Seafarers Log: Vol. 85 No. 10 (2023-01-10)

SEAFARERS LOG
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION — ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS, AFL-CIO

M S C C H A N G E O F C O M M A N D • PA G E 5 / / PA U L H A L L C E N T E R C L A S S P H O T O S • PA G E S 1 8 - 1 9

OCTOBER 2023

Solidarity Evident on Labor Day

The SIU hosted a major Labor Day gathering in Houston and participated in a massive event in Wilmington, California, to underscore the importance of workers’ rights. Recent polling
reflects tremendous support for the labor movement – something emphasized ahead of the holiday by the AFL-CIO. Pictured at the Houston hall (above, left) are (from left) SIU Port Agent
Joe Zavala, SIU Safety Director Kevin Sykes, SIU Patrolman Kirk Pegan, labor-endorsed mayoral candidate John Whitmire, SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey and SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo.
The other photo includes actor Sean Astin (left) and SIU Port Agent Gerret Jarman. Page 2.

VOLUME 85, NO. 10

Benefits Conferences are a Hit
Seafarers, retirees and family members are actively participating in an ongoing series of benefits conferences at various hiring halls around the country. Jointly conducted by the union and
the Seafarers Plans, the events are designed to explain in detail the various benefits available to members, pensioners and dependents. Pictured at the Honolulu conference are (front row,
from left) SIU President David Heindel, Bosun Walter Lichota, SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone, SIU Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski and SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso. In the back row
(from left) are QEE Prentice Conley, ABM Nestor Rapusas, ABM Andrei Tretyak, AB Ransom Kauwe, Chief Cook Kevin Arroyo, AB Jessina Fernandez, SA Clare Kaleleiki, Chief Cook Jennifer
Reid and ABM Rufino Gonzales. Page 3.

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Shortly before Labor Day, the AFL-CIO publicized
what it described as “record public support and
unprecedented activism and organizing.”

In late August, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and
Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond delivered an inau-
gural “State of the Unions” address where they released
new polling which underscores the American people’s
support of unions and their view of unions as critical to
growing the middle class.

“The idea of a union may sound complicated, but in
reality, unions are just a group of people coming together.
They are about each of us becoming the most powerful
version of ourselves that we possibly can,” said Shuler.
“And there is nothing better than finding that power
alongside the people we work with and being a part of
something bigger than ourselves. That’s all a union is.
It’s that simple. People in this country have been search-
ing for their power for a long time now, young people
especially.”

Redmond stated, “Every day, more and more working
people are finding out that the labor movement is the
solution to low wages and unsafe workplaces, to inequal-
ity and discrimination. That the labor movement is the
only institution in America that has the infrastructure
and reach to address and vanquish oppression in all
its forms. That working people – standing together and
standing up for one another – are an incredible force for
progress at work, in our unions, in our economy and in
our democracy.”

On the holiday itself, the SIU helped lead well-at-
tended events in Houston and in Wilmington, California.
The Houston hiring hall hosted more than 200 individ-
uals for an inaugural Labor Day breakfast featuring
remarks from local politicians and labor officials includ-
ing SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey. The Texas
Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation sponsored the event.

In Wilmington, upwards of 30 SIU members, retirees
and their family members took part in the 44th annual
Labor Day parade sponsored by the Los Angeles/Long
Beach Harbor Labor Coalition. The parade route started
close to the Wilmington hall, which was open for guests.
According to news reports, several thousand people
participated in what was billed as the “largest West
Coast Labor Day solidarity parade” and the picnic that
followed.

Based on results from polling conducted by the well-re-
garded firm GBAO, union members and other pro-labor
individuals had much to celebrate. According to the AFL-
CIO, the new poll’s key findings include the following:

• Seven in 10 Americans (71%) support unions cut-
ting across party lines. A majority of Republicans
and more than two-thirds of Independents join
nine in 10 (91%) Democrats in supporting unions.

• An unprecedented number of young Americans
support unions. Nearly nine in 10 (88%) people
younger than 30 view unions favorably.

• In the midst of a number of ongoing worker strikes
around the country, Americans are strongly sup-
portive of working people walking off the job for
better wages and working conditions. Three-
fourths of Americans support workers going on
strike and support is strong regardless of party
affiliation.

• Americans are concerned about tech com-
panies putting profits over the well-being of
people in the implementation of artificial intel-
ligence. According to the polling, 70% of people
express worry that AI will displace workers.

In a Labor Day op-ed for Newsweek, Shuler wrote in
part, “We need to start by organizing – making sure every
person in this country who wants to join a union can do
so, or gets help forming their own. We’re going to go into
sectors of the economy that have never been unionized
before – including these new clean energy and infra-
structure jobs coming down the pike from President
Biden’s trillions in investment – and make sure they’re
good union jobs for this next generation.

“And as we get more people into good union jobs, we
grow our power exponentially,” Shuler continued. “Think
about what becomes possible: Our strikes and collective
action will carry even more weight. We can stand up
even more directly to big corporations. We can make
unsafe workplaces safe and secure a family-sustaining
wage. We can throw even more muscle into elections at
the local and national level: protecting our reproductive
rights, our voting rights, and a right to join a union – with
the weight of tens of millions of Americans behind us.
We can define the future of work on our terms, so that
AI is used to make our jobs and our lives better instead
of replacing us.

“That’s where we’re headed,” she concluded. “This
Labor Day, we’re on the rise, driven by the energy and
activism of working people all over this country. And
I hope every American will join us to build the future
we’re all hungry for.”

President’s Report Federation Underscores Pro-Union Polling;
SIU Turns Out in Force for Labor Day Events

The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International
Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Capital Gateway Drive; Camp
Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland
20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Capital Gateway
Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746.

Communications Director: Jordan Biscardo
Assistant Communications Director: Nick Merrill
Assistant Editor: Aja Neal
Administrative Support: Jenny Stokes

Copyright © 2023 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved.

The Seafarers International
Union engaged an
environmentally friendly
printer for the production of
this newspaper.

Volume 85 Number 10
The SIU online: www.seafarers.org

October 2023

SIU Answers the Call

We have all heard variations of the
saying, if you can do what you say
you can do, it’s not bragging. In that

spirit, I begin this month’s message with heart-
felt thanks and congratulations to our entire
team for your response to last month’s turbo
activations. You all did an extraordinary job,
and you deserve accolades.

It is nothing new for SIU members,
officials and staff to step up when needed. But
this particular activation occurred at an
especially challenging time. We all know
about the manpower difficulties in the
maritime industry. We’re not immune from them, and we’re working
hard to meet those challenges.

What may not be as widely known is that this entire year has
been loaded with long-term activations. Some of those ships went
out for four or five months, and one went out for 10 months. On top of
those operations, we’ve filled new jobs on the incoming ships in the
new U.S. Tanker Security Program, and on some separate flag-ins.

Despite those circumstances, we powered through the no-notice
turbo activation in basically two days, with support from all three
coasts. The first call from the U.S. Maritime Administration came in
on a Thursday afternoon, initially involving four ships. Three more
vessels were added to the mission on Friday. By Saturday morning,
we were down to needing to fill a dozen jobs, and by Saturday night,
down to a single billet.

As with past activations, I’m aware that on some level, our
response is simply a case of doing our jobs. But this one warrants a
special shout-out to everyone involved, because of what I described
earlier. We all know we’re a vital part of America’s fourth arm of
defense, and we embraced the role for this activation. My hat is off
to all of our SIU sisters and brothers. Congratulations on a job well
done!
Conferences Roll On

Reporting good news never gets old, and on that note, I’m pleased
to note that our initial wave of benefits conferences has gone quite
well. If you’ve attended one of these gatherings, I’m confident you’ve
found it worthwhile, and I appreciate you devoting the time. If your
port is due to host a benefits conference, I strongly encourage you to
be there. If you’re on a vessel at that time, please suggest that one or
more of your dependents attends. Families are most welcome.

We have a great array of benefits through the various Seafarers
Plans, and it’s to your advantage to fully understand them. The Plans
team constantly strives to refine and improve those offerings, and
they also add new benefits from time to time.

I’ve enjoyed chatting with members, pensioners and their
families at the first handful of benefits conferences, and I look
forward to meeting or catching up with more of you in the months
ahead. More importantly, these gatherings are packed with useful
information that’ll help you get the most from your benefits.
Colorful Debut

If you happened to miss the prior edition of theLOG or
otherwise didn’t see the announcement, welcome to our
publication’s new look. It coincides with the SIU’s 85th anniversary
and helps us keep up with the times by taking advantage of new
printing technology. I’m excited about this change and I think you’ll
agree it’s an improvement.

Meanwhile, be sure to check out our Labor Day coverage,
specifically including recent polling data that shows overwhelming
support for unions. Nothing comes easy for organized labor, and
that’s okay – all we’ve ever asked for is a level playing field when it
comes to protecting people’s legal right to choose union
representation. But in the current climate, we’ve got a real
opportunity to rebuild our ranks across many industries and
across the country.

The SIU remains fully committed to doing our part.

2 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

Pictured from left are SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo, Texas AFL-CIO Secre-
tary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar, SIU Port Agent Joe Zavala and Texas
Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation President Lacy Wolf.

Around 30 SIU members, retirees and family members – including
those pictured here – took part in the parade in Wilmington, California.

More than 200 people pack the Houston hall for an inaugural Labor Day gathering sponsored by the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation.

David Heindel

Seafarers LOG

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SEAFARERS LOG • 3OCTOBER 2023

Well-Received Conferences Continue
Seafarers, pensioners and their fami-

lies have packed the hiring halls for a
series of benefits conferences that are

scheduled to continue into early next year.
To date, conferences have taken place in

Norfolk, Virginia; Oakland, California; Hono-
lulu; Tacoma, Washington; and San Juan,
Puerto Rico. Severe weather led to the post-
ponement of the conference that had been
slated to take place in Wilmington, Califor-
nia; a makeup date will be announced.

“The conferences have gone really well
and have been well-received,” said Seafarers
Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen. “People
have asked great questions, and attendance
has been excellent. I’m especially encour-
aged to see that the majority of the attendees
really do understand the majority of their
benefits. Because of that knowledge, we’ve
been able to focus on some of the nuances
during the meetings.”

The remaining schedule includes con-
ferences in Piney Point, Maryland (Oct. 2);
Jacksonville, Florida (Oct. 5); Houston (Nov.
13); New Orleans (Nov. 14); Mobile, Alabama
(Nov. 15); Jersey City, New Jersey (Nov. 30);
Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Feb. 20, 2024);
Algonac, Michigan (March 8, 2024); and
Wilmington (to be determined). (Editor’s
note: The Fort Lauderdale conference origi-
nally had been scheduled for a different day.)

Bowen has led the conferences and has
been assisted by SIU officials including
President David Heindel, Executive Vice
President Augie Tellez, Secretary-Treasurer
Tom Orzechowski, Vice President West Coast
Nick Marrone, Assistant Vice President Joe

Vincenzo, Assistant Vice President Amancio
Crespo and others.

“One thing I would add is that we really
encourage dependents to attend,” Bowen
said.

The conferences typically start with
an overview of the Seafarers Health and
Benefits Plan (SHBP), including eligibility
requirements, coverage levels, prescription
considerations and more. Members have
received tips on how to reduce out-of-pocket
expenses and how to take advantage of the
newest benefits.

