23 32 1900 http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/1daecec3d14d451442edc5b066e824e7.pdf 074d88b76367a476580b8780c8406db5 PDF Text Text Volume 61 Maritime in Congress Senator Lott Renews Call For Strong U.S.-Flag Fleet Number 2 NY Ferry Crew Saves Man _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 4 Norfolk SIU Hall Gets Facelift _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 4 House Coast Guard Chair Gilchrest Will Not Have Jones Act Hearings .Members React to NMU Affiliation _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 5 TAX TIPS FOR MARINERS-Pages12-13 �President's Report Terrorism at Sea Historically, piracy has been about theft and controlling sea lanes. In fact, it is defined as the robbery of ships on the high seas. But while that may have been the case centuries ago, piracy today has become outright terrorism. For a horrifying example, look no further than the Panamanian cargo ship Cheung Son that was hijacked near Hong Kong late last year. All 23 crew members reportedly were killed by the seven men who used a speed boat to intercept the vessel. The criminals actually held a party, complete with photos, to "celebrate" the event. Michael Sacco Unfortunately, this is not an isolated example. As the South China Morning Post reported, the Cheung Son case "is believed to be the ninth incident involving pirates hijacking and often murdering crews in the South China Sea in the past year." Indeed, figures released by international maritime and news organizations reveal that hundreds of mariners are taken hostage each year; dozens have been killed, on average, in the late 1990s. As one international monitoring group put it, "Modem piracy is violent, bloody and ruthless." Reports such as these are coming into the International Transport Workers Federation on a regular basis. The ITF consists of more than 500 transportation-related unions-including the SIU-from around the world. It is monitoring the increasing attacks on vessels and their crews, many of which are happening in the waters off southeast Asia since the Asian economic crisis began making headlines last year. Most of the attacks have occurred aboard smaller commercial vessels with under-trained, undermanned crews. However, the assaults are not limited to that particular part of the world. Pirate attacks can occur any place where defenses are weak and vessels are vulnerable. The Maritime Administration (MarAd) recently issued a statement noting, "Hostile actions directed at merchant shipping are a present and growing problem. These hostile actions include piracy, theft and terrorism." Crew members aren't the only ones endangered by shipboard terrorists. Last fall, 12 Indonesian pirates hijacked the Malaysian-registered tanker Petro Ranger which was loaded with 11,000 tons of fuel cargo. Imagine what would happen if a ship like that crashed into a port while the pirates were doing their misdeeds. Picture the takeover of a vessel carrying a nation's energy needs for vital industries, and what would occur if it rammed into shore. There is no doubt that the chances of an accident skyrocket while a ship is under attack. Pirates often leave fully laden vessels under way and without navigational command. Even the transfer of stolen cargo, like that aboard the Petro Ranger, poses an environmental threat. Seafarers know that it takes training and a steady hand to do tanker operations. How well-trained or calm is a terrorist when he tries to conduct fuel transfers while holding a ship hostage? MarAd lists a number of countermeasures that have been used to combat piracy. Without reciting them here, I'll guarantee that in order for those tactics to consistently be effective, they require well-trained crews. Not the kind found on runaway-flag vessels, many of whom buy their documents and have no business sailing aboard any ship. But instead, the kind of reliable, experienced mariners that compose the SIU. In fact, to make sure Seafarers are prepared to meet such a challenge, the Paul Hall Center recently expanded its curriculum so all members upgrading receive anti-terrorism training. Members who sail aboard ships contracted to the Military Sealift Command already have been receiving anti-terrorism training both at the school and aboard their vessels. These lessons provide SIU members with the basics needed to fend for themselves at sea as well as ashore. Recently, the government ordered all of its personnel who work overseas to have anti-terrorism training. The SIU is going even further. No matter if a Seafarer works aboard a government-contracted or -operated vessel or one sailing under a standard agreement, the union wants to make sure our members can take care of themselves in case an unfortunate, unexpected incident arises. We also must face the reality of possible threats to vessels through biological and chemical attacks. Already, Paul Hall Center instructors have received their certification in preparation to teach Seafarers how to deal with such dangers. We can only imagine how such a threat would be received by an untrained, unknowing crew. The SIU always has been concerned with the safety and well-being of its members, and the ships on which they sail. Through vital training such as the anti-terrorism class, the union through the Paul Hall Center continues to prepare Seafarers for the challenges and rigors of the next century. Volume 611 Number 2 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org February 1999 The Seafarers WG (ISSN I086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 8990675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers WG, 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Daniel Duncan; Managing Editor, Jordan Biscardo; Associate Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Copyright © 1999 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG Mercer Retires After 50 Years of Service; Mangram Named as New I/ice President After more than 50 years of service as a mariner and union official, Roy "Buck" Mercer announced his retirement as vice president of the SIU Government Services Division. The union's executive board has appointed Kennett Mangram to fill Mercer's position. Mercer, 76, is the only person to have held the position of Government Services vice president. The post was created in 1985 shortly after the old Military Sea Transport Union (MSTU) merged into the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District following a vote by the membership. The Washington native began his seafaring career in 1942, mak- Roy "Buck" Mercer Kermett Mangram North America. He continued to work from the division's headquarters in San Francisco. "Buck Mercer has done a port agent there in 1987. Mangram was named by the SIU executive board in 1992 as assistant vice president for con- ing one trip as a messman aboard wonderful job for this union and tracts and contract enforcement. the Anny Transport Service vessel General Gorgus. He then joined the Marine Cooks & Stewards in Seattle and worked his way up the galley ladder, eventually becoming a chief steward in 1948. Mercer continued to sail until 1956 "when Ed Turner pulled me off the Permanente Silverbow and made me a patrolman." He held that position in Seattle into 1961 when he was transferred to San Francisco. Soon thereafter, Mercer was named an organizer for the MSTU. By 1963, he was secretary-treasurer for the MSTU. He held that position until the merger was completed. During the 1970s, Mercer became a vice president for the Seafarers International Union of the members," noted SIU President Michael Sacco. "No matter what he was asked to dofrom organizing to handling a member's special need-he did it well and gave 100 percent. "All of us in the SIU owe Buck a tremendous debt of gratitude. He will be missed, but I have every confidence that Kermett Mangram will be able to fill the tremendous shoes left by Buck." Mangram is a graduate of class 259 from the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. His first assignment was aboard the Sea-Ltznd Seattle as a steward assistant in 1978. The Jacksonville, Fla. native came ashore in 1980 as a union education instructor at the school. He became a patrolman in the port of New York in 1981, then He was reelected to the post in 1996. The 44-year-old holds a bachelor's degree in business administration. He will be based in Norfolk, Va. where the Military Sealift Command (MSC) is consolidating its operations. (The Government Services Division represents unlicensed crew members aboard MSC-Pacific Fleet vessels.) Port Representative Chet Wheeler will continue to serve the members in San Francisco. Under Article X, Sections lG) and 13 of the Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District constitution, the president has the power to fill openings created by retirements between elections with the support of the executive board. Gore Announces Funding for NY/NJ Dredging The long-awaited dredging project at the port of New York and New Jersey-actively backed by the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department-may begin as early as March, following last month's assurances from Vice President Al Gore that the five-year assignment will receive federal funding. Gore led the announcement of what has been dubbed a joint project cooperation agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the port authority. The pact paves the way for $733 million in total funding, with 75 percent coming from the federal government and 25 percent from the port authority. "President Clinton and I are committed to keeping our nation's ports competitive, and the port of New York and New Jersey is an economic engine for this entire region," the vice president said during the January 13 announcement in Port Elizabeth, N.J. "This funding, and our new partnership with the port authority will help prepare this port for a new generation of ships, keeping the port competitive and port jobs secure." The project is designed to deepen the Kill van Kull and Newark Bay channels to 45 feet (from their current depth of 40 feet). This will enable port access for many or all of the modern container vessels that require more than a 40-foot clearance. Maritime Administrator Clyde Hart said the project "demonstrates what can be accomplished when the White House provides strong leadership, when a bipartisan coalition comes together to get something done, and when federal agencies are willing to work together. The result will be continued economic growth and more jo~s for the port and for the metropolitan New York ·and New Jersey region." The SIU along with MTD affiliates the International Longshoremen's Association and the International Union of Operating Engineers have worked for years to clear the various legislative, governmental and environmental hurdles to allow dredging to happen. Name the Training 'Vessel' At the Fire Fighting School Take off those helmets, roll up the hoses and get your thinking caps on! A contest is being conducted to name the "vessel" at the new Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting School. The "vessel" actually is one of the buildings under construction at the facility. It is known as the burn building, where Seafarers will take basic and advanced fire fighting to learn firsthand how to battle blazes. Training aboard the "vessel" can be set up for a passenger ship, a ship's galley, an engine room, a tugboat, etc. The "vessel" will need a name when the school opens later this spring. The contest is limited to active and retired Seafarers, who may submit up to three names. The names must be received no later than April 10, 1999 for consideration. Examples of possible names are the SS Never Sail or the MV Inferno. (No obscene or foul sounding submissions will be accepted.) The judges' decision will be final. In case the same name is submitted and selected for the "vessel," the entry with the earliest postmark will be declared the winner. One grand prize and five runner-up awards will be offered. The grand prize winner will receive a ship's wheel and be invited to christen the "vessel" at the openin$J of the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting School. Accommodations and travel expenses will be included. The five runners-up will receive SIU jackets. Winners will be announced in the May issue of the Seafarers LOG. Entries should be sent to Name the Vessel Contest, Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 1999 �Press Takes Notice of Runaways NY Times Lead Story Epitomizes Wave of Coverage Publicizing the plague of runaway-flag shipping is one of the main goals of the worldwide tour being conducted by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) exhibition ship Global Mariner. As the vessel resumes its North American itinerary next month on the West Coast, it brings a solid record of generating substantial U.S. media coverage. In recent months, newspapers including The New York Times, Baltimore Sun, Houston Chronicle, New Orleans Times-Picayune and many others have spotlighted the issue of runaway-flag shipping. Network television news Jim Given, ITF inspector with the SIU of Canada, is interviewed by a television reporter covering a recent runaway-flag case in Montreal. affiliates also have covered the story. Still, the print media have done the most extensive job in exposing the runaway-flag scam-in several instances publishing stories about actual cases, and not just about the Global Mariner. The depth of the coverage particularly was evident on January 3, when the Sunday New York Times-one of the most widely read newspapers in North America-published a front-page story on the fleet-wide conspiracy of Royal Caribbean Cruises. That article, which details the repeated and deliberate environmental crimes committed by Royal Caribbean (for which the company was fined a record $9 million), includes a nearly fullpage jump. It points out that Miami-based Senate Majority Leader Renews Call for Strong U.S.-Flag Fleet Editor's note: Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott ( R-Miss.) renewed his longtime commitment to the U.S.-flag merchant fleet with a statement published in the January 25 edition of the Congressional Record, the official daily chronicle of action taken in both the Senate and House of Representatives. As majority leader, Lott is the highest ranking member of the Senate and sets the agenda that body will follow. Printed below is the complete transcript of his statement, entitled "Increasing U.S. Maritime Competitiveness." (Mentions of "Mr. President" refer to the presiding officer of the Senate, not President Clinton.) Sen. Trent Lott (A-Miss.) calls on his fellow legislators and the White House to make U.S. maritime more competitive in the world market. Congressional and administrative action is needed to strengthen the U.S. maritime industry and level the playing field in the international shipping arena. This vital industry serves our nation's security by providing essential elements of our sealift capability-loyal crews and commercial ships. This sealift capability is required to project and sustain power abroad and preserve U.S. access to world trade. Two hundred years ago, protecting the U.S. merchant marine was one of the Navy's important missions. Today, the threat to the U.S. maritime industry is just as real. It may not come from February 1999 Barbary pirates, but the competitive disadvantages imposed both by this country and other countries are just as dangerous. Mr. President, the U.S. maritime industry has been the world leader in innovation over the last 30 years. It had to be because it competes in the world arena with one hand tied behind its back. International maritime trade has become increasingly dominated by foreign flags of convenience. A number of small countries have decided to generate revenue by creating ship registries and tax havens that impose few responsibilities or costs on their users. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in poor compliance with international safety standards and evasion of pollution liability. Continued on page 6 Royal Caribbean registers its ships in Norway and Liberia. By doing so, "Royal Caribbean saves approximately $30 million a year in United States taxes," states the story, written by Douglas Frantz. "We think the Global Mariner contributes to the publication of stories like these," said an I1F spokesperson. "The Royal Caribbean article is newsworthy because of the pollution incidents alone, but the paper goes far beyond that and really examines the issue of runaway flags and laws governing the sea." Other coverage has focused on cargo ships, such as the Argentine-flag tanker Campo Duran. On December 29, the Baltimore Sun reported that the Greek-owned ship had been detained by U.S. Coast Guard officials there because of numerous safety problems. "One of the Campo Duran's main engines doesn't work and the ship can't produce fresh water for drinking and bathing," reported Robert Little in the paper. "The ship also is leaking oil into its bilge so profusely that one of its cargo holds was converted to a slop tank, and the water separator required to clean the bilge doesn't work .... "After several more days of inspections, the Coast Guard found that the Campo Duran's radar plotting system didn't work, its emergency towing system was sitting on the stern uninstalled and one of its lifeboats was blocked in by 55-gallon drums House Maritime Chair Says He Won't Consider Jones Act in New Congress Even with all the other activities taking place on Capitol Hill since the first of the year, the Jones Act has found a way to make the headlines as the 106th Congress begins its work. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (RMd.), chairman of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, last month told a Maritime Administration-sponsored conference, "I don't intend to deal with the Jones Act in any overt way over the next two-year period. Our plate is full." The subcommittee has jurisdiction over a number of maritime issues, along with the House Armed Service Committee. Among these are the nation's cabotage laws, which include the Jones Act. Part of the 1920 Merchant Marine Act, the Jones Act states that all cargo moved between two American ports has to be carried aboard U.S.-flag, U.S.-built and U.S.crewed vessels. In the last session of Congress, a bipartisan group of more than 240 members of the House of Representatives signed a resolution reaffirming their support for the nation's freight cabotage law. However, the passenger aspect of the cabotage law, the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886, is drawing some attention in both the House and Senate. Gilchrest noted he would "take a close look" at legislation being proposed to amend, or possibly scuttle, the passenger cabotage law. As the Seafarers LOG went to press, one bill to allow foreignflag cruise ships into the domestic trade had been introduced into the House. H.R. 248, offered by Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), is similar to legislation that came before the Senate during the last Congress. That measure, known as the United States Cruise Tourism Act, was opposed by the SIU because it would open all U.S. deep sea shorelines to foreign-flag cruise ships for domestic voyages. The Senate Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill, but no further action was taken. A Senate version of H.R. 248 is expected to be reintroduced soon. The chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (which oversees the subcommittee), John McCain (R-Ariz.), stated before the last Congress adjourned that he would hold hearings during the t06th Congress on the Passenger Vessel Services Act. Other Issues Cabotage is not the only maritime issue of interest on Capitol Hill. Members of Congress are working with the Clinton administration to find a way to pay for the dredging required by many harbors. With containerships needing deeper drafts and the present sea lanes filling with silt and other particles, some ports may no longer be navigable in the near future. Dredging will be needed to stay operational, but the system to pay for it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court almost a year ago. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90) may be the subject of a hearing during this session. Gilchrest said his subcommittee could meet to see if the law passed in the wake of the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989 is in need of updating or modification. Another item of interest is a review of the ad valorem tax charged to U.S.-flag shipowners who have non-emergency repairs performed in foreign yards. The SIU will monitor the legislative activity in Congress and update members as bills are introduced. Committee Chairs Usted Meanwhile, both the House and Senate have announced their committee and subcommittee chairmen for the 106th Congress. Regarding the groups that oversee maritime issues, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee again will be headed by Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.). The ranking minority party member will be Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.). As noted earlier, Gilchrest will chair the committee's Coast Touring the ITF Global Mariner in Puerto Rico are (from left) SIU Patrolman Victor Nunez, Cardinal Aponte Martinez and ITF Director John A. Sansone Jr. The cardinal devoted his weekly television show to the cause of runaways. stacked on the deck. The ship has no heat, some of its toilets are filled with waste and crew members were living in an area that was supposed to serve as the ship's hospital." Similarly, the Navy Times (an independent publication) in its December 21 edition recounted the tale of the Pakistani-flagged Delta Pride. The shipowner, Star Shipping Lines of Greece, reportedly went bankrupt sometime last year. As a result, crew members were stranded aboard the vessel in the Gulf of Mexico for more than five months. They were not paid for 18 months. Navy Times staff writer Adam Katz-Stone reported that sanitary conditions on the vessel were predictably poor, and many of the mariners had scabies and lice. Other newspapers covering the runaway-flag fraud in recent months include The Miami Continued on page 5 Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) replaces Rep. Bob Clement (DTenn.) as the ranking minority member. There will be no changes in the leadership of the House Armed Services Committee, formerly known as the National Security Committee. The chair remains Rep. Aoyd Spence (R-S.C.), and Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) stays as the ranking minority member. Rep. Herbert Bateman (R-Va.) will oversee both the Military Readiness Subcommittee and the Merchant Marine Panel. Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas) continues as the subcommittee's ranking minority member. On the Senate side, McCain retains the helm of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee with Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) remaining the ranking minority member. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) stay as the chair and ranking minority member, respectively, of the committee's Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee. Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) replaces Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) as the head of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Michigan's Carl Levin again will be the ranking Democratic member. Sen. Olympia Snowe (RMaine) takes Warner's seat as the chair of the committee's Seapower Subcommittee while Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) stays as the ranking minority member. Seafarers LOii 3 �Union Workers Give Facelift To SIU's Norfolk Ha Beginning this month, when Seafarers go to the SIU hall in Norfolk, Va., they may notice a number of improvements to the 35-year-old building. Union contractors from the IBEW, Bricklayers and Roofers started working on the Norfolk hall last November. In January they completed the job, which included brick replacement and repair, window sealing, new interior lights and ceiling tiles, a fresh paint job and other general repairs. "All of the work was a product of the hall's age," noted Port Agent Jim Malone. "It's mostly routine upkeep, but the union workers did a good job and the ha11 is considerably improved." The exterior work was delayed by severe weather that hit the area in December and January. The hall opened in 1964. ·~:2 -·'::_ ~ . ' GOOD AS NEW? General upkeep and repair work has the SIU's Norfolk, Va. hall in good shape, much like when the building first opened in 1964 (inset). ABOVE: Port Agent Jim Malone handles the paperwork of AB Brock Booker (left) and Recertified Bosun Robert Lindsay. BELOW: SIU VP Government Services Kermett Mangram (seated) is greeted by Chief Cook Mulai Ismael. New light fixtures and ceiling tiles, along with brick replacement and repair were among the improvements made at the hall. Rescue Heroes SIU Ferry Crew Saves 'Suicide Swimmer' Rescues at sea aren't exactly commonplace, but to some extent they go with the territorywhether that area is the deep sea, Great Lakes or inland waterways. What stands out about the December 18 rescue executed by Seafarers Steve Leschinski, Richard Lanzo and Elhadji Ndiaye of the NY Waterway passenger ferry Henry Hudson is that the man they saved from the frigid Hudson River fervently resisted their help. Nevertheless, the Seafarers pulled him to safety and no one was seriously injured in the December 18 incident. "It is clear that all of you acted above and beyond the call of duty during this event, by putting concern for your life aside while rescuing someone who fought back!" said NY Waterway official Russell Bostock in a letter to the three SIU members. Dubbed the 'suicide swimmer' by the New York Post, local resident Cheng Guo Seng-wearing only a pair of jeans-had jumped into the river from an elevated embankment in an attempt to drown himself. Someone in a smaller boat spotted Seng and then contacted the comparably 4 Seafarers LOG large Henry Hudson by radio, with the ferry bareI y 100 feet from Battery Park City. Captain Leschinski quickly maneuvered the ferry (which was carrying about 50 passengers) near Seng, and Deckhands Lanzo and Ndiaye readied the "man overboard" ladder. Lanzo de- scended the ladder and grabbed Seng's wrist. "He was fighting us off hard," Lanzo stated. Two passengers then offered to steady the ladder so that Ndiaye could assist Lanzo. The struggle continued for several minutes, but the deckhands eventually managed to get Seng into a rowboat that had arrived to help in the rescue. SIU Vice President Atlantic Coast Jack Caffey sent a congratulatory letter to the crew "for your heroic efforts and a job well done." Neither frigid water nor the resistance of an imperiled 'suicide swimmer' prevented Seafarers (from left) Richard Lanzo, Steve Leschinski and Elhadji Ndiaye from bringing the man to safety. Global Sentinel Aids Accident Victim Alaskan Man Bears Grizzly Experience (Editor's note: Chief Steward Shawn "Fuji" Fujiwara submitted the fallowing article to the Seafarers LOG.) Recently, the cable ship Global Sentinel was on a mission to lay the cable system known as Alaska-United-a 2,300-mile fiber-optic assemblage that will connect the cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska with Seattle via the Alaskan ports of Whittier and Valdez. The ship made an unscheduled stop October 22 for repairs in the port of Seward, Alaska. There, the crew learned through an area newspaper that a local man had been attacked by a grizzly bear. Crew members then started a second mission: a donation drive for the accident victim, Karl Backlund. Very quickly, the crew raised more than $500 to help the man and his family, as they had no insurance. The victim's wife and children were given a tour of the ship, and they showed their gratitude by giving the crew some mooS'e meat. According to the press account, Mr. and Mrs. Backlund and family (incJuding their four children and two adult relatives) had been hiking near their home about a week earlier. Mrs. Backlund and the kids at some point returned home while Karl, his sister and her husband continued hiking. Suddenly, a grizzly seemingly caine from nowhere and lunged at Karl. The big bear gnawed at Backlund's head. Karl was flown by helicopter to an Anchorage hospital, where he underwent four hours of surgery to repair facial damage. Surgeons also removed a broken bear incisor from above his right eye socket. At this wntmg in late December, Karl is home and recovering from his ordeal. The crew of the Global Sentinel all wish him a quick recovery. The Global Sentinel is one of five ships operated by Transoceanic Cableship Co., a subsidiary of Tyco International. Postscript: News of the attack and the crew's generosity spread quickly in Alaska, both in newspapers and on the airwaves. When the ship docked in Juneau November 9, local residents stopped by and asked if the stories were true. Many thanked the crew for their generosity. - Shawn Fujiwara February 1999 �Clinton Lists Saving Social Security as Tap Priority Thanks to President Clinton's State of the Union address on January 19, the effort to protect Social Security well into the next century is now before the American people and the Congress for national debate. The president stated the need to preserve the federal program as his highest priority and called on the legislators to use the federal budget surplus to bolster the program. "First and above all, we must save Social Security for the 21st century," he told the members of Congress in his nationally televised address. "The best way to keep Social Security a rock solid guarantee is not to make drastic cuts in benefits; not to raise payro11 taxes; not to drain resources from Social Security in the name of saving it." He presented an outline to use projected budget surpluses over the next 15 years to shore up the federal retirement, survivors and disability program. The president called for bipartisan support "in saying to the American people, we will save Social Security now." His outline drew on many of the same guidelines set forth by the AFL-CIO last August. These Steel Crisis Continues Concerned that the administration's plan to stem the flood of dumped imported steel doesn't go far enough, the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) reportedly will tum to Congress for support. USWA President George Becker described President Clinton's January 7 report to Congress on the surge in steel imports as "very disappointing, for while it recognizes that there is a serious problem, it does not outline any new initiative other than a proposal that Congress pass $300 million in tax breaks for the steel companies and provide heightened attention to the processing of trade adjustment cases." In a letter to the White House, Becker declared, "All key steel producing countries must immediately commit to fully reduce all of their steel exports to pre-crisis levels (July 1997) and the administration must hold all of them to this commitment. Without such a comprehensive approach, steel will be shifted among products and countries, thus nullifying the value of any relief." Apparently, the union will appeal to lawmakers from steel-producing states to see that such reductions take place. Meanwhile, an industry coalition that includes labor and management reports that the surge in steel imports-which reached unprecedented levels last year-already has led to more than 10,000 layoffs and several companies going bankrupt. SIU members sailing on the Great Lakes have felt the impact, as early layups (through December) had accounted for more lost sailing days compared to 1997-despite an unusual dearth of ice in the region. For example, the SIU-crewed Charles Wilson sailed 28 fewer days this past season compared with the prior one. (Many Lakes vessels transport raw materials used to manufacture steel.) Runaways Spotlighted by Press Continued from page 3 Herald, The (Savannah) Georgia Guardian, The (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun-Sentinel, the Savannah (Ga.) Morning News, the Virginian Pilot and the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch. Additionally, industry publications such as the Journal of Commerce, Traffic World, Lloyd's List and others have covered cases of runaway-flag ships and the ITF's campaign against such shipping. The SIU, one of the more than 500 worldwide ITF affiliates, has long been active in the campaign against runaway-flag shipping. Also known as flag-of-convenience vessels, runaway-flag ships are carriers operating under the flag of one nation, yet owned by a citizen or citizens of another country. Financially strapped nations sell the use of their flag to shipowners, who register tonnage in those countries in order to meet less stringent labor, safety, regulatory and tax standards than if that vessel were registered in the owner's resident nation. ITF Global Mariner Schedule of Upcoming U.S. Ports Arrival Departure March 4 March 8 San Francisco March 18 March 22 Portland March 24 March 28 Seattle March 30 April 5 Tacoma April 6 April 9 Port Los Angeles •• Members of the Apostleship of the Sea-Diocese of Beaumont, Texas visited the ITPs Global Mariner last fall in Houston, where they delivered reading material and other items. Pictured here (from left) are a crew member, retired SIU Bosun Angel Figueroa and two retired NMU members. February 'I 999 included the use of money from a government budget surplus to save Social Security rather than provide tax cuts, no cut in benefits and an assurance that the program will continue to serve those for whom it was intended when created in 1935. Immediately after the address, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said Clinton's presentation drew "a big cheer from working families. Using the federal budget surplus to do this returns the benefits of the strong economy to the people whose hard work made it possible. "We are especially pleased with the president's strong opposition to replacing our nation's most important family protection program with private accounts, and his commitment to strengthen Social Security for the next century," added the head of the national federation of labor. To back its conviction against privatizing Social Security, a representative of the AFL-CIO told the Senate Budget Committee on January 22 that proposals being offered to create individual investment accounts in the place of the federal program would "diminish protections that workers now have and would place working families in an even more precarious situation. The AFLCIO and its affiliate unions strongly oppose replacing any part of the Social Security system with individual accounts." The labor federation pointed out Social Security provides two out of every three older households with half or more of their retirement income. Regarding pensions helping with income, the AFL-CIO noted less than half of all older American households draw any pension benefits from past employers and only two of every five workers today are covered by a pension plan. "Social Security is the one part of our retirement income system that is actually working for everybody," the labor federation stated. "If Social Security is to changeand changes are necessary to make sure Social Security will be able to pay an benefits in the future-those changes must not jeopardize the system's capacity to provide workers with a guaranteed foundation of retirement security, nor must they undermine its family protections." Nearly 44 million people receive Social Security benefits. Almost one-third (14 million) are disabled or surviving family members. Both the Senate and House of Representatives will review and debate what to do about Social Security as the I06th Congress begins its two-year legislative session. Sealarers Say Time Has Come For SIUNA-NMU Al liliation Longtime Members See Alliance Benefiting All Unions Reaction from Seafarers to the new affiliation between the SIUNA and the NMU is full speed ahead, based on conversations by Seafarers LOG reporters with members around the country. At SIU halls and aboard ships, Seafarers described the affiliation as a positive step for the entire U.S. maritime industry. "I think it will help all maritime unions," said AB Burlin Pinion, a 35-year member of the SIU, while on watch aboard the USNS Soderman in Norfolk, Va. "The affiliation gives us more strength in negotiations and will result in better contracts in the future. "It's a positive move." At the Baltimore SIU hall, AB George Oberle pointed out that affiliation talks "were brought up many years ago, and I wish it had happened back then. This increases the size of our international union and it's a good move." A few Seafarers expressed hesitancy about the affiliation, pointing out the often contentious and sometimes violent history between the SIU and the NMU. But Recertified Bosun Billie Darley, who took part in some waterfront battles, said the time has come for this alliance. "They're a brotherhood of the sea, too. Anything we can do to help their progress, we should do," Darley said at the Jacksonville, Fla. hall. In San Francisco, chief cook and former Marine Cooks & Stewards member Jim Saxton said he knows from experience that affiliations can benefit all concerned parties. (The MC&S affiliated with the SIUNA in 1953, and it later merged with the SIU's Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District in 1978.) "We needed this affiliation, for the simple reason that once all unlicensed unions are under one banner, we have more bargaining power. What are those old sayings? Divide and conquer, and united we stand." The affiliation was signed on December 10 and announced in last month's Seafarers LOG. It means that all the major U.S. unlicensed unions now are part of the same organization, the SIUNA. The agreement also brought an end to 60 years of fighting between the SIUNA and the NMU. News that the organizations were talking about a possible affiliation was first announced in March when the NMU held its constitutional convention on the grounds of the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. The NMU delegates approved a resolution that stated "some form of affiliation eventually leading to a merger with another maritime union would be in the best interest of the membership." Under the terms of the affiliation, the SIUNA and NMU will work together to improve the working and safety conditions aboard U.S.-flag ships. The organizations also will undertake to establish a joint training program to prepare their members for the tasks facing them in the next century. Like the other maritime unions in the SIUNA, the NMU will remain an auto~omous union that elects its own officials, negotiates its own contracts and oversees its own pension and welfare plans. With the addition of the NMU, the SIUNA is composed of 18 autonomous unions which represent more than 80,000 working men and women in such varied occupations as mariners, government employees, manufacturers, cannery workers and more. Paperworkers, Chemical Workers Merge A new merger between trade unions, approved last month in Las Vegas, will unite 320,000 workers across key sectors of American industry. "I am proud and honored that the members of the United Paperworkers International Union (UPIU) and the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW) have joined forces in a strong new union," said Boyd Young, formerly president of the UPIU and now the first president of the merged organization. The new union is called PACE, the Paper, Allied- Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union. "We chose this name because it represents all our members, including those from the Allied Industrial Workers (AIW)," said Young. The AIW merged into the UPIU in 1994. OCAW President Robert Wages is now the executive vice president of PACE. "When the merger discussions started with the UPIU, President Young and I committed to a basic premise," said Wages. "We were not interested in merging for the sake of being larger; we were interested in ere- ating a new, more powerful and progressive union prepared to do the work our membership expects." The UPIU and the AIW bring PACE members in pulp, paper, automobile parts, appliance manufacturing and a wide variety of other industries. Cement workers from the Independent Workers of North America affiliated with the UPIU in 1991. The OCAW's contribution includes members in oil, chemical manufacturing, nuclear energy, pharmaceuticals and a variety of related industries. Seafarers LOG 5 �Avondale, Newport News Merger May Be Breakthrough for Workers AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department Is Cautiously Optimistic The multi-million dollar merger announced last month between Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding and New Orleans-based Avondale Industries may spell a positive conclusion to the five-and-a-halfyear fight for union representation at Avondale. Workers at Newport News are represented by the Steelworkers. Workers at Avondale voted for union representation in June 1993, but the company has slithered around judges' orders to negotiate a first contract, tossing up countless delays to deny that representation. A spokesperson for the Justice at Avondale campaign, which is coordinated by the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department, said they are cautiously optimistic the merger will signal the end of Avondale's refusal to negotiate. The agreement between the shipyards has been described as a corporate merger that will leave each facility physically unchanged, although they will share the name Newport News Avondale Industries. No layoffs are expected, as the yards together face a $6 billion backlog. Newport News Shipbuilding Chairman and CEO William Fricks is expected to head the new entity, and officials from Newport News Shipbuilding reportedly will control seven of the 10 seats on the new board of directors. Fricks told a Virginia newspaper that he expects a resolution to the question of union representation at Avondale. Meanwhile, attorneys representing the Avondale workers and the unions involved in the saga anxiously were awaiting filings from the shipyard to the government required to expedite the merger. (Stockholders also must okay the deal, expected to be finalized in the second quarter of this year.) It is hoped that those filings will hasten a first union contract at Avondale. The Metal Trades Department issued the following statement after the merger was announced January 20: "We are hopeful that the announced merger between Avondale Industries and Newport News Shipbuilding is good news for the Avondale workers who have fought for fair treatment and respect for so long. "The workers voted for a union five years ago in order to do better for themselves and their families. They won the right to sit down and negotiate a union con- Sen. Lott Calls tar Strang U.S.-Flag Fleet Continued from page 3 America's fleet meets the most stringent safety standards and operates in a higher tax environment, and has steadily lost ground to these flag-convenience fleets. This situation is reaching the point where the U.S. commercial fleet's ability to meet our national security requirements may soon be in jeopardy. Mr. President, the solution to this problem has two parts. First, we must hold other countries accountable for providing reciprocity in access to maritime trade and meeting international standards for vessel safety, crew training and preventing pollution. The United States places very few restrictions on the use of our ports to facilitate international trade. Some countries, such as China, however, have imposed unfair burdens on United States and other foreign vessels conducting business there in an effort to protect their own businesses. The FMC, under Chairman Hal Creel's leadership, appropriately moved to head off problems in Japan's ports during the 105th Congress and is increasingly concerned about the situations in China and Brazil. While our nation encourages open competition in the commercial maritime sector, America only demands that it be fair and meet minimum standards for protecting our environment and our citizens. However, as a January 3, 1999, New York Times article reported, flag-of-convenience ships are using their foreign status and the lax oversight of their flag states to escape punishment for their intentional dumping of oil in the ocean not far from our coast. America should not allow the unscrupulous operation of unsafe ships with ill-trained crews to threaten the oceans, our coastlines or our citizens. I challenge the administration to aggressively combat these actions to the fullest extent of U.S. law. Under the leadership of Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John McCain, the 105th Congress provided the FMC with increased authority to address unfair foreign shipping practices. I invited the administration to work with the 106th Congress to provide increased legislative authority to counter attempts by foreign-flag ships to escape punishment for such unconscionable behavior. Second, we must level the playing field for U.S. companies competing in the commercial maritime arena. On the financial side, U.S. shipping companies provide equal or higher quality service than foreign competitors at a similar cost, yet foreign shipping companies are growing and U.S. shipping companies are shrinking. This happens because, unlike U.S. shipping companies, most foreign shipping companies pay little or no income taxes. In this capital intensive business, investments are flowing to those companies which provide a better return on investment, and the tax differential tilts this flow toward foreign companies. This is why foreign shipping companies are buying their U.S. counterparts instead of the other way around. This nation's tax policies should promote business growth, not stifle it. I look forward to working with Senator John Breaux to develop specific provisions. My colleague and friend shares an interest in maritime policy, and together we serve on both the commerce and finance committees. This provides us with an ability to shape maritime policy in the regulatory, tax and trade environments. Mr. President, U.S. shipping companies can compete and succeed in the world's international trade marketplace when competition is fair. Snuffing Out the (Practice) Blaze SIU members in a recent advanced fire fighting class at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education practiced extinguishing fires, including the one below. The hands-on training is a key component of the two-week course. Pictured at left (from left) are class members Terry Cowans Sr., Pat Meagher and John Kamara. 6 Seafarers LOii tract, but the company has denied them that right through endless appeals and by breaking the law. We think this merger holds promise as a possible end to the litigation and the violation of workers' rights at Avondale, and we hope it will mean the beginning of the negotiations process. 'The Newport News workers are represented by a union-the United Steelworkers of America. The workers voted to unionize in 1978 in the third largest union election in history. Workers at Newport News have since negotiated many good union contracts with their company, and have a voice in addressing the kinds of issues that concern Avondale workers such as safety and respect. The union and the company have a solid working relationship, and we hope that Avondale workers will soon also have an opportunity to exercise their l~al right to have a voice on the job through a union contract. "The Metal Trades Council, AFL-CIO expects that the merger will be a favorable one for all parties involved-the shareholders, the workers, the Navy and other customers. We expect the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Justice Department's anti-trust division -as well as the shareholders and Avondale's government customers-to ensure that this is the case. This merger affords an important opportunity to improve upon Avondale's corporate governance structure and include a higher level of accountability. This opportunity is key in light of Avondale's history of ignoring majority shareholder votes. "As for future plans for the Justice at Avondale campaign, the Avondale workers will continue to shine a spotlight on injustice in the yard and continue to press for the company to honor their rights under the law." Labor Briefs I Tacoma Seafarers Aid Striking Steelworkers A number of SIU members in the Tacoma, Wash. area tried to boost the holiday spirits of striking Steelworkers by donating gifts for their families. Seafarers donated more than $1,000 worth of toys to the families of members of Steelworkers Local #7945, which is on strike against Kaiser Aluminum. The gifts were collected at the SIU hall in Tacoma and forwarded to the Steelworkers local. In another show of solidarity, Seafarers also have marched on picket lines with Local 7945 members. Kaiser Aluminum wants to cut employment levels at all five of its plants-two in Spokane, Wash. and one each in Tacoma, Newark, Ohio and Gramercy, La. That includes 32 jobs at the Tacoma site. The company also has proposed a substandard, five-year agreement. Union Ranks Grew By 100,000 in 1998 According to data released late last month by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, trade unions experienced a net membership growth of 100,000 in 1998 compared to the previous year. The BLS reports that union membership stood at 16.2 million entering this year. However, the percentage of union-represented workers dipped slightly in 1998, down two-tel}ths of one percentage point (to 13.9 percent) from the prior year. The government statistics also showed that union members earn more money than unrepresented workers. "Median weekly earnings for union members who work full time were about a third higher than the median for nonunion workers," the agency reported. In fact, union members earned an average of about $165 per week more than unrepresented workers. NLRB Backs Worker's Right Not to Scab at Paper Dwight Biermann isn't a union member, but his refusal to cross a picket line and train as a scab made headlines. The National Labor Relations Board recently ruled that American Publishing Co. illegally fired Biermann, a computer systems coordinator at the Herald Palladium newspaper in St. Joseph, Mich. Biermann would not go to the Chicago Sun-Times in anticipation of a possible strike in November 1997 by members of Local 71 of the Chicago Newspaper Guild. The company wanted to train him and several others in case the strike took place. Biermann said he came from a union background and would- not cross a picket line. He also acknowledged in a memo to management that "my stance on this issue could very well cost me my job. I accept that." The strike never occurred, but Biermann was fired that month. The Guild filed a complaint with the NLRB even though he wasn't a union member. Ultimately, the NLRB ruled that an employee can lawfully refuse to cross a picket line. The board also ordered the company to pay lost wages to Biermann, who now works as a production manager at the State News, based at Michigan State University in East Lansing. February 1999 �Making a Difference Seafarers Aid Families, FeHow Hondurans 1.n Wake of Hurricane Mit:cb. Devastati.on Sometimes five people can make a difference. Just ask the survivors of Hurricane Mitch in the Honduran town of Santa Rosa de Aguan. This community on the banks of the Caribbean Sea was ravaged for days by the storm at the end of October. Reports from the area said flood waters from the Aguan River, a mud slide from the mountains and a tidal wave from the sea all descended on Santa Rosa de Aguan during the storm almost wiping it off the map. The town made international news when one of its residents, Isabel Arriola de Guity, was found in the Caribbean clinging to a log 50 miles from shore six days after she was swept from the roof of her house. She is the sister-in-law of Chief Cook Julio Guity, who sails from Houston. Guity received updates of the storm's disaster while sailing aboard the Patriot. As reported in the December 1998 issue of the Seafarers LOG, he signed off the vessel to return to Houston to see what could be done to help his native land. At the same time, his cousin, AB Victor Medina, also came back to Houston from his job on the Overseas New Orleans to work on getting aid to his homeland. Spearhead Relief Drive The pair, with other Honduran-born SIU members, spearheaded an effort among Seafarers, the Texas labor community, churches and the Honduran residents in Houston February 1999 to gather and deliver food, clothing, medicine and other aid. "They did a remarkable job," noted SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey. "They completely filled a container which they sent on a ship with other relief items to La Ceiba [Honduras]." Medina, Guity and other Seafarers collected more than $6,000 and bought goods needed by their relatives and others in Santa Rosa de Aguan. Working with the Honduran-based Organization of Ethnic Advancement of Communities (ODECO), they cut through government red tape and quickly got the supplies sent to their homeland. Arrive wHh Supplies Then, Medina and Guity as well as Chief Cook Mariano Norales and DEU Carlos Nunez flew to La Ceiba to meet the container when it arrived. "We wanted to make sure it got to where we promised it would go," Medina said. "We also felt we had to be there to help our families." With so many roads and bridges out of commission, the Seafarers (who were joined on their trip from Houston by another Honduran native, Carlos Colon) rented skiffs, known locally as "pangas,'' to carry the supplies to Santa Rosa de Aguan. It took the five men 24 hours to unload the container into the pangas. "Remember, these men were doing all this on their own time at their own expense," noted Corgey. Once the skiffs were loaded, the trip along the Honduran coast took 11 hours. "Devastating" was the term used by Medina to describe his first reaction at seeing his home town when he and the others arrived with the supplies. "I couldn't believe it. Everybody's house that remained was a shack." Many, many other homes no longer existed. Records brought back by the group showed more than 40 people had died or were missing. Among them were family members of the men. First Goods from U.S. While other relief items had filtered into the community, the Seafarers brought the first items from the United States. Among the goods were beans, rice, cooking and fuel oil, sugar, flour, soap and much more. "They knew we were coming because we had sent messages through relatives," Medina recalled. "But when they saw us, their faces lit up. They said it was one of the most beautiful things to happen. It was a very, very, very good thing." The members, donned in Seafarers caps and shirts, stayed in Honduras from November 14 to December 12 to help with the recovery. They were the subject of several newspaper articles. "Now everyone there knows who the SIU is," Medina said. ''They were very grateful." Despite having very little remaining after the storm, the townspeople of Santa Rosa de Aguan wanted a special way to express their appreciation. They created a plaque for SIU President Michael Sacco and all the Seafarers who came to their aid and had the members bring it Working in Honduras on the distribution of aid are (from left, kneeling) Carlos Colon, Mariano Norales, (standing) Julio Guity, Celeo Casildo (president of ODECO), Carlos Nunez and Victor Medina. back to Texas. The plaque now hangs in the Paul Hall Library and Maritime Museum in Piney Point, Md. for all to see. Many Helped "We really want to thank President Sacco, Dean Corgey, [Assistant Vice President] Jim McGee and all the others who helped us," Medina stated. "Without their work, we would not have been able to do all that we did." Adding to his remarks was Chief Cook Fernando Guity, a cousin of Julio Guity. · "All the members have been so kind," Fernando Guity told a reporter for the LOG. "I was at sea when the LOG carried the story. All the people on the ship asked if I was related. When I said yes, they asked how they could help. "Since I've come back to Houston, the whole Honduran community here appreciates what [the Seafarers] have done," the eight-year SIU member said. More Aid Needed Because of the devastation, relief efforts in Honduras-as well as the neighboring countries of Nicaragua and El Salvadorwill take years. Therefore, the group of Seafarers will continue to collect aid for their fellow Hondurans. "They are still in the emergency phase down there," Medina pointed out. "They need food, medicine and clothes. "But soon they will need to start building. We want to help supply the blocks, cement and roofing materials to help them. Just like we did with the food and medicine, we want to collect the money and deliver the materials ourselves to make sure it gets to the people who need it. "They are not asking us or expecting us to do everything. They just need a helping hand and whatever anybody can spare is a big, big help." The AFL-CIO is working with the U.S. Agency for International Development to assist the victims of 1-Jurricane Mitch. Among the groups accepting donations earmarked for the relief effort are the American Red Cross, CARE, Salvation Army, Save the Children and many church organizations. Donations also may be sent to the West Coast Ports Council, 1221 Pierce Street, Houston, TX 77002. The donations should be marked for the Honduran Relief Effort. Seafarers LOG 7 �Keeping Up With The Paul Hall Center Former SIU President Paul Hall (1914-1980), who directed the school's opening in 1967, believed that academic courses contribute to the effective job performance of Seafarers. An informed, well-rounded person, Hall reasoned, is more likely to be a better shipmate. Today, the school maintains that philosophy, which is why the GED program is available to SIU members such as Martin Nelson {third from left). Nelson recently earned his diploma at Piney Point while also completing his training as a member of unlicensed apprentice class No. 576. Pictured with him are {from left) Joan Miles and Peggy Densford from the academic department and Theresa Price, retired school employee who encouraged Nelson to enroll in the GED program. The Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Md., offers a wide range of vocational and academic classes. Students at the center's Harry Lundeberg School may choose from a schedule that features everything from entry-level to officer training, and from general academic education to college courses (potentially leading to an associate's degree). The photos on this page provide a sampling of the Paul Hall Center's value to Seafarers. An important part of the unlicensed apprentice program is the 90-day shipboard assignment, during which students rotate through all three departments. Recertified Bosun John E. Stout recently sent these photos of apprentice Mary Bado working in the deck department aboard the Sea-Land Innovator. The bosun reports that Bado did a good job. Lundebel'fl Staff Spells Victory: Bill Eglinton, director of vocational education at the Paul Hall Center, had two goals when the school reeently participated in a spelling bee at a local high school. "First, we wanted to help a good cause, because this was a fund-raiser for an area school," he says. "Second, I didn't want to be the first team eliminated." The group from Piney Point far exceeded that aim, winning the six-team competition. The spelling bee lasted 11 rounds and included two teams of teachers and three local businesses, along with the Paul Hall Center team. Eglinton's group won when academic instructor Rick Prucha spelled "maelstrom." The winning team of {front row, from left) Prucha, Liz Reisman (associate director of the medical department) and Eglinton dressed as unlicensed apprentices for the occasion, and they were supported by students {back row, from left) Justin VonSprecken, Roger Steward, Joshua l)avenport, Clifton Doonis and Nabil Ahmed. In late 1998, the school added new radar equipment to help Seafarers more efficiently meet Coast Guard requirements and to boost their skills. Among the first SIU members to utilize the state-of-the-art equipment were boatmen from Moran Towing. Pictured from left to right are (kneeling) Roger Ortega, Jeff Willis, Freddy Hamilton, (standing, first row) David Rushing, Michael Freeman, Steve Wells, Thomas O'Neal, George Morales, Doug Bowen, Ernie Costa, {second row) Jake Jarrell, Douglas Crawford, Mark Provose, Mark Penland, Charles Young and Mark Fulto. B Seafarers LOG Febmary 1999 �celebrating the ~Holidays tile SIU Way ... Aboard Crowley Tugs SIU boatmen on five Crowley tugs received the latest union news and holiday greetings when Wilmington, Calif. Port Agent John Cox climbed aboard the vessels on Christmas Day. Appropriately, Cox wore a Santa cap when meeting on the conventional tugs Sea King and Sea Prince, the zdrive tug Tioga and the new tractor tugs Admiral and Master. ''The members work on Christmas, and this was just my way of reminding them that the SIU is always there for them," Cox noted. Working aboard the Tioga are crew members (from left) Engine Utility Deso Hrboka, Captain Jim McNutt, Deck Utility Damir Kucar and Mate Hank Scott. , c- r L'i The Sea Prince's crew includes (from left) Cook Utility Dave Verschoor, Captain John Rakyta, Engine Utility Hugh Wain, Trainee Engineer Javier Montano and AB Adolph Romero. Captain Steve Warford (left) and AB Mike Privette (right) greet Port Agent Cox near the Sea Prince. Cook Utility Larry Jamieson prepares breakfast aboard the Sea King. AB Adolph Romero dons safe- ty gear near the Sea Prince. Captain Burt Thompson (right) welcomes Port Agent John Cox aboard the tractor tug Admiral. .... Deck Utility John lvankovich poses for a photo aboard the Admiral. Standing by the Sea King are (from left) Cook Utility Dave Verschoor, Port Agent John Cox and Cook Utility Larry Jamieson. Working on a special holiday treat is Cook Utility Dave Verschoor. I. r:. They may have worked during the holidays, but Seafarers aboard the Master show that they still enjoy seasonal goodies in the galley. Pictured from left to right are AB John Dimeglio, Engine Utility Tom Crowley (no relation to the company CEO) and Captain Rick Cavalier. ... Aboard Allegiance The crew of the Allegiance (above) enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner, including (at right, from left) GSU Charlfred Autrey, Bosun Samuel Porchea and Chief Steward Tyler Laffitte. Chief Steward Tyler Laffitte brings out freshly baked rolls. Finishing up their meals are (at left) ABs Castillo Jose and Dennis Zuniga. At right, Bosun Samuel Porchea (center) shows his appreciation to Chief Cook Sherman Harper (left) and Chief Steward Tyler Laffitte. February 1999 Seafarers aboard the Allegiance enjoyed an expansive Thanksgiving menu provided by Chief Steward Tyler Laffitte, Chief Cook Sherman Harper and GSU Charlfred Autrey. The fine feast included tasty vegetables and appetizers such as shrimp cocktail, banana nut bread, stuffed deviled eggs, olive cheese balls, crab meat salad, baked potato, mashed potatoes and several others. Delectable entrees also were on the menu, including broiled striploin steak; roast tom turkey with dressing, gravy and cran- berry sauce; baked Texas smoked ham with fruit sauce; and roast prime rib of beef au jus. Listed as the "chef's special selection" were filet mignon and baked lobster tails. For those who had any room left, the dessert menu was eye-popping. Pumpkin, peach, apple, blueberry, pecan, sweet potato and mincemeat pies were served. Several varieties of cakes, cookies and candies also were available. The Allegiance is a tanker operated by Mari trans. A full assortment of tasty desserts followed the Thanksgiving feast. Seafarers LOG 9 �WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT SKY·HIGH COLLEGE COSTS? BEFORE YOU HIT THE PANIC BUTTON, THINK SIU SCHOLARSHIP College tuition costs never seem to stop rising. And just when you think you can afford to continue your education, they rise yet again. Well, for Seafarers, their spouses and dependent children who plan to attend college next fall, there is no reason to panic because in 1999, the Seafarers Welfare Plan is again offering seven scholarships. Three of the awards will go to SIU members (one is a $15,000, four-year cpllege stipend; the other two are $6poo, two-year awards to study at a vocational school or community college). The other four scholarships will be given to spouses or unmarried children of eligible Seafarers or SIU pensioners, each in the amount of $15,000. Candidates should indicate on the application form whether they are planning to attend a two-year or four-year program. The $15,000 college scholarships will be paid at the rate of $3, 750 per year over a fouryear period. The $6,000 awards will be paid at the rate of $3,000 per year. Eligibility requirements are fully , explained in a booklet which also contains an application form. The booklets are available at all SIU halls or may be received through the mail by filling out and returning the coupon below. In addition to the scholarship application form, a number of other items must be submitted at the same time. These include: • Autobiographical Statement. Space for this is provided on the back of each application form. • Photograph of Applicant. This should be a blackfvvhite or color passport-type picture. • Certified Copy of Birth Certificate if it is not already on file with the Seafarers Welfare Plan. (Only applicants for a dependent's scholarship are required to furnish this item.) • High School Transcript and Certification of Graduation. Request both of these items from your high school and ask that they be sent directly to the scholarship committee. • Official Copy of High School Equivalency Scores. If you earned a high school diploma by tak- ing the General Education Development (GED) test, have the Department of Education in the state where you took the exam (or if you were in the military, the appropriate military agency) send an official copy of your scores directly to the scholarship committee. • Letters of Reference. At least three letters are required for all applications. They should be gathered from individuals who have knowledge of the applicant's character, personality and career goals. • SAT or ACT Results. The ACT or SAT test must be taken no later than February 1999 so as to leave enough time for the results to reach the scholarship selection committee·in time for evaluation. This may seem like a lot of work. But, don't panic. There is plenty of time if you start the process now. April 15, 1999 is the last day in which applications are being accepted for this year's scholarship program. Name of A p p l i c a n t - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Social Security N u m b e r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Street A d d r e s s - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - City, State, Zip Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Telephone Number _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __....._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ This application is for: D Self D Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Welfare Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. '2199 10 Seafarers LOG L------------------------------------------~ February 1999 �ReftniJisbed H11macao Carries Bigger Containers New Hatch Covers Boost Capacity of NPR, Inc. Vessel ........ The Humacao got under way with an experienced galley gang including (from left) Chief Cook Donald Mann, SA Anna Alexander and Chief Steward Ray Jones. When the SIU-crewed Humacao left dry dock last fall, it did so with a substantially increased cargo-carrying capacity. The vessel last year was refitted in Baltimore with hatch covers that allow the Humacao to carry 53-foot containers. Before, the ship usually transported containers ranging in size from 20 to 45 feet. "It's very uncommon for a ship to be outfitted to carry 53-foot containers," observed AB Mike Hall, a crew member during the Humacao's initial voyage last September. He pointed out that new railings and lash gear also were installed during the drydock. From there, the Humacao resumed its regular run between the ports of Philadelphia; San Juan, P.R.; and Jacksonville, Fla. "We transport just about everything," said Captain Dennis Schroeder. Operated by NPR, Inc., the Humacao "keeps a very tight schedule," added Hall, an eightyear member of the SIU and frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Signing in for the union meeting is Center for Maritime Training and Chief Electrician William Payne. Education. In Baltimore, the vessel was refitted with new hatch covers, railings and lash gear. Sanjuan Buzzes With Activity The port of San Juan, P.R. is one of the busiest for SIU members. Recently, SIU officials from Santurce snapped these photographs to provide a sampling of seafaring life in that area. Waiting for the next job call at the SIU union hall in Puerto Rico are, from left, AB Abad Calero, DEU Jose Canales and OMU Jorge Bermeo. AB Melvin Sea-Land San Juan home and caused by Leguillon waits for the Producer to dock in so he can visit his check on the damage Hurricane Georges. Crane Maintenance Electrician Theodore Quinones communicates to crew members below. Chief Cook George begins preparations for lunch aboard the Mayaguez, an NPR, Inc. vessel. Ready for work is Crane Maintenance Electrician Orlando Flores. Reporting to the dock are, from left, Engineer R. Rodriguez, Crane Maintenance Electrician J. Santana and AB J. Gonzalez. Left: Aboard the Nuevo San Juan are, from left, AB Roberto Feliciano, Engine Utility Benjamin Stanley and Chief Engineer James Williams. February 1999 Seafarers LOG 11 �HOW TO PREPARE A TAXRETURN Step 1. Get all records together. • Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-20 and 1099. • Itemized deductions and tax credits. • Medical and dental payment records. • eal estate and personal property tax receipts. • Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. • Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled "Your Federal Income Tax for Use in Preparing 1998 Returns" is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. correct. Check the return to make sure it is Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach the first copy of Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form I 040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040- V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, social security number and form number on your check or money order. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $2.50 becomes $3. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 66b, 66c and 66d on their Form I 040. Line 66b is for the bank's routing number. Line 66c indicates the type of account, and line 66d is the taxpayer's account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the Electronic Filing Office. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption-for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $2,750 per person. In 1998, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on the meal allowance of $36 per day in the continental U.S. and $40 per day outside the continental U.S. Otherwise the IRS standard meal allowance is generally $32. In some locations it is $40, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Travel expenses, including meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one's work and if they have not been reimbursed from any other source. Standard Deduction Has Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box below to the right). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual's benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 1998, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards and personal loans. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or investments is I 00 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman's work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union's designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses-either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 32.5 cents per mile. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or WHERE TO GET INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answer questions from 7:00 a.m. to 11 :00 p.m. Monday through Saturday (local time). Publications: 1-800-829-3676 operators will take orders for publications. "#17 Your Federal Income Tax" and "#552 Record Keeping for Individuals" are two publications that many people find especially useful. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under "United States Government, Internal Revenue Service." Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency's taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. l-800·829-4477 is the IRS's automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the letter "R" or number "7" will repeat the topic and the letter "C" or number "2" will cancel the message. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. This telephone service is available from 7:00 a.m. until 11 :30 p.m. (Jocal time). Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax fonn). Include a social security number with the letter. 12 Seafarers LOG Limit on Itemized Deductions: In 1998, itemized deductions may be limited for individuals earning more than $124,500 of federal adjusted gross income (or $62,250 if married and filing separately). Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit (EIC) is available to certain low income individuals who have earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income thresholds. For tax year 1998, an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met. Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer's income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $10,030 and no qualifying children - $341 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $26,473 and with 1 qualifying child - $2,271 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $30,095 and with 2 or more qualifying children - $3,816 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below zero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form I 040, schedule EiC to see if they are eligible for the credit. which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Leaming credit is claimed. • Roth IRAs-The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $2,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. • Penalty-Free IRA Distributions-The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a firsttime homebuyer. Dependent's Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a social security number (SSN). Individuals may get an SSN for their dependent by filing Fonn SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive an SSN. ADDITIONAL DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS FOR 1998 Dependent Child Credit: Effective for tax year 1998, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $400 per child. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the "HOPE" credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,500 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after June 30, 1998, taxpayers can take the "Lifetime Learning Credit," that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $1,000 of interest paid after December 31, 1997 for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: • Education IRAs-Taxpayers can contribute up to $4,500 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary's postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in Presented on these two pages o that have been prepared especi deduction amounts tor 1998, extensions and where ~-·••••••••••••• WHICHRECO. Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed WHICH INCOME Ni The following kinds of income do not need • Benefits from government welfare program • Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffi • Maintenance and Cure. • Workers' compensation benefits, insurance • Disability retirement payments (and other • Child support. • Gifts, money or other property inherited or • Dividends on veterans' life insurance. • Life insurance proceeds received because of • Amounts received from insurance because o casualty to the extent the amounts were more th the home. • Certain amounts received as a scholarship. February 1999 �STANDARD DEDUCTION WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of seamen working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that "no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, inte.rstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer." The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual 'lb.is is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions. (Note that the personal exemption deduction is $2,700.) Filing Status Standard Deduction Single ................................. $4,250 Married filing joint return or Qualifying widow(er) with dependent is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman-despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year-was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. children ............................ $7,100 OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME WHICH INCOME TO REPORT Married filing separate return .................. $3,550 Head of household ............. $6,250 Should a seaman find himself or her- In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported. • Jones Act settlements for lost wages. • • Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. • Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). • Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. • Accumulation distributions from trusts. Mexico City, Mexico • Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). Nassau, Bahamas • Earned income from sources outside the United States. Paris, France • Director's fees. Rome, Italy • Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. • Endowments. • Original Issue Discount. • Distributions from self-employed plans. • Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). • Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. Lump-sum distributions. self overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Bonn, Germany Caracas, Venezuela London, England Ottawa, Canada Riyadh, Saudi Arabi Sao Paulo, Brazi • Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. Sydney, Australia • Embezzled or other illegal income. Tokyo, Japan. HOW TO FILE AN EXTENSION IRS Form 4868 can be used to ask for a four-month extension to file IRS Form 1040A or Form 1040. An individual requesting an extension is under no obligation to explain why the additional time is needed. Filing of the form gives an individual until August 15, 1999 to file his or her 1998 federal tax return. The IRS will contact the individual directly only if the request for an extension is denied. To extend the period of time in which one can file his or her tax return, that individual must correctly fill out Form 4868 and pay all of the tax monies due (as noted on line 6 of the form below). If the filing of Form 4868 and the subsequent four-month extension to file does not provide the individual with enough time, he or she can then file Form 2688, known as ''Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return." Another option open to the person seeking more time in which to file is to write a letter to the IRS stating the reason the extension is necessary. e Seafarers LOG are handy fax tips tor mariners. Included are the new eral information, a form for filing get additional information. STOKEEP on that person's last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 1998, the taxpayer's personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer's property. NOT BE REPORTED It is important to bear in mind that the filing of Form 4868 requesting an extension does not get one off the hook from having to pay any taxes due. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due the U.S. government from the individual filing the extension. The deadline for filing the form and any taxes due is April 15. 'f' DETACH HERE 'Y Form Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return 4868 Department of the Treasury be reported on the federal tax return: An individual seeking an extension is advised by the IRS to file Form 4868 before filing Form 2688. Below is Form 4868 which may be used by Seafarers to file for an extension. This form will be recognized by the IRS. Additional copies of Form 4868 are available by calling the agency's toll-free number which is dedicated to tax form requests. That number is 1-800-829-3676. Also, Form 4868 is available from all main IRS branch offices. And if a Seafarer finds himself or herself overseas, he or she can obtain the form from any U.S. embassy or consulate. Internal Revenue Service For calendar year 1998, or other tax year beginning Identification 1 , 1998, ending OMB No. 1545-0188 ~®98 ,19 Individual Income Tax Your name(s) (see instructions) · ng, medical costs. Address (see instructions) mages, etc. for injury or sickness. City. town or post office, state, and ZIP code efits) paid by the Veterans' Administration. 2 illed. Your social security number 3 Spouse's social security no. Complete ONLY If Filing Gift/GST Tax Return person's death. loss of the use of a home due to fire or other the cost of normal expenses while living in This form also extends the time for filing a gift or generation-skipping transfer (Gsn tax return if you file a calendar (not fiscal) year income tax return. Check below only if requesting a gift or GST tax return extension, and enter your tax payment(s) in Part IV: Yourself..,.. February 1999 D Spouse..,.. D 9 Total liability. Add lines 6, 7, and 8 $ 10 Amount you are paying. . . . . ..,.. If line 10 is less than line 9, you may be liable for interest and penalties. See page 3. Seafarers LOG 13 �Sea Star Line's El Yunque sails between Florida and San Juan, P.R. with an SIU crew. Chief Electrician J.R. Cirafisi has his work cut out for him as he reads up on the containership's electrical system. El Yunque Welcomed Into U.S.-Flag Trade The SIU-crewed El Yunque is the first of two vessels operated by Sea Star Line to pursue the container trade between Florida and Puerto Rico. Its sister ship, the El Morro, will be crewed by Seafarers later this year, possibly as early as next month. The combination roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) and lift-on/lift-off (LO/LO) ships are capable of speeds of up to 24 knots. The El Yunque sails from Jacksonville every Thursday and Port Everglades on Friday, arriving in San Juan Sunday night, with cargo availability each Monday morning. The El Morro will provide an additional sailing each week between Jacksonville and San Juan. "These high-speed ships enable us to provide the largest variety of service Sonny Herrera, the bosun aboard the El Yunque, is happy with the RO/RO ship and its crew. options to our customers," stated Mike Shea, president of Sea Star Line. "Sea Star will offer containers and trailers ranging from 20' to 53', refrigerated cargo services, underdeck water-tight auto and truck stowage, flat beds and lowboys and the ability to move heavy machinery, boats on trailers and everything else that rolls onto fast and versatile ships." "The union welcomes this new entry into the U.S.-flag maritime trades," said SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez during the October membership meeting. Tellez also noted that the vessels are covered by the Standard Freightship Agreement. Sea Star is a joint venture which includes Totem Resources Corp., Matson and Sea-Barge Line Inc. AB Mark Holman stands gangway watch. AB Ronald Mena joined the ship for its initial Florida to Puerto Rico run. Racks are removed from the El Yunque's deck to be used for RO/RO operations. Loading stores into the crew's icebox is SA Steven Ruiz. Right: Ready for breakfast is DEU Marcus Pittman. 14 Seafarers LOG Chief Cook Manny Basas checks the ship's stores for the next voyage. Left: Chief Steward Francis Ostendarp takes time between meals to keep the galley clean. February 1999 �Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea DECEMBER 16, 1998 - JANUARY 15, 1999 *TOTAL REGISTERED AU Groups Class A Class B Class C Port New York 30 Philadelphia ·5 ' Baltimore ,12 5 Norfolk Mobile New Orleans 12 11 23 14 Jacksonville 42 San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac 21 Totals 27 35 15 12 5 12 12 9 15 8 3 12 24 1 3 22 2 275 0 1 2 153 3 3 10 3 7 10 Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. .Louis 18 1 5 7 12 IO 19 10 10 10 2 6 18 2 8 3 2 29 16 8 18 IO 3 3 1 26 7 1 2 8 3 2 0 75 2 4 9 21 2 I 194 3 4 80 6 11 3 11 2 3 2 7 0 3 1 2 6 0 I 3 0 6 3 5 5 3 0 1 3 1 4 3 6 5 3 8 3 1 3 0 34 11 2 3 IO 2 ~ t 2 0 1 5 8 0 2 5 1 0 0 4 26 7 7 7 19 17 16 3 5 8 0 1 Wilmington 13 18 3 1 0 0 3 11 3 12 0 2 26 21 12 18 15 24 7 12 20 1 3 10 0 9 4 0 1 8 7 6 7 6 2 0 0 0 0 58 21 47 209 1 116 6 4 2 0 9 28 9 l 2 2 0 0 0 2 1 3 2 1 4 18 12 12 2 9 6 12 0 25 46 7 8 3 5 3 12 2 2 8 0 13 5 0 2 0 0 8 10 2 2 3 0 0 0 15 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 43 10 0 139 58 20 109 17 2 14 2 4 0 Baltimore 4 0 0 4 1 0 Norfolk Mobile New Orleans 2 0 0 11 9 9 16 4 16 4 3 0 New Bedford ..........Tuesday: March 23, April 20 New Orleans ...........Tuesday: March 16, April 13 New York ................Tuesday: March 9, April 6 Norfolk ...................Thursday: March 11, April 8 Tacoma ...................Friday: March 26, April 23 Wilmington .............Monday: March 22, April 19 Each portts meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personals MICHAEL GOMES Please call Steve and Sophie at (818) 886-6093. ROMERO RUSTY 4 3 1 3 6 10 0 0 2 0 I 0 Mobile .................... Wednesday: March 17, April 14 St Louis ................. Friday: March 19, April 16 6 8 0 87 6 Jersey City .............. Wednesday'. March 24. April 21 San Juan ..................Thursday: March 11, April 8 0 2 2 6 2 16 15 11 Jacksonville ............Thursday: March 11, April 8 San Francisco .........ThulNday: March 18, April 15 7 2 3 0 48 11 Houston .................. Monday: March 15, April 12 2 3 7 0 I 0 Honolulu ................. Friday: March 19. April 16 2 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac 4 0 2 4 0 9 10 0 9 27 I 6 35 3 0 9 7 0 0 11 0 0 0 71 2 0 249 5 6 0 5 75 23 0 13 39 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 25 2 1 10 2 23 1 An old friend, Roselle Meacham, is trying to get in touch with you. Please write her at 627 South Conestoga St., Philadelphia, PA 19143; or telephone (215) 474-9298. CORDELL AND MICHAEL DUNN Please contact Leon and Alice Fountain at (253) 582-0966. Flag Flies for First Time 0 ENTRY DEPARTMENT Port 1 2 6 5 11 16 2 2 15 0 2 3 4 17 15 5 13 11 0 0 0 8 13 31 24 24 5 15 22 IO 0 0 0 13 6 29 5 0 2 11 2 47 9 100 11 0 0 0 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 0 136 34 102 111 0 92 266 228 265 424 300 201 215 968 640 379 7 7 4 4 6 1 St. I..ouis 0 2 0 0 0 40 4 0 17 0 158 584 446 3 9 6 17 2 29 7 2 3 54 4 l 8 2 5 4 s 2 *''Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. Febmary 1999 4 8 4 0 3 4 44 3 5 San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston 14 15 2 0 18 5 13 1 8 0 19 9 Jacksonville Totals All Departments 183 2 3 Duluth ..................... Wednesday: March 17, April 14 Philadelphia ...•.•....•. Wednesday: March 10, April 7 3 2 5 6 11 5. 3 4 Totals 418 l 6 0 3 0 San Francisco Piney Point Algonac 3 0 0 0 97 59 11 62 22 14 39 3 0 3 15 5 16 22 9 18 12 3 14 24 l 2 0 7 6 6 9 I 3 4 6 5 8 1 S 9 8 18 24 New York Philadelphia 0 0 Piney Point .............Monday: March 8, April 5 Baltimore ................ Thursday~ March 11, April 8 17 7 15 3 3 4 7 I 8 3 2 2 6 4 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters Algonac .., ...............Friday: March 12t April 9 22 19 32 57 39 49 11 4 14 Port Totals 8 11 0 97 4 6 14 0 Jacksonville 12 13 7 15 130 Algonac 0 0 2 8 5 5 5 1 1 0 77 0 New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans *"'REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C ENGINE DEPARTMENT Piney Point Totals DECK DEPARTMENT 6' 15 3 5 4 2 2 7 2 2 6 9 10 6 2 9 9 12 Port New York Philadelphia Trip Reliefs ·1( . ' fa ' '24 9 TOTAL SIDPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C March & April 1999 ...__ Recertified Bosun Doyle Ellette gets the honors as he raises the Stars and Stripes aboard the Diamond Shoals tor the first time. Operated by lnterocean Ugland Management, the vessel is the third Double Eagle tanker crewed by Seafarers. The three new vessels, named after old U.S. Coast Guard light ships, are built with double hulls in order to comply with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. NOTICE TO SEAFARERS If your vessel is not receiving the Seafarers LOG regularly, please contact the LOG office. Seafarers LOG 15 �Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes Seafarel'S lnfemational Onion DireofOl'J DECEMBER 16, 1998 - JANUARY 15, 1999 Michael Sacco President CL - John Fay .Ex;ecutive Vice President Secretary-Treasurer Augnilin Tttltz Vice President Con.tracts . ............ ... Byron Kelley ........ Vii;.¢ Ptesident Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey ..Vice President Gulf Coast · · Nicholas J. Marrone Vice President West Coast . .. . Kt!nnett Mangram . Yic.e Pre-s\dent Government Services HEADQUARTERS 520 I Auth Way Camp Springs. MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC S20 St. Clair River Dr, Algonac, Ml 4800 l Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac 0 34 6 0 19 I 0 6 4 0 14 16 L-Lakes NP - Non Priority TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP David Heindel Jaek Catrey · ·· Vice President Atlantic Coast Company/Lakes **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP DECK DEPARTMENT 2 16 0 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 10 1 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 5 0 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 10 0 9 0 18 4 0 9 1 0 I 1 0 5 6 0 33 40 13 0 27 Totals All Depts 73 0 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 12 (810) 794-4988 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #IC Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 327-4900 DECEMBER 16, 1998 - JANUARY 15, 1999 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-4110 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St. Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St. Houston, TX 17002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JERSEY CITY 99 Montgomery St. Jersey City, NJ 07302 (201) 435-9424 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Mobile, AL 36605 (334) 478-0916 NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St. New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave. New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 529-7546 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes, .lnland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes~ Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes, Inland Waters West Coast Totals TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 0 1 47 1 49 0 3 0 0 3 0 2 0 8 10 0 0 0 6 5 1 5 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 5 0 0 3 0 0 0 17 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 17 9 0 9 4 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 4 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 36 5 45 0 6 0 1 7 0 1 14 0 15 0 1 0 0 0 1 13 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 1 Totals All Depts 75 3 16 19 1 6 74 8 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 0 17 0 16 33 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 2 2 39 NORFOLK ll5Third St. Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75 Piney Point. MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN FRANCJSCO 350 Fremont St. San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 161h Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST.LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave. St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave. Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 f6 Seafarers LOG PIC-FROM-THE-PAST This photo, sent to the Seafarers LOG by Pensioner Peter J. Mistretta of Baltimore, Md. was taken at a seaman's club in Bombay, India. The deck department member and his crew mates had just gotten off a l T-2 tanker. The I weather was very hot, so the group went for some refreshments at the local club. Mistretta, now 77, is second from right. He began sailing in 1947 and retired in 1986. George Schmidt, second from left, died in 1996 at the age of 79. It was the first trip for both men. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, it should be sent to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. February f 999 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S. -flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. O ne recertified steward and one recertified bosun are among the 21 Seafarers announcing their retirements this month. Representing 80 combined years of active union membership, Recertified Steward Robert I. Fagan and Recertified Bosun Maurilio Zepeda are graduates of the highest level of training available to members in the steward and deck departments, respectively, at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Including the two recertified graduates, seven of the retiring Seafarers sailed in the deep sea division, nine shipped on inland vessels and five plied the Great Lakes. Ten of the retiring pensioners worked in the deck department, eight shipped in the engine department and three sailed as members of the steward department. On this page, the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of the retiring Seafarers. DEEP SEA Steamship Corp. vessel. The California native sailed in the engine department and upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School. Brother Groening last sailed aboard the Overseas Ohio. From 1954 to 1956, he served in the U.S. Army. He makes his home in Fresno, Calif. CLIFFORD C.HALL,65, joined the SIU in 1964 in the port of Baltimore. Born in Missouri, he sailed in the engine department and upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School. He last sailed in 1993 aboard a vessel operated by Hudson Waterways. From 1952 to 1955, he served in the U.S. Navy. Brother Hall has retired to Frederickstown, Mo. ALBERTT. BATIS, 65 , joined the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S) in ~':. 1962 in the ,Ajjl port of San L.:....:.:"-'--;:.:..===·;:::.; ~~:.::::: ::±;_.i .··' Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District (AGLIWD). The steward department member upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. A native of Hawaii, he makes his home in Honolulu. FREDERICK l~iii.i~I C. HARRIS, 65, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1952 from the port of Baltim re. He worked in the engine department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Brother Harris last sailed in 1996 aboard the Gulf Trader, operated by Apex Marine Management. The Maryland native served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. He makes his home in Houston. ROBERTI. FAGAN, 65, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1955 from the port of Baltimore. Born in Maryland, he worked in the steward department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the steward recertification program in 1981. Brother Fagan last sailed aboard the· Wright, operated by American Overseas Marine Corp. He continues to reside in Baltimore. MAURILIO ZEPEDA, 66, started his career with the SIU in 1961 in the port of Houston. Brother i.::_-===----' Zepeda worked in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1982. He last sailed aboard the Mt. Washington, a Bay Ship Management vessel. A native of Texas, he has retired to LaMarque. WILLIE H. GORDON, 64, started his career with the MC&S in 1967, before that union merged with L.-......:::::=~=::..;__-'-' the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Gordon last sailed aboard the APL Korea, operated by American Ship Management. He calls Wilmington, Calif. home. INLAND RICHARD C. GROENING, 65, graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in 1963 and joined the Seafarers in the port of New York. His first ship was the Hastings, a Waterman February 1999 r--:i;;;;;;;;;~--, JAMESJ. CARR SR., 68, joined the Seafarers in 1967 in the port of Philadelphia. A native of Pennsylvania, he worked in the deck department as a tankerman, last sailing in 1984 aboard a Sheridan Transportation Co. vessel. From 1950 to 1953, he served in the U.S. Army. Boatman Carr makes his home in Holmes Beach, Fla. WOODHAM D. EVERETT, 62, started his career with the SIU in 1974, after a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy. Born in Mississippi, he sailed as a member of the engine department. Boatman Everett makes his home in Lake, Miss. DEANL. MARCUS, 62, began sailing with the SIU in 1976 from the port of Houston aboard the National Voyager. Boatman Marcus worked in the deck department and sailed primarily aboard vessels operated by National Marine Service. A native of Texas, he makes his home in Pasadena. r:.a.:-1 GEORGE H. MONTALVO, 40, first sailed with the Seafarers in 1978. Born in Texas, he worked as an ==--=== engineer, last sailing aboard a Moran Towing Co. vessel. Boatman Montalvo calls Groves, Texas home. PE OJ. MORET,59, joined the Seafarers in 1976 in his native Puerto Rico. He worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard a Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. vessel. Boatman Moret makes his home in Puerto Rico. ..------___,,,...-__, ROBERTO ROBLES, 62, started his career with the SIU in 1976 in Puerto Rico. Boatman Robles worked ====-=== in the deck department and signed off the El Morro, a Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. vessel. A native of Puerto Rico, he calls Guaynabo home. ANGELD. SANCHEZ, 58, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1973 in his native Puerto Rico. He started out in the steward department and later transferred to the deck department. Boatman Sanchez last sailed in 1997 aboard the Jupiter, operated by Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. He makes his home in Toa Baja, P.R. MIGUELA. VAZQUEZ, 55, joined the SIU in 1977 in Puerto Rico. Boatman Vazquez worked as an engineer, sailing primarily aboard vessels operated by Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. Born in the nation of Colombia, he has retired to Santurce, P.R. JAMESD. WILSON, 62, started his career with the Seafarers in 1968. He sailed as a tankerman and attended an educational conference at the Lundeberg School. Boatman Wilson last sailed in 1986 aboard a Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. vessel. The Missouri native served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959. Boatman Wilson makes his home in Baldwyn, Miss. GREAT LAKES ROYAL J. BOOKER, 65, started his career with the SIU in 1963 in the port of Detroit. A native of Iowa, he sailed as a member of the engine department. Brother Booker sailed primarily aboard vessels operated by American Steamship Co. His last ship was the Detroit Edison. He makes his home in Chestnut Mound, Tenn. MiiiiiiL:~ PAUL T. GOSDA, 65, first sailed with the Seafarers in 1957 in the port of Buffalo, N.Y. Brother Gosda sailed in the deck department as a wheelsman. Prior to his retirement, he signed off the J.A. W. Iglehart, operated by Inland Lakes Management. Born in New York, he has retired to Windsor, Ontario, Canada. - RONALDP. KRUG, 62, first sailed with the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of Cleveland. Born in Ohio, he worked in the deck department, last sailing in 1984 aboard a Great Lakes Dredge & Dock vessel. Boatman Krug has retired to Cleveland. MOHAMED G. SHAIBI, 55, joined the SIU in 1968 in the port of Detroit. Born in Arabia, he sailed in the ===--==-.:==-i deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Brother Shaibi last sailed aboard the American Mariner, operated by American Steamship Co. He calls Buffalo, N. Y. home. STANLEY SZEJBACH, 66, first sailed with the Seafarers in 1989 in the port of Algonac, Mich. Brother Szejbach worked in the engine department. The Michigan native sailed primarily aboard vessels operated by Inland Lakes Management. His last vessel was the Alpena. He makes his home in Alpena, Mich. Remembering WWII Mariners Several members of the Hampton Roads (Va.) Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, which includes a number of retired Seafarers, traveled last year to Normandy to revisit the site of the Allies' D-Day triumph in World War II. Here, Ray Hurst (left) and an unidentified man display the chapter's flag with the white cliffs of Dover, England in the background. Seafarers LOii 17 ~ 1 �Final Departures DEEP SEA WILLIAM D. ALVARO Pensioner William D. Alvaro, 82, passed away December 19, 1998. Born in Hawaii, he started his career with the Seafarers in 1944 in the pon of New York. Brother Alvaro sailed as a chief steward. A resident of Gulfpon, Fla., he began receiving his pension in March 1972. CLEMENT BAIRSTOW - Pensioner Clement Bairstow, 79, passed away November 25, 1998. Born in Rhode Island, he joined the Seafarers in 11-..-_:_-:L_~., 1943 in the port of Boston. Brother Bairstow worked in the deck department, last sailing in 1982 aboard the Ponce, operated by Puerto Rico Marine Management. A resident of Hallandale, Fla., he began receiving his pension in April 1991. ANDREJS BRINGIS Andrejs Bringis, 56, died October 14, 1998. Brother Bringis sailed with the SIU from 1969 to 1974 from the port of Seattle. The deck department member's first ship was the SeaLand Anchorage. Born in Latvia, he became a U.S. citizen in 1965 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1969. Brother Bringis was a resident of Shelton, Wash. EDWARDJ.BROADERS Pensioner Edward J. Broaders, 80, passed away December 1, 1998. A native of Maryland, he joined the Seafarers in 1956 in the port of Baltimore. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Prior to retiring in August 1983, Brother Broaders signed off the Delta Caribe, a Delta Steamship Co. vessel. He made his home in Denton, Md. HENRY S. CHEMEL l"]iiiiiiiiii~I Pensioner Henry S. Chemel, 84, died recently. Born in Poland, the Hollywood, Fla. resident began sailing with the SIU in 1955 from the port of Miami. He worked in the engine department, most recently in 1978 aboard the Delta Norte, operated by Delta Steamship Co. Brother Cherne! began receiving his pension in February 1979. ABRAHAM FEINSTEIN Pensioner Abraham Feinstein, 86, died September 27, 1998. A native of New Jersey, he joined the SIU in 1944 in the '----'===---' port of New York. During his career, he sailed in the deck department and was active in union organizing drives. Brother Feinstein was a resident of New York City and retired in October 1974. 18 Seafarers LOG VICTOR FERGUSON Pensioner Victor Ferguson, 83, passed away October 21, 1998. He joined the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S), before that union merged with the SIU's Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District (AGLIWD). A resident of Panama, Brother Ferguson retired in September 1975. EDWARD H. GOING Pensioner Edward H. Going. 83, died November 26, 1998. A native of New Hampshire, he was a charter member of the ==~___:--=::i Seafarers, having joined the union in November 1938 in the port of Baltimore. During his career, he sailed in the engine department, attended an educational conference at the Lundeberg School and was active in union organizing drives. Brother Going was a resident of Staten Island, N.Y. and started receiving his pension in August 1978. THOMAS J. HENRY Pensioner Thomas J. Henry, 74, passed away November 17, 1998. Brother Henry began sailing with the SIU in 1951 from the port of New York. He started working in the deck department and later transferred to the engine department. During his career, he was active in union organizing drives. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. The New Jersey native lived in Mount Holly and retired in February 1987. ROBERT S. HESS Robert S. Hess, 48, died November 24, 1998. He graduated from the Lundeberg School's entry level training program in 1970 and joined the Seafarers in the port of New York. The New York native sailed in the steward department and upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the steward recertification program in 1987. Brother Hess was a resident of St. Augustine, Fla. JAMES J. KEEFE Pensioner James J. Keefe, 87, passed away December 30, 1997. Brother Keefe started his career with the MC&S in 1943, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. He worked as a chief steward. Prior to his retirement in October 1974, he signed off the Hawaii Bear. Brother Keefe lived in Huntington Beach, Calif. STEPHEN B. KUTZER Pensioner Stephen B. Kutzer, 78, died November 19, 1998. A native of Pennsylvania, he began sailing with the :.___....:::~=-_J Seafarers in 1948 from the port of New York. Brother Kutzer worked in the deck department and started receiving his pension in May 1976. He was a resident of Shamokin, Pa. EVELYN M. LAMUN Pensioner Evelyn M. Lamun, 79, passed away October 11, 1998. She started her career with the MC&S in 1956 aboard the Monterey, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Born in Illinois and a resident of San Jose, Calif., Sister Lamun retired in May t 970. EDWARD H. LUDOLPH Pensioner Edward H. Ludolph, 81 , died October 12, 1998. Born in California, he joined the MC&S in 1954, before that union merged with the SIU 's AGLIWD. Brother Ludolph began receiving his pension in July 1974. He was a resident of San Francisco. LLOYD D. MOSS Pensioner Lloyd D. Moss, 73, died November 24, 1998. Brother Moss graduated from the MC&S training school in 1962 and joined that union in the port of San Francisco, before it merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. A native of Texas and a resident of Glen Rose, he retired in December 1978. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. WILLIAM H. MUELLER Pensioner William H. Mueller, 90, passed away November 19, 1998. He joined the MC&S, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. A resident of Haddonfield, NJ., he began receiving his pension in July 1974. ALBERT N. RINGUETTE Pensioner Albert N. Ringuette, 74, passed away December 12, 1998. Brother Ringuette began sailing with the Seafarers in 1953 from the port of Baltimore. Born in Massachusetts, he worked in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School, graduating from the bosun recertification program there in 1974. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1947. Brother Ringuette lived in Seattle and started receiving his pension in January 1989. MARCELINO VALENTIN rr&iiiiiiiiiiil Pensioner Marcelino Valentin, 84, died December 12, 1998. He started his career with the SIU in 1948 in the port of New York. Brother Valentin sailed in the engine department and retired in August 1976. The Puerto Rico native was a resident of Mayaguez. -----------=---' WAYNE STEWART Wayne Stewart, 39, passed away November 29, 1998. A native of Louisiana, he graduated from the Lundeberg School's entry level training ~!!!!!!!!!l program in 1980 and joined the SIU in the port of Piney Point, Md. Brother Stewart sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. He was a resident of New Orleans. TUVAO T. TAULA Pensioner Tuvao T. Taula, 69, died November 23, 1998. Born in American Samoa, he began sailing with the SIU in 1962 from the port of Philadelphia. During his career, he worked in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Brother Taula last sailed in 1979 aboard the Ogden Yukon and started receiving his pension in 1994. He was a resident of Vista, Calif. VICTOR B. TIGETT Pensioner Victor B. Tigett, 68, died November 3, 1997. A native of New York, he began sailing with the Seafarers in 1964 from the port of Houston. He worked in the engine department and retired in May 1994. From 1951 to 1952, he served in the U.S. Army. Boatman Tigett Jived in Galveston. Texas. GREAT LAKES ALBERT J. VERWILT Pensioner Albert J. Verwilt, 82, passed away December 22, 1998. A native of New Jersey, he joined the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of New York. During his career, he sailed in the engine department, upgrading his skills at the Lundeberg School. He also was active in union organizing drives. A resident of Highlands, N.J ., Brother Verwilt began receiving his pension in December 1986. CHARLES C. WILLIAMS Pensioner Charles C. Williams, 73, passed away December 2, 1998. A native of North Carolina and a resident of Norfolk, Va., he started his career with the SIU in 1964 in the port of Norfolk. Brother Williams sailed in the steward department as a chief cook. Prior to his retirement in July 1990, he signed off the liberty Seas. A veteran of World War II , he served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1963. INLAND RONALD B. AUSTIN Ronald B. Austin, 35, died November 2, 1998. He began sailing with the Seafarers in 1996 from the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Austin worked as an engineer and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. He last sailed aboard the Sea Robin, an Allied Towing Co. vessel. A native of North Carolina, he was a resident of Buxton. FRANCIS SLOANE Francis Sloane, 64, died February 25, 1998. Brother Sloane began sailing with the Seafarers in 1968 from the port of Baltimore. The Missouri native worked in the deck department, last sailing in 1994 aboard the Fidelio. He was a resident of New Orleans. City, Fla., Boatman Higgs began receiving his pension in October 1976. CHARLES E. HIGGS Pensioner Charles E. Higgs, 89, passed away June 22, 1998. Born in Georgia, he joined the SIU in 1966 in the port of Tampa, Fla. He sailed as a chief engineer, primarily aboard vessels operated by Dixie Carriers. A resident of Plant RALPH LESLIE Pensioner Ralph Leslie, 78, passed away November 26, 1998. He joined the Seafarers in 1960. Born in Ohio, he worked in the '-------"'-""-----"'~= engine department, last sailing aboard the St. Clair. A resident of Toledo, Ohio, Brother Leslie began receiving his pension in September 1985. JAMES J. MULCAHY Pensioner James J. Mulcahy, 75, died November IO, 1998. Brother Mulcahy started his career with the SIU in 1976 ~-------' in his native New York. He sailed in the steward department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retire ment in October 1988, he signed off the Roger M. Keyes, operated by American Steamship Co. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945. Brother Mulcahy was a resident of Tempe, Ariz. RAILROAD MARINE MICHAEL L. WANCA . . - - - - - - - . Pensioner • Michael L Wanca, 81, passed away November 29, 1998. A native of New Jersey, he joined the Seafarers in =---'~=!!::......:.....:== 1960 in the port of New York. Brother Wanca worked as a bridgeman, primarily for Penn Central Railroad Co. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. A resident of Jersey City, N.J., he started receiving his pension in November 1982. CORRECTIONS The photos of Discoro Militar and Harry N. Schorr were switched in last month's Final Departures. The correct obituaries follow. DISCORO MILITAR l~iiiiiiiiiii~l Pensioner Discoro Militar, 98, passed away September 28, 1998. A native of the ~~~=.z.J Philippines, he started his career with the SIU in 1943 in the port of New York. Brother Militar sailed as a chief steward and began receiving his pension in December 1973. He lived in Hercules, Calif. HARRY N. SCHORR Pensioner Harry N. Schorr, 86, passed away Sept. 26, 1998. He joined the · SIU in 1953 in the port of = = :;...;:_-...::.....::::::....__..New York. He sailed in the steward department and was active in union organizing drives. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. Brother Schorr was a resident of Hemet, Calif. and began receiving his pension in March 1977. February 1999 �Digest Of Shipboard "lrriiin ~Meetings ~~~ ~eitail)m fOG attempt$ to print as many digests of union shipboard ' · \i/ :minutes as possible. On occasion, because ol space . . · ·. limitations, some will be omitted, :>t:::;·~:sflipl'minutes llrst are:riiiilewed by tho union's contract depal1ment. · ·:rhose issues tf!i/iiifl"n.·fitientloir or re10/utlun are addressed by the union · upon·recelpfot:the"shlps' minutes. The minutes are tllen forwarded · · to the Seafarers LOG for publication. COURIER (Marine Transport), October 20-Chairman Norman K. Armstrong, Secretary Kenneth Whitfield, Educational Director Rikk Parker, Deck Delegate Cleveland West, Steward Delegate Jessie James. Chainnan announced ship to arrive following day in Beaumont, Texas. Items on order expected at that time. Educational director reminded everyone of upgrading opportunities available at Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department given high marks for job well done. Payoff expected in Philadelphia at end of month. HUMACAO (NPR, Inc.), October 18-Chainnan David Murray, Secretary Raymond L. Jones, Educational Director William F. Payne, Deck Delegate Michael Hall, Steward Delegate Donald J. Mann. Chairman announced payoff in Jacksonville, Fla. October 24. Educational director reminded everyone to obtain training record books (TRBs) in order to register and ship. Some disputed OT reported in deck department. None in engine or steward departments. Request made for new heat exchanger because water is too hot. Recommendation made to have contrac s de a m t into vacation pay every 60 days instead of 120. Questions also raised regarding bringing family embers on board and about captain putitng out draw every five days. Vote of thanks given to steward department for great job. JEB STUART (Waterman Steamship), October 8-Chairman Thomas Temple, Secretary William Williams, Deck Delegate Kent Arnold, Engine Delegate Joe Martin, Steward Delegate Mario Henriquez. Chairman reported to crew of requirements needed to meet basic safety training in accordance with Chapter VI of STCW. Educational director stressed need to apply for TRB. Bosun has application forms. TRBs may be signed on pages 47-54 by any officer. Secretary advised crew members to secure personal belongings while in port. Treasurer announced $25 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported by department delegates. Chairman noted that Seafarers LOG, especially President's Report, is extremely important. Articles in LOG keep members up-to-date on union and maritime-related activities and let them know if need exists to write congressmen to help pass certain legislation of importance to SIU. Ship inspection to take place October 16. Everyone asked to assist in helping vessel pass by doing their part. Next port: Diego Garcia. LIBERTY STAR (Liberty Maritime), October I I-Chairman Ronald Charles, Secretary Lee Frazier, Educational Director Angel Rivera. Chairman announced port arrival time. Stressed need for TRB when registering to ship. Secretary noted provisions will be at dock on October 17. February 1999 Next voyage-to Bangladeshexpected to last approximately 75 days. Educational director urged crew members to attend upgrading courses at Paul Hall Center. Both deck and steward delegates reported beefs in respective departments. None reported by steward delegate. Request made for additional washing machine and dryer. Suggestion made and sent to contracts department for further consideration that after 20 years with SIU, members should be able to buy out. MAERSK TEXAS (Maersk Line), October 11-Chainnan John M. Zepeda, Secretary Donna M. DeCesare, Educational Director Nicholas Vieira, Deck Delegate Joseph Sauzek, Steward Delegate Daniel L. Wehr. Chainnan announced payoff in Charleston, S.C. October 15. Still waiting for ice machine; hope it arrives in Miami. Secretary asked everyone to help keep ship clean. Request put in for crew list sheets and forms for minutes. Educational director reminded crew members of opportunities available at Piney Point. Brother Sauzek taking over movie fund, which currently contains $55.83. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Written clarification requested regarding updated ae con rac . o asked hat work schedule for GVA be sent in writing. Ship's crew requested survival suits, especially for North Atlantic winters. Thanks given to chief cook for excellent food preparation and service. MAYAGUEZ (NPR, Inc.), October 30-Chairman Ray Tate, Secretary Milton Yarnell, Educational Director Horace D. Jones, Deck Delegate Michael Duggan, Steward Delegate Arturo Lopez. Chairmen led discussion about supporting union by upgrading skills. He also urged members to read Seafarers LOG and keep up-to-date on union rules, policies and new issues. Secretary talked about contract and said he feels lucky to be part of strong union. Educational director stressed need for upgrading at Lundeberg School and advised working members to keep union apprised of shipboard activities. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made for headquarters to look into changing wording on vacation checks and of reducing time necessary for retirement. Clarification also requested on extra vacation day. COURIER (Marine Transport), November 8-Chainnan Norman K. Armstrong, Secretary Kenneth Whitfield, Educational Director Rikk Parker, Deck Delegate Ralph Neal, Engine Delegate Joseph Preuito, Steward Delegate Jessie James. Chairman announced vessel en route to Texas. Educational director talked about great facilities at Paul Hall Center for upgrading Seafarers. Troy Mitchell elected ship's treasurer. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun to check with captain regarding ship's fund and whether company is part of money purchase pension plan. Request made for new VCR. Next port: Beaumont, Texas. GREEN ISLAND (Waterman Steamship), November 29Chairman Theodore J. Bush, Secretary John G. Reid, Educational Director Jim Laratta. Secretary announced fresh stores to be brought aboard in Morehead City, N.C. Educational director reminded crew members of necessity of obtaining TRBs. Treasurer noted $110 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Port agent to address problems with crew mess duties. LIBERTY SPIRIT (Liberty Maritime), November 21Chairman Reginald Watkins, Secretary Paul Stubblefield, Educational Director James W. Badgett, Engine Delegate Antonio Norman. Chairman read letter concerning seatime requirements for retirement. He also reported job well done with good group of crew members and especially thanked Shaun Bonefont and Nathaniel Salter, the two unlicensed apprentices. Secretary asked that everyone get rooms ready for replacements by bagging dirty linen and placing it in passways and removing all trash. No beefs or disputed OT reported. New washer and dryer requested by crew, especially with extra personnel on board. Also need new VCR and tape rewinder. Chief engineer let crew use his this trip. Crew members happy to have steward and chief cook back from vacation. LNG AQUARIUS (PRONAV Ship Management), November 15Chainnan Monte R. Pereira, Secretary Franklin Robertson, Deck Delegate Richard Spencer, Engine Delegate Joseph Jay mo , teward e egate . Stoiber. Chairman talked about changeover from ETC to PRONAV, which talces place November 17. He asked crew to keep working in professional manner. Educational director suggested that, with current state of shipping industry, everyone get as much education as possible, even sitting for license if time is available. Upgrade skills at Lundeberg School and take coures that will help provide job security and increased pay. Treasurer · announced $500 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chief cook and bosun requested everyone keep noise down. New water glasses requested. Steward department given vote of thanks for job well done. LYKES ADVENTURER (Crowley American Transport), November 19-Chairman Thomas E. Minton, Secretary McKinley Jones Jr., Educational Director James B. Porter, Deck Delegate William C. Horton, Steward Delegate David A. Brown III. Chairman reported movie locker open at all times during crossings and locked while ship in port. Bosun in process of malcing additional video storage space. New TV on board in crew lounge this trip. Would like to use some of ship's fund for antenna hookup. Thanks given to third engineer for his repair work on TV. Educational director advised crew to upgrade at Paul Hall Center or be left behind. ''The more training you have, the better your skills and job prospects will be." Treasurer announced $50 in ship's fund to be used to upgrade TV reception. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications from headquarters regarding payoffs as well as President's Report in LOG read and discussed. Request made to have elevator fixed to stop on Deck B. Vote of thanks to steward department for great job. Next ports: New York and Norfolk, Va. sible revision of pension plan. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. PAUL BUCK (Ocean Shipholding), November 5-Chairman Chris Kicey, Secretary A. Spangler, Educational Director George Bigby, Deck Delegate Mark Kerr, Engine Delegate Donal R. Swanner, Steward Delegate Ali Quraish. Chairman noted mail opening issue resolved. He also spoke about article in Sea/are rs LOG regarding affiliation of SIUNA and NMU and reviewed President Mike Sacco's report on Sill's 60th birthday. SEA-LAND CHALLENGER (Sea-Land Service), November 22-Chairman Mauro G. Gutierrez, Secretary Donna Jean Clemons, Educational Director Allen D. Parker, Deck Delegate John Thomas Emrich, Engine Delegate Rebecca Gaytan, Steward Delegate Joseph Laureta. Chairman thanked everyone for smooth trip, with special thanks to steward department for good food. Secretary expressed appreciation for donations to movie fund, which Shipboard Meeting on the Osprey ~ Bosun Robert Lindsay (seated, second from left) presides over a union meeting aboard the Osprey earlier last year. Robert E. Thompson Ill, who sent this photo from the Osprey-Acomarit vessel to the Seafarers LOG, did not identify everyone in the picture but noted that it includes AB Jose Castro, Chief Steward Justo Lacayo, Chief Cook Steve Dickson and AB Enrique Bravos. Educational director recommended all crew members utilize Paul Hall Center to advance job classification and skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications received aboard vessel on safety management program. Crew members asked to sort room trash prior to placing in dumpsters on ship's stem. Captain Hockenberry's memo read on allotments and foreign articles detailing why's and wherefore's. Anyone still unsure should ask questions. Request made for new VCR for rec room. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next ports: Honolulu; Johnston Atoll; Ulsan, South Korea; and Okinawa, Japan. SAM HOUSTON (Waterman Steamship), November 8Chainnan Samuel Reed, Secretary R.K. Bright, Deck Delegate James R. Stiller, Engine Delegate David Dunklin, Steward Delegate Henry Edwards. Chainnan announced letter on raise received. Secretary thanked crew for great trip. He urged them to attend upgrading courses at Piney Point and contribute to SPAD. Educational director announced $433 in ship's fund and stressed necessity of upgrading skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Several suggestions made to be forwarded to contracts department, including return of 14-day vacations and counting standby jobs toward seatime. Special thanks given to steward department for excellent service in all areas. SEA-LAND ANCHORAGE (Sea-Land Service), November 10--Chainnan Terrance Murphy, Secretary James Wright, Educational Director G. Ackley, Steward Delegate C. Short. Chainnan announced payoff at next port. Crew members urged to continue having TRBs checked off. Educational director thanked officers involved with various shipboard classes, especially first aid lectures and training. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion sent to headquarters regarding pos- added nearly 40 new movies over last three trips to video library. Fund still has balance of $100. Educational director advised crew members to attend courses at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested union to review for safety unloading of containers aboard ship. Vessel is built to load at side ports. Also requested review of seatime requirements for retirement. Steward noted milk has had to be frozen to extend life. Next ports: Oakland and Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND RELIANCE (SeaLand Service), November 8Chairman Lance X. Zollner, Secretary Rang V. Nguyen, Educational Director Steve W. Bigelow, Deck Delegate Dennis J. Goodwin, Engine Delegate W. E. Cassel. Chairman thanked deck department for good job. He also announced payoff in Tacoma, Wash. No beefs or disputed OT reported by department delegates. Letter received from headquarters responding to questions from prior trip. All hands gave steward department vote of thanks for great job. U5NS ALLEGIANCE (Maritrans), November 1Chainnan Sam Porchea, Secretary Catherine Hays, Educational Director Larry Wesley, Deck Delegate Steve Brown, Engine Delegate John Miranda, Steward Delegate Charlfred Autry. Ship has started slop chest, with profits going to ship's fund to eventually be used to purchase stabilizer for satellite dish. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Fans needed in four crew rooms; first engineer to be informed. Written clarification requested on number of items, including day's pay in lieu of day off, penalty hour for union duties, ~leaning of radio shack and clothing allowance for cleaning tanks, among others. Steward department thanked for good food with special thanks to Chief Cook Sherman Harper for serving meals with much enthusiasm. Next ports: Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas. Seafarers LOG 19 �- SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR MCS SUl'l'LEMENTARY l'EllSIOll PLAN This is a summary of the annual report nfthe Mes Supplementai;y·Pension Plan; · EIN ~1~6097a56 for the period ended'January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997. The a.onual.tepPrt has been filed with the Jnternal Revenue Service, as required under . the: Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ER ISA). Basic F'mancial Statement Benefits under the plan are provided by the Trust. Plan expenses were $J,383,747. These expenses included $179,524 in administrative expenses and "$1~204,223 in benefits paid to participants and beneficiaries. A total of 1,553 persons . ::were participants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the plan year, although ..!l~l all of these persons had yet earned the right to rereive benefits. The value of plan assets after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $11.589 ,292 .. ilS.ofDecember 31, 1997, compared to $11,524,150 as of Janu<ll)' 1, 1997. During the plan yc:<P', the plan experienced an increase jn its net assets of $65, 142. This increase includes unrealized appreciation in the value of the plan assets; that is, the difference between the current value of the plan's assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at the beginning of the year, or the c-ost of any assets acquired during the year. The plan hnd n total income of$ l ,448.889. including' realized gains of $274,310 ·from the sale.of assecs and enrn'ngs from investments of $1.174,S79. Minimum Fumfmg Standards . .. ·'An actuary',s statements shows that enough money was contributed to the plan to keep it funded in accordance with the minimum funding standards of ERJSA. Your Rights to AddHional lnformauon - I I I Your have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request. The items listed below are included in that report; 1. an acwuntant's report; 2. assets held for investment; 3. actuarial information regarding the funding of the plan; 4. service provider and trustee information; and 5. transactions in excess 5 percent of plan assets. To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call Trustees of MCS Supplementary Pension Plan, 520 l Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746; telephone (301) 899-0675. The charge to cover copying costs will be $3.00 for the full annual report, or 10 cents per page for any part thereof. You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or a statement of income and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both. If you request a copy of the full annual report from the plan administrator, these two statements and accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copying costs given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the report because these portions are furnished without charge. You also have the legally protected right to ex.amine the annual report at the main office of the plan (Trustees of the MCS Supplementary Pension Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746) and at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in Washington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment of copying costs, Requests to the DOL should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room, N-5638, Pension and Welfare Benefit Administration, Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. I I r .. .. ~ t SOlfltJIRf AllllUAL REPORT I This is a summary of the annual report for the Seafarers Pension Trust, EIN 136100329, Plan No. 001, for the period January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997. The annual report has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERJSA). I FOR SEAFARERS PENSION TRUST Basic F"manclal Statement Benefits under the plan are provided through a trust fund. Plan expenses were $35,842,202. These expenses included $4,877,110 in administrative expenses and $30,965,092 in benefits paid to participants and beneficiaries. A total of 23,536 persons were participants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the plan year, although not all of these persons had yet earned the right to receive benefits. The value of plan assets. after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $562,498.325 as ofDecember31, 1997, compared to $523,998,670as of January 1, 1997. During the plan year, the plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $38,499,655. This increase includes unrealized appreciation and depreciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the difference between the value of the plan's assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at the beginning of the year or the cost of assets acquired during the year,. The plan had a total income of $74,341,857, including employer contributions of $5,805,263, realized gains of $11,893.534 from the sale of assets, and earnings from investments of $56,643,060. A Great 'Love of the Sea' Story (Editor's note: The following story is one of true love, written by AB Mark Kerr about the marriage of his crew mate, QMED Donal Swanner. The photos were taken by QMED Roy Robinson.) nce upon a time, way back on a cold November starlit night in 1957 in a then-small seaport of Seattle. a young Seafarer named Donal "Gypsy" Swanner, sailing in the engine department, meets a delightfully witty and very pretty young lady named Judith Grots. Not long after their meeting and courtship, this young Seafarer sets sail for a Far East voyage. The newly acquainted couple embrace and exchange sweet thoughts of one another, bid farewell to each other, and he departs with the love in his heart for her, to last a lifetime. Several years of courtship pass and Donal finally asks Judith for her hand in marriage. They are married in the small town of Sulpulpa, Okla. in the summer of 1969. After the exchange of those sacred vows and a dreamy honeymoon, he departs on yet another sea voyage with the love in his heart for her, to last a lifetime. During the 35 years of marriage, they spend many memorable moments together enjoying the simple things in life. Judy likes to camp and go hiking. She spends a great deal of time in the great outdoors, nature trails, country-style living. So over the years, as with many a good marriage, each partner learns to accept from one another their values, needs and shortcomings. Judy learns to accept the love of the sea that her husband loves so much that again he must depart and return to sea on yet another sea voyage with the love in his heart for her, to last a lifetime. As with many a great love story, all beginnings must come with endings, and on September 29, 1998 at 1740, Judy Grots Swanner passed away at the age of 59 due to complications from cancer. At the request of his bride, she wanted her body, mind O and soul to remain with him every day, and her ashes were finally laid to rest at sea on November 12, 1998 at 2306 GMT. Gypsy Swanner noted the exact burial site to be Latitude 17.59.4N and Longitude 165.32.1 W. The burial service was conducted by Captain D. M. Hockenberry, master aboard the Paul Buck, and attended by the entire crew paying their respects for their SIU brother's loved one. As Gypsy parted with the ashes, and again on yet another sea voyage with the love in his heart for her, to last a lifetime, finally she will be with him forever. QMED Roy Robinson (left) and AB Mark Kerr pose for a photo aboard the Paul Buck as it departs Portland, Ore. for Hono· lulu. Captain D. M. Hockenberry (left) extends his condolences to QMED Donal Swanner during the burial service of Swanner's wife from aboard the Ocean Shipholding, Inc. vessel. Seafarer/Author r Announces Book Special AB Larry Reiner, author of two novels primarily set aboard ship, reports that his publisher is extending sale prices on the books for SIU members. ea arers may order Reiner's new book, The Other Shore, for $20 through Integra P savings). Or they may order both his novels (The Other Shore and Minute of Silence) for a total of $36, postage prepaid. Be sure to specify that you are an SIU member and that you want Integra's "special offer" in order to receive the discount. Books may be ordered at Integra's internet site, www.integrapress.com; by phone at (602) 996-2106; by fax at (602) 953-1552; or by writing to: Integra Press 1702 W. Camelback Rd., Suite 119 Phoenix, AZ 85015 Cape Texas Meets MSC's Challenge Minimum Funding Standards An actuary's statement shows that enough money was contributed to the plan to keep it funded in accordance with the minimum funding standards of BRISA CAPE TEXAS Your Rights to Additional Information NORFOLK VA. You have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request The items listed below are included in that report: 1. an accountant's report; 2. assets held for investment; 3. transactions in excess of 5 percent of plan assets; 4. actuarial information regarding the funding of the plan; and 5. service provider andtrustee information. To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call Board of Trustees Seafarers Pension Trust, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746; telephone (301) 899-0675. The charge to rover copying costs will be $3.50 for the full annual report, or 10 cents for any page thereof. You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or a statement of income and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both. If you request a copy of the full annual report from the plan administrator, these two statements and accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copying costs given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the report because these portions are furnished without charge. You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the main office of the plan (Board of Trustees Seafarers Pension Trust, 5201 Au th Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746) and at the U.S. Department of Labor (OOL) in Washington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment of copying costs, Requests to the OOL should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room, N5638, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. 20 Seafarers LOG Last fall, a number of SIU-crewed ships composing part of the Ready Reserve Force were activated for unannounced drills. One of those vessels is the Cape Texas, operated by Apex Marine Corp. When in reduced operating status, the 635foot ship is based in Houston. Pictured in the ship's galley during the activation are (top photo, from left) Chief Cook John Foster, Chief Steward Bruce Mesger, SA Birdie Lawson and Recertified Bosun Billy Eastwood. Shown at right are (from left) ABs Heley Mareno, Harold Caldeira and John Gilliam. The Cape Texas, along with the other Seafarers-crewed vessels, successfully met the goals of the activation exercise. February 1999 �were bringing back German prisoners of war on a Liberty ship when the war was declared over. They were all young kids. The news came over the radio in German, and they knew they were going back home. Richard Heffiey Cardiff, N.J. I Letters to the Editor (Editor's note: the Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer's intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.) (Brother Heffley signed on his first ship, the Kansan, when he was just 16. He has since received certificates of appreciation for his contribution to our nation's defense and security from New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman as well as from French President Franrois Mitterand and the French defense attache.) SIU Withstands World of Politics As the membership of the Seafarers International Union celebrates 60 years of dedicated service in support of U.S.-flag participation in the world of ocean commerce, politicians will come and go, regardless of what they do or fail to do. But the Brotherhood of the Sea is forever! James W. Krebser Stuart, Fla. . . Remaining in Touch With the SIU Union Thank you for mailing me the Seafarers LOG. After 33 years of going to sea with the MC&S, I get to keep up with what is going on in the union as well as the sad news of my many friends who went over the bar for the last time. When I went to sea, I was like a kid at a circus all the time. But what I learned on the passenger and cargo ships helped me obtain good jobs after I retired. Gordon P. Driscoll Warren, Ore. . n Memory of ... "Rotterdam Slim" "Rotterdam Slim," a ship's chandler for more than 60 y , pas e away recently. When a ship would visit the port of Rotterdam, Holland, he would pr vide the crew members with "Rotterdam Slim" souvenirs such as watches, crystal, cheese and many other items. He was loved by all SIU members who met him and will be sorely missed. The photo above was given to me while on a visit to Rotterdam aboard the Sea-Land Newark Bay by his stepson, Arthur, who has taken "Slim's" place. "Slim" knew the value of a strong American merchant marine and will be a fond memory for all who had the pleasure of knowing him. · Robert S. Hess St. Augustine, Fla. . . Brother Heffley Gets Veteran Recognition I would like to tell the young seamen of today what it was like during World War II. I was there in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 for the allied invasion of Europe-D-Day. Allied ships had been sunk in order to make a bulkhead for the troops to land on. They would then fly the seamen home to sail more ships back over there. My ships brought back Gis from Germany and France. We . ~ LOG Article Brings Back Memories of Thule I am not a merchant mariner, but I am a retired Navy quartermaster who spent 19 of my 23 years on sea duty. Each month I am given a copy of the Seafare rs LOG by a friend. I enjoy all your articles. In the December 1998 issue, you printed an article by Chief Steward Pooler, who told us of his second trip to Thule, Greenland to refuel the Air Force base. This brought back memories. Please allow me to share them with you. Thule Air Force base was established in the summer of 1951 as a listening post in the cold war with Russia. The base is approximately 3,000 miles from the geographical North Pole. In June 1951, the USS Casa Grande LSD 13, an assault landing ship dock, in company with other ships carrying Army personnel, supplies and equipment, departed Norfolk, Va. to build the base at Thule. The Casa Grande, equipped with an ice breaker bow, was to be used to break through the ice for the shallow draft LSTs that were transporting the pontoon causeways that would be anchored to the shore and used to offload men and equipment. They would also be used by the landing craft transporting personnel to and from shore. A number of times the Casa Grande was called upon to break through an ice floe for the LS Ts. In Thule, I was ordered to run an LCVP to transport personnel from ship to shore, ship to ship, and act as a lifeguard for the deck seamen working over the side painting. Two of the Casa Grande deck seamen elected to stand on an iceberg that was lodged against the port quarter rather than the required stage. The seamen slipped from the iceberg into the water but were pulled out almost immediately. They were sent to sick bay for the customary shot of brandy, hot shower and a change of clothing. They were returned to duty none the worse for wear. The air temperature was 42 degrees, but I do not know what the water temperature was. With 24 hours of daylight, the personnel constructing the base were able to work around the clock. Until mid-August, it was pretty much routine. The men and equipment were reloaded for the return to Norfolk on August 21in a snowstorm. Part way through an ice floe, the Casa Grande, equipped with a hydro-electric steering system, experienced a steering casualty. Fortunately, the system was returned to service in a few minutes and we were able to continue our journey. We did not see any white polar bears either. Donald R. Miller, QMC USN Retired Staten Island, NY Researcher Seeks Help In Locating Tug Cos. I am researching a tugboat and one of your readers may be able to help me. I am trying to locate someone who may have worked on the Lorain, built by Great Lakes Towing Company in 1915. In the 1940s, the tug went to the R.C. Huffman Construction Company. It was renamed the Cabot in 1950 while owned by Merrit-Chapman & Scott Corp. and used by them in the construction of the Mackinac Bridge. In 1968, Providence Towing Corp. of Miami, Fla. is listed as the owner, and in 1972, Allan M. Kennedy Jr. of Minneapolis. Other than the Great Lakes Towing Company, I have not been able to find an address for these companies. If someone can fill me in on some of this tug's history, please contact me. MichaelJ.McCorlllick P.O. Box 21 Kaukauna, WI 54130 Proud to Be Union Last year, Virginia became the first state in the nation to authorize a specialized license plate dedicated to AFL-GIO members. The tags feature the state federation's logo along with "Union Labor" and "AFL-GIO." Union members with vehicles registered in the Old Dominion may order the tags through Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle offices. Either the state will assign a number or vanity tags can be requested as long as they use no more than six digits. However, the above tag already has been taken by SIU Communications Director Daniel Duncan. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. The annual financial committee will be elected during the March 8, 1999 headquarters membership meeting to review the 1998 records. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member's shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in February 1999 all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY - THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed hannful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea/are rs LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the me.mber should notify union · headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION-If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Seafarers LOG 21 - �- Lundeberg School Graduating Classes 1~ .... ....-.-:-{/ . .....--....,. ,. -.,_ ., ; SEAFARERS HARRY LUNDEBERG SCHOOL .~.•;~~-. LIFEBOAT CLASS "':i"~~ .l , ..:.ff'IR ~f,.. i:; H 3 .. :tm r. Trainee Water Survival Class 583 - Graduating from trainee water survival class 583 are (from left, kneeling) Carlos Vargas, Jason Pratt, Edric Hernandez, Bert Lincoln Reynolds, (second row) Misti Thornbrugh, Victor Harvey, Daniel Buffington, Christopher Ledlow, Kris Setterington and Ben Cusic (instructor). \ SCHOOL 1 '\. : .,, ~ ~ !~t.~~:- LIFEBOAT CLASS 584 ' Trainee Water Survival Class 584 - Trainees completing water survival class 584 are (from left, kneeling) Jason Dew, Kevin Addington, Jonathan Buffington, Charles Jones, Kenneth Salgado, (second row) Casey Taylor (instructor), Daniel Borden, Hamil Gregorio, Hugh Crossan Ill, Ray Avie Jr., Randy Ledesma, Todd Conley, Salvatore Migliara, Roosevelt Clark and Paul Weil. fc' ~ I " \! ... r'-·-- !f!li • • ,F ~,.A'"' f Third Mate-Marking their graduation from the third mate class on December 11 are (kneeling) Joseph Turocy, (second row, from left) Richard Grubbs, Keith Finnerty, David Salentre, Jeremie Riehm, John McClinton, (third row) Robert Grove, Christopher Kavanagh, Michael Sleeper, Ben Johnson and instructors Mike Smith and Brad Wheeler. Able Seaman-Earning their AB endorsements on December 11 are (from left, kneeling) John Seibert Jr., Larry Childress, John Kearns, Tom Gilliland (instructor), (second row) James Walmsley, Kenneth Stathos, Michael Patterson, Michael Watson, Saul Townsend Ill, (third row) Anthony Brantley, John Paffrath and Troy Hedrick. Upgraders Water er completing the upgraders water survival course November 13 are (from left, front row) Matthew Voumard, Larry Childress, Michael Patterson, John Kearns, John Seibert Jr., Anthony Brantley, (second row) Michael Watson, John Paffrath, Saul Townsend Ill, Troy Hedrick and Paul Curtis. Basic Firefighting-Seafarers graduating November 6 from the basic firefighting course are (from left, kneeling) Don Dwerk, Alphonso Davis, Mario Batiz, Rickie Zelaya, Lorie Christmas, Andrew Jones, (second row) Rick Redmond (instructor), Wayne Gonsalves, Vanessa Fickel, Michelle Waters, Pablo Lopez, Richard Tasse, Rodolfo Moreira, (third row) Musad Alawad, Michael Wilford, Edward Adams, David Sullivan, Jose Garcia and Talama Moega. Advanced Firefighting-Upgrading graduates of t~e October 30 advanced firefighting class are (from left, kneeling) Taher Saeed, Mohamed Mohamed, Richard Hicks, Waseem Dhalai, Majed Alsunbahi, Gayl Payton, Dave Lomot, Dawn Williams, (second row) Anthony Hammett (instructor), Brandy Carter, Walter Harris, Eric Perez, Walter Rocha, David Waligora, Sean Walsh, Talama Moega, (third row) Robert Borden, William Osborn, Thomas Moore, John Foster and Reeves Hornby. Advanced Firefighting-Graduating from the advanced firefighting class on November 13 are (from left, kneeling) Mustari Lalong, Elmo Malacas, Robbie Ballard, Jesse Natividad Jr., Ferdinand Gabuten, James Perez, Michael Miller, (second row) Robert Maschmeier, Joan Ellis, Davie Guyton, Ramon Camacho, Gregory Blaylock, Edwin Bonefont, Dana Cunningham, Maurice Baptiste, (third row) Anthony Hammett (instructor), Franz Winiker, Michael Ruggiero, John O'Connell, Kent Doctor, Marcus Garvey and Raphael Vargas. LNG Recertification-Receiving their certificates for completing the LNG recertification course on November 20 are (from left, kneeling) Jesse Natividad Jr., Michael Miller, Mustari Lalong , (second row) Franz Winiker, Ramli Mohamed, Ramon Camacho, James Perez, Michael Ruggiero, (third row) Edwin Bonefont, Gregory Blaylock, Russ Levin (instructor) , Joan Ellis, Davie Guyton, Raphael Vargas, Robert Maschmeier, Dana Cunningham and John O'Connell. 22 Seafarers LOG February 1999 �LUNDEBERG SCHOOL 1999 UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE The folJowin.g is the schedule for classes beginning in February and running through . M~y :-J~29::· attlie . Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, located at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All programs are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime ; ind.ustry. . . .. •. · Please note tha(this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membershipt the maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course's. s~rt date:. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the .•.:S.t,art.4~~~f:. . . : . . . '. \'.•.::.··,,·!':••·:·•:,... . .. ... :.. . ;: : ": : ~e?.:f~S!~c~~o.,~ave · any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the . LUridebe~g School may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Recertification Programs Course Start Date Date of Completion Bosun Recertification March22 May3 Steward Recertification February 1 March9 LNG Recertification MaylO May27 Safety Specialty Courses Course Start Date Date of Departure Tanker Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL) February 15 March 15 April 12 May IO March6 April 3 Mayl Deck Upgrading Courses :::Able Seaman Radar.·. Ob8erv~riunlimited Start Date Date of Completion AprilS Mayl4 March8 March 1 March 12 MaylO May IS May31 Junes February 22 April 19 March 6 Mayl May29 Radar Recertification (one day) March 12 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) March 15 March 19 Bridge Management March22 April 2 Course Start Date Fireman/Watertender & Oiler May3 / elding Advanced Firefighting '" ' Jiity''' llf' March 8 April 16 May3 June 11 Febroary22 March 19 April 19 May14 Lifeboatman/Water Survival STCW Basic Safety Tankerman (PIC) Barge Course Start Date Ga y Operations/ Advanced Galley Operations (Every w ek, starting Jan. 11) February 1, 8, 15, 22 March 1, 8, 15" 22, 29 April 5, 12, 19, 26 Certified Chief Cook/ Chief Steward (Every otlur week, stoning Jan. 11) February 8, 22 March 8, 22 Apl'il 5, 19 March 1 March22 Mayl7 May24 February 19 March 19 April 9 June4 June 11 February 22 Mareh22 March 6 April 3 April 19 May 18 Mayl May29 February 1 Government Vessels June 11 QMED IDiesel Engine Technology April 12 Date of Completion "", . . . . J,,,>.,. . '"';,.,... .,.,,' February 6 March 13 April 17 February 1 Basic Firefighting May10 Engine Upgrading Courses Marine Electrical Maintenance I May29 February 8 Febraury 12 February22 February 26 March29 April 2 March 15 March20 Academic Department Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion General Education Courses May3 June 10 In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. __Jc_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty ( 120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USM MD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All FOWZ: AB and QMED awlicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $135 with their g.pplication. The payment should be made with a money order only. payable to LMSS. UPGRADING APPLICATION COURSE Telephone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Deep Sea Member D END DATE BEGIN DATE Date of Birth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Lakes Member D Inland Waters Member D If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Book# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Seniority _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Department U.S. Citizen: Yes D No 0 Home Port Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAST V E S S E L : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rating: _ _ __ Date O n : - - - - - - - - - - - - Date Off: Are you a graduate of the SHLSS trainee program? DYes DNo If yes, class# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~ SIGNATURE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Have you attended any SHLSS upgrading courses? NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the c'ourse. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. DYes DNo If yes, course(s) taken - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes Primary language spoken February 1999 D No CPR: D Yes DNo DATE RETURN COMPLETED APPL/CATION TO: Lundeberg School of Seamanship, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. 2199 The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. Seafarers LOG 23 �Summary Annual Reports for MCS Supplementary Pension Plan and Seafarers Pension Plan may be found on page 20. SIU Assistant Vice President Nick Celona welcomes 250 guests to the port's annual Thanksgiving dinner. Seafarers and pensioners and their families, as well as friends of the SIU, helped make the day a memorable one. Enjoying good company and a sumptuous array of holiday fare are (clockwise from front) recently retired Bosun Oscar Wiley and his wife; (looking to the side) Denise Celona, wife of Asst. VP Nick Celona; Rachael Bochettie, wife of retired MC&S union official Roger Bochettie; Gail Loretta, wife of Chief Steward Ray Loretta; Theresa Madesti and her husband, Mel Madesti, a retired MC&S union official. Bountiful Banquet Held For Bay Area Members Thanksgiving dinner at the festively decorated SIU hall in San Francisco has gotten to be a "real event" over the years. This past holiday was no exception. More than 250 guests--everyone from active members, pensioners, labor union officials, local politicians, judges and shipping company representatives-were in attendance. Coordinated by chief stewards Burt Richardson and Ray Loretta, much of the standard holiday fare, including nine 15-pound hams, was prepared by SIU volunteers. Additionally, Alioto's Restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf cooked 20 turkeys for the occasion, and a number of delicious desserts were donated by Martha Rivera, a friend of the union. Words of welcome from SIU West Coast Vice President Nick Marrone and Assistant Vice President Nick Celona got the festivities off to a start. There was even a surprise cake presented to Jack Henning in celebration of his g3rd birthday. Henning, known as a "champion of the working man," is the retired executive secretarytreasurer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. The photos accompanying this article were taken by Third Cook Clifford Scott. Enjoying the Thanksgiving dinner are Bosun Peter Amper and his wife, Rose. Santa Starts in Mobile Presenting Jack Henning with a surprise birthday cake are Chief Steward Luella Sproul (left) and Martha Rivera, who made the cake (right). Looking on are Art Pulaski (behind Sproul), the executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, and retired SIU West Coast Vice President George McCartney. t!i'Q Making it look easy to feed 250 people are, from left, Chief Cook John Blasquez, Chief Cook Clarence Page, Chief Steward Raymond L. Loretta and Chief Steward Burt Richardson. Santa made a surprise appearance at the Mobile, Ala. membership dinner last month, spreading holiday cheer to more than 100 members, pensioners and their families. In addition to the Christmas festivities, everyone was treated to a delicious holiday meal, provided by the SIU staff at the Mobile hall. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1990-1999 Description An account of the resource Volumes LII-LXI Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993; Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 1999 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES MERCER RETIRES AFTER 50 YEARS OF SERVICE; MANGRAM NAMED AS NEW VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NY/NJ DREDGING PRESS TAKES NOTICE OF RUNAWAYS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER RENEWS CALL FOR STRONG U.S.-FLAG FLEET HOUSE MARITIME CHAIR SAYS HE WON’T CONSIDER JONES ACT IN NEW CONGRESS UNION WORKERS GIVE FACELIFT TO SIU’S NORFOLK HALL SIU FERRY CREW SAVES ‘SUICIDE SWIMMER’ GLOBAL SENTINEL AIDS ACCIDENT VICTIM CLINTON LISTS SAVING SOCIAL SECURITY AS TOP PRIORITY STEEL CRISIS CONTINUES SEAFARERS SAY TIME HAS COME FOR SIUNA-NMU AFFILIATION AVONDALE, NEWPORT NEWS MERGER MAY BE BREATHROUGH FOR WORKERS SEN. LOTT CALLS FOR STRONG U.S.-FLAG FLEET SEAFARERS AID FAMILIES, FELLOW HONDURANS IN WAKE OF HURRICANE MITCH DEVASTATION KEEPING UP WITH THE PAUL HALL CENTER REFURBISHED HUMACAO CARRIES BIGGER CONTAINERS SAN JUAN BUZZES WITH ACTIVITY EL YUNQUE WELCOMED INTO U.S.-FLAG TRADE BOUNTIFUL BANQUET HELD FOR BAY AREA MEMBERS Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/1999 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 61, No. 2 1999 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/c7f40c22f804e5252505fa20ddb32a21.PDF 4aab1dc7667a3ad01097b90aa228cdc7 PDF Text Text "Tt: Open  Letter  Shipowners  ^ABBRSJOCI  OFFICIAL ORGAN  OF  THE ATLANTIC  AND  GULF  DISTRICT,  SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL  UNION  OF  NORTH  AMERICA  To  All  Shipowners,  Gentlemen:  VOL.  IH IV  You  have  lost  several  ships  during  this  past  month.  They have been sent plunging to the bottom  of  the Atlantic with great holes torn in their sides by  enemy torpedoes.  When you balance your books at  the end of  the  year,  youTl  find  that  your  profit  sheet  won't  be  as long  as  it  might  have  been—if  these  ships  had  not gone down.  NEW  YORK.  N.  Y..  MONDAY.  FEBRUARY  2.  1942  No.  4  1'  IS SIU Men lost  Off  Hatter as  Early  on  the  morning  of  January  25th,  the  8,016  ton  ore  carrier  Venore  But  we can't  squeeze out  any tears for  you.  Not  was torpedoed off  the Carolina coast and went down  with the  loss of  the skip­ when we count  our  dead.  Fifty­seven of  our  Broth­ per,  the  radio operator and  18  SIU  crew  members.  This brings to a total of  57 the num ber of  SIU Brothers  that have lost  their  rs went  down  with those ships.  Fifty­seven  families  lives during  the  U­boat  campaign now  raging  along  the  Atlantic  coast.  Not  have been robbed  of  their  fathers  or  husbands  or  ^one  of  the  Brothers  had  a fighting  chance,  for  their  ships  were  com'  Poy  Decision  pletcly  unarmed—despite  repeated  promises  from  Governmental  of'  sons.  The way we  figure things, our  loss is  greater  ficials  that  crews  would  be  protected.  Eleven  ships  have  been  sunk  in  than  yours.  the  coastal  areas in  the  past  two  weeks,  and  still  American  ships  leave  Is Given On  '  ­ 'V  NOT ONE of  our Brothers had so much as an air­ rifle with which to protect himself against the enemy  raiders.  NOT ONE of  our Brothers was protected by  the new­style life belts (such as the British merchant  seamen  have).  NOT  ONE  SIU  man  was  able  to  climb out  of  the icy  waters onto a life raft,  because  the ships were  hot equipped  with these rafts.  And why  in hell  weren't they?  Congress  passed  a  bill  to  arm  merchant  ships  long before this country got into the  war.  The Mari­ time Commission announced last November that  the  ships would  be armed  with anti­sub  guns and anti­ aircraft guns Just  as rapidly as they hit port.  This has not been done!  Interned Seamen  Seamen  who  are  forced  to  aban­ don  ship  due  to  enemy  action  and  are  subsequently  interned  by  an  enemy  power,  will  continue  to  draw  pay  from  the  shipowner  up  until  the  moment  they  again  set  foot  on  continental  United  States  This  was  the  latest  ruling  handed  down  this  week  by  the  Maritime  War  Emergency  Board.  Payments  are  to  be  made  in  the  event  of  either  the  internment  of  the  crew  or  the  destruction  of  their  ship.  INTERCOSTAL  SERVICE ENDED  BY COMMISSION  The  City  of  Atlanta  went  to  the  bottom  in  five  Suspension  of  all  steamship  in'  minutes.  The  Venore  went  down in seven  minutes.  tercoastal  runs  has  been  ordered  Even granting that the life boats were in good condi­ by  the  Maritime  Commission.  The  order  will  take  eflFect  when  sliips  tion« it is next to impossible to get the crew off  in that  now  loaded,  or  en  route,  have  their  home  ports.  length  of  time.  Moreover,  if  the  ship  is  listing  to  reached  Ships  now  on  intercoastal  runs  port, the starboard boats are useless.  And if  the ship  will  1^  taken  over  by  the.  Mari'  time Commission  and be  placed on  is listing to starboard, the port boats are useless.  On  "more  essential"  runs.  The  Com'  the  Atlanta  the  crew  was able  to  launch only  one  mission  revealed  that  it  would  possess  all  ships  of  over  5,000  boat and that  one  was  crushed  and sucked  under  tons.  estimated  that  40  ships will  by  the sinking  ship.  A  couple  of  life  rafts aboard  be It is  affected  by  the  new  order  and  that  the  aggregate  tonnage  of  the  these ships would have saved many lives.  ships  will  be  between  250,000 and  300,000  tons.  The  result  of  the  order  will  be  This  war  is  a month  old  now.  For  30  days  the  a  sharp  increase  in  traffic  on  the  railroads.  seamen  have  been  sailing  the  ships  without  the  transcontinental  The  lines  affected  by  the  order  protection  to  which  they  are  entitled—^protection  are;  American­Hawaiian  Steam'  ship  Company;  American  Presi'  which  has  been  promised  repeatedly  by  both  the  dent  Lines;  Arrow  Line;  Calmar  Steamship  Corp.;  Isthmian  Steam'  Government  and  you.  ship  Co.;  Luckenbach  Steamship  A gun and a life raft is little enough  to ask  for—  Company;  Pope  6?  Talbot,  Inc.;  Quaker  Line;  California­Eastern  don't  you think?  Then what's the stall?  Line;  United  States  Line;  Weyer­ hauser  Steamship  Co.,  and  Union  Are priorities holding  things up?  Or could  it  be  Sulphur  Palantic Line.  But  the  rafts  weren't  there!  that you hate to shell  out for the  cost?  I  J'*.­.  ,  Whatever  the  reason,  we  say  to  you  with  all  earnestness, things must change!  The men who sail  I  the  ships  must  have  the  very  minimum  protection  of  anti­sub guns and  life rafts.  Very  truly  yours.  The Men Who Sail Your  Ships.  The  Maritime  Service  Training  Schools  have  relaxed  their  rule  that  ail  applicants  must  produce  three  year's  discharges.  The  nevr  regula­ tions  admit  a  man  with  18  months  service.  The  government  nMxintains  two  schools.  One  at  New  London.  Conn.,  and  tl\e  other  at  Alameda.  Calif.  port  without  arms  with  which  to  protect  themselves.  The  twenty­one  survivors  of  the  Venore  were  brought  into  Nor­ folk  by  a  rescue  vessel  after  speiiding  thirty­eight  harrowing  hours  in  an  open  lifeboat.  The SIU  Brothers  that  escaped  with  their  lives  told  of  the  cunning  used  by  the enemy  submarine  in  sinking  their  ship.  ,  I  The  sub  masqueraded  as  a  lightship  and  blinked  a  code  message ^  ­1  for  the  Venore  to  come  closer  in  the  early  morning  hours.  The  un­ suspecting ship  swerved  toward  the  supposedly  friendly  beacon.  When  she  got  within  range,  the  sub  sent  two  torpedoes  crashing  into  her,  then  shelled  her  from  a  deck  gun.  This  all  happened  at  extremely  close  range  and  had  the  Venore  been  armed  ,  the  crew could  have  made  a fight  for  it.  As it  was,  the  ship could  only wollow  like  a  great  fat duck  waiting  helplessly  for  the  hunter  to  pick  her  off.  Brother  Herbert  Clark,  after  landing  in  Norfolk,  was  bitter  about  the  helplessness  of  the  crew.  "If  we  had  only  had  a  gun,"  he  said,  "I  would  have  taken  charge  of  it  myself  and  blasted  that  sub  out  of  the  water."  First  notice  of  the  assualt  came  by  way  of  an  SOS  sent  by  the  Venore s radio operator. At 12:47  A.M. Saturday  the  message flashed:  Two  crashes so  far.  Will  keep informed. Think  swimming soon."  Two  minutes  later  a  second  message  crackled  nut:  Torpedoed  twice.  Ship still  afloat,  but  listing  badly.  Captain  re­ quests  assistance  immediately."  31  (Continued on Page Four) VENORE'5  S.I.U.  [CREW  t!  LOST  STANLEY  J.  BATILES  WILLIAM  JOHNSON  WALTER  WALKER  JOHNNY  AUSTIN  JOSEPH  EDGAR  MAKONY  CLAUDIO  FIGUERAS  ALEXANDER  TOOM  C.  J.  BRAND  GEORGE  C.  ROBEY  WILLIAM  DAVIS  EDWARD  WILLIAMS  LORENZO  GARDINER  WILLIAM  E.  OLIVER  FRANK  BROWN  ^MO  CHRISHOLM  COURTLOND  V.  AIKENS  ST.  ULIAN  NAVETTE  BOATSWAIN  AB  AB  OS  OS  DECK  ENGINEER,  OILER  OILER  WIPER  WIPER  WIPER  STEWARD  CHIEF  COOK  MESSMAN  MESSBOY  MESSBOY  MESSBOY  SAVED  MANUEL  BALLESTERO  P.  KARLSON  PETER  JOSEPH  SANTOS  HERBERTCLARK  ALLEN  HORTEN  PHILIP  GONZALES  CLARENCE  WILLIAMS  WILLIAM  F.  NEWTON  GORDON  J.  DALY  jr  IN . O'ROURKE  JOHN  DIAZ  JUAN  GARRILLO  ELDAR  G.  DRIVER  LEE  SCOTT  EUGENE  PARKET  QUARTERMASTER  QUARTERMASTER  AB  AB  AB  AB  OS  OILER  OILER  OILER  FREMAN  FREMAN  FREMAN  SECOND  COOK  MESSBOY  A  ..  m  �Pag®  Foar  THE  SEJLfLA.lt^ftff':  T;<^wr  Page Two  THE  SEAFARERS'  LOG  Published  by  the  SUP Returns Lundeberg,  Weisberger, Korenblaft  SEAFARERS'  INTERNATJONAL  UNION  OF NORTH AMERICA  Atlantic  &  Gulf  District  Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor A  WORD  WITH  The SUP  has completed  its annual  election of  officers.  There  were  no startling  upsets  in  the  elections,  many  of  the  incumbents even  run­ HARRY  LUNDEBERG,  Acttng  Internationa!  President  ning  unopposed.  Brother  Harry  Lundeberg  was  voted  another  term  110  Market  Street,  Room  402,  San  Francisco,  Calii.  as  Secretary­Treasurer  by  almost  2,000  votes.  He  was  unopposed  for  the  office,  as  was  Morris Weisberger,  who  received  1,968,  for  the  po­ ADDRESS  ALL  CORRESPONDENCE  CONCERNING  THIS  sition  of  New  York  Agent.  Max  Korenblatt  was  returned  as  New  York  patrolman,  receiving  more  than  the  combined  vote  of  his  two  PUBLICATION  TO:  opponents.  "THE  SEAFARERS' LOG"  The  complete  tabulation  of  votes  follows:  P.  O. Box  25, Station  P.  New  York,  N.  Y.  Hello  Brothers.  Sorry  to  have  Office  Total  Votes  missed  last  week's issue,  but  I  had  Phone: BOwling Green  9­8346  Seretary­Treasurer  to  leave  town  on  Tuesday  morn­ *HARRY  LUNDEBERG  1988  ing  and  didn't  get  back  until  Void  and  Write­ins  271  Saturday  afternoon.  When  I  re­ Asst.  Seretary­Treasurer  turned,  the  Editor  told  me  it  was  *E.  G.  ARNOLD  1513  too  late  to  get  my  copy  in  that  First  Patrolman  issue.  T.  HAMPSON  239  Being out  of  town,  I  also  missed  G.  HEXUM  370  HOWARD  LAWSON  182  seeing  our  laid­up  Brothers.  I'll  *MAXIE  WEISBARTH  1180  try  and  make  it  up  to  them  this  week.  Washington,  D.  C.—Attempts  As  a  result  of  this  parley,  a  Seond  Patrolman  JAMES  DONOVAN  814  by  anti'labor  bosses  to  oust  active  plan  to  safeguard  workers  from  I  know  they'll  be  glad  to  see  . ..*LOUIS  EGNER  1132  the  last  issue  of  the  Log—news  unionists,  on  the  pretext  they  are  unfair  dismissal  was  worked  out,  "subversive,"  were  curbed  under  and  a  memorandum  setting  it  Dispatcher  aplenty.  Also  pictures  of  our  lat­ A.  BURKE  :  635  est  heroes  of  the  deep.  They  most  machinery  agreed  upon  by  the  forth  was  signed  by  Under­Secre­ LAVOIE  1450  certainly  are  made  of  the  right  ,  army  and  navy,  after  consultation  tary  of  War  Robert  P.  Patterson  and  •  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Seattle  Agent  with  organized  labor.  stuff  to  go  right  back  to sea  after  *ED  COESTER  1665  enduring  those  hardships.  They  Army  and  navy  officials  have  Navy  Ralph  A.  Bard.  It  is  to  be  are  honest  to  God  Americans—  sweeping  powers  to  remove  from  distributed  to  local  unions,  em­ Seattle  Patrolman  B.  BARRENA  485  everyone  of  them.  defense  industries  workers  whose  ployers  and  military  representa­ E.  FISHER  709  loyalty  is  questioned.  Until  now,  tives  at  defense  plants.  This  week  I  received  a  letter  *H.  JOHNSON  720  Under  its  provision,  army  or  this  authority  has  been  exercised  which greatly saddened  me.  It was  Portland  Agent  without  any  right  of  appeal,  and  navy  agents  may,  after  an  ade­ C.  L.  DUNCAN  894  from  the  mother  of  one  of  our  complaints  arose  that  some  em­ quate  investigation,  ask  an  em­ young  brothers  who  recently  died.  *J.  MASSEY  1006  ployers  were  taking  advantage  of  ployer  to  drop  a  suspected  em­ San Pedro  Agent  Loyd  Gardner  was  his  name,  and  the  situation  to  pin  the  label  of  LEE  BARLOW  534  he  was  a fine  young  man  in  his  "disloyalty"  on  unionists  they  ployee,  but  this  would  be  done  H.  CHRISTOFFERSON  514  early  twenties  and  had  been  re­ only  after  consultation  with  rep­ wanted  to  get  rid  of.  ceiving  treatment  in  the  Marine  *H.  PREVOST  677  resentatives  of  both  labor  and  S.  SORENSEN  393  Hospital.  He  seemed  to  be  im­ To  stop  such  abuses.  Assistant  management.  In  most  instances,  San  Pedro  Patrolman  proving  for a  while and  even  went  Secretary  of  Labor  Dan  W. Tracy  unions  would  be  given  the  oppor­ H.  BATES  550  .home  for  Christmas.  I  met  his  arranged  a  conference  between  J.  COTTER  235  mother  at  Christmas  time  and  she  representatives  of  the  two  agen­ tunity to  handle the  removal them­ BILL  GREIS  267  was  a  lovely  little  lady.  cies  and  of  labor,  to  work  out  selves  and  arrange  for  transfer  of  A.  RHYNE  102  procedures.  so­called  "disloyal"  workers.  Well,  just  when  Loyd  was  get­ *H.  SNOW  738  ting  along  he  took  a  turn  for  the  Honolulu Agent  worse  and  this  week  he  died.  I  *C.  CHRISTIANSEN  1217  .sat  with  him  many  times  just  as  J.  K.  HELENA  435  I  would  with one  of  my own  sons.  G.  MAYENSCHIEN  239  He  was  always  wishing  he  would  New  York  Agent  get  better  quickly,  so as  to  be  able  *M.  WEISBERGER  1968  to  get  back  to  sea.  But  I  guess  it  New York  Patrolman  wasn't  in  the  cards.  The  long  smoldering  feud  between  the  welders  and  the  diverse  *MAX  KORENBLATT  1052  ~"AFL  craft  unions  to  which  they  belong,  exploded  this week  end  with  R.  J. STAPLETON  '" "  452  I  don't  want  any  of  you  boys  H.  STRAUS  372  to  think  that  I'm  a  softie—I  a  strike  at  the  Puget  Sound  shipyards.  1,654  men  walked  off  the  * Elected. shipbuilding  jobs  when  the  War  Production  Board  ruled  that  they  spent  twenty  years  at  sea  myself  could  not  set  up  their  own  independent  Union  but  must  continue  to  and  that  tends  to  harden  one  up  bargain  through  the  various  AFL"|'  a  bit.  But  when  a  young  boy  like  .unions  to  which  they  already  be­ that  dies  without  a  chance  to  do  with  his  life  what  he  wants  to—  f;  longed.  well,  it  kinda  gets  me.  The  welders'  beef  has  been  that  it  is  necessary  for  them  to belong,  I  think  all  the  boys  would  like  and  pay dues,  to three or  four dif­ to  read  the  letter  that  Brother  Gardner's  mother  sent  to  the  ferent  unions  in  order  to  follow  Secret  new  harbor  defenses  per­ their  trade  on  different  types  of  Canadians  are  going  to  build  Union,  So,  here  it  is:  fected  in  recent  years  by  the  wooden  ships.  This  action  is  be­ jobs.  They  have  demanded  that  the  AFL  Unions  release  jurisdic­ One of  the last  remaining  coast­ United  States  Navy  make  it  vir­ ing  forced  by  a  shortage  of  steel.  Seafarers  International  Union  tion  over  them  and  allow  them  to  wise  steamship  lines  still  in  oper­ tually  impossible  for  an  enemy  At  least  that's  what  the  Journal  Office  of  Secretary­Treasurer  New  York  City  ation,  the  Clyde­Mallory  Line,  submarine  to  penetrate  an  Amer­ of  Commerce  reports.  set  up their  own organization.  ican  harbor  undetected,  naval  suspended  operations  this  week.  "Gentlemen:  The  West  Coast  walk  out  left  The  officials of  the company  gave  sources  said.  The  advocates  of  building  1,180  welders  idle  in  the  Tacoma  "lack  of  tonnage"  as  the  reason  wooden  ships  point  out  the  fact  "I  wish  to  express  my  appreci­ By  employing  new  methods  of  that  Canada  has  a  reserve  of  ation  for everything  that  was done  yard  of  the  Seattle­Tacoma  Ship­ for the  move.  building  Corporation,  454  at  the  Also closing  up shop was the old  submarine  detection,  protective  craftsmen  needed  for  this  work  for  my  son  Loyd  Gardner  dur­ Seattle yard  of  the same  company,  Merchants  and  Miners  Transpor­ nets  and  mine fields,  it  was  be­ and  that  the  supply  of  timber  is  ing his sickness at  the Marine  Hos­ and twenty  at the Associated Ship­ tation Company.  M ^ M gave the  lieved  a  repetition  of  Scapa  Flow  almost  unlimited.  pital  on  Staten  Island.  He  was  builders at Seattle.  operated  on  Jan.  14  and  died  Jan.  same  reason  for  folding.  —where  a  German  submarine  de­ During  the  last  war  21  wooden  Union  officials  predicted  that  While the  Clyde­Mallory line is  stroyed  the  aircraft  carrier  Royal  schooners  and  69  wooden  steam­ 19.  Malaria  went  to  his  brain.  1,300  men  would  be  off  the  job  pulling  out  of  its  coastwise  runs,  Oak  as  she  lay  at  anchor  in  the  ers  were  built  in  British  Colum­ "Perhaps  my  sincere  thanks  at  Boeing  aircraft  by  Sunday  und  most  of  its ships  have  been  re­ bia  yards.  The  schooners,  which  could  also  be  expressed  through  big  British  naval  base—would  be  quisitioned  by  the  Government,  it  night.  were  225  feet  long,  were five­ the  Seafarers  Log  to  the  men  in  ;  doesn't  mean  that  the  company  is  extremely  difficult.  masters, equipped  with  Diesel  aux­ the  hospital  and  the  many  blood i, ;  The  stand  of  the  War  Produc­ going  out  of  business.  The  com­ iliary  engines,  while  the  steamers  donors  who  have  been  so  kind  to|,  '  Since  the first  World  War  tion  Board  was outlined  in  a  tele­ pany  officials  expect  to  receive  a  were  250  feet  long  and  carried  him.  'Would  you  also  thank  the|; ,  gram  from  Paul  R.  Porter,  Chair­ Government  charter  for some  new  methods  constantly  have  been  im­ 2,800  tons  deadweight.  Triple­ man  of  the  Shipbuilding  Stabiliza­ gravy  runs.  proved  for  detection  of  subma­ expansion  steam  engines,  develop­ lady  that  came  in  to  see  Loyd  tion  Committee:  With  Clyde­Mallory  pulling  rines,  and  as  early  as  1928  the  ing  950  horsepower,  were  in­ every  week  and  gave  him  sui  kind  attention.  "The  board  expects  all  sliip­ out,  and  Eastern  having shifted  its  British  were said  to have perfected  stalled.  yards  welders  to serve  their  coun­ fleet  to  Alcoa,  the  Savannah  Line  a  device  for detecting  submersibles  "Sincerely  yours,  United  States  shipyards  are  ex­ try  by  remaining  at  their  jobs.  A  ships are  about  the only  ones  now  Mr.  A.  C.  Gardner!  even  when  they  lay  still  on  the  perimenting  with  reinforced  con­ strike  in  the  shipyards  while  our  operating  on  the  Eastern  Coastal  26  East  James  St.  nation  is  at  war  and  American  runs.  Savannah  Line lost  one ship  bottom  of  the  sea|  their  engines  crete ships  to meet  the  steel  short­ age.  Lancaster,  Pa."  to  Maritime Commission.  stopped.  lives are  at stake  is intolerable."  Lobor  Wins Safeguard  For Workers Against Bosses'  Fake Disloyalty Charges  Pocific  Welders  For  Recognition  •/  Monday,  Februoiy  2,  nl  Clyde­Mallory  And Merchants  End Service  New  Harbor  Defenses  Are  Held  Invulnerable  Canada Builds  Wooden Ships  �•  ..11.  ­  .mS;''?  ay,  Febraary  2,  1942  THE  SEAFARERS'  LOG  Page Three  SEAFARERS'  INTERNATIONAL  UNION  OF  NORTH  AMERICA  What^s Doing .. •   ATLANTIC  &  GULF  DISTRICT  Around The Ports  Secretary­Treasurer's  Office  Room  213  —  2  Stone  Sreei,  New  York  City  P.  O.  Box  25,  Station  P  Phone;  BOwling  Green  9­8346  DIRECTORY  OF  BRANCHES  BRANCH  NEW  YORK  ADDRESS  PHONE  the  law  to  shanghai  men  but,  be­ be  the  Wheel  with  the  hammer  2  Stone  St  ..BOwling  Green  9­8348  YORK  Despatcher's  Office  BOwling  Green  9­3430  lieve  me,  that  is  just  about  the  and  sickle  inside.  By  BOSTON  330  Atlantic  Ave  Liberty  4057  situation  here.  We  never  let  a  To the  Editor  of  the  Pilot,  you  ARTHUR  THOMPSON  PROVIDENCE  465  South  Main  St  ..Manning  3572  man  get  away  after  he goes  on  the  really  should  check  on  the  names  BALTIMORE  14  North  Gay  St  Calvert  4539  This  was  one  of  those  weeks  shipping  list,  but  just  start  the  of  the  ships  you  claim  are  begging  PHILADELPHIA  6  North  Gth  St  Lombard  7651  when  I  was  asked  every fifteen  sales  talk  and  sometimes  it  is  pos­ for  NMU  representation.  One  NORFOLK  ..25  Commercial  PI  Norfolk  4­1083  minutes  or  so  when  the  various  sible  to  sell  a  man  the  idea  that  such  ship  was  very,  very  indig­ NEW  ORLEANS  309  Chartres  St  MAgnolia  3962  nant  about  the  whole  thing,  tish  companies  intended  to  pay  the  he ought  to  go to  work.  SAVANNAH  ..218  East  Bay  St  Savannah  3­1728  There  is  one  thing  I  would  like  tish.  retroactive  bonus.  The  companies  JACKSONVILLE  136  East  Bay  St  Jacksonville  5­1791  What  are  the  boys  going  to  do  to  .say  that  vitally  concerns  all  of  TAMPA  206  So.  Franklin  St  ,Tampa  MM­1323  are  playing  the  old  stall  game  MOBILE  ..55  So.  Conception  St.  ... Dexter  1449  again.  They  claim  the  payrolls  us.  Don't  reveal  any  information  for  coastwise  transportation  now  TEXAS  CITY  ..105  —  4th  St.,  N  Texas  City  722  ^  aren't  ready  yet  and  they  have  to  concerning  your  ship  to  anybody.  that  P  6?  O  is  leaving.  Box  cars,  MIAMI  ,1348  N.E.  First  Ave.  ..,Miami  2­2950  ^  contact  their  otfiees  in  another  This same  thing  has  been  repeated  here come  the boys.  SAN  JUAN  ,8  Covadonga  St  ,San  Juan  1885  state,  and  meanwhile  the  boys  are  over  and  over  again,  but  you  can  getting  hot  and  no  one  can  blame  never  be  too  careful  or  learn  this  them.  The  IFC  said  they  were  lesson  too  well,  as  action  off  the  PHILADELPHIA  ROSTON  By  putting  e.xtra  pursers  on  their  Atlantic  Seaboard  has  proven.  By  H.  J. COLLINS  ships  to  help  make  out  the  addi­ Voting  was  very  slow  in  this  JOHN  MOGAN  tional  payrolls,  and  this  will  speed  port  as  there  were  not  enough  This  week  we  had  in  the  Car­ thing  up  a  bit.  men  in  the  hall  to  form  a  Ballot­ It  was  a  terrible  blow  to  us  to  Brother  Douglas Mack  was seri­ rabulle,  Pan­Atlantic  and  the  Bar­ Rumor  has  it  that  the  Alcoa  ing  Committee,  and  the  guys  who  hear  that  so  many  of  our  brothers  ously  injured  last  Wednesday  people  are  to  take  the  three  re­ came  in  off  the  ships  were  too  bara.  We  shipped  12,  registered  were  lost,  and  we  wish  to  extend  maining  ESSCO  ships.  That  busy,  in  most  cases,  to think  much  ?)?  and  have  37  on  tlie  beach  in  our  heartfelt  sorrow  to  their  fam­ aboard  the  S.S.  Mary  while  she  was  tied  up  at  Pier  10  in  Statcn  leaves  the  Eastern  out.  Did  I  further  than  getting  rid  of  the  all  three  departments.  ilies  and  relatives.  They  are  not  Island.  He  fell  from  the  shelter  hear  a  sigh  of  relief?  old  bankroll.  Things  don't  look  too  good  for  forgotten.  deck  into  No.  3  hold  and  landed  I  spent  some  time  last  week  this  port,  though.  We  have  re  I  have  instructed  the  patrolmen  on  his  head  and  shoulder.  He  was  talking  to  some  of  the  boys  from  ceived  word  that  all  intercoastal  to  contact  all  ship's  delegates  and  seriously  injured  and  taken  to  the  the Seatrain  Texas  who  picked  up  NEW  ORLEA]\S  ships  have  been  requisitioned  to  with  them  to see  that  all  life  boats  Marine  Hospital.  the  survivors  from  the  City  of  carry  defense  materials  on  other  and  life­saving  gear  are  in  good  By  Brother  Mack  was first  missed  runs.  Atlanta.  I  also  know  how  difficult  working  order  and  to  try  to make  at  7  o'clock  Wednesday  evening,  "ARMY"  it  was  to  get  crews  for  the  other  We  have  had  little  activity  in  arrangements  to  have  them  tested  but  none  of  the  crew  could  locate  Savannah  Line  scows  after  that  the  past  weeks.  Where  normally  before  leaving  port.  I  believe  this  him.  It  was  not  until  the  next  Between  squawks  about  there  massacre.  These  boys  were  asked  we  have  ten ships coming  in  week­ should  be  the  practice  in  every  morning  that  No.  3  hatch  was  to  go  out  in  rust  buckets  that  was  no  sailing  board  posted,  and  ly,  now  we  have  three.  port.  opened  by  a  longshoreman  and  would  shake  apart  from  the  re­ that  the  Mate,  Skipper,  Chief,  Brother  Edginton,  the  Steam­ Business  and  shipping  has  been  Mack's  unconscious  body  was  dis­ First  ain't  doing  right  by  our  Nell,  coil  of  a  cap  pistol,  and  they  had  Roller­Oiler, is back  wit'ti  us again.  rather  slow  during  the  past  month  covered.  no  protection  other  than  two  life  we  .sandwiched  in  a  few  new  and  His  headquarters  is  the  Benja­ and  prospects  are  only  fair.  We  Sister  Dillon  is  investigating  his  boats  which  they  got  no  use  from  good  beefs.  On  the  fair  ship  West  min  Franklin  Hotel.  However,  the  have  laid  off  all  help  that  is  not  condition  at  the  hospital  and  will  Gotomska,  when  she  paid  off,  we  any  way;  Draft  Board  knows  where  that  on  the  ballot  and  a  saving  of  $80  report  next  week  in  her  column.  We're  asking  for  guns  and  life  got  a  new  one  and  a  dandy.  We  is,  so  it's  O.K.  per  week  will  be  realized.  rafts and  nothing  much  more,  but  are  all  familiar  with  the  rows  Every  effort  should  be  made  to  Casey  Jones  won  his  round  the  skipper  ot  the  Alcoa  Trader  raised  by  the  mates  about  the  with  the  Reading  Company,  and  get.  a  bonus  in  the  Gulf  and  all  PERSONALS  sailors  getting  drunk,  and  the  en­ told  his  crew  that  they  were  not  bonuses  raised  as  there  are  no  he  expects  to  be  handsomely  re­ FELIX  ROSARIO  compelled  to  put  on  rafts  until  gineers  about  the  black  gang—  warded  for  his  sufferings.  Cood  ".safe  waters"  at  this  time.  well,  on  this  ship  the  worm  When  next  in  New  York  get  in  the  l?th  of  March.  Why  in  hell  In  the  future  please  address  all  touch  with  Arthur  luck,  Casey.  turned;  the  crew  came  in  squawk­ J.  Nolan,  Room  135­B,  do  we  have  to  wait  that  long?  Do  mail  for  this  branch  to  330  At­ we  get  our  rights  by  the  calendar?  ing  about  the  Mate's  performing,  I  understand  that  Brother  Mc­ lantic  Ave.,  Boston,  Mass.  We  Custom  House.  •   •   •   I  fail  to  see  why  they  can't  get  so  help  me  if  is  true.  The  sober  Andrews  has  some  money  com­ have  discontinued  our  hall  on  1  D.  BURRISS  enough  equipment  on  all  our  members  of  the  crew  (who  were  ing  to  him.  He  may  get  it  by  get­ Rowes  Wharf.  Formerly  of  the S.S.  J.  Salmon.  There  ting  in  touch  with  the  attorney  stuck  in  each  port  as  usual)  raised  ships  immediately.  Maybe  that  is  a  letter  for  you  in  the  Boston  hall.  in  Philly.  jolt  in  Pearl  Harbor  was  not  as  much  hell  about  the. drinking  Write  to  Brother  Mogan  and  tell  him  TAMPA  of  the  Mate,  as  is  the  rule  for  the  The  papers  of  James  J.  Ryan,  enough  to  wake  up  these  people  where  to  forward  it.  By  *  •   *  who  ask  men  to  go  down  to  the  Mates  to  raise.  For  instance,  the  AB,  have  been  turned  into  this  D.  L.  PARKER  sea  in  ships, so  that  they  may  grab  gent  had  told  the  ship's  dele­ office,  and  we  will  be  glad  to  for­ CHARLES  DOROBA  Your  family  has  not  heard  from  you  all  they  can  while  the  getting  is  gate  to  check  his  overtime  to  get  ward  same  to  him.  Well,  between  trying  to  This  port  was  once  a  port  of  since  1938.  Get  in  touch  with  your  good.  The  sub  which  sank  the  some  idea  of  the  amount  the  men  'Venore  would  have  made  a  made.  Then  to  add  insult  to  in­ straighten  out  the  bonus  question  call,  but  now  I  can  recommend  it  sister  at  617  N.  Paulina  St.,  Chicago,  damned  good  target  according  to  jury, the  bird disputes  the overtime  and  signing  Coast  Guard  Appli­ as  a  port  of  beefs.  For  the  last  Illinois.  one  of  the  survivors,  but  there  worked  after  having  no  record  of  cations  for  passes,  we  have  been  two  months  there  have  been  more  rushed.  I  expect  everything  to  get  beefs  brought  to  this  port  than  were  no  arms  aboard  the  Venore.  his own.  DO  NOT  SHIP  Is  there  anyone  that  can  sit  squared  away  in  the  near  future.  any  other  port  that  I  have  ever  Ships  are  going  out  with  oil,  sailed  from  or  to.  dynamite  and  other  inflammable  down  and  in  three  minutes by  the  See  you  next  week.  I  know,  as  an  agent  of  this  Permits  Revoked:  cargo  and  they  can't  even  get  clock figure  out  his  payday?  No!  P-4853 Union, that  I am  to settle  beefs for  JOHN  HART  PARTAIN.  rafts.  I  believe  we  seamen  should  Well,  a  lot  of  the  boys  seem  to  PROVIDENCE  any  crews  on  any  ships  that  we  PHILIP  ANDREW  FLYNN  P-2725 make  a  squawk  loud  enough  for  think  that  the  pie  cards  should  'y  •• 1  By  have  under  contract.  And  I  do  RALPH  EWING  P-3470 T  all  to  hear.  I  believe  we  should  be  able  to  do  it  for  them.  Lay  J. E. LAPHAM  settle  them  to  the  best  of  my  abil­ LEE  ROBERT  BURWELL  P-4032 off,  boys.  do  all  in  our  power  to  make  the  ity.  But  this  is  only  a  port  of  call  MARIO  CARRASCO,  Jr.  P-3560 public  aware  of  the  score.  If  they  We  are  loosing  our  bookkeeper  and  as  they  do  not  pay  off  here,  Well,  this  has  been  another  HOLLIS  LEROY  BUZZELL  P-685 knew  how  their  sons  and  hus­ this  week.  He  has  had  several  of­ P-4678 bands  were  being  sacrificed,  they  fers  already  and  he's as  undecided  busy  week.  Plenty  of  jobs,  and  I  I  can't  see  why  these  beefs  can't  ROBERT  D.  GERALD  Book  Revoked:  would  stand  behind  them.  And  as  a  woman  buying  a  new  hat.  did  have  a  little  luck  in  getting  be  settled  at  the  time of  pay­off.  The  Tng  Samson  was  in  here  maybe  the  brain  trust  who fig­ I  think  that  the  pay­ofF  will  be  a  few men.  Dug a  few of  them  out  J.  WHITFIELD  G­H8  ured  out  the  bonus  rates  will  see  on  the one  that  keeps him  in  touch  of  the  moth  balls.  Was  up  to  last  Saturday,  and  was  one  oiler  B.  R.  RABINOWITZ  G­65  that  the  areas  which  pay  the  least  with  the  Seamen's  end  of  things.  Draft  headquarters  last  week,  and  and  a fireman  short.  I  could  not  F.  A.  MARTINEY  G­13  bonus  has  so  far  been  the  most  After  all,  when  the  man  has  lis­ they  tell  me  that  they  will  give  supply  the  men,  and  when  Mon­ MOSES  HERANO  a257  us  all  the  support  possible  in  get­ day  arrived  the  crew  called  me  dangerous.  tened  to  all  the  windstorm  that  ting  men  deferred  on  our  ships,  down  and  wanted  to  know  if  they  NIELY  I.  ROBINSON  7538  blow  around  this  office  for  four  so  that  we  can  keep  them  sailing.  were  entitled  to  overtime  for  GEORGE  DAVIS  7562  years,  then  he  is  immune  to  the  But  they  want  the  men  to  give  standing  six  and  six  watches  at  CHARLES  C.  BRIGHT  MOBILE  "  770?  regular  old  line  of  shore side  guff.  the  Union  Hall  as  their  address  sea.  So  I  said  yes.  Then  they  in­ By  WILLIAM  SIELINSKI  336  '• V •• 11  Smooth  waters,  Manuel,  and  instead  of  some  rooming  house,  formed  me  that  the  captain  would  OLDEN  BANKS  —  when docking, don't snap a  spring.  as  that  way  letters  will  be. taken  not  pay  it.  • V,  • K  I finally  got  enough  men  to  Waterman  S.S.  Co.  that  will  be  Last  week  was  not  the  biggest  Did  you  notice  the  latest  issue  better  care  of  and  not  just  tossed  week  we  have  had,  but  it  will  of  the  Blah­blah?  The  boys  are  in  a  drawer  and  lost.  The  weekly  take  her  out  and  also  got  them  making  this  port  every  so  often.  compare  in  size  to  some  of  our  coming  out  more  and  more  for  issue  of  the  Log  is  going  over  big  90  cents  per  hour  for  anything  That  will  give  the  Tampa  boys  a  best  ones.  Shipped  almost  any  the  party.  I'm  waiting  for  the day  up  this  way.  'We  in  the  port  of  over  eight  hours.  I  sincerely  hope  chance  to  be  home  more  often,  so  'Ithing  that  looked  like  it  wanted  that  the  Mast  Head  is  changed,  Providence  mourn  our  lost  broth­ that  I  won't  have­ any  more  trou­ that  they  may  go  to  the  city  of  I to  go  to  sea,  and  borrowed  a  few  instead  of  the  present  Wheel  ers,  and  wish  them  a  Happy 'Voy­ ble  with  that  tug  again.  "^Tor  and  take  a  gander  at  the  We  have  one  ship  from  the  senoritas.  jfrom  New  Orleans.  It's  against  with  the  map  inside,  it  may  soon  age.  AB  FALLS  INTO  EMPTY  HOLD  I  <t;  i ^  i '  Lv  L /  • • "'r  r  '.t '  �PageTouT  THE  SEAFAR E  R  S '  LOG  U­BOAT  SCORE OF Vinsm Wants  To Register  AMERICAN  SHIPS  All Unions  Monday,  February  2,  194  Nazi Submarines  Believed  To Have  Bases Off  U.S.  The  following  analysis  of  the  submarine  menace  to  Atlantic  Coastal  shipping  appeared  in  the  Jan.  ."^Oth  issue  of  the  N.  Y.  Post.  CITY OF  RAYVILLE­ 5,883 tons,  owned  by  United States  Mari­ Washington,  Jan.  24.—Acting  Evidence  that  the  Germans  have  established  definite  stations  for  time  Commission,  flying  American  flag,  struck  mine  and  with  unaccustomed  speed,  Chair'  U'boats  off  the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  United  States,  at  points  where  sank  in  Australian  waters  Nov.  9,  1940.  man  Vinson  of  the  House  Naval  they  can  prey  most  effectively  on  American  and  Allied  shipping,  was  CHARLES  PRATT—8,902  tons,  owned  by  Panama  Transport  Affairs  Committee  this  week  of'  Company,  a subsidiary  of  Standard  Oil  Company  of  New  fered  a  bill  in  Congress  providing  seen  today  in  an  analysis  of  the^  single  fairly  narrow  lane,  although  Jersey, Panama flag, torpedoed off  West Africa Dec. 21, 1940.  for  federal  registration  of  labor  sinkings  reported  so  far.  *ROBIN  MOOR—4,985 tons,  owned  by  Robin Line  of  New  York,  unions.  Tlie  apparent  lull  in  the  attacks  the  vessels  may  have  come  from  York,  American  flag,  torpedoed  and  shelled  in  South  At­ was  believed  due  to  the  fact  that  different  ports  and  have  different  Vinson,  a  southern  poll  taxer  lantic  May  21,  1941.  the  first  flotillas  assigned  to  these  destinations.  elected  by  a  fraction  of  the  resi'  SESSA—1,700  tons,  owned  by  Maritime  Commission,  Panama  As  Far  South  as  Florida  stations,  which  began  operations  dents  of  his  district,  "expressed  flag,  torpedoed  300  miles  off  Iceland,  Aug.  17,  1941.  Jan.  14,  had  completed  their  two  Possibility  that  the Germans  are  STEEL  SEAFARER—5,714  tons.  Isthmian  Steamship  Company,  alarm  at  the  growth  in  trade  weeks'  tour  of  duty  "on  location"  scouting  for  a  third  more  or  less  American  flag,  attacked  from  air,  sank  in  Gulf  of  Suez,  union  resources—which  are  actU'  and  were  on  their  way  back  to  permanent  U­boat  station,  as  a  ally a drop in  the bucket compared  bases  in  occupied  Europe.  Sept. 5,  1941.  concentration  point for  Gulf  Coast  MONTANA—1,900  tons, owned  by Maritime  Commission, Pan­ to  the  super'profits  bared  by  the  oil  tankers,  was  seen  in  the  report  More  Attacks Foreseen  Naval  Affairs  report.  Labor  has  ama flag,  torpedoed  and  sunk  off  Iceland, Sept.  11, 1941.  that  two  submarines  had  ^en  PINE  STAR—6,850  tons.  Maritime  Commission,  Panama  flag,  opposed  registration  of  unions  on  As  soon  as  replacements  reach  sighted  off  Port  Arkansas,  Tex.  the  basis  that  it  will  be  used  to  the  assigned  stations,  naval  ob'  torpedoed  255 miles southwest  of  Iceland,  Sept.  19,  1941.  The  Navy Dept., however, did  not  curb  the  rights  of  workers.  servers  said,  further  attacks  on  L  C. WHITE—7,052  tons,  owned  by Standard  Oil  Company  of  confirm  this  information  in  its  Vinson's  bill  was  so  worded  as  shipping  might  be  expected,  and  communique  last  night.  New  York,  torpedoed  in  South  Atlantic,  Sept.  27,  1941.  BOLD  VENTURE­—3,222  tons.  Maritime  Commission,  Panama  to  come  under  the  Constitution's  in  the  same  general  ocations  as  Japanese  submarines  which  be­ commerce  clause,  thereby  remov'  those  already  reported.  These  in'  gan  raiding American  shipping off  flag,  sunk  500  miles south  of  Iceland,  Oct.  16,  1941.  ing  it  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the  dicate  that  the  stations  so  far  de'  the  Pacific  Coast  immediately  LEHIGH—4,983  tons.  United  States Lines,  American flag,  sunk  House  Labor  Committee  and  giv  cided  upon  by  the  German  naval  after the  Pearl Harbor attack  were  by torpedo off  Africa,  Oct. 19,  1941.  W. C. TEAGLE—9,552  tons, Panama  Transport  Company,  Pan­ ing it  to a  more  reactionary  group  command  are  southeast  of  Long  reported  back  in  action  after  a  Island  and  off  Cape  Hatteras.  for  consideration.  ama flag, sunk in  North  Atlantic in  October, 1941.  moiitli's  lull.  The contour  of  tlie  coast  largely  Tlie  lltli  Naval  District  at  Los ,  LAHAINA—5,645 tons,  Matson Line, American  flag, shelled  by  dictates what  routes ships must  fol'  Angeles announced  that  an  enemy  Japanese submarine  in  Pacific,  Dec.  11,  1941.  low.  Cape  Hatteras,  for  example,  submarine  had  been  sighted  off  EMIDIO—6,912  tons.  General  Petroleum  Company,  American  bulges  s<i  far  to  the  east  that  it  the  harbor  there  yesterday  and  at'  flag,  torpedoed off  the North California  coast, Dec.  20,  1941.  forces  northsouth  trafiic  into  a  tacked  by  aircraft.  MONTEBELLO—8,272  tons.  Union  Oil  Company  of  California,  American flag,  torpedoed in  the Pacific,  Dec. 23,  1941.  MORE  ABOUT  SAGADAHOC—6,275  tons,  American  South  African  Line,  American flag,  torpedoed  enroute  to  Africa,  in  South  At­ When  seamen figure  up  their  lantic,  Dec.  3,  1941.  income  tax  this  year,  they  will  not  MANINI—3,253  tons,  Matson  Line,  American flag,  torpedoed  lave  to  include  board  and  room  (Contmued from Page One) in mid­Pacific on  Dec.  18,  1941.  received  on  ship  as  part  of  their  PRUSSA—5,113 tons, Lykes  Brothers,  American flag,  torpedoed  At  1:22  A.M.,  the  last  message  came:  taxable  income.  This  ruling  has  "Cannot  stay  afloat  much  longer."  100  miles from  Honolulu,  Dec.  19,  1941.  ALLAN  JACKSON—6,635 tons.  Standard  Oil Company  of  New  accn  handed  down  by  James  J.  That  was  the  last  word  that  got  out.  Tlie  radio  operator  lost  his  Jersey,  American flag,  torpedoed  off  Atlantic Coast Jan.  20.  douy.  Collector  of  Internal  Rev  life  when  the ship  went  down.  *CITY  OF  ATLANTA—5,269  tons.  Savannah  Line,  American  eniie  for  New  York.  The  crew  succeeded  in  launching  several  life  boats,  but  two  of  Mr.  Houy,  in  a  letter  to  the  them  were  swamped  in  the  heavy  sea.  The  boats  were  overloaded,  flag,  torpedoed  off  Atlantic  Coast  Jan.  19.  • VENORE—8,016 tons. Ore Steamship Company, American flag,  Union,  stated  the  following:  and  the  majority  of  the  casualties  were  from  the swamped  life  boats.  Brother  Allen  Horten  was  on  watch  in  the  crow's  nest  when  the  "Board  and  lodging  furnished  torpedoed off  Atlantic Coast  Jan. 24.  FRANCIS E.  POWELL—7,096  tons, Atlantic  Refining Company  seamen  in  addition  to  their  cash  Venore first  came  upon  the sub.  "Those  Boches  are  plenty  smart,"  he  said,  "they  fooled  us  com­ American flag,  torpedoed  off  Atlantic  Coast  Jan.  27.  compensation  i.s  held  to  be  sup'  ROCHESTER—6,836  tons,  Socony­Vacuum  Oil  Company,  plied  for  the  convenience  of  the  pletely.  The light  blinked  in  code  that  the vessel  was  a  lightship.  She  American flag,  torpedoed  off  Atlantic  Coast  Jan.  30.  employer  and  the  value  thereof  is  told  us  to  come  over  near  her.  We started  toward  her,  still  thinking  not  required  to  be  reported  by  she  was a  lightship,  when  a shell  hit  us in  the bow.  It didn't  do much  such  employees  in  their  Income  damage,  but  we  were  called  to. our stations.  SEAFARERS'  LOG  "Then the submarine moved  around  to our  port side  and a  torpedo  Tax  returns."  hit  us.  A  general  alarm  was  sounded.  That  sub,  when  it  circled  us  that  time,  signaled  with  her  lights  as  if  she  were  a  buoy.  But  she  didn't  fool  us  that  time  and  when  the  second  torpedo  struck  us,  we  were  as  ready  for  it  as  you  can  be  ready  for such  a  thing."  $20.20  STEN  BIOBBNLUNEf  Even  those  men  that succeeded  in  getting  away  in  life  boats  were  25.00  LOUIS  BAHKAN  not  out  of  danger.  Lately  the  subs  have  been  machine­gunning  the  CREW  S.S.  ALCOA  GUIDE  '  ,  N.  CALFAS  1­°°  Seven  more  Coastwise  ships  crews  in  their  life  boats.  The  men  on  the  Venore  knew  this  and  lay  E.  PERRON  2.00  have  been  requisitioned  by  the  in  the  bottom  of  their  boats.  They  didn't  dare  pull  for shore  because  S.  RUZYSKI  2.00  Maritime  Commission.  The  names  the  sub  was  lurking  around,  waiting  for  the first  sign  of  life.  For  H.  MATHIEW  2.00  of  the  ships  have  not  been  re­ hours the  men lay in  the bottom  of  their  boat  before  they  could  safely  H.  TONNELU  2.00  vealed  but  it  was  indicated  that  raise  their  heads  without  being  machine­gunned.  W.  DAWSON  2.00  they  belonged  to  the  Eastern  and  During  the  38  hours that  the  crew  was  in  the  life  boats,  several  H.  MOAR  2.00  Clyde­Mallory  Line.  ships  passed,  but  none of  them  sighted  the  survivors.  W.  NICHOLAS  2.00  The Venore was originally an  oil tanker  and was previously  known  2.00  The  Commission  has  already  E.  COOPER  as  the  Charles G.  Black  and  later  as  the G.  Harrison  Smith.  She  had  taken  over  most  of  Eastern's  ships  LAFLEUR  2.00  V.  2.00  and  she  has  discontinued  all  but  oeen  built  in  1921  at  Sparrow's  Point,  Md.  A.  ARCAND  2.00  the  New  York­Norfolk  runs.  If  H.  KELLEY  ­  2.00  her  remaining  ships  are  taken  she  A.  BEATON  2.00  G.  PARKFR  will  be  forced  to  discontinue  all  2.00  R.  lACOBSON  operations.  The  Yarmouth,  an  2.00  R.  DUVALL  Eastern  ship, has been  chartered  to  P.  LEFEVRE  2.00  Alcoa  for  Caribbean  runs.  W.  SEMINOV  2.00  Seamen  Not  To Pay Tax On  Board and Room  VENORE  SINKING  HONOR  ROLL  G.  SKARKARL  A.  NOGVA  W.  BRANDHOVE  CREW  S.  S.  YARMOUTH  ....!  CREW  S.S.  ROBIN  LOCKSLEY  P.  HAYDON  G.  COMMON  C.  SMITH  C.  ROBERTS  ....  A.  HOAR  C.  PUCKETTE  ..  A.  ANDERSON  A.  SOUZA  H.  SWENSON  I.  COONEY  S.  MOLDNER  .  J.  GINSBERG  ..  I.  L­HE  S.  N.  WARREN  Seven  Coastwise  Ships Taken Over  2.00  2.00  2.00  16­00  1­00  1­00  1.00  I.OO  1.00  1.00  2.00  l.QO  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  TOTAL  $117.20  • "I  1  ANiOPEN LETTER FROM BROTHER DOWDY Robins  Drydock  Finally Signs  Union  Contract  The  Robins  Drydock  and  Re­ pair  Company  signed  its first  la­ bor  contract  in  its  more  than  half  century  of  existence  with  Local  39 of  the Industrial  Union of  Ma­ rine  and  Shipbuilding  Workers  of  America.  The contract covers 8,000 work'  ers  in  the  largest  repair  yard  in  the United  States.  Robins is  a sub'  sidiary  of  the  Todd  Shipyards  Corp.  Editor, Seafarers Log  Dear Sir and  Brother:  Would  you please run  a few  words for  me in  the  next  issue  of  the  LOG  to  give  my  best  regards  to  the  officers  and crew of  the Seatrain Texas.  I want  to express to  thebi  my appreciation for  the  swell  treatment  I received  on  that  ship  when  I  was  picked  up  from  the  sinking  City  of  Atlanta.  I  also  want  to  express  my  sorrow  for  my  shipmates  that  went down. I would  like to express  it  to their  families  too.  I'm not much at making speeches, so would you please  fix this up for me, so that it sounds like whal's in my heart.  Many thanks.  Earl  Dowdy and  Wife, No.  1385.  EDITOR'S NOTE : In my opinion. Brother Dowdy's letter needs no "fixing." y­g­.­f­.i'  •  •   i  r  1  � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. BCC The name(s) and email address(es) of the person to whom the email was blind carbon copied. 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Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Duration Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.) Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Email Body The main body of the email, including all replied and forwarded text and headers. Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Event Type Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 From The name and email address of the person sending the email. Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed. Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview. Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Lesson Plan Text Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Local URL The URL of the local directory containing all assets of the website. Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Location The location of the interview. 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Title A name given to the resource February 2, 1942 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Description An account of the resource Headlines: AN OPEN LETTER TO SHIPOWNERS 18 SIU MEN LOST OFF HATTERAS PAY DECISION IS GIVEN ON INTERNED SEAMEN INTERCOSTAL SERVICE ENDED BY COMMISSION LABOR WINS SAFEGUARD FOR WORKERS AGAINST BOSSES' FAKE DISLOYALTY CHARGES SUP RETURNS LUNDEBERG, WEISBERGER, KORENBLATT PACIFIC WELDERS STRIKE FOR RECOGNITION CLYDE-MALLORY AND MERCHANTS END SERVICE NEW HARBOR DEFENSES ARE HELD INVULNERABLE CANADA BUILDS WOODEN SHIPS U-BOAT SCORE OF AMERICAN SHIPS VINSON WANTS TO REGISTER ALL NIONS NAZI SUBMARINES BELIEVED TO HAVE BASES OFF U.S. SEAMEN NOT TO PAY TAX ON BOARD AND ROOM SEVEN COASTWISE SHIPS TAKEN OVER ROBINS DRYDOCK FINALLY SIGNS UNION CONTRACT AN OPEN LETTER FROM BROTHER DOWDY Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. IV, No. 4 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2/2/1942 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1942 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/3695f6ff66c110b78814645e7efb9582.PDF 1ae2ac9c90a3eac2a60c6726f0b9b973 PDF Text Text I J||O^ OFFICIAL OSSAar OF TEE ATMKTXC AND GULF DISTBICT. rASHOVAL UNION OF NOBTH AMERICA Vol. VII. Probation Is No Bar To Upgrading In a new directive dated Jan^ uary 26, the U. S. Coast Guard has announced that Marine In­ spection Offices shall not refuse to accept applications for licens­ es, raise in grade, or renewal of licenses merely because a man '• may be on probation. This is a reversal of the previous CG pol­ icy which kept many men on r the beach and denied them the right to upgrade themselves dur­ ing this enforced idleness. The full text of the new direc­ tive follows: 1. Heretofore it has been HQ policy to disapprove applications for original merchant marine licenses from persons who are on probation as a result of action under R. S. 4450, as amended, until such time as the period of probation has been satisfactorily completed. HQ has also directed CG personnel concerned with the issuance of licenses not to grant a raise in grade of license to an ' y applicant who is on probation un­ til such time as the probation has been satisfactorily completed. By Marine Inspection Memorandum No.- 84, dated 22 January, 1945, a change in policy relative to eligibility of men on probation for merchant marine licenses has been effected. 2. Basically the new policy with respect to the issuance of original, raise in grade, or re­ newal of licenses is that proba­ tion in itself will not make such applicants ineligible. However, any such applicant must file an (Continued on Page 4) NEW YORK. N. Y., FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2. 1945 War Labor Board 0K*8 $207 For Electricians On SIU Seagoing Tugs The War Shipping Panel of the National War Labor Board approved this week the SIU application for a boost of pay for electricians on V4-M-A1 deep sea tugs. Retroactive to November 27, 1944, all SIU electricians on these boats will rec$»ve $207 per month. This is a trail blazing victory for this type of ship, and will set an indus­ try record. In a letter to the union this week the Panel Chairman, Paul H. Norgren, said that the vote of the Panel was unanimous. The decision of the Maritime Panel still has to be approved by the full War Labor Board—but this is routine since the Board alw a y s approves unanimous decisions of industry panels. R.R. Dispute Is Won By Seatrain Seatrain Lines, Inc., SIU con­ tracted line, was upheld by a vote of 8 to 1 in the Supreme Court in its contention that it had a right to the use of rail­ road cars—as had been prev­ iously held by the Interstate Commerce Commission. In peace time the Seatrain ships carried cars owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad and 15 other carriers, in runs from Hd^ boken to Havana and back to (Continued on Page 4) Repulse USS Attempt To "Service" Seamen An attempt by. the United Seamen's Service to seduce seamen into depending upon its charity set-up for existence -ashore was repulsed last week by the SIU in the port of Galveston. The USS had set up a system of giving loans to seamen on the beach, but required that the union sign the man's application for the dough. In other words, the USS desired to receive endorsement from the SIU of the principle of charity for seamen. The Galveston Agent, under in­ struction from - Secretary-Treas­ BALTIMORE — Merchant sea­ urer Hawk, informed the USS that tjie union would not only men, banned from the Army's refuse to endorse these applica­ post exchange in the Hearst Tow­ tions, but was opposed to the er Building by an order posted , entire practice of charity for sea- last month, are now permitted • men. the same limited use of the store The position of the SIU has accorded to civilian War Depart­ always been that the men who go • to sea must protect their living ment employes here, the 3rd standards by militant union ac- Service Command announced to­ day. (Continued on Page 2) Baltimore Seamen Get PX Rights No. 5 OFFICIALS CHOSEN IN A SPIRITED ELECTION Resolutions OK'd Overwhelmingly Two months of balloting ended on January first with a record count being run up in the major ports, and resulting in a turn over in several key posts up and down the coast. All three constitutional amendments and resolutions on the ballot were passed overwhelmingly. Brother John Hawk was returned, with no opposition, to the top post of Secretary-Treasurer of the District. This will be the sixth term for him in that posi- Seamen Are Lauded For Pacific Role Merchant Marine and Navy gunners aboard American mer­ chant vessels shot down 107 Jap­ anese planes off the Philippines in the ten weeks between the Leyte landing and January 1, the War Shipping Administration an­ nounced this week. This is be­ lieved to top any comparable achievement by merchant ships in any other war theater. Much of this shooting was done by merchant seamen who took over when Navy armed guards were short-staffed or had suf­ fered casualties in previous bombings and strafings, a report radioed by Lieutenant John Macauley, USMS, WSA representa­ tive in the Southwest Pacific, as­ serts. The "box score" for the merchant ships under direct at­ tack of the Japs showed an aver­ age of three planes downed per vessel, he added. "The task of Merchant Marine and Navy gunners was made doubly hazardous by the fact that Jap pilots, flying new, faster and more maneuverable Zeros and new, very maneuverable and fast low-level bomber-strafers, were willing to take any risk to send large cargo vessels to the bot­ tom," Lieutenant Macauley contined. "The Japs recognized and will continue to recognize that our lines of shipping communication, strung out along 900 miles of water within reach of their fight­ ers and bombers, constitute a series of potentially vulnerable targets. An overwhelming per­ centage of ships plying back and forth along this route, which be­ fore the Luzon smash stretched deviously from Morotai to Mindoro, winding in and out of cut­ off enemy island bases, are Unit­ ed States merchantmen. Their accurate gunnery has been one of the vital factors keeping this lifeline operating at highest pos­ sible efficiency. "Jap planes probably have tak­ en a higher toll of seamen's lives in the Philippine campaign than Secretary-Treasurer •tion. The newly created post of Assistant Secretary - Treasurer will be filled for the coming year by Louis Goffin, also elected without opposition. Brother Gof­ fin has served for the past three years as New York Deck Patrol­ man. New Agents were elected for the ports of Baltimore, Norfolk, Savannah, New Orleans, Galves­ ton and Puerto Rico. 1944 Agents were returned for the new year in the ports of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Tam­ pa and Mobile. Following is a coinplete list of all Atlantic & Gulf District of­ ficials for the coming year: (* denotes incumbent) SECRETARY-TREASURER John Hawk* ASSISTANT SEC'Y-TREAS. Louis Goffin BOSTON AGENT John Mogan* JOHN HAWK Assistant Sec'y-Treas. BOSTON JOINT PATROLMAN Joseph Lapham* NEW YORK AGENT Paul Hair NEW YORK DECK PATROLMEN Joseph Algina James Sheehan* NEW YORK ENGINE PATROLMEN Howell Hanners Joe Volpian* NEW YORK STEWARDS PATROLMEN Claude Fisher* Fred Hart* PHILADELPHIA AGENT Harry Collins* BALTIMORE AGENT William McKay LOUIS GOFFIN BALTIMORE DECK PAT'LMAN Rexford Dickey* BALTIMORE in any other during the entire ENGINE PATROLMAN Pacific war. The Army and Navy WiUiam Rentz have cooperated exceedingly well in keeping' many Nip planes BALTIMORE away from supply ^ convoys by STEWARDS PATROLMAN Charlie Starling means of carrier-based and landbased aircraft an descort vessels. NORFOLK AGENT When enemy planes have broken Ray White through this cordon surrounding (Continued on Page 2) (Continued on Page 4) j ' ii •''I �.r' Page Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. February 2, 1945 An "Experienced" Man SEAFARERS LOG Published by the SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District i . Affiliated u-ifh the American Federation of Labor HARRY LUNDEBERG ------ President lOy Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK - -- -- -- - Secy-Treas. P. O. Box 25, Station P., New York City MATTHEW DUSHANE - - - Washington Rep, 424 Sth Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. —The Call Directory of Branches BRANCH NEW YORK (4) BOSTON (10) BALTIMORE (2) ADDRESS 51 Beaver St 330 Atlantic Ave 14 North Gay St 6 North bth St PHILADELPHIA 25 Commercial PI NORFOLK NEW ORLEANS (15)... 339 Chartres St 68 Society St CHARLESTON (9) 220 East Bay St SAVANNAH 423 East Piatt St TAMPA 920 Main St JACKSONVILLE 7 St. Michael St MOBILE SAN JUAN, 28 P.R.. PUERTO RICO 45 Ponce de Leon GALVESTON 219 20th St 1 PHONE HAnover 2-2784 Liberty 405 7 Calvert 4539 Lombard 7651 Norfolk 4-1083 Canal 3336 Charleston 3-2930 Savannah 3-1728 Tampa MM-1323 Jacksonville 5-123! Dial 2-1392 San Juan !885 Galveston 2-8043 PUBLICATION OFFICE: 51 BEAVER STREET New York, (4) N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 267 Repulse USS Attempt To "Service" Seamen (Continued from Page 1) lion, and not by going—hat in hand—to some shoreside charity. We demand a living wage, and not hand outs. It was the degeneration of the XJSS into a semi-charity outfit that prompted the SIU to with­ draw from it two years ago. Following is the letter from the Galveston branch of the USS to Agent Ray Sweeney, followed by Brother Sweeney's letter to Hawk. January 11, 1945 Mr. R. M. Sweeney, Agent Seafarers International Union 219—20th Street Galveston, Texas Dear Mr. Sweeney: In reference to our conversa­ tion regarding the present na­ tional policy of Personal Service, United Seamen's Service, which requires Trade Union representa­ tives and War Shipping interests to send in written recommenda­ tions regarding the eligibility of a seaman for a loan. I would like to make clear to you that the agent signing a letter of recom­ mendation is in no way personal­ ly or organizationally responsible for the repayment of the loan. I wish to add further, that you may draw up your own letter or rec­ ommendation and we will be glad I*' to consider it; or we will be glad V to help you draw up such a letter and devise something that will be acceptable both to your organ­ ization and to ours. As I pointed out to you in our conversation today, the failure of an organization to provide such a letter of recommendation may work hardship on a number of the men. I know you recognize this yourself from the case we discussed today. Sincerely yours, (Miss) ROSE LYNN MASSING. Personal Service Worker • • * Galveston, Texas Jan. 12, 1945 Mr. John Hawk, Sec.-Treas. Seafarers Int. Union of N.A. 51 Beaver Street New York, N. Y. Dear Sir and Brother: As per your instruction by tele­ gram of Dec. 9, 1944, not to at­ tend any meetings officially or sign any slips for loans from the USS, I have carried out these or­ ders as you instructed. On .sev­ eral occasions members have asked me to recommend a loan for them and I quoted your in­ structions to them and this was the end of it. But yesterday one of our members came in and ask­ ed me to sign for a loan and of course I refused as I had done in all other cases. He v/ent back to the USS and told the woman in charge that I could not recommend loans and she called me and after a lengthy conversation with her on the phone she asked me if I thought it would be OK to let the man have some money and I told her to use her own judgment. She stated that the Union in no way would be held responsible for any loans that any member of this union made and that she would send a letter this morning stating 1945 Election Returns Atlantic and Gulf District was (Continued from Page 1) formed in 1938 by the Sailors NORFOLK JOINT PATROLMEN Union of the Pacific, and. Keith Alsop Whereas, Since 1938, The Sea­ Casey Jones farers International Union of SAVANNAH AGENT North America, Atlantic and Gulf Arthur Thompson District has come from the bot­ tom to the top in working agree­ JACKSONVILLE AGENT ments, wages, conditions and fi­ Robert Matthews nancial status, and. TAMPA AGENT Whereas, The building assess­ D. L. Parker* ment has been voted on by the membership and carried by a MOBILE AGENT two-thirds vote or more, to pur­ Olden Banks (Deceased) chase buildings for Union halls in ports where needed, and, MOBILE JOINT PATXMAN (No candidate) Whereas, New York and Tampa were on the ballot, and it was NEW ORLEANS AGENT carried to purchase Union halls A. "Frenchy" Michelet in these two ports, and, NEW ORLEANS Whereas, We deem it advisable JOINT PATROLMEN to purchase Union halls in Balti­ G. A. Masterson more, Maryland; Norfolk, Vir­ Frank Sullivan ginia and Mobile, Alabama where shipyards are turning out many GALVESTON AGENT ships that must be manned in the Dolar Stone above mentioned three ports, and. PUERTO RICO AGENT Whereas, Baltimore, Norfolk Bud Ray and Mobile are key ports in peace time, they are more so key ports The membership gave the green in war time, then be it, light to union expansion when it voted overwhelmingly to pur­ Resolved, That the members of chase union halls in Baltimore, the Seafarers International Union Norfolk and Mobile. The resolu­ of North America, Atlantic and tion to purchase the halls was or­ Gulf District go on record to iginally introduced in Norfolk on purchase Union Halls in Balti­ August 7, 1944, and the Port re­ more, Norfolk and Mobile, and quested that it be placed on. the be finally. annual ballot for membership Resolved, That if this reso­ action. Following is the text of lution is concurred in by the ma­ jority of the membership of the the resolution: Seafarers International Union of RESOLUTION North America, Atlantic and Gulf To Purchase Union Halls in District, that same be put on a Baltimore. Norfolk and Mobile. referendum ballot to be voted on Whereas, The Seafarers Inter­ at the same time as the voting on national Union of North America, election of officials. that we were not responsible for the loans made. I told her that if she sent a let­ ter here I would send it to head­ quarters and the membership could take what ever action on it they cared to. So I am sending you the letter she wrote and you can do as you see fit. RAY W. SWEENEY. Agent P.S. You can rest assured that there will be no recommenda­ tions signed in Galveston or Houston until we are instructed to do so. 'v. . i • •«.- Uilk' .UjiV-iA - The Seafarers membership ex­ pressed its confidence in the Or­ ganization by carrying the reso­ lution regarding the purchasing of buildings in several ports from the Building Fund. By carrying this resolution by an overwhelm­ ing majority, they have shown that they have confidence in their organization and have taken a positive step towards building for the future. This is indeed constructive thinking on the membership's part. It is a follow-up of the con-^' structive thinking they originally displayed when they carried the Building Assessment in the latter part of 1944. Our membership is well aware that their union halls are going to be the principal . sources of protection in the post­ war period when, as we know, things will be very tough for or- ganized seamen. ' The member­ ship is building a barricade for a future fight against the shipown­ ers and the Washington bureau­ crats. This constructive and militant thinking can be laid to one thing; these men know that they have a fighting union and they are not afraid to invest in it. They know that this fighting union in the post war period will go out with both hands swinging and fight for the seamen's rights as they have always done in the past. Lots of the old timers too, real­ ize that in time to come it is easily conceivable that the union halls we buy today may be strik­ ing seamen's homes tomorrow. Many is the time, while on strike, that seamen have lived within their own union halls and their own property and it has been proven that this is best. The seamen ere a transient people—many of whom have no home, but are continually on the * move from port to port and from ocean to ocean. Their union halls are the only anchor that they have, the only similarity to a honie. By purchas­ ing their own union halls in all the ports and, naost of all, by hav­ ing assessed themselves to dq this, the Seafarers .have shown that not only have they pioneer­ ed in the fight for conditions, but^' also they are pioneering in secur­ ity for union seamen. MEETING CHANGED Also passed was the constitu­ meeting night from 7 P.M. to 7:30 tional amendment changing the P.M. for the purpose of obtaining meetings nights from every Mon­ a quorum." day to every other Wednesday. The shipping rules were chang- ^ Following is Article XXVI, Sec­ ed to conform with, the Constitu- '• tion 1 of the Constitution as tion, >^d paragraph 20 of these rules will henceforth read: amended: "Regular weekly meetings shall "Members should attend any be held in each branch at 7 Department meetings that are o'clock every other Wednesday j called. Joint Meetings shall be evening except when ever Wed­ held every other Wednesday nesday happens to fall on a holi­ night at 7 P.M. Any member missday, in which case the meeting I,ing a meeting will be taken off shall be held at 7 P.M^ on the fol­ the shipping card when he ap­ lowing day.' All Branch Agents plies for it. When Wednesday shall keep their respective falls on a holiday, meetings will' Branches open on every regular 'be held on Thursday at 7 P.M.", �\ ' Friday. February 2. 1945 THE SEAFARERS LOG BALTIMORE Page Three cy and view the future with a far-seeing eye. We know that the battle with the shipowner never ends, and that we must be ever alert. The future for the union looks very bright. We are today strong and united as we never were before and our mem­ bership is larger than ever. We have more jobs than in the past, therefore we must see that we continue to gain jobs for all our members. This can only be done through the proper organizing of the various companies that we have no contracts with. In order to get these jobs it should be the duty of every mem­ ber when sailing unorganized ships to impress upon the unor­ ganized seamen the advantages a union can give them. It is gen­ erally accepted as truth that every union man is a self-ap­ pointed organized. The more companies we have under con­ tract, the more jobs will be had for our members, now and in the post-war period. So with the co­ operation of the membership and the officials, we can not fail. Along the waterfront these last few days were pretty tough for the various pie-cards. The weath­ er has been cold and miserable, but we managed to cover all the ships in port even though we damn near froze. We had over ten Moran tugs paying off here in the last couple of weeks, and ri^t now there isn't a beef pending from any one of them. The last one with beefs was the Hillsboro Inlet, and now she's squared away to the tune of $2,175.0C which is now payable. In an other section of the LOG are the names and totals due. We had quite a time convinc­ ing most of these Moran skippers what is and what isn't overtime, and we believe now these guys understand the agreement. We will have less trouble with Mor­ an payoffs in the future. LOUIS GOFFIN. Patrolman WHAT'S DOING Shipping has reathed its low­ est ebb at this fair haven, since the war started. However, it ap­ parently shall be back at least to normal before this article is printed. The new ships, incidently proved to be no boon to the the port agent disputed some seamen, and the turn over on sels was fought successfully here, TO ALL STEWARDS: When making out overtime, be overtime after it was OK'd by them even exceeds that of Liber­ as also was our fight to have ties. Some of the men asserted members get the juniors jobs sure to put on top of each sheet the Captain. Only about twenty that they even prefered the later. aboard the Victory Ships. Port the working spread of hours and hours left, which was sent in to ' This is no surprise to us however, holes were nil in all the new type this will greatly help in getting New York. The delegates did a as we were certain that the WSA tanlcers until this port submitted our members what is due them. good job on this ship by having Everything is going along a list made up of aU crew mem­ would neglect the welfare of the the issue to the WSA for rectifi­ unlicensed personel, as this seems cation. Since then they have rather smoothly with few beefs. bers with book numbers, rating, changed this policy and have Nothing more to report, so will etc. Things look very slow for to be their set policy. given all shipbuilding and ship­ close with all good wishes. the next week or so. The port of Baltimore hardly yards orders to install these port JOHN MOGAN, Agent JAMES L. TUCKER, Agent ever took occasion to crow about holes in every tanker built. their achievements, and usually NEW YORK SAVANNAH our reports were confined to neg­ This was a very important is­ ative matters, as we deemed these sue, as these tankers without the This port was slow on the pay­ Things have been slow at this more important for our member­ port holes were veritable death offs this week with only 22 ships ship's information. We have traps to the unlicensed crew port for the last couple of weeks paying off and with 34 signing harped constantly on the under­ members in the event of an em­ and I have a good many men on. 1241 men were shipped in ergency. Many thousand hours registered at this branch at the mining tactics of Coast Guard, all departments. 211 of these disputed overtime issues, plus present time, but looks as if ship­ WSA, and shipowners, and we were trip cards. numerous routine beefs were set­ ping is going to pick up some feel our efforts to rectify this sit­ The Kidde of the American uation has gained some slight tled to the satisfaction of the around here and I will get some Liberty Lines ( Formerly the tangible benefits for the member­ many ships' crews who paid off of them shipped out. Had a West Coast ship in here Range Line) caused a little ship locally, and even perhaps on at this port, along with hundreds a nation-wide scale. So our criti- of personal services to the mem­ this week with everything set­ trouble this week. She couldn't tled aboard ship and she paid off find a berth so the Master broke ism has not been in vain. We feel bers. it high time that we extoll the Yes, brothers, we at the Port of clean, put a few replacements on watches while awaiting orders. positive achievements of this port Baltimore did all this and more, her. Have a new one scheduled There was overtime that was for the past two years. We are and can assure our members we for around the last of this month not clear, so the crew decided not sui'e it would be of keen interest shall continue for their interest and another one for around the to payoff Friday, but to clear to the membership. on all matters pertaining to their 6th of February. That is all I everything before signing off. have in sight for this port at the She paid off Monday with every­ Our most satisfying and suc­ welfare. thing settled to the crews satis­ present time. cessful achievement was that of JOSEPH FLANAGAN, faction. • Have been working on some inaugurating the organization Agent The SS George Washington of overtime sent in from the differ campaign on the Moran Towing the Alcoa Company came out of ent Branches and as soon as it is Company boats. With the untir­ dry dock Thursday and crewed settled it will be put in the BOSTON ing efforts of Brother John Hawk, up with 110 men in unlicensed Money Due column of the LOG. and the local officials, the con­ personnel. CHARLES WAID. Agent tract for this company was sign­ A telegram was received from The Melville of the Eastern ed after about three months from Mobile, sent by Chas. Kimball, SS Company paid off from a 14 the date this port started the stating that Bro. Olden Banks CHARLESTON months trip. There were quite a campaign. Our fight to balk the died suddenly from a heart at­ few beefs but were all settled WSA from overcrowding the tack. It sure was a shock to us Shipping has been very good at payoff. How come some of crews' quarters was also success­ here in Boston and I am sure the past week with one ship in the men left before collecting ful, but still not as satisfactory every person who knew Brother Charleston in transit and one their money? Note Money Due as'we would like it, as not more Olden Banks will feel that they ship in Wilmington, N. C., pay­ list in this issue of the log. than two men in a room is more have lost a good friend and the ing off after a three months trip The overtime from the MV in line with our policy. SIU has lost a real union brother. The SB Eleazar Wheelock paic Hillsboro Inlet has been set up Marine Memoranda Inspection We made every effort to send off in Wilmington with a gooc Circular- No. 16 was a direct re­ a floral wreath to Mobile but crew. The delegates had every­ and can be collected at Moran sult of our efforts at the Port of were told that time would not thing lined up with very little Office. Baltimore. The issue on those permit the wreath to get to Mo­ disputed overtime, most of which Some of the Companies are phoney Junior Engineers which bile before the funeral took was straightened out before the checking overtime with the patrolmen and ship delegates a WSA was so insistent about put- place. He will be missed by all payoff. day before the payoff and it helps tmg aboard our contracted ve-s- who knew him So Long Olden. As usual with the Calmar line a lot to have all overtime squared away at payoff time. But it is not so hot for the married men as it is hard to convince your NEW YORK. (LLHR)—A $2,wife that you were working un­ til 2:00 A.M. and not at a gin 000 contribution from the Sea­ farers' International Union and mill. Frenchy Michelet has taken to the Sailors Union of the Pacific the hills this week as the last highlights current support of the crew with whom he sailed as AFL's Free Trade Union Fund. Other internationals respond­ steward is expected in this port soon. His motive is self preser­ ing this week include the Bakery vation. and Confectionery Workers, Building Service Employees, Patrolman Louis Goffin and Glass Blowers Association, Laun­ Jimmie Hanners are still brag­ ging about a smart one they dry Workers, and Brotherhood of pulled Christmas while distribut­ Bookbinders. All of these organizations are ing Christmas packages to the members in hospitals. They urging their individual members strayed into the Syco ward of to give to the Free Trade Union the Bellevue Hospital and got out Fund through their own Local with out being detained. Maybe Unions. From Local Unions come indi­ the attendants were in a yule tide mood. cations -that these recommenda­ There are a number of the old tions from international organi­ rank and file memb^s on the zations are being followed. beach here now and the Monday In Albany, N. Y., Electrical night meetings sound like old Workers Loc^ 724 assessed them­ times and are educational to the selves $1 each, and in the same city Carpenters' Local 117 took new membership. similar action. J. P. SHULER Palrolman Here is Ihe SUP crew of the SS^ohn A. Johnson about to be rescued after an encounter with a Japanese sub off the coast of California. These men were machine-gunned after taking to the life Keep In Touch With re3 boats, and then spent long hours on an overcrowded raft and a lifeboat almost awash. The picture Now that the elections are was taken from the Navy Motor yacht Argus just before the seamen were taken aboard. over, we can go back to normalYour Draft Board, Around the Ports^ SUP Men About To Be Rescued Contributions For Free Trade Unions a / . �j.'"T Page Four THE SEAFARERS LOG Merchant Seamen Lauded Probation Is No Bar To For Heroism In Pacific SeatrainWins Upgrading Friday. February 2, 1945 (Continued from Page I) moving convoys or cargo vessels (Continued from Page 1) at anchor, however, it has been application for license in tlfe up to merchant ships to defend (Continued from Page I) usual manner and the offense for themselves. Belle Chase, La. The Pennsyl­ which they were placed on pro­ "Merchant ships have been vania Line had asked the courts damaged or sunk by the Japs to set aside an ICC order requir­ bation will be considered on the only because Hirohito's pilots ing them to permit the use of merits of the case in determin­ to hold the have been willing to take many their cars by Seatrain. Their legal ing their fitness license applied for. The policy is grave risks. Some enemy planes appeal was based upon the fact effective immediately and is ap­ have flown so close to their tar­ that Seatrain ships ran outside plicable with respect to all mer­ gets they have crashed on the of the continental waters of the chant marine personnel now decks of our ships when they U. S. and therefore the ICC had serving under an order of pro­ By "FRENCHY" MICHELET were shot down. This has caused no -authority to force them to bation. vessel damage and casualties but give the use of the cars to the 3. Applications from men who Because of illness we were un­ of vessels and to help in the quick and efficient action on the ship operator. have been-- notified by HQ that able to write our column for last planning and serving of meals. part of merchant crews in put­ week's LOG. We are scribbling But something more is needed.ting out fires as well as in patch­ The Supreme Court upheld they are not eligible for a license this one from a cabin in the Ad- We need a concerted policy on j ing holes made by fragmentation Seatrain on all counts. All of because they are on probation irondacks. We have come here the part of our officials in Settl­ bombs has saved ships and kept which looks like more SIU jobs will be reconsidered and in all for a rest and plan to remain for ing disputes. The membership cases the applicants and the for­ in the near future. them sailing. warding offices will be notified two weeks. The sawbones has or­ complains that they collect beefs "When merchant seamen set of HQ decision. Marine Inspec­ dered us to get out into the fresh in one port only to lose, the same out on the hazardous run from tion Offices shall not refuse to air so we've taken to skiing. Our beef in another. This condition is New Guinea to the Philippines accept applications for merchant skiing is like Shuler's cooking, not the fault of the officials in­ they are very aware of the fate marine licenses solely on the it's not so hot. There's this dif­ volved. True, one official may be which may await them. Suc­ basis that the applicant is on ference, however — there is a a shrewder and a harder working cinctly they say this trip will probation resulting from a hear­ chance that we may eventually fellow than another and conse­ G. L. PRESTON give them a real opportunity for learn to ski! quently collect more disputed Pacific District Book No. 59, ing under R. S. 4450. n crack at the Jap. They appear We've listened to so many prob­ dough. But the real root of the ^ 4. Detailed instructions re-, to ignore the risk to their own your book is in the New York lems in the last few months that trouble lies in the fact that on' garding changes in existing regu­ Business Agent's office. lives. lations are set forth, for the use we're beginning to develope a many questions the union has no of all CG offices which issue Mr. Anthony complex (without set policy at all. We need a policy of forcing licenses, by Marine Inspection the heavy sugar, of course). Talking to all these cooks and disputed points to port commit­ Memorandum No. 84. stewards has given us a clearer tees for final decisions. These de­ CHAS. A. PARK picture of the whole steward de­ cisions should then be set up in partment problem. Something mimeograph form and distributed By BUNKER simply must be done to clear up to the serveral ports. A concert­ this chaotic situation. Our "Hints ed policy would then ensue that The last time you went home on the train did you notice the to Cooks and Stewai'ds" is near- would prove highly benefical to other passengers looking you up and down as though you were some January 24, 1945 ing completion. We expect it to all concerned. special kind of exhibit at the Bronx Zoo? And did all the pretty Seafarers Log: assist the inexperienced men in Some of the operators have re­ girls give you the freezing stare that makes you feel like an ice The Seadarers Log continues to laying out the work for all types fused to pay overtime when a cake in a rum cola? come to my desk. In the issue of sick man is fed in his bunk. A Don't worry. You don't have B-0. It's just that you don't have Friday, January 5, there is a siek man is definitely the respon­ on a fancy uniform. Without h uniform these days everyone figures most amazing story of the ex­ sibility of the company. If a man you're a draft dodger, a 4-F, or a daddy with six kids. periences of Harold Lee when the is put ashore sick they damn sure Even the big, shiny merchant marine pin that you wear on your ship on which he was sailing was take care of him. We feel sure lapel doesn't do much good. The folks think it's a badge that you torpedoed. Can you tell me ju,st M. V. Sankcty Head $92.00 that if the couple of chiseling op­ got for being a very good air raid warden—or for selling war bonds. how much, if any, of this story SS T. W. Hyde $46.00 erators who refuse to pay this Some of the lads who don't like this kind of treatment are going has been embroidered by the re­ Crew of Chas. Nordhoff .... 33.00 good beef are nailed with a port to the naval outfitters and being turned out in right fancy togs. It porter? It seems almost impos­ SS J. K. Jones 24,00 committee the union will win has got so you can't tell a mess boy from an admiral. sible for a man to go through SS Wm. Johnson 18.00 hands down. So to avoid confusion we suggest these insignias on all highsuch an experiences and live to SS Edwin Moore 15.00 , Another common beef with two pressure hats: tell about it. I know that Union R. Chioni 15.00 of the real chiseling outfits is the' For ordinaries: sougee bucket and broom. men have had plenty of harrow­ J. Williams H.OO half-hour for lighting the fire on For wipers: crossed mop handles ing experierices both before the H. Dihnboster 13.00 coal-burning ranges. The oper­ For messboys: catsup bottle or scrambled macaroni. war and during the war, but this John Morris 5.00 ators claim that on scows carry­ For oilers: crossed oil cans or stillson. one tops anything I have ever Sam Foster 5.00 ing Night Cooks and Bakers, the ' For ABs: running bowline and fid. or slush bucket with heard about except in fiction. 5.00 fire can be banked. Just try bank­ Francis Pashang bosn's chair. 5.00 ing the fire without dumping the W. Roux Sincerely yours, Any other suggestions? 5.(io H. Hollman ';.... E. M. MORGAN. basket and see how long your + + -h 5.00 range will cook! The fire must J. Veentra Law School of MORE LIBERTIES . . . 5.00 be remade when the stove is not Harvard University, H. Rath , .We thought they had quit building Liberties, but the Maritime - 5.00 being used so there's still ovrC. Roberts Cambridge. 38. Mass. Commission announces that 51 were delivered in October. 5.00 time involved. , , By August of 1944 some 2260 Liberty ships had been launched. (Editor's note: The story of A. Jensen 4.00 SS Benjamin Bourne Brother Lee's experiences were Another essential function of Very few of these ships, however, are left to be built. Most conR. J. Congdon 4.00 this committee is to issue rulings not "embroidered" in the least. •- tracts now are for C-2s, Victories, coastal freighters, combat trans­ 4.00 on the proper distribution of ex­ If anything, they were toned R. E. Porter ports,, and fast tankers. 4.00 tra meal money and like puzzles. down.) McLoughlan j + 4* 43.00 This body should also see that O. Oswald Of the 32 American merchant s'nips blown up and used to form 3.00 the various ships are properly B. Hilliard the breakwater on the Normandy beach head, seven were Liberties. P. Tansky 3.00 manned. The value of a hard And if statistics mean anything to you. here are some impressive 3.00 working committee of this nature S. Karn ..: figure.s about the Liberty ship. .Sr.e uses 234,917 feet of electric weld­ J. Palmer 3.00 was forcibly demonstrated in the ing; 8,017 feet of wire rope, and 16,922 feet of manila rigging; and R. J. Yatty :... 3J)0 manning of our first 0-4. The nearly six miles of piping, besides 2,698 gallons of paint. O. J. Rupps ».... 2*00 operators wanted to man the ves­ E. F. Ford 2.00 sel with 47 men in the ste^yqrd SS FREDERICK E. IVES 2.00 department. By hard work, an W. H. Moore .1 The following men can collect 2.00 agressive attitude and, plain com­ F. Bruggner their disputed overtime: Albert J. A. Reily ....1... 2.00 mon sense, the committee was Boone, 59 hrs; Horace G. Dodd, SS HERMAN MELVILLE A. Colburn 2.00 able to prove that the vessel ac­ Wm. Dzrkowski, FWT, 19 hrs; 49 hrs; Curtis Hurst, 41 hrs; F. E. Benson 2.00 tually required 50 men—a gain George Jordon, 9 hrs. Collect at W. A. Munday 2.00 of three qualified men. Sverre Simonsen, Bos'n, $606.45; the Overtakes Freighting Corp. W. A. McLaughlin 2.00 This suggested proceedure L. Michalec, 17 hrs; J. Donald office. J. Vasley 2.00 holjis equally true of all depart­ ,'i Chisholm, 4 hrs; Wilbur McKen• • • J. McCoy 2.00 ments. We have discussed the zie, 1 hr; Eric Peterson, .7 hrs; SS JOHN HAY E. Stankovich 2.00 steward department because the Francis Farreau, 8 hrs; Lawrence William Sawyer, 143 hrs; Jo­ F. D. Coker 1.00 welfare of all departments is in­ Mooree, 1 hr; Russell St. Arnold, seph Thomas, 143 hrs; Childs, 47 W. Sidman 1.00 extricably bound up with and 8 hrs; Daniel Sprague, 1 hr. Col- hrs; H. Lewis, 47 hrs; E. Siegle, J. Hassey 1.00 centers around the all-important co- lect at Eastern SS Co. office, 49 hrs. Collect at Bull Line office. J. Perez 1.00 issue aboard ship—food. an « ^tytscnals FORE 'N AFT Editor's Mail Honor Roll Money Due niiMdiiiiii � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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Title A name given to the resource February 2, 1945 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. VII, No. 5 Description An account of the resource PROBATION IS NO BAR TO UPGRADING '45 OFFICIALS CHOSEN IN A SPIRITED ELECTION RESOLUTIONS OK'D OVERWHELMINGLY SEAMEN ARE LAUDED FOR PACIFIC ROLE R.R. DISPUTE IS WON BY SEATRAIN REPULSE USS ATTEMPT TO "SERVICE" SEAMEN BALTIMORE SEAMEN GET PX RIGHTS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FREE TRADE UNIONS SUP MEN ABOUT TO BE RESCUED Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/02/1945 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1945 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/d34b446b8ccfaf3ddfd28825520675c2.PDF f226276549a1c276e12baa55af148936 PDF Text Text Vol. XXX No. 3 SEAFARERS*I.06 OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO V he prospect of a child starv§ • ing to death before the age of five is not a pleasant fate to anticipate. However, this is and will continue to be the fate of countless millions of people on this earth unless an inexpensive and abundant source of food is found and utilized. The Sea, with its end' less supply of food sources of­ fers a possible solution to the widespread famine on earth. In this issue of the LOG, the vast potential of the sea as a food source is examined, (See pages 8 and 9) T t �Page Two SEAFARERS February 2, 1968 LOG 100% Haul of Foreign-Aid Cargoes By U.S. Ships Urged by Congressman WASHINGTON—Support for the carriage of all U.S. government-generated cargo on Americanflag ships, and for passage of a "substantial" portion of the maritime upgrading program pending in the 90th Congress was voiced recently by members of both the House and Senate. Support for action in these ^ promised support for the mari­ social programs at home. Prime areas was made by Senator time program—proposed in the Minister Wilson stated: "Until we Edmund S. Muskie (D-Me.) and House and Senate last November are earning, year in and year out, Representative Frank Thompson, —which would extend federal aid a substantial surplus on our over­ Jr., (D-N.J.) in a seminar here to virtually all U.S.-flag operators seas payments, we are unable in­ sponsored by the 6.5 million- in the foreign trade and expand ternally or externally to do all the member AFL-CIO Maritime shipbuilding subsidies to almost things which as a nation we would Trades Department. like to do." triple their present rate. Muskie, chairman of the Senate Dent drew a comparison with Muskie warned the audience, Banking and Currency Commit­ however, that the size of the in­ the British and U.S. balance of tee's subcommittee on Interna­ creases sought for the upgrading payments deficit problems: "Here's tional Finance, said he intended of the merchant marine pose a Britain's international greatness during hearings by his committee "formidable challenge in a period and its domestic program going on the balance of payments prob­ of tight budgets." But in spite of down the drain, and the Prime lem "to devote careful and detailed this, he said, he hoped a "substan­ Minister blames it on a deficit in attention to the role foreign-flag tial part" of the rharitime program international payments. And here's vessels—including those owned drafted by Congress could be the United States, which has had by American firms—have played adopted. a balance of payments deficit in in aggravating the international 17 out of the last 18 years, and As for the enlargement of U.S. payments crisis which has disrupt­ which now is saddled with a $4 cargo preference rates above the ed our economic development present minimum of SO percent, billion deficit. The same thing policies." Muskie cautioned that "they could happen to us as happened to Dollar Outflow not be considered as a subsitute Great Britain, if we don't put our He noted that in 1966 more for more fundamental improve­ monetary house in order." than $11 billion in American dol­ ments in our shipping programs." "There is no such thing as an lars went to foreign-flag ships for automatic economy," the congress­ Raps 'Runaway' Companies the carriage of United States im­ man from Pennsylvania said, ex­ At another seminar sponsored plaining that a successful economy ports and another $2.4 billion for by the MTD, Representative. John depends on "the three basic ele­ carrying our exports. H. Dent (D-Pa.) blamed the U.S. ments of production, distribution, Thompson told the gathering of balance of payments crisis on "the and consumption" and that any . more than 100 representatives of runaway shop" as well as "the run­ nation which has tried to "cir­ labor, management and govern­ away ship". He explained that he cumvent" any one of these points ment that when "the Food for was referring to American firms has "met with economic disaster." Peace Program comes up for Con­ which are manufacturing their gressional review this year," he is "That's what we face right now, in favor of its continuation but goods outside the U.S. with cheap as long as we try to circumvent will seek the addition of a require­ labor to avoid American wage lev­ the element of distribution, and ment "that calls for moving every els, and to U.S.-owned shipping we're doing that when we try to ounce of these commodities operations registered abroad to get along without a merchant aboard United States-flag vessels." escape American taxes, wage marine," Dent added. He added that he also intends "to scales, and safety standards. He called for the imposition of see that the same formula of 100"some penalties on both of these percent carriage of governmentrunaway operations so that they generated cargoes also applies to can't undercut the American our foreign aid program." The New Jersey Congressman economy the way they've been charged officials in federal depart­ doing." "Unless we do that," Dent de­ ments with "misinterpreting" SOSO cargo preference laws with the clared, "then we're going to con­ result that SO percent has become tinue to export our American jobs PASCAGOULA, Miss.—The the maximum of U.S. aid cargoes just the same way that we're ex­ security of the U.S. stands endan­ shipped on American-flag vessels. porting our American dollars— gered as long as the nation's ship­ "Worse than that," he declared, and if we keep on the way that building program is inadequate. "they have also worked to the we're going, we're going to have Senator Thomas Kuchel (R-Cal.) detriment of our balance of pay­ the same rude awakening that our recently declared, adding his voice ments—because we ship our dol­ British cousins had a few weeks to the growing number of con­ lars abroad when we have to pay ago." gressmen dismayed at the lack of foreign ship owners and foreign Dent noted that when Britain a firm U.S. maritime policy. crewmen to carry our goods over­ recently announced a curtailment Speaking at the January 27th seas." of British defense commitments launching ceremonies here of the Both Thompson and Muskie east of Suez and a cutback of SIU Pacfic District-contracted President Fillmore, Kuchel said: U.S. Foreign Service Reps Visit SlU "I pledge my firm support for whatever is needed to bring back the American flag to preeminence on the high seas insofar as it is the place of the Congress and the Federal Government to achieve that position." Bolsters Economy The role of the American mer­ chant marine in combatting the U.S. balance-of-payments deficit was pointed out by Raymond Ickes, president of the steamship line. In 1966, he said, the mer­ chant marine's contribution to the nation's economy was about $77S million. The President Fillmore is the last of a series of five fast freight­ ers built for American President Lines. The five Seamaster-class freight­ SIU Rep. Pete Drewes recently took visitors from U.S. State Dept. ers, of' 10,830 deadweight tons on tour of headquarters. Men are preparing themselves for foreign 'each, were constructed at the Inassignments as labor attaches representing U.S. government. Shown gaiis yard here for a total of $64 here (l-r) are John Becker, Drewes, John Grimes and Jim Whillock. million. Reet Decline Endangers U.5., Kuchel Warns Report of International President by Paul Hall After more than six months of refusal by the Nation's big copper companies to bargain with their employees in good faith, 9S percent of U. S. copper mines remain idle and some 80 percent of all copper refining and frahricating facilities are still silent as 60,000 industry workers continue to strike for a fair contract. Since the strike began last July .IS, the companies have never seri­ ously sat down with representatives of the 26 striking unions to face the issues and seek an equitable solution. This despite the fact that they have been strongly urged to do so by elected officials of Utah, Montana, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico—^whose citizens are hardest hit as a result of management's stubborn and callous inaction. The fact that copper workers, whose work is as hazardous to life and health as any in the country, are way behind their counterparts in related industries—in both wages and fringe benefits—is a .glaring and indisputable reality. Their employers can no longer be permitted to selfishly ignore entirely legitimate demands for contract improve­ ments long overdue. It is high time the corporate giants of the copper industry were made to realize—as those in other industries have been in the past —that the overbearing management tactics used against American workers in the dark ages of the 19th century will not be tolerated by the unified and progressive organized labor movement of the late 1960s. Labor will see to it that the copper workers are not denied the improvements demanded in their present fight—no matter how long it takes. Already, well over $600,000 have been donated to their cause through the AFL-CIO's special fund and pledges of support continue to pour in each day. One of the most important issues at stake for the copper workers in this siege is to knock down the archaic divide-and-conquer policy of local a.fn-eements used by the companies for years to deny workers equal pay for equal work in their widely scattered facilities. Such methods have long kept employees at each mine, mill or smelter in a company-inspired state of competition with those at other operations. The strikers are seeking company-wide agreements which will assure uniform pay and benefits no matter where the facility in which they work is located. Company evasion of the truth on this particular issue, and refusal to discuss it openly, may well have to do with the fact that a sizeable number of their facilities are located in the "rightto-work" states of Utah, Montana and Arizona where local contracts could pay them off handsomely at the expense of workers. However, the chronic lung trouble, bronchitis and other occupational hazards that copper workers must contend with are the same no matter where they work and one employee should be no less protected than another. From the time the strike actually began, the unions have been continually ready to bargain collectively but the companies refused. Proposals from Capitol Hill that the President set up a fact-finding panel were quickly accepted by the unions but refused by the com­ panies. Last week, the Administration announced the creation of a panel despite repeated company opposition. Perhaps now the true facts of this unfortunate strike will berin to emerge for all to see and the copper workers will at last receive the justice they have so long been denied. Farm Worker's Right to Organize Approved by Senate Committee WASHINGTON—A bill to extend protection of the National Labor Relations Act to farm workers has been approved by a Senate Labor subcommittee. A similar measure was approved by House Labor subcommittee ^ in the first session of the 90th by Representative Frank Thomp­ son (D-N.J.). The Senate bill is Congress and is awaiting action by sponsored by Senator Harrison the full House Labor Committee. Wiliiams (D-N.J.) and was ap­ AFL-CIO President George proved by a subcommittee he Meany testified before both sub­ heads. committees, strongly urging the The 1967 AFL-CIO convention egislation. The Unjted Farm adopted a resolution declaring Workers Organizing Committee that labor would "devote every and a number of religious and possible effort to secure passage civil rights organizations entered of federal and state legislation similar testimony. extending benefits and coverage Farm workers are currently ex­ to farm workers equal to other cluded from the basic protection workers, with special emphasis at of the NLRA which establishes this time on bills now in Congress the right of workers to organize which would extend the coverage and participate in collective bar­ of the National Labor Relations gaining. Farm workers do not Act to Agriculture workers." lave any call on the National LaThe UFWOC recently won )or Relations Board in setting up a favorable ruling from a Na­ representation elections, filing un- tional Labor Relations Board 'air labor practices, etc. examiner in the union's long The bill in the House is spon- effort to win bargaining rights for sorrd by Representative Jam's shed workers of the Starr P'-oO'Hara (D-Mich.) and was ap­ duce Co., at Rio Grande City, proved by a subcommittee headed Texas. II )I i I �February 2„ 1968 SEAFARERS LOG Lowering the Boom 1- ^ Raymond LiozzI, who attends SIU Deck Officer's School in New York, studies a working model that includes winches, lines, booms and han­ dling gear used in the loading and unloading of cargo. Model is also used to demonstrate the correct way to get cargo into hold. Afl-ClO Cites Public Service Jobs As Unemployment Problem Solution WASHINGTON—The AFL-CIO pledged its support to Presi­ dent Johnson's $2.1 billion manpower program of job training for 500,000 hard-core unemployed while emphasizing the necessity for additional legislation to ^ create one million public service employment opportunities for those who now suffer serious dis­ jobs. advantages in finding and holding Federation President George jobs." Meany said the measures proposed But we must not lose sight, by the President in his manpower message to Congress "are a sig­ Meany added, of the "inescapable nificant step in the expansion of proposition that the government must be the employer of last re­ sort," and that until legislation is passed to provide the necessary public service jobs "the basic problem of chronic unemployment and poverty, not only in our cities, but our rural areas as well, will not be effectively solved." SIU Urges Posting Of Vessel's Cargo To Help Fight Fires NEW YORK—SIU Safety Di­ rector Joe Algina rapped a pro­ posal by Coast Guard and industry representatives to reduce the crew on a ship's emergency inflatable liferaft at a Coast Guard-spon­ sored conference held here on January 22. Algina also called for the posting of a chemical guide on each ship which would reveal the contents of the ships cargo in case of fire. The conference, attended by labor, industry, and Coast Guard representatives, was called "to pro­ vide an opportunity ... to discuss and resolve problems in the field of merchant marine safety and port security." Algina expressed strong concern over the safety and efficiency of the inflatable liferaft operation, stressing that the presently-requir­ ed three-man crew must be main­ tained. He branded inadequate the Coast Guard suggestion for a twoman crew and the proposal by some members of industry for a liferaft crew of only one man. In calling for the posting of a chemical guide or chemcard in the ship's messroom, Algina said thai one of the difficulties in fight­ ing a shipboard fire is the fact that the captain and crew are often un­ aware of the nature of the cargo. Algina stressed that this was es­ pecially true when the cargo was containerized. The SIU Safety Director said that the posted chemcard would specify the cargoes carried and also outline recommended firefighting procedures. Programs Outdated Meany hailed the President's proposals to improve occupational safety and health programs as "long overdue," noting that the states have "failed miserably in this area," and that the federal programs are "outdated, out­ moded and almost unenforced." The President spelled out in his message his proposal first set out in the State of the Union message for a $2.1 billion manpower pro­ gram "to help Americans who want to work to get a job." (See story on page 11.) The new program, he said, is a 25 percent increase over the cur­ rent fiscal year expenditures and will add $442 million to the man­ power efforts. Noting successful test efforts of on-the-job training in private in­ dustry, the President proposed a permanent program to put 100,000 men and women in jobs by June 1969 and 500,000 by 1971. The program—Job Opportuni­ ties in Business Sector (JOBS) would be "a new partnership be­ tween government and private in­ dustry to train and hire the hard­ core unemployed," the President said, with $350 million earmarked to support the program. The government ,he said, will identify the unemployed and the companies will train them and offer jobs, bearing the normal cost of training. The extra costs of preparing the hard-core, unem­ ployed for training will be borne by the government. Page Three SIU Raps President's Budget Cutback In Ship Construction Subsidy Funds WASHINGTON—SIU President Paul Hall has rapped President Johnson's Budget Message to Congress as one which "reflects a lack of awareness of maritime's essential role in our defense efforts and our peacetime economy." 'In a budget calling for $80 f MARAD plans to let contracts for showed that the reduction from billion for military and defense only 15 vessels in the current fiscal $278 million to $122 million purposes," Hall said this week, year which ends June 30. in ship construction outlays "it would seem reasonable and amounted to a cutback of $156 Prior to the budget message. practical to provide a sum equal million. Administration plans had called to one percent of that amount to Of the $278 million involved for subsidization of 24 new ships strengthen our fourth arm of in fiscal 1968 but the total will for 1968, MARAD claims it ex­ defense, the merchant marine. now be nine less than that. Thus pects to obligate most of the $175 "Military considerations aside, only eight of these will be ac­ million left over beyond the $103 an investment in maritime would counted for by the $122 million million slated for carry-over to be a powerful factor in reducing to be obligated during the next 1969 before the current fiscal year the chronic deficit in our balance fiscal year and the ninth pre­ expires. of payments—because out of the sumably will not be contracted Gulick said that the agency present $4 billion deficit, $3.6 until fiscal 1970. already has contracted for the billion is the direct result of pay­ Originally MARAD had a total construction of 11 vessels this ments to foreign-flag ships to carry our import-export cargoes. This of $278 million available for use year—at a cost to the government underscores the need for the posi­ in ship-construction contracts this of about $120 million—and that tive maritime program which the fiscal year. Some $143 million of contracts are expected to be let government promised three years this was from the fiscal 1968 ap­ for the four more costing about ago but has never delivered," the propriation and the other $135 .$46 million prior to the begin­ million was carried forward from ning of fiscal 1969 next July 1. SIU President concluded. In a sharp reduction of the unused funds authorized by Con­ He added that MARAD's pro­ jected obligations for construc­ nation's subsidized ship construc­ gress for 1967. tion subsidies in fiscal 1969 will Gulick pointed out that the new tion program. President Johnson be some $108 million. proposed in his annual Budget budget anticipates a carryover of Johnson's proposed national Message to Congress this week $103 million from the present fis­ that the funds available to the cal year plus an additional ap­ budget—at $ 186.1 billion—also Maritime Administration ship for propriation for 1969 of $119.8 cut the overall MARAD budget million. However, he said, since to $362.9 million, some $25 mil­ construction subsidies in fiscal $101 million of the new appro­ lion below the 387.9 million ap­ 1969 should be cut back by more priation is due to be carried over propriated for this year. than half—from $278 million to until fiscal 1970, there will be only The requested amount for mari­ $122 million. $122 million actually left to be time research and development Acting Maritime Administrator -James W. Gulick later explained committed for new vessel contracts was also down about one-third, to $6.7 million, but ship operating that under the new Isudget, in fiscal 1969. In a special table outlining the differential subsidies were left un­ funds would be provided to con­ tract for eight subsidized freighters major budget reductions from changed at the 1968 level of $213 in fiscal 1969. He added that 1968 program levels, the President million. Congressman Scores US Reliance On WWII Reserve Ship Retreads' BALTIMORE—Declaring that "rust buckets" cannot be retreaded. Representative Thomas Downing (D-Va.) recently scored U. S. reliance on vintage World War II ships for the vital supply line to our troops in Vietnam. Americans fighting in Vietnam, Downing told a recent meeting of the Propeller Qub here, are ^ gram on its own. "We introduced retreading a rust bucket." better equipped and trained Downing recalled statements by the legislation which we had ear­ than ever before in our history the MSTS last month which lier hoped would come to Con­ and yet "the condition of their "spoke loud and clear" that we gress as an Administration pro­ supply line is worse." have by no means "enough posal." Pointing to the relationship be­ American-flag ships to meet our Reaffirming his support of an tween the Southeast Asian conflict needs of the future." independent maritime administra­ and the American maritime indus­ "Who is kidding whom?" he tion, Downing reminded his audi­ try, the member of the House asked. "How could we possibly ence that more than 100 members Merchant Marine and Fisheries have enough ships to meet our of the House had sponsored leg­ Committee asked; future needs when we do not have islation to this end last year. "Who maintains the lifeline to enough to meet our present needs "Nothing like this has ever our men overseas? Who is fight­ —military and commercial?" happened before," he declared, Urgent Need ing this war in Vietnam? Those and it is "a clear indication of the Predicting victory this year for national interest in this most brave men who stand lonely vigils in rice paddies and jungles ... are an urgently needed maritime pressing national need. Our vic­ connected to (our) great land not program, Downing declared that tory in the House was obvious only by blood and a common he wanted to "make one thing from the start in the face of clear . . . the current session of known opposition from the Ad­ cause. Congress will act." ministration." "Sixty-five percent of those "Members of both houses are brave fighting men went to Viet­ Out of Place nam in American bottoms under well aware of what we must do," "It has been obvious for years American flags. These ships were he said. "I believe we will get that the Commerce Department is the program that is so vitally manned by equally brave Ameri­ not the proper place for the Mari­ needed to rebuild our maritime cans who were prepared to lay time Administration," he said, and industry and I believe it will be down their lives as their predeces­ "neither is the Department of funded this year. In my judgment, sors did before them in wars al­ Transportation." we have the votes and they will most forgotten." be cast." "All we have said in the House Ships in Bad Shape Downing noted that when the is that MARAD deserves more Many of the ships which supply Administration's "fiscal crisis" de­ importance and that the_ unique­ Vietnam are tired veterans of veloped last September, expected ness of ocean transportation—so other wars, the Virginia Congress­ White House action on a maritime different from all other forms of man said, and declared that the program was "sidetracked" but, transportation—can best be ad­ ships which make up our supply "believing that the national needs ministered by a specialized agency line to Vietnam are in much worse in both commerce and defense under knowledgeable and dedi­ shape than they were in World justified the expense," Congress cated leadership," Downing con­ War II and "there is no way of went ahead with a maritime pro­ cluded. �Page Four FebruarTT 2, 1968 SEAFARERS LOG SubsUizedLines'Abuse of US. funds Rupped by Sblpbuildets Union Heud New SlU Pensioner WASHINGTON—A Congressional investigation into an alleged lag in shipbuilding replacepient by subsidized lines, use by these lines of their capital reserve funds for diversification, and foreign construction of containers to be used on ships receiving government subsidy, has been called for by Andrew A. Pettis, vice-president of the AFL-CIO Industrial Un­ 1936, and this is happening with companies may put the monies ion of Marine and Shipbuilding the consent of the Maritime Ad­ in their untaxed capital or con­ ministration," the letter continued. struction reserve funds, and been Workers of America. "It is also very noticeable that informed that none of the direct Pettis requested the probe in many of the (subsidized) shipping funds can be spent for purchase of a letter to Representative Edward lines are actively engaged in pro­ containers manufactured abroad. A. Garmatz (D-Md.), chairman grams of diversification . . . with­ But he said he was "still won­ of the House Merchant Marine drawing millions of dollars from dering if money, withdrawn from and Fisheries Committee, in the capital reserve fund for the the special reserve fund can be which he also listed an organized purpose of investing in maritime used, after withdrawal, to buy container consortium and merg­ business or industry or in nonforeign containers. Testimony last ers within the subsidized sector maritime business or industry. year before your committee in of the merchant marine as addi­ regard to the legislation on con­ "What adverse effect will this tional areas which require look­ tainer size revealed that one ship­ SIU Patrolman Luigi lovino (right) has the happy task of present­ withdrawal of millions of dollars ing into. ping line was building containers ing Charlie Stephens with his pension check. Brother Stephens is The union official charged that have on the replacement ship in foreign country." program? Will it drain money 66 years old and he last sailed in Alcoa Trader's steward dept. while certain legislative leaders away to the extent that their obli­ Referring to Gulick's statement are waging an all-out campaign to rehabilitate and instill viability gations under the Merchant Ma­ in his 1967 Review and Forecast in the U.S. merchant marine, rine Act . . . become a mockery? that one of the principal needs there seems to be ample evidence First we have the 'runaway for­ of the U.S. merchant marine is that other factors are working eign-flag ships' and now, we are "for greater investment of private against the effort to improve this faced with 'runaway money' from capital in American shipping" and segment of American industry some of the American-flag sub­ the greatest possible reduction of sidized shipping lines." risk to "make the venture more and are, in fact, eroding it. attractive to investors," Pettis said Pettis further noted the trend by Frank Drozak, West Coast Representative He noted that while funds had he had "no quarrel" with Gulick's been made available during fiscal toward mergers in the subsidized basic premise. California health standards were dealt a blow when Governor 1967 for construction of the small sector and the fact that they are . . But I wonder how you Ronald Reagan refused to reappoint Dr. Lester Breslow as State total of 13 ships, an award was organizing consortia—national or international cartels—and won­ are going to make any investment made to build only one of them. dered what effect "these great project attractive to outside pri­ Director of Public Health. This is his penalty for fighting for Again in fiscal 1968 the budget monopolies" would have on our vate capital when the shipping meaningful public health programs that rubbed special interest called for 13 vessels and awards own merchant marine. "We lines involved in the American groups the wrong way. Recognized by many as the top physician were made for just 11 of them. : could end up with control of the jnerchant marine exude no con­ in the field of public health ® Thus, Pettrs pointed out, of the consortia entirely in the hands of fidence in investing their own in this nation. Dr. Breslow vigor­ manufacturers, farmers, workers $280 million allocated for vessel foreign shipping lines," he warned. money in it but, on the contrary, ously opposed a legislative pro­ and transporters. It has sought to construction in the two fiscal The lUMSWA vice president are withdrawing their millions posal aimed at eliminating the provide better means of detecting years—$140 million in each year also told Garmatz that he had from the special reserve fund for bureau of occupational health in and treating persons suffering from —less than $140 million was actu­ overexposure to these pesticides. recently been in correspondence the purpose of investing them in his department. ally committed because just 12 with the office of Acting Maritime non-maritime business and indus­ Dr. Breslow was responsible Under Dr. Breslow's guidance, awards were made. Administrator James W. Gulick try with the consent and approval the bureau has done pioneer work for initiating work on the adverse Replacements Behind on the uses to which subsidized of the Maritime Administration." on the dangers of pesticides to effect of excessive environmental noise levels in industry and has "It has been testified to many been a leader in the fight to curb times in the Merchant Marine air pollution. Now, because the Committees of Congress that the Legislature is faced with the Ad­ replacement schedule of the sub­ ministration's f r e e-swinging eco­ sidized lines is 90 to 100 ships nomic ax, the bureau's program short of the replacement commit­ has been cut by 30 percent. ments," Pettis wrote Garmatz, and the "accusation has been that Wilmington the government was reluctant to appropriate its share of the money Shipping has slowed down here necessary to construct the ships" for awhile, but remained fairly while spokesmen for the sub­ active for FOWT's and AB's. We sidized lines claimed the compa­ expect things to pick up soon. nies "wanted to build ... up The Seatrain Savannah has signedto 100 ships and had the money on a new crew and six vessels are for at least 35 ships." in transit. Still we have the present situa­ George Quinones, just back tion whereby the "subsidized lines from a long trip on the Savannah, are asking and receiving delays is looking for another crane main­ in their shipbuilding program." tenance job. Henry Davile Hyde Strike De La Cmz Mattair "While you arid other members of Congress are sponsoring legis­ Ed Lane, one of our local pen­ The names of seven Seafarers were added to the ever-growing list of those men collecting an lation to increase the number and sioners, stopped by the hall with strength of the merchant marine, SIU pension after a career at sea. The newcomers to the pension fold are: Diosoro De La Cruz, his wife to say hello and see how other factors are working to Juan Davila, Horace Gray, Wallace Hyde, George Mattair, Sam Henry and William Strike. things are going. Ed was a FWT Diosoro De La Cruz was a ^ diminish the merchant marine by and told us he misses his old ship­ postponement of their obligations cook and his last ship was the Islands, he lives in Santurce, Pu­ Savannah in 1942. He sailed as mates. under the Merchant Marine Act, Warrior. Born in the Philippine erto Rico, with his wife, Herminia. AB and bosun. His last ship was Seatfle Seafarer De La Cruz joined the the Del Mar.. Brother Mattair SIU in New York lives in Jacksonville, Fla. Shipping has been fair since our and sailed for 20 A member of the steward de­ last report but prospects look SIU WELFARE, VACATION PLANS years. partment, Sam Henry joined the brighter for the coming period Juan Davila SIU in Mobile in 1944. He was with the Columbia Eagle and Steel December 1 - December 31, 1967 joined the Union bom in Bellview, Ala., and makes Flyer expected to take-on a full Number of Amount in Baltimore, his home in Mobile. Brother crew. Benefits Paid where he makes Henry's last ship was the Clai­ Tom Driscoll just shipped as his home. A na­ borne. AB on the Annlston Victory, sail­ Hospital Benefits 4,459 $ 48,599.52 tive of the Canary Death Benefits 42 100,307.92 William Strike sailed in the en­ ing for the Far East. Islands, he sailed Disability Benefits 1,067 241,925.00 gine department and joined the Gray Carl Olsen has been riding the as AB. His last Maternity Benefits 35 7,004.00 Union in San Francisco. A native Sea-Land ships to Alaska recently. ship was the Norina. Dependents Benefits 416 84,310.84 of Minnesota, he resides in El After a rest, he'll be ready to go Horace Gray was a FWT, join­ Optical Benefits 103 1,558.25 Monte, Calif. His last ship was again. "Ollie" sails in the deck ing the Union in Mobile. A 21Oiit-Patient Benefits ........ 4,587 35,384.00 the City of Alma. departntpnt. year man, his last ship was the Wallace Hyde joined the Union After sailing on the Seatrain Summary 10,709 519,089.53 Carroll Victory. Seafarer Gray was born in Alabama and resides in New York in 1946. An AB. Maine as chief cook, Harry Dean Vacation Benefits 1,662 681,121.94 his last ship was Seatrain Maine. is spending some time at home in in Seattle. Total Welfare, Vacation Hyde Was born in New York and Portland. He'll be ready to sail George Mattair was born in Benefits Paid Tifis Period 12,371 $1,200,211.47 Georgia and joined the SIU in resides in Baltimore. in a few weeks. -I "I ^i I The Pacific Coast Growing SIU Pension Roster Adds Seven Seafarer Retirees 'f iv T- tl �February 2, 1968 Seafarer Rosario Retires on Pension SEAFARERS LOG Page Five Runaway Ship Loopholes Endanger US Foreign Investment Cathask WASHINGTON—^The Commerce Department has been urged to direct particular attention to the runaway-flag shipping practices of U.S. companies when establishing the controls on foreign invest­ ment requested by President Johnson to help correct the nation's balance of payments deficit. Representative Edward A. ® ,, ~ 7 Since the beginning of World ^ /TN 1. • r as well. The restrictions will not Garmatz (D-Md.), chairman of apply to lesser developed nations. War II, the government has freely the House Merchant Marine American investment in for­ allowed U.S. companies and indi­ and Fisheries Committee, called eign-flag shipping has totalled viduals to build and register ves­ for the crack-down on American close to six billion dollars since sels aboard. This has resulted in firms and individuals who operate 1946, Garmatz declared, adding: the establishment of vast private foreign-flag vessels in a letter to "I am sure you agree that such fleets owned or controlled by Commerce Secretary Alexander investment should be subject to the American citizens, and operated B. Trowbridge. Trowbridge has same limitations as any other type principally under the flags of been assigned the job of writing of capital outflow." Liberia and Panama. the regulations for the Administra­ Practice Continued Seeking to insure such limita­ tion's stiff balance of payments When the practice was allowed program which will halt new di­ tion, the Maryland Democrat urged that, while working out the to continue after the war it be­ rect investment by U.S. companies regulations, Trowbridge keep in came a tax dodge for U.S. firms Santiago Rosario (right) is presented with his first pension in the developed countries of mind "the unusual characteristics who at the same time evaded U.S. check by SlU Representative George McCartney. Western Europe and cut down on of merchant marine operations, wage and safety standards. Re­ Brother Rosario, who sailed in engine dept., resides in Brooklyn. the dollar outflow in other areas which do not lend themselves well sultant loss of tax revenue to the to the more familiar statistical government has amounted to and economic categories." If these many billions of dollars. "special characteristics" are not Since 1946, Garmatz reminded taken into consideration, he cau­ the Commerce Secretary, a total tioned, "a significant loophole of 1,167 ships—over 35.6 million may be created." deadweight tons—^have been built "I would further call to your in foreign yards by American attention," Garmatz wrote, "the owners at a cost of some $5.7 By Sidney Margollns fact that virtually all the capital billion. During the same postwar while the large chains like Sears, Ward and to finance such investments goes period, he said, only 590 mer­ How Much Truth in Lending? Penney and the department stores continue to to developed countries, though chant vessels have been con­ The proposed law to require lenders and say "IV2 percent a month." many of the ships may be nomi­ structed in U.S. shipyards for an stores to tell the annual interest rates on loans nally registered under the flags of overall total of just 7.7 million Because their pleas are proving to be influ­ and installment purchases is expected to reach less developed countries. gross tons. ential, the furniture men and bankers may yet the floor of the House of Representatives in One of the "special characteris­ ". . . If specific regulations are win for consumers what they were not able to ' February for a vote on how much truth you tics" of merchant marine opera­ formulated to control the fore­ win for themselves. When the bill approved are to be told. going situation, I should appreci­ tions mentioned by Garmatz, and by the committee comes before the full House ate being informed," he added. which would have to be consid­ The irony is that if the House passes a rela­ of Representatives for a vote, Mrs. Sullivan Shipping was omitted entirely ered in restricting American in­ tively useful law, it will be because bankers and the Congressmen supporting her are going in President Johnson's proposals vestment in runaway fleets, is the and furniture dealers want the bill to cover to try to include revolving credit in the dis­ for bridging the balance of pay­ category into which such invest­ their competitors—the department stores and closure requirement. ments gap an^ in his orders to ment would fall. Most of the for­ the mail-order companies—as well as them­ They also plan to try to include transactions Trowbridge. Numerous Congress­ eign shipbuilding is actually done selves, but not because consumers have spoken on which the finance charges are less than $10. up. The Congressmen have not heard from men have recently criticised this in industrial nations such as those These are exempt as the bill now stands. Un­ lack and reminded the Adminis­ aimed at by the President's cut­ the man paying $240 in finance charges on a fortunately, the Federal Reserve Bank had tration of the great contribution off program. However, there is no $500 used car, and the working mother who suggested this exemption as an aid to small got trapped into paying $400 for a movie the merchant marine could make planned general restriction on the business. But the people who really want this toward eliminating the balance of flow of U.S. dollars to underde­ camera on the promise of bonuses. exemption are bankers and other lenders who payments deficit if the govern­ veloped countries — such as These real victims of the deceptions in the charge a minimum fee of, say $5 for a onement would insist on greater use Liberia, and probably Panama, way finance charges are stated, and the gar­ month loan of $100. They don't want to have of U.S.-flag ships in the carriage where most of the runaway ves­ nishee and other harsh collection laws which to say that this is the equivalent of a true an­ of its cargo. sels are registered. make possible credit frauds, may not realize nual interest rate of 60 percent. In contrast, that their letters are crucial in convincing their for such a short loan a credit union would Congressmen to help pass an effective law. charge one percent a month (12 percent a year) or just $1 in this example. Cite Lack of Letters The third big argument in the proposed bill Congressmen not in sympathy with "truth is over garnishment. Congresswoman Sullivan in lending" are making a big point of the lack and her allies wanted to ban garnishments of letters from ordinary families. Apparently completely. Not only have a number of local these Congressmen do not realize that many labor councils asked that garnishments be workingmen do not have private secretaries. WASHINGTON—^The AFL-CIO's social security director urged eliminated, but the national AFL-CIO at its For some, writing a letter may be painful even prompt steps to curb "skyrocketing" doctors' fees and medical costs recent convention went on record urging that if they still have faith that their Congressmen that have forced a sharp jump in Medicare insurance premiums. they be banned. will listen to them. In fact, many of the people The 33V6 percent premium hike for voluntary medical insurance un­ who tend to get trapped by/ credit frauds may Will Not End Frauds der Medicare that takes effect April 1 "could have been prevented," not even realize that Congress is arguing over declared Bert Seidman, director of the AFL-CIO's Department of The bill as it now stands would limit the a truth in lending law. They know they have amount that can be garnished to 10 percent Social Security. been trapped. But they may not know why. of the wages over $30. This is more humane "Steps should be taken right now to hold down physicians' fees The bill that has been approved by the House than the laws in some states which permit gar­ and other medical costs, which are rising sky-high," Seidman said. He Committee on Banking and Currency would nishees of as much as 50 percent of pay. But urged tightening the reimbursement system that now allows doctors require banks, loan companies and installment this humane gesture will not end any of the and hospitals to "decide for themselves, exclusively, what their charges dealers to tell the true annual rates but not the present frauds, and would merely help un­ will be." His statements came on the network radio interview. Labor large retailers who feature "revolving credit" scrupulous sellers collect exaggerated debts even News Conference, heard Tuesdays at 7:35 p.m., EST on the Mutual plans. These often also are called "junior if they have to wait a little longer. Broadcasting System. charge accounts" and "budget charge accounts." Seidman said that the "responsibility for holding down the costs of Of slightly more help is a provision in the Such revolving charge accounts usually cost medical care extends all across the board." The government, he said, present bill that would prevent an employer you 18 percent a year. But the stores and should take a leadership role by setting reimbursement standards that from firing for one garnishee. catalogue houses want to continue to say that are "fair to the government itself—and that means all of us as citizens— The garnishee problem is so serious that the the rate is U/i percent a month. Congressfair to those who are covered by the programs, and fair to the physicians Washington State Labor Council even devoted woman Leonor K. Sullivan (D-Mo.) has been and hospitals." part of its annual Christmas greeting this year leading the battle to require the revolvingSuch standards would also be a "yardstick" by which third-party to a warning against garnishees. (The council credit sellers to tell the true annual rate. But contractors such as insurance companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield, reported that juk one employer, Boeing in Congressman Richard T. Hanna (D-Calif.) could measure the reasonableness of the fees and charges they pay for Seattle, has some 500 wage garnishments a became the champion of the stores, and made their clients and subscribers, he said. month brought against its workers "by credi­ the motion which would exclude revolving Seidman also called for more effort to increase the efficiency of tors who force the company and the courts to credit from this requirement. medical services and make fuller use of medical facilities. become little better than collection agencies.") Now that the bill is about to be considered "We ought to be using the doctor for the things that he can do best, If you have something you want to tell your by the entire House, the furniture dealers and and using nurses and others who are trained to do som- of the things Congressman about the pending "truth in lend­ bankers are urging their Congressmen to in­ that do not require the doctor's degree of professional skill," he said. ing" bill (for example, whether you are for or clude revolving charge accounts too. They At the same time, he said, it should be determined whether hospitals against including revolving credit), you can feel it will harm them if they have to say that write to him care of the House of Representa­ are duplicating personnel and facilities, and whether hospitals are being their rates are 12, 24 or 36 percent a year, tives Office Building, Washington, D. C. 20515. I fully utilized at all times. OUR DOLLAR'S WORTH Seafarer's Guide to Better AFL-CIO Urges Govt. Action To Curb Medicare Costs �Page Six Gulf G inlanti Waters DIstrii SlU Deck Officers' Upgrading Qualifies 3 More for Licenses Three additional Seafarers have received deck officers' licenses bringing to 23 the number of SlU deck department men who have successfully completed courses at the school jointly sponsored by the SIU and the American Marr ^ TT": T satisfaction of his readiness to itime Officer's union. take the examinations. George McManus is a new The training program was in­ third mate and previously sailed stituted in line with the SIU's as AB. He was born in Brooklyn objective of encourgaging and asand resides in that city with his wife, Katherine. McManus joined the SIU in New York in 1963. He is 48 years old. Raymond Kroupa is a new third mate. The 42year-old former AB joined the Kroupa Jankowskl J Union in New York in 1953. sisting unlicensed personnel to McManus Born in Philadel­ upgrade themselves. phia, he still lives in that city. Seafarers can participate in the Kroupa served two years in the course of instruction at no cost Navy. to themselves. They will be pro­ Frank Jankowiski is a new third vided with meals, hotel lodgings mate. A former AB and bosun, and subsistence payments of $110 he is 59 years old and joined the per week while in training. Union in Norfolk in 1941. JanThis in-training assistance is kowski is a native of New York the same as that available to en­ City and lives in Jackson Heights, gine department Seafarers who are Queens. enrolled in the union training pro­ Jointly Operated gram to prepare engine depart­ The training program, operated ment men for their licensed engi­ under a reciprocal agreement be­ neer's examination. tween the SIU and the American SIU deck department men in­ Marine Officers Union, is the first terested in the program should ap­ of its type in the industry. ply immediately, or obtain addi­ Applicants can begin training tional information at any SIU hall, at any time. The period of in­ or directly at SIU headquarters, struction is determined by each 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn, member's individual ability and New York 11232. The telephone knowledge, and the instructor's number is HYacinth 9-6600. From Jon. 11, 1968 to Jon. 24, 1968 DECK DEPARTMENT TOTAL SHIPPED REGISTERED on BEACH TOTAL REGISTERED Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Jacksonville Tampa Mobile New Orleans Houston Wilmington San Francisco ... Seattle Totals by Earl (Bull) Shepard, Vice-President, Atlantic Coast Area The SIU is hosting 47 striking farm workers from California who have come East to gather support in their struggle against the Giumarra Vineyard Corporation. Not only are these workers denied protection under the National- Labor Relations Act, minimum wage, child labor laws and unemployment insurance, they have the ultra-conservative Administration of Governor Reagan extending the boards. John Gala sailed as an oiler on tacit approval of anti-union action. the Vantage Venture. He enjoyed The Giumarra company has this "floating hotel" and was sorry used scab tactics and violence in to get off. its efforts to break the will of the John Chermesino spent some striking workers. The union, with time with his family after a car­ the full backing of the AFL-CIO, penter's job on the Steel Traveler. is determined to hold out until Baltimore final victory. We urge Seafarers not to buy Giumarra grape pro­ James MacGregor would like ducts and to do everything they a Far East run after sailing as can to help our union brothers in deck engineer during a trip aboard their fight for a decent standard of the Penmar. living. Norfolk Carl Hawks said he had a good voyage on the Commander. Lots of fine chow and "a very good crew," Carl reported. After a re­ laxing vacation, he's looking for a job on a coastwise ship. Charles Hones was an AB on Serrano Gala the Merrimac and after a rest on the beach he's ready to go. Charlie James Baack just upgraded had good luck this winter hunting from wiper to FWT. in North Carolina. Puerto Rico Walter Butterton is out of the Luis Serrano just piled off the USPHS Hospital and FFD. Walt Arizpa after an intercoastal voy­ will take the first good job in the age. Henry Bentz took an AB's deck department to hit the boards. job on the Young America. Some Boston of the Seafarers who recently Joseph Garello was chief cook shinned out of here include Angel on the Our Lady of Peace last Passanera, Armendo De Jesus, time out." After a stay iii drydock, Luis Hemandez, Felix Serrano he's waiting for a good job to hit I and Trinidad Navarro. Class A Class B 7 4 75 61 5 8 18 17 12 21 14 15 5 4 18 17 70 30 18 42 17 18 64 25 7 22 330 284 Class A Class B Class C 2 2 3 44 50 27 6 5 4 7 8 11 8 12 20 11 12 11 3 11 10 0 0 2 0 28 59 28 33 7 12 11 18 22 42 17 6 14 15 209 141 230 ENGINE DEPARTMENT TOTAL SHIPPED TOTAL REGISTERED Ail Groups All Groups Qass A Class B Class C Class A Class B Port 1 2 2 7 2 Boston 10 49 32 29 New York 45 6 5 8 Philadelphia 13 4 3 11 9 Baltimore 10 14 11 15 8 Norfolk 10 13 9 13 5 Jacksonville 8 11 7 1 8 Tampa 5 5 1 2 2 16 12 Mobile 1 33 38 49 New Orleans .... 47 3 28 25 20 Houston 31 17 15 11 Wilmington 14 15 15 38 19 18 60 San Francisco ... 10 9 13 22 3 Seattle 90 180 225 235 248 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port Boston New York .. Philadelphia . Baltimore ... Norfolk Jacksonville . Tampa Mobile New Orleans Houston Wilmington . San Francisco Seattle foteiT The Atlantic Coast February 2, 1968 SEAFARERS LOG TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B 3 4 19 42 8 8 9 14 8 7 10 5 6 6 8 17 35 59 22 16 21 14 40 41 13 5 237 203 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B1 Class C 2 1 1 12 12 37 1 8 4 6 5 7 18 4 12 13 6 4 3 6 5 1 1 3 3 16 27 3 9 17 18 12 8 8 44 20 11 9 4 128 99 154 Class A Class B 4 16 102 171 21 29 63 120 35 , 25 13 16 6 14 107 60 222 103 110 58 27 1 64 0 39 7 960 473 REGISTERED on BEACH All Groups Class A Class B 7 3 128 112 16 10 76 77 20 23 10 10 9 7 64 74 139 119 105 73 19 1 40 2 13 26 539 644 1 REGISTERED on BEACH All Groups Class A Class B 2 5 98 31 12 22 49 54 13 12 5 4 4 12 42 57 105 . 219 60 44 0 15 1 45 37 13 337 . 624 Norway Outpaces U.S. in Shipbuilding LONDON—A nation smaller than the state of New Mexico has swept far ahead of the. United States in merchant marine tonnage added during the last three months of 1967. Lloyd's Register of Shipping reports that Nor­ way's merchant marine grew by 1,745,217 tons in the last quarter of 1967, or more than three times the expansion of the American merchant fleet in the same period. While eight countries took on more mer­ chant marine tonnage in the last quarter than the United States. America trailed behind eleven others in total orders, having only oneseventeenth as much tonnage on order at year's end as the leading nation, Japan. America also dipped to number eight in actual tonnage under construction, again trail­ ing with one one-ninth as much tonnage under construction as Japan. Norway led the list of countries making the largest additions to their fleets, with 1,745,217 tons. Next were Liberia with 1,710,673 tons, Japan with 1,672,338 tons, the United King­ dom with 1,405,469 tons, the USSR with an estimated 672,888 tons, France with 600,403 tons, Italy with 564,242 tons. West Germany with 533,357 tons, and the U.S. with 522,892 tons. Orders Low Gross tonnage of merchant vessels actually under construction was slightly down in the final quarter of 1967, notes Lloyd's, but the total world order book for shipyards hit a record 40,351,369 gross tons at the end of the year. This was 800,733 tons higher than fig­ ures given for the third quarter. At the end of 1967 Japan led with a total order book of 17.164.513 tons, followed by Sweden with 3,143,719 tons. West Germany with 2.854.112 tons, France with 2,587 500 tons, Britain with 2,386,151 tons, and Italy with 1,762,265 tons. Others with over a million tons on order were Denmark, Norway, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States (with 1,095,912 tons), and Yugoslavia. Figures for vessels actually under construc­ tion again placed Japan first with 4,762,036 tons, followed by Britain with 1,248,232 tons. West Germany with 945,598 tons, and Italy with 803,366 tons. The only other nations building over 500,000 tons were France, Swe­ den, Spain, and, with only 507,902 tons, the United States. This represented an increase for the U.S. over the last period, in its total order book by 150,762 tons and vessels under construction by 2,767 tons. At the same time, the figures showed a downward turn for Britain, Sweden, and West Germany in vessels on the slipways. Construction Dips Lloyd's notes that vessels under construction around the world at the end of the year num­ bered 1,775 totalling 13,359,130 tons, down by 36,655 tons from the record return for the third quarter of the year. Ships under construction, reported Lloyd's, numbered 60 totalling over 50,000 gross tons. Tankers accounted for 38.4 percent, bulkers for 32.1 percent, and cargo ships (of 2000 tons and over) for 19 percent. Oil tanker tonnage under construction was 5,133,934 (up 598,801 from the third quarter). Next were bulk carriers at 4,287,144 (down 482,268), and general cargo ships at 2,544,005 (down 8,974). The balance consisted of fishing vessels of all types. The Lloyd's report points out that Japan's output has nearly doubled since 1964, with an increase of almost a million tons launched dur­ ing 1967. Britain last year had its highest out­ put since 1960. Slightly over 32 percent of world tonnag-* under construction is available for classifica tion with Lloyd's, no returns were given by Russia or Red China, the British firm said. .r • < �February 2, 1968 • SEAFARERS Union Drive Gains at Stevens After Surpreme Court Ruling LOG Page Seven The High Cost of Living CHARLOTTE, N. C.—A "blanket of fear" that has smothered J. P. Stevens & Co. for five long years is slowly lifting, union organ­ izers and workers reinstated to their jobs reported here. Testimony to a new surge of union interest came as Stevens' employes and union leaders gathered to pledge support for a renewed organizing drive at the textile chain's mills in North and South Carolina. t The catalyst for the transformation, all agreed, was the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision which left stand a lower court order to Stevens to rehire 71 discharged workers with hack pay. They were the victims of a campaign in which Stevens "flagrantly, cynically and unlawfully" denied workers their rights in an effort to crush the Textile Workers Union of America, the court declared. More recently, the same lower court ordered the rehiring with hack pay of 17 additional workers who were fired during TWUA's or­ ganizing drive, going hack to 1963. Stevens' workers were enthusiastic and their voices were filled with pride as they described a new atmosphere in their workplaces: "They're not afraid to take a leaflet," said one worker from Green­ ville, S.C. "They're ready to go all the way," said another from Slater, S.C. "We'll win this time at Rock Hill," said a third. One rehired worker said, "When I walked hack into the plant you'd think I was part owner of the place. They were real rosy." The wife of a reinstated worker described the scene in a plant when a company supervisor assembled workers to read the court order reinstating fired employes: "They stopped the machinery—it got very quiet ... I could hear the people all around me buzzing—'It's about that union leaflet.' 'Didn't think they would do it.' 'How about that?' They all looked at me^when they mentioned my husband's name. I'll tell you—some of the terror just disappeared right then." A lawyer from one of the mill towns, who had supported the union and came to the meeting, said, "The company won't be able to pick a jury soon. You can't throw a rock without hitting a union man." TWUA President William Pollock said the Supreme Court decision "has made it plain that every textile worker who exercises his right to join a union will be fully protected." He predicted the company's employes "will resume their efforts to build a union and engage in collective bargaining, as they have every right to do." >1 I • President Johnson has reap­ pointed M. S. Novik, radio-TV consultant for the AFL-CIO, and Editor Palmer Hoyt of the Denver Post to three-year terms on the Advisory Commission on Infor­ mation. The five-member panel meets monthly to evaluate the pol­ icies and programs of the U.S. Information Agency. Other mem­ bers are Publisher-Editor Thomas V. H. Vail of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, President Frank Stanton of the Columbia Broadcasting Sys­ tem and Sigurd S. Larmon, New York advertising executive. * • » Hugh W. Sheehan has been ap­ pointed AFL-CIO Community Services liaison with the American Red Cross in the western area, AFL-CIO Community Services Director Leo Perlis announced. He succeeds Joseph Rodell who has retired. A native of, Portland, Ore., and a graduate of Lewis and Clark University, Sheehan is a •member of the State, County and Municipal Employees and has been serving it as an international representative. He has been active in union and community affairs ift both Oregon and California. His headquarters, for a 12-stJite area, will be in San Francisco. • * • The AFL-CIO has signed a contract for the purchase of the land and building immediately to the north of the AFL-CIO build­ ing in Washington, Federation President George Meany an­ nounced recently. The property, at the corners of 16th and I Streets, ^^orthwest, is now occu­ pied by the Lafayette Hotel. Meany said that the property will ultimately be used to enlarge the AFL-CIO headquarters building, which was dedicated in 1956. The present operators of the Lafayette Hotel, William C. and Thomas H. Pickford, will receive a 3.5-year lease to continue operation of the hotel, Meany said. * * * Commissioner of Labor Statis­ tics Arthur M. Ross will resign his post July 1 to become a vice president at the University of Michigan and assistant to its presi­ dent, Robben W. Flemming. The 51-year-old economist has headed the Bureau of Labor Statistics since 1965, when he came to the Labor Department position from a professorship at the University of California at Berkeley. * * * Paul L. Phillips has resigned as president of the Papermakers and Paperworkers for reasons of health. He has been succeeded by Harry D. Sayre, who has been ex­ ecutive vice president of the union. Phillips became president of the former Paper Makers in 1948 and in 1957, when it merged with the former CIO Paperworkers, headed the combined organization. Sayre was president of the CIO affiliate at the time of the merger. The two worked in close cooperation to cement the former rival organiza­ tions into a single- strong union. Phillips, 63, helped organize the International Paper Co. mill at Camden, Ark., in 1932 and be­ came first president of the new local. With drug and medical costs continuing to skyrocket at a frightening pace which shows no sign of mercy for the helpless consumer, the recent revelation that three of the biggest drug companies in the country had been convicted of systematically picking the pock­ ets of Americans for years came as no sur­ prise. The bigger the name and reputation, the easier it is for an old established firm to bilk a trusting public. What is somewhat puzzling, however, is how American Cyanamid, Bristol Myers and Charles Pfizer and Company managed to get away with their flagrant violations of the Sherman Antitrust law from 1953 to 1961 without the FDA being any the wiser. Price fixing may escape detection for a while in some areas, to be sure, but for three pharmaceutical giants such as these to successfully corner the market on life-saving antibiotics—for a period of eiaht years with­ out being caught—must be difficult for even the most gullible citizen to swallow. The average American family has long been painfully aware that the cost of a trip to the prescription counter in the local drug store has steadily been going up at a rate so far out of proportion with other necessities of life as to be almost unbelievable. Since the cost of drugs—and the exhorbitant fees charged by doctors who pre­ scribe them—is an expense Americans will not shirk at the expense of the health of their loved ones, they have been gouged unconscionably by the medical-pharma­ ceutical establishment. Those among the very low paid or the elderly who are unable to bear their share of these stiff charges for health care, even with the help of Medicare or Medicaid, are forced to neglect their ail­ ments. It is frightening to contemplate how many must be dying each day as a direct result of this helpless neglect. Aside from the unceasing efforts of the AFL-CIO, other interested groups and a comparaitve handful of deeply concerned Congressmen, almost nothing has been done in this country to bring about a stability in drug and medical costs consistent with com­ mon sense and in proportion to the patient's ability to pay without undue hardship. Irate individual consumers can, and often have, banded together successfully to hold down" ballooning prices in other key areas of the economy. Pushed far enough, they can boycott stores, products or services for as long as it takes to make their demands heard. However, no one knows better than those in the drug industry and the medical pro­ fession that such personal rebellion against exploitation quickly wilts at the sound of a sick child's cries or the painful illness of a wife, husband or parent. In such situations, the consumer's back is against the wall and he has no choice but to pay whatever price is demanded—no matter how outrageous. The federal court's conspiracy conviction against American Cyanamid, Bristol Myers and Pfizer is better late than never. But the maximum penalty of a $150,000 fine for each under the Sherman Antitrust Act doesn't begin to compare with the illegal profits made over almost a decade by charg­ ing up to 13 times as much for drugs than they cost to manufacture. We can only hope that the reputations of these companies will be sufficiently tarnished in the public eye so that they will be punished further in Amer­ ica's marketplace. Also, now that the government has at last taken some decisive action against major names in drug manufacturing, intensified efforts in the labor movement and in Con­ gress may well bring about new laws to curb the long unchecked greed of those who dispense drugs and medical services to our citizens. Eventually, we must achieve the goal of equal and indiscriminate health care ifor all Americans at fair prices they can pay. �Page Eight D R. RAJENDRA PRASAD, former President of India, has stated that "Hunger might prove to be as deadly an enemy of man as any weapon of war." In view of the fact that the world popula­ tion will reach almost 7-billion by the end of this century, and at least half, probably more, of to­ day's people cannot be adequately fed even now the question of food for survival is an issue striking at the heart of humanity. It is for this reason that private and governmental groups the world over are turning to new kinds of food. They are growing algae on rooftops and in desert trenches; developing high-protein flour from whole fish; using electronics to catch fish; and more. They have turned to the 70 percent of the planet Earth that has been waiting, barely touched, for hundreds of millions of years. They have turned to mankind's last Earth-bound frontier for hope. They have turned to the sea. The effort to increase fish catch is one of the most immediate concerns of world- food experts because of the rapid increase in world food production that fish can bring. Harold B. Allen, of the U.S. Bureau of Com­ mercial Fisheries, reports that "Biologists estimate that the potential world yield of marine fishery re­ sources at 200 million metric tons annually—about four times the yield in 1965. Other scientists esti­ mate the potential to be as high as 400 million metric tons." The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is more conservative in its esti­ mate of potential fish catch, saying that today's world catch of about 53 million tons could be at least doubled within a short time, but even this advance could be a great boon for mankind. The science and technology necessary to develop . new food from fish, new fish breeding grounds, new methods of catching and processing fish, falls into the category of "aquiculture," the cultivation and man­ agement of the ocean's resources. The need to develop greater sea-fish catches has spurred the creation of new fishing techniques using the latest scientific advances. Technology has cre­ ated new man-made "fish" plowing the seas with computer-designed hulls, automated trawling nets controlled with the aid of television cameras, and electronic underwater fish-herding devices—to men­ tion just a few. FOA's Freedom From Hunger magazine reports the development of fiberglass fishing-boat hulls which are less costly than wooden hulls, and resist corro­ sion so well that one of them showed no signs of deterioration in salt and highly corrosive waters over a 10-year period. Its maintenance cost was only 20 percent of the maintenance cost for a comparable steel hull. Concrete applied over steel netting is also being used in low-cost, high-eflficiency hulls so impor­ tant to a capable and progressive fishjng fleet. The designing of modern fishing vessels may soon be taken over by rapid-calculating computers pro­ grammed to plan the most efficient vessel for a par­ ticular type of use and environment, thus avoiding months of laborious drawing and model-testing. An array of electronic apparatus now crowds the wheelhouse of many new trawlers, and has put the ships almost ion push-button control. They control sonar and echo-sounders which guide the ship to the fish, lower a net monitored with the aid of acoustical devices, and let down a trawl which is directed by television cameras mounted on the trawl mouth. • Often modern fleets include "floating factories" which are equipped for on-board processings can­ ning, and freezing, and for converting the insides of a fish (offal) into fish meal and oil. The Russians have even begun experimenting with methods of catching fish with submarines, and American scientists are working with electronically produced sounds and chemicals which will lure the fish into nets or to the ship's hull where they will be sucked directly into the hold. After the fish is caught, there is the problem of preserving it, distributing it, and making it accept­ able as well as palatable. Current research is per­ fecting a dry powder, or flour from whole fish which can be used in cereals, soups, bread, maca­ roni, and beverages. This Fish Protein Concentrate (FPC) promises to eliminate the difficulties of pres­ ervation and perhaps will be the world's next major food supply. "It means," Interior Secretary Udall re­ cently said, "that for as little as 'A-cent a day, an undernourished person, wherever he lives, can be assured of sufficient life-sustaining animal protein to supplement his diet." Fish Protein Concentrate, as its name implies, is extremely high in protein—from about 60 to 80 per­ cent. This contrasts with 65 percent protein content for beef, which also requires far move time, food, and care than do fish in producing a given amount of food for human consumption. SEAFARERS LOG The FPC manufacturing process involves the pulp­ ing of whole fresh fish, followed by the subjecting of the mixture to cold (isopropyl) alcohol to remove most of the water and fat The pulp then goes through two more stages under hot (isopropyl) alco­ hol, stirring in kettles, and, after drying, an off-white fiour-like substance — FPC — remains. During the process, any fishy flavor and odor can be completely removed so that the FPC will be acceptable as a new type of flour rather than as something with a fishy taste. Among the advantages of FPC is the fact that it is a dry powder that can be stored indefinitely, whereas whole fish is one of the most rapidly-spoiled foods. And the FPC production process is relatively simple and low-cost, bringing a high-quality diet to the world's low-income people. Secretary of the Inte­ rior Udall estimates that if only the presently unused species of fish in United States coastal waters were made into FPC, this would provide enough highquality animal protein yearly to balance the diet of 300 million people, for each day of the year, at a cost below V^-cent per person per day. FPC is superior to whole fish as food because, while numerous kinds of fish are unacceptable for direct human consumption, the FPC production proc­ ess converts these fish into edible form and wastes nothing; the whole fish—head, tail, etc.,—is used, so that all the protein and other nutrients are conserved. Harold Allen, of the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, explains that each ton of fish yields be­ tween 300-400 pounds of protein so that, even using conservatives estimates of about 200 million metric tons of fish being the potential annual world fish yield, the sea could produce "at least 30 to 40 mil­ lion tons of animal protein annually—enough to pro­ vide 20 grams a day for about five billion people." This small increase in protein consumption rep­ resents the difference between deadly starvation and the chance to live. While FPC has been manufactured mostly for ex­ perimentation, several companies in Morocco, South Africa, Peru, Sweden, and the United States have found it feasible to produte it for institutional feed-' ing. Nursery school children in Rangoon, Burma, eat a nourishing meal made from high-protein Fish Protein Concentrate—one of the foods that may provide a solution to famine. First prepared with the aid of nutritionists from the United Nations' FAO, tests on the health benefits of FPC, begun in 1957, have proved encouraging. Low cost is promising factor. February 2, 1968 The U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, which began experimenting with methods of producing the concentrate in 1961, finally received Food and Drug Administration approval this past April to produce FPC, so that- FPC may now be commercially pro­ duced in this country. The FDA approval allowed Udall to follow through on a law passed by Congress in November 1966 which establishes a five-year research program, and provides authority and funds to construct, lease, and operate two FPC research plants. According to the American Technology Digest, these moves "will establish for the first time a long range program to develop low-cost marine protein concentrates for human food and animal feed purposes." The Digest notes that the first plant is expected to process 50 tons of fish each day, and that the initial estimate of the cost of the FPC produced there will be only 14 cents per pound. The major difficulty with getting FPC to the peo­ ple who need it is that the advanced nations, who need FPC least, are the only ones that have the capital and modern technology and fishing fleets capable of catching the fish and creating the Con­ centrate. The poor nations not only lack all this, but their people can also barely afford to invest time, effort, and money in an FPC industry. FAO infor­ mation reveals that, for example, in Africa 80 per­ cent of the people are engaged in agriculture for their meager subsistence, and they are able to produce only enough food for their own ramily. They have little, if any, money to spend. The solution, appears to be for the United Nations, governments, industry end charitable organizations to subsidize the production and distribution of important foods such as FPC to these stricken countries. At present, major studies of these problems are under way in FAO, UNESCO, and the World Health Organization of the Unit^ Nations. Dr. Hiroshi Tamiya of Tokyo has over the years developed a tasty and highly nutritious green vanilla ice-cream which he says "is relished by many peo­ ple." The same substance that gives this ice-cream its color and nutritive value may also provide astro­ nauts with a never-ending supply of food and oxygen. And, given a land area roughly equivalent to that of Rhode Island, reports Dr. Vannevar Bush of the Carnegie Institute, this green matter could grow at a rate rapid enough to provide adequate food for the entire world. The substance is chlorella—only one of the 10,0(X) species of plants known as algae that are commonly seen floating in ponds, lakes, seas, making the water greenish or "muddy"—and which is so efficient in its growth that it can multiply eight-fold in 24 hours, withstand 180-degree heat, and can be made to vary in protein content from about 45 to 90 percent and in fiat content from 7 to 75 percent. These are vital features that no higher plant or animal can match. Of the most widely-used foods, chlorella's protein content of up to 90 percent contrasts with that of FPC at 80 percent, beef at 64 percent, eggs at 47 4 4 11^1 �SEAFARERS LOG Using the great number of fish off the coast of Peru as a raw material, a booming fish meal industry has developed in the port of Callao which annually ships millions of tons abroad in the struggle against world hunger. The United Nations is helping Peru research methods of converting the valuable meal, being loaded above, into new foods. Peru and Japan accounted for one-third of the total 1965 world fish catch. percent, soybeans at 33 percent, broad beans at 24 percent, potatoes at 6.4 percent, plantains at 2.8 per­ cent, wheat flour at 11.5 percent, maize meal at 9 percent and sorghum at 9 percent. Plankton, barely used as human food now but a possible source of food on a large scale in the future along with algae, has only a 50-60 percent protein content, generally high in relation to other foods, but still less than pure algae. While algae has been under research since the 1940's by various organizations and universities, it has already become a common item in Japan in such things as bread, cake, ice cream, and soup. In addition to making the substance available for human consumption, studies have been made on the feasibility of growing algae to feed livestock. In "Attack on Starvation," nutritionist Normon Desrosier cites research showing that of all meats, chicken is the one most accepted by man in his diet; therefore, the author asks, why not examine the po­ tentialities offered by growing chickens on algae? In ten weeks, Desrosier says, a chicken becomes a plump broiler, ready for the pot. One-half pound of algae daily would satisfy most of its nutritional needs; those few nutrients which the algae lacks could be developed in yeasts grown on the algae and fed with it to the poultry. At any rate, a total of five gallons of self-replenishing algae would be sufficient for the required period. At, for example, 10,000 broilers every ten weeks (50,000 broilers per year), all that would be needed is a 50,000-gallon tank of self-replenishing algae. If this sounds like too much, it is actually equivalent says Desrosier, to a tank measuring only 10 by 20 by 30 feet. The prospects are staggering. By comparison, the author explains, the use of land to grow grain with which to feed the same amount of chickens is out of the question: A young chick converts 2Vi pounds of grain into one pound of bodyweight. Assuming a broiler's top weight to be IV2 pounds, the chicken must eat 6Vi pounds of grain to get to that stage. Therefore, 10,000 chickens would need to eat 65,000 pounds of grain in the ten-week period, and the 50,000 chicks raised over the course of the year would require 330,000 pounds of grain. Page Nine The problem now is to grow this stupendous amount of chicken feed. Corn, often used, yields approximately 60 bushels, or 3,300 pounds, per acre in a good harvest. Thus, where a small tank of algae might feed these 50,000 broilers with ease, it would take about 100 acres of farmland, carefully tended and open to changes in weather, to feed the same number. Carnegie Institute's Harold Milner has remarked that "We estimate that we can grow 40 tons of algae per year on every acre given over to algae culture equipment. This would be the equivalent of 20 tons of scarce .^and valuable protein and three tons of equally scarce fat per acre—^astronomical rates, com­ pared with production rates in agriculture." Researchers have come up with some intriguing prospects for growing algae. Dr. Harold B. Gotaas, of the University of Cali­ fornia, experimentally grew algae on sewage ponds, heat-drying or cooking the algae to sterilize it, and fed it, with successful results, to cattle, He speculated that algae would allow the desert countries like Israel to raise milk-cows without even a square foot of acre­ age. Some scientists have also suggested that there is no reason that algae should not be grown in open ponds and bays, rather than in specially-designed enclosures, so that the only process that would be necessary is the engineering involved in harvesting it. Other possibilities being researched include the use of a shrimp-like creature as long as a matchstick, known as krill, which feeds on the plankton in the unexplored southern sea, and thrives in immense densely-packed shoals. It is the main food of the great southern whales, but since whale stocks have shrunk because of un­ scrupulous killing, the abundant krill has increased even more. Already, Soviet expeditions are gather­ ing and processing krill on a large scale. Sir Alister Hardy, the British scientist, has estimated that with­ in two decades krill may be making the greatest addi­ tion of the century to man's food supplies. An even stranger method of undersea food pro­ duction is suggested by the Rand Corporation: under­ water farms with fish raised in pens like cattle, and huge fields of seaweed tended by frogmen who live for months at a time in submerged bunkhouses. Frank Hester, of the Bureau of Commercial Fish­ eries, has predicted that trained porpoises may even round up the fish into nets or traps. It is clear that the vast and rolling sea presents one vital answer to world survival. The time has already arrived when we can no longer neglect the call of the late President John F. Kennedy: "So long as freedom from hunger is only half achieved, so long as two-thirds of the nations have food deficits, no citizen, no nation, can afford to be satisfied. We have the ability, we have the means, we have the capacity to eliminate hunger from the face of the earth in our lifetime. We need only the will." *-;A. . ..t, mi/ /m t v|5;i ./ /: tl^eT^l^rocclitW-lgoyornmenf bergapf'a cempaTgn 1960 +0 promofe fish consomQ*'on and per­ suade citizens to enrich their diets through use of the nationally-produced fish flour which has a protein content of 80 percent. A big part of the program was to teach the valUe of flsV cow L-.m jqd-,school courses. Similar programs are in effect in other countries. �-• Page Ten SEAFARERS February 2, 1968 LOG Supreme Court Rules Aguinst CC In Probe of Seumuns Burkground House Committee Rejects Standard Container Sizes - WASHINGTON—The House Rules Committee approved a bill on January 23 that would prevent the Government from standard­ WASHINGTON—^The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the authority of the izing container sizes for ships in the foreign trade. The bill has Coast Guard to screen personnel of U. S. merchant vessels as to their beliefs or "social, educational already been passed by «>e « Land Service, and (he SlU-Pacific or political associations" was not among those vested in the President by the Internal Security Act Senate, District contracted Matson Navi­ of 1950. Representative Edward Gar- gation Lines, into direct conflict overthrow of the U.S. government "The Magnuson Act gives the The finding by the high court by force and answering other President no express authority to matz (D-Md.), chairman of the with the standard system advo­ struck down a decision of the questions, he was told by the set up a screening program for House Merchant Marine and Fish­ cated by MARAD for about ten U.S. District Court for the West­ Coast Guard that more informa­ personnel on merchant vessels of eries Committee, testified to the years. The two companies have ern District which upheld refusal tion would be necessary. the United States," declared the Rules Committee that the Gov­ developed their own container by the Coast Guard to validate opinion written by Justice Wil­ ernment, and the Maritime Ad­ systems in their domestic services Schneider then admitted that the license of seaman Herbert liam O. Douglas, although "as re­ ministration in partcular, should to Puerto Rico and Hawaii, re­ Schneider, of Seattle, on security he had once been a member of spects any foreign-flag vessels not be allowed to authorize and spectively, and have each moved the Communist party and other grounds. promote certain sizes that "might into the foreign container trade. organizations on the Attorney the power to control those who Passed over President Truman's arbitrarily express preferences for 'go or remain on board' is clear," While the Massachusetts Port veto shortly after the outbreak of General's list but declared that he shipborne cargo containers of cer­ Authority "testified that container Otes Constitution the Korean War, the Internal had quit these groups many years tain lengths, heights, and widths," standardization would cut SeaCiting the first amendment to" especially while containerization is Land's carriage of defense car­ Security Act—known as the Mag- ago because he disagreed with nuson Act—authorized the Pres­ their methods. He refused, how­ the Constitution which guarantees "still in its infancy." goes which it now loads in Bos­ ident, if he found the security of ever, to submit essay-type answers freedom of speech, assembly and ton, Representative Thomas Pelly Representative Thomas Down­ the United States endangered by to questions concerning his pres­ associational freedom, the opin­ (R-Wash.) pointed out that con­ ing (D-Va.), urging passage of the subversive activity, to issue rules ent attitudes and beliefs on the ion held "that an unlimited and tainer standardization would "play to safeguard all vessels in the ter­ grounds that "it would be ob­ indiscriminate search of the em­ bill, said it was important to the havoc" with Matson's service to ritories or waters subject to the noxious to a truly free citizen to ployee's past which interferes with development of containerization. Seattle. jurisdiction of the U.S. against answer the kinds of questions his associational freedom is un­ Opposition, as expressed In addition to forbidding the destruction, loss, or injury from under compulsion that you re­ constitutional." through MARAD, the Commerce, Defense Department from desig­ sabotage or other subversive acts. quire." ". . . The provisions of the Act Transportation and Navy depart­ nating specific container sizes, ex­ License Denied in question speak only in terms ments, has centered on the need cept when the Secretary of De­ Based on this, Truman was obliged to set up regulations The Coast Guard thereupon de­ of actions, not ideas or beliefs or for standardization which they fense certiiies that such a move is which gave the Coast Guard au­ nied him his license and Schnei­ reading habit or social education­ claim would facilitate the inter­ a military necessity, the bill would thority to grant or withhold vali­ der went -to the three-judge Dis­ al, or political associations," the change of freight and equipment also bar MARAD from pressuring dation of papers granting seamen trict Court seeking declaratory re­ Supreme Court decision contin­ between different modes of tran.s- companies into standardization by portation. the right to serve on U.S. mer­ lief that the Coast Guard's action ued. withholding such Government aid "The present case involves in­ chant vessels. He directed the under the Magnuson Act were un­ The issue has brought two com­ as subsidies for containership con­ Coast Guard not to issue such constitutional and asking that the vestigation, not by Congress but panies, the SlU-contrarted Sea- struction and mortgage-insurance. • validation unless satisfied that the Coast Guard be enjoined from by the executive branch, stem­ "character and habits of life of interfering with his employment ming from congressional daleg" such person are such as to author­ on American-flag ships. When the tion," the judges said. "When W£ ize the belief that the presence District Court dismissed his com­ read that* delegation with an eye of the individual on board would plaint, he appealed to the Supreme to First Amendment problems, we hesitate to conclude that Congress not be inimical to the security of Court. the United States." In its 8-0 decision in favor of told the Executive to ferret out the ideological strays in the mari­ Ashore For 15 Years Schneider, the high court ruled time industry. The words it used, by Lindsey Williams, Vice-President, Gulf Area Schneider, who had worked that while Congress had autho­ 'to safeguard . . . from sabotage or ashore for 15 years, is now a rized the executive branch to act other subversive acts'—refer to The Alcoa Steamship Company will shortly close its New Or­ qualified second assistant engineer in the prevention of sabotage, the actions, not to ideas or beliefs." leans office. The company said that it will discontinue operating on steam vessels. When he ap­ government had exceeded this Justice Thurgood Marshall, who offices here at 1 Canal Street, where they have been since 1947. plied to the Coast Guard in Oc­ authority by inquiring into sea­ W. E. Hinman, in charge of operations, said that the company's tober, 1964, for validation of his men's beliefs and associations be­ was Solicitor General during ear­ business will continue to be conducted in New Orleans, but a lier stages of the Schneider case, permit of license, he was required "T" fore granting them merchant ma­ did not participate in the high location has not yet been selected. to fill out a questionnaire which, its Mobile office and its agent Alcoa will continue to operate court's unanimous decision. rine licenses. among other things, asked about connection with Houston. his membership or participation New Orleans in organizations which appear on Verne Frederiksen would like to the Attorney General's special list get back on the Del Norte as soon of subversive groups. After stat­ as the strike is over. An oiler, The Town Point, newest ing that he did not advocate the Verne is taking it easy on the tug in the fleet of Curtis beach. Bay Towing Company, was George Duncan is looking for­ christened recently at the ward to another trip to South SEAFARERS hhOG Battery in New York City. America. He recently signed off Manning tug are members the Dei Sud. Feb. 2, 1968 Vol. XXX, No. 3 of the SW Inland BoatEdgar Harman is looking for­ Oflieial Publication of the men's Union. ward to an oiler's slot on the Del Seafarers International Union Sud as soon as the strike is over, of North America, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes Alfredo Del Valle had an en­ and Inland Waters District, gine utility job aboard the Del AFL-CIO The new tug Is 99-feet long Norte for eight months. and has a unique five-blade Executive Board PAUI, HALL, President Houston propeller. She is operated CAL TANNER EARL SHEPARD Shipping is picking up here and by 2,360 HP diesel engine. Exee. Viee-Pret. Vice-President we have just crewed-up the Jack­ AL KERR LINDSEY WILLIAMS sonville, a Sea-Land trailership. Sec.-Treaa. Vice-President In transit are the Santore, TranROBERT MATTHEWS Vice-President serie, Transuperior, Penn Carrier, Young America and Falmouth. Editor MIKE POLLACK "Red" Brady has just returned Staff Writers from a long trip to Vietnam and PETER WEISS will be shipping as soon as he's HARRY WITTSCHBN had a rest. STEVE STEINBERG MobUe Staff Photographer •• ^ ANTHONY ANSALDI Ralph Taylor is registered for another steward department slot Psbllihed biweekly at 810 Rhsde lilanil Avenss M.E., Washington, D. C. 20018 by the Seafar­ after a stay as second cook on the ers International Union, Atlantic, Gilf, Lakes Del Oro. A member of the SIU and Inland Waters District, AFL-CIO, 675 Fosrth Arenas, Brooklyn, N.V. 11232. Tsl. since its inception, Ralph makes HYaelnth 9-6600. Second class gostago gald at Washington, D. C. his home in Mobile. Dan Haase, deck, and Captain F, The Town Point's engine department features latest POSTMASTER'S ATTENTION: For* 3579 After a good voyage as deck cards sfcoald be sent to Sufarers International X. Thomas relax before tug heads equipment, Russel D. Newberry makes sure that Union, Atlantic, Galf,.Laktk and Inland Waters maintenance on the Alcoa Mark­ District, AFL-CIO, 675 Foirth Avcnsc, Broekfor destination in Norfolk, Virginia, things are shipshape before tug leaves New York, Im, N.Y, 11232, eter. Bob Broadus is registered for another job. He has sailed 20 years in all deck ratings. The Gulf Coast New SlU-Manned Tug Shoves Off pispl •i/ �February 2, 1968 Welcomed to Pension Ranks SEAFARERS Page E!even LOG AFL-CIO Supports ^State of Union* Goals Johnson Urges Congress 'Art Now' On Jobless, Housing and [duration President Johnson called on Congress to "act now" to create jobs for the hard-core unemployed, to rebuild America's cities and improve the health, housing, safety and educational opportunities of its people. Act to speed up our drive to break The nation has the resources year goal is 300,000 units, "three down the finanical barriers that times more than last year." and strength to do all this with­ • Child Health—The United are separating our young people out abandoning its commitment States, despite its vast resources, from college." in Vietnam, the President sai(T • Program Funding—The ranks only 15th among the nations And, he affirmed, the American President called for more money the world in "saving the lives people "have the will to meet the of than Congress appropriated this of babies," Johnson noted. He trials these times impose." year for the anti-poverty program Johnson's State of the Union asked for "a child health program and for anti-pollution efforts. to provide, over the next five Message was "realistic" and "hard­ On the economy as a whole, years, for families unable to af­ hitting," AFL-CIO President Johnson predicted steady econom­ ford it—access to health services George Meany declared. ic growth this year "if we are Meany said the AFL-CIO is from prenatal care of the mother vigilant." "especially pleased with the Presi­ through the child's first year." The chief danger, he warned, is • Consumers—Johnson asked dent's proposals to increase funds spiraling prices and higher inter­ for job training; to help those completion of action on truth-in- est rates, resulting in "a slump in who live in slums through an ex­ lepding, gas pipeline safety and home building and a continued tensive housing program and" a other pending consumer bills. He Adam SwiszczowskI (right) received his first pension check from billion-dollar model city program; will also propose new safeguards erosion of the American dollar." Continued failure of Congress patrolman Jack,.Caffey in the New York hall recently. He joined for increased funds for the pov­ to insure the quality of fish and to act on a tax increase, the Presi­ the SlU in 1943 and sailed as AB. His last ship was the Oakland erty program; and his child health poultry. He will call for new dent declared, would be a "trag­ program for the nation's poor. powers for the Federal Trade edy." We are delighted, as well, to see Commission to act against swin­ The President called on "the the continued effort to help the dlers, for a major study of auto leaders of American business and insurance and for protection nation's consumers. against hazardous radiation from the leaders of American labor" Meany reiterated labor's full to "act responsibly, and in the support of the President's "quest television sets. nation's interest, by keeping in­ • Crime—The President reit­ creases in line with productivity. for peace with honor in Vietnam." The President spoke to a Con­ erated his call for federal grants If our recognized leaders do not gress which last year rebuffed or to help local police forces combat do that, they and those for whom cut back many of the domestic crime and said he now wants they speak and all of us are going WASHINGTON—Comprehensive new legislation to plug the programs he advanced and which $100 million for this "critically to suffer very serious conse­ loopholes and correct other inadequacies in existing inspection ignored his request for a tax in­ needed" program, double last quences." programs for poultry, eggs and fish is being prepared by Senator crease. The President stressed year's budget request. He called Johnson said his budget will call Walter F. Mondale (D-Minn.). that a tax hike is more urgent for a gun control law "to stop the for $10 billion more in spending Mondale said that according to evidence which has come to trade in mail order murder." And than the current fiscal year's budg­ than ever. his attention thus far, "the potential danger to public health in he asked strengthening of the et. Virtually all the increase is in The President spoke with pride these foods is as serious if not worse than was the case with nonDrug Control Act. — but briefly — of the prosperity mandatory programs, including ^ federally inspected meat." and abundance in the nation, of • Civil Rights—Johnson urged military spending and interest One of the principal draftsmen of the labor-backed Wholesome "higher paychecks" and "hum­ action on the pending civil rights payments. Meat Act passed last year, the senator said the standard adhered ming factories." bill—"fair jury trials, protection to in the meat bill was that "there can be no compromise on the If the tax increase is approved of federal rights, enforcement of by Congress, Johnson said, the Persistent Problems public health and that the consumer has a right to expect that But his stress was on the need equal employment opportunity, budget deficit will be reduced to all meat is safe and wholesome" and "I see no reason why we should be content with lower standards for fish, eggs and poultry." to make it possible for all to share and fair housing." a manageable $8 billion. Without in the nation's abundance. John­ • Education—"I shall recom­ a tax rise, he said, it would be . Therefore, he said, "the legislation I will propose will provide son talked to the American people mend an Educational Oportunity about $20 billion. for these foods a level of protection at least equal to that pro­ of the persistent problems of un­ vided for meat by the Wholesome Meat Act." employment, of violence in cities, Mondale's plans were outlined in letters—made public by his poor housing, low pay for farm office here—to consumer-crusading author Ralph Nader and a workers, rising health costs, pollu­ reporter who exposed a health problem in his home state of tion. Minnesota. The reporter brought public attention to the fact that Here is what the President 6,000 pounds of egg whites, falsely labelled as pasteurized, were asked Congress to. do and the found to contain salmonella, fecal streptococci, and a contamina­ American people to support in ma­ by Fred Farnen, Secretary-Treasurer,Great Lakes tion count ten times higher than that found in raw sewage. jor domestic areas: Although his new bill will follow the general outlines of the • Jobs—"This year, the time meat law, Mondale noted some particular problems that need has come when we must get to The big event on the lakes this year should be the opening of the attention. those who are last in line—the new lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, replacing the old Foe Lock. Warns of Egg Solids hard-core unemployed—the hard­ The new lock has been constructed by the corps of engineers and est to reach." For example, whole eggs which are rotten or decayed are will be 1,200 feet long, 110 feet wide. easily spotted by sight or smell "but those broken and processed There are an estimated 500,000 The lock will permit passage of vessels 1,000 feet long, 105 feet into egg solids for use by bakeries, institutions, schools or pre­ such persons, Johnson said, and pared food manufacturers" are almost impossible to detect. the Administration's goal is to in beam and drawing about 30 ^ This was a banner year for ship­ place them in private industry feet of water. The cost of the new ping and a man coming in for a A prime illustration of the dangers encountered through in­ lock, expected to open to naviga­ jobs within the next three years. adequate inspection of fish, Mondale noted, is the fact that the ship got a job in a hurry. Among He proposed a $2.1 billion man­ tion by mid-June, is estimated at the men reporting in for the winter general quality of frozen fish products is "dismal." A Consumers power program in the coming fis­ $42 million. Union study in 1961 revealed that "82 percent of frozen shrimp are Jim Kissick and Andy Trescal year, a 25 percent increase Canadian and foreign-flag ves­ chak. tested contained staphlycocci." over this year. "Most of this in­ sels are expected to derive greater Frankfort As for poultry products, he said, those inspected by the fed­ crease will be used to start a new benefit than U.S.-flag ships since eral government appear—as do similarly inspected eggs—to be We can use some AB ratings, partnership between government Canadian operators have been as­ adequately safe. "But only 87 percent of all the poultry sold in as the flu bug has really hit us and private industry to train and sisted by Government subsidies the United States is subjected to federal inspection and action is hard here. The Christmas dinner to hire the hard-core unem­ in the building of giant ore and needed to bring the rest either under federal inspection or under at the Hostess Cafe attracted 120 ployed." grain carriers. This was greatly adults and 41 children. state programs which are at least equal to the federal system," • Model Cities—Johnson re­ influenced by the new lock. Mondale concluded. Ellen Gaines, cabinmaid on the minded Congress that last year it During the same period, no Viking, was stricken with illness State inspection programs for poultry—as was the case with had appropriated less than half of new vessels have been built by on December 17. She was hospi­ meat—are generally poor if they exist at all, according to the the $662 million he asked to help U.S.-flag operators. talized in Paul Oliver Hospital and Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen Union, and meet "the crisis in the cities of would like her friends to visit her. about a billion pounds of poultry products are processed annually Cleveland America." This year he is asking outside the jurisdiction of federal Poultry Inspection Act which Duluth We've paid off some more ships for $1 billion for the model cities was passed in 1957 with the support of labor and consumer and their crews scattered to all Fred Leske received an oiler's program. groups. • Housing—^The President parts of the country. The Boland rating and Dan Brown got a FWT Arnold Mayer, the Meat Cutters' legislative representative, will pronose a 10-year program to ships keep their engine gang endorsement through Duluth up­ said in a recent radio interview that "we have-not heard of a grading in recent weeks. build six million new housing around for awhile, however. single state program that is as eflfective as the federal inspection Larry Curnow, AB, who broke units for low and middle-income A lot of guys are seeking help program" and noted that "only five states even claim to have . . . "amilies. Only 530,000 such units in filling out their vacation appli­ his leg in November, came by the mandato'"/ inspection." were built during the past 10 cations and the processing of hall for his M/C check. Bob Day years, Johnson stressed. The first- checks has kept us pretty busy. is the proud father of a baby girl. Senator Drafts New For Poultry Inspection t II The Great Lakes �Page Twelve February 2, 1968 SEAFARERS LOG Lifeboat Class No. 192 Graduates SlU Member Joins Author Ranks With Puhiiiution of New Book Walter Snell, a veteran of the deck department, has joined the ranks of Seafarer-authors, with the publication of a new book entitled "Discard Equals Jackpot." In addition to a long sailing career. Brother Snell has a wide background as a trade unionist and writer-editor. Brother Snell told the LOG ^ wages and working conditions for that the book's cover will ask criticized parts of the work." When Brother Snell joined the newly organized groups in Jersey. potential readers "are you one SIU in 1952, he had completed However, he considered his of the millions of lucky people two hitches in the Navy. While most important contribution was who will gain more than a thou­ in the Navy, he served on the as editor of the Association News, sand dollars each, simply by read­ Reina Mercedes under Captain, the official union publication. A ing this book? The later Admiral, "Bull" Halsey. In monthly, it was delivered free to work, which is his early days at sea, he was active union members • and affiliated non-fiction, is in seaman organizing campaigns unions. Brother Snell is proud of based on a long- on both coasts. the fact that the paper won awards held theory of In addition to his sailing, he and the praise of other labor Brother Snell's. has gained wide experience in the papers, while he was editor. He has, he stated, labor field, both as writer and He also gained writing expe­ "based his thesis office-holder. In the 1930s, he rience as co-editor of the Tele­ upon well-estab­ helped to organize the Western phone Worker, organ of the Na­ lished, predictable Electric Employee's Association, Snell tional Federation of Telephone patterns of hu­ Inc. This was the largest labor workers. A monthly, it was sold man behaviftr." union in New Jersey and a fore­ on newsstands throughout the In advancing the theories advo­ runner of one of the International cated in his book, be has consid­ Brotherhood of Electrical Work­ United States. Brother Snell has ered the possibilities that some ers largest locals. Brother Snell also taken an occasional stab at will question his credibility. If was treasurer of the union for poetry. With the outbreak of World some find my claims preposterous, awhile. War II, he re-enlisted in the Navy "they should yell 'cheat' and This union, Brother Snell expose it as a swindle. If how­ pointed out, was the first real as an apprentice seaman and ever, they do find it totally credi­ labor union representing the tele­ moved up quickly to chief boats­ ble, and they will, then they phone industry. It's officials wain's mate. Brother Snell saw should help promote it as enor­ helped set up an amalgamated combat in the Iwo Jima and Oki­ nawa campaigns. In between mously worthwhile." nationwide union called The Na­ Navy service and sailing with the Temporarily Secret tional Committee of Communi­ SIU, he took a fling at farming When asked what, specifically, cations Equipment Workers. As for a while. i^ the book about. Brother Snell an elected delegate from his union Brother Snell has been involved stated that "you don't reveal the to the national committee, he in many SIU organizing drives solution to a mystery on the cover. helped bargain for over 100,000 and has never hesitated to volun­ Not that "Discard Equals Jack­ workers. teer for picket duty. His expe­ Because of the need to organize pot" is intended as a mystery, rience has gained him election as this particular point is psycho­ all workers. Brother Snell said, ship's delegate on practically every regular meetings were held for logically delicate, therefore, tem­ workers all over the North Jersey ship he sails on. His last ship was porarily secret." area to learn the basic procedures the Overseas Joyce. According to the publisher, A native of Ashland, Alabama, Carlton Press, the book describes for organizing local unions. He helped organize and negotiate for Seafarer Snell lives in Newark "clearly and interestingly how man's unending quest for the recognition contracts, hours, with his wife, Helen. proverbial pot of gold, combined with his logic and common sense, is creating a new, permanent, na­ tionwide, multimillion dollar in­ dustry." The book, Carlton states, "may or may not make you rich, but it will convince you that it Money Due 40th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 11218. truly has hit the jackpot for mil­ She is anxious to hear from you. lions of people." The following SIU members In general, the book will show. should immediately contact the Brother Snell said, how people Edward Giordano office of Sol C. Berenholtz, 1845 have been neglecting and discard­ Please contact your wife, Odes­ ing highly useful materials which Maryland National Bank Building, sa, at Box 267, Stockton, N. J. can now be used as a source of Baltimore, Md. 21202, in order to 08559, as soon as you possibly income. Brother Snell stated that collect wages for a trip on the can. he wrote a score or more versions Jean for the period of January 3, — 4f — of the book on some SIU ships 1964 to May 18, 1964. Leo Atlschul he sailed on. "A number of Sea­ Richard S. Asmont, Francis M. Please contact Mrs. William farers are familiar with my idea Clawson, George Dakas, James M. Roesch at 99 Grattan St., Brook­ and even read and constructively Davis, Marius Del Prado, Eugene lyn, N. Y. 11237, in regard to an C. Hoffman, Marshall Y. Howton, important matter. For the Sweet Tooth Francis X. Keelan, Armando Lupari, Hazel L. McCleary, Gerald R. McLean, Reginald Newhury, Jeremiah E. Roberts, Arthur RudEditor, nicki, Joseph Wagner, and Robert SEAFARERS LOG, F. Wurzler. 675 Fourth Ave., —4,— Conrad TayltnPlease contact your mother at 7201 N. W. 11th St., Hollywood, Fla. 33024, as soon as possible. — in addition to his duties as chief cook and steward department delegate. Willie Houeseton bakes a cake as well as anyone, fellow crewmen on Selma Victory agree. — Charles Doroba Please get in touch with your sister and brother as soon as pos­ sible. It is urgent that they get in touch with you. —4^— Joseph M. Duffy Please contact your daughter, Mrs. Lorraine Mulroz, at 1124 These Seafarers have just received a lifeboat ticket affer passing Coast Guard examinations. The men attended the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Brooklyn. In the front rovy (L-R) are: Tom Leavey, Ken Walmsley, Vinnie Maroney, John Lynn. In rear: Instruc­ tor Paul McGaharn, Fred Shiferdek, Doug Pillow, Joseph Kisten, Stephen Schulberg, Richard Carbone. They graduated December 26. FINAL DEPARTURES Homer Paschall, 53: A heart condition claimed the life of Brother Paschall, December 31, at the USPHS Hos­ pital, New Or­ leans. He was born in Texas and made his home in Corpus Christi, Texas. Brother Paschall joined the SIU in Galveston, Texas, and sailed for over 20 years. He sailed as FOW and his last ship was the Globe Explorer. Burial was in City Cemetery, Kennedy, Texas. 4^ Edgar Sinnott, 56: Death claim­ ed Brother Sinnott on December 4 at Daly City, Calif. He was born in Chelsea, Mass., and re­ sided in Daly City. A member of the deck de­ partment, he shipped as an AB and was qualified to sail as a bosun. His last ship was the Elizabethport. Brother Sinnott joined the SIU in San Francisco. He is survived by his wife, Bernice. The body was I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG—please put my name on your mailing list. (Print Information) NAME STREET ADDRESS STATE.. ZIP. TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you are an old tubicrlber and have a change of addreti, pleate give your former address below: ADDRESS aiY .... buried in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, Calif. 4f Henry Hill, 75: Brother Hill passed away on December 7 at his home in Mobile. At the time of death he was on an SIU pension. A native of Pensacola, Fla. he was a long­ time resident of Mobile. Brother Hill joined the Union in that port in 1938. He sailed as a cook and baker. His last ship was the Penn Trader. Surviving is his wife, Alma. The burial was held in Oaklawn Cem­ etery, Mobile. — 4/ — Oscar Dufrene, 58: Brother Dufrene died on December 22 at the USPHS Hos­ pital, New Or­ leans. He was born in Lockport, La., and sailed in the deck depart­ ment. Brother Dufrene joined the Union in the port of New Or­ leans and made his home in that city. He was employed by Coyle Lines, Inc. Surviving is his wife, Beatrice. The burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery, New Orleans. 4^ Brooklyn, N. Y. J1232 CITY V. STA1E ZIP. John Darwin, 55: Brother Dar­ win died on Dec. 22 at the USPHS Hospital in Gal­ veston, Texas. He joined the Union in Port Arthur, Texas. Brother Darwin was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and made his home in Vidor, Texas. He was on an SIU pension at the time of death. Seafarer Darwin had been employed by the Sabine Tow­ ing Co. Surviving is a son, Travis Darwin, of Vidor. The burial was in Morris Cemetery, Runa, Texas. ' I �February 2, 1968 Thanks Union For Assistance To The Editor: I want to thank everyone in the Union from the bottom of my heart for all the help and attention. May the Lord bless you with a wonderful year. Sincerely, Mrs. George Pitour Long Island City <t^ 5. African Unionist Enjoys the Log To The Editor: Through the good offices of the American Consulate here, I receive periodically, a copy of your publication "Seafarers Log" and must congratulate you on the amount of informa­ tion you disseminate to your membership. Would you please accept my congratulations on the magnifi­ cent work you have done and are doing for the seafaring man. Sincerely, A. Espie Secretary-Treasurer Trade Union Council of South Africa Raps Govt. Maritime Policy fii 'f To The Editor: Exactly what kind of a na­ tional maritime policy have we got, anyhow? I find it hard to believe that the government agency which is entrusted with the maintenance of America's fourth arm of defense can be so blunder-headed. First they let the fleet dwindle to the point that the U.S. is only 16th in world shipping; can you believe it? In time of war—right now in Vietnam—the mighty fourth arm of America's defense has to consist of merchant ships pulled off their commercial runs because there aren't enough U.S. ships to go around for all our needs. Some of these ships, which are absolutely vital to carrying men and supplies to Vietnam, have been known to break down right in Vietnam's harbors or channels, as the Alice Brown did last February when she nearly blew up and took a port with her. Then the government raises no objection to our ships "run­ ning away" to other flags so that they don't have to provide decent wages or benefits or ship safety standards for their crews. Not only that, but these run­ away ships, which operate at less expense than U.S.-flag ships, end up competing with our ships, and probably win­ ning. What kind of sense does this make? And what of our huge bal­ ance of payments deficit? Bil­ lions of dollars could be brought into this country by a healthy U.S.-flag fleet, yet the adminis­ tration does nothing to build it up; not only that, but John­ son then proposes clamping down on overseas travel in order to stop money from going out because of the deficit. At the same time, if MARAD SEAFARERS"L6G and the Johnson Administra­ tion pumped vigor back into our dying merchant marine, shipbuilding and all its related jobs would swing back into high gear, providing thousands of new jobs and helping the American economy even more. As though all these negative actions of the Government are not enough, why in the world did MARAD have to go and top it all off with the new sub­ sidy rates that, in effect, pen­ alize the shipping companies who are trying to modernize and strengthen the fleet? This is ridiculous. Worse, it's assinine. What's going on? Fred Cottrell Real People, Not Machines To The Editor: They are people, not stain­ less steel machines or invaders from some other world. The farm workers at Giumarra vineyards in California are people, and that is what Cali­ fornia seems to forget. What kind of mentality exists in Gov­ ernor Reagan, what sort of compassion can he have, when he not only allows Mexican strikebreakers to take over the work of striking vineyard work­ ers who desperately need higher wages, but even goes so far as to send a work force of convicts in to pick crops so that he doesn't have to listen to the legitimate workers' pleas for decent living conditions? What sort of scruples, let alone a sense of humanity, can the mayor of Delano have when he tries to destroy the career of a lone dentist who offers his free services to the Giumarra workers out of plain sympathy for his fellow man? People—not inanimate un­ feeling machines—are the con­ cern of unions. The unions consist not only of organized "labor," but of people—people like you and me—people who have to live. Is that so hard to understand? Jeff Kennedy <I> President Ignores Shipping Lag To The Editor: .President Johnson's State of the Union message was clear on at least one item: He doesn't plan to do much to beef up our sagging merchant marine. The only references he made to ships were in his remarks about the "ship of state" in "troubled waters," and "that we launch with other nations, an exploration of the ocean depths to tap its wealth and its energy and its abundance." Point two is well and good, but what about the ship we need . to boost our econ­ omy, to aid our soldiers around the world when they need it, to get rid of much unemploy­ ment, and to make America a strong maritime nation once again. Not one word in his speech concerned these things. It is indeed fortunate that there are quite a few Congress­ men who are providing the im­ portant Maritime leadership that the Administration has failed to do. Craig Goodwin Page Tbirteen SlU Cook Mixes Seafaring Career With Role on TVs Veyton Place" If a Seafarer should turn on his TV set some night and see the old movie, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame," he might recognize the man playing the program seller at the ballpark. He has the line, "Get your program for today's game." The actor's name is Abe Rosen and when not act­ ing in movies and television, he's dishing out the chow as a cook with the SIU. "I started acting in 1931," Abe told the LOG. Among the major stars he appeared with-are Errol Flynn, Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, Barbara Stanwyck, and Lana Turner. Abe got his acting start because he was in the right place at the right time. "I was working as a candy butcher" for a circus, when a movie company came along to film "Circus Clown," with Joe E. Brown, ex­ plained Abe. The director's name was Frank Madison and he thought Abe would be OK in a bit part. Since then, he's been a bit player, walk on, stuntman and supporting player. He is known professionally as A1 Rosen. Perhaps the most interesting as­ pect of his career was the time he spent as a stuntman. "I'm too old for it now—it's a job for a young man," Abe emphasized. But dur­ ing his career he performed Abe Rosen, known In Hollywood as Al Rosen, helps prepare lunch many dangerous stunts. Popcorn •for Seafarers while Rice Victory pays-otf recently in New York. munchers have seen him fall from Between acting jobs in movies and TV, Abe sails as second cook. horses, engage in fight scenes, go through windows and dive from version of the Custer massacre. vorites is Barbara Stanwyck, a rock into the water. Both movies co-starred Miss De whom he remembers as "a nice person." Had Close Calls Havilland. Abe appeared with Gable and In spite of much adverse pub­ "Stunts are planned and the key Lana Turner in "Homecoming" is timing," said Abe. "When the licity regarding his escapades, timing is off, that's when you get Abe has fond memories of Flynn. for MGM. I also made Broadway hurt." Abe almost got hurt film­ He was very "congenial," Abe Hostess' with Alan Jenkins, a name the oldtimers will remem­ ing "The Charge Of The Light recalled. ber," he said. On TV, Abe's done Brigade," a Warner Brothers epic He has appeared with a num­ spots on "The Loner" and "Pey­ with Flynn and Olivia De Havil- ber of actors whose faces, if not ton Place," among others. land. During a charge scene, the names will ring a bell with fre­ A member of the Screen Actor's horse Abe was riding stumbled quent watchers The Late Show. Guild, Abe explained that the way and Abe fell down with other "I played opposite Dick Foran, horses "jumping all around me." Lyie Talbot, Robert Armstrong you get work in Hollywood is to It was pretty close, Abe admitted. and Bruce Cabot. In Dodge City, "get yourself known around town. In addition to "Charge Of The I played a badie, one of Bruce Hustle around the studio, look up Light Brigade," Abe appeared Cabot's henchmen. I used to see producers and casting directors. with Erroll Flynn in "Dodge Armstrong at Hollywood Stars After a while, they get to know City" and "They Died With Their baseball games in the days before you." Circus Veteran Boots On," a Warner Brothers the Dodgers." Another of his faAbe has also appeared "off and on" with circuses. He's worked Good Haul on the Transsuperior for the famous Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus and smaller ones like Cole Brothers and Haganbach-Wallace. "A circus is like a musical comedy today", Abe believes. They play in arenas now, he pointed out, instead of the tents and open lots. Also, travel by trailer has replaced the trains. By 1950, movies were losing business to TV and things were "slow", so Abe went back to his hometown, Baltimore. I ran into old buddies like Eli Hanover (now awSIU Baltimore patrolman) and I thought I would go back to sea. I sailed off and on and consider the sea my fulltime job now, al­ though I still intend to -do some acting". As a young boy, Abe lived by the Baltimore Waterfront. "I met some ship's chandlers and they sort of got me interested in the sea. One summer, I worked as a messboy." In his younger days, he sailed on some Norwegian and Canadian ships. During World War II Abe served in the Army. Abe joined the SIU in 1951 in During a recent voyage of the Transsuperior (Hudson) to Bombay, Baltimore. He recentlv completed India, Bob Zolnierz (L) and Glen Stephens spent their spare time a trip on the Rice Victory. He fishing. From the looks of things, they had good luck. The ship lives with his wife, Sarah, whom recently paid a visit to Duluth, where some Seafarers paid-off. he married in Bombay, India, in Brother Zolnierz was OS, while Brother Stephens sailed as an AB. Los Angeles. r �Page Fourteen ^ COTTONWOOD CRBEK (OrJ^tal 1^. iwrter), January 6~Chairta»n, B. B. SmaH ; Secretary, E. H. Jackann^ Brother B. R. Sman was elected to servie as new ship's ^elegrate Hotion was made to find out what progress has been made mi the pension pian. No beefs and no disputed OT was reported. » „,bONe BEACH (SeWWid). becembeh ?4-Chei-:^n. SarJord Hemp; Secretnty, banford Kemp. Motion was made that the Seafarers Internationai TJnion come up_to par with other unlicensed maritime uniohs in a 20-year bust-out retirement plan, without any further delay. Brother Sanford Kemp was elected to serve as ship's deJegrate, secretary and treasurer. 'StTEEL RBGOBB (Isthmian), Decemher 17—Chairman, Ji. L. Bourgeois; retary, P. S. Holt, Brother B. C. Bamra was elected to serve as new ship's dele­ gate. Vote of thanks was extended to the steward department. No beefs were re­ ported by department d^qsmtes. YORKMAR fCalmar). December IF— Chairman, Emanuel D. Jones; Secratary. Sidney A. Corner. No beefs and no dh^ Pnted OT rgiorted by departanmit dele­ gates. Brother Yaswant Somani n elected to serve as <^p's deSegate. S ALCOA VOYAGER (Alcoa), Jaawy •14—Chairman, A. B^rssson; Seetriary, M. P. Goi. $2S.^ in ship^ fund. Bn>t)tm> B. Butler was rieeted to serve as skip's delegate. Some disputed OT in engkie department, otherwise no beefs were re­ ported by department delegates. LlrCILE BLOOMFIELD (States Blarlne-Isthmian)i December 30—Chairman, Scotty Quinlivan ; Secretary, George Dick, Brother Alfred D. Allain, Jr. was elected to serve as ship's delegate. $11.35 in ship's fund. No beefs were reported by departaient delegates. DIOEST of SIU MEETINGS MERHHAN VICTORY (Waterman), January 21—Chairman, & A. Anderson; Secretary, Wiliie Braggs. No beefs were reported by department delegates. Vote of thanks to the ship's delegate for a job well done. Vote of thanks to the steward department. ' £ I I 1 CLAIBORNE (Sea-Land), January 13 -—Chairman, Edward Kelly; Secretary, James K. PurselL No beefs reported by department delegates. Everything is running smoothly. All members voted unanimously for beadquarters to negotiate for 20-year bust-out pian, in 1868. Discussion held regarding Group 3 men not getting raise-as other ratings. It Was suggested that headquarters negotiate for a raise for these men. Vote of thanks was! tended to the steward department. . ,ALCjOA .MARKEHER .(Alcoa), January 7--:Chairinan, Charies Jf; :Bm : Secre- ta(yiV;a .::l^IiBa« '• fiNthee,;..;lfen8rd:- Falk, •ri^tea.>as' 'ship's. > <Megates "AU agreed to donate fifty cents to chip's fund. Vote of thanks to the steward de- SiEAFARERS February 2, 1968 LOG .SANTORE (Venofe), January Chairman, Fred Fagan; Secretary, T. A. Jackson. Few hours disputed OT in deck department. Motion made to ask headonartera to inform tie mmnbemihlp, via Seafarers Log, of any current negotia­ tions or plans for 20-year retirement pensions. Vote of thanks to the steward department for a very fine Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. HENRY (American Bulk Carricre), January 8—Chairman, Bill Joiner; Sec­ retary, .Tnmes R- Abrams. No beefs were reported by department delegates. Brother Frank R, Cottongin was elected to serve as ship's delegate. UNFAIR TO LABOR DG NOT BUY SIU-AGLIWD Meetings New Orleans Mar. 12——2:30 p.m. Mobile Mar. 13—2:30 p.m. Wilmington . Mar. 18—2:00 p.m. San Francisco Mar. 20—2:00 p.m. Seattle Mar. 22—2:00 p.m. New York . . Mar. 4—2:30 p.m. Philadelphia .Mar. 5—2:30 p.m. Baltimore . . .Mar. 6—2:30 p.m. Detroit Mar. 8—2:30 p.m. Houston .... Mar. 11—2:30 p.m. KYSKA (Waterman), January 12— Chairman, George Baels ; Secretary, Sher­ man Wright. Disputed OT in each de­ partment to be squared away. Vote of thanks to the entire steward department for the wonderful holiday meals. EAGLE VOYAGBSR (United Mnritiroe). January 9—Chairman. John 0. Reed,-; Secretary. Robert Hyer. Ship's delegutel repmted that everything is running! smoothly, and was given a vote of thanks! by the crew. Brother Pete Dolan wosj efeeted to serve as ship's treasurer. Vote^! of thanks to the steward department for a jtdi well done. POTOMAC (Empire), January 6Chairman, Richard Schemm; Sccretaryr James Winters. No beefs were r^orted by department delegates. Motion wi made that any dues paying member with 12 years sea service on SlU-contracted ships, a total of 20^ years counting sea service, may retire at any age. Discus-1 sibn held as to why unrated men did not \ receive a pay raise. Great Lakes SIU Meetings Detroit . . Alpena .. Buffalo . . Chicago . Cleveland Duliith . . Frankfort . .Mar. . .Mar. , .Mar. . . Mar. .Mar. . Mar. .Mar. 4—2:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. Great Lakes Tug and Dredge Region ' AMERIGO (Greet Overseas), December J; 18—Chairman, John Hoggie; Secretary, :; John Hoggie. Motion was made tliat maintenance and cure should be $15.00 jj per day instead of the $56.00 now paid which is not enough due to the higher cost ; of living. Motion made that $300.00 per . month pension be paid for those with 20 years in the Union, nnd retirement at any age. Motion made for day to day pay, and extra wages added to monthly , pay when ship is on foreign article. No beefs were reported by department dele­ gates. Chicago . .. .Mar. 12—7:30 p.m. tSauIt St. Marie Mar. 14—7:30 p.m. Buffalo Mar. 13—7:30 p.m. Diiluth Mar. 15—7:30 p.m. Cleveland . . .Mar. 15—7:30 p.m. Toledo Mar. 15—7:30 p.m. Detroit Mar. 11—7:30 p.m. Milwaukee . .Mar. 11—7:30 p.m. SIU Inland Boatmen's Union New Orleans Mar. 12—5:00 p.m. Mobile Mar. 13—5:00 p.m. Philadelphia .Mar. 5—5:00 p.m. LOMA VICTORY (Delta), December I Baltimore (licensed and unlicensed) Mar. 6—5:00 p.m. 31—Chairman, Otto Pedcrson; Secretary, i Cecil Futch. Ship's delegate reported that| Norfolk .... Mar. 7—5:00 p.m. everything is running smoothly with no J beefs or disputed OT. s Houston . . . .Mar. 11—5:00 p.m. DIRECTORYof UNION HALLS SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes & Inland Waters Inland Boatmen's Union United Industrial Workers PRESIDENT Paul Hall EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Cal Tannar TRAN8HARTFORD (Hudsoh Water­ ways), January 21-—Chaiiman; Armando: DuBon; Secretary, Armandp D'jiBon,; aoroe disputed OT In deck dejmrtmwt ^ Im:'8Cttled'by;'patrntihan..' ANNI8TON VICTORY iWitrinnaB), January , . 14-7Chairinan, C,; Secretary,.:W/ J. Fitch. No' .'be^alvt'^e::!*_pcn-t|;d ..by;d^arihient.dbtegatea; ;Ctew,- •patroimnni';'che^; , f™ANCIAL REPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeffuardinff the membership's money and Union finances. The constitution requires a detailed CPA audit every three months by a rank and file an^in? committee elected by the membership. All Union records are available at SIlTlfeadquarters in Brooklyn. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atiantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are adnrinistered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees In charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. AH expenditures and dlsbursementa 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. Your shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by the contracts between the Union and the shipowners. Get to know your shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available In all Union halls. If you feel there has been any violation of your shipping or seniority rights as contained In the contracts between the Union and the shipowners, notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt request^. The proper addresa for this is: Earl Shepard, Chairman, Seafarers Appeals Board 17 Batteiy Place, Suite 1980, New York 4, N. Y. Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to you at all times, either by writing directly to the Union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available In all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which you work and live aboard ship. Know your contract rights, as well as your obligations, such as filing for OT on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, any SIU patrolman or other Union official. In your opinion, falls to protect your contract rights prop­ erly, contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY—SEAFARERS LOG. The LOG has traditionally refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any Individual In the Union, officer or member. It has also refrained from publishing srtleles deemed harmful to the Union or Its collective membership. This established policy has been from among its ranks, on* individual to earry out thU raaponsibili^. Railway Marine Region Philadelphia Mar. 12—10 am. & 8 p.m. Baltimore Mar. 13—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. ^Norfolk Mar. 14—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Jersey City Mar. 11—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. m United Industrial Workers New Orleans Mar. 12—^7:00 p.m. Mobile Mar. 13—7:00 p.m. New York ..Mar. 4—^7:00p.m. Philadelphia . Mar. 5—^7:00 p.m. Baltimore Mar. 6—^7:00 p.m. ^Houston .. .Mar. 11—7:00p.m. Stityel-Welfer Distnieries "Old Flfzeerald," "0»d Elk" "Cabin Still," W. I.. Weller Bourbon whiskeys (Distillery Workers) VICE PRESIDENTS Earl Shapard • Undiay Wllliami Robart MaHhawt SECRETARY-TREASURER Al Kerr HEADQUARTERS *75 4th Ava., Bklyn. HY 9-4*00 ALPENA. Mich BALTIMORE, Md 127 RIvar St. EL 4-3*1* 177 State St. Rl 2-0140 BUFFALO, N.Y 735 Waihlnqton St. SIU TL 3-9259 IBU TL 3-9259 CHICAGO, III 93B3 Ewing Ave. SIU SA 1-0733 IBU ES 5-9570 CLEVELAND, Ohio DETROIT, Mich Kincsport Press "World Book," "Childcraft" (Printing Pressmen) (Typoffraphers. Bookbinders) (Machinists, Stereotypers) 121* E. Baltimora St. EA 7-4900 BOSTON. Mail 1420 W. 25th St. MA 1-5450 Jamestown Sterlinc Corp. (United Furniture Workers) White Fiimitiire Co. (United Furniture Workers of America) 10225 W. Jeffenon Ave. VI 3-4741 DULUTH, Mill FRANKFORT, Mich HOUSTON, Tax JACKSONVILLE. Fla JERSEY CITY, N.J CITADEL VICTOKY (Waterman), January 21—Chairman, John Samuris; Secretary, Otic Parker. $45.00 in ship's fund. No beefs and no disputed OT re­ ported by department delegates. Vote of thanks was extended to the steward del partment, to the radio ojicrator for hin kindness, and; the::Master^^^^^f^ his; co4: qpemtion. Seafarers and their families are urged to support a consumer boy­ cott by trade unionists against various companies whose products are produced under non-union conditions, or which are "unfair to labor." (This listing carries the name of the AFL-CIO unions in­ volved, and will be amended from time to time.) MOBILE. Ala NEW ORLEANS, Le NORFOLK, Va PHILADELPHIA, Pa PORT ARTHUR, Tax 312 W. 2nd St. RA 2-4110 P.O. Box 287 4IS Main St. EL 7-2441 5804 Canal St. WA 8-3207 2*08 Pearl St. EL 3-0987 99 Montgomery St. HE 5-9424 I South Lawrence St. HE 2-1754 *30 Jackion Ave. Tel. 529-754* 115 3rd St. Tel. *22-1892 2*04 S. 4th St. DE *-3818 1348 Seventh St. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., 350 Fraemont St. DO 2-4401 SANTURCE, P.R 1313 Farnandai Juncot Stop 20 Tel. 724-2848 SEAULE, Wash 250S First Avenue MA 3-4334 ST. LOUIS, Mo 105 Del Mar CE 1-1434 TAMPA. Fla 312 Harrison St. Tal. 229-2788 WILMINGTON, Calif. .. SOS N. Marina Ava. 834-2528 YOKOHAMA, Japan..iseya Bidg., Room 101 i-2 Kalgan-Dori-Nakaku 2014971 Ext. 281 PAYMENT OP MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone In any official capacity In the SIU unless an official Union receipt la given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he Is ^ven such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or If a member Is required to make a payment and Is given an official receipt, but feels that he should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Hie SIU publishes every six months In the SBAFAREHIS LOG a verbatim copy of Its constitution. In addition, copies are available In aU Union halls. AH members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with Its contents. Any time you feel any member or officer Is attempting to deprive you of any constitutional right or obli­ gation by any methods such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, then the member so affected should Immediately notify headquarteis. RETIRED SEAFARERS. Old-time SIU members drawing disability-pension bene­ fits have always been encouraged to continue their union activities,. Including attend­ ance at membership meetings. Am) like all other SIU members at these Union meet­ ings, they are encouraged to take an active role In all rank-and-file functions. Ineluding service on rank-and-file committees. Because these oldtlmers cannot take shipboard employment, the membership has reaffirmed the long-standing Union pol­ icy of allowing them to retain their good standing through the waiving of their dues. EQUAL RIGHTS. AH Seafarers are guaranteed equal rights In employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth In the SIU constitution and in the contracts which the Union haa negotiated with the employers. Conse­ quently, no Seafarer may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he Is denied the equal rights to which he la entitled, he should notify headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATIONS. One of the basic rights of Seafarers is the right to pursue legislative and political objectives which will serve the best Interests of themselves, their families and their Union. To achieve these objectives, the Seafarers FoHtleal Activity Donation was established. Donations to SPAD are entirely voluntary and constitute the funds through which legislative and political activities are conducted for the benefit of the membership and the Union. If at any time a Seafarer fsris that any of the above rights have been violated, sr that be has besn dsnlad his eoastitatlonal right of access to Union records or in­ formation, he oboMd immedUtoly nettfy SIU Preoident Pan! HaO at hcadqaarters by eortiiod mail, retnm receipt regnaatod. Gene.sco Shoe Mfp. Co. Work Shoes . . . Sentry, Cedar Chest, Statler Men's Shoes . . . .Tarman, .Johnson & Murphy, Crestworth, tRoot and Shoe Workers* Union) ^1> Baltimore Luggace Co. I.ady Baltimore, Amelia Earhart Starlite luggage Starflite luggage (International Leather Goods, Plastics and Novelty Workers Union) "HIS" brand men's clothes Kavnee Boyswear, Jndy Bond blouses, Haues Kuitwear, Rauda Ties, Boss Gloves, Richman Brothers aud Sewell Suits, Wlug Shirts (Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America) R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Camels, Winston, Tempo, Brandon, Cavalier and Salem cigarettes (Tobacco Workers International Union) 4l> Peavy Paper Mill Prodncts (United Papermakers and Paperworkers Union) —^3/—Comet Rice Mills Co. products (International Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drinks and Distillery Workers) Magic Chef Pan Pacific DlvMon (Stove, Furnace and Allied Appliance Workers International Union) M �February 2, 1968 SEAFARERS LOG The Bowling Green Goes to Newport R ecently, the Bowling Green (Pan American) docked at Newport in Vietnam. While waiting for the cargo to be unloaded. Seafarers aboard were able to learn a great deal about the Viet­ namese people. Reports from ship dele­ gates indicated smooth sailing and the steward department was praised by the entire crew for the excellent chow they turned out. F. J. "Whitey" Johnson, Bowling Green's veteran steward, made la lot of friends while the ship was docked. Here, he gives a I warm greeting to some'visitors who came down to see ship. |l John Dunne, who sailed asbosun, looksatWhitey's menu for upcoming meal. "Of all the ships I have been on, this is the best feeder," veteran Seafarer F. M. Hazard said in praise of the fine job turned in by the steward department of the Kyska (Waterman). Meeting Chairman George Bales states that the crew gave these men a hearty vote of thanks "for the wonder­ ful holiday meals on Thanks- ^ Alfred Ailain, Jr., has been Meeting Chairman John Reed giving, Christmas and New elected ship's delegate aboard the reports from the Eagle Voyager Year's." Responsible for the Lucile Bloomfield, (Atlas) that Pete tasty victuals are chief cook R. C. while John FIfer Dolan has been Weeks, baker G. R. Werst, third has assumed the elected ship's cook E. Ruiz. They were ably duties of treasur­ treasurer. Every­ supervised by er, meeting chair­ thing is in good steward Sherman man "Scotty" order. Reed Wright. In addi­ Quinlivan wrote writes, as the ves­ tion, the service sel heads for San the LOG. Fifer's was excellent. Francisco. When first report stated The voyage has the ship arrives, that the treasury Reed Quinlivan been a good one, meeting secretary contains a total of although there Robert Hyer reported, the crew has been some $11.35. Meeting secretary George will try to arrange the purchase of disputed over­ Dick wrote that no beefs were Hazard movies for future voyages. A vote time. This is ex­ reported by department delegates. of thanks was given to the steward pected to be "squared away" by Seafarers hope the television set department for the fine chow and the time the ship pays-off, writes that missed the ship in San Diego service. brother Bales. will arrive safely in New York. Lisa Ann Maudsley, bom No­ vember 27, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Richard F. Maudsley, Staten Island, N.Y. Robyn Marie Cuccia, born October 30, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Raymond K. Cuccia, Kenner. La. Florence Komacki, born Oc­ tober 7, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Leon Kornacki, W. Seneca, N.Y. Olga Vazquez, born September 2, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Augustin Vazquez, Brooklyn, N.Y. Gerardo Luis Bonafont, born November 12, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Luis A. Bonafont, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. Margaret Ann Taylor, born November 17, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Robert Taylor, Mat­ thews, Va. <|> William Reeves, born Decem­ ber 24, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. William E. Reeves, Mobile, Ala. <1/ Kelly Albert, born December 15, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. M. L. Albert, Mobile, Ala. j> Dwight Bell, bom August 8, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Charles Bell, Oakland Alameda, Calif. Melvin Lewis Silvers, bom September 12, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Melvin Silvers, Chick­ asaw, Alabama. \J> Robert Carson, born June 23, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Rob­ ert R. Carson, Jacksonville, Flor­ ida. <I> Kieraan Dixon, born Novem­ ber 26, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Jim W. Dixon, Elizabeth, N. J. Westley Annis, born December 8, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. G. E. Annis, Metairie, La. Good food always tastes better after a hard day's work. James Smart, Jr., oiler (left) and Angelo Manolis, second electrician, enjoy evening meal. Page Fifteen \I> Michelle Tividad, born Decem­ ber 9, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Vincent Tividad, San Francisco, California. Paula Rorex, born October 13, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Paul E. Rorex, Prichard, Ala. Jody Leigh and Margaret Lynn Correia, born November 16, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Joseph Cor­ reia, New Bedford, Mass. The Seatrain Texas (Seatrain) is in Kobe for repairs on some dam. age sustained when the vessel was hit by a mine in the Saigon Riv­ er, ship's delegate Floyd Wyatt re­ ported. "Every­ thing is running smoothly. We have a few beefs, Bailey but all in all, we have a wonderful crew and a stew­ ard department that is out of this world. The food is fine," writes brother Wyatt. Kermit Bailey left the ship in Saigon for medical reasons, as did Albin George. Brother George was able to re­ join the ship in Kobe. W. H. Hunter, meeting secre­ tary aboard the Seatrain Georgia (Seatrain) report­ ed that the crew has decided t o take collections as needed, rather than set-up a reg­ ular ship's fund. "Everything is going smoothly, with no beefs," Nelson Arthur Nelson, ship's delegate, told the crew. A suggestion was made to turn off the television set during meals. Birthday Party at Sea Leslie Foster, born December 5, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. R. Foster, Mobile, Alabama. Saprina Maria Jones, bom January 8, 1968, to Seafarer and Mrs. Cleo Jones, Houston, Texas. i Charles Louri Ottelin, born July 29, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Charles Jacob Ottelin, Cleve­ land, Ohio. rw"' Victor Manuel and Carmelo Bonafont, Jr., born December 16, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Car­ melo Bonafont, Yabucoa, P. R. Chief cook Manuel Nolale (left) Abdurrub Awadfi, third cook, (center) and messman Bruno Garrino are trio responsible for ship's excellent chow. A|> Hompry Saliva, born August 23, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Antonio Saliva, Playa Pone, P.R. Seafarer Pat Conley prepares to cut cake at birthday party held in his honor aboard Vantage Progress. Brother Conley is 70 years young. Among those attending are (L-R) Bosun Tom Walker, Jim Bartlett, chief steward, George Luke, chief cook, Nick Nagy, AB. Seated is R. Nemo, OS. Captain G. Catlander planned the party. �Vol. XXX No. 3 SEAFARERSWLOG OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION.. ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO The Rice Victory In New York Port :• The Rice Victory (Isthmidn) pulled into the snow-covered port of New York recently for a payoff. The crew reported a good trip, with few beefs. ri". Rice Victory crewmember B. Schwartz, Deck Dep't.delegate, discusses trip with Patrolmen E. B. McAuley and Mike Sacco. Cold weather has Dan McDonald of engine depart­ ment at work covering vents to keep things warm. While some Steward Dep't. members "watch the birdie", at least one man has his eye on a different kind of birdie, a plump Christmas turkey. The men are (l-r) S. Wyndham, J. Colwell, Leo Morisson, J. Bennett, M. C. McCulon, and Abe Rosen. Perching carefully on the davit, Seafarer Charles Moy of deck dept. helps to secure the lifeboat. ; 1 ** I '1| •f' � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1960-1969 Description An account of the resource Volumes XXII-XXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2, 1968 Description An account of the resource Headlines: 100% HAUL OF FOREIGN AID CARGOES BU US URGED BY CONGRESSMAN SIU RAPS PRESIDENT’S BUDGET CUTBACK IN SHIP CUNSTRUCTION SUBSIDY FUNDS CONGRESSMAN SCORES US RELIANCE ON WWII RESERVE SHIP RETREADS SUBSIDIZED LINE S’ ABUSE OF US FUNDS RAPPED BY SHIPBUILDERS UNION HEAD RUNAWAY SHIP LOOPHOLES ENDANGER US FOREIGN INVESTMENT CUTBACK THE SEA – A SOLUTION TO FAMINE SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST CG IN PROBE OF SEAMEN’S BACKGROUND JOHNSON URGES CONGRESS ACT NOW ON JOBLESS, HOUSING AND EDUCATION THE RICE VICTORY IN NEW YORK PORT Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/02/1968 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XXX, No. 3 1968 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/1a18a8c17a3b074a264f54a7563fd02a.PDF 40fdf59436a0398cd416e6c95d4083e6 PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. X NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 20. 1948 No. 8 '11 11 A&G Port Agents Hold Meeting In New York SETTING THE COURSE FOR THE YEAR »?gm "-•.•-¥• Agents Conference To Plan Seafarers' Program For 1948 NEW YORK—From eleven ports of the Atlantic and Gulf District, SIU Agents and other Officials are meeting this week to chart the future course of action of the Union. This Conference is held annually, usually in March, but due to the pressing nature of the problems affecting maritime unions, especially the anti-labor Taft-Hartley law, it was decided by the membership that the meeting be i5Ss«i:s::-- lit:""' gliiA;,::! In Ihe midst of the hustle and bustle of th? Agents Conference, now taking place in the SIU New York Hall, time is taken out for a pi:ture of the officials. Seated around the table, from left to right, are Earl Sheppard, Joe Algna. Sal Colls. Walter Siekmann, Sonny Sim­ mons.' Robert Matthews. Paul Hall. Lihdsey Williams, and Lloyd Gardner. Standing, in the usual -.order, are Joe Volpian. William Rents, Cal Tanner. Charles Starling, Keith Alsop, Ray White, and Ben Rees. As soon as this shot was snapped, the Agents and other officials went right back to the job of making plans, which .will be submitted to ihe membership for action. J. P. Shuler. Ass't Secy.-Treas.. was out on Union business when this picture was taken. Seafarers Signs Two New Companies; tanker Outfit To Set Seven Ships The SIU took another big step in the tanker field this week when it signed up U.S. Petroleum Carriers, Incorporated, under the standard tanker contract. The com­ pany, a brand new one, is in the process of buying seven T-2's, and may buy even more. Union and company officials put their names on the agreement Monday, Feb­ ruary 16. The outfit's first ship, the SS Fort Bridget, was scheduled to sail from New York with a full SIU crew of 32 men the night of February 18 bound for Aruba or Curacao. Coming close on the heels oft anngvincemeht that the, SIU had, scored a'smashing five-to-orie vie-| tory in the bargaining election ^ in the Cities- .Service fleet, the WASHINGTON — The Senate signing of Petroleum Carriers was a stiri'ing- demonstration of Foreign Relations Committee how rapidly the SIU is advanc­ finally took some notice of the ing in the tanker field. American Merchant Marine last Negotiations are in progress week, when it reported a* Bill how with several additional tanker operators and more good. for the Marshall Plan specifically news is expected for an early' bailing the sale of ships to the participating countries. issue of the LOG. Since the Bill would permit After her tidp, south, which will take about two weeks, the up to 300 ships to be chartered Fort Bridger will head for the to the Marshall Plan countries, it Persian Gulf. For the next year .pould not be said that the Com.she will shuttle from Ras Tanura mittee members gave the Merto Bordeaux, France, and Ham- chant Marine §md American sea' men their whole-hearted support. burg, Germanj\ Of the 32 men in the Fort However, they did take a falteiBridger crew, - about 25 were ing step in the right direction, among those who have been atxhe State Department, in its I an Page 3) original proposals iqr; the. EW"b- held at this time. As adoptedBrother Rees was elected Record­ by the Agents on the first day ing Secretary. meeting, "the purpose of the AGENDA Conference is to acquaint the Agenda for the Conference in­ various Agents and Officials with cludes Headquarters Report, un­ each others problems and to der which Finances, Contracts formulate program and policy and Negotiations, Government recommendations to the members Agencies and Legislation, Build­ ings and Halls, Operation of for the following year." Union Apparatus, Strikes, etc., Present at the meeting are Shipping Rules and Constitution, Paul Hall, Secretary-Treasurer; and Membership as Compared Robert Matthews, J. P. Shuler, with Jobs, are up for discussion. and Joseph Volpain, Assistant Keynote of the Conference is Secretary-Treasurers; Ray White, (Continued on Page 3) * . Headquarters representav tive; Lindsey Williams, General' Organizer; Walter Siekmann, Boston Agent; Joe Algina, New York Agent; Lloyd "Blackie" Gardner, Philadelphia Agent; and William "Curly" Rentz, Balti­ more Agent. Also Ben Rees, Norfolk Agent; Charles Starling, Savannah As the result of a referendum Agent; Sonny Simmons, Tampa ballot recently completed in the Agent; Cal Tanner,- 'Mobile Inland Boatmen's Union, the IBU Agent; Earl "Bull" Sheppard will withdraw from the CIO and New Orleans Agent; Keith Alsop wili request affiliation with the Galveston Agent; Salvador Colls. Seafarers International Union, San Juan Agent; and Charles The decision to break with the Raymond, elected Jacksonville CIO and return to the AFL was Agent and now Headquarters carried by a 6-t6-l majority. representative. Dissatisfaction with the com­ mie principles of the CIO water­ Brother Hall was- elected front unions and with the fact Chairman of the meeting, and that the CIO has not worked ac­ tively for labor unity were given as the reasons for disaffiliation. The Inland Boatmen's Union was part of the Committee for to take full advantage of their Maritime Unity, but having seen how the communists stabbed contract privileges. their brother unionists in the The Committee's action was back ,the IBU thereupon started interpreted as a reaction to pres­ the machinery for withdrawing sure from maritime labor, the from the CIO and returning to Maritime Commission and ship the AFL. owners. The IBU has about 4,000 mem­ However, hardly had the Sen­ bers employed on the Wgst ate committee announced its Coast, mainly on ferry boats and view of the ship question than inland , towboats. The union's the State Department, in the per­ jurisdiction extends from Puget son of Secretary Marshall him­ Sound to San Diego. self, was back in the news press­ Announcement of the union's ing for the sale of ships to ERP action was made by Captain countries. John M. Fox, president cf • the In a letter to an Ohio Con­ IBU. At the same time he gressman, Marshall said that the stated that the union, which, sale "of, only a few vessels" left the AFL in 1937, would rer ; join the Federation. would help foreign policy. Inland Boatmen Break CIO He; Tiffn To SIU Senate Group For Ship Sale Ban pean Recovery Program, asked that 200 ships be sold in addition to the 300 it asked to be char­ tered. This request, if granted, might have swept the American flag from the- high seas and certainly would have thrown thousands of American seamen out of work. How many jobs will be saved if the Senate Committee's pi-oposal is included in the final legislation covering the Marshall Plan is not clear. Although up to 300 dry cargo vessels can be chartered to Euro­ pean countries receiving the Marshall Plan cargoes, no . tank­ ers can be transferred at all, European nations can be expected 'L' • Ci I �Page T^o /THE SEAFARERS LO G Friday, February 20, 1948 SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION. OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District "" Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor * •5;^ At 51 Beaver Street, New .York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 PAUL HALL ------ Secretary-Treasurer Editorial Board "j. p. SHULER PAUL HALL JOE ALGINA Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. George K. Novick, Editor 267 Teamwork Will Win In these days many unions are meeting, frantically casting about for a way to fight the bosses, the govern­ ment bureaucrats, and the slave-labor provisions of the Taft-Hartley law. Their frenzy is caused by the fact that for a long time they relied on the government to organize for them, and on the bosses to collect dues for them. The Port Agents of the Atlantic and Gulf District of the Seafarers Ipternational Union are also in meeting now. But there is no frenzy or fear marking this gettogether. The officials and the membership of the SIU have always relied upon their own strength to organize, to consolidate gains and to enforce the provisions of con­ tracts. This method has made the SIU the foremost Unipn in the maritime industry, and has enabled the Union to organize extensively while at the same time beating off government attempts to shackle merchant seamen. Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegates by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. This Agents Conference is also working within the tried and proven methods which have been so successful in* the past. Nothing extraneous is being shouted about, and out of the meeting will come a realistic program for the betterment of all men who go to sea for a living. At this time, the proposals and recommendations of the Conference are not yet available. But in next week's edition of the LOG they will be carried in full. Jp- Staten Island Hospital Men Now In The Marine fhapitak You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Staten Island Hospital at the follow­ ing times: Tuesday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on Sth and 6th floors.) Thursday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on-^rd and 4th floors.) Saturday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on Isl and 2nd floors.) Before that, however, mimeographed copies will be These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, sent to every SIU Hall, so that the membership can dis­ as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging cuss and debate the new plans before the next regular heavily on -their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writing to them. Branch meetings. GALVESTON HOSPITAL J. CARROLL The Agents of the SIU are just what their name W. CANAVAN J. MAGUIRE , implies—agents of the membership. The program adopted ROY E. WILSON A. M. LIPARI A. A. SAMPSON at the Conference was one advocated by the member­ D. N. De PLANK J. VATLAND A. M. LUPER Q. JOHNSON ship in instructions given to the various port officials. G. GAGE E. FITZER F. KOPF •a E. LACHOFF .ifiS But, even so, there is another democratic control OSWALD D. PARKER J. H. HOAR J. J. O'NEAL before the recommendations can become part of the SIU J. F. MARTIN J. McNEELY A. L. MALONE -Rules and Regulations. In regular meetings the reports C. R. HANSON XXX. C. MASON O. M. STIREWALT and proposals will be read carefully, and then the mem­ CLIFF BRIGHTON HOSPITAL J. DENNIS MOUNCE bership will have the right to concur or non-concur. " D. RILEY X it X t. t % T. BOGUS SAN FRANCISCO HOSPITAL The best program in the world is not worth the NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL E. DELLAMANO ^ A. R. CHISHOLM K. DICKINSON paper it's printed on if there is nothing done to carry A. C-. KIMBERLY W. FEENEY JOHN A. FERDENSKY it out. It can't be carried out on a "let George do it" W. WILCOXON J. MCDONOUGH ERLING MELLE A. PINCHOOK Basis. R. E. STRIPPY J. HODO A. PANCER ROBERT JOHNSON W. J. SULLIVAN If the Seafarers is to continue to grow and to ad­ S. LeBLANC .W. CAREY B, WIGG W. WELLS vance, it will only be because the membership continues JAMES GORDAN XXX R. TIDWELL T. M. LYNCH STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL to back up its elected officials—right down the line. . M. FOLAN PAUL KRONBERGS F. J. SCHUTZ J. SCULLY ^ This year could prove to be one of the biggest and G. ROCZAN J. E. FARQUHAR P. CASALINOMO J. PRATS most successful in the history of the Union. And it will R. SMITH R. LORD P. PETAK J. P.REZEDPELSKI be-as long as we all keep our eyes on the ball. J. LEE • JOHN E. KENNAIR J. GARDNER XXX P. R. CALLAHAN T. MUSCOVAGE The winning combination for the Seafarers is the FT. STANTON MARINE HOSP. D. HERON Agents and the membership working together firmly for L. CLARKE R. B. WRIGHT ; E. LARSON " C. McHILBERRY a common goal. The Conference is only the first part. ARCH McGUIGAN A. MENDOCINI R. LUNDQUIST R. S. LUFLIN G. FRANKLIN Now it is up to the membership to carry on. Once GEORGE BRADY JULIUS SUPINSKY W. G. H. BAUSE J. GONIGLIA /the program is approved, the course has been charted and L. A. HOLMES R. RIVERA ' FRANK CHAMBERLAYNE the goal will be more easily reached. G. :T. FRESHWATER-KMiEiC J. LIGHTFOOT A. AMUNDSON -. �Fxiday, February 20. 1948 T HE SEAFARER S LO G Page Tbxue New Tanker Outfit Will Get Seven Ships The Engine Department of the Fo*t Bridger; (front row, 1. to r.) Ralph Backstock, George' Ledson, Jerry Broaddus, Walter Grocki, (beck row. 1. to r.) Howard Fowler, Harry Judaon, James Wilson, Norman Curran, Eugene Mandick. Bull Run Offliers Win With Help Of SHI Crew (Continued from Page 1) tending a series of lengthy daily meetings in the New York hall. These sessions added up to a complete and intensive course in good shipboard unionism. The men studied the tanker contract until they knew it fore and aft and from 4ceel to bridge. (In addition, they discussed the hold­ ing of shipboard meetings, the handling of beefs and other union, problems.) . The Fort Bridger crew was 100 percent prepared to be a bang-up SIU crew. The signing of Petroleum Car­ riers also followed close on the signing of a new dry cargo com­ pany, the Mai* Ancha Corpora­ tion. Mar Ancha is in the sugar trade and is operating between New York and Philadelphia and ports in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republica. At present the company has only one ship, the SS Cape Mo­ hican, formerly a Bull Line ves­ sel. She already has paid off once in New, York and has gone south to the Islands again. " y-.: v-,|l 11 :.."V.v The Deck Department of the SS Fort Bridger,. first tanker of the newly-contracted U.S. Petroleum Carriers Incorporated: (front row, 1. to r.) Donald Rundblad, Norlin Lust, Sotiros Foscolos. "Red" Braunstein, (middle row, 1. to r.) Vernon Wilson, "Bing" Miller, Jack Ziereis, John LaRocca, Delbert Shields, (back row, 1. to r.) William Depping, Ernest Bonner, Richard Barrow. ff British Reports Show No Need For US Vessels By SIDNEY M.'JLIPSCHITZ TEXAS CITY — The, Mates the licensed deck officers. and Engineers walked off the SS "As you know, the action taken Bull Run, Mathiasen- Tankers, with your support was successful If the Marshall Plan goes here on the afternoon of Febru­ in securing such bargaining through in its present form, some ary 7, and, with the full support rights; upon completion of ne­ 500 U.S. ships will be sold or of the SIU crew aboard, won a gotiations a contract will be chartered to European nations. commitment from the • company signed. Upon the signing of the The effect will be to cut the same to negotiate before they went contract your membership will number of ships from American back. then have the benefit of working service and throw tnousands of The Mates, members of the with union officers under a union contract. American seamen out of work. MM&P, and the Engineers, mem­ "Such cooperation as was ex­ bers of the MEBA, simply shut The greatest beneficiaries of off the lines, packed their gear tended by your organization to such a wholesale transfer would and went down the gangway ours is certainly the answer to undoubtedly be the British. But while the ship was loading. They our mutual organizational prob­ reports are piling up week by had no contracts and decided it lems in organizing the unor­ was • time Mathiasen saw the ganized and securing contracts week which demonstrate that the covering them. light. British need po such volume of At 6:30 in the evening, an SIU "Again let me thank you, and shipping, demolishing whatever The Stewards Department of the Fort Bridger: (front Patrolman came aboard the Bull request that you call upon * us merit the State Department ever row, L to r.) William Green, Mervyn Cms, Patri^ Rogers, imagined this section of the Run and told the crew to get at any time that we may be of (back row, 1. to r.) - John Riley, Frederick Ott, Ludwig Man- otherwise sound and desirable their gear together and pile off assistance to you and your or­ hart, Andre Aubin. ganization." because the licensed personnel European Recovery Program to possess. were setting up a legitimate picketliije. Last week, it was reported in At this point the licensed men a dispatch from London that Brisuddenly were told to stand by •tain's postwar ship reconversion until 10 o'clock by which time program was 70 percent com­ Carry-over topics from the jast plans for an even more extensive pleted. This figure represents the (Continued from Page 1) word should be received of a settlement. the fight against the Taft-Hartley meeting are Coast Guard control education^ program for the fu­ re-entry of a sizable amount of When news of this order got law. The officials attending the of merchant seamen, which ture. The Seafarers LOG, offi­ British tonnage into the world's around, the SIU Agent and meeting are weU. aware of the through SIU militancy has been cial organ of the Union, is also commerce, as 31 ships have al­ ready been re-converted. Patrolmen told the crew not to fact that the provisions of the reduced to a bare minimum, and to be discussed. FoUowing the adoption of de­ leave until they had made a law, if eilforced to the letter, the Merchant Seamen's Bill of In addition, both British and further check of the legiti­ can wreck the seamen's move­ Rights, which is still a political cisions and resolutions by the Dutch shipbuilders, whose yards macy of the beef. However, ment. The foundation of the football, being kicked around in Agents, the course of action will are busy these days, have pro­ be submitted to the membership tested this section of the Mar­ when the Mates and Engineers Seafarers International Union is the Halls of Congress.. Also up for discussion and con­ in regular coastwise meetings for shall Plan, claiming that their finally hit the bricks, the SIU the Hiring Hall, and any atofficials knew once and for all tenipts on.the part of the ship­ sideration is the manner in approval or rejection. These shipyards and shipyard workers that the dispute was a good one. owners or the Government bu­ which alien seamen, following proposals will be carried in full would be made idle. Mathiasen, back to the wall, reaucrats to abolish it or Rotary their patriotic contribution to the in next week's LOG. According to figures which saw the light at last. At 9:05 Shipping , will be met by staunch war effort, have been discrim­ have been released from time to word came to the ship that the resistance. inated against by the Govern­ time, the 16 Marshall Plan na­ company, acting from its Phila­ The Strike machinery of the ment. It is certain that the tions have a combined ship­ delphia office, had agreed to ne­ Union, which has been uniformly Agents will adopt some program CLEVELAND—The address of building program totalling near­ gotiate agreements. successful in the many beefs to combat this «vicious activity. the new SIU hall and off ices, in ly 16 million tons. Evidence that In appreciation for Seafarer necessary to win and maintain Organization and Education support, Galveston SIU Agent decent wages and conditions for came in for a large share of the Cleveland is 2602 Carroll Ave­ the program is bearing fruit is Keith Alsop received the follow­ seamen, will be re-evaluated with discussion. During the past year nue, between West 25tli and in the overseas cables nearly ing letter from R .J. Owen, rep­ an eye to tightening it in the the Union's organizational drive West 26th Streets. The phone every day. resentative of MM&P Local 20. face of possible onslaughts from has been very successful and number is the same as before: On the morning that the pro­ Main 0147. gress of the British re-conver­ ';Dear Sir and Brother: shipowners and the government. many new companies have been Membership meetings are held sion program was reported, an­ > "1 wish to take this-- oppor­ enrolled under the SIU banner, on the first and third Mondays tunity to thank you personally, CARRY-OVER TOPICS in addition, the campaign to or­ of each month at 7:00 PM, and other dispatch announced that the brand new 14,000-ton Cunand for Local 20 Masters, Mates Other items are Organizer's ganize Cities Service has resulted all members in the Cleveland ard liner, the Parthia, built ip & Pilots, for the cooperation CKin a major victory in that fleet. area are urged to attend. If a Belfast, would leave"^' Liverpool. tended by you and your organi­ Report^ LOG and Education Re­ Insofar as Education is con­ quorum is not in attendance, an April 10 on her maiden voyage. zation in our dispute with the ports, Agent's Reports, Appoint­ Mathiasen Tanker Industries ves­ ment of Committees, General cerned, many pamp*hlets and open discussion and educational The Parthia wiU carry 200 pas­ sel Bull Run to win represen­ Proposals and Resolutions, and booklets are in progress and it meeting will take the place of sengers as well as 7,000 tons of _ certain that the Agents will map the regular meeting. cargo. tation as bargaining agent for Good and Welfare. Agents Plan SlU's 1948 Program New Cleveland Hall >:'v-;;T �T H E S E A F A HE RS Page Foux r!; i- ^ ll LO G Friday, Fabruary 20, 1948 Shipping Is Good, But Slow Bell May Come For Port New Orleans By EARL SHEPPARD NEW ORLEANS — Business tion that counts now. We are doing pretty well in has been good during the past the tugboat field in this area. week and to prove it we can We have petitioned for elections point to the fact that we had 12 in two tugboat outfits, the Zieg_ payoffs. However, shipping probably ler Towing Company and the will take it on the slow bell Crescent Salvage and Towing during the week to come, but Company. In addition, we have To insuro payment, all 1(1 F-;:: bookmen in good standing never lined up some others which we claims for overtime must be really have too much trouble will crack dowij on soon. turned in to the heads of de­ By WALTER SIEKMANN All the bad weather hasn't getting out of here. partments no later than 72 been in New York. The snow There weren't many beefs on BOSTON — Regular contract bargaining election, the members hours following the comple­ the ships that paid off here, and that came down fronl there tion of the overtime work. shipping in this port has been in this branch have gone all-out what few overtime snarls there turned into ^in and we've had As soon as the penalty steady although not really plenti­ to hold pur hard-won ground were we straightened out to the more than our share recently. and to entrench themselves for Despite the weather, the Mardi work is done, a record should ful. Most of the ships we have any beefs with 'the bunch of satisfacticm of all the crews. been getting here have been in labpr-haters who run that com­ While talking about shipping, Gras went on as scheduled, and he given to the Department we would like to clarify a point New Orleans had a record crbwd head, and one copy held hy transit, but we have had some pany. the man doing the job. regarding the passenger ships of visitor's. replacements on them. Some of the members coming Every place in town with four In addition the depart­ that run in and out of New Or­ in here may have noticed that Cities Service tankers have •P'' mental delegates should walls and a roof was crammed leans. In order to qualify for we have had our Dispatcher and top-rated job, especially in the with tourists. We recognized a check on all overtime sheets been coming into East Braintree Patrolmen alternating jobs. 72 hours before the ship and quite a few SIU men have Stewards Department, you must few SIU members around the Patrolmen "have put in time streets who must have drifted in makes port. been able to get aboartl them. be able to produce passenger dispatching, and the Dispatcher In view of our victory in the ship discharges. That's the way to help out with the celebrating. it is. HASN'T CHAM6ED We certainly felt good down A BIT SINCE Tht here when we heard the record •T&A PARTY! margin by which we won the By FRED FARNEN voluntary organizers aboard Agent or Patrolman-Organizer qt Cities Service bargaining elec­ these ships? tion. It is a great tribute to the your nearest port where an SIU DETROIT — Several times m men who worked aboard those the past, this column has been When the SIU Great Lakes office is. located. ships as volunteer organizers. devoted to outlining the duties District has a number of men It's high time that SIU Great Although we are not all the and responsibilities of SIU Great sailing on the Atlantic, Gulf, and Lakes members began to realize way home in that deal, we are Lakes District members. Pacific coasts, why shouldn't that organizing the unorganized confident that we will take the these members return and do a on the Great Lakes is a job for Now the time is close at hand job for their Union on the Lakes? rank-and-file members as well final union-shop election by a good margin, too. We feel that when all Great Lakes SIU mem­ Certainly, it's the duty of as shoreside organizers. way because we know our men bers can have a chance to show these Great^Lakes District mem­ Once the SIU members in the wiU stick with the job until it is how much they actually appre­ bers to return to the Great Lakes realize their responsibili­ has hit payoffs, sign-ons, ships in done. It's that union-shop elec- ciate their responsibilities and Lakes and help man the fleets ties for bringing SIU unioniza­ transit and unorganized ships. duties. now under organizational con­ tion to their unorganized Broth­ With the start of the seasonal centration. With these members ers, the job should be compara­ We feel that this practice will secure absolutely efficient repre­ fit-out on all bulk freighters be­ shipping on LCA ships as desig­ tively simple. ginning around the middle of nated, we should be in a much If every unorganized ship on sentation for the membership. It gives all officials a chance to March, all SIU contracted ope­ the Lakes had three or four become completely familiar with rators as well as member com­ active SIU members sailing on all the problems of policing the' panies of the Lake Carriers As­ By BLACKIE GARDNER it, how long do you think it contract. The idea is already sociation will be in need of men, ^ould be before all ships on the working out fine. PHILADELPHIA — The wea­ especially rated men. By April Great Lakes were organized? ther, the fuel oil shortage and 15, the demand should far ex­ SEE SWEET FUTURE It's your duty and responsi­ the lack of coal and grain for ceed the supply. bility to ship on the unorganized There is a lot of talk in Bos­ overseas shipment added up to Nqw, the SIU Great Lakes Lakes vessels, and stick with ton business circles about build­ make this a slow week on the District is carrying , on with an them until the voting is over, ing up this port and recapturing Philadelphia waterfront. all-out organizational program and tfie SIU Great Lakes Dis­ some of its past glory. Of We have had no payoffs and in 1948 the same as last yegr. We trict has registered another vic­ course, this is long-range talk very few replacements, "^e al­ are going tS need all of our tory. and any plans that anybody has ways have a number of ships in members for manning our con­ How about doing your share immediately become snarled in port, but they are in transit. All tracted ships and the unorgan­ to make the Great Lakes go red tape. Incidentally, most of we have - to do with them is ized fleets under concentration SIU, and register your willing­ the red tape is supplied by the sdttle minor beefs that come up. as well. better position to organize these ness with the SIU shoreside rep­ raih'oads. The main topic for discussion resentative in -your area to be­ These unorganized ships will fleets than in the past. here is when ai-e we going to come a volunteer organizer for However, in this connection How often have we reiterated be very short of men, and in the get a new Hall. It's a good there are .some very solid reports the SIU Great Lakes District. the statement that "Every SIU beef as the present Hall is very past representatives of the Lake member is a volunteer organi­ that the American Sugar Refin­ Carriers Association have gone smaU. On meeting nights, the ing Company will build a big as far South as Alabama to re­ zer?" place is packed. . Men have to plant here about a hal^ a block cruit new Lakes seamen. How many ships did we lose stand in corners and in between from the Hall. those lucky enougn to find seats. The LCA usually sends glib- last year due to crew turnover Check the slop chest be­ This is good news if it turns We are on the lookout for some­ tongued propagandists who paint and the piling off of SIU mem­ fore your boat sails. Make out to be true. It would mean a beautiful picture about the bers who became impatient wait­ thing better. sure that the slop chest con­ more ships for Boston on the conditions, wages and other high ing for elections? The Philadelphia transporta­ tains an adequate supply of West Indian run, giving the standards of the Lakes seamen. tion workers just settled their How many members did we all the things you are liable membership here a chance to In addition, they display mar­ dispute by getting almost every­ have leaving-the Great Lakes to lo need. If it doesn't, call the drop down ^outh once in a while velous pictures showing the ?•/ thing they asked for. These ship on the coast when their Union Hall immediately. during cold weather besides scenic wonders of the Great workers had a good beef. presence and votes were needed boosting shipping in this port. They were working for low Lakes. on the Great Lakes? wages imder very hard condi­ LCA BLARNEY YOUR DUTY tions. We congratulate them for In fact, LCA representatives their solidarity. That was what In line With our experiences paint such a beautiful picture of -won for them. of last year and our needs for By JEFF MORRISON sji;,'' conditions on the LCA ships that this year, letters have been sent the average recruit is quite dis­ MOBILE—Shipping in the port lists we've had for a. long time. appointed when he actually ships to all coast ports requesting that of Mobile has not been as brisk Most of the payoffs were clean, Great Lakes members be urged out on one of these vessels. to returri to the Lakes by April during the last .seven days as and the ones which were slight­ Of course, the LCA never 15 in order to help out with our we would have liked it to have ly fouled up were settled swiftly Membership rules require mentions the fact that conditions organizational campaign. been, but it hasn't been too bad. and to everybody's satisfaction. every man entering the We paid, off seven ships and We received some bad news. Union Halls to show his are much better on SIU con­ tracted fleets, £uid that any im­ Certainly, it is the duty of signed on four. The first of the Waterman, the biggest company Union hook, pro-hook permit provements won on the Lakes every Great Lakes member to week we know that we will sign here, is -going to lay. up some card or other authorized have been won through the ef­ ship on unorganized Great Lakes on four more. With the normal ships, quite a few Liberties in identification to the Door­ forts of the SIU Great Lakes fleets until such time as the ert»tJun of replacements on ships in fact. Meantime, we £u:e hoping man. This is for Ihe.^ mem­ tire Great Lakes are organized transit, we should have a pretty that the Marshall Plan hqrries bership's protection. Don't. District. through with some sensible safe­ * If these unorganized ships need under the banner of the. SIU good week coming up. waste the Doorman's — or However, don't be in tSb big guards on American shipping. -your own—^time hy arming -men so badly and Rave to go Great Lakes District. as far South as Alabama to se­ Upon your return fo tiie Great a hurry to come here looking for It it does, .we . expect Waterman this point. Observe the rules cure recruits, why shouldn't the Lakes area, all members are a job, because right - now. we to -pull those ships right back . you make. IF?-;' .. . U SIU be able to .put a number of urged to immediately contact-the have one of the biggest -shipping out. •. , . OR Overtiine Boston Shiiiplng Holds Steady; Port May Expand Facilities Every Lakes Seafarer Needed For '48 Drives Gold, Fuel Lack Slow Phiiiy Check It—But Good Mobile Shipping Fair; Beach Full Membership Rules �THE S E AP ARE RS Friday, February 20. 1948 Alpena Branch Spreads Word to Unorganized LO G MANNED BY MARINE ALLIED WORKERS |3||jppj||g PlCtUre Still Bright For Seafarers On The West Coast By W. H. SIMMONR^ By MAURICE DOLE and CLYDE BETTS ALPENA—Since the SIU Great Lakes District opened offices and a meeting place at 105 W. olm Street, Alpena, Lakes sea­ men have been dropping in on us in increasing numbers. They're all intergsted in the SIU Great Lakes program, and want to know how they can bring SIU conditions to their ships. Of course, we're aWays glad to answer their questions. That's what we're here for. In addition, we give these unorganized Lakes seamen the SIU facts of life so that they know what they are missing by not being in the SIU Great Lakes District, and cov­ ered by our SIU contract condi­ tions—the best in the iildustry! One man, who had been sail­ ing on LCA ships for a number of years, was surprised to learn that SIU Great Lakes -District members are paid overtime for work performed between the hours of 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. which is not necessary to the docking, undocking or navigation of the vessel. Another fellow had been on an LCA ship which practiced the .two pot system of feeding. He was surprised to hear that SIU contracted vessels provided ex­ actly the same food for the men and officers. Page Fir* Lying alongside her dock is the lug James Druhan, Mo­ bile Towing and Wrecking Company. She's awaiting orders to shove off. Along with the company's other five tngs, the Druhan is manned by members of the Marine Allied Workers. affUiaie of the SIU. SAN FRANCISCO — The old Gold Coast is really getting its share of rain. In fact, we are right in the middle of the rainy season. However, despite the weather, things have brightened up a good bit for the SIU out here. Brother Blackie Cardullo, West Coast Representative, paid off the SS George Prentice, Waterman, in Seattle. He reports she was a good clean payoff. There were no beefs hanging fire and she had a first-rate SIU gang aboard. We have the SS Portmar, a Calmar ship, here in transit from Baltimore. On her maiden voyage for that company. There are no beefs on her, either. Lakes Coumik Push Pension-Welfare Plan By RUSSELL SMITH handling of bulk cargo on the Great Lakes. Payments into the fund would be made by the various shipping and docking companies on the basis of a ton­ nage royalty fee. Even though estimates have not been completed as yet, it is figured that a minimum royalty fee of from one to five cents^per ton of bulk cargo carried and handled on the Great Lakes wovild be necessary to cari-y out the plan. Further research in order to determine the exact royalty fee amount will be necessary, and will be based upon the total number of covered workers, the number in each age group, and the extent of payments under the pension-welfare plan. for by the particular unions in­ volved. Due to the costs in­ volved, no industry is anxious to start any security program. * Notably, the Mine Workers and Garment Workers "have led the parade of shoreside industries adopting pension-welfare plans. Other Anions, such as the Auto Workers, Steel Workers and She's a good ship with a good crew. We understand that Calmar is planning at least 12 ships on this inter-coastal run. If this is so, we will have one Calmar a week in this port which will mean quite a few jobs for this Hall. This we will be happy to see. The SS Kenyan Victory, an Isthmian ship, paid off here after being out ^e months. There were plenty of beefs on her re­ garding disputed overtime. However, most of the trouble came from the crew's uncertain­ ty about the agreem'^nt. In ad­ dition, there was a little bad feeling between the crew and the Chief Engineer who had a couple of fair-haired boys he favored a good bit. SADDER. WISER We squared everything away, DETROIT — Recently, two of and the Chief is a sadder but the Port Councils in the Great wiser man. He certainly got a Lakes area ^ affiliated with AFL lesson on how to get along with Maritime Trades Department a crew. Another Isthmian ship, have passed resolutions and mo­ the SS Twin Falls Victory, will tions urging the adoption of an payoff in San Pedro and we will do our best to have an SIU rep­ overall pension-welfare program resentative down there to take for all Maritime workers on the care of things. Great Lakes. Waterman, we hear,' is tak­ First, the Duluth area Port ing about three ships off this Council passed such a motion coast. That's bad for the boneendorsing a pension and welfare yard, but it is a big help to us plan. Then, on February 5, the as shipping had slowed quite Cleveland Port Council did like­ a bit. wise. A word or two on the Guards Illustrating the importance atT and Watchmen's organizing cam­ SIU STYLE tached to this AFL pension-wel­ paign are in order. Brother Tur­ fare program, the daily news­ Many of the unorganized sea­ ner has just made a trip to San papers carried stories on both men were sold on the SIU Great Pedro and Los Angeles to sur­ Council meetings,* and the Cleve­ Lakes District style'of beef rep­ vey the possibilities of bringing land recommendation was given resentation. They had often nation-wide publicity through the guards in that area into the 30.000 AFFECTED sailed on ships where opening Seafarers Guards and<i, Watch­ the Associated Press. your mouth to squawk about men's Union". It has been roughly estimated conditions was just the same as In the past, much emphasis has that some 30,000 Great Lakes He reports that he met with been laid upon the securing of workers will be covered by the Electrical ^Vorkers, are presently great success and is setting up asking the Skipper for time. Another fact which surprised increased wages and better pension-welfare program. With concerned with welfare and se- an office down there. many of the unorganized seamen working conditions as each new the exception of the seamen, the cirrity programs. Once again, we urge all mem­ was that all SIU contracts on contract with the operators was vast majority of these workers Seamen have been the orphans bers touching West Coast ports are already unionized. However, of the. labor movement for many to take time out to talk to the the Lakes provide for job sen­ negotiated. Certainly, wages, hours, work­ non-union workers would also years. Now they're tired of that guards. Give them the right iority and job protection. ing and living conditions are still benefit from the plan in the long role. Seamen and other mari­ score. of the utmost importance. How­ run as they, too, would be cov­ time workers on the Great Lakes Brother Hal Banks, West Coast ever, today there is a realiza­ ered by the AFL program. want security, too. organizer, says that he is sign­ tion that such things as the Industry after industry ashore That's why the AFL Maritime ing a couple of contracts, bring­ guaranteed annual season, mem­ is adopting some form of a so­ Trades Department and its affi­ ing more ships under the SIUbership vacation plans, and pen­ cial security program for the liated unions will fight for a A&G banner. When we know sion-welfare plans are increasing workers. Naturally, these plans pension-welfare program for all more about this we'll send a By KEITH ALSOP in importance. have been originated and fought Great Lakes maritime workers. full report. GALVESTON — There are That is why all plans which about 300 men on the beach here have anything to do with the and shipping is pretty slow. So s'ecurity of workers are currently it is obvious that the Texas receiving much more attention. coast is not the place to head PENSION-WELFARE PLAN for if you want to ship out in Although the complete details • a hurry. end result is that the entire a crew works better when no­ By BLACKIE CARDULLO ,Howev^--we do get around for the pension-welfare plan body is hard-timing them. It's three payoffs and three sign- have not as yet been outlined, SAN FRANCISCO — Shipping ci-ew including both licensed and up to the Union to keep on dem­ ons a week including freighters suffdent research has been con­ is still very good here. Isthmian unlicensed men do a bang-up onstrating this point. ducted so that fairly rough fig­ as well as tankers. is going to run one ship a week job aboard. Incidentally, the Portmar crew There are three Isthmian ships ures are available. GET IT. CALMAR? got rid of its gashounds and in port right now. Two of these As passed by the two Port out of San Pedro on the Far are in transit,' but the remain­ Councils, the AFL program calls East run and several more inter- Galmar had better take note performers just as soon as the ing one is paying off and will for the setting-up of a Great coastals. Waterman is putting on of these circumstances, too. The performances began. be signing on again right away. Lakes Council of the AFL Mari­ several more to hit this port too. In answer to Brother Jones, About five Cities Service-tank­ time Trades Department. Of the quite a number of Portmar is a clean ship. She is who complained ^in the LOG of ers come into Lake Charles . This Council, composed of -the ships we have had this week, so clean that when we went January 9 about the SUP tak­ .every week, and we try to hit various affiliated Maritime unions most of them in transit, there is aboard we thought we were go­ ing off crews coming from the ing on a yacht. every one. East Coast, I would like to cor­ in the AFL, would coordinate all one which we want to mention . We have just notified the activities as^well as sponsor such at some length. She was the The motto on the Portmar is: rect a misstatement. A good crew deserves a good G & H Towing Company that programs as the pension-welfare SS Portmar, Calmar. No one is pulled off a ship captain and vice versa. their contract with the Marine plan. The Portmar had one of the coming from the East Coast. If Allied Workers expires April 14 best topside tfrews we have seen This is an example which all this ever happens to you, get in and that it is high time to get Certainly, such a' Council for g long time. The Skipper is crews should follow. When you touch with me at once. busy negotiating a new one. The would have much more influence one of the best and everybody have a good topside, perform than that of the individual In­ ^4AW expects to have no par­ your duties well. DonT take ad­ The only time a man is pulled had a good word for him. ticular trouble winning a wage ternational unions represented on vantage of the topside's good na­ off is when he comes in from the Great Lakes. It ought to be pointed out to a foreign run and accepts trans­ increase. ture. some of those bucko captains The plan, calls for the. setting The G & H people operate 14 portation. Even then, with ship­ Duties well done will, prove tugs up and down the Texas up of a pension-welfare^ fund to that this Master gets along fine ping as good as it is right now, coast and have between 120 and provide for, the needs of any without trying to hard-time His to thes^ companies that there is it is nine to one that he can get 130 jobs which are- shipped, ^eat Lakes Maritime workers crew in any way; In return, the no place on SIU ships for bucko Smnected; with the; carrying and men give him high praise. The officers. They should see that: right back aboard. through the hiring hall here. Galveston Slow, Beach Crowded Portinar Crewmembers, From Foc'sles To Topside, Win High Praise From Branch In San Fr2iiCt3€0 { /[ �m Wii j Page Sbc -• ' ^feW>: THE »-E^F ARE RS LOG Friday. February 20' 1948 You Can *BankVOn Seafarers In Nerfelk ,, , . ; til*i -• I - •' • 'iBiiiPS fSiiliillil - -51 V "S'J - ^ SKii«is' |l - < - ^ V - '/<J: rVl " r #I-; ' °°' 1""" " "» One of the banking features within the building is the old vault, which at one time was probably a repository for gold and silver. Now the SIU has a good use for it, too. Folding chairs, needed for meetings,, are stored safely in the big iron room. The offices which were once occupied by coupon-clipping , bankers are now used by Union officials in the performance of their duties. Up on the balcony, where the clerks and stenographers used to hold forth, members of the SIU relax around card tables or billiard tables. They can also write letters or read the LOG. W"!-"" "d Me.h». ICS bavings Bank, and it is a cleaner building now than it was when the banker* h..! N.ri "" Norfolk with a good spot to spend their lime while waiting for a Job. i" w f""* " .r E°" mirts: !Sp ^:i ' "•» 9" P"Clic.ll, " °"9 not work oul lhal way Playing cards is a good way to while away the tihie between calls. The Second Deck of the Hall is furnished and equipped as a recreation room, and here the men can swap tales while they figure their hands. for everybody, but rated men have their choice of ships. 4. i it 1 For Brothers who want more exercise than just ' dealing cards, the recreation room offers a few pool tables. Here is relakation and exercise combined, and in the picture at the left see a different shot being attempted by an intent SIU member. At the right is the refreshment stand, where cold soft drinks, cigarettes, and snacks are for sale. This i# a popular spot, and mak^ it un­ necessary for men to leave the building for a bite. J. f' -w —- k W.hei -- ' •aor' - ^ f " - V f 1 1 '.y I. ' I ,1 ____ I. I J® ' ii I •lllll llifiii I;;;;; I I y| % % % I •^1 •i r �Friday; Fabruary 20, 1848 THE SEAFARERS LOG ^age Seves MVTrinidad Head- Home Away From Home •M •m The MV Trinidad Head, one of Ihe Moran Towing Com­ pany's seagoing lugs, was berthed in Norfolk when the LOG reporter was in that port. Moored near the TH were the Point Cabrillo and the Point Vicente, two more Moran vessels. Hhe Trinidad Head is shown at the left and the other two appear above. The LOG reporter took his camera and note­ book aboard the Head, and obtained the picture story which appears on this page. First off the bat we persuaded the crewmembers to come out on Deck for a picture in the bright sunshine. It didn't really take too much urging, and the result was well worth' any effort that was used. Some of the members of the crew could not be snapped because they were attending to their duties, or else catching some badly needed shut-eye. Chew aboard the Trinidad Head is a seaman's dream. Lunch on the day the photographer visited consisted of soup, choice of roast duck or baked Vienna sausage, mashed potatoes, buttered asparagus, buttered limas. dessert, and choice of beverage. And the men said that many meals are even better. ^ Sounds okay, eh? \ ' /I After collecting some cabbage at^ the payoff. AB Alvin McDowell pays his Union dues to Patrol­ man Ben Rees. That ha{':^ smile on Brother McDowell's face is the result of paying his dues well in advance. Now he's protected: for: quite some time to come; and he knows that the Union will look out for his best interests. Besides good food the- Trinidad Head boasts good quarters for the men. Of course, they keep them deair and neat, and by so doing they make the ship a home away from hc»ne. Pictured above are: Lee Pierce. Oiler: Moody Jones, Oiler; and OdeU Powell. AB. They are seated in the usual left-to right order. : jW/r All the members of the crew joined in the praise for the Skipper and the other officers. So it was no wonder that when the Delegates lined up for a picture they wanted the Old Man in­ cluded. Left to right are Davis Gilbert. Engine Diepartment; Odell Powell. Deck Delegate; Cap­ tain De Puey; and Eddie Dacey, Stewards repre­ sentative. ^ - �f. : .-'r.'-i' v T H E SEAFARERS LOG P«ga Eiglii m.'- Fridey. Februpj'y 20, 1948 . SHIPS' MINUTES AMD MEWS ii^' »?<' •••• I lipiilPli [ Old King Neptune's Bag Of Tricks Given Full Play Aboard Wesleyan zagging thoroughly frighteped a mermaid. Also tried to sneak ship across equator by increas­ ing speed. Accused Man: Francis Phelps MM. Charge: Accused of giving shellbacks poor service, getting up late for work, trying to serve shellbacks fish on Wednesday, slandering sea serpents, mimick­ ing mermaids, profaning por­ poises and damning dolphins. Accused man: Paul Seibert, OS. Charge: Accused of being a landlubber and impersonating seaman; lounging while on the wheel and thus endangering Neptune's life. |r'- ^r li LIKED BY SPECTATORS • >.i4| Seafarer Hand, "Fuzzy" and dog show laurels. Member Enjoys 'Dog's Life,' Pooch Cops Show Trophies Named are but a few of the Old Boy's charges. _Each charge When Seafarer James Hand show- were forgotten. Jimmy and sentence was greeted by ap­ paid off in NeW Orleans after a strutted away, his chest thrust plause from the onlookers but Having taken command of the ship at the line. King hardly that from the King's vic­ trip on the Cuba Victory, he forward and his face all smiles. lad visions of relaxing by his Their pooch had walked away Neptune is greeted by the ship's master. G. N. Rasmussin. tims. hearth for a while, but he didn't with top honors in her field. Old Neptune is R. Lenkowski. FWT; Queen: E. Johansen. By late afternoon all_pollywogs count on Mrs. Hand and "Fuzzy," One more appearance was nec­ AB: Princess: Miss Diana Lepov/. Passenger: Baby: W. Hart- had been initiated and were full their pooch. essary that evening for the se­ man, Oiler. Behind the throne is the Doctor, A. C. Smith, fiedged shellbacks. The King Brother Hand-, according to a lection of Best Non-Sporting dog called a halt to the proceedings report to the LOG from his in the show. Steward; King's Guard: K. Williamson, MM. and the celebration of the suc- Wife, bounced through the front BOTH DID FINE : stopped. The sentences passed cessfvil candidates admission was door of their Tampa home, By JAMES (RED) FISHER begun. flopped in a chair, removed his At dinner that evening they were at once more severe . As our ship the SS Wesleyan "A dunking in the Royal Pool The ship's Captain and King shoes and 'with a deep sigh lean­ both agreed that if "Fuzzy" did Neptune stood in a receiving, line ed back for some easy relaxing. no more, she had done herself Victory steamed across the for you!" He got in two drags on a well. Jim, too, had come through and shook hands with all of the Equator on November 25, we "A facial of flour and grease!" colors. Said Mrs. cigarette, then the little missus with flying new shellbacks. Refreshments were forced to heave to and re­ "Twice through the gauntlet of Hand: "I was as proud of my quietly broke to him the news: were then served. ceive a boarding party. The guards, my man!" husband as I was of my dog." A toast of specially spiked "Fuzzy" was an entrant in the "A bath of fuel oil is in order ' boarders and guests were none Back to the show for the i , punch was drunk first to the dog show'' coming up in a few for this young upstart!" finale that evening and once other than King Neptune and his new shellbacks and then to the days and Jimmy was the man Each victim received his sen­ more Jim and dog took the floor. to parade her before the judges. Royal Family. beloved King of the Sea. There was just no stopping them. tence with tenseness for who HEAD AND TAIL UP With a nod of his head old knew what whim might find ex­ The "SUn was beginning to fall When the. decision was announc­ ^Neptunus Rex brushed by the pression this day. The King, in the west and the day was Weak protests of "I wanna ed "Fuzzy" had won again. A about ended when one of Nep­ clean sweep her first time in gaping onlookers and strode however, was in a benevolent tune's scouts reported a scow rest," were to no avail. Sunday the ring and Jim's first dog mood and all suffered no per­ came and Jimmy and "Fuzzy" swiftly to the royal throne. A passing about 100 miles east. show. ~ manent ill effects. wave of his hand in the direcWith ease they should be able were at the show. According to Mrs. Hand, Jim Mid the yelps and barks of / ' tion of the now quaking pas­ •Some of the charges levelled to hit her by dawn. is an eager show-goer now. It r the less refined pooches, Jinftny by the King are worth mention­ sengers and crewmen and the ing so that should he by some With fond adieus the Royal and "Fuzzy" waited until late can be caUed a dog's life but if the ribbons and trophies keep ' guards of his entourage swiftly chance pay your vessel a visit, Party assembled and put over afternoon for the chow. rolling in, he'll keep 'walking the side, to where their sea Never had he seen so many took into custody all those sus­ you can be ready. the dog." horses waited expectantly. pooches and so many doting pected of being poUywogs. Accused man: Thomas O'Hanowners. The dogs numbered 365, He's now out on the Robert A moment later the sea was As the last notes of the ship's lend, AB. Charge: Not steering the people were twice that num­ McBurney headed for Europe and if she gets back in time, he bell and whistle echoed off over a straight course through Nep­ calm and deserted, the equator ber. tune's domain and while zig­ well aft of the ship. and' "Fuzzy" will parade in' the For what happened ^when Jim the horizon, the King took his show coming up in April. took their four-legged'hope into seat and the ceremonies began. He's one guy who enjoys this the. ring, Mrs. Hand's words best dog's life. First to come forth and greet tell the story: ' His Majesty was the ship's mas­ "As Jim's number was called to the ring, my heart pounded. ter, G. N. Rasmussin. With a Jim knew his ships and he knew bow the Skipper humbled him­ how to handle them, but what self before the monarch of the Every member making a would he do with our littla donation to the Union for seas. The King, kind soul that girl chow? any purpose should receive he is, promised him the return "Thtey walked in the ring, an official receipt bearing ; of his command if everything around the ring, and up to the the amount of the contribu­ went smoothly. judges. They were wonderful. They acted as if they had been tion and the purpose ' for The Captain withdrew and the which it was made. doing it all their lives. ^-victims were presented to the If a Union official to whom "T was "elated when the Judge co.urt for action. "Let the pun­ contribution is given does handed Jim a blue ribbon and ishment fit the crime," the King told him to wait. Shortly they not make out a receipt for announced, and so it came about. the money, the matter should were joined by three other STEP FORWARD bitches. Again the winnah! An­ immediately be referred to other ribbon for Reserve Win­ Paul Hall, Secretary-Trea­ First to face the King were surer. SIU. 51 Beaver Street. ner's bitch. three women passengers — fair "Still they were told to- wait. New York 4. N.Y. damsels ail of them. The King In advising the SecretaryI could hardly control my ex­ stole a glance at his seaweed encitement. This time it was for Treasurer of such transac­ t crusted mate and quickly passed the best o^ breed and she walked tions. members should state The King leans forward attentively to hear the pleas of light sentences. Lucky' girls the name of the official and off with the awar(^: a ribbon and a victun prostrated before the throne. Blocking sight of the a trophy." they were—the King has a well the port where the money - , known weakness for beauty. poor soul axe King's Guards W. Smith. AB, and M. Kusic, Brother Hand's protestations was tendered. But there his tender -mercy agairtst appearing in the dog OS. PicturM^y Iie4 : Get A Receipt i'.v.