Seafarers Log: Vol. 83 No. 10 (2021-10-01)

OCTOBER 2021 VOLUME 83, NO. 10

O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N A T I O N A L U N I O N A T L A N T I C , G U L F , L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W A T E R S , A F L - C I O

Pandemic Updates
Page 3

SIU Steps Up for Activations
Page 2

Golden State Rescues 2 BoatersGolden State Rescues 2 Boaters
SIU members and AMO officers aboard the tanker Golden State (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning) executed a timely rescue of
two boaters who had drifted for days and were almost out of food and water – with a tropical storm imminent. The mid-August opera-
tion happened off the Florida coast. The two rescued men are in the middle row of the photo below, far left and second from left, with
Golden State mariners. In photo at right, a U.S. Coast Guard vessel picks them up later that night. Page 4.

Shuler Takes Helm at AFL-CIOShuler Takes Helm at AFL-CIO
With SIU President Michael Sacco chairing the proceedings, the AFL-CIO Executive Council on Aug. 20
elected Liz Shuler (above) as president of the federation. She succeeds the late Richard Trumka, who un-
expectedly passed away Aug. 5. The council also elected Fred Redmond as secretary-treasurer. Page 5

MTD Turns 75MTD Turns 75
The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, hit a major milestone last
month, as reflected by this anniversary logo. Pages 10-11.

Newly elected AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler



2 Seafarers LOG October 2021

The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the
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Copyright © 2021 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights
Reserved.

Volume 83 Number 10 October 2021

The SIU online: www.seafarers.org

The Seafarers International
Union engaged an environ-
mentally friendly printer
for the production of this
newspaper.

O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N A T I O N A L U N I O N A T L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W A T E R S , A F L - C I O

Confidence in President Shuler

President’s ReportPresident’s Report

In late August, I had the bittersweet duty of presiding over the
elections of Liz Shuler as the new president of the AFL-CIO, and
Fred Redmond as the new secretary-treasurer. As you undoubtedly
know, the proceedings were necessary because of the unexpected

passing of my longtime friend AFL-CIO
President Richard Trumka earlier that
month.

If you missed the last issue of the LOG,
I encourage you to pick it up or view it
online. Our tributes to Rich are worth your
time. He was a true friend of our union, a
dedicated leader, and someone I’m grateful
to have known.

Liz has giant shoes to fill but is up to the
task. She’s a lifelong trade unionist and a
longtime labor leader, and while her style is
different than Rich’s, she is no less effective
and every bit as committed. The SIU has
worked with her for many years; I couldn’t

be more confident in her.
Likewise, while I haven’t worked as closely with Fred, every-

thing I know about him is positive and encouraging. His acceptance
speech in particular was powerfully inspirational, and clearly re-
flects his passion for the job.

Both Liz and Fred have hit the ground running, in particular with
their efforts to promote the PRO Act (which Congress may rename
in Rich Trumka’s memory) and separate legislation aimed at pro-
tecting voting rights. They have the SIU’s full support, and I look
forward to continuing our work together.

Vaccine Mandates
As of this writing around Labor Day, more and more businesses

– along with the Defense Department – are requiring COVID-19
vaccines for their employees. I think this was inevitable, and it
bodes well for our country.

Our deep-sea mariners are required to be vaccinated as of Octo-
ber 1, and we have implemented the same rules for the employees at
the hiring halls, at union headquarters and at our affiliated school in
Piney Point, Maryland. It’s time.

Many of the discussions between people who favor vaccines and
those who oppose them can be frustrating. For the most part, that’s
because those same individuals aren’t getting their news from the
same sources.

To those who remain hesitant, I understand concerns about lon-
ger-term side effects and whether or not the vaccines were “rushed.”
But it’s important to remember that scientists have worked on
coronavirus vaccines for decades. Think of it this way: If a brand-
new make and model of automobile rolled off the line in 2022, no
mechanic ever would have previously worked on that specific make
and model. But mechanics have worked on cars for a century.

Remember also that millions of people have received COVID-19
vaccines, and no long-term side effects have been detected (the vac-
cine trials started more than a year ago). No “non-live” vaccine has
ever been shown to cause side effects years later. The COVID-19
vaccine is non-live.

The mandates signify another big step toward finally putting this
pandemic behind us. If you’re not precluded from taking the shot
for medical or religious reasons, please get it done. Your families
and your shipmates will appreciate it, and it’ll give you peace of
mind along with tangible, proven protection from COVID-19.

SIU Jobs Secure as SEACOR
Acquires U.S. Shipping Corp.

All SIU jobs and the union contract remain in place
following the recent acquisition of Jones Act carrier
U.S. Shipping Corp. (USSC) by SEACOR Holdings.

SEACOR announced the transaction’s completion
Aug. 13.

“Nothing changes as far as we’re concerned,” said
SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “It’s
business as usual, with all SIU jobs maintained and
our collective bargaining agreement intact.”

The acquisition includes the SIU-crewed tankers
Chemical Pioneer and Houston, and the SIU-crewed
articulated tug-barge units Corpus Christi/Petrochem
Supplier, Brownsville/Petrochem Trader, Freeport/
Chemical Transporter, and Galveston/Petrochem
Producer.

“We welcome the USSC team into the growing

SEACOR family and look forward to their continued
success,” said Eric Fabrikant, chief executive officer
of SEACOR.

“Combining these two fleets and operating teams
will provide our respective customers with enhanced
flexibility, best-in-class equipment, and excellent ser-
vice well into the future,” said Dan Thorogood, chief
executive officer of SIU-contracted Seabulk, which is
a SEACOR subsidiary.

Albert Bergeron, former chief executive officer of
USSC, stated, “We believe that this transaction will
provide our existing customers, in particular those
moving chemical parcels, with access to an expanded,
modern, and highly capable fleet of vessels and an op-
erations team with a proven dedication to safety and
customer service.”

esy

Michael Sacco

This edition of the LOG went to press earlier than
usual. Following are two news items that were devel-
oping on deadline. Please visit the SIU website for up-
dates; we’ll also have additional coverage in the next
issue.

Member Perishes from COVID
OMU Davon McMillan passed away Sept. 5 in

an overseas hospital after contracting COVID-19. He
was 65 and reportedly was not vaccinated against the
coronavirus.

McMillan joined the union in 1978. He most re-
cently sailed aboard
the Resolve (TOTE)
before being taken
off the vessel and
transported to Bra-
zil after he became
ill.

Another mariner
from that same ves-
sel also reportedly
caught COVID-19
and was flown by
helicopter to a hos-
pital in San Anto-
nio.

SIU New Orleans

Port Agent Chris Westbrook knew McMillan well.
“This is really a loss. He was a stand-up union

member, that’s for sure,” Westbrook said. “Any time
you called on him – and I don’t care what it was about
– if you needed him, he stepped up to the plate every
single time. He was one of those old-school guys who
made the union what it is today.”

Westbrook added, “I’ve heard people ask whether
others actually know anyone who’d died from COVID.
Davon is somebody I’ve known for 25 years. He suf-
fered in a hospital for weeks and died from COVID.
So, there’s your answer.”

In a separate incident, a COVID-19 outbreak led
to the cancellation of an activation (USNS Bella-
trix).

New Orleans Hall Reopens
The hiring hall in the New Orleans suburb of

Harvey closed for about a week after Hurricane Ida
devastated parts of the Gulf and East coasts. The hall
only sustained minor damage but was without power
VERIFY AND ADD DETAILS HERE INCLUD-
ING DATE OF REOPENING

Westbrook said numerous Seafarers who live in
the area suffered massive damage to their respective
homes. With power outages lingering and mandatory
evacuation orders only recently lifted, the coordina-
tion of relief efforts may take some time.

News Bulletins

OMU Davon McMillan

Seafarers Answer Call for Activations
Once again, Seafarers have met the sudden de-

mands of the United States Transportation Command,
in conjunction with the Military Sealift Command
(MSC) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD),
by successfully completing Turbo Activation 21-1.

The recent exercise involved crewing 18 ves-
sels: 17 MARAD Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ships
and one MSC roll-on/roll-off carrier. SIU members
stepped up and filled those 225 jobs within the pre-
scribed time constraint.

“Thanks to our personnel in the hiring halls and our
members, we were able to crew all 18 ships,” said SIU
Manpower Director Mark von Siegel. “Despite the
challenges presented by Hurricane Ida, everybody re-
ally stepped up and made sure we met the challenge.”

The 18 vessels included the MSC RO/RO USNS
Gordon (operated by Ocean Shipholdings), the Fast
Sealift Ships Antares (TOTE), SS Bellatrix (TOTE), SS
Capella (Ocean Duchess), SS Pollux (TOTE) and SS
Regulus (TOTE), the crane ship SS Cornhusker State
(Pacific Gulf Marine), and 11 RRF RO/ROs: GTS Adm
Wm M Callaghan (Patriot), SS Cape Island (Ocean
Duchess), MV Cape Douglas (Keystone), Cape Do-
mingo (Keystone), Cape Kennedy (Keystone), Cape
Race (Keystone), Cape Rise (Keystone), Cape Taylor
(Patriot), Cape Trinity (Patriot), Cape Vincent (Patriot)
and Cape Washington (Crowley).

Acting Executive Director of MARAD Kevin To-
karski praised the efforts of the Seafarers in a letter,
saying in part, “On behalf of the Acting Maritime
Administrator, Lucinda Lessley, I would like to ex-
press our Agency’s thanks for the successful wrap-up
of the recent Ready Reserve Force Turbo Activation
21-1. The success of this is due to the contribution of
our Ship Managers and all of the mariners needed to
make activating these ‘old workhorses’ even possible.
MARAD is now in the 75th year of maintaining the
Nation’s reserve of sealift ships and the median age
of these vessels is 46-years old. Indeed, the age of the
vessels today is older than when the Ready Reserve

Force fleet was developed in 1976 with the first ships
from WWII. The challenges of activating and operat-
ing these vessels is more difficult each year and we do
not take for granted the significant efforts your person-
nel muster to get this done.”

Pictured aboard the Cape Rise (Keystone) in
Norfolk, Virginia, during the activation are (front,
from left) Second Mate Alyssa Billi, SA Marie An-
thony, Engine Cadet Charlotte Brockman, (back
row) SA Quinsha Davis, Third Assistant Engineer
Angie Strandfeldt and Chief Cook Michele Wood-
ley.



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 3

A letter sent to some SIU pensioners in
August spells out opportunities to tempo-
rarily resume sailing.

The communication notes that Seafar-
ers Pension Plan Trustees, in an effort to
recruit qualified mariners, “decided to
allow pensioners who have retired within
the last five years to return to work with
an SIU-contracted employer without hav-

ing their pension benefits suspended. To
be able to return to work, you would need
to have valid merchant mariner creden-
tials, be able to work in an unlicensed
position above entry level and be able to
pass the required physical examination.
All contractual shipping rules apply to
all covered jobs; however, the SAB will
make a temporary rule change which will

allow pensioners to maintain the senior-
ity level they enjoyed at the time of their
retirement.”

The letter further states, “This trustee
action allows eligible pensioners to con-
tinue collecting their full monthly pension
benefits, earn the wage rates specified in
the applicable collective bargaining agree-
ment and, if you are receiving a wage re-
lated pension benefit, you could also earn
additional $15 increments for every 120
days of covered employment for which
you work. In addition, if you resume em-
ployment and work for 90 days, you will
become eligible for active seafarer bene-
fits from the Seafarers Health and Benefit
Plan and your claims would be processed
in accordance with those rules.”

These provisions will remain in effect

until the end of 2021. The trustees then
will review manning requirements and de-
cide if they’ll be extended. (If a pensioner
returns to work in the interim and hap-
pens to still be on a vessel beyond Dec.
31, 2021, he or she will continue receiv-
ing their pension benefits and wages until
their respective articles are completed or
they’re replaced by a relief.)

Due to industry needs, inland pension-
ers will also be allowed to return to work
in the inland sector and keep receiving
their pensions; however, they will only be
allowed to do so for up to 90 days in a
calendar year.

Interested pensioners are asked to con-
tact their local port agent for more infor-
mation.

Recent Trustee Action Means
Some Pensioners Are Now
Eligible to Resume Sailing

Deep-Sea Vaccine Mandate Effective Oct. 1

As of Labor Day weekend, it appeared
the oft-discussed “new normal” in the
United States includes COVID-19 vaccine
mandates in many components of federal
and state governments as well as private
business.

Though far from universal, the require-
ments became more prevalent after the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on
Aug. 23 approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vac-
cine. FDA approval of the Moderna and
Johnson & Johnson vaccines, respectively,
is expected in the very near future.

Two days after the Pfizer approval, Sec-
retary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued
a memorandum for “Mandatory Coronavirus
Disease 2019 Vaccination of Department of
Defense Service Members.” The memo di-
rects the secretaries of the military depart-
ments to immediately begin full vaccination
of all members of the armed forces under
DOD authority on active duty or in the re-
serve, including the National Guard, who are
not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Many high-profile businesses also are
requiring vaccines, as are some sports and
concert venues.

As previously reported, the SIU and
the American Maritime Association, in ac-
cordance with a recently announced arbi-
tration decision, signed a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) for implementing a
COVID-19 vaccine mandate, effective Oct.
1, 2021. Based on the arbitration results, the
union subsequently agreed to the same re-
quirements with its non-AMA companies in
the deep-sea sector.

The MOU spells out the following for
vessels covered under the SIU standard
freightship and tanker agreements. (Again,
the same rules apply to mariners sailing on
other deep-sea vessels as well.)
All crew joining a vessel, regardless

of job status, (permanent, trip tour, rotary, or
trip relief), on and after Oct. 1, 2021 must
provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccine.
 The following vaccines are accept-

able: Pfizer - both shots - second shot prior
to joining; Moderna - both shots - second
shot prior to joining; Johnson & Johnson -
1 shot - 2 weeks prior to joining.
Non-vaccinated crew on vessels, as of

Oct. 1, 2021, will be allowed to finish their
current tours. However, should the Company
make arrangements for them to be vaccinated
in a U.S. port after Oct. 1, 2021 and they re-
fuse, the Company will call for their relief and
when their replacement reports aboard, their
employment will end.
 In the event of an emergency situa-

tion the Company and Union may agree to
allow unvaccinated mariners to join a vessel,
however all reasonable efforts will then be
made to secure a vaccine for such mariners
as soon as possible. Any such mariners will
need to observe all of the COVID-19 safety
protocols that have been in place during
this pandemic, to include but not be limited
to, testing, social distancing, restriction of
movement on the vessel, restriction to ship
in port without payment of penalties, etc.
Union representatives will try to assist

crew members in locating vaccine sites and
scheduling appointments if requested.
The requirements set forth above for

new crew joining a vessel on or after Oct.
1, 2021 apply as well to permanent crew re-

turning to vessels.
Medical Exemptions: The Medical Di-

rector of the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan
will work with the parties to develop medical
exemption protocols.
Religious Exemptions: Religious ex-

emption requests will be determined on a
case-by-case basis. Factors to be considered
include prior religious objection to receiving
other required vaccines.
If any individual Association Company

bargains with any other shipboard union and
should agree to less stringent protocols and/or
requirements or the payment of any compen-
sation or bonus for agreeing to and subjecting
oneself to a COVID-19 vaccine, the same shall
be offered to crewmembers represented by the
SIU on its ships. Any such agreement shall not
be applicable to other Association companies
To assist in the implementation of these

conditions, fully vaccinated Union represen-
tatives will be allowed to board vessels to
have discussions with the vessels’ crews. Any
such Union representatives will abide by all
COVID-19 protocols.
All Association Companies will make

reasonable efforts to try to have any vendors
or other individuals who board any covered
vessel fully vaccinated before boarding any
such vessel. Both parties acknowledge that
the Association’s companies do not control
vendors or their employees.