A similar approach is taken when
reviewing (respectively) the Seafarers Pen-
sion Plan (SPP), Seafarers Money Purchase
Pension Plan (SMPPP), SIU 401K, and Sea-
farers Vacation Plan (SVP). Attendees also
receive reminders about potentially useful
phone numbers and email addresses for the
membership assistance office, the claims
department, the medical department, the
pension office, and Bowen’s office. A number
of handouts from Cigna and the Seafarers
Plans also are available.

Moreover, at the conference in Puerto
Rico, a representative from Medical Card
System (a new provider for that territory)
gave a presentation.

The sessions have usually lasted any-
where from 45 minutes to an hour.

“I know I speak for everyone involved
when I say we’re excited to keep it rolling,”
Bowen concluded. “We are working hard to
ensure that the conferences are educational
and worthwhile.”

Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen explains some of the benefits available to members and depen-
dents during the conference in Honolulu.

Seafarers pack the hall in Tacoma, Washington.

Attendees gather at the hall in Oakland, California.

Pictured from left at a West Coast conference are Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen, SIU VP West
Coast Nick Marrone, SIU Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski, SIU Patrolman Kathy Chester, SIU Patrolman
Dylan Rivera, SIU President David Heindel and SIU Port Agent Duane Akers.

Members and officials pause for a group selfie in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 3 9/21/23 10:04 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 54 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 20234 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

The SIU and its affiliated Paul Hall
Center for Maritime Training and
Education (PHC) recently hosted a

regularly scheduled meeting of a high-level
committee that is crucial for the U.S. mari-
time industry.

SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez
is the labor representative on the U.S. Trans-
portation Command’s (USTRANSCOM)
Sealift Executive Working Group, typically
referred to as the EWG. The group met Aug.
30 in Piney Point, Maryland.

Established many years ago, the com-
mittee “is chartered to examine how the
Joint Deployment and Distribution Enter-
prise can improve its global transportation
capabilities, specifically the operational
effectiveness, speed, survivability and resil-
ience of maritime logistics,” according to
USTRANSCOM.

The agency further reported, “Defense
leaders met with maritime industry part-
ners … to enhance cooperation on key sealift
issues. The working group brought more
than 75 government and maritime industry
executives together to discuss sealift readi-
ness in competition, crisis and conflict. The
Administrator of Maritime Administration

(MARAD) Ann C. Phillips joined the EWG
co-chairs, U.S. Transportation Command
(USTRANSCOM) Deputy Commander Lt.
Gen. John Sullivan, and MARAD Associate
Administrator Kevin Tokarski, in sharing
areas of progress and concern with indus-
try and labor executives to strengthen
relationships in support of national security
objectives.”

“Sealift will only grow more important
as we face increasingly challenging and
complex operating environments over
greater distances,” Sullivan said. “It is crit-
ical that we focus our efforts on improving
our ability to rapidly assess and tap into all
available capacity to succeed in contested
environments.”

During the working session, Sullivan
used the current efforts in support of U.S.
European Command (USEUCOM) and
Ukraine as an opportunity to thank the
sealift industry and the merchant mariner
community for their vital contributions.
“To date, commercial vessels have executed
approximately 80% of sealift missions, deliv-
ering lethal aid and supplies to EUCOM and
our allies and partners,” USTRANSCOM
noted.

The meeting also focused on the avail-
ability of U.S. mariners.

“Having a sufficient pool of trained mer-
chant mariners is central to our nation’s
ability to surge power projection in crisis
or conflict,” Sullivan said. “The training and
certification programs occurring at Piney

Point and similar campuses across the coun-
try remain vital to maintaining this needed
capability.”

He added that the ongoing collaboration
between the military, government, business
and maritime labor is a “cornerstone” for
sustaining strategic sealift capability.

Many of the attendees are pictured next to the media center at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland.

Union, School Host Vital Gathering

SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez addresses fellow members of the working group.

Seafarers may be aware of recent
news reports concerning American
Shipping Company (AMSC) selling its
fleet of Jones Act-compliant tankers
to Louisiana-based Maritime Partners.
Some of those vessels are operated by
Overseas Shipholding, while the others
are operated by Keystone Shipping.

The sale is expected to be completed
later this year, but, regardless of timing,
all SIU jobs remain in place aboard the
vessels, as does the SIU contract. There
is effectively no change for the union.

For practical purposes, from an
SIU perspective, the sale is loosely
equivalent to having an individual
homeowner’s mortgage sold by (for
example) Wells Fargo to Truist.

More details will be published and
posted as they become available.

SIU Jobs
Remain Secure
In Impending
Tanker Sale

First Vessels Enroll in New
Tanker Security Program

Seafarers-contracted companies have
been selected for the first wave of enroll-
ments in the new U.S. Tanker Security
Program (TSP).

The U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT) recently announced the first nine
ships for the program. According to DOT,
those vessels (plus one that has yet to be
selected) will serve as “a fleet of active, com-
mercially viable, militarily useful, privately
owned product tank vessels of the United
States that will meet national defense and
other security requirements and maintain
a United States presence in international
commercial shipping.”

DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated,
“Today we are announcing the first ships
to join the Tanker Security Program, which
will help strengthen both our supply chains
and our national security by delivering fuel
to our armed forces around the world while
creating hundreds of good jobs for Ameri-
can mariners.”

Three mid-range tankers each have been
enrolled from Overseas Shipholding Group,
Inc. (OSG), Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions,
LLC (a joint venture), and Seabulk Tankers,
Inc.

The Crowley-Stena vessels, as previ-
ously reported in the LOG, are the Stena
Immaculate, Stena Imperative and Stena

Impeccable. Seabulk has joined forces with
international energy transporter Torm, and
will flag in the ships Thunder, Thor, and
Timothy to fill three slots in the TSP lineup.
OSG’s approved vessels include the Overseas
Santorini, Overseas Mykonos, and Overseas
Sun Coast.

“The TSP accomplishes two key mar-
itime sealift objectives: It grows our
U.S.-flagged fleet and it significantly
expands our ability to deliver vital fuel sup-
plies to support military missions across
the globe,” said Maritime Administrator
Ann Phillips. “Implementation of the TSP is
a significant milestone for MARAD and the
U.S. maritime industry.”

Strongly backed by the SIU, the TSP was
established by the 2021 National Defense
Authorization Act, and enables the DOT to
establish an initial fleet of 10 U.S.-flagged
tankers. According to news reports, the U.S.
Navy’s Military Sealift Command currently
has just five long-term chartered tankers it
uses to move fuel.

“Though the U.S. military can always
hire tankers on the open market, it’s possi-
ble that foreign-flagged ships would not be
as readily available in a conflict or emer-
gency,” said Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at
the Hudson Institute. Clark co-authored
a 2020 Center for Strategic and Budgetary

Assessments study that helped prompt the
TSP’s creation.

“The idea is the government wants to
have some U.S.-flagged and U.S.-owned
tankers that it can turn to and know that,
‘I’ve got at least these I can hire,’ and then
they pay those companies to do that so that
those tankers will be on call,” said Clark.

The TSP is patterned after the U.S. Mar-
itime Security Program (MSP), a highly
regarded program that has been in place
since the mid-1990s. The MSP helps ensure
the availability of American-flag ships and
U.S. crews in times of crisis.

Selection of the new mid-range tank-
ers coincides with the significant growth
in petroleum exports, according to news
reports. Geopolitics also may have played
a role in facilitating the TSP implementa-
tion process. A Brown University Watson
Institute study indicates that that prior to
Russia’s war on Ukraine, nearly 30% of fuel
consumption at European U.S. military
installations had been sourced from Russia
based on host-country imports.

There has also been discussion of add-
ing another 10 tankers to the TSP in the next
fiscal year as the Department of Defense
looks to increase its international refueling
operations. Clark predicts that the program
will grow.

Notice

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 4 9/21/23 6:45 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 54 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

SIU officials were among the hun-
dreds of attendees at the U.S.
Military Sealift Command’s (MSC)

most recent change-of-command cer-
emony, which took place Sept. 8 in
Norfolk, Virginia, aboard the aircraft
carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Representing the union were Vice
President Government Services Divi-
sion Nicholas Celona, Assistant Vice
President Joe Vincenzo, and Represen-
tative Sam Spain.

Rear Adm. Philip E. Sobeck is the
agency’s new commanding officer; he
succeeded Rear Adm. Michael Wet-
tlaufer, who’d been at the helm since
June 2019 (mere months before the
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic).

The head of the U.S. Transportation
Command (USTRANSCOM), Gen. Jac-
queline Van Ovost, served as presiding
officer for the change of command cer-
emony, while the commanding officer
of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Adm.
Daryl Caudle, oversaw Wettlaufer’s
retirement ceremony.

“What I learned to appreciate from
the start is that MSC is an entire Navy
within a Navy,” said Wettlaufer. “Operat-
ing a globally deployed fleet leveraging
integration across the services and Navy
fleets with our commercial shipping
and repair industry plus labor partners,
MSC generates combat power – that
is 145 government and commercial-
ly-owned and operated ships today.
With only two percent of the budget and
at two percent of the people when com-
pared to the Navy, this lean team also
mans, trains, equips, deploys, sustains
and operates nearly 20% of the Navy’s
290 battle Force ships while providing
global logistics support to the other
80%. Importantly, we continue to build
new ships to join our stable.”

He added, “I am proud to have been
part of this dedicated group that is
relentlessly focused on our mission:
providing agile logistics, strategic sea-
lift, as well as specialized missions
anywhere in the world, for the joint
warfighter 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Sobeck takes command after serv-
ing as director of Strategic Plans,
Policy, and Logistics at USTRANSCOM,
headquartered at Scott Air Force Base,
Illinois, where he oversaw the revi-
sion of the command strategy. His
previous flag assignments also include
director, 21st Century Sailor Office; com-
mander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3/
Command Task Force (CTF) 36; and
commander, Logistics Group Western
Pacific/CTF 73.

“Because adversaries continue to
challenge our peace, and the peace of
our children, with the threat of armed
conflict, we must continue to evolve
to meet the demands of contested
logistics and provide senior national
leaders decision advantage,” Van Ovost
said. “That’s power. That’s projection.
That’s advantage. And I trust that Rear
Adm. Philip Sobeck will accelerate this
evolution.”

“I am extremely humbled and hon-
ored to be the 29th commander of
Military Sealift Command,” said Sobeck.
“After having served in the U.S. Trans-
portation headquarters, I’ve developed
an understanding and an appreciation

of the importance of this command.
More importantly, I developed a respect
and admiration for the people who
make this complex maritime enterprise
work.”

MSC is self-described as “the
leading maritime logistics provider
for the Department of Defense sup-
porting Navy fleet commanders and
USTRANSCOM operating more than 130
vessels worldwide and managing a $4.8
billion annual budget with a workforce
of 5,000 civil service and contract mari-
ners, supported by 1,300 shore staff and
1,200 active duty and reserve military
personnel.”

Van Ovost added, “To the men and
women of Military Sealift Command,
you clearly demonstrate the Navy’s
core values of honor, courage, and com-
mitment. I am proud to serve with you.
You are critical in the mission to protect
the security of the American people.
[And] you are vital in the expansion of
economic prosperity and opportunity.
TRANSCOM, the joint force, and our
nation thanks you for your service and
sacrifice.”