-.-.. — >'1 �Friday. 'February 20. 1948 THE SEA PA RE R S LO G SIU Ships' Minutes In Brief Page Nina SSAfMOt SAM sags LEACOCK. Nov. 29 — Chair­ One man from each department man p. Bodden; Secretary J. to be assigned to cleaning of Carrbll. Disputed overtime re­ recreation room each week. ported in Engine Room and Election of delegates: John McStewards Department. Repair Kale elected ship's delegate. list discussed. Insufficient sup­ 4 4 4 plies reported. One minute of MONTAUK POINT. Jan. 24— silence for Brothers lost at sea. Chairman Nicholas Mark; Secre­ tary A. Van Dyke. Engine Dele­ i t t DEL CAMPO. Dec. 14—Chair­ gate reported Chief had sent one man Elmer Rushing; Secretary man to do a job normally calling Joseph Saxon. Salvatore Frank. for three men. Pa.ssed motion Deck Delegate,"moved that new­ by Wallace that doors and locks comers be given every chance to foc'sles be repaired. Passed motion by Pendergasf, secondied to leam SIU and policy. - Moved by Rushing, seconded by R. Hurts by Banta. that all ports have (SUP) that ships on regular f r o^m departments. Stewards new gaskets and dogs. Carried South America runs get fresh Delegate reported five emergency motion by Sparrow, seconded by stores in South American ports. cards to be turned over to Goxuad. to have hooks on ice­ FAVORITE: WEAPON OF SHIPOWNERS. Moved by Frank to hold up Savannah Agent. The five men box doors. Pendergast moved, CCMAMIES, AND OTHER DISRUPTERS IS THE payoff until all beefs settled. One given ' SIU pamphlets. Under Wallace seconded motion to take SPREADING OF UNFOONDED RUMORS ABOLTT minute of silence for Brothers new business, repair list made repair list to Captain, and to OUR UNIONDON'T LET THESE BIRDS GET up. Donation of $5.00 a man Patrolman. Passed motion by lost _at ^ea. AWAY WITH -THEIR CAMPAIGN OF DIS­ voted for Wife and children of Mark to get hot water in port. RUPTION . A>\AKE THEM GIVE PROOF FOR Brother Jones. Ship's Delegate, One minute of silence for Broth­ ALL THEIR WILD STATEMEAJTS. IF TMEY in foreign hospital after being ers lost at sea. HOLD BCOkS OR PERMITS IN THE UNION shot by Captain. One minute URSE THEM TO MAKE THEIR STATEMENTS of silence for Brothers lost at BEFORE THE AAEMBERSHIP- WHERE SUCH sea. AAATTERS BFLONG » * 4. ^ • 4 4 4 •VIRGINIA CITY VICTORY. EDWARD G. JANEWAY. Nov. Dec. 3—Chairman A. Campbell; 4—Chairman Antonio Schiavone; LORENZO c. MCCARTHY. Secretary S. A. Caruso. Voted Secretary Augie Lazzaro. SIU that Steward conduct his de­ elections discussed, members Dec. 21—Chairman James Dorpartment in accordance with SIU urged to vote. Deck Delegate ris; Secretary Andrew Martel. rules. Also voted for new Ste­ Lazzaro thanked Stewards Dele­ Voted motion by Thomas wards Delegate. Carried motion gate Gilbert De Jesus and other Murphy, seconded by Frank By HANK that members study the con­ delegates for cooperation getting' Dowd. to have wooden grating While shipping is definitely in for a good pick-up this week stitution and working rules. De­ new stores in Philly. Stewards installed on deck of steering en­ here in New York, the membership has had the educational op­ cided to notify Captain of ab­ Department congratulated for gine room. Passed motion by portunity of reading up on all union literature, the shipping rules, sence of ice water in Engine good work. Steward asked G. Campbell that all departments the Constitution and the back issues of the LOG which they may Room and faulty condition of crew's cooperation in handling take turns keeping laundry room have missed during their last trip—as well as studying and vegetable box. • dirty linen. Deck Delegate ex­ clean. Engine Department voted responding to the organizing drive and the organizing literature thanks to Stewards for their X. ^ plained score in German ports PHILIP SCHUYLER. Nov. 29 and how to keep out of the way good work. One minute of involved —More and • more brothers are honestly realizing that by participating in the Organizing Drive in all ports they are silence for Brothers lost at sea. —Chairman J. Purvis; Secretary of the MPs. aiding in the expansion of the entire union and thereby creating James .Adams. Engine Delegate more jobs. LORENZO^ c. ^MCCARTHY, James Glenn and Stewards Dele­ 4 4 4 Jan. 18—Chairman James Dorgate Paul Carter reported no Once you have a new company on the shipping board you ris; Secretary A. J. Martel. beefs. Deck Delegate Luther can really see the effect if has on shipping, especially in view Moved by Dorris. seconded by Dills reported some disputed of the fact that many of our standard companies have for Dowd. and passed that no mem­ overtime. Voted to hold payoff some time been laying up iheir chartered ships. Therefore, ber pay off until Deck Depart­ imtil all beefs settled and to new companies mean more jobs, brothers... Before Brother ment overtime from previous wire for a Patrolman in Miami. John "Bananas" shipped as Bosun and organizer, along with •voyage is settled. Also passed Carried motion by Bosun that ^ "Red" Braunstein, on their year-long shuttling tanker trip, motion that complete repair list next three Delegates check Ste­ • Brother Bananas said he wished to tell Brother Percy Boyer be given to Patrolman. One wards stores for next trip. Ship's and his mustache that his shipmate. Brother Parella, came minute of silence for Brothers Delegate James H. Babson ex­ back as Ihfa-d cook with John aboard the SS Samuel Atkins lost at sea. pressed thanks for crew's co­ from Buenos Aires, etc. operation. Voted, to help per­ 4 4 4 4 4 4 EMPIRE WANDLE. Dec. 10— mits learn about SIU. One min­ Here are brothers all over the nation who will be getting Chairman Joe Wilaazak; Secre­ ute of silence for Brothers lost tary A1 Horvalich. Good and their LOGS mailed to their homes weekly: Bobby E. Ethridge of HOWARD A. KELLY. Jan. at sea. Texas, Patrick J. "Denehy of Rhode Island, William P. Eschinger Chairman DeParlier: Secretary Welfare: Motion carried that any­ of Maryland, Richard W. Parker of Pittsburgh, Michael Klepeis of 4 & » QUEENS VICTORY—Jan. 21— Taylor. New Business: Brother one paying off shall leave his New Jersey, Henry Halligan of New York State, Robert MagChairman Anthony J. Lanski; Bryant elected ship's delegate by room clean and return soiled nuszewski of Chicago, John Chambers of Ohio, Daniel O'Malley of Secretary Ed. R. Carlson. Dele­ acclamation. Motion by Taylor linen to the Stewards Depart­ Ohio, Joe George Green of Louisiana, Anthony Patalano of gates reported all okay in their that all three delegates act in ment. One minute of silence for Brooklyn, Angel Reyes of the Bronx, William Green of Indiana­ departments. New Business: De­ concert on any beefs and ship's Brothers lost at sea. polis, Alan Williams of New York State, Eugene Mandick of partmental delegates to check delegate act as chairman. Mo­ Brooklyn, George Mike of Massachusetts, John H. Calhoun of necessary repairs in their depart­ tion carried that slopchest be Georgia, Arthur Blanchette of Massachusetts, Armand Botelho of ments. Motion carried to have checked by delegates and Patrol­ Massachusetts J. Austin of Alabama, Eugene Crowley of San Patrolman's okay before signing man if possible. Good and Wel­ Francisco, Joseph Younts of Michigan, F. D. Doyle of Louisiana, fare: Discussion by various memoff articles. H. Punch of New Orleans, Jack T. Pierce of Michigan, Michael bei'S on keeping messrooms and McGaharn of Philadelphia, R. J. Van Deuren of Wisconsin, James living spaces clean. Steward H. Nelson of South Carolina, Frederick Farthing of Mississippi, DeParlier volunteered to see 4 4 4 Harvey G. Browning of Tennessee and George W. Fournier of about getting new library in MOORING HITCH. Jan. 19— California. Baltimore. One minute of silence Chairman Tom Tucker; Secretory 4 4^4 J. F. Zahl. Deck Delegate re­ for Brothers lost at sea. Brother John Hove, one of the\finest bakers in the union, ported complaints about food, 4 4' 4 just came in from a Robin Line voyage... Brother Clarence ALCOA PATRIOT. Dec. 10— and proposed that crew be more 4 4 4 Bromiield of Indiana sent in a few weeks ago an invitation to CARLSBAD. Nov. 17—Chair­ Chairman John G. Doyle; Secre­ cooperative with Steward in one of his shipmates here in New York to come over to his man William Trigg. Meeting tary John Guynn. Good and Wel­ handling of lin^. Under good wedding. Congratulations. Brother Bromiield. and a happy balled at behest of H. Dell'Or- fare: Suggestion made to not and welfare, crew called for re.voyage of matrimony... Brother Leo Siarkowski just came fano. Engine Delegate. DelTOr- soak clothing in washroom tubs. pairs- on shower door and ice­ in from a trip with a big beef about the terrible North At­ fano reported discrimination Delegate to see that one man box. A minute .of silence for lantic weather... Here are a few oldtimers who may be still against a Wiper by First Ass'l. from his department cleans Brothers lost at sea. here in New York waiting for the storm-delayed ships to Also reported Engineers doing washrooms each week. One 4 4 4 come in: B. Romanoff, P. W. Rose. H. Fowler. P. Taurasi. crew's work. Water supply re­ minute of silence for Brothers SEATRAIN TEXAS. Jan. 25— A. Marco. M. Garcia. V. Pipinen. J. Patrick. E. Albarran and Chairman Jose Tore; Secretary ported as spasmodic.. G. Gage. lost at sea. Charles Wakon. S. Chantelois. Deck Delegate re­ Chief Cook, reported galley4 4 4 4 4 4 ^ scuppers overflowed. V5ted that GEORGE D. PRENTICE. Dec. ported sink to be putNin pantry News Item: The Maritime Commission decided yesterday to First Engineer was to leave ship 7—Chairnian John Doris; Secre­ in New Orleans. Later, com­ convert a P-2 type troopship into a passenger ship, for sale or . if crew was to remain. First En­ tary John Bruno. Deck Dele­ pleted repair list made. Passed charter to an American steamship company. The commission plans gineer subsequently resigned gate reported beef between Skip­ motion for new and thicker mat­ to convert her into a two-class passenger ship for' 609 passengers, after meeting with three depart­ per and 8-12 watch over cleaning tresses and voted to show Patrol­ 157 in first class and 452 in tourist class. The Arnold Bernstein if:^ ment delegates and licensed per­ of coffee pot is still pending. man garbage chute on fantail. Line has applied to the commission for a subsidy for passenger New Business: Motion carried Suggestion made that donations service between New York and Belgium, suggesting use of the sonnel. that the two cooks who jumped'be taken for Brothers held on P-2 type vessel... NEWS ITEM—The-Association of American 4 4 4*. SMITH THOMPSON. Nov. 11 ship in Tampa and left ship manslaughter charge in British Shipowners asserted yesterday that maritime wages have reached —Chairman H. M. Galphin: shorthanded be brought up on Guiana. One minute of silence a peak and predicted that further demands for increases'should not be a major labor issue this j^ar.. Secretary Neal LeggetL No beefs charges. . Good" and Welfare: for Brothers lost at sea. CUT and RUN . �Pas^Tsn 7 BE SE A^FAREBrS L^C, Frkh&y. Febfuary 20« 1948 VBE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS Answers 'Juicer's' Queries, Suggests Changes In Rules THE DAILY METAMORPHOSIS OF A SEAFARER ting down the plant. ' The foregoing is all true be­ cause it has happened on numer­ ous occasions to us on board ship. However, I always put in for the overtime anyway and as' a rule usually collect it without a squawk. IT'S OVERTIME That two-hour trouble shoot­ ing round on Sunday is definite­ ly overtime by virtue of the fact that the "juicers" are day work­ ers. Incidentally that should be de­ fined in our agreement. It's all in a day's work to Seafarer Fred Miller. Deck Delegate and AB aboard'Mississippi's As far as the ship's gyro is Del Viento. No job is too big or too small for him. Out bright and early he's busy at work concerned, I've always run up painting a. boom. After painting the ship from bow to stern, he heads for the bridge to give against that problem, too. The the wheel a hard left. This guy is just a one-man crew. By the expression on his face, it looks care and maintenance of the gyro like he's taking her through a heavy blow. is irP the hands of the Second Well, welL It can't be true, but it is. Shaved and showered effter bringing the ship into Mate at all times. port. Brother Miller debarks to enjoy the sights of a West African port.-These Seafarers just Fact of the matter, I've been can't be outdone when it comes to work or sharp attire—^pipe that tie. often told by the Skipper or the Second Mate that the ship's ra­ dio speakers and receivers are "Sparks" jobs. This, because they are part of the communication To the Editor: I sumbit this to the LOG in the system including Care, maintenhope that our Brothers will give Due to the present circum­ dance and charging of the wettheir ideas and views on thl.* stances and to the possibility of "cell batteries. same issue. The same goes for the ship's being caught short in the future HEV! CALL THE ELEC-TPJaAM! X M. R. Norris radar apparatus, unless a special by the flnky Tafl-Hairtley Act or WAMNATtWE /M I Boston' radar man is carried on board. the. sell-out policy of the com­ THE lONBTo service and maintain Radar munists, the Seafarers Interna­ (?AI4<£.E8! requires special instruction which tional Union should face the the ship's "juicer" doesn't have. times fully prepared for anything Parrott's other suggestions, I'll that can happen. take up one by one. As Chairman of the 1946 Gen­ Yes, the Mates should take eral Strike Committee in Boston, care of the cluster lights as far will give you a short outline as replacing bulbs, etc. of the trouble that might turn up Repair of these Js up to the ff we were not prepared. To the Editor: which those working receive Electrician even though the aver­ In the first place, in 1946 it Although the SIU has a record age Mate or AB doesn't give a took us three whole days to get overtime. second to none when it comes to Dates of contract termination, damn how he handles the cluster set up. Equipment was the representation for the member­ July 5 (Frisco's Bloody Thurs­ lights. main beef, because we were un­ ship, I would like to add a few Floodlights and mast lights, re­ able to buy it in time. We day) and other important dates words of praise for the represen­ placing of bulbs are also part and finally had to rent second-hand to seamen and the SIU. tatives we have in Tampa. parcel of deck department work. URGES CONSIDERATION gear that didn't serve the pur­ My ship, the SS Robert McYou can't expect an electrician pose. This calendar could serve a Burney, paid off in Tampa, Janu­ to know how to rig a bosun's M. R. NORRIS Even the renting took time. veryr useful purpose all around ary 22. We had the usual num­ chair to replace a burnt out lamp and ,I really think that our of­ ber of b^efs concerning overtime at the end of a crosstree on theOTHER PITFALLS equip each branch for strike ac­ ficials should give this serious mast. conditions and so on. consideration at the next Agents A controversal issue was how tion at any time. Literature The only wet-'cell batteries un­ The day of the payoff, the Conference. best to keep records of picket should be gotten up on the whole Tampa Agent and a couple of der the care of the juicer are All dates of any importance to time. In fact, this still was a strike question so that if it is the SIU would be printed in and the batteries connected with controversial issue when the necessary to pull the pin some able helpers came aboard. The aroimd the numerals or added starting the emergency genera­ strike ended. And there were a time everyone will know what to speed and efficiency which these tor. men used to straighten out do. at the bottom of the calendar. lot of other p^blems too num> every beef major or minor was PARTLY OKAY Next is about status of con­ In short, the SIU ought to be something to see. erous to say anything about As far as switchboards being here. fused electrician Wiley E. Parable to move as a body swiftly I myself was proud and thank­ handled solely by the electrician, rott. To avoid these pitfalls it is in any direction at any time. ful, that we had such Union offi­ Yes, I believe that the Chief this is okay but it's a tough and necessary, in ray opinion, to set And Union solidarity should al­ cers working in our behalf. Not Electrician should have a room troublesome proposition to call a central strike office and to ways be our aim. only did they straighten out all of his own as his work is such the electrician every time a tog­ beefs^ to the satisfiaction of all that he has to be up and around gle switch has to be thrown on concerned, but they did it in such the board. , any time during the day or night a way as to leave no doubt in the However, if this clause stating even though he is a day worker. Also, in importance, he is as that only the Electrician should To the Editor: He asked why did we have to minds of the Skipper and com­ impdrtant as any of the Engin­ handle the board could be in­ go to the consul to have good pany officials that the Union We certainly are enjoying oxur- food destroyed. What was good means business in Tampa. eers or-Mates J^ecause on the ma- corporated in the working rules ority of the modern ships the it would be a clear cut definition selves out here in the Far East enough for him was good enough That's all except for a little re­ minder to the membership; That electrician is , an integral and of a sore spot which has concern­ on the good ship-SS Blue Island for the crew, he added. iiiiportant person in the ship's ed the Electricians for a long Victory, "Red Lead" Anderson, Our overtime sheets look like kind of representation can only Master. personnel as practically every time. neon signs because.the red lead be possible with the cooperation Keep For instance^ vre have boat The overtime hours for trouble running .pump, winch, windlass on them resembles ,the red hash­ of the crew members. sober at the payoff, present your shooting in port on Saturday and drill on Sundays. and piece of equipment is pow­ es on Broadway. beefs in a, straightforward man­ Sunday and at sea on Sunday When we ask for half money, ered by an electri<?lhotor. The theme song, sung by the . Yes, I also agree that the agree­ could be worked into the work­ the Master tells us how much Master, is "I log you, I log you, ner and let the Patrolmen do the ment should be more specific in ing rules without much difficul­ money we' will get as he is the I log you, I log you for many rest. regards to what constitutes over­ ty. Also worthy of being incor­ "Master of this God damned reasons. In fact I log you for Salvatore W. Arini time by eliminating the "mays" porated into the working rules ship," and there will be only one your month's pay," sung to the and "cans" and making it yes or is that relating to stand-by pay, draw in each port. tune of "Sweetheart of all my Our food was so lousy that when electrical deck gear is bedream's." no. Yes, it is also true that Chief ing worked or about to be work­ we had to call in the consul to Incidentally, please send some Engineers never bother calling ed and Megger readings on all inspect it. After he had con­ LOGS to me c/p C. F: Sharp & the Electrician when dock ng and motors at three month intervals. demned some of it, "Red Lead" Co. in Shanghai. Abe Rapaporl went iiito mourning for his bugs letting go or when changihg over L.'Gtanlham and worms. generators, starting up o- shut­ To the Editor: This is my attempt to answer a few of the letters on varied and simdry subjects concerning all Seafarers in the January 30 issue of the LOG. The first will be answering a letter written by Brother Albert A. LaPlante in reference to put­ ting • SIU calendars on all SIU s^hips. A very good idea. This would tend to replace all the gin mill and grab joint calendars that are passed out free at the end of every year by the different out­ fits that make a buck or are out to fl^ce the seamen. Instead of reminding the sea­ man'of some joint where he got« taken in around the islands or dotvff the coast, the SIU calendar would remind him of the Union by having the important days for SIU men marked in red numeralSi By important days, I stress le' gal holidays in port as well as at sea (including Saturdays) for Calls For Year-Round Strike Committees Laurels To Union For Nice Payoff In Port Tampa 'Red Lead' Has Expensive Theme Song �Friday. Febiraary itO. 1948 "Clear Up Wiper Working Rules, Brother Urges TB E S E A FAR E R SLOG Puerto La Cmz; "THINGS ARE JUST BEACHY DOWN HERE** To the Edilor: I have a beef that I wish to present for the attention of the contract negotiators, and I'd like to have them keep it in mind when contract time rolls around. A part of the Wiper's working rules in the existing contract states that he shall be paid over­ time for working jin the firesides, or steam drums or boilers. An­ other part states that he shall receive overtime for chipping, cleaning, or painting in the bilges, or on the tank-tops, durwg his regular working hours. But the contract does not say what compensation he shall re­ ceive for the same penalty work done between the hours of five P.M. and. eight A.M., or on Sat­ urday's, Sundays or other rec­ ognized Holidays. In effect, this lack of definition Seafarers-from the Capfe Re­ paves the way for an engineer to main. Alcoa, make the best of postpone such penalty hours. the sad recreational situation Thus he gets the penalty work by spending their leisure hours ^ done for one hour of overtime in Puerto La Cruz. Venezuala. given to the Wiper wherein the swimming and lolling on the Wiper should receive two hours. beach. Pictured here are—left NO REFUSING to right—Charles Burton with Of course, you can refuse such a good grip on Thomas Wilovertime. But the Engineer's kins' hair. Directly behind is word happens to be law at sea, E. E. Dixon. The other two anii if-he orders you to turn to men are not identified. Foil Can't very well refuse. I myself have been ordered to do At right is Puerto La Cruz' such work and have received shoreline with fishing boats bnly one hour of overtime for lying at anchor in the back­ each , hour of work done. ground. Homes along the beach In our current agreement this are occupied by oil company matter was partially taken officials and workers. care of. Namely for work done inside' of watertanks outside of the regular working hours a Below is the center of the Wiper received overtime and one town's activity: the port area. half. Primarily a Shell Oil Com­ Why can't this same provision pany port, in the background be applied to other penalty work can be seen oil storage tanks. that the Wiper must do? I'm hoping to hear some dis­ cussion and action on this beef. D. Hall % % %, Do Not Forget The 1946 General Strike may be long gone but whai happened in Tampa when the ' ships chandlers there, with the aid of the police crashed our picketlines has not been forgotten. When our ship hits thai port, bypass the chandlers. Do not allow them aboard your ship. If it is necessary . to buy milk or bread, get in touch with a dairy or bakery. These finks think time heals everything. Show them : the SIU does not forget its • enemies. Pass the word to - other ships. Monkeys Sure Thrive In That Ginntill Air To the Editor: A sympathetic AB suggested hook—the end would be swift that he 'tie the monkey next to and painless. Bob High, Red Jones, A1 The next morning when they Blues, L. Williams and Whitey dropped the hook, the Bosun Eatherton were swapping some did just that. tall ones over at the Beaver A little later in the morning House "trading post" the' other pandemonium broke loose when eve' and came put with this a sailor "noticed the ship was one: adrift and headed for the rocks —fast! The ship tvas coming into port Quickly the Bosun looked^ over iand the Bosun was .ordered to the side and saw the monkey kill lus pet monkey because of vdth the anchor slung over his quarantine laws. He had become shoulder, climbing up the chain, so attached to the critter that hand over hand... wet and mad­ he didn?t have the heart to hurt the shackle on the anchor chain der than a son of a gun! ... the next time they"dropped,tht^iiv A1 Bexnriein V Algonquin Grew Wishes Best To SIU Officials For 1948 To the Editor: ^ Page Eleven this tub very rapidly the other evening. When somebody noti­ fied the Skipper of the fact, the latter immediately got hold of the Chief Engineer, Casey Baker, and in very sweet tones asked if he could have four more nozzles. Captain, did you really want a race? "Pepsodent" Lucas shipped on this packet as Plumber-Machin­ ist, and as soon as he had signed the articles he began growling for lighter plungers and wrenches to work with. Greetings, salutations and smooth sailing to our newlyelected officials in the Seafarers International Union, and may all of them have a pleasant term, and may the groans, grunts and beefs from all of us be darned few. The crew of the "Dantzler Nor­ folk to Antwerp Express", the Algonquin Victory for short, der sire to extend their congratula­ tions to all the elected officers of the SIU. NO LONGHAIR. HE Jack (Phil Harris Hair) Riley was so happy when he received George (Society) Everett, the . his book in the SIU that he let buckaroo Bosun (memories of out a Burmese howl and then de­ "Do-the-Best-You-Can" Hillman), manded a special meeting so that got a haircut. When one of the the crew could go on record Brothers commented on it, he re- • that he be personally obligated plied that he never was a piano by the Secretary-Treasurer. player and that, furthermore, he The SS—or should I say HMS did not like to be called "Tos—Queen Elizabeth was passing canini." Cards Are Right, Cooks On'Ball, King Is Happy To the Editor: William (Short Circuit) La Chance made this scow as Elec- ' trician. The first thing that hap- - " pened was that he grabbed two live wires and I do not mean two live ones paying off after a fivemonth trip. He turned them loose a lot faster than he. grabbed §pme, oh yes indeed he did. The "Express" paid off pretty darned smoothly on the last voy­ age into "Raywhiteville" and here's hoping that it happens that way again this trip. Your truly has been called a • Belly Robber, a Casanova and__ many other "noms-de-plume" that cannot be published but when somebody hung the fitle^., "Homsteader" on him because'ha made three trips on the Express, \ immediately in a fit of madness \' he went to the land office and took out -squatter's rights. Pat Frango, the rambling • wreck from Georgia Tech and now Third Slumburner aboard, has emphatically averred that he will not go ashore in the land of the Belgians. He can get any and all bets covered that he will. What say, Pat? Joe (I-Ainf - Agonna - Sail-NoMore) Hill, the Deck Maniac v (Maintenance to you) has sworn by the holy pink toes of Affah that should this tub be shuttled • to Turkey that he will turri in his Lundberg stetson for a fez. And the writer believes him'for ; .. Joe can speak Turkish in a truly ^ East Side way. We sailed this scow, the Flor­ ence Crittenton, out of Pensacola on December 16 bound for Italy with coal. About ten days out we ran in­ to rough weather. The engines went oil the fritz so we limped into Azorc Island this morning. Thanks to a falling sea and the THAT CHICKEN FARM' grace of God we made it with ease. George (Sugar Donuts) Proctor, the galloping Night Cook and I haven't been ashore so far Baker, has, after all these years so I can't give the boys any tips of sailing the briny deep, decided on the price of tomatoes. to purchase a chicken ranch This, is my first trip out of somewhere in North Carolina. the Gulf in over ten years but Enough' gab for the pre^nt, would like to say that all the Brothers, and a little more to 'M the serious side of life. piecards in Mobile seem to be Here we are. beginning a New on the ball in good old "SIU Year, and the majority of us style, especially Dispatcher' W. have made many resolutions! E. Collins. He handles the boys about this and that. Let's all in a way that shows them they make the resolution to keep . the: Seafarers International U n i o n really belong to a real union. banner the symbol of the mari­ We have a good Stewards De­ time industry. • partment on here—the first thing To the Brothers aboard the toward making up a good ship. Express whose cognomens I have, The Steward, Ray Nouck, throws failed to put into these lines 1 out the materials and the cooks, apologize. When I get all your^ John Piekarski, Robert Pugh and Steve Sceviour, know how to put names, I'll send them to the LOG. the taste to it. Best " regards to the "Brothers" | We also have a good crew on of the SIU-SUP wherever tliey deck so it looks like a fine voy­ may be. . i age from here on in. I can't D. Casey Jones ? complain, I'm still bridge champ. SS Algonquin Victbi^F Thomas King Antwerp. i �S E A F dJt^E KS L4} a Twalvs Member's Beef With Docter, Officers Squared By Union '--ft::Friday. T«bruary 20< I94t Crew's Cooperation ^rks Yarmouth Payoff All went well at the payoff Feb. 5 aboard the SS Yar­ mouth. The few beefs aboard the Eastern Steamship Com­ pany vessel, which leaves New York every other Friday on a 13-day West Indies cruise, were settled at the point of production by the SIU Patrol­ men assijghed. In photo left. Brother J. DeAbreu. Fireman, who has just received his wages, is having his book checked at table by Engine Delegate R. J. Murphy (facing camera). Seated at left with back tg' camera is Anthony Melanson, Ship's Delegate, with Jimmy Purcell, Patrolman, at his right. doctor Jinally tore up the first certification and gave the Purser This is my report regarding the other which said I could do my accident on board the SS light work. Beatrice. Please note that the Captain, Chief Mate and Marine NOT 1916 Hospital Doctor are involved in I found all about this and went same; right to the Captain and told I, Enrique Ventureira, AB on him: "If you don't pay me off I the SS Beatrice, on November 1, shall call the Agent down here 1947, had an accident while going because we are not in 1916, this on board walking by the gang­ is 1947." way. So I went to" the Agent who I went to the Marine Hospital right away put his machinery in­ at New York where X-ray plates to action. He sure made good were taken of my left ring finger. Brothers. He's what I call a I was sent back to the ship but Union man. I was paid off. was unable to return to the hos­ I went to the hospital for my pital due to the fact that it is treatment for one month and 13 customary in that ship to say Alfred Jackson of the Ste­ days. Now I feel better except that' all you want is time off wards D^artment is seen that I have a little difficulty in Whei|i you request a hospital slip. bending my finger. This is one signing for his wages in photo So the ship sailed to San Juan more example of good Union- right.. Brother Jackson then stepped up to the next table to where we arrived the next Mon­ ship. day afternoon. The day after, I The Captain and Mate wanted pay his Union dues^ There went to the Purser to get an­ me to go on the trip so I could were no snags in the procedure other hospital slip which he gave lose my case and they probably as the 150 crewmembers of the me, and, at the same time he told would get a good commendation Yarmouth cooperated in mak­ me to take it to the Chief Mate from-the company for their won­ ing the payoff a model of speed and efficiency. for his signature. derful way of handling sailors. Departmental Delegates and As Puerto Ricans we are I CHIPPED FINGER American nationals. We fought the Ship's Delegate were on ,I \yent to the Mate and said to shoulder to shoulder with other the ball and had everything him "Please sign this hospital Americans in World War' II for lined up-in ship-shape fashion. slip |because I have a terrible liberty. We are entitled to all The Yarmouth makes a run pain'in this finger." our rights as American nationals. similar to that of her sister Again the Mate told me that Thanks to the San Juan Agent. ship, the SS Evangeline. Both all I wanted was time off. This That was the way to handle vessels, which leave New York on alternating weeks, dock at was witnessed by the gang­ things. Pier 18, North River: way watch. Enrique Ventureira I gol^ to the hospital about half an hour later where another Xray was taken with the follow­ ing results: "Chipped off fracture t^de point space proximal lanx left ring finger." f 1 was told by the doctor that I i needed about four weeks of treafinent and that my finger had to be placed in a cast. I asked the doctor to give me a slip for the Captain so the latter could pay me off. He gave it to me. The slip said: "This man needs four' weeks treatment." I went back to the ship and gave the slip to the Mate who * took it away from me and went to the Captain. The Captain sent the Purser to the doctor in order to get a certificate which might say that I could do light work with my left hand. -This was a lot of baloney. Was any light work ever done by an AB on board a ship? Such pressure was put on the Scene of the payoff was the Yarmouth's main dining room. Above, William Osborne, Room doctor by the Captain that the Steward (in white coat), waits for his book to be receipted by Patrolman Jimmy Sheehan (seat­ ed at table, facing camera) while Patrolman Lou Coffin (back to camera) squares away two LOG HOSPITAL other members of the Stewards Depeurtment. , To the Editor: V •'.^1 Perez Agrees Bosun's Heads Are ' Turning Grey To the Editor: J LIST BROUGHT BMTHER COMPANY SEES CHANGE IN ISTHMIAN SINCE CONTRACT To the Editor: For three long months I was in the -marine hospital on Staten Island. One day my old friend Joe Hien came over to see me. He found where I was when he read my name in the Staten Island ' Hospital list -"in the LOG. It:j was good seeing Joe. hadn't laid eyes on him for eight years. We were shipmates on the ^old Pan Atlantic, a Water­ man scow, if you don't remember her. Among things we talked over was what a good idea it is to run the hospital lists in the LOG. I jthank the LOG for running my name and making it possible for me to see my old friend. " Earl Larson • To the Editor: * Union Delegates whose efforts contributed to the smooth payoff aboard the Yarmouth are shown above. Anthony Mel­ anson, Ship's Delegate, stands in front of department delegate who are, from left to right, E. J. Murphy. Engine Delegate;^ J. McCarten, Deck Delegate^ and Monroe Hall, Stewards ^ Dele­ gate. The results of. their efficiency and' cocoeratlon was nmehv in evidence,. Would you please send me the LOG to my • home address, Ghinestown, Alabama, so I can keep up with everything'while I am on the beach and -so my family can read it too. They en­ joy it as much as I do. I paid off the Saihf Augustine Victory on January 5 and you could really see the change in her after we got the contract with Isthmian. We will really have to work to keep that contract, which we all worked so damned hard to win. I ha4 ahout . eight- months with Isthmian in 1947. None of the grav;^. either. tinw Brother Bill Champlin hit the naU right on the head when he pointed out that a Serang's life, is sometimes a dog's life. Personally I've had ABs. of whom it would take a hard-' working Fairy Godmother to please. If you have one of these, here is how it goes: If you give him a job paint­ ing black for two hours, he soon raises the roof and wants* to paint white because black dirties his hands too much. On the other hand, if he gets a job painting white, he soon drops both anchors because the gloss hurts his eyes. If he works offshore, he wants to work inshore to join his pals in their wolf calls to the dames passing by. If you give him a four-inch jbrush he gets very tired and you must provide a three-and-ahalf-ihch brush. If you don't, you are a phony and very partial to your friends. If you give him an old brush to redlead a deck plate, he. heaves it over the side and says you are clearly a company" man. If he thinks his chipping ham­ mer is not sharp enough, he sharpens it behind your back and cuts the plate. You can't tell him to paint the? bottom of the rails. Nobody ever looks there, he says. ' Brother, oh Brother! All he* needs is a marline-spike ir> his hip pocket and td hell with; everything. And then we ask why BoWns get gray hair. Is there any won-' der why? V. "Perez m �Friday. Februaxy 20, 1948 T H E S E AF A R E R S LOG Page Tliixtoan Organizing Handbook For Seafarers Beef Record As we stated before the Seafarers has always led the way in the struggle to better seamen's living and working > conditions. A major part of your job will be to show un­ organized men exactly what the SIU has won for them—and what we are "going to do in the future. They will see, then, that our program is by far the most militant and progressive on the waterfront. .Wo intend to keep it that way. As a result of SIU militancy we have won^gains for seamen everywhere. We have fought the ship owners, the Washington bureaucrats, and the communist sell­ out artists with all our power. We will continue this battle as long as is necessary and we will go all-out to defeat any government attempts to control seamen in peacetime as they did in wartime. ' Ship owners who want to bring back "the good old days" when seamen were treated as slaves and out­ casts, and political opportunists who thrive on dis- i WiMMER and SfiLl CHAmOfi ruption will never get any aid or comfort from our Union. It was the SIU -that started the fight against giving our bottoms away lest the American seamen be left high and dry. It was the SIU, again, that went on record to pro­ test the policy of some "American" companies which made enormous fortunes by transferring American ships to foreign flags. These ships are manned by crews working under conditions far inferior to our own, and is an out-and-out attempt to break the back of the American seamen; to whip them in line, and to throw out everything we've fought for and gained over the years. . In the following paragraphs we will set forth briefly a few of the beefs the SIU has fought and won. At the same time we will present factual evi­ dence of the finky role played by the NMU misleaders. Understand clearly, that if you talk to an NMU rank-and-filer about those beefs, your beef is against the finks, sell-out artists and commie line followers who are responsible for the' NMU's shaky position in the maritime field. A great many of the NMU men are essentially good union men led in the wrong direction by the wrong gU3w. The SIU' vnll soon have available for distribution to the memborsbip copies of a new booklet entitled, "Seafarers Organizers' Handbook." It is also being published in the LOG with the third installment appearing on this page. Further installments' will appear in subsequent issues. tion for purposes of intervention," said the Board, "was duly served with Notice of Hearing but did not appear at the meeting." '^lis statement was signed by the members of the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C., October 20, 1947. From that point on the NMU used and abused the "pass" privilege they had and devoted all their efforts solely to sending men into the Cities Service fleet in an attempt to disrupt the SIU men who were organizing Cities Service-^nce again exposing the rule or ruin commie line they follow. While they shouted "unity" for all to hear, they were dumping trade union principles by the way­ side and had gone all out for the commie tactics of disruption as against the SIU's clean, progressive labor efforts. The NMU's efforts have been to no avail, however. The results of the Secret Ballot in the Cities Service election which were counted Feb. 9, 1948, were 153 to 30 in favor of the SIU. This meant that the Seafarers was now the bargaining representative for the full Cities Service fleet of 16 ships. It meant, further, that the Union would represent the crews of all these ships, by authority of the National Labor Relations Board, in negotiations for wages, hours and conditions. WSA Medical Program During the war the WSA took over the physical examinations of seamen which had formerly been performed by USPH doctors. No sooner did this go into effect than they estab­ lished physical standards so much higher than had been in effect that many old time seamen couldn't pass their exams, and this at a time when all men were desperately needed to man ships. Not only was this program wasteful of U.S. Maritime manpower but it ivas definitely anti-union ^ through the black­ listing of older seamen. . ' Official SIU opposition to the WSA medical pro­ gram was expressed by SIU President Harry Lunde- | berg, who on instruction from the membership sent ; a communication to Capt. Macaulay of the WSA in­ forming him of the SIU- opposition to the entire finky setup. This item appeared in 11/26/43 issue of the West Coast Sailor and was followed up in subsequent issues. At a joint SIU-SUP Agents Conference held in Chicago on March 19, 1945, it was moved, supported ' and carried, "that the SIU go on record to reaffirm our Coast Guard Ever since the early days of th^ war, when the Coast Guard Hearing Units were given authority over the lives and actions of the seamen by reason of the "War Emergency" excuse, the SIU has fought hard against that control. But, while we were battling dgainst these Hearing Units and the dictatorial con­ trol being exercised, the NMU was 'playing "post office" and "spin the bottle" with the hooligan Navy and encouraging them to hog-tie the seamen so that they could hardly call their lives their own. Don't misunderstand us, we believe in giving cred­ it where credit is due. We give all due credit to the Coast Guard for their war record and their peacetime >4HHH!TRW-V, AGREATUPVEl pities Service Here is one example of the NMU's filthy methods: Way back in February, 1942, they arranged a deal regarding "passes" with Cities Service so thart they could go aboard their ships and collect dues from the handful of members they had aboard Cities Serv­ ice tankers. Although they tried hard to enroll the other crewmembers who were unorganized, they never got to first base with them. After a lapse of several years, to all intents and purposes, they withdrew. • Early in 1946 the SIU decided to organize the fleet. We made such headway that by October 28, 1946, the SIU was able to send the company the following letter: "We are the authorized representatives of a sufficient number of the unlicensed personnel now employed in Cities Service tankers to qualify us as Bargaining Agent for the unlicensed personnel of your company. We therefore ask recognition as Bar­ gaining Agent. Please advise us of your position at your earliest convenience." The letter was signed by Paul Hall, Director of the Organizing Committee. After several hearings the National Labor Relations Board recognized our claim as a valid one, and directed that elections be held. When' the SIU called for an election the NMU screamed "Frame Up" and frothed at the mouth. They claimed they were being discriminated against because of the Taft-Hartley law. Never for a moment did they reveal that the real reason they were prevented from taking an active part in the election was because after being duly notified by the NLRB, the same as we were, that a hearing was to be held, they were not interested enough -to appear. "The. NMU which made a showing of representa- We will fight against the Coast Guard until all forms of that control-«re finally removed from the lives of American seamen. American seamen must be free from dictatorship of all kinds. work of patrolling the sea lanes. Our beef was and is against the Hearing Units specifically, and those "Brass Hats" who want to see the seamen as another branch of the Armed Forces. To prove the NMU's friendliness for the Coast Guard we quote from the minutes of their 1945 con­ vention: "In the enforcement of wartime discipline, the Coast Guard has established an advanced and liberal record, as against the injustices imposed by the De° partmeift of Commerce during peage. "We pledge to continue the friendly cooperation be­ tween our union and the Coast Guard for...a safe and efficient post-war merchant marine." Contrast the finky NMU stand on the Coast Guard with the militant position of the SIU in our battle against Coast Guard regimentation of seamen. We left no doubt as to our position with such articles in the LOG as: "Slli Fights Coast Guard Grab for Post War Jur­ isdiction Over Seamen"—April 27, 1945. "The Coast Guard Pulls A Fast One"—June 8, 1945. "Judge, Jury And Jailer"—June 15, 1945. "Coast Guard Red Tape Delays Crewing"—^Nov. 16, 1945. "End Coast Guard Control Over Merchant Seamen, Seafarers Asks"—Jan. 18, 1946. "Return Seamen To Civilian Rule Says SIU To Tru­ man; Coast Guard And Operator Control Condemned" —March 15, 1946. "Action Against The Coast Guard" (Agent's Con­ ference Report)—March 29, 1946—and . many others too numerous to mention. This is OUR record! position to- abolish the WSA medical program as soon as possible before it is foisted upon us as a permanent setup." October 24th of the same year, our membership went on record up and down the coast rapping. the deal as an anti-labor instrument of the operators, and an unnecessary drain on the taxpayers. Seafarers also criticized the WSA's inefficiency and accused ^the red-tape artists of trying to perpetuate themselves into the post war period. In line with this all SIU members refused to ap­ pear before the WSA examining boards. As a result of P'- §IU's militant action in refusing to comply wit^ ^ ^SA medical program in time of peace, the^ was forced to reverse itself and allow SIU members to sign on after the regular physical examinations outlined in SIU contracts. This was a clear cut victory for the Seafarers. Defeat of the WSA attempt to regiment - seamen was accomplished by the SIU alone ... without any' 'aid from any other maritime union and in spite of WSA and NMU collaboration. You can check the Seafarers LOG of November 2, 1945 which carried an item "No Ships Delayed As SIU Pushes Boycott Of WSA Medical Program" and another feature entitled, "Seafarers Breaks Macaulay's Arguments For Continuation Of WSA Medical Pro­ gram." In the LOG of Nov. 9, 1945, the final item signalling a victory for the Seafarers appeared headed "Seafarers Overthrows WSA Medical Program." While the SIU was fighting so hard to break ^the WSA's attempted regimentation, the NMU .was openly collaborating with them and even figuring on having a WSA Medical Unit in their New York Hall! • " During an NMU New York membership meeting on March 8, 1945 Vice President Frederick "Blackie" Myers reported, "We recommend that they (the WSA Medical Division) use the Union HaU..." At the NMU membership meeting of February 8. 1945, Chief Dispatcher Paul Palazzi reported, "We are also working on getting a medical set-up in the hall. That is, to have the 107 Washington Street Medical Staff operate right in our own building. The plai^' has been accepted so far by the local WSA people. We believe that in a short time we'll be able • to atmounce a date on this new setup." What a pretty picture that makes! If it wasn't collaboration of the finkiest sort—^what is? In your talks with unorganized seamen be sure to stress the comparison between the battle the SIU put up against the WSA medical set-up and poiVt out how NMU tried to sell seamen short and secii-e a WSA set-up in their own Hall! This only iUustfyites again the NMU's usual brand of unionism under ttt^ir commie misleaders! T\ ., �THE SEAFARERS Page Fourteen LOG Port Baltimore Pushing Drive in Tanker Field New York Shipping Takes Spurt; Bookmen Have No Job Difficuity By JOE ALGINA m • t Friday. February 20. 1948 NEW YORK — "It's a little guy suffers by this, but the fact By CURLY RENTZ easier to elbow one's way up to remains that the Union has a contract which requires his pres­ the Dispatcher's desk this week, BALTIMORE — Shipping has thanks to an upsurge in shipping, ence when shifting ship. It is been very ^fair in this port and but after one look at the 2nd his responsibility to live up to should even pick up a little more deck of the New York Hall, the that clause just as much as it is if present indications are correct, $4.00; p. SMdiii, $2.00; Angel Diaz. SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF. thinning of the ranks hasn't put the company's to live up to the $13.00; R. Bishop. $7.00; C. Huttsell. Bookmen have no troubles get­ INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS $3.00; E. Kol'enovsky. $2.00; W. F. us in any position to call for wage and overtime clauses. ting out, "although permits have H. McCurdy. $5.00; E. Dickinson, Adams. $1.00; M. Novakodich. $2.00; $5.00; P. Davis. $5.00; F. Nelson. $2.00; %?dditional men. BINDING ON ALL F. S. Slavik. $2.00; Q. w/lde. $2.00; F. to hang around a while, The number of men on the It is not something to ignore C. Hemby, $1.00; Stowers. $3.00; P. A. Mulder. $2.00; A. R. Cuidry. $3.00; •We had nine payoffs.with the shipping dfcks is .stiJl great, but or obey as one sees fit, the shift­ Samuelson, $4.00; C. E. Zell, $1.00; J. J. Beatk. $1.00; Wm. F. arth. $2.00; usual.lines: Ore, Isthmian, South Anderson. $2.00; W. Brown, $3.00; G. ' the whole tempo of shipping is ing ship provision is binding on Jones. $2.00; J. Hale. $2.00; J. F. Hoy. $3.00; Wm. Y. Cachola. $2.00 Atlantic Bull, Robin, and Water-, ' faster than it has been in weejcs. ev,ery men in the deck depart­ ORourke. $3.00; N. Boyle. $3.00; J. J. Noval^ $3.00B. man. The only ship that had S5 MAIDEN CREEK Bruno. $3.00; Yoenian. $3.00; Myrel Completly clearing the decks of ment. A. C. Hill. $2.00; J. P. Chermesino. any trouble worth mentioning Mizzelle. $3.00; A. ance. $1.00; W. men is a memory of the past not If a guy "forgets" to return he Adkinson, $5.0Q: Starks. $23.23; P. $2.00: E. F. Lessor. $1.00; F. Mnrray was the Niantic Victory, Water­ likely to recur, but there are is violating the contract. Chances Mrowczynski. $3.00; C. Wodka, $3.00. $10.00; H. J. Foy. $2.00; R. E. Teeyck man, which had some Black $2.00; C, M. Muffkin. $2.00i T. SulU sufficient jobs being put up on are that he would be the first van. $2.00; A. ranesh. $3.00; H. Stern Gang beefs. NEW YORK the board for men who are to howl if the company tried We signed on seven ships, and lighd. $1.00; A. Riqs. $2.00; H. Sunder INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS anxious to grab a scow. to beat' him out of a buck for land. $2.00; L. D. Dieudonne. $3.00; F. hacf a few in transit but not John Santos. $2.00; Frank Kolacz. Bookmen are finding it rela­ overtime worked. $1.00; H. E. Miller. $4.00; Raymond T. Hill.''$3.00; D. Taglleri. $3.00; F. C many. tively easy to get a ship, rated The Union is out to protect the Barnett. $1.00: C. T. Terry. $3.00; J. Prince. $1.00; O. H. Headley. $3.00; L, One of the beefs on the Niantic meii can pretty ^well name their membership from contract snip­ A. Jarvis. $3.00; B. E. Wilson. $3.00; O. Lord. $2.00; J. Velazquez. $2.00; J concerned the lack of heat in W. Feeney. $2.00. ship and run. ing by the company, but at the T. Karayakyoos. $1.00; A. Saaveda. • SS SEATRAIN TEXAS the engine room. It was one of Ships hitting the port this same time every member pro­ $1.00; C. C. Oppenheimer. $1.00; D. C. Cahill. $10.00. those things. The Captain and Letourneau. $2.00. SS TOPA TOPA week put into the record some tect the agreement made in the Richard J. Weir. $3.00; J. Arabasz. the Chief Engineer did the best P. Pringi. $1.00; R. DeGraff. $1.00; ; very good payoffs. There were name of us all. $1.00; F. C. Rocafort. $1.00; L. J. A. Mohanied. $1.00; C. Lee, Jr.. $1.00; they could to supply heat. quite a few of them, so say the The few .individuals who have Heffernan. $3.00; C. J. McDonoirph. C; Kounavis, $2.00; T. H. Ryan. $1.00; HIT TANKERS Patrolmen. Among them were no regard for the Union and our $1.00; E. Cipar, $3.00; A. S. Reinholdt. J. Filipek. $1.00; R Halloway. $1.00: We're not letting up on those $4.00; Thomas Maga. $1.00; M. Valen­ the' Loop Knot, Alcoa; Purdue contracts will find that by ignor­ tin. $1.00; J. R. O Sullivan. $2.00; Wm. J. Smith. $1.00; E. Y. Vicera. $1.00; Cities Service tankers. The Cities •Victory, Waterman; and Jane- ing the contract when it means A. Depping. $3.00: L. Kotselig. $2-2.00; J. A. Adams. $2.00. Service company , and other SS STEEL DESIGNER . v/ay, Smith and Johnson. an effort on their part they will George Driscoll. $3.00. tanker companies do their best H. F. Wells. $2.00; J. L. HigginSS HIBBINGS VICTORY succeed only in fouling up them­ ; DELEGATES SHARP N. Tsaousakis. $2.00; J. E. Metzger. botham. $2.00; N. J. Dorn. Jr.. $2.00; to keep us off, but the Patrolmen The Loop Knot, often a source selves and the entire member­ $2.00; P. Dayton. $3.00; A. Janowski. F. Pollard. $2.00; C. O. Polca, $2.00; here go down to them no matter $2.00; H. oucher. $2.00f. E. Dunlop. J. Dunn. $2.00; K. T. Stout. Jr.. $2.00; where they are or what time of of hjcadaches, surprised everyone ship in.the long run. J. Hill. $3.00; N. E. Cruz. $3.00; E. by paying off without any Cipriano. $2.00; P. A. Dexter. $1.00; F. day they come in. We have the Senent. $3.00; Chin Kong. $3.00; W. R. ones which hit here in very fair trouble. Most of the thanks can Hayes. $5,00; A. B. Porter. $3.00; J. P. shape and we are going to keep go to' the excellent Delegates O'Sullivan. $3.00; M. N. Tigmo. $3.00; them that way. aboard and the cooperation given E. R. Hall. $2.00; S. M. Onandad, A lot of the talk around the . them by the crew. $3.00; L. Opana. $5.00; P. Warhola. A good bunch of Delegates, $1.00: T. M. Neroda. $3.00; A. Andria- Baltimore branch is speculation nan. $3.00; D. Boumlinis. $3.00; Moo about what effect the Marshall thisj ship proved, can make the By HERBERT JANSEN Fook. $5.00; P. T. Flores. $3.00; Wing Plan will have on shipping. toughest ship a livable place if S. Yuen. $3.00; T. Thon. $3.00. Everybody knows that the CHICAGO—With the SS Mil­ good from here. Comparing the they know their jobs and get the SS NOONDAY , Plan, when it goes into opera­ waukee Clipper the only ship amount of income which has J. Sharp. $1.00; A. F. Rqlley. $1.00; crew behind them. . The Loop Knot is a good ex­ in this area running during the come in so far this year with a P. Vlanas. $1.00; B. Dunlop. $3.00; D. tion, must not be rigged so that D. LaCruz. $2.00; J. Garcia. $1.00; R. it destroys the American Mer­ ample of the importance good winter months, shipping is now light period in 1947, we find Hernandez. $1.00; E. R. Gordok. $1.00; that finances are on the uptake. C. J. Hyrny. $1.00; C. E. Kull. $2.00; chant Marine. If they fix it so Delegates have in making a voy­ practically at a standstill. During the past week, the port age and payoff pleasant. F. Fiesel. $1.00; E. D. Pattee, $3.00; that we lose oim jobs, we are CURRENT ACTIVITIES McCarthy. $1.00; E. Gherman. $2.00; going to have to stick together The Purdue Victory men en­ of Chicago shipped only three Lake seamen coming into the P. D. elez. $1.00; R. K. Tompkins. and not let them. joy^ payoff and had no beefs ABs, one OS; one Cook and one Chicago hall for information $I.OV; P. Loleas. $3.00; B. Undertilo. There are plenty of men still pending at the payoff. The same Porter. However, we expect ship­ $2.00 . about the SIU and how to join on . the beach here. As we was\ true of the Janeway. Her ping to pick up in the next SS STEEL ADVOCATE our Union are on the up trend. pointed out above, the bookmen Augustino I-.azzaro, $1.00. crew was on the ball and made few weeks or so. This activity and the interest get jobs pretty swiftly but the SS MONTEBELLO HILLS Some of our contracted ships ' short work of the wind-up. shown by unorganized Lakes C. Manela. $1.00; J. J. Doyle. $3.00. permits have their troubles. laying up in the Chicago region Apother good payoff, one that SS CAVALIER seamen indicates that more and But the permits are getting ^ marked the end of an era, was are expected to start fitting out 'G. F. Immel. $1.00; J. Ulas. $1.00; more they are turning to the that aboard the John Wana- fairly early this Spring. That F. A. Landmeyer. $.2.00; J. T. Ror.khill. those tanker jobs, and they are SIU Great Lakes District for ^3.00; £. Sandberg. $2.00; F. Bovne. doing good work aboard them, roaker, Isthmian, She is the first should be good news to the guidance and leadership. $1.00; D. Zappia. $1.00; M. A. Servine. tfore power to these .men who Isthmian to return from a for­ men who laid these vessels ^ip, $1.00; 3. P. Hall. IS.OO: S. O. I.ange. are serving the Union so well. Such a trend should indicate eign voyage after signing on un­ and who are entitled under SIU good progress for the coming $2.00, T Pilkington $,2.00; G. Jowers, In general and as usual things contracts to fit-out and sail the der the new contract. $2.00; J. C. V. T. Magdilena.. $2.00; N. SIU organizational campaign on Soloman, are in good shape in Baltimore $2.00; D. Enge, $1.00. Her payoff was smooth and the ' same vessels, the Lakes. SS COLINGA HILLS not only along the waterfront crew well satisfied. Curtain—end Requests for repair work on With the aroused interest of K. C. Faulkner, $1.00. t)Ut throughout the city. More­ ships running out of Chicago " of another "outfit that will never SS MAIDEN CREEK these unorganized seamen, it be­ over, things will stay that way have already been submitted to sailiwith a union contract." comes increasingly important fox SS Maiden Creek, $10.00; T. PaJ'n. as long as we keep our eyes open $1.00; J. LaFrance, $1.00; R. Teneyck. Bull Line has put a newly ac­ the various companies. These ship repair lists were all SIU members to get after $1.00; H. J. Baldwin, $3.00; R. M. for everything that goes on in quired ship, the Suzanne, into the Lakes seamen who don't Godwin. $3.00; R. W. Davies, $3.00; J. the labor field.' operation in the Puerto Rican filled out by the crews at layknow the score and let them M. Traub. $1.00; C. Terry, Jr., $4.00; run. She will leave New York up time last year, and turned in J. Rodriguez. $3.00. at the completion of lay-up. Of know what the SIU is doing on SS YARMOUTH shortly for her first trip. the Lakes. A..Col1ett. $2.00; W. D. Canty. $1.00. The Elizabeth, which has been course, the Union retained copies Shipowners on the Lakes have SS PIGEON POINT making the run, will make a for­ of these lists in order to check BOOK No. 50430 W. R. Carroll. $2.00. shown themselves only too ready up before the ships leave port eign run and then return to the Holder of the above numbered SS BILLINGS VICTORY to utilize the union-busting pro­ after Spring fit-out. A. D. Smitlr. $1.00. Island jaimt. book is requested to call at the visions "of the Taft-Hartley Act. ; ' Lizzy has made so many trips 6th Deck, New York Hall, 51 FOOD HANDLERS These outfits know that iiow is 'to the south country that she'll Beaver Street, N. Y, Maritime laws require that the best time for them to get I'iprobably raise hell with the man anyone in the Stewards De­ in a punch below the belt; I at the wheel in her desire to re­ partment handling food shall They also realize that if it turn to her accustomed haunts. take a health examination, and were not for the presence-, and GEORGE MIRABUENO SHIFTING PROBLEM SS CAVALIER have a "food handler's permit" strength of the SIU Great Lakes You are asked to contact Mr. Getting away from specific stamped after their particular District that they would be able The following named men have ships to ships in general, there is rating. However, we had several to have things "^heir own way, Jesus M. Rivera, P, O. Box 254, money due them for wages and the matter <k shifting ship which, incidents in the past few months free from any restraining in­ Catano, Puerto Rico. subsistence from the Cavalier, % i, % for some jfiason, always seems where the rating was properly fluence. " Wilkerson Steamshihp Company, JOSE M. CASTELL to pose a/problem to the com­ stamped, but without the neces­ The money has been mailed to So it's up to all Great Lakes Your wife is very anxious for addresses given on articles, panies and the crews sary "food handler's" stamp. seamen, organized and unorgan­ Often, JWhile a ship is in a Clyde P. Parker, $5.04; Gerald It's advisable for anyone sail­ ized, to get behind the SIU pro­ you to contact her at 127 Colum­ U. S. port or a good foreign ing in the Stewards Department gram on the Great Lakes. Don't bia Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. B, Spaulding, $4.79; Henry" A, 35 45 4. port, the men are called back to to check his papers, and see if let any misleading propaganda Pierson, $5.49; George W, WILFRED R. SHEA shift the ship. Sometimes they they are properly marked^ If from the Lake Carriers Associa­ Champlin, $5.47; Alexander Mit­ Contact your mother at 315 chell, $6.27; Donald C, S. Keller, all make it, but a good many not, then get up to the Steam­ tion of^ their stepchild, the Lake times part of the crew is missing. boat Inspection Service, secure Sailors Union, keep you divided. Saratoga Street, East Boston, $5,47; Robert E. Lansdell, $10.42 Sometimes a crewmember has a health examination, have your (includes linen money); Richard' Get together and unite behind Mass. Important business. big shoreside plans. Returning papers stamped, and avoid com­ the SIU program on the Lakes F. Johnson, $5,47; Paul T. 35 - 4. ALBERT F. FISCHER to the ship for several hours plications at a later date.' Schmolke, $6.46; Norman A, far the best hoursj wages, work­ v/ouid mean a complete change The outlook for .the coming ing and living conditions, and -Get in touch with your bro­ Power, $5.29; Roy E. Stem, $5,56; in his program. season as far as the SIU Great pension-welfare plan in the ther, J, A. Fischer, 2880 — 38th Edward 's, Flanagan, $5,56; and K has to be admitted that a Lakes Pisjxict^ is concerned looks Maritime Industry. Avenue, Oakland 2, California- George W, JFenson, $5,65; Chicago Expects Early Fit-Out This Year On The Grhat Lakes NOTICE! PERSONALS • ' -- • • •_ -i:-'<• - %*X Money Due �TBE SEAFARERS Triday, f ebruary 20.1048 Pas* Flftoen LOG Monson,, William Harold 71.86 :: 16,10 Mason, J. Montalbano, Philip 2.95 2.20 Mason, James Monteiro, Heitor 7.84 14.46 Mason, James M Montemarano, A. M 5.49 10 Mason, Jared A. Montes, Rianaldo 5.26 Mason, Claiborne L. .. .... 8.57 Montesano, Gaitan A 2.34 , 3.5£ Mason, Kinnie Thomas Montgomery, Cecil 3.56 J13.S6 Massey, Claiborne L. .. Montgomery, George 21.59 60.00 Massicot, Jules A Montgomery, William E. .. 21.66 7.20 Masson, Ernest L. Montierro, John V 80.35 5.99 Mastaler, Theodore Montross, Paul J 33 7.23 Maatejler, Robert O. .. Moody, Arthur 15.40 Masterson, Francis G. .. 4.20 Moody, Billy N 14.86 31.68 Mastroni, Henry R Moody, Frederick S 2.79 Mate, Richard 16.76 Moody, Robert Jr 20.06 Materson, William A 1.37 Moody, Warren Lee 2.47 16.46 Malheny, William N. Moon, Eugene 10.82 3.31 Mathes, Leon Mooney, Edward J 2.52 12.37 Mathews, Evangelos A. Moore, Arthur H 2.'87 2.75 Mathews, Fred J. .. Moore,, Arthur R. Jr 13.86 4.74 Moore, Ben B 6.21 Minton, James M 60.00 Mazinglo, Joseph Mathews, Roger W. 9.56 Mikkelsen, P. Y 8.53 Midrana, Victor J 12.64 Milam, Robert 26.27 1.38 Meacher, Leon L Mathiasan, John W. 96 Moore,, Crofton K 4.35 .69 Moore,, Donald H ^15.44 Miotke, Jphn A .89 Mead, Francis C Mathics, James K. 21.81 Milan, Russel S 9.07 12.88 Moore, Everett Eugene .... 2.90 Miraglia, Felice, A Mathicv, Honore 36.18 Mead, Hebert W 1.16 Milanovich, Alexander S. 8.61 34.17 Moore, Floyd 1.19 Mire, Karl E Matinki, E. V. H 12.78 Meade, Joseph P., Jr 2.48 Milbourn, M » 9.23 .69 Moore, George R 28.36 Misko, Michael Matisons, Dimitryis 19.98 Meadeds, Joseph P 10.80 Miles, Aulton, K 5.39 Mistich, Elton M 3.20 47.67 Mate, Manuel 6.12 Meadows, Clarence" D 6.06 Miles, Cecil B Moore, Gordon S 1.50 36.96 Moore, Harold J 3.62 Mistretta, Salvadore Matson, James Kanae 3.44 Mechanick, Harry 9.90 Miley, D. B. . ^ 4.66 Mitcham, Cleveland B 10.74 Moore,, Harold L 11.20 Jr. Miller, A. W., Matte, Edward P 11.55 Meddins, Edgar S 3.79 * 8.02 3.82 Moore, Harry A 5.58 Mitcham, John R Matter, Harold E., Jr 32 Meder, Herbert 12.15 Miller, Aaron 4.06 Mitchell, Barton A 1.42 80 Miller, Alan P. .. Matthews, Jessie R 80.16 Medford, Charles G 2.53 Moore, Harry L 60 2.34 Moore, Henry E. 5.69 Mitchell, George R Matthews, John L. ..! 66 Medina, Francisco 2.03 Miller, Alfred W. 4.00 21.94 Moore, James Jr 19.35 Mitchell, 1 Matthews, William J., Jr. 127.46 Medley, Calvin 16.80 Miller, Alonzo E. 2.62 Mitchell, J 5.35 Moore, Luther F 48.98 Mattier, George 3.44 Medley, Clark, Jr 1.02 Miller, Bernard A ;. 1.40 3.96 Moore, Truman B 1.42 Mitchell, J. R Matysek, John J 4.66 Medlyn, William D 94 Miller, Bert G i.99 Mitchell, Lloyd P. 21.46 Byrne 8.86 Mauck, Albert M 6.12 Medrano, Jose 9.57 Miller, Moore, H. William H 6-13 2.79 Moore, William M 28.14 Mitchell, Marcell Maupin, William B 9.94 Medvesky,, John ffi 4.98 Miller, Charles 6.24 Mitchell, R. J 64.83 Charles E. ." 1.48 Miller, 13.70 Maurs, George W 8.62 ' Meehan, Moracchine, Jules 30.40 45.34 Morales, Alfredo 2.84 Mitchell, R. M. 115.64 Miller, Clarence J 17.82 Maurstad, Raymond" 37.80 |Beester, William M Mitchell, Richard F 1.75 Morales, Antonio Clifford L 3.34 Miller, 1.32 9.81 Maxey, Donald R 54.95 Mefford, Gillum 10.24 Moran, Edfund F 6.71 Mitchell, Robert L 10.23 Miller, Donald J 2.48 Maxon, Ormond E 1.98 Mehlhaff, Wilmer 7.44 Moran, Ramon 3.63 Mitchell, Sam P 108.65 Miller, E. A ^.64 Maxwell, Elwin 0 2.01 Meier,, Granville H Mitchell, Walter J 36.05 E. L 01 1.48 Miller, Moran, Walter J 30.20 Maxwell, Gordon W 106.65 Meissner, Richard 94 Mordente, Ralph P 1.28 Mitchell, William R .45 71 Miller, Edw 33 Melahn, Ronald Maxwell, Jerry Mixon, Billy M. 7.20 Edward .72 Miller, 1.77 Moreau,, Camille . .61 Maxwell, O. B 5.94 Melinders, Tony 97.01 Moreaux, Allen A 8.26 Mizell, Charles D 38.48 Miller, Edward D 2.74 Maxwell, Theo. B 1.98 Melink, Valentine 5.69 Morejon, Gregory 2.64 Mobert, Roy K 17.83 12.87 Miller, Elden May, Alvin . 3.96 Melio, Mandel Moda, Edward 12 Morel, Jose Elwood -L 43.76 Miller, 1.98 22.88 May, Charles M 20.56 Mello, N. R ^ 6.91 Moreland, Benjamin A 2.05 Modin, Otto 12.60 12.46 Miller, Ernest E May, James Elzia .*. 15.30 Mellon, William 8.64 j Moreland,, Gerald W. 29.48 Moe, Harold G 4.80 Miller, Ernest F 8.26 Mayer, C. L 55.36 Melone, E Moe, Wm. K. P 1.75 Ernest J 7.06 Miller, .90 Melone, Edward Michael.. Moren,, Francis A. 48 M^yer, Edward J 9.80 5.04 Moreno, Luis F 3.59 Moen, Irwin S Miller, 4.82 32.20 Melonzi, Frank R Mayer, Ernest 2.23 .63 Moretz, Dean C 4.78 Moffatt, Donald 11.64 1.40 Miller, Franklin 0 Mayer, P 4..39 Melton, C. L Mogan, Stephen J 2.13 G 5;43 Miller, .73 Morgan, Alexander P 42.41 Maylor, Edwin L. 73 Melton, Lylo, H. 14.90 Morgan, Claude A 4.66 Mogyorossy, Julius 1.60 Miller, George 2.49 Maynard, Leslie l ^ 55.44 Melvin,, Sherman F 8.86 Morgan, D. L 76.72 Mohmoud, M 14.82 Mller, George C 1.48 Mayne, Joseph A 4.44 Memoli, Steven 15.41 Morgan, Floyd E 8.38 Moise, William J 1.04 Mller, H. A .69 Mayo, Carl E., Jr ^ 53.14 Mena, Victor t Mole, Raymond A 7.61 Morgan, Frank Miller, Harold J 2.28 2.94 Mendez, Steve 3.89 Mays, Harry 46 20 Morgan, Jugh 12.37 Moll, Earl J 21.06 23.94 Miller, Harold Miles Mays, O 14.46 Mendoza, R Moller, Arthur W 2.21 Harry 1.13 Miller, Morgan, James ... 7.33 Menendez, F 2.11 Mazgay, Stanley C 8.26 1.65 Morgan, John C 1.05 Moller, Ditlef B Menzel, William ... I 8.53 Miller, Harry J. 7.63 34 Morgan, Obert Julius . .24 Moller, J. H ... 4.81 Miller, Hugh Mercadi, J 1.78 Molmar, Arpad S 7.46 .74 J Miller, Morgan, Robert J ... 4.53 Mercer, Edgar Lee .74 1.87 Morgan, Robert John .46 Molmar, George D 11.28 ... 1.40 Miller, Jackie Mercer, Melvin 1.02 Morgan, Thomas E 8.10 Monaco, Elmer Armand. .. 2.58 .45 Miller, James A. BALTIMORE 14 North Cay St. Merchant, Robett Moriahan, William B. 1.40 5.14 ... 4.57 Miller, James C. Morgan, Walter J Calvert. 4539 Mercon, Vincent W. 1.00 27.32 Morgan, Warren 3.98 Mocean, Arthur BOSTON 276 State 3t_.|Merkley, Charles W ... 2.28 Miller, James R. 3.48 Bowdoin 4455 Mondel, Jacob 1.72 Morgan, William A 60.98 James R. Mericas, Evangelos 14.68 Miller, 3.17 BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. 108.89 Morgan, William R 87.02 Monju,, R. H Jarpes R. Miller, Merino, Manuel, R., Jr 16:34 20.27 Cle'^eland 7391 5.40 Morgan, N. Wm. T 6.99 Monnion, John P 80 Miller, Jerry M. .45 CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. Merkel, John Monoghan, Joseph S. 1.00 Miller, Joe H 14.58 Superior 6175 Merlino, Allpert Morisant, Ralph 4.00 2.88 13.56 Morlay, Charles W CLEVELAND 2602 Carroll St. Merlone, John F 18 Monroe,, Henry F 2.23 01 Mller, John Main 0147 Monroe, J 13.96 Morlay, Donald L Miller, John C.2.88 24.57 Merritt, Charles 31.70 DETROIT 1038 Third St. 14.14 Monroy, Daniel 32.73 Morrel, C 18.18 1.95 Miller, John L Cadillac 6S57 Merritt, David L 3.87 29.88 Miller, Joseph J DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. Merta, Paruo 21.33 Melrose 4110 Mertrud, V 5.12 Miller, Joseph L GALVESTON 308Vi—23rd St. Mertsch, Henry C Miller, Jos. R 36 2L19 Phone 2-8448 Miller, Louie, Jr 2.34 Merz, A 5.67 HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. 1-49 7.81 Miller, Lucian C Phone S8777 Messana,, Emile J The SEAFARERS LOG as the o^icial publication of the Sea­ Miller, Lucian W 1.06 Messina, Eugene R. 6.05 MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. farers International Union is available to all members who wish 5.60 to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of . Phone 2-1754 Metcalf, John 60.60 Miller, Marrin, Jr MONTREAL 1440 Bieury St. Metcalf, N 10.74 their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have 6.60 Miller, Norbert F MIAMI ...10 NW 11th St. ' 50.62 6.40 Miller, Phillip E the LOG sent to you each week address cards are on hand at every NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. Metcalfe,, Charles L. ........ 27.18 SlU branch for this purpose. ' 11.20 Miller, Raymond E Magnolia «112-6113 Metcham, Richard L 6.93 NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. Metroz, Edward 25.19 Miller, Richard However, for those who are at sea or at a distance froni a SlU HAnover 2-2784 Metting, G. ,C. Miller, Robert 148 .01 NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. Metz, Glenn hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the LQG, Miller, Victor R 2.23 8.98 ' Phone 4-1083 Miller, Wm. A 32 Which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 51 • -ht Metz, Paul Fred 2.23 PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. i 133.82 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. 10.74 Miller, Wm. A Lombard 3-7651 Mexwell, Miles 1 48.41 PORTLAND ..' 111 W. Bumside St. Meyer, Albert W 56.33 Miller, William H Beacon 4336 Meyer, Charles F >6.52 4.81 Miller, William R RICHMOND, Calif 257 8th St. Meyer, Wm. J. Millett, Charles M 32.66 3.96 ' Phone 2699 18.69 To the Editor: 2.38 Mills, Donald A. ... SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. Meyers, Charles E 1.14 18.23 Mills, Lloyd D Douglas 25475 Meyers, Clayton H I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to the .60 Mills, Lloyd G SAN JUAN, P.R 252 Ponce de Leon Meyers, Harold T 1.70 ' .64 address below: San Juan 2-5996 Meyers, R ^ 1.40 Mills, Murray SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. 2.37 Michael, Joseph 1.00 Mills, Ralph C Phone 3-1728 19.65 Name Mills, Russel W Michael,, Joseph H 78.51 SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. 7.91 ^ 6.20 Milne, John Main 0290 Michael Ricard 2.82 Street Address TAMPA ....1809-1811 N. Franklin St. Michalek, Charles J 1.98 Miltner, August L." Phone M-1323 Michalski,, R. A 36.72 Mims,, David N. ... .89 TOLEDO 615 Summit St. 2.75 Minark, Louis C. ... Michener, Raymond 58.71! state City Garfteld 2112 38.55 Miner, Jack D 1.79 WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. Michna, George J. ... 31.84 8.26 Miner, Paul C Terminal 4-3131 Miculinich,, Joseph ... .Signed .46 VICTOIUA. B-C. 602 Boughton St. Migett, Hatton H. ..... 6.06 Ming, Anflbert C. Garden 8331 Midiey, Clark, Jr. 17.21 28i00 Minke, Donald E. .. '• -—J VANCO<JVER .565 Hamilton St. Book No. ,90ill 4.13 Minks, Lucian H. .. Mikalovich, Anthon.J>arJfic 78M' : 1.00 a. .9.63 Minotto, R,. Mikesa, Stanley ... -h- Unclaimed Wages m Mississippi Steamship Company 501 HIBERNIA BLDG., NEW ORLEANS, LA. Tlie following is a list of unclaimed wages and Federal Old Age Benefit over-deductions now being paid by the Mississippi Steamship Com­ pany covering the period up to December 31, 1946. Men due money should call or write the company office, 501 Hibernia Bldg., New Orleans, La. All daims should be addressed to Mr. Ellerbusch and include full name. Social Security number, Z number, rating, date and place of birth and the address to which the money is to be sent. SlU HALLS Notice To All SlU Members PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION 4 A �jhtge Sixteen T H E S EAF A RE RS to'.;-' '•' Friday, Februery 20. I94i >^| LOG ' ' \ \ ^ V V • TV'--'. •• Wi.' •-. V ,•• ''v CITIES SERVICE TANKERMEN: H-' '^V';,, .• - ':. • . • %: •• ' ""'•. ''"• " • . • '" • - ".'[y • ' .• ^ . - 4' ', • •-^V . -0 Al .. ' -iu ",'r: :•> •. -r. ' " -• ". •" >•' < S iW'M '-a; '|'-*--,*PVI'U»-''I- Ab- iis- V. • ,,-ite'$mB: tfp:^ I i' .-.w:/ •-- •• \ . v;, I :m |ty- •"'' '- If " •' lii 15-I';:'• FIRST ROUNP ^ -1^014/^ ]A4/ (2i(cf (3^1 ' I^ -' I' i yp§r^' TT t• • Xfa^ -.V /„' IrtCifr;:' • • i '/Uyfy.:: ti •Jll-"' fi..- '• 1. iAkjUi_ O-^ tAA4AA'*\^ _ (XA^A^ " ^bM)- rd'-fije^ c&t^baM^ ^- STAY O/M Y&VR •^;#l ,r •-' -i M . •y^m\ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 20, 1948 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. X, No. 8 Description An account of the resource Headlines: A&G PORT AGENTS HOLD MEETINGS IN NEW YORK AGENTS CONFRENCE TO PLAN SEAFARERS' PROGRAM FOR 1948 SEAFARERS SIGNS TWO NEW COMPANIES; TANKER OUTFITS TO GET SEVEN SHIPS SENATE GROUP FOR SHIP SALE BAN NEW TANKER OUTFITS WILL GET SEVEN SHIPS BRITISH SHOW NO NEED FOR US VESSELS BULL RUN OFFICERS WIN WITH HELP OF SIU CREW AGENTS PLAN SIU'S 1948 PROGRAM SHIPPING IS GOOD,BUT SLOWELL MAY COME FOR PORT NEW ORLEANS BOSTON SHIPPING HOLD STEADY; PORT MAY EXPANDFACILTIES EVERY LAKES SEAFARERS NEEDED FOR '48 DRIVERS COLD,FUEL LACK SLOW PHILLY MOBILE SHIPPING FAIR;BEACH FULL ALPENA BRANCH SPREADS WORD TO UNORRGANIZED SHIPPING PITURE BRIGHT FOR SEAFARERS ON TH THE WEST COAST LAKES COUNCILS PUSH PENSION-WELFARE PLAN GALVESTON SLOW, BEACH CROWDED PORTMAR CREWMEMBERS,FROM FOC'SLES TO TOPSIDE WIN HIGH PRAISE FROM BRANCH IN SAN FRANCISCO YOU CAN 'BANK' ON SEAFARERE ON NORFOLK MV TRINIDAD HEAD - HOME AWAY FROM HOME OLD KING NEPTUNE'S BAG OF TRICKS GIVEN FULL PLAY ABOARD WESLEYAN MEBERE ENJOYS 'DOG'S LIFE.' POOCH COPS SHOW TROPHIES NEW YORK SHIPPING TAKES SPURT; BOOKMEN HAVE NO JOB DIFFICULTY PORT BALITMORE PUSHING DRIVE IN TANKER FIELD CHICAGO EXPECTS EARLY FIT OUT THIS YEAR ON THE GREAT LAKES Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/20/1948 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1948 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/02ac57fec0bf80f12adbf45cff6f5da9.PDF 6dc2ca6756ff8a1e1c2b6cc22e7ceef0 PDF Text Text .f- -»,•'. •. y.t; SEAFARERS U>G • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL • WAGE CDUNG OFF: Story On Page 3 -Story On Page 2 Jinx Ship Hard aground off Low­ er California coast, the Waterman ship Fairhope awaits tugs that pulled her back to Los Angeles. Ground­ ing followed mysterious disappearance of steward, believed to have been murdered. A grand jury and Coast Guard are inves­ tigating. (Story on Page 3.) . I Juicy Payoff. «• One of first ships pay­ ing off on new scale is the Azalea City on coastwise run. Here Seafarers C. T. Briggs (L.) and A. M. Velez have their. OT sheets checked by Tom Gould, patrolman, be­ fore collecting pay. (Story on Page 3.) i .ifSi! , .;:3 �\ 1' • I"! ' FiO Tw« SEAFARERS wturmrr U, IMS LOG *. I; AFL Onlers dean-up Of Waterfront An ultiniatum to th« Inter­ national Longghoremen's As­ sociation to abandon the shape-up and clean up condltlona in the port of New York has been issued by the AFL Executive Coun­ cil. Failure to correct conditions by April 30, the Council said, would result in the expulsion of the ILA from the federation. The Executive Council state­ ment read that "clean and whole­ some free trade unionism must be immediately restored within your organization and all semblance of crime, dishonesty and racketeering be forthwith eliminated. ... In addition, the Council said, ChaUencinr the AMEU to "pnt up or Ant up," Seafarers St the resular membership meetinc In New ToA vote unanimously In faror union representatives \vith crimof uslnff |10,0M to. back Ae SW'a claim of one lob or more for CTcry actlTC bookniember during 1P52. Seafarers at memberAlp meet­ inri records must be removed ings In other ports also gave unanimous approval. Keith Terpe, SIU Director of Organization is at rl^t, holding mike. from office in the organization. . MTD Role Seen While the AFL has not publicly stated what it would do. in the event the conditions set down by Calling an AMEU bluff, the SIU has posted $10,000 to back the Executive Council are not met, its claim that the SIU b^k to job ratio was one to one or to back its claim of "SIU misrep­ cbildrieo of Atlantic seamen are indications are that it plans re­ better throughout 1952. It acted after unanimous member­ resentation," and had in fact al­ the ones who really need help," organization of the ILA. It Is ready decided on a "use" for the the SIU Tanker Organizing Com­ known that the Council had before ship action in all ports lastmittee stated, "because the death it the recently-passed program of week called on the AMEU to "put up or shut up" on its money. benefit they receive is way below the New York Port Council, Mari­ Impartial Audit challenge of SIU job figures. time Trades Department, when it The AMEU challenge, issued in In voting the appropriation, the the $2,500 SIU death benefit." issued its order to the ILA. That Accountants Will Check a handbill called "AMEU bulletin membership challenged the AMEU The SIU Offer... program, as reported in the SEA­ No. 8," claimed that job opportu­ to put $10,000 of its own on the In fairness to both sides, under SIU claim of one.job or nities for SIU bookmembers were line, with the understanding that the terms of the SIU proposal, an FARERS LOG was aimed at elimr inating abuses on the watei-frimi more per active bookmember far fewer than the Union indicated whoever was proven wrong by an impartial organization, the Ameri­ and democratic proce­ is challenged by AMEU. to Atlantic seamen. It stated that impartial audit to determine the can Arbitration Association, will dure ensuring in all affiliated unions. • SIU puts up $10,000 to "if the SIU accepts our challenge SIU's 1952 book-to-job ratio would be asked to name one to three cer­ Consequently it 'has been^ir^;' and puts up 10 Gs, we will give forfeit his $10,000 into a special tified -public accountants to con­ back its claim. ported that the MTD will playH$i; the* money to the Seamen's Church "Atlantic Seamen's Widows and duct the audit of Union, records large part in .any contemplated rW • AMEU challenged to put Institute to provide a fund for Childrens Fund." and certify what was the actual organization of dockworkers, with up $10,000. needy SIU Seafarers who are It was emphasized that the $10,- ratio of jobs to active SIU book- the powerful International Broth­ • $20,000 to be put in trust broke, between jobs." 000 each put up would be held in members, as defined by -law, dur­ erhood of Teamsters participating for "Atlantic Seamen's Widows No AMEU Cash trust by a bank or responsible pub­ ing all of 1952. It was noted that with the program, either through and Childrens Fund." Taking up the challenge, by giv­ lic official for this fund, which although the AMEU had challenged membership In the MTD or as a ing overwhelming approval to a would pay out an additional $300 an SIU daim of 1.2 jobs per active cooperating union on the water• American Arbitration proposal embodying the Union's to match the small $300 death bookmember during one particular front. Ass'n be asked to name acanswer. Seafarers noted that the benefit paid to the beneficiaries of period of the year, the SIU was ' countant(s) for impartial audit New Inquiry AMEU had nowhere mentioned Atlantic seamen, until the fund willing to do better than that and of SIU records. Meanwhile, the much - investi­ anything about putting up $10,000 was used up. "The widows and (Continued on page 17) • Accountants to certify ra­ gated waterfront situation in New tio of SIU active books to jobs York is .about to undergo another during 1952. inquiry. Senator Charles Tobey, SsAswegK ImsMAnMui. Union or N. A • $10,000 of whoever is Republican of New Hampshire, haa AfiAimcAaDoiarMiRicr Ko. proved wrong becomes payable scheduled a Senate investigation KRKTUftM mm onourizi.noifaL AM* UOULAIIVS rxnm as "Atlantic Seamen's Widows 1-12 of conditions to be conducted by aiid Childrens Fund." The a' subcommittee of the Senate In­ 210 terstate And Foreign Commerco . N,w Yo«-JWniizJA^l9-aother $10,000 is returned. Committee, beginning February 23. AY • "Atlantic Seamen's Widows THE •ATUNTIC. ocaHpi'8. yicow CHIUWPIO WOMO j|[iib.aoo.oo Senator Tobey, a former mem­ and Childrens Fund" pay out ORDER OFJ: ber of the Kefauver committee, is $300 to every bona fide bene­ expected to use the same tech­ ficiary of Atlantic seamen to 7HESUM XQQQQgflt5nam • PoiAARg niques of publicity and television match $300 now paid, until it .nvs rvin> hearings that. were used by the is used up. Kefauver group in its crime in­ 1 CnMCALBaiiKfclhiiBT CotoMinr vestigation. The Tobey inquiry la expected to be broader than thai, tooaowAT wncB (SSmawB) conducted by the New York State MHTTMB Feb. 20, 1953 Vol. XV. No. 4 Crime Commission, since it will take in New Jersey as well as New The SIU's check which throws down the challenge to the AMEU. As I See It Page 4 York piers. Crossword Puzzle Page 12 Among Senators who will par­ Seafarers In Action Page 16 ticipate in the Tobey hearings la , Editorial Page 13 Senator Warren Magnuson, Wash­ Foc'sle Fotographer Page 19 ington Democrat, who has long Galley Gleanings Page 20 Inquiring Seafarer Page 12 Another of the Union's specialized operators, the Ocean Tow _ Steamship Company of played a leading role in merchant In The Wake Page 12 Seattle, has signed new agreements with the Union covering bot£i its offshore and Alaskan marine legislation. Labor Round-Up Page 13 Letters Pages 21, 22 operations. The offshore agreement is are higher than on the offshore other hours is paid at $1.80, $2.35 Maritime .Page 16 Meet The Seafarer Page 12 the same as the standard ships, being $308.82 a month for and $2.50 an hour, while the cargo On The,Job ........Page 16 freight contract. It covers the AB's, oUers and watertenders. handling rates are $2.20 and $2.35. Personals ..-.Page 25 Liberty ship Seacoral which Ocean Deck department scales go to a top The bulk of ratings get the me­ Seafarers sending telegrams Quiz Page 19 Tow is currently operating under of $431.79 for bosuns. In the en­ dium and high overtime payments or letters to the New York Ship's Minutcfs..... .Pages 24, 25 bareboat charter from the SlU-con- gine department the spread ranges except on cargo handling where SIU History Cartoon Page 3 tracted Coral Steamship Company. from $296,03 for wipers up to the dividing line is $330 a month, , headquarten dispatcher asking r New Rules Included Sports Line.. Page 20 All standard provisions on wages, $483.49 for chief electricians, while to be excused from attending Many of the new generkl rules of Ten Years Ago Page 12 retroactivity, welfare and vacation steward department wages are headquarters membership the standard freight agreement $247.07 up to $418.16. Top Of The News Page 7 provisions are incorporated. meetings must include the reg-. Three OT Categories have been added to the Alaska con­ Union Talk Page 9 For the company's ships .on the istration number of their tract, including the new' repatria­ In addition the Alaska agreement Wash. News Letter.. Page 6 shipping card In the message. Welfare Benefits .. . .Pages 26, 27 Alaska run, in which the company sets up three categories of over­ tion provision. Handling the negoYour Dollar's Worth Page 7 operates three motor vessels a spe­ time payment, on duty, off duty ^tions for the Union was Seattle From now on, if the number cial agreement has been signed to and the cargo handling rate. On port agent Jeff Morrisson. PUMicHod Wwoofcly of Hio iiMdoiMuftr* is not Included, the excuse capdeal with the coastwise type of op­ duty overtime, desllng with work The company's ships on the Untie A OtfW OUtrIcA AFL, *75 Pourtli eration in udilch the sMp's crew not bp Accepicd by the dls-: performed during regular weekday Alaska run are the Gadsden, Alaste AVMUO. Srooklyn M. NY. ToL STorilns MS71. enUrod OS locoMi CUM mottor also does the cargo handling. patcher. • vworking' hours is paid at $1.80, Cedar and Alaska Spruce, all mo­ Basic wages on the Alaska run $144 ABd $1;79 a» hpur, Woi^ at tor vcsBcUii : SH55S:' S/U's $10,000 Calls AMEU Bluff 789 lev- p- IAir.' SEAFARERS LOG I Iwr w I", J»> Ife 1I w,,. f !i, i;,, Special Run Co Signs Contract Put Number On Meeting Excuses ,, /k-kwA-.. m i �..•-vrr.r , '••• " Pebniarr 20. lOSt SE APARVRS LOG Pare Thre* Back Pay Speeded As Controls Die 9 SlU-manned ships are now paying off at the full rate of wage and overtime increasy won in the last contract as the result of last week's order hy President Ei­ senhower suspending all wage controls. In addition, men on the freight ships are now in line for a large chunk of retroactive pay, since the money provisions of the contract were made effective as of November 18,1952, in the negotiations. Similarly, the President's^ your cooperation in having retroac­ action makes it unnecestive wages computed as soon as sary to get Government ap­ possible ..." proval for the increases in 58c OT Increase The removal of the wage ceiling payments to the S!U Wel­ lid means that increases of from fare and Vacation Plans. five to 15 percent, ranging up to These increases, an additional ten cents on Welfare and 15 cents more on vacation had The rocks and shore loom close by the Fairhope when seen from the vessel's bridsre in the photo by a crewmember. The ship at the iline ivas hard ayround off the coast of Mexico. Jury, CG Investigate Mystery On Fairhope LOS ANGELES—A Federal grand jury and the US Coast Guard have opened hearings into the mysterious disappear­ ance at sea of Seafarer Carl Thurmond, steward, of the Fairhope (Waterman). At the-t same time, the Coast Guard ran aground off the coast of Lower has placed charges against the California. ship's skipper. Captain Harold T. Hallman, for negligence leading to the grounding of the ship on San Benito Island off Lower California. January 30. FBI agents investigating the pos­ sibilities of murder turned up ad­ ditional evidence of difficulties aboard the ship when narcotics were found, on board. Commenting oh the case, SIU Secretary-Treasurer Paul Hall de­ clared: "From the few facts we've learned there's no doubt that there were foul-ups In that crew who we're responsible for all the goings on aboard. When a crewmember disappears and dope is found aboard a ship it gives a bad name to all Seafarers who are doing their jobs in a proper manner. Union Action Forthcoming "We're withholding judgement until we get all the information, but you can rest assured that the Union will take action against all foul-ups according to the previous decisions of our membership." The Fairhope was on its way back to Mobile, Alabama, after a trip to the Far East when the stew­ ard disappeared. The ship had stopped at San Pedro on January 29, en route to the Panama . Canal. Bloodstains On Portj|^ole On departure night, according to the skipper, there was a fight be­ low in which the steward took part. Shortly afterwards he disappeared. Examination of his foc'sle showed bloodstains all around the inside of the. porthole as well as down the side of the ship to the waterllnc. Authorities have theorized that the 56-year-old' steward, who was tall and thin, was stabbed to death and then pushed through the - Inch porthole. Hiat aam'e' night, the Fairhope The grand jury has subpoenaed 19 crewmembers, including the captain, for testimony. SIU Wil­ mington port agent Sam Cohen is attending both Coast Guard and grand jury hearings as observer for the Union. Early reports on the Grand Jury hearings throw little light on the mystery. US attorney Walter Bings said that a bloodstained mattress and other evidence was being analyzed by the FBI lab in Wash­ ington. been held aside for the time be­ ing pending Government action on the contract. No steps could be taken to apply these increases in the form of new benefits until such approval was won. Withheld From WSB Actually, as has been explained at SIU membership meetings, the SIU had never formally submitted its contract to the Wage Stabiliza­ tion Board in the expectation that wage controls would be dropped by the incoming administration. Previously the WSB had been stripped of its industry members by resignation after the coai wage dispute and a tremendous backlog of several thousand cases had piled up. This made it impossible for the SIU to get early action in any case. By holding off, the SIU avoided the risk of losing'some of the monetary gains of the contract through WSB action.. This course of action was taken earlier by the SUP, which withheld its petition from the WSB when it appeared that the agency would deny, benefits won after a 63-day long strike last spring and summer. SUP secretary - treasurer Harry Lundeberg took a "wait and see" position on wage controls rather than risk losing wage gains. An unfavorable WSB decision would have hindered SIU negotiations that were going on with the ship­ owners this summer and fall. The ^ --M ; $42.63 a month are now in effect. In addition the new high overtime rates of $1.48 to $1.87 an hour will prevail, along with the new divid(Continued on page 17) LSf^t R. Rutledge, FWT, signs re­ ceipt for his first payoff under the new wage scale as P. K. Murdock (seated), 2nd mate, and F. Strelitz, steward, await their turn. SUP policy paid off with the end of wage controis last week. Union Asks Early Payment As soon as the President's order was ann mnced the Union took steps to assure immediate payment of the new wage and overtime rates. A telegram was sent to all the Union's contracted companies reading as follows: "On February 6, 1953, the Presi­ dent of the United States issued an executive order abolishing the Wage Stabilization Board, thereby decontrolling all wage and salary contracts. The Union therefore re­ quests that all ships now pay off under the new wage and overtime scale . . . We would appreciate Purchases A Liberty Entering the general freight field for the first time, the Southern Trading Corporation has purchased a Liberty ship and put it under SIU contract. Previ­ ously the company had been oper­ ating exclusively with four LSTs, which it uses as bulk cargo carriers in the coastwise trade. The latest addition to the list of SlU-contracted ships is the George Uhler. It took on a full crew at Norfolk and then came up to New York to load cargo under charter to the US Navigation Com­ pany for one voyage. After the charter, the ship will be operated directly by the Southern Trading company. A standard SIU freight contract has been signed by the company to cover this vessel and any other standard freight ships it may ac­ quire. ^1 Vacation Pay 1.8 Million Isf Year One of the Union's most>successful operations, the SIU Vacation Plan, breezed by its first birthday last week with almost $2 million paid out to Seafarers. It was just a year ago on February 11, 1952, that the fund started pay­ ment of cash benefits. The year closed with $1,815,719.12 going into the pockets of SIU men. When the plan got underway, SIU officials estimated that in any given year, benefits would be paid at the rate of $2 million. The first figures come fairly close to the original estimate. ^ First in Maritime ' For practically all Seafarers, the revolutionary Vacation Plan, a trailblazer in maritime, provided vacation pay for them for. the first time. Previously it was necessary to stick with one company for months in order to quaiify for any kind of benefits. . All that was Changed under the Plan first adopted by the SIU. Shipowners began contributing to ji central kitty, so much for every day worked. That way^ a Seafarqr ,. (CpRtinued on page 17) . ;.,1 ... - .i.. Allen Batqh«lod, pumpman, and H. E. Grant, AB, left to right, celebrate the first birthday of the SIV Vacation as tiie^ line np in Hew Voyk headquarters te accept vacatien money from headquarter^ clerk Al Bernstein, • • 'Iv. �Vai* FMT Upgradlils Booklets Avallablie ii: k: m I P.v-:- I !»=•;' . iP' Shown fanwlse above are the booklets prepared by the Union's education department and available in all ports for the upgrading of Seafarers. The pamphlets include questions and answers for ABS, firemen, watertenders, oilers and electricians. SEiiyilitERg LOG m LOG Weieomes StorieSf Pica With the LOG now containing 28 pages, the biggest ever, there is more room now than ever bef^ for stories, photos and letters sent in by the Sea~farers. Several pages of each Issue are devoted to the ex­ periences of Seafarers-and the ships they sail as they describo it themselves. If you run across anything of interest on your voyages, or just want to let your friends know how you're getting aiong, drop a few lines to the LOG. Don't worry too much about literary style. We'll patch it up if it needs patching. And of course, photos illustrating the incidents you describe make them more interesting for the readers. Send your stuff to the LOG at 675 Fourth Avenue, Brook­ lyn, NY. H you want any­ thing returned after we use it, we'll do that too. SUP's Xalculated Risk' Pays Off ^7 I !sv I'f-':- rcteaaty M> 18M SUP Secretary-Treasurer Harry Lundeberg rode in on another long shot last week when President Dwight Eisenhower abolished wage controls. The order upheld the SUP's de­ cision to withhold its contract from the WSB in the gamble that the wage lid would be removed. As a result, SUPwartime "honeymoon" ne main­ members will collect the full tained his stand despite strong amount negotiated in base criticism. At the same time it pay, overtime and penalty rates helped save the SUP from being back to April 27, 1952, a huge swallowed up by the various "fed­ chunk of back pay for every man. erations" and "unity committees" The SUP contract case is an il­ that the Party was always setting lustration of Lundeberg's ability to up to take over the waterfront. take calculated risks for greater Few realize that while Lunde­ gains, in the face of strong oppo­ berg has left the spouting of the sition from all sides. When the "progressive" line to others, the SUP membership voted over­ SUP was the first maritime-union whelmingly on May 26 to go out to negotiate successfully fw a on strike, it faced the united op­ shipowner-paid welfare fund. The position of the Pacific Maritime pattern established h.as been bene­ Association, Harr^ Bridges long­ ficial to both shoreside and sea­ shore union and its Communist going maritime unions. Then too, satellite, the Marine Cooks' and there has been much noise from Stewards throughout the 63 days the left as'well as other groups of the walkout. A hostile press in Harry Lundeberg about the McCarran Immigration California added to the unsuccess­ ful hue aind cry against the SUP. and in response to the member­ Act, but it- was Harry Lundeberg SUP Went It Alone ship's needs and demands. He's who went to Washington and did This has been a long-standing never hesitated to stick his neck something for alien seamen. Secret Ballots situation whereby for years the out and take an unpopular position SUP has "gone it alone" on the on behalf of that membership, Since Lundeberg has long been West Coast but has managed to come what may. a conunanding figure in maritime, win out every time. Fortune magaA couple of years ago, for ex­ those who attack him overlook the 2ine, spokesman for the business ample, when both AFL and CIO fact that he has a membership to point of view, stated frankly that were demanding outright repeal of answer to for all his doings. The given the choice between the the Taft-Hartley law, Lundeberg SUP constitution provides for se­ "strongly anti-Communist" SUP brought a storm down on his head cret referendum ballots on impor­ and "a notorious party line union," by meeting with Senator Taft on tant issues like constitutional the ILWU, "the Pacific Maritime the subject. He secured assur­ changes and union elections. On Association picked party - liner ances at that time that the mari­ these ballots as well as in carrying Harry Bridges over anti-Commun­ time hiring halls, the key to mari­ out policy, Lundeberg has had ist Harry Lundeberg." time trade unionism, would not be the consistent support of the men. While Bridges, the MC&S and disturbed. Today, organized labor The SUP Internal set-up is a the shipowners joined hands in ac­ has come around to Lundeberg's far cry from that in the left-wing tively attacking the strike, the' position and has abandoned rigid West Coast outfits such as the other West Coast Union, the Ma­ and unrealistic demands for repeal Marine Cooks and Stewards. Here rine Firemen, Oilers and Water- in favor of a more flexible ap­ a Senate subcommittee recently tenders, piped up that the strike proach of securing the best pos­ reported that the Communist lead­ was a bum beef. But as in the sible deal under the circumstances. ers stay in power by a "rule" of past, when it was all over, the "me Despite Labor's hostile attitude terrorism, and discrimination too" MFOW dropped its hands-off to Taft, Lundeberg met with the against all elements who dare op­ attitude and jumped right in to Senator for one reason: to protect pose its CommQnist policies." grab a slice of the melon won by his membership and save the Reporting to the SIU member­ union. the SUP. ship recently on the SIU contract, Too many seem to have forgotten It would have done the SUP lit­ Secretary-Treasurer Hall credited that at issue in the strike were jobs tle ^good if Lundeberg had shouted the SUP with setting the pattern of SUP members. The ship owners "repeal" and stood by while the of dealing with wage stabilizaztlon. wanted to take maintenance work hiring hall was undermined. The "We've worked closely w^,th the which- had traditionally belonged membership wanted assurance that SUP on this and other policy to the Sailors and ,give it to T-H would not destroy their hiring questions," H^ said, "and Lunde­ Bridges. The commies criticized hall and that's what they got. berg has given us solid support the SUP for hitting the bricks Similarly it was with the mem­ on every beef we've worked to­ criticized the Sailors for fighting bership in mind that. Lundeberg gether on. The A&G District to preserve their jobs. If the Sail rejected an invitation to serve in always found Lundeberg ready to ors hadn't fought for their i^ht to the Eisenhower cabinet as Secre­ go to bat for us jUst as we've g:o!ie the work, these jobs would not ex­ tary of Labor. _ His first choice was to bat for him. ist today. Proof of the soundness to work for the Sailors. He felt he "It's a known fact that out on In the SUP's determined stand is coiUd best do that j by staying the West Coast the iSUP leads tlip borne out by the figures lowing where' he was and leaving the field. Undef. Lundeberg's leader^ the ; number of men shipped to honora to othen; ^p the SUP has bscome the Anofter , "unpopular' positipn wealthiest unton'witb tlfe best con­ these jobs daily. Being under fire ttdm tSl sidek Lundetierg has. held through the tracts and the finest halls, just ar fc nothing new for Lundeberg. He'e years has ,been his uncompromja- the SIU is «Hit in front here. The been accused bjt both- right- and ing atmd egainst'^ tlie CommiinUit result bas toeen tbat the whole SIITleft of beingifceiiPH^in^ untuiu,,, SUP iiMmbairtihk has goBo ahead ftont" Otm larther- and Ihstec^ thalr dai^bedr Mr bdUtdscy obT to be pmiht iB the interests of bis memberdilp 4it tbr latA i^W's and during the els«'hi inarttinMi?!^t> • UT ON THE WEST COAST OUR BROILERS IN THE SAILORS O Union of the Pacific have been battling around the clock for quite a few years against Communist leadership in other maritime ufiions there. Few people realize that this fight is just as important today as it was a few years back when the Communists had enbenched them­ selves v^ strongly in many organizations. Now that our Government has taken action against the Communist Party and the Kremlin Is very unpopular in this country, people wonder what all the noise is about. They ,seem to think that the Communists have been-licked for good and are no problem in the unions any more. The facts don't square with this kind of thinking. Far from pulling in their horns the Communist leaders in the Marine Cooks and Stewards and in the International Longshoremen and ^Warehousemen's Union have been putting the steady squeeze on their membership to retain power. If anybody doubts that they can read a nice fat hook of testimony, 245 pages worth, that's been Issued by a subcommittee of the Senate Labor Relations Committee. This group, headed by Senator. Humphrey of Minnesota, heard dozens of witnesses testify how the Communist leaders of the Marine Cooks and 'Stewards kept a Moscow-style dictatorship going in that union. Members who opened their mouths against Com­ munist control were dumped on the ships or ashore. If they refused to kick in to a Communist fund drive or openly supported this country's policy in Korea they were brought up on trial and blackballed out of the Union. And when they tried to ship, the MC&S would then pressure the operators to fire them. " '' In other words, loyal working guys were being deprived of their livelihood unless they knuckled under to the Communist leaders of the MC&S and their Russia-first policy. The operators out on the Coast aren't free of blame either. These fellows have been doing business with the Commie-led. unions for years. On occasion they've played footsie with them to lick the SUP. So when the MC&S came round and fingered a man for making anti-Communist state­ ments the shipowners couldn't wriggle out. This condition isn't limited to maritime. It exists else­ where in this country where there are strong Com­ mie line outfits in control. In some quarters the feeling is that more-Govern­ ment regulation is needed to lick this problem. But we already have Coast Guard screening and a-nonCommunist oath on the books. These things haven't slowed down the MC&S in the slightest. The real fight on Communist control can only cqme from inside the labor movement. The SIU has been committed for years past to driving the Communists from the waterfront. We propose to continue on this course to protect -waterfront workers and guarantee their rights. OUR UNION'S SECOND ANNUAL ART CONTEST IS NOW OPEN. Y We hope all those brothers who have talent along these lines will turn to and display their stuff. We remember that last year the fellows who put in for this contest got a big kick out of it, especially those who won the prizes. This contest is set up to give them a chance to show their shipmates and also shoreside people what a seaman can do. It's part of your Union's program to acquaint the public with the Seafarers and give them an idea of the kind of men we have manning our ships. jF.YCVCBEAIBp iT, TmAHT&HMDICXAFT ccAtresT IS Yo^GiAMOF TO stioivtroFf AHO PS2W5 WIN A VlMETtiSl YOUflTALENr LIES iN MODBS ... weAviNa IN. K^/OTS . . AUKfN© WALLS'^ .., OTHEd HAHDlCdAPV -.. EBCONV ANNUAL Aer AND OBAPIS f»A/- resr Eod^ou . Smms wu B£ AWAPVEP fO/e TH5EtmiES. IN TUB HANOtC^FrS SBCnoN^ALL Bftmrns H//LL 3e MBTURmy APTB/Z TUBID : nuKtAV. f" AftXBDITOd, ) SBAm^BSSLOQ,^ foimHAyBhije, v-H " 'r?;: �rebnury U, IftSS SEAFARERS Page Fin LOG Draft HiringHall Bill, Curbs On Bargaining SlU's Infl Convention Next Month The SIU A&G District was officially informed this week, that the sixth biennial convention of the SIU of NA will bcr held in San Diego, beginning March 23. Procedure for nomination and elec­ tion of delegates from the District was simultaneously announced as follows: In accordance with the procedure of the Union and also in accord­ ance with the provisions of the SIU Atlantic and Gulf District con­ stitution, (Article XIV, Section 7) the following recommendations are Seafarer A. Ballnt, oiler, watches while M. C. Stachiira, oiler, left, therefore made: points out announcement of the second annual Seafarers Art Con­ A. Nominations shall be de­ test. The deadline for entries is April 30, 1953. clared open at the regular mem­ bership meeting of February 25 in ail A&G District ports; B. Any man may nominate him­ self for a position as convention delegate; C. All members who are nomi­ Spurred on by the announcement of the second annual SIU nated shall have in headquarters notification of his acceptance, as Art Contest, Seafarers on the ships and in various ports are per the constitution, no later than preparing their entries in the hope of winning one of the 12 12 noon, Monday, March 2, 1953; prizes offered. The contest is^7 Special Meeting D. A special meeting to elect open to all Seafarers for entries in four categories: oils, watercolors, drawing and handi­ a six man credentials committee shall be called in headquarters, crafts, with three prizes offered in Monday, March 2 at 12 noon, such each category. committee to survey the qualihcaTo spread the word about the tions.of the nominees for delegate; contest, the Union is sending post­ E. The qualifications for such ers to all outports and to SIU ships nominee shall be thd same quali­ fication as are required by our at sea announcing the contest and new constitution for running giving the details on how to enter nominees for tmy elective office it. The deadline has been set well in the District, i.e. two years in ahead, April 30, 1953, to give Sea­ continuous good standing, US farers everywhere a chance to gel citizenship and three years' seaThe 10-day strike of tugboat and their entries in. Last year's con­ time; oil barge workers in New York test attracted over 80 entries and F. This committee shall pre­ ended this week, with the members it's expected that as many or more pare a ballot in accordance with of the United Marine Division of will participate this time. our constitution; and as soon as the-ILA winning a 17-cent an hour Experts Will Judge possible shall make ballots avail­ pay increase as well as overtime As in the previous year a panel able in all ports; and fringe benefits. of judges consisting of well-known The SIU, as well as the Greater art experts, including the SEA­ G. Voting shall commence im­ mediately upon receipt of ballots; New York Port Council of the AFL FARERS LOG art editor, will pass Maritime Trades Department, gave upon the entries and award first, Vote Deadline H. Voting shall end on Wednes­ the tugboatmen all the assistance second and third prizes in each possible during the strike, morally, category. The judging will take day March 11, at which time a tallying committee shall be elected physically and fincineially. Captain place on May 5, with all entries William V. Bradley, president of on exhibition the week of May 4. in ali ports; United Marine Division, Local 333, Seafarers who have a handicraft I. Reports of tallying committee ILA, which held the strike, has shall then immediately be wired to already expressed his member-^ hobby are being especially encour­ headquarters and those nominees ship's appreciation for the help the aged to enter this year's contest. Any kind of woodwork, metalwork, who have won the election shall *SIU gave. then be certified as the Atlantic Among the fringe benefits the jewelry, fancy knot work, leather and Gulf District delegates, to the men gained are: $8 per day main­ goods, weaving or modeling would International convention; tenance and cure, stipulation of be eligible under the handicrafts J. The number of delegates travel payment for certain outly­ section. The important tning about elected shall be four. These four ing jobs, higher payments for the work is that it must be hand (Continued on page 17) cooks aboard small vessels, and made by the Seafarer. Wrap Carefully higher payments for watch stand­ ing and for holidays, and higher All entries should be sent in to welfare benefits. the Art Editor, SEAFARERS LOG. The 3,500-member local has also 675 4th Avenue, Brooklyn 32, New agreed to go into arbitration on the York. When sending them by mail, one remaining question, the mini­ it's advisable to use special de­ Under the rules of the' SIU, mum manning scale, on small tugs livery of registered mail and wrap any member can nominate and barges. However, the arbitra­ all items carefully to guard against himself for meeting chairman, tion proposal was rejected by the damage. reading clerk or any other employers, and this question is post that may be up for elec­ It's very important to attach the now being settled. tion before the membership, contestant's name and return ad­ including committees, such as » On February 5, when the strike dress to each entry, so that the ma­ was underway, the tugboatmen tied terial can be returned to the own­ the tallying committees that up the entire port of New York ers when the contest ends. will be chosen at the next by throwing picketlines in front membership meeting. Since some Seafarers will be do­ of every pier on the waterfront. since SIU membership meet­ ing their work on ships and won't The longshoremen refused to cross ing officers are elected at the the picketlines, and the port was have the materials to frame or start of each. meeting, those mount paintings and drawings, completely tied up. who wish to rup for Jhose However, the employers went these entries wilKbe accepted un­ meeting offices can do so. into court immediately, and got an mounted. The first prize winner The Union also welcomes injunction that night which pre­ last year in the drawings section, for discussions, suggestions and vented any further mass picketing example, consisted of a colored motions on the business before of piers. ' The injunction was chalk drawing on a torn sheet of the meeting. Seafarers are based on the contention that it was black paper, the only materials the urged to give the membership a secondary boycott, illegal under contestant had available to him. the benefit of their opinions so Seafarers who might be inter­ the Taft-Hartley Act, since the that the membership, can act striking .tugboatmen were not ested in selling their work should S|ccordingly. . directly employed on - the .piers inform the LOG accordingly and they were picketing. specify the price sought. • ... . ^ Seafarers Prepare For 2nd Art Contest Tugboatmen Win 10-Day NY Strike A bill to legalize the maritime hiring hall, and another measure that would outlaw industry-wide bargaining have been submitted to Congress as part of a general moVe to make changes in the Taft-Hartley-4 ^ Act. Reports coming out of troduced thus far, the Republican Washington indicate that the leadership headed by Senator Taft act will definitely undergo amend­ ment this year. Consequently pro­ posals are being submitted from both sides—those who -would re­ move curbs on Unions and those who want to* make the law still harsher than it is. The hiring hall bill has been in­ troduced in the Senate by Senator Warren Magnuson, Washington Democrat. It states simply that it shali not be considered an unfair labor practice to establish a union hiring hall and to give employment preference to union members and those referred by the union. Ban On Standard Pacts On the other hand, the proposed ban on industry-wide bargaining would be a severe blow to all un­ ions, particularly large industrial unions. It is contained in a bill that has been submitted by Rep­ resentative Fisher, Democrat of Texas, and would make it illegal for employers to get together with other employers as a negotiating group that would negotiate a stand­ ard contract with a union. Would Affect Maritime The SlU, like many other indus­ trial unions negotiates its contracts on an industry-wide basis and re­ cently completed standardization of all clauses in its freight and tanker contracts. A ban on industry-wide bargaining would be a serious hindrance to orderly labor rela­ tions in maritime because it would open the door to a wide variety of wage standards and working rules. It would appear certain to cause great confusion and unrest in the industry. Another feature of the Fisher bill would prohibit unions from limiting their membership in pro­ portion to the number of jobs available, despite the much-publi­ cized abuses that have developed in some areas as the result of an un­ limited membership policy. Boycott Restrictions While Fisher's bill is the first comprehensive legislation to be in­ has come up with some ideas that v/ill probably be submitted in the form of a bill shortly. These would include some mild easing of the Taft-Hartley restrictions on sec­ ondary boycott and on the right of strikers to vote in NLRB elections. The non-Communist oath require­ ment will probably be changed to include employers as well as union officials, even though it's pretty well agreed that this provision is largely meaningless now. Union proposals for Taft-Hartley changes include legal recognition of the closed shop and the elimina­ tion of injunctions powers in the act. Wage Hike Gained By Piiot Crews MOBILE — Crewmen employed by the Mobile Bay Bar Pilots As­ sociation won a 43 percent month­ ly wage increase in their initial contract just negotiated by the Marine Allied Workers, an SIU affiliate. The pilot boatmen chose the SIU-MAW as their collective bar­ gaining representative in a recent election conducted by the Nation­ al Lalipr Relations Roard. In addition to the wage increase, the pilot boatmen's first contract contained provisions for job se­ curity, regulation of hoifrs and other benefits. It was an unusual contract nego­ tiation in that the pilots, this time acting in the role of employers, are union members themselves, be­ ing affiliated with the Masters, Mates and Pilots Association, a brother maritime union. Ate. THESE-: From Article XXVU Section 1 Throw in For A Meeting Joh ,-A : proposed Conditvrtion .^lotion form. The SIU Constitution, like any document designed to preserve the democratic ^irocess, atlovrs for changes of its provisions. Members who have ideas on how to improve the Constitution can hit the deck at any regular mem­ bership meeting and offer them in the form of resolutions. If the resolution is adopted, the amend­ ing procedure will follow. �S'MF^liWSL SEAWAYS- > BOX list I '"^ •• ! ^ > A -. BALTIMCmE 3, MARYEAN^ Plretent§ ihe "iSEAFARERS GVIDE" M.? M'I ".r' A GATEWAY TO WORLD-WIDE TKAVBU ADVENTURE AND ROMANCE! Here's seductive cover of "Seaways" leaflet which promises to open the gate to a life at sea. Want To Go To Sea? Just Pay'Em $ 2 And... > • SIU NEWSLETTER from WASHINGTON Unless the House Merchant Marine Committee once again becomes an active group on Capitol Hill, the American merchant marine stands to lose what once was a powerful friend in the US Congress. If the Committee does not squarely cope wit^i the enormous legis­ lative problems now confronting the nation's fourth arm of defense, the chalices are that the House Merchant Marine Committee will be abolished as a Standing Committee and, in effect, be relegated to an inferior position as Subcommittee of the House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, In which event maritime pi'oblems would be snowed under numerous other problems of that Committee. As it now stands, the House Merchant Marine Committee has full jurisdiction to review merchant marine matters—its authority is prac­ tically unlimited in connection with maritime and closely related sub­ jects. The question remains, will the Committee become interested enough to bring up legislation and report out such bills that will aid in the development of the US merchant fleet. Many people are noting the lack of Committee activity and are beginning to wonder just how interested the group is in establishing a healthy maritime fleet. Authority of the Attorney General of the US to exclude an alien seaman, who has been previously admitted into the country for perma­ nent residence, on the ground that his entry is deemed prejudicial to the public interest, and without giving the seaman a hearing, has been overturned by the US Supreme Court. In a decision of the High Court involving an alien seaman who Was A small-time sucker game aimed at gullible men who want to go to sea has been turned admitted to the US for permanent residence, signed on an Americanup by the SEAFARERS LOG. Preying upon poorly-paid or unemployed shoreside work­ flag ship for a round voyage, and who was "temporarily excluded" at ers it milks the customers of $2 a head by implying that it will show the \^ay to a high- San Francisco and later excluded when the ship reached its home poit of New York, the Supreme Court said that, in effect, the seaman re- ' paying job in maritime. "t mained "physically present" in the US. The court said the seam^ The enterprise, which calls was entitled to notice of the nature of the charge against him and al'so itself Davenport Seaman's to a hearing at least before an executive or administrative tribunal. Service, is apparently only one of The Attorney General, in excluding the seaman, had relied on a DAVENPORT SEAMEN'S SERVICE several such promotion outfits. It prior case where an alien, with an immigration visa, who never had H70 8NOADWAV r em»r OlfUMis operated by a retired NMU book'Mftt—t Htri—I been in the US, sought entry but was excluded as an alien whose entry MEW YORK C»TV member, Rodney Davenpoi-t Turner w«« deemed prejudicial to the public. . who seems to have found the busi­ In the case of the alien seanian, the Supreme Court said he ^ready ness preferable to working for a was in the couutry and, therefore, had a right to be heard. , • -.j living, at sea. It first came to the MSf BiPAlP font? t t attention of the Union when the The US Coast Guard, during the tast fiscal year period, issued to' Union office received several stand­ individuals 170,328 merchant mariners' documents bearing evidence, ard forms from various sections of of security clearance, and granted security appeal hearings in 775 cases the country headed "Application Davenport Marine Guide offers everything:—except a considered to be poor security risks. for Employment as a Merchant In the category of longshoremen, warehousemen, pilots, and waterSeaman." travels, excitement . . . free In­ owner he was steered into a dif­ front workers, 196,951 persons were screened and 188,301 port security Leads Cnstomers On ferent office where he met Turner. formation." Scrutiny of the operation and an Once the potential customer In that office three girls were cards were issued, while 827 hearings were granted upon appeal by interview with the owner has not writes for the free information, he working, busily stuffing copies of persons who had been found to be poor security risks. As to merchant marine personnel, the Coast Guard issued a total of turned up anything that appears receives a set of leaflets, headed, the "Guide" in envelopes. 144,602 documents, of which number 48,551 were issued to persons to be in violation of the law. The "See the World and Be Paid for It, Turner admitted that he was the literature distributed carefully Experience Unnecessary." The "staff of experienced men" who who had no previous service in the merchant marine and 950 were li­ avoids an out-and-out promise of a leaflets paint merchant marine em­ wrote the guide. He said he had censes issued to radio officers. During the year, in the interest of national defense, 7,941 individual job, but leads the customers on to ployment in glowing terms. Their been working on colliers with an believe that the so-called seaman's main pitch is that the customers, AB ticket and started the, busi­ waivers of manning requirements for merchant vessels were issued, service is the key to travel, adven­ by sending cash, check or money ness while he was shipping out. He while shipping commissioners supervised execution of 17,650 sets of ture, excitement and lots of money. order of $2, will receive the "Mer­ claimed he quit shipping because shipment and discharge shipping articles. ill ii> The operations of the service are chant Marine Enrollment and the mail would pile up in his ab­ In the domestic trade, freighter employment postwar has been much simple. Ads are placed regularly in Career Guide," plus a set of appli­ sence and he didn't want to get about 60 assorted pulp magazines cation forms for jobs. The Guide is into trouble by not answering it. less than prewar. Whereas in 1937 about 450 ships were engaged in that have wide circulation. They said to be written by "experienced Anyway, he said, he didn't like these trades, only 164 were employed the latter part of 1952. This is not due to a decrease in the volume of traffic, but rather to the in­ call on both men and women to men of the sea." shippipg. ability of domestic freighters to regain their prewar competitive status, join the merchant marine. "Experi­ No Ontrigfat Job Promised He conceded that the so-Callcd particularly along the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts and in the interence unnecessary," they say. "ExWhile implying that "world service was little more than sucker coastal trade. celllent pay, fascinating foreign travel and a healthy bank account" bait, btit claimed that other opera­ 4 i HI is within the grasp of all who send tors wouldn't refund the money, As to coastwise shipping, while it is not believed it will regain its in their $2' the literature is care­ whereas he did. When questioned ful not to promise a job outright. about the extent of his operations prewar position in the foreseeable future, it is not too optimistic to pre­ Money back is promised within he showed figures ostensibly cov­ dict that 1952 employm.ent of ships will be increased by 25% in the years ahead by proper application Sf modem break-bulk cargo handling seven days if not satisfied. ering the month of January to the In return for- the $2, the cus­ effect that he had sent out 1,040 methods and equipment both on ships and ashore. t, tomer receives a 23 page booklet, guides at $2 each and made eight The Treasury Department estimates that the tax benefits of the which outlines the duties, qualifica­ refunds. However, with three girls tions and wages of various ratings, working at handling mail, that American subsidized operators over the past 15 years have totalled where to go for seamen's papers, number of guides could be sent out about $155,533,084. This figure represents the difference between the amount of taxes actually paid by the subsidized lines over the period plus the names and addresses of and the amount they would have paid in the absence of the present tax maritime unions and a lengthy list in a single day. Getting Oat Of Business benefits in the 1936 Merchant Marine Act. of American shipping companies. MOBILE — Monthly wage in­ Turner denied that he was mak­ 4" 3^ t The Guide is much more conA bill that is sure to be passed by the Congress is the one recom­ creases averaging about $40 a man seiwative in tone than the come-on ing any big money out of the busi­ were won for all unlicensed per­ literature. Along with it are" sent ness, saying that he was averag­ mended by the Treasury Department recently under which certificates sonnel employed by the Mobile two cautiously-worded bulletins. ing about $100 a week. H^ de­ of service for entry ratings on US flag ships would riot be issued be­ Towing and Wrecking Co. in a One of them says that jobs are clared that as soon as-he sold out fore the applicant had demonstrated that he had sufficient knowledge new towboat agreement just ne­ scarce now and steers men to for­ his present stock of guides he was of the English language, written and spoken, adequately to perform gotiated by the SlU-affiliated Ma­ eign flag ships. The other warns getting out of this particular busi­ all duties required of him and to carry out orders of superior officers. Existing law has been construed to require only that oral orders in any rine Allied Workers here. that it may be difficult to get sea­ ness. The increase in the monthly base men's papers and disclaims connec­ Turner is hot the only ohe to language be understood by 75% pf the crew, and Treasury believes « rate was only a part of the mone- tion with any union dr shipping find the merchant marine angle a this should be corrected. "It is believed," Treasury Informed the Congress, "that any member tai-y gains won by the SIU-MAW company. profitable orie. . Another outfit. negotiating committee, however. A LOG representative posing as Seaways, in Baltimore, putsi out of the crew of a merchant vessel of the US is not competent to carry The agreement also included pro­ a customer applied for the service a similar pitch even more extrava­ out the normal duties expected of him unless he can speak and under­ visions for a liberalized overtime and received the literature and the gantly-worded. Seaways offers a stand the language sponkcn by officers of the vessel, which is normally rate and for a shorter work week. booklet. When he returned the Seafarers Guide for $1.98, two English." Under terms of . the agreement, booklet saying he was not satisfied cents cheaper than Turner's, but J" '' i 3> Senator Magnuson, Washington, has introduced a bill (S. 838) amend­ the monthly base rate was in­ he received a refund check from doesn't provide •'liny money. back ing the National Labor Relations Act in order to legalize maritime hir­ creased from $255 to $294 and the "RD Enterprises Inc." of Portland, guarantee. hourly overtime rate' was upped Maine. The check was drawn on A sontewhat more expehsive^ ing halls. Under the measure, the term "maritime industry" would in­ from $1.34 to $1.87 an hour. a Massachusetts bank. "service" along the same lines is clude all industries employing personnel'engaged as licensed or un­ The work week was fixed at 40 Went To Office the Seamen's Service in Trucks- licensed members of the crews of ishlps or .barges engaged in offshore, hours. Subsequently he went up to the viUe, Pa. This one charges $3 plus coastal, intercoastal, or inland transportation, or in longshore opera­ Members of the negotiating com­ New York address of the outfit and mailing and COD costs to get the tions seivicing such ships or bargee. mittee were Cal .Tanner, SIU found it located in a small room poop from "an ex-merchant marine agent for the Port of Mobile, Har­ that served as a mail drop and officer who will explain in Retail old Fischer, Louis Neira and Qttp switchboard for two dozen different how to get a job ... No mbney Swendson. people. When he asked for the back guarantee .here, either, | SIU Towmen Gain $40 Pay Raise •cr^: �tehruvr 2*, IfSS SEAFARERS LO G Fare Seven Bare New Baggage Racket A clever scheme to defraud Seafarers of their valuables was turned up recently in the port of San Pedro. A self-styled travel agency representative, using the nam^ of one of the reputable agencies in the area, has been offering "to "take care of" the forwarding of Sea­ farers' baggage for a small fee. 1 —— ^— Subsequently, several Seafar= ers found to their sorrow that the baggage had been rified be­ fore being shipped. One of the victims of the swin­ 4. . Ji dle, Seafarer John Flynn of New ROSENBERGS DENIED CLEMENCY — President Eisenhower has York,, said he had paid off the turned down the appeal of convicted atom> spies f thel and Julius Mankato Victory (Victory Carriers) Rosenberg to set aside their death sentence. The President said that December 17 af­ "the nature of the crime for which they have been found guilty and ter a Far Eastern sentenced-far exceeds that of taking of the life of another citizen . . . trip. He and and could very well result in the death of many, many thousands." other crewmemThe Rosenbergs' attorney has announced' another appeal to the Su­ bers were anx­ preme Court but it is not expected to make any change in the death ious to arrange sentence verdict. for transporta­ tion back East 4. _ RUSSIA SEVERS RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL—The Soviet Govern­ as is provided ment has broken off relations with Israel as the aftermath of the antithem under conZionist campaign undertaken in Russia and the satellite countries. tract. Along The immediate reason for the step , was the bombing of the Soviet came one Mr. "T. legation in Tel Aviv, Israel, that came as the climax of rising ill Davis," a self-styled representa­ feeling as a result of arrests and spy trials in Iron Curtain countries tive of the San Pedro Travel Agen-' of Jewish leaders and charges that the Zionist movement is a tool cy, saying that he had plenty of of "American imperialism." plane seats available on non-sched­ ule four engine flights if the men t ^ WEST GERMANS ARREST NAZI PLOTTERS—The West German wanted them. Here's bird's-eye view of the new six-bladed propeller that has government has arrested four leaders of a neo-Nazi group called the Forward Baggage been installed as an experiment on the Cities Service tanker Paoli. German Free Corps and accused them of planning the overthrow of Davis" further offered as a spe­ the government. The arrests by the German officials follows last cial service, to forward the men's month's round-up by British occupation forces of seven former Nazi baggage collect lor a slight fee of leadgrs on charges of a similar plot. The German government indi­ $2. Seven or eight of the men, in­ cated that it was going to take action against other neo-Nazi groups cluding Flynn; took advantage of in the near future. the "service" so that they would not have to waste time lugging EX-GI CONVICTED OF TREASON—Former" Army sergeant John their sea bags and suitcases around D. Provoo has been found guilty of treason while a prisoner of the and arranging for mailing. Japanese after the fall of Corregidor. The Federal Court jury held After Flynn got home he re­ Experiments with a new, six-bladed propeller are now being that Provoo had offered his services to tne Japanese after being taken ceived his baggage in due time. prisoner and had informed on an American Army captain to the When he opened his bags he found carried out by Cities Service with the Paoli. Japanese, thus causing his'death. He was also found guilty of making that everything of value including . Seafarer Lewis Savoia reported that the six-bladed screw personal possessions of sentimen­ radio broadcasts on behalf of Japan. tal importance had been cleaned was put on the Paoli at the-* % if ISf ENGLAND, EGYPT AGREE ON SUDAN—The Governments of Great out. Newport News, "Virginia, Ship­ tions. However, said the company, Britain and Egypt have reached agreement on the future of the AngloOn learning of the incident, the building and Drydock Com­ the ship has not yet been in service Egyptian Sudan, the huge block of territory extending southward Union agent in Wilmington con­ pany along with fitting ceremonies long enough with the new pro­ peller to show any conclusive re­ from the borders of Egypt proper. The agreement provides for a three- tacted the travel agency, which in­ and a number or spectators. sults. year period of transition after which the Sudan would be given self- formed him that Mr. "Davis" was "We believe," he said, "that the The company was non-committal .govcnment. In the meanwhile, Britain and Egypt will continue to in no way connected with their Paoii is one of the first large tank­ about whether other of its vessels outfit. Further, the agency doesn't supervise that area's affairs. contact ships to sell airline space. ers in the world to be equipped will be equipped with the new six4 t bladed screws. It said that it was Seafarers are warned that any with a six-bladed propeller." PRICE CONTROLS LIFTED—^The Government has lifted price and The company said that the Pa­ waiting to see what happened with wage controls on practically all items except for important metals "Mr. Davis" or for that matter used in defense and other materials in short supply. Items still left anybody else contacting ships who oli had been fitted with the new the Paoli before making any deci­ under controls are cheese, dry groceries, steel, aluminum, copper, offers to "take care of" baggage is propeller so that it could get some sions about its other vessels. The Paoli is a standard T-2 nickel, lumber and much machinery and equipment including major out to no good and should be idea of how the new screw would work during regular tanker opera­ tanker. treated accordingly. household appliances. COAL, STEEL POOL SET VP—Operation of the Schumann plan for Europe's coal, coke, iron ore and steel began last week, with a common market in six countries for these products. All duties, customs and quotas have been eliminated. From now on, these items can be bought and sold in the open market as if there were no national boundaries. Participating in the agreement are France, West Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg and Italy. The plan is expected to be of great benefit to the economies of the countries involved. CS Tanker Tries Out Six-Bladed Propeller YOUR DOLLAR'S WOlHTH SEAFARERS GUIDE TO BETTER BUYING Best Quality For Your Money Learning how to buy the best-quality goods for your money is an art that can save you and your family many dollars in this period of high prices and inflation—and also save disappointments and grief. Many a Seafarer has learned this the tough way—by spending his hardearned dough for goods that failed to givft satisfactory performance for the price paid. For example, one man reports he bought a pair of wingtip shoes for twenty-two good solid bucks. Within three weeks they cjime unsewed and had to be repaired. Now he wonders if he wouldn't have done as well buying a cheaper pair. What every man or family that wants the most for its money should know, is that a liigh price doesn't neces­ sarily mean best quality. It may merely mean extra trimming or decoration which may actually be a weak point. In the case of the shoes our pal bought, a plaintoe type not only would have cost less than the wing-tip, but has fewer seams to come apart. Simple Lines Best In many instances, you'll find- that simply-designed goods are qpt only less expensive but more durable and easier to care for. In inen's clothing, solid-color socks are more durable than those with clocks and other fancy designs. Solid-color shirts cost less than fancy patterns and are less likely to fade. End-to-end madras shirts are more expensive than plain madras but are less durable. The same situation is true for the things a family buys. Muslin sheets are stronger and last longer thaii the more expensive percale sheets. Pillow cases and sheets with plain hems not. Qhly cost less than hemstitched ones but grb more durable. Wbite towels cost less than colored ones and dry you off quicker (because the dye reduces absorbency). Children's and women's dresses with gored skirts cost less than pleated ones. Does that mean it's always best to buy the lowest-priced article? Not necessarily. The way it works, merchandise generally falls into three price classes: the so-called "lowend" goods, the medium priced lines and luxury lines. In a period of high prices, any reduction of quality in the lowest-priced lines means the manufacturer must re­ duce the basic quality; he must use cheaper materials and skimp on construction. But reducing the quality of medium-priced goods may merely mean eliminating the frills; eliminating the perforations on shoes; for ex­ ample. But the basic quality is still good. So in times like these it's generally the medium-priced lines that offer us the best quality for the money. The highest-priced lines are rarely worth buying anyway, because they are basically the same as the medium-priced goods with a few frills added. Frills Cost Extra Take refrigerators. Most brands feature a standard and a deluxe model. They're basically the same boxes with the same motor, insulation, capacity, etc. But the deluxe model costs you much more because it has -everal added features, such as a larger freezing compartment which you may or may not want—and certainly don't if you have a separate freezer—or an additional vegetable crisper, etc. Some Basic Qualities Here's a list of standard-quality, medium price type of goods which this writer has found offers good basic serviceability for the price: Men's shirts: 2x1 broadcloth of" ISfix'ii thread count; oxford cloth (must be cut roomy because of tendency to shrink); chambray ahd poplin. Written exclusively for THE SEAFARERS LOG. by Sidney Margolius, Leading Expert on Buying Men's suits: 'Worsted cheviot, serge, homespun, also tweed and covert Uf closely woven). Work clothes and children's wear: Cotton gabardine, twill, jean cloth and similar materials with a ribbed weave. - Men's and boys' coats: Melton cloth, cheviot aqd tweed. Women's coats: Cheviot, venetion, jersey, tweed, home­ spun, covert and mouton fur. Cotton dresses: 80-square percale, gingham, chambray. Rayon dresser: Gabardine, sharkskin, faille and other ribbed materials. Hosiery: 30-denier nylon in 45 or 51 gauge. Sheets: 140-count muslin; or 128 count as second choice. Notice the omissions from this list too. Flannel, for example, is perishable unless it's worsted flannel, which is very expensive. Cashmere is another costly but non­ durable material, and not recommended for suits, coats or sweaters. Rayon crepe wears well but requires great care in cleaning and laundering. 4. 4* Since this column is written with the buying problems of Seafarers and their families in mind, the LOG will welcome suggestions as to the subjects that readers would like to have discussed in future columns. If there are any suggestions that you have on this score, send them in to the editor of the LOG. In addition, readers are asked to pass along any ques­ tions about material that has appeared here, or about specific problems they've run into in purchasing any type of goods and services. Those who may want to obtain back copies of these columns that have already discussed subjects they art interested in can do so simply by dropping a line to the LOG and asking for that particular issue. •> �S]6''ArARERS 104 Vclwaanr 20, 195S SEA¥CASH BENEFITS SEAFARERS WELFARE, VACATION FLANS Jos Bums <2na from left), beson, points out a special article in the bound volume of 195? LOGs, now on sale through head­ quarters.. Left td right are; Lionel Cormier, BB; Bums, Robert WanBi»ii, carp.; Gumbald Kalland, bosun, and George Liebers, steward. Volumes can be ordered through malL '52 LOGs Available In Handy Bound Book Bound: volumes of the SEAFARERS LOG covering the entire year of 1952, have just been received from the bindery and are now available for sale at the cost price of $4. They are on sale at New York head-"* quarters or by mail. Chronicling a twelve-month period which saw the Union make great strides in an era which has been one of the most climactic in US history, the bound LOG should be a welcome addition to every ship's library and to every book­ shelf in the homes of Seafarers, The bound edition of the LOG con­ tains every issue of the newspaper put out in the year just ended. In­ cluding supplements containing It's going to be a Happy New freight and tanker agreements and Year after all for Harry Bridges the new constitution. and the International Longshore­ Contained within the covers of men and Warehousemen's Union. the latest bound edition of the There may have been no holiday Union's newspaper,' the 14th such greetings In the mall from the since the inception of the SlU, SIU, SUP, or for that matter from are the many 'firsts' scored by the his former pals in CIO maritime Union in the past year. Among luiions. But Bridges Is still re­ the many advancements are the membered with affection In cer­ new and better contracts, the new tain quarters—behind the Iron constitution of the SIU, the inaug­ Curtain of course. uration of scholarship, maternity The ILWU Dispatcher, official and disability benefits plus the be­ organ of Bridges outfit, reports ginning of the 1st vacation plan that Bridges' Bulgarian, CzechoIn maritime history. slovakian, Rumanian and Hungar­ Included also, are the many ian pals didn't forget him come news stories concerning the weck- tlie hoUdays. The dummy imions to-week affaii*s of the Union, as in those countries all sent their well as feature items about Sea­ best wishes in the ILWU's "strug­ farers, their families, and places gle for world peace." of interest to men of the sea. Also, Mass Produced Propaganda 1952 was the year in which the To nobody's surprise, the mes­ LOG gained three prize awards for excellence in the field of labor sages coming from-four different journalism and was acclaimed the countries all contained the same best labor paper in the country. phrases and catchwords, proving" For those Seafarers who are that mass production of propa­ building a SEAFARERS LOG li­ ganda has now been achieved in brary, bound volumes back through Communist countries, no matter 1946 can be purchased for $4 each. where. The Bulgarian unions The 1952 bound volume can be wished Bridges "success in your purchased through the mail by gallant fight for democracy and using the coupon on the back pag9 peace," while in Czechoslovakia they made it "success .. in their of this issue. struggle for better economic con­ ditions. and In defense of demo­ cratic rights and liberties." They Report liOst must have had a few more capital­ dollars to spend on cablegrams Baggage Cheek ist than the Bulgarians did. Seafarers who lose baggage Chief 'Mighty Peace Camp' Checks for gear checked at any SIU baggage room should The Hungarians had another notify that particular hall way of putting It, "success In your right away so that no one can struggle for better living condi­ Improperly claim the baggage tions and peace," and concluded with that check. Headquarters "long live mighty peace campl" officials advise you to do this (Sounds like Bridges has an In­ immediately to avoid loss of dian chief's name). The Ruman­ your gear and/or trouble ians wound theirs up In a fiorid claiming It later on. Make burst of rhetoric, "success for sure you notify the hall where building up action unity In the the baggage was checked as struggle waged in defense of your soon as you find out you've vital Interests, for democratic lib­ lost the check erties, for preserving manklnfi's most pireclous gift. Peace." 'Happy Hew Year, Harry' -Conilnform -if' • REPORT ON BENEFITS PAID From •••• No. Seafatetg ReceiTing Benefif this PeriodI Average Benefits Paid Each Seafarer Tcral Benefits Paid this Period W77 3 m WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD Ss:io Path Bcacfttf ysosi Dioahaitv Bcnefito Maternity Bcaefita Vacation Benefita AiLLki OO ±L Tftltlt WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID PREVIOUSLY HoaBital Benefita Paid Since Tulv 1. 19S0 Denth Benefita Paid Since T«dv 1. 1950 DianbiUtv Benefita Paid Since May L 1952 Mntetaitv Benefita Paid Since Aptii 1. 1952 oo 2L -jMfl e»o Vncimoil Bcocfitf Pidd SMCC F^h, IL Wl' Tffial ; If 97/ iiAf 2A pate Beftffif WELFARE, VACATION FLAN ASSETS Cash on Hand KRTffBCH Vacation Estimated Accounts Receivable Vacation — .^£eUa So us Govetiment Bonds (Vellsre) Real Escace (Vellsre) Other Assets — Training Ship (Welfare) TOTAL ASSETS Commentst For some time past It has been the practice, for a great many of the eliglbles under the Plan, to sign a new Welfare Flan beneficiary card each time they sign on for a new voyage, regardless of the fact that they do hot change the name of the beneficiary. It is only necessary to fill in and sign a new beneficiary card idien it is the intention of the member to change the name of the beneficiary. A great deal of time and filing space will be saved if members will keep this in mind. SuhmittmA February 14. 1953 M /W Al Kotr, jinMsirMfor ...and, remember tbis..• All these are yours without contributing a single nickeLon your part ^Collecting SIU bene­ fits is easy, whether it's for hospital, birth, disability or death-^ Ycu get first rate personal service immediately through your Union's representatives; ^ ;; • �rebroary SO, USt SEAFARERS 100 Pare Nina UNION TALK •y KEITH TERPI Now that the second batch of unfair labor practice charges has been filed by the SIU against Atlantic Beflnlpg, tiiere's no question In the minds of Atlan­ tic seamen that the company will have to do some fancy footwork to explain away its shady discrimination tactics. Both Atlantic and the AMEU tried their best to minimize the importance of the first barrage of charges specifically levelled against the company, and by indirection, at the AMEU as well, but they'll be hard-pressed if they try this a second time. A good indication of the way the wind is blowing lies in the reports of several onetime AMEU stalwarts who folded their tents and silently removed themselves from the scene of the crime rather than face up to realities. One of them has even added a prophetic note to the pro­ ceedings. He's currently reported taking a turn at the tombstone busi­ ness, and if he's good and .sticks at it, may win the lucky assignment of carving one reading "R.I.P.—^AMEU" before long. She men in the fleet know that the filing of additional charges— which may prove even stronger than the heavily-documented ones we threw at the company before—^plainly indicates that we mean to stand by pur own pledge to go all the way to back up any unorganized seaman who is discriminated against because he supports the SIU. That's been the foundation beneath our success in former organizing drives, and our policy hasn't changed a bit since then. The company's public reaction to the charges, like the AMEU's, has been to try and laugh them off as something that just didn't happen. Actually, the creation of its special trials and appeals board is Atlantic's off-hand attempt to illustrate its "democratic" nature, as it goes through the motions of judging charges brought against the men by ships' In Mexico, shrimp boats are coming in, but under the armed eyes of Mexican gunboats which are officers and then "democratically" renders a decision. We spoke of patrolling the offshore waters. Shown above is an SIU shrimp boat, typical of those involved in the inthis tactic a few weeks ago, and nothing has changed our original tematiohal controvert. estimate.. The pattern is all too clear in this whole sham "kangaroo court' arrangement. Since we have charged Atlantic with discrimination In firing, the company now seeks to show it fires for good cause, not a result'of a man's being openly pro-SlU aboard ship. This "good cause" stems from a stated Ust of reasons for discharge which are part of the More trouble loomed for Gulf Coast shrimpers as the Mexican Navy ordered two gun­ AMEU-Atlantic "agreement" and over which the company (naturally) boats to back up its regular patrol of coastal waters, and gave them orders to fire at any has< sole control. Of course, in order to insure that the average Atlantic foreign fishing vessels working in Mexican waters if they don't obey instructions to pull seaman gets a fair shake at bis trial, the panel is rigged with company into a Mexican port. offipials from t<q> to bottom. Two AMEU officers usually sit in on the The shrimpers in the area, rol." Apparently, the heavily armed from her coast, and that the main panel, but it's difficult to see how they represent anything but manare Mexico's answer to fishing grounds, about nine miles ageinent again, since they are both admittedly on the payroll of the which include many shrimp gunboats out, are international waters, and this. boats manned bySIU affiliates, company with whonr they "bargain" as the "representatives" of its thus are open for fishing. Mexico claims that the shrimpers lave long been the subject of a employees! The shrimpers also claim that to are "stealing" her "national controversy between the US and Now of course we also 'made a careful survey of the company's keep them out of these waters wealth," and has estimated that hiring practices, so that we were able to docuhient for additional Mexico. Mexico claims her terri­ the "illegal" shrimping operations would deal a near-fatal blow to torial waters extend nine miles charges the fact that Atlantic discriminates in hiring as well as in have "cost Mexico about $3.5 mil­ their industry, and would mean the firing. Atlantic's answer to this has come easily. Just last week it set from shore and that she has com­ lion thus far this year." loss of many jobs and' many ships. plete jurisdiction over these wat­ out to show how "democratic" it was in not practicing any discrimina­ Shrimp boats manned by SIU tion in hiring by running a former employee seeking reemployment ers, while we have claimed that affiliates sail from Mississippi, deidcan jurisdiction extends only before this same trial board! Since the functions of this^ panel had the usual three miles from shore. Texas, Alabama and a number of never been defined, ft appears it can do anything, and do it better other southern states. One of the As a result, many US and Cuban than anybody. In this Instance, you have a situation where a man has shrimpers caught in the disputed largest of the SIU organizations is to have a trial before he can even set a job. It'll be interesting to see waters have been boarded by Mex­ the Gulf Coast Shrimpers and For obvious reasons the LOG what they try next. cannot print any letter or ican patrols, and forced into Mex­ Oystermen's Association, which Is Since the rumors abont a renewal of "negotiations" between the ican ports where they were held a branch of the SIU's Fishery and other communications - sent in company and the AMEU got started about three weeks ago, little for varying lengths of time. In Allied Workers Union. by Seafarers unless the author actual information has filtered out from the undercover goings-on. We answer, the shrimpers had said signs his nar^e. Unsigned, The US State Department has do know, however, that Atlantic has already come through with «r 60- that they would arm their boats. said that it has "been discussing anomynious letters will only day annual paid vacation for its licensed engineers, which we pointed wind up in the waste-basket, This apparently happeped, be­ this situation with the Mexican if circumstances justify, the out was one of the items also being considered for the unlicensed cause recent reports said a Mex­ authorities"'for some time now, but LOG will withhold a signature personnel. Of course, the price the engineers had to pay for this bonanza ican Inspector, with an armed that it has "failed to reach an on request, but if you want it was to give up all their overtime, so anybody going to sea for a living I luard, boarded a US shrimper, but agreement thus far." printed in the LOG, put your today knows who came out on the short end at that deal. The shrimpers, on the other was unable to order her into a name on it. The point is that this latest gimmick may wind up to be the pattern Mexican port because the shrimper hand, hold that Mexican territorial forced on the unlicensed men as well. was "better armed than my pat­ waters extend only three miles Shrimpers Face Mexican Guns Sign Name On Letters Cartoon History Of The SIU Thf Communlats' Raids 2Vo. 31 •T / / After failing in an attempt to control the East Coast waterfront, the commies under Bridges tried, to move in on the NY longshoremen in 1946w; Smarting under defeat by Uie SIU, the NMU—i under commie control—attempted a demonatrg- Baids by the NMU and Bridges were the order of the day, taking place in Phila. and New.Orleans. In one of Bridges' most ambitious moves, he tried to raid the SUP in the Coos Bay area. The SIU answered with » plcketline of the NMU ships on The Communists were thoroughly discredited in their raids. Worst of all was their raid on a strike meeting oi- the MMP in New York. Led by die­ hard commies, they tried to take over, but SIU aid beat them back. It was the beginning of the �m SEAFARERS 10 & -„.•> . .V...... nbtaiutv-.M, PtUtTHEPmXS made by St. Lawrence Seaway ad­ Lake Charles: Grove (Cities Service), Taddei New Orleans: (Shipenter), Sweetwater (Mar vocates to trade for support on the Trade), Mother M. L, (Eagle two proposals. Isidore Newman II, Ocean), Michael and Trinity (Carnew president of the New Orleans ras), and George A. Lawson (Pan. Chamber of Commerce, said the New Orleans-to-the-Gulf channel Oceanic). Shipping has been moving along Shipping was kept at an even should be a top priority project for Shipping in this lovely town has SIgn-Ons Strong New Orleans business interests been fair during the past two at a fai.' rate in this port, with 17 pace during the last two weeks by all who, he said, should raise the The Taddei, George A. Lawson, ships in-transit. We figure that Monroe, the Steel Executive, Steel jobs being opened up by New Oiv money and put it over themselves weeks, with quite a few rated men things may be picking up a little in Navigator and Steel Designer leanians who followed their cus­ if Federal financing is not forth­ getting out, although some of the the future. (Isthmian), the Hurricane (Watei> tomary practice of coming a.shore coming. non-rated men have had to wait The in-transits included that man), the Robin Grey (Robin), and to spend the Madri Gras season Meanwhile, the Army Engineers a little while before getting a W. E. Downing (States Fuel), Wa- the Seavigil (North Seas), ail with friends and relatives. No held public hearings here on an- berth. However, we look for bet­ on. The in-transits included i«ther plan to improve the main costa, IVsrhawk, Arizpa, Yaka and signed the Amberstar (Traders), the Ala= boom in shipping is expected in channel of the Intracoastal Water­ ter things to come. Bienville (Waterman), Seacoral miar, Yorkmar and Seamar (Cal­ the immediate future with only way between Harvey, Da., and Calling in here during the past (Ocean Tow), Pennmar, Portmar mar), Seatrains Texas, Georgia and seven ships due for pay-off in this Brownsville, Texas. two weeks were the Cantigny, Gevand Calmar (Calmar), Shinnecock Louisiana (Seatrain), the Alcoa port. Controversy Develops « ernment Camp, Chlwawa, Archers Bay (Mar-Trade), Pointer and Roamer (Alcoa), and During the last two weeks we Barbara Fritchle the Antinous (Waterman). A controversy over whether it is Hope, Bents Fort, Winter HUl, Pa(Liberty Naviga­ There were no major beefs on had seven payoffs, three ships safe to handle cargoes of ammo­ pli and Council Grove (Cities Serv­ tion), Steel Age any of the ships, and all were signed on and 19 called in transit. nium sulphate nitrate and calcium ice), and the Colonel (Mobile Tow­ Payoffs were on the Del Viento, (1sthmian), St. smooth payoffs. Del Norte, Del Oro (Mississippi); ammonium nitrate in this port had ing and Wrecking). The Colonel Lawrence Victory The Seamagic came in from an the DeSoto and Iberville (Water­ its repercussions when one ship­ is a tug towing between here and (Missis sippi), 11-month trip and the boys who man); the Carabulle, (National Na­ per said henceforth he would have Cuba. When the Colonel called in Greece Victory had been on the entire voyage vigation) and the Genevieve Peter- his vessels unloaded at Gulfport, for some men, and Carroll Vic­ had a real fatfor payoff. The only sad kin (Bloomfield). Sign-ons were Miss. The New Orleans Fire Pre­ everybody in the tory (South At­ part, of it was that there were only Mississippi's Del Santos and Del vention Committee ruled it was place threw in lantic), and the Wolfe 15 of the original crew left aboard. Norte and Victory Carriers' Long- safe to handle the cargoes here. for her. It looks Omega (Omega). The rest has paid off in view Victory. Those in transit were The Coast Guard agrees with the as if they all There were some minor beefs on ports and were replaced byforeign aliens, Alcoa's Clipper, Patriot, Corsair, committee. Safety Commissioner w a n t e d to go some of the ships, but they were who were not,' members of the Polarus, and Pioneer; Isthmian's Bernard J. McCloskey has dis­ calling on the all squared away to the satisfaction Steel Maker, steel Advocate. Steel agreed, however, and has carried fair maids of of the crew while they were in port Union. a running argument with the Cuba, or perhaps We've had a few ships re-routed Surveyor and Steel Flyer; Missis­ on here. Mayor and the committee over the it was the rum We had the Fairhope (Waterman) from New York due to the tugboat sippi's Del Santos and Del Norte; question. and coke that Lines' Seatrain New Jer­ towed in here recently. She ran strike that was held in this port, Seatrain Pat Donohue, a retired Seafarer did it. sey; Waterman's Maiden Creek, but many of them entered and left aground about 375 miles from here and former Southern welterweight On the labor front,, we had a and had to be towed back. Her under their own power, so it Morning Light, Monarch of the champion who is well known to old Seas and Andrew Jackson; Victory small strike by the iron workers, double bottoms were ripped open didn't make too much difference. timers here, is making a reputation and her shaft alley was flooded. As you know, we gave the tugboat- Carriers' Longview Victory; South- as a manager and trainer of ama­ but it only lasted a couple of hours em Trading's Southern Counties before the contractors caved in. There's also some mystery about men bur full support, and so did teur boxers. One of his charges. and Philadelphia Marine Corpora­ There wasn't any need for toy the Greater New York Harbor Port her chief steward, Carl "Pop" Bob Morgan, 16-year-old high help, since the iron workers had Thurman missing after he was Council of the AFL Maritime tion's Potrero Hills. school student, recently won the the situation well in hand All'the proved to have been aboard when Trades Department, of which we Watch Congress lightweight championship in the whlie. the ship sailed. A grand jury is are a member. The tugboatmen mid-South Golden Gjoves Tourna­ Shipping and industrial interests On the political front, things are holding hearings about the missing have already expressed their ap­ are keeping a ment at Memphis. Newspapers here really boiling down now. The dead­ steward and the Coast Guard is preciation to us for the support close eye on and in Memphis conjmented on line for filing for office is past, holding hearings about the ship that we gave them, and have also progress of a bill Morgan's remarkable victory in the but it looks as if everybody and thanked the MTD for its support running aground. We, of course, Introduced finals over Paul Manai, a Marine his brother has thrown in for one will be attending, both of these during their beef. by Rep. F, Ed­ Corps boxer, who was six years of the jobs. We'll be electing a hearings. We-have been informed that the ward Hebert of older than the New Orleans lad. mayor, five councilmen and a Just now, we've got Joe Stenne- SS Seamagic of the Colonial Louisiana Seafarers recently admitted to school board. As far as labor is beck, Okie Jones, Les Wolfe, Steamship Co. is being transferred providing for a $1 the USPHS hospital here include concerned, we haven't backed any Jimmy Wilson and George Craggs to Panamanian registry. However, million appropria­ Salem Cope, Robert Butler, Larry of the candidates yet, but are among the men on the beach here. in order to get an okay from the tion to finance Eiland and Jack Gardner. Gardner studying their records and plat­ They're just taking it easy and en­ Government to do this, they had to planning of a underwent an operation for hernia, forms. Gardner joying this wonderful California contract to build a new supertanker short cut tide­ but is expected to be back in cirsunshine, before they take one of to go under American registry. So, We will probably be meeting in the Far East runs, which usually if we get this new supertanker un­ water ship channel from'New Or­ culat^n soon. the near future with the rest of mean some time over in Yokohama. der an SIU contract, we will not leans to the Gulf. A similar meas­ labor around here to decide on We have been enjoying the finest ure passed the House last session, whether to back any of the candi­ As you know, that run to Yoko­ have lost out on the deal. of mild. Spring weather here dur­ but died in the Senate. hama has fast been becoming one ing the last few days, and Sea^ dates. However, anyway it turns As most of the men know, the Already approved by Army Engi­ farers at the hospital have taken out, it sure looks as if we're going of the favorites among the men. Wage Stabilization Board has-been They tell me that it's a great place abolished by PresidentiM order. neers, the proposed channel would advantage of it to spend as much to be having an interesting elec­ to visit, and that it's the big 4it- We have already advised all our shorten the distance to the Gulf time as possible sitting in the sun­ tion. traction over in the Far East right companies to start paying the new by 45 miles. It also would eliminate shine on the spacious grounds sur­ Fishing Good how. That's why we've, got a lot of v/age scale at once. Those men who navigational hazards presented by rounding the building. The finny tribe in the nearby the boys from this neck of the wood have retroactive pay coming under the tortuous Mississippi River Since our last report, Dan Mel- waters is starting to nibble, now, homesteading those shuttle runs the new scale, which goes back to route now used. The project also nik, A1 Guidry, Lawrence Talley, over to Yokohama. November 18, 1952, can get their includes a proposal to improve the Homer Mayes, Irby Dufour and and just about everyone on the Sam Cohen intracoastal waterway between beach is borrowing some fishing money by writing to the companies Charles Bennett have applied for tackle and taking advantage of the Wilmington Port Agent with which they have been sailing New Orleans and Mobile. maternity benefit checks. situation. We may have to call the since that date. ti t> t' Rep. Hebert said he expected jobs down where the fishing is best Lindsey J. Williams (Ilaude Simmons some opposition to the measure New York: if this keeps up. and the fish bite New Orleans Port Agent and predicted efforts would be Asst. See-Treas. any better. One. of the oldtimers, W. J. Con­ nors, breezed-in here and regis-; tered: He says he's looking for a' coastwise trip right now. Some of We've had more than the usual the other, men oh the beach here number of-ships paying off in New right now include A. Ben Kori, York during the last period, but it Ray White. Agtn% Phone 2-1323 FORT WILLIAM.... 118'A Syndicate Ave. Jimmy Parker, J. R. McCain, R. SIU, A&G District Ontario Phone: 3-3221 Koch, A. Hebert, L. McAdams, Lb still didn't develop into the ship­ WILMINGTON. CaUl.... .505 Marine Ave. 103 Durham St. Terminal 4-2874 PORT COLBORNB BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. Sam Cohen. Agent. Ontario s • Phone: 5591 Boren, J, H. Patton, A. Doucette, ping boom that we had expected. Earl Sheppard. Asent Mulberry 4540 UEADQUARimS... .679 4tb Ave.,' Bkiyn. TORONTO. Ontario 86 Colbome St L. ,Albritton and A. Fruge. SECBETAEy-TRBASURER Z76 State St. It looks as if many of the boys must BOSTON EUUn 8719 Paul HaU Sheeban, Agent Richmond Z-0140 VICTORIA. BC......617<A Cormorant St. ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS be staying on those ships until JamesDispatcher And, sailing out of here on a Richmond 2-0141 Empire 4531 Lloyd Gardner GALVESTON 30SV4 23rd St. after the cold weather is over. VANCOUVER. BC........S69 HamUton St. Cities Service tanker we have ono Robert Matthew* ClaUde Simmons Keith Alsop. Agent Fhone 2-8448 Pacific 7824 HEADQUARTERS REPRESENTATIVE In all, we paid off 33 ships in the LAKE CHARLES, La 1413 Ryan St. SYDNEY. N8 304 Charlotte St of the best known local citizens. Joe Aigina I^oy Clarke. Agent Phone 6-5744 Phone 6346 past two weeks, signed 9 on ar­ MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. BAGOTVILLB. Quehce 20 Elgin St. Slim "Honest Ed" Parsons, who, at SUP Phone 2-1754 Phone: 845 present, is sailing as lubricating ticles and had 10 in-transit ships. Cal Tanner, Agent 10 Merchant. St THOROLD. Ontario ORLEANS 523 BienvlUe St. HONOLULU 37 Ormont St The payoffs included the Beatrice, NEW Phone 6-8777 Lindsey Williama. Agent Phone: 3-3202 engineer aboard one of the tank­ ...522 N. W. Everett St. QUEBEC Magnolia 6112-6113 PORTLAND 113 Cote De La HonUgne Marina, Suzanne, Ann Marie, Eliza­ NEW YORK ers. Ed says that the thing h« Beacon 4336 679 4tb Ave., Brooklyn . Phone: 2-7078 297 Sth St. SAINTQuebec likes best about the benefits we beth, Puerto Rico, Frances, Ines, STerUng 8-4670 RICHMOND, CALtr JOHN 177 FrinceWiUlam St. * Phone 2599 NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. NB Fhone: 2-3049 liave, is the Vacation Plan. He says Monroe, Kathryn and Edith (Bull), ^enRees, 450 Harri(on St Agent Phone 4-1083 SAN FRANOSGO DougU* 24363 Great Lakes District ^.337 Market St Seatrain New Jersey, New York fHILAJJ^PHlA he likes the idea of being able to ....2700 1st Ave. ALPENA S. Cardulio Agent Market 7-1635 SEA'vi'LS... •.. ......133 W. netcher work for Go days and then collect M«tii oiM and Savannah (Seatrain), Afound- PORT ARTHUR .411 Austin-^ Phone: 133aW Don Hilton, Rep. Phone 4-2341 WU-MSNGTON ,.....,., 505 Marine Ave. BUFPALO. NY....;.. 180 Main St. vacation; money and take a rest ria (twice), Mobiliap, Azalea City, SAN Terminal 4-3131 FRANCISCO 450 Han^^t. Phone: Cleveland 7391 67S-4tb ^e..^JBrooMgn CLEVELAND Stonewall Jackson, Hurripane, and Jl DouBlae 2-5475 NEW YORKi 734 Lakeaide Ave.. NE whenever he feels like it instead JUAN, PR ... 253 Ponce de Leon Phone: Main 1-0147 of haying: to tike the time off when ikeystone - Mariner ; (Waterman), SAN Sal Colls. Agent DETROIT .....1038 8rd St. Canadian District SAVANNAH ... ...... 8 Abercom St. Headouartet* Phones' Woodward 1-6BS7 the comptoy says so. ' Steel Architect and Sbel Bxe$:utive MONTREAL.;.... ..634 St Jame* St. Wert DULUTU .......831 W. Mlchlfu St. .(Isthmia^^, -Seac^gt andJS.eamag/c Clarke Mowlfott. Agent >Ay*- HAmxX NJii.i...... 80UTB-cmCA60«.T?^2^i^rM»e*^° CiHarle^ . ^A..1809-1811 Nk Wilmington: Smshine, Minor Beefs Make Things Pleasant Tagboalmen Thank SlU For kii.fr Coagress Stadias Bill For Short Cut To GHH Sm HALL DiRMCrORY CaRdldates Plesflfal For Local Eleeflons �SE'AF'ARERS LOG Febmrr 29, IjISt Mobile: Mora Military Cargoes Proiniso SMppiag Rise I; V Prospects are bright for an up^ turn in shipping- in this port. The US Naval Magasine at nearby Theodore, Ala.,.has been reacti­ vated and shipment of militai^ car­ goes bound for Europe and the Far East has been resumed through this facility. Grain shipments in SlU-contracted bottoms are ex­ pected to increase soon. Shipping interests look for several ships to be taken oiit of the Mobile boneyard and put back in service in the near future. > As for the immediate future, nine ships are due for payoff and one is scheduled to arrive here in tran^t. During'^the last two weeks, we had 10 payoffs, five ships signed-on aiid seven called here in transit. Payoffs were on the Patriot, Cor­ sair, Planter, Polaris, Cavalier and Banger (Alcoa), the Morning Light, Monarch of the Sea and Lafayette (Water­ man), and the Wanda (Epiph­ any). The Patriot, Planter, Polaris, Ranger and Lafayette signed • 'V Stevens on. The Steel Ad. yocate, .Steel Surveyor and Steel Flyer .(Isthmian); Del Norte (Mis.. $issippi); . D e S o t o (Waterman); , Sweetwater (Metro Petroleum) and LongvieW; Victory (Victory Car­ riers) stopped in transit. < W* contacted Waterman and Alcoa officials and were informed that both companies- would imme­ diately start paying the higher wage scales provided, in the new centracti Payroll department of both companies started work on figuring retroactive pay due to men who have been employed since Nov. 18, 1952, effective date of the contract. Hospital Problem Mobile's USPHS Hospital figured in the news again when the Federal Security Agency let it be known it is looking for a place to locate the out-patient clinic which has' been maintained in the building since other departments of the hospital were closed several months ago. FSA officials said the clinic will be moved out of the hospital as soon as another location is foimd and then "presumably the place ^ wUI be declared surplus." In such , event, the building would be of­ fered to other Federal agencies. If none want to use it, the state will have first call on its use. Some civic interests here,, includ­ ing the Chamber, of Commerce, are seeking to have the state or local agencies obtain the building for use of a tuberculosis sanitorium. Veterans organizations, maritime labor organizations and shipping interests want it reopened as a fullfledged USPHS hospital. More encouraging news about our proposed harbor improvement project was-received from Wash­ ington last week. Sen. Lister Hill said he will Introduce in the Sen­ ate a bill to authorize $5,778,000 . for deepening and widening the ' ship channel and enlarging the turning basin in the Port of Mobile. The project already has been Okayed by the Army Corps pi Engi­ neers and the Bureau of the Budget • ancl the Army is ashing Congress to _ improve the impiwement program. Of cpurse, tte way most people hero look at the things' is that it will mean a better harbor for the Par* Elerea .... PORT MtEPORTS more iddpping here and increase shipping activity and the amount of cargo handled through the port, u well, of course, as increasing the business carried on by the businessmen In this city. However, an increase in shipping and an improvement in facilities never hurt any port. What will happen to the bill when Congress acts upon it, naturally, is something that very few people can say, but one thing's sure; Just about everybody here is pulling for it to pass. Tj^o oldtimers swapping yams on the beach her* now are Bosuns S. P. "Pete" Morris and Oscar "Blacky" Stevens. Both are what might be termed "charter mem­ bers" of the SIU, and they can tell "sea stories"' from their voyages to all parts of the world that will stack up with the best. Cal Tanner Mobile Fort Agent .X. t Galveston: Shipping Continnes At Same Fair Pace Shipping continues fair around this port, and it looks as if it might stay that way for a while yet. We had, the Steel Surveyor (Isthmian), Northwestern Victory (Victory Carriers), Federal (Trafal­ gar), and the Seacloud (Seatraders) as payoffs. The Northwestern Vic­ tory and Federal signed right back on again. As in-tmnsits, we had the Maiden Creek and Andrew Jackson (Water­ man), Julesburg (Terminal), Seatrains Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey and Texas (Seatrain), Coun­ cil Grove, Lone Funtillo and Royal Oak (Cities Serv­ ice), Neva West (Bloomfield), Southern Districts and States (Southern Trading), Sweetwater (Metro Petro), Trinity (Carras), Steel Advocate (Isthmian), and Mae, Bui. Things are pretty quiet around these parts right now. We'v*»got Emmo PuntiUo oh the beach tak­ ing it easy. Emmo joined the SIU back in 1943, when the going was a bit on the rough side. He's been go­ ing to sea for' the past 14 years, however, and he said that if he couldn't sail SIU, he'd stop going to sea. Keith Alsep Galveston Port Agent Boston: Bssfi Seilied Here In Reaj Quick Order Shipping has been taking a lei­ surely pattern here lately, but things may be picking up a bit in the future. We had two payoffs, and both signed right back on, and also had five in-transits. The payoffs included the Julesberg (Terminal Tankers) and the Robin Doncaster (Robin). Both of these ships signed on again. The in-transits were the Chickasaw and Antinous (Waterman), Lone Jack and Paoli (Cities Service), and the Steel Recorder (Isthmian). We had a couple of beefs on these ships, but they were all settled to the satisfaction of the crew. On the Robin Doncaster, we collected 123 hours overtime for the crew. There was disputed overtime for working on holi­ days, securing booms, ' and for two men using the large type spray guns. All of this was col­ lected, as well as 20 hours overtime for the bosun to Sams bring him up to high man. On the Lone Jack, the chief cook, second cook and one messman had been fired. We took up that beef right away, since the crew said the men had been doing a good job, in fact, the chief cook has been sailing for 17 years in Uiat capacity, and this is the first time he's ever had a complaint. The result was that we collected all the back wages for these men until they were reshipped, since they had been fiied'for insufficient reason. The crew told us that the cooks in question had been some of the finest cooks they had ever sailed with. Men Cooperative The men on the beach in this port have been very cooperative about helping us keep the hall clean and -tidy, and have been helpful whenever they got a chance to do anything for us. We've had a good bunch on the beach lately. ^ Contacting Atiaatio We've been contacting the At­ lantic ships as they hit this port, and so far the response has been terrific. All the reports that we've gotten from the'men on the ships show that we've got the Atlantic fleet in the bag, but th^ no ex­ cuse for taking it easy, we've got to keep plugging, and see how high AO c sHippme a percentage we can rack up in the San Francisco: election. This is not the time to sit back and start taking it easy as far as our organizing efforts in that fleet is concerned. Leo Rams was called up < into the Army, but they have been kind The shipping picture in these enough to give him a one-month parts has picked up quite a bit in extension to take care of his per­ the last two weeks, and it looks a sonal business. Tom Flemming, little better for the next couple of Bob Murphy, L. Dixon, Don Oman, weeks. Staniey Greenridge, Robert Lee, We had the Madaket and Topa and C. Murphy are among the old- Topa (Waterman) in to pay off, and timers who have been on the beach we signed on. the Madaket and the here lately. Fairisle (Waterman). The in-trans­ Tim McCarthy is back in the its included the Bienville and Kyshospital here and will be undergo­ ka (Waterman), Greece Victory ing an operation shortly. He called (South Atlantic), Stee! Chemist for blood donors here a short while (Isthmian), Shinnecock Bay (Veri­ ago, and we had a fine turn-out, tas). Pennmar and Portmar (Calbut then he wasn't operated on, mar). so the blood was put in the blood After making a couple? of the bank over at the hospital for some Calmar ships as they hit port here, other Seafarer who may need it it sure looks as if the new a,greelater. Donald White is back in a ment is doing them a lot of good. cast after another operation, but The general opinion is that the he's still smiling and cheerful, and men on these ships are eating a always has a smile for everybody. lot better than before, and it looks It's getting so around here now as if the company is making an that we've got to send out a spe­ effort to get its feeding back up to cial notice whenever we've got the regular SIU standards. some jobs going up on the board. Some Choosy The fellows are either shooting Some of the oldtimers are still pool or watching TV in the new around the hall waiting recreation facilities that we have hanging for their favorite runs, as usual. in the hall now, and don't pay They could ship jii.st about any ui'ucli altenlion to lite boaid. time that they wanted to, but some What with the cold weather of the boys get their hearts set on still with us, the new TV room a particular run, and then they has become just about the most just wait until that run comes popular with the men on the beach. along. It's the place where they can just The aliens out here have censit back and watch a free show tainly gone all out in favor of the while thej^re waiting for their Union's action in their behalf. The particular ship to come along. SIU, as usual, was right there to That's one of the things that protect the interests of its mem­ the fellows tell us they really like bers, and leading the way for th* about our Union, the way that the rest of the industry. As usual, the SIU takes care of its members, SIU was the first to meet with th* both on the ships and on the beach. Immigration authorities in Wash­ But then, the men who are on ington and get some assurance that the beach here are usually a good more will be done to help out th* bunch. They realize that this is bonafide alien seamen who have their Union, and that the hall is been sailing American ships. As you know, the membership their's. Then, they are more agree­ able about helping to keep it clean out here went unanimously in and in good condition so that they favor of calling the bluff of th* can enjoy it when they are on the phoney AMEU and putting up the money to prove tliat the jobs are beach. None of us wants to spend his there. So far, the AMEU has been time on the beach in a dirty, like the guy who is always play­ crummy building. And all of us ing "light" in a poker game and like to have some decent recrea­ trying to play with everybody, else's pioney without risking any tional facilities around, so that we of his own. They keep saying "let can have something to do with our time while we're on the beach or the SIU put up 10 grand," but never mention anything about waiting for a ship we want. backing their play with their own The only way to be sure of hav­ money. Well, now they'll see the ing these things, is to take care of color of our money. Let's see the what we have, and to leave it in color of their dough. good condition for the next man We know that we have the jobs, who comes along. If everybody and that we're not making any does the same, it wiil be that way claims we can't back up. We've when we're ready to use It again. nothing to hide. Let's see if th* AMEU is as quick to back up all James Sheehan the noise that it's been making. Boston Fort Agent T. E. Banning San Francisco Port Agent SIU Leads The Way In Banking Members Be Sure to Get Dues Receipts Shipping Figures, January 28 to February 11 BEG. BEG. REG. TOTAL PORT DECK ENGINE STEW. REG. Boston 18, 15 22 55 New Fork 168 154 111 434 Philadelphia 41 28 25 94 Baltimor# m .104 78 326 Norfolk 29 23 17 69 Savannah.... IS 11 9 36 Twpa ...................... No figures received' • Mobil* 55 43 48 146 New Origan*. ..... 89 72 83 244 Oalvestoa ,:Wert ^ ;,:;29j ^ .28 ' 228 >7 SHIF. DECK 8, 120 38 134 26 12 SHIF. SBIF. TOTAL ENG. STEW.SHIFFED 21 3 23 134 115 369 38 34 108 93 87 314 20 14 60 7 6 25 22 (» 32 44 33 68. 87 173 38 83 39 47 30 88 / 107 198 , Headquarters again wishes to remind all Seafarers that payments of funds, for what­ ever Union purpose, be made only to authorized A&G rcpresentatives and that an official Union receipt be gotten at that time. If no receipt is offered, be sure to protect yourself by immediately bringing the mat­ ter to the attention of the Sec-' retary-Treasurer's office. Tlie Union's word of advice is to insure that all monies paid are credited to your SIU ~ record. Insi.stence on an offi­ cial receipt will prevent "can shakers" from soliciting fimds for tinauthorized purposes, and will bar any foul-ups later on. '*3 �Vac* Twelv* SEAFARERS LOG Febrowy S«, ,195S MEET THE SEAFARER IN THE WAKE about every ten. years after that... ANDREW ANDERSON, bosun Blue point oysters drere originally Sailing for nearly 30 years has course of their trips, nut i nav* so ca^ed from Blue Point, a village not dimmed the lure of the sea for been down there several times. I on Long Island, in the vicinity of What features do you like best Seafarer Andrew Anderson who be­ find the people are especially nice which deliciously flavored oysters gan his salty career as a broth of Down Under. of a small variety were found in in the SEAFARERS LOG? "Of course, there is much to be a 14-year-old deckboy aboard a natural beds. Nowadays any similar said for many countries of the free Norwegian freighter. small round oysters suitable for Paul Oakley, steward: The per­ being served raw are known as Since that time Andy has visited world from a tourist's viewpoint. blue points. There are altogether sonals column is one thing I read just about every major port in the Not only are the people hospitable, very' carefully. I world and has had a tourist's eye in mbst cases, but each land seems about 190 different species of also read Paul view of every country worth men­ to have its own fiavor and scenic oysters known to science. Hall's report and tioning on the face of the. earth. wonderland to please the taste of t t I like the Log- He's a shutterbug along withjnost even the most wary traveler. Ship­ Tin was one of the earliest A-Rhythms. The of his shipmates, but he say.s"that ping as a Seafarer is probably the metals discovered and is mentioned port reports al­ he takes the pictures nAore for his best way to see these once-strange t several times in the Old Testament. ways catch my own enjoyment and record of his nations. Hie first time radio was used in In Biblical times the Phoenicians eye because I'm travels than for perfect photo­ "Whenever I hit a country," a sea rescue was in 1909, when the scoured the shores of the Mediter­ interested in graph reproduction. He does not Andy continued, "I do quite White Btar liner Republic was ranean in search of tin with which what's going on even admit to being an amateur a bit of sightseeing. I take rammed and sunk by an Italian to hai^en copper and produce in the other camera fan, but takes pictures only my camera along in order to record vessel; the Florida, off Nantucket bronze. Ancient historians wrote ports. I go through the ship's min­ when the spirit moves him. His the people as I actually see them. light. All but six of its passengers that the Greeks obtained their tin utes thoroughly too. subjects are varied as the lands he It is a fascinating experitace." were saved by the "CQD," sent by "from the ends of the earth," a visits, but he expresses preference Married for 20 of his 43 years,, the Republic's radio operator. reference to the Cassiterides, or in shooting sporting events. with an 18-year-old daughter who "CQD" was an early danger signal "Tin Islands," which were sup­ just graduated from Fort Hamilton C. Hettinger, AB: I like the Favorite Subjects used in radio, before SOS became posed to lie north of Europe. It is comic strip "Burly" and the port High School in Brooklyn, Andy has Some of his favorite shutter sub­ the international danger signal • • • supposed that the Tin Islands of jects are the native games of the been a member of the SIU since Salt concentration in the ocean is, the Greeks might have been the reports that the agents send in countries of the world. Andy pre­ 1947. He thinks he has come a long in general, fairly uniform with British Isles, since there is evi­ because that way fers, however, the American game way with the Union since shipping latitude. Maximum values, which in dence that the tin mines in south­ can find out of baseball as camera fodder to the as a deckboy for $8 a month on that some locations are in excess of west England were worked during national game of his native Nor­ Norwegian vessel. more than 36 parts of salt to 1,000 the Bronze Age long before the what's going on ' " Ship Anywhere way, soccer. On the other hand, he parts of water, occur at about 20 °N Roman conquest under Julius in the other SIU ports. Besides is quite adept at the foot-is-fasterAndy likes the Isthmian, Water­ «nd 20'^S. Caesar. that I like to than-the-ball spoft and owns sev­ man and Bull lines for - shipping tit 4. 4read the general eral medals and rings won in com­ conditions, but as long as it is a Among Seamen in many coun­ One of the peculiar advantages news about what petition on the soccer fields of New SIU ship he will go anywhere for tries of the world, the belief in of the fine natural harbor at the Union is do­ York City. any outfit. His last ship was the lucky and unlucky days still pre­ Southampton, England, is supposed ing. Andy sports a championship ring Trinity on a coastwise run. vails. There originally were sup­ to be that it has two high tides bearing the inscription of the Met­ "I prefer the European runs . t 4> t posed to be 28 lucky and 54 un­ rather than one high tide a day. ropolitan District Soccer League more than the Far East, let us Paul Whitlow, AB: I'm interested title for 1946-47, in addition to say," he said, "because I know the lucky days in a year, but most of But this same condition exists right them have been lost to the records. across the channel at Le Havre, most in the letters to the editor owning two medals for the semi- people Over there and I cart speak and in Paul professional soccer championship a few languages. I speak a little Superstitions concerning the days France, as well as on the coast of Hall's column, of the same district in 1932 and German and I am completely at of the week held that all days but Holland... Since the deepest spot "As I See It." 1934. He prefers to play the half­ home with some of the Scandina­ Tuesdays and Fridays, which were in the ocean is 35,640 feet below traditionally considered "unlucky," sea level (located about 200 miles The other things back position in a game which is vian tongues. I can't estimate the would bring good fortune... Al­ southwest of Guam), and the high­ I go for are the commonly given partial credit as number of European runs I made, though the records are faulty, the est mountain, Mt. Everest in Tibet, "Labor Roundup" an ancestor of American football. but they have been quite a few. Virginia, built at Popham, Maine, is over 29,000 feet hi'gh, there is a and the ship's "I still like to get out once in a My first one was when I was 14." in 1608, is believed to have been range of 64,781 feet, or over 12 minutes t o find while and teach the neighborhood Andy served in the Navy from the first ship built in America. She miles, between the bottom of the out what's hap­ kids how to play the game," Andy 1942-46, firsf in Naval Aviation and was an inauspicious 30 tons. sea and the top of the land, as we pening on the said. then in & ship repair unit stationed know them today. The ships. World Traveler Stateside. During the fighting, he 4. 4. t "Washington Newsletter" is anIn addition to his athletic ex­ spent most of the time in coastal i i i Native to Portugal, Spain and other column I follow. ploits, Andy likes to travel via the runs or ashore. His one trip of Neptune was not the only god of other countries bordering the Medi­ sea and SIU ships around the four months' duration to the Pacific 4f terranean Sea, the buoyant mate­ the sea known to. seamen, since world. "I guess I have visited every war zone, stopping at Guam, came rial called cork comes from the mythology placds Oceanus, an Nick Boosanque, wiper; I usual­ country in the world," the tanned, after the cessation o' hostilities. He outer part of the" bark of the cork older god who held powers over all ly like to read the letters and sto­ blond Seafarer said. "But that is spent the war years of 1941-42 in oak, an evergreen tree which grjws waters, as coming before him. ries that people not unusual. It is true of most sea­ a shipyard, helping to build the in that region. The cork is first re­ Neptune came to power, with his write in. There men, especially from the Union. vessels which he later manned in moved from the tree when-it is 20 brothers Jupiter and Pluto, after should be even Even then, most SIU men don't the Navy and as a merchant sea­ years old and can be harvested they conquered the older gods... more of this type touch Australia iii the normal man. of stuff about a guy's personal experiences. Also I like the stories and pictures Adkoss DOWN 9. Channel Is­ 31. Shield Prime Minister Churchiii re­ organized resistance, but patrolland about the for­ 32. Sack 1. Seniors: Abbr. 1. Chest that 10. Towing rope 35. Ogled sells things turned to London from his extend­ operations against isolated enemy eign ports, es­ 2. Latitude: 11. $ bUls 38. Coast, Abbr. The MeCarpecially if I've been there before. ed trip through North Africa and groups continued, Washington re­ 16. Boy Guinea ran —— 3. South Sea 19. SIU does this 39. Hebrew letter the Near East...A daylight raid ported... The House, 302 to 94, S> islander Port In Nor­ for us 41. Greek letter was" made on Naples by United gave its Special Committee Inves­ Jerome Fine, MM: I like to read way 20. Gamy fish 42. It's watched 4. Orange skin by cook States B:^24 heavy bombers oper­ tigating Un-American Activities a 5. Without com­ 21. Poker stake . the minutes of ship's .meetings of 12. Cape 23. Footlike part 43. Small coin pany Newf. the ships I sailed ating from North Africa. Direct two-year lease on life, making it 25. They get $1.87 45. Pass this for 6. Combed wool 13. New Guinea overtime higher grade on on previous hits were scored on three mer­ the fifth renewal of the commit­ 7. Shirt sold by port 27. Port In Wales' 47. la, la Sea Chest trips. Also I go chant vessels... President Roose­ tee's life...The SIU was repre­ First murderer 14. 48. Long time a'. Good thing to 28. Twisted 15. An Ore ship 29. Inquires 49. Female ruft for the "Burly" velt by executive order established sented at the Southern War Labor breathe: 2 17. Boxing's old­ wds. (Puzzle Answers on Page 25) cartoon strip, but a minimum war-time work week of Conference attended by more than est living ex-champ generally speak­ 48 hours in 32 areas, which had 3,000 American Federation of La­ 18. Island in Gulf ing I read the been designated as having critical bor union officials from 12 south­ of Bothnia 19. Fishes whole LOG from labor shortages ,.. Results of ballot­ ern states... Crash of an Army SO. Shut out cover 10 cover ing in the A&G election were an­ plane in the Pacific, one mile off 22. Dredge, as a harbor and find it a nounced and the officials elected shore, killed 18 persons. 24. Cuchoos 4 » * very interesting were installed in office . . . United 26. A Mississippi British planes again raided the newspaper. ship States Flying Fortresses dropped 30. Good place to bombs on 20 to 25 Axis planes German submarine nest at Lorient return to 4f parked on enemy airfields around and other objectives in Northern S3. Pier supports Alex Stevenson, MM: I like Paul Kairouau in Tunisia. Direct hits France, the Netherlands, Belgium, 34 Where SaintLouis is Hall's column. It usually has some were made on rail installations in and Northwestern Germany.. .SIU 36. Grade interesting stuff. 37. The Amazon men went on record to buy an ad­ the same district. has the The maritime ditional $25,160 in war bonds.'^ delta column is good They believed in not only delivering 40. Nights: Abbr. del Tore, 41. because it tells The United States.Senate con- the supplies to the ironts, but Panama you what's hap­ firiqed Lieut. Gen. Dwight D. helping the Government pay for 44. Make happy pening on ships 46. Always Eisenhower a full general of the them as well...The United States 47. Voyager and in the indus­ United States Army and Primd Supreme Court affirmed a lower so. Take care of try, and the let­ SI. Last book In Minister Churchill announced thk court ruling dismissing the Govern­ Bible: Abbr. ters always have Eisenhower would be supreme ment's anti-trust suit against the «2. Kind of gin an old shipmate commander of all Allied operas American Federation of Musicians, writing in, or tions in Northern Africa from the AFL, and its president, James C. Lemon drink something about ships I once was Atlantic to Egypt ... Japanese Petrillo, after the union imposed Newcastle'^: river iforces on Guadalcanal ceased all a ban on new recordi9(gs,.y>.. . c ' r >i r Some seaweeds arc the tallest plants to be found anywhere in the world. Seaweeds more than 600 feet fall have been found in the ocean at the southern tip of South Amer­ ica, and this height is greater than that of the tallest trees in the world—the giant sequoia trees of California and the eucalyptus trees of Australia. By way of comparison, the top of the torch in the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor is Just a little more than 300 feet above the water line. 4> V * r- Im TEARS ae,.... /: 4 AM ' • ' ' , • ' ' �rebmrr t#; list iBJtfAKsms the SEAFARERS^ LOG V«I. XV. N«. 4 Published biweekly by the Seafarers International Union. Atlantic & Gulf District, AFL, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 82, NY. Tel. STerlinY 6-4670. LEHER PAUL HALL, Secretary-Treasurer of the Mrrary 20, YtSI editor. HKHISBT BIAKD: . Managing editor, RAT OENISON; Art EdUor. inri SCAM^; PAoto Kdltor, DAMSEL NILTA; Stag Writtrt, HERMAM AsiKtrs, Iswat ARTA An PtarALL. Jsnr tanaau Gulf Area Reporter, BILL HOODT. Weleome Birthday Puce TUrtttm '—And Only I Year Old!' WEEK Any way you look at it, $2 million is a lot of money. The news that the SIU Vacation Plan has paid out close thai sum in just one year is a pleasant reminder. For without the SIU's revolutionary Vacation Plan, Seafarers would have gotten only a small fraction of that $2 million, or of the many Ta The Editor: A few months «go we eonmillions more that will be paid out in the future. itnieted, revised and adopted The Vacation Plan, like all other benefits, was designed so new constitution. We also recently ' that Seafarers would not be tied down to any one company Mgotiated and won a new con­ . ,tp get full ^vantage Of all SIU gains. The SIU was aware tract. Both of these measures have of the danger this entails. A man tied to one company and further strengthened the structure obligated to that company for benefits is going to be imder of the SIU aud is proof of what the company's thumb. By setting up its Plms so that s! can be accomplished by solidarity owners' contribute to a central fund, the SIU preserved the of membership and honest and Seafarers traditional freedom of choice of jobs and independ­ competent leadership. Ail these conditions, these wages ence of any ship operator. Next to the money.Seafarers like best the speed with which and the Welfare Plan have com­ the Plan operates. The absence of red tape contrasts Sharply bined to make the SIU one of the best on the seas today, if not the with the one-company fund type setup. And with the Owners' best. Today we are looked upon as contributions having been increased under the new contract. leaders. Seafarers can look forward to bigger and better vacation beneSmall Minority , ; fits in the future. However, there are those in the organization who seem to- take the ^ t Union for granted The CIO Economic Outlook offer­ and salary increase that would and who, by their ed its own proposals for changes in have come to $800 in 18 months very actions and the Social Security Act in which The board, in adopting its 1953-54 attitudes, tend to it fears the Republican Congress, budget, voted for a $600 across-theThere were no mourners at the funeral when the WSB was undermine that as it did in 1947-48, will whittle board pay hike for all employees ot buried along with most price controls. Few regretted the organization. Of Oid-Age and Survivors Insurance the school system, plus a $300 passing of the wage agency, not even those who were on the course, these coverage without increasing bene­ bonus, giving the teachers more characters form fits. The CIO urged substantial im­ than they bargained for. *' • board and had the unhappy task of making arbitrary decisions *a very small mi­ provement in the benefit levels un­ 4 4 4 . Oih thousands of complicated labor contracts. nority. Big or der the OASl program, making Wholesale food prices dropped social insurance payments high Actually, except for certain critical raw materials the small though this Wert minority may be, enough to maintain an American nine cents in the week ending Feb whole-price-wage control program had become a solemn farce. 5'he law was so written that an industry could secure it poses a serious threat to the en­ standard of living. In addition to 3, 1953, Dun and Bradstreet report­ universal coverage, the ed. Its index was $6.13, or 7.3 per­ price increases for its products just as if there were no legal tire organization. Most of us are advocating Outlook felt the "average monthly cent under the same week in 1952. familiar with the tactic of bringing regulations at all. wage" should be calculated on the actions of the minority to the 4 4 4 ; The only ones who lost out through controls were the union fore when it suits the employers' earnings in th^ highest three An Increase in men's clothing members. Many collective bargaining gains were denied, and purpose. Therefore, it is obvious month periods of the five years others were delayed for months while the WSB tried to make that the actions of the minority which produced highest total earn­ sales has led the CIO Amalgamated Clothing Workers to ask wage in­ up its mind. Goodbye WSB. You'll never be missed. can and sometimes does over­ ings. creases from 850 companies repre­ shadow the good done by the rest 4 4 4 ( 4" 4 ' it sented- by the Clothing Manufac­ of the membership. A Senate Labor subcommittee re­ turers Association of the USA. The The actions 1 refer to. here are: port credited the labor movement ACW board of directory presented idle and irrelevant talk at meet­ with doing more to destroy Com­ its requests to the CMA board at a ings, drinking to the point of being munism "than any other single meeting in New York. CMA repre­ Two sayings that everybody has heard are, "talk is cheap," unable to turn to on ship, flagrant force in American life." At the sents 90 percent of manufactur­ and "money talks." The Atlantic Maritime Employees Union, missing of watches and missing same time, the report denounced ers in the industry.the Last fall ACW self-styled "independent union" on Atlantic Refining Com­ ship, drinking while at sea to the employers who tried to use rivalry and the industry signed a five-year of shipmates, sloppy between a Communist and nonwith no wage increases be­ pany ships, has been doing a lot of cheap talking lately. In annoyance and inexpert performance of Communist union to their own-pur­ contract cause of the depressed eoudition of an effort to stymie the SIU's continued progress in the com­ duties, and even destruction of poses. Such tactics, it said, made the clothing business. However, the pany, the AMEU is trying to knock the SlU's job security. In ship's property. "no contribution to the common contract can be reopened once a these action's cannot welfare." The report was issued by for adjustment of wages and the face of the well-known SIU policy of maintaining a ratio andBrothers, will not be defended by any the subcommittee headed by Rep. year working conditions. of One job per member or better, the AMEU deftly put both labor organization, least of all by Hubert H. Humphrey (D. Minn.) 4 4 4 feet in its overly-spacious mouth when it challenged the SIU the SIU. during tlie last Congress. Fought Too Hard The Bureau of Labor Statistics to put up ten grand to prove this policy. 4 4.4 We have fought too hard for the reported hourly earnings of the na­ President Anthony Vaiente of the Well the SIU has called the bluff. The ten grand has been conditions we have today to throw AFL Textile Workers asked all tion's 13.5 million factory workers put up to back the SIU's claim, and further the AMEU is them away on some few who feel UTW locals to call special meetings increased an average of 12 percent challenged to match the bid with an equal sum of its own. no responsibility toward anything. immediately to consider the effects during the past two years. The If the SIU is proved wrong, the money will go to Atlantic Merely keeping our books in good of price and wage decontrol and hourly wage, including overtime standing, attending meetings, vot­ and other premium pay, was $1.78 seamen's widows and orphans. ing and pulling occasional strike the efforts of textile employers to in December 1952, compared with Unfortunately for the widows and orphans, they'll have to duty is not enough. We must make slash wages and other benefits. Va­ two years earlier. Most of struggle along oh Atlantic's meager $300 benefits. The SEU our organization work at all times iente stated he believed the end of $1.54 the increases from costhas the royal flush in its hand. We doubt if Atlantic is going while we are employed. This can controls means « sharp increase in of-living wage resulted hikes, but part was the cost of livinjg. He called on all to match our bid to see it. only be done by diligence to duty, locals to "re-examine the also due to more employment in by sober and competent perform­ UTW wage structures at the plants they better-paying industries and more 4 4 4 ance of those duties, by taking overtime work. The average work only those Jobs we can handle, by represent and take appropriate ac­ week at the end of the past year tion to prevent any lowering of maintaining a clean and coopera­ was 41.8 hours, almost half an hour tive ship, and most of all, by see­ their wages and standards of living longer than in December, 1950. There just doesn't seem to be any limit to the number of ing as a result of higher prices." that those around us Ci^;serve sucker devices that can be dreamed up by s^b-talldng slickers. the same rules. 4 4 4 4 4 4 ; Two new schemes thSit prey upon seamen or would-be seamen The SIU is a powerful and effi­ President Elsenhower in ending An advisory committee consisting organization, but it will re­ all wage controls also directed the of 15 public, industry and labor have come to light recently. One is the "111 forward your cient main that way only if all of us Office' of Price Stabilization to re­ representatives has been appointed baggage" routine, whereby the baggage is forwarded minus work to keep it that way, and also move price controls on all meats, by . Secretary of Labor Martin P. valuables. The second one is "I'll show you how to go to sea that we see to it that each and furniture, apparel, restaurant Durtcin to make recommendations every member works the same way. meals, and most of the items usu­ on the Taft-Hartley law. The com­ and get rich for a couple of bucks." sold in department stores. Of­ mittee includes AFL President Unfortunately as fast as the Union, or some other reputable There ir no room for those who ally ficials estimated resulting price in- George Meany and CIO head Wal­ are not with u» all the way. Aeagency turns up these gimmicks, the slickers invent ten new tnember, we didn't klways have it creases would come to (500 million ter Renther in its five lat'oi mem­ , ones. There's only one way to keep these Brookljrn Bridge this good. Also ;remember that to (1 billion in « year. bers. Others in the group are John salesmen under control. Check with the Union, if in doubt, you only get from aA organization L. Lewis, David McDonald, hea6 of • 4^.4^ 4 fi^vvand let the Union know if you or your shipmates are vi<s what you put int9 it. The teaohera of liinden, NF, bak­ the Steel workers Union, and ; .,A.N. Wert' 'i ed the school board for -a bonus qeorge Harrison, Railway Clerks. AU Must Guard Untou^s Gains *!• There's No Regret Chips Are Down New Sneker CSamea , �Fat* FowicM SEAFARERS iJehnuucr itO, 195S LOG 'J'; ^.: •, -v,.. ;<;-.r: • • •; •:••'•-•. ^ I/-/--f !t;•; i'' ;! tW-V'"t-' P '•*• i d I-.!-* t---.^7!?: ^- ¥" '• p^; :•'• '•.' . :- 'i'*- :r p >., : V' I' P%' •c _l-" • . &':• • fp" •li: Even with locks, the builders had to slice through massive hills. Above is the Culebra cut, below, the Miraflores locks, as in 1913. M-y M':' A temporary retaining wall, the Gamboa dike, goes up in a big puff of smokt, as it is dynamited by construction workers, October, 1913. ••M-,. V Few engineering achievments of modern times rank with the construction of the Panama Canal. Building of the Canal took 34 years of work, shot through with heartbreaking set: backs; floods, earthslides, hurricanes and raging epidemics. Successful completion of the Canal ranked as a great for­ ward step in medicine as well as in engineering, because it .was at Panama that the first ^ttle against yellow fever ^and malaria was fought and won. In order to build the Canal engineers had to excavate 240 million cubic yards of earth to make-a cut slightly over. 40 miles long and at least 41 feet deep overall. Th^y had to create an artificial lake and construct three massive sets of locks to lift ocean-going vessels 85 feet across the conti­ nental divide in the midst of a steaming jungle. While Panama is known affectionately as the "Big Ditch" that nickname could, better.be applied to Suez. The latter is a huge sea level d|tch/whereas PanamS is a liquid stepladder climbing the hills. ^ It was the attempt by the French promoter, deLesseps, to build a "big ditch", at sea level as he did at Suez that held up completion Tor many years. The French struggled val­ iantly for Seven years, from 1880 to 1887. They excavated 72 milliom cubic yards in their yain attempt. What began as a champagne celebration when the first shovelful of Panamanian isoil was turned oh Janury 1, 1880, soon ran into difficulties. A yellow fever epidemic struck in 1881, the forerunner of sicknesses that took 5,527 lives.in eight years. An earthquake in 1882, floods and periodic rock slides dropped tons of earth and rocks back into the excava­ tion. When the Americans took over it was decided to build a lock canal. Congress authorized the work in 1900, but it wasn't until Aprib 1907, when a commission headed by Lieu­ tenant Colonel George Goethals took charge, that work pro­ ceeded at a fast clip. The Gatun Dam, 1% miles long and 500 feet thick through the bottom, was completed in 1913, as were the locks. Meanwhile Dr. William A. Gdrgas attacked medical problenis with such effect that there was not one ijase of yellow fever after November, 1905. Opening of the canal was scheduled for October, 1913, but two million cubic yards of earth and rock avalanched into the channel and had to be cleared. The first commercial passage was in May, 1914, months before the official opening., Building of a lock canal reduced the threat of landslides in that the canal is 85 feet higher than it would have been other­ wise. But the lock construction is vulnerable to air attack. As a rbsult, alternate sets of locks were built during World War II. �First boat through Gatun locks, a tug, goes under its own steam, Septem­ ber 26, 1913. Vessels are regularly hauled through here by locomotives.. Be­ low, dredges clear a slide from the Culebra cdt. Gatun spillway dam (above) on upstream side, shown under construction, January, 1913. Below are upper Gatun locks clearly showing tracks for the ship-hauling locomotives. ' -^1 -•31 < -' • >y't ^ •> '• • >• v;' ' uy •,? t V,: i J.. •• . ,'i', 'r "i •>'•' - ' • . : i First official passage of the Canal is made by the SS Ancon on August 15, 1914, climaxing 34 years' work by French and American canal builders. She's shown here in Culebra cut near Cerro Luisa. v3_, • ^ , 'J'.''- ^ li V-V »• f wvih" 1 ifeij6dsj«ahiSf™" iSi- A �•• V .;,'<C<'^. ;••• - •. ,< • - ' S^EAFMKERS laG t/ii Wtiwutr f», Rii SEAF Port officials anaouaecd the value of forei^ commerce passing through the Port of Houston during 1952 passed fl million for'the first time. Total commerce, both foreiga and domestic throii^. the port, surpassed the $2 million mark, making it the first time in the port's history that the figure had been surpassed. Tonnage values showed a big increase, but the port's total tonnage showed only an in­ crease of 1 percent. The value of foreign trade tonnage through the port alone accounted for a 43.5 increase over 1932. f/- \w II I:. 4.--.i JtV ACTION The recent Citation of the Angelina crew by the Coast Guard for the -cre-wmembers' effective and courageous firefijtoting was » happy end­ ing tb What might have been a serious tragedy. Fortunately, in theea^e;of toe Angelina, the officers and men knew toeir business. But vexing problem of how to deal' with the man wbw leaves toe theire have been other occasions when erewmembers were not so ex­ 21 • 3^ * perienced despite repeated fibre drills. The Question has been raised'^ washing machine The government of El Salvador announced six Amerloan engineering running, or fdihi' as tb whether present fire ibriU procedure' is adeqoafe to fully toain concerns had shown inierest -in a contract to check the study made' vt fo clean up when men in toe proper handling of flre^fightlng ecpiipnient. It does little toe feasibility of toe f45 mlHlon Port Acajntla project. The govern­ he gets through good to- equip ft ship with up^to-date portable, extinguishers and fixed ment plans to seek a loan from the IntemaMonal Bank In order'to is On its way to fire-fighting and fire-smotherhig Systems if their operation is not proceed with toe project. . . The Queen Elfatabeto, toe world's largest a solution aboard properly understood.. ' passenger liner, came out of Idlmiess after Its annnal seven-week over­ the Steel Maker Some authorities feel that in this respect fire manuals and haul. Southampton police still are Investigating a mysterious fire which (Isthmian). Ship's dummy drills aren't enough to properly acquaint erewmembers with broke out aboard the vessel while it was in drydock, suspecting some delegate James the' hantfiing at equipment. The best way to train men is under con­ possible sabotage ... The Navy's Military Sea Transportation Service Shipley has sug­ trolled conditions where they could actually Undergo the experience announced that six freighters would be returned to private ownership gested that a of fighting • fire. In the next two months upon expiration of their charters. card be posted by SWpley Praetiee On Flre-FIghtlng the machine and each man using if $> 2> 2l be required tb put his name on It. Unfortunately this isn't practical with a fixed fire system, but it A bomb scare delayed the sailing of the Constitution from New York as the 29,500-ton ship was ready to leave for a 55-day Mediterranean That way, if the machine was left can foe done with portable extinguishers. In this connection the Coast cruise, with 513 passengers aboard. A four-hour search by scores of running too limg, or was left far a Guard conducted a series Of tests a while agb with recruits in which federal and municipal investigators turned up no evidence of the dirty conditfon, the creW would ; standard test fires were set up similw to those thai might take place' bomb . . . Customs collections in the Port of New York for January ImoW who was responsible. Also if on small boats. The men were given portable extinguishers with which Were $2 million more than the previous January, but $3 million dol­ somebody else wanted to use the to put out the fires'. lars less than for the month of December, 1952. Collectors reported machine while it was going they In most cases- on the first try the men stood too far away from the that 25,522 passengers arrived in New York aboard T72 ships last could get hold of the crewmember ; fire fm? the extinguishers to have any effect. On the second and third month, while 23,247 steamed out of the city on 807 ships . . , Officials who' was hol(fing them up. i fry, they all learned how to handle the extinguishers properly. Also Shipley is an engine department in some instances the men forgot to> pull locking pins which are in­ of Tacoma, Washington's Martinac Shipyard are noMn the least super­ stitious. 'The 13th minesweeper in the 13th Naval District's shipbuild­ man who has been sailing SIU stalled on certain typeis of extinguishers. This recalls the sad story ing program was launched there on Friday the 13th by a woman with since he joined up in the port of of ft shoreside factory which had a large number of carbon dioxide 13 letters in her name wielding a 13-year-old bottle of champagne Boston in December, 1945. He's 26 extin^ishers on hand all equipped with these loekiug pins. 'When a years old and his home town is fire broke out, workers' at the plant tried to operate the extinguishers over the prow. Marshall, North Carolina. 3i > S. not k^wing the pins-had to be removed. When the eAuuguisiieis New York Shipping Association member companies announced that didn't work, they read the instructions- and discovered that the pins ft ft .ft payment would begin "as soon as possible" on an estiffiated il2 mil­ The subject of crew '^harmony had to be takra off. But in many cases the pina had been bent by the lion in retroactive pay due 40,000 New York longshoremen under an also was taken up aboard the men in their attempts to operate the equipment with the result that arbitration award made November 23. A rise of 17 cents an hour re- Steel Traveler (Isthmian). Sea­ toe extinguishers were made useless. troactive'^to October 1, 1952, was the top gain won in the agreement, farer Arthur Thompson spoke at Leeward Approach along with $4.44 for a straight time hour and $6.66 for an overtime length on the im­ Aside from the question of getting up close enough to a fire, the re­ hour for handling explosives «and damaged cargoes. portance of har­ cruits learned, among other things, to approach fires from the leeward mony particular­ t 3.-4. side when using carbon tetrachloride extinguishers. Those who ap- ^ ly on a long trip. Freak maritime mishaps continued to plague, shipping in the US. When mien are prdached from the windward side soon found that the irritating vapors A tanker ran aground in Grays Harbor, near Seattle, Wash.; a crippled living and work­ from these extinguishers made it impossible to continue fire fighting. fishmg boat had a broken rudder off the Washington coast; a coaling together 24 Another important fact learned was the limitations of hand extin­ laden freighter ran aground on a sand bar at the entrance of Beaufort hotu-s a day in guishers when fighting any but a very small fire. The men found that Inlet in North Carolina; and a tug off the Washington coast towed 500 close quarter^ they had difficulty putting out a fire as small as a foui' foot square tons of explosives on a leaking barge, playing put-and-take with Davey for ft couple of spill. When larger fires are met, they will'know not to waste time Jones ... A new type of gyroscopic compass for ships is being manu­ months they using portable extinguishers but will bring fixed equipment into play factured. The new compass operates on the same principle as- the Thompson should go out Of immediately. older models but it embodies lower installation costs and reduced maintenance. The new model is the Mark 14 Mod 2 Gyro-Compass their way to get along with each TeYai City Disaster , _ . . . Shifty fogs continued to clog the sea lanes around New York har­ .other. • Some notable instances where Inadequate fire-fighting knowledge bor for a part of the past two weeks, but London's leadership in this Thompson is one of the Union's proved disastrous include the Noronic fire apd the blaze on the steamer department remained unchallenged. earliest members, joining up in French Grandcamp which was responsible for the*Texas City explosion. In December, 1938, a few weeks after t> HSi ii the Noronic case, the fire started in a linen locker and valuable time the SlU was chartered. He's 56 A fire- in a forward hold of the Chilean freighter AconcaghU 1ni8| was lost when It was fought unsuccessfully with a carbon tet extin­ brought under control by city firemen ds the ship lay at anehor In years- old and a native of Tennes­ guisher, which was too small to begin with and tl<6 wrong type of see. He sails in the engine depart­ Gravesend Bay . . . Chairman Charles W. Tobey of the Senate Com­ extinguisher for that kind of fire. In the Grandcamp fire, the officers merce Committee, and of Kefauver Committee fame, announced his ment and served the Union as attempted to smother an ammonium nitrate fire by closing all vents committee would hold on-the-spot hearings within the next few weeks agent in Savannah. and hatches and introducing live steam into the fire area. This only on racketeering along the New York-New Jersey waterfront ... A ft ft ft succeeded iff bottling up the heat of the nitrate. With th^increase three-masted schooner owned by two officials of a beer eompany was Soldiers in the Korean front line in heat, the nitrate decomposed into explosive gases which finally given to the Texas A&M Research Foundation for service as a float­ bunkers are supplied with a wide blew the vessel to bits, taking the lives of 552 people and injuring ing marine laboratory. variety of g®r and equipment, but 3;000 others. t sometimes they tend to run short Because of the chemical nature of the nitrate, this fire should have A heavy blanket of fog covering most of the California coastal re­ of the little things that are impor­ been fought with water hoses •^hich would have cooled off the cargo. gion disrupted shipping in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Ships tant. The crew of the Seatrain Here's an instance where an up-to-date smothering system actually negotiated the Golden Gate only with the aid of radar. The going was Louisiana (Seatrain) decided to do made the fire worse than it would have been otherwise. haprdous and accidents included two ferry crashes, suspension of its bit toward the purchase of writ­ Then there's been other cases on record of disastrous fires resulting service on another ferry line, a crash of a sugar boat an^a barge in ing paper and Candles, two humble simply because the engineers didn't know how to operate the ship's San Pablo Bay, and a rough docking by a freighter which tore a items that are very welcome on fire-smothering system, or because they thought they had opened all 12-foot gash in a municipal pier. the Asiatic peninsula. The crew delegated Seafarer Paul Utrich to the valves in the system when they actually hadn't. Fortunately these 2^ Admiral John M. Will, USN commander, announced that the New purchase the items and take care instances are rare, but they have happened. The construction and design of ships has improved considerably in York area commercial shipyards received more than a half-million of the necessary details. dollars worth of contracts from the Military Sea Transportatkm Serv­ Ulrich is a Brooklyn boy who recent yews as far as fire' safety is concerned. But there are' some ice from January 13 to January 30. The largest of 11 contracts went has been sailing with thg SiU for authorities vdto believe that ihore could be done in tratning erewmem­ to the Bethlehem Steel Company's Brooklyn division for tor annnal the past six years; He was born hi bers- and officers to handle the modern equipment they haye and to overhaul of the Gen. LeRoy Eltinge, including safety-at-sea and fire the borough in 1928; and Is a- mem­ know how to deal with vairious types of fires as efficiently as the contror work. priffesslonale who flight to^es ashore. ber of the stewards department. NewtTtOAmi Bfifty 1:;; ProbfMis 0f f^Jgiitfits Flr«s um Bn Bernard Seanutn �a-,;- »3^ .Fcbniuy 2«. i98S SEAFARERS • !^- LOG -rr^pr Page ScTcntecB Vocdf/dn P/on I Year Old (Continued, from page 3) could workiof any number of SIUcontracted Companies in the course of the year and still collect bene­ fits for every day of seai and port time worked. Operators' Payments Up While the present maximum pay­ ment imder the Vacation Plan is $140 a year, it is expected that this sum will be. increased in the future.. The $140 maximum was based on operator payments of 50 cents per man per day into the Plan. This payment has been in­ creased to 65 cents per day per man under the new SIU freight and tanker contracts. Just how many Seafarers actu­ ally collected in the Plan's first year of operation is hard to deter­ mine because the Vacation Plan will pay a man benefits every time he has accumulated 90 or more workdays. Consequently a great many Seafarers have collected more than once in the couise of the year, instead of having to wait to get all the money in a lump sum at the end of six months or a year's service. Speedy Service From the very beginning, the SIU Vacation Plan emphasized speed of service to the member­ ship, in contrast to the delays and .red tape involved in collecting vacation money from companies. The procedure was designed to get the cash into the hands of the membership in the shortest pos­ sible time. All a Seafarer has to do to collect vacation pay is to fill out a form, available in all SIU halls, listing his discharges and the number of days worked on each. Check Made Out The total number of days is added up and checked by Vacation Plan employees and a check for the amoimt due is immediately written. In headquarters this means that Vacation Pay is collectible Swap yarns or watch th« fights within 15 minutes, while in the on television with your old ship* outports, the payment is limited only by the speed of Uncle Sam's motes ot the Port O* Coll—YOUR airmail service. union-owned ond union-operated Recently the Vacation Plan has bor. Bring your friends — where added, a new procedure which makes possible filing of applica­ At SiU HEADQUARTERS you're olwoys welcome. And the tions by mail. In that way, men on fab won't frocture thot poyoff. 4tb Aki 20th St. • Breehlye the ships or away froqi the ports can file on basis of their old dis­ charges and get their check the OWNED AND OPERATED minute they hit the beach after by HI* paying off. SEAFAhERS INTERNATIONAL UNION X ATIANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT A.F.U Board of Trustees The Vacation Plan operates under the supervision of a six-man board of trustees—three from the Union and three employer repre­ sentatives. Union trustees are Paul Hall, Bob Matthews and A1 Kerr. Alternates are Lloyd Gardner, Joe Algina and Lindsey Williams. By GEORGE BONEY An imusual feature of the Vaca­ (This is the second of two articles on the SIU scholarship plan by Boney, an SIU mem­ tion Plan is the provision that Seafarer Surveys Campus Life ber currently attending the.Harvard Law School. He had-previously worked his way through the University of Georgia.) Seafarers or their children who are award winners under the SIU scholarship plan will find that the plan provides the best undergraduate grants available in America's colleges,. The $1,500 annual grant, adding up to $6,000 for a four-year course will be sufficient for both educational and complete will find that some colleges living expenses at many rare if they are to be found at scholar cost less others. State univer­ all. A child of a working man, no schools. Even in the high- matter how bright really has sities andthan colleges supported by priced private universities in the East, the $1,500 will cover basic needs—board, room, tuition and books. From my college experience I have not seen any undergraduate scholarships to match these. Most scholarships available cover only tuition or a little more. As for the professional schools, like law and medicine, scholarships are little chance to go on to profes­ sional schools without substantitil scholarship aid. Yet under the Sea­ farers' plan, the winners will be eligible for further assistance after four years, if they want to go on to a professional school. Costs Vary Of course with education as well as other things, our Seafarer- New Orieans In Hassle Over Proposed Bridge NEW ORLEANS—Business and shipping interests here are sharply divided over a controversial proposal to build a new Mississippi River bridge which its opponents contend will affect shipping adversely. The bridge proposal, backed fight to the public and is seeking to marshal shipping interests in by the State Department of support of its contention. Highways and some business leaders and opposed by the New Orleans Dock Board, is before the US Engineers for approval. The bridge plan advanced by the Highways Department calls for a bridge across the Mississippi from Thalia St. in New Orleans to Bringier St. in Algiers on the west bank., This plan calls for a struc­ ture having a vertical clearance of 135 feet above the, river and would rest on one fRer in the Mississippi 740 feet out from the east bank, which is the New Orleans side. The' Dock Board, headed by President Harry S. Hardin, opposes the brige plan on grounds that the pier in the Mississippi would con­ stitute ah undue hazard to naviga^ tion in the harbor and- that the i'" proposed vertical clearance of 135 feet is inadequate. A.clearance of 175 feet is essential, I^rdin coni , tends. . •'v-':. :JTlie ;Dock Eoard la c^rfylhg,ita State Highway Director George S. Covert said New Orleans must accept a bridge with a pier in the river, or no bridge ,at all. He in-dicated willingness to compromise on the clearance feature. The bridge is to be financed by revenue certificates to be issued against earnings to be derived from tolls to be charged op the struc­ ture. Covert argued that a suspen­ sion type span with no river pier would be so costly that his depart­ ment would be unable to finance its construction. Automobile and pedestrian traf­ fic across the Mississippi now is served^ at this" point by a ferry, line. Everyone involved in the contro­ versy agrees that a bridge of some type is needed. The toll-free Huey P. Long Bridge, only span conni^t* ing New Orleans with the west bank, admittedly is Inadequate to s^rvo the hbeds of this' fast-grow-^ 'liig.locaUtjtv^ r '• Decontrols Free Wages; Pay Begins municipalities like those in New York and Los Angeles are much less expensive than private institu­ (Continued from page 3) tions. Tuition in these schools run from almost nothing to rarely over ing line of $298.49 per month. This $200 per year. Living costs in means that practically every rated Southern and Western colleges and man on the ship, including AB universities are about 15 percent oilers, FWTs, cooks, bakers and lower than those in the Ivy League others, as well as the higher rat­ Schools. ings are now receiving the $1.87 Basic expenses in state support­ overtime rate. Since these men ed schools range from $800 to received the lower rate of $1.29 in $1,200 annually. On the other the old contract, the new agree­ hand, in the large private univer­ ment >^represents an OT rate in­ sities of the East, basic expenses crease of 58 cents an hour for the are in the neighborhood of $1,400 great majority of the men on the to $1,650 per year. ships. Retroactive Wages Ivy League In Reach A spot check with several of the A word of caution should be major shipping companies on the added here. Our seafarer scholar should not choose his college be­ question of retroactive wage pay­ cause of the cost alone. Many of ments shows that payment should the older private institutions have be forthcoming in a few weeks in excellent faculties, great lib­ most cases. Mississippi Shipping raries, and fine facilities for men­ Company will begin payment on tal- development. The Seafarer February 18 for its ships, and re­ scholar will not find the expensive quests that Seafarers apply for money by mail at the com­ Ivy League college out of his reach. their pany's New Orleans headquarters. These institutions offer a number Robin Line Seatrain both ex­ of smaller scholarships available to pect to start and payments on or about good • students who need them. March 15. They will handle either Part-time work is usually avail­ mail or in person applications. Bull able to provide additional income. Line will begin payment on a ship In the summer male students^ can by ship basis, running down the add to income by taking a trip and list alphabetically. They will noti­ seeing how the SIU works. fy the Union when each ship's re­ In a college community, social troactive payroll is completed, be­ life can be rather inexpensive. The ginning within the next couple of fellow who has gone to sea for any weeks. Isthmian is now setting up its time at all will miss the waterfront clip joints which often take the payrolls and expects to be able to poor seaman for a ride. In most make payments in the near future. colleges there are plenty of free Lists of voyages and payoffs will movies, dances, concerts and ath­ be sent to the Union as soon as letic events. In all schools use of they are, prepared. Victory Car­ swimming pools, tennis courts and riers expects to have Its payrolls gyms is free, or available at nom­ ready in six weeks to two months. More complete information on inal cost. In short, these fine SIU scholarships offer the ambitious the payofil dates and the arrange­ student the opportunity of four ments of the various companies years of wonderful living—lUnpar- will be carried in the subsequent aUbledJa the history of maritime.: Jssuer M the .SEAFARERS LOG, makes a Seafarers' widow or other beneficiary eligible for the bene­ fits due him if he dies. This is in addition to the $2,500 death benefit provided by the Union's Welfare Plan. SIU Calls AMEU Bluff With lOG's -.il M (Continued from page 2) prove a one to one or better ra­ tio for the entire year. No Restrictioii|i No restriction would be placed upon the examination of Union records by the accountants, except for an oath to respect the confi­ dence of Union records. There­ after, once the certification of the job ratio was made, whoever was proven wrong would forfeit the $10,000 posted to the "Atlantic Sea­ men's Widows and Childrens Fund," while the other would get his money back. The fund would then become liable to make $300 payments upon proper claims by beneficiaries of Atlantic seamen. "We don't intend to look like a bunch of number-jugglers to Atlan­ tic seamen or anybody else," SIU Secretary-Treasurer Paul Hall commented. "If the AMEU is so sure they have us on the run and we can't prove we had the job ratio we say we had in 1952, and that's something we've successfully maintained for many years, we want to hear from them. Our $10,000 is on the line." Acting on the authorization in the original proposal, a special meeting held at headquarters a week ago to elect a six-man com­ mittee to assist the Director of Or­ ganizing in arranging for the post­ ing of the check and other proce­ dural details. Members of the com­ mittee were William Frank, Jack Horn, Roderick Smith, Adolf Iverson, William Thornton and M. C. Strachura. SlU's Int'l Convention Next Month (Continued from page 5) delegates shall be elected to rep­ resent the four major ports of the Union — New York, Baltimore, Mobile and New Orleans. They shall be known as the New York delegate to the International con­ vention, Baltimore delegate to the International convention. Mobile delegate to the International con­ vention and New Orleans delegate to the International convention; K. Any man, regardless of the port he may be located in, may be nominated for any one of these delegate jobs. However, in his acceptance of the nomination, for any of these delegate jobs, he shall specify which of the port delegate jobs, he is accepting the nomina­ tion for. Any man who does not specify the port shall not. be eli­ gible for a place on the. ballot; L. In the event that there are not morfe nominees qualifying .for the ballot than the required num­ ber of delegates as set forth herein, the. credentials committee shall be empowered by the membership, to declare the Qominees as.elected. •^1 /: �_ IIr-. . . vV ^9at» ISfliteea SEAFARERS ^ " "'»•'.•* , LOG • , • . "' , • ci "• ' '• -•'•• Fefenurr *t, 1»51 Seaman Sets Sights Gn Big Game In Cross-Country Hunting Trip . That ff you hold your foot on the the time it was designed, in 1778, loud pedal of the piano and then hope of getting^ Canada to join the \p . Seamen who are partial to rod and reel, like a rowing sailor on a holiday shore leave, are sing a steady tone,, the piauo will loose confederation of newly-inde* also begin to sing? The singing pendent states had yet not been not unusual, but when a Seafarer plays tag-youVe-it with a full-grown moose, that's an sets waves of sound moving abandoned, and the seal was one through the air, and there is one way of keeping the door open. avocation of another stripe. -particular string, on the piano of Paul Oakley, 24-year-old l" t the right length to-correspond with Seafarer who has been sailing That a billion ta a thousand mil­ the tone of the song. lion in the US, but l&s a million in the steward departmen million in England? In the US, with the SIU for six years, enjoys Thai the official length of the Canada and France, 1,000,000,000 just such a hobby, as big game yard was' established when a man is the figure recognized as a bil­ hunting in his leisure moments. stretched out his arm at shoulder lion, but in England and Germany, Perhaps it is not uAusual,. after height and the distance between it is 1,000,000,000,000, all, since he is believed to be a his nose and the end of his thumb distant relation of the fabulous 4, $ ^ was measured? The man was Annie Oakley of sharpshooting That the SIU now has offices in Henry" 1 (1068-1135) of England. Port Arthur, Texas, to serve Sea­ fame. Nonetheless, Oakley bagged The yard had no uniform length farers passing through , that port? three deer in 1952, in addition to until he determined it by royal Located at 411 Austin Street in " the moose the previous year, and decree as 36 Inches. has his gunsight set on bigger Port Arthur, the offices are also 4. 4 game in the near future. serving as organizing headquarters That the SIU can assist you in at the southern end of the line for Hitchhiking Hunt ^ upgrading to a higher rating with Atlantic tankers. Shooting split seasons in Califor­ specially-prepared booklets of t 4., t nia and Pennsylvania, the Scransample questions and answers for That under the new freight ton, Pa., marksman covered 6,000 the various examinations? Book­ agreement the base wage of an miles in his hunting q^uests in 1952, lets to prepare Seafarers for up­ with 2.900 miles comprising *a grading to oiler, firematl, electri­ AB is over four times what it was unique hitchhiking hunt he under­ cian, AB and other ratings can be in 1939 when the SIU began collar­ took up and down the length of obtained at SIU headquarters, as ing the top conditions in the mari­ time industry? The AB scale on a the Golden State. Leaving Los An­ well as most Union halls. typical freight agreement then was geles on Sept. 20, Oakley hitched 4> 4) $72.50 monthly compared to the for- two days by means of pick-ups That all paper currency issued by private cars, mostly other hunt­ by the US Government contains rate of $302.32 in the 1953 stand­ ers, up to Modek County near the the seal of the "Treasury of North ard freight pact, Seafarer Paul Oakley is shown at left as be 'displays one of the Nevada-Orgeon border. He arrived t J4America," although no such or­ deer that he bagged in Pennsylvania. At iight« he's all set to start in time for the Sept. 22 opening That basketball was originally ganization exists? The front side of on his California hitchbikiug-hunting trip, earrying his rifle, a of the hunting season and bagged each bill has a seal with a Latin played with seven men, then nine bedroll and a pack. This trip, too, was successful. his four-point buck on his fourth inscription Thesaur. Amer. Sep- and later with eight players? Now day in the field. The blacktail mule Oakley drove cross-country to 17-point Newfoundland bull moose tent. Sigil., abbreviated for "Treas­ each team puts' five players on deer weighed 196 pounds,. with Pennsylvania to hunt in the Key­ has a spread of four feet, one and ury of North America.'* Why North the court. In Holland, however, the Oakley bringing down the swiftly- stone State. On Dec. 2, the second three-quarter inches from tip to America was used instead of size of a basketball court is twice running forest elf with a heart shot day of the season, the sharpshooter tip on its headgear. Oakley finds it United States is not known, but the size of ours and 24 players 100 yards away. He bagged it, as brought down a five-point buck a little bulky to have "^around tlie take i>art instead of ten. he did all his game, with a .32 with one shot at a distance of 75 house, so he would like to present the reason may have been that, at Remington repeater pump. yards, downing the 140-pound It to the Union as a gift, or to any Moving southward into zone two brown forest runner on a difficult other takers. General Patton Crew Congregates after getting his legal deer in the shot as it dodged through the un­ Paul spent about six weeks hunt­ first California area, since the state derbrush. ing in 1952,. considerably more is split for hunting purposes, Oakthan his yearly average of 15-20 Hunting Family p- ley concluded his hitchhiking trip days. Most of it was for big game, on Oct. 9 in San Dimas. Two days Annie notwithstanding, the Oak­ but now an then he'll take a pot leys have a long line of hunters in • later the not-so-fabulous Oakley shot at a swift-running rabbit. sighted his second deer and the family. Paul's father, in his Now, he has his gunsights set for 50's, gets his deer every yeat, and squeezed the trigger three times the biggest game of all on the on a six-point, 168-pound buck, his younger brother, at 14, has American continent—^the Alaskan bagged a deer a year since he was killing it at a distance of 250 yards 12. A 68-year-old aunt in Montana brown grizzly bear, and the bfg as it ran brought down a deer last year as Kodiak bears. Paul figures that Living in the brush most of the a matter of course, and her son he'll be making a special trip up time, Oakley bad good reason to got himself an elk and a deer on to Alaska one of these days on an take a full field pack with him on the same hunt. It was a good hunt­ SIU ship, and one# he gets there, the hitching-hunting trip. In ad­ ing year for the Oakleys. those bears better look out, be­ dition to carrying an eight pound The latest Oakley sharpshooter cause Paul will be gunning for an­ rifle, the 78-pound pack toted by has a trophy' room in which he other trophy among what are con­ the huntsman contained an army places all his prizes, but in order sidered to be the top game animals Some "of the boys aboard the General Patton enjoy a ^y -out in pup tent, sleeping bag, rubber air to make room for a coveted' Alas­ »n North America. He hopes to the sunshine and in front of the camefa. Photo sent In by Buddy mattress, mess kit, toilet gear, two kan bear rug, he is anxious to make the trip sometime this spring. Cousins. boxes of cartridges, and other field present his moose head to any) Paul's last ship was the Topa necessities for the intrepid hunter. lover of the American fauna. The Topa. Generou-s drivers picked up all that and a deer, too, as Oakley flushed the thickets of California in search of his big game. Getting his fill of Far West deer. The boys from down Texas way may make, a lot of noise about their home state, but you haven't seen anything until Electrician Beams you've seen a 'Florida Cracker"who's on the warpath because he figures his sunny homeland' In all his years of making the drive them to town. One night, has been insulted. And if you When I was a boy, I shined their run from New Orleans to South Koralia reports, he worked a little add in the fact that he figures shoes, delivered their newspapers, America, writes Spider Koralia OT and went ashore about 9:00 PM. the Yankees are in back of the milk and telegrams, and even cut Whom did he see at the gate but aboard the Robin Kettering, he has the electro—alone. Koralia asked whole thing, you've really got a acres of swamp cabbage and chased 'gatoi-s, but at least I run across some fabulous' liars in him what was the matter and the problem on your hands. worked for my money." his time, but none so brazen as a seaman reported that the car W. W. Moore was like most Moore says that he figured out certain electrician of whom he broke down. "Florida Crackers," Just taking it the answer after a while, :gnd "I makes note. easy and knowing that there j^ust Invaded New York, home of the Gets Off Bus Koralia has known a wiper who Later, Koralia saw him getting ain't no Sun like the one down in Yankees." Then, he set to earn­ claimed the daughter of the presi­ off a« bus and was content to leave Florida, until he read an article by ing some of the Yankee money, dent of Wyson ahd Co. ag his girl well enough alone^ but the electri­ Jaimes Street in "Fortune" maga­ and sent it right on back to friend, another brother whose girl cian called to him to explain the zine. THeh, his temperature ran Florida. . was the offspring of the head of situation. His wife, he said, called so high it even topped the Florida After that, said US, he "joined the Singer Sewing Machine Co. in him up to. tell hina the chauffeur mercury. the SIU, where I can make good Brazil; bankers' daughters, super­ came down with a case of 3t. "Vitus Moore ^ured ihat the article money and It doesn't matter wheth­ intendents of nurses, and assorted dance and was too broken up to Implied that "Florida Crackers" er you're' Yankee or Bebel." So femininity added up the score. sit behind the wheel of the car. were sort of lazy poor relations, right now, he's back F^crkia, However, Koralia drew the line re­ Spider didn't like the stoty one bit. and^ as Moore says, it hinted "that and enjoying the place the way it cently when he refused to believe Spider said he is getting back to some of-us want the Taiikees to should be. the electrician when the latter told more believable yarns like the one send their money down to Florida Just as a final reminder, bowhim his wife was the secretary of about his friend who was caught and stay home ^enuelves." ever, he warns that "the Yankees Juan Peron, Argentina's head of with his band in. another man's Nothing of the sort- is true, says Can stay at home knd keep their' state. pocket at the race track. Indignant, Moore. "I'm a Florida Cracker, monc; with them, uniess they can This brother also told the crew the man gemanded to- know what and I'm proud, of it Sure, I'll ad­ learn how to act like Americans Busy aboard the Itobin Lockthat if any of tbraa worked late the' band was doing px his pocket. mit" said he, "that some Florida and Democrats, Ond not treiit us sley is Thcnnas Hoar, chief and were going adiore after Just .maklpg change of 0 quarter^ Crackers in the /resort towns are FloridA Cracker! like' poor rela­ my-:' electrician wwild , .> /; • tions," Spider Disbelieves Tales Spun By Seafaring Weavers Beware Of Florida Cracke/ When He's Been ""Insulted' .'.yf'^ �• ~i^(Aroary iSltf,'iflSS SEAFARERS LOG Page Ninetem Sailor Rags Sacrifices For Art Siibmiffcd By E. Reyes By SEAFARERS LOG Photo Editor Judging from a number of photos sent in to the LOG by oiyr Seafar­ ing shutter-clickers, our boys like to move in close with their cameras. However, many cameras are not equipped to take sharp photos- when the subject is very close. No one will deny that one of photography's most fascinating abilities is to move in close on subject matter to re­ veal minute detail and texture. And, oddly enough, almost any camera can be used to take close-ups. The catch is that something must be added, and the addition is a supplementary lens to slip over the normal lens of your camerqi With most cameras you can't get closer than three to six feet from an object without getting an out-of-focus image. That's a limitation in lens design. No lens has yet achieved the miracle of universal focus. All require correction of one degree or another for extreme close-ups. That's where supplementary lenses, sometimes called "portrait" lenses, come in. Slipped over your camera's lens they bring a whole new world range. Of course, if you've just come back from an 18-month run with a couple of hundred bucks jingling very loosely in your jeans, you can buy a 40-inch telephoto and settle the problems in that fashion. But with Income Tax day so close, we'd better settle in a cheaper fashion. These supplementary lenses are extremely simple to use, quite inex­ pensive (under |2) and are available in three powers, rated in diopters. They are made to fit most cameras, with or without the aid of adaptors. These lenses permit you to move closer to your subject than your nor­ mal lens would allow and thus fill more of the negative area with a liu-ger image of the subject. Each diopter rating, beginning with plus-1, allows you to come closer to your subject. The exact lens-to-subject distance for each camera lens is specified by the manufacturer in the instruction sheet. Must Measure 'to Subject When using these lenses the normal focusing characteristics of your camera are changed. The focusing scale no longer holds trqe. You now have to focus by accurately measuring the correct distance for the diopter lens you are using. The simplest way is with a tape measure. If your camera Is equipped with a ground glass focusing screen you can see the effect of the lens and then focus as usual by inspection. With a twin-reflex camera it is necessary either to buy two supplemen­ tary lenses or to focus first with the lens over the viewing lens, and then transfer to the taking lens when you are ready for the exposure. It's a good idea to rdst the camera on something steady when using these close-up lenses so that you can keep your subject in view accu­ rately. No increase in exposure is necessary. If you are not using these simple lenses you're limiting the scope of your picture-taking activities. Seafarer-Relatives Await Return Of Gl To SlU Ship Whenever the subject of seafaring families comes up, one that has to be considered is the family of Daniel J. Biedronski, who's wearing Army kahki right now, but expects to be sail­ ing SIU again in a very short Plant is aboard the Anniston City while. Dan is still over in Germany just now, while the other uncle, with the Army, but he figures that Adam C. Buchacz, is sailing aboard he'll be getting his discharge very the John B. Waterman. Dan's cous­ soon, and one of the first things in, William D. Wiley, is on the that he plans to do is to get his Holystar. SIU book out of retirement, and All of them reported that they're start sailing again. * waiting to get the news about just When he does get back to the when Dan expects to get out of SIU, there'll be plenty of Seafar­ the Army and start sailing again, er-relations to greet him. Bight and maybe even arrange some sort now, Dan's got two uncles and a cousin all sailing under the SIU banner. One uncle, Fred B. La- Proper Repair Lists Help All The settlement of repair lists means a lot to the men who stay aboard a ship, and to' the new crgw that comes aboard, just as the repair list made out by the previous crew means a lot to you. Because repairs mean a lot to your comfort and living conditions aboard ship, they should be handled in the . proper fashion. ..Each department delegate must make out three copies of bis repair list. I The ship's delegate should gave one copy to the head of the department concerned, one cppy to the compaify represen­ tative, and one copy to the Union patrolman. In this .way, everyone has a jcopy o£ the repair list and ,1 there is a check to make siire the work is done; Ship's Steward doses' Five Dollars, But, Gets Good Food And Crew's Thanks The crew of the Seatrain New York (Seat rain) gave a vote of thanks for the excellent food they got on their last trip, but they also gave a special vote of thanks to the steward, who "lost" $5 on the deal, but made the good food possible. According to Ray Sweeney,"*' one of the vessel's crewmem- says Sweeney, "and Auer says the Sweeney, "before the driver was back with some different beef, and bers, the ship's steward. Gene meat has got to go back. "Only this time the driver hends after inspection, it turned out to Auer, is the kind of guy who "checks his stores, rips open boxes, Auer an envelope. Auer told him be the finest meat you could get. sacks of spuds, looks at the fish he wasn't interested in the enve­ The kind that anyone would feel and everything else that he re­ lope, but was just interested in proud to serve on their table." getting top quality beef. However, Sweeney reports that the crew ceives." the driver insisted, so Auer opened also "brought out the point that He's also the kind of steward the envelope, and there was a big the shipowner is paying prices for that won't accept any stores that good stores anyway, so why $5 bill for Auer." are not up to top SIU standards, shpuld'nt we get what is coming After taking one look at the $5, says Sweeney, and because of that, the crew was able to eat only the Sweeney reports, Auer threw the to us? This trip was a lot happier driver, the beef and the $5 right and a lot more pleasant because of best during the entirfe tx-ip. the ship, and^told him to get a little effort in checking the Sweeney says off stores when they came aboard the back the first indica- beef. to the ship with some decent ship, and insisting upon the top tioa of the type "It wasn't very long," says quality to which we are entitled. of food came shortly after he boarded the ship. Auer had just re­ ceived a load of shrimp, and, as usual, he ripped (1) In a Mercator's projection map, are the meridians and paiallels open the boxes, Auer saw that the straight or curved. lines? (2) New Year's Day 1939 was a Sunday. What day of the week shrimp inside was dry and shriv­ elled up, and told the truck driver was Christmas 1938? (3) What two fractions are missing from the following series: to take them right back. 1/2,1/10 ,1/1250? The truck driver put them back (4) Name two of the three state capitals whose first letter is the same on the truck and left, but came back to the ^ ship a short while as that of the state of which they are the capital? (51 What measurement of time is reckoned by the time it takes the later with "another batch of earth to turn on its axis? Is it a (day), (week), (month), (year)? shrimp." Auer ripped open t^e (6) Which of the early American states adopted the Code Napoleon boxes once more, and then said that they were the same shrimp, Instead of the Ckxmmon Law of England as its basic law? Was it (Texas), but had just been turned over a (California), (Louisiana), (Alabama)? . (7) Which much-married king of England had three wives named little bit so the same ones weren't on top. They went back to the Catherine, two named Anne and one named Jane? (8) A woman in a totally dark room wanted to pick out a pair of supplier again, and on the third delivery the New York got "as fine stockings that matched. There were two colors in the .idrawer, contain­ a shrimp as anyone would care to ing a jumble of 16 stockings.. What would be the smallest number of eat, what the company was paying stockings she would have to bring to the light to be sure she had a pair?. (9) Broccoli and cauliflower are foims of, what common vegetable? for in the first place." (10) More than half of the fresh water of the world is collected in A short while later, Sweeney re­ lates, Auer got a shipment of beef. what connected bodies of water? </'Qulzr Answers-PnfPago.^2fi-v. •. ^ Quiz Corilti Daniel J. Biedronski. of get-together to celebrate Dan's return to the sea. Dan, who is 24, joined the SIU back in 1947, and sailed steadily on SIU. ships until the draft caught up with him about two years ago, and, from what his seafaring rel­ atives say, he's anxiously waiting •'#' get 'ka^' �- • • :?':.4i...' •" ''' . .•... SEAFARERS Pa*e Twenty Febroary 20, 195S LOG Have Fish Deserted The Pacific ? There used "to be a time v/hen the Pacific was known for the various extra-large types of sharks, whales and other fish which inhabited it, but since that time, something must have happened. When two crews, on different ships, drag baited hooks all the way across the darned ocean and don't even get a nibble, there must Carrabulle Crew In Curacao be something wrong—with the fish, the crew, the bait, the ship, the ocean, or something. Ju.st which one it is in this case, we're not quite prepared to say, since the complete facts of the episode have not yet come to light. However, preliminary reports in­ dicate that the Christine (Carrasi and the Burbank Victory (Eastern* are both involved. Both of them are running under MSTS, which might have something to do with <he explanation, too. Well, anyway, both of them were heading for the direction of Korea, witli one going to Formosa and the other on her way to Japan. The- crews on both ships had pretty much the same idea, how­ ever, since the Christine was ex­ pected to be at sea for about 45 Ready for a swim in Caracas Bay, Curacao, are some of the Carra­ days, and the Burbank Victory ex­ bulle crew. Left to right, top: B. Jerakowski, Don Hewson, Ed pected to take 33 days to reach its Mishanski. Bottom: A1 Page, Ed Hamlin, Clyde Krei.ss. destination. Drop The Hook What with the blue Pacific wat­ ers. the fellows decided to fish, and so they bailed a line and threw it over the stern, along with Comfort has long been a sought-after commodity by man. visions of hoisting aboard a 15-foot Long before the days of the height of Roman splendor when shark, or perhaps even having to luxurious comfort was commonplace among the populace, use the jumbo boom to bring a men had been trying to im--^ big whale aboard. Anyway, as any than usual in the present crisis, good sports fishermen, they de­ prove their lot in ways which but they have linen and spreads would bring comfort to their cided to troll the baited hook to match, which is triply discon­ weary bones. along behind their ships, and take certing to the Seafarers of the Before the dawn of history man­ whatevey came along. They figured Council Grove. The Cities Service kind was striving to keep out the that perhaps. even some tuna seamen claim the linen situation steaks or a nice, big swordfish cold with animal skins draped is keeping them awake nights and about the body and the cave. Later, would go pretty well. adding to their discomfort. The fires warmed the hearts of men They waited patiently for the company, however, claims it isn't sea monster to strike their bait, and the meat they no longer ate the linen. They say It's all the in its raw state. Much later, came then they began to wait not-sobunk. ^-patiently, finally most of the crew the steam bath. Similar discomfort rears its tired just walked away and ignored the Today, aboard several ships of head from the pillow case aboard wliole thing. There were a few the deep sea, comfort has come the Potrerp Hills (Philadelphia Ma­ aboard who refused to give up, down to a clear case of linen. The rine). Sailors, aboard the vessel situation was not nearly so dire are looking for ne^v pillows for and kept a watch on the lines. On last reports from the vessels, before, according to reports re­ their head-rests. There is.no in­ the lines were still dragging along ceived from two vessels at sea, but dication that the last pillows-issued behind the ships, but no bites. In it is rapidly approaching that state. got away, but one typewritten line fact it looked as if the line from The sailors won't argue with the in the ship^'s minutes flatly declares the Christine was going to spend lyrics of the song which says it that the piUow cases are open on 43 days in the water, and the one takes two to tango, but they are both ends. fiom the Burbank Victory, 33 days disturbed when it takes two sheets When the ships pay off company —^without a nibble. The Pacific to make a bed. heads will surely rest heavy on .Not only are the sheets smaller their pillows. just ain't what it used to be. Seafarers Crave Comfort Headaches Of The Delegate AT mn SimcEl fOUR U^IQAi •'AlhtTAthls A '^PARIMEATTTO YOU HELP ip iOUNmHELP PERSomu MATmRS,S^ j"rHE S/U WELFAPP t 1 full ft" SI f.il 'H Ji I1 I'i >1,1 The following statements are drawn from several ship's minutes and da not comprise the activities aboard any one ves­ sel. The italicized answers are from a somewhat helping, offstage voice: There are a few heads which need fixing aboard this ship , . . (Starting at the top, perhaps.) The life boat did not lower or hoist propwly. Crew had to bring up life boat with hand crank. Motor will not start In life boat... (Otherwise, it's in top shape.) Water Everywhere The / second electrician asked that there should be water put in the washing machine^ when it is in use . . . (Despite claims, HUz cannot 'do everything.) Motion: That there be no gam­ bling allowed in messhall. Amend­ ment: That we stop all gambling run by "the house". .. (Conclusion: Let's keep it on its professionally amateur basis.) Delegate reports five men in the steward department in one room ... (Get a pepch basket and a ball, boys, charge admission, and toe cau maksHa By Spike Martin Everybody can 'remember the Lombard!, Stan Rojek and that; neighborhood kid who got himself well-known Brooklyn pensioner, a reputation as a shrewd traden Dixie Walker. He was the one who swapped you • In the past Rickey was able to searchliglits with dead batteries, operate the way he did because he cap pistofs whose triggers fell off, had a corner on young talent. He bicycles with broken frames clev­ got the players and cash he want­ erly soldered together, footballs ed by disposing of tlie synthetic with air leaks and the like. rookie sensations in large num­ It was generally predicted by bers. Now the spikes are on the grayer heads that the boy would other shoe. It's Rickey who is ovCn be quite a success when he grew the "barrel because Pittsburgh is up, which he did by becoming a desperate for ballplayers. Rickey is trying to wriggle out used car dealer or a furniture of his present plight by dangling salesman. his only valuable baseball property Steadies Get Smart under the noses of tlie clubotvners. These David Harums usually Unfortunately for him he seems to manage to get by very well be­ have made his move just a couple cause there is a regular turnover of seasons too late. For a fellow of customers. They get in trouble ^ho was touted as another Babe when they have to depend on a Ruth a few year back, -Kiner hit steady clientele because people get the skids with a vengeance last wised-up to them. That's why year. A batting average under Branch Rickey is having a tough .250 doesn't impress anybody even time unloading Ralph Kiner on if there are 30 or more home runs some other National League club. - in the assortment. Rickey's fame as a trader of Big Stick Only slightly moldy baseball beef is Despite his outstanding fournot without justification. His most famous deal wgs the one which bagger totals, Kiner never had sent Dizzy Dean, sick arm and all, much to offer in any other depart­ to the Chicago Cubs for a healthy ment. Nobody would look at him stack of pre-war folding money. twice other than the fact that he's big stick man. He won't help Subsequently he unloaded a whole series of faded heroes and would* any club defensively, on the basepaths or as a hit and nihner. His be starlets around the League. lifetime average hoveia around Bug His Own Pii .280. a very ordinary mark. Ironically enough, it was Rickey As far as Rickey is concerned at Brooklyn who helped bring Pittsburgh will be the gainer if it Pittsburgh to its present sorry can get two or three professionals state by homswoggling Preacher for his high-salaried fence-buster. Roe and Billy Cox from the Pirates The bait is out, but it remains to for the Ukes of Hal Gregg, Vic be seen if the fish will bite. Old Sailing Adage Still Goes The old sailing man's adage of "one hand for the ship and one hand for yourself," is still good advice to follow, even on modern steamships, the crew of the Robin Goodfellow was told recently. > — — The captain of the vessel From the response of the oew told the crew that since the to the advice, it looks as if they ship had been hitting some pretty figure thNi the old saying still holds rough seas, it would be a good idea to remember that advice, and tise one hand for the ship and one hand for personal safety when carrying stores and equipment up ladders, on deck, and when in rough seas. true, even though it originated in the days when the sailors were working aloft In the rigging, and used one hand to work while hang­ ing onto the rigging with the other in rough seas. The LOG opens this column as an exchange for stewards, cooks, bakers and others who'd like to share favored food recipes, little-known cooking and baking hints, dishes with d national flavor and the like, suitoble for shipboard and/or home use. Here's chief cook Ramon Aguiar's recipe for "pizziola sauce." Doing the extraordinary thing is ordinary for Ramon Aguiar, who has been an SIU man since 1944, which comprises practically all of his seafaring life. He prefers freight ships —his last ship being the Steelf Chemist '(Isthmian). celery cut into small pieces, fol­ Married for 11 years, the 32- lowed by three to four ounces of year-old galley magician has-a wife parsley for garnishing. Salt and Pepper and three chil­ Hard upon the heels of the parsdren to practice his art upon 4ey 'comes two cans of plain toma­ when he is home toes, without Juice, followed 'by.^ and not sailing three small pieces of garlic- comaboard some SIU poimded from the tiny, bulbous vessel. When he heads of the pungent flavoring. A is, he says, he dash of salt and a similar amount "prefers the in- of pepper is added at this point of tercoastal . runs. the concoction to bring out the You do not run highlights of the flavoring. Then Agulstr short of food, oregano, a small leaf used in flavor­ such as meats and perishable vege­ ing highly spiced foods, is added before the usMce is braised with tables." cooking oil. Sauce Supreme After tomato paste is added to ^ Aguiar's sauce supreme, used to the sauce at this point, tomatogive the flavor of the gods to puree comes into the culinary pic­ meats, especially. veal cutlets and ture. Then, finishing up with a moat loaf delicacies, is a touch of flourish, the sauce is cooked for this and a dash of that blended per­ three to four hours on a slow flame. fectly to make the mouth water Follow these directions, says and the salivary glands work. Aguiar, and you will find the 47 First, .^'o pounds of onions are men which the recipe serves. Tiraiscut fine and placed in « large, deep Ing your .Mtcben talents to the �•yy«iK- - SEAFARERS Fcbnurr M. '195S Captain Takes On Chief 9iate*s ^ab Te the Editor: The crew of the Greenstar would like you to get in touch with the owners of this ship and have them notify the captain of this ship that we have a new contract and would like to start working by it. I am. the ship's deiegate, and upon receiving the new agreement, went to see the oid man to ask him If he was going by the new agree­ ment. He said "he would start when the company informed him that the new contract had been signed." Bosun Powerless Things are far from smooth aboard this ship. To begin with, the old man is also the chief mate. All orders pertaining to the work on deck come from him. The mate doesn't have much to say about it. The bo­ sun is Dave BarAndrews ry®"® Andrews business when it comes to the work on deck, but it doesn't do any good to make any suggestions to the mate, because he already told us his hands are tied and all orders come from the old man. We sailed from Naha, Okinawa, on January 5, 1953. There was a full gale biowing and real heavy seas, but the old man wouldn't let ' us lower the cargo gear before leaving. Then he put out an order for the standby on each watch to check the gear every 15 minutes at Bight to make sure everything was OK. All of the guys on this gear are rotten and the only way they get replaced is for one to part. To save money, the old man had the longshoremen replace guys and cargo runners. Booms Not Secured Leaving Yokohama, Japan, the deck department was called at 9:30 PM; at 9:45 PM we were told to secure No. 2 and No. 3 cargo gear. At 10 PM we let go all lines and got under way for Korea. At this time. No. 2 cargo booms were not secured and the only thing holding them was a rotten midship guy. Again, with all gear flying, we sail­ ed into a heavy sea and winds of gale force. The bosun and the watch on deck really had to fight the No. 2 booms to prevent them from going adrift. The old man completely disre­ gards the international safety rules by going to sea with the gangway hanging on the forward lifeboat fall on the starboard side. In addi­ tion, the gangway was over the side and not secured. When this was brought to the mate's attention, all he said was, "The captain said the ship was secured for sea." Captain Limits Stores We have a good steward, Andrew Strom, who also knows his busi­ ness, but every time he puts in a store list to the old man, the latter immediately breaks out his pencil and scratches out at least half of anything Strom orders. I contacted the old man to see about fresh milk in Japan, and it is readily available for all ships, but all I got was a hard time. The same applies to the other times I have contacted him. Member Dies in Okinawa The ship lost tiie third cook in Okinawa. Brother Raymond Saund­ ers was found dead by the MPs. Only recently did we find out that his body had been claimed and would be sent home for buflal. The old man sore didn't go out of his way to get a replacement. After a couple of weeks, we got a new thii^ cook—an NMU man. We would like to have the latest issue ef the LOG sent to us, es welP as a few col>ies of the new LOG Pace Tventf'ene L E TIER S agreement and some overtime sheets. CarrolL IL Andrews (Ed. note: The LOGs, the new agreement and the overtime sheets are being sent to you regularly, via the company's office. Since this material is sent in bulk through MSTS, the company claims they are unable to'prevent the de­ lay in the LOGs reaching the ships.) * * * Crossing Record Set by Captain To the Editor: I thought the Christmas season would be a good time to drop a short note to the LOG from the Hurricane, a Waterman scow on the romance run (some boys on the West Coast-Yokohama run may dis­ pute this), commanded by Captain Robert F. Goodman. The captain, who is rapidly becoming known for his longevity records in crossing the Atlantic (average trip, 13 days), boasts about the time it took him 20 days from Bremerhaven to New York on another Waterman rust bucket. We also have a chief mate, Rob­ ert Stanage by name, who not only carries the ship on his shoul­ ders but acts as if he bears the James burden of the world, too. Poor fellow, see what the sweater with the big W on it does to a specimen of humanity. The radio operator, another genius, is one of the few people on this universe who understands Einstein. On the brighter side, we have a chief engineer by the name of Mr. Crane who is a gentleman to every­ body and who was the only officer on board who had the decency to come to the.messhall on Christmas Day and wish the crew a Merry Christmas, which was nothing to write home about on this ship and which made one long for one of Michael Thanks Agent For Help To the Editor: selves, instead of giving the cooks The crew of this great ship, the on board a hard time, and just Michael (Carras) would like to give fouling everything up. a vote of thanks to Brother Leroy Frank Soriano To the Editor: Clarke, agent in Lake Charles, for The McCarran Act;—strange as it a job well done. 3^ i i« may seem—is doing an injustice to Our ship hit Port Arthur, Tex., American Indians who have resided on January 30th at 9:00 PM. Since upon this continent before Senator it was night time McCarran or any of his forefathers To the Editor: and they only ever set foot on this soil. The act ' Of interest to all Seafarers who had a few hours contains a blunder that forces my go to the Port of Hamburg is the in port, the crew people to register as aliens when launch service of Hans Hahn, Ferry was anxious to go exercising their treaty rights stip­ 7, Baiduinstrasse 21, Hamburg 4, ashdre. We were­ ulated in the Jay treaty. n't expecting any­ telephone, 42 59 77. This man's This treaty, signed in 1812, gave prices are: Day — 6 marks a trip one from the haU. ail Indians residing in Canada or or, if more than four persons, 2 No sooner had the United States the title of North marks; Night — 8 marks a trip or, the deck gang American Indians with the privi­ if more than four persons, 2 marks. lowered the gang­ Johnson lege of unrestricted border crossing way than the re­ We have found him honest, placements were on board with the and the right to live in either country. According to their desires obliging and about the only one to new agreements — tanker and they can be classified as wards of keep his prices. Our experience has freight — Union papers and the Canada or of the United States. been that other taxi launch prices Atlantic Fleet News. This is because their tribal areas soar to an all-time high, especially Permitmen Kept Posted crossed the borders of the two at night. We believe that this man We have permitmen on board should get our patronage. present-day countries. who are interested in organizing, If you see fit to put his name in Brooklyn Indians and the Atlantic Fleet News was As a result. North American In­ the LOG, with prices, would you read with great interest. We are please send him a copy of the LOG. dians of the Mohawk tribe residing trying to keep these men posted in Brooklyn who were born in Thank you for your cooperation on all new developments. and good work. Canada or classify themselves as Our Union has come a long way Crew of Maiden Creek. Canadians have been stopped from since 1946 in the field of organiz­ (Ed. note: A copy of this issue entering and working in Govern­ ing. We look back and all we can ment shipyards as well as defense of the LOG is being sent to Mr. see are gains, as we have never plants'and other places where the Hahn, as you requested.) been defeated; this all goes to show secui'ity of this jountry is at stake. if i, i, what a well organized and militant Other North American Indians Union can accomplish when the have been denied entrance to Oak membership looks to the future. A Ridge where the atom bomb plants word of thanks to the negotiating are. If there are any North Ameri­ To the Editor: committee for the best wages and can Indians sailing on American I received the LOG here at conditions in the maritime field. ships I imagine they are in the Ryiha, Yugoslavia, and was verj' Atlantic Organizer Aboard same fix. glad to know how We have aboard ship a new Why should we want to sabotage the Union is brother whom we take pleasure in our own country? Who is qualified progressing. It's welcoming into the SIU. His name to be classified as citizens if we are the only paper I is A. L. Johnson and he has just not? This provision of the act is have received to completed seven months and 23 definitely a violat^'on of the Jay read. Othenvise, days on the E. H. Blum, organizing Treaty and should be amended.. I'm on the move. the Atlantic fleet. He has come on Wallace (Mad Bear) Anderson Maybe I will be here to see for himself the Union t 3) home ' in about way of operating, before heading three months, if back to Atlantic to finish the job. Godfrey "P- At our recent shipboard meeting, -v." ^ Keep the LOG Brother Johnson saw for himself To the Editor: coming; I will let you know when the correct procedure and the SIU I've had experience on some to stop. way of getting things done. ships where the messmen or galleyEstell Godfrey We posted our repair list at the men have tried to give orders to 4 4 4 same time and Brother Johnson the chief cooks and the stewards. asked for a copy so he can have it It seems that these fellows always printed in the Atlantic Fleet News claim that they have endorsements so the men sailing Atlantic ships as cooks and stewards, but they can see for themselves the SIU To tiie Editor: never show the endorsements. I'm writing this letter to ask you way of getting things done. He is It is annoying to have one of on his way back to Phiily to rejoin these fellows coming aroimd all the to discontinue sending the LOG the E. H. Blum to put the finishing time and trying to tell the cook to my address in Germany, where touches on a little unfinished busi­ what to do and how to prejwre I was stationed with the Army. I The crew of this vessel wishes food when the cook knows his job, was discharged on February 13, ness. Brother Johnson all the luck in and I'm ready to go back to sea and is busy putting out the food for the world. He earned his book for now. the crew. It holds him up, and just a job well done. The LOG always reminded me causes a lot of trouble for every­ Bill Padgett of the days when I was sailing and body. 4 4 4 If these fellows claim they know of all my good shipmates. Thanks again for sending the paper. I so much about stewards' and cooks' work, then I say, let them ship as hope-to be sailing soon. Manuel* Marines rated men and do the jobs them­ To the Editor: This is to thank the SIU's entire Gay Nineties Seafarers Welfare Department for their aid in getting my husband's mainten­ ance during the time he was dis­ abled. It seemed like a loSt cause until Paul Sanford recalled having checked to locate his gear and hav­ ing spoken to the mate about his being injured. The Union was working on it, and legal action was being prepared but this might have meant months and maybe even years of futile effort, as there was no guarantee that in the end he would collect, since there was no witness to the permission given him to go to the hospital for treat­ ment and no one seemed to recall the accident. I also hope this wiil give warn­ ing to other seamen injured aboard ship to get written approval from the officer in charge, and if tbat is not p<;K»ible, to get a witness to the fact,^so there can be no ques­ tion as rto there ever having been an accident. Three crewmembers of the Cornhugker .Mariner Lice behind handle­ May I again extend our thanks bar mustaches in the Gay NineUey in New York. Left to riglit are: to the Welfare Department. Mrs. Walter McNaliy A. Leva, wiper; A. Melanson, filler, and P. Jomldes, eng. malnt. Alien Act Hurts American Indians Crew Approves Fair Water Taxi lOG Welcome In Ryiha^Yugoslavia Too Many Cooks Spoil The Broth Ex'GI Has Plans Of Sailing Again Thanhs Union For Aid To Husband . Hurricane crewmembers find the hatch cover a convenient place to listen to the radio at sea. these ships you read about where the captain and the mate or the company sends along a couple of cases of beer and a couple of bot­ tles of whiskey for the crew to commemorate the occasion. The baker made a farewell cake the night before arrival in New York and he performed some of his impersonations for the crew in the messhall. _ Regards from the crew of the Hurricane to aU the boys around the hall, also the compliments of the Season to the officials and members of a swell Union, and hop­ ing for a very successful 1OT3 for the SIU of North America and all its affiliates. Alexiamet m I* •sWs-' 'yrt-wja »>• A — -w .. y r. :>• u �I V;'/ Fag* Twenty-tw* Non'Union Man Is Troublemaker [f'- To the Editor: I am now on the Fort Bridger, and we have been over in Sete, France, for about 14 months. I wonder if you could do any­ thing to stop foreign seamen from shipping on US ships unless they have clearance from the SIU hall. One man came on here and started to agitate, so our crew got dis­ gusted and started leaving. This man also started writing letters to the Coast Guard, trying to foul up t our own crewmembers, so he can get his own buddies on board the ship. Men like this ship on SIU ships and get SIU con­ ditions, but they don't pay a cent of dues to the Buzelewski SIU, and then if they foul up they expect the delegates and the Union to back them up. Here is one incident involving Jack Hatty of Australia, who claims that he is a member of the SIU, but never showed his book to any of our brothers on board the ship. Challenged Captain He had an argument with the captain about some disputed over­ time. Instead of having the dele­ gates see the captain, he saw him himself and wanted to fight him. The captain fired him, and since he left the ship it has been very peaceful and quiet. I think if peo­ ple like this were kept off the ships they would keep American crews on those ships that ship from the hall. There is another incident about this man. Jack Hatty is trying to organize all the American tankers that come over here. I guess he doesn't know that the SIU has the tankers contracted. I would very much like you to notify some of our ships over here to beware of this man. I also would like you to check on Lewis King, who is supposed to be a book man of the NMU, Howard Levine and Wilbur Houghton of England, who claim that they had a book in the SIU but do not want to abide by Union rules. We regret to inform you that the chief steward, Walter Marcus, has to leave us. He , has been ill for the past month. We are very sorry to lose him as he was cooperating with the crew 100 percent and we can honestly say that he rates tops with all of us. We hope that he gets well soon and comes back to sea again. John A. BuzelewskI (Ed. note: The company has been contacted with regard to al­ ien seamen, and has been instruct­ ed to have skippers use Amer­ ican seamen aboard wherever pos­ sible. The Union is taking up the investigation of the two men you mentioned.) - Thirsty Crew Sails To Korea To the Editor: The Seanan sailed from Port­ land, Ore., for Pusan on Decem­ ber 14, 1952. There was little water aboard as the first assistant pumped out all fresh water except Meeiing Night Every 2 Weeks r. Regular membership meet­ ings in SIU headquarters and at all branches are held every second Wednesday night ' at 7 PM. The schedule for the next few meetings is as follows: February 25, March 11, March 25, AprU 8. All iSeafarers registered on tlie shipping list are required to attend the meetings. SEAFARERS LOC ' ' -LETTERS' in complete agreement with that letter and its recommendations, with the suggestion that the sooner these efforts ai'e started, the better for all of us in the SIU. Every Port Is Home ' However, one "big gun" that seemed to be missing from the ar­ gument of that letter was how Congress can decisively and im­ mediately aid seafaring personnel and companies as well. Basically it boils down to this: Foreign ship­ ping companies, not touching ports within their own country during the life of one voyage, or six voy­ ages, for that matter, are in direct and unfair competition with Ameri­ can operators and I am not refer­ ring to Panama or other phony "maritime" nations in mentioning this. To cite examples: Bucknall, Ellerman and Company, Limited, a British outfit, has certain vesesls that continually run between the United States and Far East ports and at the least, hit their home port (usually London) every two years or so, which is quite an op­ eration for a so-called British com­ pany. And the Maersk Line, run­ ning out of New York, is another notorious example of -a company whose ships call every port in the Seafarer C. Bettinger took this picture of the native bumboats, which offer everything from "hand worked" tapestries to shoe world "home" except Danish ones. laces and canned goods, while the Steel King was in Arabia. This letter may sound like a plea for American companies, and,that the after peak, thinking it was full, in trouble with the Coast Guard is what it is meant to be, since the even though the tanks were not if I did-put a hand on him. The more American flag vessels operat­ sounded before or after sailing or chief mate then went to the cap­ ing the more jobs available to all pumping out same. The engineers tain and squealed to him. The of US. in charge pumped out the iore captain came down and upheld the Congress Should Step In peak and double bottoms over­ mate's order. Maybe the solution is not easy, board about three days at sea. This All the dissension on this ship is but certainly a step in the right left the ship with little or no water in the deck department. The direction would be to have Con­ stewards departments and the en­ gress, through legislation, force whatsoever aboard. Then, instead of putting into a gine department, ontside of dis­ foreign companies whose vessels port, the chief engineer, Geo^e P. puted overtime, get along better call in Stateside ports regularly, to Harper, decided to gamble on mak­ than any ship I've ever been on. return these vessels to their ports ing it all the way to Pusan, Korea, We are leaving this hell-hole, of registry at least once a year. about 30 days away, without ask­ Pusan, with no shore leave and This law should be strictly en­ ing the crew. On Christmas Day, about 40 tons of water. I guess forced, regardless of conditions the washing and drinking water we'll be using the good old evap­ (vessels under charter to American was loaded with salt. Still, nobody orator again. companies, etc.), with the stipula-* made any effort to get fresh water Here's hopihg the SIU can tion that foreign vessels not com­ at any port. This chief engineer straighten these characters out. 1 plying would be denied reentry to was depending on the one evap­ have copies of this letter signed by the United States. orator for continuous water for the other delegates. More Business For US every purpose of the ship. Drink­ Louis E. Meyers The result would be like a blood ing and washing water was very X transfusion to American shipping, salty. since during the time that the for­ Captain Drunk eign vessels were returning to The captain, H. G. Trim, was their home ports, American car­ drunk right after the payoff and To the Editor: riers could bid more favorably for for five days out at sea. In Port­ In the December 12, 1952 issue available cargoes and place them­ land he was so drunk he could not of the LOG, the "Letter of the selves in a much better competi­ open the safe to give the BR his Week," stating that the crew of tive position. money, and had to call the num­ the Raphael Semmes unanimously Here's hoping that the SIU rep­ bers of the combination off to the passed a resolution calling for the resentative in Washington can pre­ company agent, so that the agent SIU representative in Washington sent the above along with other could open the safe. to place before the House and Sen­ plans as to ways the US merchant I turned the men to sougeeing ate of the US Congress a "resolu­ marine can be saved. Also, let's in the passageway and the captain tion for the protection of our Hope that during 1953 many other disputed it and marked the sheet country and our jobs" interested ships' crews will express them­ "interfering with deck department quite a few of us aboard the Steel selves on this very vital issue. work and unauthorized." I told Recorder. This writer for one Is David W. Ciark the captain I wasn't out here to argue with him, but that I have a Union to take my beefs to if they can't be settled on the ship. / Second Mate Sick iiiiii The captain signed on the sec­ ond mate, who seemed to be in a I drunken condition, but who was sick and was removed to a trans­ port one night. The crew lowered ; their own lifeboat at 2 AM in rough seas to transfer him. It was later radioed to the ship that he had died after an operation. Chief Mate Nasty "nie chief mate, Henry G. Wil­ son, Jr., is the most egotistical per­ son that I have ever sailed with. He came to my room demanding that I retijrn a shelf that was taken from the second mate's room. (This room had not been used since the death of the second mate.) I told him that I do not take orders from him; I have one boss and that is the captain. I asked him and also ordered him to get Some of the deck gang on the Robin Locksley include, left to right out of my room. He refused to do top: Paul Souza, AB; A. Rosenblatt, OS; Ray Brown, AB; Vhice so. He stated that if I tried to Walrath, OS. Bottom: Bob Morgan. Ed Carroll, Manuel Cotty. put him out, it would be too bad for me. He knew he could get me Photo sent in by "Doc" Watson. Arabian Traveling Salesmen Urge Tight Rein On Foreign Ships Locksley Crew Looks At Lens Fehnuiry 29, 1951 Signs On Tuxiord —He If us Pushed To the Editor: Blacky Colucci, one of the Brook­ lyn dispatchers, twisted my arm a little and old man Economic Ne­ cessity gave a shove, so here I am back on the Robin Line. It was an emergency call and no one wanted to throw in for it, so I was sort of drafted, which is a much bettersounding word than "shanghied." I took a cab to Pier 3, Columbia Street, where the Tuxford was tied up and went aboard to flnd Steward Bill Nesta up to his el­ bows in suds and dirty dishes. He seemed overjoyed to see me, which I hope was on account of my spar­ kling personality but which was probably due to relief relinquish-' ing the pearl diving. Harried by Harrys When we went coastwise there were eight Harrys in the crew, which made for a certain amount of confusion. The number lessened during the trip and at present there are but two of us left— me and . the bosun. Curly Jaynes, and. his name is actually Harold. Can't Iliff blame him for shortening it to Harry. Former chief cook, Oliver Thompson left us to go to th* hospital. His replacement Is Clar­ ence Daire, also a flne cook. Night cook and baker is Julian "Dick"Dedicatoria, and the second cook is jovial Georgie Oinas, the old Maine fisherman. A picture of him, holding a five-pound squaretail recently ran in the LOG. Ac­ cording to George, the picture was wrongly captioned. He clsims he was using the five-pounder for bait. , ^ The Bounding Main So far we've had a nice trip, al­ though for the first three days out I thought I had inadvertently stepped into a Bendix washer. Tho crew seems' to get along very well, which is a change from the Kirk. Sometimes there was very little difference between the Edrk and Stillman's gymnasium. We have the usual quota of glamour boys, or lovers. Eddie Apel, crew mess from Baltimore, is leading in this class but will either have to shave or relinquish his title to Jerry Brand. Jose Megron is also an aspirant but the other two have too long a lead on him. Dark horse here is Small Sam Erlitz, handicapped by age but still a threat if past perform­ ance is considered. If that pay raise is okayed I will see you in the Port O'Call some­ time in May and buy you the best bottle of Budweiser in the jointpardon me—establishment. Slim Iliff Money Exchange Rates Listed The following is the latest available listing of official ex­ change rates for foreign cur­ rencies. Listings are as of February 20,1953 and are sub­ ject to change without notice. England. New Zealand, Soutb AXrlcat S2.80 per pound iterllng. Australia; $2.24 per pound aterUnC, Belgium; SO francs to the dollar. Denmark; 14.49 cents per krone. ~ France; 350 francs to the dollar. Holland; 3.80 guilders to the dollar. Italy; 625 lire to the dollar. Norway; 14 cents per krone. Portugal; 28.79 escudos to the dollar. Sweden; 19.33 cents per krone. India; 21 cents per nipee, Pakiirtan: 30.2 cents per rupee. Argentina; 14.2 pesos to the dollar. Brazil: 9.4 cents per cruzeiro. Uruguay; 92.63 cents per peso. Venezuela; 29.89 cents per bolivaf, �i~. ' sm'i^w'^uiew't Vintis^' FMar^ '21, TWT Page Twenty-thre* On display at the Peabody Museum in Salem, Mass. is a collection, of nautical valentines which Indicate that in the old days of sail, a century or more ago, it was the custom of sea-going tars and their girls ashore to exchange letters in the form of tender sentiments. These old greetings are replete with gay pictures of sailor lads about to depart for far places and of tall ships under sail. Says one lonely lass trying to stay her lover from the sea, while a chubby cupld (Hymen—The god of marriage) looks on from the sidelines in the hope that trde love will win: "Stay on shore—oh, stay with me; Trust no more the boisterous sea. Oh. attempt the Main no more Stay with me. and live on shore. Shall I say my heart is thine? Wilt thou be my Valentine? Then stay thee on thy native Land And accept thy true-love's Hand" In those days when seamen were supposed to be rough, tough characters whose sentiment was expended mainly In the grog shops, this verse also was Intended to touch the salty heart: "Oh! true 'tis Jndced I would taste of the lip That flies from the cottage and Ventures the Ship. For she who inclines to a sailor's own heart. In the gales of adversity never unll part. "Let it blow and blow hard; my own fond one believe, I will ever be faithful and never deceive. In Hymen's own bonds no intruder should sever. And living, love on. yes for ever and everl" The Yankee Whose Cargoes Of lee Cooled The Heat Of The Tropics One of the most unusual cargoes that American ships have ever carried was ice, a com­ modity that provided freight for many a ship and was sailed long distances by Yankee barks, brigs and schooners during the greater part of the 19th century. It was back in 1805 that a^ ~~~~ young merchant adventurer with the West Indies. His cargoes The fame of Tudor's ice spread named Frederic Tudor of proved such a blessing to Euro­ 'round the world and a group of Boston thought that other parts of the world might enjoy the re^ freshing, cold ice that Yankees sawed from their rivers and lakes In the winter and packed In Ice houses for use in the summer months. Mr. Tudor put 130 tons of ice In the brig Favorite and dispatched it to Martinique in 1805. He lost $4,500 on this ventime although the cargo sold well. It proved to Tudor's satisfaction that Ice could be carried successfully by ship and he ignored the jest and ridicule of the public who predicted that the idea was foolish and impractical. Two years later young Tudor lost more money sending ice to Havana In the brig Trident, but the sagacious British were impressed by. his projects and some years later, .despite the advent of our naval war with England, offered Tudor a monopoly in the ice trade Have Your Hating MAsted In Booh Bosuns and stewards receiv­ ing the new membership book now being issued by the Union are cautioned to make sure that their ratings are stamped into the book. If the book is not stamped accordingly, the dispatcher will not ship the man for that rating. As a result, some men holding those ratings might lose put on jobs. peans in the West Indies that the Spanish were- duly impressed also and gave lilm a monopoly for the ice trade with Havana. Defeat No Barrier After losing money on a succes­ sion of lee cargoes he was ui-ged to give up the trade before he lost so much money he would be forever hopelessly in debt but the young merchant replied that anyone who gave up after three or four unsuc­ cessful starts "should be ashamed of himself" and continued to line up foreign customers for his Bos­ ton ice. This fellow Tudor was an enter­ prising fellow, for besides having to intei'est foreign merchants in his novel product, he had to create customers for the merchants to whom he sold It so they would not be left with a pile of melting mer­ chandise on their hands. He advertised ice as a cooler for drinks and, strange as it may seem to us today, his proposal created great excitement in places where people had never tasted a opld drink. # Tudor believed in promoting ice for the "common" people—not jiist for the moneyed rich, and this philosophy of selling "to the masses" enabled him eventually to pay back his many losses and see the ice trade become a profitable buisiness. It is interesting to note that he recommended ice for hospitc^ls and suggested its use for making ice cream. English and American merchants In 1833 urged him to ship some of his ice to them, swellerlng as they were in the humid climate of Cal­ cutta. Not one to hesitate at taking a chance—even one of shipping ice half way around the world In a slow-moving windjammer — Tudor obliged and sent a load in the ship Calcuttaf which crossed the equator twice enroute, but still landed twothirds of Its cargo Intact. » It Is said that some of the con­ signees demanded their money back when the merchandise melted, but this cargo made Iced^drlnks popular In India and was the fore­ runner of mai^ more cargoes earrlcd In several big ships built especially for this trade. With typical Yankee sagacity, he shipped Baldwin apples packed among the cakes of ice! In South Carolina In 1834 Tu­ dor's ice sold for VA cents a pound and for two cents a pound in New Orleans, while the price was only three cents a pound in Havana and 12 cents a pound in Rio de Janeiro, whei-e quite a few cargoes were sent. By this time a number of other firms were in the business, too. Gage, Hittlnger and Company of Boston in 1842 sent the bark Shar­ on from Boston to London with ice but although the British liked the "taste" of Yankee lee, the venture lost money. In 1857, some 10,000 tons of Ice was exported, from Boston and in the. year ^before one firm alone sent AU A chunk of ice to cool a drink was worth a sultan's purse. 146,000 tons coastwise from ther Boston area to cities of the South Atlantic seaboard. 'In the latter days of the Ice trade, Kennebec and Penobscot River ice supplanted that of Bos­ ton pi-etty much because it was \ bicker and clearer. There were more than 200 ice plants on the Maine coast from which vessels loaded for the Caribbean, South America, India and domestic ports. During the winter the frozen rivers and lakes were marked off like huge checkerboards by hoi-se drawn cutters. These checkers or stiipcs were then sawed through and men with poles moved the Ice inshore to. the steam powered con­ veyor, which carried It up into the huge warehouses to he stowed In layers with sawdust for insula­ tion. About May 1, the Ice ships, which included two to four masted schooners, brigs, ships and barks, came up the rivers and loaded from 200 to 1,000 tons each. Ships built for the ice trade were double sheathed to protect the cargo from melting. Ice was packed with wheat chaff, hay, coal dust, tan bark or sawdust, pine sawdust being the favorite packing material because of Its cleanliness, ease of handling, and Insulating qualities. The Ice trade prospered until the general Introduction of manufac­ ture^ ice in the early 1900s. / �PaffC Twenty-foor Wi'- SEAJF ARERS LOG Ftbnurr 20, 195S . DIGEST ot SHIPSMMEETINGS ... CLAIBORNE (Waterman), January 11— Chairman, A. Lanaro; Secretary, J. E. Thomas. Ventilation system in the crew messhail should be repaired. Sanitary work is not being done properly. Baker should try and improve his work, and try and make better bread. Patrolman will be asked to settle the fight between two members. Member claimed he missed his watch due to a misunderstanding. Each department should clean the laun­ dry and slopsink for a week. SEAPENDER (Orion), December it— Chairman, W. Pozen; Secretary, Al M. Clunlen. Recreation room should be kept clean by all hands. Members should wash and replace cups after using them. Ship's delegate should contact the mate about portholes. Two fans are needed. Ship's delegate will see the chief mate about sougeeing all passageways, crew's messhail and recreation room. • !> BINCHAMTON VICTORY (Bull), Janu­ ary 4—Chairman, Louis Martoncsik; Sec rotary, Charles Stambul. Repairs were completed with the exception of the drinking water, which is still rusty and will be taken care of in port. New repair list wiU be taken up with the patrolman Motion was passed to have the three san­ itary men clean up the laundry and rec­ reation room for the first time; there­ after. one man from each department •will clean twice weekly. Washing ma chine wringer wiU be repaired. Crew messhail needs a new toaster as the old one cannot be repaired. Vote of thanks went to the stewards department for a Job weil done and to the purser for a nice Job. MOBILIAN (Waterman), January 4— Chairman, Charles ColettI; Secretary, Ed­ ward Zebrowski. Ship's fund totals $24. Ralph Hayes was elected ship's delegate. Motion was passed to appoint men to clean the laundry weekly. Lockers in deck foe'sles need repairing as well as benches. Dirty linen should be placed In the laundry bag. Library doors should remain closed. STEEL RANGER (Isthmian), January 4 —Chairman, J. Wagner; Secretary, B. C. D'Ornellas. All repairs were taken care of. Coal stored above the galley ven­ tilators should be placed somewhere else, as this is very unsanitary. Fans in each department should be checked before the hot weather starts. Vote of thanks went to the stewards department for a wonderful Job In the performance of their duties. Deck department will put garbage cans midship while the ship is in port. !»• BLUESTAR (Traders), December 7— Chairman, J. Anderson; Secretary, J. Gal­ lagher. Frank Keely was elected ship's delegate. Motion was passed to collect $10 from each man to send to the next of kin of J. Marques with a letter of condolence from the crewmembers. Stew­ ards department will clean the recreation room; deck and engine departments will alternate the cleaning of the laundry. One washing machine will be used for work gear, the other for white clothes. Last standby will wash cups for the watch. Repair list wUl be made up. Ship's delegate will take charge of a ship's fund. SWEETWATER (Metro), January 14Chairman, J. Dawson; Secretary, C. W. Burns. Repair list wlU be made out. Pa­ trolman will be cotntacted about bad eggs. Motion was passed, unanimously to have the ship fumigated. Patrolman wiU be contacted on this. More milk should be supplied. Frank V. Fromm was elect­ ed ship's delegate. egate will get a new library in New Orleans. December 7—Chairman, Donald Alt; Secretary, Carroll H. Andrews. One man fell and was Injured when a board broke. Any replacements who come aboard in Honolulu should be checked. Steam lines on coffee urn should be changed. Trash should not be dumped out of portholes. Dangerous working gear on the ship will be reported to the patrolman. - Patrolman will also be contacted about men work­ ing aloft. / HASTINGS (Waterman), January 17— Chairman, H. Bode; Secretary, J. Neaca- les. J. Turner was elected ship's dele­ gate. New innerspring mattresses were requested for the deck engineer, bosun, electrician, steward and day men. New pillows and covers are needed for the entire crew. Department delegates wiU make up a repair list. Mechanical can opener is needed in the pantry. Vote of thanks went to the stewards department and the baker for the good food and service. Get New Books Through Agents Seafarers who applied for new membership books in New York but are now sailing from outports don't have to come to this city to get their new books. If the men involved will write to headquarters and tell the Union which port they are sailing out of, the Union will forward the book in care of the port agent. Under no circumstances however, will the books be sent through the mails to any private addresses. SOUTHPORT (South Atlantic),- January II—Chairman, William J. Thompson; Sec­ retary, R. E. Pierce. Patrolman will be asked to take action on the repair list at the end of the voyage. Siopchest should be checked; medical supplies should be gone over too. STEELORE (Ore), December 22—Chair­ man, Charles L. Jacques; Secretary, Ar­ thur A. Mosblack. Charles L. Jacques was elected ^p's delegate; Sam J. Kasonovich. deck delegate; William Turpin. engine delegate: Samuel Disharoom. stew­ ard delegate. Each man should bring his own soap to the washroom, and not walk out with someone else's. Ship's delegate will request the captain to post siopchest prices. Vote of thanks was given to the entire stewards department for the qual­ ity of food and the efficient manner in which it is served. PENNMAR (Calmar), January 20—Chair­ man, Red GIbbs; Secretary, T. E. Frazier. Red Gibbs was elected ship's' delegate. List of repairs was turned over to the chief engineer to be done when there Is time. Motion was passed to contact the captain about moving members about to provide ample living space. Hooks should be put on icebox doors. ROSARIO (Bull), January 14—Chair­ man, M. Richardson; Secretary, M. George Whale. Charges against two men who paid off will be forwarded to head­ quarters for action. Special note will be made on repair list of the lack of port­ hole screens and wind chutes and the bad condition of the screen doors. Steam valves on most of the radiators need ad­ justment and repair. Deck and engine departments will clean the laundry; stew­ ards department will clean the recreation room. Anyone with a beef should go first to the department delegate; under no cir­ cumstance Ut it proper for a Union mem­ ber to overlqpk the correct procedure and go to the mate and the captain first. Library will be changed at the first op­ portunity. m. lif'r I^ [fe-m I £ •: m' r> MARY ADAMS (Bleomfleld), .December 7—Chairman, Douglas Claussen; Secre­ tary, Robert M. Douglas. There is $42 in the ship's fund. Charles Dasher was elected ship's delegate by acclamation. Ship's laundry wlU be kept clean by aU brothers. There should be less noise in the aUeyways. Lockers need repairing. Foc'sle doors should be kept locked in foreign porta. messroom portholes will be fixed. Glasses should not be left in the sink. Galley drain Is stopped up and will be fixed. January 2S—Chairman, Walter Sibley; Secretary, Thomas A. Jackson. Motion was passed that no one is to pay off in San Juan unless he is sick. Men who would have stood gangway watch in San Juan will get the overtime. Better grade of food should be put on board. Repair lists WiU be made out by the three de­ partment delegates. Discussion was held on the member who has been perform­ ing on board ship and not doing his work. Charges will be drawn up against him. Men who miss ship in San Juan wUl be turned over to the Union. Members should keep their feet off the messroom chairs. ROBIN TRENT (Seas Shipping), Decem­ ber 7—Chairman, J. C. Reed; Secretary, John W. Parker. Men should be properly dressed when they go vo the messroom. There Is $1.50 In the ship's fund. Old washing machine wUl be sold for $25 and the money put in the ship's fund. December 2$ —Chelrman, John W. Parker; Secretary, John C. Reed. There was a discussion on the baker not clean­ ing up the gaUey. Vote of thanks went to the stewards department for the won­ derful Christmas dinner and for the way It was served. Brother Whitlow was elected ship's del­ egate. Crew was asked to keep the messroom clean and to return cups to pantry. Ship's delegate will see the chief engineer about getting cold water In the new drinking fountain. Ship's delegate will speak to the patrolman about get­ ting crew's quarters painted. Steward LONE JACK (Cities Service), January will buy playing cards out of the ship's fund and see about getting a' dog for If—Chairman, N. P. Gllllgan; Secretary. the ship. Ali new crewmembers were William S. Claymore.. Ship's fund was in arrears $26.05. $55 was collected and asked to donate $2 to the ship's fund. these debts paid. Radio aerial was pur­ MARY ADAMS (Bloomfiald), January chased for $1.77. Ship's fund now has 11—Chairman, Charles Dashar; Sacratary, $27.18 in assets. Ship and department Robert M. Douglas. There is a balance of delegates should speak to the steward $28 in the ship's fund. Motion was passed about improvement and greater variety not to sign on for the next trip until all of food. Pork and bacon were - reported repairs have been completed. AU hands In bad condition by the chef. Request should be sober at the payoff. All the was Made to have cornbread for break­ brothers expressed their gratitude to the fast occasionally. Patrolman should see •entire stewards department for their ef­ that a good brand of coffee is provided. forts during the trip. Repair lists wUl There is no change in the milk situation. New York will be called on this. be turned over to the ship's delegate. WILLIAM H. CARRUTH (Trans-Fuel), December 14—Chairman, Hans M. Scaaleaaard; Secretary, William Bause. Vincent Genco was reelected ship's delegate by acclamation. There Is $11 left in the ship's fund, $9 having been spent for the purchase of various games. Previous trip's repair list was taken care of. Paint­ ing of messhail, pantry, recreation room, galley and passageways was approved by the captain. Crew was asked to cooper­ ate in keeping the messroom, pantry and recreation room clean. All hands agreed to do their part. Watches on duty will be given priority during mealtime. CHICKASAW (Waterman), January 24 GREENSTAR (Triton), November 2— —Chairman, Freddy Cock; Secrotary, V. Chairman, Dave Barry; Secretary, Car­ P. Agostlno. Steward put in a requisition roll H. Andrews. Carroll H. Andrews for 31 Innerspring mattresses to be sent was elected ship's delegate. Men were from Miami. There is a balance of $20.9.1 cautioned to pull -the plug on the wash­ in the ship's fund. Discussion was held ing machine to prevent the motor from on donating to the March of Dimes. burning up. Department delegates Washing machine will be repaired. should check all mattresses. Steward should double check ship's stores for a JOHN B. WATERMAN (Waterman). long trip. Recreation room and laundry January 10—Chairman, Walter Sibley; Sec­ should be kept clean at aU times; Ship's retary, Thomas A. Jackson. Capitano was delegate .and....... • steward will — see — the — cap— elected ship's delegate. Door on messtain about additional stores. ; Ship's.^ del-'man's room needs fixing. Hooks on the Mit.egtiise.elia STEEL ADVOCATE (Isthmian), Novem­ ber 2—Chairman, W. MItchall; Sacratary, T. Thompson. Beef about a member not turning to. was straightened out. Steward will inspect the messhail before meals. Crewmembers should try not to bang doors. Radios should be played low. Sug­ gestion was made to have keys made for the messhail end the pantry, so doors can be locked in port. November 23—Chairman, A. McArlher; Secretary, Tommy Thompson. Linen mat­ ter was straightened out. Suggestion was made to have cold drinks twice a day and put fruit 'in the ic-;- box at night. Garbage bucket will be placed in the pas­ sageway during mealtimes. January 24—Chairman, W. Mitchell; Sacratary, Joe Kramer. The painting beef will be taken up with the patrol­ man. Sheets are too small for the mat-, tresses. Second cook, who took over the chief cook when he took sick in Alexan­ dria, Is recommended by the crew to sail as chief cook, with the approval and clearance of the liall. Ship heeda fumiga­ tion, wooden foot stands for showers and chairs for the recreation room. Door should be cut'from the messhaU to the pantry, M messman will not have to go- 1 i .-w, EDITH (Bull), January 1—Chairman, not listed; Secrstsry, Louis S. Rlzze.' Washing machine has been left nihning; delegate wiU try to find out who has done this. CALMAR (Calmer), December 27— Chairman, A. F. HIert; Secretary, W. Ekins. Second cook was elected steward delegate. James Archie was elected ship's delegate. Messman complains that the pantry sink wUl not hold water. There is not enough night lunch or a great variety. The lack of fruit Juice and ham was brought up; steward will take care of this. Wiper has no keys to foc'sle. Sanitary claims he does not get enough soap and soap powder; mate will be con­ tacted. . ARIZPA (Waterman), December 21—' Chairman, Herb Knowles; Secretary, R. B. Charroln. Delegates will turn In re­ pair lists. One brother missed ship In Kure, Japan. One brother thanked the deck department for splitting their gang­ way watches while he was unable to work, since he had a broken hand. Stew­ ALCOA POLARIS (Alcoa), January 1— ards department got a vote of thanks for Chairman, Earl Ds Angalo; Sacratary, some first-class chow. Barnay Kally. There is $36 in the ship's fund. John Norton was elected ship's SEATRAIN NEW YORK (Seatrain), De­ delegate. All passageways should be cember 17—Chairman, Ray Sweeney; Sec­ kept clean, doors closed dqring loading retary, E. W. Auer. There is S21.95 in and unloading. Vote of thanks went to the ship's fund. Motion was passed to the stewards department. haVe the deck department foe'sles sougeed before arrival in Edegwater. Repair list will be posted on the bulletin board for additional notations. Motion was passed to take up a collection for Christ­ mas decorations. In case the company does not supply them. Extra money will go in the ship's fund. OMEGA (Omega), January 17—Chair­ man, Suit; Secretary, Olvln. Most Im­ portant repairs were done In Portland. Me. Ship WiU be cleaned out. as asked. Brothers were asked to unplug the wash­ ing machine after using it. Steward asked all brothers to strip their bunks on CHIWAWA (Cltlas Service), November Unen' day and not store linen in lockers. PUERTO RICO (Bull), January 18— Chairman, Ed Caudtll; Secretary, Jim AU liands were asked to cooperate wltli 22—Chairman, M, O. Brlohtwell; Secre­ tary, K. P. Goldman. There is $12.32 in Murphy. All hands are requested not to wiper and OS. the ship's fund. Discussion was held on ruin the paint job aft. to respect the signs placed there by the deck gang, to ALCOA PARTNER (Alcoa), October 12 the washing machine. watch the petty larceny ashore in St. —Chairman, F. (Red Sully) Sullivan; Sec­ J^AN LAFITTE (Waterman), July 5— Thomas and to return towels which are retary, L. Franklin. Crew will contact taken ashore for swimming. Patrolman the port agent to see the captain about Chairman, Walter J. Brown; Secretary, should check the quality of meat served the draws. Each department delegate E. P. Moran. Van Alstine was elected aboard this vessel. Motion was passed will make up a repair list before the ship's delegate. Patrolman will be notified to chip in $1 to the ship's fund. After ship's arrival in port. Misunderstanding of shortages in the siopchest. There is some discussion, it was decided to check between two members was straightened a shortage of soap powder In the deck with the pursers on the possibUity of out. First assistant wiU be contacted department. Sanitary pump will be re­ paying off the stewards department sep- about needed repairs on the washing ma­ placed. Cups and glasses should be re­ turned to the pantry. arateiy and at the same time as the chine. December 7—Chairman, Nelson King; other departments. Payoff should be ro­ November 15—Chairman, John Malcom; Secretary, Walter J. Brown. Discussion tated to give each department a chance Secretary, Olus McCann. Captain wiU be to be paid off fir.st. Mike Amato was contacted again about getting new parts was held on the water cooler in the recreation room. This was fixed, but two elected ship's delegate at a meeting held for the crew's wa'sldag machine. Sugges­ days out of port it was out of order for this purpose on.January 11. tion was made to put a new hasp on the again. Chief engineer will be contacted night cook and baker's locker. Brothers ANDREW JACKSON (Waterman), Jan­ are to be quiet when others arc sleeping on this. Chief engineer will he asked uary 21—Chairman, R. Berryman; Secre­ and to clamp down on aU drinking on about the. faulty operation of the sani­ tary, A. J. Kuberskl. R. Berryman was board. Deck department members are to tary pumps, All members of the crew elected ship's delegate. All hands will be back in sober condition to secure the should help keep ihe recreation room, keep the laundry clean. All clothes ship. When a member is a little under pantry and messhail clean. Stewards de­ ^ould be secured in the fidley. Patrol­ the weather and the bosun says go be partment will be asked not to dump gar­ man In Mobile will be contacted on the low, he means off the deck. That goes bage on the lines aft. Laundry should be kept clean. repair list and siopchest. for everyone. January 15 — Chairman, Joseph P LIBERTY BELL (Dovar), January 10— IBERVILLE (Waterman), January 23— Shaughnetsy; Secretary, Leon W. Frank­ Chairman, F. P. Flanagan; Sacratary, H. Chairman, Jamdl McRae; Secretary, How­ lin. Two brothers missed ship, one at R. Hutchlns. Motion was passed to paint ard Menz. .Ship's delegate talked with Montreal and another at Quebec City, due one room hi the stewards department. the captain about the ship leaving on to failure to post saUing time. Crew wUl There is a $16 balance In the ship's fund. Posted sailing time. Captain is pleased take action on two performers. Patrol­ A suggestion was made that the crew with the crew; there are no beefs. There man will be contacted on this in San take it easy on ' drinking and conduct is a balance of $22.64 in the ship's fund. Juan. Department delegates will draw themselves in an orderly manner in A total of $g.84 was spent on books and up a list of performers. Night lunch Japan, magazines. Messhail is being kept clean. should be issued only to the crew. Nec­ essary repairs should be done on board ALCOA PURITAN (Alcoa), January 11 EVELYN (Bull), January 24—Chair­ by the crew. —Chairman, P. A. TaurasI; Sacratary, J. man, W. Raid; Secretary, E. C. Dacsy. GENEVIEVE PETERKIN (Bloomfiald), January 4—Chairman, T. J. Schultz; Gscrelary, C. W. "Bill" Champlln. Stewards department will care for the recreation room; deck and engine department men wUl clean up the laundry. Repair lists will be made up by the department dele­ gates and turned over to the ship's del­ egate. into the passageway to get to the pantry. clarification en the making of ice foe Galley sink faucet and porthole gUss in cold drinks. Ship's delegate should checle the messman'a foc'sle should be replaced. stores with the steward before sailing; Motion was made to have the old wash­ BINGHAMTON VICTORY (Bull), De­ ing machine thoroughly overhauled, of cember 17—Chairmen, Rex J. O'Connor; else to get a new one. Bunks should bo~ Secretary, .Charles Stambul. Elections stripped and cleaned, lockers cleared were held. Charles Stambul. ship's del­ out before leaving the ship. Ship needs egate; Vincent J. Stefanick. deck dele­ fumigation. Vote of thanks went to ths' gate; Ebnest Lee Waters, engine delegate; stewards department for a Job weU done. Louis Martoneslk, steward delegate. All hands were asked to' be sober at the Three men from each department will be payoff. Patrolman wUl be contacted appointed to' clean up the recreation about the captain's treatment of the men. room. Strlngfsllow. John Mehalow was elected ship's delegate. OCEANSTAR (Triton), January 1— Chairman, J. D. Baugher; Sacratary, N. L, Ramlay, Most of the beefs wpre taken care of in port. H. D. Carney was elected ship's delegate unanimously. Members were asked to come to meetings prompt­ ly. Deck engineer said there would be a fan in every room as soon as he can ge} them repaired and installed. Crew de'clded to put in for eleven days sub­ sistence since there was no hot water in the crew's heads and. showers for that time. MONROE (Bull), Dacembar 21—Chair­ man, Battia; Sacratary, S. Barnas. Barnea was elected shin's delegate. AU standbvs on watch wiU clean up the messhail. Ship's delegate wlU ask the mate for keys for crew's quarters. Day workers were asked to go easy on the night lunch. Laundry wUl be cleaned In rotation. SOUTHERN CITIES (Southern Trading). December 27—Chairman, c. L. Parish, Jr., Secretary, C. Frost. There Is con­ fusion on the deck because the mate claims to have a different working agree­ ment than that used by the crew; he has not yet produced a copy of this agree­ ment. New repair list will be submitted through proper channels. Greenwald was elected ship's delegate by acclamation. No one is to enter the nicssroom unless properly dressed. Butt cans will 1>e pro­ vided for aUeys and companionways. Crewmembers will cooperate in keeping messhail, recreation room and heads cleaner. All departments wiU clean laun­ dry and recreation rooms. K YOUNG AMERICA (Waterman), Janu­ ary 28—Chairman, Larson; Secretary, F. Arana. Motion was passejl to have the whole crew back up the steward In se­ curing proper provisions for the next voyage. Steward wiU notify delegates If he Is denied any stores he considers nec­ essary. Vote of thanks went to the stewards department, which has done Its best to make the past trip a pleasant voyage. AU extra linen should be turned in to the steward. MeshaU and pantries should be kept clean and coffee mugs washed after use. C. POTRERp HILLS (Mar Trade), Keither Smith; Secretary, Frank Flanagan. Ladder from gangway is now ready for use.. Two men who missed ship wiU be entered into the minutes. Chief mate wUl be reported to the patrolman for negUgence and failure to live up to the con­ tract. Stewards department should be notified of time changes and late meals. Vote of thanks went to the stewards de­ partment for exceptionaUy good Christ­ mas chow. Chief pumpman got a vote of thanks for bringing Christmas tree and decorations aboard. New mattresses are of inferior quality and should be shown to the patrolman. BALTORE (Ore), November 30—Chair­ man, Mack Singleton; Secretary, George Prota. No action was taken on last voy­ age's repair list. Motion, was made to have meeting time announced in advance, in order not to Interfere with stewards department work. There Is a general STEEL MAKER (Isthmian), January IB beef about the lack of mop buckets. —Chairman, Tom Kuhn; Secretary, P. Rubli. wUl be asked to clarify the FAIRLAND (Waterman),*November 1— posting Union of the saUlng board during week­ Chairman, Slgmund Rothschild; Secre­ ends in port. Every man wiU be asked tary, Alfredo C. Irlzar. Nothing has been done about last trip's repair Ust. Papers to siip a card posted near the washing machine, so that the rest of the crew and garbage should not be thrown on will know i#ose laundry Is In the ma­ the deck. AU' bands were requested to chine. This way aU ipen wiU know who bring dirty Unen In exchange for clean on Wednesday, the Unen day. and not to Is responsible for letting the machine wn and for leaving It dirty. A member wait for another day or two. WiU be appointed to clean and straight-en out the Ubrary, discarding aU unread­ PAOLI (Cities Service), January 11— able books and magazines. , Chairman, Peter V. Hammel; Secretary, John F. Brady, .All hands should coop­ 'Of*)' January 11—Chairman, erate in turning In old Unen for dean Unen, and should hot leave It ' lying Elder; Secretary, HInnant. Watch should Dl»cussion was around ihe passageway. One man left ship. Vote bf thanks went to the stewards held on the care of the washing machine. There are not enough coffee cups and departmenif for a job weU done. All del­ egates will hand repair Usts ta:the ship's spoons; they should be setumed to the delegate. .Ship's delegate will' see the pantry _ after use. Crew should help to captain about sailing foreign. Crew Was keep the recreaUon room clean at aU asked to cooperate with the messman in Slat"^ ' igard to keeping the messroom clean. — •- CARROLL VICTORY (South Atlantic), If-^halrman, January d^halrman, Eddie Burton; Sec f; rotary, J. F, Barrett, Jr. Two men Anderson, Crew siioulS keep feet olt missed ship In'Ban Pedro, one in Leon­ chMrs and tables and keep the lounge ardo. personal belongings were taken in better shape. Craw was warned against care M. Patrolmaa will be gsked .about' , j[Continued. p% page 25) �SEAFARERS LOG Febmary U, 1959 Pare Twenty-llv* ... DIGEST of SHIPS' MEETINGS ... (Continued from page 24) •yittinr la paMaaeway* and on th« deck, laundry ataeuld be cleaned up after use. Notlca waa taken that the food Uikproved cenilderably. Wind ctautei should be pro­ vided for the crew. MARORI (Ore), January 1»—Chairman, W. Caint Socratary, J. A. Merln. There la iS.50 in the ship's fund. Man whe missed the ship will be reported to the Baltimore patrolman. Beef on fixing the range light on Sunday will be referred to the patrolman. Suggestion was made to paint' the new recreation room. San­ itary man was talked to about his work. Steward wiU buy tP.SO-worth of stamps from the ship's fund. Delegate will see the first assistant about squeeze mop buekst for the wiper to clean foc'slea with. SEAViaiL (Orion), November f—Chair­ man, C. Thobe; Secretary, V. Wilton. Jolin Oudshoorn was-unanimously elected ship's delegate. Ship's delegate wiU con­ tact the chief mate to arrange for paint­ ing of the stewards department foc'sles NOTICES James Francisco Your discharge from the Carolyn has been found and is being held in the LOG office. 4 4; t George Barena WUUam F. MacDouald The NLRB office at-2 Park Ave., NY, is still holding checks for you from the Cities Service case. Please contact them. , 4> 4. " Anthony J. Riley Please contact Mr. D. Orren, Ch. Accountant, Waterman SS Co., 61 St. Joseph St., Mobile, Ala., con­ cerning an overpayment when you were utility on the Stonewall Jackson. 4* 4r 4« Louis Ballestero You have a letter wailing for you at headquarters mail room. 4i t ft The following men can pick up their 1952 Withholding Tax Forms at the company indicated. All of the companies listed are located at 17 Battery Place, New York, NY. Seatraders: Mahrie W eIIis , Charles Lewis, Nick Grumdahl, Fred. Hauser, James N e 1 s^o n, George Saldlvar, James Andres Heffiey, Earl Tuttle Congleton, Louis Deckelmann, Charles E. Wells, William Gray. W. Lewsessyy, Kenneth Budlow, Daniel Bis.sett, Donald Edward Zweep. American Mer. Marine SS; Ju­ lian Sawyer, Joseph Taylor, Mateo Ramirez, Edmund Smercyzancki, Terrel McRaney, Lewis Thomas Fitton, Samuel Tolcha, James Joe Connors. Fpancis O'Brien, James D. Fran­ cisco, Manuel Olvera, Guy New­ man, W. Melntyre, Jack Arellanes, Francisco Areemal, Lawrence Biondo, Thomas Biackledge. Walter Clark, F. DiGavanni, Hai> old L. Gidding?, William Gilstrop, Charles Harrow, P. Hunt, N. Hurt, Jacob Meyboom, George F. Miller. Zenith SS Co.: Robert Milton Moots, Michael Arthur Servine, Robert Stanson, John J. Bidere, Michael Stanton, Howard Lecompte, Hugh Mansfield. ' Lawrence Branch, Joseph Bule, William Cladwell, David Donavan, William Bllger, Leo Gillis, Robert . Wi'liams. Ocean Carriers, Inc.: J. W. Weddle, Antonio A. Blais, William M. Ward, Jose Rosa, Eug. F. Hernan. dez, BenJ, Bellamy, Mike E. LaSoya, James Kirchner. K. Htasen, H. Hurlburt, Rosco J. Jampton.-'JVilliam Garrison, Ed­ ward Falvey, Lewis Everett, Victor ' Escobar, Edward Contoral. ^ H, E. Tyske, Louie Santo, Wil­ liam T. Atchason, Charles Austin, R. Beattie, Robert Seliveaii, Rafael Cuevfis, E. Ldngacre. Luis Martinez, W. Longacr4w, J. Magyar, Demenico Masello, Thomas Miinge, William Murray. jr. Paseo, Ed. A. Rfaed*. Edwai^ Thomm Ritey, Edward Robinson, Llttir WettB, Tiburein C. Jnhn Karplnskyw at an early dat*. Soma membar* com­ plained of unnecoefery noleo about the decks. Shlp'a dclesate k^ould see the captain about posting slopchest price list. Recreatien ream and laundry should bo cleaned dally by a department sanitary man, with the detaU rotated weekly. January IS—Chetrman, •. Potis; Sec­ retary, T. ^Oaylt, Jr. Suggestion was made that the washing machines be re­ paired. Suggestion was made to remove thd' washing machine's stcsm line (which causes noise while members are sleeping) and replace It with a hot water Une. Vote of thanks went to the stewards de­ partment 'for A Job wall done. STKIUOllK (Oro), Docombar 90—Chair­ man, Cborloo L. JosquoN Socrotahr, Ar­ thur Moiblocfc. Captain wiU post slop-, chest prices outside of the slopchest door. Delegate has spoken to the chief engi­ neer about installing a drain hbsc on the washing" machine. Chief en.clneer will order shower heads. Delegates win turn in repair lists before the ship reaches Sparrow's Point. Silverware beef was referred to the steward for settle­ ment, as it concerns his department. January 9 — Chairman, Chsrloi L. JaequMj Socroiory, Arthur Motblock. Ferry Parson was elected deck delegate. "Unfinished repairs wUI be kept on the repair list: some of them have been done. Bosun will put a drain hose In the wash­ ing maehino. Water foundation needs fixing. Patrolman will be notified about men missing slUp. All hands were asked not to keep cups out of the messroom. Engine room, door should not b( slammed, as this wakes up men Who are sleeping. ^Can'Shaker^ Have iVo OK . The membeiifaip is again cautioned to beware of persons Eoliciting funds on ships in be­ half of memodais or an;; etbw so-called "worthy causes." No "can-shakers" or solicit tors have received authoriza­ tion from SIU headquarters to collect funds. The National Foundation for Infantile Pa­ ralysis is the only charitable organization which has re­ ceived membership endorse­ ment Funds for this cause are collected through normal .Union channels at the pay-off. Receipts are issued on the spot machine was not repaired in port, though company and officers were informed and premised to fix It. Toih. Maher was elected ship's delegate by acclamation. MoUon was passed to have sanitary mtm get linen for their departments. Captain should post slopchest hours. All mat­ tresses should have mattress covers. Two • seats in the messroom should be set aside for men going on watch. Washing machine should be cleaned after use. January 3—Chairman, Author Thomp­ son; Socrctory, Mlchaol Masofc. Member was taken ashore in Bombay after an accident In the engine room. Michael Maaek'was elected ship's delegate by ac­ clamation. Steward should be contacted GRgENSTAh (Triton), January 27— by men who have no covers on their Chairman, MIko Sikorsky; Secretary, C. H. Andrews. The body of Brother Ray­ mattresses. mond Saundsrs. who died in Okinawa, was claimed and will be sent home. Chief STEELORE (Ore), January It—Chair­ mate wiU be contacted about having car­ man, Charles L. Jacques; Secretary, Ar­ go vents removed.- greased and chipped. thur A. Moehteck, Ship has been without Ship should be properly secured and hot water for several days. Refrigerator lifeboats clear for launching at aU times. has been fixed. There are "no portholo Crew had only 13 minutes lu secure gaskets and fire plugs are not numbered. booms. Any performing .will be 'orought Clothes are being left in the washer too to the attention of the patrolman. Stew­ long. Coffee should be made In urn ard says can replace missing sUver- when watches below and daymen are ware and glasses. Laundry will be cleaned called out in the mornings. up. Headquarters should inform the cap­ tain that the crew is working under the WARBAWK (Waterman), February 1— new agreement. Fresh stores, including Chairmen, Jose Famandoz; Secretary, milk, are obtainable in Japanese ports, Oaerga J. Smith. Delegates will see the so beefs on this will be referred to the SUP patrolman in Yokohama. Company representatives will be Informed on the captain's cutting down the steward's re­ quisitions. Steward received a big vote of thanks for the stores fought for. ROBIN LOCKSLBY (Ses* Shipping), January 12—Chairman, M. E. Watson; Sscrstary, Alfrsd A. Barnard. Antonio Sciiiavoue was elected ship's delegate. Since brothers have complained about the noise, members voted to stop using the clothes dryers at 8:00 PM. Captain has complied to the showing of movies to the crew. This is very satisfactory. Ship's delegate will see the chief rnate about Chips making shelves in the lockers on the main deck for the ship's library. Ship's delegate wUi apeak to the chief engineer about putting a light back aft on the resistor house, so that the broth­ ers ran see where to dump garbage wlthuut bieSHing a' leg. FORT BRIDOER (US Petroleum), Jan­ uary IS—Chairman, Buzalawski; Sacra­ tary, John Oatos. Six new men were signed on in Marseilles. Discussion was held on the men who missed watch in Sate. Men elaimed the launch left early and the fauH is net theirs. A list of re­ pairs will be drawn up and given to the chief mate. STEEL TRAVELER (Isthmian), Novem­ ber 90—Chairman, Arthur Thompson; Socratary, MIchaal Paul Masak. Washing Quiz Amavperg 1) straight. (2) Sunday. Christmas and New Year's always come out on the same day a week later. (3) 1/50 and 1/250. (4) Dover, Delaware; Indian­ apolis, Indiana; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (5) Day. (6) Louisiana. (7) Henry VIII. (8) Three. " (9) Cabbage. (10) The five Great Lake& Pmxzle Amgwmr ssaa aaa aanca aHfiraasBii aaiiia QHtJcaa fflaaaa 10012] Esaaas] ECEna aaii0a00 aaQaasi aagnaa Bassaaaa osisa iiziDEaaa isoa aaaaa aaoaa afflaa GSGffliiaas 03!^ Bama Charles T. Hal! It Is urgent that you contact j'our mother. Mrs. George D. Hall, 321 South Pearl Street, Youngstown, Ohio. ft ft ft Harold George Releford Important. Contact your sisterin-law. Your wife is very ill. ft ft ft Thurston Lewis Call Jimmy Stewart in New York at MU 9-6510. ft ft ft I Lyndon G. Wade Contact Sterling and Schwartz. 42 Broadway, New York 4, NY, phone DIgby 4-7830. ft ft ft Effie "Suede" Regnor Contact Edward Fields, 3301 Florida Ave., Naval Base, Charles­ ton, SC. ft ft ft Dale Lueia Contact your mother, Mrs. Ted Burgess. 441^^ Smith St., Provi­ dence, RI. ft ft ft Max Byers Get in touch with Herbie imme­ diately. Urgent. ft ft ft Earle Harrison Contact your wife immediately. Urgent. Ginger is sick with rheu­ matic fever. ft ft ' .ft Charles J. Smith - Urgent that you contact your mother at H No. 2, Box 368, Green­ ville, NC. • ft ft ft John Winn Please contact. Thomas M. Breen, 220 Broadway, New York 38, NY. - ft ft ft Robert Hlllman Please contact Mrs, Delia R. Hart, 891 Vance Ave., Memphis, Tenn. • ft ft ft captain about a catwalk en the deck cusslon was held en. the men missinc over the lumber cargo. There should bo ship, dirty drinking water. less noise in the passageways and messroom, Innerspiing mattresses should be 'MASSILI.OM VICTORY (Bastorn), Janu­ gotten and stewards department quarters ary' 25—Chairman, Jamos C. Flanagan! should be painted (they have not been Sacratary, Charlas H. eiltoy. MoUon wag painted for over a year). Dates T.:hen passed to get a new library. » showers and sleeping quarters are paint­ ed wiU be entered in the crew log for SOUTHERN COUNTIES (Southern Tradfuture reference. Ing), February 9—Clialrman, R. L. Cutfiroll; Socratary, L. F. Draw. Motion wao CHRISTOS M (Msrino Shipping), Jan­ passed to have delegates get together and make up a repair list to be pre­ uary.. 24—Chairman, J. Smith; Secretary, Tony Watlluk. Captain was asked to is­ sented to the mate. Vote of thanks went sue mme .cigarettes per week; crew is to the stewards department ^r the fine willing to pay the increased price. One food and good service. Mail u not being man whS faUod to loin the ship in Kobe, received regularly. Japan, will be reported to the boarding, PENNMAR (Calmar), February 1— patrolman on arrival in the States. Cooley was elected new ship's dlele.>:ate. There Chairman, Carl Olbbi; Secretary, T. E. Frazior. Chief mate'has been working was no milk in Kobe, since the steward explained Its bacteria count waa too high. on deck: overtime has been turned in Men are to turn in lists of the gear they for this. Captain was contacted on the want in the slopchest to the ship's del­ steward* department's living quarters. Engine department quarters have been egate. painted, with the exception of the 4-8 watch, who refused to move out. Pa­ AMES VICTORY (Victory), Janbary 11 trolman will be contacted about the —Chairman, William J. Smith; Sacratary, beef on the stewards department quai> H. Stivars. If sinks in the pantry and tcrs. which the captain says were buUt galley are not fixed in Japan, the crew for four men, but which the crew main­ will go on subsistence all the way back tains does not have, enough space for to the States. Crew's ice t>ox in the three. Stewards department got a vote pantry should also be fixed. Each de­ thanks for a weU done job so far. partment will take turns keeping the of Each delegate will collect a SI donation messrooms and recreation and laundry for the ship's fund from each man, rooms clean. which will be turned over to the ahlp'a delegate. ALCOA POLARIS (Alcoa), February T— Chairman, Earl Do Angola; Secretary, Barney Kooly. All repairs vriU be turned in before reaching the next port of payofi. All will cooperate lu keeping foc'sles clean and in order. SEA OALS (Soafradars), January It- Chairman, Snow; Socratary, Lynch. Snowwas elected ship's delegate by acclama­ tion. Each department wiU take care of the recreation .room for a week. Night lunch should be replaced in the refrigera­ tor. Request was made for hard boiled eggs in the night lunch. Minor repairs should be listed and turned ev'er to the bosun for repairs. Crew is very well pleased with the baking, to they would like the baker to put out larger portions. SIMMONS VICTORY (Bull), January 25 —Chairman, Pat Robertson; Secretary, A. A. Kessen. The man who missed ship in Yokohama will be turned over to the Baltimore patrolman. Men should leave rooms neat and orderly for the next crew, with all repairs turned, over to the ship's delegate as soon as possible. ARIZPA (Waterman), January 25— Chairman, L. Leidig; Sacratary, Don Col­ lins. Don Wagner was elected ship's delegate by acclamation. Discussion was held on opening the stopchest and why there are no salt tablets aboard. These should be put in the water cooler fore and aft. FELTORE (Oro), February 2—Chair­ man, Elder; Secretary, HInnant. Sugges­ tion was made to have all bunks checked. Each delesate siiouid tum in a repair list, and a requisition for wind chutes. Suggestion was made to see that the crew gets the same sauces as the offi­ cers. Steward reported that more stores are being sent aboard, and agreed to leave cornflakes in the ni.ght pantry for the 12-4 watch. Water tank and pantry should oe kept clean. BETHORE (Ore), January 4—Chairman. E. A. Boyd; Secretary, J. R. Avery. E. A. Boyd was elected ship's delegate. Men have been complaining about missing ar­ ticles. Sinks and showers should be re­ placed or repaired. One brother was severely burned on exposed steam pipet when the ship lurched and he wa.s thrown against them. Rotted and rusted MADAKET (Waterman), December 22— lockers should be replaced by the spare Chairman, J. Nelson; Secretary, R. P. lockers in the steering engine room. Doran. Ship's delegate asked the crew to tum in linen on the appointed day, STEEL MAKER (Isthmian), December with each man taking care of his own 7—Chairman, John Trantacesta; Sacra­ linen. Ship's delegate checked on re­ tary, P. Rubls. J. Shipley was elected pairs that were supposed to have been ship's delegate. There should be cold done. Each man was asked to turn in. juice at breakfast every day. Crew was his key at -the end of the trip. Crew was' asked to cooperate on linen change. Chief asked to take care of preserves in the mate has been working on deck since messhall. Steward will give the ship's articles were signed in Baltimore. At delegate a requisition for 60 days' stores the advice ef the patrolman, overtime and additional cleaning gear at the end was put in by deckmen; thi* is being of the trip, disputed by the mate. One man failed January 24—Chairman, J. Nelson; Secto return to the ship in New Orleans. A rotary, R. P. Doran. Two men were replacement will be obtained in Honolulu. logged for being absent from duty 'and missing ship: six others were logged. WINTER HILL (Cities Service), Janu­ Steward asked the crew to cooperate in ary a—Chairman, Honest Ed Parsons; keeping the messhall and pantry clean: Secretary, C. Hensley. C. Hensley was he also wanted to go on record as de­ elected ship's delegate by acclamation. siring a better grade of meat aboard Sanitary men of each department will all SiU ships. AU dele.gates will, turn in take turns cleaning recreation room. Gas- repair lists. Crew was asked to clean all hounds and performers must go. Vote of foc'sles. Beef about officer's remarks thanks went to the stewards department. was settled. Wiper's duties wiU b^ taken January 20—Chairman, H. Whisnant; up with the patrolman. Sacratary, Andraw Danlluk. Repair list will be turned ever to the patrolman. CORNNUSKER MARINER (Seas ShipThere Is a balance of $34.77 in the ship's pine), January 25—Chairman, Jack Hlgfund. Vote of thanks should go to the gins; Secretary, John Kavanagh. Steward ship's cook. was transferred to MSTS transport at sea for treatment of a crushed finger. MAIDEN CREEK (Waterman), January One-OS was taken off sick in Panama. 14—Chairman, Barney' Kinter; Secretary, Night cook and baker was replaced in W. C. Carneil- Ship's fund has a l>al- New York. Crew was asked to cooperate ance of S9.78. Motion was passed to re­ in keeping the lanndry clean and cutting fuse the S15-per-man draw offered by down on noise in the passageways at the captain and demand that the draw night. Patrolman wiU he contacted on the in Tampa be governed by each man's lack of hooks to hold open many of the individual wishes. Suggestion was made doors, particularly the doors to the show­ that the crew put in for innerspring mat­ er and head, which cau.sed the accident tresses for all hands and that an iron to the steward when a door slammed on be bought out of the ship's fund. Dis- him in rough weather. Editor, SEAFARERS LOG, 675 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn 32. NY I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG—please put my#Nime on your mailing list, (Print Information) NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY .ZONE ......STATE TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you ar* an oiti lubtcrlbar and hav» a ohango ~Luts Gonialek, G-31t addrott, )»lgaia fIva y«ur formar 4ddr«tt balowi Urgent that yvm contact immediately Children's Plocemeat Serv- ADDRESS kts, Church St., NY^ Mrs. Hiiies, CITY B«ag«B#»Maa«aagBO«RBM«ffogaaat«ga«*aaa«a«Maeaqt4 4: J 1 �ill"' Pag* Twenty-six SEAPARERS LOG Thf^e Women In The Family • ' 40 • V'.' rbbnurr to, - 1 In the HOSPITALS The following list contains the names of hospitalized Seafarers who are being taken care of by cash benefits from, the SIU Welfare Plan. While the Plan aids them financially, all of these men would welcome mail and visits from friends and shipmates to pass away the long days and weeks in a hospital bed. USPHS hospitals allow plenty of time for visitors. If you're ashore, arid you see a friend's name on the list, drop in for a visit. It will be most welcome. Seafarer Francis Reyes doesn't seem to mind being outnumbered three to one. Latest addition to his family is another daughter, Rose, who brought with her the usual $200 welfare benefit plus $25 defdnse bond from the SIU. • Merry Cluese Burford, bora Jan­ All of the following SIU families vrill collect the $200 maternity uary 26, 1953. Parents, Mr. and benefit plus a $25 bond from the Mrs. James H. Burford. 110 West Taylor Street, Savannah, Ga. Union in the baby's Tiamc. ^ ^ Richard Nien, bom January 13, Robert Clinton Gilbert, born 1953. Parents, Mr. and MK. Chen Jauuaiy 16, 1933. Parents, Mr. and Ken Nien, 1075 Pacific Avenue, Mrs. Earl C. Gilbert, Route 2, San FranciS(.o, Cal. Haleyville, Ala. jji t t 4. Emily Eileen Fason, bora De­ Martha Susan Guidry, born Jan­ cember 29, 1952. Parents, Mr. and uary 21, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Fason, 8203-Ninth Mrs. Albert R. Guidry, 3016li St. Street, Tampa, Fla. Peter Street, New Orleans, La. 4" 4" 1" 4i 41 Deborah Marie Ghuste, born De­ Glendon Alfred Bane, Jr., born cember 17, 1952. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman William Ghuste, 260 September 29, 1952. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glendon A. Bane, 4115 Lincoln Street, Allston. Mass. North Albina Street, Portland 11, 4. Robert Allen Hammac, born Oie. January 10, 1953. Parents, Mr. and 4" 4" it Mrs. Albert Hammac, 3904 West Jane Marie Galas, born January Marino Street, Pensacola, Fla. 24, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Galas, 334 East 82 Street, 4" 4" 4" Margaret H. Nicholson, born De­ New York 28, NY. cember 28, 1952. Parents, Mr. and t it 4^ Mrs, William J, B, Nicholson, RFD Ilaven Elaine Ong, born Decem­ No. 2, Box 62, Jackson, SC. ber 26,1952. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ching Song Ong, 167 Havemeyer t t Pamela Marie Smith, bora De­ Street, Brooklyn, NY. cember 30, 1952. Parents, Mr. and t 4> 4^ Mrs. Oscar B. Smith, 204 Sumpter Joyce Ljmn Shirley, born Janu­ Street, Brooklyn, NY. ary 25, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Shirley, 672-45th t Marilyn L. May, born January Street, Brooklyn 20, NY. 22, 1952. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. 4> 4> ^ Norman C.' May, 940 Baldwin Ave­ Adrian Whitman Jones, Jr., born nue, Chickasaw, AJa. January 21, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Oceans Prove No Barrier To Union's Helping Hand Mrs. Adrian W. Jones, 34 Sanford Street, Bangor, Me. 4" t 4" Dathard Val Jon Steele, born January 21, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Steele, Ansted, WV. « 4^ a- George Englehard, Jr., born Jan­ uary 10, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Englehard, 108 Harri­ son Street, Milford, Conn. 4^ i 4 Carlos Cuevas, born January 25, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Maximiliano Pitre Cuevas, 710 Kerlerec Street, New Orleans, La. 4 4^ 4" James Michael Collins, born January 22, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Malvin Collins, 574-92d Street, Brooklyn, NY. -4^ t 4^ Joanne Mercedes Onofrichuck, born January 28, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Onofrichuck, 102 Kent Street, Brooklyn, NY. 4 $ i CheiyI Gaboree, born January 29, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold iF. Gaboree, 8 Oakland Avenue, Somerville, Mass. 4" t 4- Kenneth Stanley' Mayes, born January 24, 1953. Parents, Mr. -and Mrs. Homer S. Mayes, 1829 An­ nunciation Street, New Orleans, La. 4^ 4J' t Lawrence G. Talley, Jr., born January 28, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gerald Talley, 2362 Laurel Street, New Orleans, La- 4> 4> VSPHSt HOSPITAI. George B. Little Carl J. Biscup GALVBSTON. TEX. John N. Thompson Archie W. Bunn Charles BouskUa Suleman M. Harb WUliam Bargon* Paul J. Tate Arie A. Hoornweg R. M. Crabb Henri J. Robin W. W. Currier John N. Crewa USPHS HOSPITAL C. E. Dudley M. A. Dodge BOSTON. MASS. J. L. Hayea 1.60 A. Dwyer Robert T. Puckett Earl G. Griffin John A. Duffy J. E. Leston. John J. Flaherty Raymond Harris USPHS HOSPITAI. Edward K. Harding J. Preshong ' MANHATTAN BEACH. BROOKLYN. NY John J. Kuias Donald, S.'White James H. Ashurst John W. Keenan USPHS, HOSPITAL 5 Robert Atmore Leo Kulakowski NEW ORLEANS. LA. Claude F. Blanks Frederick Landry Edmund C. Blosser Martin Linsky K. Gimderson C. D. Anderson Francis F. Lynch WUson O. Cara Henry A. Anderson E. Ei Johnson Harry F. McDonald Sidney' J. Anderson Leonard Kay Walter Chalk C. M. Davison Dayid Mcnreath Leo H. Lang AUen P. AntiU Claude A. Markell Emio Delgado Domingo Marte P. BiackweU Clifford Middleton Antonio M. Dial E. Myers J. L. Buckeiew Vic Milazzo John J. Drisccm C. Nicholson Frank Carroll Lloyd Miller Jose G. Espinoza T. W. Nicholson N. R. Cartwright Pedro O. Peraito Enrique Ferrer Herman F. Ostberg Herman H. Casas G. E. Shumaker Robert E, GUbert G. H. Robinson R. E. Charroin Henry E. Smith Bart E. Guranick Richard Ciearman Wilbur H. Scott John B. Haas Luther . C. Seidle S. Cope E. C. Shaffer' Rogelio Cruz GRACE-NEW HAVEN COMMUNITY T. R. Stanley Leon DUiberto HOSPITAL T. R. Terrington Ray L. EMison NEW HAVEN. CONN. Alfred Throne B. D. Foster Clifford Middleton Lonnie R. Tickle M. W. Gardiner W. C. VandersaU T. Glen USPHS HOSPITAL Jesse D. Wiggins Ernest E. Gross STATEN ISLAND, NY Samuel Guess John C. MitcheU . Victor Arevalo John B. MoUni W. T. Atchason _VA HOSPITAL Harry Morton Malvin Bass NEW ORLEANS, LA. Joseph T. Bennett Alfred MueUer Frank J. GrlliettB Leonard Murphy ArdeU Burkett Maurice Burnstine Francis J. O'Neill KINGS COUNTY HOSPITAL Olav B. Pedersen Roy W. Corns BROOKLYN. NY WUliam E. Pepper Yanas DaUal Guiseppe Galliano C. R. Roberts«i . James W. HamUton Eugene T. Nelson Carlos Rodriguez Charlie A. Gedra Nathan Goidfinger Vernon Rush USPHS HOSPITAL Joe Carl Griggs Virgil Sandberg NORFOLK. VA. WUliam Herman Ture Sandstrom William Guthrie ' Luis Lopez Chang King Jose A. Siiva Marinus Hansen S. E. Roundtree L. Kristiansen James Tarrant Leslie M. Jackson James M. SneU Thomas J. Kustas Alfonso Vallejo Joseph A. Long William E. Logan Paul J. Wilkinson USPHS HOSPITAL W. McCuistion Obcrt J. Morgan SAN FRANCISCO. CAL. E. R. Mastrianni Joseph Kurosz Solomon M. Brian Charles G. MUler L. A. Ziembka Michael MUler ' Joseph F. Goude SAILORS SNUG HARBOR STATEN ISLAND, NY GREENPOINT HOSPITAL M. R. Chapman ' NorvUle Sikes BROOKLYN. NY George W. Crosby Peter ' Smith August Valentine George B. Dunn D. K. T. Sorensen F. J. Haigney Joseph Koslusfcy USPHS HOSPITAL SAN JUAN. PUERTO RICO James McLeod G. O. Rosado USPHS HOSPITAL SAVANNAH, GA. USPHS HOSPITAL - " BALTIMORE. MD. Warner W. AUred Jimmle Littleton Raymond D. Clark J. T. Moore T. L. Ankerson Ralph L. Nixon Earl R. Ferree' J. D. Morrison Earl R. Bink Faustino Orjaies George R. Fowicr M. C. WeUs D. B. Browniee Robert C. Pierce N. D. Gllilkin Carl E. Chandler W. H, Puchinisky Clayton G. Costlow AUan Reese USPHS HOSPITAL Coley F. Crockett George E Renale SEATTLE, WASH. Robert Rogers Edgar W. Dodds W. Fernhout John Petusky " •' A. B. Seeberger Donald Duvall E. A. Marteil Henry J. Tucker WUUam R. Smith John Ferreira WlUlam J. Mehan WUliam Utosh Joseph O. Snyder John HiU Alonzo Milefski Steven Zubovich David F. Sykes B. Klakowitz Joseph Neubauer John F. Thommen Marvin W. Lee A. A. Voyevotski Jennings J. Long USPHS HOSPITAL H. E. McConnaughy George Warrington DETROIT. MICH. WiUiam MeUon John R. Wisloff Tim Burke Frank Nappi J. Berkenkemper .. ,t tongue Out Of Cheek 4^ All Seafarers are well aware of the assistance that Welfare Michael Dufour, born December Services gives men Stateside when they are hospitalized or 4, 1952. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. '^In difficulties in other ways, but few realize that it can help Irby P. Dufour, 15 Versailles Bou­ men who are in trouble over--*^ levard, New Orleans, La. seas as well.. The combination cure and repatriation provisions of of the new SIU contract and the contract are lived up to. In the Welfare Services set-up means serious emergencies, cablegram or that neglect of ill or injured Sea­ wireless messages can be sent. farers by company agents in for­ Aside from meeting the needs eign ports can now be put to an of the hospitalized Seafarer, Wel­ Applications for the mater­ end. fare Services jan be useful in help­ nity benefit must be supported Previously a Seafarer who was ing care for his personal affairs by the following documents: forced to leave a ship in a foreign back home. Most Seafarers pfhn to • Your marriage certificate. port because of illness or injury take care of their personal busi­ • Baby's birth certificate dat­ was pretty much at the mercy of ness when they get back at the ing birth after April 1,1952. the company agent in that port. end of a trip and sometimes these • The discharge from the last Now the contract provides safe­ unexpected delays can cause a ship you sailed on before the guards on this score and on repa­ great deal of inconvenience and baby was born. hardship. triation procedure. These clauses Processing of all appUca*. obligate the company or its agents Where there is a family involved tions can be speeded U]p by, at to take care of the men properly. in certain instances. Welfare Serv­ Airmail Assures Aid least three days if photostatic ices can arrange for the wife to re­ copiea of the threet documents > The best way for a Seafarer to ceive • advances dri wages already are sent inJ Applications assure that this is done is to notify earned by the hospitalized Sea­ should be inade to Union Wei; ,.^elfare Services if he has to leave farer. Since the regular allotments fare Trustees^ c/d SIU head­ ^"^is ship overseas^ Ah airmail letter, are cut off automatically when a quarters, 675 Fourth Avenue, to the Union froin any part of the man .leaves the ship for whatever B'klyn 32, NY. worl^ takes a coupiii of days and reasp.n, this can prove of great asIs assurance &at maintenance and aistdnce to his family. asaaaasBaaBBBaoasBBmaoa How to Apply For Birth Pay Louis AnthonY Serpe doesn^t seem to give a hang as he sticks^ tbngue but Wt the wortd. His mom, hfcsi Anthony Herpe, holds tha' " siS? ; iort at home in Brooklyn while dad's away at sea*^ ; 'v 4;vV. �V.r-' • Fcbnuuy M. UM SEEIN* THE SEAFARERS SEAFARERS LOG ^.:Paf« Twenty-MTca Mafernify Benefit Totols Soar Recently in one two week period the SJU Welfare Plan handled 46 Claims for maternity ben«^s, which mwns that 46 Seafarers each got |200 plus a $25 defense bond on the occa- «ion of the birth of a baby. *• Just how important this SIU maternity benefit is was pointed up by the fact that With WALTER SIEKMANN four Seafarers in the past two (News about men in the hospitals and Seafarers receiving SIU Wel­ weeks told the Welfare Services fare Benefits will be carried in this column. It is written by Seafarer office that without the $200 they wouldn't have been able to pay all Walter Siekmann based on items of interest turned up while he makes their hospital bills. Seafarer-bache­ his rounds in his post as Director of Welfare Services.) lors may not realize it, but the From our Tucson, Ariz., correspondent, Bill "Gimp" Taylor, comes business of having a baby can the nuptial news of another brother Seafarer who has gone the way prove to be a very expensive propo­ of all flesh and taken unto himself a blushing bride. Brother Alonzo sition, particularly if its the first D, Sistrunk wed the former Blanche Jinks on January 11 of ttiis year one. And though most men set in Reno, Nevada. Congratulations are in order for the lucky Seafarer. aside money to meet the emer­ An oldtime SIU man who sails regularly as ship's cook and steward gency, the bills always seem to be is Earl Spear, one of the first Union men back in bigger than expected. the days when the SIU was young and testing out Many Items Needed its strength. Back in the war year of 1945 Earl By the time they get through shipped out of New Orleans. He was captured in paying the doctor, the nurse, the the Far East by Japanese forces and has had pbysi- hospital, buying a crib, carriage, ca). trouble ever since because of the inhuman treat­ sterilizing kit, diapers, sheets, ment be suffered at the hands of our former enemy. blankets, pads, sweaters and other Now, Earl'is convalescing at bis sister's home in necessary items they find them­ In every port wherever there's a« SIU hall, a representative is Pawling, NY, after a sojourn in the hospital. His selves a little hard-pressed for cash. handy to give personal service on Union benefits. Here Welfare last job was on the Gateway City as steward. Earl The majority of maternity bene­ Seiviees representaHve Bill Frederick (right) chats with Mr. and sends his best regards to everyone and hopes that fits offered by group insurance Mrs. Leonard (Barney) Brown. His youngest daughter, Myra, was Spear he'll be back soon again and. shippit^ out with his plans and other funds average horn December 12. Janet, the older one, is 2Vi. buddies. around $50 to $60. Usually they all Eddie Enrico, known to many of his seafaring friends as "Eddie require a 12 month waiting period men are establishing homes and little doubtfully and want them to Tirelli," just got off the Puerto Rico a while back and is laid up in the to be eligible, in contrast to the families than had first been go to work shoreside as soon as Veterans' Hospital at Fort Hamilton. Eddie has had a little tough SIU requirement of one day on a realized. they get married the Union's as­ luck of late and is bedded down in the hospital while at home there is ship in the previous year. That's sistance does much to explain why Increased Prestyre » brand new baby waiting to see its daddy once again. why the SIU benefit is so superior The maternity benefit like all a Seafarer sticks to his Union and After Eddie came down with his confining illness, his dog died to to all others. other SIU welfare gains, has done his job. make matters worse for (he head of the Enrico household. Eddie would Can Stay Ashore a great deal to increase the pres­ And just to finish off the job the appreciate a kind word directed his way either in person or In written The size of the benefit supplied tige of the Union anong shoreside Union is doing in proper style, Wel­ furiii. While on the Queen of the Bull Elbe's passenger fleet, the by the SIU, far in excess of the people. In many instances that have fare" Services pays the benefit di­ Puerto Rico, Eddie sailed as AB. conventional maternity benefit, come to the attention of Welfare rectly in the home of the Seafarer Tim ftleCarthy, an Irishman from up Boston way, makes it possible for the Seafarer Services the in-laws and relatives wherever possible. In many in­ the land of the bean, the cod, and the cream pie, to take time off when he is needed of Seafarers have expressed their stances it arranges to take pictures sends along a picture of his fair daughter. The tiny at home. He doesn't have to appreciation of what the Union is of the new arrival for the family as miss, a freckled, fiery red head, is a nine'^car-oldkeep on working~at the time of the doing to help out the family. Con­ a start on their family album. Its or-thereabouts fair Irish colleen.' Her mother, as baby's birth, and at the same, time sidering the fact that many shore- another Union service—^free of well as her father, is Irish, accounting for her red there is enough money available to side people look upon seamen a charge. hair and her Gaelic beauty. pay the bills. Her father, Tim, is lately of the Seamagic where If it should be impossible for the he shipped in the deck department. At the moment Seafarer to get back home in time he is still confined to the Brighton, Mass., Marine for the baby's birth, he can make Hospital. The elder McCarthy is justly proud of his "CoUeen" arrangements with Welfare Serv­ young daughter, who brightens up his days while McCarthy ices for his wife -to get the benefits he is convalescing. check. In that way his wife doesn't In a letter written to the Welfare Department of the SIU, Donald have to wait until he gets paid off Whittaker thanked the officials of the Union for helping him out of to take care of the emergency ex­ Recently a Seafarer came out of the Staten Island USPHS some minor trouble into which he had fallen. Don, until recently a penses. cook on the Pennmar, ran slightly afoul of the immigration authorities. Since the SIU staited payment of hospital after being treated there for an eye condition. He With the help of the Union the matter has been squared away and Don maternity benefits the number of registered to ship out and threw in for a job. However, when is still sailing on SIU vessels. claims that has been handled has he went to the company to"^ In his letter Don writes that he will be back far exceeded all expectations. The around this coast in a month or so. He sends his Uni6n was aware that in the past sign on, the company doctor ships indefinitely. The Seafarer in question didn't let the matter regards to everyone and especially to the alien sea­ few years more and more Seafarers turned him down as a "prob­ slide. He notified the dispatcher able liability." men who need a helping and guiding hand at this were becoming family men because immediately that the company doc­ critical time. He urges them and everyone, as we do, of the steady improvement in Ordinarily this could have been tor had turned him down although serious for the man, for if the to bring in any problem which may arise at any time wages and conditions .on tke ships. he had a "fit for duty" slip from for easier solution with the help of the Union. It is The very large number of ma­ doctor's decision had gone unchal­ the hospital. The dispatcher turned lenged it might have meant bar­ not too difficult to see that two or more heads are ternity benefits paid shows that a the matter over to Welfare Serv­ better than one when it comes to working out much greater proportion of sear ring him from that company's ices for action, and in the mean­ troubles. In cases such as this, too many cooks can­ while didn't ship anyone else in not spoil the broth. Sistrunk the man's place. Another SIU Service Among the men in the Staten Island USPHS Speedy Action Needed Hospital is Frank Neiring. Niering is off the Potrero Hills on which In a case like this speed was im­ he sailed as a fireman before getting laid up and necessitating a recall perative because the ship was set to the hospital; Charles Gedra, off the Robin Line's Robin Tuxford, is to go out shortly. According to the in the same hospital and doing well. Union contract, the company has to accept the decision of the USPHS as final authority. To make sure. Welfare Services speedily arranged for another examination by an eye specialist at the hospital. The deaths of the following He is survived by his wife, Lillie The specialist cleared him for Seafarers have. been reported to Evans. duty again and the company had $ $ $ the Seafarers Welfare Plan and to ship the man under the contract. James M. Cates, 59: Brother This incident is one of several $2,500 death benefits are being Cates was drowned in Brooklyn, at similar cases jivhich have taken paid to .beneficiaries. the foot of 18 Street and Gowanus place from time to time because of different standards set up by Charles H. Joncs, 49: On Novem­ Canal on December 10. He had the various companies. If the ber 30, Brother Jones died at his been'a member of the SIU since Union permitted the companies to home in Norfolk, Va-^ a victim of a 1939,. sailing in the deck depart­ have the final say on medical heart disorder. He had been a ment. Burial took place at New standards, the companies could member of the ,Unipn since 193(3, Crown Cemetery, Indianapolis, use a doctor's exam as a means of sailing in the engine department. Ind. Brother Cates is suivived by blackballing certain men from Burial took place at Virgilinia his sister, polores Gabbard. their ships. Cemetery, Virgilinia, Va. Brother $ $ $ Jones leaves his mother, Viola M. Notify Union David Levert Bass. 18: Carbon Jones, 1005 Logan Street, South monoxide poisoning caused the That's why its important to no­ Boston, Va. tify the Union immediately when death of Brother Bass on the high­ ^ $ anything like this turns up. The way near Lake Charles, La., on William W. Evans, 44: Brother January 6. He had been sailing in Union can arrange for a fast check­ Evans died of a back injury at the engine department since last up by the USPHS to find out what Anne Arundel, Md., on December year. Brother Bass was buried in the score is. If the man is in good ' Welfare Services representative Tom Gould proves' equal to the skape, the Union will see to it that 22. In 1943 he joined the SIU, sail- Roselawn Cemetery, Sulphur, La.; task as he temporarily takes over job of feeding Diana Marie he ships. If something is wrong ing as'i nii!.-iiber of the deck de­ he leaves a brother, S. L. Bass, Westlake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Westlake-of New ,with him. then he can get treat­ partment-Burial took place at Ce­ Jr., Huntington Street, Sul­ York City. dar Hill Cemetery, Baltlmorei Md. phur, IA." ment he needs right away. a out* ctiUVi tiMl. lifc JWOi ' aid. u) USPHS Doctors Have Last Word On Seafarers' Fitness For Duty FINAL DISPATCH 1 �'. '* •-';*%. mI '/i' 5^ I, • Or'FICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL • F I :*•-. ; ' '/f- '"i i ;l '-r- V :.c* ^ • -^s-: -^• Tc iv-.. 7;'^. „ . : •i-'iv'.' '.I-; '••'•• •'"'F- '• •""•• <:• .• • :S7{F' 'Ogj ' '""''V'' - • -.r -•' -i ' , F-^VF- - • {^6 •; • '€OMPl£rlfW-'^' t, ?••. •• CI.O¥H-BOIilf» . •..,- •; u • ••^r • r, - ^iVi- - .;• ;-v:^ i.'U. •'-•/7f> , •'• V - • ^w- V . •-.t;:"".-vi;/X ...- "^ ZE-WINNING LABOR APER OF THE YEAR $4 POSTPAID r I I I f • £DITOPi,SBAT^neRS LQ<ar ^7S ^umtAV^Nue-,' I i Wooi^tiAf 3^ YORK I [ K-: I :i-L' fe;:. liF: I 'BouAipybiu/Ass op. I • flBA^ I 19^2 U>G' (S ^4-XOTAL I I I I 4P2»%ES^..„_ I 1 I I I I I i I I An entire year's supply of the SEAFARERS LOG bound in one sturdy, handsome volume Is now available to LOG readers. Each volume contains 26 issues of 28 page# or better, complete with all special supplements, including copies of the SlU constitution and the texts of the recently-concluded dry cargo and tanker agree­ ments.' • The bound volume of the LOG will enable readers to relive the Union's activities of the past year and review the many gains that have been made such as the Vaca­ tion Plan, maternity and disability benefits, the scholar­ ship fund, the new contracts and many other items. It also contains a wealth of stories and photos of Seafarers and of the folklore Pf the sea. The whole picture of Union progress is yours in one package. :.r - This volume Is equally handy for the folks back home or ah part of the shipboarid library where it can serve as a useful reference. The price represeiRs the actual cost of binding with no extras added. Get your order in now for a full year of the SEAFARERS LOG—winner of three top Labor Press of America awards in 1952 including first prizes for general excellence and for the best front .page. ' ' •' 'T '^*•- «• - •.'1® Jv,',;.. . T- '-1^. •Jk:,r>ni§%- —• • • f a J' � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1950-1959 Description An account of the resource Volumes XII-XXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 20, 1953 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XV, No.4 Description An account of the resource Headlines: AFL ORDERS CLEAN-UP OF WATERFRONT SIU'S $10,000 CALLS AMEU BLUFF SPECIAL RUN CO SIGNS CONTRACT NEW WAGES BEGIN, BACK PAY SPEEDED AS CONTROLS DIE JURY, CG INVESTIGATE MYSTERY ON FAIRHOPE LST OUTFIT PURCHASES A LIBERTY VACATION PAY 1.8 MILLION 1ST YEAR SUP'S 'CALCULATED RISK' PAYS OFF SIU'S INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION NEXT MONTH SEAFARERS PREPARE FOR 2ND ART CONTEST TUGBOATMEN WIN 10-DAY NY STRIKE DRAFT HIRING HALL BILL, CURBS ON BARGAINING WAGE HIKE GAINED BY PILOT CREWS WANT TO GO TO SEA? JUST PAY 'EM $2 AND... SIU TOWMEN GAIN $40 PAY RAISE BARE NEW BAGGAGE RACKET CS TANKER TRIES OUT SIX-BLADED PROPELLER '52 LOGS AVAILABLE IN HANDY BOUND BOOK 'HAPPY NEW YEAR, HARRY' - COMINFORM SHRIMPERS FACE MEXICAN GUNS WELCOME BIRTHDAY THERE'S NO REGRET CHIPS ARE DOWN NEW SUCKER GAMES DIGGING THE BIG DITCH SEAFARER SURVEYS CAMPUS LIFE NEW ORLEANS IN HASSLE OVER PROPOSED BRIDGE SEAMAN SETS SIGHTS ON BIG GAME IN CROSS-COUNTRY HUNTING TRIP SPIDER DISBELIEVES TALES SPUN BY SEAFARING WEAVERS BEWARE OF 'FLORIDA CRACKER' WHEN HE'S BEING 'INSULTED' SEAFARER-RELATIVES AWAIT RETURN OF GI TO SIU SHIP HAVE FISH DESERTED THE PACIFIC? SEAFARERS CRAVE COMFORT OLD SAILING ADAGE STILL GOES HEADACHES OF THE DELEGATE IRON MEN & TENDER HEARTS OCEANS PROVE NO BARRIER TO UNION'S HELPING HAND MATERNITY BENEFIT TOTALS SOAR USPHS DOCTORS HAVE LAST WORD ON SEAFARERS' FITNESS FOR DUTY Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2/20/1953 1953 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/9acc6cfc2ddbe18af2378b1002ef1ace.pdf 1a1cbf507965f5981391da5662e13a96 PDF Text Text American Sealif t, SIU Jobs Expand With New RO/RO Seafarers Will Crew USNS Charlton, MSC1s Latest Prepositioning Ship SIU members soon will sail aboard the U.S. Military Sealift Command's newest prepositioning ship, the USNS Charlton (pictured at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.). Christened in San Diego, the 950- foot ship is almost complete and is slated for sea trials in April. Page 3. Allied Adds Sea Raven Allied Transportation Co.'s Sea Raven is running, signaling additional opportunities for Seafarers. The articulated tug and barge, recently launched after refurbishment, transports chemicals to and from ports between the Gulf Coast and New York. Among the first Seafarers to sign on the Sea Raven are Captain G.W. Urban (left photo) and Chief Engineer Walter Jarvis (right). Page 3. Merger Voting Ends Voting ended as scheduled on January 31 in the proposed merger of the SIU and the National Maritime Union. Balloting began on December 1. Among the Seafarers casting a vote were inland Cook James Runaway-Flag Cruise Lines: Another Fine, More Mishaps Neuner, pictured at the SIU hall in St. Louis. Page 2. Tax Tips for Mariners -----------Page 3 Voter Registration Data _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Page14 �Voting Ends on SIU-#MU Merger President's Report Tallying Committee Will Report to Membership Register and Vote This new year has so much potential and possibility for all of us. New ships-with their new jobs for Seafarers-will come on line throughout 2000. As we all know, the addition of these vessels did not appear overnight. For years, the SIU and the rest of labor worked with the maritime industry, government officials and members of Congress to make this happen. Many of you know how long it took for the Maritime Security Program to go from an idea to a law. Original legislation was proposed to the Michael Sacco Senate in 1992. Committee hearings were held. SIU officials met with industry representatives and legislators to craft a measure. The proposal was modified and amended several times before the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the act, then President Clinton signed it in 1996. During that time, one presidential election and two congressional elections were held. The White House went from Republican to Democrat, while the Congress changed from a Democratic majority to one led by Republicans. We kept the Maritime Security Program alive during those five years, thanks to your voluntary donations to SPAD. Those donations helped open doors so SIU officials could meet with members of Congress to discuss the need for maritime legislation and its importance to the citizens of their districts as well as for the whole country. SPAD is just one important factor in this procedure. The other is your participation in the election process. The year 2000 is a presidential and congressional election year. Americans now are deciding whom they want to lead the country over the next four years. The presidential primaries are under way, while races for other elective positions are just getting started. Seafarers, pensioners and their families have always been active in all aspects of politics. They meet with their elected officials, write them, call their offices and get involved in the campaigns of those who stand up for our issues. Seafarers, pensioners and their families also register and vote. Post-election surveys taken in the last couple of years have shown a greater percentage of union households voting than the general population. Union members know the importance of electing men and women who understand their needs and concerns and will fight for them. Concerning this upcoming election, just look at some of the issues already being debated among the presidential candidates: Social Security, education, Medicare, health care and the minimum wage. These are topics that affect all of us. While these issues are making the nightly news shows, Seafarers continue to ask candidates what they think about the vital role the U.S.-flag merchant fleet plays in national defense and the economy. Thanks to you, our concerns continue to be heard. And, because of you, new ships are being built with Seafarers climbing the gangways. Now is the time to make sure your voice is heard. Make sure you are registered to vote. On page 14 in this issue of the Seafarers LOG is a chart with a state-by-state breakdown of when registration ends, when primaries are held and when polls are open. Don't wait until the last minute; check your status now. If you aren't registered, do it now. If you are registered, make sure family members and friends are, too. If not, take them to the voter registration office and get them on the rolls. Let them know their vote counts. If they don't believe an individual vote makes a difference, tell them about the pro-labor candidate who was elected to the Virginia state senate last year by fewer than 40 votes out of thousands upon thousands cast. Or recount how union members worked together in California in 1998 to tell their friends and neighbors how Proposition 226's "paycheck deception" wouJd limit the voice of working people in the political process. That measure went from 70 percent of the population in favor of Proposition 226 in February to a 54-46 defeat of the measure in June. The stakes are too high to sit at home (or on ship) and say "my vote doesn't matter." If Seafarers followed that feeling, we wouldn't have the Maritime Security Program and all of these new jobs. I thank those of you for your continued involvement-for voting, writing letters, calling, talking with your elected officials and donating to SPAD. Let's keep up the good work and stay active in 2000. Volume 62, Number 2 February 2000 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 8990675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Daniel Duncan; Managing Editor, Jordan Biscardo; Associate Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Copyright © 2000 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG Chief Steward Edward Tully (left) is ready to vote at the SIU hall in Piney Point, Md., after receiving materials from SIU Port Agent Edd Morris. Voting ended as scheduled on January 31 in the proposed merger of the SIU and the National Maritime Union (NMU). Balloting began December 1. The next step is the eJection of an SIU tallying committee consisting of six full book members (two from each of the three departments). They will be elected at the membership meeting February 7 in Piney Point, Md. The committee members then will count the ballots and prepare a report to the rest of the membership. A similar election took place during the same time period in the NMU. As reported in previous issues of the Seafarers LOG, if the members of both unions accept the resolution, then a merger committee (consisting of officials from the SIU and NMU) will continue its work to draft the specifics regarding seniority, job security, training and other topics. Additionally, as noted on the ballot, the merger would require changes in the SIU constitution. Those amendments would be presented to the membership during the regularly scheduled officers' election in late 2000. SIU members at the New Orleans hall said the mechanics of the balloting went well. "It was very smooth," stated Chief Steward Joseph Birke. "I was given the paperwork to vote with, and the envelopes. I put my vote in one envelope, then sealed it in the other and mailed it myself. It was a good process." Recertified Bosun Hugo Dermody described voting as "easy going. I hope everybody voted. Everything here was well-marked and easy to understand. The decision should be easy, too." MarAd Increases U.S. Vessel Count Change More Accurately Assesses Size of U.S.-Flag Fleet The official U.S.-flag vessel count will better reflect the number of crafts available to handle commerce because the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) will include tugs, barges, ferries and other work vessels. "It is time to reflect in our numbers the true size diversity of the U.S. fleet," MarAd Administrator Clyde Hart told the Washington, D.C. Propeller Club last month in announcing the Department of Transportation agency's new system for figuring the number of vessels sailing under the American flag. In the past, MarAd's "U.S. Merchant Marine Data Sheet" listed only the number of large, self-propelled, deep-draft ships within the U.S.-flag fleet. Effective immediately, the report -which will be issued at least twice a year-will continue to include what had been counted and add many other vessel types, from large oceangoing barges to riverboats and ferries, as long as they are active. The new calculations reflect the changing nature of the industry, including the use of integrated tug/barges in place of cargo vessels. "The new product we are introducing today is more comprehensive, more illuminating and will provide a sounder base for businessmen and analysts to determine trends and act accordingly," Hart noted during his January 13 presentation. The head of MarAd pointed out the U.S.-flag fleet is composed of "about 38,000 vessels that Americans can depend upon to deliver the goods they need and want. The diversity in this fleet is no less amazing. Nearly 37,000 of these vessels are cargo carriers actively engaged on our nation's waterways." The updated figures which reflect the fleet's size as of January 1, 1999 include: l ',~. W,m•rburu .. Ii ;uh: bv \:•·"5~~ frp•· anJ IC\11..L", t->•.Ht MarAd Administrator Clyde Hart explains a chart showing how the Department of Transportation agency will include more vessels and barges in tallying the size of the U.S.-flag fleet. • • • • • • • • 29,545 cargo-carrying vessels of which 2,948 are larger than 1,000 gross tons; 1,491 passenger vessels (including ferries) with the combined capability of carrying more than 410,000 people; 5,446 tugs and towboats; 1,424 crewboats, including oil industry supply and utility vessels; 25,698 barges and 613 powered vessels moving cargo on inland waterways; 409 vessels sailing in foreign trade; 2,443 ships and barges in the domestic coastal trade; and 206 ships and barges operating on the Great Lakes. Jones Act Support While announcing the new system for calculating the fleet's size, Hart touched on several other issues during his 30-minute address. He reaffirmed the agency's strong support for the Jones Act and the Passenger Vessel Services Act-the nation's cabotage laws. "The Jones Act has been a corner of the U.S. maritime policy in every administration since its passage 80 years ago. In these days of the new century-here, now- it remains relevant for _A merica's economic health and its national security." Hart noted critics of the cabotage laws always ask if the measures are necessary and fair. He answered by pointing out more than 40 nations, including the major economic powers of Europe and Asia, have similar laws to protect the interests of their citizens. "Let me quote [U.S. Air Force] General Charles Robertson, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Transportation Command. He said, 'Without the laws requiring the use of U.S.owned, -built and ~rewed vessels for cargo movement between U.S. ports, the U.S. maritime industry-a critical member of our defense transportation system-would wither. And maritime readiness would be severely degraded, if not crippled.' "The Jones Act protects U.S. interests and that's ethical enough for me," Hart stated. Continued on page 4 February 2000 �Maritime Agenda Awaits Congress Efforts Being Considered to Strengthen U.S.-Flag Fleet/or New Century Maritime issues are among the many topics on the agenda as legislators return to Capitol Hill for the second session of the 106th Congress. Along with bills dealing with raising the minimum wage, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, providing funds for public school construction and looking at more affordable health care for all Americans will be measures seeking to strengthen the U.S.-flag merchant fleet. Late last year, a bipartisan team from the House of Representatives and the Senate proposed legislation to make the U.S.-flag fleet more competitive in international commerce. "The elected officials want to make sure American-flag ships can compete worldwide," noted Terry Turner, SIU director of government relations. "They are looking for a way to level the playing field between U.S.-flag shipping and foreign-flag operations." That measure, known as the National Security Sealift En- hancement Act, addresses several tax issues. One part of the bill would extend the existing income tax exclusion for Americans working overseas to U.S. merchant mariners. Another calls for the owner of a U.S.-flag vessel operating in international trade to be able to fully deduct that ship in the year in which the vessel is acquired and documented under the American flag. Other components would include "alternative minimum tax relief' on shipping income and expand the expense For Runaway-Flag Cruise Workers, It's Anything But Smooth Sailing NY Times Spotlights Crews' Hardships; 2 FOC Lines Make Other Unwanted News Two Miami-based, runawayflag cruise lines seemingly cannot stay out of the news. Since late December, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines have racked up more negative publicity, continuing a fairly constant pattern that started with the Ecstasy fire in 1998. The latest fiascoes: • On Christmas Eve, The New York Times published a front-page article examining the working conditions of crew members on runaway-flag passenger ships. The lengthy article-reprinted in several affiliated newspapersdetailed how some of the mariners pay for jobs that often consist of long hours, low wages and little to no recourse. • In mid-January, Royal Caribbean agreed to pay $3 .5 million to Alaska in a settlement to a civil lawsuit. The settlement stemmed from Royal Caribbean's dumping of hazardous materials in Alaskan waters, and it is in addition to the record $18 million in pollution fines that the company last year agreed to pay. • Shortly after midnight on January 12, the Carnival ship Celebration caught fire and drifted for six hours in the Caribbean. According to press reports, the more than 1,500 passengers were told remain in place, due to limited lighting. • Several passengers are threatening legal action in the wake of Carnival's pricey "millennium cruise" aboard the Paradise. Engine problems reportedly forced the ship to change its itinerary, and as a result, many disgusted passengers flew home to the U.S. from the Bahamas. Some of them have posted complaints on the internet, at http://www.starshiptravel.com/co mplaints.htm. One described the Paradise trip as a "floating nightmare." While many news reports in the past 12 months have focused on how runaway-flag cruise lines in the U.S. avoid paying taxes or adhering to this nation's labor or environmental laws, last month's Times piece (written by Douglas Frantz) concentrates on the crews. "Long hours and subsistence wages are part of their contracts, as is the threat of being fired without notice or cause," he wrote. The story mentions that "record number of passengers are packing bigger and grander ships," and the runaway-flag companies are raking in huge financial rewards. Carnival, for instance, pockets $2.8 million per day in profits. Crew members aren't sharing in that windfall. Frantz reported that the mariners, often from Third World nations, "routinely work 80 to 90 hours a week without extra pay" for hours exceeding the contracted amount. Some earn as little as $50 per month, though they can earn more through tips. Inadequate medical treatment is another key issue: "Crew mem- ROIR01s Sea Trials Scheduled for April deductions arisir1g from conferences or other meetings aboard U.S.-flag cruise ships. In introducing the National Security Sealift Enhancement Act (S. 1858) to his colleagues, Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) said he did not want to exempt the owners of U.S.-tlag ships from paying U.S. income taxes. Rather, he was seeking to "alleviate the tax burden on the U.S.-flag fleet. "The Congress must take aggressive action to preserve our fleet of U.S.-flag vessels, while bers sometimes find themselves shipped home or living on a few dollars a day in sick wages while waiting for care." Another concern Frantz noted, is mariners paying for their jobs, such as the Norwegian Cruise Line kitchen worker who paid a month's wages (about $400). "Those at the bottom of the heap are most likely to have paid a fee to get their job, to have paid their own air fare, to know the least about their rights and to have little chance for advancement," Frantz wrote. The writer added that the runaway-flag cruise line issues have caught the attention of some members of Congress. They have described the companies as operating "inside our waters and outside our laws." creating incentives for new, modem ships to be registered under the U.S. flag," added Breaux. The measure also was introduced in the House as H.R. 3225 by Reps. Jim McCrery (R-La.) and William Jefferson (D-La.). While hearings are expected to be held on the bills during 2000, none had been scheduled in either the House or the Senate as the Sea/arers LOG went to press. Another matter of concern to the American maritime industry is the need to find a funding formula that will permit the continued dredging of America's harbors and shipping channels. Congress has been considering how to fund harbor and waterway maintenance projects that will be fair to all who use the nation's waterways. This debate has been going on since the Harbor Maintenance Tax was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1998. Maritime interests will be trying to gain more funds for the Title XI shipbuilding loan guarantee program, which was used throughout the last decade to construct in U.S. yards commercial vessels sailing under American and foreign registries. In the mid- l 990s, the governContinued on page 4 Union Welcomes Allied's Sea Raven The SIU recently gained new jobs when Norfolk, Va.-based Allied Transportation Co. added the articulated tug and barge Sea Raven to its fleet. The unit carries a crew of eight. It transports chemicals to and from ports between the Gulf Coast and New York. Allied acquired the vessel approximately one year ago. The tug underwent "mostly cosmetic" repairs in Norfolk, while the barge "was rebuilt in Baltimore," noted Jeffrey Parker, vessel operations manager at Allied. The Sea Raven has a 24,000-ton carrying capacity. It is 530 feet long, with a 76-foot beam and a 7,200 hp engine. USNS Charlton Signals New Jobs for Seafarers The USNS Charlton, a new roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ship which soon will be crewed by SIU members, is slated for sea trials in April. The 950-foot vessel was approximately 85 percent complete as of late January. San Diego-based National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in December conducted a ceremony during which the vessel was released into the harbor. One of 14 new builds scheduled as part of an initiative to bolster U.S. sealift capability, the USNS Charlton has 390,000 square feet of cargo space. It will be assigned to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), carrying prepositioned U.S. Army equipment, vehicles and supplies to key locations worldwide. As with most of the other recent new builds in the strategic sealift program, the USNS Charlton is named in memory of a Medal of Honor recipient. U.S. Army Sergeant Cornelius H. Charlton is a posthumous recipient of the U.S. Army Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during battle in Korea in 1952. The keynote speaker at the christening was Major General Mario F. Montero Jr., U.S. Army assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics. Other speakers included Rep. Brian Bilbray, (R-Calif.); Vice Admiral Gordon S. Holder, commander of MSC; Rear. Admiral Dennis Gilbert Morral, U.S. Navy program executive officer for expeditionary warfare; and Richard H. Vortmann, president of NASSCO. February 2000 Among those crewing the 530foot unit are (above) AB/ Tankerman Gary Reynolds, (below) AB William Hudgins Jr. and (bottom) Cook/OS Robert Mathews. Seafarers will crew the USNS Charlton later this year. The prepositioning ship is the newest vessel in MSC's fleet. The articulated tug and barge Sea Raven, a chemical carrier, represents new employment opportunities for Seafarers. Seafarers LOB 3 �SIU1s Baltimore Nall Relocating to Essex St. Sea-Land Seafarers Welcome Sacco, Tellez Seafarers in Baltimore can look forward to a new SIU hall opening there sometime this spring. The facility, located on Essex Street, will replace the current hall, located on East Baltimore Street. It is a one-story buiJding with a loft office in the back. Most recentJy used as an art studio, the structure is 2,400 square feet. It is situated in a more modem and generally more appealing area than the existing hall. Modifications to the newly acquired property are needed to facilitate efficient operations. They are being scheduled through the Baltimore Building Trades, AFL-CIO. SIU members aboard the Sea-Land Express (top photo) and the Sea-Land Quality (two photos below) recently welcomed SIU President Michael Sacco and SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez aboard the ships in Port Elizabeth, N.J. The union officials and crew members discussed the proposed SIUNMU merger and other issues affecting Seafarers' livelihoods. Sacco is pictured fourth from the left in photo above. Tellez second from left. SMPPP Administrator Provides Plan Update Editors note: The following article was written by Lou Delma, administrator of the Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan. It is an update for plan participants. As we begin the new century, the SMPPP is taking steps necessary to send year-end account summaries to all participants. As always, these summaries will be in the mail before the end of March. Meanwhile, we thought it would be a good time to recap exactly how the plan works and, in the process, hopefully answer any questions that still might remain on this plan. As you probably know, the plan has only been around since June 1996. Since its inception, the number of participants has jumped to nearly 5,400 participants at year-end. Plan assets, including both realized and unrealized income, are over $6.2 million. During the 3.5 years that have passed, the plan has received more than $5.8 million in employer contributions with another $52,000 in participant contributions. The plan is pleased to announce once again that our investment manager, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, has reported that annualized earnings on the account are 12.86 percent with a total return from inception through December 31, 1999 of 34.36 percent. Although those numbers are unaudited, they reflect an accurate representation of how the account is doing. While the plan continues to grow, we have been successful in keeping expenses in check as operating expenses directly attributable to the plan are approximately 4.2 percent. Earnings on the account will be distributed to participants based on each individual participant's account total, as it compares to the overall account total on a percentage basis. Expenses directly related to this account are allocated to each participant in the Marine Cooks & Stewards Pension Increases by 14o/o The Board of Trustees of the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MCS) Supplementary Pension Plan recently approved the following benefit improvements, as recommended by the plan actuary: • Effective January 1, 2000, all present and future pensioners or pensioners' beneficiaries will receive a 14 percent benefit increase. • All current MCS Supplementary Pension Plan pensioners or pensioners' beneficiaries will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $500. 4 Seafarers LOB Both the lump sum payment and the 14 percent adjustment will be included with each eligible participant's pension check issued no later than February 2000. The letter sent last month to plan participants noting the aforementioned benefits, also pointed out that "all future applications for the MCS Supplementary Pension Benefit must be submitted to Plan headquarters at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. This change will not have any effect on the issuance of monthly benefits in the future." plan equally. For example, let's assume the total account was valued at $5 million and the account was to earn 10 percent or $500,000. Let's further assume that participant Z had $5,000 deposited in his or her name. Since $5,000 is .1 percent of the total account, that participant would earn .1 percent of the $500,000 earned or $500.00. Furthermore, if plan expenses amount to $200,000, based on 5,400 participants, each participant account would be charged approximately $37.00. Direct contributions to the plan for an established account are permissible; however, the plan cannot accept contributions in excess of 10 percent of a participant's gross annual income. For this reason, it is difficult to accept a deposit from an individual without detailed information, because when the payment is received we Likely have no way to tell if the payment exceeds that 10 percent maximum allowable by law. However, payments will be accepted if they are accompanied by a current pay voucher verifying that the contribution is within the guidelines. As always, payments through a vacation deduction can be made by signing the required authorization form which can be obtained at any port or writing to the Plan Office. All participants should have received a Summary Plan Description Booklet. If you do not have one or would Like a new one, please contact the Plan Office at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. For account balance inqumes please call Basil Castrovinci, Associates at 1-800485-3703. For all other inquiries on the Plan, please contact the Plan at above address or call 301899-0675 . Mobile Of I icial Harold Fischer Passes Away Longtime Mobile, Ala. port official Harold Fischer passed away on September 4, 1999 following an extended illness. He was 83 years old. Brother Fischer joined the SIU as a charter member in December 1938 in his native Mobile. His book number was Fl. After sailing in the engine room, he came ashore in 1943 to work in the Mobile hall. He served in the Army from 1944 to 1946, then returned to the SIU as an official in the southern Alabama port. Except for a stint in San Francisco from 1950 to 1953, Brother Fischer was assigned to Mobile until his retirement in 1978. "He was not just liked by the members of this port, he was revered," recalled SIU Mobile Port Agent Ed Kelly. "He would do anything for anybody." His widow, Nellie, told the Seafarers LOG how grateful she Harold Fischer was when many Mobile-area attended Brother retirees Fischer's funeral. "There were so many of them, I couldn't believe it. They even wrote a special tribute to him which one member read. He definitely was a union man," Mrs. Fischer said. Besides Mrs. Fischer, he was survived by his daughter, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was buried at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile. MarAd Changes Way of Counting U.S. Vessels Continued from page 2 Other Topics He noted with pride the effort under way to build two new passenger ships in an American yard. (These are the two American Classic Voyages ships announced in the April 1999 issue of the Seafarers LOG, which will sail in the Hawaiian trades under the United States Lines' banner.) He said MarAd is working with the rest of the Transportation Department to implement a blueprint to meet the nation's transportation needs by the year 2020. He reminded the audience, which included his predecessor retired Admiral Albert Herberger, of the many Title XI loan guarantees issued by MarAd during the 1990s for vessel construction and shipyard modernization. Finally, Hart proclaimed safety would remain "our North Star" within the industry. "We should all be proud of the exacting safety and environmental standards that our nation demands of the maritime industry in shipbuilding and repair, in operations on the sea and the waterways. "America has the best mariners and finest ships and shipyard personnel in the world. Maritime Issues on Congressional Agenda Continued from page 3 ment funded the program at $50 million, which equates to $1 billion in new construction. However, the U.S. Maritime Administration budgeted only $6 million for Title XI in Fiscal Year 2000 and is proposing the same amount for FY 2001. Congressional retirements made news during the holiday recess. Among the Legislators announcing they would not run for reelection was Rep. Herbert Bateman. The nine-term Virginia Republican, a longtime supporter of the U.S.-flag fleet, is the chairman of the House Merchant Marine Panel within the Armed Services Committee. The chair of the House Merchant Marine Panel, Rep. Herbert Bateman (R-Va.), announced he would retire at the end of this session of Congress. February 2000 �Union Membership Increases Again New Data Shows Largest Growth in 20 Years More and more workers are saying, "Union, yes!" Union membership increased by more than 265,000 in 1999, according to figures released January 19 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That marks the largest annual membership growth in more than 20 years. The number ofunion members in the U.S. increased from 16.21 million to 16.48 million. In addition, the percentage of U.S. workers who have a union remained steady at 13.9 percent, reversing a trend of decline and despite strong overall job creation. Union membership increased by 112,493 in the private sector, nearly double the size of the only other such annual increase in two decades. The 1999 private sector growth eclipsed the entire 1998 union membership growth of l 01,000 public and private sector workers. The percentage of private sector workers who have a union also remained statistically steady, stopping the decline since 1978. "We're turning the corner, but we're not at our destination yet," said AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney. "Today's data indicate that our renewed emphasis on helping working people form unions is having an impact. Our challenge for the future is to remain focused and to broaden our efforts. It's crucial for unions to continue to grow if working men and women are going to have a stronger voice in the issues that matter to them most." Indy Makes History At Pearl Harbor Yard Following two weeks in dry dock, the SS Independence resumes its week-long cruises to five ports of call in the Hawaiian islands. The SIU-crewed SS Independence underwent routine maintenance last month in Hawaii, but in one respect the upkeep proved momentous. The cruise ship became the first commercial vessel ever in a regularly scheduled dry dock at the U.S. Navy's Pearl Harbor complex. In 1985, the SIU-crewed SS Constitution (the sister ship of the Independence) was docked there for emergency repairs. SIU-contracted shipowner American Classic Voyages said the twoweek tune-up benefited the company, the Navy and the State of Hawaii. "A local docking means that the Independence does not lose a week of service in transit to and from the U.S. mainland for repairs, as it did in 1997. The U.S. Navy leases a dock that would otherwise have been idle, and local workers and suppliers benefit from the project's positive economic impact," the company stated in a press release. The inspection and repairs employed 700 Hawaii workers. Launched in 1951, the Independence was refurbished in 1994 and 1997. An American Classic Voyages subsidiary, United States Lines, later this year is scheduled to launch the reflagged and modified Patriot. The company also has contracted for two new l,900-passenger cruise ships slated for service in 2003 and 2004, respectively. All of those vessels will be crewed by Seafarers. Union Squashes Y2K Bug SIU headquarters, which includes the union plans and accounting departments (among others), apparently went unaffected by the once-dreaded Y2K bug. Management information systems (MIS) personnel at the Camp Springs, Md. facility long ago initiated preventive measures aimed at thwarting potential Y2K problems. Those steps included installing various Y2K compliant software, reworking the phone system and modifying the internal mechanics of the medical claims system. "Thus far, we haven't experienced any .Y2K problems whatsoever," said Wally Schmidt, the union's MIS director, in midJanuary. "We're reasonably confident that if anything pops up in February 2000 the next few weeks, it will be very minor." The Y2K bug stems from the widespread use of two digits, rather than four, to signify the year in some software applications, hardware chips and computer databases (for example, 12/22/99). Programmers, information specialists and many others had warned of potential difficulties in the year 2000 when the year is "00" and some computer based systems cannot differentiate it from 1900. According to news reports, most Y2K glitches through early January had been fairly minor. But that success came at a costworldwide, literally billions of dollars were spent on preventive Y2K efforts. The federation of trade unions, to which the SIU is affiliated, pointed out that much of the growth was due to more workers forming unions in the last few years, and some was due to growth in the economy. At least 600,000 workers organized unions in 1999, according to internal AFL-CIO and affiliate union data-an increase of more than 25 percent over 1998. Some unions had their best organizing year in recent history. Nearly 50,000 workers joined both the UAW and the IBEW, for example, and more than 150,000 joined SEIU. Some of those gains are offset by retirements, plant relocations or closures, and other factors. Similarly, AFL-CIO Organizing Director Kirk Adams pointed out that in order to continue growing (as a percentage of the work force) in a rapidly expanding economy, unions must organize between 500,000 and a million workers per year. In some sectors, last year's growth represents a combination of organizing and an increase in union jobs. In construction, for instance, union density has been dropping since the 1960s, but showed an increase from 17 .8 to 19.1. Union membership in the public sector also grew by 152,788. The percentage of public sector workers who have a union decreased slightly, from 37.5 percent to 37.3 percent. More workers are forming unions because they want a say in issues that affect them at work, such as wages, benefits and working conditions, according to recent polling and reports from organizing campaigns. "As low-wage, service and temporary jobs increase, many Americans find themselves without benefits or a steady paycheck," the federation noted. "Unions are a way for workers to tum that trend around and ensure they gain in prosperous times." Census Will Impact Congress, States At Stake: Assigning $185 Billion in Annual Federal Funds Election Day isn't the only period this year that promises a deep and broad impact on American politics. The 2000 census, commencing April I, will be the basis for reapportionment next year of seats in the U.S. Congress and in state and local legislative districts. Based on population shifts, some states as well as their legislative districts may gain or lose representation. Census data also is used in allocating approximately $185 billion in federal funds each year -money earmarked for such projects as road and transportation planning, school construetion, housing development and dozens more. Additionally, local governments and businesses use the information. The U.S. Constitution requires a nationwide census every 10 years. All census information submitted by individuals is confidential and is not shared with any other agencies. There are two types of census forms: short and long. The short form asks seven questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete, according to the Census Bureau. Approximately 83 percent of households receive the short form. The rest receive the long form, covering 34 subjects and requiring 40 minutes or so to complete. Census Schedule* Mid-March: Deliver census questionnaires April 1: Census Day March-May 2000: census takers visit housing units in rural and remote areas to drop off and/or pick up forms Late April-Early July 2000: census takers visit housing units that did not return census forms October-November 2000: All field work completed December 31, 2000: Apportionment counts delivered to the president April 1, 2001: All$tates receive redistricting counts *Source: U.S. Census Bureau Shipboard Seatarers Can Be Counted As was the case IO years ago, SIU members who are aboard ship on Census Day (April 1) may identify "home" as a place ashore or the vessel itself. According to the Census Bureau, "Crews of U.S. flag merchant vessels engaged in inland waterway transportation are counted at their usual onshore residence (the place where they live and sleep most of the time when they are onshore). "Crews of U.S. flag merchant vessels docked in a U.S. port or sailing from one U.S. port to another U.S. port are counted at their usual onshore residence if they report one (the place where they live and sleep most of the time when they are onshore) or otherwise on the vessel." I Unlike in 1990, however, mariners aboard ships sailing to, from or between foreign ports will not be counted as part of the U.S. overseas population. This change essentially was made because of logistical difficulties in counting all U.S. citizens overseas (not just mariners). Those mariners sailing to, from or between foreign ports will be counted at their usual onshore residence if they report one, or otherwise on the vessel. The bureau was scheduled to mail census materials by late January or early this month to U.S.-flag shipping lines, in sufficient quantities . to provide every mariner (and passenger) with a chance to be counted. Former SUP President Dempster Passes Away Paul Dempster, former president of the Seafarers- affi 1i a ted Sailors' Union of the Pacific (SUP), passed away December 17 in a Concord, Calif. hospital. He was 71. Paul Dempster Dempster served as SUP president from 1978 to 1990. He also had been president of the San Francisco Central Labor Council and the San Francisco AFL-CIO Port Maritime Council of the Maritime Trades Department. He joined the SUP in 1949 and sailed as a bosun and AB. "Paul was a down-to-earth, reliable guy who was very strong in negotiations," stated retired SIU Vice President West Coast George McCartney. Dempster, a native of Hawaii, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He is survived by his wife of37 years; his daughter; two sisters; and three grandchildren. According to Dempster's wishes, his Retired SIU VP West Coast George McCartney (right) ashes were scattered at sea from the deck serves as a pallbearer at Paul Dempster's funeral December 23 in Concord, Calif. of the Matsonia. Seafarers LOG 5 �Quam Connects with Apprentice Program Territory's Gov't Seeks Employment Boost Residents of the westernmost United States territory will have an enhanced opportunity to begin a career in the U.S. merchant manne. The government of Guam, working with the SIU and the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, is establishing a recruitment system designed to facilitate Guamanians' enrollment in the center's unlicensed apprentice program. This endeavor is very similar to one in which Alaska has participated since 1997. In carefully examining the benefits of such a partnership between the territory, the union and the school (located in Piney Point, Md.), Guam Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez- along with several other Guam officials--extensively toured the Paul Hall Center in late December. U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), whose district includes the training facility, also took part in the tour. In mid-January, an estimated 1,000 Guamanians attended a seminar on the island about the unlicensed apprentice program. (Guam's population is approximately 155,000.) The program's curriculum is divided into three phases. During the first segment, which lasts 12 weeks and takes place at the school , students receive classroom and hands-on training that covers basic seamanship and familiarization skills. During the second phase, apprentices serve aboard US.flag merchant vessels for a mini- mum of 90 days. That span is divided into thirds, allowing students to work in all three departments. Finally, students return to the school for the third stage, which involves department-specific training. Upon graduation, the Seafarer is shipped out to work as either an ordinary seaman, wiper or steward assistant. Open since 1967, the school offers not only entry-level training, but also more advanced vocational upgrading courses for experienced mariners. It also provides academic support and features a college degree program. The Paul Hall Center last year opened a state-of-the-art fire fighting and safety school near the main campus. Among those accompanying Governor Gutierrez last month to Piney Point were the following Guam officials: Attorney General John Tarantino; Senator Eloy Bermudes (a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former executive manager of the Guam Port Authority); Joe T. San Agustin, administrator of base realignment and closure; and Jerry Yingling, executive manager of the Guam International Airport Authority. Discussing the school's 33-year history as a major employer in southern Maryland are (from left facing camera) Guam Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez, Paul Hall Center VP Don Nolan, and U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) during a late December tour. The opening last year of the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School (below), part of the Paul Hall Center, has proven extremely beneficial for numerous classes, including the unlicensed apprentice curriculum. Observing a demonstration December 27 at the modern campus are (from left) U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Guam Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez, Paul Hall Center Safety Director Jim Hanson and Guam Senator Eloy Bermudes. THEY SHOULD KNOW: While researching the program, Guam officials chatted with students enrolled in the Paul Hall Center's unlicensed apprentice program. Reminder As part of the existing standard freightship and tanker contracts, Seafarers may qualify for an extra vacation day per month. However, the contracts department reminds SIU members that in order to obtain this benefit, they must secure and compfete a "tour of duty" form when signing off the vessel. This one-page form, available aboard the ship, should be signed by the master with the ship's seal. It is the member's responsibility to keep the form until filing for vacation benefits. The extra vacation day will be paid to any eligible SIU member who successfully completes his or her tour of duty without injury or illness and who files the correct paperwork. If the Seafarer already has collected some vacation pay prior to successfully completing his or her tour, then the extra day will be awarded on the last vacation check, once he or she completes the assignment and meets the verification requirements. Notice Mobile Hosts Feb. 25 Ceremony Honoring Memory of Leon Hall CG Sets Drug Test Rate At 50 Percent for Y2K The U.S. Coast Guard recently announced that it will maintain a minimum random drug testing rate of 50 percent for merchant vessel crew members throughout this year. The agency reported that the 1998 results (the most recent available when determining the 2000 standard) were positive 1.68 percent of the time. Federal regulations require marine employers to conduct random drug testing programs for covered crew members on inspected and uninspected vessels. 6 Seafarers LOG Leon Hall Active and retired Seafarers along with their families and friends are invited to a February 25 dedication at the SIU hall in Mobile, Ala. in memory of the late SIU Vice President Leon Hall. Refreshments will be provided. Hall passed away in 1992 at age 72. The ceremony's starting time had not been determined as this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press. Please check with the Mobile hall at (205) 4 78-0916 for more information. February 2000 �Among those pictured aboard the LNG Aquarius in Japan are Chief Cook G. Williams, SA Joseph Welle, P. Kasim, SA C. Washington, AB J. O'Shaughnessy and Bosun Zaine Basir. Applying muscle to their task are Recertified Bosun Jamie Miller (right) and two ABs aboard the USNS Sisler. Servicing Se0;[arers Overseas Crews Discuss Merger, Otherl01portantlssues The proposed merger of the SIU and NMU was a hot topic aboard the LNG Taurus during a recent shipboard meeting. Among those attending are (from left) QMED M. Hill, QMED J. Orr, GUDE Norman Barbosa, Recertified Steward Judi Chester, Recertified Bosun Dan Marcus and AB D. Bates. SIU crews in Japan, Singapore, Diego Garcia and other overseas ports welcomed SIU Representative Steve Ruiz to their respective ships throughout the month of December. Ruiz met with Seafarers aboard the eight LNG ships (Aquarius, Aries, Capricorn, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Taurus and Virgo); on the Buffalo Soldier, American Cormorant and Cape Jacob; and aboard the USNS vessels Potomac, Anderson, Phillips, Watson, Baugh, Yano, Sisler, Shughart and Gilliland "The main thing on the crews' minds was the merger, and an overwhelming majority gave a very As was the case aboard many other SIUcontracted ships, the steward department on the James Anderson worked to create a homey holiday atmosphere at sea. Helping get the job done are SA B. Fermin, SA Ibrahim Taha, SA E. Alaa, Chief Steward M. Watts, Assistant Cook M. Walter and GUDE A. Mohamed. Prepositioned in Diego Garcia, the Pvt. Franklin Phillips is a good feeder thanks to the galley gang that includes Chief Steward James Kidd, Chief Cook A. Mohammed, Cook/Baker C. Jones, SA C. Nunez-Avila, SAM. Thomas and others. February 2000 positive response," noted Ruiz, referring to the proposed merger of the SIU and the National Maritime Union (see story, page 2). "They all seemed very happy to see a union official on the ships," he added. Other subjects discussed among Ruiz and the crews included the Alaska Tanker Co., the reflagging of the LNG ships, and the various new vessels coming under SIU contract. "The LNG crews gave a vote of thanks" to SIU President Michael Sacco and SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez, Ruiz added. Posing for a photo aboard ttie USNS Potomac in Singapore are SA Liana McKinney, SA Luis Gonzalez, Chief Steward Norman Cox, Bosun Sean Ryan and Chief Cook Pamala Hagler. Left: Chief Electrician Ronald Paradise (left) and Bosun Edwin Rivera attend the meeting aboard the Phillips. SIU Representative Steve Ruiz answers Seafarers' questions aboard the Cape Jacob. Listening are Chief Cook Marco Guevara, Oiler Gregory Carroll, ABT. O'Brien and AB R. Trainor. SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Aboard the LNG Capricorn (from left), Chief Cook Rafael Cardenas, SA Gloria Melluish and SA Antonio Perez welcome a camera-toting guest. Seafarers LOS 7 �Sea -arers Celebrate Holidays Steward Departments HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM STEWARD DEPT MN MARlNE COLUMBIA THUR NOV 25 1999 COMMANDING OFFICER CAPT JOHN T SCOGGINS ME N U B R E A K F A S T CHILLED FRUI JUICES SLICED FRESH FRUITS ASSORTED COLD CEREALS BREAKFAST POTATOES BREAKFAST PASTRIES EGGS COOKED TO ORDER FRENCH TOAST HOT CAKES GRJLLED BACON GRJLLED HAM HOT GRITS HOT OATMEAL CHOICE OF OMELETTES EGGS BENEDICT (HAM BAC CHEESE ONIO PEPPER CRAB) EGGNOG Pictured from left to right, SA Othman Saleh, Steward/Baker James Dunne and Chief Cook John Huyett offer a Thanksgiving meal featuring traditional dishes and more. Marine Col11mbia Give Extra Effort To Provide U NCH AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS FROM JOHN &JIM &OTTMAN Scrumptious Shipboard Fare As Thanksgiving gave way to Christmas and New Year's Day, SIU steward departments continually utilized their skills, creativity and enthusiasm in preparing holiday feasts for fellow crew members. Several of those vessels contacted the Seafarers LOG to commend the respective galley gangs. Some of the photos they submitted, along with others from the holidays, are shown on this page and the next one. L FRENCH ONION SOUP W/CH/ CROUTONS ASSORTED COLD SALADS&MIXED RELISHES SHRIMP & CRAB COCTAILS ROASTED TURKEY W/DRESSING & GRAVY BAKED HAM W/FRUIT SAUCE RICE PILAFF GLAZED YAMS MASHED POTATO GREEN PEAS SUMMER SQUASH BROCCOLI HOT COFFEE COLD MILK FRUIT DRINK HOT TEA PECAN PIE PUMPKIN PIE JELLO PUDDING PETITS FOURS HARD CANDY ASSORTED NUTS DINNER LEFT OVERS FROM LUNCH PLUS ROASTED PRIME RIB WIAU JUS Pictured on deck is Bosun Greg Hamilton. Chief Pumpman Ron Gordon works up an appetite while helping keep the equipment operating. Steward/Baker Dunne (right photo) is in a dicey situation while SA Saleh has an idea for decorating the treetop. Sulphur Enterprise SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT: Bosun Tony Sabatini enjoys Thanksgiving dinner. Recertified Bosun Marvin Zimbro lends a hand during meal preparation. Fist-size shrimp were on the Thanksgiving menu. D< "'J..r•·f'·p fTtLn'K,~GIV!;VG l5 :>iOVEMllF.R Jm !SULi'RL'R F..~IU'IUSE .4P :um~. • CltABCAU. ~~~~, • m.in:u onn"l..'t Wll'iG. OA• HUT1tAtt"GOO.'l. " ·~ ~.:r-o~kOIL ~ ~:® GNGLR.&OU., T£1UYAKJcmt.~. ::::::~ C:Ol'Ol>it(>~ . • AVOCAD05ltllf..L .. ~"-WRDll:OU.. • cv.111u1aou. ~ SUFOOb CllOWnM ilM 'ift'O:.'ft'O.!I 1110UP. L'TRHS ~JlT.\U,\lilTHilOLU..'\"•.US&. OkllUO llUJ'ftUCOfil TO OttDPW111! ~ acruw.. S'fn:C'T.-SlH:Ta !W)Tf&rfUl'.CJtA& ~lJlt.:£."l'l.f.&!'RLU~J'RJ'QJUCi, .OASTTOMTl'ftkl!'YWml~~GC-...VY:_.~-U\JC'S. ~RA.~Jr--~·UA~!ioTIUWt:nll!{t.Awa_~ SfiV"'1'SlLClroAHSTYLE. ~E~°'A'~-'"(Lsno°':~~o. Credit for the Thanksgiving goodies on the Sulphur Enterprise goes to (from left) Chief Cook Jimmy Cordova, Steward/Baker Nee Tran and SA Trinidad Sanchez. 8 Seafarers LOG :;R! Mn..PKf!Th. :~~ •WG~OG. ~n\ll'i.-Ab DDART~i"-"'158Jfll(; ==~~ Cla'!W Jl.~lio"f. A '!l!)('K 80 __, M..lL'TJn"l.. 1ll''\JGC1Vf'fr.. Eyeing the menu choices are DEU Justin Ravnell (left) and Recertified Bosun Marvin Zimbro. February 2000 �Wilmington Sharing holiday sentiments aboard Matson's Manulani are (from left) SA Tim Ellis, Port Agent John Cox and Chief Steward Lorraine Brayman. Each Christmas, a large, bearded man in a red and white hat visits Seafarers in Wilmington, Calif.-usually several hours after Santa makes his rounds. Port Agent John Cox (pictured in these four shots) continued the tradition in 1999. Pictured from left to right are AB Herman Moningka, Port Agent John Cox and Captain Bruno Kalmeta. Crowley Seafarers Engine Utility Deso Hrboka, AB Mike Privette, Mate Hank Scott and Mate Barry Schuffels welcome their jolly visitor. On the Sea-Land Patriot are (from left) Electrician Bozidar Baul, AB John Emrich, AB Mitchell Santana, AB Matt Bevak, Port Agent John Cox, Bosun Bobby Garcia, AB Ray Vicari and AB Don Hamrick. GI bal Mariner More than 100 people, including crew members, company officials and guests, turned out for the Christmas luncheon aboard the cable ship Global Mariner. Chief Steward Lanette Lopez (behind the camera) worked with (from left) SA Syed Murtaza, Chief Cook Antony Bach, SA Suzanne Santora, SA Husain Salah and Cook/Baker Walter Schoppe as well as Bosun Thor Young and Splicer/Joiner Nelson Poe in readying the succulent cuisine. ITB Philadelphia No SIU-crewed ship may have faced more difficult circumstances near the holidays than the !TB Philadelphia. As noted in letters from AB John Bellinger and Captain Nicholas Colavito (see page 20), the vessel engaged in a challenging voyage delivering food aid (37,000 tons of grain) from Portland to two ports in North Korea. Because of various unforeseen difficulties, "the disBosun Terry Cowans (left) and charge took 30 days, longer AB John Bellinger eagerly anticiby far than was projected," pate the Thanksgiving spread. noted Bellinger, who provided these photos. "During the entire stay, communication was severely restricted. The strain was especially great on the steward department, as the Philadelphia carried seven extra people to operate the machinery for the discharge. "Additionally, large groups of customs and immigration officials as well as officials from the port often arrived with little notice, and expected to be Cook/Baker Mohamed Hussein fed." (right) and Chief Steward The ship left Korea a few Thurman Johnson ready the days before Thanksgiving, meal. and crew members "enjoyed a spectacular Thanksgiving dinner, due in large part to the creativity and squirreling ability of Chief Steward Thurman Johnson and Cook/Baker Mohamed Hussein, wrote Bellinger. "This will be Mohamed's last voyage. The officers and crew presented him with a certificate of appreciation and a modest cash gift to express their gratitude for his fine work under trying circumstances. Mr. Hussein is such a fine baker that when the bread from shore finally ran out, the quality of life aboard actually improved, as delicious fresh breads, rolls, pastries and cookies rolled forth from Mo's oven. Lucky are we who sailed with him, and we wish him happiness on the beach. "Also, the entire crew has shown once again that long hours and difficult straits do not slow down American merchant mariners." Sea-Land Patriot Beef Wellington is one of many holiday menu choices on the SeaLand Patriot. RUDOLPH'S GOT NOTHIN' ON THIS ONE: Unlicensed Apprentice Justin Baker (class No. 597) puts the final touch on temporarily rednosed Brooke Dement at a holiday gathering inside the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, in Piney Point, Md. February 2000 Seafarers LOG 9 �Pensioner James M Smith joined the SIU in Baltimore in August 1939, right out of the l"YT.......,,--.r.........,,......,...TT""".._ Marine Corps as a corporal and as an expert of 50caliber machine guns. He sailed during WWII, the Korean conJ. Melford Smith flict and the early part of the Vietnam war and upgraded at the union s school in Brooklyn to third assistant engineer. This article recounts a voyage he took in 1942 aboard the SS Alcoa Pathfinder. alking down the dimly lit dock at midnight, I could hear the hum of the generators through the steel hull of the ship while I was still 100 yards away. The ship was loaded down almost to her plimsol marks, so the gangway had only a slight incline. Carrying my sea bag and tool kit, I went up the narrow gangway to the deck. At the top of the gangway, the mate had posted the sailing board with a sailing time of 0500 and the date: 2/28/42. Stepping onto the deck, I was stopped short by a strong odor that had been long forgotten- the smell of horse manure! I must be dreaming, I thought. With a war going on, we couldn't possibly be carrying a load of horse manure to some port overseas. Maybe some general or admiral had started a rose garden somewhere and was using his clout to get some fertilizer. Casting aside such disrespectful thoughts about our fearless leaders, I walked aft on the port side and discovered the farm-like odor was coming from a dozen wooden stalls lashed securely on deck. They contained four thoroughbred horses and eight cows. For an old Ohio farm boy, this was truly a sight to behold! I had milked my share of cows and spent more time than I cared to admit looking at the south end of horses going north. I never expected to be so closely associated with them while plying my trade as a seagoing electrician in the U.S. merchant marine. I had signed on at the United States Shipping Commissioner's office the previous afternoon, but this was my first time aboard this new type of vessel. It was called a C-1 A cargo ship and was just a year old. The ship had no guns, and her only defense against attack was a speed of 16 knots. On this run there were no armed escorts available. Although America at times has prided herself on being a major maritime nation, we have never had a national maritime policy. Except during periods when our nation was at war, our leaders have allowed our merchant marine to deteriorate almost to the point of non-existence. But in 1942, we were in a state of national emergency, and there was a mad scramble to build and crew ships to supply the armed forces. The enemy was sinking them far faster than they could be built, and we were losing the experienced seamen to man them. Along the East Coast, the lights of the cities were being used by German submarine crews to silhouette our ships, making them easy targets. Our losses were appalling. Locating the electrician's cabin, I found it was well furnished but W 10 Seafarers LOG like that!" We both dashed for the was taking care of the animals, had only one 18-inch port that making sure they had food and engine room. I flipped the main opened on the after deck and a water and cleaning their stalls. He lighting breakers and the ship went small electric fan. I thought, this had an endorsement on his seadark. son-of-a-gun is going to be a hot The German U-boat lay off the man's certificate that I had never one! heard of: Cattleman. A seagoing harbor and fired at us for 15 minutes I had been told at the union hall before the local armed forces got cowboy! It was something he did that the ship was hauling bauxite their coast defense guns in action from Dutch Guiana on the coast of "off watch" and was paid overtime and drove them off. The Nazi gun accordingly. South America to the port of I felt very uneasy about sailing crew was aiming primarily at the Mobile, Ala. Bauxite is a gray, oil tanks and refinery at the edge of in those submarine-infested waters dusty, gritty mineral that is the with the animals. One look at their town and except for that first round, main ingredient in making alularge brown, trusting eyes and the none of them came close. By late minum. When loading and disthought of what would happen if the next afternoon, the local longcharging bauxite, the dust covers shoremen had gotten the cargo the entire ship. The ventilation fans we got hit made me first angry, then sad. We humans were responashore, we had cast off the mooring must be shut down to protect the lines and were sailing around the sible for the present conditions and machinery, but the bauxite gets in Venezuelan coast to La Guaira. your food, your hair and your nose. could take care of ourselves. For As we rounded the peninsula, the horses and cows confined in If you are sweating, you soon look staying close inshore, I was like a gray ghost. their stalls, their terror and panic would be ended only by their death informed by the engineer on watch It was a miserable cargo to that there was a smell of burning transport but a vital one for the war by drowning. I vowed that if we insulation near the main switcheffort. I had never refused a job survived this voyage, I would get another ship as I did not want to be board. I soon located the problem becau e of the conditions or danand found a circuit breaker that gers, and I had sailed on some real around when that happened. was overheated. It was one of the rust buckets, so I stowed my gear Captain Dumke, who had made breakers for the steering gear and crawled into the comfortable this trip several times, said the motors, which bunk for a few was a vital piece hours sleep. of equipment. I It seemed decided to only a moment change the ciruntil the oiler on cuit breaker watch was immediately, knocking on my even though I door saying "It's would have to zero four thirty work it "hot," Elec, we're getwhich was 240 ting underway in a half hour volts. -and the cofI removed the defective fee's ready." I breaker and mumbled thanks installed the and got dressed, Often sailing unarmed, U.S.-flag cargo ships were at great risk through- new one. buckled on my tool belt, shoved out World War II-as evidenced in this 1942 photograph of an American Tightening the ammo ship whose entire crew perished. last nut, the a flashlight in my back pocket wrench slipped, and headed to flew out of my worst danger lay in our passage sweating hand and landed across the engine room to make sure the through the Yucatan Channel, the the bus bars which carries the main circuit breakers for the anchor load from the generators. The eyewindlass and the aft warping winch narrow waterway between Cuba searing flash from the short circuit were in the "on" position on the and the Yucatan Peninsula. He timed our passage through there at blinded me temporarily and main switchboard. They are used night. We would go to maximum knocked the generators off line. by the deck gang to pull in the speed, zigzag wildly in the dark The ship drifted without power, mooring lines securing the vessel night and stay as close to shore as and an onshore wind pushed us to the dock. I introduced myself to the l st possible without running aground. toward the rocks less than a mile And with the fathometer offi Its away. Our engine crew reacted assistant engineer, who was warmquickly to the emergency, and we ing up the engine, grabbed a cup of pinging would be heard by enemy coffee and went up to the bow to sound gear. soon had the generators back on stand by the anchor windlass conline and the ship underway again. I Though he was a grouchy old trols in case something should hap- cuss with never a kind word for had almost accomplished by accipen while the ship was docking or dent what Adm. Doenitz's subany of the mates, he stayed on the undocking. It's a part of the job I marines had failed to do. bridge all night and saw us safely enjoyed- unless it was raining. a Guaira was a pretty little through. Before getting my marine electritown nestled at the foot of Our first port of call was the coastal mountain range. cian's certificate, I had sailed in the Maracaibo in the Gulf of Venezuela, where we had some It serves as the seaport for Caracas, deck gang as an AB after putting general cargo to discharge. To the capital, which is about I 0 miles in my time as OS. Those ratings are a holdover from the days of enter the port, there is a narrow by road over the steep and rugged channel with a swinging sail but are still used. mountains. The Venezuelan people bridge/gate which opens on a large awn was breaking, and the were very friendly toward us lake with many oil platforms dotcity was coming to life as "Norte Americanos." we moved slowly out of the ting its surface. The gate is pulled After I finished work for the dock area and into Mobile Bay. open and closed by a small tugday, I walked uptown to the city Soon we were passing Fort boat. The port was closed from square. There was the usual catheMorgan on the tip of Dauphin dusk to dawn because of possible dral on one side and a small park Island, whose huge cannon had enemy action. in the center. Many of the townsfired at Admiral Farragut's fleet of people were enjoying the evening It was late evening and already gunboats in 1864 when he made dark by the time we got our ship in the square, including some strikthat famous remark "Damn the toringly beautiful girls, most of whom moored to the dock alongside a pedoes, full speed ahead." Now, as were accompanied by a chaperone. warehouse just inside the gate. My walk around the square was Chief Engineer Hardwick and I we entered the Gulf of Mexico where the submarines of Hitler's interrupted by a really Lovely girl were sitting on a bench on the aft "Thousand Year Reich" were lying who flashed me a big smile as I side of the deckhouse. We were having an after-dinner smoke and in wait for us, we could say the strolled by. Since there was not a talking when there was a bright same thing. chaperone in sight, I stopped to We brought our ship up to full flash of light in the outer harbor. talk, though my Spanish was very speed and started a zigzag course The chief said, "I wonder what limited. to Maracaibo and La Guaira, idiot is signaling to get inside the "Hola! Senorita, Que pasa? Venezuela. While making the fiveharbor this late at night." Como se llama? (Hi, miss, what's day voyage, I learned that some Before I had a chance to reply, happening? What's your name?) wealthy businessman in Venezuela there was a terrific explosion and "Elita" she said with a sweet the end of the warehouse disintesmile, followed by a long string of was starting a ranch and had Spanish. I hadn't the faintest idea grated. The animals were crying ordered the finest breed of animals from the States. This was the secwhat she had said after her name, with fear, and some shrapnel hit ond shipment, and there were two the stem of the ship. I said, "Chief, so I asked "Habla Englais?" more on order. One of the sailors She shook her head no, then I've never heard a ship enter a port L D said, "Ah leetle," and held up her fingers pinched together. We were soon sitting at a sidewalk cafe drinking coffee and laughing while struggling with the language barrier and enjoying each other's company. After about an hour, I indicated that it was time for me to go (we were sailing at dawn.) When I stood up to leave, Elita, still chattering in Spanish, took my arm. I caught the word "paseo" (walk), so we started to walk east along the beach road. It was a beautiful spring night with a full moon and a cool breeze from the Caribbean. When we came to the edge of town I said to myself, Elita must be a country girl if she Lives this far out of town. After about a quarter mile she asked me something in Spanish that I didn't understand. We continued strolling down the road hand in hand with Elita asking the same question every hundred yards or so. Finally, while I could still see the lights of the town, I stopped and sat down on a stone culvert while I figured out what she was saying. At last it became clear to me that she did not understand that I was a seafaring person on a ship! Elita was asking "How much farther is it?" When we met the next time, we laughed about it. The next morning, heading down the coast to Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, I thought, how frustrating to not be bilingual in a hemisphere where 21 out of 23 countries speak Spanish. In India I had Learned a little Bengali and in the Philippines a little Tagalog along with their Spanish. I decided then and there to start studying Spanish as soon as I could find a good study book. But as Robert Bums, the Scot poet, said, "The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley." Due to the exigencies of the war, I soon found myself in the islands of the South Pacific for the duration. Studying Spanish had a very low priority where each voyage was a matter of survival. I regret that I never did learn it. ... aramaribo is the capital of Surinam, which is a Dutch colony. The buildings are Dutch style and though English is spoken, the main language is Dutch. We didn't have time to go ashore as the mine where we were to load bauxite was 25 miles up the Surinam River, and the river pilot was waiting. As we wound our way up the river through the dense jungle, branches and vines would sometimes scrape alongside. Monkeys and colorful birds of all kinds screeched and yelled at us for disturbing their habitat. It was a unique experience for us deep sea sailors. The mine had a conveyor system that was extended over the ship's holds. The powdery bauxite poured off the concave conveyor belt into the hold, throwing up clouds of choking dust. The heat was almost unbearable, but there was a little breeze blowing up the river so I turned in that night with my fan sucking some of that air into my room. During the night the wind shifted and I awoke with a choking sensation, unable to breathe. Turning on a light, I discovered myself and my room completely covered with a heavy coating of bauxite dust and my fan making it look like a Sahara dust storm. Bauxite dust does not taste good. P Continued on page 17 February 2000 �.,, .... i ·.IIIi , ~ . Leap at the Chance for a College Scholarship • COMPLETE THE COUPON AT RIGHT AND MAIL TO: Scholarship Program Seafarers Welfare Plan 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 FebTuary 2~0 Are you putting off applying for college because you just don't have the time-or the money? Well, this month both those problems may be solved! Since this is a leap year, which means February has an extra day, it will give you more time to do all those things you wished you had more time to do. And one of those things is to sit down and apply for an SIU scholarship. Since the union began its scholarship program in 1952, many Seafarers and their family members have been awarded higher education grants and gone on to realize their educational goals. This year, as in the past, the Seafarers Welfare Plan will present seven scholarships. Three of the awards will go directly to Seafarers. One of these grants is for $15,000 for use at a four-year institution of higher learning. The other two awards designated specifically for SIU members are $6,000 each for use toward two years of study at a community college or vocational school. The remaining four grants will be presented to spouses and dependent children of Seafarers. Each of these scholarships is for $15,000 to study at a four-year college or university. quired of all applicants in order to be considered for a scholarship. Who Is Eligible? Materials Needed Scholarships are available to Seafarers, their spouses and dependent children (pensioners are not eligible). Additional eligibility information may be found in the 2000 SIU scholarship program booklet. Just fill out the coupon below and mail it to the address listed. Program booklets also are available at all SIU halls. In addition to the application form itself, other items are re- Transcripts and certificates of graduation are needed, as are letters of recommendation from individuals who have knowledge of the applicant's character, personality and career goals; scores from the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) exams; a photograph of the applicant; and a certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate. Deadline Nears The completed applications MUST be mailed and postmarked ON or BEFORE April 15, 2000. Those who have applied for an SIU scholarship in the past and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet all the requirements. So ... don't let a Jack of time or money prevent you from furthering your education. You have an extra day this month to leap for the chance at a scholarship. Don't let it pass you by. r----------------------------------------------------------------------------, P lease send me the 2000 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Mariner's Social Security Number _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Street Address City, State, Zip Code - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Telephone Number _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ This application is for: D Self D Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Welfare Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 2100 L---------------------------------------------------------------------------SeafaTel'S LOG 11 �TAX TIPS FOR SEAFARERS HOWTO PREPARE ATAXRETURN Step I. Get all records together. • Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. • Itemized deductions and tax credits. • Medical and dental payment records. • Real estate and personal property tax receipts. • Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. • Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled "Your Federal Income Tax for Use in Preparing 1999 Returns" is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach the first copy of Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, social security number and form number on your check or money order. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $2.50 becomes $3. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 66b, 66c and 66d on their Form 1040. Line 66b is for the STANDARD DEDUCIION This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions. (Note that the personal exemption deduction is $2,750.) Filing Status Standard Deduction Single ........... $4,300 Married filing joint return or Qualifying widow(er) with dependent children ........ $7,200 Married filing separate return ....$3,600 Head of household ..