Also as of Oct. 1, anyone entering a Sea-
farers hiring hall must provide either proof
of being fully vaccinated against COVID-
19; or a completed, signed exemption form
along with a negative test result from within
the last 48 hours. This policy was adopted
by the trustees of the Seafarers Joint Em-
ployment Fund (hiring halls).

Seafarers are encouraged to bring their
respective vaccination cards to the halls as
soon as possible so those documents may
be scanned into the SMIS database.

Other safety precautions remain in place
at all of the halls, including requirements
to wear masks and socially distance. Proper
sanitation is always encouraged.

Similar vaccine mandates take effect at
the headquarters building and at the Paul
Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland, be-
ginning Oct. 1. (Members are encouraged
to contact their respective port agents with
any questions.)

According to the FDA, the Pfizer vaccine
now will be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-
mir’-na-tee), and it is approved “for the pre-
vention of COVID-19 disease in individuals
16 years of age and older. The vaccine also
continues to be available under emergency
use authorization (EUA), including for indi-
viduals 12 through 15 years of age and for
the administration of a third dose in certain
immunocompromised individuals.

Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Wood-
cock, M.D., stated, “The FDA’s approval of
this vaccine is a milestone as we continue
to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While
this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s
rigorous, scientific standards for emergency
use authorization, as the first FDA-ap-
proved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can
be very confident that this vaccine meets
the high standards for safety, effective-
ness, and manufacturing quality the FDA
requires of an approved product. While
millions of people have already safely re-

ceived COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize
that for some, the FDA approval of a vac-
cine may now instill additional confidence
to get vaccinated. Today’s milestone puts us
one step closer to altering the course of this
pandemic in the U.S.”

Since Dec. 11, 2020, the Pfizer-BioN-
Tech COVID-19 vaccine has been avail-
able under EUA in individuals 16 years of
age and older, and the authorization was
expanded to include those 12 through 15
years of age on May 10, 2021. EUAs can
be used by the FDA during public health
emergencies to provide access to medi-
cal products that may be effective in pre-
venting, diagnosing, or treating a disease,
provided that the FDA determines that the
known and potential benefits of a product,
when used to prevent, diagnose, or treat the
disease, outweigh the known and potential
risks of the product.

FDA-approved vaccines undergo the
agency’s standard process for reviewing the
quality, safety and effectiveness of medical
products. For all vaccines, the FDA evalu-
ates data and information included in the
manufacturer’s submission of a biolog-
ics license application (BLA). A BLA is a
comprehensive document that is submitted
to the agency providing very specific re-
quirements. For Comirnaty, the BLA builds
on the extensive data and information pre-
viously submitted that supported the EUA,
such as preclinical and clinical data and
information, as well as details of the manu-
facturing process, vaccine testing results to
ensure vaccine quality, and inspections of
the sites where the vaccine is made. The
agency conducts its own analyses of the
information in the BLA to make sure the
vaccine is safe and effective and meets the
FDA’s standards for approval.

Comirnaty contains messenger RNA
(mRNA), a kind of genetic material. The
mRNA is used by the body to make a mimic
of one of the proteins in the virus that causes
COVID-19. The result of a person receiv-

ing this vaccine is that their immune sys-
tem will ultimately react defensively to the
virus that causes COVID-19. The mRNA in
Comirnaty is only present in the body for a
short time and is not incorporated into – nor
does it alter – an individual’s genetic mate-
rial. Comirnaty has the same formulation as
the EUA vaccine and is administered as a
series of two doses, three weeks apart.

“Our scientific and medical experts con-
ducted an incredibly thorough and thought-
ful evaluation of this vaccine. We evaluated
scientific data and information included in
hundreds of thousands of pages, conducted
our own analyses of Comirnaty’s safety and
effectiveness, and performed a detailed as-
sessment of the manufacturing processes,
including inspections of the manufacturing
facilities,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D.,
director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics
Evaluation and Research. “We have not lost
sight that the COVID-19 public health cri-
sis continues in the U.S. and that the public
is counting on safe and effective vaccines.
The public and medical community can be
confident that although we approved this
vaccine expeditiously, it was fully in keep-
ing with our existing high standards for
vaccines in the U.S.”

Austin wrote in his memo, “To defend
this Nation, we need a healthy and ready
force. After careful consultation with medi-
cal experts and military leadership, and
with the support of the President, I have
determined that mandatory vaccination
against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-
19) is necessary to protect the Force and
defend the American people. Mandatory
vaccinations are familiar to all of our Ser-
vice members, and mission-critical inocu-
lation is almost as old as the U.S. military
itself. Our administration of safe, effective
COVID-19 vaccines has produced admi-
rable results to date, and I know the De-
partment of Defense will come together to
finish the job, with urgency, professional-
ism, and compassion.”

DOD, State Gov’ts, Many Businesses Require Vaccination

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III briefs media members at the Pentagon in
early September. (DoD photo by Brittany A. Chase)



4 Seafarers LOG October 2021

Mariners aboard the SIU-crewed Golden
State (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning) re-
cently saved two individuals who’d been adrift
for four days with limited food and water – and
with a tropical storm approaching.

The rescue took place Aug. 14, approxi-
mately 145 nautical miles west of Key West,
Florida.

“The AMO and SIU men and women crew
members aboard the Golden State did a remark-
able job in finding and rescuing these two mari-
ners,” said vessel master Capt. Ervin L. Curtis.

SIU members aboard the Golden State dur-
ing the rescue included Recertified Bosun Tim-
othy Jackson, ABs Kervin Guevara, Javier
Valencia, Maria Carranza, Shantaz Harper
and Christopher Green, QEP Michael Du-
rago, QE4 Noah Hughes, Steward/Baker An-
tajuan Beasley, Chief Cook Marco Guevara,
GVA Dennis Lucas and SA Antwon Norris.

Bosun Jackson, a Seafarer since 1990, said
the rescue proved challenging, starting with dif-
ficulty spotting the distressed boaters.

“We couldn’t see them for a while but we
kept them on the radio,” Jackson stated. “The
chief mate finally spotted them.”

He continued, “The captain had to get the
ship slowed and we had to gradually come up
on them. We rigged pilot ladders and got a heav-
ing line. We tossed it and they finally got close
enough to us. They were strong enough to climb
the ladder and oh, they were glad to be rescued!
The Coast Guard picked them up that night, and
it’s a good thing we got them when we did. The
seas had picked up quite a bit.”

Jackson concluded, “Everybody did a good
job. We got them back to safety, and that was a
good thing.”

Capt. Curtis provided the following sum-
mary (along with photos):

At approximately 0652 on 14 August, 2021
the Golden State was transiting the Gulf of
Mexico bound for Cape Henlopen, DE with a
full load of crude oil. The Mate on watch Jes-
sica Faltings received a MAYDAY call in Span-
ish on CH 16 from a small craft called the Three
Musketeers. The Mate on watch responded to
the call on CH 16 and two Spanish-speaking
ABs, Javier Valencia and Kervin Guevara,
were able to gather information on the small
craft.

It was determined that the small craft was
adrift, though the position could not be deter-
mined as all navigational equipment aboard
the small craft had failed. The Mate on watch
called the Captain who immediately came to the
bridge. The Captain instructed the 2nd Mate to
hail USCG Key West via Satellite phone. The
vessel was placed into hand steering and slowed
to maneuvering speed.

The 2nd Mate Kenneth Estes attempted to
contact the Coast Guard via Satellite phone on
the emergency line for Sector Key West. All
Hands were called to look for the stricken vessel
and at 0716 the small craft was sighted in posi-

tion Lat: 24-33.177N Long: 084-20.808W. At
0740 USCG Sector Key West was reached via
SAT phone and the information gathered by the
crew was relayed. The Master maneuvered the
Golden State alongside the 26-foot sport fisher-
man; the sport fisherman did have slight revers-
ing propulsion which aided in getting it near
enough for the Chief Mate, deck and engine
crews in getting heaving lines to the stricken
vessel.

A port lee was made by the Master to calm
the seas, estimated at about 12 to 14 feet. At
0818 the ship’s engine was stopped, and the
small craft was secured alongside to the Golden
State at 0831. The small craft was in position
Lat: 24-38.107N Long: 084-24.078W approxi-
mately 85 miles west of Dry Tortugas and 145
nautical miles west of Key West Florida. A line
was then lowered to the small craft with life
jackets attached. The CM Scott Anderson ver-
bally confirmed with the two people aboard that
they were well enough to climb the pilot ladder.
At 0832 both people boarded the Golden State.
0832 the Small craft Three Musketeers released
(cut loose) in position Lat: 24-38.169N Long:
084-24.082W. At 0835 the Golden State re-
sumed her voyage for Cape Henlopen, DE, with
final destination of Marcus Hook, PA. 0900 the
engine load program up was set to NAV Full
Ahead. 0912 Crowley Operations Port Captain
Callahan in Jacksonville, Florida, was notified
of the situation.

Weather conditions were rough, and the
sport fisherman was difficult to locate. With the
approaching tropical storm, the survivors were
very lucky to have been spotted and picked up
by the Golden State’s crew. The two male sur-
vivors were extremely thankful to the Golden
State’s crew for rescuing them in rough seas.

The survivors reported that they had been

adrift four days with food and water running
very low. They reported some ships had passed
them by without stopping (understandable, as
the Golden State’s crew didn’t see them until
they were about a mile away in the rough seas).
Another ship had made contact with the small
craft but told them it was too rough to pick them
up. That ship proceeded on her voyage, and
there is no confirmation that the small craft’s
position was reported to authorities.

With tropical storm Fred expected to pass by
the small craft’s position in less than 24 hours,
it is likely the situation could have been a much
worse outcome for these mariners. They were
given medical attention, hot food, spare crew
cabins to rest, and a chance to clean up after
their four days adrift.

After discussions with USCG Sector Key
West, a plan was developed to make a rendez-
vous with a USCG Key West boat at the Key
West sea buoy to transfer these mariners safely
ashore. At 20:42 in darkness, the mariners were
transferred to the USCG. Weather conditions
included strong winds and rain with seas 8 to 9
feet at Key West. The USCG Sector Key West
boat crew’s performance was excellent, under
less than favorable sea conditions. Very good
planning and teamwork between the Golden
State and USCG Key West. Very professional
and a super job by the USCG.

The AMO and SIU men and women crew
members aboard the Golden State did a re-
markable job in finding and rescuing these two
mariners. As Captain it was my call to start the
search and rescue, but there is no doubt I could
not have done it without help from these profes-
sional mariners.
Sincerely,
Captain Ervin L. Curtis
M/T Golden State

Golden State Crew Rescues Two Mariners

Seas were worsening (photo above) when the SIU-crewed Golden State saved two stranded boaters. One of the boaters (photo below)
climbs aboard the Golden State.

The following statement by President Joe Biden is posted
on the White House website (and on the SIU website):

My father taught me from a young age that a job is about
much more than a paycheck. It is about dignity, respect, and
your place in the community. It is about being able to look
your children in the eye and assure them that things are going
to be okay. When Americans go to work each day, they are
not just making a living – they are pursuing a life with hope
for the future. In doing so, they build, drive, care for, and
grow our Nation.

Hard-working Americans are the backbone of our country.
As I have often said, the middle class built America — and
unions built the middle class. Everything that supports a sus-
tainable middle-class life was made possible by unions, and
on Labor Day we honor all those workers – and their endur-
ing movement – that keep our economy moving and make
our Nation strong.

I believe that every worker deserves not only a fair wage
and benefits – but freedom from discrimination, a safe and
healthy workplace, and the respect that comes with a secure
retirement as well. That is why my Administration always
stands proudly with workers. It is why, in the American Res-
cue Plan, we gave working people a break – helping workers
weather the pandemic, giving middle-class families raising
children a historic tax cut, and upholding the promise of a
dignified retirement by protecting the hard-earned pensions
of millions of American workers and retirees. It is also why
I am committed to ensuring that all workers have a free and

fair opportunity to organize a union and bargain collectively
with their employers. This has been a guiding principle of
our Nation since union organizing was explicitly encouraged
by the National Labor Relations Act in 1935. But for far too
long, that principle has been attacked and neglected.

American workers should make their own decisions – free
from coercion and intimidation – about organizing with their
co-workers to have a stronger voice in their workplaces, their
communities, and their government. That is why I strongly
support the Protecting the Right to Organize Act and the Pub-
lic Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. It is also why I created
the Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, and
asked Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Labor
Martin Walsh to serve as its chair and vice chair.

After more than a year in which essential workers made
extraordinary sacrifices and carried our Nation on their backs,
this Labor Day we see more clearly than ever that we must
build an economy that responds to the needs and aspirations
of working people – an economy that deals everyone in and
brings everyone along. The pandemic has also exacerbated
and revealed for all to see the places where our Nation has
fallen short of its promise to deliver equal opportunity to
workers of color and their communities. To help address that
long-standing challenge, my Administration is pursuing a
comprehensive approach to advancing equity, as illustrated
in the Executive Order I signed on my first day in office en-
titled Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities.

Despite the tremendous progress we have made to ad-
vance labor protections and strengthen the voice of workers
in the workplace, there is still much more we need to do. As in
every generation since Labor Day was first celebrated in the
late 19th century, there are still those who resist Americans’
efforts to build and sustain worker power – the engine of our
economic growth, the key to our long-term success, and the
best defense against corporate abuses of power in workplaces,

our economy, and our democracy. Over the years, the Labor
Movement has won many battles: establishing the 40-hour
work week, integrating workplaces, eliminating child labor,
securing health and safety protections for workers, and count-
less other victories. Workers and their unions prevailed time
and time again – but the work continues. We are going to keep
fighting to restore power to working families and protect the
rights of hard-working Americans and unions. That includes
seizing the golden opportunity ahead of us to make the larg-
est investment in nearly a century in American infrastructure,
American workers, and good union jobs through the Biparti-
san Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

On this Labor Day, we honor the pioneers who stood
up for the dignity of working people – leaders like César
Chávez, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., A. Phillip
Randolph, John L. Lewis, Samuel Gompers, Frances Perkins,
and many more. Let us also remember the tireless voices for
working families that we have recently lost, including my
friend Richard Trumka. We must recommit ourselves to ad-
vancing the historic progress these trailblazers made as we
work to deliver a decent life with security, respect, and dig-
nity for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., Presi-
dent of the United States of America, by virtue of the au-
thority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim September 6, 2021, as
Labor Day. I call upon all public officials and people of the
United States to observe this day with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities that honor the energy and innova-
tion of working Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
this third day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

White House Issues
Labor Day Proclamation



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 5

AFL-CIO Elects Liz Shuler President
With SIU President Michael Sacco chair-

ing the proceedings, the AFL-CIO Executive
Council on Aug. 20 elected Liz Shuler, a vi-
sionary leader and longtime trade unionist,
to serve as president of the federation of 56
unions and 12.5 million members. Shuler is
the first woman to hold the office in the his-
tory of the labor federation.

The executive council also elected United
Steelworkers (USW) International Vice
President Fred Redmond to succeed Shuler
as secretary-treasurer. Redmond is the first
African American to hold the number two
office.

Tefere Gebre will continue as executive
vice president, rounding out the most diverse
team of officers ever to lead the AFL-CIO.

Sacco is the longest-serving member of
the council.

The election of Shuler and Redmond
comes after the unexpected and untimely
passing of Richard Trumka, who served
as AFL-CIO president from 2009 until his
death on Aug. 5, capping a more than 50-
year career of dedication to America’s unions
and working people.

“I am humbled, honored and ready to
guide this federation forward,” Shuler said
after her election. “I believe in my bones the
labor movement is the single greatest orga-
nized force for progress. This is a moment
for us to lead societal transformations – to le-
verage our power to bring women and people
of color from the margins to the center – at
work, in our unions and in our economy, and

to be the center of gravity for incubating new
ideas that will unleash unprecedented union
growth.”

“I could not be more excited to get to
work with President Shuler so we can build
on the labor movement’s legacy of change,
writing a new chapter that brings the promise
of union membership to workers across this
country,” Redmond said. “This is the right
team at the right time to help bring about the
economic and social justice America is hun-
gry for.”