SEAFARERS LOG • 5OCTOBER 2023

Sobeck Takes Helm at MSC; SIU Officials Attend Ceremony

SIU VP Government Services Nicholas Celona (right)
greets the new commanding officer of MSC, Rear
Adm. Philip Sobeck.

Pictured from left are SIU Representative Sam Spain, USTRANSCOM Commanding Officer Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, Alan Frosch (spouse of Gen. Van Ovost), SIU VP
Nicholas Celona and SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo.

Maritime Administration Advisory Addresses Logistics Systems
The U.S. Maritime Administration

(MARAD) issued a global maritime alert on
Aug. 23 regarding possible vulnerabilities
involving equipment and operations utiliz-
ing cranes, scanners and logistics systems
linked to the People’s Republic of China.

U.S. Maritime Advisory 2023-009 states,
“Foreign companies manufacture, install
and maintain port equipment that poses
vulnerabilities to global maritime infra-
structure information technology and
operational technology systems.”

The advisory continues, “In the past few
years, the U.S. Government has published
several documents illuminating the risks
associated with integrating and utilizing the
People’s Republic of China’s state-supported
National Information Platform for Trans-
portation and Logistics (LOGINK), Nuctech
scanners and automated port cranes
worldwide.”

Earlier this year, the SIU-affiliated Mar-
itime Trades Department (MTD) posted a
story on its website regarding the possible

challenges that could befall the U.S.-flag
maritime industry and the U.S. military
involving the LOGINK logistics system. The
story (reprinted in the Seafarers LOG) quoted
the Baker Institute of Rice University: “LOG-
INK offers Beijing [China’s capital] a means
to monitor and shape the international
logistics market, increase foreign strategic
dependency on China, and exploit the vul-
nerabilities of LOGINK users for economic
and geostrategic
purposes.”

Meanwhile,
the MARAD
advisory fur-
ther notes, “At
least 24 global
ports have cooperation agreements with
LOGINK, which has the ability to collect
massive amounts of sensitive business and
foreign government data, such as corporate
registries and vessel and cargo data. The
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review
Commission (USCC) recently identified this

ability as a threat to the United States and
reported that the Chinese Communist Party
plans to use LOGINK to strengthen its influ-
ence over international maritime trade and
port infrastructure. LOGINK’s installation
and utilization in critical port infrastructure
very likely provides [China] access to and/or
collection of sensitive logistics data.”

USCC Commissioner Michael Wessel said
in July that the Chinese offer LOGINK “to be

a one-stop-shop
replacing many
of the functions
of third-party
logistics pro-
viders,” but the
companies/facil-

ities “have to adopt Chinese standards.”
The MTD recently reported that the U.S.

ports of Boston; Baltimore; Norfolk, Virginia;
Charleston, South Carolina; Los Angeles;
Long Beach, California; Oakland, California;
and Seattle use Chinese-built cranes.

The MARAD advisory calls out the
Nuctech Company, Ltd. as a Chinese “state-
owned enterprise that manufactures and
fields data-centric partially state-owned
security inspection equipment at key logistic
nodes worldwide.” Such equipment includes
“x-ray, backscatter and thermal platforms;
explosive detection; non-intrusive products
(e.g., baggage and parcel inspection); Artifi-
cial Intelligence; as well as facial cognition/
recognition capabilities.”

Additionally, “Nuctech equipment
access includes biometric information, per-
sonally identifiable information … cargo
information, proprietary data and geo-lo-
cational metadata. The United States added
Nuctech to the Department of Commerce’s
Entity List for its involvement in activities
that are contrary to the national security
interests of the United States.”

“These threats aren’t part of some science
fiction plot. They are real,” Wessel declared.
“America must respond.”

“These threats aren’t part of
some science fiction plot. They

are real,” Wessel declared.
“America must respond.”

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 5 9/21/23 10:04 AM



The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force
(GLMTF) recently saluted U.S. Rep.
Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota) “for his

staunch support of the Great Lakes naviga-
tion system.”

The coalition (whose members in-
clude the SIU) recognized Stauber with its
Legislator of the Year Award. A ceremony
took place Aug. 15 at the Clure Public Ma-
rine Terminal in Duluth, Minnesota.

In announcing the award, the GLMTF
noted, “Congressman Stauber continues
to champion the miners that work on the
northern tier of the Great Lakes supplying
the critical raw materials that drive the
national economy and make the Great
Lakes region America’s industrial pow-
erhouse. The millions of tons of iron ore
extracted from Minnesota’s Mesabi Range
is transported by U.S.-owned, U.S-crewed,
and U.S.-flagged vessels to steel mills in
the southern Great Lakes contributing to
more than 147,000 American jobs and $36
billion in economic impact.

“Congressman Stauber believes in
American workers and fully supports
the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, more
commonly known as the Jones Act,” the
task force continued. “The critical law en-
sures U.S. cargo is carried by U.S. vessels
between U.S. ports keeping our maritime
industry strong with 650,000 sustained
American jobs.”

GLMTF President John D. Baker
stated, “Congressman Stauber is invested
in America and its dedicated workforce.
I applaud his selection for his tenacious
support of the fourth sea coast.”

When ice forms on the Great Lakes, it
can impede commercial vessels, endanger
mariners and their ships, and bring North
American manufacturing to a halt without
adequate federal icebreaking. With that

in mind, Stauber continues to support
icebreaking resources for the U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG) on the Great Lakes, endors-
ing authorization and appropriations for a
new heavy Great Lakes icebreaker for the
agency.

GLMTF Vice President Jim Weakley,
with a nod to Stauber’s prior experience as
a pro hockey player, said, “Congressman
Stauber understands that raw materials
from Minnesota must be efficiently and
safely moved to manufacturing facilities
on the southern Great Lakes, no matter the
harsh environmental conditions posed in
winter. The USCG Great Lakes heavy ice-
breaker is critical but acquiring the asset
hasn’t been an empty-net goal, requiring
some hard third-period work which Con-
gressman Stauber continues to do.”

The task force declared that one of
the most important efforts for the entire
Great Lakes navigation system has been
the construction of the new large naviga-
tional lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Stauber “has been instrumental in edu-
cating fellow members of Congress on the
importance of the lock to the Great Lakes
region and the nation as a whole,” the
GLMTF explained. “With only one 62-year-
old large operational lock, the new lock
provides much needed resiliency which
would avert a catastrophic economic di-
saster should the current lock fail.”

The congressman said, “As some-
one who has spent their entire life living
around Lake Superior, I understand the
powerful impact these incredible bodies
of water bring to our local and national
economies. Ensuring safe and reliable
shipping through the Great Lakes is one of
my top priorities serving in Congress, from
advocating for the creation of a new lock
at the Soo Locks in Michigan to supporting
our hard-working union workforce in the
shipping industry to ensuring our Coast
Guard is well-equipped with icebreakers
for winter. I am honored to be named the
Legislator of the Year by the Great Lakes
Maritime Task Force and will always ad-
vocate for our Great Lakes.”

During the ceremonial presentation,
Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway
Port Authority Deb DeLuca stated, “Con-
gressman Stauber is a fitting choice for
this prestigious award, given his long-
time advocacy on behalf of Great Lakes
shipping and the nation’s domestic sup-
ply chain. His support helps Great Lakes
ports remain strong and vibrant links in
America’s supply chain, and we’re espe-
cially pleased that the Great Lakes Mar-
itime Task Force is honoring a legislator
from our own backyard, a former commis-
sioner on the Duluth Seaway Port Author-
ity board, and someone who is an effective
advocate for regional industry.”

SIU-contracted Crescent Towing in early August announced it has started
construction on a new Z-drive tugboat at Blakeley BoatWorks in Mobile,
Alabama. According to the company, the yet-to-be-named tug will imme-

diately be added to Crescent’s Seafarers-crewed Mississippi River ship assist
operations when completed.

“The addition of this new 6,000 hp. Z-drive in support of our Mississippi
River operations highlights our continued commitment to providing our cus-
tomers with the most powerful and technologically advanced equipment in the
industry,” said Scott H. Cooper, president of Crescent Towing.

“For over 81 years, our team of mariners and shore-based staff have worked
relentlessly to provide the highest quality ship assist towing service in the
United States,” said Keith Kettenring, executive vice president and chief operat-
ing officer of Crescent Towing. “The addition of this new Tier 4 6,000 hp. Z-drive
provides our team with another incredible tool to continue to offer the safest
and most reliable towing services on the Mississippi River.”

The new boat was designed by Crowley Engineering Services and will be 92
feet long, 38 feet wide and will draft 19 feet. The tug will be powered by twin
Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4 engines, each producing 3,004 hp. to power Kongsberg
255 fixed-pitch azimuthing drives (Z-drives), according to news reports. This is
the fifth Crescent Towing escort tug design provided by Crowley.

“Blakeley BoatWorks is honored to partner with Crescent Towing and Crow-
ley Engineering Services to design and construct the second of a series of 6,000
hp. tugboats,” said Swathin Kannalath, managing director of Blakeley Boat-
Works. “The opportunity to construct one of the largest and most advanced
tugboats operating on the Mississippi River creates a great amount of excite-
ment for our entire team.”

Lakes Group Honors Rep. Stauber

Crescent Towing to Add Tug

This artist’s rendering depicts the newest Crescent Towing tugboat, which is being built in
Alabama.

6 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 20236 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber
(R-Minnesota)

MSC's USNS Navajo Christened

New jobs are on the way for members of
the SIU Government Services Division
following the Aug. 26 christening of the

USNS Navajo in Houma, Louisiana.
The vessel is the first in a class of 10 – five

of which, including the Navajo, are being con-
structed at Bollinger Shipyards, while the other
five are slated to be built at Austal USA in Mobile,
Alabama. The vessels are classified as tow-
ing, salvage and rescue ships – abbreviated as
T-ATS – and are planned as replacements for the
U.S. Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) Powha-
tan-class and Safeguard-class ocean tugs.

Bollinger also will build the USNS Cherokee
Nation, USNS Saginax Ojibwe Anishinabek, USNS
Lenni Lenape, and USNS Muscogee Creek Nation.
Projected delivery dates are one per upcoming
fiscal year.

Austal has started construction on the USNS
Billy Frank Jr. and USNS Solomon Atkinson, and
is under contract for the detail design and con-
struction of three more ships whose respective
names haven’t been announced. Projected deliv-
ery dates range from early 2025 to 2026.

During the August ceremony, the Honorable
Arlando Teller, assistant secretary for tribal
affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation,
served as the keynote speaker and joined ship
sponsor Jocelyn Billy as she broke a ceremonial
bottle of sparkling wine across the bow of the
USNS Navajo. (Billy is a member of the Navajo
Nation, Miss Navajo Nation 2006, and is a strong
advocate for Navajo Nation veterans.)

“This isn’t just any ship; it’s the first of its kind.
This is a Bollinger-built Navajo-class towing,
salvage, and rescue ship manufactured to the
highest level of craftsmanship and quality,” said
Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger
Shipyards. “Every weld, every beam, every sys-
tem on this ship was crafted with the thought of
the warriors that inspired its name. It is an honor
beyond words for Bollinger to partner with the
Navy. The trust bestowed upon us to construct a
new class of vessel is both a responsibility and a
privilege that we hold dear.”

