start” with the riverboats and “will not have the ire of the Seafarers International Union.” The latter comment apparently is in reference to unsubstantiated claims that the union helped block a waiver which would allow the Delta Queen to continue sailing next year. (The union issued a statement concerning this matter in December 2007.) Meanwhile, in an article in the Kentucky newspaper Ledger Independent, an engineer from the Delta Queen said it has been anything but smooth sailing from the crew’s perspective. “Everybody is unhappy with the company,” Robbie Taylor told the publication. “They mess up travel costs and don’t take care of things they say they will…. It’s a wild goose chase to find out who you can talk to, and when you do they don’t get it done…. Morale is low. Nobody cares and nobody wants to listen to what the crew has to say.” In the same article, Taylor contended that some crew members recently have been let go because of their earnings, to meet corporate cuts. Paul Hall Center’s Online Courses Receive High Marks The union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education’s web-based “distance learning” program for mariners is receiving high marks despite being a newcomer to the institution’s training curriculum. A long-planned program to benefit employees working under SIU agreements and the union’s contracted operating companies, the on-line training regiment in late March was launched by the center’s vocational staff which among others includes Dale M. Rausch. Besides being a full-time instructor, Rausch doubles as the center’s distance learning administrator. Currently, the program offers on-line courses in: Environmental Awareness; Hazardous Material Control and Management; Hearing Conservation; Heat Stress Management; Shipboard Pest Management; Respiratory Protection; and Shipboard Water Sanitation. These initial courses are designed by Paul Hall Center instructors and tailored to address the annual refresher training of vessel safety management systems and prepare students for resident coursework at the center. Representatives from the center’s vocation staff are in ongoing consultations with operators to gain insights on and suggestions for other online courses. So far, according to Rausch five SIU members have enrolled for the web-based courses and a hefty percentage of the center’s instructors have actually taken and completed the courses. AB Edward Gavagan of Tampa, Fla., has completed two of the courses and is already registered for a third. “This program is still in the opening stages, but I can see it going [a long way] toward keeping us informed and upgraded in our work fields,” he said. A former member of the National Maritime Union, Gavagan has upgraded on several occasions while attending courses in-residence at the Paul Hall Center. He most recently sailed aboard the SIU-contracted Delaware Trader, a Keystone vessel. Electrician James McEntire is another Seafarer who has taken advantage of the distance learning program. McEntire hails from Electrician James McEntire (left) goes online to at the union-affiliated Honolulu and is a former Army reserve offiPaul Hall Center for Maritime Education and Training to examine one cer. He joined the SIU in 2006 following a of the center’s distance learning courses. Providing guidance is tour in Iraq and is a graduate of the center’s Instructor Dale Rausch, who serves as the Piney Point, Md.-based unlicensed apprentice program. center’s distance learning administrator. McEntire is one of five “I think it’s a great program with a lot to Seafarers who have enrolled in the center’s web-based upgrading offer,” shared McEntire, who currently is courses. 4 Seafarers LOG upgrading at the center in FOWT. “I have taken a number of the on-line courses and found that the programs on which they are based are very user friendly. Although there are a few system issues to overcome, going on-line and taking the courses is still well worth a person’s time and energy. “I’m trying to get everyone that I know who sails to get involved in the distance learning program,” McEntire concluded. As previously reported in the LOG, the program came about following a recommendation of the center’s Deep Sea and Inland Advisory Board. It provides mariners the opportunity to receive recommended or required professional training while serving at sea aboard a vessel, while ashore at home, or during any other time when they are away from the ship. All that is required to take advantage of this offering is a personal computer, or laptop with internet capability. The training is designed to be self-paced. The courses are kept as brief as possible so that they can be completed within one or two sittings. A reasonable deadline has been established for overall course completion. “Distance learning is the wave of the future because it is convenient for students,” explained Rausch. He mentioned that those taking the courses can start coursework, walk away and resume use later. The courses are free to mariners covered by SIU contracts. To register, complete the regular upgrading application found on page 20 of this issue of the LOG and mail it to: Admissions Office, Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075. Applicants will receive user account information from the center via e-mail, so be sure to write your e-mail address on the form in the space provided. In addition, be sure to include the word “online” when listing the course(s) you desire on the application. June 2008 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 8:55 PM Page 5 The Swift (left in photo above), during a sea-basing exercise off the coast of Monrovia, Liberia, sits beside a floating platform ready to receive vehicles from its stern ramp. The Seafarers-contracted HSV Swift (photo at right) will be operated by Sealift, Inc. (U.S. Navy Photos) Seafarers to Sail on Aptly Named ‘Swift’ The Military Sealift Command (MSC) early last month announced that SIU-contracted Sealift, Inc. has been awarded a contract to operate the HSV Swift, a prepositioning ship. HSV stands for high-speed vessel – the Swift can sail at 42 knots. Sealift, based in Oyster Bay, N.Y., won a one-year contract that contains four options. If exercised, those options would total approximately four more years in addition to the original 12-month agreement. The Swift is 331 feet long and has a beam of 87 feet. According to MSC, the vessel has an 11-foot draft and a displacement of more than 1,400 short tons. SIU-Crewed Westward Venture Fires Warning Shots in Gulf For the second time in recent months, small boats approached an SIU-crewed, MSC-contracted vessel and received warning shots. The Westward Venture on April 24 was shipping cargo to Kuwait via the Persian Gulf when the ship attempted to make bridge-to-bridge contact to warn the fast boats they were too close. The Westward Venture then blew its whistle and fired flares before a Navy security team fired warning shots. The boats came as close as 100 yards. After the warning shots, bridgeto-bridge communication was established with someone claiming to be the Iranian coast guard. The boats then moved on. In late March, a similar incident took place involving the Global Patriot near the Suez Canal. In that case, warning shots were fired by military security personnel at small fast boats and one passenger was inadvertently killed. As noted in a news account of the Global Patriot episode, U.S. Navy ships “have been on high alert in the region since Iran captured 15 British sailors and marines in the Persian Gulf a year ago, holding them hostage for two weeks.” Labor Briefs AFSCME Wins Historic 1st Contracts An Oklahoma state law championed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) continues to pay dividends as 700 workers of the cities of Enid and Lawton recently won their first union contracts. These victories follow on the heels of a similar signing involving the city of Moore and its employees. All three contracts involve improvements in wages and benefits. According to a spokesperson for AFSCME, these developments would not have been possible had not the Oklahoma state legislature approved a law requiring cities of more than 35,000 to recognize nonuniformed workers’ unions. The statute, which was challenged by several cities in the state, was declared unconstitutional in 2005 by Oklahoma’s highest court. AFSCME appealed. As a result, the high court reversed itself in March 2006. Boilermakers Play Key Role In Developing New Welding Rod Boilermakers employed at Hobart Brothers in Birmingham, Ala., played a key role in the development of a new alloywelding rod that will lead to productivity gains in the power generation industry. The main innovation comes in the size of the new rod. At 12 inches, it is two inches shorter than the standard 14-inch rod now in use. As noted by the Boilermakers’ union on its web site, “The shorter length allows the welder to burn the rod without bending it to reach restrictive areas. Too often, when a rod is bent, part of the rod is June 2008 discarded, leading to waste.” Moreover, the welding rod that members of Boilermakers L-108 worked on “lets a welder work in tight spots with less rod waste.” According to the product manager for Hobart Brothers, the new rod offers low spatter and X-ray clear welds. It is also easy to burn, so even the newest apprentice can produce journeyman-level results. Study: Union Members Earn More Being a union member significantly augments wages for lower-paid workers, a study released last month by the Center for Economic and Policy Research shows. Union membership boosted the wages of workers on the bottom rung of the wage ladder (in the 10th percentile) by 20.6 percent, from 2003 to 2007. For a worker at the 20th percentile, whose earnings were exceeded by the top 80 percent, the boost from being a union member was 18.9 percent, and for the typical worker at the 30th percentile, it was 16.8 percent. The report, “The Union Advantage for Low-Wage Workers,” also analyzed the impact of unionization on low-wage workers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, finding that it had a magnifying impact in each. “For millions of workers who work hard and take home less to show for it, being part of a union that provides a say on the job is all the more important,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “This study proves that for workers on the bottom rungs of the pay scale, bargaining power is the best, and often only, means to gain a leg up to the middle class.” The company noted that the ship will be operated worldwide in support of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and the war on terrorism. The vessel also will be used for “emerging operational concepts such as sea-basing and the Global Fleet Station,” the latter of which is a military operation directed by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command. Recertified Bosun Saves Life of Trapped Shipmate Editor’s note: The following article about Recertified Bosun Scott Heginbotham was compiled from a letter of commendation by the captain of M/V Liberty Star. Heginbotham could not be reached at sea. On the morning of March 13, 2008, Recertified Bosun Scott Heginbotham reacted quickly and efficiently in saving the life of a fellow mariner aboard the Liberty Star. The vessel, operated by Liberty Maritime Corporation, was being serviced by a subcontractor at Kiran shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey. Heginbotham was near the CO2 compartment on the ship as a subcontractor began to service the bank of CO2 bottles. The subcontractor inadvertently created a series of potentially deadly events that started with the discharge of stored CO2 gas into the engine room. When the incident started, Heginbotham quickly realized the first engineer and a cadet were in the engine room. “This is when all of your training kicked in and your professionalism shined,” said the Liberty Star’s Captain Clancy Faucheux Jr., about the Paul Hall Center-trained bosun. “You proceeded to your assigned emergency station, stopping to report the situation via radio to myself. Fully understanding the nature of the emergency, you donned your SCBA and returned to enter the engine room. Without hesitation, you entered the engine room, which was hazy due to the CO2 venting, found the 1A/E and it was your prompt action of placing an Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus on him and giving him chest compressions that saved his life that morning.” The captain went on to say to Heginbotham, “Your actions are of the finest standards of the U.S. Merchant Marine and reaffirm the fact that you are of the highest caliber of professional seafarer. It is truly a pleasure to serve with you.” The Liberty Star sometimes is used by NASA to recover the solid rocket boosters on space shuttles. Union Salutes Retiring AMSEA Executive SIU officials joined other guests in honoring Captain Peter J. Lawrence at an April 25 event in Quincy, Mass. Lawrence is retiring as president of SIU-contracted American Overseas Marine (AMSEA). Pictured from left to right are SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez, Lawrence, AMSEA Accounting Associate Sue Mei and SIU VP Contracts George Tricker. Both SIU officials described Lawrence as a true ally of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Thomas W. Merrell has been promoted to succeed Lawrence. He previously served as AMSEA’s vice president of marine operations. Seafarers LOG 5 �48717_v3:January 08 5/23/2008 2:31 AM Page 6 SIU Ships Offload Cargo For ‘Cobra Gold’ Three Seafarers-crewed vessels recently assisted in preparations for a yearly military exercise overseas. The prepositioning ships USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez and USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin as well as the Great Land each played a role in supporting American forces prepping for “Cobra Gold” – an annual drill designed to promote regional stability and security throughout Southeast Asia. The Lopez (operated by AMSEA) and Martin (Keystone) in late April completed the at-sea offload of more than 350 pieces of equipment and supplies belonging to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) in Thailand. The cargo included wheeled and tracked vehicles, ammunition and supplies. Those two vessels arrived off the coast of Chuk Samet, Thailand, on April 27. Anchored about three miles from shore, the Lopez and Martin offloaded a total of 16 pieces of lighterage – a type of barge used to move cargo from ship to shore. Six pieces of this lighterage were pieced together to form a 180-foot by 63-foot floating platform called a roll-on/roll-off discharge facility, which was placed at the end of Lopez’s stern ramp. Offload operations began April 28 as rolling stock was driven down the Lopez’s ramp onto the floating platform and then onto powered lighterage, which transported the cargo to shore. Containerized cargo was lifted onto the powered lighterage by one of the Lopez’s three shipboard cranes. Causeway sections are loaded from the SIU-crewed Baldomero Lopez on May 5 during exercise Freedom Banner 08. Freedom Banner 08 is a Maritime Prepositioning Force exercise conducted in Thailand to provide equipment used by the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in support of exercise Cobra Gold. Described by the U.S. Military Sealift Command as “a complex operation,” this offload involved multiple Navy and Marine Corps commands including MSC, the 3rd MEF, Naval Beach Group One, Navy Cargo Handling Battalion One and Amphibious Construction Battalion One. The ability to offload cargo at sea is necessary when operating in areas where port facilities are either nonexistent or too damaged or primitive for ships to pull pierside. Columnist Credits SIU Steward Departments, Paul Hall Center SIU steward departments and the union’s affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education received credit from a