“Our country is at a crossroads. Now
more than ever, the labor movement is the
best vehicle to fight inequality, systemic
racism, and attacks on our basic rights and
freedoms,” said Gebre. “I am honored to
work with our historic team led by President
Shuler and look forward to fighting every
day for working families.”

Shuler grew up in a union household.
Her father, Lance, was a power lineman
and longtime member of Electrical Work-
ers (IBEW) Local 125 at Portland General
Electric, and her late mother, Joyce, worked
as an estimator in the company’s service and
design department.

In 1993, Shuler was hired as an orga-
nizer at Local 125. When energy giant Enron
Corp. tried to muscle electricity deregula-
tion through the Oregon Legislature, Shuler
worked with a broad-based coalition of
labor, community and environmental activ-
ists to challenge and ultimately overcome
Enron’s powerhouse lobbying campaign, a

victory that sparked her passion for mobi-
lizing workers to make change even when
faced with overwhelming odds.

In 1998, Ed Hill, then-secretary-treasurer
of the IBEW, assigned Shuler to California
where she mobilized IBEW members to
help defeat Prop. 226, the so-called pay-
check protection initiative that threatened to
silence union members in the political pro-
cess. That victory prompted John J. Barry,
president of the IBEW at that time, to hire
her as an international representative in the
union’s political/legislative affairs depart-
ment in Washington, D.C. In that role, Shuler

ran grassroots political mobilization efforts
and lobbied Congress on a range of issues
important to working families. In 2004, she
was promoted to assistant to the interna-
tional president, where she served Hill, who
had succeeded to that position, in driving
the agenda of the nearly 1-million-member
union.

In 2009, she joined forces with Trumka,
becoming the first woman elected to the po-
sition of secretary-treasurer at an AFL-CIO
convention and the youngest woman ever

Federation Taps Redmond as Secretary-Treasurer, Forms Historic Leadership Team

Editor’s note: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler deliv-
ered the following remarks after her election:

I recognize both the honor and the responsibility I
now have as president. We never thought we’d be here,
through a pandemic, so many tragedies and the sudden
loss of Rich.

We didn’t want this milestone to happen this way. But
through your resilience and dedication to our movement,
you’ve just elected the most diverse leadership team in our
history.

Key word: team. Fred (Redmond), Tefere (Gebre),
me – and all of you. This is just the very beginning of a
longer, ongoing discussion about change and the future.

We’re going to build a modern labor movement to
meet this extraordinary moment. People are hurting and
scared. There aren’t enough good, sustainable jobs. The
middle class has been hollowed out. COVID-19 has
amplified longstanding structural inequity. Our systems
are broken; the climate crisis is accelerating; technology
is changing how work is done. But we want working
people to know they can find hope with us.

I believe in my bones that the labor movement is the
single most powerful force for progress and that this is
a moment for us to lead societal transformations; to le-
verage our power to bring women and people of color
from the margins to the center at work, in our unions
and in our economy; and to be the center of gravity for
incubating new ideas that will unleash unprecedented
union growth.

We have everything lined up, with a pro-worker ad-
ministration and Congress. The public is on our side, and
workers all across the country are standing up and taking
risks. This is our chance. We will meet this moment as
one united federation.

In the coming months, we will hone our strategy,
sharpen our focus and deepen our capacity.

One thing I’d like to make crystal clear: Affiliate
engagement will guide my presidency. It isn’t an after-
thought. I will seek your guidance and input from the
beginning and at every step in decision making, building
strategy and how we execute.

We have a lot of opportunities, but we don’t want to
be too diffuse. That dilutes our effectiveness. Instead, we
need to unite around a set of priorities, go after them and
be disciplined in our approach. Let’s identify and scale
what works. And let’s be honest about what doesn’t. I’m
excited to have those conversations with you.

Because we are at an inflection point, we’re build-
ing a bridge between our incredible history, our time-
honored traditions and a bold, cutting-edge future.

I want every working person in every kind of job

to see they can have a place in our movement. We’re
not a bunch of smoke-filled back rooms. We’re open.
We’re transparent. We welcome Gen Z and millennials
in the streets and in the halls of power – organizing at
the grassroots and working to advance policy in D.C and
state houses across the country.

It’s not an either-or scenario. We can and will walk and
chew gum at the same time.

I’ve been proud to stand with you as we’ve won na-
tional elections and made progress on our Workers First
Agenda. Pension relief. Health care. And we will keep
pushing for infrastructure, voting rights and labor law
reform.

Everything we do will be in service to organizing
and union growth. And on that front, you’ve heard me
talk about Action Builder, a digital organizing tool, built
in-house from the ground up. We didn’t just buy it off
a shelf and say, ‘Here, use this.’ We built it with affili-
ate unions. And it’s democratizing organizing, making
it more accessible for people historically left out on the
sidelines.

My point is this: Affiliate priorities are federation
priorities. And together we are going to be that center of
gravity for incubating new ideas.

I’d like this council to think of itself as an Innova-
tion Committee, and I ask you to bring your experience,
diverse perspectives and ideas to this table, to try new
things to catalyze breakthrough union growth – and not
be worried about whether we fail. It’s okay to make mis-
takes. Mistakes mean we’re getting out there and doing
something different.

Because labor can bring America together, our move-
ment is where so many walks of life and issues converge.

There’s no doubt about our direction. We’re mov-
ing forward, to a future defined by and for working
people. The path we’re paving is wide and accessible
– everyone included, no one left behind. Our power to
get there depends on moving as one, on our unity. And
this could be the most unifying moment in labor his-
tory. That’s up to every person here around our table.
And I am so thrilled, Fred (Redmond), to have you
on this team. You’ve earned the respect of this entire
movement, taking on tough challenges, from racial
justice to organizing, building consensus every step
of the way. Thank you for taking on this new role;
you will be a great secretary-treasurer and a tremen-
dous partner for Tefere (Gebre) and me as we lead the
AFL-CIO forward.

Thank you again to this executive council for the
honor of serving as your sixth president. I stand on the
shoulders of those who came before me, and look for-
ward to building the future together. Let’s get to work!

Shuler: This Could Be the Most
Unifying Moment in Labor History

SIU President Michael Sacco (left in photo at left) and then-AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer
Liz Shuler are pictured at the SIUNA convention in 2017. President Sacco (right in other
photo) congratulates newly elected AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond at the
federation’s headquarters.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer
Fred Redmond delivered the fol-
lowing remarks after his election:

Thank you, Liz (Shuler). Thank
you, Tefere (Gebre). Thank you all.

President (Lee) Saunders, I am
humbled by your words. I am grate-
ful for your friendship. I am com-
mitted to your cause.

President (Tom) Conway....
Brother Tom, thank you for ev-
erything. I will always be a proud
Steelworker.

Some of you know me well.
Some of you know me through this
executive council. And some of you
don’t know me yet. I look forward
to meeting with all of you. I look
forward to working with all of you.

And I could not be more proud
to serve with the first woman presi-
dent in the history of the AFL-CIO.

I am the son of Curtis and
Odessa Redmond. They were the
children of sharecroppers.

They were born in the Mis-
sissippi Delta and made the great
migration up to Chicago in 1958.
They came with very little belong-
ings but a very strong desire to
build a better life.

My three brothers and I grew up
poor. We lived on food stamps. We
shopped at Goodwill.

But what we lacked in money
my parents gave us in love. In
hope. In faith. In an unbreakable
work ethic.

My father took every kind of job
he could find. He pumped gas, was
a janitor, and stocked shelves at the
supermarket. My mother was a do-
mestic worker. She woke up every
day at the crack of dawn and took
three buses to the far suburbs of
Chicago to clean folks’ houses and
cook their food. Every night she
would sit at the foot of her bed and
soak her feet and read her Bible.

No complaints. No excuses.
I am standing on their shoulders

today.
When my dad got a union job at

an aluminum mill outside of Chi-

cago called Reynolds, it changed
everything. We had more security,
opportunity, prosperity. We stopped
going to the free clinic. We got off
of food stamps. And my mother no
longer bought our school clothes
from the Goodwill. This is personal
to me.

I want every worker to have that
chance. I want every family to feel
that joy. That’s my goal as your
secretary-treasurer.

And I promise you: No one will
work harder. Work ethic is in my
DNA. It’s how I honor my parents
and this labor movement and every
union member.

We have a huge opportunity in
front of us. And we’re going to take
it. I promise you that.

Liz (Shuler) and I are not the
perfect officers. But together with
Tefere (Gebre), we can form the
perfect team for this moment. To
organize. To mobilize. To win ra-
cial justice, secure voting rights and
pass the PRO Act.

To do that, we need to spend our
resources wisely. Be strategic. Get
return on our investment. And take
smart risks.

I am committed to continuing
Liz’s financial transparency and ac-
countability as secretary-treasurer. I
know she will help guide me as I
take on this new challenge.

Brothers and sisters, the labor
movement is my life. It’s my love.
It’s who I am. You won’t find a
degree on my wall. I followed my
father into the factory. And it’s the
best decision I’ve ever made.

The fruits of my labor are boun-
tiful. It’s the gift that keeps on giv-
ing. And I want to give back to
every worker, to every family, to
every community.

The author Isabel Wilkerson
writes that the price of privilege is
the moral duty to act when one sees
another person treated unfairly. So,
in this House of Labor on this his-
toric day, let’s act. For each other.
For our movement. For our nation.

Thank you.

Redmond: I Want to Give
Back to Every Worker

Continued on next page



6 Seafarers LOG October 2021

Members of the SIU Government Ser-
vices Division sailing aboard the USNS
Patuxent helped perform two rescues just
nine days apart earlier this year.

The Patuxent, a fleet replenishment oiler,
learned of a vessel in distress in the Gulf of
Aden on June 7. The runway-flag commer-
cial vessel Falcon Line had experienced
engine failure and was taking on water, ac-
cording to reports from the U.S. Navy.

After proceeding to the rescue scene at
maximum speed, the Patuxent protected the
Falcon Line’s crew from heavy winds and
high seas while those mariners boarded life
rafts. All 15 crew members from the dis-
tressed ship were brought aboard the Patux-
ent before their vessel sank. The Patuxent
provided the rescued mariners with food,
water and medical screenings.

The Patuxent, whose crew includes SIU
CIVMARS, is part of the U.S. 5th Fleet.
According to the Navy, “The U.S. 5th Fleet
regularly works with coalition forces, re-

gional partners and the shipping industry to
maintain the regional awareness necessary
to facilitate aid like this to mariners in dis-
tress.”

“As professional mariners, our forces
have a duty to help those in need at sea,”
said Navy Capt. Michael O’Driscoll, com-
mander of Task Force 53. “The Sailors and
civilian mariners aboard ships like Patuxent
have answered this call before, and they will
continue to do so whenever possible.”

His comment proved prescient. On June
16, the Patuxent rendered aid to another ves-
sel that had been drifting for 12 days, also
in the Gulf of Aden. The small fishing boat
was taking on water; the Patuxent rescued
the four crew members and gave them food,
water and medical treatment.

SIU Vice President Government Ser-
vices Nicholas Celona stated, “I couldn’t be
prouder of our members for their efforts in
these rescues. Their dedication and profes-
sionalism shined through.”

SIU CIVMARS Aboard USNS
Patuxent Handle Two Rescues

One of four individuals rescued from a stranded fishing boat climbs down a lad-
der from the CIVMAR-crewed USNS Patuxent to a U.S. Navy patrol boat based
at Camp Lemonnier. The mid-June rescue was one of two performed by Patuxent
crew members that month. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist
1st Class Jacob Sippel)

SIU Crews Team Up for Multiple UNREPS
The SIU-crewed tanker Empire State, oper-

ated by Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning for
the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), is
no stranger to connected at-sea refueling opera-
tions (CONSOL). The Empire State’s mariners
handled a new challenge from July 11-14, by
conducting five CONSOL events within that
timeframe.

Such operations also are known as under-
way replenishments, or UNREPS.

While off the coast of Southern California,
the Empire State refueled three MSC Combat
Logistics Fleet (CLF) ships, all of whose crews
include members of the SIU Government Ser-
vices Division. Those vessels are the dry cargo
ammunition ships USNS Matthew Perry and
USNS Washington Chambers and the fleet re-
plenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser. Dur-
ing five separate events, the crew of the Empire
State delivered nearly 4 million gallons of die-
sel ship fuel.

Bosun Ahmed Ghaleb credited his fellow
Seafarers for doing “a really good job. The op-
eration went nice and smooth and safe. That’s
the key,” he said.

An SIU member since 2004, Ghaleb said
that while UNREPS aren’t commonplace,
the crew handled the recent assignments with
aplomb.

“We connect the hoses, and everybody has a
station,” he said. “We go around and check the
pipelines, check the cargo pump, and stand by
until we finish.”

As Capt. Andrew Miller, the Empire State’s
civilian master, explained, transferring fuel at

sea has a different set of challenges than tak-
ing fuel from a commercial pier or from a
fuel buoy. At sea, the maneuvering and ship
handling fall to the ships’ personnel. As the
“on-station” ship, the Empire State provided
coordinates for the CLF ships, ensuring every-
one was at the rendezvous point on time.

“The biggest challenge we face when doing
a CONSOL at-sea is good communication,”
said Miller. “MSC always does a great job of

working with us. The team at MSCPAC (Mili-
tary Sealift Command Pacific) and the CLF
crews are professional operators, so there is al-
ways a lot of good communications across the
team. It really makes a difference when we are
doing an operation like these.”

He added, “We have a lot more experience
since the first time we did a CONSOL with a
CLF ship. The crew is so much more proficient
now, so things went a lot smoother. I attribute

a lot of that to good communication with my
crew, but also between us and the other ships.”

Taking fuel from a tanker like Empire State
allows MSC ships to remain at sea to refuel.
Originally, the concept was developed to keep
United States ships out of foreign ports during
times of conflict, but during the COVID-19
pandemic lockdowns, the technology provided
a way for American ships to stay underway for
extended periods, which helped protect crews.

Liz Shuler Takes Helm at AFL-CIO

The SIU-crewed Empire State (right) refuels an MSC ship. (U.S. Navy photo)

on the federation’s executive council. As
secretary-treasurer, she also served as the
chief financial officer, turning deficits into
surpluses and steering the federation through
multiple fiscal crises, including the COVID-
19 pandemic.

In addition to her stewardship of the fed-
eration’s finances, Shuler led the AFL-CIO’s
initiatives on the future of work, retirement
security, the clean energy economy, public
safety reform, workforce development, and
empowering women and young workers. She
is committed to busting myths about labor,
leveraging the labor movement’s diversity
for innovative approaches to social justice
and making the benefits of a union voice on
the job available to working people every-
where.

Redmond has been a USW member since
1973, when he went to work at Reynolds
Metals Co. in Chicago. He became active in
his local union almost immediately, serving
as shop steward and eventually vice presi-

dent. He served three terms as local presi-
dent.

For decades, Redmond served the USW
in various staff and leadership roles, as-
sisting local unions, developing and con-
ducting training programs, and bargaining
contracts.

As international vice president for human
affairs, Redmond oversaw the civil and
human rights department, as well as the
union’s shipbuilding, health care and public
sector bargaining, and worked with USW
allies across the country in responding to
attacks on voting rights and in combating
economic inequality. Redmond has a long
history of leadership on various boards, in-
cluding the Coalition of Black Trade Union-
ists and the A. Philip Randolph Institute. In
2021, Redmond was elected president of the
Trade Union Confederation of the Americas,
a prestigious international post.

The terms of the three executive officers
run through June 2022, when delegates to the
AFL-CIO Convention in Philadelphia will
elect leaders for new four-year terms.