$6,350 bank's routing number. Line 66c indicates the type of account, and line 66d is the taxpayer's account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax retnrn electronically in any given area, call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the Electronic Filing Office. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption-for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $2,750 per person. In 1999, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. s.andardl>eWdim.Hmlncraad: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box below to the right). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual's benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 1999, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards and personal loans. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or investments is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. Hthey do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Oub Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Groa Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee's administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting WOik-Reiated &penses: Expenses associated with a seaman's work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Tiavel to the union hall to register or travel to the union's designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related C',ar Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses-either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost On the tax return due April 17 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 32.5 cents per mile (for 1/1-3/31) and 31 cents per mile (for 4/112/31). Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When 'Ihlveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on the meal allowance of $38 per day in the continental U.S. and $42 per day outside the continental U.S. Otherwise the IRS standard meal allowance is generally $34. In some locations it is $42, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Tiavel expenses, including meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one's work and if they have not been reimbursed from any other source. Limit on Itetni7.ed Deductions: In 1999, itemized deductions may be limited for individuals earning more than $126,600 of federal adjusted gross income (or $63,300 if married and filing separately). Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit (EIC) is available to certain low income individuals who have earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income thresholds. For tax year 1999, an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer's income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $10,200 and no qualifying children - $347 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $26,928 and with 1 qualifying child $2,312 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $30,580 and with 2 or more qualifying children $3,816 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below zero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EI C to see if they are eligible for the credit Dependent's Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a social security number (SSN). Individuals may get an SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive an SSN. Dependent Child Credit: Effective for tax year 1999, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are entitled to the child tax credit The amount of the credit is $500 per child. Credit for Higher Education 'IWtion: Individuals may be able to take the "H0 PE" credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,500 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after January 1, 1999, taxpayers can take the "Lifetime Leaming Credit," that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student's expenses. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $1,500 of interest paid after December 31, 1998 for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: • Education IRAs-Taxpayers can contribute up to $500 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary's postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Leaming credit is claimed. Also, no contribution may be made by any person for the same beneficiary during any year in which a coµtribution is made to a qualified state tuition program. • Roth IRAs-The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $2,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. • Penalty-Free IRA Distributlons-The additional 10 percent t.ax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax also may not TAX TIPS FOR SEAFARERS 12 Seafarers LOG TAXTIPSFO Presented on these two p handy tax tips that have mariners. Included are th 1999 and where to get WHERETO GE General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called ti questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order curr publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are availabl try to help with tax questions that c: To find the location of an IRS office States Government, Internal Reven Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer qu taxpayer information service, public can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system h about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 i When calling from a touch tone ph repeat the topic and the letter "C" To listen to a directory of topics aftet 123. You can also check the status This telephone service is availabl time). Personal Computer: Access the IRS 's Internet Web Si forms, instructions and publication questions; search publications on-1' withholding allowances using their requests for help via e-mail; and si news by e-mail from the IRS Digita Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the District Director (listed on the tax with the letter. Federal law prohibits employers from the wages of mariners workin Specifically, the law [46 USCA wages due or accruing to a master, member of the crew on a vessel e coastal, interstate or non-contiguous provisions of the tax laws of any wealth, or a subdivision of any of th hibit any such withholding of the w the coastwise trade between ports · pursuant to a voluntary agreement The law, however, does not exe taxes. Mariners, just like any other their obligations to the government Each state has a set of criteria resident of that state. A seaman sho she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California d California State Board of Eq seaman-despite the fact that he year-was a resident of the state fi consideration the fact that the se tained a bank account in a Califo Additionally, each state has es residents of that state must pay a ual earned income from a source Many states allo~ a credit in the if that person has already paid taxes If any questions arise rega niariners should telephone t state in which they reside. TAXTIPSFO February 2000 �RSEAFARERS ges of the Seafarers LOG are een prepared especially for new deduction amounts for additional information. apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a firsttime homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual's lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. nt and prior year fonns, instructions and Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can in many IRS offices around the counot be answered easily by telephone. look in the phone book under "United in return for services) . • Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. • Lump-sum distributions. • Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) or real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). OTHER TAX INFORMATION INFQRMATION r general information. IRS staff answer TAX TIPS FOR SEAFARERS! pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, cash, bank check or money order. • Accumulation distributions from trusts. • Prizes and awards {contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). • Earned income from sources outside the United States. • Director's fees. • Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. • Embezzled or other illegal income. stions by phone. Through the agency's tions covering all aspects of tax-filing WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP s recorded tax infonnation covering Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax retum, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. the IRS's automated Tele-Tax system. ne, the letter "R" or number "7" will r number "2" will cancel the message. the introductory message finishes, dial f your refund. from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. (local e at www.irs.ustreas.gov to: download ; see answers to frequently asked tax e by topic or keyword; figure your -4 caJculator, send them comments or up to receive the latest tax issues and Dispatch. returns can be sent directly to an IRS rm). Include a social security number , 'RS MUST PAY COME TAX from withholding state and local taxes aboard U.S.-flag ships. 1108(11)] provides that "no part of the officer or any other seaman who is a gaged in the foreign, coastwise, intertrade shall be withheld pursuant to the , territory, possession or commonm, but nothing in this section shall pros of any seaman who is employed in the same state if such withholding is tween such seaman and his employer." pt seamen from paying state and local citizens of any given state, must meet f the area in which they live. determine whether an individual is a d check with a state tax office if he or g the early 1970s, a case before the alization stated that a merchant was on a ship for 210 days of the r tax purposes. The board took into owned a home in California and main.a-based bank. blished conditions under which nonortion of state tax if such an individased in that state. ount an individual must pay the state in another state. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person's last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 1999, the taxpayer's personal representative {and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer's property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported. The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: • Benefits from government welfare programs. • Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, medical costs. • Maintenance and Cure. • Workers' compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. • Disability retirement payments {and other benefits) paid by the Veterans' Administration. • Child support. • Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. • Dividends on veterans' life insurance. • Life insurance proceeds received because of a person's death. • Amounts received :from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. • Certain amounts received as a scholarship. • Jones Act settlements for lost wages. • Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. • Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. • Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. • Endowments. • Original Issue Discount. • Distributions from self-employed plans. • Bartering income {fair-market value of goods or services received SEAFARERS February 2000 WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED FILING AN EXTENSION IRS Form 4868 can be used to ask for a four-month extension to file IRS Form 1040A. An individual requesting an extension is under no obligation to explain why the additional time is needed. Filing of the form gives an individual until August 15, 2000 to file his or her 1999 federal tax return. The IRS will contact the individual directly only if the request for an extension is denied. To extend the period of time in which one can file a tax return, that individual must correctly fill out Form 4868 and pay all of the tax monies due. TAX PLANNING TIPS Selling Your Home'? The tax law gives homeowners a special tax break on capital gains realized on the sale of a principal residence. If you have owned and used a home as your principal residence for periods totaling at least two years out of the last five years before selling, you generally can take advantage of this break to exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for joint filers). People who fail to meet the ownership or use test or have claimed the exclusion for another home within two years of the sale may qualify for a partial exclusion. Don't forget capital improvements. H you find yourself with unexpected taxable gains on your home sale, check your records for overlooked capital improvement expenses you've paid over the years. The costs of capital improvements, such as adding another bath, garage or family room, are added to your basis in the home and, thus, reduce your taxable gain. Reinvesting Your Dividends Make sure you count any reinvested dividends as part of your tax basis when you sell the stock you bought through a dividend reinvestment plan. The dividends were taxed to you when they were originally paid. You don't want to pay tax on them twice. The same holds true for mutual fund dividends you had automatically reinvest.eel. State Taxes Many state income tax laws are based on federal tax rules. So, the strategies you use for your federal tax planning may work with your state tax planning as well. Be aware that Some states allow two-earner couples who file joint federal returns to file separate state returns when it is advantageous. Check your state's rules. If you have a choice, calculate your tax both ways and use the method that produces the lower tax. Also, you may be considered a resident of-and owe taxes to-two states if you own two residences in different states. If you sell a property in another state at a profit, generally you owe that state taxes on your gain. If the filing of Form 4868 and the subsequent four-month extension to file does not provide the individual with enough time, he or she can then file Form 2688, known as "Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return." Another option open to the person seeking more time in which to file is to write a letter to the IRS stating the reason the extension is necessary. An individual seeking an extension is advised by the IRS to file Form 4868 before filing Form 2688. Copies of Form 4868 are available by calling the agency's tollfree number which is dedicated to tax form requests (800) 829-3676. Also, the form is available from all main IRS branch offices and from the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov. And if a Seafarer finds himself or herself overseas, he or she can obtain the form from any U.S. embassy or consulate. It is im.portant to bear in m.ind that th.£ filing of Form 4868 requesting an extension does not get one off th.£ hook from. having to pay any taxes due. Form 4868, when sent in, m.ust be accompanied by all tax monies due th.£ U.S. governnumt frmn th.£ individual filing the extension. OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should a Seafarer find himself or herself overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: • Berlin, Germany • Caracas, Venezuela • London, England • Mexico City, Mexico • Nassau, Bahamas • Ottawa, Canada • Paris, France • Riyadh, Saudi Arabia • Rome, Italy • Sao Paulo, Brazil • Sydney, Australia • Tokyo, Japan. / TAXES DUE APRIL 17, 2000 TAX TIPS FOR SEAFARERS Seafarers LOG 13 �---------------------------------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~ -- - ~ - ••II State l'tl•ar1 Dates rater legistratio• leadll•es tot Be•eral Electlo•: Taesd111, llore•bet 1, 2100 State Registration Deadline(s) Primary Date (Presidential I Congressional) 2000 promises to be a very exciting election year. The president of the U.S., as well as members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, will be determined this November 7. In order to vote, you must be registered. The chart below lists some important dates and times you need to know in order to register and to exercise your right to vote. Polling Hours 8 am- 6/8 pm June 6 (Cong. runoff date - June 27) 10 days before an election 7 am - 8 pm Conventions May 19 (R); May 20 (D) I Aug. 22 30 days before an election ALASKA 6 am - 7 pm Feb. 22; March 11 (Dl/ Sept. 12 29 days before an election ARIZONA 7:30 am - 7:30 pm May 23 (Cong. runoff date June 13) 30 days before an election ARKANSAS March 7 · 7 am8 pm 29 days before an election CALIFORNIA 7 am 7 pm March 10 I Aug. 8 29 days before an election COLORADO 6 am 8 pm March 7 I Sept. 12# 14 days before an election CONNECTICUT 7 am 8 pm Feb. 5; Feb. 8 (R) I Sept. 9 20 days prior to general election; DELAWARE 21 days prior to primary election 7 am - 8 pm May2 30 days before an election DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 7 am - 7 pm March 14 I Sept. 5 (runoff date - Oct. 3) 29 days before an election FLORIDA 7 am - 7 pm March 7IJuly18 (runoff date - Aug. 8) The 5th Monday before a general primary, general GEORGIA election or presidential preference primary. The 5th day after the date of the call for all other special primaries and special elections 7 am - 6 pm Caucus March 7 (D); May 19 (R) I Sept. 23 30 days before an election HAWAII 8 am - 8 pm May23 25 days before an election by mail; 24 days before IDAHO an election in person, or election day at the polls 6 am - 7 pm March 21 29 days before primary; 28 days before general election ILLINOIS 6 am - 6 pm May2 29 days before an election IN DIANA 7 am - 9 pm Caucus Jan. 24 I June 6 Delivered by 5 pm 10 days before state primary or general IOWA election; 11 days before all others. A postmark 15 or more days before an election is on time 617 am - 718 pm April 4 I Aug. 1 Delivered 15 days before an election KANSAS 6 am - 6 pm May 23 28 days before an election KENTUCKY 6 am - 8 pm March 14 I Nov. 7 (runoff date - Dec. 9) 24 days before an election LOUISIANA 6/10 am* - 8 pm March 7 I June 13 10 business days before an election or delivered MAINE in person up to and including election day 7 am - 8 pm March 7 9 pm on the 5111 Monday before an election MARYLAND 7 am - 8 pm March 7 I Sept. 19 20 days before an election MASSACHUSETIS 7 am - 8 pm Feb. 22 [Caucus March 11 (D)] I Aug. 8 30 days before an election MICHIGAN 7 am - 8 pm * Caucus March 7 I Sept. 12 Delivered by 5 pm 21 days before an election; MINNESOTA also election day registration at polling places 7 am - 7 pm March 14 (Cong. runoff date - April 4) 30 days before an election MISSISSIPPI 6 am - 7 pm March 7 I Aug. 8 28 days before an election MISSOURI 7 am/noon* - 8 pm* June 6 30 days before an election MONTANA 718 am - 718 pm May 9 The 41h Tuesday before an election or delivered NEBRASKA by 6 p.m. on 2nd Friday before an election 7 am - 7 pm Conventions May 19-21 (D), May 25 (R) I Sept. 5 9 pm on the 5th Sat. before any primary or general NEVADA election. 9 pm on the 3rd Sat. before any recall or special election unless held on same day as primary or general election. Then it remains the 5th Saturday. 11 am - 7 pm Feb. 1 I Sept. 12 10 days before an election, or registration at polls NEW HAMPSHIRE on election day 7 am - 8 pm June 6 29 days before an election NEW JERSEY 7 am - 8 pm June 6 28 days before an election NEW MEXICO 6 am - 9 pm March 7 I Sept. 12 25 days before an election NEW YORK 6:30 am - 7:30 pm May 2 (Cong. runoff date May 30) Postmarked 25 days before an election or received NORTH CAROLINA in elections office or voter registry agency by 5 pm 719 am - 7/9 pm* Conventions Feb. 29 (R), March 7 (D) I June 13 North Dakota does not have voter registration NORTH DAKOTA 6:30 am - 7:30 pm March 7 30 days before an election OHIO 7 am - 7 pm March 14 I Aug. 22 (runoff date - Sept. 19) 25 days before an election OKLAHOMA 7 am - 8 pm May 16 21 days before an election OREGON 7 am - 8 pm April 4 30 days before an election PENNSYLVANIA 7 am/noon - 9 pm March 7 I Sept. 12 30 days before an election RHODE ISLAND 7 am - 7 pm Feb. 19 (R), March 9 (D) I June 13 (runoff dat - June 27) 30 days before an election SOUTH CAROLINA 718 am - 718 pm June 6 (Cong. runoff date - June 20) Delivered 15 days before an election SOUTH DAKOTA 6/8 am - 7/8 pm** March 14 I Aug. 3 30 days before an election TENNESSEE 7 am - 7 pm March 14 (Cong. runoff date - April 11) 30 days before an election TEXAS 7 am - Bpm March 10 I June 27# 20 days before an election UTAH 6/10 am - 7 pm March 7 I Sept. 12 Delivered to town clerk before noon, postmarked or VERMONT submitted to OMV on 2nd Saturday before an election 6 am - 7 pm Feb. 29 (R); Convention June 3 (0) I June 13# Delivered 29 days before an election VlRGINfA 7 am - 8 pm Feb. 29 I Sept. 19 30 days before an election or delivered in person up to WASHINGTON 15 days before an election 6:30 am - 7:30 pm May9 30 days before an election WEST VIRGINIA 719 am - 8 pm April 4 I Sept. 12 13 days before an election or completed in the local WISCONSIN voter registration office 1 day before an election or completed at polling place on election day 7 am - 7 pm March 1OI Aug. 22 30 days before an election or register at polling place WYOMING on election day * Depends on size of jurisdiction; * * 7 pm CST - 8 pm EST;# In Connecticut and Utah, conventions are held by the parties prior to the primary. In Virginia, parties may choose to nominate candidates by convention rather than by primary. SOURCE: U.S. Federal Election Commission. ALABAMA 14 Seafarers LOG Febl'Uary 2000 �·~--- ·- - - --- Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea DECEMBER 16, 1999 - JANUARY 15, 2000 *TOTAL REGISTERED AU Groups TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 30 San Francisco 24 Wilmington Seattle Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals 25 27 11 8 3 6 16 10 14 36 29 3 0 243 17 3 4 14 4 11 13 11 16 7 3 8 12 4 2 130 10 2 2 10 20 9 4 7 15 2 8 16 4 6 19 28 3 18 7 6 4 2 20 20 8 4 0 0 87 7 10 14 2 0 0 189 2 13 4 14 14 6 11 7 3 6 6 5 6 0 2 8 1 0 8 5 9 11 2 3 12 4 6 5 5 2 I 0 0 0 100 78 52 10 11 21 20 18 8 4 6 3 5 22 18 6 71 12 29 45 18 12 21 8 1 6 40 59 16 23 2 1 0 97 23 10 2 6 10 4 5 7 5 5 16 3 13 7 17 1 0 12 4 2 2 4 3 2 0 1 445 183 90 15 53 16 l 7 5 8 7 14 7 7 13 2 8 17 4 0 2 118 11 3 3 5 7 1 2 7 9 9 8 9 3 2 5 4 2 3 0 87 16 1 6 3 0 5 4 5 2 7 3 19 7 6 3 12 2 3 1 0 0 37 5 0 4 16 2 1 2 105 5 4 7 10 3 8 8 4 9 3 3 5 1 5 0 76 0 0 2 4 0 3 l 0 6 3 2 2 0 2 0 26 'Deep sea, takes, 1n1a11d waters Piney Point ............. Monday: March 6, April 3 Baltimore ................Thursday: March 9, April 6 Duluth ..................... Wednesday: March 15, April 12 HonoJulu ................. Friday: March 17, April 14 Houston ..................Monday: March 13. April IO Jacksonville ............Thursday: March 9, April 6 Jersey City .............. Wednesday: March 22, April 19 Mobile .................... Wednesday: March 15, April 12 New Bedford ...•......Tuesday: March 2 l t April 18 New Orteans ...........Tuesday; March 14, April 11 New York................Tuesday: March 7, April 4 Norfolk ...................Thursday: March 9, April 6 Philadelphia ............ Wednesday: March 8, April 5 ENGINE DEPARTMENT Port -iliiSbj ,,.,,,. Algonac ..................Friday: March 1O.. April 7 DECK DEPARTMENT Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Seattle Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals Trip Reliefs • • • & ~I 2111JO 5 24 0 4 3 3 6 6 18 15 36 18 12 19 11 13 4 2 4 6 0 1 7 0 0 0 38 26 3 I 0 211 13 3 2 7 6 16 17 10 11 8 12 6 2 3 0 117 3 l 2 4 3 3 11 2 6 4 0 San Francisco ......... Thursday: March 16, April 13 San Juan ..................Thursday: March 91! April 6 St. Louis .................Friday: March 17~ April 14 Tacoma ................... Friday: March 24, April :21 Wilmington ...............Monday: March 20, April 17 Each potf's meeting starts at 1g..311 a.m. 5 Personals 6 3 0 2 Please call you brother, Joe Engbrock, in Houston at (713) 946-6162. He is very anxious to talk with you. 55 HERMAN COLLIER DEREK MACKAY Please call you wife at (757) 559-6952. Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Seattle Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals 12 1 6 6 8 8 21 29 21 22 2 13 11 0 162 4 1 3 7 2 0 0 2 1 0 5 2 6 2 4 0 6 3 4 9 3 2 3 0 53 0 16 0 0 2 0 36 Port 4 0 New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Seattle Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals 2 0 5 5 11 2 8 5 16 2 0 0 1 62 Totals All Departments 585 20 14 0 0 2 16 1 4 15 8 9 11 8 14 13 11 19 17 9 1 45 6 0 17 0 183 4 120 3 3 14 0 222 453 382 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 9 2 1 6 I 0 0 I 1 2 3 l 9 4 8 13 18 13 5 1 4 2 0 2 6 1 2 5 2 4 1 10 4 4 2 12 46 33 0 14 0 34 3 4 8 0 20 20 2 0 69 6 0 267 21 1 6 10 l 0 0 116 2 2 0 35 0 0 0 0 15 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 4 14 17 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 31 8 0 120 112 0 0 0 0 0 -0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 441 331 231 204 4 6 8 16 1 5 0 0 1 11 0 11 5 6 7 16 3 9 15 7 3 0 16 0 0 3 5 2 0 0 31 5 6 13 16 5 10 IO 11 1 12 10 26 1 9 2 10 7 7 5 4 2 11 6 1 6 2 2 1 5 1 3 0 0 24 1 1 0 2 0 83 45 26 8 0 2 2 42 3 3 20 20 9 11 5 7 22 8 13 5 3 0 3 15 12 10 15 4 21 20 20 PIDLIP REYNOLDS Bridget Booker would like you to give her a call. She is at 1 (800) 375-0060, ext. 5647. CREW MEMBERS FROM THE 1940s Thomas W Hardeman is seeking to contact former crew members who sailed aboard the Richard Montgomery in 1943, the Jacob H. Gallinger in 1943-44, the Joseph H. Hollister in 1944, the William Terry Howell in 1945 and the Tyson Lykes in 1945. Hardeman can be reached at 821 Indigo Avenue, Casey, SC 29033 SURVIVORS OF THE SS ALCOA PILGRIM Retired Seafarer James C. Huffmaster would like to get in touch with fellow crew members who survived the sinking of the SS Alcoa Pi/gram (May 25, 1942). Please contact him via the SIU hall in Mobile, Ala. at (205) 478-0916. Corrections In a photograph published in the November 1999 issue of the LOG, page 13, QMED-Electrician Saro Koumashian of the MFOW was misidentified. In the January 2000 issue, page 5, the article about the late SIU VP Bob Matthews should have stated that he came ashore during the union's formation in the late 1930s and worked as an official from that time until his retirement. 8 9 3 157 2 0 0 1 72 13 0 13 0 98 268 285 1,021 651 475 20 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. February 2000 2 8 3 11 Brotherly Encounter at School The SIU's motto, "Brotherhood of the Sea," may ' mean a bit more to some members than others. For ~ · instance, DEU Abdulsalam Mohamed (left) and AB Fadhl Mohamed are ' brothers who recently caught up on family news while upgrading at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Md. They hadn't seen each other in four years, and were happy to finally renew acquaintance at the school. Seafarers LOG 15 �Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes DECEMBER 16, 1999 MchaeJ Sacco '" President CL - +· .. , ;Jobnfay :&eeutive Vice President David Heindel Secretary-Treasurer ;;,< . . ,,A,~g~s#.n Tellez ·. . Vice President Contracts .Jack Caffey Vice President Atlantic Coast Byron Kelley Vlce President Lakes and Inland Waters DeanCorgey Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone VIce President West Coast Kermett .Mangram Vice President Government Services • )I' Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac 0 22 18 0 13 5 0 5 10 0 40 33 L-Lakes NP - Non Priority TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP *TOTAL REGISTERED AU Groups Class CL Class L Class NP h ;{~~~i!Wiit!ii£i;.@J'; if" r;; Company/Lakes JANUARY 15, 2000 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP DECK DEPARTMENT 10 10 0 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 4 0 7 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 2 7 0 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 21 11 0 0 12 7 0 7 4 0 3 3 0 21 11 HEADQUARTERS 520l Auth Way Camp Springs. MD 2-0746 (101} 899~0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr. Algonac, Ml 4&001 (&lO) 194-4988 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St, #IC Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) SQJ-4988 27 27 0 0 39 78 69 Totals All Depts 0 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. Disp~chers' _/ BALTIMORE Report for Inland Waters DECEMBER 16, 1999 - JANUARY 15, 2000 1216 E. Baltimore St. *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 327-4900 DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-4110 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St. Honolulu, I;Jl .96& 19 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St. Houst<Jn, TX 7'§002 (713) 659..5152 J JEBSEYCITY 99 Montgomery·St Hersey Cio/{Nl 0'?302 (201) 435-9424 ',J»;OBILE .y t 640bauphin lslallii PkWy. Mobile, AL 36605 . (334) 478-0916 NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St. New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 99M404 NEW ORLEANS 39ll Lapako 81vd. Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 32S-7545 .NEW YORK 635Fourth Ave. Broo.klyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St Norfolk, VA 23510 Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes, Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes, Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes, Inland Waters West Coast Totals 0 1 30 3 0 3 0 1 34 4 0 0 17 0 0 1 0 0 17 1 0 0 9 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 10 0 3 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 1 0 0 20 0 0 2 10 0 30 0 3 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 2 0 3 10 6 0 18 2 5 0 18 0 14 32 0 0 0 14 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 15 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 13 0 0 14 0 6 4 47 37 0 5 14 60 Totals All Depts *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port . **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 0 36 PIC-FROM-THE-PAST (757) 622-1892 .PHILADELPHJA 2604 S.4 St. .Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PlNEYPOlNT P,0.Box 75 Piney Point, MD 20674 {301) 994-00 l 0 J?ORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN Ji'RANCJSCO 350 Fremont St San Francisco~ CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Govemment Servjces Division (4 l 5) 861 ·3400 SA.NTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave.. Stop 16}'2 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST.LOUIS 45&1 Gravois Ave. St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South UuionAve. Tacoma, WA 93409 (253) 272-7774 WlLM.INGTON 51() N. Broad Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 0 l 0) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOG This photo was sent to the Seafarers LOG by Mary Geiling, the widow of pensioner Richard Geiling of Shoreline, Wash. It was taken during the Christmas season in 1955 aboard the hopper dredge Sand Captain in Venezuela. Geiling is the tallest member of the galley gang in this photo. Other identified members are "Andy Messina, Tom, Frank, Jim and Frenchy." Mrs. Geiling notes that her husband, who was an active member for 40 years (from 1951 until his retirement in 1991 ), died this past June. His ashes were scattered at sea from the deck of the Sea-Land Reliance-and he is greatly missed. February 2000 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. ne recertified bosun is among the 12 Seafarers announcing their retirements this month. Representing 46 years of active union membership, Recertified Bosun Hubert C. Cain is a graduate of the highest level of training available to members in the deck department at the SIU's training school in Piney Point, Md. Including Cain, nine of the retiring Seafarers shipped in the deep sea division, two sailed on inland vessels and one plied the Great Lakes. Six of the retiring pensioners worked in the deck department, five sailed in the engine department and one shipped in the steward department. Seven of the pensioners served in the U.S. military-six in the Army and one in the Navy. This month, half of the pensioners have retired to the Gulf states and two each have chosen to live on the East Coast, Midwest and Puerto Rico. On this page the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of the retiring Seafarers. 0 DEEP SEA JOSE A. BERDIEL, 58, joined the Seafarers in 1967 in the port of New York. His first ship was the Bienville, operated by Sea-Land Service. The Puerto Rico native worked in the engine department and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Prior to retiring, he worked on the Humacao, an NPR, Inc. vessel. Brother Berdiel makes his home in Cleveland, Ohio. RAMON BONAFONT, 60, started his career with the SIU in 1964 in the port of New York. He first sailed aboard the Colorado, a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. Born in Puerto Rico, he sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School. During his career, he was active in union organizing drives. Brother Bonafont last sailed aboard the Sea-Land Producer. Carolina, P.R. is where he calls home. GEORGE BRUER, 66, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1959 from the port of New York. He sailed in the deck department and frequently upgraded his skills at the Sill's training school in Piney Point, Md. Born in Germany, he became a U.S. citizen and served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. During his career, he was active in union organizing drives. February 2000 Brother Bruer has retired to Indian Harbor, Fla. HUBERTC. CAIN, 65 first sailed with the SIU in 1952 in the port of Mobile, Ala. His first ship was the Alcoa Polaris. A native of Alabama, he worked in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1974. From 1963 to 1965, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Cain last sailed aboard a Sea-Land Service vessel. He calls Mobile home. WALTERW. CHANCEY, 58, graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in 1958 and joined the Seafarers in the port of Mobile, Ala. Brother Chancey's first ship was the Alcoa Partner. Born in Florida, he worked in the engine department and frequently upgraded at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. During his career, he was active in union organizing drives. Prior to retiring, he worked aboard the Sea-Land Express. He makes his home in Seffner, Fla. ARTHURR. LANG, 62, joined the SIU in 1968 in the port of Jacksonville, Fla. His first ship was the Longview Victory. A native of Florida, he worked in the deck department. From 1956 to 1958, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Lang last sailed aboard the Galveston Bay, a Sea-Land Service vessel. He has retired to Jacksonville. ANGELL. O'NEILL, 61, started his career with the Seafarers in 1958 in the port of New York. Born in Puerto Rico, he sailed in the steward department. He was active in union organizing drives during his career. Brother O'Neill last sailed aboard the Mayaguez, operated by NPR, Inc. Carolina, P.R. is where he calls home. LARRIE L. PROFFITT, 88, began his career with the SIU in 1955. Born in Hawaii, he worked in the engine depart- . ~. . - ment as a chief electrician. Brother Proffitt last sailed in 1978 aboard the Newark, a SeaLand Service vessel. He makes his home in Baltimore. DONAL RAY SWANNER, 72, joined the Seafarers in 1977 in the port of Houston. Born in Oklahoma, he started his sailing career in the deck department aboard inland vessels. Brother Swanner later transferred to the deep sea division and worked in the engine department. During his career, he upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. From 1953 to 1956, he served in the U.S. Navy. Prior to retiring, he worked aboard the Paul Buck, an Ocean Ships, Inc. vessel. He has retired to Channelview, Texas. INLAND TERRYR. LeBLANC, 65, joined the Seafarers in 1954 in the port of Houston. The Texas native began working in the deck department and later transferred to the engine department. Boatman LeBlanc last sailed aboard the Manta, a G&H Towing Co. vessel. Aransas Pass, Texas is where he calls home. From 1956 to 1958 he served in the U.S. Army. MICHAELJ. POWELL, 55, first sailed with the SIU in 1970 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Born in Virginia, he worked as a captain. Boatman Powell last sailed in 1997 aboard the Escort, operated by Express Marine. He makes his home in Poquoson, Va. GREAT LAKES TIMOTHY W. WALLACE, 52, began his career with the Seafarers in 1971. The Michigan native sailed in the engine department and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School. From 1967 to 1969, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Wallace last sailed in 1998 aboard the Buffalo, an American Steamship Co. vessel. Alpena, Mich. is where he calls home. Aboard the Pathftnder Continued from page 10 Due to the shallow depth of the Surinam River, we could take only a partial load of the ore. We were to stop at Port of Spain, Trinidad for the remainder of the cargo. The deck gang used our high pressure fire hoses to wash down the ship as we made good time down the river. We were glad to see the open ocean and escape the heat, even if it did mean there was a danger of running afoul of one of Der Fuehrer's submarines. In Port of Spain, there was frantic construction. They were building an airbase that could be used for aircraft to protect shipping, and as a ferry base for flights to Africa and Europe. As I walked up the street, a catchy little tune called "Rum and Coca Cola" blasted at maximum volume from every cantina's open doorway. "Go down Point Cumana - both Motha an' Dahta -workin' fo' the Yankee dollah." Point Cumana happened to be the red light district. It was war time, and some of the people were destitute. As we sailed back to Mobile with our full load of aluminum ore, we heard reports of ships being sunk near our intended route. Capt. Dumke changed course frequently to keep us well clear of the latest enemy action. I had asked for a relief on arrival in Mobile, but much to my disappointment, none was available. I had to make a second voyage with the horses and cows. During the final week of that second voyage in early May 1942, Adm. Doenitz, commander of the German navy, moved a wolf pack of his submarines into the Gulf of Mexico. Our Navy was helpless to combat this maneuver, and ships were being sunk even at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Like the run up the East Coast, the Gulf became a shooting gallery for the enemy. The radioed cries for help from torpedoed ships were heartwrenching, but there was nothing we could do except try to make it into Mobile Bay- where my relief was waiting. Five days after I signed off the ship in Mobile, the German submarine U-181 slammed a torpedo into the Pathfinder as she crossed the Gulf. Six months later at an island in the South Pacific called Guadalcanal, I received a report that the survivors had taken to the lifeboats and were picked up days later by a ship bound for Laurenco Marques, Mozambique, where they were put ashore. The animals did not survive. JMS SS Alcoa Pathfinder 20,000 seamen. In response to the demonstration, Adm. John Harllee, chairman of the federal Maritime 1947 In a stirring demonstration of inter-union supCommission, promised a "confident, deterport, the Seafarers International Union took to mined and aggressive effort" to aid in the solvthe streets of downtown New York in support ing of the Puerto Rico freight rates controver· rr;:::::::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::==m sy. He said that such of the strike of the United Financial a solution should be Employees, Local 205, found without having AFL. More than 200 to resort to the use white-capped Seafarers Aj tt a~ of foreign-flag vessels joined the picket lines l "f _ _V - l ' .ft f ' in Puerto Rican and distributed more trade. than 25,000 leaflets, prepared by the SIU,. to 1992 inform the public of the need for organizing The MV R.]. Pfeiffer, the only large commerthe underpaid workers in the brokerage busicial ship under construction in the United ness. States, was christened February 15 at a ship· yard in San Diego. The new 71 4-foot contain· 1965 At a joint demonstration in San Juan, the SIU ership is owned by Matson Navigation strongly protested attempts by the government Company and is named for the company's chief executive officer and chairman of the and certain industry leaders on the island to board. Delivery of the ship is scheduled for allow foreign-flag vessels to enter the Puerto Rico trade. The SIU warned that the introduc- June, with service commencing in August .... The cost for the Pfeiffer is $ 129 million and tion of foreign-flag shipping into the island does not include government subsidies. trade could result in the unemployment of Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG THJS MO TH J· SJ HJS?,O, Seafarers LOS 11 �Final DeparturesDEEP SEA LEON A. ACOSTA Pensioner Leon A. Acosta, 74, passed away December 7, 1999. Born in Colombia, he first sailed with the Seafarers in 1967 aboard the Falmouth. Brother Acosta sailed in the engine department as a chief electrician. Prior to retiring in June 1991, he signed off the Robert E. Lee, a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. He was a resident of New Orleans. MICHAEL J. BARROW Michael J. Barrow, 49, died November 22, 1999. He began his career with the SIU in 1981 from the port of San Francisco. His L---....:.!J=...-.....lllZ..---l first SIU ship was the Santa Maria, operated by Delta Steamship Lines. During his career, he sailed in all three departments. Brother Barrow last sailed aboard the Global Link. Born in Jamaica, he made his home in Richmond, Va. CASIMIR BOGUCKI Pensioner Casimir Bogucki, 74, died November 11, 1999. A native of Pennsylvania, he joined the SIU in 1948 in the port of New York. Brother Bogucki sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. Prior to retiring in September 1987, he signed off the Overseas Alice. Reno, Nev. was his home. MILTON G. BROUSSARD Pensioner MiltonG. Broussard, 85, passed away November 11 , 1999. Born in Louisiana, he first sailed with the Seafarers in t 1956 aboard the Antinous, a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. Brother Broussard worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard the Banner, operated by International Ocean Transport Corp. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1944. He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1933 to 1940. He was a resident of Yardley, Pa. and began receiving his pension in 1979. RICHARD S. BYNUM Pensioner Richard S. Bynum, 68, died November 14, 1999. He began his career with the SIU in 1978, first sailing on the Del Sol, """"""""""'----"' operated by Delta Steamship Lines. Brother Bynum sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the SIU's training school in Piney Point, Md. , where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1988. The Louisiana native served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1952. He made his home in Seattle and retired in December 1997. His last ship was the Global Sentinel, a Transoceanic Cable Ship Co. vessel. SALVATOR CANDELA Pensioner Salvator Candela, 73, 18 Seafarers LOG passed away May 25, 1999. Brother Candela joined the Seafarers in 1942 in the port of New Orleans. During his career, he L__.....,L"'""'""...__ _ _ J worked in the deck department and was active in union organizing drives. Prior to retiring in August 1986, he worked aboard the Sea-Land Producer. New Orleans was his home. GUILLERMO S. CASTRO SR. Pensioner Guillermo Castro Sr., 78, died November 24, 1999. Born in Puerto Rico, he began sailing with the SIU in 1945 from the port of Philadelphia. The deck department member was active in union organizing drives and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1974. Brother Castro last sailed aboard the Boston, a Sea-Land Service vessel. A resident of Ludowici, Ga., he began receiving his pension in 1983. LEONG CHUN Pensioner Leong Chun, 89, passed away November 22, 1999. Brother Chun joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards. He sailed as a member of the steward department and started receiving his pension in June 1970. He was a resident of San Francisco. WILLIAM HUNTER =-,,,..--~ Pensioner William Hunter, 73, passed away October 29, 1999. Brother Hunter joined the Seafarers in 1955 in the port of Mobile, Ala. A native of Alabama, he worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard the OMI Sacramento. A resident of Mobile, he started receiving his pension in April 1990. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. JOSEPH KRISTOF Pensioner Joseph Kristof, 83, died November 12, 1999. Born in Wisconsin, he started his career with the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S) in 1952 in the port of San Francisco. He sailed in the steward department and began receiving his pension in August 1978. Brother Kristof was a resident of Santa Rosa, Calif. HERIBERTO MIRANDA Pensioner Heriberto Miranda, 74, passed away November 29, 1999. A native of Cuba, he first sailed with the Seafarers in 1953. Brother Miranda worked in the engine department and started receiving his pension in July 1990. He made his home in Miami. JOSEPH COLLINS LIN SUEYONG Pensioner Joseph Collins, 52, died December 15, 1999. A native of Alabama, he graduated from the SIU's entry level training program in 1968 and joined the union in the port of New Orleans. Brother Collins worked in the engine department and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School. A resident of Mobile, Ala., he began receiving his pension in April 1994. Pensioner Lin Suey Ong, 87, died October 10, 1999. Brother Ong began sailing with the MC&S in 1946 from the port of San Francisco. Born in China, he worked in the steward department and retired in August 1973. San Francisco was his home. WILLIAM J. DUNNIGAN Pensioner William J. Dunnigan, 92, passed away December 1, 1999. Born in Maryland, he joined the Seafarers in 1945 in the port of Baltimore. He worked in the engine department as a chief electrician. Brother Dunnigan last sailed aboard the Kainalu and started receiving his pension in December 1985. He was a resident of Bel Air, Md. ANGEL GARCIA Pensioner Angel Garcia, 85, died recently. He began his career with the SIU in 1948 from the port of New York. Born in Florida, he worked in the steward department and upgraded his skills at the Sill's training center in Piney Point, Md. During his career, he was active in union organizing drives. Prior to retiring in October 1979, he worked aboard the Guayama, operated by Puerto Rico Marine Management. Tampa, Fla. is where he called home. GENE A. PASCHALL Pensioner Gene A. Paschall, 74, passed away November 28, 1999. He first sailed with the Seafarers in 1946 aboard the Joseph I. Kemp. A native of Texas, he worked in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1979. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. Prior to retiring in April 1992, Brother Paschall worked aboard the Star of Texas, operated by Seahawk Management, Inc. He was a resident of Eagle Lake, Texas. THOMAS R. READING Pensioner Thomas R. Reading, 80, died October 18, 1999. Born in California, he started his career with the SIU in 1966 in the port of San Francisco. His first ship was the Beloit Victory. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the SIU 's training center in Piney Point, Md., where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1980. Prior to retiring in September 1985, he sailed aboard the Sea-Land Independence. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1940 to 1946. During the Persian Gulf War, Brother Reading came out of retirement and sailed aboard the USNS DeSteiguer. He made his home in Central, Utah. EMIL H. RIUTTA Pensioner Emil H. Riutta, 78, passed away November 14, 1999. A native of Oregon, he joined the Seafarers in 1957 in the port of Seattle. During his career, he worked in the engine department and was active in union organizing drives. Brother Riutta last sailed aboard the SeaLand Philadelphia and began receiving his pension in November 1986. Astoria, Ore. was his home. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946. RUDOLPH ROMA Pensioner Rudolph Roma, 67, died December 7, 1999. Brother Roma began his career with the SIU in 1962 in the port of Houston, first sailing aboard the Santa Emilia. The Texas native worked in the engine department. He retired in May 1995, last sailing aboard the Overseas Alice. Brother Roma was a resident of Spring, Texas. PETER SERNYK Pensioner Peter Sernyk, 78, passed away October 31, 1999. He first sailed with the Seafarers in 1951. Born in Poland, he L----=.~......... . . : L - - - l worked in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the SIU's training center in Piney Point, Md., where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1975. Prior to retiring in December 1987, Brother Sernyk sailed aboard the !TB Mobile. He made his home in Ringwood, NJ. sailed in the deck department and attended an education conference in 1978 at the SIU's training school in Piney Point, L - - - - = . . ; ; . . . . . ; ; . - - - - ' Md. A resident of Mathews, Va., he last sailed in 1985 aboard a Moran Towing Co. vessel. SIDNEY JACKSON Pensioner Sidney Jackson, 89, passed away November 16, 1999. He began sailing with the SIU in 1957 from the port of Mobile, Ala. He worked in the steward department and began receiving his pension in May 1976. Boatman Jackson was a resident of Carlton, Ala. GREAT LAKES HENRY J. BENTON Pensioner Henry J. Benton, 84, passed away November 19, 1999. Brother Benton began sailing with the Seafarers in L--~~~-__. 1950 from the port of Chicago. The Michigan native worked in the engine department, last sailing aboard the Adam E. Cornelius, operated by American Steamship Co. A resident of North Muskegon, Mich., he began receiving his pension in March 1977. VANDELIN P. KOVALIK Pensioner Vandelin P. Kovalik, 82, died November 2, 1999. Born in Ohio, he first sailed with the S 1948 in the port of I-arta. He started in the steward department and later transferred to the deck department. Brother Kovalik last worked aboard the Lakewood, an Erie Sand Steamship Co. vessel. He was a resident of Richmond Heights, Ohio and retired in April 1982. INLAND DONALD L. MASKELL ROYCE M. CARAWAN Pensioner Donald L. Maskell, 62, passed away November 16, 1999. A native of Michigan, he joined the Seafarers in 1964 in the port of Detroit. Brother Maskell began working in the engine department and later transferred to the deck department. A resident of Alpena, Mich., he started receiving his pension in 1994. Pensioner Royce M. Carawan, 64, died November 27, 1999. A native of North Carolina, he began sailing with SIU in 1961 from the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Carawan worked in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. From 1952 to 1955, he served in the U.S. Navy. He last sailed aboard an Allied Towing Co. vessel and retired in February 1997. Boatman Carawan was a resident of Scranton, N.C. HENRY S. GEORGE Pensioner Henry S. George, 84, passed away November 23, 1999. He joined the SIU in 1961 in the port of Norfolk, Va. '--.i.L..-"""L...o......1...L.---' The Virginia native worked as a tugboat captain, last sailing aboard a McAllister Towing Co. vessel. A resident of Whitestone, Va., Boatman George began receiving his pension in February 1979. ROBERT F. HUDGINS Robert F. Hudgins, 54, died December 3, 1999. Boatman Hudgins started his career with the Seafarers in 1962 in the port of Norfolk, Va. The Virginia native HOWARD N. NEGARD Pensioner Howard N. N egard, 86, died November 4, 1999. He started his career with the SIU in 1961 in the port of Duluth, Minn. A native of Minnesota, he sailed as a member of the engine department. Brother Negard made his home in Duluth and retired in November 1978. RAILROAD MARINE JAMES J. MONTENES Pensioner James J. "'• Montenes, 78, passed away November 27, 1999. Brother Montenes joined the Seafarers in I 960 in the port of New York. The ?-W York native sailed as a deckhand and started receiving his pension in December 1981. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945. He was a resident of Waterloo, N.Y. February 2000 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings The Sealare~s LOG attemptJ to print as many digests of onion shipboard mmutes as possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted. Ship~ minutes li~t are reviewed by the union's contract department. Those issues ~equmng a~en!io~ or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. SEA-LAND CHALLENGER (Sea-Land Service), August 1Chairman Richard L. Volkart, Secretary William E. Bragg, Educational Director Herman Manzer, Deck Delegate Frank Cammuso, Engine Delegate Teddie H. Carter, Steward Delegate Henry 0. Wright Jr. Chairman noted that new toaster received and installed in crew mess. He led discussion of announcement of Maersk's intended acquisition of Sea-Land's international assets. Awaiting more ~nformation. Secretary passed on mformation pertaining to asbestos settlement and talked about relaxed assessment for STCW compliance. Educational director stressed importance of regular upgrading and benefits of attending Piney Point. He noted that as more ~equirements and training are lmposed on livelihood of seafarers it is more important than ever to ' remain current and up-to-date. No beefs or disputed OT. Suggestion made and forwarded to contracts department to revamp Article V of standard contract to better relate to three-man steward department which is now norm. Request ~ade to bring up issue of late standbys at next union meeting in Wilmington Calif. Inquiry made as to lack of ' fans in cabins and common areas. Steward will investigate. Crew members getting off vessel should vacate cabin for new member. If overnight stay courtesy extended, then he should move to spare cabin. Next ports: Oakland and Long Beach, Calif. · SEA-LAND EXPLORER (SeaLand Service), August 13Chairman David Messick Secretary William Burdette Educational Director Robert J. Flesey Jr., Deck Delegate James C. Henry, Engine Delegate Jesse Manard, Steward Delegate Michael Briscoe. Chairman announced payoff after arrival August 17 in Long Beach, Calif Educational director reminded ~veryone about fire fighting trainmg at Paul Hall Center and about STCW requirements. Treasurer announced $1,200 in ship's fund. Chief Cook Briscoe purchased video rewinder for ship and will be r~imbursed. He also wants to buy n~e cooker for galley. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Notice received from VP Contacts Augie Tellez regarding sale of portion of Sea-Land to Maersk. Suggestion made and forwarded to contracts department to change time required for tour of duty. All hands reminded to take complaints directly to department delegate. SEA-LAND VOYAGER (SeaLand Service), August 2Chairman Stephen R. Garay, Secre~ James E. Harper, Educattonal Director DiMarko L. Shoulders, Deck Delegate Edward F. O'Brien, Engine Delegate P. Alegado, Steward Delegate Jorge A. Barahona. Chairman announced extended deadline for STCW relaxed assessment. He also reminded everyone to get TRBs signed by mate or engineer and urged crew to consider upgrading skills or endorsements at Piney Point. Secretary noted upgrading is vital to maritime February 2000 industry. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Explanation of Maersk Sea-Land agreement read, discussed and posted. Steward related difficulty ordering adequate stores. MAERSK ARIZONA (Maersk Lines), September 29-Chairman Scott A. Heginbotham, Secretary Joseph S. Henby, Educational Director David W. King, Deck Delegate Joseph LeBeau, Steward Delegate Raford Nixon. Chairman noted seamen must complete 70 days or two trips to receive transport home. Parts available for crew mess salad bar and should be fixed soon; dumbwaiter still waiting on parts for repair as are several washers and dryers. Some transformers available aboard ship and must be signed for and returned. Chairman reminded all hands to make sure to firmly close both elevator doors. Discussion held on hatch-handling safety. Secretary noted ship to transit Suez Canal, then head to Djibouti, Africa and Chittagong, Bangladesh. Educational director stressed need for crew members to have STCW basic safety endorsements. Treasurer announced $20 in ship's fund. Clarification requested on rates for ABs going directly from watch to deckjobs. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Question raised concerning issuance of coveralls and high prices in slop chest. NORTHERN LIGHTS (IUM), September 28-Chairman John O. Glenn,. Secretary Gregory Keene, Educat10nal Director Daniel P. Mitchell, Deck Delegate Saleh Ali, Engine Delegate Mark D. Savage, Steward Delegate Jose P. Maglalang. Captain thanked crew for good work during storm last trip. Bosun pleased with crew for keeping laundry room and passageways clean and gave vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. He urged members to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. Secretary noted new television on board. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made and forwarded to contracts department to raise monthly pension allowances. Members want clarification on possible reimbursement for money deducted from pay for New Jersey Health Care, which doesn't affect them. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. PETERSBURG (IUM), October 24--Chairman Eddie E. Hall Secretary Oscar R. Angeles, ' Educational Director John P. D' Alessandro, Steward Delegate Mohamed Muthanna. Chairman announced ship under new management. So far, nothing changed from old company, and vessel still under coastwise articles. Educationa~ director urged crew to keep up wtth current upgrading courses at Piney Point. Treasurer announced $165 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. SEA-LAND DISCOVERY (SeaLand Service), October 17Chairman Nelson Sala, Secretary D~nald C. Spangler, Educational Drrector Roger M. Wasserman, Dec~ Delegate Ron J. Sagadraca, Engme Delegate Ricky D. Arroyo, Steward Delegate Susan Moe. c.hairman noted everything runnmg smoothly. Payoff expected this voyage in Long Beach, Calif. Secretary reported good crew and reminded them to leave clean rooms for reliefs. Educational director stated upgrading at Paul Hall Center can improve skills and job security. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications read and posted regarding upcoming vote about SIU-NMU merger. Next ports: Oakland and Long Beach Calif ' SEA-LAND KODIAK (Sea-Land Service), October 30-Chairman Roger Reinke, Secretary Melvin E. Morgan, Educational Director Marvin Wells, Deck Delegate Basil D. Stolen, Engine Delegate Jan Haidir, Steward Delegate Sam Kassem. Chairman announced vessel entering shipyard November 25 until December 5. Not yet sure whether company will keep everyone. Educational director advised crew members to use facilities at Piney Point to upgrade education and get credentials needed in future to ensure eligibility and job security. He also stressed need for everyone to vote on merger of SIU and NMU. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made and sent to contracts department for consideration to reduce seatime needed for vacation pay. Also recommended Welfare Plan pay full cost of optical and dental benefits. Next ports: Tacoma, Wash. and Anchorage and Kodiak, Alaska. SEA-LAND TRADER (Sea-Land Service), October 31-Chairman Larry Watson, Secretary Richard Riley, Educational Director Edward Rynberg. Chairman stated new VCR received and in use in crew lounge. Tape rewinder still to be purchased. Vote of thanks given to deck department for dealing with winch on back deck (due to ~e repaired by shoreside personnel m Tacoma). Educational director noted he upgraded last year at Piney Point and suggested all Seafarers look into upgrading in their departments for whatever endorsement they might need to keep sailing. Treasurer announced several hundred dollars in ship's fund from which $50 is spent each trip for fresh fish in Guam. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications read and posted regarding proposed SIU-NMU merger. EL MORRO (IUM), November 29-Chairman William J. Card, Secretary Gina Lightfoot, Educational Director Fredrick W. Dougherty Jr., Deck Delegate Angelo Wilcox Sr., Engine Delegate Eliesel Montalvo, Steward Delegate Robert G. Maschmeier. Chairman announced payoff in San Juan, P.R. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Discussion held on SIU-NMU merger. Suggestion made to get refrigerators for all unlicensed personnel. Vote of thanks given to steward department and unlicensed apprentice for fine job. GALVESTON BAY (Sea-Land Service), November I I-Chairman Paul Dornes, Secretary Hasan A. Rahman, Educational Director Francis C. Quebedeaux, Deck Delegate Charles B. Collins, Steward Delegate Larry L. Griffin. Chairman announced payoff in Jacksonville, Fla. November 12. He advised crew members to take advantage of courses at Piney Point. He also noted toll-free number for questions on TRBs and STCW requirements. Secretary stressed importance of contributing to SPAD and upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. HUMACAO (NPR, Inc.), November 21-Chairman David Murray, Secretary Raymond Jones, Educational Director William F. Payne, Engine Delegate Kenneth L. Biddle, Steward Delegate Pedro Rodriguez. Payoff scheduled November 22 in Jacksonville, Fla. Chairman advised everyone that Communication from VP Contracts Augie Tellez read and posted rega;ding new ships' meetings. Chairman also read several articles from Seafarers LOG about SIUNMU merger. Suggestion made to lower vacation requirements to 60 days. Clarification requested on Ready for Lunch on the Osprey When the Osprey arrived in the port of Norfolk, Va. recently, steward department members went to work fixing lunch for the crew. From the left aboard the Osprey-Acomarit vessel are Steward Gregory Johnson, Chief Cook Lawrence Winfield, SA Max HassellEl and Steward Felipe P. Orlanda. $160 in ship's fund to be used for videos for crew. He also advised them of February 2002 deadline for STCW compliance. Secretary sug~est~d all members going on vacatton m December be sure to vote at union hall on SIU-NMU merger and upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made to have shipyard layoff period extended to 60-90 days, instead of current 30day period, so members can reclaim jobs. Request also made to have Welfare Plan cover prescription medication for dependents and for vacation time to be used as seatime for retirement purposes. Everyone reminded to have TRBs signed off by chief mate for any training and demos on board. Vote of thanks given to steward department for excellent meals. Next port: San Juan, P.R. LIBERTY SEA (Liberty Maritime), November 28Chairman Harold L. Sebring, Secretary Thomas D. Kreis Educational Director Micha~l A. Birke, Deck Delegate Harry G. Champagne, Steward Delegate Christopher M. Green. Chairman reported receipt of new ice machine for crew. Next port is New Orleans where vessel will load and proceed to Philippines. Secretary asked everyone getting off to strip bunks and have clean linen ready for next crew member. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading at Piney Point and getting STCW endorsements. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department given vote of thanks for job well done. Requests made for new toaster, bread box and hook for ice machine scoop. M_AERSK COLORADO (Maersk Lme), November 14--Chairman Mohamed S. Ahmed, Secretary Hugh E. Wildermuth, Educational Director Everett W. Snow, Deck Delegate George Jordanides, Engine Delegate Robert J. Arneel, Steward Delegate Lionel Packnett. Ship to pay offNovember 17 in Charleston, S.C., according to chairman. He thanked crew for good job and helping keep ship clean. Discussion held on STCW requirements. Crew members ~waiting answer to previous questlons on Money Purchase Pension Plan. Educational director urged everyone to upgrade at Paul Hall Center at frrst opportunity. No beefs or disputed OT reported. GUD work hours. Antenna needed for crew lounge. Before next payoff, ship headed to Bahamas Miami, Panama and Colombia. MAYAGUEZ (NPR, Inc.), November 22-Chairman Roan R. Lightfoot, Secretary George Vorise Jr., Educational Director Michael C. Martykan. Discussion held on SIU-NMU merger. Chairman stated SIU is respected organization within maritime industry and on Capitol Hill because it has consistently stood up for its members. Secretary stated payoff in Philadelphia November 26. He advised crew members to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. Educational director informed crew that upon completion of relief period, members are entitled to file for vacation benefits for that period. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Everyone reminded that safety is number one priority aboard ship. OVERSEAS NEW YORK (Alaska Tanker Co.), November 8-Chairman J. Carlos Loureiro Secretary Nancy Heyden, ' Educational Director Edward Self Engine Delegate Michael P. ' Brown. Chairman noted receipt of raise retroactive to May 12, 1999. Those who did not receive it at home should call Keystone Shipping. Payoff scheduled for November I 0 at anchor in Port Angeles. Patrolman from Seattle hall will attend. Asst. VP Nick C~lona came aboard ship in Richmond, Calif. to discuss possible SIU-NMU merger. Letter from headquarters regarding merger also received and posted in crew lounge. Secretary asked that wet paint gloves not be left on washers and dryers. Educational director reminded crew to attend safety classes at Piney Point in order to continue shipping. No beefs or dis~uted OT reported. Several suggestlons made and sent to contracts department for consideration. They included being able to file for vacation pay after working 90 days, being able to retire with full benefits after 20 years of seatime, regardless of age at retirement and abolishing the one-day seatim~ requirement in six months to remain eligible for medical benefits. Vote of thanks given to steward department for good food, to deck department for hard work on ?eek, ~nd to engine room for keepmg ship running. New furniture for crew lounge expected soon. Seafarers LOG 19 �Digest of Shipboard . Union Meetings The Seafare'? LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard mmutes as possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted. Ship~ minutes 11~1 are reviewed by the union's contract department. Those rssues !"'qumng a~en!io~ or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships mmutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. SEA-LAND CHALLENGER (Sea-Land Service), August 1Chairman Richard L. Volk.art Secretary William E. Bragg, ' Educational Director Herman Manzer, Deck Delegate Frank Cammuso, Engine Delegate Teddie H. Carter, Steward Delegate Henry 0. Wright Jr. Chairman noted that new toaster received and installed in crew mess. He led discussion of announcement of Maersk's intended acquisition of Sea-Land's international assets. Awaiting more ~nformation. Secretary passed on mformation pertaining to asbestos settlement and talked about relaxed assessment for STCW compliance. Educational director stressed importance of regular upgrading and benefits of attending Piney Point. He noted that as more ~equirements and training are imposed on livelihood of seafarers it is more important than ever to ' remain current and up-to-date. No beefs or disputed OT. Suggestion made and forwarded to contracts department to revamp Article V of standard contract to better relate to three-man steward department which is now norm. Request ~ade to bring up issue of late standbys at next union meeting in Wilmington Calif. Inquiry made as to lack of ' fans in cabins and common areas. Steward will investigate. Crew members getting off vessel should vacate cabin for new member. If overnight stay courtesy extended, then he should move to spare cabin. Next ports: Oakland and Long Beach, Calif. · SEA-LAND EXPLORER (SeaLand Service), August 13Chairman David Messick Secretary William Burdette Educational Director Robert J. Flesey Jr., Deck Delegate James C. Henry, Engine Delegate Jesse Manard, Steward Delegate Michael Briscoe. Chairman announced payoff after arrival August 17 in Long Beach, Calif Educational director reminded ~veryone about fire fighting trainmg at Paul Hall Center and about STCW requirements. Treasurer announced $1,200 in ship's fund. Chief Cook Briscoe purchased video rewinder for ship and will be r~imbursed. He also wants to buy n~e cooker for galley. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Notice received from VP Contacts Augie Tellez regarding sale of portion of Sea-Land to Maersk. Suggestion made and forwarded to contracts department to change time required for tour of duty. All hands reminded to take complaints directly to department delegate. SEA-LAND VOYAGER (SeaLand Service), August 2Chairman Stephen R. Garay, Secret3!Y James E. Harper, Educational Director DiMarko L. Shoulders, Deck Delegate Edward F. O'Brien, Engine Delegate P. Alegado, Steward Delegate Jorge A. Barahona. Chairman announced extended deadline for STCW relaxed assessment. He also reminded everyone to get TRBs signed by mate or engineer and urged crew to consider upgrading skills or endorsements at Piney Point. Secretary noted upgrading is vital to maritime February 2000 industry. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Explanation of Maersk Sea-Land agreement read, discussed and posted. Steward related difficulty ordering adequate stores. M_AERSK ARIZONA (Maersk Lmes), September 29-Chairman Scott A. Heginbotham, Secretary Joseph S. Henby, Educational Director David W. King, Deck Delegate Joseph LeBeau, Steward Delegate Raford Nixon. Chairman noted seamen must complete 70 days or two trips to receive transport home. Parts available for crew mess salad bar and should be fixed soon; dumbwaiter still waiting on parts for repair as are several washers and dryers. Some transformers available aboard ship and must be signed for and returned. Chairman reminded all hands to make sure to firmly close both elevator doors. Discussion held on hatch-handling safety. Secretary noted ship to transit Suez Canal, then head to Djibouti, Africa and Chittagong, Bangladesh. Educational director stressed need for crew members to have STCW basic safety endorsements. Treasurer announced $20 in ship's fund. Clarification requested on rates for ABs going directly from watch to deck jobs. No beefs or. disputed OT reported. Question raised concerning issuance of coveralls and high prices in slop chest. NORTHERN LIGHTS (IUM), September 28--Chairman John O. Glenn,_ Secretary Gregory Keene, Educat10nal Director Daniel P. Mitchell, Deck Delegate Saleh Ali, Engine Delegate Mark D. Savage, Steward Delegate Jose P. Maglalang. Captain thanked crew for good work during storm last trip. Bosun pleased with crew for keeping laundry room and passageways clean and gave vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. He urged members to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. Secretary noted new television on board. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made and forwarded to contracts department to raise monthly pension allowances. Members want clarification on possible reimbursement for money deducted from pay for New Jersey Health Care, which doesn't affect them. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. PETERSBURG (IUM), October 24-Chairman Eddie E. Hall Secretary Oscar R. Angeles, ' Educational Director John P. D' Alessandro, Steward Delegate Mohamed Muthanna. Chairman announced ship under new management. So far, nothing changed from old company, and vessel still under coastwise articles. Educationa~ director urged crew to keep up with current upgrading courses at Piney Point. Treasurer announced $165 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. SEA-LAND DISCOVERY (SeaLand Service), October 17Chairman Nelson Sala, Secretary D?nald C. Spangler, Educational DITector Roger M. Wasserman, Dec~ Delegate Ron J. Sagadraca, Engme Delegate Ricky D. Arroyo, Steward Delegate Susan Moe. ~hairman noted everything runmng smoothly. Payoff expected this voyage in Long Beach, Calif. Secretary reported good crew and _ reminded them to leave clean rooms for reliefs. Educational director stated upgrading at Paul Hall Center can improve skills and job security. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications read and posted regarding upcoming vote about SIU-NMU merger. Next ports: Oakland and Long Beach Calif. ' SEA-LAND KODIAK (Sea-Land Service), October 30-Chairman Roger Reinke, Secretary Melvin E. Morgan, Educational Director Marvin Wells, Deck Delegate Basil D. Stolen, Engine Delegate Jan Haidir, Steward Delegate Sam Kassem. Chairman announced vessel entering shipyard November 25 until December 5. Not yet sure whether company will keep everyone. Educational director advised crew members to use facilities at Piney Point to upgrade education and get credentials needed in future to ensure eligibility and job security. He also stressed need for everyone to vote on merger of SIU and NMU. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made and sent to contracts department for consideration to reduce seatime needed for vacation pay. Also recommended Welfare Plan pay full cost of optical and dental benefits. Next ports: Tacoma, Wash. and Anchorage and Kodiak, Alaska. SEA-LAND TRADER (Sea-Land Service), October 31--Chairman Larry Watson, Secretary Richard Riley, Educational Director Edward Rynberg. Chairman stated new VCR received and in use in crew lounge. Tape rewinder still to be purchased. Vote of thanks given to deck department for dealing with winch on back deck (due to repaired by shoreside personnel m Tacoma). Educational director noted he upgraded last year at Piney Point and suggested all Seafarers look into upgrading in their departments for whatever endorsement they might need to keep sailing. Treasurer announced several hundred dollars in ship's fund from which $50 is spent each trip for fresh fish in Guam. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications read and posted regarding proposed SIU-NMU merger. ?e EL MORRO (IUM), November 29--Chairman William J. Card Secretary Gina Lightfoot, ' Educational Director Fredrick W. Dougherty Jr., Deck Delegate Angelo Wilcox Sr., Engine Delegate Eliesel Montalvo Steward Delegate Robert Maschmeier. Chairman announced payoff in San Juan, P.R. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Discussion held on SIU-NMU merger. Suggestion made to get refrigerators for all unlicensed personnel. Vote of thanks ~iven to steward department and unlicensed apprentice for fine job. G. GALVESTON BAY (Sea-Land Service), November 11-Chairman Paul Dornes, Secretary Hasan A. Rahman, Educational Director Francis C. Quebedeaux, Deck Delegate Charles B. Collins, Steward Delegate Larry L. Griffin. Chairman announced payoff in Jacksonville, Fla. November 12. He advised crew members to take advantage of courses at Piney Point. He also noted toll-free number for questions on TRBs and STCW requirements. Secretary stressed importance of contributing to SPAD and upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. HUMACAO (NPR, Inc.), November 21--Chairman David Murray, Secretary Raymond Jones, Educational Director William F. Payne, Engine Delegate Kenneth L. Biddle, Steward Delegate Pedro Rodriguez. Payoff scheduled November 22 in Jacksonville, Fla. Chairman advised everyone that Communication from VP Contracts Augie Tellez read and posted reg~ding new ships' ~eetings . Chamnan also read several articles from Seafarers LOG about SIUNMU merger. Suggestion made to lower vacation requirements to 60 days. Clarification requested on Ready for Lunch on the Osprey When the Osprey arrived in the port of Norfolk, Va. recently, steward department members went to work fixing lunch for the crew. From the left aboard the Osprey-Acomarit vessel are Steward Gregory Johnson, Chief Cook Lawrence Winfield, SA Max HassellEl and Steward Felipe P. Orlanda. $160 in ship's fund to be used for videos for crew. He also advised them of February 2002 deadline for STCW compliance. Secretary suggested all members going on vacation in December be sure to vote at union hall on SIU-NMU merger and upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made to have shipyard layoff period extended to 60-90 days, instead of current 30day period, so members can reclaim jobs. Request also made to have Welfare Plan cover prescription medication for dependents and for vacation time to be used as seatime for retirement purposes. Everyone reminded to have TRBs si~~d off by chief mate for any trammg and demos on board. Vote of thanks given to steward department for excellent meals. Next port: San Juan, P.R. LIBERTY SEA (Liberty Maritime), November 28Chairman Harold L. Sebring, Secretary Thomas D. Kreis Educational Director Micha~l A. Birke, Deck Delegate Harry G. Champagne, Steward Delegate Christopher M. Green. Chairman reported receipt of new ice machine for crew. Next port is New Orleans where vessel will load and proceed to Philippines. Secretary asked everyone getting off to strip bunks and have clean linen ready for next crew member. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading at Piney Point and getting STCW endorsements. No beefs or disputed OT r~ported. Steward department given vote of thanks for job well done. Requests made for new toaster, bread box and hook for ice machine scoop. M_AERSK COLORADO (Maersk Lme), November 14-Chairman Mohamed S. Ahmed, Secretary Hugh E. Wildermuth, Educational Director Everett W. Snow, Deck Delegate George Jordanides, Engine Delegate Robert J. Arneel, Steward Delegate Lionel Pack.nett. Ship to pay off November 17 in Charleston, S.C., according to chairman. He thanked crew for good job and helping keep ship clean. Discussion held on STCW requirements. Crew members ~waiting answer to previous questions on Money Purchase Pension Plan. Educational director urged everyone to upgrade at Paul Hall Center at fust opportunity. No beefs or disputed OT reported. GUD work hours. Antenna needed for crew lounge. Before next payoff, ship headed to Bahamas Miami, Panama and Colombia. MAYAGUEZ (NPR, Inc.), November 22-Chairman Roan R. Lightfoot, Secretary George Vorise Jr., Educational Director Michael C. Martykan. Discussion held on SIU-NMU merger. Chairman stated SIU is respected organization within maritime industry and on Capitol Hill because it has consistently stood up for its members. Secretary stated payoff in Philadelphia November 26. He advised crew members to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. Educational director informed crew that upon completion of relief period, members are entitled to file for vacation benefits for that period. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Everyone reminded that safety is number one priority aboard ship. OVERSEAS NEW YORK (Alaska Tanker Co.), November 8-Chairman J. Carlos Loureiro Secretary Nancy Heyden, ' Educational Director Edward Self Engine Delegate Michael P. ' Brown. Chairman noted receipt of raise retroactive to May 12, 1999. Those who did not receive it at home should call Keystone Shipping. Payoff scheduled for November 10 at anchor in Port Angeles. Patrolman from Seattle hall will attend. Asst. VP Nick C~lona came aboard ship in Richmond, Calif. to discuss possible SIU-NMU merger. Letter from headquarters regarding merger also received and posted in crew lounge. Secretary asked that wet paint gloves not be left on washers and dryers. Educational director reminded crew to attend safety classes at Piney Point in order to continue shipping. No beefs or dis~uted OT reported. Several suggestions made and sent to contracts department for consideration. They included being able to file for vacation pay after working 90 days, being able to retire with full benefits after 20 years of seatime, regardless of age at retirement and abolishing the one-day seatim~ requirement in six months to remain eligible for medical benefits. Vote of thanks given to steward department for good food, to deck department for hard work on ?eek, ~nd to ~ngine room for keepmg ship runnmg. New furniture for crew lounge expected soon. Seafarers LOG 19 �SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER 2000 UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE The following is the schedule for classes beginning between February through June 2000 at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All programs are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course's start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Safety Specialty Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion Tanker Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL)* February 7 March 6 April 3 May 1 May 29 February 25 March 24 April 21 May 19 June 16 Basic Fire Fighting February 28 March 27 April 24 May22 March 3 March 31 April 28 May26 Advanced Fire Fighting February 14 March 6 February 25 March 17 Government Vessels February 28 March 27 May 1 May 22 March 17 April 14 May 19 June 9 STCW Basic Safety (refresher) February 7 March 6 February 11 March 10 Tankerman (PIC) Barge* March 13 April 3 May22 March 17 April 7 May26 February 28 March 20 March 3 March 24 February 28 March 3 (*must have basic fire fighting) Deck Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion Able Seaman February 21 March 20 April 17 March 17 April 28 May26 February 7 March 20 April 17 Feb. 19 (pre-AB) March 31 (pre-AB) April 28 (pre-AB) Life boatman Radar March 6 April 3 March 17 April 14 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids* March 20 April 17 March 24 April 21 Mayl June 23 (ARPA) (*must have radar unlimited) Limited License (*must have basic fire fighting) LNG Familiarization* (*must have advanced fire fighting) Oil Spill Containment Engine Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion Fireman/Watertender & Oiler April 3 May12 Welding February 14 March 13 April 17 May26 March 3 March 31 May5 June 9 Designated Du General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. June 23 ay 5 E gineer (DDE) Academic Department Courses Steward Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Galley Operations/ Advanced Galley Operations (Every week) Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward (Every other week) February 7, 14, 21, 28 March 6, 13, 20, 27 April 3, 10, 17, 24 February 7, 21 March 6, 20 April 3, 17 ~ . -·-·:.,).·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·- UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ---------------------------~ Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty (120) days seatimefor the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, US MMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All FOWT. AB and QMED applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $280 with their application. The oavment should he made with a money order onlv. pavahle to LMSS. COURSE Telephone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Deep Sea Member If the following D Lakes Member BEGIN DATE END DATE Date of Birth _ _ _ _ __ _ __ D Inland Waters Member D information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Book# - - -- - - - - - - Seniority _ __ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ Department _ _ __ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: Yes 0 No 0 Home Port - - - - - - -- - - - - Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ LAST VESSEL: _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ Rating: _ _ __ Date On: _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ Date Off: Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? D Yes D No If yes, class# _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? D Yes D No If yes, course(s) taken _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes D No CPR: D Yes D No Primary language spoken _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ February 2000 SIGNATURE _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ DATE NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only ifyou present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Admissions Office, PO. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2100 Seafarers L06 21 �Paul Hall Center Graduating Classes .:.. - ~~._.......,~1sEAFARERS PAUL Hlll CENTER LIFEBOAT CLASS t~:_?> ~9,.5_ =-~,- -- Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 595 - Unlicensed apprentice class 595 graduating from the water survival course are (from left, kneeling) Randolph Cash, Gregorio Abalos, Christopher Cummings, Ronel Guerzon, Keyshon Foote, (second row) Tyrone Brown , Montroes Fulton, Michael Bull, Eli Ade, Benny Perez, Carlos Castillo, Walter Kyles, (third row) Charles Walker, Jonathan Aichs, Christopher Todd, Guy Todd II and Ian Ferguson. Government Vessels - Seafarers who successfully completed the government vessels course on December 17 include (in no specific order) Steve Roquemore, Charles Sadler, Greg Cherry, Robert Forrest, Frank Patrick, Tim Graham, Edward Milstead, James Tyson, William Kelley, Benjamin Ines, Roderick Clay, Ahmed Sharif, Justin Seybert, Michael Joel, John Palughi, John Petushin , Timothy Horger, James McCarthy, Brandon Maeda and Keith Kowaleski. PAUL LIFEBOAT CLASS 591 Unlicensed Apprentice Basic Fire Fighting Class 596 - Members of unlicensed apprentice class 596 graduating from the basic fire fighting class are (in no particular order) Kyle Bailey, Spencer Randall , Sherrod Frazier, Armando Garayua-Gonzalez, Edward Joyal Ill, Harry McKever, Terrell McMillian, Felix Medina-Vidal, Andres Morin, Marquel Sapp, Shauntay Shavies, Robert Walter, Raymond Elsner Jr. and Randall Sachs. Their instructor, John Smith, is at far left. GED - Academic - Ursel (Buddy) Barber receives a certificate of achievement from instructor Peggy Densford for completing a college-level course in developmental math. Barber is a Class I QMED who sails from the port of Houston. It was a proud day for Justin Germain, a Phase Ill unlicensed apprentice , as he receives his Maryland high school diploma through the Paul Hall Center. With him are (from left) Academic Department Coordinator Ed Fitzgerald and Academic instructors Peggy Densford and Joan Miles. Advanced Galley Operations - Finishing one of the required two-week modules in the galley operations curriculum are (from left) Larry Pugh , William Mohica, Kim Gardner and Chef/Instructor Ed White . Advanced Fire Fighting - Marking completion of the advanced fire fighting course on December 10 are Allan Gorman, llavia Amaya , Daniel Figge, Daniel Gish, Clarence Sampay, Clovis Pomare, Ali Rhoufiry, Frank Iverson, Gheorghe Savencu, David St. Onge and David Hinson. Their instructor, Anthony Hammett, stands at far left. 22 Seafarers LOS February 2000 �Paul Hall Center Graduating Classes Tankerman (PIC) Barge CourseGraduating from the tankerman (PIC) barge course in the port of Jacksonville on August 12 are Crowley boatmen Aitzgorri Gastanaga (left) and Ernest Williams (right) . With them is instructor Mitch Oakley. Tankerman (PIC) Barge Course - G&H Towing boatmen completing the tankerman (PIC) barge course in September are (from left, kneeling) Jesse Alaniz, T.J . Snead, Roy Wick, Richard Johnson, Adam Simon, Martin Almanza , (second row) Matt Hargrove, Brian Taylor, Kevin Casler, Ted Sliter, Jaime Brown, Steve Williams, Leo Barron and G&H trainer Sabrina Matteson . Their instructor was Mitch Oakley. Phase I Unlicensed Apprentices - For members of unlicensed apprentice class 595, this visit to the USNS Antares in Baltimore is their first time on a vessel before they will actually ship out. Unlicensed Apprentice Class 596 - In the steward culinary lab, members from class 596, nd h perv· · of ·n T' · g, po y show the fruits of their labors in preparing breakfast. Phase III Unlicensed Apprentices - Phase Ill unlicensed apprentices tour the SL-7 USNS Antares in Baltimore to gain a better understanding of the work that goes on in the deck and engine departments. They are (in no specific order) Brett Parkins, Lane Schroeder, Roger Steward, DeMichael Dews, Andrew Straka Jr. , Bruce Weathers, Ramon Thomas, Christopher Gen , Raheem Owens, Jess Chalker, Mitchell Gustafson, Kevin Johnson, Brent Morris, Anthony Cruz Vergara , Kristopher Anderson , Paul Weil , Donaldo Arevalo, John Allan , James Miller Jr. and Chad Partridge. Upgraders Water Survival - Upgrading Seafarers who completed the water survival class on November 12 are (from left, kneeling) Helen Mitchell, Spencer Moxley Sr., (second row) Bernabe Pelingon (instructor), Ellis Jones, Ali Rhoufiry, Wilfred Scales, Carlos Julio, Marcial Avila, Francisco Harry, (third row) Mohamed Abdulsalam , Ali Naser, Sidney Jenkins, Velly Marquez, (fourth row) George Johnson, Julian Lacuesta Jr., Edgardo Ong , Virgilio Managbanag, Romeo Rivera and William Bruce. Tanker Assistant Cargo (DL)-Among those completing the tanker assistant cargo (DL) course on October 15 are (in no particular order) Nestor Montoya Jr., Misti Thornbrugh , Martin Vargas, Shatonn Fowler, Antonio Watson , William Rozier, Salvatore Migliara, Chris Daniels, Jeffrey Smith, James Brown, Samuel Giles, Marion Collins, Joshua Weir, Chad Warren , Fahd Alsoofi, Melvin Hill 111 , Paul Flores, Pedro Ortiz Jr. and Jarian Hutchinson. Their instructor, Jim Shaffer, is standing at far right. February 2000 Seafarers LOG 23 �Volume 62 Number 2 Attention Seafaren: This year is a leap year. Take advantage of the extra day to work on your SIU scholarship application. See page 11 for additional information. 'Head Reci1•iter' Honored at Meeting Annamarie Haller Is the Proud Mother of Four Seafarers She has gone from "Special SIU Dispatcher" to "Head SIU Recruiter." But whatever title is awarded to Annamarie Haller, it cannot top the one of which she is most proud-the mother of four SIU members. Seafarers showed their gratitude during the January membership meeting in Piney Point, Md. when SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez recognized her in the audience. She received a solid round of applause from all those in attendance. Tellez called her the "head recruiter" in the union. As proof, he added, she was attending the meeting with two of her four maritime sons: OMV Mike Haller and Chief Electrician John Haller. (The other two are Chuck, a hawsepiper who sails as an engineer, and QMED Robert. A fifth brother, Joey, pursued a shoreside career.) Mrs. Haller, a resident of Summit, Miss., had spent Christmas and New Year's with her sons in the Philadelphia area. They told her they were planning to attend the union meeting and invited her to join them. Ten years ago, the Hallers were featured in the Seafarers LOG as one of the large number of families with more than one member sailing with the SIU. In December 1989, the LOG noted that when manpower needed to fill a position in the engine room, they would call Mrs. Haller to help locate one of her sons. In the same article, Chuck said he would hate to hear the phone ring when he was at home because his mother would be honest and tell manpower where he was. Left: Two of Annamarie Hailer's four seafaring sons join her on the stage in Piney Point. From the left are OMU Mike Haller, SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez, Mrs. Haller, CE John Haller, his wife, Marlene, and SIU Sec'y-Treas. David Heindel. ~ Below: Annamarie Haller stands before the SIU membership during the January meeting in Piney Point after being recognized as the union's "head recruiter." Since then, she has moved to Mississippi, but she still keeps up with the happenings in the union. When asked what it took to raise all of her sons, she responded, "A lot of prayers." She quickly added she is proud of all of them: "We made it and it has worked." Three of the four brothers graduated from the trainee program at Piney Point. John was the first, completing the program in 1972. Robert followed two years later. Mike came through in 1995. Several of them have sailed together. John recalled trips with Chuck aboard the USNS Antilles, Overseas Anchorage and SeaLand San Juan. Tellez remembered that Robert and John were involved in organizing Crowley tugs on the West Coast. that following the meeting they were taking their mother on a trip to Washington, D.C. Mrs. Haller added she was looking forward to seeing the White House, the Vietnam Memorial and some art museums. Chief Cooks Chat with SIU President During a break in their recent studies at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Chief Cooks Eddie Ong (right) and Marie Mitchell spoke with SIU President Michael Sacco concerning the proposed merger of the NMU into the SIU. Visiting the Paul Hall Center And Starboard Means.... Part of the vessel familiarization training at the Paul Hall Center is learning wheel commands for steering a vessel. Here, students at the Piney Point, Md. facility receive instruction from Larry Malone aboard the training vessel Osprey. Eager to take the wheel are Tim Manes, Earnesto Brandon, Jose Echeverria and John Barrington. Recertified Steward Ekow Doffoh (left) brought his wife, Winifred, to the January membership meeting in Piney Point. While touring the center, they posed with SIU Sec'y-Treas. David Heindel. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2000 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES UNION WELCOMES ALLIED’S SEA RAVEN RO/RO’S SEA TRIALS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL USNS CHARLTON SIGNALS NEW JOBS FOR SEAFARERS SIU’S BALTIMORE HALL RELOCATING TO ESSEX ST. MOBILE OFFICE HAROLD FISCHER PASSES AWAY SMPPP ADMINISTRATOR PROVIDES PLAN UPDATE MARINE COOKS AND STEWARDS PENSION INCREASES BY 14% UNION MEMBERSHIP INCREASES AGAIN NEW DATA SHOWS LARGEST GROWTH IN 20 YEARS CENSUS WILL IMPACT CONGRESS, STATES INDY MAKES HISTORY AT PEARL HARBOR UNION SQUASHES Y2K BUG GUAM CONNECTS WITH APPRENTICE PROGRAM CREWS DISCUSS MERGER, OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES THE PATHFINDER BY J. MELFORD SMITH, CH. ENGR. USMM, RET. ‘HEAD RECRUITER’ HONORED AT MEETING ANNAMARIE HALLER IS THE PROUD MOTHER OF FOUR SEAFARERS Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2000 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 62, No. 2 2000 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/67055866d2ab42ca61786791a4a12143.pdf b61109a3146b6237bb7ccf99554474b5 PDF Text Text February 2001 Volume 63, Number 2 Launch of 'Rocket Ship' Signals New Jobs I or SIU From the vessel's run to its cargo to its appearance, the SIU-crewed Delta Mariner is anything but typical. The ship carries space equipment between Alabama, Florida and California. Page 2. Philly Boatmen Crew New Tug SIU boatmen in the Philadelphia area, including Manolo Salinel (right photo), late last year welcomed the new tugboat Z-One to the McAllister fleet. Page 4. SIU Tallying Committee Announces Election Results The SIU's rank-and-file tallying committee last month released its calculation of the ballots cast by Seafarers. Voting for national officers of the union took place Nov. 1 through Dec. 30, 2000. The ballot also included five proposed constitutional amendments. The committee certified the reelection of Michael Sacco as president of the SIU, along with other results. The tallying committee's report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings next month. Page 3. GMDSS Course Approved - Page 3 Crowley Refurbishes 25 Tugs Restoration of the 25 Crowley tugs includes rebuilding the engines. Page 4. Health ID Cards Planned - Page 3 TAX TIPS FOR SEAFARERS -Pages12-13 �President's Report STCW Countdown The deadline for full compliance with the amended STCW convention is one year away. To all SIU members who will need an STCW certificate, basic safety training or any other STCW-related endorsements by Feb. 1, 2002, I urge you to take the necessary steps now. If you're still uncertain about the requirements, there are several good sources of information. You can start by calling the toll-free STCW hotline at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education: 1-877-2353275. Please, don't put it off. The deadline is quite Michael Sacco real, as are the potential consequences from port state control officials for mariners who fail to comply with the STCW regulations. Also, if you think you' ll need STCW basic safety training between now and the deadline, please contact the Paul Hall Center's admissions office immediately-even if you don't plan to attend until much later this year. That will help give the school, located in Piney Point, Md., a better handle on how many students to expect for the next 11 months. It also may enlighten any callers who have been putting off their STCW training, because classes are limited. Again, for your own good, please get moving! Protecting Our Interests At monthly membership meetings, shipboard meetings and in the Seafarers LOG, the SIU regularly has been reporting on the STCW 1995 amendments since well before their adoption that summer. But, in conjunction with the Paul Hall Center, we've done a lot more than just report the news about STCW. We've helped make it. The SIU and the school consistently have participated in the international meetings before and after the amendments passed. We have been vigilant in speaking out for the interests of U.S. mariners, beating back attempts by other nations to cut manning levels and reduce mariner training requirements. We also won a significant battle against the suggestion of solo bridge watch at night, among other accomplishments. In 1997, we became the first organization to publish a U.S. Coast Guard-accepted training record book (TRB), a pocket-size document designed to help Seafarers keep track of-and prove-their various STCW certifications. This was an important development, not just because the TRB is a lot more convenient than carrying dozens of certificates, but also because the amended STCW convention heavily relies on practical demonstrations of skills. The TRB aids Seafarers in getting appropriate, needed credit for their shipboard work and safety drills. STCW's impact on the SIU also is very evident at the Paul Hall Center. During the past several years, the school has totally revamped its curriculums to help ensure students' compliance with the new regulations, including an overhaul of the unlicensed apprentice program. Old classes have been restructured, and new ones have been added. Working closely with the Coast Guard, Paul Hall Center personnel have painstakingly taken the steps to enable the school to become a self-certifying facility. And of course, the school has added a pair of world-class facilities in the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School and the new simulator building. STCW requirements were a driving force in the opening of both. Suffice it to say, we have not been spectators in this lengthy and sometimes complex scenario. We will continue to help protect U.S. mariners' rights well beyond the arrival of the final STCW deadline. Historic Votes The March membership meetings will mark the next phase of the merger of the National Maritime Union into the SIU-truly an historic occasion. The final stage will take place when the merger agreement itself is negotiated, finalized and then presented to the memberships of both unions for approval during membership meetings. As many of you know, merger talks between our unions date back many decades. For the longest time, it seemed as if the amalgamation never would happen. But, as evidenced by the absolutely overwhelming support nowadays of both the SIU and NMU memberships, the time is right for the merger. I invite SIU members to be part of history at the March meetings by approving the next phase of the unification. Volume 63, Number 2 February 2001 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers WG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 8990675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers WG, 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hines; Associate Editor, Jim Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower, Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor: Copyright© 2001 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOB 'Rocket Ship' Signifies Afore llew Jobs for SIU From its cargo to its design, the SIU-crewed Delta Mariner has a futuristic feel. But the newest addition to the Seafarers-contracted fleet isn't science fiction. The 312-foot vessel, designed to transport rocket boosters and other space hardware, entered service several months ago. The Delta Mariner mainly sails between Alabama, Florida and California. Thanks to a variable ballast design, the vessel operates on rivers as well as oceans. "Out of all my 33 years going to sea with the SIU, this is the most unique ship I have sailed on," stated Recertified Steward Lonnie Gamble. "It's a small ship, but the crew is just like family. It's easy to work together." Bosun Johnny O'Ferrell noted, "I'm excited about being one of the first SIU members to take a ship from one end of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to the other. ... It's a challenge, helping operate a new vessel and The Delta Mariner transports rocket boosters and other equipment for Boeing's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. a new concept. I'm glad to be part of it." Built at Halter Marine in Gulfport, Miss. and designed by Foss Maritime, the Delta Mariner's main mission is hauling Boeing's Delta IV flight hardware stowed on a custom secur- ing system. In addition to the rocket boosters, the ship can transport upper-stage rocket motors, satellites and more. Typically, the ship will travel between Decatur, Ala., Cape Canaveral, Fla. and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The dual- Continued on page 8 Dena Mariner At A Glance Welcoming SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey (third from left) aboard the vessel are (front row, from left) Seafarers Lonnie Gamble, Joseph Kadak, David Dinnes, Johnny O'Ferrell, Fortune Mccants, (second row) Jerome Smith, J.W. Watkins and Alvin Dinkins. • ••• • • •• Length: 312' -7" Beam: 82' Depth (main deck): 20' Ocean displacement: 5,600 LT River displacement: 3,300 LT Power (total installed): 8,000 HP Speed: 15 knots Maximum cargo DWT capacity: 4,620 ST Source: Foss Maritime Co. Census Data Lead to Changes In U.S. House Representation New numbers from the U .S. Census 2000 released in late December show which states will gain seats in the U.S . House of Representatives and which states likely will lose representatives after redistricting. According to the U.S. Censu Bureau, 18 states will have to add or reduce the number of members in the U.S. House. State legislatures will redraw district lines in the coming year to address these changes. Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Texas will gain two U.S. House seats. California, Colorado, Nevada and North Carolina will gain one. New York and Pennsylvania will lose two seats apiece and Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Wisconsin will lose one. All other states have no change in their number of representatives. In all states, legislatures can redraw congressional district lines based upon local census data, which are expected to be released in March. Last year, according to published AFL-CIO reports, unions working with civil rights and community organizations helped build coalitions to make sure an accurate and complete census was conducted. The1990 census missed 4.5 million people, including more than 2 million children. U.S. Census data is used to distribute federal dollars-especially those targeted toward low- and moderate-income families and their communities. Apportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 1oath Congress ,(J, ........ u,crns c sac !t ~ t.u ~ February 2001 �Seafarers Pass Constitutional Amendments Committee Announces Election Results; Michael Sacco Is Reelected President The SIU's tallying committee recently released its tabulation of the ballots cast by union members in the voting for national officers of the Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District as well as five constitutional amendments, which took place Nov. 1 through Dec. 30, 2000. Composed of 20 Seafarers (two members elected from each of the Sill's IO constitutional halls), the rank-and-file committee certified the reelection of Michael Sacco as president of the SIU; election of John Fay as the union's executive vice president; and election of David Heindel as secretary-treasurer. Fay and Heindel already had served in those respective positions since 1997, shortly after the Sill's 1996 elections. They were appointed in 1997 because of a vacancy created by the death of then-SIU Executive Vice President Joseph Sacco. Meanwhile, the tallying committee's report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings next month (March). The committee reported that each of the five proposed constitutional amendments was approved- by overwhelming majorities. The amendments pertained to a dues increase and payment of dues; membership meeting quorums; a name change to reflect the merger of the National Maritime Union (NMU) into the SIU; and the addition of two executive board slots, also in consider- ation of the SIU-NMU merger. Similarly, none of the races for office was close. In addition to Sacco, Fay and Heindel, the committee reported the election of the following officers, who also will serve four-year terms (2001-2004): • Augie Tellez, contracts and contract enforcement vice president; •Jack Caffey, Atlantic Coast vice president; • Dean Corgey, Gulf Coast vice president; • Thomas Orzechowski, Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters vice president; •Nick Marrone, West Coast vice president; • Kennett Mangram, government services and fishing industries vice president; • George Tricker, assistant vice president in charge of contracts and contract enforcement; • Nick Celona, assistant vice president in charge of the Atlantic Coast; • Ambrose L. Cucinotta, assistant vice president in charge of the Gulf Coast; • Don Anderson, assistant vice president in charge of the West Coast; • James McGee, assistant vice president in charge of the Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters; • Robert Hall, assistant vice president in charge of government services and fishing industries; •Leo Bonser, headquarters representa- Members of the tallying committee met last month at SIU headquarters in Camp Springs, Md. to tabulate ballots cast by union members. Serving on the tallying committee following their election by fellow SIU members are (seated, from left) Louella Sproul, Joe Barry, Charlie Clausen, John Cain, Ernest Hoitt, (second row) David Salentre, Jimmy Simms, Joseph Birke, John Wozunk, Jamie Miller, Gregory Stone, Pat Farley, Joey Gallo, (third row) James Bening, Mike Sutton, Terry Mouton, Walter Harris, Tom Casey, Kendra Savage and Dave Wierschem. tive; • Carl Peth, headquarters representative; • Edward "Edd" Morris, Piney Point port agent; •Robert Selzer, New York port agent; • Joe Soresi, Philadelphia port agent; • Dennis Metz, Baltimore port agent; • Ed Kelley, Mobile port agent; •Steve Judd, New Orleans port agent; • Tony McQuay, Houston port agent; • Vince Coss, San Francisco port agent; •Becky Sleeper, St. Louis port agent; • Don Thornton, Algonac port agent. The committee met during the week of Jan. 2 at the union's headquarters in Camp Springs, Md. to receive the ballots from the bank where they were kept, count the votes in the contested races and for the amendments, and determine the status of void or challenged ballots. (In accordance with Article XIII of the union's constitution, unopposed candidates were considered elected to their respective positions once nominations closed and the membership approved the report of the credentials committee, which took place last fall.) The committee also reconvened Jan. 12 at headquarters, after being advised that the post office had failed to deliver to the bank depository 152 ballots. Of those, 139 were eligible to be counted, and they are included in the committee's final tallies. In concluding the report, the committee wrote, "All of the members of the committee wi.sh to express their deep appreciation for the cooperation and assistance given to us by the union's legal department and its technical and clerical staff. "Finally, the members of the union tallying committee wish to congratulate the elected officers and jobholders. We extend our best wishes for the next four years. We hope that you will carry on the tradition of our union and advance the strength of the maritime industry." The committee elected as co-chairmen Recertified Bosun John Cain (from the Port of Houston) and QMED Charlie Clausen (Piney Point). Also serving on the committee from the Gulf Coast were Chief Electrician Joe Barry and AB Mike Sutton from Mobile, Recertified Bosun Kendra Savage from Houston, and Recertified Steward Ernest Hoitt and Chief Steward Joseph Birke from New Orleans. Representing the constitutional ports on the Atlantic Coast were Recertified Bosun Jamie Miller from Piney Point, QMED Terry Mouton and Chief Cook Joey Gallo from New York, FOWT John Wozunk and Mechanic Pat Farley from Philadelphia, and AB Walter Harris and Cook/Baker Jimmy Simms from Baltimore. Elected to the committee from Algonac were AB James Bening and Mate David Salentre. Attending from St. Louis were Bosun Tom Casey and Cook/Baker Dave Wierschem. Recertified Steward Louella Sproul and QMED Gregory Stone served on the committee after being elected from the port of San Francisco. Paul Hall Center's 6MDSS Course Approved by Coast 6uard The U.S. Coast Guard has approved a 70-hour GMDSS course offered at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Md. The first class is scheduled for this month (see box). This will mark the first time that the Paul Hall Center has offered GMDSS training. GMDSS stands for global marine distress and safety system. Under amendments to the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), all cargo ships and passenger vessels greater than 300 gross tons that ~ail on international voyages must be fitted with GMDSS equipment. Applicants for the course must possess the regular qualifications for upgrading, plus hold a 200 ton or greater license, or show a current U.S. Coast Guard approval letter indicating they are eligible to sit for a license greater than 200 tons. Mariners who currently hold U.$. Coast Guard-Approved Courses ,. Available at Paul Hal Center Atiie seaman·~ urmi~ '~mat!Q Ra$rPiotting Aids (ARPA} i/Sasic Safety 1'ratnlng . Basic safety Tfainlng Refr6$her ,, Bfidge Re$00roe Manag~nt . . , · ¢rlsh; Managemeot & Human Behavior · Crowd Management · ·Fke Fighting Advanced ,J=ire Fighting Basic {16-hour) · Fite l=ighting Basic (30~hour} ·• fire ff9htfng Basic Refresher •,Fll'.e Fighting Combined first Aid {$-hour) · First Aid Refresher fWT/Oller . GMDSS ·.· Me'dicat Care Provider . Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities ·•· Petsenaf 8afety & Social Responsibilities ·". 'Refresher .(Personal Survival Techniq®s February 2001 · Personal Survival Techniques Refresher Proficiency fn Survival Craft/Personal Survival Techniques .·. QMEO ·My Rating Radar Observer (Unlimited) Radar Observer Recertification Radar Observer Ref!esher Ratings Forming Part of a Navigatfonat Watch/Able Seaman Social Responsibilities SpeciaUy Trained Ordinary Seaman Tani< Barge Dangerous Liquids Tank Ship Famutarization {Dangerous Liquids} Tank Ship Fam!fiaritatiaon {Liquefied Gases) Third Mate Unlicensed Apprentice Program Vessel FamlliariZation Vtsuat Communications {Flashing Light} Weter Survival GMDSS certification but who haven't passed a Coast Guardapproved, 70-hour course, must do so by Feb. 1, 2002 in order to receive GMDSS credentials on their STCW certificate. (Alternatively, they may use a "challenge" course, though that route is considered quite difficult, partly because GMDSS equipment is fairly complex.) "The key for SIU members who take the 70-hour course at Piney Point is that they will be enrolled in a U.S. Coast Guardapproved class that also is STCW compliant," noted J.C. Weigman, assistant director of vocational education at the Paul Hall Center. "There is a widespread need for the course to meet the STCW requirements by Feb. 1, 2002, and this school is prepared to fulfill that need." The course will utilize the new simulator at Piney Point, which was installed last year. It is designed to meet the requirements set forth in Table A-IV/2 of the amended STCW convention. Topics include principles of GMDSS communication, distress alerting and operational proceVHF DSC, dures for INMARSAT-C, MF/HF, NAVTEX, EPIRB, SART and VHF (SCT). The course blends classroom instruction and practical exercises. For more information on the class, contact the Paul Hall Center at (301) 994-0010. For more information on GMDSS in general, there are numerous internet sites of interest, including the following U.S. Coast Guard site: http://www.navcen.uscg.mil/marcomms/gmdss/. GMDSS Course Dates • Feb. 17-March 2 • March 17-March 30 • April 14-April 27 • May 12-May 25 SIU Health Plan To Issue ID Cards Participants in the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (formerly the Seafarers Welfare Plan) will receive medical identification cards sometime later this year. Plan Administrator Lou Delma last month announced preliminary information about the new ID cards, which will contain routine data such as bearers' names, Social Security numbers, and insurance contacts. Such information typically is required by health care providers in order for them to verify coverage. Last month's announcement coincided with the name change from Seafarers Welfare Plan .to Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Delma said the cards are intended "to better serve the needs of eligible members and their families." The Seafarers LOG will publish more details about the new identification cards as they become available. Seafarers LOG 3 �Crowley Refurbishes 25 SIU-Crewed Tugs Crowley Maritime Corporation late last year launched a multi-million dollar project to refurbish 25 U.S.-flagged, SIUcrewed seagoing tugs. The restoration effort includes rebuilding the tugs' engines, which effectively starts them off at zero hours. Crowley officials say the engine upgrades will provide a marked improvement in the tug fleet's overall performance and reliability. Each vessel's engine will now be capable of generating a powerful 150,000 pounds of bollard pull ahead and 7 ,200 maximum continuous BHP. ln addition to engine restorations, the tugs received numerous other improvements. Many were the result of suggestions from SIU crew members and operations personnel who were interviewed and asked for their input about the tugs' strengths and weaknesses. Even seemingly minor information gathered during this process made a major difference in the overall functionality of the refurbished tugs, officials said. Further, it gave everyone concerned a sense of involvement in the renovation effort. Among improvements which resulted from crew input were: • A small light was added over chart tables. This addition meant that the master would no longer have to tum on the overhead light on the bridge-a problem that previously caused him to lose night visibility. • Stairs and ladder stripping were replaced with a more effective, non-skid coating to reduce the risk of injury. • Ethernet connections were installed in the tug interiors in anticipation of a future LAN sys- Philly Boatmen Welcome Z-One Welcoming guests to a ceremony Dec. 11 in Camden, N.J. marking the new tug's launch are Deckhand Walter Ott, AMO Engineer Sam Shellinger, Captain Rob Torres and Mate Sean Taylor. SIU-contracted McAllister Towing of Philadelphia has added a new Z-drive tugboat to its ship docking services. The Z-One joined McAllister's fleet late last year. "It's nimble and has quick response," noted Captain Guy Del Greco. Mate Dave Steckel pointed out that the modem boat "definitely is different. This is the tug of the future ." The Z-One is 94 feet long, 32 feet wide and has 4,400 hp. "The crews seem happy because the Z-drives can do more than the conventional tugs," said SIU Philadelphia Port Agent Joe Soresi. "They have better maneuverability." The SIU represents captains, mates and deckhands at McAllister in Philadelphia and also represents McAllister crews in Baltimore and Norfolk, Va. Pictured at left, also at the ceremony, are (from left) SIU Representative Joe Mieluchowski, SIU Port ·· Agent Joe Soresi, Shellinger, Torres and Ott. •· Among the first Seafarers to sail aboard the new tug Z-One are (from left) Captain Guy Del Greco, Deckhand Walter Ott and Mate Dave Steckel. 4 Seafarers LOii tern to support PC-based Integrated Vessel Management Solution (IVMS) systems. • Interior portholes were trimmed with stainless steel to prevent water from intruding behind the bulkheads. • Wood panels in the cabins and galleys were replaced with lighter colored, more durable paneling that can be easily removed for access. • Wheelhouse control consoles in pilothouses were redesigned and enlarged. This upgrade affords the operator improved visibility during maneuvering and docking operations. To date, five tugs have been refurbished. Five more are scheduled to undergo the process during the next 11 months. The work is being done at North Florida Shipyard in Jacksonville, Fla., under the supervision of Crowley engineers. "The long-term investment made in the refurbishment of these tugs is of great benefit to our customers because it helps us to maintain the service reliability and schedule integrity they have come to expect," said Tom Crowley Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation. These "invader class" vessels, each of which is crewed by six Seafarers, handle a variety of jobs throughout the Crowley system including the ocean towing of the company's triple-deck RO/RO barges between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico. \ ~\ Five of Crowley's 25 SIU-crewed seagoing tugs already have been refurbished. In photo above, the work is being done at North Florida Shipyard in Jacksonville under the watchful eyes of Crowley engineers. Below, an engine, which will be rebuilt, is pulled from one of the tugs. NY Ferry Crew Rescues Man from Icy Water Three Seafarers who sail aboard NY Waterway commuter ferries saved a man from the icy Hudson River on Dec. 20. Captain Mike Baranok and Deckhands Mike Leon and Jermaine Coakley executed the nighttime rescue from the ferry Thomas Jefferson after Queens resident Ron Bertozzi fell overboard from the pleasure boat Mystique. Bertozzi landed in the water approximately a quarter-mile from the Harborside Ferry Terminal in Jersey City, according to news reports. He remained there for about 15 minutes, until the SIU trio arrived in response to a distress call. Coakley told The Jersey Journal that Bertozzi appeared "frantic, scared and losing control. He was so cold that he couldn't hold on (to a life ring from the ferry) ." Leon entered the water and retrieved Bertozzi, who later was treated for hypothermia. "I was only in there for two or three minutes up to my waist, but it felt like needles all over my legs. And the victim was totally stiff, stiff as a board," Leon told the newspaper. More than 100 SIU members sail aboard NY Watson Saves 2 The training of mariners aboard the SIU-crewed USNS Watson paid huge dividends during the early evening hours of Dec. 12 when they saved the lives of two U.S. Navy personnel. The Watson was situated just off shore near Diego Garcia when a crew member noticed a motorized boat doing continuous high speed turns in a lagoon. The lagoon was located about two nautical miles from the USNS Watson. Word immediately was passed to the bridge where Chief Mate Michael Ross was on duty as watch officer. Ross notified Captain G.W. Hynes, who came to the bridge to evaluate the situation. Photo by Kathleen KellylThe Jersey Journal SIU TO THE RESCUE: Seafarers aboard the NY Waterway commuter ferry Thomas Jefferson rescued a local man from the Hudson River in late December. From left to right are Deckhands Mike Leon and Jermaine Coakley and Captain Mike Baranok. Waterway ferries. The company operates 22 boats covering 10 routes between New York and New Jersey. Crew members recently approved a new four-year contract. It appeared that no one was driving the boat, but from their position neither Ross nor Hynes was certain. Therefore, they notified port officials and launched a lifeboat and rescue crew from the Watson to investigate. Ross, Third Assistant Engineer Philip G. Brand and AB William J ohnson comprised the crew. Upon reaching the scene, they saw two Navy personnel in the water some 300 yards away from the pleasure craft. Apparently, they had lost control of the craft and fallen off. Both were suffering from exhaustion and minor shock, and one had minor injuries and was on the verge of drowning. The rescue crew expeditiously recovered both victims and attended to their first aid needs. The two sailors were later transported to port where emergency medical personnel and equipment were on standby. Hynes praised the professionalism displayed by his crew during the entire incident and singled out members of the deck department for "remembering every bit of training we put them through and putting it to work today." Bosun James Marchiano was lauded for his organization on deck which led to the safe and prompt launching and recovery of the lifeboat and rescue crew. "The training and maintenance we conducted in the past proved its worth today when we were called to the task and two lives were saved," the captain said. Feblllary 2001 �Mineta Heads DOT; Chao Tapped for DOL Senate Commerce Committee Finalized The Senate on Jan. 24 unanimously confirmed former U.S. Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta as the new transportation secretary, as President Bush's administration and the 107th Congress continued talcing shape. That same day, Elaine Chao, the president's nominee for U.S. Labor Secretary and a former deputy maritime administrator, fared extremely well during her four-hour confirmation hearing before the Senate Labor Committee. Her confirmation appeared certain as this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press. Earlier in the month, panel assignments were completed for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committeewhich has primary jurisdiction over marine transportation legislation. The committee is composed of 11 Republicans and 11 Democrats, reflecting the Senate's even split (see box). In other moves of interest to the maritime industry, Rep. Don Young CD-Alaska) is chairing the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, while Rep. Bob Stump (R-Ariz.) heads the House Armed Services Committee. Decisions were pending for the leadership of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Armed Services Committee's Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine. SIU President Michael Sacco welcomed the nominations of both Mineta and Chao. In a congratulatory note to the new transportation secretary, he wrote, "The unanimous approval of your nomination by the U.S. Senate reflects the high regard in which you are held by the Congress, the transportation community, and the American people. We appreciate the strong support you gave to the U.S.-flag merchant marine during your many years of service in the U.S . House of Representatives. We now look forward to working with you as you develop initiatives to further strengthen the various tran portation sectors and, in particular, the U.S. maritime industry." The only Democrat to serve in President Bush's cabinet, Mineta during his confirmation hearing faced questions mostly related to air transportation. He answered a few queries concerning maritime and expressed support for "adequate" funding for the U.S. Coast Guard. "Transportation is vital to our national well-being, whether measured as economic growth, as international competitiveness, or as quality of life, and I look forward to working with the Senate in implementing President Bush's agenda for transportation," he stated. Mineta from 1975 to 1995 served as a member of U.S. House of Representatives, representing the heart of California's Silicon Valley. Chao was Bush's second selection for labor secretary. The first, Linda Chavez, withdrew from consideration following the disclosure that she had housed an illegal immigrant. The labor movement strongly oppo ed Chavez's nomination. Chao is a familiar face in maritime. In addition to serving at MarAd, she chaired the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and subsequently worked as deputy ecretary of transportation. Additionally, she was the director of the Peace Corps from 1991 to 1992 and headed the United Way from 1992 to 1996. Upon learning of Chao's nomination, Sacco on Jan. 11 wrote to Vice President Richard Cheney supporting the selection. When the SIU worked with Chao during her time with MarAd, the FMC and the transportation department, "We found her to be dedicated to a strong U.S. transportation system, knowledgeable of the complex issues facing the various transportation modes, and an innovative leader in carrying out the transportation program of President Bush," the SIU president wrote. "We welcome her addition to the Bush/Cheney Administration." At her confirmation hearing, Chao emphasized the need to train U.S. workers to meet today's job opportunities. "There are tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of high-tech jobs that cannot be filled while, at the same time, there are millions of Americans who cannot currently Union Settles Grievance With MSC After a two-year disagreement, the SIU has settled a major grievance with the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) involving mariners who sailed aboard the USNS Walter Diehl in January 1999. SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez and SIU Government Services Division Representative Chester Wheeler Sr. played crucial roles to ensure victory for civil service mariners. "In the end, both sides deserve credit for keeping the lines of communication open and agreeing to a fair settlement," Tellez stated. "Overall, our union has a great working relationship with MSC, but we differed on this particular situation. Fortunately, because of that excellent relationship, we were able to arrive at a fair conclusion." In January 1999, the Diehl was scheduled for a major overhaul at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore. Typically, such an operation involves taking apart a ship 's operating systems for maintenance, repair or replacement. Often, the vessel's decks are repaired, sandblasted and repainted. Correction An article on page 4 of the January 2001 Seafarers LOG incorrectly reported that American Overseas Marine Corp. (AMSEA) was awarded a contract to operate the USNS Roy Wheat. The contract has not yet been awarded to any operator. February 2001 The union proposed that crew members stay in shoreside living quarters during the overhaul, strictly due to health considerations. Such arrangements have been made in the past when MSC ships were overhauled. However, in the Diehl case, the agency did not grant the union's request. As a result, the mariners endured very difficult shipboard circumstances with the vessel in a tropical climate. Poor ventilation (because the crew had to close vents to keep out residual sandblasting dust), various sanitation issues, air conditioning and interrupted water services were some of the many concerns. Finally, when the time arrived to shut down the entire electrical panel, MSC allowed the crew to go ashore to other living quarters. The union took a two-pronged approach to protect the crew's rights. Ultimately, those efforts led to an agreement in which each unlicensed mariner receives a substantial monetary settlement and two days of leave. Additionally, MSC agreed that Wheeler will join the agency's Operational and Planning Committee. That group rules on issue regarding maintenance and overhaul work, so the union will have a strong voice to protect the mariners who are aboard vessels slated for shipyard work. As for the leave, in accordance with government regulations, mariners must use this time off within one year or they will lose this part of the award. Eligible mariners are encouraged to use their leave award at the earliest opportunity. The award will be noted on their LES statements. Diehl crew members should send in their LES statements with their request-for-leave form. Crew members may check the "other" box when filling out the leave form. "The union kept in close contact with the members on the Diehl throughout this ordeal, and they provided important information," noted Wheeler. ''This is a great victory for our civil service mariners." Members of u. s. Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation CommHtee Republicans John McCain (Ariz.), Chafrman Ted Stevens (Alaska) Conrad Bums (Mont.) Trent Lott (Miss.) Kay Balley Hutchison {Texas) Olympia Snowe (Maine) Sam Brownback (Kan.) Gordon Smith (Ore.) Peter Fitzgerald (Ill.) John Ensign {Nev.) George Allen (Va.) fill them," she stated. Another familiar figure to the industry is serving as the new White House chief of staff. Andrew Card was the transporta- John Breaux (La.) Byron Dorgan {N.0,} Ron Wyden {Ore.) Max Cleland (Ga.) Barbara Boxer {Calif.) John Edwards (N.C.) Jean Carnahan (Mo.) tion secretary in June 1992 when he introduced legislation for maritime revitalization-a proposal which eventually evolved into the Maritime Security Program. 50 Die in Pali Sinking Vessel Carried Illegal Immigrants A Georgian-flagged cargo vessel carrying illegal immigrants from Turkey to Greece collided with rocks and sank off Turkey's southern coast Jan. 1, killing an estimated 50 of the 83 people on board. Most or all of the 73 passengers reportedly were in the Pati's cargo hold when the vessel ran into rocks near Antalya. Among them were people from Iran, Afghanistan, Palcistan, Morocco and Bangladesh. Thousands of illegal immigrants sneak into Turkey each year, using it as a sort of staging area before attempting to move to promising European countries. One survivor of the Pati sinking told news reporters he had paid $500 before the trip and promised to pay another $1,500 upon arrival in Greece. According to port records, the Pati had registered as carrying neither cargo nor passengers when it left Turkey. After the vessel broke apart, rescuers initially saved 32 people (including the captain and five other crew members). Two days later, they retrieved a refugee who had survived by clinging to a piece of wood. The scene along the coast was gruesome, with body parts washing up on shore. Houston Company Accused of Polluting Federal environmental police in Houston last month delivered a criminal warrant accusing Western Towing and parent company Kirby Corporation with repeatedly polluting the Houston Ship Channel, according to news reports. KHOU-TV in Houston broadcast footage of the 40 police officers simultaneously arriving at the Western Towing and Kirby offices. The federal officials confiscated various records and computer disk drives. According to the television station, members of the Houston Police Department Environmental Unit took four samples of discharges-starting in September 2000-of untreated water from Western Towing barges that had been pumped directly into the channel. The dirty discharges represent violations of the Federal Clean Water Act, according to the warrant. "This is a federal felony. Somebody could go to jail," stated one of the environmental police, KHOU reported. The officer added that the company had been notified of earlier alleged violations. Seamen's House Honors Tellez Augie Tellez, vice president of the SIU's contracts department, recently received a Person of the Year Award from the Seamen's Democrats Ernest Haltings (S.C.) Dan!et Inouye John D. Roekefeller VJ (W.Va,) John Kerry (Mass.) House of the Prospect Park (N.Y.) YMCA. Dozens of officials from throughout the maritime industry SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez (third from left) recently was honored in New York City for his efforts in behalf of mariners and the overall maritime industry. Pictured at the Nov. 16 awards ceremony are (from left) Nelson Louis, executive director of the Prospect Park YMCA; Bruce Paulsen of the Seamen's House Committee; Tellez; Robert E. Boyle, co-honoree and executive director the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Frank Duffy of the Seamen's House Committee; and Jacob Shisha, chairman of the Seamen's House Committee. attended the Nov. 16 awards ceremony in New York City. Robert E. Boyle, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, was the other honoree. The organization giving the award noted that the annual tributes "are presented to recognize outstanding efforts to improve the quality of life for seafarers and expand maritime commerce in New York and New Jersey ... As a vice president of the Seafarers International Union, Augie Tellez has been a tireless advocate for seafarer and the maritime indu try." The Seamen's House of the Prospect Park YMCA assists retired mariners in need of housing and also aids crews who are stranded in port or who face other crises. The organization also provides a wide range of services and activities for visiting mariners at the Red Hook Terminal in Brooklyn, N.Y. and at other port locations. Seafarers LOG 5 �- - - -- -------- ITF Secures Back Wages for Crew on FOC Vessel The SIU's inspector for the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) recently secured $35,000 in back wages for crew members aboard a Malta-flagged bulk carrier. Although the runaway-flag MIV Grant Carrier is covered by an ITF agreement, the shipowner (based in Kotor, Yugoslavia) was paying less than the amounts stipulated by the contract, and also improperly was charging mariners for medical insurance. "The crew hadn't been paid in two months, and they weren't being paid the [specified] rate," noted Don Thornton, who assist- ed the crew last November while the Grant Carrier was docked in Ashtabula, Ohio. "Plus, the company supposedly was purchasing the crew's insurance, and they had them (the mariners) sign withdrawal slips for money that the crew never received." It took the threat of arresting the ship on Nov. 9 to spur action, but the crew received its back wages early the following morning. "That wasn't the crew's only problem," Thornton added. "They gave me a tour of the ship, and it truly was appalling-very dirty and lacking stores .... " A quick tour of the runaway-flag Grant Carrier shows (clockwise, from top left) dirty living conditions, lack of stores, fire fighting equipment held together by duct tape, and a shortage of running water. Dangerous Foreign-Flag Tankers Ripped By San Francisco Paper Runaway-Flag Ship Fined $2.5 Million The newspaper piece describes certain foreign-flag tankers that sail into San Francisco as "danger on the water . . . rust-bucket tankers ... oil spills waiting to happen." And that's just in the headline. In its Sunday edition of Dec. 31, the San Francisco Chronicle published a lengthy, riveting article identifying many of the safety hazards posed by runaway-flag tankers and other foreign-flag vessels calling on that West Coast port. The report also points out that foreign-flag tankers entering San Francisco Bay outnumbered their U.S. counterparts in 1999 by a 4 to 3 ratio-a big shift from earlier in the 1990s, when 70 percent flew the Stars and Stripes. The writer, Bernadette Tansey, focuses on the runaway-flag Neptune Dorado as one example of the potentially hazardous ships docking in San Francisco. That ship "is owned by a Singapore corporation set up for the sole purpose of owning the vessel. It is operated by a Greek crew on behalf of a Liberian corporation," she writes. When Coast Guard inspectors boarded the ship last year, they discovered "raw sewage oozing from the ship's sanitation system. Leaking oil coated boilers. The main engine was leaking fuel, and blowers designed to vent the volatile fumes didn't work," Tansey reports. The article further describes the Neptune Dorado s contaminated ballast tanks as holding "the equivalent of three bombs. A stray spark could have touched off an explosion and unleashed an environmental disaster that would have lingered in the bay for decades." No such catastrophe occurred, but the captain, shipowner and operator pled guilty Dec. 19 to federal felony charges stemming from the vessel's dozens of safety violations and agreed to pay $2.5 million fines, the newspaper reported. With the percentage increase of foreign-flag tankers arriving in San Francisco, safety advocates "see a rising threat of a major oil spill in San Francisco Bay," the writer asserts. "With more and more foreign-registered tankers -monitored by a shaky network of international regulatorssteaming under the Golden Gate, the bay has become vulnerable to rust buckets loaded with crude." Much of the article examines the complexities of oil-spill liability, including safety inspection procedures. The Neptune Dorado s condition, for instance, reportedly caught U.S. Coast Guard inspectors off-guard because the vessel "had been vouched for" by two reputable classification societies. As Tansey points out, foreign ships' compliance with certain safety provisions "is monitored not (exclusively) by the Coast Guard, but by a network of forprofit companies hired by overseas flag states that have no governmental maritime safety agencies." Federation Pledges $1 Millian Far Mariner Communications ITF's Aim: Easier Connections With Families The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) sees the importance of mariners keeping in touch with their families during ocean voyages. That became quite apparent late last year, when the federation announced it is investing more than $1 million to help crews keep in touch with their loved ones. The ITF's charitable arm, the Seafarers' Trust, in late December "signed an agreement with service providers GN Comtext and Stratos under which it guarantees the investment costs of the [plan]," the federation noted in a prepared statement. "The investment will enable seafarers to buy pre-paid cards at preferential rates that will give them access to genuinely affordable communications, either by voice or e-mail. They will be able to make low cost voice calls using either the ship's Subway Station Opens Near SIU Headquarters Seafarers now have a new option for traveling to SIU headquarters in Camp Springs, Md. The Washington, D.C. area subway system last month opened five new stations along its Green Line, including the Branch Ave. stop next to the SIU building. Known as Metrorail, the Washington subway generally is considered among the nation's safest and cleanest. SIU members traveling to headquarters via Washington's National Airport and then Metrorail should take the Yellow Line subway from the airport, then transfer to the Green Line. The subway fare currently varies from $2.10 to $2.35 (one way), depending on the time of day. Lower rates are available to senior citizens and people with disabilities. The distance from the airport to headquarters is slightly more than 10 miles, and the subway trip takes about half an hour, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Rail stations operate every day, opening at 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and at 8 a.m. on weekends. Metrorail closes at midnight during the week and at 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. 6 Seafarers LOG main communications equipment or via a dedicated INMARSAT Mini-M terminal located in the crew quarters. "The e-mail cards will provide access to a dedicated satellite social communications terminal for use by the crew," the statement continued. "This operates independently of the vessel's own communications systems. Combined voice and email units are planned for the near future." ITF General Secretary, David Cockroft, commented, "This is a step towards eliminating isolation among seafarers. It will pro- vide them with facilities that are taken for granted by shore-based workers, and will help owners recruit and retain qualified seafarers." Ocean-Mail was launched by GN Comtext in September. The shipboard facility is a Class 1 INMARSAT C transceiver. Ocean-Mail text messages are automatically delivered, via Stratos satellite earth stations, to dedicated servers. The ITF represents approximately five million members of 570 affiliated transport workers' trade unions in 132 countries worldwide, including the SIU. Transportation Workers Get Increased Protection from Revised Drug, Alcohol Testing Additional safeguards have been included in the revised drug and alcohol regulations for the testing of employees of transportation companies-including marine transportation- who occupy sensitive safety positions. The new rules, issued at the end of last year by U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater, amend the department's regulations, first issued in 1988, to require drug testing of employees in sensitive safety positions in the aviation, motor carrier, rail, transit, maritime and pipeline industries. Alcohol testing was added to the requirements in 1994. Among the changes to existing regulations is a requirement that aims to ensure fairness to all tested employees. A medical review officer (MRO) hired by the employer, who is a physician, will analyze the test results when a laboratory indicates that an employee's specimen may have been adulterated or substituted. In addition, workers will have the right to demand that a second sample of their specimen be tested at a certified laboratory different from the original. Also, to ensure accurate tests, the new rules provide for enhanced training for drug and alcohol testing personnel. Some of the revised drug testing regulations took effect last month, although most of the new rules won ' t be implemented until Aug. 1, 2001 . The Department of Transportation noted that validity testing-a relatively new procedure to determine whether a urine specimen is legitimate- would not become mandatory until next summer, pending further review by the Department of Health and Human Services. February 2001 �Neither Drought nor Ice Deter S..,......... ~o~ Shipping Season on the I . In spite of low water levels on the Lakes this summer and an early winter icing, which caught many by surprise, it was a good season for shipping on the Great Lakes. Heavy ice caused many delays as the final loads were being delivered. SIU Algonac Port Agent Don Thornton noted it was one-way traffic for a time between Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, and Coast Guard cutters were called in to assist with icebreaking operations. With the exception of a few tugs, all the SIU-crewed lakers are now laid up for the winter and are expected to fit out in the spring, when the ice has melted. The photos on this page were taken earlier in the shipping season aboard inland and Great Lakes vessels. AB Bill Hermes works on the engine of the Great Lakes Towing tug Virginia in Milwaukee. SIU Safety Rep. Todd Brdak (right) updates Great Lakes members on union and industry matters at the office of Great Lakes Towing Co. in South Chicago, Ill. From the left are ABs Grant Hult and Stathis Kourtis. Conveyorman Mike Kelley operates the conveyor system controls of the ITB Susan W Hannah/ Conquest while offloading in Detroit. SIU Rep. Lonnie Partridge (right) services the Ed Renshaw. From the left are Cook Paul Christianson and Deckhands Shane Isbell and Michael Cousin. Tied up in Burns Harbor, Ind. are The Great Lakes Towing Co. tugs Massachusetts and Arizona. Right: Prepared for a fire boat drill on the Ed Renshaw are (from left) Utility Robert Jaspers, SIU VP Great Lakes Tommy Orzechowski and Deckhand Michael Cousin. Right: Performing maintenance work on the deck of the tug Superior in Milwaukee is Great Lakes Towing Employee Dave Plunkett. Left: OS Robert Parker and OS Cory Johnson prepare the ITB Susan W Hannah/ Conquest for offloading in Detroit, Mich. February 2001 Helping the captain (left) paint the tug Massachusetts while tied up in Burns Harbor, Ind. are AB Grant Hult (center) and AB Joseph Violante. Seafarers LOB 7 �Sen. Ted Stevens Receives Prestigious Maritime Award American Classlc Voyages Relocates to Florida SIU-contracted American Classic Voyages (AMCV), the largest U.S. cruise company, will relocate its New Orleans and Chicago corporate headquarters to Sunrise, Fla., later this year. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new headquarters facility took place Jan. 16. The announcement of the move came Dec. 26 when company officials learned that the state of Florida had approved economic incentives of up to $2.2 million as part of a package deal to persuade the relocation. Upon occupancy of the new headquarters facility, American Classic reportedly will receive the incentives in the form of annual $543,750 tax refunds for four years. The tax refunds, slated to commence in fiscal 2002 and continue through 2003, are part of a total economic incentive package of more than $4.2 million, which includes state job training funds, and cash grants. "The state and local incentives were a key motivation in AMCV's decision to relocate to Florida, and to Sunrise, and will help the company create 725 new jobs in Florida," said Philip C. Calian, AMCV chief executive officer. The new headquarters facility, a six-story, 240,000-square-foot complex, will be located at the comer of NW 136th Avenue and NW gth Street in the Sawgrass Commerce Center in Sunrise. AMCV is the largest owner and operator of U.S.-flag, U.S.-crewed passenger vessels. Texas DOT Seeks $1 Mllllon Followlng FOC Accident An estimated $1 million in damages is being sought by the Texas Department of Transportation following a Dec. 21 accident involving a ship's crane and a bridge over the Houston Ship Channel, according to published reports. U.S. Coast Guard officials say a crane on the M/V Rickmers Tianjin, a 574-foot Bahamian-flagged freighter, struck the underside of the Loop 610 of bridge over the channel. The resulting damage, a 30-foot long, 8-foot wide hole in the structure, closed the northbound side of the loop to motor vehicle traffic for two weeks. The southbound side was not affected. Ship channel traffic underneath the structure was also immediately halted. At least seven barges and tows, five harbor tugs, one outbound bulk freight ship and two inbound bulk freight ships were awaiting movement at the time of the incident, the Coast Guard said. Only minor injuries to two motorists who were driving on the bridge at the time of the accident were reported, Texas highway department officials said. The Coast Guard and the U.S. Corps of Engineers are investigating the incident. Crown Lockout Ends After nearly five years, the bitter dispute at Crown Central Petroleum Corp. ended when the 252 members of PACE International Union Local 4-227 in Pasadena, Texas ratified a new agreement with the company Jan. 17. "It is time to put rancor aside and work with Crown to improve the operation of the refinery and its environmental compliance while ensuring long-term job security and fundamental rights for our members," said PACE President Boyd Young. The pact provides wage increases of about 11.5 percent in the first 13 months, protects seniority rights and preserves jobs and the union contract if the refinery is sold. The lockout began Feb. 5, 1996. U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (RAlaska), longtime advocate for the American Merchant Marine, will be the 2001 recipient of the prestigious Maritime Industry Salute to Congress Award, sponsored by the Propeller Club of the United States. Stevens will receive the award May 1 in Bethesda, Md. In announcing Stevens' selection for the honor, the national Propeller Club noted the annual tribute goes to "a member of Congress who has provided outstanding leadership in supporting a strong American-flag Merchant Marine, a United States shipbuilding capability and other allied industries. "Senator Stevens has been an active an ardent supporter of the American Merchant Marine and maritime industries during his long tenure in the Senate," the statement continued. His recent accomplishments include key work in support of the Maritime Security Program, the Title XI shipbuilding program, and legislation leading to contracts for the construction of U.S.-flag cruise ships; overseeing management of scarce marine resources and fisheries; and working to ensure the U.S. Coast Guard "has the resources necessary to perform its vital functions." Stevens also "has long been a proponent of permitting limited, environmentally sound exploration for, and development of, natural resources within the State of Alaska, including with ANWR," noted the Propeller Club. Stevens ranks sixth in seniority in the Senate, having served since 1968. In the 107th Congress, he chairs the Appropriations Committee and serves on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; the Rules and Administration Committee and the Governmental Affairs Committee. Additionally, he chairs the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and is vice-chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library. The past recipients of the award are: 1985 - Speaker of the House Hon. Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill Jr. (D-Mass.) 1986 - Senator Russell B. Long (D-La.) 1987 - Hon. Helen Delich Bentley (R-Md.) 1988 - Hon. Charles E. Bennett (D-Fla.) 1989 - Hon. Walter B. Jones (DN.C.) 1990 - Senator John B. Breaux (D-La.) Sen. Ted Stevens 1991 - Senator Thad Cockran (R-Miss.) 1992 - Hon. John Joseph Moakley (D-Mass.) 1993 - Hon. Jack M. Fields Jr. (R-Texas) 1994 - Hon. Gerry Studds (DMass.) 1995 - Hon. Herbert H. Bateman (R-Va.) 1996 - Hon. Robert L. (Bob) Livingston (R-La.) 1997 - Senator Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) 1998 - Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) 1999 - Hon. Don Young (RAlaska) 2000 - Hon. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) The U.S. Propeller Club was founded in 1927. Today, in addition to the national organization, there are dozens of chapters throughout the nation and its territories. Seal arers Gain Jobs on New 'Rocket Ship' Continued from page 2 mode ballast design enables the vessel to sail with an 8-foot draft in the river and a 12-foot draft in the sea. The Delta Mariner has a l 9person crew. It is equipped with a stem ramp and a helicopter pad. It supports forklift operations in port. OS Fortune Mccants pointed out an unusual, but welcome aspect of sailing aboard the Delta Mariner. "I've been a member of the SIU for 34 years and I've never before had the chance to stay close to home. "Also, when I found out we would be carrying rockets or rocket boosters, I knew I had to take this job!" ~ Lurllne Sinks A vessel that once was part of Matson 's famous White Fleet has sunk. The Lurline (also called Belofin 1) went down off the coast of Cape Town in late October 2000, according to published reports. The old luxury liner once took vacationers back and forth from San Francisco to Hawaii. No one was aboard the 68-year-old vessel when it went down in deep water some 50 nautical miles from the shoreline, port officials in South Africa said. Tim McAteer, a San Francisco developer, had hoped to return the old ship to San Francisco and convert it into a floating hotel. He was negotiating with the vessel's owner, Belfin A.G. Corporation, in an effort to return it to the United States when it sank. The vessel was en route to India where it was to be scrapped, but McAteer reportedly was holding out hope to finalize a deal with another buyer. Multitude of Mannerly Messages Carries Retirees' Thanks for Bonus Older folks sometimes joke about failing memories, but SIU pensioners apparently have no trouble whatsoever remembering to say "thank you." Following the issuance late last year of a $500 bonus to eligible SIU retirees, the Seafarers Pension Plan Board of Trustees received numerous thank-you B Seafarers LOG notes and cards from pensioners and their families. "Thanks so much for the bonus check. It will be a big help in my shopping for my family," wrote Perfecto Amper. "It will certainly come in useful," noted Louis Bunker. As Jutta Miller put it, "Thanks for this wonderful Pictured aboard the newly contracted vessel are (from left) Oiler Kevin Samuels, AB Jamie Hall and Bosun Johnny O'Ferrell. bonus. It makes my holiday much brighter." Joseph Snyder summarized his feelings when he wrote, "It made my day." Similar notes were sent by many other SIU retirees. Seafarers Pension Administrator Lou Delma said the response "truly was tremendous. It's gratifying to know that the bonus helped so many SIU pensioners and their families." Chatting in the galley are (from left) Recertified Steward Lonnie Gamble, Bosun Johnny O'Ferrell, OS Fortune Mccants and SIU Port Agent Ed Kelly. Febmary 2001 �Aboard the Robert E. Lee - The above photo was snapped during a quick coffee break on the Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. From the left are AB William Soto, Deck Maintenance William Edwards, Bosun Cesar A. Gutierrez and DEU Spencer Curtis. Below, left, Curtis repairs the gangway net while , below right, Edwards does some touch-up stenciling. Aboard the Sea-Land Defender While the vessel was tied up in the port of Pusan , South Korea , deck department members (from left) Bosun Jerry Borucki, AB Paul Matson and AB Isa Nasir broke for a quick photo. '-----=i~.....1 Aboard the Sea-Land Endurance - In photo at left, Recertified Steward Russell B. Beyschau (left) and Chief Cook Wiley C. Owens prepare Thanksgiving Day dinner for the ship's crew. Below: Crew members gather on deck with Captain Kevin J. McHugh for burial at sea services for Pensioner Elbert J. Blackburn. Brother Blackburn's ashes were scattered over the sea as the vessel sailed off the coast of Baja, California on a run from the Panama Canal to Long Beach, Calif. With the Tacoma Shoregang - AB Don Rundblad (seated) enjoys a ?Oth birthday luncheon with fellow workers (from left) Chief Cook Woody Woodruff, Bosun Vern Poulsen and AB Gil Manipon. Brother Rundblad, who joined the SIU in 1947 following a stint in the U.S. Navy, came aboard with the SeaLand Tacoma shoregang in 1989. Aboard the Sagamore - Raising Old Glory for the first time on the 300-ft. container/general cargo ship are (from left) Third Mate Dan Parks, AB David A. Miller, Recertified Bosun David J. Garoutte, AB Duane Wallace and (kneeling) Second Mate Marion Kabat. Febmary 2001 Aboard the Cape Isabel - GUDE Jerry Diaz (left) keeps the galley spotless while AB Mark Wain works on deck. Seafarers LOG 9 �West Coast SIU Crews Meet With Sacco, Tellez From Tacoma, Wash. to Southern California, SIU members aboard tankers and containerships welcomed SIU President Michael Sacco and SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez during a series of informal shipboard meetings in 2000. The get-togethers took place in late summer and fall. The officials and crew members discussed many important topics, including union and national elections, training opportunities, SIU job growth and more. Of particular interest to numerous Seafarers were the new simulators at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Md.; and the debut of the passenger boat Columbia Queen, which sails in the Pacific Northwest. Sacco, Tellez and the crews also discussed the various requirements of the amended STCW convention, the Feb. 1, 2002 deadline for full compliance and the steps that the union and the Paul Hall Center have taken to help Seafarers fulfill their respective prerequisites. For instance, they reviewed the union's Coast Guard-accepted training record book (TRB) and touched on some of the STCWrelated classes offered in Piney Point, such as STCW basic safety, crowd management, proficiency in survival craft and many others. CSX ANCHORAGE: Pictured from left to right are SIU President Michael Sacco, AB Ken Kramlich and Bosun Dan Fleehearty. OVERSEAS BOSTON: Discussing the recent order for construction of new, SIU-crewed tankers for the Jones Act fleet are (from left) Chief Steward A. Davis, SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez, AB Mitch French, Chief Cook Dennis Skretta and SIU President Michael Sacco. CSX TACOMA: Reviewing the latest union news are (from left) SIU President Michael Sacco, Chief Cook Jioia de Leon, QMED M. Bower, Bosun Terry Murphy and SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez. PATRIOT: Meeting in Wilmington, Calif. are (above left, from left) SA P. Cadiz, Recertified Steward Peter Ciddio, SIU President Michael Sacco and SIU Port Agent John Cox. Above right, Bosun Shawn Evans welcomes Sacco aboard the U.S. Ship Management, Inc. vessel. PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND: Chatting with the SIU officials in the galley are (from left) Pumpmen Linton Acliese and Clarence Verdun. McAH Helps Retirees Stay in Touch Although he last went to sea more than 15 years ago, SIU Pensioner Richard McAU says the union remains a big part of his life. Since retiring in 1985, he has dedicated much time and effort to retaining some facsimile of the Seafarers camaraderie he came to love during his seagoing days. After joining the SIU in 1947, McAll sailed for 38 years in the deep sea division. Along the way, he shipped in all three departments. Now 71, he heads up a group of SIU retirees who collectively are known as the Association of Retired Merchant Seamen in Mobile, Ala. Founded by McAll and . the late Brother "Big Ed" Morris, the group is an oasis of sorts for Mobile-area SIU retirees. It helps them stay in touch with former shipmates who live in the same region. "When Big Ed and I started the group back in the mid-'80s, we did it so we'd have a reason and a way to get together other than when attending funerals," shared McAll. "Prior to forming the group, most of us saw one another only while paying our respects to departed brothers. Many times, you'd run into someone who you had not seen in years." The group now numbers upwards of 7 5 members. They regularly get together and conduct social functions at least four times a year at the SIU Hall in Mobile. McAll does the groundwork for these events including setting dates and times. He also manages all funds collected by the group to offset the events' costs. The menu was packed with choices at the Mobile Christmas party. Here, guests enjoy their selections. 10 Seafarers LOG cou·;~ ~;{f:: ~~u head of the group because I make most of the decisions," McAll said. "But I get an awful lot of help from a number of other guys and also from my wife of 51 years, Frances," he said. "Frances is my chief baker, but she also helps in many other areas." Mrs. McAll specializes in pies, cakes, and banana pudding. "I have been baking for the group since they got started," she said. "It's a bit time-consuming, but I love baking for them. I also love meeting and Pensioner Richard McAll, left, his wife, being around all the nice people." Frances, and SIU Port Agent Ed Kelly prepare a warmer to keep food piping hot. McAll named Devon Harrison, Ralph Smith, G.W. Williamson, George W. Dean, M.J. Danzy, Bill Robinson, Henry Miller and Leslie Guillot as some void I feel because of not going to sea anymore, but in a way, it makes it easier. of the retired SIU brothers on whom he "Sometimes I think about going back depends to help with the association. again, just one more time," McAll contin"Countless others have also helped me ued. "But I guess I am just dreaming." over the years, but because of health reasons, they aren't able to lend a hand like they once did," he said. "It just makes me feel great to see the guys and members of their families somewhere besides the mortuaries," McAll reiterated. "I admit that it (the association) Pensioner Richard McAll, wearing apron in center, sees how the does not satisfy that food supply is holding up during the SIU Christmas party in Mobile. Febnlary 2001 �SEALAND ACHIEVER With its strategic mid-Atlantic location and natural deepwater harbor, it is no wonder that Norfolk, Va. is one of the country's most diverse ports. These three photos were snapped during a recent stopover in Norfolk by the containership SeaLand Achiever, operated by U.S. Ship Management, Inc. In the above photo are AB Kenneth L. Mclamb (seated) and AB Brad D. Brunette. At top right is Chief Cook Robert T. Seim, and at right are (from left) AB Mark J. Butler and GUDE Tyrone J. Matthews. - - - USNS STALWART--- Taking a quick break on the TAGOS vessel are (from left) OS/ Storekeeper De Gutenberg Poitevien, AB Roderick Hall, OS Centino Angel and Bosun Ray Wilkes. Norfolk is a base of operations for the TAGOS fleet. . - 1st LT. JACK LUMMUS The 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, a prepositioning ship operated by American Overseas Marine, was getting ready to lay up in the Newport News shipyard when these photos were taken. Above, Bosun Richard Hilbert and below, SAs Daniel T. Mergillano and Edward Ellis prepare to leave the vessel. Checking the medical stores are MDRs Edward Levenson (left) and Mark Pearson. The galley gang is comprised of (from left) SA Jose Roman, Chief Steward Rich Wythe and Chief Cook Rudy Catahan. The Sta/wart's engine department members include Hussein Kirkland (left) and Russell English. MARYLAND PILOTS - - - - USNS YANO - - Working in the steward department aboard the USNS Yano, a roll-on/roll-off vessel, are Steward/Baker Gualberto M. Mirador and Chief Cook Marie P. Mitchell. February 2001 - USNS GORDON Launch Operator Joe Rollins (right) works for Maryland Pilots, which comes under the jurisdiction of the port of Norfolk. Below are Station Engineer Rob Beckett (left) and Launch Operator Kevin Pankake. The USNS Gordon is one of several ships crewed by members from the SIU, MFOW and SUP. Above, in the galley, is SIU member Chief Steward Winston E. Marchman. Seafarers LOG 11 �gages or investments is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Oub Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Presented on these two pages of the Seafarers LOG are handy tax tips-some of which are intended specifically for mariners. Included are the new deduction amounts for 2000 as well as where to get additional information. HOW TO PREPARE ATAXREI'URN Step 1. Get all records together. • Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. • Itemized deductions and tax credits. • Medical and dental payment records. • Real estate and personal property tax receipts. • Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. • Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled "Your Federal Income Tax for Use in Preparing 2000 Returns" is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach the first copy of Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form STANDARD DEDUCI10N This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($850 for a married couple or $400 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemp- tion deduction is $2,800. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single . . . . . . . . . . . .$4, 400 Married filing joint return or Qualifying widow(er) with dependent children ......... $7 ,350 Married filing separate return .... $3,675 Head of household . .$6,450 12 Seafarers LOG 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, social security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-800-2729829 or 1-888-255-8299. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $2.50 becomes $3. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 67b, 67c and 67d on their Form 1040. Line 67b is for the bank's routing number. Line 67c indicates the type of account, and line 67d is the taxpayer's account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the Electronic Filing Office. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount The deduction for each exemption- for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $2,800 per person. In 2000, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Stmdard Dedwrion Im Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box on this page). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual's benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2000, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards and personal loans. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mort- Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee's administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-ReJat.ed Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman's work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union's designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses-either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 16 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 32.5 cents per mile for all miles driven in 2000. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When 'Iraveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on the meal allowance of $38 per day in the continental U.S. and $42 per day outside the continental U.S. Otherwise the IRS standard meal allowance is generally $34. In some locations it is $42, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Travel expenses, including meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one's work and if they have not been reimbursed from any other source. There has been a recent tax court case (Johnson v. Comm. TC No. 5114-98) where a merchant seaman was denied a full deduction for the full M & IE rates. The court ruled that in situations where meals are provided at no cost, the incidental expense rate allowable as an itemized deduction is limited to $2 (in the continental U.S.) and rates ranging from $1 to $53 in other areas. In lieu of these rates, to the extent you have receipts, a higher deduction amount may be allowed. Limit on Itemized Deductions: WHERE TO GE!' INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answer questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under "United States Government, Internal Revenue Service." Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency's taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS's automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the letter "R" or number "7" will repeat the topic and the letter "C" or number "2" will cancel the message. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. (local time). Personal Computer: Access the IRS's Internet Web Site at www.irs.ustreas.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, send them comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive the latest tax issues and news by e-mail from the IRS Digital Dispatch. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a social security number with the letter. In 2000, itemized deductions may be limited for individuals earning more than $128,950 of federal adjusted gross income (or $64, 4 75 if married and filing separately). Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit (EIC) is available to certain low income individuals who have earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income thresholds. For tax year 2000, an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met. Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer's income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $10,380 and no qualifying children- $353 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $2 7, 413 and with 1 qualifying child- $2,353 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $31, 152 and with 2 or more qualifying children- $3,888 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below zero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EIC to see if they are eligible for the credit. Dependent's Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a social security number (SSN). Individuals may get an SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive an SSN. Dependent Child Credit: Effective for tax year 2000, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $500 per child. The credit begins to phase out when modified Adjusted Gross In- come (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or $5,500 for married taxpayers filing separately. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the "HOPE" credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,500 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after January 1, 2000, taxpayers can take the "Lifetime Learning Credit," that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student's expenses. These credits are subject to income limitations. The phaseout of the credits begins for most taxpayers when modified AGI reaches $40,000, and completely phase out when modified AGI reaches $50,000. For joint filers, the phaseout range is $80,000 to $100,000. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credit are not available to taxpayers married filing separately. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,000 of interest paid after December 31, 1999 for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: • Education IRAs- Taxpayers can contribute up to $500 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribu- February 2001 �tion will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary's postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Leaming Credit is claimed. Also, no contribution may be made by any person for the same beneficiary during any year in which a contribution is made to a qualified state tuition program. • Roth IRAs-The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $2,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. • Penalty-Free IRA Distributions-The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a firsttime homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual's lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, D HL - worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, cash, bank check or money order. wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP • Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person's last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2000, the taxpayer's personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer's property. • Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. • Endowments. • In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported. • Jones Act settlements for lost wages. • Amounts received in place of TAX PLANNING TIPS Selling Your Home? The tax law gives homeowners a special tax break on capital gains realized on the sale of a principal residence. If you have owned and used a home as your principal residence for periods totaling at least two years out of the last five years before selling, you generally can take advantage of this break to exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for joint filers). People who fail to meet the ownership or use test or have claimed the exclusion for another home within two years of the sale may qualify for a partial exclusion. Don't forget capital improvements. If you find yourself with unexpected taxable gains on your home sale, check your records for overlooked capital improvement expenses you've paid over the years. The cost.s of capital improvement.s, such as adding another bath, garage or family room, are added to your basis in the home and, thus, reduce your taxable gain. Reinvesting Your Dividends Original Issue Discount. • Distributions from self-employed plans. • Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). • Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. • Lump-sum distributions. • Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) or real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). • Accumulation distributions from trust.s. • Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). • Earned income from sources outside the United States. • WHICH INCOME TO REPORT Director's fees. • Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. • Embezzled income. or other illegal WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: • Benefit.s from government welfare programs. • Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, medical cost.s. • Maintenance and Cure. • Workers' compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. • Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans' Administration. • Child support. • Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. Make sure you count any reinvested dividends as part of your tax basis when you sell the stock you bought through a dividend reinvestment plan. The dividends were taxed to you when they were originally paid. You don't want to pay tax on them twice. The same holds true for mutual fund dividends you had automatically reinvested. • Dividends on veterans' life insurance. State Tax.es • Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. Many state income tax laws are based on federal tax rules. So, the strategies you use for your federal tax planning may work with your state tax planning as well. Be aware that: Some states allow two-earner couples who file joint federal returns to file eparate state returns when it is advantageous. Check your state's rules. If ou have a choice, calculate your tax both ways and use the method that produces the lower tax. Also, you may be considered a resident of-and owe taxes to--two states if you own two residences in different states. If you sell a property in another state at a profit, generally you owe that state taxes on your gain. College Savings Programs . fany states have established college savings programs to assist families in reparing for the rising cost of post-secondary education. There are terrift. tax advantages in contributing to these programs. Many states provide for an income tax deduction at the state level, tax deferral of the earnings, proional money management and easy, convenient ways to make regular . ayments to the program. Your state may be found at wvvw.collegesavngs.org or telephone 1-877-CSPN-4-YOU. February 2001 TAXES DU.E • Life insurance proceeds received because of a person's death. • Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION IRS Form 4868 can be used to ask for a four-month extension to file IRS Form 1040A. An individual requesting an extension is under no obligation to explain why the additional time is needed. Filing of the form gives an individual until August 15, 2001 to file his or her 2000 federal WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibit.s employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108( 11) ] provides that "no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer." The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman-despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year--was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. Late last year, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing "equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels." The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilot.sand other mariners "who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State" shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. tax return. The IRS will contact the individual directly only if the request for an extension is denied. To extend the period of time in which one can file a tax return, that individual must correctly fill out Form 4868 and pay all of the tax monies due. If the filing of Form 4868 and the subsequent four-month extension to file does not provide the individual with enough time, he or she can then file Form 2688, known as '~pplication for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return." Another option open to the person seeking more time in which to file is to write a letter to the IRS stating the reason the extension is necessary. An individual seeking an extension is advised by the IRS to file Form 4868 before filing Form 2688. Copies of Form 4868 are available by calling the agency's toll-free number which is dedicated to tax form requests (800) 829-3676. Also, the form is available from all main IRS branch offices and from the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov. And if a Seafarer finds himself or herself overseas, he or she can obtain the form from any U.S. embassy or consulate. It is im.portant to bear in m.ind that the filing of Form. 4868 requesting an extension does not get one off the hook from. having to pay any taxes due. Form. 4868, when sent in, m.ust be accom.panied by all tax 1n0nies due the U.S. government from. the individual filing the extension. OVERSBASATTAX TIME Should a Seafarer find himself or herself overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: • Berlin, Germany • Caracas, Venezuela • London, England • Mexico City, Mexico • Nassau, Bahamas • Ottawa, Canada • Paris, France • Riyadh, Saudi Arabia • Rome, Italy • Sao Paulo, Brazil • Sydney, Australia Seafarers LOG 13 �Sea:tarers STCW: The Clock Is Ticking! Scliol.anhips ReacbAllTime High With the recent expansion of the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan scholarship program, a record $132,000 in grants will be awarded this year. The breakdown is as follows: • Five scholarships for SIU dependents, for $20,000 apiece; • Three scholarships for SIU members-one for $20,000, two each for $6,000. The deadline for receipt of Seafarers scholarship applications is April 15, 2001. The first step in the application process is obtaining a scholarship program booklet which lists eligibility requirements and application procedures. It includes the application form and is available in any SIU hall. You also may get the booklet by filling out the coupon on this page and mailing it to the SIU Scholarship Program of the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. All Seafarers and their spouses and children who plan to attend college are encouraged to apply. Previous applicants who were not selected for a scholarship remain eligible. r--------------------------------------------------, lease send me the 2001 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. P Name Make sure you meet the requirements! After Feb. 1, 2002, your job may be at stake! For more information: • Contact the Paul Hall Center toll-free at 877-235-3275, or • See page 10 of the November 2000 issue of the Seafarers LOG, or • Visit the U.S. Coast Guard's STCW web site at http://uscg.mil/stcw/ If you need STCW training, apply now to the Paul Hall Center. Mariner's Social Security Number Street Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ City, State, Zip Code Telephone Number This application is for: D Self D Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 L-------------------------------------------------- Watkins Crew Spreads Holiday Cheer Sea/arers Volunteer at San Diego Veterans Center FOR A GOOD CAUSE: USNS Watkins crew members pause for a snapshot on Christmas, a day they spent helping others. Pictured from left to right are (seated) OMU Antuan Barnes, Second Mate John Herget, AB Clinton "Brian" Gillins, (standing) Third Mate Stephen Barry1 SA Shelly Womble, AB Trawn Gooch, NMU retiree H. George Diaz, 1sr Asst. Engineer Ted Elmendorf, Storekeeper Gary Bruber and Chief Engineer Gary McGrath. 14 Seafarers LOG Seafarers and officers aboard the USNS Watkins perked up the holiday spirits of some Southern California citizens by volunteering for Christmas activities both at a San Diego rehabilitation center for homeless war veterans and at a separate, nearby homeless shelter. Unlicensed and licensed mariners from the Watkins "helped set up and decorate. We helped feed ... and then we helped clean up," noted Third Mate Stephen Barry, a former SIU Serving meals at a shelter in San Diego are (from left) Storekeeper Gary Bruber, OMU Antuan Barnes and AB representative. Clinton "Brian" Gillins. Barry said the volunteers were compensated with "the reward of giving, the company of others on a special day and a home-cooked meal to warm our bellies. Ironically, the meals preparation was overseen by retired NMU chef of 23 years, H. George Diaz." Afterward, the Watkins' personnel returned to the vessel-<::urrently based at San Diego's NASSCO shipyard- and resumed their task of preparing the new ship for its first assignment, in Diego Garcia. The 950-foot vessel will carry a wide range of equipment for the U.S. Army, including tanks and armored personnel carriers. It's a roll-on/roll-off ship that can travel at 24 knots. February 2001 �Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea DECEMBER 16, 2000 - JANUARY 15, 2001 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 4 3 0 I 6 3 12 12 11 2 IO 19 26 3 7 3 12 20 .9 5 2 13. 1 0 2 3' 9 8 1 15 3 3 1 6 6 . 6 28 6 ·,f:i 12 23 229 9 7 107 71 11 22 Honolulu 4 l 3 3 0 IO 13 14 l& Totals 3 28 34 Tacoma Wilmington 2 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 7 6 4 2 Totals DECK DEPARTMENT 2 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 0 11 4 4 0 2 0 9 5· 2 9 4 3 6 2 2 18 13 4 19 5 20 11 3 189 107 47 75 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 2 l 5 6 1 12 37 5 45 37 404 25 21 5 8 15 . 13 . J7 .··.·. > 7 .. 23 6 3 3 5 2 0 3 5 3 9 4 13 14 169 12 12 20 18 16 10 6 11 2 8 13 7 1 90 54 23 33 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 192 140 47 7 0 0 0 18 5 8 6 12 7 1 6 100 77 28 5 4 5 2 Wednesday: March 14, April 11 Honolulu .................Friday: March 16., April 13 Houston .................•Monday: March 12, April 9 Jackstinville ...... " ...,Thursday: March 8, April 5 . ··._ ··: Jer~e; City :.L:........Wednesday: March 21, April 18 Mobile .............. ¥ ••••• Wednesd?:y: Marc.h 14, April 11 ...... >::· . . New York................Tuesday: March 6, April 3 l 3 ¥ .......... 111 13 24 30 6 Duluth .......... 17 10 0 5 6 3 5 14 18 Port 5 4 7 Baltimore ................Thursday: March 8, April 5 5 6 l 2 0 7 3 2 3 2 1 4 21 2 l 11 5 3 Algonac .................. Friday: March 9~ April 6 19 5 6 6 Piney Point ............. Monday, March 5, April 2 2 16 63 21 32 . 4() 30 waters · 0 51 7 12 9 7 2 6 0 5 10 2 2 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 0 5 8 11 10 0 Tacoma Wilmington Trip Reliefs !.tfarch &Apn12001 . . lfl!emljerslJ,'1 Mlidlap . . ·Deep ·&;a, takes; Inland li 5 19 4 () Personal 8 11 18 2 5 o. ···. ,., . , , . , ,. . . ~""'•' WALTER KEANE 9 2 3 l f .:. 5 1 2 15 9 119 5 0 3 i '.'.' . . Totals All Departments 6 5 0 0 6 4 0 4 8 39 0 ·1 7 33 27 241 9 0 0 l l 13 3 4. Q 2· IS .. 7 4 d 4 11 2. 19 3 5 . 5 .· ..• .1$ ,···. l_Q . 2 6 11 l 0 9 17 0 0 5 5 5 0 3 0 8 0 10 0 0 0 8 10 5 29 15 12 5 15 10 38 . < 37 15 13 0 5 8 14 2 19 L3 l 8 0 0 0 3 4 7 5 15 11 7 3 27 61 244 20 28 266 898 631 474 2 8 18 129 178 2 24 109 144 498 361 305 422 300 237 157 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 16 Steward Michael H. Watts (right) and Chief Cook Ramont Jackson are all smiles after a busy day preparing and serving the crew of the Pfc. James Anderson Jr. a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. 5 7 2 0 29 February 2001 A Day of Thanksgiving on the Anderson 22 11 5 Totals 3 l 2· . 2 14 5 3 3 0 0 2H'.ii.' ti%<'Hf:Y''iKJWt":· 3 1 1 30 23 49 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 32 7 14 2 ··· Tacoma Wilmington 3 4 0 Walter Keane shipped out of Brooklyn, N. Y. in 1965. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact his daughter, Doreen Keane, at P.O. Box 176, Palm Harbor, FL 34682; or call (727) 772-1643. Alphonse Thomas (inset), who has sailed as a QMED for more than 25 years, provided a beautiful cake for the Thanksgiving Day holiday at the hall in New Orleans. His generosity was appreciated by all. Seafarers LOS 15 �Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes DECEMBER 16, 2000 - JANUARY 15, 2001 CL - JolinF•y £4ecutive Vice President David !Uilldel Secretary-Treasurer Company/Lakes *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP Augustin Tellez L-Lakes NP-Non Priority TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP V,ke President Contracts Jack Caffey Vice President Atlantic Coast Tom. OfUC.howski Vice President Lakes and Wand Waters Dean Corgey Vice President Gulf Coast Nkholas J. M4rro.ne Vice President West Coast KumettM.angram Vice .President Oovemtnent Services . .. Port Algonac Port 0 19 5 Algonac Port 0 8 1 Algonac 0 6 7 Port Algonac 0 13 24 DECK DEPARTMENT 0 2 1 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 5 1 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 1 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 5 6 0 17 4 0 3 0 0 5 7 19 HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair Rive- Or.• Algonac~ MI 48001 (Sto) 794-4988 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., # 1C, Anehorage.AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 Totals All Depts 46 0 37 0 14 0 7 32 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters :BALTIMORE DECEMBER 16, 2000 - JANUARY 15, 2001 2315 Essex St., Baltimore.MD 21224 (410).327-4900 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C DULUm 7-05 Medical Arts :Building, Duluth, MN $5802 (218} 7224110 GUAM 125 Sunny Plaza, Suite 30 l ~E Tun Jesus Crisostorno St. Tamuning. -Ouam 969t 1 · ••·· {~TH647-1350 NEW ORL.EANS <., · · ·· ·· NEWYORK .. , · 635 Fourtb,Me.. Btooklyni NY.: H2l2 (71S)499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Noffolk, VA GulfCoaSt .. 2m 0 o Atlantic·coast o Gulf Coast 0 O . Lake$;ilnJa.tidWaters ,0 0 0 .(} 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PINEY.POINT Bog 15, Piney 'Point, MD 20674 (301) 994--001-0 f()ltl' 1$\Jf;RGLADES 1221 S.Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL .33316 .· ' (954) 522- 7984 SAN FRANCISCO .. 3.50 Fremont St. San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 ·.· . Government Services DMsion (415) 861-3400 SANTuRCE . 1057 Femandez Jimcos Ave., Stop 16Vl Stmturce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST.WUIS 4581 Grav<>is Ave., St. Louis, MO 63ll6 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA WILMINGTON 5 l 0 N. Broad Av~., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 5494000 . Seafarers LOB 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 25 PIC-FROM-THE-PAST PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 0 0 Totals All Depts 0 2 7 1 2 15 2 2 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. (757) 622-1892 16 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C . L$esll Inland vnu~.t;·;:). :\tt:\,f i§J§E!S><iA!\.'>.h/d!iW· J:h:>.)i:JY;;::c.,3~;;.g;;.KQW: .;;,,,. ,ii·••c·•:.•,,.,.y West Coast 0 0 6 Totals 0 2 7 Region 3911 Lapa.loo Blvd.; Harve)i LA 7005& . P~O. TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Region Atlantic:coast West Coast Totals {504) 3zs;..1s4s 30 If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, it should be sent to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. The photo at left was sent to the LOG by Pensioner Andrew H. Reasko of San Francisco, Calif. It was taken in Baltimore in 1947 while waiting for a ship. From the left are AB Joseph Gaziak, AB Ralph Vall and Messman Reasko. Brother Reasko, 74, sailed with the SIU for 42 years, retiring in 1988 at the age of 62. He upgraded his skills at the union's training facility in Piney Point, Md., attaining the rating of recertified steward. In inset, Reasko (second from left) and two retired Seafarers join former SIU West Coast VP George McCartney (right) at the Thanksgiving Day festivities held at the SIU hall in San Francisco. Febnla'I 2001 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard US-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. ~ An Inland captain is among the 13 Seafarers announcing their retirements this month. James Rider navigated the inland waterways as a captain for nearly 30 years. Along the way, he upgraded his seafaring skills at the SIU's training school in Piney Point, Md. Including Rider, four of the retirees sailed in the deep sea division. Four plied the Great Lakes, and the remaining five navigated the inland waterways. Seven of the retirees worked in the deck department, two shipped in the engine department and four sailed in the steward department. On this page, the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of the retiring Seafarers. DEEP SEA SAMUEL CAPRO, 64, ment, he last sailed aboard the Sea-Land Crusader. Brother Demourelle resides in Houston. SMAIL HARIRI, 65, joined the SIU in 1980 in the port of Seattle. Born in Yemen, Brother Hariri .__~~~""""---·.....J, shipped as a member of the steward department. He first worked aboard Delta Steamship Lines' Santa Adela. Brother Hariri upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point, Md. He last sailed aboard the Sea-Land Developer. Brother Hariri lives in Seattle. ~------. JULIO REYES, 65, hails from New Orleans. Brother Capro started his career with the SIU in 1963, joining in the port of New Orleans. A member of the steward dep.iu1ment, he first shipped ard Delta Steam · in es' Del Sol. Brother C last sailed aboard Waterman Steamship Corp. 's Jeb Stuart. He lives in St. Bernard, La. joined the SIU in 1961 in the port of New York. Brother Reyes sailed as a member of the engine department. He first sailed aboard Waterman Steamship Corp. vessels. He upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. in 1976. A native of Puerto Rico, he last shipped aboard the CSX Spirit. Brother Reyes resides in Fajardo, P.R. CHARLESS. DEMOURLLE, 64, is a na · of GREAT LAKES JOHND. APPELT, 65, New Ore He began his career with the SIU in 1965, joining in the port of Houston. Brother Demourelle first shipped aboard a Wall Street Traders, Inc. vessel. A member of the engine depart- joined the SIU in 1989 in the port of Algonac, Mich. Prior to joining the '""""-"'...........---'-' SIU, Brother Appelt served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. Born in Enjoying Thanksgiving Aboard the Ambrose Channel GILBERTO O.GARCIA, 70, began his SIU career in 1968. He first sailed aboard the Ann Arbor RR Cord, operated by Michigan Interstate Railway. Born in Puerto Rico, Brother Garcia shipped as a member of the deck department. He last sailed aboard American Steamship Co. 's H. Lee White. Brother Garcia calls Philadelphia home. ----.ABDOL GHANI MOHSSEN, 61, hails from Yemen. Brother Mohssen started his career with the SIU in 1969, joining in the port of Detroit. A member of the steward department, he first sailed aboard the Wacosta, operated by SeaLand Service. Brother Mohssen upgraded his skills at the SIU's training school in Piney Point, Md in 1989. He last shipped aboard American Steamship Co. 's Walter J. McCarthy. Brother Mohssen calls Dearborn, Mich. home. lives in Brush Prairie, Wash. JAMES A RIDER, 62, was born in Benzoma, Mich. He joined the SIU in 1962 in the port of Detroit. Sailing as a captain, he worked primarily aboard Luedtke Engineering vessels. Brother Rider upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in 1992. He lives in Arcadia, Fla. JOHN J. WALSH, 61, started his SIU career m 1961, joining in the port of Cleveland. Born in Ohio, he shipped as a member of the deck department. Boatman Walsh worked primarily aboard Great Lakes Dredge & Dock's Lemmerhirt. He calls Marblehead, Ohio home. RUSSELLF. RHODA, 61, began his career with the SIU in 1972, joining in the port of Philadelphia. Boatman Rhoda sailed primarily aboard Interstate Oil Transport Company vessels. The Pennsylvania native shipped as a member of the deck department. Boatman Rhoda calls Cape May Court House, N.J. home. CARMELO SALAMAN, 61, joined the SIU in 1976 in his native Puerto Rico. A member of the steward department, Boatman Salaman worked primarily aboard Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. vessels. He lives in Juanita Bay, P.R. PATRICKW. THOMAS JR., 43, hails INLAND FREDERICK C.MOUNTFORD, 62 started his SIU career in 1985. He joined in the port of Wilmington, Calif. and sailed as a member of the deck department. Born in England, Boatman Mountford worked primarily aboard Crowley Towing and Transportation vessels. He Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG · 1946 from Texas. He began his career with the SIU in 1976, joining in Port Arthur, Texas. Boatman Thomas shipped as a member of the deck department, first sailing aboard a Marine Fueling, Inc. vessel. He last worked for Moran Towing of Texas. Boatman Thomas lives in Vidor, Texas. since Jan. 1, 1951 were rated Class "B" and men who had no time aboard SIU 1~~pf/Qted.~lm!J}gly, · ' . ~~~~:i::~ ~:.~:i: !Cr~:r:e~e~!s fOO'a:resolution that authorized-the efeCtion Pof,~Jf~ommittee to inve41gate\~1Je . p9~sibili~ · · . ties and advisability of establishing an, upgrading school in the Port of New In Orleans. The mem.. bership felt very strongly that the union should establish ·and operate its · owti training schools ratber than have schools controlled and operated by the government. An additional reason is that there is a shortage of qualified ratings in all departments. to cover classes A and B received a ''C'' rating. In the future, seamen with A 11 rat.. ings will receive preference over the ?UJS M0 ,M?t..i I~ I n JN SJU HJSTORY Crew members who were working aboard the Ambrose Channel last Nov. 23 were treated to a Thanksgiving Day feast. In top photo, GVA Marcos Guity, Chief Steward Elena Curley and Chief Cook Jimmy Cordova begin preparations. At left, Bosun Mario Romero starts with the appetizers, while other crew mem"' bers (below) enjoy their meal. Februarr 2001 Detroit, he first sailed aboard Bob-Lo Island Company vessels. Brother Appelt shipped as a member of the deck department, last working aboard American Steamship Co. 's H. Lee White. Brother Appelt calls Croswell, Mich. home. other two categories for job calls and the u9 11 rated seamen will receive prefer~ ence over "C" men. 1970 Members of the SIU, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District have voted overwhelmingly, in a secret (ballot) refer· endum, to adopt proposed amendments to the constitution. This marks the first time in almost 10 years that significant 1955 changes have been made in the union's constitution. Three propositions were on ,. The membei::s~ip of the Seafarers International Union, Atlantic & Gulf the ballot, and each passed. They covered District, ratified a newly negotiated contract the proposed new consdtution itself, clause establishing a seniority hiring provi- changes on initiation fees, and changes in sion with contracted companies. The new the method of paying dues. None of the hiring system involves three classes of changes had any bearing on job rights of seniority. Men sailing before Dec. 31, 19 50 Seafarers. Constitutional changes deal only got "A" ratings; men sailing regularly with [members' rights within the union]. Seafarers LOii 17 �Final Dcpaitura · DEEP SEA KASIMIRS ABARONS Pensioner Kasimirs Abarons, 84, died Oct. 23, 2000. Brother Abarons started his career with the SIU in 1951 in the port of """-"""""""-----·w··.,~. Seattle. A membe! of the engine department, he first sailed aboard ~e Mankato Victory, operated by Victory Carriers, Inc. Brother Abarons last shipped aboard the Sea-Land Philadelphia. He began receiving his pension in 1981 . Brother Abarons lived in Spanaway Wash. ' JAMES BERGSTROM Aug. 31 , 2000. Brother Correll started his career with the SIU in 1960 joining in the port of New York. ' Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he sailed primarily aboard Sea-Land Service vessels. The deck department member last sailed aboard the Sea-Land Cru~a~er. ~rather Correll began rece1vmg his pension in 1999. He lived in his native Brooklyn. VINCENT D' AMELIA Brother Vincent D'Amelia, 39, passed away Oct. 16, 2000. Born in Binghamton, N.Y., Brother D ' Amelia started his SIU career in 1997, joining in the port of Piney Point, Md. A member of the deck department, he first shipped aboard the Duchess, operated by Ocean Duchess, Inc. He last worked aboard the LNG Capricorn. Brother D' Amelia lived in New York. of New York. Born in Massachusetts, he sailed as a member of the engine department. Brother Gallagher first shipped aboard an Interocean Management vessel. He last sailed aboard the HMI Dync:c_hem .. Brother Gallagher began receivmg his pension in 1989. He called Port Neches, Texas home. DYKE GARDNER Brother Dyke Gardner, 54, died Oct. 2, 2000 and was buried at sea. He began his career with the Seafarers in 1962, joining in the port of Houston . He shipped as a member of the engine department. A native of California, Brother Gardner first sailed aboard the Sea-Land Arizona. He last worked aboard the USNS Algol, operated by Bay Ship Management. He Jived in Derry, N.H. Pensioner James Bergstrom, 72, died Oct. 29, 2000. Born in Davis, W. Va., he joined the SIU in 1947 in the port of Baltimore. Brother Bergstrom first shipped aboard an Emerson Steamship Company vessel. A member of the steward department, he last sailed on Delta Steamship Lines' Santa Rosa. Brother Bergstrom served in the U.S. Army from 1951to1953. He beg~n receiving his pension in 1985. He hved in Mt. Storm, W.Va. LEROY DOTY KENNETH HARDER Pensioner Leroy Doty, 79, passed away Oct. 28, 2000. Brother Doty began his SIU career in 1947, joining in the port of New York. He first shipped aboard the Pan Atlantic. A member of the deck department, Brother Doty last sailed aboard a Michigan Tankers vessel. The ~on, <?hio native began receiving his pens10n in 1978. Brother Doty lived in Lakewood, N.J. Pensioner Kenneth Harder, 62, passed away Aug. 20, 2000. Brother Harder started his SIU career in 1970, joining in the ·.. port ofNew York. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959. Born in San Francisco, Brother Harder sailed as a member of the engine department. His last ship was the Sea-Land Ente.rP_rise. _Brother Harder began receivmg his pension in 1999. He resided in his native California. PRESTON BRIDGEFORTH THOMAS DOWDELL Pensioner Preston Bridgeforth, 72, passed away Sept. 6, 2000. The Virginia native graduated from the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S) training school and joined that union in 1959. Brother Bridgeforth shipped in the steward dep~ent, first sailing aboard an Amencan President Lines vessel. He last worked on a Crowley vessel. B_rother _Bri~geforth began receiving his pension m 1993. He lived in Baltimore. Brother Thomas Dowdell, 41, died Sept. 8, 2000. He began his SIU career in 1978, joining in the port of Piney Point, Md. A member of the dec_k dep~ent, the New York City native shipped in both the deep sea and inland divisions. He first worked aboard a National Marine Service vessel. Brother Dowde11 last shipped aboard the 1st Lt. Alex Bonnyman, operated by Maersk Line, Ltd. He lived in New York. WARDELL BROWN Brother Wardell Brown, 33, passed away Nov. 11 , 1999. He began his SIU career in 1988. Born in Norfolk Va., Brother Brown first shipped ' aboard Ocean Ships' Paul Buck. A member of the steward department, he last sailed aboard the Cornhusker State, operated by Interocean Ugland Management Corp. Brother Brown called Chesapeake, Va. home. RONALD CARRAWAY Pensioner Ronald Carraway, 70, died Nov. 1, 2000. He started his SIU career in 1957, joining in the I*port of Seattle. ' A member of the deck department, Brother Carraway first shipped aboard a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. He last .worked ab?ard the cable ship Long Lmes. A native of Detroit Brother Carraway served in the'u.s. Army from 1946 to 1951. He also was a member of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1951 to 1954. Brother ~arr~way began receiving his pension m 1990. He lived in Roseville Mich. ' THOMAS CORRELL Pensioner Thomas Correll, 64, died 18 Seafarers LOii LOUIS DURACKER Pensioner Louis Duracker, 66, died Oct. 21, 2000. Brother Duracker began his SIU career in 1951 , joining in the port of New Orleans. A member of the deck department, he first sailed aboard the Alcoa Partner, an Alcoa Steamship Co. vessel. The Louisiana native last worked aboard a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. B.rother ~ur~cker began receiving his pension m 1984. He resided in Metairie, La. JAMES FLEMING Pensioner James Fleming, 84, passed away Oct. 28, 2000. He began his career with the SIU in 1942. Brother Fleming · shipped as a member of both the deck and steward departments. The Mobile, Ala. native last worked aboard Cove Shipping Co. 's Cove Sailor. Brother Fleming served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. He began receiving his pension in 1982. Brother Fleming lived in Grand Bay, Ala. CHARLES GALLAGHER Pensioner Charles Gallagher, 69, passed away Aug. 31, 2000. Brother Gallagher started his career with the Seafarers in 1960, joining in the port ALBARO HERNANDEZ Pensioner Albaro Hernandez 72 died Oct. 31, 2000. Brother ' ' Hernandez began his career with the SIU in 1952, joining in the port of New Orleans. Born in Texas be served in the U.S. Marine C~rps from 1944 to 1945. Brother Hernandez sailed as a member of the deck department. His first ship was the Transatlantic. Brother Hernandez last worked aboard the Overseas Valdez. He began receiving his pension in 1993. Brother Hernandez resided in Corpus Christi, Texas. REMINGTON HURLSTONE Pensioner Remington Hurlstone, 86, passed away Nov. 5, 2000. He joined the SIU in 1945 in the port of Mobile, Ala. Born in the Cayman Islands, Brother Hurlstone shipped as a member of the deck department. He first sailed aboard a Waterman Steamship vessel. Brother Hurlstone last worked on the SeaLc:nd Co_nsw.ner. He began receiving his pension m 1979. He lived in Inverness, Fla. HUGO JEFFCOAT Pensioner Hugo Jeffcoat, 85, died Oct. 31, 2000. Brother Jeffcoat started his SIU career in 1950, joining in the port of New York. A member of the deck department, he first shipped aboard the City ofAlma, operated by Waterman Steamship Corp. Brother Jeffcoat last sailed aboard the JB. White, another Waterman vessel. Born in Lexington, S.C., he served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. Bro~er ~effcoat began receiving his pension m 1977. He lived in Livingston, Texas. ARMANDO LUPARI Pensioner Armando Lupari, 77, passed away \'> Oct. 27, 2000. He began his career with the SIU in 1963, . joining in the . · ·•· ·· port of Baltunore. Brother Lupari shipped as a member of the engine department. His last vessel was the SeaLand Consumer. Born in McKeesport, Pa., Brother Lupari served in the U.S. Army from 1948 t? 19.52. He began receiving his pension m 1986. Brother Lupari called Kenner, La. home. ROBERT MICHAEL Pensioner Robert Michael, 70, died Oct. 17, 2000. He began his career with the Seafarers in 1951, joining in the port of Jacksonville, Fla. Born in Florida, he shipped as a member of the deck department. Brother Michael last worked aboard Seahawk Management's Falcon Chan:pi~n. He began receiving his pension m 1989. Brother Michael Jived in his native Jacksonville. JOSE ROSS Pensioner Jose Ross, 79, passed away Nov. 10, 2000. Brother Ross started his career with the Seafarers in 1952. A member of the steward department, he first sailed aboard a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel and last shipped aboard Puerto Rico Marine Man_a~eme~t's Mayaquez. He began rece1vmg his pension in 1987. Born in Puerto Rico, Brother Ross called Clearwater, Fla. home. away Nov. 20, 2000. Born in Virginia, Boatman White started his career with the Seafarers in 1961, joining in the port of . Norfolk, Va. He sailed as a captain, working primarily aboard Allied Towing Co. vessels. He served in the U.S. Navy from 194~ t_ o 19~5 . Boatman White began rece1vmg his pension in 1985. He lived in his native Virginia. GREAT LAKES SAM DYER Pensioner Sam Dyer, 90, passed away Nov. 23, 2000. Born in Harrisburg, Pa., Brother Dyer began his career with the SIU in 1960, joining in the port of Detroit. A member of the deck department, he sailed primarily aboard Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. vessels. Brother Dyer served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1945. He began receiving his pension in 1976. Brother Dyer lived in Hampton, Mich. WILLIAM GALLAGHER Pensioner William Gallagher, 74 passed away Nov. &, 2000. He started his SIU career in 1961, joining in the port of '"""--..:;....;._,,;_::.;,,;_.____,'.;..J Cleveland. Brother Gallagher served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. Born in Ohio, he shipped as a member of the deck department. Brother Gallagher sailed primarily aboard Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. vessels. His last ship was the Lemmerhirt. He began receiving his pension in 1984. Brother Gallagher lived in Norwalk Ohi~ ' CHARLES WATSON NATHAN HAURING Pensioner Charles Watson, 80, died Oct. 10, 2000. Brother Watson joined the MC&S in the port of San Francisco. Born ,___....;;.;..~--l11. · __i· a ~'· ·113 in Atlanta, he sailed primarily aboard Matson Navigation Co. vessels. Brother ~atson began receiving his pension m 1970. He lived in Riverside, Calif. Pensioner Nathan Hauring, 57, died Nov. 1, 2000. Brother Hauring started his career with the SIU in 1973, joining in the port of Duluth, Minn. A member of the deck department, Brother Hauring first shipped aboard a Great Lakes Associates vessel. Born in Ahmeek Mich., Brother Hauring last worked aboard the Saint Clair. He served in the U.S . Navy from 1960 to 1964 '.lld began receiving his SIU pension m 1997. Brother Hauring lived in Portage, Mich. !!:li '· .. INLAND SAMUEL JACKSON Pensioner Samuel Jackson, 62, passed away Sept. 27, 2000. Born in South Carolina, Boatman Jackson joined the Seafarers in 1976 in the port of Houston. A member of the engi?e department, he worked primanly aboard Marine Contracting & Towing Co. vessels. He began receiving his pension in 2000. Boatman Jackson lived in Awenden, S.C. CLAUDE JACOBS Boatman Claude Jacobs, 45, died Sept. 20, 2000. He joined the Seafarers in the port of Norfolk, Va. He last worked aboard a Maritrans vessel. Boatman Jacobs lived in Virginia Beach, Va. ELWOOD WHITE Pensioner Elwood White, 79, passed ""'* RAILROAD MARINE ARTHUR MARTINI Pensioner Arthur Martini, 85, died Nov. 22, 2000. A native of Brooklyn, he joined the Seafarers in 1963 in the port of New York. The deck department member first sailed aboard an Erie Lackawanna Railroad Co. vessel. He last worked on New York Dock Railway Co. vessels. Brother Martini began receiving his pension in 1977. He lived in New York. February 2001 �'JJigest of Shil)b9~.,t Union 'JM•t~•r f/h~. S'"afarers LOG attempts to;p(li11 as.infny.dfge~ itiqn{i111§1Jjpboard ,minutes as possible. On occpsi~n, becauiJI o( sf{~c~ limitatitms, so111e wiil be omlltBd~ · '· .· · ··~~ .·; AL Ships minutes first are nvlewed /Jy the anion1s contract department. ;''i/lfJ.ose (ssues requiring attention or resolution are addrsssed by the union upon receipt of the ships' minutes. The minute$ are then forwarded ';y> to the Seafarers LOG torpublleation. ;\]);iiC AMERICAN MERLIN (OspreyAcomarit Ship Mgmt.), Oct. 12Chairman James V. Triassi Jr., Secretary Steven M. Dickson, Educational Director Jason M. Crist, Deck Delegate Duane R. Costello, Engine Delegate John W. Robinson Jr., Steward Delegate Hamin Sialana. Chairman asked everyone to report any unsafe conditions. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested on company policy of holding percentage of income on foreign voyages for repatriation. New movies requested (24 per quarter as per company agreement) as well as news and sports programs. Crew members reminded to separate plastic items from garbage. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. DEFENDER (U.S. Ship Mgmt.), Oct. 31--Chairman Juan Castillo, Secretary Steven R. Wagner, Educational Director Tom dom, Deck Delegate Tan J , Engine Delegate Edwa ebs, Steward Delegate Crum. Chairman ann Cl payoff scheduled Nov. Lake Charles, La. Everything running smoothly in all departments. Crew members reminded to put in for relief several weeks before time up. New chairs and couch purchased for crew lounge. veryone asked to try and keep t · good condition. Secretary asked t etting off to have clean linen for r · Educational director reminded crew members of upgrading opportunities available at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made for contracts department to review pension plan to enable Seafarers to retire at any age with full benefits after 20 years seatime. Steward department and rest of crew given vote of thanks. Next ports: Lake Charles; Tampa, Fla. HMI PETROCHEM (IUM), Oct. 31--Chairman Michael E. Brown, Secretary William Perry, Educational Director William H. Day, Engine Delegate C. Foster Jr., Steward Delegate Joseph Jones. Chairman announced ship scheduled for Port Arthur, Texas shipyard in mid-November in preparation for possible Alaska run. No layoff expected. Entire crew looking forward to spending Christmas at home. Educational director urged everyone to upgrade at Paul Hall Center, try new simulators there, and keep all shipping documents up to date. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made for contracts department to consider reduction of tour of duty from 120 days to 90 to earn transportation, and for relief requests to be sent to manpower in timely fashion. Next port: Corpus Christi, Texas. INTEGRITY (U.S. Ship Mgmt), Oct. 29--Chairman Domingo Leon Jr., Secretary Stephanie L. Sizemore. Chairman talked about need for bus service to and from main gate in Genoa and Malta. Steward asked crew members to inform cook if they will not be eat- February 2001 ing aboard ship while in port. Educational director reminded crew to leave clean linen in rooms when departing ship. Treasurer announced $113 in ship's movie fund. Thanks given to John Rodriguez for organizing video library. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Several items discussed from current LOG, including progress made by SIU aboard military ships. Request made for health ID cards for members and dependents to show proof of insurance. Suggestion made for crew members to have transportation provided by company to place of residence. Steward department complimented by crew for culinary skills. Wiper Tony Rosario given vote of thanks for sharing his artistic talents in making crafts from tin cans. Beautiiful work! Bosun thanked entire crew for working well together. Next ports: Elizabeth, N.J.; Charleston, S.C.; Houston; Freeport, Bahamas. /TB NEW YORK (Sheridan Transportation Corp.), Oct. 28Chairman Stephen J. Argay, Secretary Abraham Martinez, Educational Director John Binpong, Deck Delegate Anthony Heinoidt, Engine Delegate Jared Lee, Steward Delegate Ali Muther. Chairman thanked everyone for help in separating plastic items from trash. Educational director advised crew members to check expiration date on STCW and upgrade at Piney Point facility. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Still no TV reception, not even in port. Suggestion made for next contract to include day off for every 30 worked. Next ports: Lakes Charles, La.; Port Everglades, Fla. LIBERTY SPIRIT (Liberty Maritime), Oct. 29-Chairman Ronald Owens, Secretary Henry E. Manning, Steward Delegate Jorge Bernardez. Chairman talked about STCW requirements and urged everyone to have necessary endorsements. Educational director reminded crew members about training benefits at Paul Hall Center and about importance of contributing to SPAD. Engine delegate brought up some problems in his department; no disputed OT reported. Request made for new TV and VCR in crew lounge. LNG GEMINI (Pronav Ship Mgmt.), Oct. 29-Chairman Charles H. Kahl, Secretary Ronald E. Aubuchon, Educational Director Mark A. Freeman, Deck Delegate David D. Freeman, Engine Delegate Kevin W. Conklin, Steward Delegate John D. Bukowsky. Chairman talked about working together, with each crew member trying to make a better and safer tour for everyone. He noted that if any problems arise, they should first go through proper channels within SIU. Secretary led discussion on relevance of social values. He stated all Seafarers, regardless of gender, should be treated with respect at all times. Educational director reminded crew of importance of upgrading skills at Piney Point facility. "You have to learn more in order to earn more," he stated. He also urged any member who wants to attend college to apply for an SIU scholarship. Treasurer announced several hundred dollars in ship's fund to be used for videos, magazine subscriptions, pool parties, gym equipment, etc. Deck delegate reminded crew of safety factors in their work-wearing ear protection, safety goggles and safety belts. Engine delegate expressed gratitude to deck/maintenance department for assistance tying up ship. Clarification requested on money purchase pension plan, new contract, and Marshall Island discharges. Compliments given to steward department for job well done and for maintaining high standards of SIU. Next port: Osaka, Japan. OVERSEAS MARILYN (OSG Ship Mgmt.), Oct. 29--Chairman Marco A. Galiano, Secretary Darren C. Weatherspoon, Engine Delegate Guadalupe Campbell, Steward Delegate Stanley C. Washington. Chairman reported ship returning from round-theworld voyage and going into shipyard for a few days before loading cargo for North Korea. Secretary stated it was a long trip, but quite an experience for most of crew. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made for contracts department to look into obtaining prescription coverage for dependents, reducing eligibility time for vacation benefits and reinstating transportation to port of engagement. Next port: Portland, Ore. PETERSB URG (IUM), Oct. 2Chairman Eddie Hall, Secretary George J. Borromeo, Educational Director Ronald Day, Steward Delegate George Burgos. Vessel reactivated from shipyard in Singapore, now stationed in Guam. One QMED day worker on emergency leave. Chairman reminded crew members about mandatory attendance at fire and boat drills. He said no news yet about pay increase. Educational director and ship's secretary talked about compliance of STCW requirements by Feb. 1, 2002, including need for endorsements in damage control, tankerman assistant/cargo (DL) and fire fighting. Wendy Fearing elected ship's treasurer. She ' ll speak with master regarding balance of ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made for contracts department to try to negotiate reduction of eligibility time for vacation benefits and better insurance coverage. USNS HEEZEN (Dyn Marine), Oct. 15--Chairman Edward Nels on, Secretary Eric Johnson, Educational Director Pat Yarborough, Deck Delegate Shane HilJer, Steward Delegate Julio Arzu. Number of important issues were discussed, including vacation, penalty meal hour, health plan, union dues, holiday and weekend pay, separation of trash and STCW qualifications. Secretary also advised everyone to make sure clinic card is current. Educational director urged crew members to attend upgrading classes at Piney Point. Treasurer announced $200 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks given to steward department for great job. Ship heading to New Jersey. CHALLENGER (CSX Lines), Nov. 5--Chairman Roy L. Williams, Secretary William E. Bragg, Educational Director Hardin C. Chancey, Deck Delegate Erowin C. Udan, Engine Delegate Jerome E. Dooms, Steward Delegate Angel B. Correa. Chairman read president's report from LOG and informed crew of planned payoff Nov. 14. Ship will be on weekly service between Jacksonville and San Juan at least until shipyard period in midJanuary 2001. Secretary passed on word from master regarding advance notice of travel destination when transportation is due. Discussion held on SIU voting procedures and sample ballot. Educational director led discussion about STCW requirements and basic English testing. He reminded crew to update training skills and not wait until last minute. Treasur- Lines), Nov. 7--Chairman Kevin A. Kellum, Secretary Cirilo S. Centeno, Educational Director David W. King. Secretary reported ship due Nov. 12 in Mombasa, Kenya. Educational director reminded crew to upgrade skills at Piney Point and complete required courses for STCW compliance. Treasurer announced $24 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Requests made to On the Picket Line Against Verizon Before joining the Cape Jacob in Diego Garcia, Chief Steward Lauren Oram (holding SIU sign) showed her support for striking IBEW Local 2322 members in her hometown of Hyannis, Mass. er announced $40 in ship's fund after purchase of TVs and VCRs. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made for contracts department to look into reducing seatime needed to file for vacation benefits. Ship's committee will discuss with captain feasability of installing radio and TV antennae during shipyard period. Next ports: Jacksonville; San Juan, P.R. ENTERPRISE (CSX Lines), Nov. 16--Chairman Robert S. Wilson, Secretary Franchesca D. Rose, Educational Director Ray L. Chapman, Deck Delegate George D. Vukmir, Engine Delegate Vernon Edwards, Steward Delegate Thomas K. Gingerich . Chairman reminded crew of STCW deadline Feb. 1, 2002. Members will not be able to sai 1 without proper endorsements. Secretary urged everyone to try and recruit new members into school 's unlicensed apprentice program to help keep union and U.S. maritime industry strong. She stressed need to be involved in all safety and fire drills aboard ship. Educational director suggested crew members update fire fighting endorsements early to avoid lastminute rush before STCW deadline. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made for heating and air conditioning to be fixed while ship is in yard. KODIAK (CSX Lines), Nov. 6Chairman Garry D. Walker, Secretary Mohamed N. Sani, Educational Director Thomas Hogan. Chairman announced late ship arrival in Tacoma Nov. 8 due to heavy weather. Blanket day off postponed until crew can get maximum time off. He urged all members to vote in SIU election. He also told crew that following recent Coast Guard inspection, USCG remarked that Kodiak crew was most professional and well trained they observed all year. Great job! Educational director recommended attending Paul Hall Center for upgrading skills. Crew also advised to check out scholarship opportunities for themselves and dependents. No beefs or di sputed OT reported. Suggestion made to get prescription coverage for spouses and children. Crew also would like to see more effo rt by rank-and-file to increase input into next contract negotiations. s MAERSK ARIZONA (Maersk increase vacation and order another radio for crew 's lounge. Next port: New Orleans. NORTHERN LIGHTS (IUM), Nov. 16--Chairman John 0. Glenn, Secretary Travis R. Jefferson, Educational Director Daniel P. Mitchell, Deck Delegate Stephen W. Grier, Engine Delegate Randall Story. Chairman led discussion on taking care of older members by raising pension benefits. Secretary advised everyone to check expiration date on z-cards and clinic cards. Ship going into dry dock ov. 22. Educational director stressed importance of taking advantage of educational facilities at Piney Point and having necessary endorsements for STCW. No beefs or disputed OT reported . Request made for new radio and TV antenna. Ship 's crew congratulated President Mike Sacco for good job. Thanks also given to steward department for job well done and to entire crew for helping keep clean ship. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. CAPE JACOB (Amsea), Dec. 5 --Chairman Robert Johnson, Secretary Lauren Oram, Educational Director Lawrence T. French III, Deck Delegate John S. Zabielski, Engine Delegate James Van Dyke, Steward Delegate Arturo A. Rodriguez. Chairman noted crew rotations beginning to straighten out and said crew members seem happy with new contract and pay raise. He reminded everyone to call the company about relief 10 days before end of 120-day rotation. Secretary reported $700 in ship's fund to be used for movies, ship's hats, etc. Educational director talked about need to comply with STCW by Feb. 1, 2002 and noted good article in November LOG about it. He also mentioned stateof-the-art simulators for training at the Paul Hall Center and reminded everyone to have TRBs updated and signed. No beefs or disputed OT reported. President's report from LOG read and discussed. Members agreed headquarters working hard to get good jobs. Cape Jacob will be 40 years old Jan. 16. Captain thinking about celebration. Crew wishes to send holiday greetings from Diego Garcia to all SIU brothers and sisters . Seafarers LOG 19 �Enchilada Sauce "We have to think fast and be creative when cooking aboard ship, especially when we run out of a specific ingredient. That is how this sauce was created. " Yi chicken (washed and cleaned) SUMMAR'(4NNUAt REPORT FOR SEAFARERS VACATION FlJND This is a summary of the annual report of theSeafarerS'. Vaoatio1t!~Ul1~BlN 135602047, Plan No. 503, for the period January l, 1999 through Dec~lhber3lt1999. The annual report has been filed with the Internal Revenue Setviceras required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ElUSA). .. / , The Board of Trustees has committed itself to pay all claims incurred under the terms of the plan. 3 Yi cups water GALLEY CORNER Basic Financial Statement 4 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin 2 tablespoons chicken base 2 teaspoons cilantro, fresh or dried 3 diced tomatoes (or 2 diced tomatillos) 1 cup celery, chopped 1 cup onion, chopped Yi cup green pepper, chopped Yi cup minced garlic. ;,?The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $15~,if~.7S5 as of December 31~ 1999, compared to $14,965,512 as of January 1,J999(asrestated). Dury9g the plan year the plan experienced an increase in its n~t ~~ of $454,273.. ~is increase includes unrealized appreciation and depredatio#:ih the value of pfan assets; th,at is, the difference between the -value of th~ plan's ai$ets at the end of the year and the.value of the assets at the beginning of the year p£.J~e cost of assets acquired duri~th~y~ar'. Puring the plan year, the plan had;t~aJ. P1P~!l!:e;of · $4l,S12,13S including empfo~ei contributions of $41,56(),397, realized (,i<;)ss) of ${78~297) from the sale ofass~earnings from investments of$1,43J.87J a?~\iJ~ alized (depteciation) of assets oU(l,l{)~t,~3,~): ··..\. . . . . X(!;ff.;.> . , \ Plan expenses were $4 l ,3 57,865. ,rtieS:~ ~~~esJncluded $4,418~70liii ~~inij, istrative expenses and $36,939,164 in benefits paig to J.)articipants and benetici~est'. . . . y Your Rights to AddfttO...i}IJifOf-tJOa ., ,. <i?!xi .; /'ii:You pave the right to receive a copy ofth~ttllannual te~rt. ox~yp;ttl(r~~ 011 requ~t+ T~e items listed below are included in that repb!1: .J:1;~ ·. :.;' ,.,. . . · ·< 1) An acco'~t'~ report; << · 2) ' ' ,;3) 4) Combine all the ingredients and boil until soft (about 25 minutes). Strain the ingredients and return to stove. Make paste of flour and water to thicken ingredients. This makes a good Mexican sauce for enchiladas or breakfast burritos. Chief Cook/Chief Steward Saundra Jean Leonard If anyone is looking for a particular recipe or has one of their own that they would like to share, drop Chef Hetmanski a line at the Paul Hall Center, P. 0. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 or e-mail to: shlssvoc@us.hsanet.net. (Editors note: the Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writers intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.) Note of Appreciation For Pension Bonus Just a thanks to all at the SIU Pension Fund for the year-end bonus. It is very much appreciated. A very Merry Christmas to all brothers and sisters in the SIU. Horace Wiltshire Norfolk, VA . ... Just Doing a Job; No Reward Expected I just finished reading an article in the December 2000 LOG that reminded me of something that happened many years ago [page 5, "Lakes Seafarers, Gordon Crew Honored for Dramatic Rescues"]. During the season of 193 5, I was an AB watchman aboard the Frank Billings. The Billings was tied up for the evening, as the grain scoopers did not unload at night. The watchmen stood a ladder watch by the after ladder. Mine was the 8-to-12 watch. It was a dark night, and at 10:00 I saw the headlights of a car coming down to the dock. The car let a man out and then drove away. As soon as the man got out, I knew there was trouble. I could see that the man was loaded and would probably fall in the water. 20 Seafarers LOG I knew there was no time to spare. I grabbed a life ring off the after cabins and hurried down the ladder. When I reached the bottom, the man fell in. I dropped the life ring in the water and jumped in after it. A person drowning will grab anything they can to keep from sinking. Just as he was ready to go down for the second time, I grabbed an arm and pulled it through the life ring. I did not worry anymore as I had him pinned. Someone called the cops, and a short time later they came down with the necessary equipment. I watched as they worked on the man, pumping out booze and polluted water. When he came to, he said "thank you," and that was reward enough. I've heard of people getting medals for saving someone. I did not receive any, nor did I expect any. I had a job to do and I did it. At the time I was 27 years old. Now I am 92. That winter I got married, and we have been together ever since. I don't want to appear a braggart, just saying what happened 65 years ago. Andrew Aspseter Exeland, Wis. 111( ~ Liberty Sea Captain Proud of Shipmate Walker As captain of the vessel MN Liberty Sea, I take great honor and pride in writing this letter regarding SIU member Thomas W. Walker. It has been my pleasure and privilege to sail with Mr. Walker over the past few years. Every day that Mr. Walker is on board, his performance and ability have been outstanding. Mr. Walker has one of the highest work ethics and productivity of any unlicensed-or licensedpersonnel I have sailed with. His comments, actions and lifestyle have always been in a gentlemanly manner. Mr. Walker has always displayed and shown a great pride and respect for his family, shipmates and union affiliation. He brings true meaning to the term "Able Bodied Seaman." During the present voyage to Haifa, Israel, the vessel's boatswain was given a medical repatriation on our last day prior to sailing for the United States. Due to the fact I felt the position of boatswain should be filled for the continuity of operations and continuity of union leadership, Mr. Walker was promoted into this all important billet. Without any hesitation, he filled the void of the missing boatswain, and has completed the task with the highest ability. Mr. Walker led by example and gained a type of respect that few in a position of leadership have ever received. At this time I would like to commend the Seafarers International Union for having Thomas Walker as a rank-and-file member. He is the type of Seafarer that should be made an example of throughout the SIU and throughout the industry. I can only hope that Mr. Walker's experience this voyage will improve his chances within the SIU to become a fully certified boatswain. Mr. Walker will well represent the shipping industry and the SIU into the future. I am Assetsheld forinVestment; . . ' jransactioii in excess of 5 percent of plan assets; and < •• ];.§ /' '.''r.1l~i>·. Financial information and ll)f{m:.nation on payments to seNiee pt(i~f~¢rs. ·· ; 'fo obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or cal};~·oard of Trustees Seafar~~,yacati(}n Fund, 5201 AJtt11>.yJ'ay, Camp Springs, ~i~nd 20746 (301) 899--0675i·'Thec4arge to oover copyll)g costs will be $4.50 forthe'. filll annual report, or 15 cents per page for any part thereof. ;.;.;yyY?u. ~1,~,~ay~J.~~.right to receive &Q'w ~e plan adminis~tot~,?n request ~d ~t· · rip diarge¥a'stat®ient of the assets and liabilities of the ·phul al1d accompanying . note~ or a·statement of income and expenses of the plan and aceom~t\p}'ing notes, or 1?g~· Jf you request a copy of the full annual report from the ~fan adt91n!s~~~fr..~se W<> statements apd ~~oin,pay~~~ ,P9~~s{Vill be inyluded as part o{o.ttfe.;iei;9~fih'Th~ charge to cover c<>pying costs given aoov~ dOes rtot include a charge'fotihe ¢0,pying. of these P9£lions g~~e ~eport ~ause these portion$ are ~giished without c&~g~ L YQu al~.g;Jl..av~~*i~~gt!llY protected f~~! t() examine th~~~4~l.r~port at tfofma.in office of tll~iplan (~29l Auth Way, Canip Sprin~&.!\·farylafi~ 2~14<i)~ at the 0,$•. .l?7Partment.,o f ~Pe7. fo Washington D.C., or io,obtai11a- copY.t?in.the u,s. :~1il~~Jttii~~~r~:r:~j~~~::~:~t~~t~:J~~11~•~1, Benefits Administration. U.S. Department of Labot, 200 Con$titu1ioiy'*"'eJ1~..~1~.jii Washington D.C. 20216. ·.·,· >' ·.::,;:.,,.;:)>• i::>i: proud to call Thomas Walker my boatswain, and my shipmate. Captain C.R. Balomenos Master, Liberty Sea ... ... Remembering the War And Help from Union I wish I were 18 years old again and going to sea. I first shipped out Feb. 6, 1942 aboard the SS Republic from the NMU hall in New Orleans. There were no modem simulators back then or any formal training. The ship was torpedoed. It was the start of the coastwise slaughter known as Torpedo Junction. More than 259 ships were sunk on the eastern seaboard. If 20 years makes a generation, we were the fourth arm of defense three generations ago. There has been a big change since then. We were the unarmed and unprotected seamen who kept the ships and cargoes sailing through the wolf packs, delivering the valu- able cargoes wherever needed. There were five fatalities aboard the Republic, and eacl1 subsequent torpedo w0111d take its toll. Like today, the unions were trying to help their own members and still help our nation at war. Marie C. Durand Lydia, La. 'Ill( ... Pfeiffer Crew Salutes Steward Dept. The three-man steward department aboard the MN R.J. Pfeiffer has done an excellent job [see photo below]. From scratch cakes, homemade bagels and pastries to eggs benedict and Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, these Seafarers have done a first-rate job. This galley puts out five-star cuisine every meal. On behalf of myself and the entire crew of the Pfeiffer, we salute them. J. W. Bert Master, R.J. Pfeiffer The galley gang on the Pfeiffer consists of (from left) Chief Steward Sonny Moe, Chief Cook Sue Moe and Assistant Cook Henry Wright Jr. February 2001 �Sailing Witla tlae Cnmder Crew When the CSX Crusader paid off in Houston last month, SIU Patrolman Frank Cottongin (second from right) was on hand to meet with the crew. From the left are AB Isaac Vega Mercado, AB Francisco Caceres, Cottongin and AB Angel Velez. Steward Gwendolyn Shinholster ladles out some freshly made soup. Joseph Mele sailed as bosun during this voyage of the Crusader. DEU Eusebio Zapata (left) poses for a photo with Chief Cook Bill Blees on deck. Left: SA Antonio Colon makes sure the juice dispensers aboard the container ship are always full. Awaiting the start of the shipboard union meeting are (from left) AB Francisco Caceres, AB Isaac Vega Mercado, Electrician Kevin Cooper, AB Angel Velez, Steward Gwendolyn Shinholster and DEU Eusebio Zapata. ·- Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member's shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by con- February 2001 tracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. · EDITORIAL POLICY - THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive .board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of · the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights m employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment oppor- tunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION- If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 520 l Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes --··--·s ········· · Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 611 Unlicensed apprentices from class 611 who graduated from the water survival course are (in alphabetical order) Jason Caylor, Jose Cuevas Rivera, Lance Cutchember, William Devoe, Rodney Dupree, Trent Enoch, David Gulick, James Hall, Miguel Hernandez-Pacheco, Derek Ivory, Aubrey Leon-Guerrero, Brandon Lovejoy, Michael McClendon, Kevini Quitugua, Kelvin Riddick, Brian Rosario, Joshua Rosario, Pete San Nicolas Jr., Jesse Solangon Jr., Richard Striverson, Daniel Thompson and April Tryck. STCW Crew members who will be working aboard American Classic Voyages' new cruise ships recently completed required classes for STCW compliance. In no specific order, the course roster includes Kathleen Cade, Tyrone Bailey, Rondi Bucknot, Matthew Wilson, Jason Francis, Michelle Spinneweber, Giles Kingsley, Lincoln Nixon, Joyce Mason, Craig Ballard, Christopher Love, Paula McGlumphy, Candy Donnelly, Valerie Graham, Keshia McKnight, Maria Smith, Olive Stewart and Catrease Wilson. QMED Working toward their QMED ratings are (in alphabetical order) Moses Adegunwa, Mark Ciciulla, John Conn, Sylvester Crawford Jr., Elvin Fontanmc.. Jean Horne, Scott Lucero, Florencio Marfa Jr., Ronald Miller Jr., Sammy Montana, Adam Nvor and Cle Popperwill. They are scheduled to complete the training next month. Galley Operations - Finishing one of the required two-week modules in the galley operations curriculum are (from left) Instructor Chef Ed White, Charles Carroll, Instructor Anitra Mcleod, Lloyd Hall Sr. , Adry Libra and Asst. Instructor Jeff Radcliffe-Nelson. ChiefCookPracticing in the culinary lab with Instructor Chef John Dobson (center) are Lolita Sanchez (left) and Linda McPhetridge. Radar - Under the instruction of Herb Wallen (standing, right), students completing the radar course Jan. 19 work in the classroom and also enjoy using the new simulators. Pictured (in alphabetical order) are Douglas Buchanan, Noel Camacho, Rodney Miller and Woodrow Shelton Jr. Upgraders Lifeboat/Water Survival - Marking the Jan. 19 completion of the upgraders lifeboaUwater survival class are (in no specific order) Wayne Simpkins, Gary Mann, Donald Stickens, Abdulwali Suwaileh, James Bening, Eric Meier, Lee McMillan, Patrick Chalmers, Israel Watson, Benjamin LaPointe, Jason Tucker, Lafe Fraley, Walter Sipper Jr., Gerald Young, James Poole Jr., Clovis Pomare, Yamira Colon , Francisco Bravo, David Wardingley and Frank Donaldson. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon , is standing (with white jacket). Any student who has registered for a class and finds-for whatever reason-that he or she cannot attend, please inform the admissions department so that another student may take that place. 22 Seafarers LOB GED-Taking advantage of the training offered at the Paul Hall Center, Unlicensed Apprentice William Schuchardt earns his GED. Presenting him with his diploma at the membership meeting in Piney Point are SIU President Michael Sacco (left) and SIU SecretaryTreasurer David Heindel. February 2001 �·• SEAFARE. PAUL NALL CENTER UP6RADIN6 COURSE SCHEDULE '.fhe·. r~it~~ins ts the.schedulefof classes for the months of February through June 2001 at. th.eJ,la~tifJ_all Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All pro- Course Arrival Date Date of Completion Basic Fire Fighting February 17 March 17 Februaey'U Advanced Fire Fighting February 10 February 24 Governm¢ntVessels February 3 February 24 Marcb3 March24 March 31 February 23 March 16 April 14 May4 April28 May12 May18 Junel 'May 26 June 15 . . J~ne9 >J'une23 . . . June 29 July 13 grams are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. ... Safety Specialty Courses <· March24 .·. ; ·.· Please note that this schedule may change to reflecttheu~d~bfthe membership, the maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation'.s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in t~~Saturday beforeth~.ir ~prse,s . . start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on th~pioming ofthe start;~~· JJ'or classes ending on a Friday, departm;~ reserv~~io.ns should 9e made far Saturday. · Seafarers who have any questio~ q~gax:ding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall ;;~::.:.:-;· Center may call the admissions offi~ at(30l) 994-0010, Deck Upgrading Courses Arrival Date · · Course April 6 Able Seaman March 16 · (including simulmor steeringµs.~is~~'1.ts) Special Able Seaman (Inland and Lakes members) · · February3>>>Y··········· · February24 February 23 March 16 February 17 February 24 March 17 March 24 March 3 March 10 March 31 April 7 f\pril 7 April 20 April 21 ? April 27 Lifeboatman/Water Survival Ra4a~Jl11~1(14.tor) Auiii~~~'. ~d~r Plotting Aidst-" J4JIPA) (simulator) t•mnsthave rat!ar unlimited) April 13 April 20 Februaryl7 March 17 February24 March 24 March 31. April 7 ST<;W Medical Febr.uary 24 March 24 March 3 March31 Basic Fire Figbting/STCW February3 February 16 March 2 March 16 April13 S'fCW Basic Safety February 17 February 17 March 17 April 14 GMDSS (simulator) March23 March3 March 31 Aprill4 · · April28 May12 May26 Mayt.i . Mays April 27 Mayll May25 June8 ::::··.,'.'\:·:·. ·Date Of Completion February3 March 24 March 16 May4 April 30 July 20 ebruary 3 March3 March 31 ebruary23 March 23 April 20 Tank~i;iiniliarization/ .·.· February 3 Assistant.•cargo {DL)* · Marcb3 . {*mllSi have JxWc fire jtghting) ~arch . ' April28 May26 arc ankerman (*must hove bask fire fighting) Academic Bepartment Courses ·G;fl~'1!1fffi~~.ns/ Op:~artf)AS ff't,!ftilii Advanced alley start every week beginnipg Ja~uary 8. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward'. cl•ss~ start every oth~r week beginning January 6. · ·.· · F~bruary3 Steward Recertification General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survivaf,~ourses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. -·-~;-·-·-·-·-·-·-··~:·- ·....:.·-·-·-·...:..·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·~·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-· ~·~· ·-· ·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty UPGRADING APPLICATION (120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USM MD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. ALL FOWT. AB and QMED af!.plicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $280 with their application. The pavment should he made with a money order onlv. pavahle to LMSS. COURSE Telephone _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ Deep Sea Member If the following D Lakes Member END DATE BEGIN DATE Date of Birth _ _ _ _ _ __ __ D Inland Waters Member D information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security# _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ Book# - - - - - - - - - - Seniority _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Department _ __ _ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: Yes D No D Home Port Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ LAST VESSEL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Rating: _ _ __ Date On: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? DYes Date Off: DNo SIGNATURE - - -- - - - - - - - - - DATE If yes, class#----- - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? DYes DNo If yes, course(s) taken - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes Primary language spoken February 2001 D No CPR: D Yes DNo NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPUCATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2101 Seafarers LOG 23 �.. - SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT Seafarers Vacation Fund - page 20 SIU- rewed Tugs Assist LST-325 In Fi al Stretch of Historic Voyage Pless, LST-325 Facts • Length: 328 feet • Width: 50 feet • Top speed: 12 knots • Built: 1942 • Early LSTs simply were known by their hull number, which is the case with LST-325. Later versions were named. • Participated in invasions at Normandy, Sicily and Salerno. Also sailed in Korea and Vietnam. • Plans call for refurbishment and use as traveling museum. SIU boatmen who helped dock the LST-325 in Mobile, Ala. included (front row, from left) Joe Tucker, Ricky Shumock, Kyle Tucker, John Wint, Benny Tucker, (second row) SIU Port Agent Ed Kelley, Dan Hanbury, Johnny Johnston, Gerald '-" Beuk and Mike Yarbrough. %. ~ Crew members on the Crescent tug Ervin S. Cooper get into the patriotic spirit as the WWII-era ship arrives in Mobile. Pictured from le~ to right are Benny Tucker, John Wint, Dispatcher Brooks Pate and Ricky Shumock. bregon Crews Meet Veteran Group Overseas Though a very peripheral part of the story, the SIU-on both sides of the Atlantic-played a role in the historic return last month of the LST-325 to the United States. In Crete, Seafarers from the prepositioning ships Maj Stephen W. Pless and Pfc Eguene A. Obregon offered pointers last fall to the veteran, volunteer crew of the 59-year-old ship, and also enjoyed socializing together. On Jan. 10, two SIU-crewed Crescent tugs assisted the LST325 into Mobile, Ala., where more than 4,000 people showed up, including congressional representatives, state officials, national media reporters-and the vessel's original commander. The crowd turned out to cheer the 29 U.S. veterans (average age, 72) who brought home the World War II-era craft. They also witnessed a truly significant artifact, for th LST-325 o art in the invasions at Normandy, Sicily and Salemo and later was utilized in Korea and Vietnam. LST stands for landing ship tank. "The entire harbor knocked off (work) just to watch the ship come up the river," said Captain Mike Yarbrough, who guided the tug Alabama during the LST325 docking. "It was really neat, really festive. "Just seeing those fellas aboard that ship, knowing they crossed the Atlantic Ocean all the way from Greece, shows their patriotism," Yarbrough continued. "It had to be a rough ride." The tugboat captain briefly chatted with some of the LST crew and found them friendly. "Two gentlemen took our line and asked if we had any beer on board," he chuckled. "We shot the bull for a while, asked them how the trip was. They hit some bad weather and also had a little engine trouble, but overall they said it was great. They all had a wonderful sense of humor." Seafarers from the Obregon and Pless found the veterans similarly engaging when they met last year. "We were the only other American ships in the area (around Crete), and we'd talk to them whenever we were off," noted QMED Charles Clackley. "We gave them some technical advice, what it was going to take to meet safety specs." "They're a good bunch of people," stated QMED Bobby Bell. "They were salvaging parts from other LSTs to rebuild one. They deserve all the recognition." The LST-325 's voyage to Mobile covered an estimated 4,350 miles and included stops in Athens and Gibraltar. The journey began Nov. 14. Veterans had begun repair work last August, in Crete's 100plus degree heat. They received some help from active U.S. Navy personnel and other volunteers for the most labor-intensive work. They also got a needed boost from BP, which donated the approximately 40,000 gallons of diesel fuel needed for the trip. Vital to War Effort British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is credited with the idea for LSTs. U.S. yards produced more than 1,000 of the roll-on/roll-off ships during World War II, with an average construction time of around two months. They were designed to deliver troops and materiel close to shore, and could draw 6 feet of water or less. Their RO/RO design employed the same basic concept as that of today's LMSRs, though the LSTs were roughly one-third the size of the modem vessels. Another key difference: The LSTs featured deck guns-18 aboard the LST-325, for instance. The LSTs could transport approximately \ 10 troops, 16 tanks and a smaller lai.<11ng ship. Despite often being descnb1:,...J as "long, slow targets," only 36 were lost during the war (23 to enemy action, the others to accidents or storms). The LST-325 was decommissioned in 1946 but later reactivated. Eventually, the U.S. gave it to the Greek navy in 1964. The Greeks used it !Or about 30 years, then removed it from service. Last year, it took an act of Congress to enable Greece to turn over the LST-325 to a U.S. veterans group. The ship now is owned by the U.S. LST Association, and plans call for a thorough refurbishment and use as a travelling museum. The LST will remain in Mobile at least until September. Its ultimate home port has not been determined. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2001 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES ‘ROCKET SHIP’ SIGNIFIES MORE NEW JOBS FOR SIU CENSUS DATA LEAD TO CHANGES IN U.S. HOUSE REPRESENTATION SEAFARERS PASS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS; MICHAEL SACCO IS REELECTED PRESIDENT PAUL HALL CENTER’S GMDSS COURSE APPROVED BY COAST GUARD CROWLEY REFURBISHES 25 SIU-CREWED TUGS PHILLY BOATMEN WELCOME Z-ONE NY FERRY CREW RESCUES MAN FROM ICY WATER WATSON SAVES 2 MINETA HEADS DOT; CHAO TAPPED FOR DOL 50 DIE IN PATI SINKING UNION SETTLES GRIEVANCE WITH MSC SEAMEN’S HOUSE HONORS TELLEZ ITS SECURES BACK WAGES FOR CREW ON FOC VESSEL DANGEROUS FOREIGN-FLAG TANKERS RIPPED BY SAN FRANCISCO PAPER FEDERATION PLEDGES $1 MILLION FOR MARINER COMMUNICATIONS SUBWAY STATION OPENS NEAR SIU HEADQUARTERS TRANSPORTATION WORKERS GET INCREASED PROTECTION FROM REVISED DRUG, ALCOHOL TESTING NEITHER DROUT NOR ICE DETER SEAFARERS FROM GOOD SHIPPING SEASON ON THE GREAT LAKES SEN. TED STEVENS RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS MARITIME AWARD MUILTITUDE OF MANNERLY MESSAGES CARRIES RETIREES’ THANKS FOR BONUS WEST COAST SIU CREWS MEET WITH SACCO, TELLEZ MCALL HELPS RETIREES STAY IN TOUCH SAILING WITH THE CRUSADER CREW SIU-CREWED TUGS ASSIST LST-325 IN FINAL STRETCH OF HISTORIC VOYAGE PLESS, OBREGON CREWS MEET VETERAN GROUP OVERSEAS Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2001 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 63, No. 2 2001 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/b5df8ea4a06c9fa049f4d8e907c3a82a.pdf af405757098c3c7a4b55c962344714e6 PDF Text Text Volume 64, Number 2 February 2002 I Passenger Ferry, Cable Ship, Heavy Lift The new year is off to a good start for the SIU, which recentJy welcomed a new passenger ferry (the Austin Tobin, top),. a new cable ship {the Atlantic Guardian, middle) and a newly reflagged heavy lift vessel (the Industrial Challenger, bottom) into its fleet. Two more passenger ferries are scheduled for christenings this month. Pictured below, SIU members Javier Ureta (left) and Kim Brown (right) ready the Atlantic Guardian for its first assignment. Page 3. Annual Tax Tips for Mariners STCW's Impact on Upgrading Pages 12-13 Hannah Marine Crews Honored Higman Boatmen Rescue 2 ~-------------------Page' �President's Report Extend, Expand Maritime Security Program It is time to expand and extend the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP). Enacted in 1996, the MSP is a key part of America's national and economic security. The 10-year program provides limited funding for up to 47 U.S.-flag commercial ships which are available to the Department of Defense in times of war or contingency. The MSP delivers many benefits. It helps maintain a pool of skilled American mariners who are needed to crew not only the MSP ships, but also the U.S. government-owned strategic sealift and Ready Reserve Force vessels, both in peace and war. The Michael Sacco MSP helps our nation maintain a presence in international commerce. It also gives the Defense Department access to program participants' infrastructure, terminals, communications networks and more. In short, the program works. And it has been cost-effective for our nation. According to government figures, MSP payments account for roughly 13 percent of the cost of operating U.S.-flag vessels. Without the MSP, imagine how much more it would cost the government to obtain cargo ships exclusively designated for transporting military gear. Estimates of such costs run into the billions. One report concluded that it would cost the military as much as eight times more than what it currently spends to build, crew and maintain such a fleet. Why bring up the MSP now, when it still has a few years remaining? Quite simply, we cannot afford to wait until the last minute to extend and build upon the current program. Despite its bipartisan support and its passage eight years ago by overwhelming majorities in both the House and the Senate, it actually took years to make the MSP law. That's the nature of politics. We know shipowners will need time to replace some of their vessels that will enroll in a new MSP. By the time the current program is scheduled to expire, some of the MSP ships will be due for substitutions. Again, such operations take time to plan and execute. Last month, Maritime Administrator William Schubert stated his support for the MSP. I commend him for taking a leading role in speaking out for a new program. I also believe that our nation's war against terrorism heightens the need to address the MSP sooner rather than later. Make no mistake, maintaining a strong U.S. Merchant Marine in the commercial sector absolutely is a security issue for America. In fact, in recent months, working with the National Defense Transportation Association and its Defense Department partners, I have participated in a number of meetings about port and vessel security. Other SIU officials also have taken part in these important sessions. Many of these issues were discussed-and their seriousness and scope identified-at the Security Summit conducted by the U.S. Transportation Command, which oversees the military's worldwide logistics. One way to make the situation safer is to invest in the U.S. fleet through an expanded MSP. In regard to port traffic in the United States, how could anyone disagree with the belief that U.S.-crewed, U.S.flagged, U.S.-built ships are safer and more desirable than their foreign counterparts? Before we even can climb a gangway, we are required to have photo IDs (merchant mariner documents) issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. In short, we are accountable and held to high standards of certification. We also have demonstrated, from generation to generation, our unfailing patriotism. The current crisis also calls to mind what happened during the Persian Gulf War, when some foreign crews declined to sail into a war zone. They were supposed to deliver much-needed supplies to U.S. troops. They refused. And American forces didn't get their equipment on time because those foreign crews balked. Additionally, in some countries that claim to be maritime nations, efforts are under way to reduce crew sizes. This could mean, among other potential security drawbacks, fewer lookouts, fewer chances to monitor and inspect cargo, and generally less efficiency because of fatigue . Obviously, we ' ve seen technology and automation leading to reductions in our crew sizes over the last 20 years. But that doesn't mean we should consider giving up the safety of our vessels or ports. I've been asked what can be done to help the U.S. Coast Guard in securing our coastlines and ports. I've been asked what the port authorities and longshoremen can do to help prevent a terrorist attack coming from an enclosed and locked container. The answers are complicated and multiple. But this much is certain: The Coast Guard, port authorities, longshoremen and everyone else involved in maritime security will be best-served by a stronger U.S. fleet. So will every United States citizen. That's why an extended and expanded MSP is simply the safest way to go. Volume 64, Number 2 February 2002 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (30 l) 899-0675 . Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Copyright © 2002 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOB Schubert Calls tor Cooperation As Industry Seeks Resurgence New Administrator Pledges '100 Percent Commitment' In his first public remarks in Washington, D.C. since becoming the head of the U .S. Maritime Administration (MarAd), Capt. William Schubert emphatically stated that industry-wide cooperation will be vital to U.S. fleet's resurgence. Schubert spoke to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association (he is a Kings Point graduate) on Jan. 10, then addressed the Washington chapter of the Propeller Club on Jan. 23. He stressed many of the same points during those meetings. Excerpts of his Jan. 10 speech follow: "In light of the events of September 11, and the crucial ongoing war against terrorism, every action taken at the Maritime Administration is now examined and re-examined with this perspective in mind. Business as usual is not enough anymore, and every initiative at MARAD is now viewed in terms of how it helps American jobs, the American economy and American security .... "I sincerely wish I could stand hear today and proclaim that the maritime industry is healthy or that we are poised for an immediate turnaround. An industry-wide turnaround may take some time. However, if industry and government will work together to promote sound maritime policy, we will certainly get there sooner rather than later. "I am 100 percent committed to take on the significant challenges of this job to do all I can to help move the U.S. maritime industry forward. At the same time, we must also all be ready to work together to support the war on terrorism. "The September 11 attacks altered the culture at the Department of Transportation, and we now face a new era in managing our transportation infrastructure and other transportation-related assets, not only to ensure our economic strength and viability, but also our nation's self defense and security .... "The maritime industrylabor, management, shipyards, the maritime academies , U.S.-flag carriers, U.S. shipowners, the maritime press, and anyone whose livelihood is dependent upon the existence of a U.S. maritime industry- can learn something from Secretary Mineta's recent strong words to the modal administrators. He said, 'The only turf you need to be worried about is the turf under your feet.' The secretary was very diplomatic in telling us that we cannot be worried about internal squabbles when we have a larger issue of homeland security facing us. The realities of the new security environment that surround us have forced every mode within the department to consider each other and recognize that we are all interconnected and interdependent. "We in the industry can either worry about our the petty fights, the arguments over who has more or less, the backstabbing, the infighting, or we can worry about our own survival. The great statesman Ben Franklin said it best, 'We must indeed all hang together, or assuredly, we shall all hang separately.' "These may seem like harsh words, especially from a strong advocate of the U.S. maritime industry. However, we at the Department of Transportation want to see the industry work together, be competitive, be innovative and succeed. As the government official responsible for promoting the U.S. maritime industry, I want to help it succeed in a way that will quiet all the nay-sayers. "Let me briefly mention some important challenges that we are facing. The newly established Transportation Security Administration does not only seek to protect aviation security interests, but maritime, highway, transit and rail-all modes-and we must all cooperate to develop this security agency together. Every aspect of the maritime industry has a role to play .... "Now, more than ever in this new environment, the maritime community will accomplish more if we speak as a group. We are not going to win every battle. We are not always going to get exactly U.S. Maritime Administrator William Schubert what we want. But in order to achieve some success, we need to be willing to fight together. If we don't, we have accepted defeat. "We must not accept the continued overall decline of the U.S.flag fleet. There has been an unprecedented decline in U.S.flag tonnage over the past 10 years. I have pledged to work diligently with industry and labor over the next few years to encourage new tonnage to enter the commercial market. We must also work hard to form a consensus on the reauthorization of the MSP program. And it won't stop there. We need to find innovative ways to encourage other types vessels to enter the domestic and foreign trades, flying the U.S. flag. I will use resources available to me, department-wide, in order achieve this goal. "The United States is the world's only superpower-and we did not reach this point without being a sea power. Our strong 200-plus year maritime heritage helped build a critical foundation for the development of this nation. And merchant mariners, like so many of you, have served the nation with bravery and dedication, in peacetime and in war, ever since there has been an American flag to fly. ''Now, we too must serve our Nation, following their example, by working together to strengthen our merchant marine and develop a maritime policy for the 21 st century. I believe the goal is a worthy one- to keep the Stars and Stripes flying proudly over the world's best merchant marine. " Coast Guard Issues 'Tamper-Resistant' Licenses; Agency Reports STCW-lnduced Backlog at RECs The U.S. Coast Guard last month announced it had begun issuing new merchant mariner license certificates with anti-counterfeiting technology using a computerized system for better security and centralized record keeping. The agency also cautioned that mariners "who haven't already begun the process of requesting new or upgraded licenses or other credentials face delays in processing" at Coast Guard regional exam centers (RECs) because of the Feb. 1, 2002 deadline for the amended STCW convention. The new licenses will be issued to all licensed merchant mariners. According to the Coast Guard, "This license retains the traditional border design, title and vessel graphic design of the old version but will not have pre-printed text and fill-in-the-blank endorsement lines. On new licenses, the text, title, endorsements and issue/signature information will now be completely printed from the Coast Guard's computerized Merchant Marine Licensing and Documentation System. The new license forms, produced by the U. S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, employ the latest technology in counterfeiting deterrence. The old-style licenses remain valid and mariners do not have to obtain a new one until their regular renewal date or when an endorsement or some other change is required." News about the RECs and the STCW deadline was less appealing. As reported many times in prior issues of the Seafarers LOG, the amended treaty requires additional training for most mariners as well as new methods for demonstrating shipboard competencies. For unlicensed mariners sailing on international voyages aboard vessels over 200 gross registered tons, the updated convention requires them to demonstrate proficiency in the Basic Safety Training components spelled out in Chapter VI. Also, bosuns, ABs, QMEDs and FOWTs are required to possess an STCW '95 certificate. "Coast Guard licensing officials report that the service's regional exam centers already have backlogs in processing license and merchant mariner document requests because of an increase in STCW certification requests," the agency noted in a mid-January news release. "With the STCW compliance deadline now just two weeks away, mariners who are just now submitting their applications are not likely to receive their STCW certificate until well after the compliance deadline [Feb. 1, 2002]." More information about STCW compliance (and other merchant mariner news) is available on the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center web site, located at http://www. us cg. mil/nmc. February 2002 �Sealarers Crew Up Industrial Challenger Heavy Lift Vessel 'Flags In, ' Augments U.S. Sealift Capacity The Industrial Challenger is slated to crew up early this month in the port of Houston. More new shipboard jobs for the SIU are on the way as the union this month welcomes the heavy lift vessel Industrial Challenger to the U.S.-flag fleet. Seafarers are scheduled to crew up the ship sometime during the first week of February, in Houston. The 393-foot Industrial Challenger will enroll in the U.S. Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program, designed to provide a smooth transition between peacetime and contingency operations . VISA jointly was established by the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), the U.S . Maritime Administration (MarAd), the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) and the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense. It also was accomplished in cooperation with the maritime industry. The Industrial Challenger, built in 2000, formerly flew the flag of the Bahamas. It will be operated by SIU-contracted Pacific Gulf Marine for Patriot Shipping LLC. The ship is considered a multi-purpose vessel. It has a lifting capacity of 400 metric tons and a service speed of 16 knots. Listed at 7,300 metric tons, the Industrial Challenger has three holds and hatches, and is equipped with two electro-hydraulic cranes. Pacific Gulf Marine noted that the vessel probably will operate in the U.S. to South America trade "while pursuing other opportunities to move both commercial and/or U.S. government cargoes from the U.S . to worldwide destinations." In joining the VISA program, the vessel is part of a sealift agreement in which the Department of Defense is permitted to reserve space for its cargo on board privately owned and operated ships in the event of war or contingency. VISA also includes agreements for using ship loading terminals, rail facilities and other commercial transport facilities during the movement of Defense Department cargo. New Cable Ship Joins SIU Fleet The Atlantic Guardian is the newest SIU-crewed cable ship. Based in Baltimore, the vessel crewed up in late December. It quickly received its first assignment, sailing on New Year's Eve. The 335-foot vessel still was at work in St. Croix late last month. The Atlantic Guardian replaces the Wave Sentinel in the fleet owned by Global Marine Systems of Chelmsford, England. It flies the British flag. As previously reported in the Seafarers LOG, U.S. immigration laws require the ship to utilize American citizens in the unlicensed positions and in some of the officers ' posts. "As we stated when the Wave Sentinel arrived early last year, it's a fairly unique situation," noted SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez. "The ship is going to carry U.S. mariners in the unlicensed ranks, and it's always preferable for a ship to sail with a union crew." The contract covering wages and benefits on the Atlantic Guardian essentially parallels the agreements covering other SIUcrewed cable ships. Built last year in Bremerhaven, Germany, the vessel has a standby crew of approximately 20. The ship has a top speed of 15 knots and is equipped with three bow thrusters and two stern thrusters. The vessel is 59 feet wide and is listed at 3,250 deadweight tons. It has a bollard pull of 60 tons. Among the fi rst Seafarers aboard the new cable ship were (clockwise from left) AB Kim Brown, Chief Steward Terrance Stowall, QMED Ron Celious and AB Greg Baker. The Atlantic Guardian kicked off the new year with its first assignment, a repair job in the Caribbean. NY Waterway Christenings Signify New Jobs for SIU 3 More Passenger Ferries Join Fleet The newest NY Waterway ferries can transport 97 passengers per trip. SIU-contracted NY Waterway is welcoming three new passenger ferries as the company continues addressing sharply increased business. The additions will give NY Waterway 37 boats (including eight which they lease). The company-which transports commuters between New York City and New Jersey-reports that its average daily ridership increased from about 34,000 passengers before Sept. 11 to almost 60,000 since then. A big reason for that surge is that the terrorist attacks destroyed a subway terminal located beneath the twin towers, and NY Waterway offers a reliable, long-popular means of commuting between Manhattan and points in New Jersey. The first of the three newest ferries was scheduled for christening Jan. 24 in New York, as this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press. The Austin Tobin , named after the man credited with building the World Trade Center, was constructed by Allen Marine of Sitka, Alaska. It is a "Sea Otter" class ferry, which carries 97 passengers at more than 30 knots. It is a single-hull boat with the bow-loading feature , powered by three Caterpillar 3406 clean-burning electronic engines, generating 600 hp each. The engines drive three Hamilton water jets. This month, NY Waterway will christen two more ferries: the Father My chal Judge, in honor of the Fire Department chaplain and all the fire fighters who died Sept. 11 ; and the Moira Smith , honoring Police Officer Smith and all her colleagues who died that day. The ferries will be used in the company's new East River commuter service, carrying passengers from East 90th Street to Pier 11 at the foot of Wall Street. That trip will take 15 minutes aboard the new boats. Additionally, Sitka is building five more ferries for NY Waterway that are expected to replace some of the boats currently under lease. On Sept. 11, Seafarers aboard NY Waterway ferries evacuated approximately 158,000 people from Manhattan. Febnla17 2002 Seafal'fll'S LOS 3 �Higman Crew Saves 2 From Foundering Skiff Practice paid off for four SIU boatmen on the Higman Barge Lines tug Capt. D.J. Babin- and, more notably, for the two men they saved Dec. 6 near Lake Charles, La. Seafarers Wayne Williams, Dennis Ridley, Doug Clark and John Bethune rescued John Theriot and Doug Bonvillian moments after the latter two individuals took an unexpected plunge into the cold water near the Grand Lake Bridge. Theriot and Bonvillian had been operating a skiff and were transporting supplies to a nearby vessel when their boat capsized around 11 a.m. Williams said the men were in danger not only from the chilly water, but also from heavy traffic in the channel. They were perhaps 300 feet from shore. "It was backed up for five miles, but traffic was moving," Williams recalled. "They were lucky we happened to be look- ing. The main thing was to get them out of the water." Higman crews routinely participate in shipboard safety drills, and the preparation proved priceless, Williams said. "We happened to see their boat flip over- it was loaded down real heavy-and we all automatically did the things that had to be done. It truly was an automatic response," he noted. "We do safety drills constantly, and that's why the response was so immediate. ' Man o erboard is one of the main drill , and pollution control is another. It was fresh in our minds and everything fell into place." Tankermen Bethune and Clark launched the Babin's skiff, while Capt. Williams and Pilot Ridley hurried onto an adjacent barge to provide further assistance. "Once we got the two guys out of the water, we gathered as many of their supplies as we could, then used our boom to raise their skiff," stated Williams. "From the time they hit the water, it was no more than 10 minutes before they were on board (the tug)." Theriot and Bonvillian were uninjured- and grateful. The SIU tug transported them and the salvaged supplies to the intended U.S. Union Membership Stable in 2001 Latest BLS Data Shows Increase During 5-Year Period Union membership grew slightly in 2001 despite a year of recession and uncertainty, and the percentage of American workers with a union remained stable at 13.5 percent, according to new data released Jan. 17 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The latest BLS figures also show that, while there have been slight rises and dips in union membership in recent years, the number of union members has shown an overall five-year growth of 180,000. The number of union members in the U.S. in 2001 was 16.28 million compared to 16.26 million members in 2000, 16.48 million in 1999, 16.21 million in 1998 and 16.11 million in 1997. The figures are a 12-month average. "Despite a year of record layoffs and historic national upheaval, unions held their own in terms of membership in 2001," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. "Two-and-a-half million workers have formed new unions since 1996. Unions still can do much more to help workers improve their lives by form- ing unions at work, but today's numbers show that steady dedication and perseverance is laying the groundwork for greater change." The number of women who are union members is at an alltime high of 6. 77 million. According to the statistics, in 2001, union membership increased by 93,000 among all women; and 42,000 more Hispanic women were union members in 2001 than in the year before. The percentage of privatesector workers who have a union also remained stable. At least 400,000 workers organized unions in 2001, according to internal AFL-CIO and affiliate union data-just slightly ahead of the number who formed unions in 2000. In order to grow in a changing economy, unions need to organize between 500,000 and a million workers a year, the AFL-CIO has said. In order to meet that goal, unions are launching more large-scale and multi-union organizing campaigns. Not included in the BLS numbers is union membership in Puerto Rico, where labor organizations have focused a great deal of recent organizing attention, helping more than 110,000 workers to form unions over the last three years. Young workers are increasingly open to unions. Polling shows that a majority of young workers ages 18 to 34 who don't have a union say they would likely vote for one. Graduate teaching assistants are among younger workers who formed unions last year at Michigan State, Temple and New York University. Campaigns are also underway at Penn State, Yale, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania. Independent polling also shows that 30 to 40 million workers in America wouldjoin a union if they had a chance. However, relatively few ever get that chance because employers routinely block workers' efforts to improve their lives through unions. Ninety-seven percent of private-sector employers fight their workers' efforts to form unions, including a third who illegally fire workers who sup- NY Waterway Crews Tackle STCW A number of Seafarers who crew NY Waterway passenger ferries have completed STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. After last month's membership meeting at the school, several of the students from NY Waterway who are enrolled in the BST course chatted with SIU officials. Pictured from left to right (front row) are SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez, Albert Maietti, Amed Kety, Priscilla Rodriguez, SIU Pres. Mike Sacco, Steven Rivera, Max Munnigh, SIU Philadelphia Port Agent Joe Soresi, Jose Beof Sr., (back) SIU Asst. VP Contracts George Tricker and SIU Sec.Treasurer David Heindel. 4 Seafarers LOG port a union, the federation reports. The AFL-CI 0 represents 13 million working men and women. essel. Williams emphasized, "There was never a thought given to the hopes of receiving praise or even a 'thank you'- which, by the way, we received wholeheartedly from the men we rescued. But I believe my crew deserves recognition for their readiness and willingness to do whatever is needed to render assistance to anyone who's in trouble." Although the rescue proved more involved than another in which Williams participated, back in 1997, it lacked the oddities of the earlier recovery. Nearly five years ago, while working aboard another Higman tug near Port Arthur, Texas, Williams and his fellow boatmen rescued a woman who had been bitten by an alligator. She told Coast Guard investigators that she had gotten into a fight with her boyfriend and was trying to swim across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. "But we just pulled her on board," Williams said. "This (more recent) incident was a full-fledged life-saving operation." STCW 'In Plain English' Training Director Examines STCW's Impact on Upgrading Editors Note: The following is the second in an occasional series, written by Bill Eglinton, director of training at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. This month, our industry will begin finding out the extent to which we're truly ready for the long-awaited STCW deadline of Feb. 1, 2002. I expect that, as the saying goes, results may vary. For instance, a recent press report stated that more than 38,000 Malaysian mariners will be blocked from working on ships because they haven't complied with the amended STCW convention. Slightly more than 7, 100 certificates for STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) have been issued in that country. In the U.S., there is cautious optimism that most (though certainly not all) American mariners are in compliance. Stay tuned. This much we already know: The system for upgrading has changed, especially for unlicensed mariners sailing deep sea. The old method largely relied upon accumulating sea time, training and then passing a Coast Guard test. The new method still includes sea-time requirements and training, but it emphasizes practical demonstration of skills, rather than testing. The best example I've heard is one that compares the new way of upgrading to acquiring a learner's permit for driving a car. It's an interim step preceding the actual driver's-license exam. It represents a time during which aspiring drivers typically must sharpen their skills behind the wheel and demonstrate them to the appropriate people. In some cases, it carries a minimum time requirement. Another way to look at it: The big change in maritime is, upgrading by training and assessment, rather than training and testing. Other industries also are moving toward this type of career advancement. For instance, let's say you sail as a wiper for four years and you have 600 days of sea service in the engine room. When you're ready to become an oiler, you cannot just take a test. Instead, you would need specialized training (for ratings forming part of an engineering watch), and then you would go to sea and demonstrate those newly acquired competencies, for a minimum of 60 days. Then you would take the oiler's class. Your certificate of completion for that course (as long as it's Coast Guard-approved) earns you the rating. It's basically the same path in the deck department. Say you sail OS for four years and build up 600 days of sea time. The new interim step to becoming an AB-the "learner's permit" stage-is taking the course for specially trained OS. As in the previous example, you then would go to sea for at least 60 days, before returning to school for the AB course. On that note, I'll put in a plug for the SIU and the Paul Hall Center. Both the union and the school were very far-sighted in developing the training record book (TRB) in 1997. This gave members (as well as officers and Coast Guard REC personnel) almost five years to get used to the book and learn how to use it. That is the way of the future in our industry. Check upcoming issues of the LOG for articles about enginedepartment career paths, recent and pending Coast Guard approvals of revised Paul Hall Center courses, and other news either directly or indirectly related to the amended STCW convention. February 2002 �Federation Embraces 4 Focal l'oints The delegates to the 2001 AFL-CIO Convention, which took place Dec. 3-6 in Las Vegas, approved four major program resolutions without dissent. These declarations, presented to the convention by the AFLCI O's Executive Council (to which SIU President Michael Sacco was reelected), summarize the federation's strategy for continuing positive change in-and and the critical importance of each in the United States' union movement. "If we have learned anything these past months, and these past years," he said in his memo, "it is that we can do anything if we are united and strong." These four programs, and the labor president's analysis of each are: Organizing-Plans to craft national union-federation part- the empowerment of-national unions, state and local central bodies and the federation as a whole. In a recent memo to executive council members and top officials of national and international unions; state federations and central labor bodies; and trade departments, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney urged the widest dissemination of information about the four programs U.S. Supreme Court Rules On Coast Guard/OSHA Case The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 9 issued a ruling that puts to rest litigation involving oversight jurisdiction of uninspected vessels between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In the case of Elaine L. Chao, Secretary ofLabor vs. Mallard Bay Drilling, the court ruled that since the Coast Guard exercises minimal oversight of uninspected vessels, the OSHA shares jurisdiction with the Coast Guard over working conditions on such vessels. The 8-0 decision reversed a June 2000 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that an uninspected oil drilling barge on a navigable waterway within state waters was a vessel over which the Coast Guard had exclusive regulatory authority-not a "workplace" over which OSHA would have jurisdiction. The U.S. Department of Labor challenged that decision and appealed to the Supreme Court. The case at issue arose from a 1997 explosion on a drilling barge owned by Mallard Bay Drilling. While the Coast Guard took the lead in investigating the explosion, OSHA issued a citation against the company charging Mallard Bay with three violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. "SMPPP Pelfor111i11g Well; StatenlelilS iJue Out Soon At the January membership meetings, a report from Plan Administrator Lou Delma was read. , Delma stated that partici- is annualized to 6.64 percent. In these difficufi economic (Compare that to the Dow Jones~ t~~s,- t!Jis. eo~es .a~.~,goo~ news which was down more than 13 to cparti~i_pants=:"'in: S~1PPP, pef97nt fof200J. ~ th~~&P, 'ihiclt. wh~ch his bee!l ~n e~istence onl~ ·me pants in the Se11farers Money ;iwa8(lowri·nearly·19 percent; and ~~~e Jr~psiotf f lan:,.(~~PP) · CDs~ which ;'Were yietding will be pl~sed to note thaf the remms ofonly 3 to 4 percedt.) . ·~: plan 'continues · ·~ out~perf:onn An unofficial oral update , recognized indu~py bel;\chma.rks:_ " rec · 2, 2002by D~lma 0 . al teRO . ,.:A' . t: .,,,.• n.Uo ' ".n. edc ;-..'.~ m ¥"'. s·~·~'e...n '~ UH er ' , ""·· _;••.·.·.•:·..'T _;;s ·. " :_'.·.-._... tlie"ac<f{)un. ./"l . ;~....-1·.··.J.;:.<m·.·.··· •.1:1'·\1.'.·.1.•';o:·,.... The Seafarers Vacation Plan and the Seafarers Pension Plan have announced reciprocal agreements with their National Maritime Union (NMU) counterparts, which are designed to benefit Seafarers. Authorized late last year by the Plans' respective boards of trustees, the agreements essentially allow SIU members (including those who formerly were members of the NMU) to receive credit toward their pension and vacation benefits based on their total days worked, even if their sea time is divided between companies that are signatory to the Plans. For instance, the reciprocal agreement for the vacation funds notes, "A reciprocal vacation benefit is provided under this Plan for employees who c... As always, contributions for the'r month of .Decemberr were received in January. Once the ye~ _ is closed~. annual s~t,ement .s. •. umm ..·. .·.-·. -. •:_· :·. ·. -.·.· .a.r_-.·t.~.e_ .· · s. .· .·.· ·.Wl ..:. .~. .·l. .· 1 ._ •-.·: .· . .},le ..,, ru.:. ·.-:. a ..·an(f . . ·. •.·.·.·.· . · ...-••.. ;:'. mailed to;;fill ·~rti, . :-:.... -- .... ... .. . ,0¥org~µ Stahley Dean Witter,._,for ·'· increase reflects' additional:,,eoa'".; . !.he period ep.din:gOct. .:31, 2001, "tributions " received during< -..the account"was valued at $12.1 November and Decemb~r of <'million. The account had a total slightly more than $600,000 and return from inception through additional gains on investments :'that date of31.63 percent, which of approximately $400,000. Reciprocal Agreements In Place for Pension, Vacation Benetits since June 1996; Delma said. . .. ; : .. ···.··. : ·c···· ..e . . ;, ·-.-. st. - lf· ·Y, Olf do,, fiot.receive a ci9PY '}·feyou~ · statement by ·mid.;'April, '1ipleasecall or write the administrator 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs; MD 20746; telephone (301) ai 899-0675. would otherwise lack sufficient days of covered employment to be eligible for a vacation benefit because their periods of covered employment were divided between different vacation plans .... " The reciprocal vacation benefit shall be effective with respect to vacation benefits payable on or after January 1, 2002. Under terms of the reciprocal pension benefit, pension credits accumulated and maintained by an employee after Jan. 1, 2001 under a "related plan" shall be recognized by the other as related pension credits. In other words, members don 't lessen their benefit by sailing for different companies, as long as those companies are signatory to one or the other pension plan. The rules of both plans still apply, and the reciprocal agreements do not supersede the respective regulations of the plans. The NMU merged into the SIU last year, creating one union while maintaining-in accordance with membership approval through balloting-separate benefits plans. ·:Not Ready to Roll · · ' The U.S. Department of Transportation has not developed a comprehensive plan to ensure the , ~.afety of Mexican trucks that will be allowed access to U.S. highways this year, the AFL-CIO reported last month. According to the federation, the General Accounting Office reports only two of the 25 U.S. commercial points of entry have permanent inspection facilities. The department also has not reached agreement with border states on sharing inspection responsibilities, the GAO said. Many members of Congress fought last year to impose strict safety standards on Mexican trucks that will operate in this country under provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement. February 2002 nership agreements to support and advance the organizing programs of the national affiliates are proceeding. These agreements will be built on the three major building blocks of the federation's organizing strategyincreasing the resources committed to organizing, using all available resources to advance organizing, and changing the climate for organizing. Political-The federation continues to prepare for the important national mid-term elections this fall. Our goal is to turn back those legislators who are anti-worker and bolster the numbers of those who are progressive in their leadership styles-and set the stage for the critical national elections in 2004. A huge effort must also be made in critical state and local elections. Finally, important decisions must be made about the ongoing funding of our political work in the coming months. Global Economy-The recession is hitting nearly every sector. Unions in the manufacturing sector especially are being hard hit. We will face critical bargaining struggles in the coming year. And we must work with an adminis- tration that does not share our views on expanding trade and commitment to global labor and environmental standards. The recent one-vote loss on fast track authority in the House was a disappointment, but we did manage to gain the support of some who had voted against us in the past. Work In Our Communities-The importance of rebuilding our grass roots cannot be overstated. We will continue to expand our Union Cities and our New Alliance programs, to forge even stronger bonds with our allies, and to reach out to working families across lines of race and ethnicity- focusing on our work with immigrant communities and our support for civil and human rights in all communities. Sweeney said both the federation and its affiliates must focus on these four areas of work in order to strengthen the labor movement in the United States. Of the four programs, however, organizing is by far the most crucial, he said: "We cannot accomplish all our other goals unless we are larger and stronger. Every affiliate must confront again this challenge of growth." Magaw Takes Helm Of New DOT Sector John W. Magaw, a former director of the U.S Secret Service, has been appointed by President Bush to head up the U.S. Department of Transportation's newest component-the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As under secretary of transportation for security, Magaw will have substantial powers to ~~tablish security procedures for aviation as well as other types of transportation. His position carries a five-year term. primary m1ss10ns TSA's include developing and implementing new security equipment at airports. The agency is slated to assume control of aircraft security by the end of this month. Magaw served in 14 assignments with the Secret Service before being appointed director in 1992. As director, he oversaw protective operations for the president and first family. Before his current appointment, he served as acting director of the Office of National Preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, he headed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from 1993 to 1999. "The American traveling public could not ask for a finer, more devoted public servant, nor an individual more qualified in law enforcement than John Magaw," said Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta during Magaw's confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill. "The skills he has developed over the course of his stellar career will prove instrumental as he goes about the job of rebuilding public trust and confidence in our transportation systems. "John Magaw is a man who has stood shoulder to shoulder with eight presidents, and he has Transportation Security Administration Under Secretary John W. Magaw been willing to lay down his life for every one of them," the transportation secretary continued. "Today, another president has asked him to stand shoulder to shoulder with the American people and demonstrate the same courage and the same resolve on their behalf. I am confident that he will do nothing less." Magaw will have responsibility for the day-to-day screening activities of U.S. air passengers. Included will be the development and implementation of hiring and training standards for aviation security screeners. Additionally, he will receive, assess and distribute intelligence and threat information and develop policies for dealing with threats to transportation security. His department also will coordinate with law enforcement agencies; enforce security regulations; and implement, inspect, maintain and test security facilities. Magaw will address cargo issues separately from passenger issues, and work with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Federal Aviation Administration. Seafarers LOG 5 �Lakes Boatmen Honored for Courageous Rescue Hannah Crews 1st Lakes Mariners to Receive Seamanship Trophy Seafarers who crew a pair of Hannah Marine Corporation tugs recently were recognized for their Oct. 8, 2000 rescue actions involving a damaged tug and barge on Lake Michigan. Jointly receiving the 2001 American Merchant Marine Seamanship Trophy Jan. 12 during a luncheon at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N .Y. were the crews of the Donald C. Hannah and the James A. Hannah. Recognized were Capt. William Meilicke, Dave Patterson, Murray Smith, Capt. David Heim, Capt. Addison Bell, William Thorp, Joshua Brenner, Stephen Smith, Dave Wierscheim and Capt. Edward Hogan. These mariners also were honored May 18, 2001 for the same actions, during a special ceremony at the Chicago Propeller Club's Maritime Day luncheon. On that occasion, they were presented a Public Service Commendation by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety OfficeChicago. The towing vessel Undaunted (with a crew of 11) in October 2000 was pushing the work barge Pere Marquette 41 on Lake Michigan when severe weather moved through the region. Gale force winds, snow and sea conditions in excess of 12 feet were pasting the tug and barge when the barge's cargo of 5,000 tons of iron and several tons of large industrial equipment shifted and dangerously upset the tow's stability. The crew executed an emergency breakaway to disconnect the tug from the barge. Without warning, the 68,000-pound barge struck the tug, ripping a hole at its waterline before drifting away. The pilot hailed "mayday" on the radio and was forced to push the tug around. Despite the severe weather conditions, the towing vessels Donald C. Hannah and James A. Hannah were dispatched to assist the disabled tug and recover the barge, which had drifted 24 miles from where it was released. Once the vessel arrived on the scene, crews began assessing the situation and initiating corrective measures. A Coast Guard helicopter and small boat already had removed some of the tug crew members Safety Dir. Jim Storm Dies Jim Storm, Honolulu-based CIO for his work in the Labor safety director for the SIU, 98 campaign that year, during passed away Dec. 15, 2001 in which he helped register union Hawaii. He was 60. voters and assisted them to the Storm reportedly died of polls. A year later, he completed complications following surgery. the SIU's safety director train"I knew Jim as a rank-and- ing at the Paul Hall Center in file member and as an SIU rep- Piney Point, Md., and he also resentative," recalled Neil Dietz, finished a course on grievance SIU port agent in Honolulu. handling at the University of "Jim was always one to volun- Hawaii's Center for Labor teer for the political rallies, Research and Education. In marches and demonstrations that 2000, he graduated from the are critical to SIU solidarity in AFL-CIO Union Counselor prothe labor movement and in our gram and finished a labor law community. Jim never turned me seminar offered at the down when I asked for his help. University of Hawaii. "Jim Storm was a proud, Storm was an ardent supportunabashed liberal of the old er of U.S. Rep. Neil Aberstyle," Dietz continued. "He crombie (D-Hawaii), who is a would not apologize to anyone longtime friend of the SIU and for being a liberal Democrat. He the U.S. Merchant Marine. In wore it like a badge of honor that addition to the routine duties of was based on his love for ordi- an SIU representative at the sernary working families and their vice counter and on ship payoffs, needs." he handled grievances for Fay Rawles-Schoch, director Seafarers aboard American of human resources for Ameri- Hawaii Cruises vessels. He was can Hawaii Cruises, described on the ms Patriot during its first Storm as "always a professional, two weeks of Hawaii service (in and it was very clear that he late 2000), dealing with the diffialways worked for the best inter- culties inherent in a new cruiseests of the SIU membership. He ship operation, and he continued was dogged, determined and servicing the vessel thereafter. very positive in his pursuit of Storm is survived by two resolving a problem." daughters and three sons. SIU Honolulu Patrolman Frank Iverson, who knew Storm for five years, said, "Jim lived his life for the union, and the union is a much sadder place without him." Born in Painesville, Ohio, Storm joined the SIU in 1991. He sailed on passenger vessels and cargo ships before coming ashore in 1997 Safety Director Jim Storm (holding paper) to work for the union. is pictured aboard the Long Lines this past He received a letter December in Honolulu. Pictured with of appreciation from Storm are (seated) OMU Ali Sidek and (standing, from left) AB Todd Conley and the Hawaii State AFL- AB Victorgil Mariano. 6 Seafarers LOG from the Undaunted, but the captain and engineer remained on board. The Donald C. Hannah successfully made a connection to the barge Pere Marquette 41, and eliminated its threat to public safety. Meanwhile, the James A. Hannah escorted the impaired Undaunted, now suffering from overheated engines and hull damage, safely into port. "The crews of James A. Hannah and Donald C. Hannah are directly responsible for bringing the towing vessel Undaunted along with her remaining crew and the barge Pere Marquette 41 safely to port," according to the commendation, which accompanied the U.S. Coast Guard Award. "Their actions are in keeping with the lifesaving traditions of the United States Coast Guard and are highly commended for this service." The Seamanship Trophy has been awarded since 1962 to acknowledge the highest standards of professional competence on the water in the presence of extreme peril to life and/or property and under adverse and severe weather conditions. Posing with the American Merchant Marine Seamanship Trophy are (from left), SIU VP Great Lakes Tom Orzechowski; Hannah Marine Corp. President Jeffrey Covinsky; William Meilicke and David Heim, skippers of the Hannah Marine vessels; Hannah Marine VP for Operations Edward Hogan; and Capt. Donald Safarik, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. "The skillful response of the Donald C. Hannah and James A Hannah crews to an emergency situation saved not only a tug and barge in distress, but also the Undaunted captain and engineer from a potentially dire fate," said Martin P. Skrocki, public information officer, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y., in a letter of congratulations to Jeffrey N. Covinsky, president, Hannah Marine Corp. The correspondence further noted that this marks the first time the Seamanship Trophy has been awarded for actions occurring on the Great Lakes. Brother Abshire Memorialized By Seabulk Challenge Seafarers Editor's note: This article was written at sea Nov. JO, 2001 by Father Sinclair Oubre, president of the Apostleship of the Sea of the U.S.-and member ofthe SIU. The photos accompanying the story were taken by Oiler Paul Weil. The motto Brotherhood of the Sea is a much-used term, but often its real meaning seemingly harkens back to a past time. However, there are still a few events that bring alive this motto's meaning and demonstrate that it carries much relevance even in the modern merchant marine. One of these times is when a ship is in distress, and its crew is in peril. At this time, the ship's flag, the mariner's nationality or the company for which he or she works does not matter. The desire to help a fellow seafarer reaches across all borders, and makes all seafarers Brothers of the Sea. Another time is when a mariner requests that his or mortal remains be laid to rest in the vast oceans, the place where he or she has poured out so much of his or her life. The opportunity to serve a brother mariner for the last time came to the SIU crew of the Seabulk Challenge on Nov. 10, 2001, when the ashes of Brother Gilbert Abshire (who began his sailing career with the NMU) were laid to rest as the vessel transited between Citgo Refinery in Lake Charles, La. and Kinder Morgan Refinery in Houston. On this particular voyage, I had signed on in Boston to spend my vacation as the 0800-1200 AB watchstander. A few months before, I had been approached by a parishioner, Donna Beard, with the request to see to the burial of her father's ashes the next time I Father Sinclair Oubre, who sails with the SIU as an AB, conducts the memorial service aboard the Seabulk Challenge in transit from Lake Charles, La. to Houston. Among those joining in the remembrance of Brother Gilbert Abshire were Chief Steward William Perry, AB Manny Wedeil, Bosun Omaha Redda and Oilers Iqbal Mahmood and Paul Weil. went to sea. This request was one of the greatest honors any Apostleship of the Sea chaplain could be asked. After making arrangements with Capt. Parker, and with Bosun Omaha Redda, those crew members who were free gathered on the stern of the vessel on the sunny afternoon of Nov. 10. God had blessed the day with clear skies, light breezes and calm seas. At 1520 hours (3:20 p.m.), the crew gathered around a flagdraped stage plank on which the urn containing the remains of Brother Abshire was placed. Leading the crew in prayer, I began with a reading from Psalm 107 in which the psalmist recalls the wonders that God has done for those who sail the seas. After the reading, all prayed together the Lord's Prayer, which was followed by the prayer of Final Commendation taken from the Roman Catholic Funeral rite. At this time, the urn was taken by Bosun Omaha and reverently placed over the stem. The mate on watch recorded the position as 028.57N & 093.37W. A moment of silence followed, then the crew joined me in reciting a special seafarer's prayer. In commenting on the service, Bosun Omaha stated that this was something very important because it was for all merchant manners. On arrival in Houston, I signed off. On returning to Port Arthur, I relayed the details of the service to Brother Abshire's daughter and presented her with photographs of the service. For all of those involved, it was a very touching and consoling moment, for we all knew that even at death, the Brotherhood of the Sea endures. February 2002 �Reti•• Enjoys Presidentiil Encounter Retired Seafarer Henry W. Lovelace already had lots of compelling anecdotes. The 76year-old Navy veteran was part of the first wave of Allied forces who stormed the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion. He had been in Hawaii during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. And, as an able bodied seaman in the SIU, he traveled to many ports around the globe and had numerous experiences, which he still recalls. Last year, Lovelace added another memorable chapter when he met President Bush. Lovelace was one of six World War II veterans chosen to share the stage with the president during the June 6 dedication of a D-Day memorial in Bedford, Va. The small Virginia municipality was selected as the site for the monument because of the number of Bedford natives who died during the invasion. Published reports say 23 of the 35 Bedford soldiers who fought on D-Day perished-presumably the highest per capita loss of any community in the United States. Lovelace had been chosen to represent the Navy for all veterans who served in the Navy during World War II. He delivered an address on behalf of high-ranking Navy officials to a crowd that numbered approximately 15,000 people. "I was scared to death when I walked out on stage to the podium and looked out at all those people," Lovelace said. "I almost froze." The Gladys, Va. resident, along with the five other World War II veterans who participated in the memorial dedication, met briefly with President Bush before the ceremony. The group assembled near a tent when a Secret Service agent approached them and said the president wanted to see them inside the tent. Following the agent's lead, the group made its way inside. "He [President Bush] introduced himself and said he was very proud to be here with us today," Lovelace said. "He shook each of our hands ... he shook my hand twice ... and then walked between us and we followed him out to the dedication and laying of the wreath. "We stood with him and then I led all of us off to chairs where we sat with President Bush," the retired Seafarer said. Following speeches by the president and all the World War AP Photo/Ron Edmonds President Bush along with World War II veteran and retired Seafarer Henry Lovelace (center) pause after Bush laid a wreath June 6, 2001 in Bedford, Va . to dedicate the National D-Day Memorial to the Allied forces who fought during the invasion. II veterans, a 21-gun salute was rendered. The playing of Taps signaled the ceremony's conclusion. "I can't describe the feeling Challenger Celebrates Holiday Season at Sea Chief Cook Fausto D. Aranda serves Christmas dinner. Captain E.P Skoropowski is in the holiday spirit as he hands out gifts to each crew member on Christmas morning. February 2002 of being that close to the president of the United States," Lovelace said during the event's aftermath. Portions of this article were extracted with permission from an article written by Paula I. Bryant of the Brookneal, Va. based newspaper, The Union Star. Weather was pleasant and seas were mild as the Challenger crew celebrated the holiday season on its domestic run from Houston to New Orleans to San Juan. According to Brandon Maeda, recertified chief steward aboard the CSX Lines container vessel (who sent the accompanying photos to the LOG), "a merry time was had by all." In a festive mood are, from left, standing, AB Juan Ayala , OMU Ken Biddle and Electrician Ramon Borrero. Seated at right is OMU Michael N. Blue Jr. , and in front is OMU Jose Quinones. Standing before an assortment of homemade cream puffs, sugar cookies coconut cake, sweet potato pie as well as a wide variety of nuts, chocolates and candy is SA Juan Rios . SA Carlos Grillasca (left) and AB Benny Perez await the holiday feast. Enjoying a little quiet time in the lounge are (from left) Wiper Joaquin Martinez, OMU Jose Castro and Electrician Ramon Borrero. Seafarers LOS 7 �11 More Courses Approved Additional College Credit Recommendations Awarded by A CE for Paul Hall Center Classes Eleven courses available at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education have been added to the list of those for which students may receive college credits. Late last year, the school (located in Piney Point, Md.) underwent a review by the American Council on Education's (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service. A team of content specialists, selected from college faculty, reported that certain Paul Hall Center vocational training courses are comparable to college-level classes and may be used as transfer credit at many colleges and universities. The newly approved courses are Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA); Baking and Galley Operations (formerly Galley Operations); Basic Fire Fighting; Basic/Advanced Fire Fighting combined; Bridge Resource Management; Certified Chief Cook; First Aid/CPR; Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS); STCW Basic Safety Training; Tankerman Assistant Cargo; and Tankerman- PIC (Barge) Dangerous Liquids. Additionally, two previously approved courses were reauthorized after their regularly scheduled reviews: Celestial Navigation, and Water Survival. Many other classes available at the Piney Point facility also qualify for college credit recommendations. "Superior training increases productivity," stated Jo Ann Robinson, director of ACE 's College Credit Recommendation Service. With that in mind, more and more businesses and educational institutions are turning to ACE to help assure the quality of that training, she noted. In addition to the Paul Hall Center, the United Auto Workers, AT&T, and Union Pacific Railroad among many other organizations offering ACE college credit-recommended courses. School Welcomes UAs from Puerto Rico Among the Paul Hall Center courses _....""""""""""',.,,,..,""""""'"""""= newly approved for college credit recommendations are (clockwise, from upper left) First Aid/CPR, Bridge Resource Management, Certified Chief Cook and Basic Fire Fighting. Apprentice's 1st Trip to Washington Includes Introduction to Pres. Bush Union, Administration Officials Discuss Energy Policy Assisted by a career-placement program run by the commonwealth, two Puerto Rico residents are enrolled in the entry training program at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. Unlicensed Apprentices Beato Diaz (left) and Antonio Mendez (right)-pictured Jan. 7 at the school with SIU Port Agent Victor Nunez-are the first students to utilize Puerto Rico's vocational placement structure to attend Piney Point. The apprentice program blends hands-on training with classroom instruction, preparing students to begin sailing aboard SIU-contracted vessels. Another International Deadline: IMO Issues ISM Code 'Warning' The Feb. 1, 2002 deadline for complying with the amended STCW convention understandably has commanded much attention throughout the maritime industry-but it is not the only closing date scheduled. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) last month issued what it called a "warning" for compliance of phase two of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. "Shipping companies need to plan and schedule their implementation activities without delay if they are to meet the impending deadline of July 1, 2002," the IMO noted. "Governments have been urged to take 'urgent action' to ensure sufficient time is allowed for the verification process to be carried out." In a communication sent to all nations that are signatory to the ISM Code (including the United States), the IMO stated that "verification of compliance with the ISM Code should include objective evidence that the Company Safety Management System (SMS) has been in operation for at least three months and an SMS has been in operation on board at least one ship B Seafarers LOG of each type operated by the company for at least three months prior to the issue of valid Documents of Compliance and Safety Management Certificates." The IMO release also pointed out that the ISM Code was adopted in the early 1990s "to provide a blueprint for the way shipping companies manage and operate their ships and to promote the development of a widespread safety culture and environmental conscience in shipping. By defining the company's responsibility for safety and ensuring that senior management were committed to enhanced safety and environmental protection and could more easily be held accountable, the code seeks to ensure that safety should be given top priority." On July 1, 1998, the code became mandatory for passenger ships, oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers and other cargo vessels of 500 gross tons or more. Beginning in July, it also will apply to cargo ships "other than those liable to the first implementation date and mobile offshore drilling units of 500 gross tonnage and above." When Ronnie Johnson and Eric Baggs told Jeff Faulkner about all the opportunities the young Texan would gain by attending the unlicensed apprentice program at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, he never in his wildest dreams expected what happened to him on Jan. 17. On that day, Brother Faulkner stood for all Seafarers and American merchant mariners when he met President George W. Bush. Along with the 19-year-old Phase I apprentice from Class 623 were SIU President Michael Sacco and SIU Political Action and Government Relations Director Terry Turner. Also attending the private gathering in Washington, D.C. wereAFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department President Edward Sullivan, Teamsters President James P. Hoffa and Carpenters President Douglas Mccarron. In his khaki uniform, Faulkner informed the president he was looking forward to sailing for years to come thanks to the many jobs that would be created with passage of a National Energy Policy that includes the environmentally safe exploration and development of oil within Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. "I got nervous for a little bit," Faulkner admitted shortly after the meeting in the Teamsters building. "It was really interesting." Faulkner and Sacco joined the other union presidents at a table where President Bush met with them. Seated across the table from both Sacco and Bush, Faulkner was asked what he wanted to do when he started drawing his paychecks. "Buy a car," he told the president to smiles and laughter. Bush asked the Galveston County native if he went to Galveston Ball High School. "I told him, 'No, sir. You probably haven't heard of it. It's Hitchcock High School in Galveston County. '" Bush smiled like he had heard of the school and reminded Faulkner, "I was the governor of Texas." Faulkner said the president was very laid back. "He joked with everybody. He even made a joke about my SIU President Michael Sacco (left) reassures hair, but 1 don't Unlicensed Apprentice Jeff Faulkner before the meeting with President Bush. remember what he said." (Like all male unlicensed apprentices Andrew Card (who served as in Phase I, Faulkner wears a burr Transportation Secretary for haircut.) Bush's father). He noted Bush listened to all "I met so many people, I don't the union presidents, "especially know who all of them are," added when President Sacco talked. He Faulkner, who was still reeling knocked him dead." from his first-ever visit to The SIU president explained Washington. to the president that inclusion of As noted, two Seafarers from ANWR in the National Energy the Galveston area convinced Policy would mean jobs over the him to come to Piney Point after next 30 years for American ship- he graduated from high school yard workers, mariners and their last summer. Johnson sails with suppliers. He said a young per- G&H Towing, while Baggs son, like Faulkner, could start a works aboard Crowley tugs. career now as an apprentice, "I like being on the water and upgrade throughout his career, they told me I could get trained, get married and raise a family, get a job and get paid good with work steady, then retire on a good benefits. It sounded good to me," pension during this 30-year peri- Faulkner said. Faulkner was in his last days od. (Bush interrupted Sacco to ask Faulkner if he was ready to as a Phase I apprentice when he get married. The apprentice was told to report to the apprenreplied, "No, sir. Not yet!" to tice commandant's office. "They asked me, 'How'd you laughter.) "Jeff was wonderful," noted like to meet the president of the Sacco. "He showed the president United States?' I thought it was a what this bill will mean to just joke or something. But I knew it one of the hundreds of thousands was for real when I met Mr. of American workers who will be (Don) Nolan (vice president of affected by it. He had the presi- the school). I was shocked." He had less than 24 hours to dent's attention and those who think about what he was about to were with him." Besides President Bush, go through. When the visit was finished, Faulkner met Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Secretary of Energy Faulkner was asked what he Spencer Abraham, Secretary of thought he would remember from the Interior Gail Norton and the day. "I talked to the president White House Chief of Staff and he joked with me." February 2002 �Welcome USNS Pomeroy Namesakes AboardSbip Members of the Pomeroy family gather on deck to hold the name board of the vessel (below) bearing the name of their relative, Army Pvt. First Class Ralph E. Pomeroy, who was killed in Korea in 1952 and posthumously was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery. Photo by National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. When the SIU-crewed USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR 316) was christened last March in San Diego, Calif., members of the Pomeroy family were on hand for the ceremonial breaking of a bottle of champagne over the ship's bow. And last November-as the ship was to be deployed for the first time-they traveled to the other side of the country, to Charleston, S.C., for a day aboard the vessel bearing their name. The USNS Pomeroy is the seventh ship completed of eight Watson-class large, medium-speed, rollon/roll-off ships built at National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. in San Diego. It was named in honor of U.S. Army Pvt. First Class Ralph E. Pomeroy, who posthumously was awarded the Medal of Honor for his brave actions in Korea in October 1952. More than 80 members of the hero's family were treated by the Military Sealift Command to a day aboard the 950-ft. long vessel that has more than 390,000 square feet of cargo space. They were given a full tour of the bridge, engine room and helicopter decks and were then feted with a specially prepared luncheon, complete with a cake decorated with the likeness of the USNS Pomeroy. After all the festivities, the ship loaded up U.S. Army equipment in Charleston and departed for Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean, where it will spend about 30 months on station. It is perhaps some comfort to the Pomeroy family that they got to know the crew members aboard the ship that will sail as a monument to their brave loved one.' Gathering for a group shot are members of the Pomeroy's steward department. From left are Chief Cook Lewis Johansen, SA Connie Tarplin, Chief Steward W.H. Watson 111, SA Lisa Knight and SA Ivan Perez (and in front, on loan from the deck department, is George Lavender Jr.). The Galley Gang Preparing everything from the condiments to the baby back ribs to the mounds of coconut shrimp to the hors d'oeuvres-and more-are (clockwise from top left) Chief Steward W.H . Watson Ill; SA Ivan Perez and Watson; SA Lisa Knight; Chief Cook Lewis Johansen; and SA Connie Tarplin. Thanks to Chief Steward WH. Watson Ill for the photos on this page. Mike Finnegan, captain of the USNS Pomeroy, poses with some of the children in the Pomeroy family (from left) Autumn Crow, Emily Kadar, Laura Crow and Ashley Crow and a cake, specially decorated for the occasion. Enjoying the luncheon buffet with the Pomeroy family are QMED Eric Rodgers (left) and Storekeeper Joseph Zagrocki. Februa,, 2002 Seafarers LOG 9 �Tampa Bay Pilots Follow Historic Route Throughout the alwaysevolving maritime industry, from the smallest tugboat to the largest cargo ship, high-tech equipment is the norm. Such is the case at SIU-contracted Tampa Bay Pilots, based in Egmont Key, Fla., near St. Petersburg. The eight SIU boat- men at Tampa Bay Pilots utilize the newest gear in performing their jobs. Despite the contemporary surroundings, piloting is an old component of Tampa lore. As the company notes, "From the earliest records of civilization, man has traveled the waters and relied upon the expertise of pilots to assure safe passage . ... Pilots are Among the SIU-crewed pilot boats docked at the station on Egmont Key, Fla. is the Manatee. an important aspect of the history of Tampa Bay. One of the earliest pilots, identified as Anton De Alaminos, explored both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida. He established the existence of the Gulf Stream and is credited with the discov- Located near St. Petersburg , Fla., the pilot staery of Tampa Bay. tion on Egmont Key offers a practical site for The pilots who fol- awaiting incoming vessels. lowed played a vital role in the settling the land, sea. and the ever-changand growth of Tampa and the ing elements as have pilots since entire bay area." the dawn of history." The Tampa Bay Pilots Late last year, SIU members Association was founded in 1886. employed by Tampa Bay Pilots Notwithstanding technological unanimously approved a threeadvancements, "the profession of year contract that calls for signifpiloting remains relatively un- icant gains. Highlights of the changed," the association noted. agreement include increases in "Today, the Tampa Bay Pilots wages and overtime, improved offer the same critical judgment pension benefits (in the form of and unsurpassed familiarity with pension credits), and increasing Editorial Praises Merchant Mariners Editors note: The following protected by no law. The laws made editorial appeared in the October in Washington were designed to 2001 edition of the Bonnes protect the ship owners and their Nouvelles, a monthly newspaper profits. The laws encouraged based in Ville Platte, La. Written by . degradation, brutality and corrupPascal Fuselier, it is reprinted here tion. with permission. As late as 1897, the U.S . Supreme Court ruled that the BONJOUR MES AMIS: Thirteenth Amendment, which outDuring World War II, I served lawed involuntary servitude, did with the U.S. Naval Amphibious not apply to American seamen. Forces in the Pacific, and on two Until the mid-1930s the seamen occasions I was transported from were a class apart; outcast and one base to another · by merchant unwanted ashore except by those ships manned by merchant seamen. who were out to rob them. At sea I was first transported from San they were under the tyrant's heel. Bruno, Calif. to Pearl Harbor on the There was no one to speak for former luxury liner, SS Lurline, them, and if one did speak about which was converted into a troop conditions, he did so at great risk. carrier after the Japanese attack on It would be a long time before Pearl Harbor. America's seamen would reach the Since I was very young growing status they enjoy today. The up on the Mamou Prairie I had a National Labor Relations Act of deep admiration for the courage, 1935 (also known as the Wagner ingenuity, skill and stamina of the Act) was a big boom for American workers, including seamen. American merchant seamen. The history of the treatment of Like in the rest of the country in American seamen is not a pretty the mid-'30s, the Great Depression one. The men who sailed our early, was at its worse in Evangeline beautiful packets and clippers were Parish. Many sharecroppers' sons were becoming of age and ready to leave home and start a life of their own, but what to do? Jobs were scarce. In March 1933, Congress had passed FDR's Forestation Act, establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) which provided work for many young men 18 to 25 years old. Many young chaps from Evangeline Parish joined the C.C. Camps, but each state had ·a quota and there was not enough work for all, so our young men began to look towards the sea to go and make enough money to possibly marry their sweethearts and buy a team of horses or mules to go into sharecropping au troisieme (giving the owner one-third of the harvest). Through the efforts of the National Maritime Union (NMU), the Seafarers International Union (SIU), and other unions, the ship owners were getting jittery, and began paying seamen $50 to $62.50 a month in the late 1930s. This was fabulous pay for the young lads of Evangeline Parish. A wedding during ses hon vieux . temps, (these good ol' times) would cost as little as twenty bucks including a honeymoon at Kinder Pump. A few young men from Ville Platte, Mamou, and surrounding coves and communities got a few bucks together and headed for Port Council, its affiliate members, Arthur to obtain their merchant and the workers at Avondale for marine documents (les Papers de their perseverance and support bateaux). during this difficult time. We Like wildfire, through prairies commend the company for its and across bayous, by word of willingness to resolve these mat- mouth, the message went out to our ters and move toward a positive, young men that a good place to go productive and long-term rela- was Mr. & Mrs. Michel's tionship into the future," Meese Boardinghouse on Houston said. Avenue in Port Arthur. Mrs. Michel The agreement also stipulates would not only help you obtain that- in addition to reinstating your seaman's papers, she would the 54 employees illegally fired help you to sign on a ship and for their union activities-the would let you room and board until records of numerous other you faire un bateau (make a ship), employees who were illegally before you paid her (if the walls of sanctioned, suspended or other- that boardinghouse could talk, wise disciplined for pro-union they' d have many stories to tell about the Cajuns of Evageline activities, be expunged. Parish.) "This agreement effectively During those hard times a mad resolves the hundreds of charges dictator in Germany had dreams of that emanated from our long conquering the world. On March campaign at the New Orleans 14, 1939, Hitler's German Army shipyard," Meese added. "It ends invaded Czechoslovakia, and on the extraordinary litigation that September 1, 193 9, German forces resulted in thousands of pages of invaded Poland. By June 22, 1940, transcripts, testimony and end- France capitulated to the Germans, less hours of hearings and court and that same month President proceedings." Roosevelt declared that U.S. policy Union Perseverance Pays Off Avondale Workers Returning With Full Back Pay, Benefits The AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department recently announced that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has accepted the settlement agreement negotiated between the New Orleans Metal Trades Department (AFL-CIO) and Avondale Shipyard to formally end long-running litigation over massive unfair labor practice charges stemming from the 10-year battle for union representation at the yard, now owned by Northrop-Grumman. The NLRB order provides that the company returns 54 employees to their previous positions with full back pay and benefits. The union estimates the back pay involved will reach $2.15 million. John Meese, national president of the Metal Trades Department, praised the workers for their determination and faith in the process, and commended the company for its cooperation. "The department salutes our New Orleans Metal Trades 10 Seafarers LOG was changing from "neutral" to "non-belligerency." With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Sunday, December 7, 1941, which left 2,403 soldiers, sailors and civilians killed and 1, 178 wounded, America was suddenly faced with two wars- the one in Europe which we had been supplying under the pretense of neutrality and another to the farthest reaches of the Pacific. Our shipyards expanded the production of new ships. Miracles were demanded of our merchant marine and they were delivered through courage, sweat and blood. In the course of the war, 5,600 ships were produced by workers in American shipyards and our merchant seamen were there to sail them when they came off the assembly line. Seamen from Evangeline Parish and the rest of the U.S.A. were the first Americans to experience the war. During the early days of the war, where American armies were being formed in Fort Polk and other training camps, and our allies fought at Stalingrad and El Aleman, the U.S. Marines were establishing our first beachhead at Guadalcanal. Our merchant seamen were waging a grim race between sinkings and deliveries of ships. German submarines were well aware that merchant shipping was the vital backbone of warfare, and like hungry sharks, German Uboats roamed the sea and laid in wait at the mouth of our harbors for their prey. Just like the World War II veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, the merchant seamen who so gallantly sailed the ships that carried their cargoes of troops, ammunition, tanks and other necessary material during those desperate times, were dying in great numbers every day. There are still a few left in Evangeline Parish who remember, and it is to them I want to pay tribute. For much too long the part they played in winning the war has been ignored and underrated. From 1941 to late summer 1945, to our American seamen, the Atlantic coast became known as "Gasoline Alley" and they slept in life jackets while passing through "Torpedo Junction" off the tip of Florida. Torpedoed tankers off the New Jersey coast were not uncommon and those brave men were dying with scorched lungs in seas of blazing oil barely a mile off the U.S. coast, while others were going down in the icy waters of the Arctic, others in the Pacific and off SIU Port Agent Tony McQuay (standing) delivers copies of the new contract to Boatman Jeff Hilliard at the Egmont Key facility. health benefits to the same levels as those in the standard contracts. Seafarers working for the association include Kevin Whispell, Randy Huth, Stephen Jean, Greg Keelean, Russ Garner and Ron Calbert. the coast of Africa- the Seven Seas were a combat zone, and they ran red with the blood of our merchant seamen. Of the hundreds of seamen from Evangeline Parish who manned our vital ships during this critical era in our country's history, some who were killed on flaming vessels include Dowell and Edward "Dole" Chapman (brothers of the late Moise Chapman), who went down on two different ships; Joe Hollier, from the Reddell area and my fellow L'Anse Johnsonne comrade, Davis Veillon. Just like those who died in uniform, those unsung heroes gave their lives for their country. Tallying the achievements of the American merchant marine, the figures are very impressive. In the three-and-a-half years the United States was in combat, they had moved more than 268 million tons of cargo overseas. The great majority of America's 7 million overseas troops and 150,000 civilians had been transported by merchant ships ; and fully 80 percent of all the supplies needed by our allies were carried on American vessels. But the price was heavy-5 ,579 seamen were killed and thousands wounded. 773 of our merchant ships were destroyed. It was the greatest effort and the greatest sacrifice by any civilian group in American history. It had been achieved by a group of people, who, · a few years earlier, had been scorned in the press, harassed by police, exploited by ship owners and looked down upon as second class citizens by their fellow Americans. At White House ceremonies they were praised by President Roosevelt for their courage and dedication, and he told them they would not be forgotten when the war ended. But on April 12, 1945, FDR died at Warm Springs, Ga. and the war formally ended September 2, 1945. The nation thanked the merchant seamen for a job well done and promptly forgot about them. My second and final transport by a merchant ship was when I was in the U.S . Naval Amphibious Forces. It was in early Spring 1945, from Hawaii to Okinawa, to participate in the last battle of World War II, where like all of us in the Armed Forces, merchant seamen had to face suicide attacks by kamikaze planes. While engaged as a smokeboat operator to confuse the kamikazes by making smoke around the Continued on page 17 February 2002 �Good news is always welcome! On this page, we would like to share some happy events in the lives of our fellow Seafarers. If you have a family-related photo you would like to be included in the next family photo page, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photos will be returned, if so requested. If e-mailing digital images, please send them to dhirtes@seafarers.org. The higher the resolution, the better. February 2002 Seafarers LOG 11 �·TAX TIPS FOR SEAFARERS WHAT'S NEW? On June 7, 2001, new tax legislation, The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, was signed into law by President Bush. Here are some of the changes that will take effect in 2001 and 2002. TAX RATE REDUCTION - Individual income tax rates will be reduced. In 2001, the rates will be 10%, 15%, 27.5%, 30.5% and 39.1%. The new 10% rate applies to the first $67,000 of taxable income for single taxpayers, $10,000 of taxable income for heads of household, and $12,000 of taxable income for married couples filing jointly. For supplemental wage payments, such as bonuses, the withholding rate is 27.5%. For 2002 and 2003, the tax rates will be 10%, 15%, 27%, 30% 35% and 38.6%. CHILD TAX CREDIT - The child tax credit will increase from $500 per child to $600 per child for tax years 2001 through 2004 for a qualifying child under age 17. The child credit will gradually increase to $1,000 per child in 2010. ADOPTION CREDIT - The current maximum adoption credit for qualified adoption expenses which can be claimed for an eligible child is $5,000 ($6,000 for a special needs child). In 2002, the credit will increase to $10,000 for any child including special needs children. The income phaseout range will increase from $75,000 to $150,000 of modified adjusted gross income. EDUCATION IRAs - The current annual contribution of $500 that can be made for a designated beneficiary will increase in 2002 to $2,000. Qualified expenditures, which can be paid tax free from an education IRA, will now include those from elementary and secondary public (including kindergarten), private or religious school tuition and expenses. In 2002, joint filers with adjusted gross income below $190,000 can make a full contribution and those below $220,000 can make a partial contribution. QUALIFIED TUITION (Section 529) PROGRAMS - Under the new law, distributions made after 2001 from qualified state tuition plans will be fully excluded from gross income. Private educational institutions will also be able to establish prepaid educational services accounts and sell credits or certificates for the payment at a future date of qualified higher education expenses. Beginning in 2004, qualifying distributions from those will be excluded from gross income. STUDEVT LOAN INTEREST - The 60-month limit on interest paid for qualified education loads after Dec. 31, 200 l, is repealed. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE - After Dec. 31, 2001, the annual ex,clusion of up to $5,250, is permanently extended to cover both undergraduate and graduate level courses. DEDUCTION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION EXPENSES - Eligible taxpayers will be able to claim a deduction for up to $3,000 beginning in 2002 ($4,000 in 2004) of qualified higher education expenses. This deduction is also adjusted to gross income and is available even if you do not itemize your deductions. IRA CONTRIBUTIONS LIMITS - The maximum annual contribution limits for both traditional and Roth IRAs will increase from $2,000 to $3,000 for 2002 through 2004. Also, taxpayers who have attained age 50 by the end of the year will be able to make additional catch-up contributions of $500 for 2002 through 2005. The maximum annual contribution for those taxpayers will be $3,500 until 2006. TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN RETIREMENT DEFERRALS - Starting in 2002,joint filers with adjusted gross income below $50,000, single filers and married filing separately with adjusted gross income below $25,000, can qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,000, for contributions or deferrals to retirement savings plans. The maximum credit is 50% of the contribution or deferral (up to $2,000). behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the tollfree number 1-800-272-9829 or 1888-255-8299. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $2.50 becomes $3. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 68b, 68c and 68d on their Form 1040. Line 68b is for the bank's routing number. Line 68c indicates the type of account, and line 68d is the taxpayer's account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the Electronic Filing Office. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount The HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. • Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. • Itemized deductions and tax credits. • Medical and dental payment records. • Real estate and personal property tax receipts. • Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. • Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled "Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals" is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Fill in the return. Step 3. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form l 040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach the first copy of Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms STANDARD DEDUCTION deduction for each exemption- for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $2,900 per person. In 2001, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Standard Deduction ~ Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box on this page). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual's benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2001 , per onal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards and per anal loans. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mort- This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deduction ($900 for a married couple or $1, 100 for an unmarried per on). Note that the personal gages or investments is 100 percent deductible. exemption deduction is $2) 900. Union Dues Deduction: Union Filing Status Standard Deduction Single .......................................... $4,550 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependen children ........................... $7 ,600 Married filing separate return ....................... $3,800 Head of household ............................... $6,650 12 Seafarers LOG dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 p ercent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction i permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee's administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting W01k-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman's work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union's designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses- either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 34.5 cents per mile for all miles driven in 2001. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including intere t, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on the meal allowance of $38 per day in the continental U.S. and $42 per day outside the continental U.S. Otherwise the IRS standard meal allowance is generally $34. In some locations it is $42, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Travel expenses, including meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one's work and if they have not been reimbursed from any other source. There has been a recent tax court case (jolmson v. Comm. TC No. 5114-98) where a merchant seaman was denied a frill deduction for the full M & IE rates. The court ruled that in situation where meal are provided at no cost, the incidental expense rate allowable as an itemized deduction is limited to $2 (in the continental U.S.) and rates ranging from 1 to $53 in other areas. In lieu of these rates, to the extent you have receipts, a higher deduction amount may be allowed. Llmit on Itemized Deductions: In 2001 , itemized deductions may be limited for individual earning more than $132,950 of federal adjusted gross income (or $66,475 if married and filing separately). Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit Presented on these two p are handy tax tips-so specifically tor mariner, deduction amounts tor 20 additional i WHERE TO GE General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order cur and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available i try to help with tax questions that ca To find the location of an IRS office, l States Government, Internal Revenu Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer agency's taxpayer information servic tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system ha about 150 topics. 1-800-829-44 77 is When calling from a touch tone pho repeat the topic and the letter "C" or To listen to a directory of topics after 123. You can also check the status of This telephone service is available time). Personal Computer: Access the IRS's Internet Web Si forms, instructions and publications; questions; search publications on-line holding allowances using their W-4 requests for help via e-mail; and sign news by e-mail from the IRS Digital Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the t IRS District Director (listed on the number with the letter. (EIC) is available to certain low income individuals who have earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income thresholds. For tax year 2001 , an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met. Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer's income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $10, 710 and no qualifying children- $364 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $28,281 and with 1 qualifying child-$2428 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $32,121 and with 2 or more qualifying children- $4,008 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below zero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EiC to see if they are eligible for the credit. Dependent's Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get an SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive an SSN. Dependent Child Credit: Effective for tax year 2001, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are OVERSEAS Ii. Should a Seafarer find himself or h forms or assistance, U.S. embassie n vide some taxpayer-related service . -\ able at all U.S. embassies and con 11 Caracas, Venezuela; London, Engl n Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Pari Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydne, February 2002 �ges of the Seafarers LOG e of which are intended . Included are the new 1 as well as where to get rformation. INFORMATION ~eneral information. IRS staff answer ent and prior year forms, instructions many IRS offices around the counmot be answered easily by telephone. :>ok in the phone book under "United Service." 1 questions by phone. Through the :, publications covering all aspects of recorded tax information covering 1e IRS's automated Tele-Tax system. te, the letter "R" or number "7" will number "2" will cancel the message. he introductory message finishes, dial your refund. rom 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. ~ocal : at www.irs.ustreas.gov to: download see answers to frequently asked tax )y topic or keyword; figure your withcalculator, send them comments or ;p to receive the latest tax issues and )ispatch. x returns can be sent directly to an ax form). Include a Social Security entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $600 per ild. The credit begins to phase out hen modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or $5,500 for married taxpayers filing separately. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the "HOPE" credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1 ,500 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after January 1, 2001, axpayers can take the "Lifetime earning Credit," that is a credit of 0 percent of qualified tuition exenses paid by the taxpayer for any ear (after that date) the HOPE credt is not claimed. This credit is not 'mited to the first two years of postecondary education. Also, no credits re available for expenses of a stuent in any year that tax-free distribtions from an education IRA are sed to pay the student's expenses. hese credits are subject to income imitations. The phaseout of the redits begins for most taxpayers hen modified AGI reaches $40,000, nd completely phase out when modfied AGI reaches $50,000. For joint ilers, the phaseout range is $80,000 o $100,000. The HOPE and ifetime Learning Credit are not vailable to taxpayers married filing eparately. TAX TIME erself overseas and seeking IRS consulates are equipped to proa minimum, IRS forms are availtes located in: Berlin, Germany; ; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, ranee; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; , Australia; Tokyo, Japan. February 2002 TAX TIPS· FOR SEAFARERS Student Loan Interest Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid after December 31, 1997 for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: • Education IRAs- Taxpayers can contribute up to $500 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary's postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit is claimed. Also, no contribution may be made by any person for the same beneficiary during any year in which a contribution is made to a qualified state tuition program. • Roth IRAs- The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $2,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Penalty-Free IRA Distributions- The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a firsttime homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual's lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Expre s and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, cash, bank check or money order. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2001, the taxpayer's personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer's property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gain , dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported. • Jones Act settlements for lost wages. • Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. • Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. • Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. • Endowments. • Original Issue Discount. • Distributions from self-employed plans. • Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). • Ti r 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. • Lump-sum distributions. • Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) or real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). • Accumulation distributions from trusts. • Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). • Earned income from sources outside the United States. • Director's fees. • Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. • Embezzled income. or other illegal WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kep t for about 6 years. • Benefits from government welfare programs. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one li ted on that person' last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. • Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, m edical costs. • Maintenance and Cure. • Worker ' compen ation benefits, insurance damage , etc. for injury or ickne . • Disability retirem en t p ayments (and other benefits) p aid by th e Veterans' Administration. • Child support. • Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. • Dividends on veterans' life insurance. • Life insurance proceeds received because of a person's death. • Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. • Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION IRS Form 4868 can be used to ask for a four-month extension to file IRS Form 1040A. An individual requesting an extension is under no obligation to explain why the additional time is needed. Filing of the form gives an individual until August 15, 2002 to file his or her 2001 federal tax return. The IRS will contact the individual directly only if the request for an extension is denied. To extend the period of time in which one can file a tax return, that individual must correctly fill out Form 4868 and pay all of the tax monies due. If the filing of Form 4868 and the subsequent four-month extension to file does not provide the individual with enough time, he or she can then Form 2688, known as file '1\.pplication for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return." Another option open to the person seeking more time in which to file is to write a letter to the IRS stating the reason the extension is necessary. TAXES DUE APRIL IS, 2002 An individual seeking an extension is advised by the IRS to file Form 4868 before filing Form 2688. Copies of Form 4868 are available by calling the agency's toll-free number which is dedicated to tax form requests (800) 829-3676. Also, the form is available from all main IRS branch offices and from the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov. And if a Seafarer finds himself or herself overseas, he or she can obtain the form from any U.S. embassy or consulate. It is i7n.portant to bear in 7n.ind that the filing of For7n. 4868 requesting an extension does not get one off the hook fro7n. having to pay any taxes due. For7n. 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due the U.S. government from, the individual filing the extension. TAX RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF SEPTEMBER 11 Victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks have until February 12, 2002 to file Federal returns for 2000. WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from v.rithholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law (46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that "no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer." The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman- de pite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year--was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if uch an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairne s Act a measure aimed at providing "equitable treatment with re pect to tate and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessel ." The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulate that pilots and other mariners "who perform regularly a igned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State" shall be ubject to tate income tax only in his or her residential tate. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, 1nariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Seafarers LD6 13 �OUR NEVV YEAR'S RESOLUTION The Seafarers LOG is updating and validating its monthly mailing list. This update should not affect active SIU members or pensioners. nor should it impact SIU-contracted companies. government representatives or agencies. media. educational institutions. port authorities or other unions who receive the LOG. However, if you: ~ Currently receive a single monthly copy of the LOG via mail, and ~ You are not an active SIU member or an SIU pensioner, and ~ You also don't fit into any category mentioned in the underlined sentence above, and ~ You want to remain on the mailing list, Please let us know by completing the form on this page and mailing it to: Data Management/Address Corrections Dept. 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 OR Contact us via email at kclements@seafarers.org. r--------------------------------------------------, SEAFARERS LOG ADDRESS FORM (Please Print) Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Phone No.: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Social Security No.: _ _ _ _ __ Thank you for your assistance and for your continued interest in the Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Seafarers LOG. L--------------------------------------------------~ 14 Seafarers LOG Febmary 2002 �Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea DECEMBER 16, 2001 - JANUARY 15, 2002 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port Algonac Baltimore Guam HonoluluHouston Jacksonville -~obile New Orleans 3 4 2 7 29 35 23 25 . ~~1¥ yqrk 30 Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point ?·Puerto Rico San Francisco St Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals 15 4 3 10 25 l 34 23 273 1 1 2 4 6 13 3 1 5 8 28 14 12 12 10 16 7 3 8 3 5 7 5 2 17 13 159 14 0 2 0 4 5 10 10 92 Port ;1A!gonac 0 Baltimore 5 ·Guam 0 6 9 Honolulu Houston Jacksonville ·Mobile l 5 0 2 3 0 2 1 TOTAL SffiPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 4 0 7 22 18 16 Trip Reliefs DECK DEPARTMENT 1 2 0 1 2 1 2 1 0 2 6 0 9 2 13 17 8 19 9 5 6 22 9 2 23 13 9 8 15 5 4 3 4 2 18 10 126 5 6 12 6 2 0 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 2 9 2 19 46 56 25 31 50 24 10 2 :i:i'fliieifo llfco San Francisco St ~ouis Tacoma Wilmington Totals 1 2 6 2 9 9 111 4 3 10 4 0 2 l 2 1 0 10 103 7 5 53 0 3 0 0 0 10 _2 9 11 0 1 l 6 9 Port Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Mobile New Orleans - ~ewYork Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Pu.erto Rico ~an Francisco 17 2 8 12 5 3 0 1 28 St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Port Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Mobile New Orleans . !'l~wYork 15 24 0 0 6 2 5 2 13 1 14 2 19 8 12 24 12 2 4 4 17 Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals 0 3 2 0 7 3 39 15 7 161 Totals All Departments 563 469 1 3 3 4 15 9 22 0 12 36 6 0 2 2 Norfolk ................... Thursday: March 7, April 11 8 0 0 7 0 0 1 Philadelphia ............ Wednesday: March 6, April 10 0 4 3 5 8 9 32 5 17 13 Port Everglades ....... Thursday: March 14,April 18 San Juan ..................Thursday: March 7, April 11 5 0 7 2 3 3 100 8 7 59 0 11 2 27 13 10 94 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 2 2 2 11 10 11 1 0 3 7 0 8 4 1 0 0 3 0 I 0 0 6 3 2 4 58 0 1 8 0 27 22 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 0 2 1 2 2 3 3 5 -10 4 6 14 3 0 23 3 14 6 5 11 0 4 10 3 1 19 1 9 0 11 2 5 0 7 5 2 1 0 0 0 1 4 1 3 1 2 0 0 403 319 11 7 49 2 0 373 23 3 26 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 202 11 0 3 9 2 13 22 6 5 11 3 New York ................Tuesday: March 5, April 9 San Francisco .........Thursday: March 14, April 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 17 11 208 17 8 169 13 4 80 0 6 0 17 24 29 4 l 0 Personal 0 11 3 34 4 7 6 6 8 21 16 4 2 3 10 10 0 7 0 6 42 RICHARD P. HITCHCOCK III 0 2 14 2 7 4 0 2 1 41 3 6 1 0 4 3 256 80 71 0 0 0 15 3 4 5 6 , 5 3 30 1 3 11 2 1 5 10 0 l 3 9 58 24 246 22 30 8 40 3 17 17 50 21 3 17 6 25 66 22 26 9 10 7 33 15 87 0 0 73 321 14 1 40 28 550 194 207 974 792 824 0 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. February 2002 1 6 New Orleans ........... Tuesday: March 12, April 16 10 1 9 4 70 7 1 96 6 2 0 4 17 New Bedford ..........Tuesday: March 19, April 23 ··t5·~ 0 0 0 l 1 0 8 3 28 40 Mobile .................... Wednesday: March 13, April 17 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 0 3 3 4 0 10 5 3 2 1 20 0 11 11 105 2 25 Jersey City .............. Wednesday: March 20, April 24 123 4 5 2 222 2 0 2 0 2 2 Jacksonville ............ Thursday: March 7, April 11 437 6 0 3 0 0 12 2 Houston ............. :.... Monday: March 11, April 15 11 12 5 4 19 7 Honolulu ................. Friday: March 15, April 19 17 19 0 0 20 20 1 6 6 (} 0 6 Duluth ..................... Wednesday: March 13, April 17 9 7 9 18 54 45 1 15 9 176 4 46 3 l 0 3 0 Boston ..................... Friday: March 8, April 12 0 16 5 140 10 0 Baltimore ................ Thursday: March 7, April 11 4 4 10 0 19 2 ,..;;~ew York 9 4 2 7 19 11 9 6 3 2 12 19 44 12 12 3 5 5 N~Orleans Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Algonac .................. Friday: March 8, April 12 0 41 0 • Piney Point .............Monday: March 4, April 8 20 5 18 • lfan:ll &April 2IJIJ2 lfe!Jlbersblp Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters 0 Please contact your sister at (904) 733-1882. Correction A caption on page 7 of the January 2002 LOG stated that a lifeboat endorsement is part of the Basic Safety Training (BST) required of deep sea mariners under the STCW convention. IT IS NOT. While BST does include four elements, lifeboat is not one of them. Scholarship Deadline Just Around Corner Two months remain until the deadlineApril 15-for receipt of scholarship applications from Seafarers as well as from their spouses and children who wish to continue their education at the college level in the fall of 2002 Three scholarships are being set aside for SIU members--one for $20,000 and two each for $6,000. Additionally, five grants will be awarded to SIU dependents, each for $20,000. Time is running out to take advantage of this generous benefit, provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Application booklets (which contain eligibility requirements, application procedures and an application form) are available in any SIU hall. Also, applicants who were not selected for a scholarship in the past may want to consider reapplying this year. You have nothing to lose-and no time to waste! Seafarers LOG 15 �• Seafarers International Union Dlrer:tary l\TmU monthly Shipping cf/; Registration Report DECEMBER 2001 Michael Saccot President • Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services . Rene Lioeanjie, Vice Presidem at Large Charles Stewart, Vice President at large ... HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 AU Groups Group I Group II Group III Group I Port Boston Houston Harvey, LA New York Norfolk San Pedro Savannah Tacoma Totals REGISTERED ON BEACH TOTAL SIDPPED TOTAL REGISTERED John Fay, Executive nee President David Heindel, Secrelary·TreasiJrer Augustin Tellez, nee President Contracts All Groups Group II Group ID Trip Reliefs All Groups Group I Group II Group III DECK DEPARTMENT 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 2 0 0 0 1 15 6 7 53 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 11 6 8 6 5 1 0 52 106 30 10 2 0 0 2 7 0 2 0 3 6 6 0 9 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 12 2 0 0 4 0 2 4 0 1 0 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 17 0 1 43 0 0 0 4 3 14 4 9 0 3 0 3 1 3 0 2 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, Ml 48001 (810) 794-4988 ALTON 325 Market Sc, Suite B,Alton, lL 62002 (618) 462-3456 ANCHORAGE 121 Sesame St., #lC, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 BOSTON 520 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02127 (617) 269-7877 DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-4110 GUAM P.O, Box 23127, Barrigada, Guam 96921 125 Sunny Plaza, Suite301-E Tun Jesus Crisostomo St., Tamuning, Guam 969 J l (671) 647-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalibi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JERSEY CITY 99 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302 (201) 435-9424 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St., New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 {504) 328-7545 NEW YORK Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 Harvey, LA New York 4 2 0 1 Norfolk 2 0 0 0 Q Boston Houston San Pedro Savannah Tacoma Totals 0 5 Q 0 3 1 1 3 0 21 7 Harvey, LA New York 1 0 9 0 1 2 1 0 0 Norfolk 0 San Pedro Savannah 4 2 0 0 0 Tacoma 16 2 0 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Harvey, LA New York 0 0 1 3 0 4 3 7 Savannah Tacoma 0 Totals 8 21 88 34 Totals All Departments 0 ,2~ 8 6 2 0 0 46 13 0 0 2 2 11 0 20 76 0 0 8 0 0 0 2 4 6 0 0 2 3 0 1 2 0 13 0 14 0 36 9 14 0 9 3 0 10 6 0 0 13 2 6 0 2 5 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 2 2 3 13 1 0 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 4 0 Norfolk San Pedro 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Port Boston Houston 0 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 4 l Totals 0 4 5 0 Port Boston Houston 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 22 35 1 4 0 0 0 20 13 5 34 30 0 23 0 0 0 28 4 39 0 14 5 10 23 59 123 74 109 277 208 111 2 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK U5 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 PHILADEL.PBJA 2604 S. 4 SL, Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S.AndrewsAve.,Ft. Lauderdale, FL 31316 (954) 522- 7984 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St., San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division: (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE l057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 SAVANNAH 2220 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 238-4958 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington. CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOB PI CS-FROM-THE-PAST These photos were sent to the Seafarers LOG by Pensioner I 1L"'~ Alfred Porcari of Howard Beach, NY They were taken aboard the SS Steel Voyager on Sept. 20, 1972. In a note to the Seafarers LOG accompanying these pictures, Porcari wrote that the captain decided that the ship--on its way to Vietnam-was not going fast enough and ordered three sails put up (above). Made from new tarpaulins, two were hoisted forward and one was put up on the #4 hatch (right). According to the captain, the ship picked up one knot in speed with the sails. "Ships that passed us could not believe what they were seeing ," Porcari added. "And I'll bet some, if not all the old-timers, will find this hard to believe. But seeing is believing (far right)." Porcari, now 72, joined the SIU in 1947 and retired in 1991. The sails stood up for about 12 days in the trade winds of the Pacific. The trip took 108 days in all. February 2002 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard US.-jlag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. recertified bosun is among the nine Seafarers announcing their retirements this month. Recertified Bosun John E. Stout completed the highest level of training available to members of the deck department at the SIU's training school in Piney Point, Md. Including Stout, six of the retirees sailed in the deep sea division. Three plied the Great Lakes. Six of the retirees worked in the deck department, one shipped in the engine department and two sailed in the steward department. On this page, the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of the retiring Seafarers. A DEEP SEA MANUELE. CAMARA, 64, hails from Portugal. He started his SIU career in 1978 in the port of New York. Brother Camara first sailed in the inland division aboard the Bradford Island, a Steuart Tanker Co. vessel. The deck department member later transferred to the deep sea division and upgraded his skills at the Seafarers Harry Lundberg School of Seamanship in 1984 and 1996. He last shipped aboard the Sea-Land Spirit. Brother Camara resides in Warren, R.I. r:-7'.W!E::::~~• PEDRO JUAN LaBOY, 62, was born in Ponce, P.R. He began his career with the Seafarers in 1967, joining in the port of New York. Brother LaBoy first shipped aboard the Detroit, a Sea-Land Service vessel. The steward department member last worked aboard the Sea-Land Cntsader. Brother Editorial Continued from page 10 fleet, I saw many merchant ships there and got to know many of the crew members. I had so much admiration for the merchant seamen who sailed our tankers and freighters during the war. In less than a month after I was discharged from the military, I obtained my seaman's document from the U.S. Coast Guard in Port Arthur. In early January 1946, I signed on as a crew member on my first merchant vessel, and for the next 21 years I sailed all over the world with the finest people on earth. When I was discharged from the military in Nov. 1945, I had two choices-go to college under the G.I. Bill or join the merchant marine and see the world. I never regretted that I chose the latter. I had the pleasure of sailing with men who sailed the great clippers around Cape Hom (off Argentina) before the Panama Canal opened in August 1914 and many who had sailed during the recent war. I had the honor of meeting Nick February 2002 JUANA. LOPEZ, 57, began his SIU career in 1969 in the port of New York. He first sailed aboard the Avenger a Marine Carriers Corp. vessel. The deck department member, who also sailed as a steward, was born in Puerto Rico. Brother Lopez lives in Utuado, P.R. GABER MOHAMED, 65, was born in Arabia. Brother Mohamed started his career with the Seafarers in 1968 in the port of New York. He first sailed aboard the Anniston Victory, a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. The engine department member upgraded his skills at the Seafarers training school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Mohamed most recently worked on the USNS Chesapeake, an Interocean Ugland Management Corp. vessel. He now makes his home in Brooklyn, N.Y. VICTORM. PACHECO, 71, began his SIU career in 1970 in the port of New York. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1955. Brother Pacheco first sailed on the Monticello, operated by Monticello Tanker Co. The deck department member also shipped as a steward. He upgraded his skills in 1970 at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point, Md. Hoogendam, who was too young for military service but had survived 83 days on a life raft. By the way, as far as I know, the only merchant seaman from Evangeline Parish who was a prisoner of war during World War II was the late Hilton "Solqui" Blanchard of Duralde. His ship, a Texaco tanker, SS California, was captured early in the war by the Germans and traded for with the Japanese. For almost four years, Blanchard and his shipmates suffered untold hardships at the hands of their captors. Ironically, it was over four decades after World War II ended that the U.S. Congress, realizing a great injustice had been made to these brave men who had served their country so well in wartime, granted them full veteran's status. Many had died and most were too old to take advantage of all the benefits, but at least they know they can be buried with full military honors. On this Veterans' Day 2001, I hope all my military veteran friends will join me in saluting these brave men for a job well done Bien merci, mes amis. Brother Pacheco last worked on Puerto Rico Marine Management, Inc. 's Humacao. He resides in Santurce, P.R. JOHNE. STOUT, 59, was born in Savannah, Ga. He began his career with the SIU in 1962 in the port of New York. Brother Stout served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1961. He first sailed aboard a Hercules Steamship Corp. vessel. The deck department member shipped as a bosun. He upgraded his skills at the Seafarers training school in Piney Point, Md., where he also graduated from the bosun recertification program. Brother Stout last worked on the Innovator, a U.S. Ship Management vessel. He is a resident of Magnolia, Texas. GREAT LAKES ALBIN J. FILARSKI, 65, started his SIU career in 1988 in Detroit. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. Brother Pilarski first shipped aboard the Paul H. Townsend, an Inland Lakes Management vessel. Born in Michigan, he sailed in the deck department. Brother Pilarski upgraded his skills at the Seafarers training school in Piney Point, Md. in 1991. His most recent voyage was aboard the Presque Isle. Brother Pilirski makes his home in Hubbard Lakes, Mich. r--~,...,,....,,.,..,,.r---, MUSAIDA. ISMAIL, 65, began his SIU career in 1966 in Detroit, shipping in both the steward and engine departments. Brother Ismail 's first ship was the Reiss Brothers. Born in Arabia, Brother Ismail last worked aboard the John Boland, an American Steamship Co. vessel. He lives in Yemen. ABDO M. YAHYA, 64, joined Editors Note: The following brothers and sisters, all members of the NMU and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, went on pension during 2001. Their names appear alphabetically and according to the month in which their retirements became effective. July 2001 Warner Crawford Austin Gates Peter Juba Guessler Linwood Robert Requa Enrique Silva Robert Simpson John Zanjabil August 2001 Joseph Brooks Joe Everhart Rubildo Garcia Herman Harrison Howard Lopes Arvin Musil Karl Reese Carlos Rosado Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG 1942 the Seafarers in 1966 in Detroit. His ~ initial voyage was aboard an American Steamship Co. vessel. The ...........~.____, deck department member, who also worked in the engine department during his career, was born in Arabia. His last voyage was aboard the Walter J McCarthy, an Armstrong Steamship Co. vessel. Brother Yahya lives in Dearborn, Mich. September 2001 Ivan Benham Edward Foster Robert James Raymond Mikell Ronald Robinson Pablo Solis October 2001 Armando Aguilar Jerry Booker James Burrow Levi Chase Roberto Hernandez Wilfred Jones Mohamed Madhigi Leonila Manning Antonio Pizarro George Santiago James Tripp Warren Knight officers and members of the SIU voted protest to all levels of government. to During the last week of February, the S.S. 1946 Marore was attacked about midnight by three The membership voted overwhelmingly for a German submarines. Even though she was tor· resolution that authorized the election of a pedoed and hit by over 100 shells, the entire committee to investigate the possibilities and crew escaped in rr.=:==============================::;i advisability of establifeboats. One of the lishing an upgrading boats rigged a sail and school in the Port of made port at Cape New Orleans. The Hatteras. The other membership felt very two boats, containing strongly that the 25 men, were spotted union should establish by a Navy plane and operate its own which directed a ship training schools rather to their rescue. than have schools controlled and operated by the government. An additional reason is that there is a shortage 1944 of qualified ratings in all departments. In the midst of World War II, a war in which the merchant marine suffers greater proportional casualties than any of the military ser1991 vices, the Maritime War Emergency Board has As of February 4, the U.S. government had proposed a cut in pay for merchant seamen. s~nt 5 billion pounds of dry cargo and 8.6 bilAlthough the average wage for a Seafarer is lion pounds of fuel by ship-many of them only $1,6 77. 14 a year including bonus and crewed by Seafarers- to the allied armed overtime pay-which breaks down to $32.25 forces stationed in the Persian Gulf. Converted per week-the board is trying to cut the pay into short tons, the logistical supply line has of the men who risk their lives in submarine transferred 2.5 million short tons of dry cargo and bombing attacks for 24 hours a day. On and 4.3 million short tons of fuel to the gulf receipt of a letter from the board secretary since the United States began its military announcing the government's intentions, the deployment last August. THIS MONTH IJ'I SIU HISTORY Seafarers LOS 17 �DEEP SEA ROBERT ANDERSON Pensioner Robert Anderson, 73, died Oct. 15. He started his career with the Seafarers in 1951 in Lake Charles, La. ~_....lllL..-.J Born in Evansville, Ind., Brother Anderson shipped in the deck department. His final voyage was on the Sea-Land Producer. He started receiving his retirement stipend in 1986. Brother Anderson lived in New Orleans. GENARO ARROYO Pensioner Genaro Arroyo, 74, passed away Nov. 15. Brother Arroyo • began his SIU career in 1956, joining in the port of New York. Born in San Juan, P.R., Brother Arroyo shipped in the steward department. He sailed primarily aboard vessels operated by Delta Steamship Lines. Brother Arroyo began collecting his retirement compensation in 1979. He made his home in Puerto Rico. VERNON BARFIELD Pensioner Vernon Barfield, 90, died Nov. 11. Born in Georgia, he joined the Seafarers in 1951 in the port of New York. Brother Barfield first went to sea aboard the North Platte Victory, a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. The steward department member's final voyage was on Waterman Steamship Corp. 's Thomas Lynch. Brother Barfield started receiving his pension in 1983. Mobile, Ala. was his home. OTIS BLACKWELL Pensioner Otis Blackwell, 87, passed away Dec. 2. Brother Blackwell began his career with the Marine Cooks and Stewards """""""-........_;~_..,- (MC&S) in I 945 in San Francisco. The Texas native first sailed on American President Lines' (APL) Cape Sandy. Brother Blackwell shipped in the steward department and last went to sea aboard the President Grant, another APL vessel. He started collecting compensation for his retirement in 1969. Brother Blackwell called San Francisco home. FELIPE CLOTTER rA~~~;:-1 Brother Felipe Clatter, 66, died Dec. 3. A native of Honduras, he joined the SIU in 1990 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. His initial voy'-----''---"""--....-...__, age was aboard the SS Independence, an American Hawaii Cruises vessel. Brother Clatter shipped in the engine department, last sailing on U.S. Ship Management's Sea/and Pride. He made his home in Houston. WARREN CONNER Pensioner Warren Conner, 83, passed away Dec. 20. Brother Conner, a charter member of the 18 Sealal'el'S LOB ~-Bi~ SIU, joined the union in 1938 in the port of Philadelphia. Born in Bath, N.Y.,he shipped in the deck department. Brother L....~""=~_..._---l Conner first sailed aboard Waterman Steamship Corp. 's De Soto. He last went to sea on the Bradford Island, a Steuart Tanker Co. vessel. Brother Conner began receiving his pension in 1980. He was a resident of New Orleans. JAMES CORDER Pensioner James Corder, 75, died Dec. 11. He joined the Seafarers in 1951 in the port of New York. Brother Corder served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. Born in Rock Hill, S.C., he first sailed for the SIU aboard Ore Navigation's Export Leader. A bosun, he last went to sea on the Sea-Land Economy. Brother Corder started collecting his retirement pay in 1988. He lived in South Carolina. CHARLES CORRENTE Pensioner Charles Corrente, 75, passed away Oct. 6. Born in Louisiana, he started his SIU career in 1951, joining in the port of New Orleans. Before becoming a Seafarer, Brother Corrente served four years in the U.S. Navy. His initial voyage under the SIU colors was aboard the John Evans, a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. Brother Corrente shipped as a chief cook and completed the highest level of training available to members in the steward department. He was a member of Steward Recertification Class #9, which graduated from the Seafarers training school in Piney Point, Md. in 1980. Brother Corrente's final SIU voyage was aboard the Lake, an American Overseas Marine vessel. He started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1991. Brother Corrente lived in Bogalusa, La. EDWARD LEON DePARLIER Pensioner Edward DeParlier, 76, died Sept. 16. Brother DeParlier started his SIU career in 1948, joining in the port of Norfolk, Va. Born in North Carolina, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958. Brother DeParlier first sailed aboard the Fort Bridge, operated by T. J. Stevenson NSA. The steward department member last sailed on Waterman Steamship Corp. 's Green Valley. Brother DeParlier started receiving his retirement income in 1989. He resided in Mobile, Ala. in 1948,joining in the port ofNew York. Brother Floyd first went to sea on the Ft. Hoskins, an Interocean Management, Corp. vessel. A member of the deck department, he last worked on Crowley American Transport, Inc. 's Senator. Brother Floyd started receiving his retirement income in 1986. He made his home in Savannah, Ga. EDWARD GLAZDER Pensioner Edward Glazder, 74, died Nov. 11. Brother Glazder started his career with the Seafarers in 1951 in the port .__.._____ _ __...____ of New York. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1947. Brother Glazder's initial SIU voyage was aboard an Interocean Management Corp. vessel. The steward department member last worked aboard Delta Steamship Lines' Santa Cruz. Brother Glazder began receiving his pension in 1992. He was a resident of New Jersey. HERVEY HAMILTON Pensioner Hervey Hamilton, 87, passed away Dec. 5. The Louisiana native joined the SIU in 1968 in the port of San Francisco. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1948. Brother Hamilton's first ship was the President Jackson, an American President Lines vessel. A member of the steward department, he last worked on Interocean Management Corp. 's Cape Fear. Brother Hamilton began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1984. He lived in California. JOSE MELENDEZ Pensioner Jose Melendez, 77, died Sept. 20. He started his career with the MC&S in 1945, joining in the port of San Francisco. His first trip was aboard Matson 's Thomas Hart Benton. The steward department member, who was born in Puerto Rico, last shipped on the ~oming, a States Shipping vessel. He started receiving his pension in 1974. Brother Melendez resided in Bayamon, P.R. DORIS MOODY Pensioner Doris Moody, 77, died Aug. 11. Sister Moody started her career with the MC&S in San Francisco. Born in Olympia, Wash., she worked in the steward department and began receiving her pension in 1977. Sister Moody was a resident of Eugene, Ore. .---..-ln"'!"1'l!l""I~--, THOMAS MYLAN Brother Thomas Mylan, 53, passed away Nov. 7. He started his SIU career in 1968, joining in the port of New York. A native ~------.... ofNewYork and a member of the deck department, he first went to sea aboard a Cosmos Navigation Corp. vessel. Brother Mylan last worked on Liberty Maritime Corp. 's Liberty Sea. He made his home in Springfield, Ore. TERRELL NESBITT Pensioner Terrell Nesbitt, 84, died Sept. 30. Brother Nesbitt started his career with the Seafarers in 1952 in the port of New Orleans. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 ~-----~ JOHN FLOYD / Pensioner John Floyd, 73, passed away Jan 9, 2001. Brother Floyd was born in Horry County, S.C. He started his SIU career to 1945. Born in Gretna, La., Brother Nesbitt's first and last SIU voyages were aboard Delta Steamship Lines vessels. The engine department member started receiving his pension in 1978. Abita Springs, La., was his home. LEONARD OLBRANTZ Pensioner Leonard Olbrantz, 68, passed away Nov. 22. The Wisconsin-born mariner started his career with the Seafarers in 1960 in the port of New York. He first sailed on the San Marino. A bosun, he last worked on Vivian Tankships Corp. 's Overseas Vivian. Brother Olbrantz started receiving his retirement compensation in 1991. He called Olongapo City, Republic of the Philippines home. MICHAEL ORTIZ Brother Michael Ortiz, 40, died Oct. 10. He joined the SIU in 1982 in the port of Piney Point, Md. Brother Ortiz's initial voyage was aboard the Santa Mercedes, a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. The California-born mariner shipped in the deck department. He last worked on Alaska Tanker Co. 's Overseas Washington. Brother Oritz was a resident of Ventura, Calif. -----'--=------ JOSEPH PAZOS Pensioner Joseph Pazos, 60, passed away Sept. 9. Brother Pazos started his career with the Seafarers in 1968 in the port of New York. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1958 to 1961. His first ship was the Ft. Hoskins, operated by Interocean Ugland Management Corp. The New York native shipped in the engine department. He last worked on Waterman Steamship Corp. 's Robert E. Lee. Brother Pazos began collecting his pension in 1993. He resided in Astoria, N.Y. RENE PELLICCIA Pensioner Rene Pelliccia, 90, died Dec. 12. He began his SIU career in 1953 in the port of New York. Brother Pelliccia first .___..-.:..---=----a---' went to sea aboard the Bethore, an Ore Navigation Corp. vessel. Born in Puerto Rico, he shipped in both the steward and deck departments. His final voyage was on Hudson Waterways Corp. 's Transcolorado. Brother Pelliccia started receiving his pension in 1976. He was a resident of Santa Cruz, Calif. ROBERT RAFF Brother Robert Raff, 61 , passed away Oct. 4. He started his career with the Seafarers in 1968 in the port of New York. Brother Raff L____:~liiiooli.~___..L.LJ served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962. He first sailed on an Alcoa Steamship Co. vessel. Born in Michigan, Brother Raff shipped in the engine department. He last worked on the Sea-Land Consumer. Brother Raff lived in Los Angeles. CASIMIRO RAMOS Pensioner Casimiro Ramos, 74, died Nov. 3. Brother Ramos started his career with the MC&S in 1945 in San Francisco. He first sailed aboard the Thomas Johnson, a Marion Sulphur & Oil vessel. Born in Guanica, P.R., Brother Ramos was a member of the steward department. He last worked on Bulk Food Carriers' Rice Queen. Brother Ramos started receiving his pension in 1970. He resided in his native commonwealth. MONSERRATE SALIVA Pensioner Monserrate Saliva, 93, passed away Oct. 22. Brother Saliva began his career with the Seafarers in 1944 in the port of New York. A native of Ponce, P.R., he shipped as a member of the deck department. Brother Saliva started collecting compensation for his retirement in 1972. He was a resident of Ponce. GEORGE SLACK Pensioner George Slack, 76, died Sept. 4. He joined the Seafarers in 1965 in the port of San Francisco. Brother Slack served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1950. He first sailed on the Sea-Land Adventurer. The Oxford, Miss. native shipped in the engine department. He last went to sea on Waterman Steamship Corp. 's Stonewall Jackson. Brother Slack started receiving his pension in 1991. He made his home in Jackson, Tenn. POLICARPIO TAMBIO Pensioner Policarpio Tambio, 94, passed away Oct. 20. Brother Tambio began his career with the MC&S in 1946 in San Francisco. His first voyage was aboard the Aleutian. Born in the Philippines, Brother Tambio shipped in the steward department. His final voyage was aboard the Mariposa. Brother Tambio began receiving his pension in 1973. He lived in his native republic. WILBUR TAYLOR Pensioner Wilbur Taylor, 96, died Dec. 10. Brother Taylor started 1 his career with the Seafarers in 1944 in the port of New York. The deck department member was born in New Jersey. Brother Taylor started receiving his pension in 1970. He made his home in Honolulu. DONALD THOMPSON Pensioner Donald Thompson, 80, passed away Nov. 20. He began his SIU career in 1966 in the port ofNorfolk, Va. Brother Thompson served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1940 to 1945. The steward department member was born in New York. He last worked on the Sea-Land Explorer. Brother Thompson began receiving retirement compensation in 1988. He lived in Antioch, Calif. Febnlary 2002 �Digfft of Shipboard lf':'i•~'~'.-."ss OGatt1111p#tii.pti11f as many tiliiests of union shipboard utes at possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted. Ships minutes first are reviewed by the union's contract department. Thoseissues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union .upon receipt of the ships' minutes. The minutes are then forwarded -to the Seafarers LOG tor publication. USNS POMEROY (Maersk Line), Sept. 18-Chairman Mark Coleman, Secretary Christopher Maye, Educational Director Roy Zanca, Engine Delegate Keith Mcintosh. Chairman read president's report from September LOG. Since this is a new ship, he will check with captain regarding amount of funds in ship's treasury. Educational director suggested everyone read LOG to find out about upgrading course schedules. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications read regarding restriction to ship during national crises. Movies expected aboard ship soon after arrival at Boston shipyard. Secretary will look into library books as per contract. DEFENDER (U.S. Ship Management), Oct. 14-Chairman Kissinfor Taylor, Secretary Richard Casuga, Educational Director Hardin Chancey, Engine Delegate Horst Baetjer, Steward Delegate Ernest Polk. Chairman announced payoff Oct. 17 in Long Beach, Calif. U.S. Coast Guard to board ship upon arrival. Secretary noted importance of contributing to SPAD. He reminded those getting off in Long Beach and Oakland to clean rooms and get fresh linen for replacements before arri al in port sin teward is very busy at that time. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Letter submitted to captain regarding availability of better shuttle service for crew members. Suggestion made for union to check into telephone service to ships in port. Clarification requested on suiting up for fire and boat drills. New washers and dryers to be installed in crew laundry. EL MORRO (Interocean Ugland Management), Oct. 29-Chairman Steven Copeland, Secretary Kris Hopkins, Educational Director Fredrick Dougherty Jr., Deck Delegate Isidro Soto Jr., Engine Delegate Levi Rollins, Steward Delegate Duane Washington. Chairman requested crew members separate plastic items from regular trash and keep noise down in passageway. Educational director urged everyone to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md., especially for completion of STCW training by Feb. 1, 2002. Treasurer stated $80 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members asked to help keep laundry and cleaning gear lockers tidy and to use earphones when listening to radios and TVs. Recommendations made to increase pension benefits and have vacation pay electronically deposited into members' accounts. Clarification requested on Family Leave Act. Vote of thanks given to steward department for great job. Next port: Jacksonville, Fla. ERIC G. GIBSON (Osprey Ship Management), Sept. 28-Chairman Thomas Minton, Secretary Exxl Ronquillo, Deck Delegate John Williams, Steward Delegate David Brown Ill. Chairman read reply from VP Contracts Augie Tellez about extra compensation for feeding riding crews and shoreside contractors. He explained importance of upgrading skills at Piney Point and need to have TRBs signed. He noted that the more training you Feb,.uary 2002 have, the more job security. He also explained various SIU business forms available aboard ship. Bosun handed out information on Jones Act. He suggested new members learn more about industry and union and that Paul Hall Center is good source for this education. He explained how motions work and are submitted and explained SPAD procedure. No disputed OT reported. Next port is Guam, at which time Patrolman Matt Holley will visit ship for Q&A session and bring LOGs and insurance pamphlets. Crew members were warned that base security is tight and that Marines are stationed at all check points. The crew of the Gibson wishes to extend condolences to families and friends of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. /TB BALTIMORE (Sheridan Transportation), Oct. 28-Chairman Jeffrey Kass, Secretary Gary Griswold, Educational Director Brandon Purcell, Deck Delegate Allen Davis, Engine Delegate Ahmed Salim, Steward El Sayed Amasha. Chairman advised crew members of upcoming STCW deadline. He recommended everyone wear safety gear provided by company and try to keep noi e down when returning from shore. Educational director recommended all members attend upgrading courses at Piney Point and donate to SPAD for job security. Treasurer announced $200 in movie fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications from headquarters read regarding SIU's involvement in relief efforts following Sept. 11 attacks. Repair of TV antenna needed. Thanks given to steward department for excellent job. JAMES ANDERSON JR. (Maersk Line), Oct. 4-Chairman Wallace William, Secretary Michael Watts, Educational Director Michael Rueter, Deck Delegate James Olando, Engine Delegate Thomas Hawks, Steward Delegate Jonathan Gibson. Bosun received copy of new standard contract. He read and explained some of the changes pertaining to medical and pension benefits and the increase in the SMPPP. He also led discussion about drug testing. Secretary announced $356 in ship's fund. Plan is to purchase DVD player and movies, but if anyone has other ideas, they should let him know. Educational director encouraged crew members to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center and reminded them about STCW deadline. Some disputed OT reported in engine delegate. Ship returning to Diego Garcia. LIBERTY GRACE (Liberty Maritime), Oct. 30-Chairman Samuel Reed III, Secretary Doyle Cornelius, Educational Director Asher Liss, Deck Delegate Earl Sparkes, Engine Delegate Abdul Mosa, Steward Delegate Vincent Igneri. Chairman thanked crew for good trip on maiden voyage of Liberty Grace. Secretary added his thanks to members for helping keep ship clean. Educational director encouraged everyone to attend Paul Hall Center to upgrade skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. R mm nda i n or ntra department to loo mto changing crew rotation from 120 days to 90 days on Liberty ships. Clarification requested on draws in foreign ports. Next port: Houston. MAERSK CALIFORNIA (Maersk Line), Oct. 14-Chairman Brian Fountain, Secretary John Reid, Educational Director Daniel Gibbons, Deck Delegate Leo Sullivan, Engine Delegate Jose David Colon, Steward Delegate William Muniz. Chairman thanked everyone for smooth trip and hard work. He led discussion on cap for OT in unlicensed departments. Secretary noted fresh stores to be loaded in Newark and Newport News, and thanked crew for helping keep mess halls clean. Educational director reminded members about STCW deadline and of educational and upgrading facilities available at Piney Point. Treasurer stated $125 in ship's fund. New movies to be purchased soon. Beef reported in steward department. No disputed OT noted. Communications from headquarters read and posted about restriction to ship. A moment of silence was stood in memory of all those who lost their lives or family members or friends in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Suggestion made to reduce seatime requirements for pension and to look into 401K plan for members. Clarification requested on rotary shipping rules for AB watchstanders, chief cook and OVA on Maersk ships. Steward department given vote of thanks for job well done, especially for cookouts. New microwave received in Capetown, South Africa; new toaster now needed. Next ports: Newark; Baltimore; Newport News; Charleston, S.C. MAERSK TEXAS (Maersk Line), Oct. 30-Chairrnan John Zepeda, Secretary Donna Decesare, Educational Director Edward Mancke, Deck Delegate Shawn Williams, Steward Delegate Malcolm Holmes. Chairman stated members may file for vacation pay after 60 days. Secretary noted everything running fine and gave special thanks to GVA Artis Pilgrim for a great job. Educational director encouraged upgrading at Piney Point to improve skills, pay and job security. Treasurer announced $265 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made to reduce age for retirement benefits and reinstate time off on freighters. Request also made for SIU unlicensed apprentices aboard ship. Satellite TV would be especially welcome. Thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port Balboa, Panama. PERSEVERANCE (Mari trans), Oct. 29-Chairman Thomas Lasater, Secretary Catherine Hays, Educational Director Soo II Ahn, Deck Delegate Hector Cumba, Engine Delegate Milton Israel, Steward Delegate William Young. Chairman announced arrival and payoff Oct. 30 in Savannah, Ga. He said he received word that contract was finalized and is awaiting a copy. He also noted that STCW renewal time is getting short and advised crew members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center as soon as possible and donate to SPAD. Educational director urged everyone to utilize the union's school at Piney Point for upgrading skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members asked to work safely and keep noise down in house since others may be sleeping at any time. Thanks given to steward department for good job. Next ports: Savannah; Lake Champlain, La.; Houston; Long Angeles, Calif. TELL US (Pacific Gulf Marine), Oct. I-Chairman Michael Brown Secretary Robert Owens, Educational Director Charles A. Perryman, Deck Delegate Edward Ayres. Chairman spoke about recent terrorist attacks on U.S. and heightened security measures when entering port. Educational director reminded crew members about STCW deadline Feb. 1, 2002. Engine department reported beefs regarding security watches in European ports and not being able to work overtime due to standing security watches. Deck department brought up question of equalization of overtime as well as questions about new contract. Steward department director stated that those members who do not yet have required STCW training must get it before Feb. 1, 2002 if they wish to continue sailing. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made for computer access by crew (probably in lounge or ship's office) and that all union halls be accessible by e-mail. Suggestion made that members in money purchase pension plan be able to borrow or withdraw company contributed money as needed, or that union establish emergency guidelines to make this possible. Next ports: Elizabeth; Charleston, S.C.; Miami; Houston. Feeding the Bob Hope Crew Aboard the USNS Bob Hope are Chief Cook Ernie Aguinaldo (left) and SA Valencia Williams. The vessel, operated by Maersk Line for the Military Sealift Command, was in Norfolk, Va. at the time this photo was snapped. It is the lead ship in the Bob Hope class of sealift vessels built at Avondale Industries in New Orleans and was named in honor of Bob Hope, an entertainer who has given more than 50 years of support to U.S. forces stationed around the world. given vote of thanks for job well done. Next ports: Baltimore; Charleston, S.C.; Brunswick, Ga. TRADER (CSX Lines), Oct. 22Chairman Robert Wankmueller, Secretary Kevin Dougherty, Educational Director Marvin Wells, Deck Delegate Augustus Udan, Engine Delegate Glenn Henderson, Steward Delegate Alejo Fabia Jr. Chairman announced Oct. 23 payoff in Oakland, Calif. He stated any work done in different departments should be paid at penalty rate and that gangway watch is entitled to coffee break. There will be an ABS ship inspection this voyage and a U.S. Coast Guard drill and inspection the following trip. Educational director reminded crew members to be fully aware of STCW requirements and not to wait until last minute to sign up for basic safety classes. The Feb. 1, 2002 deadline is coming up fast. Treasurer announced $120 in ship's fund. One hundred dollars was donated to the Red Cross NY/DC Disaster Relief Fund from ship's treasury, along with personal crew donations and a CSX company match-for a total of $1,860. All crew members were thanked for helping their fellow Americans in time of need. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made for contracts department to talk with company regarding new policy for paying standby reliefs in steward department. Captain agreed that second dryer should be connected in crew laundry room. Electrician was thanked for solving antenna problem and improving TV reception. Clarification requested on proposed satellite system. Next ports: Oakland and Long Beach, Calif.; Honolulu. INTEGRITY (U.S. Ship Management), Nov. 11-Chairman Domingo Leon Jr., Secretary Jonny Cruz, Educational Director Brian Sengelaub, Deck Delegate Danny Miller, Steward Delegate Evans Verveniotis. Chairman reported smooth voyage with no hitches. He announced payoff Nov. 18 in Elizabeth, N.J. Educational LIBERTY STAR (Liberty Maritime), Nov. 4-Chairman Thomas Grosskurth, Secretary Terry Smith, Educational Director Lionel Taylor, Deck Delegate Carlos McPherson, Engine Delegate Richard Stuverud, Steward Delegate Joseph Brooks. Chairman reminded crew members about need for STCW training before Feb. 1, 2002 deadline. He also asked that everyone clean rooms for next person before leaving ship, including new set of linen. Awaiting arrival of juice machine and washing machine. Educational director spoke about opportunities for upgrading available at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested on restriction to ship in certain ports. Crew encouraged to contribute to SPAD and to save dues receipts. Next ports: New Orleans, Pakistan. OVERSEAS JOYCE (OSG Ship Management), Nov. 4-Chairman Ralph Broadway, Secretary James Willey, Educational Director Royce Barrett, Deck Delegate Billy Pinkston. Chairman announced payoff Nov. 12 or 13 in Long Beach, Calif. Those members getting off reminded to clean cabins and leave keys. Thanks given to all for being safety conscious aboard ship. Educational director stated no one will be able to ship after Feb. 1, 2002 without updated STCW. Training classes are filling fast, so be sure to sign up for them now. Treasurer announced $107 left in ship's fund following purchase of $47 for papers and magazines. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made for launch/shuttle service in Japan. Crew members urged to contribute to SPAD. "In our government, there are many individuals who try to cut the U.S. Merchant Marine. But through strong lobbying, the SIU is able to fight back. So give to SPAD. It's our future at stake." Thanks given to the steward department for a job well done. Next port: Portland, Ore.; Long Beach; Japan. Seafarers LOG 19 • �Know Your Rights (Editors note: the Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writers intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.) Ill( .. SF Thanksgiving Feast Brings Us Together On 20 November 2001 , my staff and I of the MEBA in San Francisco were invited to the annual Thanksgiving feast hosted by Nick Celona, Nick Marrone and retired West Coast Vice President George McCartney at the Seafarers International Union At this annual affair, labor, management and politicians sat side by side and enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal similar to those same wonderful Thanksgiving meals we have enjoyed in our years going to sea. Thank you kindly for inviting us to what has become the best holiday gathering of the Christmas season. In troubled times, it's nice to know that we can sit down with friends and management to give thanks. Louie "Bud" Jacque Executive VP, MEBA San Francisco, Calif. Ill( .. October LOG Cover Depicts SIU History The front page of the October issue of the LOG was terrific, showing the past and present generations of ships and members. The rendition of the Liberty ship reminds me of Metropolitan Vocational High School, where future mariners such as I were given the John W. Brown on which to train. The Liberty ships were built at the rate of one per day and were to make one trip. Any more than one trip was a miracle. The fact that the Brown is still sailable today shows that "Made in USA" is still the best. The cover also depicts container ships, which replaced hand-loading and unloading by longshoremen. The next generation shows the roll-on/roll-off vessels. But, most important, is allowing women into the union, showing that the SIU doesn't discriminate--just as long as someone is capable of doing his or her job. Whoever was responsible for the front page sure knew what they were doing. Walter Karlak Woodside, N.Y. Person of the Year By Victor S. Kamber Editors note: Victor S. Kamber is president and CEO of The Kamber Group, a communications firm based in Washington, D. C. and New York City. This piece appeared in a number of commercial newspapers in December. It is reprinted here with permission. It's that time of the year again when magazine editors, journalists and television commentators of every stripe start speculating about the Man or Woman of the Year. Time magazine's quintessential Man of the Year award has already been the source of much conjecture over the last three or four weeks. Prior to September 11, some highly likely candidates would have been Senator Jim Jeffords for the role he played in literally switching and overturning the political and policy agenda in Washington. D.C. with profound effect at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue; Bill Clinton for his continued dominance in Democratic party politics and "presence" despite a new occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; Colin Powell as our first black Secretary of State; or on the lighter side, Harry Potter for his (and his author's) cosmic impact on book, merchandising and anticipated movie sales! But September 11 changed everything. Clearly among the leading candidates are George Bush for his transformation in office during this tragically unique period in our history; Osama bin Laden for redefining "evil" in the footsteps of Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot as 'Men of the Year'; Rudolph Giuliani for extraordinary leadership of a broken-hearted New York in his last months of office; Kofi Annan, for the renewal of the role of the United Nations already recognized by the Nobel committee; Tony Blair, for taking up America and the world's cause against terrorism; or the Todd Beamers of September 11 who now symbolize the very essence of bravery embodied in the two words "let's roll!" But with this incredible array before us, my choice for Man of the Year is even more representative of what makes America as strong and as tough and as great as it is. It is the everyman. The bluecollar worker who has defined courage and conviction and perseverance and commitment. It is the firefighter, the ironworker, the plumber, the painter, the sheet metal worker, the hotel and restaurant employee, the airline pilot, the flight attendant, the paramedic and the sanitation worker-all those who died and those who survived and struggled in and with this tragedy. Those who lost their lives as well as those who live with their hearts and lives broken and go on, those who helped save lives and are rebuilding minds and spirits shattered by these scarring events. These are the collective Man of the Year. These are the People of the Year. These are the families and strangers who deserve respect and acknowledgement and support. The spirit they embody is the real message to be absorbed by those who seek to destroy rather than to build. These are the people who built the Towers and who embodied it...and they will build again. It is a message of strength, of courage, of generosity. It is message of fortitude, determination and love. America is its people. And there is no more shining example of what it means to be an American than the blue collar everyman who forges ahead with incredible resilience and faith in country, in his and her fellow workers, and in what it means to be a person of heart, of faith and of peace. Ill( )It MDR Appreciates The Brotherhood Editors note: Last August, MDR James D. Lowell returned to medical practice ashorethough he hopes to return to sea in a year or two. Meanwhile, he shared his impressions of the union, in a letter to SIU Asst. VP Jim McGee. Segments of the letter are reprinted here. When I first presented to the Houston hall, I feared that I might be viewed as an interlopersomeone pursuing a frivolous diversion in seeking a position afloat. Quite the contrary, I was welcomed by your staff and other SIU members, and treated by SIU members as a brother. The SIU truly is the Brotherhood of the Sea. I will miss shipping, and the many shipmates whom I came to admire and respect beyond their belief. I knew, as a member of the American Merchant Marine, however small my contribution, whatever I was doing was part of something important. I pity the individual who has never shipped and known the camaraderie I knew as an SIU member. Everything else I have done in life pales in comparison. I have had shipmates who probably saved my life without my ever knowing it. I am eternally indebted to them. I hope that I was able, in some small way, to return the favor. Life ashore should be reduced to such a measure of personal worth. James D. Lowell, MD Baytown, Texas FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's· money and union finances . The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member's shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts betwe n the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as containe9 in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 207 46 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY - THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy ha been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No 20 Seafarers LOS monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or he is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should no ify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION-If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Febmary 2002 �SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE tions should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Deck Upgrading Courses Able Seaman Arrival Date Date of Completion April 1 May 13 June7 Bridge Resource Management (BRM) - Inland March30 April 5 Bridge Resource Management March4 March3 (BRM} - Unlimited* (*prerequisite required) GMDSS (Simulator) Lifeboatman/Water Survival pedalty Trained o~ Engine Upgrading Courses Arrival Date Date of Completion Fireman/Watertender & Oiler April 29 June7 QMED -Any Rating April 29 July 19 Welding March 4 April 1 May6 March 22 April 19 May24 Course Safety Specialty Courses March 29 May3 (*must have radar unlimited) Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations modules start every week beginning January 7. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward classes start every other week beginning January 7. April 26 March 23 April 27 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids* March 11 April 15 May20 March 22 March 18 April 15 April29 March 29 April 26 May 10 May13 May24 March 11 March 20 April 1 March 15 April 12 Course Arrival Date Date of Completion Advanced Firefighting March 18 March 28 Government Vessels March 4 April 1 April 29 May27 March22 April 19 May17 June 14 Tanker Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL)* April 15 April 26 March 4 March 11 M;irch 18 , March 25 April 1 April 8 April 15 April22 April ,29 May6 March 8 March 15 (*must have basic fire fighting) Basic Fire Fighting/STCW April 26 May31 < STCW Medical Care.Provider .M~.rchll . M~r~h~9 March 11 April 1 20 Aprll29 MaY; 27 Academic Department Courses Genera) education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. Recertification Bosun Date of Completion Start Date Course The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. from March through June 2002. All programs are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course's start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reserva- Course . Steward Upgrading Courses April8 May3 -·-~-~-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-•-·-·-· ·-r-•-•' -~· -·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-•-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-•-·-•-Y-•-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty UPGRADING APPLICATION (120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All FOWT. AB and QMED applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $280 with their aoolication. The payment should be made with a money order only. payable to LMSS. COURSE Telephone _ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ Deep Sea Member D If the following Lakes Member Date of Birth D BEGIN DATE END DATE - - - -- - - - - - Inland Waters Member D information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security# _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ Seniority _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ Department _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: Yes D No D Home Port Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? DYes ONo If yes, class#--- - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? DYes DNo If yes, course(s) taken _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes D No CPR: D Yes DNo Primary language spoken _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ February 2002 LAST VESSEL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Rating: _ _ __ Date On: - - - - - - - - - - - - Date Off: SIGNATURE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DATE NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only ifyou present original receipts and successfally complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Admissions Office, PO. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2102 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Government Vessels - Upgrading SIU members who graduated from the government vessels course Dec. 14 are (from left, kneeling) Anthony Brown, Rodolfo Antonio, James Grubbs, Caswell Simmonds, Joseph Carrillo, Ramon Martinez, (second row) Paul McClatcher, Evan Bradley, John Carr, Jonathan Stringer, Shawn Strand, Mario Ruiz, Donte Martin, Brian Jonsson, Donald Sparks, Jamie Hernandez, James Brockington, Morgarete Carey and Greg Thompson (instructor). Able Bodied Seaman- Dec. 14 was graduation day for upgrading Seafarers in the AB class. They include (in alphabetical order) Emilio Abreu, David Alexander, Henry Brown, William Burnham, Erik Forsgren, Patricia Hausner, Ralph Kirby, Ryan Legario, Tracy Mitchell, Mikhail Pinchevskiy, Hilaro Rochez, Darren Rollins, James Stanford, and George Villalba. FOWT - Welding - Completing the welding course Dec. 14 are (from left) David Watkins, Buzzy Andrews (instructor), Stephen Blanchard, Jeffrey Pope, Donald Tye, Darryl Smith, Eddie Ebanks and Dwayne Perrin. Earning their FOWT endorsements Dec. 14 are (from left, first row) Jimmy Brants, Charles Fitzpatrick, Thomas Hawks, Mark Mosher, Alfred Norris, Karen Aguilar, Milan Dzurek, (second row) Robert Stafford, Gilbert Brown, Daryl Thomas, Robert Scott, Kevin Johnson, Nicholas Jones, Sidney Wagner, Kenneth Green, (third row) Henrique Tavares, Joseph Yamson, Michael Ziegler, Ralph Martin, Anthony Burrell and Eric Malzkuhn (instructor). Not pictured are Terry Linyear, Wade Randolph, Norman Dauphin and Shawn Alexander. Computer Lab Classes GMDSS- Under the instruction of Brad Wheeler, students completing the GMDSS course Dec. 7 are (from left, seated) Jerome Wong, Robert Pesulima, (back row) Emmanuel Wabe, Joseph Butasek Jr., Douglas Covil, Brad Wheeler (instructor) and Peter Luhn. Kenneth McHellen, Reina Mendez, Ronnie Micklos, William Muniz, Linwood Newsome Jr., Mircea Opriciu, Eric Ortwein, Stephen Osovitz, Rafael Pagan, Randy Pearson , Lucian Plesa, James Porter, Antonio Rivera Jr., Jose Rivera, Diosdado Retire, Carolina Rodriguez, Edison Rodriguez, Roberto Rodriguez, Stephen Roth and Nelson Sala. 22 Sllafa1'81S LOii Pictured at left are recent graduates of the computer lab with their certificates. All completed the Windows 95 Operating System course Dec. 7. Additionally, Jose Ayon-Ayon (left), a steward from Honolulu, mastered the Computer Basics class; Noland Earl (front), an engine department member from Philadelphia, finished the Beginning Excel class; and Larry Bradley (right), a deck department member from Norfolk, completed the Computer Basics course. With them is Rick Prucha, their computer lab instructor. Charles Fincher, Oscar Flores, Bonifacio Fortes, John Frylinck, Ronald Gillette, Joao Gomes, Trawn Gooch, Wayne Green, Jaime Guerrero, Eusebio Gonzalex, William Hahn, Eron Hall, Michael Hass, Alfred Herrmann, Billy Hill, Muharam Husin, Philip Inman, Tyrone Jackson, David Johnson, Robert Johnson and Damon Johnson. (Note: not all are pictured.) Febnla17 211112 �Paul Hall Center Classes Sarni Abdulla, Luis Amadeo, Santiago Amaya, Charles Atkins, Ronald Aubuchon, David Bautista, Claire Benoit, Othman Binchik, Harold Boone, Fitzroy Brown, Howard Bryant, Calvin Burrus Ill, Andres Caballero, Tenereo Cacpal, James Camp, Barry Carrano, Norberto Castillo, Donald Coffee, Charles Dahlhaus, James Davidson and Charles Davis. Basic Safety Training Classes Shawn Strand, Gregory Stone, Alexander Rembert, Irving Carlos Rueda, David Van Natter, Bobby Riddick, Edward Schiller, Roman Zarkiewicz, George Rose, Darryl Smith, Kenneth Sullivan, Darrell Sutton, Karel Sumilat, Donald Sparks, Mario Ruiz and Ronald Ramos. Raymond Alexander, Mann Aroon, Noel Arrieta, Robbie Ballard, Troy Banks, Curtis Barnett, Alan Bickauskas, Natale Binetti, Jose Blanco, John Bodden, Rex Bolin, Severiano Bonafont, Edwin Bonefont, Paul Borg , Carlos Cabezas, Kennard Campbell , Juan Cardona, Dennis Bennett, Andrew Blair and Sarni Abdulla. (Note: not all are pictured .) if:.' ·;!, . ~ : Jerome Torrence, Michael Torrens, Tommy Trader, Henry Tucker Jr., Marvin Tucker, Karl VanFlorcke, Robert Varney, Gabriel Verdejo, Evans Verveniotis, David Wall, Robert Wankmueller, Michael Whitney, Bernard j son Jr., Leroy Wilson, Michael Woolard, Josef Wouthyzen, Andre Wright, Michael Yarbrough and Cecil.Yearwood. (Note: not all are pictured.) Eugene Grantham, John Gray, Ernesto Guarin, Raul Guerra, William Harris, Jack Hart Jr., Howard Hawrey, Ramon Hernandez, Grady Ingram, Robert lvanauskas, James Jetson, Louins Johnson , Gregory Keene, David Kline, Stanley King, Richard Kucharski, Richard Lane, William Lehman, Joseph Letang, Sheila Lewis and Santos Lopez. Richard Abbott, Floyd Acord, John Alamar, Willie Allen , Porfirio Amaya, Evangelista Anaya Jr., Julio Arzu , Andrew Austin , Daniel Becerra, Ronald Belcher, Eric Beltford , Tyrone Benjamin, Oswald Bermeo, Robinson Bidwell, Teofila Blanco, Oliver Bohannon Jr. , David Brown, James Burke, Robert Carlisle, Nathaniel Carr and Charles Carroll. (Note: not all are pictured.) Hugh Catron , Andres Castillo, James Cleland, Wade Conner, Johnny Grinder, Albert DeCruz Jr. , Cruz DeJesus, Michael Dempster, Jorge Desantiago, Steven Dickson , Robert Dixon, James Fekany, Aquilino Fernandez, Alexis Frederick, Robert Funck, Pedro Gago, James Gallant, Rodriquez Gonzales, Nelson Suazo and Justin Bing. (Note: not all are pictured .) Gerald Lunt, Reynaldo Macalino, David Manix, Frank Martin , Kelly Mayo, Donivan Mccants, Thomas Mccurdy, Irving Melton , John Mendez, Renato Miguel, Joseph Mishica, Victor Mondeci, Abdulhamid Musaed, Raymond Naquin , Yvan Nobile, Dorothy Odoms, Miguel Pabon and John Padilla. Febmary 2002 Cynthia Caster, Faustino Castillo, Miguel Castro, Ronald Ceron , Kelvin Cherington, Darlene Cherry, Glenn Christianson, Agustin Clatter, Harvey Colon, Kenneth Croose, Bernabe Crisanto, Raymond Cuccia Jr. , Mathew Dallas, Kevin Dela ittee, Francis DelosAngelos, James Diamond , Kruger Donald, Clifton Favorite and Walter Ferrero Jr. (Note: not all are pictured.) -- .. Seafarers LOG 23 �Volume 64 Number 2 DUE ON APRIL 15: Applications for SID Scholarship -page 15 Income Taxes - • see Jntormatlon for Seafarers on pages 12 and 13 ctivem A ctivity at the SIU hall in Philadelphia continues r--------------r-----, at a fast pace, notes Port Agent Joe Soresi. He, along with the other union representatives, attend to the dayto-day operations of the hall as well as the servicing of ships and other marine equipment in the area. Some SIU At Crowley's Petty's Island terminal in New Jersey, members can be Mike Kirby (left) and John Haller perform some found crewing the ocean-going Deckhands Billy Spirit and Getting the job done in the galley aboard the Mayaguez maintenance work. are (from left) ships, tankers, tugs and barges Ed Zolynski collect tickets Chief Cook Neville aboard McGovern Marine's that sail into the Delaware Hughes, Steward River/ink ferry, which goes River port, which extends to Eva Myers and from Philadelphia to New Camden_, N.J. Others may be UMM Ramon Jersey, bypassing the performing maintenance Hernandez. heavy bridge traffic. aboard ship and on shore or even collecting tickets for the rry, which links Philadelphia to New Jersey. Much of the "behind-thescenes" work is accomplished by the shoregang. In a recent letter from Captain Ed Galston aboard the SS Carolina_, he recognizes the hard work and professionalism of the Philadelphia shoregang. "Tony Leo and his gang . . . SIU Rep Joe Mieluchowski (left) meets with Bill Mccorkle at helped expedite the work of the Crowley's Petty's Island Terminal. shoreside vendors, opening and closing hatch covers and getJohn Wozunk passses out camting the ship ready for tow. paign literature to help the public They were focused on the tasks decide on a candidate during a Linda Kluska is the secretary at the SIU hall in of moving spare parts on recent election. Philadelphia. board, loading and unloading gear, repairing and maintaining machinery and keeping the workplace safe.... They 'put Right: SIU their back into it,' cleaning 2 Yi member Bill Rushen helps tons of mud and trash out of paint lines in the cargo holds and securing the parking lot the ship for sea. at the "This was accomplished Philadelphia while still meeting the needs of hall. our fleet's regular scheduled port calls." Seafarers are active people. And some, when not working, will pitch in at the hall, help on a picket line or campaign for a pro-maritime candidate. The SIU hall is a second home for many, and it's no wonder penEven though they're through with the job call routine, SIU retirees sioners can be found there on continue to come to the SIU hall in Philadelphia-a relaxed and any given day, reliving their friendly environment in which to spend some time. experiences with their brothers and sisters of the sea. AB R.J. Wical works on the Crowley tug Commander. • Giving reports at the monthly membership meeting are (from left) Petty's Island Shop Steward John Gallagher, SIU Philadelphia Port Agent Joe Soresi and SIU Rep Jim Malone. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2002 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SCHUBERT CALLS FOR COOPERATION AS INDUSTRY SEEKS RESURGENCE COAST GUARD ISSUES 'TAMPER-RESISTANT' LICENSES; AGENCY REPORTS STCW-INDUCED BACKLOG AT RECS SEAFARERS CREW UP IN INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGER NEW CABLE SHIP JOINS SIU FLEET NY WATERWAY CHRISTENINGS SIGNIFY NEW JOBS FOR SIU HIGMAN CREW SAVES 2 FROM FOUNDERING SKIFF U.S. UNION MEMBERSHIP STABLE IN 2001 STCW 'IN PLAIN ENGLISH' MAGAW TAKES HELM OF NEW DOT SECTOR RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS IN PLACE FOR PENSION, VACATION BENEFITS LAKES BOATMEN HONORED FOR COURAGEOUS RESCUE SAFETY DIR. JIM STORM DIES BROTHER ABSHIRE MEMORIALIZED BY SEABULK CHALLENGE SEAFARERS RETIREE ENJOYS PRESIDENTIAL ENCOUNTER 11 MORE COURSES APPROVED APPRENTICE'S 1ST TRIP TO WASHINGTON INCLUDES INTRODUCTION TO PRES. BUSH ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL DEADLINE: IMO ISSUES ISM CODE 'WARNING' SEAFARERS WELCOME USNS POMEROY NAMESAKES ABOARD SHIP TAMPA BAY PILOTS FOLLOW HISTORIC ROUTE EDITORIAL PRAISES MERCHANT MARINERS AVONDALE WORKERS RETURNING WITH FULL BACK PAY, BENEFITS SEAFARERS STAY ACTIVE IN PHILADELPHIA Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2/1/2002 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 64, No. 2 2002 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/4faf0200506da93b43486eeea25c2a49.pdf 890c267fd3b652826fad01b4e940171a PDF Text Text 15694_p1_3,6,8.qxd 1/24/03 6:08 PM Page 1 www.seafarers.org Volume 65, Number 2 February 2003 2 More Ships Join SIU Fleet Signifying new jobs for Seafarers, the USNS Waters (left) and USNS Hayes (below) are the newest additions to the SIU fleet. Page 3. Seafarers to Crew ‘Special Mission’ Vessels Hayes, Waters RRF Ships Get Going for ‘Enduring Freedom’ Activations Begin From coast to coast, SIU members are crewing up Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ships that are being activated for the war on terrorism. One such vessel, the USNS Wright (pictured at left, loading gear), was activated last month in Baltimore. In photo at far left, Recertified Steward James Kidd (right) welcomes SA Francisco Martinez aboard the Wright. Above, OMU Levy Calzado checks gauges on the AMSEA vessel. Page 3. MSC Approves Paul Hall Center’s Small Arms Range, 2 Courses New training opportunities are available at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. following the U.S. Military Sealift Command’s approval of the Pension Benefits Increase – Page 2 school’s new small arms range along with two new courses. Both classes are intended to help students meet U.S. Navy standards for mariners who are directly involved in shipboard security. Pictured on the range (left) is Paul Hall Center Safety Director Jim Hanson. Page 24. STCW a Year After Deadline – Page 6 TAX T IPS F OR M ARINERS Report: al Qaeda Controls 15 Ships – Page 2 – Pages 12-13 SIU Ready for Port Security Meetings – Page 5 �15694_p1_3,8.qxd 1/23/03 8:27 PM Page 2 President’s Report Continuous Progress for SIU The motto on the U.S. Merchant Marine flag reads, “In Peace and War.” The message is straightforward. Namely, that the U.S. merchant fleet is an important, reliable part of the nation, at all times. And we get the job done, both in times of peace and in times of conflict. The same things can be said for the SIU. Today, even amid Ready Reserve Force activations as America fights the war on terrorism, we are movMichael Sacco ing forward. Our progress is unmistakable. This month alone, we are reporting on two newly contracted ships that will result in dozens of new jobs for Seafarers. Those jobs help guarantee that reliable, well-trained U.S. mariners will be available in times of war. Also in the news for the SIU are pension-benefit increases and new training opportunities at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point. These are tangible gains that don’t happen by accident. Additionally, the SIU will be extremely active in the U.S. Coast Guard’s port security meetings that began late last month and extend into February. We will do our part along with the rest of maritime labor to help improve U.S. shipboard and port security—but we also will strongly stand up for mariners’ rights on issues including shore leave and documentation. Similarly, we participated in the recent International Maritime Organization meetings which spawned a number of maritime security regulations that largely parallel the ones being developed and implemented in the U.S. We were there because we wanted to be certain that our voices were heard on these critical issues. We’re tackling other important projects as well. As Seafarers know, we are working hard to secure extension and expansion of the Maritime Security Program—a cost-effective plan which became law in 1996. Although I am confident in the prospects for making the program bigger and better, neither the SIU nor any of our allies in this pursuit are taking anything for granted. We’ll stay on top of it for as long as it takes to reauthorize the program. On a wider scale, we’re continuing our efforts along with the International Transport Workers’ Federation to combat runaway-flag shipping. Although this campaign is more than 50 years old, it never has been more relevant to national security. Why? For starters, try the recent reports about al Qaeda controlling anywhere from a dozen to 50 runaway-flag ships. We testified before Congress last year on the threat of runaway flags, and the message seems to have gotten through. Those risks must continue to be weighed when discussing port and shipboard security measures, the need for an expanded MSP, and the benefits of maintaining a trained manpower pool of loyal U.S. citizen seafarers. Much like the U.S. Merchant Marine itself, the SIU delivers. New jobs. Better benefits. Timely training opportunities. A real voice, nationally and internationally, in the discussions that shape our future. That has been our record since 1938, and it will always remain that way. RRF Activations Anticipation finally gave way to action last month. More than 20 SIU-crewed RRF ships were activated, with more sure to follow. It has been said before, but I appreciate the fact that Seafarers are very serious about our crucial role as part of the nation’s “fourth arm of defense.” In keeping with tradition, we’re always ready to go, at a moment’s notice. Yet, in talking with members around the country, I know that we especially have been ready to roll since September 11, 2001. Now that the activations have started, I’m 100 percent confident that the SIU will answer our call to duty. The SIU supports Operation Enduring Freedom, and will commit every available resource to winning the war against terrorism. Volume 65, Number 2 February 2003 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Copyright © 2003 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG Report: 15 Ships Tied to al Qaeda United States intelligence officials have identified “approximately 15 cargo freighters around the world” that are controlled by al Qaeda, according to a recent report in The Washington Post. In a front-page story published on New Year’s Eve, Post staff writer John Mintz notes that since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. has kept a list of al Qaeda “mystery ships” which has ranged from a dozen to as many as 50 vessels. Segments of the article were cited in other press reports in the U.S. and abroad. Mintz describes the search for the al Qaeda ships—reportedly conducted by Navy and allied vessels in the Arabian sea—as “one of the largest naval seahunts since World War II.” The article concludes with a look at the scam known as runaway-flag shipping or flag-ofconvenience shipping. The writer points out that many runaway-flag vessels have been caught “illegally running guns and drugs.” He also notes, “American spy agencies track some of the suspicious ships by satellites or surveillance planes and with the help of allied navies or informants in overseas ports. But they have occasionally lost track of the vessels, which are continually given new fictitious names, repainted or re-registered using invented corporate owners, all while plying the oceans.” According to the Post, as well as subsequent reports in overseas newspapers, U.S. Navy officials think al Qaeda has used a fleet registered in Tonga to transport terrorists around the Mediterranean. One vessel is believed to have delivered the explosives used by al Qaeda five years ago to bomb U.S. embassies in Africa. The article quotes an unnamed senior U.S. government official as saying, “After 9/11, we suddenly learned how little we understood about commercial shipping.” Last summer, SIU SecretaryTreasurer David Heindel testified before the Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine— part of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee—when the panel conducted a hearing that focused on runaway flags and how they threaten America’s security. Heindel, who also serves as vice chairman of the Seafarers’ Section of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), said the FOC system “provides a hiding place for shipowners to avoid the restrictions of Pension Benefits Increase of $100 in the basic Deep Sea Pension benefit, effective Jan. 1, 2002. As a result of this increase, the basic monthly pension amount for the Early Normal Pension was increased from $825 to $925 per month and from $600 to $700 per month for either a Regular Normal Pension or a Disability Pension. Deep Sea Deferred Vested Pensions would also be affected as the Seafarers Pension Plan Administrator Lou Delma recently announced that the Plan’s Board of Trustees approved an increase international law, where states sell their sovereignty to those wishing to avoid flag state interference in safety, environmental or labor standards and the transparency of their corporate structure. And herein lies one of the most serious deficiencies with the FOC system—the lack of transparency in corporate structure— that both the ITF and SIU view as a facilitator of transnational criminal activities and terrorism. FOC vessels have been linked to the registration of hijacked ships, phantom ships, fraudulent mariner documentation, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, illegal alien smuggling and, most recently to international terrorism.” He said that the lack of transparency in the corporate structure of FOCs “is a threat to national and maritime security. One can also posture that the nautical prerogative of an American owner registering a vessel under a flag of convenience that ignores all legitimate safety, security, environmental and social concerns is similarly a threat to U.S. maritime and defense security.” ITF Slams Liberia Commenting on the latest calls on Liberia to audit its shipping operation, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) General Secretary David Cockroft stated, “Liberia is a pariah, an outlaw nation with no interest in law, justice or common humanity. The recent Washington Post revelations that Charles Taylor received $1 million for sheltering and aiding al Qaeda fundraisers—even months after the September 11 atrocity—must surely prove the hopelessness of trying to clean up his business operations.” He continued, “Frankly, Taylor is a murderous thug. That fact must be recognized by all those who associate with or defend him, be they politicians or businessmen.” Cockroft concluded, “Thankfully, I think there’s a subtle shift of opinion out there, even from those who wrongly believed that our calls to shipowners to wash their hands of the Liberian flag were nothing more than an attack on a flag of convenience. We detect a growing feeling that despite all LISCR’s polished PR efforts, it remains the more acceptable face of a vile and criminal government. To associate with Liberia’s shipping and business register is to help fund a monster.” (LISCR stands for Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, which is headquartered in Virginia.) base used for calculation was also increased from $600 to $700. Since the effective date of this increase was January 1, 2002, all deep sea pensioners who went on pension with an effective date on or after this date should expect to receive an adjustment check in the next few weeks. Future Deep Sea pension benefits will be calculated using this increased base amount. NY Port Council Honors Mineta, Truchan, Davis The Maritime Port Council of Greater New York and Vicinity late last year recognized three individuals for their respective efforts in behalf of the U.S. Merchant Marine. The port council honored U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta; Jordan Truchan, president of American Ship Management and Patriot Contract Services; and Ron Davis, president of the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association. Pictured at the port council event are (from left) SIU and Maritime Trades Department President Michael Sacco; Truchan; Port Council Executive SecretaryTreasurer Ed Panarello; U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. William Schubert, who accepted the award on behalf of Mineta; Davis; and Port Council VP Joseph Soresi, who also serves as VP of the SIU’s Atlantic region. February 2003 �15694_p1_3,6,8.qxd 1/27/03 11:04 AM Page 3 SIU Fleet Grows by 2 Seafarers to Crew ‘Special Mission’ Ships Seafarers will crew up two newly contracted “special mission” ships for the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), signaling new shipboard jobs for the SIU. The USNS Waters (T-AGS 45) and the USNS Hayes (T-AG 195) will be crewed by SIU members and operated by 3PSC LLC for MSC. “This announcement is good news for the union and for U.S. national security, because it helps ensure the continued presence of a trained manpower pool of qualified shipboard personnel,” said SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez. The Waters (457 feet long) is the bigger of the two vessels. It is classified as a navigation research/missile range instrumentation ship, supporting submarine navigation system testing and providing ballistic missile flight test support services. According to MSC, the Waters originally was an oceanographic survey ship, built by Avondale Industries and delivered to the Navy in 1993. Under the sponsorship of the U.S. Strategic Systems Program Office, the Waters was converted in 1998 by Deteyns Shipyard to support submarine navigation system testing and ballistic missile flight test support services. The Hayes (247 feet long) is considered an acoustic research ship that is utilized “as an operating platform for unique U.S. military requirements,” according to MSC. “Special missions ships work for several different U.S. Navy customers such as Naval Sea Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command and the Oceanographer of the Navy.” The Hayes’ previous missions included transporting, deploying and retrieving acoustic tools, conducting acoustic surveys in support of the submarine noise reduction program and performing acoustic testing. MSC points out that the vessel’s design permits installation of a center-line well, with access to sheltered water between the hulls. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Hayes underwent extensive conversion work in two shipyards. SIU’s New Ships At a Glance USNS Waters Length: 457 feet Beam: 69 feet Displacement: 12,208 long tons full load Speed: 13.2 knots sustained Builder: Avondale Industries (New Orleans) Power Plant: Diesel-electric, twin screw, 7,400 shaft horsepower USNS Hayes Length: 247 feet Beam: 75 feet Displacement: 3,952 long tons full load Speed: 10 knots Builder: Todd Shipyards (Seattle) Power Plant: Diesel-electric; 2 Caterpiller diesels; 3,620 horsepower sustained, 2 generators, 2 Westinghouse motors, 2,400 hp; 2 auxiliary diesels (for ‘creep’ speed); 330 hp; 2 shafts, cp props RRF Activations Begin In support of the war on terrorism, at least two dozen SIUcrewed ships from the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) were activated during the first few weeks of the new year. The activations took place on the East, West and Gulf coasts. Twenty-four Seafarers-crewed RRF vessels plus the hospital ship USNS Comfort (crewed by mem- QMED Anjwar Brooks (left) and AB Ruben Mitchell report to the USNS Wright last month in Baltimore. bers of the SIU’s Government Services Division) were known to have been activated as this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press. In addition to the Comfort, the list includes the following ships, listed in order of activation: USNS Pollux, USNS Antares, USNS Curtiss, USNS Wright, USNS Gilliland, USNS Mendonca, USNS Regulus, USNS Denebola, Cape Taylor, Cape Texas, Cape Trinity, Cape Decision, Cape Diamond, Cape Race, Cape Rise, Cape Vincent, Cape Victory, Cape Washington, Cape Wrath, Cape Inscription, Cape Intrepid, Cape Isabel and Cape Island. The U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) reported that the Regulus and Denebola arrived in Wilmington, N.C. on Jan. 21 to load U.S. Marine Corps cargo as part of the repositioning of U.S. forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Regulus and Denebola, both noncombatant fast sealift ships, are nearly 950 feet long and can each carry about 150,000 square feet of rolling stock and containerized cargo. Earlier in the month, the Gilliland and Mendonca were scheduled to load Army combat equipment in Savannah, Ga. and sail for Southwest Asia. The ships were to load more than 450,000 square feet of military cargo including armored vehicles and other rolling stock, as well as helicopters, cargo handling equipment and other support equipment. Meanwhile, the Comfort got off to an interesting start just two days after activation when it resWhether the ship is in ROS status or fully activated, Chief Cook Ed Tully helps ensure that crew members aboard the USNS Wright are well-fed. The USNS Denebola is one of at least two dozen SIU-crewed ships that have been activated for Operation Enduring Freedom. February 2003 The USNS Waters, originally an oceanographic survey ship, now serves as a special mission vessel for MSC. The USNS Hayes is equipped with two auxiliary propulsion diesel engines for use during acoustic operations. cued a fisherman whose boat had capsized and broken apart in rough seas off of Bermuda. The rescue took place Jan. 8. The Comfort had sailed from Baltimore just two days earlier for possible use in Operation Enduring Freedom. According to MSC, the Comfort answered a call for assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Coordination Center in Bermuda at 7 p.m. on Jan. 7. The next morning, a Coast Guard airplane located the victim and dropped a life raft. (The plane wasn’t equipped to lift him.) In the afternoon, the Comfort arrived and brought him aboard. The 35-year-old man was treated for what was described as minor hypothermia and was reported to be in good condition. Two other men who reportedly had been aboard the fishing boat with him remain missing and are presumed lost. QMED Tom Flynn eyes valves aboard the USNS Wright. Two days after activation, the hospital ship USNS Comfort performed a rescue at sea. Seafarers LOG 3 �15694_p4,9.qxd 1/22/03 10:45 PM Page 4 Seafarers Aid in Guam Relief Several Seafarers, working in conjunction with the American Red Cross, recently rendered vital assistance to the residents of Guam in the aftermath of Supertyphoon Pongsona. The catastrophic storm on Dec. 8 struck the U.S. territory in the Mariana Islands with sustained winds of 150 mph and gusts to 184 mph—a force comparable to a Category 5 hurricane. Essentially, everything in Pongsona’s path was completely devastated, as winds did not subside for nearly 10 straight hours. Parts of the island were flattened, and many of the island’s 120,000 residents were left without electricity and water. Thousands took refuge in shelters, fearing their homes would be crushed. No official death toll has been released, but leaders on the island estimate damage caused by the storm to be in excess of $73 million. Since that fateful day, a cadre of SIU volunteers and representatives from other labor organizations with Guam-based members have assisted the Red Cross in large-scale relief operations. The distribution of travelers’ checks and comfort kits (packages containing hygiene items) to storm victims were two areas of high priority during the relief effort. Some 3,800 comfort kits were delivered to the residents of 13 shelters. Seafarers provided assistance not only in these areas, but others as well. AB Samuel Lloyd helped clear storm litter and served both as a guide driver and courier, delivering goods to a pair of Red Cross Service Centers involved in the effort. “The Red Cross put out the call for help, and here I am,” Lloyd said at the outset of the relief effort. Also joining in the trash and debris retrieval effort was AB Michael McMerline. In addition, he provided muscle needed to help move large objects in Red Cross shelters. QMED Michael Ryter’s skills especially were in high demand. He performed a variety of electrical repairs during the operations. Not to be left out, SIU Guam Secretary Francis Booker verified claims and worked as a guide. Finally, Malou Holley, wife of SIU Guam Port Agent Matthew Holley, acted as translator in Japanese, Korean and Talgalo. Besides SIU members, other integral players in the Red Cross response hailed from the Labor Council of the Western Pacific, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM&AW), and the Guam Federation of Teachers. Guam was ceded to the United States by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the U.S. three years later. The North Pacific Ocean Island is located about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines (13 28 N, 144 47 E). Guam is about three times the size of Washington, D.C. ITF Secures $105,000 in Back Pay For Crew of Liberian-Flag Tanker Mariners on the Liberian-flag tanker Merlin received a Christmas present of sorts when the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) secured back pay and repatriation for them Dec. 24 in Bayonne, N.J. SIU ITF Inspector Enrico Esopa obtained $105,000 in back wages for the Filipino crew of the runaway-flag ship. He also secured repatriation for all 24 mariners along with a protective order barring the Greek shipowner from retaliating against the crew. Additionally, Esopa got the company to agree to make needed repairs to the boilers. The episode began Dec. 16 when Merlin crew members con- tacted the ITF. Esopa went to the vessel—owned by Arrow Co. Ltd.—that day. The mariners told him about the unpaid wages plus boiler problems and other issues including hydraulic pipes that reportedly were deteriorating and leaking. After confirming the reports, Esopa contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, whose inspectors promptly detained the vessel. During the next four days the company failed to live up to its promise of paying the back wages. On Dec. 20, U.S. marshals arrested the ship. With Esopa and an ITF attorney pressing the case, Arrow finally delivered all wages, allot- ments and leave pay due each of the 24 crew members, plus legal fees. Five of the mariners were repatriated to Manila from New York, while the rest were scheduled for repatriation from Aruba (the next port), where the vessel was to undergo repairs. The ship was released from arrest Dec. 24. “The crew was very grateful for the help they received from the ITF,” Esopa said. Founded in 1896, the ITF is a federation of 604 transport trade unions (including the SIU) in 137 countries, representing more than five million workers. SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel serves as vice chairman of the federation’s Seafarers’ Section. Loading comfort kits to be distributed at Red Cross shelters are, from left, Matthew Rector, chairman, Guam Federation of Teachers; AB Samuel Lloyd, SIU Port of Guam; Steve Martinez, president, Labor Council of the Western Pacific and Business Representative, Teamsters Local 986; and Monica Rector, vice-president, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Faust Rescues Fishermen The Seafarers-crewed Faust, operated by Pacific-Gulf Marine, recently rescued five people from a 54-foot sport fishing boat that was taking on water near Hampton, Va. The rescue took place Dec. 7. According to a report by Faust Captain Darren McGowan, the vessel had departed Baltimore bound for Charleston, S.C. Approximately one hour into the voyage, the Faust received a distress call from the motor vessel Sniper. The fishing boat, roughly five miles southwest of the Faust, had hit something and was taking on water. AB Daniel Cruz steered the ship toward the Sniper, while the Hampton Roads (Va.) Coast Guard, alerted by the Faust, also dispatched a rescue craft. McGowan credited Bosun Erik Penia, AB Trevorous Ellison, and OSs Benigno Ledesma Jr. and Jarrod Pestana with rigging both pilot ladders and helping prepare the fast rescue boat. “Soon after we reported that the rescue boat was in the water, USCG Hampton Roads directed us to take all persons from the Sniper on board the Faust, stating that sport fishing boats are known to sink quickly once they start to take on water,” McGowan wrote. “The arrival of the Coast Guard boat was reported to be over one hour away. “After two trips, all five passengers from the Sniper were safely on board the Faust, including a 15-year-old boy.” The rescue boat resumed its position near the Sniper—which had sustained a five-foot hole in its starboard bow—because two people from the fishing boat wanted to continue with efforts to stabilize it. Those two were picked up by the Coast Guard about 30 minutes later, with the Faust’s rescue boat still on the scene (in case the fishermen needed to make a quicker departure from their boat). McGowan concluded, “All aspects of the rescue were accomplished flawlessly. The teamwork, actions and professionalism displayed by the crew during the rescue was exemplary. Their efforts and commitment to the safety of life at sea should be an inspiration for all that work in the maritime industry.” Alert to Seafarers SIU ITF Inspector Enrico Esopa (seated at left) spearheaded the successful effort to secure back pay and repatriation for mariners on the runaway-flag tanker Merlin, many of whom also are pictured above. Also assisting was attorney Paul Hoffmann (seated at right). The Greekowned, Liberian-flag ship is shown below. In recognition of the present rapidly evolving circumstances, it is important that you promptly examine your documents necessary for shipping to make sure that these documents are not expired nor due to expire. Pursuant to the Shipping Rules, agreements, RFP requirements, and international USCG regulations, your documents must be valid for the entire period of employment; and, you cannot ship unless they are valid and current. Please take this time to double-check the expiration dates of your: l Merchant mariner’s document (also known as an MMD or z-card) l STCW-95 certificate (with endorsement as part of the deck/engine watchkeeping) l Passport, ensuring that it is signed l Clinic card l Benzene card (if this applies to you, this card is required for all tankers) l Registration card of being ready, willing, and available for work l Drug-free confirmation, as issued by the port office after registering or testing l INS green card, if allowed on certain vessels, (permanent resident card by the USA Immigration & Naturalization Service). Plus, l Your inoculation (shots) card, updated with new shots when necessary l Your TRB (training record book), ensuring that it is signed l MSC (Military Sealift Command) medical records to carry to the ship, as applies l Sufficient (for six months, or two voyages) Rx/prescription medication l Extra glasses, when required for work l Ensure that there is no urgently needed dental or medical work needed for six months Also bear in mind that if you are going to be 4 Seafarers LOG renewing your z-card/document, or license, within the last thirty days of applying for the renewal/replacement, you must get: a) New Department of Motor Vehicles Driver’s Record stating that you have not had any DUI or DWI in the last five years, which must be submitted with the application for the renewal of the MMD. Your state that issued your driver’s license will issue their “Motor Vehicle Report.” Plus, b) The USCG will require a drug-free letter from the (SAMHSA laboratory) MRO (Medical Review Officer) that processed the “SAMHSA 5 Panel” drug-free examination (Graystone Lab in California) with the chain of custody receipt form issued at the examination. The USCG reportedly will no longer accept the drug-free confirmation letters issued by the designated signature-person from the port or admissions, as previously allowed by 46CFR16.230 Option II. You must fax (or mail) your request on the form available from the port office to the MRO. This is to request a specific drug-free letter will be sent to you; this letter is for submitting with your application for a new MMD, license, and/or STCW Certificate to the USCG. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This might become another delay when renewing or issuing an MMD. This is part of the USCG’s Application Form CG-719-B (OMB2115-0514). Also, note that it has been taking at least seven weeks for the Baltimore Coast Guard regional exam center (REC) to process applications, and even longer at some other RECs. Your union and your nation need you to be ready, with bags standing by—ready to fulfill the U.S. Merchant Marine’s role as America’s Fourth Arm of Defense. February 2003 �15694_p5,6,14,15,21,24.qxd 1/22/2003 12:40 AM Page 5 New U.S. Law, IMO Rules Impact Port Security; SIU Ready for Coast Guard Meetings in 7 Cities While scores of port security requirements already are in place and being enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard nationally, several other recent developments in the national and international maritime transportation arenas promise to significantly alter the existing landscape. SIU officials are keeping a close eye on the situation, analyzing how these new developments will impact union members and the industry as a whole and positioning themselves to help make maritime labor’s case heard when the implementation phase of these new measures takes center stage. As reported in previous editions of the Seafarers LOG, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (AKA the Hollings Bill, S.1214) was signed into law in November, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held a Diplomatic Conference in December during which a comprehensive regime of measures to strengthen international shipping was adopted. Following is an overview of these two initiatives as well as a look at the goals behind a series of meetings announced Dec. 20 by the Coast Guard to discuss the implementation of both. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 President Bush on Nov. 25 signed the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 into law (P.L. 107-295). Title I of the act is designed to enhance the nation’s maritime security in order to provide greater safeguards at the country’s 361 sea and river ports, and increased intelligence about cargoes and personnel entering U.S. ports through improved communication and coordination among the various entities responsible for maritime security. Provisions in the law require U.S. facility and vessel vulnerability assessments; a national Maritime Transportation Security Plan and regional Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans (port security plans); and vessel and facilities security and response plans. Also demanded are transportation security cards; grants to port authorities, waterfront facility operators and state and local agencies; foreign port assessments; a Maritime Security Advisory Com- Senator Stevens Cites Advantages of ANWR At a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing Jan. 9 on the phase-out of single-hull tankers, Senator Ted Stevens (RAlaska) spoke of the importance of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). He reiterated his commitment to keeping oil flowing through the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, stating that opening ANWR to oil exploration is the best prospect for keeping the pipeline in operation over the long term. OPA 90 requires companies to use double-hull vessels as of Jan. 1, 2015 for transporting crude oil into U.S.-controlled waters. Oil and transportation companies began the 20-year phase-out of existing single-hull vessels in U.S. waters in 1995. Following are excerpts from Stevens’ statement at the hearing: “During the height of Alaska oil production in 1988 and 1989 there were 70 tankers moving oil from Valdez to West Coast ports. During this period the throughput of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was 2.1 million barrels a day— near full capacity. Today the pipeline only carries 1 million barrels a day, which means the pipeline is only half full. Because of this decline in production there are only 25 tankers presently transporting oil from Alaska. “The American Petroleum Institute and the American maritime industry and trade unions reported last year that we would need to construct 18 new doublehull vessels to transport oil if Congress opens the Coastal Plain to oil production. Maritime unions also tell us that each ship would create 3,000 direct employment jobs during construc- February 2003 Sen. Ted Stevens tion. These are high-paying, high-skilled, labor-intensive jobs that we need in the U.S. “Last month, the state of Alaska extended the right-of-way for the pipeline across our state lands. Just this week, the secretary of the interior signed a 30year renewal for the federal rightof-way for the Alaska pipeline. The federal government believes the pipeline needs to be on-line for at least the next 30 years, but that means opening enough lands for oil production. ANWR is the best prospect. I know I’ve come to be a little provincial here today Mr. Chairman, but I want to announce that this is my number one goal for this Congress—to try to find a way to start to find out if we do have additional oil prospects in the northern part of Alaska. The requirement in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 for single-hull tankers to be phased out by 2015 can be an even greater opportunity for U.S. shipyards, but only if the demand is there from increased domestic oil production.” mittee; Automatic Identification Systems; long-range tracking systems; enhanced crewmember identification; and sea marshals. The vessel and facility security plans provision calls for a qualified individual having full authority to implement security actions. The new law also requires the Coast Guard to negotiate an international agreement that provides for a uniform, comprehensive international system of identification of seafarers. Several federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard are responsible for implementing the Act. IMO Diplomatic Conference A Diplomatic Conference of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in December adopted a new set of guidelines for international shipping—a series of measures to strengthen maritime security and prevent and suppress acts of terrorism. The Coast Guard was instrumental in initiating these proceedings after the September 11 terrorist attack against the United States. The Conference adopted a number of amendments to the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS); a new International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS; and a series of resolutions designed to give weight to the amendments. The ISPS Code, which will go into force on July 1, 2004 for vessels in international trade, contains detailed security-related requirements for shipping companies, port authorities, and governments in a mandatory “Part A” section together with a series of guidelines about how to meet those requirements in a second, non-mandatory section (Part B). Elements of the new security rules for ships include requirements for ship security plans, ship security officers, company security officers, and certain onboard security equipment. For port facilities, requirements include port security plans, port security officers, and certain security equipment. In addition, the requirements for ships and port facilities include security assessments (risk analysis), monitoring and controlling access, monitoring the activities of cargo and people, and ensuring security communications are readily available. One amendment to SOLAS calls for a new accelerated timetable for fitting Automatic Information Systems (AIS) on vessels while a resolution affirms the work of the International Labor Organization in establishing an international uniform seafarers identification system—Seafarers Identify Document. The international regime also pointed to the need for shore leave for crewmembers. As a signatory to SOLAS, the United States, in this instance the Coast Guard, is bound to implement the amendments to SOLAS as well as the ISPS Code. Initiatives Mirror One Another Many of the requirements imposed by the IMO protocol are also mandated by the Maritime Security Act of 2002 (MTSA). The requirements of Section 102 of MTSA directly align with the security requirements embodied in the SOLAS amendments and the ISPS Code; however, the MTSA has broader application that includes domestic vessels and facilities. Therefore, the Coast Guard intends to implement the MTSA through the requirements in the SOLAS amendments and the ISPS Code, Parts A and B, for all vessels and facilities that are currently required to meet SOLAS as well as those vessels exclusively in domestic trade that are considered at risk of being involved in a transportation security incident. Coast Guard Notice of Meetings As part of its effort to implement both the Maritime Security Act of 2002 and the amendments to SOLAS and ISPS Code, the Coast Guard on Dec.20 announced a series of seven public meetings in various cities, namely, New Orleans (Jan. 27), Cleveland (Jan. 30), St. Louis (Jan. 31), Seattle (Feb. 3), Los Angeles-Long Beach (Feb. 5), Jacksonville (Feb.7), and New York City (Feb. 11) to discuss requirements for security assessments, plans, and specific security measures for ports, vessels, and facilities. Discussions will also focus on aligning domestic maritime security requirements with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and recent amendments to SOLAS to comply with Section 102 of the Maritime Security Act of 2002. SIU officials as well as rankand-file members will participate in these meetings to voice union concerns. In its notice, the Coast Guard poses a series of approximately 40-50 questions dealing with general, vessel, and port security provisions as well as on other issues including continuous synopsis record requirement, seafarers’ identification criteria requirements, AIS, etc. The agency also requests comments on “best industry practices” with regard to maritime security issues as well as comments on application, implementation and operating costs. The Coast Guard plans to publish a temporary interim rule no later than June and a final rule by November. These dates are critical in order to uniformly implement the ISPS Code and SOLAS amendments, as well as to meet the urgency set by the mandates in the Maritime Security Transportation Act. The Coast Guard encourages interested parties to attend the meetings and submit comments for discussion during the meetings. All comments and related material intended for inclusion in the public docket must be received by the Docket Management Facility by Feb. 28. AFL-CIO, Central American Unions: Trade Talks Must Address Workers’ Rights and Development As trade ministers from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the United States last month launched negotiations toward a regional free trade agreement, the AFL-CIO and Central American trade unions joined together to demand that respect for workers’ rights and progress toward equitable, sustainable development be at the core of any trade agreement among their countries. According to the AFL-CIO—the national federation of trade unions to which the SIU is affiliated— this marks the first time that major Central American unions and the American union movement have released a joint declaration specifically addressing trade among their countries. “The landmark declaration offers a shared vision for economic integration in the region and inserts workers’ voices back into the global trade debate—a voice that is completely unrepresented in the trade talks,” the federation announced. “In the face of a stumbling economy and high unemployment throughout the region, our governments are pursuing a free-trade agenda that feeds corporate greed but destroys good jobs and hinders real development,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “Workers in the U.S. and Central America have a better plan for a new generation of trade rules that will respect our rights, preserve our environment and strengthen our economies.” The declaration rejects a simple expansion of the failed model of the so-called North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), under which the U.S. has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs and Mexico has failed to achieve lasting development or reduce poverty. The joint statement calls for enforceable protections for workers’ rights backed up by trade sanctions, a more humane immigration regime, debt relief for Central American nations and transparency in the negotiation process, among other reforms. The joint declaration comes on the heels of AFLCIO petitions to withdraw preferential trade benefits from Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala on the basis of egregious workers’ rights violations in these countries. Although these petitions are supported by unions in Central America and have been valuable tools for improving workers’ rights in the past, the petition process will no longer be available if a free trade agreement with the region goes into effect. Seafarers LOG 5 �15694_p1_3,6,8.qxd 1/24/03 6:23 PM Page 6 STCW in Plain English February Marks 1st Anniversary of Deadline Editor’s note: The following is part of an occasional series. The LOG recently submitted STCW questions to Bill Eglinton, director of training at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. Eglinton for years has been a regular member of U.S. delegations participating in international forums about mariner training and certification. His answers follow. STCW is the acronym for an international maritime treaty signed in 1978 and amended in 1995. It stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. What do you see as the biggest benefits of the amended STCW convention? This is an excellent question, as many people have asked, “Why are we doing this?” Looking at the big picture, 162 maritime nations signed on to this international convention on training. For the first time, practically every seafarer in the world has to meet certain training requirements such as Basic Safety Training and Shipboard Familiarization, just to name two. It was a known fact that the vast majority of seafarers from developing countries were sailing with little or no knowledge of basic fire fighting, first aid, water survival, etc. The newly amended convention requires that there be documentary evidence of this training or the vessel can be detained in ports around the world. For the school, probably the biggest hurdle we faced was developing a system to document this required training and also to track it. Ever since the Paul Hall Center opened in 1967, all records were maintained in filing cabinets in the admissions office. We decided to develop an electronic database and enter every single record into it. From this database we then produced in 1997 a training record book (TRB) into which we could record all the training a member had received at the Paul Hall Center and elsewhere. This was a major accomplishment both for the school and the membership, and continues to be the “backbone” of our documentation system. The buildup to the STCW-95 deadline of Feb. 1, 2002 lasted for years and received a lot of attention throughout the industry. By comparison, the deadline itself came and went without much fanfare. What happened? There was a five-year transition period given to all countries to “get their act together” before the amended 1995 STCW Convention came into full force. This five-year period was to allow schools to develop the new STCW courses, develop a system to record and track this training and then to get their mariners into the schools. The deadline came last year (Feb. 1, 2002) and there were no outbursts to mark its arrival! We had done our homework and the membership was fully prepared when the deadline came. However, this was not the case with many other countries. A year ago, perhaps the biggest STCW story involved the IMO asking for what amounted to an unofficial extension of the deadline for certain STCW certificates. Generally, what was the response of the signatory nations? Also, when the extension elapsed after six months, was there a noticeable change in enforcement? STCW was developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is headquartered in London. As the Feb. 1, 2002 deadline approached, several countries explained that they were not going to be fully prepared by that date due to various problems such as processing of paperwork, documenting training and having enough courses to get everyone trained. The IMO was sympathetic to their dilemma but could not legally change the implementation date. HQ Rep Carl Peth Retires After 34 Years in Union “The SIU is a wonderful organization, and I’m proud to have been a part of it,”said Carl Peth, who retired in December 2002 after 34 years in the union. Born in Chicago, Peth joined the Seafarers in 1968 in San Francisco following studies at the Andrew Furuseth Training School (the precursor to the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship) in New Orleans and San Francisco. He first sailed as a messman on board the Cornell Victory. He then upgraded his skills and sailed in various positions as a member of the engine department, eventually earning his QMED rating. Peth, who worked under three SIU presidents (Paul Hall, Frank Drozak and Michael Sacco) has seen a lot of changes in the industry since he started and has assumed a number of different roles within the Seafarers organization, including organizer, wel- fare representative, patrolman, safety director, port agent, manpower director and headquarters representative. In 1972, he signed off the Overseas Ulla and, the following year, came ashore as a patrolman in Piney Point. He later worked in the Great Lakes as a welfare services representative and also helped in organizing drives in the Gulf of Mexico. Peth was named patrolman in New York and New Orleans and, in 1981, became port agent in Piney Point. He remained there, later assuming the responsibilities of headquarters representative and manpower director. Many of Peth’s colleagues at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education will miss his help and support. “Carl’s been a real soldier here,” stated Don Nolan, vice president of the Paul Hall Center. “He’s been wonderful for the school. In addition to having been As headquarters representative, Carl Peth (left) describes the operations of the manpower office to members of the Paul Hall Center’s Deep Sea and Inland Towing Advisory Board in June 1997. 6 Seafarers LOG Keeping abreast of the shipping needs of SIU-contracted companies and the availability of Seafarers to fill those jobs was the responsibility of Carl Peth in his role as manpower director. port agent, headquarters representative and manpower director here, he also taught union education.” The school’s registrar, Marge DiPreta, has known Peth for many years and notes that he was always very supportive of the academic department’s programs and cared a great deal about the membership. “Carl had a nice way of interacting with the members, and was always very honest with them,” she said. Janice Smolek, librarian at the school, added that she was very grateful to Peth for his donation of books from his personal collection to provide for the members. “I have been afforded some great opportunities at the SIU,” said Peth, “and have derived a lot of satisfaction in being to help others.” Peth, 61, and his wife, Gladys, are retiring to Daytona Beach, Fla. What IMO decided to do was to send a request to all maritime administrations worldwide asking that everyone inspecting a vessel for meeting the training requirements of STCW please record that there were noncompliances found but to not detain the vessel(s) until a “grace period” of six months had passed. In effect, many countries were given six additional months to come up to speed. All indications were that this additional amount of time allowed most of the fleets of the world to come into compliance, since no major disruptions to shipping took place. Although the Paul Hall Center always has emphasized handson training, the school obviously had to make some adjustments to accommodate training that complies with the revised STCW convention. What have been some of the biggest changes at the school that stemmed from STCW? Are any more adjustments planned, or is everything basically in place? This question is a good one. For years our industry has known that the system for certifying seafarers wasn’t the greatest. All Coast Guard exams were multiple-choice questions on how a particular piece of equipment or system was built, the theory of how it operated and basically how to fix it. Some people have experienced trouble with passing these tests due to poor reading skills or “brain freeze” when taking an exam. Now along comes STCW, which says people must be trained and assessed in order to receive certification allowing them to do a particular job aboard a vessel. This means that you learn the particular subject and then demonstrate that you have acquired the skills to successfully do the job. For years our membership has been saying, “Don’t ask me a bunch of multiplechoice questions about a piece of equipment. Hand it to me and I will show you how it works!” Well, we got our wish! Now, instead of taking a 50question test to become a qualified electrician or seven multiplechoice exams to become a third mate or third assistant engineer, you must demonstrate the skill to hold that endorsement or license. Makes sense to me. The Paul Hall Center has always believed in hands-on training and, therefore, these new requirements caused few prob- lems for us. Our membership is used to having to demonstrate (be assessed) a particular skill in order to pass our courses. Many other “schools” that offered courses to become an AB or oiler by sitting in front of a computer and going over hundreds and hundreds of questions and answers in order to pass a Coast Guard exam are no longer in operation. Only those schools having real programs that train and assess people for shipboard skills are still around. The Paul Hall Center has Coast Guard-approved programs for meeting most of the STCW requirements for sailing in a particular position in the unlicensed ranks. Some of the engineering programs are still in development and should be finalized in the next several months. However, these remaining programs do not affect Seafarers who currently are sailing, but rather only future QMEDs. Just as it has always been, the Paul Hall Center will continue to upgrade programs with new information or equipment to keep pace with changes in the industry. What should Seafarers know about renewals? Any watchstander, licensed or unlicensed, must renew their STCW certificate every five years. The U.S. Coast Guard will issue a new certificate if the mariner has renewed his Basic Safety Training. Basic Safety Training can be renewed by either taking a Coast Guard-approved BST course again or, if you have already taken this course, you can renew it by simply producing one year of deep-sea sea time obtained after being issued the certificate. The reasoning behind this is that if you have been sailing for the past five years, you have participated in shipboard drills and exercises dealing with basic safety situations. The Paul Hall Center will put a new sticker in your TRB to indicate that you have renewed BST. Non-watchstanding members need only show the admissions office the one year of discharges. Do Seafarers still need a TRB? Yes! The TRB is still extremely important for capturing all new training you receive and for showing documentary evidence of having taken the mandatory training for shipping purposes. Unless you hear otherwise from the union or the Paul Hall Center, continue to have all your training entered into your TRB. Officials Participate in ATC Safety Seminar SIU officials recently took part in a safety training seminar offered by Alaska Tanker Co. in Beaverton, Ore. Officials from the MEBA also participated in the meetings, which took place Dec. 4-5. ATC described the seminar as a “joint effort that is meant to enhance ATC’s safety performance” and cited the outstanding cooperation between the unions and ATC. Pictured at the seminar are (seated, from left) SIU Tacoma, Wash. Port Agent Bryan Powell; SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone; SIU Patrolman Archie Ware; SIU Patrolman Jeff Turkus; (standing) MEBA Seattle Port Agent John McCurdy; ATC Labor Relations VP Bill Cole; MEBA Patrolman Mark Townsend; Gordon Graaff, consultant for Strategic Safety Associates; and HSE Technician Paul Manzi. February 2003 �15694_p7,12_13,16,19_20,22,23.qxd 1/27/03 11:09 AM Page 7 After a long history of faithful service in the SIUcontracted fleet, the Cable Ship Long Lines headed into retirement in December 2002. A steady and dependable sight in Honolulu harbor for many years, SIU members maintained the vessel in a constant state of readiness to respond to underwater telephone cable breaks and for the opportunity to lay new cable wherever and whenever the Long Lines and its crew were called. As the Long Lines readied for its final voyage, Seafarers continued to maintain normal Aloha, Long Lines Manning the hose are (from left) Wiper Carlos Madayag, SA Romeo Manansala and Chief Steward Emmanuel Laureta. Bosun Victorgil Mariano takes his place for the fire and boat drill. During a lifeboat drill, Chief Steward Emmanuel Laureta, Cook/Baker Franz Schnell and OS Jose Bautista work to lower the emergency craft. operations in their usual professional manner. The photos of the crew members accompanying this article, provided by SIU Rep. Frank Iverson, were taken during one of the most recent fire and boat drills aboard ship. CASJ Sanyboy Whiting (center) is helped into his safety gear by Bosun Mate Tony Sivola (left) and Engine Utility Mark Failauga. Christmas Aboard the Obregon DEU Frank Casby takes a breather following the delicious Christmas dinner aboard the Obregon. In the background is a Navy escort ship. Enjoying the Christmas party, the great food and the holiday music are AB Jose Bermudez, QMED/ Electrician Robert Farmer and AB Celso Castro. The SIU crew aboard the PFC Eugene A. Obregon takes Christmas seriously. In all, there were six trees decorated for the holiday season aboard the Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel: one in each lounge, one in each mess hall, one on the bridge, and a 20-foot tree of lights topped with a 2-foot star on the helicopter pad. The alternate flagship for MPS Squadron One had just cast off from Pier 3 at Rota Naval Base in Spain and put to sea, where it would remain well into the new year. A party to celebrate Christmas Eve included hot hors d’oeuvres, cold canapés, trays of freshly baked cookies, an assortment of sodas and plenty of Christmas music. The menu in the mess hall that evening consisted of roasted spring lamb, chicken breasts stuffed with herb butter, beans and miniature hot dogs (a crew favorite, noted Recertified Steward Patrick D. Helton, who sent these photos to the LOG), steamed rice, potatoes and an extensive salad bar. An assortment of desserts topped it off. And that was just Christmas Eve!!! The steward department was even busier with the Christmas Day feast while the rest of the crew members continued to keep the ship in a constant state of readiness to perform its military duties, should it be called to respond in the event of a military action. This Christmas tree in the crew mess was one of six set up throughout the vessel. A tree of lights stands atop the helicopter pad. An almost endless array of hors d’oeuvres and desserts are ready for sampling. The steward department did a fantastic job in keeping the holiday spirit. They are SA Oscar Castillo, Recertified Steward Patrick Helton, ACU Ron Hickman and SA Martin Krins. Chief Cook Rudolph Xatruch is kneeling. February 2003 Crew members and contractors alike dig in to Christmas dinner in the decorated mess hall aboard the Obregon. Seafarers LOG 7 �15694_p1_3,8.qxd 1/23/03 8:43 PM Page 8 Author: Marine Electric Sinking In 1983 Sparked Safety Reforms Tragic Mishap Claimed 31 Mariners This Feb. 12 will mark the 20th anniversary of one of the most tragic yet significant days both in the history of the modern U.S. Merchant Marine and annals of the former National Maritime Union (NMU). On that ill-fated date in 1983, 31 crewmen aboard the Marine Electric—21 of whom were members of the NMU—paid the ultimate sacrifice when their vessel capsized and sank in frigid waters off the Virginia coast. Only three of the vessel’s 34 crew members escaped with their lives. Drowning resulting from hypothermia was determined to be the cause of death for all who perished. Then a 39-year-old vessel, the Marine Electric was loaded with 27,000 tons of coal. Departing from Norfolk, Va., the ship was en route to the New England Power Plant at Brayton Point, Mass. when it encountered heavy seas, rolled over and was swallowed up by the Atlantic Ocean about 30 miles east of Chincoteague, Va. “The deaths of the 31 officers and crew of the Marine Electric helped produce some of the most important maritime reforms in the twentieth century,” said Robert R. Frump, author of “Until the Sea Shall Free Them,” a book about the Marine Electric tragedy. “More than 70 old rustbuckets were scrapped, survival suits were required, finally, in cold waters, and the Coast Guard created the rescue swimmer pro- gram—all because of the Marine Electric.” The Coast Guard later concluded that the Marine Electric was a poorly maintained ship with bad hatches and holes in its hull, according to Frump. The “jumboized” World War II T-2 tanker was nearly 40 years old at the time of the catastrophe. The survivors of the wreck included NMU member Paul Dewey, an able seaman; Chief Mate Bob Cusick and Third Mate Gene Kelley, both members of the Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P). All three men spent hours awaiting rescue in the waters while their shipmates died about them, according to Frump. NMU members who perished during the disaster were: Bosun School Delivers Training to Seafarers in Korea Seafarers on the oceanographic survey ships USNS Sumner (T-AGS 61) and USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) received damage control training aboard the ships Jan. 1516 in Ulsan, Korea. Joe Curtis, an instructor at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (based in Piney Point, Md.), conducted the course. Sumner Capt. Fred Smallwood, who sent this photo to the LOG, noted that the two ships “were moored close aboard at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and were undergoing voyage repair availabilities there.” He credited Curtis with doing “a great job.” Pictured, from left, are (kneeling) AB Jose Belcina (Bowditch), Storekeeper Evelyn Nordbrok (Bowditch), Chief Mate Babar Khan (Sumner), (standing) Bosun Rafael Franco (Bowditch), Second Mate Richard Eaton (Sumner), OS Daniel Link (Bowditch), OS Michele Laycock (Bowditch), QMED Rob Guilmette (Sumner), AB William Joquin (Sumner), OS Brent Midgette (Sumner), GVA Nick Giron (Sumner), Bosun Scott Grider (Sumner), Oiler Juma Juma (Sumner) and Storekeeper Milt Haberman (Sumner). The vessels are operated by Dyn Marine for the U.S. Military Sealift Command. Information on the career track for engine department mariners seeking a license will be published in an upcoming issue of the Seafarers LOG. CIVMARS Have CD Option Active members of the union’s Government Services Division who qualify under the old Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) may take advantage of what amounts to a governmentbacked certificate of deposit that will pay 5 percent this year. Such a return generally would be considered not only better but also safer than most certificates of deposit. The option is available only to people still under the CSRS plan (in most cases, individuals hired before 1984). It is called “voluntary contributions” and is separate from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Because the money invested through the voluntary contributions plan is pre-taxed, the account holder pays taxes only on earnings. Once an account has been established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the account holder may invest at whatever pace he or she chooses. 8 Seafarers LOG Voluntary contributions may be made only in amounts of $25 or in multiples of $25 ($50, $75, etc.). Total contributions may not exceed 10 percent of the total basic pay an eligible individual received during all of his or her federal service. The 10 percent limit test applies at each point of time that a deposit is made and is not based upon a projection of lifetime earnings. Voluntary contributions earn a variable interest rate determined by the Treasury Department each calendar year, based on the average yield of new investments purchased by the Retirement Fund during the previous fiscal year. The interest credited to each voluntary contributions account is compounded annually on December 31. For more information, visit the web site http://www.opm.gov/fers_elec tion/facts/ri83-10.htm In this photo from the March 1983 edition of the old NMU Pilot, waves cover the bow of the Marine Electric. Peter Delatolla, ABs Charlie Johnson, Edward Matthews, Norman Sevigny, Ricardo Torres and John Wood; Ordinary Seamen Robert Harrell, Robert Hern and John O’Connell, Deck Utility Jose Fernandez, Utilities John Abrams, Celestino Gomes, Thomas Reyes and David Sheperd; Enginemen Malcolm Graf, William Mulberry and Anthony Quirk; Wipers Richard Morgan and Paul Ruiz; Chief Cook Eric Bodden and Steward/Baker Jose Quinones. In addition to the NMU members above, the dead included Captain Philip Corl, Second Mate Clayton Babieau and Third Mate Richard Roberts, all members of the MM&P; Chief Engineer Richard Powers, First Assistant Engineer Michael Price, Second Assistant Engineer Howard Scott, Third Assistant Engineers Charles Giddens and Steve Browning and Engine Cadet George Wickboldt, all members of the Engineers Benevolent Association; and Radio Officer Albion Lane of the Radio Operators Union. Frump’s book chronicles the epic battle of the three who cheated death—surviving the wreck in the first place, spending hours in the sea, and then seeing that justice was done in the case. Details and order information about the book are available at : www.untilthesea.com. The Marine Electric was built in 1944. It was converted from a tanker to a collier in 1962 along with the Marine Sulphur Queen and the Marine Floridian. Like the Marine Electric, the Sulphur Queen and the Floridian also were befallen with sour luck. The Sulphur Queen disappeared mysteriously in February 1963 with all hands in the Gulf of Mexico while under way from Texas to Norfolk and carrying a load of molten sulphur. The Marine Floridian, also a collier, caused $9.7 million in damage when it struck the Benjamin Harrison Bridge in Hopewell, Va. in February 1977. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan Prepares for New Privacy Rules The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan is preparing to meet the April 14, 2003 deadline for adopting new internal procedures to comply with the new privacy rules arising from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA is a comprehensive federal law which established standards and requirements for the electronic transmission of medical claims and also mandated the adoption of privacy rules to protect the confidentiality of health information. The law covers health care plans, hospitals, doctors’ offices and other health care providers. The law was passed to insure the confidentiality of personal health information. The Plan is reviewing its procedures to make sure they comply with the new privacy requirements. During this process, the Plan will make every effort to meet the needs of its participants and will continue to strive to process claims in an efficient and expedient manner. All Plan participants will receive a copy of the Plan’s “Notice of Privacy Practices,” which will be mailed to all participants by the effective date. The notice will summarize the Plan’s policies in detail regarding its use and disclosure of medical information. The Plan will appoint an officer who will be responsible for overseeing the Plan’s privacy policy and will train its staff to abide with the privacy policies and procedures. Please be assured that the Plan is working very hard to adopt reasonable procedures to comply with this new law and is making every effort to ensure that there will be no disruption in the processing of medical claims. Please check upcoming issues of the Seafarers LOG for more information about HIPAA and the Plan’s privacy policies. As always, to assist the Plan in its operations, please make sure that the Plan has your updated enrollment information. This includes recent change of address and current beneficiary designation. Senate Confirms Ridge As this issue of the LOG went to press, the White House issued a statement by President Bush noting that the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to confirm Thomas Ridge as the first Secretary of the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The department was scheduled to be formally unveiled Jan. 24, with a number of agencies (including the Coast Guard) slated to transfer into the department on March 1. President Bush stated, “I applaud the Senate for acting quickly and in a strong, bipartisan manner to confirm the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. With today’s historic vote, the Senate has demonstrated our shared commitment to doing everything we can to secure our homeland. Secretary Ridge is an outstanding and dedicated public servant who understands my Administration’s top priority always will be the protection of the American people, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him to fulfill this important responsibility.” February 2003 �15694_p4,9.qxd 1/22/03 11:02 PM Page 9 Christmas with Seafarers In the Port of Wilmington, Calif. On Christmas Day—and with camera in hand—SIU Port Agent John Cox met with Seafarers aboard six Crowley tugs: the Leader, Master, Admiral, Tioga, Sea Robin and Sea Cloud. He also visited with SIU crews on the tanker Blue Ridge and the tanker Marine Chemist. N Aboard Crowley Tugs . . . Capt. Larry Belcher Sea Cloud N Capt. John Rakyta Admiral EU Roger Stewart, AB Herman Moningka, Capt. McNutt Tioga . . . on the tanker Blue Ridge . . . Recertified Steward Ronnie Richardson Capt. Jimmy McNutt Tioga Capt. John Zarroli Master AB Susan Fagan SA Mike Bubaker, Steward/Baker Demont Edwards, SREC Ronnie Richardson QEP William Hudson AB Patrick Meagher EU Marijan Masnov Leader AB Larry Jamieson, EU Jimmy Gray, AB Mike Privette Sea Robin AB Willy Rose Leader Recertified Bosun Ken McLamb AB Damian Krowickiz . . . and aboard the Marine Chemist Included in this group photo are SIU Port Agent John Cox (third from right) along with Bosun John Knox, GVA Thomas Ford, Chief Cook Sixto Corcomo, Steward/Baker Larry Simmons and CPU David Osterdock. February 2003 Chief Cook Sixto Corcomo AB Gilbert Vasquez, AB William Howard Seafarers LOG 9 �15694_p10,11,17,18.qxd 1/24/03 7:41 PM Page 10 T T H O L I D AY S N A P S H O T S Christmas in the Norfolk Hall Being at home with family, friends and loved ones is the ideal way to celebrate a holiday. Seafarers, however, often are at sea during those times, and they and their fellow crew mates try to bring some of the holiday spirit aboard ship (see Obregon on page 7 and Dodge Island on page 15). Other members may have just gotten off a ship or are waiting to ship out from the hiring hall. Still others may be lucky enough to live near an SIU hall and just enjoy visiting with their brothers and sisters of the sea at any time and especially during the holidays. The photos on these two pages show some of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday celebrations held in SIU halls across the country. and Curtis s R. Daniels during the er ar af Se w d fello tivities ax Hassel an ch other’s ac Chief Cook M time to catch up with ea Brodnax have y in the Norfolk hall. rt Christmas pa ABs Rommel Artis and Bennie Spencer were among more than 100 members and guests who celebrated over the holidays at the Norfolk hall. Watching over the festivities to make sure everyone has a good time are (from left) Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny, Maintenance Manager “Chub” Hall and SIU/MSC Rep. Maurice Cokes. Left: UIW members from Plymcraft join in the festivities. From the left are Gwendlyn Drake, Lilly Pittman and Delosas Gupton. The UIW is an affiliate of the Seafarers International Union. DE Harold y “Red” Davis and GU Recertified Bosun Aubre was a lot of fun. Langley agree the party Left: AB Thom Morgan enjoysas the holiday m ea with his wife, l Brenda. Checking out the Norfolk hall is Sam Baras, who was the original owner of the property now housing the union building. 10 Seafarers LOG Participating in the celebration are (from left) SIU/MSC Rep. Maurice Cokes, Director of MSC’s Afloat Personnel Management Center (APMC) Phyllis Spano, SIU VP Government Services Kermett Mangram, Maersk Lines Port Captain Jeff Londonsky, MSC Security Officer Richard Jones and Port Captain Fred Turgeon. February 2003 �15694_p10,11,17,18.qxd 1/24/03 7:44 PM Page 11 FROM THE SIU HALLS T T Thanksgiving in the Houston Hall Christmas in the Brooklyn Hall Right: Wiper Justin Bin g, obvious New York Yan an kee fan, shows off a full pla s te of delicious food from the party at the New York hall. Above: Retired Chief Cook Joe Clark and Retired Steward Cleo Jones serve the traditional Thanksgiving Day favorites to all those (below) who came to the Houston hall for the celebration. Below: SIU President Michael Sacco (inset) wishes everyone a happy ho day season while SIU lime bers and guests enjoy mthe festivities. Christmas in the Wilmington Hall Christmas in the Philadelphia Hall Jones Jr., SA Robert Above: GSTU Lonnie o Avila Arana enjoy a eri Starcevich and SA Silv ton y fare at the Wilming wide variety of holida hall. . n waves to the camera Right: AB Ken Herzstei amor. Vill es nid Leo U AC is With him fill se Solis and Nick Rios Below: Dispatchers Jes t table set up in the ffe their plates from a bu hall. February 2003 Above: Philadelphia Port Agent Jim Malone’s wife, Pat, and grandsons Louie (left) and Jake play Santa’s helpers at the festivities. Below: Members, union officials and guests (including SIU Executive VP John Fay, second from right in photo at left) enjoy the Christmas buffet. Seafarers LOG 11 �15694_p7,12_13,16,19_20,22,23.qxd 1/15/2003 3:46 AM Page 12 TAX TIPS for SE Presented on these two pages of the Seafarers LOG are handy tax tips—some of which are intended specifically for mariners. Included are the new deduction amounts for 2002 as well as where to get additional information. WHAT’S NEW? Here are some of the changes that will take effect in 2002 and 2003 from the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001. TAX RATE REDUCTION — Individual income tax rates will be reduced. For 2002 and 2003, the rates will be 10%, 15%, 27%, 30%, 35% and 38.6%. The new 10% rate applies to the first $6,000 of taxable income for single taxpayers, $10,000 of taxable income for heads of household, and $12,000 of taxable income for married couples filing jointly. For supplemental wage payments, such as bonuses, the withholding rate is 27%. For 2004 and 2005, the tax rates will be 10%, 15%, 26%, 29% 34% and 37.6%. CHILD TAX CREDIT — The child tax credit will be $600 per child for tax years 2002 through 2004 for a qualifying child under age 17. The child credit will gradually increase to $1,000 per child in 2010. ADOPTION CREDIT — The current maximum adoption credit for qualified adoption expenses which can be claimed for an eligible child is $10,000 for any child including special needs children. The credit is phased out for parents with an adjusted gross income over $150,000. (The credit is per adoption, not per year.) EDUCATION IRAs — The current annual contribution that can be made for a designated beneficiary in 2002 is $2,000. Qualified expenditures, which can be paid tax free from an education IRA, will now include those from elementary and secondary public (including kindergarten), private or religious school tuition and expenses. In 2002, joint filers with adjusted gross income below $190,000 can make a full contribution and those below $222,000 can make a partial contribution. Beginning in 2002, contributions can be made to an education IRA and a qualified tuition program in the same year for the same beneficiary without a penalty. QUALIFIED TUITION (Section 529) PROGRAMS — Under the new law, distributions made after 2001 from qualified state tuition plans will be fully excluded from gross income. Private educational institutions will also be able to establish prepaid educational services accounts and sell credits or certificates for the payment at a future date of qualified higher education expenses. Beginning in 2004, qualifying distributions from those will be excluded from gross income. STUDENT LOAN INTEREST — The 60-month limit on interest paid for qualified education after Dec. 31, 2001, is repealed. Taxpayers may deduct up to $2,500 annually for student loan interest without regard to the 60-month limit. The deduction phaseout range for single taxpayers is $50,000 to $65,000; for married couples filing jointly, it is $100,000 to $130,000. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE — After Dec. 31, 2001, the annual exclusion of up to $5,250, is permanently extended to cover both undergraduate and graduate level courses. DEDUCTION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION EXPENSES — Eligible taxpayers will be able to claim a deduction for up to $3,000 beginning in 2002 ($4,000 in 2004) of qualified higher education expenses. This deduction is also adjusted to gross income and is available even if you do not itemize your deductions. IRA CONTRIBUTIONS LIMITS — The maximum annual contribution limits for both traditional and Roth IRAs will increase to $3,000 for 2002 through 2004. Also, taxpayers who have attained age 50 by the end of the year will be able to make additional catch-up contributions of $500 for 2002 through 2005. The maximum annual contribution for those taxpayers will be $3,500 until 2006. TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN RETIREMENT DEFERRALS — Starting in 2002, joint filers with adjusted gross income below $50,000, single filers and married filing separately with adjusted gross income below $25,000, can qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,000, for contributions or deferrals to retirement savings plans. The maximum credit is 50% of the contribution or deferral (up to $2,000). HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. ‹ Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. ‹ Itemized deductions and tax credits. ‹ Medical and dental payment records. ‹ Real estate and personal property tax receipts. ‹ Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. ‹ Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and STANDARD DEDUCTION This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($900 for a married couple or $1,150 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,000. Filing Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Standard Deduction Single . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,700 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,850 Married filing separate return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,925 Head of household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,900 12 Seafarers LOG schedules. Attach the first copy of Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the tollfree number 1-800-272-9829 or 1-888255-8299. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $2.50 becomes $3. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 71b, 71c and 71d on their Form 1040. Line 71b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 71c indicates the type of account, and line 71d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the Electronic Filing Office. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption—for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $3,000 per person. In 2002, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction Has Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box on this page). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual’s benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2002, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or investments is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment WHERE TO GET I General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answer questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the letter “R” or number “7” will repeat the topic and advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses— either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 36.5 cents per mile for all miles driven in 2002. In 2003, the standard mileage rate is expected to be 36 cents. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on the meal allowance of $38 per day in the continental U.S. and $42 per day outside the continental U.S. Otherwise the IRS standard meal allowance is generally $34. In some locations it is $42, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Travel expenses, including meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one’s work and if they have not been reimbursed from any other source. There has been a recent tax court case (Johnson v. Comm. 115 TC210[2000]) where a merchant seaman was denied a full deduction for the full M & IE rates. th te f r 1 P to a ti a o e D S d In The court ruled that in meals are provided at dental expense rate allo ized deduction is limi continental U.S.) and r $1 to $53 in other area rates, to the extent you higher deduction amount Limit on Itemized Ded itemized deductions m individuals earning mo of federal adjusted g $68,650 if married and Earned Income Cred earned income credit (E certain individuals w income and meet certa income thresholds. For individual does not hav fying child to be eligibl certain conditions are m it percentages and phas are provided based o income level and the n ing children eligible, i mum credit allowed Taxpayers with income and no qualifying child mum credit; taxpayers than $29,201 and w child—$2,506 maximu ers with income less t with 2 or more qual $4,140 maximum cred income credit reduces t bility below zero, a ref ed by the IRS. Taxpayer 1040, schedule EIC to gible for the credit. Dependent’s Social S Each dependent mus Security number (SSN) get an SSN for their de Form SS-5 with th Security Administration the Administration at 1 usually takes about two an SSN. OVERSEAS AT Should a Seafarer f herself overseas an forms or assistance, and consulates are e vide some taxpayer-r At a minimum, IRS able at all U.S. emb sulates located in: B Caracas, Venezue England; Mexico Nassau, Bahamas; O Paris, France; Riyadh Rome, Italy; Sao Sydney, Australia; To February 2003 �15694_p7,12_13,16,19_20,22,23.qxd 1/15/2003 3:47 AM Page 13 EAFARERS ET INFORMATION . r the letter “C” or number “2” will cancel the message. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. (local time). . - Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, send them comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive the latest tax issues and news by e-mail from the IRS Digital Dispatch. s e d Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. s e S s hat in situations where d at no cost, the incie allowable as an itemlimited to $2 (in the and rates ranging from r areas. In lieu of these nt you have receipts, a mount may be allowed. d Deductions: In 2002, ns may be limited for g more than $137,300 ted gross income (or d and filing separately). Credit: A refundable dit (EIC) is available to als who have earned certain adjusted gross . For tax year 2002, an ot have to have a qualiligible for this credit if are met. Different credphase-out percentages ed on the taxpayer’s the number of qualifyble, if any. The maxiowed is as follows: come less than $11,060 children—$376 maxiayers with income less nd with 1 qualifying ximum credit; taxpayless than $33,178 and qualifying children— credit. If the earned uces the income tax liaa refund will be grantpayers should use form C to see if they are elit. ial Security Number: must have a Social SSN). Individuals may eir dependent by filing h their local Social ration office or calling n at 1-800-772-1213. It ut two weeks to receive S AT TAX TIME arer find himself or s and seeking IRS ance, U.S. embassies are equipped to proayer-related services. IRS forms are availembassies and conin: Berlin, Germany; nezuela; London, ico City, Mexico; as; Ottawa, Canada; iyadh, Saudi Arabia; Sao Paulo, Brazil; ia; Tokyo, Japan. Dependent Child Credit: In 2002, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $600 per child. The credit begins to phase out when modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or $55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the “HOPE” credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,500 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after January 1, 2002, taxpayers can take the “Lifetime Learning Credit,” that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student’s expenses. These credits are subject to income limitations. The phaseout of the credits begins for most taxpayers when modified AGI reaches $41,000, and completely phase out when modified AGI reaches $51,000. For joint filers, the phaseout range is $82,000 to $102,000. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credit are not available to taxpayers married filing separately. In 2003, the Lifetime Learning Credit will be $2,000. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid after December 31, 1997 for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: ‹ Education IRAs—Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit is claimed. ‹ Roth IRAs—The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made February 2003 by an individual to a Roth IRA is $3,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. ‹ Penalty-Free IRA Distributions —The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax penalty also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a first-time homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual’s lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. Also, the tax penalty does not apply to distributions for an individual’s disability, medical care, or to a beneficiary after death of the individual. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, cash, bank check or money order. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2002, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported. ‹ Jones Act settlements for lost wages. ‹ Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. ‹ Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. ‹ Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. ‹ Endowments. TAXES DUE APRIL 15, 2003 ‹ Original Issue Discount. ‹ Distributions from self-employed plans. ‹ Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). ‹ Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. ‹ Lump-sum distributions. ‹ Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). ‹ Accumulation distributions from trusts. ‹ Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). ‹ Earned income from sources outside the United States. ‹ Director’s fees. ‹ Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. ‹ Embezzled or other illegal income. WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: ‹ Benefits from government welfare programs. ‹ Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, medical costs. ‹ Maintenance and Cure. ‹ Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. ‹ Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. ‹ Child support. ‹ Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. ‹ Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. ‹ Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. ‹ Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. ‹ Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION IRS Form 4868 can be used to ask for a four-month extension to file IRS Form 1040A. An individual requesting an extension is under no obligation to explain why the additional time is needed. Filing of the form gives an individual until August 15, 2003 to file his or her 2002 federal tax return. The IRS will contact the individual directly only if the request for an extension is denied. To extend the period of time in which one can file a tax return, that individual must correctly fill out Form 4868 and pay all of the tax monies due. If the filing of Form 4868 and the subsequent four-month extension to file does not provide the individual with enough time, he or she can then file Form 2688, known as “Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.” Another option open to the person seeking more time in which to file is to write a letter to the IRS stating the reason the extension is necessary. An individual seeking an extension is advised by the IRS to file Form 4868 before filing Form 2688. Copies of Form 4868 are available by calling the agency’s toll-free number which is dedicated to tax form requests (800) 829-3676. Also, the form is available from all main IRS branch offices and from the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov. And if a Seafarer finds himself or herself overseas, he or she can obtain the form from any U.S. embassy or consulate. It is important to bear in mind that the filing of Form 4868 requesting an extension does not get one off the hook from having to pay any taxes due. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due the U.S. government from the individual filing the extension. WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Seafarers LOG 13 �15694_p5,6,14,15,21,24.qxd 1/22/2003 12:55 AM Page 14 Maritime Briefs MarAd Recognizes Companies For Conversion of RRF Ship U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) officials on Dec. 20 in Jacksonville, Fla. recognized Crowley Liner Services and North Florida Shipyards for their contributions in the successful completion of the $18 million conversion of the Seafarers-crewed Ready Reserve Force (RRF) Ship Cape Washington. MarAd South Atlantic representatives Nuns Jain, Jeff McMahon and Dave Johnson presented awards to Crowley Vice President and General Manager John Douglas and North Florida Shipyards President Matt Self during a luncheon ceremony at Crowley’s Jacksonville headquarters. The ship conversion project, which involved expanding the total deck storage capacity for military cargo and hardware to 295,958 square feet, represented the culmination of several years of planning and work. The Cape Wrath was completed in 2001 at a cost of some $15 million. Crowley Liner Services is the ship manager for both vessels plus six others in the RRF program. The RRF supports rapid, massive movement of military supplies in support of military and humanitarian operations. There are 76 ships in the force, all of which are owned by MarAd. When activated for military missions, the ships fall under the operational control of the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. D Bill Calls for WWII Mariner Bonus in Penn. Merchant mariners who live in Pennsylvania and served during World War II could receive a one-time $500 bonus if one state legislator has his way. A published report says State Representative John Maher (R) planned to reintroduce a bill that would pay the bonus to all surviving Pennsylvania merchant mariners who served during World War II. Any state resident who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine in active duty or training status between Dec. 7, 1941 and Aug. 15, 1945 would be eligible to receive the bonus. Maher intended to present the measure for its second consideration last month when the legislature reconvened. As of press time for the Seafarers LOG, no information on the status of the proposal was available. The original bill, introduced last March by Maher, passed in the Pennsylvania House 195-0, according to news reports, but died in the Senate during the same month when the state’s legislative session ended. The legislation was sent to the Pennsylvania State Senate’s military and veterans affairs committee—chaired by state Sen. Robert Tomlinson, a Republican from Bensalem—following its approval by the House. Sources close to Tomlinson indicated that the bill arrived Nov. 19 and on the brink of the legislative session’s conclusion. Maher put the cost of the bonus between $400,000 and $500,000—a tab he hoped would be liquidated by an emergency state liquor tax. The Upper St. Clair Republican also expressed his disappointment ‘Union Plus’ Offers Consumer Benefits Matson Unveils New Web Site Matson Navigation Company has developed a new section to its web site to provide easy access for people interested in tracking the progress of its construction of two new 712-foot diesel-powered containerships. Entitled “Birth of a Ship,” the new site is accessible by visiting the Matson homepage at www.matson.com. It is designed not only to provide progress reports on new builds at Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard, but also to serve as an educational public relations vehicle about ships and Matson’s fleet, in particular. It includes a number of interactive features that designers say should make touring the area an enjoyable and interesting process. The company also hopes that the site will be of interest to schoolchildren who may not have an appreciation or understanding of ships. Construction on the first vessel, the Manukai, is well under way, with delivery scheduled for late summer this year. The second vessel is slated for delivery in 2004. Information on both vessels—including icons to access virtual tours, a 3-D helicopter fly by, scale of ships, construction milestones, history of the Matson fleet, and progress—is available on the site. Union Plus gives Seafarers and their families access to a number of cost-saving benefits programs. Union Plus (formerly Union Privilege) is a non-profit entity created in 1986 by the AFLCIO to provide union members and their families with valuable consumer benefits. Basically, the organization secures good rates for union members who are enrolled in the various programs, based on the potential collective purchasing power of all members of participating unions. In short, it’s a case of strength in numbers. The following is a list of Union Plus programs in which the SIU participates. For more information about a particular program, call the appropriate Union Plus telephone number or visit www.unionplus.org D This union-endorsed credit card may save you money. Features of the card include a competitive rate, no annual fees and a unique, valuable member advocacy program. Apply online at www.unionpluscard.com or call 1-800-5224000. Ryan Retires From LCA Post The longest-serving president of the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) has wrapped up his career. George J. Ryan, LCA president since 1983, on Jan. 15 retired from his post and ended a 20-plus year career with the 123year old organization. James H.I. Weakley is succeeding him. Before being appointed to his LCA post, Ryan served as Director-Great Lakes Region, Maritime Administration—a position he assumed in 1975 when he opened the regional office in Cleveland. He came to the Great Lakes from the American Embassy in London, where he served from 1971 to 1975 as Maritime Administration representative for the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. Prior to joining MarAd, Ryan was associated with Grace Lines, where after serving as a ship’s captain, he was assistant port captain, safety director, and manager-supporting services-marine division. “George’s contributions to the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet are immeasurable,” said James R. Barker, chairman of The Interlake Steamship Company, one of the largest U.S.-flag operations on the Lakes. “He safely navigated the industry through the economic tribulations of the mid-1980s when America’s steel industry, Great Lakes shipping’s largest customer, teetered on the brink of extinction. “When it appeared the Jones Act would be sacrificed in a U.S./Canadian trade agreement, it was George who awakened a slumbering U.S. Merchant Marine to the danger and led the effort to save our cabotage laws,” Barker continued. “He rallied the industry again in the mid-1990s when another threat to the Jones Act arose … but through his dynamic leadership, Congressional support overwhelmed the law’s opponents and the requirement that cargo moving between two U.S. ports be carried in vessels that are U.S.-built, and U.S.-crewed will be secure for years.” D Prestige Wreck Still Leaking Oil Heavy fuel oil—an estimated 80 tons daily—continues to leak from the submerged tanks of the Prestige despite French efforts to seal 20 cracks in the sunken vessel. As reported earlier in the Seafarers LOG, the singlehulled flag-of-convenience vessel went down Nov. 19 off the northwest coast of Spain releasing tons of heavy oil into the Atlantic Ocean. Emilio Lora-Tamayo, director of the committee set up by the Spanish government to manage the disaster, recently said that the Prestige has lost 5,680 tons of fuel since it went down. The vessel originally contained a total cargo of 77,000 metric tons (22 million gallons). Specialists from the French submarine Nautile, following 15 dives, have sealed eight cracks in the ship. 14 Seafarers LOG that the legislation initially was not approved by the Senate and said acknowledgment for these veterans is long overdue. He pointed out that smaller and smaller numbers of World War II-vintage merchant mariners remain with us each passing month. The merchant marine complements the armed forces during wartime by delivering troops and materials to destinations around the globe. During World War II, merchant mariners ferried ammunition, troops, bombs, airplanes and fuel. They did not receive veteran status, however until 1988—some not until 1998. Because of this shortcoming, merchant mariners did not receive the bonuses or other benefits bestowed those who had served in the military services at the end of the war. Credit Card to select a school, prepare for college entry tests, and much more is provided in this program. Visit www.unionplus.org or call 1-877881-1022. National Labor College Scholarship This offering is designed especially for working adults who want to pursue a bachelor of arts degree while continuing their trade union work. For more details, call 1-301-4315404. Loan Program Competitive-rate personal and home equity loans are available under this program. It can be ideal for debt consolidation. Apply online at www.unionplusloan.com or call 1-888-2352759. Accidental Death Insurance Members can receive $10,000 worth of workplace accidental death insurance at no cost. They also may purchase “all-cause” accidental death coverage up to $200,000. Call 1800-899-2782 or enroll online at www.unionplus.org. Secured Credit Card This is a special credit card that is designed to help you establish or reestablish your credit. Features include no application fees, a credit line equal to 100 percent of deposit and a 25day grace period. Call 1-800-622-2580. Family Savers Hotel Royal Plaza Mortgage and Real Estate Union members can receive discounted rates on rentals. To find out more, visit www.unionplus.org; call Avis at 1-800-6985685, ID# B723700 or Budget at 1-800-455-2848, ID# V816100. Buying, selling or refinancing a home can be made easier and more affordable through this offering. Program features include strike, layoff and disability assistance and an easy over-thephone application process. The program also is open to your parents and children. Call 1-800848-6466. Life Insurance Members may purchase term insurance at low group rates and premium waver during layoffs. Call 1-800-899-2782. Health Savings This program makes it possible for members to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses on a variety of health care services such as prescriptions, vision care and more. Participants receive quarterly savings statements. Call 1-800-2283523 for more details. Auto Insurance Program Under this program, low rates and many discounts are available for members who have good driving records and safety devices installed on their vehicles. Customer service is available 24 hours a day. For comparison quotes, go to www.unionplus.org or call 1-800294-9496 to apply. Education Services Information about loans, scholarships, how Special leisure rates are available at the Hotel Royal Plaza in the Walt Disney World Resort. Call 1-800-248-7890. Car Rentals Union-Made Checks Union-printed checks and return address labels that feature your union logo are offered under this program. Call 1-888-864-6625. Flower Service As an SIU member, you can save 15 percent when you send floral arrangements, wreaths or gift baskets. Visit www.unionplus.org or call 1888-667-7779 to place an order. North American Van Lines Members can realize savings on interstate moves. Call 1-800-524-5533. Your Credit Score For $11, you can get your credit score, credit report, and suggestions for improving your score. Visit www.unionplus.org. Vacation Tours Discount travel packages are available to worldwide destinations. This program is open to union members, retirees and their families. Call 1-800-590-1104 for more information. February 2003 �15694_p15,24cxs.qxd 1/24/03 8:21 PM Page 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea DECEMBER 16, 2002 — JANUARY 15, 2003 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 1 3 1 10 33 41 10 21 22 13 4 3 7 16 2 42 22 251 1 3 0 6 11 23 7 16 19 16 5 14 10 6 2 15 17 171 1 2 1 0 18 13 6 10 24 8 1 1 0 1 5 15 16 122 2 4 0 3 22 29 9 20 20 10 5 1 8 10 1 27 16 187 0 5 0 4 18 24 4 5 5 4 3 2 3 5 2 13 9 106 0 8 0 4 9 20 2 10 9 12 3 6 3 9 3 19 12 129 1 1 0 4 7 6 1 1 8 1 3 1 2 2 1 6 5 50 0 4 0 1 16 13 7 5 9 3 1 2 2 6 0 9 7 85 0 2 0 11 17 18 4 8 15 10 3 2 0 26 0 27 25 168 0 0 0 5 1 2 2 2 6 8 1 3 2 4 0 0 4 40 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 17 0 3 0 5 8 10 3 4 9 7 3 4 0 18 1 16 19 110 Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals 0 0 0 7 3 3 0 2 5 0 0 0 6 2 0 10 5 43 2 4 1 11 11 21 4 7 26 7 0 13 2 21 0 25 10 165 0 5 0 7 22 17 4 11 35 10 2 19 3 10 0 19 8 172 0 0 0 6 2 3 0 3 1 0 1 0 2 3 0 7 0 28 1 2 0 5 12 10 8 6 23 6 0 4 2 14 1 14 3 111 Totals All Departments 568 505 361 410 377 Port Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals 1 0 0 6 12 18 10 6 15 9 3 12 3 7 4 17 10 133 0 2 1 0 6 13 1 3 11 5 0 1 0 2 3 6 12 66 0 3 0 4 10 23 3 4 12 6 2 1 3 7 1 23 9 111 1 4 2 17 53 62 21 38 44 27 4 2 14 35 2 67 49 442 2 5 6 8 14 43 12 28 22 26 5 13 13 11 8 26 22 264 4 3 1 4 36 23 8 15 37 13 1 1 2 2 6 26 22 204 0 8 0 9 32 45 9 12 14 11 5 3 7 15 4 20 21 215 0 5 0 6 14 29 4 11 11 17 4 11 5 9 3 21 16 166 2 1 1 5 15 7 1 2 28 5 2 2 2 4 2 13 11 103 0 5 0 2 3 19 2 6 12 12 2 2 0 7 1 12 7 92 0 0 0 1 3 9 2 0 5 2 0 0 2 7 0 9 13 53 0 2 0 17 29 32 13 20 24 12 3 2 1 40 0 37 33 265 1 0 0 7 3 9 6 5 5 12 1 4 3 5 0 2 7 70 0 0 0 4 4 4 2 2 8 5 0 0 1 1 1 3 6 41 0 3 0 3 2 17 2 0 16 7 0 12 3 6 0 7 7 85 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 9 6 5 0 5 11 0 0 0 7 8 0 11 6 69 1 5 1 22 23 33 9 12 41 14 0 24 5 21 0 32 10 253 1 6 2 21 39 32 5 19 61 19 3 20 4 12 0 35 15 294 195 197 991 753 642 0 1 0 0 3 5 0 1 0 3 1 1 1 2 0 2 3 23 0 0 0 1 8 4 0 1 5 2 0 0 0 1 0 7 4 33 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port 0 0 0 3 1 4 1 1 9 10 1 1 0 1 0 1 8 41 2 0 0 2 2 3 1 0 2 4 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 21 ENTRY DEPARTMENT *“Total Registered” means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **“Registered on Beach” means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. February 2003 Piney Point .............Monday: March 3, April 7 Algonac ..................Friday: March 7, April 11 Baltimore ................Thursday: March 6, April 10 Boston.....................Friday: March 7, April 11 Duluth .....................Wednesday: March 12, April 16 Honolulu .................Friday: March 14, April 18 Houston ..................Monday: March 10, April 14 Jacksonville ............Thursday: March 6, April 10 Jersey City ...............Wednesday: March 19, April 23 Mobile ....................Wednesday: March 12, April 16 New Bedford ..........Tuesday: March 18, April 22 ENGINE DEPARTMENT Port Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT Port Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Trip Reliefs March & April 2003 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters New Orleans ...........Tuesday: March 11, April 15 New York................Tuesday: March 4, April 8 Norfolk ...................Thursday: March 6, April 10 Philadelphia ............Wednesday: March 5, April 9 Port Everglades.......Thursday: March 13, April 17 San Francisco .........Thursday: March 13, April 17 San Juan..................Thursday: March 6, April 10 St. Louis .................Friday: March 14, April 18 Tacoma ...................Friday: March 21, April 25 Wilmington ...............Monday: March 17, April 21 ................................ Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personals JAMES “JIM” SAUNDERS JAMES “JIM” KEEVAN VICKI HOLLOWAY CARL “RUSTY” NELSON Paula Plaisance and her husband, Jeff Focardi, are trying to locate former crew members James Saunders (and his wife, Mary), James Keevan, Vicki Holloway and Carl Nelson. Saunders sailed out of the port of Jacksonville; Keevan lived in the Amarillo, Texas area; Holloway moved to the Florida area; and Nelson lived in the Ennis, Texas area. Anyone having information about any of these persons, please contact Paula Plaisance or Jeff Focardi at 15699 East Main Street, Cut Off, LA 70345; or call them at home (985) 632-2540 or at work (985) 632-5155. Christmas Dinner on the Dodge Island On behalf of the officers and crew of the Dodge Island, AB Joseph Conlin sent this photo to the LOG along with sincere thanks to galley gang members Steve Talucci and Mario Fernandez for an outstanding Christmas dinner. Among the items on the menu that day were appetizers of seafood bisque, deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail and stuffed clams. The main fare consisted of oven roasted turkey with stuffing and gravy, fresh broiled king crab legs and homemade fresh-baked ziti, along with an assortment of vegetables, rolls and dessert. Yum! Seafarers LOG 15 �15694_p7,12_13,16,19_20,22,23.qxd 1/27/03 11:27 AM Seafarers International Union Directory Page 16 NMU Monthly Shipping & Registration Report DECEMBER 2002 Michael Sacco, President TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Group I Group II Group III John Fay, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer Augustin Tellez, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services René Lioeanjie, Vice President at Large Charles Stewart, Vice President at Large HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 ALTON 325 Market St., Suite B, Alton, IL 62002 (618) 462-3456 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 BOSTON 520 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02127 (617) 269-7877 DULUTH 324 W. Superior St., Suite 705, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-4110 GUAM P.O. Box 23127, Barrigada, Guam 96921 125 Sunny Plaza, Suite 301-E Tun Jesus Crisostomo St., Tamuning, Guam 96911 (671) 647-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St., New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 832-8767 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 Port Boston Houston Harvey, LA New York Norfolk San Pedro Tacoma Totals 3 7 5 6 5 5 3 34 3 1 1 2 0 0 2 9 0 7 1 1 0 0 1 10 7 2 3 4 3 3 2 24 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 3 1 0 0 0 1 5 Totals All Departments 0 2 3 6 3 5 0 19 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 3 4 15 6 13 0 10 3 51 3 19 10 23 8 39 24 126 7 5 2 9 0 33 0 56 0 29 17 19 0 0 5 70 1 0 0 3 2 1 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 3 0 3 0 12 4 6 6 24 5 29 17 91 0 4 2 10 0 4 3 23 1 23 7 11 0 0 5 47 1 1 1 1 0 3 1 8 4 7 4 18 7 35 4 79 4 1 0 4 0 18 3 30 0 13 4 9 0 6 2 34 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 2 2 0 3 1 2 0 10 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 Port Boston Houston Harvey, LA New York Norfolk San Pedro Tacoma Totals REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Group I Group II Group III ENGINE DEPARTMENT Port Boston Houston Harvey, LA New York Norfolk San Pedro Tacoma Totals Trip Reliefs DECK DEPARTMENT Port Boston Houston Harvey, LA New York Norfolk San Pedro Tacoma Totals TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Group I Group II Group III 0 0 1 3 1 3 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 3 2 1 0 2 1 9 0 3 1 8 0 1 5 18 0 6 2 2 0 1 1 12 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 8 4 2 0 0 2 17 6 10 4 28 0 132 3 183 17 25 1 47 0 67 12 169 0 78 10 80 0 12 12 192 77 36 30 35 0 7 88 479 278 343 PICS-FROM-THE-PAST PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St., San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division: (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOG These photos were sent by Raymond E. Dailey, whose mother, Evelyn Dailey of Nashua, N.H., is a loyal reader of the Seafarers LOG, stemming from the days when her son sailed with the SIU and AMO. While cleaning recently, she found some items, including those pictured above and at right. The photo of the Richard Peck is from an old calendar. It was published with the courtesy of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. The photo and trip pass were found among Evelyn’s mother’s possessions. The gentleman in the photo is her father, Milton Thoene, taken in 1936 aboard the Richard Peck, on which he served as the bow watchman. The “pass” is a train pass for her mother to travel to Bridgeport, Conn. to visit her husband while in port. Dailey doesn’t believe the pass was ever used, maybe due to the closing of the Long Island Sound operations. February 2003 �15694_p10,11,17,18.qxd 1/24/03 8:56 PM Page 17 Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. T wo inland captains are among the five Seafarers who are announcing their retirements this month. Captains John R. Maxey and Teddy Strickland navigated the inland waterways at the helms of vessels for a combined time of nearly 60 years. Three of the retirees sailed in the deep sea division and two navigated the inland waterways. Including Maxey and Strickland, three of the retirees worked in the deck department, one shipped in the engine department and one sailed in the steward department. On this page, the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of the retiring Seafarers. DEEP SEA JOSE CALO, 66, started his career with the Seafarers in 1967 in the port of New York, after serving in the U.S. Navy. His initial voyage was aboard the Gateway City, a Sea-Land Service vessel. Brother Calo shipped in the engine department and upgraded his skills in 1975 at the Seafarers training school in Piney Point, Md. He last worked on the Gus W. Darnell, operated by Ocean Ships. Born in Spain, Brother Calo now makes his home in Brooklyn, N.Y. TORRY KIDD JR., 60, hails from Alabama. Brother Kidd joined the Seafarers in 1963 in the port of New York. His initial SIU voyage was aboard the Transorleans, a Hudson Waterways Corp. vessel. The engine department member also sailed in the steward department during his career and was a frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. He last worked on the USNS Algol. Brother Kidd is a resident of Mobile, Ala. JORGE SANTANA, 57, joined the Seafarers in 1970 in the port of Piney Point, Md. Brother Santana first went to sea aboard the Mayaguez, a Puerto Rico Marine Management Inc. vessel. The deck department member, who also worked in the engine and steward departments, upgraded his skills at the Seafarers training school in 2002. Born in Puerto Rico, Brother Santana last worked on Interocean Ugland Management Corp.’s El Yunque. He lives in his native commonwealth. INLAND JOHN R. MAXEY, 64, began his SIU career in 1978 in Port Arthur, Texas. The Pennsylvaniaborn mariner shipped in the deck department as a captain. Boatman Maxey worked primarily at the helms of vessels operated by Moran Towing during his career. He makes his home in Houston. TEDDY STRICKLAND, 58, hails from Texas. Boatman Strickland joined the SIU in 1969 in Port Arthur, Texas. A U.S. Army veteran, he first 1943 The Recruitment and Manning Organization, a division of the War Shipping Administration, guaranteed the SIU that all steamship companies having contracts with SIU have been directed to secure all personnel through the hiring halls of the union. Craig S. Swenson, regional representative of the Recruitment and Manning Organization, told the SIU by letter that they would call the union halls for unlicensed personnel and he assured the SIU that his organization would not try to go around the union hall but would do everything they could to assist the union in recruitment of manpower. 1956 Twelve SIU men were lost after an explosion and fire aboard the Salem Maritime, a Cities Service tanker, at Lake Charles, La. The explosion took place while the tanker was completing loading of 130,000 barrels of highoctane gasoline, kerosene and fuel oil February 2003 Trust, went on pension effective the dates indicated: Name Age Date Mary Schurr 63 Oct. 1 Lorenzo Pace 67 Dec. 1 Cordell Miller 62 Dec. 1 Abdulla Hakam 66 Jan. 1 David Blanco 65 Jan. 1 worked as a Seafarer on a Southern Towing Inc. vessel. Boatman Strickland worked in the deck department as a captain. He last sailed at the helm of a Higman Barge Lines vessel. Boatman Strickland resides in Houston. Beltran Pino (center) is a retired AB living in Honolulu. At the November membership meeting, Port Agent Neil Dietz (right) recognized “Mr. Pino” (as he is known) for his unfailing support of the union. “Mr. Pino has never missed a monthly membership meeting since he began his retirement,” Dietz noted. “He is always available to help with rallies and demonstration. Most recently, he helped lead the SIU delegation in Honolulu’s Labor Day Parade honoring the working heroes of September 11, 2001.” Living in Honolulu’s Chinatown, Mr. Pino is easily recognizable by his Lundeberg Stetson, which recently had begun to show some wear. Dietz and SIU West Coast VP Nick Marrone (left) were happy to present him with a new one. for delivery to the East Coast. About half of the 30-man unlicensed crew was on shore leave when the explosion ripped the ship. In addition to the 12 SIU men, the skipper, chief mate, second mate, radio operator and bosun were missing and presumed lost. 1967 Seafarers at regular monthly meetings in all constitutional ports enthusiastically voted to endorse and support the newly formed Maritime Defense League. In approving the purposes of the new organization, the membership called for maximum publicity in support of the league by all Seafarers. The new organization is a voluntary body set up to assure that maritime workers, faced with legal problems or charges threatening their personal liberties, are assured their fundamental American rights to counsel and other assistance. Robert A. Matthews, SIU vice president in charge of contracts and contract enforcement, has been selected chairman of the Maritime Defense League, and offices have been established on One Hanson Place in Brooklyn, N.Y. LAST Month In SIU History members of the NMU and participants in the NMU Pension Mr. Pino Gets New Stetson The following three briefs were to be included in the January LOG. They were pulled due to space considerations. Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG Editor’s Note: The following brothers and sisters, all former Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG 1949 In recent years, members of forwardlooking trade unions, well-established in their industries, have been driving toward a wider form of economic security than wages and conditions alone can provide. This security is achieved through broad and ingenious insurance programs yielding medical and surgical care, sick benefits, vacation benefits and in many instances old-age pensions for union members. Recognizing the potential of such welfare plans, SIU members at the headquarters meeting in New York instructed union officials to make a thorough study of such plans and to demand a welfare plan at the next meeting between the union’s negotiating committee and the shipowners. calling for the investigation, the two unions charged that loose and slipshod procedures by cargo brokers were defeating the intent of legislation requiring that 50 percent of all aid cargoes be carried aboard Americanflag ships. The result is that American ship operators are being robbed of cargoes from the federal government and thousands of American seamen are being deprived of jobs. THIS Month In SIU History 1962 A Senate Commerce Committee staff investigation has been scheduled to investigate charges by the SIU and the MEBA concerning the manipulation of charters on foreign-aid cargoes. In 1975 The SIU-contracted Golden Monarch, last of three 90,000-ton tankers built for Aeron Marine Shipping Co., was launched at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. in San Diego. The Golden Monarch joins her sister ships the Golden Dolphin and Golden Endeavor on the waterways; both of those ships were launched in San Diego last year. All three vessels are 894 feet long and are capable of carrying 25 million gallons of crude oil (500,000 barrels). They are the first double-bottom ships (to protect against oil spillage in collisions) of their size ever constructed, and the largest vessels ever built on the West Coast. Seafarers LOG 17 �15694_p10,11,17,18.qxd 1/24/03 8:13 PM Page 18 Final Departures DEEP SEA CARLOS COELLO Pensioner Carlos Coello, 74, passed away Oct. 17. Born in Honduras, Brother Coello joined the Seafarers in 1968 in the port of New York. His initial SIU voyage was aboard Isco’s Steel Traveler. The engine department member last worked on the Leader, an OMI Transport vessel. Brother Coello started receiving his pension in 1993 and lived in El Progreso, Honduras. ANTONIO DEJESUS Pensioner Antonio DeJesus, 88 passed away Oct. 28. Brother DeJesus joined the Seafarers in 1951 in the port of New York. He first worked aboard the Suzanne, an A.H. Bull Steamship Co. vessel. Born in Carolina, P.R., he shipped in the steward department. Brother DeJesus started collecting retirement stipends in 1976 and lived in his native commonwealth. JOSEPH DELOREY Pensioner Joseph Delorey, 74, died Oct. 19. He launched his career with the Seafarers in 1955 in San Francisco. The U.S. Army veteran was born in Weymouth, Mass. and worked in the steward department. He began receiving his pension in 1991 and was a resident of Norfolk, Mass. WILLIAM DUNN Pensioner William Dunn, 79, passed away Oct. 16. Brother Dunn began his career with the Seafarers in 1943 in the port of Norfolk, Va. The Sanford, N.C. native initially went to sea aboard the Las Vegas Victory, an Isco Inc. vessel. Brother Dunn shipped in the steward department and last sailed on Westchester Marine’s Golden Endeavor. He began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1984 and was a resident of McKinnon, Tenn. JOSEPH FORGUE Pensioner Joseph Forgue, 82, died Oct. 21. He joined the Seafarers in 1966 in Seattle. His initial SIU voyage was on a Sea-Land Service vessel. Born in Redmond, Wash., he shipped in the engine department. Brother Forgue started collecting his pension in 1985. He lived in Newport, Ore. EDWARD HOPEAU Brother Edward Hopeau, 58, passed away Aug. 15. He started his career with the Seafarers in 1996. Born in Hawaii, he shipped in the engine department. Brother Hopeau worked primarily aboard vessels operated by American Hawaii Cruises. He lived in Hilo, Hawaii. 18 Seafarers LOG FRANCISCO MORCIGLIO Pensioner Francisco Morciglio, 80, passed away Oct. 18. Brother Morciglio began his career with the Seafarers in 1940 in the port of New York. His initial voyage was on a Waterman Steamship Co. vessel. Born in Puerto Rico, he shipped in the deck department. Brother Morciglio last worked aboard the Santa Barbara, a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. He started collecting retirement stipends in 1983 and was a resident of Bronx, N.Y. MICHAEL MURPHY Pensioner Michael Murphy, 69, passed away Nov. 1. He started his career with the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MC&S) in 1969 in San Francisco. Born in England, Brother Murphy’s initial voyage was on the Santa Mercedes, a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. The steward department member last worked aboard American President Lines’ President McKinley. Brother Murphy began receiving his pension in 1989 and made his home in Cotali, Calif. ment compensation in 2000. He made his home in Houston. OSCAR CUDWORTH Pensioner Oscar Cudworth, 84, died Oct. 6. He launched his SIU career in 1961 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Cudworth first worked aboard a Moran Towing of Virginia vessel. The deck department member shipped as a captain. He last sailed at the helm of a Mariner Towing vessel. Born in Nags Head, N.C., Boatman Cudworth began receiving his pension in 1985. He was a resident of Virginia Beach, Va. DAVID GEORGE Pensioner David George, 80, died Oct. 12. Boatman George began his career with the Seafarers in 1973 in the port of Norfolk, Va. A native of New Hanover, N.C., he shipped in the engine department. Boatman George worked primarily aboard vessels operated by Stone Towing Line. He started receiving retirement stipends in 1986 and called Wilmington, N.C. home. The following brothers and sisters, all former members of the NMU and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, have passed away. HUMBERTO ORTIZ JAMES A. COPLEY Pensioner Humberto Ortiz, 81, died Oct. 19. Brother Ortiz launched his career with the Seafarers in 1943 in the port of New York. He first went to sea on the John Evans, a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. Born in Puerto Rico, he shipped in the steward department. Brother Ortiz last worked on Interocean Management’s Cape Hudson. He started collecting compensation for his retirement in 1987 and lived in his native commonwealth. Pensioner James A. Copley, 79, died Nov. 7. Born in Inez, Ky., he joined the NMU in 1944. Brother Copley first went to sea on the Typhoon. He worked in the steward and engine departments and last sailed aboard the Texaco Florida. He started collecting retirement stipends in 1965. CLARENCE WHITE Pensioner Clarence White, 82, died Oct. 21. Brother White started his SIU career in 1943 in the port of New York. The Mobile, Ala. native sailed on many vessels during his career, including several operated by Delta Steamship Lines. A member of the steward department, he began collecting compensation for his retirement in 1985. Brother White made his home in Bronx, N.Y. INLAND GEORGE CHAMPION Pensioner George Champion, 68, passed away Oct. 16. Born in England, Boatman Champion started his career with the SIU in 1981 in the port of Houston. A member of the engine department, he worked primarily aboard vessels operated by G&H Towing. Boatman Champion began receiving retire- JULIUS COOK Pensioner Julius Cook, 76, passed away Nov. 5. The Baltimore native embarked on his NMU career in 1945. Brother Cook initially went to sea on the Clara Barton. A member of the steward department, he last sailed on the African Rainbow. Brother Cook began receiving his pension in 1986. EUGENE FLETCHER Pensioner Eugene Fletcher, 62, died Dec. 13. The Texas-born mariner began his NMU career in 1968. Initially sailing out of the port of Houston, his first ship was the Gulf Jaguar. Brother Fletcher worked in the steward department and began receiving his pension in 1998. DYKE LUCAS Pensioner Dyke Lucas, 93, passed away Dec. 14. Brother Lucas joined the NMU in 1944. His initial trip to sea—out of the port of Mobile, Ala.—was on the Black Point. Born in Alabama, Brother Lucas worked in the engine department. His last voyage was on the Gulf Lube. He began receiving his pension in 1972. JOSE PACHECO Pensioner Jose Pacheco, 81, died Dec. 3. A native of Puerto Rico, ROBERT HUDGINS Pensioner Robert Hudgins, 80, passed away Oct. 5. He started his SIU career in 1961 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Hudgins initially worked for the SIU aboard an M. Lee Hudgins Assoc. vessel. A U.S. Navy veteran, he shipped in the steward department. His final voyage was on an Interstate Oil Transport Co. vessel. Boatman Hudgins made his home in Matthews, Va., and started drawing his pension in 1984. THOMAS RAWLES Pensioner Thomas Rawles, 69, died Oct. 10. Boatman Rawles joined the Seafarers in the port of Norfolk, Va. The Virginia native worked in the deck department and worked primarily aboard vessels operated by McAllister Towing of Virginia. Boatman Rawles started receiving retirement Brother Pacheco started his career with the NMU in 1951. He first sailed from the port of New York aboard the America. Brother Pacheco worked in the engine department and last sailed on Moore-McCormack’s Argentina. He began receiving stipends for his retirement in 1977. JAMES J. PARCHMONT Pensioner James J. Parchmont, 81, passed away Nov. 3. The Honduras-born mariner launched his career with the NMU in 1943. A member of the deck department, Brother Parchmont initially went to sea on the Sinaola. He began receiving his pension in 1982 and last sailed aboard the Marine Ranger. RUDOLPH RICHARDSON Pensioner Rudolph Richardson, 76, died Dec. 2. Brother Richardson started his career with the NMU in 1954. Initially shipping out of the port of Newport News,Va., the deck department member’s first ship was the African Plymouth. His final voyage was on the Womack Riegal. Born in Virginia, Brother Richardson started receiving his pension in 1987. JAMES RUFFIN JR. Pensioner James Ruffin Jr., 81, passed away Dec. 10. Born in Jeneretta, La., Brother Ruffin joined the NMU in 1943. He first sailed compensation last year and was a resident of Hampton, Va. RAILROAD MARINE FENTON KIMBALL Pensioner Fenton Kimball, 86, died Nov. 17. Brother Kimball started his SIU career in 1960 in the port of Norfolk, Va. He first worked aboard a vessel operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Port of Norfolk. Born in Ohio, Brother Kimball worked in the deck department. He began receiving his pension in 1981. Brother Kimball lived in Woodbridge, Va. MICHAEL LIPARI Pensioner Michael Lipari, 78, passed away Dec. 8. He joined the Seafarers in 1960 in the port of New York. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Brother Lipari first worked for the SIU aboard a Pennsylvania Railroad, Port of Norfolk vessel. The Jersey City, N.J. native worked in the deck department and began receiving retirement stipends in 1982. Brother Lipari last worked on a Penn Central Transportation Co. vessel and lived in Lakewood, N.J. aboard the Gulf Prince. Brother Ruffin worked in the steward department and last went to sea on the Gulf Knight. He began receiving retirement compensation in 1967. HAROLD SHEA Pensioner Harold Shea, 88, died Nov. 12. Brother Shea began his NMU career in 1944. The Newfoundland-born mariner initially went to sea aboard the James Wetmore. Brother Shea worked in the deck department, last sailing on the Rainbow. He began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1968. In addition to the foregoing members, a number of other NMU brothers and sisters also passed away recently. Their names, ages and dates of death: Name Age DOD Irry Holloway 84 64 82 90 83 71 74 87 76 84 77 74 91 82 75 75 78 79 86 92 77 84 80 75 Dec. 1 Nov. 25 Dec. 17 Dec. 12 Dec. 19 Dec. 16 Dec. 2 Nov. 25 Dec. 15 Nov. 9 Dec. 12 Dec. 8 Oct. 22 Dec. 12 Dec. 9 Nov. 11 Dec. 7 Oct. 7 Dec. 6 Oct. 20 Nov. 8 Sept. 29 Nov. 15 Nov. 17 100 79 76 79 Nov. 9 Nov. 11 Nov. 29 Nov. 29 Moses Jacobs Bryan Thompson John Hallamore Darius Matthews Clarence Booker Mary Jones Willie Thompson Manuel Hernandez Joseph Leonard Randolph Wilson John Olivera Onley Bodden Oscar Barrientos Robert Pyles Vernon Haar Samuel Bailey Archie Beard Harrison Banks Ezio Anello Irving Ehrenthal Juan Colon Sven Olesen Donald Highsmith Alexander Rutkowski Victor Diaz Emmett Patterson Joseph McMullin February 2003 �15694_p7,12_13,16,19_20,22,23.qxd 1/16/2003 5:41 PM Page 19 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.. COURIER (Crowley), Nov. 22— Chairman David M. Graves, Secretary Randy A. Stephens, Deck Delegate Kenneth Simbler, Engine Delegate Jean S. Couvillion, Steward Delegate Lolita Sanchez. Chairman reported successful voyage with all departments performing well. He gave a special thanks to steward department and announced payoffs Nov. 23 in Port Canaveral, Fla. and Dec. 2 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Secretary stated he has various union forms available to anyone needing them. Educational director reminded crew to take advantage of upgrading opportunities offered by union at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported by any of the three departments. Suggestions made for improving dental and optical plans. Request made for new chairs in crew’s mess hall. ENTERPRISE (CSX Lines), Nov. 17—Chairman Roger J. Reinke, Secretary Manuel V. Basas, Educational Director Allan Parker, Deck Delegate Erowin Udan, Engine Delegate Charles Johnson, Steward Delegate Mark Cabasag. Chairman announced payoff Nov. 23 in Tacoma, Wash. Chief mate is leaving at that time; no word yet on his relief. Secretary thanked everyone for help in keeping ship clean. Educational director advised members to check expiration dates on z-cards and other seamen’s documents. He said upgrading information is in LOG and crew members are advised to take full advantage of the courses. Treasurer stated $25 currently in ship’s fund. New DVD player purchased in Hong Kong from donation fund. Deck department delegate reported pending beef on penalty pay for lashing cargo at sea; no beefs or disputed OT in engine or steward department. Clarification requested on vacation posted on board regarding extra day-and-a-half vacation on the 22month rotation. Request made for updates (via e-mail) regarding West Coast strike situation. INTEGRITY (USSM), Nov. 24— Chairman Domingo Leon Jr., Secretary Stephanie L. Sizemore, Educational Director Dennis R. Baker, Engine Delegate Carlos Bonefont, Steward Delegate Carlos E. Suazo. Chairman thanked crew for pleasant trip. He announced payoff Dec. 1 in Elizabeth, N.J. and advised crew that personal effects should not be left in rooms by those leaving vessel for vacation unless agreed upon with relief crew member. Secretary wished everyone a happy holiday season, whether at home with families or at sea with brothers and sisters. Educational director reminded everyone of winter weather watch—making sure water-tight doors are closed, freezer doors latched and engine room doors secured. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made for contracts department to look into increasing pension and dental benefits. Bosun thanked steward department for outstanding meals and menus. Next ports: Elizabeth; Charleston, S.C.; Miami, Fla.; Houston, Texas. February 2003 LIBERTY GLORY (Liberty Maritime Corp.), Nov. 17— Chairman Juan M. Rivas, Secretary Rolando M. Lopez, Educational Director Clifford W. Lattish II, Deck Delegate John Shivers, Engine Delegate Hakim M. Ahmed, Steward Delegate Thomas Gingerich. Chairman announced payoff Nov. 27 in New Orleans. Secretary discussed situation regarding food provisions, requesting that company adjust amount of stores according to length of voyage. Educational director talked about need for better forwarding of mail to ship when overseas and improved way to send money in addition to existing allotment. Treasurer stated $126 in ship’s fund. Deck delegate requested that master carry enough telephone calling cards and that amended version of new contract be provided aboard vessel. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made for new mattresses for crew. Thanks given to steward department for job well done. LIBERTY GRACE (Liberty Maritime Corp.), Nov. 17— Chairman Cesar A. Gutierrez, Secretary Justo R. Lacayo, Educational Director Eldon A. Palmer, Deck Delegate Thomas W. Walker, Engine Delegate Luis O. Saddy, Steward Delegate Julio Guity. Chairman announced payoff Nov. 25 in Freeport, Texas. He thanked everyone for good trip to Africa and reminded all those getting off ship to leave room clean and with fresh linen, and to give key to captain. Secretary thanked all hands for helping keep ship tidy. Educational director urged crew members to take advantage of upgrading programs available at Piney Point. No beefs reported; some disputed OT noted in deck department. Suggestion made for contracts department to look into reducing time needed to collect pension. Captain gave vote of thanks to crew for job well done. And crew thanked steward department for great job as well—for their outstanding meals and pleasant attitude, which have strengthened morale aboard ship. LIBERTY STAR (Liberty Maritime Corp.), Nov. 17— Chairman Daniel N. Laitinen Jr., Secretary Mark A. Flores, Educational Director Frank T. Kraemer, Deck Delegate William D. Leach, Engine Delegate Anthony W. Burrell, Steward Delegate Joseph Brooks. Chairman thanked crew for job well done and for working safely. Educational director advised everyone to fill out enrollment and beneficiary form for money purchase pension plan. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made for contracts department to look into increasing health care benefits for families and retirees, including those who live outside United States. Requests made for new TV and VCR in crew lounge, new washer and dryer for crew laundry and new refrigerator in galley. Thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port: Houston, Texas. NAVIGATOR (CSX Lines), Nov. 8—Chairman Werner H. Becher, Secretary Vainuu L. Sili, Educational Director Daniel F. Dean, Deck Delegate Robert Natividad, Engine Delegate George S. Galanis, Steward Delegate Mercy Abuan. Chairman announced ship will arrive Nov. 9 in port of Oakland, Calif. with payoff same day. He advised everyone to keep doors locked in port and be alert for strangers on board. He thanked crew for good job in separating plastic items from regular trash. Educational director reminded Seafarers to mail in beneficiary information for money purchase pension plan and to upgrade at Paul Hall Center for better pay and keeping up with latest shipping regulations. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department given vote of thanks for well-prepared and tasty meals. ard department for great Thanksgiving Day meal. Next ports: Long Beach and Oakland, Calif. PERFORMANCE (USSM), Dec. 8—Chairman Jimmie L. Scheck, Secretary Charles B. Collins, Educational Director John J. Walsh, Deck Delegate Gary Cardillo, Engine Delegate Nelson S. Lazo, Steward Delegate Joel Molinos. Bosun extended thanks from captain for job well done during sea rescue this voyage. He also announced patrolman coming aboard ship Dec. 9 in New Jersey. OVERSEAS HARRIETTE (OSG), Dec. 8—Chairman Clyde C. Smith, Secretary George Quinn, Deck Delegate Floyd Patterson, Engine Delegate Charles R. Sandino, Steward Delegate Aquilino Fernandez. Chairman announced vessel arriving Dec. 15 in New Orleans with payoff following day. Will stay a week before sailing to Beirut, Lebanon. Deck delegates reported everything OK with no beefs or disputed OT. PATRIOT (USSM), Dec. 8— Chairman Mohamed S. Ahmed, Secretary James E. Harper, Educational Director Jorge N. Fernandez, Engine Delegate Melvin W. Layner, Steward Delegate Norberto Castillo. Chairman, secretary and educational director spoke about the necessity to remain vigilant at all times and work together in the fight against terrorism. “Our lives depend on it.” They also advised crew members to take advantage of upgrading opportunities available at Paul Hall Center to improve skills and job security. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestions made for contracts department to look into removing age requirement and reducing sea time needed for collecting pension benefits; reducing vacation filing to 30 days; and increasing monthly pension income. Also suggested that social security information be removed from crew lists for security reasons. Thanks given to stew- TACOMA (CSX Lines), Dec. 1— Chairman Joseph Artis, Secretary Lincoln E. Pinn Jr., Educational Happy Birthday Aboard the Endurance AB Carlos Bonilla (left) and Recertified Steward Russell B. Beyschau (who sent these photos to the LOG) both graduated from the trainee program at Piney Point in 1984— Beyschau in class 397 and Bonilla in class 398. Years later, they are reunited aboard the Endurance, where they share a birthday cake prepared by Beyschau. GOPHER STATE (IUM), Dec. 9—Chairman Nathaniel Leary, Secretary Anthony L. Curran, Educational Director Dwight D. Ward, Engine Delegate Randy T. Pearson, Steward Delegate Helen R. Mitchell. Chairman announced arrival in Guam after evading typhoon. New pension and health & benefits booklets passed out to crew. No beefs or disputed OT reported. New dryer installed in crew laundry. Captain approved purchase of new washing machine. MAERSK CAROLINA (Maersk Line, Ltd.), Dec. 1—Chairman Brian K. Fountain, Secretary John G. Reid, Educational Director Carlos L. Sanchez, Deck Delegate Reuben M. Brown, Engine Delegate James E. Tyson Jr., Steward Delegate Richard M. Worobey. Chairman thanked everyone for safe and good trip. Secretary stated 60-day stores to be taken aboard Dec. 4 in Portsmouth, Va. Educational director spoke about importance of upgrading skills at Piney Point, contributing to SPAD and checking expiration dates on shipping documents. Some disputed OT reported in engine department. Request made to have changes noted on sailing board in timely manner. Thanks given to steward department for great job. Next ports: Newark, N.J.; Portsmouth, Va.; Charleston, S.C.; Algeciras, Spain. our administrative duties.” Educational director urged everyone to attend Paul Hall Center and upgrade for career advancement. “The opportunities are there; we just have to take advantage of them. There are no limits to how far you can move up the ladder. It’s all up to you.” No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested on ABM and bosun going into holds to work on electrical fixtures. Also celebrating a birthday aboard the USSM vessel is OMU Teddie Carter, who was very surprised with the specially decorated cake presented to him as well as all the gifts he received. Secretary suggested those crew members wishing to turn in written motions and resolutions do so ahead of each meeting. Treasurer stated $330 in family emergency fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Two unlicensed apprentices aboard ship this voyage. Steward department given vote of thanks for great Thanksgiving supper. Next ports: Newark, N.J.; Charleston, S.C.; Miami, Fla.; Houston, Texas. QUALITY (USSM), Dec. 14— Chairman Felsher Beasley, Secretary Thomas W. Milovich, Deck Delegate Brad D. Brunette, Engine Delegate Paul P. Pagano, Steward Delegate Anselmo A. Lopez. Chairman urged all crew members to read president’s report in Seafarers LOG each month. Secretary and educational director spoke about importance of everyone protecting themselves while in foreign ports—keeping identification safe and maintaining a low profile by not making themselves noticeable and, therefore, potentially more vulnerable to theft or injury. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested on duties of QMED/ Electrician relief and guidelines for vacations. Round of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port: Charleston, S.C. SEALAND ACHIEVER (USSM), Dec. 1—Chairman Jamie M. Miller, Secretary Hasan A. Rahman, Educational Director Joseph R. Cirafisi Jr. Chairman gave a special thank you to steward department for very nice Thanksgiving Day dinner. Also singled out for their hard work were two unlicensed apprentices aboard ship. Secretary particularly mentioned unlicensed apprentice Daniel Porchea. “Not only has he been an excellent addition in the galley, but he has computerized Director Azeem A. Modak, Deck Delegate Sandy R. Killian, Engine Delegate Stephen D. Hansford, Steward Delegate Jioia de Leon. Chairman announced payoff upon arrival Dec. 3 in Tacoma, Wash. To speed up payoff, crew members should have union books handy for patrolman to view. He also spoke about shipyard time in late December with possible layoff status. Educational director reminded crew to keep track of shipping documents and make sure they are current. He also stressed importance of contributing to SPAD for job security. No beefs or disputed OT reported. USNS FRED W. STOCKHAM (Amsea), Dec. 1—Chairman Andrew B. Barrows, Secretary Stephen M. Avallone, Educational Director Joseph J. Jenkins Jr., Deck Delegate Rudy Johnson, Engine Delegate Al Nelson, Steward Delegate Alan Van Buren. Chairman reported he was pleased with progress made in all departments. Educational director led discussion on employment situation. He said indications are that shipping industry remains resilient despite current economic conditions, and he urged crew members to improve skills and upgrade ratings at Piney Point in order to maintain an edge with continually changing shipping demands and requirements. Treasurer stated $900 in ship’s fund and suggested purchases be made in upcoming shipyard and stateside ports. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made that all crew members returning from Diego Garcia to U.S. through Bahrain be sure to obtain agent’s cell phone number from master before leaving ship in order not to be stranded when inevitable delays occur. Vote of thanks given to steward department for overall good job. Seafarers LOG 19 �15694_p7,12_13,16,19_20,22,23.qxd 1/16/2003 6:57 PM Page 20 Letters to the Editor Learning the Ropes With Help from SIU Hall Over the past several months, I’ve wanted to share this information with my fellow shipmates via the Seafarers LOG. After having signed off the USNS Effective last September, I was unaware of the vital importance of registering with my local union hall as soon as I hit the beach. Two days later and in the middle of Nevada, I had some sort of inclination to check in with my union rep in Port Everglades (Fla.). Ambrose Cucinotta informed me of my need to register, but where was the closest union hall to Winnemucca, Nevada? After doing my homework and making a few calls, I was directed to the Wilmington, Calif. hall. Even over the phone, I knew by the way I was being taken care of by the entire staff that my decision was richly rewarded. Not only did I find an awesome port agent in John Cox, I reconnected with a wonderful friend. L.A. never looked better. The point here is that I was treated with the utmost respect and patience by Cox and his associates. They took total charge of expediting all my documentation, assisting me in obtaining an STOS upgrade, making sure all my paperwork was current, and then placing me on a Watson Class LMSR vessel. Randall in Area of Indianapolis Sinking During World War II, I served on board the merchant vessel named for Richard Randall. This vessel was constructed in Brunswick, Ga. at J.A Jones Construction Co. for WSA and was contracted to Isbransen Steamship Co., F.E. Holly, Master. On the fateful night of July 30, 1945, at 12 minutes past midnight, the Randall was within sight of the cruiser USS Indianapolis [one of the vessels that carried parts and nuclear material to be used in the atomic bombs which were soon to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The ship was topedoed that very night by a Japanese submarine and sank quickly. Captain Charles Butler McVay III, commanding officer of the Indianapolis at the time of the sinking, was court marshaled for the loss of his ship. He was the only American captain to be court marshaled for the loss of his vessel due to enemy action during World War II. In 2000 legislation was passed to exonerate McVay for his loss of the Indianapolis and those crew members who were lost]. We were due south, heading for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands. We were on our return voyage, in ballast, homeward bound after serving in the southwestern Pacific theater of operations. In viewing historical documents, I have yet to see any mention of any merchant vessels being in that area on that night. I have in my possession a copy of the ship’s official log for this voyage, obtained from the archives in Ft. Worth, Texas—verification that there was, indeed, a vessel in that area—the Richard Randall. Stephen A. Gardner III USNS Watson Walter C. Foster Blackshear, Ga. (Editor’s note: the Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer’s intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.) LOG-A-RHYTHMS by Albert W. Austin Jr. We’ll Be There I must go to sea once more. The time has come to answer the call. Like many others I’m not alone. Who sail the seas and leave their homes. We’ll sail to ports... to who knows where? We’re merchant seamen and we’ll be there! And we will do what must be done. To win a war that’s just begun. We will come from who knows where? To sail the ships, yes, we’ll be there. (Albert W. Austin Jr. wrote this poem Nov. 12, 2002 while sailing aboard the Cape Johnson as an AB.) 20 Seafarers LOG Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. Scholarship Deadline Just Around Corner Two months remain until the deadline—April 15—for receipt of scholarship applications from Seafarers as well as from their spouses and children who wish to continue their education at the PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. college level in the fall of 2003. Three scholarships are being set aside for SIU members—one for $20,000 and two each for $6,000. Additionally, five grants will be awarded to SIU spouses and dependents, each in the amount of $20,000. Send away now for an applica- tion booklet (see coupon below) or pick one up at any SIU hall. Time is running out to take advantage of this generous benefit for 2003 provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Get your application in today; you have nothing to lose! P lease send me the 2003 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name __________________________________________________________________ Mariner’s Social Security Number ____________________________________________ Street Address __________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code ______________________________________________________ Telephone Number ________________________________________________________ This application is for: † Self † Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 2/03 February 2003 �15694_p5,6,14,15,21,24.qxd 1/22/2003 1:23 AM Page 21 SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. for the first few months of this year. All programs are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Recertification Steward February 3 March 3 Bosun October 6 November 3 Engine Upgrading Courses Course Arrival Date Date of Completion Oiler March 10 April 18 Welding February 3 March 5 February 21 March 21 Engine Utility (EU) March 17 April 11 Deck Upgrading Courses Arrival Date Course Safety Specialty Courses Date of Completion Course Arrival Date Date of Completion Advanced Firefighting February 3 February 14 Able Seaman March 3 March 28 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids* March 3 March 7 April 7 April 11 Basic Fire Fighting/STCW February 17 February 21 February 3 February 7 Fast Rescue Boat February 24 March 12 March 10 March 14 Government Vessels March 10 March 28 April 14 April 18 Tankerman (PIC) Barge* February 24 February 28 Celestial Navigation May 12 May 30 GMDSS (Simulator) February 3 February 14 March 17 March 28 March 10 March 21 April 14 April 25 (*must have radar unlimited) Bridge Resource Management (BRM) — Inland Lifeboatman/Water Survival February 17 February 28 March 31 April 11 Radar February 17 February 29 Specially Trained Ordinary Seaman (STOS) February 10 March 31 February 21 April 11 (*must have basic fire fighting) Tanker Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL)* (*must have basic fire fighting) Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. Steward Upgrading Courses New courses are added each month to the course schedule. Remember: Upgrading your skills is the key to your job security as well as the future of the maritime industry. Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations modules start every week. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward classes start every other week, most recently beginning Jan. 20. � UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Telephone _________________________ Deep Sea Member † Lakes Member Date of Birth ______________________ † Inland Waters Member † If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security # ______________________ Book # _________________________ Seniority _____________________________ Department _____________________ U.S. Citizen: Yes † No † Home Port _____________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty (120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All OL, AB and JE applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $140f with their application. The payment should be made with a money order only, payable to LMSS. COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _____________________________________ LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: ___________ _____________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? † Yes † No If yes, class # __________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? † Yes † No If yes, course(s) taken ___________________________________________________ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? † Yes † No Firefighting: † Yes † No CPR: † Yes † No Primary language spoken ________________________________________________ February 2003 SIGNATURE __________________________________ DATE ________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/03 Seafarers LOG 21 �15694_p7,12_13,16,19_20,22,23.qxd 1/16/2003 6:55 PM Page 22 Paul Hall Center Classes Advanced Fire Fighting — The roster for graduates of the advanced fire fighting course which ended Dec. 13 includes (in alphabetical order) Darryl Alexander, Benjamin Barnes, Lou Cabano, Earl Ebbert, Tesfaye Gebregziabher, George Henderson, Charles Miller, Cle Popperwill, Victor Quioto, Charles Sneed, Jesse Solangon and Anthony Willis. Their instructor, Anthony Hammett, is at far left. Tanker Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL) — Completing the tanker familiarization/assistant cargo (DL) course Dec. 13 are (in alphabetical order) Christopher Bounds, Henry Brown, William Burnham, Norman Carlson, Joel Gonzalez, Victor Kistanov, Micah Miller, Miguel Nin-Morales, Eric Ortwein, Shelby Rankin, Jose Sanchez, Neil Sullivan, Luis Valerio and John Williams. Oiler — With their instructor, Eric Malzkuhn (far right), upgrading Seafarers who completed the oiler class Dec. 20 are (from left) Byron Collins, Michael King, Romeo Harriell, Darnell O’Hara, Tremaine Shamlee, Jordan Cudy, Randy Wurr, Nathan Wirt and Eric Mentzer. STOS — Receiving certificates for completion of the STOS course Dec. 20 are upgrading Seafarers (in alphabetical order) Agustin Arriaga, Warren Barney, Karen Laycook and David Martinez, and unlicensed apprentices Robyn Adamosky, Gregory Alexander, Erica Andrews, Bartholemy Drabenstot, Tony Fain, Robert Grable, Larry Howard, Daniel Link, Christopher Mermuys, Patrick O’Donnell, William Ray, Antonio Reed and LaKindra Williams. Their instructor, Randy Senatore, is at far right. Government Vessels — Graduating from the Lifeboatman/Water Survival — Earning their lifeboatman/water survival endorsement Dec. 6 are (in no particular order) Todd Keith, James Martin, William Smalls, Rere Paiti, Leslie Bracey, Selcuk Ozdencanli, Elisha Johnson, Abdulnasir Jinham, Irving Rochez and Manuel Daguio. government vessels course Dec. 20 are (in no particular order) Elisha Johnson, Rubin Mitchell, Charles Haggins, Leslie Bracey, Edwin Taylor, David Davis Jr., Edwin Pelingon, Thomas Humphreys, Rolando Guity, Miles Copeland Sr. and Keith Livermon. Their instructor, Greg Thompson, is at far left. Fast Rescue Boat — Completing the Junior Engineer — Upgrading their ratings to junior engineer Dec. 20 are (kneeling, from left) Charles Sadler, Mark Savage, Bobby Taylor Jr., Cornelius Cade Jr., (second row) Kenji Hoffman, Wayne Evans, William Watterson III, Charles Jensen, Gilbert Brown, Samuel Garrett, Hector Solis, Erik Nappier, Charles Walker, Joseph Benavente and instructor Jay Henderson. Not pitctured is Rene Hallasgo. 22 Seafarers LOG fast rescue boat course Nov. 29 are (in no particular order) Bradley Burkart, Benjamin Barnes Jr., Norman Tourtellot and Robert Borchester with their instructor, Stan Beck, at far left. February 2003 �15694_p7,12_13,16,19_20,22,23.qxd 1/16/2003 6:56 PM Page 23 Paul Hall Center Classes Welding — These upgrading Seafarers successfully completed the welding course Dec. 6. They are (from left, front row) William Thomas, Rafael Eduarte, Larry Pascua, (second row) Richard Huffman, Buzzy Andrews (instructor), Philip Ayotte and Irvin Crutchlow. Radar — Instructor Stacy Harris is flanked by two students from NY Waterway who completed the radar course Dec. 13. They are Keith Kmiotek (left) and Patrick Grodeska. ARPA — Under the instruction of Mike Smith (right), NY Waterway boatmen (from left) Marcos Velez, Jonathan Moro and Alan Bickauskas complete the ARPA course Dec. 6. Any student who has registered for a class and finds— for whatever reason—that he or she cannot attend, please inform the admissions department so that another student may take that place. GMDSS — Graduating from the GMDSS course Dec. 13 are (from left) Bob Borchester, Brad Wheeler (instructor) and Stephen Berschger. Engine Utility — One group of students completing the engine utility course Dec. 20 are (front row, from left) Corinthia Cooper, Eric Cheek, (second row) Richard Moore, Clay Kiichli, Efrain Martinez, John Watson, Edward Douville and their instructor, Roy Oyer. CORRECTION Piotr Bednarczuk, Collin Binns, Giulio Franese, William Haws, Raymond Keevins, George Rosario, Michael Starr and Gualberto Mirador. In the October issue of the LOG, the incorrect photo was used for this Basic Safety Training class. The correct photo is shown above. The participants are Jose Maglalang, Terry McQuillen, Patrick Moore, John Mullon, Richard Naigle, Ahmed Nasser, Vagn Teddy Nielsen, Udjang Nurdjala, Timothy Peters, Leroy Rawls Jr., Pedro Sellan, Ronald Smith, David Somers, Glen Toledo, Joel Trotter and Dale Wilson. Basic Safety Training Classes From the left (kneeling) John Cabrera, Erik Barillas, Natasha Vazquez, Romeo Arquines, Luigi Anderson, (second row) James Groce, Craig Croft, Primo Ramirez, James Pachall, Dwayne Love, J. Clothier, Lawrence Zepeda, Dennis Goodwin, Ken Ford and Monte Burgett. February 2003 From the left: Todd Janiszewski, Kelly Stanford, Scott Morton, Charles Miller, Jose Jorge and Peter Hove. Seafarers LOG 23 �15694_p15,24cxs.qxd 1/24/03 8:26 PM Page 24 www.seafarers.org Volume 65, Number 2 February 2003 DUE ON APRIL 15 Applications for SIU Scholarship – page 20 Income Taxes – See Tax Tips for Seafarers on pages 12 and 13. Small Arms Range, Courses Approved by MSC Paul Hall Center’s Newest Addition Is on Target The Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education has added two new courses and opened a new facility next to its fire fighting and safety school in Piney Point, Md. Last month, the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) approved the Paul Hall Center’s small arms range along with two new curriculums. The first course, MSC Initial Small Arms Instruction and Qualification, lasts 21 hours. The second, MSC Annual Small Arms Instruction and Re-Qualification, is a seven-hour class. Each combines classroom instruction with hands-on training, and each has a 16-student limit. The range itself has different shooting stations beginning as close as three yards to the targets and extending to a top distance of 80 yards. It is bordered on three sides by 15-foot berms. The computer-operated target system is state-of-the-art. (It also may be operated manually.) Opposite the target area is a 30-by-70-foot building which includes a classroom, an office and an adjacent, outdoor area for cleaning the training weapons. The classroom also includes gun-cleaning stations. A built-in vault-safe combinaPaul Hall Center Safety Director Jim Hanson gives the range a tryout. tion with steel-reinforced concrete and motion detectors will be used to store the arms. The classes involve the following weapons: 9MM pistol, 12-gauge shotgun, and M-14 rifle. Topics in the 21-hour course include rules of conduct and safety; the Lautenberg Amendment to the Brady Gun Control Act of 1996; personal protective equipment; use of force and deadly force; and fundamentals of marksmanship, among other subjects. The class ends with a lengthy practical evaluation. The seven-hour course— designed for students whose certificate of qualification or requalification is not more than two years old—includes many of the same topics found in the lengthier one. Both classes are intended to help students meet U.S. Navy standards for mariners who are directly involved in shipboard security. In order to enroll in the 21hour class, a student must be at least 18 years old; possess a valid merchant mariner’s document (MMD, also called a zcard); be capable of speaking and understanding verbal orders in English in accordance with 46 CFR 12.05-3; provide documented proof of fulfilling the physical examination requirements in accordance with 46 CFR 12.05-7; and meet the requirements of the “Qualification to Possess Firearms or Instructor Jack Lynch addresses Paul Hall Center instructors inside the new classroom. The small-arms range features a state-of-the-art target system. Ammunition” form that is required for contracted mariners. For the re-qualification course, the only additional requirement is that the student must hold a current certificate of qualification not more than two years old for the pistol, rifle and shotgun. Paul Hall Center Vice President Don Nolan and Safety Director Jim Hanson visited several approved sites along the East Coast when planning for the new range. “Our site was built completely in-house, and obviously we followed not only the proper building guidelines but also all the Navy and MSC guidelines for the range,” noted Nolan. “It’s another step forward for the school in terms of offering virtually every type of training that may be required for U.S. mariners. “Given the war against terrorism,” he added, “it certainly seems possible that some of the current small arms security requirements may expand.” The small arms range includes the newest equipment. Kyrm Hickman (above, far left), director of training for MSC, inspects the new small arms range Jan. 13. He is pictured with Paul Hall Center Facilities Manager Bobby Dean, Assistant Director of Training J.C. Wiegman, and VP Don Nolan. In photo at left, Hickman and Dean check out a control panel. In addition to certifying the small arms range, MSC approved two new courses that will be conducted at the Piney Point, Md. facility. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2003 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES REPORT: 15 SHIPS TIED TO AL QAEDA ITF SLAMS LIBERIA PENSION BENEFITS INCREASE SIU FLEET GROWS BY 2 RRF ACTIVATIONS BEGIN SEAFARERS AID IN GUAM RELIEF ITF SECURES $105,000 IN BACK PAY FOR CREW OF LIBERIAN-FLAG TANKER FAUST RESCUES FISHERMAN NEW U.S. LAW, IMO RULES IMPACT PORT SECURITY; SIU READY FOR COAST GUARD MEETINGS IN 7 CITIES SENATOR STEVENS CITES ADVANTAGES OF ANWR AFL-CIO, CENTRAL AMERICAN UNIONS: TRADE TALKS MUST ADDRESS WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT STCW IN PLAIN ENGLISH HQ REP CARL PETH RETIRES AFTER 34 YEARS IN UNION CHRISTMAS ABOARD THE OBREGON AUTHOR: MARINE ELECTRIC SINKING IN 1983 SPARKED SAFETY REFORMS TRAGIC MISHAP CLAIMED 31 MARINERS SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN PREPARES FOR NEW PRIVACY RULES SENATE CONFIRMS RIDGE CIVMARS HAVE CD OPTION BILL CALLS FOR WWII MARINER BONUS IN PENN. ‘UNION PLUS’ OFFERS CONSUMER BENEFITS SMALL ARMS RANGE, COURSES APPROVED BY MSC Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2003 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 65, No. 2 2003 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/c801fac72596ddebcaf5b8a18d17b85f.pdf 85c6fc32901b201a9186e2469f8cad45 PDF Text Text 21209_p01,02,10.qxd 1/25/2004 10:07 AM Page 1 Volume 66, Number 2 February 2004 Seafarers Mobilize For ‘Part 2’ Of Operation Iraqi Freedom READY THEN READY NOW Photos by Al Grillo Eglinton, Corgey Named to Key Posts Pages 3, 5 Health Plan Implements Pharmacy Agreement SIU-crewed military support ships are being mobilized for the next phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom—and Seafarers are embracing their mission. In two photos at left, the SIU-crewed TOTE vessel Westward Venture loads military cargo in Anchorage, Alaska. Directly above, the USNS Regulus is one of the vessels recently activated for OIF2. Page 3. CIVMARS Crew Up USS Coronado Page 4 Inoculation Information Page 6 Still Time to Apply For Scholarships Page 14 Members of the SIU’s Government Services Division recently welcomed new shipboard jobs as the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) accepted transfer of the USS Coronado (above) from the U.S. Navy. SIU Government Services Division Representative Chester Wheeler (above left photo) confers with MSC Representatives Bob Rosemeyer (center) and Jessie Ruth after completing the final habitability inspection aboard the vessel. Seafarer Fred Pryor (in photo above right) makes a point during a meeting with Wheeler in San Diego. Page 4. TAX TIPS FOR MARINERS Pages 12-13 �21209_p01,02,10.qxd 1/22/2004 11:12 AM Page 2 President’s Report Our Tradition Lives During the SIU’s earliest years, thousands of Seafarers played important roles in transporting troops, ammunition and other vital supplies for the Allied forces in World War II. From start to finish, Seafarers were there—in the Atlantic, the Pacific, and wherever else duty called. Nearly 2,000 SIU members lost their lives during the war, many of whom perished off the East Coast as unobstructed German U-boats sank ship after ship. As the late SIU historian John Bunker once Michael Sacco noted, “Despite this havoc, no SIU ship was held up for lack of a crew. Many crews steamed out to meet almost certain death.” Fast forward to today, and it’s apparent that much has changed for the better. From shipboard technology to crew accommodations, from underway protection to post-war recognition, the modern merchant marine has come a long way. What hasn’t changed is our total commitment to serving as the nation’s Fourth Arm of Defense—a hard-earned title born of our performance and patriotism in World War II. Seafarers have demonstrated their loyalty and reliability again and again—in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in many other military support missions. Now, we’re delivering the goods in another key sealift mobilization—the second phase of Iraqi Freedom. As outlined by the U.S. Military Sealift Command, OIF2 promises to be a massive maneuver. It is projected to last through the first half of this year, and MSC has described it as the biggest sealift effort since World War II. While OIF2 thankfully doesn’t carry the danger of many previous campaigns, it’s obviously still an important mission, to say the least, and not completely without risk. Our members are ready. Across the country, Seafarers are shipping out and answering the nation’s call. Their attitude is the same as ever: Just give us the cargo, and we’ll deliver. The U.S. Merchant Marine was justifiably praised at the highest levels of government after the all-out combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 2,000 brave SIU brothers and sisters sailed into harm’s way during that stage of the campaign to liberate the Iraqi people. All of them did a fantastic job. As we transition to the next chapter, America can count on the SIU to support our troops, wherever and whenever needed. Political Action Delivering materiel in times of conflict isn’t the only important SIU tradition that’s on the front burner these days. In this federal election year, political action remains one of our most essential tools. As you probably know, along with the presidential election, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and a third of those in the U.S. Senate are on the line in 2004. Important state and local elections are scheduled as well. For Seafarers and the entire U.S.-flag fleet, political action is crucial. Because our industry is so heavily regulated, we must remain extremely active in promoting the U.S. Merchant Marine—not just in Washington, but throughout the nation. In the months ahead, I encourage Seafarers to study the issues most important to our union and our industry. Participate in grassroots activities. Support pro-maritime candidates. And please continue your participation in SPAD, the union’s voluntary political action fund. SPAD certainly can’t guarantee that we’ll always get what we want, but it helps give us opportunities to present our issues. It’s a proven, effective winner when it comes to making our voices heard. Without your support of the fund, that job would be virtually impossible. Seafarers always have had a great understanding of how important political action is for their union and for the job security of our membership. Let’s make sure every one of us translates that knowledge into action and continued support this year and in the future. Volume 66, Number 2 February 2004 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Copyright © 2004 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG Maersk Line, Limited Honors U.S. Mariners SIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited is presenting more than 700 U.S. Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medals to American mariners, including hundreds of Seafarers. These awards honor mariners who sailed aboard Maersk Line, Limited-operated vessels directly supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They are given in conjunction with the U.S. Maritime Administration, which first authorized the medal for mariners who sailed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Much of the military cargo used for Operation Iraqi Freedom moved with the help of civilian mariners. Seafarers aboard vessels in Maersk Line, Limited’s LMSR and prepositioning fleets, as well as the Maersk Constellation and SSG Edward A. Carter transported military equipment, ammunition, and other goods while guarding the safety of their vessels and the cargo on board. Maersk Line, Limited has a large, diverse fleet of U.S.-flag vessels that continue to operate in Seafarers, officers and Maersk officials are pictured aboard the USNS Dahl. support of the war effort. “We are extraordinarily proud of these individuals,” said John Reinhart, CEO of Maersk Line, Limited. “Their dedication to their work and their country is evident in their performance during a challenging time. It is an honor to be able to present them with this award.” The first 19 medals and certificates were presented Nov. 13 at the company’s annual Masters and Chiefs Conference in Norfolk, Va. Additional awards were delivered through the end of last year. The company is headquartered in Norfolk and provides global shipowning and management service, transportation and logistics solutions, and information technology development and implementation services to U.S. government and commercial customers. Overall, more than 2,000 SIU members sailed during the buildup to and all-out combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They crewed more than 100 U.S.-flag ships. Aboard the USNS Red Cloud, Maersk Line, Ltd. CEO John Reinhart presents certificates to OS German Alvarez (left photo) and SA Wayne Shindler (right). Sen. Breaux Announces Retirement at Term’s End John Breaux, the three-term Democratic senator from Louisiana and friend of maritime, has announced his intention to retire this year at the end of his current term. “Throughout Senator Breaux’s long and distinguished career,” stated SIU President Michael Sacco upon hearing of the congressman’s retirement plans, “he has led the fight for the maritime industry, from his days in the House as a member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee to his days in the Senate. Senator Breaux was one of the prime movers in passing legislation that has provided jobs for the Seafarers International Union and the rest of the industry. His shoes will not easily be filled.” Breaux, now 59, was the youngest member of Congress when he was elected to the House in 1972 at age 28, after graduating from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and earning a law degree from LSU in Baton Rouge. He was elected to the Senate in 1986. “There comes a time in every career when it is time to step aside and let others step up and serve,” said Breaux in announcing his retirement, “and for my family and me, that time has arrived.” Considered a moderate Demo- crat and accomplished negotiator, Breaux consistently reached out across the aisle to the Republican Party on numerous issues, including health care, energy production, tax cuts and welfare. In fact, his willingness to work with Republicans led to an invitation to join President George W. Bush’s Cabinet, which he declined. In 2001, along with Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Breaux authored a letter to President Bush urging the administration to “maintain and grow the U.S.-flag merchant marine and U.S. shipbuilding industry.” Even before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Breaux was working to address security deficiencies in the nation’s seaports. After the tragic events of that day, he used his chairmanship of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee to lead port inspections. As a result of these on-site investigations of ports nationwide, he introduced the Ship, Seafarer, Container Security Act in 2002, which coordinates the Coast Guard and Customs Service with local port security officials to implement long-term solutions for seaport safety and security issues. Breaux was one of few Democrats to support oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Senator John Breaux Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), a position defended by the SIU. And although the Senate has failed to pass the amendments to open ANWR to oil and gas development, Breaux and Alaska’s two senators, Frank Murkowski and Ted Stevens, vowed to continue the fight. Sen. Breaux has worked to keep the Social Security fund solvent and reform Medicare, both under President Bill Clinton and President Bush. Additionally, he was one of the two Democrats allowed by Republicans to help negotiate the final version of legislation resulting in the recently passed $400 billion Medicare bill, including a prescription drug benefit. The measure included initiatives that the Louisiana senator had advocated for years. February 2004 �21209_Pg1,3_5,7,10,16.qxd 1/22/2004 8:45 AM Page 3 ‘We’re Always Ready’ Seafarers Set for ‘Part 2’ of Operation Iraqi Freedom As the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) began mobilizing civilian-crewed ships for the second phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, SIU members expressed the same determination to deliver the goods that they demonstrated throughout the mission’s all-out combat phase. “It’s our job. This is what we do for a living,” stated David Dunklin, an unlicensed junior engineer sailing in support of military operations aboard the USNS Altair. “I was over there in the first part of the war, and it went very well. We made several trips to Kuwait and delivered a lot of A U.S. military helicopter approaches the SIU-crewed Wright (left photo), then the pilot walks aboard (below) after a safe landing directed by Seafarers. equipment. We’ll get the job done this time, too.” “We’re always ready and up to the task,” said AB Eugene Tuggle, also sailing aboard the Altair. “We have to bring equipment as needed and bring stuff back, also. We have a very good relationship with the military personnel, and that’s part of what keeps me coming back.” MSC last month announced that sealift operations for OIF2 “will occur at several U.S. and overseas ports over the next few months as approximately 240,000 U.S. military personnel rotate into and out of the Middle East. An estimated 23 million square feet of cargo will be moved by sea to support those troops over the next four and one-half months. That amount of cargo equates to more than 243,000 The Seafarers-crewed Cape Edmont transports materiel to Kuwait during the first phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. sport utility vehicles, which, if placed end-to-end would equal 710 miles, approximately the distance from Washington, D.C., to St. Louis. Roughly 21 million square feet of cargo was delivered to U.S. forces ashore in support of OIF from Jan. 1 to May 1, 2003.” Continued on page 5 Paul Hall Center’s Eglinton Reappointed to MERPAC Jones Act Vessels Support U.S. Troops At least two SIU-crewed ships that normally sail in the Jones Act trades recently were deployed in support of the second phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Westward Venture and the Northern Lights, operated by SIU-contracted Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE), are overseas as part of the mission. The Northern Lights also was chartered by the U.S. Military Sealift Command in February 2003 for wartime sealift operations. Both the Westward Venture and the Northern Lights are Ponce Class ships that sail in the Alaska trade. The Jones Act, a pillar of the U.S.-flag fleet, requires that cargo moving from one domestic port to another be carried aboard U.S.crewed, U.S.-built, U.S.-owned vessels. In promoting the Jones Act, the Maritime Cabotage Task Force (a coalition of 400 companies and other organizations across the nation, including the SIU) notes, “The arguments in support of the Jones Act are compelling ones: jobs, safety, environmental protection, efficiency, and national security, all provided at no expense to the U.S. taxpayer and without a dime of subsidy from the federal government.” Photo by Al Grillo The SIU-crewed Westward Venture loads military cargo in Anchorage, Alaska for the second phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is believed to have been the first time that MSC cargo was transported from Alaska. February 2004 sive experience in domestic and international forums pertaining to the training and certification of mariners. “This appointment is an honor,” Eglinton said. “MERPAC’s work is important to the U.S. Merchant Marine, and I look forward to working closely with the other committee members and the Coast Guard.” According to MERPAC’s web site, the committee “has been a valuable resource to the Coast Guard and its marine safety programs. Some of its many and varied accomplishments are: „ Developing recommended Basic Safety Training performance measures which contain a listing and description of tasks which must be successfully demonstrated before an individual can obtain a certificate attesting compliance with Basic Safety Training requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978, as amended (STCW). „ Developing performance measurement guidelines in 19 different categories for evaluating merchant mariner competence. These guidelines will be very important toward implementing STCW in the United States. This daunting task included every MERPAC member and more than 100 maritime industry volunteers who served on MERPAC work groups established to draft specific performance measures for specific competencies. „ Developing recommended standards for applicants wishing to serve as a qualified instructor and/or designated examiner who will train merchant mariners and assess their compeLetter from U.S. Department of Homeland tency. Security Secretary Tom Ridge notes Bill „ Recommending Eglinton’s reappointment to MERPAC. Bill Eglinton, director of training at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, has been reappointed to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) for a term ending Jan. 31, 2006. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge affirmed the appointment in a Dec. 12 letter to Eglinton. “You will serve as one of three members representing marine educators from other maritime training institutions,” Ridge noted. “I greatly appreciate your willingness to serve on the Committee and am confident the Department will benefit from your ideas and experience.” MERPAC is composed of unlicensed and licensed mariners, shipping company officials, Coast Guard representatives, maritime training specialists and others from the industry. Collectively, the group advises the Secretary of Homeland Security (via the Coast Guard commandant) on matters concerning the training, qualification, licensing, certification and fitness of U.S. mariners. Eglinton once served as chairman of MERPAC. He has exten- Paul Hall Center Director of Training Bill Eglinton previously served as MERPAC chairman. an amendment to federal regulations which would require a practical demonstration of skills to augment written examinations or completion of approved courses to obtain a Coast Guard license „ Providing the Coast Guard with quick and timely feedback and a formal recommendation supporting the Coast Guard’s objection to solo watchkeeping during the hours of darkness. MERPAC’s recommendation was part of the U.S.’s official position presented at IMO, and the U.S. position carried the day. „ Providing the Coast Guard with quick and timely feedback and formal recommendations concerning regulations governing Tankerman-Person-in-Charge of Dangerous Liquid and Liquefied Gas Transfers. Many of these recommendations were incorporated into the Coast Guard’s final rule and the accompanying policy guidance. „ Providing the USCG National Maritime Center with valuable feedback and recommendations to its Licensing ReEngineering Team (LRT) Report developed to streamline the Coast Guard’s merchant marine licensing and documentation process and improve customer service.” Seafarers LOG 3 �21209_Pg1,3_5,7,10,16.qxd 1/22/2004 8:46 AM Page 4 So Far, So Good for Pharmacy Agreement The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan’s new agreement with Prescription Solutions took effect as scheduled Jan. 1. According to Plan officials, the transfer of all pertinent data from the Plan to the pharmacy management company went smoothly. Individual identification cards already have been mailed to all eligible participants, while informational packages were sent to all ports. Initial reaction to the cards was very positive, according to port officials. As reported earlier in the Seafarers LOG, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan in December entered into the agreement with Prescription Solutions to provide pharmacy benefits to all eligible participants. Under the agreement, the cost of prescribed drugs will be greatly reduced, resulting in a savings to the Plan and to participants. Eligible members and dependents participating at Plan Level G will pay only small co-payments for certain prescribed name-brand drugs. In addition, maintenance drugs will be available through a mail order arrangement. The program provides coverage for new as well as refill prescriptions filled at participating retail pharmacies and through the Prescription Solutions Mail Services Pharmacy. To use the program, members need only present their Prescription Solutions ID cards at any participating pharmacy. When participants fill or refill prescriptions at participating pharmacies, pharmacy workers will enter members’ ID numbers and other pertinent information into their computer system. This information automatically will be sent to Prescription Solutions, which will verify coverage and instruct the pharmacy to collect applicable co-payments from those having prescriptions filled. No additional claim forms or paperwork will be required. Maintenance medications (required for prolonged or indefinite periods) are available through the Mail Service Pharmacy. Members’ out-of-pocket costs will be less and/or the supply of medication will be greater if they choose to receive their covered medications through Prescription Solutions’ Mail Service Pharmacy. Also, medications—generally up to a 90-day supply with lower copay—will be sent directly to participants’ homes. Additional information on using the mail service pharmacy is available by calling Prescription Solutions’ Mail Service Customer Service at 1-800-562-6223. Utilization of the network will eliminate any out-of-pocket costs for participants unless a namebrand drug is requested when a generic is available. If a participant chooses a name-brand drug over the generic equivalent, then a co-payment of $20 is required at a retail outlet and a co-payment of Prescription Services for Seafarers Health And Benefits Brand Copayment Brand Copayment Generic Copayment (If generic isn’t available) (When generic is available) Retail Service (pharmacy) $0 $0 $20 Mail Service (maintenance drugs) $0 Minimum 90-day supply $0 Minimum 90-day supply $10 $30 for minimum for 90-day supply Maintenance Drugs filled at Pharmacy $15 for 30-day supply $15 for 30-day supply $30 for 30-day supply Beginning with 4th month of retail purchase, copayments go into effect. Beginning with 4th month of retail purchase, copayments go into effect Beginning with 4th month of retail purchase, copayments go into effect Visit the Prescription Solutions log-in page by starting at: http://www.seafarers.org/members/rxlog.xml $10 monthly, or $30 for a 90-day supply, will be required from the mail-order service. If a participant continues to use a retail outlet for a maintenance type drug—a drug that will be taken for an indefinite period of time as in the case of blood pressure medication and blood thinners—then, beginning with the fourth month of retail, the co-payment will be $30 for name brand drugs, and $15 for generic drugs and for name-brand drugs when a generic is not available. Although the new program is operating, the Plan will continue to honor pharmacy claims submit- ted for reimbursement from nonparticipating pharmacies for a three-month grace period. During this grace period, Prescription Solutions will attempt to enroll the non-participating pharmacy in their network. Should they be unsuccessful, however, reimbursements would be made in accordance with the network payment schedule if participants continue to use non-participating pharmacies after the grace period expires. Prescription Solutions has more than 55,000 participating pharmacies in their network. Included in this list are: Carr’s, Navy Ship Transfers to CIVMAR Fleet Members of the SIU’s Government Services Division on Nov. 14 welcomed new jobs for civilian mariners as the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) accepted transfer of the USS Coronado—a command vessel—from the U.S. Navy. Some 115 new jobs became available for Seafarers as a result of the historic move, which was made possible through a pilot program designed to integrate civilian mariners into the Navy’s military function. The vessel transfer marks the first time that merchant mariners will crew a U.S. Navy combatant vessel under the command of an active duty flag officer. “These are exciting times for both the merchant marine and the military,” said SIU Government Services Division Representative Chester Wheeler. “Our people will be working side by side with active duty sailors on military vessels and sharing their respective areas of expertise. I’m certain the military will benefit as will SIU members.” The USS Coronado was built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company in Seattle. Its keel was laid May 3, 1965, and the ship was launched July 30, 1966. It was commissioned May 23, 1970. The Coronado was designed as an Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD), built to transport Marines and their equipment to the scene of an amphibious assault and move them ashore by landing craft and helicopters. The ship is one of seven fitted with additional superstructure for command ship duties. First assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in the 1970s, the Coronado conducted extensive operations and deployed on numerous occasions to Northern Europe and the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. In 1980, the vessel was redesignated an AGF (Miscellaneous Command Ship). Its first assignment was to relieve the USS La Salle (AGF 3) as the command ship for the Commander, U.S. Middle East Force, stationed in the Persian Gulf. Reassigned in October 1985, the Coronado relieved the USS Puget Sound (AD 38) as the command ship of Commander, Sixth Fleet. During its 10-month tour with the Sixth Fleet, it operated out of Gaeta, Italy, participating in operations in the Gulf of Sidra and strikes against Libyan terrorist support facilities. In July 1986, the Coronado was relieved as the Sixth Fleet command ship and ordered to The Coronado signals new jobs for members of the union’s Government Services Division. 4 Seafarers LOG Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to become the command ship for Commander, Third Fleet. Subsequently, the Coronado was relieved as the Third Fleet command ship and deployed to the Arabian Gulf to assume duties as the command ship for Commander, Middle East Force in January of 1988. Upon its return to Pearl Harbor in November 1988, the Coronado again assumed its duties as command ship for the Third Fleet. The ship remained home-ported in Hawaii until August 1991, when it and the Third Fleet changed homeports to Naval Air Station North Island, in its namesake city of Coronado, Calif. On Nov. 14, the Coronado was transferred to the Military Sealift Command, becoming the first Command Ship ever to be assigned to MSC. The vessel subsequently was converted to accommodate civilian mariners. Afterwards, it returned to the fleet and resumed duties as the flagship of the Third Fleet. Since its redesignation from LPD to AGF, it has undergone numerous modifications and today is the flagship of the Third Fleet. Additional details about the habitability negotiations and the memorandum of understanding covering the Coronado will be published in an upcoming issue of the Seafarers LOG. CVS, Eckerd, Rite-Aid, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Giant and Walgreen’s. Those with questions about this new prescription drug plan, or needing assistance in locating a participating pharmacy, may call Prescription Solutions Customer Service at 1-800-7979797, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Pacific Standard Time. The chart above shows the copay rates that will apply to all eligible members and dependents when using participating pharmacies. Coronado at a Glance Keel Laid: May 3, 1965 Launched: July 30, 1966 Commissioned: May 23, 1970 Decommissioned: Nov.14, 2003 MSC “in service”: Nov.14, 2003 Builder: Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle Propulsion system: 2 boilers, geared turbines Propellers: 2 Length: 567.5 feet Beam: 84 feet Draft: 23.6 feet Displacement: 17,000 tons full load Speed: 20+ knots Armament: 2 20mm Phalanx CIWS, machine gun mounts Aircraft: 2 light heliopters New Rule Impacts MMD Renewal The U.S. Coast Guard on Jan. 6, aiming to ensure the issuance of merchant mariner documents (MMDs) only to eligible seafarers, published an interim rule changing the application procedures for the Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation program. The SIU is preparing a formal reply to the interim regulation. A major change is that mariners seeking to renew current documents now must appear in person at a Regional Examination Center (REC) for fingerprinting during the renewal process. All applicants will undergo criminal and security checks, and new tamper-resistant documents will be issued. The rule went into effect immediately. Another change stipulates that a mariner must report (in writing) a lost document, including the circumstances surrounding the loss. Under the new rule, and according to The Federal Register, the Coast Guard will verify information provided on mariners’ original MMD applications and conduct record reviews and safety and security checks of applicants in accordance with applicable law. The agency may reject an application for an MMD if the record review and safety and security check leads officials to determine that the applicant’s criminal record or “character and habits of life” demonstrate that the applicant is not a “safe and suitable” person. A safe and suitable person eligible for an MMD is defined in The Federal Register as one who, as determined by the appropriate Coast Guard official, possesses the character and habits of life to warrant the belief that their presence aboard vessels of the United States is not adverse to the securi- ty of the United States. In instances where an application is disapproved, the applicant will be notified in writing of the reason(s) for disapproval, unless the Coast Guard determines that such disclosure of information is prohibited by law, regulation, or agency policy, in which case the reason(s) will not be disclosed. No MMD transactions will be performed pending a decision on an appeal. Although the new regulations immediately took effect, comments are being accepted until April 5, 2004. The text of the interim rule may be viewed at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su _docs/fedreg/a040106c.html and at http://dms.dot.gov. At the latter address, click “simple search” and punch in the docket number (2003-14500). February 2004 �21209_Pg1,3_5,7,10,16.qxd 1/22/2004 8:46 AM Page 5 ‘High Threat’ Alert Issued MarAd Advises Caution in Wake of Homeland Security Announcement The U.S. Maritime Administration on Dec. 21 issued an advisory (MarAd Advisory 0306) in reaction to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) raising of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) from elevated (yellow) to threat condition high (orange). The HSAS later was changed back to an elevated (yellow) threat condition. Directed to operators of U.S.flag and other maritime interests, the advisory outlined steps that affected entities and agencies should take in response to the heightened threat levels. Threat condition high denotes an imminent risk of terrorist attack. According to the advisory, the DHS has received a substantial increase in the volume of threatrelated intelligence reports that are possibly greater now than at any time since September 11. The alert stated that the U.S. intelligence community believes Al-Qaida continues to develop plans to use aircraft as a weapon in suicide attacks in the United States and continues to study countries to determine those that have the least stringent aviation security measures. In addition, the acquisition, production or theft of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials and subsequent dissemination is a top Al-Qaida objective, the correspondence said. Under the advisory, public and private owners of maritime vessels and facilities were encouraged to take the following actions: „ review all vessel security plans, „ monitor restricted areas, Operation Iraqi Freedom — Part 2 Continued from page 3 The agency added that much of the cargo in OIF2 is needed to help stabilize and reconstruct Iraq. “Obviously it means jobs, and that’s always a good thing,” noted QMED-Electrician Taylor Clear. “We’re going to get the job done, regardless of whatever it takes—whether we have to do it all at once, or three or four ships a month.” AB Jim Romeo described the new mission as “mandatory. It’s important. I was in the Marine Corps at the end of Vietnam, so I appreciate the need to get supplies and personnel over there. People don’t always think of logistics, but without it, we’d be in trouble. “You do whatever you’ve got to do,” he added. “We’ve got enough guys to crew up all the ships.” Unlicensed Junior Engineer Woodrow Smith said the opportunity to continue supporting U.S. troops “is good for the membership. To me, it’s a good thing we’re out there together with the armed forces.” Dunklin mentioned that his father sailed during World War II and that, because of U.S. Mariners’ high casualty rate during that war, “I can’t equate what I’m doing with what my father did.” But SIU New Orleans Port Agent Steve Judd said that Dunklin and other Seafarers who expressed similar sentiments “are being modest, which says a lot about the membership. They’re every bit as much the nation’s fourth arm of defense today as during earlier times. The only difference is we have much greater security today.” During the first phase of OIF, more than 2,000 SIU members crewed 100-plus vessels in support of U.S. troops. U.S. Maritime Administrator Captain William Schubert described OIF as the most efficient sealift operation in history. „ control access to the vessel, „ monitor deck areas and areas surrounding the vessel, „ implement security lookouts and/or security patrols to ensure continuous monitoring, „ perform waterside boat patrols to ensure continuous monitoring, „ use divers to inspect the underwater pier structures associated with vessel berthing and loading/unloading operations, including piers and docks, prior to vessel arrival and upon arrival, and in other situations where deemed appropriate, „ control the embarkation of persons and their effects, and „ supervise the handling of cargo, vessel stores, and bunkers. The advisory urged maritime industry operators to maintain high levels of security and implement appropriate protective measures that correspond to threat condition orange under the HSAS. Recipients of the advisory were encouraged by the DHS to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to local law enforcement, local FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force or the Homeland Security Operations SIU VP Corgey Appointed To Key Labor Position On Maritime Security Group SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey has been appointed as the primary voting labor representative to the Houston-Galveston Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC), a group ultimately directed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Corgey has worked with the AMSC for the past two years. He accepted the four-year appointment as primary voting labor representative late last year. “It’s exciting to serve on the committee, and we’ve managed, through a lot of hard work and teamwork by all the stakeholders, to figure out ways to make our port more secure while maintaining the flow of commerce,” Corgey stated. “It’s also important to recognize that this appointment already has helped the SIU membership, because we were successful at the KinderMorgan Marine Terminal negotiating crew changes and shore leave for mariners for the first time since before September 11 (2001).” Among other stipulations, the Kinder-Morgan agreement requires that a vessel captain or agent provide 24-hour written notice of crew change; identify crew members and approved visitors; and supervise the crew change. The agreement took effect this year. U.S. Coast Guard Captain Richard M. Kaser, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, congratulated Corgey in a letter dated Nov. 25, 2003. “I have been extremely pleased with the steady progress the committee has made on numerous fronts over the last two years. Your contributions in this effort have been critical to the committee’s success,” Kaser wrote. “In fact, the AMSC’s accomplishments and initiatives have served as a model for other ports throughout the United States.” Kaser described the AMSC’s work as “an aggressive port security planning agenda that has undoubtedly enhanced the area’s overall security. The committee has cultivated private and public sector relationships and initiated extensive dialogue that have led to numerous security-related work products.... The AMSC, as Federation Aims to Boost Grocery Workers The American Federation of LaborCongress of Industrial Organizations (AFLCIO) is stepping in to manage the national strategy for the ongoing California supermarket strike and lockout. Reports say the umbrella organization of 64 national and international unions (including the SIU) on Jan.20 assigned two of its veterans—AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka and Ron Judd, a regional director for the federation—to boost the workers’ campaign. Trumka played a crucial role in resolving the West Coast port lockout while Judd orchestrated federation protests at the tumultuous World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle. As reported earlier in the Seafarers LOG, about 70,000 grocery clerks from Kroger Co.’s Ralphs, Safeway Inc.’s Vons and Albertsons Inc. have been locked out or on strike since early October over contract differences, particularly the cost and scope of health care benefits for current employees and future hires. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) walked out at Vons and Pavilions Oct. 11. The next day, workers were locked out of Ralphs and Albertsons stores. The supermarket chains have one con- February 2004 Center (HSOC). The HSOC may be contacted at (202) 282-8101. The transportation industry also can report information concerning suspicious activity to their local FBI office through the FBI website http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm or to the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) at its website at: http://www.nipc.gov/incident/cirr.htm The alert said U.S. merchant vessels and cruise ships should be on a heightened state of security and closely monitor the national geospatial intelligence agency’s (NGA) broadcast warnings and should review the emergency communication procedures for assistance in NGA Publication 117. tract with the union, and they have been negotiating as a bloc. The stores have been operating with scabs since the strike commenced. The federation hopes a new series of events will attract public support and drum up pressure on the grocery chains after official negotiations stalled in December and informal, secret talks broke off earlier in the month. The plan is to pressure the supermarket companies by hounding executives and directors with phone calls and visits, staging demonstrations across the country—including a “pray-in” outside the Northern California home of the chief executive of Safeway Inc.—and persuading major grocery-company shareholders, such as pension funds, to take stands in the union’s favor. Assistance from the federation comes after two recent, laudable attempts by the UFCW to get contract talks back on track. In mid-December, the UFCW offered what union officials described as substantial concessions on health-care benefits. The companies dismissed the proposal as inadequate. In early January, national and local UFCW officials met secretly in San Francisco with midlevel managers from the supermarket chains. Union participants said four days of meetings brought them no closer to a resolution. Top AFL-CIO officials and representatives of 40 national labor unions on Jan. 17 discussed strategy and plans for fundraising during a conference call. More than $600,000 was pledged, Trumka said. In addition, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union revealed during a Jan. 20 a news conference that it plans to raise more than $1 million for health benefits for the picketing grocery workers; the longshoremen’s union will ask its members to pay an extra $25 a month in dues for six months. In another development, thousands of the striking grocery workers became ineligible for medical benefits Jan. 1 and must pay if they want insurance through March. Most lost their eligibility because they did not work sufficient hours in October and November as required by the health care trust fund rules, union officials said. Workers have been given a one-time option to buy family coverage through March for $365. Some employees, who work a smaller number of weekly hours, did qualify because of the low number of hours required under the plan. Other employees qualified because they secured part-time jobs at other union stores, including Gelson’s and Stater Brothers. But coverage is not guaranteed even for SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey the port security planning committee for the ports of Houston, Galveston, Texas City, and Freeport, has an overarching goal of hardening the ports through comprehensive security planning while striving to maintain economic viability. In this effort, I look to you (Corgey) to continue your invaluable committee work....” Corgey also serves as a vice president of the Texas AFL-CIO; as secretary-treasurer of the West Gulf Ports Council of the AFLCIO Maritime Trades Department; and on the executive board of the Harris County (Texas) AFL-CIO. those who opt to pay because the supermarket chains have not made full payments into the fund since the strike and lockout began. The union filed federal lawsuits last October against the three chains to keep them contributing to the health care fund. The lawsuit went to arbitration and a decision was expected late last month. Elsewhere, two civil suits on Jan. 2 and Jan. 5 were filed by the union against Ralphs that allege the company is falsifying employment records to retain locked out workers in some stores. The lawsuit filed Jan. 5 is a federal suit that charges Ralphs falsely reported to the trustees of the clerks’ health and pension benefits funds how many hours were worked by union members during the strike and lockout and how much money the grocer owed to the funds because UFCW members worked those hours. The reports were sent by mail, which the suit says constitutes mail fraud. The UFCW on Jan. 2 filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging the Ralphs supermarket chain has been secretly hiring back selected workers under false names and Social Security numbers. According to union spokeswomen Ellen Anreder and Barbara Maynard, the union had evidence from 50 to 100 striking workers who had secretly been hired back and then told to use fictitious names and Social Security numbers or those of their minor children. Seafarers LOG 5 �21209_P06,08,15.qxd 1/21/2004 12:57 AM Page 6 What You Need to Know About Anthrax Vaccine Editor’s note: This information is reprinted (with permission) from a brochure distributed by the U.S. military to armed forces personnel. U.S. mariners sailing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom are required to receive the same vaccines. Anthrax Vaccine is Safe and Effective U.S. anthrax vaccine has been FDA-licensed since 1970. The National Academy of Sciences and six panels of civilian scientists confirm that anthrax vaccine works and is safe. (See www.nap.edu/catalog/10310.html) The Threat from Anthrax is Deadly and Real Anthrax is a top choice for use as a biological-warfare agent. The most deadly form of anthrax, inhalational anthrax, is the form most expected on the battlefield. You can be infected with anthrax and not know it, until it’s too late. Frequently Asked Questions Who should not get the anthrax vaccine? Some people should not get anthrax vaccine or should wait if the following apply: Serious reaction to a prior dose raising concerns about safety of next dose Pregnancy HIV and immunosuppressed individuals Recovered from cutaneous skin anthrax You can request an evaluation for a medical exemption from your provider. If you or your provider need assistance with medical exemption questions, the Walter Reed Vaccine Healthcare Center (VHC) is available for consultation services or referral for a second opinion. What side effects can I expect? A burning sensation often occurs immediately after getting anthrax vaccine and can last about a minute. Like other vaccines, anthrax vaccine may cause soreness, redness, itching and swelling at the injection site. Up to 30% of men and 60% of women report local reactions, but these reactions usually last only a few days. A lump at the site occurs commonly, up to 50% of the time, lasting for a few weeks. Larger reactions occur in about 1-4% of vaccinees. Beyond the injection site, 5% to 35% may notice such symptoms as muscle or joint aches, headaches, rashes, chills, low-grade fever or nausea. These symptoms usually go away in less than a week. Any vaccine, like all prescription drugs, can cause serious reactions including those requiring hospitalization or medical care. Severe allergic reactions occur less than once per 100,000 doses. How many shots will I get? The FDA-licensed schedule for anthrax vaccine is six doses given over 18 months: 0-2-4 weeks, 6-1218 months, plus annual boosters. It is important to stay on schedule and not to get a dose earlier than your due date. It is also important to continue the series once you start, even when returning from deployment. Is this vaccine safe and effective? Yes. Study after study shows people vaccinated against anthrax are as healthy as unvaccinated people. However, like all drugs, anthrax vaccine may rarely cause adverse reactions resulting in illness where a medical exemption is indicated. 6 Seafarers LOG America’s best scientists, serving on a committee of the National Academy of Sciences, said that anthrax vaccine, “as licensed, is an effective vaccine for the protection of humans against anthrax, including inhalational anthrax, caused by all known or plausible engineered strains of B. anthracis.” What about long-term side effects? This vaccine has been used for over 30 years. Like other vaccines, death or serious illness have rarely been reported after vaccination. Each case is carefully reviewed by CDC, FDA, and DoD, to make vaccinations as safe as possible. If I have a health problem or adverse event after vaccination, what do I do? First, if a health problem occurs following any vaccine, seek med- ical care to take care of your immediate health problem! If your symptoms persist, you or your provider may contact the Walter Reed Vaccine Healthcare Center at (202) 782-0411. Then follow the information below to file a report with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). When do we file a VAERS report? Adverse events after vaccination are reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). VAERS forms are available at www.vaers.org or call (800) 822-7967. Health care workers and vaccine recipients are encouraged to report via the VAERS system any severe events that require medical treatment and/or interfere with work or recreation. VAERS reporting is required with reactions that cause hospitalization or loss of work for 24 hours or more. You or any healthcare provider (civilian or military) treating you may contact the Walter Reed Vaccine Healthcare Center (VHC) for assistance with preparing and submitting a VAERS report or vaccine adverse event consultation. If I started anthrax vaccinations, but had doses delayed, do I have to restart the series? No, you will not have to restart the series. You will simply pick up where you left off. This is consistent with national guidelines from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The protection of each additional dose builds on the immune response to earlier doses and delays in timing do not interfere with the response. This is like climbing steps on a ladder towards full protection. What if I’m pregnant, breast-feeding or I’m planning on having children? Good medical practice defers vaccination during pregnancy, unless clearly needed…. A study at Fort Stewart found that vaccinated women get pregnant and give birth at the same rate as unvaccinated women. Outcomes of pregnancies are comparable in vaccinated and unvaccinated women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that vaccines are safe both for nursing mothers and their breast-fed infants. There is no medical reason for vaccinated women or partners of vaccinated men to delay child bearing. What You Need to Know About Smallpox Editor’s note: This information is reprinted (with permission) from a brochure distributed by the U.S. military to armed forces personnel. U.S. mariners sailing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom are required to receive the same vaccines. What is smallpox? Smallpox is a very serious disease; it is contagious and sometimes fatal. Smallpox is an infection caused by a germ called variola virus. About three out of 10 people infected with smallpox will die. Survivors are often scarred and, in rare cases, may be blinded. Smallpox spreads slowly, usually by face-toface contact for an hour or more with a contagious person. People with smallpox become contagious just before a rash begins and just after their temperature goes over 101°F (38.3°C). They stay contagious until all scabs from their rash fall off. The symptoms of smallpox begin with high fever, head and body aches, and sometimes vomiting. A rash follows that spreads and progresses to raised bumps that crust, scab and fall off after about three weeks, leaving pitted scars. Smallpox can be spread by contact with inanimate objects (such as clothing, towels, linens), but this would be uncommon. Smallpox can be prevented through the use of smallpox vaccine. What is the smallpox vaccine? Smallpox vaccine contains live vaccinia virus (not smallpox virus) to protect against smallpox. This same vaccine was given to millions of Americans, including Service Members during World War I, World War II, and until the 1980s. FDA recently licensed a supply of smallpox vaccine made by Wyeth Laboratories called Dryvax®. Vaccine used for Service Members passes all tests required by the FDA. The World Health Organization (WHO) used smallpox vaccine to eradicate natural smallpox from the planet. After a single smallpox vaccination, about 95% of people develop protection within 10 days. Many people have never been vaccinated against smallpox. Other people probably have little immunity left from vaccinations given years ago. Who should not get smallpox vaccine? Except in an outbreak situation, some people should not get smallpox vaccine, including: People whose immune system is not working fully (due to disease, medication, or radiation), such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, transplant, immune deficiency. People diagnosed with eczema or atopic dermatitis, now or earlier in life. People with current skin conditions, such as burns, impetigo, contact dermatitis, chickenpox, shingles, psoriasis, or uncontrolled acne, until the condition clears up. Pregnant women. People with a household contact who meets any of the conditions above. People with serious heart or vessel conditions (such as angina, heart attack, artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, other cardiac problem). People with three cardiac risk factors (smoking, high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, family history). People taking steroid eye drops or ointment. Breastfeeding mothers. Anyone who had problems after previous doses or is allergic to the vaccine or any component. Also please note: Women should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after smallpox vaccination. People directly exposed to smallpox virus should get vaccinated regardless of health status (unless extremely immune suppressed). What should I expect at the vaccination site? If vaccination is successful, a red and itchy bump forms at the vaccination site in 2 to 4 days. Over the next few days, the bump becomes a blister and fills with pus. During the second week, the blister dries up and a scab forms. The scab falls off after 2 to 4 weeks, leaving a scar. People vaccinated for the first time may have a larger reaction than those being revaccinated. Anyone who does not get the expected reaction needs to be revaccinated. If you have a question or concern about the smallpox vaccination site, contact your primary-care manager or healthcare provider. Virus is present on the skin at the vaccination site until the scab falls off. Be careful not to touch it, so you don’t spread virus elsewhere, especially to the eyes, nose, mouth or genitalia. Wash your hands frequently. Alcohol-based cleansers or soap and water are both effective. If you develop chest pain, become short of breath, or have other symptoms within 2 weeks after vaccination, seek medical care. If you need medical care in the month after your vaccination, tell your provider you just got a smallpox vaccination. Tell any civilian employers, too. What side effects should I expect? Most people have reactions, usually mild, such as itching, swollen lymph nodes, sore arm, fever, headache, body ache, mild rash or fatigue. These symptoms may peak 3 to 12 days after vaccination. In the past, about 1,000 out of every 1,000,000 vaccinated people experienced reactions that were serious, but not life-threatening. Most involved spreading vaccinia virus elsewhere on the body. In the past, between 14 and 52 people out of 1,000,000 vaccinated for the first time experienced potentially life-threatening reactions, including skin reactions and encephalitis (inflammation of brain). From past experience, 1 or 2 people in 1,000,000 who receive smallpox vaccine may die as a result. After the first 500,000 military smallpox vaccinations thru December 2003, few serious reactions occurred. Some first-time vaccinees had chest pain due to myo-pericarditis (inflammation in or around the heart). These cases ranged from mild to serious. One case of lupus-like illness may have been triggered by vaccination. A few heart attacks, some fatal, have been reported. At this time, they are not believed to be caused by vaccine. DoD medically exempts people with heart conditions. Further investigation is underway. We try to reduce the risk of side effects by exempting people who should not receive this vaccine. What can I do to prevent spreading the vaccine virus (vaccinia) to my household pets? There is no evidence that vaccinia virus can infect cats, dogs, or other household pets, nor that pets can spread the virus to other people in the household. Take the usual protective steps (e.g., sleeves, bandages, hand washing) to keep vaccinia virus from reaching your pet. How should I care for the vaccination site? Three Key Points: 1. Don’t touch your vaccination site. 2. If you touch it by accident, wash your hands right away. 3. Don’t let others touch your vaccination site or materials that touched it. Vaccine virus (vaccinia) is present at the vaccination site for about 14 to 28 days, until the scab falls off. This means other people can get infected if they come in contact with vaccinia virus from your arm. Minimize close contact with infants until the scab falls off. Or have someone else handle the infant. Most vaccination sites can be left unbandaged, when not in contact with other people. Use an absorbent bandage as a touch-resistant barrier. When near others, wear sleeves to cover the site and prevent scratching. Dispose of bandages in sealed or double plastic bags. You may carefully add a little bleach to the bag, to kill the virus. Keep the site dry. Air will speed healing. Do not use creams or ointments; they will delay healing and can spread the virus. Wear longsleeve clothing to protect the site. Launder clothing and linens that touch the site in hot water with soap or bleach. Normal bathing can continue, but don’t touch or scrub the vaccination site. Dry the site last, with something disposable, so a towel does not rub or spread virus elsewhere. Don’t allow others to use that towel until laundered. Don’t use public towels, unless laundry workers know you were vaccinated. Use a waterproof bandage if you exercise enough to cause sweat to drip. Avoid swimming and hot tubs. Don’t let your guard down at home! Take good care of your vaccination site. Keep this sheet. Read it again later. Be sure to ask questions. For more information: 877-GET-VACC www.smallpox.mil www.anthrax.mil vaccines@amedd.army.mil www.seafarersorg/members February 2004 �21209_Pg1,3_5,7,10,16.qxd 1/22/2004 8:47 AM Page 7 Revamped FOWT Course Preps Students For Endorsements, STCW Certification The new U.S. Coast Guardapproved Fireman/Watertender and Oiler (FOWT) program at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education prepares candidates to earn both the Fireman/WT and Oiler rating endorsements as well as STCW certification as a Rating Forming Part of the Engineering Watch. This eight-week program consists of three course modules: Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations (four weeks), Basic Motor Plant Operations (two weeks), and Basic Steam Plant Operations (two weeks). Students are assessed via written examinations with a primary emphasis on practical marine engineering plant operations while in a support role, as well as a practical demonstration of job-related skills. Students are required to perform those tasks associated with the performance of their job duties as a watchstander, including routine maintenance performed while on watch. The updated program makes extensive use of engineering plant simulators. “The new program is not only designed to provide members the necessary training for Coast Guard rating endorsements and STCW certification, but also provides an excellent foundation for continued growth and development as a professional mariner working in the engine room,” said Bill Eglinton, director of training at the Piney Point, Md. school. The following is an overview of each module and its contents: Instructor Eric Malzkuhn points out some of the engine simulator functions to Brandy White and other students in the FOWT class. Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations Module fixed and semi-portable dry chemical systems, fixed and semi-portable foam systems, and fire main and sprinkler systems. The miscellaneous systems segment covers the layout, arrangement and operation of bilge and ballast systems, central priming systems, general service sea water and low temperature fresh water cooling systems, potable water and engine room fresh water service systems, sanitary flushing and sanitary drain systems, lube oil filling and transfer systems, and fuel oil filling and transfer systems. Topics in auxiliary plant operations include the layout, arrangement, principles, operation and monitoring of distilling plants, oily water separators, sewage treatment plants, hydraulic power plants, electro-hydraulic steering Consists of instruction and practical training in basic marine engineering, fire protection systems and emergency response procedures, miscellaneous systems, and auxiliary plant operations. Topics in basic marine engineering include basic machines and mechanical energy transformations, thermal energy and combustion principles, fluid power using both hydraulic and pneumatic mediums, electrical energy and basic electricity, basic metallurgy and engineering materials, and piping system hardware. Subjects in fire protection systems and emergency response procedures include the layout, arrangement, use and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, fixed CO2 flooding systems, Corey Hann monitors a simulator screen on the second day of his FOWT course. The class blends practical training with classroom instruction. Seafarers Rescue 3 The Seafarers-crewed Lykes Discoverer recently rescued three people on the high seas near Bermuda. At 2040 hours on Dec. 22, the Discoverer was contacted by a U.S. Coast Guard aircraft and advised that the agency had located what they believed to be the fishing vessel Sea Gypsy, a boat that was overdue on a voyage from Newfoundland to Bermuda with three persons aboard. At the time of the communication, the Discoverer was located some 25 miles away from the Sea Gypsy’s position. After instructing his crew to establish continuous communications with the Coast Guard aircraft and prepare the vessel to take persons on board, Discoverer Capt. Scott Putty set course for the Sea Gypsy. At about 2210 hours, crew members from the Discoverer had the smaller boat in sight and Putty began maneuvering his vessel into position to take her alongside. February 2004 gear, lube oil purification plants, fuel oil treatment plants, compressed air plants, auxiliary boilers, motor vessel steam plants, refrigeration plants, air conditioning plants, and electricity generating plants. Auxiliary plant simulations consist of stand-alone plant simulations as well as those integrated with diesel propulsion plant and steam propulsion plant simulations. Basic Motor Plant Operations Module Consists of instruction and practical training in power transmission systems, diesel engines, diesel engine support systems, plant automation, reduction gears, propulsion shafting and associated bearings, and propellers. Topics in power transmission systems include the layout and arrangement of gear, chain and belt drives; solid and flexible couplings; brakes and clutches; and principles of lubrication, lubricants and bearings. Topics in diesel engines include the layout, arrangement, construction, principles, operation and monitoring of slow and medium speed propulsion diesel engines, medium speed generator diesel engines, high speed auxiliary and emergency generator diesel engines, and diesel-electric drives. Subjects in diesel engine support systems include the layout, arrangement, operation and monitoring of starting systems, fuel oil service systems and fuel injection equipment, charge air and exhaust systems, fresh water and sea water cooling systems, lubricating oil systems and crankcase Some 40 minutes later, after safely securing the Sea Gypsy, Discoverer crew members passed out lifejackets to the three distressed mariners aboard the boat. They later were brought aboard the Discoverer and their boat was abandoned. Rescued from the Sea Gypsy were Capt. Whitfield J. Brathwaite and his two-person crew— Joseph A. Brathwaite and Alphonse A. Barrow. All three had credentials from Barbados. Once aboard the Discoverer, Capt. Brathwaite informed his liberators that he and his shipmates had been adrift for four days. Their vessel lost power and they were unsuccessful in their repeated attempts to restart any generators, the captain said. They had been without food for several days. All were fed, given shelter and afforded phone calls to their families. Putty commended the work of Bosun Matthew Sagay and that of the other crew members during the rescue. ventilation systems. Issues covered during plant automation include the layout, arrangement and operation of engine operating controls, diesel engine governors, process control systems, automation sequencing, self-protection and alarms. Topics in reduction gears include the layout, arrangement, operation and monitoring of reversing and non-reversing reduction gears and propulsion clutches. Course material in propulsion shafting includes the layout, arrangement, operation and monitoring of propulsion shafting, thrust bearings, line shaft or spring bearings, stern tube bearings and strut bearings. Subjects in propellers include the layout, arrangement, operation and monitoring of fixed pitch and controllable pitch propellers and controllable pitch propeller servos. Motor plant simulations consist of stand-alone plant simulations as well as those integrated with auxiliary plant and electricity generating plant simulations. Both slow speed and medium speed diesel propulsion plants are modeled. Additionally, the motor plant simulation program offers a complete mockup of an engine control room including propulsion plant, auxiliary plant, and electricity generating plant prime mover operating consoles as well as a main switchboard. Basic Steam Plant Operations Module Consists of instruction and practical training in the steam and water cycle, marine power boilers, turbines, condensers, air removal equipment, condensate and feed heating equipment, steam plant systems, plant automation, reduction gears and propulsion shafting, and casualty control. Topics in the steam and water cycle include steam generation, steam expansion, steam condensation, the preparation and introduction of feed and the thermodynamic properties of steam. Matters addressed in marine power boilers include the layout, arrangement, construction, principles, operation and monitoring of single and divided furnace boilers, controlled and uncontrolled superheat boilers, nonautomated and automated boilers, and steam-to-steam generators. Subjects in turbines include the layout, arrangement, con- struction, principles, operation and monitoring of main and auxiliary turbines, and condensing and non-condensing turbines. Material covered in condensers includes the layout, arrangement, construction, principles, operation and monitoring of main and auxiliary condensers. Topics in air removal equipment include the layout, arrangement, principles, operation and monitoring of main and auxiliary air ejectors, vacuum pumps, and de-arating feed tanks. The condensate and feed heating equipment segment covers the layout, arrangement, operation and monitoring of low pressure and high pressure feed heaters, air ejector and gland exhaust condensers, and boiler economizers. The steam plant systems section includes the layout, arrangement, operation and monitoring of steam systems, condensate systems, condensate drain systems, feed systems, sea water circulating cooling systems, fuel oil service systems, forced draft and exhaust systems and lubricating oil systems. Plant automation addresses the layout, arrangement and operation of boiler and turbine operating controls, turbine governors, process control systems, automation sequencing, self-protection and alarms. Course content in reduction gears and propulsion shafting includes the layout, arrangement, operation and monitoring of reduction gears and propulsion shafting, thrust bearings, line shaft or spring bearings, stern tube bearings, strut bearings and propellers. Subjects in casualty control include the appropriate corrective reaction to boiler low, high and out-of-sight unknown boiler water level casualties as well as a boiler economizer fire casualty. Steam plant simulations consist of stand-alone plant simulations as well as those integrated with auxiliary plant and electricity generating plant simulations. In all phases of instruction, proper watchstanding techniques are emphasized. Proper relieving of the watch, conducting of machinery space rounds, taking log readings, using operating plant guides, consulting engineering watch supervisors, seeking clarification when in doubt, using and updating machinery status boards, communicating effectively, and handing over of the watch are all emphasized and are an integral part of the assessment process. Safety awareness and the proper response to engineering plant and shipboard emergencies are strongly emphasized. Richard Rowland (left) and Terrance Colbert familiarize themselves with the simulator. Seafarers LOG 7 �21209_P06,08,15.qxd 1/22/2004 5:24 PM Page 8 Seafarer Shepard’s Tales Are No Bull “What’s the difference between a sea story and a fairytale?” asks author and SIU member Earl G. (Bullet) Shepard. “A fairytale starts out with Once Upon a Time, and a sea story starts out with This Ain’t No Sh*t!” In his new book, aptly titled “This Ain’t No Sh*t!,” Shepard offers a collection of satiric stories about his life as a merchant mariner. Shepard has sailed for 31 years and began writing his life experiences “a couple years ago.” His book is a collection of humorous stories intended “to bring smiles and evoke laughter.” In describing the book, Shepard notes, “A variety of nautical tales has emerged. From Roscoe the monkey who almost took my ears off as I waited for a date, to an abusive so-called captain being blown off a toilet seat, these stories may make you laugh until your sides hurt. Others will make you wonder why these men go to sea!” The book begins when Shepard is 18 years old, following his father’s footsteps into a seafaring career, and takes readers up to the present. Shepard sails as an AB/tankerman and dedicates this book to his daughter, Dawn. The 498-page book is published by 1st Books Library. It is available on the web at www.1stbooks.com for $18.25 in paperback and for $5.95 in electronic format. Shepard is the son of the late Earl “Bull” Shepard, one of the SIU’s founders. SIU member Earl G. (Bullet) Shepard’s book is a collection of humorous stories about his life as a merchant mariner. Former SIU Member Writes Volume About Life in the Merchant Marine Tell someone you are a schoolteacher, and you will hear, “That’s a noble profession. What grade do you teach?” But tell someone you are in the merchant marine, and you will get the deer-in-the-headlights look. “I thought the merchant marine went away in World War II.” Michael Rawlins knows. After leaving the world of broadcasting for a life on the water, he joined the SIU in 1990, graduating from trainee class 465. He continues today as an officer in the AMO, currently aboard a ship in Iraq. According to Rawlins, “Most people are not quite sure what the merchant marine is, so they try to relate to it on the only level they know—old swashbuckling books and movies. I wanted to give a perspective of someone with years on the water—to combine history with some good ol’ sea stories.” And that he does. This book is the story of a young man leaving the rural Midwest for a life at sea and a world of travel, and has a cast of colorful, eccentric characters. But more than just wild sea stories, “The Last American Sailors” (subtitled “A Wild Ride in the Modern Merchant Marine”) looks at the historical events that have brought about the change in a once glorious industry. What kind of hold does the ocean have on these men and women who keep heading back out to sea? Is there really a girl in every port? Do you go to lots of exotic ports? Aren’t you afraid of falling overboard? “The Last American Sailors” answers these questions and more. Rawlins reminisces about his Michael Rawlins writes about what he knows best—life in the U.S. Merchant Marine. days as a trainee. “I’ll never forget marching around the school at dawn on those bone-chilling Piney Point winter mornings,” he states. And although he currently holds a second mate’s license, he says he will always remember his roots. Michael Rawlins combines history with some good old sea stories in this book, due out in the spring. Memorial for Brother Smith 8 Seafarers LOG “In fact, originally the book was titled “The Last American Sailor,” singular. This seemed too much about the author, too much like a bio, so I added the ‘s.’ The real stars of the book are the people I sailed with—the Brotherhood of the Sea.” The book, which has been designated “Editor’s Choice” by the publisher, iuniverse, and will be featured in the winter edition of the Copperfield Literary Review, is due out in the spring in San Francisco, Rawlins’ home port for many years. He will then embark on a book signing tour to Nevada, Utah, Illinois, Missouri and Maryland. When not at sea, Rawlins makes his home in the Southwest desert. Colorful Book Spotlights Inland Tugboat Industry “Tugboats ‘n Towlines: The Men and Women Who Give Them Life” by Warren Salinger focuses on the American tugboat industry. It offers insights on the roles these vessels and their crews play in the world and its global economy. The 128-page book features tugs of varying sizes, and describes the many fascinating aspects of the tugboat industry. It represents the culmination of visits made by Salinger to 30 United States seaports on all three coasts and Lake Michigan. Included are eight of the United States’ top 20 seaports in terms of tonnage handled. The work—while containing some 200 full color photos of tugs—really is about the men and women who work on the vessels rather than the boats themselves. It contains the insights of some 80 individuals who granted interviews Great Lakes Towing is one of the SIUto shed light on the contracted companies whose crews and American tugboat commu- boats are featured in the book. nity. Additionally, the work offers a great deal of data about the boats, ports and river systems Brent Dibner, editor of Tugbitts, the newsletter of the Tugboat Enthusiasts Society of America, calls “Tugboats ‘n Towlines: The Men and Women Who Give Them Life” “the best-written treatment of the American tugboat industry I have ever seen and a great addition to maritime literature.” The book is available directly from the publisher (Twin Lights Publishers, Inc.) at info@twinlightspub.com, telephone (978) 5467398, web site www.twinlightspub.com. Seafarers who want to purchase a copy of the work may do so at a 20 percent discount off its retail price. To take advantage of this offer, members must call the publisher at the above number and identify themselves as SIU members when placing their orders. SIU Pensioner Francis “Bert” Smith, 70, was remembered by family and friends last month during a memorial service (right) at the Seafarers Haven cemetery, located near the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. Brother Smith (pictured at left, in the Philadelphia hall) passed away Oct. 15, 2003. The Philadelphia native sailed with the SIU from 1966 until his retirement in 1995. Brother Smith served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. With the SIU, he sailed in the deep sea and inland divisions, working in the engine and deck departments. A number of family members and friends, including several SIU officials, attended the memorial service Jan. 5. February 2004 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:04 PM Page 9 DOT Announces ‘E-Seal’ Test Results The U.S. Department of Transportation last month reported that electronic seal technology is maturing and may be applied to container security, according to a study released Jan. 7 by the Cargo Handling Cooperative Program (CHCP). Electronic seals, or e-seals, have been proposed as a way to improve security and track cargo movements worldwide. However, e-seals would likely have to be standardized in order to be widely used, and the study did not find any one type suitable for use as a standard. The CHCP, a partnership between the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration and private industry, compared five electronic security seals proposed for use on inter- modal freight containers. The study found that the technology will continue to improve, and that it is critical to allow for growth in performance in application to the industry “There’s an urgent need for effective technology in this area,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. “By testing e-seals in the laboratory, at terminal gates, on the road, and in a simulated rail environment, we are making significant steps toward ensuring the safety of cargo containers throughout the nation.” The seals tested were All Seal by All Set Tracking, DataSeal by Hi-G-Tek, eSeal by eLogicity, MacSema + Navalink by CGM, and SmartSeal by Savi The e-seals have container information and can show if the seal has been subjected to tampering. The tested seals can be “read” by direct contact or on a specific radio frequency, which varies with the type of seal. For a system using e-seals to be efficient, seals would likely have to be “read” by one kind of reader, using one standard radio frequency. “For e-seals to be useful, there will have to be an accepted international standard,” said Maritime Administrator Capt. William G. Schubert. “Any reallife solution must also provide real improvements in security and efficiency without unduly burdening operators. These results show that the intermodal freight community needs to take into consideration design and operations issues before any sin- Letters to the Editor Editor’s note: The Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer’s intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis. Good Calls My wife and I simply want to say “thank you” for the many years of pleasurable service the union has given us, especially the friendly help on the telephone. Captain Richard J. Conner Boyertown, Penn. Many Thanks I am 85 years old and wish to thank the Seafarers Plans and all Seafarers who’ve helped me and my family over the years. I sailed from July 30, 1946 to December 6, 1981. I sailed on 50 ships, plus or minus, and went to that many countries, too. I walked the strike lines in 1946 and I made two round-the-world trips. I never can thank the SIU enough for all they have done for me. Lester J. Moore Livingston, Texas ‘If You Don’t Like It…’ How many of you who work for a paycheck have run into a situation like this or know someone who has? „ You need a day off to take an aging and infirm parent to the doctor, but your boss says no. „ The boss tells you to go punch out so he won’t be responsible for overtime pay, but says you have to come back and finish a job. „ You train a new employee and that person immediately gets the higher paying position that you are qualified for. In all of the above cases, or in any other arbitrary or unfair work situation, you may be told that “if you don’t like it, you can go work someplace else” These scenarios are not farfetched. Communication, energy, hotel and retail corporations have committed these and many other unfair labor practices. What’s worse, they’ve gotten away with them for years. The one thing they all have in common: unorganized workers! Employees who don’t have February 2004 union representation often give their company’s management a docile, pliable and, in many cases, fearful work force. Each employee can be dealt with as management sees fit. Favoritism, harassment, arbitrary policy changes and indiscriminate layoffs or firings are all common tools of management when labor lies down. However, when workers unite and organize, these conditions change. Unfortunately, the reality is that in today’s work environment, many companies will fight viciously to keep their employees from organizing. The question is: Why? What does management have to fear from organized labor? The average American corporate CEO makes 117 times the salary of an hourly worker employed by the company. Corporate board members get similar salaries. Along with the inflated executive salaries come perks that include large stock options, “golden parachute” retirement and severance packages that pay even if the company fails, homes and “loans” that never have to be paid back. Investors and major stockholders want 15-20 percent shortterm returns on their money. All of this is paid out of the corporation’s profits. Organized workers help ensure, through collective bargaining, that a fair share of the profit goes to those whose labor produces the goods or services that generate the earnings. Management’s fear is sharing the wealth. In their view, treating their work force with dignity and giving them a greater share of the profits through higher wages, benefits and job security amounts to “bad business.” It’s no secret that workers who decide to organize face an uphill battle. Many companies spend millions of dollars on union busters. These “union avoidance consultants” train front line supervisors in how to identify and harass organizing leaders. On their advice, management will hold mandatory meetings, in order to force-feed employees many myths, half-truths and outright lies about unions. Nevertheless, committed and educated union activists can overcome these obstacles. Here are some of the union “urban legends” management will put out and the truth behind them. 1. “Unions are dinosaurs. They aren’t necessary anymore.” Anyone who believes this has never heard of Enron, Global Crossing or K-mart. A contract with any of these giants could have put union officials in a position to keep the company honest. Even if they couldn’t prevent the failures, they could have seen to it that those who lost their jobs got the severance pay and benefits they deserved before the board members ran off with the company treasury. 2. “Our company treats employees like family. We don’t need a ‘third party’ to interfere.” All of the companies mentioned above made a point of telling employees that they were part of a “family.” Unions are not “third-parties.” Unions are you, the employees, standing together and acting collectively. 3. “Unions are corrupt, and they only want your dues.” Human beings run unions. For every individual guilty of corruption in any union, there are many thousands of decent, hard-working people in unions advancing the cause of work with dignity and living wages. Also, dues are needed to pay operating costs and salaries. Elected committees monitor costs and set salaries. Unions are democratic organizations that can be changed from within. Any eligible member can aspire to any union office and work to help ensure the union remains true to its membership. If union negotiators get you a contract that raises your annual salary, provides for paid overtime, includes health and life insurance, creates a pension plan and pro- Capt. William G. Schubert U.S. Maritime Administrator Norman Y. Mineta U.S. Secretary of Transportation gle e-seal solution can be standardized.” The work of the cooperative was supported by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center of San Diego, California, and the Center for Commercial Deployment of Transportation Technologies (CCDoTT) at the California State University, Long Beach. The report is available online at www.marad.dot.gov. vides job security, then doesn’t paying dues make sense? The list goes on but the picture of what organized labor can do for a company and community is very different from what management often would have you believe. Workers who have secure jobs with good wages, benefits and job security are happy, more productive and help the company improve its product or service. They can be as active in helping cut costs and making an operation more efficient as any corporate bean counter if given the opportunity. Communities that support organized labor benefit as well. Workers who earn more buy homes and shop for higher-end consumer goods. This drives local economies and creates more jobs. Higher wages and home ownership increase tax bases, allowing local governments to provide better service and build better schools. Secure, living-wage jobs benefit everyone in a community, not just company employees. So the next time you hear the “If you don’t like it, leave” refrain, don’t leave. Remember that dignity and respect in the workplace are worthwhile goals that can be achieved through solidarity and perseverance. Organize, unionize and change your company and community for the better! help secure “just compensation” for those of us surviving. After much discussion with Congressman Filner and his staff, we have modified the bill completely, from title to contents. Here are the major changes:] „ Title has been changed to Combat Merchant Mariners Adjustment Act of 2004. „ Eligibility has been modified to any service “in harm’s way,” in the period from Dec. 5, 1941 through Dec. 31, 1946 (the same period as all other G.I. bills of World War II). „ Compensation has been modified to $1,000 per month, tax-free. „ Widows will be recognized. Any surviving wife of a qualified veteran shall be eligible to receive the same benefit as the veteran…. We will advise when the bill is introduced and a number has been assigned. What you can do then to help ensure passage of the Combat Merchant Mariners Adjustment Act of 2004 is, write telephone, fax or email your representative and the senators from your state, and send a copy of the correspondence to Congressman Filner to show your support. Write an extra letter or two to the editor of your local newspaper. Get the bill mentioned on your local television or radio station. Ask your congressmen to not only support our bill, but to become a cosponsor. We will have a senator introduce the bill in the Senate at the same time, as a companion bill…. AB Billy Bushey Aboard the USNS Kilauea New Bill For WWII Mariners We have found a U.S. Congressman, Bob Filner of the California 51st Congressional District, who has recognized the efforts of our committee to secure recognition for World War II merchant marine veterans and will Ian T. Allison, Santa Rosa, Calif. and Henry Van Gemert, Palmetto, Fla. Co-Chairmen, Just Compensation Committee Editor’s note: The committee consists of representatives from the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV). IMPORTANT NOTICE SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN — COBRA NOTICE HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION Under federal law, a participant and his or her dependents have the right to elect to continue their Plan coverage in the event that they lose their eligibility. This right is granted by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, better known as “COBRA.” The COBRA law allows a participant and his or her dependents to temporarily extend their benefits at group rates in certain circumstances where coverage under the Plan would otherwise end. A participant and his or her dependents have a right to choose this continuation coverage if they lose their Plan coverage because the participant failed to meet the Plan’s seatime requirements. In addition, a participant and his or her dependents may have the right to choose continuation coverage if the participant becomes a pensioner ineligible for medical benefits. The participant’s dependents may also elect continuation coverage if they lose coverage under the Plan as the result of the participant’s (1) death; (2) divorce; or (3) Medicare eligibility. A child can also elect COBRA if as the result of his or her age, he or she is no longer a dependent under the Plan rules. If a member and his or her dependents feel that they may qualify, or if they would like more information concerning these rights, they should contact the Plan office at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Since there are important deadlines that apply to COBRA, please contact the Plan as soon as possible to receive a full explanation of the participant’s rights and his or her dependents’ rights. Seafarers LOG 9 �21209_p01,02,10.qxd 1/22/2004 10:05 AM Page 10 Labor Briefs Working on the Great Lakes BLE Merges with Teamsters The 140-year-old Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) formally merged with the Teamsters on Jan. 1, after BLE members approved the merger by an 81 to 19 percent margin on Dec. 5, the union said. BLE-Canada members also voted to merge with Teamsters Canada, by a 62 percent - 38 percent tally. “The merger will strengthen our efforts to ensure members maintain a strong political voice at the national level ... and continued aggressive representation at the local level,” BLE President James Hahs and Teamsters President James Hoffa said in a joint statement. Exporting Jobs from Mexico? Faced with their jobs being sent from Mexico to China, the 10,000 union workers at Volkswagen’s Mexican plant plan a worldwide meeting—and possible strike—of VW workers, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) said. The Toledo Union Journal reports Kaptur told United Auto Workers retirees in mid-December that many Mexican auto workers who got jobs due to the so-called North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are paid $25 daily “but they’re scared their companies will downsize them because they’re getting paid too much.” Chinese workers with similar jobs earn 20 cents an hour. The Mexican VW union, which is independent, wants a worldwide meeting of VW workers to plan their next moves to counter the trend of moving to lowest-cost nations. Now Hear This: CWA Wins A federal district court judge in New Jersey has thrown out a lawsuit by Verizon Wireless against the Communications Workers of America. Verizon Wireless argued that CWA’s parody of the company’s “Can you hear me now?” slogan during the union’s effort to win a fair contract in 2002 violated trademark laws. In television, radio and newspaper ads, workers raised questions about Verizon’s labor policies and asked, “Verizon: Can you hear us now?” On Dec. 11, Judge Mary Cooper found trademark laws don’t apply to the type of labor speech involved in the CWA campaign and dismissed the company’s suit. NY Retail Workers’ Wages Still Dropping New York retail workers’ wages have been on a 3-year downward slide, and since 1998 have been below those of their Chicago counterparts, a new report says. New York economist Moshe Adler discloses, however, that Chicago retail workers’ wages slid for the last three years, too. They’re above New York’s, however. Retail is New York’s greatest employer of workers without college degrees. According to the report, in 1996 the average real wage for a New York retail worker, after inflation, was $9.95 per hour, 70 cents ahead of Chicago’s hourly wage. The New York retail wage reached an hourly peak of $11.55 in 2000, before the recession hit, but by then the average hourly retail wage in Chicago was $12.84. Since then, the New York wage has fallen to $10.53, compared to $10.93 in Chicago. Adler advocated “unionization ... as social policy” as a way to raise retail workers’ wages. Levi’s Closes Last 2 Sewing Plants More than 2 million U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost in recent years. The effects of NAFTA and other so-called free trade agreements have been to send jobs to other countries where labor is cheaper and environmental regulations less stringent. The latest casualty in this trade war is Levi Strauss & Co., the manufacturer of the world-known symbol of American apparel—Levi’s blue jeans. The 150-year-old company closed its remaining two U.S. sewing plants in San Antonio last month, leaving 800 workers without jobs. The last three company-owned plants in Canada will shut down in the spring. Most of the production work will now be done in China and other countries with a cheaper work force. Harold Rodrigues, the yard man at Great Lakes Towing, ties up the tug Colorado in South Chicago. Bosun Mike Keogh runs the hatch crane aboard American Steamship Corp.’s John J. Boland in Grand Haven, Mich. Perfoming some maintenance work on the tug Daryl C. Hannah in Lemont Ill. is William Polk. A great lunch prepared by Cook Steven Tanis in Lemont, Ill. awaits crew members aboard the tug Daryl C. Hannah. Attention: Seafarers IT TAKES A FOUR-LETTER WORD . . . TO BE HEARD Manufacturing Workers to D.C. More than 3,500 manufacturing workers are expected in Washington, D.C. Feb. 3 for the Industrial Union Council legislative conference. The union members will hear from congressional leaders and lobby their elected officials to support the Employee Free Choice Act and laws to provide incentives for investment in domestic manufacturing. Textile Jobs Threatened U.S. textile and apparel workers are “on the verge of a catastrophe,” said an official from the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE). Mark Levinson, UNITE’s policy director, addressed a National Research Council committee Jan. 7. The forum examined the impact of international trade on local communities, and Levinson warned that if current quotas on the importation of foreign textiles and apparel are allowed to expire in January 2005, U.S. textile job losses will accelerate. A 1994 World Trade Organization agreement calls for the end of the quotas next year. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2004 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:05 PM Page 11 Celebrating With the SIU SIU members, officials and pensioners and their families enjoyed a holiday meal at the Philadelphia hall. Left: U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) was treated to lunch recently when he visited the USNS Victorious in Pearl Harbor. Among those posing with the congressman are EU Jeremy Vaughan, Chief Engineer Mohammad Islam, EU Thomas Swayne Jr., Chief Mate Stephen Reynolds, MDR Thomas Kingsbury, Capt. John Robbins, Abercrombie, MSCO Cdr. Vivar and MSC Rep Bill Homer. Robbins, who used to sail as an AB on the USNS Wilkes, earned his third mate license in 1994. When the tug Coastal Reliance and its accompanying barge 550-4 were christened late last year in Long Beach, Calif., SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez (standing second from left) and SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone (standing fourth from left) joined in the celebration. With them are crew members Captain Dale Wilson, Chief Engineer Paul Joiner, AB Utility Robert Tierney Jr., Chief Mate Chris Valley, Utility Karen Fensel, AB/Tankerman Brian McLarnon, 2nd Mate Bob Mills and AB/Tankerman Lewis Findley. Right: Also pictured with Abercrombie are, from left, EU Thomas Swayne, EU Jeremy Vaughan, Abercrombie, 1st Asst. Engineer Robert Tombari and Chief Engineer Mohammad Islam. Christmas in Norfolk AB Mark Davis and his son SIU Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny, Secretary Ethel Brooks and SIU Rep Sam Spain Guest Larry Alexander, SIU Rep Sam Spain, Guest Connie Shocklock and SIU VP Government Services Kermett Mangram Left: Former NMU Port Agent Melvin McCray and his wife, Lettie Right: Chief Steward James Cameron Above: Chief Steward James Cameron, Chief Cook Rachel Cutler, Chief Cook William ‘Fats’ Belcher, Steward/Baker Ralph Edmunds and his wife, Sisi, and QMED Hugh ‘Woody’ Woods AB Laurentis Colbert and his wife, Bernadette February 2004 Left: SA Avis Hawkins and her granddaughter, Trinity, MSC/SIU Rep Maurice Cokes and Alicia Moore MSC/SIU Rep Maurice Cokes, Chief Cook Helen Mitchell and SIU VP Government Services Kermett Mangram Seafarers LOG 11 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd D 1/22/2004 A 11:19 AM 1 Page 12 2 S Presented on these two pages of the Seafarers LOG are handy tax tips—some of which are intended specifically for mariners. Included are the new deduction amounts for 2003 as well as where to get additional information. T T P R Step 1. Get all records together. ‹ Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. ‹ Itemized deductions and tax credits. ‹ Medical and dental payment records. ‹ Real estate and personal property tax receipts. ‹ Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. ‹ Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach the first copy of Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the tollfree number 1-800-272-9829 or 1-888255-8299. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $2.50 becomes $3. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 71b, 71c and 71d on their Form 1040. Line 71b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 71c indicates the type of account, and line 71d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the Electronic Filing Office. A C A C Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption—for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $3,050 per person. In 2003, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction Has Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box on this page). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual’s benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2003, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or investments is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. D This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($900 for a married couple or $1,150 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,000. Filing Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Standard Deduction Single . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,750 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,500 Married filing separate return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,750 Head of household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,000 12 Seafarers LOG Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses— either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 36 cents per mile for all miles driven in 2003. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on the meal allowance of $38 per day in the continental U.S. and $42 per day outside the continental U.S. Otherwise the IRS standard meal allowance is generally $34. In some locations it is $42, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Travel expenses, including meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one’s work and if they have not been reimbursed from any other source. There has been a recent tax court case (Johnson v. Comm. 115 TC210[2000]) where a merchant seaman was denied a full deduction for the full M & IE rates. The court ruled that in situations where meals are provided at no cost, the incidental expense rate allowable as an itemized deduction is limited to $2 (in the continental U.S.) and rates ranging from $1 to $53 in other areas. In lieu of these rates, to the extent you have receipts, a higher deduction amount may be allowed. Limit on Itemized Deductions: In 2003, itemized deductions may be limited for individuals earning more than $139,500 of federal adjusted gross income (or $69,750 if married and filing separately). Here are some of the changes that will take effect in 2003 and 2004 from the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief and Reconciliation Act of 2003 and the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003: TAX RATE REDUCTION — Individual income tax rates will be reduced. For 2003, the tax rates will be 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33% and 35%. For supplemental wage payments, such as bonuses, the flat withholding rate is now 25%. These rates remain in effect for 2004 and 2005. CHILD TAX CREDIT — For tax years 2003 and 2004, the child tax credit will increase to $1,000 per child under 17. Most eligible taxpayers received a rebate in the mail of $400 per child during 2003. This rebate will need to be accounted for on your 2003 income tax return. ADOPTION CREDIT — The current maximum adoption credit for qualified adoption expenses which can be claimed for an eligible child is $10,160 for any child including special needs children. The credit is phased out for parents with an adjusted gross income over $192,390. (The credit is per adoption, not per child.) CHILD AND DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT — The credit has been increased to a maximum of $1,050 for one person and $2,100 for 2 or more qualifying persons for expenses and for their care. NEW MAXIMUM 15% TAX RATE FOR QUALIFYING DIVIDENDS & LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS AFTER MAY 5, 2003 — Most dividend income received by a taxpayer will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15% through 2008. For lower income individuals, a 5% rate applies through 2007 and a 0% rate applies for 2008. For sales after May 6, 2003, the maximum tax rate for most long-term capital gains will be 15% through 2008. MARRIAGE PENALTY RELIEF — The basic standard deduction has increased for joint filers and is now double that of a single filer. In addition, the 15% tax bracket has been expanded for a large income range. EXTENDED DEADLINES — Civilian personnel involved in support activities in combat zone areas have been granted additional time to file income tax returns, estate and gift tax returns, to file Tax Court Petitions and other matters. CAUTION: Only deadlines arising on or after the date an individual enters the combat zone are postponed. EDUCATION IRAs — The current annual contribution that can be made for a designated beneficiary in 2003 is $1,000. Qualified expenditures, which can be paid tax free from an education IRA, will now include those from elementary and secondary public (including kindergarten), private or religious school Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit (EIC) is available to certain individuals who have earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income thresholds. For tax year 2003, an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met. Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer’s income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $11,230 and no qualifying children—$376 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $29,201 and with 1 qualifying child—$2,506 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $33,692 and with 2 or more qualifying children— $4,140 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below zero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EIC to see if they are eligible for the credit. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may tu in b 2 if w U s P p fo e w in re lo p m — p le — $ e a c a a ti m u R in w c s d get an SSN for their de Form SS-5 with their lo Administration office Administration at 1-800 ally takes about two w SSN. Dependent Child Cre payers who have a quali a U.S. citizen and for w may claim a dependen who is less than 17 yea to the child tax credit. T credit is $1,000 per begins to phase out Adjusted Gross Incom $110,000 for joint filers gle taxpayers or $55,00 payers filing separately Credit for Higher Ed Individuals may be “HOPE” credit for tu expenses paid for on dependents to enroll at ble educational instituti graduate school or vo The HOPE credit prov allowable credit of $1,5 each of the first two ondary education. For q T G General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answer questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the letter “R” or number “7” will repeat the topic and February 2004 I th t f r 1 P t a ti a o e D S d I �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:05 PM Page 13 Individual Retirement Accounts: N d t l %, n e t d r n n s ) t d r G Y e e s r d f d n o t at . l tuition and expenses. In 2003, joint filers with adjusted gross income below $190,000 can make a full contribution and those below $222,000 can make a partial contribution. Beginning in 2002, contributions can be made to an education IRA and a qualified tuition program in the same year for the same beneficiary without a penalty. QUALIFIED TUITION (Section 529) PROGRAMS — Under the new law, distributions made after 2001 from qualified state tuition plans will be fully excluded from gross income. Private educational institutions will also be able to establish prepaid educational services accounts and sell credits or certificates for the payment at a future date of qualified higher education expenses. Beginning in 2004, qualifying distributions from those will be excluded from gross income. STUDENT LOAN INTEREST — The 60-month limit on interest paid for qualified education after Dec. 31, 2001, is repealed. Taxpayers may deduct up to $2,500 annually for student loan interest without regard to the 60-month limit. The deduction phaseout range for single taxpayers is $50,000 to $65,000; for married couples filing jointly, it is $100,000 to $130,000. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE — After Dec. 31, 2001, the annual exclusion of up to $5,250, is permanently extended to cover both undergraduate and graduate level courses. DEDUCTION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION EXPENSES — Eligible taxpayers will be able to claim a deduction for up to $3,000 in 2003 ($4,000 in 2004) of qualified higher education expenses. This deduction is also adjusted to gross income and is available even if you do not itemize your deductions. IRA CONTRIBUTIONS LIMITS — The maximum annual contribution limits for both traditional and Roth IRAs will remain at $3,000 for 2003 through 2004. Also, taxpayers who have attained age 50 by the end of the year will be able to make additional catch-up contributions of $500 for 2002 through 2005. The maximum annual contribution for those taxpayers will be $3,500 until 2006. TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN RETIREMENT DEFERRALS — Continuing in 2003, joint filers with adjusted gross income below $50,000, single filers and married filing separately with adjusted gross income below $25,000, can qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,000, for contributions or deferrals to retirement savings plans. The maximum credit is 50% of the contribution or deferral (up to $2,000). ‹ Education IRAs—Taxpayers can contribute up to $3,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit is claimed. ‹ Roth IRAs—The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $3,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. ‹ Penalty-Free IRA Distributions —The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax penalty also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a first-time homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual’s lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. Also, the tax penalty does not apply to distributions for an individual’s disability, medical care, or to a beneficiary after death of the individual. T eir dependent by filing eir local Social Security office or calling the 1-800-772-1213. It usuwo weeks to receive an Credit: In 2003, taxqualifying child who is for whom the taxpayer ndency exemption and 7 years old, are entitled edit. The amount of the per child. The credit out when modified ncome (AGI) reaches filers, $75,000 for sin55,000 for married taxrately. er Education Tuition: be able to take the or tuition and related or oneself, spouse or oll at or attend an eligistitution (i.e., college or or vocational training). provides a maximum f $1,500 per student for two years of postsecFor qualified expenses paid after January 1, 2002, taxpayers can take the “Lifetime Learning Credit,” that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student’s expenses. These credits are subject to income limitations. The phaseout of the credits begins for most taxpayers when modified AGI reaches $41,000, and completely phase out when modified AGI reaches $51,000. For joint filers, the phaseout range is $82,000 to $102,000. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credit are not available to taxpayers married filing separately. In 2003, the Lifetime Learning Credit will be $2,000. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid after December 31, 1997 for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. I n. r the letter “C” or number “2” will cancel the message. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. (local time). e. - Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, send them comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive the latest tax issues and news by e-mail from the IRS Digital Dispatch. s e d Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. s e S s February 2004 Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, cash, bank check or money order. R K Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2002, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. I R In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: ‹ Jones Act settlements for lost wages. ‹ Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. ‹ Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. ‹ Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. ‹ Endowments. ‹ Original Issue Discount. ‹ Distributions from self-employed plans. ‹ Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). ‹ Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. ‹ Lump-sum distributions. ‹ Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). ‹ Accumulation distributions from trusts. ‹ Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). ‹ Earned income from sources outside the United States. ‹ Director’s fees. ‹ Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. ‹ Embezzled or other illegal income. I B R N The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: ‹ Benefits from government welfare programs. ‹ Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, medical costs. ‹ Maintenance and Cure. ‹ Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. ‹ Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. ‹ Child support. ‹ Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. ‹ Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. ‹ Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. ‹ Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. ‹ Certain amounts received as a scholarship. A E IRS Form 4868 can be used to ask for S A T Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. a four-month extension to file IRS Form 1040A. An individual requesting an extension is under no obligation to explain why the additional time is needed. Filing of the form gives an individual until August 16, 2004 to file his or her 2003 federal tax return. The IRS will contact the individual directly only if the request for an extension is denied. To extend the period of time in which one can file a tax return, that individual must correctly fill out Form 4868 and pay all of the tax monies due. If the filing of Form 4868 and the subsequent four-month extension to file does not provide the individual with enough time, he or she can then file Form 2688, known as “Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.” Another option open to the person seeking more time in which to file is to write a letter to the IRS stating the reason the extension is necessary. An individual seeking an extension is advised by the IRS to file Form 4868 before filing Form 2688. Copies of Form 4868 are available by calling the agency’s toll-free number which is dedicated to tax form requests (800) 829-3676. Also, the form is available from all main IRS branch offices and from the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov. And if a Seafarer finds himself or herself overseas, he or she can obtain the form from any U.S. embassy or consulate. It is important to bear in mind that the filing of Form 4868 requesting an extension does not get one off the hook from having to pay any taxes due. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due the U.S. government from the individual filing the extension. M I T P T Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Seafarers LOG 13 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:05 PM Page 14 Restored Victory Ship Is Back at Sea After more than four years of restoration and reactivation work involving nearly 80,000 hours of donated volunteer labor and in excess of $3.8 million in cash, material and equipment, the SS American Victory is sailing once again. One of only a handful of the more than 2,700 Americanflagged merchant cargo vessels built between 1939 and 1946 that are still afloat, the American Victory on Sept. 20 slid from its berth in Tampa, Fla. and set sail for its first “shakedown” cruise. The Victory class merchant cargo vessel was built in May 1945 and served during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars carrying military cargo, ammunition and supplies to the U.S. military serving in those conflicts. Following World War II, it carried food, clothing and manufacturing machinery to the war-torn countries of Europe under the Marshall Plan. It then served in the James River Reserve Fleet for 30 years and in September 1999 was towed to Tampa for restoration and reactivation as a mariner’s museum and cruise ship. “The shakedown cruise was truly a momentous waypoint for us,” said Capt. John C Timmel, president and founder of the nonprofit group that has been restoring the ship. “The support of [the Tampa-based petroleum carrier] Maritrans, the general public, the maritime community, merchant marine veterans and our dedicated volunteers got us underway.” Passengers on the vessel’s first cruise enjoyed a continental breakfast upon boarding, a hearty barbecue lunch and an afternoon snack, along with tremendous views of Tampa Bay from the ship’s decks, an unscheduled passing with the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island near the Sunshine Skyway, a narrated tour of the port of Tampa and tours of the engine room and other areas of the ship. After passing under the Sunshine Skyway, the ship’s engines were stopped according to maritime tradition for a wreath-laying ceremony. The crew of the SS City of Rayville, one of the first American merchant cargo vessels lost during World War II, was honored, as were the crews of the three Victory class ships sunk in 1945 during kamikaze attacks off Okinawa—the SS Canada Victory, the SS Logan Victory and the SS Hobbs Victory. Following the sounding of eight bells, five former American Victory crewmen placed the memorial wreath in Tampa Bay to commemorate their fallen shipmates. There were onboard activities for “junior mariners,” including marlinspike skill demonstrations, a shipboard safety challenge, signal flag deciphering and maritime history quizzes. But perhaps the highlight of the cruise was a roaring flyover by a World War II vintage Navy AT-28. Passengers were treated to a number of passes, including a “low and slow” pass for photographers. The ship’s radio officer, “Sparks,” sent Morse Code messages from passengers through the airwaves SS American Victory photo Filled with passengers, the SS American Victory slides away from its berth in Tampa after more than four years of restoration work. SS American Victory photo Passengers on the ship’s shakedown cruise gravitate to the ship’s flying bridge prior to sailing to get a better view of undocking operations. to friends and relatives on land— one message even got a response while the ship was at sea. “We are proud of the maritime experience we provided to our SS American Victory photo Passengers pause to honor U.S. merchant mariners and ships lost during World War II. Following the sounding of eight bells, former American Victory crewmen placed a memorial wreath in Tampa Bay to commemorate their fallen shipmates. SS American Victory photo One of the highlights of the cruise was when a restored Navy T-28 swooped alongside the American Victory’s port side during a “low and slow” photo pass. passengers,” noted Timmel, “and will do even better on our next cruise.” The SS American Victory was re-christened last month with a ceremony including the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on its hull. That was followed by the order “bring the ship to life,” at which time all its operating systems were energized and the crew “manned the rails.” A re-christening cruise, which traversed Lower Tampa Bay to the Sunshine Skyway, took place the next day from Berth 271. Regular “ReLive History” cruises are scheduled to help the public experience what life was like aboard a ship of America’s old merchant fleet. For additional information about the SS American Victory and its cruise schedule, visit their website at: www.americanvictory.org. Hurry to Take Advantage of SIU’s Scholarship Program —Application Deadline Is April 15— P lease send me the 2004 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name __________________________________________________________ Mariner’s Social Security Number ____________________________________ Street Address ____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code________________________________________________ Telephone Number ________________________________________________ This application is for: † Self † Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. 14 Seafarers LOG College tuition costs never seem to stop rising. And just when you think you can afford to continue your education, they rise yet again. Well, for Seafarers, their spouses and dependent children who plan to attend college next fall, there is no reason to panic because in 2004, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan is again offering eight scholarships. Three of the scholarships for 2004 are reserved for SIU members. One of those is in the amount of $20,000 for study at a four-year college or university. The other two are for $6,000 each and are intended as two-year awards for study at a post-secondary community college or vocational school. The other five scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $20,000 each to the spouses and dependent children of Seafarers. In addition to the scholarship application form, a number of other items must be submitted at the same time. These include: „ Autobiographical Statement „ Photograph of Applicant „ Certified Copy of Birth Certificate „ High School Transcript and Certification of Graduation „ Official Copy of High School Equivalency Scores „ Letters of Reference „ SAT or ACT Results This may seem like a lot of work. But, don’t panic. There is plenty of time if you start the process now. April 15, 2004 is the last day in which applications are being accepted for this year’s scholarship program. If you haven’t received a copy of the 2004 SIU scholarship program booklet (which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form), use the coupon at left and send for it now. February 2004 �21209_P06,08,15.qxd 1/22/2004 9:43 AM Page 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea DECEMBER 16, 2003 — JANUARY 15, 2004 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals 0 3 3 9 19 33 0 11 15 14 14 3 8 9 11 2 29 15 198 0 1 1 0 16 15 1 3 7 14 5 3 1 0 2 3 21 12 105 2 1 0 5 21 30 0 11 13 11 7 3 2 4 16 3 19 14 162 0 7 1 8 13 21 0 2 8 10 5 5 3 7 12 1 9 10 122 1 2 3 9 6 22 1 7 9 6 7 2 2 2 10 4 11 10 114 1 0 1 2 7 6 0 1 7 9 2 0 2 0 1 2 5 5 51 0 2 2 8 8 12 0 8 5 3 4 3 2 1 10 0 7 4 79 0 4 1 14 17 19 0 6 8 14 7 4 1 1 25 1 18 27 167 0 5 2 7 3 16 0 4 7 5 9 0 3 2 5 0 5 3 76 0 0 0 2 4 5 0 2 1 2 3 0 1 1 3 0 3 2 29 0 2 1 11 8 10 0 3 6 10 4 1 1 0 20 0 14 18 109 Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals 0 0 0 10 4 0 0 2 3 5 0 0 0 3 6 0 6 0 39 4 1 2 7 18 10 1 8 11 14 10 1 11 6 14 1 16 11 146 1 3 2 7 17 19 0 2 7 21 10 0 18 0 8 1 18 17 151 0 0 0 6 4 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 22 4 0 2 5 9 9 0 5 2 9 6 0 7 0 7 0 16 3 84 Totals All Departments 553 534 336 372 373 Port 2 4 4 7 9 27 1 8 5 6 11 3 4 11 9 1 21 14 147 0 2 1 0 8 9 1 4 11 5 2 0 1 1 3 2 13 5 68 0 4 2 1 12 16 0 2 4 8 2 0 1 3 7 1 20 16 99 3 9 2 16 48 63 0 15 39 49 21 8 1 16 46 1 55 43 435 1 8 6 10 25 44 1 16 22 31 25 5 6 12 16 3 40 32 303 2 1 2 1 34 27 1 4 19 29 9 5 2 2 2 4 27 22 193 0 1 1 4 4 7 0 3 2 6 1 1 0 3 6 0 6 5 50 2 10 0 7 21 42 0 14 13 20 13 3 4 11 18 1 20 13 212 1 7 4 11 15 37 1 8 17 15 16 4 4 3 7 3 22 13 188 1 0 1 3 15 14 1 2 9 16 4 0 4 0 3 2 7 8 90 Piney Point .............Monday: March 8, April 5 0 1 4 7 7 21 0 2 9 9 4 0 1 4 8 1 9 5 92 0 1 0 5 4 7 0 5 3 5 8 0 1 0 4 0 12 11 66 0 4 1 20 29 31 0 10 19 24 15 7 4 3 37 2 36 39 281 0 4 3 10 5 25 1 6 8 12 14 0 3 2 7 0 6 4 110 0 0 1 3 3 7 0 2 4 11 3 0 2 1 2 0 7 2 48 0 0 1 2 9 9 0 3 8 3 6 0 12 0 3 0 13 2 71 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 5 4 0 2 3 8 0 0 0 4 8 0 9 4 62 2 4 2 16 22 20 2 12 17 41 17 3 8 9 19 1 27 19 241 1 7 1 21 34 29 0 2 9 64 21 1 22 2 11 4 28 32 289 185 215 990 842 620 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 2 4 2 1 0 0 0 2 1 4 3 24 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port 0 1 2 2 4 6 0 4 6 5 4 1 4 2 1 1 4 3 50 0 0 0 1 3 5 0 1 0 0 4 0 1 1 1 0 2 3 22 Algonac ..................Friday: March 12, April 9 Baltimore ................Thursday: March 11, April 8 Boston.....................Friday: March 12, April 9 Duluth .....................Wednesday: March 17, April 14 Guam ......................Thursday: March 25, April 22 Honolulu .................Friday: March 19, April 16 Houston ..................Monday: March 15, April 12 Jacksonville ............Thursday: March 11, April 8 Joliet .......................Thursday: March 18, April 15 Mobile ....................Wednesday: March 17, April 14 ENGINE DEPARTMENT Port Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 1 4 0 12 23 33 0 7 22 19 11 4 0 7 24 2 33 23 225 Algonac Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Trip Reliefs March & April 2004 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters ENTRY DEPARTMENT New Bedford ..........Tuesday: March 23, April 20 New Orleans ...........Tuesday: March 16, April 13 New York................Tuesday: March 9, April 6 Norfolk ...................Thursday: March 11, April 8 Philadelphia ............Wednesday: March 10, April 7 Port Everglades.......Thursday: March 18, April 15 San Francisco .........Thursday: March 18, April 15 San Juan..................Thursday: March 11, April 8 St. Louis..................Friday: March 19, April 16 Tacoma ...................Friday: March 26, April 23 Wilmington ...............Monday: March 22, April 19 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. SEAFARERS BENEFIT PLANS NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS Keep the Plan Informed of your Address Changes It is important that all participants remember to keep the Plan informed of any change of address. Update your Beneficiary Designations Keep your beneficiary designations up to date. In the event that your beneficiary predeceases you, you must submit a substitute designation. Inform the Plan of your Divorce In order for your spouse to be eligible to receive continuation coverage (under COBRA) from the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, you or your spouse must inform the Plan at the time of your divorce. Please submit a copy of the divorce decree to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Full-time College Students If your dependent child is a full-time college student, you must submit a letter of attendance every semester in order for your child to be covered by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan P.O. Box 380 Piney Point, MD 20674 *“Total Registered” means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **“Registered on Beach” means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. February 2004 Seafarers LOG 15 �21209_Pg1,3_5,7,10,16.qxd 1/22/2004 8:47 AM Seafarers International Union Directory Page 16 NMU Monthly Shipping & Registration Report DECEMBER 16, 2003 — JANUARY 15, 2004 Michael Sacco, President TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Group I Group II Group III John Fay, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Group I Group II Group III Trip Reliefs REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Group I Group II Group III Augustin Tellez, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services René Lioeanjie, Vice President at Large Charles Stewart, Vice President at Large HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 ALTON 325 Market St., Suite B, Alton, IL 62002 (618) 462-3456 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 BOSTON 520 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02127 (617) 269-7877 DULUTH 324 W. Superior St., Suite 705, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-4110 GUAM P.O. Box 23127, Barrigada, Guam 96921 125 Sunny Plaza, Suite 301-E Tun Jesus Crisostomo St., Tamuning, Guam 96911 (671) 647-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals DECK DEPARTMENT 0 3 10 5 16 1 0 9 44 0 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 9 0 11 8 2 3 0 0 0 24 Port Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 3 7 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 5 4 9 3 2 11 1 1 3 34 0 15 20 13 47 1 11 22 129 0 3 6 4 8 0 4 3 28 0 13 10 15 3 0 1 2 44 0 4 2 1 5 0 0 1 13 0 6 8 9 17 1 3 10 54 0 4 7 2 4 0 2 7 26 0 13 14 8 5 0 2 0 42 1 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 6 0 6 5 9 14 4 2 11 51 1 2 1 3 7 0 3 5 22 0 5 7 5 2 0 1 2 22 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 2 5 4 5 0 0 5 21 0 3 0 2 4 0 0 1 10 0 7 3 1 0 0 0 0 11 Port Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals 0 15 5 2 20 2 0 5 49 0 9 2 3 8 0 0 2 24 0 1 0 0 6 0 0 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 3 3 2 6 1 0 4 19 0 1 0 1 5 0 2 3 12 0 3 2 1 3 0 0 1 10 Port 0 2 2 0 6 3 0 2 15 0 0 0 0 6 0 2 4 12 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 ENTRY DEPARTMENT NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St., New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 Totals All Departments 84 31 45 88 26 10 56 234 76 111 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 832-8767 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St., San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division: (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Port Seafarers LOG PICS-FROM-THE-PAST These photos were sent to the LOG by Charles D. Hayward Jr. of Everett, Wash. They were taken aboard the Glory of the Sea, a West Coast C-2 en route to Vietnam, July 23, 1968. Bosun Alfred is on the right and Hayward, the 4-8 quartermaster, is on the left in the near photo, as the two rig up preventers fore and aft. Hayward notes that they made fabulous overtime in those days but that conditions weren’t always as comfortable as today. Their air conditioning system was a scoop out the port holes. If there was no wind or sea breeze, there was no air. At the far right is the Glory of the Sea alongside the loading dock in Tacoma, Wash. Hayward, a full-blooded native Alaskan, misses the seafaring life and his 46 years of sailing with the SUP, NMU and SIU. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, it should be sent to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. February 2004 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:10 PM Page 17 Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA ROBERT CALDWELL, 57, launched his career with the Seafarers in 1967. Brother Caldwell first went to sea aboard the York. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, he shipped in the engine department. Brother Caldwell was a frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. He attended the school on nine separate occasions following his entry level training there in 1967. Brother Caldwell last worked aboard the Cape Wrath and makes his home in his native state. DOMINGO CONTRERAS, 61 embarked on his seafaring career in 1967 in New Orleans. His first ship was Corsair Transport Corp.’s Kent. Born in Mexico, Brother Contreras worked in the deck department. He upgraded his skills in 2001 at the Paul Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Brother Contreras last went to sea on Waterman Steamship Corp.’s Atlantic Forest. New Orleans is his home. VALENTINE MARTINEZ, 61, joined the SIU in 1968 in the port of New York. Born in Vecino De Cardenas, Cuba, he initially went to sea aboard a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. Brother Martinez worked in the engine department and enhanced his Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as February 2004 referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS skills at the Seafarers training school in Piney Point, Md. in 1974 and 2001. He last sailed on the Horizon Discovery and makes his home in Philadelphia. KENNETH STRATTON, 48, began his career with the Seafarers in 1972 in the port of Piney Point, Md. His first voyage was aboard the Brooklyn, a Bay Tankers Inc. vessel. Born in Boston, Brother Stratton worked in the engine department. He enhanced his skills on five occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Stratton last sailed on AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which N.P.R. Inc.’s Humacao. He is a resident of Bunnell, Fla. INLAND RODNEY JEZIOROWSKI, 61, joined the SIU in 1976 in Toledo, Ohio after serving in the U.S. Navy. The Ohio-born mariner shipped in the deck department. Boatman Jeziorowski lives in his native state. GREAT LAKES LESTER MORR, 58, started his career with the Seafarers in 1971 in Frankfort, Mich. Brother Morr is a native of Midland, Mich. He he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG. 1956 With the 50-50 law under heavy fire from agricultural interests and foreign lobbyists, the House Merchant Marine Committee this week warned Congress that any undermining of 50-50 would have “tragic consequences” for the U.S. Merchant Marine. The committee’s warning was amplified by the SIU in a communication to every member of the U.S. Senate. The SIU took the position, “the scuttling of 50-50 will sap whatever strength remains in the already badly battered U.S. Merchant Marine in a critical point in international relations when we should be building our merchant marine.” At their mid-winter meeting, the executive board of the Maritime Trades Department of the AFL-CIO called for the development of a national cargo policy that would assure the American fleet a substantial share of U.S. car- Editor’s Note: The following brothers and sisters, all former members of the NMU and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, went on pension effective the dates indicated. Name (last, first) Age EDP DaCruz, Pedro DiSanto, Caesar Erdt, Edmund Fisher, Irving Ortiz, Ruben Sabo, Anneliese Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Oct. 1 Nov. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 55 73 65 62 75 75 member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. goes in all the trade routes of the world. In their list of maritime legislative goals, the 43union group called a cargo policy “the foremost priority for the maritime industry.” The meeting, chaired by SIU President Paul Hall, who is also president of the MTD, was held Feb. 17-18 in Bal Harbour, Fla. This Month In SIU History 1977 shipped in the deck department and upgraded his skills in 2001 in Piney Point, Md. Boatman Morr resides in Sanford, Mich. 1988 The SIU has appealed directly to Secretary of State George Schultz in an effort to rescind a crewing waiver for 11 reflagged former Kuwaiti tankers. Also, five maritime unions filed suit in federal court seeking to have the crewing waiver overturned. The ships have been a continuing source of controversy since they were reflagged last year but were not required to carry American crew members, except for the captain and radio officer. In January, Congress passed, and President Reagan signed a bill which required American crewmen on all U.S. ships. But under the claim of “national security,” those crewing requirements were waived by the U.S. government. Seafarers LOG 17 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:06 PM Page 18 Final Departures DEEP SEA FRANK BALASIA Pensioner Frank Balasia, 80, died Nov. 12. Brother Balasia joined the SIU in 1951 in the port of New York after serving in the U.S. Navy. He initially sailed aboard Ore Navigation’s Oremar. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Brother Balasia sailed in the deck department, last working on the Santa Barbara, a Delta Steamship vessel. The Luzerne, Pa. resident started receiving his pension in 1981. BILLY JOE BALL Pensioner Billy Joe Ball, 72, passed away Sept. 1. He began his SIU career in 1965 in the port of Houston. Brother Ball’s first ship was the Transhatteras, a Hudson Waterways Corp. vessel. The Texas-born mariner shipped in the engine department. He made his home in South Houston and began receiving his pension in 1995. MADELINE BARRETT Pensioner Madeline Barrett, 72, died Aug. 10. Sister Barrett embarked on her career with the Seafarers in 1980, first sailing aboard the Oceanic Independence. Sister Barrett sailed in the steward department. She resided in Waianae, Hawaii and began receiving her pension in 1998. WILLIAM BLACK Pensioner William Black, 84, passed away Sept. 4. He launched his profession with the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S) in 1953 in San Francisco after serving in the U.S. Army. Brother Black worked aboard vessels operated by American President Lines, Matson Navigation and Delta Steamship Co. Born in Ireland, the steward department member started collecting retirement stipends in 1981. He lived in Petaluma, Calif. CHARLES BREAUX Pensioner Charles Breaux, 88, passed away Nov. 7. Born in Lafourche Crossing, La., he joined the SIU as a charter member in 1938 in the port of New Orleans. Brother Breaux was a veteran of the U.S. Army. The steward department member began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1977. He last sailed on Waterman Steamship Corp.’s Jefferson Davis. Brother Breaux lived in New Orleans. JOSEPH CHATMAN Pensioner Joseph Chatman, 89, died Nov. 5. Brother Chatman embarked on his MC&S career in 1958 in San Francisco. Born in Alabama, the steward department member first sailed on Matson Navigation’s Hawaiian Citizen and last worked aboard the President Fillmore. He lived in Pittsburg, Calif. and began collecting compensation for his retirement in 1980. 18 Seafarers LOG JOSEPH CORNWELL Brother Joseph Cornwell, 57, passed away Nov. 6. He joined the Seafarers in 1991 and first went to sea aboard Liberty Maritime’s Liberty Sun. A native of Mt. Vernon, Ind., Brother Cornwell sailed in the deck department as a bosun. His last ship was the 1st. Lt. Alex Bonnyman. Brother Cornwell resided in Jefferson, La. PEDRO CORTES Pensioner Pedro Cortes, 80, died Aug. 14. Brother Cortes embarked on his seafaring career with the SIU in 1960 in Seattle. His first ship was the Montego Sky, an Eagle Shipping vessel. Brother Cortes worked in both the steward and engine departments and last sailed on the Cleveland. He lived in Seattle and began receiving his pension in 1987. HOWARD DAVIS Puerto Rico, he sailed in the engine department, last working aboard Pacific Gulf Marine’s Equality State. A resident of Houston, he went on pension in 2002. THOMAS GLENN Pensioner Thomas Glenn, 76, died Oct. 19. He joined the SIU ranks in 1947 in the port of Norfolk, Va. after serving in the U.S. Army. Born in Rowan, N.C. Brother Glenn shipped in the deck department, last sailing aboard Puerto Rico Marine Management’s Carolina. The Crescent, Ga. resident started receiving his retirement compensation in 1992. RAUL GUERRA Pensioner Howard Davis, 81, died Dec. 6. Brother Davis joined the SIU in 1951 in the port of Mobile, Ala. He first worked aboard the Morning Light, an Interocean Management Corp. vessel. Born in Missouri, he shipped in the engine department. Brother Davis last went to sea on the Bellatrix. The Alabama resident started collecting retirement stipends in 1994. Pensioner Raul Guerra, 72, passed away Nov. 25. Brother Guerra began his seafaring career in 1955 in the port of Houston after serving in the U.S. Marines. His initial voyage was aboard the Genevieve Peterkin, a Bloomfield Steamship Co. vessel. The engine department member was a resident of Galveston, Texas and last worked on the OMI Champion. Brother Guerra started receiving his pension in 1995. MANUEL DOMINGOS JOHN LEONARD Pensioner Manuel Domingos, 72, passed away Aug. 10. Brother Domingos joined the SIU in 1961 in San Francisco after serving in the U.S. Air Force. The California-born mariner worked in both the steward and engine departments. He last sailed on the SS Independence and began collecting his pension in 2002. Brother Domingos resided in Sacramento, Calif. Pensioner John Leonard, 72, passed away Sept. 25. Brother Leonard started his career with the Seafarers in 1969 in the port of New York after serving in the U.S. Army. A deck department member, Brother Leonard initially went to sea aboard the Robert E. Lee. The Marrero, La. resident started receiving his pension in 1997. He last worked aboard Waterman Steamship Corp.’s Sam Houston. ROY EDWARDS Pensioner Roy Edwards, 82, died Nov. 23. Brother Edwards began his career with the MC&S in San Francisco after serving in the U.S. Army. A steward department member, the San Francisco resident began receiving his pension in 1974. WILLIAM FAGAN Pensioner William Fagan, 87, died Nov. 12. Brother Fagan began his seafaring career in 1944 in the port of New York. Brother Fagan worked in the deep sea as well as inland divisions, first sailing aboard a Boston Towing Boat Co. vessel. The Terre Haute, Ind. native shipped in the engine department and began receiving retirement pay in 1984. He lived in Port Orange, Fla. EUSEBIO FIGUEROA Pensioner Eusebio Figueroa, 67, passed away Nov. 21. Brother Figueroa joined the SIU in 1970 in the port of New York. His first ship was the Seatrain Texas. Born in JOSEPH MARINELLO Brother Joseph Marinello, 54, died Aug. 28. He joined the SIU in 1966 in the port of New York. His first ship was the Sea-Land Gallaway. Brother Marinello sailed in the deck department as a bosun. He made his home in Hazlet, N.J. HILMER PARSONS Pensioner Hilmer Parsons, 85, was found deceased Aug. 21. Brother Parsons embarked on his seafaring career in 1945 in Galveston, Texas. Born in Connecticut, the engine department member last went to sea on Puerto Rico Marine Management’s Borinquen. Brother Parsons started collecting stipends for his retirement in 1982. He lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. LOUIS PION Pensioner Louis Pion, 71, died Aug. 21. He began his seafaring career in 1960 in the port of New York. Before joining the SIU, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Pion worked in all three divisions, initially sailing on the Mt. Whitney. The steward department member made his home in Coral Springs, Fla., and last worked aboard the Sea-Land Achiever. He began receiving his pension in 1991. ISMAEL RIVERA Brother Ismael Rivera, 47, passed away Aug. 2. Brother Rivera joined the SIU in 1977 in the port of New York. He shipped in the deck department as a bosun, last working on the Horizon Crusader. Brother Rivera lived in Santurce, P.R. EDWARD WEBB Pensioner Edward Webb, 77, died Nov. 6. Brother Webb joined the SIU in 1944 in the port of Mobile, Ala. His first ship was the Alcoa Pilgrim. The Alabama native sailed in the steward department. Brother Webb started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1975. He resided in his native state. ALI SALEH EDWARD WEBER Pensioner Ali Saleh, 65, died Sept. 16. Brother Saleh embarked on his career with the SIU in 1966 in the port of Baltimore. Born in Yemen, he sailed aboard a variety of vessels including some operated by Calmar, Rye Marine and Columbia Steamship. He worked in both the engine and steward departments and began collecting stipends for his retirement in 2001. Brother Saleh resided in San Francisco. Pensioner Edward Weber, 89, passed away Sept. 18. He began his career with the MC&S in San Francisco. Brother Weber began receiving retirement compensation in 1974. He made his home in Nevada, Mo. JOHN SAMSON Pensioner John Samson, 79, passed away Aug. 9. He joined the MC&S in 1952 in San Francisco. Brother Samson’s first voyage was aboard Delta Steamship’s Santa Mariana. The California-born mariner sailed in the steward department, last working aboard the Santa Mercedes. Brother Samson was a resident of Santa Rosa, Calif. and started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1987. RICARDO SIDDONS Pensioner Ricardo Siddons, 87, died Sept. 19. Brother Siddons joined the MC&S in 1966. Born in the Philippines, he shipped as a member of the steward department. Brother Siddons worked on a number of vessels during his career, including the President Polk. He lived in Pelham, N.Y. and began receiving retirement stipends in 1979. JAKE TIPTON Pensioner Jake Tipton, 89, passed away Sept. 20. He began his seafaring career in 1951 in the port of Baltimore. The North Carolina-born mariner worked in the engine department. Brother Tipton called Erwin, Texas home and started receiving his pension in 1979. JAMES VENABLES Brother James Venables, 48, passed away Aug. 29. He joined the Seafarers in 1986 in the port of Piney Point, Md. Brother Venables’ first voyage was aboard the American Cormorant, a Pacific Gulf Marine vessel. Born in Seattle, he worked in the steward department. Brother Venables last went to sea on the Cape Horn. He made his home in his native state. ZYGMUND WYDRA Pensioner Zygmund Wydra, 83, died Nov. 14. Brother Wydra joined the SIU in 1951 in the port of New York after serving in the U.S. Army. Born in Pennsylvania, Brother Wydra shipped in the steward department, last working aboard the Sea-Land Galveston. He began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1979. Brother Wydra lived in San Francisco. DROSALIO YBARRO Brother Drosalio Ybarro, 65, passed away Aug. 4. He joined the SIU in 1959 in the port of Houston. His first voyage was aboard the Wang Trader, a Rockland Steamship Corp. vessel. Brother Ybarro worked in the steward department. He made his home in Galveston, Texas. INLAND WILLIAM BARNES Pensioner William Barnes, 86, died Nov. 21. Boatman Barnes began his seafaring career in 1961 in the port of Philadelphia. Born in Pennsylvania, he sailed in the engine department and worked primarily aboard Moran Towing Co. vessels. Boatman Barnes began collecting retirement compensation in 1980. He lived in Philadelphia. RUMILDO COLON Pensioner Rumildo Colon, 81, passed away Nov. 15. He began his SIU career in 1976 in his native Puerto Rico. Boatman Colon sailed in the deck department, most recently as a captain. He lived in his native commonwealth and began receiving retirement stipends in 1988. CHARLES DAIL Boatman Charles Dail, 47, died Sept. 8. He started his career with the Seafarers in 1997 and was a member of the engine department. Continued on page 20 February 2004 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:06 PM Page 19 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. COAST RANGE (Intrepid Ship Mgmt.), Nov. 29—Chairman Marvin P. Zimbro, Secretary Donna M. DeCesare, Educational Director Candido Castro, Deck Delegate Donnie W. Collins, Engine Delegate Pedro A. Ocampo, Steward Delegate Lemuel E. Robinson. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 1 in Garyville, La. He advised everyone to read President’s Report in Seafarers LOG. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members reminded that Tampa port regs include wearing of glasses, steeltoed shoes and hard hats. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. DILIGENCE (Maritrans), Nov. 26 —Chairman Ronald L. Paradise, Secretary Mary Lou Smith, Educational Director Terry T. Smith, Deck Delegate Dennis B. Spriggs, Steward Delegate Audry Flemings. Chairman stated official report for tours of duty are not less than 80 days and not more than 120 days. Pay increases not yet received. Secretary thanked crew for helping keep public areas clean. He said ship in need of vacation and medical forms. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. Treasurer noted $80 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made to change name of “vacation” check to “supplemental” pay. Steward department thanked for good job. Next port: Lakes Charles, La. DISCOVERY (Horizon Lines), Nov. 16—Chairman Patrick C. Ray Jr., Secretary Gwendolyn Shinholster, Educational Director Christopher M. Devonish. Chairman announced payoff Nov. 17 in Jacksonville, Fla. He reminded crew to take care on deck and gangway. Secretary noted everything running smoothly aboard ship. Educational director advised members to upgrade at Piney Point and make sure all shipping documents are up to date. Some disputed OT reported in engine department. Questions arose regarding change in overtime. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port: San Juan, P.R. EL MORRO (IUM), Nov. 30— Chairman Robert T. Grubbs, Secretary Michael M. Amador, Educational Director Scott S. Fuller, Deck Delegate Nathaniel Lamb, Steward Delegate Theodore E. Quammie. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 1 in San Juan, P.R. Vessel then heading to Jacksonville, Fla. Secretary asked that everyone leave crew mess and hallways clean. Educational director encouraged crew members to check all documents for expiration dates. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made for contracts department to look into reducing age requirements and seatime needed to retire. EL YUNQUE (IUM), Nov. 30— Chairman Luis J. Ramirez, Secretary Francis E. Ostendarp Jr., Educational Director John J. Walsh, Engine Delegate Edgar Young, Steward Delegate Rafael February 2004 Pagan. Chairman advised crew members to keep track of expiration dates on required documentation for shipping. Updating STCW documentation may take longer than usual. Secretary asked that everyone help keep public spaces clean. Educational director recommended everybody take time to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made that full pension be awarded to spouse upon death of SIU member. Next port: San Juan, P.R. ENDURANCE (USSM), Nov. 17 —Chairman Romeo L. Lugtu, Secretary Rolando M. Lopez, Educational Director Tesfaye Gebregziabher, Deck Delegate Gerry A. Gianan, Engine Delegate Teddie H. Carter, Steward Delegate Thurman C. Johnson. Chairman said trip was pleasant and wished everyone happy holidays. Secretary added his greetings and noted that captain ordered special holiday meals for crew. Educational director emphasized importance of upgrading skills at Piney Point. Treasurer announced $888 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman thanked steward department for job well done. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. HORIZON CONSUMER (Horizon Lines), Nov. 30—Chairman Mauro G. Gutierrez, Secretary Terry L. Allen, Educational Director Donnell C. Tagart Jr., Deck Delegate John T. Emrich, Engine Delegate Eric L. Campbell, Steward Delegate Thomas E. Kleine. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 3 in Oakland, Calif. He asked crew members to have books ready to be checked by boarding patrolman. He also thanked everyone for safe and happy voyage. Secretary requested crew make sure rooms are ready for next person before leaving ship. He thanked all hands for helping keep house clean. Educational director suggested everyone check expiration dates on shipping documents and not wait until last minute to renew. With new security measures, renewal of some documents takes longer than usual. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested on number of days needed to earn day off. Vote of thanks given to steward department for excellent Thanksgiving Day spread. Next ports: Oakland and Los Angeles, Calif.; Honolulu. INNOVATOR (USSM), Nov. 23—Chairman Stephen R. Kastel, Secretary Jose M. Bayani, Educational Director Christopher L. Earhart, Deck Delegate Todd J. Homer, Engine Delegate Mohamed S. Mohamed, Steward Delegate Mostafa Loumrhari. Chairman announced that after seven days in dry dock in Nantong, China, vessel heading to Los Angeles. Crew members enjoyed port time. Secretary thanked hard working bosun, two day workers and all ABs, QMED and wiper for jobs well done and thanked chief electrician for troubleshooting electrical problems inside galley. Educational director encouraged crew members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center and reminded everyone to carry all necessary documentation when joining ship. Treasurer stated $840 in movie fund, which is kept by captain. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made to raise pension benefit. ITB BALTIMORE (USS Transport), Nov. 28—Chairman Jeffrey H. Kass, Secretary Dien Short, Educational Director Geoffrey Jones. Chairman led discussion about items from President’s Report in Seafarers LOG pertaining to new cruise ships, MSP renewal, AMO affiliation with SIUNA and especially about rising health care costs. That last issue has recently become more important during negotiations than wages. Educational director noted receipt of new movies and thanked captain for recent purchase of new DVD/VCR players. Treasurer noted $200 available for next month’s video/DVD purchases. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Thanks given to Charles Freeman for keeping laundry room clean. “Not enough accolades in the English language to properly thank the steward department—Steward Short and ACU Elsayed Amasha for an absolutely incredible Thanksgiving meal. Very happy crew indeed!” JOHN P. BOBO (Amsea), Nov. 19—Chairman William J. Stokes, Secretary Richard J. Gray, Educational Director Scott A. Lucero, Deck Delegate Mike Shay, Engine Delegate Scott Lucero, Steward Delegate Kenneth L. Crouse Jr. Chairman announced ship arriving Nov. 25 in Jacksonville, Fla. for payoff and to sign off foreign articles. Those departing must wait until vessel has cleared customs and payoff completed. Educational director urged everyone take advantage of Piney Point facility to upgrade skills. Treasurer stated $2,000 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested regarding foreign national riding gang on board. “The crew members of the Bobo can be proud of the fact that the ship has made four trips to Kuwait transporting equipment for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. There’s been a lot of seatime and very little port time. The crew has handled it extremely well.” LAWRENCE GIANELLA (Ocean Ships, Inc.), Nov. 5—Chairman Bernardino R. Eda, Secretary Christopher B. Amigable, Educational Director Richard A. King. Chairman announced ship heading to Diego Garcia, Singapore, Guam, Japan, South Korea and then into the shipyard in May 2004. Educational director suggested crew members keep up to date on SIU and maritime news by reading monthly LOG and by upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made for new DVD player, shower curtains and shower mats and for increase in dental coverage. Clarification requested on medical coverage for families living abroad. LIBERTY SEA (Liberty Maritime), Nov. 30—Chairman Ronald Charles, Secretary Thomas D. Kreis, Educational Director Lamar A. Parker, Deck Delegate DeIsrael Williams, Engine Delegate Aniba O. Vega, Steward Delegate William Simmons. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 6 in New Orleans. Chief mate thanked deck department for good job cleaning tanks. Secretary asked those getting off to clean room for next person. Old clothes to be collected for needy in foreign ports. Educational director urged crew members to take advantage of upgrading opportunities available at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chief engineer said ice machine to be fixed in port. New dryer for crew laundry, new TV for crew lounge and new pillows will be ordered next trip. Suggestion made for contracts department to look into retiring at any age with 20 years seatime. Steward department thanked for job well done. Next port: Haifa, Israel. LIBERTY SPIRIT (Liberty Maritime), Nov. 9—Chairman David N. Martz, Secretary Lito G. Acosta, Educational Director John C. Orr, Deck Delegate Ron Owens, Engine Delegate Kareem Abdul Joseph, Steward Delegate Hamil, Deck Delegate Edwin Ortega, Engine Delegate Ali S. Mohsin, Steward Delegate Joel A. Molinos. Chairman informed crew members that Coast Guard no longer prints discharges; therefore, discharges have no serial numbers. Secretary asked that anyone who observes needed repairs or who is in need of new mattress or other items, please note on repair list provided. Educational director encouraged Seafarers to attend upgrading courses at Paul Hall Center. “It’s your future.” Beef raised in steward department; no disputed OT reported. Lounge chairs received in Houston in July and AB received refrigerator in Christmas at Sea Aboard the Ewa Tom Stapleton, captain aboard the Ewa, sent the LOG this photo of the ship’s “fantastic steward department.” Christmas Day breakfast, lunch and dinner were superb, “even better than Thanksgiving, and the SIU should be very proud to have such outstanding members and shipmates,” he wrote in a note accompanying the photo. From the left are Assistant Cook Phil Dessett, Chief Cook Steve Bowmer, Steward/Baker Robert Miller and OBR Utility Kasem Ali. Wilfred Lambey. Bosun thanked everyone for smooth sailing and asked crew to read shipping agreement and Seafarers LOG. Secretary requested those members getting off turn in dirty linen and leave room clean for next person. Clean linen issued at 1500 hours the day before arrival. Treasurer stated $250 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks given to steward department, especially GSU Alejandro Fiores for keeping mess hall clean. Also, outstanding jobs done by Unlicensed Apprentices Greg Scott and David Guthrie. MIDNIGHT SUN (IUM), Nov. 30—Chairman Fadel N. Saleh, Secretary Scott A. Opsahl, Educational Director Christopher W. Cunningham, Deck Delegate Mark E. Hoffman, Steward Delegate Abdullah M. Falah. Chairman announced payoff at sea. He asked that everyone be careful of ice on deck and ramp and stated lifelines to be moved back from edge of ramp opening. Secretary thanked crew for helping keep mess hall and lounge clean. He reminded crew to wash hands often, especially with flu season upon us, and asked crew to refrain from eating in serving line. Educational director reminded Seafarers to upgrade skills at Piney Point and keep shipping papers current. “Give yourself extra time to take care of seamen’s documents and STCW.” He also stressed importance of contributing to SPAD and of updating beneficiary information. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done, especially Thanksgiving Day spread. Next ports: Tacoma, Wash.; Anchorage, Alaska. PERFORMANCE (USSM), Nov. 14—Chairman Jimmie L. Scheck, Secretary Charles B. Collins, Educational Director Robert J. October. New washing machine and drinking fountain to be installed soon. Clarification requested as to how vacation days are credited toward pension. Vote of thanks to steward department for great job. Next ports: Newark, N.J.; Charleston, S.C.; Miami, Fla.; Houston, Texas. RICHARD G. MATTHIESEN (Ocean Ships, Inc.), Nov. 11— Chairman Dana Naze, Secretary Raymond L. Jones, Educational Director Ian Hemba, Deck Delegate Thomas Gagnon. Chairman announced vessel going into shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Crew asked to make sure rooms are emptied of all personal gear and trash. Educational director spoke about opportunities for upgrading at Piney Point and of need for more QMED courses. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendations made for contracts department to improve medical and dental benefits and have union send information on new ID cards. Suggestion also made to increase vacation days. Vote of thanks given to all three departments for jobs well done. VOYAGER (USSM), Nov. 16— Chairman Glenn R. Christianson, Secretary William P. McGee, Educational Director Morris A. Jeff, Steward Delegate Ruben Padilla. Chairman thanked everyone for safe trip. Educational director encouraged crew members to upgrade skills as often as possible at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer stated $500 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestions made for company to provide safety shoes for deck personnel and for retirement to be possible when age and seatime total at least 65. Crew gave vote of thanks to steward department for good food and service. Next ports: Newark, N.J.; Norfolk, Va.; Charleston, S.C. Seafarers LOG 19 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:06 PM Page 20 Final Departures Continued from page 18 Boatman Dail worked primarily aboard vessels operated by Allied Towing. He made his home in Belvidere, N.C. DWAIN DORSETT Pensioner Dwain Dorsett, 66, passed away Aug. 30. Boatman Dorsett began his career with the SIU in 1978 in the port of Houston after serving in the U.S. Navy. The Childress, Texas native was a member of the engine department and worked primarily aboard vessels operated by G&H Towing. He made his home in Livingston, Texas and started receiving retirement compensation in 1999. GEORGE GRITZ Pensioner George Gritz, 81, died Nov. 18. Boatman Gritz joined the union in 1964. The Oklahomaborn mariner sailed in the deck department. He started receiving stipends for his retirement in1976 and called Stonewall, N.C. home. CHARLES HAMLIN Pensioner Charles Hamlin, 87, died Sept. 20. He launched his seafaring career in 1961 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Born in Virginia, Boatman Hamlin shipped in the engine department. He started collecting compensation for his retirement in 1982. Boatman Hamlin made his home in Surray, Va. Pensioner Richard Repsch, 79, died Aug. 12. He began his seafaring career in 1961 as a member of the engine department. Boatman Repsch worked primarily aboard Moran Towing of Philadelphia vessels and went on pension in 1987. Born in Philadelphia, he called Galloway, N.J. home. MICHAEL HUNT WAYNE R. WOODRING EDWARD FIKE Pensioner Michael Hunt, 71, passed away Dec. 5. Boatman Hunt started his career with the Seafarers in 1961. He was born in Philadelphia and shipped as a member of the deck department. Boatman Hunt made his home in Pennsylvania and began receiving his pension in 1993. Boatman Wayne R. Woodring, 53, passed away Sept. 8. Born in Pennsylvania, he joined the SIU in 1972 in the port of Baltimore. Boatman Woodring shipped as a member of the deck department. He resided in Jacksonville, Fla. Pensioner Edward Fike, 66, passed away Nov. 26. He began his career with the SIU in 1961 in Cleveland. Brother Fike was born in Ohio and sailed as a member of the deck department. He made his home in Parma, Ohio. Brother Fike started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1999. DOMINIC PIAZZA Pensioner Dominic Piazza, 77, passed away Nov. 14. Boatman Piazza joined the Seafarers in 1965 in New Orleans. The Louisiana-born mariner shipped in the deck depart- ROLAND DETOUCHE REUBEN HARMOND Pensioner Roland DeTouche, 88, passed away Dec.11. Brother DeTouche began his career with the NMU in 1972. His first voyage originated out of the port of New York aboard the Periwill. Born in Panama, he worked in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Detouche started receiving retirement stipends in 1982. Pensioner Reuben Harmond, 84, passed away Nov. 4. He joined the NMU in 1951. Brother Harmond’s first ship was the Pan American. Born in McIntosh County, Ga., he worked in the engine department. Brother Harmond began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1982. He last shipped on the Womack Sea. Pensioner Donald Diaz, 83, died Dec. 11. Brother Diaz first sailed from the port of New Orleans aboard the Howell Lykes. Born in Louisiana, he worked in the steward department. Brother Diaz last sailed on the Ruth Lykes and began receiving his pension in 1991. JUAN MARTINEZ Pensioner Juan Martinez, 74, died Dec. 1. Brother Martinez embarked on his career with the NMU in 1960. He initially sailed out of the port of New York while working aboard the Francis R. Hart. Born in Honduras, Brother Martinez shipped as a member of the steward department. He started receiving his pension in 1985 and last sailed on the Gulf Supreme. 20 Seafarers LOG DONALD G. BORDERS Pensioner Donald G. Borders, 67, died Nov. 23. Brother Borders joined the SIU in 1970 in Alpena, Mich. after serving in the U.S Army. Born in Fulton, Ky., he worked in the engine department. Brother Borders last worked on the American Republic and began receiving his pension in 1994. He was a resident of Warren, Mich. Editor’s Note: The following brothers, all members of the NMU and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, have passed away: DONALD DIAZ ment and worked mainly aboard vessels operated by Dravo Basic Materials Co. Boatman Piazza began receiving his pension in 1989. He lived in Houma, La. GEORGE PEARSON Pensioner George Pearson, 76, passed away Dec. 24. He began his NMU career in 1944. Brother Pearson’s first ship, the Mariposa, originated from Boston. Born in Minneapolis, Minn., he worked in the deck department. Brother Pearson last sailed on the Mormac Lake. He went on pension in 1970. ROBERT REIDLINGER Pensioner Robert Reidlinger, 76, died Nov. 19. Brother Reidlinger joined the NMU in 1944. Sailing from the port of New York, his first ship was the Robert Battey. The Pennsylvaniaborn mariner worked in the engine department, last sailing aboard the Lyons Creek. Brother Reidlinger began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1965. JUAN ROUBERT Pensioner Juan Roubert, 77, passed away Dec. 8. Born in Ponce, P.R., he joined the NMU ranks in 1946. The steward department member RICHARD REPSCH GREAT LAKES ROYAL BOOKER Pensioner Royal Booker, 70, died Nov. 7. He joined the Seafarers in 1960 in Detroit. Born in Hamberg, Iowa, Brother Booker sailed in the engine department, working primarily aboard vessels operated by American Steamship Co. Brother Booker made his home in Chestnut Mound, Tenn. and started receiving his pension in 1998. initially went to sea from the port of New York. His first vessel was the Henry D. Lindsley. Brother Roubert began collecting stipends for his retirement in 1979. He last sailed on the Santa Rosa. LUIS STOWHAS Pensioner Luis Stowhas, 86, passed away Oct. 12. Brother Stowhas commenced his NMU career in 1946, first sailing aboard a Sinclair Oil vessel. Born in Chile, he worked in the deck department. Brother Stowhas started receiving retirement compensation in 1967. He last worked on the Santa Luisa. HELIODORO THACHER Pensioner Heliodoro Thacher, 85, passed away Oct. 1.He launched his NMU career in the port of New York. Brother Thacher’s first ship was the SS Argentina. Born in Panama, he worked in the steward department. His last ship was the Export Builder. Brother Thacher began receiving his pension in 1985. OSCAR TURNER Pensioner Oscar Turner, 82, died Dec. 8. Brother Turner started his career with the NMU in 1954 and was previously a RICHARD HARTFORD Pensioner Richard Hartford, 79, died Sept. 29. Brother Hartford joined the Seafarers in 1962 in Toledo, Ohio after serving in the U.S. Army. He sailed in the Great Lakes as well as member of the Marine Cooks & Stewards. His first voyage was aboard the President Taft. Born in Louisiana, Brother Turner shipped in the steward department. He started receiving retirement compensation in 1988. inland divisions as a deck department member. Brother Hartford began receiving retirement stipends in 1986 and resided in Oregon, Ohio. CHRISTIAN IVERSON Pensioner Christian Iverson, 76, died Dec. 11. He joined the SIU in 1970 in Frankfort, Mich. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Brother Iverson worked in the Great Lakes as well as inland divisions. The steward department member initially worked aboard American Steamship’s J.S. Young and last sailed aboard a Bob-Lo Island vessel. He began collecting retirement stipends in 1992. Brother Iverson made his home in Pleasanton, Mich. RAILROAD MARINE THOMAS MARTIN Pensioner Thomas Martin, 90, passed away Sept. 21. Brother Martin commenced his career with the Seafarers in 1960 in the port of New York. A member of the deck department, Brother Martin was last employed on a Penn Central Transportation Co. vessel. He lived in Colnia, N.J. and went on pension in 1974. In addition to the foregoing individuals, the following NMU brothers, all of whom were pensioners, passed away on the dates indicated. NAME (Last, first) AGE DOD Barrett, Ellworthy 82 Dec. 1 Bergeron, Joseph 80 Nov. 21 Blake, John 76 Nov. 28 Bryant, Rufus 86 Nov. 10 Coffin, Martin 74 Dec. 6 Daniels, Jasper 82 Oct. 31 De Silva, Charles 79 July 11 Florence, James 70 Sept. 1 Fontenot, Joseph 72 Nov. 24 Ganter, John 77 Nov. 21 Grant, Edward 75 Nov. 9 Guerrero, Feliciano 68 Nov. 24 EARL WHITE Gundersen, Sigfred 92 Dec. 14 Pensioner Earl White, 80, passed away Sept. 27. He started his career with the NMU in 1954. Brother White worked in both the deck and engine departments. A native of Philadelphia, he worked primarily aboard the tug Brandyne. Brother White started receiving his pension in 1981. Jensen, Einer 74 Nov. 23 Jordon, Tommie 89 Dec. 17 Kennedy, Amos 83 Nov. 27 Lewis, Roy 69 Nov. 21 Mapp, Ian 87 Dec. 6 McLarty, Alfred 80 Nov. 9 Mietla, Walter 92 Dec. 10 Montalvo, Elias 80 Dec. 4 Oellano, Rosario 89 Dec. 14 Petersen, Arthur 93 Oct. 15 Quinones, Luis 77 Dec. 8 Richardson, Sam 79 Dec. 6 Robinson, Elario 76 Dec. 26 Ruiz, Jose 79 Nov. 13 Smith, Cephus 78 Dec. 8 Tejeda, Pedro 94 Dec. 2 Vlachos, Peter 79 Aug. 26 Walden, Lavergn 81 Nov. 15 AUGUSTUS WHITE Pensioner Augustus White, 74, died Sept. 27. Brother White joined the NMU in 1953 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Born in Rocky Mount, N.C., he worked in both the steward and engine departments and upgraded his skills often. Brother White sailed on many vessels including the USNS Sappa Creek. He began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1994. KEOW P. WONG Pensioner Keow P. Wong, 84, died Nov. 18. Brother Wong’s first voyage originated from the port of New York aboard the Robert Howe. Born in China, he worked in the steward department. Brother Wong became a pensioner in 1969. February 2004 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:06 PM Page 21 SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE Engine Upgrading Courses Start Date Date of Completion Engine Utility (EU) March 22 May 17 April 16 June 11 Marine Electrician May 10 July 2 Refrigeration April 12 May 21 Welding February 2 March 29 February 20 April 16 Course The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. through the middle of 2004. All programs are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Safety Specialty Courses Start Date Date of Completion February 23 April 19 March 5 April 30 Basic Safety Training (BST) February 9 February 16 March 15 March 29 April 19 May 10 May 24 February 13 February 20 March 19 April 2 April 23 May 14 May 28 Course Deck Upgrading Courses Advanced Fire Fighting* Start Date Date of Completion Able Seaman March 1 April 12 May 24 March 26 May 7 June 18 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids * (ARPA) (*must have radar unlimited) February 9 March 8 February 13 March 12 Celestial Navigation March 29 April 23 GMDSS (Simulator) March 1 March 12 Fast Rescue Boat May 3 June 7 May 7 June 11 Lifeboatman/Water Survival February 16 March 29 May 10 February 27 April 9 May 21 Government Vessels Navigation Fundamentals February 9 April 26 February 20 May 7 February 23 March 22 April 5 May 17 June 28 February 27 March 26 April 9 May 21 July 2 Radar February 23 May 10 March 5 May 21 Medical Care Provider February 9 April 5 May 31 February 20 April 16 June 11 February 9 March 8 February 13 March 12 Tanker Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL)* February 9 March 29 May 17 February 20 April 9 May 28 March 15 March 19 Course Specially Trained Ordinary Seaman (STOS) (*must have basic fire fighting) (*must have basic fire fighting) Steward Upgrading Courses Tankerman (PIC) Barge* Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations modules start every week. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward classes start every other week, most recently beginning January 19, 2004. (*must have basic fire fighting) Academic Department Courses Recertification Steward February 9 March 8 Bosun (to be announced) General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED Junior Engineer, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be selfstudy. � UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Telephone _________________________ Deep Sea Member † Lakes Member Date of Birth ______________________ † Inland Waters Member † If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security # ______________________ Book # _________________________ Seniority _____________________________ Department _____________________ U.S. Citizen: Yes † No † Home Port _____________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty (120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All OL, AB and JE applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $140 with their application. The payment should be made with a money order only, payable to LMSS. COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _____________________________________ LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: ___________ _____________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? † Yes † No If yes, class # __________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? † Yes † No If yes, course(s) taken ___________________________________________________ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? † Yes † No Firefighting: † Yes † No CPR: † Yes † No Primary language spoken ________________________________________________ February 2004 SIGNATURE __________________________________ DATE ________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/04 Seafarers LOG 21 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:07 PM Page 22 Paul Hall Center Classes Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 645 — Graduating from the water survival class are unlicensed apprentices from class 645 (in alphabetical order) Shane Avila, Mark Beck, Christopher Chever, Lloyd Clark, John Crawford, Nicholas Doffoh, Neftali Erausquin, Jor-el Holmberg, Darrion Ingram, Gilbert Johnson, Taneisha Johnson, Nathaniel Leachman, Jomar Rodriguez Diaz, Gary Santos, Damian Spedale, Ronald Tucker II, Clifton Wiggins, Trevor Wood and Robert York. Oiler — Completing the oiler course Dec. 12 are (in alphabetical order) Steven Benavides, Trevor Cohn, Jonathan Duncan, Paul Gross, Stephen Johnson, Reynaldo Lacayo, Nat Lamb, Christian Rosado and John Watson. Their instructor, Eric Malzkuhn, is in the back at left. Able Seaman — Receiving certificates for completion of the AB class ending Dec. 5 are upgrading students (in alphabetical order) Robyn Adamosky, Abdoulla Alssoudi, Milton Flynn, Abdul Hasan, James Jasman, Roy Logan, Jeffrey McPherson, Darriel Porchea, Jared Smith and Selina Sobers. Not pictured are James Reece and Paul Riley. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon, is at far right. Engine Utility— Unlicensed apprentices in phase III of their training completed the engine utility course Dec. 12. They are (in alphabetical order) Damien Bautista, Kyle Byron, Gregory Davis, Si Hughes, Joshua Kilbourn, Felix Osorio, Carlos Perez, Annie Walker, Robert Walter, Matthew Whitmore and upgrading Seafarers Luis Ramirez, Luis Roebuck, David Simpson and Jerome Torrence. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Lifeboatman/ Water Survival — Successfully completing the water survival course Nov. 21 are (in alphabetical order) Liane Alicuben, Vanity Braley, Nelly Calamayan, Dean Ekman, Brian Kane, Evodio Lucero-Alcaide, Micahlah Shults, Natalie Tremblay and Sheila Venable. Lifeboatman/Water Survival — With instructor Stan Beck (standing left) are Nov. 21 graduates of the water survival class. They are (in alphabetical order) Angelie Avila, David Correa, Rickey Hoshino, Crystal Leyba, Jarret Rogerson and Janifer Salvacion. Academic Classes and Computer Lab In photo at left, instructor Rich Prucha (left) congratulates Seafarers Joseph Butasek (center) and Brandon Maeda for completing the full curriculum for college math. Butasek (in the photo at right) also received a certificate of achievement for completion of History 102: The United States from 1877. With him is his history instructor, Peggy Densford. In the photo at far right is Ronald Celious and instructor Rich Prucha. Celious graduated from the Computer Basics course Dec. 19. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2004 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/16/2004 4:07 PM Page 23 Paul Hall Center Classes Specially Trained OS — Alaskan fishermen completing the STOS course Dec. Tanker Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL) — Dec. 12 graduates of the tanker familiarization/assistant cargo (DL) course are (in alphabetical order) Dirk Adams, Colin Campbell, Ronald Celious, Kenneth Cooper, Maximino Dagoldol, Michael Gallagher, Stephen Gardner, Mariano Lino, Maximo Lugtu, Philip Perry, Darriel Porchea, Juan Sanchez, David Seeman, Jared Smith and Peter Williams. 12 are (in alphabetical order) Rolando Balmes, Michael Bell, James Dennis, Forrest Hosier, Lanny Pihlman, David Simpson, Joshua Stukey, Richard Summers and Harriet Wadley, Their instructor, Stacey Harris, is at far left. Lifeboatman/Water Survival — Under the instruction of Stan Beck (standing) are Dec. 5 graduates of the water survival course. They are (in no particular order) Cortney Bond, Adrienne Zucker, Brian Kuntzmann, David Martinez, Jennifer Reid, Merrinnage Costa, Francisco Reyes, Daniel Menck, Ashley Dheel, Derek Jodenschwager, Calvin Lester, Lauryn Heckel, Desiree Carlbom, Jennifer Kissee, Noel Destura and Shane Depee. Specially Trained OS — Upgrading Seafarers who completed the STOS course Dec. 12 are (from left) Oscar Swangin, David Black, Eugene Perez, Brad Wheeler (instructor), Kosar Iqbal, Edwin Pelingon, Sam Baffoe and Asad Al-Waseem. Lifeboatman/Water Survival — Flanked by instructors Stan Beck (left) and Herb Walling (right) are Dec. 12 graduates of the water survival course. They are (in no particular order) Cindy Hird, James Brzycki, Adrian Morales, Donna Rickley, Mustafa Warsame, Pamela Weedon, Robert Chin, James Conway Jr., Tanya Bradley, Owen Hatchett III, Gerald Byrd, Nate Jacobson, Jack Sonson, Eric Jensen and Lev Rosenstein. STCW — Dec. 26: Alec Berry, Rufus Byes, Henry Caudle, Ryan Clement, Jomadalyn Hilderbrand, Adam Hollis, Hoang Hung, Tony Luu, Joselito Ocampo, Roseann Remillong, Art Rolack, Jean Talus, Daniel Topolski, Jessica Voigtlander and David Waterbury. Basic Safety Training Classes STCW — Dec. 12: Celia Acacio, Jarvis Belle, Cortney Bond, Bianca Contreras, Merrinnage Costa, Gabrielle DePaulis, Shane Depee, Ashley Dheel, Stephen Dillon Jr., Elhusseiny Elnagger, Hector Escoto, Samuel Evans, Patrick Grodeska, Greg Halliday, Lauryn Heckel, Matthew Holley, Derek Jodenschweger, Andrew Jones, Brian Kuntzmann, Calvin Lester, David Martinez, Daniel Menck, Pamela Phillips, Francisco Reyes, John Trent, Richard Wiener, John Winiarski and Adrienne Zucker. Instructor Bernabe Pelingon is at far left. February 2004 STCW — Dec. 19: Tanya Bradley, James Brzycki, Gerald Byrd, Robert Chin, James Conway, Owen Hatchett III, Cindy Hird, Nate Jaconson, Eric Jensen, Donna Rickley, Lev Rosenstein, Jack Sonson, Mustafa Warsame, Andrea Lacafta, Terrie Johnson and Linda Anderson. Seafarers LOG 23 �21209_p9,11_14,17_24.qxd 1/22/2004 5:34 PM Page 24 Volume 66, Number 2 February 2004 1 D f S S 1 T — o p i f 1 a 1 The port of San Francisco continues to play an important role in merchant marine shipping. The photos appearing on this page were shot on board the SIU-crewed American Tern (Osprey Ship Management), Maui (Matson Navigation), Horizon Enterprise (Horizon Lines) and ADM Callaghan (Keystone Shipping) during their recent stops in the Bay City port. AB Ricardo Abella American Tern Chief Steward Denise Smith ADM Callaghan Left: Recertified Steward George Pino, Recertified Bosun Roger Reinke, SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone Horizon Enterprise Chief Steward Steven Parker American Tern 1st Asst. Engineer Mike Wyant, OMU Ed Thompson American Tern OMU Randall Kramer, AB Wayne Smiley American Tern Recertified Steward Johnnie McGill, SA George Gerssing, Chief Cook Daniel Maxie, ACU Herman Cerbana Maui Assistant Cook Marion Ofrecio American Tern Chief Cook Roberto Martinez, SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone Maui Chief Cook Elizer Saintvil American Tern AB Shad Ball Horizon Enterprise � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2004 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES MAERSK LINE, LIMITED HONORS U.S. MARINERS SEN. BREAUX ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AT TERM’S END ‘WE’RE ALWAYS READY’ SEAFARERS SET FOR ‘PART 2’ OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM PAUL HALL CENTER’S EGLINGTON REAPPOINTED TO MERPAC JONES ACT VESSELS SUPPORT U.S. TROOPS SO FAR, SO GOOD FOR PHARMACY AGREEMENT NAVY SHIP TRANSFERS TO CIVMAR FLEET NEW RULE IMPACTS MMD RENEWAL ‘HIGHT THREAT’ ALERT ISSUES MARAD ADVISES CAUTION IN WAKE OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANNOUNCEMENT SIU VP CORGEY APPOINTED TO KEY LABOR POSITION ON MARITIME SECURITY GROUP FEDERATION AIMS TO BOOST GROCERY WORKERS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANTHRAX VACCINE WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SMALLPOX REVAMPED FOWT COURSE PREPS STUDENTS FOR ENDORSEMENTS, STCW CERTIFICATION SEAFARER SHEPARD’S TALES ARE NO BULL FORMER SIU MEMBER WRITES VOLUME ABOUT LIFE IN MERCHANT MARINE COLORFUL BOOK SPOTLIGHTS INLAND TUGBOAT INDUSTRY DOT ANNOUNCES ‘E-SEAL’ TEST RESULTS RESTORED VICTORY SHIP IS BACK AT SEA SEAFARERS IN THE PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2004 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 66, No 2 2004 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/8304fbe51a951f480dd5471b3d3aa0ef.pdf 11ccc0478a68bc6ef609da1efe091f17 PDF Text Text 26225_P001.qxd 1/28/2005 9:07 PM Page 1 New MSP Fleet Expands to 60 Vessels Volume 67, Number 2 Page 3 February 2005 : ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ! U I ✩ ✩ S ✩ ✩ ✩ e ✩✩ ✩✩ h t ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ n ✩ ✩ o ✩✩ ✩✩ t ✩ ✩ n ✩ ✩ ✩✩ u ✩ ✩ o ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ C ✩ ✩ ✩ n ✩✩ ✩ a C ✩✩ ✩ ✩ u ✩ o Y ✩✩ ✩ ✩✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Seafarers Still Deliver in Operation Iraqi Freedom Seafarers continue to back U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom by delivering vital materiel at key locations in the Middle East. Dozens of SIUcrewed ships are engaged in OIF3, the latest sealift component of the war. Pictured here are Seafarers and troops aboard the Cape Island in Kuwait. They are (clockwise, from upper left) AB Alfred Martin; AB Mickey Earhart and a U.S. Navy master at arms; crew members and officers including GVA Shaun Castain, 3rd Mate Bobby Boone, AB Andy Martinez, Bosun Stephen Castle, Chief Cook Tracy Stewart and a Navy instructor participating in small arms practice; and GVA Abdo “Otto” Saleh, suiting up for hazmat training. Pages 6-8. The hospital ship USNS Mercy, crewed by members of the SIU’s Government Services Division, was one of 14 ships initially mobilized to help with relief following the devastating tsunami that struck coastal communities in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, India and other Indian Ocean nations. Pictured at right is some of the damage in Phuket. Page 2. Union, Seafarers-Crewed Ships Aid in Tsunami Relief Efforts SIU Election Results Page 3 Navy League President Notes RRF’s Value Page 4 Tax Tips for Mariners Pages 12-13 �Pg2,22,23.qxd 1/27/2005 4:49 PM Page 2 Union Donates for Tsunami Relief President’s Report More Job Growth Last month’s news from the Maritime Administration announcing the operating contract awards for the new U.S. Maritime Security Program was a great moment for our union. The extended, expanded MSP helps ensure job security for Seafarers for many years to come. Not only that, it increases the number of shipboard job opportunities available to SIU members. In the bigger picture, the new MSP is good for America. As anyone who truly understands the U.S. Merchant Marine will tell you, we are the nation’s fourth arm of defense. The United States Michael Sacco is best served by a strong U.S.-flag commercial fleet and by the dedicated, well-trained U.S. crews who man those vessels. The 10-year MSP that takes effect this fall is a vital step toward maintaining a capable American-flag fleet and a pool of reliable, well-trained U.S. mariners. As I said when the new MSP was signed into law a little over a year ago, there is plenty of credit to go around. In fact there are too many people and organizations to name here, but certainly I thank President Bush and his administration for not only recognizing the U.S. Merchant Marine’s importance, but also following through and delivering a 60-ship fleet under the new MSP. And I also thank you, the rank-and-file Seafarer. The support you’ve given me and the other SIU officials is gratifying and, more importantly, makes it easier to promote and protect the interests of all Seafarers. Along those same lines, your support of SPAD and the outstanding work you perform every day aboard ship are important parts of our recipe for success. The new, 60-ship MSP fleet is something we can all be proud of. Disaster and Aid Less than three weeks before the high of the MSP announcement, Seafarers joined with other people all over the world in sadly sharing the horror of the tsunami that devastated Asian and African countries right after Christmas, killing hundreds of thousands. I don’t know if any of us can fully comprehend a loss that great. In many ways it’s impossible to understand. And yet I also believe that the disaster’s aftermath once again has brought out the best in so many people, showing the good side of human nature and what we’re capable of when we pull together. Certainly U.S. unions and union members have stepped up to donate record amounts of money to help the victims. The SIU made a $10,000 donation, and SIU-crewed ships are aiding in relief efforts, as reported elsewhere on this page. As of mid-January, I was aware of at least one Seafarer who unfortunately lost all of his possessions to the tsunami but who thankfully was safely at sea at that time. We will pass along news of how the disaster has impacted other members as it becomes available. Meanwhile, if you have the means to donate to one of the many relief funds, I hope you will consider doing so. See the “How You Can Help” article on this page for more information. My heartfelt prayers go out to all the victims and their families. Crisis Continues From time to time in this space, I have written about the ongoing health care crisis in America. If it seems like I won’t get off the subject, there’s a good reason: This crisis is a major threat to working families nationwide. And it’s getting worse by the day. Right now about 45 million Americans have no health coverage at all. Those who have insurance in many cases are paying more and more to maintain their coverage. In other instances, people with insurance are paying more for reduced benefits. It is happening all over the country. This remains a giant problem, but the SIU is committed to helping solve it. We will continue working through the AFL-CIO to enact a fair, workable health care solution for all concerned. In addition to our efforts with the labor federation, health plans administrators from the U.S. maritime unions have met a half-dozen times over the past year and a half, sharing information and trying to find ways to contain costs while still providing good coverage. Those meetings are a step in the right direction as we continue what in many ways is literally a fight for our lives. Volume 67, Number 2 February 2005 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 8990675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2005 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG SIU-Crewed Ships Mobilize for Humanitarian Mission The SIU is actively supporting humanitarian relief efforts for survivors of the Dec. 26 earthquake and resulting tsunami that devastated coastal communities in Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Indonesia and other Indian Ocean nations. The union last month donated $10,000 to the International Red Cross for use in the devastated region. In addition, more than 100 SIU members—including some from the SIU’s Government Services Division— crewed 13 Military Sealift Command vessels and one ship owned by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd). Collectively, these platforms have been directly involved in ferrying emergency personnel and a myri- This photo, taken by Seafarer Bob Stenehjem, shows some of the ad of supplies to the distressed region. devastation in Phuket, Thailand. Six of the 12 vessels that initially were involved in the relief missions— 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, Maj. Stephen W. Pless, Cpl. How You Can Help Louis J. Hauge Jr., Pfc. James Anderson Jr., 1st Lt. st Although the tsunami took place more than a Alex Bonnyman and USNS 1 Lt. Harry L. Martin— month ago, there remains much to be done to restore are Maritime Prepositioning Ships. Part of MSC’s the lives of the disaster’s survivors back to normal. In Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron Three, addition to the International Red Cross these vessels collectively were laden with enough (http://www.icrc.org/eng, mailing address International Committee of the Red Cross, equipment and supplies to support 15,000 Marines 19 avenue de la Paix, CH 1202 Geneva), those wishfor 30 days. The ships carried food, fuel, medical ing to make donations have many other options open supplies, construction and road building equipment, to them. electrical power generating equipment, airfield matThe AFL-CIO American Center for International ting and a Navy field hospital. Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center) has established a The squadron also has 43 Reverse Osmosis Tsunami Relief Fund to which unions and individuals may donate. The center (www.solidaritycenter.org/) is Water Purification Units, each of which is capable a nonprofit organization that assists workers around of producing 600 gallons of potable water per hour the world who are struggling to build democratic and from sea water. Additionally, five of the ships are independent trade unions. Those interested in concapable of making 25,000 gallons of fresh water tributing to the relief fund should make out a check each day using the ships’ evaporators. The ships can marked Tsunami Relief, payable to Solidarity Center pump water from ship to shore from up to two miles Education Fund, and send it to: Tsunami Relief Fund, Solidarity Center, 1925 K Street, N.W., Suite 300, away using an Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer Washington, DC, 20006-1105. System of floating hoses. Another organization that is accepting donations is Two MSC fleet replenishment oilers—the USNS the U.S. Agency for International Development Tippecanoe and USNS John Ericsson—were divert(USAID). The USAID is the U.S. government agency ed to provide fuel to U.S. Navy ships in the tsunami responsible for economic and humanitarian assisrelief area. Two other supply ships—the combat tance around the world. Members of the agency work with a host of organizations to provide assistance to stores ship USNS San Jose and the fast combat supthe victims of the earthquake and tsunami. port ship USNS Rainier—were sent to the area to Those desiring to make donations should visit the provide fuel and other supplies to Navy ships in the center’s website at: www.usaid.gov/locations/theater and to activities ashore as needed. asia_near_east/tsunami/ngolist.html. A list of charities Two MSC oceanographic ships also were that are providing assistance to people affected by ordered into the affected area to conduct hydrothe earthquake and tsunamis can be found at this Continued on page 10 Vacationing Seafarer Lends Hand In Phuket Editor’s note: Seafarer Bob Stenehjem, who sails from the port of Tacoma, Wash., was on vacation in Thailand when the tsunami struck there. He sent an e-mail to friends describing his experience that was excerpted in a Seattle newspaper and also is reprinted here, with his permission. I had a very rewarding but very sad day. At the Patong hospital last night they said there were a lot of injured foreigners so I started to go there on my motorbike. But I passed the Phuket International Hospital and decided to pull in there to see if they needed any help. The lobby was chaos. I went up to a long table full of phones and people and asked what they needed. The people at the table looked overwhelmed. The lady asked what languages I spoke, and I told her a little Spanish, fairly good American Sign site. Donations can be made to either of them via mail, phone, or through their web sites. Language and English. She said sit here and answer phones. I had a list of 575 people who were injured, listed by country. I also had a list of hundreds missing, and there is a whole wall full of photos of entire families, people from all over the world who are missing and most likely dead. The list of the dead was at another table. So I answered the phone and looked up names of the people the callers were looking for. None of the people they were looking for were there, and I gave them numbers of other hospitals. I met four or five other volunteers at my table: a man from Germany, a Swiss woman, an English woman, a Swedish man. A man from the Kuwait consulate office in Bangkok and another from Bahrain’s were looking for anybody from their countries. They didn’t know where all the hospitals were, so I told them I was going to the Patong Hospital later and I would check the list of patients and their huge list of dead for any of their countryman. It turned out that there weren’t any at Patong, but there were about 65 unknown dead. The list of the dead included 160 names with countries listed. Two Americans, five Canadians, most Seafarer Bob Stenehjem pitched in after the tsunami, helping numerous victims in Phuket. from Europe and many Thais. After two hours at the Phuket International Hospital I was bored, as not many people were calling. Then I noticed a woman in her mid-30s who had been sitting with three kids in their teens. One daughter was in a wheelchair with a very bloody bandage on a large leg wound. The mother was pacing around, and I could tell she was freaking out. Then she came up to the table and sort of lost it. Screaming, she said she needed someone to change the bandages on her daughter’s leg. A hospital woman said the mother still had to deal with her consul. Then the mother Continued on page 10 February 2005 �26225_Pg3,5,10,15_17,19.qxd 1/28/2005 6:23 PM Page 3 SIU Gains 13 Vessels New Maritime Security Program Features 60 Ships The U.S. Maritime Administration last month announced the names of the vessels and operators for the new Maritime Security Program (MSP)—and the notice couldn’t have been better for the SIU. The union gains 13 additional ships under the new MSP, which runs from 20052016. Overall, the updated MSP fleet includes 60 vessels—an increase of 13 ships compared to the MSP which expires this fall. Each of the 13 additions to the MSP fleet is operated by an SIU-contracted company. The 47 Seafarers-crewed vessels already enrolled in the MSP have been renewed for the expanded, extended program. “This is a tremendous gain for the membership,” said SIU President Michael Sacco. “Bringing 13 additional ships into our contracted fleet is fantastic news. It means new jobs and job security for Seafarers.” SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez said the new MSP as a whole “is a win-win situation. It improves our national defense capabilities and it obviously boosts the employment opportunities of Seafarers for at least the next 10 years.” The 13 new MSP slots are assigned to OSG Shipholding Group (three ships), Central Gulf (one), Fidelio (ARC) (four), Liberty Global Logistics (one), Lykes Lines (two), and Patriot (two). Overall, the awards are as follows, with the company name followed by the vessels: APL Marine Services, Ltd.—APL Korea, APL Philippines, APL Singapore, APL Thailand, President Adams, President Jackson, APL China, President Polk and President Truman. Central Gulf Lines, Inc.—Green Cove, Green Point, Green Lake and Hercules Leader. American Auto Carriers, Inc.—Liberty. Fidelio Limited Partnership—Patriot, Freedom, Takasago, Resolve, Otello and Aida. Farrell Lines Inc.—Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, Endeavor, Endurance and Enterprise. Liberty Global Logistics, LLC— Splendid Ace. Lykes Lines Limited, LLC—Lykes Navigator, Lykes Discoverer, Lykes Liberator, Lykes Motivator and Tmm Yucatan. Maersk Line, Limited—Maersk Missouri, Maersk Virginia, Maersk Georgia, Maersk Carolina, Sealand Achiever, Sealand Florida, Sealand Pride, Sealand Motivator, Sealand Commitment, Sealand Atlantic, Sealand Charger, Maersk Alabama, Sealand Lightning, Sealand Meteor, Maersk Arkansas, Sealand Intrepid, Sealand Comet, Sealand Performance and Sealand Quality. OSG Shipholding Group, Inc.— Overseas Joyce, Maersk Rapier, Maersk Regent and Maersk Richmond. Patriot Shipping, LLC—Industrial Challenger and Industrial Chief. Waterman Steamship Corporation— P&O Nedlloyd Vera Cruz, Atlantic Forest, Green Dale and P&O Nedlloyd Buenos Aires. The current MSP expires Sept. 30, 2005, with the new one beginning immediately thereafter. In announcing the awards, the Maritime Administration noted, “The MSP serves to maintain an active, privately owned, U.S.flag and U.S.-crewed liner fleet in international trade. This fleet also is available to support the Department of Defense sustainment in a contingency.” The program was established through the Maritime Security Act of 1996. It helps retain “a labor base of skilled American mariners who are available to crew the U.S. Government-owned strategic sealift fleet, as well as the U.S. commercial fleet, both in peace and war,” the agency pointed out. Seafarers Approve Constitutional Amendments Committee Announces Election Results; Michael Sacco Is Reelected President The SIU’s tallying committee recently released its tabulation of the ballots cast by union members in the voting for national officers of the Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU as well as two constitutional amendments. Voting took place Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2004. Composed of 20 Seafarers (two members elected from each of the SIU’s 10 constitutional halls), the rank-and-file committee certified the reelection of Michael Sacco as president of the SIU; reelection of John Fay as the union’s executive vice president; and reelection of David Heindel as secretary-treasurer. Each of those candidates was unopposed. The tallying committee’s report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings next month (March). The committee reported that each of the two proposed constitutional amendments was approved by overwhelming majorities. The amendments concerned eligibility requirements for running for union office, and the election of the credentials committee. Similarly, neither of the two contested races for office was close. The committee reported the election of the following officers, who will serve four-year terms (2005-2008): Michael Sacco, president; John Fay, executive vice president; David Heindel, secretarytreasurer; Augie Tellez, contracts and contract enforcement vice president; Joseph Soresi, Atlantic Coast vice president; Dean Corgey, Gulf Coast vice president; Nick Marrone, West Coast vice president; Thomas Orzechowski, Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters vice president; Kermett Mangram, Government Services and fishing industries vice president; George Tricker, assistant vice president in charge of contracts and contract enforcement; Nick Celona, assistant vice president in charge of the Atlantic Coast; Ambrose Cucinotta, assistant vice president in charge of the Gulf Coast; Don Anderson, assistant vice president in charge of the West Coast; Members of the tallying committee met last month at SIU headquarters in Camp Springs, Md. to tabulate ballots cast by union members. February 2005 Members of the tallying committee are pictured immediately after finishing their work last month at union headquarters, along with SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel (far right) and SIU Assistant VP Ambrose Cucinotta (standing second from left). Pictured from left to right are (front row) James Greenwood, Ernie Hoitt, Louella Sproul, David Merida, James Bening, (standing) John Cain, Cucinotta, Ed Tully, John Wozunk, Charlie Welsh, Don Graves, Eddie Hall, Marshall Turner, Eric Hurt, Roger Reinke, Terry Mouton, Paul Weil, Terry Smith, Michael Gallagher, Dawn Williams, Pat Farley and Heindel. James McGee, assistant vice president in charge of the Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters; Chester Wheeler, assistant vice president in charge of Government Services and fishing industries; Edward “Edd” Morris, Piney Point port agent; Robert Selzer, New York port agent; Joseph Mieluchowski, Philadelphia port agent; Georg Kenny, Baltimore port agent; Ed Kelly, Mobile port agent; Steve Judd, New Orleans port agent; Tony McQuay, Houston port agent; Vince Coss, San Francisco port agent; Becky Sleeper, St. Louis port agent; Don Thornton, Algonac port agent. The committee met during the week of Jan. 3 at the union’s headquarters in Camp Springs, Md. to receive the ballots from the bank where they were kept, count the votes in the contested races and for the amendments, and deter- mine the status of void or challenged ballots. (In accordance with Article XIII of the union’s constitution, unopposed candidates were considered elected to their respective positions once nominations closed and the membership approved the report of the credentials committee, which took place last fall.) In concluding the report, the committee wrote, “All of the members of the Committee wish to express their deep appreciation for the cooperation and assistance given to us by the Union’s legal department and its technical and clerical staff. Finally, the members of the Union Tallying Committee wish to congratulate the elected officers and jobholders. We extend our best wishes for the next four years. We hope that you will carry on the tradition of our Union and advance the strength of the maritime industry.” The committee elected as chairman Recertified Bosun John Cain, from the port of Houston. Cain said he was genuinely impressed with the committee’s diligence. “Everyone worked very hard throughout the week and no one complained, despite some long hours,” he stated. Also serving on the committee were Paul Weil and Donald Graves from Piney Point, James Greenwood and James Bening from Algonac, Ed Tully and Dawn Williams from Baltimore, Cain and Eddie Hall from Houston, and Terry Smith and Marshall Turner from Mobile. Rounding out the committee were Ernest Hoitt and David Merida from New Orleans, Charles Welsh and Terry Mouton from New York, John Wozunk and Pat Farley from Philadelphia, Louella Sproul and Roger Reinke from San Francisco, and Eric Hurt and Michael Gallagher from St. Louis. Please be advised that SIU headquarters and all SIU hiring halls will be closed on Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 for the observance of Presidents Day (unless an emergency arises). Normal business hours will resume the following workday. Seafarers LOG 3 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:05 PM Page 4 Paul Hall Center’s Eglinton Named to National Maritime Security Committee The U.S. Department of Homeland Security last month announced the appointment of individuals to serve on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. Bill Eglinton, director of training at the SIUaffiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, was among those named to the group. “On behalf of Secretary Ridge, I am delighted to welcome these advisors to our team,” said Admiral Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the Coast Guard. “We look forward to working with the committee to continue strengthening our efforts to protect our ports and waterways while keeping them open for commerce.” The advisory committee has been established to provide advice to the Department of Homeland Security via the U.S. Coast Guard on matters such as national maritime security strategy and policy, actions required to meet current and future security threats, international cooperation on security issues, and security concerns of the maritime transportation industry as mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. Members of the committee are: Eglinton, who has extensive experience in domestic and international forums pertaining to the training and certification of mariners; Christopher Louis Koch, president & CEO, World Shipping Council; Joseph H. Langjahr, vice president and general counsel, Foss Maritime Company; Thomas E. Thompson, executive vice president, International Council of Cruise Lines; and John C. Dragone, vice president, operating division, Maritrans Operating Company, L.P. Also named to the committee were Mary Frances Culnane, manager, San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority; Basil Maher, president and chief operating officer, Maher Terminals; Charles Raymond, chairman, president, and CEO, Horizon Lines; Alice K. Johnson, senior supervisor, PPG Industries, Inc.; Timothy J. Scott, global director, emergency services and security, The Dow Chemical Company; Mark Witten, senior regulatory advisor, Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Business Unit, Chev- ronTexaco; and Robert R. Merhige, III, deputy executive director, Virginia Port Authority. Rounding out the group are Jeffery Wayne Monroe, director of ports and transportation, Portland, Maine; Lisa Himber, vice president, Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay; Wade M. Battles, managing director, Port of Houston Authority; John Hyde, security and compliance director, Maersk Sealand Inc.; James Stolpinski, president, Local 920, International Longshoremen’s Association; David Halstead, chief, Florida Domestic Security Preparedness, Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Theodore Louis Mar, chief, marine safety branch, California Department of Fish and Game; Bill Eglinton, director of training, Paul Hall Center and Victor Zaloom, professor and chair of industrial engineering and director, engineering graduate programs and Center for Ports and Waterways, Lamar University. Navy League President Praises Ready Reserve Force McNeill Sees Potential for Fleet’s Expanded Role as ‘National Asset’ Sheila M. McNeill, national president of the Navy League of the United States, offered strong support for the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) in a recent editorial. Writing in the Navy League’s monthly magazine, SEAPOWER, McNeill described the RRF as “a major element of our successes in recent conflicts.” She also suggested that the RRF “could have a broader role as a multipurpose national asset able to serve additional agencies with a variety of missions.” Created in 1976, the RRF is a key element of U.S. strategic sealift, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. The 59vessel fleet “is specifically structured to transport Army and Marine Corps unit equipment and initial resupply for forces deploying anywhere in the world during the critical period before adequate numbers of commercially available ships can be marshaled,” the agency noted. In her column, McNeill said the RRF “is the nation’s premier sealift readiness program…. The successful operation of the RRF is a joint effort by government agencies and industry. The program is managed by the Maritime Administration to fulfill the requirements of the U.S. Transportation Command. The ships are operated by commercial companies and crewed by civilian merchant mariners. When activated, they fall under the operational control of the Military Sealift Command (MSC). MEBA, MM&P Announce Election Results The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA) and the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) separately announced late last year the results of elections of officers for their respective unions. MM&P reported that its members “elected incumbent Inter- 4 Seafarers LOG Sheila M. McNeill is national president of the Navy League of the United States. “That complex structure is no barrier to success for the RRF ships, which met or exceeded most operational goals during Iraqi Freedom,” McNeill continued. “The RRF in 2004 has met its goal of 100 percent on-time activation, for example, and exceeded the goal that 95 percent of ships be fully capable while working for the MSC. The RRF’s achievement: 99 percent.” She pointed out that the program is funded by the Navy and therefore faces “tremendous competition for Navy funds. That makes a multi-agency assessment all the more vital. The RRF was created long before 9/11 as a Defense Department resource. It comprises highly capable ships national President Tim Brown to a fifth term of office. The election, conducted by a 90-day mail ballot, concluded on Monday, Dec. 13 with the ballots counted that same day. All other incumbent MM&P officials were returned to serve another term of office.” MEBA announced that its members’ re-election of President Ron Davis is “the first re-election of a MEBA president in two decades…. All 14 candidates on Davis’ MEBATEAM II ticket also swept to victory following a 90day referendum.” worth billions of dollars. They could be used in a variety of innovative ways to improve the security of the United States during a terrorist alert, an actual attack or in the event of a natural disaster. For example, the Department of Homeland Security might utilize some as medical platforms for triage or emergency care should there be another attack or disaster on the scale of 9/11.” As an example, McNeill pointed out that the RRF includes 10 crane ships “with unique capabilities.” They could be used to augment Homeland Security efforts “to search suspect ships at sea or in a remote anchorage having no shoreside facilities. A crane ship and companion barge carrier could come alongside, offload some containers and move others, facilitating a rapid and effective search of the huge container ships that ply the world’s oceans.” She concluded, “The feasibility of this approach should be carefully assessed by the Maritime Administration and the departments of Defense and Homeland Security before the RRF is diminished further and its valuable assets are lost to the nation.” The Navy League is the self- described “only civilian organization dedicated to supporting the sea services – the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.-Flag Merchant Marine.” McNeill is the first woman to serve as president of the organization, which was founded in 1902. She was elected in 2003 and has been a member since 1966. Her official bio notes that she has served “at every leadership level including president of the Camden-Kings Bay Council, Georgia state president and region president for the South Atlantic Coast Region. Most recently, McNeill served as a national vice president responsible for the organization’s legislative affairs activities. While serving in that position, she aggressively sought support on Capitol Hill and made educating congressional members about the sea services her top priority.” RRF vessels including the SIU-crewed Cape Texas (foreground) and Cape Taylor are good for America’s national and economic security. Seamen’s House 2004 Awards SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez (center) presented the Prospect Park YMCA Seamen’s House 2004 Person of the Year award to Edward R. Morgan (right), president and CEO of E-Ships. Joining them at the Dec. 8 event in New York City is SIU VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi. E-Ships participates in the U.S. Maritime Security Program. The Seamen’s House is a charity that benefits mariners and retirees. February 2005 �Pg3,5,10,15_17,19.qxd 1/24/2005 8:47 PM Page 5 National Directive Addresses Port Security The administration last month released the long-awaited National Security Presidential Directive which addresses port security. According to the Congressional Information Bureau, the new plan provides a strategy designed to coordinate federal, state and local governmental efforts with those of the private sector ports aimed at securing container cargoes, while maintaining surveillance over U.S. territorial waters. The nine-page directive (titled Maritime Port Policy) mandates that the Department of Homeland Security develop—in coordination with key maritime industry stakeholders—“minimum” federal standards for maritime recovery operations, as well as “comprehensive” recovery standards for national infrastructure and a plan to complement those national preparedness goals and standards already set forth in a previous national security directive. According to sources within the Departments of Defense, State, Treasury, Interior, Commerce and Transportation, each also will have roles in the recovery standards initiative. The need for a policy regarding maritime recovery has been emphasized by industry leaders, who have said recently that they were still in the dark about who would be in charge at the ports in the event of a terrorist attack. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Jan. 4 approved the creation of a permanent standing Committee on Homeland Security. The move, described by some Washington insiders as the most sweeping reorganization of Congressional jurisdiction since 1947, follows the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that both the House and the Senate should create “a single, principal point of oversight and review for homeland security” across the federal government. While falling short of that sweeping recommendation—which would include all aspects of immigration, Coast Guard, FBI and intelligence—the change to the House Rules established a committee with primary jurisdiction over government-wide counterterrorism policy, and primary jurisdiction over the counterterrorism mission of the Department of Homeland Security. The new committee will have by far the most significant responsibility for homeland security policy of any committee in the House or Senate. House rules surrendering primary jurisdiction over homeland security to the new Homeland Security Committee on Jan. 4 were adopted by the House of Representatives. Rep. Christopher Cox (RCalif.), who served as chairman of the Select Committee on Homeland Security for the past two years, and as a member of the House Leadership for the past decade, is expected to chair the new committee Elsewhere, Kurt Nagle on Jan.3, while responding to recent news coverage about major management challenges facing the DHS, including the way the department has handled its Port Security Grants Program, said the criticism “misses the mark.” Nagle is president of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). Noting that the program’s biggest problem is a lack of money to assist American seaports in paying for critical security measures, Nagle said, “Like airports, protecting our seaports against terrorism must be a top priority and a shared responsibility between the federal government, local public ports and private industry. The U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (DCalif.) early last month introduced a bill before the 109th Congress to amend title 46, United States Code, and title II of the Social Security Act. The bill, H.R. 23, would provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States Merchant Marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II. Filner last year (Jan. 27, 2004) introduced the same legislation before the 108th Congress. That bill, numbered H.R. 3729 and titled the “Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2004,” had more than 150 cosponsors. The last major action taken on it came July 27 when the Veterans’ Affairs Committee asked for executive comment. No further action was taken on the bill before the 108th Congress adjourned last year, so Filner reintroduced it as H.R. 23 before the new Congress which convened last month. As reported earlier in the Seafarers LOG, H.R. 3729 among other things called for compensation of $1,000 per month for people in any service in harm’s way—including the U.S. Merchant Marine—during the period from Dec. 5, 1941 through Dec. 31, 1946, the same period as all other GI Bills. The bill also stipulated that any surviving wife of a qualified veteran also shall be eli- U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) chairmanship of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Senator Ted Stevens (RAlaska), who did not face re-election last year, has been chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, leaving his six-year chairmanship of, but not his membership on, the Senate Appropriations Committee. Stevens has served in the Senate since his appointment in 1968. Drilling in the area was approved by the House of Representatives during the past two congressional sessions as part of a national energy bill, but the measure yielded to filibuster threats in the Senate. Last year the Senate fell short by two votes to pass a comprehensive energy bill including an ANWR provision. Proponents of safe drilling hope that with the new wave of freshman senators, any ANWR legislation will have an easier time of making it to the president’s desk. Policy Would Create Jobs February 2005 push to develop our vast oil resources in the Arctic Refuge in a way that leaves the environment pristine while stabilizing oil prices and enhancing our energy independence.” The senator continued, “I expect to receive instructions in the Budget Resolution to report ANWR language to the Budget Committee by early May. I will fight on the Senate floor to keep those instructions in the resolution and will fight again to defend our legislation in the budget reconciliation vote later this year. “I am pleased by the strong support for an energy bill expressed by the White House and the House of Representatives. I was pleased to see Speaker Dennis Hastert earlier today reaffirm the House’s commitment to delivering an energy bill the President this year. Energy will clearly be a priority and we have already begun serious discussions about how we will proceed,” Domenici concluded. Senator Lisa Murkowski (RAlaska), a member of Domenici’s committee, also put ANWR drilling at the top of her list after being sworn into office Jan. 4. U.S. Rep. Don Young (RAlaska) also was sworn into office Jan.4 after an election in which he faced no significant opposition. Young has served Alaska in the House since a special election in 1973 and now is the third highest-ranking Republican. In 2001, he gained the Continued on page 10 ‘Belated Thank You’ Legislation Reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Filner Safe Drilling in ANWR Still a Hot Topic in D.C. The likelihood of opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s (ANWR) coastal plain to oil drilling has improved in the wake of the 2004 Presidential Elections. Recent press reports and remarks by New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici indicate that the probability for the passage of prodrilling legislation is “looking better than ever.” As reported earlier in the Seafarers LOG, opening the 1002 Area of the coastal plain to responsible oil development is part of President Bush’s National Energy Plan. It is also a policy that has a very reasonable chance of being supported by a majority of Congress. Estimates vary, but opening the coastal plain to safe drilling potentially would create anywhere from 250,000 to more than 700,000 jobs, according to the pro-exploration coalition Arctic Power. Senator Domenici has identified drilling in the ANWR’s northeast corner as his first priority for the upcoming congressional session. Domenici is the top Republican with authority over energy matters. Almost immediately after being re-elected to his seat as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for the 109th Congress on Jan. 4, the senator issued a press release promoting his strategy for the 1.5 million-acre coastal plain. “This year will be a dynamic year for the energy committee,” he said. “We are going to make a federal government has mandated security enhancements for marine facilities, but has yet to adequately fund those mandates, creating huge financial burdens on ports that have both security and economic consequences.” Ports already are spending more than $3 billion annually on infrastructure improvements and operating expenses to keep pace U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) gible to receive the same benefit as the veteran. In official remarks to fellow members of Congress in 2004, Filner noted, World War II Merchant Mariners suffered the second-highest casualty rate of any of the branches of services while they delivered troops, tanks, food, airplanes, fuel and other needed supplies to every theater of the war. Compared to the large number of men and women serving in World War II, the numbers of merchant mariners were small, but their chance of dying during service was extremely high. Enemy forces sank over 800 ships between 1941 and 1944 alone. Filner further pointed out mariners weren’t included in the GI Bill of Rights, which Congress enacted in 1945. “The merchant marine became the forgotten service,” he said. “The fact that merchant seamen had borne arms during wartime in the defense of their country did not seem to matter.” Many WWII mariners finally received veterans’ recognition in 1988, along with access to what Filner described as a “watereddown” GI Bill. It took another 10 years to extend the cutoff date for recognition of mariners as veterans so it matched the date utilized by the military. A member of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Filner observed, “While it is impossible to make up for over 40 years of unpaid benefits, I propose a bill that will acknowledge the service of the veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine and offer compensation for years and years of lost benefits. The average age of (World War II) merchant marine veterans is now 81. Many have outlived their savings. A monthly benefit to compensate for the loss of nearly a lifetime of ineligibility for the GI Bill would be of comfort and would provide some measure of security for veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine.” Seafarers LOG 5 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:06 PM Page 6 SEAFARERS SUPPORT OUR TROOPS aboard the cape ISLAND Seafarers aboard the Cape Island spent the fall and early winter supporting U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operated by Crowley, the SIUcrewed vessel last fall departed Texas carrying Army materiel and made subsequent stops in Spain and Crete before offloading in Kuwait. The ship brought back some cargo from the Middle East to Texas by way of Richards Bay, South Africa. Thousands of SIU members have backed U.S. armed forces throughout the various phases of OIF. During the all-out combat phase, more than 7,000 American mariners sailed aboard hundreds of U.S.-flag ships in support of our troops. They executed what has been described by top government and military leaders as the most efficient sealift operation in history. That mission continues today, with dozens of U.S.-flag ships and several thousand mariners mobilized for OIF3. The Cape Island is part of the U.S. Ready Reserve Force (RRF). The roll-on/roll-off vessel is 685 feet long and has a beam of 102 feet. It can travel at 18.7 knots. SIU members sailing aboard the Cape Island at various junctures last fall and this winter included Bosun Stephen Castle; ABs Mickey Earhart, Ed Plarisan, Fadhel Mohammed, Desta Gebrai, Robert Ellis, Fred Shannon, Clifton Favorite, Andy Martinez, Alfred Martin, Peter Bean and Barry Ford; QMEDs Allen Ward, Clarence Scott, Ronnie Day, Eric Viera and James Donohue; QEE Antoine Jennings; Electrician Robert Rush; GUDE James Lewis; GVAs Reynaldo Downing, Daniel Gamboa, Shaun Castain and Felix Garcia; Chief Steward William Simmons; Chief Cook Tracy Stewart; and SAs Scott Gardner, Abdulsalam Mohamed, Shabain Hamid and Rafael Borja. Special thanks to Third Mate Ed McDonnell for providing the photos on this page as well as those of the Cape Island on page 1. The SIU-crewed Cape Island is part of the Ready Reserve Force. Participating in a fire drill are (from left) SA Abdulsalam Mohamed, AB Peter Bean and Chief Cook Tracy Stewart. QMED James Donohue, QMED Ronnie Day 3rd Asst. Geoff Grossenbach, AB Mickey Earhart, QMED Eric Viera Above: AB Desta Gebrai, Electrician Robert Rush Right: SA Shabain Hamid Left: Bosun Stephen Castle SA Abdulsalam Mohamed, Chief Steward William Simmons, GUDE James Lewis Pictured in Texas is some of the materiel picked up and transported by the Cape Island. Right: AB Alfred Martin AB Clifton Favorite ABs Peter Bean and Ed Plarisan tend to the vessel in Kuwait. AB Andy Martinez Scrubbing the cargo holds are AB Andy Martinez (left) and GVA Shaun Castain. Chief Cook Tracy Stewart 6 Seafarers LOG February 2005 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:08 PM Page 7 SEAFARERS support our troops aboard the USNS WATKINS The USNS Watkins is one of the SIUcrewed ships that keeps the cargo moving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 (OIF3). The large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) vessel has just completed its 13th mission in the Middle East and is getting ready for the next voyage, according to Capt. Kurt Kleinschmidt, himself a former member of the Seafarers International Union. Operated by Maersk Line, Limited for the Military Sealift Command (MSC), the vessel stopped in Jacksonville, Fla. for supplies, training and a crew change before sailing to Savannah, Ga. and then to the Middle East. Bosun Henry Peterson, AB Manuel Davis, AB Greg Brunson and For Seafarers, OIF3 is the continuation of a AB Jesus Olbes understand the importance of their mission. patriotic duty that began with pre-war mobilizations for the all-out combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Bosun Henry Peterson and the crew aboard the USNS Watkins understand the importance of getting the cargo to U.S. military forces in Iraq. Both Bosun Peterson and AB Greg Brunson have completed five full rotations on board the vessel and enjoy working with Captain Kleinschmidt, who, they say, is very “crew-focused and crew oriented.” Capt. Kurt Kleinschmidt and AB Zack Sullivan Peterson noted he is keep busy in the days before departure. looking forward to the upcoming trip and is proud to play an important part in supporting the troops. Working with him in the deck department during the last voyage were Brunson, AB Zack Sullivan, AB Manuel Davis, AB Jesus H. Olbes, OS Nieves Nunez and OS Matthew Nunez. (Davis, who came aboard the LMSR program as an OS, has since upgraded at Piney Point and is now sailing as an AB.) In preparation for the voyage, the steward department was kept very busy, according to Chief Steward Robert Ramirez. Ramirez, along with SA Jose Clotter and SA Justino Martinez and Chief Cook Alisha Prucnal keep the chow line stocked at all times for the crew, supercargo and security teams. Rounding out the crew are members of the engine departWith decorations in place, the steward department: QMED/Electrician James Demouy, QMEDs Eldon ment is ready for the holidays. From the left are Palmer, Keith Kowaleski and Lloyd Marsh and Wiper Chief Cook Alisha Prucnal, SA Justino Martinez, Chief Steward Robert Ramirez and Christian Ladner. SA Jose Clotter. Like most of the other LMSRs, the USNS Watkins is named after a Medal of Honor recipient. Army Master Sgt. At left and below: The USNS Watkins was in Jacksonville, Fla. for approximately three weeks for supplies, training and a crew change. Travis E. Watkins (1920-1950) was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his gallant leadership when an overwhelming enemy force broke through and isolated 30 men from his unit in Korea from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, 1950. A non-combatant vessel, the USNS Watkins is the sixth in the Watson class of OS Nieves Nunez, LMSRs. Its roll-on/rollSA Justino Martinez off design makes it ideal for transporting helicopters, tanks and other wheeled and tracked military vehicles as well as combat service support gear. The ship has approximately 390,000 square feet of cargo carrying space. The USNS Watkins is 950 feet in length, has a beam of 105.8 feet and displaces approximately 62,000 long tons. The gas turbine-powered ship is able to sustain speeds of up to 24 knots. The photographs accompanying this article were taken by Capt. Michael F. Finnigan, an SIU hawsepiper. As captain aboard the USNS Pomeroy, Finnigan recently sent photos to the LOG from that vessel’s fifth trip in support of OIF (see October 2004 of the Seafarers LOG). Right: QMED Lloyd Marsh and 1st Asst. Engineer Baxter Hudson (AMO) chat about the upcoming trip. Seafarers working in the engine department aboard the RO/RO vessel include (from left) Electrician James Demouy, Wiper Christian Ladner and QMED Eldon Palmer. OS Matthew Nunez stands gangway watch aboard ship in Jacksonville. AB Manuel Davis and AB Jesus Olbes February 2005 Seafarers LOG 7 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:08 PM Page 8 SEAFARERS SUPPORT OUR TROOPS aboard the WESTWARD VENTURE The SIU-crewed Westward Venture recently loaded its cargo of military equipment and headed for Kuwait in support of the war effort in the Middle East. John Cooper, who sails as a DEU aboard the vessel, sent these photos to the LOG. The Westward Venture is one of five TOTE trailerDEU John Cooper (right) poses with the U.S. Navy security guards ships operated by Interocean Army cargo headed for Kuwait is lined up at the docks in Corpus Christi, Texas for loading onto the trailership. aboard the Westward Venture en route to Kuwait. Ugland Management. Military cargo takes up all the deck space on the ship. A trailer is loaded by crane onto the Westward Venture. Having reached its destination, the cargo is discharged in Kuwait. Holiday Festivities in The Port of Norfolk Above: Tosha Taylor, Joyce Calhoun and Darryl Jackson. Below: AB Thomas Morgan and his wife, Marie. AB Mike Warren (left) gets together with retired Bosun Bobby Riddick (center) and AB Bennie Spencer at the Norfolk holiday party. SIU VP Kermett Mangram (left) and Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny chat with some of the SIU members and their guests. Steward/Baker Army Joe Leake catered the holiday party. Christmas Day came a week early at the Norfolk, Va. hall, as more than 100 Seafarers, pensioners, family members and guests joined in on the festivities Dec. 18. The party was a time for rejoicing, reminiscing and enjoying a wonderful holiday meal, catered by Steward/Baker Army Joe Leake. Christmas Thanks to DEU John Cooper for sending the LOG the photos accompanying this feature. on the LNG Capricorn DEU John Cooper (left) poses with James Burke. Cooper sent these photos to the LOG. OMU Hugh S. Woods 8 Seafarers LOG The steward department on the LNG Capricorn really did themselves proud in preparing a mouth-watering holiday meal for their fellow crew members. From the left are Chief Steward Dana Cunningham, SA Tommy Cyrus, Chief Cook Udjang Nurdjaja, SA Enno Kok and SA Syed Murtaza. February 2005 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:09 PM Page 9 IMO Issues Updated ‘White List’ For STCW Convention Compliance The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee from Dec.1-10 conducted its 79th session at IMO headquarters in London. Algeria Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Australia Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belgium Belize Brazil Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Canada Cape Verde Chile China* Colombia Security issues and bulk carrier safety concerns dominated the crammed agenda. Among other items, a highlight of the session was the release of the updated “white list” of countries that have fulfilled requirements set forth in the provisions of the amended International Convention on Standards of Training, Certifi- Ghana Greece Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Islamic Republic of Iran Italy Israel Jamaica Japan Jordan Kiribati Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Liberia Comoros Côte d’Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic People.s Republic of Korea Denmark** Dominica Ecuador Egypt Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Georgia Germany Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia Maldives Malta Marshall Islands Mauritius Mexico Micronesia (Federated States of) Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Netherlands*** New Zealand**** Nigeria Norway Pakistan Panama Papua New Guinea Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Republic of Korea Romania Russian Federation Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa Saudi Arabia Senegal Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia Solomon Islands Notice Editor’s note: The following SAB action was put in place to help ensure sufficient crewing of SIU-contracted U.S. military support ships for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. SEAFARERS APPEALS BOARD 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, Maryland 20746 Action Number 426 Effective: December 9, 2004 The Seafarers Appeals Board acting under and pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Union and the various Contracted Employers, hereby takes the following action. WHEREAS, by prior action the Board has recognized the need for appropriate Shipping Rule adjustments to secure and maintain an adequate supply of qualified and trained personnel aboard various U.S. flagged fleets; and WHEREAS, the Union acknowledges the importance proper manning plays in the successful operation of these vessels; and WHEREAS, because of the recent military vessel activations the Shipping Rules need to be amended by allowing extended tours of duty for unlicensed personnel above entry rating to ensure that every unlicensed billet is filled. NOW THEREFORE, the Seafarers Appeals Board acting under and pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Union and various Contracted Employers hereby amends and enforces the Shipping Rules to provide for the following. AMEND Rule 5 A. (14) (a) quoted below, shall be modified by eliminating the maximum period of employment of one hundred twenty (120) days. “The following specified ratings enumerated in this subsection (a), possessing Class “A” seniority, upon completing a tour of duty aboard a specified vessel of no less, or as close to, seventy-five (75) days and no more, or as close to, one hundred twenty (120) days, shall be designated as having permanent status for such vessel and shall request a relief of no less, or as close to, thirty (30) and no more, or as close to, sixty (60) days depending on the vessels schedule of operations, upon the vessel’s arrival at a port in the Continental United States or Puerto Rico or other mutually agreed to port. Subsequent tours aboard the vessel for permanent personnel shall be between seventy-five (75) and one hundred twenty (120) days duration as agreed by the seaman and the company at time of their sign-on for each tour. Transportation expenses for the seaman requesting a relief and the seaman providing a relief shall be borne by the Company.” It is the intent of this amendment to allow for an unlimited amount of days allotted for tours of duty. The maximum sixty (60) days off will still be in effect. AMEND Rule 5 A. (14) (r) (2) and 5 A. (14) (t) (2) quoted below by eliminating the two-to-one time off ratio and maximum period of employment of one hundred twenty (120) days. “During the specific period of employment, February 2005 cation and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers. Countries appearing on the list have been found by the IMO to be fully and completely compliant with STCW stipulations. The IMO, however, advised maritime administrations, shipowners, ship operators and managers, ship masters and other parties concerned that not all countries appearing on the list provide their tours of duty shall be scheduled at approximately a two-to-one employment ratio with time on off no less, or as close to seventy-five (75) days and no more, or as close to one hundred twenty (120) days of employment between periods of time off of no less, or as close to thirty (30) days and no more, or as close to sixty days (60) of time off. Work schedules may be modified subject to the vessel’s operational necessities, and as mutually agreed to between the Union and the Company. Transportation expenses for the seaman requesting a relief and the seaman providing a relief shall be borne by the Company.” It is the intent of this amendment to allow for an unlimited amount of days allotted for tours of duty. The maximum sixty (60) days off will still be in effect. AMEND Rule 5 A. (14) (r) (4) and 5 A. (14) (t) (4) quoted below shall be eliminated. Rule 5 A. (14) (r) (4) “Seamen possessing Class “B” employment seniority employed above the Entry Level aboard tanker class vessels in the domestic trades upon mutual consent may request a relief of forty-five (45) days upon completion of no less than ninety (90) days employment.” Rule 5 A. (t) (4) “Seamen possessing Class “B” employment seniority employed above the Entry Level may request a relief of forty-five (45) days upon completion of no less than ninety (90) days of employment. Such relief will only be provided in a domestic port and subject to the vessels operational necessities.” It is the intent of this amendment to discontinue reliefs for seaman with “B” seniority employed above Entry Rating. AMEND Rule 10 A. “Special or Emergency Provisions” as quoted below shall be fully enforced. “During any period of emergency, unlicensed seamen possessing Class “B” or “C” seniority, who are in the Entry Rating Department and who have adequate seatime to make application for endorsement in Group II rating or ratings in the Deck or Engine Department and Group II ratings in the Steward Department, shall not be registered for shipping unless they make application for and expeditiously comply with the requisite rules to secure such Group II endorsement or endorsements in the Deck and Engine Departments and Group II ratings in the Steward Department in accordance with the training programs instituted at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship.” The remainder of this section shall also remain in full force and effect. This SAB action shall remain in full force and effect until modified by future SAB action. complete seafarer training; some may only provide a limited range of schooling. The committee also pointed out that since the updated white list was not released until Dec. 10, mariners from some of the new countries on the list—for practical reasons—might not yet possess certificates with updated STCW endorsements. Countries on the update white list are as follows: South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Thailand Tonga Trinidad & Tobago Tunisia Turkey Tuvalu Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom***** United Republic of Tanzania United States of America Uruguay Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Yugoslavia *Includes: Hong Kong, China (Associate Member to the IMO) **Includes: Faroe Islands (Associate Member to the IMO) ***Includes: Netherlands Antilles & Aruba ****Includes: The Cook Islands *****Includes: Isle of Man, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar Top MarAd Official Resigns U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta last month announced the resignation of U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. William G. Schubert, effective Feb. 12. The deputy administrator of the Maritime Administration, John Jamian, will assume the role of acting maritime administrator during the White House selection process for a new administrator. According to the Transportation Department, Schubert plans to pursue private-sector opportunities in his hometown, Houston. Mineta praised Schubert’s accomplishments and service to the nation during a three-year tenure. “Bill brought real-life maritime experiences directly to his job as administrator and he has been a tremendous asset to the department,” Mineta said. “He was a strong advocate of the nation’s vital maritime transportation system.” Schubert managed a largescale activation of the Maritime Administration’s Ready Reserve Force in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He also negotiated a maritime agreement between the United States and China, Mineta added. SIU President Michael Sacco described Schubert as “a dedicated fighter for the U.S.-flag merchant fleet.” With the resignation of Capt. William Schubert (above) as head of the U.S. Maritime Administration, John Jamian (below) assumes the role of acting maritime administrator. Notice/Reminder Tankerman Assistant DL Endorsement Don’t let your tankerman assistant DL endorsement expire! If you sail on tankers, you may renew your tankerman assistant DL endorsement at a U.S. Coast Guard regional exam center (REC) by showing your discharges from a tanker (reflecting a year of sea service in the previous five years) and by showing a letter indicating your involvement in two loadings or discharges. If you haven’t sailed on tankers in the last five years, you must successfully complete a Coast Guard-approved tanker assistant DL course, such as the two-week curriculum offered at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. in order to secure the tankerman assistant DL endorsement. Also, remember that in order to have the tankerman assistant DL endorsement noted on an STCW certificate, that endorsement must appear as current on the mariner’s z-card. Seafarers LOG 9 �Pg3,5,10,15_17,19.qxd 1/24/2005 8:49 PM Page 10 Port Security Addressed Runaway-Flag Grounding in Alaska Triggers Federal Investigation Continued from page 5 with rapidly increasing world trade. Without adequate federal help for security enhancements, Nagle said that ports will be forced to spend money on security instead of capital improvements, likely resulting in a system unable to handle the expected growth in trade volumes and causing enormous impacts on America’s economy. “Ensuring adequate security against terrorism is important for all ports, large and small,” remarked Nagle, reiterating his position that the problem is a matter of funding. Ports handle 95 percent of America’s overseas cargoes and serve as departure points for an estimated 10 million cruise passengers annually. They also help enable deployment of U.S. military vessels, personnel and cargo to support U.S. troops overseas. In another development, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in December issued a report stating that better planning is needed to develop and operate the maritime worker identification card program. The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue a worker ID card that uses biometrics to control access to secure areas in ports and on ships. The program is being delayed, in large part because: Officials had difficulty obtaining timely approval to proceed with the prototype test; Extra time was required to identify data to be collected for a cost-benefit analysis; and Additional work was required to assess card technologies. The agency still lacks an approved comprehensive project plan and has yet to identify eligibility requirements for the ID card. In the congressional arena, several maritime security-related bills last month were introduced: H.R. 91, introduced by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (RN.J.), would authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to first responders, and for other purposes. H.R. 163, sponsored by Rep. Juanita MillenderMcDonald (D-Calif.), would amend title 46 USC, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out an empty shipping container sealing pilot program to encourage shipping container handlers to seal empty boxes after they have unpacked them, and for other purposes. H.R. 173, also introduced by Millender-McDonald, is intended to prevent and respond to terrorism and crime at or through ports. Merck Voluntarily Withdraws VIOXX Based on new safety data from a three-year clinical study, Merck & Co., Inc., the manufacturer of VIOXX®, has elected to voluntarily withdraw this product from the U.S. and worldwide market. Results from the study show an increased risk for cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke in patients taking the drug compared to those taking a placebo. All dosage strengths and formulations of the drug are affected by this voluntary withdrawal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which was informed of the decision along with physicians and pharmacists, recommends that patients who currently are taking VIOXX® contact their physicians to discuss discontinuing use of the product. A number of alternative medications are available and may be prescribed at that time. Merck has established a program to directly reimburse all patients for their unused VIOXX® tablets or oral suspension. Patients who return all or any portion of their prescription in its original container in accordance with the instructions from the National Notification Center will receive a full refund of the price paid as reflected on their pharmacy receipt. You may call the center at 1-800-805-9542. Upon calling, Merck will send you a return kit that will include a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope and instructions regarding how to send back your unused product. Additional information regarding the withdrawal of VIOXX® may be obtained from Merck at either 1-888-368-4699 or on the web at www.merck.com or www.vioxx.com. The Food and Drug Administration also has information available at 1-888-463-6332 or at www.fda.gov/cder. SIU Supports Tsunami Relief Continued from page 2 graphic surveys of the ocean bottom where the 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurred. The USNS Mary Sears and the USNS John McDonnell sailed from Sasebo, Japan. The San Diego-based hospital ship USNS Mercy—crewed by members of the SIU’s Government Services Division —set sail Jan. 5 for the devastated region. The ship’s hospital facility initially was staffed to support 250 patient beds; however, that number could be expanded up to 1,000 with additional medical staff, if necessary. Equipment and supplies were available on the vessel to treat a wide variety of patients from young children to the elderly. The Mercy has 12 10 Seafarers LOG operating rooms, but the focus of care for its tsunami mission was on patients suffering from illness or infection. Also participating in the relief effort was the MarAd-owned and SIU-crewed auxiliary crane ship Cornhusker State. A 610-foot long platform, the Cornhusker State is part of MarAd’s civiliancrewed Ready Reserve Force. As of press time for the Seafarers LOG, the unofficial death toll from the tsunami had surpassed more than 226,000. Various government agencies’ lists included death tolls of 166,320 in Indonesia, 38,000 in Sri Lanka, more than 5,300 in Thailand and 16,383 in India. There had been 137 deaths recorded in East Africa, 74 each in Malaysia and the Maldives, 59 in Burma and two in Bangladesh. A preliminary criminal investigation into the grounding last month of the cargo ship Selendang Ayu in Alaska has been launched by federal agents. According to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, at least one FBI agent and two Coast Guard criminal investigators—with an assist from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigator —are trying to determine whether criminal negligence contributed to the disaster, which resulted in six deaths and a major fuel oil spill. Salvage crews are on the lookout for engineroom records that still might be aboard the rear end of the vessel, which as of mid-January was grounded on rocks and being pounded by heavy seas. As reported earlier in the Seafarer’s LOG, the 72,000-ton runaway-flag bulk carrier, with crew members from India and the Philippines, on Dec. 8 was transporting grain to the Far East but also was carrying 470,000 gallons of its own fuel when the vessel ran aground. According to Coast Guard and news reports, the ship lost power Dec. 7, but its captain didn’t notify the U.S. Coast Guard for 13 hours. Owned by Singapore-based IMC Group, the Malaysian-flag ship drifted in 35-foot seas and gusting winds up to 60 miles per hour. Most of the crew members were rescued via helicopter, but during a subsequent attempt to lift the remaining mariners, the helicopter crashed. The three helicopter crew members and a 24-year-old cadet from the ship were rescued by another Coast Guard helicopter. Six mariners—none of whom was wearing a survival suit—were not found. The federal criminal investigation at hand is the third inquiry focused on this catastrophe. The National Transportation Safety Board is also is investigating the grounding, and the Coast Guard has appointed a board to investigate the helicopter crash. The Justice Department has prosecuted a number of foreign-flag cargo shipowners and officers in Alaska, Washington and Oregon for illegal dis- Unified Command photo This photo from Dec. 19 shows the bow and stern sections of the 378-foot runaway-flag freighter Selendang Ayu near Skan Bay. charge of oil. Several of the violations were brought to the attention of the Coast Guard or the Environmental Protection Agency by company whistle-blowers, and they involved attempts by shipowners to cover up oil discharges. Prosecutions of illegal oil discharges are based on the federal Clean Water Act, which can be enforced by EPA civil action and citizen lawsuits as well as criminal prosecution. Prosecution is reserved for severe cases, according to environmental organizations. The maximum penalty for a first conviction for negligence is a year in prison and a $25,000 fine for each day of the violation. Seafarer Helps in Phuket Continued from page 2 freaked out big time. So I got up and asked her to sit down with me and explain exactly what she needed. She said she was Swedish, her children were English and the whole family was washed out to sea about a twohour drive north of Phuket. They were staying on the beach in a bungalow that was sucked out to sea. Her husband had drowned; they found his body last night. They had only the clothes on their backs. She said the Swedish officials were telling her she had to deal with the English. Her daughter needed help, and nobody would give it. I calmed her down, got her some ice water and told her to sit with her kids. I told her I would do her yelling for her. There was an embassy phone list, and I called the English consulate and told them the story. They sent a very nice woman from the office in Bangkok. She was very helpful and said she would take care of all the passport issues for both countries. So that made my day right there. It was still so very sad, as her kids had the thousand-yard stare. In major shock. I went back to my table and looked at the patient list and wrote down room numbers to see what any of them needed. One room I visited had a woman lying in bed, a daughter all bandaged up on a cot and a son in a cast on another bed. They were from Norway, and it was the girl’s 13th birthday. I asked them where they had been. Kamala Bay north of Patong, walking on the beach, when they were slammed up on the rocks and then dragged out to sea. They still have not found their father. Mom started crying but neither child did. They looked numb. They have family members arriving tonight to take them home. I had seen a pizza place close by so I asked if they would like one. The birthday girl smiled. So I went and got them a big pizza and ate it with them. In the next room there were four people from Switzerland. Dad and mom were in their 70s, and their son and his wife were maybe in their 40s. The younger wife was hurt the worst. She had had surgery on her legs. Her husband was bandaged up and bruised, as were mom and dad. They were eating breakfast a block off Patong Beach when the first wave hit and shoved them through the restaurant into the street. Then they were dragged down the street when the wave went back out to sea. Then the big one came in. They were all split up, swimming and trying to grab onto anything. The older man grabbed something but was shocked by some electric wires. He still held on, and Mom grabbed him. Their children were slammed about a block down the street, banging into floating cars and motorbikes. The son saw a boat, jumped onto it and floated off. When the water receded they all found each other and carried the daughter down the street and waited for help. An American doctor drove up in a huge Jeep and took them to the hospital. I asked what they needed. All their passports and money were in a safe in their hotel room, which luckily was on the second floor. I told them I would go and check it out. I found the hotel, and it was in the major damage zone. There was a guard at the makeshift gate, several overturned cars on the grounds plus furniture, etc. Totally full of junk. I found out all the safes were put in one room with a guard in front. We called the hospital, and the Swiss family was very glad to know all their stuff was OK. At the Patong hospital there’s a huge tent set up with hundreds of phones to call anywhere in the world for free. A young couple from Germany came up to me and asked if I knew where they could help. They were pre-med students and had just flown in from Germany. They had not even found a room yet, and the first place they went was somewhere to help. I suggested Phuket International Hospital, as I had heard earlier they needed blood badly but didn’t have enough trained people to draw it. They said they could do that, so I got them the address and off they went. I guess disasters bring out the best in people, and I saw it all day. I saw 40 to 50 tourists making piles of broken-up furniture and destroyed boats. There are tourists on the streets collecting money and clothes. I fly out to Bangkok on Thursday. Now I almost wish I was staying, as these people in the hospitals were so glad just to talk with someone. I gave my card to most of them, and I think I have some e-mail friends for life. February 2005 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:09 PM Page 11 EDUCATION: What’s in It for Me? Let’s face it: The work in our industry is getting more complicated all the time. Just think about all the new things we’ve seen happen in the last few years . . . new Coast Guard regulations, including STCW requirements bigger and more sophisticated ships, boats, tugs and barges new requirements for ratings and licenses If you’re going to have job security, you’ve got to keep up with the industry! That’s what the Paul Hall Center is for—to give those of us working in the deck, engine and steward departments the skills needed to get ahead in our jobs and earn more money. T he Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Md., is the largest training facility for unlicensed deep sea merchant seafarers and inland waterways boatmen in the United States. Its program includes: Unlicensed Apprentice Program. This curriculum provides men and women who have no maritime experience with the basic skills they will need to serve aboard U.S-flag ships or tugs and towboats. It builds manpower for our industry and helps mariners enjoy the benefits of union membership. 1 Upgrading. The Paul Hall Center has courses for every unlicensed rating in our industry, plus a course of study for those pursuing a license. The instructors at the school work with each 2 mariner as an individual, so every student learns what he or she needs to know to get ahead. Upgrading at the Paul Hall Center is an efficient way to help a seafarer get a better job, earn more money and have job security. Academic Education. It can be really difficult to pass a Coast Guard exam if you have trouble with reading or mathematics. The academic program at the Paul Hall Center helps students learn these skills. You can even earn a high school diploma or an associate of applied science degree. 3 Education is one way your union helps all Seafarers get a bigger piece of the pie—better jobs, more security, better pay. To find out which courses currently are scheduled at the Paul Hall Center, turn to page 21. February 2005 Seafarers LOG 11 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:36 PM Page 12 N Here are some of the changes that will take effect in 2004 and 2005 from the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004, and the American Job Creation Act of 2004: TUITION AND FEE DEDUCTION — Individual may be able to deduct up to $4,000 if adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is not more than $65,000 ($130,000 if married filing jointly), or deduct up to $2,000 if AGI is higher than that limit but not more than $80,000 ($160,000 if married filing jointly). CHILD TAX CREDIT — Taxpayers with a credit amount more than their tax could get a refund of the difference, up to 10 percent of the amount by which their 2004 taxable earned income exceeds $10,750. This percentage was raised to 15 percent for 2004, meaning a larger refund for many of these taxpayers. COMBAT PAY — Some military personnel receiving combat pay get larger tax credits because of two law changes. The new law counts excludable combat pay as income when figuring the Child Tax Credit and gives the taxpayer the option of counting or ignoring combat pay as income when figuring the Earned Income Tax Credit. Counting combat pay as income when calculating these credits does not change the exclusion of combat pay from taxable income. SALES TAX DEDUCTION — Taxpayers who itemize deductions will have a choice of claiming a state and local tax deduction for either sales or income taxes on their 2004 and 2005 returns. The IRS will provide optional tables for use in determining the deduction amount, relieving taxpayers of the need to save receipts throughout the year. Sales taxes paid on motor vehicles and boats may be added to the table amount, but only up to the amount paid at the general sales tax rate. Taxpayers will check a box on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, to indicate whether their deduction is for sales or income taxes. CLEAN FUEL VEHICLE DEDUCTION — Federal tax law allows individuals to claim a deduction for the incremental cost of buying a motor vehicle that is propelled by a clean-burning fuel. The clean-burning fuel deduction is up to $2,000 for certified vehicles first put into service in 2004 and 2005. The one-time deduction must be taken in the year the vehicle is originally used. The IRS certified the Toyota Prius for model years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The IRS also previously certified the Honda Insight for model years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the Honda Civic Hybrid for model years 2003 and 2004. DEDUCTION FOR DISCRIMINATION SUIT COSTS — A new deduction is available for those who pay attorney’s fees and court costs in connection with discrimination suits. Taxpayers can take the new deduction whether they itemize or not. The deduction cannot exceed the amount included in income for the year on account of a judgment or settlement resulting from the discrimination claim. Generally, personal legal expenses are not deductible, but an employee who incurs legal expenses related to doing or keeping his job could deduct these expenses on Schedule A as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. However, under The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, an individual with legal fees and court costs arising from a discrimination suit may deduct the costs directly from income on the front of the tax return; this is known as an above-the-line deduction. EARNED INCOME CREDIT — The maximum amount of income taxpayer can earn and still get the credit has increased. You may be able to take the credit if: You have more than one qualifying child and you earned less than $34,458 ($35,458 if married filing jointly), You have one qualifying child and you earned less than T T P R Step 1. Get all records together. Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. Itemized deductions and tax credits. Medical and dental payment records. Real estate and personal property tax receipts. Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. F 2 $30,338 ($31,338 if married filing jointly), or You do not have a qualifying child and you earned less than $11,490 ($12,490 if married filing jointly). The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the earned income credit has increased to $2,650. STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNT INCREASED — The standard deduction for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040 is, in most cases, higher for 2004 than it was for 2003. The amount depends on your filing status, whether you are 65 or older or blind, and whether an exemption can be claimed for you by another taxpayer. The basic standard deduction amounts for 2004 are: Head of household — $7,150 Married taxpayers filing jointly and qualifying widow(er)s — $9,700 Married taxpayers filing separately — $4,850 Single — $4,850 EXEMPTION — The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased from $3,050 in 2003 to $3,100 in 2004. You lose all or part of the benefit of your exemptions if your adjusted gross income is above a certain amount. The amount at which the phaseout begins depends on your filing status. For 2004, the phaseout begins at: $107,025 for married persons filing separately, $142,700 for single individuals, $178,350 for heads of household, and $214,050 for married persons filing jointly and qualifying widow(er)s with dependent children. INCOME LIMITS INCREASED FOR HOPE AND LIFETIME LEARNING CREDITS — For 2004, the amount of your HOPE or Lifetime Learning Credit is phased out (gradually reduced) if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is between $42,000 and $52,000 ($85,000 and $105,000 if you file a joint return). You cannot claim an education credit if your MAGI is $52,000 or more ($105,000 or more if you file a joint return). MODIFIED AGI LIMIT FOR TRADITIONAL IRA CONTRIBUTIONS INCREASED — For 2004, if you are covered by a retirement plan at work, your deduction for contributions to a traditional IRA will be reduced (phased out) if your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is: More than $65,000 but less than $75,000 for a married couple filing a joint return or a qualifying widow(er), More than $45,000 but less than $55,000 for a single individual or head of household, or Less than $10,000 for a married individual filing a separate return. STUDENT LOAN INTEREST DEDUCTION — Final regulations, issued May 7, 2004, changed the rules for deducting student loan interest. The changes apply to interest due and paid after December 31, 1997, on qualified student loans. The 60-day safe harbor for disbursing loan proceeds used to pay qualified education expenses has been increased to 90 days before and 90 days after the academic period to which the expenses relate. The person legally obligated to make interest payments on a student loan may be able to deduct interest payments on that loan made by someone else (third party). MAILING TAX RETURN — IRS has changed the filing location for several areas. If you received an envelope with your tax package, please use it. Otherwise, see Where do you file? on the back cover of the filing instructions. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-800-272-9829 or 1-729-1040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 D This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($950 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,200 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,100. Standard Deduction Filing Status Single. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,850 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,700 Married filing separate return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,850 Head of household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,150 12 Seafarers LOG cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 72b, 72c and 72d on their Form 1040. Line 72b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 72c indicates the type of account, and line 72d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, and ask for the Electronic Filing Office. A C A C Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption—for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $3,100 per person. In 2004, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction Has Increased: The T S standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box on this page). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual’s benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2004, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or investments is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or cost. On the tax return d year, the IRS is accepting rate of 37.5 cents per mi ven in 2004. Parking fee added when using the sta If using actual expenses be available on all operati the vehicle, including i taxes, licenses, maintena ciation, gas, oil, tolls and In either the standard m actual cost method of expenses, accurate recor The IRS recommends ke diary listing all expense Only work-related expen by an employer can be cl Deducting Work-Rela Traveling: Workers in allowed a special rate on of $41 per day in the co $46 per day outside th Otherwise the IRS standa is generally $31. In some and in Hawaii and Alaska ferently. Travel expense can only be deducted if one’s work and if they h bursed from any other so There has been a rece (Johnson v. Comm. 1 where a merchant seama deduction for the full M court ruled that in situatio provided at no cost, the rate allowable as an item limited to $3 (in the con rates ranging from $1 to In lieu of these rates, to t receipts, a higher deducti allowed. Limit on Itemized Ded itemized deductions may viduals earning more tha eral adjusted gross inco married and filing separa Earned Income Cred earned income credit (E certain individuals who h and meet certain adjus thresholds. For tax year 2 does not have to have a be eligible for this credit i are met. Different cred T G General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answer questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone February 2005 I p “ a a a P d to l a y h n S d I �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:36 PM Page 13 are subject to income limitations. The phaseout of the credits begins for single taxpayers when modified AGI reaches $42,000, and completely phase out when modified AGI reaches $52,000. For joint filers, the phaseout range is $85,000 to $105,000. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credit are not available to taxpayers married filing separately. In 2004, the Lifetime Learning Credit will be $2,000. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: ate or determining actual turn due April 15 of this epting a standard mileage er mile for all miles dring fees and tolls can be he standard mileage rate. enses, information must perating-related costs for ding interest, insurance, ntenance, repairs, deprels and parking. ard mileage rate or the od of determining car records should be kept. ds keeping a log book or penses related to travel. expenses not reimbursed be claimed. Related Meals When rs in transportation are te on the meal allowance the continental U.S. and de the continental U.S. standard meal allowance some locations it is $42, Alaska it is computed difpenses, including meals, ted if directly related to hey have not been reimher source. recent tax court case m. 115 TC210[2000]) eaman was denied a full full M & IE rates. The tuations where meals are t, the incidental expense n itemized deduction is he continental U.S.) and $1 to $53 in other areas. s, to the extent you have eduction amount may be d Deductions: In 2004, s may be limited for indire than $142,700 of fedincome (or $71,350 if eparately). Credit: A refundable dit (EIC) is available to who have earned income adjusted gross income year 2004, an individual ave a qualifying child to redit if certain conditions credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer’s income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $11,450 and no qualifying children—$390 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $30,338 and with 1 qualifying child—$2,604 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $34,450 and with 2 or more qualifying children—$4,300 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below zero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EIC to see if they are eligible for the credit. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get an SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive an SSN. Child Child Credit: In 2004, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $1,000 per child. The credit begins to phase out when modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or $55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the “HOPE” credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,500 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after January 1, 2002, taxpayers can take the “Lifetime Learning Credit,” that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student’s expenses. These credits I e. - phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications online by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your 2004 refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. s e Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. n. r s e S s February 2005 Education IRAs—Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit is claimed. Roth IRAs—The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $3,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Penalty-Free IRA Distributions —The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax penalty also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a first-time homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual’s lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. Also, the tax penalty does not apply to distributions for an individual’s disability, medical care, or to a beneficiary after death of the individual. T I Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. R T K Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2004, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. I T R In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: Jones Act settlements for lost wages. Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. Canceled debts State income tax refunds Rents Repayments Royalties Unemployment benefits Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. Endowments. Original Issue Discount. Distributions from self-employed plans. Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. Lump-sum distributions. Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). Accumulation distributions from trusts. Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). Earned income from sources outside the United States. Director’s fees. Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. Embezzled or other illegal income. I B R N The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: Benefits from government welfare programs. Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, medical costs. Maintenance and Cure. Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. Child support. Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. Amounts received from insurance S M A T T Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. Certain amounts received as a scholarship. A E IRS Form 4868 can be used to ask for a four-month extension to file IRS Form 1040A. An individual requesting an extension is under no obligation to explain why the additional time is needed. Filing of the form gives an individual until August 15, 2005 to file his or her 2004 federal tax return. The IRS will contact the individual directly only if the request for an extension is denied. To extend the period of time in which one can file a tax return, that individual must correctly fill out Form 4868 and pay all of the tax monies due. If the filing of Form 4868 and the subsequent four-month extension to file does not provide the individual with enough time, he or she can then file Form 2688 until August 15, 2005, known as “Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.” Another option open to the person seeking more time in which to file is to write a letter to the IRS stating the reason the extension is necessary. An individual seeking an extension is advised by the IRS to file Form 4868 before filing Form 2688. Copies of Form 4868 are available by calling the agency’s toll-free number which is dedicated to tax form requests (800) 8293676. Also, the form is available from all main IRS branch offices and from the IRS web site at www.irs.gov. And if a Seafarer finds himself or herself overseas, he or she can obtain the form from any U.S. embassy or consulate. It is important to bear in mind that the filing of Form 4868 requesting an extension does not get one off the hook from having to pay any taxes due. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due the U.S. government from the individual filing the extension. P S I T Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Seafarers LOG 13 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:10 PM Page 14 Kudos to Benavidez Galley Gang MATSON MOKIHANA — Chief Cook James Boss (photo above right) prepares meatloaf for lunch aboard the Matson Mokihana. In the left photo, he meets with other members of the steward department aboard the vessel: Chief Steward Patricia Geras (center) and ACU Sara Barahona. Around the Port of San Francisco A letter of appreciation was presented to the steward department on the SIU-crewed USNS Benavidez from the U.S. Navy personnel who sailed on board the ship to Bahrain. From the left are SA Sammy Ward, Chief Steward Lonnie W. Jones, Chief Cook John Noel and SA Joel Ramos. The crew members were cited for their “outstanding support, dedication and professionalism” and for their “cooperation, support and contribution to our team and mission. We appreciate the dedication of your department in keeping up the morale of our sailors. Thank you!” Jones, who sent this photo to the Seafarers LOG, said his department gave the Navy personnel and crew members a big cookout and was told that it was the best ever held aboard a ship. The USNS Benavidez was the last of the Bob Hope-class ships built at Avondale in New Orleans. Seafarers-contracted American Overseas Marine Corporation (AMSEA) is the operator of the large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) vessel for the Military Sealift Command. HORIZON SPIRIT — Paul Hanley is chief electrician on the Horizon Spirit. SEAFARERS BENEFIT PLANS NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS Keep the Plan Informed of Your Address Changes It is important that all participants remember to keep the Plan informed of any change of address. Update Your Beneficiary Designations Keep your beneficiary designations up to date. In the event that your beneficiary predeceases you, you must submit a substitute designation. Inform the Plan of Your Divorce In order for your spouse to be eligible to receive continuation coverage (under COBRA) from the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, you or your spouse must inform the Plan at the time of your divorce. Please submit a copy of the divorce decree to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Full-time College Students If your dependent child is a full-time college student, you must submit a letter of attendance every semester in order for your child to be covered by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. MATSON MAUI — Working in the galley of the Matson Maui are (from left) Chief Steward Lovie Perez, ACU Nasser Ali and Chief Cook Glenn Taan. Scholarship Deadline Just Around Corner Two months remain until the April 15 deadline for receipt of scholarship applications from Seafarers as well as from their spouses and dependent children who wish to continue their education at the college level beginning in the fall of 2005. Three scholarships are being set aside for SIU members—one for $20,000 and two each for $6,000. Additionally, five grants will be awarded to SIU spouses and dependents, each in the amount of $20,000. Send away now for an application booklet (fill out and mail coupon below) or pick one up at any SIU hall. Time is running out to take advantage of this generous benefit for 2005 provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Get your application in today; you have nothing to lose! P lease send me the 2005 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name __________________________________________________________________ Mariner’s Social Security Number ____________________________________________ Street Address __________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code ______________________________________________________ Telephone Number ________________________________________________________ This application is for: Self Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. 14 Seafarers LOG 2/05 Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan P.O. Box 380 Piney Point, MD 20674 IMPORTANT NOTICE: SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN — COBRA NOTICE HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION Under federal law, a participant and his or her dependents have the right to elect to continue their Plan coverage in the event that they lose their eligibility. This right is granted by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, better known as “COBRA.” The COBRA law allows a participant and his or her dependents to temporarily extend their benefits at group rates in certain circumstances where coverage under the Plan would otherwise end. A participant and his or her dependents have a right to choose this continuation coverage if they lose their Plan coverage because the participant failed to meet the Plan’s seatime requirements. In addition, a participant and his or her dependents may have the right to choose continuation coverage if the participant becomes a pensioner ineligible for medical benefits. The participant’s dependents may also elect continuation coverage if they lose coverage under the Plan as the result of the participant’s (1) death; (2) divorce; or (3) Medicare eligibility. A child can also elect COBRA if as the result of his or her age, he or she is no longer a dependent under the Plan rules. If a member and his or her dependents feel that they may qualify, or if they would like more information concerning these rights, they should contact the Plan office at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Since there are important deadlines that apply to COBRA, please contact the Plan as soon as possible to receive a full explanation of the participant’s rights and his or her dependents’ rights. February 2005 �26225_Pg3,5,10,15_17,19.qxd 1/28/2005 6:24 PM Page 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea March & April 2005 Membership Meetings DECEMBER 16, 2004 — JANUARY 15, 2005 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Totals Totals Totals Totals All Departments Algonac ..................Friday: March 11, April 8 1 6 7 4 11 21 25 1 10 20 14 26 4 12 6 7 2 35 17 0 1 0 2 3 17 13 1 7 6 11 1 2 2 0 3 1 18 8 1 0 6 1 7 17 23 0 9 14 14 14 2 1 5 12 2 30 11 1 3 3 2 8 6 21 0 4 12 7 23 2 16 5 8 1 22 13 0 0 0 0 2 10 4 1 5 4 4 4 1 2 0 1 0 14 7 1 2 1 0 6 14 18 0 1 12 14 2 2 2 6 13 2 33 13 4 0 8 0 14 45 56 0 18 28 50 23 6 1 20 33 0 52 41 2 6 7 8 14 31 66 1 16 24 33 28 8 12 11 13 8 49 34 1 2 0 3 3 31 25 0 7 16 30 3 2 2 1 8 3 28 24 Baltimore ................Thursday: March 10, April 7 223 229 96 169 157 59 142 399 371 189 Norfolk ...................Thursday: March 10, April 7 Philadelphia ............Wednesday: March 9, April 6 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 3 0 5 0 5 9 21 0 5 9 12 4 2 0 3 15 1 9 8 0 1 2 1 3 11 17 0 5 3 10 11 2 4 4 7 2 21 4 2 0 1 1 2 7 8 0 2 1 10 6 2 1 1 3 0 5 4 1 0 4 0 5 7 16 0 3 6 3 6 1 3 0 6 1 6 3 1 1 2 1 3 11 14 0 2 7 6 9 1 4 1 6 2 13 9 0 0 1 1 0 5 5 0 1 0 3 0 1 0 2 3 0 2 3 0 0 3 0 0 5 14 0 3 5 6 2 1 1 3 10 0 10 2 2 0 5 1 12 19 34 0 11 17 21 9 5 2 10 19 0 19 18 1 1 6 1 4 13 39 0 5 3 16 17 5 5 4 6 3 36 17 2 0 1 0 2 10 16 0 3 5 12 9 1 1 0 8 1 6 9 111 108 56 71 93 27 65 204 182 86 0 0 0 2 5 12 17 1 9 11 19 7 3 4 2 22 1 16 24 1 0 0 1 1 3 16 0 5 4 4 13 1 2 3 3 1 5 10 0 0 1 0 1 3 4 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 3 0 0 2 1 6 11 10 1 5 4 10 6 1 5 1 11 1 11 18 1 0 0 2 2 4 12 0 3 8 2 4 1 0 1 3 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 7 6 0 2 4 3 4 1 2 1 5 0 10 6 1 0 2 1 17 21 33 0 11 16 29 13 5 2 3 41 1 33 33 2 0 1 0 4 6 22 0 5 4 6 19 1 4 4 6 1 7 11 0 0 1 1 2 3 7 0 1 2 7 7 0 0 1 2 0 7 6 155 73 20 104 51 13 54 262 103 47 0 0 0 0 5 1 2 0 0 4 4 1 0 0 2 3 0 6 1 1 1 8 0 5 15 17 0 6 13 21 7 0 10 3 16 0 13 5 2 2 1 3 8 20 17 0 1 12 21 15 2 50 0 6 0 15 12 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 4 10 9 0 1 5 14 5 0 12 3 6 0 6 3 1 0 0 3 0 11 8 0 0 4 6 9 0 14 0 4 0 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 6 1 1 8 11 1 0 0 2 6 0 10 1 3 2 7 2 11 28 28 1 14 14 51 14 0 8 7 23 2 31 13 8 5 2 0 15 27 32 0 4 22 60 19 4 45 0 15 3 33 39 29 141 187 12 80 69 0 61 259 333 518 551 359 356 381 168 261 926 915 655 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Piney Point .............Monday: March 7, April 4 2 0 8 1 13 15 21 0 13 23 20 13 3 1 16 18 1 35 20 Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Trip Reliefs ENTRY DEPARTMENT *“Total Registered” means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **“Registered on Beach” means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. February 2005 Boston.....................Friday: March 11, April 8 Duluth .....................Wednesday: March 16, April 13 Guam ......................Thursday: March 24, April 21 Honolulu .................Friday: March 18, April 15 Houston ..................Monday: March 14, April 11 Jacksonville ............Thursday: March 10, April 7 Joliet .......................Thursday: March 17, April 14 Mobile ....................Wednesday: March 16, April 13 New Orleans ...........Tuesday: March 15, April 12 New York................Tuesday: March 8, April 5 Port Everglades.......Thursday: March 17, April 14 San Francisco .........Thursday: March 17, April 14 San Juan..................Thursday: March 10, April 7 St. Louis..................Friday: March 18, April 15 Tacoma ...................Friday: March 25, April 22 Wilmington ...............Monday: March 21, April 18 ................................. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personals RUTH CLINTON Please contact Barbara Gaffney at 101 Myrtle Ave., Apt. 234, Staten Island, NY 10310-2052; or telephone (718) 727-4233. DAVID FOLEY Please contact Chris Lipnosky at (530) 587-4045. With Seafarers on the SBX SIU members are working aboard a semisubmersible craft known as the SBX—an abbreviation for sea-based XBand radar. These photos were taken last month along the Gulf Coast. At left, SIU Tacoma Port Agent Bryan Powell (third from left) meets with QMED Chris Schneider of Anchorage, Alaska while the Seafarer works in a pipe tunnel on the platform. Schneider said that working on a vessel that boosts U.S. national security “makes me feel patriotic.” Below, Powell meets with (from left) Recertified Steward Paula Kaleikini, Chief Cook Theresa Ballard and OS Amber Michel while waiting to load provisions. Kaleikini noted, “I know this will be challenging and very different from what any of us have seen before, but we will tackle it with the energy and professionalism people expect from the SIU!” Seafarers LOG 15 �26225_Pg3,5,10,15_17,19.qxd 1/27/2005 4:41 PM Seafarers International Union Directory Page 16 NMU Monthly Shipping & Registration Report DECEMBER 16, 2004 — JANUARY 15, 2005 Michael Sacco, President TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Group I Group II Group III John Fay, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Group I Group II Group III Trip Reliefs REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Group I Group II Group III Augustin Tellez, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services René Lioeanjie, Vice President at Large Charles Stewart, Vice President at Large HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 ALTON 325 Market St., Suite B, Alton, IL 62002 (618) 462-3456 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 BOSTON Marine Industrial Park/EDIC 27 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210 (617) 261-0790 DULUTH 324 W. Superior St., Suite 705, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-4110 GUAM P.O. Box 315242, Tamuning, Guam 96931-5242 125 Sunny Plaza, Suite 301-E Tun Jesus Crisostomo St., Tamuning, Guam 96911 (671) 647-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 832-8767 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St., San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division: (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOG Port Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals DECK DEPARTMENT 7 10 4 5 12 2 0 4 44 1 0 0 2 3 0 0 2 8 0 11 8 5 5 2 4 0 35 Port Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals 2 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 7 0 8 8 1 4 2 4 0 27 1 7 3 2 10 1 1 1 26 5 31 11 12 39 6 1 9 114 0 4 3 5 8 2 0 5 27 0 26 0 23 1 0 4 0 54 0 3 1 0 3 1 0 0 8 4 9 5 5 11 3 1 9 47 1 2 4 1 2 0 1 2 13 0 16 1 16 0 1 1 3 38 0 0 5 0 1 2 1 0 9 4 8 4 7 9 2 1 4 39 0 5 2 1 10 0 1 0 19 0 19 1 16 0 1 1 1 39 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 3 3 4 1 3 0 0 2 16 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 6 0 2 3 1 1 0 0 0 7 Port Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals 5 12 4 7 11 0 1 5 45 0 3 6 3 9 0 0 5 26 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 8 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 5 2 3 3 1 0 0 2 16 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 6 9 3 1 5 1 0 25 Port 3 4 3 1 0 1 0 0 12 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 3 10 0 1 5 1 0 20 ENTRY DEPARTMENT Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals All Departments 76 18 67 83 17 55 43 200 59 131 PIC-FROM-THE-PAST This photo was sent to the Seafarers LOG by George G. Jamison of New Park, Pa. It was taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina in November 1945. Brother Jamison (left), John Manen of Houston, Texas (center) and Dave Wagman of Red Lion, Pa. were part of the engine department crew on the SIU-crewed Liberty ship Stevenson Taylor. They signed on in Baltimore in June 1945 and had just delivered a load of Army supplies to Calcutta, India when World War II was declared over. The ship sailed to various ports before stopping in Buenos Aires, including Le Havre, France, and then to a shipyard in Cardiff, Wales. It wasn’t until February 1946 that the Stevenson Taylor finally made it to New York for a payoff; it had been nearly six months since any of the crew members had received mail. Brother Jamison last sailed aboard Bull Line’s SS Mae—from May 1949 until April 1955. He then left the sea for a shoreside job and put his SIU book in retirement in December 1956. Jamison still receives the LOG and says he looks forward to reading it each month. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. February 2005 �26225_Pg3,5,10,15_17,19.qxd 1/27/2005 4:40 PM Page 17 Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA JUAN AYALA, 70, hails from Puerto Rico. He joined the SIU in 1966 in New York, first sailing aboard the Summit. Brother Ayala worked in the deck department and in 2000 enhanced his skills at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. His last ship was the Horizon Challenger. Brother Ayala still calls Puerto Rico home. DAVID BALLARD, 56, joined the Seafarers in 1968 in New York. Born in West Virginia, Brother Ballard upgraded his skills at the union’s affiliated school on numerous occasions. His first ship was the Anniston Victory; his last was the El Yunque. Brother Ballard was a member of the engine department and currently resides in St. Petersburg, Fla. ALPHONSO HOLLAND, 61, embarked on his career with the SIU in 1965 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Brother Holland first sailed on the Ridgefield Victory as a member of the steward department. In 1990 he completed steward recertification training at the Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Prior to retiring, Brother Holland shipped on the USNS Red Cloud. He continues to live in his native Virginia. FRED JENSEN, 65, became a Seafarer in 1963 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. The deck department member was born in Denmark and was a frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center, completing his bosun recertification training there in 1980. A resident of Alachua, Fla., he last worked on the ITB Mobile. ABDUL MOHAMED, 58, started his seafaring career in 1966 in Detroit, Mich. Brother Mohamed was born in Arabia and shipped in the steward department. His first ship was the Arizpa. Brother Mohamed improved his skills in 2000 at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. His last ship was the Mahimahi, a Matson Navigation vessel. Brother Mohamed makes his home in Garden Grove, Calif. EMMETT NEATHERY, 59, began sailing with the SIU in 1966 in the port of Houston. Born in Kirkland, Wash., Brother February 2005 Neathery upgraded his skills at the union’s affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. He worked in the engine department in both the deep sea and inland divisions. Before retiring, Brother Neathery shipped on the USNS Regulus. He lives in Reno, Nev. JAMES PORTER, 55, first donned the SIU colors in 1969 in Piney Point, Md. Brother Porter’s first trip to sea was on the Robin Gray. The deck department member completed bosun recertification training in 1996 in Piney Point, Md. The Georgia-born mariner’s most recent voyage was aboard the El Yunque. Brother Porter resides in Jacksonville, Fla. JOHN THOMAS, 64, was born in Pennsylvania and started his seafaring career in 1987 in the port of Honolulu. Brother Thomas, who worked in the engine department, enhanced his skills in 2000 at the Seafarers-affiliated school. His first vessel was the USNS Assertive; his last was the USNS Effective. Brother Thomas is a resident of Huntsville, Ala. PETROS TRIANTAFILOS, 64, joined the ranks of the SIU in 1969 in New York, initially sailing on the Western Clipper. Born in Greece, Brother Triantafilos worked in the engine department. He upgraded his skills in 1970 and again in 1974 at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Triantafilos’ most recent voyage was aboard the Mariner. He continues to live in Greece. ROBERT TRIGG, 62, started sailing with the SIU in 1987 in the port of Mobile, Ala. Brother Trigg sailed in both the inland and deep sea divisions, first working aboard the USNS Lynch. The deck department member improved his skills in 2001 at the union’s affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Trigg was born in Louisiana and now resides in Ocean Springs, Miss. He last went to sea on the Sugar Island. INLAND ARTHUR KNUDSEN, 62, became a Seafarer in 1970 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Knudsen primarily shipped aboard vessels operated by McAllister Towing of Virginia. A native of New Jersey, he worked in the deck department. Boatman Knudsen upgraded his skills in 1985 at the Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. He makes his home in Boca Raton, Fla. RICHARD McEVOY, 64, began his seafaring career in 1973 in the port of Jacksonville, Fla. Boatman McEvoy initially shipped on a Puget Sound vessel in the engine department. Born in Georgia, he upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Boatman McEvoy most recently sailed with Crowley Towing and Transportation of Jacksonville. He lives in his native state. HERMAN MOONEY, 64, launched his SIU career in 1966 in the port of Baltimore. Boatman Mooney shipped primarily on Moran Towing of Maryland vessels. The engine department member enhanced his skills in 1985 at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Boatman Mooney was born in Baltimore, where he continues to reside. GEORGE MOSICH, 62, started shipping with the union in 1994 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. Boatman Mosich worked primarily aboard Crowley Towing and Transportation vessels. The deck department member was born in San Pedro, Calif. and upgraded his skills on two occasions at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training. Boatman Mosich lives in his native state. GLENN NAUNDORF, 55, joined the SIU in 1967 in the port of Philadelphia. Boatman Naundorf shipped in the steward department. He attended classes at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. in 2000 and again in 2001. Prior to retiring, Boatman Naundorf worked on Maritrans Operating Co. vessels. MICHAEL SANDERS, 55, hails from Harlinton, Texas. Boatman Sanders joined the union in 1966 in the port of Houston after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He sailed in both the inland and deep sea divisions. Boatman Sanders was a member of the deck department, first shipping on G&H Towing Co. vessels. He enhanced his skills on three occasions at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Boatman Sanders resides in Overland Park, Kan. He last worked on the LNG Leo. GREAT LAKES ABDO ALQIRSH, 64, began sailing with the SIU in 1966 in Detroit, Mich. Brother Alqirsh was born in Arabia and worked in the steward department. He shipped primarily aboard American Steamship Co. vessels. Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG. 1947 SIU Organizational Director Paul Hall announced last week the signing of a closed shop contract with the American Eastern Steamship Corporation after a 60-day organizing campaign. “In making this announcement,” Hall said, “full credit should be given to the SIU volunteer organizers who sailed aboard American Eastern ships and made possible the signing of a contract for this new company. The fact that it took only 60 days to secure the agreement gives proof to another swell job of organizing done by the rank and file Seafarer.” 1967 LONNIE BROOKS, 64, was born in Michigan and joined the SIU in 1988 in Detroit. Brother Brooks first sailed aboard the J.A.W. Iglehart in the engine department. His last trip was on the Saint Clair. Brother Brooks calls Okeechobee, Fla. home. ATLANTIC FISHERMEN NICHOLAS PARISI, 61, Brother Parisi started his career with the Atlantic Fishermen’s Union, an affiliate of the SIU before it merged with the AGLIWD in 1981. Born in Massachusetts, he is a U.S. Army veteran and last worked aboard the St. Nicholas. Brother Parisi makes his home in Gloucester, Mass. Editor’s Note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension and Trust, recently went on pension. Name Age EDP Beof, Antonio DeCosta, Edward Erese, Cesar Ford, Thomas Hawes, Philip Jetson, James Marshall, James Philpot, James 65 65 65 61 58 50 64 65 Jan. 1 Dec. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 1 Dec. 1 Oct. 1 Jan. 1 body set up to assure that maritime workers, faced with legal problems or charges threatening their personal liberties, are assured their fundamental American rights to counsel and other assistance. Robert A. Matthews, SIU vice president in charge of contracts and contract enforcement, has been selected chairman of the Defense League and offices have been established at One Hanson Place in Brooklyn, N.Y. This Month In SIU History Seafarers at regular monthly meetings in all constitutional ports enthusiastically voted to endorse and support the newly formed Maritime Defense League. In approving the purposes of the new organization, the membership called for maximum publicity in support of the League by all Seafarers. The new organization is a voluntary Brother Alqirsh is a resident of Dearborn, Mich. 1987 The U.S. Navy’s first active hospital ship in 13 years, the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), departed San Diego on Friday, Feb. 27 for a fourmonth training and humanitarian mission to the republic of the Philippines. The purpose of the deployment is to train Navy personnel in the operation and support of the ship and its 1,000bed medical treatment facility during extended operations in a remote area. The medical team aboard the USNS Mercy during this deployment will include civilian and military personnel. The Mercy is one of two identical hospital ships being converted for the Navy. A second ship, the USNS Comfort, will be christened in May. Seafarers LOG 17 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/27/2005 8:32 PM Page 18 Final Departures DEEP SEA ALBERT BIRT Pensioner Albert Birt, 84, passed away Nov. 8. Brother Birt joined the SIU in 1941 in Tampa, Fla. His first ship was the Alcoa Carrier. Born in Hampton, Fla., Brother Birt was a member of the deck department. His last voyage was on the Sand Captain. Brother Birt began collecting his pension in 1968. He made his home in Spring Hill, Fla. HERMAN BUTTS Brother Herman Butts, 47, died July 15. He began sailing with the SIU in 1970 in the port of Houston. Brother Butts was born in Mobile, Ala. He last worked in the engine department aboard the Seabulk Challenger. Brother Butts was a resident of Texas. CHESTER COCHRAN Pensioner Chester Cochran, 81, passed away Nov. 2. Brother Cochran joined the SIU in 1956 in Detroit, Mich. The engine department member was born in Smokemont, N.C. Brother Cochran shipped in both the Great Lakes and deep sea divisions. He lived in his native state and retired in 1979. LEO DERSTLER Pensioner Leo Derstler, 87, died Sept. 24. Brother Derstler was born in Pennsylvania and embarked on his seafaring career in 1945 in the port of Mobile, Ala. His first ship was the Robin Gray, where he worked in the deck department; his last ship was the Seattle. Brother Derstler started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1976. He called Columbia, Pa. home. DAVID DICKINSON Pensioner David Dickinson, 77, passed away Dec. 3. Brother Dickinson started shipping with the SIU in 1952 as a member of the deck department. Brother Dickinson most recently shipped on Waterman Steamship Corp.’s John Penn. He was born in Alabama and resided in Leakesville, Miss. Brother Dickinson retired in 1982. BENNIE DRUMGOOLE Pensioner Bennie Drumgoole, 69, passed away Nov. 25. Born in Pine Bluff, Ark., Brother Drumgoole joined the SIU in 1968 in the port of San Francisco. He sailed in the engine department primarily on Sea-Land Service vessels, including 18 Seafarers LOG the Adventurer and the Consumer. Brother Drumgoole was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He retired in 1997 and called Little Rock, Ark. home. LEWIS GLANVILLE Pensioner Lewis Glanville, 83, died August 30. Brother Glanville first donned the SIU colors in 1940 in the port of Baltimore. The Virginia-born mariner shipped as a member of the engine department. Brother Glanville originally sailed on the Steel Seafarer. Before retiring in 1980, he worked on the Montpelier Victory. Brother Glanville started receiving his pension in 1980 and made his home in Seaford, Del. DUDLEY GRANT Pensioner Dudley Grant, 77, passed away Oct. 4. Brother Grant was born in the West Indies. He became an SIU member in 1959 in New York, initially shipping on the Santa Magdelena in the steward department. His final trip to sea was aboard the President Chester B. Arthur. Brother Grant began collecting his retirement pay in 1993. San Francisco was his home. ARK HO Pensioner Ark Ho, 88, died Sept. 12. Brother Ho joined the Marine Cooks & Stewards in the port of San Francisco. He was born in China and called Los Angeles home. Brother Ho began receiving his pension in 1971. CLIFFORD PERREIRA Pensioner Clifford Perreira, 81, passed away Oct. 19. Brother Perreira started his seafaring career in 1959 in San Francisco, first working on the Arizpa. Born in Hawaii, he was a member of the deck department. Brother Perreira most recently went to sea aboard the Overseas Ohio. He resided in Sebastopol, Calif. and went on pension in 1994. SALEH SALEH Brother Saleh Saleh, 64, died Oct. 20. He began sailing with the Seafarers in 1992 in New York. Brother Saleh’s first vessel was the Samuel L. Cobb; his last was the Franklin J. Phillips. The steward department member was born in Yemen and lived there in the city of Sana’a. JAMES SINEY Pensioner James Siney, 84, passed away Sept. 5. Brother Siney embarked on his SIU career in 1958 in the port of Baltimore. He was born in Maryland and shipped as a member of the engine department. Brother Siney was a veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. He started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1985 and called Redondo Beach, Calif. home. INLAND GEORGE BALLEW Pensioner George Ballew, 75, died Nov. 27. Born in Virginia, Boatman Ballew started his SIU career in 1959 in the port of Norfolk, Va. He was a member of the deck department. Boatman Ballew made his home in Hampton, Va. He retired in 1989. ROBERT HENDRIX Pensioner Robert Hendrix, 67, passed away Aug. 2. Boatman Hendrix began his seafaring career in 1968 in the port of Norfolk, Va. after serving in the U.S. Army. The steward department member, who was born in North Carolina, made his home in Portsmouth, Va. He went on pension in 1990. THOMAS PURSER Pensioner Thomas Purser, 79, died Sept. 26. Boatman Purser became a Seafarer in 1978 in the port of Mobile, Ala. The U.S. Air Force veteran was born in Mississippi. Boatman Purser shipped in the deck department. He began receiving his retirement stipends in 1990 and lived in his native state. ment. Brother Amaya initially went to sea aboard the African Star. Prior to retiring in 1970, he worked on the Argentina. Pensioner James Evans, 73, died Nov. 6. Brother Evans joined the NMU in 1967 in Philadelphia and worked in the steward department. He first sailed aboard the Sinclair Texas. Brother Evans was born in Philadelphia and went on pension in 1987. ALTON GARCIA ROBERT SINGLETON Pensioner Alton Garcia, 88, passed away Nov. 11. Brother Garcia became a member of the NMU in 1939, first shipping out of New York. His initial voyage was on the Clyde. Brother Garcia, who was born in Cuba, last sailed aboard the Brazil. He started receiving his retirement pay in 1970. Pensioner Robert Singleton, 81, passed away Nov. 17. A native of Alabama, Brother Singleton joined the NMU in 1943 initially working on the Dixiano. The engine department member was last employed aboard the Cibao. Brother Singleton went on pension in 1970. DAYMON GREGORY PETE STANDIFER Pensioner Daymon Gregory, 77, died Nov. 1. Brother Gregory joined the ranks of the NMU in 1944 in Boston. Born in West Virginia, he worked in the deck department. Brother Gregory’s first vessel was the Will Rogers; his last was the African Meteor. He began collecting his pension in 1965. Pensioner Pete Standifer, 80, died Nov. 17. Brother Standifer embarked on his seafaring career in 1946. He was born in Oklahoma and most recently worked on the Edgar M. Queeny. Brother Standifer started drawing his pension in 1985. ALFRED HAMPTON Editor’s Note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, have passed away. GABRIEL ACEVEDO JOSE HERNANDEZ Pensioner Gabriel Acevedo, 91, died Nov. 24. Brother Acevedo was born in San Andres, Columbia and joined the SIU in 1945. His first ship was the Wilson’s Creek. Brother Acevedo was a member of the engine department, last sailing on the Santa Barbara. He began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1976. Pensioner Jose Hernandez, 83, died Oct. 20. Brother Hernandez started his NMU career in 1957, first sailing from New York aboard the Harpers Ferry. He was born in Puerto Rico and retired in 1982. Pensioner Jamie Amaya, 88, passed away Nov. 30. Brother Amaya joined the NMU in 1941. Born in Honduras, he shipped in the steward depart- JAMES RICHARDSON Pensioner James Richardson, 84, died Nov. 27. Brother Richardson was born in the West Indies and became an NMU member in 1947. His first voyage was on the George W. Kendall. Brother Richardson began receiving retirement compensation in 1984. A member of the engine department, he last shipped aboard the Gulf Trader. JAMES EVANS Pensioner Alfred Hampton, 80, passed away Oct. 21. Born in Louisiana, Brother Hampton launched his seafaring career in New Orleans. He first shipped on the John M. Morehead. Brother Hampton, who last sailed on the Nancy Lykes, started receiving stipends for his retirement in 1986. JAMIE AMAYA in 1978, Brother Matthews went to sea aboard the Keystoner. JOSEPH MATTHEWS Pensioner Joseph Matthews, 91, passed away Nov. 5. Brother Matthews began sailing with the NMU in 1945 from the port of San Francisco. His first ship was the Pocahontas, where he worked in the steward department. Before retiring AMADOR VANGA Pensioner Amador Vanga, 92, passed away Oct. 23. Brother Vanga commenced his career with the NMU in 1965, initially sailing from New York. He was born in Puerto Rico and worked in the steward department. Brother Vanga’s final voyage was on the Atlantic. Editor’s Note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, have passed away. Name Age Amento, Anthony Arespe, Arnulfo Astillero, Ramon Bergland, Albert Betancourt, Mario Camalich, Giorgio Cooper, Martin Espinoza, Alberto Ewens, Cecil Foster, Jonathan Herrera, Antonio Holland, Willie Houghton, Edward King, Donald Lawrence, Gerald Mortley, Edward Olivares, Amadeo Peeler, Roy Proctor, Joseph Santiago, Luis Smith, James Sykes, Raymond Tarver, William Walker, Herman Walters, Paul White, John 76 82 78 78 91 75 72 98 80 92 89 80 84 73 80 85 63 84 76 82 83 85 82 79 78 80 DOD Oct. 31 Oct. 19 Oct. 19 Nov. 17 Nov. 19 Oct. 29 Nov. 2 Oct. 17 Oct. 25 July 01 Nov. 17 Nov. 5 Nov. 16 Nov. 10 Nov. 1 Nov. 3 Nov. 4 Sept. 1 Nov. 1 Nov. 7 Nov. 11 Aug. 18 Oct. 12 Nov. 5 Nov. 25 Nov. 6 February 2005 �26225_Pg3,5,10,15_17,19.qxd 1/27/2005 8:36 PM Page 19 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. EXPLORER (USSM), Nov. 21— Chairman Amado E. Abaniel, Secretary William R. Burdette, Educational Director Jimmy M. Robles, Engine Delegate Carlos M. Noriega, Steward Delegate Abdulla N. Jinah. Chairman announced arrival Nov. 27 in Los Angeles. He reported good trip and great food, thanks to steward department, and reminded crew members to separate bottles and cans from regular trash. He also asked departing mariners to leave keys in rooms for next person. Educational director encouraged Seafarers to upgrade skills at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Treasurer stated $254 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next ports: Los Angeles; Tacoma, Wash. HORIZON TRADER (Horizon Lines), Nov. 26—Chairman Michael T. Sorensen, Secretary Kevin M. Dougherty, Educational Director Allen D. Parker, Deck Delegate Amante V. Gumiran, Engine Delegate J. Coleman, Steward Delegate Peter Schuetz. Chairman announced payoff Nov. 27 after arrival in Tacoma, Wash. Educational director urged everyone to keep an eye on their documents’ expiration dates and allow plenty of time for renewal process. Treasurer stated $557 in crew fund; $400 to be used for purchase of new refrigerators. No beefs reported; some disputed OT noted in engine department. Request made for company to provide more movies on ship. Crew members said they all look forward to receiving new videos, as it’s one of the few recreational activities during the many months at sea. Crew reported current phone system inoperable at sea. Clarification requested on availability of overtime. Seafarers were asked to separate plastic items from regular trash and rewind and return movies after use. Suggestion made to improve dental plan and get a satellite system. Vote of thanks given to steward department for excellent Thanksgiving Day meals. Next ports: Tacoma; Oakland, Calif.; Honolulu; Guam. INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGER (Pacific Gulf Marine), Nov. 21— Chairman Shawn Williams, Secretary Ngol T. Allen, Educational Director Earl F. Ebbert, Deck Delegate Wilbur Pantin, Engine Delegate Charlotte LeBlanc, Steward Delegate Gertrudis Arzu. Educational director encouraged all crew members to attend Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. because of new ISO and safety requirements and to improve their job security. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Adequate deck department crewing needed in part due to heavy amount of work required on ship at sea and in port. Thanks given to steward department for job well done. Request made for drinking fountains and better e-mail system. INNOVATOR (USSM), Nov. 21— Chairman Steve R. Kastel, Secretary Jose M. Bayani, Educational Director Chris L. Earhart, Deck Delegate James D. Morgan, Steward Delegate Tammy M. Bingisser. Chairman reported good trip and thanked all departments for working well together. He praised Chief Cook Tammy Bingisser for outstanding meals. Secretary expressed gratitude to crew for helping keep ship clean. Educational director reminded Seafarers to keep documents current. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun read president’s report from Seafarers LOG and discussed communications received from SIU Wilmington Port Agent John Cox. Suggestion made to increase money purchase pension plan and pension benefits and reduce time required for retirement. Next port: Los Angeles. LTC JOHN U.D. PAGE (Maersk Line), Nov. 24—Chairman Jeremiah J. Harrington, Secretary Abraham Mills, Educational Director Bobby L. Jones, Deck Delegate William Fielding, Engine Delegate Luis A. Soto Amadeo, Steward Delegate Angela Robertson. Chairman read various articles from November Seafarers LOG. He thanked everyone for working so hard while being away from family and friends during holidays. Educational director suggested crew to inform 1st asst. engineer about any electrical problems or repairs needed and be aware of expiration dates on documents needed for shipping. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made to get additional help for SA and to improve retirement plan. Next port: Diego Garcia. LIBERATOR (USSM), Nov. 26— Chairman Daniel J. Teichman, Secretary Robert S. Davis, Educational Director Elwyn L. Ford, Engine Delegate Marc J. Poniatouski, Steward Delegate Andy N. Campollo. Chairman Time to Talk Union The union meeting aboard the Industrial Challenger was a time for everyone to ask questions and be heard. From the left are GUDE Charlotte LeBlanc, QMED/Electrician Earl Ebbert, AB Sherwin Frank and AB John Grayson. February 2005 advised Seafarers to read contract and be informed. Educational director urged members to check expiration dates on documents and start renewal process of MMDs at least 6 months in advance. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications received from headquarters regarding reflagging. Everyone encouraged to read LOG for information about union and maritime industry. Crew advised to ask questions at union meetings and be knowledgeable of their rights as Seafarers. Next port: Newark, N.J. MAJ. BERNARD F. FISHER (Sealift Inc.) Nov. 28—Chairman Reuben M. Brown, Secretary Walter R. Seals, Educational Director Troy L. Fleming, Deck Delegate Lorenzo Riddick, Engine Delegate Michael C. McNally, Steward Delegate Velonder L. Alford. Chairman announced payoff Nov. 30. Copies of company’s safety policies handed out to members as ship heads to Diego Garcia. Educational director urged everyone to upgrade whenever possible at Piney Point facility. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested on weekly pay rate for ship’s committee and department delegates. All crew members now have room keys. Thanks given to crew for separating plastic items from regular trash. It was reported that email is now available on board ship. Next port: Diego Garcia. MIDNIGHT SUN (IUM), Nov. 28—Chairman Fadel Saleh, Secretary Scott A. Opsahl, Educational Director Christopher Cunningham, Deck Delegate Brent R. Johnson, Engine Delegate Dennis S. Adjetey, Steward Delegate Nasser S. Hasson. Chairman reminded crew to be aware of ice forming on deck. Those who requested a day off should wait until their reliefs show up before leaving vessel. Secretary thanked everyone for helping keep messhall and lounge clean. He asked them to clean room and leave fresh linen for next person. Educational director encouraged members to enhance their skills at Paul Hall Center, contribute to SPAD for job security and check documents for expiration dates. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks given to steward department for fantastic Thanksgiving Day spread. Next ports: Anchorage, Alaska; Tacoma, Wash. USNS DAHL (Maersk Line), Nov. 27—Chairman Walter L. Jeffords, Secretary James H. McLeod, Educational Director Alexander A. Zharkoff. Chairman encouraged crew members to be current on their dues. He noted that LMSR/MSC contracts requires crew members to renew basic safety training (BST) every five years, regardless of Coast Guard rules. He thanked everyone for helping maintain safety record of ship (no accidents). Educational director talked about importance of upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer stated $1,138 in ship’s fund. Crew voted to have tshirts and hats made with Dahl logo to sell. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Thanks given to the steward department for great meals, especially over Halloween and Thanksgiving Day holidays. Next ports: Savannah, Ga.; Souda Bay, Crete. VOYAGER (USSM), Nov. 21— Chairman Glenn R. Christianson, Secretary William P. McGee, Educational Director Samuel M. Addo, Deck Delegate Charles B. Collins, Steward Delegate Ruben Padilla. Chairman noted handrails missing in various locations on catwalk and advised other mariners to report items in need of repair. Secretary advised everyone that water problems have been solved. Educational director spoke about taking advantage of upgrading benefits at Piney Point school. Treasurer stated $500 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Several suggestions made regarding union’s prescription plan, vacation checks and increasing pension benefits. Members thanked steward department for great BBQs and meals. Next ports: Malaga, Spain; Gioia Tauro, Italy; Newark, N.J. DILIGENCE (Maritrans), Dec. 26—Chairman Ronald L. Paradise, Secretary Michael J. Wybo, Educational Director Shawn L. Clark. Deck Delegate Wilfredo G. Caidoy, Steward Delegate Bienvenido C. Badillo. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 26. in Tacoma, Wash. At that time ship go port side for removal of damaged gangway. He asked crew members to be considerate of others when washing clothes at night, especially those items with metal buckles or large snaps (they make a lot of noise). Secretary welcomed SIU trainees Linsey A. Knight and Danny L. Faidley aboard and to their first shipboard meeting. He talked about shipboard procedures for settling problems. Steward pro- Industrial Challenger Crew Gathers for Meeting Following a union meeting aboard the Industrial Challenger, Bosun Shawn Williams (right) looks over the minutes, which will be sent to the contracts department at headquarters. With him are ACU Gertrudis Arzu (left) and Steward/Baker Ngol Allen. Gramer, Educational Director Richard A. Huffman, Engine Delegate Patrick D. Carroll, Steward Delegate Harry J. Agatep. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 29 upon arrival in New Orleans, La. Ship will then load for Braintree, Mass., just south of Boston. He recommended cold weather gear for deck department members. Educational director emphasized importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center and noted there are opportunities there for everyone. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman discussed SAB 926 regarding crew rotation during recent military ship crew-up. Suggestions made regarding next contract. Gratitude expressed to Steward Gramer and Chief Cook Agatep for delicious Christmas dinner. Thanks also given to SA Shantay Joquin for her festive decorations and Christmas spirit. Crew wished Conklin family all the best. Through his hard work and dedication, Ken Conklin touched the lives of many Seafarers. HORIZON ENTERPRISE (Horizon Lines), Dec. 12—Chairman Roger J. Reinke, Secretary James N. Brockington, Educational Director Michael J. Wells, Deck Delegate Gavino A. Octaviano, Engine Delegate Cecilio A. Banga, Steward Delegate Alejo A. Fabia. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 18 upon arrival in Tacoma, Wash. No shore leave will be given until ship clears customs and immigration. Secretary asked crew to return all videos prior to arrival in Tacoma and to clean room and provide fresh linen for relief personnel. Educational director advised members to take advantage of upgrading opportunities available at school in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done and to Tacoma and Oakland shoregangs for assistance in port. Next ports: Tacoma; Oakland; Honolulu; Guam. HORIZON RELIANCE (Horizon Lines), Dec. 19—Chairman Lance X. Zollner, Secretary Thomas M. vides repair list for any repairs needed. Educational director informed crew passport fees are free to seamen. Clarification from headquarters requested. Treasurer reported number of purchases since last meeting: gas for grill, sodas for BBQ, dart set, and surround-sound system. That leaves $589.45 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Memo from headquarters read and posted. Questions raised about new prescription program. Bosun thanked steward department for outstanding job. Next port: Tacoma; Oakland, Calif.; Honolulu. HORIZON SPIRIT (Horizon Lines), Dec. 2—Chairman Kenny A. Abrahamson, Secretary Charles D. Washington, Educational Director Paul D. Hanley, Deck Delegate David Garoutte, Engine Delegate Gordon L. Hiltbruner. Chairman informed crew new VCR and DVD player installed. Educational director reminded crew members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center whenever possible and keep all documents current. Treasurer stated $320 in video fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department for wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Next ports: Tacoma, Wash.; Oakland, Calif.; Honolulu; Guam. ITB JACKSONVILLE (USS Transport), Dec. 5—Chairman John R. Lamprecht, Secretary Warren G. Lombard, Educational Director Stanley M. Sporna, Deck Delegate Abedan P. Lujan, Engine Delegate Hassin Asumari, Steward Delegate Brad E. Stephenson. Chairman discussed amount of ship’s stores brought aboard. Request made for status of new contract and pay increases. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested on reimbursement for travel to ship. Suggestion made to reevaluate responsibilities of company and shore facilities to ensure crew members are able to leave premises and not be restricted to ship. Request made for new blankets and bottled water. Good camaraderie among crew was reported. Seafarers LOG 19 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:12 PM Page 20 A Brief History of The MSTS Know Your Rights Editor’s note: The Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) is the forerunner to today’s Military Sealift Command (MSC). This account of the organization was published in the Aug. 22, 1966 shipboard newsletter, “The Walker Report” aboard the USNS General Nelson M. Walker. In support of our nation’s defense outposts in the Arctic, the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) has sealifted more than 5 million tons of cargo to the Far North since 1950. This special mission, called “Operation Sealift for Security,” began in 1950 and reached its peak during the 1955-57 operations when MSTS launched the most gigantic logistic assault upon the North polar region ever undertaken by land or aerial forces of any nation. Termed a logistic miracle by many, this polar “assault” was made to supply men and materials for the construction of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) radar system which, when completed, stretched across the entire Arctic fringe of North America. During the three-year polar assault, despite encountering the worst ice conditions ever recorded in the Arctic, MSTS sealifted more than 1 million tons of cargo and building equipment, plus 10 million barrels of petroleum products to the DEW Line sites. This victory over the hazards of wind, ice and fog would not have been possible without the benefit of eight years’ experience in polar logistics. MSTS began Arctic operations of a modest scale in 1950 when it began the “Seaborne Supply of the North East Command” (SUNEC) in the Labrador/Greenland areas. In 1951, over 50 MSTS-controlled ships in support of operation “Blue Jay” transported materials and personnel to build the Air Force Base at Thule, Greenland. Also at that time, the defense sites at Baffin Island and Labrador were established. Since that time, MSTS has The USNS General Nelson M. Walker had its own shipboard newsletter, from which the history of the MSTS is reprinted on this page. Built in 1945, the vessel transferred to the MSTS in 1950 with the outbreak of hostilities in Korea. Just last month, the retired ship was being towed to Texas for dismantling. been resupplying these bases annually. One of the smallest, yet one of the most interesting, phases of MSTS arctic operations is the resupply of the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea. Each year, supplies are sealifted to the U.S. government’s sealing stations on barren St. George and St. Paul islands. The seal products returned to the States are worth more than the material carried to the Pribilofs. In 1957, the long-sought-after Northwest Passage became a reality. Since the 1500s, man has sought a practical deep-draft water passage across the top of North America. MSTS had to develop such a passage as a possible escape route for MSTS ships, which found an ice blockage across their normal route out of the Arctic. Under the direction of Vice Admiral John M. Will, USN, an MSTS task group in 1957 charted such a route at the top of North America’s mainland, through Bellot Strait and its approaches from the westward through Rae, James Ross and Franklin straits. In nine years, MSTS has succeeded in opening the Arctic to sealift on a previously unheard of scale. Through persistence, patience and sheer daring, MSTS military and civilian crews have “cracked” the Arctic. Throughout the DEW Line area, “impassable” uncharged, ice-choked backwaters have become well-traveled supply routes. Forbidding shore sites barbed with fast ice and honeycombs of rocks have become mass staging areas for successful overthe-beach operations around the clock. In 1958, the entire Arctic area in Northern Alaska and Western Canada was assigned as commercial shipping areas. Each year, thanks to the trail blazed by MSTS, commercial shipping is increasing its role in the Arctic resupply operations. Much of the credit for the success of the Arctic operations can be attributed to the joint cooperation of the military and civilian personnel who combined forces to get the job done. Their skill and courage in overcoming many challenging problems is a tribute to the organizations they represent. This includes the governments of the U.S. and Canada, the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and segments of private industry. The General Nelson M. Walker was first commissioned as the Admiral H.T. Mayo in 1945. The vessel transported troops between Marseilles, France and the U.S. and between Okinawa, Japan and the U.S. In October 1945, the vessel participated in the first of four “Magic Carpet” voyages to Tokyo and Manila carrying replacements for battle-weary veterans whom the vessel was to bring back home. The final voyages were completed in March 1946. It was renamed the General Nelson M. Walker and in 1965 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service. The ship made five cruises from San Francisco to Japan, Okinawa and Vietnam. Following decommissioning and storage, the vessel was transferred to the Maritime Administration in 1970 and laid up in the James River (Va.) berthing area. Just last month, the retired ship left the James River for Brownsville, Texas, where it will be dismantled. Are You Receiving All Your Important Mail? In order to help ensure that each active SIU member and pensioner receives a copy of the Seafarers LOG every month—as well as other important mail such as W-2 forms, pension and health insurance checks and bulletins or notices—a correct home address must be on file with the union. If you have moved recently or feel that you are not getting your union mail, please use the form on this page to update your home address. Your home address is your permanent address, and this is where all official union documents will be mailed (unless otherwise specified). If you are getting more than one copy of the LOG delivered to you, if you have changed your address, or if your name or address is misprinted or incomplete, please fill out the form and send it to: Seafarers International Union Address Correction Dept. 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 or e-mail corrections to kclements@seafarers.org HOME ADDRESS FORM (Please Print) Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone No.: ________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Social Security No.: ________ / ________ / ________ Active SIU Pensioner Book No.: ________________ Other ____________________________________ This will be my permanent address for all official union mailings. This address should remain in the union file unless otherwise changed by me personally. 20 Seafarers LOG 2/05 FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2005 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:13 PM Page 21 SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE Steward Upgrading Courses The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. through August 2005. All programs are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations modules start every week. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward classes start every other week beginning Feb. 7, 2005. Engine Upgrading Courses Start Date Date of Completion FOWT March 28 June 20 May 20 August 11 Marine Electrician April 18 June 13 QMED - Jr. Engineer June 20 September 8 Welding March 21 April 11 May 9 August 22 April 8 April 29 May 27 September 9 Course Deck Upgrading Courses Start Date Course Able Seaman Safety Specialty Courses Date of Completion Start Date Date of Completion March 14 May 16 July 18 March 25 May 27 July 29 Fast Boat Rescue May 2 June 6 May 6 June 10 Government Vessels March 14 April 11 May 23 July 4 August 8 August 22 March 18 April 15 May 27 July 8 August 12 August 26 Course March 7 April 18 May 30 July 11 August 22 April 1 May 13 June 24 August 5 September 16 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids* (ARPA) (*must have radar unlimited) April 18 June 20 August 22 April 22 June 24 August 26 Bridge Resource Management (Unlimited) May 9 May 13 Celestial Navigation March 14 May 16 July 18 April 8 June 10 August 11 Medical Care Provider March 28 May 30 August 1 April 1 June 3 August 5 April 25 June 27 August 29 May 6 July 8 September 9 Tankerman Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL)* April 4 June 6 August 1 April 15 June 17 August 11 April 4 May 16 June 27 August 8 April 15 May 27 July 8 August 19 June 27 July 1 Radar April 4 June 6 August 8 April 13 June 15 August 17 Radar Renewal (1 day): April 25, June 27, August 29 GMDSS (Simulator) Advanced Fire Fighting* (*must have basic fire fighting) (*must have basic fire fighting) Lifeboatman/Water Survival Tankerman (PIC) Barge* (*must have basic fire fighting) Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED Junior Engineer, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Telephone _________________________ Date of Birth ______________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty (120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All OL, AB, JE and Tanker Assistant (DL) applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $140 with their application. The payment should be made with a money order only, payable to LMSS. COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Seniority _____________________________ Department _____________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ U.S. Citizen: ____________________________ _______________ _______________ 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 # _________________________ Yes No Home Port _____________________________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _____________________________________ LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: ___________ _____________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? Yes No If yes, class # __________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? Yes No If yes, course(s) taken ___________________________________________________ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? Yes No Firefighting: Yes No CPR: Yes No Primary language spoken ________________________________________________ February 2005 SIGNATURE __________________________________ DATE ________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/05 Seafarers LOG 21 �Pg2,22,23.qxd 1/28/2005 6:22 PM Page 22 Paul Hall Center Classes Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 657 — Graduating from the water survival class are unlicensed apprentices from class 657 (in alphabetical order) Fausto Aranda, Vincel Banks, Steven Cedres, Clifford Cronan, Wanda Davis, Aaron Dixon, Kenneth Fecher, Jeffery Griffin, Alexander Hill, Jason Jacobs, Edward Johnson, Timothy Littles, Ashley Lund, Michael Moerbeek, Billie Jo Munoz, Roy Nathan, Robert Noble, Garfield Persley Jr., Adam Ramey, Michael Rodriguez, Benny Samosan, William Sanchez, Scott Spillman, Ronald Westerfield and Ryan White. Able Seaman — Receiving certificates for completion of the AB class ending Dec. 3 are (in alphabetical order) Laurent Abad, Jeremy Abbott, Owen Gallagher, Melvin Gruelle, David Guthrie, Aidan Helt, Christopher Hodder, Forrest Hosier, Gregory Karr, Brian Manion, John Niday, Christopher Paul, Arthur Reeder, Arthur Rogers, Ramiro Rubio, Gregory Scott, Hector Serrano, Douglas Shores and Ben Skuban. Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations — Completing this course Nov. 12 are (in alphabetical order) Seafarer Juan Bell and unlicensed apprentices Ernesto Girau, Joshua Lampke, Jeremy Martinez, Robert Oliveto, David Quade, Jamal Ricks, Steben Torres and Jervona Vorise. Their instructor, John Cronan, is at far left. Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations — Completing the basic auxiliary plant operations course Dec. 12 are (in alphabetical order) upgraders Manuel Lata and Ryan Neathery and Phase III unlicensed apprentices Robin Bourgeois, Anthony Clark, Christopher Eide, Clark Howard, Richard Murray, Maurice Perry and Adam Soto. Their instructor, John Cronan, is third from left. Bridge Resource Management (BRM) — Graduating from the bridge resource management course Dec. 3 are (in alphabetical order) Jared Blavat, Ian Ferguson, Alexander Fyodorovykh, Donald McGraw, Jerry Sobieraj and Jerome Wong. At far left is Capt. Jack Russell. Their instructor, Brad Wheeler, is third from left. FOWT — Graduates from the FOWT course Dec. 17 include (in alphabetical order) Damien Bautista, Dario Dizon, Kenneth Dyson, David Gulick Jr., Damien James, Peter Jensen, Yuriy Khitrenko, Joshua Kilbourn, Ryan Krom, Roger Nesbeth, Felix Osorio, Bruce Placido, Luis Roebuck, David Simpson, Curtis Tobey, Bruce Zarobell and William Zobel. Their instructor, Eric Malzkuhn, is second from left. Computer Lab Classes Instructor Rick Prucha (standing at far right in both photos) congratulates SIU members for their accomplishments in the computer lab. In the photo at left are (seated, from left) Chris Chikwere and Dan Marcus; standing is Abdulmoghni Said. In the photo at right are (seated, from left) Diane Lee House, William Knorr and David Guthrie; standing are Art Rogers, Mel Orville and Forrest Hoster. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2005 �Pg2,22,23.qxd 1/28/2005 6:22 PM Page 23 Paul Hall Center Classes Junior Engineer — Galley Ops — Working their way up in the galley department are (from the left) Abdul Hamid, Ed White (instructor), Frances Dvoroznak, Mario Rochez and Arlene Ringler (instructor). Seafarers completing the junior engineer course Dec. 17 are (in alphabetical order) Christopher Bounds, Joie Flesner, Jeffrey McIntosh, Nicholas Murgolo, Ashley Nelson, Jason Powell, Marco Rodriquez, Joseph Sam, Christopher Schneider, Demetrius Simmons, Randy Slue, Charles Sneed and Paul Weil. Their instructor, Jay Henderson, is at far right. Tanker Familiarization Assistant Cargo (DL) — Unlicensed trainees recently completing this course are (in no specific order) Mark Keblis, Ron Whitlow, Perry Schroff, Teresa Ward, Cheryl Lynch, Scott Spilman, Ben Clark, Timothy Bauer, Anthony Bartley, Jerome Prince, James Ruffin, Frank Lewis, Thia Banks, William Wilson, Stephen Morris, Jonathan Ives, Ron Westerfield and Huey Napier. Their instructor, Jim Shaffer, is at far right. STOS — Receiving their STOS certificates of completion Jan. 21 from instructor Stacey Harris (far left) are (in no specific order) Melvin Mitchell, Wlodzimierz Arendt, Russell Sawyer, Ryan Johnson, Martin Rogers, Matthew Flickinger, Allan Coloyan, Matt Musslewhite, Jeremy Williams, Luke Bradley, Robert Hall, Jim Williamson and Steven Reiber. Lifeboatman/Water Survival — With instructor Bernabe Pelingon (standTanker Familiarization Assistant Cargo (DL) — Another class of unlicensed trainees completing this course are Robert Morrison, Timothy Watson, Ali Saif, Tim Cullen, Frank Muellersman, Evan Werner, Brian Saba, Troy Davis, Joshua Smith, Andre Robinson, Samantha Murphy, Hector Ortiz, Ariel Lopez, Javier Ortiz, George Phillips, Kenneth Williams, Stephen Cooper, Tony Fury, Tony Beasley, Tedrick Blackstone and Paul Brown. Their instructor, Herb Walling, stands in the back at left. Specially Trained OS — Receiving their STOS certificates of completion Dec. 10 are (in alphabetical order) upgraders Marco Figueroa, Ronald Ramos and Abdulmoghni Said and Phase III unlicensed apprentices Michael Broadway, John Frey, William Hunt, Cleveland Lewis, Sean Mitchell, James Nickerson, Norman Rodriguez, Derek Rye, Martin Simmons and Nigel Williams. February 2005 ing second from right) are Jan. 21 graduates of the lifeboatman/water survival course. In alphabetical order of Kyle Bloom, David Desrosiers, Dana Fischer, Felix Garcia, Brian Gauntt, Carlos Gay, Richard Otto, Jonas Robinson, Saul Suarez, Dana Thomas and Rick Worthington. Training in Hawaii Crowd Management Training Class #1 — Many of the students completing this class also were in Class #1 of basic safety training. Above are (in no particular order) Tanya Lowe, Carlos Saflor, Arvilee Branch, William Kupa, Julie Fancois, Robyn Moors, Sherell Reis, Jonathan Williams, Dana Berney, Jacqueline Ortez, Kahainuk Lahens, Peter Winkley and Bobby Joe Harris. Seafarers LOG 23 �Pg4,6_9,11_14,18,20,21,24.qxd 1/24/2005 8:37 PM Page 24 February 2005 Volume 67, Number 2 O f T The U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP) fleet continued its recent upgrade late last year as SIU members crewed up two newly reflagged containerships for Waterman Steamship Corp.: the P&O Nedlloyd Veracruz and the P&O Nedlloyd Buenos Aires (pictured at right in Houston). S — p A S T T f 1 a 1 1 — 1 S Recertified Steward Donna DeCesare Chief Pumpman Kenneth Spivey These photos were taken aboard the Puget Sound in October of last year when the ship—which formerly was part of the ATC fleet and was turned over to OSG—recrewed in the port of Orange, Texas. AB Harvey Ramos The captain and crew of the newly reflagged P&O Nedlloyd Buenos Aires pose for a group picture before sailing from the port of Houston. Chief Cook Cesar Avila and SA Faustino Castillo have no trouble finding their way around the galley of the Waterman containership. John Zepeda is the recertified bosun aboard the Puget Sound. Many Seafarers and family members volunteered to help serve the meal. SIU members, along with their families and guests, were treated to Thanksgiving dinner at the Houston hall Nov. 24, 2004. Twelve turkeys as well as ham and the traditional holiday trimmings were prepared by Seafarers to serve the nearly 150 attendees. The line was long—but it went quickly and was well worth the wait. Left: Retiree Ralph Moore helps with the preparations. Right: This is just one of the serving tables laden with delicious holiday fare. Patrolman Kevin Marchand (left) and Seafarer Randy Stevens carve the turkeys. Right: Included among those who joined in on the holiday feast are (from left) Joe Clark, Saundra Leonard, Francisco King, a guest and Richard Henry. When the Liberty Eagle held a recent payoff in the port of Houston, some of the crew posed for a group shot. They are Chief Cook Marcial Avila, GUDE Valerio Manaiza, Patrolman Michael Russo, GUDE Leonel Montes, QMED Stephen Treece, Steward/Baker Pablo Alvarez and departing Chief Cook Johnny Palencia. AB Thomas Corrales enjoys the dinner with his family. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2005 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES UNION DONATES FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF VACATIONING SEAFARER LENDS HAND IN PHUKET SIU GAINS 13 VESSELS NEW MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM FEATURES 60 SHIPS SEAFARERS APPROVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS PAUL HALL CENTER’S EGLINTON NAMED TO NATIONAL MARITIME SECURITY COMMITTEE NAVY LEAGUE PRESIDENT PRAISES READY RESERVCE FORCE MEBA, MM&P ANNOUNCE ELECTION RESULTS NATIONAL DIRECTIVE ADDRESSES PORT SECURITY ‘BELATED THANK YOU’ LEGISLATION REINTRODUCED BY U.S. REP. FILNER SAFE DRILLING IN ANWR STILL A HOT TOPIC IN D.C. SEAFARERS SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ABOARD THE CAPE ISLAND RUNAWAY-FLAG GROUNDING IN ALASKA TRIGGERS FEDERAL INVESTIGATION A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MSTS HAPPENINGS IN HOUSTON Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2005 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 67, No. 2 2005 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/ccc6d76b56acf86c04bde60045feaa83.pdf 1fdfaa14ec652c23860e749b2e2d7de1 PDF Text Text 34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 3:50 AM Page 1 Volume 68, Number 2 February 2006 More New New Ships Ships More On the the Way! Way! On SIU-Contracted Cruise Ship, Tankers And More Under Construction At least five new Seafarers-contracted vessels plus an ATB are scheduled to launch in 2006. They include (clockwise, from upper left) the tanker Alaskan Legend, the military support ship USNS Sacagawea, the first of 10 tankers being built for OSG in Philadelphia, and NCL America’s cruise ship Pride of Hawaii. Page 3. Photo courtesy NASSCO Photo courtesy NASSCO Photo courtesy Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Tug Tragedy Claims 3 Page 4 Tax Tips for Mariners Pages 12-13 �2006-February.qxp 1/28/2006 1:33 PM Page 2 President’s Report Remembering Our Fallen Brothers From time to time we are reminded that shipboard life, for all its appeal and rewards, carries a certain inevitable amount of risk. That’s true in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland divisions, and it’s also the case in other transportation-related industries. Some of the risk simply comes with the territory. It’s the nature of the work, particularly where heavy equipment is involved. That’s one reason why our union always has emphasized shipboard safety and especially the need for each Michael Sacco member to stay up-to-date with the latest safety training. In particular we have gone to great lengths with our affiliated school, the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, to make sure that Seafarers can and do receive the absolute “latest and greatest” courses which help them do their jobs safely and effectively. In the merchant marine, we also constantly face the threat of an uncontrollable and often seemingly unpredictable companion in Mother Nature. There may be times when severe weather is a flat overwhelming foe, no matter how many precautions are taken. That appears to have been the case in the fatal sinking of the SIU-crewed tug Valour last month off the coast of North Carolina. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident, but even before all the details are reported, it’s apparent that extremely rough seas played a big part in the sinking. There are no words that can compensate for the three lives that were lost—those of SIU member Ron Emory, Chief Engineer Richard Smoot and Chief Mate Fred Brenner, who began his career with our union many years ago. But I would say to their families and friends and shipmates that everyone in the SIU genuinely feels the loss. We’re a closely knit organization—a community of Seafarers—and I think that to some extent we all share in each other’s experiences. When one of our crews helps earn a safety award or some other positive recognition, we have every reason to feel good about it throughout the entire SIU. When one of our brothers or sisters suffers a tragic loss, we all share in the pain. No matter what facts emerge in the final report on the Valour, the incident itself is a grim reminder that safety training and documentation are about far more than just fulfilling obligations on some checklist. Some accidents truly are unavoidable and blameless. But we owe it to every Seafarer and their families to continue fully preparing our membership to face the challenges in all three shipboard departments and in every division. We most certainly will continue fulfilling that mission—working with our affiliated school, with our contracted companies, with the appropriate government agencies and international maritime bodies and with anyone and everyone else who gives us a better chance to help ensure the safe return of every SIU member. On behalf of our officials and members, I extend the SIU’s deepest sympathies to the families and shipmates of the Valour victims. New Ships on the Way There is no completely comfortable way to go from such a serious subject to looking at the year that lies ahead, but we of course must continue and move forward. And on that note, I believe we have plenty to look forward to in 2006. For example, on our cover and on page 3 you can read about some of the new SIU-contracted ships that are due to begin sailing this year. Those vessels represent the continued job security of Seafarers and continued success in our efforts to help revitalize the U.S.-flag fleet. As usual, we won’t let up in those efforts. Volume 68, Number 2 Navy League President Urges Policy for Stronger U.S. Fleet The national president of the Navy League of the United States recently called for presidential action to further strengthen the U.S. Merchant Marine and stated that a vibrant U.S.-flag fleet is vital to America. Writing in the Navy League’s latest annual Seapower Almanac, John A. Panneton, a decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, said that a “strong U.S.-flag Merchant Marine is essential to support the defense of our nation and our economic security in the 21st century.” Speaking of all U.S. sea services, Panneton likened current conditions to the pre-Katrina days in New Orleans. “The primary lesson arising from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and other recent disasters is that we must not wait until tragedy strikes to refurbish and maintain the nation’s critical infrastructures,” he observed, adding that the federal government must avoid similar pitfalls when it comes to maintaining sufficient U.S. tonnage. Panneton continued, “During a conflict, 95 percent of the equipment and supplies required to deploy the U.S. armed forces overseas are delivered by ship. U.S.-flag commercial and government-owned vessels, manned by U.S. citizen mariners, played an indispensable role in providing strategic sealift for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in the continuing Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sea Power 21, the Navy’s strategic vision of the future, underscores the need for a robust logistics force and commercial sealift capability to support and sustain Special Operations Forces, maritime coalition forces and additional expeditionary strike groups. A variety of commercial maritime vessels, in-stream cargo handling systems and high-speed connector vessels also will be needed.” Underscoring the organization’s belief in U.S. mariners, Panneton wrote, “Our call for White House intervention to bolster the Merchant Marine is a central element of the Navy League’s Maritime Policy for 2006-07. The underlying purpose of our policy is to establish the basis for Navy League support of the sea services’ mission success. The Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine are beset by rising expectations of performance and diminishing resources. Personnel and equipment are being driven to extremes as the sea services continue to prosecute the global war on terrorism in the Middle East and Southeast Asia while vastly increasing their humanitarian operations around the globe, from tsunami relief in Southeast Asia to hurricane relief on the U.S. Gulf Coast and earthquake relief in Pakistan. John Panneton, president of the Navy League of the United States, notes that U.S. mariners have “played an indispensable role” supporting our troops. “Accordingly, the Navy League Maritime Policy for 200607 concludes that the sea services are stretched to the point where they can no longer do more with less. The nation must provide the funding for the reconstitution and modernization of its forces, and avoid the specter of failure that lies on our horizon.” He concluded, “Providing for the future is not easy or cheap, but it is essential. Each day, the people of our nation ask sailors, Marines, Coast Guard personnel and merchant mariners to go into harm’s way to protect their interests. We are obliged to hold ourselves accountable, and provide them with the resources to survive and prevail.” SIU of Canada Protects Jobs Company Tried to Use Cyprus-Flag Tonnage The SIU of Canada, an affiliate of the Seafarers International Union of North America, started the New Year by protecting members’ jobs when a company attempted to use Cyprus-flag tonnage in the Canadian domestic trades. SIU of Canada President Roman Gralewicz confirmed a report in the newspaper Trade Winds indicating that bulk shipper Canada Salt Co. had applied to the Canadian Transport Agency (CTA) for work involving cargo shipments from the Magdalen Islands to ports along the St. Lawrence River. However, Canada Salt wanted to give the work to the Greek company Navarone SA, which apparently would have utilized its Cyprus-flag vessels Mandarin and Pintail. “The SIU objected on the basis that SIU-contracted vessels would be available,” SIU of Canada Executive Vice President Michel Desjardins noted. “We also objected to any issuance of temporary work visas, as Canadian seafarers were available to do the work, in accordance with our immigration laws. We were helpful in safeguarding approximately four weeks’ work for our members.” The SIU of Canada had allies in this fight: Domestic owners Canada Steamship Lines, Transport Desgagnes Inc. and Seaway Marine Transport also protested the application. All three of those companies have contracts with the SIU of Canada. Canada’s cabotage rules stipulate that foreign-flag vessels may be used in the domestic trades only if no appropriate Canadian-flag tonnage is available. According to Trade Winds, when the CTA denied Canadian Salt’s application, “The authorities explained that the burden of proof was on the shipper to ‘prove that the vessel capacity offered by Canadian vessel operators, that have previously always met its transportation needs, is insufficient.’” Port Council Honors McLaughlin, Johnston, Bishop February 2006 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 8990675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2006 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG The Maritime Port Council of Greater New York and Vicinity presented its annual awards Oct. 15, 2005 in New York City. Pictured at the ceremony are (from left) Brian McLaughlin, president of the 1.5 million member New York City Labor Council and recipient of the port council’s Paul Hall Labor Man of the Year Award; SIU and AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department President Michael Sacco; U.S. Rep. Timothy Bishop (D-N.Y.), the port council’s Government Man of the Year; SIU VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi, who also serves as president of the port council; Captain Robert E. Johnston, senior VP at Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) and recipient of the council’s Herb Brand Memorial Man of the Year Award; Port Council Secretary-Treasurer Peter Busaca; and MTD Executive SecretaryTreasurer Frank Pecquex. February 2006 �2006-February.qxp 1/28/2006 1:33 PM Page 3 More New Ships Due this Year When it comes to new SIUcontracted vessels, Seafarers should have plenty to look forward to this year. Based on the latest projections from the respective shipyards, at least five new Seafarers-contracted vessels plus an ATB are scheduled to launch in 2006. Those ships include NCL America’s cruise ship Pride of Hawaii, slated for a mid-April debut; Crowley’s ATB Pacific Reliance, scheduled for late March; the Matson containership Maunalei, due in June; BP Oil Shipping Company USA’s fourth Alaskaclass tanker, the Alaskan Legend, set to debut mid-year; the second ship in the Lewis and Clark class, the USNS Sacagawea; and the first of 10 tankers to be built at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard for Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG). Delivery dates haven’t been specified for the latter two vessels but both are expected sometime this year. “This type of great news should never be taken for granted,” said SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez. “So many things play a role in the SIU’s success—political action, doing an outstanding job aboard ship and staying on top of the latest training techniques and requirements. As always, we won’t rest on our laurels.” The 920-foot Pride of Hawaii undoubtedly will garner the most headlines in the commercial media. It is the third ship in NCL America’s fleet and is undergoing finishing touches in a German shipyard. The Pride of Hawaii will have a passenger capacity greater than 2,100 and will be capable of a top speed of 25 knots. It will join the Seafarers-crewed Pride of Aloha and Pride of America on Hawaiian Island itineraries (see related story, page 24). Crowley’s Pacific Reliance and accompanying barge 650-1 are being built at Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Miss. The tug will have 10,000 h.p. while the 580foot barge will have a capacity of 185,000 barrels. The unit will have 14 cargo tanks, two more than the earlier generation of ATBs. Each of those tanks will have its own electronically driven cargo pump. Members of the union’s Government Services Division will crew up the 689-foot USNS Sacagawea, part of a new class of combat logistics force vessels. The new T-AKE ships are dry cargo/ammunition vessels designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing underway replenishment services. The first such ship, the USNS Lewis and Clark, began sailing last year. The Alaskan Legend will join three double-hulled sister ships in its class operated by Alaska Tanker Company. The other ships are the Alaskan Explorer, Alaskan Frontier and Alaskan Navigator. Each is 941 feet long; they have a combined capacity of 1.3 million barrels of crude oil. The vessels already in operation have been delivering cargo from Alaska to BP’s refineries in Los Angeles and Cherry Point, Wash. OSG’s first new tanker, unnamed for now, will be 600 feet long and capable of carrying 330,000 barrels of petroleum products. Construction also has begun on the second ship in the Veteran class; it is due to launch in 2007. Matson’s Maunalei is its fourth containership being built at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. It is approximately 700 feet long and will join sister ships Manulani, Maunawili and Manukai along with the R.J. Pfeiffer in what the company describes as an integrated weekly West Coast-HawaiiGuam-China service. Photo courtesy Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Above: In the foreground is the first of 10 tankers being built for SIU-contracted OSG at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard; right behind it is the final in a series of four Seafarerscontracted Matson ships under construction. Left: The fourth Alaskaclass tanker, the Alaskan Legend, will transport cargo from Alaska to the West Coast. Photo courtesy NASSCO Additional North Slope Acreage Opened for Safe Oil Exploration Photo courtesy NASSCO The USNS Sacagawea is the second in the new T-AKE class, being built at San Diego’s NASSCO shipyard. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard has begun production on the second of 10 vessels in the product tanker program announced last spring. President to Nominate Sanborn for MarAd Post The White House last month announced that president Bush “intends to nominate David C. Sanborn, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration of the Department of Transportation. Mr. Sanborn currently serves as Director of Operations for Europe and Latin America at DP World. Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President for North America Service Delivery at CMACGM (America) LLC. Mr. Sanborn also served as Vice President for Network-Operations for American President Lines, Pte. Ltd. Earlier in his career, he served as Director for Operations for Sea-Land Service, Inc. Mr. Sanborn is a retired Lieutenant Junior Grade for the United States Naval Reserve. He received his bachelor’s degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.” February 2006 The U.S. Department of Interior may well have paved the way for future oil exploration in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), and potentially more SIU jobs, as a result of its Jan. 11 approval to open thousands of acres on Alaska’s North Slope for oil exploration. According to several sources, including Reuters, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, the Interior Department gave its okay for oil and gas exploration in the Teshekpuk Lake Region, an area that previously was considered off-limits because of concerns about the impact on wildlife. The department’s action came just weeks after Congress blocked legislation that would have permitted energy development in the nearby ANWR. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed opening the area—used by migrating caribou and birds and situated west of the 19.9 million acre wildlife refuge on Alaska’s North Slope—one year ago, but it was not until Jan. 11 that Deputy Assistant Secretary Chad Calvert approved a modified version of the original arrangement. The area and adjacent land is not part of a wildlife refuge and does not require Congressional approval for oil development. The latest plan will open up more than 500,000 acres in and around Teshekpuk Lake on Alaska’s oil rich North Slope. Government officials said the area has significant potential for oil development and estimate it contains about 2 billion barrels of oil that economically is recoverable, along with 3.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The area—especially portions near Teshekpuk Lake—has been a focal point of concern among environmentalists for some time. They say oil operations would disrupt an area where thousands of geese molt. Caribou and tundra swans also would be harmed, they predicted. BLM officials acknowledged that the area is important for wildlife and subsistence hunting, and said their plan was very meticulous in requiring environmental protection and mitigation. They also pointed out that technological advances in oil drilling allow drilling to occur safely, without the impact previously feared. No surface drilling will be allowed on 242,000 acres considered vital for molting geese, or on another 244,000 acres used by caribou. Slant drilling will be allowed under those surfaces from adjoining land. Pipelines must be seven feet high, at least initially, to allow caribou and hunters to pass beneath. Finally, a maximum of 2,100 acres total in seven different zones can be permanently disturbed on the surface, and a three-year study will be conducted of molting geese, BLM officials said. The leasing of lands could begin as early as September, following reviews by Alaskan coastal and regional planning agencies, but drilling on the lake will be deferred for 10 years. “We have done a very good job balancing the subsistence resources while allowing some areas to be opened to oil and gas drilling,” said Susan Childs, energy and mineral planning coordinator for the BLM’s Alaska office, which will oversee implementation of the plan. BLM Alaska Spokeswoman Jody Weil echoed Childs’ comment, noting “Our mission is to provide for multiple uses. A part of our mission is to protect wildlife, but also part of our mission is to allow for the development of resources. Our job is to find that balance on oil and gas mining.” Actual oil drilling in the area could start as soon as the winter of 2007-08 by some estimates. And with the ANWR closed to exploration, the oil industry likely will be attracted and keenly interested in this new opportunity. “We believe there will be a lot of interest,” said Henri Bisson BLM director of Alaska. “It’s the most significant prospect on the North Slope, absent ANWR.” Seafarers LOG 3 �34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 3:51 AM Page 4 SIU-Crewed Cape Trinity Recognized For Active Role in Enduring Freedom The SIU-crewed Cape Trinity late last year was recognized for its performance during Operation Enduring Freedom. As was reported earlier in the Seafarers LOG, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) in December awarded its Professional Ship Award to the Cape Trinity crew for services in the war on terror. Specifically, the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) vessel’s crew and officers were cited for voluntarily serving on the high seas for 341 continuous days. During this period, they repeatedly transported assorted provisions to American military personnel in the Middle East and returned home. A formal awards ceremony to commemorate the service of the crew and officers on Nov. 29, 2005 took place at Brady’s Landing in Houston. SIU Asst. Vice President Southern Region Jim McGee represented the Seafarers during the event. On behalf of SIU President Michael Sacco and the union as a whole, McGee congratulated crew members on their accomplishment. He also thanked them for their hard work and the professional fashion in which they collectively represented the union throughout the time for which they were recognized. SIU members aboard the vessel during the period for which accolades were bestowed included Bosun Charles Jackson, ABs Frank Thompson, Robert Taylor, Vincent Lao, Richard Molina-Blackman and Dan Carman; Electrician Carlos Perez; GVAs Timoteo Nunez, Abdo Ahmed and Ali Hussein; Oilers Zaid Shaif, Filiberto Moreira and Rodolfo Menchaca; Chief Cook Amilcar Bermudez, Assistant Cook Jamie Cayonte and SAs Ramon Hernandez and Rolando Batiz. In addition to McGee, several other officials from the maritime industry attended the event. Deepak Varshney, acting director, Central Region, MarAd, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Also in attendance were Erny Otterspoor, president, Mormac Marine, Inc., and other officials from MarAd. MarAd’s Professional Ship Award is given to non-military ships that achieve the highest degree of safety, readiness, performance, efficiency, reliability and productivity, according to the agency. The crew and officers of the Cape Trinity also received the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal, given to mariners who serve in war zones. Ready Reserve Force ships, crewed by U.S. Merchant Mariners, have carried much of the supplies to and from the Middle East since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Cape Trinity, in its 341 days of activation, carried 19,603 metric tons of cargo between various ports including Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, Shauiba and Ash Shuaybah in Kuwait, and Messaieed in Qatar. Ports in Europe included Bremerhaven, Szczecin and Antwerp. U.S. load ports included Charleston and Corpus Christi. The Cape Trinity originally was constructed in Germany’s HDW shipyard in 1977 for commercial roll-on/roll-off service. In 1994, it was converted to the U.S. flag and became part of the RRF. Tug Sinking Claims Lives of 3 Mariners Tragedy struck during the pre-dawn hours of Jan. 18, as a Seafarer and two officers from the Maritrans tugboat Valour lost their lives when the boat sank in high seas and gale-force winds off the coast of Cape Fear, N.C. Six other men aboard the Valour survived the ordeal. Three are SIU members and three are members of the American Maritime Officers. Longtime SIU member Ron Emory, age 56, sailing as an AB/tankerman, died in the acci- Contract Briefs The following items were reported at the January membership meetings: Sagamore Shipping – Ascension and Sagamore In accordance with their agreement, members of the unlicensed crew aboard the Ascension and Sagamore will receive a 3 percent increase to all wage-related items effective Jan. 1, 2006. Osprey Ship Management, Inc. – American Tern Last month (December 2005) with the re-award of the Military Sealift Command contract for the operation of an ice-strengthened vessel to Osprey Ship Management, Inc., the American Tern moved onto the new contract. The new agreement will include a 3 percent increase to all wage-related items along with a vacation benefit of 15 for 30 and 5 percent into the Seafarers Money Purchase Plan Benefit. Members also will continue to receive health benefits in accordance with the Core Plus Plan level. 2006. All fringe benefits remain unchanged. Also effective Jan. 1, 2006 unlicensed personnel employed aboard the E-Ships-operated Endurance, Endeavor and Enterprise received a 3.5 percent increase to wages and wage-related items. This contract is due to expire June 15, 2006. Interocean American Shipping Corp. – Car Carriers Interocean American Shipping Corp. (IAM) has extended their agreements covering unlicensed personnel aboard company-operated car carrier vessels to expire June 15, 2006 to coincide with the expiration of the Standard Freightship Agreement. With the extension of the agreement, there was also a 3 percent increase negotiated for wages and wagerelated items. The vessels included are the F reedom, Independence, Courage, Honor, Integrity, CF Liberty, CP Patriot and CR Resolve. Fringe benefit levels will remain the same through the duration of the agreement. Central Gulf Lines – Energy Enterprise Effective retroactively to July 1, 2005, there will be a 3 percent increase to wages and wage-related items for unlicensed personnel employed aboard the SS Energy Enterprise. The existing agreement has been extended to expire June 15, 2006. Maersk Line, Ltd. – Page and Carter SIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) announced that it has been awarded a one-year agreement to charter two vessels under the U.S. Military Sealift Command’s prepositioning program. The contract covers sister ships, the Seafarers-crewed military support carriers Lt. Col. John U.D. Page and Sgt. Edward A. Carter, Jr. The company noted that the agreement follows MLL’s “successful completion of an existing fiveyear contract and has options that could extend the performance period to a total of 59 months.” Company officials acknowledged the good work of Seafarers aboard those ships during the past five years. Waterman Steamship Corp. – Buenos Aires, Vera Cruz Effective January 1, 2006, the P&O Ned Lloyd Buenos Aires and the P&O Ned Lloyd Vera Cruz received a 3 percent increase in wages and wagerelated items. The agreement has also been extended to expire June 15, 2006. E-Ships – Argonaut, Endurance, Endeavor and Enterprise Effective Jan. 1, 2006, unlicensed personnel employed aboard the E-Ships-operated vessel the SS Argonaut received a 4.5 percent increase in wages and wage-related items. Additionally, the contract for this vessel has been extended to expire Dec. 31, Marine Personnel and Provisioning, Inc. – Motivator Effective Jan. 1, 2006, unlicensed personnel employed aboard the Americana-Class vessel Motivator received a 3 percent increase in wages and wage-related items. The agreement has been extended to expire June 15, 2006. 4 Seafarers LOG Seafarers recently were honored for their service aboard the Cape Trinity in Operation Enduring Freedom. Some of those SIU members are pictured at a MarAd awards ceremony last November in Houston, joined by SIU Asst. VP Southern Region Jim McGee (seated at far left). dent along with Chief Mate Fred Brenner, 53, and Chief Engineer Richard Smoot, 50. Brenner sailed with the SIU from 19711985. The survivors are AB/Tankerman Earl Shepard, AB/Tankerman James Hamilton, Cook Jay Templett, Captain Michael Lynch, Second Mate Jim Garnett and Assistant Engineer Lou Gatto. “On behalf of everyone in the SIU, I extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and to the surviving shipmates,” stated SIU President Michael Sacco. “Words always seem inadequate at times like this, but we are all part of the ‘Brotherhood of the Sea,’ and we all share in this terrible loss.” “We are deeply saddened by this incident and the related loss of life. Our primary concern is with the crew and their families,” said Jonathan Whitworth, president of Maritrans Operating Company L.P. According to company and newspaper reports, the 135-foot Valour was towing the Maritrans tank barge M-192 (carrying 135,000 barrels of No. 6 oil, a thick oil used as fuel) when the tug began taking on water in heavy seas late in the evening of Jan. 17. The tug separated from the barge and sank at approximately 2:30 a.m. Before the tug went down, Shepard was washed overboard while trying to secure an emergency door. His fellow mariners attempted to rescue him but were thwarted by the heavy seas. Shepard eventually was saved by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Another seagoing tug, the Justine Foss, reportedly was in the area after completing a longdistance assignment and answered a Coast Guard call for assistance as the Valour was sinking. The Justine Foss arrived in time to pick up the remaining survivors as the Valour went down. Emory, wearing a survival suit, was lost at sea. According to unconfirmed reports, he likely was injured before the boat sank, possibly fatally. The Coast Guard dispatched a search team but later called off the search on Jan. 19. Similarly, and also according to unconfirmed reports, one of the officers was badly injured and may already have perished before going down with the Valour. Maritrans reported that the Coast Guard later in the day helped secure its drifting fuel barge and arranged for its tow to Wilmington, N.C. The barge apparently was undamaged and lost no cargo. The Coast Guard is investigating the sinking. As this edition of the Seafarers LOG went to press, there had been no official report indicating whether the sinking strictly was due to the severe weather or if other factors contributed. Shepard, who has sailed with the SIU for more than 30 years, was understandably distraught following the accident but quietly described Emory as “a great guy. I worked with him for 28 years. He was retired from the Navy—a great seaman and a loving family man…. The whole thing seems like a bad dream. It happened so fast.” MSC Buys 3 SIU-Contracted Ships The U.S. Military Sealift Command last month announced that it has purchased three Seafarers-contracted prepositioning vessels: the PFC Dewayne T. Williams, 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez and 1st Lt. Jack Lummus. SIU-contracted American Overseas Marine Corp. (AMSEA) will continue operating the vessels. In a news release, the agency reported a purchase date of Jan. 17 and indicated that the vessels “had previously been under long-term charter to the command from Braintree II, III and IV Maritime Corps. of Quincy, Mass…. The options to purchase these ships were part of the original contracts, which were delivered to MSC in 1985 and 1986.” MSC further stated that AMSEA will remain as the vessels’ operator. The Williams is prepositioned in the Mediterranean; the Lopez in the Indian Ocean; and the Lummus in the western Pacific. They carry U.S. Marine Corps cargo. February 2006 �2006-February.qxp 1/28/2006 1:34 PM Page 5 Report Underlines U.S. Health Care Woes Costs Consume 16 Percent of Nation’s Economic Output A government report released Jan. 10 brought to center stage what consumers and many companies have known for a long time: Health-care costs have soared out of control—they now consume 16 percent of the nation’s economic output. Issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Office of the Actuary, the report conceded that this level represented the highest amount ever recorded. It further stated that the nation’s health-care bill also continued to grow at a significantly greater rate than inflation and wages, increasing by almost 8 percent in 2004. Spending for physicians and hospitals shot up considerably faster than in recent years, while drug costs grew at a slower rate than over the past decade. Even as health care costs continue to escalate, however, many Americans— especially minorities and the poor—don’t get high-quality care, according to two other federal reports released the same day. Health care quality is improving slowly and some racial disparities are narrowing, the reports found, but gaps persist and Hispanics appear to be falling even further behind. “We can do better,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt at a Washington conference on racial and ethnic disparities in health. “Disparities and inequities still exist. Outcomes vary. Treatments are not received equally.” Experts from the political, medical and economic arenas have long warned that health care cost trends gradually will overwhelm the economy, and many companies now complain that employee and retiree health costs are making them less competitive. This latest report without doubt has added fresh fuel to a blaze that already is raging out of control. The overall cost of health care—everything from hospital and doctor bills to the cost of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, insurance and nursing home and home-health care—doubled from 1993 to 2004, said the CMS report. In 2004, the nation spent almost $140 billion more for health care than the year before. In 1997, health care accounted for 13.6 percent of the gross domestic product. “Americans rejected the tougher restrictions of managed care in the late 1990s, and yet they want all the latest advances in medical technology,” said Drew Altman, president of the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation, which researches health issues. “Since government regulation of prices and services is not in the cards, the inevitable result is higher costs.” The health care increase of 7.9 percent in 2004 was almost three times greater than the overall national inflation rate, which was 2.7 percent. The average hourly wage for workers in private companies was essentially unchanged that year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The best news in the report involved spending on pharmaceutical drugs, which of 9 percent over 2003 and an increase in hospital costs of 8.6 percent. The report’s authors said the jumps appeared to be associated with higher Medicare reimbursement rates for some doctors and, anecdotally, to an upswing in the construction of new hospitals. “This is an alarming situation, but it’s more like a creeping infection than a broken bone, and so people get used to it,” said Edward Howard, executive vice president of the Alliance for Health Reform, a non-profit education group chaired by The rise in health care costs “is an alarming situation, but it’s more like a creeping infection than a broken bone, and so people get used to it. Frankly, I don’t see major change until people who have some sort of organized political influence start hurting a little more.” —Edward Howard, VP Alliance for Health Reform increased by less than 10 percent for the first time in more than a decade. Cynthia Smith of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, lead author of the health spending report, attributed the slower increase in drug spending to greater use of generic drugs and mail order pharmacies, a slowdown in the introduction of costly new medications, and the impact of higher drug co-pays. Mark Merritt, president of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents drug benefit managers, said the trend was also a result of their “work over the past decade to change the way consumers, clinicians, and purchasers think about prescription drugs.” While the fast rise in drug spending in the past decade attracted great attention from officials and health policy experts, it remains a relatively small part of the health care bill—about 10 percent. Defenders of increased drug spending have often argued that those added costs would keep people healthier and reduce the amount spent on hospitals and doctors. The 2004 statistics told a different story, however, with an increase in doctor costs Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), and Bill Frist, (R-Tenn.).“Frankly, I don’t see major change until people who have some sort of organized political influence start hurting a little more.” In a related development, working families, their unions and community allies are joining with the AFL-CIO in launching a major health care campaign to ensure the largest corporations, such as Wal-Mart, stop shifting health care insurance costs onto workers, taxpayers and other businesses. As part of the AFL-CIO “Fair Share Health Care” campaign, activists will work with legislators in 31 states to win legislation to require companies to pay their fair share for health care. Fair Share Health Care legislation will reduce the bill taxpayers pay to cover profitable employer’s expenses, ease the financial strain states face in growing Medicaid costs and help level the playing field between companies that provide good jobs and benefits and those that don’t. “I’m pleased to launch the AFL-CIO’s breakthrough Fair Share Health Care campaign,” said AFL-CIO President John Report Reveals Problems Aplenty On Doomed Runaway-Flag Ship USCG Concludes Capt. Violated Safety Practices The U.S. Coast Guard has concluded that the captain of the runaway-flag chemical tanker Bow Mariner—which during the early evening hours of Feb. 28, 2004 exploded and sank off the Virginia Coast—violated safety practices by ordering crew members to open empty cargo tanks for cleaning. Nearly two years after the 570-foot vessel exploded and claimed the lives of 21 crew members, the Coast Guard on Jan. 3 released its final incident report on the catastrophe. Investigators blamed gross negligence on the part of the vessel’s captain for the massive loss of life and said that opening the tanks’ hatches caused highly flammable vapors to escape onto February 2006 the deck, where the crew of the Bow Mariner was working. A spark ignited the mixture of air and vapors from a gasoline additive, the investigators said. The investigation also found that Greek Capt. Efstratios Kavouras abandoned ship without sending a distress call or trying to save his crew, contributing to the high death toll. Investigators blamed the Greek company that managed the ship and the senior officers on board for the disaster. The report said there was a failure to comply with the company’s and ship’s safety, quality and environmental system that likely exposed crew members to toxic vapors. Investigators also noted there was poor communication between the ship’s Greek officers and its Filipino crew. The Singapore-flagged chemical tanker was built in 1982 and was managed by a Greek company, Ceres Hellenic Shipping Enterprises Ltd. Its owners, Odfjell USA, are headquartered in Houston. According to the Virginian Pilot newspaper, the Bow Mariner—which picked up its cargo of methyl tert butyl ether (a flammable liquid used as an additive in unleaded gasoline) in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 24, 2004, and unloaded part of it in New York on Feb. 25, 2004—prior to the catastrophe had been carrying 3.1 million gallons of the ethyl alcohol, along with 192,904 gallons of heavy fuel oil and 48,266 gallons of diesel fuel. While the Sweeney on Jan. 5. “Beginning this month, the AFL-CIO and its unions, together with progressive state legislators and other allies, will be introducing and pushing legislation in more than 30 states to stop large, profitable corporations—like Wal-Mart— from freeloading off their communities and shifting their employees’ health care insurance costs onto workers, taxpayers and smaller businesses. “Health care is a basic need of every family,” he continued. “It’s nothing short of immoral that big, rich companies are shirking their responsibilities to their employees—we’re talking about mothers and fathers who are pushed to tears because they can’t take their children to the doctor. And it’s happening every day.” Forty-six million Americans—most of them in working families—live without health insurance, according to Sweeney. And literally thousands more lose their insurance each day, as good-paying jobs with benefits continue to be destroyed. To make matters worse, the AFL-CIO president said, those companies that do provide insurance are increasingly shifting the cost onto workers and cutting back on the benefits they provide, pushing hundreds of thousands of workers and their children into Medicaid programs all over the country. Between 2001 and 2004, the number of uninsured people in the U.S. rose by a staggering 5 million, with nearly the entire increase accounted for by a decline in employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. Today, more than one-quarter of workers in companies with 500 or more employees do not receive employer-based coverage, according to a study by the Commonwealth Fund. “As a result, around the country, workers, taxpayers and other businesses are forced to pick up a staggering $113 billion when profitable companies refuse to shoulder their employees’ health care costs,” Sweeney said. “Workers who have family coverage are forced to pay more and more each year, and at every bargaining table, those workers lucky enough to have a union are fighting to hold on to their health care coverage. The bottom line is that our health care system is broken—but it didn’t just split open. Big companies like Wal-Mart are pulling it apart and profiting at taxpayers’ expense.” ignition source could not be determined, investigators said it probably came from one of the following: electrostatic discharge, mechanical sparks caused by metal-on-metal contact, faulty electrical equipment, hot soot or particles from the ship’s smoke stack or funnel, or even sparks from changing batteries in a flashlight. Because the tanks had not been washed or mechanically ventilated, the concentration of vapor was well above the “upper explosive limit” for methyl tert butyl ether, the report said. Opening all the cargo tank hatches permitted vapors to escape at deck level, exposing crew members to a greater risk of an explosion from an accidental spark. The ignition produced two major explosions less than two minutes apart that began at 6:06 p.m. Feb. 28, 2004. The blasts resulted in catastrophic structural damage to the vessel and caused immediate flooding that sent crew members who had survived a series of explosions into the icy water. The explosions were heard on shore, more than 50 miles away, and witnesses from a passing tanker that arrived first on the scene described a ring of fire extending for hundreds of yards from the stricken ship. At around 6:30 p.m., the Coast Guard received its first and only distress call from one of the Bow Mariner’s Filipino crewmen and quickly launched a search and rescue mission. The ship sank in one hour and 32 minutes. The flight crew of Coast Guard divers who responded to the scene quickly plucked six survivors out of the sea. They immediately were transported to a makeshift triage center set up at the Ocean City, Md. Municipal Airport and later to area hospitals. Eighteen other crew members on the Bow Mariner weren’t as lucky. Searchers recovered only one other body following the explosion. Three crewmen who were recovered died from expoContinued on page 6 Seafarers LOG 5 �2006-February.qxp 1/28/2006 1:34 PM Page 6 Seafarers Credited by Gen. Schwartz TOTE’s Northern Lights Sailed in OIF for 2 Years The commander of the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) praised the efforts of mariners aboard the SIU-crewed Northern Lights in a letter to Seafarers-contracted Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE). TRANSCOM Commander Gen. Norton A. Schwartz wrote to TOTE Chairman and CEO Robert P. Magee concerning the crew’s excellent performance in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Northern Lights, a roll-on/roll-off vessel that normally operates in the Jones Act trade, supported U.S. troops for more than two years while under charter to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command. General Schwartz cited the “superior support” of the unlicensed and licensed mariners as well as that of the company and its officials. “Early in the Iraq deployment, the Military Sealift Command sought commercial support and your company answered the call,” General Schwartz wrote on Oct. 26, 2005. “Since 18 February 2003, six weeks after the start TRANSCOM Commander Gen. Norton A. Schwartz has been quick to credit the U.S. Merchant Marine for its support of U.S. troops. of the deployment of forces to Iraq, SS Northern Lights was under charter to MSC. She continuously operated in support of U.S. forces since that time, never missing a commitment. No other ship, government-owned or commercial, has operated as long in support of these critical operations. Special Guest aboard Manulani Seafarers recently welcomed U.S. Deputy Maritime Administrator John Jamian (second from right) aboard the Manulani. Jamian said he sailed on the Matson ship for a few days and that the SIU members aboard “took great care of me and fed me very well.” Pictured in the crew mess are (from left) Assistant Cook Ruben Siclot, Chief Steward Stephen Valencia, Jamian and Chief Cook Jose Guzman. Runaway-Flag Ship Captain Violated Safety Practices Continued from page 5 sure and other injuries. Kavouras, 51, whose body was among those missing after the explosion 50 miles east of Chincoteague on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, was one of three Greek officers aboard ship and drew much of the criticism from investigators. However, also contributing to the disaster “was the failure of the operator, Ceres … and senior officers of the Bow Mariner to properly implement the company’s and vessel’s Safety, Quality and Environmental System,” investigators said. For example: Cargo tanks were not fixed in stationary positions or neutralized of their chemical activity as required; procedures for cleaning tanks were not followed; procedures for entering confined spaces were not followed; the failure of one of two required 6 Seafarers LOG blowers used to disburse vapors was not reported; monthly fire drills were not conducted; training was scheduled and recorded in the minutes of a safety committee meeting but not actually held. “Opening of all of the hatches for the empty cargo tanks, as was done on the Bow Mariner, fails to conform to any known customary marine practice,” investigators wrote. “Because the tanks had not been washed or mechanically ventilated, the concentration of vapor was very high and certainly above the upper explosive limit for the MTBE. Opening all of the cargo tank hatches permitted vapors to escape at deck level, where the crew was actively working. This exposed them to toxic vapors and increased the likelihood of an explosion to initiate from an accidental spark.” Investigators also cited significant culture problems between “During the charter period SS Northern Lights made 25 voyages and 49 port calls,” he continued. “She carried 12,220 pieces of military gear totaling 81,000 short tons and covering over 2 million square feet. “Those statistics clearly demonstrate the value that the U.S.-flag shipping industry brings to the Defense Transportation System. At 200,000 square feet of cargo space, this ship has nearly the capacity of the Fast Sealift Ships, has speeds approaching those of the Navy’s Large, Medium Speed RoRo ships, and had a perfect record of reliability. Having this asset enabled us to improve readiness by keeping ships of the Ready Reserve Fleet available for other contingencies as needed. “You and your team of professionals showcased the U.S.-flag industry at its best,” General Schwartz concluded. After one of the vessel’s first deployments in 2003, Recertified Steward Steve Dickson, proving that humor remained even as the Northern Lights endured numerous alerts in Kuwait, noted that the U.S. Marines on board “are well-trained and polite. They have been learning shipboard lingo, such as the floor is called the deck, and the wall is a bulkhead, left is the port side and right is the starboard. They already know the salty language.” As of early January 2006 no fewer than a dozen SIU-crewed ships remained activated in support of U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Seafarers on the Northern Lights fulfilled their duty as part of America’s fourth arm of defense. Notice: Mariner Credentials Extended in Gulf The U.S. Coast Guard on Jan. 17 announced that the agency is extending the expiration dates of credentials held by merchant mariners impacted by the effects of Hurricane Katrina until Feb. 28, 2006. The authority for this temporary relief measure was included in the Coast Guard Hurricane Relief Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-141). Details are contained in the notice published in the Federal Register on Jan. 17, 2006 (available on the internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/f edreg/frcont06.html). This measure applies to certain mariners whose credentials expired on or after March 1, 2005, or will expire before Feb. 28, 2006. The requirements are as follows: „ Credentials are automatically extended for mariners whose home of record is listed as Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana on their merchant mariner credentials. To serve under the authority of their existing credentials, these mariners must carry a copy of the Federal Register notice with their existing credentials. „ Credentials issued by Regional Examination Center New Orleans are automatically extended. To serve under the authority of their existing credentials, these mariners must carry a copy of the Federal Register notice with their existing credentials. „ Other mariners who believe their ability to renew their credentials in a timely manner has been adversely impacted by Hurricane Katrina should contact any Regional Examination Center to establish their eligibility for an extension. If credentials were lost or damaged due to Hurricane Katrina, mariners may apply to any Regional Examination Center to receive a duplicate credential that will bear the same expiration date and information as the lost or damaged one. Mariners whose home of record is Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana may receive a waiver of the fees for issuance of duplicate credentials. All mariners whose credentials are within one year of expiration are encouraged to submit renewal applications as early as possible. Mariners may contact any Regional Examination Center with questions regarding these temporary measures, for a copy of the Federal Register notice, or for any other assistance. The Regional Examination Center locations and phone numbers are: the officers and crew. The Filipinos said they were treated with disrespect by the officers and were constantly threatened with being fired. The report goes on to state that the vessel’s senior officers, all Greek, were abusive to the junior officers and crew, all Filipino. “The survivors clearly feared the Greek officers, and each stated that they would obey any order from them, even if they knew the order to be unsafe,” the investigators said. The chief cook and his assistant said the fear of the Greeks extended to the galley. Reynaldo A. Tagle, 51, a messman, said the officers were verbally abusive and constantly threatened to send him home if he did not work harder or faster. Chief Cook Dominator M. Marentes, 57, likewise feared losing his job, the report said. “While these may have been the usual complaints of the lowest ranking crewmen aboard ship, there can be no question that such fear can lead to a shipboard culture where safety takes a backseat to preserving one’s livelihood,” the report said. “Filipino officers did not take their meals in the officer’s mess, were given almost no responsibility and were closely supervised in every task,” according to the report. The second assistant engineer, identified in the report as Edimar L. Aguilar, 48, working aboard a Ceres ship for the first time, was upset that he was chastised on his first day aboard because he inquired about his management and administrative duties. The attitude toward Filipino officers and crew was not limited to the Bow Mariner, the Coast Guard said. As part of the investigation, Jerry R. Crooks Jr., senior investigator for the Marine Safety Office in Norfolk and the investigating officer for the Bow Mariner, wrote that he visited a sister ship, the Bow Transporter, in Singapore, and observed many of the same attitudes. “The Filipinos were only permitted to speak to the investigating officer and Singapore offi- cials in the presence of the senior officers, leading to obvious nervousness,” Crooks wrote in the report. “Nevertheless, several crew members made statements confirming the same cultural divide existed aboard the Bow Transporter.” The Coast Guard recommended that its report be sent to the governments of Greece, the Philippines and Singapore, as well as to the owners and operators of the ship and international and American shipping interests. The U.S. attorney’s office in Norfolk issued subpoenas to get them to speak before a grand jury, but only after promising immunity from prosecution. The Coast Guard cited Ceres for pollution and has recommended a fine of $11,000, said Crooks, the senior investigator. That case is pending. The Bow Mariner explosion was the worst of four tank ship explosions that occurred worldwide between December 2003 and June 2004, resulting in a total of 27 deaths. Anchorage, Alaska - (907) 271-6736 Baltimore - (410) 962-5132/5147 Boston - (617) 223-3040/41/42 Charleston, S. C. - (843) 720-3250 or (800) 826-1511 Guam - (671) 339-2001 Honolulu - (808) 522-8264 Houston - (713) 948-3350/51 Juneau, Alaska - (907) 463-2458 San Pedro, Calif. - (310) 732-2080 Memphis, Tenn. - (901) 544-3297 or (866) 777-2784 Miami - (305) 536-6548/49/6874 or (800) 982-9374 New Orleans (temporarily operating in Memphis, Tenn.) (901) 544-3941 New York - (212) 668-7492/7864/ 4970/6395 Portland, Ore. - (503) 240-9346 Oakland, Calif. - (510) 637-1124 San Juan, Puerto Rico (787) 729-2376 Seattle - (206) 220-7327 St. Louis - (314) 539-3091 Toledo, Ohio - (419) 418-6010 February 2006 �34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 3:51 AM Page 7 SIU-Crewed Lummus Supports U.S. Troops The SIU-crewed 1st Lt. Jack Lummus is the flag ship for the U.S. Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three. The vessel, home-ported in the Guam/Saipan area of the Western Pacific, is one of MSC’s 17 container and roll-on/roll-off ships and is one of the 36 ships in the prepositioning program. The Lummus and its sister prepositioning vessels are configured to transport supplies for the U.S. Marine Corps. They were built or modified beginning in the mid1980s and are forward-deployed to the western Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Collectively, the ships contain nearly everything the Marines need for initial military operations— from tanks and ammunition to food and water and from fuel to spare parts and engine oil. Following a recent voyage, the vessel tied up in Guam. While the Lummus was in port, SIU Guam Port Agent Jeff Turkus met with crew members, discussed their concerns and conducted a union meeting. The photos which appear on this page were taken while the vessel was docked. Taking in the proceedings during the meeting are, front, left to right, ABM Steve Wilson Jr. and Chief Steward Greg Williams. In the back row are AB Pankiatou Oleg and Chief Cook Gennady Dragunov. Below: ABs Denny Manns, left, and Ray Fanning prepare to power wash the deck of the Lummus. Pumpman Dan Kresconko maintains radio contact during fueling operations. Fleet Support Command Established The U.S. Military Sealift Command reported that a “significant benchmark” in MSC’s transformation was reached Nov. 13, 2005 when Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., was officially established. MSFSC’s mission is to staff, train, equip and maintain MSC government-owned and -operated ships worldwide and to support other MSC assets as directed by MSC’s commander. Some of the functions previously performed by MSC’s area commands are being combined and transferred to MSFSC. The new command will manage the repair and maintenance processes aboard MSC’s 38 government-owned and -operated ships, including the repair and maintenance of all shipboard installed communication systems. Engineering, comptroller and contracting functions will also be executed by MSFSC. In addition, personnel administration aboard government-owned and-operated ships—for both the active duty military and the civilian mariners—is an MSFSC responsibility. MSC’s Afloat Personnel Management Center, located in Virginia Beach, Va., has been realigned under the command of MSFSC and is now the Human Resources and Manpower Directorate for the organization. MSFSC headquarters is expected to be fully staffed with about 500 employees by April 2006. SA Mac Brown prepares to launch an all out cleaning assault in the galley. ing the SIU formed a coalition to ensure that employees would have effective representation as this process continued. The unions through many discussions and legislative efforts have tried to persuade DOD that these changes and regulations would substantially harm employees. The SIU and the licensed maritime unions fought hard to convince DOD that CIVMARS are a unique group of employees and should remain exempt from the NSPS. That exemption was granted for all but “Part I”—the labor relations portion of these regulations. The regulations implementing the program severely limit collective bargaining rights for bargaining unit employees and their representatives. Despite the arguments made by NSPS staffers, the regulations provide very little protection for employees who may come up against disciplinary and other employment issues. Much of the current collective bargaining agreements will be eradicated if the regulations are implemented as DOD expects. Once DOD published the final regulations and indicated their intent to implement this program, the unions had no other choice but to file a lawsuit to try and stop the regulations. A judge was scheduled to hear an oral argument on January 24, 2006. The unions understand that a decision may be made as soon as February 15, 2006. The union will continue to provide information to CIVMARS about the NSPS. In addition, up-tothe-minute information is available on the coalition’s web site at http://www.uniteddodworkerscoalition.org/. NSPS Update Wage Update Throughout 2005, the union kept CIVMARS advised about the Department of Defense’s NSPS (national security personnel system) program. DOD introduced this program in February 2004. It was proposed to substantially change how pay, performance and labor relations issues were carried out throughout all of DOD’s agencies. Approximately 30 federal sector unions includ- Federal law requires that each year the union must provide MSC with private sector maritime wages. To do this, the union gives MSC letters containing the wages and collective bargaining agreements. MSC uses this information and other types of information to develop the wage scales that apply to CIVMARS. Generally CIVMARS receive increases in July. February 2006 Electrician Bruce Callaghan monitors the gauges in the engine room. Steward Assistants Minnie Thomas, left, and Ray Baluyot talk about their latest culinary creations. Cook/Baker Evelyn Tayag, left, and SA Ryan Anderson are busy baking cookies for the next meal. CIVMAR News SIU Guam Port Agent Jeff Turkus, second from right, conducts a meeting with the crew of the 1st Lt. Jack Lummus in Guam. In October 2005, the union provided MSFSC with the wage information for its review and action. The union has been requesting information as to when there will be an announcement regarding 2005-2006 wages. The agency representative recently stated MSFSC had met with the Department of Defense but would not release any information to the union about those discussions. As soon as the union secures an update regarding the status of CIVMAR wages it will disseminate that information. Union Files Health and Safety Grievances The union has filed two health and safety grievances on behalf of SIU East Coast CIVMARS. The first grievance was filed on behalf of CIVMARS sailing on board USNS Spica. The union received a communication advising that the ship had a severe infestation of cockroaches. The infestation was one of the worst that shipboard personnel had encountered. The insects created health hazards in the galley when they were found in the food, cooking and eating utensils. Because it remained untreated, the infestation then spread from the galley to the rest of the vessel. Some shipboard supervisors appeared unconcerned when this issue was raised by several unlicensed CIVMARS. On the same day the union learned of this problem it contacted the APMC and requested an immediate investigation and treatment of the infestation. The union was advised that environmental health personnel had boarded the vessel and done an inspection along with the report. Extermination treatments, the union was told, started immediately. The union is still waiting for a formal response to its grievance. It has an information request pending regarding the report that was produced and other questions about the amount and type of chemicals used to treat the infestation. Thanks to the efforts of the CIVMARS who reported this issue, the union took very quick action to assist in ensuring that this important health and safety issue Chief Cook Gennady Dragunov readies the main course for the lunch meal. is addressed. The CIVMARS who reported this issue to the union made it clear that they did so to protect their own health as well as that of their shipmates, and to prevent illnesses and other health concerns aboard the Spica. If CIVMARS have concerns about a specific health or safety issue aboard a vessel, do not hesitate to contact your union official or send an e-mail to civmarsupport@seafarers.org. The second health and safety grievance was filed on behalf of CIVMARS reporting to the CSU East. MSFSC uses several hotels in the area but selected as the main hotel housing CIVMARS one located at Military Circle. Along with complaints made by East Coast unlicensed CIVMARS, an inspection by SIU Government Services Representative Maurice Cokes revealed that this hotel was in a dangerous neighborhood. Many crimes have been reported in this area and the union learned that someone was robbed at the hotel. Additionally the rooms were dirty and the furniture was in bad shape. Linens were not clean, drug paraphernalia was found in a room and one CIVMAR reported seeing roaches. The union believes that this hotel provides substandard accommodation to CIVMARS. It filed this health and safety grievance and requested a report that had been produced by an environmental protection officer to evaluate the conditions. The union is now waiting for a response to its grievance. It will continue to monitor the conditions at the hotel. While normally there are not many health and safety grievances that come to the union’s attention, monitoring such issues is one of the most important services that the union can provide to its membership. Those efforts will be most successful if CIVMARS take the time to make SIU Government Services Division representatives aware of shipboard and shore-side habitability conditions. Finally, do not be afraid to make such reports. The union in most cases can keep the mariner’s name confidential while notifying the Command of a problem in working towards its resolution. Seafarers LOG 7 �2006-February.qxp 1/28/2006 2:25 PM Page 8 2005 Great Lakes Sailing Season Comes to an End A s most of the lakers began laying up in January for the icy winter months, the Seafarers who ply these vessels on the Great Lakes were able to look back on a good year, noted SIU Algonac Port Agent Todd Brdak. In addition to the busy Lakes season, the union in June welcomed new shipboard jobs when SIUcontracted American Steamship Company added a twelfth vessel—the Burns Harbor—to its fleet. The 1,000-foot self-unloading vessel primarily sails between Duluth, Minn. and Burns Harbor, Ind., carrying steel and steel byproducts. According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, which represents 12 American corporations that operate 54 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes, shipments of coal totaled 42.7 million tons in 2005, an increase of 7 percent compared to the previous year. SIU members crew many of the cargo vessels represented by the Lake Carriers’ Association, carrying the raw materials that help drive the nation’s economy: iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, limestone and cement for the construction industry, and coal for power generation. Furthermore, the lakers sail under the Jones Act, a law which mandates that cargoes carried from one U.S. port to another must be carried on U.S.-flag, U.S.-built and U.S.crewed vessels. The winter lay-up period will allow time for maintaining the vessels—a key factor in the long lifespan and exemplary safety record of the Great Lakes fleet. Sporting the Stars and Stripes on his hardhat is Bosun Charles Neigebauer, working on the deck of the St. Clair in Superior, Wis. Conveyorman Terry Pyrlik inspects the conveyor belt underneath the boom aboard the St. Clair in Superior, Wis. Bill McAndrews is a deckhand aboard a Great Lakes Towing tug in Buffalo, N.Y. First Mate Leo Bonser proudly displays the new soda machine recently installed aboard the dinner cruise vessel Detroit Princess, docked in downtown Detroit, Mich. From the left aboard the tug Sandusky and barge Cleveland Flats are Deckhand Clarence Brazzell, First Mate Leo J. Bonser and SIU Algonac Patrolman Ken Horner. Tim Burke is a recertified bosun, pictured working aboard the Adam E. Cornelius in Detroit, Mich. The American Spirit called on the port of Detroit on Dec. 1. Above: DEU Amin Quraish (left) observes DEU Mousa Ali being lowered in the bosun’s chair to the pier as the St. Clair prepares to dock in Superior, Wis. At right: AB Robert Mason retrieves the chair aboard the vessel. 8 Seafarers LOG Leonel Gutierrez catches up on the latest news in the Seafarers LOG while on the tug Sandusky and barge Cleveland Flats. Gutierrez is a deckhand aboard the vessel, which was docked in Detroit, Mich. February 2006 �34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 3:59 AM Page 9 More SIU Snapshots from The Great Lakes SIU Representative Don Thornton (seated) and 2nd Cook Maccine Bell review some paperwork aboard the Adam E. Cornelius in Wyandotte, Mich. Engineer Edd Carlson works aboard a Luetdke Engineering Co. vessel in Cleveland, Ohio. You can tell it’s getting near lay-up time by the frozen eye in the line. The American Spirit glides under the Ambassador Bridge on the Detroit River in early December. Paul Paton is the 2nd cook on the J.A.W. Iglehart in Toledo, Ohio. Tug/Barge Combo Transports Windmill Parts The most recent addition to the Laken Shipping Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio fleet is the tug Sandusky and its barge, the Cleveland Flats. Managed by SMT (USA), the tug and barge combo moved out of the port of Milwaukee in late September, powered by new twin diesel engines. The Cleveland Flats was loaded with tower sections for wind turbines, to be delivered to upstate New York. The tug Sandusky pushes the barge Cleveland Flats through the Welland Canal. Jamie Long is the captain of the tug Sandusky. The tug and barge combo is ready to depart the dock. Cargo is firmly secured on the deck of the Cleveland Flats. The newly re-powered tug (3,000 hp) Sandusky and its barge, the Cleveland Flats, are the most recent addition to the Laken Shipping Corp.fleet. Right: The unit passes under the Garden City Skyway Bridge in St. Catharines, Ontario. February 2006 Seafarers LOG 9 �34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 5:43 AM Page 10 Remembering a War Hero Katrina Claims Life of SIU Retiree Alberto Rocha For many who witnessed Hurricane Katrina from the comfort of their living rooms while watching the tragic events unfold on television, it was the unimaginable. For many residents of the area who lived through it, it was a nightmare. And for countless others, the flooding that took place in the Gulf Coast region marked the end of their lives. And so it was for SIU Pensioner Alberto Rocha who, at 87, lost his life in his New Orleans home during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was a somewhat ironic end for Rocha, who served on a submarine during World War II. The sub was torpedoed, and Rocha rescued at least a dozen of his fellow mariners, yet no one was there for him when he was left, presumably to drown in the flood waters of New Orleans. Born in São Paolo, Brazil in 1918, Rocha was one of 21 siblings (each one beginning with the letter “A.”) He joined the union in 1943 in the port of New York and later moved to New Orleans, where he lived with his wife, Maria. He sailed in the deck and engine departments, retiring from the union in 1973. He last sailed as an FOWT aboard Waterman Steamship Corp’s John Penn. Much of the information about Rocha in this article was given to the Seafarers LOG by Julia Ewens, a good friend who, with her husband, Ralph Ewens (a former NMU bosun), befriended Rocha and considered him their adopted grandfather for the past 21 years. Ralph and his first wife were neighbors of the Rochas in New Orleans’ 9th ward. When Ralph’s wife died suddenly at 41 years of age, he became quite distraught, Giving Thanks with Fellow Seafarers and Alberto and Maria Rocha were very kind to him and helped him through this difficult time. When Julia married Ralph in 1985, she, too, got to know the Rochas well and helped repay the kindness that they had shown her husband in his time of need. But, as Julia said to the LOG, “kindness like his can never be repaid in anything but kindness.” And so the Ewens helped the Rochas in whatever ways they could. “Alberto was very loyal,” Julia said. “His word was his bond.” Alberto Rocha retired from the SIU in 1973. He did some maintenance work for a local hospital and helped people in the neighborhood. “He could tell some of the funniest stories of things he did as a seaman,” Julia Ewens reminisced. Rocha’s wife later was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and Julia was always there to help take her to her doctors’ appointments and whatever else she could do to ease the pain. Maria died in 2000, and the Ewens continued to look after Rocha, making sure his accounts were in order and he had been to the grocery store. In February, Julia’s husband, Ralph, died as well, and Rocha insisted that it was too much for Julia to continue being his caretaker and that he should go to an old-age home. But Julia remained as loyal to Alberto Rocha as he had been to her, often driving 25-30 minutes from her home in eastern New Orleans to make sure all his affairs were in order. With Hurricane Katrina forecast to hit New Orleans in late August 2005 and an evacuation called for, Julia did not hesitate to leave, as she had done in past evacuations. Rocha, however, who had lived through Hurricane Alberto Rocha Betsy in 1965, wasn’t about to leave his home. And he did survive the hurricane, which did little damage to the area. Even when the levee finally broke and water began rising in his home, he still thought he was going to be OK, he told neighbors. Julia is still trying to adjust to the loss. She identified and claimed his body (by tattoos on his right arm and chest), and he was given a full military burial. She will mail the flag that covered his coffin to his sister Albertina in Brazil. SIU members, pensioners and their families gathered at the union hall in Houston Nov. 22 and at the hall in San Juan, P.R. Nov. 23 to share in pre-Thanksgiving festivities. Members at both halls donated their time and talents to help conduct the events, which featured traditional holiday menus. Approximately 130 people attended the feast in Houston, while an estimated 50 participated in San Juan. Photos from the respective events are shown below. HOUSTON SAN JUAN Pictured from left to right are SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, Father Sinclair Oubre and SIU Representative Robert Troy. Father Oubre, an active SIU member who also serves as president of the Apostleship of the Sea of the United States, gave the blessing before the meal. Retiree Luis Roman (right) and his nephew Ezequiel Ocasio Members, officials and their families are ready for the buffet. Odalys Vallejo (wife of SIU Chief Cook Juan Vallejo), Wildalis Rivera (secretary at the San Juan hall) and Maria Crespo (wife of Port Agent Amancio Crespo) Seafarers, officials and guests QMED José Quiñones and Port Agent Amancio Crespo Retiree Ralph Moore helps set up for the dinner. 10 Seafarers LOG Chief Stewards Henry Manning and Grant Bazile, Retiree Joe Clark and Chief Steward Saundra Leonard (inset) were among those who volunteered to help ensure the gathering’s success. AB Kevin Farrell and Port Agent Amancio Crespo Seafarers and their families enjoy the feast at the San Juan hall. February 2006 �2006-February.qxp 1/28/2006 3:07 PM Page 11 Celebrating With the SIU The port of Wilmington continued its yearly tradition of visiting SIU members aboard various vessels on Christmas Day. This past Dec. 25, Wilmington Port Agent John Cox stopped off at four Crowley tugs in Long Beach: the Leader, Master, Scout and Admiral. From the left are Engineer George Cox, Capt. Rick Cavalier, Wilmington Port Agent John Cox, Mate Roger Stewart, Mate Dave Verschoor and Mate Chad MacAuley. It was a small but nevertheless cheerful group that celebrated the holidays at the New Orleans hall this year. And while they enjoyed in the festivities, their hearts, prayers and thoughts went out to those who were unable to join them in welcoming the new year. These photos were sent to the LOG by AB Arthur Machado. SIU VP West Coast Nicholas Marrone (left) conducts the swearing-in ceremony for Tony Marino (holding his new book) at the SIU hall in San Francisco. Looking on are (from left) SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona, SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez and SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel. Jesse Solis Retires After 44 Years in Maritime Jesse Solis (right) enjoys his retirement party and reminiscing with the good friends he’s made over the years, like QMED David Hamilton. The wording on the cake says it all: “We will miss you Jesse!” Solis is joined by his son and two daughters. February 2006 After 44 years working in the maritime industry, Jesse Solis was treated to a couple retirement parties by his friends and fellow Seafarers. One was held at the Dispatcher Jesse Solis Wilmington union hall in September. He officially retired Nov. 1. Solis, 70, began working as a steward aboard ships like the Monterey and some of the early Delta Lines vessels as a member of the Marine Cooks & Stewards union. He came ashore in 1978 with the merger of the MC&S and the SIU, and worked behind the counter as a dispatcher for the next 28 years. With all that experience and knowledge of the workings of the union, his absence will be duly noted. “He will be greatly missed,” said Wilmington Port Agent John Cox. Solis, who was born in Texas, is considering a return to the Lone Star State to enjoy his retirement years. Lots of well-wishers came to give Solis a big send-off for his well-deserved retirement. Some of the deck crew from the Pride of Aloha get together for a golf outing on the island of Kauai. From the left are AB Lonnie Evans, OS Christopher Vincenzo, AB Warren Asp (who sent this photo to the LOG) and AB Slade Matthews. SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona (left) and SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone (second from right) meet SIU members aboard the Horizon Reliance during a recent servicing call. From the left are Celona, Chief Electrician James McParland, Marrone and AB Rick Grubbs. The Horizon Line vessel is on a West Coast to Far East run. Seafarers LOG 11 �34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 4:49 AM Page 12 TAX TIPS HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. ‹ Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. ‹ Itemized deductions and tax credits. ‹ Medical and dental payment records. ‹ Real estate and personal property tax receipts. ‹ Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. ‹ Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write Here are some of the changes that will take effect in 2005 and 2006 from the Hurricane Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act, the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, the 2005 Energy Tax Incentive Act, and other tax law changes: Uniform Definition of Qualifying Child – To simplify the tax law beginning in 2005, the definition of “qualified child” changes for taxpayers who claim a child as a dependent, elects Head of Household status, or takes the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child or Dependent Care Credit. To meet this new definition, the person needs to be your child, sibling (or descendant of either), adopted or foster child. The child must be under either (1) age 19; (2) under age 24 if a student; or (3) any age if permanently and totally disabled. Also, the child must be either a citizen, resident or national of the United States and must have the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of the year. The child must not provide more than one-half of his/her own support for the year. Foster Child – New rules apply to determine who is a foster child and when a foster child can be used to claim certain benefits. To claim a foster child as a qualifying child for any tax benefits, the child must be placed with a taxpayer by an authorized placement agency or by judgment, decree or other order of any court of competent jurisdiction. A foster child no longer qualifies a taxpayer to use qualifying widow(er) filing status. Combat Pay – Some military personnel receiving combat pay get larger tax credits because of two law changes. The new law counts excludable combat pay as income when figuring the Child Tax Credit and gives the taxpayer the option of counting or ignoring combat pay as income when figuring the Earned Income Tax Credit. Counting combat pay as income when calculating these credits does not change the exclusion of combat pay from taxable income. Sales Tax Deduction – Taxpayers who itemize deductions will have a choice of claiming a state and local tax deduction for either sales or income taxes on their 2005 return. The IRS will provide optional tables for use in determining the deduction amount, relieving taxpayers of the need to save receipts throughout the year. Sales taxes paid on motor vehicles and boats may be added to the table amount, but only up to the amount paid at the general sales tax rate. Taxpayers will check a box on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, to indicate whether their deduction is for sales or income taxes. Tuition and Fee Deduction – Individuals may be able to deduct up to $4,000 if Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is not more than $65,000 ($130,000 if married filing jointly), or deduct up to $2,000 if AGI is higher than that limit but not more than $80,000 ($160,000 if married filing jointly). The following highlights some of the most important provisions of the Hurricane Katrina Act and Gulf Opportunity Zone Act affecting individual taxpayers: In general, non-business casualty losses are deductible as itemized deductions to the extent they exceed 10 percent of adjusted gross income plus $100. However, these limitations are suspended for losses resulting from the hurricane and incurred in the disaster area. The 10 percent penalty imposed on premature withdrawals from IRA and other qualified retirement plans is waived for victims of a hurricane. Such individuals may withdraw up to $100,000 from those plans without penalty for distributions made after August 25, 2005 and before January 1, 2007. Also, the threshold limitations for loans from qualified employer plans for hurricane victims are increased to $100,000 or 100 percent of the account balance effective for loans made on or after September 23, 2005 and before January 1, 2007. The standard business mileage rate for charity work related to Hurricane Katrina is increased to 29 cents per mile during the period of August 25, 2005 through August 31, 2005, and 34 cents per mile for September 1 through December 31, 2005. Individuals who use their principal residence to provide housing free of charge to hurricane evacuees for at least 60 consecutive days may claim a $500 exemption for each evacuee (up to $2,000 total). 12 Seafarers LOG Presented on these two pages of the Seafarers LOG are han mariners. Included are the new deduction amounts for 2 name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-800-272-9829 or 1-729-1040 or visit web sites www.officialpayments.com or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. line 73d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, visit the IRS web site at: www.irs.gov. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 73b, 73c and 73d on their Form 1040. Line 73b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 73c indicates the type of account, and Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption—for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $3,200 per person. In 2005, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction Has Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box on this page). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual’s benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2005, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or investments is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 40.5 cents per mile (48.5 cents after August 31, 2005). Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. WHAT’S NEW FOR 2005? CAUTION As of the writing, Congress is working on other tax law changes which may impact your 2005 income taxes. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. FOR SEA The charitable contribution deduction limitation for individuals of up to 50 percent of the contribution base is temporarily suspended for cash contributions made after August 27, 2005, and before January 1, 2006. Individuals who lived in the disaster area and were displaced as a result of the hurricane may elect to use their 2004 income instead of 2005 to calculate the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC). The new law doubles the HOPE Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit for individuals who attend an eligible educational institution in the disaster zones for any tax year beginning in 2005 or 2006. The Hope Credit for qualifying students will be $3,000, and the Lifetime Learning Credit increases to a $4,000 maximum. In addition, certain room and board expenses qualify. These credits are for both returning and new students. Tax credit for the installation of non-business energy property – Starting in 2006, a tax credit is available to individuals for the installation of non-business energy property, such as residential exterior doors and windows, insulation, heat pumps, furnaces, central air conditioners and water heaters. The credit is limited to a lifetime maximum of $500. The credit breaks down as follows: $200 of the credit can be based on expenditures for windows; $50 of the credit on any advanced main air circulating fans; $150 on any qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler; and $300 of the credit on any item of energy-efficient building property. Tax credit for residential alternative energy equipment – A tax credit is available to help individuals pay for residential alternative energy equipment. The credit is 30 percent of the cost of eligible solar water heaters, solar electricity equipment and fuel cell plants placed in service in 2006 and 2007. The maximum credit is $2,000 per tax year for each category of solar equipment, and $500 for each half kilowatt of capacity of fuel cell plants installed per tax year. Clean fuel vehicle deduction – For 2005, Internal Revenue Service allows taxpayers to claim a $2,000 deduction for purchasing (not leasing) a qualifying new (not used) hybrid vehicle. The following vehicles qualify: Ford Escape Hybrid (2005 and 2006 model year), the Honda Accord Hybrid (2005), the Honda Civic Hybrid (2005), the Honda Insight (2005), the Lexus RX 400h (2006), the Mercury Mariner Hybrid (2006), the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2006), the Toyota Prius (2006). This deduction expires in 2005. Six-month Automatic Extensions – Beginning with 2005 returns due in 2006, individuals will be able to file Form 4868 to get an automatic six-month extension of time to file. Previously, only corporations could request an automatic six-month extension, and other taxpayers were required to file for two extensions. Also, almost all states have indicated that they are following the IRS’s lead. Standard mileage rates – The 2005 rate for business use of your vehicle is 40.5 cents a mile (48.5 cents after August 31, 2005). The 2005 rate for use of your vehicle for medical care or to move is 15 cents a mile (22 cents a mile after August 31, 2005). Donations of Automobiles – Starting in 2005, there is a limit on the charitable contribution of used motor vehicles (with a claimed value in excess of $500) to the gross sales price received by the charity for the subsequent sale of the donated vehicle, rather than the fair market value. A charitable organization must provide the donor with Form 1098-C. Exemption – The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased from $3,100 in 2004 to $3,200 in 2005. You lose all or part of the benefit of your exemptions if your adjusted gross income is above a certain amount. The amount at which the phaseout begins depends on your filing status. For 2005, the phaseout begins at: „ $218,950 for married people filing jointly and qualifying widow(er) with dependent children, „ $182,450 for a head of household, „ $145,950 for single taxpayers, and „ $109,475 for married persons filing separately. The exemption phaseout threshold for 2006 and 2007 is reduced by one-third, and for tax years beginning in 2008 and 2009 by two-thirds. For the tax years beginning after 2009, the exemption phaseout is repealed completely. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS This is the standard ded there are additional sta $1,250 for an unmarried Filing Status Single. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Married filing joint retu with dependent childr Married filing separate Head of household . . . The IRS recommends ke diary listing all expense Only work-related expen by an employer can be c Deducting Work-Rela Traveling: Workers in allowed a special rate on of $41 per day in the co $46 per day outside th Otherwise the IRS standa is generally $31. In some and in Hawaii and Alaska ferently. Travel expense can only be deducted if one’s work and if they h bursed from any other so There has been a tax cou Comm. 115 TC210[200 chant seaman was denie for the full M & IE rate that in situations where at no cost, the incidental able as an itemized dedu $3 (in the continental U ing from $1 to $53 in oth these rates, to the extent a higher deduction amou Limit on Itemized Ded itemized deductions may viduals earning more tha eral adjusted gross inco married and filing separa Earned Income Cred earned income credit (E certain individuals who h and meet certain adjus thresholds. For tax year 2 does not have to have a be eligible for this cred tions are met. Different and phase-out percenta based on the taxpayer’s the number of qualifyin if any. The maximum c follows: Taxpayers with $11,450 and no qualifyi maximum credit; taxpa less than $30,338 and child—$2,604 maximum with income less than $3 more qualifying childr mum credit. If the ear reduces the income tax li a refund will be gran Taxpayers should use fo EIC to see if they are eli Dependent’s Social S Each dependent must hav number (SSN). Individua for their dependent by with their local Social istration office or calling at 1-800-772-1213. It u two weeks to receive an General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may answer questions 24 ho Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 instructions and publica Walk-In Help: IRS representatives country to help with tax q telephone. To find the lo book under “United Stat Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared agency’s taxpayer info aspects of tax-filing can The federal Tele-Tax ing about 150 topics. February 2006 �34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 3:53 AM Page 13 AFARERS e handy tax tips—some of which are intended specifically for for 2005 as well as where to get additional information. STANDARD DEDUCTION d deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, al standard deductions ($1,000 for a married person or “spouse” or married person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Standard Deduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000 nt return or qualifying widow(er) children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000 arate return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000 d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,300 ds keeping a log book or penses related to travel. expenses not reimbursed n be claimed. Related Meals When rs in transportation are te on the meal allowance the continental U.S. and de the continental U.S. standard meal allowance some locations it is $42, Alaska it is computed difpenses, including meals, ted if directly related to hey have not been reimher source. ax court case (Johnson v. 0[2000]) where a merdenied a full deduction E rates. The court ruled here meals are provided ental expense rate allowd deduction is limited to tal U.S.) and rates rangin other areas. In lieu of extent you have receipts, amount may be allowed. d Deductions: In 2005, s may be limited for indire than $145,950 of fedincome (or $72,975 if separately). Credit: A refundable dit (EIC) is available to who have earned income adjusted gross income year 2005, an individual ave a qualifying child to credit if certain condiferent credit percentages rcentages are provided ayer’s income level and lifying children eligible, um credit allowed is as with income less than alifying children—$390 taxpayers with income and with 1 qualifying ximum credit; taxpayers an $34,450 and with 2 or children—$4,300 maxie earned income credit tax liability below zero, granted by the IRS. use form 1040, schedule re eligible for the credit. ial Security Number: st have a Social Security ividuals may get an SSN nt by filing Form SS-5 Social Security Adminalling the Administration . It usually takes about ve an SSN. Child Child Credit: In 2005, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $1,000 per child. The credit begins to phase out when modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or $55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the “HOPE” credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,500 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after January 1, 2005, taxpayers can take the “Lifetime Learning Credit,” that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student’s expenses. These credits are subject to income limitations. The phaseout of the credits begins for single taxpayers when modified AGI reaches $43,000, and completely phase out when modified AGI reaches $53,000. For joint filers, the phaseout range is $87,000 to $107,000. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credit are not available to taxpayers married filing separately. In 2005, the Lifetime Learning Credit will be $2,000. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: ‹ Education IRAs – Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit is claimed. ‹ Traditional IRAs – The contribution limit to a traditional IRA in 2005 was increased to $4,000. If taxpayer reaches age 50 before 2006, the most that can be contributed will be $4,500. Modified TAX TIPS Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phaseout range increased to $50,000-$60,000 for single, head of household, and $70,000$80,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er). Also, solely for the purpose of figuring the $100,000 modified AGI limit on eligibility to make qualified rollover distributions from a Traditional IRA to Roth IRA, minimum required distributions from IRAs and other qualified plans received in tax year beginning with 2005 are excluded from modified AGI. ‹ Roth IRAs – The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $4,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. ‹ Penalty-Free IRA Distributions – The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax penalty also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a first-time homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual’s lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. Also, the tax penalty does not apply to distributions for an individual’s disability, medical care, or to a beneficiary after death of the individual. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2005, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A WHERE TO GET INFORMATION ion: 0 may be called for general information. IRS staff 24 hours a day. 9-3676 to order current and prior year forms, ublications. tives are available in many IRS offices around the h tax questions that cannot be answered easily by the location of an IRS office, look in the phone d States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” pared to answer questions by phone. Through the r information service, publications covering all g can be ordered. e-Tax system has recorded tax information coveropics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated February 2006 Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your 2005 refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: ‹ Jones Act settlements for lost wages. ‹ Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. ‹ Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. ‹ Canceled debts ‹ State income tax refunds ‹ Rents ‹ Repayments ‹ Royalties ‹ Unemployment benefits ‹ Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. ‹ Endowments. ‹ Original Issue Discount. ‹ Distributions from self-employed plans. ‹ Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). ‹ Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. ‹ Lump-sum distributions. ‹ Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). ‹ Accumulation distributions from trusts. ‹ Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). ‹ Earned income from sources outside the United States. ‹ Director’s fees. ‹ Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. ‹ Embezzled or other illegal income. WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: ‹ Benefits from government welfare programs. ‹ Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, medical costs. ‹ Maintenance and Cure. ‹ Workers’ compensation benefits, insur- OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. Child support. Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 17, 2006, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. WHERE IS MY REFUND? In 2004, the IRS launched a new program that allows taxpayers to trace their refunds online. If taxpayer(s) have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the web site at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the Refund amount (It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return). WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Seafarers LOG 13 �2006-February.qxp 1/30/2006 1:58 AM Page 14 Seafarers Win ‘Food in a Bowl’ Cook-off Three prizes were awarded to chief stewards at the first annual cook-off for ships stationed in Diego Garcia, and all three were won by members of the SIU! The Seaman’s Club in Diego Garcia played host to the event, which was sponsored by the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Diego Garcia and Capt. Tuck Hord, USN, Commander, Maritime Prepositioning Squadron. The purpose of the cook-off was twofold. First, it was a chance to get mariners together for an enjoyable event; second, it served to introduce the new Food Service Officer for Naval Support Facility (NAF) Diego Garcia, Chief Warrant Officer Arnie Limon, to the ships’ masters and stewards, who are his primary customers. The rules of participation for this event were that the recipe had to be (1) original, (2) eaten out of a bowl and (3) of a semiliquid consistency (e.g., chili, gumbo)—hence the term “Food in a Bowl.” Only one entry per ship was permitted, and enough of the recipe had to be prepared to feed 10 to 12 people. Yeoman First Class Linda Varnell at the Military Sealift Command Office spearheaded the event, going the extra mile to ensure that the first “Food in a Bowl” was a top-notch affair. The enviable job of judging was left to CWO Limon along with Left: Chili peppers marinate in a garlic dip from Chief Steward Leo Dela Cruz. Below: The cook-off taste-testing gets under way. the NSF stock control officer, Ensign Scott Schwemin, and Culinary Specialist Third Class Matthew Melius. They had an extremely difficult task, but with years of eating experience, they were able to narrow the field to three. The “Best in Show and Presentation” award went to Leo Dela Cruz, chief steward aboard the SIU-crewed William H. Pitsenbarger. His “Hawaiian Seafood Creole” (a combination of shrimp, scallops, oysters and lobster) was accompanied by some incredibly intricate food decorations. USNS Pomeroy Chief Steward Javier Delosreyes received the “Best Taste” award for his “Slammin’ Jammin’ Clammin’ Chowder,” and Chief Steward Tony E. Spain of the Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips took home the envied prize of “Hottest” with his “Voodoo Stew,” which was made with 16 chili peppers! Robert Greenwood, steward on the USNS Soderman, noted that the “Food in a Bowl” contest was enjoyed by everyone. He said he solicited his ship’s chief engineer, John Fleming, to enter his famous chicken gumbo in the competition. “Even though we did not walk away with a plaque,” Greenwood noted, “we were pleased that the gumbo was the only dish to be completely eaten up. So we know it was outstanding.” The galley gang from the Soderman also provided fresh chocolate chip cookies to “keep the energy flowing.” The “Food in a Bowl” event was a huge success with stuffed bellies and good camaraderie all around, stated Executive Officer Union Industries Show Comes to Cleveland For the first time in more than 50 years, the Union Industries Show will be held in Cleveland May 5-7. The show, now promoted under the name “America@Work,” and followed by the tag-line “100% Union-Made, American-Made Products, Services and Jobs,” will continue as it has for nearly 70 years in educating the public abut America’s best products and services, created by the best workers in the world—the men and women of organized labor. The SIU and its affiliated United Industrial Workers union regularly participate in the show, and this year will be no exception. Cleveland’s I-X Center will be the venue for the 2006 event. It has the advantage of being conveniently located near several large highways connecting dozens of towns and cities, like Columbus, Akron, Canton and Toledo. The America@Work show attracts between 250,000 and 300,000 visitors each and every year. While the crowds are pretty evenly divided between union members and people who do not belong to a union, many of the attendees are “conscientious consumers,” those looking to purchase products and services made by employers who care about people and the community and who provide good jobs. It also attracts an audience of all ages—high school and college students as well as young workers seeking information about employers and career opportunities, as well as more established men and women looking at the exhibits for quality appliances, automobiles, boats and luxury goods. Many of the hands-on exhibits display skills and craft work in construction, transportation, high-tech, electronics, engineering and white-collar occupations. Live music, fashion shows, frequent raffles and product giveaways are always very popular attention-getters. 14 Seafarers LOG As always, admission to the show is free. This year the hours will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. “Cleveland could be our biggest show ever,” said Union Label and Service Trades Department President Charlie Mercer. “We are excited to be working closely with the Ohio AFL-CIO and the Cleveland Federation of Labor and all the individual unions across Ohio. This region is full of fine unionized companies with great products and services, and the public is going to learn a great deal about them. The public will also learn a lot about the Alliance for Retired Americans, Working America and the important political and organizing work that our unions are doing. That, too, is a very exciting ad promising development,” Mercer concluded. Frequent raffles, like this one held at the SIU/UIW booth during the 2004 show in St. Louis, attract an audience of all ages. Awards are presented to Chief Stewards (from left) Tony Spain (hottest), Javier Delosreyes (best tasting) and Leo Dela Cruz (best presentation). Standing in back is Capt. Tuck Hord, commander, Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two, who helped sponsor the event. Ben Metcalf of the MSC. A big vote of thanks went to all the participants who put a lot of hard work into some excellent dishes. Thanks also to Capt. Michael Finnigan, master on the USNS Pomeroy, for providing the Seafarers LOG with the photos accompanying this article. Yeoman First Class Linda Varnell (right) looks over the shoulder of Chief Steward Leo Dela Cruz holding his beautiful centerpiece of roses and tulips, sculpted entirely from fresh vegetables. SEAFARERS BENEFIT PLANS NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS Keep the Plan Informed of Your Address Changes It is important that all participants remember to keep the Plan informed of any change of address. Update Your Beneficiary Designations Keep your beneficiary designations up to date. In the event that your beneficiary predeceases you, you must submit a substitute designation. Inform the Plan of Your Divorce In order for your spouse to be eligible to receive continuation coverage (under COBRA) from the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, you or your spouse must inform the Plan at the time of your divorce. Please submit a copy of the divorce decree to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Full-time College Students If your dependent child is a full-time college student, you must submit a letter of attendance every semester in order for your child to be covered by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan P.O. Box 380 Piney Point, MD 20674 IMPORTANT NOTICE: SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN — COBRA NOTICE HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION Under federal law, a participant and his or her dependents have the right to elect to continue their Plan coverage in the event that they lose their eligibility. This right is granted by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, better known as “COBRA.” The COBRA law allows a participant and his or her dependents to temporarily extend their benefits at group rates in certain circumstances where coverage under the Plan would otherwise end. A participant and his or her dependents have a right to choose this continuation coverage if they lose their Plan coverage because the participant failed to meet the Plan’s seatime requirements. In addition, a participant and his or her dependents may have the right to choose continuation coverage if the participant becomes a pensioner ineligible for medical benefits. The participant’s dependents may also elect continuation coverage if they lose coverage under the Plan as the result of the participant’s (1) death; (2) divorce; or (3) Medicare eligibility. A child can also elect COBRA if as the result of his or her age, he or she is no longer a dependent under the Plan rules. If a member and his or her dependents feel that they may qualify, or if they would like more information concerning these rights, they should contact the Plan office at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Since there are important deadlines that apply to COBRA, please contact the Plan as soon as possible to receive a full explanation of the participant’s rights and his or her dependents’ rights. February 2006 �34103p01_24.qxp 1/30/2006 10:43 AM Page 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea March & April 2006 Membership Meetings DECEMBER 16, 2005 — JANUARY 15, 2006 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico San Francisco St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Totals All Departments 2 0 8 10 2 9 32 29 1 8 8 29 9 5 0 8 19 1 38 25 3 7 9 14 4 9 25 28 2 5 6 16 26 5 21 12 7 7 28 26 4 1 3 3 1 1 15 6 3 3 4 16 5 2 0 0 5 1 11 8 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 0 0 3 7 1 7 29 19 0 6 8 19 10 2 0 6 16 0 17 21 243 260 92 171 1 0 3 2 1 5 17 15 0 6 7 7 6 4 3 4 10 0 10 10 0 1 3 6 1 5 9 13 1 4 10 6 13 0 0 2 8 3 12 11 1 0 0 5 0 1 9 7 0 1 1 8 7 1 1 0 2 2 4 7 0 0 3 1 1 3 11 9 0 5 4 6 11 0 1 1 6 0 10 4 111 108 57 0 0 3 2 0 10 21 16 0 5 10 18 8 3 1 1 22 1 16 28 1 0 4 6 1 4 6 6 1 3 1 5 5 0 2 1 4 1 4 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 6 0 0 2 2 4 0 0 0 1 2 2 3 Trip Reliefs DECK DEPARTMENT 3 4 6 11 4 9 20 12 1 5 8 11 19 3 12 7 7 6 16 11 175 0 1 1 2 3 0 15 5 0 0 3 9 3 0 1 1 3 0 10 9 66 0 0 3 7 0 8 21 10 0 4 4 11 8 3 1 5 6 2 17 13 123 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 76 0 0 1 4 2 2 4 14 2 3 5 7 8 0 1 3 5 4 15 10 90 0 0 0 1 0 1 9 7 0 0 1 8 9 0 1 0 0 3 2 5 47 0 0 2 0 1 0 5 10 0 3 1 7 7 0 1 1 7 1 6 2 54 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 3 6 0 9 7 8 0 4 3 10 6 2 1 2 10 0 9 20 165 59 28 100 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 4 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 2 3 0 5 1 0 3 3 7 0 6 20 12 0 10 3 32 7 0 8 1 6 0 14 6 1 8 1 7 1 9 17 22 0 0 6 25 13 0 16 0 7 3 15 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 3 2 0 6 7 0 3 3 6 8 1 0 2 2 1 4 4 56 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 1 15 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 4 1 3 1 4 8 8 0 4 1 11 5 0 15 0 6 0 9 6 1 1 1 6 1 6 11 9 0 0 3 7 11 0 19 0 5 1 13 5 0 0 1 5 1 5 5 8 0 3 2 7 3 1 0 1 7 0 6 10 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 5 0 9 14 1 13 62 47 1 26 23 72 24 8 0 18 35 2 59 46 5 9 10 23 4 14 41 42 2 16 13 37 26 5 13 13 12 7 50 47 5 4 2 9 1 4 34 13 5 4 12 22 11 2 0 0 8 3 17 13 465 389 169 1 0 9 8 1 12 28 29 0 12 13 27 4 7 4 7 14 2 16 14 1 4 8 13 1 6 13 23 0 7 11 15 18 6 0 2 11 1 20 22 2 1 1 8 1 4 13 14 0 3 1 12 9 1 0 0 6 0 6 15 208 182 97 0 0 6 5 0 17 33 32 1 14 15 40 14 2 6 2 39 1 29 45 1 0 2 12 0 13 8 9 1 3 6 9 12 1 3 0 6 0 14 14 0 0 1 2 1 1 5 5 1 2 4 7 7 0 0 0 1 2 8 4 65 301 114 51 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 10 4 0 1 4 13 0 0 0 2 9 0 11 1 1 3 3 15 1 12 33 24 0 13 7 60 11 0 9 6 14 0 28 12 6 9 4 10 2 16 30 34 0 1 9 57 22 1 12 0 14 4 26 18 26 148 162 11 86 100 0 62 252 275 545 575 339 358 407 228 242 1,036 937 592 Piney Point .............Monday: March 6, April 3 Algonac ..................Friday: March 10, April 7 Baltimore ................Thursday: March 9, April 6 Boston.....................Friday: March 10, April 7 Guam ......................Thursday: March 23, April 20 Honolulu .................Friday: March 17, April 14 Houston ..................Monday: March 13, April 10 Jacksonville ............Thursday: March 9, April 6 Joliet .......................Thursday: March 16, April 13 Mobile ....................Wednesday: March 15, April 12 New Orleans ...........Tuesday: March 14, April 11 New York................Tuesday: March 7, April 4 Norfolk ...................Thursday: March 9, April 6 Philadelphia ............Wednesday: March 8, April 5 Port Everglades.......Thursday: March 16, April 13 San Francisco .........Thursday: March 16, April 13 San Juan..................Thursday: March 9, April 6 St. Louis..................Friday: March 17, April 14 Tacoma ...................Friday: March 24, April 21 Wilmington ...............Monday: March 20, April 17 ............................................ Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personals SHIPMATES OF MARTIN E. HURLSTONE NMU retiree Martin E. Hurlstone recently sent a note to the LOG saying he would like to hear from old shipmates. Brother Hurlstone celebrated his 90th birthday last October and reports that he is in good health. He sailed in the steward department during World War II and then joined the NMU in 1946. He retired in 1981. He may be reached at 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646. More SDRF Contributors The last few editions of the LOG included lists of individuals who contributed to the Seafarers Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). Since then, additional contributions were received from the following individuals: David Barber James High *“Total Registered” means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **“Registered on Beach” means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. February 2006 Seafarers LOG 15 �34103p01_24.qxp 1/30/2006 10:41 AM Page 16 Seafarers International Union Directory NMU Monthly Shipping & Registration Report DECEMBER 16, 2005 — JANUARY 15, 2006 Michael Sacco, President TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Group I Group II Group III Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services René Lioeanjie, Vice President at Large Charles Stewart, Vice President at Large HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 BOSTON Marine Industrial Park/EDIC 27 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210 (617) 261-0790 GUAM P.O. Box 315242, Tamuning, Guam 96931-5242 Cliffline Office Ctr., Bldg. B, Suite 103 422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96931 (671) 477-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 832-8767 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 Port Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals Trip Reliefs REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Group I Group II Group III DECK DEPARTMENT 10 13 6 2 12 1 0 1 45 0 1 0 1 4 0 0 0 6 2 0 5 0 5 0 3 1 16 Port Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Group I Group II Group III 3 8 6 1 5 0 0 1 24 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 4 1 2 5 0 5 0 3 1 17 0 7 5 0 8 0 1 0 21 15 37 6 14 42 1 1 4 120 9 10 0 3 12 0 1 2 37 1 2 0 7 1 0 1 0 12 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2 6 6 15 6 3 16 0 0 4 50 1 3 3 7 9 0 1 0 24 1 2 3 7 0 0 0 0 13 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 2 1 1 2 3 0 0 1 10 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 3 1 1 0 1 1 9 Port 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 1 0 1 1 7 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Boston Houston Jacksonville New Orleans New York Norfolk Tacoma Wilmington Totals 2 3 2 1 3 1 0 0 12 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 1 3 0 0 1 1 0 6 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 4 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 5 0 1 3 0 0 1 1 0 6 0 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 6 6 13 5 4 16 1 0 2 47 3 2 2 1 14 1 0 0 23 0 1 3 5 0 1 0 0 10 Totals All Departments 67 13 31 33 10 30 33 217 84 35 PICS-FROM-THE-PAST These photos were sent to the Seafarers LOG by Pensioner William McAlpine of Braintree, Mass. On the right is a photo of the Katrina Luckenbach, taken Oct. 1, 1938 at Commonwealth Pier in South Boston, along with Brother McAlpine’s certificates of discharge from the vessel in 1944. Below is the Liberty ship James Otis. AB McAlpine was aboard the vessel in 1944 when it carried two sea-going tugs to England. Fortunately, he was not on it when it ran aground in Devon, England in February 1945. PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St., San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division: (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOG If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. February 2006 �34068p01_24.qxp 1/30/2006 11:32 AM Page 17 Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA DOMINICO DACUA, 66, joined the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S) in 1989 in the port of San Francisco. Brother Dacua was born in the Philippines. He first sailed aboard the Independence. Brother Dacua worked in the steward department and upgraded on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. His most recent voyage was on the R.J. Pfeiffer. Brother Dacua calls Kapole, Hawaii home. WILLIAM MARINO, 65, became an SIU member in 1965. Brother Marino first sailed aboard the Yorkmar in the engine department. The Mississippi native upgraded his seafaring skills in 2000 at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Marino’s most recent journey was on the USNS Altair. He is a resident of River Ridge, La. he sailed on the Samuel L. Cobb. Brother Orlando lives in Virginia Beach, Va. TRINIDAD SANCHEZ, 69, began sailing with the SIU in 1967 from the port of San Francisco. Brother Sanchez first worked aboard Alcoa Steamship Company vessels. The Puerto Rico-born mariner worked in the steward department. Brother Sanchez’s most recent voyage was aboard the USNS Fisher. He attended upgrading courses at the Paul Hall Center in 1996, 2000 and again in 2001. Brother Sanchez makes his home in Carolina, P.R. HENRY SCOTT, 58, joined the SIU in 1968 in New Orleans. Brother Scott first sailed on a Hudson Waterways vessel. He was born in Louisiana and shipped in the deck department. Brother Scott last worked aboard the John A. Chapman. He settled in Grambling, La. LOUIS McBRIDE, 65, embarked on his seafaring career in 1970 in the port of Houston. Brother McBride first shipped aboard the Amerigo. In 1990, he completed his steward recertification training at the Paul Hall Center. Brother McBride was born in Louisiana. His last ship was the Patriot. Brother McBride resides in Ringgold, La. THOMAS STEPHENS, 65, joined the SIU in 1967 in the port of San Francisco. Brother Stephens first sailed on the East Point Victory as a member of the deck department. He upgraded his seafaring skills at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. on a number of occasions. His last ship was the Cape Knox. Brother Stephens was born in Wisconsin and currently resides in Metairie, La. RODOLFO ORLANDO, 67, began his seafaring career in 1987 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Brother Orlando’s first voyage was on the USNS Stalwart. He attended the Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. on three occasions to upgrade his skills. Brother Orlando hails from the Philippines. Prior to retiring, JONATHAN STRINGER III, 64, hails from Port Arthur, Texas. Brother Stringer began shipping with the Seafarers in 1968. He upgraded his skills To submit articles, poems, photographs or letters to the editor, please send them to: Seafarers LOG 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 February 2006 often at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. Brother Stringer first sailed aboard the Minot Victory. He worked in the deck department, last shipping on the Liberty Grove. Brother Stringer is a resident of Dickinson, Texas. GREAT LAKES RAY BLAHNIK, 65, became an SIU member in 1962, sailing aboard the Michigan Interstate Railway-operated Ann Arbor. Brother Blahnik, who was born in Michigan, worked as a member of the deck department. He upgraded his skills in 1999 and 2000 at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Blahnik’s most recent voyage was aboard the Adam E. Cornelius. He lives in his native state. CHARLES DeVLIEGER, 53, was born in Detroit, Mich. Brother DeVlieger joined the SIU in 1970. In 1978, the deck department member upgraded his skills at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Brother DeVlieger last sailed on the J.A.W. Iglehart. He calls Cheboygan, Mich. home. Editor’s Note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, recently went on pension. IGNACIO BLANCO, 67, began his career with the NMU in 1967, initially sailing from New Jersey. Brother Blanco was born in Honduras. Prior to retiring, he worked on the Chesapeake Bay. LEONARD JOHNSON, 65, became an NMU member in 1961. Born in Alabama, Brother Johnson joined the union in Mobile. His first vessel was the Tillamook. Brother Johnson shipped as a member of the engine department, last sailing aboard the Navigator. ANGEL MINDEZ, 64, started his NMU profession in 1963 in the port of Philadelphia. Brother Mindez originally worked on the Texaco Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG. 1939 The SIU Tampa port agent ran into a rough one when he, along with the crew of the West Kyska, took some beefs to the local inspector and the U.S. shipping commissioner. Instead of acting on the beefs, they told the men to swear out affidavits, with the commissioner warning them that the beefs better be correct or else they would lose their certificates. “In the face of all this opposition from men who are supposed to represent all the people of the United States, and not a few, we decided to try and get some satisfaction from you,” the agent wrote in a letter to the Commerce Department. Among the beefs listed were: badly equipped slop chest, little heat in the foc’sles, bad drinking water, foc’sles awash in heavy weather, plus a steering engine which throws oil, making it dangerous to oil and clean up when the ship was underway. Mississippi in the engine department. The Puerto Rico-born mariner’s final voyage was aboard the Texaco California. JOHN VANASE, 66, first donned the NMU colors in 1959 in the port of New York. Brother Vanase’s first ship was the Constitution. He shipped in the engine department. Brother Vanase last sailed aboard the African Neptune. GILBERT VASQUEZ, 60, was born in San Pedro, Calif. Brother Vasquez began shipping with the NMU in 1978. The steward department member’s first ship was the Export Buyer; his last was the Cape Horn. PABLO ZALDIVAR, 65, joined the NMU ranks in 1968. Brother Zaldivar is a native of Honduras. He most recently sailed aboard the Golden Gate. 1951 Plans formulated several weeks ago for establishment of a steward department upgrading school in the SIU’s new headquarters New York-branch building are rapidly taking shape. According to Frenchy Michelet, chairman of the committee of steward department personnel, which met recently to discuss means of utilizing the building’s modern galley facilities to increase departmental efficiency and to train new men for shipboard duties, “real progress is being made. The upgrading school will be ready to function when our new building is completed this spring.” The committee chairman said that efforts are being concentrated on achieving a uniform system of steward department operation on all SIU-contracted ships. This Month In SIU History 1941 In an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board on the ships owned and operated by Robin Line (Seas Shipping Company), the SIU was the winner by an overwhelming majority. Of 210 men who were eligible to vote, 201 actually voted, with 199 voting in favor of the SIU. There was one crew member who voted against the union and one whose ballot was declared void. 1961 The newest SIU-manned supertanker to enter service is the Mt. Vernon Victory, currently finishing up its maiden run to the West Indies and Hawaii. The vessel has many features which meet the fancy of the crew, but at the top of the list is air-conditioning—in foc’sles especially. Then there’s a modest sized swimming pool aft near the stack; a large mess hall lounge and plenty of space in each room which is shared by two men who sleep in officer-style bunks. Seafarers LOG 17 �34068p01_24.qxp 1/30/2006 11:52 AM Page 18 Final Departures DEEP SEA KEYNON BRAGG SR. Brother Keynon Bragg Sr., 58, passed away Aug. 16. He joined the union in 1978 in the port of San Francisco. Brother Bragg was a member of the steward department. He first sailed aboard a States Steamship Company vessel; his most recent voyage was aboard the Thailand. Brother Bragg, who was born in Arkansas, called Wilmington, Calif. home. PHILLIP DESETT Pensioner Phillip Desett, 62, died Aug. 11. Brother Desett became a Seafarer in 1978 in the port of San Francisco. The steward department member was born in Ohio. Brother Desett first shipped on the Santa Maria. Before retiring in 2004, he worked aboard a Matson Navigation Company vessel. Brother Desett lived in Pahrump, Nev. INLAND was a Crowley Towing and Transportation vessel. Boatman Peterson called Valdosta, Ga. home. GREAT LAKES CLINTON BROWN Pensioner Clinton Brown, 83, passed away Aug. 15. Brother Brown was born in Arcadia, Mich. He joined the union in 1954. Brother Brown sailed aboard Michigan Interstate Railway vessels, primarily aboard the Ann Arbor. The deck department member made his home in Traverse City, Mich. Brother Brown started receiving his retirement compensation in 1987. CHARLES GROUT Brother Charles Grout, 32, died Aug. 11. He began sailing as an SIU member in 2004. Brother Grout worked aboard Luedtke Engineering vessels. He was a native of Owosso, Mich. Brother Grout shipped in the deck department and resided in Lansing, Mich. GRAHAM EASON Pensioner Graham Eason, 82, died Aug. 7. Boatman Eason began his seafaring career in 1960. He first shipped aboard a Gulf Atlantic Transport Company vessel. Boatman Eason was born in New Hanover, N.C. He last worked aboard an Allied Towing vessel. Boatman Eason began receiving his pension in 1985. He was a resident of Wilmington, N.C. WALTER HANN Boatman Walter Hann, 61, passed away July 30. He joined the union in 1990. Boatman Hann worked primarily aboard Crowley Liner Service vessels. He was born in Fallsington, Pa. and resided in Newton, Pa. MICHAEL KISLAN Pensioner Michael Kislan, 76, died July 12. Boatman Kislan joined the SIU in 1975 in the port of Philadelphia. He first sailed on a Taylor Marine Towing vessel. Boatman Kislan, who was born in Pennsylvania, worked as a member of the deck department. His last trip to sea was on a Moran Towing Company vessel. Boatman Kislan retired in 1990 and lived in Philadelphia. RANDY PETERSON Boatman Randy Peterson, 53, passed away July 12. He became an SIU member in 1979 in the port of Jacksonville, Fla. Boatman Peterson was born in Washington state and worked in the deck department. His first ship was the Del Rio; his last 18 Seafarers LOG ALFRED MARSH EDWIN THOMAS Pensioner Ambrosio Castro, 73, passed away June 28. Brother Castro became an NMU member in 1954. He first sailed out of New Orleans aboard a vessel operated by Gatun Standard Fruit Company as a member of the engine department. Before retiring in 1988, Brother Castro sailed aboard the Export Patriot. Pensioner Alfred Marsh, 74, passed away July 28. Brother Marsh joined the NMU ranks in 1957, first shipping on the Gulf Maid as a member of the steward department. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, he last sailed aboard the Galveston Bay. Brother Marsh retired in 1988. Pensioner Edwin Thomas, 82, died Aug. 12. Born in South Carolina, Brother Thomas launched his NMU career in 1942, first sailing from Charleston. He was a member of the steward department. He last sailed aboard the Marine Dow-Chemical. In 1967, Brother Thomas started collecting his pension. WESLEY CHEVANNES Pensioner Wesley Chevannes, 87, died Aug. 16. Brother Chevannes embarked on his seafaring career in 1944, first sailing aboard the Cherry Valley. Born in Panama, he last worked on the Independence. Brother Chevannes began receiving his retirement pay in 1969. JOSEPH De SILVA LOWELL APPLEWHITE Pensioner Lowell Applewhite, 78, passed away Aug. 24. Boatman Applewhite was a native of Sacul, Texas. He started sailing with the SIU in 1968, working primarily aboard G&H Towing Company vessels. He retired in 1991 and made his home in Galveston, Texas. AMBROSIO CASTRO RAILROAD MARINE HOWARD HUDGINS Pensioner Howard Hudgins, 76, died July 5. Brother Hudgins joined the SIU in 1965 in Norfolk, Va. The U.S. Army veteran first worked with Pennsylvania Railroad in the port of Norfolk. Brother Hudgins, who was born in Virginia, last sailed on a Penn Central Transportation vessel. In 1988, Brother Hudgins went on pension. He resided in Mathews, Va. Editor’s Note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, have passed away. RODRIGO ALMONTE Pensioner Rodrigo Almonte, 86, passed away Aug. 14. Brother Almonte joined the NMU in 1942, first shipping from Port Arthur, Texas aboard the Senator Bailey. Brother Almonte worked in both the deck and engine departments during his seafaring career. His most recent voyage was aboard the Joseph Lykes. Brother Almonte was born in Mexico. He retired in 1984. DANIEL ARMSTRONG Pensioner Daniel Armstrong, 79, died July 17. Brother Armstrong began sailing with the union in 1952 from the port of Mobile, Ala. His first trip was on the Enid Victory. Brother Armstrong shipped as a member of the engine department. The Alabama-born mariner last worked aboard the Bennington. Brother Armstrong went on pension in 1988. Pensioner Joseph De Silva, 83, passed away Aug. 21. Brother De Silva first donned the NMU colors in 1942. The Louisiana native worked in the steward department. Brother De Silva’s first ship was the Jamaica; his last was the Velma Lykes. He went on pension in 1980. RILEY FREEMAN JR. Pensioner Riley Freeman Jr., 75, died Aug. 4. Brother Freeman joined the union in 1946, first sailing on the Gulf of Venezuela. Brother Freeman was a member of the steward department. Born in Marksville, La., he last worked aboard the Gerig. Brother Freeman began collecting his retirement pay in 1971. ROBERT HASELDEN Pensioner Robert Haselden, 77, passed away Aug. 25. Born in Shulerville, S.C., Brother Haselden launched his NMU career in the port of Charleston. He first sailed aboard the Export Defender. Brother Haselden became a pensioner in 1993 after sailing aboard the American Spitfire. SINCLAIR KEITH Pensioner Sinclair Keith, 80, died Sept. 13. Brother Keith became an NMU member in 1945, first sailing from Savannah, Ga. on the Ormondale. Brother Keith was a member of the steward department. He last shipped aboard the David D. Irwin. In 1986, Brother Keith started receiving his retirement stipends. SEGISMUNDO MEJIA Pensioner Segismundo Mejia, 83, died July 25. Brother Mejia began his employment with the NMU in 1943, sailing first from the port of San Francisco. Born in Honduras, Brother Mejia initially shipped on the Vernon L. Parrington. Prior to retiring in 1985, he worked aboard the Dolly Truman. ANTONIO MENENDEZ Pensioner Antonio Menendez, 80, passed away July 20. Brother Menendez was born in Florida. He joined the NMU in 1946, first shipping out of Tampa, Fla. The steward department member retired in 1972. PRIMITIVO ORTIZ Pensioner Primitivo Ortiz, 80, died Aug. 14. Brother Ortiz began sailing with the NMU in 1946 in the port of New York. The Puerto Ricoborn mariner last went to sea on the Allison Lykes. Brother Ortiz went on pension in 1991. RUFEL RAMOS Pensioner Rufel Ramos, 83, passed away Aug. 20. Brother Ramos joined the NMU in 1948. His first ship was the Ernie Pyle. Brother Ramos, who worked in the steward department, was a native of Puerto Rico. His final voyage was on the United States. Brother Ramos began receiving his retirement pay in 1969. MICHAEL STAMOU Pensioner Michael Stamou, 78, died Aug. 2. Brother Stamou began his seafaring career in 1951, first sailing from the port of Philadelphia aboard the Simon Benson. Brother Stamou was born in Greece. He retired in 1973. ROLAND STRAIGHT Pensioner Roland Straight, 85, passed away June 20. Brother Straight was a native of Bend, Ore. and joined the union in 1946 in Portland. Brother Straight initially shipped on the Marine Robin as a member of the engine department. He went on pension in 1991. ELIGIO TORRES Pensioner Eligio Torres, 83, passed away Aug. 13. Brother Torres began sailing with the NMU in 1945 in San Pedro, Calif. His first vessel was the Appomattox. Brother Torres was born in Puerto Rico and shipped in the engine department. His last trip to sea was on the Santa Ines. Brother Torres became a pensioner in 1964. DICK YIN-TING Pensioner Dick Yin-Ting, 84, died Aug. 5. Brother YinTing was born in China. He joined the NMU in 1964. Brother YinTing worked in the steward department. Prior to retiring in 1984, he sailed aboard the Export Champion. Editor’s Note: In addition to the individuals listed above, the following NMU members, all of whom were pensioners, passed away on the dates indicated. NAME AGE DOD Alfonzo, Hector Berger, August Burnbage, Robert Butler, Frank Campos, Louis Daire, John Deane, Margaret DiMambro, Roger Fujon, Arthur Inscoe, Robert Ivery, James Jang, Cheng Kleinen, Martin Larsen, Carl Madrid, Carlos McGuire, Allen Pagan, Rafael Parker, Edward Pickett, Edward Quinones, Victor Ramos, Lester Rivera, Wilfred Ruiz, Hector Samet, Abbas Scotlas, Adam Scott, Eddie Showell, Velton Shun, Ho Solano, Emilio Stepien, Felix Tarvin, Eddie Tirado, Lorenzo Valencia, Jorge Welch, Orrie Yamamoto, Harry 88 79 79 74 75 79 87 63 92 85 64 88 90 75 94 86 86 81 81 80 88 77 90 90 83 74 93 102 69 102 85 91 87 76 76 Oct. 3 Oct. 2 Oct. 4 Sept. 1 Sept.10 Sept. 30 Sept. 26 Oct. 1 Aug. 31 Aug. 27 Aug. 24 Oct. 3 Sept. 10 Oct. 1 May 9 Oct. 3 Aug. 28 Sept. 25 Oct. 1 Sept. 17 May 9 Sept. 17 Sept. 1 July 21 Oct. 22 Oct. 1 Oct. 11 Aug. 30 Oct. 13 May 3 Oct. 25 Oct. 18 Oct. 21 Oct. 2 Oct. 22 February 2006 �34068p01_24.qxp 1/30/2006 12:12 PM Page 19 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.. CHARGER (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 31—Chairman Mathew J. Bevak, Secretary Raymond S. Garcia, Educational Director Stephen J. Bradfute, Engine Delegate Nelson Powers. Chairman reported smooth trip and reminded crew members to allow at least six months when renewing MMDs. Educational director advised mariners to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendations made regarding rotary shipping. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port: Los Angeles, Calif. CPL. LOUIS J. HAUGE JR. (Maersk Line Limited), Dec 7— Chairman Wayne K. Green, Secretary George J. Borromeo, Educational Director David Castro, Deck Delegate Allen A. Cole, Engine Delegate Andrzej Furmanowski, Steward Delegate Richard Jefferson. Chairman reported no injuries, lost time or safety issues during voyage. He also noted availability of personal protective equipment. Educational director encouraged seafarers to attend upgrading classes at unionaffiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Captain handling ship’s fund; chairman to find out amount of money in fund. Beef reported in deck department; no disputed overtime noted. Crew thanked Port Agent Jeff Turkus for keeping them informed on union matters. Members requested e-mail access and new mattresses. Next port: Guam. DENALI (Alaska Tanker), Dec. 11 —Chairman Christopher J. Kicey, Secretary Sean O'Malley, Educational Director John C. Henry, Deck Delegate James E. Murphy, Engine Delegate Corey P. Hann, Steward Delegate Dennis D. Skretta. Chairman discussed importance of SPAD. Crew members were asked to keep volume down on radios, TVs, cell phones and alarm clocks, especially while others are trying to sleep. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestions made regarding wages for next contract and replacement of air filters aboard ship. Steward department given vote of thanks for excellent Thanksgiving meal. Next port: Port Angeles, Wash. FLORIDA (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 17—Chairman Barry M. Carrano, Secretary Theodore E. Quammie, Educational Director David Vega, Engine Delegate Robert Davis, Steward Delegate Daniel L. Wehr. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 24 in Charleston, S.C. Secretary thanked crew for helping maintain ship cleanliness and encouraged them to keep up good work. Educational director advised everyone to enhance seafaring skills at SIUaffiliated school in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. GREEN DALE (Waterman Steamship), Dec. 11—Chairman Shawn T. Evans, Secretary Allan D. Bright, Engine Delegate Clyde McArn, Steward Delegate Bienvenido C. Badillo. Chairman February 2006 thanked crew for good trip. He asked those departing vessel to clean rooms and turn in keys and security badges. Educational director encouraged members to watch safety films and report any items in need of repair to department head. He also urged mariners to take advantage of upgrading opportunities at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed communication received from headquarters regarding furniture and contract. Vote of thanks given to chief cook for great meals. Next ports: Vancouver; Portland, Ore.; Long Beach, Calif.; Japan. HORIZON CONSUMER (Horizon Lines), Dec. 4—Chairman Joel G. Miller, Secretary Terry L. Allen, Educational Director Juanito P. Dansalan, Deck Delegate Sangie Mohamed, Engine Delegate Curtis Barnett, Steward Delegate Jessy Sunga. Chairman announced Dec. 8 payoff in Oakland, Calif. He thanked crew for smooth trip. Secretary reported that recent ship audit in Honolulu went well. He reminded everyone to check documents’ expiration dates. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks given to steward department for good job. HORIZON KODIAK (Horizon Lines), Dec. 13—Chairman Garry D. Walker, Secretary Paula S. Kaleikini, Educational Director Alfonso D. Bombita, Engine Delegate Ralph D. Thomas, Steward Delegate Gary Lofton. Chairman announced ship to arrive Dec. 15 in Tacoma, Wash. for payoff, followed by blanket relief for entire crew the following day. He mentioned that Tacoma hall was collecting Christmas toys for needy children. He also advised crew to pay dues on time and recommended they contribute to SPAD. Treasurer reported $2,000 in ship’s fund. Satellite radio system is in the process of being upgraded. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Concerns raised about Tacoma clinic and costs of testing. Suggestions made pertaining to Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, especially when medical treatment is needed overseas. Crew expressed gratitude to chief steward and entire steward department for great job. One minute of silence observed in memory of departed brothers and sisters. HORIZON RELIANCE (Horizon Lines), Dec. 3—Chairman Donald G. Rezendes, Secretary Mark S. Scardino, Educational Director James T. McParland. Chairman thanked crew members for accident-free voyage and instructed them on process of written resolutions and motions. Crew observed moment of silence in memory of late SIU Executive VP John Fay. Secretary reported payoff to take place Dec. 10 in Tacoma, Wash. Vessel to then sail for Singpore, arriving Jan. 3 for shipyard period. Reliefs can finish tours after that time. Educational director reminded Seafarers not to let documents expire as they would have to retest. Treasurer stated $903.98 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Discussion held on changes to medical benefits. Suggestions made regarding pension and vacation plans as well as work on bridge rule. Members requested that mattresses be changed every three years. Vote of thanks given to steward department for good food and service. INTREPID (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 18—Chairman Salvadore J. Lagare, Secretary Louis Nicoud, Educational Director Elwyn L. Ford, Deck Delegate Joemar P. Abagat, Engine Delegate Erik W. Nappier, Steward Delegate Fernando C. Onativia. Chairman urged members to read Seafarers LOG to stay current on union information. He announced ship scheduled to arrive in Oakland, Calif. Dec. 25 and sail for Los Angeles two days later. Educational director reminded mariners to allow plenty of time when renewing documents with Coast Guard. Treasurer stated $1,200 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestions made regarding shipping rules and increase in pension and medical benefits. Crew requested new washing machines. Thanks given to steward department for job well done and good salad bar. Vote of thanks also given to everyone for helping keep ship clean. Crew wished all members at sea and ashore a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year. After stops in Oakland and Los Angeles, ship heading to Yokohama and Kobe, Japan. LIGHTNING (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 17—Chairman Romeo L. Lugtu, Secretary Rolando M. Lopez, Educational Director Rex E. Bolin, Deck Delegate Othman A. Saleh, Steward Delegate Carlito S. Navarro. Chairman wished happy holidays to all SIU members and encouraged everyone to upgrade skills at Piney Point facility and update necessary shipping documents before they expire. He reported good voyage. Secretary asked departing crew to clean rooms and change linen for next person. He thanked SA Fadel Mohamed for job well done. Educational director suggested crew members write their congressional representatives asking their support for maritime issues. Treasurer stated $230 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next ports: Oakland and Long Beach, Calif. MAERSK CAROLINA (Maersk Line Limited) , Dec. 4—Chairman Brian K. Fountain, Secretary James H. Rider, Educational Director Kevin Cooper, Deck Delegate Howard G. Blanks Jr. Chairman thanked crew for safe, smooth trip. He asked everyone departing vessel to clean rooms and turn in keys. Secretary reported stores for 60-day voyage were ordered and will be loaded in Norfolk, Va. He thanked all departments for their help in keeping ship clean. Educational director advised members to upgrade skills at Piney Point facility and keep all necessary shipping documents up to date. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendations made regarding pension benefits. Steward department thanked for great Thanksgiving dinner. Next ports: Charleston, S.C.; Norfolk; Newark, N.J. MAERSK VIRGINIA (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 18—Chairman Mohamed S. Ahmed, Secretary Hugh E. Wildermuth, Educational Director Randy D. Clark, Deck Delegate Damon Lobel, Engine Delegate Randy D. Clark, Steward Delegate Alex- ander P. Cordero. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 23 in port of Newark, N.J. He reported all departments operating smoothly and working well together. “Keep up the good work.” Secretary told crew he appreciated their help in keeping ship clean. Educational director encouraged mariners to enhance seafaring skills at Paul members expressed thanks for new upholstery and drapes and were asked to not turn on TV during meal hours. RED CLOUD (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 30—Chairman Thomas H. DeCarlo, Secretary Christine A. Cassie, Educational Director Dave D. Higdon, Deck On the Job with the SIU Pictured above and below are Seafarers aboard the new Matson ship Manulani, which entered service in 2005. Shown in the top photo are John Harvey (left) and Bob Gale; in the other is Nadia Wright. Seafarers fill the steward department positions aboard Matson vessels, although they provided additional manpower to help get the Manulani ready for its debut last spring. Hall Center and watch safety videos aboard vessel. Treasurer stated $6,280 in movie fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification requested on danger pay for current run. Vote of thanks given to steward department for outstanding food and service. PRIDE OF AMERICA (NCL America), Dec. 10—Chairman Daniel S. Marcus, Secretary Michael D. Wiley, Educational Director Mark A. Freeman, Deck Delegate Craig J. Burmeister, Engine Department Brett B. Wilson. Chairman expressed appreciation to deck and engine personnel for “working together in a friendly and safe manner.” He noted “The Brotherhood of the Sea is alive and well on this ship.” Educational director explained process of upgrading at the Piney Point school and encouraged everyone to attend classes there. President’s report from recent LOG pertaining to passing of Executive VP John Fay and progress made during 2005 was read and discussed. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Engine delegate reminded crew that any problems they have should first be taken to department delegate. PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND (Alaskan Tankers), Dec. 10—Chairman John T. Mossbarger, Secretary Jeff Smith, Educational Director Thomas E. Woerner, Engine Delegate John Miranda. Bosun suggested crew have money ready to pay dues at Dec. 31 payoff in Cherry Point, Wash. Educational director reminded members to renew z-cards early and upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew Delegate David G. Knutson, Steward Delegate Samuel Washington. Educational director stressed importance of education and advised members to take advantage of upgrading opportunities available at SIU-affiliated school. Bosun read letter from headquarters concerning contract for LMSRs— specifically portions regarding ROS and vacation benefits. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun will check with captain on possibility of satellite TV aboard ship as well as phone that works while underway. SGT. MATEJ KOCAK (Waterman Steamship), Dec. 2— Chairman Angelo J. Urti Jr., Secretary Stephen W. Roth, Educational Director Matthew D. Dewitt, Deck Delegate Donald M. Hood, Engine Delegate Robert C. Hines, Steward Delegate Carlos A. Rosales. Chairman asked crew members leaving vessel to clean cabins and supply with fresh linen. Educational director urged crew to use time off wisely by upgrading at Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. USNS BRITTIN (American Overseas Marine), Dec. 4—Chairman Ronald Charles, Secretary Lawrence E. Winfield, Deck Delegate Donald L. Kelly, Engine Delegate Lamont Robinson. Chairman asked members departing ship to clean rooms and leave keys. Secretary reported all departments running smoothly. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Contract extension notice received and posted. Thanks given to steward department for job well done. Seafarers LOG 19 �34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 6:34 AM Page 20 Letters to the Editor (Editor’s note: The Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer’s intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.) Thankful Message I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks for the generous help provided to me and my family by union brothers and sisters during our time of need following our recent loss resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Also, I would like to add a special “Thank You!” to the officers and crew of the Westward Venture for their support and generosity. The emotional and financial support we have received from the SIU (Seafarers Disaster Relief Fund), fellow shipmates and friends has been remarkable and much-appreciated. You all have our undying gratitude and appreciation. Daniel Laitinen Sutherland Springs, Texas Supporting H.R. 23 To all personnel of the SIU, I salute you and wish you a pros- perous New Year. I am very happy about the possibility of enactment of the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act (H.R. 23) to give a little help to those who are still alive, who were valiant crew members and risked their lives. Yes, by luck, some of us are still living. I started sailing in 1943, first aboard SIU ships and later with the NMU, the union through which I retired. I know that today the SIU is as much my union as the NMU was back when I was sailing. Today’s SIU members are just like those of us in the 1940s that were eager to volunteer to help the cause. I hope you will now help those few of us from that era that remain. Thank you all and God bless you. tions of work, workers and workplaces that occurred between the mid-19th and late 20th centuries. This amazing collection of photographs, augmented with audio and video, can be viewed until May 29, 2006. Please consider this letter an open invitation to your union members to tour this exhibit some time in the near future. (Admission is free.) When you visit the National Archives, of course, you can also view the Charters of Freedom—U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill or Rights—and our permanent exhibit “The Public Vaults.” Allen Weinstein Archivist of the United States Washington, D.C. Exhibit Shows How Work Has Changed I am writing to call your attention to a new and exciting exhibit at the National Archives building: “The Way We Worked.” This exhibit illustrates the transforma- Scholarship Deadline Is April 15 P is made, the better. Another part of the application package includes letters of recommendation solicited from individuals who know the applicant’s character, personality and career goals. The selection committee looks at the high school grades of all applicants and also checks the scores of either their Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) or American College Tests (ACT). Therefore, arrangements should be made to take these exams no later than February 2006 to ensure that the results reach the scholarship selection committee in time to be evaluated. A photograph of the applicant and a certified copy of his or her birth certificate are two other items that must be included in the total application package. No one can be awarded a scholarship without filling out an application and mailing it to the Scholarship Program by April 15. Send for your application booklet now (see coupon below) or pick one up at any SIU hall. If you sent in an application form in 2005 and were not selected for one of the scholarships, you should try again this year. You have nothing to lose—and an education to gain! lease send me the 2006 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name __________________________________________________________________ Mariner's Social Security Number ____________________________________________ Street Address ____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code ______________________________________________________ ( ) Telephone Number ________________________________________________________ This application is for: † Self † Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. 2/06 20 Seafarers LOG FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. The annual financial committee will be elected during the March 6 headquarters membership meeting to review the 2005 records. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. Ruperto Lopez Rosado Puerto Rico Two months remain until the deadline—April 15—for receipt of scholarship applications from Seafarers as well as from their spouses and children who wish to continue their education at the college level in the fall of 2006. Eight monetary grants will be awarded this year to three SIU members and five dependents. One of the three scholarships reserved for SIU members is in the amount of $20,000 and is intended to help cover the costs of attending a four-year, collegelevel course of study. The other two are for $6,000 each and are intended as two-year awards for study at a post-secondary vocational school or community college. Five scholarships are to be awarded in the amount of $20,000 each to the spouses and dependent children of Seafarers. Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility information to make sure that certain conditions are met. After checking for eligibility, applicants should start collecting other paperwork which must be submitted along with the full application by the April 15, 2006 deadline. These items include transcripts and certificates of graduation. Since schools are often quite slow in handling transcript requests, the sooner the request Know Your Rights SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2006 �34068p01_24.qxp 1/30/2006 12:51 PM Page 21 SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. for the first few months of 2006. All programs are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Deck Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion Able Seaman March 6 March 31 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids* (ARPA) (*must have radar unlimited) April 17 April 21 Lifeboatman/Water Survival February 20 March 3 Radar April 3 April 14 Recertification Bosun April 10 May 8 Steward February 6 March 6 Safety Specialty Courses Start Date Date of Completion Basic Safety Training - AB February 27 March 13 March 3 March 17 Basic Safety Training - FOWT March 27 March 31 Fast Rescue Boat March 20 March 24 Government Vessels - FOWT April 3 April 7 Tankerman Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL)* February 6 April 3 February 17 April 14 February 13 Febrary 17 Course (*must have basic fire fighting) Tankerman (PIC) Barge* (*must have basic fire fighting) Steward Upgrading Courses Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations modules start every week. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward classes start every other week beginning January 23, 2006. Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, two weeks prior to the beginning of a vocational course. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. Engine Upgrading Courses Start Date Date of Completion FOWT March 27 May 22 May 19 July 22 Junior Engineer April 3 June 23 Welding February 20 March 20 March 10 April 7 Course � UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Telephone _________________________ Deep Sea Member † Lakes Member Date of Birth ______________________ † Inland Waters Member † If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security # ______________________ Book # _________________________ Seniority _____________________________ Department _____________________ U.S. Citizen: Yes † No † Home Port _____________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty (120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All OL, AB, JE and Tanker Assistant (DL) applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $140 with their application. The payment should be made with a money order only, payable to LMSS. COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _____________________________________ LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: ___________ _____________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? † Yes † No If yes, class # __________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? † Yes † No If yes, course(s) taken ___________________________________________________ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? † Yes † No Firefighting: † Yes † No CPR: † Yes † No Primary language spoken ________________________________________________ February 2006 SIGNATURE __________________________________ DATE ________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/06 Seafarers LOG 21 �34068p01_24.qxp 1/30/2006 12:28 PM Page 22 Paul Hall Center Classes Able Seaman — Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 669 — Graduating from the water survival class are unlicensed apprentices from class 669. They are (in alphabetical order) Joseph Bianchi, Tyrell Blackburn, Russell Blanks, Karel Cain, Marcus Campbell, Catherine Clark, Joseph Craig, MacGregor Davis, Margery Earhart, Robert Godwin, Richard Guerra Jr., Christopher Hoffpauir, Benjamin Hulsey, Winter Meacham, Abdmutaali Muhammad, Winston Rankin, Philip Rhule, Christopher Sahagon, Gregory Simmons, Wilma-Joy Smith, Natalie Tremblay, Morgan Tury and Damion Vaughn. (Note: Not all are pictured.) ARPA— With instructor Mike Smith (far left) are Seafarers who completed the ARPA course Oct. 25. They are (in alphabetical order) José Boza, Rafael Clemente, John Daunoras, Robert Lutz Jr., Michael Murner and Neonito Sodusta. Receiving certificates for completion of the AB class ending Oct. 28 are (in no specific order) Duane Frosburg, Gill Sickles, Harold Harper, Ronald Whitlow, Samantha Ortiz, Hector Ortiz, Jeffrey Moore, Jonathan Ives, Felsher Beasley Jr., Christopher Keshlear, Billie Jo Munoz, Carlos Llanos, Richard Avila, Joshua Smith, Samuel Miller, Calvin Andrews Jr., Miles Partridge and William Hunt. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon, is at far right. Tanker Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL) — Under the instruction of Jim Shaffer and Herb Walling (not shown), are graduates of the tanker assistant class ending Oct. 7. They are (in no specific order) Christopher Bryant, Arthur Rogers, Carl Taylor Jr., Nathan Elliott, Gilberto Baltazar, Cornelio Bartholome, Jesse Natividad Jr., Michael Lockhart, Patrick Chalmers, Albad Colon, Bryan Vallecillo, Christopher Bean, Gregory Ball and Michael Fields. Lifeboatman/Water Survival — Sept. 30 graduates of this class include (in alphabetical order) Duane Frosburg, Harold Harper, Jackie Jones, George Miller, Jeffrey Moore, Gill Sickles and Joseph Thomas. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon, stands aft. HAZWOPER — Upgrading Seafarers working aboard MTL vessels who completed the Confined Space Awareness portion of the HAZWOPER course Oct. 25 are (in no specific order) Sean DeBruler, William Palmer, Robert Bouton, Howard Clark, Robert Hoffman, William Harvell, Joe Kadak, Johnny Nilsen, Robert Mills, Darren Bates, Dale Wilson, Robert Joiner, Chris Valley, Bruce Walsh, Douglas Crawford, Kenneth Graybill III, Charlie Carlson and Bruce Comiskey. Their instructor, Jim Shaffer, is at far left. Computer Lab Classes Holding their certificates of achievement for courses recently completed in the computer lab are (above left photo) Yolanda Martinez and (above right photo, from the left) James W. Buckowski, Gregory L. White and Stephen M. Berschger. Their instructor, Rick Prucha, is in each of the photos. 22 Seafarers LOG Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations — Trainees in Phase III of the Unlicensed Apprentice Program completed the Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations course Oct. 7. They are (in no specific order) Arthur Sanders, Stravon Jordan, Franklin Rodgers, Kevin Tyson, Mikel Tittsworth, Gregory Holsey Jr., Jo-Vanio Sprauve, Richard Wright, Robert Newcomb II, Brandon Tanton, Clyde McArn, Francisco Ramilo, Howard Vick, Robert Minter, Aaron Dixon, Jo-Vanii Sprauve, Hussain Hafid and Jimmy McCall. February 2006 �34068p01_24.qxp 1/30/2006 12:46 PM Page 23 Paul Hall Center Classes Marine Electrician Refresher — Fast Rescue Boat — Oct. 28 was graduation day from the fast rescue boat class for Seafarers working aboard MTL vessels. They are (in alphabetical order) Willie Allen, Crispin Carino, William Jackson, Jimmy Saloom and Marc Tomuschat. Their instructor, Stan Beck, is at far left. Express Marine Wheelhouse — Pictured are Express Marine boatmen in the wheelhouse course ending Oct. 6. They are (in no specific order) Michael Daniels, Phil Inman, Thomas Crockett, Parran Keane, Tom Shaw, Mark Faust, Keith Kirkeide (management) and instructor Mike Smith (far right). Radar — The six Seafarers completing the radar course Oct. 18 are (in alphabetical order) Rafael Clemente, Romeo Codillero, John Daunoras, Michael Murner, Winston Restauro and Arthur Shaw. Their instructor, Mike Smith, is third from left. Express Marine Engineers/DEUs — Boatmen from Express Marine completed their engineeer/DEU training Oct. 6 from instructor Buzzy Andrews (far right back row). They are (in no specific order) Stan Davis, William Vanzyl, Jackie Pruitt, Albin Henries, Guy Ireland, Richard Hamilton, Stephen Murray, Ed Bishop, David Harris, Mark O’Neal and Larry Tribby. James Tyson and Richard Huffman passed the marine electrician refresher course Oct. 28. With them (at far left) is their instructor, Jay Henderson. Express Marine Culinary — With their instructor, Chef John Dobson (left), are boatmen from Express Marine who completed a culinary course Oct. 6. From the left are Dobson, Timothy Thomas, Colin Bridgman, Jerold Register and Tommy Horton. STOS — Receiving their STOS certificates of completion Aug. 12 are (in no specific order) James Gano, Jack Gainers, Chris Doucet, Cory Gardner, Patrick Guertin, Robert Hardesty, David Bennett, Graham Jones, Francis Gallagher Jr., James Roy, Richard Crutchfield and Steven Sanderson. Tankerman (PIC) Barge — The nine Seafarers who took the Tankerman (PIC) Barge course ending Oct. 21 are (in no specific order) David Kennedy, James Buckowski, Michael Freeman, Carl Taylor Jr., Stephen Berschger, Frank Campos, Linnell Coleman, Doug Lewis and J. Stephen Lewis. Their instructor, Mitch Oakley, is fifth from right. Electrician — Basic Safety Training Classes STCW — NCL, Sept. 9: Amir Abubakar, Louis Bates, Arin Berthiaume, Mark Bickham, Ana Blankenship, James Brechtbill, Gregory Brown, DeWann Burton, Amber Carver, Rachel Cassell, Alicia Chambers, Justin Chandler, Anthony Chavez, Benjamin Clark, Christopher Colson, Maria-Elena Cordoba, Carrie Courtney, Christopher Crump, Jason Cullers, Rolando Delacruz, Gerren Duncan, Maryann Dymen, Kenneth Fleming and Katherine Flint. February 2006 STCW — NCL, Sept. 9: Donnell Foster, Todd Fuller, Charles Gentry, Julie Harrison, Darnell Herbert, Yohko Hiromatsu, Christophe Hudson, Joseph Hudson, Kerrin Johnson, Jamell Jones, Douglas Joseph, Mecia Kaczor, Zachary Kaili-Josue, Jacqueline Latham, Donna Leary, Gina Lee, Kristen Lew, Samuel Lewis, Alba Lopez, Antonia LouisWagner, Daniel Lowy and Kevin Mader. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Three Seafarers completed the electrician course Oct. 14. From the left are Jay Henderson (instructor) with Alton Hickman, Dave Goodpastor and Francis Quebedeaux. STCW — NCL, Sept. 9: Forest McClendon, Jeremy McKeever, Emmy Montoya, Meliton Orosco, Sherin Osman, Michelle Potts, Joseph Qumsieh, Justin Rasmusen, Darwin Reyes, Marsha Reyes, Michael Rinaldi, Miriam Rouse, Lorena Sanchez, Kalie Schlewitz, Zina Sigur, Rachel Smith, Nicholas Socket, Clevern Taylor III, Donald Thomas, Phillip Thomas, Michael Wedgley, Albert Weight and Steven West. Seafarers LOG 23 �34068p01_24x.qxp 2/1/2006 3:54 AM Page 24 February 2006 DUE ON APRIL 15 Applications for SIU Scholarship – page 20 Income Taxes — See Tax Tips for Seafarers on pages 12 and 13 Pride of America Brings New Jobs, Economic Benefits and Good Reviews For Seafarers, the NCL America cruise ship Pride of America signified new jobs even before its formal christening last June in New York. From its first days at sea en route to the ceremony, SIU members ably have filled the unlicensed positions aboard the new vessel, which can carry more than 2,100 passengers. Recertified Bosun Dan Marcus recently submitted the crew photos accompanying this story, and he also reported smooth sailing aboard the 921-foot ship, which cruises the Hawaiian Islands. Seafarers aren’t the only ones seeing the benefits of the Pride of America and its sister ship, the SIU-crewed Pride of Aloha, which also features a Hawaiian Island itinerary. Last July, Hawaii welcomed nearly 23,000 cruise ship passengers—an increase of 57 percent from July 2004, according to newspaper reports. When the Seafarers-contracted Pride of Hawaii joins NCL America’s fleet later this year, the vessels altogether will carry an The Seafarers-crewed Pride of America is estimated 8,000 passengers per week. the second ship in NCL America’s fleet. “Being able to welcome an additional thousands of people on a weekly basis will allow us to continue to grow our economy because we are almost at our capacity where our land-based accommodations are concerned,” Marsha Weinert, the state’s tourism liaison, told the Monterey County (Calif.) Herald. Such projections may have seemed anywhere from overly optimistic to outright impossible back in late 2001, when the deep-sea U.S.-flag cruise industry was halted by the attacks of September 11. But, according to NCL America President and CEO Colin Veitch, the restoration of this segment of the industry was made possible by the enactment of legislation introduced by Sen. Daniel Inouye (DHawaii): the Hawaii Cruise Ship Initiative. Speaking at the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department convention last summer, Veitch stated that the U.S.-flag program is off to a great start “because we have a partnership” with maritime labor. “We have approached this partnership knowing that if it doesn’t work for you, it won’t work for us,” he declared. He added that while the NCL America fleet creates a substantial number of shipboard jobs, “The bulk of the new employment from this venture is not on ships. It’s on shore with taxi drivers, hotel workers, tour guides, airport workers, dockworkers—the kinds of jobs- that support the operation of a ship and entertain travelers when they come to take our OS Rogelio Jamora (left) and OS Riesel Pardilla cruises.” Less apparent but potentially of great importance to national security, the maritime jobs undeniably help strengthen U.S. national defense. The NCL America vessels help maintain a pool of welltrained U.S.-citizen mariners who can crew up military support ships in times of crisis. Those U.S. crews are prominently mentioned in promotions by Union Plus, a non-profit organization founded by the AFL-CIO to secure discounted goods and services for union members and their families. Through Union Plus, union members can receive reduced fares when booking cruises on NCL America ships. (The toll-free number for this benefit is 866 867-0593.) The company faced some initial growing pains in 2004, but since then has successfully refined its product—a fact not lost on professional and amateur critics alike. Both in the media and on internet message boards populated by passengers, the reviews nowadays Wiper Rolan Lagaac (left) and are decidedly favorable. Some of the OS German Nunez Unlicensed Apprentice Winston Rankin Recertified Bosun Dan Marcus is pictured magazine reviews point to the SIU-affiliaboard the Pride of America with ated Paul Hall Center as one reason Honolulu’s Aloha Tower in the background. why things have improved. In 2005, AB Maintenance Robert Marcus was the first bosun aboard the more than 3,000 students successfully Warren helps wash NCL America ship. completed the Paul Hall Center’s threedown the deck. week course given to prospective NCL America shipboard employees who fill hundreds of nonmarine positions. Left: Ordinary Seaman Leonard Gregg (left) and AB Maintenance Herbert Oquendo clean windows on the Pride of America. OS Yung Fan Haloski � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2006 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES NAVY LEAGUE PRESIDENT URGES POLICY FOR STRONGER U.S. FLEET SIU OF CANADA PROTECTS JOBS MORE SHIPS DUE THIS YEAR ADDITIONAL NORTH SLOPE ACREAGE OPENED FOR SAFE OIL EXPLORATION PRESIDENT TO NOMINATE SANBORN FOR MARAD POST SIU-CREWED CAPE TRINITY RECOGNIZED FOR ACTIVE ROLE IN ENDURING FREEDOM TUG SINKING CLAIMS LIVES OF 3 MARINERS MSC BUYS 3 SIU-CONTRACTED SHIPS REPORT UNDERLINES U.S. HEALTH CARE WOES COSTS CONSUME 16 PERCENT OF NATION’S ECONOMIC OUTPUT REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS APLENTY ON DOOMED RUNAWAY-FLAG SHIP USCG CONCLUDES CAPT. VIOLATED SAFETY PRACTICES SEAFARERS CREDITED BY GEN. SCHWARTZ TOTE’S NORTHERN LIGHTS SAILED IN OIF FOR 2 YEARS SIU-CREWED LUMMUS SUPPORTS U.S. TROOPS MORE SIU SNAPSHOTS FROM THE GREAT LAKES REMEMBERING A WAR HERO KATRINA CLAIMS LIFE OF SIU RETIREE ALBERTO ROCHA SEAFARERS WIN ‘FOOD IN A BOWL’ COOK-OFF UNION INDUSTRIES SHOW COMES TO CLEVELAND PRIDE OF AMERICA BRINGS NEW JOBS, ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND GOOD REVIEWS Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 68, No. 2 2006 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/084faa4f78ce3fd268111b22ec1a1c83.pdf a1420a4c7203510c9f56a3c8a1084707 PDF Text Text Volume 69, Number 2 February 2007 SIU-Crewed ‘Duck Boats’ Coming to New York City Duck boats have been around since World War II, but they’re new to New York City and the SIU. Seafarers at New York Splash Tours will operate the company’s new “AquaBus” fleet, consisting of amphibious vehicles offering land and water trips in the city and on the Hudson. The newly contracted company’s first boat is pictured at left. Page 3. Paul Hall Center’s Deck Simulation Programs Upgraded Mariners Eventually Will Need TWIC, MMC Page 3 Mike Smith, an instructor at the SIUaffiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., puts the institution’s new Electronic Navigation Lab Simulator through some of its paces. To find out more about the simulator and its capabilities, turn to page 6. SIU Snapshots from the Lakes Seafarers helped wrap up the 2006-2007 Great Lakes sailing season in mid-January. Pictured at left is AB Hasson Oudeif aboard the American Spirit. More photos and details about the season may be found on page 24. SIU Welcomes U.S. Troops Aboard Alliance New York SIU members and officers from the car carrier Alliance New York recently welcomed U.S. troops on board for a holiday feast while the vessel was docked in Kuwait. A few of the 50 or so military personnel are pictured at right. Page 2. Tax Tips Pages 12-13 Holiday Photos Galore Pages 8-11 Scholarship Reminder Page 20 �President’s Report Shipboard Fatigue Must Be Addressed Seafarers understand that there’s an inevitable amount of risk that comes with working in our industry, whether it’s on the rivers, the Great Lakes, the coasts or the open seas. On multiple fronts, our union consistently strives to minimize or eliminate those dangers—through safety training and education, cooperatively working with our contracted operators, and partnering with others in the maritime industry, including the Coast Guard. Some risks, perhaps most notably the weather, Michael Sacco are obvious and uncontrollable. A recent study commissioned by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) examines a far more subtle but also key hazard. In January, the ITF released the results of a six-year analysis into the role that fatigue plays on the people who crew the world’s merchant vessels. To better appreciate the study’s findings, I think it’s appropriate to briefly step back and touch on some of our industry’s history. It wasn’t until the earliest years of the 20th century that the American public started becoming aware of the perils facing American citizens who chose a career at sea. In those days, mariners basically signed their lives away to have a shipboard job. They were worked hard for little pay. They faced dangers from abusive shipowners and officers, from disease and from the sea itself. For the most part they had no voice on the job and no chance to improve their situation. These were among the many reasons that mariners organized and formed unions, including the forerunner of today’s maritime unions—the International Seamen’s Union. Led by Andrew Furuseth, the ISU worked with legislators in Washington to craft the Seamen’s Act of 1915, which outlawed many of the tactics used to imprison American mariners aboard ships. Full steam ahead to the 21st century. This time, the abuses are being laid upon desperate mariners from poor nations around the world. Like their American predecessors, these crew members from faraway lands face abuse and exploitation daily—usually far from the eyes and ears of anyone who might try to help. Thankfully, the ITF (to which the SIU is affiliated) continues its commendable, necessary role of shining a light on the daily troubles of these workers. Last month, in announcing the report on shipboard fatigue, the ITF noted that airline crews covered by the International Civil Aviation Organization average between 70 and 100 hours a month of flight time. Yet, the research pointed out that maritime regulation allows crew members to work up to 98 hours a week. Titled Adequate Crewing and Seafarers’ Fatigue: The International Perspective, the 74-page report shows how long stretches at sea can affect a mariner’s mental and physical health, which can lead to accidents and other safety concerns. Among its findings, the study revealed that one in four seafarers responding said they had fallen asleep on watch. Nearly half the respondents reported working at least 85 hours a week, and half also said their working hours had increased during the past 10 years despite new guidelines and regulations intended to combat fatigue. More than a third said their working hours sometimes posed a danger to their vessel’s safe operations. The report concludes that the maritime industry and its regulators must acknowledge that serious risks and consequences are undeniable when vessels are crewed by fatigued mariners. Among these dangers are potential for economic and environmental disasters, economic losses due to fines and increased insurance premiums, and serious health implications for the mariners themselves. The SIU joins with the ITF in calling for immediate action to end the plight faced daily by men and women who simply are trying to make a living for themselves and their families. All work is important and all people should be treated with dignity. That treatment must include proper rest—and fair oversight to ensure it. Volume 69, Number 2 Alliance New York Hosts Troops For Informal Holiday Gathering Seafarers and officers from the car carrier Alliance New York on Dec. 28 welcomed U.S. military personnel on board for an informal holiday feast while the vessel was docked in Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait. Approximately 50 U.S. troops dined aboard the roll-on/roll-off ship, which is enrolled in the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP). “The crew went above and beyond making the troops feel at home and providing them a release for the holidays,” said Bob Wellner, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Liberty Global Logistics, the vessel operator. The following SIU members were sailing aboard the Alliance New York when the event took place: Bosun Thomas Flanagan, ABs Jerry Foke, James Wilby, Jack Jackson and Christopher Brady, GUDEs Zamalo Only and Antony Arzu, OMU Clay McIver, Chief Steward Peter Williams, Chief Cooks Bruce Johnson and Henry Greene, GSTU Jose Santos, and UAs Corey Overbeck, Ravon Moore The Alliance New York is part of the U.S. Maritime Security Program. and Arthur Jones. The ship’s master, Costas Balomenos, said the steward department “went all out and did a spectacular job.” In a message to the company, Balomenos noted, “We went through four prime roasts and 25 pounds of ribs, plus a lot of homemade pastries and baked goods. A big hit was some of the soldiers taking frozen U.S. milk from our storing home with them…. We had the cadets and unlicensed apprentices giving tours of the ship. The steward wrapped up ‘doggie bags’ of food and dessert favorites for many. The troops made our port stay, and I think we made their day.” The captain added that they presented the troops with holiday gift bags, including extras to be taken to other soldiers who didn’t attend the meal. Built in 2005, the Alliance New York is 665 feet long and has a beam of 105.8 feet. The dieselpowered vessel (19,217 hp) has a speed of 20.5 knots and a total deck area of nearly 585,000 square feet. These four photos show some of the U.S. troops who enjoyed a meal on the SIU-crewed Alliance New York. The gathering took place Dec. 28 in Kuwait. Senator Akaka Visits SIU Hall February 2007 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 8990675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim Guthrie; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2007 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) stopped by the SIU hall in Honolulu on Dec. 13 to thank Seafarers for strongly supporting his successful reelection campaign. He told SIU members and port officials that the tough primary campaign re-energized him for the upcoming Congressional session and he looked forward to returning to the Senate as part of the majority party. SIU Port Agent Neil Dietz reports that the senator “took time to speak with each of the members in the hall and to especially thank Seafarer Robert Borro, who was very active in the senator’s campaign.” Pictured above right at the hall (from left) are Cheryl Hawkins, Hiruy Amanuel, Erni Lizada, Ely Hermano, Jose Dizon, Robert Borro, James Shepard, Senator Akaka, Dale Graham and Emilio Ababa. Shown in photo at left are Seafarer Borro and Senator Akaka. February 2007 �SIU’s Newest Boat Is Just Ducky ‘AquaBus’ Travels by Land and Water in New York While there’s nothing unusual about the SIU aggressively pursuing new shipboard job opportunities, the union’s latest gain definitely includes some uncommon features. Seafarers at New York Splash Tours will operate the new “AquaBus” fleet, which the company describes as “unique halfboat, half-bus amphibious vehicles offering New York City’s first ever land and water visitor experience, starting in April.” Employees at New York Splash Tours late last year voted for SIU representation. As this issue of the LOG went to press, they were very close to finalizing their first contract. The company already possesses one AquaBus and is building several more. “This is a great opportunity for our union to expand into a new segment of the industry,” said SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “The boats certainly are eye-catching.” SIU Vice President Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi noted that while the AquaBus’ unusual features and informal name (duck boats) inevitably have led to a good-natured joke or two, Seafarers are quite serious about safely operating them, whether on the water or the street. The U.S.-built AquaBus fleet, constructed to meet rigid safety and environmental standards, “has been designed to evoke the memory of Henry Hudson’s famous ship, The Half Moon,” the company noted. The “Splash Tour” route itself starts in Times Square, on the east side of Broadway between 47th and 48th Streets and navigates the streets of Manhattan to the waters of the Hudson River. At the edge of the Hudson, the boat will enter a theater for a multi-media experience simulating Henry Hudson’s journey, complete with the sights and sounds—and rushing wind—of an Atlantic sea voyage. Then the boat splashes into the Hudson River for a view of the New York skyline. After returning to land, the AquaBus travels back to Times Square. The total trip time is approximately one hour. Each AquaBus can accommodate 47 passengers plus two crew members. The tours will operate from April through December. More information is available on line at www.newyorksplashtours.com. While the duck boats are new to New York, many other cities already have them, including Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle and Atlanta. The design was covertly crafted during World War II, when such vehicles were used for transporting goods and troops across land and water as well as traversing beaches in amphibious attacks. It is estimated that General Motors built more than 21,000 of the crossover vehicles by late 1945. After the war, according to an article in Smithsonian magazine, many of the duck boats “would end their days rusting away on Pacific battlefields or in forgotten storage depots in Europe. Those that made it back to the United States joined the gargantuan postwar garage sale. Some DUKWs served as rescue vehicles for fire departments in flood-prone towns. Hundreds were converted to oddlooking dump trucks or wreckers, and some went to sea. In California in the late 1940s, hunters of basking sharks harpooned their enormous prey from DUKWs.” Although some of the history is sketchy because of its stealthy start, it is commonly believed that each letter in DUKW reflects a specific component. The letter D represents the year 1942; U stands for utility (amphibian); K means front-wheel drive; and W indicates two powered rear axles. Seafarers show off the new AquaBus in front of the SIU hall in Brooklyn, N.Y. Pictured from left to right are Michael Noodt, Daniel Cumberland, Bonnie Young, Melissa Stephenson, SIU Patrolman Joe Baselice, John Murray and Albert James. The new SIU-crewed “duck boats” will offer tours of New York City on land and water. TWIC and MMC: What Seafarers Should Know (for Now) As this edition of the LOG went to press in late January, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was expected to issue a final rulemaking for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program along with a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking covering the merchant mariner qualification credential (MMC). Eventually, U.S. mariners will be required to carry both a TWIC and an MMC, while the current z-card/MMD and STCW certificate will be phased out along with licenses. Earlier last month, the DHS issued an advance copy of the final rule for the TWIC program, which is supposed to improve port security by checking the backgrounds of workers before they are granted unescorted access to secure areas of vessels and maritime facilities. The TWIC itself will be an ID card that includes a biometric identifier, in this case a fingerprint. The MMC is envisioned as a paper document containing information about an individual mariner’s work qualifications. The advance copy of the final rule spanned 469 pages but didn’t include regulations on the card readers themselves, nor specific instructions on how or where to apply for the card. Nevertheless, between that copy and various communications from the U.S. Coast Guard, this much has been stated by the government: „ From the date the final rule is published in the Federal Register (expected to have taken place by the end of January), mariners have 20 months to secure a TWIC. Meanwhile, a valid z-card/ MMD will be considered as meeting the requirements of the TWIC program, provided it is supplemented by a second form of government-issued ID such as a driver’s license. Please be advised that SIU headquarters and all SIU hiring halls will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, 2007 for the observance of Presidents’ Day. Normal business hours will resume the following workday. February 2007 „ Detailed information on how and where to apply for a TWIC is supposed to be included in subsequent notices from the government. However, the enrollment process will start no sooner than March 2007 in a small number of ports, with gradual expansion nationwide. The rollout schedule will be posted to the TWIC web site: www.tsa.gov/twic „ The final rulemaking on the MMC isn’t expected to be published until at least summer 2008, and initial issuance of that credential will continue over a fiveyear period. This means that until the proposed MMC regulation is final, Seafarers should continue to apply for zcards/MMDs, licenses, CORs and STCW endorsements under the current regulations in 46 CFR parts 10 and 12. It also indicates that the MMC will be phased in over five years. „ Because mariners undergo a securityrelated background check as part of their Coast Guard application process, they are eligible to obtain a reduced-fee TWIC. If a mariner exercises this option, the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA, which oversees the TWIC program) will use the Coast Guard’s security assessment, which is valid for five years. The mariner’s TWIC, therefore, will expire on the same date as their z-card. (Essentially, the TWIC assessment would be timelimited so that the TWIC expires when the mariner’s z-card expires.) Obtaining a TWIC with a full five-year validity period will require paying the full fee and undergoing a new TSA security assessment. „ This may change in the final rule, but the advance copy reported that the fee for a TWIC card will be between $139 and $159 (for cards that are good for five years). The TSA proposes that workers with current, comparable background checks (including one for a zcard) will receive a discounted fee of between $107 and $127. The exact amount of the fee will be finalized once a contract is awarded in early 2007. A subsequent Federal Register Notice will be issued at that time. „ The cost of the MMC “will be the same as the cost of the current mariner docu- mentation. The only change will be the removal of additional issuance fees ($45) as there will no longer be multiple credentials to issue.” „ If the MMC proposed regulation is fully implemented, mariners would be able to apply for original, renewal, duplicate and raise-in-grade MMCs entirely by mail, without having to visit a Coast Guard regional examination center. Most or all of the information currently submitted in person at one of the 17 RECs already would have been submitted at one of the 125 or so TWIC enrollment centers when an individual applied for a TWIC, removing the need (though not eliminating the option) to apply for an MMC in person. „ The Coast Guard will provide a 90-day comment period on the supplemental proposed MMC rulemaking project and encourages public comment. The government estimates that approximately 750,000 workers eventually will need to carry a TWIC, including U.S. mariners. The new credential was mandated in the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002. Notices of Proposed Rulemakings were issued last year, and the SIU formally submitted comments in early July 2006. Additionally, the SIU joined with other U.S. maritime unions in crafting related testimony presented July 20 to the U.S. Mariners May Pay User Fees Online The U.S. Coast Guard last month issued a news release stating that merchant mariners “are now able to pay user fees for the evaluation of applications, examinations, issuance of licenses and merchant mariner documents online at http:// www.pay.gov/ “Pay.gov allows secure electronic payments to federal government agencies,” the release continues. “Payments can be made directly from an individual’s bank account or by credit or debit card, enabling mariners to quickly pay user fees and have proof of payment. This new method of paying user fees is part of the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) restructuring and centralization project to improve service to mariners and to increase the efficiency of the application review and approval process. For More Information „ The union will provide regular updates on both the TWIC and MMC in the Seafarers LOG, on our web site (www.seafarers.org, normally in the “Heard at Headquarters” section), and at the monthly membership meetings. Port agents will be informed of any new developments, so Seafarers may check with them from time to time. „ Questions concerning the TWIC may be e-mailed to the Coast Guard at: uscg-twic-helpdesk@uscg.mil „ The phone number for the TSA’s TWIC help desk is 877-687-2243 „ The TSA’s TWIC web site is located at http://www.tsa.gov/ „ A list of Coast Guard RECs is located at http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/mmic-regions.htm House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. (The subcommittee is part of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.) Maritime unions including the SIU have emphasized that they fully embrace strong shipboard and port security measures, but that such regulations must not cause undue burden on mariners or other transportation workers, nor should they disrupt commerce. “Mariners may continue to pay user fees in person at Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers. Regional Examination Centers also offer assistance in using pay.gov.” The web address listed in the press release (www.pay.gov) is for a general page provided by the Treasury Department explaining the “pay.gov” system. It includes an internal link to a list of participating federal agencies, and from there it takes a few more clicks to reach the Coast Guard’s “merchant mariner user fee payment” entry page. Once you’ve opened the page with the list of agencies, start by clicking on “D” for Department of Homeland Security, then click on Coast Guard, then click on the merchant mariner page. To go straight to the merchant mariner page, type in the following URL: https://www. pay.gov/paygov/ forms/formInstance.html?agencyFormId=4795779 Seafarers LOG 3 �USNS Cobb Rescues Refugees The keen eye of an on-watch able bodied seaman aboard the SIU-crewed USNS Samuel L. Cobb late last year more than likely saved the lives of eight Cuban refugees. AB Paul Moss on Sept. 27 was pulling his onwatch shift on the bridge of the Ocean Ships, Inc.operated vessel as it was en route to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. At about noon, Moss caught glimpse of a small boat in the distance through his binoculars. Although his field of vision was limited, he could distinguish vessel occupants waving their hands in apparent attempts to get help. Third Mate John Arnold notified Captain Carmen Ciccone of the situation. Within minutes, the captain altered course and headed the Cobb straight toward the refugees’ location. Once in position, Cobb crew members initiated rescue operations. Everything was over about one hour later when all eight of the small boat’s occupants—seven men and one woman—were safely on the deck of the Cobb. Spanish-speaking crew members from the Cobb learned that the freedom seekers had been floating around for 15 days and were out of food and water. After providing other relevant information about their situation, the refugees were given food and whatever other provisions they required to make their stay aboard the Cobb as reasonably comfortable as possible. At about 10 p.m. the same day, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas rendezvoused with the Cobb. Captain Ciccone relinquished custody of the Cobb’s guests to the Coast Guard; the vessel then returned to its normal course. Seafarers aboard the Cobb at the time of the rescue operations included: Bosun Aristeo Padua, ABs Nestor Luzon, Jesley Callum, Jefferson Julian, Paul Moss and Jonathan Nielsen; DEUs Romulo Arzu-Ruiz and Winston Rankin; QMEDs Terence Newman and Terry Dyson; Steward/Baker Cesar Delacruz, Chief Cook Leonida Peligrino and GSUs Osman Alvarez and Robeson Carrier. The Cobb is a T-5 tanker operated by Ocean Ships for the U.S. Military Sealift Command. The ship is 615 feet long with a beam of 90 feet. MSC lists the vessel’s draft as 36 feet, its displacement as 41,500 long tons and its speed as 16 knots. President Ford Moved Swiftly For Mariners in Mayaguez Incident The United States Merchant Marine and the American maritime community as a whole lost an eminent ally with the death of President Gerald R. Ford in December. The 38th President of the United States, Ford died peacefully Dec. 26 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. at 6:45 p.m. California time, according to a statement released by the late president’s family. He was 93. No cause of death was given. President Ford is best remembered in the maritime community for his efforts in response to the May 12, 1975 seizure of a U.S.flag, SIU-crewed container vessel in Southeast Asia. Believing that the Sea-Land Service-operated SS Mayaguez was being used to transport military equipment to Vietnam, the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia ordered the vessel be seized while it was operating in recognized international sea lanes. The Mayaguez’s commercial crew of 39—including 28 Seafarers—was taken captive and held prisoner. U.S. military surveillance aircraft discovered the vessel was then moved to and anchored at Koh Tang, an island located some 50 miles off the southern coast of Cambodia near that country’s shared border with Vietnam. Regarding the seizure incident as an act of piracy, President Ford ordered a military response to retake the vessel and its crew. He directed that the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea be moved into the area and that a substantial number of U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan and Subic Bay in the Philippines be deployed to Utapao Air Base in Thailand. In response to President Ford’s actions, then-SIU President Paul Hall sent a telegram to the White House, declaring: “The military seizure by the Cambodian Government of the SS Mayaguez is a violation of the concept of freedom of the seas and is a hostile and unfriendly act. We share your view that this is a piratical act. We want you to know that we fully support your firm and positive action and we are confident that your efforts to protect the American citizens and the vessel involved will be in this country’s 4 Seafarers LOG Gerald Ford (at podium), who was then vice president-designate, addresses the SIU convention in November 1973 in Washington, D.C. SIU President Paul Hall is seated at right. best interests.” Hall also sent individual telegrams to the families of the captured Seafarers who were aboard the Mayaguez, expressing the union’s deep concern over the situation and the safety of the crew. The resulting battle to rescue the crew—who unknown by military planners had been held aboard a fishing vessel but released prior to the start of hostilities—left 41 military members dead or missing and another 50 wounded. The crew on May 14 was returned aboard the USS Wilson shortly after American military action was carried out by combined Marine and Air Force units. The Seafarers who made up the unlicensed portion of the Mayaguez crew when it was seized were: „ Deck department: Jack Mullis, Salvator Puntillo, Earl Gilbert, William MacDonald, Gerald Bayliss, Thomas LaBue, John Doyle, Herbert MacDonald, Polo Russi Vazquez, Geraldo Lopez and Anastacio Sereno. „ Engine department: Wilfred Friedler, Wilfredo Reyes, Americo Faria, Robert Phillips, Awat Sulaimen, Frank Conway, Robert Zimmerman, Carlos Guerrero and Stephen Zarley; and „ Steward department: Andy Anderson, Guillermo Reyes, Angel Rios, Bill Bellinger, Munasser Omer, Francis Pastrano, Darryl Kastl and Kassim Saleh. The SIU and the entire maritime community extend its condolences to President Ford’s widow and his family. Both will forever be indebted to him for his tough leadership during a time of crisis and unwavering resolve to fight for our merchant mariners and safely return them home. Ford was born Leslie Lynch King Jr., in Omaha, Neb. on July 14, 1913. He was renamed for his step-father, Gerald Ford, who married the former president’s mother after her divorce. After being the captain of his high school football team, Ford landed a football scholarship to the University of Michigan. As a Wolverine, he played center and starred on two national championship teams. He graduated in 1935 and, after turning down offers to play professional football, attended Yale Law School. The late president graduated in the top third of his class in 1941. He joined the Navy in 1942, saw wartime service in the Pacific as a lieutenant commander aboard an aircraft carrier and left the Navy in 1946. He practiced law before winning a congressional seat in 1948. In 1973, Ford was in his 13th term as a Michigan congressman and was the House Republican leader when former President Richard Nixon appointed him vice president. Ford became president on Aug. 9, 1974 immediately following Nixon’s resignation. President Ford was laid to rest Jan. 3 in Grand Rapids, Mich. on the grounds of his presidential museum. The interment followed eight days of mourning that spanned the country, from California to the nation’s capital and back to the late president’s boyhood home. Ford’s casket traveled more than 2,700 miles prior to reaching its final destination. The SIU-crewed tanker USNS Samuel L. Cobb is part of the U.S. Military Sealift Command fleet. Maersk Alabama Seafarers Brighten Holidays for Kids Donations Lift Spirits of Orphans The true spirit of giving was personified by crew members aboard the SIU-contracted Maersk Alabama when they made the holiday season very special for a group of orphaned children in Tanzania. Crew members late last year purchased and donated more than $1,400 worth of food, personal hygiene products, disinfectants, laundry and bedding items for the 95 residents of a children’s home in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Alabama Chief Mate Brian Mossman—with the assistance of Tanzania-based Maersk Agents Thomas Odeny and Isaac Mbugi—did much of the groundwork to make the project possible, including contacting officials at the orphanage to ascertain specifically what items were most needed. Among those in demand were rice and beans, cooking oil, vegetables, toothpaste, aspirin, laundry soap and sheets and mosquito nets for more than 50 bunks. Since the kids rarely have the opportunity to eat meat, the crew also pitched in so that Odeny and Mbugi could buy two goats for the children’s Christmas dinner. SIU members aboard the Alabama at the time of the goodwill gesture included: Bosun Jose F. Caballero, ABs Goducel P. Pascua, Johney August IV, William J. Schuppman, Sacarias Suazo, Syed A. Mehdi, Nieves Nunez, Maamor Mia, El-Sayed Mohamed, Jordan Polon and Pedro Campos; GU Fadel Ghaleb; QMEDS Seller T. Brooks, Tesfaye Gebregziabher and Alfredo Cuevas; GVAs Salah Saeed Saleh and Husain Salah; SBs Roger G. Griswold and Zein Z. Achmad; and Chief Cooks Alba Luz Ayala and Ali B. Hydera. The entire project was a great success to the entire crew, according to Maersk Alabama Capt. Kevin McHugh. “Since we could not celebrate with our families out here at sea, this was our Christmas present to the orphans as well as to ourselves,” he said in electronic correspondence from aboard the vessel. “Even though Christmas is now over, the officers and crew are still coming to me wanting to visit the kids and continue to help the orphanage when possible,” McHugh concluded. Seafarers and officers from the Maersk Alabama donated to an orphanage in Tanzania to help brighten the holidays for children living there, some of whom are pictured at left. It’s Never Too Late . . . At the January membership meeting in Piney Point, Md., Fernando Abuan (third from left), a Phase III unlicensed apprentice, was presented with his high school diploma from the state of Maryland. On hand to congratulate him were SIU officials (from the left) Executive Vice President Augie Tellez, Vice President Joseph Soresi, Vice President George Tricker, President Michael Sacco and Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel. February 2007 �New Study Reinforces Need for Employee Free Choice Act Employer Interference in Union Elections Often Is Out of Control Union leaders for years have spoken out about some U.S. employers resorting to aggressive and sometimes illegal tactics to prevent employees from conducting union membership drives. While it probably won’t surprise many people in the labor movement, a new report from an independent, nonpartisan think tank spells out the breadth and severity of such violations. The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), established to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives, issued the report titled Dropping the Ax: Illegal Firings During Union Election Campaigns. The study says that about one in five union organizers or activists can expect to be fired as a result of their union organizing. The paper by John Schmitt and Ben Zipperer— utilizing published data from the National Labor Relations Board, which runs union elections and is the agency that resolves management-union disputes—found a steep rise in illegal firings of prounion workers in recent years. “Aggressive actions by employers—often including illegal firings—have significantly undermined the ability of U.S. workers to unionize their workplaces,” said Schmitt, CEPR senior economist and lead author of the paper. “With the legal penalties for such actions being so slight, employers can break the law to head off organizing efforts and face almost no real repercussions.” The paper found that firings of pro-union workers involved in union election campaigns are approaching the peak reached Seafarers and other trade unionists march in Washington, D.C. Dec. 8 during a rally supporting the Employee Free Choice Act—a bill that would give workers a fair chance to vote for union representation. during the 1980s of one in 42. Currently, the probability of a pro-union worker being fired is a one-in-53 chance—far greater than the rate at the end of the 1990s, when it was only one in 87. The paper also revealed that the number of successful union elections has significantly declined, partly as a result of the increase in illegal firings. If only 10 percent of pro-union workers are active campaign organizers, almost one in five union activists were fired illegally in 2005. An earlier study by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Center for Urban Economic Development also found shocking amounts of employer resistance during organizing drives: „ 30 percent of employers fire pro-union workers „ 49 percent of employers threaten to close a worksite when workers try to unionize Philly Hall Hosts Governor Rendell Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (center) is greeted by SIU Patrolman Robert Wisler (left) and SIU member William Kelly during a November 2006 meeting with Democratic ward leaders at the SIU hall in Philadelphia. In addition to ward leaders (photo below), the meeting attracted a healthy contingent from the local neighborhood as well as the media (camera at left). February 2007 „ 82 percent of employers hire union-busting consultants to fight organizing drives „ 91 percent of employers force employees to attend antiunion meetings one-on-one with supervisors. “Our research clearly shows that firings, bribes and threats are pervasive,” said Nik Theodore, director of the Center for Urban Economic Development. “These actions greatly impede workers’ ability to form unions.” The timing for the release of the foregoing reports could not have been more opportune for labor and its supporters. One came about one year prior to the mid-term elections and the other just prior to the convening to the new Democratic-controlled 110th Congress, which among other working families issues likely will consider the Employee Free Choice Act. Initially introduced April 9, 2005 as bipartisan legislation in the 109th Congress by Sens. Edward Kennedy (DMass.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Reps. George Miller (DCalif.) and Peter King (R-N.Y.), the act would give workers a fair opportunity to choose union representation. Once law, it would: „ Certify a union as the bargaining representative if the National Labor Relations Board finds that a majority of employees in an appropriate unit has signed authorizations designating the union as its bargaining representative. (The bill also requires the board to develop model authorization language and procedures for establishing the authenticity of signed authorizations.) „ Provide that if an employer and union are engaged in bargaining for their first contract and are unable to reach agreement within 90 days, either party may refer the dispute to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) for mediation. If the FMCS has been unable to bring the parties to agreement after 30 days of mediation the dispute will be referred to arbitration and the results of the arbitration shall be binding on the parties for two years. Time limits may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties. (This is a significant stipulation because some employers have resorted to extreme stall tactics in firstcontract negotiations—a desperate and unfair attempt to deny their employees’ votes for union representation.) „ Provide that just as the NLRB is required to seek a federal court injunction against a union whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that the union has violated the secondary boycott prohibitions in the act, the NLRB must seek a federal court injunction against an employer whenever there is reasonable cause to believe the employer has discharged or discriminated against employees, threatened to discharge or discriminate against employees or engaged in conduct that significantly interferes with employee rights during an organizing or first contract drive. „ Increase the amount an employer is required to pay when an employee is discharged or discriminated against during an organizing campaign or first contract drive to three times the amount of back pay. „ Provide for civil fines of up to $20,000 per violation against employers found to have willfully or repeatedly violated employees’ rights during an organizing campaign or first contract drive. Mineta Joins Horizon Lines Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta last month was elected to the board of SIU-contracted Horizon Lines. Effective Jan. 1, Mineta filled a vacancy created by the resignation from the board by Admiral James Holloway (USN-Retired). The former transportation secretary currently is vice chairman of Hill & Knowlton, a well-known communications consultant. His distinguished career includes 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, the chair of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission and cabinet service under the last two United States presidents. Mineta joined the administration of President George W. Bush in January 2001 and was the longest serving Secretary of Transportation in the history of that cabinet post. He also served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton. Prior to joining the Clinton Administration, he was vice president of Lockheed Martin. During his years as transportation secretary, Mineta was an outstanding advocate of the U.S. Merchant Marine. He seldom missed an opportunity to voice and reiterate his strong support for the U.S.-flag maritime industry. “Rarely in our history has the importance of our maritime operations been so clear or the opportunities for mariners so great,” Mineta said during his June 2004 graduation address at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. “For the first time in recent memory, we are adding demonstrably to the number of ships Former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta sailing under the American flag,” he continued. “In the past two years, our efforts have attracted three modern and militarily useful vessels to the U.S.-flag fleet. Additionally, thousands of new sea-going jobs will be created when three new U.S.-flagged cruise ships are placed in service,” Mineta said. SIU President Michael Sacco once described Mineta as “a tremendous ally through his years of public service in both the Congress and the Clinton and Bush Administrations.” Charles G. (Chuck) Raymond, chairman and CEO of Horizon Lines, stated, “Norm Mineta has a wealth of knowledge of our nation’s commercial opportunities as well as the strengths and opportunities in our national transportation system,” Mr. Raymond said. “He will be an invaluable source of energy and guidance as we look to the future.” Seafarers LOG 5 �Paul Hall Center Adds ‘E-Nav Lab’ Training Upgrade Bolsters School’s Deck Simulation Programs Instructors and staff at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. recently installed upgrades in the school’s deck simulation programs. In a move designed to keep deck department students abreast of the latest innovations in maritime technology, the institution’s vocational staff in August unveiled their new Electronic Navigation Lab (E-Nav Lab), the latest addition to the Lindsey Williams Shiphandling Simulator and Bob McMillen Annex. The new E-Nav Lab provides functionality that supports deck officer training in a number of areas associated with “officer in charge of a navigational watch” (OICNW) program development including: Electronic Chart/ ECDIS, Automatic Identification System (AIS) GPS, LORAN C, Radar, ARPA, Echo Sounder, and navigation software. As a result of this upgrade, students working in a simulated environment now will be able to reinforce classroom theory by engaging in real-time navigation exercises. The instructor-led exercises are designed around a concept of managing all the electronic navigation equipment that typically is found on a modern integrated bridge. After mastering the basic principles involved in the various equipment packages, students then develop voyage plans, store these plans electronically, check them for safety parameters, and implement them during interactive exercises with up to five bridge stations working simultaneously. Additionally, they scrutinize their progress on ECDIS displays while using radar and ARPA overlay to monitor the movements of other vessels in the exercise area. When activated, the AIS display provides students with detailed information pertaining to the identity, nationality, routing and movements of traffic vessels visible on Radar/ARPA displays. GPS, Loran C, auto pilot functionality, and echo sounders all contribute to the equipment’s increased realism. As exercises proceed, alarms must be answered and navigation situations with other vessels must be resolved. Bridges are connected with closed loop VHF using real communication equipment. Designed and developed by TRANSAS USA, the new system was installed by NavSim services. It was up and running last year when SIU President Michael Sacco hosted President George W. Bush during a Labor Day visit to the Paul Hall Center. The equipment was a central feature of President Bush’s tour of the training facility. He showed great interest in the integrated bridge concept and enthusiastically participated in piloting exercises. Recent years have ushered in many technological advances which have affected the way mariners practice navigation while aboard merchant ships. The foregoing additions to the Paul Hall Center’s E-Nav Lab and updates to the full mission simulator will enable the institution’s training staff to continue its delivery of relevant training and provide students the skills they need to understand and manage the technologically complex navigation tools found aboard today’s ships. Instructor Mike Smith (pointing in photo above) explains a display on the Electronic Navigation Lab (E-Nav Lab) simulator to upgrader Hector Cumba, who sails with Crowley. The E-Nav Lab simulator program, whose opening window appears below, is the latest addition to the Lindsey Williams Shiphandling Simulator and Bob McMillen Annex at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Seafarers Should Take Note of Canadian Port Security Seafarers sailing aboard vessels destined for Canadian ports could encounter difficulties gaining entry into the country depending on their personal backgrounds. Our neighbors to the north—as part of their port security structure—have some extremely rigorous prerequisites that must be satisfied before vessels and mariners are permitted entry at their ports. As reported last year in the LOG, the strict enforcement of these requirements periodically was the source of negative consequences for ships in the U.S.-flag maritime industry. Such continues to be the case as isolated incidents still occur at certain ports. Fundamentally, Canadian port officials will not allow anyone who has (in their eyes) seriously breached the law—including individuals with DUI/DWI convictions—to enter their country. Vessels carrying crew members with criminal records to Canadian ports therefore could be subject to various penalties by the Canadian government. According to the Web site of Canada’s Consulate General in New York: “Members of Inadmissible Classes include those who have been convicted of minor offenses (including shoplifting, theft, assault, dangerous driving, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of illegal Thanking the Leadership At the January membership meeting in Piney Point, Md., Instructor Bernabe Pelingon (right) noted that SIU officials often thank the rank-and-file members for their hard work in helping make and keep the union strong. He wanted to turn the tables and thank the leadership, with President Michael Sacco at the helm, for their many accomplishments over the years. On behalf of the SIU members and their families at Piney Point, Pelingon expressed his appreciation to Sacco by presenting him with a wooden nameplate, beautifully carved and crafted in the Philippines. 6 Seafarers LOG substances, etc.), or of indictable criminal offenses (including assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, etc.). As well, those who have been convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) are considered Members of an Inadmissible Class. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offense in Canada. “Those who have received traffic violations (including parking/speeding tickets, etc.) and other minor violations (i.e., littering, etc.) most likely will NOT be prohibited from entering Canada. Similarly, those who have juvenile convictions (convictions for crimes committed while under age 18) most likely will NOT be prohibited from entering Canada unless they could have been tried as an adult for their offenses.” The site further states that individuals who have been convicted of an offense in Canada and who wish to return to that country first must apply for a pardon from the Clemency and Pardons Division of the National Parole Board. Those unable to obtain pardons may still apply for a temporary resident permit. The Canadian regulations have been reexamined and recirculated within parts of the U.S.flag maritime industry in an effort to comply. In addition, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System last March issued a notice to mariners titled “Pre Entry Information Required from ForeignFlag Vessels” that spells out Canada’s requirements. It should be pointed out that while the entry regulations basically are clear-cut and “to the letter,” their actual enforcement often varies from location to location. Captains of the various ports enforce the statutes autonomously, which means that what may constitute a glitch for a mariner in one port may not be a problem at all for him or her at another. Taken a step further, it also could mean that just because a mariner gained access in one port does not mean that he or she automatically will be granted access at another location. Talks are ongoing between American Maritime Association member companies and the Canadian government on the consequences of these regulations and specifically what can be done to diminish their negative effect on the U.S.-flag industry. In the meantime, SIU officials urge all mariners who may seek entry into a Canadian port to obtain passports (which eventually will be required to re-enter the U.S.). Mariners also are encouraged to contact the Canadian Consulate well in advance to ensure that all information pertaining to their backgrounds are such that no problems will be encountered. The contact information for the New York office is follows: Consulate General of Canada 1251 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020-1175 Telephone: (212) 596-1628 Fax: (212) 596-1790 e-mail: cngny@international.gc.ca Desserts a Hit Aboard Liberty Chief Steward Lonnie Jones submitted these photos after a recent voyage aboard the Liberty. “I had a good crew in the galley. They did a very good job,” Jones noted. The daily variety and multitude of homemade pastries proved particularly popular with the unlicensed crew and officers alike, according to the chief steward. French bread and pizza were among other items enthusiastically gobbled up. Jones is pictured above (center) with Chief Cook Bruce Johnson (left) and SA Warren Bradford, and (inset) displaying a couple of the many dessert choices. February 2007 �USNS Rappahannock Rescues 3 Fishermen The USNS Rappahannock, crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division, rescued three Filipino fishermen found clinging to their overturned boat off the coast of the Philippines on Dec. 19, according to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC). The Rappahannock, a fleet replenishment oiler, was operating in the South China Sea when the ship’s crew spotted flashing lights from a small, overturned vessel just minutes before midnight. Rappahannock crew members were dispatched in a rigid-hull inflatable boat to pull the three fishermen from the rough waters. Once aboard the Rappahannock, the rescued men were examined by medical personnel, clothed and fed. All three were reported uninjured. “It’s like a miracle. They were all lucky to survive for several days,” said Jeremy Guida, one of 85 civil service mariners who crew the Rappahannock. The men were transferred from the ship to authorities at Subic Bay on the morning of Dec. 19. The Rappahannock is one of MSC’s 14 fleet replenishment oilers, which provide fuel to deployed Navy ships, dramatically extending the time a Navy battle group can stay at sea. In addition to the Rappahannock’s CIVMAR crew, a small Navy contingent also is on board to support supply coordination and helicopter operations. When the rescue occurred, the Rappahannock was conducting routine replenishment operations in the area. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Thomas J. Holt The USNS Rappahannock prepares to conduct a replenishment at sea. The photo was taken late last year. The Rappahannock is crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division. CIVMAR News Change in Promotion Board Procedures USNS Sacagawea Starts Sea Trials The USNS Sacagawea, the second ship of the U.S. Navy’s new T-AKE-class of resupply vessels, is pictured Dec. 13 departing from the NASSCO Shipyard in San Diego for “builder’s sea trials.” For three days, shipyard personnel tested the vessel’s systems and demonstrated its readiness for delivery to the Navy this summer. The T-AKE vessels will be crewed by members of the SIU’s Government Services Division. Construction of the USNS Sacagawea began in September 2004. The vessel is 689 feet long, displaces nearly 41,000 metric tons and will travel at speeds up to 20 knots. After a series of discussions, the union’s Government Services Division and the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) have agreed to a new process regarding promotion applications for CIVMARS who would like to apply for career-advancing positions within the agency. Effective Jan. 1, 2007, MSC’s Employment Division will begin accepting promotion applications only during the period between the opening and closing dates of announcements. Previously, applications were accepted any time, as long as they were postmarked by the closing date. CIVMARS at sea will receive Promotion Opportunity Announcements approximately 30 days in advance of the opening dates via distribution to the vessels. The promotion application period will remain open for a minimum of 14 days. Announcements will be readily available on the designated shipboard official bulletin boards, or may be found at www.msc.navy.mil. (Leave and Earnings Statements will include a notice reminding employees to check the web site, except during pay periods when MSC must post special notifications such as open season, etc.) The union encourages CIVMARS to bring all their employment-related documents or copies of these documents and their work history with them each time they leave for assignment. Having this information in hand will allow CIVMARS to submit applications from the vessel via fax or e-mail. If mariners are forwarddeployed, regular mail may no longer be an appropriate method of sending an application since it must be received within the two-week period. The ship’s purser may help transmit the information to the Promotion Board personnel in a timely manner. CIVMARS should get a copy of their transmission information from the vessel to demonstrate that the application was sent within the allotted time. If mariners experience difficulties aboard the vessel with this process, they are asked to advise their union representative immediately. CMPI 610 Negotiations Union and MSC representatives are meeting with the help of a Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services mediator to settle ground rules for the CMPI 610 negotiations. Ground rule negotiations are important discussions that are conducted to determine the how the parties will conduct the substantive negotiations concerning premium, overtime and penalty pay provisions of CMPI 610. There is one large issue that remains between the parties: how CIVMARS will participate in the discussions. The union believes that CIVMARS representing each department should take part in CMPI 610 discussions for the entire series of negotiations. In part because this provision hasn’t been negotiated in more than 20 years, the union also believes that CIMVARS should participate in person and that their expertise is needed at the negotiation table to ensure the parties have all the information about how work and pay rules are currently applied on MSC vessels. MSC believes that CIVMARS should play a more limited role in the negotiations in person and has suggested that participation may be supplemented by having CIVMARS dial into the negotiations by phone. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the Federal Services Impasse Panel may be requested to hear the matter and decide which set of proposals should be adopted. CIVMARS on East Coast Assigned to Upgraded Hotel A long-awaited change finally is occurring. As a result of union and CIVMAR advocacy, East Coast CIVMARS will enjoy an upgrade in the hotels CIVMARS must use when assigned to training or the CSU. Beginning Jan. 18, CIVMARS will be assigned to the “Triple Diamondrated” Doubletree Hotel in Virginia Beach and three backup hotels of similar quality in the Norfolk area. Understanding that habitability issues ashore and afloat are a top priority for the SIU and the CIVMARS it represents has led to other improvements as well—CIVMARS at training courses in New Jersey will also be assigned to an upgraded facility. MSC is seeking new hotels for CIVMARS receiving training in that state. The union is waiting to hear from MSC as to when that new contract will be awarded. The hotel issue continues on the legal track as the union filed an unfair labor practice against MSC for failing to negotiate with the SIU regarding the hotel selection. The union believes that MSC should fulfill its legal obligations to negotiate over this very important condition of employment for all CIVMARS. Seafarer Saluted on Cape Jacob SIU member Salah Omar (third from left in photo at left) recently was recognized by Seafarers-contracted Matson for excellent shipboard work. According to Capt. Tom Stapleton, Matson’s program director for government services, Omar was named “Steward of the Quarter” for “outstanding contributions and cando attitude.” Pictured at left aboard the Cape Jacob recently in Japan are (from left) SA Bruce Davidson, SA Isaka Koanda, Assistant Cook Omar, Steward Baker Scott Dottino, SA Mohamed Omar and Chief Cook Erik Loret. Right: Also shown aboard ship are Omar, Stapleton and Grady Byrd of the Maritime Administration. Matson presented Brother Omar with a plaque and certificate. February 2007 Seafarers LOG 7 �Spending the Holidays at Sea and Ashore Christmas Aboard the Alaskan Explorer Happy holidays from the steward department aboard the Alaskan Explorer. From the left (back row) are Chief Cook David Vaughn, Recertified Steward Brian Burchette, Apprentice Benny Wright and (front) GSU Amin Saleh. AB Zaid Muthala gives his approval for the delicious Christmas Day meal. Apprentice Benny Wright watches as Chief Cook David Vaughn pulls the lobsters from the oven for dinner. Also on the dinner menu were crab stuffed mushrooms, filet mignon, twice-baked potatoes, mushroom risotto, steamed asparagus and kernel corn with fresh dinner rolls and, of course, a wide assortment of desserts. Capt. Earl Sheesley samples some of Chief Cook David Vaughn’s baked Virginia ham. Recertified Steward Brian Burchette has the dessert line under control—everything from cookies, fudge, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, caramel apple pie, baklava, an assortment of candies and nuts, and more! Thanks to Recertified Steward Brian Bruchette for sending these photos of Christmas 2006 aboard the ATC Alaskan Explorer in Port Angeles, Wash. Thanksgiving in the Port of Fort Lauderdale Apprentice Benny Wright creates a waffle masterpiece for the holiday breakfast (which also included Eggs Benedict with croissants and fresh cinammon rolls). Thanksgiving Day festivities—complete with a traditional holiday meal—were held Nov. 22 at the SIU hall in Fort Lauderdale. GSU Amin Saleh serves up some sparkling cider. 8 Seafarers LOG February 2007 �Spending the Holidays at Sea and Ashore Thanksgiving in the Jacksonville Hall Lemont Fountain and Chief Cook Isaac Newsome Fahtima Mims and Port Agent Archie Ware Chief Cook Gloria Baker and Chief Steward Grady Ingram Administrative Assistant Carmen Rodriguez (center) and her family Jacksonville Port Agent Archie Ware (left) and Lester Williams, labor relations manager at Crowley OMU Jermaine Love and AB James Rush Margaret Reasoner, Crowley; Port Agent Archie Ware; Jacquelyn Smith, Crowley; SIU Rep Tony Elliott Right: Chief Cook Isaac Newsome and his mother, Lois. OMU Nat Lamb, OMU Greg Holsey and AB Travis Kirkland In the serving line: SREC Michael Amador, GUDE Justin Ravnell and AB Donley Johnson ABs Donley Johnson, Paul Dooley and Kurt Bruer Oiler Tommy Ealdama, AB Arturo Orcino and AB Arsenio Omabao Magnus Lindeback, CEO, Coastal Maritime; Karen Shuford, executive assistant, SIU port of Jacksonville; Kathy Wiley, CFO, Coastal Maritime; and Bud Underwood, human resources and security, Coastal Maritime GUDE Roslyn Warner and Paul Williams Right: Chief Cook Richard Jones, OMU Stephanie Brown and SREC Gerald Kirtsey Chief Cook Shirley Bellamy ABs Ferdinand Lugo and Juan Rochez Tim Methvin QMED David Terry, AB Rubin Mitchell and AB Benjamin Bess. Bess helped decorate the hall and clean the galley. Safety Director Randy Senatore, Scott Boatright and Anthony Brown. Boatright and Brown are UIW shop stewards at Coastal Maritime. In the background is Linell Coleman. Lemont Fountain helped cater the party. GUDE Abdulla Gobah, Recertified Steward John McGill and AB Angelo Wilcox February 2007 Waiting in line: AB Kurt Bruer, GUDE Christopher Cash, AB Paul Dooley and AB Wilbur Pantin VP Kermett Mangram and Port Agent Archie Ware Seafarers LOG 9 �Spending the Holidays at Sea and Ashore Christmas in the Norfolk Hall Chief Cook Marie Mitchell and SA Ruden Perez AB Tim Heil, AB Gary White, QMED Randolph Petterson and QEE Wendell Brown SA Delicia Cross and Gov’t Services Rep Maurice Cokes Left: Miliah Cunanon Right: Elvira Cunanon and QEE Rudy Cunanon SA Herminio Pagan, Chief Cook William Brainard, Mr. Peet (father of Carmus Peet) and QMED Carmus Peet Retirees Larry McCombs and Randolph Archer SB Army Joe Leake (who catered the meal) and Ethel Brooks, Norfolk secretary Thanksgiving Aboard the Overseas Philadelphia Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny and his nephew, Phillip Higham Right: Guest Al Picott, SIU Vice President Kermett Mangram, Chief Cook Frank Washington, GUDE Harold Langly and Mr. Johnson (the brother of BB Johnson from the shore gang) Thanks to John L. Frey for sending these photos from Thanksgiving Day on the Overseas Philadelphia. OS Dionce Bright, OS William Bolden, OS Anthony Clemmens, Storekeeper Arica Shaw and AB Jonathan Davis 10 Seafarers LOG Bosun Thor Young with Baron and Gracie-May February 2007 �Spending the Holidays at Sea and Ashore Thanksgiving in the San Juan Hall Enjoying the Thanksgiving dinner at the San Juan hall are AB Kevin Gonzalez, Bosun Noel Otero, Pensioner Tyson and Assistant Port Agent Luis Roman. Thanksgiving in the Houston Hall Posing for a quick picture during the Thanksgiving dinner festivities in Houston are (from left) Bosun Monte Pereira, SIU Vice President Dean Corgey and Bosun John Cain. Music helped make the dinner more festive. Included in the music-making are Bosun Rafael Franco, Bosun Robert Flores and his son, AB Angelo Acosta and OMU Orlando Pagan. Helping out during the event are (from left) SIU Assistant Vice President Jim McGee, Steward/Baker Henry Manning, William Sowell, Chief Cook Mary Brayman, Vice President Dean Corgey, retired Chief Cook Joe Clark and retired Bosun Ralph Moore. AB Adiener Alfaro and his wife showed off their new baby at the Thanksgiving Day celebration. Above and below: Members and guests enjoy selecting from a wide variety of delicious choices as they celebrate the bounty of Thanksgiving. Amanda Crespo, the daughter of Port Agent Amancio Crespo, gets a large cup of soda to drink with her dinner. Bosun Luis Perez, who worked on the shore gang, receives his first pension check from Port Agent Amancio Crespo. Perez worked more than 45 years as an SIU member. February 2007 Seafarers LOG 11 �WHAT’S N EW F OR 2 006? Here are some of the changes that will take effect in 2006, along with changes that remain in effect from 2005 from the Hurricane Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act, the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, the 2005 Energy Tax Incentive Act, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, and other tax law changes. Standard Mileage Rates — The 2006 rate for business use of your vehicle is 44.5 cents a mile. The 2006 rate for use of your vehicle to get medical care or to move is 18 cents a mile. The special standard mileage rate in effect for 2006 for the cost of operating your car for providing charitable services solely related to Hurricane Katrina is 32 cents per mile. Exemption — The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased from $3,200 in 2005 to $3,300 in 2006. You lose all or part of the benefit of your exemptions if your adjusted gross income is above a certain amount. The amount at which the phase-out begins depends on your filing status. For 2006, the phase-out begins at: „ $225,750 for married people filing jointly and qualified widow(er) with dependent children; „ $188,150 for a head of household; „ $150,500 for single taxpayers; and „ $112,875 for married persons filing separately. Credit for Federal Telephone Excise Tax Paid — In the past, you paid a federal excise tax that was assessed on your toll calls based on how far the call was being made and how long you talked on that call. Phone companies have been given notice to stop assessing this tax as of Aug. 31, 2006. If you paid the federal excise tax on your long distance or bundled telephone service, you may be able to request a standard credit between $30-60 on line 71 of the 1040. If you file short form 1040A, you will use line 42. If you do not file a tax return, you may still request the credit using form 1040 EZ-T. On this form, the credit will be entered on line 1a. The amount of the standard credit depends on the amount of exemptions you entered on your 1040, line 6d: Exemptions: 0-$0; 1-$30; 2-$40; 3-$50; 4-$60 If you have already received a credit form from your phone company, you may not receive this credit on your tax return; and if you receive this credit on your tax return, you may not request a credit from your phone company. If you wish to claim actual expenses paid as opposed to the standard amount above, you may do so by filing Form 8913. This is a refundable credit, which means you get this money no matter how your tax return works out. It will either reduce the amount you owe or add to your refund. Direct Deposit of Refunds — If you choose direct deposit of your refund, you may be able to split the refund into two or three accounts. Increased Age Limit for Kiddie Tax — The age of minor children whose investment income is subject to tax at the parent’s rate has increased from under age 14 to under age 18. This means that unearned investment income above $1,700 or a child under age 18 will be exposed to the parent’s marginal income tax rate. Alternative Motor Vehicles — You may be able to take a credit if you place an alternative motor vehicle (including a qualified hybrid vehicle) or alternative fuel vehicle refueling property in service in 2006. See Forms 8910 and 8911. You can no longer take a deduction for clean-fuel vehicles or refueling property. Credit for Higher Education Tuition — For 2006, the maximum Hope credit has increased to $1,650. The maximum Lifetime Learning Credit remains at $2,000. These amounts are doubled for students attending an eligible education institution in the Gulf Opportunity Zone. These credits are for both returning and new students. Charitable Contributions — Beginning Aug. 17, 2006, any donations of clothing and household items won’t be deductible unless the donated items are in good used or better condition. This means that the IRS may deny a deduction for any item that has minimal monetary value. However, this rule does not apply to a contribution of any single item for which a deduction of more than $500 is claimed and for which you include a qualified appraisal and Form 8283 with your tax return. Beginning in 2007, you may no longer deduct contributions made in cash or by check unless you can produce a bank record or a receipt, letter, or other written communication from the charitable organization. This should include the organization’s name and address, the date and location of the gift, and a description of property. This requirement applies regardless of the amount of the donation. Earned Income Credit (EIC) — You may be able to take the EIC if: „ A child lived with you and you earned less than $36,348 ($38,348 if married filing jointly) or „ A child did not live with you and you earned less than $12,120 ($14,120 if married filing jointly) The maximum Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) you can have and still get the credit also has increased. You may be able to take the credit if your AGI is less than the amount in the above list that applies to you. The maximum investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $2,800. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child — In 2005, to simplify the tax law, the definition of a ‘qualified child’ changed for taxpayers who claim a child as a dependent, elects Head of Household status, or takes the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child or Dependent Care Credit. To meet this new definition, the 12 Seafarers LOG person needs to be your child, sibling (or descendent of either), adopted or foster child. The child must be under either (1) age 19; (2) under age 24 if a student, or (3) any age if permanently and totally disabled. Also, the child must be either a citizen, resident or national of the United States and must have the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of the year. The child must not provide more than one-half of his/her own support for the year. Foster Child — New rules apply to determine who is a foster child and when a foster child can be used to claim certain benefits. To claim a foster child as a qualifying child for any tax benefits, the child must be placed with a taxpayer by an authorized placement agency or by judgment, decree or other order of any court of competent jurisdiction. A foster child no longer qualifies a taxpayer to use qualifying widow(er) filing status. Tuition and Fee Deduction — Individuals may be able to deduct up to $4,000 if Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is not more than $65,000 ($130,000 if married filing jointly), or deduct up to $2,000 if AGI is higher than that limit but not more than $80,000 ($160,000 if married filing jointly). The following highlights some of the most important provisions of the Hurricane Katrina Act and Gulf Opportunity Zone Act affecting individual taxpayers: In general, non-business casualty losses are deductible as itemized deductions to the extent they exceed 10 percent of adjusted gross income plus $100. However, these limitations are suspended for losses resulting from the hurricane and incurred in the disaster area. The 10 percent penalty imposed on premature withdrawals from IRA and other qualified retirement plans is waived for victims of a hurricane. Such individuals may withdraw up to $100,000 from those plans without penalty for distributions made after August 25, 2005 and before January 1, 2007. Also, the threshold limitations for loans from qualified employer plans for hurricane victims are increased to $100,000 or 100 percent of the account balance effective for loans made on or after September 23, 2005 and before January 1, 2007. Tax credit for the installation of non-business energy property — Starting in 2006, a tax credit is available to individuals for the installation of non-business energy property, such as residential exterior doors and windows, insulation, heat pumps, furnaces, central air conditioners and water heaters. The credit is limited to a lifetime maximum of $500. The credit breaks down as follows: $200 of the credit can be based on expenditures for windows; $50 of the credit on any advanced main air circulating fans; $150 on any qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler; and $300 of the credit on any item of energy-efficient building property. Tax credit for residential alternative energy equipment — A tax credit is available to help individuals pay for residential alternative energy equipment. The credit is 30 percent of the cost of eligible solar water heaters, solar electricity equipment and fuel cell plants placed in service in 2006 and 2007. The maximum credit is $2,000 per tax year for each category of solar equipment, and $500 for each half kilowatt of capacity of fuel cell plants installed per tax year. Six-month Automatic Extensions — Beginning with 2005 returns due in 2006, individuals will be able to file Form 4868 to get an automatic six-month extension of time to file. Previously, only corporations could request an automatic six-month extension, and other taxpayers were required to file for two extensions. Also, almost all states have indicated that they are following the IRS’s lead. Donations of Automobiles — Starting in 2005, there is a limit on the charitable contribution of used motor vehicles (with a claimed value in excess of $500) to the gross sales price received by the charity for the subsequent sale of the donated vehicle, rather than the fair market value. A charitable organization must provide the donor with Form 1098-C. Combat Pay — Some military personnel receiving combat pay get larger tax credits because of two law changes. The new law counts excludable combat pay as income when figuring the Child Tax Credit and gives the taxpayer the option of counting or ignoring combat pay when figuring the Earned Income Trax Credit. Counting combat pay as income when calculating these credits does not change the exclusion of combat pay from taxable income. Sales Tax Deduction — Taxpayers who itemize deductions will have a choice of claiming a state and local tax deduction for either sales or income taxes on their 2006 return. The IRS will provide optional tables for use in determining the deduction amount, relieving taxpayers of the need to save receipts throughout the year. Sales taxes paid on motor vehicles and boats may be added to the table amount, but only up to the amount paid at the general sales tax rate. Taxpayers will check a box on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, to indicate whether their deduction is for sales or income taxes. TA X TIPS FOR As the LOG went to press, Congress was continuing to work on other ta check www.irs.gov befo Also, you may be mailing your return to a different address this year be you received an envelope with your tax package, please use it. Otherw HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. ‹ Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. ‹ Itemized deductions and tax credits. ‹ Medical and dental payment records. ‹ Real estate and personal property tax receipts. ‹ Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. ‹ Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 entitled “Your Feder al I ncom e Tax f or Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-800-272-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit web sites www.officialpayments.com or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 74b, 74c and 74d on their Form 1040. Line 74b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 74c indicates the type of account, and line 74d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return prepara- tion services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, visit the IRS web site at: www.irs.gov. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption—for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $3,300 per person. In 2006, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction Has Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box on this page). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual’s benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2006, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or investments is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Ex- STANDARD DEDUCTION This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,000 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,250 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,300. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,150 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,300 Married filing separate return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,150 Head of household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,550 February 2007 p a re m m d c th d P w u m e e n to In a e k lo re e e D W p th th o th e a e in d th a T (J w fu T m d it d ra In h a L 2 it $ in in E e to in in a q c D p b a e a in fy ta $ c p a c th in r T s fo D N S In d th is is ta S C w U �R MA RINERS ax law changes which may impact your 2006 income taxes. Please ore filing your return. ecause the IRS has changed the filing location for several areas. If wise, see Where Do You File? on the back cover of the instructions. penses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can esult in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 16 of his year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 44.5 cents per mile. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, olls and parking. n either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. The IRS recommends keeping a og book or diary listing all expenses elated to travel. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on he meal allowance of $52 per day in he continental U.S. and $58 per day outside the continental U.S. Otherwise he IRS standard meal allowance is generally $39. In some locations it is $45, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Travel expenses, includng meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one’s work and if hey have not been reimbursed from any other source. There has been a tax court case Johnson v. Comm. 115 TC210[2000]) where a merchant seaman was denied a ull deduction for the full M & IE rates. The court ruled that in situations where meals are provided at no cost, the incidental expense rate allowable as an temized deduction is limited to $3 a day (in the continental U.S.) and rates anging from $1 to $53 in other areas. n lieu of these rates, to the extent you have receipts, a higher deduction amount may be allowed. Limit on Itemized Deductions: In 2006, itemized deductions may be limted for individuals earning more than $150,500 of federal adjusted gross ncome (or $72,250 if married and filng separately). Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit (EIC) is available o certain individuals who have earned ncome and meet certain adjusted gross ncome thresholds. For tax year 2006, an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met. Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer’s income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with ncome less than $12,120 and no qualiying children—$412 maximum credit; axpayers with income less than $32,001 and with 1 qualifying child—$2,747 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $36,348 and with 2 or more qualifying children—$4,536 maximum credit. If he earned income credit reduces the ncome tax liability below zero, a efund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EIC to see if they are eligible or the credit. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a S oc i al Secu r ity n u m ber (SSN ). ndividuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with heir local Social Security Adminstration office or calling the Adminstration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually akes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Child Tax Credit: In 2006, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer February 2007 may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $1,000 per child. The credit begins to phase out when modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or $55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the “HOPE” credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,650 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after Jan. 1, 2006, taxpayers can take the “Lifetime Learning Credit,” that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student’s expenses. These credits are subject to income limitations. The phaseout of the credits begins for single taxpayers when modified AGI reaches $45,000, and completely phase out when modified AGI reaches $55,000. For joint filers, the phaseout range is $90,000 to $110,000. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credit are not available to taxpayers married filing separately. In 2006, the Lifetime Learning Credit will be $2,000. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: ‹ Education IRAs – Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit is claimed. ‹ Traditional IRAs – The contribution limit to a traditional IRA in 2006 is $4,000. If a taxpayer reaches age 50 before 2007, the most that can be contributed will be $5,000. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phaseout range increased to $50,000-$60,000 for single, head of household, and $75,000-$85,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er). Also, solely for the purpose of figuring the $100,000 modified AGI limit on eligibility to make qualified rollover distributions from a Traditional IRA to Roth IRA, minimum required distributions from IRAs and other qualified plans received in tax year beginning with 2006 are excluded from modified AGI. ‹ Roth IRAs – The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $4,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $95,000 and $110,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $150,000 and $160,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. ‹ Penalty-Free IRA Distributions – The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax penalty also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a first-time homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual’s lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. Also, the tax penalty does not apply to distributions for an individual’s disability, medical care, or to a beneficiary after death of the individual. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2006, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: ‹ Jones Act settlements for lost wages. ‹ Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. ‹ Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. ‹ Canceled debts ‹ State income tax refunds ‹ Rents ‹ Repayments ‹ Royalties ‹ Unemployment benefits ‹ Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. ‹ Endowments. ‹ Original Issue Discount. ‹ Distributions from self-employed plans. ‹ Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). ‹ Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. ‹ Lump-sum distributions. ‹ Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). ‹ Accumulation distributions from trusts. ‹ Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). ‹ Earned income from sources outside the United States. ‹ Director’s fees. ‹ Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. ‹ Embezzled or other illegal income. WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: ‹ Benefits from government welfare programs. ‹ Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, medical costs. ‹ Maintenance and Cure. ‹ Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. ‹ Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. ‹ Child support. ‹ Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. ‹ Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. ‹ Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. ‹ Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. living in the home. ‹ Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION Taxpayers can get an automatic 6month extension if, no later than April 16, 2007, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. WHERE IS MY REFUND? In 2004, the IRS launched a new program that allows taxpayers to trace their refunds online. If taxpayer(s) have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the web site at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the Refund amount (It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return). WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. WHERE TO GET INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answer questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s auto- mated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your 2005 refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �partnership between the NPMHU and the AFL-CIO.” Hegarty added, “Mail Handlers have a long history with the federation, with our first affiliation beginning nearly 70 years ago, and we certainly look forward to a long and productive relationship well into the future.” The Mail Handlers are a major postal union, with more than 47,000 regular members and more than three times as many associate members. The Mail Handlers’ Union’s original affiliation with the AFLCIO dates back to the 1930s. They continued that affiliation through the Laborers, following their merger with the Laborers in 1968, up until the time the Laborers left the AFL-CIO in May 2006. The AFL-CIO represents 10 million working men and women nationwide and has 54 affiliate unions, including the SIU. The executive council statement authorizing the re-issuing of national charters can be found on the AFL-CIO web site, www.aflcio.org. rescue helicopter radioed the person was in deep hypothermia but alive, and had he been in the water five more minutes he would not have survived. An hour and 10 minutes elapsed since the Overseas Joyce crew members witnessed Ocean Challenger sink beneath cold Gulf of Alaska seas. The Coast Guard confirmed the one person just pulled alive from the water wore a survival suit. Soon after two others were also located and hoisted up by the rescue helicopter; but these individuals wore only life jackets and did not survive the cold water. One individual remained missing. The search continued as ships and aircraft, now including the USCG cutter Monroe and containership R.J. Pfiefer, exchanged information to narrow down the likely location of the missing man. Though the Overseas Joyce crew had stood in the cold Gulf of Alaska wind and spray for hours, thoughts were far from their own minor discomforts. As the steward department quietly passed the word that a hot breakfast was available on the bridge and a single pot meal was ready in the galley, no one rotated from their stations. All eyes were fixed on a dark gray ocean. All thoughts and prayers were with the men and the families of the men who would never return home from sea. Shortly before noon, the U.S. Coast Guard on-scene commander released the ship to continue its voyage and the Overseas Joyce resumed its track toward Unimak Pass with a quiet crew. No one felt heroic. Mail Handlers Union Rejoins AFL-CIO The AFL-CIO recently reported that the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU, part of the Laborers) has rejoined the federation. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney presented a charter to the NPMHU’s officers on Dec. 12. The Mail Handlers are the first union to take advantage of the AFL-CIO executive council’s decision in August to authorize Sweeney to re-issue charters to unions which were once independent affiliates and now want to return to the AFL-CIO, even though they are part of unions that recently disaffiliated. (SIU President Michael Sacco serves on the federation’s executive council.) “The union movement is strengthened by the Mail Handlers’ decision to rejoin the AFL-CIO, which will bring together all the major postal workers’ unions and benefit working families nationwide,” said Sweeney. After the Mail Handlers expressed interest in rejoining the Federation, Sweeney consulted with the union leadership, the Laborers, the AFL-CIO executive council and the other postal unions to make their reaffiliation possible. NPMHU National President John Hegarty said that he is delighted with this direct affiliation agreement, indicating that he is “confident that nearly 50,000 Mail Handlers across the country will benefit from this continuing Overseas Joyce Helps Save Life, But Alaska Tragedy Claims 3 Editor’s note: This article was submitted by an individual from the Overseas Joyce who requested his name be withheld so as not to give the appearance that he or any of the crew sought individual recognition for their efforts. The LOG respects and follows those wishes in this case and also recognizes the story’s sensitivity, even while preferring to publish a crew list. According to the sender, later the same day of the rescue, the Overseas Joyce was directed by its weather-routing service to take refuge in Dutch Harbor, Alaska because another hurricane-force storm was forecast to cross its track. There it was learned a Discovery Channel film crew had been aboard the rescue helicopter. Footage of the actual search and rescue operation may be seen in an upcoming episode of “Deadliest Catch” airing sometime in March. The SIU-crewed car carrier Overseas Joyce, on its normal trade route from the U.S. to Japan, was approaching Unimak Pass in the Aleutian Islands on the morning of Oct. 18. The ship, using weather-routing services, passed close to the Shumagin Islands in order to gain a lee from high winds as a severe low pressure system was forecast to reach hurricane strength and pass south of the vessel. The previous evening was a long, storm-tossed night as the storm system made an unexpected turn and moved directly north of the ship, bringing with it 60-knot winds and 40-foot seas. After the crew endured a sleepless night, dawn brought slightly improved conditions. Though winds veered and weakened somewhat, the storm dragged with it heavy 30-foot swells and bowpounding waves. In these conditions, shortly after sunrise, the bridge watch team spotted a small fishing boat less than a mile off the starboard bow; heavy seas made the small vessel look even smaller. The fishing boat, later identified as the 50-foot Ocean Challenger, labored as it broached and foundered to the seas. Moments later the fishing vessel went over on its side as a “Mayday” call came over the radio. It was a chilling and brief transmission, a message no one in this brotherhood of the sea ever wants to hear. Ocean Challenger was going down, and its four-person crew was abandoning ship. Aboard the Overseas Joyce all hands woke up to the ship’s emergency signal, the deck gang taking lookout stations covering all 14 Seafarers LOG points of the horizon, the engineers readying machinery for maneuvering speeds, the steward department standing by to assist. Within minutes of the Ocean Challenger’s call for help, everyone was at their stations, and contact was made with the U.S. Coast Guard facility at Cold Bay, Alaska. Then, five minutes after sighting, the Ocean Challenger sank beneath wind-blown seas, leaving a debris field of fishing buoys and deck gear. By this time the Overseas Joyce was less than a mile away, yet no survivors were seen—only debris scattered through breaking waves marked with dense streaks of foam. The orange canopy of a life raft emerged from the water, apparently automatically released as the fishing boat sank, but hopes diminished when no one was seen attempting to crawl inside. The raft looked too light as it was blown easily across cresting waves. The ship moved in closer, making tight round turns around the datum where Ocean Challenger went down. Extreme conditions prevented launching boats, which would only jeopardize more lives. As the ship completed its first turn, lookouts shouted “man in the water off the starboard bow,” and the ship maneuvered to make this first spotted survivor pass down the starboard side close aboard. Those leaning over the bridge wing clearly saw a man, no life jacket, no survival suit, and only wearing what appeared to be white long johns. He clutched a small plastic barrel or bucket and seemed to look up at the ship as the ship’s crew called out words of encouragement and threw a survival suit, life ring and a marker buoy. Crew members moved aft with the person in the water as he passed down the side of the ship as the ship began to double back. By now 20 minutes had passed and concern increased. The air temperature was in the mid-forties with a wind chill at freezing, and the ocean was cold and churning; a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter was still more than 40 minutes away. Then, a few hundred yards away, two figures, heads above water were spotted. Lookouts pointed, bearings were called out, and the ship turned taking 40-degree rolls through steep troughs. Several bolts that had held some of the ships gear securely for years sheered off. All eyes remained focused and hope increased as lookouts saw what appeared to be arms waving. But as the ship turned to close the dis- tance, heavy rolls, breaking seas and bright sunlight robbed the lookouts’ sight of the survivors. The Overseas Joyce continued turning slowly through the area attempting to relocate the three people already seen and making all efforts to spot the fourth. Search efforts intensified with the arrival of a U.S. Coast Guard C130 search plane. The SIUcrewed containership R.J. Pfiefer announced it, too, was en route, diverting from its position 30 miles away. Just as lookouts spotted another person in the water several hundred yards off the starboard beam, the U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter radioed it was approaching the area. Not sure if this person sighted was one of the three previously seen or the fourth crew member of the Ocean Challenger, this man clearly wore a survival suit, orange hood over his head. The ship successfully got in close keeping the man in sight and deployed a life ring and marker buoy just upwind. Voices rose in excitement as the person swam vigorously, twice disappearing under huge breaking waves, toward the life ring as the rescue helicopter zeroed in on his position aided by the marker buoy. All watched as the helicopter lowered a rescue swimmer into the water. Moments later this survivor was pulled to warmth and safety. The Checking in from the Steven L. Bennett Chief Steward Toney Morris submitted this photo of Seafarers in the crew mess aboard the Captain Steven L. Bennett in Diego Garcia. The photo was taken in mid-December. Morris noted the mariners were “enjoying a light moment after lunch.” The Bennett is a containership operated by Sealift Inc. for the U.S. Military Sealift Command. Strong Start for Mariner Outreach System The U.S. Maritime Administration’s Mariner Outreach System (MOS) is just six months old, but it has “clearly gained acceptance with the seafaring community,” the agency reported in the December edition of its newsletter. According to MarAd, the system provides mariners who agree to participate an opportunity to review their qualifications and sea service and update their contact information. Described by the agency as user-friendly, the MOS allows access by mariners via the following secure internet web site: https://mos.marad.dot.gov. Using the MOS in no way obligates mariners, according to MarAd officials. However, mariners’ participation in the MOS will improve the Maritime Administration’s ability to understand and communicate with mariners. Additionally, the MOS provides the agency with a means of monitoring their availability. As of October 1, 2006, 25 percent of mariners with a valid U.S. merchant mariner’s document had consented to participate. Anne Dougherty, a program analyst in MarAd’s Office of Sealift Support, said many of the mariners on file had previously agreed to participate in an earlier tracking system before the MOS internet portal was launched. She points out, however, that gaining the volunteer participation of some 10 to15 new mariners who register each week, for a program that has no money to advertise its existence but just depends on word of mouth, is very good. “We are working hard to get the word out and appreciate the incredible support we have received from the maritime labor unions and our industry partners,” she said. “Our goal is to use MOS to better understand what is happening with the pool of United States mariners so we can work with our industry partners to identify and address the specific issues that have a negative impact on the mariner pool.” Prior to going “live” with the new system last year, program officials put it through a stringent test and evaluation sequence. Several aspects of the system were put through the paces at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Upgrading Seafarers provided input and feedback to members of the MarAd contingent during the tests. The testing went well and all major problems with the new system were rectified. The MOS went on line as scheduled. “I would like to extend our most sincere thanks to Seafarers International Union for their assistance with testing the Mariner Outreach System,” wrote Taylor E. Jones II, director, MarAd Office of Sealift Support, in a letter to the school. “The enthusiasm and support provided by Mr. Bart Rogers and the Paul Hall Center staff were directly responsible for the success of the testing. The input provided by the SIU mariners was invaluable in helping us to create an accurate, user-friendly system that will be valuable to U.S. mariners worldwide.” February 2007 �Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea March & April 2007 Membership Meetings DECEMBER 16, 2006 — JANUARY 15, 2007 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Totals All Departments 1 0 8 9 3 5 32 29 0 6 20 45 11 20 6 0 7 1 24 35 3 1 2 14 2 10 21 18 2 3 6 25 18 5 5 13 10 3 23 14 2 3 1 1 2 0 3 7 2 3 1 11 3 0 1 4 2 1 8 9 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 2 0 1 7 1 5 27 12 0 6 15 25 15 9 7 1 5 2 25 18 262 198 64 183 0 0 8 7 0 9 15 21 0 3 4 18 8 8 1 2 1 0 7 9 1 0 5 8 2 3 10 9 0 3 2 11 12 4 2 1 4 1 12 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 1 0 2 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 3 4 0 0 4 1 2 7 14 12 0 5 5 15 10 4 2 1 1 1 10 7 121 94 24 2 0 5 2 0 10 19 9 0 1 10 15 7 12 2 2 2 0 19 18 2 0 2 10 0 5 4 9 0 0 1 4 11 3 1 1 4 1 3 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 5 0 3 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 Trip Reliefs DECK DEPARTMENT 1 5 4 19 4 2 24 12 2 5 8 10 15 13 4 9 5 2 24 8 176 2 2 0 1 2 1 6 7 1 1 2 5 4 1 1 4 2 0 7 3 52 101 70 137 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 6 18 0 0 2 2 0 1 5 10 0 1 2 9 3 4 1 0 1 0 7 5 53 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 1 0 3 2 1 12 17 9 0 2 5 14 4 15 2 2 3 1 15 12 0 0 0 8 0 2 7 7 0 2 2 3 12 4 0 0 3 0 4 3 135 66 21 120 57 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 1 0 1 1 5 0 4 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 5 3 1 7 17 13 0 2 8 25 10 9 0 21 3 0 12 11 2 0 2 8 0 6 16 15 1 2 3 11 18 9 0 3 0 2 9 5 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 3 1 2 2 18 5 0 3 6 11 11 7 0 12 2 0 3 4 23 148 112 15 541 506 221 419 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 15 0 0 1 1 0 2 6 5 0 2 2 4 3 7 0 1 3 0 8 7 2 0 10 17 5 16 68 62 1 19 32 82 22 50 4 0 13 2 53 61 6 8 5 26 4 13 45 30 0 15 12 45 28 10 10 5 14 11 43 36 2 4 2 3 3 1 16 15 2 3 3 17 10 2 2 2 3 3 12 14 519 366 119 0 0 9 15 0 12 30 32 0 10 10 32 12 22 2 4 5 0 19 18 1 0 6 13 4 7 25 23 0 6 5 20 24 10 4 1 6 6 23 17 0 0 2 4 1 4 8 1 0 4 2 13 5 3 1 0 1 1 5 14 232 201 69 2 0 6 8 1 16 31 26 0 11 12 36 15 34 3 5 3 1 31 42 2 0 3 15 2 11 13 13 0 7 2 9 15 10 1 3 4 2 8 9 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 4 1 4 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 3 2 3 52 283 129 33 0 0 0 3 0 2 5 4 0 1 1 4 8 5 0 15 0 1 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 12 3 0 2 4 13 0 9 0 0 1 0 4 3 1 7 4 14 1 16 34 30 1 6 6 76 20 21 3 10 4 1 24 17 8 0 4 14 2 18 30 25 2 3 8 39 30 18 2 7 0 1 20 11 93 61 0 53 296 242 396 146 242 1,087 992 463 ENTRY DEPARTMENT *“Total Registered” means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **“Registered on Beach” means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. February 2007 Piney Point ...........Monday: March 5, April 2 Algonac ................Friday: March 9, April 6 0 1 1 12 0 1 26 9 0 5 7 19 5 7 3 1 3 1 23 13 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 0 1 3 4 2 5 13 0 3 3 8 7 5 2 0 3 0 9 2 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C Baltimore..............Thursday: March 8, April 5 Boston ..................Friday: March 9, April 6 Guam ....................Thursday: March 22, April 19 Honolulu...............Friday: March 16, April 13 Houston ................Monday: March 12, April 9 Jacksonville ..........Thursday: March 8, April 5 Joliet .....................Thursday: March 15, April 12 Mobile ..................Wednesday: March 14, April 11 New Orleans.........Tuesday: March 13, April 10 New York .............Tuesday: March 6, April 3 Norfolk .................Thursday: March 8, April 5 Oakland ................Thursday: March 15, April 12 Philadelphia..........Wednesday: March 7, April 4 Port Everglades ....Thursday: March 15, April 12 San Juan ...............Thursday: March 8, April 5 St. Louis ...............Friday: March 16, April 13 Tacoma .................Friday: March 23, April 20 Wilmington...........Monday: March 19, April 16 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personals Irvin Crutchlow Loyd Ange would like to hear from you. You can write him at 842 Esconditas Place, Pensacola, FL 325063717; or call him at (850) 549-3226. Correction An article in the January 2007 LOG about pierhead jumps and meds contained an inaccurate statement in the 2nd column. It says, “…the member can call his or her doctor for the required medication, pick it up, pay for it out of pocket and then submit the receipt to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) for reimbursement.” The Claims department does not process out-of-pocket prescription claims. Any prescription reimbursement requests must be sent to Prescription Solutions and they will process it at their reimbursement rates and send a check to the member. The member should submit a “Direct Member Reimbursement” form with their prescription receipt and send both items to Prescription Solutions. The form is available on Prescription Solutions’ Web site (www.rxsolutions.com/a/login/ Login_MIDDOB.asp?NextPage=23). Attention Seafarers: S P A D Help Keep America’s Maritime Industry Strong. Contribute to SPAD. Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory NMU Monthly Shipping & Registration Report DECEMBER 16, 2006 — JANUARY 15, 2007 Michael Sacco, President TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Group I Group II Group III Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Trip Reliefs REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Group I Group II Group III Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Port Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Boston 3 0 0 1 0 0 3 10 4 2 Houston 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 13 1 2 Jacksonville 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 1 0 1 Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services René Lioeanjie, Vice President at Large Charles Stewart, Vice President at Large HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 BOSTON Marine Industrial Park/EDIC 27 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210 (617) 261-0790 GUAM P.O. Box 315242, Tamuning, Guam 96931-5242 Cliffline Office Ctr., Bldg. B, Suite 103 422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96931 (671) 477-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Group I Group II Group III Seafarers LOG DECK DEPARTMENT New Orleans 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 13 3 2 New York 3 0 0 4 0 0 8 30 26 0 Norfolk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tacoma 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 Wilmington 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 Totals 7 0 0 6 0 0 31 70 34 7 Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 1 Houston 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 3 0 0 Jacksonville 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 New Orleans 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 1 1 New York 2 0 0 4 0 0 1 14 5 0 Norfolk 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Tacoma 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Wilmington 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 Totals 3 0 0 6 0 0 8 32 7 2 Port STEWARD DEPARTMENT Boston 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 3 1 Houston 1 0 0 2 0 0 3 11 1 0 Jacksonville 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 New Orleans 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 2 New York 0 0 1 1 0 1 5 17 25 0 Norfolk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tacoma 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wilmington 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Totals 3 0 1 4 0 1 11 39 30 3 13 0 1 16 0 1 50 141 71 12 Totals All Departments PICS-FROM-THE-PAST These photos were sent to the Seafarers LOG by Jerry Lopez of Georgiana, Ala. AB John Kelly They were taken aboard the SS Hastings (a former (Waterman Steamship Corp.) on a trip that began patrolman in New York or Baltimore Sept. 21, 1966 and paid from Mobile), off in New York Jan. 2, 1967 after traveling to left, and OS Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Sudan, Jerry Lopez French Somalia, Ethiopia and Iran. Lopez, who were on the 812 watch signed on in Mobile, Ala., sailed as an OS. aboard the After leaving the Navy in 1965, Lopez joined the Hastings. SIU in 1966 and went through training at the New Orleans hall. His first ship was the SS Robin Trent on which he made his first around-the-world voyage. “My shipmates helped me to adjust from military to merchant seaman life,” he wrote, “and I have to tell you, it was a great time in my life, and I learned to appreciate the SIU and the ability to have representation and a contract to live and work by.” In the 1970s Lopez attended electronics training and has worked in that field since. Left: This is a view from the bow, looking aft, as the ship transited the Suez Canal. Right: The bosun and 4-8 OS lean on one of the Suez line handler’s boats. These boats were picked up at the start of the canal transit. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. February 2007 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA KASSEM ABDULLA, 57, began shipping with the SIU in 1969 from the port of San Francisco. Brother Abdulla’s first ship was the Steel Direct. The engine department member, who was born in Yemen, most recently sailed on the Horizon Consumer. Brother Abdulla resides in San Francisco. HESSIN ASUMARI, 74, joined the SIU in 1967, initially sailing aboard the Fair Isle. A native of Yemen, Brother Asumari upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. in 1999 and 2000. Prior to his retirement, Brother Asumari shipped on the ITB Groton. He calls Tulare, Calif. home. SOLOMON BENJAMIN, 65, began his seafaring career in 1970. Brother Benjamin first worked aboard Seatrain Lines vessels. The Louisiana-born mariner upgraded his skills on two occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Benjamin’s most recent voyage was on the Cape Fear. He lives in Gretna, La. TULIO GOMEZ, 69, joined the SIU in 2001. Brother Gomez shipped primarily aboard vessels operated by Marine Personnel and Provisioning, most recently the Cape Domingo. Born in Honduras, he worked in the steward department. Brother Gomez makes his home in Kissimmee, Fla. CURTIS JACKSON, 60, became an SIU member in 1967, initially sailing aboard a Calmar Steamship Company vessel. Brother Jackson upgraded on numerous occasions at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. He was born in Florida and shipped in the engine department. Before retiring, Brother Jackson worked on the Sirius. He continues to reside in Florida. SHEILA LEWIS, 51, hails from Louisiana. Sister Lewis joined the Seafarers in 1986; her first voyage was aboard the USNS Regulus. She upgraded her skills February 2007 often at the Paul Hall Center. Sister Lewis was a member of the deck department and last shipped on the Houston. She is a resident of Livingston, La. ROBERT MULL, 73, joined the SIU in 1960 in the port of New York. Brother Mull sailed in the deck department of both deep sea and inland division vessels. His earliest trip to sea was aboard the Sentry. Brother Mull is a native of North Carolina. He most recently worked on a Crowley Towing vessel. Brother Mull calls Newton, N.C. home. JUAN ROCHEZ, 65, was born in Honduras. Brother Rochez became an SIU member in 1990, first sailing aboard the Independence. He was a frequent upgrader at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Rochez most recently shipped on the Overseas Philadelphia. He makes his home in Kingwood, Texas. GUILLERMO THOMAS, 64, started his employment with the Seafarers in 1970 aboard a vessel operated by Crowley Towing & Transportation Company. Brother Thomas was born in Eagle, Texas and was a member of the steward department. He last sailed aboard the Intrepid. Brother Thomas upgraded his seafaring skills often at the Piney Point, Md. school. He makes his home in New Mexico. JOHN TRENT, 64, joined the SIU in 1964. His first ship was operated by Hudson Waterways. Brother Trent, who was born in Arkansas, worked as a member of the engine department. He upgraded frequently at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Trent’s most recent voyage was aboard the Overseas New Orleans. He lives in Florida. ANTONINO UDAN, 65, joined the SIU in 1983. Brother Udan initially shipped on the Constitution in the deck department. His most recent voyage was aboard the Horizon Pacific. Brother Udan calls Ewa Beach, Hawaii home. WILLIAM WALES, 65, began sailing with the SIU in 1968 from the port of Seattle. Brother Wales first worked on the President Adams. The steward department member attended the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. on three occasions. Brother Wales’ most recent voyage was aboard the Westward Venture. The Texas native now resides in Seattle. JOHN WHITING, 65, became a union member in 1964, first sailing aboard a U.S. Steel Corporation vessel. Brother Whiting makes his home in Palmdale, Calif. ROY ZANCA, 65, was born in Louisiana and began his seafaring career in 1995 in the port of New Orleans. He first shipped aboard the USNS Antares as a member of the engine department. Brother Zanca upgraded his skills often at the Piney Point school. He most recently worked on the USNS Pomeroy. Brother Zanca is a resident of New Orleans. INLAND VERTIS BELCHER, 62, joined the union in 1970 in the port of New Orleans. Boatman Belcher sailed primarily aboard Moran Towing Company vessels. Born in Florida, he currently resides in Pylesville, Md. LYMAN LAWRENCE, 70, began sailing with the SIU in 1974. Boatman Lawrence worked aboard Virginia Pilot Corp. vessels. He lives in his native state of Virginia. JOHN RIDLEY, 61, began his seafaring career in 1987. Boatman Ridley worked primarily aboard ships operated by Red Circle Transport. In 2000, he enhanced his seafaring abilities at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Boatman Ridley makes his home in Baton Rouge, La. STEVEN MATTISON, 54, was born in Iowa. Boatman Mattison joined the SIU in 1986 in the port of Baltimore. He first went to sea aboard a vessel operated by Moran Towing of Maryland. Boatman Mattison was a member of the engine department; he upgraded his skills in 2001 at the Paul Hall Center. Boatman Mattison most recently sailed on the Eva. He calls Dickinson, Texas home. WILLIAM SOUTHARD, 62, joined the SIU in 1962 in the port of Philadelphia. Born in Pennsylvania, Boatman Southard initially sailed on a Meyle Towing vessel. In 1985 and 1990, he attended classes at the Piney Point school. Boatman Southard’s most recent voyage was aboard a vessel operated by Moran Towing of Philadelphia. He continues to live in Pennsylvania. Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG. 1942 During the last week of February, the SIUcrewed S.S. Marore was attacked about midnight by three German submarines. Even though she was torpedoed and hit by over 100 shells, the entire crew escaped in lifeboats. One of the boats rigged a sail and made port at Cape Hatteras. The other two boats, containing 25 men, were spotted by a Navy plane which directed a ship to their rescue. regime. In a joint position, the International Longshoremen’s Association, the National Maritime Union and the Seafarers International Union of North America said that the time for “pussyfooting is long past” and that they would soon begin “protest demonstrations” in all U.S. ports against vessels of those nations which permit trade with North Vietnam. This Month In SIU History 1955 The membership of the Seafarers International Union, Atlantic & Gulf District, ratified a newly negotiated contract clause establishing a seniority hiring provision with contracted companies. The new hiring system involves three classes of seniority. Men sailing before Dec. 31, 1950 got “A” ratings; men sailing regularly since Jan. 1, 1951 were rated Class “B” and men who had no time aboard SIU ships before Jan. 1, 1955 or who had not shipped regularly during the periods to cover classes A and B received a “C” rating. In the future, seamen with “A” ratings will receive preference over the other two categories for job calls and the “B” rated seamen will receive preference over “C” men. 1966 JAMES PARISI, 62, joined the SIU in 1980. Boatman Parisi initially worked with Gloucester Fisherman’s Fund vessels. Prior to his retirement, he shipped aboard a Homeport Inc. vessel. Boatman Parisi is a resident of Gloucester, Mass. Three AFL-CIO maritime unions have charged that the U.S. State Department’s recently announced blacklist of ships trading with North Vietnam will not deter shipowners or their governments from supplying the North Vietnamese The joint union position was set forth in a telegram to President Lyndon B. Johnson on February 14. Identical wires were also sent to Commerce Secretary John Connor, Labor Secretary Willard Wirtz and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. 1997 The Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education has enhanced and expanded its curriculum for entry-level mariners. For years, the trainee program exclusively has consisted of 12 weeks of training at the center’s Lundeberg School of Seamanship. Now, following an extensive internal review of the class, the revised program will feature 90 days of shipboard training plus increased schooling at the center in Piney Point, Md. Overall, the new curriculum will last about 2.5 times as long as the old class…. Many of the revisions were made so that students may comply with amendments to an international maritime treaty governing the methods used to train and certify merchant mariners. Parts of that agreement—the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for mariners (STCW)—took effect February 1, and other segments will be phased in during the next few years. Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA FREDERICK BENEDICT Pensioner Frederick Benedict, 84, passed away March 31. Brother Benedict started sailing with the Seafarers in 1951 from the port of San Francisco. He sailed primarily aboard vessels operated by Interocean American Shipping. Brother Benedict was born in Pennsylvania and worked in the steward department. He retired in 1987 and made his home in Reno, Nev. NORMAN CARLSON Brother Norman Carlson, 66, died March 21. He joined the SIU in 2002, first shipping aboard the USNS Heezen. Brother Carlson, who was born in Seattle, last sailed on the Eric G. Gibson. He was a resident of Fox Island, Wash. ROBERT CLIFFORD Pensioner Robert Clifford, 68, passed away May 27. Brother Clifford joined the union in 1963 in Detroit, Mich. He shipped as a member of the deck department in both the inland and deep sea divisions. Brother Clifford initially worked aboard vessels operated by Rockport Steamship Company. The Michigan-born mariner’s last voyage was aboard the USNS Washington. Brother Clifford, who went on pension in 2000, called Houston home. ROBERT COOK Pensioner Robert Cook, 78, died April 6. Brother Cook launched his seafaring career in 1946 in the port of New York. His first trip was aboard a Sinclair Oil Corporation vessel. Brother Cook, who was a native of Wisconsin, sailed in the steward department. His most recent voyage was on the Penny. Brother Cook began receiving his retirement pay in 1994. He resided in Baltimore, Md. LEO CRONSOHN Pensioner Leo Cronsohn, 77, passed away March 3. Brother Cronsohn joined the SIU in 1951 in the port of Seattle. The steward department member, who was born in New York, sailed primarily aboard vessels operated by Waterman Steamship Corporation. Prior to his retirement in 1997, Brother Cronsohn worked on the Robert E. Lee. He lived in Las Vegas. RICHARD DIXON Brother Richard Dixon, 79, died March 14. He embarked on his SIU career in 1966, initially sailing on a Columbia Steamship vessel. Brother Dixon was born in Illinois. His last voyage was aboard the Maj. Stephen W. Pless. Brother Dixon shipped in the steward department. He made his home in Compton, Calif. HERBERT EHMSEN Pensioner Herbert Ehmsen, 78, passed away Aug. 18. Brother Ehmsen was born in New Jersey and joined the union in 1947 in the port 18 Seafarers LOG of New York. Brother Ehmsen was a member of the deck department. Before retiring in 1988, he sailed on the Kaimoku. Brother Ehmsen continued to live in his native state. DONALD FOSTER Pensioner Donald Foster, 89, died May 23. Brother Foster began sailing with the Seafarers in 1951 from the port of New York. He first worked aboard an American Dredging Company vessel. Brother Foster shipped in the steward department, most recently aboard the USNS Potomac. He was born in Ohio and made his home in Texas City, Texas. Brother Foster became a pensioner in 1982. ALI MOHAMED Pensioner Ali Mohamed, 66, passed away April 12. Brother Mohamed began his SIU career in 1963, first sailing on the Marine. He was a member of the steward department. Brother Mohamed’s last voyage was aboard the Defender. He was a resident of Garden Grove, Calif. Brother Mohamed started collecting his pension in 1994. CALVIN “COTTON” MORRIS Greece, he continued to live there. Brother Saslos began collecting his retirement in 1979. EMIL SPODAR Pensioner Emil Spodar, 82, passed away Oct. 5. Brother Spodar embarked on his seafaring career in 1947 in the port of New York. The engine department member’s first ship was the Oremar; his last the Del Sol. Brother Spodar, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, called Florida home. KEVIN SULLIVAN Brother Kevin Sullivan, 42, died May 7. He was born in California and joined the union in 2004 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. Brother Sullivan worked primarily aboard Alaska Tanker Company vessels during his seafaring career, most recently on the Alaskan Explorer. He was a resident of Carson, Calif. FRANK UNGER Pensioner Frank Unger, 82, passed away April 17. Brother Unger started sailing with the Seafarers in 1956. The Pennsylvaniaborn mariner worked in the deck department. Brother Unger first shipped aboard a Waterman Steamship Corporation vessel. His final voyage was on the Horizon Kodiak. Brother Unger resided in Carson City, Nev. and went on pension in 1989. ROY WATFORD Pensioner Calvin Morris, 82, died Nov. 11. Brother Morris joined the SIU in 1951, initially sailing in the deck department on a Delta Steamship vessel. He was born in Missouri. Prior to his retirement in 1984, he worked aboard the Overseas Juneau. Brother Morris resided in Fresno, Calif. Pensioner Roy Watford, 77, died March 23. A native of Alabama, Brother Watford became an SIU member in 1953 in the port of Mobile. His first voyage was on the Alcoa Planet, on which he sailed in the deck department. Brother Watford’s last voyage was aboard the Dodge Island. He retired in 1983 and continued to live in Alabama. RALPH MURRAY SHUEY WONG Pensioner Ralph Murray, 81, passed away Oct. 9. Brother Murray joined the union in 1945 in the port of Norfolk, Va. He first sailed aboard a Sinclair Oil Corporation vessel. Brother Murray was a Virginia native and shipped in the deck department. He last worked aboard the Voyager. Brother Murray went on pension in 1988. He made Las Vegas his home. Pensioner Shuey Wong, 79, passed away April 1. Brother Wong joined the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S) in 1978 in the port of San Francisco. The steward department member initially shipped on board the Kopaa. Brother Wong, who was born in California, last worked on the Mahi-Mahi. He began receiving compensation for his retirement in 1997 and made his home in San Francisco. NIKOLAOS SASLOS Pensioner Nikolaos Saslos, 79, died May 22. Brother Saslos became an SIU member in 1962 in the port of New York. He worked in the engine department, first sailing on the Rocky Point. Brother Saslos’ last voyage was aboard a Michigan Tankers vessel. Born in Athens, INLAND WILLIAM OWENS Pensioner William Owens, 81, passed away May 2. Boatman Owens was born in Virginia. He became an SIU member in 1961 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Owens shipped aboard vessels operation by Moran Towing of Virginia throughout his career. He became a pensioner in 1987 and resided in Virginia Beach, Va. PERRY KEENE Boatman Perry Keene, 58, died May 26. He started his seafaring career in 2002. Boatman Keene sailed primarily on Penn Maritime vessels. He called Lutz, Fla. home. GREAT LAKES MOHAMMED ELJANNY Pensioner Mohammed Eljanny, 75, died March 13. Brother Eljanny joined the SIU in 1970. Born in Arabia, he sailed in the engine department. Brother Eljanny’s first vessel was the Adam E. Cornelius; his last the JAW Iglehart. He started collecting payment for his retirement in 1995. Brother Eljanny lived in Sanaa, Yemen. Editor’s note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension Trust, have passed away. JOHN CAMACHO Pensioner John Camacho, 78, passed away March 26. Brother Camacho began shipping with the NMU in 1947 from the port of New York. The Puerto Rico-born mariner sailed in the engine department. Brother Camacho’s first ship was the Gulf Gem. He became a pensioner in 1970. LESLIE COPE Pensioner Leslie Cope, 79, died April 19. Brother Cope joined the NMU in 1944 in Detroit, Mich. His first ship was the William D. Crawford. Brother Cope was born in Michigan and worked in the deck department. He last sailed on the Charlotte Lykes. Brother Cope went on pension in 1992. JOSEPH EAGAN Pensioner Joseph Eagan, 86, passed away April 24. Brother Eagan was born in New York and joined the union in 1987. His first ship was the Exanthia. Prior to his retirement in 1987, Brother Eagan shipped on the Letitia Lykes. FLOYD GREENWAY Pensioner Floyd Greenway, 82, died April 21. Brother Greenway joined the NMU in 1944 in the port of New York. His earliest journey was aboard the Abner Doubleday. Brother Greenway, who was born in Salem, Va., last sailed on the Green Forest. He went on pension in 1976. EUGENIO JUAN Pensioner Eugenio Juan, 82, passed away May 6. Brother Juan launched his NMU career in 1944, sailing from Tampa, Fla. aboard the Harjurand. He was born in Cuba and last worked on the Santa Paula. Brother Juan started collecting his pension in 1968. TOMAS MONTALVA Pensioner Tomas Montalva, 86, died April 12. Brother Montalva became an NMU member in 1945 in the port of New York. He first worked aboard the Pierre L’Enfant in the steward department. Brother Montalva’s last voyage was on the Lash Italia. He retired in 1972. JAN MULLER Pensioner Jan Muller, 82, passed away April, 22. Brother Muller joined the NMU in 1943, initially shipping from Boston, Mass. He first worked aboard the Cape Neddick. Brother Muller, who was born in Poland, sailed in the steward department, most recently on the United States. He became a pensioner in 1970. PERCY PEARSON Pensioner Percy Pearson, 99, died April 26. Born in South Carolina, Brother Pearson joined the NMU in 1940. His first ship was the Cubore. Brother Pearson shipped in the steward department. Before retiring in 1967, he sailed on the Australian Gem. LINDSEY SCOTT Pensioner Lindsey Scott, 83, passed away March 20. Brother Scott began his NMU career in 1944 in Tampa, Fla. The steward department member first worked aboard the Wanks. Brother Scott’s last voyage was on the Texaco Maryland. He went on pension in 1985. PETRONIO SILVA Pensioner Petronio Silva, 94, died March 30. Brother Silva began sailing with the NMU in 1941 from the port of San Francisco. He was born in the Philippines and worked in the steward department. Brother Silva’s last voyage was aboard the Sinclair Texas. He started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1973. WILLIE WILLIAMS SR. Pensioner Willie Williams, Sr., 83, died March 16. Brother Williams joined the NMU in 1942 in the port of Mobile, Ala. The engine department member first shipped on the Chippewa. Prior to retiring in 1971, Brother Williams sailed aboard the Texaco Mississippi. February 2007 �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.. ASCENSION (Sealift), Dec. 6— Chairman Gene A. Butson, Secretary William E. Knorr, Deck Delegate Spencer J. Brooks. Chairman announced Dec. 6 arrival in Cape Canaveral, Fla.; payoff to take place following completion of sanitary inspections. Secretary asked crew members to report safety hazards to department heads immediately and urged them not to be afraid to speak up during safety meetings. “The life or limb you save may be your own or your fellow seafarer’s.” Bosun encouraged all mariners to attend classes offered at Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew would like visit from patrolman. COMMITMENT (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 19—Chairman Edward J. O’Conner, Secretary Stephanie L. Sizemore, Educational Director Dennis R. Baker, Deck Delegate Greg Johnson, Steward Delegate Elsayed T. Amasha. Chairman stated sanitary inspection would take place Dec. 21 and asked everyone to make sure rooms are clean. He informed seafarers that Dec. 23 payoff would take place in Newark, N.J. Educational director stressed need for safety when walking around dock area; cords and hoses present tripping hazards. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Communications from headquarters read and posted. Recommendation was made to increase pension benefits and reduce seatime needed to qualify. Crew expressed concerns about getting enough medicine for trips. Vote of thanks given to steward department for great food and extra effort. Next ports: Elizabeth City, N.J; Charleston, S.C.; Houston. GLOBAL SENTINEL (Transoceanic Cable Ship), Dec. 4 —Chairman Lee Hardman, Secretary Vicki L. Haggerty. Chairman informed members of Christmas party to be held Dec. 8, which will be paid out of the crew’s fund, including Christmas trees and wreaths. Captain Thomas expressed gratitude for great job on audit. Bosun discussed new TWIC document. Secretary reported crew laundry moved from mess hall to room 603. Treasurer stated $4,000 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Motion made to change rotation schedule and raise transportation rate from Tacoma to ship. Thanks given to the steward department for good work. HORIZON CONSUMER (Horizon Lines), Dec. 3—Chairman Manolo V. Delos Santos, Secretary Terry L. Allen, Educational Director Thomas M. Flynn, Deck Delegate Sangie Mohamed, Steward Delegate Jessy G. Sunga. Chairman thanked crew members for smooth trip and announced Dec. 4 payoff upon arrival in Oakland, Calif. Secretary urged everyone to clean rooms and make sure they’re ready for next person to move in. February 2007 Educational director advised all mariners to know the contract and upgrade skills at Piney Point school whenever possible. No beefs or disputed OT reported. President’s report from Seafarers LOG was read and discussed. Seafarers requested list of Coast Guard-approved medications so there would be no problems when taking drug test. Vote of thanks to steward department for nice Thanksgiving spread. Next ports: Oakland and Los Angeles, Calif.; Honolulu. HORIZON ENTERPRISE (Horizon Lines), Dec. 22—Chairman Anthony R. Carvalho, Secretary Rang V. Nguyen, Educational Director Michael J. Wells, Deck Delegate Earl Sparkes, Engine Delegate Roy L. Scott, Steward Delegate Vince Grande. Chairman informed crew of Dec. 23 arrival in Tacoma, Wash. Educational director urged mariners to check z-cards and STWC documents for expiration dates and renew early to avoid problems when trying to ship out. No beefs or disputed OT reported. It was stated that English is to be spoken during working hours and meal times. Captain reminded crew to mintain proper conduct at all times. Next ports: Tacoma; Oakland, Calif.; Hawaii. HORIZON PACIFIC (Horizon Lines), Dec. 11—Chairman Steve L. Bush, Secretary Robert P. Mosley, Educational Director Ursel R. Barber, Deck Delegate Augustus C. Udan, Engine Delegate Prentiss R. Smith, Steward Delegate Regalado M. Bayan. Chairman talked about importance of donating to SPAD and how it benefits the membership. He also encouraged members to check in with customs and immigration, as well as with SIU patrolman, when coming ashore. Those mariners departing vessel are asked to leave rooms clean and supplied with fresh linen for next person. Secretary and educational director advised members to update skills at Paul Hall Center and to make sure drug test, shipping documents and dues are current. Treasurer stated $320 in cook-out fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun read and discussed president’s report from October Seafarers LOG. Crew gave vote of thanks to President Sacco and his staff for job well done. Crew members expressed gratitude to steward department for great menus and cook-outs. Captain congratulated crew on successful sanitation inspection. Everyone aboard was asked to keep noise down while watchstanders are sleeping. Next ports: Tacoma, Wash.; Oakland, Calif.; Hawaii; Guam; Taiwan. HORIZON SPIRIT (Horizon Lines), Dec. 8—Chairman Howard W. Gibbs, Secretary Edgardo G. Ombac, Educational Director Robert L. Stafford. Chairman informed mariners of Dec. 9 payoff. He thanked everyone for following safety proce- dures and reminded them to use tunnel during cargo operations, especially in Hong Kong. Secretary said new mattress were on order. Educational director informed members that new class schedule for 2007 was available in Seafarers LOG. Treasurer stated $193 in video fund; new movies to be purchased next trip. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Thanks given to steward department for good food, especially the barbecue, and clean mess hall. HORIZON TACOMA (Horizon Lines), Dec. 2—Chairman Joseph Artis, Secretary Lincoln E. Pinn Jr., Educational Director Donald D. Williams Jr. Bosun announced Dec. 5 payoff upon arrival in Tacoma, Wash. He urged crew members to keep dues paid and support SPAD. Educational director encouraged members to take advantage of training offered at Piney Point school. “It’s never too late to learn something new.” No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department was thanked for job well done and for keeping ship clean. LIGHTNING (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 1—Chairman Romeo L. Lugtu, Secretary Ernest Polk, Educational Director Dimarko L. Shoulders, Engine Delegate Peter E. Sternberg, Steward Delegate Mario A. Firme Jr. Chairman reported smooth, safe voyage. He asked crew to leave clean linen and supplies for next mariner when going ashore. Educational director encouraged members to upgrade skills at SIUaffiliated school in Piney Point, Md. and check expiration dates on MMDs. Treasurer stated $512 in ship’s fund. New refrigerator was purchased with money from ship’s fund (which will be reimbursed by the company). No beefs or disputed OT reported. New locks were put on movie store room. Crew expressed gratitude to steward department for wonderful Thanksgiving Day meals. Next ports: Los Angeles and Oakland, Calif. MAERSK GEORGIA (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 10—Chairman Carlton P. Hall, Secretary Kristin L. Krause, Deck Delegate Joel Cadarea, Steward Delegate Breon A. Lucas. Chairman reported smooth voyage. Educational director urged Seafarers to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation made regarding improving medical benefits. Next ports: Charleston, S.C., Norfolk, Va.; Newark, N.J. OVERSEAS MAREMAR (OSG Ship Management), Dec. 15— Chairman Stephen J. Argay, Secretary Theodore E. Quammie, Educational Director Anthony N. Jones, Deck Delegate Llyod F. Stock, Engine Delegate Roy P. Martinez, Steward Delegate Eduardo R. Elemento. Chairman discussed needed repairs with chief engineer. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendations made to improve prescription plan. Request made for juice machines, commercial style coffee pot and more outlets in mess halls. Vote of thanks given to steward department for great job. Next port: Houston. PRIDE (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 8—Chairman John A. Ellias Jr., Secretary Norman A. Jackson, Educational Director Ronald M. Pheneuf, Engine Delegate Humberto G. Lopez, Steward Delegate Obencio M. Espinoza. Bosun announced Dec. 10 payoff. Seafarers were asked to check pay vouchers for transportation reimbursement; it should be $45 from Houston and $40 from Jacksonville, Fla. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Water cooler in need of repair, and ice machine does not work at sea. Crew thanked steward department for excellent Thanksgiving dinner. SULPHUR ENTERPRISE (LMS Ship Management), Dec. 17— Chairman Ray A. Waiters, Secretary Darryl K. Goggins, Educational Director Dale D. Nesfield, Deck Delegate Joel H. Fahselt, Steward Delegate John A. Stephen. Chairman updated crew on port delays. Secretary reminded crew members getting off to clean rooms and leave fresh linen for next person. Educational director talked about importance of upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested refrigerators for all crew rooms. Thanks given to steward department for job well done. Next port: Galveston, Texas. WASHINGTON EXPRESS (Marine Transport Lines), Dec. 3 —Chairman Zeki Karaahmet, Secretary Frances J. Dvoroznak, Educational Director George W. Bieselin, Steward Delegate Kathryn S. Hanson. Chairman talked about issues pertaining to trash separation. He also encouraged members to contribute to SPAD. Secretary announced Dec. 12 payoff in Houston. Educational director advised Seafarers to upgrade skills at Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Inquiry was made as to when new dues amount goes into effect. Thanks given to steward department for job well done on first voyage of the Washington Express. Next port: Charleston, S.C.; Houston. WESTWARD VENTURE (Interocean American Shipping), Dec. 3—Chairman Tom M. Arriola, Secretary Robert S. Davis. Bosun discussed letter from military authorities restricting everyone to ship in Kuwait. Treasurer stated $600 in ship’s fund. No beefs; disputed OT reported in all departments due to port issue. Chairman requested new mattresses and box springs for crew. Next port: Beaumont, Texas. Sea Trials on the Overseas Houston The newly built Overseas Houston went on sea trials in early December. This is the first double-hulled product tanker in a 10-ship series being constructed for SIU-contracted Overseas Shipholding Group at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. AB Bill Yurick Steward/Baker Ekow Doffoh Chief Cook Hazel Johnson Seafarers LOG 19 �Know Your Rights Letters to the Editor Editor’s note: The Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer’s intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis. to SIU Vice President Dean Corgey, Assistant Vice President Jim McGee, G&H Towing and once again to Janice for their kindness and friendship. May God bless all the mariners and the SIU. Fond Memories and Thanks On March 6, 2006, my husband, Capt. James C. Oliver, “crossed the bar.” I had openheart surgery three months prior to his passing, and times were very rough. I want to thank the Seafarers Union for their kindness and their expertise in handling the paperwork. I cannot say enough good words about Janice (Hunicke) in the Houston office, who helped me through this difficult time and who is such a kind and good friend. She knew I needed help and made sure that everything was as easy as possible during this stressful time. I want to say “thank you” to the union for being there when I needed them. I was married to Jim for 51 years and he had been an SIU member for nearly 61 years. He was a great seaman and an honest, good, hardworking man. He made us a good living both as a deep sea mariner and as a tug captain on the Houston Ship Channel. He served in World War II with the merchant marine and managed to escape death on several occasions. He faithfully read the Seafarers LOG and when he saw the new tugs that were being put into service he always said, “Boy, what I could do with one of those!” What I would give to see him steering one of those boats today. Special thanks to SIU President Michael Sacco, whom I met with his brother on a few occasions at the Houston office while with Jim. My appreciation Welcome Ashore I write to express my most sincere thanks to all the staff at Camp Springs and Piney Point and thanks to God for the years of having the privilege of sailing the Seven Seas. I sailed for 28 years. You name it, I’ve done it and seen it, and I enjoyed every voyage. I plan on becoming the captain, engineer and steward of my own ship called the Dock III. Anyone wanting to sail with me up and down the coast, call me at 757-639-DOCK (3625). I will miss you all and will never forget beating all you guys at the job calls (smile). Scholarship Deadline Is Just Around The Corner P Georgette Oliver Timpson, Texas Darryl White Norfolk, Virginia Dream Realized I first went to sea in February 1961 and have worked in all departments. I sailed on foreignflag ships off and on until the early 1980s. My first U.S. port was Galveston, Texas, and at that time I said to myself, “I would like to live in the U.S. and work Retiring QMED/Electrician Darryl White joined the SIU through the trainee program in 1978 under the late Ken Conklin. on a U.S.-flag ship.” I came here in 1983 and went to the U.S. Coast Guard but couldn’t wait for a ship. I had to take a land job but still kept in mind my dream to work on a U.S.-flag ship. Finally, in 2005, I retired from my land job and then went to school to secure the proper maritime paperwork. Then I went to the SIU. My first U.S.-flag ship was the MV Honor. My second was the MV Liberty. My rating is GUDE. Thank God I am living my dream, and God has blessed us with the merchant marine system. I wish Jamaica had the same system for mariners as the U.S. Please give me a space in the LOG—my lifelong dream finally came true. Vincent Keating Bronx, New York Seafarer Vincent Keating is pictured last May aboard the Liberty in New York Harbor. Two months remain until the April 15 deadline for receipt of scholarship applications from Seafarers as well as from their spouses and dependent children who wish to continue their education at the college level beginning in the fall of 2007. Three scholarships are being set aside for SIU members—one for $20,000 and two each for $6,000. Additionally, five grants will be awarded to SIU spouses and dependents, each in the amount of $20,000. Time is running out to take advantage of this generous benefit provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, so send away now for an application booklet. Name __________________________________________________________________________ Mariner's Social Security Number __________________________________________________ Street Address __________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code______________________________________________________________ ( ) Telephone Number ______________________________________________________________ † Self † Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. 2/07 20 Seafarers LOG TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 lease send me the 2007 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. This application is for: FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. The annual financial committee will be elected during the March 5 headquarters membership meeting to review the 2006 records. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2007 �SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE Welding February 12 March 12 April 9 May 7 The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. for the first few months of 2007. All pro- Safety Specialty Courses grams are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. March 2 March 30 April 27 May 25 Course Start Date Date of Completion Basic Safety Training - AB February 26 March 2 Basic Safety Training - FOWT May 21 May 25 Government Vessels March 19 April 6 Tankerman Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL)* February 12 April 2 February 23 April 13 February 19 February 23 (*must have basic fire fighting) Deck Upgrading Courses Start Date Date of Completion March 5 April 16 May 28 March 30 May 11 June 22 Lifeboatman/Water Survival February 19 April 2 May 14 March 2 April 13 May 25 Radar Renewal (one day) February 5 Course Able Seaman Tankerman (PIC) Barge* (*must have basic fire fighting) Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, two weeks prior to the beginning of a vocational course. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. Steward Upgrading Courses Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations modules start every week. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward classes start every other week beginning February 5, 2007. Engine Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion Basic Auxiliary Plant Ops March 26 April 20 May 21 June 15 FOWT February 26 April 23 March 23 May 18 Marine Electrician March 12 May 4 � UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Telephone _________________________ Deep Sea Member † Lakes Member Date of Birth ______________________ † Inland Waters Member † If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security # ______________________ Book # _________________________ Seniority _____________________________ Department _____________________ U.S. Citizen: Yes † No † Home Port _____________________________ Additional courses will be announced in the next issue of the Seafarers LOG. With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twentyfive (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All OL, AB, JE and Tanker Assistant (DL) applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $140 with their application. The payment should be made with a money order only, payable to LMSS. COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _____________________________________ LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: ___________ _____________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? † Yes † No If yes, class # __________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? † Yes † No If yes, course(s) taken ___________________________________________________ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? † Yes † No Firefighting: † Yes † No CPR: † Yes † No Primary language spoken ________________________________________________ February 2007 SIGNATURE __________________________________ DATE ________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/07 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 681 — Graduating from the water survival course are unlicensed apprentices from class 681. They include (in alphabetical order) James Abilad, Fayed Ahmed, Rachel Alarcon, Andrew Andrini, Brian Awde, Brandon Bosch, Kevin Daughtry, Alphonso Dawson Jr., Billy Hill Jr., Nicholas Johnston, Michael Mayhew, Ryan McElroy, Gregory McNiel, Klayton Menter, Romann Mosley, Juan Ortega Jr., Dennis Platt, Steven Szymanski, Gemini Tacang, Lawrence Todd Jr., Thomas Tramutola, Ekedra Turner, Chantavia Wells, Jake Wheeler and Robert York. Marine Electrician — Receiving certificates for completion of the marine electrician course Dec. 15 are (in no specific order) Michael Kirby, Steven Haver, Clifford McGinnis, Dominic Whitty, Herman Castrol, Olson Thorne, William Watterson III, Kenneth Green, Victorino Viernes, Melgar Gaguio and Robert Norris. Their instructor, Jay Henderson, is standing fourth from right. Tankerman Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL) — Nov. 27 graduates of this class include upgrading Seafarers (in no specific order) Gil Hernandez, Karl Mayhew, Allan Oculam, Michael Papaioannou, Earl Jones, Romeo Escalera, Josan Constantin, Steven DeLuca, Richard Crutchfield, Gerald Alford, Tim Chalano, Felix Garcia, Terrence Carmody, David James, Brian Freme, Emilio Gonzalez and Stephen Snapp. Their instructor, Jim Shaffer, is at far right. Advanced Fire Fighting — Advanced Fire Fighting — Graduates of the advanced fire fighting course that ended Jan. 12 are (in no specific order) Kenneth Washington, Damon Parker, Melvin Smith, Brad Neathery, Phillip Harmon, Martin Allred, Nick Keklikos, Desmond Sealy and (not pictured) Ronnie Hadnott. Their instructor (not pictured) was Mark Cates. Graduating from this course Dec. 8 are (in no specific order) Leon Satterthwaite, Frank Bennett, Donald McGraw, Johnny McKee, Kenneth Laws, Darrell Sutton, Domingo Mireles, Cameron Miller, Sergio Giusti, Gerald McIntyre, Walter Ritvalsky, James Atwell, Stig Sasse Jr., Tina Knox and Robert Joyce. Any student who has Computer Lab Classes Left: Students who completed computer classes Nov. 25 att the Paul Hall Center are (from left) Allan T. Oculam, Instructor Rick Prucha, Thomas L. Cyrus Jr. and Gil P. Hernandez. Right: Receiving their certificates in January from Instructor Rick Prucha are Karl Mayhew and Jayne M. Peterson. registered for a class and finds—for whatever reason—that he or she cannot attend, please inform the admissions department so that another student may take that place. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2007 �Paul Hall Center Classes Meteorology (left photo) and Ship Construction and Stability (right photo) — On Aug. 18, students in the Mates Program completed the ship construction and stability course, and on Aug. 25 they finished the meteorology course. The upgrading Seafarers are (in alphabetical order) Conrado Abinuman Jr., Andrew Ashworth, Dominic Bailey, Christopher Bartholmey, Christopher Gustafson, Rusty Kauffman, Bert Lupton, Brian McLarnon, Nebojsa Milosevic and Robert Wallace. Stacy Harris (standing second from left in the second row) was the instructor in the ship construction course, along with James Mixon (standing left in the back row. Lee Chesneau (far right) was the instructor in the meteorology course. Tankerman Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL) — Two classes of Phase III apprentices graduated Jan 19 from tankerman assistant courses. They are (in no specific order) Fernando Abuan, Andrew Fung, Hos Lupisan Jr., Teddy Ramos, Robert Miskel Jr., Andrew Andrini, Joherky Concepcion, Lee Weygandt, Lawrence Cormier, Eric Thomas, Benjamin Grace, Scott Thompson, Patrick Lefevre, Michael Mayhew, Stefra Strauser, Cameron Benson, Ja’Quaral Carroll, Jake Wheller, William Cruz, Timothy Foster, Re’Nard Murphy, Rodney Payne, Phillip Ziegert, Philip Gallagher, Francis Brown, Brent Poitras, Brian Awde, Jeremy Pace, Eugene Davis Jr., Marcus Brown, Tyrone Ellis, Fayed Ahmed, Kevin Daughtry, Terrance Shinn, Kenneth Sumner, Steven Szymanski, Ryan McElroy, Johnnie Owens Jr., Cameron Newberry, James Luttall Jr., Seth Burton, Ryan White, Justin Beal, Alex Roel, Lawrence Todd Jr., James Burton and Teena Werner. Lifeboatman/Water Survival — Jan. 19 graduates of this class include (in no specific order) Annie Walker, Terry Murley, Christopher Bryant, Abdulmoghni Said, Pedro DeJesus, Patrick Tucker, Towfiek Ahmed, Jerry Estenso, Abdo Ahmed and Richard Moore. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon, is at far right. STCW — NCL, Dec. 8: Evett Bell, Aleksey Berzon, John Biondi, Roderick Cabral, Nicholas Carlin, William Ceaser, Denise Coleman, Jennifer Colvin, Lisa Cordero, Christopher Cowan, David Cowan, Wanda Cowan, Stephanie Cramer, Alex Dennison, Rodney Dill, Thomas Divis, Andrew Dow, Francisco Espinoza, David Fox and Rufino Gonzales Jr. February 2007 STCW — NCL, Dec. 8: Kathryn Hatcher, Bradford Jeffcoat, Andrew Klekamp, Keri Koo, Josh Krauter, Janet Kunzmann, Yaku Ledbetter, Stephon Lobato, Ezequiel Macias Troncoso, Eric Martin, William McCord, Jean Memnon, Bonifacio Muelle, Austin Nolasco, Lesley Nuno, David O’Neill, Joshua Perry, Jacqulinne Rambo, Gregory Recano, Thomas Ruef and David Ruluked. STCW — NCL, Dec. 8: Sita Schlosser, Michael Scott, Christopher Simonsen, Tara Smith, Suzanne Sorenson, Joseph Tauriello Jr., Jeffrey Uhrinek Jr., Ernesto Vera, Nam Vu, Colleen Weigel, Joshua Winters, Nathaniel Ward, Brian Powell and Shawntee Medeiros. Seafarers LOG 23 �Volume 69, Number 2 February 2007 DUE IN APRIL Applications f or S IU S cholarship — page 2 0 Income T axes — See T ax T ips f or M ariners on p ages 1 2 a nd 1 3 Lakes Shipping Season Winds Down U Lawrence Willbanks, Tugboat Mark Hannah nseasonably warm weather this winter on the Great Lakes led to a slightly GUDE Hadi is in the bosun’s chair on the Cornelius. earlier-than-normal layup beginning the first week of January. Todd Brdak, SIU port agent in the port of Algonac, Mich., noted that unusual warmth and wind-free conditions in December meant no delays for SIU-crewed ships. As a result, with their cargoes already delivered, vessels started laying up two to three weeks ahead of their usual respective schedules. The Soo Locks closed in the pre-dawn hours of Jan. 16, signaling the traditional end of the season. Seafarers crew more than 20 Lakes ships along with dozens of tugboats, ITBs and ferries. The larger vessels transport cargoes including iron ore, limestone, cement, sand and salt. According to figures published by the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA), the 2006-2007 sailing season was a mixed bag. For instance, shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 39 million net tons in 2006, an increase of 3.3 percent compared to 2005. However, for most of 2006, shipments were slightly behind the previous year; but, much calmer weather in November and December allowed loadings to rebound significantly, erase the deficit, and then exceed the 2005 total. The association also noted that in terms of the 5-year average, 2006 limestone shipments were again roughly 3.3 percent ahead of the pace. Coal shipments were down slightly from the prior season, though better than the trade’s five-year average. The LCA (whose members include SIU-contracted companies) also cited the Lakes “dredging crisis” and plummeting water levels on Lake Superior as affecting shipments. For Seafarers, it added up to a fairly routine season. SIU ships, tugs and ITBs transport various cargoes on the Lakes, including coal, limestone and more. Pictured at the hall in Algonac are (from left) Port Agent Todd Brdak, AB John Clark, Representative Don Thornton, AB/Wheelsman Richard Bockert, Bosun Mike Schaff, AB David Greig, AB/Wheelsman Larry Dahl and Representative Monte Burgett. AB David Greig paints aboard the Walter McCarthy. The Cleveland ties up. Bosun Jared Smith, Adam E. Cornelius Lakes Seafarer Answers the Call OS Saleh Amed stands on the tug Cleveland. Dean Parks (pictured late last year at Fort Dix, N.J.) is an SIU member and a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. His Reserve unit recently was mobilized for assignment in Iraq, where Parks is serving as an artillery specialist. Last October, Parks earned his FOWT endorsement through the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. He most recently sailed as a gateman with American Steamship Co. Seafarer Saeed Saleh (left) receives his full SIU book at the Algonac hall. Swearing him in is Representative Monte Burgett (right), while Port Agent Todd Brdak observes. The tank-cleaning crew on the Burns Harbor includes (from left) GUDEs Ahmed Algalham, Hesham Hussein and (kneeling) Taha Mohamed, 2nd Mate Matt Bassett and GUDE Mohamed Ali. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2007 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES ALLIANCE NEW YORK HOSTS TROOPS FOR INFORMAL HOLIDAY GATHERING SIU’S NEWEST BOAT IS JUST DUCKY TWIC AND MMC: WHAT SEAFARERS SHOULD KNOW (FOR NOW) MARINERS MAY PAY USER FEES ONLINE USNS COBB RESCUES REFUGEES MAERSK ALABAMA SEAFARERS BRIGHTEN HOLIDAYS FOR KIDS PRESIDENT FORD MOVED SWIFTLY FOR MARINERS IN MAYAGUEZ INCIDENT NEW STUDY REINFORCES NEED FOR EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT EMPLOYER INTERFERENCE IN UNION ELECTIONS OFTEN IS OUT OF CONTROL MINETA JOINS HORIZON LINES PAUL HALL CENTER ADDS ‘E-NAV LAB’ SEAFARERS SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF CANADIAN PORT SECURITY USNS RAPPAHANNOCK RESCUES 3 FISHERMEN MAIL HANDLERS UNION REJOINS AFL-CIO OVERSEAS JOYCE HELPS SAVE LIFE, BUT ALASKA TRAGEDY CLAIMS 3 STRONG START FOR MARINER OUTREACH SYSTEM LAKES SHIPPING SEASON WINDS DOWN Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2007 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 69, No. 2 2007 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/f072b433e515fb4da33ab4a2a59b3092.pdf 59ab19b15d9742b03809930cd501a1cb PDF Text Text 46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 1 Volume 70, Number 2 February 2008 Rescue at Sea USNS Arctic CIVMARS Help Save 7 Members of the SIU Government Services Division sailing aboard the USNS Arctic recently helped rescue seven foreign mariners who had been drifting in a raft for two days in the central Arabian Gulf. From left, one of the USNS Arctic’s MH-60S helicopters safely lifts one of the stranded mariners; the USNS Arctic sails through rough seas, as pictured from aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Harry S Truman; and some of the survivors are welcomed aboard ship. Page 2. (U.S. Navy Photos) H o s p i t a l S h i p U S N S C o m fo r t Returns After Successful Mission Seafarers Deliver More MRAPs For U.S. Troops SIU members continued their mission as part of America’s fourth arm of defense when the Seafarers-crewed USNS Pililaau recently delivered the largest load of life-saving “MRAP” vehicles to date to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. One of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles is pictured driving up the Pililaau’s stern ramp in Charleston, S.C. Page 8. SIU CIVMARS aboard the USNS Comfort last year helped complete a successful fourth-month humanitarian mission that saw the hospital ship deliver much-needed care in Latin America and the Caribbean. Above, OS Bobby D’Angelo power washes the vessel’s deck. More photos and a recap of the mission appear on page 24. Byrd Joins Gov’t Services Fleet List of TWIC Enrollment Centers Page 3 Page 4 Tax Tips Pages 12-13 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 2 President’s Report U.S. Shipbuilding Remains Vital Every industry sees its share of ups and downs, and American commercial shipbuilding is no exception. As we move further into the New Year, I’m happy to note that things are on an upswing at several domestic yards. Challenges always remain, but the tanker construction programs in Philadelphia and San Diego, along with ATBs being delivered from other yards, clearly are positive developments for our industry and our nation. It seems to me the value in maintaining a strong commercial shipbuilding capability is, at the very Michael Sacco least, good common sense. Doing so maintains family-wage jobs and protects U.S. national and economic security by helping prevent too much reliance on other countries. The rationale in some ways is the same as what we know to be true of the U.S. Merchant Marine: As a nation, we simply cannot afford to be without the reliable manpower or the industrial capabilities found in the maritime industry – particularly in the post-9/11 world. Naturally, this belief isn’t confined to the commercial side. Since our country’s earliest days, naval power has been a key part of a strong defense strategy. We’ve heard the idea summarized time and time again. “America is a maritime nation.” “America is an island nation.” However it’s expressed, the bottom line is the same: Important strategic interests will be put at risk if U.S. naval power is allowed to fall below a certain level. Undoubtedly with that in mind, years ago, Congress and the Reagan administration undertook a buildup for the U.S. Navy. By 1987, the fleet reached slightly more than 560 vessels. In that year alone, 17 replacement vessels were built. But ever since then, the annual build rate has declined sharply. For instance, in 2006, only four new vessels were built. Not surprisingly, the U.S. Navy has fallen below 300 vessels. Unless some corrective action is taken soon, the United States fleet will soon fall below 200 vessels. As Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.), a former secretary of the Navy and Marine officer, put it last month, “Simply stated, we are decommissioning Navy ships faster than we are building them. It’s imperative that we reverse this steady slide in shipbuilding.” The decline of the U.S. Navy is not happening in a vacuum. Again to cite just one example for comparison’s sake, China has been investing heavily in its naval fleet. In certain areas, most notably submarines, it already has overtaken the U.S. The technological advantage that the U.S. once enjoyed is steadily shrinking, too. For years, the SIU – often working through the AFL-CIO’s Maritime Trades Department – has fought this trend. In addition to the obvious strategic benefits, increased naval construction in U.S. shipyards generates hundreds of thousands middle-class jobs for American workers. These jobs in turn generate badly needed tax revenues and benefits that some U.S. workers would not otherwise enjoy. There is a core of lawmakers in both the House and Senate who recognize the danger of allowing the U.S. Navy to fall below a certain fleet level. A “Sense of the Congress” resolution was introduced in the 109th Congress calling for a 375-vessel naval fleet. Also in the 109th Congress, the Chief of Naval Operations unveiled a plan to stabilize the fleet at a 313-vessel level. Last year in the first session of the 110th Congress, the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee took the lead on this matter. It issued a report stressing that U.S. shipbuilding is “desperately in need of stability.” The subcommittee concluded that the only way to achieve that is by increasing production. While Congress failed to make headway on many funding bills last year, one that it did pass (H.R. 3222), approved $16 billion for the procurement of nine naval vessels. That is five above the administration’s original budget request. The additional ships include an amphibious transport dock ship, three combat force logistics ships and enough money to begin work on a second attack class submarine. This is an important step in the right direction, and I applaud Congress for increasing the build rate. It’s a movement that must continue in the years ahead, because maintaining both a viable naval and commercial shipbuilding capacity clearly is in the best interests of our great nation. Volume 70, Number 2 February 2008 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 207909998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Associate Editor, Mark Bowman; Photographer, Mike Hickey; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2008 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG The USNS Arctic’s two MH-60S helicopters deploy for the rescue mission. CIVMARS Rescue UAE Mariners SIU CIVMARS aboard the U.S. Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T AOE 8) helped rescue seven United Arab Emirates mariners adrift in a raft for two days in the central Arabian Gulf. The rescue took place Dec. 23. While conducting replenishment at sea with the Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), the Arctic received a bridge-to-bridge radio call from the British-flagged cargo vessel MV British Courage requesting assistance rescuing the stranded mariners, who were floating approximately three miles ahead of the Truman. The ships performed an emergency breakaway, and the Arctic dispatched two MH-60S helicopters to the scene. The Arctic put one rescue swimmer in the water who recovered the four Pakistanis and three Indian mariners. The helicopter crews took the mariners to the Truman for medical treatment, food and water. All were in good condition. The mariners had been transporting cargo from Dubai when their boat sailed into rough seas and broke its keel. When the vessel started taking on too much water to remain afloat, the mariners abandoned ship into a life raft where they remained for two days before the rescue. Members Show Strong Interest In New Seafarers 401(k) Plan Membership response to the new Seafarers 401(k) Plan has been plentiful and positive, according to Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen. “We have received encouraging feedback from eligible members and we are optimistic that a large cross-section of the membership will participate in the Seafarers 401(k) Plan and enjoy all the benefits it offers,” Bowen noted. Based on initial feedback, the Seafarers Plans in conjunction with the SIU team of financial advisors at Smith Barney put together a summary of some of the most frequently asked questions about the new plan, as follows: What is the contribution limit for 2008? The contribution limit for 2008 is $15,500 (or $20,500 if you are 50 or older). You may make your contributions as traditional pre-tax contributions, Roth after-tax contributions or a combination of both. However, the total amount of contributions (pre-tax + Roth) can not exceed the dollar limits referenced in this paragraph. What is the difference between a traditional 401(k) contribution and a Roth 401(k) contribution? A traditional 401(k) contribution reduces your current income for tax purposes (“pre-tax”). Your contributions and investment earnings grow tax deferred. In the future, when you receive distributions from the Plan, those distributions will be taxable as ordinary income. A Roth contribution does not reduce your current income for tax purposes (“after-tax”). Your contributions and investment earnings grow tax deferred. In the future, when you receive “qualified” distributions from the Plan (meaning you are at least 59 ½ years old and commenced Roth 401(k) participation at least 5 years earlier), your distributions will be received free of federal income tax. If you think your tax bracket in retirement may be higher than your tax bracket while you’re working, you may be a good candidate to make Roth 401(k) contributions. Who is eligible for the Plan and what is the process for enrolling in the Plan? You are eligible to participate if you are working under the standard freightship or standard tanker agreements as well as many other SIU contracts. (Please check with your port agent to see if your company participates.) As contracts are renegotiated in 2008, additional SIU members will become eligible to participate. Everyone who is eligible should have received an enrollment kit. The kit includes a DVD introducing the Seafarers 401(k) Plan, which we encourage everyone to watch. Also in the kit are the enrollment forms. There are three simple forms you must complete. ■ Enrollment Form - This form asks for your personal information such as name, address and date of birth. This is also the form where you specify the percentage of your pay you wish to contribute pre-tax, and / or the percentage you wish to make as an after-tax Roth contribution. Please note that any time you change employers, you must complete a new enrollment form. ■ Investment Election Form - You may put together your own portfolio by picking a combination of funds from the 20 available investment options. Or, you may simply choose from one of four risk-based model portfolios (conservative, moderate, moderate aggressive or aggressive). ■ Beneficiary Election Form - Note that if you are married and wish to designate someone other than your spouse as beneficiary, your spouse must consent in writing, and that consent must be notarized. Once you have completed and signed these forms, please return them to your ship’s captain. The captain will then forward the forms to your employer’s HR department for further processing. Also please note that the aforementioned forms (and other information) are available in the “Member Benefits and Resources” section of the SIU web site, www.seafarers.org. How can I get additional investment guidance and/or financial planning assistance? Call Smith Barney at 800-421-5127. Larry Goldstock, vice president and financial planning specialist at Smith Barney, described the Seafarers 401(k) Plan as “a potentially great way to accumulate a portion of the personal savings that may be needed to fund a financially secure retirement. Our approach to investing is based on our time-tested way of doing business. We offer our clients intelligent counsel based on our research, intellect and hard work. It’s an approach that has helped our clients work toward their financial goals since Smith Barney was established over a century ago.” February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 3 4th ‘Lewis and Clark’ Ship Delivered to MSC USNS Byrd to Join Gov’t Services Fleet The U.S. Military Sealift Command last month accepted delivery of the dry/cargo ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd in San Diego. The ship, to be crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division, was built by General Dynamics NASSCO. The USNS Byrd, designated T-AKE 4, is the fourth in the Lewis and Clark class of underway replenishment ships which deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to the Navy’s underway carrier and expeditionary strike groups, allowing them to stay at sea for extended periods of time. MSC took delivery of the vessel on Jan. 8. The agency noted that the T-AKEs will replace some of the older vessels in the Kilauea and Sirius classes, respectively. The former are ammunition ships while the latter are combat stores vessels. MSC further reported that the USNS Byrd was scheduled for a short “shakedown cruise” in late January, during which crew members were to test “a range of shipboard operations including a mock ammunition transfer that will use shipboard cranes to lift dummy ordnance onto Byrd’s deck from barges. This is the first such test ever done aboard a TAKE.” The 689-foot USNS Byrd is expected to deploy on its first operational mission this summer. The first ship of the class, the USNS Lewis and Clark, recently completed a deployment in the Persian Gulf. The USNS Lewis and Clark was replaced in theater by the second ship of the class, the USNS Sacagawea. NTSB: 1st-Tripper Was on Watch When Majestic Boat Grounded The Associated Press has reported that the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report on the May 14, 2007 grounding of Majestic America Line’s sternwheeler riverboat, the Empress of the North, off the coast of Alaska shows there was a new employee – who had received no training aboard the vessel and was unfamiliar with the waters being traversed – on watch at the time the ship hit a submerged portion of a charted rock. The ship grounded 25 miles southwest of Juneau when it was on its second day of a seven-day cruise, forcing the evacuation of 206 passengers. After the grounding, the vessel apparently drifted into the vicinity of Hanus Reef. Some passengers had minor injuries. While the NTSB preliminary report drew no conclusions, it cited that Marino Cattiotti was assigned a four-hour watch from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. because another navigator fell ill. According to the AP, Cattiotti told NTSB investigators that he recently graduated from the California Maritime Academy and was unfamiliar with the waters, received no training on that ship and had not participated in any drills aboard the vessel. The AP reported that the NTSB interviewed six instructors of Cattiotti’s where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation. The instructors reportedly told the NTSB they believe “in general, placing a recent graduate of the school with no watch experience outside of a training environment, at night, in pilotage waters, in an unfamiliar vessel, without additional preparation and/or supervision, was imprudent.” It could be months before the NTSB releases a full final report, but it has made available a few more details about the grounding when it stated that the crew was apparently trying to complete a turn, and failed, when the ship “raked across a rocky shoal.” The NTSB is expected to report later as to why the event occurred. According to Seattle Times, the Majestic America Line ship has run into trouble since its launch in 2003. Here are the details the paper cites: — Oct. 22, 2003: Hits a navigation lock at the Ice Harbor dam on the Snake River near Pasco. The lock was closed to all traffic for two days and remained closed to recreational boats for about five weeks, when it was repaired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. — Nov. 27, 2003: Develops steering problems on the Columbia River near The Dalles, Ore., and runs aground. A passenger and two crew members suffer minor injuries. The ship works free on its own power and ties up at a barge dock. — Feb. 25, 2006: Fails a sanitation test by inspectors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Mid-March, 2006: 26 passengers and seven crew members get sick with vomiting and diarrhea during a five-day Columbia River cruise. — March 24, 2006: Runs aground on a sandbar near Washougal, Wash., as it tries to avoid a barge. Nearly 200 passengers are evacuated. Crews pump 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel from the vessel to make it easier to refloat, and two tug boats free it. — May 14, 2007: Begins taking on water after it runs aground off the Alaska coast, forcing the evacuation of more than 200 passengers before it is able to move again with a Coast Guard escort. February 2008 The USNS Byrd is designed to support U.S. Navy missions. NASSCO Starts Construction on 2nd Tanker for U.S. Shipping Partners Construction on the second ship in a new class of Seafarers-contracted product carriers (PC-1) began Jan. 22 at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. The double-hulled vessel is being built for U.S. Shipping Partners and is scheduled to be delivered in early 2009. It is one of nine such tankers scheduled to be constructed at NASSCO. The build program itself includes options for five additional ships. Each PC-1 ship will be 600 feet long, displace about 49,000 deadweight tons and have a cargo capacity of 331,000 barrels. The ships are based on a design of DSEC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering of Okpo, Korea. As reported earlier in the LOG, NASSCO began construction of the first tanker in the series in August. U.S. Shipping Partners previously announced that the ship will be named Golden State, the state nickname of California. General Dynamics NASSCO employs more than 4,600 people and is the only major ship construction yard on the West Coast of the United States. In addition to the PC-1 program, the San Diego shipyard has contracts to build nine T-AKE class dry cargo-ammunition ships for the U.S. Navy (vessels that will be crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division), and an agreement to build up to five additional ships. U.S. Shipping Partners’ current fleet includes the ITF Baltimore, ITB Groton, ITB Jacksonville, ITB Mobile, ITB New York, ITB Philadelphia, SS Chemical Pioneer, MV Houston, MV Charleston, MV Sea Venture and ATB Freeport. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Reports Continued Progress For SIU-Contracted Tanker Program In early January, steel cutting began on the next tanker being built at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (Hull 011). The first three vessels in the initial series of 12 double-hulled, environmentally friendly tankers were delivered last year, and start of production on Hull 011 brings the number of ships currently under construction at the yard to four. The ship is scheduled for completion in 2009. According to the shipyard, consistent with the build method for all vessels in the Veteran class series, the first steel plates cut for this ship will The Overseas Houston is the first in a series of SIUcontracted tankers being built in Philadelphia. The vessel is one of three such ships already in operation. be used in construction of the engine room of the 46,000 deadweight ton (dwt) product tanker. Upon completion, the initial 12 tankers will be owned by Aker American Shipping and bareboat chartered to SIU-contracted Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc (OSG). As previously reported, Aker American Shipping in late November announced it has entered into an “option agreement” with the shipyard to build up to 13 more product tankers at a total contract value of $1.3 billion. With this agreement, Aker American Shipping stated that the company aims to expand its fleet from 12 to 25 state-of-the-art vessels. APL Balboa Re-Flagging Means More SIU Jobs SIU mariners will soon crew the APL Balboa, a containership that is being reflagged into APL Maritime Ltd.’s U.S.-registered fleet. The Balboa has been operating in APL Maritime’s international fleet under Singapore registery but will now fly the U.S. flag. The 397-foot ship is scheduled to operate in a commercial feeder service in the Arabian Gulf. The re-flagging of the Balboa represents new U.S. tonnage and U.S. jobs available to SIU members. The move follows 2007 trends of adding new tonnage under the U.S. flag by companies such as APL Maritime and Maersk. Seafarers LOG 3 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 4 Mariners Need TWIC by Sept. 25, 2008 The following information, available on the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) web site, covers the steps necessary to acquire a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). This information has been sent to all SIU halls and will be repeated (in various forms) in upcoming issues of the Seafarers LOG. The deadline for U.S. mariners to obtain a TWIC is Sept. 25, 2008. Therefore, the union urges Seafarers to apply for the new card, which eventually will be required of all U.S. mariners who need unescorted access to secure areas of U.S. ports and vessels. Seafarers should check with their port agents and/or utilize the TSA contact information that follows for the latest information on the TWIC program, including the “TWIC Quarterly Deployment Plan,” which is a list of cities where TWIC enrollment centers are or will be located. Updates also regularly appear on the SIU web site (www.seafarers.org, normally in the “Heard at Headquarters” section). Regular updates are anticipated. Seafarers are advised that although preenrollment for the TWIC is optional, both the agency and the first individual SIU members who have applied for the card strongly recommend it. To pre-enroll, individuals must first register for an ID starting at https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/ FOR MORE INFORMATION On the web: www.tsa.gov/twic By phone: TWIC Program Help Desk, 1866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942) By email: credentialing@dhs.gov ENROLLMENT TSA states that applicants must apply at a TWIC enrollment center and that TSA will be expanding the number of centers and also providing mobile enrollment centers. The enrollment process consists of the following components: optional pre-enrollment, in-person enrollment, security threat assessment and notification of the results, and issuance of the TWIC to the applicant. Applicants may pre-enroll online to enter all of the biographic information required for the threat assessment and make an appointment at the enrollment center to complete the process (although appointments are not required). Then, applicants must visit the enrollment center where they will pay the enrollment fee, complete a TWIC Application Disclosure Form, provide biographic information and a complete set of fingerprints, and sit for a digital photograph. The applicant must bring identity verification documents to enrollment and in the case of aliens, immigration documents that verify their immigration status, so that the documents can be scanned into the electronic enrollment record. What documentation is required? Applicants must provide the appropriate TWIC Enrollment Centers The following is a list of addresses for Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enrollment centers as of mid-January, as published by the Transportation Security Administration at the following web address:http://www.tsa.gov/what_we _do/layers/twic/twic_faqs.shtm When visiting that link, scroll down for the current list of enrollment centers. As they become available, additional addresses will be published in the LOG and faxed to the union halls. The TSA is expected to announce the locations of many more enrollment centers in the weeks and months ahead. To open a copy of the “TWIC Quarterly Deployment Plan” – in PDF format – go to: http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/twicquarterlydeploymentschedule_1_11_08.pdf Alabama 250 North Water Street Mobile, AL 36602-4000 California Oakland Maritime Support Services (OMSS) 11 Burma Road Oakland, CA 94607-1010 1830 Embarcadero Avenue Suite 104 Oakland, CA 94606-5230 301 E. Ocean Boulevard Suite 500 Long Beach, CA 90802 1931 N. Gaffey Street Suite B San Pedro, CA 90731-1265 Delaware 1 Hausel Road Wilmington, DE 19801-5852 4 Seafarers LOG Florida 955 Tallyrand Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32206-6049 707 Mullet Road Suites 117/118 Port Canaveral, FL 32920-4519 975 North America Way Miami, FL 33132-2004 Georgia 5214 Augusta Rd Garden City, GA 31408-1606 Georgia Power Plant McManus 1 Crispen Island Drive Brunswick, GA 31523 Hawaii 1347 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 204 Honolulu, HI 96814-4512 Hilo Hawaiian Hotel 71 Banyan Drive Hilo, HI 96720-4601 Kahului Shopping Center 65 West Kaahumanu Avenue Unit 14 Kahului, HI 96732 970 Kele Street Suite 102 Lihue, HI 96766 Illinois 8741 South Greenwood Dixon Building Chicago, IL 60619-7061 Three Rivers Safety Council 1615 W. Jefferson Street Suite TWIC Joliet, IL 60435-6724 111 W. Washington Street Suite 346 East Peoria, IL 61611-2532 documents in order to verify their identity. A complete list of such documents was published in the January LOG and is available at www.tsa.gov/twic. A valid merchant mariner document meets the requirement. COSTS AND PAYMENT The fee for a TWIC will be $132.50 and it is valid for five years. Workers with current, comparable background checks may pay a reduced fee of $105.25. If workers are eligible to pay the lower price, their TWIC will expire 5 years from the date of the comparable credential. The cost of a replacement TWIC, if the original is lost, stolen or damaged is $60. What are the methods of payment? Payment must be made with credit card (Visa or MasterCard only), money order, or certified/cashier’s check. Checks should be made payable to Lockheed Martin. An additional option has been provided through the use of company purchased pre-paid debit cards. For companies choosing to use the prepaid option, the website is http://www.twiccard.com. In all cases, payment will be made at the enrollment center at the beginning of the enrollment process. What is the fee for a replacement card? The card replacement fee (for lost, stolen, or damaged TWICs) is $60. SECURITY ASSESSMENT What does this assessment consist of? The assessment includes checks against criminal history records, terrorist watch lists, and immigration status. If no adverse information is disclosed, TSA typically completes a security threat assessment in less than ten days. However, processing time increases for an applicant with a criminal history or other disqualifying information, and is further lengthened if the applicant initiates an appeal or waiver. This security threat assessment is the same for those applying for, transferring, or renewing a HAZMAT endorsement (HME) on their state-issued commercial drivers licenses (CDL). WAIVERS AND APPEALS Is there going to be an appeals and waivers process? Yes. Applicants who are denied a TWIC will be notified of the reason for denial and instructed on how to apply for an appeal or waiver. All applicants have the opportunity to appeal a disqualification, and may apply to TSA for a waiver if disqualified for certain crimes, or if they are aliens in Temporary Protected Status. Applicants who seek a waiver and are denied may seek review by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Indiana 200 Russell Street Suite 110 Hammond, IN 46320-1825 Mississippi Ergon Refining 227 Industrial Drive Vicksburg, MS 39183-0000 Rhode Island 17 Virginia Ave Suite 105 Providence, RI 02905-5443 Louisiana Safety Council for Louisiana Capital Area 8180 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70810-1914 New Jersey Northern New Jersey / Bergen County 89 Leuning Street, Suite G South Hackensack, NJ 076061345 South Carolina 4600 Goer Drive, Ste 112 North Charleston, SC 29406-6500 700 W. McNeese Street Lake Charles, LA 70605-5532 Port Fourchon Harbor Police 108 A.O. Rappelet Road Port Fourchon, LA 70357-0000 170 James Drive East Suite 104 St. Rose, LA 70087-4005 Maryland 2200 Broening Hwy Suite 220 Baltimore, MD 21224-6623 213 W. Main Street Suite 204C Salisbury, MD 21801-4871 Massachusetts 28 Damrell St. Suite 104 Boston, MA 02127-2775 300 Tremont Street Unit #5 Carver, MA 02330-1758 Michigan Delray Mechanical 667 S. Post Street Detroit, MI 48209-3053 New York 102 Smith Boulevard Albany, NY 12202-1067 Howland Hook Marine Terminal 241 Western Avenue Staten Island, NY 10303-1103 Whitehall Ferry Terminal 4 South Street Room 210 New York, NY 10004-1940 2680 Grand Island Boulevard Suite 1 Grand Island, NY 14072 North Carolina Suite 102 5704 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403-4761 311 Atlantic Beach Causeway A Atlantic Beach, NC 28512-7359 Ohio 3100 E45th Street Suite 226 Cleveland, OH 44127-1091 916 River Street Ontonagon, MI 49953-1622 Star Center One Maritime Plaza 720 Water Street Toledo, OH 43604-1883 800 East Ellis Road Suite 122 Norton Shores, MI 49441-5622 Oklahoma 5350 Cimarron Road Catoosa, OK 74015-3027 Minnesota 34 13th Avenue, NE Minneapolis, MN 55413-1002 Oregon 621 SW Morrison Street Portland, OR 97205 2161 University Avenue St. Paul, MN 55114-1300 1310 Port Terminal Road Duluth, MN 55802 Pennsylvania Philadelphia Regional Port 3460 North Delaware Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19134-6311 3214 2nd Avenue East International Falls, MN 566498955 701 North Point Drive Suite 104 Pittsburgh, PA 15233-2133 Tennessee 3865 Viscount Avenue, Suite 2 Memphis, TN 38118-6000 Texas 7433 Leopard Street Corpus Christi, TX 78409 Ford Convention Center Tyler Room 5155 IH-10 South Beaumont, TX 77705-4213 West Gulf Maritime Association 1717 Turning Basin Houston, TX 77029-3003 3800 Highway 365 Suite 123 Port Arthur, TX 77642-7566 1000 Foust Road Brownsville, TX 78521 1750 FM 1432 Victoria, TX 77905-0000 301 Highway 146 N. Texas City, TX 77590-6630 Washington 5009 Pac Hwy E Suite 17 Fife Business Park Tacoma, WA 98424-3432 Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) AERIE # 1 6205 Corson Avenue South Seattle, WA 98108 West Virginia Tri-State Fire Academy 4200 Ohio River Rd, Huntington WV 25702 Wisconsin Chase Commerce Center 3073 South Chase Avenue Suite 620 Building 28 Floor 1 Milwaukee, WI 53207-2668 425 South Military Avenue Green Bay, WI 54303-2271 February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 5 Legislation Establishes Marine Highway Program On Dec. 19, President Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which contains provisions establishing a formal marine highway program within the federal government. Under the new law, marine highway or “short sea” transportation refers to the carriage by vessel of cargo in containers, loaded on the vessel by cranes or by means of wheeled technology. Of particular significance to the SIU and the rest of the maritime community are provisions contained in the bill promoting short sea shipping initiatives as an instrument to alleviate landbased cargo and passenger transport congestion. Specifically, the Department of Transportation is charged with the development of a short sea transportation program and the designation of selected projects to document the potential advantages of utilizing marine highway alternatives. Such projects would include the use of short sea shipping routes to accommodate federally owned or generated cargo movements and programs to further cooperation between local, state, regional and federal transportation entities to foster marine highway operations. Additionally, operators would be able to access the Capital Construction Fund for financing the construction of vessels to be deployed in contiguous short sea shipping ventures. The union believes that the outlook for marine highway or short sea shipping is very positive and deserves the attention of the maritime and environmental communities. According to a governmentissued news release, a report on the marine highway transportation program must be submitted to Congress within one year. “It will include a description of the activities conducted under the program, and any recommendations for further legislative or administrative action that are considered appropriate.” U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton, testifying last year before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, pointed out, “By 2020, every major U.S. container port is expected to double the volume of cargo it must process, with East Coast ports tripling in volume and some West Coast ports quadrupling in volume. The United States is expected to import 30 million containers in 2010 and 40 million in 2020. The domestic tonnage of freight carried by all U.S. systems will increase by 67 percent, while international trade is expected to at least double. Presently, this domestic freight is carried almost exclusively by road or rail – coastal shipping handles only two percent of our domestic freight, even though coastal counties hold more than half of the nation’s population…. “Clearly, the nation’s marine highway can help mitigate this congestion,” he continued. “The world’s waterways are an infinite system, and our marine highways have infinite capacity. Unlike rail and roads, there are no fixed infrastructure costs to develop transportation routes, and ships can carry more cargo per dollar than any other method of transport. The full scope of America’s marine highway – a system that includes not only our coastal waters, but our inland waterway system and the Great Lakes – is enormous and if properly utilized and integrated, can help us expand our way out of the crises before us.” Sean Connaughton U.S. Maritime Administrator Administration Report ITF Week of Action a Success Efforts Bring Results for Crews in India, Sri Lanka Cites Vital Role of U.S. Merchant Marine In a report examining many aspects of the nation’s marine transportation system, the United States Maritime Administration (MarAd) strongly credits the U.S. Merchant Marine as an integral part of national security. The agency published the 47page report in late 2007. It is titled, “The Maritime Administration and the U.S. Marine Transportation System: A Vision for the 21st Century.” Besides recognizing mariners for their historic reliability and present-day importance, the report looks at maritime and the economy; the nation’s port system and marine highways; public-private partnerships in the industry; workforce development; environmental issues; the Ready Reserve Force; and successful laws and programs including cargo preference, the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program and its related Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA), and more. Where mariners are concerned, the agency notes, “The U.S. Merchant Marine has been an integral part of America’s defense establishment since the founding of the nation…. Since then, time and again the men, women and vessels of the merchant marine have supported America’s armed forces in periods of war and national emergency. Thousands of American mariners have died, been wounded or taken prisoner during those conflicts…. “Those who would do great harm to the United States, its people and interests pose a real danger. Safeguarding freedom and security involves a global commitment. The U.S. Merchant Marine has had and will continue to take a leading February 2008 role in that struggle in times of peace as well as war and national emergency.” The report goes on to point out that U.S. national defense has relied heavily on the U.S. commercial sector for more than two centuries, and continues doing so today. “This includes using ships as naval auxiliaries, vessels to transport military personnel and supplies and trained seafarers for naval service. “...The United States simply cannot respond to conflicts or emergencies overseas without sealift. It is figuratively and literally a lifeline to U.S. armed forces and their missions.” ---MarAd Report, 2007 For the maritime transportation system today, defense mobilization still equates to having a strong industrial base as well as sufficient U.S. commercial ships and civilian crews available to meet defense sealift requirements…. The United States simply cannot respond to conflicts or emergencies overseas without sealift. It is figuratively and literally a lifeline to U.S. armed forces and their missions. This is being proven once again during the current Global War on Terrorism…. “It is also essential that the active commercial U.S.-flag fleet and its intermodal systems are available to serve the United States’ military and economic needs.” The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in early January took a week-long action against the so-called flagof-convenience (FOC) system in Indian and Sri Lankan ports. During the successful week of action, more than 100 inspections were carried out on board FOC vessels, also known as runaway-flag ships. The inspections were instrumental in yielding concrete results including the securing of more than $1 million in back pay claims and signing new ITF agreements, which help ensure fair wages and working conditions for mariners. The federation’s efforts weren’t confined to a single week. After the mobilization’s scheduled conclusion, the ITF team in Chennai stayed on board the Panamanianflagged Global Flora in an attempt to persuade its Japanese owners to sign an ITF agreement with the Japanese Seafarers’ Union (JSU). Members of the dockers union in Chennai are also standing firm in the face of the managers’ delaying tactics; they are determined to secure the Filipino seafarers on board a respectable wage. The action continued at press time for the LOG. In Mumbai, the ITF inspector on board the Maltese-flagged, Norwegian-owned and Korean-managed Samho Jewelry discovered that the Croatian, Russian, Polish and Burmese crew members were being paid less than the minimum ITF wage rates. However, following the action, the owner agreed to sign an ITF agreement with the Korean Seafarers’ Union; the agreement will cover not only mariners on board the Samho Jewelry, but also those on another of its vessels, the Samho Heron. Prospects of an ITF agreement for mariners on the Panamanian-flagged Rabbana also seem bright, the federation reported. Inspections of the Panamanian-flagged, Sri Lankan-owned Windsor Ruby, which also took place in Mumbai, revealed that crew members were being paid much less than stipulated by the ITF agreement that the owners had signed. The Sri Lankan mariners had been afraid to speak out, but the ITF inspectors’ prompt action led to an agreement by the owner to settle their back pay claim for two months’ wages, amounting to around $24,000. Mahendra Sharma, deputy regional secretary of the ITF Asia Pacific regional office, said the week of action “was a resounding success and we are very happy with the out- comes. Apart from signing new agreements and claiming back pay wages, action by ITF inspectors has led to the signing of ITF agreements by unions in the beneficial ownership countries. Certainly credit is due for this to dockers’ and seafarers’ unions in India and Sri Lanka.” The ITF is a global federation of 681 transport trade unions (including the SIU) which collectively represent 4.5 million workers in 148 countries. SIU SecretaryTreasurer David Heindel is first vice chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section. A runaway-flag or FOC ship is one that flies the flag of a country other than the country of ownership. According to the ITF, “FOCs provide a means of avoiding labor regulation in the country of ownership, and become a vehicle for paying low wages and forcing long hours of work and unsafe working conditions. Since FOC ships have no real nationality, they are beyond the reach of any single national seafarers’ trade union. “The ITF has therefore been obliged to take on internationally the role traditionally exercised by national trade unions – to organize and negotiate on behalf of FOC crews. For 50 years the ITF, through its affiliated seafarers’ and dockers’ unions, has been waging a vigorous campaign against shipowners who abandon the flag of their own country in search of the cheapest possible crews and the lowest possible training and safety standards for their ships.” The federation further notes that while the political component of the FOC campaign “has not so far succeeded in preventing a constant growth in ships using FOC registers, the industrial campaign has succeeded in enforcing decent minimum wages and conditions on board nearly 5,000 FOC ships. In addition, the ITF has become the standardbearer for exploited and mistreated seafarers, irrespective of nationality or trade union membership, throughout the world. Every year millions of dollars are recovered by the ITF and its affiliated unions in back pay and in compensation for death or injury on behalf of seafarers who have nowhere else to turn.” Compliance with ITF-recognized agreements is monitored by a network of more than 100 ITF inspectors in ports throughout the world. The contracts themselves stem from policies developed by ITF maritime affiliates over many years. Those policies seek to establish minimum acceptable standards applicable to seafarers serving on FOC vessels. Seafarers LOG 5 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 6 Deck department members (left to right) OS Philip Forman, OS Anthony Clemons, AB Miles Janecka, AB Christopher Johnson and Bosun Adrian Jones Pictured from left to right are QMED Antuan Barnes, QMED Jim Barker, Electrician Ralph Garner and Wiper George Lavender. The USNS Pomeroy arrives at Gwangyang, South Korea. USNS Pomeroy is MSC’s ‘New Kid on the Block’ in Pacific Captain Commends Crew for Hard Work, Safe Operations Editor’s note: USNS Pomeroy Captain Mike F. Finnigan wrote the following story and submitted the accompanying photos. The vessel, operated by Maersk Line Limited, is a large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship, abbreviated as LMSR. The USNS Pomeroy has just started its new deployment with the U.S. Military Sealift Command’s Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three in the Guam/Saipan operations area. At the start of the deployment the Pomeroy completed its load-out in Charleston, S.C., and made stops in Busan and Gwangyang, South Korea in addition to Sasebo, Japan. The USNS Pomeroy completed one lift for MSC and the United States Marine Corps by repositioning cargo from Gwangyang to Okinawa at the start of the new deployment. We are the new kids on the block and we are looking forward to joining the rest of the MPSRON 3 Squadron, who have been on station for many years. The squadron is made up of 10 vessels total: the MV PFC James Anderson Jr., MV 1ST LT Alex Bonnyman, MV MAJ Bernard F. Fisher, MV CPL Louis J. Hauge Jr., SS Cape Jacob, USNS 1ST LT Jack Lummus, USNS 1ST LT Harry L. Martin, SS MAJ Stephen W. Pless, USNS PFC Ralph E. Pomeroy, and VADM K.R. Wheeler. The crew of the USNS Pomeroy had the chance to meet the commodore of MPSRON 3, Captain Ulysses O. Zalamea, and the staff of MPSRON 3 while in Korea. This was a great opportunity for the commodore to come aboard and meet the crew on a routine workday. I want to thank the crew for their hard work getting the vessel ready for deployment. The vessel also just completed its U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection and ABS Annual Inspections while in Korea. The AMO officers and the SIU mariners and the MPSRON 3 staff take pride in their job each and every day to make sure the vessel is “mission ready.” You can see a direct result of all the training the crew attends at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center and the AMO Star Center by the condition of the vessel. I would like to relay to all the training instructors that all their hard work and training efforts do pay off, and the crew AB King Scott shares many of the skills they learned from you all each day. The vessel also works with a strong safety culture instilled in each crew member. Maersk Line Limited’s “Safety Boot Camp” program with the SIU and Continued on next page Storekeeper Chris Maye Steward department members SA Paul Patrick, SA Paul San Nicholas, SA Simplicia Twohie, Chief Steward Milton Sivells, SA Jacqueline Sivells and SA Recuerdo Inciong. 6 Seafarers LOG The USNS Pomeroy approaches the docks in Gwangyang, South Korea. February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 7 Cargo is loaded in Gwangyang. OS Anthony Clemons, AB Oliver Daily, QMED James Barker, Bosun Adrian Jones. QMED Antuan Barnes (left), Electrician Ralph Garner QMED James Barker takes a meal break. OS Philip Forman (Left) and AB Miles Janecka prep lifeboats for U.S. Coast Guard inspection. AB William Fielding (left) and a member of Securewest Security try to stay warm. Pomeroy Begins Deployment in Guam Continued from Page 6 the AMO gives the crew a chance to talk directly with senior management of Maersk Line Limited and to understand their goals toward safe operating procedures for the crew and the environment. Chief Mate William McClusky, 1st Asst. Engineer Kevin Murphy, Bosun Adrian Jones, Storekeeper Chris Maye and Chief Steward Milton Sivells along with their departments stepped up to help out with the cargo lift. With the additional 30 Super Cargo aboard the crew stayed busy with 73 (people) aboard. The ability of the vessel to help support Military Sealift Command on a short-notice cargo lift shows the determination of the crew to keep the vessel mission ready at all times. The USNS Pomeroy was on a Persian Gulf run to Kuwait for the last few years and knows that the vessel can be called upon or called forward at any time. The USNS Pomeroy crew enjoyed the stay in Korea. There is a large amount of history between the USNS Pomeroy and the Korean Peninsula. Ralph Pomeroy is a Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War. His Medal Of Honor Citation can be found at www.msc.navy.mil The USNS Pomeroy keeps information aboard the ship about the Korean War history and a copy of the last letter that Ralph Pomeroy sent to his family dated 14 October 1952, the day before he was killed in action, along with various pictures. Pomeroy was killed while defending his company from North Korean forces. Fighting off charge after charge and mortar attack, PFC Pomeroy died after the battle turned to hand-tohand combat. Chief Steward Milton Sivells and SA Simplicia Twohie help throw a barbeque for U.S. Marines aboard the USNS Pomeroy. Chief Cook Toni Johnson helps dish up Thanksgiving dinner. February 2008 The SIU-crewed LMSR loads a military vehicle in Gwangyang for repositioning. Seafarers LOG 7 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 8 SIU-Crewed USNS Pililaau Completes Largest Delivery of Life-Saving MRAPs Seafarers continued their mission as part of the nation’s fourth arm of defense when the SIU-crewed USNS Pililaau recently delivered the largest load of life-saving “MRAP” vehicles to date to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Operated by American Overseas Marine (AMSEA) for the U.S. Military Sealift Command, the Pililaau in mid-December loaded more than 200 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles in Charleston, S.C. and then safely transported them. Previously, other SIU-crewed ships including the Alliance New York and the SS Great Land delivered other cargoes of MRAPs to U.S. troops overseas. MRAPs are designed to protect occupants against armor-piercing roadside bombs. “Our ultimate mission is always to support the war fighter, and we take that very seriously,” said Navy Captain George Galyo, commander of MSC’s Sealift Logistics Command Atlantic, and operational commander for the recent Pililaau load. “We are going to ensure that this vital equipment is under way on time in the most efficient manner possible.” The agency described the 950-foot Pililaau – a roll-on/roll-off ship – as “ideally suited” to carry the heavily armored vehicles. The vessel has 380,000 square feet of cargo capacity – accessible by ramps between each deck that allow the MRAPs to be driven aboard. “Pililaau was designed for just such a task,” said Tom D’Agostino, director of ship operations at the Sealift Logistics Command Atlantic office in Charleston. “In one load, the Pililaau can carry what could take a month to deliver by air. Pililaau helps us put these critically needed vehicles in the war fighters’ hands at the right place, at the right time, for the right price.” Advancing Your Career Via the Paul Hall Center The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., offers the most U.S. Coast Guard-approved courses of any maritime school in the nation. The center features top-notch training from experienced instructors and state-of-theart equipment and facilities. The school offers courses for mariners sailing in the deck, engine and steward departments. Below is a quick look at one of those classes. For more information about the center and its courses, contact the Admissions Office, Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; call (301) 994-0010; or visit the Paul Hall Center section of www.seafarers.org. Course dates are listed on page 20 of this issue of the LOG and also are carried on the web site. Engine Department Course Spotlight by acquiring their rating Fireman, Oiler and is the entry point for and Watertender transitioning military (FOWT) veterans. The U.S. Coast Guard-approved Fireman, Oiler and Watertender (FOWT) program prepares candidates to earn both the Fireman/WT and Oiler rating endorsements as well as STCW certification as a Rating Forming Part of the Engineering Watch. This course completes the unlicensed apprenticeship program for engineering students These two images show the new mineresistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles inside and out. SIU-crewed ships recently delivered several cargoes of MRAPs for American troops overseas. The Department of Defense, U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps developed the “humvees on steroids” to better shield military personnel in Iraq from today’s maiming weaponry such as improvised exploding devices and mines. According to the Army, the vehicles have raised, V-shaped underbellies that deflect the force of improvised explosive devices and other blasts from below better than other vehicles in use. (U.S. Navy Photos) 8 This eight-week program consists of three course modules: Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations (four weeks), Basic Motor Plant Operations (two weeks), and Basic Steam Plant Operations (two weeks). The program makes extensive use of computerized simulators. Students are assessed via written examinations with a primary emphasis on practical marine engineering plant operations while in a support role, as well as a practical demonstration of job-related skills. Students are required to perform those tasks associated with the performance of their job duties as a watchstander, including routine maintenance performed while on watch. Honoring Newly Retired Captain Unlicensed Apprentice Baum Earns Diploma SIU Captain William F. Carter (seated in photo) retired from Express Marine, Inc. in early November. He received a Chelsea ship’s clock with a brass plate expressing the company’s gratitude for his many years of service. Dick Walling (left), owner of Express Marine, presented the clock to Brother Carter, who for the last five years commanded the tug Consort, operating in the northeast. Christopher L. Baum (second from left), a member of Unlicensed Apprentice Class No. 693, recently earned his high school diploma through the program run by the Seafarers-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. Presenting him with the diploma and congratulating him at the January membership meeting in Piney Point, Md. are (from left) SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez, Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel and VP Contracts George Tricker. Seafarers LOG February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 9 Human resources personnel from Maersk Line Limited were among the special guests who attended the December 21 Christmas luncheon in the port of Norfolk, Va. Pictured above (from left) are Robert Lambourne, dispatcher; Jeff Londonsky, port captain; and HR Director Dennis Houghton (fourth from left). Joining them are Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny (third from left) and SIU VP Government Services Division Kermett Mangram. Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny welcomes Ed Hanvey to the holiday festivities in the port of Norfolk. Hanvey is vice president of labor relations for Maersk Line Limited. Holidays With Seafarers Officials, Members, VIPs Gather for Christmas Luncheon at Port of Norfolk Maurice Cokes (left), SIU Government Services representative, poses with STOS Cliff Page prior to the start of the Christmas luncheon. VP Government Services Division Kermett Mangram, center, chats with Recertified Bosun Tony Maben (left) and ABG Donald Hood prior to the start of the luncheon. GUDE Harold Langley (above) and Sam Glickman (below) partake of the main course while other SIU members and guests make their way through the serving line (photo below at left). Langley sails aboard the USNS Regulus while Glickman is a longtime friend and neighbor to employees at the port of Norfolk. Compliments to the Chef A great time was had by all who attended the annual Christmas luncheon at the port of Norfolk. In photo above (from left), ABGs John Carr and Dino Marchions and CME Butch Vane (right) are all smiles after consuming a delicious meal complete with all of the trimmings. With them is Marchions’ mother, Dorothy (third from left). In photo at right, SA Michelle Woodley poses with VP Government Services Division Kermett Mangram. February 2008 The Christmas luncheon was a huge success thanks largely to the efforts of SB Army Joe Leake who took the lead in catering the event. Leake serves as steward baker aboard the SIU-crewed Maersk Rhode Island. Seafarers LOG 9 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:56 PM Page 10 Holidays With Seafarers Port of Jacksonville Hosts Annual Thanksgiving/Christmas Event More than 300 people—SIU members, their families, retirees and guests—turned out for the Nov. 17 Thanksgiving/Christmas luncheon at the Port of Jacksonville, Fla. In photo above, guests make their way through the serving line which boasted a wide variety of food items. Chief Steward May Sims (photo at far right) was one of several SIU members who volunteered their time and skills in preparing food for the event. Port of Jacksonville maintenance man Tommy Vain (left) makes his selections from the serving line while GUDE Wade Johnson and his family (above) take a pause from their meal. Enjoying one anothers’ company as well as a great meal (photo at right, from left) are ABs Curtis Dunlap, Damon Anderson, Janaro Jackson and Roosevelt Clark. A wonderful time was had by everyone in these four photos (starting at lower left) who participated in the Thanksgiving/Christmas event at the Port of Jacksonville. Shown in the photos (clockwise, left to right) are QMEDS Rene Vazquez and Jose Vazquez; Jacksonville Safety Director Karl Leiter, Jacksonville Executive Assistant Karen Shuford and Carmen Troche. In the next photo are Laura, Kathleen, Pam and Donna from the union doctor’s office. In photo above, 3rd Cook Jamie Cayonte (left) entertains her friends. Pensioner George Vorise and his daughter Deme Vorise share a joyous moment (photo at right) prior to their meal. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 11 Holidays With Seafarers Annual Christmas Dinner Attracts Huge Turnout at Port of Houston More than 125 Seafarers, retirees and members of their families on Dec. 20 converged on the union hall in the Port of Houston for the annual Christmas dinner. In photo at left, Houston Patrolman Mike Russo and Pedro Castillo comply with a guest’s entree selections on the serving line. Prior to assembling and opening up the serving line Stewards Randy Stephens, Castillo and Fernando Guity were hard at work in the union hall’s galley area (photo at right) whipping up dishes. The trio, each member a specialist in their own right, relied on their collective experiences and expertise to craft an exceptional menu. The serving lines were filled with enthusiastic guests. In photo at left, Bosun John Cain lends his assistance in order to speed the serving process along. More Photos from the Port of Jacksonville Thanksgiving/Christmas Event Enjoying the food and good company at the Jacksonville event (clockwise from photo at left) are Chief Cook Tracey Newsome, AB Curtis Dunlap, OMU Nat Lapp and their friend; (above) AB Matt Arnold and his daughter, AB Jay Thomas and Recertified Steward Theodore Quammie; Wilmer Leiter and his friend; Jacksonville Patrolman Ashley Johnson and (photo at immediate right) Pensioner Leon Butler (center) and his wife, Elizabeth, and Karen Shuford, port of Jacksonville executive secretary. In addition to those pictured on this page and Page 10, a large contingent of guests from Coastal Maritime and Crowley also attended. February 2008 Seafarers LOG 11 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 12 WHAT’S NEW FOR 2007? Following are some of the changes that will take effect in 2007, along with changes that remain in effect from 2006 from the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the 2005 Energy Tax Incentive Act, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, and other tax law changes. While the vast majority of taxpayers can file as usual, about 13.5 million taxpayers who file any of five tax forms affected by recent tax law changes related to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) will have to wait until Feb. 11, 2008, to file their returns. The affected forms are: Form 8863 (Education Credits), Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits), Schedule 2 of the Form 1040A (Child and Dependent Care Expenses for Form 1040A filers), Form 8396 (Mortgage interest credit) and Form 8859 (District of Columbia First Time Home Buyer Credit). Standard Mileage Rates - The 2007 rate for business use of your vehicle is 48.5 cents a mile. The 2007 rate for use of your vehicle to get medical care or to move is 20 cents a mile. The 2007 rate for charitable services is 14 cents a mile. Exemption - The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased from $3,300 in 2006 to $3,400 in 2007. You lose all or part of the benefit of your exemptions if your adjusted gross income is above a certain amount. The amount at which the phase-out begins depends on your filing status. For 2007, the phase-out begins at: $234,600 for married people filing jointly and qualified widow(er) with dependent children, $195,500 for a head of household, $156,400 for single taxpayers; and $117,300 for married persons filing separately. Direct deposit of refunds - If you choose direct deposit of your refund, you may be able to split the refund into two or three accounts. Kiddie Tax - The limit on the so-called kiddie tax remains unchanged at $850 in 2007, but the cutoff age was raised from 14 to 18, effective in 2006. This means children under age 18 will pay no income tax on the first $850 of unearned income, such as capital gains or interest from a savings account, and will be taxed at their own rate (most likely 10%) on the next $850 (5% for long-term capital gains). Unearned income over $1,700 is taxed at the parents’ rate. Children 18 and older continue to pay tax at their own rate. For tax year 2008, the kiddie tax will apply not only to children under the age of 18 at the close of the tax year but to any children who continue to qualify to be claimed as a dependent and who are not contributing more than 50 % of their own support. Tax Credit for Hybrid Vehicles - In 2007, a credit is available for hybrid vehicles. The credit has two components—one based on the vehicle’s fuel economy and the other based on the estimated lifetime fuel savings. But you have to act fast. This credit will be phased out once the combined total of qualifying vehicles exceeds 60,000—regardless of model—sold after 2005 by the manufacturer for use in the US. Charitable Contributions - Beginning August 17, 2006, any donations of clothing and household items won’t be deductible unless the donated items are in good used or better condition. This means that the IRS may deny a deduction for any item that has minimal monetary value. However, this rule does not apply to a contribution of any single item for which a deduction of more than $500 is claimed and for which you include a qualified appraisal and Form 8283 with your tax return. Beginning in 2007, you may no longer deduct contributions made in cash or by check unless you can produce a bank record or a receipt, letter, or other written communication from the charitable organization. This should include the organization’s name and address, the date and location of the gift, and a description of property. This requirement applies to all “cash” contributions, regardless of the amount of the donation. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. You may be able to take the EIC if: A child lived with you and you earned less than $37,783 ($39,783 if married filing jointly), or A child did not live with you and you earned less than $12,590 ($14,590 if married filing jointly). The maximum investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $2,900. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child - In 2005, to simplify the tax law, the definition of a ‘qualified child’ changed for taxpayers who claim a child as a dependent, elects Head of Household status, or takes the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child or Dependent Care Credit. To meet this new definition, the person needs to be your child, sibling (or descendent of either), adopted or foster child. The child must be under either (1) age 19; (2) under age 24 if a student, or (3) any age if permanently and totally disabled. Also, the child must be either a citizen, resident or national of the United States and must have the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of the year. The child must not provide more than onehalf of his/her own support for the year. Foster Child - New rules apply to determine who is a foster child and when a foster child can be used to claim certain benefits. To claim a foster child as a qualifying child for any tax benefits, the child must be placed with a taxpayer by an authorized placement agency or by judgment, decree or other 12 Seafarers LOG order of any court of competent jurisdiction. A foster child no longer qualifies a taxpayer to use qualifying widow(er) filing status. Tuition and Fees Deductions - Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach new Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Note that many who qualify for the tuition and fees deduction may reap greater tax savings by instead claiming the Hope credit or the lifetime learning credit for a particular student. Residential and Non-Business Energy Efficient Property Credit - Credits are available on Form 5695 for any of the following improvements to your main home located in the United States in 2007 if they are new and meet certain requirements for energy efficiency. Examples include insulation material and metal roofs with pigmented coatings to reduce heat gain or loss, exterior windows and doors, and certain electric heat pump water heaters, electric heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, central air conditioners, and natural gas, propane, or oil water heaters. Six-Month Automatic Extensions - Individuals will be able to file Form 4868 to get an automatic six-month extension of time to file. Also, almost all states have indicated they are following the IRS’s lead. Donations of Automobiles - There is a limit on the charitable contribution of used motor vehicles (with a claimed value in excess of $500) to the gross sales price received by the charity for the subsequent sale of the donated vehicle, rather than the fair market value. A charitable organization must provide the donor with Form 1098-C. Combat Pay - Some military personnel receiving combat pay get larger tax credits because of two law changes. The new law counts excludable combat pay as income when figuring the Child Tax Credit and gives the taxpayer the option of counting or ignoring combat pay when figuring the Earned Income Tax Credit. Counting combat pay as income when calculating these credits does not change the exclusion of combat pay from taxable income. Sales Tax Deduction - Taxpayers who itemize deductions will have a choice of claiming a state and local tax deduction for either sales or income taxes on their 2007 return. The IRS will provide optional tables for use in determining the deduction amount, relieving taxpayers of the need to save receipts throughout the year. Sales taxes paid on motor vehicles and boats may be added to the table amount, but only up to the amount paid at the general sales tax rate. Taxpayers will check a box on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, to indicate whether their deduction is for sales or income taxes. Mortgage Insurance Premiums May Be Deductible Many homeowners are paying mortgage insurance premiums which are now deductible as part of the mortgage interest deduction. This deduction begins at the start of 2007 and expires at the end of 2010. Mortgage insurance provided by the Veterans Administration, the Federal Housing Administration, the Rural Housing Administration, and private mortgage insurance companies all qualify for the deduction. Debt Forgiveness - Taxpayers can exclude up to $2 million of debt forgiven on their principal residence. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return. This provision applies to debt forgiven in 2007, 2008 or 2009. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure qualifies for this relief. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) - is a parallel tax calculation method. Unlike the regular tax computation, the AMT disregards certain deductions, adds in certain income, and has a higher exemption amount. For 2007, the AMT exemption amount increased slightly: $44,350 for single filers, $66,250 for married people filing jointly and for qualifying widows or widowers, and $33,125 for married people filing separately. By comparison, the 2006 exemption amount for single filers was $42,500. The AMT exemption amounts are scheduled to decrease in 2008. Starting in 2007, taxpayers may receive a refundable credit for any used prior year minimum tax credit that has been carried forward from year 2003 or earlier. Additionally, new laws allow taxpayers to use most refundable personal credits to offset AMT liability. These include the dependent care, HOPE and Lifetime Learning education credits and the District of Columbia first-time homebuyer’s credit. Taxpayers should get out any carryover worksheets they have or AMT tax forms from earlier years in order to prepare their 2007 returns. TAX TIPS FOR As the LOG went to press, Congress was working on other tax law changes which may im return. Also, you may be mailing your return to a different address this year because the lope with your tax package, please use it. Otherwise, see Where HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. Itemized deductions and tax credits. Medical and dental payment records. Real estate and personal property tax receipts. Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-800-2729829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit web sites www.officialpayments.com or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 74b, 74c and 74d on their Form 1040. Line 74b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 74c indicates the type of account, and line 74d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, visit the IRS web site at: www.irs.gov. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption— for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $3,400 per person. In 2007, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction Has Increased: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, has increased for most people (see box on this page). Because of this increase, it may be to an individual’s benefit to take the standard deduction this year even if that person has itemized deductions in the past. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2007, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Interest paid on mortgages or investments is 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. SPAD contributions have never been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of workrelated clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally-owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute auto- STANDARD DEDUCTION This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,050 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,300 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,400. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,350 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,700 Married filing separate return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,350 Head of household . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,850 February 2008 mob dard al co of t stan mile adde mile info oper inclu licen ciati I or th ing shou keep expe relat emp D Wh port the the outs the gene $58 com inclu if di they any T (Joh whe a fu rate whe the as a $3 a rate area exte dedu L 2007 ited $15 inco ing E able avai have adju tax have eligi tion ages prov inco fyin max Taxp $12 $42 inco qual cred $37 child the inco refu Taxp sche for t D Num Soc Indi depe thei Adm Adm usua rece C ers w a U paye tion are e amo child whe com filer �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 13 R MARINERS may impact your 2007 income taxes. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your e the IRS has changed the filing location for several areas. If you received an enveWhere Do You File? on the back cover of the instructions. mobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate of 48.5 cents per mile. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. In either the standard mileage rate or the actual cost method of determining car expenses, accurate records should be kept. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel. Only workrelated expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: Workers in transportation are allowed a special rate on the meal allowance of $52 per day in the continental U.S. and $58 per day outside the continental U.S. Otherwise the IRS standard meal allowance is generally $45. In some locations it is $58, and in Hawaii and Alaska it is computed differently. Travel expenses, including meals, can only be deducted if directly related to one’s work and if they have not been reimbursed from any other source. There has been a tax court case (Johnson v. Comm. 115 TC210[2000]) where a merchant seaman was denied a full deduction for the full M & IE rates. The court ruled that in situations where meals are provided at no cost, the incidental expense rate allowable as an itemized deduction is limited to $3 a day (in the continental U.S.) and rates ranging from $1 to $53 in other areas. In lieu of these rates, to the extent you have receipts, a higher deduction amount may be allowed. Limit on Itemized Deductions: In 2007, itemized deductions may be limited for individuals earning more than $156,400 of federal adjusted gross income (or $78,200 if married and filing separately). Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit (EIC) is available to certain individuals who have earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income thresholds. For tax year 2007, an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met. Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer’s income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $12,590 and no qualifying children— $428 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $33,241 and with 1 qualifying child—$2,853 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $37,783 and with 2 or more qualifying children—$4,716 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below zero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EIC to see if they are eligible for the credit. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Child Tax Credit: In 2007, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old, are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $1,000 per child. The credit begins to phase out when modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or February 2008 $55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the “HOPE” credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,650 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after Jan. 1, 2007, taxpayers can take the “Lifetime Learning Credit,” that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student’s expenses. These credits are subject to income limitations. The phase-out of the credits begins for single taxpayers when modified AGI reaches $47,000, and completely phase out when modified AGI reaches $57,000. For joint filers, the phase-out range is $94,000 to $114,000. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credit are not available to taxpayers married filing separately. In 2007, the Lifetime Learning Credit will be $2,000. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: Education IRAs - Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. However, the exclusion is not available for any year in which the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit is claimed. Traditional IRAs- The contribution limit to a traditional IRA in 2007 is $4,000. If a taxpayer reaches age 50 before 2007, the most that can be contributed will be $5,000. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range increased to $52,000-$62,000 for single, head of household, and $83,000-$103,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er). Also, solely for the purpose of figuring the $100,000 modified AGI limit on eligibility to make qualified rollover distributions from a Traditional IRA to Roth IRA, minimum required distributions from IRAs and other qualified plans received in tax year beginning with 2006 are excluded from modified AGI. Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $4,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $99,000 and $114,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $156,000 and $166,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Penalty-Free IRA Distributions - The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax penalty also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a first-time homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual’s lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. Also, the tax penalty does not apply to distributions for an individual’s disability, medical care, or to a beneficiary after death of the individual. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2006, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: Jones Act settlements for lost wages. Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. Canceled debts State income tax refunds Rents Repayments Royalties Unemployment benefits Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. Endowments. Original Issue Discount. Distributions from selfemployed plans. Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. Lump-sum distributions. Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). Accumulation distributions from trusts. Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). Earned income from sources outside the United States. Director’s fees. Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. Embezzled or other illegal income. WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: Benefits from government welfare programs. Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs. Maintenance and Cure. Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. Child support. Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayerrelated services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION Taxpayers can get an automatic 6month extension if, no later than April 16, 2007, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. WHERE IS MY REFUND? In 2004, the IRS launched a new program that allows taxpayers to trace their refunds online. If taxpayer(s) have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the web site at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Num ber), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er) and the Refund amount. (It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return.) WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. WHERE TO GET INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answer questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your 2005 refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 14 Sailing with the SIU At Sea Aboard the Horizon Anchorage The photos appearing on this page were taken aboard the H/L Anchorage during a voyage which took place late last fall. Steward Baker Amanda Suncin cleans up a grill in Anchorage’s galley. AB Basil “Red” Stolen stands a wheel watch. ABs Jon Washburn and Shawn Strand paint side of H/L Anchorage’s house while at sea. QMED John Day (right), who also is the Anchorage’s engine delegate assists DEU Abdullah Ali in completing some documents. Chief Cook Pat Durnin prepares an entree for the dinner meal. SA Rene Caballero is hard at work in the galley of the H/L Anchorage. 14 Seafarers LOG February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea Welcome Ashore DECEMBER 16, 2007 — JANUARY 15, 2008 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port Newly retired Seafarers Sal Ciciulla (top photo, center) and Stanley “Butch” Vane (below, left) recently picked up their first pension checks. Congratulating Ciciulla (who sailed as a recertified bosun) at the hall in Jacksonville, Fla. are SIU Assistant VP Contracts Archie Ware and Karen Shuford, executive assistant. Presenting a check to Vane (a crane maintenance electrician for 29 years) at the hall in Norfolk, Va. is Port Agent Georg Kenny. Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Totals March & April 2008 Membership Meetings Piney Point ...........Monday: March 3, April 7 Algonac ................Friday: March 7, April 11 Baltimore..............Thursday: March 6, April 10 Boston ..................Friday: March 7, April 11 Guam ....................Thursday: March 20, April 24 Honolulu...............Friday: March 14, April 18 Houston ................Monday: March 10, April 14 Totals Jacksonville ..........Thursday: March 6, April 10 Joliet .....................Thursday: March 13, April 17 DECK DEPARTMENT 2 0 1 3 5 1 3 8 1 1 1 2 5 4 2 0 1 0 4 1 2 2 2 8 1 3 29 30 0 7 7 24 10 20 7 1 6 2 14 13 2 3 5 4 3 5 22 14 3 5 6 18 15 13 4 11 7 6 26 11 0 0 1 1 1 1 4 7 0 0 1 2 3 3 0 0 2 0 4 4 0 0 6 2 0 1 16 21 0 3 1 16 7 10 3 0 3 2 10 18 3 0 8 19 2 15 77 54 3 24 31 93 26 40 7 0 18 2 59 61 7 3 10 20 9 9 43 40 4 18 14 45 29 24 5 7 16 10 47 37 3 2 1 6 6 2 5 7 1 4 4 4 5 4 3 0 0 0 6 5 280 246 46 188 183 34 119 542 397 68 0 0 3 14 0 10 13 15 1 9 4 13 6 8 2 2 6 0 16 8 3 1 6 3 4 2 1 22 1 4 2 14 18 10 1 1 2 3 16 13 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 4 2 1 0 0 1 0 3 2 0 0 3 5 2 10 11 18 1 6 5 9 7 5 2 1 2 0 11 9 3 0 3 2 1 4 8 16 1 2 1 7 15 8 5 1 4 3 11 6 0 1 0 2 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 5 3 0 3 3 9 1 2 0 3 5 2 3 0 5 1 4 7 0 0 6 16 1 17 27 24 0 13 13 33 13 17 6 2 9 1 21 16 3 3 5 10 5 3 10 31 2 8 4 16 16 11 1 2 5 5 30 18 0 0 1 1 1 3 3 1 1 1 0 3 4 2 0 0 0 2 4 7 130 127 21 107 101 18 56 235 188 34 1 0 2 4 1 7 17 15 0 3 3 23 7 21 2 1 2 1 11 18 2 0 0 7 0 2 8 7 0 4 1 8 13 3 3 0 2 1 2 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 139 70 8 ENGINE DEPARTMENT Mobile ..................Wednesday: March 12, April 16 New Orleans.........Tuesday: March 11, April 15 New York .............Tuesday: March 4, April 8 Norfolk .................Thursday: March 6, April 10 Oakland ................Thursday: March 13, April 17 Philadelphia..........Wednesday: March 5, April 9 Port Everglades ....Thursday: March 13, April 17 San Juan ...............Thursday: March 6, April 10 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington St. Louis ...............Friday: March 14, April 18 Totals Tacoma .................Friday: March 21, April 25 Totals All Departments **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 2 2 8 7 6 7 26 25 2 6 8 28 20 15 3 12 10 8 34 17 Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Trip Reliefs 0 1 4 15 0 5 36 31 2 13 18 43 16 25 6 0 9 2 23 31 Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 0 0 1 4 1 7 15 14 0 1 0 6 10 14 1 4 1 1 10 13 0 1 0 8 2 1 6 5 0 0 4 4 7 2 3 0 1 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 3 0 1 4 9 0 2 1 5 4 4 0 1 0 1 7 9 1 0 4 9 2 12 35 27 0 7 14 45 15 41 5 2 3 1 28 43 2 1 0 9 1 10 11 14 0 6 6 10 21 5 1 1 3 1 9 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 103 51 6 53 294 121 18 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 1 0 1 3 7 2 4 0 0 1 0 3 1 1 4 1 3 5 2 20 20 0 6 3 21 14 14 0 3 1 1 11 12 1 0 1 3 0 8 6 8 1 1 3 11 6 7 0 21 0 1 7 8 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 14 14 0 5 2 15 9 8 0 6 1 1 8 13 0 0 0 1 0 3 7 3 0 0 1 1 4 4 0 28 0 0 7 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 10 3 0 2 5 13 2 7 0 0 1 0 8 2 4 4 1 9 7 10 33 38 0 10 9 53 28 23 1 8 3 3 23 19 4 0 1 11 2 18 14 25 1 3 7 24 30 13 1 27 1 1 14 14 29 142 93 10 99 62 0 58 286 211 578 585 168 408 434 120 228 1,129 992 331 Wilmington.............Monday: March 17, April 21 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. February 2008 *“Total Registered” means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **“Registered on Beach” means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. Seafarers LOG 15 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services René Lioeanjie, Vice President at Large Charles Stewart, Vice President at Large HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 BOSTON Marine Industrial Park/EDIC 5 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210 (617) 261-0790 GUAM P.O. Box 315242, Tamuning, Guam 96931-5242 Cliffline Office Ctr. Bldg., Suite 103B 422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96910 (671) 477-1350 Page 16 Two Seafarers Memorialized During Shipboard Ceremonies Two Seafarers were commemorated by their respective shipmates last year during ceremonies aboard the Horizon Producer and Horizon Hawaii. On Oct. 24, mariners on the Producer paid their respects to the late Unlicensed Apprentice Earl R. Wood Jr., who died of natural causes a day earlier at age 35. The crew mustered on the stern, where Bill Boyce, the ship’s master, led a ceremony that included bringing the American flag to half-mast followed by an opening prayer, the reading of Psalm 93, an additional prayer, the “sentence of committal,” a moment of reflection and the sounding of the ship’s whistle for 20 seconds. The vessel was off the west coast of India. On Dec. 1, with the Hawaii en route from Jacksonville, Fla. to San Juan, Puerto Rico (approximately 39 miles north of Abaco Island, Bahamas), Capt. David D. DeCastro led a service for the late deck department SIU retiree James Millard Cheshire, who passed away Oct. 13 at age 84. Following the ceremony, Brother Cheshire’s ashes were committed to the sea in accordance with his wishes. Shipmates memorialize Earl R. Wood Jr. during a ceremony aboard the Horizon Producer. HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 Mariners aboard the Horizon Hawaii honor James Millard Cheshire and, in accordance with the late Seafarer’s wishes, commit his ashes to the sea (photo at left). PICS-FROM-THE-PAST NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN — COBRA NOTICE HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOG IMPORTANT NOTICE: Mrs. Aaron Higham of Kemah, Texas submitted these photos of her husband, Chief Steward A.J. Higham (right in both photos). The top photo shows Higham and two of his mates aboard a Bloomfield ship during the 40s. In photo at right, Higham poses with the late SIU President Paul Hall. The two were great friends, Mrs. Higham said. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Under federal law, a participant and his or her dependents have the right to elect to continue their Plan coverage in the event that they lose their eligibility. This right is granted by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, better known as “COBRA.” The COBRA law allows a participant and his or her dependents to temporarily extend their benefits at group rates in certain circumstances where coverage under the Plan would otherwise end. A participant and his or her dependents have a right to choose this continuation coverage if they lose their Plan coverage because the participant failed to meet the Plan’s seatime requirements. In addition, a participant and his or her dependents may have the right to choose continuation coverage if the participant becomes a pensioner ineligible for medical benefits. The participant’s dependents may also elect continuation coverage if they lose coverage under the Plan as the result of the participant’s (1) death; (2) divorce; or (3) Medicare eligibility. A child can also elect COBRA if as the result of his or her age, he or she is no longer a dependent under the Plan rules. If a member and his or her dependents feel that they may qualify, or if they would like more information concerning these rights, they should contact the Plan office at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Since there are important deadlines that apply to COBRA, please contact the Plan as soon as possible to receive a full explanation of the participant’s rights and his or her dependents’ rights. February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 17 Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA JOSE ANDICOECHEA, 64, joined the SIU in 1971. Brother Andicoechea was born in Spain. During his seafaring career he primarily sailed aboard vessels operated by A&S Transportation including the Dina Marie. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Andicoechea calls North Arlington, N.J. home. LARRY BROOKS, 65, was born in Utah. Brother Brooks became an SIU member in 1971. He initially shipped in the steward department on the Santa Magdalena. In 2000 and 2001, Brother Brooks attended classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. He most recently worked aboard the Horizon Consumer. Brother Brooks is a resident of Sacramento, Calif. VICENTE CUEVA JR., 66, embarked on his seafaring profession in 1995. Brother Cueva’s maiden voyage was on the Independence. The engine department member was born in the Philippines. Brother Cueva upgraded his skills at the Seafarers-affiliated school in 2000 and 2001. His concluding journey was aboard the Buenos Aires. Brother Cueva lives in Roselle Park, N.J. DAVID CUNNINGHAM, 56, first went to sea in 1978 from the port of San Francisco. Brother Cunningham originally sailed aboard the Santa Magdalena. He visited the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. on numerous occasions to enhance his seafaring abilities. Brother Cunningham was born in Massachusetts and worked in the steward department. His final excursion was on the Horizon Producer. Brother Cunningham makes his home in Sacramento, Calif. ERNEST DOOMS, 59, joined the SIU ranks in 1966. Brother Dooms initially shipped aboard the Sabine as a member of the February 2008 steward department. He was a frequent upgrader at the Piney Point school. Brother Dooms is an Alabama native. His concluding journey was on the Florida. Brother Dooms resides in Houston. ANASTASIOS DRAGAZIS, 65, first donned the SIU colors in 1970. Brother Dragazis’ maiden voyage was aboard the Fairland. He was born in Greece and sailed in the deck department. Brother Dragazis last shipped on the Adventurer. In 1971 and 1984, he attended classes at the Paul Hall Center to enhance his skills. Brother Dragazis calls Brooklyn, N.Y. home. CHARLES DUCHARME, 65, launched his seafaring career in 1998 in Norfolk, Va. Brother Ducharme’s earliest trip to sea was aboard the USNS Gordon. He was born in Massachusetts. Brother Ducharme shipped in both the steward and deck departments. His most recent expedition was on the USNS Watson. Brother Ducharme is a resident of Morehead City, N.C. DAVID GORDIUS, 60, became a Seafarer in 1980. Brother Gordius was originally employed aboard the St. Louis. He was a member of the engine department. Brother Gordius upgraded on three occasions at the SIU-affiliated school. His last journey was on the Horizon Consumer. Brother Gordius lives in Sea Level, N.C. AGUILIO LLORENTE, 75, began sailing with the SIU in 1989. Brother Llorente initially worked in the inland division aboard a Crowley Towing & Transportation of Jacksonville vessel. The Cuban- born mariner enhanced his skills often at the union-affiliated school. He sailed in the deck and engine departments. Brother Llorente’s concluding trip to sea was on the El Morro. He makes his home in Tampa. Fla. FRITZ MCDUFFIE, 55, embarked on his seafaring career in 1970 while in the port of New York. Brother McDuffie’s maiden voyage was aboard the Arizpa. He was a member of the deck department and upgraded frequently at the Piney Point training center. Brother McDuffie was born in Alabama. His last ship was the Maj. Stephen W. Pless. Brother McDuffie resides in Madisonville, Texas. STANLEY VANE, 49, hails from Baltimore, Md. Brother Vane joined the SIU ranks in 1978 while on one of his many trips to the Piney Point school. The engine department member originally sailed on the Monticello. His final excursion was aboard the Portsmouth. Brother Vane makes his home in Virginia Beach, Va. ADOLPHUS YOUNG, 73, first donned the SIU colors in 1976. Brother Young initially shipped on a Waterman Steamship Corporation vessel as a member of the steward department. He was born in Texas and attended classes on three occasions at the Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Young most recently worked aboard the Paul Buck. He calls Oakland, Calif., home. INLAND LARRY BOUDOIN, 60, was born in Mississippi. Boatman Boudoin started sailing with the Seafarers in 1984 on a National Marine Service vessel. Boatman Boudoin enhanced his seafaring abilities in 1967 and 1997 at the Piney Point School. He last worked on a vessel operated by Maritrans Operating Company. Boatman Boudoin settled in Harrisonburg, La. RONALD CENTANNI, 62, joined the union in 1997 in Piney Point, Md. Boatman Centanni primarily worked aboard vessels operated by Crowley Towing & Transportation of Jacksonville. He upgraded numerous times at the Paul Hall Center. Boatman Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG. 1965 At a joint demonstration in San Juan, the SIU strongly protested attempts by the government and certain industry leaders on the island to allow foreign-flag vessels to enter the Puerto Rico trade. The SIU warned that the introduction of foreign-flag shipping into the island trade could result in the unemployment of 20,000 seamen. In response to the demonstration, Adm. John Harllee, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, promised a “confident, determined and aggressive effort” to aid in the solving of the Puerto Rico freight rates controversy. He said that such a solution should be found without having to resort to the use of foreign-flag vessels in Puerto Rican trade. Centanni shipped in the deck department. He continues to live in his native state of Louisiana. RICHARD DONLEVY, 67, became an SIU member in 1972. Boatman Donlevy’s earliest trip to sea was with Inter Cities Navigation Corporation. In 2001 he took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Piney Point school. Boatman Donlevy was born in Wisconsin. He most recently sailed aboard a Maritrans Operating Company vessel. Boatman Donlevy is a resident of Sun City Center, Fla. GREAT LAKES GERALD TIMM, 65, launched his seafaring profession in 1978 while in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Brother Timm is a Michigan native. He first shipped on the Lewis G. Harriman as a member of the engine department. Brother Timm’s final journey was aboard the E.M. Ford. He lives in Hillman, Mich. sary to operate the vessels at maximum safety and efficiency levels, the vocational staff at the unionaffiliated Harry Lundeberg School in Piney Point has developed a comprehensive LNG/LPG course of study. 