writer in the May edition of Professional Mariner magazine. Capt. Kelly Sweeney, a licensed mariner who sailed with the SIU from 1983-85, is a regular columnist for Professional Mariner. His offering in the May issue was typically candid as he made the case captured by the story’s headline: “Cooks need training just like any other on-board position.” Sweeney related various experiences concerning food sanitation – not only aboard ships and tugs, but dating back to his first job in high school, at a local restaurant. Suffice to say the results have been mixed. “Thankfully, many U.S. companies, and the maritime unions, care about the quality of prepared food served on board their vessels,” Sweeney wrote. “I’ve sailed on 12 ships manned by sailors from the Seafarers International Union and have never seen or heard of any foodrelated illnesses on them. Just to apprentice in the galley of an SIUcontracted ship, 40 hours of classes on sanitation and galley operations are required. To become a chief steward, 33 weeks of classes and two years of experience are needed.” Not all of Sweeney’s other encounters have been pleasant. He described one voyage on an oceanographic ship when numerous crew members (himself included) and some of the scientists were stricken with food poisoning. In the immediate aftermath, Sweeney discovered what he described as very unsanitary conditions in the galley. Another time, he signed on aboard 6 Seafarers LOG an oceangoing tug with no steward department personnel. Sweeney again found unsanitary settings – in this case, the deckhand who handled all the cooking was doing so in dirty clothes covered with grease, rust chips and paint specks. “There’s a disturbing trend among certain tug and supply boat operators that I think is even worse than having an untrained cook on board – and that’s having no cook at all,” Sweeney wrote. “This doubling up of shipboard positions is unprofessional in my opinion, not only because it cuts U.S. mariners out of cook’s jobs, but also because it shows that these companies don’t seem to care about the quality of the food their mariners are served.” He concluded that as in the other shipboard departments, steward department personnel should be required to demonstrate basic competency in their field before actually performing the work aboard ship. The Paul Hall Center, located in Piney Point, Md., offers comprehensive training for mariners in all three departments – deck, engine and steward. The school’s steward department classes are structured in modules designed to facilitate not only learning but relative ease of scheduling for the students. Those courses include galley operations (four weeks total); certified chief cook (12 weeks); advanced galley operations (four weeks); and certified chief steward (12 weeks). Earlier this year, the St. Mary’s County (Md.) Health Department presented an award to the Paul Hall Center because of the school’s “superior compliance to food safety standards among food establishments” in the county. The Martin and Lopez are scheduled to remain in Thailand through early June to backload their prepositioned cargo, according to the agency. Prior to the arrival of the Lopez and Martin in Thailand, the SIU-crewed, MSC-chartered roll-on/roll-off ship Great Land (operated by Interocean American Shipping) offloaded more than 460 pieces of 3rd MEF cargo at Thung Prong and Chuk Samet ports April 22-24. More than 20 Navy reservists assigned to MSC are also in Thailand training in both real-world and computer-simulated sealift operations and exercises, managing port operations for as many as 15 ships in a contingency scenario. Some reserve personnel are manning a mobile sealift operations command center at Chuk Samet, a portable facility designed to operate and manage port operations in areas where port infrastructure is damaged or destroyed. Additional reserve teams were slated to arrive in mid-May to coordinate the backload of Marine Corps cargo. “What’s so valuable about this exercise is that you can walk around and shake hands at the port and really learn what others are doing,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Richard Coleman of Navy Reserve Expeditionary Port Unit 117. “It’s all about understanding command relationships.” Cobra Gold began May 8 and was to continue through May 21. Japan, Singapore and Indonesia were expected to join Thailand and the United States in the exercise, which included computersimulated command post and field training exercises, as well as humanitarian relief efforts. The Lopez is permanently assigned to Diego Garcia-based Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two, while the Martin is assigned in the Guam/Saipan area with Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three. Paul Hall Center Offers Career Advancement The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., offers the most U.S. Coast Guard-approved courses of any maritime school in the nation. The center features top-notch training from experienced instructors and stateof-the-art equipment and facilities. The school offers courses for mariners sailing in the deck, engine and steward departments. Below is a quick look at one of those classes. For more information about the center and its courses, contact the Admissions Office, Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 206740075; call (301) 994-0010; or visit the Paul Hall Center section of www.seafarers.org. Course dates are listed on page 21 of this issue of the LOG and also are carried on the web site. Engine Department Course Spotlight Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations Applicants completing the school’s 140-hour Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations course and who present the corresponding Paul Hall Center Certificate of Training to a U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Center within one year of the completion of training, satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 12.15-9 for the General Safety examination module, PROVIDED they have also completed either the school’s 63-hour Basic Motor Plant Operations course and/or the 70-hour Basic Steam Plant Operations course. Applicants who have successfully completed the course need not present individually completed “Control Sheets” for the assessments in application for STCW certification. The objective of this course is to provide students with knowledge and practical operational skills required of rated engine department watchstanders as they sail in the capacity of FOWT. This objective is accomplished through classroom lectures and shore-side auxiliary plant simulator practical exercises. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Paul Hall Center Unlicensed Apprentice Training Program; successful completion of the unlicensed apprentice sea voyage and required sea projects; unlicensed apprentice sea voyage performance evaluations within the engine department as completed by the First Assistant Engineer of at least satisfactory or better; recommendation by the unlicensed apprentice sea voyage participating vessel’s Chief Engineer OR six months’ sea time as wiper AND STCW certification in all areas of basic safety training; successful completion of the entry-level sea voyage and auxiliary plant familiarization sea project; total USCG approved sea service or equivalent sea service in the engine room of vessels of at least six months; meet all USCG physical standards for qualified members of the engine department. Military veterans meeting the prior military sea service requirement in the engine room of vessels must meet the following entrance requirements: Prior approval to the military veterans program for ratings forming part of an engineering watch; meet all USCG physical standards for qualified members of the engine department. June 2008 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 10:49 PM Page 7 SHBP Awards $140,000 in Scholarships One SIU member and six dependents of Seafarers last month were selected by a panel of professional educators to be recipients of scholarships provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP). A total of $140,000 was given in this year’s scholarship program. One Seafarer was awarded a $20,000 scholarship for study at a four-year college or university, as was each of the six dependents. Following are brief biographical sketches of each of the recipients as well as recaps of their respective educational goals. The scholarship program began in 1953. Peter Hokenson AB Peter Hokenson is the recipient of a scholarship for Seafarers. A native of Tacoma, Wash., Hokenson is a 1983 graduate of Gig Harbor High School in Gig Harbor, Wash. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma and is well-versed in the martial arts. He joined the SIU in March 1992. “After a stint at the University of Puget Sound, I decided I was not ready to wear a suit and tie and wanted to do something more adventurous,” recalled Hokenson, who most recently sailed aboard the deep sea vessel USNS Wright. “I applied to the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship and the next thing I knew I was enrolled in the trainee program at Piney Point, Md.,” he said. “Three months later, I was an ordinary seaman working aboard the USNS Wilkes out of Lisbon, Portugal, a far cry from my small hometown in Gig Harbor.” The experience he gained through the apprentice program, according to Hokenson, provided him with exactly what he was looking for – a chance to meet great people and visit interesting places while working aboard merchant ships. Hokenson has since upgraded his skills on several occasions by returning to the SIU-affiliated school. One day while working as an AB AB Peter Hokenson aboard the USNS Waters, Hokenson reflected back on the training he had received in the martial arts as well as the black belt which he had earned in 1981. He attempted to do the same Chinese splits that his instructor had taught him a few years back and discovered that surprisingly, he could still do them. “This (being able to do the challenging exercises) boosted my confidence enough to apply for the Seafarers Scholarship Program,” Hokenson shared. “I thought that the skills I learned at Piney Point, combined with my college background could possibly help me work in the educational arena, both at home and abroad.” He hopes to continue his studies at either the University of Puget Sound or St. Joseph’s University. Hokenson said he wanted to help people build an unshakable foundation that would enable them to withstand a troubled world; making it a better, safer place. For this reason, his future studies will focus on the arts, martial arts, education, music and the maritime industry. After noting that his interests in each of the foregoing areas have been boosted as a result of being a mariner, he said, “I have learned the ropes from the best in the world…. It was not a cakewalk, but still an incredibility rich life experience. I would not trade it for anything.” Brittany L. Redding Brittany L. Redding is a graduate of Attleboro High School in North Attleboro, Mass. The daughter of deep sea Chief Steward Dennis Redding (and wife, Brenda), Brittany was born in Rhode Island. She completed her secondary education with a 96.73 overall GPA and held membership in both the National Honor and the National French Honor Societies. A community activist, Brittany for the past five years captained the Relay For Life team in her neighborhood which to date has raised some $10,000 for cancer research. She served as a hospital volunteer and in 2006 was chosen to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. In 2007, Brittany was one of five girls chosen to represent her high school during the American Legion sponsored Massachusetts Girl’s State Forum on Medicine. Redding has several years of experience as a softball and volleyball player and was an avid member of her school’s marching band. Now that her high school days are over, Redding said, she plans to pursue a career in medicine. “Pending acceptance, I hope to start school next year at Johns Hopkins University in Brittany L. Redding Baltimore studying medicine.” The fact that her father is frequently home-ported in Baltimore made Hopkins her first choice because “it’s a prime location and [the school] has a not-too-shabby reputation.” In addition to Hopkins, she also has applied for admission to the University of Pennsylvania, and New York University. “Eventually, my dreams include a career in Radiology, a house in Wellesley and a massive amount of dogs. I have known from the beginning that I would choose a career in the medical profession for two simple reasons,” she added. One is “the house in Wellesley” and the other is “because I am that person who is not satisfied with satisfying themselves. I joke about the house in Wellesley because the truth is I would take sleeping on the side of a building over that house if it meant that I was helping someone – that there was one person whose life I made better.” June 2008 Christopher J. Wozunk Christopher J. Wozunk hails from Blackwood, N.J., and is the son of FOWT John Wozunk (wife Carol). The senior Wozunk works in the inland division and most recently sailed aboard a Crowley Liner Services vessel. Born in Seoul, Korea, Christopher is a graduate of Highland Regional High School in New Jersey. While at Highland Regional, Wozunk registered an overall 3.94 GPA and held membership in the National Honor, Nation Math and National Art Societies. Included in the vast list of activities in which he participated are chess, history, math, science, world languages and renaissance clubs; cross country and winter track and the Boy Scouts. An aspiring artist who says that art is everywhere and that it’s one’s responsibility to find and embrace it for what it is— whether it is abstract or realistic—Christopher plans to continue his education at Drexel University. He said he will study architecture and art because art has had a tremendous influence in his life from childhood. Wozunk recalled that his high school art instructor always told Christopher J. Wozunk him that he could not teach him how to draw well but he could teach him how to see. “If there is one thing that he taught me, it was how to see,” Wozunk said. “Not only in what I was drawing at the time, but the world around me.” Reflecting on some of his experiences as a member of the National Art Honor Society, Christopher said that the organization was far more than just a hobby for him. “It’s a way I can express myself in a different medium. Furthermore, it provides a chance to beautify my school through my own vision.” Wozunk said he remembers seeing only blank white walls when as a freshman he walked through the halls of his high school. These once plain walls however have since been dramatically altered. “These past years, a couple of friends and I have changed that by painting murals of inspirational quotes and palaces which have given meaning and depth to the walls,” he said. “Using our imaginations and creativity, we have brought light to our school.” Benjamin A. Wilmoth Benjamin A. Wilmoth hails from Plantation, Fla. He is the son of QMED Wendell Wilmoth (wife Cynthia) who sailed most recently aboard the deep sea ship Seabulk Energy. Wilmoth graduated in the top 10 percent of his class at Plantation High School last month with a 3.7 GPA. In addition to playing on his high school soccer team, Wilmoth is an accomplished musician having played in both the marching and concert bands at his alma mater. He is an active member of his church, participates in a number of community activities and served as vice president of the computer club at Plantation High. Wilmoth is a member of the National Honor Society. “After graduating from high school, I plan to attend the University of Florida,” he said. “There, I plan to major in business-marketing, possibly with a minor in economics. After I receive my bachelor’s degree, I will begin work towards my