Continued from Page 5

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 7

Many thanks to Recertified Bosun LBJ Tanoa for these snapshots from the Cape Intrepid (Ocean Duchess). They were
taken during a stretch from late July to early August, as the vessel sailed from Portland, Oregon, to Tacoma, Washington.
Immediately after a union meeting on July 31, (photo at left, above) AB Daniel Mensah takes one for the team and grabs
a floor seat to help everyone fit into the photo. The others, left
to right starting in the foreground: Oiler Kianta Lee, AB Lloyd La
Beach, Electrician Phillip Greenwell, AB Giancarlo Arturo Thomae,
OS Jameeka Booker, GUDE Alfredo Nieto, Chief Steward Michael
Sapien, Oiler Trevor Johnson, GVA Kassem Saleh and AB Israel
Serrano. In the photo at right, above, SIU hawsepipers Chief En-
gineer Joseph Scuteri (left) and 3rd Engineer Robert Layko (on
his last voyage), are pictured with Chief Cook Keesha Holloway.
Pictured below during a safety drill (from left) are GUDE Michael
James Adeva, AB Daniel Mensah, AB Giancarlo Arturo Thomae,
OS Jameeka Booker, Chief Mate Michael F., AB Anthony Antonio,
GUDE Alfredo Nieto, GVA Kassem Saleh. In photo at immedi-
ate left, Recertified Bosun LBJ Tanoa and 3rd Engineer Robert
Layko, a hawsepiper who sailed with the SIU for 17 years, pose
with retirement cake baked by Chief Steward Michael Sapien.

With Seafarers Aboard Cape Intrepid

Fire School Instructors Save Upgrader’s Life
Instructors at the Joseph Sacco Fire

Fighting and Safety School unexpectedly
put their skills to the test when an upgrader
recently suffered a medical emergency.

AB Steven Hicks was in the process of
returning his fire fighting gear to the bunk-
house on Aug. 6 when he began experienc-
ing shortness of breath.

Fire school instructor John Thomas
said, “We had just finished with the first
morning of Basic Training Revalidation,
which consisted of students extinguish-
ing a bunkhouse fire, and then proceed-
ing to perform a search and rescue.
Everyone had just passed their practicals
(tests), and Mr. Hicks came into the back
and turned in his equipment. And then it
looked like he was putting on his shoes,
but we quickly noticed he wasn’t looking
right, and then he started clutching his
chest. He then passed out, and I began to
apply chest compressions. I told the other
instructors to go get an AED, while I con-
tinued attempting to revive him. I stopped
doing chest compressions long enough to
apply an AED shock, and after that I at-
tempted to install an airway adjunct. A
second AED shock was administered,
after which we were able to get a pulse.
Mr. Hicks then suffered a minor seizure,
during which we protected his head and

kept his airway open until the ambulance
arrived.”

Once on the scene, the paramedics de-
termined that Hicks should be flown via
helicopter to an appropriate facility that
could treat an ST-Segment Elevation Myo-
cardial Infarction, the most severe type of
heart attack.

Thomas concluded, “All the instruc-
tors that helped out during the save, we
all worked together as a team. It was a big
team effort, and Mr. Hicks would not have
had as positive an outcome without their
assistance. He was in the best place possi-
ble to have that kind of medical emergency,
surrounded by well-trained individuals.”

Hicks stated, “I finished up with the fire
fighting part of the test, and I was turning in
my boots. I was having a hard time catch-
ing my breath, felt a little dizzy, and the next
thing I knew I was in the ambulance. I didn’t
know if I was going to make it or not.”

He continued, “I had a blockage, but
the rest of my heart is good. It just wasn’t
my time to go…. My heart specialist said
the only place better to have a heart attack
would have been in the hospital itself. If
it wasn’t for the staff at the fire school,
I wouldn’t be here today. Grateful to be
here, to see my grandkids grow up.”

At the September membership meeting

at Piney Point, the staff at the fire school
were presented with certificates of appre-
ciation for their efforts. The following staff
members were honored: John Thomas,
Matt Rogers, Robbie Springer, John Ten-
nyson, Gary Joy, Kevin Molitor, Kyle
Adams and Brian Ticson.

A true mariner, Hicks has a clear goal
during his recovery: “I’m going through
the paces now with the cardiac rehabilita-
tion, and the rest of my heart is clean. One
blockage, 99.9% blocked. But once I get
cleared, I’m back out to sea and back to
work.”

Staff from the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School are recognized for their
life-saving efforts. Pictured from left are Gary Joy, Kevin Molitor, Matt Rogers, Robbie
Springer, John Tennyson and John Thomas. Also recognized but not pictured: Brian Tic-
son and Kyle Adams.



8 Seafarers LOG October 2021

By Kevin McCagh, Retired SIU Electrician

I was a cursed mason, struck down from a tower
Reduced to a refugee as my words lost all power
All I could utter was a meaningless babble
So, I ran and I ran, hiding and living amongst the rabble

No human could fathom what I was trying to say
I couldn’t find even one, though I searched night and day
First, I bewildered; then I was frightening,
running everyone off like children from lightning

I was many years a drifter, but then I got the notion
to try to find a life as a Seaman on the ocean
The road was rocky and storms tossed the sea
Rocks fell from above and rogue waves broke upon me
I felt terribly cursed for a long time to be

until those mountain-size waves made a Seaman of me
Somewhere between Bangkok, Calcutta, and The Zuiderzee
my sadness, madness, and worries ceased to worry me
If they didn’t fall overboard and drown in the sea
I bequeath them all to my erstwhile friends and family

The years, not the miles, severed our ties
That and the worst – a trusted friend’s lies
Affections dried up like a Dead Sea drought
Whenever I called, friends and family were out

It “shivers their timbers,” the man that I am
Well, like Popeye said, “I yam what I yam.”
And that’s the way things are likely to stay
Though I can’t say I’m sad that they’ve all gone away

I can easily say I prefer things this way
I never met a man or a woman like me
I’m different from 99% of the people I see
My Father once wrote that to me in a letter
I kind of knew it, but he knew it better

I’ll go down with the ship if a storm gets too bad
but not without that letter from my dad
He gave me “a pass,” a pass to be different

It’s helped me to see that my life’s been well spent
My current affliction is a fluency of tongues
And just as before, no one knows even one
No one will ever understand what I say,
because thousands of voices scare them away

I was blessed at birth under a wandering star
Only Seamen and Explorers get to roam so far
Prouder of my ancient seagoing career, I couldn’t possibly be
I’m a proud and grateful family member of the Brotherhood
of the Sea

I wish I could thank countless souls I met along the way
Their kindness and their influence are with me still today
I am a conglomerate of all of the people I’ve met and all of
the places I’ve seen
That may not impress others, but I think it’s keen

My long journey has ended and I’ve won my prize!
Though few will see that through “normal” eyes
The happiness I found doesn’t rest on winning or losing
I’ve learned that it rests in the perspective of my choosing

My curse was not a curse at all
God was smiling on me when he caused me to fall

Log-A-RhythmLog-A-Rhythm

Editor’s note: The U.S. State Department
issued the following communication in late Au-
gust.

Effective August 25, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ham-

per Passport Services. To better serve mariners
during this time we are updating our temporary
provisions. These provisions are subject to
change once operations are on a more normal
footing.

Instructions for Urgent Assistance with Apply-
ing for a Passport

Qualifications
Be a credentialed merchant mariner;
Be eligible to apply on a DS-82 applica-

tion for passport renewal. (Check eligibility at
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/pass-
ports/have-passport/renew.html); and
Have a current passport that is expired or

expiring in 7 months or less.

Application and Mailing Instructions
1. Applicants must submit the following:
 DS-82 application completed, signed,

and dated;
 Passport photograph taken within the

past six months;
Current passport;
 Copy of Merchant Mariner Credential

(MCC), front and back.
A check or money order in the amount

of $187.56 made payable to U.S. Department
of State. This amount includes the passport fee,
expedite fee, and 1-2-day delivery fee (for in-
formation regarding passport fees, please visit
travel.state.gov).
Letter from supervisor on company let-

terhead or your U.S. mariner’s union.

Updated Passport Notice

Alaskan Restaurateur Starts New Career as Steward
Chief Cook Norasith Noy Phetphom-

masouk (who goes by Noy) has taken a
unique path to become a mariner, a jour-
ney he never intended to make.

He’s grateful for how it’s working out,
though.

“I had no connection with the maritime
industry before I joined the SIU,” Noy
said. “None of my family was involved
with shipping in any way.”

Before he became a mariner, he owned
Pho Vatsana, a restaurant in Wasilla,
Alaska, where he still lives. He opened
the restaurant in 2013, but issues arising
from the COVID-19 pandemic forced
Noy to close his business. Looking for a
way to use his restaurant experience in a
new career, Noy was referred to the SIU-
affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education by the Alaska
Department of Labor, which also helped
pay for his travel, documentation and re-
quired medical tests. He passed the Chief

Cook Advanced Training and Assessment
Program, and has since shipped out on a
TOTE-operated car carrier.

According to Rich Berkowitz, the
Transportation Institute’s vice president
of Pacific Coast Operations, “Given the
COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on his
business, Noy was designated as a dis-
placed worker. He is a Laotian refugee,
and was looking forward to working on
a military support vessel operated by one
of our commercial partner companies. He
told me he wants to do so to give back
to a country that has offered him and his
family so many opportunities.”

Noy described his first voyage as very
positive. “My experience as a first-time
sailor on board a ship is really amazing,”
he said. “Nice, clean, personal living
quarters, which I was surprised to find
is really quite comfortable. The ship is
very large, so you can’t really feel that it’s
moving, aside from the very low vibra-

tion from the engine. Personally, I like it
a lot. Using the Internet is the only means
of personal communication, which can be
understandably slow at times, but with a
little patience it all works out.”

“The training at the Paul Hall Center
was a good experience,” he added. “The
facility is very attractive, clean and well
designed. All the food, the living quarters
and all the accommodations were very
good. The instructors are all very knowl-
edgeable and very professional. I would
like to thank everyone on the ‘A-Team’
who gave me this opportunity: Ralph
Mirsky (from the Ketchikan-based non-
profit SeaLink), Richard Berkowitz, and

Barbara Brown with the State of Alaska
DOL, for being such wonderful mentors.”

As for his future as a mariner, Noy is
looking forward to a long career at sea:
“I will continue to sail as long as I can.
Even though I am new to this industry, I
know there’s so much to learn, and I look
forward to a time when I have enough
experience to be able to help guide other
mariners. I would like to be able to help
the next generation join this industry,
and hope to share my experiences with
others. I highly recommend this career
path to those who would like to join the
industry and become a mariner. This is a
perfect way to start.”

Coast Guard Posts Updates,
New Info on Applications

The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime
Center posted the following information on
Aug. 23.

Merchant Mariner Credential Applica-
tion Processing Time Update and Important
Additional Information

The National Maritime Center (NMC) con-
tinues to experience increased Merchant Mari-
ner Credential (MMC) and medical certificate
application processing times. Every effort is
being made to reduce these times and return
credential delivery to within our stated perfor-
mance goals.

Below are important things YOU can do to
streamline application processing:
Apply 90 days in advance: Consider ap-

plying early and submitting your MMC and/or
medical certificate application at least 90 days
in advance of when you would anticipate need-
ing a credential.
Ensure your application package is com-

plete: Fifty percent of all application submis-
sions result in needing additional information.
Take the time and ensure yours is complete be-
fore sending it to the Coast Guard. Verify the
file you send to us electronically is also com-
plete, paying particular attention to any double-
sided documents in your package. Did you scan
both sides? Checklist guides are available on
the NMC website to assist you.
PDF only: Submit your MMC and/or med-

ical certificate applications electronically in PDF
format only. DO NOT submit pictures of your
documentation taken with a smart phone or in
other digital formats (jpeg, .png, etc.). These will
not be accepted. NOTE: The new size limit for
electronic application submissions is 35 MB, so it
is no longer necessary to submit multiple smaller
files. Also, you will not receive an auto-generated
response acknowledging receipt of your applica-
tion. The NMC is currently unable to provide this

service. Duplicate submissions of your application
package are not necessary.
Include your height, weight, and gender:

When applying for an MMC only (no medi-
cal certificate application/physical included),
please be sure to include your height, weight,
and gender in your application submission.
These data points are needed to produce your
MMC and are currently not requested on the
CG-719B application form. A future revision to
this form will include these data fields.

Applications are typically processed on
a ‘first in, first out’ basis. After review of the
initial submission date, the NMC will consider
expediting cases when it is critical to vessel
operations or an applicant’s employment. To
request expedited service, contact the customer
service center at IASKMMC@uscg.mil.

Expiration Date Reminder
Under 46 USC Section 7507, MMCs may

only be extended for up to one year from their
date of expiration. MMCs with national en-
dorsements only, which expired between March
1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, are extended until
the EARLIER of:
October 31, 2021, OR
One year after the initial expiration date

of the credential (i.e., one year after the expira-
tion date printed on the credential).

Don’t wait until the last minute! Despite
the extensions provided via Marine Safety
Information Bulletin 08-20, you should sub-
mit your application once you have met the
requirements. Remember, an MMC can be
renewed at any time and may be post-dated up
to eight months.

The NMC Customer Service Center is avail-
able from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday
through Friday for your questions. Mariners
may reach our call center at 1-888-IASKNMC
(427-5662) and IASKNMC@uscg.mil.

Chief Cook Noy is pictured during his initial training at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney
Point, Maryland.

Continued on next page

The Cursed Mason’s Odyssey



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 9

“Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from Aug. 7 - Sept. 7. “Registered on the Beach” data is as of Sept. 7.

Total Registered Total Shipped Registered on Beach
All Groups All Groups Trip All Groups

Port A B C A B C Reliefs A B C

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep SeaDispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea

Deck Department
Algonac 15 7 1 10 3 1 6 27 14 4
Anchorage 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 4 1
Baltimore 2 5 1 3 3 1 2 3 4 0
Fort Lauderdale 28 11 6 21 7 2 7 34 18 9
Guam 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 0 0
Harvey 7 4 0 10 2 0 1 15 5 1
Honolulu 6 1 0 8 3 0 6 10 3 0
Houston 26 21 8 34 10 4 21 61 35 7
Jacksonville 28 22 8 24 20 6 14 52 33 12
Jersey City 27 7 3 27 4 6 13 54 12 3
Joliet 2 4 1 2 0 0 2 1 4 3
Mobile 10 1 2 9 2 1 0 13 5 2
Norfolk 23 11 6 20 9 5 13 37 18 10
Oakland 18 3 0 9 1 0 2 23 10 1
Philadelphia 2 3 0 3 2 0 1 2 3 0
Piney Point 1 3 0 0 2 0 1 1 2 0
Puerto Rico 8 5 1 5 1 0 1 14 8 2
Tacoma 27 3 2 21 2 1 12 41 10 5
St. Louis 0 3 0 1 1 0 0 6 3 1
Wilmington 27 7 2 24 7 0 9 55 16 6
TOTALS 261 122 41 233 79 27 111 459 207 67

Engine Department
Algonac 2 1 0 5 1 0 2 5 0 0
Anchorage 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Baltimore 1 0 2 3 0 1 2 4 1 2
Fort Lauderdale 12 5 4 5 5 4 2 11 13 3
Guam 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Harvey 1 1 0 0 5 0 0 6 1 0
Honolulu 3 2 1 2 0 0 1 6 6 3
Houston 13 10 3 5 10 2 4 28 15 1
Jacksonville 15 5 1 11 7 2 4 31 11 1
Jersey City 9 5 1 4 2 0 0 19 5 2
Joliet 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0
Mobile 3 4 0 2 2 0 0 3 4 1
Norfolk 9 14 4 8 8 4 5 23 22 6
Oakland 0 3 1 2 0 0 1 11 5 2
Philadelphia 2 3 0 5 1 0 0 1 2 2
Piney Point 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 4 0
Puerto Rico 6 4 0 5 2 0 1 9 6 1
Tacoma 9 9 1 11 8 3 7 16 11 2
St. Louis 4 1 0 3 1 1 2 2 3 0
Wilmington 16 8 1 4 10 1 1 28 13 7
TOTALS 108 78 19 80 63 18 32 208 122 33