The new Navajo class of U.S. Navy towing,
salvage and rescue ships is named in recogni-
tion of the tribe and the Diné people, and their
many contributions to the U.S. military and the
country’s defense. While many Americans are
familiar with the famed Navajo Code Talkers, the
Diné people have answered our nation’s call and
served our armed forces with honor and valor in
nearly every major conflict since the birth of our
nation, the Navy pointed out in a news release
about he christening.

“The T-ATS 6 combines two classes of ships
for your nation and your Navy,” said MSC Deputy
Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey Spivey. “It com-
bines those into one class that is more capable
than any ship we have out there in this salvage
class.”

Ships in the new class will be 263 feet long and
have 59-foot beams, with a sailing speed slightly
greater than 15 knots.

Members of the SIU Government Services Division will form part of the USNS Navajo’s crew. (Photo courtesy Bollinger
Shipyards)

SIU-CC-9-11-23

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6 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SIU-CC-9-11-23

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79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 7 9/21/23 10:05 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 98 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 20238 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

ABOARD APL ISLANDER – Pictured from left are Chief Cook Bernard Nieves,
SIU Guam Port Agent Victor Sahagon, ACU Ricardo Escorcia and Steward/Baker
Howard Brooks.

ABOARD CAPE ISABEL – The group snapshot from late August features SIU crew members from the Cape Isabel and Cape Inscription (Ocean Duchess) in southern
California. Pictured from left are GUDE Angelito Abad, GVA Kristopher Bechtel, Bosun Ruben Datu, QEE Andrew Linares and GUDE Jonathan Heit.

ABOARD ATB INNOVATION – Among those pictured on the Intrepid vessel are Utility Carlton Banks, Second Mate James Robinson, 1A/E Florencio Marfa, CE Mark Mize, Second Mate Bradley Staudt, ABT Michael Eaton,
Cook Alexander Bussen, Captain Brett Ruppert and SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo.

ABOARD MAGNOLIA STATE - AB Darryl Brown
is pictured aboard the Intrepid vessel.

FOCUSING ON WORKERS’ RIGHTS – SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey
(left) and Asst. VP Mike Russo (right) are pictured at a labor breakfast with U.S.
Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas). They talked about the importance of workplace
fairness and the U.S. maritime industry.

ASSISTING RELIEF EFFORT – The union recently donated to the Hawaii State AFL-CIO Labor Community Services Program (LCSP). The federation is helping
coordinate emergency assistance for members and their families who’ve suffered hardships due to the devastating fires on Maui. Pictured from left are SIU Honolulu
Port Agent Hazel Galbiso, SIU Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski, Hawaii AFL-CIO LCSP Director Catherine Lederer, SIU President David Heindel, Hawaii AFL-CIO
President Randy Perreira and SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone.

FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS –
Longtime Seafarer AB Ed Gavagan (left) recently called
it a career after a final voyage aboard the American
Phoenix (Phoenix Crew Management). He’s holding
a retirement gift alongside Chief Engineer George
Hutchins, who also recently retired. Hutchins notes
that he and Gavagan both joined the Phoenix as part of
its original crew “before she left the shipyard in 2012.
Ed is one of the last original plank owners.... I have
thoroughly enjoyed working with Ed over the years
and wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.”
(Additional photos are posted on the SIU Facebook
page.)

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

ABOARD ARC DEFENDER – Pictured aboard the

TOTE vessel in Baltimore are (from left) Paul Hall Center
Apprentice Isaiah Jaim Balicha, SIU Port Agent John
Hoskins and Paul Hall Center Apprentice D’Angelo Brown.

PROUD MOMENT - Congratulations to Julian
White (right) and to his father, SIU Mobile Port Agent
Jimmy White (left), for a big milestone that took place
in early August. Julian graduated from Auburn with a
bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family
Science. He was a regular on the Dean’s List and is
continuing his education by studying for a master’s
degree.

TALKING MARITIME - Pictured Aug. 31 during
a career fair at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base
New Orleans are (from left) SIU Port Agent Chris
Westbrook and Louisiana State Rep. Mack Cormier
(D). They discussed the importance of the American
maritime industry to Louisiana and the career
opportunities available in the U.S. Merchant Marine.

A-BOOK IN ALABAMA - Chief Cook Jordan Harris (center) displays his
newly acquired A-seniority book at the hiring hall in Mobile. He’s pictured with
SIU Patrolman J.B. Niday (right) and longtime Seafarers employee Lauren Liles.

FULL BOOK IN OAKLAND - FOWT Julian Rubbo (right) receives his B-book at the Oakland,
California, hall. He’s pictured with SIU President David Heindel (left) and SIU VP West Coast Nick
Marrone.

SINCERE APPRECIATION – SIU Norfolk Port Agent Mario
Torrey (left) thanks U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia) for his
longtime support of U.S.-flag maritime. Photo was taken at the
Virginia AFL-CIO convention.

FROM PATHFINDER - Many
thanks to Second Mate/SIU
Hawsepiper Asher Spalding for this
photo from a recent trip aboard the
Ocean Shipholdings vessel. Pictured
in the back row are 1 A/E Christopher
DeRonde, MDR Jeff Koch, Spalding,
and Captain Antoine Picou. Middle
row: AB Rodante Niebres, CHENG
Wendell Sprague, Bosun Kelly Doyle,
2nd Mate Brandon Braam, STOS
Jose Ortiz, GVA Fredy Bernardez,
and GVA Saleh Said. Front row: AB
Dhindo Faulve, Radio Officer Biljana
Nastovska, SK Courtney Turner, QMED
Ronald Sease, QMED Noli Aguirre, 3
A/E Enrique Medri Cobos, SA Cedrick
Burton, OS Destini Dunlap, Chief
Cook Hussain Nagi Ali, Chief Steward
Alphonzo Berry, and Chief Mate Jeff
Harcq.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 8 9/21/23 6:45 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 98 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 9OCTOBER 2023

ABOARD ATB INNOVATION – Among those pictured on the Intrepid vessel are Utility Carlton Banks, Second Mate James Robinson, 1A/E Florencio Marfa, CE Mark Mize, Second Mate Bradley Staudt, ABT Michael Eaton,
Cook Alexander Bussen, Captain Brett Ruppert and SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo.

ASSISTING RELIEF EFFORT – The union recently donated to the Hawaii State AFL-CIO Labor Community Services Program (LCSP). The federation is helping
coordinate emergency assistance for members and their families who’ve suffered hardships due to the devastating fires on Maui. Pictured from left are SIU Honolulu
Port Agent Hazel Galbiso, SIU Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski, Hawaii AFL-CIO LCSP Director Catherine Lederer, SIU President David Heindel, Hawaii AFL-CIO
President Randy Perreira and SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone.

(ALMOST) ABOARD USNS IMPECCABLE – This
Seafaring selfie, taken in Singapore, features QMED
Ryan Manlapit, with the Crowley-operated vessel in the
background.

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

FULL BOOK IN OAKLAND - FOWT Julian Rubbo (right) receives his B-book at the Oakland,
California, hall. He’s pictured with SIU President David Heindel (left) and SIU VP West Coast Nick
Marrone.

SINCERE APPRECIATION – SIU Norfolk Port Agent Mario
Torrey (left) thanks U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia) for his
longtime support of U.S.-flag maritime. Photo was taken at the
Virginia AFL-CIO convention.

ABOARD MATSONIA - This Seafaring selfie includes Chief Cook Freddie
Castro (left) and SIU Guam Port Agent Victor Sahagon, taken aboard the Matson
vessel on Aug. 22.

ABOARD PRESIDENT WILSON – Pictured aboard the APL ship during
a recent servicing are (from left) ACU Younis Nasser and Chief Cook Ronald
Williams. Many thanks to SIU Oakland Port Agent Duane Akers for the photo
(and an obligatory reminder that using the LOG as a prop isn’t mandatory but
doesn’t hurt one’s chances of getting posted/published).

FROM PATHFINDER - Many
thanks to Second Mate/SIU
Hawsepiper Asher Spalding for this
photo from a recent trip aboard the
Ocean Shipholdings vessel. Pictured
in the back row are 1 A/E Christopher
DeRonde, MDR Jeff Koch, Spalding,
and Captain Antoine Picou. Middle
row: AB Rodante Niebres, CHENG
Wendell Sprague, Bosun Kelly Doyle,
2nd Mate Brandon Braam, STOS
Jose Ortiz, GVA Fredy Bernardez,
and GVA Saleh Said. Front row: AB
Dhindo Faulve, Radio Officer Biljana
Nastovska, SK Courtney Turner, QMED
Ronald Sease, QMED Noli Aguirre, 3
A/E Enrique Medri Cobos, SA Cedrick
Burton, OS Destini Dunlap, Chief
Cook Hussain Nagi Ali, Chief Steward
Alphonzo Berry, and Chief Mate Jeff
Harcq.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 9 9/21/23 10:05 AM



CATCHING UP IN PUERTO RICO – SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey (right)
is pictured at the hall in San Juan with retired Electrician Luis Roman. Corgey
describes Roman, 89, as “a steadfast union supporter and advocate who’s always
there to help and who was instrumental in helping find a new home for the SIU in
Puerto Rico.”

SUNSHINE STATE HAPPENINGS - These snapshots are from the recently concluded Florida AFL-CIO convention. The smaller group pic includes (from
left) SIU Jacksonville Port Agent Ashley Nelson, Florida AFL-CIO President Dan Reynolds and SIU Asst. VP Kris Hopkins. In the other photo, elected personnel (including
Hopkins, a VP at large) take the oath of office.

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1110 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202310 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

SHIPMATE SNAPSHOT – Pictured at the Honolulu
hall are USNS Maury (Ocean Shipholdings) crew mates
QMED Zachary Cartwright (left) and MDR Brandon
Maeda.

CONGRATS IN CRESCENT CITY – AB Reginald Williams (center) obtains
his full book at the hiring hall in New Orleans. He’s pictured with (from left) SIU
Safety Director James Brown, Port Agent Chris Westbrook, VP Dean Corgey and
VP Nicholas Celona.

A-BOOKS IN VIRGINIA – ABs Phillip Nichols (right in photo above, left) and Christopher Perry receive their
respective A-seniority books at the Norfolk, Virginia, hall. SIU Port Agent Mario Torrey is at left in both photos.

MILESTONE IN JERSEY – ABG Octavio
Henriques (right) receives his A-seniority book at the
hiring hall. SIU Patrolman Osvaldo Ramos is at left.
Henriques described the experience as “very special.”

TAKING PRIDE IN THEIR HALL - Rank-and-file members recently volunteered to help conduct routine maintenance/upkeep at the San Juan,
Puerto Rico, hiring hall. They include (from left in photo above, right) Chief Steward Luis Santiago and Bosun Ricky Rivera, plus AB Angel Pagan
(foreground in remaining photo, with SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo).

FULL BOOK IN HAWAII – SA Clare Kaleleiki (right) is pictured at the Honolulu hall with SIU VP
West Coast Nick Marrone shortly after receiving her B-book.

TAKING THE OATH IN HOUSTON – AB Toby Blunt (left) receives his full book. He’s pictured at the hall with SIU VP
Gulf Coast Dean Corgey.