master’s degree. Benjamin A. Wilmoth “I want to get a job as a market analyst and eventually as a market research supervisor. From there, I hope to become a market research director for a major company. I plan on moving to New York City or Chicago where the marketing job field is flourishing.” “I have been very fortunate as a teacher,” wrote one of Benjamin’s high school teachers in a letter of recommendation for the SHBP Scholarship Program. “Over the past decade, I have taught the best and brightest at my school. And I have seen over and over again what a challenging academic schedule, broad involvement in school, and a busy personal life can do to a student. Many crumble under the pressure, some orchestrate their lives with the seriousness of a conductor, and a few make the life of a college-bound student seem easy. Benjamin Wilmoth is one of the latter; he has the poise, grace, maturity and the sense of humor to handle any challenge thrown his way.” Albert B. Balatico Albert B. Balatico is a graduate of Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville, La. The son of deep sea Seafarer AB Albert V. Balatico (wife Patricia), Albert finished his secondary education with an overall GPA of 4.12. He held the office of vice president in his school’s photography, art and quiz bowl clubs and was active in the Asian-Pacific American Society. Additionally, he performed more than 100 hours of community volunteer service as a tutor and spearheaded many drives to benefit the United Nations World Hunger Organization. Balatico plans to pursue a career Albert B. Balatico in journalism and film and hopes to attend either the University of Southern California or Tulane University in Louisiana. “I believe that the freedom of speech is quintessential to not only democracy, but to the arts, traditional and contemporary,” he said of his career plans. “I would like to double major in journalism and film studies because both fields are most relevant to our society. Both have blended in so beautifully with the advent of the digital age (through, for example) social networking sites, blogs and podcasts.” Albert believes that seeking a higher education will allow him to express himself while also making a living. “I will be perfectly content living modestly and having my passion, but that is a basic expectation derived by any artist,” he said Xiao X. Li Xiao X. Li was born in the People’s Republic of China. The daughter of deep sea Chief Cook Meili Seegers (husband Steven), she is a 2006 graduate Fernandina Beach High School in Fernandina Beach, Fla. A member of the National Honor Society, she completed her secondary education with an overall GPA of 3.72 and was the treasurer of her high school’s Technology Students Association. Xiao was also an active member of her school’s Chinese American Student Association and its chapter of the American Institute of Architecture (for students). In addition to being involved in student activities, she was an active volunteer in her community, donating time to the Humane Society, Special Olympics and various beach cleanup projects. She also participated in fund raising marathons and did behind-the-scenes volunteer work in support of Super Bowl XXXIX, which was played at ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. After finishing high school, Li in the summer of 2006 entered Xiao X. Li Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla., where she took classes for two summers of study. Also in 2006, she enrolled in the University of Florida (also in Gainesville) where she has earned 45 credits toward her degree in architecture. Architecture is Li’s passion largely because of her past in China, where “the harborage of 1.3 billion people” left a lasting impression on her. “The presence of numerous multigenerational family refuges had its dominant role,” she said. “It had consisted of relatives from the great grandma on my mother’s side to younger cousins and nieces who all shared the same dwelling. “A notorious one bedroom, one bathroom apartment [which] measured a square footage of less than 500 was what my family called home. With no access to air-conditioning or heat, we were fortunate to possess a stationary portable fan. The schools were infamous for sitting fifty rowdy students into a small classroom with the only circulation being two small gaping windows.” She added, “The population of the world is increasing by the minute, yet the surface area of the Earth is not going to change. To help solve this issue, we must efficiently use the limited space we possess, allowing sustainability to become part of the project from the beginning. This scholarship will help fund my continued aspirations and commitment into my graduate studies and toward creating a better society for all.” Sidney A. Kirk Sidney A. Kirk is a recent graduate of Currituck County High School in Barco, N.C., and is the daughter of AB Robert Kirk (wife Sylvia), who sails in the deep sea division. While at Currituck County, Sidney amassed an overall 4.30 GPA and was an active participant in varsity girls’ soccer as well as the BETA, science and poetry clubs. Additionally, Sidney was a founding member of the school’s Freshman Mentor Program, Invisible Children’s Club and Honor Court. She also served as chief justice of the honor court and was a member of the school’s Quiz Bowl trivia team which advanced to the state finals in competition against other high schools. Sidney during her high school career was the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the National BETA Club Certificate (2005-2008), Certificate of AchievementDistrict Champions Quiz Bowl Team (2005-2006), Outstanding Achievement in Honors English II (2005-2006), Outstanding Achievement in Creative Writing (2004-2005) and the Presidential Physical Fitness Award (20042005). Kirk also received recognition as an all conference soccer player and was cited for academSidney A. Kirk ic achievement as a student athlete. Besides school activities, Sidney was heavily involved in community service. She volunteers as a tutor for her church’s elementary student tutoring program; participated in Operation Christmas Child, which provides gifts and subsistence boxes to less fortunate children; and gave her time in support of Corolla Wild Horse Days, an event focused on raising money to ensure the wellbeing of the Corolla wild mustang and to inform tourists about the importance of respecting wildlife. When asked about her plans for the future, Sidney had a clear-cut agenda. “I plan to attend college at UNC Chapel Hill for eight years in order to obtain my doctorate in physical therapy,” she said. “After college, I would like to work in a hospital for a few years to gain some experience. Eventually, I’ll open up my own physical therapy business practice here in Currituck or the Outer Banks.” Seafarers LOG 7 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 9:06 PM Page 8 From left, Recertified Steward Peter Schmitt displays his handiwork, while SA Eusebio Avila cleans up after breakfast. Chief Cook Clarence Mack, in the words of the man behind the lens, “hams it up for the camera.” Sealand Meteor Capt. Howell (right in photo above) on behalf of the other officers and crew, accepts a piece of art from Yasuo Watanabe of the Shimizu Port Authority. Sealand Meteor Makes Historic Port Call in Japan Some of Meteor’s crew listen to an SIU patrolman upon returning to the U.S. Pictured left to right are Recertified Bosun Stephen Kastel, AB Norman Taylor and AB Richard Volkart. Annual Statements Sent To SMPPP Participants The mailing of annual statements from the Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan (SMPPP) to Plan participants was completed in April, according to SMPPP Administrator Margaret Bowen. Based on year-end reports received from Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, SMPPP investment manager, the Plan continues to perform well despite ongoing market volatility. Interest earned on the accounts during 2007 was 5.49 percent with an annualized return since inception of 9.87 percent; the total amount in all accounts was more than $70.1 million with the addition of $14.1 million that merged from the NMU Annuity Plan. The SMPPP originated in 1996, as the SIU successfully negotiated the new benefit into the standard freightship and tanker agreements. The SMPPP subsequently has been included in other SIU contracts. Approved by the Internal Revenue Service, the SMPPP is an individual interest-earning investment account funded by a daily contribution made by an SIU-contracted company on behalf of a Seafarer who is working for that employer. SIU members may make voluntary contributions to their respective accounts through a Vacation Plan deduction or via checks sent directly to the Plan. The SMPPP is completely separate from a member’s defined benefit pension, as well as the SIU 401(k) Plan. Participants are immediately vested in their respective SMPPP accounts as soon as the first such contribution is made. Unlike the Seafarers Pension Plan, there is no minimum amount of sea time needed to receive the money from an SMPPP account. Seafarers can collect the funds from their SMPPP account when they reach retirement age, become totally and permanently disabled, or leave the industry. Widows/widowers may collect the funds in the event of their spouse’s death. 8 Seafarers LOG Editor’s note: Recertified Steward Peter Schmitt submitted this article and the accompanying photos. At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, the Maersk Line, Limited containership Sealand Meteor called at the Port of Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is believed that the Meteor is the first U.S.-flag merchant vessel to call on that port. The officers and crew hosted a small reception in the officers’ mess to receive the dignitaries from the City of Shimizu, the Shimizu Port Authority, and the Shimizu Port Promotion Association. A short speech was given by Yasuo Watanabe of the port authority, in which he said, in part, “Today, we three parties representing local government and the port are now visiting your fine ship to say thank you for calling and we hope it will continue in the future. Shimizu Port exports freight such as motorcycles and automobile parts to North America and Europe; therefore, the enhancement of services for North America is an earnest wish for the industrial world and the inhabitants of Shizuoka Prefecture. We hope that the establishment of this sea route contributes to further development of Shimizu Port.” After the greetings, the master of the Sealand Meteor, Captain Raymond Howell, accepted on behalf of the officers and crew a beautiful piece of Japanese art titled “Shippouyaki,” depicting the port area in ancient times. He also received a plaque for the ship commemorating a visit and return to heaven of a Japanese legend. Finally, the guests presented to the ship a beautiful bouquet of local flowers. The visitors were then treated to an assortment of canapés and hors d’oeuvres prepared by Recertified Steward Peter Schmitt, Chief Cook Clarence Mack and Steward Assistant Eusebio Avila. The rest of the SIU crew aboard the Meteor included Recertified Bosun Stephen Kastel, ABs Norman Taylor, Mathew Bevak, Richard Volkart, Frederick Reich and Josefino Casugay, Chief Electrician Chris Earhart, QMED Kenyatta McNeil and DEU Editho Barraca. Bosun ‘Snake’ Williams Dies at 80 The SIU recently lost a dedicated, greatly respected member of its union family when Rowland “Snake” Williams died April 18 at his home in Baltimore. He was 80 years old. While there’s nothing poetic about yard work, there is perhaps some symbolism in the fact that Williams passed away while working around the house. (He suffered heart failure.) As was the case during his nearly 50 years sailing with the SIU (mostly as a bosun) and another 14 years helping out at the Baltimore hall, whenever Williams saw a task that needed to be done, he didn’t hesitate. Colleagues remembered Williams, who began sailing as a 15-year-old in World War II after training at Sheepshead Bay, N.Y., with genuine appreciation. They described him as businesslike but with a proverbial heart of gold when it came to helping fellow Seafarers. “He was a stand-up guy, a great union guy,” said SIU President Michael Sacco. “We worked on a lot of organizing campaigns together – he This photo from his never missed one. union book shows Whenever you Williams in his needed a volunyounger days. teer, you could always depend on Snake. He was a topflight sailor, too – a really good bosun who knew his stuff.” Williams’ career as a rank-and-file Seafarer included voyages in multiple wars and a long stint as bosun with the shore gang in Petty’s Island near Philadelphia. He retired from sailing shortly after the Persian Gulf War in 1991. His last vessel was the USNS Wright – from which his ashes are to be scattered in July. For the last 14 years, he was a familiar face at the hall in his native Baltimore and on SIU-contracted ships calling on the port. Anyone who shook his hand undoubtedly would appreciate the root of his nickname: “Snake” never meant to menace, but he had a python-like grip. “Snake always looked out for the SIU and ran the gang up in Philadelphia better than the supervisors did,” recalled SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel. “He always had a concern to help fellow members in whatever way he could, no matter the problem. He didn’t discriminate when it came to helping others. If you were an SIU member, he’d give you the shirt off his back.” Williams persevered through what must have been an extraordinarily difficult final year in which three family members died: his daughter, an adult grandson and, most recently, his wife, Doris, who passed away in February. Baltimore Port Agent Dennis Metz said Rowland “Snake” Williams (left) greets a Seafarer in early 2003 aboard the Cape Wrath in Baltimore. Williams’ strength through it all proved remarkable – Snake still pitched in at the hall six days a week – but he and others noticed a general decline after Doris died. “Calling him a friend just doesn’t do it justice,” Metz stated. “He had uncompromised integrity and was honest to a fault. It was an absolute privilege and honor to spend time with him. I learned a lot from him. As the saying goes, they don’t make them like Snake anymore.” Lisa Clark, secretary at the Baltimore hall, noted Williams had “a wonderful personality. He loved to help people. He was one-of-a-kind and will be greatly missed.” June 2008 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 9:09 PM Page 9 Maersk’s ‘Drive to Zero’ Produces Safe Results One of the reasons U.S.