Steward Department
Algonac 3 2 0 2 3 0 0 8 2 0
Anchorage 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Baltimore 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Fort Lauderdale 8 1 1 5 1 0 2 18 12 2
Guam 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 3 0
Harvey 4 0 0 4 0 0 1 6 3 0
Honolulu 6 0 0 4 2 0 1 12 2 0
Houston 15 6 1 9 5 0 3 24 13 2
Jacksonville 16 18 5 10 13 2 8 32 20 5
Jersey City 8 2 0 5 2 0 2 15 3 1
Joliet 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Mobile 2 3 0 3 2 0 1 1 7 0
Norfolk 13 12 1 13 9 1 10 23 19 2
Oakland 10 8 0 8 2 0 5 18 13 1
Philadelphia 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Piney Point 1 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 3 0
Puerto Rico 2 5 0 1 1 0 0 3 9 0
Tacoma 8 2 0 5 2 0 1 16 5 1
St. Louis 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0
Wilmington 13 8 1 6 7 0 6 38 17 1
TOTALS 110 72 9 80 53 3 40 225 131 15

Entry Department
Algonac 2 11 12 0 4 4 4 2 17 14
Anchorage 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 3 4
Baltimore 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Fort Lauderdale 1 2 3 0 2 3 1 1 5 6
Guam 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Harvey 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 2 3 0
Honolulu 1 2 7 1 1 3 0 0 4 5
Houston 3 14 13 1 13 12 4 5 10 10
Jacksonville 2 15 50 1 12 33 7 2 32 80
Jersey City 0 4 9 1 6 7 1 1 15 13
Joliet 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Mobile 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 4
Norfolk 0 14 23 0 9 14 2 0 24 31
Oakland 0 7 2 0 2 1 1 2 22 7
Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Piney Point 0 4 12 0 3 12 4 0 0 9
Puerto Rico 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 2 6
Tacoma 7 7 7 2 9 3 2 9 23 8
St. Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Wilmington 1 17 4 0 13 1 2 7 25 8
TOTALS 17 101 150 7 77 96 28 31 189 208

GRAND TOTAL: 496 373 219 400 272 144 211 923 649 323

Piney Point............................ Monday: October 4, November 8
Algonac...................................Friday: October 8, November 12
Baltimore..............Thursday: October 7, *Friday: November 12
Guam......................Thursday: October 21, *Friday: November 26
Honolulu...............................Friday: October 15, November 19

Houston..................*Tuesday: October 12, Monday: November 15

Jacksonville...............Thursday: October 7, *Friday: November12

Joliet....................................Thursday: October 14, November18

Mobile...............................Wednesday: October 13, November 17

New Orleans.....................Tuesday: October 12, November 16

Jersey City........................Tuesday: October 5, November 9

Norfolk...................................Friday: October 8, November 12

Oakland..........................Thursday: October 14, November 18

Philadelphia.......................Wednesday: October 6, November 10

Port Everglades......................Thursday: October 14, November 18

San Juan......................Thursday: October 7, *Friday: November 12

St. Louis...............................Friday: October 15, November 19

Tacoma.............................Friday: October 22, November 26

Wilmington...............................Monday: October 18, November 22

* Houston change due to Columbus Day observance

* Baltimore, Jacksonville and San Juan changes due to Veter-
ans Day observance.

* Guam change due to Thanksgiving Day observance

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

October & NovemberOctober & November

Membership MeetingsMembership Meetings

2. The supervisor letter
should include the following
details:
Applicant’s full name;
Printed name and title of

applicant’s supervisor or mari-
ners’ union representative;
 Supervisor’s or union

representative’s signature; and
 Date the letter was is-

sued.
3. Applications must be sent

by traceable overnight delivery
service to: El Paso Passport
Agency, 303 N. Oregon St.,
Suite 700, El Paso, TX 79901,
Attention: Mariner Program

Service Expectations
Completed passports will be

mailed using a 1-2-day delivery
service. Please be sure the appli-
cation includes a physical mail-
ing address and not a P.O. Box.
Every effort will be made to pro-
cess the passport application in
about one week of receipt. For
instance, applications received
on Monday may be completed
and sent out by Friday of the
same week.

Requesting a Second Passport
Mariners may wish to apply

for a second limited validity
passport (4 years). Second pass-
ports provide greater flexibility,
particularly if mariners need to
apply for visas when traveling
domestically and overseas. For
more information, please see:
https://travel.state.gov/content/
travel/en/passports/have-pass-
port/second-passport-book.
html.

Below are the two options
for applying for a second pass-
port.

Option 1: Requesting a Sec-
ond Passport when Renewing
a Passport

To apply for a second pass-
port, applicants must also in-
clude:

 A second DS-82 appli-
cation (with photograph) com-
pleted, signed, and dated;

• Signed statement de-
scribing the need for a second
passport. (This is required in
addition to the company letter
authorizing use of these special
procedures); and

• Include payment for both
applications in a single check
totaling $375.12. ($187.56 per
application).

Option 2: Requesting a Second
Passport without Submitting a
Current Valid Passport

If mariners need to use their
current (10-year) passport while
applying for their second pass-
port, they can apply at a pass-
port acceptance facility using a
DS-11 form. They can expect
to receive the second passport
within the expedited timeframe
posted at travel.state.gov. To
apply at a passport acceptance
facility, applicants need:
 Completed (not signed)

DS-11 application;
Passport photograph;
Photocopy of their 10-

year passport data page;
Signed statement of need

for a second passport as outlined
on our website;
 Payment of $187.56 to

the U.S. Department of State,
which includes $60 for expe-
dite service and the additional
$17.56 for 1-2-day return de-
livery; and
Addi t iona l payment

of $35 to the passpor t ac-
c e p t a n c e f a c i l i t y t o e x -
ecute the appl ica t ion .

To locate the nearest passport
acceptance facility, see https://
iafdb.travel.state.gov. Please
note that many passport accep-
tance facilities require custom-
ers to schedule an appointment
ahead of their visit.

We thank you for your
continued understanding and
patience during these unprec-
edented times.

State Dept. Issues Passport Notice
Continued from Page 8



10 Seafarers LOG September 2021

Editor’s note: The Maritime Trades Department is a consti-
tutionally mandated component of the AFL-CIO. SIU President
Michael Sacco also serves as MTD president. The department’s
quadrennial convention, originally scheduled for this year, has
been bumped back to June 2022 due to the pandemic. This article
originally ran as a three-part series on the MTD website (mari-
timetrades.org) in August.

August 19, 1946 – the birthday of the Maritime Trades De-
partment, AFL-CIO.

On that date, in the city of Chicago, American Fed-
eration of Labor (AFL) President William Green and Secretary-
Treasurer George Meany, along with the 13 AFL vice presidents,
affixed their signatures to the charter creating the MTD.

Receiving the document were Joseph P. Ryan of the Long-
shoremen (ILA); Harry Lundeberg of the Seafarers (SIU); W.L.
Allen of the Commercial Telegraphers Union (now part of the
Communications Workers of America); Charles F. Mays of the
Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P); and Joseph P. Clark of the
Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers (now part of the Service Em-
ployees International Union).

But the story starts five years earlier, at the 1941 AFL Con-

vention in Seattle.
During that gathering, a delegate from the San Francisco

Labor Council offered a resolution “that the American Federa-
tion of Labor, in convention assembled, go on record in favor of
establishing a maritime council within the American Federation
of Labor similar to the units now functioning for the metal trades,
building trades and railroad departments.” The resolution was
sent to the AFL Committee on Organization for consideration and
review. However, the United States entered World War II a few
months later and no action was taken.

Following the war, representatives from various maritime-re-
lated unions met in New York City in May 1946. They requested
the AFL reconsider the 1941 resolution. Attending that meeting
were officials from the SIU, ILA, MM&P, Sailors’ Union of the
Pacific, Radio Officers, Teamsters and American Merchant Ma-
rine Staff Officers.

The first national Maritime Trades Council of the American
Federation of Labor met in Chicago days before the charter was
issued. With officials from the SIU, ILA, MM&P, Commercial
Telegraphers and Firemen and Oilers – as well as the Teamsters –
attending, the council unanimously called for the creation of the
Maritime Trades Department.

At the MTD’s first convention in October 1946, John Owens
of the ILA served as executive secretary. The preamble adopted
by the body read: “We, as workers in the transportation industry,
realizing the necessity of strong, unified action in our endeavor t
raise our social and economic standards to coordinate our efforts
in our struggle for our rights, and in order to protect our Unions
from raids by dual Unions and hostile organizations such as the
CIO and the Communist Party, and for the purpose of organiz-
ing all unorganized workers in the industry into the structure of
the American Federation of Labor to the end that all workers in
the Maritime Transportation Industry – in the ships, the docks
and shoreside workers – will be organized under the American
Federation of Labor, hereby dedicate ourselves to mutual aid, sup
port and to direct our action through the medium of the Maritime
Trades Department of the AFL.”

The year 1946 also brought a major blow to the U.S.-flag
merchant fleet with passage of the Ship Sales Act. This legislatio
allowed many of the American cargo ships built to win World W
II to be sold for pennies on the dollar to replenish foreign-flag op
erators, instigating the flag-of-convenience system that continues
to plague maritime to this day.

In addition, the MTD began its never-ending campaign of
support for the Jones Act (the nation’s freight cabotage law) and
for cargo preference measures to make sure American goods are
carried aboard U.S.-flag ships, crewed by American mariners and
built in domestic yards.

In 1947, the department adopted a policy of chartering Port
Maritime Councils (PMC), which over time became the grassroo
backbone of the MTD. The first councils were established in Mil
waukee; Cleveland; New Orleans; Duluth, Minnesota; Ashland,
Wisconsin; and Washington State (Columbia River). By 1948,
new PMCs had started in New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Puert
Rico and Savannah, Georgia.

The MTD reported to the 1948 AFL convention “its affiliated
unions have given magnificent service to many other unions whe
other unions needed help. These men have been fighting on the
picket line with and for many other unions in the general fight to
keep our labor movement free and strong.”

By 1952, the AFL and the MTD realized that the department
needed officers and a constitution. Meeting in Chicago in March
representatives from the SIU, ILA, MM&P, Commercial Teleg-
raphers and Operating Engineers (IUOE) worked with Harry
O’Reilly of the AFL to craft a constitution. After its approval, the
MTD elected Ryan as its first president, Lloyd Gardner of the SI
as secretary-treasurer, and May as vice president to serve until th
MTD met in convention in September. Those delegates reelected
Ryan and Gardner to their posts while Jack McDonald of the
IUOE became vice president.

In 1955, Harry Lundeberg of the SIU was elected MTD presi
dent after the ILA had been expelled from the AFL. That same
year, talks between the AFL and CIO led to the merger of the two
labor organizations, creating the AFL-CIO. Lundeberg served
until his passing in 1957, when Paul Hall took the helm of both
the MTD and the SIU.

Hall Takes Charge
The Paul Hall era for the MTD ran from 1957 until 1980.
In truth, he was involved before he became the MTD presi-

dent, as he oversaw the New York Port Maritime Council (PMC)
With sound trucks, coffee wagons and plenty of manpower, Hall
made sure the PMC was a presence in the greater New York re-
gion – from waterfront beefs to the 1948 Wall Street strike by ad
ministrative workers. What he started in the Big Apple, he applie
to the MTD across the country and in Canada.

During Hall’s 23 years guiding the department, the MTD in-
creased its number of affiliates, swelled its series of Port Counci

Maritime Trades Department
Seafarers International Union of North America founder
Harry Lundeberg served as MTD president from 1955 until
his death in 1957.

MTD/SIU President Paul Hall led the department from
1957 to 1980.

MTD/SIU President Michael Sacco revitalized the department
during a politically tumultuous stretch.

Takin
Sacc

Pictured at a 1987 MTD event are (from left) MTD/SIU President Frank Drozak, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden and MTD Executive
Secretary-Treasurer Jean Ingrao



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 11

nd expanded its influence.
Harry O’Reilly left the AFL staff in 1956 to become the MTD

xecutive secretary-treasurer. Under Hall and O’Reilly, the de-
artment staff grew to tackle more of the challenges facing the
aritime industry. Peter McGavin took over for O’Reilly in 1960

nd was instrumental in the creation of legislative and research
visions within the department.

The department launched a monthly magazine that dealt with
aritime and labor issues. Topics included the Jones Act, cargo

reference, domestic shipbuilding, fisheries, minimum wage,
orker safety and much, much more.

The MTD initiated a series of maritime seminars and lectures
Washington, D.C. Speakers included legislators, administration

fficials and shipping executives. The programs proved so infor-
ative that MTD Port Councils hosted similar events around the

ountry.
However, the primary concern for the MTD, its PMCs and

s affiliates was calling attention to the plight of the U.S.-flag
erchant fleet. Since World War II, despite verbal support from
residents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson, the U.S. commer-
al fleet was shrinking. When the Vietnam War broke out, World

War II-vintage cargo ships and tankers made up a substantial part
f the fleet.

Efforts began that were aimed at passing federal legislation to
ssist maritime. The last major bill to sail through Congress had
ome during the Franklin Roosevelt administration in 1936 as
merica prepared for the possibility of war in Europe and Asia.

Writing in the MTD’s official publication Maritime in Novem-
er 1967, McGavin stated, “And in the same manner we seek to
romote the union label and seek an improved minimum wage,
e also seek a strong, modern merchant marine.”

America’s leaders were debating not just the need for refur-
shing the commercial fleet, but also whether to have new builds

onstructed overseas rather than in domestic shipyards. The MTD
nd its affiliates fought to protect American workers and jobs.

Richard Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign included a plank
revitalize the U.S.-flag fleet. In February 1969, MTD Adminis-

ator O. William Moody declared, “It will continue to be one of
e prime goals of the Maritime Trades Department to bring to the
tention of the public the facts about our merchant marine, so that
e public can join its voice to ours.”

As debate began on Capitol Hill for maritime legislation,
ixon told a Seattle audience in 1969, “The time has come for
ew departures, new solutions and new vitality for American ships
nd American crews on the high seas of the world.” In addition,
e MTD, through its Port Councils, launched its “Ship American”

ampaign.
The House of Representatives passed the bill in early 1970,

ut the Senate continued to debate the measure. It called for the
onstruction of 300 new vessels over a 10-year period, construc-
on and operating subsidies, cargo preference protections and as-
stance for the Great Lakes and fishing industries.

Hall specified in the August 1970 Maritime, “The need is for
first-class U.S.-flag fleet. Fast, efficient new ships must replace
ow, tired rustbuckets.” Within two months, the Senate passed
nd Nixon signed the Merchant Marine Act of 1970.

The maritime industry had high hopes this would be the start
f a new boom for the U.S.-flag. But, it was not to be as America
gain looked away from its merchant fleet with the end of Ameri-
ans fighting in Vietnam in 1973. Three years later, President Ford
etoed petroleum cargo preference legislation pushed by the MTD
nd the industry.

Meanwhile, following the merger of the AFL and CIO, new
ffiliates signed on with the MTD, increasing its total to 43 affili-
es, representing more than 10 million union members. A total of
9 Port Maritime Councils could be found from the Atlantic to the

Pacific, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, and points in
between – including as many as five in Canada.

The MTD report to the 1967 AFL-CIO Convention saluted the
PMCs: “In many respects, the structure of the Maritime Trades
Department could be likened to an iceberg. Our national head-
quarters is one-eighth of the iceberg that can be seen above the
surface; the Port Council network is the remaining seven-eighths
– it is hidden beneath the surface, but it is the main part of our ef-
fort.”

McGavin died in 1975, with Moody remaining as administra-
tor until Jean Ingrao became the executive secretary-treasurer in
1979.