WITH SEAFARERS IN WILMINGTON – Steward/Baker Aurelio Esperanza (right in photo above, right) receives his
A-seniority book, while AB Daniel Moran (left in other photo) picks up his B-book. Both members are pictured at the hiring
hall with SIU Safety Director Gordon Godel.

WORKING TOGETHER - SIU officials meet with Greater Georgia Black Chamber of
Commerce President Melinda Sylvester during a recent event in the Gulf, where they discussed
potential collaboration pertaining to various opportunities in the maritime industry. Pictured from
left are Sylvester, SIU Port Agent Chris Westbrook, SIU VP Lakes and Inland Waters Bryan Powell
and SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 10 9/21/23 10:05 AM



CATCHING UP IN PUERTO RICO – SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey (right)
is pictured at the hall in San Juan with retired Electrician Luis Roman. Corgey
describes Roman, 89, as “a steadfast union supporter and advocate who’s always
there to help and who was instrumental in helping find a new home for the SIU in
Puerto Rico.”

SPRUCING UP IN HOUSTON - Volunteering to help refresh the hiring hall are (from left) Recertified Steward Fausto Aranda, Bosun
Wadeea Alnasafi, retired Bosun Charlie Jackson, and ABM Sirio Centino.

SUNSHINE STATE HAPPENINGS - These snapshots are from the recently concluded Florida AFL-CIO convention. The smaller group pic includes (from
left) SIU Jacksonville Port Agent Ashley Nelson, Florida AFL-CIO President Dan Reynolds and SIU Asst. VP Kris Hopkins. In the other photo, elected personnel (including
Hopkins, a VP at large) take the oath of office.

CHATTING WITH PRO-MARITIME POLS – SIU Baltimore Port Agent John Hoskins recently attended an annual gathering
hosted by U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) in Prince George’s County. Hoskins at right in the photo above, right, with Hoyer, and at
left in the other snapshot, with U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland).

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1110 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG• 11OCTOBER 2023

TAKING THE OATH IN HOUSTON – AB Toby Blunt (left) receives his full book. He’s pictured at the hall with SIU VP
Gulf Coast Dean Corgey.

READY TO SHIP OUT - It’s a proud moment for longtime Seafarer
Argelio Perez (right) as his son, Jonathan Perez (center), prepares to sail as
a chief steward for the first time. Jonathan joined the union six years ago
and has worked his way up through the galley gang. At left is SIU Asst. VP
Amancio Crespo. Photo was taken at the hall in San Juan.

A-BOOK IN JOLIET - Seafarer Peter Morrison (left) picks up his book at the hall in Illinois. At right is SIU Patrolman Tyson Little.
Morrison has sailed in a number of different ratings in the union’s Great Lakes sector.

WORKING TOGETHER - SIU officials meet with Greater Georgia Black Chamber of
Commerce President Melinda Sylvester during a recent event in the Gulf, where they discussed
potential collaboration pertaining to various opportunities in the maritime industry. Pictured from
left are Sylvester, SIU Port Agent Chris Westbrook, SIU VP Lakes and Inland Waters Bryan Powell
and SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 11 9/21/23 10:05 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1312 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202312 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

Deck Department
Algonac 14 5 2 11 8 1 5 18 3 3
Anchorage 3 4 1 2 3 1 1 4 5 0
Baltimore 2 4 1 3 3 1 3 2 2 1
Fort Lauderdale 21 8 2 18 10 2 7 24 12 2
Guam 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 3 0 1
Harvey 7 3 1 7 3 0 0 10 4 5
Honolulu 6 2 0 6 1 0 0 9 3 0
Houston 24 19 4 34 18 5 20 40 22 5
Jacksonville 26 24 4 15 25 1 14 44 27 11
Jersey City 21 8 7 23 5 5 11 30 14 4
Joliet 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 3 2 0
Mobile 11 5 1 7 3 2 2 13 7 2
Norfolk 20 14 3 14 14 3 5 26 11 5
Oakland 15 2 1 6 1 0 1 20 4 1
Philadelphia 2 2 0 2 3 0 1 4 2 0
Piney Point 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 4 4 0
Puerto Rico 5 4 0 2 0 0 1 10 5 1
Tacoma 20 7 3 17 7 1 7 22 9 6
St. Louis 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 3 0 2
Wilmington 21 7 2 11 8 1 4 37 18 2

TOTAL 225 122 34 181 115 24 85 326 154 51

Engine Department
Algonac 6 3 1 5 0 1 2 5 2 1
Anchorage 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Baltimore 5 5 2 4 3 2 3 3 1 2
Fort Lauderdale 10 4 2 7 2 1 1 16 6 1
Guam 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Harvey 1 2 0 1 2 1 0 5 2 0
Honolulu 3 2 0 4 0 0 1 7 4 1
Houston 8 8 3 10 9 2 4 10 11 4
Jacksonville 15 12 1 9 8 1 3 26 12 1
Jersey City 3 7 0 5 8 0 3 9 3 1
Joliet 4 1 0 1 0 0 1 3 1 0
Mobile 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 2 4 1
Norfolk 15 8 7 9 7 5 4 16 8 7
Oakland 3 3 0 4 4 2 1 3 5 0
Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Piney Point 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
Puerto Rico 3 1 0 5 0 0 0 3 2 0
Tacoma 8 8 3 13 1 1 6 11 9 4
St. Louis 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 4 2 0
Wilmington 6 7 5 6 5 3 4 16 7 5
TOTAL 96 76 24 85 52 19 35 144 80 28

Steward Department
Algonac 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 0
Anchorage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Baltimore 2 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 1
Fort Lauderdale 8 1 1 8 0 0 3 12 3 4
Guam 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
Harvey 5 0 0 4 0 0 1 5 2 1
Honolulu 7 2 2 2 2 1 2 10 2 1
Houston 16 2 2 14 5 2 5 17 8 2
Jacksonville 12 12 1 9 17 1 4 25 17 6
Jersey City 11 2 1 6 2 0 3 15 4 2
Joliet 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 0 0
Mobile 4 1 1 3 4 0 0 3 3 1
Norfolk 13 14 5 14 7 5 6 15 20 3
Oakland 8 5 2 2 5 1 1 17 3 3
Philadelphia 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Piney Point 4 6 2 2 3 1 3 5 5 1
Puerto Rico 5 3 1 5 3 0 2 2 7 1
Seattle 8 1 1 6 2 0 2 10 3 1
St. Louis 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Wilmington 17 4 3 10 4 1 6 23 13 4
TOTAL 129 56 22 92 55 12 39 170 93 32

Entry Department
Algonac 2 5 6 0 3 5 2 3 13 14
Anchorage 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 2
Baltimore 0 1 5 0 0 4 2 0 0 1
Fort Lauderdale 0 5 5 0 1 3 1 0 6 9
Guam 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Harvey 0 3 4 1 0 3 3 1 3 10
Honolulu 0 2 1 0 2 2 1 0 3 3
Houston 3 17 17 3 14 12 3 4 22 26
Jacksonville 0 23 76 0 25 64 11 0 30 110
Jersey City 2 12 7 0 6 4 2 2 18 25
Joliet 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
Mobile 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0
Norfolk 1 10 26 1 6 13 0 0 12 34
Oakland 1 6 11 0 8 4 0 2 9 13
Philadelphia 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0
Piney Point 0 2 7 0 2 3 2 0 2 7
Puerto Rico 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1
Tacoma 1 4 10 2 3 7 3 4 8 8
St. Louis 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Wilmington 0 6 3 0 6 6 1 1 13 8

TOTAL 12 99 185 8 78 136 33 18 144 274

GRAND TOTAL 462 353 265 366 300 191 192 658 471 385

“Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from August 15 - September 14, 2023.
“Registered on the Beach” data is as of September 15, 2023.

TOTE Successfully Completes
Conversions Of SIU-Crewed
North Star, Midnight Sun

Houston change due to Columbus Day
Algonac and Norfolk changes due to Veteran's Day

Guam change due to Thanksgiving
Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m

Total Registered
All Groups

A B C

Trip
Reliefs

Total Shipped
All Groups

A B C

Registered on Beach
All Groups

A B CPort

Piney Point Monday: Oct. 2, Nov. 6
Algonac Friday: Oct. 6, Monday: Nov. 13
Baltimore Thursday: Oct. 5, Nov. 9
Guam Thursday: Oct. 19, Friday: Nov. 24
Honolulu Friday: Oct. 13, Nov. 17
Houston Tuesday: Oct. 10, Monday: Nov. 13
Jacksonville Thursday: Oct. 5, Nov. 9
Joliet Thursday: Oct. 12, Nov. 16
Mobile Wednesday: Oct. 11, Nov. 15
New Orleans Tuesday: Oct. 10, Nov. 14
Jersey City Tuesday: Oct. 3, Nov. 7
Norfolk Friday: Oct. 6, Monday: Nov. 13
Oakland Thursday: Oct. 12, Nov. 16
Philadelphia Wednesday: Oct. 4, Nov. 8
Port Everglades Thursday: Oct. 12, Nov. 16
San Juan Thursday: Oct. 5, Nov. 9
St. Louis Friday: Oct. 13, Nov. 17
Tacoma Friday: Oct. 20, Nov. 24
Wilmington Monday: Oct. 16, Nov. 20

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea

October & November
Membership Meetings

Seafarers-contracted TOTE Maritime Alaska recently
announced that the company “continues to make major
strides toward a more environmentally friendly maritime
industry, becoming the first company to fully convert all of
its vessels to operate on liquified natural gas (LNG).”

Two of TOTE’s ORCA-class ships, the MV North Star and
the MV Midnight Sun (both SIU-crewed and sailing in the
Jones Act trade), recently completed the final phases of con-
version, rounding out the end of a 10-year process. The ships,
designed specifically to serve the Alaskan market, will no
longer use diesel fuel in their operations. “Overall air quality
improvements and significant reductions in emissions are
byproducts of the switch to LNG vessels,” TOTE reported.

“TOTE is proud to lead the way in environmentally con-
scious shipping and protecting the communities we serve,”
said TOTE Maritime Alaska President Alex Hofeling. “Com-
pletion of this historic LNG conversion project will bring the
most advanced, environmentally friendly technology to the
Alaska trade and will support long-term sustainability for
our operations, our customers and the communities that
rely on us.”

The Anchorage-based company, which sends its vessels
on twice-per-week trips between Tacoma, Washington, and
the Port of Alaska to transport cargo, made the switch to
comply with international standards, but also as an invest-
ment in Alaska, according to TOTE Maritime Vice President
and General Manager Art Dahlin.

In announcing the conversions, the company said, “LNG
is the most eco-friendly maritime fuel on the market, a
major contrast from the industry standard heavy fuel oil
that TOTE’s fleet has moved away from. Though the oil was
inexpensive, it emitted harmful pollutants like sulfur oxide,
which can create acid rain. For this reason, the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) set a limit on a ship’s sulfuric
emissions in 2020…. LNG fuel eliminates virtually all sulfur
oxides and particulate matter, up to 95% of nitrogen oxides,
and cuts carbon emissions by about 25%.