-flag ships and U.S. mariners stand out from some others in a worldwide crowd is concern for the safety and wellbeing of those who work on board. SIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) is a prime example of proactive efforts when it comes to safety, health and environmental stewardship. For instance, MLL’s “Drive to Zero” program is a hands-on initiative to assist employees (mariners and shoreside personnel alike) in focusing on safety and teamwork to make the workplace as safe as possible. As suggested by the title, its goal is to drive down unsafe and environmental incidents as close to zero as possible or eliminate them altogether. The results are quite positive. In 2007, the program helped net MLL a “Lost Time Accidents” (LTAs) rate of less than .5 per 1,000 man hours, an extremely low result by industry standards. Plus, MLL had no spills in 2007. In 2008 so far, the LTA rate is very low and there have been no spills. One of the key steps MLL took toward enhancing safety was to partner with the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education to provide unlicensed mariners a two-day safety course called “Safety Boot Camps.” According to MLL, the boot camps are integral in the company’s approach to Drive to Zero. The agenda focuses on leadership and effective communications as well as more technical topics such as job safety analysis and prevention of electric shocks. MLL says attendees have commented that they were impressed with the content. Recognizing the number of excellent performing unlicensed Seafarers that frequently sail with MLL, the company is opening attendance to SIU mariners sailing aboard Maersk’s government and commercial vessels with an MLL work history of at least three years. Any mariner interested in attending one of these Safety Boot Camps may email kpretto@mllnet.com. Safety Boot Camps are scheduled at Piney Point for early June and August 12-13. In addition to the Safety Boot Camps conducted for both officers and ratings, MLL runs monthly safety council meetings. These meetings are attended by senior management, fleet managers, labor relations personnel and Quality, Environment, Safety and Security (QESS) staff members. The primary purpose of the council is to provide frequent proactive oversight of MLL’s safety and environmental programs and Maersk Line, Limited’s SIU-contracted fleet includes the Alliance Norfolk, pictured earlier this year in Baltimore. Seafarer Benjamin Sivells (center) receives a cash award as part of Maersk’s safety efforts. Sivells, sailing aboard the Achiever, observed a mooring line in imminent danger of parting and reported it to the captain. He then assisted in making the situation safe. initiatives. This is intended to help ensure they remain effective, relevant and in alignment with the overall MLL culture. A “case study” of the previous month’s LTAs (if any) is presented by the fleet manager with specific focus and discussion on the cause. LTAs, “near miss reports” and “best practices” are shared weekly through MLL’s Quality-Gram, or Q-GRAM, communication. In 2006, MLL rolled out a new Safety Recognition Program. A cash award is given to every vessel’s entertainment account after completing a calendar quarter LTA-free. An additional $1,000 will be added to this account each time a vessel reaches 1,000 days LTA-free. Early this year MLL introduced a new program in which the masters and chief engineers may issue a $100 cash award each month to any crew member who goes out of their way to contribute to and promote the safety culture on board. As of early May, 11 mariners had received this award. To aggressively pursue the Drive to Zero initiative, MLL says it has implemented the Ship Safety Training Team program. The program consists of two trainers riding a vessel to conduct safety training while the ship is at sea. According to MLL’s General Manager of QESS Carol Berger, “MLL will continue to take actions to ensure that each and every member of our fleet feels that they have a direct influence on the safety performance of the company. Earning the trust of our mariners and making every mariner feel empowered is the only way that we are going to eliminate injuries on board our vessels.” SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker said, “Maersk’s commitment to the health and safety of seafarers exemplifies a culture of caring and respect toward employees. The company also deserves credit for doing its part to help care for the environment.” Bruch Family Celebrates Maritime Heritage Welcome Ashore, Bosun SIU VP Great Lakes Tom Orzechowski (right) congratulates Bosun Charles Neigebauer at the Algonac hall in late April as the newly retired Seafarer receives his first pension check. Brother Neigebauer joined the union in 1969. He sailed for many years with American Steamship Company, including numerous voyages aboard the St. Clair. In 2004, the company honored him with its “Mariner of the Year” award. June 2008 When Seafarer Chad Bruch (right) graduated in April from the Paul Hall Center’s unlicensed apprentice program, it signaled the continuation of the family’s maritime heritage. Chad’s grandfather (center), Capt. Dean K. Bruch, sailed aboard Waterman ships during World War II. In the years that followed, Capt. Bruch at various times sailed as a pilot, master and chief mate, including a year as master aboard an SIU-contracted riverboat. Chad’s father, Dean A. Bruch (left), also traveled to Piney Point, Md., to celebrate Chad’s successful completion of the apprentice program. Seafarers LOG 9 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 9:11 PM Page 10 New TWIC Deadline: April 15, 2009 As reported on page 2, the new deadline for U.S. mariners to obtain the government-mandated Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is April 15, 2009. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security last month announced the revised deadline; the original cutoff date was Sept. 25, 2008. The SIU encourages members to enroll for the TWIC as soon as possible. Step-by-step instructions have been published in the last few editions of the LOG and are available on the web both This is a list of addresses for Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enrollment centers as of mid-May, as published by the Transportation Security Administration at the following web address: http://www.tsa.gov/twic Alabama 250 North Water Street Mobile, AL 36602-4000 Alaska Suite 202 3200 Hospital Drive Juneau, AK 99801 New York 102 Smith Boulevard Albany, NY 12202-1067 Georgia 5214 Augusta Rd Garden City, GA 31408-1606 Suite 2106 3225 Old Washington Rd. Waldorf, MD 20602 Howland Hook Marine Terminal 241 Western Avenue Staten Island, NY 10303-1103 Country Inn and Suites 211 Gateway Center Blvd. Brunswick, GA 31525 Massachusetts 300 Tremont Street Unit #5 Carver, MA 02330-1758 Whitehall Ferry Terminal 4 South Street Room 210 New York, NY 10004-1940 Suite 427 5959 Shallowford Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 Boston Autoport 100 Terminal Street Charlestown, MA 02129 Suite 9 2680 Grand Island Blvd. Grand Island, NY 14072 Texas 7433 Leopard Street Corpus Christi, TX 78409 One East 2nd Street Oswego, NY 13126-1177 Ford Convention Center Tyler Room 5115 Interstate 10 South Beaumont, TX 77705 Hawaii 1347 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 204 Honolulu, HI 96814-4512 KPD Shelikof Facility 405 Marine Way Kodiak, AK 99615 Kahului Shopping Center 65 West Kaahumanu Avenue Unit 14 Kahului, HI 96732 1830 Embarcadero Avenue Suite 104 Oakland, CA 94606-5230 301 E. Ocean Boulevard Suite 500 Long Beach, CA 90802 1931 N. Gaffey Street Suite B San Pedro, CA 90731-1265 Suite 300 13201 San Pablo Ave. Richmond, CA 94806 Suite 103 1025 W Laurel St. San Diego, CA 92101 2000 Marina Vista Dr. Martinez, CA 94553 1251 N. Rice Ave. Oxnard, CA 93030 Suite 202 500 Sansome Street San Francisco, CA 94158 Connecticut 75 Crystal Ave. New London, CT 06320 FOR MORE INFORMATION On the web: www.tsa.gov/twic ■ By phone: TWIC Program Help Desk, 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942) ■ By email: credentialing@dhs.gov ■ Suite 204C 212 W. Main St. Salisbury, MD 21801 Hilo Hawaiian Hotel 71 Banyan Drive Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4601 California Oakland Maritime Support Services (OMSS) 11 Burma Road Oakland, CA 94607-1010 now includes a link where individuals may check the status of their card and/or schedule a time to pick it up. Manatee County Port Authority 13604 Reeder Road Palmetto, FL 34221 619 E Ship Creek Ave. Anchorage, AK 99501 Harrigan Centennial Hall 330 Harbor Drive Sitka, AK 99835 2970 Kele Street Suite 102 Lihue, HI 96766 Illinois Dixon Building Suite 206 8741 South Greenwood Chicago, IL 60619 Three Rivers Safety Council 1615 W. Jefferson Street Suite TWIC Joliet, IL 60435-6724 TWIC Enrollment Centers Michigan Delray Mechanical 667 S. Post Street Detroit, MI 48209-3053 800 East Ellis Road Suite 122 Norton Shores, MI 49441-5622 511 Ashmun Street Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783-1960 Hampton Inn 11 Winners Way East Peoria, IL 61611 863 North Pine Road Essexville, MI 48732 Suite 153 1635 1st Street Granite City, IL 62040 430 S. Water Street Marine City, MI 48039 Indiana 200 Russell Street Suite 110 Hammond, IN 46320-1825 3602 Northgate Court Suite 37C New Albany, IN 47150-6417 Kansas Commerce Plaza 1 - 7th Floor 7300 West 110th Street Overland Park, KS 66210 Louisiana Safety Council for Louisiana Capital Area 8180 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70810-1914 AmericInn of Silver City 120 Lincoln Ave. Ontonagon, MI 49953 396 N. State Street St. Ignace, MI 49781 Suite 105 1020 Hastings Street Traverse City, MI 49686 Suite 1 200 W. Erie Street Rogers City, MI 49779 Minnesota Suite 104 2161 University Ave. St. Paul, MN 55114 Suite 310 803 West Avenue Rochester, NY 14611 North Carolina Suite 107 5704 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 311 Atlantic Beach Causeway Atlantic Beach, NC 28512-7359 Ohio 3100 E45th Street Suite 226 Cleveland, OH 44127-1091 Star Center One Maritime Plaza 720 Water Street Toledo, OH 43604-1883 Suites 754, 755 8044 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45236 401 Broadway Avenue Suite D, Office B Lorain, OH 44052-0000 4830 State Road Ashtabula, OH 44004-6214 Suite 102 444 W. Perkins Ave. Sandusky, OH 44870 Oklahoma 5350 Cimarron Road Catoosa, OK 74015-3027 Oregon Suite 100 7025 N. Lombard St. Portland, OR 97203 Tennessee 3865 Viscount Avenue Suite 2 Memphis, TN 38118-6000 3200 West End Avenue Suite 510 Nashville, TN 37203-1330 West Gulf Maritime Association 1717 Turning Basin, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77029-3003 3800 Highway 365 Suite 123 Port Arthur, TX 77642-7566 1000 Foust Road Brownsville, TX 78521 1750 FM 1432 Victoria, TX 77905-0000 Mall of the Mainland Space #1074 10000 Emmett F. Lowery Expy Texas City, TX 77590 411 West Main Street Port LaVaca, TX 77979 Brazos Mall, Suite 1039 100 Hwy 332 West Lake Jackson, TX 77566 Suite 103 6000 Broadway Galveston, TX 77551 621 W Main Street LaPorte, TX 77571 Virginia Suite F 814 Greenbrier Circle Chesapeake, VA 23320 Suite 300, Room 359 11815 Fountain Way Newport News, VA 23606 Washington 5009 Pac Hwy E Suite 17 Fife Business Park Tacoma, WA 98424-3432 1310 Port Terminal Road Duluth-Superior, MN 55802 Pennsylvania Philadelphia Regional Port 3460 North Delaware Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19134-6311 Holiday Inn 1500 Hwy 71 International Falls, MN 56649 701 North Point Drive Suite 104 Pittsburgh, PA 15233-2133 Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) AERIE # 1 6205 Corson Avenue South Seattle, WA 98108 Room B006 34 13th Ave., NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 Suite 120-D 601 Upland Ave. Brookhaven, PA 19015 8327 Summit Park Rd Ste. D Anacortes, WA 98221 975 North America Way Miami, FL 33132-2004 LaPlace Shopping Center 1933 West Airline Hwy. LaPlace, LA 70068 Mississippi Ergon Refining 227 Industrial Drive Vicksburg, MS 39183-0000 Port of Everett Marina Marina Conference Center 404 14th Street Everett, WA 98201-1674 2604 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605 512 Roderick Street Morgan City, LA 70380 Suite D 1223 30th Ave. Gulfport, MS 39501 Puerto Rico Primer Piso, Salon de Conferencias Ave. Santiago de los Caballeros, final Edifico Turismo, Playa Ponce, PR 00716 Port Everglades Badging Office 1030 Taylor Road Dania Beach, FL 33004-2810 Suite 550 1340 W. Tunnel Blvd. Houma, LA 70360 Habana Plaza (Rear) 3125 Riviera Dr Key West, FL 33040 Maine 236 Oxford Street, Suite 12 Portland, ME 04101-3070 Suite 303 2051 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Riviera Beach, FL 33404 163 Hildreth Street North Bangor, ME 04401 Delaware 1 Hausel Road Wilmington, DE 19801-5852 Florida 955 Tallyrand Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32206-6049 707 Mullet Road Suites 117/118 Port Canaveral, FL 32920-4519 Suites 119, 120 5323 W. Hwy 98 Panama City, FL 32401 10 at www.seafarers.org and at the Transportation Security Administration’s TWIC web site, www.tsa.gov/twic. Seafarers also are asked to occasionally visit the SIU web site and/or check with their port agents for the latest TWIC news. For instance, when the DHS announced the changed deadline, the SIU site immediately posted the news release on its home page and also distributed the information to all SIU halls. The Transportation Security Administration TWIC web site Seafarers LOG 700 W. McNeese Street Lake Charles, LA 70605-5532 Port Fourchon Harbor Police 108 A.O. Rappelet Road Port Fourchon, LA 70357-0000 170 East James Drive Suite 104 St. Rose, LA 70087-4005 Maryland 2200 Broening Hwy, Suite 220 Baltimore, MD 21224-6623 Unit B19 800 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Greenville, MS 38703 New Hampshire 30 Mirona Road Extension Suite 2 Portsmouth, NH 03801 New Jersey Northern New Jersey 89 Leuning Street, Suite G South Hackensack, NJ 07606-1345 Navy Frontier Pier (Muelle Frontier) Suite 1 408 Avenue Fernandez Juncos San Juan, PR 00908 Rhode Island 17 Virginia Ave Suite 105 Providence, RI 02905-5443 South Carolina 4600 Goer Drive, Ste 112 North Charleston, SC 29406-6500 West Virginia Tri-State Fire Academy 4200 Ohio River Rd, Huntington WV 25702 Wisconsin Chase Commerce Center 3073 South Chase Avenue Suite 620 Building 28 Floor 1 Milwaukee, WI 53207-2668 Hotel Green Bay 780 Armed Forces Drive Green Bay, WI 54304 June 2008 �48717_v4:January 08 5/23/2008 8:26 PM Page 11 Snapshots from The Port of Jacksonville The photos which appear on this page capture some of the activities in which Seafarers are involved during their daily duties aboard vessels in and around the port of Jacksonville, Fla. While these photos only depict crew members from aboard three SIUcontracted vessels, more than a few others as well as hundreds of Seafarers regularly call on the port. Watch future editions of the LOG for more Jacksonville snapshots. El Yunque Members of the El Yunque deck department take a break from their duties for this photo. Pictured are AB Manuel Rodriguez, AB Jose Canales, Bosun Luis Ramirez, GUDE Jackie Jones and AB Donley Johnson. AB Raul Colon prepares the gangway of the El Yunque for use by fellow crew members. OMU Emanuel Paul places a relief call from the El Yunque engine room (left) while Chief Steward Francis Ostendarp (above) prepares breakfast. Chief Cook Vallejo Hernandez (photo at right) slices meat for the crew’s lunch meal. SL Motivator SA Curtis Spencer (above) prepares a breakfast plate for member of the crew, while Chief Cook Frank Washington (right) puts the finishing touches on an entree at the stove top. UA Joseph Bankhead (below) cleans dishes following the breakfast meal. They are crew members aboard the SL Motivator. June 2008 Horizon Producer Members of the Horizon Producer steward department meet prior to beginning preparation of another meal. Pictured (left to right above) are UA Ronnie Rodriguez, Recertified Steward Exxl Ronquillo, SA Marin Martin and Chief Cook Carlos Sanchez. Rodriguez prepares fruit for the salad bar (photo at right), while Martin (below right) cuts butter for the condiment rack. Sanchez (below left) prepares meat which will be used for the meal’s main entree. Seafarers LOG 11 �48717_v3:January 08 5/23/2008 3:27 AM Page 12 AB Ray Harvell AB Ed Osario AB Ruben Gamboa AB Audania Bomar CC Marlon Battad The Maersk-operated and SIU-crewed MV Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips is underway during SEACAT 2 While Sailing in the South China Sea, Strait of Malacca SA Rosemary Glover AC Norma West SA Deborah Artis 12 Seafarers LOG CB Lamont Faulks SA Gamal Meawad CC Raymond Alexander Recertified Steward Tony Spain Seafarers Assist in Anti-Terro T wo SIU-crewed ships sailing in the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet recently joined a multinational anti-terrorism exercise in the South China Sea and Strait of Malacca. The prepositioning ships USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (operated by Seafarers-contracted AMSEA) and MV Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips (Maersk) were the focal points of several training scenarios during the exercise called Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT). Naval