When Hall passed away in 1980, the national political con-
sensus was more conservative. Frank Drozak took over the MTD
presidency just as Ronald Reagan came to the White House. The
MTD and its Port Councils fought hard, but could not save major
parts of the 1970 legislation. Looking to save money, defense “ex-
perts” said the nation could use American-owned, foreign-crewed,
foreign-flag vessels to move its needed cargo.

Drozak died in 1988, bringing Michael Sacco to the bridge
of the MTD as the United States was about to rediscover how
valuable American mariners and ships were to the nation’s armed
forces and the economy.

Sacco Revitalizes Department
When Sacco became president of the MTD in June 1988, he

already was very well acquainted with the department’s work in
the nation’s capital and at the grassroots level.

Under the direction of Hall in the 1960s in New York, Sacco
walked picket lines and passed out so many cups of coffee from
that Port Council’s van that he lost count. When the Seafarers
assigned him to Maryland in the 1970s, Sacco participated in
the department’s luncheons and seminars for congressional, ad-
ministration and government officials in the shadow of the White
House. Working in St. Louis during the 1980s, he was one of four
area labor officials instrumental in revitalizing that city’s Port
Maritime Council.

Sacco is the longest serving president in the department’s his-
tory. Because of his background, grassroots activism has remained
a major focus for the MTD.

From walking with striking Eastern Air Lines Machinists and
flight crews at airports around the country in 1989-90 to operating
drive-through food banks for laid-off union members during the
2020-21 COVID crisis, Port Councils continue to answer the bell.
Many of the formal PMC dinners of the late 20th century have
given way to outdoor activities (including golf and sport shooting)
to raise funds for charities and scholarships. Following the hur-
ricanes and earthquakes that devastated Puerto Rico last decade,
Port Councils worked with affiliates and their communities to
gather and rush vital goods to the island.

The value of the PMCs’ community efforts comes alive when
the U.S.-flag maritime industry is under attack. The network
springs into action by writing, calling and visiting their local
elected officials to remind them maritime is not just a federal
issue. It affects the local daily economy. Such has been the effect
of Port Council activities within their jurisdictions that legisla-
tion proposed to attack the Jones Act or cargo preference has been
thwarted before even being introduced.

Sacco and the department have made sure maritime and its
issues remain at the forefront. Shortly after he took over, U.S. mil-
itary activity in the Middle East reminded Americans how impor-
tant U.S.-flag shipping is to the national defense and the economy.

As American forces were sent to free Kuwait from Saddam
Hussain’s Iraq in 1991, military planners thought they could
rely on vessels owned by Americans but registered overseas and
crewed by foreign mariners. The nation soon discovered the dif-

ference between those ships and the ones sailing under Old Glory
crewed by American-civilian mariners. As the head of the U.S.
Transportation Command, Air Force General Hansford Johnson,
told the MTD Executive Board in February 1991, “We literally
had a steel bridge across the ocean. I cannot find a more patriotic
group in America than the men and women you represent.” Mean-
while, reports began surfacing about the foreign crews on several
foreign-flag vessels refusing to deliver goods needed by the fight-
ing forces.

This was the opening salvo in the effort to revitalize the U.S.-
flag fleet.

“An active fleet contributes to the economy,” stated Sacco. “It
creates jobs and raises revenue through corporate and personal in-
come taxes. It doesn’t drain the Treasury into a sinkhole.”

In 1992, the George H.W. Bush administration offered leg-
islation to address the needs of the U.S.-flag fleet. For the next
five years, operating with two different White Houses and three
different Congresses, the MTD and its affiliates worked with
Democrats and Republicans to pass the Maritime Security Act of
1996. Though reluctant to take public credit, Sacco was widely
recognized behind the scenes as an especially forceful, effective
proponent of the measure.

The MTD launched a nationwide grassroots campaign in 1993
to “Keep America’s Flag Flying” to bring attention to the industry.
During the 1993 MTD Convention, Sacco declared, “The futures
of the U.S.-flag merchant marine and domestic shipbuilding are at
stake.”

That same year, longtime MTD Secretary-Treasurer Jean
Ingrao retired. Prior to her leaving, the department reached its
all-time high of 44 affiliates before mergers among the unions

Celebrates 75th Anniversary
r respective oaths of office at the 2017 MTD convention are (starting second from left) MTD Executive Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan, MTD VP Jerry Abell and MTD President Michael
ef Counsel Leslie Tarantola is at left.

Continued on Page 19



12 Seafarers LOG October 2021

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

Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast

Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast

Nicholas Celona, Vice President Government
Services

HEADQUARTERS
5201 Capital Gateway Drive

Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675

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

(810) 794-4988

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

(907) 561-4988

BALTIMORE
2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224

(410) 327-4900

GUAM
P.O. Box 3328, Hagatna, Guam 96932
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

HOUSTON
625 N. York St., Houston, TX 77003

(713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE
5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 281-2622

JERSEY CITY
104 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306

(201) 434-6000

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

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
45353 St. George’s Avenue, Piney Point, MD

20674
(301) 994-0010

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

(954) 522-7984

SAN JUAN
659 Hill Side St., Summit Hills

San Juan, PR 00920
(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) 549-4001/4002

Seafarers International Seafarers International
Union DirectoryUnion Directory Inquiring SeafarerInquiring Seafarer

This month’s question was answered by steward-department upgraders in Piney Point, Maryland. They were
completing the chief cook class.

Question: What are some things you like about your job?

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 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital
images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org

Jurally Aseberos
SA

The challenge of making the crew
happy through my cooking. I give my
best for them. The salary I get to sup-
port my family and my future plans.

Jasmine Mable
SA

Travelling, money. Meeting
new people. That’s a highlight,
because I like people. That’s about
it.

Nala Johnson
ACU

I love cooking. I love meeting
new people. I love to travel.

Daniel Cage
SA

Travel, definitely. And with
this job, I get paid to do it. Also,
cooking is fun. I love to eat, so
cooking comes naturally. One
kind of helps the other.

Chad Sikorski
ACU

I love to travel, and staying busy,
seeing the world. I enjoy cooking for
the guys on the ship. Try to get their
bellies full and keep them happy.

Ricky Sencida
ACU

So far, it’s good. Most of the stew-
ards I’ve worked with are helpful.
During winter, the steward department
isn’t cold; during the summer, it’s not
too hot.

SIU wheelmen Stan
Waslowski (left) and
Joe Wilkes help out-
fit the Adam E. during
Great Lakes fit-out in
1981.

Pic From Pic From
The Past The Past



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 13

DEEP SEA

GERALD ARCHIE
Brother Gerald Archie, 70, joined
the Seafarers International Union
in 1990, initially
sailing aboard the
Independence.
He upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on several
occasions and
shipped in the
steward depart-
ment. Brother Ar-
chie’s final vessel
was the Cape Henry. He is a resident
of Alameda, California.

ELWOOD AUSTIN
Brother Elwood Austin, 65, began
sailing with the SIU in 1977. A

deck department
member, he was
first employed
by the Associa-
tion of Maryland
Pilots. Brother
Austin upgraded
his skills at the
Paul Hall Center
on multiple oc-
casions. He last

sailed on the USNS Pathfinder
and lives in Frisco, North Caro-
lina.

DAVID CENTOFANTI
Brother David Centofanti, 65,
embarked on his career with the
Seafarers in 1977,
initially sailing on
the Point Julie.
He was a deck de-
partment member
and upgraded at
the union-affili-
ated Piney Point
school in 1979.
Brother Cento-
fanti last shipped
aboard the Gemini and resides in
West Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

MARCO FIGUEROA
Brother Marco Figueroa, 69, signed
on with the SIU in 2002, initially

shipping aboard
the USNS Mary
Sears. He was a
deck department
member and
upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center
on multiple oc-
casions. Brother
Figueroa most
recently sailed on

the Ocean Trader and resides in Fort
Pierce, Florida.

MITCHELL FRENCH
Brother Mitchell French, 65, started
his career with the
Seafarers in 1990
and first shipped
aboard the Sea-
lift Arctic. He
sailed in the deck
department and
upgraded on mul-
tiple occasions at
the Piney Point
school. Brother
French’s final vessel was the Hori-
zon Kodiak. He lives in Bellingham,
Washington.

MARIANO GUTIERREZ-GARCIA
Brother Mariano Gutierrez-Garcia,
69, signed on with the union in
2001. He initially
sailed aboard
the Lurline and
worked in all
three departments.
Brother Gutierrez-
Garcia upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on numer-
ous occasions.
He most recently
shipped on the Horizon Pacific and
is a resident of Los Angeles.

VICKI HAGGERTY

Sister Vicki Haggerty, 65, joined the
SIU in 1989 when she sailed on the

Independence.
She was a steward
department mem-
ber and upgraded
at the Piney Point
school on sev-
eral occasions.
Sister Haggerty
last shipped on
the Tacoma and
makes her home

in Mossyrock, Washington.

ANGEL HERNANDEZ
Brother Angel Hernandez, 67,
signed on with
the union in 1971,
initially shipping
on the Charleston.
He sailed in the
engine department
and upgraded
often at the Paul
Hall Center.
Brother Hernan-
dez last shipped
aboard the Maersk Ohio. He lives in
Orlando, Florida.

JOHN KANE
Brother John Kane, 66, donned the
SIU colors in 1974. He first sailed
aboard a Hudson Waterways vessel
and primarily worked in the deck
department. Brother Kane’s last ship
was the Bay Ridge. He is a resident
of San Pablo, California.

ROBERT MASCHMEIER
Brother Robert Maschmeier, 65,
started sailing with the union in

1982, initially
shipping on the
Leo. A steward
department mem-
ber, he upgraded
at the Piney Point
school on multiple
occasions. Brother
Maschmeier con-
cluded his career
aboard the Maersk

Misaki and calls Louisiana, Mis-
souri, home.

RONNIE MICKLOS
Brother Ronnie Micklos, 65,
joined the union
in 1991 and first
sailed aboard the
USNS Wyman.
He was a mem-
ber of the engine
department and
upgraded at the
union-affiliated
Paul Hall Center

on numerous occasions. Brother
Micklos last shipped on the Cape
Jacob. He lives in Beverly Hills,
Florida.

HUGH MORRISON
Brother Hugh Morrison, 72, began
his career with
the SIU in 2004
when he sailed
aboard the Seab-
ulk Trader. An
engine depart-
ment member,
he most recently
shipped aboard
the Bernard F.
Fisher. Brother
Morrison resides in Nampa,
Idaho.

JAMES MULDOWNEY
Brother James Muldowney, 65,
embarked on his career with the

SIU in 2002. He
first sailed on the
Bernard F. Fisher
and shipped in the
deck department.
Brother Muld-
owney upgraded
at the Piney Point
school in 2010.
He concluded
his career on the

Maersk Missouri and lives in Austin,
Texas.

EDWARD NELSON
Brother Edward Nelson, 66, became
a member of the Seafarers Interna-
tional Union in 1991, initially sail-
ing aboard the
American Falcon.
He worked in the
deck department
and upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on mul-
tiple occasions.
Brother Nelson’s
final vessel
was the Liberty
Grace. He resides in Dixon, Mis-
souri.

MICHAEL PRESSER
Brother Michael Presser, 60, joined

the union in 1981
when he sailed on
the Independence.
He worked in the
deck department
and upgraded
often at the Piney
Point school.
Brother Presser
last sailed aboard
the Maersk Sen-

tosa, and settled in Conowingo,
Maryland.

AUGUSTO RODIL
Brother Augusto Rodil, 67, signed
on with the SIU in 1991, initially
shipping aboard the Del Valle. He
was an engine department member
and upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on mul-
tiple occasions.
Brother Rodil
most recently
sailed on the
American Phoe-
nix and resides in
Sugarland, Texas.

STIG SASSE
Brother Stig Sasse, 63, started his
career with the Seafarers in 2001
and first shipped
aboard the Cape
John. He sailed
in the deck de-
partment and
upgraded on mul-
tiple occasions at
the Piney Point
school. Brother
Sasse’s final ves-
sel was the Alli-
ance St. Louis. He makes his home
in Houston.

JAMES VARELA
Brother James Varela, 65, signed
on with the union in 1979. He ini-
tially sailed aboard the Gemini and
worked in the engine department.
Brother Varela upgraded often at the
Paul Hall Center. He last shipped on
the Baldomero Lopez and is a resi-
dent of Pompano Beach, Florida.

GARRY WALKER
Brother Garry Walker, 66, joined
the SIU in 1975 when he sailed on

an Ocean Clip-
per Inc. vessel.
He shipped in the
deck department
and upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on sev-
eral occasions.
Brother Walker
most recently
sailed on the Ho-

rizon Kodiak and makes his home in
Ashford, Washington.

PERRY WEBSTER
Brother Perry Webster, 65, signed
on with the
Seafarers Inter-
national Union
in 1988 and first
shipped on the
USNS Persistent.
A deck depart-
ment member,
Brother Webster
concluded his
career aboard the
Presque Isle. He
calls Lynchburg, Tennessee, home.

GREAT LAKES

DARRELL BAYS
Brother Darrell Bays, 68, joined

the Seafarers in
1996. He initially
shipped on the
H. Lee White
and sailed in the
steward depart-
ment. Brother
Bays upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center in 2003.
He last shipped on

the Paul H. Townsend and resides in
West Seneca, New York.

INLAND

DARRELL CRAIN
Brother Darrell Crain, 64, donned the

SIU colors in 1991. A deck depart-
ment member, he was employed by
Higman Barge Lines for the duration
of his career. Brother Crain is a resi-
dent of Evadale, Texas.

ROBERT GLASS
Brother Robert Glass, 73, embarked
on his career with the SIU in 1970
when he worked for Michigan Tank-
ers. He was a member of the deck
department and was last employed by
G&H Towing. Brother Glass makes
his home in Montgomery, Texas.

CLAUDETTE PHILLIPS
Sister Claudette Phillips, 62,
joined the Seafarers International
Union in 1999 when she sailed
with Delta Queen Steamboat Com-
pany. She was a member of the
steward department and concluded
her career aboard the Mississippi
Queen. Sister Phillips lives in
Tampa, Florida.

MICHAEL RABINOVITZ
Brother Michael Rabinovitz, 62,
started sailing with the Seafarers in

1991. He first
shipped on the
Padre Island and
worked in the
deck department.
Brother Rabi-
novitz upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on several
occasions. He last
worked for Penn

Maritime and resides in Tyler, Texas.

DENNIS RIDLEY
Brother Den-
nis Ridley, 62,
signed on with the
union in 1992. He
sailed in the deck
department and
worked for Hig-
man Barge Lines
for his entire
career. Brother
Ridley makes his
home in San Augustine, Texas.

DENNIS WHEAT
Brother Dennis Wheat, 64, joined
the SIU in 1979. He was first em-
ployed by Crowley Towing and
Transportation and was a member of
the deck department. Brother Wheat
upgraded at the union-affiliated
Piney Point school on multiple occa-
sions. He concluded his career work-
ing for Southbay Barge and resides
in Long Beach, California.

NMU

STUART DONOVAN
Brother Stuart Donovan, 72, joined
the Seafarers during the 2001 SIU/

NMU Merger. He
upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center
within his first year
and was an engine
department mem-
ber. Brother Dono-
van’s first vessel
was the Chilbar;
his last, the Dela-
ware Trader. He

calls Jonesport, Maine, home.

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 water-
ways 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 AshoreWelcome Ashore



14 Seafarers LOG October 2021

DEEP SEA

SUSANNE CAKE
Pensioner Susanne Cake, 64, died
August 9. She became a member
of the SIU in
1982, initially
sailing aboard
the Consumer.
Sister Cake was
a steward depart-
ment member.
She last shipped
on the Courage
before retiring in
2014. Sister Cake
made her home in Brandywine,
Maryland.

JOHN CYPRIAN
Pensioner John Cyprian, 75,

passed away
April 1. He
joined the union
in 2001 and
first shipped on
the Prince Wil-
liam Sound. An
engine depart-
ment member,
Brother Cyprian
last sailed aboard

the Arctic. He retired in 2010 and
settled in Seattle.