“Aside from switching to alternative fuel, other options
to comply with the new limit include installing scrubbers to
filter out the pollutants or using a pricier, ultra-low-sulfur-
diesel,” the company continued. “TOTE initially went with
the latter option in 2017, and has now fully transitioned its
entire line of vessels from that fuel to LNG.”

The recent conversions are not TOTE’s first environmen-
tally friendly maneuvers. In 2010, TOTE completed a $2.7
million shore power project to reduce diesel and greenhouse
gas emissions by up to 90 percent during the company’s 100
ship calls each year at the Port of Tacoma. The following year,
TOTE also finished a cold-ironing project to reduce reliance
upon shipboard generators and supply electricity to dock-
side vessels. Those efforts have significantly reduced diesel
and greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, TOTE and General Dynamics NASSCO (a
union shipyard) also launched the world’s first LNG-powered
containership in 2015.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 12 9/21/23 10:05 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1312 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

HORIZON ENTERPRISE (Sunrise Oper-
ations, LLC), May 14 – Chairman Glenn
Christianson, Secretary Clark Williams.
Chairman advised members to keep up
with their health checks and discussed
the importance of donating to SPAD
(Seafarers Political Activities Donation),
the union’s voluntary political action
fund. Retirees can return to work full-
time without penalty and as full book
members for those positions that are in
short supply, per secretary report. Edu-
cational director urged crew to take the
dangerous liquids course at the Piney
Point school. LNG is required on new
ships so now is the time to upgrade. No
beefs or disputed OT reported. Members
requested a new coffee maker, new space
heaters for cabins and asked about Wi-Fi
access aboard ship.

EMPIRE STATE (Intrepid Personnel &
Provisioning), July 3 – Chairman Ab-
dulkarim Mohamed, Secretary Markese
Haynes, Educational Director Antonio
Griffin, Deck Delegate Angel Nunez.
Members requested copy of Standard
Tanker Agreement for this ship. ABs
are continually experiencing delays in
getting reliefs and discussed address-
ing the issue in future contract nego-
tiations. Secretary reminded crew to
keep documents up to date. Educational
director urged members to take advan-
tage of the upgrading opportunities at
the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center
for Maritime Training and Education,
located in Piney Point, Maryland. No
disputed OT reported, however each de-
partment reported questions about crew
not receiving pay for Juneteenth holi-
day. Chairman encouraged members to
get involved with union meetings and to
contribute to SPAD. Ship now equipped
with free Wi-Fi. A second Wi-Fi service
also is available for purchase.

CALIFORNIA (Intrepid Personnel &
Provisioning), July 9 – Chairman Ken-
neth Abrahamson, Secretary Gerald
Kirtsey, Educational Director Larry
Locke, Deck Delegate Osei Baffoe, En-
gine Delegate Raymond Roldan, Stew-
ard Delegate Ricky Sencida. Chairman
discussed company’s new pay system.
New Juneteenth holiday is welcomed by
crew. Coast Guard has resolved printer
issues. Secretary advised crew to check
pension workups and money purchase
plan info. Educational director recom-
mended members upgrade at the Piney
Point school. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. More new mattresses on the
way. New Starlink system to be installed
soon. Vote of thanks given to steward
department. Members asked for annual
physicals and increases in vacation pay.
Next port: Valdez, Alaska.

POTOMAC EXPRESS (Marine Person-
nel & Provisioning), July 9 – Chairman
Renaudo Pierce, Deck Delegate Christo-
pher Barberan, Engine Delegate Edward
Galbis, Steward Delegate Yacoub Shack.
Chairman commended steward depart-
ment for doing a great job and thanked
them for their hard work. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Crew discussed
ongoing issues with Wi-Fi. Members
requested one day off for every 30 days
worked.

MAERSK HARTFORD (Maersk Line,
Limited), July 17 – Chairman Anecito
Limbo, Secretary Kenneth Hagan, Ed-
ucational Director Cirico Geonanga,
Deck Delegate Darrell Crim. Chairman
reiterated the importance of donating to
SPAD and reminded crew to leave clean
rooms for onboarding members. Edu-
cational director encouraged members
to keep up with documents needed for
shipping and to go to Piney Point and
upgrade. Gym equipment to be bought

with ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Crew discussed wage increase
and requested additional vacation days.
Crew refrigerator in need of repair or re-
placement. Next port: Charleston, South
Carolina.

TEXAS (Seabulk), July 26 – Chairman
Jovan Williams, Secretary Ronald Davis,
Educational Director Furman Watson,
Deck Delegate Michael Ross, Steward
Delegate Tracey Newsome. Chairman
advised crew to be patient on board
while waiting for reliefs. He reminded
them to renew medical every year, to
keep in good health and to clean rooms
before leaving ship. Secretary asked
members to keep food in basket outside
of dish room. Educational director urged
crew to make sure all paperwork is cur-
rent and to upgrade at the SIU-affiliated
Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training
and Education, located in Piney Point,
Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT re-
ported. Members discussed ship’s bud-
get. Gym door should never be locked at
any time. Next port: Long Beach, Califor-
nia.

EMPIRE STATE (Intrepid Personnel &
Provisioning), August 18 – Chairman
Abdulkarim Mohamed, Secretary Stacy
Davis, Educational Director Antonio
Griffin, Deck Delegate Angel Nunez,
Engine Delegate Mark Canada, Steward
Delegate Mohamed Noman. Ship is now
equipped with Wi-Fi. Chairman asked
for crew’s patience while waiting for re-
liefs. Members are to see steward if any-
thing in the galley needs improvement,
per secretary. Educational director went
over sea time requirement for C-cards
to attend courses at the union-affili-
ated Piney Point school. He encouraged
members to make sure documents and
physicals stay up to date. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Crew suggested

company follow standard tanker agree-
ment. Members were urged to contribute
to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activities
Donation), the union’s voluntary politi-
cal action fund, and were reminded of its
importance to the shipping industry as a
whole. Next port: San Francisco.

SEAFARERS LOG • 13OCTOBER 2023

Know Your Rights

Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings
The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some
will be omitted. Ships’ minutes first are reviewed by the union’s contract department. Those issues requiring attention or resolution are
addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships’ minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication.

FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Consti-
tution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes
and Inland Waters makes specific pro-
vision for safeguarding the member-
ship’s money and union finances. The
constitution requires a detailed audit by
certified public accountants every year,
which is to be submitted to the member-
ship by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly
finance committee of rank-and-file
members, elected by the membership,
each year examines the finances of the
union and reports fully their findings
and recommendations. Members of
this committee may make dissenting
reports, specific recommendations and
separate findings.

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the
SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Wa-
ters District are administered in accor-
dance 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
approval by a majority of the trustees. All
trust fund financial records are available
at the headquarters of the various trust
funds.

SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s 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 ship-
ping or seniority rights as contained in
the contracts between the union and the
employers, they should notify the Seafar-
ers Appeals Board by certified mail, return

receipt requested. The proper address for
this is:

George Tricker, 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, ei-
ther by writing directly to the union or to
the Seafarers Appeals Board.

CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU con-
tracts are available in all SIU halls. These
contracts specify the wages and condi-
tions under which an SIU member works
and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members
should know their contract rights, as well
as their obligations, such as filing for over-
time (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 con-
tractual rights properly, he or she should
contact the nearest SIU port agent.

EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFAR-
ERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally
has refrained from publishing any article
serving the political purposes of any indi-
vidual in the union, officer or member. It
also has refrained from publishing articles
deemed harmful to the union or its collec-
tive membership. This established policy
has been reaffirmed by membership ac-
tion at the September 1960 meetings in all
constitutional ports. The responsibility for
Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial
board which consists of the executive board
of the union. The executive board may del-
egate, 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 pay-
ment 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 cop-
ies of this constitution so as to famil-
iarize themselves with its contents.
Any time a member feels any other
member or officer is attempting to de-
prive him or her of any constitutional
right or obligation by any methods,
such as dealing with charges, trials,
etc., as well as all other details, the
member so affected should immedi-
ately notify headquarters.

EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are
guaranteed equal rights in employment
and as members of the SIU. These rights
are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitu-
tion and in the contracts 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
further its objects and purposes includ-
ing, but not limited to, furthering the po-
litical, social and economic interests of
maritime workers, the preservation and
furthering of the American merchant
marine with improved employment op-
portunities for seamen and boatmen and
the advancement of trade union concepts.
In connection with such objects, SPAD
supports and contributes to political
candidates for elective office. All contri-
butions are voluntary. No contribution
may be solicited or received because of
force, job discrimination, financial re-
prisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a
condition of membership in the union or
of employment. If a contribution is made
by reason of the above improper conduct,
the member should notify the Seafarers
International Union or SPAD by certified
mail within 30 days of the contribution for
investigation and appropriate action and
refund, if involuntary. A member should
support SPAD to protect and further his
or her economic, political and social inter-
ests, and American trade union concepts.

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

David Heindel, President
Seafarers International Union

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20746

With Seafarers Aboard
Stena Imperative

The vessel is a new addition to both the
SIU-crewed fleet and the U.S. Tanker
Security Program. Pictured from left
aboard the Crowley-operated ship are SA
Christian Smith, SIU Jacksonville Port
Agent Ashley Nelson, Chief Cook Esper
Jordan and Steward/Baker Jose Norales.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 13 9/21/23 6:45 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1514 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

Pic from the Past

14 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

SIU members serving on the then-quarterly financial committee gather at union headquarters in New York in February 1951. Pictured
from left are Bill Thompson, John Garrison, Mike Rossi, Oliver Oakley and Joseph Arras.

Inquiring SeafarerDavid Heindel, President
Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President

Tom Orzechowski, Secretary-Treasurer
George Tricker, Vice President Contracts
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
Bryan Powell,

Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters

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 Street, 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

SIU Directory

This month’s question was answered by members at the hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia.

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

Johnny Dozier
Bosun

The fellowship of Seafarers.
It’s always good to talk to
older members and it’s also
enjoyable to welcome new
ones.

Mark Brownell
Bosun

I enjoy having the ability to
travel the world and make
great money to provide for my
family.

Bartow Bridges
AB

I like the travel and the time
off. It has been a great career
for me, with job security. I’ve
been able to provide for my
family.

Raymond Alexander
Chief Cook

Travelling, the money, and
the brotherhood. I appreciate
the stability and being able to
provide for my family.

Emanuel Spain
Chief Steward

I get to travel a lot. Plus the
vacation (benefit), the money
and the camaraderie. My
family has been in the union
for years.

Christopher Coston
Chief Cook

Travelling and seeing differ-
ent places. Interacting with
different cultures and seeing
how the world works and
how the rest of it compares
to the U.S. Also providing for
my family.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 14 9/21/23 10:05 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1514 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

Pic from the Past

SEAFARERS LOG • 15OCTOBER 2023

SIU members serving on the then-quarterly financial committee gather at union headquarters in New York in February 1951. Pictured
from left are Bill Thompson, John Garrison, Mike Rossi, Oliver Oakley and Joseph Arras.

DEEP SEA
MICHAEL BIRKE
Brother Michael Birke,
57, started his career
with the union in 1994.
He first shipped on
the USNS Bellatrix and
sailed in the engine
department. Brother
Birke upgraded on sev-
eral occasions at the union-affiliated Piney
Point School. He last sailed aboard the
Green Bay and makes his home in Harvey,
Louisiana.