forces from the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines participated in the annual exercise in the Malaccan Straits. The straits are notorious for piracy and terrorism activities. The Phillips and Lopez played the role of suspicious merchant vessels during the exercise, which was designed to highlight the value of sharing information in a multinational environment as well as conduct training in maritime interception operations. Combined, the Lopez and Phillips were boarded on five occasions by representatives from four Southeast Asian countries. During the training scenarios, the Lopez transited southwest from Phuket, Thailand, while the Phillips left Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, heading east through the South China Sea. Both ships were destined for Singapore. During the exercise the Asian navies tracked the ships and responded to simulated challenges, such as searching the ships for suspicious cargo or crew members. The exercise is designed to highlight the value of communication and cooperation between navies of different countries. The Lopez and Phillips will also be platforms for U.S. Coast Guard teams to train foreign military personnel, offering techniques for successfully boarding and searching suspicious vessels, according to MSC. Accompanying this article are photos from the Phillips submitted by AMO member Edward McDonnell. Members of the Royal B Brunei Special Forces ( Marines (photo at right) June 2008 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 9:30 PM Page 13 Bosun Bernard Baker AB James Stetter AB Joseph Leeks AB Kenneth McDaniel Recertified Bosun Fred Gongora AB Steve Castle CAT 2008 in the South China Sea. ca rrorism Exercise yal Brunei Special Forces prepare to board a suspect vessel. DEU Kendra Gardner British Royal Marines practice tactics aboard the MV Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips. QMED Rudy Cunanan ces (photo above) launch a maneuver during SEACAT 2008, while British Royal ight) hone their vessel boarding skills. June 2008 Seafarers LOG 13 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 9:42 PM Page 14 Crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division, the USNS Kanawha (left, shown in a file photo from 2007, alongside the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz) recently assisted in a rescue in the Gulf of Aden. (U.S. Navy Photos) CIVMARS Assist in Gulf of Aden Rescue Members of the SIU Government Services Division on May 4 assisted the crew of a vessel in distress in the Gulf of Aden, according to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC). The SIU CIVMARS who took part in the rescue were sailing aboard the MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha. The agency reported that the Dunia, a 49-foot dhow with a crew of 10, experienced a serious engine problem, leaving it unable to operate at sea. The Kanawha, which was nearby, responded. Kanawha engineers went aboard the dhow to troubleshoot the prob- lem. Once they determined repairs would need to be completed ashore, Combined Task Force 150 sent their nearest ship, the USS Shoup, to tow the dhow toward Yemeni territorial waters, close to Al Mukalla, where a tugboat was waiting to bring the small boat pierside. The dhow arrived in Yemeni territorial waters May 6. The Kanawha and the Shoup also provided the dhow’s crew with food, water and medical support during the two days. “The crew of the Kanawha responded in the finest tradition of the merchant marine to come to the aid of mariners in need,” said Capt. James Dolan, the ship’s civil service master. “Many of the crew volunteered to man the rescue boats that delivered food and water to the crew of the Dunia.” Coalition forces have a longstanding tradition of helping mariners in distress by providing medical assistance, engineering assistance as well as search and rescue, noted MSC. SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN — COBRA NOTICE The guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup tows the 49-foot dhow Dunia after the boat experienced engine problems Are You Receiving All Your Important Mail? To help ensure that each active SIU member and pensioner receives the Seafarers LOG—as well as other important mail—monthly, correct home addresses must be on file with the union. Those who recently have moved or feel that they are not getting their union mail, should use the form at right to update their home addresses. An individual’s home address is his/her permanent address. Unless otherwise specified, this is where all official union documents will be sent. Individuals receiving more than one copy of the LOG, those who have changed their address and those whose names or addresses are misprinted or incomplete, should fill out the form and send it to: Seafarers International Union, Address Correction Dept., 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Corrections via e-mail should be sent to kclements@seafarers.org 14 Seafarers LOG HOME ADDRESS FORM (Please Print) Name: ______________________________________________________ Phone No.: __________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Social Security No.: ________ / ________ / ________ Book No.: _______ Active SIU Pensioner Other ________________ This will be my permanent address for all official union mailings. This address should remain in the union file unless otherwise changed by me personally. 6/08 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 eligibility. This right is granted by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, better known as “COBRA.” The COBRA law allows a participant 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 continuation coverage if they lose their Plan coverage because the participant failed to meet the Plan’s seatime requirements. In addition, a participant and his or her dependents may have the right to choose continuation coverage if the participant becomes a pensioner ineligible for medical benefits. The participant’s dependents may also elect continuation coverage if they lose coverage under the Plan as the result of the participant’s (1) death; (2) divorce; or (3) Medicare eligibility. A child can also elect COBRA if as the result of his or her age, he or she is no longer a dependent under the Plan rules. If a member and his or her dependents feel that they may qualify, or if they would like more information concerning these rights, they should contact the Plan office at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Since there are important deadlines that apply to COBRA, please contact the Plan as soon as possible to receive a full explanation of the participant’s rights and his or her dependents’ rights. June 2008 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 9:43 PM Page 15 Important Notice Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea Accessing CIGNA Network Information Seafarers Plans officials report that some rank-and-file Seafarers and their dependents have experienced difficulties locating and accessing providers for their CIGNA health care benefits, but it’s not because of the network itself. At last month’s membership meetings, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) administrator’s report included a reminder that Seafarers who want to locate providers in the CIGNA network should log on to the web site that is listed on the back of their CIGNA identification cards. That web site is: www.cigna.com/SA-PPO2 Seafarers should note that the second-to-last letter in the CIGNA web address is the capital letter “O” rather than a zero, and the web address is case-sensitive. “It is important that you use this exact web site because we participate in the ‘Shared Administration’ section of CIGNA’s network,” said Maggie Bowen, SHBP administrator. “If you log on to the myCIGNA.com web site, you are not viewing the correct providers for the Shared Administration network.” Bowen said Seafarers also may call 1-800-768-4695 to locate providers in their areas. She noted that the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan also participates in the Shared Administration section of CIGNA’s dental network. To obtain information on dental providers, members should either log on to: www.cignadentalnetworksolutions.com or call a special toll-free phone number. To obtain this designated number, members are asked to contact the Seafarers Claims Department at 1-800-252-4674. Local port agents also can provide the number. Personals Dolores Marcell would like Rex O’Conner to contact her as soon as possible at (718) 874-8476. Viola Yeager, please contact Amanda Lesh at (573) 673-1507. Retired Chief Cook Ms. Suzanne Van Schoor is asked to contact Derrick Crummy. He can be reached at (206) 774-3905 or (206) 679-6209 (cell). Crummy can also be contacted via his e-mail: Lepuffer@yahoo.com. April 16, 2008—May 15, 2008 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Totals 6 3 5 18 5 15 33 29 2 8 10 31 18 9 3 6 9 3 31 20 1 1 1 5 0 1 4 5 1 0 3 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 6 5 253 264 38 0 0 4 3 0 12 15 23 0 5 8 17 9 6 1 1 1 1 11 9 1 2 6 5 1 5 18 20 0 3 3 8 17 3 2 2 3 2 10 14 0 0 2 3 2 0 2 1 1 1 0 3 4 2 0 0 1 1 1 3 Joliet ...................................Thursday: July 17, August 14 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Mobile..............................Wednesday: July 16, August 13 Port Piney Point.............................Monday: July 7, August 4 Algonac ...................................Friday: July 11, August 8 Baltimore..............................Thursday: July 10, August 7 Boston .......................................Friday: July 11, August 8 Guam ...................................Thursday: July 24, August 21 Honolulu..................................Friday: July 18, August 15 Houston .................................Monday: July 14, August 11 Jacksonville ..........................Thursday: July 10, August 7 New Orleans.........................Tuesday: July 15, August 12 New York .................................Tuesday: July 8, August 5 Norfolk .................................Thursday: July 10, August 7 Oakland ..............................Thursday: July 17, August 14 Philadelphia.........................Wednesday: July 9, August 6 Port Everglades ...................Thursday: July 17, August 14 San Juan ................................Thursday: July 10, August 7 St. Louis ...................................Friday: July 18, August 15 Tacoma .....................................Friday: July 25, August 22 Wilmington.................................Monday: July 21, August 18 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. June 2008 Totals Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Totals All Departments **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 1 0 1 17 3 5 29 28 0 7 13 9 15 16 1 0 9 2 23 26 205 0 3 7 10 0 6 22 22 1 3 10 17 14 4 3 7 11 4 23 18 185 0 0 2 0 2 1 4 2 0 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 16 0 1 1 7 0 1 21 21 0 2 9 10 5 6 1 2 7 1 16 14 2 2 10 16 2 19 72 49 2 19 23 82 22 36 4 3 11 2 58 46 8 5 7 30 8 19 63 44 5 13 9 60 32 19 5 7 13 8 50 32 5 2 0 9 2 3 8 9 3 2 4 7 6 3 4 0 2 2 13 11 125 481 437 95 0 0 0 3 0 2 7 5 1 1 1 3 3 2 0 0 4 0 6 6 1 0 1 9 0 16 21 23 0 12 11 31 11 11 3 2 4 2 27 19 2 3 10 11 5 8 26 31 2 6 6 24 22 12 6 4 8 3 26 15 1 0 2 4 3 1 2 3 1 1 0 7 7 4 1 0 1 2 5 8 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 126 125 27 Port July & August 2008 Membership Meetings Trip Reliefs DECK DEPARTMENT 0 0 6 7 2 12 42 26 1 12 10 30 13 17 2 3 9 1 31 29 Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 0 0 3 8 0 8 19 17 0 2 7 8 5 5 0 0 4 0 9 11 106 1 1 2 4 1 2 12 15 0 3 3 2 9 6 1 0 3 1 6 8 80 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 7 43 204 230 53 0 0 1 3 0 1 7 7 0 0 1 6 2 4 0 0 2 0 4 3 2 0 5 9 4 16 33 26 0 6 6 37 7 40 3 4 5 3 28 38 3 2 2 10 1 4 14 15 1 8 7 11 15 8 2 0 2 2 13 10 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 4 8 0 15 15 10 0 3 4 11 6 24 3 4 2 0 12 21 142 2 1 3 9 0 3 10 8 0 2 4 6 10 4 0 0 2 1 5 5 75 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 8 0 15 17 14 0 1 3 12 11 13 2 1 1 0 7 13 118 0 1 2 4 0 2 7 6 0 0 2 6 9 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 44 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 41 272 130 13 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 0 1 0 0 4 4 3 0 1 1 5 0 3 0 0 1 0 3 4 2 2 3 3 2 8 20 14 0 4 2 26 15 18 0 8 3 0 10 9 3 0 0 4 1 9 11 11 0 1 2 5 8 13 2 6 0 2 6 6 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 2 0 0 3 2 0 4 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 2 2 1 2 17 12 0 3 3 14 12 8 0 8 1 0 9 9 0 0 1 0 0 4 3 4 0 2 0 1 7 1 0 14 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 10 6 0 1 2 13 0 6 0 1 0 0 7 4 7 4 5 8 3 11 31 29 0 9 10 58 28 33 2 6 4 0 29 20 8 0 0 12 1 22 16 28 2 1 4 25 22 25 2 0 1 2 17 23 30 149 90 22 104 40 0 55 297 211 551 613 161 451 413 67 209 1012 1094 372 Seafarers LOG 15 �48717_v4:January 08 5/23/2008 8:35 PM Page 16 Seafarers International Union Directory Snapshots from the Santurce Hall Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters The photos appearing on this page show rankand-file Seafarers at various times when they stopped by the union hall in Santurce, P.R. They were shot and submitted for publication in the LOG by Port Agent Amancio Crespo. 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 AB Juan Ayala 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 AB Enrique Defendini displays the tankerman-PIC certificate he recently earned at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. 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 5 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210 (617) 261-0790 GUAM P.O. Box 315242, Tamuning, Guam 96931-5242 Cliffline Office Ctr. Bldg., Suite 103B 422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96910 (671) 477-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 Seafarers gather at the hall to discuss details of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. AB Xavier Alfaro holds his TWIC. 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 Bosun Noel Otero stops by the hall after completing a voyage aboard the Horizon Producer. Chief Steward Daniel Herrera and his wife, Amariliz, affectionately pose with their daughter, Danieliz. Bosun Abel Vasquez and son, Azael NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 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 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOG Chief Cook Adalberto Colon OMU Jose Medrano (right) receives his A book from Port Agent Crespo. Recertified Bosun Eric Perez (left), Chief Steward Daniel Herrera PICS-FROM-THE-PAST The photos at right were sent to the LOG by Phil “Flags” Retter of Clearwater, Fla. Both depict the stack of the SS Russell A. Alger as it appeared shortly after the morning hours of New Year’s Day in 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in Antwerp, Belgium. During the early morning hours of that day, a Navy gun crew aboard the vessel spotted and shot down a German Messerschmitt. Before the day ended, the vessel’s stack was painted with a gunner logo, swastika and ME 109 (shown in the upper left portion of the photo at immediate right). Retter was on the vesel at the time and part of the gun crew credited with downing the enemy aircraft. The individual shown in the photo at far right is Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Carmen Feola. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org June 2008 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 9:57 PM Page 17 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. Welcome Ashore DEEP SEA PAUL BURCKHARD, JR Brother Paul Burckhard, Jr., 65, was born in Tacoma, Wash. He joined the SIU in 1970 while in the port of Seattle. Brother Burckhard initially sailed on the Topa Topa as a member of the engine department. He was a frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Brother Burckhard’s final trip to sea was aboard the El Faro. He is a resident of Lakewood, Wash. ROBERT JOHNSON Brother Robert Johnson, 58, signed on with the union in 1969 in the port of New York. His first ship was the Boston; his last the USNS Fisher. Brother Johnson was born in Staten Island, N.Y. The deck department member enhanced his seafaring abilities on three occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Johnson lives in St. Augustine, Fla. JOHN SOKOLIK Brother John Sokolik, 65, became a Seafarer in 1986 while in the port of Seattle. Brother Sokolik originally shipped on the USNS Silas Bent. He most recently sailed aboard the Lightning. In 2000 and 2004, Brother Sokolik, who sailed in the deck department, attended classes at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. The California native now calls Nampa, Idaho, home. GERALD VAN EPPS Brother Gerald Van Epps, 64, joined the SIU in 1967. His earliest trip to sea was on a Seatrain Lines vessel, where he shipped as a member of the engine department. Brother Van Epps visited the Piney Point school in 1973 to upgrade his June 2008 skills. His final voyage was aboard the Patriot. Brother Van Epps resides in Surprise, Ariz. INLAND JAMES ADAWAY Boatman James Adaway, 55, was born in Texas. He signed on with the SIU in 1978 while in the port of Jacksonville, Fla. Boatman Adaway mainly shipped with Crowley Towing & Transportation of Jacksonville. The deck department member enhanced his skills in 2004 at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Boatman Adaway calls Lumberton, Texas home. BRUNO KALMETA Boatman Bruno Kalmeta, 55, donned the SIU colors in 1984 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. Boatman Kalmeta frequently took advantage of educational opportunities offered at the Seafarers-affiliated school. He was primarily employed on Crowley Towing & Transportation of Wilmington vessels. Boatman Kalmeta was born in Yugoslavia but now makes his home in San Pedro, Calif. LOUIS LORTZ, JR. Boatman Louis Lortz Jr., 62, first went to sea in 1973 from the port of Baltimore. He mostly sailed aboard vessels operated by Moran Towing of Maryland. Boatman Lortz worked in the deck department. In 1985, he attended classes at the Paul Hall Center. Boatman Lortz continues to live in his native state of Maryland. WILSON YANSON Boatman Wilson Yanson, 53, became an SIU member in 1975. He initially shipped with Hudson Waterways Corporation as a member of the deck department. Boatman Yanson frequently upgraded his seafaring abilities at the SIUaffiliated school in Piney Point, Md. He was born in Florida. Boatman Yanson most recently sailed aboard the Liberty Island. He is a resident of Panama City Beach, Fla. GREAT LAKES THOMAS PALMER Brother Thomas Palmer, 70, joined the SIU in 1971 in the port of Detroit. He was born in Cleveland. Brother Palmer’s first ship was the Detroit Edison; his last the St. Clair. The deck department member took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Piney Point school in 1980 and 2003. Brother Palmer continues to call Ohio home. GERALD RIFENBARK Brother Gerald Rifenbark, 65, was born in Michigan. He first went to sea in 1988 from Detroit. Brother Rifenbark initially sailed on the Paul H. Townsend as a member of the steward department. In 2004, he enhanced his skills at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Rifenbark’s final voyage was aboard the Susan Hannah. He resides in Interlochen, Mich. MOHAMED SAADI Brother Mohamed Saadi, 62, signed on with the union in 1973 while in Detroit. He originally shipped with Great Lakes Associates. Brother Saadi was born in Arabia. He attended classes on two occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. Brother Saadi, who sailed in the steward department, last worked on the American Spirit. He makes his home in Dearborn, Mich. Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers Log. 1945 Three SIU seamen who risked their lives to save their comrades were recently the recipients of service awards. Paul Irwin Valentine, 2nd cook and baker, and Ensign George E. Baker, onetime OS, were awarded the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal. Only 113 of these citations have been made since the beginning of the war. Fireman William A. Sullivan received the Meritorious Service Medal, one of 11 thus far awarded. Editor’s note: The following brother and sister, both former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, recently went on pension. JOANN HICKS Sister Joann Hicks, 71, joined the NMU in 1979, initially shipping from Port Arthur, Texas. She was born in Houston and sailed as a member of the steward department. Sister Hicks first worked on the Pilgrim. Her last vessel was the Delaware Trader. CHARLES PATTERSON Brother Charles Patterson, 58, became an NMU member in 1970 while in the port of Houston. The steward department member was born in Texas. Brother Patterson’s final voyage was aboard the USNS Fisher. the world, died on June 22, 1980 at the age of 65. Brother Paul Hall, whose legendary battles emblazon the SIU’s history with a deep tradition of victory, succumbed after an eight-month fight against cancer. It’s one of the few battles he ever lost. Announcement of his death sent shock waves throughout the American labor movement and the world maritime industry. Union headquarters was flooded with letters and telegrams from the ships at sea and from around the nation. They expressed deep sorrow and regret for the passing of one of the giants of American labor. They also vividly showed the tremendous amount of respect and admiration Paul Hall earned in his lifelong struggle to constantly improve the lives of American seamen. This Month In SIU His tor y 1967 Addressing nearly 300 delegates during the opening ceremony of the SIUNA convention, House Minority Leader Rep. Gerald Ford said of the U.S. Merchant Marine, “We lack both the ships and manpower to respond adequately to continuing international crisis.” Ford pointed out that the crises in the Middle East and in Vietnam show the need for a strong, efficient U.S. Merchant Marine – American-built, American-crewed ships – capable of handling our worldwide military logistic needs. 1980 Paul Hall, the man who built our union with brawn and brains from a struggling organization of 500 seamen into the number one maritime union in 1991 Sixty-five SIU members were part of a contingent of civilian mariners who on June 8 marched down the streets of Washington, D.C. and past President George Bush in the National Victory Celebration Parade to honor Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm veterans. The military invited civilian mariners to participate because of the major role they played in getting materiel to the troops, marking the first time they were invited to march in a parade. An estimated 200,000 parade viewers were on hand. Seafarers LOG 17 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 9:59 PM Page 18 Final Departures DEEP SEA MILTON ARMSTEAD Pensioner Milton Armstead, 72, passed away Feb. 5. Brother Armstead joined the SIU in 1964 while in the port of New Orleans. He first sailed on the Tam Guilden as a member of the steward department. Brother Armstead was born in New Orleans. His final trip to sea was aboard the Pioneer Contractor. Brother Armstead went on pension in 1988 and made his home in Houston. EDGAR ARMSTRONG Pensioner Edgar Armstrong, 83, died Jan. 23. Brother Armstrong became a union member in 1951 in the port of Baltimore. He initially shipped on the Calmar; his last vessel was the Developer. Brother Armstrong worked in the engine department. He was born in Maryland but called Vernon Hill, Va., home. Brother Armstrong started collecting his retirement stipends in 1986. LAUREN BRYANT Pensioner Lauren Bryant, 79, passed away Jan. 21. Brother Bryant began sailing with the Seafarers in 1958 from the port of Wilmington, Calif. His first voyage was aboard the Alcoa Explorer. Brother Bryant was born in Kansas and shipped in the engine department. His most recent trip was on the Tacoma. Brother Bryant retired in 1993. He resided in Washington State. DOUGLAS BURCH Brother Douglas Burch, 52, died Jan. 19. He signed on with the union in 1978 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. Brother Burch’s earliest trip to sea was aboard the Santa Mariana. The Alabamaborn mariner worked in the steward department. Brother Burch’s final ship was the Manulani. He settled in Los Angeles. STEVEN COKER Pensioner Steven Coker, 83, passed away Jan. 11. Brother Coker donned the SIU colors in 1951. He initially sailed on a Doric Shipping Corporation vessel. Brother Coker was born in North Carolina. He was a member of the deck department. Brother Coker last went to sea aboard the Cape Fear. In 1989, he began receiving his retirement compensation. Brother Coker lived in Tarboro, N.C. MICHAEL DIANGELO Brother Michael DiAngelo, 36, died Sept. 4, 2007. He was born in Baltimore. Brother DiAngelo joined the Seafarers in 1989 while 18 Seafarers LOG in Piney Point, Md. His first voyage was on the LNG Libra. Brother DiAngelo most recently shipped in the engine department of the Humacao. He made his home in Pasadena, Md. HARRY KAUFMAN Pensioner Harry Kaufman, 89, passed away Jan. 9. Brother Kaufman became an SIU member in 1951 in the port of New York. The New York native worked in the deck department. Brother Kaufman’s first ship was the Wild Ranger; his last the Patriot. He went on pension in 1983 and called Pahrump, Nev., home. JOHN KNOTT Brother John Knott, 59, died Dec. 3. He donned the SIU colors in 1991 in Piney Point, Md. Brother Knott originally sailed aboard the Cape John. He was a member of the engine department. Brother Knott was born in Maryland. His final trip to sea was on the Sgt. William R. Button. Brother Knott was a resident of Leonardtown, Md. FELIPE LUGO Pensioner Felipe Lugo, 91, passed away Jan. 7. Brother Lugo began sailing with the Seafarers in 1945; his earliest journey was aboard a Bloomfield Steamship Company vessel. He was a member of the steward department. Prior to his retirement, Brother Lugo was employed on the Arecibo. He became a pensioner in 1981 and resided in Puerto Rico. RICKEY MASON Brother Rickey Mason, 33, died Feb. 26. He joined the union in 1995 while in the port of Norfolk, Va. Brother Mason initially sailed aboard the USNS Loyal. He was born in Norfolk and worked in the steward department. Brother Mason’s most recent ship was the Marilyn. He still lived in his native city. NICK PALOUMBIS Pensioner Nick Paloumbis, 81, passed away Jan. 29. Brother Paloumbis was born in Greece. He originally shipped with Victory Carriers Inc. Brother Paloumbis sailed in the engine department. His last voyage was aboard the Adventurer. Brother Paloumbis retired in 1991. He continued to make his home in Greece. ANGEL PASSAPERA JEREMY VAUGHAN Pensioner Angel Passapera, 89, died Jan. 29. Brother Passapera, who was born in Puerto Rico, started his seafaring profession in 1944. Brother Passapera first sailed in the inland division on an Edgewater Terminal Corporation vessel. Before his retirement in 1981, he worked aboard the Horizon Mayaguez. Brother Passapera, who sailed in the deck department, called Puerto Rico home. Brother Jeremy Vaughan, 36, passed away Jan. 28. He joined the Seafarers in 2001 in Piney Point, Md. Brother Vaughan originally shipped on the USNS Victorious. He was a member of the engine department. Brother Vaughan’s final trip to sea was aboard the Overseas Maremar. He was born in California but called Weymouth, Mass., home. NEWTON RADER Pensioner Newton Rader, 69, passed away Jan. 29. Brother Rader joined the MC&S (Marine Cooks & Stewards) in 1961 while in the port of San Francisco. His earliest trip to sea was on the Maui. Brother Rader shipped in the steward department. His final journey was aboard the President Grant. Brother Rader settled in Los Angeles. He began collecting his pension in 1999. ROGER SULLIVAN Pensioner Roger Sullivan, 78, died Jan. 20. Brother Sullivan initially sailed with the union in 1951 on the Pan Atlantic. The deck department member was born in Georgia. Brother Sullivan’s last ship was the Bayamon. He lived in Baltimore and went on pension in 1995. ROBERT THOMAS Brother Robert Thomas, 46, passed away Jan. 2. He became an SIU member in 2001. Brother Thomas was born in Pennsylvania. His first voyage was on the Cape Domingo. Brother Thomas most recently worked aboard the Sagamore as a member of the steward department. He was a resident of Savannah, Ga. EDWARD TRESNICK Pensioner Edward Tresnick, 79, died Jan. 11. Brother Tresnick donned the SIU colors in 1948. His first ship was the Robin Hood; his last the Horizon Consumer. Brother Tresnick was born in Allison, Pa., and sailed in the steward department. He retired in 1990 and made his home in Streetsboro, Ohio. THEODORE WALLACE Brother Theodore Wallace, 80, died Jan. 13. He began sailing with the SIU in 1991 from the port of Philadelphia. Brother Wallace was initially employed on the Maj. Bernard F. Fisher. The New York-born mariner shipped in the engine department. Brother Wallace most recently worked aboard the Integrity. He resided in Baltimore, Md. DAWN WILLIAMS Sister Dawn Williams, 52, passed away May 13, 2007. She became a Seafarer in 1997 while in the port of Baltimore. Sister Williams’ earliest voyage was on the Global Mariner. The deck department member was born in Maryland. Sister Williams’ last trip to sea was aboard the Cape Wrath. She lived in Pasadena, Md. INLAND AMERICUS BELL Pensioner Americus Bell, 71, died Jan. 4. Boatman Bell was an Alabama native. He joined the union in 1990 in the port of Mobile, Ala. Boatman Bell was first employed aboard the USNS Chauvenet. He worked in the steward department. Prior to his retirement in 2007, Boatman Bell sailed on the Delta Mariner. He called Mobile home. NATHAN FIDINGER Boatman Nathan Fidinger, 51, passed away Feb. 5. He started his SIU career in 1999 while in the port of Wilmington, Calif. Boatman Fidinger originally shipped in the deep sea division aboard the USNS Watson. He was born in New York and worked in the steward department. Boatman Fidinger’s final trip to sea was on an Intrepid Personnel & Provisioning vessel. He was a California resident. JAMES LUPTON Mathews joined the union in 1978. His earliest trip was with Marine Oil Service Inc. Boatman Mathews was born in Currituck, N.C. His most recent voyage was on a McAllister Towing of Virginia vessel. Boatman Mathews went on pension in 2001 and settled in Grandy, N.C. BILLY PEPPERS Pensioner Billy Peppers, 64, died Jan. 9. Boatman Peppers joined the union in 1977. His first ship was the Seabulk Tanker. Boatman Peppers was born in Arkansas. His final trip to sea was aboard a Higman Barge Lines vessel. Boatman Peppers made his home in Beaumont, Texas. He started receiving his retirement compensation in 2005. GEORGE WOODS Boatman George Woods, 48, passed away Jan. 27. He was born in Texas. Boatman Woods became an SIU member in 1976 in the port of Houston. He primarily sailed on vessels operated by G&H Towing Company. Boatman Woods was a resident of Freeport, Texas. GREAT LAKES CARL HARDEE Brother Carl Hardee, 79, died Jan. 29. He signed on with the union in 1978 in the port of Algonac, Mich. Brother Hardee mainly worked with Luedtke Engineering Company during his seafaring career. He was born in South Carolina but called Leland, N.C., home. Editor’s note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension Trust have passed away. Name Abbington, James Calderon, Wenceslao Carey, Frederick King, Jose Neel, Walter Jr. Santos, Renato Souffront, Luisa Washington, Franklin Age 68 87 75 83 79 87 88 79 DOD Jan. 4 Dec. 6 Dec. 10 Dec. 2 Dec. 3 Dec. 11 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Pensioner James Lupton, 69, died Dec. 1. Boatman Lupton donned the SIU colors in 1970. He was first employed aboard an IBC Company vessel. Boatman Lupton sailed in the deck department. He last shipped with Mariner Towing. Boatman Lupton