MARION DALE
Pensioner Marion Dale, 78, died
July 22. He
signed on with
the Seafarers in
1965. Brother
Dale, a steward
department mem-
ber, first sailed
aboard the Del
Sol. His last ship
was the Patriot,
and he went on
pension in 2000. Brother Dale lived
in Montrose, Alabama.

DOMINGO DIAZ
Pensioner Domingo Diaz, 98,
passed away July 30. He joined
the union in 1943 and worked in
the deck department. Brother Diaz
was first employed by Crowley
Puerto Rico Services. He last
shipped aboard the Panama before
going on pension in 1988. Brother
Diaz was a resident of Puerto
Rico.

CHRISTOPHER DOWE
Pensioner Christopher Dowe, 66,

died March 29.
He donned the
SIU colors in
1974, initially
sailing aboard
the Bienville.
Brother Dowe
shipped in the
engine depart-
ment and also
worked on shore

gangs. He went on pension in
2019 and lived in Virginia Beach,
Virginia.

NAJI HASSAN
Pensioner Naji Hassan, 92, passed
away April 12. He began his ca-
reer with the SIU in 1963 when he
sailed aboard the Taddei Victory.

Brother Hassan
sailed in the en-
gine department
and last shipped
on the Guayama.
He became a
pensioner in
1998 and resided
in Jacksonville,
North Carolina.

DOUGLAS HESTER
Pensioner Douglas Hester, 75,
died August 10. He started ship-
ping with the SIU in 1966 and first
sailed aboard the Adventurer. A
deck department member, Brother
Hester concluded his career aboard
the Santa Mercedes. He retired in
2012 and lived in Vallejo, Cali-
fornia.

JOHN JONES
Brother John Jones, 70, passed away

July 2. Born in
Cameron, Texas,
he joined the
Seafarers in 1990.
Brother Jones was
a deck department
member and first
shipped on the
Indian Ocean.
He most recently
sailed aboard the

Maersk Yorktown and resided in
Houston.

RANDY LOUQUE
Pensioner Randy
Louque, 67, died
August 20. He
began shipping
with the union
in 1996, initially
sailing aboard the
Cape Flattery.
An engine depart-
ment member,
Brother Louque
concluded his
career on the Atlantic Forest. He
retired in 2019 and lived in New
Zealand.

DAVID MILLIGAN
Pensioner David Milligan, 74,

died July 25. He
joined the SIU
in 1975 when he
sailed aboard the
Transcolorado.
Brother Milligan
sailed in the deck
department. He
last shipped on
the Horizon Pa-
cific and retired

in 2007. Brother Milligan lived in
Marshallberg, North Carolina.

HANS SCHMUCK
Brother Hans
Schmuck, 60,
passed away
July 26. Born in
Chestnut, Penn-
sylvania, he em-
barked on his SIU
career in 1983.
Brother Schmuck
was a steward de-
partment member
and first sailed aboard the Rose City.
He most recently shipped aboard the

Maunawili and resided in Bedmin-
ster, Pennsylvania.

WOODROW SMITH
Pensioner Woodrow Smith, 67, died
August 5. An
engine depart-
ment member, he
donned the SIU
colors in 1970.
Brother Smith was
first employed by
Vivian Tankships.
He last sailed
aboard the At-
lantic Forest and
became a pensioner in 2019. Brother
Smith was a New Orleans resident.

STANLEY VANE
Pensioner Stanley Vane, 63, passed
away August 2. He signed on with
the Seafarers in 1978, initially

sailing aboard
the Monticello.
Brother Vane was
an engine depart-
ment member and
also worked on
shore gangs. He
was last employed
by Cargotec
Services before
going on pension

in 2007. Brother Vane made his
home in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

GREAT LAKES

DANIEL BREYER
Pensioner Daniel Breyer, 65, has
passed away. He signed on with the
union in 2001
and sailed in the
deck department.
Brother Breyer’s
first vessel was
the Gemini. He
last sailed aboard
the St. Clair and
went on pension
in 2020. Brother
Breyer was a resi-
dent of Gilbert, Arizona.

EDWARD FABIAN
Pensioner Edward Fabian, 91, died
July 3. An engine department mem-

ber, he joined
the SIU in 1960.
Brother Fabian
first sailed with
American Steam-
ship. He last
shipped aboard
the Buffalo before
retiring in 1988.
Brother Fabian
resided in Royal

Oak, Michigan.

TIMOTHY ORBAN
Pensioner Timothy Orban, 65,
passed away July 25. He embarked
on his career with
the Seafarers in
1974 when he
shipped aboard
the J.A.W. Igle-
hart. Brother
Orban sailed in
both the steward
and engine de-
partments. He last

shipped on the Sam Laud before re-
tiring in 2014. Brother Orban lived
in Alpena, Michigan.

INLAND

MANUEL ALVAREZ
Pensioner Manuel Alvarez, 87, died
August 8. He donned the SIU colors
in 1962, initially sailing with McAl-
lister Towing of
Baltimore. Brother
Alvarez was a
member of the
engine department
and concluded his
career aboard the
Ranger in 1988.
He went on pen-
sion the following
year and settled in
Linthicum, Maryland.

DONALD BRANDS
Pensioner Donald Brands, 70, has

passed away. He
signed on with
the SIU in 1978,
working for IBC
Company. A
deck department
member, Brother
Brands was last
employed by
Harley Marine.
He retired in 2016
and resided in

Bayport, New York.

PRESTON BRYANT
Pensioner Preston Bryant, 94, died July
28. He joined the union in 1957 and
was first employed by McAllister Tow-
ing of Baltimore. Brother Bryant last
sailed with Moran Towing of Maryland
before retiring in 1986. He called Bam-
berg, South Carolina, home.

RANDAL CUDWORTH
Pensioner Randal Cudworth, 68,
died August 11. He signed on with
the SIU in 1970
when he worked
for Moran Tow-
ing of Virginia. A
deck department
member, Brother
Cudworth last
sailed with Atlan-
tic Towing. He be-
came a pensioner
in 2015 and lived
in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

WILLIAM GOSSETT
Pensioner William Gossett, 80,
passed away July 19. He began his
career with the union in 1980, ini-

tially sailing with
Admiral Tow-
ing and Barge.
Brother Gossett
was a member
of the deck de-
partment and
last worked for
Crowley Towing
and Transporta-
tion. He went on

pension in 2003 and lived in Aiken,
South Carolina.

WILLIE GRAY
Pensioner Willie Gray, 90, died July

12. He joined the union in 1961 and
first sailed with McAllister Towing
of Virginia. Brother Gray worked in
the deck department and concluded
his career with Mariner Towing. He
retired in 1992 and settled in Hert-
ford, North Carolina.

JAMIE HALL
Pensioner Jamie Hall, 71, passed
away August 4.
He signed on
with the SIU in
1989 when he
shipped on the
USNS Regulus.
Brother Hall was
a deck department
member. He last
shipped aboard
the Stephen W.
Pless and went on
pension in 2015. Brother Hall was a
resident of Milton, Florida.

JOSEPH NELSON
Pensioner Joseph Nelson, 78, passed
away August 3. He embarked on
his career with the Seafarers in
1978 when he shipped with Crow-
ley Puerto Rico Services. Brother
Nelson sailed in engine department
and continued to work for the same
company for the duration of his ca-
reer. He became a pensioner in 2005
and lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

CARLTON SHANNON
Pensioner Carlton Shannon, 88,

died July 3. He
joined the Sea-
farers in 1975,
initially working
for Steuart Trans-
portation. Brother
Shannon last
sailed with Piney
Point Transpor-
tation before
retiring in 1995.

He called Manteo, North Carolina,
home.

JAMES WALLER
Pensioner James Waller, 64, died
July 17. Signing on with the Seafar-
ers in 1972, he
was first em-
ployed by Inter-
state Oil. Brother
Waller was a
member of the
deck department
and concluded his
career with OSG
Ship Manage-
ment. He went on
pension in 2018 and called Princess
Anne, Maryland, home.

NMU

ROBERT MARTIN
Pensioner Robert Martin, 67, passed
away July 22. He sailed with the
NMU prior to the 2001 NMU/SIU
merger. Brother Martin was born in
Brooklyn, New York. He retired in
2018 and was a resident of St. Ga-
briel, Louisiana.

Final Final
DeparturesDepartures



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 15

FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Consti-
tution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and
Inland Waters makes specific provision for
safeguarding the membership’s money and
union finances. The constitution requires a
detailed audit by certified public accoun-
tants every year, which is to be submitted to
the membership by the secretary-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 recommenda-
tions. 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 Dis-
trict 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 disburse-
ments of trust funds are made only upon ap-
proval 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 ship-
ping rights and seniority are protected ex-
clusively 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 em-
ployers, they should notify the Seafarers Ap-
peals Board by certified mail, return receipt

requested. The proper address for this is:

Augustin Tellez, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
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 Seafar-
ers Appeals Board.

CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts
are available in all SIU halls. These contracts
specify the wages and conditions under which
an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship
or boat. Members should know their contract
rights, as well as their obligations, such as fil-
ing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and
in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member
believes that an SIU patrolman or other union
official fails to protect their contractual rights
properly, he or she should contact the nearest
SIU port agent.

EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEA-
FARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG tradition-
ally has refrained from publishing any article
serving the political purposes of any individual
in the union, officer or member. It also has re-
frained from publishing articles deemed harm-
ful 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 respon-
sibility for Sea farers LOG policy is vested in an
editorial board which consists of the executive
board of the union. The executive board may
delegate, from among its ranks, one individual
to carry out this responsibility.

PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are
to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in
the SIU unless an official union receipt is given
for same. Under no circumstances should any
member pay any money for any reason unless
he is given such receipt. In the event anyone
attempts to require any such payment be made
without supplying a receipt, or if a member is
required to make a payment and is given an
official receipt, but feels that he or she should
not have been required to make such payment,
this should immediately be reported to union
headquarters.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Con-
stitution are available in all union halls. All
members should obtain copies of this consti-
tution 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 ob-
ligation 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 guar-
anteed equal rights in employment and as
members of the SIU. These rights are clearly
set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the con-
tracts which the union has negotiated with the
employers. Conse quently, 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 fur-
ther 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 Ameri-
can merchant marine with improved employ-
ment opportunities for seamen and boatmen
and the advancement of trade union concepts.
In connection with such objects, SPAD sup-
ports and contributes to political candidates
for elective office. All contributions are vol-
untary. 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 In-
ternational Union or SPAD by certified mail
within 30 days of the contribution for inves-
tigation 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 Mi-
chael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail,
return receipt requested. The address is:

Michael Sacco, President
Seafarers International Union
5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20746

Know Your Rights Know Your Rights

Digest of Shipboard Digest of Shipboard
Union MeetingsUnion Meetings

The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard minutes as pos-
sible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted.

Ships’ minutes first are reviewed by the union’s contract department. Those issues requir-
ing 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.

USNS POLLUX (TOTE Ser-
vices), July 1 – Chairman Chris
Nagle, Secretary Robinson
Eromosele, Educational Director
Lawrence Croft, Steward Del-
egate Ernesto Martinez. Crew
reviewed old business including
requests to increase eyeglass
prescription coverage and for
maternity leave benefits for both
spouses. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Crew discussed issues
with providing proof of insurance
to receive medical care and the
inability to get in touch with the
insurance company. They talked
about hiring-hall schedules.

MAERSK DETROIT (Maersk
Line, Limited), July 11 – Chair-
man William Barrett, Secretary
John Greubel, Educational
Director Charles Packer, Deck
Delegate John Walsh, Steward
Delegate Mohammad Abou
Abdou. Educational director
encouraged members to check
documents and to upgrade at
the union-affiliated Piney Point
school. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Carpet cleaner ar-
rived. Members requested full
dental coverage and a raise in
retirement pay. Crew asked that
vacation accrual be 30 for 30 and
insisted that the ship should pay
for all safety equipment.

SLNC YORK (Argent Marine
Operations), July 11 – Chairman
Dominic Marco, Secretary Ta-
mara Houston, Deck Delegate
Clifford Carroll, Engine Del-
egate Roy Villanueva, Steward
Delegate Brian Peralta. Chair-
man reminded crew to continue
following safety protocols for
COVID-19. Members discussed
vaccine requirements and asked

how they relate to classes at the
Paul Hall Center. Educational di-
rector urged crew to upgrade. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
New hardware for fridge is pend-
ing. Steward department thanked
for a job well done.

BAY STATE (Intrepid Person-
nel and Provisioning), July 25
– Chairman Brian Gauntt, Deck
Delegate Demond Lindsey, En-
gine Delegate Lebindra Maha-
raj, Steward Delegate Alfrancis
Bauzon. Chairman advised crew
to get the COVID-19 vaccine
and to keep up with documents.
Educational director recom-
mended members to upgrade at
the Piney Point school. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Mem-
bers requested internet and Wi-Fi
availability and an increase in
reimbursement for eyeglasses.
Crew asked for better food qual-
ity when ship gets stores. Next
port: Port Everglades, Florida.

EMPIRE STATE (Intrepid Per-
sonnel and Provisioning), July
15 – Chairman Ahmed Moham-
med Ghaleb, Secretary Troy
Smith, Educational Director
Dhahabi Quraish, Steward Del-
egate Mohamed Noman. Wi-Fi
now available for crew. Chair-
man advised members to read
the President’s Report in Sea-
farers LOG. Everything going
great aboard ship. Educational
director urged crew to upgrade
at the Paul Hall Center for Mari-
time Training and Education. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Members discussed current relief
procedure and requested that 90-
day relief be optional. Crew was
encouraged to donate to SPAD
(Seafarers Political Activity Do-

nation). Currently, 85% of ship
crew vaccinated.

MAERSK SELETAR (Maersk
Line, Limited), July 17 – Chair-
man Cleofe Bernardez Castro,
Secretary Stephan Osovitz,
Educational Director William
Ness, Engine Delegate Matthew
Yowell. Payoff scheduled for
July 20 in Newark, New Jersey.
Secretary urged members to
be cautious when going ashore
in New Jersey due to rising
COVID-19 cases. Educational
director encouraged crew to up-
grade at the Paul Hall Center. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Members requested new TVs,
refrigerators in rooms, and better
Wi-Fi service aboard ship. Stew-
ard department was commended
for making wonderful food.
Crew requested increase in vaca-
tion time to 16 for 30 days.

PACIFIC TRACKER (TOTE
Services), July 25 – Chairman
Kevin Kellum, Secretary Julito
Crodua, Educational Director
Donald Wellentin, Deck Del-
egate Leroy Reed, Steward Dele-
gate Michael Gramer. Chairman
read the contract and discussed
ship restrictions. Members that
need to renew their MMC docu-
ments can receive a letter of drug
test exemption from the captain.
Educational director reminded
members to upgrade at the union-
affiliated Piney Point school. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Crew went over various ship po-
sitions and talked about how to
make them all the same pay rate.
Members discussed compensa-
tion for ship restriction. Crew
requested one day off for every
30 days, better Wi-Fi connection

and clarification on expiration of
current contract. New TV in crew
mess. Vote of thanks given to the
steward department. Next port:
Honolulu.

MAERSK CHICAGO (Maersk
Line, Limited), August 1 – Chair-
man Magdy Balat, Secretary
Lamont Faulks, Deck Delegate
Muafa Musad, Engine Delegate
Syed Iqbal, Steward Delegate
Sandra Vann. All is good aboard
ship. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Members asked for
more vacation days, better-paying
contracts and for vacation pay to
be at the same rate as base wages.
They discussed reimbursement
for those who live in New York
and New Jersey when joining and
relieved in Newark.