BARTOW BRIDGES
Brother Bartow Bridges,
65, joined the Seafarers
International Union in
1988, initially sailing
aboard the Sugar Island.
He upgraded at the Paul
Hall Center on multiple
occasions and shipped in
the deck department. Brother Bridges most
recently sailed on the Maersk Iowa. He is a
resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

CRAIG CROFT
Brother Craig Croft, 57,
donned the SIU colors
in 1985. He was first
employed with G&H
Towing and primarily
sailed in the engine
department. Brother
Croft upgraded at the
Piney Point school on several occasions. He
concluded his career aboard the Louisiana
and lives in Hitchcock, Texas.

ROY GREEN
Brother Roy Green,
58, began sailing with
the SIU in 1992 when
he shipped aboard the
Independence. Brother
Green was a member of
the engine department
and upgraded on several
occasions at the Paul Hall Center. He last
shipped on the Bay State and settled in
Houston.

BRIAN JONES
Brother Brian Jones,
63, signed on with
the SIU in 1994, first
sailing on the USNS
Regulus. He shipped in
the deck department and
upgraded at the Piney
Point school on numer-
ous occasions. Brother Jones most recently
sailed on the Overseas Chinook. He resides
in Franklinton, Louisiana.

JAMES MORRIS
Brother James Mor-
ris, 65, embarked on
his career with the
Seafarers in 1991,
initially working on
the Cape Charles. He
was a member of the
deck department and
most recently shipped on the Ocean Glory.
Brother Morris upgraded at the Paul Hall
Center on multiple occasions. He calls San
Antonio, Texas, home.

RONALD OWENS
Brother Ronald Owens,
65, joined the SIU in
1988 when he sailed on
the Ranger. A member
of the deck department,
he upgraded on mul-
tiple occasions at the
SIU-affiliated Piney
Point school. Brother Owens last shipped
on the Maersk Illinois and makes his home
in Sugar Land, Texas.

RONALD PARADISE
Brother Ronald Paradise,
66, started his career
with the union in 1976.
He first shipped on the
Long Lines and sailed
in the deck depart-
ment. Brother Paradise
upgraded at the Paul
Hall Center on multiple occasions. He most
recently sailed on the Badlands Trader and
makes his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

JOSEPH REYNOLDS
Brother Joseph Reynolds, 65, joined the
Seafarers International Union in 2004, ini-
tially sailing aboard the Louis J. Hauge Jr.
He upgraded at the Piney Point school on
multiple occasions and shipped in the deck
department. Brother Reynolds’ final vessel
was the Eagle. He is a resident of Douglas,
Nebraska.

VALERIE RUSSO
Sister Valerie Russo, 66,
signed on with the SIU in
2002 when she sailed on
the Kauai. She shipped in
the steward department
and upgraded on several
occasions at the Paul
Hall Center. Sister Rus-
so’s final vessel was the Maersk Montana.
She resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

RANDOLPH SCOTT
Brother Randolph Scott,
67, signed on with the
union in 1998, initially
sailing on the USNS Den-
ebola. He worked in the
engine department and
upgraded at the Piney
Point school on multiple
occasions. Brother Scott last shipped on the
Seabulk Challenge and resides in Pembroke
Pines, Florida.

ZBIGNIEW SOLTYSIK
Brother Zbigniew
Soltysik, 65, joined the
union in 1995, initially
sailing on the Indepen-
dence. He worked in the
engine department and
upgraded at the Piney
Point school on multiple
occasions. Brother Soltysik last shipped on
the Horizon Enterprise and makes his home
in Guam.

JAMES SYKES
Brother James Sykes,
65, started sailing with
the SIU in 1991 and first
worked on the Falcon
Duchess. He shipped in
all three departments.
Brother Sykes’ final ves-
sel was the Decisive. He
resides in Portsmouth, Virginia.

PAMELA TAYLOR
Sister Pamela Taylor,
65, became a member
of the union in 1981. She
initially sailed aboard
the Overseas Chicago
and worked in all three
departments. Sister
Taylor upgraded at the
Piney Point school on numerous occasions.
She last sailed on the Tacoma and lives in
Olalla, Washington.

INLAND
JOSEPH LEWIS
Brother Joseph Lewis, 62,
embarked on his career
with the Seafarers in
1998. He worked in the
deck department and
upgraded at the Paul
Hall Center on several
occasions. Brother Lewis
sailed with Allied Transportation for the
majority of his career. He makes his home
in Lancaster, Virginia.

RAYMOND PETTERSON
Brother Raymond Petter-
son, 65, signed on with
the union in 1978. He
sailed in the deck depart-
ment and first worked
with Northern Towing
Company. Brother Pet-
terson upgraded at the
Piney Point school on multiple occasions.
He was last employed by Crowley Towing &
Transportation and settled in Tallahassee,
Florida.

We pay tribute to our brothers and sisters of the SIU who
have recently retired. THANK YOU for a job well done and
we wish you fair winds and following seas.Welcome Ashore!

This month’s question was answered by members at the hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia.

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

NMC Posts Update
About Fax
Numbers

Editor’s note: The U.S. Coast Guard’s
National Maritime Center has issued the
following news item:

As of August 25, 2023, Regional Exam
Centers (RECs) will no longer maintain
separate fax lines. In accordance with 46
CFR 10.217(a), the Coast Guard is designat-
ing the following fax numbers as locations
to which an applicant may submit appli-
cation information. To fax information
to the National Maritime Center (NMC),
please use the specific fax number associ-
ated with the categories of documentation
below.
• Documentation related to the

processing of a Merchant Mari-
ner Credential (MMC) application
(including CG-719B forms and sup-
porting documents, MMC Awaiting
Information (AI) submissions, and
duplicate requests) should be sent to
(304) 433-3416.

• Any information related to an appli-
cation for a Medical Certificate
(including CG-719K/KE forms and
medical AI submissions) should be
sent to (304) 433-3407.

• Documentation related to the pro-
cessing mariner training course
approvals/renewals, designated
examiners, and Qualified Assessors
should be sent to (304) 433-3408.

• Documentation and AI sub-
missions related to safety and
suitability screening (including court
documents, TWIC information, cit-
izenship documents, and proof of
residency) should be sent to (304)
433-3411.

• General inquiries, mariner record
requests, and World War II record
requests should be sent to (304)
433-3417.

Please note that the preferred method
for submitting the documentation listed
above is via e-mail. Further information
regarding the specific e-mail address to use
for each category of documentation may be
found on the NMC Website.

If you have any questions, concerns, or
feedback, contact the NMC Customer Ser-
vice Center by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.
mil or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 15 9/21/23 10:06 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1716 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202316 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

Final Departures In solemn remembrance, we honor the legacies of these union members
who have crossed the final bar. May they rest in peace.

DEEP SEA
JOSE CALIX
Pensioner Jose Calix, 68,
died August 20. He signed
on with the Seafarers
International Union
in 1998 and first sailed
aboard the Sumner. He
sailed in the steward
department. Brother Calix
last shipped on the Decisive in 2016. He
went on pension in 2020 and settled in the
Bronx, New York.

JOSE CLOTTER
Brother Jose Clotter, 60,
passed away July 31. Born
in Honduras, he began his
career with the Seafarers
in 1999. Brother Clotter
initially sailed aboard the
USNS Mt. Washington and
was a steward department
member. He most recently shipped on the
Maersk Pittsburgh and resided in Katy,
Texas.

BRUCE COLLINS
Brother Bruce Collins, 65, died August 13. A
Philadelphia native, he started sailing with
the SIU in 1991. Brother Collins’ first vessel
was the Groton. He was a deck department
member and last sailed aboard the Com-
mitment in 2008. Brother Collins lived in
Valrico, Florida.

CHRISTOPHER D’ANDREA
Pensioner Christopher
D’Andrea, 74, passed away
August 18. A steward
department member, he
signed on with the SIU in
2003. Brother D’Andrea’s
first vessel was the Grand
Canyon State; his last, the
Maersk Kentucky. He began collecting his
pension in 2020 and lived in New Smyrna
Beach, Florida.

FRED JENSEN
Pensioner Fred Jensen,
83, died July 2. He became
a member of the SIU in
1963 when he sailed with
Colonial Steamship.
Brother Jensen was a
deck department mem-
ber. He last shipped on
the Mobile before becoming a pensioner
in 2004. Brother Jensen made his home in
Bell, Florida.

ANTHONY JOHNSON
Brother Anthony Johnson, 34, passed away
July 9. He joined the union in 2022, initially
sailing aboard the Cape Ray. Brother John-
son was a deck department member and
most recently shipped on the Cape Arundel.
He was a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, his
home state.

LIONEL MCLAUGHLIN
Pensioner Lionel
McLaughlin, 103, died
August 9. He started sail-
ing with the SIU in 1954.
Brother McLaughlin ini-
tially sailed with Richfield
Oil Corporation and was a
deck department member.
He last shipped aboard the USNS Potomac
and became a pensioner in 1985. Brother
McLaughlin lived in Coral Springs, Florida.

JOHN NICHOLS
Pensioner John Nichols,
78, passed away August
8. First sailing aboard
the Sealift Atlantic, he
became a member of the
SIU in 1990. Brother Nich-
ols worked in the deck
department. He went on
pension in 2012 after sailing aboard his final
vessel, the Liberty Pride. Brother Nichols
resided in League City, Texas.

ETHAN NIELSEN
Brother Ethan Nielsen, 26, died July 23.
Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, he signed on with
the union in 2021. Brother Nielsen was a
deck department member and first shipped
on the Freedom. He most recently sailed on
the Defender and was a resident of Freeland,
Washington.

RANDY PROCTOR
Brother Randy Proctor, 57, passed away
February 1. A Mississippi native, he began
his career with the SIU in 2001. Brother
Proctor’s first vessel was the Cape Horn. He
worked in the steward department and last
shipped on the Overseas Martinez in 2014.
Brother Proctor was a Las Vegas resident.

DIMAS RODRIGUEZ
Pensioner Dimas Rodri-
guez, 90, died February
16. He embarked on his
career with the Seafarers
in 1966, initially sailing
aboard the Seatrain New
York. Brother Rodriguez
was a steward department
member and concluded his career aboard
the Guayama in 1994. He settled in Kissim-
mee, Florida.

RICHARD SCHWENDER
Brother Richard Schwender, 69, has passed
away. Born in Fort Lawton, Washington, he
joined the SIU in 1974. Brother Schwender’s
first vessel was the Tam Guilden. He
shipped in the engine department and
last sailed on the Freedom in 1989. Brother
Schwender lived in Olympia, Washington.

GARY SMITH
Pensioner Gary Smith,
85, died July 1. Born in
Fresno, California, he
became a member of the
Seafarers International
Union in 1967. Brother
Smith worked in the deck
department and was first
employed by Isthmian Lines Inc. His final
vessel was the Navigator. Brother Smith
became a pensioner in 2003 and called
Tacoma, Washington, home.

JUAN TORRES
Pensioner Juan Torres,
76, passed away July 2. He
joined the SIU in 1994 and
first shipped aboard the
Expedition. Brother Tor-
res was a member of the
deck department and last
sailed on the American
Tern. He went on pension in 2013 made his
home in Hudson, Florida.