retired in 2000 and called Oriental, N.C., home. CHARLES MATHEWS Pensioner Charles Mathews, 70, passed away Feb. 28. Boatman June 2008 �48717_v4:January 08 5/23/2008 8:42 PM Page 19 Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings ALASKAN EXPLORER (Alaska Tanker Company), March 11 – Chairman Anthony J. Sabatini, Secretary John F. Huyett, Educational Director Detricke R. Kelly, Deck Delegate Dennis Caballero, Steward Delegate David Vaughn. Chairman asked for suggestions as to how safety award money should be spent. He noted that a new washer is to be ordered to replace the broken one. He also discussed upcoming deadline for TWIC cards and reviewed the process to obtain one. Secretary talked about safety award and reminded crew members that they were still in competition for another award which will be announced in the next few days. Educational director urged Seafarers to watch training videos and take advantage of educational opportunities available at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew noted their TVs had become loose and broken during rough weather; arrangements to be made to purchase new ones. Next ports: Richmond, Benicia and San Francisco, Calif. AMERICAN TERN (Osprey), March 9 – Chairman Hernando M. Bansuelo, Secretary John S. Greubel, Steward Delegate David A. Brown III. Chairman reported payoff to take place in Port Hueneme, Calif., on March 12. He requested status of wage increases and encouraged mariners to contribute to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activity Donation). Secretary stated that stores would be reviewed upon arrival in Port Hueneme. Educational director urged crew to upgrade when possible at the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members would like transformers for every room and installation of non-skid adhesive in showers. Requests were also made for more movies and a treadmill for the gym. Next port: Port Hueneme, Calif. CHARGER (Maersk Line, Limited), March 14 – Chairman Robert Pagan Jr., Secretary Raymond S. Garcia, Educational Director Richard A. Huffman, Deck Delegate Raymond P. Vicari, Engine Delegate Yahya A. Mohamed, Steward Delegate Curtis W. Williams. Bosun reminded members to clean their rooms before departing vessel and leave keys on desk in room. Secretary reported smooth sailing. Educational director reminded Seafarers to enhance skills at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Concerns were raised pertaining to room temperatures. Crew discussed proper disposal of trash. Next port: Los Angeles. COMMITMENT (Maersk Line, Limited), March 30 – Chairman Edward J. O’Conner, Secretary Stephanie L. Sizemore, Educational Director Dennis R. Baker, Deck Delegate Edwin Ortega, Steward Delegate Justino Martinez. Chairman noted good trip with no injuries. He discussed TWIC program and supplied crew with copies and details about applying for TWIC card. Sanitary inspection to take place prior to payoff in Elizabeth, N.J. Secretary expressed gratitude to crew members for helping keep ship clean with a special thanks to SA Justino Martinez and Wiper Wadeea Alnasafi for outstanding work. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Educational director surveyed interest in new Seafarers 401(k) plan and talked about the difference between traditional and Roth IRA contribution. Letter received from headquarters was read and discussed. Suggestion was made to lower seatime requirements for medical benefits and lower retirement age. It was reported that a new phone was installed in the crew mess. Bosun thanked steward department for good food and for keeping the cookie jar well supplied. Next ports: Elizabeth, N.J., Charleston, S.C., and Houston. GLOBAL SENTINEL (Transoceanic Cable Ship Company), March 12 – Chairman Joseph J. Olsen, Secretary Shawn R. Fujiwara, Educational Director Lothar Wick, Deck Delegate Terrence X. Carmody. Chairman reported smooth voyage and asked crew to leave rooms clean when getting off vessel. He informed members that ship was getting an updated server and new computers which will offer access to the internet. He encouraged everyone to enroll for the TWIC and reminded 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. With Seafarers Aboard the Seabulk Challenge The SIU-crewed Seabulk Challenge recently made a stop in Piney Point, Md., home of the Seafarers-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. SIU Piney Point Port Agent Pat Vandegrift met with crew members and submitted these photos. Pictured left to right are (seated) AB German Guevarra, UA Christopher Gonseth, Recertified Bosun Harold Sebring, SA Ernest Britt, AB Jack Gainers, (standing) AB David Harvey, AB Jose Baltazar, OMU Larry Guerrero, 2nd Pumpman Naveed Khalid and UA Hubert Davis. After meeting with the unlicensed crew, Port Agent Pat Vandegrift (right) is joined by AB Richard Crutchfield (left) and Recertified Bosun Harold Sebring for this photo. them the card must be picked up at the same office where the individual applied. Secretary provided update on steward department personnel. All aboard were reminded that any injury requiring more than basic first aid is subject to drug and alcohol testing. Educational director urged mariners to attend classes at the Paul Hall Center. Crew was reminded to keep all necessary seafaring documents current. Treasurer stated $4,800 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request was made concerning Procedure for SIU Absentee Ballots Elections for the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are scheduled for later this year. As in past SIU election years, a comprehensive guide will be published in the Seafarers LOG prior to the balloting. In the case of members eligible to vote who believe they will be at sea during the Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2008 voting period, absentee ballots will be 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 election, including the absentee ballot process. Here is the procedure to follow when requesting an absentee ballot: 1. Make the request in writing to the SIU office of the secretary-treasurer, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. 2. Include in the request the correct address where the absentee ballot should be mailed. 3. Send the request for an absentee ballot by registered or certified mail. 4. The registered or certified mail envelope must be June 2008 postmarked no later than midnight, Nov. 15, 2008 and must be received at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 no later than Nov. 25, 2008. 5. The secretary-treasurer, after confirming eligibility, 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, 2008. 6. Upon receiving the ballot and envelope, vote by marking the ballot. After voting the ballot, place the ballot in the envelope marked “Ballot.” Do not write on the “Ballot” envelope. 7. Place the envelope marked “Ballot” in the mailing envelope which is imprinted with the mailing address of the bank depository where all ballots are sent. 8. Sign the mailing envelope on the first line of the upper left-hand corner. Print name and book number on the second line. The mailing envelope is selfaddressed and stamped. 9. The mailing envelope must be postmarked no later than midnight, Dec. 31, 2008 and received by the bank depository no later than Jan. 5, 2009. Shown in the galley are (from left) Chief Steward Tim Dowd, Chief Cook Heath Bryan, SA Ernest Britt and UA Hubert Dennis. information about job descriptions of GVA and (when applicable) third cook. New mattresses are being ordered for crew. Concerns were voiced about food budget and stores. HORIZON TIGER (Horizon Lines), March 31 – Chairman Mark S. Lance, Secretary Terry L. Allen, Educational Director Charles L. Wharton, Engine Delegate Prentiss R. Smith. Chairman announced payoff upon arrival on April 5 in Tacoma, Wash. He urged members to look into 401(k) plan. Secretary asked crew when using the small washer to not use a lot of soap, or it will not operate properly. Mariners departing vessel were asked to leave room clean for next member. Educational director stated that all rooms should have a transformer; if not, he needs to be informed. Treasurer noted $540 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed seatime requirements to maintain benefits and suggested reducing the minimum number to 120 days. Next ports: Tacoma, Wash. and Oakland, Calif. INTREPID (Maersk Line, Limited), March 6 – Chairman Abdulla R. Alwaseem, Secretary James E. Harper, Engine Delegate Andrew J. Linares. Crew noted no resolution concerning issues with furniture in crew mess and crew lounge. Chairman stated payoff to take place on March 8 in Long Beach, Calif. He recommended upgrading at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. Secretary suggested all members invest in the new SIU 401(k) Plan. Treasurer reported $3,500 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew would like direct deposit for vacation checks and lump-sum buyout for eligible members. Crew requested clarification on certain work rules for steward department. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. OVERSEAS LUXMAR (OSG Ship Management), March 26 – Chairman Charles H. Foley, Secretary Lovie L. Perez, Educational Director William Pough, Deck Delegate Timothy P. Kauble, Engine Delegate Oscar Ruiz, Steward Delegate Luis Gonzalez. Chairman talked to captain about travel pay to Portugal and was told it should be in the March payoff. He reported a new microwave has been ordered and is expected to be delivered in Houston. Union officials should be arriving aboard the ship in Port Everglades, Fla., to discuss matter involving lack of water. Mariners were asked to keep better track of their OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported. It was noted that lockers on deck have no lights, chief cook needs a new lock on his door and showers surge hot water. Next port: Port Everglades, Fla. Seafarers LOG 19 �48717_v3:January 08 5/22/2008 10:02 PM Page 20 SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR SIU PACIFIC DISTRICT SEAFARERS MEDICAL CENTER FUND This is a summary of the annual report of the SIU Pacific District Seafarers Medical Center Fund, EIN 94-2430964 for the year ended June 30, 2007. The annual report has been filed with the Employee Benefits Security Administration, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Benefits under the Plan are provided by the SIU Pacific District Seafarers Medical Center Fund, a trust fund. Basic Financial Statement The value of Plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the Plan, was $(134,986) as of June 30, 2007, compared to $(291,971) as of July 1, 2006. During the Plan year, the Plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $156,985. During the Plan year, the plan had a total income of $649,792 including employer contributions of $478,577, earnings from investments of $133 and other income of $171,082. Plan expenses were $492,807. These expenses included $397,016 in administrative expenses and $95,791 in benefits paid to or for participants and beneficiaries. Your Rights to Additional Information You have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request. The items listed below are included in that report. 1. An accountant report; 2. Financial information and information on payments to service providers; and 3. Assets held for investment. To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call the office of the SIU Pacific District Seafarers Medical Center Fund, 730 Harrison Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107; telephone (415) 392-3611. The charge to cover copying costs will be $2.75 for the full annual report, or $.25 per page for any part thereof. You also have the right to receive from the Plan administrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the Plan and the accompanying notes, or a statement of income and expenses of the Plan and accompanying notes, or both. If you request a copy of the full annual report from the Plan administrator, these two statements and the accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copying costs does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the report because these portions are furnished without charge. You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the main office of the Plan, at 730 Harrison Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107, and at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment of coping costs. Requests to the Department should be addressed to Public Disclosure Room, Room N1513, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. ANNUAL FUNDING NOTICE FOR NMU PENSION PLAN Introduction This notice, which federal law requires all multiemployer plans to send annually includes important information about the funding level of the NMU Pension Plan, Plan # 001, Federal ID # 13-6592643. This notice also includes information about rules governing insolvent plans and benefit payment guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a federal agency. This notice is for the plan year beginning January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2007 (2007). Plan’s Funding Level The Plan’s “funded current liability percentage” for the Plan Year was 131.48%. In general, the higher the percentage, the better funded the plan. The funded current liability percentage, however, is not indicative of how well a plan will be funded in the future or if it terminates. Whether this percentage will increase or decrease over time depends on a number of factors, including how the plan’s investments perform, what assumptions the plan makes about rates of return, whether employer contributions to the fund increase or decline, and whether benefit payments from the fund increase or decline. Plan’s Financial Information The market value of the Plan’s assets of January 1, 2007 was $282,684,901. The total amount of benefit payments for the Plan Year was $23,112,227. The ratio of assets to benefit payments is 12.2. This ratio suggests that the Plan’s assets could provide for approximately 12 years of benefit payments in annual amounts equal to what was paid out in the Plan Year. However, the ratio does not take into account future changes in total benefit payments or plan assets. Rules Governing Insolvent Plans Federal Law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubled multiemployer plans. Under so-called “plan reorganization rules,” a plan with adverse financial experience may need to increase required contributions and may, under certain circumstances, reduce benefits that are not eligible for the PBGC’S guarantee (generally, benefits that have been in effect for less than 60 months). If a plan is in reorganization status, it must provide notification that the plan is in reorganization status and that, if contributions are not increased, accrued benefits under the plan may be reduced or an excise tax may be imposed (or both). The law requires the plan to furnish this notification to each contributing employer and the labor organization. Despite the special plan reorganization rules a plan in reorganization nevertheless could become insolvent. A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its available financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits when due for the plan year. An insolvent plan must reduce benefit payments to the highest level that can be paid from the plan’s available financial resources. If such resources are not enough to pay benefits at a level specified by law (see Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC, below), the plan must apply to the PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC, by law, will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefits may be restored if the plan’s financial condition improves. A plan that becomes insolvent must provide prompt notification of the insolvency to participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unions representing participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiaries also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefits will be reduced or affected as a result of the insolvency, including loss of a lump sum option. This information will be provided for each year the plan is insolvent. Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC The maximum benefit that the PBGC guarantees is set by law. Only vested benefits are guaranteed. Specifically, the PBGC guarantees a monthly benefit payment equal to 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan’s monthly benefit accrual rate, plus 75 percent of the next $33 of the accrual rate, times each year of credited service. The PBGC’s maximum guaran- tee, therefore, is $35.75 per month times a participant’s years of credited service. Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accrued monthly benefit of $500, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the PBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by the participant’s years of service ($500/10), which equals $50. The guaranteed amount for $50 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $24.75 (.75 x $33), or $35.75. thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit is $357.50 ($35.75 x 10). Example 2: If the participant in Example 1 has an accrued monthly benefit of $200, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the guarantee would be $20 (or $200/10). The guaranteed amount for a $20 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x$9), or $17.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10). In calculating a person’s monthly payment, the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under the plan within 60 months before the earlier of the plan’s termination or insolvency. Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee pre-retirement death benefits to a spouse or beneficiary (e.g., a qualified pre-retirement annuity) if the participant dies after the plan terminates, benefits above the normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or non-pension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits, vacation pay, or severance pay. Where to Get More Information For more information about this notice, you may write Miriam Bove at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 or call at 718-499-6600 ext. 242. For more information about the PBGC and multiemployer benefit guarantees, go to PBGC’s website, www.pbgc.gov, or call PBGC toll-free at 1800-400-7242 (TTY/TDD users may call the Federal relay service toll free at 1800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 1-800-400-7272). Know Your Rights 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 accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. 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 recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A 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 shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been 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. 20 Seafarers LOG 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 themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate 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 candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been 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. June 2008 �48717_v4x:January 08 5/27/2008 1:10 PM Page 21 SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the next few months of 2008. All programs are geared to improving the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Course Start Date Date of Completion Marine Electrician October 27 December 19 Marine Refrigeration Technician July 21 September 29 August 29 November 6 Pumpman August 11 August 22 Welding July 7 September 1 October 6 November 3 December 1 July 25 September 19 October 23 November 21 December 19 Safety Specialty Courses Deck Upgrading Courses Advanced Fire Fighting (must have basic fire fighting) June 30 July 11 Basic Safety Training/Basic Fire Fighting June 16 June 23 July 21 June 20 June 27 July 25 Fast Rescue Boat June 16 July 14 August 18 September 8 June 20 July 18 August 22 September 12 Government Vessels (Week 1) June 23 June 27 November 14 December 19 Medical Care Provider July 14 September 8 July 18 September 12 September 1 September 12 Tanker Assistant (DL) Lifeboatman/Water Survival June 23 August 4 September 15 October 27 July 4 August 15 September 26 November 7 June 30 August 25 September 22 October 20 November 10 July 11 September 5 October 3 October 31 November 21 Radar September 22 November 3 October 3 November 14 Radar Renewal (one day) June 23 October 27 December 8 June 23 October 27 December 8 August 4 August 25 September 29 October 20 November 24 August 15 September 5 October 10 October 31 December 5 October 14 November 3 Start Date Date of Completion July 7 August 18 September 29 November 10 August 1 September 12 October 23 December 5 June 16 October 6 November 17 June 20 October 10 November 21 Celestial Navigation October 20 November 24 GMDSS Course Able Seaman Automated Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) (must have radar unlimited) Specially Trained Ordinary Seaman (STOS) Bosun Recertification Course Engine Upgrading Courses Advanced Container Maintenance (Refer) September 1 November 10 September 26 December 5 Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations (BAPO) July 21 September 15 November 10 August 15 October 10 December 5 Fireman/Watertender/Oiler (FOWT) June 16 August 18 October 13 July 11 September 12 November 6 Junior Engineer July 7 August 29 Machinist July 7 July 21 July 25 August 8 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Telephone _________________________ Deep Sea Member Lakes Member Date of Birth ______________________ Social Security # ______________________ Book # _________________________ Seniority _____ Department ___________ E-mail ____________________________ Yes No Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations These modules start every Monday. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward These classes start every other Monday. The most recent class began May 26. Steward Recertification Course July 14 August 4 Aug. 18 Sept. 8 Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, two weeks prior to the beginning of a vocational course. An introduction to computers course will be selfstudy. Online “Distance Learning” Courses In addition to the foregoing courses, the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education currently is offering the following internet-based courses: Environmental Awareness; Hazardous Material Control and Management; Hearing Conservation; Heat Stress Management; Shipboard Pest Management; Respiratory Protection, and Shipboard Water Sanitation. The courses are free to mariners covered by SIU contracts. To register, complete the regular upgrading application located on the bottom left portion of this page, and mail it to: Admissions Office, Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075. Applicants will receive user account information from the center via e-mail. They are therefore urged to provide their e-mail addresses in the space provided on the application. Applicants should also include the word “online” when listing the courses they wish to take. With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and fifty (150) 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 indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All OL, AB, JE and Tanker Assistant (DL) 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. COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Inland Waters Member If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. U.S. Citizen: Steward Upgrading Courses Home Port _____________________________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _____________________________________ LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: ___________ _____________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? Yes No If yes, class # __________________________________________________________ Yes Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? 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 ________________________________________________ June 2008 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 questions, 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 qualified, 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. 6/08 Seafarers LOG 21 �48717_v4:January 08 5/23/2008 8:46 PM Page 22 Paul Hall Cent er Classes Chief Cook - The following upgraders recently graduated from this course. Graduating (above, from left) were Edna Jones, Peter Schuetz, Alejandro Nejia, Dawn Johnson, Terrance Sawyer and Leslie McGirt. Their instructor, John Dobson, is second from right in dark shirt. Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 701 – Unlicensed apprentices from Class 701 recently graduated from the water survival course. Those graduating from the course (above in alphabetical order) were Ryan Bernal, David Brady, Tony Brinkley, Victor Chevalier, Mitchell Childress, John Curran, Jedrek Funkhouser, Marcus Gramby, Jonathan Johnson, Joseph Loureiro, LaToya Lunford, Matthew Martel, Cory Mulligan, Lazaro Rivera, Ronnie Rodriguez, Keith Rogers, Nelson Velez, Charles Wagner, John Wahl, Nicole Walton and Enoch Winrod. Their instructor, Tom Truitt, is at far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) STOS - The following upgraders (in alphabetical order) on May 9 completed this course: Seddik Ali, Joselito Beof, Curtrina Duck, Matthew Hojna, Marc Kretzera and Sandy Santiago. Their instructor, Stan Beck, is far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Welding - The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this class on April 25: Sterling Cox, Norman Hook, Billie Marshall, David McRoy Jr., Travis Moody, Montree Nakwichet, Rodney Payne and Velez Enrique. Their instructor, Buzzy Andrews, is standing fourth from left. (Note: Not all are pictured.) ARPA – Eight upgraders on April 18 completed this 32-hour course. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were Mark Kane, Todd Keith, Kevin Kirk, W. Tyson Little, Chris Mahannan, Gil Pruitt, William Ray and Christopher Vincenzo. Stacey Harris, their instructor, is at far right. Advance Firefighting - The following Express Marine boatmen (photo above, in alphabetical order) on May 2 completed this course: David Goodwin, Sherwood Lewis Jr., Clifton Potter Jr., Russell Shores, Stephen Stockwell, Timothy Thomas and Jonathan West Sr. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Tankship Familiarization DL - Sixteen upgraders (photo at left) on April 4 completed their requirements for graduation from this course. Those graduating (in alphabetical order) were Dennis Adjetey, Glenn Agustin, Eric Bridges, Jon Bumgarner, Barry Burns, William Coronacion, Cirico Geonanga Jr., Russell Hayden, Kathleen Kemp, Arnedo Parades, Michael Proveaux, Rolando Salamat, Wilson Trayvilla, Mariette Wright, Joseph Yamson and Cecil Yearwood. Jim Shaffer, their instructor, is standing, far left. 22 Seafarers LOG June 2008 �48717_v4:January 08 5/23/2008 8:49 PM Page 23 Paul Hall Cent er Classes Water Survival - The following individuals (in alphabetical order) completed this 60-hour course April 11: Paulino Amaya, Terence Bennett, Marcelino Cayabyab, James Copeland, Tash Ismail, Mohammad Khan, Joseph Kranjnik, Nabil Mali, Spencer Reed, Carl Robinson and Jamal Sailan. Bernabe Pelingon, their instructor, is standing, far right. Pumpman - Two upgraders completed this course on April 18. They were (above, in alphabetical order) Dennis Adjetey and Alfonzo Davis. Their instructor, Jim Shaffer, is standing. STCW - The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) on April 11 completed this course: Khaled Ahmed, Dan Hanlon, Michael Kelley, Randy Knipfer, Howard Randle, Terri Sales, Peter Schultz and Jason Smith. Tankerman PIC Barge - The Crowley Towing boatmen above completed this class April 11. Graduating (in alphabetical order) were David Brown, Nathanial Burkes, Bradley Cunningham, Brian Deedler, Brian Evans, Jeff Johnson, Steve Kearney, Chris Maibaum, Edgar Melendez, Meg Noonan, Dennis Spear, Matthew Tanner, Tommy Thompson, Jeremy Tyler, Greg Wall and Paul Warner. Also completing the course was ASTI Instructor Forrest McGee (standing third from left in second row). Mitch Oakley, the class instructor, is next to Mcgee, in light, collared shirt. Tankerman Pic Barge - Twenty-four upgraders on April 25 graduated from this course. Completing the curriculum (in alphabetical order) were Rigoberto Beata, Eric Bridges, Timothy Cox, Chad Cunningham, Enrique Defendini, Christopher Dickens, Cleveland Foy, Frank Guido, Kenric Henry, Gary Hirsch, James Knute, Marc Kretzer, Sergey Kurchenko, Anthony McNeil, Romualdo Medina, Stephen Morris, Darrin Murray, Victor Nunez, Anthony Pace, Gil Quinines, Angelo Schiraldi, Paul Stardish, David Turinski and Michael Willis. Their instructor, Mitch Oakley, is pictured at far right, front row. June 2008 Seafarers LOG 23 �48717_v4:January 08 5/23/2008 8:54 PM Page 24 Volume 70, Number 6 June 2008 TWIC Deadline Changed to April 15, 2009 - Pages 2, 10 Seabulk Trader Overseas Luxmar The Seabulk Trader (bottom left) recently called on the Port of Ft. Lauderdale. Crew members included Chief Steward James Harris and Chief Cook David Coggio (top left photo). The crew also consisted of (photo above, in alphabetical order) Bosun Bobby Coleman, GUDE Moriah Collier, AB Geoffrey Hall, AB Carson Jordan, SA David Marquez and AB Melvin Smalls. Scenes From In & Around The Port Of Ft. Lauderdale The Port of Ft. Lauderdale is the scene of almost non-stop activity in the maritime industry. Rank-and-file SIU members on a daily basis enter and exit the port while doing their jobs aboard union-contracted vessels. The photos appearing on this page--shot and submitted for publication in the Seafarers LOG by Ft. Lauderdale Safety Rep. Kevin Marchand--capture some of that activity. It’s business as usual aboard the Overseas Luxmar. Clockwise from top left Chief Cook Luis Gonzales cleans the grill in the ship galley following a meal while Bosun Winfred Itima, AB Jose Calix and SA Justo Flores conduct a meeting in the dining area. Calix (above right) operates one of the ship’s loading cranes while AB Nelson Montoya (above left) survey’s the vessel deck. Overseas New York Tug Columbia The Overseas New York (above) enters Port Everglades during its maiden voyage. The New York is the newest vessel in the OSG America tanker fleet. OS Carlos Zelaya (left in the inset photo above) and AB Bruce Godfrey meet on the deck of the Tug Columbia. Both are tankermen aboard the vessel. Sea Venture The USS Transport-operated Sea Venture (photo at right) enters Port Everglades, Fla. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource June 2008 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES TWIC DEADLINE CHANGES TO APRIL ’09; MARINERS STILL URGED TO APPLY ASAP COMMITTEE SELECTS SEVEN INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE 4-YEAR, $20K SCHOLARSHIPS INDEPENDENCE II JOINS SEAFARERS FLEET HOSPITAL SHIP BEGINS MISSION USNS MERCY STARTS 40MONTH HUMANITARIAN DEPLOYMENT MAJESTIC MAY SELL DELTA QUEEN PAUL HALL CENTER’S ONLINE COURSES RECEIVE HIGH MARKS SEAFARERS TO SAIL ON APTLY NAMED ‘SWIFT’ SIU-CREWED WESTWARD VENTURE FIRES WARNING SHOTS IN GULF RECERTIFIED BOSUN SAVES LIFE OF TRAPPED SHIPMATE SIU SHIPS OFFLOAD CARGO FOR ‘COBRA GOLD’ COLUMNISTS CREDITS SIU STEWARD DEPARTMENTS, PAUL HALL CENTER SEALAND METEOR MAKES HISTORIC PORT CALL IN JAPAN ANNUAL STATEMENTS SENT TO SMPPP PARTICIPANTS BOSUN ‘SNAKE’ WILLIAMS DIES AT 80 MAERSK’S ‘DRIVE TO ZERO’ PRODUCES SAFE RESULTS SEAFARERS ASSIST IN ANTITERRORISM EXERCISE CIVMARS ASSIST IN GULF OF ADEN RESCUE Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 06/01/2008 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 70, No. 6 2008 Periodicals Seafarers Log