TAINO (Crowley), August
1 – Chairman Rafael Franco,
Secretary Carlos Colon De
Jesus, Educational Director
Jesus Martinez, Deck Delegate
Arthur Patterson. Members
discussed COVID-19 pandemic
and the importance of getting
vaccinated. Secretary thanked
crew for helping in the galley.
Educational director encouraged
members to upgrade at the Paul

Hall Center for Maritime Train-
ing and Education in order to
move up in the industry. He also
reminded crew to keep track of
documents. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Crew went over
the importance of the Jones Act,
America’s freight cabotage law.
Members from the San Juan hall
raised questions relating to job
calls and shipping rules. Mem-
bers expressed concern over
possibly missing job calls. Next
port: Jacksonville, Florida.

OCEAN FREEDOM (Crowley),
August 2 – Chairman Jovan
Williams, Secretary Velicia
Williams, Educational Director
Daryl Hicks, Deck Delegate
Leonard Gregg, Engine Del-
egate Reinaldo Roman, Steward
Delegate John Smith. Chair-
man reminded crew to wear
masks and urged them to get
vaccinated. Educational director
recommended members upgrade
at the Piney Point school and to
make sure their documents are
up to date. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Members requested
TVs and Wi-Fi. Crew requested
vacation be increased to 25 for
30. Next port: Corpus Christi,
Texas.

Shipboard Mask Update
The Coast Guard in early September updated one of its marine

safety information bulletins (MSIB) as follows: “Non-passenger-
carrying commercial vessels operated by a team of mariners who
all live on the vessel are exempt from wearing a mask. A mask
will still be required when the vessel receives persons who are
not a part of the team of mariners that live on the vessel.”

The entire MSIB is posted on the SIU website.



16 Seafarers LOG October 2021

Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course DatesPaul Hall Center Upgrading Course Dates

UPGRADING APPLICATION

Name ________________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________
Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________
Deep Sea Member  Lakes Member  Inland Waters Member 

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

Social Security #_______________________ Book # _________________________________
Seniority_____________________________ Department_____________________________
Home Port____________________________________________________________________
E-mail_______________________________________________________________________
Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program?  Yes No
If yes, class # and dates attended __________________________________________________
Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? Yes No
_____________________________________________________________________________

With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five
(125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your
department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested.
Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date.
I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this applica-
tion, or any of the supporting documentation that I have or will submit with this application
to related organizations, for the purpose of better servicing my needs and helping me to apply
for any benefits which might become due to me.

COURSE START DATE OF
DATE COMPLETION
____________________________ _______________ ________________________
____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________

Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________

SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________

NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if
you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any
questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are
reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Train-
ing and Education Admissions Office, Email:upgrading@seafarers.org Mail: 45353 St.
George’s Ave., Piney Point, MD 20674 Fax: 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 stu-
dents, who are otherwise qualified, or 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.
10/21

The following is a list of courses that currently are scheduled to be held at the
Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland
during the next several months. More courses may be added. Course additions and
cancellations are subject to change due to COVID-19 protocols. All programs are
geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American
maritime industry.

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

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

Gap Closing Courses

MSC Ship Clip October 18 October 29

Deck Department Upgrading Courses

Able Seafarer-Deck November 15 December 3

Lifeboat/Water Survival October 25 November 5
November 22 December 3

RFPNW November 15 December 3

Celestial Navigation November 15 December 10

Leadership and Management Skills December 13 December 17

Engine Department Upgrading Courses

FOWT October 25 November 19

Welding October 25 November 12

Engineroom Resource Management December 6 December 10

RFPEW October 25 November 19

Steward Department Upgrading Courses

Certified Chief Cook November 1 December 3

Advanced Galley Operations November 15 December 10

Chief Steward October 18 November 12

Safety/Open Upgrading Courses

Basic Training November 8 November 12

Basic Training Revalidation October 22 October 22
November 15 November 15
December 3 December 3
December 10 December 10

Safety/Open Upgrading Courses

Basic Training/Adv. Firefighting Revalidation October 25 October 29

Government Vessels October 25 October 29

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

Government Vessels November 1 November 5
November 15 November 19
November 29 December 3
December 13 December 17

Tank Ship Familiarization DL October 18 October 22

Tank Ship Familiarization LG December 13 December 17



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 17

Paul Hall Center ClassesPaul Hall Center Classes

Apprentice Water Survival Class #872 – Graduated Aug. 13 (above, in alphabetical order): Bonita Barrs, Patrick Enteria Estavillo, Jonah Makanaakua Ganzagan, Anthony Hunter,
Clarence Hutchens III, Bryce Kennebeck, Hamzah Sadeg Qatabi, Christopher Smith, Kyle Smith, Stuart Waite and Tyus White.

UA to FOWT – Graduated Aug. 20
(photo at right, in alphabetical order):
Ja’shon Adams, Nicholas Banks,
Oswaldo Jose Barrera, Jalen Den-
son, Charles Fischer Jr., Christopher
Fisher, Nathan Johnson Jr., Frankinns
Joseph, Christian Efrain Lalin, Greg-
ory Nash, Julianne Perez Borroto
Sanchez, Ghadir A. Sarkis, Anthony
Timmson-Brown, Jorge Gerardo Va-
lencia Bon, Ronald Von Kaenel and
Joel Williams.

UA to Able Seaman (Deck) – Graduated Aug. 13 (above, in alphabetical order): Lexter A. Alfaro-Rivera, Jacob Booth, Zaid Cooper, Jessina Fernandez, Peter Festa III, Joel Frederick,
Joseph Horton, Kalae-Mitchal K. Huihui, Stephen Jarrell, Oscar Krowicki, Joseph Murphy III, John Sadia, Marcell Gabriel Santos-Pascual, Raul Soto, Blake Stollenwerck, Desmond
Unutoa and Luis Ricardo Venegas Nolasco.



18 Seafarers LOG October 2021

Paul Hall Center ClassesPaul Hall Center Classes

Government Vessels (Upgraders) – Graduated Sept. 3 (above, in alphabetical order): Lebrone Allen, Alphonzo Berry, Kevin Bozis, Tom Dary, Alexander Marcelino Dominguez,
Robert Foster, Sarah Gross, Norman Hook, Steven Johnson, Rashaad Mangram, Juan Narvaez, Tierria Noble, Michael Antonio Ribeiro, Rhett Smith, Elpidio Avergonzado Toyco and
Sean Wilson. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

Government Vessels (Phase I) – Graduated Sept. 3 (above, in alphabetical order): Chris-
tian Branch, Elijah Ha-Saun Crawford, Kain Ikeda Hingle, Kyle Pettis and Kaleb Politte.

Government Vessels (Upgraders) – Graduated Aug. 20 (above, in alphabetical order):
James Blackburn III, Andrew Carey, Dennison Roncales Dizon, Rudy Lopez, Tharwat
Hussein Saleh, Andrea Sharpe, Souleymane Tamla and Cody Younghans. (Note: Not all
are pictured.)

Tank Ship Familiarization LG – Graduated Aug. 27 (above, in alphabetical order):
Saleh Abdo Alsinai, Henry Molina Cacal, Thyron Simbajon Dy, Jack Gourgue and Edsel
Auguis Renegado.

Tank Ship Familiarization DL – Graduated July 9 (above, in alphabetical order): Miguel
Angel Abad, Michael James Pompa Adeva, Adewale Isaac Adiat, Glenn Valera Agustin,
Nahun Moises Bernardez, Jose Luis Borrero Rodriguez, Rudy Villacarlos Cesar, Andrew
Gronotte, Julio Cesar Ibanez Kunz, Loretta James, George Marcelo Mardones, Zeke Alec
Pasquarelli and Shatina Wright. Class instructor Mark Buyes is at the far left. (Note: Not all
are pictured.)

Electronic Navigation – Graduated
Sept. 3 (photo at right, in alphabeti-
cal order): Yahya Abdulaziz Ahmed,
Husein Mohsin Alrayyashi, Jose
David Argueta, Carlton Banks, Tra-
vis Golightly, Byron Graham, Michael
Hodges, Matthew Jenness, Glen Mc-
Cullough and Joseph Nathanael Ni-
codemus



October 2021 Seafarers LOG 19

Paul Hall Center ClassesPaul Hall Center Classes

reduced the number. MTD Administrator
Frank Pecquex moved up and continued the
Washington lobbying effort for mariners and
the industry. Pecquex had served as a lob-
byist for the Seafarers before coming to the
MTD in 1991.

Strong bipartisan support carried the leg-
islation across the finish line. In signing the
measure, President Bill Clinton said, “It will
ensure that the United States will continue
to have American-flag ships crewed by loyal
American citizen merchant mariners to meet
our nation’s economic and sealift defense
requirements.”

The Maritime Security Act of 1996 es-
tablished the Maritime Security Program
(MSP) to allow the Defense Department
access to militarily useful U.S.-flag com-
mercial vessels as well as their infrastruc-
ture support system in times of conflict or
national emergency. Since its passage, the
MSP proved its value during the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan following the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001. Its original
10-year calendar has been extended into the

2030s and it has been expanded to include
more U.S.-flag ships.

Sacco told the MTD Executive Board
during its 1997 meeting, “Last year, despite
terrible odds, we won a Maritime Security
Program to take us into the 21st century.… Our
grassroots lobbying efforts turned the tide. And
just as we mobilized for the Maritime Security
Act, we will be there for the Jones Act.”

As throughout the MTD’s 75 years, pres-
sure continues to amend or do away with
the nation’s freight cabotage law. Passed as
part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920,
the Jones Act simply states that cargo car-
ried from one domestic port to another
domestic port must be aboard a U.S.-owned,
U.S.-built, U.S.-flag, U.S.-crewed vessel.
Cabotage has been part of the nation’s heri-
tage since its founding. At the 2018 MTD
Executive Board meeting, the London-based
International Transport Workers’ Federation
released a study showing that more than 90
countries have some sort of cabotage laws
to protect their workers and support their
economies.

Yet, there remain those who believe
foreign-flag vessels should be used because

they would save money. During 1995, the
MTD joined a national coalition of unions,
shipowners, suppliers and shipbuilders to
create the Maritime Cabotage Task Force.
With more than 400 members, this group
still keeps its focus on any and all attempts
to attack the law, including amendments
buried within international trade agreements.

This fight is not limited to the United
States. Canadian affiliates and Port Councils
created the Canadian Maritime and Supply
Chain Coalition in 2014 to preserve that
nation’s cabotage laws. MTD Executive-
Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan (who
succeeded Pecquex in 2011) joined brothers
and sisters outside the Parliament building
in Ottawa in a march of support.

In January 2021, the MTD witnessed
how its years of grassroots support for
elected officials who back the Jones Act
came to fruition. In his first week in office,
President Joe Biden issued his “Buy Ameri-
can” executive order, which included lan-
guage that he “will continue to be a strong
advocate for the Jones Act and its mandate
that only U.S.-flag vessels carry cargo be-
tween U.S. ports, which supports American
production and America’s workers.” As
a U.S. Senator and Vice President, Biden
(who spoke at the 1987 MTD Executive
Board meeting) maintained solid support for

American mariners.
Following Pecquex’s retirement as ex-

ecutive secretary-treasurer in 2011, Sacco
picked Duncan because of his grassroots
labor experience in Florida and Virginia. On
his first day in the position, Duncan marched
in southwestern Pennsylvania through rain,
sleet and snow with MTD-affiliated Mine
Workers and Steelworkers fighting for
worker safety and pension reform.

Following the example set during the
fight for the Maritime Security Program in
the 1990s, Sacco and the MTD last year won
Congressional approval for a similar U.S.-
flag Tanker Security Program. This would
provide the Defense Department access to
petroleum-hauling vessels that it has pub-
licly declared are needed to maintain forces
around the world. Additional provisions
within the measure called for new builds and
repairs to be done in domestic shipyards.

As the slogan for the department’s 75th
anniversary proclaims – “Anchored in the
past, full ahead toward the future!” – the
MTD, its affiliates and its Port Maritime
Councils continue the work of promoting
the U.S.-flag and Canadian-flag merchant
marine, their workers, their families and the
whole maritime industry. The names may
change, the issues may vary, but the cause
endures and the values remain.

MTD Observes 75th Anniversary
Continued from Page 11

Basic Training (Upgraders Basic Firefighting) – Graduated Aug. 13
(above, in alphabetical order): Ernest Cantrell, Robert Foster, Ryan Heim-
berger, Toni Johnson and Rhett Smith.

Basic Training (Upgraders Basic Firefighting) – Graduated Sept. 3 (above, in alphabetical order):
Kanieyziah Conway, Jeremy Aden Hebda, Sinclair Oubre, Jawaid Butt Pardesi and Benjamin Verrett.
(Note: Not all are pictured.)

Certified Chief Cook – Gradu-
ated Aug. 20 (photo at right, in
alphabetical order): Nassr Has-
san Ahmed, Jurally Jamila Asebe-
ros, Daniel Cage, Nala Johnson,
Jasmine Mable, Anthony Parks,
Ammar Saleh Sailan, Ricky En-
riquez Sencida and Chad Sikor-
ski. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

Chief Cook Assessment – Graduated Aug. 27
(photo at left, in alphabetical order): Kevin Bozis,
Robert Foster, Sarah Gross, Steven Johnson
and Rhett Smith.

Students who have registered for
classes at the Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and Education, but
later discover - for whatever reason -
that they can’t attend, should inform
the admissions department immedi-
ately so arrangements can be made to
have other students take their places.

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OCTOBER 2021 VOLUME 83, NO. 10

CONGRESSMAN VISITS RECRUITING TABLE – U.S. Rep.
Donald Payne Jr. (D-New Jersey) (center) stops by the SIU
table at a recent job fair for veterans. SIU Port Agent Ray
Henderson is at left, while SIU Patrolman James Bast is at
right. The event took place in Newark, New Jersey.

At Sea and Ashore with the SIUAt Sea and Ashore with the SIU

REMINISCING IN NEW ORLEANS – Longtime Seafarer
Kerry Wright (center) recently stopped by the hall and un-
expectedly saw a familiar face: that of SIU VP Government
Services Nick Celona, whom Wright remembered from the
official’s days as a New Orleans patrolman. SIU Safety Di-
rector James Brown is at left. As reported last month, Celona
is transitioning from the union’s hall in Oakland, California,
back to New Orleans.

WELCOME ASHORE IN JACKSONVILLE – Two
members recently wrapped up lengthy careers with
the SIU (they’re both pictured at the hall, with SIU
Port Agent Ashely Nelson). In photo above, Recerti-
fied Steward Jack Hart receives his first pension check
after 40 years of membership. OMU Ralph Thomas is
at left in the photo below, also picking up his first re-
tirement check following 40-plus years with the union.

GOOD CONTRACT SECURED IN CALIFORNIA –
With the easing of some pandemic-related restric-
tions, SIU officials recently recognized members in
person at Starlight Marine in Oakland (photo at im-
mediate right) and Wilmington (photo above) for their
efforts in helping secure and ratify a new contract
earlier this year. Pictured from left in the Oakland
photo are SIU Port Agent Nick Marrone II, Engineer
Gabriel Torres, SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone,
Engineer Florian Schreier, Engineer Yoali Salcedo,
Starlight Marine Services General Manager Benja-
min Ostroff, Chief Engineer Jack Matievich, Mate
Maxwell Fleischfresser and SIU Patrolman Adrian
Fraccarolli. In the second photo: Engineer Chad Mil-
likan, Engineer Brian Imsland, Engineer Aaron Ellis,
Engineer Timothy Alexander, Mate Brian Edmiston,
Engineer Jonathan Willingham and Chief Engineer
David Scott. Not pictured, but still playing a major
role in securing the agreement were the SIU mem-
bers unable to attend due to vessel operations, as
well as SIU Patrolman Gerret Jarman.

WELCOME ASHORE
IN TACOMA – Recerti-
fied Bosun Garry Walker
(left), pictured at the Ta-
coma, Washington, hall
with SIU Port Agent War-
ren Asp, picks up his first
pension check.

MILESTONE IN SAN
JUAN – Proudly dis-
playing his first steward
relief shipping card (and
also supporting the Mari-
time Defense League) is
Seafarer Jose Outeiral
(right), pictured with SIU
Asst. VP Amancio Cre-
spo at the hall.