DAVID VEGA
Pensioner David Vega, 71,
died September 3. Sailing
in the engine department,
he joined the SIU in 1991.
Brother Vega first shipped
on the Richard G. Mat-
thiesen. He most recently
sailed on the Maersk Kens-
ington before retiring in 2020. Brother Vega
lived in Baltimore.

INLAND

EUGENE ARCAND
Pensioner Eugene Arcand,
65, passed away August
18. He signed on with the
union in 2005 and worked
in the deck department.
Brother Arcand’s first ves-
sel was the Advantage. He
was last employed with
Crowley Towing and Transportation and
retired in 2021. Brother Arcand resided in
Englewood, Florida.

NMU

CHARLES ARCHIE
Pensioner Charles
Archie, 71, died August 8.
Brother Archie sailed in
the steward department.
He concluded his career
aboard the Delaware
Trader and became a
pensioner in 2007. Brother
Archie was a Las Vegas resident.

AVELL BROWN
Pensioner Avell Brown, 77, passed away
May 11. Brother Brown worked in the
steward department, lastly aboard the C.P.
Liberator. He became a pensioner in 2007
and resided in Mobile, Alabama.

CALVIN HICKS
Brother Calvin Hicks, 70,
has passed away. He was
born in Guyana and sailed
in the engine depart-
ment. Brother Hicks last
shipped aboard the Cape
Hudson and made his
home in New York City.

TONY ROSALES
Pensioner Tony Rosales,
95, died August 16. Born
in Laredo, Texas, he began
sailing in 1945. Brother
Rosales first sailed on the
William H. Jackson and
worked in the steward
department. He last sailed
on the Joseph Lykes and began collecting
his pension in 1966. Brother Rosales was a
Houston resident.

OBAID SALAHI
Pensioner Obaid Salahi, 92, passed away
August 10. Brother Salahi sailed in the deck
department. He last shipped aboard the
Tyson Lykes in 1991. Brother Salahi became
a pensioner the following year and resided
in Brooklyn, New York.

MODESTO SANCHEZ
Pensioner Modesto San-
chez, 88, died August 5.
Brother Sanchez began
shipping in 1964, initially
aboard the Constitution.
He was an engine depart-
ment member and last
shipped aboard the Amer-
ican Kentucky. Brother Sanchez retired in
1990 and lived in Puerto Rico.

In addition to the foregoing individuals, the
following union members have also passed
away. Insufficient information was available
to develop summaries of their respective
careers.

NAME AGE DATE OF
DEATH

Louis Prado 103 03/16/2023

Angel
Rodriguez

95 06/19/2023

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 16 9/21/23 10:06 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1716 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

Paul 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 qual-
ifying 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 application, 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 be-
fore departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul
Hall Center for Maritime Training 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 students, 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.

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

DECK DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Able Seafarer-Deck October 23 November 10

Lifeboat/Water Survival October 23 November 3

RFPNW October 9 October 27
November 13 December 1

Advanced Shiphandling September 25 October 6

Advanced Stability October 9 October 13

Advanced Meteorology October 16 October 20

Search & Rescue Management Level October 23 October 25

ENGINE DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

RFPEW November 13 December 15

Junior Engineer Program October 23 December 15

Advanced Refer Containers October 23 November 3

Welding October 16 November 3

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

STEWARD DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Certified Chief Cook October 30 December 1
December 4 January 5

ServSafe Management October 23 October 27
November 27 December 1

Advanced Galley Operations October 16 November 10

Chief Steward November 13 December 8

SAFETY/OPEN UPGRADING COURSES

Basic Training October 9 October 13

Basic Training Revalidation October 16 October 16
October 20 October 20
October 23 October 23
November 6 November 6
November 13 November 13
December 4 December 4
December 8 December 8

Government Vessels October 16 October 20
October 23 October 27
November 6 November 10

Printed below are dates for courses scheduled to take place at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Maryland. The QR code connects to a web page with the latest course
dates (they may differ from what’s printed here, though in most cases the only changes are additions that haven’t yet
made it into the LOG). Seafarers are welcome to contact the admissions office with questions about upgrading courses:
(301) 899-0657, admissions@seafarers.org

Latest Course Dates

SEAFARERS LOG • 17OCTOBER 2023

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 17 9/21/23 10:06 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1918 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202318 • SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023

Paul Hall Center Class Photos

APPRENTICE WATER SURVIVAL CLASS #898 – Graduated August 11 (above, in alphabetical order): Quad Cheatham, Kameron Edwards, Bryn Erck, Eliza Fitzgerald, Nathan Goodhart, Grayson Goodwin, Onyx Lyons,
Arkadiusz Mochocki-Klusik, Javon Norris Jr., Jacob Rhoney, Juan Velasquewz Jr. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

ABLE SEAMAN DECK – Graduated August 4 (above, in alphabetical order): The above photo includes
Dale Armstrong III, Corey Bellezza, Alexander Bennett, Jacob Burleson, Tyler Dreschel, Eachen Hoffrichter,
Joseph McCrea, Riley Russ, Landon Williams, and Rosa Wilson.

ADVANCED GALLEY OPERATIONS – Graduated August 25 (above, in alphabetical order): Alvinmar
Aldana, Evelyn Cruz, Preeyapha Kaisaard, Randy Madrid, Dee Anne Merriman, Marcelino Pabito, and Anthony
Roman.

ADVANCED REFER CONTAINER MAINTENANCE – Graduated August 11 (above, in alphabetical
order): Abdulaziz Alsinai, Michael Clark, Francois Doucet III, Wordell Prescott, Ahmed Sharif and Anatoli
Vetsinov. Instructor Mike Fay is also pictured.

CHIEF COOK ASSESSMENT PROGRAM – Graduated August 25 (above, in alphabetical order):
Donald Harwerth, Colby Neal, Dorothy Samuel-Harris, Herbie Soliveres and Travis Welch.

BT - UP PERSONAL SAFETY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES – Graduated August 11 (above, in
alphabetical order): Jesse Funk, Jennifer Houston, Colby Neal, and Herbie Soliveres.

BT - UP PERSONAL SAFETY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES – Graduated September 1 (above,
in alphabetical order): Les Eckert, Marvette Gallop and Timothy Heil.

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 18 9/21/23 10:06 AM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1918 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 19OCTOBER 2023

CERTIFIED CHIEF COOK – Graduated August 11 (above, in alphabetical order): Darryl Dewitt, Carlos
Gomez Hernandez, Walter Lewis and Brittany Ruffin.

CERTIFIED CHIEF COOK – Graduated August 11 (above, in alphabetical order): La'Quay Shack, Kimberly
Vargas, Isis Vasquez-Soto, and Dominique Wesley.

GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduated August 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Kevin Brown, Eshrak
Dewan, Vernon Humbles, Deidra Hunter, Christopher King, Khalid Mohammed, Dana Naze, Jacob Nickel,
Jennifer Ramirez, Corey Reseburg, Peter Paul Soriano, and Oscar Jan Vencer III. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduated September 1 (above, in alphabetical order) Jonathan Bennett, Walter
Bonifacio, Danilo Fullante, Grace Hilgendorf-Sanchez, Nadine Nomed-Ryf, Robert Oconnell Jr., Marcelino Pabito,
Arnedo Paredes Jr., Nicholas Sampson, Kevin Willis, Paul Woods Jr., and Seamus Woods. (Note: Not all are
pictured.)

GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduated August 18 (above, in alphabetical order): Larry Calixto, Eric
Chapman, Laurentis Colbert, Marvette Gallop, Janelle Harper, Robert Johnson, Eurico Liboon, Helen Martinez,
Michael Pockat II, Mario Siclot, and Christopher Torres. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

SMALL ARMS – Graduated August 24 (above, in alphabetical order): Ronnie Brickhouse, Leroy Chatman,
Mark Kim Cordova, Hector Cumba Concepcion, Timothy Heil, Christopher Janics, Lilia Ka'ai'ai, Lucas
Tiderman and Christopher Torres. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

TANK SHIP FAM DL – Graduated August 18 (above, in alphabetical order): Alexander Bennett, Eshrak
Dewan, Louis Ferrigno, Montree Nakwichet, Johnathan Radzewicz, Seamus Woods and James Zaro.

WELDING & METALLURGY – Graduated August 4: Alexia Villaescusa. Instructor Chris Raley is also
pictured (right).

TANK SHIP FAM DL – Graduated August 18 (above, in alphabetical order): Scarlett Amburgey, Vincent
Chavez, Cody Higgs, Jean Joazil, San Maung, James Stanford, Dacobi Timmons, David Uluocha and Jose
Velasquez. Instructor Dominic Hix is also pictured.

WATER SURVIVAL (LIFEBOATMAN) – Graduated August 11 (above, in alphabetical order): John
Bertucci, Noel Gay and James Stanford. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

Paul Hall Center Class Photos

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 19 9/21/23 10:06 AM



OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION — ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS, AFL-CIO

SEAFARERS LOG
OCTOBER 2023 VOLUME 85, NO. 10

Seafarers Show Solidarity
The labor movement coordinated a national “Day of Action”

on Aug. 22 to support the Screen Actors Guild – American Fed-
eration of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the
Writers Guild of America (WGA) in their strike against the major
television and movie studios. Rallies took place in five major
American cities (Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia
and Chicago), with SIU personnel present at three of the events.

Seafarers took to the streets in Philadelphia, New York, and
Chicago. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond partici-

pated in the Chicago demonstration, while AFL-CIO President
Liz Shuler attended the Atlanta rally.

While the SAG-AFTRA and WGA disputes are separate
strikes, the two unions’ concerns about the entertainment
industry are largely aligned. In addition to the plain greed of the
studio executives, the unions object to meager residuals from
streaming services and artificial intelligence usurping their
likenesses. To make matters worse, the studios have repeatedly
stalled negotiations, the unions say.

Labor has vociferously defended both unions throughout
the duration of the strikes, with representatives from many
unions standing on the picket lines in New York and Los Ange-
les. The AFL-CIO Executive Board (SIU President David Heindel
is a member) received an extensive briefing on the strikes at
their last gathering this summer; the Board also posed for a
group photo with strike support signs in solidarity with the
actors and writers hitting the bricks.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond updates rallygoers in Chicago.

Turning out in New York are (standing, from left) SIU Jersey City
Port Agent Ray Henderson, UIW Representative Jordan Esopa,
Chief Cook Mike Adorno, SIU Patrolman Terry Montgomery and
(front) SIU Port Administrative Assistant Danisha Feliciano.

The Philadelphia attendees included (from left) SIU Port Administrative
Assistant Sam Irizarry, SIU Safety Director Andre MacCray, SIU Port Agent
Joe Baselice, Delaware Valley and Vicinity Port Maritime Council President
Scott Reeves, and SIU member AB Ryan Drummond.

Some of the SIU contingent and other backers are pictured at the Chicago event.

SA Ronald Pattiasina joins in the New York gathering.

Demonstrating their support in Philly are (from left) IATSE VP Mike Barns, City Council member Jim Harrity,
SIU Port Agent Joe Baselice, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO President Danny Bauder and SIU Port Administrative
Assistant Sam Irizarry.

Chief Cook Mike Adorno in New York

79209_October_2023_LOG.indd 20 9/21/23 7:06 PM