1993 Marked by state-of-the-art equipment, spacious design and opportunities for more individual instruction, the new steward department lab at the Paul Hall Center opened. The lab, which represents the continuing effort to fine-tune the SIU’s shipboard feeding programs, covers 5,300 square feet and features a dining room, an amphitheater-like demonstration room, a classroom and an eight-station lab. This Month In SIU History 1974 Seafarers will crew up the SIUcontracted liquid natural gas carrier Kentown—making it the first time SIU members will be manning one of those high-technology vessels. Orders for an additional 20 LNGs are expected to be placed within the next five years. To provide the SIU crew members who will be manning these ships with the technical knowledge neces- 2000 By overwhelming majorities, SIU members and members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) approved a referendum to proceed with merging the two unions. SIU members approved the resolution with 86 percent voting in favor of full merger talks to bring NMU into the SIU. In a similar action, 93 percent of NMU members voting approved the same resolution. SIU members said they approve full merger because they see such unification as strengthening all concerned. Seafarers LOG 17 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 18 Final Departures DEEP SEA RANULFO ALVAREZ Pensioner Ranulfo Alvarez, 84, died Aug. 23. Brother Alvarez joined the union in 1959 while in the port of Baltimore. His first trip to sea was aboard the Mankato Victory. Brother Alvarez sailed as a member of both the engine and deck departments. He was born in Argentina. Brother Alvarez’s final voyage was with Tyco’s Long Lines. He retired in 1987 and lived in Dundalk, Md. FRANCISCO ARAL Brother Francisco Aral, 61, passed away July 4. He started shipping with the MC&S (Marine Cooks & Stewards) in 1989 initially from the port of San Francisco. Brother Aral was born in the Philippines and worked in the steward department. His most recent excursion was aboard the Mahimahi. Brother Aral made his home in Wilmington, Calif. JAMES CARTER JR. Pensioner James Carter, 83, died Aug. 17. Brother Carter became an SIU member in 1953. He originally sailed on a Seatrade Corporation vessel in the steward department. Brother Carter was an Alabama native. His concluding journey was aboard the Sgt. Matej Kocak. Brother Carter began collecting compensation for his retirement in 1990. He was a resident of Mobile, Ala. JOHN CHERMESINO Pensioner John Chermesino, 78, passed away July 14. Brother Chermesino embarked on his seafaring career in 1952. He initially sailed on the tanker Four Lakes. Brother Chermesino was born in Boston. His last ship was the Falcon Champion. Brother Chermesino went on pension in 1990. He called Suffolk, Mass., home. JIMMIE DUFORE Pensioner Jimmie Dufore, 70, died July 7. Brother Dufore launched his SIU profession in 1961. He was born in Louisiana and worked in the deck department. Brother Dufore first went to sea aboard the Trent; his last ship was the Ultrasea. He became a pensioner in 1991 and resided in Summit, Miss. ISSAC FLETCHER Pensioner Issac Fletcher, 79, passed away Aug. 26. Brother Fletcher joined the SIU ranks in 1966. His maiden voyage was on the 18 Seafarers LOG American Victory. Brother Fletcher was born in Kentucky. The steward department member most recently sailed aboard the Marilyn. Brother Fletcher began his retirement in 1994 and settled in Wilmer, Ala. THEODORE GRAHAM Pensioner Theodore Graham, 84, died July 28. Brother Graham started sailing with the union in 1979 while in the port of Seattle. He shipped primarily with American Ship Management. His initial trip to sea was on the President Wilson. Brother Graham was born in Houston and worked in the steward department. He retired in 1987 and lived in Seattle. WILLIAM HATCHEL Pensioner William Hatchel, 69, passed away Aug. 3. Brother Hatchel, who was born in Starks, La., began his SIU profession in 1961. His first voyage was aboard the Michael where he sailed as a member of the engine department. Brother Hatchel’s last excursion was on the Horizon Tacoma. He became a pensioner in 1999. Brother Hatchel was a resident of Merryville, La. RAYMOND ITEN Pensioner Raymond Iten, 83, died July 2. Brother Iten joined the MC&S in 1972 while in the port of San Francisco. The steward department member sailed with American Ship Management Company during his seafaring career. Brother Iten’s first vessel was the President Madison; his last was the President Adams. He was born in Lake Stevens, Wash. Brother Iten went on pension in 1988 and called Kent, Wash., home. GARLAND JACKSON Pensioner Garland Jackson, 79, passed away Aug. 23. Brother Jackson was born in Texas. He initiated his seafaring profession in 1961. Brother Jackson originally sailed aboard the Cleveland as a member of the steward department. His final journey was on the Ewa. Brother Jackson retired in 1989 and resided in San Jose, Calif. ROLAN LAGAAC Brother Rolan Lagaac, 29, died Aug. 19. He first donned the SIU colors in 2005. Brother Lagaac shipped aboard the Pride of America. He worked as a member of the engine department. Brother Lagaac was born in the Philippines but made his home in Sugarland, Texas. KENNETH LINAH Pensioner Kenneth Linah, 68, passed away Aug. 24. Brother Linah embarked on his seafaring career in 1969. His maiden voyage was on the Avenger. Brother Linah was a New York native and sailed in engine department. Prior to his retirement in 1995, he shipped aboard the Quality. Brother Linah lived in Kathleen, Fla. Brother Dan Manthei, 50, died Aug. 9. He joined the SIU ranks in 1990. Brother Manthei initially sailed on the Cape Edmont. The engine department member was born in Wisconsin. Brother Manthei’s most recent expedition was aboard the Maersk Nevada. He settled in Jacksonville, Fla. Seafarers in 1946. The deck department member originally sailed with Colonial Steamship Company. Brother Smith was born in Texas. His final trip to sea was on the Manhattan. Brother Smith lived Poynot, Texas. JERRY MCLEAN HERBERT THROWER Pensioner Jerry McLean, 65, passed away July 7. Brother McLean started shipping with the Seafarers in 1962. His earliest trip to sea was on the Del Sud. Brother McLean was last employed aboard the Overseas New Orleans. He sailed in the deck department. Brother McLean resided in his native state of Tennessee. He became a pensioner in 1998. Pensioner Herbert Thrower, 63, passed away July 28. Brother Thrower initiated his SIU career in 1966 while in the port of New York. His first ship was the Montpelier Victory; his last was the Elizabeth. Brother Thrower was a member of the deck department. He was born in Alabama but made his home in Chesapeake, Va. Brother Thrower began his retirement in 2001. DAN MANTHEI JAMES MORGAN Pensioner James Morgan, 80, died Aug. 12. Brother Morgan was born in Louisiana. He began his SIU profession in 1947 while in the port of New York. Brother Morgan mainly sailed in the steward department on vessels operated by CSX Lines. He started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1986. Brother Morgan was a resident of New Orleans. FRANK O’KOORIAN Pensioner Frank O’Koorian, 83, passed away Aug. 11. Brother O’Koorian joined the union in 1951. He originally sailed with Sprague Steamship Company. Brother O’Koorian was born in New Jersey and shipped in the steward department. His final trip to sea was on the Tamara Guilden. Brother O’Koorian went on pension in 1982 and continued to make his home in his native state. GREGORY RICE Brother Gregory Rice, 51, died Aug. 9. He became an SIU member in 1981. Brother Rice’s maiden voyage was aboard the Button Guinnett. He was born in Inglewood, Calif. Brother Rice most recently sailed on the Capt. Steven L. Bennett. He settled in Honolulu. WAN SALIM Brother Wan Salim, 54, passed away July 24. Born in Indonesia, Brother Salim first donned the SIU colors in 1999 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. He initially shipped aboard the USNS Petersburg. Brother Salim worked in the deck department. His concluding journey was aboard the Jean Anne. Brother Salim called Buena Park, Calif., home. WILLIAM SMITH Pensioner William Smith, 84, died Aug. 10. Brother Smith joined the FAIA TUILEFANO Pensioner Faia Tuilefano, 75, died July 10. Brother Tuilefano started sailing with the union in 1972 from the port of San Francisco. He shipped primarily with American Ship Management as a member of the steward department. Brother Tuilefano was born in American Samoa. In 1993, he retired and settled in Daly City, Calif. INLAND ROBERT MACHLINSKI Pensioner Robert Machlinski, 73, passed away June 1. Boatman Machlinski launched his seafaring profession in 1956 in the port of Baltimore, Md. While employed with the SIU he sailed in the deck department, mostly on McAllister Towing of Baltimore vessels. Boatman Machlinski was a resident of his native state of Maryland. MURPHY MARTIN Pensioner Murphy Martin, 80, died Aug. 1. Born in Raceland, La., Boatman Martin joined the Seafarers in 1962. A member of the engine department, he spent his entire career working aboard vessels operated by Moran Towing of Texas. Boatman Martin began collecting compensation for his retirement in 1988 and resided in Bridge City, La. LEON PULLEY Pensioner Leon Pulley, 68, died July 27. Born in Philadelphia, Boatman Pulley joined the union in 1964. He originally worked with P.F. Martin Co., in the deck department. Boatman Pulley’s concluding expedition was on the American Mariner. He went on pension in 2004 and resided in Oregon. PAUL STANLEY Boatman Paul Stanley, 76, died Aug. 21. A native of Louisiana, he donned the SIU colors in 1958 and sailed in both the Deep Sea and Inland Divisions. Boatman Stanley shipped in the deck department and initially sailed aboard the CSX operated Fairchild. He was last employed on vessels operated by Crowley Towing & Transportation. Boatman Stanley made his home in Sacramento. GREAT LAKES ALI SALEH Pensioner Ali Saleh, 82, passed away July 15. Brother Saleh embarked on his SIU career in 1960 while in the port of Detroit, Mich. The engine department member was born in Yemen. Before his retirement in 1990, Brother Saleh shipped aboard the H. Lee White. He called Radaa, Albaida home. Editor’s note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and participants in the NMU Pension Trust have passed away. Name Afanador, Juan Aponte, Miguel Bottge, Edward Brown, Lee Cruz, Antone Eglecias, Iluminada Este, Clifton Field, Warner Fontinelli, Franklin Gordon, Shermon Hagan, Ben Hernandez, Juan Hyde, Davis Kelly, Victor Lopez, Edward Madar, Paul Mahoney, Charles Malveira, Joseph Mangham, Jack Manley, Edward Matos, Ramon Mejia, Augustine Melnick, Frank Moring, William Neu, James Norman, Alex Picazo, Paul Pitcox, Harvey Ponder, George Ramos, Rafael Reed, Simmie Reese, Karl Reyes, Severo Richardson, Samuel Robertson, Harold Sanders, James Schultz, Adolfo Serrano, Ismael Snyder, Francis Solis, Vincente Sullivan, William Toro, Ramon Torres, Tomas Ventura, Louis Viera, Genaro Vigee, Wallace Ware, Jack Warycha, Theodore Webb, Austin Webster, Andrew, Jr. Woodall, George Woodson, Ocie Zuegg, Joseph Age 91 63 79 78 86 93 92 86 83 82 81 83 87 89 84 86 87 76 79 93 93 83 89 80 79 70 81 74 64 83 94 76 75 81 90 79 75 82 78 72 91 90 85 89 88 77 75 85 83 59 81 83 80 DOD June 14 June 15 June 17 June 9 June 24 June 1 June 29 June 3 June 14 June 13 June 8 May 17 April 8 June 28 May 4 April 14 May 22 May 18 June 3 April 9 May 23 June 10 May 15 June 9 April 17 June 7 April 12 April 12 April 28 May 7 April 19 May 16 April 6 April 29 June 15 April 9 May 15 April 17 May 15 June 14 May 16 June 1 May 7 May 7 May 14 April 23 June 19 April 27 April 8 June 1 April 10 June 20 April 13 SIU Headquarters and all SIU Hiring Halls will be closed Monday, Feb. 18 for the observance of Presidents’ Day. Normal Business hours will resume the following day. February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 19 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. EL MORRO (Interocean American Shipping), Nov. 28 – Chairman Robert T. Grubbs, Secretary Daniel Herrera, Educational Director Joseph A. Letang, Engine Delegate Marcus A. Pittman. Chairman reminded crew members that new eligibility rules become effective Jan. 1, along with the new 401(k) plan. Secretary stated all departments were doing an excellent job and that the ship looks great; keep up the good work. Educational director advised mariners to take advantage of educational opportunities available at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Motion was made to change retirement plan qualifications. Next port: Jacksonville, Fla. GREAT LAND (Interocean American Shipping), Nov. 18 – Chairman Francis C. Adams, Secretary Johnnie B. McGill Jr., Deck Delegate Ferdinand Lugo, Steward Delegate Mike A. Bubaker. Chairman thanked all SIU crew members for a safe trip and for working well together. Secretary encouraged Seafarers to upgrade skills at the union-affiliated school. No beefs; disputed OT reported in the deck department. President’s report from the Seafarers LOG was read and posted. Next port: Houston. HORIZON HAWAII (Horizon Lines), Nov. 25 – Chairman Eric J. Perez, Secretary Joseph J. Gallo Jr., Educational Director Keith I. Bitran, Deck Delegate Edgardo Martinez, Engine Delegate Carlos Bonefant, Steward Delegate Richard Jones. Chairman announced payoff in Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 30. Union officials will be coming aboard, so have union books and dues payments ready. He congratulated crew on passing Coast Guard and ABS inspections. Secretary expressed gratitude to the deck department for their help on the BBQ. He wished everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Vote of thanks was given to Chief Cook Jones for great meals, especially Thanksgiving dinner. Educational director urged members to check out what the Piney Point school offers. He also reminded them to keep track of all documents and when they expire. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members sent out a special holiday greeting to Brother Carlos Sanchez, beloved cook and steward. Next ports: Jacksonville, Fla., San Juan, P.R., and Port Elizabeth, N.J. HORIZON TACOMA (Horizon Lines), Nov. 28 – Chairman Joseph Artis, Secretary Lincoln E. Pinn Jr., Educational Director Mohamed N. Alsinai, Deck Delegate Timothy L. Smith, Engine Delegate Willy P. Smith. Chairman reported payoff would take place upon arrival in Tacoma, Wash., on Nov. 28; patrolman will also be present to take care of any beefs. Educational director urged members to take advantage of upgrading and training offered in Piney Point. He also suggested they contribute to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activity Donation). No disputed OT; beefs reported in the deck department. Steward department was thanked for keeping ship clean and for a great Thanksgiving dinner. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. HOUSTON (USS Transport), Nov. 25 – Chairman John R. Lamprecht, Secretary Robert E. Wilcox Jr., Educational Director Scott S. Fuller, Engine Delegate Jeffery Fields. Chairman stated he was very pleased with crew and the amount of work that was accomplished during voyage. Secretary thanked Seafarers for their efforts in keeping laundry room and lounge clean. Educational director informed crew members that TWIC information was available in the Seafarers LOG and on the SIU web site. Members were also encouraged to keep track of document expiration dates. Deck delegate thanked deck gang for turning in overtime sheets in a timely manner. Steward delegate reminded mariners that clean linen is available upon request. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman read letter from headquarters going over the importance of shipboard meetings. Copies of TWIC information received from Ft. Lauderdale patrolman were passed out. Crew discussed possibility of getting a TV for crew messhall for watching safety videos instead of members trying to pack into crew lounge. It was also reported that a dryer had been ordered for crew laundry and some showers needed to be caulked. Steward department was thanked for a great holiday menu. Next port: Richmond, Calif. ENERGY ENTERPRISE (Central Gulf Lines), Dec. 26 – Chairman Egidio J. Ferreira, Secretary Francisco L. Delgado, Educational Director Jonathan C. Wagner, Steward Delegate Fernando F. Lopes. Chairman read president’s report from the Seafarers LOG. He stressed the need to work together as one union, not against each other. “We are all SIU now – there is no more NMU and SIU.” Educational director advised mariners to enhance seafaring abilities whenever possible at the SIU-affiliated school. No disputed OT; beefs reported in the deck department. Crew thanked steward department for a wonderful Christmas spread. Members expressed the need for new mattresses, pillows and linens. Next ports: Brayton Port, Mass., and Baltimore, Md. GLOBAL SENTINEL (Transoceanic Cable Ship), Dec. 13 – Chairman Lee Hardman, Secretary Vicki L. Haggerty, Educational Director Dave D. Higdon, Deck Delegate Justin S. Beal, Engine Delegate Robert J. Haggerty, Engine Delegate Johnny Carson. Chairman went over ship’s itinerary and reminded everyone departing vessel to leave rooms clean for next mariner. Secretary reported that new juice machine had been installed in the pantry. Educational director urged mariners to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center so they could qualify for better jobs aboard vessels. Treasurer noted $4,100 in ship’s fund. No beefs; disputed OT ...and the Sealand Charger This snapshot was taken aboard the Sealand Charger in early December in Wilmington, Calif. Seafarers sailing aboard the vessel at that time included Bosun Salvadore Lagare, ABs Dennis Hurley, Jose Tagle and William Foley, Deck Maintenances Philemon Quitoriano and Rodolfo Antonio, Chief Electrician Randy Clark, QMED Rickey Pettaway, Wiper H. Asumari, Chief Steward Raymond Garcia, Chief Cook Curtis William and GSU Saleh Saleh. February 2008 Sailing Aboard the Sealand Atlantic The three photos above were taken aboard the Sealand Atlantic during a voyage in November. Pictured in the top photo (from left) are DEU John Cooper, AB Corey Stanton and AB Mike Borders. Pictured directly above are (left photo) AB Carey Hatch and Bosun John Grosskurth. reported in deck department. ABG Tim Fogg reminded everyone to contribute to SPAD, especially during an election year. HORIZON EAGLE (Horizon Lines), Dec. 23 – Chairman Daniel W. Seagle, Secretary Travis R. Jefferson, Educational Director Greg Alvarez, Steward Delegate Ruben Q. Fiel. Chairman announced payoff in Tacoma, Wash., on Dec. 28. Secretary discussed TWIC information and reminded mariners they had until September 25, 2008 to get one. Educational director spoke about upgrading opportunities available at Piney Point to better one’s skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks was given to the steward department for excellent BBQ and food. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. PHILADELPHIA EXPRESS (Crowley Lines), Dec. 9 – Chairman Willie M. Marsh Jr., Secretary James H. Narcisse, Educational Director Quincy Wilson, Deck Delegate Wilfred H. Luckie, Engine Delegate Phillip Niles, Steward Delegate Jessie Jones. Chairman thanked crew for a safe trip. Educational director talked about TWIC card. He urged mariners to read the 5, check the SIU web site or see patrolman for more information. No beefs or disputed OT reported. AB Celso Castro was commended for his actions that helped maintain safety aboard the vessel. Next port: Houston. QUALITY (Maersk Line Limited), Dec. 7 – Chairman William M. Richards Jr., Secretary Franklyn J. Cordero, Engine Delegate David Terry Jr. Chairman reported a smooth, safe voyage. Secretary thanked all departments for helping keep ship clean. He also reminded everyone that the pre-hiring physical given by the company is good for a year. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members were advised to read the Seafarers LOG to stay abreast of the latest information on TWIC. Seafarers departing vessel were asked to leave rooms clean and supplied with fresh linen. USNS YANO (American Overseas Marine), Dec. 9 – Chairman John A. Mendez, Secretary Lauren J. Oram, Educational Director Jon I. Hemba. Chairman discussed the union’s position promoting use of American crews on LNG ships. Educational director urged mariners to check expiration dates on z-cards and passports and apply for TWIC cards. Treasurer reported $1,000 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members talked about concerns with medical benefits. Request was made for internet access. Thanks to galley gang for great food. Next ports: Charleston, S.C., and Philadelphia, Pa. Share your ideas for news and feature items for publication in the Seafarers LOG by calling (301) 899-0675. Simply ask the operator for the Communications Department. E-mailed items may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org Seafarers LOG 19 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 20 Letters to the Editor Editor’s note: The Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer’s intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis. New Year’s Resolution: Buy American On Thanksgiving Day, after feasting on that old bird with all the trimmings, I got to thinking of all the things that we as Americans can be thankful for. Unfortunately, there are concerns, too. Think of the recent Christmas season when all those foreign-made lights were burning here in the United States and our citizens were opening foreign-made presents that were bought at all the malls throughout America. To me, that represents the loss of jobs which will never return to America. There are very few blue-collar workers left in our country. They are no-collar workers because they’ve lost their shirt to cheap foreign labor. Brothers and sisters, the solution is to just stop buying those foreign products. The children in America are the only future that America has. Why buy defective toys for them made in China? Think about it. Retiree Edwin S. Harris St. Petersburg, Florida Thanks to Port Agent On behalf of the crew and myself, we would like to thank SIU Wilmington, Calif. Port Agent John Cox for promptly addressing a critical issue on the MV Jean Anne. The rapid response by the union continues to show the members the true embodiment of what a union should be. That is, an organization to protect workers and our rights. Again, thanks for “standing up” with us and for us. Steward/Baker Samuel Sinclair Aboard the MV Jean Anne Sharing WWII Memories During the latter part of World War II, I was serving as an oiler on the Liberty ship SS Russell A. Alger in Belgium. Shortly after lunch one day, some of the gun crew were attending to duties in the vicinity of the 20 MMs on the flying bridge. A plane appeared from the west, flying low and strafing. Our gun crew immediately manned the 20s and shot down the plane, which turned out to be a Messerschmitt 109. All the ships in the area manned all guns. At this time, a plane appeared from the east at high altitude and diving at the ships. A terrific barrage went up and the plane was shot down. However, it turned out to be a British Spitfire! No one claimed the Spitfire, although the nottoo-bright pilot was not hurt. Before the day was done, our stack was painted with a GUNNER logo, swastika and ME 109. I’m not saying the eagle was large, but if we had shot down another plane, we would have needed another stack! Two of our crew members thought our stack would bring retaliation against us, but pride overcame sheepishness, and our stack remained as the gun crew had designed it. Eli Rantanes Clinton, Ohio (The writer sailed at various times with the MFOW, MEBA and AMO) Tribute to ‘Uncle Richard’ And to all U.S. Mariners I would like to share a letter I received from our nephew, Bill Woodcock, a former Marine. It is a “Tribute to Uncle Richard,” but it could apply to all merchant mariners who have done much to keep our country safe and free – with little recognition for their efforts. “Uncle Richard” is James Richard Boone, an SIU retiree who passed away Nov. 17, 2007. You probably called him by his first name: Jim, Jimmy or Boonie, but his family called him Richard. We all miss him very much. Mrs. Betty Boone Parkville, Maryland Editor’s note: The tribute written by Mr. Woodcock follows. Brother Boone first shipped in 1945, at age 16 – he had dropped out of school to join the war effort. He was a frequent upgrader at the Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md., where he also earned his GED. A member of the engine department, he came ashore in 1984 due to health issues. My Tribute to Uncle Richard I was 19 years old and was fortunate to be introduced to the Brockmeyer/Boone family. This was due to my beautiful wife, Kathleen, and again I was blessed to become part of such good people. My best memory is more of a personal story. I find this event highly ironic. It is a good demonstration of Richard as a person. He had always “watched my back,” but this time he really was there for me and many other Marines. It was 1969. I was in Danang, Vietnam. We were responsible for the security of Danang Air Base and the bomb dump which housed all our bombs – mainly 500 lb. and 2,000 lb. bombs. Unfortunately, someone started a fire in this bomb dump. Danang Air Base was always a major target for the NVA and Viet Cong. The air base housed A-4s, F4s, A-6A Intruders, OV-10s, and spy-photo planes. The Marble Mountain helo base also was in this area. We lost every one of our bombs. They exploded for days. There was shrapnel flying all over the Danang area for miles. Shockwaves were visible in the sky, which look like ocean waves. Everyone had to stay outside – any type of enclosure would start your ears bleeding. We had a lot of “walking wounded.” The Danang area and airbase were evacuated with the exception of a few outfits. My outfit was one of the Marine outfits to stay to hold down the fort. The 2,000 lb. bombs would build up a slow cloud of black smoke for approximately 15 minutes and then they would explode like an atomic bomb. The grounds would shake for minutes. We were being overrun in several directions. Without our bombs for aircraft, we were in serious trouble. The enemy had overrun Freedom Hill, which was only a couple miles from the airbase. A U.S. Merchant Marine ship pulled into the Danang Harbor, which looked like the Fourth of July because of the bombs exploding. This ship was loaded with new bombs, which were unloaded and taken directly to the waiting fighter/bomb aircraft. We caught the enemy in the open and took care of business. Without this merchant marine ship and Uncle Richard in the harbor, there would have been many more names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Without the bombs, we would have been completely overrun. Thank you, Uncle Richard and your fellow U.S. Merchant Mariners from me and many other Marines! I would venture to say we have many Americans who have never heard of the merchant marine, much less what they contribute. I admire these men, including Uncle Richard. If you do not believe in faith and/or a guardian angel, this is a living testimony to a man we all love. Newly Retired Port Agent Offers more Credit, Thanks I would like to add a few thoughts to my retirement article that appeared in the January edition of the LOG. In particular, I emphasize my special admiration for SIU President Mike Sacco and the late SIU Executive Vice President Joey Sacco, as they reversed the death spiral that the American shipping industry was plagued with at the time they were selected and elected as president and executive VP. There could not have been a more critical moment for them to apply their skill and contacts and to market their vision of the solution. Without any doubt, this transformed the economic health and safety of the nation. They certainly saved my family’s future. I also still value the guidance received by the Brooklyn headquarters officials of the 1960s, especially the mentoring by George Ripoll. George was always devoted to perfection and is a unique person of great intensity. I appreciated the various roles that came my way. I’ll miss working at the craft and miss the dedicated people of Mike Sacco’s capable team – a group which certainly includes Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel. Dave has done a terrific job for the SIU affiliates and members, as well as the leadership among the world’s transportation unions. He has reinforced the solidarity that the SIU has worldwide and can pick up the phone at any moment and get things done immediately, almost anywhere in the world. We have really great people in the SIU and I am so very proud of them and our members and our contracted companies. We have a winning team, as Mike likes to say, and all of you make me feel so very proud to have been associated with you. Edd Morris Piney Point, Maryland Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. The annual financial committee will be elected during the March 3 headquarters membership meeting to review the 2007 records. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. 20 Seafarers LOG CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:57 PM Page 21 SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE Course Welding The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the first few months of 2008. All programs are geared to improving the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Start Date Date of Completion Able Seaman March 3 April 14 May 26 March 28 May 9 June 20 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (must have radar unlimited) April 14 June 16 April 18 June 20 Celestial Navigation June 2 June 27 GMDSS April 21 May 2 Lifeboatman/Water Survival February 18 March 31 May 12 February 29 April 11 May 23 Radar March 31 June 2 April 11 June 13 Radar Renewal (one day) April 21, June 23 Specially Trained Ordinary Seaman March 3 April 28 March 14 May 9 May 12 October 14 June 2 November 3 Bosun Recertification Course Engine Upgrading Courses Advanced Container Maintenance (Refer) March 3 March 28 Basic Auxiliary Plant Ops March 24 May 19 April 18 June 13 FOWT February 25 April 21 June 16 March 21 May 16 July 11 Marine Electrician March 3 March 17 March 31 March 21 April 4 May 23 Pumpman April 7 April 18 Machinist UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Telephone _________________________ Date of Birth ______________________ Date of Completion March 3 April 7 May 5 June 2 March 21 April 25 May 23 June 20 Safety Specialty Courses Advanced Fire Fighting (must have basic fire fighting) March 10 May 5 June 30 March 21 May 16 July 11 Basic Fire Fighting March 17 April 14 June 16 March 21 April 18 June 20 Basic Safety Training/STCW February 25 March 24 April 7 May 12 May 26 June 30 February 29 March 28 April 11 May 16 May 30 July 4 Fast Rescue Boat May 12 June 16 May 16 June 20 Government Vessels (Week 1) February 18 March 31 May 19 June 23 February 22 April 4 May 23 June 27 Medical Care Provider March 24 May 19 March 28 May 23 Deck Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Tankerman Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL) March 24 (must have basic firefighting) June 2 April 4 June 13 Tankerman (PIC) Barge (must have basic firefighting) April 25 April 21 Steward Upgrading Courses Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations These modules start every Monday. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward These classes most recently began February 4. Steward Recertification Course March 17 August 18 April 7 September 8 Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, two weeks prior to the beginning of a vocational course. An introduction to computers course will be selfstudy. With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and fifty (150) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All OL, AB, JE and Tanker Assistant (DL) applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $140 with their application. The payment should be made with a money order only, payable to LMSS. COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Seniority _____________________________ Department _____________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ U.S. Citizen: ____________________________ _______________ _______________ 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 # _________________________ Yes No Home Port _____________________________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _____________________________________ LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: __________ _____________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? Yes No If yes, class # _________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? Yes No If yes, course(s) taken ___________________________________________________ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? Yes No Firefighting: Yes No CPR: Yes No Primary language spoken ________________________________________________ February 2008 SIGNATURE __________________________________ DATE ________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/08 Seafarers LOG 21 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:58 PM Page 22 Paul Hall Cent er Classes Welding – Six boatmen from Crowley Maritime completed the welding class Dec. 7. Those completing the class (above, in no particular order) were Joseph Korpalski, Jordan Rapp, Nicholas Piccinich, Ryan Hayes, John Harvey and Wes Farley. Buzzy Andrews, left, was the class instructor. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class – Unlicensed apprentices from Classes 696 and 697 recently graduated from the water survival course. Those graduating from the course (above in alphabetical order) were: Jose Alcaide, George Box, Jacqueline Calhoun, Aaron Chiusano, Brooke English, Sean Fitzgerald, Jason Fountaine, Gordon Glover, Gabriel Izquierdo-Arais, Jahmal Jones, Ryan Kinser, Cory Leonard, Eddie Major Jr., Reynaldo Maldonado, Roderick McClary, Denise Mendoza, Christopher Mercado, Patrick Milton, Steven Myrick, Leslie Pratts, Steven Pyle, Scott Rosseel, Frank Smith, Anthony Snoeyenbos, William Walker, Christopher White and Jacob Zitnick. (Note: Not all are pictured.) AB – Nine mariners on Dec. 7 received certificates for their completion of the AB course. Completing the class (above, in no specific order) were Awal Syiafullah, David Weeks, Peter Dudoit III, Hussein Mohsen, Ryan McElroy, Brian Awde, Jason Devine, Clarence Lee Jr., and Christopher Hunnings. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon, is standing at far left. Tankerman Assistant – Eighteen mariners on Dec. 7 graduated from the tankerman assistant course. Those completing the course (above, in no specific order) were John Favero, Ronald Wilson, Quentin Scott, Marian Martin, Noland Earl, John O’Shaughnessy, Adrian Schubert, Shastri Mullahoo, Fontanos Ellison, Omar Aswad, Dan Marcus, Simon Jason, Louis Holder Jr., Rupert Henry, Roberto Avila, Robinson Eromosele, Papa Yankeh and Dario Dizon. Jim Shaffer, their instructor, is at far right. Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations – The following individuals (above, in no specific order) on Nov. 30 completed the basic auxiliary plant operations course: Montree Nakwichet, Daniel Coffey, Forfirio Amaya, Azad Davani, Andrew Cooper, David Newsome, Zachary Miano, Sean Keaton, Deandre Whitley, Ruben Haynes, Donnetta McLee, Shawn Pantschyschak, Riley LaBlanc, Cheryl Gutkowski, Kenneth Bricker, Bryan Clark, Edwin Arroyo, David Turley, Tashara Newton, Terry Taylor, Omar Izquierdo, Jon Larrinaga, Casey Shannon, Henry Sheppard and Leroy Sierra. (Note: Not all graduates, or their instructor, John Wiegman Jr. are pictured.) 22 Seafarers LOG Welding – These Crowley boatmen graduated from the welding fundamentals course Dec. 14. Members of the class (above, in no specific order) were Paul Hart Jr., Scott Smith, David Christinzio, Samuel Birth and Bill Murray. Their instructor, Buzzy Andrews, is second from the left. Advanced Refer Container Maintenance – On Dec. 21, the following individuals (above, in no specific order) graduated from the advanced refer container maintenance course: Calvin Beal, Herman Castro and Donald Christian. Beal, left, is a new member of the Paul Hall Center’s vocational staff. Jay Henderson, second from left, was the class instructor. February 2008 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:58 PM Page 23 Paul Hall Center Classes STCW – SIU, STCW – NCL, Dec. 7: William Adams, Eric Arellano, Nicole Backus, John Dec. 14: Damian Allen, Gerald Beaubien, Fontanos Ellison, Robinson Eromosele, John Favero, William Goeltz, Zachariah Greenwood, Martin Hochstafl, Jeffrey Lalande, Charles Lamb, Edward Leonard, Dan Marcus, John O’Shaughnessy, Charles Richardson, Steve Schwedland, Thomas Tucker, Ronald Vandercook, Edward Villanda, Ronald Wilson and Papa Yankeh. (Note: Not all are pictured.) STCW – NCL, Dec. 7: Melissa Oliver, Laura Post, Lauren Reese, Susan Regdos, Alfredo Resto Camacho, Elizabeth Rishmawy, Antonio Rivera, Carlos Rizo, Jose Rosa Solis, David Roy, Dalmo Santos Jr., Jose Seda Rodriguez, Jennifer Slade, Scott Smathers, Ashley Speller, Maxim Staroselsky, Erika Suarez Cuadrado, Theodore Talbot Jr., Orlando Torres, Shawn Watkins-Hall, Amanda White, Damian Wilkerson, Steven Winters, Steven Wintersteen and Orlando Zelayandia Jr. STCW – NCL, Dec. 7: Jeffrey Daymont, Carlos Deliz Quintana, Shane Denbo, Drew DeVine, Amada Dizon, Timothy Eng, David Fernandez, Gloria Hatcher Steele, Galvin Huss, Sherina Jefferson, Reginald Jenkins Jr., Racheal Knight, Daniel Lee, Vincent Liberto, Fabrice Lopez, Nicholas Madsen, Angelica Maldonado Castro, Juan Maisonet Santana, Philip McCoy Jr., Tahir Merchoud, Monte Moss, Thomas Mullen, Sean Myers and Tracey Naulty. (Note: Not all graduates are pictured.) Balicki, Isaiah Barbour, Lorelei Barger, Kathleen Bennett, Emily Beyers, Rakesh Bhai, Timothy Boettcher, Jeffrey Boscoe, Benita Bradford, Jon Brandstaetter, William Brown Jr., Nicholas Brunette, Jeffery Buresch, Amber Calderilla, Margaret Carlson, Santiago Canales Castaneda, Cassandra Clark, Jamie Clarke, Michael Coleman, Vega Concepcion and Kevin Dao. BST/STCW – Completing the BST class Dec. 15 at the Seafarers Training Center at Barbers Point, Hawaii (above, in no particular order) were: Taylor Stibbard, Catherine Foy, Sarah Zirkle, Loretta Darnell, Ladonna Gray, Courtney Gentile, Jennifer Aberle, Zachary Hansen, Quinn Niesing, Jesse Baxley, Jeanette Baxley, Jeremy Straley, Jessica Straley, Michael Casacci, Daniel Lyles, Mark Schustrin, Brandon Weiss and Brandon Gaylord. BST/STCW – These individuals completed the BST class Dec. 15 at the Seafarers Training Center at Barbers Point, Hawaii. They are (in no specific order) Jose Laguidano, Arnold Marquez, Jason Leonardo, Jerome Barrera, Arnel Garcia, Jesus Boncoy, Sammy Sarmiento, Manny Lising, Errol Evardone, Noel Miones, Jeron Osorio, Romarioa Esguerre, Michael Acosta, Roy Soque, Michael Tolentino, Bryan Deutsch, Arnold Umaii and Epie Benitez. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Computer Class Graduates Earn Certificates Posing with Instructor Rick Prucha (left in photos at left, right in photo at right and center in photo at far right) are students who recently completed computer classes at the Paul Hall Center. Displaying their certificates of achievement, from left, are Sandra Garcia, Ernest Frank III, and Tereza Padelopoulou. February 2008 Seafarers LOG 23 �46675_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2008 6:58 PM Page 24 Volume 70, Number 2 February 2008 SIU Holiday Photos Seafarers Hosted Events For Members, Retirees and Guests During the Holidays — Pages 9 -11 Seafarers Provide Comfort and Joy Before Holidays Goodwill Abounds Throughout Hospital Ship’s 4-Month Humanitarian Mission CIVMARS spent four months before the end of 2007 aboard the U.S. Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort providing humanitarian assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean. Crewed by members of the union’s Government Services Division, the Comfort departed from Norfolk, Va., on June 15 and returned to its home in Baltimore, Md., on October 19. The Comfort’s crew of CIVMARS, uniformed and civilian medical personnel, and operations and support workers teamed up to provide medical assistance and relief to more than 98,000 people in 12 countries. According to MSC, as part of the Comfort’s goodwill and humanitarian mission, crew members helped make it possible for the medical personnel to provide “extensive” care including performance of more than 1,000 surgeries, issuance of 24,000 pairs of eyeglasses and 32,000 immunizations, and distribution of 122,000 pharmaceuticals – all in parts of the world that truly need the assistance. Crew members also reached out by refurbishing hospitals, providing new playground equipment, repairing plumbing in bathrooms and patching up more than 20 schools and medical facilities. They also found time to make balloon animals for sick kids in hospitals. Electronic Technician Alan Horowitz Bosun Gerald Butch (photo at left) displays a life ring he painted, while Engine Utility Michael Forner (above) takes readings in engine room. Supply Clerk Lucio Salvador Cook-Baker Stanley Drew mans the serving line for Navy personnel. Unlicensed Junior Engineer Sean Larouche reads the Seafarers LOG. A banner thanks Comfort crew members for the recent mission. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2008 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES CIVMARS RESCUE UAE MARINERS MEMBERS SHOW STRONG INTEREST IN NEW SEAFARERS 401(K) PLAN 4TH ‘LEWIS AND CLARK’ SHIP DELIVERED TO MSC NASSCO STARTS CONSTRUCTION ON 2ND TANKER FOR U.S. SHIPPING PARTNERS NTSB: 1ST-TRIPPER WAS ON WATCH WHEN MAJESTIC BOAT GROUNDED AKER PHILADELPHIA SHIPYARD REPORTS CONTINUED PROGRESS FOR SIU-CONTRACTED TANKER PROGRAM APL BALBOA RE-FLAGGING MEANS MORE SIU JOBS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHES MARINE HIGHWAY PROGRAM ITF WEEK OF ACTION A SUCCESS ADMINISTRATION REPORT CITES VITAL ROLE OF U.S. MERCHANT MARINE SIU-CREWED USNS PILILAAU COMPLETES LARGEST DELIVERY OF LIFE-SAVING MRAPS TWO SEAFARERS MEMORIALIZED DURING SHIPBOARD CEREMONIES SEAFARERS PROVIDE COMFORT AND JOY BEFORE HOLIDAYS Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2008 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 70, No. 2 2008 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/375d28fa99de079b1c2a1e5740c04f7a.pdf 9bd1d6d425818e93f0cb106bf77b6eb0 PDF Text Text 52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:08 AM Page 1 Volume 71, Number 2 February 2009 Heroes on the Hudson SIU NY Waterway Crews Rescue 143 from Downed Airplane When a US Airways jet crash-landed in the Hudson River, SIU-crewed NY Waterway ferries were first on the scene. Seven of the Seafarers-crewed boats rescued 143 of the 155 people from the downed aircraft, including the pilot. The remaining dozen individuals from the plane also were saved in the Jan. 15 incident that quickly became known as the “miracle on the Hudson.” The top photo shows the ferry Thomas Jefferson, which reached the plane less than two minutes after impact. In the inset, additional NY Waterway boats arrive. Pages 2, 5. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews AP Photo/Steven Day Tanker Golden State Delivered Union, School Participate In Historic Inaugural Activities The double-hulled tanker Golden State (pictured during sea trials in December, on the West Coast) has joined the Seafarers-contracted fleet following its delivery last month in San Diego. Page 3. Holidays with Seafarers As 2008 gave way to the New Year, SIU members got into the holiday spirit at sea and ashore. Pictured at right are GVA Vilma Martin (left) and SA Elizabeth Ibanez at the holiday feast which took place at the union hall in Norfolk, Va. Additional photos from that event and others and from holiday meals aboard ship appear on pages 9-11. The SIU and its affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education shared in the history-making inauguration of President Obama by participating in the parade Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. Unlicensed Apprentices (above, from left) Carlos Davila, Brandy Baker and Brandon Braam were part of organized labor’s contingent, as was Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown. Page 2. SIU Election Results Tax Tips for Mariners SHBP Scholarship Reminder Page 16 Pages 12-13 Page 3 �52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:12 AM Page 2 President’s Repor t Ferry Crews to the Rescue, Again The words “crash-landing” and “happy ending” don’t often fit together in the same story. But, as millions of people around the world know, that was the case Jan. 15 as SIU-crewed NY Waterway ferries rescued 143 people from a downed airplane in the Hudson River. The other 12 individuals from the plane also were saved, which made for a most improbable celebratory mood not only in New York and New Jersey but truly all across the nation. I speak for Seafarers and SIU officials everywhere when I say to the NY Michael Sacco Waterway crews, you have done your union and your profession proud. As you’ve done so many times before, you answered the call – quickly, efficiently, selflessly. I read all the quotes and I know you’re uncomfortable being called heroes. Sorry, brothers and sisters, but that’s the correct description. You earned the recognition. You deserve the praise. Of course, this is hardly the first time our ferry crews with NY Waterway have come through in the clutch. Many people remember their brave work on September 11, 2001, when they handled a horribly difficult job with tremendous resolve, evacuating stranded workers from Manhattan. Perhaps less familiar, but also noteworthy, was the time when crew members transported 200,000 commuters from New York City back in August 2003 following the largest power outage in our nation’s history. They also “turned to” after the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, providing vital transportation when other modes had been disrupted. Over the years, there are literally more than 100 other examples of NY Waterway Seafarers transporting or rescuing others in emergencies. The details vary but some things don’t change. Namely, the characteristics displayed by the SIU captains and deckhands. Courage. Commitment. Skill. Perseverance. Patriotism. More than mere words, those are their defining traits. Once again, I commend all of our members involved in last month’s rescue operations. Hats off to the company personnel, too. But before this story fades too far into history, another point should be made. You wouldn’t know it from watching TV or reading news accounts, but virtually everyone involved in the rescue belonged to a union. I’m not just talking about the ferry crews, but also the airplane pilot, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, police officers, fire fighters and mariners from other boats. All played a role in pulling off the “miracle on the Hudson.” It’s no coincidence that the respective unions, including the SIU and our affiliated Paul Hall Center, help ensure that members receive regular, comprehensive safety and job training. Obviously, that doesn’t mean union members are the only people who could have handled this rescue. However, while portions of corporate America demonize us in the fight over majority signup legislation (the Employee Free Choice Act), I hope the public in general takes note of what so-called “big labor” really is all about. It was evident from the moment the US Airways jet hit the water. America needs more people and more organizations like that, not less. And unions – promoting safety and security, providing workers with a real voice on the job, fostering productive relationships with management – help deliver them. We’re the only ones who will tell that story. Failing to do so would dishonor everyone who brought us the miracle on the Hudson. Volume 71, Number 2 SIU Joins in Obama Inauguration Seafarers were in the ranks of the nearly 300-person ensemble from America’s labor unions who on Jan. 20 participated in the official inaugural parade for Barack Obama, the nation’s 44th president and first African American commander-in-chief. In what was arguably one of the most significant events in America’s still young history, Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown and three trainees – Brandon Braam, Brandy Baker and Carlos Davila – from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., braved bonechilling temperatures to display the union colors as Obama took the oath as President of the United States. Brown, Braam, Baker and Davila joined a large contingent of union members from the AFLCIO, Change to Win and the National Education Foundation who marched and led the way for the inaugural parade’s lone proworker float. The float’s theme was “Honoring America’s Workers.” The delegation of marchers carried a banner containing the slogan “America’s Workers: United for Change” along with flags representing the issues most important to working families: an Economy that Works for All, Great Public Schools, Good Jobs Green Jobs, and Health Care for All. “It was overwhelming to have been a part of such a historic event,” said Brown. “Everything was absolutely breathtaking. “I was especially impressed with how well organized the entire event was,” Brown continued. “Even though thousands and thousands of people were Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown (far right) and Trainees (left to right) Carlos Davila, Brandon Braam and Brandy Baker represented the SIU during the Jan. 20 inauguration of the nation’s 44th President, Barack Obama. involved in the parade, the entire affair went off without a glitch. Organizers, including the AFLCIO, and those in charge of security did a masterful job of putting everything together. “Although the weather was very cold, and we stayed outside in the elements for a long time, it all went away when we marched past President Obama’s reviewing stand,” Brown concluded. “We came so close to the president that we could actually look into his eyes…. It was absolutely wonderful and I loved being a part of it.” Braam echoed Brown’ sentiment, noting, “It was a long day, but well worth my while. I got to within about 50 or so feet of President Obama and I can’t tell you how exciting that was. ” Besides being that close to our nation’s commander-in-chief, the other thing that marked the event to Braam was the crowds. “I was truly amazed at the sea of people who were there,” he said. “They were standing shoulder to shoulder by the tens of thousands. It was like nothing I had ever seen.” In addition to Seafarers and other union members who participated in the parade, thousands of America’s other working men and women, members of the armed forces, law enforcement officials and a vast assortment of bands and marching units participated in the historic inauguration. An estimated 2 million spectators turned out for the event. Caponiti Assumes Post of Acting Maritime Administrator Solis, LaHood Named to Cabinet President Barack Obama recently designated nominees to head three U.S. departments of particular interest to Seafarers – Labor, Transportation and Defense. For the Department of Labor, President Obama chose U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) as his designate. Solis, who has a nearly 100 percent positive rating from the AFL-CIO, has promised to focus on issues confronting American workers during a time of economic instability and globalization, most notably worker retraining and safety. She was a tireless advocate for an increase in the minimum wage and strongly supports the Employee Free Choice Act. “We’re confident that she will return to the Labor Department one of its core missions—to defend workers’ basic rights in our nation’s workplaces,” said AFLCIO President John Sweeney. “She’s proven to be a passionate leader and advocate for all working families.” In two other picks of importance to maritime workers, Obama tapped retiring U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood (DIll.) to be Transportation Secretary and asked Bob Gates to continue on as head of the Pentagon. Both appointments fulfill Obama’s promise to work across the aisle to have a diverse cabinet. Gates is a registered Independent while LaHood is known as a moderate conservative with a long history of bipartisanship. During Gates’ tenure, maritime unions and shipping companies have continued their close working relationship with the Department of Defense to ensure the timely and reliable movement of goods to overseas crises areas. The Department of Transportation is expected to play an important role in the next administration, as the newly elected president and congressional leaders meet to devise an economic stimulus plan to deal with the growing recession and financial crisis. Infrastructure development is being touted as a means of stimulating the U.S. economy and minimizing the loss of U.S. jobs. With the start of the new administration on Jan. 20, Sean Connaughton’s tenure as head of the U.S. Maritime Administration (part of the Transportation Department) ended. At that time, James E. Caponiti, the agency’s assistant administrator, became acting maritime administrator. Caponiti is a member of the federal government’s Senior Executive Service. He was named assistant administrator in May 2008. Previously, he served as the agency’s associate administrator for national security. Transportation Department Secretary-designee Ray LaHood publicly accepts his nomination by President Obama. Rep. Hilda Solis has a strong record of supporting workers’ rights. February 2009 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFLCIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Associate Editor, Mark Bowman; Photographer, Mike Hickey; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2009 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD. All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG James Caponiti is the acting head of the U.S. Maritime Administration. February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:19 AM Page 3 Committee Announces SIU Election Results Michael Sacco is Reelected Union President A committee of rank-and-file SIU members recently released its official report on the voting for national officers of the Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU. Voting took place Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2008. The union’s tallying committee consisted of 20 Seafarers (two members elected from each of the SIU’s 10 constitutional halls). The group certified the reelection of Michael Sacco as president of the SIU; election of Augie Tellez as the union’s executive vice president; reelection of David Heindel as secretarytreasurer; and election of George Tricker as vice president of contracts and contract enforcement, among other results. The tallying committee’s report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings in March. Additionally, the committee reported that the proposed constitutional amendment was approved by a landslide. The amendment concerns the per diem for members who serve on union finance, credentials, tallying and constitutional committees. According to the report, each of the four contested races for office was decided by a large margin. The committee disclosed the election of the following officers, who will serve four-year terms: ■ Michael Sacco, president; ■ Augie Tellez, executive vice president; ■ David Heindel, secretary-treasurer ■ George Tricker, contracts and contract enforcement vice president; ■ Joseph Soresi, Atlantic Coast vice president; ■ Dean Corgey, Gulf Coast vice president; ■ Nick Marrone, West Coast vice president; ■ Tom Orzechowski, Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters vice president; ■ Kermett Mangram, Government Services and fishing industries vice president; ■ Archie Ware, assistant vice president in charge of contracts and contract enforcement; ■ Nick Celona, assistant vice president in charge of the Atlantic Coast; ■ Ambrose Cucinotta, assistant vice president in charge of the Gulf Coast; ■ Bryan Powell, assistant vice president in charge of the West Coast; ■ Jim McGee, assistant vice president in charge of the Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters; ■ Chester Wheeler, assistant vice president in charge of Government Services and fishing industries; ■ Pat Vandegrift, Piney Point port agent; ■ Robert Selzer, New York port agent; ■ Joe Baselice, Philadelphia port agent; ■ Georg Kenny, Baltimore port agent; ■ Thornton Elliot, Mobile port agent; ■ Chris Westbrook, New Orleans port agent; ■ Kenneth Moore, Houston port agent; ■ Tracey Mayhew, Oakland port agent; ■ Becky Sleeper, St. Louis port agent; ■ Todd Brdak, Algonac port agent. The committee met during the week of Jan. 5 at the union’s headquarters in Camp Springs, Md. “Everyone pitched in and worked hard,” noted John Cain, committee chairman. “The entire committee has been outstanding. All the ports they came from should be proud, because they’re all top-notch.” Co-Chair Louella Sproul added, “Everybody worked as a team and did an Committee members, employees from the secretary-treasurer’s office and officials (Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, right, and Asst. VP Ambrose Cucinotta, left) are pictured last month at headquarters. Tanker Golden State Delivered The union last month welcomed new tonnage into its contracted fleet as the double-hulled tanker Golden State was delivered to U.S. Shipping Partners. A ceremony took place Jan. 10 at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, where SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez and SIU Vice President West Coast Nick Marrone represented the union. Construction of the 600-foot vessel began in August 2007. The 49,000 DWT ship has a cargo The Golden State sails during sea trials late last year. SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez (right) is greeted by NASSCO President Fred Harris. February 2009 excellent job. This is truly the best group I’ve ever seen.” Serving on the committee were Glenn Williams and Brandon Maeda from Piney Point, Michael Keogh and James Darden from Algonac, Nelson Poe and Gerard Costello from Baltimore, Rafael Pereira and Cain from Houston, Michael Congress and Marshall Turner Jr. from Mobile, Joseph Birke and Jack McElveen from New Orleans, Terry Mouton and Raymond Henderson from New York, Roger Reinke and Sproul from Oakland, Michael Kirby and John Haller from Philadelphia, and David Stavron and Michael Sanders Jr. from St. Louis. “The members of the union tallying committee wish to congratulate the elected officers and jobholders,” the group said in its report. “We extend our best wishes for the next four years. We hope that you will carry on the tradition of our union and advance the strength of the maritime industry.” capacity of approximately 331,000 barrels and is expected to carry petroleum and chemical products between U.S. ports. It is named in honor of the State of California. Fred Harris, president of NASSCO and a former union mariner, noted that the tanker was completed six months ahead of schedule, under budget, “while simultaneously meeting or exceeding all quality requirements. The completeness and superb material condition of this first-of-class ship reflects an outstanding start to the product carrier program at NASSCO.” The yard is under contract to build a total of nine product carriers, including the Golden State. In fact, on Jan. 9, NASSCO began construction of the fourth ship in the series, which will be named Empire State in honor of the State of New York. That vessel is slated for delivery to U.S. Shipping Partners in the first quarter of 2010. On the opposite coast, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard was scheduled to deliver another SIUcontracted tanker at press time. Details will be published in the next issue of the LOG and also should be available at www.seafarers.org. SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone helps represent the union at the ceremony. U.S. Employment Data Grim A quick snapshot of the job market and the economy at the end of 2008 showed 2.6 million Americans were unemployed, according to the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The department reported the unemployment rate jumped to 7.2 percent in December, a 16-year high. In December alone, employers cut a total of 524,000 jobs as businesses reduced manpower and closed their doors. A number of proposals to help American workers are being discussed. Early in the presidential campaign, then-Sen. Barack Obama proposed stimulus packages for various industries (in addition to noting his commitment to support the U.S. maritime industry). Moreover, the AFL-CIO is also calling for economic stimulus packages aimed at boosting American jobs. Federation President John Sweeney said, “Congress should pass a stimulus that will help working people along with any effort to boost Wall Street.” The AFL-CIO and its Maritime Trades Department (MTD), to which the SIU is affiliated, stood with President Obama calling for a stimulus to improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure and also has called for action to help ensure the continued viability of the U.S. shipping industry and the American mariners it employs. One step Congress has taken to stress the importance of maritime was when a bipartisan coalition of 17 senators and more than 40 members of the House of Representatives sent letters to their colleagues in December calling for the U.S. government to pursue policies that support American shipbuilding. (See story on page 20.) Additionally, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and maritime supporter Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) publicly called on Congress to support short sea shipping, or America’s “marine highway” as part of any transportation funding or stimulus. He agreed with the bipartisan coalition on the importance of backing the shipbuilding industry in part through Title XI funding to provide low-cost loans during this time of shrinking credit availability. According to the MTD, support of these programs has the “potential of generating new jobs for unionized workers, as long as the integrity of U.S. cabotage laws like the Jones Act is respected.” Seafarers LOG 3 �52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:14 AM Page 4 Pacific Collector Helps Intercept Missile During Drill SIU members aboard the M/V Pacific Collector recently helped the nation boost and refine its capabilities to protect itself from a ballistic missile attack. Operated by Interocean American Shipping for the U.S. Maritime Administration, the Pacific Collector is a telemetry ship that carries special equipment to help track progress of tests such as the one it completed in early December. On that occasion, crew members manned the vessel as U.S. Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency (MDA) personnel tracked the missile and collected data through the use of telemetry dishes. The missile being tracked—a long range ballastic—was fired from Fort Greeley, Kodiak, Alaska. It was successfully intercepted by a ground-based interceptor missile launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Chief Mate Stephen Barry, an SIU hawsepiper, stated, “Once again the SIU rose to the challenge and acted like the professionals that they are. The crew did a great job getting the ship cleaned up and under way. She’s a good feeder as well.” Barry, a graduate of trainee class 407, also noted he wasn’t the only officer aboard the Pacific Collector who came up through the SIU. Captain Ray Baldado (trainee class 254), 2nd Assistant Engineer Paul Maitoza (class 476) and 2nd Mate Robbie Whytock all sailed as Seafarers prior to earning their respective licenses. According to the Missile Defense Agency, the event marked the 37th time the DOD joint defense program has successfully intercepted ballistic missiles during tests. In a news release, the agency reported that the exercise results “will help to further refine the performance of numerous Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) elements able to provide a defense against the type of long-range ballistic missile that could be used to attack the nation with a weapon of mass destruction.” The Pacific Collector is 393 feet in length and has a beam of 54 feet. The Pacific Collector helps track missiles during an interceptor test. Chief Cook J.J. Mauricio fires up ribs on the grill. Members of the deck department (left to right): CM Stephen Barry, AB Qasem Saeed, 2/M Robbie Whytock, OS Santos Olivera, Capt. Ray Baldado, AB Donald McCants, AB Mark Halberg, AB John Mossbarger and Bosun Jerry Gonzaga (kneeling) Members of the engine department (left to right): OMU Daniel McFarland, QMED Davon Brown, Wiper Essam “Sam” Hussein, OMU Brandon Tanton, Electrician Brett Clark Marine Cooks & Stewards Organizer ‘Val’ Villalta Passed Away at 84 Val Villalta helped organize the Marine Cooks & Stewards, a union that eventually merged into the SIU. 4 Seafarers LOG AB Donald McCants and OS Santos Olivera pull lines. Venicio “Val” Villalta, a key organizer of the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S) in the early 1950s who later oversaw that union’s training school, died Dec. 15 at his home in Calistoga, Calif. He was 84. The MC&S, founded on the West Coast, became affiliated with the Seafarers International Union of North America in 1953. In 1978, MC&S members voted to merge into the SIU’s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District – marking the first time East Coast and West Coast shipboard jurisdiction had been united. “I met Val when we were sailing on the President Cleveland, organizing,” recalled Peter Bianchi, an SIU retiree The interceptor missile is fired from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Members of the steward department (left to right): Chief Cook Juanito “J.J.” Mauricio, Cook/Baker Albert Hermoso, SA Willie Frink, SA Florante “Dante” Labtingao, SA Amin Aaleh, SA Mathew Hays, Recertified Steward Allan Bright, SA Patricia Johansen and SA Thomas Curley (kneeling) who also served as a vice president of American Hawaii Cruises later in his career. “He was instrumental in pulling that ship (among others) to the MC&S. Val was a special person and was very well-liked and very dedicated. I knew him quite well – he was the best man at my wedding.” Villalta was a native of International Falls, Minn. He moved to San Francisco with his family in 1930. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. After the war, following a brief shore-side stint, he began his career as a mariner – initially with Matson, then with American President Lines (APL). According to a family member, Villalta sailed on every APL passenger ship, including 14 around-the-world voyages. He met his wife-to-be in 1961 while both were sailing on the President Hoover – he as chief steward, she as a passenger. In 1967, Villalta accepted a job as the administrator for the MC&S training center in Santa Rosa, Calif., where he reported to MC&S President Ed Turner (who later became executive vice president of the SIU). He left that post in 1977 but a year later established a maritime labor Job Corps training program on Treasure Island in San Francisco, where he remained as director until retiring in 1989. One remembrance described Villalta as energetic and “very generous with his (culinary) talents by volunteering for numerous fund-raising events. Throughout the years, Val and his students were very visible as they catered political and union functions around the San Francisco Bay area.” Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Jay; three daughters, a son, three grandchildren, and two sisters. A memorial service took place Dec. 29 in Calistoga. February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:19 AM Page 5 The SIU-crewed Thomas Jefferson (center) rescues people from the downed airplane in the Hudson River as additional boats arrive. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews NY Waterway Crews Rescue Passengers from Downed Plane SIU Members Vital to ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ Mariners sailing aboard SIU-contracted NY Waterway ferries have performed more than 100 rescues since the company’s founding in 1986. In terms of uniqueness and elation, they may never top the one they executed last month on the Hudson River. The SIU-crewed ferry Thomas Jefferson on Jan. 15 was the first boat on the scene after a US Airways Airbus A320 crash-landed on the river. In the moments that followed, the Thomas Jefferson and six other Seafarerscrewed NY Waterway boats pulled 143 of the 155 people from the downed aircraft to safety, including the pilot. The other 12 individuals from the plane were secured by other rescuers. A total of 14 NY Waterway vessels mobilized for the operation, which happened in frigid afternoon waters. The dramatic story quickly became known as the “miracle on the Hudson,” and it generated worldwide news coverage. Several SIU members were interviewed by prominent television stations and newspapers. They consistently downplayed any notion that their efforts were heroic, but New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (DN.J.), NY Waterway officials, and passengers from both the airplane and the boats showered the mariners with praise, as did others. “Millions of Americans across the country are saluting the bravery and courage they [demonstrated],” said Lautenberg. (See SIU President Michael Sacco’s column on page 2 for related commentary.) Seafarers (and NY Waterway boats) involved in the rescue included the following: From the Thomas Jefferson, Capt. Vincent Lombardi and Deckhands Hector Rabanes and Wilfredo Rivera. They rescued 56 people from the plane. From the Yogi Berra, Captain Vince Lucante and Captain Michael Starr. They rescued 24 including an infant and another child. From the Athena, Captain Carl Lucas and Deckhands Luis Salerno and Danny Convery. They rescued 19 including the pilot. From the Moira Smith, Captain Manny Liba and Deckhands Natale Binetti and Gulio Farnese. They rescued 14. From the Thomas Kean, Captain Britanny Catanzaro and Deckhands Osman Berete and Cosmo Mezzina. They rescued 26. From the Admiral Richard Bennis, Captain John Winarski and Deckhand Frank Illuzi. They rescued three. From the George Washington, Captain Mohamed Gouda and Deckhands Jose Torres, Pepe Carumba and Gregorio Pages. They rescued one. Seafarers aboard NY Waterway vessels transport tens of thousands of passengers each day, most of them commuters. The crews perhaps had been best known for their indisputably heroic roles in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when they evacuated upwards of 160,000 people from Manhattan. A few of the NY Waterway boats operated into the predawn hours of the next day, providing help for emergency crews. Several SIU members ‘The Training Prevailed’ The SIU ferry captain whose boat was the first to arrive after US Airways Flight 1549 crash-landed in the Hudson River said regular safety training and drills played a big part in the ensuing rescue. Seafarer Vincent Lombardi, one of many NY Waterway boatmen who have completed safety classes as the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (located in Piney Point, Md.), pointed out that crews routinely practice for emergencies aboard the ferries. “We do man-overboard drills, fire drills and abandon-ship drills,” Lombardi stated. “Since 9/11, we also do security drills, plus others. Each captain runs his crew through all of those drills once a month.” The Seafarers’ collective prompt, efficient, composed response reflected preparation, noted Lombardi and others who were interviewed afterward. Altogether, 14 SIU-crewed NY Waterway ferries were engaged in the operation. Seven pulled aboard personnel from the aircraft. “The training prevailed,” Lombardi said. “All the training showed because my guys remained calm.” February 2009 rescued people who had fallen from piers into the water, most likely because of terrible visibility. Currently, the company operates approximately 25 ferries. The 120 or so Seafarers employed by NY Waterway are covered by a three-year contract which was ratified in the spring of 2008. Many of them have completed safety training at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, which is located in Piney Point, Md. Participants and witnesses from last month’s rescue described a surreal happiness. Not only were all personnel saved from the plane, only one serious injury was reported. A female passenger from the jet reportedly suffered broken legs. The incident is under investigation, but early indications were that a flock of birds struck the airplane (Flight 1549), thereby disabling the engines. The pilot quickly decided to set the plane (originally headed from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, N.C.) down in the Hudson. His plan worked, but experts noted that because of the cold water, passengers wouldn’t have survived for long without virtually immediate assistance. Cue the Thomas Jefferson and Seafarer Lombardi, who at first thought the partially submerged plane was an odd-looking boat. After a second look and a message received on marine radio, he realized what had happened. “We hit the throttles, got the man-overboard equipment ready and let the (ferry) passengers know what was happening,” Lombardi told the Seafarers LOG. “We got there in about 90 seconds. The equipment was deployed and ready.” A six-year SIU member who in 2003 completed safety training at the Paul Hall Center, Lombardi said he battled the current while giving first priority to the airplane passengers who were partially submerged. Asked how he remained calm, Lombardi cited the regular safety drills completed by NY Waterway personnel along with “faith. It was a challenge with that current, but I knew people’s lives depended on what we did. More than anything else, I can’t credit my crew enough. They were unreal the way they handled it.” (See sidebar, this page.) Many additional ferries and rescue vessels reached the plane within the next 10 minutes. The head of the public safety department for the city of Weehawken, N.J., told reporters that emergency medical service workers, fire fighters and police officers boarded NY Waterway boats in Weehawken immediately following the airplane’s emergency landing. NY Waterway has a terminal at West 39th Street in Manhattan, a few blocks from where the plane crashed near West 48th Street. Lucante told an Associated Press reporter that after he and Starr had assisted airplane passengers to the Yogi Berra, they went one figurative step further. “We wound up giving them our coats and our hats,” Lucante said. “We were down to our T-shirts by the time we got back.” Catanzaro, recently featured in the New York Times because she is the first female captain at NY Waterway, typified the modesty of the mariners when she told the Jersey Journal, “I don’t consider myself a hero. It’s my job. We train for it.” New York Times Backs Employee Free Choice Act The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) picked up more support late last year when the New York Times published an editorial in favor of the bill. The EFCA would give workers the freedom to make their own choice about whether to have a union in their workplace without interference from management. In the Dec. 26 editorial, the Times left no doubt about where they stand on the bill. “Corporate America is determined to derail the bill, which would make it easier than it has been for workers to form unions by requiring that employers recognize a union if a majority of employees at a workplace sign cards indicating they wish to organize,” the newspaper noted. “The measure is vital legislation and should not be postponed. Even modest increases in the share of the unionized labor force push wages upward, because non-union workplaces must keep up with unionized ones that collectively bargain for increases. By giving employees a bigger say in compensation issues, unions also help to establish corporate norms, the absence of which has contributed to unjustifiable disparities between executive pay and rank-and-file pay.” The editorial continued, “The argument against unions — that they unduly burden employers with unreasonable demands — is one that corporate America makes in good times and bad, so the recession by itself is not an excuse to avoid pushing the bill next year (meaning 2009). The real issue is whether enhanced unionizing would worsen the recession, and there is no evidence that it would. “There is a strong argument that the slack labor market of a recession actually makes unions all the more important. Without a united front, workers will have even less bargaining power in the recession than they had during the growth years of this decade, when they largely failed to get raises even as productivity and profits soared. If pay continues to lag, it will only prolong the downturn by inhibiting spending.” Millions of Americans, including SIU members, support the EFCA via polls, letter-writing, and other campaigns. In fact, more than a million Americans called for the act’s passage in a postcard campaign conducted by the AFL-CIO and other affiliated unions such as the SIU. The act has such wide support that President Barack Obama was a co-sponsor of it and new Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was a supporter when she was a member of Congress. EFCA passage was on its way in Congress in 2007 but ran into a legislative filibuster in the Senate. Since that time, the future passage of the act has been vehemently debated publicly. Even though recent Gallup and Harris Research Associates Inc. polls and studies showed that as many as 87 percent of Americans support the EFCA, megacorporate interests have invested millions staging campaigns against it. In fact, these special interests support publications and web sites targeting and spreading misinformation about the act to scare lawmakers and workers, despite the desires of the same citizens whose taxes are bailing out many of their businesses. Comprehensive information about the bill is available on the web at http://www.freechoiceact.org/ Seafarers LOG 5 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:19 AM Page 6 U.S. Mariners Need to Obtain Mandated TWIC by April 15 Seafarers who haven’t applied for the government-mandated Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) had better hurry. The deadline for U.S. mariners to obtain their TWIC in order to have unescorted access to ships and other secure facilities in port is April 15, 2009. Step-by-step instructions have been published in past editions of the Seafarers LOG and are available on the web both at www.seafarers.org and at the Transportation Security Administration’s TWIC web site, www.tsa.gov/twic. Seafarers also are asked to occasionally TWIC Enrollment Centers The following is a list of addresses for Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enrollment centers as of early January, as published by the Transportation Security Administration at the following web address: http://www.tsa.gov/twic. Hours of operation vary – check the web site or call 1866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942) for information on specific locations. Alabama Tennessee Valley Training Center Suite 105 115 Woodall Road Decatur, AL 35601 250 North Water Street Mobile, AL 36602-4000 Alaska 619 E Ship Creek Ave. Anchorage, AK 99501 Florida 955 Talleyrand Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32206 Building 12 1900 Bendixsen Street Samoa, CA 95564 Habana Plaza (Rear) 3125 Riviera Dr Key West, FL 33040 Suite 500 301 E. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90802 975 N America Way Miami, FL 33132 Suite B 1001 New Dock St. San Pedro, CA 90731 Oakland Maritime Support Services (OMSS) 11 Burma Rd. Oakland, CA 94607 Suite 104 1830 Embarcadero Ave. Oakland, CA 94606 2000 Marina Vista Dr. Martinez, CA 94553 1251 N. Rice Ave. Oxnard, CA 93030 Suite 300 13201 San Pablo Ave. Richmond, CA 94806 1401 Halyard Drive West Sacramento, CA 95691 Suite 202 3200 Hospital Drive Juneau, AK 99801 Suite 103 1025 W Laurel St. San Diego, CA 92101 KPD Shelikof Facility 405 Marine Way Kodiak, AK 99615 Suite 202 500 Sansome Street San Francisco, CA 94111 50097 Kenai Spur Nikiski, AK 99635 17 Fyffe St. Stockton, CA 95203 223 Harbor Way Petersburg, AK 99833 White Pass & Yukon Railroad 231 Second Ave. Skagway, AK 99840-0435 Suites 119, 120 5323 W. Hwy 98 Panama City, FL 32401 Suites 117/118 707 Mullet Rd. Port Canaveral, FL 32920 Port Everglades Badging Office 1030 Taylor Rd. Dania Beach, FL 33004 Manatee County Port Authority 13604 Reeder Road Palmetto, FL 34221 2604 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605 Georgia Suite 402 777 Gloucester St. Brunswick, GA 31520 5214 Augusta Rd. Garden City, GA 31408 Illinois Dixon Building Suite 206 8741 South Greenwood Chicago, IL 60619 Three Rivers Safety Council Suite TWIC 1615 W. Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60435 2914 W. Willow Knolls Dr. Peoria, IL 61614 Suite 153 1635 1st St. Granite City, IL 62040 Indiana 4849 University Drive Evansville, IN 47712 Suite 110 200 Russell St. Hammond, IN 46320 Suite 37C 3602 Northgate Court New Albany, IN 47150 Kansas Commerce Plaza 1 - 7th Floor 7300 West 110th Street Overland Park, KS 66210 Kentucky 322 Harrison Ave. Paducah, KY 42001 Louisiana Safety Council Building 7645 South Highway 1 Addis, LA 70710 Safety Council for Louisiana Capital Area 8180 Siegen Ln. Baton Rouge, LA 70810 Terminal Island 1001 New Dock St. San Pedro, CA 90731 Hawaii Hilo Hawaiian Hotel 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo, HI 96720 Courtyard by Marriott - Baton Rouge Siegen Lane 10307 North Mall Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Connecticut Unit 2A 300 Long Beach Blvd. Stratford, CT 06615 Suite 204 1347 Kapiolani Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96814 175 North Main St. Branford, CT 06405 Suite 106 291 Hookahi St. Wailuku, HI 96793 75 Crystal Ave. New London, CT 06320 Wrangell Harbor Office Shakes Street Wrangell, AK 99929 Delaware 102 Quigley Boulevard New Castle, DE 19720 Seafarers LOG Suite 303 2051 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Riviera Beach, FL 33404 The TWIC program was spurred by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002. The front of the credential is pictured above. Guam Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port 1026 Cabras Highway, Boardroom Piti, GU 96915 501 E Bremner St. Valdez, AK 99686 Arkansas 2005 E 17th Street Little Rock, AR 72202 been phased in at additional ports since that time. The last ports scheduled to start enforcement (on April 14) are Guam; Houston, Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas; Los Angeles/Long Beach; and San Juan, P.R. For mariners, a valid z-card/merchant mariner document (MMD) is considered as meeting the TWIC program requirements until April 15. (That is not the case for some other workers.) As of early January, according to a report circulated by the U.S. Maritime Administration, nearly 580,000 TWIC cards have been activated. California 2050 Park Road Benicia, CA 94510 Native Village of Eyak 110 Nicholoff Way Cordova, AK 99574 Harrigan Centennial Hall 330 Harbor Drive Sitka, AK 99835 6 visit the SIU web site and/or check with their port agents for the latest TWIC news. The Transportation Security Administration TWIC web site includes a link where individuals may check the status of their card and/or schedule a time to pick it up. The toll-free phone number for the TSA’s TWIC help desk is 1-866-DHSTWIC (1-866-347-8942). The agency may be contacted by email at credentialing@dhs.gov. Program enforcement began in October 2008 at certain ports and has 1 Hausel Rd. Port of Wilmington Wilmington, DE 19801 Suite 111 2970 Kele St. Lihue, HI 96766 Kona Coast The Charter Desk at Honokohau Marina 74-381 Kealakehe Parkway Kailua Kona, HI 96740 Suite 550 1340 W. Tunnel Blvd. Houma, LA 70360 408 Jeanne St. Lafayette, LA 70506 3204 A Gerstner Memorial Dr. Lake Charles, LA 70601 800 Youngs Rd Morgan City, LA 70380 Suite 104 170 East James Drive St. Rose, LA 70087 Continued on next page February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:19 AM Continued from Page 6 Port Fourchon Harbor Police 108 A.O. Rappelet Rd. Port Fourchon, LA 70357 LaPlace Shopping Center 1933 West Airline Hwy. LaPlace, LA 70068 Maine 163 Hildreth Street North Bangor, ME 04401 Suite 12 236 Oxford Street Portland, ME 04101 Maryland Suite 220 2200 Broening Hwy Baltimore, MD 21224 Suite 2106 3225 Old Washington Rd. Waldorf, MD 20602 Suite 204C 212 W. Main St. Salisbury, MD 21801 Massachusetts Boston Autoport 100 Terminal Street Charlestown, MA 02129 Unit 5 300 Tremont St. Carver, MA 02330 Best Western Providence - Seekonk Inn 45 Mink Street Seekonk, MA 02771 Michigan Suite 101 115 N. First Ave. Alpena, MI 49707 863 North Pine Road Essexville, MI 48732 Suite 1 200 W. Erie Street Rogers City, MI 49779 Best Western 21700 West Rd. Woodhaven, MI 48183 Suite 1 906 Ludington St. Escanaba, MI 49829 430 S. Water Street Marine City, MI 48039 Old City Hall Bldg 220 Suite 120 W Washington St. Marquette, MI 49855 Suite 122 800 East Ellis Road Norton Shores, MI 49441 AmericInn of Silver City 120 Lincoln Ave. Ontonagon, MI 49953 511 Ashmun St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 396 N. State Street St. Ignace, MI 49781 Suite 105 1020 Hastings Street Traverse City, MI 49686 Minnesota 1310 Port Terminal Road Duluth-Superior, MN 55802 Holiday Inn 1500 Hwy 71 International Falls, MN 56649 February 2009 Page 7 Room B006 34 13th Ave., NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 Suite D, Office B 401 Broadway Ave. Lorain, OH 44052 Suite 100 1717 Turning Basin Houston, TX 77029 Suite 104 2161 University Ave. St. Paul, MN 55114 Suite 102 444 W. Perkins Ave. Sandusky, OH 44870 621 W Main Street La Porte, TX 77571 Mississippi Delta Plaza Mall, Suite B19 800 Highway 1 South Greenville, MS 38703 One Maritime Plaza 720 Water St. Toledo, OH 43604 Suite D 1223 30th Ave. Gulfport, MS 39501 Ergon Refining 227 Industrial Drive Vicksburg, MS 39183 New Hampshire Suite 2 30 Mirona Road Extension Portsmouth, NH 03801 New Jersey Suite P-6 2500 S. Broadway Camden, NJ 08104 580 Division St. Elizabeth, NJ 07201 North Jersey Suite G 89 Luening St. South Hackensack, NJ 07606 400 Grove Rd. West Deptford, NJ 08086 Suite 665 33 Wood Avenue South Iselin, NJ 08830 New York 102 Smith Blvd. Albany, NY 12202 Suite 5 2680 Grand Island Blvd. Grand Island, NY 14072 2752 Middle Country Rd. Lake Grove, NY 11755 Oklahoma 5350 Cimarron Rd. Catoosa, OK 74015 Oregon Suite 112 400 Virginia Ave. North Bend, OR 97459 Suite 100 7025 N. Lombard St. Portland, OR 97203 Pennsylvania 50 West Powhattan Ave. Chester, PA 19029 Suite 120B 601 Upland Ave. Brookhaven, PA 19015 Woodbourne Professional Building 1723 Woodbourne Rd. Levittown, PA 19057 Philadelphia Regional Port 3460 North Delaware Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19134 Suite 400 102 Broadway St. Carnegie, PA 15106 Puerto Rico Primer Piso, Salon de Conferencias Ave. Santiago de los Caballeros, final Edifico Turismo, Playa Ponce, PR 00716 Navy Frontier Pier (Muelle Frontier) Suite 1 408 Avenue Fernandez Juncos San Juan, PR 00901 411 West Main Street Port LaVaca, TX 77979 Suite 123 3800 Highway 365 Port Arthur, TX 77642 Mall of the Mainland Suite 1272 10000 Emmett F. Lowery Expy Texas City, TX 77591 1750 FM 1432 Victoria, TX 77905 Virginia Suite 300, Room 359 11815 Fountain Way Newport News, VA 23606 Suite F 814 Greenbrier Circle Chesapeake, VA 23320 Virgin Islands Renaissance Park Estate Anguilla Kingshill, VI 00851 Suite 217 8000 Niksy Center Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802 Washington Ste. D 8327 Summit Park Rd. Anacortes, WA 98221 127 E. Intercity Ave. Bldg G, Ste C Everett, WA 98208 Suite 201 501 S. First Ave. Kelso, WA 98626 Suite A 2815 St. Andrews Loop Pasco, WA 99301 178 West Hoffman Ave Lindenhurst, NY 11757 South Carolina Residence Inn 5035 International Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29418 Suite C150 4634 East Marginal Way South Seattle, WA 98134 Whitehall Ferry Terminal Room 210 4 South St. New York, NY 10004 Tennessee Suite 101 3720 Amnicola Hwy Chattanooga, TN 37407 Fife Business Park Suite 17 5009 Pacific Hwy East Tacoma, WA 98424 One East 2nd St. Oswego, NY 13126 Tennessee Valley Training Center 324 W. Mallory Avenue Memphis, TN 38109 700 Hummel Ave Southold, NY 11971 33rd Place Building Suite 107 3305 Main Street Vancouver, WA 98663 60 Old Hickory Blvd Old Hickory, TN 37138 Suite 310 803 West Avenue Rochester, NY 14611 Texas Ford Convention Center Tyler Room 5115 Interstate 10 S Beaumont, TX 77705 North Carolina 311 Atlantic Beach Causeway Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 Suite 107 5704 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 Ohio 4830 State Rd. Ashtabula, OH 44004 Suites 754, 755 8044 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45236 Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport, Main Terminal, Room 179 1501 N Marginal Road Cleveland, OH 44114 1000 Foust Road Brownsville, TX 78521 Room 203 7433 Leopard St. Corpus Christi, TX 78409 West Virginia Tri-State Fire Academy 4200 Ohio River Rd. Huntington, WV 25702 Wisconsin 425 South Military Avenue Green Bay, WI 54303 TWIC Enrollment Center c/o Chase Commerce Center Suite 620 Building 28 Floor 1 3073 S. Chase Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207 Brazos Mall, Suite 1039 100 Hwy 332 West Lake Jackson, TX 77566 Suite 103 6000 Broadway Galveston, TX 77551 Gulf Gate (Chase Bank Building) Suite 314, 2900 Woodridge Drive Houston, TX 77087 Seafarers LOG 7 �52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:16 AM Page 8 Upgrader Walton Makes History Trainee Grad Navigates Engine-Department Career Path When Philandar “Fee” Walton enrolled in the marine electrician course at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, she was simply trying to help advance her career as an engine-department Seafarer. Turns out she made history along the way. A frequent upgrader, Walton completed the eightweek class in December. She is believed to be the first female to successfully graduate from the unlicensed apprentice program and then also complete engine-department upgrading courses up to and including marine electrician. (The latter class has been offered at the Piney Point, Md.-based school since the amended STCW convention took effect in 2002. Its forerunner was marine electrical maintenance, a then-mandatory course for advancing in QMED classification.) Instructor Jay Henderson had let her know prior to the class about the “historic” opportunity, but Walton initially thought he was joking. “I guess there was a little more pressure. I had to make sure I passed,” Walton said with a laugh. She did anything but just squeak by, according to Henderson. Walton completed the rigorous course with a very high average grade and tied for the top final test score. “She’s an excellent student,” Henderson said. “She asks intelligent questions and is enthusiastic and accurate. As time goes by, she’s becoming more analytical in her thought process. She never says ‘I can’t.’ She’s a positive example for other females who are thinking about joining the engine department. Actually, she’s a positive example for the guys, too, in terms of work ethic.” Walton graduated from unlicensed apprentice Class No. 660, in May 2005. She sailed on the MV Liberty during Phase II of her apprenticeship and then shipped out on the USNS Paul Buck after graduation. Although it generally seems fewer females sail in the engine room compared to the deck or steward departments, Walton says she is pleased with her selection. “I always want to know how things work, and I like taking stuff apart,” she notes. Walton, who sails from the port of Norfolk, Va., says she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the engine department to other female Seafarers. But, her strongest advice is to upgrade as often as possible at the Paul Hall Center, regardless of one’s shipboard department. She speaks from experience. In addition to marine electrician, Walton (who eventually wants to upgrade to third engineer) also has completed classes including junior engineer, machinist, pumpman, fast rescue boats, and medical care provider. “I like coming to the school,” says Walton, who most recently sailed aboard the Tyco Decisive. “The atmosphere is great and all of the instructors are very thorough. If you don’t understand something, they’ll help you. I think it’s a great benefit for all mariners to upgrade. It opens up more opportunities and makes us more marketable.” Seafarer Fee Walton says upgrading at the Paul Hall Center is a smart career move. Apprentice Chastain Enjoys ‘Journey Towards New Career’ Program Gets Thumbs-Up from Self-Described Middle-Aged Mom Seeking Challenges Editor’s note: This article was written by Unlicensed Apprentice Charlotte Chastain as she wrapped up her Phase II training. Thanks to Capt. John M. Coleman of the Maersk Missouri for forwarding the text and the accompanying photo. From the moment I touched down in Newark, N.J., on Aug. 25, 2008, I began an incredible firsttime journey as a Seafarers International Union (SIU) Unlicensed Apprentice on the Maersk Missouri, a Gclass container vessel. By way of introduction, my name is Charlotte S. Chastain, and I am completing the last few days of Phase II of the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education’s unlicensed apprentice program. The school is located in Piney Point, Md. I am a middle-aged woman and have raised two college-educated children. At this stage of my life, I am seeking a career change after working as a legal administrative assistant for more than 25 years to an occupation that will be more fulfilling, challenging, and stimulating. When an acquaintance told me about the Paul Hall Center’s training program to become a U.S. Merchant Mariner, I called Piney Point’s admissions office and asked for information and requirements to be accepted into their school. Everything clicked and within a few months’ time, I was on a journey towards a new career and new way of life. Phase I of the program consists of an intense three-month course divided into two-week classes, including Lifeboat, Fire Fighting, CPR/First Aid, and working in the galley. I adjusted to Piney Point’s dorm life and rigorous daily schedule. After completing Phase I, apprentices are assigned to a ship via the manpower office. Phase II consists of a minimum of 90 days on board a vessel and emphasizes on-the-job training. Unlicensed apprentices are assigned a minimum of 30 days in each department – deck, engine and steward. In order to return to the school and begin Phase III, I am required to complete and submit an extensive “sea project” where I answer questions and draw diagrams of the vessel relating to all three departments. Also, an evaluation is completed by the ship’s master and each department head. For Phase III, the unlicensed apprentice returns to Piney Point for a seven-week training period. At this time, the apprentice decides the department in which to work. After graduation, the Paul Hall Center 8 Seafarers LOG assigns each mariner a four-month trip on a ship in their chosen department. As a novice in this industry, when I first arrived to the Maersk Missouri, I was in awe at the massive size of the containership. I stood at the gangplank looking up and felt very excited about embarking on this new chapter in my life. The first day was spent unpacking, filling out paperwork and familiarizing myself with my new “home.” Unlicensed Apprentice Charlotte Chastain, pictured aboard the Maersk Missouri, displays her painting of a small cove near the port of Salalah, Oman. I was assigned to the engine department for my first 30 days. On the second day, I reported to duty at 7:45 a.m. and met everyone in the department. Next, I took a tour of the engine room. I was surprised at its enormous size and numerous decks and ladders. How in the world was I ever going to learn my way around? I knew I was going to have to prove my worth and value in each department. I jumped in “full speed ahead.” For the first few days, I helped the QMED with the daily “soundings.” As I became more familiar with my rounds, I could record the soundings on my own. I was introduced to the jobs of an entry-level worker, and was trained to wire brush, paint, and clean various areas of the engine room. It took me a while to get accustomed to the heat. Needless to say, September was hotter than anyone could imagine, especially given that the Missouri was making its Middle East run. The second month was spent in the deck department. I trained under very talented and knowledgeable “deckies.” The chief mate, bosun, and ABs were patient teaching me ship/sailing terminology and deck procedures. I began each day at 6 a.m. and saw magnificent sunrises. There was always a painting or cleaning project. Before long, I was recognized as a neat and fast painter. I learned to help dock and undock on the bow, participated in safety and fire drills, pirate watches, and practiced steering the Missouri on the bridge. My final month was occupied in the steward department beginning at 5:30 a.m. each day. Having spent my life cleaning, cooking, and doing for others, I felt at ease in the galley. The three-man steward department took care of the Missouri’s entire house. I learned many of the steward’s, chief cook’s and SA’s duties and was taught many tips of the trade. I enjoy cooking and received many fabulous recipes from the chief cook. Health, safety, cleanliness and sanitation were stressed daily. People often ask me why I want to become a merchant mariner and work at sea. I respond that presently I have no ties or obligations at home, and have always had a sense of adventure for travel and a deep appreciation for the water and the outdoors. Also, I am an artist and painting is my passion. I will have inspiring subjects for my paintings. In port, I was able to go exploring. I never dreamed that I would be sailing to ports in the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean. From what I have been told by my fellow shipmates, it is going to be hard for any future ship I sail to top the Maersk Missouri! As I reflect on my time as an unlicensed apprentice, I am grateful for all that I have learned, experienced, and seen. I am also very fortunate to have worked with some wonderful people. My first taste of what it is to be a U.S. Merchant Mariner exceeds my expectations. I want to thank Maersk, the school and the crew of the Missouri for helping me achieve my goal. February 2009 �52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:19 AM Page 9 Holidays With Seafarers Cape Intrepid Stewards Make 2008 Holidays ‘A Sweet Memory’ Members of the steward department aboard the SIU-contracted Cape Intrepid--during a holiday call in the Port of Wilmington--went the extra mile for their shipmates when they produced the mouth-watering desserts and entrees shown in the photos at right. Those responsible for these delectable eats (above, from the left) were Steward Assistant Nicanor, Chief Cook Joseph Welle and Steward Donald Dwyer. Thanksgiving Becomes A Barbecue Event at the Port of Ft. Lauderdale Nearly 100 members and guests turned out for the Nov. 25 Thanksgiving barbecue at the Port of Ft. Lauderdale. In photo above, Chief Cook Heath Bryan puts the final touches on one of the event’s main dishes. The photos at right show a host of members and guests enjoying Bryan’s creations. Port of Jacksonville Enjoys Large Turnout at Annual Thanksgiving/Christmas Outing A large crowd of Seafarers, family members and representatives from union-contracted companies enoyed the food and company available Nov. 21 during the annual Thanksgiving/Christmas event at the Port of Jacksonville. In photo at left, guests help themselves to items on the serving line. Enjoying their meal in the photo at the immediate right are Fatima Mims-Ware and her guest, Karen Shuford, Sharyl Shuford, Lester Williams, Crowley Liner Services’ Edwin Colon, Jackie Williams, and Ed Burdorf, also of Crowley. In the photo at far right, AB Tavel Love spends a quiet moment with his son. February 2009 Seafarers LOG 9 �52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:22 AM Page 10 Holidays With Seafarers Christmas Gala at Port of Norfolk Attracts Large Turnout A great time was had by all who attended the annual Christmas luncheon at the Port of Norfolk. Held Dec. 18, the annual outing was attended by union officials, members, their dependents, retirees and their families. As evidenced by the photos appearing in this layout, the event gave new and added meaning to the concept of Brotherhood of the Sea. Christmas Event At Port of Baltimore Union officials, active Seafarers, their dependents and pensioners on Dec. 19 gathered at the union hall in the Port of Baltimore for the first-ever Christmas event at the port’s Essex Street location. Some of those in attendance, above from left to right, were: Pensioner Michael Kaminski, Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown, Pensioner Alva McCullum, the wife of GUDE John Cooper, Chief Electircian Charles Wharton, an unidentified guest, Port of Baltimore Secretary Lisa Clark, AB Michael Wroten, Oiler Kenneth Bricker, Bosun Nelson Poe, AB Kim Brown, GUDE John Cooper and AB Jorge Lanas. Posing below left, from the left were Oiler Vordan Furgeson, Mrs. Cooper and Lanas, right. Joining them is ITF Inspector Arthur Petitpas, third frm left. In photo below at right, Pensioner Kaminski, AB Walter Harris, QMED Therman Ames and Pensioner Antonios Trikoglou chum it at the event’s conclusion. 10 Seafarers LOG Libery Eagle Crew Enjoys Thanksgiving at Sea Although they were at sea, the crew of the Liberty Eagle still enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Chief Steward Tyler Laffitte (who provided these photos) said that despite being on the high seas on Nov. 27, his shipmates still deserved the best and the galley gang made it happen. Taking advantage of the chief steward’s efforts, which resulted in some of the food items pictured at top left, (clockwise from below, left to right) were: Apprentice Mykael Willis, QMED Antonio Dolojan-Tingugan, AB Franklin Futch, GUDE Gilberto Padilla, ABM Domingo Martinez-Reyes and AB Jose A. Bermudez; AB Franklin Futch, AB Jose Bermudez and GUDE Fortan Nunez-Martinez; 2nd Mate Christian Jude-Julien and 2nd Assistant Engineer Edgardo Tirado; GUDE Gilberto Padilla, Matrinez-Reyes, Bermudez, Nunez-Martinez, Bosun Juan Rivas and ABM Luis Ruiz-Ramos. February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:20 AM Page 11 Holidays With Seafarers Maersk Tennessee Crew Enjoys Christmas Meal At Sea Chief Steward Tony Spain (above) prepares to carve the turkey that was used for the Christmas meal aboard the Maersk Tennessee while the vessel was at sea. In adition to turkey, the meal consisted of several other entrees including roast prime rib of beef and smoked baked Virginia Ham. Chief Cook Lamont Faulks (left in photo at imediate left), SA Paula Hopson (right in same photo) and SA Darrell Gray (photo at right) helped Spain prepare the holiday feast. Crew members partake of the offerings in the photo below and at far right. Barbecue in December Port of Houston Hosts Thanksgiving Event More than 100 Seafarers, retirees and members of their families on November 25 converged on the union hall in the Port of Houston for its annual Thanksgiving event. In the photo above, members join for a moment of prayer prior to the meal. Below, those who attended make their way through the serving line. Members of the Mokihana steward department pulled off the unthinkable recently when they braved the winter elements to have a barbecue at sea in December. The feat was really no problem because the vessel was only one day out of Hawaii when the barbecue took place. Manning the grills on the deck of the Mokihana during the news-making event (above, from the left) were: Assistant Cook Majed Alsunbahi, Chief Cook Kahlid Mohamed and Recertified Steward Michael Baker. February 2009 Seafarers LOG 11 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:20 AM Page 12 What’s New for 2008? Following are some of the changes that will take effect in 2008, along with changes that remain in effect from 2006 from the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the 2005 Energy Tax Incentive Act, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, and other tax law changes. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Mailing Your Return - The IRS has changed many of its filing centers. Carefully check the mailing address before sending in your return. Standard Mileage Rates - The 2008 rate for business use of your vehicle is 50.5 cents a mile for the period January 1 through June 30 and 58.5 cents a mile for July 1 through December 31. The 2008 rate for use of your vehicle to get medical care or to move is 19 cents a mile for the period January 1 through June 30 and 27 cents a mile for July 1 through December 31. The 2008 rate for charitable services is 14 cents a mile. Exemption - The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased from $3,400 in 2007 to $3,500 in 2008. You lose part of the benefit of your exemptions if your adjusted gross income is above a certain amount. The amount at which the phase-out begins depends on your filing status. For 2008, the phase-out begins at: ■ $239,950 for married people filing jointly and qualified widow(er) with dependent children, ■ $199,950 for a head of household, ■ $159,950 for single taxpayers; and ■ $119,975 for married persons filing separately. Direct Deposit of Refunds - If you choose direct deposit of your refund, you may be able to split the refund into two or three accounts. Recovery Rebate Credit and Economic Stimulus Payment - A refundable recovery rebate credit may be available for those of you who did not receive an economic stimulus check in 2008 or if your economic stimulus payment was less than $600. Any eligible recovery rebate credit is reduced by the actual economic stimulus payment received. Should the recovery credit result in a smaller amount, no repayment will be required. Please look at the line 70 instructions and applicable chart on pages 62 and 63 of the instructions to Form 1040. Any Economic Stimulus payment received is not taxable. Additionally, if it was deposited into a tax free account, there will be no penalty to withdraw the amount if done by the due date of your tax return, including extensions. Kiddie Tax - The limit on the so-called “kiddie tax” increased to $900 in 2008. Children will pay no income tax on the first $900 of unearned income, such as capital gains or interest from a savings account, and will be taxed at their own rate (most likely 10%) on the next $900 (0% for longterm capital gains). Unearned income over $1,800 is taxed at the parents’ rate. For tax year 2008, the kiddie tax will apply not only to children under the age of 18 at the close of the tax year but to any children who continue to qualify to be claimed as a dependent and who are not contributing more than 50% of their own support under the age of 19. The age increases to 24 if the child is a full time student. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate - The 5% tax rate of qualified dividends and net capital gains is reduced to 0% for 2008. The 15% rate has remained unchanged. Charitable Contributions - Beginning August 17, 2006, any donations of clothing and household items won’t be deductible unless the donated items are in good used or better condition. This means that the IRS may deny a deduction for any item that has minimal monetary value. However, this rule does not apply to a contribution of any single item for which a deduction of more than $500 is claimed and for which you include a qualified appraisal and Form 8283 with your tax return. Beginning in 2007, and all years thereafter, you may no longer deduct contributions made in cash or by check unless you can produce a bank record or a receipt, letter, or other written communication from the charitable organization. This should include the organization’s name and address, the date and location of the gift, and a description of property. This requirement applies to all “cash” contributions, regardless of the amount of the donation. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. You may be able to take the EIC if: ■ A child lived with you and you earned less than $38,646 ($41,646 if married filing jointly), or ■ A child did not live with you and you earned less than $12,880 ($15,880 if married filing jointly). The maximum investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $2,950. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child - In 2005, to simplify the tax law, the definition of a ‘qualified child’ changed for taxpayers who claim a child as a dependent, elect Head of Household status, or take the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child or Dependent Care Credit. To meet this new definition, the person needs to be your child, sibling (or descendent of either), adopted or foster child. The child must be under either (1) age 19; (2) under age 24 if a student, or (3) any age if permanently and totally disabled. Also, the child must be either a citizen, resident or national of the United States and must have the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of the year. The child must not provide more than one-half of his/her own support for the year. Refundable Child Tax Credit - For 2008, if the allowable child tax credit is greater than the total tax liability, the taxpayer is eligible for a refundable credit equal to the lesser of 15% of earned income in excess of $8,500 or the remainder 12 Seafarers LOG of the eligible nonrefundable credit. Educator Expenses - The deduction for eligible educator expenses, $250, has been extended as an eligible deduction for 2008 and 2009. Tuition and Fees Deductions - Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach new Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Note that many who qualify for the tuition and fees deduction may reap greater tax savings by instead claiming the Hope credit or the lifetime learning credit for a particular student. First Time Homebuyer Credit - This credit is available if you bought a main home from an unrelated party after April 8, 2008 and before July 1, 2009 and did not own a main home in the prior 3 years. If the purchase is completed during the eligible period in 2009, you may elect to treat it as having been made on December 31, 2008 or later file an amended 2008 return. The credit is the lesser of 10% of the purchase price of the home or $7,500. The credit is phased out for taxpayers with modified AGI of $75,000 or $150,000 for joint filers. Although termed a credit, it must be repaid with your tax return filing evenly over 15 years or when the home is sold if earlier. The repayments begin 2 years after receiving the credit. If the residence is located in D.C., a home must not be owned within the prior 1 year and the maximum credit is $5,000. The credit is phased-out with modified AGI between $70,000 and $90,000 or $110,000 and $130,000 for joint filers. Six-Month Automatic Extensions -Individuals will be able to file Form 4868 to get an automatic six-month extension of time to file. Also, almost all states have indicated they are following the IRS’s lead. Donations of Automobiles - There is a limit on the charitable contribution of used motor vehicles (with a claimed value in excess of $500) to the gross sales price received by the charity for the subsequent sale of the donated vehicle, rather than the fair market value. A charitable organization must provide the donor with Form 1098-C. Combat Pay - Some military personnel receiving combat pay get larger tax credits because of two law changes. The new law counts excludable combat pay as income when figuring the Child Tax Credit and gives the taxpayer the option of counting or ignoring combat pay when figuring the Earned Income Tax Credit. Counting combat pay as income when calculating these credits does not change the exclusion of combat pay from taxable income. Exclusion of Income for Volunteer Firefighters and EMTs - Beginning in 2008, volunteers can exclude the following from gross income: Rebates or reductions of property or income taxes provided by a state or local government Payments received from a state or local government for services performed up to a maximum of $30 a month for each month served Sales Tax Deduction - Taxpayers who itemize deductions will have a choice of claiming a state and local tax deduction for either sales or income taxes on their 2008 return. The IRS will provide optional tables for use in determining the deduction amount, relieving taxpayers of the need to save receipts throughout the year. Sales taxes paid on motor vehicles and boats may be added to the table amount, but only up to the amount paid at the general sales tax rate. Taxpayers will check a box on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, to indicate whether their deduction is for sales or income taxes. Mortgage Insurance Premiums May Be Deductible Many homeowners are paying mortgage insurance premiums which are now deductible as part of the mortgage interest deduction. This deduction begins at the start of 2007 and expires at the end of 2010. Mortgage insurance provided by the Veterans Administration, the Federal Housing Administration, the Rural Housing Administration, and private mortgage insurance companies all qualify for the deduction. Debt Forgiveness - Taxpayers can exclude up to $2 million of debt forgiven on their principal residence. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return. This provision applies to debt forgiven in 2007, 2008 or 2009. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure qualifies for this relief. Use Form 982 to claim the exclusion. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is a parallel tax calculation method. Unlike the regular tax computation, the AMT disregards certain deductions, adds in certain income, and has a higher exemption amount. For 2008, the AMT exemption amount increased slightly: $46,500 for single filers, $69,950 for married people filing jointly and for qualifying widows or widowers, and $34,975 for married people filing separately. Starting in 2007, and applicable in 2008, taxpayers may receive a refundable credit for any used prior year minimum tax credit that has been carried forward from year 2003 or earlier. Additionally, new laws allow taxpayers to use most refundable personal credits to offset AMT liability. These include the dependent care, HOPE and Lifetime Learning education credits and the District of Columbia first-time homebuyer’s credit. Taxpayers should use carryover worksheets they have or AMT tax forms from earlier years in order to prepare their 2008 returns. TAX TIPS FO HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. ■ Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. ■ Itemized deductions and tax credits. ■ Medical and dental payment records. ■ Real estate and personal property tax receipts. ■ Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. ■ Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-800272-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit web sites www.officialpayments.com or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 73b, 73c and 73d on their Form 1040. Line 73b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 73c indicates the type of account, and line 73d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. If an individual prepared his or her own return, a preparer or transmitter in their area can file the return electronically. For a list of who can file a tax return electronically in any given area, visit the IRS web site at: www.irs.gov. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption—for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents has increased to $3,500 per person. In 2008, the exemption deduction for high income taxpayers may be reduced or eliminated if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction Has Increa standard deduction, or dollar amount reduces the amount that is taxed, has for most people (see box on this page of this increase, it may be to an indiv benefit to take the standard deduction even if that person has itemized dedu the past. Personal Interest Deductions: F personal interest cannot be deducted. interest includes interest on car loans cards, personal loans and tax deficien Interest on Secured Loans Dedu Interest paid on mortgages or investm 100 percent deductible. Union Dues Deduction: Union d including working dues, are deductib they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gro If they do, only the portion over the 2 deductible. SPAD contributions have been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: No deduc permitted for club dues; however, du professional or public service organiz deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Percen Adjusted Gross Income: These incl ment advisory fees, trustee’s adminis fees, legal expenses that are paid to p taxable income, unreimbursed emplo expenses, safe deposit box rental and ration fees. Deducting Work-Related Expen Expenses associated with a seaman’s be considered tax deductible. Howev expense can be deducted for which a has been reimbursed by the employer the union hall to register or travel to designated medical facility to take th physical and drug tests are examples es which are work-related but not rei by the company. Members of the gal may deduct the costs of knives and o ment they personally own but use wh ship performing their work duties. Th of work-related clothing and other ge as it is truly for work and not paid fo employer, are likely to be considered deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car E Use of a personally owned automobi related travel can result in deductible Two methods can be used to comput bile expenses—either listing a standa rate or determining actual cost. On th return due April 15 of this year, the I accepting a standard mileage rate. T 50.5 cents a mile from January 1 to J 58.5 cents a mile from July 1 to Dece Parking fees and tolls can be added w the standard mileage rate. If using ac expenses, information must be availa operating-related costs for the vehicl ing interest, insurance, taxes, license nance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, parking. In either the standard mileage rate actual cost method of determining ca accurate records should be kept. The ommends keeping a log book or diar expenses related to travel. Only work expenses not reimbursed by an emplo claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals Traveling: Workers in transportation allowed a special rate on the meal all $52 per day in the continental U.S. a day outside the continental U.S. Othe IRS standard meal allowance is gene In some locations it is $58, and in Ha Alaska it is computed differently. Tra expenses, including meals, can only b ed if directly related to one’s work an have not been reimbursed from any o source. STANDARD DEDUCTION This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or olde blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,050 for a married person or “sp or $1,350 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,500. Filing Status Standard De Single.......................................................................................................................$ 5 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children.......$1 Married filing separate return...................................................................................$ Head of household..................................................................................................$ For 2008, taxpayers who claim the standard deduction and who are also home o may add the lesser of state and local property taxes paid or $500 ($1,000 in the cas joint filers) to the above amounts. February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:20 AM Page 13 FOR MARINERS ncreased: The mount that d, has increased s page). Because n individual’s duction this year d deductions in ons: For 2008, ucted. Personal loans, credit eficiencies. Deductible: nvestments is nion dues, ductible only if ed gross income. r the 2 percent is s have never deduction is er, dues paid to rganizations are . ercent of e include investdministrative id to produce employee al and tax prepaExpenses: man’s work may However, no hich a seaman ployer. Travel to vel to the union’s ake the required mples of expensnot reimbursed he galley crew and other equipuse when on a ies. The purchase her gear, as long aid for by the idered taxCar Expenses: omobile in workuctible expenses. ompute automostandard mileage On the tax , the IRS is ate. The rate is 1 to June 30 and o December 31. dded when using ing actual available on all vehicle, includcenses, maintes, oil, tolls and ge rate or the ing car expenses, t. The IRS recr diary listing all y work-related employer can be Meals When rtation are eal allowance of U.S. and $58 per . Otherwise the s generally $45. in Hawaii and ly. Travel only be deductork and if they any other r older or or “spouse” ion is d Deduction .....$ 5,450 ....$10,900 ......$5,450 ....$ 8,000 ome owners he case of There has been a tax court case (Johnson v. Comm. 115 TC210[2000]) where a merchant seaman was denied a full deduction for the full M & IE rates. The court ruled that in situations where meals are provided at no cost, the incidental expense rate allowable as an itemized deduction is limited to $3 a day (in the continental U.S.) and rates ranging from $1 to $53 in other areas. In lieu of these rates, to the extent you have receipts, a higher deduction amount may be allowed. Limit on Itemized Deductions: In 2008, itemized deductions may be limited for individuals earning more than $159,950 of federal adjusted gross income (or $79,975 if married and filing separately). Earned Income Credit: A refundable earned income credit (EIC) is available to certain individuals who have earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income thresholds. For tax year 2008, an individual does not have to have a qualifying child to be eligible for this credit if certain conditions are met. Different credit percentages and phase-out percentages are provided based on the taxpayer’s income level and the number of qualifying children eligible, if any. The maximum credit allowed is as follows: Taxpayers with income less than $12,880 and no qualifying children—$438 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $33,995 and with 1 qualifying child— $2,917 maximum credit; taxpayers with income less than $38,646 and with 2 or more qualifying children—$4,824 maximum credit. If the earned income credit reduces the income tax liability below zero, a refund will be granted by the IRS. Taxpayers should use form 1040, schedule EIC, to see if they are eligible for the credit. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Child Tax Credit: In 2008, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $1,000 per child. The credit begins to phase out when modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or $55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately. The maximum earned income amount used to figure the additional child tax credit has decreased to $8,500. Credit for Higher Education Tuition: Individuals may be able to take the “HOPE” credit for tuition and related expenses paid for oneself, spouse or dependents to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution (i.e., college or graduate school or vocational training). The HOPE credit provides a maximum allowable credit of $1,850 per student for each of the first two years of postsecondary education. For qualified expenses paid after Jan. 1, 2008, taxpayers can take the “Lifetime Learning Credit,” that is a credit of 20 percent of qualified tuition expenses paid by the taxpayer, up to $10,000 for any year (after that date) the HOPE credit is not claimed. This credit is not limited to the first two years of postsecondary education. Also, no credits are available for expenses of a student in any year that tax-free distributions from an education IRA are used to pay the student’s expenses. These credits are subject to income limitations. The phase-out of the credits begins for single taxpayers when modified AGI reaches $48,000, and completely phases out when modified AGI reaches $58,000. For joint filers, the phase-out range is $96,000 to $116,000. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning Credit are not available to taxpayers married filing separately. In 2008, the Lifetime Learning Credit will be $2,000. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Individual Retirement Accounts: ■ Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) – Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary educa- February 2009 tion expenses. However, expenses used to claim the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit will not qualify for tax-free treatment. ■ Traditional IRAs - The contribution limit to a traditional IRA in 2008 is $5,000. If a taxpayer reaches age 50 before 2008, the most that can be contributed will be $6,000. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range increased to $53,000-$63,000 for single, head of household, and $85,000-$105,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er). Also, solely for the purpose of figuring the $100,000 modified AGI limit on eligibility to make qualified rollover distributions from a Traditional IRA to Roth IRA, minimum required distributions from IRAs and other qualified plans received in tax year beginning with 2006 are excluded from modified AGI. ■ Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $5,000. If a taxpayer reaches age 50 before 2008, the most that can be contributed will be $6,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $101,000 and $116,000, for joint filers with an AGI between $159,000 and $169,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. ■ Penalty-Free IRA Distributions – The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax penalty also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a first-time homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual’s lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. Also, the tax penalty does not apply to distributions for an individual’s disability, medical care, or to a beneficiary after death of the individual. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2008, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: ■ Jones Act settlements for lost wages. ■ Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. ■ Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. ■ Canceled debts. ■ State income tax refunds. ■ Rents. ■ Repayments. ■ Royalties. ■ ■ Unemployment benefits Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. ■ Endowments. ■ Original Issue Discount. ■ Distributions from self-employed plans. ■ Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). ■ Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. ■ Lump-sum distributions. ■ Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). ■ Accumulation distributions from trusts. ■ Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). ■ Earned income from sources outside the United States. ■ Director’s fees. ■ Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. ■ Embezzled or other illegal income. WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: ■ Benefits from government welfare programs. ■ Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs. ■ Maintenance and Cure. ■ Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. ■ Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. ■ Child support. ■ Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. ■ Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. ■ Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. ■ Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. ■ Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2009, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. WHERE IS MY REFUND? In 2004, the IRS launched a new program that allows taxpayers to trace their refunds online. If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the web site at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the Refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. WHERE TO GET INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answers questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:20 AM Page 14 Notice/Reminder New NMC Medical Guidelines Finalized In Charleston, S.C., the USNS Seay loads MRAPs for action in Iraq. A roll-on/roll-off discharge facility is attached to the stern ramp of the USNS Pililaau during a military run-through off the coast of Red Beach in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Fittingly named, the USNS Supply (above, right) performs underway replenishment for the USS George Washington in the Persian Gulf. The photo at right, taken in the South China Sea, shows a weapons off-load between the USS Ronald Reagan (left) and USNS Flint as seen from an SH60 helicopter. The Flint is crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division. Union Mariners Support Our Troops SIU members have a long history of ably manning U.S.-flag military support ships. That tradition is alive and well today, as Seafarers sail aboard many different types of vessels which in turn support the troops. Those ships include tankers, roll-on/roll-off vessels, ammunition ships and many others. Pictured on this page are just a few of the Seafarers-crewed ships sailing as part of the nation’s fourth arm of defense. The prepositioning vessel USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez off-loads Marine cargo for military exercise “Cobra Gold” in the Gulf of Thailand. Notice/Reminder SHBP Medical Department Elaborates on MSC Physical Examination Guidelines Editor’s note: The following notice is a slightly modified version of a document prepared by Dr. Kenneth Miller, Medical Director of the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan’s Medical Department, for use by clinic employees. The information is relevant to Seafarers, too, including members of the SIU Government Services Division. As many Seafarers know, the Military Sealift Command (MSC) of the U.S. Navy has issued revised medical history and physical examination forms and guidance documents for the performance of physical examinations for fitness for duty requirements for individuals in the U.S. maritime industry. MSC has jurisdiction over two separate branches of the maritime fleet: mariners who are civil service employees of MSC (CIVMARS) and mariners who are employed by MSCcontracted shipping companies (CONMARS). SHBP-contracted clinics perform physical examinations only for those mariners who are employed as CONMARS (contracted mariners) on behalf of the SIU’s MSC-contracted companies. MSC utilizes only one set of government forms and issues the same set of guidelines for both classes of mariners. For the most part, from the clinic’s perspective, the difference between the two groups is not significant with respect to the performance of the required medical examinations. Recent changes in the forms and medical guidance require the use of Department of Defense (DOD) forms and U.S. Navy active duty criteria for the determination of fitness for duty at 14 Seafarers LOG sea aboard military-support vessels. These changes are reflected in the new forms which are currently being implemented. Since the SHBP-contracted clinics provide services only to CONMARS, the Plan has adapted these forms for the evaluation of CONMARS. With respect to the clinical guidance for medical examiners performing MSC physical examinations, the agency has relied upon two separate sources: COMSCINST 6000.1D (Chapter 5: Physical Standards) NAVMED P-117 (Section I Article 15-1 to 15-5 & Section III Article 15-30 to 15-61)—US Navy Manual of the Medical Department The SHBP has distributed both of these documents to the SHBP contracted clinics. When examiners are determining whether or not mariners are fit for duty for MSC positions, both documents should be utilized. As stated in COMSCINST 6000.1D, Section 5.6(b) “Physical Standards,” medical conditions listed in NAVMED P-117 “are generally considered disqualifying except as specified in the next paragraph, c.” Examiners should familiarize themselves with COMSCINST 6000.1D section 5.6 (c) “Amplifying Guidance on Specific Conditions.” If a specific medical condition is not covered in this section, examiners should seek guidance in the NAVMED P-117 document. Please be advised that NAVMED P-117 was designed to be implemented for all U.S. Navy active duty personnel and other mariners (CIVMARS and CONMARS) who may be deployed to active combat zones. As such, it may hold CONMARS to a more strict interpretation of the clinical assessment than may be warranted for mariners who are employed in non-MSC commercial shipping positions. As always, all fitness for duty determinations must be made on an individual basis considering all the clinical parameters and employment circumstances of the mariner. The SHBP Medical Department is always available to assist examiners in those situations where a particular condition is not covered or the interpretation of the guidance provided in the documents is unclear. Last year, SIU headquarters distributed to all ports new medical guidelines and hearing and vision standards that the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) began using to evaluate applications for original and renewal merchant mariner documents and licenses. Those guidelines were made final in 2008. The new guidelines are considerably more rigid than the old, officially to help ensure safety and productivity. They include conditions and categories such as hearing and vision loss; body mass index; alcohol and drug dependency/abuse; and a long list of other medical conditions that will require a waiver. Many of the medical conditions on the list are new with the new guidelines. To download the lists of conditions covered in the guidelines, go to the NMC’s web site: www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/2000s.asp#2008 For a waiver form go to: www.uscg.mil/nmc/downloads.asp Mariners with questions are encouraged to contact the NMC’s Medical Evaluation Branch via e-mail at: marinermedical@uscg.mil or call 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662). Following are some tips from the Coast Guard when getting a medical evaluation: ■ Start early – The Coast Guard recommends starting the process six months prior to the expiration of the seafarer’s merchant mariner documentation. Some of the reasons are that mariners may need follow-up examinations, time to get reports and appointments, etc. ■ Be sure to get copies of any recent evaluation reports and medical records concerning current and active conditions. ■ Always tell the truth during the process. Non-disclosure of conditions or falsifying statements is not only a federal offense but will result in not receiving credentials when caught. ■ If issued a waiver that has conditions or additional requirements, follow up on the recommendations fully and right away. ■ If the MMD/z-card is denied, appeal immediately. There is a 60-day deadline to appeal after the denial. A denial letter will be sent by the NMC with instructions for subsequent steps. Additional specific considerations for the evaluation of mariners for MSC positions include the following: Although medications are not covered in either document, MSC has stated that there are only two medications which are absolutely incompatible with MSC service: insulin and coumadin. The use of other medications, such as some psychotropic medications, narcotic pain medications and some cardiac medications must be evaluated in light of the specific underlying conditions for which they are prescribed. In many instances, the presence of these conditions, regardless of medication usage, would preclude clearances for MSC positions. Mariners who are considered “not qualified for MSC duty” should be evaluated for clearance for commercial positions. Mariners who are cleared for commercial positions but not qualified for MSC positions should be issued blue clinic cards with the designation “NO MSC” typed (or written) on the FRONT of the clinic card. As usual, individuals who have chronic medical conditions that are deemed to be unqualified for MSC positions should be issued clinic cards that expire in accordance with the general policy of six-month clinic cards for seafarers who require additional medical monitoring for the medical condition(s) under consideration. If a mariner is determined to be unqualified for MSC service and the “NO MSC” restriction is placed upon the clinic card, a copy of the clinic card must be faxed to the SHBP Medical Department. Mariners who are deemed to be unqualified for MSC positions should be informed that if they wish to apply for a waiver from MSC for a specific medical condition, they may do so by contacting the MSC directly or the SHBP Medical Department for additional guidance. Questions regarding either the medical guidelines or the administrative procedures for implementation of the physical examinations should be directed to the SHBP Medical Department, P.O. Box 210, MD 20674, (301) 994-0010, extension 5264. February 2009 �52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:54 AM Page 15 Personal Michael Gramer Please contact Nick Van-Beek by phone at (415) 3874536 or via email at snwag2000@yahoo.com Correction An article in the December edition of the LOG listed New York as the home port of Recertified Bosun Joe Casalino. Brother Casalino started his SIU career in New York but has shipped from the San Francisco/Oakland hall for the last 15 years. March & April 2009 Membership Meetings Piney Point......................................Monday: March 2, April 6 Algonac .............................................Friday: March 6, April 10 Baltimore........................................Thursday: March 5, April 9 Boston ...............................................Friday: March 6, April 10 Guam...........................................Thursday: March 19, April 23 Honolulu .........................................Friday: March 13, April 17 Houston............................................Monday: March 9, April 13 Jacksonville....................................Thursday: March 5, April 9 Joliet...........................................Thursday: March 12, April 16 Mobile......................................Wednesday: March 11, April 15 New Orleans.......................................Tuesday: March 10, April 14 New York..........................................Tuesday: March 3, April 7 Norfolk...........................................Thursday: March 5, April 9 Oakland ......................................Thursday: March 12, April 16 Philadelphia.................................Wednesday: March 4, April 8 Port Everglades ..........................Thursday: March 12, April 16 San Juan .........................................Thursday: March 5, April 9 St. Louis ..........................................Friday: March 13, April 17 Tacoma............................................Friday: March 20, April 24 Wilmington........................................Monday: March 16, April 20 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Attention Seafarers Another New Ship! SPAD Works For You! Holiday Closure Please be advised that—unless an emergency arises—SIU Headquarters and all SIU hiring halls will be closed Monday, Feb. 16 for the observance of Presidents’ Day. Normal business hours will resume at all affected locations the following workdays. Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea December 16, 2008 — January 15, 2009 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Totals Totals Totals Totals Totals All Departments February 2009 DECK DEPARTMENT 16 2 0 3 1 0 7 4 4 1 1 5 5 0 0 12 1 0 3 4 1 0 8 7 1 8 34 27 1 8 9 30 16 13 4 0 4 0 29 17 0 2 4 8 5 7 17 12 2 5 5 16 11 7 3 1 5 0 16 13 0 0 0 2 1 1 2 4 0 0 0 2 3 2 0 11 1 0 2 2 0 0 4 6 0 3 19 9 0 1 6 17 9 6 1 1 0 0 15 10 6 1 6 23 4 15 67 62 1 24 25 72 21 44 10 1 14 6 60 60 9 8 5 25 7 9 52 29 8 14 15 53 28 14 7 3 17 9 42 37 18 3 1 7 4 0 9 4 4 2 3 10 6 4 0 4 2 0 8 7 287 202 69 217 139 33 107 522 391 96 1 0 7 4 1 12 18 24 0 9 8 14 7 9 3 3 7 0 15 15 5 0 6 3 4 4 15 10 2 7 4 13 16 9 2 0 3 1 9 12 4 0 0 1 0 1 1 3 1 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 157 125 20 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 1 4 5 0 7 11 15 0 5 6 13 2 6 1 0 2 0 9 12 1 1 5 6 1 4 7 11 0 0 3 3 12 6 1 0 3 0 8 8 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 9 7 0 0 1 5 6 3 0 0 4 0 7 8 1 0 7 12 1 20 30 40 1 17 10 28 14 15 5 3 7 1 20 20 6 3 9 11 7 6 23 20 3 13 7 24 27 10 3 1 5 2 20 15 4 0 0 3 1 0 1 5 1 1 1 5 2 5 0 0 1 1 3 4 99 80 6 55 252 215 38 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 1 0 4 4 3 12 18 12 0 6 5 22 9 14 0 4 2 2 13 31 3 1 1 9 5 3 4 13 0 2 3 6 12 4 2 1 1 3 4 2 4 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 162 79 11 Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 7 2 5 16 5 4 16 18 7 8 10 20 15 8 4 1 9 6 26 15 Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington Trip Reliefs 6 0 6 13 2 10 35 41 1 12 13 36 11 26 5 0 6 2 33 29 Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 0 0 0 3 2 10 17 7 0 2 3 15 8 7 1 0 0 1 12 20 0 2 2 0 0 3 5 10 0 2 3 9 7 1 2 0 0 2 5 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 5 0 5 11 2 0 1 0 11 2 5 0 0 1 1 5 8 2 0 3 8 3 24 31 32 0 11 11 39 16 34 2 7 6 4 28 40 4 1 2 14 5 5 9 16 1 3 1 7 17 4 1 2 3 4 6 6 4 0 0 0 3 2 0 3 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 110 57 4 59 301 111 17 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 1 0 1 0 0 5 5 0 0 1 2 5 0 6 0 0 1 0 4 3 14 2 7 4 0 6 17 22 2 9 7 28 19 11 1 2 2 0 12 9 12 1 1 8 4 6 3 14 3 3 1 8 14 9 0 28 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 2 2 2 11 18 6 0 4 2 9 4 11 0 0 1 0 9 4 0 0 1 4 0 0 3 3 0 1 1 5 3 3 0 25 0 0 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 4 9 4 0 1 3 15 1 9 0 0 1 0 9 5 15 2 5 9 0 11 30 40 3 12 10 52 34 17 1 3 7 0 24 23 13 1 2 17 5 12 5 27 3 7 5 13 31 17 0 11 0 0 2 16 34 174 119 16 85 56 0 66 298 187 640 580 219 442 361 99 221 1141 1015 338 Seafarers LOG 15 �52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:29 AM Page 16 Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, 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 BOSTON Marine Industrial Park/EDIC 5 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210 (617) 261-0790 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 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 Deadline Nears to Apply For 2009 SHBP Scholarships Seafarers and dependents who are interested in furthering their education don’t have much time left to apply for the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan 2009 Scholarship Program. The application deadline is April 15. Designed to ease the financial challenges associated with college and vocational studies, this year’s SHBP Scholarship Program will offer eight awards. Three of these offerings specifically are designated for Seafarers and five have been targeted for spouses and dependents. One of the Seafarers scholarships totals $20,000 and is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, college-level course of study. The remaining two are for $6,000 each and are designed as two-year awards for study at a postsecondary vocational school or community college. The five scholarships for spouses and dependents are for $20,000 apiece. The first step in the application process is to send for the 2009 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet. The package contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. To obtain a copy of this handout, interested individuals need only complete the form which appears above and return it to the address provided. The packages also are available at SIU halls. Please send me the 2009 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name ................................................................................................................................ Street Address ................................................................................................................. City, State, Zip Code ...................................................................................................... Telephone Number ..........( This application is for: ).................................................................................... Self Dependent Mail this completed form to: Scholarship Program Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility criteria to determine if they are eligible to participate. They should also begin collecting and assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit with the full application. All required materials must be received by the SHBP Scholarship Program Office by April 15. Items that need to be incorporated in the final application package include transcripts and certificates of graduation. Letters of recommendation – 2/09 solicited from individuals who know the applicant’s character, personality and career goals – also should be included as part of the application package. A high-quality photograph and a certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate are also required and should accompany the package. Seafarers and dependents who previously applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements. For Seafarers 401(k) Participants Morgan Stanley-Citi Venture Means Business as Usual – Maybe Better The recently announced joint venture between Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Inc.’s Smith Barney should be seamless for participants in the Seafarers 401(k) Plan. A communication sent last month from Smith Barney to Seafarers Plans and SIU officials summed it up as follows: The new venture “means we remain at the same desk in the same office with the same support staff, just new stationary and a new business card. It in no way affects your plan, accounts, investments or our relationship.” The message continued, “This new partnership will greatly enhance our ability to provide you with unmatched advice and the superior client service that has long characterized both the Morgan Stanley and Smith Barney organizations. Indeed, as our valued client, you will be able to access the extensive global networks of both firms to get the best market intelligence and investment opportunities.” According to news reports, the new entity is expected to employ more than 20,000 brokers in 1,000 branches. The combined firm will be called Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. The Seafarers 401(k) Plan launched in January 2008. Pic-From-The-Past NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOG The Waterman owned and SIU-crewed Chickasaw in January 1953 was berthed at Bethlehem Steel Co. Inc.’s 56th Street Yard in Brooklyn, N.Y., following a mishap in New York Harbor. The vessel was entering the harbor in a dense fog when she collided with the U.S. Lines’ American Leader. The incident, which left a gaping hole in the Chickasaw’s bow, occurred between the Narrows and Governors Island. No injuries were sustained by crews of either vessel. The Chickasaw later proceeded to Bush Terminal where she was repaired. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:21 AM Page 17 Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. Welcome Ashore DEEP SEA KEVIN BERTEL Brother Kevin Bertel, 55, started sailing with the Seafarers in 1973 as a member of the engine department. His first voyage was on the Bethex. Brother Bertel often took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. He was last employed aboard the SLMP-853 Tacoma. Brother Bertel was born in Omaha, Neb., and now makes his home in Tacoma, Wash. MICHAEL BORDERS Brother Michael Borders, 53, joined the union in 1971 while training in Piney Point, Md. He initially sailed on the James. Brother Borders was born in Virginia and shipped in the steward department. He upgraded frequently at the union-affiliated school. Brother Borders’ final ship was the Performance. He resides in Portsmouth, Va. GARY COATS Brother Gary Coats, 70, became an SIU member in 1981. The Iowa native shipped in the deck department. Brother Coats first went to sea aboard the Independence. In 2000, he visited the Piney Point school to enhance his seafaring abilities. Brother Coats most recently sailed on the Eric G. Gibson. He lives in Mauritius. LEOCADIO COLON Brother Leocadio Colon, 77, donned the SIU colors in 1996 while in the port of New York. He originally shipped aboard the USNS Denebola. Brother Colon attended classes on numerous occasions at the Seafarers-affiliated school in Maryland. The deck department member was born in Honduras. Brother Colon’s final trip was on the Overseas New Orleans. He is a resident of Paterson, N.J. February 2009 ANSELMO LOPEZ Brother Anselmo Lopez, 67, joined the SIU in 1991 while in the port of New York. He originally shipped in the steward department aboard the Independence. Brother Lopez enhanced his skills often at the unionaffiliated school in Piney Point, Md. His final voyage was on the Maersk Georgia. Brother Lopez was born in Honduras but makes his home in Brooklyn, N.Y. ROBERT MULVANEY Brother Robert Mulvaney, 65, started sailing with the union in 1991. His earliest trip to sea was aboard the USNS Lynch. Brother Mulvaney, a member of the engine department, was born in New Jersey. In 1996 and 2000, he took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Piney Point school. Brother Mulvaney’s last ship was the USNS Denebola. He settled in his native state. FELIPEPITO ORLANDO Brother Felipepito Orlando, 63, joined the Seafarers in 1987. He was initially employed on the USNS Persistent. Brother Orlando was a member of the steward department. He was born in the Philippines. Brother Orlando upgraded at the Piney Point school on numerous occasions. His most recent voyage was aboard the Virginian. Brother Orlando lives in Chesapeake, Va. THOMAS PALBITSKA Brother Thomas Palbitska, 66, was born in Bremerton, Wash. He became an SIU member in 1993. Brother Palbitska first worked on the Cape Victory; his final trip to sea was aboard Seabulk Pride. He attended classes at the Paul Hall Center in 2001. Brother Palbitska sailed in the deck department. He resides in Las Vegas. INLAND DANIEL COX Brother Daniel Cox, 62, was born in California. He started sailing with the union in 1980. Brother Cox primarily shipped with Crowley Towing & Transportation of Wilmington. He makes his home in Cypress, Calif. WILLIAM DIZE Brother William Dize, 60, joined the SIU ranks in 1986. He mainly sailed aboard vessels operated by the Association of Maryland Pilots. Brother Dize was born in Virginia but settled in Ewell, Md. Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG 1953 During an incident investigation, the U.S. Coast Guard hailed the SIU crew of the Angelina as exhibiting “superb seamanship” for preventing a disaster in the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. The incident occurred at midnight when a ship proceeding through the canal ahead of the Angelina collided with the oil barge F.L. Hayes, causing an explosion that flew burning gasoline that enveloped the Angelina from stem to stern. Awakened out of sleep by alarms, the Angelina crew quickly responded and saved the ship from flames shooting higher than the masts and burning so hot they were blistering paint. 1962 Two SIU-contracted ships, the Rose Knot and the Coastal Sentry, were part of the global network BRUCE GODFREY Brother Bruce Godfrey, 57, became a union member in 1976. His earliest trip to sea was on an Allied Towing vessel. Brother Godfrey was born in North Carolina. He enhanced his skills frequently at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Brother Godfrey last sailed with OSG Ship Management. He resides in Jacksonville, Fla. RUSSELL JEWETT Brother Russell Jewett, 65, began shipping with the Seafarers in 1973. He initially worked with Michigan Interstate Railway. Brother Jewett was born in Cheboygan, Mich. In 1981, he attended classes at the Piney tracking stations which maintained communications with Mercury astronaut John Glenn as he made three orbits around the world. While details were limited by security, it is reported one of the ships was stationed off the coast of Africa and the other was in the Indian Ocean. This Month In SIU History 1975 Manned by a crack SIU crew, the newly built supertanker TT Williamsburgh embarked on her maiden voyage on Jan. 2 from New York Harbor to the Persian Gulf and Europe. The 225,000 dwt Williamsburgh was built by SIU-affiliated UIW shipbuilders at the Seatrain Point school. Brother Jewett most recently sailed aboard the Sugar Island. He lives in Hart, Mich. GREAT LAKES SCOTT CORISTINE Brother Scott Coristine, 55, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1972 from Detroit, Mich. His first ship was the U.S. Gypsum; his most recent was the St. Clair. Brother Coristine was born in Michigan. He worked in both the engine and deck departments during his seafaring career. Brother Coristine upgraded on three occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. He calls Lascassas, Tenn., home. Shipbuilding Yard in the former Brooklyn, N.Y., Navy Yard. The six-story supertanker was sold to the General Electric Co. Credit Corp. and its agent the Wilmington Trust Co. for a 25-year bareboat charter to Kingsway Tankers Inc., which timechartered the vessel for 25 years to American Petrofina Inc., a subsidiary of Belgium Petrofina S.A. 1991 As the progression of the Persian Gulf War unfolds, press reports state that some foreign seamen have refused to sail on ships assigned to carry American cargo to the area of conflict, including seamen from nations supposedly allied to the U.S. During congressional testimony, SIU President Michael Sacco pointed out the continued unreliability of foreign mariners on flag-of-convenience ships when it comes to ensuring U.S. troops receive materiel in regions of crisis. Seafarers LOG 17 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:21 AM Page 18 Final Depar tures DEEP SEA JOSEPH EBBOLE Pensioner Joseph Ebbole, 84, passed away Oct. 1. Brother Ebbole became a Seafarer in 1954. He was born in Illinois. Brother Ebbole initially shipped in the deck department of an Emerson Steamship Company vessel. Prior to his retirement in 1989, he worked aboard the Liberator. Brother Ebbole lived in Las Vegas. IRVIN GORGAS Pensioner Irvin Gorgas, 83, died Nov. 5. Brother Gorgas was born in Chicago. He started shipping with the union in 1944 from the port of New York. Brother Gorgas first sailed aboard the Kyska. The steward department member last shipped on the Overseas Arctic. Brother Gorgas retired in 1980 and called Covington, La., home. HUBERT JACKSON Pensioner Hubert Jackson, 78, passed away Nov. 28. Brother Jackson joined the SIU in 1956 while in the port of Houston. His first ship was operated by Terminal Steamship Company. Brother Jackson was born in Sampson, N.C., and shipped in the deck department. His final voyage was aboard the Explorer. He went on pension in 1991 and resided in Newton Grove, N.C. DEWEY JORDAN Pensioner Dewey Jordan, 81, died July 14. Brother Jordan signed on with the union in 1946. His earliest trip to sea was on the Alcoa Pilgrim. Brother Jordan was born in North Carolina and sailed in the deck department. His last ship was the Cape Orlando. Brother Jordan became a pensioner in 1989 and settled in Wilmer, Ala. 18 Seafarers LOG JOHN LYONS Pensioner John Lyons, 87, passed away July 20. Brother Lyons first donned the SIU colors in 1973. His first voyage was aboard the Falcon Lady. Brother Lyons, a member of the engine department, was born in Massachusetts. His final trip to sea was on the Brooks Range. Brother Lyons began receiving his pension in 1988 and made Perris, Calif., home. ARTHUR MACHADO Pensioner Arthur Machado, 67, died Nov. 22. Brother Machado became a union member in 1968. He initially worked in the deck department of an Atlantic Carriers Inc. vessel. Brother Machado was born in New Orleans. He most recently shipped aboard the USNS Altair. Brother Machado retired in 2003. He was a resident of Belle Chase, La. He joined the union in 1967 and initially worked on the Alcoa Trader. Brother Richman shipped as a member of the engine department. He was last employed aboard the Integrity. Brother Richman resided in Jacksonville, Fla., and retired in 1996. JUAN RODRIGUEZ Pensioner Juan Rodriguez, 78, died June 24. Brother Rodriguez first donned the SIU colors in 1951 while in the port of Houston. His first voyage was on a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. Brother Rodriguez was born in Mexico and sailed in the engine department. His final trip to sea was aboard the Atlantic. Brother Rodriguez became a pensioner in 1991 and settled in Galveston, Texas. JAMES MIJARES VIRGILIO ROMERO Pensioner James Mijares, 91, passed away July 14. Brother Mijares joined the SIU ranks in 1961. His first trip to sea was on a Colonial Steamship Company vessel. Brother Mijares sailed in the steward department. He was born in the Philippines. Before retiring in 1982, Brother Mijares shipped on the Galveston. He lived in Spring Valley, Calif. Pensioner Virgilio Romero, 81, passed away Oct. 7. Brother Romero, a member of the engine department, began shipping with the Seafarers in 1977. He originally worked on a vessel operated by CSX Lines. Brother Romero was born in the Philippines. Prior to his retirement in 1996, he sailed aboard the USNS Silas Bent. Brother Romero was a resident of San Francisco. JUAN OQUENDO Pensioner Juan Oquendo, 87, died July 4. Brother Oquendo signed on with the Seafarers in 1943 while in the port of New York. He was born in Puerto Rico and worked in the steward department. Brother Oquendo’s final voyage was aboard the San Juan. He went on pension in 1986 and called Uniondale, N.Y., home. EVERETT RICHMAN Pensioner Everett Richman, 78, passed away Nov. 17. Brother Richman was born in Norfolk, Va. VICTOR TAMULIS JOHN SMITH Pensioner Victor Tamulis, 81, passed away Nov. 18. Brother Tamulis joined the SIU ranks in 1955. He first shipped with Atlantic Carriers as a member of the deck department. Brother Tamulis was born in Greenfield, Mass. His last ship was the Commitment. Brother Tamulis went on pension in 1994. He lived in Houston. Brother John Smith, 49, passed away June 14. He signed on with the SIU in 1977 while in Piney Point, Md. Brother Smith first sailed on the Consumers Powers. He was born in Philadelphia and shipped in the engine department. Brother Smith most recently worked aboard a Crowley Liner Service vessel. He continued to live in Pennsylvania. INLAND TARLTON LANGELE Pensioner Tarlton Langele, 68, died July 18. Brother Langele was born in Alabama. He originally sailed on a Hudson Waterways vessel. Brother Langele’s most recent trip to sea was aboard the Crescent Mobile. The deck department member began receiving his pension in 2004. Brother Langele continued to live in his native state. JOHN NELSON Brother John Nelson, 52, passed away June 3. He started shipping with the union in 1979. Brother Nelson was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He initially worked in the deck department on the Seabulk Tanker. Brother Nelson’s final ship was the Resolve. He called Fort Myers, Fla., home. RICHARD SCHEMM Pensioner Richard Schemm, 83, died Nov. 25. Brother Schemm joined the Seafarers in 1953 while in the port of New York. He was born in Philadelphia. Brother Schemm originally worked in the deck department of an AH Bull Steamship Company vessel. His final trip to sea was with Energy Ammonia Transportation. Brother Schemm continued to reside in Pennsylvania. He became a pensioner in 1990. GEORGE SADLER Pensioner George Sadler, 86, died July 4. Brother Sadler first donned the SIU colors in 1960. He was initially employed with Pennsylvania Railroad in the port of Norfolk, Va. Brother Sadler was born in Virginia. His last trip to sea was aboard a Penn Central Transportation Company vessel. Brother Sadler started collecting his retirement compensation in 1982. He settled in Gwynn, Va. GREAT LAKES LAWRENCE CURNOW SR. Pensioner Lawrence Curnow, Sr., 67, died Nov. 15. Brother Curnow began his employment with the SIU in 1966. He initially sailed on a Great Lakes Associates vessel. Brother Curnow last shipped aboard the John Boland. He sailed in the deck department and was a resident of his native state of Minnesota. ROBERT LACKEY Pensioner Robert Lackey, 94, passed away July 20. Brother Lackey was born in Canada. He joined the union in 1961. Brother Lackey originally worked with Merritt Chapman & Scott. Before his retirement in 1976, he sailed on a Dunbar & Sullivan vessel. Brother Lackey made his home in Monticello, Fla. Editor’s note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU), have passed away. Name Age Adams, William 86 Amata, John 89 Antoine, Louis 86 Burke, Joseph 94 Carter, Robert 88 Cruz, Anicasio 84 Curtis, Melvin 88 Dwyer, Herbert 83 Ferro, John 95 Francisco, Jose 92 Green, Van 80 Gutow, William 83 Johnson, Jay 80 King, Benson 87 Pena, Robert 83 Reyes, Eladio 85 Salvage, James 68 Sherman, Edward 79 Smallcombe, James 84 Southern, Alan 82 Walka, Edward 81 DOD Nov. 8 Nov. 14 Nov. 24 Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Nov. 26 Dec. 2 Nov. 30 Nov. 18 Nov. 21 Nov. 1 Nov. 20 Nov. 19 Nov. 15 Nov. 29 Nov. 25 Nov. 18 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 2 February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:21 AM Page 19 Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings ALLIANCE NORFOLK (Maersk Line, Limited), Nov. 16 – Chairman Raphael L. James, Secretary Luis A. Caballero, Educational Director Herman Castro. Bosun and crew thanked steward department for good food and service. Secretary expressed gratitude to fellow crew members for helping keep house clean with a special thanks given to SA Rolando Batiz. He announced that clean linen would be distributed prior to arrival in port; please leave for new crew. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Seafarers requested a new washing machine. Suggestion was made to raise pension benefits. CHARGER (Maersk Line, Limited), Nov. 16 – Chairman Robert Pagan Jr., Secretary Alphonso Dixon, Educational Director Andrew J. Linares, Deck Delegate Raymond P. Vicari, Engine Delegate Orlando Guzman, Steward Delegate Valerie Russo. Chairman reported smooth sailing. He asked departing mariners to leave keys in rooms and make sure rooms were neat for arriving crew. He also reminded everyone to get their TWIC card as soon as possible. Educational director urged Seafarers to visit the Paul Hal Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., to upgrade skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation was made regarding requirements for vacation benefits. COMMITMENT (Maersk Line, Limited), Nov. 30 – Chairman James K. Walker, Secretary Stephanie L. Sizemore, Educational Director Dennis Baker, Deck Delegate Reuben M. Brown, Engine Delegate Mark Davis, Steward Delegate Breon A. Lucas. Chairman announced payoff Dec. 5 in Charleston, S.C. It was also reported that room inspection would take place Dec. 3. Educational director encouraged all mariners to stay safe, “We are experiencing rough weather, don’t take any chances, use one hand for rails.” No beefs; disputed OT reported in deck department. It was reiterated that ship was on its last voyage; crew will be moved to new vessel in January 2009. Bosun thanked steward department for keeping the “bellies happy.” Next ports: Charleston, S.C., Houston, and Norfolk, Va. EL MORRO (Interocean American Shipping), Nov. 29 – Chairman Robert T. Grubbs, Secretary Rafeal A. Cardenas, Educational Director Joseph A. Letang. Chairman reminded crew to keep documents current. He also suggested applying early for TWIC cards to avoid the rush as April 2009 is approaching quickly. Educational director talked about the importance of upgrading at the Piney Point school. Meal Time on the Alliance St. Louis The hard-working crew aboard the SIU-contracted Alliance St. Louis deserves only the best when meal time rolls around on the vessel. Ensuring that none of their shipmates leaves the galley dissatisfied during lunch are Chief Cook Vincent Chaver (right), who drops raw food items into the deep fryer; Steward Assistant Christopher Baum (below) on the grill and and Steward Baker Franklyn Cordero who prepares watermelon for the salad bar. Members of the Alliance St. Louis crew regularly voice their appreciation for the efforts of the galley gang. February 2009 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. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Motion was made to decrease time required to qualify for pension benefits and increase wages. GREEN COVE (Central Gulf Lines), Nov. 16 – Chairman Francisco D. Bonilla, Secretary John L. Gibbons Jr., Deck Delegate John Walsh, Engine Delegate Christina Earhart, Steward Delegate Shantay Joquin. Bosun announced payoff in Tacoma, Wash., on Nov. 20 and went over ship’s itinerary. Secretary requested that all crew members see SA prior to signing off to get clean linen. No beefs; disputed OT reported in deck and engine departments. Crew members stated rooms were too cold, and related request was made for portable heaters. Next ports: Vancouver, Canada and Tacoma, Wash. HORIZON ANCHORAGE (Horizon Lines), Nov. 2 – Chairman Dan P. Fleehearty, Secretary Amanda F. Suncin, Educational Director Michael P. Brown. Chairman stated payoff would take place Nov. 4 at sea, with arrival in Tacoma, Wash., later that evening. Secretary asked mariners to help keep crew lounge and laundry clean. Educational director urged Seafarers to upgrade skills often at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. He also reminded everyone to keep all paperwork current. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Heating Aboard SIU Vessel in Jacksonville AB Robert Davis prepares to move cargo aboard the SIU-crewed Westward Venture in the port of Jacksonville, Fla. To accomplish this daunting task, Davis is operating a piece of equipment known as a “hi low.” problems were reported in crew mess hall, which will be discussed with boarding patrolman. Bosun thanked crew members for working well together and keeping inside of house clean. Next ports: Tacoma, Wash., Anchorage, Alaska, and Kodiak, Alaska. HORIZON TRADER (Horizon Lines), Nov. 30 – Chairman Antonio M. Mercado, Secretary Joseph Emidy, Educational Director Thomas M. Flynn, Engine Delegate Victor L. Sapp. Chairman announced payoff in Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 5. Patrolman was requested to come aboard. Chairman expressed his gratitude to steward department for great food during voyage. Educational director advised all mariners to enhance their seafaring abilities at the Paul Hall Center and check out Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School, “it is second to none.” Treasurer reported $985 in crew fund and $1,000 in satellite fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestions were made pertaining to pension benefits and clarification was requested regarding time-off rotations. Next port: Jacksonville, Fla. HOUSTON (USS Transport Lines), Nov. 16 – Chairman John R. Lamprecht, Secretary Robert E. Wilcox, Educational Director Ronald Gordon, Engine Delegate Daniel Daligcon, Steward Delegate Andrew Andrini. Chairman reported that patrolman is expected to visit ship in Galveston, Texas. Secretary thanked crew for helping keep pantry and mess hall clean. He reminded everyone to clean lint filters in dryer to prevent fires and make the dryer work more efficiently. Steward noted that food costs are up due to higher fuel and delivery costs and that food budget needs to be updated. Educational director encouraged members to check out what the union-affiliated school has to offer and keep nec- essary seafaring documents current. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request was made to have crew washing machine fixed. Crew members expressed their appreciation to the steward department. Next ports: Houston and Beaumont, Texas. MAERSK CALIFORNIA (Maersk Line, Limited), Nov. 24 – Chairman Abdul A. Hassan, Secretary John D. Bukowsky, Deck Delegate Glen A. Rogers Jr., Engine Delegate Luis Valencia, Steward Delegate Richard M. Worobey. Chairman reported a smooth and safe voyage. Secretary thanked Seafarers for help keeping ship clean. Treasurer noted $601.00 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. President’s report from the October 2008 Seafarers LOG was read and discussed. Crew members requested company purchase a “region free” DVD player for the crew lounge as the one they have now only plays DVD’s from the Middle East region. Vote of thanks was given to the steward department. Next port: Shuwaikh, Kuwait. MAERSK CONSTELLATION (Maersk Line, Limited), Nov. 16 – Chairman Raynaldo Ramirez, Secretary Steven Dickson, Educational Director Hugh Morrison, Deck Delegate Eddie L. Cathcart, Steward Delegate Jessie Jones. Chairman advised members to check contracts before taking jobs at the union hall to avoid confusion and misunderstandings when you get to the vessel. He sends his congratulations to President-elect Obama. Secretary urged all mariners to get TWIC card ASAP if they wish to work after April 2009. Educational director encouraged crew to take advantage of the Paul Hall Center to increase your opportunities for advancement. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department was thanked for excellent meals and service. Next port: New Orleans. Seafarers LOG 19 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:21 AM Page 20 Maritime Briefs SS Transglobe, Union Crews Inducted into ‘Hall of Fame’ A World War II-era cargo vessel, the SS Transglobe, and its crew were scheduled to be inducted into the National Maritime Hall of Fame in a Jan. 31 ceremony at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. The Transglobe was crewed by NMU, MM&P and MEBA members throughout its service. The vessel originally was designed as a cargo ship for Lykes Brothers Steamship Company. The U.S. Maritime Commission modified its design as a C-4 ship and took it over in 1941. In 1944, the Transglobe successfully completed seven convoy runs through the U-boat packs of the North Atlantic, transporting 13,524 GIs to England. It was later used to make shuttle runs across the English Channel, including during the D-Day invasion. In all, the Transglobe transported a record 201,294 troops, wounded, casualties and other passengers, a number unsurpassed by any merchant ship during WWII. In 1946, the Transglobe was laid up until the Vietnam War. In 1960, the Transglobe was taken out of layup and converted into a roll-on, roll-off vessel. Under government service in 1966, the ship began shuttle service between Naha, DaNang and Saigon. During the ship’s Vietnam service from 1966 to 1972, it became highly acclaimed for delivering troops and materiel under nearly constant fire. At one point during the war, the vessel was cited as being on the Viet Cong’s “most wanted list” for it successful missions. Established in 1982, the National Maritime Hall of Fame is intended to highlight U.S. maritime heritage. U.S. Navy Submarine Order Good News for Union Yards The U.S. Navy has awarded a $14 billion contract for eight nuclear submarines to General Dynamics Corp. The vessels will be built in connection with Northrop Grumman. Work will be done at two union-contracted shipyards that include General Dynamics’ Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., and Northrop Grumman’s Newport News Virginia Shipyard. The AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department, to which the SIU is affiliated, has long contended that an upgrade of the nation’s nuclear submarine fleet is overdue. In addition to creating jobs in a critical sector of the American econo- my, it will enhance U.S. security interests, the MTD has indicated. The orders come at a critical time for the shipyard workers. Late last year, the two ship makers warned Congress that they could be forced to make job cuts if the Navy did not place more orders. MarAd Study Evaluates U.S. Maritime Policy The Maritime Administration has issued a new study that evaluates the projected adequacy of current U.S. maritime policy in meeting the commercial, economic, security and environmental needs of the nation over the next three decades. The report was researched and prepared by IHS Global Insight, Inc., of Lexington, Mass. The 72-page report finds that current U.S. maritime policy only supports America’s domestic maritime trades and is not supportive of U.S. participation in the international trades. However, the study also advises that possible reforms in national policy may lend more support to the U.S. maritime industry. Among other points, the report calls for strong support of the Jones Act and U.S. shipbuilding as well as maritime labor and safety laws. It also calls for greater investment in port development. Further, it backs the marine highway initiative. The full report and its findings are available online at Maritime Administration web site, www.marad.dot.gov Congressional Coalition Calls for Expanded American Shipbuilding The United States government needs to pursue policies that will promote a strong domestic shipbuilding base. That was the conclusion of a bipartisan coalition of 18 senators and more than 40 members of the House of Representatives, who sent letters out to their colleagues late last year. “Expanding American shipbuilding has the dual benefit of strengthening a critical branch of our national defense while bolstering our strained economy,” wrote the senators. “At a time when American manufacturing jobs are moving overseas, we have an opportunity to create highly-skilled jobs for the American manufacturing workforce here at home.” According to these legislators, a priority should be given to reversing the decline of the U.S. Navy, whose fleet has shrunk by roughly 50 percent over the past two decades to the smallest number since before World War II. Without immediate action, the 284 vessels now in the fleet will continue to dwindle. The legislators said that the United States could maintain a 313-vessel Navy if it adopted an annual build rate of 12 vessels. Action also should be taken to ensure the viability of the commercial sector as well, the lawmakers said. The senators and House members highlighted both the economic and homeland security benefits that would accompany such a policy. An estimated 400,000 people in 47 states are employed by the shipbuilding industry, which consists of six major shipbuilding yards, several smaller ship construction and repair yards, and more than 4,000 major manufacturers of ship components and systems. Signing the Senate letter were Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Mel Martinez (RFla.), Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), David Vitter (R-La.), Daniel Akaka (DHawaii) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). A similar House letter was signed by Representatives Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Steve Kagen (DWis.), Robert Brady (D-Pa.), Neil Abercrombie (DHawaii), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Susan Davis (D-Calif.), Rodney Alexander (R-La.), Henry Brown (R-S.C.), Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), John Carter (R-Texas), Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), Randy Forbes (RVa.), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md)., Corrine Brown (D-Fla.), Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), Betty Sutton (D-Ohio), Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), Mike Michaud (D-Maine), Steve Scalise (R-La.), Travis Childers (D-Miss.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio), Joe Wilson (RS.C.), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Steven Rothman (D-N.J.), Gene Green (D-Texas), Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Jo Bonner (RAla.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) and Timothy Bishop (D-N.Y). Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return 20 Seafarers LOG receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVI- TY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:21 AM Page 21 Seafarers Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Schedule The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the next few months of 2009. All programs are geared to improving the job skills of Seafarers and to promoting the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Course Start Date Date of Completion Marine Refrigeration Technician May 4 June 12 Machinist June 1 June 19 Pumpman June 22 July 3 Welding March 2 April 6 May 4 June 1 March 20 April 24 May 22 June 19 Deck Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Date of Completion March 2 April 27 June 22 March 27 May 22 July 17 Automated Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) April 13 April 17 Fast Rescue Boat June 29 July 3 Government Vessels February 23 April 6 June 1 July 27 February 27 April 10 June 5 July 31 Radar March 9 June 8 March 30 March 20 June 19 April 10 Radar Renewal April 20 April 20 Specially Trained Ordinary Seaman May 4 May 15 Tank Ship Familiarization/Assistant Cargo DL February 9 May 18 February 20 May 29 Tank PIC Barge DL May 11 May 15 Able Seaman Lifeboatman Engine Upgrading Courses Advanced Firefighting March 9 March 20 Basic Firefighting/STCW Basic & Advanced Firefighting February 17 March 30 May 11 May 25 July 20 March 9 February 20 April 3 May 15 May 29 July 24 March 20 Medical Care Provider March 23 March 27 MSC Small Arms (Company designees) February 23 February 26 Steward Upgrading Courses Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations These modules start every Monday. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward These classes start every other Monday. The most recent class began January 26. Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, two weeks prior to the beginning of a vocational course. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. Adult Basic Education (ABE) Advanced Refrigerated Container March 30 June 22 April 24 July 17 Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations (BAPO) March 30 May 25 April 24 June 19 March 2 April 27 June 22 March 27 May 22 July 17 Junior Engineer March 9 May 1 Marine Electrician May 11 July 3 Marine Refrigeration Technician February 9 March 20 FOWT Safety Specialty Courses UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________ English as a Second Language (ESL) College Program Preparatory Course (when applying, students should list the name of the prep course desired on upgrading application) Online Distance Learning Courses Students MUST have access to the internet with an e-mail address in order to take the following classes: DL Environmental Awareness, DL Hazmat Control & Mgmt, DL Hearing Conservation, DL Heat Stress Mgmt., DL Shipboard Pest Mgmt., DL Respiratory Protection and DL Shipboard Water Sanitation. The foregoing classes are taken online, not at the Paul Hall Center. Please be sure to provide an email address (printed neatly) on the application when applying. With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate, valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC. Street Address _________________________________________________________ City __________________________ State _______________ Zip Code ___________ Telephone _________________________ Deep Sea Member Lakes Member Date of Birth ______________________ Inland Waters Member If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security # ______________________ Book # _________________________ Seniority _____ Department ___________ E-mail ____________________________ U.S. Citizen: Yes No Home Port _____________________________ COURSE BEGIN DATE END DATE ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _____________________________________ LAST VESSEL: _____________________________________ Rating: ___________ _____________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off: ________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? Yes No SIGNATURE __________________________________ DATE ________________ If yes, class # __________________________________________________________ Yes Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? No If yes, course(s) taken ___________________________________________________ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? Yes No Firefighting: Yes No CPR: Yes No Primary language spoken ________________________________________________ February 2009 NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/09 Seafarers LOG 21 �52665_p01_24x:January 08 1/27/2009 2:31 AM Page 22 Paul Hall Center Classes Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class – Unlicensed apprentices from Class 710 recently graduated from the water survival course. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Walid Ahmed, Jason Albertson, James Baldwin, Donnel Cherry, Scott Daly, Ginger Fitzpatrick, Abdulkarim Ghaleb, Mohamed Ghaleb, Steven Hamilton, Brandon Hess, Bryant Hunter, Ryan Kiefer, Bruce Raquet, Michael Ringwood and Derek Thompson. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations – The following individuals (above, in alpha- betical order) on Dec. 5 completed the basic auxiliary plant operations course: Benjamin Arroyo, Jason Babbitt, Daniel Balch, Jeremy Birchfield, Jonathyn Bland, Michael Brannon, Tony Brinkley, Christopher Croombs, Jason Crusing, Ezekiel Deas, Jonathan Diaz, Casimiro Garza Jr., Shawn Haber, Nathan Jenkins, Stephen Jenkins, Shawn Lewis, Kwame Owusu, Lazaro Rivera-Rodriguez, Steven Shaffer, Karen Suzuki, Aleksey Vigovskiy, Luchi Watson and Rickey Yancey. Their instructor, Tim Achorn, is at far right. Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover—for whatever reason—that they cannot attend should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Computer Classes Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class – Twenty unlicensed apprentices from Class 711 recently graduated from the water survival course. Completing the course (above, in alphabetical order) were: Tallentyre Barmann, Jose Burgos, Timothy Cunningham, Maurice David, Jose Gonzalez DelValle, Anthony Green, Deok Hamlett, Jamar Harley, Kevin Hunt, Eddie Jackson, Gerren Jenkins, Josue Marin, Charles Murphy, Jesus Pacheco, Nicholas Pratt, Keven Reyes Velez, Angel Rodriguez-Pineiro, Edwin Velez, Osburn Wyche Jr. and Jerald Young. Six individuals recently completed computer training courses while upgrading their skills at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Those completing various classes (photo above, from the left) were Milton Carmichael, Saeed Alahmadi, Donato Surell, Arnel Resurrecion, Regina Ewing (right in photo at left below) and Sergio Cedeno (right in photo at right below). Their instructor, Rich Prucha, is in the center in photo above, and at the left and right respectively in the photos below. Tankship Familiarization – Two classes of Phase III trainees completed this 63-hour course Oct. 31. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Benjamin Arroyo, Jason Babbitt, Martin Baker, Daniel Balch, Reginald Berkes, Jeremy Birchfield, Johnathyn Bland, Robert Blunt, Michael Brannon, Tony Brinkley, Phillip Clemon, Christopher Coombs, Michael Correa, Jason Crusing, Jason Davis, Ezekiel Deas, Jonathan Diaz, Stanford Drankes, Christopher Gonseth, William Gosse, Shawn Haber, Heather Hammons, Joshua Hansen, Shaun Lewis, Robin Majette, Bryan Mash, Kevin McCrea, John Menley, Joshua Milton, Twanna Moody, Jarred Moylan, Tierria Noble, Lazaro Rivera-Rodriguez, Robert Rothwell, Adam Sanders, Joshua Sanders, Irnacio Santos Aponte, Steve Shaffer, Kenneth Summerford, Lezlie Vehikite, Nelson Velez, Aleksey Vigovskiy, Stephen Wood, and Rickey Yancey. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2009 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:22 AM Page 23 Paul Hall Center Classes Tankship Familiarization DL – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) on Nov. 21 completed this course: Thellis Barnes, Enrique Bodden, Jose Bonita, George Borromeo, Milton Carmichael, Juanito Ceralde, Daniel Chisom-Coffey, Mark Ciciulla, Cory Covington, Goeffrey Denesse, Dori Grier, Peter Hamm, Russell Luther, David McGrew, Jimmy Orr, Selcuk Ozdencanli, Arnel Resurrection, Jeffry Stuart, Donato Surell, Mark Wertz and Emmanuel Wilson. Their instructor, Jim Shaffer, is at far right. Welding – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) on Nov. 21 completed this 103-hour course: Steven Benavides Jr., Eugene Davis Jr., Criseldo Espinosa, Arlyn Fernandez, Nicholas Gattuso, Phil Hurlbutt, Harry McKever, Neiman Pettis, Steben Torres and Edward Zimich. Buzzy Andrews, their instructor, is fifth from the left. ARPA – Six upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) on Nov. 21 completed this 32-hour course: Joshua Ano, Rudy Harjanto, Andrew Longneck, Chris Ruggiero, Michael Sherman and Gregory Smith. Their instructor, Stacy McNeely, is at left Advanced Firefighting (Hawaii) – Six individuals completed this course Nov. 21 at the Seafarers Training Center at Barbers Point, Hawaii. Graduating (above, in no particular order) were Chinando Pacis, Matt Nelson, Jeffrey Page, George Longshore, Gregorio Cudal and Victorino Labrilla Jr. BST/STCW (Hawaii) – Twenty individuals on Nov. 22 graduated from this course at the SIU-affiliated training facility in Hawaii. Completing the course (above, in no particular order) were: Andrew Churchill, Trevor Dudley, Patrick Karousis, Plamen Kolev, Seton Williams, Lucio Calina, Marjorie Coleman, Elifredo Cabrera Cancel, Monica Loredo, Veldy Veve, Santa Lucero, Nancy Tran, Leslie Amerson, Clara Dickinson-McQuary, Meserete Kristos, Rosimar Pinto, Matthew Southard, Sheri Ketcher, Ashley Colvin and Abigail Stewart. Crowd Management (Hawaii) – The following individuals (above, in no particular order) graduated from this course in Hawaii on Dec. 7: Larry Ganon, Richard Ong, Jose Castrodes, Ahmed Omer, Jape Geonzon, Ramiro Lopez, Edward Glabis, Danilo Valencia, Edward Fermaint, Robin Lukaszewski, Eric Barachina, Lucia Colon, Dustin Brantley, Nilo Gler, Terence Chan, Dannal Williams and Maurice Brodie. BST/STCW (Hawaii) – Eighteen individuals on Nov. 15 completed their training in this course at the Seafarers Training Center at Barbers Point, Hawaii. Those graduating (photo at left, in no particular order) were: Adan Cortez, Kevin Griffin, Tony Vera, Christopher Branscomb, David Gentry, Jonathan Manion, Andrina Hargrave, Chistopher Beutler, Jonathan Berkland, Timothy Hinson, Alexis Bey, Fabiola Mendez, Samantha Schnepp, Chad Aude, Robert Auld, Diane Hampton, Jessee Jargrave and Fantasis Harrington. BST/STCW (Hawaii) - The following individuals (photo at right, in no particular order) on Dec. 6 graduated from this course in Barbers Point, Hawaii: Brandon Zolman, Michael Mussarelli, Abby O’Brian, Mary Edwards, Matthew Tyler, Alai Woldeamalk, Karen Alander, Mary Gunter, Edward Fermaint, Austin Burgess, Jennifer Patino, Tyler Binette, Skyler Yuda, Kyle Brathwaite, Kacee Koupal, Reed Shannon, Michael Vannoy, Phyllis Glasgow, Noah Andrews and Hazel Jenkins. February 2009 Seafarers LOG 23 �52665_p01_24:January 08 1/26/2009 7:22 AM Page 24 Volume 71, Number 2 February 2009 TWIC News And Reminders - Pages 6-7 Officials from SIU-contracted Crowley discuss shipboard safety, including the importance of recognizing and preventing crew fatigue, during a meeting with union officials, Paul Hall Center representatives and others. A key part of the overall training was an introduction to a state-of-the-art computer system being implemented at the union halls Safety Directors Sharpen Skills SIU Group Offers Key Insights in Crowley Meeting SIU safety directors from 11 ports last month took part in their 10th annual meeting at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, based in Piney Point, Md. The directors also participated in an in-depth safety meeting with SIU headquarters officials and representatives of Crowley (a gathering which took place at the union’s head office in Camp Springs, Md.). The safety directors’ mid-January agenda featured thorough training on a state-of-the-art computer system scheduled for implementation at SIU halls. It also included updates on key current events in the U.S. maritime industry; reviews of critical regulations governing mariner, vessel and port safety; ship inspection procedures; techniques for uncovering hidden hazards; handson refreshers in fire fighting and confined-space safety, and more. The Crowley meeting was a follow-up to a previous conference. Attendees also included representatives from the Paul Hall Center, the American Maritime Officers, and American Service Technology, Inc. Much of the agenda focused on recognizing and preventing mariner fatigue. The Paul Hall Center’s online “distance learning” courses also were discussed. Completing the week of safety updates and refreshers (Jan. 12-15) were the following safety directors: Monte Burgett (from the SIU’s Algonac, Mich., hall), Mark Von Siegel (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Kevin Marchand (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), James Brown (New Orleans), Frank Iverson (Honolulu), Jimmy White (Houston), Ashley Nelson (Jacksonville, Fla.), Sam Spain (Norfolk, Va.), Kathy Chester (Oakland, Calif.), Ryan Palmer (Tacoma, Wash.) and Abdul Al Omari (Wilmington, Calif.). With guidance from instructor Steve Stockwell, Kathy Chester practices the use of a portable fire extinguisher. Safety directors participate in hands-on training (photo above and at immediate left) at the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School, which is part of the Paul Hall Center. Data Management Manager Kristy Clements (photo above) explains one aspect of the new computer system to two of the safety directors. SIU headquarters officials and safety team members (photo at right) are pictured in the conference room at the union’s facilities in Camp Springs, Md. Seated (from left) are Kathy Chester, Jimmy White, Sam Spain, Mark Von Siegel and Ryan Palmer. Standing (also from left) are President Mike Sacco, Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, Kevin Marchand, VP Contracts George Tricker, Ashley Nelson, James Brown (rear), Abdul Al Omari, Executive VP Augie Tellez, Monte Burgett and Frank Iverson. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2000-2009 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXII-LXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present, Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2009 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES SIU JOINS IN OBAMA INAUGURATION SOLIS, LAHOOD NAMED TO CABINET COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES SIU ELECTION RESULTS TANKER GOLDEN STATE DELIVERED U.S. EMPLOYMENT DATA GRIM PACIFIC COLLECTOR HELPS INTERCEPT MISSILE DURING DRILL MARINE COOKS & STEWARDS ORGANIZER ‘VAL’ VILLALTA PASSED AWAY AT 84 NY WATERWAY CREWS RESCUE PASSENGERS FROM DOWNED PLANE NEW YORK TIMES BACKS EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT UPGRADER WALTON MAKES HISTORY NEW NMC MEDICAL GUIDELINES FINALIZED UNION MARINERS SUPPORT OUR TROOPS SHBP MEDICAL DEPARTMENT ELABORATES ON MSC PHYSICAL EXAMINATION GUIDELINES MORGAN STANLEY-CITI VENTURE MEANS BUSINESS AS USUAL- MAYBE BETTER SAFETY DIRECTORS SHARPEN SKILLS SIU GROUP OFFERS KEY INSIGHTS IN CROWLEY MEETING Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2009 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 71, No. 2 2009 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/e37c3a866f9f6e36a7af67e9c6bf6d11.pdf e5a08424eb7fab62d7b466b55535319d PDF Text Text 57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:06 PM Page 1 Volume 72, Number 2 February 2010 Seafarers Mobilize for Haiti Relief Numerous Vessels Activated; Union Reopens Disaster Aid Fund The SIU quickly sprang into action for relief operations following the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. At press time, no fewer than a dozen Seafarers-crewed ships had taken part in humanitarian efforts aimed at helping the devastated nation. Also, the union reactivated its disaster relief fund to facilitate charitable donations. Pictured from left to right: The U.S. Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort is shown in Baltimore shortly before departing for Haiti. Bosun Gerald Butch (left) and AB Doug Ruby help prepare the Comfort for its mission. An aerial view of downtown Port-auPrince on Jan. 16 reveals some of the damage (U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt. Jeremy Lock). Pages 2, 7. LMSR Contracts go To AMSEA, Patriot Union jobs were retained as American Overseas Marine (AMSEA) and American Ship Management/Patriot Contract Services last month were awarded operating contracts for a total of 11 large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships (LMSRs). Page 3. New RO/RO Joins SIU Fleet SIU-contracted American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) in January announced the latest addition to its fleet: the Endurance (above). Formerly named the Taronga, the 860-foot vessel will enroll in the U.S. Maritime Security Program. The ship, to be operated for ARC by Crowley, is an outright addition to the union’s fleet. Page 3. SIU of Canada President Retires Page 4 SIU Supports Military Families Via ‘Santa’s Castle’ Program Dozens of Seafarers in the Tacoma, Wash., area helped brighten the holidays for military families through a philanthropic program called Santa’s Castle. At left, Capt. Brian Anderson from nearby Ft. Lewis helps load some of the goodies that were donated at the SIU hall in Tacoma. Page 24. Union Mourns Retired Port Agent Page 6 Tax Tips for Mariners Pages 12-13 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 6:28 PM Page 2 President’s Repor t From the Hudson to Haiti In the days leading up to the event, I read about plans for a happy reunion of many of the people who were involved in the Miracle on Hudson, including some of our own SIU members from NY Waterway ferries. Last month, they went on to celebrate the first anniversary of an improbably joyful ending – one that saw all hands saved following an airplane’s crash-landing in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. I remain proud of our members’ quick, effective responses on that day. And I also have been proud on those occasional opportunities to tell people that Seafarers were first on the scene for the rescue. What happened that day was, to say the least, challenging and unusual, but it helped remind people about the importance and reliability of well-trained U.S. mariners. Almost one year to the day later, America got Michael Sacco another such reminder, only this time the situation proved horribly tragic. The earthquake that demolished much of Haiti left all of us sympathetic, upset and wanting to help. Once again, SIU members are doing their part, sailing ships for the relief mission as part of Operation Unified Response. Members also are donating their own money to further help the cause. The union is stepping up, too – we are contributing to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center’s Earthquake Relief for Haitian Workers’ Campaign. The overwhelming concern here is for the earthquake victims. The scope of the tragedy is so large it’s hard to comprehend. Recovery operations will take years. At the same time, I appreciated the words of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood when he cited the U.S. Merchant Marine’s rapid response. He correctly pointed out that our vessels are on a lifesaving mission – not just the hospital ship Comfort, but all of our ships that have been deployed. That’s something to keep in mind when weighing the ongoing need for, and enormous value of the American-flag fleet and the loyal, dedicated mariners who deliver the goods. Jobs and More While legislators continue debating the merits of health insurance reform legislation, the AFL-CIO is pushing for badly needed growth in my favorite subject: jobs, jobs, jobs! Recently I told you about the federation’s five-point program aimed at creating more than 4 million jobs. It’s a proposal that includes extending unemployment benefits, including COBRA, plus expanding federal infrastructure and “green jobs” investments. It calls for substantially boosting federal aid to state and local governments and for direct job creation where practical. It also makes the case for direct lending of TARP money to small and medium-sized businesses that can’t get credit due to the financial crisis. This is the right plan at the right time, and it will go a long way towards helping relieve the double-digit unemployment currently plaguing our country. At the same time, the AFL-CIO and its member unions, including the SIU, certainly have not abandoned our efforts to further educate legislators and the administration about our position on health care. Seafarers know that the fight over health insurance reform is a big one, and it’s complicated. However it turns out, it’s unlikely that any one party will get 100 percent of what they wanted. What is certain is that health care costs too much, and decent, affordable care should be available to everyone. We’ll continue working toward that end for however long it takes. Another ongoing effort of the SIU and other maritime unions involves anti-piracy measures and steps to protect our crews (as well as those of other nations). Partly due to security reasons, we rarely go into detail about what’s already been done or about our latest endeavors. But we remain very active in this most important struggle, both on Capitol Hill and in the international maritime community. The protection of our crews is a must. On that point, there’s no room for negotiations. Volume 72, Number 2 February 2010 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org Members arrive at the SIU hall in Oakland, Calif., as the RRF tanker Petersburg is activated. SIU Members Answer Call For Haiti Relief Operations Seafarers Help Mobilize Ships, Donate to Earthquake Victims Following a magnitude-7 earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, the SIU quickly stepped up to assist in what promises to be a very lengthy and challenging relief mission. At press time, no fewer than a dozen Seafarerscrewed vessels were involved in the Haiti action, officially titled Operation Unified Response. Additionally, the union reactivated its Seafarers Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), partly in response to requests from members who wanted to donate money to the humanitarian cause (See related story on Page 7). The overall devastation in Haiti is difficult to quantify, but on Jan. 25 the Haitian government increased the confirmed death toll to 150,000. Officials also said that the number undoubtedly will grow, possibly to 200,000. Within the first few days after the earthquake, several Seafarers-contracted ships were activated for the relief mission, and several others (already in full operating status) were assigned to it. They included the hospital ship USNS Comfort, the rescue and salvage vessel USNS Grasp, the dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea and the replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn – all crewed in the unlicensed positions by members of the SIU Government Services Division. Also mobilized were the oceanographic ships USNS Henson and USNS Sumner (operated by 3PSC), the prepositioning vessels 1st Lt. Jack Lummus and PFC Dwayne T. Williams (American Overseas Marine) and, from the Ready Reserve Force, the crane ships Gopher State and Cornhusker State (Interocean American Shipping), the tanker Petersburg (also Interocean American Shipping) and the heavy-lift vessel Cape May (Ocean Ships). When those vessels and others were sent to help the earthquake victims, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood stated, “It is another example of why our country’s merchant marine is so important. Sending these ships will help those on the front line of this effort save as many lives in Haiti as possible. These ships will add crucial capabilities by supporting operations to move large volumes of people and cargo.” Maritime Administrator David Matsuda added, “Once again the U.S. Merchant Marine is answer- The Seafarers-crewed hospital ship USNS Comfort is seen off the coast of Haiti on Jan. 20. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker) ing the call for assistance, as it has done since our nation began. These ships and skilled crews are ideally suited to assist in Haiti by providing unique capabilities. One cargo ship can carry as much as 400 fully loaded cargo planes.” While most of the ships blended into the enorSee Mariners, Page 7 The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFLCIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Associate Editor, Mark Bowman; Photographer, Mike Hickey; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2010 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. The prepositioning vessel 1st Lt. Jack Lummus on Jan. 18 receives relief cargo from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Marine Corps at Blount Island Command in Jacksonville, Fla. 2 Seafarers LOG February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 6:29 PM Page 3 New RO/RO Joins SIU-Contracted Fleet Seafarers-contracted American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (ARC) on Jan. 22 announced its purchase of and reflag to the Stars and Stripes of the MV Endurance (formerly the Taronga). The vessel, which will be operated by Crowley for ARC, is an outright addition to the union’s fleet. The Endurance is expected to enter service in mid-February. ARC described the 860-foot vessel as “the largest and most militarily useful, multi-purpose RO/RO ship in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet.” SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker said the reflag “is a credit to our SIU crews and to the companies involved. It’s good news any time we’re able to welcome new tonnage, but that’s especially true in light of the current economic climate.” ARC announced that the appropriate entities – including the U.S. Transportation Command (on behalf of the Defense Department) and the U.S. Maritime Administration (on behalf of the Transportation Department) – have approved the Endurance as the replacement for the MV Liberty in the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP). However, the Liberty will remain under the American flag and will join the company’s Middle East liner service. Delivered by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in December 1996, the Endurance “is well suited for high and heavy and project cargoes,” according to ARC. “She is a unique RO/RO vessel with no sister ships and is among the largest Originally named the Taronga, the newly acquired ARC ship is reflagging American and changing its name to Endurance. RO/RO vessels in the world…. Endurance has nine decks that can be configured to carry over 260,000 square feet of high and heavy cargo such as CH-47s (helicopters), MRAPs (mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles), MATVs (all-terrain vehicles), tracked vehicles, construction equipment and generators; 130,000 square feet of additional high-side vehicle (SUV) space; and approximately 200 containers. Her quarter ramp weight capacity of 320 tons exceeds that of any vessel in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet.” The MSP helps ensure that U.S.-flag vessels and well-trained, dependable American crews are available to the U.S. military during times of crisis. It also gives the military access to a modern, technologically advanced intermodal network that spans the globe. Overall, the program provides for a fleet of up to 60 ships. Those vessels, many of them crewed by SIU members, help enable the government to provide sealift for U.S. armed forces utilizing the resources of the U.S.-flag commercial fleet. In addition, a U.S.-flag commercial fleet operating in international trade enables the government to provide global economic and agricultural assistance programs, and provides the crews that are used to sail government reserve vessels in time of need. The MSP fleet provides this national security asset at a substantially lower cost than the government owning and maintaining an equivalent capability. The fleet of Bob Hope-class LMSRs includes the USNS Seay, pictured near Camp Lejeune, N.C., last year during a military exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Stratton) Defense Dept. Awards LMSR Contracts To American Overseas Marine, Patriot AMSEA will continue operating the USNS Pililaau (shown above during an exercise in the Pacific Ocean in 2008) and sister ships supporting the U.S. military. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John W a g n e r ) . Delivered to MSC in 2003, the USNS Benavidez (photo at right) was the 19th LMSR built or converted at American shipyards since the mid-1990s to transport and preposition U.S. combat equipment. February 2010 SIU jobs were retained as American Overseas Marine (AMSEA) and American Ship Management/Patriot Contract Services, respectively, last month were awarded operating contracts for a total of 11 large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships (LMSRs). The U.S. Defense Department selected AMSEA to operate the seven Bob Hopeclass LMSRs and also selected Patriot as the operator of four converted LMSRs. The SIU represents all unlicensed mariners aboard the Bob Hope ships: the USNS Bob Hope, USNS Fisher, USNS Seay, USNS Mendonca, USNS Pililaau, USNS Brittin and USNS Benavidez. The union represents steward-department mariners on the other four ships covered by last month’s awards: the USNS Gordon, USNS Gilliland, USNS Shughart and USNS Yano. The operating agreement for the Bob Hope ships has options which, if fully exercised, would extend the contract to the year 2017. The operating agreement for the other four vessels also includes options potentially lasting to 2017, and consisting of a series of one-year options. Turnover on the converted vessels was expected to begin in late January. AMSEA already operated the Bob Hope ships. SIU officials pointed out that while these 11 vessels already were part of the union’s fleet, as with any contract bid, there were no guarantees that the new awards would go to Seafarers-contracted companies. Meanwhile, Capt. Thomas Merrell, president of AMSEA, stated that his company “has successfully operated the vessels in this program for the last five years and looks forward to continuing our superior service for our customer under this new contract.” The company further noted that the U.S. Military Sealift Command’s LMSR program “significantly enhances the U.S. sealift capability for the new millennium. LMSRs have been the primary movers of U.S. military equipment during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each LMSR can carry an entire U.S. Army Task Force, including 58 tanks and 48 other tracked vehicles, as well as more than 900 trucks and other wheeled vehicles.” The Bob Hope ships were built at Avondale in New Orleans and were delivered from 1998 to 2003. The Shughart and Yano were converted at NASSCO in San Diego, while the Gordon and Gilliland were converted at Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding. The converted vessels were containerships. They were delivered to MSC by late 1997. MSC lists two main missions – prepositioning and surge sealift – for its LMSRs, including eight Seafarers-crewed Watson-class vessels. The ships vary in length from about 900 feet to approximately 950 feet. Seafarers LOG 3 �57888_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2010 6:34 PM Page 4 Maritime Icon Roman Gralewicz Retires Respected Leader Served as SIU of Canada President for 38 Years The SIUNA-affiliated Seafarers International Union of Canada recently announced the retirement of its longtime president, Roman Gralewicz. Additionally, the SIU of Canada Executive Board elected Michel Desjardins as Gralewicz’s successor. Desjardins had been serving as the union’s executive vice president. Gralewicz, 79, was president of the Canadian union for 38 years. He earned a reputation as a tough, fair, tireless and effective leader. “Roman Gralewicz is a true champion of the rank-and-file membership, a great labor leader and a trusted friend,” said SIU President Michael Sacco. “He came up through the ranks during difficult times. He successfully guided his union through one battle after another. And whether those fights took place on picket lines, in board rooms or within the halls of government, Roman always got the job done…. His guidance has benefited countless mariners and has inspired people from every segment of the industry.” Desjardins pointed out that Gralewicz has been part of the union for more than 60 years. “His passion and drive for improving the wages, benefits and working conditions of seafarers over the years was a personal battle for him and a victory for our brothers and sisters,” Desjardins added. “His knowledge and experience are invaluable to us all, and for this reason we have asked him to remain as advisor, a request he was kind enough to accept.” In a book published in late 2008, Paul Martin, a past owner A recent magazine profile describes Roman Gralewicz (right) as “a largerthan-life figure, with a blunt tongue and big heart.” His successor as president of the SIU of Canada, Michel Desjardins (left), had been serving as the union’s executive vice president. of Canada Steamship Lines who served as Canada’s prime minister from 2003-06, wrote that interacting with Gralewicz was “not for the faint of heart. We fought like hell, but over time, I acquired a great deal of respect for him. His members were lucky to have him, but the truth is, so was the industry.” In his final president’s column in the SIU of Canada newspaper, Gralewicz said, “I wish to thank the membership for their loyalty and support during my years as a union officer and president of our great union…. Nothing comes easy; we fought together to get good wages and safe working conditions and proved to people that a sailor is a first-class citizen and must be treated as one.” APL Announces ‘Landmark’ Clean-Air Plan in Oakland Seafarers-contracted APL and the San Francisco Bay Area Air Quality Management District in mid-December announced what they called a “landmark” multi-million dollar project “to cut vessel emissions and improve this city’s air quality starting in 2010.” The company said it will use $4.8 million in air quality grants to retrofit its terminal and vessels to begin “cold ironing” in December 2010 at the Port of Oakland, Calif. Cold ironing is an industry term for turning off a ship’s engines at berth and connecting instead to electrical sources ashore. This process, also sometimes called alternative marine power (AMP), enables vessels to maintain power in port while eliminating exhaust emissions. In a news release, APL said its efforts will “cut more than 50,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides emissions – a leading component of smog – from ships berthed in Oakland and 1,500 pounds of particulate matter annually. APL will be the first and only carrier or terminal operator at the port to cold iron vessels.” Regulations mandating cold ironing in California take effect in 2014. “APL is getting a head start to reduce emissions well before the state deadline,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The Air District will fund two grants being provided to APL. They include $2.8 million to electrify berths at Global Gateway Central and $2 million to equip the first three containerships for cold ironing. Altogether, the vessels APL will retrofit make more than 50 calls to Oakland annually. Labor-Backed Candidate Wins in Houston Houston-area Seafarers (some of whom are pictured above) were part of an effective grassroots campaign which helped Annise Parker (right in photo at left, with SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey) win a mayoral runoff election last December. “I’ve never seen the members so energized and excited by a campaign,” Corgey said. “They all realized this was a true grassroots effort. Of particular value to the campaign were the efforts of our bilingual members who made phone calls in Spanish and worked the Hispanic precincts. Bosun/AB Victor Medina voluntarily ran our Latino outreach program with the help of dozens of Hispanic SIU members primarily of Honduran descent. My hat is off to this membership. We look forward to working with the new administration on labor and maritime issues.” 4 Seafarers LOG SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona (center) is pictured with APL Americas President John Bowe (left) and Terminal Operations Director Steve Hessenauer after a Dec. 18 press conference in Oakland where the cold-ironing plan was announced. February 2010 �57888_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2010 6:36 PM Page 5 IMO Designates 2010 ‘Year of the Seafarer’ U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is an outspoken advocate of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Rep. Abercrombie Ready to Vie For Hawaii Gubernatorial Seat U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, a longtime backer of the U.S. Merchant Marine, early last month officially announced his plans to step down from the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 28. He is resigning from the House so he can fully focus on his campaign for governor of Hawaii. The congressman pointed out that in midDecember he first announced his intention to resign “in order to devote all my efforts to the 2010 campaign for governor of the State of Hawaii – a decision that followed a tremendous amount of thought and careful consideration. It was a decision inspired by the thousands of people who are frustrated by a collapse of leadership in our community but are encouraged by the opportunity in this New Year for a change in direction for our people and our state.” He continued, “Since announcing my intentions, I have consulted closely with the people I have worked with during my 19 years in Congress, including members of the Hawaii congressional delegation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the chairmen of two of my committees, the House Armed Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. These discussions have helped me to ensure that I will be able to fulfill the remaining duties requiring my presence in the House…. As a result of these discussions, I can now set the effective date of my resignation for February 28, 2010, which will enable state elections officials to plan for a timely and costeffective special election for the First Congressional District to select a successor who will carry on the work of the people.” He concluded, “The past few weeks have reminded me that my 19 years in Washington, D.C., as a U.S. Representative from Hawaii have allowed me to build strong, lasting, and lifelong relationships with many colleagues on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill and throughout the federal government. Most of all, I have been privileged to be a part of an effective Hawaii congressional delegation which has accomplished so much to improve the quality of life for the people of Hawaii and nation. I take all of these experiences and friendships with me into the future, as part of a proven partnership involving the state government, Congress, and now the White House, to change the direction and leadership of our state.” The International Maritime secure and efficient shipping on Organization (IMO) has declared clean oceans,” he noted. “And so, 2010 the “Year of the Seafarer,” we will celebrate next year’s as the theme for World Maritime World Maritime Day theme with much pride in your contribution Day. “Our intention is to pay tribute to our objectives. At IMO we to you, the world’s 1.5 million understand the extreme pressures seafarers – men and women from that you face and that, as a result, all over the globe – for the we approach our own tasks with a unique, and all-too-often over- genuine sympathy for the work looked, contribution you make to that you carry out.” Mitropoulos also said the IMO the wellbeing of all of us,” said IMO Secretary-General developed its “Go to Sea!” campaign that it launched in Efthimios E. Mitropoulos. Every year, the IMO and many November 2008 to add more of its member states celebrate awareness to maritime careers World Maritime Day. The exact and to attract new entrants to the date is left to individual govern- shipping industry by “becoming ments but usually is observed the seafarers of tomorrow.” The during the last week in IMO launched the campaign in September. According to the association with the International agency, the day is used to focus Labor Organization, the “Round attention on the importance of Table” of shipping industry orgashipping safety, maritime security nizations (International Chamber Shipping, International and the marine environment and of Shipping Federation, BIMCO, to emphasize a particular aspect International Association of of IMO’s work. Independent Tanker Owners For 2010, the IMO is and International planning numerous Association of Dry activities tied in with Cargo Shipowners) the “Year of the and the Seafarer” theme International – not just in Transport September, Wo r k e r s ’ b u t Federation. throughout “Seafarers the year. the world over In announcing its deserve our respect, plans, the agency recognition and gratidescribed mariners as tude and, during 2010 we “extraordinary profesat IMO are resolved to sionals who work in dangerensure that the world does take ous conditions delivering susnotice of your exceptenance to more tional role and conthan 6.5 billion peoThe IMO produced this ple of the world. logo in recognition of tribution and of the Seafarers deliver World Maritime Day special debt that all of us owe to you,” the wheat that 2010. Mitropoulos added. makes our daily The IMO is a spebread, the gas and oil that warms our homes or cialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for moves our vehicles.” Mitropoulos pointed out that measures to improve the safety seafarers are responsible for mov- and security of international shiping more than 90 percent of the ping and to prevent marine polluworld’s trade and sustaining tion from ships. It is also involved in legal matters, includhuman development. “At IMO, we are ever-con- ing liability and compensation scious of the important role you issues and the facilitation of play in helping us achieve safe, international maritime traffic. SIU Snapshots from the Port of Jacksonville, Fla. Mitch Oakley (left in photo above), an instructor at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, went to the union hall in Jacksonville, Fla., to give a general security awareness and vessel safety presentation to interested Seafarers, some of whom are pictured above. The presentation took place Dec. 16. Prior to the safety and security presentation, Seafarers (from left in photo at right above) Chief Cook Jose Norales, SA Erasmo Guevara and AB Emil Guevara Norales arrive at the union hall. Erasmo is Emil’s father; Jose is Emil’s uncle. SIU Asst. VP Archie Ware (left in photo at right) offers a “welcome ashore, good luck and congratulations on a job well done” to Chief Cook Ossie Statham, who recently retired. Sister Statham’s last ship was the Guayama. February 2010 Seafarers LOG 5 �57888_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2010 6:37 PM Page 6 Retired Port Agent Joe Perez Dies at 76 Retired SIU Port Agent Jose “Joe” said. “He never had an unkind word to say Perez, a colorful character who actively about anybody.” SIU Gulf Coast Vice President Dean served the membership for nearly 40 years, passed away Dec. 31 at North Corgey remembered that Perez “gave me Austin (Texas) Medical Center, following my first job, back in 1973. Joe started many a career of young men and women an illness. He was 76. A native of Robstown, Texas, Perez going to sea. He was a dedicated trade unionist and a soldier in earned an honorable dismany battles that set the charge after serving in stage for jobs, benefits the U.S. Army from and working conditions 1954-57. He began his that we all enjoy to this career with the labor day.” movement as an orgaSIU Assistant Vice nizer in Houston for the President Jim McGee Retail Clerks (now the said Perez “helped United Food and break me in, back in Commercial Workers). 1977. Joe helped show He started working for me how things were the SIU in 1959 at the done. He was a great Houston hall, reporting guy and a straight to Port Agent Robert shooter and a good Matthews. union representative. In the ensuing years, Joe was a real advocate Perez served in various for the membership and capacities including he also was a good those of field represenfriend. He’ll be tative and safety direcmissed.” tor. He transferred to Chris Westbrook, New Orleans in 1990 and was elected port Joe Perez worked for the union SIU port agent in New agent there in 1992. from 1959 to 1998 but stayed Orleans, recalled first meeting Perez “when I Perez was reelected to involved even after retiring. was an employee at that post in 1996 before E.N. Bisso and Son, and we were going retiring in 1998. In addition to his work with the SIU, through a pretty contentious organizing Perez was actively involved with the drive. I remember Joe was available all Greater New Orleans Central Labor the time, for anything we needed out Council, the Louisiana AFL-CIO and the there. The other thing about Joe was he Port Maritime Council of Greater New had a very calming presence. His Orleans and Vicinity. He kept in touch demeanor, in tense situations, was cool. with union members and officials long Knowing him later and coming into the after retiring, and remained an asset not organization, he was always there for only to the SIU but to organized labor as anything you needed, almost like an uncle who took you under his wing. He a whole. SIU Executive Vice President Augie stayed in touch all the way up to the end – he genuinely cared about the members Tellez knew Perez since 1978. “You could always count on Joe to and the organization.” Survivors include his wife, three chilgive you a hand,” Tellez said. “He became a stalwart in the Gulf. He was a good guy dren and four grandchildren. Donations in Perez’s memory may be made to and he had a great sense of humor.” Perez’s upbeat personality is what Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs stands out to SIU Secretary-Treasurer Rd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759 or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Queen David Heindel. “He always had a smile on his face and of Angels Chapel, P.O. Box 448, seemed to be happy with life,” Heindel Spicewood, TX 78669. Veterans and children alike (photo at left) join in the memorial dedication. SIU Assistant VP Chet Wheeler (above) brought his 3-year-old granddaughter, Alexandrea Hansen, to the ceremony. Calif. Memorial Recognizes U.S. Merchant Mariners A new veterans’ memorial in Calistoga, Calif., pays tribute to the U.S. Merchant Marine along with members of the armed services. Located in Calistoga’s Logvy Park, the memorial was dedicated on Veterans’ Day 2009, with SIU officials, members and retirees among the hundreds in attendance. SIU Assistant Vice President Government Services Chet Wheeler formally represented the union; he took part in the official ceremony. The project itself was 10 years in the making, according those familiar with it. The memorial, a 2,500-square-foot plaza, was built on contributed land and through a public fund-raiser. Marble spires rise from the memorial park’s center; they feature the names of local veterans. One of the spires is dedicated to merchant mariners. “It’s a fitting tribute to all merchant mariners who have bravely sailed in harm’s way when our nation has needed them,” said Wheeler. Retired Seafarer Robert “Rocky” Schindler, 75, was part of the SIU contingent at the dedication. “I couldn’t have been more proud as a mariner to see so many people from our community come out to show their respect to those who have served our nation,” said the former AB, who sailed during the Vietnam War. “We found that a lot of folks here don’t know about the sacrifices that mariners have made for our nation, so we think the memorial will go a long way in teaching the community, especially the kids.” According to Schindler, local citizens, businesses and an American Legion post came out in droves to participate in the memorial’s primary fundraiser on Independence Day 2009. That effort included raising money to help ensure upkeep for the memorial. Published reports indicate that approximately $250,000 was raised, not counting additional donated services and labor. On Veterans’ Day, under sparkling blue skies, the community unfurled the American, military branch and the U.S. Merchant Marine flags over the marble monuments to patriotic tunes and a salute from a color guard from nearby Travis Air Force Base. UAs Impress Maersk Virginia Shipmates Recertified Bosun Credits Phase II Apprentices for Job Well Done Oiler Jackson Earns Safety Award Seafarer Brian Jackson (right) late last year received a safety award from Capt. Jan Kummernes (left) aboard the MV Honor. Kummernes credited the oiler for his “alert watch-standing” which included “early detection of smoke coming from #3 diesel generator shaft seal.” The captain further reported that Jackson “immediately notified the first engineer, who was able to secure the generator and prevent significant damage to the equipment, and avert what could have possibly been a crankcase explosion.” The Honor is managed by Interocean American Shipping for American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier. 6 Seafarers LOG Recertified Bosun Ray Henderson recently let the union and its affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education know about the fine work performed by a pair of “Phase II” unlicensed apprentices aboard the Maersk Virginia. In a communication dated Dec. 27, Henderson saluted UAs Matthew Caradimos and Jason Bimle. “When Matt and Jason first came aboard the Maersk Virginia they … took what the instructors from Piney Point (Md.) had taught them and were ready and able to work,” the bosun wrote. “They also took all shipboard drills and the company’s safety policy very seriously. I would like to thank the instructors down at the school for instilling this into both of them. The apprentices took their time on board the Maersk Virginia very seriously and understood how much they could learn from all of the crew.” For example, Henderson pointed out, “If given a simple task like cleaning or chipping paint, Matt and Jason’s mindset was always to do it without hesitation or complaint, do it right and do it efficiently. When given the opportunity to, for example, weld, work in tanks, operate cranes or just doing plain old deck maintenance, it was always evident that they wanted to know more than what was needed just to get by. They took much interest in learning and understanding what they were doing, how the machinery and equipment worked, and how to spot any problems that might occur.” The bosun concluded that the initial phase of the apprentice program (12 weeks at the Paul Hall Center campus) left Caradimos and Bimle well-prepared for the shipboard segment. That phase lasts 90 days and includes stints in each shipboard department. “They came on board with a more than decent knowledge of ship terms, machinery, safety and emergency procedures, and the basics of life on board a merchant vessel,” Henderson said. “I attribute it to their months at Piney Point.” February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 6:34 PM Page 7 Seafarers Disaster Mariners Rally to Aid of Quake Victims Relief Fund Accepts Donations for Haiti Continued from Page 2 In order to assist in the Haitian relief effort, the union is accepting donations to the Seafarers Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). Money collected by the SDRF will be presented to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center’s Earthquake Relief for Haitian Workers’ Campaign. With limited exceptions, anyone may donate through the SDRF – you don’t have to be an SIU member. (The SDRF cannot accept contributions from a service provider for the union or the SIU Plans, or from a Seafarers-contracted company or any of such a company’s representatives.) Checks should be made payable to Seafarers Disaster Relief Fund. Donations by check or money order may be made at SIU halls or may be mailed to: Seafarers Disaster Relief Fund c/o Secretary-Treasurer’s Office Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Additionally, cash donations may be made at the halls. Anyone making a cash donation will receive a receipt. Please note that donations are not tax-deductible. mous operation, the Comfort attracted immediate attention, partly because its services are so desperately needed. The floating hospital received its first Haitian patients late at night Jan. 19, delivered by a helicopter from the USS Carl Vinson. Hours later, the Comfort dropped anchor off the coast of Port-auPrince, Haiti. Since then, there’s been no slowdown aboard the 894-foot vessel, which has had multiple operating rooms running 24 hours a day. According to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), the Comfort usually is kept in reduced operating status in Baltimore, with a “caretaking crew” of 18 CIVMARS “and about 60 Navy medical personnel who maintain the shipboard medical facilities, equipment and supplies.” The vessel has a five-day activation period, but for the Haiti mission, shipboard personnel had the Comfort ready to sail in three days. MSC reported that the vessel is carrying a crew of 67 CIVMARS, 560 medical workers “and an approximately 110-person contingent of support personnel.” The Comfort also was in the news last year, when it sailed in Operation Continuing Promise from April to July. That mission involved civic assistance in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, Panama, Colombia, El Salvador and Nicaragua. More than 100,000 patients were treated. When the union’s disaster relief fund was reactivated, AB Alvin Clark (left) and QMED David Watkins (right) were the first to donate at the hall in Piney Point, Md. Accepting the donations on behalf of the fund is Port Agent Pat Vandegrift (center). Ocean Atlas Delivers Subway Cars Intermarine’s Seafarers-crewed heavy-lift ship Ocean Atlas on Jan. 6 delivered 40 subway car bodies and components to the Port of Baltimore for the New York City Transit Authority. The cargo originated in Brazil. Overall, the Ocean Atlas – operated by Pacific-Gulf Marine (PGM) – has hauled a total of 1,202 subway cars and components from South America and the Pacific during 18 voyages throughout Intermarine’s contract with New York. The vessel reflagged under the Stars and Stripes in 2002. “The uniqueness of these heavy lift vessels in the U.S.-flag sector demands a well-trained crew, with everyone on board working together as a team,” said PGM President Todd Johnson. “From the time she was reflagged to the present, the SIU and those sailing aboard the Ocean Atlas have made significant contributions toward achieving a successful operation.” The recent delivery in Baltimore coincided with a ceremony celebrating all of the successful transfers under this agreement. Attendees included officials from the SIU, Maritime Administration, Federal Transit Administration and New York City Transit Authority as well as dignitaries including former Maryland congresswoman and former Federal Maritime Commission chair Helen Bentley. During the ceremony, Bentley thanked “the SIU and other unions for what you do to keep the U.S. flag flying on the high seas.” Seafarers aboard the ship during the Jan. 6 delivery included Recertified Bosun Jimmie Scheck, ABs Edgar Elegino, Kevin Montiero and Eleazar Lozano, QEE Daniel Avery, GUDE Tino Guity, Steward/Baker Wayne Wilson and ACU Carlton McMiller. The Seafarers-crewed Ocean Atlas was built in 2000. Steward/Baker Wayne Wilson prepares lunch. Attendees at the Ocean Atlas ceremony included (left to right in photo above) Dennis Brennan, Mike O’Rear and Jan Downing of the Maritime Administration; Leo Bonser, head of U.S.-flag services for Intermarine; Jim Matthews of the New York City Transit Authority; Chuck Comer of Alstom Transport; Quinn Bond of Kawasaki Rail Car; Thomas Harrelson of MarAd; Cynthia Burman of the Port of Baltimore; Andre Grikitis, president and chief executive of Intermarine; Stephane Chabeau of Geodis Wilson freight management; and William Coleman of Alstom Transport. Apprentices from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center (photo at right) observed cargo operations from the bridge. They were joined by Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown (front, second from left) and Piney Point Port Agent Pat Vandegrift (third from left). February 2010 The vessel offloads one of 40 subway car bodies (photo above) in Baltimore. The subway car bodies eventually were slated for transport to New York City (below). Seafarers LOG 7 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 6:34 PM Page 8 College Program Aids in Turnaround AB Frank Recommends Paul Hall Center Curriculums to Fellow Seafarers Ten years ago, deep sea Able Seaman Ernest Frank could not have dreamed that he’d be six months away from earning his Associate of Applied Science Degree let alone be in position to parlay his knowledge into a U.S. Coast Guard-approved mate’s license. Thanks to the college degree program at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, however, that’s precisely his reality today. The Circleville, West Va., native, who served five years in the U.S. Army Rangers at Fort Lewis, Washington, is on pace to complete his requirements for a two-year degree in Nautical Technology later this year. “God willing, after finishing the work for my degree, I will get my mate’s license get a job in the tug industry with the ATBs,” Frank said. “That will provide me with some stability, a steady routine and good pay. Of course I look forward to someday returning to the beach and starting a family.” But Frank’s future was not always quite as promising. To the contrary, it was rather daunting. “I finished the 10th grade, but then dropped out of high school and did nothing except hang around the farm until I was 17,” he said. Shortly after turning 17, Frank met with Army Recruiter Jim Nethkan, who took him under wing and made all the arrangements for him to meet the Army’s induction requirements—including testing for and obtaining a West Virginia state GED in 1978. Frank, however, who described himself at that juncture as “a young man who was too cool for school,” continued to make bad choices in his life, even while in the military. “I still struggled with a narrow temper and a broad ego,” he admitted. Consequently, he ended a promising military career in 1984 under unplanned and less-than-ideal circumstances. A short time later, he commenced his civilian life in prison. Upon his release from incarceration, Frank left the state of Washington for Missouri. Once in Missouri, he worked part-time for a roofing contractor. He also took a full-time course load at Calvary Bible College in preparation for service as a foreign missionary to tribal peoples. Despite three semesters of successful academic work at Calvary, that pursuit ultimately didn’t work out. Frank confessed, “I began to understand late in life that hard work and determination alone were not enough. I saw that in addition to a strong body, it was critical for a man to use his self discipline to carve out a solid character and to cultivate a consistent positive attitude. I constantly ask God to help me with this.” Frank then returned to his home state where from 1987 to 2000 he worked in residential construction and took classes at both Fairmont State College and West Virginia University. “Major stretches of this period were spent living out of my truck,” Frank noted. “Non-union pay rates in a rural part of one of the poorest states in the union simply were not enough to cover both living and school expenses. Something had to be sacrificed.” Fortunately for him, his fate was about to change. In 2000, Frank left residential construction and joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) and Local 604, as a fully AB Ernest Frank, left, discusses a college degree program issue with Dale Rausch, Paul Hall Center academic registrar. Frank is on the verge of completing requirements for his Associate of Applied Science Degree at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. qualified Journeyman. He then began doing commercial and industrial construction work. “I was involved mostly in heavy and highway contracts such as bridges and (ironically) prisons.” The UBC disaffiliated from the AFL-CIO in 2001, citing concerns about organizing. During this disaffiliation process, the UBC reorganized itself into regions. Because of this shake-up, Frank said, many of the men who were working in West Va. fell on hard times. Finding steady work became a real challenge. “At that time I was about 42 and a buddy of mine who had been a Seafarer with the SIU for 38 years had retired,” Frank recalled. “He told me that I was still young enough to make a career change and that I might like shipping. “Knowing him as I did and what he had done over the years,” Frank continued, “I decided to join the SIU.” Frank entered the unlicensed apprentice program at Piney Point in 2005 and graduated as a proud member of Class 670. “That was my first year here,” he said. “Looking back over my life since then, I can tell you that choosing the maritime industry as my profession was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.” Frank has since gone to sea aboard several union-contracted vessels, working in the Deep Sea Division. He has returned to Piney Point on more than a few occasions to upgrade his skills. “The facility here [the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center] is a fantastic opportunity for everyone in the union,” he continued. “It’s unbelievable when you consider all that this union has done and the extent to which it has gone to ensure the success of its members.” Frank lauded the role which the union’s officials over the years have played in the continued success and growth of the school. “The leadership has done everything possible to make it easy and convenient for members to further their careers, improve their skill sets and stay current with the needs of the industry,” he said. “In my estimation, this school has been one of Mike’s [SIU President Michael Sacco] real successes. “He has had the vision to maintain a place like this where members can come to, with their families, and get the education and experience they need in order to remain competitive in today’s maritime marketplace,” Frank said. “And of course, from the signatories’ [SIU-contracted companies] point of view, that’s exactly what they want to see…. They want to see a membership that they can tap into on demand … a membership competent and current in its skills.” Despite the union’s best efforts to make advancing one’s career less challenging, Frank feels that far too few of his brothers and sisters take advantage of it. “Members often do not take the time to improve themselves,” he said. “They see the opportunities for advancement when they are aboard the ships but often fail to follow through while on the beach by doing the things they really need to do to enhance their skill sets here at the school. “I’ve tried to get as many people interested in the school as possible because the union is expending a lot of energy to keep this program going…. I sincerely want to see more members take advantage of it,” Frank concluded. Paul Hall Center Offers Courses Which Lead To Degrees, Certificates In addition to its nationally acclaimed unlicensed apprentice training program for seafarers and boatmen, the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education offers curriculums leading to two-year college degrees and certificates. Associate of Applied Science programs are available for deck as well as engine department students. Both degrees offer concentrations in the deep sea or inland divisions of the maritime industry. Successful students will need to complete general education courses as well as vocational courses specific to the department in which they ship. The Nautical Certificate program is available to those who complete the school’s unlicensed apprentice program and start both their upgrading and college programs. Certificates are offered in maritime technology with concentrations in nautical science or maritime engineering. Collectively, the foregoing programs are designed to provide the opportunity for seafarers to earn college degrees or certificates in their occupational areas. An added benefit is that these programs provide students with solid academic foundations in general education subjects. To be accepted for either of the college degree or certificate programs, candidates must meet the following criteria: ■ Be a member of the SIU in good standing; ■ Receive a passing score on the American College Testing program standardized test; ■ Possess the prerequisite maritime background for courses (have upgraded at least once in their department); ■ Provide an essay describing personal education goals; and ■ Have earned a high school diploma or GED. Seafarers who are interested in either of these programs should contact the Paul Hall Center Academic Department at (301) 9940010, ext 5411. April 15 Deadline Nears for Scholarship Application Annual Program Offers Up to $132,000 In Grants For Members, Dependents Time is running out for Seafarers and dependents who are interested in furthering their education through the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) 2010 Scholarship Program. The application deadline is April 15. Planned as a vehicle through which the financial challenges of college and vocational studies can be diminished, the 2010 iteration of the annual SHBP program offers eight awards. Three of these offerings specifically are designated for Seafarers; five have been targeted for spouses and dependents. One of the Seafarers scholarships totals $20,000 and is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, college-level course of study. Two other awards are for $6,000 each and are designed as two-year grants for study at a post-secondary vocational school or community college. The remaining five scholarships are for spouses and dependents. Each is worth $20,000. The first step in the application process is to send for the 2010 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet. The package contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. To obtain a copy of this handout, interested individuals need only complete the form which appears (location) and return it to the address provided. The packages also are available at SIU halls. Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility criteria to determine if they are eligible to participate. They should also begin collecting and assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit 8 Seafarers LOG with the full application. All required materials must be received by the SHBP Scholarship Program Office by April 15. Items that need to be incorporated in the final application package include transcripts and certificates of graduation. Letters of recommendation – solicited from individuals who know the applicant’s character, personality and career goals – also should be included as part of the application package. A high-quality photograph and a certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate are also required and should accompany the package. Seafarers and dependents who previously applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements. Prior winners also may apply. Please send me the 2010 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name............................................................................................................................................................................................. Mariner’s Social Security Number............................................................................................................................................... Street Address............................................................................................................................................................................... City, State, Zip Code ................................................................................................................................................................... Telephone Number ..........( This application is for: )................................................................................................................................................. Self Dependent Mail this completed form to: Scholarship Program Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 6:35 PM Page 9 Questions & Answers About QMED Who is a QMED-Any Rating? ■ Anyone who has a Merchant Mariner Credential that states Rating Forming Part of an Engine Room Watch (QMED-Any Rating) on the International pages of their MMC (also known as the ’95 STCW pages) AND who is endorsed accordingly on the Domestic pages (also known as MMD pages) as Qualified Member of the Engine Dept – Any Rating. Must be listed in both sections. ■ OR have QMED-Any Rating on the old MMD and ’95 STCW certificate. It must be endorsed on both documents. How does a mariner become a QMED-Any Rating? The following are the endorsements a mariner must have in order to receive QMED-Any Rating on their MMC or MMD and the ’95 STCW. A mariner must have all of them and their document will reflect QMED-Any Rating. The first eight require written exams; Deck Engine Mechanic and Engineman do not require exams. ■ Refrigeration Engineer ■ Oiler ■ Deck Engineer Notice/Reminder Engine Department Career Path Engine Department Career Path Key UA – Unlicensed Apprentice BST – Basic Safety Training STCW – Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping BAPO – Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations RFPEW – Ratings Forming Part of an Engine Room Watch FOWT – Firemen, Oiler, Watertender February 2010 ■ Fireman/Watertender ■ Junior Engineer ■ Electrician ■ Machinist ■ Pumpman ■ Deck Engine Mechanic ■ Engineman ■ Deck Engine Mechanic How does a mariner get Deck Engine Mechanic and Engineman if there is no exam? ■ Deck Engine Mechanic – While holding QMED-Junior Engineer must sail six months (180 days) as QMED-JE on steam vessels of at least 4,000 horse power OR show satisfactory completion of at least four weeks of indoctrination and training in the engine department of an automated steam vessel of at least 4,000 hp. ■ Engineman – While holding QMEDFireman/Watertender, Oiler or Junior Engineer must sail six months (180 days) in any one or combination of QMEDFWT, Oiler or JE on steam vessels of at least 4,000 hp OR show satisfactory completion of at least two weeks of introduction and training in the engine department of a partially automated steam vessel of at least 4,000 hp. According to the SIU standard contract, what is the QMED classification system? ■ The classification system can be found in the SIU standard contract and is a rate of pay based on training within the engine department. ■ According to the SIU standard contract as of January 1, 1985 all QMEDs shall be classified subject to verification of having satisfactorily completed the following specified Paul Hall Center/Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship (SHLSS) specialty courses: ■ Class #4 – SHLSS JE/DE course or old QMED-Any Rating (SHLSS) course ■ Class #3 – QMED JE/DE (SHLSS) or Any Rating (SHLSS) with two or three specialty courses ■ Class #2 – QMED JE/DE (SHLSS) or Any Rating (SHLSS) with four or five specialty courses ■ Class #1 – QMED JE/DE (SHLSS or Any Rating (SHLSS) with six or more specialty courses What are the SHLSS specialty courses? ■ Automation ■ Marine Electrical Maintenance or Marine Electrician ■ Marine Electronics ■ Welding ■ Refer Systems Maintenance and Ops or Marine Refer Tech ■ Pumproom Maintenance and Ops or Pumpman ■ Machinist ■ Diesel Engine Tech ■ Hydraulics ■ Hagglund Crane Maintenance ■ Advanced Refer Containers ■ Conveyorman How do I know what classification the mariner is? ■ Anyone who is in the QMED classification system should have a yellow highlighted sticker in the miscellaneous pages of their Training Record Book (TRB). ■ If there is no sticker the person either is NOT in the classification system or may call Paul Hall Center Admissions to verify classification (1-877-235-3275). ■ If someone has not taken the JE/DE course at the Paul Hall Center/SHLSS or the old QMED-Any Rating course they will NOT have a classification sticker and must attend the school. Only mariners who have been given an equivalency test or evaluation (for practical experience) by the Paul Hall Center director of training may be granted a class #4 status without attending the school. Who can sail as QMED-Any Rating according to the SIU contract? ■ Anyone endorsed as QMED-Any Rating on their MMC (correct pages) or on their MMD and ‘95 STCW OR anyone with QMED-Class #4 or higher sticker in their Training Record Book (TRB) What can I sail as if I am not an Any Rating or never attended SHLSS JE/DE courses, but have QMED ratings on my MMC or MMD/’95 STCW? ■ In the positions listed on the MMC or MMD/’95 STCW as long as they are NOT QMED positions. For example: Someone with the electrician endorsement can sail as an electrician or chief electrician if they meet the SIU contract requirements, but NOT as a QMED-Electrician If I am endorsed as Oiler and/or Fireman/Watertender can I sail as a QMED? ■ No. You can only sail as Oiler, FWT, OMU or FOWT Questions may be directed to the admissions office at the Paul Hall Center at 1-877-2353275. Seafarers LOG 9 �57888_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2010 6:40 PM Page 10 Holidays With Seafarers On the Paul Hall Center Campus Upgraders and unlicensed apprentices pitched in to prepare a Thanksgiving feast for fellow students to enjoy. Among those going “above and beyond” in the preparations were (from left in photo above) Charles Burnham, Lamond Fulton, Bernard Lawes, Valerie Russo and Chris Coston. At that time, Burnham was in Phase I of the unlicensed apprentice program, while Fulton was in Phase III. Lawes and Coston were enrolled in the certified chief cook class and Russo was completing advanced galley operations. At the Hall In Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Dozens of Seafarers, retirees and family members showed up Dec. 23 for a holiday barbeque at the hall in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Chief Steward Elrick Archer (third from left) starts filling his plate while fellow SIU members (from left) Miguel Santos and Marco Figueroa eagerly await their respective turns. AB Eugenio Lopez Pictured from left to right are Secretary Clara Rampersadsingh, Port Agent Kris Hopkins and Patrolman Kevin Marchand. Aboard the Golden State Just two days before Christmas, Seafarers aboard the tanker Golden State submitted these photos to SIU Tacoma Safety Director Ryan Palmer during a vessel visit in Ferndale, Wash. At that time, Kevin Stewart and Damario Carr were on board for the second phase of the Paul Hall Center’s unlicensed apprentice program. “Kevin and Damario are well-regarded by the crew as well as the captain and chief engineer, who praised the hard work and positive attitude shown by both,” Palmer noted. Pictured from left to right in photo at right are Oiler Alexis Frederick, UA Kevin Stewart, Bosun Cris Tizon, AB Clifton Ayars, ACU Jamie Serrano, SREC V e r o n i k a Cardenas, AB Morgan Piper and Chief Pumpman Dan Daligcon. UA Damario Carr (left) puts the finishing touches on the crew’s Christmas Tree. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 6:38 PM Page 11 Holidays With Seafarers Aboard the MV Freedom Aboard the Global Sentinel The recently concluded holiday season was a festive period for Seafarers during their off-duty time aboard the MV Freedom. In the photo above, crew members join for a group shot. Pictured (front, from left) are AB Luis Garcia, 3rd A/E Kern, 3rd Mate Phillips, STOS Michael Merrell, AB Mercurio Talictic, Oiler Steven Myrick, STOS Clayton Walker, (standing) BREC William Barrett, SREC Artis Pilgrim, C/E Hibl, 2nd Mate Elliot, 1st A/E Barto, 2nd A/E Fisher, Oiler Charles Gaitu, Chief Cook Mary Brayman, Oiler Michael Callahan, Capt. Hagerty and Chief Mate Champion. In the photo at right are Chief Steward Frank Starling, Chief Cook Mary Brayman and SA Frank Toth. The group photo was taken on Christmas day, while the other two were taken on Thanksgiving. These photos were submitted by Recertified Bosun Lee Hardman from the cable ship Global Sentinel. They were taken in December while the vessel was in Portland, Ore. At the Hall in Wilmington, Calif. Seafarers, retirees and family members turned out for a Christmas luncheon at the union hall in Wilmington, Calif. Port Agent Jeff Turkus and Retiree Mary Lou Lopez submitted these photos from the gathering. “It was a terrific event,” Lopez said. “I can safely say that everyone, including the active and retired members, thoroughly enjoyed the meal and wonderful decorations. Thanks to Jeff and his staff for doing a great job.” Some of those who participated in the activities (clockwise from above left, from left to right) included: Pristine Cartera-Turkus (wife of Port Agent Jeff Turkus), Port Secretary Lorraine Nuno; Retired Recertified Bosun Dirk Adams, Port Agent Jeff Turkus, Los Angeles County Labor Federation Representative Hector Saldivar and Dispatcher Nick Rios; AB Frank Gill Jr., and Retired Dispatcher Jesse Solis and Retirees Mary Lou Lopez, Aloa Agostino and Grace Woodman. At left is Bosun Gerry Gianan. February 2010 Seafarers LOG 11 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 6:55 PM Page 12 WHAT’S NEW FOR 2009? Following are some of the changes that will take effect in 2009, along with changes that remain in effect from 2008. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. E-File Opens for 2009 - This year, the IRS and its partners in the Free File Alliance are offering a new option, Free File Fillable Tax Forms, which allows free electronic filing of tax returns for virtually everyone. Taxpayers who use e-file and who choose direct deposit can receive their refund in as few as 10 days. That’s because with e-file, there’s no paper return going to the IRS. IRS e-file allows taxpayers to file their returns now and pay later if they owe taxes. It allows taxpayers to file both federal and most state returns at the same time. Exemption - The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased from $3,500 in 2008 to $3,650 in 2009. You lose part of the benefit of your exemptions if your adjusted gross income is above a certain amount. The amount at which the phase-out begins depends on your filing status. For 2009, the phase-out begins at: ■ $250,200 for married people filing jointly and qualified widow(er) with dependent children, ■ $208,500 for a head of household, ■ $166,800 for single taxpayers; and ■ $125,100 for married persons filing separately. Standard Deduction – For 2009, three additional items may be added to the standard deduction amount: ■ State and local real estate taxes paid up to $500 ■ State and local excise taxes (or equivalent fees in states without a sales tax) on a new vehicle purchased after February 15, 2009 and before January 1, 2010 ■ Net disaster losses claimed on Form 4684 To claim any of these amounts, taxpayers must file new Schedule L with their return. The Standard Deduction for a dependent is the greater of $950 or the sum of $300 and the dependent’s earned income, not to exceed $5,700 (plus $1,400 if age 65 or blind). Economic Recovery Payment - There is a new one-time payment of $250 for certain eligible individuals who collect social security benefits, railroad retirement benefits, veterans benefits, and/or supplement security income (SSI). This payment will be automatic for those individuals who qualify. Only one payment is allowed per person even if you collect more than one of the benefits listed above. You do not need to file a tax return to get this onetime payment. This payment is not taxable. Making Work Pay Credit - You may be able to take this credit if you have earned income from work. Even if your federal income tax withholding is reduced during 2009 because of the credit, you must claim the credit on your return to benefit from it. You cannot take the credit if: ■ Your modified AGI is $95,000 ($190,000 if married filing jointly) or more, ■ You are a nonresident alien, or ■ You can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. The credit is 6.2% of your earned income but cannot be more than $400 ($800 if married filing jointly). The credit will be reduced if: ■ You receive a $250 economic recovery payment during 2009, ■ Your modified AGI is more than $75,000 ($150,000 if married filing jointly), or ■ You take the Government Retiree Credit Government Retiree Credit – This credit is available for taxpayers receiving pension or annuity payments in 2009 from services performed for the Federal, state or local government that is not covered by social security. The credit is $250 per taxpayer but may not be taken if the economic recovery payment was received. Both the Making Work Pay and Government Retiree credits are refundable and computed on new Schedule M. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2009. ■ Credit of $5,657 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $43,279 ($48,279 if married filing jointly) ■ Credit of $5,028 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $40,295 ($45,295 if married filing jointly), ■ Credit of $3,043 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $35,463 ($40,463 if married filing jointly), or ■ Credit of $457 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $13,440 ($18,440 if married filing jointly). The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $3,100 for 2009. If you get advance payments of the credit from your employer with your pay, the total advance payments you get during 2009 can be as much as $1,826. Some Unemployment Compensation Non-Taxable - For tax year 2009, the first $2,400 of unemployment compensation benefits are excluded from income. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the social security tax for 2009 and 2010 is $106,800. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. Kiddie Tax - The limit on the so-called “kiddie tax” increased to $950 in 2009. Children will pay no income tax on the first $950 of unearned income, such as capital gains or interest from a savings account, and will be taxed at their own rate (most likely 10%) on the next $950 (0% for long-term capital gains). Unearned income over $1,900 is taxed at the parents’ rate. For tax year 2009, the kiddie tax will apply not only to children under the age of 18 at the close of the tax year but to any children who continue to qualify to be claimed as a dependent and who are not contributing more than 50% of their own support under the age 12 Seafarers LOG of 19. The age increases to 24 if the child is a full time student. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate - The 0% and 15% maximum tax rates on qualified dividends and net capital gains remains in effect from last year. Refundable Child Tax Credit - For 2009, if the total Child Tax Credit exceeds the amount of tax liability, the excess credit is refundable to the extent of the smaller of ■ The amount of the Child Tax Credit remaining after reducing regular tax or AMT to “0”, or ■ 15% of the taxpayer’s earned income in excess of $3,000. Adoption Benefits Increased - For 2009, the maximum adoption credit and exclusion from income for benefits under an employer’s adoption assistance program has increased to $12,150. These amounts are phased out if your modified AGI is between $182,180 and $222,180. Educator Expenses - The deduction for eligible educator expenses, $250, remains unchanged for 2009. Education Credits - For tax years 2009 and 2010, there is a new credit, “The American Opportunity Tax Credit”, which is a modification to the HOPE credit. The credit can be up to $2,500 and up to $1,000 of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit now applies to the first 4 years (previously 2) of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and $25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your: ■ Modified AGI of $80,000 to $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) ■ Modified AGI of $160,000 to $180,000 for Married Filing Joint The original HOPE credit may only be used in 2009 if an eligible student is attending an eligible institution in a Midwestern disaster area. The HOPE and Lifetime Learning credits are available to single filers with Modified AGI between $50,000 and $60,000 and $100,000 and $120,000 for joint filers. Tuition and Fees Deductions - Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. The maximum amount of the deduction is $4,000. Student Loan Interest Deduction - For 2009, the amount of the student loan interest deduction is phased out if your filing status is married filing jointly and your modified AGI is between $120,000 and $150,000. For all other filing statuses, your student loan interest deduction is phased out if your modified AGI is between $60,000 and $75,000. No deduction is available for Married Filing Separate taxpayers. Education Savings Bond – Individuals who redeem qualified US Savings bonds to pay for higher education may be able to exclude the interest income earned. The interest exclusion is phased out for joint filers with AGI between $104,900 and $134,900. For all other filers the phase out occurs between $69,950 and $84,950. Individual Retirement Accounts: ■ Education IRAs - (Coverdell Education Savings Account) – Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. However, expenses used to claim the HOPE credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit will not qualify for tax-free treatment. ■ Traditional IRAs - The contribution limit to a traditional IRA in 2009 is $5,000 (increased to $6,000 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2009). Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range increased to $55,000-$65,000 for single, head of household, and $89,000-$109,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Also, solely for the purpose of figuring the $100,000 modified AGI limit on eligibility to make qualified rollover distributions from a Traditional IRA to Roth IRA, minimum required distributions from IRAs and other qualified plans received in tax year beginning with 2006 are excluded from modified AGI. ■ Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $5,000. If a taxpayer reaches age 50 before 2009, the most that can be contributed will be $6,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $105,000 and $120,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $166,000 and $176,000, and for married filing separately with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Penalty-Free IRA Distributions – The additional 10 percent tax penalty on an early distribution from an IRA may not apply if you pay higher education expenses for yourself, spouse or your children or grandchildren. The tax penalty also may not apply if you pay expenses related to the purchase of a home by a first-time homebuyer. Only $10,000 during the individual’s lifetime may be withdrawn without a penalty for this purpose. Also, the tax penalty does not apply to distributions for an individual’s disability, medical care, or to a beneficiary after death of the individual. First-Time Homebuyer - A new law that went into effect November 6, 2009 extends the first-time homebuyer credit five months and expands the eligibility requirements for purchasers. For 2008 purchases, the credit of $7,500 is still similar to a no Continued on Page 14 TAX TIPS FOR HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. ■ Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. ■ Itemized deductions and tax credits. ■ Medical and dental payment records. ■ Real estate and personal property tax receipts. ■ Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. ■ Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-800-272-9829 or 1-888-7291040 or visit web sites www.officialpayments.com or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 73b, 73c and 73d on their Form 1040. Line 73b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 73c indicates the type of account, and line 73d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and directly submit t cally. Free electronic subject to any incom more information, vi at: www.irs.gov. WHAT ARE C DEDUCTIONS A Personal Exemp deduction for each e individual, his or her dents has increased son. In 2009, the ex for high income t reduced or eliminate gross income exceed amounts. A child exemption on his or fy for a higher edu child’s parents cla exemption for their c Standard D Increased: The stan dollar amount that r that is taxed, has i people (see box on t of this increase, it m ual’s benefit to take tion this year even itemized deductions Personal Interes 2009, personal in deducted. Personal interest on car loans sonal loans and tax d Interest on Deductible: Interest or investments deductible. Union Dues D dues, including w deductible only if th of adjusted gross in only the portion ov deductible. SPAD never been deductibl Club Dues Ded tion is permitted for dues paid to profess vice organizations business reasons. Deductions Subj Adjusted Gross Inc investment advisor administrative fees, are paid to produc unreimbursed emplo deposit box rental a fees. Deducting Expenses: Expenses seaman’s work may deductible. However deducted for which reimbursed by the e the union hall to reg union’s designated take the required phy are examples of ex work-related but not company. Members may deduct the co other equipment th but use when on a sh work duties. The p related clothing and as it is truly for work the employer, are li ered tax-deductible. Deducting Wo Expenses: Use of a STANDARD DEDUCTION This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpay or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,100 for a mar “spouse” or $1,400 for an unmarried person). Note that the persona deduction is $3,650. Filing Status Sta Single and Married filing separate............................................... Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children............................................................... Head of household........................................................................ For 2009, taxpayers who claim the standard deduction and who owners may add the lesser of state and local property taxes paid or the case of joint filers) to the above amounts. February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 6:56 PM Page 13 OR MARINERS bmit the forms electronitronic filing is no longer income limitations. For on, visit the IRS web site v. RE CONSIDERED NS AND CREDITS xemption Amount: The ach exemption—for the or her spouse and depenased to $3,650 per perhe exemption deduction me taxpayers may be minated if their adjusted xceeds certain threshold hild cannot claim an is or her return or qualir education credit if the s claim a dependency heir child. Deduction Has e standard deduction, or that reduces the amount has increased for most x on this page). Because it may be to an individtake the standard deduceven if that person has tions in the past. terest Deductions: For al interest cannot be sonal interest includes loans, credit cards, pertax deficiencies. on Secured Loans terest paid on mortgages nts is 100 percent es Deduction: Union ng working dues, are if they exceed 2 percent oss income. If they do, n over the 2 percent is AD contributions have uctible. Deduction: No deducd for club dues; however, ofessional or public serons are deductible for s. Subject to 2 Percent of s Income: These include dvisory fees, trustee’s fees, legal expenses that roduce taxable income, employee expenses, safe ntal and tax preparation Work-Related enses associated with a may be considered tax wever, no expense can be hich a seaman has been the employer. Travel to o register or travel to the ated medical facility to d physical and drug tests of expenses which are ut not reimbursed by the mbers of the galley crew he costs of knives and nt they personally own n a ship performing their The purchase of workg and other gear, as long work and not paid for by are likely to be considible. Work-Related Car of a personally owned N axpayer is 65 or older a married person or ersonal exemption Standard Deduction ...........................$ 5,700 ..........................$11,400 ...........................$ 8,350 d who are also home aid or $500 ($1,000 in automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate is 55 cents in 2009. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operatingrelated costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only workrelated expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: ■ Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and ■ Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $52 a day ($58 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through September 30, 2009 and $59 a day ($65 for travel outside the continental United States) from October 1 through December 31, 2009. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Limit on Itemized Deductions: In 2009, itemized deductions may be limited for individuals earning more than $166,800 of federal adjusted gross income (or $83,400 if married and filing separately). Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Refundable Child Tax Credit – For tax years 2009 and 2010, the refundable portion of tax credit will be calculated using earned income in excess of $3,000. In 2009, taxpayers who have a qualifying child who is a U.S. citizen and for whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption and who is less than 17 years old are entitled to the child tax credit. The amount of the credit is $1,000 per child. The credit begins to phase out when modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $110,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for single taxpayers or $55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. The phaseout ranges for deducting student loan interest are: ■ Modified AGI of $60,000 to $75,000 for Single, Head of Household and Qualifying Widow(er) February 2010 ■ Modified AGI of $120,000 to $150,000 for Married Filing Joint No deduction is allowed for Married Filing Separate. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2009, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: ■ Jones Act settlements for lost wages. ■ Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. ■ Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. ■ Canceled debts. ■ State income tax refunds. ■ Rents. ■ Repayments. ■ Royalties. ■ Unemployment benefits. ■ Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. ■ Endowments. ■ Original Issue Discount. ■ Distributions from self-employed plans. ■ Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). ■ Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. ■ Lump-sum distributions. ■ Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). ■ Accumulation distributions from trusts. ■ Prizes and awards (contests, raf- fles, lottery and gambling winnings). ■ Earned income from sources outside the United States. ■ Director’s fees. ■ Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. ■ Embezzled or other illegal income. WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: ■ Benefits from government welfare programs. ■ Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs. ■ Maintenance and Cure. ■ Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. ■ Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. ■ Child support. ■ Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. ■ Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. ■ Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. ■ Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. ■ Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION Taxpayers can get an automatic 6month extension if, no later than April 15, 2010, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. WHERE IS MY REFUND? In 2004, the IRS launched a new program that allows taxpayers to trace their refunds online. If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the web site at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pur- OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. suant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year— was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which nonresidents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. WHERE TO GET INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information. IRS staff answers questions 24 hours a day. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:15 PM Page 14 All Hands Notice Interocean American Shipping Corp. Obligated to Pay Monies To Current, Former Seafarers The following list contains names of current and former SIU members who are owed money by Interocean American Shipping Corporation. The company asks that these individuals contact either Tom Foskett, vice president of finance, or Lisa Leuzzi, accounting manager, at Interocean American Shipping, 3 Harper Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057, telephone (856) 770-1600, to claim payment. Abobaker, Mohamed Abrams, Reginald Acord, Floyd Agosto, Jose A. Aldridge, Larry L. Alexander, Robert M. Alvarado, Santiago R. Alwashie, Adel A. Ames, Therman E. Arnold, Krista Arzu, Julio C. Baldwin, Walter C. Banks, Troy D. Barrineau, William O. Battiste, Leo M. Bedford, Anthony P. Bennet, Andre Bohannon, Oliver L. Bravo, Enrique Brinn, Edward L. Brown, Joseph H. Cameron, James E. Cates, Laura L. Cintorino, Fred Clifford, Robert H. Collier, Herbert Copeland, Miles S. Cotterman, Christopher W. Cruz, Daniel Danao, Norman F. Davis, Envie Dinos, Dennis Dunn, Matthew Edmonds, Ralph T. Eldridge, Thomas Fadiga, Jamal Falcon, Alberto Faller, Kenneth J. Flynn, James Foster, Stephen R. Gatling, Kevin M. George, Adele Gray, David W. Greene, Al Antonio Hall, Douglas R. Hansen, Sarah R. Hardy, Ross A. Hargrave, Scott C. Harkleroad, Roger J. Harrell, Brehon S. Hernandez, Edric Holle, Alan Jackson, Barrow W. Jackson, Darryl D. Jackson, John Jackson, Timothy J. Jennings, Antoine Johnson, Joseph Jones, Wilfred Kelly, Donald L. Kem, John D. Kicsak, John A. Kifle, Mike Laidler, Robert E. Langley, Ricky K. Letang, Joseph A. Ligon, Keith Linnette, Antonio Lopez, Arnold MacFarlane, Dean Mack, Troy Manning, Henry Marsh, Bobby Martin, Herman Martin, Kim McDavitt, Sean M. McDonald, James A. McIntyre, Charles S. Messick, David R. Meyers, Jacqueline Mohamed, Munassar Morales, Luis R. Morawski, Jan Natter, David W. Ngo, Luong Nolte, Dwaine R. Noto, Phillip A. Pak, Errol F. Payne, Charles A. Pelingon, Bernabe S. Pennick, John D. Perham, Stephen J. Phelphs, Robert Phillips, John H. Prazeres, Antonio C. Rice, Dale L. Richardson, Mark Robertson, Angela Rodil, Augusto B. Rodriguez, Jesus Rolon, Rosario Saari, Timothy Santiago, Felix A. Savage, Kendra Sheriff, Samuel K. Short, Christine Sierra, Orlando J. Silva-Sampaio, Michael A. Simbler, Ken Sims, Ray F. Smith, David W. Smith, Jerome Smith, Teddy H. Stanley, Benjamin Steinberg, David E. Stephens, Joseph W. Sykes, Christopher Teferi, Alula L. Thompson, Charles W. Torngren, George C. Trahan, Robert H. Trahan, Robert J. Vega, Fernando L. Viola, Larry R. Wallis, George E. Walters, Winston Watson, Michael G. Weatherspoon, Edrick A. Webster, Daniel B. Weirauch, Jon N. Werner, Claiborne B. Whitehouse, Joel V. Willey, Jason Williams, James Williams, Michael Williams, Wallace J. Williams, Washington H. Jr. Woods, William Worrell, Robert J. Yazidi, Mahmoud A. Zena, Rodolfo W. Zene, Andre Zindani, Mutee Various Changes Take Effect for 2009 Tax Season Continued from Page 12 interest loan and must be repaid in 15 equal annual installments beginning in 2010. Several Acts in 2009 extend the deadline for qualifying home purchases from November 30, 2009, to April 30, 2010. Additionally, if a buyer enters into a binding contract by April 30, 2010, the buyer has until June 30, 2010, to settle on the purchase. The credit for 2009 purchases increased to $8,000 for a first-time homebuyer –– that is, a buyer who has not owned a primary residence during the three years up to the date of purchase. Additionally, the credit does not have to be repaid unless the home ceases to be the primary residence within 3 years of the purchase. For all qualifying purchases in 2010, taxpayers have the option of claiming the credit on either their 2009 or 2010 tax returns using the new version of the Form 5405. Taxpayers who claim the credit on their 2009 tax return will not be able to file electronically but instead will need to file a paper return. A taxpayer who purchased a home on or before Nov. 6 and chooses to claim the credit on an original or amended 2008 return may continue to use the current version of Form 5405. For homes purchased prior to Nov. 7, 2009, existing MAGI limits remain in place. The full credit is available to taxpayers with MAGI up to $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers. Those with MAGI between $75,000 and $95,000, or $150,000 and $170,000 for joint filers, are eligible for a reduced credit. Those with higher incomes do not qualify. For purchases after November 6, the full credit will be available to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGI) up to $125,000, or $225,000 for joint filers. Those with MAGI between $125,000 and $145,000, or $225,000 and $245,000 for joint filers, are eligible for a reduced credit. Those with higher incomes do not qualify. There are new restrictions on purchases that occur after November 6: ■ Dependents are not eligible to claim the credit. ■ No credit is available if the purchase price of a home is more than $800,000. ■ A purchaser must be at least 18 years of age on the date of purchase. Members of the Armed Forces and certain federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and still qualify for the credit. An eligible taxpayer must buy or enter into a binding contract to buy a home by April 30, 2011, and settle on the purchase by June 30, 2011. The new law also provides a “long-time resident” credit of up to $6,500 to others who do not qualify as “first-time homebuyers.” To qualify this way, a buyer must have owned and used the same home as a principal or primary residence for at least five consecutive years of the eight-year period ending on the date of purchase of a new home as a primary residence. Mortgage Insurance Premiums May Be Deductible - Many homeowners are paying mortgage insurance premiums which are now deductible as part of the mortgage interest deduction. This deduction begins at the start of 2007 and expires at the end of 2010. Mortgage insurance provided by the Veterans Administration, the Federal Housing Administration, the Rural Housing Administration, and private mortgage insurance companies all qualify for the deduction. Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit - This credit equals 30 14 Seafarers LOG percent of what a homeowner spends on eligible energy-saving improvements, up to a maximum tax credit of $1,500 for the combined 2009 and 2010 tax years. The cost of certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and stoves that burn biomass all qualify, along with labor costs for installing these items. In addition, the cost of energy-efficient windows and skylights, energy-efficient doors, qualifying insulation and certain roofs also qualify for the credit, though the cost of installing these items does not count. It should be noted that qualified property should be expected to remain in use for at least 5 years. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – This credit also equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit. Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available except in the case of fuel cell property, which is $500 for each one half kilowatt of capacity. Not all energy-efficient improvements qualify for these tax credits. For that reason, homeowners should check the manufacturer’s tax credit certification statement before purchasing or installing any of these improvements. The IRS cautions that the manufacturer’s certification is different from the Department of Energy’s Energy Star label, and not all Energy Star labeled products qualify for the tax credits. Eligible homeowners can claim both of these credits when they file their 2009 federal income tax return. New Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases Taxpayers who bought a new car or several other types of motor vehicles between February 16, 2009 and before January 1, 2010 may be entitled to a special tax deduction on their 2009 federal tax return as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. State and local sales and excise taxes imposed on up to the first $49,500 of a qualified vehicle (passenger auto, light truck, motorcycle or motor home) may be deducted. The deductible amount may either be added to your standard deduction or taken as an itemized deduction in lieu of state and local income taxes. For states that do not charge a sales tax, equivalent fees may be used for the purpose of this deduction. Standard Mileage Rates - The 2009 rate for business use of your vehicle is 55 cents a mile. The 2009 rate for use of your vehicle to get medical care or for travel related to deductible moving expenses reported on Form 3903 is 24 cents a mile. The 2009 rate for charitable services remain at 14 cents a mile. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) - The AMT is a parallel tax calculation method. Unlike the regular tax computation, certain items become taxable, some deductions are disregarded, and the exemption amount is larger. The following is updated for 2009 returns. ■ The AMT exemption amount has increased to $46,700 for single filers, $70,950 if married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) and $35,475 if married filing separately. ■ The AMT exemption amount for a child whose unearned income is taxed at the parent’s tax rate has increased to $6,700. ■ State or local sales or excise tax on the purchase of a new motor vehicle is also allowed as a deduction for the AMT. ■ Tax-exempt interest on specified private activity bonds issued in 2009 or 2010 is not an item of tax preference and therefore is not subject to the AMT. Charitable Contributions – Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, is a list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. The IRS now features an online version to help you conduct a more efficient search of these organizations at: www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/. Donations of Automobiles - There is a limit on the charitable contribution of used motor vehicles (with a claimed value in excess of $500) to the gross sales price received by the charity for the subsequent sale of the donated vehicle, rather than the fair market value. A charitable organization must provide the donor with Form 1098-C. Debt Forgiveness - Taxpayers can exclude up to $2 million of debt forgiven on their principal residence. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return. This provision applies to debt forgiven in 2007, 2008 or 2009. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure qualifies for this relief. Use Form 982 to claim the exclusion. Deduction for Credit or Debit Card Convenience Fees - If you pay your income tax (including estimated tax payments) by credit or debit card, you can deduct the convenience fee you are charged by the card processor. The deduction is claimed for the year in which the fee was charged to your card as a miscellaneous itemized deduction subject to the 2% of AGI floor. Penalty for Failure to File Income Tax Return Increased If you do not file your return by the due date (including extensions) you may have to pay a failure-to-file penalty. For returns filed more than 60 days after the due date (including extensions) the penalty is increased to the smaller of $135 or 100% of the unpaid tax. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child - In 2005, to simplify the tax law, the definition of a ‘qualified child’ changed for taxpayers who claim a child as a dependent, elect Head of Household status, or take the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child or Dependent Care Credit. To meet this new definition, the person needs to be your child, sibling (or descendent of either), adopted or foster child. The child must be under either (1) age 19; (2) under age 24 if a student, or (3) any age if permanently and totally disabled. Also, the child must be either a citizen, resident or national of the United States and must have the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of the year. The child must not provide more than onehalf of his/her own support for the year. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for e-mails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agency and which mention their tax refund or economic stimulus payment. These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The e-mails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or stimulus payment or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The e-mails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS Web site or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers e-mails about their tax accounts. Additionally, the way to get a tax refund or stimulus payment, or to arrange for a direct deposit, is to file a tax return. February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:19 PM Page 15 Dispatchers’ Repor t for Deep Sea Notice/Reminder Seafarers Must Renew TWICs Seafarers are reminded to renew their Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) so that the respective expiration dates do not adversely affect members’ ability to ship. In particular, mariners who signed up for reduced-fee TWICs are urged to check the expiration dates on those cards. The union is aware of recent instances in which members’ TWICs were set to expire while those mariners would have been at sea – a circumstance that prevented them from immediately shipping out. Reduced-fee TWICs were available in part so that mariners could arrange for both their z-cards/merchant mariner documents (MMD) and TWICs to expire at the same time. While a TWIC normally is valid for five years, a TWIC issued for a reduced fee would be valid for a shorter period; the exact time depends on individual variables. Mariners may begin the TWIC renewal process up to 180 days prior to expiration of their TWIC. Call the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) “TWIC Enrollment Hotline” at 1-866-347-8942 to commence the renewal process. March & April 2010 Membership Meetings December 16, 2009 – January 16, 2010 Port Total Registered All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 19 0 3 18 5 11 56 32 2 7 19 34 21 22 3 2 10 31 2 25 322 8 2 2 10 6 11 23 23 8 6 2 19 21 12 9 5 8 23 3 16 217 Deck Department 1 1 5 0 0 2 1 3 4 2 5 5 0 3 1 0 4 5 3 34 15 2 21 16 1 3 1 1 10 2 2 7 4 5 28 16 4 11 9 2 14 5 1 1 3 14 0 2 1 3 8 6 21 12 0 4 1 5 22 16 51 195 132 1 1 2 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 4 6 0 0 14 0 1 0 1 35 1 1 0 3 0 0 17 11 1 6 4 10 3 8 2 1 2 9 0 12 91 40 0 5 33 3 21 119 60 1 19 26 80 32 51 10 2 16 68 5 59 650 16 2 4 26 8 16 46 46 10 12 11 38 49 25 8 9 11 46 8 48 439 2 1 1 7 0 0 7 7 2 5 5 13 11 3 2 3 0 8 0 14 91 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 2 0 4 3 1 11 21 19 2 6 7 18 11 6 2 2 4 9 1 10 139 0 0 5 10 3 5 14 18 2 2 1 18 11 5 4 1 7 13 5 10 134 Engine Department 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 4 2 2 4 2 2 1 0 0 3 1 1 13 5 0 14 11 0 0 0 1 7 1 0 3 1 2 7 8 0 5 10 2 3 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 9 7 0 0 0 0 5 8 12 83 62 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 0 0 1 1 0 1 9 6 0 1 1 6 4 1 1 0 1 6 0 1 40 5 0 9 10 1 18 37 42 4 12 11 36 30 19 2 3 5 22 2 34 302 4 1 5 16 5 8 28 31 3 6 2 19 36 17 2 4 14 23 9 26 259 1 0 0 3 2 0 3 3 0 1 0 7 0 4 0 0 0 1 2 5 32 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 0 0 2 14 1 6 22 15 1 4 9 23 6 12 1 5 2 15 0 20 158 4 1 2 10 2 0 6 4 1 3 1 4 11 2 0 1 1 5 4 3 65 Steward Department 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 2 2 1 5 9 0 2 1 0 5 1 0 19 6 0 10 2 0 1 0 0 2 2 0 5 3 1 18 3 0 7 10 0 10 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 9 8 0 0 0 0 18 2 3 115 55 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 7 0 4 10 5 0 3 1 4 4 3 1 1 1 7 0 5 56 3 0 6 16 4 27 41 28 1 14 12 44 11 39 3 5 4 26 2 58 344 5 0 0 10 6 3 8 8 3 3 2 13 21 7 0 2 1 9 4 10 115 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 15 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 2 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 0 1 1 5 0 2 0 0 1 6 0 4 31 8 0 2 2 1 7 18 20 2 10 3 28 15 14 1 6 1 6 0 9 153 Entry Department 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 4 2 0 1 2 1 2 1 3 9 8 3 3 2 0 1 4 1 4 5 0 0 9 2 18 11 0 12 5 2 8 3 0 0 26 0 6 0 0 0 3 7 6 0 0 0 2 2 3 88 21 81 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 2 1 25 0 1 0 1 39 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 5 0 1 9 4 0 2 0 0 7 11 6 0 1 2 10 0 10 0 0 1 9 0 10 73 22 3 7 12 3 17 45 44 4 18 6 62 31 45 1 0 4 33 2 37 396 2 1 3 9 1 5 7 22 1 6 10 17 22 20 2 7 0 8 0 26 169 Grand Totals: 650 569 154 83 196 1,369 1,209 307 Piney Point.........................................Monday: March 8, April 5 Algonac ...............................................Friday: March 12, April 9 Baltimore........................................Thursday: March 11, April 8 Guam............................................Thursday: March 25, April 22 Honolulu ...........................................Friday: March 19, April 16 Houston...........................................Monday: March 15, April 12 Jacksonville....................................Thursday: March 11, April 8 Joliet.............................................Thursday: March 18, April 15 Mobile.......................................Wednesday: March 17, April 14 New Orleans.........................................Tuesday: March 16, April 13 New York...........................................Tuesday: March 9, April 6 Norfolk...........................................Thursday: March 11, April 8 Oakland ........................................Thursday: March 18, April 15 Philadelphia.................................Wednesday: March 10, April 7 Port Everglades ............................Thursday: March 18, April 15 San Juan .........................................Thursday: March 11, April 8 St. Louis ............................................Friday: March 19, April 16 Tacoma..............................................Friday: March 26, April 23 Wilmington...........................................Monday: March 22, April 19 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Attention: Seafarers WHO TRUMPETS MARITIME INTERESTS? SPAD DOES! Contribute to the olitical P s r e r Seafa ation n o D n Actio ) (SPAD February 2010 Total Shipped All Groups A B C 414 330 Trip Reliefs Registered on Beach All Groups A B C Seafarers LOG 15 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:00 PM Page 16 Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, 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 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 Inquiring Seafarer Editor’s note: This month’s Inquiring Seafarer question was asked in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Question: What are some of the things you look forward to in the New Year? Joe Caruso Recertified Bosun I’d like to see the health care bill passed, without the taxation. Other than that, I work steady and I love the union. Right now I sail relief on the OSG tankers and I enjoy the new ships. Everything works out really well here in south Florida – except for the weather lately! Ronald Webb AB I’m looking forward to being recertified one day. For the New Year, hopefully we can get more work, more contracts and improve our benefits. Basically I’m hoping for prosperity for the union. I’ve been in the union since 1986 and it has gotten better. At the same time, I’m looking forward to even more improvements. Victor Cooper Bosun What I’d like to see is a few things. I think there should be more ABs on the ships. I don’t know if the union can do anything about that, but that would give us some more jobs and it would be easier on the guys who spend a lot of time on the wheel. The time for your benefits – I’d like to see that drop a little bit. Also I would like to get into the recertified bosun class. That’s a very important thing for me. Edward Tennyson AB I’ve been in the union since 1997. Joining the SIU is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I’d like to see better contracts on some of the ships. I know our officials work hard and try to get us the best contracts they can get. I’d also like to see health care reform pass. It’s tough when you have children and have to take them to the doctor – it can be costly. Thomas Brooks AB I would like to see some changes in the deck department when it comes to manpower. I sail on many differ- ent kinds of ships and I believe if we had more ABs, it would improve safety. Otherwise, everything is good. The pay is good; the overtime is good. Virgilio Rosales Bosun Our benefits. I think if you can get better coverage it would be a good thing for the membership. I think our benefits need some work, speaking about the medical benefits, including dental. The insurance only covers so much. I think that’s something that should be worked on. Personally, I’d also like to get into that recertified class. Pics-From-The-Past JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 These file photos were taken during the general strike of 1946. The men holding the picket sign are in Boston; the other photo shows members at the SIU hall in New York. Reports from that era note that the SIU, “after consultations with all unions in maritime, called the first general strike in maritime history. Every ship in every port was immobilized, whether American-flag or foreign-flag. After eight days, on orders from President Truman, the Wage Stabilization Board reversed itself and approved SIU agreements. The strike was then called off and the waterfront returned to normal.” (Prior to the strike, the union had submitted two separate contracts to the board, then part of the Labor Department, for approval.) If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:01 PM Page 17 Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. Welcome Ashore DEEP SEA MELECIO AGPAOA Brother Melecio Agpaoa, 71, joined the union in 1996. He initially sailed on the Independence. Brother Agpaoa was born in Manila, Philippines, and shipped in the steward department. He frequently visited the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md., to upgrade his skills. Brother Agpaoa’s final ship was the RJ Pfeiffer. He is a resident of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. MATTHEW CARROLL Brother Matthew Carroll, 65, became an SIU member in 1965. His first ship was the Producer; his last was the Defender. Brother Carroll attended classes on two occasions at the Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. The deck department member was born in New York and now lives in El Paso, Texas. RONALD GORDON Brother Ronald Gordon, 55, graduated from the trainee program in Piney Point, Md., in 1980. The Alabama native sailed mostly aboard vessels operated by Alaska Tanker Company. Brother Gordon was a frequent upgrader at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Gordon resides in Mobile, Ala. ARNULFO LACAYO Brother Arnulfo Lacayo, 65, started sailing with the Seafarers in 1990 while in the port of New Orleans. His first voyage was aboard the Independence. Brother Lacayo, who sailed in the steward department, was born in Honduras. He upgraded often at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. Brother Lacayo was last employed on the APL Balboa. He makes his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. February 2010 ALI MOHAMED Brother Ali Mohamed, 57, signed on with the Marine Cooks & Stewards in 1979 while in the port of San Francisco. His earliest voyage was aboard the Del Oro. Brother Mohamed visited the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md., on two occasions. His most recent trip was on the APL Korea. Brother Mohamed was born in Yemen and worked in the steward department. He now calls Garden Grove, Calif., home. TOM ONEYEAR Brother Tom Oneyear, 65, donned the SIU colors in 1994 while in the port of New Orleans. He originally shipped aboard the USNS Persistent. Brother Oneyear attended classes on two occasions at the Paul Hall Center. He was a member of the deck department. Brother Oneyear’s final voyage was on the SSG Edward A. Carter Jr. He is a resident of Elizabeth City, N.C. INLAND DAVID WARDINGLEY Brother David Wardingley, 62, joined the SIU in 1999 while in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He initially sailed on the USNS Kane. Brother Wardingley was born in Illinois and worked as a member of the deck department. In 2001 and 2004, he upgraded his skills at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. Brother Wardingley’s most recent trip was aboard the Padre Island. He calls Casselberry, Fla., home. GREAT LAKES JACK POVASER Brother Jack Povaser, 71, was born in Wisconsin. He began sailing with the union in 1987. Brother Povaser, a member of the steward department, was originally employed with Great Lakes Associates. In 2002, he enhanced his seafaring abilities at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Povaser’s final trip was on the Indiana Harbor. He is a resident of Superior, Wisc. DORIS SABIN Sister Doris Sabin, 66, became a Seafarer in 1994 in the port of Detroit. Her first ship was the Steel T. Crapo; her last was the Sam Laud. Sister Sabin was born in Alpena, Mich. The steward department member attended classes at the Piney Point school in 1995. Sister Sabin lives in Rogers City, Mich. NATIONAL MARITIME UNION JOSE BEOF Brother Jose Beof, 72, was born in Pennsylvania. The deck department member upgraded at the Paul Hall Center in 2002 and 2003. Brother Beof’s final voyage was aboard the Maersk Carolina. He settled in Temecula, Calif. ADRIANO COUTINHO Brother Adriano Coutinho, 65, joined the NMU before it merged with the SIU in 2001. He was born in Cape Verde, Honduras, and worked in the deck department. Brother Coutinho most recently sailed on the Maersk Wyoming. He is a resident of Pawtucket, R.I. EDWARD GAILLARD Brother Edward Gaillard, 65, began shipping with the NMU before the merger in 2001. He enhanced his skills frequently at the Piney Point school. Brother Gaillard was born in California. His last trip to sea was aboard the C.P. Navigator. Brother Gaillard makes his home in Charleston, S.C. to his retirement, Brother McLure worked on the Comet as a member of the deck department. He calls Wilmington, Calif., home. ROBERT TAYLOR Pensioner Robert Taylor, 65, started his NMU career before the 2001 merger. The deck department member was born in Texas. In 2004, Brother Taylor took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Paul Hall Center. His final ship was the Achiever. Brother Taylor continues to live in Texas. ELVIS MCLURE Brother Elvis McLure, 65, became an NMU member before the 2001 merger with the SIU. He was born in Philipsburg, Mont., and upgraded on two occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. Prior This Month In SIU History Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG 1939 A new agreement was signed with the Ocean Steamship Company of Savannah (Savannah Line). The new contract included hiring through the union hall, overtime, safety conditions, nine holidays, room and meal allowance, first-class transportation and subsistence and raises in pay for some members of the steward and engines departments. It also provided for overtime to be paid for all work performed in port on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and holidays. 1943 Maximo Murphy, SIU Able Seaman, was decorated Feb. 13 by Capt. Edward Macauley of the U.S. Maritime Commission in Washington. Brother Murphy received the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal, the highest honor to be given seamen. Murphy’s ship was sunk last year in the Caribbean. He pulled 21 crew members aboard a raft, navigated it to land and then plunged through the jungle for 18 hours to reach civilization and bring aid to his union brothers. After being repatriated to the U.S., Murphy joined the Army “to avenge my father.” His father was ship’s carpenter on a vessel that was lost about the time Murphy was torpedoed. 1942 Early on the morning of January 25, the ore carrier S.S. Venore was torpedoed off the Carolina coast and went down with the loss of the skipper, the radio operator and 18 SIU crew members. The 21 survivors of the Venore, after spending 38 hours in an open lifeboat were picked up by a rescue vessel and taken to Norfolk. The submarine masqueraded as a lightship and blinked a code message for the Venore to come closer. When the unsuspecting ship got within range, the submarine fired two torpedoes and then shelled her with a deck gun. In spite of recent promises that all ships would be armed, this ship did not even have a cap pistol aboard – she was a sitting duck. 1961 The SIU scored a most important victory for all American seamen when the National Labor Relations Board decided to take over jurisdiction over American-owned ships flying runaway flags, if these ships operate regularly out of U.S. ports. The ruling came in a case which had been universally recognized as a landmark in American maritime unions’ efforts to organize runaway-flag shipping. In fact, the case was considered so important that enormous pressure had been brought to bear on the Board to rule against the union. Those appearing in opposition to the SIU included the State Department, the Defense Department and a committee representing the giant steel, oil and aluminum combines. Seafarers LOG 17 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:01 PM Page 18 Final Depar tures DEEP SEA ARCHIBALD BELL Pensioner Archibald Bell, 81, died Aug. 20. Brother Bell began shipping with the SIU in 1953. The engine department member was born in Iowa. Brother Bell originally sailed on the Oremar. His last ship was the Express. Brother Bell started receiving his retirement compensation in 1996. He called Ocean Park, Wash., home. GERALD CORELLI Pensioner Gerald Corelli, 73, passed away Sept. 1. Brother Corelli signed on with the union in 1961. He initially sailed on the Del Norte in the deck department. Brother Corelli was born in Bronx, N.Y. His final voyage was aboard the Stonewall Jackson. Brother Corelli went on pension in 1997. He was a resident of Pensacola, Fla. CARLITO FABIO Brother Carlito Fabia, 49, died July 30. He was born in Manila, Philippines. Brother Fabio became a Seafarer in 1988. His first ship was the Independence; his last was the Long Lines. Brother Fabio worked as a member of the steward department. He continued to reside in the Philippines. WILLIAM KRATSAS Pensioner William Kratsas, 67, passed away Oct. 21. Brother Kratsas joined the SIU in 1959 while in the port of Baltimore. He originally sailed on the Dorothy. Brother Kratsas, who sailed in the deck department, was born in Baltimore. Prior to his retirement in 2006, he shipped aboard the Eugene A. Obregon. Brother Kratsas settled in LaPlace, La. GEORGE PAPAMANOLIS Pensioner George Papamanolis, 85, died Feb. 24. Brother Papamanolis, a member of the deck department, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1964. His first trip was with Pacific Seafarers Inc. Brother Papamanolis was born in Karpathos, Greece. He was last employed aboard the El Faro. Brother 18 Seafarers LOG Papmanolis started collecting his pension in 1988 and lived in Greece. JOHN ROBINSON Pensioner John Robinson, 87, passed away Sept. 11. Brother Robinson started sailing with the union in 1951 while in the port of New York. He was born in Louisiana. Brother Robinson’s earliest trip was on a Delta Steamship Line vessel. He shipped in the steward department. Brother Robinson’s final voyage took place aboard the Sam Houston. He retired in 1986 and called Huntsville, Ala., home. INLAND JAMES AMBROSE Pensioner James Ambrose, 62, died Sept. 1. Brother Ambrose joined the union in 1976. He primarily sailed with Allied Transportation Company. Brother Ambrose was born in Virginia and worked in the steward department. He started receiving his pension in 2001. Brother Ambrose made his home in Hayes, Va. NORMAN DAWSON Pensioner Norman Dawson, 77, passed away Aug. 1. Brother Dawson was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He first donned the SIU colors in 1951 while in New York. Brother Dawson initially sailed aboard a New York Dock Railway vessel. He was most recently employed with Moran Towing of Maryland. Brother Dawson went on pension in 1997 and resided in Crystal River, Fla. JAMES GLYNN Pensioner James Glynn, 85, died Sept. 2. Brother Glynn began his Seafaring career in 1978 while in Wilmington, Calif. He was mainly employed with Crowley Towing & Transportation of Wilmington. Brother Glynn was a native of Illinois. In 1995, he retired and settled in San Diego. WILLIAM KRAJEWSKI Pensioner William Krajewski, 94, passed away Sept. 21. He started sailing with the SIU in 1960. Brother Krajewski was born in Connecticut. His final trip was with Penn Central Transportation Company. Brother Krajewski became a pensioner in 1973. He called New Brunswick, N.J., home. JOHN LANE WINSTON DANIEL Brother John Lane, 52, died Sept. 18. He signed on with the SIU in 1998. Brother Lane primarily worked with Crescent Towing & Salvage Company. The Alabama native sailed in the deck department. Brother Lane lived in Bloomingdale, Ga. Pensioner Winston Daniel, 91, died Aug. 5. The New York-born mariner became a pensioner in 1983. Brother Daniel made his home in Bronx, N.Y. GREAT LAKES ROBERT WERDA Pensioner Robert Werda, 63, passed away Sept. 14. Brother Werda began sailing with the union in 1964 in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He first worked with American Steamship Company. Brother Werda, a member of the deck department, most recently shipped aboard the JAW Iglehart. He went on pension in 2002. Brother Werda continued to reside in his native state of Michigan. NATIONAL MARITIME UNION JULIO ALAMO Pensioner Julio Alamo, 91, passed away Aug. 7. Brother Alamo was born in Peru. He became a pensioner in 1987 and settled in New York State. JOSEPH BELL Pensioner Joseph Bell, 69, died Aug. 25. Brother Bell was a Garland, La., native. He retired in 2002 and called Port Arthur, Texas, home. ROBERT CANTRELL Pensioner Robert Cantrell, 81, passed away Aug. 5. The Oklahoma native started collecting his retirement pay in 1990. Brother Cantrell resided in Henderson, Nev. FELIX CASTRO Pensioner Felix Castro, 90, died Sept. 19. Brother Castro was born in Honduras. He went on pension in 1984. Brother Castro lived in Galveston, Texas. GEORGE CORDES Pensioner George Cordes, 81, passed away Aug. 2. Brother Cordes was a native of New York. He began receiving his retirement pay in 1966. Brother Cordes resided in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. 1985. Brother Histing lived in New Jersey. CHARLES JAPNGIE JOSE DEJESUS Pensioner Jose DeJesus, 95, passed away Aug. 7. Brother DeJesus was born in Yabucoa, P.R. He retired in 1980. Brother DeJesus called New York home. Pensioner Charles Japngie, 72, passed away July 11. Brother Japngie was a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. He started collecting his retirement compensation in 1973. Brother Japngie made his home in Brooksville, Fla. MAX LONG Pensioner Max Long, 78, died Sept. 14. Brother Long, a native of Georgia, retired in 1987. He called Hinesville, Ga., home. JAMES EARNHEART Pensioner James Earnheart, 80, died August 21. Brother Earnheart was a native of Maury City, Tenn. He started collecting his retirement compensation in 1973. Brother Earnheart made his home in Conroe, Texas. RAFAEL FIGUEROA Pensioner Rafael Figueroa, 76, passed away Sept. 18. Brother Figueroa was a resident of New York. He went on pension in 1993. WALTER MARCHINKO Pensioner Walter Marchinko, 88, passed away Aug. 15. The Boston-born mariner went on pension in 1985. Brother Marchinko made his home in Hampton, N.H. CORNELIUS MOSS ADRIAN GABRIEL Pensioner Adrian Gabriel, 83, died Sept. 3. Brother Gabriel was born in New Bedford, Mass. He became a pensioner in 1996 and continued to reside in New Bedford. HAROLD GOODRUM Pensioner Harold Goodrum, 71, passed away Aug. 3. The Tennessee-born mariner retired in 1997. Brother Goodrum resided in Tyler, Texas. Pensioner Cornelius Moss, 69, died Aug. 21. Brother Moss was born in Port Arthur, Texas. He became a pensioner in 1999 and settled in New York. Name Alves, Joseph Anderson, William Barboza, John Collins, Angus Dewar, George El-Emanuel, Eloah Emanuele, Maria Glick, Leo Jones, Charles Lacayo, Mariano Mahon, Rufus Martinez, Moises McCauley, Charlie McCloud, Leroy McGhee, Roy Notargicico, Ralph Papakoulos, Apostolos Ramey, Ralph Rondeau, Adrian Santos, Luis Torres, Jose Age 96 84 81 92 98 80 93 92 82 72 94 86 90 86 86 84 94 75 89 90 86 DOD Sept. 9 July 10 Aug. 19 July 28 Aug. 16 Sept. 27 Sept. 24 Sept. 12 July 12 Aug. 31 July 3 July 3 Aug. 24 Aug. 28 July 12 June 22 Sept. 1 July 2 July 23 July 11 July 3 ERNEST HISTING Pensioner Ernest Histing, 79, died Aug. 10. Brother Histing was a native of Philadelphia. He began receiving his pension in February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:02 PM Page 19 Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings AMERICAN SPIRIT (American Steamship Company), December 29 – Chairman Paul Gohs, Secretary Joyce Sufak, Educational Director Michael Kruse, Deck Delegate Ronald Bochek, Steward Delegate James R. Beaudry. Chairman put copies of scholarship applications booklets in crew recreation room for members to see what requirements are needed to apply. He reminded mariners to renew all documents that may expire over winter lay-up. Educational director encouraged crew members to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. He posted classes from the January Seafarers LOG on the bulletin board. Crew discussed beef over vessel restriction in Silver Bay, Minn. They are pleased with the union’s response and look forward to a resolution. Deck department members were reminded to dress properly for severe cold and watch for signs of frostbite. Next port: Silver Bay, Minn. BURNS HARBOR (American Steamship Company), December 31 – Chairman Stanley Gurney, Secretary Joel E. Markle, Educational Director Ricardas Juska. Chairman informed members that he is available any time for questions or concerns regarding departments, contract or union business. Secretary notified crew that he has union forms available for anyone who needs them. Educational director talked about the importance of enhancing seafaring abilities at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. 2nd Cook requested new mattress. Next port: Superior, Wisc. GREEN DALE (Waterman Steamship Company), December 6 – Chairman Donald Rezendes, Secretary Strode V. Call, Engine Delegate Connie Adejado, Steward Delegate Sally Santiago. Chairman reported safety meeting that was held on Nov. 12 went smoothly and was easy to understand. Secretary advised all mariners to attend classes at the SIU-affiliated training center. Mariners were encouraged to contribute to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activity Donation); when they do, they are helping themselves as well as their union brothers and sisters. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Mariners were advised to keep all necessary seafaring documents current and start renewal process early. Thanks were given to the steward department for great food. With Seafarers Aboard the Coast Range HONOR (Interocean American Shipping), December 20 – Chairman Billy Hill Sr., Secretary Patricia Sullivan, Deck Delegate Billy Hill Jr., Engine Delegate Vorden Ferguson, Steward Delegate Allen Van Buren. Bosun reported payoff upon arrival in Jacksonville, Fla. on Dec. 26. Crowley is taking over as company manager. The SIU welcomes them aboard. Secretary noted room inspections went well and asked crew to have new linen ready for replacements. Educational director reiterated the need for mariners to make sure all shipping-related documents are up-to-date and keep dues current. He also advised all mariners to attend classes at the SIU-affiliated training center. Treasurer reported $2,500 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. It was noted that crew dryer and duty mess fridge had been installed during voyage. The new pay scale goes into effect on Jan. 1. Solar window tint has been placed on all windows to help reduce heat inside. Steward department was thanked for great holiday spreads and barbecues. Next ports: Galveston, Texas; Charleston, S.C.; and Baltimore. Members of the deck gang include ABs (from left) Mike Cousin, Leonard Welcome, Tibby Clotter and Rick Wiemer. HORIZON EAGLE (Horizon Lines), December 29 – Chairman Rufino Giray, Secretary Rang V. Nguyen, Educational Director David M. Parker, Deck Delegate Lou Cabano, Engine Delegate Prentiss Smith, Steward Delegate Muckbil A. Shabi. Chairman expressed his gratitude to crew members for a smooth voyage. Secretary urged members to contribute to SPAD. He also asked those departing vessel to leave rooms clean and supplied with fresh linen. Educational director urged mariners to upgrade whenever possible to improve skills and better their chances of moving up. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks was given to the steward department. Next ports: Los Angeles and Oakland, Calif. MAERSK CAROLINA (Maersk Line, Limited), December 7 – Chairman Cecil Yearwood, Secretary Meeting aboard Matson’s Mahimahi Pictured aboard the Matson containership Mahimahi are (from left) Chief Cook Lito Acosta, SIU Oakland Dispatcher Nick Marrone II and Chief Steward Sivasa Laupati. February 2010 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. Chief Cook Bernard Butts tends to the grill. Alexander Banky, Educational Director Kevin Cooper, Deck Delegate Abdul Gharama, Steward Delegate Saeed Alahmadi. Chairman reported another safe trip with no lost-time injures. Crew members praised Apprentice Marvin Kirby as a good worker and an asset to the SIU. Secretary announced payoff in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 14. He advised mariners to have all receipts turned in and check their vouchers. Members were advised to read the Seafarers LOG to stay informed about changes to benefits and shipping rules. Educational director reminded crew members to empty pockets when doing laundry so the machines do not get broken. No beefs or disputed OT reported. It was noted that the TV in crew lounge is out-of-date; they need a converter box and antenna. Motion was made to have shore gang reliefs and increase pension benefits. Members would also like the medical plan to send out notifications when benefits are about to expire and let them know how much it will cost per month to keep their benefits. Next ports: Newark, N.J.; Charleston, S.C.; and Norfolk, Va. OVERSEAS BOSTON (OSG Ship Management), December 27 – Chairman Christopher Kicey, Secretary Stephen Avallone, Recertified Bosun Greg Jenkins mixes paint aboard the tanker while the vessel is in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Educational Director Thomas Woerner, Deck Delegate Carlo Balajadia, Engine Delegate Shawn Alexander, Steward Delegate Saeed Shaibi. Bosun went over ship’s itinerary and encouraged mariners to donate to SPAD. Members were reminded to secure possessions in rooms for sea travel and clean rooms for reliefs. Educational director urged mariners to upgrade whenever possible to improve skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification was requested concerning cash draws. Members would also like new mattresses. Next port: Anacortes, Wash. Timothy Koebel, Educational Director Salome Castro, Deck Delegate Bruce Landos, Engine Delegate Cesar Bugtai, Steward Delegate Ernie Lizada. Chairman stated that Tacoma port agent will call on ship in Anacortes, Wash. He will bring a copy of original agreement signed with company, which is still applicable. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation was made to increase medical benefits. Kudos to steward department for superb cuisine. Next ports: Anacortes, Wash.; Valdez, Alaska; and Nikiski, Alaska. RESOLVE (Interocean American USNS SAMUEL L. COBB (Ocean Shipping), December 13 – Chairman Roan Lightfoot, Secretary Robert Owens, Educational Director Ameon Fuller, Deck Delegate Osnan Arriola, Steward Delegate Robert Maschmeier. Chairman reported payoff to take place on Dec. 20 in Beaumont, Texas. Educational director advised members to upgrade, which can lead to better opportunities and advancement. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department was thanked for excellent meals during voyage. Request was made for a treadmill. Next port: Beaumont. Ships Inc.), December 13 – Chairman Aristeo Padua, Secretary Cesar Dela Cruz, Educational Director Randolph Sutton, Deck Delegate Johnie Chavez, Engine Delegate Damien Bautista, Steward Delegate Leonida V. Peligrino. Chairman went over ship’s itinerary and stated payoff would be in Norfolk, Va. on December 22. Secretary led discussion pertaining to new gym equipment and possible fitness room. Treasurer reported $779 in ship’s fund to be used for DVDs and crew recreational activities. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew conveyed thanks and compliments to military personnel for protecting the vessel. Next port: Norfolk, Va. SEABULK ARCTIC (Seabulk Tankers), December 23 – Chairman Seafarers LOG 19 �57888_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2010 6:42 PM Page 20 Letters To The Editor Letters may be edited for conciseness and clarity. Submissions may be mailed to 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 or e-mailed to webmaster@seafarers.org. Remembering One of Our Own Thank You and Best Wishes On Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, Pumpman Ronnie L. Day reported to the bridge of the USNS Samuel L. Cobb with severe chest pains at about 0610, ship’s time. He was also having trouble breathing. Capt. William G. McCullough, who has known Ronnie since 1991, was immediately concerned and had Ronnie moved to the ship’s hospital. There, Third Mate Justin Hajduk, with the assistance of members of an embarked security team, began tending to Ronnie. Ronnie L. Day Unfortunately, he went into cardiac arrest. Despite administering CPR and the use of the automated external defibrillator, he never regained consciousness. The captain was in contact with a shore-based medical service, and it was determined that further efforts would not be effective. The entire crew and other SIU brothers and sisters of Ronnie L. Day send their heartfelt condolences to the family. He was a good man, a hard worker, and a good shipmate. Enclosed are two photos of Ronnie taken nine to 10 days earlier. I hope this letter finds all SIU brothers and sisters in the best of health and safe from harm. I am writing a few lines to say thank you so much for sending me my pension check early, especially for those holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and other special days. It’s a great help…. Your understanding and consideration always are greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all of you. May God bless our Seafarers International Union. Rickey D. Yancey Norfolk, Virginia Brother Day (right) and fellow crew members pose in the engine room of the USNS Samuel L. Cobb. Plurinsus G. Ordansa Glen Burnie, Maryland Scholarship Winner Conveys Thanks This is a long overdue but deeply felt letter of thanks for the financial support granted by the National Maritime Union, which launched me on a career that has been rather unconventional but, I hope you will agree, deserving of investment. In 1967, I received a $10,000 scholarship from the NMU that essentially paid for my undergraduate education – three years at Mount Holyoke College and a year at the University of Exeter in England. Although I had majored in political science, I shifted to United States history when I attended graduate school at the University of New Hampshire. I combined the two fields in my dissertation, a study of judicial decision-making in Supreme Court cases involving aid to sectarian schools. A few years after completing my doctorate, I was awarded a Liberal Arts Fellowship by Harvard Law School. This enabled me to audit classes related to my academic interests and to complete the research for an edited collection of the correspondence between Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes and Felix Frankfurter, who was a professor at Harvard Law School during the time of the correspondence but later joined the Supreme Court. This volume, co-edited with Robert M. Mennel, was subsequently published by the University Press of New England. The following year, I was a Fulbright Scholar in Norway, where I held the unique position of “roving scholar.” In order to improve instruction in English language and American culture at the upper secondary level, the Norwegian Department of Education sponsors an American scholar to travel throughout the country to give workshops to teachers. I was privileged to be among the first to be given this opportunity. Although I held the position nearly 20 years ago, I have maintained strong connections with some of my professional colleagues in Norway and have returned to participate in conferences and, under the auspices of the United States Embassy, to lecture at the law schools in Bergen and Oslo. I taught at private secondary schools in New England for five years before completing my graduate work and have, on several occasions, accepted short-term appointments at colleges and universities: Clark University, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of New Hampshire, and Western Washington University. I was the founding director of the National History Education Network and have served as a consultant for the Young Adult and Reference Divisions at Oxford University Press and for the Education Division of the National Endowment for the Humanities. I also wrote a young adult biography of Chief Justice Earl Warren, which was published by Oxford. I am currently working on a history of the North Bennet Street School in Boston and have received a grant from the Craft Research Center in North Carolina to complete the research for that project. A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to establish a Fellowships Office at Western Washington University. In this position, I assist students who choose to apply for national competitive scholarships – in short, some of the best students at the university. In a very real sense, I see this assignment as bringing my experience full circle. I am grateful to be able to guide students through the challenging process of applying for merit scholarships and, having been a recipient of comparable awards myself, to know what a difference these awards will make in the lives of these talented and hard-working young people. I am, of course, delighted to know that the Seafarers International Union remains committed to assisting both the members and members’ spouses and dependents to further their educations. As one who has benefited so greatly, I applaud your continuation of this worthwhile program. Christine L. Compston, Ph.D. Bellingham, Washington Seafarers Safe Haven Has Openings for Retired Mariners Seafarers Safe Haven at the Prospect Park YMCA in Brooklyn has several permanent rooms available for retired seafarers. These rooms are complemented by a communal lounge with cooking facilities, a comfortable seating area and a library. This shared space fosters a strong community among the seafarers, and a sense of connection with the broader community of the Prospect Park YMCA. Residents can use the recreational facilities at the YMCA, and have access to surrounding institutions including the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Brooklyn Public Library and Prospect Park. The development of the residential facility has served as a springboard for the development of programming for the retired seafarers. Special activities and events are developed based upon the interests of residents, and have included trips to the maritime museum in Mystic, Connecticut, dinners for the residents, movies and discussion groups. Seafarers Safe Haven currently has several vacancies. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: must be retired from active maritime service; must have at least 10 years of sea time (not including vacation time) documented by discharges and U.S. Coast Guard records; must be receiving Social Security and/or pension benefits, with annual income not exceeding $28,000; and, must be “clean and sober” and able to handle semi-congregate living. For more information, please contact Herb Reiss, director of Seamen’s House, at (718) 768-7100, extension 122, or write to: Seamen’s House Prospect Park YMCA 357 9th Street Brooklyn, NY 11215 Herb Reiss Brooklyn, New York Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by 20 Seafarers LOG certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION—If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:03 PM Page 21 Seafarers Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Schedule The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the first months of 2010. All programs are geared to improving the job skills of Seafarers and to promoting the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010 Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Medical Care Provider April 19 June 14 April 23 June 18 Steward Department Upgrading Courses Steward Recertification April 12 May 3 Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations These modules start every Monday. Certified Chief Cook/Chief Steward These classes start every other Monday. The most recent class began Jan. 25. Deck Department Upgrading Courses Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Able Seaman March 1 April 26 June 21 April 19 October 18 May 24 May 3 June 21 June 7 April 5 March 29 June 21 March 8 May 10 February 15 March 26 May 21 July 16 April 23 November 8 June 18 May 7 June 25 June 18 April 16 March 29 June 21 March 19 May 21 February 19 ARPA Bosun Recertification Celestial Navigation Fast Rescue Boat Lifeboatman Radar Observer (Unlimited) Radar Recertification Specially Trained Ordinary Seaman Tank PIC Barge DL Engine Department Upgrading Courses Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations FOWT Marine Electrician Machinist Welding March 29 May 24 March 1 April 26 June 21 March 22 February 22 March 8 April 5 May 10 June 7 April 23 June 18 March 26 May 21 July 16 May 15 March 12 March 26 April 23 May 28 June 25 Safety Upgrading Courses Basic & Advanced Firefighting March 8 May 31 BST/Basic Firefighting February 8 March 1 April 26 May 24 June 21 Medical Care Provider March 22 Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed at the Paul Hall Center. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, two weeks prior to the beginning of a vocational course. The following opportunities are currently available: Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), a College Program and a Preparatory Course. When applying for preparatory courses, students should list the name of the course desired on upgrading application. An introduction to computers course, a self-study module, is also available. Online Distance Learning Courses “Distance learning” (DL) courses are available to students who plan to enroll in classes at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. The online courses are not mandatory, but they are structured to benefit students who eventually attend other classes at the Paul Hall Center, which is located in Piney Point, Md. The online courses are: DOD Level 1 Antiterrorism Awareness Training, MSC Environmental Awareness, First Aid Preparation, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, Hazardous Material Control and Management, Hearing Conservation, Heat Stress Management, Bloodborne Pathogens, Shipboard Pest Management, Respiratory Protection, Back Safety, Fixed Fire Fighting Systems, Shipboard Firefighting, Portable Fire Extinguishers, Fire Fighting Equipment, Shipboard Water Sanitation, Crew Endurance Management, Basic Math Refresher, Intermediate Math Refresher, Marine Engineering Mathematics Preparation, Introduction to Navigational Math, Basic Culinary Skills, and Chief Cook Preparation. Students MUST have access to the internet and an e-mail address in order to take the aforementioned classes. Each course must be taken online, not at the Paul Hall Center. Email addresses should be provided on applications (printed neatly) when applying. Applicants should include the letters DL when listing any online course on the upgrading application form below. Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover—for whatever reason—that they cannot attend should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. March 19 June 11 February 12 March 5 April 30 May 28 June 25 March 26 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name __________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back or relevant pages of merchant mariner credential, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate, valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC. _______________________________________________________________________ Date of Birth ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ Deep Sea Member ____________________________ _______________ _______________ If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Social Security #_______________________ Book # __________________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Lakes Member Seniority_____________________________ Inland Waters Member Department______________________ Home Port_____________________________________________________________ COURSE DATE OF COMPLETION _______________ LAST VESSEL: __________________________________Rating: ______________ E-mail________________________________________________________________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off:________________________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held______________________________________ SIGNATURE ________________________________ DATE___________________ _______________________________________________________________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? Yes No If yes, class # ___________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? Yes No If yes, course(s) taken_____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ February 2010 The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/10 Seafarers LOG 21 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:03 PM Page 22 Paul Hall Center Classes Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 725 - Thirteen unlicensed apprentices on Oct. 2 completed this 60-hour water survival course. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Adalberto Caceres, Damario Carr, Jonathan Green, Daryl Holloway, Leland Jordan, Jason Newsham, Lionel Rivera, Mark Santoli, Charles Searfass, Marcel Soares, Kevin Stewart, Joseph Tucker and James Washington. Their instructor, Ben Cusic, is at right. Welding – Eight upgraders completed their requirements in this 103-hour course Dec. 18. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Efren Bacomo, Jonathyn Bland, Jeremy Birchfield, Michael Brannon, Tony Brinkley, Enchantress Johnson, Orlando Pabon and John Walsh. Buzzy Andrews, their instructor, is sixth from left in the back. FOWT – Thirteen upgraders graduated from this course Jan. 29. Completing their requireCelestial Navigation – The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) completed this 126-hour course Jan. 29: Lou Cabano, Alfred Drake, Christopher Paul, Korron Richardson, James Robinson, Whitney Sheridan, Martin Simons, Troy Tadlock and Anthony Willis. ments (above, in alphabetical order) were: Tellentyre Barmann, Romeo Benidco, Daniel Cortez, Corey Covington, Abdulkarin Ghaleb, Mohamed Ghaleb, Steven Hamilton, Brandon Hess, Douglas McLaughlin, Reina Mendez, Walter Orange, Melvin Smith and Charles Wescott. Tim Achorn, their instructor, is at right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Able Seaman – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) completed their requirements in this course Jan. 29: James Baldwin, Erik Clausen, Jaysen Cummings, Scott Daly, Jarrell Dorsey, Tyler Egan, James Grant, Lorenzo Hall Jr., Eric Johnson, Aretta Jones, Jeremy Paschke, Justin Spodoni and Jesse Sunga. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon, is at right. Welding – Five individuals completed their training requirements in this 103-hour course Jan. 22. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Abner DiazTorres, Daniel McFarland, Rodolfo Opinaldo, Frank Strong, and Daniel Tapley. Buzzy Andrews, their instructor, is standing left in the back row. Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover—for whatever reason—that they cannot attend should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2010 �57888_P01_24:January 08 1/28/2010 7:16 PM Page 23 Paul Hall Center Classes Basic & Advanced Firefighting – Eighteen individuals graduated from this 41-hour course Dec. 11. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Olawale Adegunwa, Ben Anderson, Kenneth Baker, David Brady, Michael Brown, Lewis Coleman, Patrick Devlin, Jonathan Driggers, Oscar Garcia, Nicole Geidemn, Ross Lyle, Alfred Norris, Chester Roberson Jr., Cesar Runatay, Martin Simmons Jr., Daryl Thomas, Aaron Velunta and Donald Wellentin. Their instructor, Steve Stockwell, is at right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Junior Engineer – Twenty-five upgraders graduated from this course Dec. 18. Completing their training requirements (photo at left, in alphabetical order) were: Julius Bollozos, Alex Canada, Gregory Carroll, James Demouy, Helbert Esquivel, Michael Evans, Edwin Feliciano, James Glover, Eloy Gutierrez, Rance Hadaway, Demarco Holt, Geoffrey James, Arthur Kately, Frederick Kotoku-Sackson, Noel Magbitang, Latisa May-Christopher, Keith McIntosh, Christopher Mercado, Candido Molina, Victor Quioto, Wayne Roberson, Mikel Tittsworth, David Turley, Justin Valencia and Clarence Verdun. Their instructor, Jay Henderson, is standing at right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Medical Care Provider – Two classes of upgraders completed this class December 18. Those graduating (photo at right, in no particular order) were: Ben Anderson, Oscar Garcia, Luis Irias, Korron Richardson, Cesar Runatay, Martin Simmons Jr., Donald Wellentin, Olawale Adegunwa, Jonathan Driggers, Roderick Frazier, Nicole Geideman, Alfred Norris, Robert LaPointe, James Summers and Daryl Thomas, Their instructors, Mark Cates and Mike Roberts, are pictured second from left and at the far right respectively. Certified Chief Cook - The following individuals (above, from left to right) completed this 12-week course Jan. 12: Victor Jones, Christina Mateer and Obencio Espinoza. Their instructor, John Dobson, is at right. February 2010 BST (HAWAII) - The following individuals (above, in no particular order) completed this course Dec. 12 at the Seafarers Training Center in Barbers Point Hawaii: Sunny Baez, Cory McKim, Kyle Blalock, Jessica Bateman, Jennifer Bonawitz, Kiryl Chemyshenka, Victor Cruz, Luz Gonzalez, Brian Healey, Leandra Kim, Duncan MacLeod, Darren McCahill, Abel Mendoza, Alain Nicolas, Siraya Schleis and Nathalie Ventura. Seafarers LOG 23 �57888_P01_24x:January 08 1/29/2010 6:43 PM Page 24 Volume 72, Number 2 February 2010 Holidays With Seafarers - Pages 10-11 A large number of toys and bicycles (photo at left and the one above) were donated to needy military families. Fourth Arm of Defense Supports Military Families Tacoma-Area Seafarers Donate Time, Money, More through ‘Santa’s Castle’ When some military members in the Northwest United States needed a boost during the holidays, 70 volunteers from the Tacoma, Wash., SIU hall swung into action to help support those who do so much for our nation. Through a program called “Santa’s Castle,” SIU members and others in the state—along with officers and enlisted personnel at Ft. Lewis, Wash.—come together to collect donations of toys, money and other items in support of the military’s lower enlisted ranks – those who are paid the least, but who often are deployed the most. Names of families that are in need of support are submitted to post officials such as chaplains and first sergeants. During the recent holiday season, Santa’s Castle provided gifts to more than 1,600 children from nearly 700 families for a total of about $125,000 worth of toys. To top off the season’s activities, the Tacoma hall sponsored a luncheon for volunteers and families. “As part of the fourth arm of defense, we wanted to give something back to the families of those who are on the front lines when our nation calls,” said SIU Tacoma Port Agent Joe Vincenzo. “As mariners, we in Tacoma have worked side by side with many of these folks [service members] in various operations in which we deliver the goods. They’re like family to us so, it’s only fitting that we share the holiday cheer with their families.” “Our families just fell in love with the Seafarers who volunteered,” explained Santa’s Castle Assistant Vice President Susan Adams. “They contacted us and volunteered. We have a lot of deployments in this area and many of our families have both parents deployed during the holidays. SIU folks helped make the holidays for these families warm and wonderful. And, boy, did they work. SIU folks alone collected more than $3,500 in donations of toys and money, and helped us run the program. Without our volunteers, there are families who might have had a less cheerful holiday season.” Seafarers including Hernando Basilan, Saleh Ahmed, Josh Luna and Abdullah Ali carry toys for military children participating in the Santa’s Castle program. Among the Army and union volunteers for Santa’s Castle from the Tacoma area were (photo at left, back row, left to right) Sergeant Gehlen, Lieutenant Colonel Adams, Captain Anderson, SIU Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, Master Sergeant Crompton, SIU Safety Director Ryan Palmer, Specialist Bacon and SIU Tacoma Administrator Jim Ott. Pictured in the front row are Santa’s Castle Asst. VP Susan Adams (left) and Tacoma Secretary Brenda Flesner. The Tacoma SIU hall (photo above) had 70 volunteers for the program. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2010 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES SEAFARERS MOBILIZE FOR HAITI RELIEF LMSR CONTRACTS GO TO AMSEA, PATRIOT NEW RO/RO JOINS SIU FLEET SIU MEMBERS ANSWER CALL FOR HAITI RELIEF OPERATIONS SEAFARERS HELP MOBILIZE SHIPS, DONATE TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS DEFENSE DEPT. AWARDS LMSR CONTRACTS TO AMERICAN OVERSEAS MARINE, PATRIOT MARITIME ICON ROMAN GRALEWICZ RETIRES APL ANNOUNCES ‘LANDMARK’ CLEAN-AIR PLAN IN OAKLAND LABOR-BACKED CANDIDATE WINS IN HOUSTON IMO DESIGNATES 2010 ‘YEAR OF THE SEAFARER’ REP. ABERCROMBIE READY TO VIE FOR HAWAII GUBERNATIONAL SEAT RETIRED PORT AGENT JOE PEREZ DIES AT 76 CALIF. MEMORIAL RECOGNIZES U.S. MERCHANT MARINERS OCEAN ATLAS DELIVERS SUBWAY CARS COLLEGE PROGRAM AIDS IN TURNAROUND AB FRANK RECOMMENDS PAUL HALL CENTER CURRICULUMS TO FELLOW SEAFARERS INTEROCEAN AMERICAN SHIPPING CORP. OBLIGATED TO PAY MONIES TO CURRENT, FORMER SEAFARERS FOURTH ARM OF DEFENSE SUPPORTS MILITARY FAMILIES Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2010 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 72, No. 2 2010 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/42cd3ec7fc6f37b4dd6c956745bfeebd.pdf b7f467f0d193e73af6090dc288ff9182 PDF Text Text 62813_Log_Feb_2011_X:January 08 1/31/2011 2:36 PM Page 1 Volume 73, Number 2 February 2011 Crescent Towing Adds New Z-Drive Tugboats SIU-contracted Crescent Towing recently welcomed the new, state-of-the-art Z-drive tugs J.K. McLean (left) and Lisa Cooper (right) into the company’s fleet. A third boat is under construction and is slated for delivery later this year. Page 3. (Photo by Brian Gauvin) Seafarers Give Back to Communities From coast to coast as well as aboard ship, SIU members recently celebrated the holidays with philanthropic endeavors including participation in the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and the annual Santa’s Castle project. Pictured in photo at right, SIU Port Agent Joe Vincenzo (center) receives a plaque from Maj. Paul Robinson of Ft. Lewis, Wash., honoring SIU members’ efforts. Looking on at left is Brenda Flesner, secretary at the Tacoma hall. Page 6. Ocean Atlas Assists Stranded Fishermen SIU members aboard the Ocean Atlas upheld the finest traditions of the Brotherhood of the Sea when they assisted 17 fishermen (left) stranded aboard a drifting boat off the coast of Ecuador. The Seafarers-crewed heavy lift ship helped refuel the fishing boat approximately 50 miles from shore. No injuries were reported and the refueling allowed the fishermen to resume sailing ahead of bad weather. The incident took place late last year. Page 8. SIU-Crewed Ocean Titan Delivers Iraqi Patrol Boat for U.S. Navy The SIU-crewed and Military Sealift Command-chartered heavy-lift ship Ocean Titan – operated by Pacific-Gulf Marine for Intermarine LLC – late last year transported an Iraqi patrol boat from Houston to Bahrain. In this photo, the Ocean Titan’s crane holds the patrol boat in a sling as workers prepare a cradle to prevent damage to the boat during transit. Page 8. Jones Act News Page 2 Maritime Security Program Extended Page 3 NY Waterway Crews Ratify Contract Page 4 �62813_Log_Feb_2011_X:January 08 1/31/2011 2:36 PM Page 2 President’s Report Strong Start for U.S. Maritime The New Year has kicked off with important, positive news about three crucial elements of the American-flag maritime industry. Early last month, President Obama signed the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for 2011. That bill included a 10-year extension of the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP) – a proven, vital measure that benefits the nation as a whole while also helping keep numerous Seafarers working. The extended MSP goes until 2025, and while its funding must be secured annually through Congress, those dollars have come every year since the program’s inception in 1996. The bottom line is that the extension is a great development for the SIU and for our industry overall. It will help keep the Stars and Stripes flying aboard civilian-crewed, privately owned ships on the high seas, and it will continue helping protect our national Michael Sacco and economic security. The overall bill bears the name of former Congressman Skelton, a decades-long backer of the U.S. Merchant Marine and a true friend of the SIU. He was the one who sponsored the MSP extension, and on behalf of our entire union, I thank him not only for that effort but for his career-long support and friendship. Within days of the bill’s signing – and as reported elsewhere on this page – the non-partisan National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling officially confirmed that the Jones Act was a non-issue in the cleanup operations following the Deepwater Horizon disaster last year. If you’re brand new to our union or our industry and you missed the story, the short version is that one of America’s most important maritime laws – the Jones Act – was falsely and unfairly blamed by some for allegedly holding up the Deepwater Horizon oil collection and disposal. Those charges were completely inaccurate, and in some cases undoubtedly were based more on partisan politics than reality, but they still made national news within our industry. In one case they even led to the introduction of legislation in the Senate calling for Jones Act repeal. The bill went nowhere, but the perceptions of some casual observers weren’t helped by all the baloney. Thankfully, the commission’s report firmly and concisely reinforces what the SIU and other Jones Act supporters said all along. Namely, that the law didn’t come into play after the spill, other than in cases where waivers were granted to facilitate the cleanup. In no case was foreign aid refused because of the Jones Act, the commission specifically reported. The news isn’t surprising but it’s nice to have it on record. And it’s nice to shut up the loudmouths who lied about American maritime labor. Finally, the American-flag coalition USA Maritime recently issued a report detailing the numerous benefits of our nation’s cargo preference laws. The SIU is a member of that coalition. Like the Jones Act fight, cargo preference recently came under attack by foreign-flag interests, though in a much less visible way. There are three main components to the nation’s cargo preference laws, including one that dates back more than a century. Collectively, these laws make sure American goods are delivered overseas by Americans. They have played a key role in helping ensure that America has a strong domestic shipbuilding base and merchant marine. Cargo preference laws help create good-paying jobs for American workers, provide tax revenues at the local, state and federal levels, and make sure the U.S. Merchant Marine is ready and available when needed for strategic sealift and other defense interests. The USA Maritime study clearly shows how cargo preference is a huge plus for the Defense Department and a solid value to the American taxpayer. As Seafarers know, the MSP, the Jones Act and cargo preference are the very foundations of the U.S. Merchant Marine. With that in mind, I’d say these recent developments set an excellent tone for the rest of 2011. Volume 73, Number 2 February 2011 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFLCIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Paddy Lehane; Photographer, Mike Hickey; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2011 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. 2 Seafarers LOG Non-Partisan National Commission: Jones Act Did Not Hinder Cleanup Report Confirms Industry’s Assertions about Deepwater Horizon For the American-flag maritime industry, perhaps the strangest aspect of the disastrous Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill involved baseless claims that a crucial law known as the Jones Act somehow hampered cleanup operations. The incident response commander himself – Adm. Thad Allen – repeatedly countered those false assertions, as did maritime labor, other segments of the industry and other supporters, including members of Congress. On Jan. 11, definitive word arrived as the final report was issued from the non-partisan National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. The report – prepared by the independent entity at the request of President Barack Obama – clear- The SIU-crewed Overseas Cascade (left) assists in ly confirmed that the Jones Act did not prevent cleanup operations last year following the Deepwater foreign vessels from assisting with the cleanup Horizon spill. (Photo courtesy OSG Ship Management) effort. The following text from the report starts on page 142 and continues onto page 143: “Foreign the Jones Act or similar laws.” In addition, a U.S. companies and countries also offered assistance Department of Transportation statement indicatin the form of response equipment and vessels. ed, “To be absolutely clear ... the Jones Act has The Coast Guard and National Incident not hindered the cleanup effort.” The Jones Act is a longstanding U.S. maritime Command accepted some of these offers and rejected others. News reports and politicians law that mandates the use of American vessels alleged that the federal government turned away and American workers in U.S. domestic maritime foreign offers of assistance because of the Jones trade, such as the delivery of goods from one Act, a law preventing foreign vessels from partic- U.S. port to another. The Jones Act does not ipating in trade between U.S. ports. While deci- apply to, and does not constrain, skimming outsionmakers did decline to purchase some foreign side of three miles from shore, including near the equipment for operational reasons—for example, well 50 miles from the U.S. coastline. The comDutch vessels that would have taken weeks to mission concluded that, when skimming near the outfit and sail to the region, and a Taiwanese shore was required, an expedited waiver process super-skimmer that was expensive and highly enabled foreign vessels to participate in the inefficient in the Gulf—they did not reject foreign cleanup effort as needed. In May 2010, President Obama announced the ships because of Jones Act restrictions. These restrictions did not even come into play for the creation of the National Commission on the BP vast majority of vessels operating at the wellhead, Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore because the Act does not block foreign vessels Drilling. He charged the Commission to deterfrom loading and then unloading oil more than mine the causes of the disaster, and to improve three miles off the coast. When the Act did apply, the country’s ability to respond to spills, and to the National Incident Commander appears to have recommend reforms to make offshore energy granted waivers and exemptions when requested. production safer. The report is the result of an “In the end, the response technology that cre- intense six-month effort. It is available online at: http://www.oilspillcommission.gov/finalated the most controversy was not a mechanical tool like a skimmer or oil-water separator, but a report The Maritime Cabotage Task Force was chemical one.” “This report confirms what Admiral Thad founded in 1995 to promote the U.S.-flag fleet Allen and so many others have been saying all engaged in domestic waterborne commerce. With along: The Jones Act in no way, shape, and form more than 400 members, the MCTF is the largest hindered the BP clean-up effort,” said James coalition ever assembled to represent the domesHenry, Chairman of the Maritime Cabotage Task tic segment of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Force, to which the SIU is affiliated. “Thousands Nationwide, there are more than 39,000 vessels of American vessels were already at work clean- engaged in Jones Act commerce and they annualing up oil in the Gulf and, when necessary, quali- ly move more than 1 billion tons of cargo and fied foreign vessels identified as suitable by uni- 100 million passengers. The Jones Act has been fied command participated in the effort. We are broadly supported by every Congress and pleased the President’s Commission has conclud- Administration since its passage in 1920 and is ed the Jones Act did not obstruct efforts to clean considered a key element in the nation’s defense capabilities. up the worst oil spill in U.S. history.” Moreover, in May 2010, a highly credible During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Admiral Allen said “at no time” had the Jones Act study concluded that the Jones Act generates inhibited the cleanup, and the National Incident more than $100 billion in annual economic outCommand on July 6 reported that “in no case has put for the U.S. while helping sustain nearly any offer of assistance been declined because of 500,000 family-wage jobs. Constitution Protects Majority Sign-Up The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in mid-January announced steps it is taking to protect workers’ rights to choose union representation. Specifically, the NLRB advised the attorneys general of Arizona, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah that recently approved state constitutional amendments governing the method by which employees choose union representation conflict with federal labor law and therefore are preempted by the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The states also were advised that the board has authorized the acting general counsel to file lawsuits in federal court, if necessary, to enjoin them from enforcing the laws. Under the 1935 National Labor Relations Act, private-sector employees have two ways to choose a union. They may vote in a secret-ballot election conducted by the NLRB, or they may persuade an employer to voluntarily recognize a union after showing majority support by signed authorization cards or other means. The state amendments prohibit the second method and therefore interfere with the exercise of a well-established, federally protected right, according to the NLRB. For that reason, they are preempted by the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, the board reported. The amendments have already taken effect in South Dakota and Utah, and are expected to become effective soon in Arizona and South Carolina. The National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency vested with the authority to safeguard employees’ rights to organize and to determine whether to have a union as their collective bargaining representative, and to prevent and remedy unfair labor practices committed by private-sector employers and unions. February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011_X:January 08 1/31/2011 2:37 PM Page 3 Maritime Security Program Gets 10-Year Extension The U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP), one of the pillars of the American-flag fleet and a vital component of the nation’s sealift capability, has been extended through the year 2025. President Obama on Jan. 7 signed the 10-year MSP extension, which was included in the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for this year. Skelton, former U.S. congressman from Missouri and a decades-long backer of the U.S. Merchant Marine, sponsored the extension. The MSP calls for an annual stipend for up to 60 militarily useful, civiliancrewed, U.S.-flag commercial vessels. In return, the companies participating in the program promise that their intermodal capabilities (in addition to the vessels) are available to the military in times of national emergency or war. First enacted in 1996, the MSP always has enjoyed strong bipartisan support in addition to garnering praise from America’s military leaders. President George H.W. Bush presented the idea of the program to Congress in 1992. Four years later, President Clinton signed into law the original 10-year, 47-ship program. Before those 10 years elapsed, President George W. Bush in late 2003 signed a 10-year MSP extension which also increased the number of vessels to 60. That extension would have run out in 2015. Consistent with the program’s history, the more recent extension requires Congress to authorize MSP funding each year. In testimony prepared for a 2010 hearing scheduled by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, the SIU advocated an MSP extension. The union noted, “It would cost literally billions of dollars to replicate or replace the tonnage and infrastructure currently available to our military through the MSP for a fraction of that amount of money. The cost of replicating the manpower pool is incalculable. Put it all together and you’ve got a program that’s been described over and over by our nation’s military leaders as a bargain. “They aren’t the only ones measuring MSP’s success,” the testimony continued. “The Office of Management and Budget has given the Maritime Security Program the highest possible marks in the four categories it gauges. Additionally, this program is an important part of [the industry’s] working partnership with DOD. Because of the MSP and other sealift-readiness programs, such as the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA), our partnership with DOD is strengthened by allowing us the opportunity to be fully apprised of our military’s requirements. As a result, we as an industry can prepare, plan and make the appropriate changes and investments to fully meet DOD’s needs.” The SIU added that the MSP “has successfully met one of its critical, intended goals, which was to recapitalize an aging fleet. There is no doubt about that success when one looks at our current international fleet, the vast majority of which has been replaced with newer tonnage.” Union-Contracted Crescent Towing Adds New Z-Drive Tugboats to Inland Fleet SIU President Michael Sacco (right) and Sec.-Treasurer David Heindel listen to one of the speakers. ITF Points Out Importance Of U.S. Labor at January Meeting in Washington The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), an association of nearly 800 transportation labor organizations from all over the globe including the SIU, conducted a meeting at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19. The meeting, attended by SIU President Michael Sacco and SecretaryTreasurer David Heindel (who is also chairman of the Seafarers’ Section of the ITF), was called in order to encourage dialogue and action between the ITF and its American affiliated organizations. ITF General Secretary David Cockroft and President Paddy Crumlin were both on hand to extend their thanks to North American affiliated unions, with the SIU being recognized specifically for their contributions to the international labor movement. Cockroft emphasized the ITF Flag-ofConvenience campaign, which he called “an extraordinarily important campaign in protecting the rights of workers.” That campaign, casting a light on the dangerous, illegal, and anti-worker practices of some flag-of-convenience or runawayflag ship operators, has been spearheaded by the federation for decades. (During the ITF’s quadrennial Congress last year in Mexico City, the federation updated its FOC campaign strategies. At that time, the ITF pointed out that in addition to its 62-year struggle against runaway flags February 2011 through the use of port inspectors, dockers and other international union officials, the federation also collectively bargains with many FOC shipowners directly through the International Bargaining Forum. Already, the ITF has approximately 9,000 FOC ships under contract – up from 2,000 a mere decade ago.) Cockroft introduced the agenda as being centered on finding ways of strengthening the bonds between the ITF and its affiliates around the world. Crumlin, who also heads the Maritime Union of Australia, agreed, stating, “We cannot have a strong international movement without a strong labor movement in North America.” Members of various labor organizations in the U.S. and abroad presented their views on some of the challenges facing the international labor movement. One of the recurring themes was the attack on public services and employees, both here and abroad. With these problems acknowledged, the members discussed strategies to improve communication between international affiliates and ways to increase solidarity between different regions, as well as creating more collective support within different industries and trades. Some of these strategies include Continued on Page 5 Seafarers-contracted Crescent Towing recently added the second in a series of three new Z-drive tugboats constructed in Mobile, Ala. The state-of-the-art J.K. McLean, which completed sea trials in January, is the 25th SIU-crewed boat in Crescent’s fleet. The other boats in the newest series are the Lisa Cooper (delivered in 2010) and the David J. Cooper, slated for delivery later this year. The David J. Cooper will increase the fleet’s size to 26 boats, according to Crescent Chief Operating Officer Keith Kettenring. More than 150 SIU members are employed by Crescent. They operate harbor-assist tugs in New Orleans, Savannah, Ga., and Mobile, Ala., sailing as captains, wheelmen, engineers and deckhands. Each of the three new Z-drive tugs is 92 feet long and 38 feet wide and draws 17 feet. Each tug is 193 gross tons, with 5,225 hp. Built by C&G Boatworks, the boats use twin six-cylinder General Electric engines and Rolls-Royce 255 Z-drives, producing what Crescent describes as “a formidable 65 tons of bollard pull.” Crescent further reports that the new boats “are equipped with the most recent, up-to-date safety features and latest hightech computerized systems and accessing monitors backing up all on-board systems from wheelhouse to engine room. [They are] fitted with the latest AIS/VIS systems, motion sensors and security systems in addition to the latest communications and navigation equipment.” The Lisa Cooper is operating in Mobile, while the J.K. McLean is sailing in New Orleans. The company hasn’t finalized plans concerning the home port for the David J. Cooper. New tonnage isn’t the only good news for Crescent’s SIU boatmen. Crew members are sailing under a three-year contract unanimously approved last year. That agreement boosted wages over the term of the contract and maintained benefits. It also increased the compensation for crews in Mobile so that their wages will match those of crews in New Orleans and Savannah. “I think the contract and the overall operations are a testament to the knowledge, skills and abilities of the SIU members in addition to the improving situations at the ports,” stated SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, who headed the union’s negotiating team. “Our folks are doing lots of training, and they’re also benefiting from great cooperation with management for future opportunities. We truly have achieved exemplary labor-management relations, and Crescent Towing absolutely deserves their share of the credit.” Joining Corgey on the bargaining committee were SIU members Capt. Mike Yarbrough, Engineer Steve Woods, Deckhand Jason Johnson, Capt. Timmy Gegenheimer, Engineer Glenn Richard, Continued on Page 4 Celebrating the addition of the J.K. McLean aboard the tug in Mobile, Ala., are (from left) SIU Port Agent Jimmy White, VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, Crescent Towing Pres. Scott Cooper, Crescent VP Edward Pinner and Crescent Asst. VP Tom Lambard. Seafarers LOG 3 �62813_Log_Feb_2011_X:January 08 1/31/2011 2:37 PM Page 4 NY Waterway Workers Ratify 4-Year Contract SIU members ably operate NY Waterway passenger ferries, which comfortably carry thousands of commuters and other individuals each day. Legislation Halts Civilian Federal Pay Raises Seafarers have come to an agreement with NY Waterway and have ratified a brand new contract, with workers winning wage increases and continued benefits. The four-year contact features pay raises for captains and deckhands, guaranteed financial maintenance of the pension fund, and continued funding for medical benefits. These advances were made without any concessions on the part of the members. “This was a great step forward for all the members at NY Waterway,” said SIU Vice President Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi. “In spite of external factors like the economy, we could still sit down and come up with a mutually beneficial agreement without having to concede any benefits.” The SIU negotiating team included Soresi, Captain George Sullivan, Deckhand George Schumpp, Deckhand Israel de Jesus, Captain John Clare, and New York Patrolman Mark Von Siegel. The contract was ratified through a mail-in vote and, for the first time, was approved on the initial round of balloting. In addition to the vast majority voting in favor, the turnout was one of the largest in recent memory. “I’m happy with the turnout of the vote and I’m pleasantly surprised by it,” said Clare. “We were able to close the deal before the end of the year, within only two months of the expiration of the old contract.” Clare went on to laud the contract as a success, particularly the lack of any concessions on the part of the crews at NY Waterway. “The company seemed to understand what we were trying to preserve and why,” said Clare. “In these tough economic times, I’d consider this contract fair.” NY Waterway, a passenger ferry service, employs more than 100 SIU members on 25 vessels. Workers at NY Waterway have made headlines over the years for their heroic actions following major events and disasters. NY Waterway workers were among the first responders, helping evacuate thousands from lower Manhattan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. In 2009, NY Waterway workers rushed to the aid of a downed US Airways plane in the Hudson River. In a saga known as the Miracle on the Hudson, NY Waterway boats assisted in the rescue of 155 people from the frigid waters. Freeze Applies to CIVMARS CIVMARS in the SIU’s Government Services Division are among the roughly 2 million civilian federal workers whose pay was frozen for two years effective Jan. 1 under H.R.3082, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011. The freeze, the first two-year halt to federal raises in modern history, does not affect military personnel, but applies to all civilian federal employees, including those who work for the Department of Defense. Emphasizing that federal workers would have to sacrifice just as many families around the country already have, President Barack Obama on Nov. 29 announced his intent to seek a two-year halt in pay for federal civilian workers during a speech from the White House. “The hard truth is that getting this deficit under control is going to require some broad sacrifice,” the president said. “And that sacrifice must be shared by the employees of the federal government. “…I did not reach this decision easily,” President Obama continued. “This is not just a line item on a federal ledger. These are people’s lives. They’re doctors and nurses who care for our veterans; scientists who search for better treatments and cures; men and women who care for our national parks and secure our borders and our skies; Americans who see that the Social Security checks get out on time, who make sure that scholarships comes through, who devote themselves to our safety. “They’re patriots who love their country and often make many sacrifices to serve their country,” he said. Under the president’s proposal, automatic raises for federal employees would stop for fiscal years 2011 and 2012—saving $2 billion in FY2011 and $60 billion over a 10-year budget cycle. Congress approved the proposal Dec. 21, and President Obama signed it into law Dec. 22 despite strong resistance by the Federal Workers Alliance (FWA) which represents more than 300,000 federal workers hailing from 21 unions (including the SIU). The FWA in a Dec. 8 letter to members of Congress voiced its unmitigated opposition to the move. In part, the letter read as follows: “The unions of the Federal Workers Alliance (FWA), collectively representing more than 4 Seafarers LOG 300,000 federal workers, are writing in opposition to the President’s proposed freeze on federal civilian pay for 2011 and 2012. We urge your opposition to the proposed freeze when Congress considers it. “…The unions of the FWA are not unaware of the difficult economic times the nation faces and the large budget deficit. However, we do not believe singling out federal employees for deficit reduction is fair. And it is likely to impede the government’s ability to hire and keep talented and skilled employees at a time when nearly 45 percent are eligible to retire. “A pay freeze for federal employees will impact civil servants throughout government, including those who work side-by-side with our military. It will also break the concept of pay parity despite the President’s prior support for that concept. The proposed freeze extends to Department of Defense workers who maintain our military readiness; Veterans’ Administration workers who care for our nation’s veterans; Customs and Border Protection Officers (CPBO) who protect our ports of entry; Environmental Protection Agency scientists who help protect our environment; foreign service employees who handle international challenges; and many others. Many of these employees are also suffering in this recession with spouses and other family members unemployed. “Again, we urge you to oppose the pay freeze for federal civilian employees.” In a related development, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka sided with the positions voiced by the FWA and its members. “Today’s announcement of a two-year pay freeze for federal workers is bad for the middle class, bad for the economy and bad for business,” Trumka said in Nov. 29 statement. “No one is served by our government participating in a ‘race to the bottom’ in wages. We need to invest in creating jobs, not undermining the ones we have. “The President talked about the need for shared sacrifice, but there’s nothing shared about Wall Street and CEOs making record profits and bonuses while working people bear the brunt,” Trumka concluded. “It is time to get our nation back on track, but we should not do so by placing an even greater burden on the middle class.” The company’s newest Z-drive tug (above) is based in New Orleans. New Vessels Join Crescent Flotilla Continued from Page 3 Wheelman/Deckhand Jason Bryan and Wheelman/Deckhand Ben Murphy. Yarbrough, Woods and Johnson served as delegates from Mobile; Gegenheimer, Richard and Bryan represented members from New Orleans; and Murphy was the delegate from Savannah. New Orleans Port Agent Chris Westbrook and Mobile Port Agent Jimmy White rounded out the team. Yarbrough, who has served on three SIU-Crescent negotiating com- mittees, said the bargaining for the current contract “went very smooth. We received a real good contract. I think people on both side of the table were very happy with the outcome…. Crescent Towing has been affiliated with the SIU for years, and we have an excellent working relationship.” Yarbrough added that he recently trained at the Seafarers-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. He described the school as “first class,” and added, “I think that’s something everybody should take advantage of.” The Lisa Cooper is part of an influx of new tonnage at Crescent Towing. February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:17 PM Page 5 According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, shipping preference cargoes like those pictured above aboard American-flag ships “helps to protect United States ocean commerce from total foreign domination and control.” Vessels including the SIU-crewed Liberty Grace (photo at right) transport aid cargoes around the globe. USA Maritime Issues Report on Cargo Preference Analysis Reflects Numerous National Benefits Stemming from Program USA Maritime, a coalition dedicated to promoting and protecting the American maritime industry, has released a report detailing the value of a vital program known as cargo preference. Cargo preference is critical to maintaining a viable U.S. Merchant Marine and therefore has serious implications toward the economic and national security of the United States at large. Issued in December, the USA Maritime study is titled “A Critical Analysis of Food Aid and Agricultural Cargo Preference.” The document finds that, contrary to the arguments of some critics, the law saves the U.S. millions of dollars in shipping costs. According to the report, for example, U.S. taxpayers saved $332.9 million in 2006 alone with cargo preference for the shipping of food aid. Additionally, the study notes that all of the vessels trading in the food aid programs under cargo preference meet U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) requirements for militarily useful vessels. Cargo preference also “provides an essential pool of U.S.-citizen mariners necessary to crew organic DOD assets in times of war and national emergency,” the study points out. Moreover, according to the coalition, the DOD has estimated that it would cost $10 billion to replace civilian-crewed U.S. vessel capacity and an additional $1 billion annually for operation and maintenance. The Cargo Preference Act of 1954 requires that at least half of all government-generated cargo subject to the law be carried aboard privately owned, U.S.flag commercial vessels available at fair and reasonable rates. The Food Security Act of 1985 boosted the percentage of the U.S.-flag tonnage requirement to 75 percent of agricultural cargoes under certain foreign assistance programs of the Department of Agriculture and the Agency for International Development. In short, cargo preference is a guarantee that a certain percentage of U.S.-produced aid, such as food, water, and medical supplies, is shipped on U.S.-flag vessels. This law not only provides familywage jobs and millions of dollars for the American economy, it also helps create goodwill and understanding amongst nations. As President Barack Obama put it while running for office in 2008, “People around the world look to the U.S. flag as a symbol of hope and determination. Ships flying Old Glory with American Senator Addresses Maritime Association crews are important icons of our resolve.” The law also helps ensure that the U.S. fleet remains large enough to continue conducting international commerce. Cargo preference creates the incentive for companies to continue operating under the U.S. flag while hiring an American workforce and abiding by proper rules and regulations. According to the study, “Since at least 1904, cargo preference has been at the center of legislation ensuring the survival of the U.S. merchant fleet. Cargo preference reflects the belief that when the U.S. Government buys ocean transportation, it should hire U.S. citizens paying U.S. income taxes for at least a portion of that work, provided they are available and can do so at a fair and reasonable rate. “The goal of cargo preference is to ensure that, despite the disruptions of war and national emergency, the U.S. can continue trading with the world, seeking essential resources and getting exports to market. In today’s deeply intertwined global economy and culture of ‘just in time’ deliveries, this is more important than ever. And if, for example, full-scale war erupts again, cargo prefer- ITF, Affiliates Gather in Washington Continued from Page 3 upgrading the ITF website and expanding the use of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as conducting more meetings using web-based conferencing tools like Skype. SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey (right) is pictured with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) following the senator’s keynote speech to the Houston Maritime Association on Jan. 18. Corgey serves on the association’s board of directors. In addition to discussing maritime issues, Sen. Cornyn, who sits on the Senate Finance, Judiciary and Budget Committees, talked about regional and national economic outlook. Previous speakers to address the Houston Maritime Association included Admiral Thad Allen (Ret.), former U.S. Coast Guard commandant, and RADM Mark Buzby, commander, U.S. Military Sealift Command. The association has more than 200 members, and its self-described focus is “to promote Houston as a world-class maritime center, and to bring marine industry leaders together to exchange ideas, discuss solutions to the many challenges we face, and provide a forum for our members.” February 2011 ence will ensure the availability of reliable U.S.-flag sealift assets controlled by Americans and crewed by American citizens, not just to carry weapons to the front in roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) vessels, but also to carry bulk food commodities to our allies through enemy blockades, to ensure the movement of vital supplies to our home ports, allies, and troops in bulk tank vessels, and to ensure the movement of manufactured goods in container vessels through intermodal networks, by liner or charter service…. “Cargo preference … ensures we have an American fleet to rely on when it is needed. To quote a 1904 House report recalling the problems caused by a lack of American merchant auxiliaries in the Spanish-American War: ‘It is never safe or wise to depend on foreigners for the defense of our own country. Our dependence must always be on our own men and ships to uphold the honor and dignity of our flag in the time of extremity.’ ” USA Maritime’s members include the SIU and other maritime unions, U.S.flag ship operators and other organizations committed to helping ensure a strong American maritime industry. The report is available online at www.usamaritime.org. Ultimately, the meeting served as a reminder that the ITF is committed to providing support to workers all over the world. The international labor movement is continuing to move forward, but relies heavily on the SIU and other American affiliates for support. ITF General Secretary David Cockroft (facing camera, second from right) and ITF President Paddy Crumlin (right) address the attendees. Seafarers LOG 5 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:17 PM Page 6 Seafarers Give Back to Communities Toy Drives Successful in Tacoma, Ft. Lauderdale Seafarers celebrated the holidays with each other and their families in halls all across the country. In addition to the festivities, several halls, including the Tacoma, Wash., and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., facilities, used the occasion to give back to their communities by organizing toy drives. More than 120 Seafarers and their families attended the annual Christmas party at the SIU hall in Tacoma on Dec. 14. The spirit of giving was alive and well at the party, which also included the hall’s fourth annual toy drive that for the last two years has benefitted the families of enlisted military personnel through Santa’s Castle. “I can say that working alongside Seafarers here in Tacoma, whether painting a house or two through the Paint Tacoma Beautiful program or organizing a toy drive, has been a tremendous privilege,” said Tacoma Port Agent Joe Vincenzo. “There is as much to be proud of as there is to be thankful for this year because of our opportunity to give back.” The local toy drive generated nearly $3,500 in donations to Santa’s Castle. In addition, Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) AB Tawnia Stucker took the initiative and collected donations while she was aboard the SIU-crewed Alaskan Explorer. Also, Seafarers from the Global Sentinel contributed money for the project. ATC matched the funds that Stucker collected for a total of $1,440. The total donations amounted to nearly $5,000, all of which went to buy toys for the children of men and women currently serving our country in the armed forces. Seafarers not only made cash donations, but also picked out toys themselves. The scene at a local Tacoma toy store was a memorable one, according to Vincenzo. “The employees didn’t know what to make of us at first, until they saw us with a half-dozen, overflowing shopping carts at the checkout,” said Vincenzo. “It was a very proud moment for me, and one that I’ll not forget.” With the uncertain and rocky state of the economy, some worried that the toy drive might have floundered. And, in fact, the fundraising got off to a bit of a slow start. But Seafarers took the call to provide enlisted service members’ children with toys to heart and made the fourth annual drive the most successful one yet, proving once again the value that Seafarers put on giving back and helping others. “It’s really heartwarming to see all those toys out there,” said Recertified Steward Scott Opsahl. “We had a great amount of participation this year and it was great, for me, to have a chance to participate.” “It feels good when you know all the toys you see are going to children that really need them,” said AB Sam Kassem. “I was so happy doing it. I’ve been participating for the last couple years and I’m ready to keep doing it again and again.” In addition to the SIU personnel, several other members of the community attended the Tacoma gathering, including Maj. Paul Robinson of Fort Lewis and other enlisted men and women from the military facility. This was not only a chance for Seafarers to thank them for their service, but Seafarers lend a hand loading a truck with items for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program in Ft. Lauderdale. also to introduce themselves as partners in the vital sealift supply chain. SIU members sail aboard numerous militarysupport ships that regularly move crucial materiel around the world in support of the U.S. Armed Forces. Across the country, another SIU hall was doing its part to spread the holiday cheer. Seafarers in Ft. Lauderdale organized a toy drive of their own, this one benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. The toy drive was organized in conjunction with the Gulf Stream Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans in Ft. Lauderdale. More than 50 Seafarers took time away from their vacations to organize and implement their toy drive, benefitting underprivileged children in South Florida. The toy drive, which coincided with the hall’s annual holiday barbecue, was attended not only by Seafarers and their families but also by members of the Marine Corps stationed at neighboring Hialeah, Fla. The combined efforts of Seafarers and the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans netted 151 toys for needy children. Port Agent Kris Hopkins was proud of everyone’s commitment to service during the holidays. “It’s great when we have an opportunity to help out others that are less fortunate in a time when help is needed for a lot of people,” Hopkins said. “That’s what we’re about. This was our first year participating and I believe it’ll go even better next year.” Both halls are looking forward to continuing this tradition of good times, good food, and giving back to their communities in the years to come. Seafarer Carlos Noriega donates toys to Santa’s Castle in Tacoma. Pictured from left to right are Administrative Asst. Jim Ott, Safety Director Ryan Palmer, Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, Maj. Paul Robinson, Secretary Brenda Flesner and two Santa’s Castle volunteers at the Tacoma hall Members gather at the Tacoma hall. SIU members, U.S. Merchant Marine veterans and members of the U.S. Marine Corps stand in the chow line at the Ft. Lauderdale holiday barbecue. This year’s toy drive at the Tacoma hall (photo at left) was one of the best on record. In the photo above, SIU members and staff celebrate the holiday in Ft. Lauderdale. 6 Seafarers LOG February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:17 PM Page 7 ABOARD THE EMPIRE STATE – Chief Steward Almarca Martinez Arriola is pictured late last year aboard the tanker Empire State, while the vessel was being serviced on the West Coast. NEW TUGS FOR BISSO FLEET – Seafarers-contracted E.N. Bisso & Son Inc. in December welcomed two new Z-drive tugboats into its fleet in New Orleans: the Elizabeth B (left) and Beverly B. Each boat measures 96 feet in length and 34 feet in beam. According to a news release from Jensen Maritime, which designed the boats, the tugs “are powered by twin Caterpillar 3516-C Series II main engines that produce a total of 4,000 BHP….” Approximately 60 SIU members sail aboard Bisso tugs. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU WITH SEAFARERS ON PRESTIGE NEW YORK – These recent pictures of Seafarers aboard Liberty Maritime’s Prestige New York were taken while the vessel was sailing from the English Channel to the U.S. Pictured from left to right in the photo directly above are (kneeling) Unlicensed Apprentice Anthony Dell’Aquila, AB Luis Morales, Unlicensed Apprentice Lear Surcedo Connor, (back row) AB Val Custis, Chief Cook Detrell Lambey, AB Arsenio Omabao, AB Joselier Itaralde, SA Rosalie Long, GUDE Vicente Mansilungan and GUDE Ruziell Bautista. Pictured in the other photo are (from left) Recertified Steward Fernando Guity, Recertified Bosun Elkanah Ladia and AB Val Custis. HAPPY RETIREMENT TO ‘CHUBBY’ – During the annual Christmas party at BOSUN ADDS TO HALL’S DÉCOR – Recertified Bosun Frank Thompson recently donated a world map to the union hall in Jacksonville, Fla. In fact, he not only provided the map but also built the display and hung it. AB RECEIVES ‘A’ BOOK – AB Paul Riley (left) receives his union A-book during the December membership meeting in Jacksonville, Fla. Safety Director Ashley Nelson (right) handles the presentation and oath. February 2011 the union hall in Norfolk, Va., Seafarers, retirees and their families offered congratulations and best wishes for a happy retirement to Herman “Chubby” Hall, maintenance man at the hall for the last 25 years. During the Dec. 21 gathering, the 83-year-old Hall (who’s never been overweight) explained that his nickname was passed down through his family and is a matter of lineage rather than girth. Port Agent Georg Kenny stated, “Chubby is always a gentleman, and it has been an honor to have worked alongside him for the past decade.” CROWLEY MEETING ON WEST COAST – SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone (left) is pictured last fall aboard a Crowley tugboat with SIU member Capt. Roger Stewart (right) and Crowley official Lee Egland. They were en route to a regularly scheduled “clarification meeting” at company offices in Los Angeles/Long Beach, Calif. The quarterly meetings cover safety issues and more. Seafarers LOG 7 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:17 PM Page 8 Ocean Titan Delivers Iraqi Patrol Boat for U.S. Navy Seafarers aboard the Military Sealift Command-chartered MV Ocean Titan played a notable role in bolstering Iraq’s maritime security and rebuilding its naval capabilities Dec. 22 when they assisted in the delivery of a 115-foot patrol boat to Manama, Bahrain. Constructed by Morgan City, La.-based Swiftships Shipbuilders LLC, the vessel was the second in a new class of U.S.-built patrol boats to be turned over to Iraqi navy. Fifteen such vessels are being built in support of U.S. and Iraqi efforts to reconstitute the country’s ability to enforce its maritime sovereignty and security. According to MSC, the Iraqi navy acquired the boats as part of the U.S. Navy’s Foreign Military Sales Program. Because the new patrol boat was designed to operate within 200 miles from shore, it was not equipped to make the more than 11,000-mile, open-ocean voyage to its final destination in Iraq from the shipyard where it was built on its own power. That is where MSC and its SIU-contracted crew came in. According to the agency, its headquarters sealift program received the requirement to transport the patrol boat on Oct. 7 and awarded the contract for the lift to the Ocean Titan just 10 days later, following a competitive solicitation. MSC personnel then turned their focus to coordinating the safe load, transport and offload of the patrol boat. “Loading the patrol boat onto Ocean Titan took some significant planning,” said Tom Walters, the marine transportation specialist with the Sealift Program who provid- A Military Sealift Command contracted tug /barge transports a patrol boat from Louisiana to Texas for delivery to Bahrain. The boat – ultimately delivered by an SIUcrewed ship – will be used by Iraq to provide maritime security for its oil platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by Phil Kenyon.) ed primary supervision for the overall process. Walters and his team faced two menacing challenges. First, the shipbuilder’s port in Morgan City, La., was too shallow to accommodate the Ocean Titan or any other ship large enough to transport the patrol boat. To resolve this issue, MSC chartered a tug/barge to transport the boat from nearby Amelia, La., to Houston, where it could rendezvous with the Ocean Titan. Secondly, the team had to ensure that the boat was not damaged in the process of the load, transport and offload. To remedy this potential problem, the company that built the boat designed and constructed specially designed supports – called a cradle – for the patrol boat’s safety during transport. On Nov. 7 in Amelia, the patrol was loaded onto the barge and secured in the cradle that had been welded to the barge’s deck. The tug/barge and its cargo arrived in Houston Nov. 11, where the Ocean Titan’s crane lifted the patrol boat out of the cradle so that the supports could be transferred and welded to Ocean Titan’s deck. With the cradle installed aboard the Ocean Titan, the patrol boat was then lowered and secured. The Ocean Titan departed Houston for Bahrain Nov. 12, stopping briefly en route at Cheatham Annex, Va., to load patrol boat-related cargo. Some four weeks later, Ocean Titan and its cargo arrived in Bahrain, where it was offloaded. Seafarers aboard the Ocean Titan who assisted during the patrol boat’s loading, transport to Bahrain and offload included: Bosun Edward Jaynes, ABs Michael Dempster, Bernard Essiful, Kyren Ancrum and James Luttrell, QEE Forrest McGee, ACU Steven Holmes III, GUDE Lamar Pinckney and Steward-Baker Norman Bush. The vessel is operated by Pacific-Gulf Marine for Intermarine, LLC. “MSC has a long history of chartering specialized commercial vessels to transport U.S. Navy ships across the ocean and of overseeing those lifts from pickup to delivery,” said Timothy Pickering, cargo project officer in MSC’s Sealift Program. “The most well-known of these moves was the lift bringing USS Cole home to the U.S. from Yemen following the October 2000 terrorist attack that rendered the ship unable to sail.” MSC is slated to transport the next patrol boat later this year. Seafarer Honored with ASC Outstanding Mariner Award Some of the mariners who assisted the stranded fishermen are pictured aboard the Ocean Atlas. Ocean Atlas Crew Renders Assistance To Stranded Fishermen Near Ecuador The SIU-crewed Ocean Atlas participated in the rescue of a fishing vessel that was adrift more than 50 miles off the coast of Ecuador, providing desperately needed supplies to the 17 stranded men aboard. On Oct. 23, 2010, an Ecuadoran-flagged fishing vessel, the LT Anconsito 1, was working at sea when it ran out of fuel off the coast of Manta, Ecuador. The crew of the fishing vessel sent a small boat out to search for help, but the ship remained incapacitated, putting all of the people on board at considerable risk. Operated by Pacific-Gulf Marine for Intermarine LLC, the Ocean Atlas was en route to Coquimbo, Chile, when AB Kevin Montiero, who was at the wheel, noticed the disabled ship in the distance. He called to the mate and alerted the crew, who prepared to offer assistance. The Ocean Atlas and its crew arrived to find the 17 men aboard the ship in desperate need of fuel and worried about their fellow crew members that went off to get help. Montiero was the only person aboard who spoke Spanish and was the de facto translator for the two crews. This turned out to be very useful for determining the extent of the problem. 8 Seafarers LOG The fishing vessel had been without fuel for more than 12 hours, the Ocean Atlas crew learned. Not only that, but the weather was volatile and beginning to get even worse. For the men aboard the disabled ship, a passing vessel may have seemed miraculous. “You could see on their faces and in their eyes that they were really worried,” said AB Nagi Musaid. The Ocean Atlas stayed with the Anconsito 1 and assisted in its refueling while the location of the smaller boat was being determined. Luckily, the boat made landfall in Manta and returned to the Anconsito 1 after receiving fuel from ashore. Eventually, the Anconsito 1 was functional and ready to continue its work. “When we told them we would give them some of our fuel, it was like their eyes almost sparkled,” said Musaid. “It made me feel like I made a difference in somebody’s life.” Montiero noted the importance of helping fellow mariners in need and the good feelings associated with doing the right thing. “It makes you feel good when you know you’re saving lives,” said Montiero. “They were very thankful because they knew there was no more threat after we arrived.” SIU-contracted American being aboard, seeing the different Steamship Company has awarded SA scenery and going to different ports.” With a long and memorable career Jim Beaudry the ASC Outstanding Mariner Award, honoring Beaudry’s behind him, Beaudry has advice for hard work and dedication to the com- the next generation of merchant pany as well as his fellow mariners mariners. He credits his participation during his 13 years of service at ASC. in classes at the union-affiliated Paul Beaudry, a U.S. Navy veteran who Hall Center as being a key to his sucstarted his career as a merchant cessful career. “Go as high as mariner after you can,” said attending the Beaudry, who sailed trainee proin the deck, engine, gram at the and steward departPaul Hall ments. “Keep attendCenter in ing the school and Piney Point, taking the courses Md., in 1978, offered. I had been recently there as a trainee in retired to his 1978 and took the home in assistant cook course Manistique, in 1982, and finally Mich. the basic safety “I’m really course in 2008. It’s a honored,” great way to get into said Beaudry. the union and you “Being a learn a lot at the Seafarer was school.” a great job. Dave Foster, presI’ve really Jim Beaudry ident of American enjoyed it.” Steamship Company, Beaudry spent most of his career sailing the had words of admiration and appreciaGreat Lakes and has been praised for tion for Beaudry’s longtime commithis work ethic, commitment, and lead- ment to the company. ership by fellow mariners and manage“While these tributes acknowledge ment alike. These characteristics are your many positive contributions, I helping Beaudry remain active in his hope you most remember and continue to take pride in the confidence, trust retirement. “I’ve been busy volunteering with and respect you so deservedly earned different charitable organizations in from those who worked alongside my community and I’ve been helping a you,” Foster said in a letter to Beaudry. friend out with his record business,” “On behalf of all of us at American Beaudry said. “I’m a music lover, so Steamship Company, I am privileged to offer you our most heartfelt congratit’s right up my alley.” In spite of his busy schedule, ulations and best wishes for a happy Beaudry took time to reflect on the and healthy retirement.” things that made his career as a In addition to the letter of commenmariner so enjoyable. dation from Foster, Beaudry will be “I’ll miss the friends I’ve made featured on the company website and over the years – that would be number will receive an Outstanding Mariner one,” said Beaudry. “I’ll also miss just ring and an award profile. February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:17 PM Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment in a series written by Edward T. Woods, a U.S. Merchant Marine veteran of World War II. Parts of the story also have been published in editions of the American Merchant Marine Veterans North Atlantic Chapter Newsletter. The previous Seafarers LOG entries were printed in the September, October and November 2010 issues. Among other activities, they described Woods’ time as a seaman recruit in Sheepshead Bay, N.Y., at age 16, as well as his first voyage, aboard the S/S Horseshoe in 1944. The installment from November ended on Christmas Day 1944, with Woods and his shipmates from the tanker S/S Brandy Station docked near Hollandia, on the northern coast of New Guinea, Woods, 83, sailed in the engine and steward departments. Page 9 However, they didn’t have the necessary training to compose music and asked him to arrange the score for them. A short time later, a USO group arrived in Trinidad to entertain the American military personnel stationed there. The entertainer, Morey Amsterdam, was with the group; he heard the natives singing and playing the song and brought it back to the United States where he arranged for the Andrew Sisters to record it. The gentleman who told me this story said he had gone to the States in the middle of winter dressed in his white suit and shoes intending to I was returning to the ship from a visit to town, I spied a boy at the end of the pier in the near distance who looked familiar. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was Bruce Boyd, a friend from my New York neighborhood. I knew Bruce from grade school and later from the Sheepshead Bay maritime training station. With him aboard his ship was another neighbor friend, Phil Marshal. For the next few days, the three of us had a grand old time in Panama City celebrating our renewed friendship. My wife-to-be, Jackie Behlmer, was related to Bruce. A bit complicated relationship, I’ll admit. Bruce was a half-brother to Jackie’s brother-in-law, Les Boyd Sr. His son, Les Boyd Jr., who I also knew from grade school, was Jackie’s age and the three of them – Bruce, Les and Jackie – had spent many happy summers together as children vacationing at Rye Beach, N.Y., where her sister Mae he next day we sailed north to Morotai and her husband, Les Sr., rented a cottage Island in the East Indies to unload our each summer. I stayed in touch with Bruce the cargo of aviation gasoline. There was a following years and in 1949, I was best man constant stream of military aircraft flying on and at his wedding to Jackie’s best friend, June off the island. I later heard Morotai was the busiest McAvoy. Jackie, of course, was the bridesAmerican military airport in the area. It was maid. MacArthur’s last stopping off place in his islandFollowing a three-week stay in Panama, I hopping campaign on his way to Japan before his said goodbye to Phil and Bruce and sailed off friends with them. Actually, no one was ever sue on behalf of his boys. He added that he forces invaded the Philippine Islands the previous on another uneventful trip across the wide allowed to talk or disturb any Navy sailor on only could obtain a small settlement, because October. He had lived up to his “I shall return,” Pacific. We dropped anchor off Leyte Island declaration. It was here that I saw my first watch, other than in an emergency. The stewin 1944 there were no international copyright in the Philippine Islands, close to where Japanese plane as we were called to General ard was cautioned and told to stay away from agreements and stealing the song, as he put it, General MacArthur had made his celebrated Quarters. It flew around a bit and then took off in the gunners. When we arrived in Panama, at was legal. return landing. After a short stay, we were the distance. I didn’t see any chase planes go after ordered to Manila on the island of Luzon. We the request of the gunnery officer, he was Just before my return to Panama, I had it and the incident left me wondering what actual were looking forward to visiting the famous replaced by an older man who stayed with us developed a painful ingrown toenail that fighting was all about. old city; instead, our orders were changed and until our return to the States in late 1945. required medical attention. Upon my arrival in This time we stayed three weeks in port, I was instructed by my ship’s officers to Our cargo tanks were now empty and our we went to Subic Bay, an anchorage north of Panama as our ship was in need of maintereport to one of hospital clinics in the Canal decks clear of cargo; we were ordered back to Manila. nance before we took to sea again. Panama. We were only at sea a little over a day Zone. When I arrived, I was told I had come to It looked like the entire United States when a heavy fog set in. Visibility was down to the wrong place. As I was being told where to Replacement engine parts had to be flown Pacific Fleet was there with us. A large numzero. Extra lookouts were posted by both the down from the States and this delayed the go for treatment, an officer entered the room ber of battleships, cruisers and their supply Navy gunnery officer and our ship’s captain. repair work. It was obvious that the crew and everyone stood up and said “Good mornships filled the bay. We heard that Manila had The fog lasted for three days and our captain members, including me, were pleased to be in ing, Sir.” He looked at me and, no doubt, took not been secured and we were to wait in and his deck officers went without sleep as Subic Bay before proceeding there. We were a major port and enjoying all the city had to notice of my civilian clothes, and asked about each of them attempted to get a sight with given permission to visit an island in their sextants. For three days, no one could Subic Bay that had been designated a see the sun, the moon or a star. Today, with recreation area. The members of the our modern locating equipment – radar, crew took turns each day for the ride sonar, and satellite positioning – it will be to the island on our motor launch. We difficult for those not familiar with marine played a few innings of softball and navigation to understand our perilous situthen, like manna from heaven, discovation. ered there was a small portable ice As usual, the old-timers in the crew had machine on the island with a supply of thoughts they were willing to share with cold cans of beer. We were able to buy two cans each at 10 cents apiece. the younger crewmembers: “Let’s hope we While it wasn’t promoted and, within don’t land on any of the islands around limitations, a merchant crew could here. The Japs are still occupying a lot of drink alcoholic beverages aboard ship, them and the others are full of cannibals.” it was expressly forbidden for enlisted Later, we found out that there was some truth in what they had to say. men aboard a U.S. Navy vessel. That General MacArthur had bypassed some of was why beer was available off ship the islands held by the Japanese and in for both the U.S. Navy enlisted men 1944 there were cannibals still active on and merchant seamen on the recreation islands in the South Pacific. island. A section of the island was The return voyage to Panama took a roped off and patrolled by U.S. full 30 days – longer than usual due to bad Marines who told us that parts of the weather. We were disappointed in not This photo from the summer of 1944 was taken at the U.S. Maritime Service Training Station in recreation island had not been inspectbeing ordered to the States. Panama, how- Sheepshead Bay, N.Y. Ed Woods is pictured in the third row, second from right. Vinnie McCarville, ed for land mines and, until an inspection was made, we had to stay in the ever, was a good second choice: dry land, mentioned at various points in Woods’ story, is third from right in the same row. prescribed area. They didn’t have to out of the war zones and we would be able to purchase just about anything money tell us twice – we kept our distance. could buy. After about a 10-day stay in Subic Bay, we offer before going on another three-to fourme. It was explained to him that I was a merUpon our arrival, the U.S. Coast Guard chant seaman and that I had come to the wrong week boring, but hazardous, crossing of the were ordered to sail to Manila. As we sailed came aboard to conduct a safety inspection. Pacific. clinic for treatment of an ingrown toenail. He, into to Manila Bay, we could hear heavy gunThey discovered that most of the CO2 cylinIn wartime, a merchant ship was required in a very friendly manner, asked my name, my fire and then we could see planes diving and ders were dry. They had been used up; the to have three radio operators in the crew in job and what part of the States I was from. He bombing an area identified as Corregidor word “abused” was used by the Coast Guard Island and the Bataan Peninsula. To me it was order to keep a 24-hour radio watch. In addithen told the staff that he would have a look at an awesome sight. I knew about the inhuman officers. They declared the gas had been used tion to the three radio operators, there were my problem and for them to make the necestreatment of our soldiers during the Bataan for illegal purposes. However, if the members signalmen in the Navy Armed Guard crew sary preparations. Death March and was elated to see the Japs of the crew had been asked, I’m confident they who were proficient in Morse code with both It was then I learned that the officer was a would have approved of the gas being used as getting a dose of their own medicine. As we flags and lights. They were used for commugeneral and the head surgeon at the hospital. a coolant. The staff told me I was very fortunate as the sailed further into the Bay, I saw ships half nication between ships by their officer and One pleasing asset, and a big plus, of work- general rarely performed this procedure and sunk in shallow water with bodies that were our ship’s officers. ing on an oil tanker was the number of CO2 instead saved his talents for more complicated obviously Japanese, hanging from their proThe Brandy Station had a grumpy oldtimer as the chief radio operator, and two fire extinguishers aboard ship. The cylinders operations. However, he performed the necestruding masts. The Philippine guerrillas had young friendly college boys. The latter two taken revenge on the cruel invaders of their were there, of course, for emergency use in sary surgery to remedy my toe problem and lived in the same town in Connecticut and homeland. case of fire. In the pump room there were ever since I have been able to tell everyone had gone to the same schools. One of them I was off duty and leaning on a rail as a about 25 tall CO2 cylinders standing in a row. that I had a general, the head surgeon, repair became obsessed with a Blue Moon girl motor launch pulled along side of our ship. A On my first day on the ship back in New York my ingrown toenail! working at the Terra Feliz, (Happy Land) a U.S. Navy officer called up to me, “Who the City, I learned their primary use by the crew The Canal Zone had some first-rate movie was to cool beer and other beverages. You popular nightclub in town. He asked permishell are you and what are you doing here?” theaters for the American residents. The could put three or fours cans of beer in a metal movies were up-to-date and fresh out of sion to marry her. No one in the crew could Before I could think of what to say, our capbucket and shoot a blast of CO2 on top of the Hollywood. Among others, I saw The Picture believe he could be so naive. The other young tain answered from the bridge and identified radio operator was especially concerned and cans and you had instantly cold beer. of Dorian Gray and A Tree Grows in our ship and cargo. A reply came up from the in a state of shock. We understood why when Once ashore in Panama City, I would hear Brooklyn. I had not read anything by Oscar launch, and I could hear it clearly: “Get the he told us his sister was engaged to this same hell out of here. What do you want to do, the song, Drinking Rum and Coca Cola sung Wilde up to that time but I had read A Tree blow up the entire port?” young man. Our captain was quite outspoken by the Andrews Sisters blasting out of every Grows in Brooklyn and enjoyed it. The story Artillery shells were landing in the water about the matter and, in front of the other jukebox in town. It was played and sung 24 is about a New York family’s life 25 years nearby. Our ship turned about, we exited officers, expressed his disapproval. I don’t hours a day, seven days a week. It was fun to before my time. However, I could relate to it listen to at first but then it became overbearing Manila Bay and returned to Subic Bay. I don’t recall the requirements for marriage at that as the events that took place and the activities to the ears. of the two kids in the story were almost idenknow any more about the incident other than time in Panama but, fortunately, we sailed Years later in 1986, I met a man in New tical to my life in the 1930s. two U.S. Navy officers came aboard when we before any vows were exchanged. York, a native of Trinidad, who claimed he had While in Panama, the captain had the chief arrived in Subic Bay and wanted to know My friend Vinnie had broken a finger and it was decided to fly him back to the States written the music to the song. He explained steward removed from the ship for incompewho had ordered us to Manila. Someone in for medical treatment, as the hand was not that he was a trained musician and could read tence. We had run out of too many supplies the Navy was in a lot of hot water for dishealing properly. I was now on my own – no patching a tanker loaded with an explosive and write music. The local native boys who on our last trip – supplies that should have cargo to an unsecured area. buddy to share my troubles and woes. A day sang and played instruments, such as the steel been ordered by the chief steward and stored To Be Continued or so later, however, as luck would have it, as drums, had actually originated the song. away before we had left port the end of T February 2011 November. A chief steward is supposed to know how to cook and to be able to relieve the head cook if and when necessary. Our steward could not do either and, in addition, he was a troublemaker and not able to get along with either the crew or the officers. No one was sorry to see him go. His replacement was a competent and friendly young man fresh out of chief steward’s school…. The young Navy personnel, alone in their turrets on lookout at night, complained to their officer that the new steward was too forward in his attempts to make The Ed Woods Story – A Teenager In World War II Seafarers LOG 9 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:17 PM Page 10 Baltimore The Dec. 9 get-together in Baltimore left just about everyone smiling. Among the guests was Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO President Ernie Grecco, far right in photo above, left. Grecco is pictured with Port Agent Elizabeth Brown and Patrolman Chris Mercado. Deck the Halls: In keeping with tradition, hundreds of active and retired Seafarers and their families late last year visited various SIU halls to celebrate the holiday season. The halls in Seafarers, Families Celebrate Holidays Around the Ports Baltimore, Philadelphia and Jacksonville, Fla., were among those hosting the gatherings. Photos from the respective events appear on this page. Philadelphia During the Dec. 17 gathering in Philadelphia, ornaments were placed on a Christmas tree in memory of late Seafarers and SIU officials, including Executive VP John Fay and Port Agent Jim Malone. During the event, Retiree Henry McCullough (left in photo at left above), chatted with future Seafarer Thomas Soresi and VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi. Patrolman Rob Wisler (left in center photo above), Seafarer Dennis Saggese and Port Agent Joe Baselice posed for a photo as did SIU members Charles Wisler and John Haller (photo at right). Pictured from left to right are Seafarer Scott Smith, VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi, Port Agent Joe Baselice, UIW National Director John Spadaro and Seafarer Mike Fay. Employees Patricia Malone and Linda Kluska Retirees Charles Collins and Walt Sargent Jacksonville More than 200 people turned out Nov. 20 for the yearly celebration in Jacksonville, Fla. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011_X:January 08 1/31/2011 2:37 PM Page 11 SIU Snapshots from the Lakes Pictured on this page are SIU members (and icy sights) during a midDecember voyage aboard the American Steamship Company vessel Walter J. McCarthy Jr. Thanks to SIU Representative Don Thornton for providing all but the ship photo. The McCarthy was sailing from St. Clair, Mich., to Duluth, Minn., to pick up taconite. QMED Charles Lesley Gateman Sabbah Ghaleb Bosun Michael Brown, GUDE Hamzah Mohamed, GUDE Ali Muthanna Wheelsman Alex Damer In photo at left, SIU Representative Don Thornton joins Bosun Michael Brown on deck. Wheelsman Kevin Stehlik keeps the vessel on course (above) while 2nd Cook Amy Shunkwiler readies galley equipment for food preparation. February 2011 Seafarers LOG 11 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:18 PM Page 12 What’s New for 2010 Following are some of the changes that will take effect in 2010, along with changes that remain in effect from 2009. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 18, 2011. The due date is April 18, instead of April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia — even if you do not live in the District of Columbia. Exemptions - The personal exemption and the dependency exemption remain unchanged at $3,650 for 2010. For tax year 2010, there is no phase-out of the exemption - you will no longer lose part of your deduction for personal exemptions and itemized deductions, regardless of the amount of your adjusted gross income (AGI). Divorced or Separated Parents - A custodial parent who revoked their previous release of a claim to a child’s exemption must include a copy of the revocation with their return. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return remains unchanged at $11,400 for 2010. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns is $5,700 for 2010. The standard deduction for heads of household increased by $50 to $8,400 for 2010. Standard deduction for taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040 may be also increased by: ■ Any state or local sales or excise taxes you paid in 2010 on the purchase of a new motor vehicle after February 16, 2009, and before January 1, 2010, and ■ Any net disaster loss you had in 2010 because of a disaster that was declared a federal disaster after 2007 and that occurred before 2010. You can use the 2010 Standard Deduction Worksheet in chapter 20, Publication 17 to figure your standard deduction. But to increase your standard deduction by taxes paid on the purchase of a new motor vehicle or a net disaster loss, you must use Schedule L (Form 1040A or 1040) and attach it to your return. Itemized Deductions - Overall income limits for itemized deductions do not apply in 2010. Before 2010, taxpayers whose incomes were above certain levels lost part of their itemized deductions. For taxpayers at all income levels, limitations continue to apply to particular itemized deductions, such as medical and dental expenses, certain miscellaneous itemized deductions and casualty and theft losses. Self-employed health insurance deduction -Beginning with tax year 2010, under the Small Business Jobs Act, self-employed individuals can now deduct the cost of their health insurance premiums when calculating net earnings from self-employment for purposes of self-employment taxes. Effective March 30, 2010, if you were self-employed and paid for health insurance, you may be also able to include in your self-employed health insurance deduction any premiums you paid to cover your child who was under age 27 at the end of 2010, even if the child was not your dependent. Economic Recovery Payment - There is a one-time payment of $250 for certain eligible individuals who collect social security benefits, railroad retirement benefits, veterans’ benefits, and/or supplement security income (SSI). If you did not receive this benefit in 2009 you are still eligible to receive it in 2010. Any payment received in 2010 is not taxable to you. Making Work Pay Credit - The Making Work Pay Credit helps millions of workers and self-employed individuals. Although income limits apply to this credit, it is refundable –– meaning that those eligible can get it even if they owe no tax. Though all eligible taxpayers must file Schedule M to claim the Making Work Pay Credit, most workers got the benefit of this credit through larger paychecks, reflecting reduced federal income tax withholding during 2010. Most eligible taxpayers qualify for the maximum Making Work Pay Credit of $800 for a married couple filing a joint return or $400 for other taxpayers. The credit equals 6.2 percent of earned income up to the maximum amount. Thus, any eligible couple filing a joint return whose earned income is $12,903 or more qualifies for the $800 maximum credit. This is true even if the income is earned entirely by one spouse. Other taxpayers qualify for the $400 maximum if their earned income is $6,451 or more. For most workers, the credit is based on the taxable wages reported to them on Forms W-2. Self-employed individuals figure the credit using the net profit or loss they receive from a business or farm. Additional calculations are necessary for some taxpayers, including those who have net business losses, or foreign earned income. More information, including a worksheet, can be found in the instructions for Schedule M. Some taxpayers are not eligible for the making work pay credit, including: ■ Joint filers whose modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is $190,000 or more. ■ Other taxpayers whose MAGI is $95,000 or more. ■ Anyone who can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. 12 Seafarers LOG ■ A taxpayer who doesn’t have a valid Social Security number. ■ Joint filers, if neither spouse has a valid Social Security number. ■ Nonresident aliens. Other taxpayers qualify for the credit but must reduce the amount of the credit they claim, including: ■ Joint filers whose MAGI is more than $150,000 but less than $190,000. ■ Other taxpayers whose MAGI is more than $75,000 but less than $95,000. See Schedule M and its instructions for details. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2010: ■ Credit of $5,666 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $43,352 ($48,362 if married filing jointly) ■ Credit of $5,036 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $40,363 ($45,373 if married filing jointly) ■ Credit of $3,050 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $35,535 ($40,545 if married filing jointly), or ■ Credit of $457 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $13,460 ($18,470 if married filing jointly). The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has remained the same in 2010 - $3,100. If you get the advance payments of the credit from your employer with your pay, the total advance payments you get during 2010 can be as much as $1,830. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2010 is $106,800. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate The 0% and 15% maximum tax rates on qualified dividends and net capital gains remain in effect from last year. Adoption credit - The Affordable Care Act raises the maximum adoption credit to $13,170 per child, up from $12,150 in 2009. It also makes the credit refundable, meaning that eligible taxpayers can get it even if they owe no tax for that year. In general, the credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2010 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Child Tax Credit - The Tax Relief Act of 2010 extends for two additional years (2011 and 2012) the enhanced child tax credit of $1,000 maximum credit per child. This $1,000 credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2012. Unless there’s further legislation, the child tax credit will revert to its previous maximum of $500 per child starting in the year 2013. For the 2010 tax year the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: ■ $55,000 for married couples filing separately, ■ $75,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and ■ $110,000 for married couples filing jointly. In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2010, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to $1,000 of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI: ■ $80,000 to $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) ■ $160,000 to $180,000 for Married Filing Joint The American Opportunity Tax Credit is extended under the 2010 Tax Relief Act through the end of 2012. Lifetime Learning Credit – For tax year 2010, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. There is no limit on the number of tax years for which the Lifetime Learning credit can be claimed for each student. The credit is gradually reduced Continued on Page 14 TAX TIPS FOR M HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. ■ Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. ■ Itemized deductions and tax credits. ■ Medical and dental payment records. ■ Real estate and personal property tax receipts. ■ Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. ■ Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master Cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888272-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit web sites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 74b, 74c and 74d on their Form 1040. Line 74b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 74c indicates the type of account, and line 74d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank.When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare his or her own retur access most commonly use tax forms from the IRS web directly submit the forms el Free electronic filing is no l ject to any income limitatio more information, visit the site at: www.irs.gov. WHAT ARE CONSID DEDUCTIONS AND C Personal Exemption Am deduction for each exempti individual, his or her spous dents is $3,650 per person. not claim an exemption on return or qualify for a highe credit if the child’s parents dependency exemption for Standard Deduction: T deduction, or dollar amount reduces the amount that is t remains unchanged for 201 people (see box on this pag Personal Interest Dedu 2010, personal interest cann deducted. Personal interest interest on car loans, credit sonal loans and tax deficien Interest on Secured Lo Deductible: Interest paid o or investments is 100 perce deductible. Union Dues Deduction dues, including working du deductible only if they exce of adjusted gross income. If only the portion over the 2 deductible. SPAD contribut never been deductible. Club Dues Deduction: tion is permitted for club du er, dues paid to professiona service organizations are de business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Adjusted Gross Income: T include investment advisory trustee’s administrative fees expenses that are paid to pr able income, unreimbursed expenses, safe deposit box tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses associated with a work may be considered tax However, no expense can b for which a seaman has bee bursed by the employer. Tra union hall to register or trav union’s designated medical take the required physical a tests are examples of expen are work-related but not rei the company. Members of t crew may deduct the costs and other equipment they p own but use when on a ship their work duties. The purc work-related clothing and o long as it is truly for work a for by the employer, are lik considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Relat Expenses: Use of a persona automobile in work-related result in deductible expense methods can be used to com mobile expenses—either lis STANDARD DEDUCTION This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpay older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,100 for person or “spouse” or $1,400 for an unmarried person). Note that t al exemption deduction is $3,650. Filing Status Standard D Single and Married filing separate ............................................... Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children................................................................ Head of household............ ........................................................... February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:18 PM Page 13 OR MARINERS his or her own return can most commonly used Federal ms from the IRS website and submit the forms electronically. ctronic filing is no longer subny income limitations. For formation, visit the IRS web www.irs.gov. HAT ARE CONSIDERED DUCTIONS AND CREDITS onal Exemption Amount: The on for each exemption—for the al, his or her spouse and depen$3,650 per person. A child canm an exemption on his or her r qualify for a higher education the child’s parents claim a ncy exemption for their child. dard Deduction: The standard on, or dollar amount that the amount that is taxed, unchanged for 2010 for most see box on this page). onal Interest Deductions: For ersonal interest cannot be d. Personal interest includes on car loans, credit cards, perans and tax deficiencies. est on Secured Loans ble: Interest paid on mortgages tments is 100 percent ble. n Dues Deduction: Union cluding working dues, are ble only if they exceed 2 percent ted gross income. If they do, portion over the 2 percent is ble. SPAD contributions have een deductible. Dues Deduction: No deducermitted for club dues; howevpaid to professional or public organizations are deductible for reasons. uctions Subject to 2 Percent of d Gross Income: These investment advisory fees, administrative fees, legal s that are paid to produce taxome, unreimbursed employee s, safe deposit box rental and aration fees. ucting Work-Related Expenses: s associated with a seaman’s ay be considered tax deductible. r, no expense can be deducted h a seaman has been reimby the employer. Travel to the all to register or travel to the designated medical facility to required physical and drug examples of expenses which k-related but not reimbursed by pany. Members of the galley ay deduct the costs of knives er equipment they personally use when on a ship performing rk duties. The purchase of lated clothing and other gear, as t is truly for work and not paid he employer, are likely to be ed tax-deductible. ucting Work-Related Car es: Use of a personally owned bile in work-related travel can deductible expenses. Two can be used to compute autoexpenses—either listing a stan- UCTION people. If a taxpayer is 65 or uctions ($1,100 for a married erson). Note that the person- Standard Deduction ................................ $ 5,700 w(er) .................................$11,400 .................................$ 8,400 dard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 18 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate is 50 cents in 2010. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operatingrelated costs for the vehicle, including interest, insurance, taxes, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: ■ Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and ■ Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $59 a day ($65 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through December 31, 2010. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – For tax years 2009 and 2010, the refundable portion of tax credit will be calculated using earned income in excess of $3,000. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date February 2011 the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2010, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: ■ Jones Act settlements for lost wages. ■ Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. ■ Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. ■ Canceled debts. ■ State income tax refunds. ■ Rents. ■ Repayments. ■ Royalties. ■ Unemployment benefits. ■ Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. ■ Endowments. ■ Original Issue Discount. ■ Distributions from self-employed plans. ■ Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). ■ Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. ■ Lump-sum distributions. ■ Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). ■ Accumulation distributions from trusts. ■ Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). ■ Earned income from sources outside the United States. ■ Director’s fees. ■ Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. . WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: ■ Benefits from government welfare programs. ■ Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs. ■ Maintenance and Cure. ■ Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. ■ Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. ■ Child support. ■ Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. ■ Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. ■ Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. ■ Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. ■ Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION Taxpayers can get an automatic 6month extension if, no later than April 18, 2011, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. WHERE IS MY REFUND? If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the web site at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the Refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year— was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. WHERE TO GET INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:18 PM Page 14 Assorted Changes Take Effect for 2010 Tax Season Continued from Page 12 if your Modified AGI exceeds $50,000 ($100,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $60,000 ($120,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately” or if you were a nonresident alien. Tuition and Fees Deductions – This deduction was extended under the 2010 Tax Relief Act. For tax year 2010, you may be able to deduct up to $4,000 ($2,000 for higher income families) for qualified educational expenses paid for yourself, spouse or dependent even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A. Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - The definition of qualified higher education expenses for tax-free distributions from a qualified tuition program is expanded to include amounts paid in 2009 or 2010 for the purchase of computer software, any computer or related peripheral equipment, fiber optic cable related to computer use, and Internet access (including related services) that are to be used by the beneficiary and the beneficiary’s family during any of the years the beneficiary is enrolled at an eligible educational institution. Educator Expenses – The deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and, supplementary materials used in the classroom has been extended for 2010 under the new 2010 Tax Relief Act. Deduction for New Motor Vehicle Taxes - You can deduct state or local sales or excise taxes (or certain other taxes or fees in a state without a sales tax) paid in 2010 for the purchase of any new motor vehicle(s) after February 16, 2009, and before January 1, 2010. This deduction can be used to increase the amount of your standard deduction, or you can take it as an itemized deduction. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – The election to deduct state and local general sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes as an itemized deduction has been extended under the 2010 Tax Relief Act. Prior to the passage of the 2010 Tax Relief Act, the deduction for state and local general sales and use taxes was not available for tax years after 2009. Under the new tax act, this deduction is now extended to tax years 2010 and 2011. Individual Retirement Accounts: ■ Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) – Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. ■ Traditional IRAs - The contribution limit to a traditional IRA in 2010 is $5,000 (increased to $6,000 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2010). Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range increased to $56,000$66,000 for single, head of household, $89,000-$109,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. ■ Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $5,000. If 14 Seafarers LOG a taxpayer reaches age 50 before 2010, the most that can be contributed will be $6,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $105,000 and $120,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $167,000 and $177,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Beginning in 2010, you can make a qualified rollover contribution to a Roth IRA regardless of the amount of your modified AGI. Also, half of any income that results from a rollover or conversion to a Roth IRA from another retirement plan in 2010 is included in income in 2011, and the other half in 2012, unless you elect to include all of it in 2010. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - This provision, now available through the end of 2011, offers older owners of individual retirement accounts (IRAs) a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70½ or over can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. For tax-year 2010 only, IRA owners can choose to treat QCDs made during January 2011 as if they occurred in 2010. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. First-time homebuyer credit - Firsttime homebuyer credit cannot be claimed for a home bought after April 30, 2010. However, you may be able to claim the credit if you entered into a written binding contract before May 1, 2010, to buy the home before July 1, 2010, and actually bought the home before October 1, 2010. Also, certain members of the Armed Forces and certain other taxpayers have additional time to buy a home and take the credit. Repayment of first-time homebuyer credit - If you claimed the first-time homebuyer credit for a home you bought in 2008, you generally must begin repaying it on your 2010 return. In addition, you generally must repay any credit you claimed for 2008 or 2009 if you sold your home in 2010 or the home stopped being your main home in 2010. Increase in amount allowed as deduction for start-up expenditures in 2010 - For taxpayers starting an active trade or business, the new law increases the amount the taxpayer is allowed to elect as a deduction for start-up expenditures under section 195(b) for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009. Section 2031 allows up to $10,000 as a deduction for start-up expenditures and provides for a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the $10,000 deduction if startup expenditures exceed $60,000. This expense should be claimed as an “Other Expense” on the related Form 1040 Schedules C or F, beginning with the 2010 tax year. The remaining balance of start-up expenditures is deducted ratably over 180 months on Form 4562, Depreciation and Amortization. Mortgage Insurance Premiums Mortgage insurance premiums for qualified mortgage insurance on debt to acquire, construct, or improve a first or second residence can potentially be treated as deductible qualified residence interest. Before the 2010 Tax Relief Act, this break was only available for premiums paid through 2010. The Act extends the break for one year, to cover premiums paid through 2011. If your AGI exceeds $100,000 ($50,000 if married filing separate) your deduction may be reduced or eliminated. Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit - This credit remains unchanged from 2009 and equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on eligible energysaving improvements, up to a maximum tax credit of $1,500 for the 2010 tax year. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – This credit also remains unchanged from 2009 and equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit. Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available except in the case of fuel cell property, which is $500 for each one half kilowatt of capacity. Eligible homeowners can claim both of these credits when they file their 2010 federal income tax return. Standard mileage rates - For 2010, the standard mileage rate for the cost of operating a car for business use is 50 cents a mile. The rate for the cost of operating a vehicle for medical reasons or as part of a deductible move is 16.5 cents per mile. The rate for using a car to provide services to charitable organizations is set by law and remains at 14 cents a mile. Deduction for corrosive drywall You may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction for amounts you paid to repair damage to your home and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall. The deduction is limited if you have a pending claim for reimbursement (or intend to pursue reimbursement) through property insurance, litigation, or other means. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss The loss is limited to the excess of the loss over $100 instead of $500 in 2009. The 10% of AGI limit still applies. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion For tax year 2010, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $91,500. This amount is up $100 from tax year 2009. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – AMT exemptions have been temporarily increased for the years 2010 and 2011 (but not for 2012). Exemption amounts help prevent some middle income earners from being subject to the AMT, and helps keep any AMT adjustments less than they otherwise might have been. For tax year 2010, the alternative minimum tax exemption increases to the following levels: ■ $72,450 for a married couple filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers, up from $70,950 in 2009. ■ $36,225 for a married person filing separately, up from $35,475. ■ $47,450 for singles and heads of household, up from $46,700. The act further helps individual taxpayers facing potential AMT by allowing individuals to offset their regular and AMT liability with nonrefundable personal tax credits for taxable years beginning in 2010 and 2011. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child - To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: ■ Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). ■ Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. ■ Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. ■ Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agency and which mention their tax refund or economic stimulus payment. These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The e-mails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or stimulus payment or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS Web site or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll-free case intake line at 1877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-8294059. February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:18 PM Page 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea December 16, 2010 - January 15, 2011 New Hardback Covers Union’s Storied History A new hardback that covers the history of the Seafarers International Union now is available online and at the Seafarers-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. As reported in previous editions of the Seafarers LOG, the book—a 271-pager—is titled “America’s Seafarers.” The work may be ordered through the slop chest at www.seafarers.org or by going directly to www.siustore.com. Priced at $14.99, copies of the hardback also are being sold at the Paul Hall Center’s Sea Chest store. Those who want to purchase a copy of the book but do not have internet access may call (703) 788-2528. Additional information about “America’s Seafarers” is available on the SIU web site, www.seafarers.org Personal Curley B. Fletcher originally from Detroit, Mich. please contact Brenda L. Childs at (908) 966-7654. March & April Membership Meetings Piney Point............................................Monday: March 7, April 4 Algonac .................................................Friday: March 11, April 8 Baltimore...........................................Thursday: March 10, April 7 Guam...............................................Thursday: March 24, April 21 Honolulu .............................................Friday: March 18, April 15 Houston...............................................Monday: March 14, April 11 Jacksonville.......................................Thursday: March 10, April 7 Joliet................................................Thursday: March 17, April 14 Mobile..........................................Wednesday: March 16, April 13 New Orleans............................................Tuesday: March 15, April 12 New York..............................................Tuesday: March 8, April 5 Norfolk..............................................Thursday: March 10, April 7 Oakland ...........................................Thursday: March 17, April 14 Philadelphia......................................Wednesday: March 9, April 6 Port Everglades ...............................Thursday: March 17, April 14 San Juan............................................Thursday: March 10, April 7 St. Louis ..............................................Friday: March 18, April 15 Tacoma................................................Friday: March 25, April 22 Wilmington..............................................Monday: March 21, April18 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. February 2011 Port Total Registered All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 7 0 6 24 5 9 53 24 1 11 10 36 13 22 12 0 7 33 4 24 301 7 1 10 16 5 5 21 26 1 8 3 18 18 6 9 3 10 17 0 23 207 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 3 0 1 9 0 4 11 17 1 10 10 16 8 3 4 0 4 13 1 10 125 5 0 4 11 1 6 10 21 0 5 3 14 16 6 4 2 2 6 2 11 129 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 2 0 3 11 2 14 18 14 1 2 5 16 11 29 5 2 1 15 1 24 176 3 1 1 3 2 1 6 5 2 6 2 7 8 4 2 0 0 4 1 4 62 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 3 0 0 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 9 0 7 0 0 1 8 0 3 38 5 1 8 7 1 7 15 20 1 4 0 31 18 10 4 7 1 11 1 18 170 GRAND TOTAL: 640 568 Total Shipped All Groups A B C Trip Reliefs 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 3 1 0 10 0 1 0 1 24 2 0 2 11 0 3 27 9 0 8 10 22 5 12 2 1 7 13 0 21 155 26 1 6 37 7 21 91 52 5 23 26 89 26 36 12 3 15 56 8 67 607 16 3 13 27 7 10 27 45 7 13 11 35 37 18 9 4 13 34 5 43 377 3 1 3 5 1 2 4 2 2 3 4 6 14 3 2 1 6 4 0 7 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 1 2 0 0 5 13 0 2 3 6 2 4 2 0 0 6 0 3 49 6 0 6 21 2 15 29 38 1 14 10 35 23 15 6 2 5 25 1 17 271 7 1 4 12 2 9 20 33 1 7 3 21 26 18 2 3 15 14 3 24 225 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 1 8 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 6 0 2 4 9 0 3 3 6 8 17 0 0 0 5 1 8 72 3 0 3 11 6 17 26 33 1 8 13 34 20 34 7 6 4 23 3 50 302 4 1 1 5 2 4 10 9 3 3 4 9 17 6 2 2 1 6 1 2 92 1 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 15 3 0 3 2 0 2 2 6 1 2 0 5 10 1 1 34 0 0 0 1 73 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 3 4 1 1 1 0 1 0 6 25 3 0 0 0 0 3 9 2 1 2 2 15 0 12 0 0 2 9 0 13 73 16 1 9 14 1 10 22 35 2 9 8 63 32 21 2 2 3 17 2 29 298 14 1 4 8 1 6 4 18 0 1 8 21 50 6 6 7 0 8 0 27 190 Deck Department 1 3 2 1 0 1 1 5 4 1 10 6 2 1 3 0 11 3 1 30 21 1 25 11 1 0 0 0 12 4 0 14 5 3 32 13 9 10 17 2 22 8 2 2 5 11 0 2 2 5 5 1 25 12 0 3 1 2 23 13 41 233 136 Engine Department 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 8 1 0 1 0 0 7 1 1 10 8 2 14 11 0 1 1 0 4 2 1 4 4 2 9 9 0 4 12 0 3 1 0 4 3 0 2 0 0 1 4 0 7 9 0 0 1 1 9 7 10 88 76 Steward Department 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 10 5 1 1 0 1 9 2 1 10 2 1 13 3 1 0 0 0 4 2 0 5 1 0 14 6 1 11 12 1 20 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 17 3 0 0 3 0 16 3 10 135 45 Entry Department 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 5 1 0 0 1 1 3 1 2 11 10 2 6 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 3 7 6 13 22 0 9 4 1 7 4 0 1 39 0 7 0 0 0 2 4 11 0 0 0 6 1 10 114 19 90 175 475 347 108 301 Registered on Beach All Groups A B C 1,253 992 Seafarers LOG 299 15 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 11:26 PM Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, 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 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 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 Page 16 Inquiring Seafarer This month’s question, asked to SIU members at the Tacoma, Wash., hall, is: What makes a good job, “good”? Jess Cooper Electrician I’ve been on ships like the Pacific Tracker and the USNS Waters that involve missile tracking and undersea (military) operations. Both those ships are directly involved in homeland security and keeping Momma and Sis safe at home. It’s nice to know that your career has significance. Chris Pompel Recertified Bosun The best-paying jobs aren’t necessarily the best jobs. If you’re on a ship that’s making a good run, you’re going to good ports, and you’re having fun, that’s often enough to make up for less pay. Some of my favorite ships haven’t been the best paying. You can put up with almost anything as long as you’re having fun. A ship where people get along and how people treat each other is still the most important part. It also depends on the run, too. I have a family and I like to be able to be at home as much as possible. Vern Poulsen Recertified Bosun Good sailors. You need good people to make a good ship. I’ve been in the business since 1949 and I’ve learned that if you’ve got a good crew with welltrained people, you don’t need much else. When I first started, we didn’t have schools. Today, luckily, we have the school in Piney Point and they send out really good people. I still thank the school for the great people we’ve got. Without that Pic-From-The-Past school and the training, I don’t think we’d be where we are today. John O. Glenn Recertified Bosun To me, I’d look to my family first. I’ve been going to sea for 40 years, and I’ve been able to choose jobs that keep me close to my family. I’ll give that overseas run to the younger guys now. When I was younger, I was looking forward to seeing the world while getting paid. The run I’m on now keeps me close to my family, the weather is nice, and the ship is clean. I’m looking to take these shorter runs to keep me close to my family. When you start getting older and have kids and grandkids, being close to home is really important. That’s how I look at it now. the ship and partial to the crew. The cohesion of the crew is really important. When you get along with people, it makes life great. I’ve made friends with a lot of people on ships and that makes sailing altogether. Unfortunately you don’t get to see these guys very often, but it’s really great to work with people you like and get along with. Also, the amount of time you spend at sea is important to me. I’ve taken lower-paying jobs because I can get a lot of sea time on them. I’m trying to accumulate sea time as much as possible because I’m trying to upgrade. Cameron Newberry OMU Often, it comes down to whether or not I’m partial to NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 Pensioner Horace Rains (back row, second from right) submitted this photo from a 1952 voyage aboard an SIU-crewed Liberty ship. He is pictured with fellow mariners while the vessel was in Korea, delivering a load of coal from Japan. Brother Rains joined the SIU in 1945. He completed bosun recertification at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md., in 1974 – the second year the course was offered. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 11:27 PM Page 17 Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA PABLO ALVAREZ Brother Pablo Alvarez, 62, became a Seafarer in 1989. His first ship was the Independence; his last, the Harriette. Brother Alvarez worked in the steward department. He often took advantage of educational opportunities at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Alvarez lives in Pasadena, Fla. CLARENCE BYNES JR. Brother Clarence Bynes Jr., 55, started his SIU career in 2001 during the SIU/NMU merger. The deck department member most recently sailed on the Galena Bay. Brother Bynes calls Quincy, Fla., home. ALBERT CAULDER Brother Albert Caulder, 62, joined the union in 1968. He initially sailed aboard the North Western Victory. Brother Caulder shipped in the deck department. He upgraded on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Brother Caulder’s final ship was the Delaware Trader. He resides in Yulee, Fla. JOHN CYPRIAN Brother John Cyprian, 65, began sailing with the NMU in 1993. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Cyprian last shipped on the Seabulk Arctic. He attended classes at the Piney Point school in 2001. Brother Cyprian is a resident of Seattle. ROBERT MILICI Brother Robert Milici, 65, signed on with the Seafarers in 1968. He originally worked aboard the Beaugard. In 2001, Brother Milici upgraded his skills at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. February 2011 His final voyage was on the Sgt. William R. Button. Brother Milici makes his home in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. JOHN ORR Brother John Orr, 60, donned the SIU colors in 1978 while in Baltimore. His earliest trip was with Orgulf Transport Company. Brother Orr sailed in the engine department. He was a frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Orr’s most recent trip was aboard the Ltc. John U D Page. He lives in Gulf Breeze, Fla. JOSE RADONA Brother Jose Radona, 71, was born in Manila. He started shipping with the union in 1999. Brother Radona’s first voyage was on the Independence. He last sailed on the 1st Lt. Jack Lummus. Brother Radona, who sailed in the deck department, enhanced his seafaring abilities in 2002 at the Piney Point school. He settled in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. DARRELL SUTTON Brother Darrell Sutton, 69, joined the SIU ranks in 2001. He was initially employed aboard the Seabulk Energy. Brother Sutton was born in Oklahoma City. The deck department member’s most recent trip was on the Cape Vincent. Brother Sutton upgraded on two occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. He now calls Miami home. OLSON THORNE Brother Olson Thorne, 68, began sailing with the NMU in 1978. He was born in the West Indies and worked in the engine department. Brother Thorne attended classes often at the Paul Hall Center. He most recently shipped on the Maersk Wisconsin. Brother Thorne resides in Brooklyn, N.Y. GEORGE TIDWELL Brother George Tidwell, 71, became an SIU member in 1968. His first ship was the Steel Executive; his last was the Horizon Pacific. Brother Tidwell is a Mississippi native. He sailed in the engine department. In 2001, Brother Tidwell took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Seafarers-affiliated school. He is a resident of Honolulu. JEROME WILLIAMS Brother Jerome Williams, 68, started his SIU career in 1978. His earliest trip was aboard the African Neptune. Brother Williams worked in the deck department. His final voyage was on the Yorktown Express. Brother Williams makes his home in Chicago. INLAND primarily sailed with Allied Transportation Company. Brother Williams visited the Piney Point school in 2002 and 2003 to enhance his seafaring abilities. He lives in Virginia Beach, Va. HOWARD MCMAHON Brother Howard McMahon, 62, joined the SIU in 1994 while in the port of New Orleans. He worked on vessels operated by Westbank Riverboat Services for the duration of his career. Brother McMahon, who sailed in both the deck and engine departments, settled in Gretna, La. 1971. Brother Austin was born in Chelsea, Mass. His last trip to sea was in 1990 aboard the Woods Hole. Brother Austin calls Kill Devil Hills, N.C., home. ARTHUR HOPSON Brother Arthur Hopson, 65, is a native of Dixons Mills, Ala. His final voyage with the NMU was in 1978. Brother Hopson continues to live in Alabama. This Month In SIU History NEIL JOHNSON Brother Neil Johnson, 63, signed on with the union in 1993. He NATIONAL MARITIME UNION WILLIAM AUSTIN Brother William Austin, 65, became an NMU member in Reprinted from previous editions of the Seafarers LOG ed to all companies contracted to the SIU immediately upon member action on this agreement. The new increases gave Seafarers the highest pay in the history of the maritime industry. 1942 Early in the morning on February 26, the SIUcontracted freighter S.S. Cassimir was rammed by the S.S. Lara off the coast of North Carolina and sank rapidly, taking with her six SIU members and the chief mate. This same week the S.S. Raritan struck a shoal at Frying Pan Shoals about 1 a.m. Fortunately the entire crew was picked up by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel and landed at Oak Island, then given transportation back to New York. During this same week, the S.S. Marore was attacked about midnight by three German submarines. Even though she was torpedoed and hit by over 100 shells, the entire crew escaped in lifeboats. One of the boats rigged a sail and made port at Cape Hatteras. The other two boats, containing 25 men, were spotted by a Navy plane which directed a ship to their rescue. 1955 The membership of the Seafarers International Union, Atlantic and Gulf District, ratified a newly negotiated contract clause establishing a seniority hiring provision with contracted companies. The new hiring system involves three classes of seniority. Men sailing before Dec. 31, 1950 got “A” ratings; Men sailing regularly since Jan. 1, 1951 were rated Class “B” and men who had no time aboard SIU ships before Jan. 1. 1955 or who had not shipped regularly during the periods to cover classes A and B receive a “C” rating. In the future, seamen with “A” rating will receive preference over the other two categories for job calls and the “B” rated seamen will receive preference over “C” men. 1948 Another victory for the Seafarers International Union, Atlantic and Gulf District, was chalked up today when five steamship companies agreed to the union’s wage increase demand. The pay hikes ranged from $10.52 per month for ordinary seamen, messmen, and utility-men, to $32.27 for bosuns. Other ratings also received boosts, and the percentage increases ran from 6.3 to 14.2 percent. The overtime rate was also revised upward, and now stands between $1.12 and $1.41 per hour. It was pointed out that while these new payscales were effective immediately for those five companies who signed, they will be present- 1962 A Senate Commerce Committee staff investigation has been schedule to investigate charges by the SIU and the MEBA concerning the manipulation of charters on foreign aid cargoes. In calling for the investigation, the two unions charged that loose and slipshod procedures by cargo brokers were defeating the intent of legislation requiring that 50 percent of all aid cargoes be carried aboard American-flagged ships. The result is that American ship operators are being robbed of cargoes from the federal government and thousands of American seamen are being deprived of jobs. Seafarers LOG 17 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 11:27 PM Page 18 Final Departures DEEP SEA WATT BLOODWORTH Pensioner Watt Bloodworth, 73, passed away Sept. 16. Brother Bloodworth signed on with the union in 1962. His earliest trip was aboard the Alice Brown. Brother Bloodworth worked in the engine department. He was most recently employed on the Overseas Arctic. Brother Bloodworth retired in 1998 and lived in St. Rose, La. LONNIE DOOLEY Pensioner Lonnie Dooley, 86, died Sept. 28. Brother Dooley, a member of the engine department, began sailing with the SIU in 1956 while in New York. His first trip was on the Del Alba. Before retiring in 1990, Brother Dooley sailed aboard the Robert E. Lee. He resided in Greer, S.C. STEVEN FULFORD Pensioner Steven Fulford, 85, passed away Sept. 11. Brother Fulford joined the union 1944. He initially worked with ISCO Inc. aboard the Steel Voyager. The deck department member’s last trip was on the Challenger. Brother Fulford became a pensioner in 1990 and called Alabama home. ROBERT FULK Pensioner Robert Fulk, 76, died Oct. 7. Brother Fulk was born in Sullivan, Ind. He started sailing with the Seafarers in 1971. Brother Fulk was a member of the deck department. His first ship was operated by G&H Towing. Brother Fulk’s last voyage was aboard the Overseas Vivian. He was a resident of Neches, Texas, and went on pension in 1999. CARLOS GARCIA Pensioner Carlos Garcia, 83, passed away Oct. 17. Brother Garcia began his seafaring career in 1964. He originally sailed in 18 Seafarers LOG the deck department of a Seatrain Lines vessel. Brother Garcia was a Brooklyn, N.Y., native. His final voyage took place on the Expedition. Brother Garcia started collecting his retirement compensation in 1992. He made his home in Orlando, Fla. JOSEPH MCDOUGALL Pensioner Joseph McDougall, 89, died Oct. 26. Brother McDougall became an SIU member in 1951 while in the port of Houston. He first shipped on the J.B. Water. Brother McDougall was born in Philadelphia and worked in the deck department. His last trip was aboard the Independence. Brother McDougall lived in Conway, Ark. He retired in 1992. VAGN “TEDDY” NIELSEN Pensioner Vagn “Teddy” Nielsen, 76, passed away Oct. 5. Brother Nielsen, a native of Denmark, started sailing with the SIU in 1963. He initially worked in the deck department of the Mount Vernon Victory. Brother Nielsen’s final voyage took place aboard the ITB Philadelphia. He went on pension in 2000 and called Brooklyn, N.Y., home. FRED OTTO SR. Pensioner Fred Otto Sr., 74, died Oct. 17. Brother Otto joined the union in 1952. He was born in Galveston, Texas, and shipped in the steward department. Brother Otto originally sailed with Eagle Carriers Inc. Prior to his retirement in 1998, he worked on the Astrachem. Brother Otto continued to reside in the state of Texas. WILLIAM PRICE Pensioner William Price, 84, passed away Sept. 25. Brother Price was born in North Carolina. He signed on with the Seafarers in 1951 while in New York. Brother Price’s earliest trip was on a Victory Carriers Inc. vessel. He sailed in the engine department and was last employed with Empire Transport Company. Brother Price retired in 1982 and settled in Virginia. MURPHY SINGLETARY Pensioner Murphy Singletary, 79, died Oct. 17. Brother Singletary began sailing with the SIU in 1963. He first worked aboard a Seatrain Lines vessel. The deck department member’s last trip was on the Sam Houston. Brother Singletary was a native of Pearl River, La., and called Talisheek, La., home. He became a pensioner in 1996. TROY SMITH Pensioner Troy Smith, 82, passed away Aug. 16. Brother Smith joined the union in 1950. He worked in the engine department. Brother Smith initially sailed with AH Bull Steamship Company. His final ship was the Crusader. Brother Smith started receiving his pension in 1950. He was a resident of Vallejo, Calif. CHARLIE STANFORD Pensioner Charlie Stanford, 77, died Sept. 29. Brother Stanford started his seafaring career in 1971 while in New York. His first vessel was the Overseas Alaska. The Mississippiborn mariner worked in the steward department. Brother Stanford’s most recent trip was with OMI Champion Transport. He went on pension in 1988 and made his home in New Orleans. GUMERSINDO TRIGUERO Pensioner Gumersindo Triguero, 86, passed away July 20. Brother Triguero first donned the SIU colors in 1967. His first ship was the Carroll Victory; his last, the Expedition. Brother Triguero was a member of the steward department. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Brother Triguero began collecting his retirement compensation in 1988. He was a resident of Wisconsin. OTHO WARE Pensioner Otho Ware, 84, died Oct. 4. Brother Ware was born in Greenville, Miss. He originally worked in the deck department aboard a Delta Steamship Line vessel. Before retiring in 1983, Brother Ware last sailed on the Leo. He lived in Shepherd, Texas. THEODORE WIATROWSKI Pensioner Theodore Wiatrowski, 92, passed away Aug. 8. Brother Wiatrowski joined the Seafarers in 1953 while in the port of New York. His earliest voyage was aboard the Del Aires. Brother Wiatrowski, who sailed in the engine department, was a Brooklyn native. His final trip was on the Leader. Brother Wiatrowski retired in 1984 and called El Sobrante, Calif., home. GREAT LAKES WALTER DURECKI Pensioner Walter Durecki, 80, died Oct. 2. Brother Durecki became an SIU member in 1960. He was born in Rogers City, Mich. Brother Durecki primarily sailed with American Steamship Company as a member of the engine department. He went on pension in 1991 and continued to make his home in Michigan. JEROLD SAXON Pensioner Jerold Saxon, 68, passed away Oct. 22. Brother Saxon began sailing with the union in 1964 from the port of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He was initially employed with Roen Steamship Company. Brother Saxon, who sailed in the deck department, was a native of Michigan. He most recently sailed aboard the JAW Iglehart. Brother Saxon started receiving his pension in 2002 and settled in Niceville, Fla. members of the National Maritime Union (NMU), have passed away. FRED CULPEPPER Pensioner Fred Culpepper, 80, passed away Oct. 9. Brother Culpepper was born in Alabama. He retired in 1995 and continued to reside in his native state. ALBERT ELMORE Pensioner Albert Elmore, 86, died Oct. 23. Brother Elmore, a native of Cold Springs, Texas, became a pensioner in 1994. He called Houston home. ROBERT JOHNSON Pensioner Robert Johnson, 83, passed away Oct. 16. Brother Johnson was born in Halifax, N.C. He went on pension in 1984. Brother Johnson settled in Port Arthur, Texas. CYRIL JOHNSON Pensioner Cyril Johnson, 66, died Oct. 15. The Louisiana-born mariner became a pensioner in 1999. Brother Johnson was a resident of New Orleans. AMOS LETROISE Pensioner Amos Letroise, 85, passed away Oct. 3. Brother Letroise was a native of Louisiana. He started collecting his retirement compensation in 1986. Brother Letroise lived in San Francisco. FRANCISCO LIMARDO Pensioner Francisco Limardo, 82, died October 18. Brother Limardo was born in Puerto Rico. He went on pension in 1968 and called New York home. JACK LOBO Pensioner Jack Lobo, 66, passed away Oct. 22. Brother Lobo was a native of Cape Verde. He retired in 2004. Brother Lobo made his home in Rhode Island. BETTY SALZFASS Pensioner Betty Salzfass, 91, died Oct. 5. Sister Salzfass was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She became a pensioner in 1990. Sister Salzfass settled in Pompano Beach, Fla. BERTHA WILLIAMS Pensioner Bertha Williams, 80, passed away Oct. 11. Sister Williams was a North Carolina native. She started collecting her retirement compensation in 1995. Sister Williams lived in Hampton, Va. NATIONAL MARITIME UNION Editor’s note: The following brothers and sisters, all former February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:19 PM Page 19 Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings ALLIANCE NORFOLK (Maersk Line, Limited), November 28 – Chairman Thomas W. Grosskurth, Secretary Larry Ewing, Educational Director David Vega, Deck Delegate Eduardo Ramos, Steward Delegate Anthony Harrell. Chairman went over ship’s itinerary and stated payoff to take place in Jacksonville, Fla., on December 4. He thanked crew for a smooth, safe trip and reminded them of the benefits of keeping all necessary seafaring documents up-to-date. Secretary expressed gratitude for crew helping keep ship clean. Educational director encouraged mariners to upgrade whenever possible to improve skills and better their chances of moving up. Treasurer reported $2,200 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department was thanked for an excellent Thanksgiving dinner. Next port: Jacksonville, Fla. GLOBAL SENTINEL (Transoceanic Cable Ship), November 3 – Chairman Joseph J. Olson, Secretary Shawn R. Fujiwara, Educational Director Lothar Wick, Deck Delegate Justice A. Kuofie, Steward Delegate Robert J. Haggerty. Chairman advised crew members taking medication to have enough to last 60-90 days and reminded them to keep lounges clean. He stressed the importance of not downloading anything onto the ship’s public computers. The company has a strict internet usage policy and will revoke access if downloading from restricted sites. Members were asked not to leave clothes unattended in the laundry room. Secretary asked mariners to let ship’s committee know if they would like anything purchased for crew usage and it will be run by the captain. Suggestions for slop chest should be given to chief steward. With flu season at hand, members were reminded to wash their hands and use sanitization stations available throughout vessel. Educational director encouraged mariners to attend classes at the Piney Point school to enhance seafaring abilities. He also recommended that they keep all documents current, make copies of the documents and keep them in a safe place. Treasurer stated $4,000 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. It was reported that all new crew members are required to take a pre-employment physical. Older VHS tapes will be transferred to DVD as time allows. Motion was made to increase base pay as well as vacation and dental benefits. Suggestions were made to get new movies, books and magazine subscriptions for crew members. Sentinel crew donated money to local, low-income military families. Next port: Portland, Ore. HONOR (Crowley), November 3 – Chairman Billy G. Hill, Secretary Clarence Oree, Deck Delegate Allen C. Davis, Engine Delegate Oliver Celestial, Steward Delegate Norma West. Chairman announced payoff at sea on November 5 and thanked all crew members for a safe and productive Middle East trip. Secretary urged mariners to read the Seafarers LOG to keep up with SIU news and upgrading classes. $2,300 reported in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. A vote of thanks was given to the steward department. Next ports: Jacksonville, Fla., and Galveston, Texas. HORIZON TRADER (Horizon Lines), November 19 – Chairman Isaac Vega Mercado, Secretary Gerald B. Kirtsey, Educational February 2011 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. Remembering Brother Nielsen On Dec. 20, mariners aboard the Horizon Trader memorialized Recertified Bosun Vagn “Teddy” Nielsen by committing his ashes to the sea at Lat. 18 51 North Long. 066 27 West – an area described by vessel Master F. John Nicoll as “Teddy’s Caribbean.” Brother Nielsen joined the SIU in the early 1960s and last sailed in 1999. He passed away last October, a few weeks shy of his 77th birthday. In photo at right, Captain Nicoll (left) is joined by Recertified Bosun Antonio Mercado and Chief Engineer J. Lew Myers as the ashes are released over the vessel’s port quarter. The group photo includes the captain, Seafarers Mercado, Armando Garayua, Emilio Abreu, Oheneba Francis Ackon, Harold Gierbolini, Kevin Dougherty, Jose Norales, Samir Elbaguer and Jose Martinez, officers J.L. Myers, Mike Collinsworth and Ed Weissmeyer and Engine Cadet M. Manolo. (Thanks to Chief Mate James Kitterman for taking the photos.) Director Samir S. Elbaguer, Steward Delegate Richard Jones. Bosun reported payoff to take place upon arrival in Jacksonville, Fla., on November 19. He reminded crew that safety vests are required in all APM ports and Jacksonville requires two forms of ID, one being the TWIC card. Educational director advised everyone to upgrade at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md., and make sure they stay up-todate on their TWIC and MMD/MMC. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request was made to increase health and pension benefits. Crew would like the option to have direct deposit of vacation checks. Next ports: Jacksonville, Fla. and San Juan, P.R. LIBERTY (Crowley), November 7 – Chairman Darryl G. Smith, Educational Director Robert L. Puckett, Deck Delegate Dana D. Brooks, Engine Delegate Angel Cintron, Steward Delegate Ronald Byrd. Chairman announced payoff at sea on November 11 and asked those departing vessel to leave rooms clean for the next mariner. He also urged members to contribute to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activity Donation). Educational director reminded mariners to take every opportunity to upgrade their skills at the Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Motion was made to increase base wages in the next contract. Crew thanked steward department for great meals. Next ports: Port Arthur, Texas and Beaumont, Texas. LIBERTY SUN (Liberty Maritime), November 7 – Chairman Ahmed A. Mihakel, Secretary Louins Johnson, Educational Director David W. Bodah, Deck Delegate Floyd Patterson, Engine Delegate Wayne Watts, Steward Delegate Eduardo Elemento. Chairman stated payoff to take place on November 9 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He urged members to keep credentials in good order and support SPAD. He also thanked Recertified Steward Louins Johnson for excellent meals. Secretary reminded crew to make sure beneficiary cards are updated. He asked those departing vessel to leave rooms clean and supplied with fresh linen. Educational director encouraged crew to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation was made to increase wages during next contract. Next port: Corpus Christi, Texas. OVERSEAS LONG BEACH (OSG Ship Management), November 21 – Chairman Samuel L. Porchea, Secretary Cynthia L. Caster, Educational Director Ronald H. Westerfield, Deck Delegate Michael E. Bell, Engine Delegate Anastacio Q. Dawa, Steward Delegate Brandy Clemens. Chairman went over ship’s itinerary. He also held a discussion on how to renew your tankerman endorsement and MMC; a printout was passed around for members to read or copy. Secretary reported an open-door policy pertaining to the linen locker/sundries locker and asked mariners to put dirty linen in the bag on the inside of the door and take the clean linen off the shelves. She reminded crew to see her when they need soap and/or cleaning supplies. Educational director urged members to enhance their skills at Piney Point, which can lead to better opportunities and advancement. He also encouraged crew to renew documents early. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun expressed his gratitude to steward department for doing great work and being so kind. Steward thanked bosun and deck department for painting and making new shelves in the linen locker. Request was made for steward to order more blankets, pillows and comforters that will fit the bunks better. Next ports: Richmond, Calif., Martinez, Calif., Cherry Point, Wash. and Long Beach, Calif. OVERSEAS LUXMAR (OSG Ship Management), November 7 – Chairman Jesse Natividad Jr., Secretary Nancy S. Heyden, Educational Director Kevin E. Hall, Engine Delegate Donnetta McLee, Steward Delegate Wardell Paze. Chairman reported a smooth voyage. He suggested that Seafarers not have any extra conversations when going through security gates in the U.S. Deck department will continue doing tank washing. Secretary thanked crew for helping keep the mess hall clean. She informed them that water fountain had been fixed and asked that they not pour other liquids down the water fountain drain. Educational director reiterated the need to renew STCW documentation every five years. It was reported that some officers will not sign training record books for training that was received aboard vessel. If this continues to be a problem, members were advised to ask captain or chief mate to write a letter listing training that was received; members are then to take the letter to Piney Point where they will update their TRB. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Motion was passed concerning employment status and contract stipulation. Vote of thanks given to SREC Nancy Heyden for good breakfasts, breads and desserts. Crew also expressed gratitude to SA Sarrod Doqnia for keeping mess hall clean and wellstocked. AB Curtis Torres was thanked for buying gym equipment. Next port: Houston. USNS LAWRENCE GIANELLA (Ocean Ships), November 23 – Chairman Bernardino R. Eda, Secretary Steve E. Parker, Educational Director Moises Johnson, Deck Delegate Nicholas J. Kempker, Engine Delegate Ruben Haynes. Bosun stressed importance of union meetings and updating address with the union to receive notices and Seafarers LOGs. He reminded crew members to stay inside launch boat after dark. Crew expressed pleasure with the improvement to vacation benefits in the new contract. Secretary noted he was impressed with the cleanliness of the ship both inside and out. Members were informed that food costs are rising however the budget is staying the same. Deck department was thanked for fresh fish which helped offset some cost and was also a welcome treat. Educational director encouraged fellow mariners to keep going to Piney Point to upgrade skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members discussed importance of rotary shipping. A round of applause was given to the steward department. Next port: Diego Garcia. Seafarers LOG 19 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:19 PM Page 20 SHBP Offers Scholarships to Seafarers, Family Members Help is on the horizon for qualified Seafarers and dependents that want to advance their education but are having difficulties plotting a course through the financial landscape associated with it. Dubbed the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) 2011 Scholarship Program, the aid totals $132,000 and takes the form of eight scholarships which are being offered to help qualified applicants neutralize the financial challenges associated with college and vocational studies. Three of the endowments—one of which totals $20,000 and two for $6,000 each—will be awarded to Seafarers. The $20,000 scholarship for mariners is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, college-level course of study. The two $6,000 awards are designed as two-year grants for study at a post-secondary vocational school or community college. Each of the remaining five scholarships for spouses and dependents is for $20,000. In order to contend for these scholarships, interested individuals must complete an application process; now is a great time to commence the course of action. The first step is to send for the 2011 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet. This package contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. To obtain a copy of this handout, simply complete the form which appears below, and return it to the address provided. As an alternative to requesting a scholarship package through the mail, they also are available at SIU halls. Upon receipt of the scholarship program booklet, applicants should check the eligibility criteria to determine if they are qualified to participate. They should also begin collecting and assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit with the full application, which must be received by April 15, 2011. Items that must be incorporated in the final application package include transcripts and certificates of graduation. Since some institutions respond slowly in handling transcript needs, requests should be made as early as possible. Letters of recommendation – solicited from individuals who know the applicant’s character, personality and career goals – also should be included as part of the application package. A high-quality photograph and a certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate are also required and should accompany the package. A panel of professional educators will act as the scholarship selection committee. They will examine the high school grades of all applicants as well as evaluate scores from their Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and American College Tests (ACT). Accordingly, arrangements should be made by applicants who have not done so to take these tests no later than February 2011. Doing so will virtually assure that the results reach the evaluation committee in time for review. Seafarers and dependents who previously applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provid- ed they still meet the eligibility requirements. Thanks to the SHBP, Seafarers and their dependents do not have to allow rapidly increasing costs to prevent them from realizing their higher education goals. The SHBP Scholarship Program can make the same difference for them that it has for years made for other Seafarers and dependents. In the last seven years alone, the SHBP has awarded $908,000 in scholarships to 12 Seafarers and 38 dependents. Please send me the 2011 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Street Address.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... City, State, Zip Code .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Telephone Number ( This application is for: ) ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Mail this completed form to: FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rankand-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. The annual financial committee will be elected during the March 7 headquarters membership meeting to review the 2010 records. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the con- 20 Seafarers LOG Self Dependent Scholarship Program Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Know Your Rights tracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:19 PM Page 21 Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Schedule The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the next few months. All programs are geared to improving the job skills of Seafarers and to promoting the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion May 16 May 27 Deck Department Water Survival AB February 7 April 4 May 30 STOS March 4 April 28 June 24 March 21 May 16 Fast Rescue Boats April 1 May 27 May 2 Radar Observer Unlimited May 6 April 11 ARPA April 22 April 25 Radar Recertification (1 day) April 29 May 10 GMDSS May 10 February 28 April 18 June 13 ECDIS March 11 April 29 June 24 February 14 May 2 May 23 Tank Ship Familiarization DL February 18 May 6 May 27 April 4 Tank PIC Barge DL May 20 Engine Department FOWT Advanced Container Maintenance Marine Electrician February 7 April 4 May 30 March 4 April 29 June 24 April 11 May 5 March 7 May 2 June 27 April 1 May 27 July 22 May 9 Marine Refrigeration Technician July 1 February 28 April 8 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 Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? Yes No If yes, class # ______________________________________________________________ If yes, course(s) taken_____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ February 2011 Start Date Date of Completion Welding February 7 March 7 April 4 May 9 June 6 February 25 March 25 April 22 May 27 June 24 Pumpman Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting February 21 February 7 May 2 February 18 May 13 March 28 May 9 April 1 May 13 February 21 May 16 BST/Basic Fire Fighting Vessel Security Officer February 25 May 20 February 22 May 9 Government Vessels February 23 May 10 February 28 April 4 April 25 June 20 MSC Readiness Refresher March 4 April 8 April 29 June 24 February 14 March 14 April 11 May 16 June 13 MSC Small Arms Chief Steward March 4 Safety Upgrading Courses Medical Care Provider April 15 May 16 Basic Auxiliary Plant Ops Title of Course February 18 March 18 April 15 May 20 June 17 February 21 March 21 April 18 May 23 June 20 February 25 March 25 April 22 May 27 June 24 Steward Department April 18 Recertified Steward May 26 March 14 April 4 Chief Cook These modules start every other week. The next class is scheduled to begin Feb 7. Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations These modules start every Monday. Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover—for whatever reason—that they cannot attend should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twentyfive (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back or relevant pages of merchant mariner credential, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate, valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC. COURSE ____________________________ START DATE _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ LAST VESSEL: __________________________________Rating: ______________ Date On: ___________________________ Date Off:________________________ SIGNATURE ________________________________ DATE___________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable.Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/11 Seafarers LOG 21 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:19 PM Page 22 Paul Hall Center Classes Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 737 – Sixteen unlicensed apprentices on Sept. 3 completed their training requirements in this 60-hour course. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Khoury Bethea, Jeremy Boyd, Bobbie Gibbs, Phillip Gifford, Brandon Grace, James Hammond, Deborah Hutchins, Orakwue Ikegwu, Anthony Lowe, Justin Machuga, Enrique Medri, David Simon, Emanuel Spain, Zachard Thibeault, Marilou Toledo and Mark Williams. Their instructor, Bernabe Pelingon, is standing at left Welding – The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) completed their training in this 103-hour course Nov. 29: Joselito Beof, Robert Cummings, Van Dixon, Jacob Diefenbach, Omar Espinosa, Jeremy Farlow, Getolio Medallo, Jonathan Miller and Jonathan Tucker. Class Instructor Buzzy Andrews is second from the right in the back row. Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 738 – Eighteen unlicensed apprentices completed this 60-hour course Sept. 20. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Jatniel Aguilera, Cliff Alexis, Michael Ashak, Frances Bautista, Andrew Blake, Adam Churchill, Reno Duque, Warren Gorman, Lloyd Harness, Evan Jones, David Kabasinskas, Raymond Martin Jr., Michael Paiko, Gerald Scott, Patrick Slade, Zaza Tchitanava, Jason Wagner and Steven Welcome. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Government Vessels – Five upgraders completed the enhancement of their skills in this course Dec. 10. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Randy Corey, Julito Crodua, Derek Melvin, Sadeq Nasser and Marcelo Rodriguez. Tom Truitt, the class instructor, is at the right. Machinist – Ten individuals completed their training in this course Nov. 29. Graduating (right, in alphabetical order) were: Kenneth Evett, Dwight Hunt, Joselito Jaime, Stravon Jordon, Richard Maybay, Robert Ott, Tijani Rashid, Donna Sylvia, Jervona Vorise and Joseph Waller Jr. Class instructor Steve Havar is at the far right. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2011 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:20 PM Page 23 Paul Hall Center Classes Junior Engineer – Twenty-five upgraders comleted their requirements in this course Dec. 17. Graduating (left, in alphabetical order) were: Emmanuel Adeoti, Kofi Asamani, James Atwell, Heaven Bautista, Henry Callahan, Christopher Caporale, Ashley Carmichael, Timothy Chestnut, Fontanos Ellison, Criseldo Espinosa, Romeo Ferrer, Alonzo Griswell, Domingo Hurtado, Joshua Johnson, Naveed Khalid, Alcido Lopes, Iqbal Mahmood, Phillip Niles, Andres Nunez, Gustavo Osorio, David Quade, Francisco Ramilo, Mark Sawin, Edward Self and Ruben Toledo Jr. Jay Henderson, their instructor, is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Advanced Container Maintenance – Six Seafarers completed the enhancement of their skills in this course Dec. 10. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Francis Brown, Samuel Garrett, Peter Meglow, Michael Peck, Frank Strong and Khitrenko Yuriy. Class Instructor Jay Henderson is at the from right. BST – The following individuals, (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Nov. 19: Michael Hurst, Brandon Maeda, Manuel Martinez, Sinclair Oubre, Craig Pare, Thomas Respicio, Richard Robertson, John Sasse, Ricky Shumock, Jose Sialana, Clifford Taylor, Jervona Vorise and Kevin White. Their instructors, Wayne Johnson and Mike Roberts, are at the far left and far right respectively. BST - Fourteen Seafarers finished their training requirements in this course Nov. 19. Graduating (left, in alphabetical order) were: Eugene Aruta, Fermin Bernardez, Shawn Bird, Bartow Bridges, James Burns,Paul Conway, James Crate, Luis Escobar, Billy Gigante, John Grayson, James Gregory, Gregory Johnson, Stravon Jordan and Ronald Lamere. BST (Hawaii) – Twelve individuals completed their training in this course Nov. 13 at the Seafarers Training Facility in Barbers Point, Hawaii. Graduating (above, in no particular order) were: Sheldon Augustine, Ramon Aziz, Froilan Berino, Kimberly Irizarry, Marc Joy, Hannah Manas, Cesar Oceguera, John Saint - Ange, Deon Sandoval, Andrew Stenic, Daniel Titus and Kathryn Alexander. February 2011 BST (Hawaii) – The following individuals (above, in no particular order) finished their requirements in this course Nov. 20 in Hawaii: Stephanie Colgate, Tarek Eldash, Nathan Madeiros, Todd Tranquillo, Karlo Armijo, Joseph Gardner, Amanda Hall, Ronald Suelen, Jason Seidman, Jaclyn McAnarney, Claudio Battaglia, Joshua Chapman, Nicholas Talarico, Brady Taylor, Jennifer Ware, Katelyn Watson, Amanda Wiles, Melissa McDonald, Jacob Keefe and Steven Mendez. Seafarers LOG 23 �62813_Log_Feb_2011:January 08 1/27/2011 10:20 PM Page 24 Volume 73, Number 2 February 2011 Tax Tips For Mariners Pages 12-14 Upgraders Laud Paul Hall Center Steward Department Classes Mariners See Many Benefits of Training in Piney Point With the help of the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md., a number of steward-department Seafarers have been participating in an upgrading program with the goal of learning valuable skills that will help them advance their careers at sea. The upgraders, who have been taking various classes at the Center, are looking forward to using their new skills and putting them to work aboard ship. With added emphasis being placed on food safety and sanitation by ship-operating companies, as well as new developments in food processing and preparation, there’s no better time to upgrade, according to Executive Chef John Hetmanski. Hetmanski, one of the instructors at Piney Point, pointed out the changing times have significantly affected steward departments. “All the companies have become more conscious of the nutrition and food safety for their crews,” said Hetmanski. “Healthy crews and what they eat and how safe the galleys are have taken the front page. The steward department has a direct impact on that.” Seafarer Richard Wyeth, a 13-year SIU member and a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, has spent most of his professional life in the galley and thought he knew all he needed to know to be a successful member of the steward department. His outlook Chief Cook Eric Clotter changed when he started upgrading in Piney Point. “Because of my experience, I didn’t think I was going to learn very much (at the school), but I was really surprised to find out that I still had a lot to learn,” said Wyeth. “Things that I thought I knew have changed. You need to be caught up on things; it’s really important.” In addition to the increased wages potentially to be made from upgrading, Wyeth recognizes the significance of having a welltrained steward department. “A lot of times we don’t get the credit, but I think we’re one of the most important departments on the ship,” Wyeth said, pointing out that having a clean galley and good, healthy meals can have a huge impact on morale. Perhaps the most important benefit of the program for Wyeth is how the skills he’s learned affect his fellow Seafarers. “The more I learn here, the more I can pass on to the younger people on the ship,” said Wyeth. “Even though I’ve been sailing a long time, I still enjoy learning. I’d encourage everyone to come down [to Piney Point] and upgrade.” Other Seafarers who recently upgraded also recommended the various stewarddepartment curricula to fellow mariners. Chief Cook Eric Clotter, who’s working towards becoming a chief steward, values the things he’s learned from his instructors. “They’re teaching me to become a better cook, and the things I’ve learned, I’ll be tak- Students receive hands-on training. The school features state-of-the-art galley equipment. Not all of the learning takes place in the galley. Here, upgraders take their ServSafe certification test online. ing them with me on the ship,” he said. “I’m looking forward to moving on to the next level.” SA Michael Correa, whose passion for cooking led him to the steward department, stated, “You get the chance to learn and to cook. I’m starting at the bottom and learning it all.” When asked if he would recommend upgrading to fellow mariners, Correa was fully supportive. “If you’re working on a ship, you’ve got to move up,” Correa said. Clotter added that upgrading is a source of pride, in addition to being a way to move forward with his career. “The program can help anybody,” said Clotter. “It’s helping me. I’m so proud of myself. I’ve got friends and family that look up to me and what I’m doing. This is like a new home to me. I’m so blessed to be here.” There is no shortage of opportunities for advancement in the steward department at the Paul Hall Center. Upgrading classes include Galley Operations, Advanced Galley Operations, Certified Chief Cook, and a 12week Certified Chief Steward class. SA Michael Correa Valuable courses are available for mariners no matter their experience level. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2011 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES CRESCENT TOWING ADDS NEW Z-DRIVE TUGBOATS SEAFARERS GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITIES OCEAN ATLAS ASSISTS STRANDED FISHERMEN SIU-CREWED OCEAN TITAN DELIVERS IRAQI PATROL BOAT FOR U.S. NAVY NON-PARTISAN NATIONAL COMMISSION: JONES ACT DID NOT HINDER CLEANUP CONSTITUTION PROTECTS MAJORITY SIGN-UP MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM GETS 10-YEAR EXTENSION UNION-CONTRACTED CRESCENT TOWING ADDS NEW Z-DRIVE TUGBOATS TO INLAND FLEET ITF POINTS OUT IMPORTANCE OF U.S. LABOR AT JANUARY MEETING IN WASHINGTON NY WATERWAY WORKERS RATIFY 4-YEAR CONTRACT FREEZE APPLIES TO CIVMARS USA MARITIME ISSUES REPORT ON CARGO PREFERENCE ITF, AFFILIATES GATHER IN WASHINGTON SEAFARERS GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITIES TOY DRIVES SUCCESSFUL IN TACOMA, FT. LAUDERDALE OCEAN TITAN DELIVERS IRAQI PATROL BOAT FOR U.S. NAVY SEAFARER HONORED WITH ASC OUTSTANDING MARINER AWARD OCEAN ATLAS CREW RENDERS ASSISTANCE TO STRANDED FISHERMAN NEAR ECUADOR THE ED WOODS STORY- A TEENAGER IN WORLD WAR II UPGRADERS LAUD PAUL HALL CENTER STEWARD DEPARTMENT CLASSES Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2011 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 73, No. 2 2011 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/878724cbf232be40ca2e46de3e3b31e6.pdf ef0d987c1d059969f273b51c25435145 PDF Text Text Volume 74, Number 2 February 2012 Maersk Illinois Joins SIU Fleet Heavy-Lift Ship Means New Jobs for Seafarers The SIU closed out 2011 by welcoming the heavy-lift ship Maersk Illinois (right) into the union-contracted fleet. The Maersk Line, Limited vessel reflagged under the Stars and Stripes Dec. 30 in Mobile, Ala. Pictured aboard the ship (below) are Seafarers (front, from left) AB Ronald Poole, GVA Fortune McCants, Electrician Eugene Davis, QMED Julian Avila, AB Alvin Clark, QMED Peggy Wilson, Chief Steward Larry Ewing, ACU Leroy Jenkins, (back) AB Brian Gauntt, STOS Christopher Allen, STOS Adolfo Figueroa and Bosun Dave Coleman. A second heavy-lift ship, the Maersk Texas, is slated to reflag American in March. Page 3. Ocean Titan Pulls Off Dramatic Sea Rescue Overcoming extremely rough nighttime weather and other challenges, SIU members aboard the Ocean Titan helped save the lives of seven foreign mariners whose vessel quickly sank in the Bay of Biscay on Dec. 9. Seafarers including Bosun Magdy Balat (wearing ball cap and shaking hands with the captain of the sunken vessel) are pictured with the survivors. Page 4 Seafarers Brighten Holidays For U.S. Military Personnel SIU members in Tacoma, Wash., once again stepped up for the annual Santa’s Castle toy drive, which benefits United States military families. Seafarers donated new toys worth more than $5,000. Loading the goodies at the hall are AB Marvin Kelly (facing camera), AB Gerret Jarman (far left) and many others. Holiday philanthropy also was alive and well aboard the USNS Dahl, Global Sentinel and at various SIU-contracted companies. Page 6. TWIC and STCW News Page 5 10162_FEB_2012_LOG_X.indd 1 Scholarship Info Page 11 Tax Tips for 2011 Pages 12-14 1/30/2012 11:22:05 AM �President’s Report Jobs Well Done, at Sea and Ashore Seafarers don’t regularly end up in the news, but there have been a few well-earned exceptions lately, and those stories reflect our members’ spirit, generosity and professionalism. As reported throughout this edition (and in some commercial publications as well), a number of SIU members from the USNS Dahl, Global Sentinel and the Tacoma area cheerfully pitched in for annual toy donations so they could brighten the holidays for others. Even though this type of activity is nothing new for Seafarers, and although they certainly don’t participate with any expectation of publicity, I think our brothers and sisters deserve the recognition. And I’m particularly proud that they once again made it a point to donate to American military families, in addition to other recipients. In contrast to the relative calm of holiday philanthropy, Seafarers on the Ocean Titan helped perform a difficult nighttime rescue in very rough Michael Sacco weather. Kudos to them and to the officers, from the Seafarers-affiliated AMO, for upholding the finest traditions of the Brotherhood of the Sea as they saved the lives of seven foreign seamen. It’s worth noting that every one of the SIU members aboard the Ocean Titan during the rescue has trained at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center, located in Piney Point, Md. The school remains vital in preparing Seafarers to handle whatever comes their way at sea, whether routine or, like in the recent case of the Ocean Titan, extreme. Again, congratulations to everyone who was involved. Lessons from Tragic Accident It’s at least somewhat ironic that the fatal grounding of the Costa Concordia is shedding light on the decades-old problem of so-called flags of convenience, also known as runaway flags. The irony is that this particular ship wasn’t an FOC. Nevertheless, this tragic accident has opened Congress’ eyes to take a broader look into the cruise-ship industry. And suddenly, the general public in the United States is waking up to the fact that most cruise ships operating in this country are indeed sailing under runaway flags, with the notable exception of the SIU-crewed NCL America vessel Pride of America, based in Hawaii. Congressional hearings are scheduled to examine safety in the industry. There may be some cynicism about those hearings – in this industry, tragedy inevitably is followed by federal review and even more regulations, some of which have dubious effects – but I believe this scrutiny is warranted. If nothing else, it’s positive for our industry – and for safety – when CNN and other news outlets properly identify the FOC sham. Maybe this can be a first step toward raising the bar throughout the industry. As I’ve said many times in the past, a professionally trained mariner is the key to crew AND passenger safety! Takes a 4-Letter Word to be Heard In this election year for the White House, it is more important than ever for the SIU to remain politically active – not just at the federal level, but at every point of government. We all know that the maritime industry is heavily regulated, so our livelihoods depend on electing people who will support the U.S. Merchant Marine. Grassroots action takes many forms, and our capacity to mobilize for pro-maritime candidates remains a vital strength. So too is our financial support of those candidates, and that is where the union’s voluntary fund, the Seafarers Political Activity Donation (SPAD), comes into play. I know times are tough, but your support of SPAD is hugely important this year (and beyond). If you already contribute, I thank you for doing so. If you haven’t signed up, please consider it. We all know elections cost money, and SPAD helps make sure our voices are heard. Volume 74, Number 2 February 2012 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFLCIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Paddy Lehane; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2012 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. 2 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG_X.indd 2 SIU, ITF Assist Fisher Crew Swift action by the SIU and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) officials made a difficult situation a little better for an SIU crew who were prevented from going ashore over the holidays. SIU Secretary-Treasurer and ITF Seafarers’ Section Chair David Heindel and another ITF-affiliated union played an integral part in trying to fix the situation for Seafarers aboard the M/V Maj. Bernard F. Fisher. Pulling into port at Sao Francisco do Sul, Brazil, the crew was looking forward to relaxing, taking in the sights, and maybe doing some last-minute shopping for their families back home for the holidays. However, Capt. Jeremy Allen was informed that because of a legal issue (unrelated to this specific vessel or crew), the mariners would be forced to stay on the ship for nearly two weeks. The Brazilian government has a new policy that doesn’t allow foreign mariners to come ashore unless they have proper visas. Certain visas are waived if the ship is registered in a country that is a signatory to the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention that was drafted by the International Labor Organization (ILO C-185). The agreement essentially gives reciprocity to all signatory nations by letting their mariners take shore leave without having to go through a separate, and more time-consuming, visa process. The U.S. has so far refused to sign the treaty, citing security concerns. Following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. asked the ILO to revise the then-current convention on seafarer documents (ILO C-108) to facilitate a more secure credential with biometric identifiers so the U.S. could identify mariners entering the country. The ILO, with assistance from world governments, labor organizations and shipowner groups, agreed to fast-track the re- Crew members are pictured with representatives from the Brazilian maritime workers union, SINDMAR. vision. Fifteen months later the revised convention was adopted and became known as ILO C-185. The Bush Administration didn’t support the new convention because it required ratifying nations to allow seafarers shore access without a visa. However, many argue that this lack of support was unwarranted because the U.S. requires a 96-hour ship arrival notice to vet crew list for potential terrorists anyway. The fact that the U.S. hasn’t ratified ILO C-185 has created numerous problems for the everyday mariner, including the crew of the Fisher. Because the crew wasn’t allowed off the ship, communication with their families at home during the holidays was very difficult. Additionally, Captain Allen was forced to miss his grandfather’s funeral because he couldn’t be relieved of command of the vessel. These events caught the attention of the SIU leadership, including Heindel, who quickly took action to make sure that the crew’s stay in port was as comfortable as possible. Heindel made several phone calls to representatives of the Brazilian maritime workers union, Sindicato Nacional dos Oficiais da Marinha Mercante (SINDMAR), and asked for assistance on behalf of the SIU members and others re- stricted to the ship. In an example both of the international solidarity in the labor movement and the benefits of ITF affiliation, SINDMAR representatives worked quickly and got the crew access to cell phones to call home. “I’d like to thank our Brazilian colleague for their efforts in making the crew’s stay as enjoyable as possible even though they couldn’t get shore leave,” said Heindel. The unfortunate circumstance that the crew of the Fisher dealt with is just one example of the problems associated with the U.S. government’s failure to ratify ILO C-185. And, according to Heindel and other maritime labor officials, it is one that needs to be quickly addressed to prevent these problems for others in the future. The Obama Administration has indicated that ILO C-185 is of high priority for consideration by the U.S., but the initiative has not made much progress to date. “The U.S. government needs to seriously consider ILO C-185 ratification so these types of situations don’t happen again,” said Heindel. “American and foreign sailors should be able to enjoy shore leave and not be forced to stay aboard during port calls simply because of politics or short-sightedness. What happened to our members aboard the Fisher should be the last example of this restrictive practice.” IMO Sees Progress in Anti-Piracy Campaign Significant progress in the international community’s ongoing crusade against piracy was realized during the past 12 months, according to a recent release by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). At the end of a year in which the World Maritime Day theme of “Piracy: orchestrating the response” has been central to the work of IMO, the organization reported progress and cautions optimism even while pointing to a still-severe problem. According to the IMO, recently compiled statistics show that the number of ships and seafarers held captive by Somali pirates declined from a peak of 33 and 733 in February 2011 to 13 and 265, respectively, by the start of December 2011. Similarly, reported attacks declined from a high of 45 monthly in January 2011 to 14 for the month of November 2011; and the proportion of successful attacks was slashed from 20 percent in January 2011 to seven percent in November 2011. Throughout the past year, most of the IMO’s antipiracy political activities were channeled through the United Nations Security Council. The agency reported “improvements to the accessibility and distribution of IMO guidelines and industry best management practice guidance; steps were taken to ensure that ships’ crews are aware of how to access naval protection and implement effectively the preventive, evasive and defensive measures recommended by IMO and the industry. The organization also addressed the issue of carriage of privately contracted armed security personnel aboard ships and developed guidelines on the subject, involving, in this particular instance, flag, port and coastal states.” Additionally, the IMO pointed to greater levels of coordination among navies, improved sharing of information, and the start of construction of an antipiracy training center in Djibouti as being among the “significant, tangible steps towards building regional capability to counteract pirate activities.” The SIU remains active in this effort both as an individual union and as an affiliate of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). Communication is part of the effort, and in that vein, SIU SecretaryTreasurer David Heindel, who also serves as chair of the ITF’s Seafarers’ Section, contacted the IMO late last year. Heindel in his Nov. 14 correspondence addressed among other issues the grave problem of piracy with particular respect to the massive impact it has on all mariners and their families. In part, Heindel’s letter said: “The pirates are becoming more aggressive and, for some nations’ seafarers, the payment of a ransom does not guarantee or secure their release. Instead, they continue to be held to try to coerce and intimidate that State to release captured pirates. “As representatives of seafarers globally, we would urge that you encourage the United Nations Security Council to create the political resolve for governments to take the decisive measures which are necessary to protect the lives of the seafarers and the global economy, which depends on them.” In a Dec. 6 response to Heindel, B. Lynn Pascoe, IMO under-secretary-general for political affairs, said, “The secretary-general shares your concerns. In his report to the Security Council … the secretary-general specifically highlighted the plight of seafarers being held hostage by pirates in Somalia, and brought to the attention of the Security Council the increased level of violence being used in pirate organizations to expand initiatives that help relieve the suffering of captive mariners and others exposed to the trauma of a pirate attack.” Continuing, Lynn’s letter said, “The Security Council, in its resolution … strongly condemned the continuing practice of hostage-taking by suspected pirates operating off the coast of Somalia, expressed serious concern at the inhuman conditions hostages face in captivity, recognized that adverse impact on the families, called for the immediate release of all hostages, and noted the importance of cooperation between Member States on the issue of hostage-taking and the need for the prosecution of suspected pirates for taking hostages.” IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos stated, “Although we should welcome the good news of the falling numbers of ships and seafarers falling in the hands of pirates … there is still a lot of work to be done. Even one seafarer at the hands of pirates, is one too many….” February 2012 1/30/2012 11:22:16 AM �AB Ronald Poole (left) and Bosun Dave Coleman are part of the first SIU crew to sail aboard the Maersk Illinois. SIU Welcomes New Jobs Aboard Maersk Illinois Second Heavy-Lift Vessel, Maersk Texas, Also Slated to Flag In One of the newest additions to the SIUcrewed fleet, the heavy-lift ship Maersk Illinois, reflagged under the Stars and Stripes in Mobile, Ala., during the last week of 2011. Both the Illinois and sister ship Maersk Texas–scheduled to reflag U.S. in mid-March–signal new jobs for Seafarers. The Illinois loaded its first Americanflag-impelled cargo right after the reflagging was completed Dec. 30, and then sailed for Ghana. “This is an excellent development for our union,” stated SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “Additionally, it’s a benefit to national security, in part because these new ships will help maintain a pool of well-trained U.S. mariners The newly reflagged ship sailed from Mobile, Ala., in late December. who can crew America’s military support ships.” SIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) acquired the two ships in September 2011. They will operate under the banner of Maersk-Rickmers U.S. Flag Project Carrier (Maersk-Rickmers), a partnership formed by MLL and Rickmers-Linie (America). “We are pleased to see this reflagging process completed, allowing us to introduce our modern ship and bring new value to the U.S. flag project cargo market,” said Dave Harriss, director of ship management and chartering at MLL, following the flagin of the Illinois. “We are now looking forward to bringing the Maersk Texas into the U.S.-flag fleet as we continue to build the service.” The Maersk Illinois is 485 feet long and can carry 20,000 cubic meters of cargo. It is equipped with two onboard cargo cranes with a combined maximum lift of 480 metric tons. The 19,600 DWT ship “is ideally suited for handling of a wide variety of heavy and bulky cargo such as generators, locomotives, wind and gas turbines, hazardous materials and more,” according to the operating company. The multi-purpose vessel is expected to make port calls around the globe. In a separate development, approxi- mately two weeks before the Illinois arrived in Mobile, the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) announced that MLL “has been unanimously elected to membership.” Joseph J. Cox, president of the CSA, said, “We are very pleased to have a quality operator like Maersk Line, Limited join our association. They have been operating various types of ships for a number of years and are well regarded among their colleagues in the industry. All of us in the maritime community take use and stewardship of the oceans very seriously and Maersk Line, Limited’s concerns with safety, protection of the marine environment and efficient operation for their customers dovetail very well with CSA’s mission and vision statements.” Maersk Line, Limited President and CEO John F. Reinhart stated, “We are honored to be unanimously elected to membership in the Chamber of Shipping of America. CSA is a great organization and is addressing a large number of important issues facing our industry including numerous safety and environmental initiatives. We look forward to being an active and productive member of the association.” CSA is an association of thirty-six U.S. companies (many of them SIU-contracted operations) that own, operate or charter vessels in the domestic and international trades of the U.S. or are engaged businesses closely associated with vessels. Equipped with two cranes, the vessel loads cargo in Mobile. Crowley Maritime Launches First Ocean-Class Tugboat The new tug Ocean Wave is pictured late last year in dry-dock (above) and in the water. February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 3 SIU-contracted Crowley Maritime Corp. late last year announced the launch of the Ocean Wave in Lake Charles, La. The vessel, which will carry an SIU crew, is the first of four Ocean-Class tugboats under construction at Bollinger Shipyards in Amelia, La. According to Crowley, the Ocean Wave and Ocean Wind are classed as Dynamic Positioning 1 (DP1) tugboats and are twin-screw, steelhulled tugs each with an overall length of 146 feet, beam of 46 feet, hull depth of 25 feet and design draft of 21 feet. The second two tugs of the class, the Ocean Sky and Ocean Sun, will be classed as DP2 and will be 10 feet longer. In announcing the Ocean Wave’s launch, Crowley noted that each of the new tugs “will be ideally suited” to work with the company’s new 455-series heavy lift deck barges, which measure 400 feet by 105 feet “and offer increased stability for loads up to 4,200 pounds per square foot. Additionally, the tugs will be outfitted for, and capable of, rig moves, platform and floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit tows, emergency response and fire fighting. These Ocean-Class vessels will also have the capability to support salvage and rescue towing opportunities.” The Ocean Wave is scheduled for delivery early this year. The remaining tugs are expected to be completed by the end of 2013. Meanwhile, in early January, Crowley reported its acquisition of 500 new 40-foot containers. Some of the new containers will replace older ones, but overall the additions will grow the company’s tally of more than 45,000 units. In a news release, Crowley indicated that the new containers, each with a capacity of 2,700 cubic feet, will be used in all liner service operations in Latin America, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. The containers reportedly “exceed all new and amended ISO standards for freight container door security applications. A combination of security enhancements and upgrades deters and prevents unauthorized access into containers and loaded cargo.” Seafarers LOG 3 1/25/2012 8:04:44 PM �Crews from the Ocean Titan and Florece huddled on the deck of the Titan for the photo above during the days that followed the dramatic rescue at sea. In the photo at right, Florece Captain Sergey (left) thanks Ocean Titan Master Capt. Christopher Hill for his actions and those of his crew during the early morning hours of Dec. 9. Rescue At Sea: Seven European mariners, a mixture of Russian, Polish and Ukrainian nationalities, today are alive and well thanks to their heroic December 2011 rescue by the crew from the SIU–contracted Ocean Titan. The Ocean Titan is operated by Pacific-Gulf Marine for Intermarine, Inc. It is manned in the unlicensed positions by SIU members and in the licensed slots by members of the Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Officers. Seafarers aboard the Ocean Titan at the time of the rescue included Bosun Magdy Balat, ABs Hilario Rochez, James Luttrell and Miguel Angel Matos, QMED Electrician Michael Kelly, GUDE Stephon Thompson, Steward/Baker Lawrence Winfield and ACU Steven Holmes. Crew members aboard the bulk carrier MV Florece, the foreign mariners, had taken to lifeboats when their vessel sank following an at-sea collision with the chemical tanker M/V Afrodite. The accident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. Dec. 9 approximately 250 miles southwest of Land’s End in the Bay of Biscay, near the United Kingdom. The British Coast Guard (Falmouth) was alerted to the plight of the crew when the Florece’s distress radio beacon was activated as she began to sink. The Falmouth Coast Guard used long-range information tracking to locate the nearest ship to the position given. When they spoke to the master of the Afrodite, he informed them that he had been in a collision with the Florece and that the other vessel’s crew had abandoned their ship to life rafts. The Afrodite attempted a rescue via the deployment of its fast rescue craft but had been unsuccessful due to the sea swell. During this same period, the U.S. Coast Guard also had received a distress signal from the Florece and reported the situation to the Falmouth agency. The latter outfit then made a request for assistance to any ships in the area. They also discussed the incident with the Spanish coast guard who began preparing to send a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. Meanwhile, Ocean Titan Master Capt. Christopher Hill on the same day was awakened from his sleep at around 4 a.m. by his chief mate. After making his way to his vessel’s bridge, Hill received information about the situation involving the Florece from his chief mate as well as other sources. The chief mate told Hill that a vessel 15 miles ahead of the Titian had sent an undesignated distress message and that only the name of the vessel and her position had shown up with the message. The chief mate had tried several times without success to hail the vessel in distress. Eventually another vessel, the Afrodite, answered on the VHF and announced that the Florece had been in a collision. What the Afrodite transmission did not say however was that she was the vessel with whom the Florece had collided. Responding to the British Coast Guard’s request for assistance from any ship in the area, Hill set the Titan’s course for Florece’s position. According to reports, in addition to the Afrodite two other vessels—the Maersk Kampala and the Hammersmith Bridge—were also in the vicinity. Neither played significant roles in the pending rescue. “A glance at the radar told me that there were precious few ships in our area,” said Hill as he recalled the particulars which came to bear during of night of the rescue. “And a glance out of the window told me that the weather was every bit as bad as the previous day’s forecast had suggested it would be: near gale force winds and 12-to-14-foot seas on a pitch-black and bitterly cold Winter North Atlantic night.” Captain Hill said that, well before the actual rescue, he knew he had on board one of the best crews, top to bottom, that he had ever set sail with. Still, he felt that the Ocean Titan was ill-suited for rescuing anyone that night. “My bow thruster was inoperative and without it, the ship’s controllable pitch propeller makes keeping the bow from falling off to starboard no small chore even in flat calm condi- 4 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 4 Crew of Union-Contracted Ocean Titan Saves Lives of Seven Foreign Mariners tions,” he said. “The wind that morning was screaming from one direction and a heavy trans-Atlantic swell was making up from another which made any slow-speed approach a little like fighting two ninjas, one on the right and one on the left, at the same time. “Further, I had a weather deck slap full of cargo with chain lashings,” he continued. “That on-deck cargo included a 140 metric ton shore crane with a very, very high center of gravity. That piece alone effectively eliminated rolling violently from my list of things to do that morning.” Despite these potential obstacles, Hill while pushing his vessel towards the Florece’s location said he personally called the Afrodite’s captain to see if there was anything he could do to help in the rescue. “The Afrodite responded by saying ‘No, the situation is in hand.’ “I breathed a sigh of relief, settled into my captain’s chair and began to think about a cup of coffee,” Hill recalled. Hill said that at about five miles away from the two vessels (Afrodite and Florece) and on a course that he thought would keep the Titan well clear of the scene, another vessel, the Hammersmith Bridge, hailed the Afrodite and offered assistance. “The Afrodite informed the Hammersmith Bridge that the Florece was sinking and that her crew had taken to the rafts, but that the Afrodite was in the process of rescuing them,” Hill said. “This caught me a bit by surprise as I had received information from the Afrodite only a minute or two before that the situation was ‘in-hand’. No mention of a ship sinking or people in the water had been made.” At about four miles from the Florece’s location, things began coming into focus for Hill and his crew aboard the Titan. “From my bridge and with the scene of the collision lying broad on my starboard bow … I could clearly see that the Florece was in a bad way,” Hill recalled. “She lay broadside to the heavy swell and was heeled such that a goodly portion of her hull could be seen in the lights of the nearby Afrodite. “Her appearance was grotesque,” the captain continued. “As I looked at the stricken ship and right before my eyes, the Florece sank. She sank neither by the stern nor by the bow. She sank suddenly and bodily while lying flat on her starboard side; there one second and gone the next. “Her lights, her AIS information and her radar image were all instantly lost. Watching the Florece sink was, on the one hand, amazing and on the other, horrifying,” Hill said. Shortly after the Florece descended into the deep, Hill said a distress flare was fired in the direction of the Titan—no more than a mile or two off his starboard bow. “My lookout immediately reported a life raft in the water,” the captain recalled. “I was closer by two miles to the life raft than the Afrodite, but was still under the presumption that the Afrodite was in the process of performing the rescue.” Hill would later learn that the sum total of the Afrodite’s rescue was an attempt to launch their rescue boat which failed because of the towering seas The Pacific-Gulf Marine operated, SIU-crewed Ocean Titan and stiff winds. Upon seeing the flare, the captain backed the Titan engines hard, called all hands and raised the Afrodite’s captain on the VHF. “I explained to him that I was much closer to the life raft than his vessel and asked again if he needed assistance,” Hill said. “The captain, this time and without hesitation, acceded and asked me to make an attempt at rescue. “I informed the Afrodite’s captain that I would try,” Hill continued, “but was not sure given the heavy weather that I could maneuver my vessel close enough to the survivors to rescue them.” Hill steered the Titan upwind of the life raft and tried to keep enough weigh on the ship to prevent broaching while at the same time proceeding slowly enough so that he could stop upon reaching the raft. Once Hill had the Titan in position, his crew commenced the rescue operation. “I received a call from the bridge advising me to be on deck ASAP for a rescue within two minutes,” recalled Bosun Balat. “I went on deck and headed to a rescue boat, but the captain decided not to use the rescue boat ‘cause of the heavy swells. “So I got about eight heaving lines ready from the bow,” Balat continued. “Then we started throwing heaving lines to the first life raft and got four people. We sent them down to the ship’s office and headed toward the second raft.” In the end, the crew hauled all seven Florece crew members to safety aboard the Ocean Titan, three men from the first raft and four from a second. Aside from being very cold and wet, each of the crew members was fine and very happy to be alive. They were given food, water and dry clothing. “I thought that the guys in the raft had a fighting chance of making it onto my ship,” Hill said, “but wasn’t sure that it was possible given the weather conditions until I saw the first man step up onto my deck. I remember thinking I’ll be damned.” Captain Hill later made arrangements to make a quick port call into Lisbon, a day and a half sailing from the rescue scene, to offload the survivors. Ocean Titan crew members, during the voyage which followed the rescue, got to know the survivors well enough to recognize that they were worth the risks that had been taken to save their lives. “They were good-natured, well-mannered with wives and girlfriends, with mothers and fathers and with children and grandchildren,” Hill said. “My crew cheerfully donated shoes and clothes and even passed the hat so that the rescued crewmen would have some walking around money in Lisbon where they would have to wait a few days for their embassies to issue new travel documents.” The seven survivors were put ashore in the Port of Lisbon during the evening of Dec. 10. All were in good health and in good spirits. According to Captain Hill, the Ocean Titan was showered with high praise and one blast on a ship’s whistle from a Portuguese naval commander blasting on behalf of his navy upon its arrival in Lisbon. Additionally, owners and managers of the Florece (who had flown to Lisbon to greet their crew) along with the Lisbon port agent sent their regards and appreciation via VHF. Launch boat owners delivered a bottle of port wine and the Lisbon Capitania Do Porto delivered a poignant, hand-written and thoughtful letter, which read in part: “....a job very well done in the best tradition of seaman in general and those belonging to the U.S. Merchant Marine in particular.” Bosun Balat said that while rescuing crews whose vessels have sunk is not an everyday occurrence, it can and does happen at sea. “When it does and you accomplish [the feat] of saving a seven-man crew, you feel that you won the Mega Millions Jackpot and you have to share the winnings with those involved in the rescue mission,” he said. “I would like to salute every member of SIU who took part in the rescue mission aboard the Ocean Titan that day,” he concluded. February 2012 1/25/2012 8:04:48 PM �Officials Ease TWIC Requirements For Some When Obtaining, Renewing Mariner Credentials The U.S. Coast Guard in late December announced a new policy that exempts some mariners from the requirement to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) when renewing or obtaining a Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner credential (MMC). According to the agency, TWICs no longer will be required for mariners who aren’t actively sailing but are maintaining documents of continuity, nor will they be required for active mariners on vessels that aren’t required to have vessel security plans. Impact on SIU Members Minimal As reported at the January membership meetings, the new policy likely won’t affect many SIU members, because the vast majority of SIU-crewed vessels are required to have a vessel security plan. Also, Seafarers should note that the Coast Guard openly cautions individuals to expect potentially significant delays in the processing of credential applications submitted by non-TWIC holders. In announcing these changes, the agency said it is acting in accordance with a component of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 that “permits the Coast Guard to exempt any mariner not requiring unescorted access to a secure area of a vessel from the requirement to hold a valid TWIC as a precondition of receiving a merchant mariner credential.” A day later, the Coast Guard clarified that in order for them to process an MMC application, they must have received the applicant’s biographical information from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), issuer of the TWIC. The upshot is that for a mariner to get his or her MMC application processed, he or she must have completed the TWIC enrollment procedure at least once. “Additionally,” the Coast Guard advised, “in order for the Coast Guard to process a credential application for a mariner who is not in possession of a valid TWIC, the mariner must submit a statement indicating an understanding of the possible delays associated with processing the safety and suitability check and certifying that they do not require a TWIC in accordance with the policy letter.” What About Newcomers? What about mariners who are applying for an initial MMC or who never possessed a TWIC? In the applicable five-page policy letter, the Coast Guard states that those individuals still must enroll for a TWIC, in person, and must pay all applicable fees. However, they don’t have to actually go back and pick up the TWIC in order for the MMC process to continue. The policy letter is available online, in PDF format at: www.uscg.mil/nmc/marpers/pag/twic_809_policy_letter.pdf It also may be accessed by connecting to www.uscg.mil/nmc/ and then looking under Mariner’s Information Center, and then under Policy and Guidance. Look for document 11-15, titled “Merchant Mariner Credentials for Mariners Not Requiring a Transportation Worker Identification Credential.” Coast Guard Publishes Policy Regarding Implementation Of 2010 STCW Amendments The U.S. Coast Guard in early January published a “notice of policy” covering the first stages of implementation of certain amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Specifically, the agency issued guidance for hours of rest and securityrelated training, and for documentation of both. Overall, the 2010 amendments to the convention (commonly called the Manila amendments) will be phased in during the next five years. For now, the immediate effects on SIU members sailing aboard ships covered by the convention include an increase in mandatory minimum rest hours in any seven-day period, and documentation of security-related training. The new standard for rest is 77 hours, while the old one was 70 hours. Because the final rule covering these issues hasn’t been published, the Coast Guard isn’t yet enforcing the provisions. However, the agency strongly urges compliance by U.S.-flag ships, particularly when overseas. According to the notice, “Although full implementation of the hours of rest and security training requirements necessitate regulatory changes, the Coast Guard is issuing this notice to implement mechanisms to lessen February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 5 Labor Welcomes NLRB Rule Change Modification Protects Workers; Board also Adds Members The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a neutral, government body that among other duties is charged with settling certain types of disputes between companies and labor unions, has made several important announcements since late December. Those developments include the addition of new board members and an important alteration to union election rules that could have a large impact on how unions organize. On Jan. 4, President Obama announced the appointment of three people to the NLRB who are tasked with deciding cases that are brought before the board. The first, Sharon Block, has served the government in a variety of capacities, most recently as the deputy assistant secretary for congressional affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor. She also served the NLRB as a senior attorney to former chairman Robert Battista from 2003 to 2006. Another appointee, Terrence F. Flynn, has served NLRB board members as general counsel for a number of years. In addition, Flynn has spent a large part of his career dealing with labor and employment law issues in the private sector. The final addition to the board is Richard Griffin, who has spent his career working for organized labor as an attorney. Griffin, whose last job was general counsel for the International Union of Operating Engineers, also is on the board of directors of the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee. The NLRB now is operating at its full five-member staff level for the first time since August 2010. In other news, the NLRB late last year announced adoption of portions of a new rule that will help cut through bureaucratic measures that are sometimes used by companies to stall and thwart union elections. The rule, which goes into effect on April 30, aims to make union representation elections easier, faster, and fairer. The rule change “will reduce unnecessary litigation in representation cases and thereby enable the Board to better fulfill its duty to expeditiously resolve questions concerning representation,” said the NLRB in a statement. The new rule should reduce the number of challenges that are made by management during union elections. For example, companies often use lawsuits to dispute which employees are eligible to become union members or by suing to have lengthy, expensive, and repetitive reviews of the election results. Many pro-worker organizations accuse certain companies of exploiting these lawsuits to give management time to bash the union and intimidate workers into not opting to join. The new rules also aim to end frivolous complaints sent to the NLRB that effectively keep new union members from being fully represented by their chosen unions. The adoption of the rule is welcomed by organized labor, but officials are quick to point out that this is one small step out of many needed to ensure fairness in union election proceedings. “It’s good news that the NLRB has taken this modest but important step to help ensure that workers who want to vote to form a union at their workplace get a fair opportunity to do so,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said. EPI Sheds Light on ‘Right to Work’ A recent commentary from the highly regarded Economic Policy Institute (EPI) exposes antiworker truths behind so-called right-to-work laws that exist in 22 states and that are being pushed in others, perhaps most prominently including Indiana. In a mid-January piece, author Gordon Lafer points out, “Like most business initiatives that purport to help the little people, this one starts with cutting workers’ wages. RTW is supposed to be a tool for luring manufacturers from one state to another. As the Chamber of Commerce explains, ‘unionization increases labor costs,’ and therefore ‘makes a given location a less attractive place to invest new capital.’ By giving up unions and lowering their wages, workers increase their desirability in the eyes of manufacturers. “This is the corporate lobbies’ idea of economic policy: have people in every state compete for the lowest wages and crappiest benefits,” he continues. “Some location will inevitably win out, but in the end, everyone’s wages will be lower and the number of jobs in the country will be the exact same as before. If you wonder how income inequality got so the port state control impact on United States vessels while operating abroad, and while the Coast Guard publishes the final rule…. Because the final rule implementing the 2010 amendments to the STCW will not be published before the 1 January 2012 entry into force date, there is a need to provide guidance on implementation of the amendments related to these requirements, which will impact U.S. vessels and seafarers beginning on 1 January 2012. This notice applies to all vessels subject to STCW under current regulations.” The notice further points out that the Manila amendments changed “the rest hours requirements as follows: (1) Expanded the application for hours of work and rest periods for mariners to include all personnel with designated safety, prevention of pollution, and security duties onboard any vessel; (2) changed the weekly rest hours requirements from 70 hours to 77 hours; and (3) required the recording of hours of rest…. Vessels operating in foreign ports are encouraged to implement these requirements to avoid any potential port state control detentions. Hours of rest for each crew member can be documented in the vessel logbook.” In part, the section of the notice covering security training requirements reads as follows: “The STCW Convention requires that mariners who commenced service after 1 January 2012 meet the training requirements for vessel personnel with designated security duties and security awareness, as appropriate. In addition, the STCW Convention also provides transitional provisions for mariners who started service prior to 1 January 2012. Recognizing that the implementation date is fast extreme, look no further.” Lafer cites very credible studies that conclude RTW laws lower average income for union workers and unrepresented employees alike, by an average of around $1,500 a year. (On average, someone who belongs to a union makes 15 percent higher wages than a non–union member in the same industry with the same level of education.) RTW laws also hurt workers’ chances of getting health insurance or a pension through their jobs. It’s also a myth that RTW laws Continued on Page 7 approaching, and that there may be practical difficulties for all seafarers with security related requirements to obtain necessary certifications and/or the necessary endorsements required in accordance with regulation VI/6 of the 2010 Manila Amendments, the IMO issued Circular STCW.7/Circ.17. The Circular provides advice for port state control officers on transitional arrangements leading up to full implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments on 1 January 2017. The Circular also recommends that Administrations inform their port state control authorities that, until 1 January 2014, it would be sufficient to accept compliance with section 13 of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, even if a seafarer’s documentation with regard to the security-related training in regulation VI/6 is not in accordance with the 2010 Manila Amendments…. “Vessels operating in foreign ports should ensure that all personnel, except for the vessel security officer (VSOs), working on board the vessel are in possession of the appropriate course completion certificate or a company letter as proof of meeting the requirements in 33 CFR 104.220 or 104.225, and Section 13 of the ISPS Code. VSOs must hold the appropriate endorsement on their credential.” According to the International Maritime Organization, the Manila amendments, which were adopted at a diplomatic conference in the Philippines in June 2010, “are aimed at ensuring that the necessary global standards will be in place to train and certify seafarers to operate technologically advanced ships for some time to come.” Seafarers LOG 5 1/25/2012 9:12:04 PM �Members and guests gathered at the hall to load the toys and celebrate the occasion. Among those on hand were (photo above, from left) Santa’s Castle Director Linda Evans, Safety Director Ryan Palmer, secretary Brenda Flesner, Port Agent Joe Vincenzo and a Santa’s Castle volunteer. In photo at left, AB Gerret Jarman (left) and AB Edgar Parong help load the presents. Seafarer Mario Batiz (photo at right below) is one of more than 100 members who pitched in for this year’s toy drive. In the end (photo at left below), SIU members donated thousands of dollars’ worth of toys for military families. Seafarers Step Up for Santa’s Castle Annual Effort in Tacoma Benefits American Military Families Seafarers in Tacoma, Wash., continued their tradition of service and goodwill late last year with another strong showing at the annual toy drive. SIU members donated new toys worth more than $5,000 to Santa’s Castle, an organization that distributes toys to the children of American servicemen and women who are deployed overseas. The toys included bicycles, skateboards, musical instruments, portable DVD players, and much more. More than 100 Seafarers, their families, and several special guests were on hand at the hall to present the gifts to Santa’s Castle Director Linda Evans, including a representative from Rep. Adam Smith’s (D-Wash.) office and Congressional candidate Denny Heck. “Once again, I have to say what a privilege it is for me to host this event and I’m grateful for the opportunity to say thank you on behalf of Seafarers to our war he- roes here at Joint Base Lewis McChord for their service,” said Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, who also acknowledged the significant contribution of Seafarers from aboard the Global Sentinel. Rank-and-file members based out of the Tacoma hall are known for their devotion to lending a helping hand to their community, and the most recent toy drive couldn’t have been successful without their help. “Some people can give and some people can’t, and I’m one of those who can,” said Chief Cook Charles Atkins. “It’s always a blessing to help others. Sometimes, especially during Christmastime, kids need and deserve to be happy.” Atkins, who has donated toys for several years, was finally able to participate in person this year, giving his time and his skills in the kitchen. “Next year, if I’m home, I would be proud to take time and help out,” added Atkins. “Everyone should be happy and feel blessed at Christmastime. I really look forward to putting the time in and helping someone every year.” Both Vincenzo and Atkins say their efforts to show their gratitude to American’s warfighters are an essential part of the SIU spirit. “Giving back is part of who we are,” said Vincenzo. “I expect that we will con- tinue on this course as long as we’re all willing and able.” Atkins agreed. “Being an SIU member gives me the opportunity to help,” he said. “It’s not easy. It takes a lot of hard work to put something like this together, but it’s worth it. It’s not just good for me, but it’s good for everybody to pitch in.” USNS Dahl Crew Brightens Children’s Holidays in Saipan Maritime Industry Gives Back, Supports Assorted Endeavors Being at sea didn’t stop the SIU crew members and AMO officers from the USNS Dahl from donating toys and cash to residents at a shelter in Saipan. For their fourth annual toy drive, the mariners provided gifts for more than 70 kids at the House of Hope facility – a shelter for battered women and their children. The Dahl personnel also donated $2,000 as a Christmas present to the adult clients at the shelter. The vessel is operated by Ocean Ships, Inc., and the company made a substantial donation to the toy drive. Bosun William “Jeff” Johnson said he was happy to take part in the philanthropic effort. “Why wouldn’t anybody want to get involved?” he asked. “It takes a little time and money, but in return, 71 children have a much better Christmas.” He added that seeing the shelter’s res- Rank-and-file Seafarers weren’t the only ones from the U.S. maritime industry who spend part of the holiday season helping those less fortunate. Land-based employees of SIU-contracted Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) recently teamed up to help families in need. Employee contributions helped local “adopted” families both in Tacoma, Wash., and in Alaska to have a much brighter holiday. Workers’ generosity allowed TOTE to provide the respective families with gifts, food, movie passes and more. In addition to the fun gifts, family members received coats, shoes and other clothing. Shore-side workers at SIU-contracted Crowley Maritime Corporation in Miami organized a toy drive and collected 130 presents for the St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center. Also, the company’s 6 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 6 idents “reminds me how lucky my family and I are, even when I am working during Christmas.” Storekeeper Bill Fortner said that although the mariners haven’t met any of the families, “just knowing that they are receiving the full benefit of our help makes all the difference…. Personally, I feel that we mariners are very fortunate. What most of us will spend in a single night ashore is more than what the average worker here in Saipan brings home in a week. For the families in the shelter, there is nothing coming in. They are completely dependent on the church” that runs it. Chief Steward Kim Strate said the experience “felt great! It has been so nice to do something for the island.” The gifts were purchased shortly before the holiday, while the crew was in Okinawa. Port Everglades Terminal had two toy drives that left lots of smiling faces at Kids in Distress and the Advance Learning Center. And in Alaska, Crowley personnel volunteered to wrap presents for children being sheltered from physical and substance abuse. On the Great Lakes, the Michigan Maritime Trades Port Council raised nearly $3,000 for the Carpenters’ Christmas for Kids, Care House Christmas for Kids, and the Metro Detroit Community Services’ Holiday Basket Giveaway. Additionally, SIU-contracted American Steamship Company started a new tradition this December by e-mailing its holiday card and using what it would have spent on cards and postage to make a donation to the Food Bank of Western New York. February 2012 1/25/2012 8:04:54 PM �Non-Partisan Organization Exposes RTW Continued from Page 5 promote job growth in individual states, Lafer notes. “To a large extent, globalization has rendered RTW impotent. It may be that companies in the 1970s or 1980s moved to RTW states in search of lower wages. But in the globalized economy, companies looking for cheap labor are overwhelmingly looking to China or Mexico, not South Carolina,” he writes. Moreover, Lafer points to Oklahoma’s RTW-related downfall as a powerful case study against that law. He says that many of the same arguments in favor of RTW used in Oklahoma a decade ago now are being made by some in Indiana. But, “in the ten years since Oklahoma adopted RTW, the number of manufacturing jobs in the state has fallen by one-third. The number of companies coming into the state – supposed to increase by ‘eight to ten times’ – has decreased by 30 percent. And Oklahoma’s unemployment rate in 2010 was double what it was when RTW was adopted. RTW was not the cause of this job loss – it was simply irrelevant in the face of broader economic forces. Oklahoma has lost tens of thousands of jobs to cheaper labor overseas, prompting the mayor of Oklahoma City to complain in 2006 that ‘we’re getting hit in the manufacturing sector over and over again.’ That year, General Motors closed its Oklahoma City plant – laying off 2,400 employees – as production was shifted to Mexico.” The entire commentary is available at www.epi.org, in an entry dated Jan. 12. The EPI is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization. SIU Boatmen Ratify Allied Contract SIU members employed by Allied Transportation Co. recently ratified a new three-year contract that boosts wages and maintains medical benefits. The agreement, approved in late December by a strong majority, also includes an increase in the food allowance aboard Allied vessels. More than 100 Seafarers work at Norfolk, Va.-based Allied, sailing aboard boats on the East and Gulf coasts. They transport chemical products aboard articulated tug-barge units and other vessels. SIU Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny, who led the union’s negotiating team, said both sides deserve credit for reaching a fair contract. “The negotiations went well, and I think we ended up with something that’s good for both the membership and the company,” Kenny stated. “The members at Allied do a great job, and at the same time, Allied, in my opinion, is one of the best companies out there. I think all of that is reflected in this new contract.” He added special thanks to company officials Jeff Parker, Wanda Leach and Meredith Law for all the logistical support they provided during negotiations. Capt. Steve Lewis served on the SIU bargaining committee, and he described the experience as worthwhile. “The whole thing was positive, in my opinion,” Lewis said. “You always have give and take, but the way I see it, it’s a positive contract. Everybody benefited, and it was very important that we maintained our medical coverage at Core Plus (the top level available under the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan).” Lewis has sailed with Allied for nearly 14 years, and this marked the first time he has been involved in contract negotiations. “I’d be willing to do it again and I’d recommend that others do the same, whether they’re elected or they want to sit in as volunteers. It was a good experience,” he added. The previous contract with Allied was set to expire in August 2010, but was extended by a year. It subsequently was extended through the end of 2011 as negotiations continued. Pictured in front of the Allied tug Osprey are (from left) Mate Geoffrey Gavigan, Cadet Ryan Knorr, Chief Engineer Stuart Diggs and Engineer Stephen Banks. Former SIU, AMO Official Gordon Spencer Dies at 86 Gordon W. Spencer, former SIU port agent and a founder of the Seafarersaffiliated American Maritime Officers (AMO), died Dec. 21 at his home in Virginia Beach, Va., following a brief illness. He was 86. Gordon Spencer addresses delegates at the SIUNA convention in 1971. February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 7 Those who knew him described Spencer as an effective champion of maritime labor, whether working on the waterfront, at the union hall or on Capitol Hill. SIU President Michael Sacco recalled working with Spencer on several organizing drives. “Gordon was one of the best organizers we ever had,” the SIU president stated. “I knew him when he was our port agent in Norfolk, Va. He was a great union guy all the way around, but his forte was organizing – he could really get his message across. “He did an outstanding job, too, in lobbying for AMO,” Sacco continued. “He was one of the originals, and he’ll be sorely missed.” A native of Australia, Spencer sailed in the Norwegian and U.S. merchant fleets during World War II. He subsequently was enlisted by the late SIU President Paul Hall to help form the Brotherhood of Marine Engineers as an SIUNA affiliate in the late 1940s. (The BME eventually became the AMO.) Spencer successfully organized members in the inland and deep sea fleets, and also helped secure contracts with groundbreaking benefits for boatmen. He eventually became the executive vice president and secretary-treasurer of AMO (then known as District 2 of the MEBA). He switched hats in the mid-1970s and helped lead the growth of the union’s legislative outreach in Washington, D.C. “Gordon Spencer was in Washington with Paul Hall and (the late AMO/ District 2 President) Ray McKay during the battles for the Cargo Preference Act of 1954 and the PL-480 Food for Peace program that same year,” AMO National President Tom Bethel said. “He made a compelling case for U.S. merchant ships carrying government cargoes in the interests of national security and diplomatic dividend, and American merchant mariners remain at work today because of the work Gordon Spencer did on these issues 58 years ago.” Bethel also credited Spencer for helping preserve U.S. maritime jobs in the mid-1990s, both by defending the Jones Act and by helping advance legislation that led to the creation of the Maritime Security Program. He described Spencer as “one of the most respected and most well-liked figures on Capitol Hill.” Spencer’s survivors include his wife, Spencer’s work on Capitol Hill continues benefitting U.S. mariners today. He is pictured above with U.S. Rep. Walter Jones (left) (R-N.C.). two daughters and three grandchildren. A memorial service took place Dec. 29 at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Potter’s House Ministry at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, 212 Nineteenth Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown. com. Seafarers LOG 7 1/25/2012 8:04:57 PM �MAERSK ALABAMA - The Christmas menu aboard the Maersk Alabama offered something for practically every taste, including appetizers, turkey, prime rib, broiled lamb kabobs, plus side dishes and desserts galore. Making it all happen were (above at right, from left) SA Saleh Mohmohd, Chief Cook Mutee Zindani and Steward/Baker Tyler Laffitte. In the other two photos, crew members enjoy the meal. Among those pictured (photo at left, from left) are AB Mohamed Mazid, GUDE Alex Rodriguez, QMED James Glover and Electrician Boleslaw Szatkowski. Seafarers Share Holiday Spirit In Halls, At Sea Aboard ships and at several SIU halls, members gathered to enjoy fellowship and good food as they welcomed the winter holiday season. Retirees, family members and other guests also took part in the festivities at the halls. Photos from some of the ships and halls appear on this page and on the next one. PHILADELPHIA - Members, officials and guests flash their best holiday smiles Dec. 16 at the hall in Philadelphia. WILMINGTON - The Dec. 22 celebration in Wilmington, Calif., drew a large turnout. Attendees included retiree Leonard Viles and Bosun Richard Volkart (photo at right below, from left); Port Agent Jeff Turkus and wife Pristine (photo at left); and Safety Director Abdul Al Omari (left) and Dispatcher Nick Rios (photo immediately below). 8 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG_X.indd 8 February 2012 1/30/2012 11:22:21 AM �BALTIMORE - Guests at the Dec. 8 feast in Baltimore included Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFLCIO President Ernie Grecco, standing at far left in photo at left. JACKSONVILLE - Members and guests get together at the Jacksonville hall the week before Thanksgiving. Among those pictured are Seafarers Michael Fincannon (center photo below) and Manuel Daguio (photo at right), plus (photo below, from left) Safety Director Ashley Nelson and members Federico Ocampo and Tirso Sarmiento. APL THAILAND - Recertified Steward Joel Molinos (photo at bottom right), Chief Cook Ben Lozada and Asst. Cook Mohamed Wasel teamed up to deliver a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner to their shipmates. Some of the desserts are shown in the photo at left below. February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 9 Seafarers LOG 9 1/25/2012 8:05:08 PM �WITH MEMBERS IN OAKLAND – AB Edward Tanaka (right in photo at left above, with Patrolman Nick Marrone II) late last year received his A-seniority book at the union hall in Oakland, Calif. His recent ships include the Horizon Hawk and the Alaskan Explorer. Also at the Oakland hall in December, CME/QMED Mike Peck (center in photo at right above) was congratulated on his retirement and presented with his first pension check by Asst. VP Nick Celona (right) and Administrative Asst. Diana Marrone. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU BACKING AVONDALE WORKERS – Late last year, New Orleansarea Seafarers joined fellow trade unionists and other supporters for a demonstration backing workers from Avondale Shipyard. The SIU contingent included Sam Akuffo, Luis Nunez, Austin Howard, Eugene Tuggle, Adolfo Figueroa, Joe Lebeau and James Brown, among others. NOT AN EVERYDAY SIGHT – Port Agent Tracey Mayhew glanced outside the hall in Anchorage, Alaska, in early January and spotted this visitor. Yes, it’s real. No, we didn’t bag it. FUTURE SEAFARER – Houston Port Agent Mike Russo wanted to share this recent photo of his son, Vincent, visiting the union hall. No word yet on whether Vincent will choose the deck, engine or steward department. PUMPMAN EARNS SAFETY AWARD – Late last year, the department heads of the Maersk Michigan unanimously voted to award Pumpman Don Wellentin (above) $100 from the ship’s safety fund and a letter of commendation for his years of dedicated service, according to vessel master Capt. James Walker. “Don was part of the original crew that reflagged the ship to the American flag, under the Maersk Line, Limited banner,” Walker noted. “His outstanding technical knowledge and skills along with his devotion to the ship and crew have helped make our operation a success.” AT THE HALL IN JACKSONVILLE – Two members recently celebrated their retirements at the union hall in Jacksonville, Fla., while two others took the union oath. Newly retired Crowley Capt. Michael Lydick (left in photo at right) is pictured with Asst. VP Archie Ware; fellow retiree Steve Mitchell, also formerly a captain with Crowley, stands fourth from left in the large group photo immediately above. Joining him are (from left) Patrolman Brian Guiry, Safety Director Ashley Nelson, Secretary Karen Shuford, VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey and Asst. VP Ware. In the other photo above, Corgey swears in FOWT Gary Simmons (center, receiving his A-seniority book) and AB Christopher Hickey (full book). 10 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 10 February 2012 1/25/2012 8:05:14 PM �Deadline for 2012 SHBP Scholarship Approaches The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) is offering scholarship opportunities to Seafarers and dependents who are interested in furthering their education but need financial assistance. The SHBP each year offers scholarships to qualified Seafarers and dependents who are hoping to continue their education. Designed to ease the financial challenges associated with college and vocational studies, the 2012 SHBP Scholarship Program will offer eight awards totaling $132,000. Three scholarships will be designated for Seafarers and five will be targeted for spouses and dependents. One of the endowments reserved for Seafarers totals $20,000 and is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, college-level course of study. The remaining two are in the amount of $6,000 each and are designed as two-year awards for study at a postsecondary vocational school or community college. Each of the five scholarships for spouses and dependents is for $20,000. Now is an ideal time to begin the application process. The first step is to send for the 2012 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet. The package contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. To obtain a copy of this handout, write to the following address and request a copy: Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. All requests should include the requesting individual’s name, Social Security number (Seafarer sponsor’s Social Security number if a dependent), a complete mailing address including zip code and a telephone number. Request- ors shoud indicate whether the booklet is for themselves or their dependents. The booklets also are availabe at Seafarers’ hiring halls. Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility criteria to determine if they are eligible to participate. They should also begin collecting and assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit with the full application, which must be received by April 15, 2012. Items that need to be incorporated in the final application package include transcripts and certificates of graduation. Since some institutions respond slowly in handling transcript needs, requests should be made as early as possible. Letters of recommendation – solicited from individuals who know the applicant’s character, personality and career goals – should be included as part of the application package. A highquality photograph and a certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate are also required and should accompany the package. A scholarship selection committee, consisting of a panel of professional educators, will examine the high school grades of all applicants as well as evaluate scores from their Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and American College Tests (ACT). Accordingly, arrangements should be made by applicants who have not done so to take these tests no later than this month. Doing so will virtually assure that the results reach the evaluation committee in time for review. Seafarers and dependents who previously applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements. Maritime & Labor Briefs ATC Crews Commended The corporate leadership of the Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) has commended Seafarers aboard their vessels for their steadfast devotion to workplace and environmental safety. In a mass email distributed by the company, ATC pointed out that it has completed a decade with only one lost-time injury (a broken finger). In addition, crews have not spilled even a single drop of crude oil in longer than eight years. With the help of the well-trained and professional SIU crews, ATC has received the U.S. Coast Guard’s Benkert Award for environmental safety performance and community outreach, among other recognition in recent years. According to the email, “No other company in the world that runs only oil tankers has ever received this highest honor.” Superferry Update The U.S. Navy has set in motion an effort to purchase two high-speed ferries from the U.S. Maritime Administration. Congress has approved up to $35 million to acquire the ships, which eventually would become Department of Defense sealift vessels. The high-speed catamarans, which were crewed by Seafarers in the past, formerly were owned by Hawaii Superferry. The Alakai and the Huakai were built to move people and cars between the Hawaiian Islands. After some early growing pains, the operation itself was successful and well-regarded, but it was derailed two years ago because of legal and political fighting over an environmental impact study. MarAd moved the boats from Hawaii to Norfolk, Va., and bought them at an auction in 2010. New Website for Honolulu Sailors Home The Honolulu Sailors Home has announced the launch of its new website, www.honolulusailorshome.com. The Honolulu Sailors Home provides inexpensive lodging for mariners and others who need temporary housing when transferring vessels or who are otherwise displaced from their ships. The Honolulu Sailors Home Society, a non-profit organization, has been providing a place to stay for merchant mariners since 1857. The home has recently completed major renovations and offers 39 single-occupancy rooms starting at $22 a day. Additional Ferry Service a Hit The new SIU-crewed East River Ferry operation in New York has exceeded expectations through its first six months. According to recent news reports, the new service – owned by Billybey Ferry Company, which utilizes SIU-crewed NY Waterway boats – was projected to serve 409,000 riders per year. But, the ferry line already has transported nearly 500,000. The East River Ferry shuttles commuters, tourists and others between Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. It is also considered to be a potential cause of increased access and revamping of the Brooklyn, Queens, and eastern Manhattan waterfronts. The ferry service is part of a three-year pilot program with a goal of improving passenger trans- portation on New York’s waterways. Liberty Ship Offers Tours, Cruise The cruise season on the Chesapeake Bay will feature a rare vessel giving tours of the waters near Baltimore starting this summer. The S.S. John Brown is one of the last operational Liberty-class ships from the World War II-era. It serves as a museum and memorial to the merchant mariners, shipbuilders, and Navy soldiers who served aboard Liberty ships during World War II. In addition, the John Brown is fully restored and sea-ready, with its rebuilding kept as closely in line with its original state as possible. On June 16, July 21, and Sept. 8, the John Brown will take guests on a six-hour tour of the Chesapeake Bay with tours of the vessel, music from the 1940s, and flybys by World War II-era aircraft. (SIU members aboard the USNS Fisher and USNS Wright share a dock with the John W. Brown.) Tickets for this event cost $140 and are available by phone at 410-558-0164 or online at www.liberty-ship. com. American Victory ‘History Cruise’ A “Relive History Cruise” is scheduled for March 24 in Tampa, Fla., aboard the newly restored American Victory one of only four fully operational Victory-class World War II ships in the nation. Open to the public and sponsored by the Florida-based American Victory Ship Museum, the outing will commence at 10 a.m. and culminate at 4 p.m. In addition to the voyage itself, the event will feature reenactments, World War II-era aircraft flyovers and maritime ceremonies. Passengers will be treated to live entertainment, and wide array of food and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets, priced at $110 per person, may be purchased online at www.ticketweb.com; by calling 1-866-468-7630; or in person aboard the American Victory. For more information, call the American Victory Ship Museum at (813) 228-8766. NFL Players: ‘Right to Work’ is Trick Play The National Football League Players Association in early January slammed so-called right-to-work legislation being pushed in Indiana, host state for this year’s Super Bowl (the game is in Indianapolis). In a written statement, the NFLPA said, “As NFL players, we know our success on the field comes from working together as a team. We’re not just a team of football players – we’re also the fans at games and at home, the employees who work the concession stands and the kids who wear the jerseys of our favorite football heroes. NFL players know what it means to fight for workers’ rights, better pensions and health and safety in the workplace…. “Right-to-work is a political ploy designed to destroy basic workers’ rights. It’s not about jobs or rights, and it’s the wrong priority for Indiana…. So-called right-to-work bills divide working families at a time when communities need to stand united. We need unity – not division. We urge legislators in Indiana to oppose right-to-work efforts, and focus instead on job creation.” Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/ NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 11 requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Seafarers LOG 11 1/25/2012 8:05:15 PM �WHAT’S NEW FOR 2011 Following are some of the changes that will take effect in 2011, along with changes that remain in effect from 2010. Please check www. irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 17, 2012. The due date is April 17, instead of April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia — even if you do not live in the District of Columbia. Capital Gains and Losses - In most cases, you must report your capital gains and losses on new Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2011, your broker will send you a Form 1099-B that shows your cost basis of that security. Generally a covered security is a security acquired after 2010. The broker also reports this information to the IRS. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. Exemptions - The personal exemption and the dependency exemption increased to $3,700 for 2011. For tax year 2011, there is no phase-out of the exemption - you will no longer lose part of your deduction for personal exemptions and itemized deductions, regardless of the amount of your adjusted gross income (AGI). Divorced or Separated Parents - A custodial parent who revoked their previous release of a claim to a child’s exemption must include a copy of the revocation with their return. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return increased to $11,600 for 2011. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns is now $5,800 for 2011. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $8,500 for 2011. You can use the 2011 Standard Deduction Worksheet in chapter 20, Publication 17 to figure your standard deduction. Itemized Deductions - Overall income limits for itemized deductions do not apply in 2011. Before 2010 and until December 31, 2012, taxpayers whose incomes were above certain levels lost part of their itemized deductions. For taxpayers at all income levels, limitations continue to apply to particular itemized deductions, such as medical and dental expenses, certain miscellaneous itemized deductions and casualty and theft losses. Self-employed health insurance deduction - Effective March 30, 2010, if you were self-employed and paid for health insurance, you may be also able to include in your self-employed health insurance deduction any premiums you paid to cover your child who was under age 27 at the end of 2011, even if the child was not your dependent. However, for 2011 self-employed individuals can no longer deduct the cost of their health insurance premiums when calculating net earnings from self-employment for purposes of self-employment taxes. Making Work Pay Credit - The Making Work Pay Credit has expired. You cannot claim it on your 2011 return and Schedule M is no longer in use. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2011: n Credit of $5,751 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $43,998 ($49,078 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,112 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $40,964 ($46,044 if married filing jointly), n Credit of $3,094 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $36,052 ($41,132 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $464 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $13,660 ($18,740 if married filing jointly). The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased in 2011 to $3,150. You can no longer receive an advance Earned income credit on your paycheck. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2011 is $106,800. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction - For 2011, the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance portion of the SE tax is reduced by 2 percent from 12.4 percent to 10.4 percent. The Medicare portion of the SE tax remains 2.9 percent. As a result, the SE tax rate is reduced from 15.3 percent to 13.3 percent. For 2011, the SE tax deduction is revised to reflect an employer’s equivalent portion of tax. Previously, the deduction was equal to one-half of self-employment tax. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate - The 0 percent and 15 percent maximum tax rates on qualified dividends and net capital gains remain in effect from last year. Adoption credit - The Affordable Care Act raises the maximum adoption credit to $13,360 per child, up from $13,170 in 2010. It also makes the credit refundable, meaning that eligible taxpayers can get it even if they owe no tax for that year. In general, the credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2011 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Child Tax Credit - The Tax Relief Act of 2010 extends for two additional years (2011 and 2012) the enhanced child tax credit of $1,000 maximum credit per child. This $1,000 credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2012. Unless there’s further legislation, the child tax credit will revert to its previous maximum of $500 per child starting in the year 2013. For 2011 tax year the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: n $55,000 for married couples filing separately, n $75,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and 12 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 12 n $110,000 for married couples filing jointly. In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2011, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to $1,000 of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100 percent of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and $25 percent of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $80,000 to $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $160,000 to $180,000 for Married Filing Joint The American Opportunity Tax Credit is extended under the 2010 Tax Relief Act through the end of 2012. Lifetime Learning Credit – For tax year 2011, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20 percent of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if you Modified AGI exceeds $51,000 ($102,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if you Modified AGI exceeds $61,000 ($122,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. Tuition and Fees Deductions – This deduction was extended under the 2010 Tax Relief Act. For tax year 2011, you may be able to deduct up to $4,000 for taxpayers with AGI of $65,000 or less ($130,000 for joint filers) and $2,000 for taxpayers with AGI above $65,000 but less than or equal to $80,000 ($130,000 and $160,000, respectively, for joint filers) for qualified educational expenses paid for yourself, spouse or dependent even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A. Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, room and board, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for educational in a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. Educator Expenses – The deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and, supplementary materials used in the classroom has been extended for 2011 under the 2010 Tax Relief Act. This is the last year for the credit as it expires on December 31, 2011. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – The election to deduct state and local general sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes as an itemized deduction has been extended under the 2010 Tax Relief Act. Prior to the passage of the 2010 Tax Relief Act, the deduction for state and local general sales and use taxes was not available for tax years after 2009. Under the new tax act, this deduction is now extended to tax years 2010 and 2011. Individual Retirement Accounts: n Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) – Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. n Traditional IRAs - The contribution limit to a traditional IRA in 2011 is $5,000 (increased to $6,000 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2011). Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phaseout range got 2011 is $56,000-$66,000 for single, head of household, $90,000-$110,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. n Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is $5,000. If a taxpayer reaches age 50 before 2011, the most that can be contributed will be $6,000. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $107,000 and $122,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $169,000 and $179,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. n Roth IRAs - If you converted part or all or an IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010 and did not elect to report the taxable amount on your 2010 return you generally must report half of it on your 2011 return and the rest on your 2012 return. n Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - This provision, now available through the end of 2011, offers older owners of individual retirement accounts (IRAs) a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70½ or over can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension Continued on Page 14 TAX TIPS FO HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. n Itemized deductions and tax credits. n Medical and dental payment records. n Real estate and personal property tax receipts. n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS web site at www. irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-8729829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit web sites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 74b, 74c and 74d on their Form 1040. Line 74b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 74c indicates the type of account, and line 74d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks, or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and directly submit cally. Free elect ger subject to an For more inform web site at: ww WHAT AR DEDUCTION Personal Ex The deduction f for the individu and dependents A child cannot c on his or her ret higher educatio parents claim a tion for their ch Standard D dard deduction, that reduces the increased for m jointly in 2011 t dard deduction and married cou returns is now $ deduction for he increased to $8, on this page). Personal In For 2011, perso deducted. Perso interest on car l sonal loans and Interest on S Deductible: In deduct all your est depending o mortgage, the a and how the pro terest paid on in percent deductib amount of inves each year. Any forward to the n Union Dues dues, including ductible only if of adjusted gros only the portion deductible. The deduct union du pense. Club Dues D duction is perm however, dues p public service o ductible for bus Deductions of Adjusted Gr include investm trustee’s admini expenses that ar able income, un expenses, safe d tax preparation Deducting W penses: Expen seaman’s work tax deductible. pense can be de seaman has bee employer. Trav to register or tr designated med the required ph are examples o work-related bu the company. M crew may dedu and other equip ally own but us performing the purchase of wo and other gear, for work and n STANDARD DEDUCTION This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1, person or “spouse” or $1,450 for an unmarried person). No exemption deduction is $3,700. Filing Status S Single and Married filing separate .............................. Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children................................................... Head of household........................................................... February 2012 1/25/2012 8:05:17 PM �S FOR MARINERS directly submit the forms electronically. Free electronic filing is no longer subject to any income limitations. For more information, visit the IRS web site at: www.irs.gov. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption— for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents is $3,700 per person. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, increased for married couples filing jointly in 2011 to $11,600. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns is now $5,800. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $8,500 for 2011 (see box on this page). Personal Interest Deductions: For 2011, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: In most cases you can deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. The self-employed may deduct union dues as a business expense. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the em- RD DEDUCTION t for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or ndard deductions ($1,150 for a married nmarried person). Note that the personal Standard Deduction ...................................................$ 5,800 ying widow(er) .....................................................$11,600 ......................................................$ 8,500 February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 13 ployer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 17 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate for January 1 through June 30 , 2011 is 51 cents. The standard mileage rate increases to 55.5 cents per mile for July 1 through December 31, 2011. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including insurance, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: n Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and n Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $59 a day ($65 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through December 31, 2011. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate for (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. OTHER TAX INFORMATION Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. WHICH RECORDS TO KEEP Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2011, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. WHICH INCOME TO REPORT In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages. n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. n Canceled debts. n State income tax refunds. n Rents. n Repayments. n Royalties. n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. n Endowments. n Original Issue Discount. n Distributions from self-employed plans. n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. n Lump-sum distributions. n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). n Accumulation distributions from trusts. n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). n Earned income from sources outside the United States. n Director’s fees. n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. n Embezzled or other illegal income. WHICH INCOME NEED NOT BE REPORTED The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs. n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs. n Maintenance and Cure. n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. n Child support. n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. n Certain amounts received as a scholarship. FILING AN EXTENSION Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 17, 2012, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. WHERE IS MY REFUND? If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the web site at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the Refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. WHY SEAFARERS MUST PAY STATE INCOME TAX Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11) ] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but OVERSEAS AT TAX TIME Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; and Tokyo, Japan. nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. WHERE TO GET INFORMATION General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 1/25/2012 8:05:18 PM �Snapshots from The Union-Crewed USNS Soderman Recertified Bosun James Orlanda sent these recent photos of fellow mariners aboard the USNS Soderman. Taken in South Korea, the images show Seafarers prepping for and participating in various safety drills aboard the LMSR, as well as celebrating a shipboard safety award. The vessel is operated by Ocean Ships, Inc. 2011 Tax Season Ushers in Assorted Noteworthy Changes Continued from Page 12 (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2011, you may have to file new Form 8938 with your return. Repayment of First-time homebuyer credit- If you have to repay the credit, you may be able to do so without attaching Form 5405. Mortgage Insurance Premiums - Mortgage insurance premiums for qualified mortgage insurance on debt to acquire, construct, or improve a first or second residence can potentially be treated as deductible qualified residence interest. Before the 2010 Tax Relief Act, this break was only available for premiums paid through 2010. The Act extends the break to cover premiums paid through 2011. If your AGI exceeds $100,000 ($50,000 if married filing separate) your deduction may be reduced or eliminated. Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit - This credit is available for property place in service in 2011, but with new limitations. The credit now has a lifetime limit of $500, of which only $200 may be used for windows. Nonbusiness energy property credit allowance of credit- This credit still consists of qualified energy efficiency improvements and residential energy property costs, but it is figured differently. Sub- 14 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 14 ject to the lifetime limits, only 10 percent of qualified energy efficiency improvements are allowed. Subject to the lifetime limits, the residential energy property cost are limited to $300 for energy-efficient building property, $150 for any qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, and $50 for any advanced main air circulating fan. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – This credit remains unchanged from 2009 and equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit. Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available except in the case of fuel cell property, which is $500 for each one half kilowatt of capacity. Eligible homeowners can claim both of these credits when they file their 2011 federal income tax return. Standard mileage rates - The IRS raised the standard mileage rates for the last six months of 2011 to 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven and 23.5 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses—both a 4.5 cent per mile increase over the rates in effect for the first six months of the year. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Deduction for corrosive drywall You may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction for amounts you paid to repair damage to your home and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall. The deduction is limited if you have a pending claim for reimbursement (or intend to pursue reimbursement) through property insurance, litigation, or other means. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss This loss remains unchanged from 2010. The loss is limited to the excess of the loss over $100. The 10 percent of AGI limit still applies. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - For tax year 2011, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $92,900. This amount is up $1,400 from tax year 2010. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – AMT exemptions have been temporarily increased for the years 2010 and 2011 (but not for 2012). Exemption amounts help prevent some middle income earners from being subject to the AMT, and helps keep any AMT adjustments less than they otherwise might have been. For tax year 2011, the alternative minimum tax exemption increases to the following levels: n $74,450 for a married couple filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers, up from $72,450 in 2010. n $37,225 for a married person filing separately, up from $36,225. n $48,450 for singles and heads of household, up from $47,450. The act further helps individual taxpayers facing potential AMT by allowing individuals to offset their regular and AMT liability with nonrefundable personal tax credits for the year. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child -To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for e-mails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agency and which mention their tax refund or economic stimulus payment. These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The e-mails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or stimulus payment or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The e-mails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS Website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-9084490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline tollfree case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059. February 2012 1/25/2012 9:12:08 PM �SHBP Boosts Some Benefits, Notifies Plan Participants Of Adjustments via Mail The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) in early January wrote to participants concerning increases and other adjustments to various benefits. The letter to participants also contained a reminder about the SHBP’s policy regarding overpayment of claims. Increase of annual limits Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen noted in the individually mailed letter that, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act, effective Jan. 1, 2012, the Plan has increased its annual limits for cardiac rehabilitation and pediatric preventive dental care to $1.25 million apiece. Pediatric preventive dental care includes all preventive dental services provided to participants under age 19, but does not include orthodontia, the administrator pointed out. Additionally, as of March 1 of this year, the SHBP will change the respective allowances for the purchase or rental of durable medical equipment that is required by eligible employees. (Durable medical equipment, according to the letter, includes prosthetic devices, medical appliances, and similar items.) Currently, the Plan pays 70 percent of the reasonable and customary charges for such equipment regardless of whether or not the gear comes from an in-network provider. As of March 1, the Plan will pay 80 percent of the charges allowed by the network if an eligible employee rents or purchases the item or items from an in-network provider. For out-of-network purchases and rentals, the covered percentage will be 65 percent of reasonable and customary charges. This change brings the benefit in line with most others offered through the SHBP. Overpaid Claims Policy Finally, the letter reminds participants of the Plan’s policy on overpaid claims. In the event the Plan pays too much to a health care provider (more than that to which they’re entitled under Plan rules), the SHBP will solicit a refund of the overpayment. If the provider refuses, the Plan has the right to deduct the overpaid amount from future payments to the same provider for other services received by the same eligible participant. As indicated in the letter, individuals with questions about these benefits and policies may contact the Plan at 1-800252-4674. March & April Membership Meetings Piney Point...............................Monday: March 5, April 2 Algonac.......................................Friday: March 9, April 6 Baltimore................................Thursday: March 8, April 5 Guam..................................Thursday: March 22, April 19 Honolulu.................................Friday: March 16, April 13 Houston...................................Monday: March 12, April 9 Jacksonville............................Thursday: March 8, April 5 Joliet...................................Thursday: March 15, April 12 Mobile.............................Wednesday: March 14, April 11 New Orleans.............................Tuesday: March 13, April 10 New York................................Tuesday: March 6, April 3 Norfolk...................................Thursday: March 8, April 5 Oakland..............................Thursday: March 15, April 12 Philadelphia........................Wednesday: March 7, April 4 Port Everglades..................Thursday: March 15, April 12 San Juan.................................Thursday: March 8, April 5 St. Louis..................................Friday: March 16, April 13 Tacoma....................................Friday: March 23, April 20 Wilmington..............................Monday: March 19, April 16 ATTENTION: SEAFARERS Contribute to SPAD (Seafarers Political Action Donation) February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea December 16, 2011 - January 15, 2012 Port Total Registered All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 16 1 2 14 5 10 49 28 1 12 17 51 16 31 8 1 11 32 3 29 337 6 2 7 14 7 3 10 28 6 2 2 18 13 11 3 1 11 15 5 17 181 1 1 1 1 0 1 5 5 0 0 0 2 6 0 0 0 2 1 0 4 30 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 5 0 7 10 2 11 17 17 1 9 4 13 12 7 1 2 3 16 1 4 142 1 1 2 7 0 4 11 20 0 2 3 7 26 16 2 2 5 10 3 14 136 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 2 0 5 6 3 8 17 14 0 6 5 17 13 21 6 1 4 17 1 25 171 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS GRAND TOTALS: Total Shipped All Groups A B Registered on Beach All Groups A B C C Trip Reliefs 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 3 14 0 1 0 10 0 0 9 11 1 1 8 20 2 8 2 0 1 20 0 13 107 31 2 9 26 9 26 93 57 5 22 18 79 24 56 11 1 16 63 3 61 612 12 3 12 16 6 10 28 47 7 7 4 29 34 18 4 1 16 28 4 35 321 3 1 0 8 0 1 9 7 0 1 3 8 10 2 0 0 3 7 0 10 73 Engine Department 3 0 0 1 4 2 5 5 0 1 7 3 8 6 14 11 1 2 4 1 2 1 8 6 9 13 6 4 1 1 0 0 1 4 10 7 2 0 7 11 92 79 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 0 0 0 1 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 6 4 3 1 0 0 9 0 9 41 6 0 9 14 3 20 28 45 1 14 7 26 27 22 2 2 6 23 3 19 277 4 0 6 11 0 6 21 41 1 3 4 12 30 24 7 2 14 18 4 29 237 3 1 0 2 0 1 2 0 0 1 1 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 7 26 3 0 0 3 3 1 8 7 2 3 1 1 10 3 1 2 1 6 1 2 58 Steward Department 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 12 2 0 2 2 0 3 1 0 10 5 1 16 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 2 3 0 20 1 4 3 12 1 15 2 0 2 1 0 3 1 0 0 1 1 9 1 0 0 1 1 18 2 8 120 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 4 0 1 4 5 0 1 2 9 5 9 1 2 1 4 0 6 56 3 0 7 11 4 16 32 29 1 8 11 25 23 29 6 3 7 29 2 47 293 3 1 2 7 1 5 10 8 3 2 1 7 15 5 0 2 1 10 1 2 86 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 8 4 0 1 1 0 1 3 3 0 0 2 4 0 5 0 0 1 6 0 3 34 13 2 3 9 4 6 10 22 2 5 0 20 14 13 1 4 0 8 3 13 152 Entry Department 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 7 0 0 0 10 2 5 3 3 6 13 3 8 1 0 0 2 2 3 2 1 1 9 4 12 15 0 11 4 3 7 3 0 0 26 0 5 0 0 1 6 3 4 0 0 1 7 3 13 107 26 89 2 0 1 0 0 6 0 5 1 2 3 10 5 1 1 29 1 1 0 4 72 0 0 1 1 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 2 14 5 0 0 0 0 6 5 4 1 0 2 13 1 6 0 0 2 8 0 8 61 20 3 4 14 6 14 31 38 2 7 5 50 42 31 2 5 1 24 2 41 342 7 3 3 4 1 7 9 26 1 1 3 29 41 12 2 7 2 12 0 22 192 684 527 152 95 218 1,243 986 299 Deck Department 0 3 0 0 5 4 13 9 2 3 3 1 30 9 21 12 1 4 8 2 13 4 25 17 12 18 14 4 3 2 0 1 5 4 25 12 3 2 23 13 206 124 444 336 Seafarers LOG 15 1/25/2012 8:05:22 PM �Inquiring Seafarer Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 Editor’s note: This month’s question, asked of SIU members at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md., is: What’s your New Year’s resolution? litically active this year. My New Year’s resolution is to volunteer for candidates I like and get more involved in the political process. This year is especially important to know about what’s going on. If you don’t get involved, you don’t have any control over what’s going on with the country and your future. Joselito Vincente OS My resolution is to get a house this year. I’m looking to get some more hours on the job, work more days, and save up money so I can finally buy a house. to upgrade at the school and make more money. ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 Ken Sumner QMED I want to be more po- BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 Ryan Vandergriff AB I don’t really have a New Year’s resolution, but I am really looking forward to getting my A-book this year. Getting my book is going to lead to better pay and more work on better ships. I’m looking for- ward to moving on with my career. Darryl McCoy SA My New Year’s resolution is to have a successful and beautiful year, both financially and mentally. I’m looking forward to being a chief cook this year; that’s why I’m here at the school. I think becoming a chief cook will help with both of my goals. 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 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 Armando Vincente SA This year’s resolution is the same, in a way. I’ve still got bills to pay so I’m looking for more work. You could also say that my resolution is Pic-From-The-Past MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 This photo from the archives shows members in the chow line at the New York hall during the general strike of 1946 – believed to have been the first general strike in maritime history. The union’s efforts were successful, as the U.S. Wage Stabilization Board, on orders from President Truman, approved SIU agreements with various companies. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 16 February 2012 1/25/2012 8:05:26 PM �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA PETER CIDDIO Brother Peter Ciddio, 71, signed on with the union in 1997 while in San Francisco. In 2002, the steward department member attended classes at the Seafarersaffiliated school in Piney Point. Brother Ciddio’s first voyage was aboard the USNS Silas Bent; his last was on the Ocean Charger. He settled in San Francisco. RAFAEL CLEMENTE Brother Rafael Clemente, 65, donned the SIU colors in 1968. His earliest trip was on the Burbank Victory. Brother Clemente was born in Puerto Rico and was a frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center. His most recent trip was aboard the Golden State. Brother Clemente, who sailed in the deck department, lives in Chesapeake, Va. SISTO DEANDA Brother Sisto Deanda, 65, started sailing with the union in 1980 in Wilmington, Calif. He upgraded in 2001 at the Piney Point school. Brother Deanda shipped in the steward department. He initially worked on the Delta Caribe. Brother Deanda’s final trip was aboard the Liberty Glory. He calls Abilene, Texas, home. BUENAVEN GUTIERREZ Brother Buenaven Gutierrez, 70, was born in the Philippines. He joined the union in 1972 while in the port of San Francisco. Brother Gutierrez originally sailed on the Santa Mercedes. The steward department member’s final trip was aboard the Mahi-Mahi. Brother Gutierrez resides in California. MICHAEL KADDERLY Brother Michael Kadderly, 55, signed on with the Seafarers in 1979. He first worked with El Paso Southern Tanker Company. In 1981 and 1990, Brother Kadderly took advantage of educational opportunities at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. His final voyage was on the Green Ridge. Brother Kadderly was born in Portland, Ore., and sailed in the deck department. He continues to make his home in Oregon. February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 17 STANLEY KRAWCYNSKI Brother Stanley Krawcynski, 84, became an SIU member in 1952. His earliest voyage was aboard an Ore Navigation Corporation vessel. Brother Krawcynski last sailed on the Carolina. He was a member of the deck department. Brother Krawcynski calls Orange City, Fla., home. ABRAHAM MEDINA Brother Abraham Medina, 68, began sailing with the union in 1988. He attended classes on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Brother Medina, who sailed in the steward and deck departments, most recently shipped aboard the Sunshine State. He was born in Puerto Rico and now is a resident of Fedhaven, Fla. BURLIN PINION EDWARD BARTHOLMEY Brother Edward Bartholmey, 62, joined the SIU in 1978. He sailed with G&H Towing for the duration of his career. Brother Bartholmey continues to live in his native state of Texas. EDWARD BROOKS Brother Edward Brooks, 55, became a Seafarer in 1982 while in Piney Point, Md. His first vessel was operated by Z Point Shipping. Brother Brooks was born in Queens, N.Y. His most recent trip was with Crowley Towing and Transportation of Wilmington. Brother Brooks calls Chula Vista, Calif., home. Brother Burlin Pinion, 65, donned the SIU colors in 1964. His earliest trip was on the Overseas Joyce. Brother Pinion often attended classes at the Paul Hall Center. His most recent trip was aboard the Blue Ridge. Brother Pinion sailed in the deck department and lives in Springfield, La. DANIEL HAYES Brother Daniel Hayes, 62, joined the SIU ranks in 1995. He was primarily employed with Penn Mari- CAROLYN THIFAULT Sister Carolyn Thifault, 69, started sailing with the SIU in 1990. She first sailed on the USNS Wright. In 1993, Sister Thifault attended classes at the Piney Point school to enhance her seafaring abilities. She shipped in the steward department. Sister Thifault last sailed aboard the Shughart. She resides in Dandridge, Tenn. AYHAN UNLUSU Brother Ayhan Unlusu, 67, signed on with the union in 1995 while in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. His first trip was on the Independence; his last was aboard the Maersk Georgia. Brother Unlusu was born in Turkey and sailed in the deck department. He is a resident of Jacksonville, Fla. RAYMOND MADDOCK Brother Raymond Maddock, 55, began sailing with the union in 1985 while in the port of Norfolk, Va. The deck department member upgraded in 2001 at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. Brother Maddock’s earliest trip was on the USNS Stalwart. He most recently shipped aboard the Liberty Island. Brother Maddock settled in Zuni, Va. NATIONAL MARITIME UNION CLARK DANIELS Brother Clark Daniels, 65, started shipping with the SIU in 2001 when the NMU merged into the Seafarers International Union. He worked in the engine department. Brother Daniel’s final voyage was aboard the Green Lake. He resides in Baxter, Ky. the SIU ranks in 2001 as the NMU was merging into the SIU. He was born in Los Angeles. In 2001, Brother Rogers attended classes at the Paul Hall Center. He now lives in Fresno, Calif. RANDOLPH SANDERS Brother Randolph Sanders, 55, became an SIU member in 2001 during the SIU/ NMU merger. The steward department member mainly sailed with Keystone Shipping on vessels such as the Chelsea and the Delaware Trader. Brother Sanders upgraded his skills in 2001 at the Piney Point school. He calls Boston home. ROBERT ROGERS Brother Robert Rogers, 65, joined This Month In SIU History ALI SHAIBI Brother Ali Shaibi, 56, was born in Yemen. He joined the SIU ranks in 1981. Brother Shaibi initially sailed aboard CSX Lines vessels. He upgraded in 1997 at the unionaffiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Shaibi’s final ship was the North Star. He sailed in all three shipboard departments and makes his home in Rochester, N.Y. time Inc. Brother Hayes makes his home in Fort Myers, Fla. INLAND Editor’s note: The following items are reprinted from previous editions of the Seafarers LOG. 1944 In the midst of World War II, a war in which the merchant marine suffers greater proportional causalities than any of the military services, the Maritime War Emergency Board has proposed a cut in pay for merchant seamen. Although the average wage for a seafarer is only $1,677.14 a year including bonus and overtime pay – which breaks down to $32.25 per week – the Board is trying to cut the pay of the men who risk their lives in submarine and bombing attacks for 24 hours a day. On receipt of a letter from the Board secretary announcing the government’s intentions, the officials and members of the SIU voted to present their protests to all levels of government. 1954 The several-month-old campaign led by the SIU, and participated in by other maritime unions, to keep the United States Public Health Service hospitals open appeared to be successful after the Eisenhower Administration recently submitted a budget request for $33 million to operate the hospitals for the coming year. As a result, it appeared that the hospitals would be able to continue operations as in the past with little, if any, cutback in services. The final fate of the hospitals, of course, rests in the hands of Congress, which has to decide whether or not to approve the budget request. Keeping the Public Health Service hospitals open has been a continuing problem and it appears that it will continue to be. 1967 Seafarers at regular monthly meetings in all constitutional ports enthusiastically voted to endorse and support the newly formed Maritime Defense League. In approving the purposes of the new organization, the membership called for maximum publicity in support of the League by all Seafarers. The new organization is a voluntary body set up to assure that maritime workers, faced with legal problems or charges threatening their personal liberties, are guaranteed their fundamental American rights to counsel and other assistance. Robert A. Matthews, SIU vice president in charge of contracts and contract enforcement, has been selected as chairman of the League and offices have been established at One Hanson Place in Brooklyn, N.Y. 1986 SIU members in New Bedford, Mass. continued their strike against the Seafood Producers Association (SPA) this month. The SPA bargaining team made its “final offer” that would drastically slash the share of the catch which currently goes to the fishing crews and leave the fishermen with virtually no rights. About the only thing that is certain in the seven-week-old New Bedford fishermen’s strike is that the SIU will be there “until hell freezes over,” said SIU President Frank Drozak. Seafarers LOG 17 1/25/2012 8:05:29 PM �Final Departures DEEP SEA CHARLES ALLEN Pensioner Charles Allen, 81, passed away August 15. Brother Allen became a union member in 1962. He originally was employed with Coyle Lines Inc. The deck department member was born in Memphis, Tenn. Brother Allen last sailed on the Rover. In 1995, he retired and settled in Slidell, La. FRANK BAKUN Pensioner Frank Bakun, 66, died September 10. Brother Bakun was born in New York. He signed on with the SIU in 1969. Brother Bakun, a member of the engine department, first sailed on the Steel Architect. He last shipped aboard the Horizon Producer. Brother Bakun went on pension in 2011 and lived in Jacksonville, Fla. JOHN BRIGGS Pensioner John Briggs, 73, passed away July 23. Brother Briggs began shipping with the SIU in 1970 from the port of Norfolk, Va. His earliest trip to sea was aboard a Rye Marine Corp. vessel. Brother Briggs was a native of Virginia. Prior to his retirement in 2003, he sailed on the USNS Prevail. Brother Briggs, a member of the steward department, made his home in Fayetteville, N.C. ROBERT BROWN Pensioner Robert Brown, 68, died August 15. Brother Brown was born in Denver. He started sailing with the union in 1990 from Seattle. Brother Brown, who sailed in the deck department, was first employed aboard the USNS Silas Bent. His last voyage was on the Horizon Anchorage. Brother Brown became a pensioner in 2009. He was a resident of Port Angeles, Wash. NORBERTO CACPAL Brother Norberto Cacpal, 51, passed away July 25. Brother Cacpal first donned the SIU colors in 2002 while in the port of Wilmington, Calif. His earliest trip was aboard the Patriot. Brother Cacpal, a member of the steward department, was born in Olongapo, Philippines. He most recently shipped on the Alaskan Navigator. Brother Cacpal called Riverside, 18 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 18 Calif., home. LEVY CALZADO Brother Levy Calzado, 37, died September 13. He became a Seafarer in 1998 while in Piney Point, Md. Brother Calzado initially sailed on the Global Mariner. The Baltimore-born mariner was a member of the engine department. Brother Calzado’s final trip was aboard the USNS Fisher. He continued to reside in Baltimore. CLARENCE CROWDER Pensioner Clarence Crowder, 87, passed away September 11. Brother Crowder began shipping with the union in 1951. He was a North Carolina native and worked in the engine department. During his seafaring career, Brother Crowder sailed with ISCO Inc. and OSG Ship Management. He went on pension in 1985 and lived in Zebulon, N.C. THELMA GIANOPULOS Sister Thelma Gianopulos, 85, died June 9. Sister Gianopulos joined the union in 1968 in San Francisco. During her seafaring career she sailed aboard ships including the Santa Maria and the President McKinley. Sister Gianopulos was born in North Carolina and sailed in the steward department. She settled in Modesto, Calif. VICTOR GONZALEZ Pensioner Victor Gonzalez, 86, passed away August 22. Brother Gonzalez first donned the SIU colors in 1977. He initially shipped aboard the Middleton. Brother Gonzalez, who sailed in the steward department, was born in Puerto Rico. He last worked on the Carolina. Brother Gonzalez continued to make his home in Puerto Rico. EDWIN HARRIS Pensioner Edwin Harris, 83, died July 23. Brother Harris signed on with the union in 1951. He first shipped on the Steel Ranger. Brother Harris worked in the engine department. His final voyage was aboard the Ponce. Brother Harris became a pensioner in 1992 and lived in St. Petersburg, Fla. SHEPPARD HARRIS Brother Sheppard Harris, 87, passed away July 30. Brother Harris started his seafaring career in 1958 while in the port of San Francisco. He sailed aboard vessels operated by Matson Navigation Company such as the Maunawili and Manulani. Brother Harris, a native of Louisiana, was a member of the steward department. Brother Harris settled in San Francisco. DONALD HICKS Pensioner Donald Hicks, 84, died September 24. Brother Hicks joined the union in 1952. The deck department member initially shipped with Sprogue Steamship Company. Brother Hicks’ final trip was aboard the Elizabeth. He went on pension in 1985. Brother Hicks was born in Massachusetts and called Brooklyn, N.Y., home. SILVIO IGLESIAS Pensioner Silvio Iglesias, 73, passed away August 5. Brother Iglesias began sailing with the Seafarers in 1973 while in the port of Houston. He was born in Havana, Cuba. Brother Iglesias initially shipped with Intercontinental Carriers. His final ship was the Horizon Challenger. Brother Iglesias, who sailed in the engine department, became a pensioner in 2004. He lived in Houston. ELKIN KENT Pensioner Elkin Kent, 73, died August 17. Brother Kent was born in Florida. He signed on with the SIU in 1962 while in New Orleans. Brother Kent, a member of the engine department, originally worked with Bloomfield Steamship Company. He last sailed aboard the Humacao. Brother Kent started collecting his pension in 1997. He was a resident of Picayune, Miss. PETER LOIK Pensioner Peter Loik, 84, passed away August 31. Brother Loik first donned the SIU colors in 1951 while in the port of Baltimore. His first voyage was with Z Maritime Operations. Brother Loik was a member of the deck depart- ment. His final ship was the USNS Wright. Brother Loik was born in Canada but called Boynton Beach, Fla., home. He went on pension in 1993. VINCENT MACKELIS Pensioner Vincent Mackelis, 90, died August 22. Brother Mackelis became an SIU member in 1942 in Mobile, Ala. He initially shipped aboard the Steel Executive. Brother Mackelis was born in Elizabeth, N.J., and worked in the engine department. He last sailed on the Gallaway. Brother Mackelis retired in 1981 and continued to reside in his native state. JOSEPH MAGYAR Pensioner Joseph Magyar, 90, passed away August 19. Brother Magyar began sailing with the Seafarers in 1952. His earliest trip to sea was aboard the Sea Georgia. Brother Magyar was born in Pocahontas, Fla. His final voyage was on the USNS Pollux. Brother Magyar went on pension in 1986. The engine department member made his home in Granite City, Ill. JOHN MIRANDA Pensioner John Miranda, 61, died August 8. Brother Miranda first donned the SIU colors in 1971. His initial voyage took place aboard the Falcon Lady. Brother Miranda, who sailed in the engine department, last sailed on the Prince William Sound. Brother Miranda started receiving his retirement compensation in 2007 and lived in Bush, La. HUSSAIN NASSER Pensioner Hussain Nasser, 72, passed away September 5. Brother Nasser signed on with the SIU in 1979. He was born in Yemen. Brother Nasser, a member of the steward department, originally worked aboard the Exchange. He last shipped on the Shining Star. Brother Nasser went on pension in 2004 and called Dearborn, Mich., home. PAUL PETERSON Brother Paul Peterson, 56, died August 19. Brother Peterson became an SIU member in 1987. His earliest trip was aboard the USNS Assertive. Brother Peterson last shipped on the Horizon Enterprise. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Peterson made his home in Pahoa, Hawaii. ALEXANDER REYER Pensioner Alexander Reyer, 60, passed away June 10. Brother Reyer was born in Baltimore. He started shipping with the union in 1978 while in the port of San Francisco. Brother Reyer first worked aboard the Santa Magdalena. Prior to his retirement in 2001, he sailed on the LNG Taurus. Brother Reyer was a member of the steward department and a resident of San Francisco. LORENZO RINALDI Pensioner Lorenzo Rinaldi, 94, died August 23. Brother Rinaldi began shipping with the union in 1951. He worked in the steward department. Brother Rinaldi sailed with Louisiana Sulphur Carrier and CSX Lines. He retired in 1979 and lived in Pasadena, Md. GENARO RIVERA Pensioner Genaro Rivera, 78, passed away July 13. Brother Rivera joined the SIU in 1962. He worked with CSX Lines as a member of the steward department. Brother Rivera’s final trip was aboard the Challenger. He went on pension in 2002 and called Woodbridge, Va., home. SOLOMON SHIELDS Pensioner Solomon Shields, 74, died June 14. Brother Shields signed on with the SIU in 1987 while in the port of San Francisco. He worked in the deck department. Brother Shields initially sailed on the USNS Indomitable. Before retiring in 2003, he sailed aboard the Liberty Wave. Brother Shields resided in Bernice, La. WILLIAM TANNO Brother William Tanno, 79, passed away July 15. Brother Tanno became a Seafarer in 1978 while in the port of Honolulu. He originally sailed with States Steamship Company. Brother Tanno was a member of the steward department. He most recently shipped aboard the Cape Isabel. Brother Tanno made his home in California. Continued on Page 20 February 2012 1/25/2012 8:05:32 PM �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings HORIZON ENTERPRISE (Horizon Lines), December 29 – Chairman Mark S. Lance, Secretary Scott Opsahl, Educational Director Jeff Hawkins, Deck Delegate Abdulla Omar, Engine Delegate Albert Dulig, Steward Delegate Joseph Gallo. Chairman discussed upcoming schedule and also advised crew to submit recommendations to contract department for upcoming negotiations. He thanked mariners for safe voyage and for helping keep house clean. Secretary reminded everyone that decks have just been waxed. Educational director urged members to upgrade for better job security, and also to renew seafaring documents ahead of time. In particular, he cautioned that mariners may not be able to ship if their credentials are set to expire before the end of the next/current voyage. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew received communication from contracts department clarifying B-book reliefs. Crew asked about Horizon ships that were taken out of service. Also expressed concern about food budget, and gave vote of thanks to steward department. Next ports: Oakland, Calif., Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tacoma, Wash. HORIZON RELIANCE (Horizon Lines), December 18 – Chairman Kissinfor Taylor, Secretary Howard Lewis, Educational Director David Watkins, Deck Delegate Wilfredo Caidoy, Engine Delegate Agustino Tutor, Steward Delegate Teresito Reyes. Chairman announced upcoming payoff at sea. Secretary reminded crew to help keep lounge clean and keep laundry room supplied. Educational director reminded members to upgrade their skills at unionaffiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. He also urged crew not to wait until the last minute to renew documents. Treasurer reported $1,702 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked galley gang for job well done. Next port: Los Angeles. INDIANA HARBOR (American Steamship Company), December 2 – Chairman Scott Krajniak, Secretary Maccine Bell, Educational Director Daryl Overby, Deck Delegate Issam Hani. Chairman reminded members to check document expiration dates. He praised steward department for great job during Thanksgiving. He discussed the damaging effects of so-called right-to-work laws on union members. He encouraged Seafarers to donate to SPAD and the Maritime Defense League (MDL). Secretary noted SIU forms are available in rec room and also on the union’s website. Educational director encouraged mariners to upgrade as soon as February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 19 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. NOAA Ship Handles VERTREP The Seafarers-crewed USNS Rainier (right, part of the NOAA fleet) engages in a vertical replenishment in the Arabian Sea early last month. Picking up stores from the Rainier’s flight deck, destined for the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (left), is a Knight Hawk helicopter. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate) possible and explained the benefits of doing so. Deck delegate stressed to fellow crew members the importance of being aware of ice on deck and on the docks. Steward delegate reminded crew members getting off ship to register at the hall within 72 hours. Next port: Milwaukee. LIBERTY SUN (Liberty Maritime), December 4 – Chairman Charles Foley, Secretary Louins Johnson, Educational Director William Summers, Deck Delegate Deisrael Williams, Engine Delegate Cliff Alexis, Steward Delegate Wilmer Alvarez. Chairman thanked crew for smooth, safe voyage. He reminded everyone about the importance of safety at all times. He also announced upcoming payoff and thanked steward department for job well done. Secretary reported sanitary inspections went great and expressed his gratitude for fellow crew members helping keep ship clean. He reminded everybody that the plastic salad bowls are not microwaveable. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman read president’s report from Seafarers LOG. Recommendation was made to increase pension amounts and lower sea-time requirements. Crew thanked steward department and especially Recertified Steward Louins Johnson for great desserts and menus. Next port: Corpus Christi, Texas. MAERSK CAROLINA (Maersk Line, Limited), December 12 – Chairman Brian Fountain, Secretary Dulip Sookhiram, Educational Director Kevin Cooper. Chairman reported another safe trip with no lost-time injuries, bringing the vessel’s total to 2,618 days. Payoff scheduled for December 20 at noon. Chairman reminded crew to keep garbage room locked in port, and also added special thanks to everyone for doing their jobs professionally and in a timely manner. Secretary encouraged members to read Seafarers LOG and also contribute to SPAD “because when you do, you help yourself as well as your union brothers and sisters.” Educational director reminded members to get their time in and take advantage of upgrading opportunities in Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward delegate thanked other departments for helping keep house clean. Crew thanked galley gang for all the great meals, especially Thanksgiving. They also discussed suggestions for next contract and a number of related issues including relief procedures, pension and medical benefits and more. MAERSK GEORGIA (Maersk Line, Limited), December 24 – Chairman Konstantinos Prokovas, Secretary Darryl Goggins, Educational Director John Conn, Steward Delegate Bertram Hickman. Chairman read president’s report from Seafarers LOG. Secretary reminded crew getting off to make sure rooms are clean and supplied with clean linen. Educational director encouraged members to upgrade at union-affiliated school in Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed STCW requirements and shipboard safety drills. Deck and engine departments received votes of thanks for jobs well done. Crew recommended increasing pension benefits. MAERSK KENTUCKY (Maersk Line, Limited), December 31 – Chairman Brian Corbett, Secretary Wayne Wilson, Educational Director Alfredo Cuevas, Deck Delegate S. Rivas, Engine Delegate Mohamed Humadi, Steward Delegate Ali Alzokari. Crew discussed a number of issues related to relief shipping. They asked for an increase in vacation days and also talked about ways to possibly improve registration. Chairman announced payoff and thanked everyone for pulling their weight and going the extra mile. He discussed challenges associated with quick turnarounds in port and again commended everyone for a successful trip. He noted the importance of solidarity among the maritime unions. Repair request was submitted to captain in timely manner and also will be given to patrolman at payoff. Educational direc- tor reminded crew to keep all documents and certifications up-to-date, and start early on renewals. He also urged members to upgrade, which can lead to higher wages. Treasurer talked about ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew said they are awaiting replies to several communications sent to union and manpower office. Chairman encouraged members to read president’s report in each Seafarers LOG. Crew thanked steward department “for putting up with us on this lousy run.” Steward made suggestions for next contract. USNS FRED STOCKHAM (Maersk Line, Limited), December 31 – Chairman Andrew Barrows, Secretary Lorraine Keelen, Electrician Christopher Eason, Deck Delegate Arthur Quinney, Engine Delegate Steven Hoskins, Steward Delegate Tony Johnson. Chairman announced payoff and encouraged members to stay current on their dues. He reminded crew that there is “absolutely no dumping” in the Caribbean zone. Educational director encouraged everyone to upgrade at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew read president’s report from Seafarers LOG. Crew discussed slop chest and wished everyone a Happy New Year. Next port: Jacksonville, Fla. Seafarers LOG 19 1/25/2012 8:05:34 PM �Final Departures Continued from Page 18 BOBBY TROSCLAIR Pensioner Bobby Trosclair, 76, died July 21. Brother Trosclair began sailing with the SIU in 1953. He was born in Alabama. Brother Trosclair initially sailed with Waterman Steamship Corporation. His final ship was the Thomas Nelson. Brother Trosclair, who sailed in the deck department, became a pensioner in 2006. He was a resident of Gulfport, Miss. MANFRED VON LEUSCHNER Pensioner Manfred Von Leuschner, 76, passed away June 27. Brother Von Leuschner was born in Canada. He started his SIU career in 1964. Brother Von Leuschner was a member of the deck department. He was first employed aboard the Steel Fabricator. Brother Von Leuschner’s final trip was on the Pride of Texas. He began collecting his pension in 1992. Brother Von Leuschner settled in New York. THOMAS WYBO Brother Thomas Wybo, 53, died August 5. Brother Wybo signed on with the SIU in 1987. He worked in the steward department. Brother Wybo sailed with Crowley Liner Services aboard vessels such as the Senator and Cape Inscription. He lived in Tacoma, Wash. INLAND VICTOR DANIELS Pensioner Victor Daniels, 73, passed away August 11. Brother Daniels joined the union in 1956. His initial trip was on the Cathrine. Brother Daniels, who sailed in the deck department, last sailed with OSG Ship Management. He started receiving his retirement compensation in 1999. Brother Daniels called Wanchese, N.C., home. LARRY FLOWERS Pensioner Larry Flowers, 68, died July 13. Brother Flowers became an SIU member in 1977. He mainly sailed aboard vessels operated by CG Willis Inc. Brother Flowers was a North Carolina native. He went on pension in 2008 and resided in Hobucken, N.C. WILLIAM GILLIKIN Pensioner William Gillikin, 75, 20 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 20 passed away September 1. Brother Gillikin began sailing with the SIU in 1962. He mainly sailed with C.G. Willis Inc. and Interstate Oil Transportation Company. He retired in 1997 and settled in Harkers Island, N.C. DANIEL HAASE Pensioner Daniel Haase, 81, died July 29. Brother Haase first donned the SIU colors 1962. He initially worked with Moran Towing of Virginia. Brother Haase was last employed with McAllister Towing of Virginia. He became a pensioner in 1992. Brother Haase was a resident of Virginia Beach, Va. WILLIAM HOEY Pensioner William Hoey, 79, passed away August 2. Brother Hoey was born in Philadelphia. He started his SIU career in 1996. Brother Hoey worked primarily with Crowley for the duration of his career. He retired in 2001 and made his home in Wilmington, Del. BREWSTER KNOTT Brother Brewster Knott, 70, died August 5. He began sailing with the union in 1973 while in the port of New Orleans. Brother Knott was born in Louisiana. He worked aboard vessels operated by Dixie Carriers. Brother Knott lived Opelousas, La. RANDELL PERRINE Brother Randell Perrine, 63, passed away April 20. He became an SIU member in 1999. Brother Perrine primarily shipped in the steward department of vessels operated by Allied Transportation Company. He called Virginia Beach, Va., home. STEPHEN PLASH Pensioner Stephen Plash, 53, died August 29. Brother Plash first donned the SIU colors in 1976. He spent most of his career aboard G&H Towing Company vessels. Brother Plash became a pensioner in 1999 and resided in Santa Fe, Texas. BRUCE SNDER Pensioner Bruce Snyder, 68, passed away August 29. Brother Snyder was born in Montana. He started sailing with the union in 1977. Brother Snyder initially worked with IBC Company. The deck department member last shipped with OSG Ship Management. He started receiving his pension in 2005. Brother Snyder was a resident of Brandon, Miss. GREAT LAKES DOYLE HUFF Brother Doyle Huff, 85, died August 13. Brother Huff signed on with the SIU in 1979, originally sailing with Michigan Interstate Railway. The engine department member’s final trip was on the Charles E. Wilson. He called Frankfort, Mich., home. WILLIAM SPARKS Pensioner William Sparks, 83, passed away September 26. Brother Sparks became an SIU member in 1967. His earliest trip was with Chicago Duluth & Georgian Bay. Brother Sparks was born in Kirby, Ark. He shipped in the deck department. Prior to his retirement in 1993, Brother Sparks worked aboard the Buffalo. He settled in Michigan. National Maritime Union JOSE ALVAREZ Pensioner Jose Alvarez, 70, passed away August 25. Brother Alvarez was a native of Honduras. He went on pension in 2005. Brother Alvarez made his home in Houston. JOHN AVGERIS Pensioner John Avgeris, 87, died August 19. Brother Avgeris was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He went on pension in 1986. Brother Avgeris settled in Crown Point, Ind. was born in Edison, Ga. He started collecting his retirement compensation in 1968. Brother Canady lived in Meridian, Ga. CASIMIRO CANALES Pensioner Casimiro Canales, 91, died July 24. Brother Canales, a native of Carolina, P.R., went on pension in 1981. He called Philadelphia home. RAFAEL CARMONA Pensioner Rafael Carmona, 87, passed away August 3. Brother Carmona was a native of Puerto Rico. He retired in 1971. Brother Carmona made his home in Venice, Fla. WILLIAM (BILL) CRAMER Pensioner William Cramer, 85, died August 10. Brother Cramer was born in Blanchester, Ohio. He went on pension in 1967 and resided in New Jersey. FRANK DU CLOUX Pensioner Frank Du Cloux, 87, passed away August 1. Brother Du Cloux, a native of Alabama, became a pensioner in 1974. He called Mobile home. JOSEPH FARRELL Pensioner Joseph Farrell, 87, died July 22. Brother Farrell was born in Chicago. He started collecting his pension in 1989. Brother Farrell settled in Buffalo, Wyoming. ARLINDO FELIX Pensioner Arlindo Felix, 96, passed away July 14. Born in Brazil, he became a pensioner in 1977. Brother Felix was a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y. LINWOOD GAGE Pensioner Linwood Gage, 85, died July 24. Brother Gage was born in Portland, Maine. He began receiving his pension in 1991. Brother Gage called Dover, N.H., home. LLOYD BEARD Pensioner Lloyd Beard, 86, passed away August 13. Brother Beard, a native of Missouri, became a pensioner in 1992. He called Covington, La., home. BILLY GARNER Pensioner Billy Garner, 83, passed away August 20. Brother Garner was an Oklahoma native. He started collecting his retirement compensation in 1972. Brother Garner lived in Lufkin, Texas. NICHOLAS BENITEZ Pensioner Nicholas Benitez, 91, died June 30. The Puerto Ricoborn mariner became a pensioner in 1970. Brother Benitez was a resident of Columbia, Md. JULIEN JOSEPH Pensioner Julien Joseph, 95, died August 6. Brother Joseph, a native of Trinidad, went on pension in 1970. He made his home in St. Albans, N.Y. D. CANADY Pensioner D. Canady, 90, passed away August 5. Brother Canady MARIO LAMBOY Pensioner Mario Lamboy, 89, passed away August 19. Brother Lamboy was born in Puerto Rico. He retired in 1968 and called Tamarac, Fla., home. LENWARD McCLENDON Pensioner Lenward McClendon, 83, died August 13. Born in Florida, he began receiving his pension in 1968. Brother McClendon settled in Eight Mile, Ala. RICHARD MURPHY Pensioner Richard Murphy, 85, passed away June 13. Brother Murphy, a native of Massachusetts, went on pension in 1965. He continued to reside in Massachusetts. ALBERT POREE Pensioner Albert Poree, 93, died June 23. Brother Poree was a New Orleans native. He started collecting his retirement compensation in 1981. Brother Poree was a resident of Harvey, La. WOODROW RENEAU Pensioner Woodrow Reneau, 92, passed away August 9. Born in Belize, Brother Reneau became a pensioner in 1985. He lived in South Holland, Ill. SALVADOR RIVAS Pensioner Salvador Rivas, 80, died July 1. Brother Rivas was born in New York. He went on pension in 1987. Brother Rivas settled in Brooklyn, N.Y. LEO ROBERTS Pensioner Leo Roberts, 89, passed away July 24. Brother Roberts, a native of North Carolina, went on pension in 1993. He was a resident of Dartmouth, Mass. WILBERT SIMPSON Pensioner Wilbert Simpson, 87, died July 3. The Texas-born mariner became a pensioner in 1970. Brother Simpson made his home in Mayesville, S.C. CLINT TABOR Pensioner Clint Tabor, 82, passed away July 28. Brother Tabor was born in Virginia. He began receiving his pension in 1990 and continued to call Virginia home. Name Araujo, Abel Bennett, Ernesto Davis, James Ford, John Francois, Rudolph Garzon, Luis Henriksen, Conrad Maloney, Annie Miller, Adrian Otero, Eduardo Rosado, Americo Age DOD 87 July 3 89 July 13 85 July 30 85 August 19 76 July 17 89 August 19 77 June 19 91 July 13 92 August 2 91 August 29 89 July 23 February 2012 1/25/2012 8:05:36 PM �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the next few months. All programs are geared to improving the job skills of Seafarers and to promoting the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Welding April 28 June 2 May 18 June 22 Safety Upgrading Courses Advanced Firefighting February 25 March 3 May 5 June 2 March 2 March 9 May 11 June 8 Basic Firefighting/STCW March 3 April 7 May 12 June 23 March 9 March 13 May 18 June 29 Medical Care Provider February 11 March 3 March 10 May 12 June 9 February 17 March 9 March 16 May 18 June 15 Government Vessels February 25 April 21 June 16 March 2 April 27 June 22 Deck Department Lifeboat March 3 March 31 April 28 May 26 June 23 March 16 April 13 May 11 June 8 July 6 Able Seaman March 17 May 12 April 13 June 8 STOS March 31 April 13 Fast Rescue Boat May 5 June 23 May 11 June 29 Radar March 10 May 19 March 23 June 1 ARPA March 24 June 2 March 30 June 8 Radar Renewal February 21 June 25 February 21 June 25 Tank PIC Barge March 10 March 16 Engine Department BAPO March 31 May 26 April 27 June 22 FOWT March 3 April 28 June 23 March 30 May 25 July 20 Junior Engineer May 12 July 6 Marine Electrician May 5 June 29 Marine Refrigeration March 10 April 20 Machinist February 11 March 2 Pumpman March 24 April 6 Welding March 3 March 31 March 23 April 20 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o 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? o Yes o No If yes, class # __________________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? o Yes o No If yes, course(s) taken____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back or relevant pages of merchant mariner credential, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate, valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC. February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 21 ` Steward Department Serve Safe April 14 July 7 September 29 April 20 July 13 October 5 Chief Steward April 14 July 7 October 13 May 25 August 17 November 23 Chief Cook These modules start every other week. The next class begins February 4. Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations These modules start every Monday. The next class will begin February 6. Reminder for Paul Hall Center Students Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover—for whatever reason—that they cannot attend should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. NOTICE: National Maritime Center Web Site Provides Valuable Mariner Resources The National Maritime Center (NMC), the licensing authority for the U.S. Coast Guard, offers a comprehensive web site covering mariner credentialing, medical guidelines and much more. The site features a wide range of applications and forms, deck- and engine-department exam information, lists of Coast Guard-approved courses and more. Seafarers are encouraged to COURSE check out the site at:http://www.uscg. mil/nmc/ Mariners may call the NMC at 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662). Operational hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. (The NMC is closed for all federal holidays.) Various email forms also are available through the NMC web site. ____________________________ START DATE _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable.Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/12 Seafarers LOG 21 1/25/2012 8:05:36 PM �Paul Hall Center Classes Welding – Six upgraders completed their requirements in this course Dec. 16. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Ricky Arroyo, Michael Knight, Glenn Quitorio, Jose Rivas, Abdulnaser Saeed and Todd Williams. Class Instructor Buzzy Andrews is second from left in the back row. Government Vessels - Five Seafarers completed the enhancement of their skills in this course Dec. 16. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Shawn Canon, Tucker Demetrius, Meawad Kamel, Kevin Lewis and Emilio Ordaniel. Their instructor, Mark Cates, is standing at the far right. ECDIS – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 16: Stacey McNeely, Kevin Moore and Charles Noell. Brad Wheeler, their instructor, is at left. (Note: Not all are pictured.) GMDSS – Four upgraders finished their requirements in this course Dec. 9. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Thomas Blair, Eric Kiellberg, Martha Owens and Richard Weaver. Class Instructor Brad Wheeler is at the far right. BAPO – The following individuals (photo at left, in alphabetical order) completed this course Dec. 9: John Albritton, Kyle Bennett, Collins Brooks, Cleavern Brown, Vincent Burton, Autumn Cole, Marc Costley, Ryan Crowell, Bobbie Gibbs, Dexter Hastings, Dustin Hutchins, Chitthananda Jayaratne, Slethvana Jules, William Mercer, Santos Olivera, Gary Newbegin Jr., Robert Noble, Michael Papaioannou, Michael Robinson and Thomas Rodwrick. Their instructor, Jay Henderson, is at the far right. Medical Care Provider – Nine upgraders successfully completed their requirements in this course Dec. 2. Graduating (photo at right, in alphabetical order) were: Eugene Davis Jr., Christopher Devonish, Arthur Ladd, Roy Madrio, Kevin Moore, Robert Taylor, Jesse Turner, Kareim Wright and Christopher Zaucha. Mike Roberts, their instructor, is at the far left. 22 Seafarers LOG 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 22 February 2012 1/25/2012 8:05:44 PM �Paul Hall Center Classes Galley Operations – Five members of the steward department completed this course Dec. 23. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Andrew Andrini, Gary Cruz, Juan Guanill, Justo Reyes and Pamela Wilson. Their instructor, Ed White, is fourth from the left in back row. BST – The following individuals (photo at left, in alphabetical order) finished their requirements in this course Dec. 9: Shawn Canon, Michael Durago, Michael Lau, John Nerster, Jamie Norsworthy, Emilio Ordaniel, Jario Rochez, Kevin Stehlik, Clifton Sweep, Norma West and Glenn Williams. Class Instructors Joe Zienda and Wayne Johnson are at the far left and far right, respectively. BSI – (Hawaii) The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) completed this course Nov. 12 at the Seafarers Training Facility in Barbers Point, Hawaii: Shane Bradley, Jayna Bried-Sixkiller, Michael Childress, Kenneth Class, Rosemarie Escalera, Dustin Frohnauer, John Gannon, Abdelhak Habib, Angela Kennedy, Nakia Keys, Joshua Laydon, Lea MacLean, Ashley McLoughlin, Tina Moore, Michi Nakanishi, Kimberly Nash and Barrett Hasselwood. February 2012 10162_FEB_2012_LOG.indd 23 BST – (Hawaii) Fifteen individuals completed their requirements in this course Nov. 19 at the Seafarers’ Barbers Point, Hawaii-based training facility. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Patrick Bruno, Olena Gordillo, Wesley Hall, Christina Lombardo, Ryifee Long, David Lyle, Jana Mendoza, Long Nguyen, Melissa Osterhoff, Alan Perez, Martin Petelinz, Andrew Powell, James Roberts, Christine Sall, and Sean Toves. Seafarers LOG 23 1/25/2012 8:05:51 PM �Volume 74, Number 2 February 2012 SHBP Scholarship Info Page 11 The Impeccable is operated by Maersk Line, Limited for MSC. USNS Impeccable Ends Final Mission of 2011 on High Note The USNS Impeccable’s last mission for 2011 went smoothly despite periodically rough seas, reported MDR Brandon Maeda. The longtime Seafarer also submitted the photos accompanying this brief. Operated by Maersk Line, Limited for the U.S. Military Sealift Command, the Impeccable is part of the agency’s special mission ships program. Designated TAGOS 23, the Impeccable is 281 feet long, 96 feet wide and can sail at 12 knots. According to MSC, the Impeccable and its four sister ships in one component of the program “directly support the Navy by using both passive and active low frequency sonar arrays to detect and track undersea threats.” Those vessels include the USNS Able, USNS Effective, USNS Loyal and USNS Victorious in addition to the Impeccable. AB Antolin Avorque OS Matt Botterbusch MDR Brandon Maeda 10162_FEB_2012_LOG_X.indd 24 Bosun Robert Taylor OS Mark Brownell Chief Steward John Neal, Oiler Jeremy Birchfield, SA Ahmed Omar AB Pete Fulcher AB Walter Lichota Oiler Omar Espinosa Chief Cook Mario Siclot 1/30/2012 11:22:30 AM � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2012 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES MAERSK ILLINOIS JOINS SIU FLEET OCEAN TITAN OULLS OFF DRAMATIC SEA RESCUE SEAFARERS BRIGHTEN HOLIDAYS FOR U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL SIU, ITF ASSIST FISHER CREW IMO SEES PROGRESS IN ANTI-PIRACY CAMPAIGN SIU WELCOMES NEW JOBS ABOARD MAERSK ILLINOIS CROWLEY MARITIME LAUNCHES FIRST OCEAN-CLASS TUGBOAT RESCUE AT SEA: CREW OF UNION-CONTRACTED OCEAN TITAN SAVES LIVES OF SEEN FOREIGN MARINERS OFFICIALS EASE TWIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME WHEN OBTAINING, RENEWING MARINER CREDENTIALS EPI SHEDS LIGHT ON ‘RIGHT TO WORK’ COAST GUARD PUBLISHES POLICY REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF 2010 STCW AMENDMENTS SEAFARERS STEP UP FOR SANTA’S CASTLE USNS DAHL CREW BRIGHTENS CHILDREN’S HOLIDAYS IN SAIPAN MARITIME INDUSTRY GIVES BACK, SUPPORTS ASSORTED ENDEAVORS SIU BOATMEN RATIFY ALLIED CONTRACT FORMER SIU, AMO OFFICIAL GORDON SPENCER DIES AT 86 SEAFARERS SHARE HOLIDAY SPIRIT IN HALLS, AT SEA ATC CREWS COMMENDED SUPERFERRY UPDATE NEW WEBSITE FOR HONOLULU SAILORS HOME ADDITIONAL FERRY SERVICE A HIT LIBERTY SHIP OFFERS TOURS, CRUIS AMERICAN VICTORY ‘HISTORY CRUISE’ NFL PLAYERS: ‘RIGHT TO WORK’ IS TRICK PLAY USNS IMPECCABLE ENDS FINAL MISSION OF 2011 ON HIGH NOTE Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2012 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 74, No. 2 http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/76e9d5a47adf48159531e249ca29a1c6.pdf 278394436eb718277d907e51827cd6e5 PDF Text Text Volume 75, Number 2 February 2013 SIU Gains Jobs On New Military Support Vessels SIU-contracted Ocean Ships, Inc. has won the operating contract for three new mobile landing platform (MLP) vessels, including the USNS Montford Point (background photo, pictured at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego). The ships are expected to sail in the Navy’s prepositioning fleet. Including options, the Ocean Ships contract is for five years. Page 3. (Photo courtesy NASSCO) Union Members Continue Long Tradition of Giving Committee Announces Election Results SIU members and officials showed their generosity during the winter holidays as they donated money and toys to brighten the season for American military families. The yearly Santa’s Castle project in Tacoma, Wash., once again was a highlight, as were donations made in Florida. In the photo below, AB Tar Ahmed and GUDEs Raul Ventanilla and Reynaldo Mambulao carry toys to delivery vehicles at the Tacoma hall. Page 6. In early January, a committee of rank-and-file Seafarers issued its report on the voting for officers of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, as well as results of balloting on two constitutional amendments. Committee members are shown at work in the photo above, at the union’s headquarters building. Their report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings in March. Page 3. Key Maritime Program Extended Page 2 15042_February_LOG_X.indd 1 Members Recognized for Sandy Relief Page 4 Tax Tips Pages 12-14 1/25/2013 4:54:42 PM �President’s Report Stage Set for Another Successful Year Whether it’s because of cutting-edge shipboard technology, new types of vessels, training requirements or other new regulations, our industry constantly changes. And the SIU throughout our 75-year history has remained focused on not only keeping up with those changes, but staying a step ahead. The same goes for our affiliated school in Piney Point, Md., which opened in 1967. The Paul Hall Center and its Lundeberg School of Seamanship don’t just keep up with the times – the school often pioneers progress. Yet, there are some keys to our success that have remained constant throughout these many years. One of them, as Seafarers know, is political action. Sometimes we’re pushing for new programs, other times we’re protecting or building upon what’s in place. Two great examples of our Michael Sacco political activities happened near the end of 2012, as President Obama signed separate bills that extended the U.S. Maritime Security Program and strengthened the Jones Act. There’s no particular need for our rank-and-file members to understand the nuts and bolts of the MSP legislation, but you absolutely should know that the program means jobs for the membership. It strengthens U.S. national and economic security, and our military leaders have said year after year that it’s truly a bargain. We support it for all the right reasons, but first and foremost, we support the MSP because it helps keep SIU members on the job. We worked very hard with other maritime unions and allies throughout the industry to help secure the latest MSP extension, and it’s a big win for Seafarers and for America. Similarly, we backed language in the Coast Guard bill that helps ensure every reasonable opportunity is given to U.S.-flag vessel operators before Jones Act waivers are issued. And once again, this is important to your job security as well as to America’s economic and national security. That’s why we pushed for it. In this same vein, I thank all of our members who support SPAD, the union’s voluntary political action fund. I know that our other officials and I talk a lot about SPAD, but that’s because it’s nothing short of critical to our operations and to rank-and-file jobs. Politics affects practically every aspect of our livelihoods, and SPAD helps make sure your voices are heard by those who write the laws and regulations and requirements that govern maritime. Without it, we couldn’t even get in the door to promote things like the MSP, the Jones Act, cargo preference and other initiatives. So, thank you for recognizing SPAD’s importance and for donating. And if you’re not participating, please think about it. Don’t just count on your fellow members to carry the load. Nearly a month into the New Year, I remain very optimistic about 2013 and I believe it’ll be a year of growth for us. When you combine our strong political outreach, our first-rate training at Piney Point and in Hawaii, our excellent working relationships with SIU-contracted companies and with the agencies overseeing maritime, plus the outstanding work of rank-and-file Seafarers, we’ve got all the pieces in place to continue succeeding. Now we’ve just got to keep our sleeves rolled up and our course true and steady, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Remembering a Leader and Friend Be sure to take a look at our tribute to the late Senator Daniel Inouye in this month’s LOG. Senator Inouye was a genuine American hero, and he was a great, great friend who kept his honorary SIU book close to his heart. Our union and our industry have lost a giant supporter who went to bat for us on every single issue and who never looked back. I am grateful to have known Senator Inouye and will always respect his memory while appreciating his unfailing support. As one writer put it, he was the person we all hope to be. Volume 75, Number 2 February 2013 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Brian Ahern; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry. Copyright © 2013 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. 2 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 2 MSP Extension a Huge Victory For Maritime, National Security President Barack Obama’s signature on the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 helped secure both the jobs of American mariners and the safety of the American people. A key provision in the bill ensured the Maritime Security Program (MSP) – an SIU-supported program of vital importance to the maritime industry and national defense – would be extended through 2025. Since 1996, the Department of Defense (DOD) has had access to 60 (originally 47 but increased to 60 in 2003) militarily useful commercial ships to carry goods and materiel to service members around the globe. In return, DOD provides an annual stipend to help off-set operating costs. The MSP provision, included in the Maritime Administration reauthorization section of the law, was aggressively backed by the SIU and the rest of maritime labor along with union-contracted companies. Currently, Seafarers-contracted companies operate the vast majority of vessels enrolled in the MSP, meaning the program’s extension results in jobs for Seafarers nationwide. Despite initial worries that the bill would be held up by non-maritime-industry-related concerns, those issues were resolved between Congress and the White House, and the bill was signed just one day before the end of the 112th Congress. The new law extends contracts for existing operators, and also includes a gradual increase in the annual stipend, something that will ensure the program remains economically attractive for U.S.-flag operators in the future. Created in 1996, the MSP has always enjoyed bipartisan support and consistent praise from American military leaders. President George H.W. Bush proposed the MSP in 1992, President Bill Clinton signed it into law four years later and President George W. Bush signed a 10-year extension in 2003 that increased the number of vessels to 60. It has annually been included on the Office of Management and Budget’s list of most efficient and best-run government programs. The MSP’s popularity since its creation is due to several factors. Not only does the program protect the homeland, but it also saves the country a significant amount of money. According to the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), the MSP provides a sealift capability that would cost the government approximately $13 billion to reproduce, plus an additional $52 billion to replicate the global intermodal system made available to the U.S. Department of Defense. Thanks to the MSP, the government gets all of that for a fraction of the cost – currently $186 million per year. The program also helps maintain a pool of welltrained, loyal, U.S. citizen mariners whose reliability in supporting our armed forces has been proven time after time, including throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (and, for that matter, throughout the nation’s history). In pushing for the MSP extension last year, a bipartisan group of 17 U.S. senators wrote to Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and ranking member Susan Collins (R-Maine) about the MSP’s vital importance to the country. The MSP, they said, protects the country’s homeland, economic and job security. “Without having the MSP and its maritime security fleet to rely on, the options available to the Department of Defense and to our country to meet America’s commercial sealift capability requirements are totally unacceptable,” the senators wrote. More likely, the DOD would be forced to charter foreign-flagged vessels manned by foreign nationals – “interests who may not share America’s goals, objectives and values.... These foreign-flag shipping services [would] have to be paid for by the United States and it means our country [would] be encouraging the outsourcing of American maritime jobs as we spend taxpayer dollars on foreign-flag ships and their foreign crews.” TRANSCOM Commander, Gen. William Fraser, echoed those sentiments while speaking to the maritime industry last summer. The military, he said, relies heavily on the hard-working people who make up the U.S. Merchant Marine, including mariners who sail aboard MSP ships. The DOD “could not do our job without the superb relationships that we have with our commercial industry and our U.S. mariners,” he said. “You are absolutely essential to the greatest military in our history.” Speaking at the 2012 SIUNA Convention in September, Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander of the U.S. Military Sealift Command, said it’s a partnership of vital importance to not only the United States, but the world. “Our combined efforts work toward maintaining a strong U.S. maritime industry that’s critical to our continued leadership in a world that depends on the seas and the maritime trade,” he said. “None of it will happen without U.S. Mariners manning the lines.” President Signs Law that Protects Jones Act, Improves TWIC Process American mariners had reason to celebrate in December when President Barack Obama signed the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012. The SIU-supported law, which funds the Coast Guard through 2014, also included key provisions designed to strengthen the Jones Act and make the process of obtaining and renewing Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) less onerous. Thanks to the new law, the jobs of American mariners will be better-protected during times of national crisis, and trips to TWIC processing offices will be reduced. The law’s Jones Act provisions create greater transparency with the issuance of Jones Act waivers. Under the new law, the Maritime Administration must identify all actions taken to ensure U.S.-flag ships are called upon to meet national defense requirements and publish that information on the Department of Transportation’s website. The Maritime Administration is also required to report to Congress when it wants to request a waiver. A cornerstone of the maritime industry for more than 90 years, the Jones Act stipulates that shipments between American ports must be conducted by American mariners on American-flagged ships that also are U.S.-built and U.S.-owned. Waivers can only be issued during times of crisis when no qualified American vessels are available. The waiver transparency provisions included in the new law, which would protect the jobs of American mariners, were created in response to bipartisan concerns over the controversial issuance of Jones Act waivers in recent years. SIU Political and Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman said the union pushed to have those transparency provisions in the final bill. “We’ve had too many situations where the first response to a crisis was to waive the Jones Act,” he said. “This will make it harder for an administration to waive the Jones Act without going through Congress. It adds an extra layer of security so we don’t have to worry about middle-of-the-night waivers.” The law’s approach to Jones Act waivers was met with praise from both sides of the aisle. U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry (R-La.), who both criticized the administration in the past for issuing Jones Act waivers for vessels transporting oil from the nation’s Strate- gic Petroleum Reserve, applauded the new law. “[This] will bring much-needed transparency to the process by which the Jones Act waivers are issued, including requiring the Maritime Administration to formally identify all of the actions that could be taken to enable U.S.-flagged vessels to carry the cargo for which a Jones Act waiver is sought,” Cummings said. “The Jones Act should be waived only when no U.S. vessels are capable of carrying cargo between two U.S. ports.” Landry agreed, adding the bipartisan support garnered by the bill’s Jones Act provisions was an example of both parties working together for a common purpose, something that has become increasingly rare in Washington. “This provision shows how government should work. Republicans and Democrats working together with industry and labor to pass a provision that will protect American jobs and put our nation on strong footing,” he said. “It will provide a playbook to the maritime industry, one they can follow to bring few Jones Act waivers and more jobs to our workers.” When it comes to the law’s changes to the TWIC program, the new provisions are designed to make the process easier for mariners. Under the new law, the process of enrollment, activation, issuance and renewal of TWIC cards must take place during a single visit to an enrollment center. Gone will be the days of multiple trips to enrollment centers for those applying for or renewing their TWIC cards. “Congress is recognizing what we’ve known for a long time – that the TWIC program is not working the way it’s supposed to,” Schoeneman said. “That’s really important. It was such an onerous process.” While processing centers were abundant when the TWIC program was launched several years ago, the number of offices nationwide dwindled after the program was up and running, making it harder for some mariners to access them. Schoeneman said the SIU lobbied to streamline the TWIC process to make it less of a burden on those applying for or renewing their cards. “A lot of guys in the Midwest were traveling hundreds of miles,” he said. It’s a good sign Congress was hearing what we’re telling them.” The regulations implementing the TWIC changes still have to be issued. February 2013 1/24/2013 5:38:43 PM �Committee members, employees from the secretary-treasurer’s office and Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel (standing at far right) are pictured Jan. 8 at SIU headquarters. Committee Announces Union Election Results Membership Reelects Sacco as President, Approves Two Constitutional Amendments A committee of rank-and-file SIU members recently released its official report on the voting for national officers of the Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District. Voting took place Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2012. The union’s tallying committee consisted of 20 Seafarers (two members elected from each of the SIU’s 10 constitutional halls). The group certified the reelections of Michael Sacco as president of the SIU; Augie Tellez as the union’s executive vice president; David Heindel as secretary-treasurer; and George Tricker as vice president of contracts and contract enforcement, among other results. The tallying committee’s report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings in March. Additionally, the committee reported that the two proposed constitutional amendments were approved by very large majorities. One amendment concerned the official name of the union, while the other modified old language because of changes in U.S. law. According to the report, the contested race for office also was decided by a large margin. The committee disclosed the election of the following officers, who will serve four-year terms: n Michael Sacco, president; n Augie Tellez, executive vice president; n David Heindel, secretary-treasurer n George Tricker, contracts and contract enforcement vice president; n Joseph Soresi, Atlantic Coast vice president; n Dean Corgey, Gulf Coast vice president; n Nick Marrone, West Coast vice president; n Tom Orzechowski, Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters vice president; n Kermett Mangram, Government Services and fishing industries vice president; n Archie Ware, assistant vice president in charge of contracts and contract enforcement; n Nick Celona, assistant vice president in charge of the Atlantic Coast; n Ambrose Cucinotta, assistant vice president in charge of the Gulf Coast; n Bryan Powell, assistant vice president in charge of the West Coast; n Jim McGee, assistant vice president in charge of the Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters; n Chester Wheeler, assistant vice president in charge of Government Services and fishing industries; n Pat Vandegrift, Piney Point port agent; n Robert Selzer, New York port agent; n Joe Baselice, Philadelphia port agent; n Georg Kenny, Baltimore port agent; n Jimmy White, Mobile port agent; n Chris Westbrook, New Orleans port agent; n Michael Russo, Houston port agent; n Tracey Mayhew, Oakland port agent; n Becky Sleeper, St. Louis port agent; n Todd Brdak, Algonac port agent. The committee arrived on Jan. 5 as required under the union’s constitution and met during the week of Jan. 7 at the union’s headquarters in Camp Springs, Md. John Cain and Louella Sproul served as co-chairs, and they both credited fellow Seafarers for working hard and doing a good job. The full committee consisted of Glenn Williams and Thomas Cyrus from Piney Point; Michael Keogh and Jeffery Eckhart from Algonac; Susanne Cake and George Mazzola from Baltimore; Cain and Rafael Pereira from Houston; Michael Congress and Kennard Campbell from Mobile; Jack McElveen and Johney August from New Orleans; Carlos Sanchez and Cleofe Castro from New York; Sproul and Roger Reinke from Oakland; Rodger Taylor and Robert Weinhardt from Philadelphia; and Charlotte Tuggle and Darryl Alexander from St. Louis. Those Seafarers noted that they unanimously signed off on the report, adding, “All of the members of the committee wish to express their deep appreciation for the cooperation and assistance given to us by the union’s legal department and its technical and clerical staff. Finally, the members of the union tallying committee wish to congratulate the elected officers and jobholders. We extend our best wishes for the next four years. We hope that you will carry on the tradition of our union and advance the strength of the maritime industry.” MLP Contract Award Means New Jobs for SIU Members New jobs for SIU members are on the horizon following the December announcement that Seafarers-contracted Ocean Ships, Inc. has won the operating contract for three new mobile landing platform (MLP) vessels. The ships are being built at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego; they are the USNS Montford Point, USNS John Glenn, and USNS Lewis B. Puller. According to the government’s announcement of the agreement, each of the MLPs will be approximately 785 feet long and will be able to sail at 15 knots. They are expected to be deployed as prepositioning ships. The Montford Point is scheduled for delivery in mid-May of 2013, followed by the John Glenn in early 2014 and the Lewis Puller in early 2015. Including options, the Ocean Ships contract is for five years. According to the U.S. Military Sealift Command, the new ships “will be the centerpiece of the Navy’s ‘Sea Base’ concept, and will serve as a transfer point for Marine Corps amphibious landing forces between large ships and small landing craft. They will provide the capability to transfer vehicles and equipment at-sea, improving the U.S. military’s ability to deliver equipment and cargo from ship to shore when land bases do not exist.” NASSCO (a union shipyard) described the MLP as “a flexible platform that will February 2013 15042_February_LOG.indd 3 provide capability for large-scale logistics movements such as the transfer of vehicles and equipment from sea to shore. It will significantly reduce dependency on foreign ports and provide support in the absence of any port, making it especially useful during disaster response and for supporting Marines once they are ashore.” The Montford Point is named for the North Carolina facility where 20,000 African American Marines were trained over seven years, starting in 1942. One day before the contract announcement, NASSCO hosted a keel-laying ceremony for the second MLP, the John Glenn. Ms. Lyn Glenn, daughter of John Herschel Glenn, Jr., the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth, and Mrs. Helen L. Toolan, wife of Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, Jr., commanding general, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, were the honorees for the ceremony. “Laying the keel of this second mobile landing platform and finishing construction of the first ship are the latest milestones in this successful shipbuilding program,” said Fred Harris, the shipyard president and himself a former union mariner. “These events serve as evidence of the NASSCO team building and delivering MLP ships efficiently, in support of U.S. Navy efforts to The USNS Montford Point, shown at the yard in San Diego, will boost America’s sealift maintain a forward presence.” capability. (Photo courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO) Seafarers LOG 3 1/24/2013 5:38:44 PM �Mariners and officials are pictured aboard the Wright. MarAd Recognizes SIU Members For Support of Sandy Relief Efforts Seafarers recently were honored by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) for their roles supporting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in New York and New Jersey. SIU members and other mariners received the U.S. Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement during shipboard ceremonies in Staten Island and Fort Schuyler, N.Y. The first event took place Dec. 15 aboard the SS Wright and the Kennedy, while the latter one was conducted Dec. 20 on the Empire State. The Crowley-operated Wright is part of the Ready Reserve Force; the Kennedy and Empire State are training vessels. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda wrote in a related blog post, “As their relief mission ends, I’d like to recognize the 120 men and women who served for more than 40 days as crew on these ships…. For six weeks, relief workers from all over the country, including many who had never been on a ship, stayed aboard. Galley crews made sure meals were ready starting at 5:30 a.m., so the relief workers could get an early start. And as these workers returned after long days ashore, crews worked to try to provide them at least some comforts, including Internet access and even a few holiday decorations. “In all, the three MarAd ships provided more than 37,000 bed-nights and 72,000 meals for disaster relief workers from FEMA, the Red Cross, and other relief organizations. Because of this floating dormitory service, relief workers did not take up local hotel space needed for housing displaced families.” He added, “I’m proud of their work. The professionalism, care, compassion, and outstanding support exhibited by these mariners to thousands of emergency responders bring great honor and distinction to the U.S. Merchant Marine. Mariners are no strangers to being away from home and their families during holidays, and they told me in no uncertain terms that they would stay on the job for as long as they are needed.” New York-area SIU officials attended the ceremonies and joined in congratulating Seafarers. Pictured from left to right on the Kennedy are Patrolman Osvaldo Ramos, SA Loren Arrioloa, Patrolman Terence Maxwell, AB Ibrahim Abdelkarim (squatting), SA Ariel Lopez-Albino, Patrolman Mark von Siegel and AB Zachary Thibeault. Among those pictured in the Wright’s galley are SA Tania Ramirez-Diego, Chief Cook Felecia Royalty and ACU Steven Holmes. Gulf Coast VP Corgey Receives Port Appointment Piracy Falls in 2012 but SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey on Jan. 16 was appointed by the Houston City Council to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. Corgey’s appointment fills the seat previously held by Janiece Longoria, who was named Port Commission chair Jan. 8 during a joint session of the Houston City Council and Harris County Commissioners Court. She had served as the city appointee to the commission since 2002. Corgey has been an SIU vice president since 1990. He joined the union in 1973 after graduating from the trainee program in Piney Point, Md. He sailed for six years (including time as a licensed chief engineer) before coming ashore to work for the union in 1979. Houston Mayor Annise Parker said, “It is important to have labor represented in the port’s activities and it needs Dean Corgey SIU VP Gulf Coast 4 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 4 to be the right voice for labor. Dean Corgey is eminently qualified for this position. City council’s unanimous confirmation of his appointment indicates we are all in agreement that he will do an outstanding job.” Longoria stated, “Dean Corgey’s background as a merchant mariner and his community leadership will be of great value to the port commission, and I look forward to working with him on the commission to benefit the Port of Houston.” “I have been asked many times why I want to be a port commissioner and the simple answer is that I want to serve,” Corgey stated on Jan. 16. “I have learned that the most rewarding of human endeavors is to serve those other than oneself, whether it be one’s faith, family, community or civic body. Next week we will celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., who dedicated his life to serving his fellow man. Dr. King said it best when he said: ‘An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.’ Those are the principles and values that I will exercise in the performance of my duties as commissioner.” Corgey also serves as a vice president of the Texas AFLCIO; as secretary-treasurer of the West Gulf Ports Council of the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department; and on the executive board of the Harris County AFL-CIO. He is a member of the American Maritime Partnership and the Navy League of the United States. He is a past member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Area Maritime Security Committee for the Port of Houston/Galveston and served as chairman of the City of Houston Ethics Committee. In addition, he is a past member of the board of directors of the Houston Maritime Association. Port Commissioners serve two-year terms without pay. “I intend to be a voice for labor and working families and I pledge to work in the best interest of the city, port and workers with diligence and integrity,” Corgey added. “I also look forward to working with our new port chair, Janiece Longoria, and the other commissioners to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency, maintain local control, secure funding for much-needed capital improvements, develop new business and cargo, create jobs, promote diversity and make educational opportunities available to meet future challenges and growth.” Remains Deadly Problem Piracy on the world’s seas has reached a five-year low, with 297 ships attacked in 2012 compared with 439 in 2011, the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) global piracy report revealed last month. Worldwide figures were brought down by a significant reduction in Somali piracy, though East and West Africa remain the worst-hit areas, with 150 attacks in 2012, according to the report issued Jan. 16. “Globally, 174 ships were boarded by pirates last year, while 28 were hijacked and 28 were fired upon,” the ICC said in a news release. “IMB’s Piracy Reporting Center also recorded 67 attempted attacks. The number of people taken hostage on board fell to 585 from 802 in 2011, while a further 26 were kidnapped for ransom in Nigeria. Six crew members were killed and 32 were injured or assaulted.” “IMB’s piracy figures show a welcome reduction in hijackings and attacks to ships. But crews must remain vigilant, particularly in the highly dangerous waters off East and West Africa,” said Captain Pottengal Mukundan, director of IMB, which has monitored piracy worldwide since 1991. In Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, 75 ships reported attacks in 2012 compared with 237 in 2011, accounting for 25 percent of incidents worldwide. The number of Somali hijackings was halved from 28 in 2011 to 14 last year. IMB says navies are deterring piracy off Africa’s east coast, with “pre-emptive strikes and robust action against mother ships.” So too are private armed security teams and crews’ application of best management practices. But the threat and capability of heavily armed Somali pirates remains strong. “The continued presence of the navies is vital to ensuring that Somali piracy remains low,” said Mukundan. “This progress could easily be reversed if naval vessels were withdrawn from the area.” In its news release, the ICC noted, “Pirate mother ships and skiffs were reported in the Gulf of Oman, southern Red Sea and the Somali basin, with a number of attacks close to the Straits of Hormuz and the energy routes out of the Arabian Gulf. As of 31 December 2012, Somali pirates still held 104 hostages on eight ships and 23 more were detained on land, pending negotiations for their release.” February 2013 1/24/2013 5:38:47 PM �SIU-Crewed Crowley ATB Rescues Man in Florida Noticing an injured man bobbing in Florida waters in January, Seafarers aboard Crowley Maritime Corp.’s articulated tug-barge (ATB) Achievement/650-8 began what would become a heroic rescue. Emergency Coast Guard radio calls were issued as the ATB’s on-watch crew noticed the man near the base of the Sunshine Bridge in Tampa Bay. He was struggling to stay afloat on the port side of the vessel. AB Alan Williams responded immediately, throwing a life ring to the man as Capt. Gus Cramer sounded the manoverboard alarm. The crew then prepared the fast rescue boat for deployment while the captain slowed the ATB down for a safe boat launch. Manned by AB/Tankerman Travis Stringer and Second Mate John Crawford, the fast rescue boat headed toward the man, who had drifted nearly a mile away and was calling for help. The boat team braved windy conditions and rough chop while still managing to pull the badly injured man from the water. The entire process took only eight minutes. “This crew did a phenomenal job working as a team to save this man’s life,” Cramer said. “From the guys on the bow, to the men on the response boat, to everyone who kept the vessel safe during the rescue … it was just a fantastic, total team effort. We did our jobs safely and saved a life in the process.” The crew’s efforts were also aided by Cramer’s close work with Tampa Bay The ATB crew included (from left) AB Alan Williams, Third Mate Doug Carson, Cook Pat McGee, Chief Mate Ron Robinson, AB Tankerman Chris Farmer, Chief Engineer Vince Mull, AB/Tankerman Travis Stringer, Capt. Gus Cramer. Not pictured are Second Mate John Crawford, Asst. Engineer Zach Lindsey, and Asst. Engineer Charles Jensen. Harbor Pilot Mike Buffington. Together they helped the crew perform the slowdown procedure, remained in communication with the Coast Guard and ensured the ATB was not in danger by avoiding oncoming vessel traffic and safely keeping it within commercial shipping lanes. Buffington said he was impressed by the training of the Seafarers aboard the vessel. Much of the crew received that training at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. SIU Ships Sail for ‘Deep Freeze’ SIU-crewed vessels are continuing the union’s tradition of supporting a key annual resupply mission known as Operation Deep Freeze. The Ocean Giant (operated by Crowley for Intermarine) and the Maersk Peary (Maersk Line, Limited) recently mobilized for this year’s journey to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The Ocean Giant sailed from Port Hueneme, Calif., Jan. 17, loaded with nearly seven million pounds of cargo including frozen and dry food stores, building supplies, vehicles and electronic equipment and parts. The tanker Maersk Peary departed the European area of operations in December, with more than six million gallons of diesel fuel, jet fuel and gasoline. Operation Deep Freeze – which has been backed by SIU crews for decades – is a U.S. military support mission to resupply the remote scientific outpost. During this year’s operation, SIUcrewed ships will deliver 100 percent of the fuel and about 80 percent of the supplies that researchers and support personnel in Antarctica need to survive and work during the course of a year, according to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC). The Maersk Peary was scheduled to arrive in Antarctica first, followed by the Ocean Giant in mid-February. MSC reported that the Ocean Giant “is scheduled to off-load its cargo at a 500-foot ice pier that juts out from the Antarctic coast. The cargo will be off-loaded by members of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion One working around-the-clock for eight days. Following the off-load, the ship will be loaded with retrograde cargo for transportation off the continent, including ice core samples carried back to the United States in sub-zero freezer containers, trash and recyclable materials for disposal, and equipment no longer required on station. “In 2012, unfavorable weather conditions made the ice pier at McMurdo unusable for dry cargo operations. Members of the Army’s 331st Transportation Company constructed a floating dock to ensure cargo operations could be conducted.” Due to adverse winter conditions in Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze must take place during a small window of opportunity in the Antarctic summer months of January to March. This can mean tight schedules for everyone involved in the mission, from the ship’s crew, to the cargo handlers on the ice, to the mission schedulers in the United States. The Ocean Giant loads cargo in California before sailing to Antarctica. (U.S. Navy photo) February 2013 15042_February_LOG_X.indd 5 “It is obvious from this event that the crew was well-trained and highly proficient in the execution of their duties,” Buffington said. “Each crew member … gave full devotion to the task at hand. I am convinced that with the prevailing weather and sea conditions that this individual would not have been recovered from the waters had it not been for the valiant efforts of the captain and crew.” The crew’s heroics were also recognized by top Crowley officials. “On behalf of everyone at Crowley, I want to congratulate this brave crew for putting their training to good use to perform the vital measures needed to save this man’s life,” said Rob Grune, Crowley’s senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services. “These crew members are true heroes and deserve to be recognized for their actions.” Following the rescue, business returned to normal for the crew of the Achievement/650-8. It safely entered the bay to deliver a load of fuel in the Port of Tampa. Changes in Washington Could Have Impact On Maritime Industry, Labor Movement The appointment of pro-maritime Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) as chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee was the first of several Washington-based moves that could deeply affect the maritime industry and labor movement. Due to a combination of retirements, election losses and the deaths of some key maritime supporters, the industry is looking at a new slate of leaders in the 113th Congress. Senator Mikulski’s appointment was followed by news that Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (R-Calif.) would be the next chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the regulation of ocean shipping and the merchant marine. He replaces longtime maritime labor ally Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), who has moved to chair the Aviation Subcommittee. On the Democratic side, Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) is replacing Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) as the Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee. There were, however, some questions following those two key announcements. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis is leaving, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is reportedly staying, and the futures of other key maritime-related posts, like those in the Maritime Administration, remain unknown. The appointment of Mikulski – a strong supporter of working families and the maritime industry – was seen as a great start for the SIU and its allies. In a letter to Mikulski following her appointment, SIU President Michael Sacco said he was pleased to see a longtime friend of the SIU and labor take on such an important role. “I am extremely confident you will do an excellent job and on behalf of the Seafarers International Union, I look forward to working with you and the committee,” Sacco said. “We are longtime supporters of yours, just as you have been a longtime supporter of ‘the heroes in dungarees.’” The appropriations committee is respon- sible for funding government programs and departments – many of which have jurisdiction over the maritime industry. In a floor speech following her appointment, Mikulski said she would place national security, jobs and the country’s future at the top of her list of priorities. “When we look at how we are going to spend the money, we need to look not just at how we’re going to meet our national security needs but also the compelling human needs in this country,” she said. “We need to look at the public investments in our children, in our future and in how to promote our economy. And we need to do it on a bipartisan basis.” Hunter was also looking forward to getting to work. “I’m really looking forward to working with (incoming Transportation and Infrastructure Committee) Chairman (Bill) Shuster and other members of the committee as we address the nation’s infrastructure and transportation needs,” he said in a statement. “It’s an honor to have been selected for the subcommittee chairmanship and I am enthusiastic about serving alongside such a talented team of leaders committed to promoting economic growth, competitiveness and public safety.” It’s still too early to know what will happen to other key positions. In January, Solis announced her departure from the Labor Department, though, as of press time, the president had not announced her replacement. In a statement following the publication of Solis’ resignation, Obama said the future labor secretary would have big shoes to fill. “Over the last four years, Secretary Solis has been a critical member of my economic team as we have worked to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and strengthen the economy for the middle class,” he said. “Her efforts have helped train workers for the jobs of the future, protect workers’ health and safety and put millions of Americans back to work.” Seafarers LOG 5 1/25/2013 4:18:02 PM �A collection of donated toys sits in the Tacoma SIU hall waiting to be given to children. Seafarers Continue Tradition of Generosity Seafarers once again displayed their generosity during the holiday season in acts of giving throughout the country. From the SIU halls in Tacoma, Wash., and Ft. Lauderdale Fla., to the deck of the USNS Wheat, members donated time and money to ensure the holidays were a little brighter for the less fortunate. In Tacoma, Seafarers conducted their fifth holiday season toy drive (and enjoyed a related luncheon at the hall). This time, the members raised more than $5,200 for Santa’s Castle, a charity dedicated to helping the families of enlisted military personnel. A portion of that money was donated by the crew of the Alaska Tanker Company ship Alaskan Legend in memory of AB John Stewart, whose death was remembered by his shipmates. “This time of year is special for each of us. It’s our chance to give back and say ‘thank you,’” said SIU Tacoma Port Agent Joe Vincenzo. “Although we are fortunate enough in these most difficult of times to have goodpaying union jobs with benefits, we do not get involved or reach out to feel better about ourselves or our circumstances or to be more thankful for the things we have. We reach out because we are all in this together and in some sense, whether near or far, we realize this and want to do our part to make things better for everyone.” Vincenzo specifically recognized the efforts of AB Tawnia Stucker, who took it upon herself to raise funds aboard the Alaskan Legend for the project. “It is people like Tawnia who really make the difference,” he said. “There are no brownie points or gold stars or accolades of any sort awaiting her for her efforts. She gave in the true spirit of giving by volunteering some time and asking others to make a donation while making one herself.” Aside from giving money, Tacoma Seafarers also offered their time as shoppers for Santa’s Castle, picking out toys and presenting them to grateful parents. Vincenzo said it was impossible to not feel warmth from parents as they were given toys that would bring smiles to their children’s faces. “It was an eye-opener for me personally to see just how humble and grateful the parents are, both the enlisted (service members) and spouses of the enlisted service members,” he said. “They are truly remarkable people who, quite frankly, deserve so much more for their service.” Tacoma wasn’t the only place getting into the holiday spirit. Seafarers in Ft. Lauderdale spent their fourth year of giving back by helping Coast Guard families through the U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots program. Port Agent Kris Hopkins said they focused on Coast Guard families due to their close relationship with SIU mariners and the fact that many simply needed the help. “It was really quite amazing the stories I was hearing about families that were having a tough time this year,” Hopkins said. “It’s tough for a lot of families these days.” He added Seafarers were eager to help any way they could. Thanks to their generous donations, around 20 families had a brighter holiday season. Coast Guard Damage Control Chief Richard Moore said he and his colleagues were grateful to have the chance to work with the SIU members, adding the recipients of the toys were even more grateful. “We jumped at the opportunity to do it,” he said. “It was great to see the looks on the faces when we reached out to them with help.” Hopkins said that’s one of the reasons his members are so excited to give back each year. “The members are into the sense that, hey, somebody’s going to get something under the tree. A kid who was probably not going to get anything is now going to get something,” he said. “If you can put a smile on a child’s face it’s very fulfilling.” The generosity coming out of Tacoma and Ft. Lauderdale this year was joined by the Seafarers aboard the USNS Wheat, operated by Maersk Line, Limited. Capt. Michael Hasson said the officers and crew aboard the Wheat raised more than $4,000 to benefit the U.S. Marine Corp’s Wounded Warrior Regiment and the Injured Marine Semper Fi fund. Hasson praised the generosity shown by the officers and crew, specifically mentioning the devotion exhibited by SIU members in supporting the charities. The Wounded Warrior Regiment provides assistance to wounded and ill service members and their families as they return to duty or transition into civilian life. The Semper Fi Fund provides relief from service members’ financial needs arising from hospitalization and recovery following their service. “I am very proud of the SIU members aboard the USNS Wheat for their selfless do- nation to the Wounded Warriors (Regiment) and Semper Fi Fund,” Hasson said. “The USNS Wheat officers and crew all agree that as much as these American heroes have sacrificed, they deserve the best care and support available in their hour of need.” That giving spirit, Vincenzo said, is simply part of the DNA of Seafarers. From helping during disasters like 9/11 or Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, to giving back during the holidays, Vincenzo said Seafarers would continue to do what they could to help those in need. “We could wax philosophical and talk about our collective identity, but all we really have to do is point to our accomplishments over the years to see just what our mettle is and how it connects us to our economic, national and homeland security,” he said. SIU volunteers (photo above) including Chief Cook Tanya Bradley (foreground), SA Else David, Chief Cook Nasser Ahmed and Recertified Steward Abdul Hassan helped make the holiday gathering in Tacoma a success. In the photo below, Coast Guard Damage Control Chief Richard Moore (left), SA Mauricio Fernandez, Coast Guard MKC Walt Callenius, Port Agent Kris Hopkins and SA German Solar pose following their successful Florida toy drive. SIU Tacoma Port Agent Joe Vincenzo (right) addresses members and guests at the union hall. Also pictured are Santa’s Castle President Anita Vargo and secretary Lisa Bennett along with military personnel. 6 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 6 February 2013 1/24/2013 5:38:52 PM �ITF: Panama Should Assist Crew The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is calling on Panama to join in helping the recently released, multinational crew of the Iceberg 1 to recover from their hostage ordeal. The crew of the Panama-flagged vessel was held for nearly three years by Somali pirates – who subjected them to torture, starvation and mutilation – before being released in December. The 22 hostages, from seven nations (the chief officer is still missing and another mariner committed suicide during his captivity), were helped home by United Nations entities with support from, among others, Interpol, the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Program (MPHRP), the mariners’ respective consulates (two countries sent aircraft to pick up their nationals) and the ITF. According to the federation, the former hostages “are now in need of psychological help to address the trauma they were deliberately subjected to, and assistance with rebuilding their lives. Many have medical problems and are looking for help.” SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, who also serves as chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section, stated, “There is a good understanding across the shipping industry of just how much these seafarers and their families have suffered over the last three years, and it’s no surprise that some people in the industry have offered financial support. However, we’d particularly like the flag state, which in this case is Panama, to join them and us in sponsoring this relief effort.” He continued, “It is unfortunate that the flag state has not discharged its duty of care set out by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) to these seafarers during their captivity, even though they were serving on a vessel flying its flag. There is now an opportunity for it to contribute to their support and rehabilitation. “The cruel and barbaric treatment meted out to these mariners must serve as a constant reminder of why pirates have to be fought, pursued and prosecuted.” Twenty-two crew members were freed during gun battles in December: eight Yemenis, five Indians, four Ghanaians, two Pakistanis, two Sudanese and one Filipino. One seafarer, Wagdi Akdram, a Yemeni, was driven to suicide by his ordeal. The fate of the Indian chief officer, Dhiraj Tiwari, is unknown. He is known to have been tortured and separated from the other crew. Another hostage had his ears mutilated. All the crew were subjected to torture and starvation. The Iceberg 1 had been held since March 2010. The shipowner, Azal Shipping of Dubai, had left the vessel uninsured when it was captured. The company paid no wages throughout, either to the seafarers or their families. SHBP Sends Members Second Mailing Regarding Benefits, Coverage Documents As previously reported, Summary of Benefits and Coverage documents were mailed to all Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) participants in December. That mailing was handled by an outside vendor, and the address labels inadvertently included some personal information. Union and SHBP officials quickly took corrective actions to protect all plan participants. Last month, the Plan sent individual letters to SHBP participants letting them know how they may take steps to further safeguard their information (at no financial cost to individual Seafarers). At press time, SHBP and the SIU officials were unaware of any misuse of the information printed on the labels for the December mailing of the Summary of Benefits and Coverage documents. Questions about this issue may be directed to the SHBP at (800) 252-4674. National Food Drive Set for May 11 The National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is scheduled for May 11 (a Saturday). The NALC works in partnership with the AFL-CIO Community Services network, United Way Worldwide, and the nation’s food bank network to bring food to the pantries of those in need. In order to participate, citizens simply need to place boxes or cans of non-perishable food next to their respective mailboxes before the letter carriers deliver mail May 11. The carriers will do the rest. The food is taken to a postal station, sorted and delivered by The MV Iceberg 1 is pictured off the Puntland, Somalia, coast following the rescue. IMO guidelines for flag states recommend that “a state’s counter-piracy policy should contain measures regarding the eventuality that a ship entitled to fly its flag is captured, News Briefs union volunteers to area food banks or pantries for needy families to access. According to the AFL-CIO, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the nation’s largest one-day food drive. Last year, nearly 71 million pounds of non-perishable food items were collected, making it the ninth straight year that collections topped the 70-million-pound mark. Altogether, nearly 1.2 billion pounds of food have been collected and donated since the national drive began in 1993. For more information, visit the NALC website at www. nalc.org/commun/foodrive/ Financial Help Offered to Retired Mariners The Trustees of the Sailors’ Snug Harbor (SSH) are looking to help retired mariners who are in need of financial assistance. Formed in 1806, the non-profit organization has assisted former SIU and NMU members over the years, and is currently accepting applications from potential new recipients. That support is being offered to career mariners who meet the following requirements: n Have 3,650 days of deep sea time proven through discharge papers, with at least 50 percent of that time taking place on U.S.-flag ships. n Be 65 years of age or older. n Demonstrate a proven need for financial assistance. n Not have assets exceeding $50,000 (primary residence excluded.) All public benefits available to an eligible mariner must be accessed before any aid from SSH is approved. Examples include Medicare and VA benefits. and to ensure that, as far as possible, the humanitarian needs of the crew and families are addressed during the period of captivity and after release….” Each interested mariner must complete an application that requires detailed information about present living arrangements and financial history. Questions and application requests are being fielded by the SSH mariner counselor at 1-888-257-5456. The application, along with additional information, can also be found online at www.thesailorssnugharbor.com. MM&P Announces Election Results The International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots announced its election results following the earlier decision of longtime MM&P President Tim Brown to, in his words, “allow others, with new ideas, to lead this great organization going forward.” Brown declined his nomination at the MM&P convention last year. Subsequently, Don Marcus, who had been the union’s secretary-treasurer, was elected president and took office Jan. 1. Also elected or re-elected were Secretary-Treasurer Steve Werse, Atlantic Ports Offshore Vice President Don Josberger, Pacific Ports Vice President Dave Boatner, Gulf Ports Vice President Wayne Farthing, United Inland Group Vice President Mike Murray, Pilots Group Vice President George Quick and Federal Employees Membership Group Vice President Randall Rockwood. “All these men have long and distinguished records of service to MM&P,” said Brown, the outgoing president. “They have the experience, the foresight and the drive to navigate our ship going forward.” In his farewell column in the union’s magazine, Brown said he “heartily” endorsed his successor. Remembering Retiree Duracher Seafarers and officers gathered last September aboard Liberty Maritime’s Liberty Eagle to memorialize the late SIU retiree Harry Duracher. Some of the mariners are pictured in the group photo above, while the vessel master is at the left. Brother Duracher sailed with the SIU from the mid-1950s through 1989. The Louisiana resident was a deck department member and passed away at age 73. February 2013 15042_February_LOG.indd 7 Seafarers LOG 7 1/24/2013 5:38:54 PM �Mariner Snapshots from Around the Halls OAKLAND – Clockwise beginning with photo above, Recertified Bosun Stephen Garay (second from left) picks up his first pension check and receives kudos from (from left) Diana Marrone, administrative assistant, SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona and Patrolman Nick Marrone II. Deck-department Seafarer Remy Pao receives his full B-seniority book and takes the oath, administered by Asst. VP Celona. OMU Edwin Simene (left) gets his A-book from Patrolman Marrone. Chief Cook Antedio Liquid (right) receives his A-book from the patrolman. Chief Storekeeper Reynante Soriano (left) picks up his B-book. JACKSONVILLE – VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey (left) gives the oath and a B-book to GUDE Ranada Littles. Asst. VP Archie Ware is in the background. WILMINGTON – QMED/Electrician Martin Hamilton (right) gets his A-book from Port Agent Jeff Turkus. PINEY POINT – OS Kevin Blackman (left) poses with Port Agent Pat Vandegrift after acquiring his full B-book. HOUSTON – Asst. VP Jim McGee (left) administers the union oath and presents an A-book to Pumpman Marcos Clotter. Port Agent Mike Russo is in the background. 8 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 8 MOBILE – After 37 years of service, Third Asst. Engineer Floyd E. Sanderson (left) comes ashore and picks up his first retirement check, from Port Agent Jimmy White. February 2013 1/24/2013 5:38:59 PM �Seafarers Celebrate Holidays At Sea, Around the Ports Seafarers in November and December gathered aboard ships at sea and at ports around the country to welcome in the winter holiday season. In addition to sharing fellowship with their brothers and sisters, rank-and-file members at these locations also partook in a smorgasbord of traditional holiday fare. Retirees, family members and other guests also par- ticipated in the festivities at the halls. Not to be left out, union officials made appearances at some of the events. Photos from some of these gatherings appear on the next three pages. APL Thailand Recertified Steward Joel Molinos (right) and Asst. Cook Bernie Igot stand behind some of their handiwork and that of Chief Cook Tammy Bingisser. Recertified Steward Joel Molinos provided these photos from Thanksgiving at sea on the APL Thailand. “We want to say happy holidays to all our SIU brothers and sisters, from the bottom of our hearts,” he noted. Molinos added that ev- eryone seemed to enjoy the elaborate menu as the ship sailed “in the middle of the Pacific.” He teamed up with Chief Cook Tammy Bingisser and Asst. Cook Bernie Igot to deliver the holiday feast. Mariners begin gathering for a meal aboard the APL Thailand. Recertified Steward Joel Molinos APL Thailand Ocean Atlas Midnight Sun Ocean Atlas vessel master Capt. Scott A. Lund wrote of the vessel’s Christmas at sea, “We purchased a Christmas tree, lights, ornaments, special holiday foods, gifts for the crew and security team from the ship’s fund and the generosity of the Beaumont, Texas, seamen’s center.” He added that everyone pictured is a current or former SIU member. The ship is managed by Crowley for Intermarine. Back row, from left: 1AE Gary Gilbert, GUDE Rodney Davis, Capt. Scott A. Lund, AB Wadeea Alnasafi, (front, from left) 3AE Christopher Irwin, 3rd Mate Frank Guido, AB Nicolas Byers, Bosun Nicholas Smithling. Chief Steward Lloyd Ingram, Capt. Scott A. Lund, ACU Marshall Daguio February 2013 15042_February_LOG_X.indd 9 Chief Cook Sal Ahmed (left) said he and the rest of the galley gang on the TOTE-operated Midnight Sun helped fellow crew members celebrate Christmas and New Year’s at sea by providing scrumptious menus. Ahmed said the crew and officers expressed their appreciation; he also credited UA Chase Smith (second from left) for doing “a great job” and learning the tricks of the trade very quickly. Also pictured are Chief Steward Eric Manley (third from left) and SA Eugenio Cabral. Chief Steward Eric Manley (photo at left) and Apprentice Chase Smith (above) man two of their many “galley battle stations” aboard the Midnight Sun during the recent Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. Seafarers LOG 9 1/25/2013 4:18:08 PM �Port of Wilmington The union hall in Wilmington, Calif., welcomed a strong turnout for its Dec. 19 festivities. GUDE Karen Suzuki, Retiree Leonard Viles Among those pictured are members Harry Agatep, Dominador Guerrero, Andy Campollo and Diosdado Abugotal. Sealand Comet Chief Cook Reynaldo Ricarte, Capt. Denny Dennison, SA Saleh Mussa, Chief Steward Cleto Lindong Chief Steward Cleto Lindong, Bosun Khaled Munassar, Chief Cook Reynaldo Ricarte Port of Baltimore A good mix of SIU members, retirees and officials got together in Baltimore in early December to celebrate the holiday season. Some of the attendees are pictured in the photo at left including SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, SIU Plan Administrator Maggie Bowen and SIU VP Contracts George Tricker who are situated second, third and fifth from the right respectively. Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown is seventh from the left. 10 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 10 February 2013 1/24/2013 5:39:10 PM �Port of Norfolk Maersk Line Limited Port Captain Jeff Londonsky and SIU VP Kermett Mangram SB Robert Greenwood and wife SA Lance Spain and mother, Cassie. Future Seafarer Martin Baker Jr. Robert Lambourne of Maersk Line Limited Crewing and Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny Wiper Ryan Cason and ABG Rosalind Sparrow, his mother. Chief Cook Avis Hawkins, Chief Cook Helen Mitchell and SA Deborah Artis ABG Chris Hunning, SA George Olegario and Chief Cook Elizabeth Ibanez GUDE Tyree Delk, SA Arcia Shaw, ABT Cedric Linzy and guest Recertified Steward Adele George and ABG Jonathan Davis Retirees Melvin Hite, Ethel Brooks and Mack Young SB James Sivells, Retired OMU John Cooper and ABG Ben- ABB Martin Baker and son, Martin nie Spencer Jr. SA Cieara Rogers Retired QMED Mamoun Mann and Bosun James Burke February 2013 15042_February_LOG_X.indd 11 3rd AENG Antuan Barnes, a hawespiper ABG Gary White QEE Kevin Quinlan Seafarers LOG 11 1/25/2013 4:18:16 PM �What’s New For 2013 Following are some of the changes that will take effect in 2012 and 2013, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2011. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 15, 2013. Exemptions - The personal exemption and the dependency exemption increased to $3,800 for 2012. For tax year 2012, there is still no phase-out of the exemption. You will not lose part of your deduction for personal exemptions and itemized deductions, regardless of the amount of your adjusted gross income (AGI). For tax year 2013, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $250,000 for single individuals, $275,000 for heads of household, $300,000 for married filling joint, and $150,000 for married filing separately. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return increased to $11,900 for 2012. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns is $5,950 for 2012. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $8,700 for 2012. You can use the 2012 Standard Deduction Worksheet in chapter 20, Publication 17 to figure your standard deduction. Itemized Deductions - Overall income limits for itemized deductions do not apply in 2012. Before 2010, taxpayers whose incomes were above certain levels lost part of their itemized deductions. For taxpayers at all income levels, limitations continue to apply to particular itemized deductions, such as medical and dental expenses, certain miscellaneous itemized deductions and casualty and theft losses. For tax year 2013, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $250,000 for single individuals, $275,000 for heads of household, $300,000 for married filling joint, and $150,000 for married filing separately. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - For 2013, the threshold for the itemized deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses has increased to 10% of adjusted gross income for regular income tax purposes. In years 2013 - 2016, if either the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse has turned 65 before the end of the tax year, the threshold remains at 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Self-employed health insurance deduction - Effective March 30, 2010, if you were self-employed and paid for health insurance, you may be also able to include in your self-employed health insurance deduction any premiums you paid to cover your child who was under age 27 at the end of 2012, even if the child was not your dependent. However, for 2012 self-employed individuals can no longer deduct the cost of their health insurance premiums when calculating net earnings from self-employment for purposes of self-employment taxes. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2012: n Credit of $5,891 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $45,060 ($50,270 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,236 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $41,952 ($47,162 if married filing jointly), n Credit of $3,169 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $36,920 ($42,130 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $475 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $13,980 ($19,190 if married filing jointly). The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $3,200 in 2012. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2012 is $110,100. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. New for 2013, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses, $125,000 for married filing separately and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to self-employed workers. Also for 2013, the reduction of Social Security tax of 2% will expire on December 31, 2012 and the old rate of 6.2% will be reinstated. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the self-employment tax was reduced from 12.4% to 10.4% through the end of 2012. The Medicare portion of the SE tax remains at 2.9%. As a result, the SE tax rate was reduced from 15.3% to 13.3%. For 2011 and 2012, the SE tax deduction is revised to reflect an employer’s equivalent portion of tax. Previously, the deduction was equal to one-half of self-employment tax. The reduction of 2% will expire on December 31, 2012 and the old rates will be reinstated. Capital Gains and Losses - Continuing from 2011 you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2012, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate - The 0% and 15% maximum tax rates on qualified dividends and net capital gains will remain in effect through December 31, 2012. Starting 2013, the tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends will increase to 20% for income that exceeds the threshold amount of: $450,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses $425,000 for head of household $225,000 for married filing separately $400,000 for single. Also beginning in 2013, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax. Medicare Tax on Investment Income - New for 2013, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses $125,000 for married filing separately $200,000 for all others. 12 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 12 Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit is $12,650 per child, down from $13,360 in 2011 with adjusted gross income phase out of $189,710. For 2012, the credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2012 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. For 2013, the projected amount of credit will be $12,770. Child Tax Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the enhanced child tax credit of $1,000 maximum credit per child for five additional years. This $1,000 credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2017. For the 2012 tax year the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: n $55,000 for married couples filing separately, n $75,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $110,000 for married couples filing jointly In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). Child and Dependent Care Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the credit of $600 for the cost to care for one child under age 13 or up to $1,200 for two or more so the parents can either go to work or be in process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2012, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to $1,000 of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $80,000 to $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $160,000 to $180,000 for Married Filing Joint The American Opportunity Tax Credit is extended under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 through the end of 2017. Lifetime Learning Credit - For tax year 2012, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if you Modified AGI exceeds $52,000 ($104,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $62,000 ($124,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately.” There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Tuition and Fees Deductions - This deduction was extended under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. For tax year 2012, you may be able to deduct up to $4,000 for taxpayers with AGI of $65,000 or less ($130,000 for joint filers) and $2,000 for taxpayers with AGI above $65,000 but less than or equal to $80,000 ($130,000 and $160,000, respectively, for joint filers) for qualified educational expenses paid for yourself, spouse or dependent even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A. Taxpayers cannot claim tuition and fees tax deductions in the same year they claim American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit. Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, room and board, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. Educator Expenses - The deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and, supplementary materials used in the classroom has been extended under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 through December 31, 2017. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction - The election to deduct state and local general sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes as an itemized deduction has been extended under the The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. Under the new tax act, this deduction will be available for years 2012 and 2013. Individual Retirement Accounts: Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free, provided they are used to Continued on Page 14 Tax Tips For Members HOW TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099. n Itemized deductions and tax credits. n Medical and dental payment records. n Real estate and personal property tax receipts. n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan. n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work. Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www. irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-8729829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit web sites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 74b, 74c and 74d on their Form 1040. Line 74b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 74c indicates the type of account, and line 74d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about three weeks, or in two weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare their own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and directly submit the forms electronically. Free electronic filing is no longer subject to any income limitations. For more information, visit the IRS website at: www.irs.gov. What Are Considered Deductions And Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption— for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents is $3,800 per person. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, increased for married couples filing jointly in 2012 to $11,900. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns is now $5,950. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $8,700 for 2012 (see box on this page). Personal Interest Deductions: For 2012, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: In most cases you can deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. The self-employed may deduct union dues as a business expense. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but Other Tax Information Standard Deduction This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,150 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,450 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,800. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single and Married filing separate..................................................$ 5,950 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children..................................................................................................$11,900 Head of household.......................................................................................$ 8,700 February 2013 1/24/2013 5:39:18 PM use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of workrelated clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate for 2012 is 55.5 cents. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operatingrelated costs for the vehicle, including insurance, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: n Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and n Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $59 a day ($65 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through December 31, 2012. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. February 2013 15042_February_LOG.indd 13 Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually three years from the date the return was due or filed, or two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about six years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2012, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages. n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy. n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid. n Canceled debts. n State income tax refunds. n Rents. n Repayments. n Royalties. n Unemployment benefits. n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. n Endowments. n Original Issue Discount. n Distributions from self-employed plans. n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services). n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. n Lump-sum distributions. n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains). n Accumulation distributions from trusts. n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). n Earned income from sources outside the United States. n Director’s fees. n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. n Embezzled or other illegal income. Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs. n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs. n Maintenance and Cure. n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness. n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration. n Child support. n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed. n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance. n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death. n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home. n Certain amounts received as a scholarship. Filing An Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic six-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2013, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a six-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where Is My Refund? If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be with- Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; and Tokyo, Japan. held pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one state” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-8294477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system number. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s Internet website at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications online by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 1/24/2013 5:39:19 PM �Assorted Changes Greet Filers During 2012 Tax Season Continued from Page 12 pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. Traditional IRAs - For 2012, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $5,000 (increased to $6,000 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2012) or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2012 is $58,000-$68,000 for single, head of household, $92,000-$112,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $5,000 (increased to $6,000 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2012) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $110,000 and $125,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $173,000 and $183,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Roth IRA Conversions - If you converted part or all of an IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010 and did not elect to report the taxable amount on your 2010 return you generally must report half of it on your 2011 return and the rest on your 2012 return. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - This provision, now available through the end of 2013, offers older owners of individual retirement accounts (IRAs) a different way to give to charity. A 2012 contribution can be made through January 31, 2013 and does not need to be made from an IRA trustee. An IRA owner age 70½ or over can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeduct- April 15 Marks Official Deadline for 2013 SHPB Scholarship Applications The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) is offering scholarship opportunities to Seafarers and dependents who are interested in furthering their education but need financial assistance. The SHBP each year offers scholarships to qualified Seafarers and dependents who are hoping to continue their education. Designed to ease the financial challenges associated with college and vocational studies, the 2013 SHBP Scholarship Program will offer eight awards totaling $132,000. Three scholarships will be designated for Seafarers and five will be targeted for spouses and dependents. One of the endowments reserved for Seafarers totals $20,000 and is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, college-level course of study. The remaining two are in the amount of $6,000 each and are designed as two-year awards for study at a postsecondary vocational school or community college. Each 14 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 14 ible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2012, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. Divorced or Separated Parents - A custodial parent who revoked their previous release of a claim to a child’s exemption must include a copy of the revocation with their return. Repayment of First-time Homebuyer Credit - If you have to repay the credit, you may be able to do so without attaching Form 5405. Mortgage Insurance Premiums - Mortgage insurance premiums for qualified mortgage insurance on debt to acquire, construct, or improve a first or second residence can potentially be treated as deductible qualified residence interest. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends this provision through December 31, 2013. The provision originally expired after 2011. If your AGI exceeds $100,000 ($50,000 if married filing separate) your deduction may be reduced or eliminated. Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit This credit is available for eligible property placed in service in 2012. The credit has a lifetime limit of $500, of which only $200 may be used for windows. This credit still consists of qualified energy efficiency improvements and residential energy property costs. Subject to the lifetime limits, only 10% of qualified energy efficiency improvements are allowed. Subject to the lifetime limits, the residential energy property costs are limited to $ 300 for energy-efficient building property, $150 for any qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, and $50 for any advanced main air circulating fan. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – This credit remains unchanged from 2011 and equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit.  Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available except in the case of fuel cell property, which is $500 for each one half kilowatt of capacity. Eligible homeowners can claim both Energy Property and Energy Efficient Property Credit when they file their 2012 federal income tax return. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rates for 2012 remained at 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven and were reduced to 23.0 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. For 2013, the rates have increased to 56.5 cents per mile for business miles driven and 24.0 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. Deduction for corrosive drywall - You may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction for amounts you paid to repair damage to your home and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall installed in homes between 2001 and 2009. The deduction is limited if you have a pending claim for reimbursement (or intend to pursue reimbursement) through property insurance, litigation, or other means. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss - This loss remains unchanged from 2011. The loss is limited to the excess of the loss over $100. The 10% of AGI limit still applies. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - For tax year 2012, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $95,100. This amount is up $2,200 from tax year 2011. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – AMT exemptions have been permanently extended and indexed for inflation. Exemption amounts help prevent some middle income earners from being subject to the AMT, and help keep any AMT adjustments less than they otherwise might have been. For tax year 2012, the alternative minimum tax exemption increases to the following levels: n $78,750 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers, up from $74,450 in 2011. n $39,375 for married persons filing separately, up from $37,225. n $50,600 for singles and heads of household, up from $48,450. The act further helps individual taxpayers facing potential AMT by allowing individuals to offset their regular and AMT liability with nonrefundable personal tax credits for the year. Tax Rates for 2013 - President Bush Era “tax rates” are made permanent with a new 39.6% bracket (for single individuals at $400,000, head of household at $425,000, married filing jointly at $450,000 and married filing separately at $225,000). Trusts and estates will hit the 39.6% bracket at $11,950. The rate for capital gains and dividends will be 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $400,000 for single individuals n $425,000 for heads of household n $450,000 for married filing joint. Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence - Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However the 2010 Tax Relief Act excludes from income cancellation of debt on a principal residence of up to $2 million. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the provision through 2013. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child - To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 of the five scholarships for spouses and dependents is for $20,000. Now is an ideal time to begin the application process. The first step is to send for the 2012 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet. The package contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. To obtain a copy of this handout, simply fill out the form provided at the right and mail it to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. All requests should include the requesting individual’s name, Social Security number (Seafarer sponsor’s Social Security number if a dependent), a complete mailing address including zip code and a telephone number. Requestors shoud indicate whether the booklet is for themselves or their dependents. The booklets also are availabe at SIU hiring halls. Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility criteria to determine if they are eligible to participate. They should also begin collecting and assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit with the full application, which must be received by April 15, 2013. A scholarship selection committee, consisting of a panel of professional educators, will examine the high school grades of all applicants as well as evaluate scores from their Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and American College Tests (ACT). Accordingly, arrangements should be made by applicants who have not done so to take these tests no later than this month. Doing at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agency and which mention their tax refund.  These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS refund application form. However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited e-mail claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs. gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-8294059. so will virtually assure that the results reach the evaluation committee in time for review. Seafarers and dependents who previously applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements. Please send me the 2013 SHBP Scholarship Program Booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name..................................................................................................................................... Street Address...................................................................................................................... City, State, Zip Code........................................................................................................... Telephone Number ( ) .................................................................................................. This application is for: Mail this completed form to: o Self o Dependent Scholarship Program Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 February 2013 1/24/2013 5:39:20 PM �3 NMC Announces Updated Mariner Credential Forms The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center issued the following communication on Jan. 18. To access the bulletin on the NMC website (in PDF format), go to: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/ announcements/pdfs/form_approval_01_17_13.pdf Updated Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP) Forms On Jan. 4, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget approved the new version of the Coast Guard forms used to apply for a Merchant Mariner Credential: n 719B Application n 719K Medical Evaluation n 719KE Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings n 719S Small Vessel Sea Service n 719P Periodic Drug Testing The data collected on the updated forms is nearly identical to the previous series of forms; however, several of these forms have undergone significant format revisions. The new expiration date of these forms is Jan. 31, 2016. Implementation of these forms will commence on or about Jan. 28, 2013. The Coast Guard will not stock the updated CG719 series forms in paper format. These forms will be available electronically in a PDF fill-able format at the National Maritime Center’s websitehttp://www.uscg.mil/nmc/. The Coast Guard has authorized a transition period that will provide mariners the flexibility to apply for a credential using the old and/or new forms as everyone adapts to the new formats. The table below outlines the implementation policy for the new versions of the forms. Form -- Implementation Policy CG-719B -- Applications dated after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form. CG-719K -- Physicals signed by a physician after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form. CG-719KE -- Physicals signed by a physician after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form. CG-719P -- Drug tests collected and submitted after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form. CG-719S -- Small Vessel Sea Service commenced after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form. Mariners and other providers should contact the Customer Service Center at IASKNMC@uscg.mil or 888-IASKNMC (888427-5662) with any questions or feedback regarding new forms. March & April 2013 Membership Meetings Piney Point.............................................Monday: March 4, April 8 Algonac...................................................Friday: March 8, April 12 Baltimore............................................Thursday: March 7, April 11 Guam...............................................Thursday: March 21, April 25 Honolulu...............................................Friday: March 15, April 19 Houston...............................................Monday: March 11, April 15 Jacksonville.......................................Thursday: March 7, April 11 Joliet................................................Thursday: March 14, April 18 Mobile..........................................Wednesday: March 13, April 17 New Orleans...........................................Tuesday: March 12, April 16 New York.......................................Tuesday: March 5, April 9 Norfolk...............................................Thursday: March 7, April 11 Oakland...........................................Thursday: March 14, April 18 Philadelphia...................................Wednesday: March 6, April 10 Port Everglades................................Thursday: March 14, April 18 San Juan..............................................Thursday: March 7, April 11 St. Louis.................................................Friday: March 15, April 19 Tacoma..................................................Friday: March 22, April 26 Wilmington..............................................Monday: March 18, April 22 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Attention Seafarers: Contribute To The Seafarers Political Activities Donation SPAD February 2013 15042_February_LOG.indd 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea December 16, 2012 - January 15, 2013 Port Total Registered All Groups A B C Total Shipped All Groups Trip A B C Reliefs Registered on Beach All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Deck Department 20 11 1 4 3 1 2 30 15 13 3 0 3 1 0 1 0 4 3 3 9 4 3 5 6 0 2 9 5 3 16 17 9 7 7 0 3 32 26 10 4 3 0 2 4 0 0 5 6 1 10 2 2 15 1 3 5 13 7 1 57 17 1 34 10 1 17 94 23 5 29 17 1 26 21 1 15 59 30 1 8 4 1 0 0 0 0 8 11 2 15 4 1 1 1 0 1 27 6 2 13 3 0 10 4 0 4 25 4 3 49 17 3 29 12 0 12 92 22 10 18 16 4 10 10 1 8 33 38 9 20 5 2 13 5 1 8 40 13 2 9 5 1 5 4 0 4 7 5 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 0 11 9 1 2 1 1 1 19 16 2 55 17 1 35 13 1 26 80 27 6 7 4 0 3 2 0 0 10 4 2 49 22 3 19 14 1 16 83 37 2 402 181 37 222 118 12 124 671 304 67 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Engine Department 2 4 0 0 1 0 0 5 8 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 2 4 2 5 5 3 2 4 1 1 5 8 3 8 4 1 1 5 1 3 17 8 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 5 5 0 7 3 0 2 18 4 3 25 6 3 13 3 0 3 28 17 3 35 28 3 16 18 1 10 47 32 5 4 3 0 4 2 0 1 4 6 0 7 3 0 2 1 0 1 13 6 1 5 3 0 2 3 0 2 10 2 0 19 13 3 12 3 2 3 26 18 3 14 14 0 8 8 1 9 28 31 7 11 4 2 7 3 0 3 18 12 3 3 5 1 1 3 0 2 6 5 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 2 6 0 2 2 0 0 6 9 0 18 10 1 11 8 0 5 29 16 2 0 2 3 1 0 0 0 3 4 3 12 12 2 4 11 1 5 21 30 4 180 129 24 94 81 7 51 291 220 43 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Steward Department 3 4 1 1 0 0 0 4 5 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 0 3 3 0 2 4 3 0 9 1 4 7 2 0 3 18 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2 0 12 1 0 10 3 0 4 26 2 0 19 10 1 14 4 0 7 28 12 1 15 13 0 11 7 0 7 30 13 1 1 3 1 0 1 0 0 2 3 1 6 4 2 2 2 3 2 11 2 1 9 1 0 6 0 1 3 11 2 0 14 7 0 8 1 0 8 30 14 0 8 12 3 5 4 2 2 20 17 3 11 3 4 15 1 1 6 21 5 3 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 0 0 3 3 0 1 1 0 0 7 3 0 4 2 0 2 2 0 0 4 3 1 17 5 1 19 4 1 8 31 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 4 0 27 4 0 16 1 0 6 51 5 1 169 75 17 123 38 8 59 310 102 17 Entry Department Algonac 3 15 9 1 1 3 2 3 17 17 Anchorage 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 Baltimore 1 1 4 1 2 1 2 0 1 3 Fort Lauderdale 1 6 2 1 4 0 0 1 11 8 Guam 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 1 Honolulu 4 3 7 2 5 4 1 7 10 21 Houston 3 9 2 2 6 0 2 4 21 6 Jacksonville 1 12 12 1 7 2 0 2 21 20 Joliet 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 Mobile 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 5 2 New Orleans 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 3 3 5 New York 9 27 17 5 14 4 1 16 49 28 Norfolk 1 17 13 1 6 5 0 1 32 53 Oakland 3 6 7 1 10 3 1 7 21 15 Philadelphia 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 Piney Point 0 2 3 0 0 1 1 0 2 3 Puerto Rico 3 3 1 0 0 1 0 4 2 1 Tacoma 7 9 1 5 11 1 3 8 16 6 St. Louis 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Wilmington 5 14 6 3 9 5 5 8 33 29 TOTALS 42 131 92 26 82 31 19 65 253 227 GRAND TOTAL: 793 516 170 465 319 58 253 1,337 879 354 Seafarers LOG 15 1/24/2013 5:39:21 PM �Inquiring Seafarer Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 Editor’s note:This month’s question was answered by SIU members in Piney Point, Md. Question: What was your first experience at sea like? Richard Torres Chief Cook I’ll never forget it. I got sick, I turned green. I think I was Satchel Caffy AB When we headed out they put on the movie “The Perfect Storm” for me and we ended up going through a huge storm. I was scared and I was sick for a week. It was even worse than they told me it would be. I wanted to swim back to the shore. Now, though, it’s easy. 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 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 popping Dramamine like Tic Tacs. I wasn’t feeling nauseous, so I tried not to feel nauseous. You’re just sitting there watching the horizon disappear through the port holes. But I love it and that’s Ekedra Turner Chief Cook I was in Japan and there were a lot of familiar faces from the program who I knew, past the sea buoy it was all over – I got sick. I went to my room and tried to take care of myself. But I’ve enjoyed the work and I’ve liked it ever since, for 23 years. If you believe you can overcome it, you can. ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 forward to shipping out again. why I’m still here. David Simon Chief Cook I was in the Navy in Israel, so I had some experience. It was a good thing to know when you’re coming into the program. I didn’t really feel it (seasickness) too much. For me, it was more psychological. Bryan Mash Steward It was awesome, unbelievable. I was in Korea on an MSC ship so we were hauling a lot of weapons. I was thinking about all the fun I was having. I didn’t get sick – I had fished all my life and I was used to the water. I love it and I’m looking so that was a good thing. But it was a nauseous experience. I got sick, and they say once you get seasick you wish you were dead. I’m fine now, as long as I have my seasickness pills with me. Adele Messina Chief Cook My first time, it was very hard. I got very sick. But after a while you get used to it. It was just about getting used to the ship and being at sea. Walter Wise Chief Cook It was kind of scary for me. We were hauling natural gas so if lightning hits, you’re a goner. Once we got Pic-From-The-Past NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 Aboard the LNG Aries in late 1977 or early 1978 are (from left) Chief Steward Guy De Baere, Steward Utility J. Delaney, Cook & Baker Robert Adam and John J. Goodnough, purchasing manager for the vessel’s operator (Energy Transportation). The Aries was the second American-built, American-crewed tanker in the U.S. merchant fleet. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 16 February 2013 1/24/2013 5:39:26 PM �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA JERRY DEVOE Brother Jerry Devoe, 67, joined the SIU in 2001 as the NMU merged into the Seafarers International Union. The deck department member’s most recent trip was aboard the Ocean Charger. Brother Devoe attended classes in 2001 at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. He resides in his native Charleston, S.C. DOUGLAS HESTER Brother Douglas Hester, 66, signed on with the Seafarers in 1966. As a member of deck department, Brother Hester upgraded on two occasions at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. He initially worked on the Elizabeth. Brother Hester’s most recent trip was aboard the Santa Mercedes. He calls Vallejo, Calif., home. ALI HUSSEIN Brother Ali Hussein, 66, donned the SIU colors in 1989. His first voyage was aboard the Independence; his most recent was on the Consumer. Brother Hussein was a member of the deck department. He was born in Yemen but made his home in Coldwater, Mich. LAWRENCE KUNC Brother Lawrence Kunc, 60, joined the SIU ranks in 1971. His earliest trip was on the Sea Maine. Brother Kunc was born in Houston and sailed in the deck department. He enhanced his skills often at the Piney Point school. Brother Kunc was last employed aboard the Horizon Tiger. He settled in Sperry, Okla. JOSE MAGLALANG Brother Jose Maglalang, 66, became a union member in 1980 while in the port of Seattle. He first worked on the Sealand Commerce as a steward department member. Brother Maglalang took advantage of educational opportunities at the Piney Point school. His final vessel was the Overseas Anacortes. Brother Maglalang makes his home in Washington State. EDUARDO MORRE Brother Eduardo Morre, 67, began his SIU career in 1989. He initially shipped aboard the Independence. Brother Morre was born in Cebu, Philippines, and sailed in the deck department. In 2002 and 2004, he attended classes at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Morre most recently sailed on the Green Point. He calls Kapolei, Hawaii, home. February 2013 15042_February_LOG.indd 17 ZAID MUTHALA Brother Zaid Muthala, 56, joined the SIU in 2001 as the NMU merged into the Seafarers International Union. His most recent trip was aboard the Alaskan Explorer. Brother Muthala, a member of the deck department, upgraded 2002 at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. He lives in Anaheim, Calif. MOHAMED NAGI Brother Mohamed Nagi, 69, joined the union in 1970. He originally sailed aboard the Halcyon Tiger as a member of the engine department. Brother Nagi last shipped on the Adventurer. He resides in Brooklyn, N.Y. SYLVIA NIEMI Sister Sylvia Niemi, 71, signed on with the SIU in 1990. She first sailed aboard the 1st. Lt. Jack Lummus. Sister Niemi enhanced her skills on three occasions at the Piney Point school. The Alaska native sailed as a member of the steward department. Sister Niemi last shipped on the 2nd Lt. John Paul Bobo. She lives in Seattle. member originally sailed on the Manhattan. Brother Ropp’s most recent vessel was the American Tern. He was born in the Philippines, and lives in Modesto, Calif. NICANOR SERENO Brother Nicanor Sereno, 71, started shipping with the union in 2000. He first sailed on the Independence. Brother Sereno worked in the steward department and upgraded often. He was born in Manila, Philippines, and most recently sailed aboard the Pacific Collector. Brother Sereno is a resident of Waipahu, Hawaii. Brother Emanuel Washington, 71, joined the SIU in 2001 as the NMU merged into the Seafarers International Union. The engine department member’s most recent trip was aboard the USNS Bowditch. Brother Washington attended classes in 2001 and 2003 at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. He was born in New Orleans and now lives in Oakland, Calif. JAMES FERGUSON Brother James Ferguson, 67, HENRY PRYCE Brother Henry Pryce, 65, signed on with the union in 2002 while in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Jamaica native primarily worked with GFC Crane Consultants Inc. Brother Pryce resides in Lauderhill, Fla. JOHN ROPP Brother John Ropp, 83, became an SIU member in 1978 while in San Francisco. The engine department Brother Henry Fromal, 67, was born in Pennsylvania. He became a Seafarer in 1975, originally shipping with Mariner Towing. Brother Fromal took advantage of educational opportunities at the Piney Point school. He sailed as a member of the engine department. Brother Fromal most recently worked aboard the American Marine Corporation vessel. He settled in Spring Hill, Fla. Brother Donnie Hennie, 62, signed on with the SIU in 1980. He primarily sailed in the deck department of vessels operated by Dravo Basic Materials Company. Brother Hennie resides in McKinney, Texas. JOE JOHNSON Brother Joe Johnson, 63, became a union member in 1986 while in Norfolk, Va. A native of North Carolina, Brother Johnson enhanced his seafaring abilities at the maritime training center in Piney Point. The engine department member mainly sailed with Allied Transportation Company. Brother Johnson makes his home in Norfolk. WILLIAM MEUSER Brother William Meuser, 62, began sailing with the SIU in 1977. He initially sailed with Crowley Puerto Rico Services. Brother Meuser worked in the engine department. He was last employed on a Crowley Towing & Transportation vessel. Brother Meuser is a resident of St. Augustine, Fla. GUY PRUITT Brother Guy Pruitt, 62, joined the union in 1979. His earliest trip to sea was on a Steuart Transportation Company vessel. Brother Pruitt upgraded frequently at the Paul Hall Center. He was born in Virginia. Brother Pruitt’s most recent trip was with Express Marine Inc. He now calls Onancock, Va., home. LAWRENCE ROWE Brother Lawrence Rowe, 66, was born in Virginia. He started shipping with the SIU in 1973. Brother Rowe worked with Interstate Oil Transport Company for the duration of his career. He lives in Kilmarnock, Va. EDWARD WHITFIELD Brother Edward Whitfield, 71, signed on with the union in 1997 while in the port of New York. He attended classes on two occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Whitfield primarily sailed on Penn Maritime Inc. vessels. He calls Hobucken, N.C., home. This Month In SIU History REBECCA POULIOT Sister Rebecca Pouliot, 65, began sailing with the union in 1986. She first worked aboard the 1st. Lt. Jack Lummus. Sister Pouliot was born in Minnesota. She sailed in the steward department, most recently on the Richard G. Mathieson. On numerous occasions, Sister Pouliot completed courses at the Paul Hall Center. She is a resident of Hilo, Hawaii. HENRY FROMAL DONNIE HENNIE EMANUEL WASHINGTON INLAND donned the SIU colors in 1988. He worked with Crowley Towing & Transportation of Jacksonville for the duration of his career. Brother Ferguson was a deck department member. He calls Highland, Texas, home. Editor’s note: The following items are reprinted from previous editions of the Seafarers LOG. 1946 The first concrete step toward the establishment of an SIU upgrading school for Seafarers’ membership was taken last Wednesday night when coastwise branch meetings voted overwhelmingly for a resolution that authorized the election of a committee to investigate the possibility and advisability of establishing such a school in the Port of New Orleans. There has always been great membership sentiment in favor of such a step, as informal polls, resolutions from ships meetings and letters to the Seafarers LOG have shown. The resolution, submitted by Brothers Paul Hall, C.J. Buck Stephens and J. Steely White, pointed out that there is a great shortage of men in qualified ratings, while there is an over-abundance of unqualified ratings in practically all ports. 1949 In recent years members of forward-looking trade unions, well established in their industries, have been driving toward a wider form of economic security than wages and conditions alone can provide. This security is achieved through broad and ingenious insurance program yielding to medical and surgical care, sick benefits, vacation benefits and in many instances old-age pensions for union members. Recognizing the potential of such welfare plans, SIU members at the headquarters meeting in New York instructed union officials to make a thorough study of such plans and to demand a welfare plan at the next meeting between the union’s nego- tiation committee and shipowners. 1957 Harry Lundeberg, the founder of the Seafarers International Union and the leading figure in maritime for more than two decades, died of a heart attack in Peninsula Hospital. Death came to the 56-year-old president of the SIUNA just a few days before his expected discharge from the hospital. He had suffered a mild heart seizure Jan. 20. His passing cut short a militant, crusading career on behalf of American seamen which reached back into the early 1930s. It was Lundeberg who led the revival of maritime unions in the United States, beginning with the bitter and tumultuous 1934 maritime strike. From there he pressed ahead relentlessly battling shipowners, the government and the maritime section of the Communist Party on behalf of the men he represented. 1960 A wage review establishing increased monthly base pay plus higher hourly overtime and penalty rates for the SIU-contracted dry cargo fleet was completed by the union last week. The memorandum of understanding signed by the SIU with operators provides pay boosts ranging generally from $4.24 monthly for steward department entry ratings to $30.49 monthly for most bosuns and stewards. A few specialized ratings drew higher amounts. Overtime scales were boosted to $2.33 hourly for the top ratings, $2.28 for the middle bracket and to $1.78 for entry ratings. In addition to upping base wages, the union negotiators won a 28-cent daily hike in shipowner contributions to the SIU vacations plan. Seafarers LOG 17 1/24/2013 5:39:29 PM �Final Departures DEEP SEA MIKE ANDRUCOVICI Brother Mike Andrucovici, 59, passed away August 3. He began sailing with the SIU during the 2001 merger with the NMU. Brother Andrucovici sailed in all three departments. He was born in Romania but called Brooklyn, N.Y., home. Brother Andrucovici’s final ship was the Maersk Iowa. WILLIAM BEADLES Pensioner William Beadles, 90, died July 10. Brother Beadles signed on with the union in 1953 while in New York. His earliest trip to sea was on the Rosario. Brother Beadles was born in Kentucky. He last shipped with Michigan Tankers as a member of the deck department. Brother Beadles retired in 1977 and lived in St. Louis. ROBERT CALDWELL Pensioner Robert Caldwell, 65, passed away June 28. Brother Caldwell was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. The engine department member joined the Seafarers in 1967. Brother Caldwell first sailed on the Marore. His final voyage was aboard the Cape Wrath. Brother Caldwell went on pension in 2003 and continued to make his home in Texas. LILLIAN DELANEY Pensioner Lillian Delaney, 90, died July 13. Sister Delaney became an SIU member in 1972 while in the port of San Francisco. She was born in Pennsylvania and worked in the steward department. Sister Delaney initially sailed on the Santa Mariana. Her last ship was the Innovator. Sister Delaney started collecting her retirement compensation in 1993. She settled in San Antonio, Texas. JACOB GROBY Pensioner Jacob Groby, 83, passed away July 14. Brother Groby first donned the SIU colors in 1951. The deck department member was born in Georgia. Brother Groby’s first trip was aboard the Mary Adams. His final ship was the Overseas Valdez. Brother Groby became a pensioner in 1994. He was a resident of Livingston, Texas. EDWARD MARTINEZ Brother Edward Martinez, 45, died July 4. He started shipping with the union in 2011. Brother Martinez worked aboard the 2nd Lt. John Paul Bobo for the duration of his career. He was born in Nicaragua and sailed in the deck department. Brother Martinez resided in Spokane, Wash. 18 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 18 NICHOLAS NAGY JOSEPH WILLIAMS Pensioner Nicholas Nagy, 71, died August 5. Brother Nagy joined the joined the union in 1965. He originally shipped on an American Steamship Company vessel. Brother Nagy was born in Michigan and worked in the deck department. His final ship was the Enterprise. Brother Nagy went on pension in 1998. He made his home in Temecula, Calif. Pensioner Joseph Williams, 88, died May 31. Brother Williams was born in Panama. He joined the union in 1959, initially shipping on the Santa Mariana. Brother Williams worked in the steward department. His last voyage was aboard the Innovator. Brother Williams became a pensioner in 2002 and settled in Oakland, Calif. RAYMOND PRICE Brother Raymond Price, 51, passed away July 4. He was born in Jersey City, N.J. Brother Price became a Seafarer in 1980. His first vessel was the Overseas Chicago; his last; the Independence. Brother Price was a steward department member. He lived in Port St. Lucie, Fla. LAVERNE QUANTZ Pensioner Laverne Quantz, 83, died July 13. Brother Quantz began sailing with the union in 1965. He was initially employed with Hudson Waterways Corporation. Brother Quantz was born in Washington State. The deck department member’s final trip was with Michigan Tankers Inc. Brother Quantz started receiving his pension in 1993 and called Lacey, Wash., home. HARUYUKI SABURDMARU Pensioner Haruyuki Saburdmaru, 85, passed away August 9. Brother Saburdmaru was a California native. He joined the SIU in 1980. Brother Saburdmaru originally worked aboard Cove Ship Management’s Oceanic Independence. He shipped in the steward department. Prior to his retirement in 1994, he sailed on the Independence. Brother Saburdmaru was a resident of Daly City, Calif. JAMES WADE Pensioner James Wade, 78, passed away July 15. Brother Wade signed on with the SIU in 1956 while in the port of New York. His first ship was operated by Ellis Towing & Transportation. Brother Wade was a Michigan native and sailed in the deck department. His final trip was aboard the Innovator. Brother Wade went on pension in 1997 and resided in Pico Rivera, Calif. INLAND JAMES CLARK Pensioner James Clark, 90, passed away July 26. Brother Clark started shipping with the SIU in 1961. His earliest trip was with Meyle Towing Company. Brother Clark was born in Philadelphia. His final trip was on a McAllister Towing of Philadelphia vessel. He went on pension in 1987 and continued to reside in Pennsylvania. JIMMIE CRABTREE Pensioner Jimmie Crabtree, 68, died August 2. Brother Crabtree joined the union in 1977, and his first boats included ones operated by American Barge Lines. Brother Crabtree was a California native. His last trip was with OSG Ship Management. Brother Crabtree worked in both the deck and steward departments. He retired in 1998 and was a resident of Tremonton, Utah. JOE DANIELS Pensioner Joe Daniels, 87, passed away August 10. Brother Daniels was born in North Carolina. He joined the SIU in 1974 and sailed with Steuart Transportation. Brother Daniels was last employed aboard an Interstate Oil Transportation Company vessel. He became a pensioner in 1987. He lived in Wanchese, N.C. EDWARD DWYER Pensioner Edward Dwyer, 81, died July 21. Brother Dwyer first donned the SIU colors in 1958 while in New York. His first voyage was aboard the Sampan Knot. Brother Dwyer, a New York native, was a member of the deck department. His final trip was with Crowley Towing and Transportation of Jacksonville. Brother Dwyer went on pension in 1996 and made his home in Forest Hills, N.Y. HOWARD IRELAND Pensioner Howard Ireland, 72, passed away July 23. Brother Ireland began sailing with the union in 1974 while in the port of Philadelphia. He was primarily employed aboard Interstate Oil Transportation Company vessels. Brother Ireland was born in Camden, N.J. The deck department member started collecting his retirement pay in 2002. Brother Ireland settled in Pennsylvania. American Towing & Transportation. He became a pensioner in 2008 and resided in Villas, N.J. GREAT LAKES JACK ALLEN Brother Willie Jones, 51, died July 17. He became an SIU member in 2002. Brother Jones first sailed with Penn Maritime Inc. as a member of the deck department. His most recent trip was on the Resolve. Brother Jones was born in New Orleans and lived in Slidell, La. Pensioner Jack Allen, 80, passed away June 28. Brother Allen began sailing with the SIU in 1958. He was originally employed with Tomlinson Fleet Corporation as a member of the deck department. Brother Allen was born in Michigan. His last trip was on a Great Lakes Towing vessel. Brother Allen started receiving his pension in 1991. He was a resident of St. Clair, Mich. AUGUST JACKSON MICHAEL BAKOS WILLIE JONES Brother August Jackson, 63, passed away April 13. He signed on with the SIU in 1966. Brother Jackson’s earliest trip was aboard the Overseas Ulla. The engine department member last sailed on the Delta Queen. He is a resident of New Orleans. MAXIMO LOPE Pensioner Maximo Lope, 89, died June 20. Brother Lope was born in the Philippines. He started sailing with the union in 1972. Brother Lope shipped with the Association of Maryland Pilots for the duration of his career. He became a pensioner in 1985 and called Norfolk, Va., home. CHARLES PEAVY Pensioner Charles Peavy, 70, passed away August 11. Brother Peavy first donned the SIU colors in 1965. He mainly worked with Dravo Basic Materials Company. Brother Peavy retired in 2004 and continued to reside in his native state of Alabama. HOBERT SNYDER Pensioner Hobert Snyder, 82, died August 10. Brother Snyder became a union member in 1961 while in Norfolk, Va. He worked aboard vessels operated by Moran Towing of Virginia. Brother Snyder went on pension in 1988 and settled in Chesapeake, Va. EUGENE WOTURSKI Pensioner Eugene Woturski, 66, passed away August 11. Brother Woturski started sailing with the union in 1966. He originally sailed on the Globe Carrier as a deck department member. Brother Woturski last worked with Pensioner Michael Bakos, 90, died June 9. Brother Bakos was a native of Pennsylvania. He started sailing with the union in 1948. Brother Bakos primarily worked aboard vessels operated by Great Lakes Associates. He shipped in the deck department. Brother Bakos became a pensioner in 1988 and called Smithfield, Pa., home. ROBERT HENSLEY Pensioner Robert Hensley, 84, passed away July 30. Brother Hensley became an SIU member in 1973. His first trip was with Great Lakes Associates. Brother Hensley was born in North Carolina and sailed in the deck department. Prior to his retirement in 1996, he sailed on the Steel T. Crapo. Brother Hensley lived in Marion, N.C. LESTER JACOBSON Pensioner Lester Jacobson, 79, died June 25. Brother Jacobson signed on with the union in 1969. His first ship was the American Seaocean; his last, the Kinsman Enterprise. Brother Jacobson sailed in the engine department. He went on pension in 1998 and made his home in Duluth, Minn. ROGER LORENZ Pensioner Roger Lorenz, 66, passed away June 22. Brother Lorenz began sailing with the SIU in 1978. He originally sailed with Pringle Transit Company. Brother Lorenz was a member of the deck department. Before retiring in 2010, he sailed on the Charles E. Wilson. Brother Lorenz was a resident of Painesdale, Mich. HERMAN WOLGAST Pensioner Herman Wolgast, 89, passed away June 30. Brother Wolgast was born in Michigan. He joined the union in 1960, initially shipping with American Steamship Company. Brother Wolgast sailed in the deck department. His final trip was on the St. Clair. Brother Wolgast became a pensioner in 1986 and resided in Alpena, Mich. February 2013 1/24/2013 5:39:32 PM �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. CHARGER (Maersk Line, Limited), November 3 – Chairman Bradley Casey, Secretary Norman W. Cox, Educational Director Andrew J. Linares. Chairman gave big thumbs up to the steward department for a job well done and great meals. Secretary encouraged crew members to vote. Educational director informed crew that refrigerators for crew cabins are on the way. He advised mariners to upgrade at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Correspondence was read from headquarters pertaining to rules for vacation time. HORIZON TRADER (Horizon Lines), November 14 – Chairman Issac Vega Mercado, Secretary Kevin M. Dougherty, Educational Tom M. Flynn, Deck Delegate Marcos Santos, Steward Delegate Michael Henry. Bosun went over ship’s itinerary and announced payoff on November 16 upon arrival in Elizabeth, N.J. He thanked crew for safely completing work after dry dock. Educational director reminded fellow members about importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point and urged everyone to keep all paperwork and shipping documents up-to-date: clinic card, medical forms, TWIC, passport, etc. Treasurer reported $1,700 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request was made to upgrade Internet service and put TV cables in each cabin. Steward department was thanked for good food. Next ports: Elizabeth, N.J., San Juan, P.R. and Jacksonville, Fla. LIBERTY EAGLE (Liberty Maritime), November 18 – Chairman Charlie J. Hill, Secretary Fausto D. Arando, Educational Director Mark K. Maduro, Steward Delegate Ambrose Gabriel. Chairman discussed emergency situation which took place in Djibouti, Africa; thanks to Paul Hall Center training there was a positive outcome. Secretary expressed gratitude to fellow shipmates for their help keeping ship clean. Treasurer stated $150 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun requested radio communication on deck work areas. Steward department was thanked for excellent food and service during voyage. Next port: Houston. LIGHTNING (Maersk Line, Limited), November 25 – Chairman Shawn T. Evans, Secretary Terry L. Allen, Educational Director Daniel F. Dean, Deck Delegate David M. Fridstrom, Engine Delegate Joseph McCrosky. Chairman thanked Seafarers for a smooth trip. He reminded those departing vessel to leave February 2013 15042_February_LOG.indd 19 With Seafarers on the West Coast SIU VP Contracts George Tricker (third from left in group photo) and Port Agent Jeff Turkus met with members aboard the Sealand Intrepid the day after Christmas, in Los Angeles. Pictured from left to right aboard the vessel are QMED Oscar Garcia, SA Jennie Ricaido, Tricker, Recertified Bosun Abdulla Alwaseem, (seated) AB Patricio Libre, Recertified Steward Michael Kozak, GUDE Musa Quraish and AB Tomas Robinson. Recertified Bosun Abdulla Alwaseem AB Charles Herrera rooms clean and supplied with fresh linen. He asked for an update on anything being done to make up for lost hours due to new STCW-related guidelines on rest periods. Steward brought up food budget concerns. Educational director urged mariners to enhance skills at the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department for great job during voyage. MAERSK MISSOURI (Maersk Line, Limited), November 18 – Chairman Oliver M. Balico, Secretary Billy Gigante, Educational Director Jerome D. Culbreth, Deck Delegate Dudley A. James, Engine Delegate Anatoli Vetsinov, Steward Delegate Saeed Alahmadi. Chairman reported good voyage and thanked crew for their hard work. Secretary asked mariners to leave cabins clean for reliefs. Educational director advised Seafarers to take advantage of SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point. He also urged crew to keep documents current and renew early so they won’t lose eligibility to sail. Treasurer reported $3,000 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion was made to clarify transportation procedures for apprentices. All hands expressed appreciation to steward department. Next ports: Elizabeth, N.J., Charleston, S.C., Norfolk, Va. and Newark, N.J. MAERSK VIRGINIA (Maersk Line, Limited), November 10 – Chairman Mohamed S. Ahmed, Secretary Hugh E. Wildermuth, Educational Director Donald M. Christian, Deck Delegate Mario Ordonez, Engine Delegate Ronald Westerfield, Steward Delegate Richard Jones. Chairman thanked members for support and help maintaining ship cleanliness. Secretary expressed his gratitude for teamwork aboard the vessel. Educational director suggested all mariners upgrade at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer noted $1,700 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation was made to increase vacation days and lower retirement requirements. Next port: Newark, N.J. MAREMAR (OSG Ship Management), November 4 – Chairman Jozef Ignaczak, Secretary Obencio M. Espinoza, Educational Director Edwin Feliciano, Deck Delegate Eddie Ebanks, Engine Delegate Flavio Suazo. Bosun reported payoff to take place upon arrival in Ashkelon, Israel. He urged all mariners to make sure all shipping documents were upto-date. Secretary asked crew leaving vessel to clean rooms, empty trash and leave keys for next members. Educational director suggested mariners take advantage of courses available at the maritime training center in Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation was made to increase optical and dental benefits. Clarification requested about transportation procedures. NATIONAL GLORY (Crowley), November 24 – Chairman Timothy D. Koebel, Secretary Lonnie W. Jones, Educational Director Timothy A. Chestnut, Deck Delegate Bill Rackley, Engine Delegate Ronald Smith, Steward Delegate Orlando Suazo. Chairman talked about expected bitter weather and the necessity of proper gear. Mariners were urged to upgrade at unionaffiliated school in Piney Point, Md. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestions were made regarding health and pension benefits. Steward department was thanked for sumptuous Thanksgiving meal. Steward expressed concerns about linen orders. RACER (Maersk Line, Limited), November 9 – Chairman Magdy Balat, Secretary Glenn Williams, Engine Delegate Jeffery Bull. Chairman discussed ship’s itinerary and reported another safe trip. Thanks to all crew for their efforts and fellowship. Departing mariners were asked to leave clean linen for reliefs. Secretary reminded crew members to turn in dirty laundry at the C deck locker room before departure. Educational director reminded fellow members about importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point. Treasurer stated $1,852 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. New washing machine requested. OVERSEAS ANACORTES (OSG Ship Management), December 3 – Chairman Anton T. Sulic, Secretary Dana A. Paradise, Educational Director Melvin R. Ratcliff, Engine Delegate John Raquipiso. Chairman stressed importance of voting and also working together. Keep all business in house and report any problems to department head. Secretary asked crew to separate all cans, plastic and paper. Educational director advised seafarers to enhance skills at Piney Point school and make sure all paperwork is current. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation was made pertaining to dental plan. Steward department was thanked for great Thanksgiving meals and good food in general. Next ports: Richmond, Calif. and Long Beach, Calif. Seafarers LOG 19 1/24/2013 5:39:35 PM �Officials Release Annual Funding Notice For SIU Pacific District Pension Plan Introduction This notice, which federal law requires all pension plans to furnish on an annual basis, includes important information about the funding status of your pension plan (“the Plan”) and general information about the benefit payments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”), a federal insurance agency. All traditional pension plans (called “defined benefit pension plans”) must provide this notice every year regardless of their funding status. This notice does not mean that the Plan is terminating. It is provided for informational purposes and you are not required to respond in any way. This notice is for the plan year beginning August 1, 2011 and ending July 31, 2012 (“Plan Year”). How Well-Funded Is Your Plan? Under federal law, the plan must report how well it is funded by using a measure called the “funded percentage.” This percentage is obtained by dividing the Plan’s assets by its liabilities on the Valuation Date for the plan year. In general, the higher the percentage, the better funded the plan. Your Plan’s funded percentage for the Plan Year and each of the two preceding plan years is set forth in the chart below, along with a statement of the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period. 2011 2010 2009 August 1, 2011 August 1, 2010 August 1, 2009 Valuation Date Funded Percentage Over 100% Over 100% Over 100% $114,837,515 $119,122,143 $121,583,919 Value of Assets Value of Liabilities $93,787,206 $94,181,966 $90,207,505 Year-End Fair Market Value of Assets The asset values in the chart above are measured as of the Valuation Date for the plan year and are actuarial values. Because market values can fluctuate daily based on factors in the marketplace, such as changes in the stock market, pension law allows plans to use actuarial values that are designed to smooth out those fluctuations for funding purposes. The asset values below are market values and are measured as of the last day of the plan year, rather than as of the Valuation Date. Substituting the market value of assets for the actuarial value used in the above chart would show a clearer picture of a plan’s funded status as of the Valuation Date. The fair market value of the Plan’s assets as of the last day of the Plan Year and each of the two preceding plan years is shown in the following table. The value of the Plan assets shown as of July 31, 2011 is an estimate based on the most accurate unaudited financial information available at the time this notice was prepared. The final audited information on the Plan’s assets will be reported on the Plan’s 2011 annual report filed with the Department of Labor in May, 2013. July 31, 2012 $109,224,802 Fair Market Value of Assets July 31, 2011 $112,857,554 July 31, 2010 $114,954,984 Critical or Endangered Status Under federal pension law a plan generally will be considered to be in “endangered” status if, at the beginning of the plan year, the funded percentage of the plan is less than 80 percent or in “critical” status if the percentage is less than 65 percent (other factors may also apply). If a pension plan enters endangered status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a funding improvement plan. Similarly, if a pension plan enters critical status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a rehabilitation plan. Rehabilitation and funding improvement plans establish steps and benchmarks for pension plans to improve their funding status over a specified period of time. The Plan was not in endangered or critical status in the Plan Year. Participant Information The total number of participants in the Plan as of the Plan’s valuation date was 2,832. Of this number, 626 were active participants, 1,460 were retired or separated from service and receiving benefits, and 746 were retired or separated from service and entitled to future benefits. Funding and Investment Policies Every pension plan must have a procedure for establishing a funding policy to carry out plan objectives. A funding policy relates to the level of assets needed to pay for benefits promised under the plan currently and over the years. Plan benefits are funded by employer contributions and investment returns on those contributions. The shipping companies have not been required to make contributions to the Plan since August 1, 1993, and may resume making contributions in the future through collective bargaining or if necessary to satisfy the minimum funding standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code. Since August 1, 1993, Plan benefits have been funded by the Plan’s investment income. The Plan’s funding policy is to continue to fund Plan benefits in this manner and satisfy the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. Once money is contributed to the Plan, the money is invested by plan officials called fiduciaries, who make specific investments in accordance with the Plan’s investment policy. Generally speaking, an investment policy is a written statement that provides the fiduciaries who are responsible for plan investments with guidelines or general instructions concerning investment management decisions. The investment policy of the Plan is to maintain a portfolio of investments which is conservative in nature. The Trustees, working with experienced investment consultants, monitor and make appropriate changes to the Plan’s investments, seeking to achieve positive investment results over the long term. Under the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allocated among the following categories of investments, as of the end of the Plan Year. These allocations are percentages of total assets: Asset Allocations Percentage 1. Cash (Interest bearing and non-interest bearing) 12.38% 2. U.S. Government securities 33.02% 3. Corporate debt instruments 26.95% 26.69% 4. Corporate stocks (other than employer securities): 5. Other .96% Right to Request a Copy of the Annual Report A pension plan is required to file with the U.S. Department of Labor an annual report called the Form 5500 that contains financial and other information about the plan. The Plan’s 2009 and 2010 annual reports are available now. The Plan’s 2011 annual report will be available after it is filed with the U.S. Department of Labor in May 2013. Copies of the annual report are available from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Public Disclosure Room at 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-1513, Washington, DC 20210, or by calling (202) 693-8673. For 2009 and subsequent plan years, you may obtain an electronic copy of the plan’s annual report by going to www.efast.dol.gov and using the Form 5500 search function. Or you may obtain a copy of the Plan’s annual report by making a written request to Ms. Michelle Chang, Administrator, SIU Pacific District Pension Plan, at 730 Harrison Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107. Individual information, such as the amount of your accrued benefit under the plan, is not contained in the annual report. If you are seeking information regarding your benefits under the plan, contact the plan administrator. Summary of Rules Governing Plans in Reorganization and Insolvent Plans Federal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubled multiemployer plans. The plan administrator is required by law to include a summary of these rules in the annual funding notice. Under so-called “plan reorganization rules,” a plan with adverse financial experience may need to increase required contributions and may, under certain circumstances, reduce benefits that are not eligible for the PBGC’s guarantee (generally, benefits that have been in effect for less than 60 months). If a plan is in reorganization status, it must provide notification that the plan is in reorganization status and that, if contributions are not increased, accrued benefits under the plan may be reduced or an excise tax may be imposed (or both). The plan is required to furnish this notification to each contributing employer and the labor organization. Despite these special plan reorganization rules, a plan in reorganization could become insolvent. A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its available financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits when due for that plan year. An insolvent plan must reduce benefit payments to the highest level that can be paid from the plan’s available resources. If such resources are not enough to pay benefits at the level specified by law (see Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC, below), the plan must apply to the PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefits may be restored if the plan’s financial condition improves. A plan that becomes insolvent must provide prompt notice of its status to participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unions representing participants, and the PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiaries also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefits will be reduced or affected, including loss of a lump sum option. This information will be provided for each year the plan is insolvent. This Plan is not insolvent and not in reorganization, and is over 100% funded. Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC The maximum benefit that the PBGC guarantees is set by law. Only benefits that you have earned a right to receive and that cannot be forfeited (called vested benefits) are guaranteed. Specifically, the PBGC guarantees a monthly benefit payment equal to 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan’s monthly benefit accrual rate, plus 75 percent of the next $33 of the accrual rate, times each year of credited service. The PBGC’s maximum guarantee, therefore, is $35.75 per month times a participant’s years of credited service. Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accrued monthly benefit of $500, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the PBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by the participant’s years of service ($500/10), which equals $50. The guaranteed amount for a $50 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $24.75 (.75 x $33), or $35.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit is $357.50 ($35.75 x 10). Example 2: If the participant in Example 1 has an accrued monthly benefit of $200, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the guarantee would be $20 (or $200/10). The guaranteed amount for a $20 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10). The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at normal retirement age and some early retirement benefits. In calculating a person’s monthly payment, the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under the plan within 60 months before the earlier of the plan’s termination or insolvency (or benefits that were in effect for less than 60 months at the time of termination or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee pre-retirement death benefits to a spouse or beneficiary (e.g., a qualified pre-retirement survivor annuity) if the participant dies after the plan terminates, benefits above the normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or non-pension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits, vacation pay, or severance pay. Where to Get More Information For more information about this notice, you may contact Ms. Michelle Chang, Administrator, SIU Pacific District Pension Plan, at 730 Harrison Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107, (415) 764-4993. For identification purposes, the official plan number is 001 and the plan sponsor’s name and employer identification number or “EIN” is the Board of Trustees of SIU Pacific District Pension Plan and 94-6061923. For more information about the PBGC, go to PBGC’s website, www.pbgc.gov. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt 20 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 20 requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea­farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Conse­quently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2013 1/24/2013 5:39:35 PM �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the next few months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the national security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion Deck Department Lifeboatman/Water Survival March 2 March 15 March 30 April 12 April 27 May 10 May 25 June 7 June 22 July 5 STOS April 27 May 10 Able Seaman March 16 April 12 May 11 June 7 Radar Renewal (One day) May 28 May 28 Radar Observer May 4 May 17 ARPA May 18 May 24 Bosun Recertification July 13 August 5 ECDIS February 23 March 1 Terrestrial/Coastal Navigation February 2 February 22 Engine Department Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations (BAPO) January 26 February 22 March 23 April 19 May 18 June 14 FOWT February 23 March 22 April 20 May 17 June 15 July 12 Junior Engineer May 4 June 28 Marine Refer Tech May 4 June 14 Machinist February 9 March 1 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name_________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth___________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion Welding February 9 March 1 March 9 March 29 April 6 April 26 May 4 May 24 June 1 June 21 Safety Upgrading Courses Basic Firefighting/STCW February 23 March 1 March 23 March 29 April 13 April 19 May 11 May 17 June 15 June 21 Advanced Firefighting February 2 February 8 March 30 April 5 Government Vessels February 11 February 15 March 11 March 15 April 15 April 19 May 6 May 10 June 3 June 7 Medical Care Provider February 9 February 15 April 6 April 12 Tank Pic Barge May 4 May 10 Steward Department Upgrading Courses Chief Steward April 13 May 24 July 6 August 16 Steward Recertification March 16 April 8 Serve Safe March 9 March 15 June 8 June 14 Galley Operations These modules start every Monday. Chief Cook These modules start every other week. The next class will begin February 16. Advanced Galley Operations These modules start every Monday. Important Notice Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. COURSE ____________________________ START DATE _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ 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? o Yes o No If yes, class #___________________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? o Yes o No If yes, course(s) taken____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable.Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back or relevant pages of merchant mariner credential, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate, valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/13 February 2013 15042_February_LOG.indd 21 LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ Seafarers LOG 21 1/24/2013 5:39:36 PM �Paul Hall Center Classes Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class 767 – Nineteen Phase I unlicensed apprentices completed this 60-hour course Dec. 21. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Joshua Burnette, Hector Caballero, Randall Campbell, Derek Chestnut, Timothy Dougherty, Curtis Everett, Keyon Gregory, Catherine Hopkins, Michael Kloos, Henry Marchant, Christopher Mendoza, Daniel Nicholson, Adam Poole, Christina Price, Wrightly Reed, Scott Reynolds, Hakeem Shoatz, Jeffrey Thrash and Douglas Vaughn. Class Instructor Ben Cusic is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) GMDSS – The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this this 70-hour course Dec. 7: Michael Andrew, Richard Crutchfield, Emmanuel Garcia, David Goodwin, Michael Harris Jr., Ross Robinson and Perry Schroff. Brad Wheeler, their instructor, is at the far right. Certified Chief Cook – Two upgraders recently completed their requirements in this 12-week course. Graduating (above, from the left) were Frances Bautista and Clifton Medley III. ECDIS – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 14: Juan Barandiaran, Henry Gamp, Bryan Kneeland, Jose Marrero, Martin Meravy, Gary Schulte, Timothy Smithwick and Jeremiah Turner. Class Instructor Brad Wheeler is at the far left. Welding – Five upgraders finished this course Dec. 14. Graduating from the four-week class (above, in alphabetical order) were: Azad Ardeshirdavani, Nicole Geideman, Michael Gray, Michael Mermell and Steve Shaffer. Class Instructor Buzzy Andrews is standing second from the left. ECDIS – Four Seafarers completed the enhancement of their skills in this 35-hour course Dec.21. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Alfred Drake, Mark Knight, Clifton Noe and Richard Weaver. Brad Wheeler, their instructor, is at the far left. Combined Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting – Eight upgraders completed this 41hour course Dec. 7. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Dionce Bright, Elijah Huff, James Kayser, Ryan Kinser, Peter Meglow, Melvin Smalls, Carrie Stockton and Timothy VanWeezel. Joe Zienda, their instructor, is at the far right. BST – The following Seafarers (photo at right, in alphabetical order) completed the enhancement of their skills in this course Dec. 7: Omar Aswad, Michael Blair, Henry Brown Jr., Romeo Codillero, Andy Derry, Charles Ford, Cirico Geonanga, Weston Hines, Dwight Hunt, Ryan Legario, Terrell McMillian, Jesse Mixon, David Parker, Raymond Roldan, Ali Saleh, David Sexton, Adrian Schubert, Delbra Singleton-Leslie, Benjamin Sivells, Leonard Soriano and Mariette Wright. 22 Seafarers LOG 15042_February_LOG.indd 22 February 2013 1/24/2013 5:39:42 PM �Paul Hall Center Classes Tank Barge Dangerous Liquids – Seventeen upgraders finished this 38-hour course Dec. 14. Those graduating (photo at left, in alphabetical order) were: Omar Aswad, Frank Battaglia, Martin Baker, Henry Brown Jr., Romeo Codillero, Charles Ford, Weston Hines, Gary Hirsch, Dwight Hunt, James Kayser, Ryan Legario, Jesse Mixon, Melvin Smalls, Leonard Soriano, Thomas Swanson, Timothy VanWeezel and Kwamena Watson. Class Instructor Mitch Oakley is standing at the far left. Important Notice to Students Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations (BAPO)– Ten Phase III unlicensed apprentices graduated from this 63-hour course Dec. 7. Completing their requirements and receiving certificates (above, in alphabetical order) were: Ely Desingano, Elliot Duncan, Olympia Harley, Randolph Harrell, Rene Hernandez-Ramos, Tristan Jones, Andrew Kritz, Grant Simonson, BAPO – The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Joseph Spencer and Tyree Watkins. John Wiegman, their instructor, is at the far right. Dec. 7: Rodolfo Caldo, Daniel Daligcon, Brian Deans, Ely Desingano, Ricardo Fuentes, (Note: Not all are pictured.) Corey Leonard, Anthony Moore Jr., Ryan Papa, and Tyree Watkins. Medical Care Provider – Seven Seafarers completed the enhancement of their skills in this course Dec. 14. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Cleveland Foy, Elijah Huff, Ryan Kinser, Victorino Labrilla Jr., John McCabe, Peter Meglow and Perry Schroff. Class Instructors Wayne Johnson Jr. and Wayne Johnson Sr. are at the far left and far right, respectively. Steward Department Courses – Five upgraders recently completed their requirements in assorted steward department courses. Those graduating (above, from the left) and the courses they completed were: Lamond Fulton, advanced galley operations; Cesar Dela Cruz, steward; Ricardo Arauz, galley operations; Al Yandoc, galley operations; and Salah Kassem, galley operations. February 2013 15042_February_LOG.indd 23 Marine Electrician – The following mariners (above, in alphabetical order) finished their requirements in this 280-hour course Dec. 14: Haeven Bautista, Matthew Bryant, James Corprew, Jason Greene, Domingo Hurtado, Kakesha Miller, Roger Nesbeth, Loreto Orosco, Shawn Pantschyschak, Tijani Rashid, Jonathan Tucker and Kevin Tyson. Jay Henderson, their instructor, is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Watchkeeping - The following students (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Nov. 2: Brandon Braam, Daniel Bradberry, Satchel Caffy, James Copeland, Nicole Geideman, Nicholas Kempker, Karen Laylock, Elmer Marko, Jermaine McGhee, Samantha Murphy, Stacy Murphy, Jeremy Scheil, and Whitney Sheridan. Seafarers LOG 23 1/24/2013 5:39:47 PM �Volume 75, Number 2 February 2013 Paul Hall Center Course Dates Page 21 SIU Mourns, Fondly Remembers Senator Inouye Longtime Union Ally was War Hero, Maritime Industry Champion The nation lost a dedicated leader, and the SIU injuries sustained in the war, was an honorary SIU a cherished friend, when U.S. Senator Daniel K. member. Throughout the years, he received virtuInouye (D-Hawaii) died from respiratory complially every award the American maritime industry cations Dec. 17 at Walter Reed National Military presents, including the prestigious Admiral of the Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He was 88. Ocean Sea award. In an online post the next day, the SIU said that He started serving the people of Hawaii in 1959 even as it “joins with the multitude of other orga(the year the islands received statehood) as a memnizations and individuals who are mourning” the ber of Congress before being elected to the Senate senator’s death, “at the same time, in 1962. He was re-elected every we look back with great affection, six years thereafter, becoming the respect and appreciation for Senasecond-longest serving member in tor Inouye’s decades of friendship. U.S. history. He most recently was Next year (2013) will mark the elected in 2010. SIU’s 75th anniversary. In all that AFL-CIO President Rich time, we’ve had no greater ally than Trumka described Inouye as “the Senator Inouye.” person every American aspires to SIU President Michael Sacco be. His courage under fire, visionstated, “Senator Inouye’s record of ary leadership and love for his service to our country is worthy of country and his constituents are an an entire book, so there’s no way inspiration for everyone. He fought to do it justice in a few sentences. valiantly, broke down barriers and But I want everyone to know that was a fierce advocate for what is the Senator was a true champion of right and good.” the U.S. Merchant Marine. In the Secretary of Defense Leon Palast 50 years, no one in Congress netta said he worked closely with has been a greater, more influential Inouye while serving as a member friend to the maritime industry. His Inouye is pictured in 1962 – of Congress and in the Clinton and efforts were critical to every piece the year he first was elected Obama administrations. of maritime legislation enacted “His life of service to the people to the U.S. Senate. in that time. His support of the of Hawaii and to this nation emJones Act, the Maritime Security bodied the essence of the American Program, cargo preference and other vital maritime dream, and the heroism of the greatest generation,” initiatives has been invaluable. He also was instruPanetta said. “Daniel Inouye’s legacy will long enmental in the rebirth of the U.S.-flag cruise industry dure in the better quality of life he helped bring to in Hawaii.” generations of military personnel and their families, The SIU president added, “I’m sure most people to the people of Hawaii, and in the contribution he know that Senator Inouye is a true American hero made to a stronger defense of the United States of – a World War II veteran who received the nation’s America.” highest medal, the Medal of Honor, for his courLabor Secretary Hilda Solis described Inouye age and leadership on the battlefield. Throughout as “a fighter [who] exuded quiet leadership but his distinguished career in Congress, Senator Inwielded a powerful voice for working families in ouye has been no less passionate in promoting and Hawaii…. He will be missed by so many of us.” defending the interests of working families. He is James Henry, chairman of the American Marisomeone I will always respect and admire. He is time Partnership (a key coalition whose members someone I’m proud to have called a friend, and include the SIU), stated, “Senator Inouye will be someone I’m so very grateful to have had on our remembered forever by a grateful maritime nation. side.” The U.S. Senate and all Americans have lost an Senator Inouye, who lost an arm because of honorable man and genuine statesman.” Senator Daniel K. Inouye 1924-2012 Clockwise beginning with the black and white photo at the immediate right, the senator speaks at a Maritime Trades Department meeting in 1977. SIU President Michael Sacco (second from left) said the senator’s efforts “were critical to every piece of maritime legislation enacted” in the last 50 years. Pictured in this 2011 photo are (from left) SIU Political and Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman, Sacco, Senator Inouye and SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez. Flanked by SIU President Paul Hall (left) and Secretary-Treasurer Al Kerr, the senator speaks at the 1971 SIUNA convention. “Senator Inouye’s record of service to our country is worthy of an entire book, so there’s no way to do it justice in a few sentences. But I want everyone to know that the Senator was a true champion of the U.S. Merchant Marine. In the last 50 years, no one in Congress has been a greater, more influential friend to the maritime industry. His efforts were critical to every piece of maritime legislation enacted in that time. His support of the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, cargo preference and other vital maritime initiatives has been invaluable.” - - - SIU President Michael Sacco 15042_February_LOG_X.indd 24 1/25/2013 8:05:57 PM � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2013 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES SIU GAINS JOBS ON NEW MILITARY SUPPORT VESSELS MSP EXTENSION A HUGE VICTORY FOR MARITIME, NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENT SIGNS LAWS THAT PROTECTS JONES ACT, IMPROVES TWIC PROCESS COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES UNION ELECTION RESULTS MLP CONTRACT AWARD MEANS NEW JOBS FOR SIU MEMBERS MARAD RECOGNIZES SIU MEMBERS FOR SUPPORT OF SANDY RELIEF EFFORTS GULF COAST VP CORGEY RECEIVES PORT APPOINTMENT PIRACY FALLS IN 2012 BUT REMAINS A DEADLY PROBLEM SIU-CREWED CROWLEY ATB RESCUES MAN IN FLORIDA SIU SHIPS SAIL FOR ‘DEEP FREEZE’ CHANGES IN WASHINGTON COULD HAVE IMPACT ON MARITIME INDUSTRY, LABOR MOVEMENT SEAFARERS CONTINUE TRADITION OF GENEROSITY ITF: PANAMA SHOULD ASSIST CREW SEAFARERS CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS AT SEA, AROUND THE PORTS SIU MOURNS, FONDLY REMEMBERS SENATOR INOUYE LONGTIME UNION ALLY WAS WAR HERO, MARITIME INDUSTRY CHAMPION Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2013 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 75, No. 2 2013 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/de9440499bc1d8915ba809497e58590c.pdf 0bf264fe0b2bacb9b5c332537e86a32a PDF Text Text FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 76 o NO. 2 SIU Members Answer Nation’s Call For Chemical Weapons Disposal Mariners Spotlighted as Cape Ray Assists in Syria Mission The Seafarers-crewed Cape Ray got underway last month for what is expected to be a lengthy mission to destroy Syrian chemical weapons. Some of the SIU members on the Keystone-operated vessel (photo above) are pictured with SIU VP Contracts George Tricker (sixth from right) in Norfolk, Va., the week of Christmas. SIU VP Government Services Kermett Mangram and Port Agent Georg Kenny also met with the crew. In the photo at left (courtesy of the U.S. Army), Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, speaks at a Jan. 2 news conference next to the ship. Page 2. Members Brighten Holidays for Others SIU Members’ Philanthropy Shines Through Around Globe Their charitable efforts aren’t confined to one season, but Seafarers have a strong tradition of stepping up during the winter holidays to help others. The most recent efforts included an annual toy drive in Tacoma, Wash., that benefited military families. Pictured at the hall with military personnel and representatives from Santa’s Castle (a local charity) are Port Agent Joe Vincenzo (fourth from left in the back) and Safety Director Ben Anderson (far right). Page 24. Seafarers Speak Up as MARAD Seeks to Bolster Industry Hundreds of Seafarers contacted the U.S. Maritime Administration last month as the agency hosted a three-day gathering aimed at launching the development of a national maritime strategy. Members (including the ones pictured above, at the hall in Oakland, Calif.) submitted comments reminding the administration that America’s national and economic security depends on a strong U.S. Merchant Marine. Union officials participated in the symposium in the nation’s capital, which took place Jan. 14-16. Page 3. STCW News Page 3 19987_Seafarers_X.indd 1 Updates on New Tonnage Page 4 Tax Tips Pages 12-14 1/27/2014 12:43:09 PM �President’s Report Good Start to New Year Although our work is never finished, the spending bill passed last month by Congress and signed by the president is good news for the U.S. Merchant Marine. It includes full funding for the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP), supports the Food for Peace program, and requires our government, working with the Defense Department, to develop “a national sealift strategy that ensures the long-term viability of the U.S. Merchant Marine.” Collectively, our industry took a potentially important step toward securing such a strategy last month during a three-day meeting hosted by the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). While sealift capability wasn’t the only topic, it was an important one, as noted by speakers from Congress, the administration and the military. Michael Sacco The head of the MARAD described that symposium as a first step toward developing and finalizing a national maritime strategy. Understandably, the event wasn’t perfect, but MARAD deserves credit for being inclusive and bringing together people from different segments of the industry to voice their positions. In particular, I agree with the repeatedly stated sentiment that regardless of what our individual interests are, our best chance for success by far will be to work together as much as possible. No matter what happens moving forward, the SIU will not be shy or slow about standing up for our members’ jobs. The best part about that practice is that I know it’s not just good for us – our work is important to America’s national and economic security. Our record of delivering the goods for 75 years is rock-solid. Not all of the recent positive news was confined to the nation’s capital. In Mobile, Ala., progress continued in the Navy’s joint highspeed vessel (JHSV) program, signaling new jobs for members of the SIU Government Services Division. One ship was christened, another completed acceptance trials, and another (the first in the program) got its initial deployment orders. Sea trials also were under way for the second vessel in the Navy’s mobile landing platform (MLP) new-build program, the USNS John Glenn. Those prepositioning ships, being constructed in San Diego, also mean more SIU jobs and boost U.S. sealift capability. Operated by Ocean Ships Inc., the John Glenn is slated for delivery in March. In the northeast, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard began production on a tanker that’s part of a joint venture with Seafarers-contracted Crowley, while New Jersey-based NY Waterway announced plans to build two new Seafarers-crewed ferry boats for its popular service. Speaking of NY Waterway, you may have seen media coverage in January of the fifth anniversary of the event known as the Miracle on the Hudson. Captain Sully and the airline crew (all union members, by the way) weren’t the only heroes from US Airways Flight 1549, which crash landed in the Hudson River. SIU members from NY Waterway boats rescued them and most of the passengers (the rest also were brought to safety by others on the scene). All 155 people from the airplane survived, and most were uninjured. While the focus of the anniversary coverage remained where it belonged – on the survivors – it was fitting that the rescuers also were acknowledged in some of the features. Along those lines, as the SIU-crewed Cape Ray recently geared up for an important, challenging mission assisting in the disposal of chemical weapons overseas, I appreciated the fact that crew members were recognized and the SIU was mentioned by name at the government-run news conference next to the ship in Norfolk, Va. The mission is another in a long, long line of examples of SIU members stepping up as America’s fourth arm of defense. (Not only are union members crewing the ship, union members from the Machinists are sailing on it and will be handling the weapons.) Overall, we are off to a strong start in 2014, and with your ongoing support we will continue working hard to build on every success. FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 76 Volume 76, Number 2 o Pictured from left are steward department Seafarers Emanuel Spain, Jacqueline Sivels, Helen Mitchell and Mary Slade. Seafarers Play Role in Historic Mission Cape Ray Crew to Destroy Syrian Chemical Weapons Seafarers are taking part in an historic at-sea mission to destroy some of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile. Sailing out of Portsmouth, Va., in January, the SIU-crewed MV Cape Ray was positioned as an integral part of the American mission to eliminate Syria’s ability to unleash any further chemical attacks during its prolonged civil war. The crew of the 648-foot Cape Ray includes 35 civilian mariners, more than 60 U.S. Army chemical specialists, a security team and representatives from U.S. European command. Owned by the U.S. Maritime Administration, the vessel was turned over to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) once it left Virginia for its mission. The ship is operated by SIU-contracted Keystone. Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen praised the U.S. Merchant Marine during a press conference aboard the vessel, adding the mission “demonstrated the versatile resources we have” available. “And that’s the Ready Reserve Force ships and our U.S. Merchant Mariners who are ready and able and, when called, serve our nation so capably,” Jaenichen said, specifically pointing to the Seafarers aboard the ship. “I’d like to make a couple of thanks to the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA) and the Seafarers International Union. It’s no small effort to keep a 30-year-old vessel like these ready to serve with little to no advanced warning.” Vessel master Capt. Rick Jordan also had high praise for the SIU crew. Jordan said he sailed with most of the mariners before and called them “some of the best guys” he’s ever worked with. “We’ve got some really good folks on here,” Jordan said. “The whole key here is teamwork. And there’s been an unbelievable amount of teamwork.” The mission comes after the international community banded together last year to disarm Syria of its chemical weapons stockpile following a confirmed chemical weapons attack that killed more than 1,400 NO. 2 February 2014 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Brian Ahern; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2014 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. Reversed to White Reversed to White 2 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers_X.indd 2 Capt. Rick Jordan, left, and SIU Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny The ship is carrying two hydrolysis systems (including this one) designed to neutralize up to 25 metric tons of chemical warfare agents a day. (U.S. Army photo by Todd Lopez) people in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta. A Nobel Prize has already been awarded to the weapons inspectors for their part in the chemical weapons removalprocess. Expected to last around 90 days, the Cape Ray’s mission has the ship sailing to an undisclosed port to retrieve the weapons and then sailing to an undisclosed location in international waters to destroy them at sea. Frank Kendall, under secretary of Defense for acquisition, said disposing the weapons at sea is vital to safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile. “This avoids having to put these materials on somebody’s territory, where you have to deal with all the political and environmental conditions associated with doing that under local law,” he said. To prepare the Cape Ray for the mission, the ship was equipped with two massive units designed to break down and destroy the chemical weapons, which include mustard gas and a form of sarin nerve gas. “We expect to deal with about 700 tons (of chemical weapons),” Kendall said. “And we have the capacity to deal with that.” Installed in the center of the Cape Ray’s cargo hold, the two weapons disposal units are covered with a thick plastic tent that will protect the crew from the chemicals during the destruction process. Inside, the system uses a water and chemical cocktail to break down chemical weapons within a titanium reactor. The remaining waste will be destroyed at an undisclosed chemical site. Since the technology had never been tested under at-sea conditions, the Cape Ray conducted several sea trials in preparation for the mission. “The crew conducted several training drills and assessed all systems aboard,” Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said following the final trial on Jan. 10. Aside from preparing and testing the equipment, officials said they would also be closely monitoring and adjusting to Mother Nature. “Weather is the single most important factor a mariner has to consider,” Jordan said. “Far and away, weather is our single biggest obstacle on this trip.” Kendall, meanwhile, said safety would be the top priority when conducting the actual mission “We’re going to make sure that we dispose of the materials that we have to handle in a very safe manner,” he said. “We’re going to give the ship back to the Maritime Administration as clean as we got it.” The SIU crew aboard the Cape Ray includes: Bosun William Lima, ABs Walter Ott, Jonathan Davis, George Phillips, Mark Brownell and Shaun Wood, QE4 James Anthony Fells, QEEs Kevin Quinlan and Mark Maduro, Oiler Andre Mitchell, GVAs Lance Spain and Dionta Winstead, Steward/ Baker Edward Banks, Chief Cooks Jose David, Helen Mitchell, Emanuel Spain and Sandra Vann, and SAs Cornelius Taylor, Arica Shaw, Jacqueline Sivels, Mary Slade and Emanuel Spain. Bosun William Lima, left, and AB Shaun Wood February 2014 1/27/2014 12:43:14 PM �SIU Speaks Up for Mariners, Key Programs At National Maritime Strategy Symposium SIU officials and rank-and-file members made sure their voices were heard as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) hosted a three-day symposium in mid-January. The agency described the gathering as being “aimed at supporting the growth of the U.S. maritime industry and ensuring the availability of U.S.-flag vessels for our nation’s economic and national security.” SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez, Vice President Contracts George Tricker and Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman attended the meeting Jan. 14-16 in Washington, D.C. Additionally, SIU President Michael Sacco and hundreds of Seafarers submitted written comments to the government docket associated with the symposium. More than 200 people from all segments of the industry participated in the meeting, which included a number of breakout sessions and also featured remarks from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) Deputy Commander Vice Adm. William Brown, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Joseph Servidio, Adam Yearwood of the Office of the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Transportation Policy), Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen and many others. “More than 75 percent of all U.S trade is transported by water, making maritime trade a critical part of our country’s economy,” said Foxx. “We must strengthen America’s ability to move products on the oceans, lakes, rivers and waterways, and chart a sustainable future course for the U.S. maritime industry.” Garamendi called for continued support of the Jones Act, which he described as “foundational for a vibrant U.S. Merchant Marine.” He also said policymakers “need to recognize the U.S. Merchant Marine is a public-private enterprise.” He added that new trades and new cargo must be found to revitalize the U.S. Continued on Page 5 Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx (right) met with industry leaders following the recent Maritime Administration symposium. At left is Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen. NMC Begins Issuing New Medical Certificates Coast Guard Announces Final Rule for Latest STCW Amendments Seafarers who hold endorsements under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) need to keep an eye on their mailbox. On Jan. 2, the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) began issuing and mailing new medical certificates to all mariners who hold STCW endorsements. While no action is required of mariners to obtain the medical certificate, those who do not receive them by March 31 are asked to contact the NMC at 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662). Those medical certificates are now issued to all mariners taking part in the STCW application process for the first time, as well. Once received, the medical certificate must be signed, folded and inserted in the plastic pocket in the back of each individual’s Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) book. The medical certificates are part of the Coast Guard’s recently issued final rule on a set of new amendments to the STCW. Released in December, the final rule spanned more than 200 pages and was closely reviewed by officials with the SIU and the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. While the medical certificates bring mariners into compliance with STCW standards that are set to go into effect in 2017, they also serve a more immediate purpose. They ensure American crews are in compliance with the International Labor Organization’s Maritime Labor Convention, 2006 (MLC) – an international set of requirements that have already gone into effect. In a letter to the maritime industry about the implementation of the new STCW amendments, Rear Adm. Joseph Servidio, U.S. Coast Guard assistant commandant for prevention policy, emphasized the importance of the medical certificates, especially for American mariners who sail to foreign ports. “Since it will eventually be required under STCW (in 2017), and since it is required now under the MLC, the Coast Guard is pressing forward to issue medical certificates as quickly as possible within the timing of the rule,” Servidio said. “One very important additional reason why the United States is eager to issue medical certificates to our mariners traveling internationally is that U.S.-registered vessels that visit ports of nations that have adopted the MLC will be at risk of detention if they cannot demonstrate adequate compliance with the MLC.” Though unlikely, a vessel could be detained in an MLC-compliant country if members of its crew do not have the medical certificates. Currently, there are more than 50 MLC-compliant countries, including Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. The NMC has updated its website with comprehensive information about the STCW-mandated medical certificates at the following web address: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/medical/ medical_cert.asp This graphic, created by the NMC, instructs mariners on what to do once they receive their new STCW medical certificate. February 2014 19987_Seafarers_X.indd 3 U.S. Coast Guard Releases Key Points Of STCW Final Rule The Coast Guard made several noteworthy changes with the implementation of the final rule on the STCW amendments. Those changes will: n Clarify transitional provisions for STCW endorsements and for the issuance of medical certificates. n Provide additional training topics for STCW endorsements as part of approved formal training. n Clarify the application of security requirements. n Provide additional means for mariners holding a domestic tankerman endorsement to qualify for STCW tankerman endorsements. n Remove the chief engineer (limited-near-coastal) endorsement. n Exempt pilot vessels engaged in pilotage duty from STCW requirements. n Amend requirements for sea service credit for cadets serving onboard academy training ships if sea service is part of an approved training program. n Revise sea service requirements for Offshore Supply Vessel endorsements, provide the option to complete an approved course and provide a career progression path. n Clarify the training requirements and definition for the position of qualified assessor. n Add the endorsement for mate of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT. n Add formal training requirements for STCW endorsements as electro-technical officer and electro-technical rating. n Add provisions for mariners serving on STCW-compliant vessels to also hold an STCW endorsement. More information is available at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/ Seafarers LOG 3 1/27/2014 12:43:16 PM �NY Waterway Adds Two New Vessels to Fleet Additions Will Replace Pair of Aging Platforms A NY Waterway vessel makes its way up the Hudson River with the New York skyline in the background. An SIU-contracted company has announced that it plans to replace a pair of aging ferries in its fleet with two modern vessels by the year 2015. Officials from Weehawken, N.J.-based NY Waterway in December revealed that an $11 million contract has been awarded to Yank Marine, Inc., to build two new state-of-the-art platforms. The two yet-to-be-named ferries – each of which will be crewed by SIU mariners – will be capable of carrying 400-passengers, up from 350 on the older boats. The new builds will replace the Bravest and the Finest, each of which are 15 years old and had been purchased as used ships, according to Patrick Smith, a NY Waterway spokesman. “The Bravest and the Finest have required more maintenance than other ferries,” Smith said. “We pride ourselves on our reliability and the Bravest and the Finest were not up to our standards. We saw this (construction of the new ferries) as a way to deal with that.” Sources say the new 109-foot–long, 32-foot-wide aluminum vessels will be among the fastest in New York Harbor service, boasting the ability to reach speeds of 28 knots, or about 33 mph. Passengers will be treated to LED lighting, WiFi, flat-screen TVs and a refreshment area. “Right now, this is the most luxurious commute in the metropolitan area,” Smith said. “We give you a better, faster commute.” Construction on the new vessels was slated to commence late last year. The first ferry is expected to begin service in early 2015 with the second joining the NY Waterway fleet during the third quarter of 2015. NY Waterway, a privately owned passenger ferry service, employs more than 100 SIU members on 25 vessels. Workers at the company have made headlines over the years for their heroic actions following major events and disasters. They were among the first responders, helping evacuate tens of thousands from lower Manhattan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. In 2009, NY Waterway workers rushed to the aid of a downed US Airways plane in the Hudson River. In a saga known as the Miracle on the Hudson, NY Waterway boats led the way in the rescue of 155 people from the frigid waters. Crowley Tanker Construction Begins at Aker Philadelphia The New Year began with the promise of new jobs for SIU members thanks to a tanker construction program in Philadelphia. On Jan. 6, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (APSI) started production on the first product tanker that it is building for its new joint venture with Seafarerscontracted Crowley Maritime. Crowley and APSI (which employs members of shipyard unions) have signed contracts for the first four tankers, all to be crewed by SIU members. There are options for four additional ships. A small ceremony with representatives from Crowley and APSI was held in the shipyard’s fabrication shop to commence cutting on the ship’s first steel plate. That plate will become part of the double hull of the tanker that protects the cargo tanks. When completed in 2015, the vessel will be 600 feet long and be capable of carrying 50,000 tons of crude oil or refined petroleum products. APSI President and CEO Kristian Rokke stated, “We are excited to partner with Crowley to provide safe and reliable long-term transportation options for the growing U.S. petroleum market. APSI has a strong history of building similar product tankers that are each playing a fundamental role in moving our nation’s energy today.” According to APSI, the new 50,000 DWT product tankers, which will sail in the Jones Act trade, “are based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design which incorporates numerous fuel efficiency features, flexible cargo capability, and the latest regulatory requirements. The vessels will be constructed with consideration for the use of LNG for propulsion in the future.” When the joint venture was announced last year, Crowley Maritime President/CEO Tom Crowley said, “Through this expansion and cooperative agreement with Aker we will be providing our customers with more options for transporting their product with greater safety and efficiency than they can get from any other U.S. service provider. We expect these new ships to be well-received by longstanding customers as well as new customers, who should clearly be able to see the advantages of utilizing Crowley’s multi-dimensional fleet and operational expertise.” The Jones Act requires that cargo moving from one domestic port to another is carried aboard vessels that are crewed, built, flagged and owned American. The law helps sustain around 500,000 U.S. jobs and generates billions of dollars for the economy. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, a union facility, is building tankers for SIU-contracted Crowley. 4 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers_X.indd 4 The USNS Millinocket (above) successfully completed acceptance trials just days before the USNS Fall River (photo at bottom right) was christened. (Photos courtesy Austal USA) Progress Continues in JHSV Program Two more milestones have been reached in a Navy shipbuilding program that is bringing new jobs to Seafarers. On Jan. 11, the fourth ship in the joint high-speed vessel (JHSV) program – the USNS Fall River – was christened in Mobile, Ala. Just two days earlier, the third JHSV – the USNS Millinocket – successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. The Millinocket was slated for delivery in late January. The JHSV program calls for 10 ships, the first four of which are being crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division. The remaining vessels will be manned by mariners who are employed by private operators under contract to the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. A little more than a year after the first ship in the program (USNS Spearhead) was delivered, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus delivered the keynote address for the USNS Fall River ceremony, hosted by builder Austal USA in Mobile. More than 400 people attended the christening; they gathered between the Fall River’s twin hulls. “The christening of USNS Fall River marks the culmination of the hard work, skill and dedication of the hundreds of shipyard workers who have labored tirelessly to produce this modern marvel,” Mabus said. “This highly advanced platform not only represents a key part of our Navy’s future, but also celebrates the long and proud partnership enjoyed by the U.S. Navy and the state of Massachusetts; a partnership dating back to the founding of the service.” The vessel is named for Fall River, Mass., and the service of the men and women from that city. The ship’s sponsor is Mrs. Diane Bemus Patrick, the first lady of Massachusetts. “Fall River is a scrappy city in Massachusetts,” she said. “It is home of hardworking, blue-collar citizens, and in so many ways this ship represents what the people of Fall River represent.” Each of the JHSVs is a 338-foot-long aluminum catamaran designed for fast, intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles, supplies and equipment. They are capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots and can operate in less-than-ideal ports and waterways, providing U.S. forces added mobility and flexibility. JHSVs also have an aviation flight deck and berthing space for up to 104 personnel and airlinestyle seating for up to 312, according to Austal USA. February 2014 1/27/2014 12:43:19 PM �Report Reminds Members About New Eligibility Rules During the January membership meetings, Seafarers were reminded about new rules for eligibility under the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP). As previously reported, the SHBP was required to make some changes – effective at the start of 2014 – in order to comply with mandates of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These changes are detailed in a letter that was mailed to individual SHBP participants and posted on the SIU website; they were also described at membership meetings last year and in prior issues of the LOG. “These new rules are now effective,” SHBP Administrator Maggie Bowen said in her January report. “Beginning this year, eligibility for existing employees will be based upon a defined six-month period, instead of based on the prior calendar year. The year will be divided into two six-month periods (Jan. 1-June 30 and July 1-Dec. 31). You will need 60 days in each six-month period to maintain your eligibility.” The report continued, “During the first six months of 2014, the old eligibility rule will apply. This means that from Jan. 1, SIU Makes Case for Strong U.S.-Flag Fleet 2014 through June 30, 2014 you will be eligible for benefits if you had 125 days of covered employment in 2013, and one day of covered employment in the past six months prior to the date a claim accrues. “For purposes of maintaining eligibility for benefits, there is no change in the way that the Plan will count the days you attend upgrading classes at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center, days when you receive Sickness and Accident benefits and days when you receive Maintenance and Cure. “If you did not have eligibility on Dec. 31, 2013 you will establish eligibility on the ninety-first day of covered employment.” While the new rules allow members to obtain eligibility much faster compared to the old system, the SIU and the SHBP recognize that this type of change generates questions about various individual scenarios. Members are encouraged to read the participant letter and the article in the November LOG (both also available online), contact their port agents and call the SHBP at 1-800-252-4674 with any questions. Congresswoman, SIU Official Talk Food for Peace Continued from Page 3 membership of nearly 5 million working men and women – as well as 18 port fleet, and emphasized that if oil and gas councils across the U.S. It was in that is to be exported from the U.S., “it must capacity that he submitted formal combe on the bottoms of U.S.-flagged ships. ments to aid in developing a national Made in America is fundamental to any maritime strategy. In addition to reaffirming the departU.S. maritime strategy.” Hunter reiterated his support for ment’s support for current maritime the industry and said he plans to help programs, he also called on MARAD strengthen cargo preference laws where to back using U.S.-flag vessels to move liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from U.S.-flag shipments are concerned. “We’re going to reverse a trend that’s the U.S. “Since its founding, the United States been going on since the 1980s,” he said, adding that he also has long-term plans has been and remains a maritime nation,” to beef up MARAD’s Title XI shipbuild- he concluded. “The maritime industry diing loan guarantee program, among other rectly affects all 50 states as well as the territories. The inefforts. dustry has provided Brown said the American workers military relies on the with good, steady, sealift capacity availdependable jobs at able through private sea and ashore. It is American-flag ship vital to the nation’s operators and U.S. economic and decrews. fense interests.” “It would take a In individual letlot of money to reters submitted to the place the capacity and hosting agency, SIU capability” of those members stressed crews and vessels, he that any national said. maritime policy Yearwood made should start with similar points and protecting existing said the Defense programs and laws Department (DOD) regularly relies on SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez addresses – and any new ideas mariners. He said the government officials and other indus- should build upon DOD depends on a try leaders during the meeting with them, not replace them. Seafarers healthy and viable DOT Secretary Foxx. stated that proven U.S. Merchant Marine, and therefore supports developing laws and programs including the Jones a sound maritime policy. He also spoke Act, cargo preference, and the MSP are in support of the U.S. Maritime Security vital to national and economic security, Program (MSP) and its related Voluntary and they help sustain large numbers of good American jobs. Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA). Jaenichen thanked the participants and “Without the U.S.-flag fleet, we cannot respond to contingencies,” he noted that the symposium, while imporpointed out, using the industry’s highly tant, is only “the first step in a year-long praised efforts in Operation Iraqi Free- effort to develop a structured, systemdom and Operation Enduring Freedom atic and inter-connected strategy that as examples of civilian crews supporting will strengthen and expand our nation’s maritime transportation system. We have our troops. President Sacco also serves as presi- come together to lay the foundation for a dent of the Maritime Trades Department, truly robust national maritime strategy – AFL-CIO (MTD), which consists of 21 one that encompasses all aspects of our national and international unions – with industry.” SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona (right) recently had a chance to discuss the importance of the Food for Peace program with U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Her district includes San Francisco. ICC Study: Incidents of Piracy on the High Seas Hit 6-Year Low Piracy is continuing to drop in prevalence around the world and has reached its lowest level in six years, according to a study by the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The IMB’s report showed there were 264 incidents of piracy around the world in 2013, down from 297 in 2012. The latest figures illustrate a 40 percent drop in piracy since the number of incidents peaked with 439 in 2011. Officials said much of the drop in worldwide piracy was due to a crackdown in Somali piracy off the East African coast. February 2014 19987_Seafarers_X.indd 5 In 2013, there were only 15 acts of piracy reported in the waters near Somalia. That’s down from 75 in 2012 and 237 during the piracy peak in 2011. “The single biggest reason for the drop in worldwide piracy is the decrease in Somali piracy off the coast of East Africa,” said IMB Director Pottengal Mukudan. He added pirates have been deterred thanks to international navies, the use of private security teams and improved stabilization of the Somali government. “It is imperative to continue combined international efforts to tackle Somali piracy,” Mukudan said. “Any complacency at this stage could re-kindle pirate activity.” The report also found that out of the 300 people taken hostage by pirates last year, 21 were injured, nearly all of them with guns or knives. In total, 12 vessels were hijacked, 202 were boarded, 22 were fired upon and 28 reported attempted attacks. While they said the falling prevalence of piracy off the East African coast is encouraging, officials added West African piracy has remained troubling. In 2013, West African piracy made up 19 percent of the attacks worldwide. Nigerian pirates were especially aggressive, accounting for 31 of the region’s 51 attacks. Nigerian pirates also had a presence in the waters off Gabon, Ivory Coast and Togo and were linked to at least five of the region’s seven reported vessel hijackings. The IMB also reported a number of “low-level and opportunistic” attacks in Asian waters. These events – which the organization emphasized were not as serious as the African incidents – took place mainly in waters off the coasts of Indonesia, India and Bangladesh. The IMB said it is working with authorities on increased patrols and other measures to reduce the number of incidents. Seafarers LOG 5 1/27/2014 12:43:20 PM �The SIU-crewed USNS Bobo is part of the Military Sealift Command’s prepositioning fleet. Pictured from left to right are SA Jasmine Garrett, SA Oscar Catabay, Chief Cook Casey Pearson, SA Randy Soriano, Steward/Baker Robert Wright and SA Hazza Hussein. USNS Bobo Galley Gang Receives Recognition Six SIU steward department members recently received kudos for their efforts aboard the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo. The vessel, operated by Maersk Line, Limited, hosted several distinguished guests late last year in Palau. Those visitors included Thomas E. Daley, head of the U.S. Embassy in Koror; Ismael Aguon, Palau’s public safety director; Gustav Aitaro, director, Ministry of State; and Joyce Isechal of the U.S. Embassy. Vessel master Capt. Paul K. Davis sent a letter to the mariners that read: “On Dec. 9, 2013 while anchored in Koror, Palau, you served a spectacular meal for our distinguished visitors. The entrees were delicious. The time and effort you put into making all the wonderful appetizers and desserts is truly commendable. “Your hard work and extra effort are a credit to the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, Maersk Line, Limited and the Seafarers International Union. I am proud to have all of you in my crew. Your work ethic sets a high standard and a goal for others to emulate. I look forward to sailing with Remembering Jim Ott you again.” The steward department consisted of Steward/Baker Robert Wright, Chief Cook Casey Pearson and SAs Jasmine Garrett, Hazza Hussein, Randy Soriano and Oscar Catabay. During that same stop, seven U.S. Navy Sailors from the Bobo visited Palau High School to play volleyball and mentor students Dec. 11. Sailors and students played four games on the courts and talked about military life and the importance of volunteering in one’s community. “It is always a blessing having U.S. ships come into Palau and these Sailors did not have to volunteer their time,” said Isechal, a political specialist. “When we have community relations programs, even when it is something simple like playing volleyball with the children, we are very grateful for the time and effort….” The Bobo, a prepositioning ship, was participating in what the Navy described as a “theater security cooperation mission that was coordinated and facilitated by the U.S. Defense Representative Political-Military Affairs office.” SIU Participates in ‘Military to Mariner’ Event in Puerto Rico On Dec. 3, the union participated in a U.S.-flag maritime career forum for military veterans at the Crowley Marine Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The gathering promoted training and employment opportunities. Pictured from left to right in the group photo at the bottom are Herbert Correa, Army Reserve; Lt. Luis Rivas U.S. Coast Guard; Crowley President/CEO Thomas B. Crowley, SIU Port Agent Amancio Crespo and Jose Piñero of the Puerto Rico Department of Labor. The photo immediately below (left) shows Crowley Chief Counsel Mike Roberts addressing the crowd. Jim Ott, a familiar face at the SIU hall in Tacoma, Wash., for the last 10 years, passed away Dec. 19 after a courageous fight with cancer. He was 75. Prior to his employment at the hall, Ott worked for more than 30 years in various capacities elsewhere in the maritime industry, including seagoing jobs with Matson and APL. He was active in community services and worked until just a week before his death. This photo was taken on Dec. 11, his last day on the job. 6 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers_X.indd 6 February 2014 1/27/2014 12:43:24 PM �BOOKS PRESENTED IN OAKLAND – GUDE Clark Castrodes (left in photo above, with SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona) is pictured at the hall in Oakland, Calif., shortly after being sworn in as a full B-seniority member. In the photo at immediate right, ACU Nagi Saeed (right, with Patrolman Nick Marrone II) receives his A-book. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ASSISTING WITH RELIEF EFFORT – The SIU, other maritime unions and APL Maritime have teamed up to donate thousands of dollars to victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Pictured above on the APL Pearl are Recertified Steward Denis Burke (right) and Chief Cook Francisco Arzu, SIU members who helped with the philanthropy. WELCOME ASHORE IN BALTIMORE – Bosun Nelson Poe (center) picks up his first pension check at the hall in Baltimore. Congratulating him on a well-earned retirement are SIU VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi (left) and Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown. A-BOOK ON USNS WILLIAMS – SIU Guam Port Agent John Hoskins (right) presents AB John Nersten with an A-seniority book aboard the USNS Dewayne T. Williams. A-BOOK IN ANCHORAGE – At the hall in Anchorage, Alaska, Port Agent Tracey Mayhew (right) gives Junior Engineer Michael Iverson his A-seniority book. February 2014 19987_Seafarers.indd 7 CATCHING UP IN PUERTO RICO – Discussing the latest union news at the hall in San Juan, P.R., are (from left) Port Agent Amancio Crespo, Chief Engineer Armando Garayua and aspiring apprentice Ryan Agosto. WELCOME ASHORE IN JACKSONVILLE – A Seafarer since 1979, Crowley Capt. Andy Smith (left) visited the hall in Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 27 to pick up his first pension check. Congratulating him is Patrolman Brian Guiry. WELCOME ASHORE IN NORFOLK – Stopping by the Norfolk, Va., hall as he drops the hook is AB/Tankerman Howard Blount (right), who most recently sailed with Allied Towing. Port Agent Georg Kenny (left) called him “a great shipmate.” Seafarers LOG 7 1/24/2014 6:57:20 AM �Scenes from Around The Port of Honolulu Pictured at the SIU hall in late December (photo above, from left) are Seafarers Arman Deblois, George Tidwell (pensioner), Joel Ababa, Michael Bautista, Jerwin Ablan (and son, Jayden) and Gaudencio Damas Jr. Late last year, the SIU and several other maritime unions endorsed the reelection campaign of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), based on his commitment to the industry and to working families. The senator (third from left) is pictured with SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso (directly next to him) and other supporters following the endorsement. A reduced-operating status crew remains aboard Maersk’s USNS Sumner in Pearl Harbor, including (photo at right) GVA Karen Suzuki and (photo above, from left) QMED Getolio Medallo and AB Abdoulla Alssoudi. Youthful appearances notwithstanding, these three recertified stewards (photo above) – Jennifer Jim, Karen Fensel and Ruti Demont – have a combined 81 years of service with the SIU, including time aboard the old American Hawaii Cruises “white ships” Independence and Constitution. Briefly pausing for these photos aboard the TOTE car carrier Jean Anne are Chief Electrician Martin Hamilton (above), and (clockwise, from lower left in the photo at immediate right) Steward/Baker Sam Sinclair, Chief Cook Will Dalton, AB Billy Cooley and Bosun Dan Davenport. 8 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers.indd 8 TOTE’s Seafarers-crewed SBX-1 is shown with the SIUcrewed tug American Emerald (American Marine Corporation) in front. SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone (standing at right, in the back) meets with apprentices aboard NCL America’s Pride of America – the only deep-sea U.S.-flag cruise ship. February 2014 1/24/2014 6:57:27 AM �SIU Members Celebrate Holidays Aboard Ships, at Halls Both at sea and ashore, SIU members got together during the winter holidays to celebrate the season. Traditional holiday fare was featured on many Seafarers-crewed vessels and at union halls including the ones in Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Oakland, San Juan and Tacoma (some of which were featured in last month’s LOG). Photos from some of these gatherings appear on the next three pages. Some of the photos also are featured on the SIU Facebook page (which is linked on our home page, www.seafarers.org). Port of Baltimore Maersk Alabama Vessel Master Capt. Paul Rochford sent these photos from the Christmas meal and a Dec. 29 cookout. In addition to those pictured, the steward department also included SA Rolando Batiz. Pictured in the photo above are Chief Cook Natividad Zapata, Chief Mate Shelley and Recertified Steward Tyler Laffitte. Zapata and Laffitte also appear in the photo at right. Sealand Lightning Recertified Bosun Gerry Gianan sent these photos from the Sealand Lightning. AB Dan Murley, AB Jim Romeo, GUDE Justino Riascos-Sanchez, QMED Syed Iqbal, Recertified Steward Tyler Laffitte, Electrician John Conn Chief Steward Christina Mateer, Chief Cook Wiley Owens AB Norman Taylor, AB Samuel Lampshire Courage GUDE Julius Gimutao Jr. Port of Wilmington, Calif. The handiwork of Steward/Baker Susanne Cake aboard the Courage February 2014 19987_Seafarers.indd 9 Seafarers LOG 9 1/24/2014 6:57:36 AM �Sealand Intrepid Port of San Juan Christmas on the Sealand Intrepid. Thanks to vessel master Capt. Kyle J. Hamill for the photos and this note: “Just wanted to show you guys the absolutely amazing job our Stewards Department did for our Christmas dinner on the Sealand Intrepid. Can’t say enough about how good it all looked and tasted. Steward Cleto Lindong, Chief Cook Carlton McMiller II, and SA Diosdado Abugotal Jr. put out a tremendous amount of extra effort to make it a nice day for us all. Everything except the tin foil was edible. That beach scene with octopus, crabs, turtles, whales and cranes was made with dough and sweet potato and that flower bouquet was all veggies. We’re all very grateful to have those guys on board for the holidays.” Chief Steward Ismael Garayua (right) and guests SA Diosdado Abugotal Jr., Chief Cook Carlton McMiller II, Recertified Steward Cleto Lindong Seafarer A. Mendez USNS Henson Thanksgiving aboard the USNS Henson. Pictured from left: SA Joseph Martin, GVA Francisco Ocado, GVA Ahmed Sultan, Chief Cook Larry Bachelor and Chief Steward Edgardo Ong. MDR Brandon Maeda submitted the photo and wrote, “The steward department put on quite a spread – I am still full.” 10 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers.indd 10 OMU Hector Ginel (right), his wife, Marylin, and SIU administrative assistant Maria Gomez GUDE Dion Tury (left), Port Agent Amancio Crespo Bosun Abel Vasquez (left), Recertified Steward Steward Juan Vallejo (right) and his wife, Odalis February 2014 1/24/2014 6:57:53 AM �Port of Norfolk SIU VP Kermett Mangram, Maersk Port Captain Jeff Londonsky Woodrow Hughes AB Elmo Davis (right) and Janice OMU Arnido Sindac, BREC James Orlanda, QMED Ibarra Mangaya, AB Chris Hunnings, GVA Ruden Perez, Mrs. Aquino and QMED Aristeo Aquino QMED Randolph Patterson, QEE Wendell Brown, Mo Brown and SA Fred Spencer Recertified Bosun Mike Moore Captain Pete Madden, Retiree Butch Vane, AB Phil, Chief Cook Dave Rodak February 2014 19987_Seafarers.indd 11 Chief Cook Avis Hawkins (right) and guest Retiree John Cooper (right) and his sister, Gloria Retired BREC Tony Maben, two guests, AB Dionce Bright, AB Corrie Stockton Seafarers LOG 11 1/24/2014 6:57:58 AM �What’s New What’s New for 2014 Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2013 and 2014, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2012. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 15, 2014. Exemptions - The personal exemption and the dependency exemption increased to $3,900 for 2013. For tax year 2013, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $250,000 for single individuals, $275,000 for heads of household, $300,000 for married filling joint, and $150,000 for married filing separately. For tax year 2014, the phase-out has increased to $254,200 for single individuals, $279,650 for heads of household, $305,050 for married filing joint, and $152,525 for married filing separately. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return increased to $12,200 for 2013. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns has increased to $6,100 for 2013. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $8,950 for 2013. You can use the 2013 Standard Deduction Worksheet or see page 143 from Publication 17 which can be found on irs.gov to figure your standard deduction. Itemized Deductions - For tax year 2013, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $250,000 for single individuals, $275,000 for heads of household, $300,000 for married filling joint, and $150,000 for married filing separately. For tax year 2014, the phase-out has increased to $254,200 for single individuals, $279,650 for heads of household, $305,050 for married filling joint, and $152,525 for married filing separately. High-income taxpayers are also subject to limits on exemptions and deductions in 2013. The income threshold for the Pease and PEP (personal exemption phaseout) limitations is $300,000 in adjusted gross income (AGI) for joint filers and $250,000 for singles. The Pease limitation reduces the value of charitable contributions; mortgage interest; state, local, and property taxes; and miscellaneous itemized deductions. For 2013, this limitation is the lesser of 3% of AGI above the threshold up to 80% of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable. The PEP limitation reduces the total personal exemption by 2% for every $2,500 of income above the same income thresholds with no upper limitations. That means it’s possible for some taxpayers to completely phase-out of their personal exemptions. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - For 2013, the threshold for the itemized deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses has increased to 10% of adjusted gross income for regular income tax purposes. In years 2013 - 2016, if either the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse has turned 65 before the end of the tax year, the threshold remains at 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2013: n Credit of $6,044 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $46,227 ($51,567 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,372 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $43,038 ($48,378 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $3,250 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $37,870 ($43,210 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $487 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $14,340 ($19,680 if married filing jointly) The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $3,300 in 2013. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2013 is $113,700. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. New for 2013, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses, $125,000 for married filing separately and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to self-employed workers. Also for 2013, the old rate of 6.2% has been reinstated. For 2014, the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax is $117,000. The hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will not increase. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the self-employment tax is 12.4% in 2013. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. As a result, the SE tax rate increased to 15.3%. The deduction is equal to onehalf of self-employment tax. Capital Gains and Losses- Continuing from 2012 you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2013, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate - Starting 2013, the tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends will increase from 15% to 20% for income that exceeds the threshold amount of: n $450,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $425,000 for head of household n $225,000 for married filing separately n $400,000 for single Also beginning in 2013, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax for income that exceeds the threshold amounts listed above. Medicare Tax on Investment Income - New for 2013, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross 12 Seafarers LOG income (AGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: n $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $125,000 for marries filing separately n $200,000 for all others Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit has increased to $12,970 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $194,580. For 2013, the credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2013 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. For 2014, the projected amount of credit will be $13,190. Child Tax Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the enhanced child tax credit of $1,000 maximum credit per child through the end of 2017. For 2013 tax year the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: n $55,000 for married couples filing separately n $75,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $110,000 for married couples filing jointly In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). Child and Dependent Care Credit - For 2013, there is a credit of $3,000 for cost to care for one child under age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children so that the parents can either go to work or be in process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2013, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to $1,000 of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and $25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $80,000 to $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $160,000 to $180,000 for Married Filing Joint The American Opportunity Tax Credit is extended under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 through the end of 2017. Lifetime Learning Credit - For tax year 2013, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if you Modified AGI exceeds $53,000 ($107,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $63,000 ($127,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Tuition and Fees Deductions - This deduction was extended under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. For tax year 2013, you may be able to deduct up to $4,000 for taxpayers with AGI of $65,000 or less ($130,000 for joint filers) and $2,000 for taxpayers with AGI above $65,000 but less than or equal to $80,000 ($130,000 and $160,000, respectively, for joint filers) for qualified educational expenses paid for yourself, spouse or dependent even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A. Taxpayers cannot claim tuition and fees tax deduction in the same year they claim American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit. Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, room and board, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. Educator Expenses - The deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom has been extended under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 through December 31, 2017. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction - The election to deduct state and local general sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes as an itemized deduction has been extended under Continued on Page 14 Tax Tips For Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099 n Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www. irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-872-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 74b, 74c and 74d on their Form 1040. Line 74b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 74c indicates the type of account, and line 74d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and directly submit the forms electronically. Free electronic filing is no longer subject to any income limitations. For more information, visit the IRS website at: www.irs.gov. What Are Considered Deductions and Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption— for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents is $3,900 per person. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, increased for married couples filing jointly in 2013 to $12,200. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns is now $6,100. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $8,950 for 2013 (see box on this page). Personal Interest Deductions: For 2013, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: In most cases you can deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2 percent is deductible. The self-employed may deduct union dues as a business expense. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other Standard Deduction This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,200 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,500 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,900. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single and Married filing separate ......................................................... ....$ 6,100 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children........ .....................................................................................................................$12,200 Head of household..................................................................................... .$ 8,950 February 2014 February 2014 equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate for 2013 is 56.5 cents. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operatingrelated costs for the vehicle, including insurance, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: n Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and n Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $59 a day ($65 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through December 31, 2013. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Other Tax Information Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2013, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. n Embezzled or other illegal income. Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship Filing An Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2014, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where Is My Refund If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the Refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-8294477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet web site at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator, check the status of your refund, send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �Assorted Changes Greet Filers During Current Tax Season Continued from Page 12 the The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. Under the new tax act, this deduction will be available for 2013. Individual Retirement Accounts: Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. Traditional IRAs - For 2013, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2013) or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2013 is $59,000-$69,000 for single, head of household, $95,000-$115,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2013) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $112,000 and $127,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $178,000 and $188,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - This provision, now available through the end of 2013, offers older owners of IRAs a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70 and onehalf or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible chari- April 15 Marks Official Deadline for 2014 SHPB Scholarship Applications The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) each year offers scholarships to qualified Seafarers and dependents who are hoping to continue their education. Designed to ease the financial challenges associated with college and vocational studies, the 2014 SHBP Scholarship Program will offer eight awards totaling $132,000. Three scholarships will be designated for Seafarers and five will be targeted for spouses and dependents. One of the endowments reserved for Seafarers totals $20,000 and is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, collegelevel course of study. The remaining two are in the amount of $6,000 each and are designed as two-year awards for study at a postsecondary vocational school or community college. Each of the five scholarships for spouses and dependents is for $20,000. Now is an ideal time to begin the application process. The first step is to send 14 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers.indd 14 ties are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2013, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by June 30, 2014 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceed $10,000. Divorced or Separated Parents - A custodial parent who revoked their previous release of a claim to a child’s exemption must include a copy of the revocation with their return. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit - If you have to repay the credit, you may be able to do so without attaching Form 5405. Mortgage Insurance Premiums - Mortgage insurance premiums for qualified mortgage insurance on debt to acquire, construct, or improve a first or second residence can potentially be treated as deductible qualified residence interest. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends this provision through December 31, 2013. Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit This credit is available for eligible property placed in service before 2014. The credit has a lifetime limit of $500, of which only $200 may be used for windows. This credit still consists of qualified energy efficiency improvements and residential energy property costs. Subject to the lifetime limits, only 10% of qualified energy efficiency improvements are allowed. Subject to the lifetime limits, the residential energy property costs are limited to $300 for energy-efficient building property, $150 for any qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, and $50 for any advanced main air circulating fan. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – This credit remains unchanged from 2012 and equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, and fuel cell property. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit.  Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available except in the case of fuel cell property, which is $500 for each one half kilowatt of capacity. Eligible homeowners can claim both Energy Property and Energy Efficient Property Credit when they file their 2013 federal income tax return. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rate for 2013 is 56.5 cents per mile for business miles driven and was increased to 24.0 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Deduction for corrosive drywall - You for the 2014 SHBP Scholarship Program booklet. The package contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. To obtain a copy of this handout, simply fill out the form provided at the right and mail it to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. All requests should include the requesting individual’s name, Social Security number (Seafarer sponsor’s Social Security number if a dependent), a complete mailing address including zip code and a telephone number. Requestors shoud indicate whether the booklet is for themselves or their dependents. The scholarship program booklet request form can also be downloaded from the Seafarers website by going to the membership tab and scrolling down to forms. Scholarship program booklets also are available at SIU halls. Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility criteria to determine if they are eligible to participate. They should also begin collecting and assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit with the full application, which must be received by April 15, 2014. may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction for amounts you paid to repair damage to your home and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall installed in homes between 2001 and 2009. The deduction is limited if you have a pending claim for reimbursement (or intend to pursue reimbursement) through property insurance, litigation, or other means. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss - This loss remains unchanged from 2012.The loss is limited to the excess of the loss over $100. The 10% of AGI limit still applies. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - For tax year 2013, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $97,600. This amount is up $2,500 from tax year 2012. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – AMT exemptions have been permanently extended and indexed for inflation. Exemption amounts help prevent some middle income earners from being subject to the AMT, and help keep any AMT adjustments less than they otherwise might have been. For tax year 2013, the alternative minimum tax exemption increases to the following levels: n $80,800 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers up from $78,750 in 2012. n $40,400 for married couples filing separately, up from $39,375. n $51,900 for singles and heads of household, up from $50,600. Tax Rates for 2013 - President Bush Era tax rates are made permanent with a new 39.6% bracket (for single individuals at $400,000, head of household at $425,000, married filing jointly at $450,000 and married filing separately at $225,000). Trust and estates will hit the 39.6% bracket at $11,950. The rate for capital gains and dividends will increase from 15% to 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $400,000 for single individuals n $425,000 for heads of household n $450,000 for married filing joint. Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence - Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However the 2010 Tax Relief Act excludes from income cancellation of debt on a principal residence of up to $2 million. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the provision through 2013. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child -To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out A scholarship selection committee, consisting of a panel of professional educators, will examine the high school grades of all applicants as well as evaluate scores from their Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and American College Tests (ACT). Accordingly, arrangements should be made by applicants who have not done so to take these of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund.  These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS Web site or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce. gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778. tests no later than this month. Doing so will virtually assure that the results reach the evaluation committee in time for review. Seafarers and dependents who previously applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements. Please send me the 2014 SHBP Scholarship Program Booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name..................................................................................................................................... Street Address...................................................................................................................... City, State, Zip Code........................................................................................................... Telephone Number ( ) .................................................................................................. This application is for: Mail this completed form to: o Self o Dependent Scholarship Program Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 2/14 February 2014 1/24/2014 6:58:01 AM �4 March & April 2014 Membership Meetings Piney Point.......................................Monday: March 3, April 7 Algonac..............................................Friday: March 7, April 11 Baltimore........................................Thursday: March 6, April 10 Guam...............................................Thursday: March 20, April 24 Honolulu...........................................Friday: March 14, April 18 Houston............................................Monday: March 10, April 14 Jacksonville................................Thursday: March 6, April 10 Joliet............................................Thursday: March 13, April 17 Mobile.......................................Wednesday: March 12, April 16 New Orleans............................................Tuesday: March 11, April 15 New York.........................................Tuesday: March 4, April 8 Norfolk..............................................Thursday: March 6, April 10 Oakland..........................................Thursday: March 13, April 17 Philadelphia.............................Wednesday: March 5, April 9 Port Everglades........................Thursday: March 13, April 17 San Juan.....................................Thursday: March 6, April 10 St. Louis........................................Friday: March 14, April 18 Tacoma..........................................Friday: March 21, April 25 Wilmington.........................................Monday: March 17, April 21 Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personal Reynard Gibbs would like Bosun Pablo Borja to contact him at norfolkstaterey@hotmail.com. They sailed together onboard the Endurance from January-May 2013. February 2014 19987_Seafarers.indd 15 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea December 16, 2013 - January 15, 2014 Port Total Registered All Groups A B C Total Shipped All Groups Trip A B C Reliefs Registered on Beach All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Deck Department 26 10 0 6 5 0 1 34 16 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 3 0 14 7 0 8 6 0 5 19 4 0 26 15 4 11 11 4 8 31 22 6 5 3 0 4 2 0 0 4 5 0 9 5 1 5 3 1 3 19 12 1 53 10 0 33 5 2 10 87 25 4 31 24 3 22 13 2 12 60 36 9 11 5 1 1 3 1 1 13 9 0 14 8 3 7 3 2 5 17 9 3 11 3 0 14 7 1 7 20 3 0 53 22 1 28 9 0 15 91 31 2 27 24 3 16 16 4 9 29 31 4 27 6 1 10 7 0 5 43 7 2 7 4 2 5 2 1 4 8 6 3 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 9 7 0 6 1 2 3 15 11 1 34 13 3 34 8 2 18 59 15 3 3 6 0 2 4 0 2 4 2 1 32 14 1 32 6 1 12 76 25 1 394 188 23 245 112 23 120 632 275 41 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Engine Department 5 8 0 3 2 2 0 4 10 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 6 0 2 2 1 1 6 8 0 8 7 0 5 8 0 5 11 5 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 5 3 0 7 2 0 2 17 10 1 19 10 0 11 4 0 3 36 18 0 13 18 1 12 13 2 10 35 23 9 3 5 0 2 1 0 0 3 7 0 11 2 1 1 1 1 2 12 2 3 3 2 1 5 3 0 2 3 2 1 16 12 1 11 8 1 5 26 16 2 7 12 0 6 5 0 2 19 19 2 10 5 2 7 3 0 3 14 8 3 5 1 0 4 1 0 4 6 2 1 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 2 5 1 1 2 1 1 6 11 0 12 7 0 12 5 0 4 18 12 2 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 5 0 11 9 0 13 8 1 10 19 32 4 140 122 8 104 68 9 54 241 198 32 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Steward Department 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 2 5 7 0 6 2 2 7 2 1 3 17 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 15 3 0 9 4 0 2 27 3 0 18 6 2 11 2 3 8 30 12 0 20 8 2 12 8 1 8 32 9 2 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 4 1 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 7 2 2 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 8 3 3 15 4 0 15 3 0 13 30 10 0 14 6 2 9 8 2 7 19 8 5 19 5 2 17 1 0 8 31 8 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 1 3 3 0 2 1 0 1 5 5 0 3 4 2 2 3 0 3 7 6 1 16 3 0 8 4 0 6 25 4 1 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 1 0 24 2 0 14 2 0 8 39 5 1 174 54 15 114 41 9 71 298 96 23 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Joliet Mobile New Orleans New York Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Entry Department 4 27 10 0 3 4 0 5 29 16 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 8 1 1 3 1 3 1 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 5 1 4 4 3 6 10 12 4 10 3 3 8 2 2 8 18 8 0 15 8 1 7 12 2 3 15 14 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 1 2 4 0 0 3 0 1 2 5 4 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 5 1 2 18 4 3 10 7 3 12 31 14 1 16 16 0 15 8 4 1 31 32 4 14 5 2 13 4 3 8 22 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 6 7 7 1 7 4 4 10 20 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 21 10 1 8 6 3 8 34 32 35 166 71 14 86 54 28 67 249 154 GRAND TOTAL: 743 530 117 477 307 95 273 1,238 818 250 Seafarers LOG 15 1/24/2014 6:58:02 AM �Inquiring Seafarer Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services Editor’s note: This month’s question was answered by members at the SIU hall in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Question: Why is the U.S. Merchant Marine so important? HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, 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 1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 Jamison McIntyre AB It’s important because it helps with America’s national security in many ways, and also because it provides good jobs for United States citizens. Angela Corbitt AB Richard Lee SA To me, it’s important because it fills a missing link. It works as a backup for government transportation and trade. It does things the government can’t do with cargo. It’s economically important. Martin Buck Recertified Steward Terence Brennan AB Domingo Martinez AB It’s important because we carry things over to the soldiers. It’s what I’m doing now, working aboard the Alliance Fairfax. Because we should rely on ourselves to get things done. We can’t have all our cargo moved by other people and other countries. One of the reasons it’s important is because we have a lot of good benefits and good pay. It’s a great job being a mariner. Trade never stops, and we have to have a U.S.-fleet to take things to our troops. It’s America – we have to have the workers and we should have more ships. It’s important to save American jobs with the Jones Act. Pic-From-The-Past JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 Seafarer Anthony Tonelli shows off one of our favorite license plates outside headquarters in New York in 1964. He was there to earn his AB ticket. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers.indd 16 February 2014 1/24/2014 6:58:09 AM �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA ROBERTO BOTIN Brother Roberto Botin, 65, started sailing with the Seafarers in 1999 in Norfolk, Va. He was originally employed on the USNS Bowditch. Brother Botin shipped in the steward department. He enhanced his skills often at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. Brother Botin’s most recent ship was the Maersk Wisconsin. He is a resident of Norfolk. EDILBERTO CAMIT Brother Edilberto Camit, 65, became an SIU member in 1992 in San Francisco. He initially worked aboard the USNS Silas Bent. Brother Camit was born in the Philippines and sailed in the steward department. His most recent trip to sea was on the USNS Petersburg. Brother Camit now makes his home in Alameda, Calif. HERBERT DANIELS Brother Herbert Daniels, 66, signed on with the Seafarers in 1998 while in Jacksonville, Fla. He initially worked with Moran Towing of Texas. The engine department member was born in Daytona, Fla. Brother Daniels upgraded on two occasions at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. His last ship was the Achiever. Brother Daniels lives in Louisville, Ky. WILLIE FRANKS Brother Willie Franks, 61, joined the SIU ranks in 1971 in the port of New York. His first ship was the Bethflor; his most recent, the Overseas Boston. Brother Franks was born in Mobile, Ala., and sailed in the engine department. He upgraded frequently at the Piney Point school. Brother Franks continues to reside in Alabama. LEON JOHNSON Brother Leon Johnson, 71, donned the SIU colors in 1988. February 2014 19987_Seafarers_X.indd 17 He initially shipped on the USNS Bartlett as a member of the deck department. Brother Johnson enhanced his skills on three occasions at the maritime training center. His most recent trip was aboard the USNS Wright. Brother Johnson calls Detroit home. CHARLES KIRKSEY Brother Charles Kirksey, 62, began sailing with the SIU in 1970. He originally shipped on the Bienville. The engine department member attended classes often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Kirksey’s most recent ship was the USNS Henson. He is a resident of Prichard, Ala. JAIME LANDEIRA Brother Jaime Landeira, 66, started shipping with the SIU in 1980. He is a native of Spain. Brother Landeira enhanced his skills three times at the Piney Point school. He worked in the engine department and concluded his career in Houston. Brother Landeira settled in Alameda, Calif. JOHN PALMER Brother John Palmer, 65, joined the Seafarers in 1990 in San Francisco. The deck department member’s earliest trip was on the Overseas Boston. Brother Palmer upgraded in 2002 at the Paul Hall Center. His last ship was the Developer. Brother Palmer makes his home in Mill Valley, Calif. HENRY PETERSON Brother Henry Peterson, 71, donned the SIU colors in 1983. He originally sailed with Dixie Carriers. Brother Peterson is a Missouri native and shipped in the deck department. He upgraded often at the unionaffiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Peterson’s most recent trip was on the Honor. He resides in Little Rock, Ark. HENRY RICHARDSON Brother Henry Richardson, 66, signed on with the Seafarers in 2001 during the SIU/ NMU merger. The steward department member last shipped aboard the Overseas Nikiski. Brother Richardson calls Houston home. RALPH THOMAS Brother Ralph Thomas, 65, joined the Seafarers in 1988. He initially sailed on the Cape Mohican. Brother Thomas was a member of the steward department. His most recent ship was the USNS Algol. Brother Thomas continues to live in his native state, Louisiana. JIMMY WHITING Brother Jimmy Whiting, 65, began sailing with the union in 1992. He first shipped aboard the Independence. Brother Whiting sailed in the engine department. He upgraded in 2001 at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Md. Brother Whiting’s most recent voyage was on the Horizon Tacoma. He is a resident of Las Vegas. WILEY YARBER Brother Wiley Yarber, 65, joined the SIU in 1977 in Houston. Born in Florida, his initial trip was aboard the Aries. Brother Yarber attended classes on two occasions at the Paul Hall Center. The engine department member last sailed on the OMI Charger. Brother Yarber calls Jacksonville, Fla., home. INLAND ROBERT SKELTON Brother Robert Skelton, 62, became an SIU member in 1976 in the port of Houston. Brother Skelton mainly sailed with Marine Contracting & Towing Company. He was a deck department member. Brother Skelton lives in Goose Creek, S.C. Can’t Wait For The Next LOG? Each month, the complete current edition of the Seafarers LOG is posted online at www.seafarers.org in PDF format. We also usually post around 10 individual articles per month. The online LOG archives go back to January 2010. This Month In SIU History Editor’s note: The following items are reprinted from previous editions of the Seafarers LOG. 1961 The Seafarers International Union scored a most important victory for all American seamen when the National Labor Relations Board decided to take jurisdiction over American-owned ships flying runaway flags, if these ships operate regularly out of U.S. ports. The ruling came in a case which had been universally recognized as a landmark in American maritime unions’ efforts to organize runaway-flag shipping. In fact, the case was considered so important that enormous pressure had been brought to bear on the board to rule against the union. 1965 At a joint demonstration in San Juan, the SIU strongly protested attempts by the government and certain industry leaders on the island to allow foreign-flag vessels to enter the Puerto Rico trade. The SIU warned that the introduction of foreign-flag shipping to the island trade could result in the unemployment of 20,000 seamen. In response to the demonstration, Adm. John Harllee, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, promised a “confident, determined and aggressive effort” to aid in the solving of the Puerto Rico freight lines controversy. He said that such a solution should be found without having to resort to the use of foreign-flag vessels in the Puerto Rican trade. 1974 This April, Seafarers will crew up the SIUcontracted liquid natural gas (LNG) carrier Kentown in Tulon, France – making it the first time that SIU members will be manning one of these high technology vessels. The Kentown is the first of two SIU-contracted LNGs being built to be operated by Interstate Bulk, a subsidiary of Interstate Oil Co. They will also be the first LNGs to operate under the U.S. flag. Due to the rapidly increasing worldwide need for new liquid and natural and petroleum gas carriers, ships like Kentown will be playing a very important role in the years ahead. 1991 As of Feb. 4, the U.S. government has sent 5 billion pounds of dry cargo and 8.6 billion pounds of fuel by ship, many of them crewed by Seafarers, to the allied armed forces stationed in the Persian Gulf. Converted into short tons, the logistical supply line has transferred 2.5 million short tons of dry cargo and 4.3 million short tons of fuel to the Gulf since the United States began its military deployment last August. The outbreak of hostilities has not significantly altered the smooth delivery operation of military material to the Gulf – an effort coordinated under the auspices of the Military Sealift Command (MSC). To date, the MSC’s sealift program in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm has involved 232 ships. Seafarers LOG 17 1/27/2014 12:43:26 PM �Final Departures DEEP SEA MUHSEN ABBADI Pensioner Muhsen Abbadi, 88, died June 6. He joined the Seafarers in 1965, initially sailing with Hudson Waterways Corporation. Brother Abbadi was an engine department member. He was last employed aboard the Del Valle. Brother Abbadi retired in 1991 and called Bronx, N.Y. home. RAYGENE BANKS Brother Raygene Banks, 59, passed away June 18. Born in Chicago, he began sailing with the union in 1990. Brother Banks first sailed on the Overseas Vivian. He was a deck department member. Brother Banks most recently shipped aboard the Cape May. He was a resident of Norfolk, Va. JOHN CRANE Pensioner John Crane, 87, died July 14. He was born in Georgia. Brother Crane originally shipped with Bloomfield Steamship Company. He worked in the deck department. Brother Crane’s final trip was on the Puerto Rico. He went on pension in 1990 and called Clemont, Ga., home. JOHN CRUZ Pensioner John Cruz, 64, passed away Aug. 3. He started shipping with the Seafarers in 1976. Brother Cruz’s first vessel was the Los Angeles; his last, the Horizon Navigator. He was born in New York and shipped in the steward department. Brother Cruz became a pensioner in 2013 and settled in Staten Island, N.Y. GLENN CRESSMAN Brother Glenn Cressman, 49, died Aug. 2. He began sailing with the union in 2005. Brother Cressman was born in New York. He was employed with GFC Crane Consultants for the duration of his career. Brother Cressman was a resident of Hollywood, Fla. ANGELOS DIMAS Pensioner Angelos Dimas, 82, passed away June 2. He started shipping with the SIU in 1971 while in New York. Brother Dimas initially sailed on the St. Louis. He was a member of the engine depart- 18 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers.indd 18 ment. Brother Dimas’ last trip was aboard the American Eagle. He retired in 1996 and made his home in Ringwood, N.J. DONALD GIFFORD Pensioner Donald Gifford, 77, died June 20. Brother Gifford signed on with the union in 1969 in the port of New York. The engine department member’s ships included the Trans Champ and the LNG Libra. He became a pensioner in 2000. Brother Gifford was a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y. ALBERTO LIMA Pensioner Alberto Lima, 74, passed away July 6. Brother Lima first donned the SIU colors in 2001 during the SIU/NMU merger. The deck department member was born in Portugal. Brother Lima’s final ship was the Energy Enterprise. He went on pension in 2010 and lived in Randolph, Mass. DANIEL RIVERA Brother Daniel Rivera, 30, died June 30. He started sailing with the union in 2001. The Puerto Rico native initially sailed on the Hawaii. Brother Rivera was a member of the steward department. He was last employed aboard the El Morro. Brother Rivera made his home in Bayamon, P.R. BERNARD SHAPIRO Pensioner Bernard Shapiro, 89, passed away July 20. Brother Shapiro was born in New York. He joined the union in 1953. Brother Shapiro originally worked with Metro Petroleum. The steward department member’s final ship was the Adventurer. Brother Shapiro began collecting his retirement pay in 1989. He settled in Germany. INLAND JACKIE BARNETT Pensioner Jackie Barnett, 79, died June 17. Born in North Carolina, Brother Barnett signed on with the SIU in 1966. His earliest trip was with Virginia Pilot Corporation. Brother Barnett worked in the deck department. He was last employed with the Association of Maryland Pilots. Brother Barnett became a pensioner in 1996. He called Frisco, N.C., home. HERBERT GROH Pensioner Herbert Groh, 92, passed away June 6. Brother Groh began sailing with the union in 1957. He was born in Hopewell, Pa. Brother Groh shipped with Moran Towing of Maryland for his entire career. He started receiving his pension in 1982. Brother Groh was a resident of Catonsville, Md. home in Sealevel, N.C. Editor’s note: The following brothers, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU), have passed away. JAMES MARTIN Pensioner James Martin, 58, died June 3. Brother Martin joined the SIU in 1975 while in Piney Point, Md. His first vessel was operated by Waterman Steamship Corporation. Brother Martin was member of the engine department. He last sailed with Crowley Towing & Transportation of Wilmington. Brother Martin went on pension in 2007 and lived in Fresno, Calif. GIDEON NEEDHAM Pensioner Gideon Needham, 84, passed away Aug. 4. Brother Needham signed on with the union in 1957. The deck department member primarily sailed with C.G. Willis Inc. Brother Needham became a pensioner in 1990. He was a resident of his native state, North Carolina. KENNETH SIMMONS Pensioner Kenneth Simmons, 64, died Aug. 15. He was a Texas native. Brother Simmons joined the SIU in 1970 and made his first trip with HVIDE Marine. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Simmons last worked with OSG Ship Management. He retired in 2013 and called Hagerstown, Md., home. RAYMOND SIMMONS Pensioner Raymond Simmons, 68, passed away June 14. Brother Simmons began sailing with the union in 1970. He was initially employed with National Marine Service. Brother Simmons last shipped with HVIDE Marine. He began collecting his retirement compensation in 2007. Brother Simmons, who sailed in the deck department, resided in Kirbyville, Texas. DONALD WILLIS Pensioner Donald Willis, 86, died July 9. Brother Willis became an SIU member in 1961. He was born in Carteret, N.C. Brother Willis mainly sailed with Interstate Oil Transportation Company. A member of the deck department, he went on pension in 1991 and made his REINALDO ALAMO Pensioner Reinaldo Alamo, 78, died April 15. Brother Alamo was born in Carolina, P.R. He became a pensioner in 1996 and called Houston home. EDWARD BERTHOLD Pensioner Edward Berthold, 89, passed away May 28. Brother Berthold, a native of Lawrence, Mass., began collecting his pension in 1971. He resided in New Hampshire. MARTIN BODDEN Pensioner Martin Bodden, 90, died April 14. Brother Bodden went on pension in 1987. He lived in the Cayman Islands. JUAN BONILLA Pensioner Juan Bonilla, 78, passed away May 20. Brother Bonilla was born in Lares, P.R. He retired in 1996 and was a resident of Puerto Rico. JOHN CARROLL Pensioner John Carroll, 87, died May 28. Born in Granite City, Ill., Brother Carroll became a pensioner in 1986. He called South Bend, Ind., home. MIGUEL PACHECO Pensioner Miguel Pacheco, 84, died May 18. The Puerto Rico native became a pensioner in 1969. Brother Pacheco settled in San Juan. JOSEPH PINDER Pensioner Joseph Pinder, 90, passed away May 15. Born in Maryland, Brother Pinder started receiving his retirement compensation in 1985. He continued to live in Maryland. JOHN PRIDE Pensioner John Pride, 86, died March 19. Brother Pride was born in Smackover, Ark. He began collecting compensation for his retirement in 1972 and made his home in Henderson, Texas. MATTHEW SALDIBAR Pensioner Matthew Saldibar, 91, passed away May 31. Born in New York, Brother Saldibar started receiving his pension in 1982. He lived in Silver Springs, Nev. WARREN SANBULA Pensioner Warren Sanbula, 65, died April 28. Brother Sanbula, a native of Harlem, N.Y., began collecting his pension in 2005. He made his home in Springfield, Mass. HAL SUTHERLAND Pensioner Hal Sutherland, 85, passed away May 31. Brother Sutherland was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He went on pension in 1990. Brother Sutherland made his home in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Pensioner Louis Frazier, 77, passed away May 28. Brother Frazier was born in Massachusetts. He retired in 1991 and resided in Alameda, Calif. Editor’s note: The following individuals also former members of the NMU have also passed away. Insufficient information was avaiable to develop accounts of their respective work histories while at sea. RAFAEL GARCIA Name LOUIS FRAZIER Pensioner Rafael Garcia, 91, died May 10. Brother Garcia was a native of Spain. He started receiving his retirement pay in 1971. Brother Garcia made his home in Malabar, Fla. JAMES HUDSON Pensioner James Hudson, 90, passed away May 27. Brother Hudson was a native of Alabama. He began receiving his pension in 1988. Brother Hudson lived in Mobile. Age Bond, Willie Crowley, Johnnie Gilbert, Armando Gonzales, Arturo Guillen, Guillermo Harper, William Matheu, Frank Palenscar, Robert Parris, Eneizer Sandoval, Isable Scaropoulos, George Stevens, Desmond 86 77 90 73 89 85 89 87 92 83 92 85 DOD July 29 May 17 July 27 May 15 June 26 Aug. 20 Aug. 25 July 27 June 19 Aug. 1 July 20 May 10 CHESTER KOCZYNSKI Pensioner Chester Koczynski, 86, died April 13. Brother Koczynski, a native of Chester, Pa., started collecting his retirement compensation in 1981. He continued reside in Chester. BERNARDO MENDEZ Pensioner Bernardo Mendez, 73, passed away May 21. Brother Mendez went on pension in 2000. He made his home in Far Rockaway, N.Y. February 2014 1/24/2014 6:58:12 AM �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings CHARGER (Maersk Line, Limited), November 15 – Chairman Robert Pagan, Secretary Alan E. Hollinger, Educational Director Andrew J. Linares, Deck Delegate Jovencio O. Cabab, Engine Delegate Fernando A. Ortega, Steward Delegate Fernando Abuan. Chairman reported sanitary inspection went well and announced payoff on November 15 in Los Angeles. Members were asked to help keep laundry room clean, and lock all rooms and public spaces while in port. Secretary requested crew members use the right machine for dirty clothes and designated laundry soap measuring cup. He thanked everyone for a good trip, especially “Manny” the chef and SA Fernando. He reminded members they must have security endorsements from NMC by the first of the year. Educational director advised crew members to enhance skills at Piney Point school and commended steward department for a job well done. Treasurer reported $2,282 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Portable air purifiers were gussested for rooms. Crew was asked to open and close doors quietly. HORIZON RELIANCE (Horizon Lines), November 10 – Chairman Kissinfor N. Taylor, Secretary Joseph A. Laureta, Educational Director Richard A. Huffman, Deck Delegate Julius Udan, Engine Delegate Wilshire Cortez, Steward Delegate Brandy Clemons. Bosun discussed STCW security training requirements. He asked that members let him or the steward know if they need a new mattress. Educational director reminded fellow members to keep an eye on document expiration dates, and allow plenty of time for renewals. Everyone was also encouraged to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members discussed changes in benefit requirements due to Affordable Care Act. Next port: Los Angeles. INTREPID (Maersk Line, Limited), November 24 – Chairman Abdulla R. Alwaseem, Secretary Cleto S. Lindong, Educational Director The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted. Ships’ minutes first are reviewed by the union’s contract department. Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships’ minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. With Seafarers Aboard The Sealand Lightning Recertified Bosun Gerry Gianan emailed these photos while the vessel was in Pusan, Korea, in early January. Additional photos from the ship are featured in our holiday layout on Page 9. Recertified Bosun Gerry Gianan Ralph B. Garner, Deck Delegate Charles Turner. Chairman stated payoff to take place November 25. He thanked crew for their hard work and professionalism. Secretary expressed his gratitude to fellow crew members for help keeping ship clean. Educational Director reiterated the need to get your time in and take advantage of upgrading opportunities at the Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next port: Los Angeles. MAERSK ATLANTA (Maersk Line, Limited), November 6 – Chairman Thomas P. Flanagan, AB Samuel Lampshire Secretary Glenn Williams, Educational Director Paul M. Titus, Deck Delegate Abdullah A. Oun, Steward Delegate Michael Fernandez. Chairman thanked crew for a safe, smooth voyage. He announced payoff in Newark, N.J., on November 5. Those departing vessel were asked to leave rooms clean for reliefs. Secretary asked members leaving vessel to put dirty linens in upper deck laundry room. Educational director encouraged everyone to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center. Treasurer reported $1,500 in ship’s fund. Gym equipment will be picked up in Newark. Beefs reported CIVMARS Assist in Search Mission The USNS Grasp, crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division, helped with a search mission following the tragic crash of a Navy helicopter Jan. 8 near Virginia Beach. Two of the five personnel from the helicopter survived, while two were immediately confirmed dead and the pilot’s body was recovered a few days later. In this U.S. Navy photo, taken Jan. 9, Navy divers are lowered into the Atlantic from the Seafarers-crewed vessel. in deck and engine departments; no disputed OT. Clarification requested on day off especially on weekends and holidays. Crew would like port reliefs to make it easier to comply with STCW requirements. Request was made to check feasibility of getting computer for crew lounge. Next ports: Charleston, S.C., Savannah, Ga., Norfolk, Va. and Newark, N.J. MAERSK CHICAGO (Maersk Line, Limited), November 10 – Chairman Cleofe B. Castro, Secretary Hugh E. Wildermuth, Educational Director Joshua J. McDaniel, Deck Delegate Melvin Nichols. Bosun thanked mariners for a job well done and stated payoff to take place November 14 in Port Elizabeth, N.J. Educational director recommended members further training at the Piney Point school and keep documents current. Treasurer reported $4,000 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendations made regarding vacation and pension requirements and benefits. Crew members would like another vacuum cleaner and increase in reimbursement for taxi to home. Next ports: Port Elizabeth, N.J. and Charleston, S.C. MAERSK DETROIT (Maersk Line, Limited), November 27 – Chairman William K. Barrett, Secretary Willie E. Massaline, Educational Director Dennis R. Baker. Chairman informed members the vessel will arrive in New Jersey as scheduled. He reminded members to read president’s column in Seafarers LOG. He thanked deck department for safe voyage and entire crew for doing a good job and being safe. Secretary encouraged membership to support our officials, contribute to SPAD and contribute to the Maritime Defense League (MDL). Educational director encouraged members to check schedule for classes at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. He said upgrading is very important. He also urged everyone to keep an eye on document expiration dates. He has forms available and he also February 2014 19987_Seafarers_X.indd 19 AB Norman Taylor mentioned that information is posted on the SIU website. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next port: Elizabeth, N.J. MAERSK MISSOURI (Maersk Line, Limited), November 9 – Chairman Oliver M. Balico, Secretary Billy Gigante, Educational Director Alfredo O. Cuevas, Deck Delegate Rolando Guity, Steward Delegate Asril Syarbaini. Chairman reported good voyage and thanked crew for hard work. He said he’s checking on a question about day’s pay in lieu of day off requirement. Educational director encouraged fellow mariners to upgrade their skills in Piney Point and make sure documents are up-to-date. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew gave vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. Next port: Charleston, S.C. GLOBAL SENTINEL (Transoceanic Cable Ship Company), December 3 – Chairman Lee H. Hardman, Secretary Shawn R. Fujiwara, Educational Director Vladimir Tkachev, Steward Delegate Franz Schnell, Engine Delegate Norman A. Arquillano. Chairman reminded everyone to stay current on dues. He thanked crew for keeping ship clean and reminded them about wiping up laundry detergent. He reminded fellow mariners that they all need an STCW security endorsement for their mariner credentials. The company has issued a related letter. He also reviewed the new eligibility requirements for the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP). Deck gang will be transferring cable during the next few days. Secretary reminded crew that slop chest isn’t fully stocked and recommended everyone make sure they have all they need. Educational director encouraged everyone to upgrade and also cautioned not to wait until the last minute for document renewals, as some can take a while. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked about entrée selections; chief steward asked for suggestions as to what they would like to see on the menu. Seafarers LOG 19 1/27/2014 12:43:29 PM �Letters to the Editor Interesting History Lesson I was thrilled to read the October 2013 issue of the LOG and see on page 12 President Sacco presenting a framed Battlin’ Pete to General Fraser at the MTD convention. Perhaps a word of background on the patch might be of interest. When our bill finally passed in 1998 recognizing the previously denied seamen as veterans, it was important to send some significant “thank you” to all the members of the House and Senate. To this end, I remembered being discharged in Seattle in April 1946. I was walking downtown and saw in an Army/ Navy store window Battlin’ Pete. I went in and bought one. The blue background was then felt; now it is stitching by a computer. The patch went into a drawer and was eventually lost, as all things are lost. I knew that Walt Disney Studios had produced all the wartime patches and insignias. I called the studios in Burbank and asked if there was a historian for wartime patches. There was, and we had a nice talk. I explained the purpose of the call and asked if it was possible to get specifics on the patch – size, colors, etc. – and also asked if they could be reproduced. He said yes we could, and he would send the specifics with the requirement that the patch must always be attributed to Walt Disney Studios. When his information arrived, he included several letters relating to the production of Pete. From this information, and using editorial license, I wrote the letter that goes along with Battlin’ Pete. You did a beautiful job framing the patch and the explanation. A number of our American Merchant Marine Veterans chapters, especially the Mon Valley (Pa.) Chapter, continue to make such a framed presentation to people we wish to honor and acknowledge…. Best wishes on your continued success. Fair winds, and go Battlin’ Pete. Mark S. Gleeson Oakmont, Pennsylvania Straight to the Point I would like to thank all of the instructors at the Paul Hall Center’s Harry Lundeberg School Letters may be edited for conciseness and clarity. Submissions may be mailed to 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 or e-mailed to webmaster@seafarers.org. of Seamanship in Piney Point, Md. The school is helping me pursue my career, and I thank everyone there, especially Stan Beck and Tom Truitt. AB Edgardo Ines Jacksonville, Florida Mariners Still Overlooked Our present generation needs to be told a few facts about American merchant seamen. Here we are in the year 2014 and people still ask, “What is the U.S. Merchant Marine? Is that a branch of the Navy? What do they do?” I have heard others, referring to the teenaged merchant seamen of World War II, ask, “What did you kids do, lie about your age to go to sea?” Worse yet: “I heard you were the guys that sold food to the soldiers on the army transports.” (I had to restrain myself from poking the guy in the nose that asked me this question.) Today’s generation appears to know little, if anything, about the contributions the American Merchant Mariners have made and continue to make each and every day to America’s good and welfare. In addition to their jobs of handling some of America’s imports and exports on a daily basis, our civilian mariners have participated in the success of every American war since the founding of our great country. We don’t hear of shipboard fires or other numerous breakdowns on American-crewed ships, and our seamen continue to perform their duties under life-threatening conditions: ocean storms, icebergs, pirates off the coast of Africa and Southeast Asia. In World War II, it was German and Japanese submarines and aircraft; in the 18th and 19th centuries, they suffered under the cruel impressment practices of the British Royal Navy. American-flag ships were stopped on the high seas and our seamen taken into the British Navy by force to serve on British ships. There have been changes in the lives and jobs of the mariners who sail our ships today and, from what I hear and read, the changes have been for the good. For one, during the 1940s, old timers would tell me of their memories of the days in the early twentieth century when fish eyes (pearl tapioca) would be the entrée on the daily menu in the mess hall. They would be forced to work overtime without compensation. It was always seven days a week for the entire crew. Four on and eight off was far from the routine. Credit must be given to our maritime unions for these improvements in working conditions. In December 1945, when I arrived home following 18 months at sea, I was disappointed to learn that merchant mariners would not be classified veterans and would not share in the benefits of the GI Bill of Rights. I also learned that two gossip columnists of that period, Walter Winchell and Westbrook Pegler, had printed and broadcasted outright lies about the World War II U.S. Merchant Marine. Both scandalmongers had wide audiences, numerous readers and radio listeners. Regrettably their lies spread. There’s an old adage that if you tell a lie often enough, people will start to believe it. And that is what took place in the wartime 1940s. Today, unfortunately, the lies persist. Winchell and Pegler, purveyors of yellow journalism, told their readers and radio listeners that the merchant seamen were draft dodgers, drunks, strikers, communists and shirkers. One malicious false report said that a merchant crew refused to unload vital supplies off a ship on a Sunday while in port at Guadalcanal. It went on to say that U.S. Marines had to be ordered out of sick bay to do the unloading – a most vicious lie. Maritime unions sued the columnists and their newspapers, won their case in court and obtained retractions and damages. In addition, the false report was declared completely untrue by the ranking Naval Admiral in the Southwest Pacific Area of Naval Operations. They called us draft dodgers? I never met any. Most of the teenagers had months to go before reaching 18, the age required to register for the Selective Service Draft. The older crew members were in their late 50s and early 60s and too old for the draft, but continued to go sea. There was an engine room oiler aboard ship who showed me three “discharged at sea” certificates. That is what was issued to seamen who survived their ships sinking and were able to make it back to landfall. Their pay stopped the day their ship went down. The oiler had previously lost two fingers working on ships with reciprocating engines (up and down jobs). Drunks? The drinking age in most states was 21 and IDs were checked at the entrance door to clubs and bars. If there was any alcohol aboard my ships, I didn’t see it. Communists? Few, if anyone aboard ship at that time knew the meaning of the word. Shirkers? When one signed ship’s articles, you were immediately subject to the captain’s and his officers’ orders. In addition, there was a Navy officer aboard in charge of the Armed Guard. Before leaving port, he would remind us that we were under wartime U.S. Navy regulations. I don’t understand how one could be a shirker and not be subjected to walking the plank at sunrise. We expected to do what we were told and that is what we did. I believe that the untruths that were spread about the WWII seamen was one of the reasons the Veterans of Foreign Wars refused us membership and possibly was the same reason that Congress excluded us from the GI Bill of Rights of 1945. It then took fortythree years (1988) for merchant seamen to be declared WWII veterans. There were no retroactive benefits. In retrospect, if our government didn’t feel the need or the obligation to include the WWII merchant seamen in the Bill of Rights it should, in the very least, have enacted a program to help the kids who had dropped out of school to return to high school and give continuous medical and hospital benefits to all wartime seamen, especially the men who had suffered injuries from enemy action. The government did issue a Certificate of Continuous Service to those of us who had sailed during the war. The certificate exempted WWII merchant seamen from the Selective Service Draft of 1940. The exemption was nothing more than a piece of paper, an insult to brave mariners that had contributed so much to the successful outcome of the war. In a few short years, a new draft law (1948) was enacted and the former seamen were told to register for the draft. In past years, bills have been introduced in Congress asking for compensation for wartime merchant seamen. The bills have never gotten out of committee and it is said that most probably they never will go to the floor for a vote. May God give his blessings to those who go down to sea in ships. Ed Woods Atlanta, Georgia Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board 20 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers.indd 20 by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea­farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Conse­quently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 February 2014 1/24/2014 6:58:16 AM �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the next several months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—national security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion Deck Department Able Seafarer (Deck) May 24 June 20 Bosun Recertification July 12 August 4 Fast Rescue Boat May 3 May 9 May 17 May 23 June 21 June 27 Lifeboatman/Water Survival March 1 March 14 March 29 April 11 April 26 May 9 May 24 June 6 June 21 July 4 Radar Renewal (One day) February 10 February 10 April 14 April 14 RFPNW April 26 May 23 March 1 March 28 Basic Auxiliary Plant Operations (BAPO) February 1 February 28 May 24 June 20 FOWT (Able Seafarer Engine) March 1 March 28 June 21 July 18 Junior Engineer March 8 May 2 May 17 July 11 Marine Electrician June 21 August 15 Marine Refer Technician May 3 Welding May 3 May 23 Safety Upgrading Courses Advanced Firefighting March 8 March 14 April 19 April 25 May 31 June 6 Basic Firefighting/STCW January 11 January 17 March 15 March 21 May 10 May 16 May 31 June 6 BST Renewal/VPDSD March 8 March 14 April 14 April 25 May 24 May 30 Government Vessels February 1 February 7 April 12 April 18 June 21 June 27 Medical Care Provider April 26 May 2 June 7 June 13 Tank Pic Barge April 5 April 11 Tanker Asst, Cargo DL April 12 April 25 Steward Department Upgrading Courses Advanced Galley Operations February 10 February 21 These classes start every other week. The next class will start February 10. Engine Department Advanced Refer Containers Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion June 13 Welding March 8 March 28 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name_________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth___________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o Certified Chief Cook These modules begin every other week. The most recent class started February 3. The next class will commence February 17. Chief Steward May 19 June 27 Galley Operations These modules start every other week. The most recent class started February 3. The next class will begin February 17. ServeSafe February 17 February 21 April 14 April 18 Steward Recertification Important Notice to Students March 17 April 7 Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. COURSE ____________________________ START DATE _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ 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? o Yes o No If yes, class #___________________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? o Yes o No If yes, course(s) taken____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back or relevant pages of merchant mariner credential, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate, valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/14 February 2014 19987_Seafarers.indd 21 LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ Seafarers LOG 21 1/24/2014 6:58:16 AM �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class 780 – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) completed their requirements in this course Dec. 20: Derrick Alexander, Cory Atkins, Harold Copeland, Charles Crawford, Kacey Hare, Juan Iglesias, Frank Jennings, Kyle Knickerbocker, Frank Martin, Joshua Maughon, Richard Miller, Ryan Nantista, Mamie Porter, Andruy Rengifo Cira, Teresa Rowland, James Rushin, John Schmidt, Edward Williams and Francis Williams. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Welding – Seafarer Rolando Romanillos graduated from this four-week course Dec. 20. Romanillos (left) is pictured with Buzzy Andrews, his instructor, in the photo above. Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting – Eleven upgraders graduated from this course Dec. 6. Completing their requirements (above, in alphabetical order) were: Albert Bharrat, Devon Brown, Louis Champa, Curtrina Duck, Fred Green, Mark Grzegorczyk, Mark Maldonado, Luis Martinez, Jonathan Scalsky, Ronald Sease and Charles Walker. Wayne Johnson Jr., their instructor, is second from the right. BST Renewal – Seven Seafarers finished their requirements in this course Dec. 13. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Samuel Calder, Hani Gharama, Orlando Herrera, Michael Scinto, Arthur Shaw, Grant Simonson and Victorino Viernes. BST Renewal – The following Seafarers (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 5. Satisfying all of their requirements were: Patrick Bethel, Peter Brill, Randolph Harrell, Gregory Holsey Jr., Cecil Husted, Bruce Johnson, Carlos Marcial, Rodante Niebres, Rodney Passapera-Barbosa, Randy Slue, Justin Smith and Jose Vega Caraballo. Class instructor Mark Cates is at the far left. Water Survival – Two mariners completed the enhancement of their skills in this course Dec. 20. Graduating (photo above, left to right) were Phase III Apprentice William Elam and upgrader Benito Arriola Castillo. Ben Cusic, their instructor is pictured with them. BST – Six upgraders completed their training requirements in this course Dec. 13. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Jeff Johnson, Victor Jones, Marcus Logan, Gladys Perry, Verleshia Robinson and Edwin Sebastian. Their instructor, Wayne Johnson Sr., is at the far left. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Junior Engineer – The following upgraders (photo at right, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 20: Danilo Achacoso, Fayed Ahmed, Leonilo Arano, Dwight Cherry, Scott Doxey, Jose Encarnacion, Brandon Fore, Devin Gordon, Brandon Grace, Laura Hollar, Juma Juma, Allen Ludlow, Danilo Martin, Matthew Maynard, William Mercer, Mohsen Mohamed, Kyle Pardun, Frank Sambula, Charles Searfass, Jerry Semper, Michael Souza, Terry Taylor and Anatoli Vetsinov. John Wiegman, their instructor, is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) 22 Seafarers LOG 19987_Seafarers.indd 22 February 2014 1/24/2014 6:58:20 AM �Paul Hall Center Classes Medical Care Provider – Eleven Seafarers completed the enhancement of their skills in this course Dec. 13. Graduating (photo at left, in alphabetical order) were: Aristeo Aquino, Nathaniel Balos, Davon Brown, Louis Champa, Romeo Codilero, Curtrina Duck, Fred Green, Gregory Holsey Jr., Michael Maldonado, Johathan Scalsky and Ronald Sease. Their instructor, Mike Roberts, is at the far right. Important Notice to Students Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Pumpman – The following upgraders (photo at right, in alphabetical order) completed their requirements and graduated from this course Dec. 13: Michael Blue Jr., Fontanos Ellison, Marcus Gramby, Ruben Haynes and Fernando Ortega. Jim Shaffer, their instructor, is at the far left. Able Seaman – Nine individuals completed their requirements in this course Dec. 13. Graudating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Cris Arsenio, Jeffrey Beasley, Rhod De Leon, Mohamed Gazaly, James O’Hara, Musa Saleh Salem, Samual Tilles, Joseph Turketta and Christopher Wing. Class instructor Bernabe Pelingon is at the far left. Steward Department Classes – Five upgraders recently completed assorted classes in the steward department. Those graduating and the courses they completed (above, in no particular order) were: Leopoldo Fernandez-Pitillo, galley ops; Arjay Hermoso, galley ops; Richard Lee, galley ops; Ali Bazzi, galley ops, and Elizabeth Byrd, certified chief cook. February 2014 19987_Seafarers.indd 23 Crowley MLC Cook – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Jan. 10: Evan Flynn, Roderick Franklin, Rene Fuentes Jr., Stephen Goletz, Johnny Godwin, Reginald Graham and Corey Hill. Class instructor Paul Watts is at the far right. Steward Department Class – The following Phase III apprentices (above, in alphabetical order) finished required training in the steward department Dec. 6: Kevin Arroyo, Matthew Conyac, Erick Ellis, Katrina Jones, Ashley Lee, Josean Martinez Serrano, Jesus Ortiz-Rivera, Patricia Placek and John Tedosio. Seafarers LOG 23 1/24/2014 6:58:23 AM �FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 76 SIU Port Agent Kris Hopkins (left) is thanked by Russ Martin of Lifenet for Families Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for a toy drive put on by the local port council. o NO. 2 Text the Word “Join” To 97779 to Sign Up For Alerts from the SIU Seafarers donated more than $7,000 worth of toys (collected at the Tacoma hall) to benefit military families. SIU Philanthropy Continues Worldwide B oth at sea and ashore, Seafarers spent time during the winter holidays brightening the season for others. SIU members, officials and employees teamed up for several charitable endeavors from coast to coast and overseas. Those efforts included annual toy drives in Tacoma, Wash., and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a shipboard Christmas party hosted by the USNS Wheeler for Korean orphans; donations gathered on the USNS Dahl, USNS Charlton and USNS Soderman to buy gifts and provide other support for needy individuals in Saipan; and an individual Seafarer’s participation in a motorcycle ride for a children’s hospital in Tacoma. Through a charity called Santa’s Castle benefiting the families of enlisted military personnel, Tacoma-area Seafarers continued their tradition of generosity by donating more than $7,000 worth of toys. “The members outdid themselves this year,” said SIU Port Agent Joe Vincenzo. “Fifteen bicycles were donated along with a dozen or more watches and musical instruments including several electronic keyboards, guitars and drums for the older kids. Members also brought in remote-controlled cars and helicopters, board games, books, dozens of dolls and so much more.” He added that on Dec. 11, the Tacoma hall hosted a holiday celebration attended by military members, Santa’s Castle President Lisa Bennett and Vice President Anita Vargo, Crowley Maritime personnel (who also donated to the cause), SIU members, retirees, their families and friends. “This is a way Seafarers join together and give thanks to our men and women in uniform for their service,” Vincenzo said. He concluded by noting that many volunteers “deserve mention for menu planning and portioning, shopping, setup, serving and teardown: Administrative Assistant Brenda Flesner, Recertified Steward Brian Burchett, Chief Cook Charlie Atkins, Chief Cook Mary Maddox and Recertified Steward Tom Belvin. Charlie Atkins’ contribution in particular was invaluable.” Meanwhile, Seafarers and officers from the TOTE-operated USNS Wheeler on Dec. 21 put together a Christmas party for approximately 50 orphans at the Sung Ae Won Orphanage in Busan, South Korea, reported vessel master Capt. Glenn Macario. “The crew raised over $1,900 to buy presents and host a pizza and ice cream party for the children living at Sung Ae Won,” Macario said in a message to the Seafarers LOG. “The generosity and dedication of the SIU members of the crew of the Wheeler cannot be overstated. They are truly professional sailors and upstanding citizens…. All SIU crew contributed to the success of the party and all should be commended for their spirit and generosity. Because of their efforts, the children of Sung Ae Won experienced the true meaning of Christmas.” Seafarers aboard the Wheeler include Bosun Lawrence Richardson, AB Ronald Whitlow, AB Jesse Sunga, AB Tony Olaya, AB Dannal Williams, QMED Jasper McGirt, Wiper Chis Van Hoose and Cook Robert Maschmeier. Additionally, crew members and officers from the Ocean Ships-operated Dahl, Soderman and Charlton took part in a charity event Dec. 21 on Saipan involving the Guma Esperansa Women’s Shelter, a local Catholic organization that assists women and children. They presented the shelter with $1,000 worth of toys for 80 children, tickets to a local dinner magic show, and more than $5,300 in cash. Back in the States, SA Thomas Curley took part in a motorcycle ride in Tacoma on Nov. 30 to benefit Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. The annual event is organized by the Destination Harley-Davidson dealership. This year’s ride featured more than 100 motorcycles. Some of the crew members from the Wheeler (photos above and below) gather with locals (and Santa) for a Christmas party benefiting Korean orphans. Seafarer Thomas Curley participated in a charity ride for a children’s hospital. 19987_Seafarers.indd 24 1/24/2014 6:58:28 AM � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2014 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES SEAFARERS PLAY ROLE IN HISTORIC MISSION CAPE RAY CREW TO DESTROY SYRIAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS SIU SPEAKS UP FOR MARINERS, KEY PROGRAMS AT NATIONAL MARITIME STRATEGY SYMPOSIUM NMC BEGINS ISSUING NEW MEDICAL CERTIFICATES COAST GUARD ANNOUNCES FINAL RULE FOR LATEST STCW AMENDMENTS NY WATERWAYS ADDS TWO NEW VESSELS TO FLEET ADDITIONS WILL REPLACE PAIR OF AGING PLATFORMS CROWLEY TANKER CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT AKER PHILADELPHIA PROGRESS CONTINUES IN JHSV PROGRAM REPORT REMINDS MEMBERS ABOUT NEW ELIGIBILITY RULES ICC STUDY: INCIDENTS OF PIRACY ON THE HIGH SEAS HIT 6-YEAR LOW USNS BOBO GALLEY GANG RECEIVES RECOGNITION SIU PHILANTHROPY CONTINUES WORLDWIDE Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 76, No. 2 http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/aa8d821d91defbb29ef0cf7b8052805a.pdf 07dd0d0487b3c8ab8e120c6d95b8acc6 PDF Text Text FEBRUARY F E B R U2015 ARY 2014 77O NO.. 22 V O L U M E VOLUME 76 o N Seafarers Give Back to Communities Union’s Winter Holiday Tradition Continues in Tacoma, Ft. Lauderdale During the winter holidays, SIU members from coast to coast donated time, money and effort to brighten the season for children in their respective communities. In Tacoma, Washington, members participated in the yearly Santa’s Castle project, which benefits American military families, while Seafarers also stepped up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, for a toy drive with the community services agency LifeNet4Families. The photos below and at right are from the SIU hall in Tacoma – one showing some of the donations, the other featuring U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Hinzman and Capt. Ganoni helping load some of the goodies. Pages 6, 24. Major Renovations Continue, Remain Ahead of Schedule At Paul Hall Center Campus The wide-ranging renovation of the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is rolling along at the Piney Point, Maryland, campus. The multi-million-dollar project features new simulators, classroom expansions and modernization, and much more. These photos show a small sampling of the construction along with a few of the new computers being installed in the classrooms. Story on Page 3, additional photos on Page 23. Jones Act Updates Pages 2, 4 JHSV Christened Page 3 Tax Tips for Mariners Pages 12-14 �Congress Reaffirms Jones Act Support President’s Report Calls Industry Vital to ‘National Security and Economic Vitality’ SIU Members Deliver Again There is only one way to begin this month’s message, and that’s by saying a huge, heartfelt “thank you” and “well done” to all the SIU members who recently reached out to their United States Senators in a powerful effort to protect the Jones Act. When your union asked you to step up, you did so immediately and with obvious passion. Great work, brothers and sisters! For those who missed it, I’m referring to a sudden but widespread grassroots campaign that started in mid-January. When Senator John McCain proposed a floor amendment to Keystone XL Pipeline legislation that would kill the U.S.-build provision of the Jones Act, the domestic maritime industry responded in a big way. We definitely did our part in the SIU, reaching out to rank-and-file members at sea and ashore Michael Sacco through time-sensitive emails, social media, text messages, web posts and communications to the union halls. And, as mentioned, Seafarers and their families quickly stepped up with phone calls and emails to the Senate urging opposition to the McCain amendment. (There wasn’t time to use the U.S. Mail.) Even though the amendment probably doesn’t have much chance of passing (its fate was still unknown at press time), our industry’s response was crucial. This was a highly visible test of support for the Jones Act, a 95-year-old law that protects U.S. national and economic security while keeping our domestic maritime industry alive. It’s the first time in memory that a Jones Act amendment made it to the Senate floor. Whether you’re familiar with this law or not, I encourage you to read two articles in this issue of the LOG about the Jones Act. One is right next to this column, and it reflects a great, bipartisan show of support that happened near the end of last year. The other is on Page 4, and it’s about the widespread, vehement opposition to the amendment targeting American shipyards. It is frustrating when our industry comes under attack, but reading and hearing the pro-maritime responses opposing the amendment was very uplifting. In light of those reactions and other recent statements, it’s more than fair to say the Jones Act in particular has solid backing in Congress, the administration and the military. That’s a winning hand as far as I’m concerned. We know from experience, though, that there eventually will be more attempts to weaken or eliminate the Jones Act, and there are ongoing fights involving other pillars including Food for Peace, the Maritime Security Program, and the U.S. Export-Import Bank. I’m not sure there could be a better illustration of why the SIU is so politically active and why we ask for member participation in grassroots campaigns as well as in the union’s voluntary political action fund, SPAD. Without political involvement, our whole industry would be dead in the water. Once again, I thank every Seafarer who stepped up in support of the Jones Act. Your voices made a difference, and you delivered the message just like you always deliver the goods. SHBP Scholarship If you or a family member are interested in continuing your education, I encourage you to read the information in this month’s LOG (Page 14) about the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan scholarship program. This is an incredible benefit that SIU members and their families can apply for, and it’s not too late to look into this year’s awards. As mentioned in the article, the entire scholarship application package is posted on our website, and we’ve also got printed copies at all the union halls. You can request one in the mail, too. If you’re thinking about going back to school or already planning it, give the scholarship program a look. This benefit helps SIU members and dependents every year, and it may help you. FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 76 Volume 77 Number 2 o NO. 2 The United States Congress in mid-December enacted the strongest statement of support for the Jones Act and the domestic maritime industry in nearly 80 years, according to the powerful coalition American Maritime Partnership (AMP). The measure was included as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which noted that the national security benefits of the domestic maritime industry and the Jones act are “unquestioned.” The bill stated that the Jones Act and the American domestic maritime industry are vital to “the national security and economic vitality of the United States and the efficient operation of the United States transportation system.” The legislation was signed into law Dec. 19. One week earlier, when the bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, AMP Chairman Tom Allegretti stated, “Today, Congress reaffirmed its support for the American domestic maritime industry, the Jones Act, and the critical role both play in the national security and economic vitality of our nation. It is hard to imagine a more emphatic and unambiguous statement of support for the Jones Act than this legislation. The fact that it originated from both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees is only further evidence of the national security benefits of the Act and the American domestic maritime industry. In fact, this is the strongest Congressional statement of support for the Jones Act since the Merchant Marine Act of 1936.” The SIU is a member of AMP, a coalition of more than 450 organizations from all segments of the U.S. domestic maritime industry. According AMP, the Congressional statement of support for the Jones Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act specifically states: n The national security benefits of the domestic maritime industry are unquestioned, as the Department of Defense depends in part on United States domestic trades’ fleet of containerships, roll-on/roll-off vessels, and product tankers to carry military cargoes; n The Department of Defense benefits from a robust commercial shipyard and ship repair industry, and current growth in that sector is particularly important as federal budget cuts may reduce the number of newly constructed military vessels; and n The domestic fleet is essential to national security and was a primary source of mariners needed to crew United States government-owned sealift vessels SIU-Crewed Vessels Home for Holidays Following Operation United Assistance After transporting a combined 1,700 Humvees, trucks, forklifts and other important equipment to West Africa, both the SIU-crewed M/V Cape Rise and M/V Cape Wrath returned to the U.S. in time for the holidays. The Cape Rise, operated by Keystone, and the Cape Wrath, operated by Crowley, were among the first vessels tasked with supporting Operation United Assistance, the coalition effort to combat the spread of Ebola in West Africa. The Rise returned to Portsmouth, Virginia, on Dec. 22, while the Wrath arrived in Baltimore the week prior. Once the vessels were docked, the crews unloaded the surplus equipment and cargo before returning to their families. The spare equipment never left the ships, and was in no way exposed to any potential contaminants. February 2015 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2015 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. 2 Seafarers LOG activated from reserve status during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in the period 2002 through 2010. In 113th Congress, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) noted the Jones Act contributions to America’s national security, saying “without the Jones Act, vessels and crews from foreign nations could move freely on U.S. waters, creating a more porous border, increasing possible security threats and introducing vessels and mariners who do not adhere to U.S. standards into the bloodstream of our nation.” According to a report from the Lexington Institute, “Without the Jones Act, the Department of Homeland Security would be confronted by the difficult and very costly task of monitoring, regulating, and overseeing all foreign-controlled, foreign-crewed vessels in internal U.S. waters.” The National Defense Authorization bill’s statement of support for the American domestic maritime industry read in part: “Congress finds that the United States domestic maritime industry carries hundreds of millions of tons of cargo annually, supports nearly 500,000 jobs, and provides nearly 100 billion in annual economic output; the Nation’s military sealift capacity will benefit from one of the fastest growing segments of the domestic trades, 14 domestic trade tankers that are on order to be constructed at United States shipyards as of February 1, 2014; the domestic trades’ vessel innovations that transformed worldwide maritime commerce include the development of containerships, self-unloading vessels, articulated tug-barges, trailer barges, chemical parcel tankers, railroad-on-barge carfloats, and river flotilla towing systems;… the Department of Defense benefits from a robust commercial shipyard and ship repair industry and current growth in that sector is particularly important as Federal budget cuts may reduce the number of new constructed military vessels.” The segment concluded, “It is the sense of Congress that United States coastwise trade laws promote a strong domestic trade maritime industry, which supports the national security and economic vitality of the United States and the efficient operation of the United States transportation system.” The Jones Act requires that all cargo moving between domestic ports be carried on vessels that are crewed, flagged, built and owned American. The Cape Wrath, one of two SIU-crewed ships involved in Operation United Assistance, is pictured in Jacksonville, Florida, late last year before it deployed overseas. The SIU crew of the Cape Rise during the operation included: Bosun Walter Ritvalsky, ABs Clay Brown, Jonathan Davis, Joel Harris and Corrie Stockton, QEE James Atwell, OMUs Michael Jones and Stravon Jordan, Wiper Olympia Harley, GVAs Arthur Bailey and Tyree Watkins, Steward/Baker Army Leake, Chief Cook William Perry, and SAs Marsheta Brooks and Edward Smigielski SIU members serving on the Wrath during the operation included: Recertified Bosun William Dowzicky, ABs Aristotle Bone, Edsel Renegado, John Salarda, Felix Somorostro, Terry Hester and Mariette Wright, OS James Porter, QE4s Carmus Peet, Jerry Semper and Thomas Hawk, QE3s Archie Eldridge and Robert Oppel, GVA Ma Marilynda Nance, Chief Steward Manuel Daguio, and SAs Nicholas Keating and Danilo Valencia. Both ships, part of the Maritime Administration’s Ready Reserve Force, were deployed to U.S. installations in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, the countries most affected by the virus. The equipment they provided was used in the construction of several Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs), and for local road construction and other infrastructure improvements. The Maritime Administration issued a statement Dec. 23 that read in part, “Like the crew of the Cape Ray – the RRF ship that recently performed so well in its mission to destroy Syrian chemical weapons – the U.S. merchant mariners crewing the Cape Rise and Cape Wrath are trained to perform these critical duties and prepared to leave their families on a moment’s notice on behalf of the nation. When they all come home after this extended deployment, they will do so safely and healthily, having accomplished their goal of supporting the international effort to stop the spread of Ebola. With their sacrifice, they have given a gift of hope to the people of West Africa and support for a mission that will keep on giving as we continue working to eliminate the threat of Ebola. We appreciate their service and wish them and their families the happiest of holidays.” February 2015 �Paul Hall Center Upgrades Rolling Along Major Project Includes New Simulators, Refurbished Classrooms One of the most comprehensive upgrades in the history of the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is proceeding slightly ahead of schedule, according to officials at the Piney Point, Maryland, school. As previously reported, the project features new, state-of-the-art simulators, classroom expansions, hotel improvements, and other technological upgrades throughout the campus. Some of the new simulators were ready for use in midJanuary; the remainder are expected to be in place by the end of March. The multi-million-dollar renovation also will include (later this year) redoing all roads and walkways at the school along with various improvements at the library and the apprentice dorms. Among the work that had been finished by mid-January, the Logan Building reopened with new engine simulators, testing (UNITEST) software, liquid cargo simulation, and new heating and air conditioning. All classrooms were modernized to include LED projectors, and all classrooms are now multi-functional. Additionally, the main bridge (a full mission bridge simulator) has been built and the 360-degree wall is up and painted; installation of the new bridge simulator was slated to begin around press time. The progress didn’t end there. The workshop has been equipped with new lathes, and the simulator annex now boasts new radar/ARPA and GMDSS equipment. Various rooms in the Williams Annex have been primed for installation of two new tug bridges, three upgraded auxiliary bridges, and a full mission engine room. Renovations were also continuing in the Drozak Building including classroom improvements and installation of a new crane simulator (Hagglund Ship Pedestal Crane and Liebherr Mobile Harbor Crane). The Paul Hall Center—which includes, among other components, the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship and the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School—offers more than 70 U.S. Coast Guard-approved classes, many of which emphasize hands-on training. Students may have opportunities to receive college credits for more than 50 of those courses. The auditorium at the TRC is getting a facelift as part of the school’s renovations. (See Page 23 for more photos of the project.) Navy Christens USNS Trenton in Mobile, Alabama Progress continued in the Navy’s joint high speed vessel (JHSV) program as the USNS Trenton was christened Jan. 10 at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama The Trenton, a 338-foot catamaran, is the fifth of a planned 10-vessel fleet being crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division. More than 300 naval and shipyard guests attended the ceremony, which took place alongside the USNS Trenton at the shipyard. The Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, served as the event’s principal speaker. “This ship represents the hard-working men and women of New Jersey and the importance of the American cities along the Delaware River,” Mabus said. “It represents American shipyard, factory, and assembly line workers who have been the backbone of the arsenal of democracy since President Franklin Roosevelt coined the phrase more than seven decades ago. It represents the American spirit of hard work, patriotism and perseverance. “The USNS Trenton will carry these values and this spirit around the world,” he continued. “It is tailor-made for our 21st century operations and maritime security missions, from the wide expanses of the Pacific to the littorals of Africa.” According to the Navy, JHSVs “are ideal for fast, intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles, supplies and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (third from right) and others watch as Virginia Kamsky, sponsor of the USNS Trenton, christens the ship in Mobile, Alabama. Also pictured are (from left) Michael Kamsky, Virginia Kamsky’s son; Craig Perciavalle, president of Austal USA; Capt. Susan Orsini, master of the USNS Trenton; and Eric Jackson, mayor of Trenton, New Jersey. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales) equipment. These ships are capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots with berthing space for up to 104 personnel and airline-style seating for up to 312. JHSVs have a 20,000 square foot The joint high speed vessel USNS Trenton rolls out in preparation for launch at Austal USA shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo) February 2015 open mission deck and a flight deck to support day and night launch and recovery operations, providing U.S. forces added mobility and flexibility. They can operate in a variety of roles to include supporting overseas contingency operations, conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supporting special operations forces and supporting emerging joint sea-basing concepts.” At the christening, Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle stated, “Trenton is a true testament to the successful partnership that has developed between Austal USA, the Military Sealift Command, and the Navy. We’re very happy with how well this program has matured as we prepare our fifth JHSV for trials and delivery in the coming months…. Trenton and her sister ships are innovative ships with incredible amounts of speed, volume and flexibility for their size; capabilities the Navy will be able to leverage for decades to come. The success of the program is the direct result of the hard work and dedication of so many incredible shipbuilding professionals here at Austal – the best I’ve ever worked with.” Serving as the ship’s sponsor was Virginia A. Kamsky, chairman and chief executive officer of Kamsky Associates, Inc., a strategic advisory firm with offices in Beijing and New York City. A press release from the shipyard pointed out, “Ms. Kamsky is serving under a White House appointment as a member of the U.S. Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel, an advisory body which provides the Secretary of the Navy with independent advice and recommendations on critical issues facing the Department of the Navy and the Navy Secretariat. Ms. Kamsky is a recipient of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, which is the highest honorary award the Secretary of the Navy can confer on a Department of the Navy civilian employee.” The Navy pointed out the newest JHSV is the fourth naval vessel to bear the name Trenton: “The first ship was built following the Civil War and was named to honor George Washington’s Revolutionary War victory on the banks of the Delaware River. Since then, a ship bearing the name Trenton has served during every vital Navy mission until 2007 when the last ship was decommissioned.” Seafarers LOG 3 �Anti-Jones Act Proposal Draws Ire from Industry A ceremonial steel-cutting marks the start of construction of another Jones Act tanker at NASSCO. (Photo courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO) Construction Starts on Second APT Tanker at NASSCO Shipyard Crowley Maritime to Operate Jones Act Vessels A new-build program calling for five SIU-contracted Jones Act tankers is going strong in San Diego. In mid-December, the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard signaled the start of construction of a second “ECO” tanker to be built for American Petroleum Tankers at a steel-cutting ceremony. U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-California) marked the beginning of construction by pressing a button to cut the first piece of steel. NASSCO (a union yard) began construction on the first tanker in September 2014. The five ships (each 610 feet long) will be managed by Seafarers-contracted Crowley Maritime. In a press release about the December ceremony, NASSCO described the new ships as “innovative and increased energy-efficient and fuel-saving products. Each of the five 50,000 deadweight ton product carriers will be LNG-conversion ready and will hold a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. With a specialized ECO design, the tankers are more energy efficient and incorporate environmental protection features, including a ballast water treatment system.” The five-tanker contract will also help sustain NASSCO’s workforce of nearly 3,200 and will add approximately 300 more jobs in the near future. “This second tanker marks another milestone in our fleet expansion adding five state-of-the-art vessels constructed and delivered by NASSCO,” said Rob Kurz, vice president of Kinder Morgan Terminals and president of American Petroleum Tankers, a Kinder Morgan, Inc. subsidiary. “The expansion is a result of the commitment of our customers through their long-term charter support. We look forward to delivery of the vessels in mid-2017.” The construction and operation of the new vessels are aligned with the Jones Act, requiring ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports to be built, crewed, flagged and owned American. The Jones Act helps sustain around 500,000 American jobs while contributing billions of dollars to the national economy. It also helps sustain a pool of reliable, well-trained, U.S. citizen mariners who are available to crew American military support ships in times of war or emergency. In one of the strongest pro-maritime movements in recent memory, the SIU helped voice vehement opposition to a Senate floor amendment that would kill the U.S.-build provision of the Jones Act, a vital maritime law that protects America’s national and economic security. When Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) offered the unrelated amendment to Keystone XL Pipeline legislation in mid-January, the backlash was immediate from other members of Congress, maritime unions, rank-and-file members, American-flag ship and boat operators, and prominent domestic maritime coalitions. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy League of the United States also came out against the amendment. The SIU called upon members to ask their senators to oppose the amendment, and Seafarers responded passionately and in large numbers. Rank-and-file comments on the union’s social media pages, in the halls and aboard ship all reflected a solid awareness that any weakening of the Jones Act would wipe out American jobs. The amendment’s fate hadn’t been decided at press time, but all indications were that it had little chance of passing. For that matter, the Keystone bill itself was far from a sure thing, partly because of a veto threat from the White House. Nevertheless, the domestic maritime industry took the threat quite seriously, both because of the Jones Act’s importance and because the show of strong support for the nation’s freight cabotage law may dissuade other attempts to weaken it. “This amendment has no place in the Keystone bill or in Congress,” stated SIU President Michael Sacco. “It is just another attack on the Jones Act, one that could cripple the U.S.-flag maritime industry. We need all hands on deck to defeat this amendment.” Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft was quoted in a newspaper article as having stated, “If we have foreign-flag vessels doing coastalized trade, what are the safety standards, what are the maritime pollution … standards, how are they in compliance with the same standards that we apply to our U.S. fleet? I think, at the end of the day, it will put our entire U.S. fleet in jeopardy. And then in a time of crisis, who are we going to charter to carry our logistics?” The Jones Act requires that cargo moving between domestic ports be carried on ships that are crewed, built, flagged and owned American. It has enjoyed strong bipartisan support since its enactment in 1920, and in modern times it helps sustain more than 400,000 American jobs while contributing billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy. As U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-California) put it in a Jan. 15 letter to two Senate committee chairpersons, “The Jones Act keeps jobs, ships and a maritime skill base in the United States – and any effort to diminish this longstanding law is sure to negatively impact America’s maritime industry and its significant contributions to the national economy.” U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-California) wrote in The Hill that the amendment “would undermine our domestic maritime industry and threaten the more than 400,000 jobs it supports nationwide. After years of stagnation, the American maritime industry is investing a record amount in new ship construction with American shipyards building many modern state-of-the-art vessels.” Continued on Page 10 Members Meet with SIU President in Lauderdale SIU President Michael Sacco (fourth from left in the front) met with Seafarers in late October at the union hall in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He updated them on the latest happenings both within the SIU and in the maritime industry. 4 Seafarers LOG February 2015 �Port of Houston Authority: Ex-Im Bank Vital for Economy White House Report Shows Taxpayer-Friendly Program Supports 164,000 U.S. Jobs The U.S. Export-Import Bank recently received strong support from the Port of Houston Authority and also got a boost from an annual report that spelled out the enormous benefits directly stemming from the agency. The SIU and other maritime unions have pointed out the ExportImport Bank (often abbreviated as Ex-Im) is crucial for the U.S. Merchant Marine. It’s a steady source of good American jobs in the maritime industry (cargo generated by Ex-Im funding must be transported aboard U.S.-flag vessels) and in other sectors of the U.S. economy. Following a short-term extension enacted by Congress last fall, the bank’s charter once again will be up for reauthorization in June. In a Dec. 11 letter to U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and U.S. Representatives John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Nancy Pelosi (D-California), Port of Houston Authority Chairman Janiece Longoria noted, “Federal policies that increase and sustain trade are beneficial for jobs and the economy. The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-lm Bank) provides important opportunities for domestic manufacturers and employers to compete internationally and ship American goods into the global economy. With the dynamic and uncertain global marketplace, it is vital for U.S. manufacturers to have reliable and multiple tools to compete effectively. “According to the United States International Trade Administration, Houston led the nation in exports in 2012, and between 2005 and 2012 Houston exports increased more than 164 percent,” the letter continued. “The Ex-lm Bank plays a vital role in keeping the region globally competitive and is responsible for contributing $4 billion to total export sales in Texas in 2013. The value of foreign trade passing through the Houston region has doubled over the last decade.… More than 76 percent of all the Ex-lm Bank support in Texas for 2013 directly benefited the Houston region. These benefits are clear at the Port of Houston, which is the largest port in the U.S. for foreign tonnage, annually generating nearly $500 billion in economic activity and sustaining more than 2 million jobs in the United States.” Longoria concluded, “There are significant benefits to trade and exports relating to the Ex-lm Bank, and the Port of Houston Authority respectfully requests your support for its reauthorization.” SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey also serves on the Port of Houston Authority. Meanwhile, a week after the letter from Longoria was sent, Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred Hochberg announced publication of the agency’s annual report. He described the bank as “a small agency that exists to equip U.S. businesses with the financing tools they need to overcome obstacles and open new markets for their goods and services. We know that when entrepreneurs are empowered to win export sales against their foreign competitors, businesses grow, our economy becomes more durable, and layoffs are replaced with ‘Now Hiring’ signs in communities across our country.” He added that in 2014 (the program’s 80th anniversary), the bank supported 164,000 American jobs while approximately 90 percent of its transactions directly supported U.S. small businesses. It also supported $27.5 billion in exports at no cost to American taxpayers. The Export-Import Bank was created in 1934 to promote the sale of American-made goods overseas. When it was chartered, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called for the bank to “aid in financing and to Raising Wages Summit Instills Confidence, Determination The AFL-CIO sponsored a National Summit on Raising Wages at Gallaudet University on Jan. 7, and the event was filled with passionate speakers from all walks of life. From Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and United States Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, to actress Piper Perabo and small-business owner David Borris, everyone had a unique viewpoint on what raising wages would mean for America’s working families. Representatives from SIU headquarters attended the summit in Washington, D.C., as did officials from the AFL-CIO’s Maritime Trades Department. MaryBe McMillan, secretary-treasurer of the North Carolina AFL-CIO, took the stage first. She spoke about the need to raise the minimum wage, and the larger impact such a move would have on the economy as a whole. “If working folks got their fair share, our economy would work for everyone,” McMillan said, expressing what would be a recurring theme throughout the gathering. “It’s about shifting the debate. Instead of asking how much it will cost to pay workers more, we should be asking how much it will cost if we don’t.” After McMillan left the podium, two workers shared their personal stories to illustrate how raising wages would affect the average employee. They were followed by Secretary of Labor Perez, who gave a rousing speech to the hundreds assembled. “We talk data and all that, but this is about real Actress and member of SAG-AFTRA Piper Perabo is pictured with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. February 2015 people and the struggles that you’re going through. This is about who we are as Americans,” Perez said, energized by the previous speakers. He continued, acknowledging the AFL-CIO (to which the SIU is affiliated) for the hard work in putting together the summit, as well as the federation’s continued efforts to boost working families. “I come here to say thank you. Thank you to Rich, thank you to all of our friends at the AFL-CIO. You have been at the tip of the spear, and the labor movement continues to give a voice [to the worker].” Perez added, “We’re moving in the right direction, but today is about the unfinished business of this recovery, and that is to make sure that this recovery results in shared prosperity. We all succeed when we all succeed, but we all succeed only when we all succeed.” After two more worker testimonies, McMillan introduced Sen. Warren, who thanked the AFLCIO officers in attendance for their leadership and friendship. She talked about the burden of young Americans, shouldering enormous student debts and struggling to make ends meet. “Today’s young adults may be the first generation in American history to do worse than their parContinued on Page 7 Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) Fred Hochberg Janiece Longoria facilitate exports and imports and the exchange” of goods between the U.S. and the world during a period of economic distress. As noted on its website, the bank continues to operate under those goals supporting U.S. manufacturers and exporters in times of economic crisis when limitations on commercial credit arise. It makes and guarantees loans in ad- dition to offering credit insurance to fund American exports. The SIU and other supporters have pointed out that the ExportImport Bank does not cost American taxpayers a cent. It covers its activities through the fees and interest charged for its services. In fact, it has returned money to the U.S. Treasury that has been used to reduce the national debt. AFL-CIO Announces Summits In Presidential Primary States Editor’s note: Issued simultaneously with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka’s speech from the summit in Washington, D.C., this press release from the federation outlines the future of the Raising Wages campaign: The first National Summit on Raising Wages definitively set the tone for political and economic action in the New Year. It generated an in-depth, diverse conversation and developed concrete steps for an expanded campaign to raise wages for working people. But above all, the summit proved America is beginning to rise up, come together and reject the idea that nothing can be done about falling wages. The AFL-CIO’s national summit is just the beginning of the 2015 Raising Wages campaign. From today’s success, the campaign expands with two initial projects: 1)   State federations of labor will hold Raising Wages summits in the first four presidential primary states—Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina— beginning in Iowa this spring. These summits will bring together diverse voices to lay out the entire Raising Wages platform and establish state-based standards of accountability. 2)   The AFL-CIO will take the Raising Wages campaign to seven cities around the country: Atlanta, Columbus, DC (Metro), St. Louis, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and San Diego. In each city, the labor movement will stand together with those already at work and bring important energy, ideas and resources to critical battles. These cities will be the starting points of a long-term effort to concentrate work where it can have the most impact. In major speeches highlighting the summit, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and Secretary of Labor Tom Perez outlined the defining economic fact of the past generation: Productivity has gone way up and wages have stayed flat. Concluding the summit, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka highlighted the enormous progress, remaining challenges and real steps the labor movement plans to undertake in order to create an economy based on raising wages. The AFL-CIO also released a series of policy prescriptions that take on many of the challenges discussed. These bold policies provide a comprehensive road map to grow our nation’s economy in a way that works for everyone. The core of the summit’s success was built on a panel discussion of workers, academics, business owners and progressive and political leaders. Through this conversation, panelists detailed how the raising wages agenda made great strides and confronted great challenges in 2014, including major organizing wins at American Airlines, multiple state legislative victories on the minimum wage and innovative campaigns conducted by carwash workers. The panelists also recognized, however, that right-wing billionaires’ extremist politics, a rapacious Wall Street and insufficient advocacy from political leaders thwarted further progress. The AFL-CIO National Summit on Raising Wages was attended by more than 300 progressive activists and union leaders, and was seen by thousands more through online livestream video. This summit is how the work begins. At its end, the challenges—but more importantly, the opportunities—are clear. Allies united behind the idea of a Raising Wages Agenda have come together in a collective voice, and are ready to go to work. Seafarers LOG 5 �Members load some of the donated toys into a van for transport to LifeNet4Families. ABs Rigoberto Boggeano and Eugenio Lopez Lauderdale Seafarers Give Back to Community Members Continue Tradition of Service Whether they’re voluntarily repairing local homes in the summer or donating toys for kids around the winter holidays, SIU members in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, have a strong tradition of service. That legacy remained evident late last year as Seafarers showed their generosity by contributing $1,500 worth of toys to LifeNet4Families of Broward County, a local community services organization. The SIU also teamed up with other affiliates of the Greater South Florida Maritime Trades Council in making a monetary donation to LifeNet4Families. “The SIU members here really stepped up during the holiday season, as they always do,” said Port Agent Kris Hopkins, who organized the union’s participation. “Both with the toy drive and the donation, I think all the volunteers simply wanted to do something to help those who aren’t as fortunate as we are.” He added, “We have worked with LifeNet for years and know what a good job it does in the community. They provide meals and a pantry for those in need as well as employment support and family counseling, among other services.” Hopkins said approximately 50 Seafarers chipped in for the toy drive, and he noted this was the fourth straight year the union participated. OMU Alex Capellan Mariners’ Coast Guard STCW Medical Certificates Must be Valid, on File in SIU Database In 2014, all Seafarers who sail internationally should have received communications in the mail from the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) including a new Coast Guard STCW medical certificate that brings mariners into compliance with the latest international rules. Any Seafarers who sail internationally but have yet to receive their Coast Guard STCW medical certificate should contact the NMC by phone at 1-888-4275662 or by email at IAskNMC@uscg. mil. A renewal certificate may be obtained by submitting a valid U.S. Coast Guard physical to a Coast Guard regional 6 Seafarers LOG examination center (REC). There are no fees for a renewal. Members who have received their Coast Guard STCW medical certificate but have not had it scanned at an SIU hall are urged to do so as soon as possible. It’s important that the certificate is entered into the Seafarers Management Information System (SMIS) database so members don’t run into roadblocks when it’s time to ship out. Members also are advised that although the certificate includes three expiration dates, the one on the upper left (“STCW Exp Date”) is the relevant date for international voyages. The other two expiration dates are listed as “National Exp Date” and “Pilot Exp Date.” The certificate itself is supposed to be valid for two years, but some of the ones initially issued in 2014 had shorter expiration dates. Therefore, members are urged to check the STCW expiration date on their respective certificates. CME Willis Welsh Also, entry-level mariners are reminded that they are required to possess the medical certificate when sailing on STCW-compliant vessels. Questions may be directed to the NMC, SIU halls or the admissions office at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. The expiration date in the upper left part of the certificate is the relevant one for international voyages. February 2015 �Maritime Security Program Receives Full Funding The SIU helped secure a major victory for Seafarers and for the rest of the American maritime industry late last year when President Obama signed a $1.1 trillion spending bill which, among many other things, includes full funding for the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP). The overall legislation was a combination of a continuing resolution and an omnibus spending bill, and hence was dubbed the “Cromnibus.” Thanks to the efforts of the SIU and other supporters, the final version features the full funding amount of $186 million for MSP. This was far from a sure thing, as an earlier House version of the Transportation appropriations bill included a $20 million shortfall for MSP. The Maritime Security Program, in Fair Winds to Retiring Captain The camera captured a quiet but historic moment in December as vessel master Captain Doug Strassner (right) issued his final discharge, to Bosun Carl Pedersen in Baltimore aboard the Crowley-operated Independence II. The two sailed together for many years; the captain is heading into retirement. addition to bolstering America’s national and economic security, is a crucial source of employment for SIU members. The program, which began in 1996, helps keep 60 militarily useful, U.S.-flag merchant ships in operation. Vessels enrolled in the program are available for military support operations as needed, and the operators receive a reimbursement to help offset the costs. Studies have estimated it would cost the government billions of dollars to replace the vessels and infrastructure it already gets through the MSP and its related Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement for a tiny fraction of that cost, and that’s to say nothing of the irreplaceable shipboard manpower pool sustained in part by the program. Proposed Rule by USCG Aims To Improve Mariner Access A potential new rule from the U.S. Coast Guard could make it easier for mariners to go ashore. The agency on Dec. 29 published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would require each owner or operator of a facility regulated by the Coast Guard to implement a system that provides mariners and other individuals with access between vessels moored at the facility and the gate, in a timely manner and at no cost to seafarers or other individuals. This process would have to be documented in the facility’s security plan. A meeting to receive public comments was scheduled for Jan. 23 in Washington, D.C. Written comments on the proposal are due by Feb. 27. While many facilities currently comply with this proposal, the SIU believes it is important that mariners be provided with reasonable access to shore during all port calls. The union is encouraging members to submit comments to the docket; related links are provided in a Dec. 30 post in the News section of the SIU website. The direct link for submitting comments may be opened by typing the following URL into a web browser: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitC omment;D=USCG-2013-1087-0001 Alternatively, mariners may visit http:// www.regulations.gov and then type the docket number: USCG-2013-1087 In a news release about the NPRM, the Coast Guard noted, “Generally, transiting through a facility is the only way that a seafarer or other individual can egress to shore beyond the facility to access basic shoreside businesses and services, and meet with family members and other personnel who do not hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Also, this proposed rule would provide facility owners and operators flexibility to implement a system to provide seafarers’ access that is tailored to each facility. Facility owners and operators also would be required to amend and document their access procedures in their Coast Guardapproved facility security plans within one year of the publication of the final rule.” AFL-CIO President Sees Raising Wages as Federation’s Mission Continued from Page 5 ents did,” she said. The senator then spoke about the damage done to middle- and lower-class families over the past 30 years: “The trickle-down experiment that began in the Reagan years failed America’s middle class. Sure, the rich are doing great. Giant corporations are doing great. Lobbyists are doing great. But we need an economy where everyone else has a shot to do great.” Warren shared a personal anecdote that reflected her history with the struggles of workers. “This is personal for me,” she stated. “When I was 12, my three big brothers were all off in the military. My mom was 50 years old, a stay-at-home mom, and my daddy had a heart attack. It turned our little family upside down. The bills piled up, we lost the family station wagon. We came about that close to losing our home. And I remember that day that my mother, New ISM Code Changes Became Effective Jan. 1 Changes to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code have been newly implemented, going into effect on Jan. 1. While a few changes have been made, one in particular may mean more jobs for mariners. Amended paragraph 6.2 of the ISM Code, concerning the minimum safe manning levels of all vessels, states: “The Company should ensure that each ship is: manned with qualified, February 2015 scared, crying, pulled her best dress out of the closet. She put it on, put on her high heels, and walked to Sears to get a minimum wage job. That minimum wage job was enough, back then, to support a family of three. And that minimum wage job meant that we saved our home and saved our family.” She concluded, to thunderous applause, “My daddy ended up as a maintenance man, my mom kept working at Sears. I graduated from a commuter college that cost $50 a semester. And I ended up in the United States Senate.” Warren was followed by a roundtabletype discussion with a diverse makeup of participants including Perabo, a member of the SAG-AFTRA; Borris, owner of Hel’s Kitchen Catering; Dorian Warren, associate professor of political science and international public affairs at Columbia University; Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress; Jennifer Epps-Addison, executive director of Wis- certificated and medically fit seafarers in accordance with national and international requirements; and appropriately manned in order to encompass all aspects of maintaining safe operations on board” In other words, operators who only crew a ship to meet the minimum safe manning level will likely have to increase that number in order to account for hours of rest rules and additional requirements, as well as potential emergencies and other situations that could arise while out at sea. In determining the minimum safe manning level of a vessel, companies are asked to refer to the “Principles of Minimum Safe Manning”, which was adopted by the ISM by resolution A.1047 (27). consin Jobs Now; Colby Harris, representing the pro-worker group OUR Walmart; The Honorable Marty Walsh, mayor of Boston; Angie Wei, chief of staff of the California Labor Federation; and Michael Cantrell, president of United Auto Workers Local 42 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a group, the panel shared personal triumphs and struggles that they have faced as a result of unionizing or otherwise fighting for worker’s rights. To close out the presentations, Trumka rallied the crowd. After thanking the speakers and panelists, he asked those in attendance and watching the live stream a question. “For office-holders and candidates, it comes down to a very, very basic question: Are you satisfied? Are you satisfied with an America where the vast majority works harder and harder for less and less? Or do you propose to build an America where we, the people, share in the wealth we create? This is the single standard by which we According to an International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) press release, “Until now minimum safe manning was certified in accordance with company proposals which were then rubber-stamped by the flag state, and which took into account only the vessel’s ability to navigate and manage basic emergencies. No allowance had been made for other crew duties, taking into account frequency of port calls, cargo operations, maintenance or administrative tasks. This process has been open to abuse by companies seeking to cut costs by cutting crew size. “Minimally manned vessels have been shown to directly impact crew fatigue and have been cited in numerous high-profile groundings and collisions, will judge leadership in the years to come.” He went on to talk about uniting workers: “We have to organize around a common purpose. And that’s what raising wages is all about. This summit is more than raising wages, though. It’s about what wages represent.” He also announced the plan that would carry the spirit of the summit forward into action. “At the end of this marvelous day, our challenges are pretty clear,” Trumka stated. “We’ve come together in a collective voice, and we’re ready to go to work. And in that spirit, I am announcing that the AFL-CIO is launching an ambitious Raising Wages Call to Action (see sidebar on Page 5).” He concluded with a sentiment shared by all in attendance: “As we bring this summit to a close, let’s remember that raising wages is not a hobby. It’s our mission. This is a beginning, not an ending, so let’s make it a beginning that all of America will feel the impact of.” many of which had disastrous consequences for the seafarers and the environment,” the ITF statement continued. According to the Shipowners’ Club, “The onus of assessment of safe manning for any vessel is on the company who operate it as it is privy to the actual facts of the prevailing operation. Therefore the company would be liable for not having made a proper assessment or for not re-assessing a change in circumstance of the vessel.” “This is a big win for mariners,” said SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, who also chairs the ITF Seafarers’ Section. “Kudos should go out to our representatives at the IMO who worked so diligently over the last several years to see this through.” Seafarers LOG 7 �LENDING A HAND – Many Houston-area Seafarers pitched in to facilitate the union’s recent move from the old hall on Pierce Street to temporary quarters in a nearby CWA hall. Among those volunteering their time were (pictured with Safety Director Kevin Sykes, third from right) Robinson Eromosele, Francis Ackon, Daniel Ikegwu, Paul Wade, Adams Mohammed, James Van Dyke, Edyson Chaniago, Ali Muthanna and Robert Gonzalez. SOLIDARITY WITH STEELWORKERS – SIU members in Houston took part in a rally supporting members of the United Steelworkers. Altogether, more than 150 Sherwin Alumina workers along with allies from across south Texas demonstrated outside the offices of Sherwin’s parent company, Glencore, calling on the global conglomerate to end a lockout at Sherwin’s Gregory, Texas, facility. The SIU contingent included Safety Director Kevin Sykes, ABs Raphael Dewberry and Mohamed Ghaleb, and Steward Robinson Eromosele. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ABOARD HORIZON NAVIGATOR – The group photo at left from the Horizon Lines ship includes AB Joel Gonzalez, Chief Cook Ingrid Ortiz Rosario, AB Noel Otero, and Chief Steward Antonio Mendez Cruz. Otero recently celebrated his birthday aboard the vessel. The photo above shows AB Jose Crespo Jr. B-BOOK IN HOUSTON – SA Philomene Lewis (right) picks up her full B-book at the hall in Houston. She is pictured with SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey. CELEBRATING IN WILMINGTON – The annual winter holiday feast at the SIU hall in Wilmington, California, was a big hit, as evidenced in part by the two snapshots at left and the one above from the late-December gathering. 8 Seafarers LOG February 2015 �AT THE HALL IN SAN JUAN – In photo at left, QEE Linarys Castillo receives her A-book from Port Agent Amancio Crespo. The port agent also is at far right in photo directly above, with OS Sergio Valentin (center) and his spouse. Valentin is holding a receipt for his voluntary contribution to the Maritime Defense League. The remaining photo shows (from left) GUDE Beato Diaz, AB Kemer Rojas and Recertified Bosun Rafael Franco. At Sea and Ashore With the SIU ABOARD MONTFORD POINT – The photo at left and the one above are from a mid-December servicing in Alameda, California. The USNS Montford Point is operated by Ocean Shipholdings for the U.S. Military Sealift Command. SIU Assistant VP Nick Celona is second from left in the group photo, while Patrolman Nick Marrone II is behind the lens. ABOARD MAERSK COLUMBUS – Safety Director Osvaldo Ramos (far right in photo at left, far left in photo above) submitted these photos of members from a late-November payoff on the Maersk Columbus in New Jersey. Among those pictured with Ramos are Seafarers Joseph Corr, George DiCanio, Edwin Ruiz Jr., David Arroyo, Benny Samosan, Sherwin Jones, Sean Jones, Kevin Williams and Jimmy Niotis. B-BOOK IN OAKLAND – AB Carlo Gentile (left) picks up his full B-book at the hall in Oakland, California. Administering the oath is SIU Assistant VP Nick Celona. February 2015 ABOARD GREEN DALE – AB Juan Carolos Negron (left) is pictured with Captain Richard Phillips late last year during a trip to northern Europe on the Waterman-operated Green Dale. CHRISTMAS ON APL PEARL – These photos were taken on Christmas Day while the APL Pearl was sailing near Al Maghribi, Yemen. Recertified Steward Denis Burke (left) and Chief Cook Radfan Almaklani are shown in the photo above. Seafarers LOG 9 �Maritime Rejects McCain Revision Continued from Page 4 The congresswoman further noted, “The Jones Act is an essential pillar of national and homeland security. A strong domestic shipyard base helps support strategic sealift requirement and Navy shipbuilding while ensuring that U.S. ports are free from foreign influence.” Speaking on the Senate floor on Jan. 16, Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “The Jones Act helps to shore up our national security by providing reliable sealift in times of war. It ensures our ongoing viability as an ocean power by protecting American shipbuilders. As a result, the Jones Act provides solid, well-paying jobs for nearly half a million Americans from Virginia to Hawaii. In short, the Jones Act promotes national security and American job creation. Therefore, I am unclear why some of my colleagues are opposed to this common-sense law.” Many others also reiterated their support of the Jones Act. From the pages of Maritime Executive, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Tony Munoz stated in an editorial, “McCain’s laissezfaire sentiments would actually destroy U.S. jobs, lower personal income, devastate U.S. vessel-operating companies and obliterate American shipbuilders, never mind the national security impacts. “Meanwhile, statistics show that there is a steady loss of blue-collar jobs such as those found in shipyards, contributing to growing income inequality in the U.S. Despite the fact that 63 percent of the jobs lost during the Great Recession have been replaced, middle class incomes have actually declined by 11.6 percent,” added Munoz in his Jan. 18 editorial. President Thomas Buffenbarger of the International Association of Machinists told senators that “the Jones Act has the strong support of the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense. Passage of Senator McCain’s amendment would result in the outsourcing of U.S. shipbuilding to foreign nations, which will not only severely damage our defense capabilities, but will also devastate U.S. commercial shipbuilding and lead to a loss of good-paying American jobs.” Ed Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, challenged the McCain amendment assumption that it would benefit the economy: “This could not be further from the truth. By removing the build provision of the Jones Act, the amendment would eliminate 400,000 U.S. jobs, reduce the GDP by $36 billion, and erase $24 billion in American workers’ wages and benefits. In fact, the only parties that stand to benefit from this amendment are heavily subsidized foreign shipping competitors who are not subject to U.S. laws, regulations, environmental standards and taxes.” The head of the key coalition American Maritime Partnership (AMP), of which the SIU is a member, also weighed in. “The McCain amendment would gut the nation’s shipbuilding capacity, outsource our U.S. Naval shipbuilding to foreign builders, and cost hundreds of thousands of familywage jobs across this country,” said AMP Chairman Tom Allegretti. “The shipbuilding requirement, which Senator McCain seeks to eliminate, is in place to ensure that the United States maintains the industrial capacity to build its own ships, so as to protect and defend the American homeland. It is hard to believe that the Congress would endorse a change to the law that would outsource U.S. jobs and reduce national security by effectively creating dependence on foreign countries to build our ships.” A primary purpose of the Jones Act is to promote national and homeland security. The Navy’s position is clear – repeal of the Jones Act would “hamper [America’s] ability to meet strategic sealift requirements and Navy shipbuilding.” Similarly, last December, Congress enacted legislation reaffirming the Jones Act and calling a strong commercial shipbuilding industry “particularly important as Federal budget cuts may reduce the number of new constructed military vessels” (see story on page 2).  The independent Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said America’s military power is dependent on a strong “shipyard industrial base to support national defense needs.” The American domestic maritime industry is investing record amounts in new ship construction in virtually every trade, a “tremendous renaissance,” according to Chip Jaenichen, administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). A recent MARAD study cited the “economic importance” of the American shipbuilding and repair industry, with annual employment of more than 400,000, annual labor income of about $24 billion, and annual gross domestic product of $36 billion. Also speaking in support of the Jones Act were representatives from the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF), another SIU-affiliated organization. In a press release, the GLMTF said is “sees no benefit to allowing foreign-built vessels to carry cargo between U.S. ports, but warns that nearly 60,000 jobs in the Great Lakes states will be sacrificed for no good reason if the amendment to the Keystone pipeline bill offered by Senator John McCain is accepted.” “There is no reason to even consider this amendment,” said John D. Baker, president of the GLMTF. “The vessels built in Great Lakes shipyards are so efficient that year in, year out they save their customers billions of dollars in freight costs compared to the landbased transportation modes. What shortcoming, what failing can be found there?” NLRB Issues Final Rule For Resolving Disputes In Representation Cases A new rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is good news for workers, according to the head of America’s largest labor federation. The NLRB has streamlined the process for resolving representation disputes with the new rule, published on Dec. 15 and taking effect on April 14. This final rule amends the existing representation-case procedures in an effort to simplify the process. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka stated, “The modest but important reforms to the representation election process will help reduce delay in the process and make it easier for workers to vote on forming a union in a timely manner. Strengthening protections for workers seeking to come together and bargain collectively is critical to workers winning much-deserved wage gains and improving their lives.” The SIU is one of the AFL-CIO’s 56 affiliated unions, which collectively represent more than 12.5 million workers. SIU President Michael Sacco is the longest-serving member of the federation’s executive council. The NLRB defines its role in resolving representation disputes as the following: “Representation petitions are filed by employees, unions and employers seeking to have the NLRB conduct an election to determine if employees wish to be represented for purposes of collective bargaining with their employer.  The board will investigate these petitions to determine if an election should be conducted and will direct an election, if appropriate.  “In most instances, parties agree on the voting unit and other issues.  If parties do not agree, the NLRB’s regional office holds a pre-election hearing to determine whether an election should be conducted.  The NLRB’s regional office conducts the election and, if necessary, holds a post-election hearing to resolve challenges to voters’ eligibility and objections to the conduct of the election or conduct affecting the results of the election.  Parties can seek board review of regional determinations made before and after the election.” The board majority opinion was that the rule would modernize the process of administering the National Labor Relations Act, making its procedures more transparent and consistent, while also cutting down on unnecessary litigation and delay. With the passing of this rule, the board will be better able to protect employees’ rights by answering questions of representation fairly and quickly. The final rule was approved by NLRB Chairman Mark Gaston Pearce and Members Kent Y. Hirozawa and Nancy Schiffer. Board Members Harry I. Johnson III and Philip A. Miscimarra had dissenting views. Chairman Pearce said, “I am heartened that the board has chosen to enact amendments that will modernize the representation case process and fulfill the promise of the National Labor Relations Act. Simplifying and streamlining the process will result in improvements for all parties. With these changes, the board strives to ensure that its representation process remains a model of fairness and efficiency for all.” According to the agency, the changes implemented by this rule include: n Provides for electronic filing and transmission of election petitions and other documents; n Ensures that employees, employers and unions receive timely information they need to understand and participate in the representation case process; n Eliminates or reduces unnecessary litigation, duplication and delay; n Adopts best practices and uniform procedures across regions; n Requires that additional contact information (personal telephone numbers and email addresses) be included in voter lists, to the extent that information is available to the employer, in order to enhance a fair and free exchange of ideas by permitting other parties to the election to communicate with voters about the election using modern technology; and n Allows parties to consolidate all election-related appeals to the Board into a single appeals process. Enjoying the Holidays Ashore and at Sea With Seafarers The winter holiday season traditionally signals the opportunity – when time permits – for Seafarers to enjoy good food and fellowship at the halls and at sea. As evidenced by the photos above, the recent holidays were no exception. The annual late-December gathering at the SIU hall in Norfolk, Virginia (photo at left), saw another solid turnout. Among those in attendance were (from left) retiree John Cooper, Recertified Bosun Anthony Maben and friends. In the photo at right, Chief Steward Jimmy Williams shows off part of the Thanksgiving feast on the Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning vessel Empire State. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2015 �2/15 February 2015 Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New For 2014 Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2014 and 2015, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2013. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 15, 2015. Exemptions - The personal exemption and the dependency exemption increased to $3,950 for 2014. For tax year 2014, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $254,200 for single individuals, $279,650 for heads of household, $305,050 for married filing joint, and $152,525 for married filing separately. For tax year 2015, the phase-out has increased to $258,250 for single individuals, $284,050 for heads of household, $309,900 for married filing joint, and $154,950 for married filing separately. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return increased to $12,400 for 2014. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns has increased to $6,200 for 2014. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $9,100 for 2014. You can use the 2014 Standard Deduction Worksheet or see page 142 from Publication 17 which can be found on irs.gov to figure your standard deduction. Itemized Deductions - For tax year 2014, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $254,200 for single individuals, $279,650 for heads of household, $305,050 for married filling joint, and $152,525 for married filing separately. For tax year 2015, the phase-out has increased to $258,250 for single individuals, $284,050 for heads of household, $309,900 for married filling joint, and $154,950 for married filing separately. High-income taxpayers are also subject to limits on exemptions and deductions in 2014. The income threshold for the Pease and PEP (personal exemption phase-out) limitations is $305,050 in adjusted gross income (AGI) for joint filers and $254,200 for singles. The Pease limitation reduces the value of charitable contributions; mortgage interest; state, local, and property taxes; and miscellaneous itemized deductions. For 2014, this limitation is the lesser of 3% of AGI above the threshold up to 80% of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable. The PEP limitation reduces the total personal exemption by 2% for every $2,500 of income above the same income thresholds with no upper limitations. That means it’s possible for some taxpayers to completely phase-out of their personal exemptions. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - For 2014, the threshold for the itemized deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses has increased to 10% of adjusted gross income for regular income tax purposes. In years 2013 - 2016, if either the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse has turned 65 before the end of the 2014 tax year, the threshold remains at 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2014: n Credit of $6,143 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $46,997 ($52,427 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,460 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $43,756 ($49,186 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $3,305 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $38,511 ($43,941 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $496 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $14,590 ($20,020 if married filing jointly) The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $3,350 in 2014. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2014 is $117,000. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. In 2014, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses, $125,000 for married filing separately and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to self-employed workers. Also for 2014, the old rate of 6.2% has been reinstated. For 2015, the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax is $118,500. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the self-employment tax is 12.4% in 2014. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. As a result, the SE tax rate increased to 15.3%. The deduction is equal to onehalf of self-employment tax. Capital Gains and Losses – Continuing from 2012 you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2013, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate – In 2014, the tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends is 20% for income that exceeds the threshold amount of: n $457,600 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $432,200 for head of household n $228,800 for married filing separately n $406,750 for single In 2014, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax for income that exceeds the threshold amounts listed above. Medicare Tax on Investment Income – In 2014, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: n $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $125,000 for marries filing separately n $200,000 for all others Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to 12 Seafarers LOG that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit has increased to $13,190 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $197,880. For 2014, the credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2014 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Child Tax Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the enhanced child tax credit of $1,000 maximum credit per child through the end of 2017. For 2014 tax year the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: n $55,000 for married couples filing separately n $75,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $110,000 for married couples filing jointly In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). Child and Dependent Care Credit - For 2014, there is a credit of $3,000 for cost to care for one child under age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children so that the parents can either go to work or be in process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit (the credit amount has not changed). The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2014, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to $1,000 of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $80,000 to $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $160,000 to $180,000 for Married Filing Joint The American Opportunity Tax Credit is extended under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 through the end of 2017. Lifetime Learning Credit - For tax year 2014, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $54,000 ($108,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $64,000 ($128,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Tuition and Fees Deductions – Reinstated for 2014. For tax year 2014, you may be able to deduct up to $4,000 for taxpayers with AGI of $65,000 or less ($130,000 for joint filers) and the maximum amount of the deduction will be reduced for taxpayers with AGI above $65,000 but less than or equal to $80,000 ($130,000 and $160,000, respectively, for joint filers) for qualified educational expenses paid for yourself, spouse or dependent even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A. Taxpayers cannot claim tuition and fees tax deduction in the same year they claim American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit. Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. Educator Expenses - The deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – In 2014 the taxpayer can elect to deduct state and local general sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes as an itemized deduction. Individual Retirement Accounts: Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. Traditional IRAs - For 2014, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2014) or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2014 is $60,000-$70,000 for single, head of household, $96,000-$116,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying Continued on Page 14 Tax Tips For Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099 n Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Charitable contributions n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-872-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 74b, 74c and 74d on their Form 1040. Line 74b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 74c indicates the type of account, and line 74d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and directly submit the forms electronically. Free electronic filing is no longer subject to any income limitations. For more information, visit the IRS website at: www.irs.gov. What Are Considered Deductions and Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption— for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents is $3,950 per person. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, increased for married couples filing jointly in 2014 to $12,400. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns is now $6,200. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $9,100 for 2014 (see box on this page). Personal Interest Deductions: For 2014, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: In most cases you can deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2% is deductible. The self-employed may deduct union dues as a business expense. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples Standard Deduction This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,200 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,550 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $3,950. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single and Married filing separate ........................................ ..........$ 6,200 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children...................................................................................................$12,400 Head of household............................................................................$ 9,100 February 2015 of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 15 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate for 2014 is 56 cents. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including insurance, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: n Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and n Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $59 a day ($65 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through December 31, 2014. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Other Tax Information Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may February 2015 be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2014, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings). n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate. n Embezzled or other illegal income. Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship Filing An Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2015, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where Is My Refund If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the Refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, terri- tory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which nonresidents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s website at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via e-mail; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �Various Changes Greet Tax Filers During 2014 Season Continued from Page 12 widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2014) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $114,000 and $129,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $181,000 and $191,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 extends the Qualified Charitable Distributions for 2014 only. It offers older owners of IRAs a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70 and one-half or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2014, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by June 30, 2015 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceed $10,000. Divorced or Separated Parents - A custodial parent who revoked their previous release of a claim to a child’s exemption must include a copy of the revocation with their return. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit - If you have to repay the credit, you may be able to do so without attaching Form 5405. Mortgage Insurance Premiums - Mortgage insurance premiums for qualified mortgage insurance on debt to acquire, construct, or improve a first or second residence can potentially be treated as deductible qualified residence interest. This provision was extended through December 31, 2014. Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit – This credit has been extended through 2014. The credit has a lifetime limit of $500, of SHBP Makes Scholarships Available to Qualified SIU Members, Their Dependents Each year the SHBP makes scholarships available to qualified individuals, and this year is no exception. The 2015 program will offer eight awards totaling $132,000. Three scholarships will be designated for Seafarers while five will be targeted for spouses and dependents. One of the endowments reserved for Seafarers totals $20,000 and is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, college-level course of study. The remaining two are in the amount of $6,000 each and are designed as two-year awards for study at a postsecondary vocational school or 14 Seafarers LOG which only $200 may be used for windows. This credit still consists of qualified energy efficiency improvements and residential energy property costs. Subject to the lifetime limits, only 10% of qualified energy efficiency improvements are allowed. Subject to the lifetime limits, the residential energy property costs are limited to $300 for energyefficient building property, $150 for any qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, and $50 for any advanced main air circulating fan. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – This credit remains unchanged from 2013 and equals 30% of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, solar electric equipment, and wind turbines. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit.  Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available. Unused portion of this credit is carry forward to next year’s tax return. Eligible homeowners can claim both Energy Property and Energy Efficient Property Credit when they file their 2014 federal income tax return. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rate for 2014 is 56 cents per mile for business miles driven and was decreased to 23.5 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Deduction for corrosive drywall - You may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction for amounts you paid to repair damage to your home and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall. Under this procedure, you treat the amounts paid for repairs as a casualty loss in the year of payment. The deduction is limited if you have a pending claim for reimbursement (or intend to pursue reimbursement) through property insurance, litigation, or other means. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss - This loss remains unchanged from 2013.The loss is limited to the excess of the loss over $100. The 10% of AGI limit still applies. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - For tax year 2014, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $99,200. This amount is up $1,600 from tax year 2013. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – AMT exemptions have been permanently extended and indexed for inflation. Exemption amounts help prevent some middle income earners from being subject to the AMT, and help keep any AMT adjustments less than they otherwise might have been. For tax year 2014, the alternative minimum tax exemption increases to the following levels: n $82,100 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers, up from $80,800 in 2013. n $41,050 for married couples filing separately, up from $40,400. n $52,800 for singles and heads of household, up from $51,900. Healthcare Coverage – Beginning in 2014, individuals must have health care coverage to qualify for a health care coverage exemption or make shared responsibility payment with their tax return. Coverage Exemptions: An individual may be exempt from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage and thus will not have to make a shared responsibility payment if, for 2014, he: community college. Each of the five scholarships for spouses and dependents is for $20,000. To take advantage of this offering, the first step is to obtain a scholarship program booklet. This package contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. Prospective applicants may request these booklets via mail by clipping, completing and mailing the form provided at right. Secondly, they may obtain the booklets by visiting any SIU hall. Finally, applicants may obtain the booklet online by visiting www.seafarers.org, going to the Member Benefits tab, navigating to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan menu and selecting Scholarship Booklet 2015 (PDF). Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility criteria. They should also begin collecting and n Has no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount he must pay for the annual premiums is more than 8% of his household income; n Has a gap in coverage for less than three consecutive months or n Qualifies for an exemption for one of several other reasons, including having a hardship that prevents him from obtaining coverage, or belonging to a group explicitly exempt from the requirement. If the taxpayer, spouse or any of the dependents did not have minimum coverage for any month in 2014, a payment needs to be computed and reported on Form 1040, line 61. For 2014, the annual payment amount is: The greater of: n 1 percent of the household income that is above the tax return filing threshold for taxpayer’s filing status, or n Flat dollar amount, which is $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, limited to a family maximum of $285. Premium Tax Credit – Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit. Individuals who are eligible for PTC need to meet the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. Exception: In some cases, taxpayers with household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Note: Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. The PTC is based on a sliding scale. Those with lower incomes get a larger credit. The PTC for the year is the sum of the monthly credit amounts. The credit amount for each month is the lesser of: n The premiums for the month for one or more qualified health plans in which the taxpayer or any individual in his tax family enrolled; or n The monthly premium for the taxpayer’s applicable second lowest cost silver plan less his monthly contribution amount. Tax Rates for 2014 - President Bush Era tax rates were made permanent in 2013 with a 39.6% bracket (for single individuals at $406,750, head of household at $432,200, married filing jointly at $457,600 and married filing separately at $228,800). Trust and estates will hit the 39.6% bracket at $12,150. The rate for capital gains and dividends is 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $406,750 for single individuals n $432,200 for heads of household n $457,600 for married filing joint. Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence - Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However the 2010 Tax Relief Act excludes from income cancellation of debt on a principal residence of up to $2 million. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the provision through 2014. assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit with the full application, which must be received by April 15, 2015. Seafarers and dependents who previously Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child - To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund.  These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS Website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc. gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-4384338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778. applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements. Please send me the 2015 SHBP Scholarship Program Booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name ....................................................................................................................................... Street Address ........................................................................................................................ City, State, Zip Code.............................................................................................................. Telephone Number ( ) ..................................................................................................... This application is for: o Self o Dependent Mail this completed form to: Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. February 2015 �February & March 2015 Membership Meetings Piney Point.......................................Monday: February 2, March 2 Algonac...............................................Friday: February 6, March 6 Baltimore........................................Thursday: February 5, March 5 Guam..........................................Thursday: February 19, March 19 Honolulu.........................................Friday: February 13, March 13 Houston..............................................Monday: February 9, March 9 Jacksonville....................................Thursday: February 5, March 5 Joliet...........................................Thursday: February 12, March 12 Mobile.....................................Wednesday: February 11, March 11 New Orleans....................................Tuesday: February 10, March 10 Jersey City.........................................Tuesday: February 3, March 3 Norfolk...........................................Thursday: February 5, March 5 Oakland......................................Thursday: February 12, March 12 Philadelphia.............................Wednesday: February 4, March 4 Port Everglades............................Thursday: February 12, March 12 San Juan.........................................Thursday: February 5, March 5 St. Louis...........................................Friday: February 13, March 13 Tacoma............................................Friday: February 20, March 20 Wilmington................*Tuesday: February 17, Monday: March 16 * Wilmington change created by and President’s Day holiday. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. February 2015 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea December 15, 2014 - Janurary 15, 2015 Port Total Registered All Groups A B C Total Shipped All Groups Trip A B C Reliefs Registered on Beach All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Deck Department 19 10 3 2 2 1 0 29 14 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 4 0 7 3 4 4 2 0 2 8 5 6 21 11 5 10 7 6 5 33 21 7 5 4 0 3 0 0 0 8 4 0 10 2 2 12 1 1 1 20 2 3 11 4 1 7 2 1 3 27 8 4 55 11 3 42 4 2 18 106 20 9 52 17 3 26 15 1 12 75 32 4 36 17 2 24 10 0 17 81 32 3 6 3 3 2 2 0 1 7 3 3 9 3 2 6 2 1 5 18 5 4 17 18 1 12 8 1 5 36 31 4 15 5 0 14 10 0 4 40 11 2 6 1 0 5 2 1 3 9 4 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 11 2 0 3 2 1 2 20 9 2 56 9 3 29 10 1 22 70 12 5 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 4 0 45 12 2 24 6 2 13 66 23 7 383 137 36 228 88 20 116 660 246 67 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Engine Department 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 4 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 3 0 1 2 0 1 6 5 1 12 4 2 11 2 1 4 15 8 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 0 1 3 0 1 4 2 0 5 3 0 2 3 1 0 11 10 1 14 5 0 16 3 0 3 31 15 1 27 24 2 17 16 3 11 37 33 2 10 10 1 5 5 2 2 30 24 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 6 3 0 7 3 0 6 7 2 0 20 11 1 2 7 1 1 25 16 0 14 6 2 6 7 1 6 20 19 1 4 0 0 2 0 0 1 7 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 5 3 0 1 3 0 2 7 10 0 21 8 0 20 8 0 9 26 10 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 12 9 0 8 5 0 2 21 16 3 161 97 8 101 69 9 49 256 182 15 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Steward Department 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 1 1 2 0 0 0 5 1 0 6 3 1 7 2 0 5 21 5 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 5 1 2 3 1 0 2 4 3 2 13 1 0 9 0 0 2 21 5 0 19 3 0 14 2 0 4 35 12 2 18 4 1 14 6 1 5 28 13 0 18 4 0 14 2 0 6 27 12 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 2 0 2 9 0 2 12 12 1 11 1 0 4 22 23 3 16 1 1 5 2 1 3 31 4 5 3 1 0 3 1 0 1 6 0 0 6 1 0 1 0 0 0 7 2 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 1 4 5 1 18 3 0 13 2 1 6 27 4 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 18 8 1 14 3 0 8 38 10 2 165 52 8 113 25 3 49 293 110 21 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Entry Department 2 12 0 0 2 0 0 8 16 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 5 1 3 4 1 0 2 1 1 3 8 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 3 2 1 0 1 0 1 4 3 3 1 7 8 2 4 1 0 2 8 21 3 15 4 2 8 2 0 4 20 4 5 10 18 2 10 3 2 4 19 31 2 11 3 4 12 3 0 4 33 10 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 13 16 0 9 6 2 1 30 37 1 9 3 2 5 1 1 2 18 12 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 7 7 3 7 0 1 8 12 9 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 5 14 9 4 9 9 6 10 39 48 31 121 75 19 73 28 15 53 230 193 GRAND TOTAL: 740 407 127 461 255 60 229 1,262 768 296 Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, 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 1730 Jefferson St., Houston, TX 77003 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 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 Inquiring Seafarer Responding to this month’s question were five members in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and one (Charlotte Tuggle) in St. Louis. Question: What is the most important thing about your job? Joseph Marino OMU The most important thing about my job is it is for the economy of America, for exports and imports so the country’s shelves in stores won’t be empty and gas stations depleted. Janice Gabbert Steward/Baker My son and nephew are merchant mariners thanks to me. One thing people need to realize is how important our job is to national security and trade. Without us, they would have a hard time. I feel like I am giving back to my country and to the veterans when I sail. Yuri Oliveros OMU I sailed on the Pride of America and met a lot of people who have enriched my life. I have made a lot of friends and have met people from different nations. Charlotte Tuggle Storekeeper We are a valued support to the military – the fourth arm of defense. We support anything they need to do. We take care of their needs. Walter Sainvil AB Safety is always first. Everything is perfect with safety and with no accidents. Hipolita Roches OMU Do my job and be safe. Safety comes first. Pics From The Past Pensioner Jorge Rodriguez (left in photo at immediate right) submitted these snapshots of car floats from his working days in the mid-1970s. Rodriguez, 94, was a member of the union’s Railroad Marine division. He joined in 1959, retired in 1991, and spent his entire SIU career with Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railway in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area. JERSEY CITY 104 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 434-6000 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2015 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA VIRGILIO BANZON Brother Virgilio Banzon, 74, started sailing with the Seafarers in 2005 in Wilmington, California. He was initially employed on the Seabrook. Brother Banzon shipped in the deck department. His most recent ship was the Empire State. Brother Banzon is a resident of Chula Vista, California. HUSSEIN ELEMARY Brother Hussein Elemary, 65, began sailing with the SIU in 1994. He was first employed on the Independence. The steward department member attended classes frequently at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Elemary’s last ship was the Cape Henry. He was born in Egypt and now lives in Vista, California. ALFRED FARRELL Brother Alfred Farrell, 67, donned the SIU colors in 2000. He originally shipped in the inland division on a Moran Towing of Philadelphia vessel. Brother Farrell enhanced his skills in 2001 at the union-affiliated maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Farrell’s most recent trip was aboard the Freedom. He calls Philadelphia home. SALVATORE GILARDI Brother Salvatore Gilardi, 65, joined the union in 1987. The deck department member’s first trip was aboard the 2nd Lt. John Paul Bobo. Brother Gilardi upgraded on two occasions at the Paul Hall Center. His most recent trip was on the Capt. Steven L. Bennett. Brother Gilardi makes his home in Gloucester, Massachusetts. ALTON HICKMAN Brother Alton Hickman, 66, became a Seafarer in 1972. The Louisiana native enhanced his skills on two occasions at the Piney Point school. His first ship was the Mayaguez; his most recent was the Comet. Brother Hickman worked in the engine department. He is a resident of Natchez, Mississippi. February 2015 JAMES JACKSON Brother James Jackson, 67, signed on with the SIU in 1963. The steward department member first sailed on the Margarett Brown. Brother Jackson was born in New Orleans. He upgraded in 1986 and 2002 at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Jackson’s last ship was the Atlantic Forest. He now resides in St. Francisville, Louisiana. ARI JALKIO Brother Ari Jalkio, 65, was an NMU member prior to the 2001 merger with the Seafarers International Union. He is a resident of Stuart, Florida. STANLEY KRYSTOSIAK Brother Stanley Krystosiak, 65, started shipping with the SIU in 1970. He initially sailed aboard the Summit. Brother Krystosiak worked in the steward department and concluded his career on the Philadelphia Express. He attended classes often at the Piney Point school. Brother Krystosiak settled in Spotswood, New Jersey. BRUCE LANDOS Brother Bruce Landos, 65, joined the SIU ranks in 2001 when the NMU merged into the Seafarers International Union. His most recent ship was the Green Point. Brother Landos sailed in the deck department. He resides in Seattle. Point, Maryland. Brother Meany’s most recent trip was on the Cape Intrepid. He is a resident of Auburn, Washington. EDITA MIGUEL Sister Edita Miguel, 65, donned the SIU colors in 1993 in Jacksonville, Florida. She originally sailed on the cruise ship Independence. Sister Miguel enhanced her skills in 2000 at the unionaffiliated maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. She sailed in the steward department. Sister Miguel’s most recent trip was aboard the USNS Henson. She calls Jacksonville home. BENJAMIN MONZON Brother Benjamin Monzon, 67, began sailing with the Seafarers in 2004. He first shipped aboard the Pride of America. Brother Monzon was born in Imus, Philippines. He was a deck department member. Brother Monzon’s most recent voyage was on the Empire State. He lives in Norwalk, California. ABDUL MUFLIHI Brother Abdul Muflihi, 66, became an SIU member in 1981. His first voyage was aboard the Massachusetts. Brother Muflihi sailed in the steward department. In 2002 and 2004, he upgraded at the Piney Point school. Brother Muflihi most recently worked on the Evergreen State. He was born in Saudi Arabia and now calls Coldwater, Michigan, home. MAHAR OMAR as an MDR on the USNS Impeccable. Brother Peters was born in Superior, Michigan, and is now a resident of Kingsland, Georgia. FRANK SANCHEZ Brother Frank Sanchez, 67, joined the SIU ranks in 2001 when the NMU merged into the Seafarers International Union. His most recent ship was the Horizon Trader. Brother Sanchez sailed in the deck department. He resides in Carolina, Puerto Rico. CHARLES WALLER Brother Charles Waller, 65, sailed with NMU before 2001 when the SIU and NMU merged. He is a Virginia native and now calls New Orleans home. INLAND JOHNNIE EDWARDS Brother Johnnie Edwards, 56, joined the union in 1982 in Piney Point, Maryland. He first shipped in the deep sea division aboard the LNG Virgo. Brother Edwards sailed in the deck department. His final trip was with G&H Towing. Brother Edwards upgraded on two occasions at the Paul Hall Center. He makes his home in Houston. ROBERT GILLETTE Brother Robert Gillette, 70, started sailing with the SIU in 1965. He initially worked with New York Central Railroad. Brother Gillette most recently was employed with New York Dock Railway Company. He resides in Hartsdale, New York. CHRISTOPHER GUTIERREZ Brother Michael Langford, 68, joined the NMU before the SIU/ NMU merger of 2001. He makes his home in Reno, Nevada. Brother Maher Omar, 68, was an NMU member prior to the 2001 merger with the Seafarers International Union. He sailed in both the deck and engine departments and also attended classes at the Paul Hall Center in 2001 and 2005. Brother Omar’s most recent ship was the Mercury. He is a resident of Jersey City, New Jersey. MICHAEL MEANY TIMOTHY PETERS GARY HARBINSON Brother Michael Meany, 57, donned the SIU colors in 1981. He originally sailed aboard the President Adams. Brother Meany shipped in the steward department. He enhanced his skills frequently at the union-affiliated school in Piney Brother Timothy Peters, 66, first donned the SIU colors in 1989 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was initially employed aboard the USNS Assertive. In 2002, Brother Peters upgraded at the Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. He last sailed Brother Gary Harbinson, 62, signed on with the SIU in 1975 in Philadelphia. He first sailed aboard a National Marine Services vessel. In 1975 and 1982, Brother Harbinson took advantage of educational opportunities at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. He last shipped with Crowley Towing of Wilmington, as a deck department member. Brother Harbinson calls Key Largo, Florida, home. MICHAEL LANGFORD Brother Christopher Gutierrez, 62, began shipping with the union in 1977. He initially sailed on an Albatross Tanker Company vessel. Brother Gutierrez enhanced his skills on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center. His final trip was with G&H Towing. Brother Gutierrez lives in Tiki Island, Texas. THOMAS HUGHES Brother Thomas Hughes, 61, was born in New Orleans. He became an SIU member in 1972. Brother Hughes primarily worked with Crescent Towing & Salvage of New Orleans. The deck department member lives in Marrero, Louisiana. ROBERT JACKSON Brother Robert Jackson, 62, donned the SIU colors in 1974 in Mobile, Alabama. He was primarily employed with Dravo Basic Materials Company. Brother Jackson was a deck department member. He is a resident of Leroy, Louisiana. RICHARD KIRBY Brother Richard Kirby, 62, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1976. He first shipped with American Tugs Inc. Brother Kirby sailed in the deck department. He most recently worked with Piney Point Transportation. Brother Kirby calls Virginia Beach, Virginia, home. DAVY MENZIES Brother Davy Menzies, 64, became a union member in 1992. He mainly sailed with Port Imperial Ferry. Brother Menzies enhanced his skills in 2001 at the Paul Hall Center. He worked in the deck department and lives in Jersey City, New Jersey. CLARENCE SMITH Brother Clarence Smith, 62, joined the union in 1986. He was primarily employed with the Association of Maryland Pilots. Brother Smith worked in the deck and engine departments. He resides in Lusby, Maryland. DAVID STILLIS Brother David Stillis, 62, signed on with the SIU in 1999. He mainly sailed with OSG Ship Management. Brother Stillis attended classes in 2001 at the Piney Point school. He makes his home in Chester, Pennsylvania. GREAT LAKES MOHAMED SAID Brother Mohamed Said, 65, was born in Yemen. He signed on with the union in 1989. Brother Said’s first ship was the American Mariner; his most recent, the Adam E. Cornelius. The former engine department member settled in Dearborn, Michigan. Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA FLOYD HARMANSON Pensioner Floyd Harmanson, 77, passed away July 3. He became an SIU member in 1973 in Houston. Brother Harmanson initially worked aboard the Overseas Natalie. He was born in Louisiana and sailed in the steward department. Brother Harmanson’s final trip to sea was on the Cape Mendocino. He retired in 2002 and made his home in Port Arthur, Texas. GEORGE NUSS Pensioner George Nuss, 87, died July 7. He started sailing with the Seafarers in 1949. The deck department member’s first voyage was aboard the Del Sud. Brother Nuss was a native of Louisiana. His last ship also was a Delta Lines vessel. Brother Nuss became a pensioner in 1985 and lived in Picayune, Mississippi. ELMER SCHROEDER Pensioner Elmer Schroeder, 98, passed away June 30. He joined the union in 1943. Brother Schroeder was a member of the deck department. He first worked with Waterman Steamship Corporation. Brother Schroeder concluded his career on the Del Mundo. He began receiving his pension in 1982 and called San Diego, California, home. HERMINIO SERRANO Pensioner Herminio Serrano, 79, died June 30. Brother Serrano began his seafaring career in 1964. He was originally employed on the Topa Topa. Brother Serrano was born in New York and shipped in the engine department. His last ship was the Mayaguez. Brother Serrano went on pension in 1995 and was a resident of Puerto Rico. JAMES STRAIN Pensioner James Strain, 85, passed away June 3. Brother Strain joined the SIU ranks in 1966. He initially sailed on a vessel operated by Atlantic Carriers Inc. Brother Strain worked in the deck department. His final ship was the Overseas Alaska. Brother Strain started collecting his pension in 1994. He continued to reside in his native state, Texas. LARRY THOMPSON Pensioner Larry Thompson, 76, died June 20. Brother Thompson signed on with the SIU in 1966. He initially shipped with Oceanic Ore Carriers Inc. 18 Seafarers LOG The deck department member concluded his career aboard the Endurance. Brother Thompson became a pensioner in 2002 and lived in Las Vegas. TERRY TVEIT Pensioner Terry Tveit, 68, passed away July 25. He began sailing with the union in 1965. Brother Tveit’s first ship was operated by Alcoa Steamship Company; his last was the Great Land. The deck department member retired in 2011 and called Shore Line, Washington, home. GERALD VAN EPPS Pensioner Gerald Van Epps, 71, died July 14. Brother Van Epps donned the SIU colors in 1967. He originally sailed aboard a Seatrain Lines Inc. vessel. Brother Van Epps shipped in the engine department. His final ship was the Patriot. Brother Van Epps went on pension in 2008 and made his home in Arizona. THOMAS WRIGHT Pensioner Thomas Wright, 83, passed away June 16. Brother Wright joined the union in 1960. The engine department member’s first trip was on the Arizpa. Brother Wright’s most recent vessel was the Ambassador. He started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1990. Brother Wright was born in Savannah, Georgia. He lived in Lake Mary, Florida. INLAND BETTY ADAMS Pensioner Betty Adams, 78, died June 21. She signed on with the union in 1985. Sister Adams primarily worked aboard Orgulf Transportation Company vessels. She worked in the steward department. Sister Adams retired in 1999 and resided in Effingham, Illinois. July 17. Brother Holder became an SIU member in 1982. He was primarily employed with CG Willis Inc. Brother Holder worked in the deck department. He went on pension in 2005. Brother Holder was a resident of Jacksonville, Florida. ORRIN SMITH Pensioner Orrin Smith, 85, passed away July 23. He started sailing with the union in 1964. The engine department member mainly worked with Erie Lackawanna Railway Company. Brother Smith was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began collecting his pension in 1990 and continued to live in New York. PHILLIP YEOMANS Pensioner Phillip Yeomans, 74, died July 26. Born in Carteret County, North Carolina, Brother Yeomans joined the SIU in 1990. He first worked with Mariner Towing. Brother Yeomans sailed in the steward department, and he most recently shipped with Allied Transportation Company. Brother Yeomans retired in 2002 and resided in Harkers Island, North Carolina. Editor’s note: The following brothers and sister, all former members of the National Maritime Union (NMU), have passed away. HAMOOD AL-GAZZALY Pensioner Hamood Al-Gazzaly, 80, passed away April 13. Brother Al-Gazzaly was born in Yemen. He became a pensioner in 1993 and continued to live in Yemen. ARMENIO ALVAS Pensioner Armenio Alvas, 90, died July 4. Brother Alvas, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, began collecting his pension in 1968. He resided in New York. CIRIACO BONILLA Pensioner Ciriaco Bonilla, 73, passed away June 21. He was born in Honduras. Brother Bonilla went on pension in 2009. He lived in Houston. JOHN BROOKS DONALD BOUTIN Pensioner John Brooks, 77, passed away July 17. He donned the SIU colors in 1975. Brother Brooks initially shipped with Allied Towing. He was a deck department member. Brother Brooks’ final boat was operated by Crowley Towing & Transportation of Wilmington. He became a pensioner in 1999 and made his home in Wellston, Ohio. Pensioner Donald Boutin, 86, died June 21. Brother Boutin was born in Waterville, Maine. He retired in 1991 and was a resident of River Ridge, Louisiana. FRANKLIN HOLDER Pensioner Franklin Holder, 71, died THOMAS CASEY Pensioner Thomas Casey, 77, passed away June 11. Born in Illinois, Brother Casey became a pensioner in 1991. He lived in Virginia. EDWIN COLON Pensioner Edwin Colon, 81, died July 10. Brother Colon was born in Brooklyn, New York. He retired in 1972 and continued to reside in New York. MIGUEL CRUZ Pensioner Miguel Cruz, 85, passed away July 23. Brother Cruz was a native of Puerto Rico. He started receiving his retirement pay in 1987. Brother Cruz made his home Bronx, New York. CHARLES CZARNOWSKI Killingbeck became a pensioner in 1993. He called Stowe, Vermont, home. RAFAEL LLANOS Pensioner Rafael Llanos, 90, died June 6. Brother Llanos was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He retired in 1978 and resided in New York. NATHANIEL MOULTRIE Pensioner Charles Czarnowski, 97, died June 24. Brother Czarnowski was born in Lackawanna, Pennsylvania. He began receiving his pension in 1966. Brother Czarnowski lived in Sea Level, North Carolina. Pensioner Nathaniel Moultrie, 71, passed away June 29. Brother Moultrie was a native of South Carolina. He started receiving his retirement pay in 1998. Brother Moultrie made his home in North Charleston, South Carolina. DANIEL DONATIEN CARLOS NUNEZ Pensioner Daniel Donatien, 88, passed away June 18. Brother Donatien, a native of Martinique, started collecting his retirement compensation in 1970. He resided in Guyton, Georgia. Pensioner Carlos Nunez, 91, died June 12. Brother Nunez was born in Honduras. He began receiving his pension in 1983. Brother Nunez lived in Port Arthur, Texas. JOSE FERREIRA Pensioner Jose Ferreira, 87, died June 24. Brother Ferreira went on pension in 1982. He made his home in Portugal. HUBERT FLEMING CARMELO RICCI Pensioner Carmelo Ricci, 82, passed away June 9. Brother Ricci, a native of Humacao, Puerto Rico, started collecting his retirement compensation in 1986. He resided in Brooklyn, New York. Pensioner Hubert Fleming, 66, passed away June 20. The Jacksonville, Florida, native became a pensioner in 1986. Brother Fleming most recently resided in St. Augustine, Florida. INES RODRIGUEZ ANTONIO FUENTES JASPER SCHIELD Pensioner Antonio Fuentes, 87, died July 11. Born in Honduras, Brother Fuentes started receiving his retirement compensation in 1988. He lived in Miami Gardens, Florida. Pensioner Jasper Schield, 77, passed away June 14. The Sorrell, Louisiana, native became a pensioner in 1997. Brother Schield settled in Port Arthur, Texas. FELICIANO GOMEZ Pensioner Feliciano Gomez, 95, passed away June 20. Brother Gomez was born in Honduras. He became a pensioner in 1990 and settled in New Orleans. FRANK HAMILTON Pensioner Ines Rodriguez, 86, died June 11. Brother Rodriguez was born in the Odem, Texas. He went on pension in 1969. Brother Rodriguez made his home in Houston. VICTOR STRICKLAND Pensioner Victor Strickland, 93, died June 12. Born in Waynesboro, Mississippi, Brother Strickland started receiving his retirement compensation in 1986. He lived in Bryan, Texas. ARLINGTON THOMAS Pensioner Frank Hamilton, 88, died June 7. Brother Hamilton, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, began collecting his pension in 1991. He resided in New Orleans. Pensioner Arlington Thomas, 84, passed away June 27. Brother Thomas was born in Virginia. He began collecting his pension in 1993 and made his home in Hampton, Virginia. EDWARD JONES LEANDER WILSON Pensioner Edward Jones, 96, passed away July 7. He was born in Selma, Alabama. Brother Jones went on pension in 1971. He called New Orleans home. MOHAMED KALAZ Pensioner Mohamed Kalaz, 83, died July 11. The Yemen native retired in 1979. Brother Kalaz was a resident of Queens, New York. FREDERICK KILLINGBECK Pensioner Frederick Killingbeck, 89, passed away June 6. Born in Torrington, Connecticut, Brother Pensioner Leander Wilson, 92, died June 28. Born in Jamaica, Brother Wilson started receiving his pension in 1969. He lived in Grand Bay, Alabama. Name Aguirre, George Claybourne, Iris Hanna, Isiah Jackson, Fue Sloan, Patrick Tanner, Raymond Tiernan, William Troy, Perry Age 92 88 90 91 67 66 92 92 DOD June 11 May 14 July 16 July 15 July 1 July 1 May 27 July 9 February 2015 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings ADAM E. CORNELIUS (American Steamship Co.), October 5 – Chairman Saad Al-Aqel, Secretary Bernard Lawes, Educational Director Mohsin Nasser. Chairman reported SIU forms have been organized and placed in new folder. Crew was asked to keep it organized and notify if additional copies are needed. He commended crew for working safely and pointing out any potential hazards or repairs that may be needed. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next port: Ashtabula, Ohio. MAERSK IOWA (Maersk Line, Limited), October 6 – Chairman Egidio Ferreira, Secretary Paul Isherwood, Educational Director Eufemiano Gomes. Crew asked for direct deposit of vacation checks. Educational director mentioned members should account for all their sea time. He suggested taking Maersk safety course at SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center as well as taking upgrading courses. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew touched on STCW requirements. Ship needs new mattresses. Crew said they take time to have a meeting every voyage but are not getting responses to their questions. They asked about standby reliefs and OT in lieu of time off. Also would like increases in health and dental benefits. MAERSK ATLANTA (Maersk Line, Limited), October 10 – Chairman Thomas Flanagan, Secretary Glenn Williams, Educational Director Paul Titus, Deck Delegate Michael Sherman. Shipboard crane still needs repairs. Chairman reported safe voyage and thanked all hands for good work. He reminded everyone to keep up on all credentials and paperwork, especially Coast Guard physical. Educational director advised fellow mariners to take advantage of union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed safety considerations and inquired about policies covering working in heat, especially in cargo holds. Vote of thanks given to galley gang for job well done. AB Abdullah Oun announced retirement plans after this voyage. Crew saluted him as a good shipmate and wished him well. AB Videlio Roman has earned enough sea time for his A-book; crew congratulated him. Next port: Charleston, South Carolina. PRESQUE ISLE (Key Lakes), October 12 – Chairman Tony Sivola, Educational Director Jamal Taleb, Deck Delegate Nestor Agcaoili, Engine Delegate Benito Castro. Under old business, crew expressed concern about time it takes for travel reimbursement. Chairman reviewed eligibility rules for Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. He suggested checking with local hall for additional details. Educational director recommended upgrading at SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew talked about Election Day and the fact that every vote counts. Crew talked about importance of keeping up with union dues and contributing to SPAD, the SIU’s voluntary political action fund. “It does make a difference!” February 2015 AMERICAN SPIRIT (American Steamship Co.), October 27 – Chairman Paul Gohs, Secretary Joyce Sufak, Educational Director Michael Kruse. Report from union was read to crew and posted. Copies of Seafarers LOG were distributed. List of upgrading class dates also posted. Educational director encouraged all members to use winter layup to upgrade in Piney Point, Maryland, or renew credentials. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed various requirements for shipping and also talked about STCW regulations. They talked about constant need for safety, but especially with winter approaching – use extra caution when walking on deck, especially at night. HORIZON ANCHORAGE (Horizon Lines), November 2 – Chairman Daniel Seagle, Secretary Amanda Suncin, Educational Director Gary Dahl, Deck Delegate James Grubbs, Steward Delegate Gary Loftin. Chairman reported vessel should be at the dock November 5 at 08:30. New recliner chairs have been purchased for all rooms. Crew expressed concern for member who left vessel due to death in family. Secretary reminded everyone to check all shipping documents and keep them current. Also recommended allowing plenty of time for renewals and for scheduling physical exams. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew suggested increasing dental coverage. They expressed concern about medical staff in Florida. Next port: Tacoma, Washington. 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. Endurance in Panama Self-described “ship nut” George Bonawit snapped these photos of the SIU-crewed car carrier Endurance late last year as the 860-foot-long vessel passed through the Panama Canal. Operated by TOTE Services for American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier, the Endurance reflagged under the Stars and Stripes in 2010. SAM LAUD (American Steamship Co.), October 27 – Chairman Abdullah Algalham, Secretary James Cameron, Educational Director Michael Lau, Deck Delegate Waleed Mohsin, Steward Delegate Mohamed Noman. Chairman talked about upcoming elections and urged fellow members to vote for pro-maritime candidates. He reviewed shipboard safety tips and also touched on eligibility requirements for health benefits. Secretary encouraged members to read Seafarers LOG, the union’s official publication. Educational director recommended upgrading at SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. Deck delegate stressed good communication on deck. Engine delegate reminded everyone to help keep laundry room clean, and to clean lint trap after using dryer. Steward delegate reminded everyone to help keep crew mess organized and clean. HORIZON RELIANCE (Horizon Lines), November 9 – Chairman Kissinfor Taylor, Secretary Tommy Belvin, Educational Director James Donohue, Steward Delegate Walter Harris. Chairman reminded everyone to keep shipping documents current. Secretary said it has been a very good trip. He said crew will receive new TVs for each room and thanked the company. Educational director stressed value of upgrading in Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Printer is needed for crew mess computer. Crew discussed sea-time requirements for medical benefits eligibility. Next port: Long Beach, California. HORIZON KODIAK (Horizon Lines), November 16 – Chairman Garry Walker, Secretary Lovie Perez, Educational Director Christopher Earhart, Deck Delegate Peter Bean, Steward Delegate Obadi Kassem. Chairman announced payoff at sea. He said USCG drills would take place in three days, and all hands are required to be on board. He reminded everyone to pay dues on time and recommended always contributing to SPAD. Educational director reminded fellow mariners to check documents for expiration dates, especially the Coast Guard medical certificate. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew proposed substantial base pay increase. They discussed penalty time for deck watchstanders in lieu of rest period on day of arrival when docking between midnight and 0800. They recommended a substantial pension increase for retirees and also suggested various transactions related to shipping and registration that could be done online. Next ports: Tacoma, Washington; and Anchorage, Alaska. SEALAND LIGHTNING (Maersk Line, Limited), November 16 – Chairman Manolo Delos Santos, Secretary Er- nest Polk, Educational Director George Rose, Deck Delegate Kevin Holston, Engine Delegate Hassan Mohamed, Steward Delegate Jimmy Williams. Chairman reminded everyone to keep documents up-to-date, and he also thanked crew for safe voyage. Secretary thanked crew for assisting in keeping vessel clean. Educational director encouraged everyone to go to Piney Point “and enjoy upgrading your skills as soon as possible.” No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department for great meals. Next port: Los Angeles. Seafarers LOG 19 �EU Lazaro Rivera, GUDE Rafael Leon and two of the engineers AB Luis Ramos, AB Benny Perez, Bosun Isaac Vega, AB Pat Ray, QEE Thomas Flynn With Seafarers Aboard Horizon Trader SIU Assistant VP Archie Ware submitted these photos from the Horizon Trader in early January, during what was expected to be the vessel’s last stop in Jacksonville, Florida. As previously reported, Horizon Lines is ending its service to Puerto Rico. Chief Cook Anthony Harrell Steward/Baker Kevin Dougherty The vessel docks in Jacksonville, Florida, early last month. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board 20 Seafarers LOG by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea­farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Conse­quently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION. — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 February 2015 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, for the next several months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and - in times of conflict - national security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Students who have registered for classes, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer-Deck February 28 March 27 April 25 May 22 June 20 July 17 Lifeboat February 28 March 13 March 28 April 10 April 25 May 8 May 23 June 5 June 20 July 3 Fast Rescue Boat May 2 May 8 May 30 June 5 RFPNW May 23 June 19 Tanker Familiarization DL April 4 April 17 Engine Department Upgrading Courses BAPO May 23 June 19 FOWT February 28 March 27 April 25 May 22 June 20 July 17 Junior Engineer May 30 July 24 Marine Electrician March 21 May 15 Marine Refrigeration Technician May 16 June 26 Machinist March 28 April 17 Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion Safety Upgrading Courses Advanced Firefighting June 13 June 19 Basic Firefighting/STCW March 28 April 3 May 9 May 15 Government Vessels #1 February 28 March 6 April 18 April 24 Medical Care Provider Safety Upgrading Courses Advanced Firefighting February 21 February 27 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name_________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth___________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o 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? o Yes o No If yes, class #___________________________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? oYes o No If yes, course(s) taken____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back or relevant pages of merchant mariner credential, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, qualifying seatime for the course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate, valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC. February 2015 June 26 Steward Department Courses Galley Ops February 28 March 27 March 28 April 24 April 25 May 22 May 23 June 19 June 20 July 17 Advanced Galley Ops February 14 March 13 March 14 April 10 April 11 May 8 May 9 June 5 June 6 July 3 Chief Steward February 14 March 27 March 28 May 8 May 9 June 19 June 20 July 31 Serve Safe April 11 April 17 Steward Recertification March 14 April 6 NMC Website Provides Useful Mariner Resources The National Maritime Center (NMC), the licensing authority for the U.S. Coast Guard, offers a comprehensive website covering mariner credentialing, medical guidelines and much more. The site features a wide range of applications and forms, deck- and engine-department exam information, lists of Coast Guard-approved courses and more. Seafarers are encour- Pumpman April 18 May 1 Welding March 7 March 27 April 25 May 15 June 6 June 26 June 20 aged to check out the site at: www.uscg. mil/nmc/ Mariners may call the NMC at 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662). Operational hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. (The NMC is closed for all federal holidays.) Various email forms also are available through the NMC website. Important Notice Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. COURSE ____________________________ START DATE _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ ____________________________ _______________ _______________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/15 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #793 – The following Phase I apprentices (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 19: Jarion Andrews, Hollis Burton III, Ryan Cameron, Kayla Doiron, Tanisha Edwards, Krystal Glenn, Henry Green, Brandon Hamilton, Brandon Harvel, Jack Hufford, Rayshaun Hughes, David Kessler, Ian McDonough, Tasha Pauley, Dymond Roberts, Christopher Savage, Zachary Savasuk, Daqwan Wallace and Brett Wheatley. Class instructor Ben Cusic is standing at the far left. (Note: Not all are pictured.) ECDIS – Five Seafarers completed this course Dec. 5. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Gregory Dodds, Nathaniel Leachman, Jose Lebron, Robert Venable Jr. and Kipling Wise II. Patrick Schoenberger, their instructor, is at the far left. Welding – Three upgraders finished their requirements in this course Dec. 19. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Dwight Cherry Jr., Cirico Geonanga Jr., and Antonio Perez. Their instructor, Chris Raley, is at the far left. GMDSS – The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) finished their requirements in this course Dec. 12: Jason Brown, Oleg Derun, Ryan McElroy, Jose Mendez and Emmanuel Wilson. Class instructor Dan Landgrebe is at the far left. Apprentice to Able Seafarer (Deck) – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 5: Brandon Aguigui, Joseph Bowen, Edwin Bunda, Sean Cavanaugh, Alexander Franklin, Andrew Graham, Sterling McCosh, Craig Nebbia, Michael Pinnisi, John Reyes, Benjamin Rodrigues III, Ryan Snow, Nicholas Turano, Curtis Walker and James Wilder. (Note: Not all are pictured.) BST (5-Day) – Nine upgraders graduated from this course Dec. 12. Completing their requirements (above, in alphabetical order) were: Jason Billingsley, Steven Bowmer, Mark Brownell, Vanessa Fickel, Corey Leonard, Jamie Maddox, Hussain Nagi Ali, Clayton Walker and Duane Whitter. Patrick Schoenberger, their instructor, is at the far left. Government Vessels – The following Seafarers (photo at right, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 5: Brandy Baker, Mark Brownell, Martin Buck, Jorge Corrales Barrantes, Tyree Delk, Fidel Dipasupil, Kelly Doyle, Thyron Dy, Vanessa Fickel, Dale Harrison, Lonnie Jones Jr., Corey Leonard, Brian Lusk, Eduardo Meregillano, Hussain Nagi Ali, Harry Phillip, Omar Rodgers and Lamont Stewart II. Mark Cates, their instructor, is at the far left. (Note: Not all are pictured.) 22 Seafarers LOG February 2015 �Paul Hall Center Classes Chief Cook - A pair of steward department Seafarers completed this course recently. Graduating were Edwin Sebastian (above, left) and William Grow. Chief Steward – Four upgraders, each of whom works in the steward department, finished their requirements in this course recently. Graduating (above, from left) were: Timothy Laird, Frank Ramones, JonDa Tanner and Charles Rumble. Chief Cook – Two members of the steward department recently graduated from this course. Completing the enhancement of their skills in this class (above, from left) were Keyon Gregory and Matthew Conyac. Renovations Move at Speedy Pace at Paul Hall Center As reported on Page 3 of this edition of the Seafarers LOG, the SIUaffiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education currently is undergoing one of the most comprehensive upgrades in its storied history. The following photos provide an overview of some of the work being done at the Piney Point, Maryland-based school. One of four new simulators takes shape. Classroom improvements include new computer hardware (photos above and below) at all work stations. Major internal renovations are underway in the Drozak Building (above) and the Logan Building (below left). The new Claims Building is nearing completion. February 2015 Seafarers LOG 23 �F FEBRUARY E B R U A R Y 2015 2014 V O L U VOLUME M E 7 6 o 77 N ONO. . 22 Tax Tips For 2014 Filing Season Pages 12-14 Seafarers Joyously Donate to Military Families Annual Santa’s Castle Project a Hit in Pacific Northwest For SIU members in the Pacific Northwest, giving back to the community is a way of life – and that’s never more evident than during the winter holiday season, when they take part in an annual toy drive benefiting U.S. military families. The all-volunteer project is called Santa’s Castle, and SIU participation has steadily grown for the last several years. Through Santa’s Castle, Christmas gifts are donated to families of enlisted military personnel (primarily E-4 and below) who are experiencing financial hardship. During the most recent holidays, Tacoma Seafarers donated more than $7,000 worth of toys for military kids ranging in age from newborn to late teens. The SIU also hosted military personnel from nearby Fort Lewis and Santa’s Castle officials for a hearty luncheon at the union hall that was attended by more than 120 people. “The Seafarers are one of the most generous groups we deal with,” said Lisa Bennett, president of Santa’s Castle. “We really appreciate how they come out every year and show us so much love and support. They are a wonderful group of people.” She added that when she first met Port Agent Joe Vincenzo and the other local SIU officials, employees and members five years ago, she wasn’t sure what to expect. “But then you get there and it’s so moving,” Bennett said. “They’re good people and their hearts are really in it. I could give the Seafarers love all day long.” Anita Vargo, who’s in charge of purchasing for Santa’s Castle (they receive cash donations in addition to toys), also commended the SIU’s efforts. “I thought they did an amazing job, as always,” she stated. “Every year they do a great job supporting the troops and their families. The parents are very appreciative and the people at the luncheon are really nice – I like talking with them.” Vincenzo, who spearheads the SIU’s participation, said the most recent effort went especially well. “Having volunteered at various points throughout my adult life, heading up our toy drive and hosting our annual holiday party is an honor and a privilege, especially because it benefits lower ranking enlisted military personnel,” he said. “It is our chance here in Tacoma to say thank you to the men and women in uniform and to tell them how proud we are of their service.” The port agent said this year’s donations included 20 bicycles, dozens of remotecontrolled cars and helicopters, a dozen more musical instruments including guitars Port Agent Joe Vincenzo present’s the 2014 donations to Santa’s Castle volunteer Michelle Frey. and keyboards, dolls, board games, books, snow shoes and trekking poles, and much more. After the luncheon (which featured a wide range of goodies including ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberries), Vincenzo introduced the guests and briefly spoke about the U.S. Merchant Marine’s support of U.S. military efforts around the world. He also credited the many SIU participants including Administrative Assistant Brenda Flesner, Safety Director Ben Anderson, Patrolman Warren Asp, SA Rupert Henry, Chief Cook Sal Deguzman, and DEU Hamid Shahbain. “I’m happy to be a part of it and glad we do it every year,” said Deguzman. “It’s a great thing that we’re able to give something to the kids, especially during Christmastime. We make them happy also.” Chief Cook Gary Loftin said he noticed Safety Director Ben Anderson, Santa’s Castle Volunteer Anita Vargo, Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, Sgt. Maj. Frey, Santa’s Castle Volunteer Michelle Frey, Capt. Ganoni, Santa’s Castle Volunteer Shelly Hinzman an outstanding amount of participation this year. “Everybody really chipped in,” he said. “I’m really impressed with how well it went, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s Santa’s Castle. I live in a military community, and they appreciate all this stuff. The gratitude is evident.” AB Dana Cella, another regular participant, said, “I think it went fabulously, as it has every year. It’s great for the kids, and what better cause can you have?” He added, “Joe puts forth a big effort for this project. He’s a stand-up guy and he’s behind it all.” Electrician Shawn Clark, Chief Cook Crista Ali Chief Cook Gary Loftin, OMU Amber Fisher SA Hamid Shahbain (left) serves lunch to Sgt. 1st Class Hinzman and his wife, Shelly. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2015 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES CONGRESS REAFFIRMS JONES ACT SUPPORT CALLS INDUSTRY VITAL TO ‘NATIONAL SECURITY AND ECONOMIC VITALITY’ SIU-CREWED VESSELS HOME FOR HOLIDAYS FOLLOWING OPERATION UNITED ASSISTANCE PAUL HALL CENTER UPGRADES ROLLING ALONG MAJOR PROJECT INCLUDES NEW SIMULATORS, REFURBISHED CLASSROOMS NAVY CHRISTENS USNS TRENTON IN MOBILE, ALABAMA ANIT-JONES ACT PROPOSAL DRAWS IRE FROM INDUSTRY CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON SECOND APT TANKER AT NASSCO SHIPYARD CROWLEY MARITIME TO OPERATE JONES ACT VESSELS PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY: EX-IM BANK VITAL FOR ECONOMY RAISING WAGES SUMMIT INSTILLS CONFIDENCE, DETERMINATION AFL-CIO ANNOUNCES SUMMITS IN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STATES LAUDERDALE SEAFARERS GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY MARINERS’ COAST GUARD STCW MEDICAL CERTIFICATES MUST BE VALID, ON FILE IN SIU DATABASE MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM RECEIVES FULL FUNDING PROPOSED RULE BY USCG AIMS TO IMPROVE MARINER ACCESS NEW ISM CODE CHANGES BECAME EFFECTIVE JAN. 1 NLRB ISSUES FINAL RULE FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES IN REPRESENTATION CASES RENOVATIONS MOVE AT SPEEDY PACE AT PAUL HALL CENTER SEAFARERS JOYOUSLY DONATE TO MILITARY FAMILIES ANNUAL SANTA’S CASTLE PROJECT A HIT IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2015 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 77, No. 2 http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/81143d3480b4a117a65f6c0960c97590.pdf 5b38adb3bef7bc944022ba643f5cba5d PDF Text Text F E B R U2016 ARY 2014 FEBRUARY V O L U MVOLUME E 7 6 o78NNO. O .2 2 Union Welcomes New Tonnage Jones Act Tankers Texas, Independence Signify Additional Jobs for Seafarers The recent delivery of the Crowley tanker Texas (below) on the East Coast and the launch of Seabulk Tankers’ Independence (left) on the West Coast mean new SIU jobs and underscore U.S. shipbuilding capability. Pictured in the group photo below, taken at the Independence ceremony, are (from left) AMO National Asst. VP Daniel Shea, Chief Engineer Jason Kast, SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone, Seabulk Tankers President/Chief Operating Officer Daniel Thorogood, General Dynamics NASSCO President Fred Harris, Seabulk Tankers VP Fleet Management Robert “Bud” Hall, AMO National VP Inland Waters David Weathers, SIU VP Contracts George Tricker, and Capt. Mark Maxim. Page 3. Tacoma-Area Seafarers Step Up With Holiday Donations for Military Families The SIU’s annual participation in Santa’s Castle, a program benefitting military families, has never been stronger. During the most recent holiday season, Seafarers donated more than $10,000 in new toys, while SIU-contracted companies also joined in with donations that boosted the total value to around $12,000. In photo at right on behalf of the company, Crowley Maritime’s Lee Egland (left) delivered the two bikes in the foreground. He is pictured with Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, who leads the SIU’s involvement in Santa’s Castle. The photo below shows many of the toys staged at the hall prior to their delivery to nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Page 24. SIU Endorses Hillary Clinton Page 2 NTSB Releases El Faro Images Page 6 Annual Tax Tips Pages 12-14 �President’s Report Overlooked Benefits of Jones Act If you spend any time in the U.S.-flag maritime industry, it usually doesn’t take long before the subject of the Jones Act comes up. But for those who may be brand new to the U.S. Merchant Marine, the Jones Act is America’s freight cabotage law. It requires that cargo moving between domestic ports be carried on ships that are crewed, built, flagged and owned American. Despite its widely recognized benefits to our nation, and even though dozens of other industrialized countries have similar laws, the Jones Act regularly comes under attack. The latest such effort involves a mini-report that accuses the law of being protectionist. There is no disputing the economic and national security benefits of the Jones Act. A major independent study found that the law helps maintain around 500,000 American jobs while contributing billions of dollars each year to the U.S. economy. Another benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked is that the Jones Act helps maintain a pool of well-trained, reliable, U.S. citizen mariners who are available to sail on American-flag military support ships in times of crisis. I think we could stop right there and the case for the Michael Sacco Jones Act already would be watertight, but this month I also want to mention some mostly unseen, yet essential, additional plusses that directly stem from this law. Namely, border protection, homeland security and the prevention of illegal immigration. In the SIU, we know that even though our industry often is overlooked, America is a maritime nation. Much of our water is navigable, whether we’re talking about the East and West coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes or the inland waterways. Our rivers go through many major cities and population centers, while the Great Lakes border eight states. As one industry expert put it, “The prospect of terrorists on the inland waterways system is a particularly daunting challenge to homeland security. Via the inland waterways, a terrorist could reach America’s heartland and many of its largest and most important urban centers… Guarding every potential target along the inland waterways against terrorist attack is an impossible task.” Fortunately, the Jones Act ensures that vessels traversing these waterways are truly domestic in every way. That means the crews are carefully screened before receiving their credentials, and it means the vessel owners work with the Coast Guard and other federal law enforcement agencies. That security would go out the window if the Jones Act were weakened or eliminated. It’s true that foreign-flag ships with foreign crews already enter American ports on international voyages, but that’s a lot different than allowing them to have free reign along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. A recent report by the American Maritime Partnership (AMP), a coalition representing organizations from every segment of the domestic maritime industry (the SIU is a member), pointed out that plenty of security challenges already exist just with those international vessels: “Foreign-flag vessels entering U.S. seaports pose a variety of inherent risks to U.S. border security, including the threat of drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal immigration, cargo theft, and a variety of other transnational crimes.” AMP went on to say, “Consider the task of managing and mitigating these formidable risks in a non-Jones Act world, where foreign ships and crews could move freely throughout rivers, coastal areas, and other waterways of America. Imagine foreign ships moving through 25,000 miles of inland waterways, often with no Coast Guard, Customs or other security officers anywhere nearby. Inland vessels move freely along waterways, often tying up to docks, terminals or other points along the river with no security officials anywhere. Imagine the nearly impossible task of federal monitoring of the foreign crewmen on tens of thousands of vessels traveling within our domestic waters. It is no surprise then that when one Senator proposed changes to the Jones Act in early 2015, the commandant of the Coast Guard and a very senior Defense Department official quickly objected.” The bottom line is that changing or getting rid of the Jones Act would make America far less secure. It would force unmanageable burdens onto an already overloaded homeland security system, and it would critically reduce the ranks of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Those are some of the reasons the SIU remains 100 percent committed to supporting the Jones Act, which has served America well for nearly a century. FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 76 Volume 78 Number 2 o NO. 2 February 2016 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2016 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (left) fields a question from the audience as AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka looks on. The gathering took place last year as the federation interviewed presidential candidates in Silver Spring, Maryland. SIU Endorses Hillary Clinton Candidate Details Plans to Promote U.S. Merchant Marine The SIU on Jan. 6 announced its endorsement of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her campaign to become President of the United States. That same week, the union received a letter from Secretary Clinton thanking the SIU for the endorsement and detailing her support of the U.S. Merchant Marine. The full text of the union’s announcement and the letter follow. Union Endorsement The Seafarers International Union is proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for President of the United States. Based on many years of working with us to promote a strong U.S. Merchant Marine and to protect workers’ rights, we are confident that Secretary Clinton is the best choice to lead our nation forward. Hillary Clinton has unfailingly fought for America’s working families, including during her service as United States Senator from New York and as Secretary of State. She has always been an ardent supporter of American Mariners and the U.S.‐flag maritime industry. She has long been on record as an outspoken, effective backer of the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, and our nation’s cargo preference laws. Just as importantly, Secretary Clinton clearly values the importance, service, and historic reliability of the men and women who constitute the U.S. Merchant Marine, also known as America’s fourth arm of defense. Her acknowledgements of the U.S. Merchant Marine’s proud tradition – since the nation’s founding – of unbroken commitment to American economic and national security reflect a genuine appreciation of what we mean to America. Our union traditionally does not take party affiliation into consideration when backing a candidate for office. We have friends in both major political parties, and we have always lived by the principle that we support those who support the maritime industry along with workers’ rights. In this case, party affiliation once again is not a factor at all. Secretary Clinton is unsurpassed in her strong backing of our core issues and values. The Seafarers International Union looks forward to working with Secretary Clinton through the rest of the 2016 campaign season and for many years to come. She has our enthusiastic support. Letter from Clinton Campaign Dear Michael: Thank you, and your fellow members of the Seafarers International Union, for endorsing my candidacy for president. I have been proud to stand with and fight for working families throughout my entire career, and I am honored to have your support in this fight for the future. America’s mariners have served our country since its founding, more than 200 years ago, and privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels with their American citizen crews have always responded quickly and effectively to answer our nation’s call. Indeed, yours is a proud tradition of commitment to service and to country, and the need for a strong, vibrant U.S.-flag Merchant Fleet crewed by welltrained, dedicated Americans remains just as important today as it has throughout our history. As a United States Senator and as Secretary of State, I witnessed firsthand how vital it is for us to have a strong and vibrant U.S-Flag Merchant Marine. The Jones Act ensures that cargo delivered between our harbors and on our inland waterways is securely and safely moved by well-trained American mariners aboard U.S.-flag, U.S. built vessels. You and your members have my commitment to support the Jones Act and to fight to ensure that its application is permitted under international trade agreements. Likewise, I am proud to support the Maritime Security Program (MSP), which has, for twenty years, ensured that our military around the world has the equipment and ammunition needed when troops are deployed. Thanks to the MSP, more than 90 percent of all cargo moved to American forces in Afghanistan and Iraq came aboard U.S.-flag, U.S.-crewed vessels. As president, my administration will make sure the American mariners who sail these U.S.-flag ships – performing this vital function for our troops – continue receiving the support of this important program. While serving as Secretary of State, I also saw what it meant for people in need around the world to receive food and supplies from America, delivered by Americans. Our nation’s Cargo Preference laws support a strong U.S.-flag commercial fleet. From carrying goods to those who are hurting to moving government-generated cargo, American mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels have made sure the job gets done, and you can count on me to be in your corner. In this election, we’re going up against some powerful forces who are determined to turn back the clock and reverse our hard-won progress. We can’t let that happen. The Seafarers Union has always fought for decent wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions for its members. I share your commitment to improving the lives of America’s working families, and want you to know that I will have your back when I am in the White House, just as you have my back during this campaign. Thank you, once again, for your endorsement. I look forward to standing with you and working with you and your members in the months and years ahead as we level the playing field, raise incomes, and forge a better, brighter future for all people. Let’s keep fighting for our shared values, and let’s win! With appreciation and warm regards, I am Sincerely yours, Hillary Rodham Clinton Reversed to White Reversed to White 2 Seafarers LOG February 2016 �The SIU-contracted Independence (photo above) will sail in the Jones Act trade. In the photo at right, the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Allison Moran, breaks the traditional bottle of champagne. (Photo courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO) NASSCO Christens ECO Class Tanker Jones Act Vessel Independence Means More Jobs for SIU Members Even before ringing in the new year, Seafarers had cause for celebration as General Dynamics NASSCO launched the first ship in a series of ECO Class tankers for the SEA-Vista fleet. A ceremony took place Dec. 12 at the shipyard in San Diego; the vessel – the Independence – will be operated by Seabulk Tankers and crewed by SIU mariners. SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker and Vice President West Coast Nick Marrone represented the union at the ceremony. As part of the gathering, the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Allison Moran, CEO of RaceTrac Petroleum, christened the tanker by breaking a traditional champagne bottle over the hull. Mrs. Jayne Rathburn, former CEO/ owner of US Joiner, pulled the trigger to release the ship into the San Diego Bay. The Independence is a 610-foot, 50,000 deadweight-ton, and LNG-conversion-ready product tanker with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. The new ECO Class tanker symbolizes the emerging direction of the shipping industry in the U.S. toward cleaner, more fuel-efficient modes of transporting product. Construction on the ship began in November 2014. “General Dynamics NASSCO shipbuilders are revolutionizing the future of American shipping with the concept and construction of innovative, cost-saving, and environmentally sound vessels,” said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager for General Crowley Maritime Takes Delivery Of New LNG-Ready Tanker Texas Seafarers-contracted Crowley Maritime Corp. recently took delivery of the Texas, the second of four new Jones Act product tankers being built for the company by Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSINC, formerly named Aker Philadelphia Shipyard). All four ships will be crewed by SIU mariners upon delivery. The 50,000 dead-weight-ton (dwt), 330,000-barrel-capacity Texas joins sister ship Ohio, which was received by Crowley in October, as the first tankers to receive the American Bureau of Shipping’s LNG-Ready Level 1 approval, meaning Crowley has the option to convert the tanker to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion in the future. The remaining two ships are under construction with planned deliveries in 2016. “This is another exciting milestone,” said SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “The Texas means new jobs for SIU members and it also highlights both the outstanding work of union shipyard employees and the importance of the Jones Act.” “We are excited to close out 2015 with the addition of this technologically advanced vessel to our fleet of U.S.coastwise product tankers,” said Crowley’s Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum and chemical transportation. “We constantly strive for ways to enhance the services we provide to our chemical and petroleum customers. The introduction of vessels like Ohio and Texas, with their advanced technology and environmen- Dynamics NASSCO. “When delivered, these ECO Class, Jones Act-qualified tankers will be among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly tankers anywhere in the world.” The Independence was built for SEAVista, a partnership between SEACOR Holdings Inc. and Avista Capital Partners. “We are pleased to complete this important milestone for the first in a series of three fuel-efficient, ECO Jones Act product tankers that will be delivering into the SEA-Vista fleet and operated by Seabulk Tankers, Inc.,” said Daniel J. Thorogood, president and chief operating officer of Seabulk Tankers. General Dynamics NASSCO is a union shipyard. tally friendly fuel options, prove that we are innovating the industry and we are doing it with American-built, Jones Act vessels.” According to both Crowley and shipyard officials, the new tankers are based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design which incorporates numerous fuel efficiency features, flexible cargo capability, and the latest regulatory requirements. Each vessel is 600 feet long and is capable of carrying 14.5 million gallons of crude oil or The Jones Act has helped protect U.S. national and economic security for nearly a century. It requires that cargo moving between domestic ports must be transported on vessels that are crewed, built, owned and flagged American. Many other industrialized nations across the globe have similar laws. An independent study of the Jones Act in recent years found that the law benefits the United States in many ways. It helps maintain nearly 500,000 American jobs while the Jones Act trade itself contributes billions of dollars each year to the economy. The Jones Act also helps maintain a pool of well-trained, reliable, U.S.-citizen mariners who are available to sail aboard military support ships in times of need. refined petroleum products. “We are proud to deliver another ship to Crowley and the first under our new name, Philly Shipyard. The Texas, like our 21 previously delivered vessels, continues the long tradition of men and women building quality vessels in Philadelphia,” remarked Philly Shipyard’s President and CEO Steinar Nerbovik. “As we continue to build the eight ships in our backlog, we are always looking for more skilled men and women to add to our team.” The Texas is pictured last fall at the shipyard (above) and in December (photo at left) in nearby Paulsboro, New Jersey. (Photos by John Curdy) February 2016 Seafarers LOG 3 �Guam Becomes USS Emory Land’s Home Port A vessel crewed by members of the SIU’s Government Services Division has changed its primary port of operations. The U.S. Navy on Dec. 23 announced that the Military Sealift Command (MSC) submarine tender USS Emory S. Land would shift its home port from Diego Garcia to Naval Base Guam. The change became effective immediately. She joined the Seafarers-crewed USS Frank Cable in Guam to support four fast-attack submarines stationed there in addition to submarines rotationally deployed throughout the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of responsibility. The decision to home-port the USS Emory S. Land in Guam supports recent moves by the Navy in relocating submarines and provides essential forward support for those units to complete their missions. The Emory S. Land and its integrated crew of approximately 350 officers and enlisted sailors working alongside 150 civil service mariners – many of whom are members of the SIU – provide logistical support including food, water, electricity and other consumables to U.S. submarine forces. In terms of operational support, the vessel provides ordnance, spare parts and maintenance backing as required. Additionally, the ship provides medical, dental and legal services to submarine personnel. As a forward-deployed naval asset, the USS Emory S. Land is tasked to provide expeditionary intermediate-level maintenance and repairs, as well as provide hotel service and logistics support to deployed guided-missile and fast-attack submarines deployed in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. The security environment in the IndoAsia-Pacific requires the U.S. Navy to station the most capable ships forward. This action supports the maritime strategy to strategically maintain naval presence and allows the most rapid response times possible for maritime and joint forces, the Navy reported. The MSC, both directly and through privately contracted companies, operates approximately 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy vessels, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners. With Seafarers on West Coast Pictured aboard the Overseas Boston in Richmond, California, on Jan. 25 are QEP Alex Canada (left) and AB Francisco Anacta. The tanker is operated by Overseas Ship Management. Sailors and Military Sealift Command personnel assigned to the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land hoist a submarine periscope from the pier in Santa Rita, Guam to be loaded onto the ship. This evolution renewed a capability that has not been employed for nearly a decade. Submarine tenders stocked with vital spare parts, such as a periscope, are a key aspect of providing repair support to submarines and keeping them fully operational. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Austin Ingram) Export-Import Bank Transfers $431.6 Million Profit to U.S. Treasury The Export-Import Bank, commonly called Ex-Im, has released its Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report highlighting its support of more than $17 billion in U.S. exports and an estimated 109,000 American jobs. The bank also announced it has transferred $431.6 million in deficit-reducing receipts to the U.S. Treasury’s General Fund for fiscal year 2015. The Ex-Im Bank is an independent, self-sustaining federal agency that operates at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. Nearly 90 percent of the bank’s authorizations directly benefit small businesses. SIU President Michael Sacco has often spoken about the importance of the Ex-Im Bank to the maritime industry. While the bank was defunded in 2015, he stated, “The program’s significance for our industry is that cargoes generated by Ex-Im funding must be transported aboard U.S.-flag vessels. In that light, the program is important not only to U.S. economic security but also national security, because it helps sustain the U.S. Merchant Marine and American-flag vessels.” As explained in the report issued in mid-January, the bank’s function is twofold: “When businesses in the United States or their customers are unable to access export financing from the private sector, Ex-Im Bank fills in the gap by equipping American businesses with the tools necessary to compete for global sales. Ex-Im does this in two principal ways. First, when exporters in the United States or their customers are unable to access export financing from private sources, the Bank equips them with the necessary tools – buyer financing, export Alaska Tanker Company Achieves Safety Milestone The head of Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) recently announced a significant safety milestone – and he credited the SIU for helping achieve it. In a written message late last year, Anil Mathur, CEO of Seafarers-contracted ATC, reported that the company’s employees had completed 20 million man-hours – spanning 14 years – with only one lost-time injury (a broken finger). During that period, SIUcrewed ATC vessels transported more than 1.25 billion barrels of Alaskan crude oil without spilling a single drop 4 Seafarers LOG to sea, Mathur noted. That total accounted for one-third of Alaska’s North Slope crude oil production. “This remarkable world-class performance has been delivered by our dedicated employees working day in and day out while sailing in the harsh weather conditions of the Gulf of Alaska and North Pacific, with long tours of duty away from family, 12-hour days, and interrupted sleep patterns,” Mathur wrote. “ATC has achieved this level of performance with strong support from our external stakeholders: credit insurance and access to working capital. Second, when U.S. exporters face foreign competition backed by other governments, Ex-Im levels the playing field by matching or countering the financing offered by other export credit agencies.” Among the highlights from the 2015 Annual Report: n Ex-Im helped maintain 109,000 American jobs n Ex-Im supported $17 billion in exports at no cost to American taxpayers n Ex-Im supported more than $3.1 billion of exports from U.S. small businesses n Nearly 90 percent of transactions directly supported U.S. small businesses n Ex-Im Bank had a default rate of 0.235 percent as of Sept. 30, 2015 n The organization remitted $431.6 million to the U.S. Treasury for debt reduction. “The Bank is proud to help level the playing field for American businesses who offer the world’s highest-quality goods and services to global markets,” said Fred P. Hochberg, Ex-Im chairman and president. “In the months ahead, we will redouble our efforts to ensure U.S. businesses – particularly small businesses – have every tool available to be on equal footing with their foreign competitors to win sales and create more jobs.” The bank was successfully reauthorized as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, which was passed into law on Dec. 4, 2015. The new charter has authorized the bank through 2019. our client BP who has provided us with the world-class Alaska Class fleet, and the funds to safely operate and maintain our ships; our unions: the Seafarers International Union and Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (70 percent of ATC’s work force is unionized); encouragement and support from our regulators: the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Washington State Department of Ecology and California Oil Spill Prevention and Response; our suppliers, and support from our owners: OSG, Keystone and BP.” In a congratulatory letter to Mathur, SIU President Michael Sacco said that while the CEO always is quick to deflect praise and give credit to others, “it also must be said that your leadership, foresight, ingenuity and compassion are at the very heart of ATC’s sterling record. Your emphasis on safety training has led ATC to the forefront of cutting-edge preparedness. Your effectiveness and sincerity have created an environment where all workers truly feel empowered to affect positive change, and to regard safety as an integral part of their everyday seagoing life. Very simply – and very sincerely – I believe there is no way ATC would have made this achievement without you at the helm.” Sacco added, “On behalf of our entire union, we are proud of this milestone and grateful for the opportunity to continue working together for many years to come.” The SIU-crewed ATC fleet includes the Alaskan Legend, Alaskan Navigator, Alaskan Explorer and Alaskan Frontier. February 2016 �Friedrichs Case an Attack on Working America During the oral arguments in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, a case currently before the Supreme Court, the real purpose of the trial was made clear: This isn’t about agency fees, but rather another way for the corporate elite to attack workingclass Americans. In Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, Rebecca Friedrichs, a public school teacher in Orange County, California, along with nine other teachers and a trade association filed a suit objecting to the agency fees they’re required to pay to the California Teachers Association (CTA). The CTA, along with the National Education Association, is defending the previous ruling made in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education in 1977, which protected the rights of unions to charge agency fees in order to better represent both members and non-members in a union workplace. As part of their oral arguments that were presented Jan. 11, the Friedrichs team, led by D.C.-based lawyer Michael A. Carvin and funded by the so-called Center for Individual Rights (CIR), attacked unions as, according to courtroom reporting, “a state-compelled advocate for workplace policies that the non-union members appear to find objectionable.” In addition to the Koch Brothers, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, John M. Olin Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation, Sarah Scaife Foundation, and the Carthage Foundation each have contributed more than $1 million to the CIR. These foundations and individuals are the “usual suspects” when it comes to attempting to limit workers’ rights, frequently attacking the middle and lower classes in legal battles such as this one. The justices, as reported by numerous sources, seemed to be falling along historical voting lines: the Supreme Court has previously upheld the decision reached in Abood, in a five-to-four ruling in 2014 (Harris v. Quinn). Justice Antonin Scalia, the apparent swing vote in this case, was quoted asking the union lawyers, “Why do you think the union would not survive without these fees charged to non-members?” While no formal study has been conducted, there are plenty of examples of what happens when states disallow unions in favor of so-called right-to-work laws. According to a Politico article, “Is there evidence that Americans like getting something – in this case, the benefit of collective bargaining – without having to pay for it? And that as more and more workers become free riders unions diminish in strength? Quite a bit. Union membership in Michigan, to take one recent example, dropped from 633,000 to 585,000 in the single year after that state’s right-to-work law took effect in 2013.” But those same right-to-work states are also among the poorest in the nation. “States with right-to-work laws,” David Wessel of the Brookings Institution said, “have lower rates of union membership, and weaker unions and tend to have lower wages.” Unions have been proven, time and again, to raise the wages of workplaces by, on average, three percent or higher – and not just for dues-paying members, but also agency-fee paying non-member employees who still benefit from the efforts of collective bargaining. Even setting aside the direct economic benefits unions have for their members, the positive effects that unions have on their communities cannot be ignored. For a prime example, see the charity work SIU members from the Tacoma hall helped facilitate on page 24 in this issue of the Seafarers LOG. Other good examples include the annual Seafarers Waterfront Classic fishing tournament – which is held at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education and benefits the Wounded Warrior Anglers – and the annual “Paint Tacoma” community service program that has been faithfully supported by members and union officials each year. Meanwhile, as Lee Saunders, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) said, “Even if the Supreme Court tries to divide us, we will stick together because we know the value of coming together and bargaining for better pay and a safer workplace. You never quit on your communities, and your union will never quit fighting to defend and protect the critical jobs we do every single day.” As described by the AFL-CIO, “Overturning the precedent laid out in Abood would have many widespread and unpredictable effects. The ruling, which has laid a framework for union/ workplace relationships for nearly 40 years, could disappear overnight, bringing any and all union contracts immediately to the bargaining table for negotiation. This could cause work stoppages, delays in emergency response times, and untold chaos across the country.” This is just the latest attempt to limit the freedom of workers to collectively bargain for better wages and benefits. According to the AFL-CIO, “The groups behind this attack, like the Center for Individual Rights, are what working people dislike about Washington. They represent dishonest politics that ignore the voices of millions of working people around the country who have voluntarily joined together to form a union.” The Supreme Court decision is expected in June. Until then, the AFLCIO is urging union brothers and sisters to come together in solidarity, to defend the values of a fair day’s wage. Additionally, as the Washington Post’s Jared Bernstein said, “The long history of unions in America teaches us that special interests’ ‘divide and conquer’ of the working class must be met with new coalitions that organize to rebuild lost bargaining power. Whatever the outcome of Friedrichs, that is what must happen next.” ITF Inspectors Hone Skills at Seminar Nearly 120 International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) inspectors gathered in Panama City, Panama, late last year for the organization’s worldwide inspectors’ seminar. Conducted every three years, the conference affords the ITF’s entire inspectorate network the opportunity to collaborate on the development of new skills and the formulation of innovative strategies to achieve organizational objectives. SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, who also serves as chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section, was among those who attended the meeting. “We’re pursuing fairness and justice for seafarers everywhere and in that pursuit inspectors are our soldiers,” Heindel said. “They have unique access to seafarers and unique knowledge about the challenges involved in a life at sea. Our mission this week is to strengthen the inspectorate further, to facilitate joint working and particularly at this point to build the campaigning capacity of the inspectorate network.” Inspectors are ITF representatives working in ports all over the world on issues related to the federation’s flagsof-convenience campaign. Their role is to help ensure mariners have decent pay, working conditions and living conditions by carrying out inspections on ships calling in their ports. They also assist with actions to protect crew members’ rights. Heikki Karla, a new inspector from the Finnish Seafarers’ Union, summed up the importance of the role of inspectors, when she noted, “Some shipowners have gone from simple and stable making a profit to trying to maximize the growth of profit through cost cutting and so-called optimizing. It is always the seafarer who pays the price. The only way for seafarers to have decent pay and conditions is through a sound system of collective bargaining, which respects human rights and takes into account the nature of work at sea. “The problems I see on board underline the need for spreading information and getting the seafarers to demand what belongs to them without fear of losing their jobs,” she continued. “We need to provide the information, support seafarers and make shipowners respect agreements and respect seafarers.” Besides ITF officials and inspectors, the seminar also attracted representatives from the new Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers. In solidarity, they joined the inspectors during a march against Panamanian government attacks on unions and the Panama Canal Authority’s alleged unwillingness to discuss safety concerns. In addition to other items addressed during the meeting, the ITF commissioned an independent study on the safety of the locks on the new Panama Canal. The findings of that investigation will be reported back to the ITF later this year. SIU ITF Inspectors Tony Sacco, Bobbi Shipley, Shwe Tun Aung, Enrico Esopa Nearly 120 ITF inspectors participated in the worldwide seminar late last year in Panama City, Panama. February 2016 Seafarers LOG 5 �NTSB Releases Photos of El Faro Wreckage In early January, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released new images and footage of the final resting place of the El Faro, which was tragically lost in Hurricane Joaquin on Oct. 1. Thirty-three crew members died in the accident, including 17 SIU members. The ship was finally located on Oct. 31, near Crooked Island in the Bahamas. The salvage team, working aboard the Seafarers-crewed USNS Apache, then began documenting the wreckage and searching for the voyage data recorder (VDR), sometimes referred to as the black box. Though the VDR has not been recovered, the video and photos taken by the CURV-21 remotely operated underwater vehicle illustrate the power of a hurricane. The striking images show the wheelhouse was sheared off from the rest of the wreckage. Tom Roth-Roffy, lead investigator with the NTSB, described the images of the wreck in an episode of 60 Minutes. While pointing at a photo of the wheelhouse, Roth-Roffy said, “There should be two decks above that: the lower navigation bridge and the bridge deck.… Just to see the violence of the sea and the winds that would have had to occur to cause that kind of an event….” The full set of wreckage photos, as well as the video, can be found on www.seafarers.org in a Jan. 4 post in the News section. After the search was completed, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida) wrote a letter to Christopher Hart, chairman of the NTSB, and urged him to consider another search for the missing VDR. “It is critical that we determine the cause of the El Faro sinking to prevent tragedies like this from happening again,” wrote Nelson. “While I have faith in your ability to complete this investigation with the information you have gathered, it is important to ensure the most complete investigation possible.” The NTSB responded, stating, “Our original search mission provided us with useful information that may help us improve the chances of locating the VDR in a subsequent search. Since that initial mission concluded in November, we have been evaluating the feasibility and cost of another search mission. We are looking at the availability of search and salvage assets, and the probability of success in finding the VDR capsule, among other factors.” The agency replied that they would reach that decision, “in the next few weeks.” In the wake of this tragedy, relatives of the victims and fellow mariners sent in many messages of condolences to the Seafarers LOG. Many were printed in previous editions; the following poem, written by GUDE Mariette Wright’s mother, Mary Shevory, was submitted over the holiday season. To Mourners of Those Lost on the Ship El Faro T’was a stormy day, and the waves were rippling o’re a darkened and threatening sea, When a ship set sail with its cargo laden, and a crew of thirty-three. But it never returned, no, it never surfaced: it is far beneath the sea, and with that ship on the ocean’s bottom is the crew of thirty-three. Hurricanes are fierce, and they have no mercy, least for those upon the sea. Crews are strong, they are brave, and they have few worries of what they might soon see. El Faro sank to its ocean grave, taking loved ones, thirty-three, And the ocean cares not of what great sorrow it has brought to you and me. The stern of the El Faro is shown 15,000 feet beneath the surface. (Photo courtesy NTSB) Fund Update As reported on the union’s website, the Seafarers El Faro Assistance Fund has been officially recognized as a charity by the IRS, which means all donations – past or future – are tax-exempt. The fund’s purpose is to help meet some of the unanticipated financial hardships faced by the families. Virtually any individual or organization may donate. One-hundred percent of the donations will go towards grants for the families. In order to be a beneficiary of the fund, an individual must have been a dependent of a crew member. Applications will be available at SIU headquarters and our union hall in Jacksonville, Florida. To donate, visit www.seafarers.org and click on the “Donate Now” button. If donating by check, please make it out to Seafarers El Faro Assistance Fund and mail to: Seafarers El Faro Assistance Fund c/o SIU Secretary-Treasurer 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Taken by a remotely operated submersible, this image shows a close-up view of the detached navigation bridge. (Photo courtesy NTSB) SECNAV Names Newest Replenishment Oiler for U.S. Congressman John Lewis Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (left in photo above) greets Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) before the ship-naming ceremony for the future fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205). (U.S. Navy photo) 6 Seafarers LOG The next generation of Navy fleet replenishment oilers is a few years from starting construction, but the first vessel has been named. The future oiler, which will be crewed by SIU Government Services Division mariners, will be the USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205). The John Lewis is named after current U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia), who was honored last month at a vesselnaming ceremony conducted at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus made the announcement, and shared his thoughts on the future vessel. “As the first of its class, the future USNS John Lewis will play a vital role in the mission of our Navy and Marine Corps while also forging a new path in fleet replenishment,” said Mabus. “Naming this ship after John Lewis is a fitting tribute to a man who has, from his youth, been at the forefront of progressive social and human rights movements in the U.S., directly shaping both the past and future of our nation.” Lewis is a civil rights movement icon who participated in the “Freedom Rides” of 1961. He was a keynote speaker at the March on Washington in 1963, and led 600 protestors across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Lewis was elected as U.S. representative of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District in 1986, and has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls “the beloved community” in America. The new ship “will, for decades to come, serve as a visible symbol of the freedoms Representative Lewis holds dear, and his example will live on in the steel of that ship and in all those who will serve aboard her,” said Mabus. Congressman Lewis stated on his Twitter account, “I am more than pleased and very grateful that the U.S. Navy has decided to name a ship after me.” The vessel will provide underway replenishment of fuel and stores to U.S. Navy ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. A building contract will be awarded for the ship in summer 2016 and construction is expected to begin in 2018. February 2016 �SIU and AMO members on the USNS Pathfinder had a memorable Christmas, starting with a shipboard memorial and continuing with a rescue. Pictured on deck are (back row, from left) Capt. Thomas Pearse-Drance, OS Mohamed Ghaleb, 1st Asst. Eng. Richard Cheery, GVA Saeed Alasfor, AB Ricardo Hernandez, 3rd Mate Johnny Birdwell, Chief Eng. Kevin Krogh, QMED Gary Williams, QMED Antonio Watson, GVA Santos Jaime, 2nd Asst. Eng. Jordan Cutty, AB Mike Hodges, 3rd Asst. Eng. Zack Gainsley, AB George Steube, (front row, starting with those kneeling) Chief Mate Gary Carlson, Bosun Kelly Doyle, GVA Eduardo Meregillano, Chief Steward Don Lewis, SK Courtney Turner, OS Peter Hamm and RO Eric Bodner. USNS Pathfinder’s Unique Christmas Includes Rescue of Canadian Boater, El Faro Memorial For crew members aboard the USNS Pathfinder, last Christmas is one they’re unlikely to forget. Bosun Kelly Doyle noted, “On Christmas Eve, we had a memorial for the El Faro crew since we took the same path and passed at or near the vessel’s last known position (near Crooked Island, Bahamas). About 12 hours later, we rescued a Canadian sailor from his sinking boat.” The nighttime rescue took place in the Bahamas and, based on video footage as well as a firsthand account, it’s no exaggeration to say it saved the life of Eric Valois, owner and sole occupant of the 43-foot sloop Flamboyant. The boat had lost its mast and had been drifting for five days between the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. On Christmas Eve it was taking on water in windy conditions and 15-foot seas, and was within about two hours of sinking. Vessel master Capt. Thomas PearseDrance leads the crew’s tribute to the El Faro. Bosun Kelly Doyle approaches the rail during the memorial service. “Once I was out of fuel, the situation got critical,” Valois said. “I called an emergency to passing freighters on the afternoon of Dec. 24 but no one responded. By the evening I was only a couple of hours away from having to bail out, as the boat would sink completely during the night. There was nothing else that could be done, so I put out a mayday call…. For two hours I kept calling mayday at intervals of five minutes. No one responded and I could see no other boats in the vicinity.” On the verge of climbing into the emergency life raft, Valois got a response from Capt. Thomas Pearse-Drance, vessel master of the USMMI-operated Pathfinder. “They came alongside and literally plucked me out of my life-threatening predicament,” Valois continued. “The crew was very capable and also very relieved and glad to have been able to save me. I am extremely grateful for them saving my life. My chances of survival would have otherwise been very bleak indeed.” The mission was complete four days later when Valois safely arrived at the Canadian Embassy in Panama, and he was on his way back to Canada before the new year. “It is a great story about our mariners, their skill and caring,” said Pearse-Drance. “Every officer and crew member on board the Pathfinder was important to bring a safe and successful effort to rescue Mr. Valois. The compassion and care shown the next five days, helping him recover from his traumatic experience, aided his transition to a new life back in his native Montreal after losing his home and Canadian Eric Valois (left, aboard his sailboat) approaches the Pathfinder during a nighttime rescue in the Bahamas. February 2016 livelihood on the Flamboyant.” In a written message to Pearse-Drance, Rear Adm. T.K. Shannon, commander, U.S. Military Sealift Command, said, “Congratulations to you and crew of Pathfinder for swiftly responding and executing the safe rescue…. Your quick response to the mayday call … was exceptional. I applaud the skill and enthusiasm of you and your crew to provide assistance to those in need. I understand the difficulty in executing a rescue in rough seas and the associated hazards to the ship and crew. You and your crew brought great credit to yourselves and our organization…. I could not be more proud of everyone onboard.” (The Pathfinder is an oceanographic survey ship operated by USMMI for MSC.) Mika Kosaki Oldham, consul at the Embassy of Canada in Panama, also sent a message to the ship that read in part, “I would like to express my gratitude to Capt. Thomas (PearseDrance) and the crew of the USNS Pathfinder for the tremendous efforts to rescue Mr. Valois and the subsequent hospitality extended to him during his time on board.” Bosun Doyle added, “This is the first time in 15 years I have worked for the T-AGS fleet that I have been at sea for Christmas. Usually we are tied to the pier somewhere during the holiday season.” SIU members aboard the vessel during the rescue included Doyle, AB Ricardo Hernandez, AB Michael Hodges, AB George Steube, OS Mohamed Ghaleb, OS Peter Hamm, QMED Gary Williams, QMED Antonio Watson, Chief Steward Don Lewis, Chief Cook Lonnie Jones, GVA Santos Jaime, SA Saeed Alasfor, GVA Eduardo Meregillano, Storekeeper Courtney Turner and MDR Jeffrey Koch Memorial Service Hours before the rescue of Valois, Pathfinder crew members conducted a shipboard remembrance of the 17 Seafarers, 11 American Maritime Officers (AMO) members, and five Polish nationals who perished when the El Faro sank Oct. 1 in Hurricane Joaquin. Pearse-Drance began the ceremony by extending sympathies to the families and friends of the El Faro’s final crew. He also pointed out the important role played by the U.S. Merchant Marine when it comes to national defense. Doyle then read Psalm 107, followed by poignant remarks from Chief Mate Gary Carlson. The ship’s bell was struck and a flower was tossed into the ocean as each of the 33 names was read. The service concluded with a prayer and the playing of the Navy Hymn (Eternal Father). Seafarers LOG 7 �At Sea and Ashore With the SIU HOLIDAY GATHERING AND PHILANTRHOPY IN NORFOLK – The union hosted its traditional pre-Christmas gathering at the hall, and attendance proved typically strong. Some of the guests, officials and fare are pictured in the photo directly above and three others at the top of this page. Included is SIU VP Government Services Kermett Mangram (far right in photo at top left). In the spirit of the season, the union also donated food to the local branch of Union Mission Ministries. Making the delivery (photo at top center) were SIU Representative Sam Spain (left) and ITF Inspector Barbara Shipley, pictured with a ministry representative. WELCOME ASHORE IN OAKLAND – Longtime Seafarer Ueli “Willie” Alataua recently called it a career. He sailed in the deck and engine departments before working on the shore gang in Oakland, California. PHC TRAINS NAVY OFFICERS – Late last year, the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center provided its latest installment of off-site STCW training to 26 U.S. Navy officers at Ford Dix, New Jersey. Instructors Brad Wheeler (far right) and Dan Landgrebe (next to Wheeler) are awash in sunlight standing next to the class members. PROMOTING LABOR MOVEMENT – The Maritime Trades Department’s West Gulf Ports Council hosted a breakfast in Houston for labor-backed political candidates. Pictured from left to right at the event are SIU Port Agent (and Port Council Executive Secretary) Mike Russo, Houston mayoral candidate Sylvester Turner, State Senator John Whitmire and Port Council President Paul Puente. 8 Seafarers LOG CATCHING UP IN CHARM CITY – Recertified Stewards Lauren Oram (left) and Robert Brown chat at the SIU hall in Baltimore. ABOARD MAERSK KINLOSS – Pictured from left are AB Bill Davis, Bosun Rufino Giray, DEU Richard Lawson, AB Pablo Rochez, AB Fethanegest Demoz, AB Gil Acapulco and AB Marcos Santos. February 2016 �At Sea and Ashore with the SIU BRIGHTENING HOLIDAYS FOR ORPHANS – SIU and AMO members once again spread holiday cheer overseas. For the third straight year, officers and crew aboard the USNS Wheeler donated to the Miewon Orphanage in Busan, South Korea. This year, they were joined by fellow mariners from the SIU-crewed USNS Charlton. Altogether, the crews donated more than $2,200 worth of presents to the orphans, in addition to helping support the holiday party. The photo above shows most of the 32 orphans who attended the party (holding some of the presents), plus SIU and AMO members. SIU members in the photo include Chief Steward Jean Favreaux and Wiper Julio. Other Wheeler SIU crew who contributed but could not attend included Bosun Manolo Delos Santos, QMED Jasper McGirt, AB Kevin Hanmont, AB Matthew Thompson, AB Marco Brown, AB Smyrno Desir, and Chief Cook Raul Napoles. Thanks to USNS Wheeler vessel master Capt. Glenn Macario for the photo and info. BOOK PRESENTATIONS IN PINEY – A number of Seafarers picked up their full books in recent months at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. They included (photos above, from left) Capt. Joel Anderson, Capt. Randy Isenhart (right, with Port Agent Pat Vandegrift), Chief Cook Marilou Toledo (with her husband, Chief Steward Glenn Toledo), and Chief Engineer Kevin Hale (left, also with Vandegrift). REMEMBERING FALLEN BROTHERS & SISTERS -- SIU members at Pettys Island pose in their new El Faro memorial T-shirts. The Seafarer who did the artwork – Scott Musick – is holding a framed version in front. All proceeds from the shirt sales are going to the Seafarers El Faro Assistance Fund. MARITIME JOBS BOOST PUERTO RICO ECONOMY – This snapshot from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education reflects one part of the economic benefits of American-flag shipping for the people of Puerto Rico – namely, jobs. Students at the Piney Point, Maryland, campus in mid-December who are natives of Puerto Rico (most of them pictured above) included Roberto Flores Monge, Victor Cortes Maldonado, Kemer Rojas, Pedro Garcia, Juan Luis Guanill, Rodney Passapera, Manuel Rodriguez, Roberto Borras, Edrick Lopez, Jose D. Nunez, Adrian Surillo, Luis Perez, James Sanchez, Victor Nunez, Lionel M. Felix, Julio Perez, Jorge Carrales. February 2016 ON THE JOB IN NEW YORK – From left, Seafarers Edwin Ruiz, George Dicanio, Justine Soresi and Jimmy Niotis were all smiles heading into the winter holidays. ABOARD TYCO DEPENDABLE – Pictured on the cable ship after a payoff in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, are Bosun Todd Conley, Bosun’s Mate Romeo M. Macaraeg Jr., AB Dexter Ferrer, AB Ronnie E. Rodriguez, OS Neiman Pettis, OS Mohamed Ali Saleh, GVA Peter Mensah, OMU Danilo Achacoso, OMU Leonardo V. Cortez, OMU Nasser S. Ahmed and Wiper Justin Bing. Seafarers LOG 9 �H W LNE S S O N EL W AT C Spotlight on Mariner Health Diagnosing and Treating Diabetes Pumpman Pedro Santiago (second from left) listens attentively to the instructor during one his basic training modules. Seafarer Santiago Sees Benefits Of Training at SIU-Affiliated School While some mariners may find themselves scrambling to become compliant when revisions to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) fully go into effect in 2017, Pumpman Pedro Santiago definitely will not be one of them. That’s because the Brooklyn, New York native who now calls Orlando, Florida, home is a man of action who lives by a simply stated yet powerful adage that’s guaranteed to yield results. “I always try to stay one step ahead, so that in case I fall back, then I’m right on time,” said the well-traveled and highly experienced mariner whose first trip to sea took place some 42 years ago. “This has been my philosophy for many, many years.” Santiago recently spent time enhancing his skills in the 40-hour basic training course at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland. His training included stand-alone modules in basic firefighting, first aid/CPR/AED, personal safety and social responsibilities, and personal survival techniques – all of which are required under the new STCW revisions which become effective one year from now. “When it comes to my training, I always try to investigate and find out what’s needed in order to keep my credentials up to date,” Santiago said. “As an experienced mariner, I am well aware of how important it is to keep your credentials up to date…. With them you can stay ahead in this industry, but without them you go nowhere. “So that’s why I tell people to stay on top of things and constantly upgrade their skills,” he continued. “By upgrading, people can not only get better jobs, but also make more money and in the process change their lifestyles. Some people listen and take heed; others don’t and find themselves falling behind when climbing the ladder to success.” Santiago’s recent visit to Piney Point for upgrade training was his 11th such trip during the course of his career. He said the knowledge he acquired during those training periods, complemented by the real-world experience he has gained over the years have paid huge dividends. “I have absolutely no regrets for choosing Pumpman Pedro Santiago poses with his wife, Dalia, on the waterfront at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland. shipping as a career,” he said. “I’ve made a good living with this union and I have lived a good life. Since joining up, I’ve never needed or wanted for anything, and this was because of my job. Through it, I was able to provide for my family. I’d recommend this lifestyle to anyone.” The father of four daughters, Santiago has taken measures that someday could result in his grandchildren following in his footsteps. He said he already has spoken to his grandsons about whether they may consider maritime careers. “Kids are indecisive these days though, so I’m not sure what they will end up doing,” Santiago said. “But I’ve already planted the seed in their heads. I still have a few years of shipping left in me and a few years on them, so I’ll keep putting it in their heads. “The way things are today, they have the potential to do great things in this industry,” he concluded. “It’s like I tell people all the time: where you gonna find a job like this?” STCW Basic Training Note Beginning in January 2017, in order to renew a merchant mariner credential (MMC) with an STCW Basic Training (BT) endorsement (VI/1), an applicant must show proof of having completed a Coast Guard-approved BT class within the last five years. This does not mean that all mariners must complete such a course by January 2017. For instance, anyone renewing their MMC this year (provided they’re already STCW-compliant) would have until their next renewal (as late as 2021) to complete an approved BT class. It also doesn’t mean that the credential itself or the BT-specific component of the credential somehow becomes invalid in January 2017. In fact, until January 2017, STCW Basic Training itself is still renewable via sea service 10 Seafarers LOG (at least one year of sea time in the last five years). However, there is some urgency for mariners whose MMCs expire in 2017. When applying to renew those credentials, in order to meet the new BT requirements, individuals will have to show proof of having completed an approved class within the previous five years. Because BT (previously BST) has been renewable via sea service for many years, there may be a large number of mariners who haven’t taken the formal class in quite some time. More information about STCW requirements is available from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center (admissions office) and on the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center website: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/ Remember that diabetes is a disorder of metabolism or the way the body breaks down food for growth and energy. Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose/sugar. Some is used right away and some will be stored in the liver and muscle tissues for use at another time. We need glucose in our bodies for fuel in order to give us the energy that gets us through the day. When we eat something, the pancreas will usually secrete the right amount of insulin to help move glucose from the blood into the cell. When someone has diabetes this process is interrupted. Diabetes is discovered through a patient’s symptoms, through fasting glucose levels that are above 120 mg/ dl on two testing periods, through random testing of glucose of 200 mg/dl, and through glucose tolerance testing. As previously discussed, there are different types of diabetes: Type 1-Juvenile Onset, Type 2-Adult Onset, and diabetes that can occur during pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes). In Type 1 there is no insulin secreted from the pancreas. This is usually noted as an autoimmune problem from birth. Something happens that makes the body attack the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and will eventually kill those cells. People with this type will have to take insulin in some form for the rest of their lives. There is hope and progress in this area for pancreatic/islet transplants, implantable insulin secreting devices, and portable insulin pumps. Many new and updated diabetic testing devices are available for blood sampling that are virtually painless. In Type 2 there is usually enough insulin secreted or a decrease in the amount secreted. This is due to aging, obesity, family history, physical inactivity, and possibly a past history of gestational diabetes. These people for some reason cannot use the insulin secreted effectively and have a condition named insulin resistance. They are usually treated with diet and exercise, weight loss, medications, and possibly insulin. There are many new medications on the market now that give the doctor and patient more options to help treat this disease. The results are the same for Type 1or Type 2. Glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make use of it for energy. The body must have this glucose for fuel in order for the body to function on a daily basis. Lastly there is gestational diabetes that happens when a woman’s pregnancy progresses and she needs more insulin for the increase in sugar that her body makes. Next time we will discuss the testing that diagnoses diabetes and more treatment options for a longer, healthier life. Healthy Recipe Cajun Chicken Servings: 25 (Recipe courtesy of the Paul Hall Center’s Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship) 10 pounds chicken breast without skin, trimmed of fat 1/4 cup red bell pepper, roasted and diced Seasoning 1/2 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons thyme, dry crushed fine 1-1/4 teaspoons salt 1-1/2 tablespoons paprika, Spanish 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons granulated garlic 2 tablespoons oregano, dry crushed fine 1 teaspoon white pepper, ground 1 teaspoon cumin, ground 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground Place the chicken in a large container with plenty of room. Pour the olive oil all over the chicken. Mix all the remaining dry ingredients together. Garnish 2 tablespoons parsley, fresh chopped Mix the dry seasoning into the chicken. Place the seasoned chicken in 2” hotel pans. Bake the chicken in a 350’F oven uncovered for about 15-20 min. until internal temp. of 165’F. Garnish pans with chopped parsley and roasted peppers. Yield: 5/8 ounce Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 205 Calories; 6g Fat (28.6% calories from fat); 34g Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber: 84mg Cholesterol; 202mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 4 112 Lean Meat: 0 Vegetable: 1 Fat. A steward department upgrader puts some of his newly acquired skills to the test by preparig grilled chicken. February 2016 �2/16 February 2016 Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New for the 2016 Tax Filing Season Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2015 and 2016, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2014. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 18, 2016. Exemptions - The personal exemption and the dependency exemption increased to $4,000 for 2015. For tax year 2015, the phaseout is reinstated at the higher threshold of $258,250 for single individuals, $284,050 for heads of household, $309,900 for married filing joint, and $154,950 for married filing separately. For tax year 2016, the phase-out has increased to $259,400 for single individuals, $285,350 for heads of household, $311,300 for married filing joint, and $155,650 for married filing separately. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return increased to $12,600 for 2015. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns has increased to $6,300 for 2015. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $9,250 for 2015. The additional standard deduction for people who have reached age 65 (or who are blind) is $1,250 for married taxpayers or $1,550 for unmarried taxpayers. You can use the 2015 Standard Deduction Worksheet or see page 141 from Publication 17 which can be found on irs.gov to figure your standard deduction. Itemized Deductions - For tax year 2015, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $258,250 for single individuals, $284,050 for heads of household, $309,900 for married filling joint, and $154,950 for married filing separately. For tax year 2016, the phase-out has increased to $259,400 for single individuals, $285,350 for heads of household, $311,300 for married filling joint, and $155,650 for married filing separately. High-income taxpayers are also subject to limits on exemptions and deductions in 2015. The income threshold for the Pease and PEP (personal exemption phase-out) limitations is $309,900 in adjusted gross income (AGI) for joint filers and $258,250 for singles. The Pease limitation reduces the value of charitable contributions; mortgage interest; state, local, and property taxes; and miscellaneous itemized deductions. For 2015, this limitation is the lesser of 3% of AGI above the threshold up to 80% of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable. The PEP limitation reduces the total personal exemption by 2% for every $2,500 of income above the same income thresholds with no upper limitations. That means it’s possible for some taxpayers to completely phaseout of their personal exemptions. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - For 2015, the threshold for the itemized deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses remains at 10% of adjusted gross income for regular income tax purposes. In years 2013 - 2016, if either the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse has turned 65 before the end of the 2015 tax year, the threshold of 7.5% of adjusted gross income applies. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2016: n Credit of $6,242 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $47,747 ($53,267 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,548 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $44,454 ($49,974 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $3,359 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $39,131 ($44,651 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $503 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $14,820 ($20,330 if married filing jointly) The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $3,400 in 2015. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2015 is $118,500. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. In 2015, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses, $125,000 for married filing separately and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to self-employed workers. For 2016, the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax is $118,500. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the self-employment tax is 12.4% in 2015. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. As a result, the SE tax rate increased to 15.3%. The deduction is equal to one-half of self-employment tax. Capital Gains and Losses - Continuing from 2012 you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2015, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate – In 2015, the tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends is 20% for income that exceeds the 39.6% tax bracket threshold amount of: n $464,850 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $439,000 for head of household n $232,425 for married filing separately n $413,200 for single The rate goes down to 15% for lower tax brackets and then 0% for 10%-15% tax brackets. 12 Seafarers LOG In 2015, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax for income that exceeds the threshold amounts listed above. Medicare Tax on Investment Income – In 2015, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: n $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $125,000 for married filing separately n $200,000 for all others Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit has increased to $13,400 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $201,010. For 2015, the credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2015 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Child Tax Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the enhanced child tax credit of $1,000 maximum credit per child through the end of 2017. For 2015 tax year the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: n $55,000 for married couples filing separately n $75,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $110,000 for married couples filing jointly In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). Child and Dependent Care Credit - For 2015, there is a credit of $3,000 for cost to care for one child under age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children so that the parents can either go to work or be in process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit (the credit amount has not changed). The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2015, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to $1,000 of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $80,000 to $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $160,000 to $180,000 for Married Filing Joint The American Opportunity Tax Credit is extended under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 through the end of 2017. Lifetime Learning Credit - For tax year 2015, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $55,000 ($110,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $65,000 ($130,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Tuition and Fees Deductions – Reinstated for 2015 and 2016 tax years. For 2015, you may be able to deduct up to $4,000 for taxpayers with AGI of $65,000 or less ($130,000 for joint filers) and the maximum amount of the deduction will be reduced for taxpayers with AGI above $65,000 but less than or equal to $80,000 ($130,000 and $160,000, respectively, for joint filers) for qualified educational expenses paid for yourself, spouse or dependent even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A. Taxpayers cannot claim tuition and fees tax deduction in the same year they claim American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit. Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. Educator Expenses – The Protecting Americans from Tax Continued on Page 14 Tax Tips For Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099 n Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Charitable contributions n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs. gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-872-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 76b, 76c and 76d on their Form 1040. Line 76b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 76c indicates the type of account, and line 76d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and directly submit the forms electronically. Free electronic filing is no longer subject to any income limitations. For more information, visit the IRS website at: www.irs.gov. What Are Considered Deductions and Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption— for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents is $4,000 per person. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, increased for married couples filing jointly in 2015 to $12,600. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns is now $6,300. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $9,250 for 2015. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2015, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: In most cases you can deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2% is deductible. The self-employed may deduct union dues as a business expense. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Expenses associated with a seaman’s work may be considered tax deductible. However, no expense can be deducted for which a seaman has been reimbursed by the employer. Travel to the union hall to register or travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related cloth- Standard Deduction This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,250 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,550 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $4,000. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single and Married filing separate ...............................................$ 6,300 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children..............................................................................................$12,600 Head of household........................................................................$ 9,250 February 2016 February 2016 ing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return due April 18 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate for 2015 is 57.5 cents. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including insurance, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only workrelated expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: n Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and n Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $63 a day ($68 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through December 31, 2015. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Other Tax Information Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2015, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings) n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate n Embezzled or other illegal income n Social Security Benefits Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship Filing An Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 18, 2016, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where Is My Refund If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman— despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-8294477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet website at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �Assorted Changes Greet Tax Filers During 2016 Season Continued from Page 12 Hikes Act of 2015 permanently extends the above-the-line deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. The Act also modifies the deduction by indexing the $250 ceiling amount to inflation beginning in 2016. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – In 2015 the taxpayer can elect to deduct state and local general sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes as an itemized deduction. Individual Retirement Accounts: Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. Traditional IRAs - For 2015, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2015) or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2015 is $61,000-$71,000 for single, head of household, $98,000-$118,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at the end of 2015) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $116,000 and $131,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $183,000 and $193,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 permanently extends the Qualified Charitable Distributions. It offers older owners of IRAs a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70 and one-half or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2015, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by June 30, 2016 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 in any given month of the year. Divorced or Separated Parents - A custodial parent who revoked their previ- 14 Seafarers LOG ous release of a claim to a child’s exemption must include a copy of the revocation with their return. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit - If you have to repay the credit, you may be able to do so without attaching Form 5405. Repayment is reported directly on Form 1040, line 60b. Mortgage Insurance Premiums - Mortgage insurance premiums for qualified mortgage insurance on debt to acquire, construct, or improve a first or second residence can potentially be treated as deductible qualified residence interest. This provision was extended for premiums paid or accrued before 2017. Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit – The nonbusiness energy property credit has been extended through December 31, 2016 with same $500 lifetime cap. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – This credit remains unchanged from 2014 and equals 30% of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, solar electric equipment, and wind turbines. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit.  Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available. Unused portion of this credit is carried forward to next year’s tax return. The credit is extended through 2021, but with a reduction of the percentage used starting in 2020. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rate for 2015 is 57.5 cents per mile for business miles driven and was decreased to 23 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Deduction for corrosive drywall - You may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction for amounts you paid to repair damage to your home and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall. Under this procedure, you treat the amounts paid for repairs as a casualty loss in the year of payment. The deduction is limited if you have a pending claim for reimbursement (or intend to pursue reimbursement) through property insurance, litigation, or other means. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss - This loss remains unchanged from 2014. The loss is limited to the excess of the loss over $100. The 10% of AGI limit still applies. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - For tax year 2015, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $100,800. This amount is up $1,600 from tax year 2014. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – AMT exemptions have been permanently extended and indexed for inflation. Exemption amounts help prevent some middle income earners from being subject to the AMT, and help keep any AMT adjustments less than they otherwise might have been. For tax year 2015, the alternative minimum tax exemption increases to the following levels: n $83,400 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers up from $82,100 in 2014. n $41,700 for married couples filing separately, up from $41,050. n $53,600 for singles and heads of household, up from $52,800. Healthcare Coverage – In 2015, individuals must have health care coverage, to qualify for a health care coverage exemption or make shared responsibility payment with their tax return. Coverage Exemptions: An individual may be exempt from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage and thus will not have to make a shared responsibility payment if, for 2015, he: n Has no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount he must pay for the annual premiums is more than 8.05% of his household income; n Has a gap in coverage for less than three consecutive months or n Qualifies for an exemption for one of several other reasons, including having a hardship that prevents him from obtaining coverage, or belonging to a group explicitly exempt from the requirement. If the taxpayer, spouse or any of the dependents did not have minimum coverage for any month in 2015, a payment needs to be computed and reported on Form 1040, line 61. For 2015, the annual payment amount is the greater of: n 2 percent of the household income that is above the tax return filing threshold for taxpayer’s filing status, or n Flat dollar amount, which is $325 per adult and $162.50 per child, limited to a family maximum of $975. Premium Tax Credit – Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit. Individuals who are eligible for PTC need to meet the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. Exception: In some cases, taxpayers with household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Note: Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. n The PTC is based on a sliding scale. Those with lower incomes get a larger credit. The PTC for the year is the sum of the monthly credit amounts. The credit amount for each month is the lesser of: n The premiums for the month for one or more qualified health plans in which the taxpayer or any individual in his tax family enrolled; or n The monthly premium for the taxpayer’s applicable second lowest cost silver plan less his monthly contribution amount. Affordable Care Act – Several very important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that affect individuals and businesses first became effective in 2015. The Employer Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to either offer minimum essential coverage that is “affordable” and that provides “minimum value” to their full-time employees and their dependents, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS. Cadillac Tax – In December of 2015, Congress passed and the President signed a two-year delay of the 40 percent excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans. This delay was part of a year-end governmental funding package and changes the effective date from 2018 to 2020. Originally the tax was non-deductible, but in 2015 Congress made the tax deductible for employers who pay it. Transit Benefits – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 permanently extends transit benefits. These include van pool benefits, transit passes and qualified parking. Beginning in 2016, the inflation adjusted monthly exclusion amount will be $255 (up from $250 in 2015). Same-Sex Marriages – Since the Supreme Court’s decision in 2013, same–sex couples who are legally married under state or foreign laws are treated as married for federal tax purposes. In 2015, the Supreme Court decided that all states are now required to license and recognize marriages between same-sex couples. Extended Filing and Payment Deadline – Section 7503 states that filing and payment deadlines that fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday are timely satisfied if met on the next business day. April 15, 2016 is on Friday and the Emancipation Day holiday observed in the District of Columbia will be on that day. Therefore, most individuals will have until Monday, April 18, 2016 to file their 2015 Forms 1040. Taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts will have until April 19, 2016 to file their tax return. Tax Rates for 2015 - President Bush Era tax rates were made permanent in 2013 with a 39.6% bracket (for single individuals at $413,200, head of household at $439,000, married filing jointly at $464,850 and married filing separately at $232,425). Trust and estates will hit the 39.6% bracket at $12,300. The rate for capital gains and qualified dividends is 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $413,200 for single individuals n $439,000 for heads of household n $464,850 for married filing joint n $232,425 for married filing separately Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence - Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However the Tax Relief Act excludes from income cancellation of debt on a principal residence of up to $2 million. The Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act of 2015 extends the provision through 2016. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child -To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund.  These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-9084490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline tollfree case intake line at 1-877-777-4778. February 2016 �Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point...............................Monday: February 8, March 7 December 14, 2015 - January 15, 2016 Total Registered Total Shipped All Groups B C Trip Reliefs 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 6 2 2 0 2 1 1 0 1 3 0 0 24 All Groups A B Deck Department 2 4 2 1 7 2 16 12 2 1 9 0 7 7 47 8 19 11 30 12 1 3 5 4 21 16 11 6 5 0 4 2 7 4 35 13 1 1 18 9 249 116 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 3 3 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 20 0 0 2 12 0 3 6 21 13 15 2 7 13 9 3 4 4 19 1 8 142 1 0 3 7 0 1 14 7 8 8 3 4 9 5 1 0 5 4 0 14 100 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 Engine Department 1 1 0 0 1 2 4 5 0 0 3 1 4 6 18 4 14 7 10 2 0 1 5 2 10 7 5 1 5 1 0 0 1 3 8 9 1 0 5 10 96 62 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 3 0 4 11 1 4 14 19 22 11 1 2 14 19 4 6 1 14 4 29 183 1 0 0 2 1 1 1 3 6 2 3 0 8 4 2 0 4 1 0 4 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 9 Steward Department 3 0 0 1 5 0 9 3 1 0 3 1 9 1 18 4 15 8 7 1 1 0 3 0 9 7 13 3 1 1 5 0 3 3 14 2 4 0 10 4 133 39 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 6 0 1 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6 0 4 30 19 0 1 3 0 1 6 10 14 8 2 0 13 12 1 0 0 6 0 16 112 3 0 0 2 0 0 3 5 5 3 1 1 11 7 0 1 0 4 0 11 57 Entry Department 0 2 0 0 1 4 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 5 9 1 8 2 9 0 0 0 1 0 12 2 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 7 9 0 1 4 15 23 86 GRAND TOTAL: 746 402 99 Algonac.........................................Friday: February 12, March 11 Port A Baltimore...................................Thursday: February 11, March 10 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 26 1 5 21 2 17 7 68 40 39 5 12 25 22 8 1 10 45 2 34 390 19 0 5 13 3 3 6 13 12 11 3 3 18 11 2 3 1 8 1 12 147 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 27 1 3 7 0 8 12 13 20 14 3 6 11 8 4 0 3 13 2 13 143 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Guam...................................Thursday: February 25, March 24 Honolulu......................................Friday: February 19, March 18 Houston.......................* Tuesday: February 16, Monday: March 14 Jacksonville...............................Thursday: February 11, March 10 Joliet......................................Thursday: February 18, March 17 Mobile..................................Wednesday: February 17, March 16 New Orleans..............................Tuesday: February 16, March 15 Jersey City..................................Tuesday: February 9, March 8 Norfolk......................................Thursday: February 11, March 10 Oakland...................................Thursday: February 18, March 17 Philadelphia..............................Wednesday: February 10, March 9 Port Everglades.......................Thursday: February 18, March 17 San Juan.....................................Thursday: February 11, March 10 St. Louis........................................Friday: February 19, March 18 Tacoma.........................................Friday: February 26, March 25 Wilmington......................................Monday: February 22, March 21 *Houston change due to Washington’s Birthday holiday Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personal Mark D. Jones would like Robert Mooney to email him at jonesma3@verizon.net February 2016 Registered on Beach C 501 303 All Groups B C 51 1 2 30 3 24 18 119 65 71 11 17 37 35 11 2 16 71 3 67 654 21 0 6 16 6 4 6 17 23 17 3 7 22 8 3 1 15 13 2 20 210 1 2 2 4 0 1 0 3 4 4 1 0 2 1 2 0 0 2 0 6 35 8 0 3 1 0 2 1 7 9 5 0 4 8 3 3 0 3 4 0 4 58 110 1 5 19 0 6 18 45 51 22 10 10 19 17 3 0 4 28 4 20 290 0 5 8 1 2 10 14 15 12 4 9 16 9 0 1 14 16 2 15 164 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 0 2 3 0 1 4 9 12 2 0 0 5 8 2 1 5 3 0 7 64 3 0 5 18 3 4 22 37 30 23 2 5 25 25 4 7 3 19 5 41 281 5 0 1 2 1 2 0 11 8 6 3 2 15 9 3 1 8 1 0 6 84 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 11 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 6 1 0 0 3 3 1 0 0 7 0 12 39 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 2 3 3 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 4 0 2 23 9 0 0 1 0 3 2 6 3 6 1 1 0 3 1 0 3 6 0 8 53 31 1 2 5 2 2 11 20 23 32 2 1 19 18 1 1 1 11 0 27 210 3 0 0 2 0 1 7 5 9 4 2 1 13 10 1 1 0 5 0 14 78 71 287 1,278 668 136 A Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 Inquiring Seafarer Responding to this month’s question were four Seafarers at the union hall in Jacksonville, Florida, and two at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. Question: What would you like to see happen in the coming year? Paul Amato AB I would like to see more shipping. I don’t want things to get slow. I would like to see ships’ libraries stocked more regularly and better internet access on ships. Khadim Robinson OMU I want to see more ships and I want to take more classes in Piney Point. 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 James Blitch Bosun I would like to see the public realize how important the merchant marine is to the economy and the nation. I would like to see the Jones Act secure to ensure American seafaring jobs for now and in the future. HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1730 Jefferson St., Houston, TX 77003 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 John White QMED/Electrician I want to see more jobs for senior citizens. This recession is killing us. 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 Pedro Santiago Pumpman I’d like to see more of my brothers and sisters educate themselves so that they can go further in this industry. A lot of people have the tendency to hold back on upgrading their skills; this prevents them from advancing. All they have to do is educate themselves and they will get ahead. Paul Stanculescu Engineer I’d like to see the United States ratify and become signatory to the IMO Conventions that we currently are not a part of; especially those that deal with the health and welfare of mariners. If that happened, the conventions would then have the force of law in the United States. None of the conventions that I am referencing are harmful to business or industry that I am aware of. Pic From The Past NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 From a July 1948 edition of the LOG: “Seafarer Carl Barre, a steward, turns to on the third deck recreation room of the New York Hall, so that his union brothers won’t be kept waiting for that cup of coffee.” If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2016 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA EMILIO ABABA Brother Emilio Ababa, 65, started sailing with the SIU in 1996. He was initially employed on the Independence. Brother Ababa worked in all three departments. He upgraded in 2001 at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. His most recent trip was aboard the Horizon Enterprise. Brother Ababa is a resident of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. TAHER ABDULLA Brother Taher Abdulla, 65, joined the SIU ranks in 1981. His first trip to sea was on the President Taft. In 1983 and in 2010, he upgraded in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Abdulla sailed in all three departments. He most recently sailed aboard the Tyco Dependable. He was born in Yemen and now lives in Bowie, Maryland. HARRY AGATEP Brother Harry Agatep, 65, donned the SIU colors in 1993. He originally shipped on the Spirit. Brother Agatep enhanced his skills in 2001 at the union-affiliated maritime training center in southern Maryland. He sailed in both the steward and engine departments. Brother Agatep’s last ship was the Maunawili. He calls Long Beach, California, home. ABDO ALI Brother Abdo Ali, 65, joined the union in 1976. He initially worked aboard the Overseas Valdez. Brother Ali shipped as a member of the steward and engine departments. The Yemen-born mariner’s most recent trip to sea was on the USNS Potomac. Brother Ali now resides in Brooklyn, New York. MILDRED ARD Sister Mildred Ard, 72, began shipping with the SIU in 1996. The steward department member’s first trip was aboard the USNS Algol. Sister Ard upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Her last ship was the 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez. Sister Ard makes her home in Abita Springs, Louisiana. February 2016 RICHARD CANNON Brother Richard Cannon, 65, became a Seafarer in 2002 in Seattle. His first ship was the El Faro; his most recent, the USNS Mendonca. Brother Cannon worked in the deck department. He is a resident of Byhalia, Mississippi. SANTOS GUITY Brother Santos Guity, 71, signed on with the SIU in 1998. He originally sailed on the USNS Wright. Brother Guity upgraded on three occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. He was born in Honduras and shipped in the steward department. Brother Guity’s last ship was the Green Cove. He resides in New York. THOMAS HODGES Brother Thomas Hodges, 76, was born in Mississippi. He donned the SIU colors in 1960. The deck department member initially sailed with A.H. Bull Steamship Company. Brother Hodges concluded his career aboard the Mt. Vernon Victory. He settled Magnolia Springs, Alabama. EDWARD KERBS Brother Edward Kerbs, 62, first shipped aboard the Lakewood. Brother Kerbs upgraded frequently at the SIU-affiliated school in Southern Maryland. The engine department member’s most recent voyage was on the Maersk Michigan. Brother Kerbs lives in Hampton, Virginia. RICARDO LEGORRETA Brother Ricardo Legorreta, 71, began shipping with the SIU during the 2001 SIU/ NMU merger. He attended classes that same year at the Piney Point school. A member of the deck department, Brother Legorreta most recently sailed aboard the Maersk Carolina. He resides New York. MARIANO MARTINEZ Brother Mariano Martinez, 66, became a union member in 1984. He initially worked in the inland division with Delta Queen Steamship Company. Brother Martinez was born in California. The steward depart- ment member upgraded on two occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Martinez’s last ship was the Energy Enterprise. He makes his home in New Orleans. JAMES MCPARLAND Brother James McParland, 65, started sailing with the Seafarers in 1971. He originally shipped aboard the Portland. Brother McParland sailed in the engine department and enhanced his skills often at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. His most recent trip was on the Tacoma. Brother McParland calls Tacoma, Washington, home. RAY RAMIREZ Brother Ray Ramirez, 72, joined the SIU in 1970, initially working aboard the Steel Direct. He was born Los Angeles and sailed in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Ramirez’s most recent trip was on the Horizon Pacific. He calls Seattle home. FRANCHESCA ROSE Sister Franchesa Rose, 52, began her SIU career in 1986. She was initially employed aboard the 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez. On two occasions, Sister Rose took advantage of educational opportunities at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. She most recently sailed on the Overseas Nikiski. Sister Rose, who sailed in the steward department, is a resident of Tacoma. GREGORIO SAGURAN Brother Gregorio Saguran, 63, joined the SIU ranks in 2001 when the NMU merged into the Seafarers International Union. He upgraded that same year at the Piney Point school. Brother Saguran last shipped aboard the Green Point, as a deck department member. He resides in Las Vegas. PAUL TITUS Brother Paul Titus, 57, started sailing with the Seafarers in 1981. His first ship was the Cove Engineer; his most recent, the Maersk Atlanta. Brother Titus was a frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center. He shipped in the engine department. Brother Titus was born in Newark, New Jersey, and now makes his home in Salisbury, Maryland. EFREN VILLAROSA Brother Efren Villarosa, 79, began his seafaring career in 1996. He initially sailed on the Independence. Brother Villarosa worked in the engine department. He attended classes twice at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Villarosa last sailed aboard the 1st Lt. Jack Lummus. He is a resident of Honolulu. PETER WILLIAMS Brother Peter Williams, 67, became an SIU member in 2002. He upgraded on numerous occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Williams first sailed aboard the Atlantic Guardian. His most recent trip was on the USNS Henson. Brother Williams sailed in the steward department and calls Tennessee home. New Hampshire, home. JERRY JAGGER Brother Jerry Jagger, 70, joined the union in 1991. He primarily sailed with Virginia Pilot Corporation. He worked in the deck department. Brother Jagger makes his home in Mathews, Virginia. PAUL MILLER INLAND Brother Paull Miller, 61, donned the SIU colors in 1995. He first sailed with Hvide Marine. Brother Miller sailed in both the engine and deck departments. In 2000 and 2013, he attended classes at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Miller’s most recent vessel was operated by Penn Maritime Inc. He resides in Warren, Texas. JIMMY CADY NESTOR PALOMPO Brother Jimmy Cady, 58, donned the SIU colors in 1980. His first trip was with Crowley Towing and Transportation of Jacksonville. Brother Cady was a member of both the engine and deck departments. He upgraded in 2000 at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Cady’s final tug was operated by G&H Towing. He lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana. FREDDIE CANTRELL Brother Freddie Cantrell, 62, began shipping with the union in 1975. He was originally employed with Allied Towing. Brother Cantrell was born in Greenville, Tennessee, and sailed in the deck department. He enhanced his skills on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. Prior to his retirement, Brother Cantrell worked with Penn Maritime Inc. He is still a resident of Tennessee. ROBERT CUOCO Brother Robert Cuoco, 62, signed on with the SIU in 1990. He initially shipped in the deep sea division aboard the Cove Liberty. Brother Cuoco was a deck department member. His most recent trip was on the Northerly Island. Brother Cuoco calls Tamworth, Brother Nestor Palompo, 62, started shipping with the SIU in 1998. He mainly sailed aboard Crowley Towing and Transportation of Jacksonville vessels. He upgraded in 2001 at the SIUaffiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. The deck department member makes his home in Jacksonville, Florida. OSWALD SMITHWICK Brother Oswald Smithwick, 63, joined the union in 1978. He first shipped with Allied Transportation Company. Brother Smithwick’s last trip was on an Express Marine Inc. vessel. He often took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Smithwick calls Washington, North Carolina, home. GREAT LAKES LYLE MCCORISON Brother Lyle McCorison, 66, signed on with the SIU in 1989. His first ship was the Adam E. Cornelius. Brother McCorison sailed in the deck department. He most recently worked on the Walter J. McCarthy. Brother McCorison lives in Glidden, Wisconsin. Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA GEORGE COSTANGO Pensioner George Costango, 67, passed away September 2. He joined the union in 1973. Brother Costango initially worked with Penn Tanker. He was born in Delaware and sailed in the deck department. Brother Costango’s final trip to sea was on the Charles L. Brown. He retired in 1991 and made his home in Crisfield, Maryland. EKOW DOFFOH Pensioner Ekow Doffoh, 76, died August 17. Brother Doffoh became an SIU member in 1987 in Philadelphia. He initially shipped on the USNS Bartlett. Brother Doffoh was born in Ghana and sailed as a steward department member. His last voyage was aboard the USNS Pollux. Brother Doffoh began receiving his retirement compensation in 2010. He lived in Willingboro, New Jersey. FAITH DOWNS Pensioner Faith Downs, 74, passed away September 17. She began her seafaring career in 1979. Sister Downs originally worked on a Delta Queen Steamship Company vessel. She shipped in the steward department. Sister Downs’ last vessel was the LNG Gemini. She was a resident of Richlands, North Carolina. ARTHUR LAWSON Pensioner Arthur Lawson, 84, died August 24. Brother Lawson started sailing with the Seafarers in 1955 and was a member of the deck department. He first sailed aboard a Mayflower Steamship Corporation vessel. Brother Lawson was born in Massachusetts. He concluded his career on the Long Lines. Brother Lawson started collecting his pension in 1994 and called Rowley, Massachusetts, home. JAMES MOYE Pensioner James Moye, 98, passed away August 29. Brother Moye signed on with the SIU in 1961. He initially sailed on the Santa Mariana. Brother Moye worked in the steward department and concluded his career aboard the Cape Edmont. He became a pensioner in 1985. Brother Moye was born in China but made his home in San Francisco. 18 Seafarers LOG WILLIAM SIEGGREEN Pensioner William Sieggreen, 71, died September 16. Brother Sieggreen donned the SIU colors in 1979. His first trip was with Alton Steamship Company. The deck department member last worked on the Voyager. Brother Sieggreen retired in 2009 and lived in Michigan. INLAND FLOYD BERTRAND Pensioner Floyd Bertrand, 74, passed away August 29. He started his union career in 1996. Brother Bertrand mainly worked with Higman Barge Lines as a member of the deck department. He went on pension in 2003 and settled Lake Arthur, Louisiana. CARLOS LOPEZ Pensioner Carlos Lopez, 67, died August 13. Born in New York, Brother Lopez sailed primarily with Crowley Puerto Rico Service as member of the steward department. He became a pensioner in 2010. Brother Lopez lived in Puerto Rico. CHARLES MCCLELLAND Pensioner Charles McClelland, 72, passed away July 19. Brother McClelland joined the union in 1983. He worked with New York Cross Harbor for the duration of his career. Prior to his retirement in 2004, Brother McClelland was a resident of Brooklyn, New York. JOHN MORAN Pensioner John Moran, 76, died August 16. He began his SIU career in 1973, initially shipping with National Marine Services. Brother Moran last worked aboard a Hvide Marine vessel. He went on pension in 2001 and made his home in Sebring, Florida. EUGENIO TREGLIA Pensioner Eugenio Treglia, 90, passed away August 12. Born in Italy, Brother Treglia worked primarily with New York Cross Harbor. He became a pensioner in 1996. Brother Treglia called Brooklyn, New York, home. GEORGE WALKUP Pensioner George Walkup, 90, died July 28. He donned the SIU colors in 1956 in Baltimore. Born in West Virginia, Brother Walkup mostly worked aboard OSG Ship Management vessels. He was a deck department member. Brother Walkup went on pension in 1986 and settled in Detroit. ALAN WRIGHT Pensioner Alan Wright, 88, passed away August 21. He began his union career in 1978. Brother Wright worked with Crowley Towing & Transportation of Jacksonville for the duration of his career. He started collecting his pension in 1992. Brother Wright lived in San Diego. ESAW WRIGHT Pensioner Esaw Wright, 92, died September 16. Brother Wright signed on with the SIU in 1951. He initially sailed in the deep sea division on the City of Alma. Brother Wright worked in the deck department. His final trip was with Crescent Towing & Salvage of Mobile. Brother Wright was a resident of Irvington, Alabama. GREAT LAKES CLIFFORD CADREAU Pensioner Clifford Cadreau, 70, passed away September 20. Born in Detroit, Brother Cadreau began sailing with the SIU in 1968. He was initially employed with Great Lakes Associates. Brother Cadreau last sailed on the Indiana Harbor. He became a pensioner in 1997 and continued to reside in Michigan. ERVIN EARLEY Pensioner Ervin Earley, 76, died July 15. He started shipping with the union in 1973. Brother Earley first sailed aboard the William Roesch. He was a deck department member. Brother Earley’s final ship was the Indiana Harbor. He went on pension in 2003 and lived in Hendersonville, North Carolina. NATIONAL MARITIME UNION JOSE ALVAREZ Pensioner Jose Alvarez, 85, passed away September 4. Brother Alvarez was born in Honduras. He became a pensioner in 1996 and lived in New Orleans. FELSHER BEASLEY Pensioner Felsher Beasley, 89, died August 16. Brother Beasley, a native of Camden, New Jersey, began collecting his pension in 1991. He resided in Philadelphia. REID BLACKLEDGE Pensioner Reid Blackledge, 96, passed away August 18. Brother Blackledge was born in Elvins, Missouri. He started receiving his retirement compensation in 1967. Brother Blackledge made his home in Carmi, Illinois. STEVE BRATSANOS Pensioner Steve Bratsanos, 89, died August 28. Born in Greece, Brother Bratsanos went on pension in 1964. He lived in Seattle. JOSEPH BROOKS Pensioner Joseph Brooks, 73, passed away August 13. Brother Brooks was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He retired in 2001 and was a resident of Florida. CHARLES CARLMAN Pensioner Charles Carlman, 89, died August 7. Brother Carlman was a native of Cayman Islands. He became a pensioner in 1983 and called Tampa, Florida, home. HAROLD DIAZ Pensioner Harold Diaz, 98, passed away September 19. The Puerto Rico native began collecting his retirement pay in 1969. Brother Diaz made his home in Chula Vista, California. WILLIAM DIXON Pensioner William Dixon, 85, died August 11. Brother Dixon was born in New Orleans. He retired in 1992 and settled in Louisiana. EMANUEL HANJILES Pensioner Emanuel Hanjiles, 78, passed away September 3. Brother Hanjiles, a native of New York, went on pension in 1991. He made his home in Weeki Wachee, Florida. JOSEPH JONES Brother Joseph Jones, 88, died August 12. Brother Jones was born in Alabama. He became a pensioner in 1968 and called Maplesville, Alabama, home. OLLIE MCCALL Pensioner Ollie McCall, 85, passed away July 11. Born in Alabama, Brother McCall went on pension in 1994. He was a resident of Mobile, Alabama. JOHN MCGUIRE Pensioner John McGuire, 89, died August 14. Born in New York, he became a pensioner in 1964. He resided in Lake Grove, New York. JAMES PATERSON Pensioner James Paterson, 85, passed away September 28. Brother Paterson, a native of Minnesota, began collecting his pension in 1990. He was a resident of Fort Lee, New Jersey. RAFAEL PEREZ Pensioner Rafael Perez, 90, died September 10. Brother Perez was born in Camuy, Puerto Rico. He went on pension in 1989. Brother Perez continued to live in Puerto Rico. JAMES SATTLER Pensioner James Sattler, 88, passed away September 26. Brother Sattler was a native of Church Point, Louisiana. He started collecting his retirement compensation in 1986. Brother Sattler made his home in Eunice, Louisiana. JOSE TANTAO Pensioner Jose Tantao, 93, died August 10. Brother Tantao, a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, became a pensioner in 1971. He continued to call Puerto Rico home. CLAUDE TETTERTON Pensioner Claude Tetterton, 80, passed away August 20. Born in Virginia, Brother Tetterton started receiving his pension in 2001. He lived in Bellflower, California. Name Age Bradford, Judy 73 Briscoe, Vinson 80 Burden, Levernon 91 Coughlin, Brendan 79 De Figuereido, Agenor 96 Fontenot, Louis 90 Grandison, Eduardo 94 Guerrero, Juan 85 Kelly, Davis 92 King, Isaac 95 Rodriguez, William 80 Sari, Earl 88 Torres, Jesus 95 Trival, Eugene 94 Williams, Morris 86 DOD July 28 July 4 July 8 Aug. 22 Sept. 17 July 26 July 19 Sept. 18 July 22 Aug. 16 July 19 July 10 Aug. 14 Aug. 2 Aug. 20 February 2016 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings ISLA BELLA (TOTE), Nov. 1 – Chairman Timothy B. Fogg, Secretary Robert E. Wilcox, Educational Director John J. Walsh, Deck Delegate Tavell R. Love, Engine Delegate Jermaine L. Love, Steward Delegate Sheilla M. Daguio. Bosun expressed gratitude to crew members for doing an excellent job during shipyard period. He notified everyone that fridges and furniture have been ordered. Suggestion was made for all Seafarers to check expiration dates on all necessary documents. Secretary thanked fellow crew members for helping keep house clean. Educational director advised crew members to enhance skills at maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members would like elliptical machine. Recommendation was made regarding vacation benefits. LIBERTY GLORY (Liberty Maritime), Nov. 15 – Chairman Mark S. Lance, Secretary Marlon A. Battad, Deck Delegate Quintin Herrera, Steward Delegate Wilfred Lambey. Chairman reported good trip and acknowledged steward department for great meals. Deck and engine departments were thanked for their hard work while recovering anchor. Crew was encouraged to donate to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activity Donation). Secretary thanked everyone for helping keep public areas clean. Members were reminded to be considerate when using laundry facilities and to clean rooms prior to departing vessel. Educational director advised mariners to take advantage of upgrading opportunities available at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. He also urged them to make sure all documents were up-to-date. Treasurer reported $1,000 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. New washing machine expected to be received in Houston. Request was made for a TV antenna in crew lounge. Next port: Houston. SAFMARINE NGAMI (Maersk Line, Limited), Nov. 22 – Chairman Cecil M. Yearwood, Secretary Oscar A. Gomez, Educational Director Francis S. Brown, Engine Delegate Reinaldo Roman. Chairman stated great crew aboard vessel. Secretary reported smooth sailing during voyage. Educational director recommended training at the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Clarification was requested regarding OT in the deck and steward departments. Members would like direct deposit of vacation checks. SANTORINI (Overseas Ship Management), Nov. 22 – Chairman Tyronne A. Burrell, Secretary Obencio M. Espinoza, Educational Director Edwin Feliciano, Deck Delegate Paul Altenor, Steward Delegate Sylvester Merritt. Bosun thanked crew for working together and urged mariners to stay up-to-date on necessary seafaring documents. Secretary expressed gratitude for helping keep ship clean. Members would like satellite TV for crew lounge and refrigerators for rooms. Departing crew was asked to clean rooms for next members. Educational director encouraged mariners to attend classes at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed the importance of supporting SPAD. Special thanks given to the February 2016 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. steward department for excellent food. Next port: Corpus Christi, Texas. ALASKAN EXPLORER (ATC), Nov. 27 – Chairman Richard Szabo, Secretary John Huyett, Educational Director Rollin Crump, Deck Delegate Domingo Cazon, Steward Delegate Laura Deebach. Chairman reported ship running smoothly and thanked everyone for making that happen. He reminded everyone about the “safety first” atmosphere. Secretary noted the Seafarers El Faro Assistance Fund, which is linked on the SIU home page. Educational director reminded everyone to take advantage of Piney Point facility and upgrade often. He also brought up renewal of upgrading applications if not initially selected for a class. No beefs or disputed OT reported. New refrigerators being delivered for two crew rooms. Also new shower mats for all rooms expected to be delivered. New toaster for crew mess on order. Crew was asked to keep laundry room clean. Vote of thanks and round of applause given to steward department for excellent holiday spread. CHARLESTON (USS Transport), Dec. 15 – Chairman Timothy Koebel, Secretary Willie Frink, Educational Director Ronald Westerfield, Deck Delegate James DeMarco, Steward Delegate Robert Lloyd. Chairman discussed STCW requirements and document renewals. He reported on burial at sea for departed Brother Richard Anderson, conducted Nov. 28 67 miles east of St. Simons Island, Georgia. He discussed several clauses in tanker agreement for which there are common misconceptions. Secretary noted employment history and other information is available through member portal on SIU website. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew suggested renaming vacation pay. They passed a motion asking for cash in lieu of transportation reimbursement in order to promote efficiency. Crew thanked captain and steward department for shipboard barbeque and fine fare. Next ports: Philadelphia, Houston, and Corpus Christi, Texas. LIBERTY GRACE (Liberty Maritime), Dec. 6 – Chairman Calvin Miles, Secretary Anthony Jacobson, Educational Director Durlas Ruiz, Deck Delegate John Jones. Crew discussed food budget and lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. Chairman read SIU President Mike Sacco’s report from latest Seafarers LOG, and thanked galley gang for good holiday meal in challenging conditions. Secretary asked departing crew to make sure rooms are clean. He discussed Seafarers El Faro Assistance Fund. Educational director urged fellow members to upgrade and keep documents current. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Issue of cold staterooms addressed. Next port: Portland, Oregon. MAERSK CALIFORNIA (Maersk Line, Limited), Dec. 8 – Chairman Billy Hill Sr., Secretary Memo Elfeky, Educational Director David Vega, Deck Delegate Kevin White, Engine Delegate Tony Vetsinov, Steward Delegate Radfan Almaklani. Washing machines have been repaired, and all are in good working order. Chairman reported vessel con- TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico Performs 1st LNG Bunkering at Jacksonville Port SIU-contracted TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico reached another milestone earlier this year with the successful loading of LNG bunkers aboard the world’s first LNG-powered containership, the MV Isla Bella. On Jan. 9, approximately 100,000 LNG gallons transported by 12 TOTE-owned LNG ISO containers were loaded on schedule. The bunkering was conducted under strict U.S. Coast Guard oversight while the SIU-crewed Isla Bella was also undergoing cargo operations. The LNG was transferred from the ISO tank containers using a specially developed transfer skid developed by TOTE’s partner Applied Cryogenics Technologies (ACT) of Houston. The transfer skid is designed to allow four ISO tanks to be transferred to the Isla Bella at once, dramatically reducing transfer time. In a news release, TOTE noted, “The LNG was sourced by TOTE’s partner, JAX LNG, LLC, from AGL Resources’ LNG production facility in Macon, Georgia. Genox Transportation, a specialized LNG trucking partner of TOTE, transported the fuel to Jacksonville. Pivotal LNG, a subsidiary of AGL Resources, also provided transfer expertise to TOTE Maritime with its highly trained LNG experts, ensured the operation was conducted safely and in accordance with best industry practices. Oversight of the operation both at ship-side and on shore was provided by TOTE Services, Inc. (TSI), TOTE Maritime’s sister company that manages the vessels.” “We are very pleased with the results of this initial LNG bunker event and know that the use of LNG in our Marlin Class vessels will provide unprecedented environmental benefits both here in Jacksonville and in Puerto Rico,” said Tim Nolan, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. “We are indebted to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville for their diligent oversight and assistance that was invaluable and helped make this event a success….” Editor’s note: In order to sail on this vessel, Seafarers must have successfully completed a basic low flashpoint fuel operations course. This is a one-week course; the prerequisite for the class offered at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center is basic firefighting (within the last five years). These two photos show parts of the bunkering operation last month in Jacksonville, Florida. The ship photo at the top is from the Isla Bella’s sea trials last summer. (Bunkering photos courtesy TOTE Maritime; ship photo courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO) tinues to shuttle from Turkey to Egypt and back. Arriving crew is reminded to bring receipt for new work boots not to exceed $125. All crew is working well together and following company and union regulations. Chairman also urged everyone to stay current on dues and donate to SPAD, the union’s voluntary political action fund. Secretary asked for help keeping mess hall clean. Linen change is as requested. Rooms’ sanitary inspections from captain have been a big success. “Overall, inside house is very well-maintained for her age.” Educational director encouraged members to read Seafarers LOG to keep informed of every-changing industry. He also recommended reading contract and understanding union protocol for your department. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew passed motion thanking SIU President Mike Sacco “for your leadership and try- ing to keep our union strong into the future.” Crew said mariners from El Faro will always be remembered. A very special thanks was given to chief steward and his department for great meals. Next ports: Mersin, Turkey, and Port Said, Egypt. MAERSK CAROLINA (Maersk Line, Limited), Dec. 6 – Chairman Adrian Jones, Secretary Alexander Banky, Educational Director Kevin Cooper, Deck Delegate Frank Campobasso, Engine Delegate James Sieger, Steward Delegate Charles Rumble. Chairman discussed STCW gap-closing requirements and announced upcoming payoff in Norfolk, Virginia. Secretary recommended keeping up with news on SIU website, including new information regarding TWIC reapplication rules. Educational director encouraged upgrading at Piney Point and donating to SPAD. Engine delegate reported that previously disputed OT has been resolved; no other beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew approved motion that would apply to any new union official. Under new business, crew discussed need for portion-controlled baking items, potential use for fulltime baker, and repairs that are needed for some room heads and shower tiles. Crew thanked steward department for all the good meals. They provided a detailed list of suggestions for next contract, with topics ranging from pay to internet connectivity to additional content on SIU website and more. They suggested counting all vacation time as sea time after five vested years, and added other requests pertaining to pension, vacation and medical benefits. Crew has more than 12 years without any lost-time accidents. Seafarers LOG 19 �Notifications Sent to Matson, Horizon Mariners Company notices have been sent to mariners concerning a missing device that contains information about crew members who have sailed aboard Matson and Horizon Lines ships since the year 2000. As indicated in the notices (the full text follows), it seems unlikely that anyone’s personal information has been compromised, but the companies are taking steps to safeguard the data. Contact information appears at the end of the notices. This message also has been posted at the union halls and in the News section of the SIU website. Important Notice to SIU Members (Matson) A device containing information regarding mariners who have served aboard vessels operated by Matson Navigation Company since the year 2000 has been identified as missing. While we have no indication that the device has been used or was even intentionally removed, and while accessing any information on the device requires specialized software and a valid user ID and password, we take the security of such information seriously. Accordingly, we are providing you with this information in addition to the efforts we have undertaken to inform the impacted mariners individually of the incident. The device was first identified as potentially missing on or about December 7, 2015 and appears to have been lost between November 9 and December 7, 2015. While our investigation is ongoing, we have determined that among the electronic files contained on the device were ones containing individualized information of mariners who have served aboard vessels operated by Matson Navigation Company since the year 2000. The Company has reported the incident to law enforcement and is cooperating in their investigation. Thus far, we have found no evidence to suggest that mariner personal information has been misused. Nevertheless, as an added precaution, we have arranged to have AllClear ID protect affected mariner identities for up to one year at no cost to mariners. Affected mariners have been sent an individualized letter with further details on the incident, the AllClear ID program, and additional precautionary measures they can take. The following AllClear ID identity protection services start on the date of the individual notices and will be available to affected mariners for registration for twelve months. AllClear SECURE: The team at AllClear ID is ready and standing by if an affected mariner needs identity protection and repair guidance. This service is automatically available to an affected mariner at no cost. If a problem arises, the affected mariner should simply call 1-855-711-5990 (toll free) or 1-512-201-2169 (toll) and a dedicated investigator will help recover financial losses, restore the mariner’s credit and make sure the mariner’s identity is returned to its proper condition. AllClear PRO: This service offers additional layers of protection including credit monitoring and a $1 million identity theft insurance policy. To use the PRO service, an affected mariner will need to provide his/her personal information to AllClear ID. An affected mariner may sign up online at enroll.allclearid.com or by phone by calling 1-855-711-5990 (toll free) or 1-512-201-2169 (toll) within the next twelve months using the unique redemption code provided to the mariner in his or her individual notification letter. Please note that additional steps may be required by an affected mariner in order to activate phone alerts and monitoring options. If a mariner has other questions regarding whether he or she is potentially affected by the missing device, he or she may call Danny Defanti at (510) 628-4518 or Dale MacGillivray at (510) 628-4362. Important Notice to SIU Members (Horizon) A device containing information regarding mariners who have served aboard vessels operated by Horizon Lines since the year 2000 has been identified as missing. While we have no indication that the device has been used or was even intentionally removed, and while accessing any information on the device requires specialized software and a valid user ID and password, we take the security of such information seriously. Accordingly, we are providing you with this information in addition to the efforts we have undertaken to inform the impacted mariners individually of the incident. The device was first identified as potentially missing on or about December 7, 2015 and appears to have been lost between November 9 and December 7, 2015. While our investigation is ongoing, we have determined that among the electronic files contained on the device were ones containing individualized information of mariners who have served aboard vessels operated by Horizon Lines since the year 2000. The Company has reported the incident to law enforcement and is cooperating in their investigation. Thus far, we have found no evidence to suggest that mariner personal information has been misused. Nevertheless, as an added precaution, we have arranged to have AllClear ID protect affected mariner identities for up to one year at no cost to mariners. Affected mariners have been sent an individualized letter with further details on the incident, the AllClear ID program, and additional precautionary measures they can take. The following AllClear ID identity protection services start on the date of the individual notices and will be available to affected mariners for registration for twelve months. AllClear SECURE: The team at AllClear ID is ready and standing by if an affected mariner needs identity protection and repair guidance. This service is automatically available to an affected mariner at no cost. If a problem arises, the affected mariner should simply call 1-855-711-5990 (toll free) or 1-512-201-2169 (toll) and a dedicated investigator will help recover financial losses, restore the mariner’s credit and make sure the mariner’s identity is returned to its proper condition. AllClear PRO: This service offers additional layers of protection including credit monitoring and a $1 million identity theft insurance policy. To use the PRO service, an affected mariner will need to provide his/her personal information to AllClear ID. An affected mariner may sign up online at enroll.allclearid.com or by phone by calling 1-855-711-5990 (toll free) or 1-512-201-2169 (toll) within the next twelve months using the unique redemption code provided to the mariner in his or her individual notification letter. Please note that additional steps may be required by an affected mariner in order to activate phone alerts and monitoring options. If a mariner has other questions regarding whether he or she is potentially affected by the missing device, he or she may call Danny Defanti at (510) 628-4518 or Dale MacGillivray at (510) 628-4362. Notice to SIU Members: IRS Delays Deadline for Health Plans and Employers to Report Health Coverage As reported in previous issues of the Seafarers LOG, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most legal residents of the U.S. are required to have health insurance, or pay a tax penalty. In order to document this health coverage, employers and health insurers are required to report to the IRS and to health plan participants about the health insurance that they are providing. The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) is required to send you a document called the 1095-B, and your employers must send you a document called the 1095-C. The IRS recently extended the deadline for providing these forms to health plan participants and employees from February 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016. However, the SHBP will send the forms as close to the original deadline as possible, so that you will have the forms in time to prepare your tax return. If you have maintained eligibility for health benefits for the entire year, you may be able to complete your tax return without waiting to receive the forms from the SHBP and your employers. You may wish to consult with your tax advisor about these new reporting requirements. Notice Application for Medical Certificate for Officer & Qualified Rating Endorsements Editor’s note: The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center posted this announcement Dec. 17. Until further notice, the National Maritime Center (NMC) will continue to accept applications for medical certificates submitted via the U.S. Coast Guard form CG-719K Rev (01-09) with an expiration date of June 30, 2012. Note that this form is not required; it is an alternative to the current version, form CG-719K Rev. (01-14) with an expiration date of January 31, 2016. Mariners and other providers should contact the NMC Customer Service Center using our chat function, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (4275662) with any questions regarding these forms. Contribute to SPAD (Seafarers Political Action Donation) Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. The annual financial committee will be elected during the March 7 headquarters membership meeting to review the 2015 records. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: 20 Seafarers LOG Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. 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 including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION. If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 February 2016 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, for the next several months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and - in times of conflict - national security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their course’s start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Saturday. Students who have registered for classes, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Junior Engineer April 23 June 17 Marine Refer Tech *Must be taken with ME April 2 May 13 Welding March 5 March 26 April 30 June 11 March 25 April 15 May 20 July 1 Steward Department Courses Advanced Galley Ops March 12 April 9 May 7 June 4 Certified Chief Cook Modules run every other week. Most recent class started January 30. Chief Steward February 29 April 8 Galley Ops February 27 March 26 April 23 May 21 June 18 March 25 April 22 May 20 June 17 July 15 ServSafe March 12 June 4 March 18 June 10 Steward Recertification March 12 April 4 Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer Deck February 22 April 30 June 18 March 18 May 27 July 15 AB to Mate Modules Module dates vary throughout the year. Students will be advised of dates once accepted. Advanced Meteorology June 11 June 17 Advanced Shiphandling May 28 June 3 Advanced Stability May 4 May 27 ARPA June 18 June 24 Bosun Recertification July 16 August 8 ECDIS April 2 June 4 April 8 June 10 Fast Rescue Boat May 28 June 3 GMDSS February 27 May 21 March 11 June 3 Lifeboat March 12 April 9 May 7 June 4 Radar Observer June 4 Safety Upgrading Courses Basic Training w/16hr FF March 19 April 16 May 14 June 11 March 25 April 22 May 20 June 17 March 25 April 22 May 20 June 17 Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting March 14 April 9 May 7 June 4 March 18 April 15 May 13 June 10 June 17 Government Vessels April 2 May 21 April 8 May 27 Medical Care Provider March 19 April 16 May 14 March 25 April 22 May 20 Tank Barge - DL June 18 June 24 Tank Ship Familiarization - DL/LG May 21 June 3 Tank Ship Familiarization - LG March 26 April 1 Engine Department Upgrading Courses Advanced Refer Containers May 28 June 24 BAPO March 26 May 21 April 22 June 17 FOWT February 27 June 18 March 25 July 15 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o 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? o Yes o No If yes, class # and dates attended __________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? oYes o No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. February 2016 April 8 May 6 June 3 July 1 COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, 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. 2/16 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #806 – The following Phase I apprentices (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course January 1: Joseph Allen, Kyle Bakken, Timothy Chestnut, Dorothea Fabrizius, Marquez Fields, Samuel Franke, Mohsen Abdulshafiq Hassain, Bernard Hudson, Paul Ianni, John Jewell, Paul Klear, Bryant McGiffen Jr., Dylan Pauls, Andre Philippe and Randy Shaw Jr. ARPA – Seven upgraders completed this course December 18. Finishing their requirements (above, in alphabetical order) were: Lindsey Austin, Noel Lau, Tyrone Leonard, Sunnil Motley, Julio Perez, Dexter Turija, and Iker Emanuel Urruchi Lugo. Their instructor, Dan Landgrebe, is at the far right. Engine Resource Management – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course December 11: Timothy Dorn, Duane Jordan, Paul Stambach, Paul Stanculescu and William Ziadeh. Paul Joiner, their instructor, is at the far right. Basic Training – Eleven individuals finished this course December 18. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Justice Agha-Kuofie, Alcy Beckford, Jose Bermudez, Juan Boisett, Roberto Borras Valencia, Victor Cortes Maldonado, Jose Nunez, Rodney Passapera, Lizzie Robinson, Adrian Surillo Diaz and Rogelio Ybarra. Class instructor Tom Truitt is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Engine Resourse Management –Three upgraders graduated from this course December 18. Finishing their requirements (above, in alphabetical order) were: Camilo Lacouture, Mark Lettieri and James Olsen Jr. Instructors Keith Adamson and Paul Joiner are at the far left and far right, respectively. Government Vessels – The following Seafarers (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course December 4: Ibrahim Ali Abubaker, Manuel Alicaway Jr., Carlton Banks, Clifford Blackmon, Juan Boisett, Major Brooks Jr., Toriano Brown, Mil Jonas Rivera Castro, Kevin Daughtry Jr., Aleksander Djatschenko, Scott Gilleland, Michele Hopper, Walter Lichota Jr., William Matthews, Edward Molesky Jr., Abdelhak Moutmir, Modesto Rabena Jr., Lizzie Robinson, Romie Scott, Andre Skevnick and Steven Tatum McField. (Note: Not all are pictured.) 22 Seafarers LOG BAPO – Five Seafarers completed this course December 4. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Michael Banks, Nathan Bryant, Christopher Edwards, Sutton McDaniel and Gabriel Waiwaiole. Class instructor Jay Henderson is at the far right. Watchkeeping – Eight upgraders finished their requirements in this course December 18. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Johnny Dozier III, Benigno Gonzales Jr., James Knute, Brendan O’Brien, Jon Silveira, Kreg Stiebben, Timothy Van Weezel and Emmanuel Wilson. Class instructor Brad Wheeler is at the far left. February 2016 �Paul Hall Center Classes First Aid – The following individuals (photo at left, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course December 11: Jeffrey Badua, Annie Bivens, Clifford Blackmon, Juan Boisett, Victor Brabble, Justin Drayton, Emmanuel Kwesi Atta Essien, Roberto Flores Monge, Pedro Garcia Santos, Timothy Heil, Michele Hopper, Harlan Ouellette, Modesto Rabena Jr., Edwin Rivera, Lizzie Robinson, Kemer Rojas, Pedro Santiago and Andre Skevnick. Their instructor, Mike Roberts, is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Tank Ship Familiarization – Twenty upgraders completed this course December 11. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Justice Agha-Kuofie, Michael Banks, Jose Bermudez, Roberto Rafael Borras Valencia, Nathan Bryant, Jorge Arturo Corrales Barrantes, Victor Manuel Cortes Maldonado, Christopher Edwards, Lee Javier Eludo Jr., Juan Guanill, Edrick Lopez Cruz, Sutton McDaniel, Jose Nunez, Victor Nunez, Rodney Passapera, Manuel Rodriguez, Adrian Surrillo Diaz, James Walker, Rickey Yancey and Rogelio Ybarra. Basic Shiphandling & Steering Control Systems – Eight Seafarers completed this course December 4. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Johnny Dozier III, Benigno Gonzales Jr., James Knute, Brendan O’Brien, Jon Silveira, Kreg Stiebben, Timothy Van Weezel and Emmanuel Wilson. Brad Wheeler, their instructor, is at the far left. Tank Ship Familiarization – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) finished their requirements and graduated from this course December 18: Kyren Ancrum, Fontaine Barber, Pedro Garcia Santos, Hector Ginel, Hanapiah Ismail, David Keefe, Nathaniel Leary, Miguel Matos, Bryan Page, Edwin Rivera, Lionel Rivera, Jonathan Rivera-Rodriguez, Kemer Liborio Rojas, Kristopher Travis and Glenn Williams. Bridge Resource Management (Foss Maritime) – Eleven individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course December 10: Robert Burchfield, John Dugger, Cecil Duncan, Tyler Fidler, Russell Furtney, Lloyd Patten, Carson Shallenberger, Johnny Skipper, Jerome Smith, Thomas Sullivan and Joe Traywick Jr. Leadership & Management Skills – The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) completed this course December 11: Keith Adamson, James Bond III, Andre Carriere Sr., Patrick Defoor, Mark Hallahan, Brent Hensley, Clayton Herrick, Andrew Kovacs, John McCranie III, Goran Milisic, Lewis O’Neal, James Olsen Jr., Tyler Percy, Jacek Sawicki, Lawrence Soulier, Oleg Sushkov, Miguel Vasquez, Michael Walker and Cecil Wilson Jr. Vance Sanderson, their instructor, is at the far right in the front row. Leadership & Management Skills – Sixteen individuals finished this course December 18. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: John Bilich Sr., Michael Boidock, William Davis Jr., Darryl Davis, Roberto Flores Monge, Robert Gratzer, Christopher Gross, Diego Hatch, Patrick Hewitt, Duane Jordan, Chad MacAulay, Peter Madden, Nathan Putnam, Douglas Quill, Richard Weaver and Jacob Zeiters. Class instructor Vance Sanderson is at the far right in the front row. Leadership & Management Skills – The following individuals (photo at right, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course December 4: Keithley Andrew, Christopher Bridges, Allen Cole, Paul Dimauro, Gregory Dodds, Timothy Dorn, John Gates, Alexander Georgiadis, Hector Guzman, Tammie Howe, Andrew MacKenzie, John McCranie IV, John Nordberg Jr., Leslie O’Hair, Lloyd Patten, Thomas Paytosh, Pablo Perez Nobregas, , Brett Ruppert, Robert Shaver, Paul Stanculescu, Steven Tonn and Gregg Wolffis. Their instructor, Vance Sanderson, is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) February 2016 Seafarers LOG 23 �FEBRUARY F E B R U A R Y2016 2014 o VOLUME VOLU M E 7 6 78 NNO. O. 2 2 Paul Hall Center Course Dates Page 21 Seafarers and military personnel (photo above) fill the truck with donated toys. The donations for military families (photo at right) included approximately $10,000 worth of toys plus another $2,000 in cash. Among the SIU personnel pitching in were (lower right portion of photo, from left) Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, Administrative Assistant Brenda Flesner, Safety Director Ben Anderson and Patrolman Warren Asp. SIU Maintains Holiday Tradition Benefiting U.S. Military Families Tacoma-Area Seafarers Generously Donate to Santa’s Castle Throughout the union’s history, Seafarers have supported American military personnel wherever and whenever needed. While in most cases that backing is part of the job, a yearly philanthropic project in Tacoma, Washington, reflects the widespread, genuine respect and affection SIU members feel for our armed forces. The allvolunteer endeavor known as Santa’s Castle is a toy drive benefiting U.S. military families (primarily E-4 and below) who are enduring monetary struggles. The joyous undertaking has become a staple in Tacoma, and the 2015 effort reached new heights. Buoyed by additional support from an SIU-crewed ship and two Seafarers-contracted companies, the union collected approximately $12,000 in toys and cash donations for Santa’s Castle. As usual, the gifts were stockpiled at the SIU hall in Tacoma, and the union also hosted a well-attended luncheon featuring military personnel from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Santa’s Castle representatives, Sea- farers and their families. SIU Port Agent Joe Vincenzo coordinates the union’s participation but is quick to credit everyone involved. “This was a record year for giving, as Seafarers reached deep into their pockets to gift more than $10,000 in new toys (in addition to cash donations),” he said. “Among them were 45 new bicycles, dozens of remotecontrolled cars and helicopters, a dozen or so smart watches, various complete collections of books, musical instruments, board games, dolls and so much more.” He continued, “This year’s toy drive truly was ‘all hands,’ from the lobby of the Tacoma hiring hall to Crowley Maritime headquarters to the deck plates of Alaska Tanker Company’s Alaskan Legend.” Vincenzo noted that Crowley official Lee Egland donated toys, while Seafarers on the Alaskan Legend, thanks in part to the efforts and initiative of AB Tawnia Stucker, took up a cash donation from the crew and officers totaling $900 – an amount Among the many Seafarers supporting the project were (from left) SA Ahmed Nasser, Recertified Steward Abdul Hasan, Chief Cook Nasser Ahmed, Chief Cook Gary Loftin and Recertified Steward Chris Amigable. then matched by Alaska Tanker Company. Santa’s Castle representative Shelly Hinzman described the SIU donation as “wonderful” and said it was the largest one from any organization for the most recent project. “We can’t thank the SIU enough,” she said. “The time and effort Seafarers put into the toy drive shows in the size and quality of the donation. Thank you!” During the luncheon, Vincenzo and others touched on the U.S. Merchant Marine’s vital, historic role in supporting our war fighters and peacekeepers around the globe. Rank-and-file Seafarers also gave a robust round of applause to men and women in uniform for their service. Chief Cook Nasser Ahmed not only donated to the cause, he also helped serve food at the luncheon. “It’s a very good program,” Ahmed stated. “I like to help people, and we’ve been doing this for a while. I always participate if I’m ashore and I hope to keep doing it every year. I’ll be glad to help.” For Vincenzo, SIU participation in Santa’s Castle reinforces his belief that “Seafarers are among the most generous and spirited when it comes to giving. For me, this hearkens back to the time I had a medical emergency on a ship in the early 1990s in connection with a diving accident,” he recalled. “As I was heading down the gangway to the waiting ambulance, the first engineer literally came running down after me with a hat in his hand, filled with crinkled bills totaling a couple hundred dollars to see me off and wish me well. “I sincerely hope that as our industry continues to change with burgeoning credentialing, new and ever-more regulations and compressed vessel schedules, that Seafarers will not forget this part of their heritage and tradition. It marks, in my opinion, the very best of who we are.” DEU Reynaldo Mambulao hauls one of the donations to the delivery truck. AB Tawnia Stucker (left) is joined by relatives at the luncheon. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2016 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES SIU ENDORSES HILLARY CLINTON NASSCO CHRISTENS ECO CLASS TANKER JONES ACT VESSEL INDEPENDENCE MEANS MORE JOBS FOR SIU MEMBERS CROWLEY MARITIME TAKES DELIVERY OF NEW LNG-READY TANKER TEXAS GUAM BECOMES USS EMORY LAND’S HOME PORT EXPORT-IMPORT BANK TRANSFERS $431.6 MILLION PROFIT TO U.S. TREASURY ALASKA TANKER COMPANY ACHIEVES SAFETY MILESTONE FRIEDRICHS CASE AN ATTACK ON WORKING AMERICA ITF INSPECTORS HONE SKILLS AT SEMINAR NTSB RELEASES PHOTOS OF EL FAR WRECKAGE SECNAV NAMES NEWEST REPLENISHMENT OILER FOR U.S. CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS USNS PATHFINDER’S UNIQUE CHRISTMAS INCLUDES RESCUE OF CANADIAN BOATER, EL FARO MEMORIAL SEAFARER SANTIAGO SEES BENEFITS OF TRAINING AT SIU-AFFILIATED SCHOOL TOTE MARITIME PUERTO RICO PERFORMS 1ST LNG BUNKERING AT JACKSONVILLE PORT SIU MAINTAINS HOLIDAY TRADITION BENEFITING U.S. MILITARY FAMILIES Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2016 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 78, No. 2 http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/1c87df8b81fc34f4b975caf321853730.pdf 7ac53c9b3075fb870b9f26aa732b0e42 PDF Text Text FEBRUARY F E B R U A2017 RY 2014 79ONO. V O L U M EVOLUME 76 o N . 22 Tanker Liberty Christened Jones Act Vessel Means New Jobs for SIU Members Union shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO recently christened the SIU-contracted tanker Liberty, which will sail in the Jones Act trade. The vessel is pictured at the San Diego facility. It is part of an eightship new build order for two separate SIU-contracted companies. Page 2. (Photos courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO) Tacoma Seafarers Back Military Families In Yearly Outreach The Christmas season marked another outstanding effort by Seafarers in the Tacoma, Washington, area who participated in the annual Santa’s Castle outreach. SIU members, officials, friends and family members teamed up for approximately $10,000 worth of donations to U.S. enlisted military families. Most of the goodies are pictured at left, at the SIU hall in Tacoma. It was the tenth straight year the SIU has taken part in Santa’s Castle. That story and additional photos are on Page 24 (back page). Also, check out Page 6 for more highlights of SIU members’ holiday philanthropy. Transportation Secretary Backs Mariners Page 2 SIU Election Results Page 3 Tax Tips for 2017 Pages 12-14 �President’s Report U.S. Troops Rely on U.S. Mariners Secretary of Transportation nominee Elaine Chao made a vital point about the U.S. Merchant Marine’s role in supporting our troops during her confirmation hearing in the United States Senate. While answering a question last month in the nation’s capital, Secretary Chao noted that, in times of conflict, the vast majority of materiel needed by our men and women in uniform is delivered by civilian mariners on American-flag ships. For those of us who work in the maritime industry, of course, that’s common knowledge. But I think it was valuable and important to have those comments on the record, for the benefit of those less familiar with the crucial work performed by Seafarers and other U.S. mariners. Let’s face it: We’ve all spent time in conversation explaining the basics of the U.S. Merchant Marine, often clearing up misconceptions in the process. The pro-maritime segments of the confirmation hearing reminded me of comments made last year Michael Sacco by General Darren McDew, commander, United States Transportation Command. During a hearing on the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP) – one of the key components of our industry – General McDew stated, “The nation is still a maritime nation…. I can deliver an immediate force anywhere on the planet tonight. But to deliver a decisive force it takes a fully-fledged, competent maritime fleet. And that’s what the MSP provides us.” The general went on to describe the privately operated, U.S.-flag international fleet as “vital to moving military goods and hardware” and added, “without mariners, we don’t have a capability.” These are some of the messages we will be amplifying March 1 at the annual Maritime Congressional Sail-In. As many Seafarers know, during this yearly outreach event, representatives from all segments of our industry team up for a full day of meetings with senators, congressional representatives and their staffs. Whether we’re meeting with a freshman or an old friend who’s been on Capitol Hill for years, we promote the laws and programs that keep the U.S. Merchant Marine afloat. Most importantly, we promote YOU – the rank-and-file mariner. Parts of those discussions are history lessons, very much in line with Secretary Chao’s comments last month. She specifically cited the Persian Gulf War and then Operation Iraqi Freedom as examples of times when our mariners ably and reliably delivered the goods for our troops. And of course, there are many other examples dating all the way back to our nation’s founding. From the Revolutionary War to World War II to Korea and Vietnam to the present day, we’ve always been there, ready, willing and able to sail into harm’s way. With a nod to our World War II mariners, “Damn the submarine! We’re the men of the merchant marine!” (You youngsters can look up the lyric if you’re not familiar with it.) The way we’ll stay ready to back our armed forces is by maintaining the MSP and the Jones Act and cargo preference laws. We also need to take the shackles off of the U.S. Export-Import Bank. And heaven knows, it’s past time to sensibly ease the regulatory burdens on our women and men who go down to the sea in ships. As I’ve mentioned, no one is asking for a return to the days when a z-card was good for life and the only physical exam involved being able to fog a mirror. But all the red tape nowadays – however wellintended – is hurting our industry. There isn’t an overnight cure but we will continue to seek a better balance that is less burdensome on Seafarers. Meanwhile, we look forward to continuing our service as America’s fourth arm of defense. That role has never been more important, and I want all of our military members and their families to know, you can count on us! FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 76 Volume 79 Number 2 o NO. 2 February 2017 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2017 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. Reversed to White Reversed to White 2 Seafarers LOG Recertified Bosun Carlos Loureiro (left) and SIU Port Agent Jeff Turkus attend the christening. Debora Denning breaks the ceremonial champagne bottle, christening the Liberty. (Photo courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO) Union Shipyard Christens ECO Class Vessel The domestic fleet of SIU-contracted ships got a boost before the New Year with the christening of a tanker on the West Coast. On Dec. 17, union shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO christened the Liberty, the third ECO Class tanker under contract with SEA-Vista LLC (following the Independence and the Constitution). SEA-Vista is a partnership between SEACOR Holdings Inc. and Avista Capital Partners. SIU Port Agent Jeff Turkus and Recertified Bosun Carlos Loureiro were in attendance in San Diego at the ceremony. SIU mariners will crew the Liberty when the vessel enters service. Mrs. Debora Denning, wife of SEACOR Vice President Tom Denning, christened the ship with the traditional break of a champagne bottle on the side of the hull. Designed for improved fuel efficiency, the 610-footlong, 50,000 deadweight ton, LNG-conversion-ready ECO Class tanker symbolizes the emerging direction of the shipping industry in the U.S. toward cleaner modes of transporting product, according to NASSCO. The ship’s advanced design achieves 33 percent increased fuel efficiency through several features. As part of an eight-tanker program for two separate SIU-contracted customers, American Petroleum Tankers and SEA-Vista LLC, the construction and operation of the new ECO Class tankers are aligned with the Jones Act. The Jones Act mandates that cargo moving between U.S. ports must be carried on vessels that are flagged, built, crewed and owned American. The Jones Act is responsible for more than 500,000 good-paying jobs countrywide and is considered a key element in the nation’s defense capabilities. In 2016, NASSCO shipbuilders processed more than 60,000 tons of steel and delivered six vessels. “NASSCO is the only major shipyard on the West Coast of the United States conducting design, new construction and repair of commercial and U.S. Navy ships,” the yard reported. “In the past decade, NASSCO delivered 30 oceangoing ships to government and commercial customers—including the world’s first LNG-powered containerships.” SIU-Crewed Bowditch Makes International News In Scientific Drone Incident in South China Sea An SIU-crewed vessel was in the news in mid-December during a brief but tense incident that sparked international headlines along with a social-media comment by then President-Elect Donald Trump. On Dec. 15, the USNS Bowditch was performing part of a planned scientific mission in the South China Sea. The vessel, a Pathfinder-class oceanographic ship operated by USMMI on a Military Sealift Command (MSC) contract, was surveying 50 nautical miles off the Subic Bay when a Chinese warship intercepted one of the Bowditch’s deployed “ocean glider” scientific drones. After establishing bridge-to-bridge contact with the Chinese vessel, the crew of the Bowditch instructed the Chinese to return the drone, to which the only response was: “We are returning to normal operations.” The warship then left the area. The drone in question is a small, torpedo-shaped craft that glides beneath the waves to collect various data. Such drones are often used for weather research but have a variety of roles. According to multiple news reports and comments from the United States government, it was clearly labelled, and the Bowditch was a mere 500 yards from the drone when it was seized. “This incident was inconsistent with both international law and standards of professionalism for conduct between navies at sea,” Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement. “The U.S. has addressed those facts with the Chinese through the appropriate diplomatic and military channels, and have called on Chinese authorities to comply with their obligations under international law and to refrain from further efforts to impede lawful U.S. activities.” The drone was returned to the U.S. on Dec. 20, after American officials condemned the seizure as unlawful (and also after President-Elect Trump said in a Twitter comment the Chinese could keep it). The Pentagon emphasized that the United States “remains committed to upholding the accepted principles and norms of international law and freedom of navigation and overflight and will continue to fly, sail, and operate in the South China Sea wherever international law allows, in the same way that we operate everywhere else around the world.” The SIU crew members aboard the USNS Bowditch during the incident were advised by the U.S. Navy not to comment on the event, in the interest of national security. The SIU crew included Bosun Thomas Weber, ABs Tracy Austin, Mark Bolitho and Melvin Kennedy, OSs Blake Braye and Frederick Murray, QE3 Mervin Cruzat, QE4 Eric Cunanan, GVAs Ronnie Rankin and Camilo Villafania, Steward/Baker Elston Yu-Mateo, MDR Leonard Renaud, CSKS Dorine Kendall and Steward Assistant Joseph Allen. Secretary Chao Backs Jones Act, U.S. Mariners During her confirmation hearing Jan. 11 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Elaine L. Chao voiced strong support for the U.S. Merchant Marine and the Jones Act. A longtime backer of the American maritime industry, Secretary Chao – the Transportation Secretary designee – stated during the hearing, “The Jones Act is a very important program that secures national security. We have seen two wars now in the last 25 years…. If we did not have the merchant marine assets to assist the gray hulls (U.S. Navy ships) on these campaigns, our country would not have been able to supply our troops, bring the necessary equipment. All of that is not done on the gray bottoms, but rather the merchant marine bottoms.” She added, “The national security of the merchant marine fleet is part of the way that we are able to be effective overseas and protect this country. So, I am a great proponent of the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine fleet.” Earlier in the hearing, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) described Jones Act as “a vitally important part of our maritime industry.” Addressing Secretary Chao, Wicker stated, “I hope you will be a strong supporter of the Jones Act and advocate for our domestic maritime sector as a bipartisan majority of this committee has always done.” Also at the hearing, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said the Jones Act is “the foundation of the domestic U.S.-flag maritime industry and it is also essential to our national security.” He noted the steadfast support of the nation’s freight cabotage law from “every Secretary of Defense, every Secretary of the Navy for generations.” The Jones Act helps sustain an estimated 500,000 American jobs, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers. It requires that cargo moving between domestic ports be carried on vessels that are crewed, built, flagged and owned American. February 2017 �Members of the union’s election tallying committee took a break from their duties Jan. 6 at SIU headquarters in Camp Springs, Maryland to pose for this photo. Joining the rank-andfile group on the occasion were SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez (standing fourth from right in the second row); SIU Asst. VP Ambrose Cucinotta (second from right, second row); SIU VP Contracts George Tricker (second row, far right) and SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel (seated fourth from right in the front row.) Committee Announces Results of SIU Election Michael Sacco is Reelected President of Seafarers International Union A committee of rank-and-file members recently released its official report on the voting for national officers of the Seafarers International Union’s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters. Voting took place Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016. The union’s tallying committee consisted of 20 Seafarers (two members elected from each of the SIU’s 10 constitutional halls). The group certified the reelections of Michael Sacco as president of the SIU; Augie Tellez as the union’s executive vice president; David Heindel as secretary-treasurer; and George Tricker as vice president of contracts and contract enforcement, among other results. The tallying committee’s report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings in March. According to the report, the two contested races for office were decided by large margins. The committee disclosed the election of the following officers, who will serve fouryear terms: n Michael Sacco, president; n Augie Tellez, executive vice president; n David Heindel, secretary-treasurer; n George Tricker, contracts and contract enforcement vice president; n Joseph Soresi, Atlantic Coast vice president; n Dean Corgey, Gulf Coast vice president; n Nick Marrone, West Coast vice president; n Tom Orzechowski, Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters vice president; n Kermett Mangram, Government Services and fishing industries vice president; n Archie Ware, contracts and contract enforcement assistant vice president; Philly Shipyard Hosts APT Tanker Keel Laying Signaling confidence in the Jones Act and new jobs for Seafarers, Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI) on Jan. 12 conducted a keel-laying ceremony for the final vessel in a four-ship order placed by SIU-contracted American Petroleum Tankers (APT). The union shipyard is building the ship so it eventually may be converted to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion. “Once completed, this vessel will con- February 2017 n Nick Celona, Atlantic Coast assistant vice president; n Ambrose Cucinotta, Gulf Coast assistant vice president; n Bryan Powell, West Coast assistant vice president; n Mike Russo, Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters assistant vice president; n Chet Wheeler, Government Services and fishing industries assistant vice president; n Pat Vandegrift, Piney Point port agent; n Mark von Siegel, New York/New Jersey port agent; n Joe Baselice, Philadelphia port agent; n Georg Kenny, Baltimore port agent; n Jimmy White, Mobile port agent; n Chris Westbrook, New Orleans Port Agent; n Kris Hopkins, Houston port agent; n Nick Marrone II, Oakland port agent; n Chad Partridge, St. Louis port agent; n Todd Brdak, Detroit-Algonac port agent. The committee arrived on Jan. 4 to begin their work by the constitutionally required date of Jan. 5. They met during that week and weekend at the union’s headquarters in Camp Springs, Maryland, and at the SIUaffiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. Serving as co-chairmen of the tallying committee were John Cain and John Wozunk, both of whom credited their fellow Seafarers for being thorough and efficient (and for remaining flexible when inclement weather threatened to disrupt the schedule). Joining them on the committee were Seafarers Ritche Acuman, Michael Keogh, Earl Castain, Mark Kotajarvi, Cleofe Castro, Ann Mensch, Peter Crum, Rafael tinue to exemplify APT’s continued commitment to American shipping and the Jones Act,” said SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “These state-of-theart ships help maintain the well-earned reputation of Jones Act shipping as safe, reliable and environmentally conscious.” Keeping with long held shipbuilding tradition, coins were placed by representatives from Philly Shipyard and Kinder Morgan (APT’s parent company) on one of the keel blocks as a sign of good fortune and safe travels, before the 650-ton unit was lowered into place in the dry dock. Philly Shipyard representatives included the 15 new hires that began orientation the previous week. This first orientation class of 2017 included 10 new apprentices, one transportation Committee members and authorized employees from the secretary-treasurer’s office commence their work Jan. 5 in Camp Springs, Maryland Pereira, Jeffery Eckhart, Chester Piaskowski, Robert Fitzhugh, George Price, Richard Grubbs, Scott Smith, Rolando Guity, Cleveland West, Romalies Jones and Glenn Williams. Unanimously approved by the committee, the report consists of more than 7,000 words. The committee members concluded that they “wish to express [our] deep appreciation for worker, one machine operator, one shipbuilder, and two interns. Steinar Nerbovik, PSI’s president and CEO, remarked, “Within the last 17 years of building great ships, we’ve also built great teams and a best-in-class workforce. The shipyard is a place where you can be a part of something big, and we are always looking for additional skilled men and women to join our family. The new hires participating in today’s keel laying have joined over 1,100 other shipbuilders to continue the proud legacy of building and delivering ships right here in the city of brotherly love.” When completed, the product tanker will be 600 feet long and capable of carrying 50,000 tons of crude oil or refined the cooperation and assistance given to us by the union’s legal department and its technical and clerical staff. Finally, the members of the union tallying committee wish to congratulate the elected officers and jobholders. We extend our best wishes for the next four years. We hope that you will carry on the tradition of our union and advance the strength of the maritime industry.” petroleum products. The Tier II 50,000 dead weight ton (dwt) vessel is based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design which incorporates numerous fuel efficiency features, flexible cargo capability and the latest regulatory requirements, according to PSI. Philly Shipyard has delivered 25 ships in its 17-year history, including the first product tanker for APT in December 2016. The three remaining product tankers for APT are currently under construction and have planned deliveries throughout 2017. Also under construction at the shipyard are two 3,600 TEU containerships for Seafarerscontracted Matson Navigation Company, Inc. with planned deliveries in 2018 and 2019. Seafarers LOG 3 �Canadian Unions March Across Country To Protect Cabotage Laws, Mariner Jobs Canadian union members took to the streets to make their voices heard loud and clear. Their message: Don’t let CETA take away Canadian maritime jobs. “I am so proud of all the union members who marched all across Canada calling on members of parliament to reject provisions that would give good Canadian jobs to foreigners,” declared SIU of Canada President Jim Given. “We put maritime and its issues front-and-center all across the country.” Thousands of union members and supporters marched on Jan. 12 in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Prince Rupert (British Columbia) and St. John’s (Newfoundland) under the banner of the Canadian Maritime & Supply Chain Coalition (CMSCC). Given is CMSCC chair and also serves as a Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO Eastern Area executive board member. The coalition was protesting language in the Canadian-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) that would open certain domestic trading routes to foreign and flag-of-convenience shipping, which would risk Canadian jobs as well as the nation’s security and environment. It noted the changes proposed by CETA could result in not only unemployment of Canadian mariners, but also diminish the important role Canadian-flag shipping plays in the Unionists show their support for the Canadian cabotage laws in St. John’s, Newfoundland. national economy. Additionally, the CMSCC reported that documents leaked from talks for the Trade in Services Agreement between Canada and 22 other nations reveal negotiators seeking to liberalize market access to the country’s coastal trades. If implemented, this would allow foreigncrewed vessels access to cargo that currently is handled by Canadian-flag, Canadian-crewed vessels. Finally, protesters were concerned that the Canada Transportation Act Review (also known as the Emerson Report) calls for the elimination of cab- otage laws regarding domestic maritime transportation without any regard to the economic and social outcome of the Canadian merchant marine and the 250,000 people employed in the coastal trades. “This cannot stand unchallenged,” added Given. “All these actions affect our jobs and our communities. That is why all unions, not just those in maritime, have a stake in this important fight.” Among the unions taking part in the marches were the SIU of Canada, Steelworkers, ILA, UFCW, ILWU, Machinists, IBEW, UNIFOR, Operating Engineers, IUPAT, Transport and General Workers, Teamsters, and Canadian Union of Public Employees. Given stated more actions and protests could be expected in the coming weeks, as several European nations followed suit with farmers and other concerned individuals protesting in a Decentralized Day of Action Against CETA on Jan. 21. While the trade agreement has received some approval, not all countries involved have agreed to support it. European Parliament’s trade committee is expected to vote on the agreement in the near future. USCG Schedules Third and Final El Faro Hearing The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation has scheduled the final hearing on the loss of the SIU-crewed El Faro to begin on Feb. 6 in Jacksonville, Florida. This third hearing will examine additional data included in the investigation, primarily the information gathered from the retrieval of the vessel’s voyage data recorder (VDR). The data extracted from the VDR that will be discussed during the hearing will include the transcript of bridge audio recordings, which was released in December 2016 by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB, which is conducting its own investigation, will participate in the upcoming hearing. In addition to reviewing information from the VDR, the hearing will also include mariner witnesses, representatives from the vessel’s owner (TOTE Inc.) and officials from the Coast Guard. According to the official announcement, the hearing will take place at the Prime F. Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204. For those unable to attend, the Coast Guard will be streaming the entire hearing online at livestream.com/USCGInvestigations, which also contains an archive of past hearings on the loss of the El Faro. Look for full coverage of the hearing in the March issue of the Seafarers LOG and in the News section of the SIU website, www.seafarers.org Heindel Promotes International Solidarity With All Japan Seamen’s Union SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel was a guest speaker last November at the All Japan Seamen’s Union (AJSU) congress. Representing both the SIU and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (he chairs the latter organization’s Seafarers’ Section), Heindel discussed several important subjects including the Maritime Labor Convention and the International Bargaining Forum. He’s at the same podium in both photos – at right in the snapshot at the immediate right. 4 Seafarers LOG February 2017 �AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler points out that unions are a sure way to protect maritime workers. SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel (left) makes a point during the gathering in the nation’s capital. Directly in the background is ITF Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline Smith. Investigative reporter Ian Urbina plans to continue his series on crime on the high seas. Journalist Provides Look into Maritime Crimes MTD Hosts Forum Illuminating Important Work of NY Times Reporter Urbina The AFL-CIO’s Maritime Trades Department (MTD) recently hosted a presentation by New York Times investigative reporter Ian Urbina, who in 2015 wrote an exhaustive, in-depth series of articles covering crime and lawlessness on the ocean, particularly in Southeast Asian waters. During the Jan. 10 gathering in Washington, D.C., Urbina stated, “The contours of these stories have been told before, but never before in such detail.” Those details include up-close views on human trafficking, intentional dumping, poaching and indentured servitude, to name a few. Some of the reporting also focuses on the dangers of so-called flag-of-convenience shipping, also known as runaway-flag shipping. Throughout his reporting, Urbina showed Western readers the horrors of fishermen forced to work on boats for little or no pay, in deplorable conditions, with no practical way out of their situations. These men are “employed” by less-than-reputable manning agencies, who prey on migrant and down-ontheir-luck men who are desperate for work. But indentured servitude or “soft slavery,” as Urbina described it, is just one of the multitude of crimes happening every day on the seas, including human trafficking, or his self-described “hard slavery.” The level of detail and accuracy in his reporting offers a first look for many readers into the world of shipping in Southeast Asian waters, while also shining a spotlight on these very serious issues for those involved in the maritime industry. He was joined in the discussion by SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, AFLCIO Secretary- Treasurer Liz Shuler, and International Transportation Workers’ Federation (ITF) Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline Smith, as well as other national and interna- tional guests of the MTD. Heindel, who chairs the ITF Seafarers’ Section, reflected on the series and the truths that it presents to the reader: “When you look at what goes on with the fishermen … it’s hard to imagine that still goes on today.” The series, called “The Outlaw Ocean” and currently consisting of eight installments, is not complete, Urbina told those in attendance. He shared a few stories from his travels and investigations, and offered his views on the problems with eradicating these crimes. “I found this real divide between those who care to protect labor and human rights, USCG Issues Merchant Mariner Credential Processing Update States Coast Guard (USCG) is exercising its authority under Title 46, United States Code, Section 7507, and is granting an extension of national endorsements for any mariner whose MMC expires on or after December 1, 2016. This extension is effective immediately and will be valid until September 30, 2017. Mariners, employers, and owner/operators are encouraged to print a copy of the letter explaining the extension. All mariners sailing exclusively under the authority of their national endorsement on inland or coastwise voyages are advised to carry a copy of this letter with their expired credentials and produce it upon the request of USCG personnel or other officials. Expiration dates of new MMCs will be 5 years from the date of expiration of the Editor’s note: The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center issued the following news release on December 28. The National Maritime Center (NMC) continues to experience a greater-thanaverage volume of applications for Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC). This bulletin outlines actions to be taken for U.S. mariners holding national and STCW endorsements. National Endorsements: The United February 2017 and those who look out for fish, dolphins and eco damage,” he said, referring to the divided attention of those trying to offer help in the region. He also spoke about the difficult task of singling out those perpetrating the crimes, specifically talking about the hundreds of manning agencies operating in that region. Shuler noted the differences between the workers featured in the series and American, unionized workers. “It’s the fundamental right of workers to be safe on the job,” she said, “but no one can be safe without unions.” Smith spoke after Urbina’s presentation, and discussed the ITF’s plans to help combat the rampant crime in that area, especially concerning shady manning agencies that prey on those most desperate for a job. However, stopping those manning agencies is no simple task, as Smith said: “There are hundreds – thousands – of manning agencies.” She explained that not every manning agency is illegitimate, and making that distinction is where at least part of the root of the problem lies. The ITF is planning to launch a campaign on unlawful shipping in the near future, with attempted enforcement to begin initially off the coast of Ireland. The federation already runs a decades-long, highly effective campaign against runaway-flag shipping. Attendees meet at AFL-CIO headquarters. previous MMC, in accordance with current policy. The extension of validity of expired credentials provides the opportunity for a mariner to work under the authority of that credential during this period, so there is no loss of MMC validity associated with this decision. STCW Endorsements: The NMC is focusing on evaluating applications with International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) endorsements. In accordance with Regulation I/2 of STCW, we are unable to extend the validity of these endorsements. As a result, applications containing MMCs with STCW endorsements will be processed as quickly as possible. This includes credential applications with an endorsement currently has a limitation of “Not valid after Dec. 31, 2016” associated with it. Mariner Medical Certificates: Mariners must continue to maintain a valid mariner medical certificate. Nothing stated in this bulletin is intended to relieve mariners from their responsibility to submit timely applications. Mariners should continue to submit their renewal requests in time to receive a new MMC prior to the expiration date of their credentials. Mariners who have already submitted renewal applications do not need to resubmit their requests for renewal. For additional information, please visit the NMC website, call 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662), or e-mail IASKNMC@uscg. mil Seafarers LOG 5 �Many of the recipients are pictured in the larger group photo at left, while the photo above features children presenting a thankyou message to the Wheeler (which had already departed on its next mission). Wheeler Mariners Make Holiday Donations to Korean Orphanage Editor’s note: This write-up and the accompanying photos were submitted by Capt. Glenn Macario, vessel master of the USNS Wheeler (and its associated USNS Fast Tempo). The vessels are operated by Tote Services. For the fifth year in a row, the USNS VADM K.R. Wheeler crew raised money and purchased toys for the Miewon Or- phanage in Busan, Korea. The toys were presented to the children at the Military Sealift Command Office Korea Christmas party at Pier 8, Busan on Dec. 16, 2016. The Wheeler crew raised $1,700 and then bought the toys during a special run to COSTCO in Busan. Unfortunately, the Wheeler had to depart for Saipan a month before the party, but the children presented MSCO-Korea with a “thank you” to the Wheeler. The USNS Wheeler’s SIU crew consists of Bosun Jesse Toves, ABs Brian Frederick, Al Bharrat, Jay Aki, and Lynne Winstanley, QMED Jasper McGirt, Wiper Julio Soriano, Chief Steward Jean Favreaux and Chief Cook Michelle Taylor. The USNS Wheeler’s American Maritime Officers (AMO) crew consists of Captain Glenn Macario, Chief Engineer Patrick Yarbrough, Chief Mate Patrick Leahy, 1 A/E Chris Blouch, 2/M Alfredo Noriega, 2 A/E Matt Farmer, 3/Ms Mark Blom, James McLaughlin, and Tommaso Giannetti, and 3 A/Es Jason Peters, Jeff Polek, and John Melcher. Seafarers Toy Drive in Fort Lauderdale Here’s a sampling of donations by Seafarers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that were given to Lifenet 4 Families, a local community support organization. “We know that a number of their assisted families will appreciate having something for a child at Christmas,” noted SIU Port Agent Kris Hopkins. “It’s important to help our neighbors.” Petty’s Island Seafarers Brighten Christmas Holidays Leading up to Christmas, SIU members employed at the Crowley terminal at Petty’s Island conducted a toy drive to benefit others in the region. Deep-sea member Vernell Cornell started the effort, with cooperation from Crowley Maritime and the SIU hall in Philadelphia. The organization receiving the donations (including monetary ones) is the Camden County (N.J.) Women’s Center. A number of the contributing Seafarers are pictured here, with some of the donations. That’s Cornell in front, with a representative from the shelter. Petty’s Island is located in the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 6 Seafarers LOG February 2017 �SIU-Crewed ARC Vessels Support Military Exercise Three SIU-crewed ships recently played supporting roles in Operation Atlantic Resolve, a multinational military exercise. Late last year, the MV Resolve, MV Freedom and MV Endurance – all part of Seafarers-contracted American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier’s (ARC) American-flag fleet – loaded more than 400,000 square feet of military rolling stock and other cargo over the course of one week in Beaumont, Texas. The vessels are operated by Tote Services for ARC. When the cargo was being loaded in mid-December, ARC reported, “The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) of the 4th Infantry Division is deploying from the United States to Europe. The loading operation was coordinated by the Army’s 842nd Transportation Battalion…. The 3rd ABCT will set up operations in eight countries across central and Eastern Europe, as U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) increases its presence across the region to help strengthen NATO’s defense and deterrence measures. Operation Atlantic Resolve has been ongoing since 2014. Cargo logistics are being coordinated by ARC with U.S. Transportation Command, Military Surface Deployment & Distribution Command, and USAREUR’s 21st Theater Sustainment Command.” The three Seafarers-crewed ships carried more than 2,700 vehicles and pieces of equipment. Comprehensive information about Operation Atlantic Resolve is available on the Department of Defense website at: https://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0514_Atlantic-Resolve The SIU-crewed M/V Resolve is seen in the background of these photos taken in Bremerhaven, Germany, in early January. In the photo at right, a group of U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicles await loading onto railcars to shipment to Poland. In photo immediately below, Maj. Gen. Timothy McGuire, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Europe, Maj. Gen. Duane Gamble, commanding general, 21st Theater Sustainment Command and German Maj. Gen. Josef Blotz, director of operations at NATO’s International Military Staff, speak to media and answer questions about the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The remaining photo shows an M1A2 Abrams tank departing from the ship. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke) All Hands Safe as Mariners Extinguish Fire on Car Carrier SIU mariners sailing aboard the car carrier Alliance St. Louis recently put their firefighting skills to the test when a malfunction left the vessel adrift off the coast of Louisiana. At 3:28 a.m. on Jan. 16, the U.S. Coast Guard first received news of the fire, which started in the engine room of the Maersk Line, Limitedoperated, 653-foot car carrier. Thanks to the quick actions and response of the crew and officers on board, the fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. “About five minutes until 3 a.m., the bridge got the ‘all call’ that there was a fire in the engine room,” said Bosun Nicholas Smithling, who went on to describe the rapid loss of other critical systems. “We were dressed out and ready to fight within minutes, but the blaze was out of control, and they had to dump CO2 four times to put out the fire. Both the unions - SIU and MEBA - worked together to gain control over the fire.” The SIU crew included Smithling, ABs Vicente Mansilungan, Adiawor Otumfo, Norman Rodriguez, Durlas Ruiz and Shawn Williams, QEE Herbert Hyde, Oilers Andy Illiscupidez and Malachi Tannis, Steward/ Baker Robert Seim, Chief Cook Leopold Calderon, and Steward Assistant Armando Castillo. The officers on board are represented by the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA). Calderon, a Seafarer for nearly 19 years, said the crew remained composed throughout the ordeal: “There was concern, of course, and some of the people were nervous, but we weren’t panicked. Nobody was hurt. Everybody is fine, and that’s the most important thing. Thank God nothing major happened.” All 12 of the SIU mariners had received thorough firefighting training during their respective times studying at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Education and Training. Officials from Maersk Line, Limited were quick to credit the crew’s training as responsible for containing the blaze. Smithling added, “After the fire, the crew had to work together to get fuel from the 5 deck up to the main deck by block and tackle.” He went on to describe the rest of the trip into Houston, on emergency power and running low on water. Tugboats were dispatched to tow the vessel into port, and it arrived in Houston on Jan. 24. The bosun concluded by thanking the crew for their efforts. “I’d like to thank everybody for helping keep it together. We were running out of water, couldn’t shower, sweating in our beds at night, but everybody really came together,” he said. “It really made a good experience out of a bad experience.” Crew members are pictured with SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo (far right in photo above) and Patrolman Joe Zavala (standing in photo at left) after the vessel made it into port Jan. 24. Spotlight on Mariner Health Coronary Artery Disease Affects Millions of People Around Country Coronary artery disease, also referred to as coronary heart disease, has affected millions of Americans. It is caused by the buildup of plaque (cholesterol deposits and other substances) in the arteries of the heart. This process is called atherosclerosis. The increase of cholesterol deposits will inflame the inner walls of the blood vessels and make them sticky. Such a development can drastically increase the risk of blood clot adherence, ischemia (an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles), and heart attacks. A person’s arteries at birth start out as very smooth and elastic. As a person ages, plaque starts to form on the inner walls, which can make February 2017 them rigid and more narrow. This type of restriction does not allow the blood to easily flow through the blood vessels, and will begin to slow down blood to the heartmuscle wall. In turn, this starts to starve the heart muscle of oxygen and cause chest pain (angina). The heart obviously is a vital organ and must have continuous oxygen in order to function. Remember that the buildup of plaque starts at a very young age and increases with age. Dietary factors, heredity, weight and other illnesses can contribute to the condition. In the months ahead, we will cover ischemia, heart attacks, and possible treatments. Healthful Recipe Sweet & Sour Mahi Mahi Servings: 25 add the cornstarch slurry slowly to reach the desired thickness. Set aside and keep warm. Ingredients n 9 pounds mahi mahi fish, 6oz fillets n 3 tablespoons Mrs. Dash seasoning n 2 cups red bell pepper, julienned n 2 cups green bell pepper, julienned n 1 cup red onion, sliced 1/4” thick n 1 cup carrot, julienned n 2 cups rice wine vinegar n 3 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium n 1 1/2 cups ketchup n 1 cup honey n 1/2 cup cornstarch n 1 1/2 cups cold water To cook the fish: Grill the fillets on a well-oiled flattop grill for about 2 minutes on each side. Cook halfway through. Place into 2” hotel pan evenly. Drizzle olive oil over the fish. Season Mahi mahi fillets with Mrs. Dash seasoning. Make the sweet and sour sauce by first sautéing the fresh vegetables together in a large stock pot or steam kettle until just tender. Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 81 calories; trace fat (1.1 percent calories from fat); 1g protein; 21g carbohydrate; 1g dietary fiber; 0mg cholesterol; 247mg sodium. Exchanges: 0 grain (starch): 1/2 vegetable; 1 other carbohydrates. Add vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, and honey to the pot; bring to a low boil then Provided by the Paul Hall Center’s Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship Cook in a 350F oven for about 8-10 minutes until internal temp of 145F is reached and the fish is flaky. Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked fish evenly before serving. Garnish with fresh Thai basil/chopped parsley. Seafarers LOG 7 �THANKSGIVING IN HAWAII – The SIU hall in Honolulu hosted a pre-Thanksgiving gathering for members and guests, some of whom are pictured above and in the photo at the immediate left. MTD MEETING ABOARD O’BRIEN – Climbing aboard the World War II-era Liberty ship Jeremiah O’Brien in San Francisco are (from left) QEE Thomas Flynn, SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone and Bosun Glenn Christianson. The O’Brien hosted a meeting of the Maritime Trades Department’s San Francisco Bay Area and Vicinity Port Maritime Council. HONORED BY ISLA BELLA SHIPMATES – Electrician John Walsh (left) recently received a retirement plaque from his shipmates aboard the Tote-operated Isla Bella, his final vessel in an SIU career dating to 1976. He is pictured with vessel master Capt. Ray Thompson. The plaque (photo below) features a golden reefer plug. At Sea and Ashore With the SIU ABOARD PELICAN STATE – Pictured in Martinez, California, following a shipboard union meeting Dec. 19 are (from left) GVA Santiago Ruiz, Bosun Anecito Limboy, QEP Oscar Garcia, QE4 Frank Strong, Port Agent Nick Marrone II, AB Kenneth Cooper, AB Albad Colon and AB Richard Swirtz. The ship is operated by Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning. ABOARD PRIDE OF AMERICA – Pictured from left to right are Paul Hall Center Phase II Apprentices Victor Rios Rodriguez, Jose Santos Montalvo, Nestor Costas Lugo, Christian Pagan Villanueva and Eduardo Centeno Rosario. WITH SEAFARERS IN SAN JUAN – Port Agent Amancio Crespo is at left in these three photos, taken at the union hall. In photo above, at left, Paul Hall Center Apprentice Pauline Crespo (Amancio’s sister) is ready to ship out for the second phase of the trainee program. Juan Guanill, center photo, proudly displays a certificate reflecting his recent completion of chief steward training in Piney Point, Maryland. In the remaining photo, SA Jonathan Perez holds paperwork for his first voyage. ABOARD MAERSK KINLOSS – Pictured from left are Recertified Steward Juan Vallejo, AB Ronmel Lopez, SA Melvin Ellis and Recertified Bosun Ferdinand Gongora. 8 Seafarers LOG ABOARD USNS MAURY – Chief Steward Ed Ong (left in photo at immediate left) went all out with a Christmas dessert table for fellow mariners on the USMMI-operated ship, and didn’t let up with New Year’s appetizers (other photo). The LOG has an inside source who reported weight gain aboard the vessel, and we can see why. February 2017 �At Sea and Ashore With the SIU WELCOME ASHORE IN JERSEY – Picking up their first pension checks, respectively, at the union hall are AB Osman Raji (left in photo directly above, with Patrolman Ray Henderson) and AB James Coleman (left in photo above, with Port Agent Mark von Siegel). WELCOME ASHORE IN JACKSONVILLE – Seafarer Ede Sinette Jr. (left) gets his first pension check from SIU Asst. VP Archie Ware. Sinette spent his entire SIU career working for Crowley Towing and Transportation, most recently as a deckhand. FULL BOOK IN JACKSONVILLE – QE4 Latiffe Brooks (right) picks up his full book at the union hall. At left is Patrolman Adam Bucalo. WELCOME ASHORE IN HOUSTON – Longtime Seafarer Rogelio Ybarra (right, with Patrolman J.B. Niday) receives his first pension check at the union hall. He sailed in all three shipboard departments. FULL BOOK IN OAKLAND – AB Peter Mertz (left) receives his full B book and is sworn in by SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone. A-BOOK IN JERSEY – FOWT Myckal Sands (left) gets his A-book at the union hall. Congratulating him is Port Agent Mark von Siegel. SHIPBOARD BIRTHDAY – OS Damon Zschoche is pictured on the USNS Seay late last year, on his birthday. Thanks to Bosun John Wells for the photo. February 2017 Mouthwatering Menu on MV Buffalo - AB Charlie English (far left in group photo) reported a “phenomenal Christmas feast” aboard American Steamship Company’s MV Buffalo. He’s pictured with (starting second from left) SA Nasr Almusab, Chief Cook Saleh and GUDE Ahmed Qasem. Photo credit to GUDE Walid Nasser. The menu included twice baked potatoes, deviled eggs, potato salad, macaroni salad, humus, eggplant dip, chef’s green salad, a cheese tray with crackers, smoked salmon, asparagus, dinner rolls, sashimi, guacamole, tabbouleh, grilled and seasoned filet mignon, seasoned lobster with butter, chilled shrimp cocktail with sauce, Virginia baked ham with fruit sauce and sweet potatoes, plus lamb and chicken kebobs. But wait, there’s more: Dessert offerings included mincemeat pie, apple pie, pumpkin pie, layered chocolate cake, cherry cake, lemon cake, red velvet cake, chef’s own baklava, assorted Christmas cookies and candy, cheesecake and basbousa. ABOARD PERLA DEL CARIBE – These snapshots from the Tote Services-operated vessel were taken in early December and on New Year’s Day, respectively. The December pic (directly above) features Chief Cook Bryan Alvarez (left) and Recertified Steward Antonio Mendez displaying a main course. The photo below includes Chief Steward Ingrid Ortiz (left) and Alvarez. Seafarers LOG 9 �Pictured above is Recertified Bosun Billy Dowzicky. In the photo at right (from left) are Seafarers Tim Heil, De Carlo Harris, William Howell, Robert Brown and Dowzicky with Port Agent Elizabeth Brown. Seafarers Activate Cape Wrath in Baltimore When Seafarers aboard the Cape Wrath received word that the Baltimore-based vessel was being activated for a voyage to Charleston, South Carolina, they wasted no time prepping the Crowley-operated ship in early January. One day before the vessel was scheduled to sail, the Cape Wrath was a scene of well-organized, high-tempo activity in all three departments. “We’re taking on stores and conducting safety drills and safety meetings” among other work, noted Recertified Bosun Billy Dowzicky. “The vessel is headed to the ship- yard for routine maintenance that takes place every five years or so.” The bosun added that things were going well as Seafarers and members of the Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Officers got the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ship ready. “So far, it’s been great,” he said. “It’s a good crew and everything is going smoothly.” Recertified Steward Robert Brown pointed out, “The first few days of an activation are very challenging. There’s a lot to cover, most of it related to safety policies (including fire and boat drills). Having an experienced ROS (reduced operating status) crew really helps to get the new people straight with what they have to do.” During a pre-departure safety meeting, vessel master Capt. Rick Caudle discussed the weather forecast, the scheduled route, habitability, upcoming safety drills and more. He reassured the entire crew that his door is always open, and encouraged them to always keep safety at the forefront. While it isn’t known exactly how long the vessel will spend in the yard, it is expected to return to its home port in Charm City later this year. According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, which oversees the RRF, that fleet “was created in 1976 as a sub-set of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) program to support the rapid worldwide deployment of U.S. military forces. As a key element of Department of Defense (DOD) strategic sealift, the RRF primarily supports transport of Army and Marine Corps unit equipment, combat support equipment, and initial resupply during the critical surge period before commercial ships can be marshaled. The RRF provides nearly one-half of the government-owned surge sealift capability.” The agency also noted the outstanding reliability of RRF vessels, most of which carry SIU crews. AB Erick Johnson AB De Carlo Harris The Cape Wrath is part of America’s Ready Reserve Force. 10 Seafarers LOG SA Michael Bean AB Tim Heil AB Ronnell Williams Chief Cook Greg Blaylock Electrician Chuck Searfass Recertified Steward Robert Brown February 2017 �2/17 February 2017 Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New for the 2017 Tax Filing Season Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2016 and 2017, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2015. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 18, 2017. Exemptions - The personal exemption and the dependency exemption increased to $4,050 for 2016. For tax year 2016, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $259,400 for single individuals, $285,350 for heads of household, $311,300 for married filing joint, and $155,650 for married filing separately. For tax year 2017, the phase-out will increase to $261,500 for single individuals, $287,650 for heads of household, $313,800 for married filing joint, and $156,900 for married filing separately. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return has remained $12,600 for 2016. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns has remained $6,300 for 2016. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $9,300 for 2016. The additional standard deduction for people who have reached age 65 (or who are blind) is $1,250 for married taxpayers or $1,550 for unmarried taxpayers. You can use the 2016 Standard Deduction Worksheet or see page 142 from Publication 17 which can be found on irs.gov to figure your standard deduction. Itemized Deductions - For tax year 2016, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $259,400 for single individuals, $285,350 for heads of household, $311,300 for married filling joint, and $155,650 for married filing separately. For tax year 2017, the phase-out will increase to $261,500 for single individuals, $287,650 for heads of household, $313,800 for married filling joint, and $156,900 for married filing separately. High-income taxpayers are also subject to limits on exemptions and deductions in 2016. The income threshold for the Pease and PEP (personal exemption phase-out) limitations is $311,300 of adjusted gross income (AGI) for joint filers and $259,400 for singles. The Pease limitation reduces the value of charitable contributions; mortgage interest; state, local, and property taxes; and miscellaneous itemized deductions. For 2016, this limitation is the lesser of 3% of AGI above the threshold up to 80% of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable. The PEP limitation reduces the total personal exemption by 2% for every $2,500 of income above the same income thresholds with no upper limitations. That means it’s possible for some taxpayers to completely phaseout of their personal exemptions. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - For 2016, the threshold for the itemized deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses remains at 10% of adjusted gross income for regular income tax purposes. In years 2013 - 2017, if either the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse has turned 65 before the end of the 2016 tax year, the threshold of 7.5% of adjusted gross income applies. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2016: n Credit of $6,269 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $47,955 ($53,505 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,572 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $44,648 ($50,198 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $3,373 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $39,296 ($44,846 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $506 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $14,880 ($20,430 if married filing jointly) The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $3,400 in 2016. For tax years beginning after 2015 – a TIN is not valid for EIC purposes unless it was used on or before the due date of the return. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2016 is $118,500. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. In 2016, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses, $125,000 for married filing separately and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to self-employed workers. For 2017, the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax is $127,200. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the self-employment tax is 12.4% in 2016. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. As a result, the SE tax rate increased to 15.3%. The deduction is equal to one-half of selfemployment tax. Capital Gains and Losses - Continuing from 2012 you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2016, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate – In 2016, the tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends is 20% for income that exceeds the 39.6% tax bracket threshold amount of: n $466,950 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $441,000 for head of household n $233,475 for married filing separately n $415,050 for single The rate goes down to 15% for lower tax brackets and then 0% for 10%-15% tax brackets. In 2016, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax for income that exceeds the threshold amounts listed above. Medicare Tax on Investment Income – In 2016, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: n $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses 12 Seafarers LOG n $125,000 for married filing separately n $200,000 for all others Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit has increased to $13,460 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $201,920. For 2016, the credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2016 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Child Tax Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the enhanced child tax credit of $1,000 maximum credit per child through the end of 2017. For 2016 tax year, the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: n $55,000 for married couples filing separately n $75,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $110,000 for married couples filing jointly In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). New changes for 2016: Taxpayers cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for any tax year if the individual or a qualifying child did not have an individual TIN issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year: For tax years beginning after 2015 – the Child Tax Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination of reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the Child Tax Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no Child Tax Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Child and Dependent Care Credit - For 2016, there is a credit of $3,000 for cost to care for one child under age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children so that the parents can either go to work or be in process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit (the credit amount has not changed). The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2016, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to $1,000 of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $80,000 to $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $160,000 to $180,000 for Married Filing Joint The American opportunity credit was made permanent for tax years beginning after December 18, 2015. New changes for 2016: Taxpayers cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit for any tax year if the individual or a student did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. For tax years beginning after 2015, the American Opportunity Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination of reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the American Opportunity Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no American Opportunity Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Taxpayers must report the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the educational institution to which payments were made. Lifetime Learning Credit – For tax year 2016, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $55,000 ($111,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $65,000 ($131,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Tuition and Fees Deductions – For 2016, you may be able to deduct up to $4,000 for taxpayers with AGI of $65,000 or less ($130,000 for joint filers) and the maximum amount of the deduction will be reduced for taxpayers with AGI above $65,000 but less than or equal to $80,000 ($130,000 and $160,000, respectively, for joint filers) for qualified educational expenses paid for yourself, spouse or dependent even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A. Taxpayers cannot claim tuition and fees tax deduction in the same year they claim American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit. Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs – Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. Continued on Page 14 Tax Tips for Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099 n Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Charitable contributions n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Mastercards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-872-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 76b, 76c and 76d on their Form 1040. Line 76b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 76c indicates the type of account, and line 76d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and website at www.irs.gov. What Are Considered Deductions and Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption— for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents is $4,050 per person. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, remained the same for married couples filing jointly in 2016 at $12,600. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns also remained the same in 2016 at $6,300. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $9,300 for 2016. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2016, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: In most cases, you can deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2% is deductible. The self-employed may deduct union dues as a business expense. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustee’s administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are workrelated but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the Standard Deduction This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,250 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,550 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $4,050. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single and Married filing separate ...............................................$ 6,300 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children...............................................................................................$12,600 Head of household.........................................................................$ 9,300 February 2017 employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return, due April 18 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate for 2016 is 54 cents. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operatingrelated costs for the vehicle, including insurance, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only work related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $63 a day ($68 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through December 31, 2016. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Other Tax Information Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the February 2017 date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2016, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings) n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate n Embezzled or other illegal income n Social Security benefits Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship Filing an Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 18, 2017, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where Is My Refund If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www.irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet website at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �Various Changes Greet Tax Filers During 2017 Season Continued from Page 12 Educator Expenses – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 permanently extends the above-the-line deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. The Act also modifies the deduction by indexing the $250 ceiling amount to inflation beginning in 2016. For tax years beginning after 2015, eligible expenses also include expenses for professional development courses the educator takes related to the curriculum he teaches or to the student he teaches. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – In 2016 the taxpayer can elect to deduct state and local general sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes as an itemized deduction. Individual Retirement Accounts Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The contribution is not deductible. Earnings on the contribution will be distributed tax-free provided that they are used to pay the beneficiary’s postsecondary education expenses. Traditional IRAs - For 2016, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $5,500 or your compensation. For taxpayers age 50 or older as of year-end, an additional catch-up contribution of up to $1,000 is allowed. Thus, the 2016 contribution limit for these taxpayers is the lesser of $6,500 or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2016 is $61,001-$71,000 for single and head of household, $98,001-$118,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at year end) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $117,000 and $132,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $184,000 and $194,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 and $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 permanently extends the Qualified Charitable Distributions. It offers older owners of IRAs a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70 and one-half or older can directly transfer, taxfree, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2016, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by April 18, 2017 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 in any given month of the year. Divorced or Separated Parents – A custodial parent who revoked their previous release of a claim to a child’s exemption must include a 14 Seafarers LOG copy of the revocation with their return. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit - If you have to repay the credit, you may be able to do so without attaching Form 5405. Repayment is reported directly on Form 1040, line 60b. Mortgage Insurance Premiums – Mortgage insurance premiums for qualified mortgage insurance on debt to acquire, construct, or improve a first or second residence can potentially be treated as deductible qualified residence interest. This provision was extended for premiums paid or accrued before 2017. Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit – The nonbusiness energy property credit has been extended through December 31, 2016 with same $500 lifetime cap. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – This credit remains unchanged, and equals 30% of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric property, solar water heating property, fuel cell property, small wind energy property, and geothermal heat pump property. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit. Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available, except in the case of fuel cells. Unused portion of this credit is carried forward to next year’s tax return. The credit is extended through 2021, but with a reduction of the percentage used starting in 2020. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rate for 2016 is 54 cents per mile for business miles driven and was decreased to 19 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Deduction for corrosive drywall – You may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction for amounts you paid to repair damage to your home and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall. Under this procedure, you treat the amounts paid for repairs as a casualty loss in the year of payment. The deduction is limited if you have a pending claim for reimbursement (or intend to pursue reimbursement) through property insurance, litigation, or other means. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss – This loss remains unchanged from 2015. The loss is limited to the excess of the loss over $100. The 10% of AGI limit still applies. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion – For tax year 2016, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $101,300. This amount is up $500 from tax year 2015. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – AMT exemptions have been permanently extended and indexed for inflation. Exemption amounts help prevent some middle income earners from being subject to the AMT, and help keep any AMT adjustments less than they otherwise might have been. For tax year 2016, the alternative minimum tax exemption increases to the following levels: n $83,800 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers, up from $83,400 in 2015. n $41,900 for married couples filing separately, up from $41,700. n $53,900 for singles and heads of household, up from $53,600. Health Care Coverage – In 2016, individuals must have health care coverage, to qualify for a health care coverage exemption or make shared responsibility payment with their tax return. Coverage Exemptions: An individual may be exempt from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage and thus will not have to make a shared responsibility payment if, for 2016, he: n Has no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount he must pay for the annual premiums is more than 8.13% of his household income; n Has a gap in coverage for less than three consecutive months or n Qualifies for an exemption for one of several other reasons, including having a hardship that prevents him from obtaining coverage, or belonging to a group explicitly exempt from the requirement. If the taxpayer, spouse or any of the dependents did not have minimum coverage for any month in 2016, a payment needs to be computed and reported on Form 1040, line 61. For 2016, the annual payment amount is the greater of: n 2.5% percent of the household income that is above the tax return filing threshold for taxpayer’s filing status, or n The family’s flat dollar amount, which is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, limited to a family maximum of $2,085. Premium Tax Credit – Individuals with low to moderate income who get health cover- age through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit. Individuals who are eligible for PTC need to meet the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. Exception: In some cases, taxpayers with household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Note: Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. The PTC is based on a sliding scale. Those with lower incomes get a larger credit. The PTC for the year is the sum of the monthly credit amounts. The credit amount for each month is the lesser of: n The premiums for the month for one or more qualified health plans in which the taxpayer or any individual in his tax family enrolled; or n The monthly premium for the taxpayer’s applicable second lowest cost silver plan less his monthly contribution amount. Health coverage tax credit (HCTC) – The health care tax credit is a tax credit that pays a percentage of health insurance premiums for certain eligible taxpayers and their qualifying family members. The health coverage tax credit is a separate tax credit with different eligibility rules than the premium tax credit. You may have received monthly advance payments of the health coverage tax credit beginning in July 2016. Affordable Care Act – Several very important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that affect individuals and businesses first became effective in 2015. The Employer Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to either offer minimum essential coverage that is “affordable” and that provides “minimum value” to their full-time employees and their dependents, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS. Cadillac Tax – In December of 2015, Congress passed and the President signed a two-year delay of the 40 percent excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans. This delay was part of a year-end governmental funding package and changes the effective date from 2018 to 2020. Originally the tax was nondeductible, but in 2015 Congress made the tax deductible for employers who pay it. Transit Benefits – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 permanently extends transit benefits. These include van pool benefits, transit passes and qualified parking. Beginning in 2016, the inflation adjusted monthly exclusion amount will be $255 (up from $250 in 2015). Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit – IRS Refund Claim – Beginning with 2016 returns, the IRS has additional time to review refund claims based on the Earned Income Credit or the refundable portion of the additional Child Tax Credit in order to reduce fraud and improper payments. No credit or refund for an overpayment shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15th following the close of the tax year, if the taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Credit or additional Child Tax Credit. For 2016 returns claiming refunds due to the Earned Income Credit or the additional Child Tax Credit, no refund will be made before February 15, 2017. Form 1098-T Required to Claim Certain Education Incentives – Taxpayers must receive a form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from educational institutions to claim the American opportunity credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit or the above the line deduction for qualified tuition and fees. Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs – For rollover contributions made after December 18, 2015, distributions from employer sponsored retirement plans and traditional IRAs may be rolled over into a SIMPLE IRA, as long as the SIMPLE IRA has been open for at least two years. Olympic and Paralympic medals and USOC prize money – If you receive Olympic and Paralympic medals and United States Olympic Committee prize money, the value of the medals and the amount of the prize money may be nontaxable. Extended Filing and Payment Deadline – Section 7503 states that filing and payment deadlines that fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday are timely satisfied if met on the next business day. April 15, 2017 is on Saturday, and the Emancipation Day holiday will be observed in the District of Columbia the following Monday. Therefore, most individuals will have until Tuesday, April 18, 2017 to file their 2016 Forms 1040. Tax Rates for 2016 - President Bush Era tax rates were made permanent in 2013 with a 39.6% bracket (for single individuals at $415,050, head of household at $441,000, married filing jointly at $466,950 and married filing separately at $233,475). Trust and estates will hit the 39.6% bracket at $12,400. The rate for capital gains and qualified dividends is 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $415,050 for single individuals n $441,000 for heads of household n $466,950 for married filing joint n $233,475 for married filing separately Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence – Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However, the Tax Relief Act excludes from income cancellation of debt on a principal residence of up to $2 million. The Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act of 2015 extends the provision through 2016. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child -To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund. These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-8778339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce. gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Visit IRS. gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll free case intake line at 1-877-7774778. February 2017 �February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point................................Monday: February 6, March 6 Algonac....................................Friday: February 10, March 10 Baltimore.................................Thursday: February 9, March 9 Guam...................................Thursday: February 23, March 23 Honolulu...................................Friday: February 17, March 17 Houston....................................Monday: February 13, March 13 Jacksonville..............................Thursday: February 9, March 9 Joliet.....................................Thursday: February 16, March 16 Mobile...............................Wednesday: February 15, March 15 New Orleans...........................Tuesday: February 14, March 14 Jersey City.................................Tuesday: February 7, March 7 Norfolk....................................Thursday: February 9, March 9 Oakland................................Thursday: February 16, March 16 Philadelphia.........................Wednesday: February 8, March 8 Port Everglades....................Thursday: February 16, March 16 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea December 15, 2016 - January 15, 2017 Port Tacoma......................................Friday: February 24, March 24 Wilmington............*Tuesday: February 21, Monday: March 20 *Wilmington change created by Washington’s Birthday observance. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m February 2017 All Groups A B C Total Shipped All Groups A B C Trip Reliefs Registered on Beach A All Groups B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Deck Department 31 12 1 1 2 1 0 49 15 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 2 2 1 0 4 1 0 6 2 1 3 6 4 2 23 10 4 13 6 2 5 30 21 4 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 4 5 0 14 0 2 7 0 1 4 23 3 6 6 2 1 7 6 1 5 18 10 1 49 3 8 47 7 9 28 99 10 14 42 15 11 26 12 8 20 63 25 20 39 15 3 26 10 2 19 69 20 4 7 3 2 4 0 1 2 6 6 2 10 2 2 6 2 1 0 9 5 7 20 13 3 20 9 3 11 32 32 1 18 6 2 14 3 2 5 26 7 1 5 5 0 4 4 0 5 5 6 0 0 2 0 1 2 0 1 1 2 0 7 2 1 6 1 1 0 11 13 1 32 11 3 24 7 2 15 66 15 4 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 4 4 3 31 6 2 23 5 1 5 50 24 5 343 109 45 241 80 38 130 573 228 77 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Engine Department 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 1 1 0 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 5 0 1 4 0 0 7 5 2 5 5 3 7 3 0 3 11 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 0 0 0 2 3 1 5 1 0 6 5 0 0 16 9 0 23 5 1 12 8 1 8 31 9 4 24 14 2 17 11 2 8 37 27 4 14 6 1 12 3 1 5 25 14 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 5 1 0 4 3 0 4 4 1 2 6 2 1 11 7 1 12 10 1 5 17 18 2 11 2 1 8 2 0 4 18 6 2 3 1 0 3 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 2 1 0 2 0 2 2 3 1 1 3 1 3 2 0 2 8 11 2 10 4 1 12 2 0 4 34 13 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 13 5 2 9 9 1 5 17 13 2 136 72 16 111 66 9 48 244 152 30 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Steward Department 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 4 1 0 3 3 0 0 12 3 1 5 3 1 4 18 4 1 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 2 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 9 1 0 10 0 1 8 3 1 4 16 5 1 13 4 0 15 2 1 5 39 8 1 15 4 0 10 4 1 3 30 8 1 8 2 0 1 2 0 0 21 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 2 1 0 0 4 3 1 11 10 0 10 7 0 8 17 17 0 13 3 0 10 2 0 6 33 8 4 5 1 1 1 0 0 1 5 2 1 1 5 0 2 1 0 1 7 4 0 4 4 0 3 1 0 1 6 8 0 15 4 0 7 1 1 6 27 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 17 3 3 19 5 3 11 35 5 1 140 48 7 100 34 8 53 280 90 12 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Entry Department 5 12 2 1 0 1 0 6 20 4 0 2 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 5 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 0 2 6 1 3 2 2 0 4 8 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 2 1 7 0 7 4 0 3 4 0 2 9 11 5 6 6 2 10 1 3 10 11 10 1 9 19 2 7 14 1 3 28 39 1 16 0 1 3 3 1 5 36 6 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 12 10 0 8 8 0 1 27 25 0 7 3 1 6 9 3 4 14 10 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 8 0 2 9 7 9 2 7 5 2 10 20 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 16 15 3 7 11 5 3 28 35 24 105 87 14 56 63 18 56 214 180 GRAND TOTAL: 643 334 155 466 236 118 249 1,153 684 299 San Juan..................................Thursday: February 9, March 9 St. Louis...................................Friday: February 17, March 17 Total Registered Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, 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 Inquiring Seafarer This month’s question was answered by SIU members Dec. 12 in Houston, just before the dedication of the new hiring hall. Question: What do you think of the new hall? Carlos Avila AB I’m new in this environment and it’s very nice. It looks very good, and the space – there’s more room along with the parking lot. Also, the officials here are very knowledgeable. John Cain Shoregang Bosun It’s fantastic, beautiful and unbelievable. I love everything about it. I’m proud they let us do it. It’s a nice hall for the future here in Houston. We really did quite well. Kervin Guevara AB It looks awesome. It’s bigger and well-organized. I like it. The parking is a lot better and the screen for jobs…. There’s a bus stop right in front if you don’t have a vehicle. It’s close to my house, too. Azad Davani QMED I love it. It’s nice. I just came back about two weeks ago, and I think it’s beautiful. It’s neat and clean and there’s a lot of room. I’m very happy with it. Andy Lopez OMU (Retired) It’s great – a real nice place. It’s a lot better than downtown. I grew up in this neighborhood. This location is better and we have better parking. It was hard trying to park by the old hall. Verleshia Robinson Chief Steward It’s beautiful and very organized. It’s an increase in space, and the parking space is a tremendous increase. It feels very secure. Less traffic is the biggest difference, and the area has a better feel. I believe members are more comfortable here. HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 625 N. York St., Houston, TX 77003 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 JERSEY CITY 104 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 434-6000 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 Pics From The Past Charlotte Cannon-Richardson submitted these snapshots of her late husband, Chief Steward Bert Richardson, who passed away last year. Brother Richardson became a union member in the late 1960s, originally sailing as a member of the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MC&S), which later merged into the SIU. Bert Richardson was part of the first group of African American MC&S members to become chief stewards. The Mississippi native sailed until 1998. SIU Assistant Vice President Nick Celona notes that Bert Richardson also played a vital role in helping launch and sustain the union’s San Francisco/Oakland area Thanksgiving celebration, a popular event for the past 26 years. “Bert was an outstanding union member and an even better individual,” Celona stated. PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16 Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2017 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA AARON ANDERSON Brother Aaron Anderson, 65, began sailing with the SIU in 2003 in Houston. He originally shipped on the Green Dale. Brother Anderson enhanced his skills often at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. He was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and sailed in the engine department. Brother Anderson’s last vessel was the Cape Trinity. He lives in Bacliff, Texas. EUFRACIO ARZU Brother Eufracio Arzu, 78, signed on with the SIU in 2001 during the SIU/NMU merger. He upgraded in 2001 and 2006 at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Arzu was a member of both the engine and steward departments. His last trip was aboard the Meteor. Brother Arzu now calls Houston home. DANIEL CAMPBELL Brother Daniel Campbell, 66, started sailing with the Seafarers in 1981. He was initially employed on the Trans Colorado. Brother Campbell was born in New Jersey and worked in the engine department. He attended classes on three occasions at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Campbell’s most recent trip was aboard the El Morro. He is a resident of Jacksonville, Florida. DAVID CARTER Brother David Carter, 70, joined the SIU in 2001 when the NMU merged into the Seafarers International Union. On two occasions, he took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Piney Point school. Brother Carter sailed in the engine department; his final ship was the Philadelphia Express. He makes his home in Neptune Beach, Florida. ROBERT CULLIFER Brother Robert Cullifer, 70, donned the union colors in 2003 in Norfolk, Virginia. His first ship was the USNS Dahl; his most recent, the Patriot. Brother Cullifer is a native of Norfolk. He upgraded several times at the Piney Point school. Brother Cullifer worked in the deck department and now resides in Surf City, North Carolina. February 2017 EDWARD FRENCH Brother Edward French, 65, joined the union in 1990. He first shipped aboard the USNS Assurance. Brother French attended classes in 1992 at the unionaffiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. He worked in both the steward and deck departments. Brother French concluded his career on the Performance. He settled in Roanoke, Virginia. BILLY HILL Brother Billy Hill, 59, became a Seafarer in 1976 in Houston. The deck department member initially sailed with Transeastern Shipping. On numerous occasions, Brother Hill upgraded at the Paul Hall Center. He last shipped aboard the Maersk California. Brother Hill calls Livingston, Texas, home. GARETH HUNT Brother Gareth Hunt, 69, began his seafaring career in 2003. He initially sailed aboard the TSgt. John Chapman. Brother Hunt was born in Washington and worked in the deck department. His final ship was the Pride of America. He makes his home in Port Angeles, Washington. ROSS LYLE Brother Ross Lyle, 61, started sailing with the SIU in 1978. He first shipped aboard the Erna Elizabeth. Brother Lyle attended classes on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Lyle’s final trip to sea was on the Cape Victory. He lives in Livingston, Texas. YUSEF MAISONET Brother Yusef Maisonet, 65, became a union member in 1992. He started his career working aboard the Diamond State. Brother Maisonet sailed in the deck department. In 2002, he took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Piney Point school. Brother Maisonet’s most recent trip was on the Bonny. He is a resident of Mobile, Alabama. DANIEL MITCHELL Brother Daniel Mitchell, 69, signed on with the SIU in 1979. His first ship was the Point Julie; his last, the USNS Algol. Brother Mitchell, a native of California, was a member of the engine department. He attended classes often at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Mitchell resides in Lomita, California. WILFREDO PALACIOS Brother Wilfredo Palacios, 67, donned the SIU colors in 2001 during the SIU/ NMU merger. He worked in all three departments. Brother Palacios was born in Honduras. His most recent ship was the Maersk Missouri. Brother Palacios upgraded in 2003 at the Paul Hall Center. He makes his home in Houston. RONNIE RICHARDSON Brother Ronnie Richardson, 65, began shipping with the union in 1979. He enhanced his skills on three occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Richardson originally worked aboard the Santa Maria. He sailed in the steward department. Before his retirement, Brother Richardson sailed on the Blue Ridge. He lives in San Francisco. KYLE SCHULTZ Brother Kyle Schultz, 56, joined the SIU ranks in 1978. He originally worked aboard the Great Land. Brother Schultz attended classes at the Paul Hall Center on two occasions. He finished his career on the Ocean Crescent. The New York native was a member of the deck department. Brother Schultz calls Sequin, Texas, home. WILLIAM SULLIVAN Brother William Sullivan, 65, started sailing with the SIU in 1974. He first shipped aboard a Hudson Waterways vessel. Brother Sullivan upgraded in 1991 and 1992 at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. He worked in the engine department. Brother Sullivan’s final trip to sea was on the Dodge Island. He resides in Ocean City, New Jersey. BRUCE WILLIAMS Brother Bruce Williams, 65, became a union member in 1969. He started his career working aboard the Steel Fabricator. Brother Williams sailed in both the engine and steward departments. On two occasions, he took advantage of educational opportunities available at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Williams’s most recent trip was on the USNS Antares. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida. enhance his skills often at the Paul Hall Center. He last sailed on the Resolve. Brother Stanus was a member of the deck department. He lives in Box Elder, South Dakota. GUILLERMO ZAPATA BRUCE WILLIAMS Brother Guillermo Zapata, 65, began shipping with the union in 1999. He originally worked with Tugz Company. Brother Zapata upgraded frequently at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. He sailed in the deck department. Prior to his retirement, Brother Zapata shipped aboard the Overseas Texas City. He is a resident of Plantation, Florida. Brother Bruce Williams, 63, started shipping with the SIU in 1993. He was primarily employed with G&H Towing. Brother Williams sailed in the engine department. He is a resident of Fall Creek, Oregon. INLAND ALLAN BIGNER Brother Allan Bigner, 62, joined the SIU in 1970. He initially sailed on the Bradford Island. Brother Bigner worked in the engine department. He upgraded in 1970 and 1972 at the Piney Point school. Brother Bigner’s final trip was aboard the Mississippi Queen. He calls Tickfaw, Louisiana, home. RODNEY MCCASLIN Brother Rodney McCaslin, 58, started sailing with the union in 1986. He initially shipped with Moran Towing of Texas. Brother McCaslin was an engine department member. He upgraded numerous times at the Piney Point school. Brother McCaslin most recently worked on the Integrity. He makes his home in Winslow, Maine. MARIO MORANTE Brother Mario Morante, 59, signed on with the SIU in 1995 in Jacksonville, Florida. He mostly shipped with Crowley Towing & Transportation of Jacksonville. Brother Morante worked in the deck department. In 2000 and 2002, he attended classes at the Seafarers-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Morante is a resident of Orange Park, Florida. ROGER STANUS Brother Roger Stanus, 62, began his SIU career in 1985. He was originally employed with Z Norfolk Baltimore. Brother Stanus JOSEPH ZOLADEK Brother Joseph Zoladek, 66, joined the SIU in 1972 in Philadelphia. He initially worked with Gellenthin Barge Lines. Brother Zoladek was born in Germany. He was last employed with Penn Maritime Inc. Brother Zoladek makes his home in Pennsylvania. GREAT LAKES DANIEL BENSONI Brother Daniel Bensoni, 65, started sailing with the union in 1973. He first shipped with Great Lakes Associates. Brother Bensoni was a deck department member; he upgraded in 1983 in Piney Point, Maryland. Prior to his retirement, he worked aboard the Charles E. Wilson. Brother Bensoni calls Saginaw, Minnesota, home. ROBERT GOLLA Brother Robert Golla, 65, began his seafaring career in 1999. He initially shipped aboard the Indiana Harbor. Brother Golla sailed as a member of the steward department. His most recent trip was on the Alpena. Brother Golla settled in Duluth, Minnesota. GARY LAPCZYNSKI Brother Gary Lapczynski, 62, donned the SIU colors in 1972. He was initially employed aboard the Steel T. Crapo. Brother Lapczynski sailed in the steward department, most recently on the Burns Harbor. In 2007 and 2015, he upgraded at the Piney Point school. Brother Lapczynski is a resident of Alpena, Michigan. Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA JOHN BURGER Pensioner John Burger, 70, passed away September 29. He became an SIU member in 1988. Brother Burger initially worked on the Pfc Dewayne T. Williams. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Burger’s final ship was the Nedlloyd Holland. He became a pensioner in 2011 and settled in Hilham, Tennessee. RICHARD MULLEN Pensioner Richard Mullen, 86, died August 27. Brother Mullen started his seafaring career in 1967. His first ship was the Transhatteras. Brother Mullen was born in California and sailed in the engine department. He last shipped aboard the Independence. Brother Mullen began receiving his pension in 1996 and was a resident of Susanville, California. ALAN NELSON Brother Alan Nelson, 65, passed away October 5. Brother Nelson originally shipped aboard the Newark, in 1968. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Nelson’s most recent vessel was the USNS Stockham. He made his home in Baltimore. SPIRIDON PERDIKIS Pensioner Spiridon Perdikis, 84, died October 29. Born in Greece, Brother Perdikis joined the union in 1959. He initially worked with Enterprise Steamship Company. Brother Perdikis shipped as a member of the engine department. Prior to his retirement in 2002, he sailed aboard the Overseas Chicago. Brother Perdikis called Port St. Lucie, Florida, home. LEWELLYN STEVENS Pensioner Lewellyn Stevens, 78, passed away October 5. Brother Stevens signed on with the union in 1957, originally working on a Waterman Steam- 18 Seafarers LOG ship vessel. He shipped in the deck department. Brother Stevens last sailed in the inland division with Dravo Basic Materials Company. He began collecting his retirement pay in 2009. Brother Stevens resided in Frisco City, Alabama. JOHN TRENT Pensioner John Trent, 75, died October 14. Brother Trent was a native of Newport, Arkansas. A member of the engine department, he first sailed on the Trans Hartford in 1964. Brother Trent last worked aboard the Overseas New Orleans. He started receiving his pension in 2006. Brother Trent was a resident of Davie, Florida. INLAND JOSEPH BETHEL Pensioner Joseph Bethel, 76, passed away September 19. Brother Bethel was born in Pennsylvania. He started shipping with the SIU in 1965, and first sailed on a Taylor Marine Towing Company vessel. Brother Bethel’s last boat was operated by Moran Towing of Philadelphia. He worked in the deck department. Brother Bethel became a pensioner in 2002 and lived Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. WALLACE CUMBEST Pensioner Wallace Cumbest, 66, died October 31. He began sailing with the union in 1977. Brother Cumbest primarily shipped with Crowley Towing and Transportation of Jacksonville. He was a native of Ray City, Georgia, and worked in the deck department. Brother Cumbest retired in 2007 and made his home in Old Town, Florida. CHARLES MULL Pensioner Charles Mull, 80, passed away October 17. Born in Ashville, North Carolina, he donned the SIU colors in 1962. Brother Mull initially worked in the deep sea division with Seatrain Lines Inc. He was a deck department member. Brother Mull began receiving his pension in 2002 and called Elkton, Florida, home. JIMMY PAYNE Pensioner Jimmy Payne, 75, died October 14. Brother Payne started sailing with the SIU in 1971. He mainly worked aboard G&H Towing Company vessels. Brother Payne sailed as a member of the engine department. He retired in 2002 and resided in Kemah, Texas. BOBBY SIMMONS Pensioner Bobby Simmons, 73, passed away October 12. He became a union member in 1967. Brother Simmons initially worked in the deep sea division with Sea Transport Inc. He was born in Newton, Texas, and sailed in both the deck and steward departments. Brother Simmons last shipped aboard a Crowley Towing and Transportation of Jacksonville vessel. He went on pension in 1999 and lived in Clearwater, Florida. DONNIE WILLIAMS Pensioner Donnie Williams, 75, died September 13. Brother Williams signed on with the SIU in 1966, originally working with Virginia Pilots. He was a deck department member. Brother Williams was last employed aboard a Northeast Towing Company vessel. He started collecting his retirement pay in 2003. Brother Williams was a resident of Frisco, North Carolina. GREAT LAKES JOHN CHURCH Pensioner John Church, 74, passed away October 19. The North Carolina native began his SIU career in 1969. Brother Church was a member of the deck department. His first ship was the Bob-Lo Island; his last, the St. Clair. Brother Church went on pension in 2007 and settled in Lenoir, North Carolina. HERBERT KERLEY Pensioner Herbert Kerley, 86, died October 2. A native of Crossville, Tennessee, he donned the SIU colors in 1963. Brother Kerley mainly sailed with American Steamship Company. He worked in the engine department. Brother Kerley wrapped up his sailing career in 1986. He continued to make his home in Tennessee. NATIONAL MARITIME UNION JOSEPH BRIDGES Pensioner Joseph Bridges, 90, passed away August 19. Brother Bridges was born in Florida and started receiving his pension in 1993. He lived in Rome, Georgia. HARRY CHAN Pensioner Harry Chan, 94, died October 5. Born in China, Brother Chan became a pensioner in 1968. He settled in Brooklyn, New York. MAHFOUD FAYED Pensioner Mahfoud Fayed, 65, passed away September 28. Brother Fayed was a native of Yemen. He began collecting his retirement pay in 2006. Brother Fayed resided in Dearborn, Michigan. THEODORE GREEN Pensioner Theodore Green, 95, died September 20. Brother Green was born in Bishopville, South Carolina. He went on pension in 1986. Brother Green made his home in Rosenberg, Texas. RAMON HERNANDEZ Pensioner Ramon Hernandez, 89, passed away September 15. Brother Hernandez started receiving compensation for his retirement in 1969. He was a resident of Edison Township, New Jersey. JAMES HOPSON Pensioner James Hopson, 92, died September 21. Brother Hopson was born in Alabama. He became a pensioner in 1971. Brother Hopson called Dixon Mills, Alabama, home. siana. He went on pension in 1973 and lived in Seattle. SWITHIN MCWILLIAMS Pensioner Swithin McWilliams, 94, died September 12. Born in Trinidad, Brother McWilliams started receiving his pension in 1987. He resided in Staten Island, New York. DAVID MOORE Pensioner David Moore, 85, passed away September 27. He was a native of Mississippi. Brother Moore began collecting his pension in 1988. He lived in Collins, Mississippi. ANGEL RIVERA Pensioner Angel Rivera, 87, died October 22. Brother Rivera was born in Puerto Rico. He went on pension in 1966 and continued to make his home in Puerto Rico. JOSEPH RIVERA Pensioner Joseph Rivera, 78, passed away September 30. Born in Bronx, New York, Brother Rivera started receiving his pension in 1995. He was a resident of Beaumont, Texas. MERLE REYNOLDS Pensioner Merle Reynolds, 94, died October 6. Brother Reynolds was born in Oklahoma. He retired in 1988 and resided in Prague, Oklahoma. PAUL STURGILL Pensioner Paul Sturgill, 92, passed away August 10. The Kentucky native became a pensioner in 1969. Brother Sturgill called Sandy Hook, Kentucky, home. MITCHELL WILAMOSKI Pensioner Mitchell Wilamoski, 98, died October 15. Brother Wilamoski was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He started collecting his pension in 1967 and was a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida. Name Carcamo, German Ennis, John Jackson, Charles McDuffie, Marilee Smith, Irbin Age 82 93 95 92 88 DOD Oct. 18 May 24 Oct. 17 Sept. 23 Sept. 25 TERIA MCNEAL Pensioner Teria McNeal, 89, passed away October 8. Brother McNeal was born in Hilly, Loui- February 2017 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings MAERSK ATLANTA (Maersk Line, Limited), October 22 – Chairman Thomas P. Flanagan, Secretary Glenn Williams, Educational Director Enrique Velez. Chairman reminded crew departing vessel to leave room clean and supplied with fresh linen. He thanked everyone for a safe and productive trip. Mariners were reminded to check and update credentials as needed. Crew discussed the importance of voting as it will impact all their futures. Secretary asked everyone to put all dirty linen outside their rooms and give captain back coveralls (old and new). Educational director urged members to enhance their skills at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, to excel in their positions. Treasurer reported $827 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. It was noted that dishwasher and grill need to be fixed. MAERSK IDAHO (Maersk Line, Limited), October 15 – Chairman Ronald Mena, Secretary Zein Z. Achmad, Educational Director Tesfaye Gebregziabher, Deck Delegate Atm Reza. Bosun thanked fellow crew members for a smooth voyage. Secretary reminded everyone that paper cups should be used while in port and paper plates used for night snacks. Educational director advised members to keep all necessary paperwork up-to-date. Treasurer reported $2,450 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request was made for new chairs, mattresses and refrigerators for crew rooms. Suggestion was made to increase vacation pay. CHARLESTON EXPRESS (Crowley), November 27 – Chairman George F. Price, Secretary Ronald Tarantino, Educational Director Ronald Westerfield, Deck Delegate Saidu Sesay, Engine Delegate Ken- neth Powell, Steward Delegate Edyson Chaniago. Chairman advised Seafarers to keep all documents current. Secretary urged members to make sure beneficiary information on file with Seafarers Plans is up-todate. Educational director advised mariners to enhance skills at maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members made suggestions regarding vacation and pension benefits for upcoming contract negotiations. Next ports: Charleston, South Carolina and Houston. MAERSK DETROIT (Maersk Line, Limited), November 8 – Chairman Thomas W. Grosskurth, Secretary Michael Kozak, Educational Director Dennis R. Baker, Deck Delegate John Mbelwa, Steward Delegate Jose Burgos. Chairman reviewed requirements for STCW Basic Training when renewing merchant mariner credential after January 1, 2017. Educational director talked about improvements to dental benefits. He asked crew to report worn extension cords and plugs that need repairing. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation was made to increase pension benefits. Mariners were reminded to close washer and dryer doors. A vote of thanks was given to the steward department. MAERSK OHIO (Maersk Line, Limited), November 26 – Chairman James L. Joyce, Secretary Charles Brooks, Educational Director Antoine L. Rainey, Deck Delegate Fontaine Barber, Steward Delegate Edward Smigielski. Bosun urged mariners to continue working together safely. Deck department was reminded to wear cold-weather gear. Educational director discussed importance of upgrading skills at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted. Ships’ minutes first are reviewed by the union’s contract department. Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships’ minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. With Union Members on M/V Corsica SIU, MEBA and MM&P members are pictured aboard the Chesapeake Crewing-operated M/V Corsica while the ship heads back to the U.S. from the Middle East. Back row, from left: Chief Steward Marc Newbold, Bosun William Britton, 2nd Mate Jon Lotz, 3AE Evan Knoch, QMED Van Dixon, Capt. Bruce Matthews, (middle row, from left) 3AE Tyler Brady, 3rd Mate Tucker Weisleder, 2AE Helbert Esquivel, CE Al Tine Jr., CM Rudy Normann, (front, from left) Apprentice Morgan Hayes, GVA Peter Durangparang, AB William Davis and AB Orin King. reported. Crew suggested increasing vacation days. Request was made for a new coffee machine. MAERSK KINLOSS (Maersk Line, Limited), December 16 – Chairman Rufino J. Giray, Secretary Juan Vallejo, Educational Director Albert Riollano, Deck Delegate Maruf Syarifudin, Steward Delegate Richard Oliva. Chairman urged mariners to keep documents up-to-date and focus on safety. He thanked steward department for good food. Crew thanked SIU President Michael Sacco and Executive Vice President Augie Tellez for their hard work on Capitol Hill. Secretary asked members leaving ship to clean rooms and separate garbage. Educational director recommended training at the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Recommendation was made to increase food budget and pension benefits. MAERSK PITTSBURGH (Maersk Line, Limited), December 24 – Chairman Konstantinos Prokovas, Secretary Darryl K. Goggins, Educational Director Jan Morawski, Deck Delegate James Armer, Engine Delegate Roger Nesbeth, Steward Delegate Stanford Drakes. Chairman thanked crew for a safe trip. Secretary reminded crew members getting off vessel to leave fresh linen for next mariner. Educational director discussed importance of upgrading skills at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. Seafarers were given instructions to request their sea time. Discussion was held regarding information available on SIU website. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks was given to the deck and engine departments. Crew discussed donations to families of El Faro crew members. Suggestion was made to increase pension benefits. OVERSEAS ANACORTES (OSG), December 10 – Chairman Felsher Beasley, Secretary Brad A. Fester, Educational Director Cary G. Pratts, Deck Delegate David N. Bernstein, Engine Delegate Julio Zapata. Chairman stressed the importance of taking care of your body and staying healthy. Educational director recommended training at the Piney Point school and keeping all necessary seafaring documents upto-date. Treasurer reported $300 in ship’s fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members would like better quality mattresses and pillows. Crew recognized Bosun Beasley for upcoming retirement (look for photos in a future edition of the LOG). Next port: Port Everglades, Florida. Matson Consumer Crew Honors Memory of the Late ‘Capt. Jay’ Recertified Steward Brian Burchette submitted this recent photo from the Matson Consumer, taken during a memorial service for vessel master Capt. Jay Thomas, who passed away last year. Burchette noted that “Captain Jay” spent the last five years aboard the vessel, first as chief mate and eventually as captain. Burchette also said that in speaking with others who sailed with Jay, “All remember him as a sailor who cared about the ship and the crew. When you spend eight months a year on board a ship, you get to know (for better or worse) your shipmates, and your ship becomes your home away from home. When you find others that have a passion for their job and their ship, it truly is a rewarding experience.” Although only a few of the mariners on board the vessel late last year sailed with the captain, the entire crew turned out for the memorial (except for those on watch). Everyone signed a life ring for the captain’s family “just to let them know that his work here meant something to others, and he will be remembered and missed.” Among those pictured in the photo above are the crew members who sailed with Captain Jay: Burchette (center-right, holding the life ring), Recertified Bosun Paul Cadran (standing second from right) and Chief Cook June Reyes (standing at far left). February 2017 Seafarers LOG 19 �SHBP Makes Scholarship Funds Available to Members, Dependents The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) anually makes scholarships available to qualified individuals who are looking to further their education beyond high school. Eight awards totaling $132,000 are available for the the 2017 program. Three scholarships will be designated for Seafarers while five will be targeted for spouses and dependents. One of the endowments reserved for Seafarers totals $20,000 and is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, college-level course of study. The remaining two are in the amount of $6,000 each and are designed as two-year awards for study at a postsecondary vocational school or community college. Each of the five scholarships for spouses and dependents is for $20,000. Now is an ideal time to begin the application process. The first step is to obtain a scholarship program booklet. This package contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. Union members and their dependents now have three avenues through which they may obtain this booklet. First, as has been the case in the past, prospective applicants may request these booklets via mail by completing and mailing the form provided below. Secondly, they may obtain the booklets by visiting any SIU hall. Finally, applicants may obtain the booklet online by visiting www.seafarers.org, going to the Member Benefits tab, navigating to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan menu and selecting Scholarship Booklet 2017 (PDF). Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility criteria. They should also begin collecting and assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit with the full application, which must be received by April 15, 2017. Items that need to be incorporated in the final application package include transcripts and certificates of graduation. Since some institutions respond slowly in handling transcript needs, requests should be made as early as possible. Letters of recommendation – solicited from individuals who know the applicant’s character, personality and career goals – should be included as part of the application package. A high-quality photograph and a certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate are also required and should accompany the package. A scholarship selection committee, consisting of a panel of professional educators, will examine the high school grades of all applicants as well as evaluate scores from their Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and American College Tests (ACT). Accordingly, arrangements should be made by applicants who have not done so to take these tests no later than February 2017. Doing so will virtually assure that the results reach the evaluation committee in time for review. Seafarers and dependents who previously applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements. Please send me the 2017 SHBP Scholarship Program Booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name ................................................................................................................................................. Street Address ................................................................................................................................... City, State, Zip Code.......................................................................................................................... Telephone Number ( ) ................................................................................................................. This application is for: Self Dependent Mail this completed form to: Scholarship Program Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 2/17 HEALTH BENEFITS FOR PENSIONERS If you are considering retirement, you should be aware that the health benefits that the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) provides to eligible pensioners and their families are different from those that are offered to active employees and their families. If you are eligible for health benefits as an active employee at the time you retire, you will continue to receive those benefits until your eligibility runs out. For more detailed information about pensioners’ benefits, you may view the SHBP Guide for Retirees under the Member Benefits tab at www. seafarers.org; or you may contact the Plan at 1-800252-4674 to request a printed copy of this guide. This notice contains important information about the eligibility rules for pensioner’s health benefits, and the right to purchase COBRA continuation coverage when you retire. Please read this notice carefully. Eligibility Requirements In order for a pensioner to be eligible for pensioner health benefits from the SHBP, they must meet the following eligibility requirements: n 5,475 days of covered employment under the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan if retiring on a Normal Pension or Early Normal Pension n 4,380 days of covered employment under the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan if retiring on a Disability Pension, and n At least 60 days of covered employment in each of the 2 six-month eligibility periods immediately preceding the date in which you become eligible for and apply for pension benefits, or n 125 days of covered employment in the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which you become eligible for and apply for pension benefits. Covered employment under the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan does not include “Extra Service Credit” or “Supplemental Service” earned under the Seafarers Pension Plan. These days do not count for eligibility under the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. In addition, days for which a participant may receive more than one day’s credit for one day worked and/or credit received for Vacation days are not counted towards eligibility under the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan. Under the Seafarers Pension Plan Rules, a participant may qualify for a Normal Pension Benefit, an Early Normal Pension Benefit, or a Disability Pension Benefit, but not satisfy the covered employment requirements under the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan for pensioner health benefits. COBRA Rights You have the right to purchase COBRA con- tinuation coverage if you were eligible for SHBP benefits at the time you retire, but you do not meet the eligibility requirements for pensioner’s health benefits. If you qualify for COBRA, the Plan will send you a COBRA election notice that will explain these rights in more detail. Even if you are eligible for pensioner’s health benefits you will also be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage when your eligibility for active benefits ends. You may purchase COBRA benefits if you want your dependents to continue to have outpatient and prescription benefits if you are at the Core-Plus benefit level. COBRA allows you to continue to receive the same health benefits that you received prior to retirement for a certain period of time set by law (usually 18 months, but sometimes longer). Once the COBRA period ends, if you met the requirements for pensioner’s health benefits, you will begin receiving those benefits. Premium for Pensioners and Dependents not Eligible for Medicare If you are not eligible for Medicare at the time you retire, you are required to pay a monthly premium to receive Pensioner health coverage. The amount of this premium is $100 for individual coverage, or $200 for family coverage (for two or more individuals who are not eligible for Medicare). If you are eligible for Medicare but your spouse is not, you must pay a $100 premium for your spouse’s coverage, or $200 for your spouse and dependent children. If you give the Plan written permission to make this deduction, the Seafarers Pension Plan will deduct this premium from your pension benefit, so that you do not have to send monthly payments. Please note, if you decide to opt out of the Pensioner health coverage, you cannot opt back in at a later time. Premium benefit for Pensioners Eligible for Medicare If you are eligible for any form of pension with SHBP medical benefits, and you are Medicare-eligible, you must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B to remain eligible for health benefits from SHBP. Once you do so, the Plan will pay you an additional benefit of $50 a month to help pay your Medicare premium. Your spouse must also enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when he or she becomes Medicare-eligible. Provided that you are also enrolled in Medicare, the Plan will pay another $50 benefit to help with your spouse’s Medicare premium. However, if your spouse dies before you, their $50 benefit will end upon their death. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: 20 Seafarers LOG Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea­ farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Conse­q uently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION. If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 February 2017 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, for the next several months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion Gap Closing Courses Welding February 25 March 17 April 1 April 21 Marine Refer Tech March 18 April 28 Pumpman April 8 April 21 Steward Department Courses Engineroom Resource Management February 18 February 24 June 3 June 9 Advanced Galley Ops April 22 May 19 April 22 June 19 Certified Chief Cook Modules run every other week. The next Leadership and Managerial Skills February 25 March 3 class will start February 13. June 10 June 16 Chief Steward April 22 June 2 Deck Department Upgrading Courses Galley Operations March 25 April 21 May 20 June 16 Able Seafarer Deck April 22 May 19 June 17 July 14 Galley Assessment Program (GAP) March 18 April 28 AB to Mate Modules Module dates vary throughout the year. Stu- dents will be advised of dates once accepted. ARPA February 25 March 3 June 3 June 9 Crane Familiarization April 8 April 14 ECDIS April 8 April 14 Fast Rescue Boat May 20 May 26 GMDSS May 6 May 19 September 2 September 15 Lifeboat March 11 March 24 April 8 April 21 May 6 May 19 June 3 June 16 Radar Observer May 20 June 2 RFPNW March 25 April 21 May 21 June 16 Engine Department Upgrading Courses May 27 July 7 ServSafe February 11 February 17 May 6 May 12 Steward Recertification March 11 April 3 Safety Upgrading Courses Basic Training w/16hr FF March 11 March 17 March 18 March 24 April 10 April 14 Basic Training Revalidation February 17 February 17 February 24 February 24 March 10 March 10 Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation March 11 March 17 June 24 June 30 Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting March 4 March 10 April 29 May 5 June 10 June 16 Government Vessels February 18 February 24 February 25 March 3 Medical Care Provider March 11 March 17 BAPO March 25 April 21 April 22 April 28 May 21 June 16 June 17 June 23 FOWT February 25 March 24 April 22 May 19 June 17 July 14 Junior Engineer March 4 April 28 May 6 June 30 Tank Barge - DL April 15 April 21 Tank Ship Familiarization - DL/LG March 18 March 31 June 3 June 16 Machinist March 18 April 7 Tank Ship Familiarization - LG February 25 March 3 June 17 June 23 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name_________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth___________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o 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? o Yes o No If yes, class # and dates attended___________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? oYes o No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. February 2017 COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, 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. 2/17 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Welding – Four upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 16: Ryan Brandle, Bobby Conner II, Kyle Miller and James Sieger. Class instructor Chris Raley is at the far right. Important Notice Apprentice Water Survival Class #819 – Eighteen apprentices completed this course Dec. 30. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Phillip Borders, St.Claire Browne Jr., Demar De Bruce, Ashley Burke, Christian Canci, Michael Dusek, James Geiger, Dustin Harrison, Tyriq Mills, Durell Mitchell, Rainiel Natividad, Dillon Nelson, Matthew Palmer, Spencer Rathman, Nicholas Sperry, Nicholas Tran, Bryan Velazquez and Brian Wendler. Marine Refrigeration – The following Seafarers (above, in alphabetical order) completed the enhancement of their skills in this course when they graduated Dec. 16: Christopher Eason, Mohammed Elazzouzi, Derek Ivory, Ann Mensch, Danielle Smith, Brett Van Pelt and Pavis Whitley. Their instructors, Jay Henderson and William Dodd, are at the far left and far right, respectively. Pumpman – Graduating from the course Dec. 16 (above, in alphabetical order) were: upgraders Arkady Bichevsky, Oscar Agustin Cordero, Kabir Garcia Santiago, Todd Lander, Nicholas Panagakos, Michael Robinson, Lateef Ojomu Sanusi, Steven Supplee, Bernard Wade II and Charlie Wescott. Class instructors Keith Adamson and Vance Sanderson are at the far left and far right, respectively. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Medical Care Provider – Eight upgraders completed this course Dec. 9. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Benjamin Anderson III, John Daunoras, Ahmed Fadel Mohamed, Rodney Passapera, Mykola Smirnov, Justin Mario Violanti, James Williamson and Joshua Zelinsky. Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Tank Ship Familiarization LG – Eleven upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 9: Linnell Coleman Jr., Brian Corbett, Brian Dillon, Michael Hodges, Peter Hokenson, Nat Lamb, Detrell Lambey, Douglas McLaughlin, Arthur Patterson, Pedro Venerando Ramos and Penny Taylor. ARPA – The following Seafarers (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 9: Ali Mohsen Alhamyari, J.K. Mansfield Borden, Joseph Bowen, Peter Malone, Saleh Mohamed Mothana, Harry Phillip and Sean Wilson. Their instructor, Susan Fagan, is at the far left. ECDIS – Graduating from this course Dec. 9 (above, in alphabetical order) were upgraders: Terrence Bader, Luke Belford, Caliph Johnson II, and Dexter Madrona Turija. Instructor Patrick Schoenberger is at the far left. Crane Familiarization – Four individuals completed their requirements in this course Dec. 9. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Ibrahim Awadalla Abdelkarim, Ato Aikins, Oliver Manibog Balico and Goducel Pascua. Stan Beck, their instructor, is in the back row at the far right. Government Vessels – Nineteen upgraders finished their requirements in this course Dec. 9. Graduating (photo at right, in alphabetical order) were: Vince Adolph, Wadeea Saleh Alnasafi, Richard Barnes, Alexander Cancino Bermudez, Melvin Cooper, Gregory Crowder, Roberto Alcance Firme, Logan Gatton, Christian Haber, Enchantress Charmaine Johnson, Ronald Pattiasina, Michael Antonio Ribeiro, Aresha Rivers, Verleshia Robinson, Jerry Semper Jr., Scott Snodgrass, Olive Stewart-Paul, Ruel Antigro Torres and Ronell Williams. Their instructor Tom Truitt, is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) 22 Seafarers LOG February 2017 �Paul Hall Center Classes Basic Training (Basic Firefighting) – The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 16: Marcelo Alicea Jr., Jane Altieri, Gregory Kakra Attawora, Shelby Curtis, Kimberly Dawson, Joseph Franta, Logan Gatton, Sabbah Yahya Ghaleb, Christian Haber, Jeffrey Hamer, Grady Ingram III, Eric Johnson, Mackenzie Latta, Charles Mitchell, Bryan Moreira, Thomas Nelson Jr., Samuel Parkinson, Ronald Pattiasina, Michael Ribeiro, Paul Smetana, Eddie Taylor, Benjamin Thuringer and Joshua Zelinsky. Instructors John Thomas and Wayne Johnson Jr. are at the far left and far right, respectively. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Basic Training (Basic Firefighting) – The following upgraders (photo at left, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Dec. 2: Robert Coddington, Ibrahim Abdelrauf Elsayed, Roberto Alcance Firme, Detrell Lambey, Pedro Venerando Ramos, Lateef Ojomu Sanusi, Penny Taylor and Norma West. Class instructor Wayne Johnson Jr. is at the far right. Basic Training Revitalization – Graduating from this course Dec. 16 (above, in alphabetical order) were: Joseph Bowen, Peter Hokenson, Enchantress Johnson, Douglas McLaughlin and Clive Steward. Their instructor, Mike Roberts, is at the far right. Combined Basic & Advanced Firefighting – Six individuals completed their requirements in this course Dec. 2. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Chris Badouin, Brian Luba, William Matthews, Ahmed Fadel Mohamed, Mykola Smirnov and Jason Young. John Thomas, their instructor, is at the far left. Certified Chief Cook – Steward Department upgrader Israel Lingat Coronel (above) completed his requirements and graduated from Module 6 of this course Dec. 16. Advanced Galley Ops – A pair of steward department mariners improved their skills by graduating from this course Dec. 30. They are Prasert Yowaka Mastrototaro (above, left) and Brian Magill. February 2017 Basic Training Revitalization – Eleven upgraders completed this course Dec. 9. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Tammy Bingisser, Wilshire Cortez, Cirilo Villapaz Jumamil, Christopher King, James Luttrell Jr., Gary Newbegin Jr., Francisco Aragona Ocado, Michael Presser, Robert Resurreccion, Frank Sambula and Kareim Wright. Mike Roberts, their instructor, is at the far left. Chief Steward – Three upgraders recently completed the enhancement of their skills in this course. Graduating Dec. 16 (above, from the left) were Charles Davis, Juan Guanill and Christopher King. Certified Chief Cook - Steward department upgraders Monserrate Blas Jr. (above, left) and Masha Maria Blas are not related, but still have more in common than just surnames. Both enhanced their skills recently when they graduated from this course Dec. 12. Seafarers LOG 23 �FEBRUARY F E B R U A R Y2017 2014 o NO. 2 V O LVOLUME U M E 7 6 79 NO. 2 Seafarers and other volunteers load toys into a truck. Paul Hall Center Class Photos Pages 22-23 GUDE Sakr Kassem, AB Mark Villa, Administrative Assistant Brenda Flesner, Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, Santa’s Castle VP Anita Vargo, SA Rupert Henry, (standing in truck) Santa’s Castle President Amy Luekenga, Safety Director Ben Anderson and AB Francis Miller Santa’s Castle Holiday Tradition Sails on in Port of Tacoma The latest chapter in the union’s rich tradition of supporting America’s military members eloquently was penned during the 2016 Christmas holiday season at the Port of Tacoma, Washington. And some chapter it was, as Seafarers continued their philanthropic practice of backing the annual Santa’s Castle Project. Santa’s Castle is a nonprofit charity organization that’s dedicated to providing Christmas gifts to military families, primarily those in the rank of E-4 and below, who are experiencing financial hardship. Seafarers last year made donations to the project that approached the $10,000 mark. In addition to making cash contributions, mariners donated a virtual boatload of toys and other gifts to the all-volunteer endeavor including: 25 bicycles; two motorized Mini Coopers; Hot Wheels; dozens of dolls; musical instruments; remote-controlled cars and helicopters; books; board games and much more. According to SIU Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, who coordinates the union’s participation in the undertaking, Tacoma Seafarers to date have given upwards of $75,000 to Santa’s Castle and to the men and women of our armed forces, particularly those stationed at nearby Joint Base LewisMcChord. “Joe and his team are amazing in terms of helping us in our efforts,” said Santa’s Castle Purchasing Vice President Anita Vargo, who has been with the project for the past six of its 21-year existence. “They consistently make donations that are in the $10,000 to $12,000 range. “If it were not for them and their generosity, I really don’t know where the project would be,” she continued. “Last year we were really falling short of our goals in terms of having an adequate supply of toys avail- able to donate to the military families here. It was their (Tacoma Seafarers) donations that put us over the top and saved the day. “We always look forward to receiving the backing and support of the Seafarers,” Vargo concluded. “They truly are an amazing group of men and women.” SA Rupert Henry is one of the mariners to whom Vargo was referring. A naturalized American citizen, Henry was born in Jamaica. He donned the SIU colors in 2006 and calls Tacoma his home port. “I think Santa’s Castle is a very good thing because it helps soldiers who receive low wages because of their ranks provide for their kids during the holidays,” he said. “Although I was not blessed with any kids of my own, I still enjoy giving. It’s a pleasure for me to give whenever I can afford it. “I made up my mind to spend at least $600 toward this project each year,” Henry continued. “So far, I’ve given six bicycles to the project each year since its inception. The only time I have not supported the project is when I am working overseas during the holidays.” Noting the critical jobs handled by military personnel, Henry continued, “Members of our armed forces help to protect us from all kinds of evil in the world, and the cost of freedom is not cheap. I appreciate what they do for all of us. Like them, I’m a part of this nation, and as an American Merchant Marine, I’ll do anything for it including fighting and dying if necessary. “Whatever I can do to support the armed forces and its cause, I’ll gladly do it,” Henry concluded. Reflecting on the role Seafarers played in the 2016 iteration of Santa’s Castle, Vincenzo said he was proud of the fashion in which his brothers and sisters stepped up to the challenge. “Our toy drive and holiday luncheon is the best time of year for us here in Tacoma,” he said. “This year, not unlike other years, we planned and portioned our luncheon menu and converted our business-as-usual hiring hall into a festive venue where we got to thank the armed forces and give back to our community and in particular to the men and women of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and their families. You can never say thank you enough, especially to our war fighters and peace keepers.” Vincenzo concluded by noting that he had many people to thank for making the most recent Santa’s Castle experience the huge success that it was. “I want to thank Crowley and in particularly Director of Labor Relations Lee Egland and Captain Scott Craig for again partnering with us and for making the trip down to join in the festivities,” he said. “They also brought along three more bicycles.” Vincenzo then singled out members for recognition including SA Henry QMED Electrician Kevin McCagh, who donated two motorized Mini Coopers. “I [also] want to thank Shore Gang Bosun Ken Clinton in particular for making cash donations and for bringing in a total of six bicycles. Recently retired shore gang crew members AB Dana Cella and Jimmy McParland also deserve credit,” he said. In addition to the foregoing members, Vincenzo said a host of others also made donations, and volunteered their time in a number of other important areas including shopping for toys and assisting during the luncheon. “To each and every one of them, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said. Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, Crowley Captain Scott Craig, Santa’s Castle VP Anita Vargo, Santa’s Castle President Amy Luekenga and Lee Egland, Crowley director of Labor Relations SA Rupert Henry poses with the six bikes he donated. Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, GUDE Sakr Kassem, “Michelle”, Administrative Assistant Brenda Flesner, QMED Earl Olson, GUDE Faisal Almraisi, AB Benjamin Picar, Safety Director Ben Anderson, AB John Villa, QMED-El Jose Bonita, AB Mark Villa, AB Mark Hallberg, SA Rupert Henry, AB Francis Miller, AB Robert Couvillon, (Kneeling) AB Mitchell French, SREC Shawn Fujiwara, GUDE Armando Amante. Mrs. Aletha Villa and newborn son Cedric, family of AB John Villa � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2017 Description An account of the resource HEADLINESUNION SHIPYARD CHRISTENS ECO CLASS VESSEL SIU-CREWED BOWDITCH MAKES INTERNATIONAL NEWS IN SCIENTIFIC DRONE INCIDENT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA SECRETARY CHAO BACKS JONES ACT, U.S. MARINERS COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF SIU ELECTION MICHAEL SACCO IS REELECTED PRESIDENT OF SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION PHILLY SHIPYARD HOSTS APT TANKER KEEL LAYING CANADIAN UNIONS MARCH ACROSS COUNTY TO PROTECT CABOTAGE LAWS, MARINER JOBS USCG SCHEDULES THIRD AND FINAL EL FARO HEARING HEINDEL PROMOTES INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY WITH ALL JAPAN SEAMEN’S UNION JOURNALIST PROVIDES LOOK INTO MARITIME CRIMES MTD HOSTS FORUM ILLUMINATING IMPORTANT WORK OF NY TIMES REPORTED URBINA USCG ISSUES MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL PROCESSING UPDATE WHEELER MARINERS MAKE HOLIDAY DONATIONS TO KOREAN ORPHANAGE SIU-CREWED ARC VESSELS SUPPORT MILITARY EXERCISE ALL HANDS SAFE AS MARINERS EXTINGUISH FIRE ON CAR CARRIER SEAFARERS ACTIVATE CAPE WRATH IN BALTIMORE MASTON CONSUMER CREW HONORS MEMORY OF THE LATE ‘CAPT. JAY’ SANTA’S CASTLE HOLIDAY TRADITION SAILS ON IN PORT OF TACOMA Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2017 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 79, No. 2 http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/ff2edfde9eff70d3cb915ac52d9b6f95.pdf 5da64d5b582a7b9e910f9c8145fc54fc PDF Text Text FEBRUARY F E B R U A2018 RY 2014 V O L U M EVOLUME 7 6 o 80, N ONO. . 22 House Hearing Backs U.S. Maritime Strong Bipartisan Support Evident for Merchant Marine During a recent hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives, congressmen from both sides of the aisle forcefully spoke in favor of maintaining a robust American maritime industry. U.S. Reps. Duncan Hunter (R-California) (far right), John Garamendi (D-California) (immediate right) and others expressed unwavering support for the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, cargo preference laws, and American crews. Hunter chairs the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, where the hearing took place, while Garamendi is the ranking member. Some of the other attendees are pictured below. Pages 2, 3. SIU Philanthropy Aims to Aid American Military Families Seafarers in Tacoma, Washington, late last year continued their traditional support of Santa’s Castle, an annual program that provides toys and other goodies for U.S. military families during Christmas season. The union hall in Tacoma served as a staging area for SIU donations. Pictured at the hall are (photo below) Chief Steward Norman Cox and (photo at right, from left) DEU Reynaldo Mambulao and SA Lisa Wert. The SIU participants donated around $9,500 worth of toys and other items. Page 24. Union Membership Increases Page 2 Rep. Scalise Honored Page 5 Annual Tax Tips Pages 12-14 �Maritime’s Puerto Rico Relief Efforts Continue President’s Report ‘Cornerstone of Security’ There were a number of highly encouraging comments made at last month’s U.S. House of Representatives hearing on the state of the American maritime industry. These remarks included written testimony as well as dialogue that happened during the usual question-and-answer sessions that followed the prepared remarks from two separate panels. (Full coverage of the hearing appears elsewhere in this edition.) Several things stood out to me about the supportive commentary. For one, it came from both sides of the aisle and from pretty much every component of our industry. For another, it reflected not only in-depth knowledge of the laws and programs that keep Old Glory flying on American-built ships and tugs and other vessels, but also the need to spread the word about precisely why the United States must maintain a viable U.S. Merchant Marine. Congressman Duncan Hunter chaired the hearing of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and as usual, he didn’t Michael Sacco sugarcoat his pro-maritime views. I especially appreciated his description of the Jones Act. Congressman Hunter said in part, “In order for us to maintain the way of life as we know it as a nation that is secure and is able to project power, be it Navy power or commercial (maritime) power, the Jones Act is intrinsic to that. It’s the cornerstone of all of them.” He also said it would be “stupid” and “absurd” to give away our shipbuilding capacity and let foreign-owned, foreign-crewed vessels loose on our waterways. I could not agree more. But he finished with a vital point, and it may seem familiar if you’ve kept up with these columns. Congressman Hunter cited the need to “keep educating and educating because that’s what it’s going to take so that people understand why [America needs the Jones Act] and how it is one of the cornerstones of our entire country’s national security apparatus.” You might recall that three other congressmen voiced the same sentiment during the Maritime Trades Department (MTD) convention in October. One of them, Congressman Bennie Thompson, said our industry has “the best message in the world.” But it’s up to us, collectively, to inform Congress, the administration, other politicians and the general public. It’s up to us to help people understand why America needs not only the Jones Act but also the Maritime Security Program, strong cargo preference laws, a fully functional U.S. Export-Import Bank and – most importantly in my admittedly biased eyes – a cadre of U.S. civilian mariners who are always available to uphold the U.S. Merchant Marine’s role as the fourth arm of defense. The SIU works on this mission every day, whether through individual grassroots political action, or participating in departments like the MTD or coalitions like the American Maritime Partnership, or using our newspaper, website and social-media accounts to promote the outstanding work of SIU members. I agree with the congressmen who spoke at last month’s hearing and at the MTD convention – they basically said that some of our industry’s problems stem from lack of awareness about our outstanding value. That’s an ongoing project, but I think we’ve all stepped up and are making progress since last year’s hurricanes (which spurred some severe misrepresentations of what American maritime is really all about). My thanks go to Congressman Hunter and Congressman John Garamendi (ranking member of the subcommittee) for conducting the hearing, and to the other representatives who attended and spoke out in favor of the U.S. Merchant Marine. They include Congressmen Garret Graves, Randy Weber, Rick Larsen and Alan Lowenthal. With people like that on our side, we are going to succeed in revitalizing our industry. Our entire nation will benefit, and we’ll all be more secure. FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 76 Volume 80, Number 2 o NO. 2 February 2018 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Jenny Stokes; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2018 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. The United States territory of Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria in September 2017, leaving millions of people to pick up the pieces in the wake of the storm’s devastation. U.S.-flag vessels (many with SIU crews) promptly began transporting relief supplies to the island, which was in desperate need of clean water, generators and other basic necessities. The SIU, along with the union’s allies in the maritime, labor and business communities, has continued to support recovery efforts in the New Year. For example, the SIU is a co-sponsor of Operation Agua, an initiative spearheaded by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) that has helped provide clean drinking water to people throughout the territory. Operation Agua’s other cosponsors are the Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (AMPR, an affiliate of the AFT), Seafarers-contracted Tote Maritime, AFSCME, Operation Blessing International, and the Hispanic Federation. “The AMPR is here for our students, our members, our schools and our communities,” said Aida Diaz, AMPR president. “We started our efforts in the schools because we wanted to ensure our students and staff had safe drinking water. This is a continuing plan to help Puerto Rico recover and rebuild and to support public education on our island.” As of mid-January, the coalition had raised more than $1.6 million dollars in donations, all of which go directly to providing Kohler Clarity water filters to families in need all over the island, as well as larger-capacity filtration systems for schools, union offices and other community centers. “We delivered Operation Agua water filters, clothes and gifts to students and faculty at Puerto Rico public schools—some still without electricity and only intermittent access to drinking water for the past three months since Hurricane Maria,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “I am in awe of all the educators and students here who are striving to move forward in the face of such daunting circumstances. I am equally inspired by the generosity of people all across our country who have collectively helped us get half way to our goal. We will continue to support Puerto Rico to help make sure that our children are safe, that they receive all the help they need and that this crisis is not invisible, and the federal government should do the same.” All the filters that have been distributed on the island as a part of Operation Agua were shipped to Puerto Rico free of charge by Tote Maritime. Containers full of filters and other relief supplies continue to arrive weekly on Tote-operated Jones Act vessels. Separately, Seafarers-contracted Crowley and other vessel operators have also been delivering relief cargoes to the island. As stated by the new chairman of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP), Matt Woodruff, during recent testimony before Congress, “Since Hurricane Maria hit the island, domestic liner carriers including Crowley, TOTE, and Trailer Bridge have delivered over 75,000 containers to the island. These containers include relief cargoes like food, clothing, water, and medicine as well as rebuilding supplies. In addition to containers, roll-on/roll-off, tank, and bulk shipments have delivered fuel, electric poles, utility trucks, tanker trucks, heavy equipment, and other cargoes.” Woodruff concluded, “Finally, the Puerto Rico carriers are doing more than just delivering cargo – they are supporting the island, including using their own truck distribution networks to deliver goods; coordinating with federal and local government entities and relief organizations to improve final mile delivery; and organiz- ing community events and donations on the island.” In addition, Kohler produced a short video on the relief efforts, and how to donate to Operation Agua. Links to more information, as well as details on donating or becoming an Operation Agua sponsor, can be found at www. operationagua.com. Meanwhile, some private individuals are making their own contributions to the recovery of the island. Assisted in their endeavor by Tote, Deb and Robin Roberts recently distributed more than 30,000 pounds of food, bottled water and other necessities to the people of Puerto Rico. They had organized their relief effort in November by asking their local community in Wilton, Maine, to donate supplies in honor of their son, Michael Holland. Holland was serving aboard the El Faro as the third engineer when tragedy struck in October 2015, claiming his life and those of the other 32 people aboard, including 17 SIU members, amidst a hurricane not unlike 2017’s Hurricane Maria. Holland had spent considerable time in Puerto Rico, as the El Faro was dedicated to the Puerto Rico trade lane. The Roberts felt called to support the people and communities who played such an integral role in their son’s life. “It was truly a rewarding experience to be able to help the people of Puerto Rico in memory of our son, Michael,” commented Deb and Robin Roberts. “We are so grateful to everyone at Tote for helping us to make the drive a success. Without their efforts and support, we never would’ve been able to make it happen.” “Partnering with the Roberts to bring goods to the island has been a gift,” said Anthony Chiarello, president and CEO of Tote. “There are still so many families and communities struggling to survive after Hurricane Maria – these goods will be invaluable to people throughout the island.” BLS Data Shows Increase in Union Membership Union membership was on the rise in 2017, according to the latest annual report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As stated in the report, union membership in the U.S. grew by 262,000 last year, to 14.817 million, while union density stayed at 10.7 percent. Unionists’ wage advantage over their non-union colleagues grew again, according to the BLS, which issued its report in mid-January. The median wage for unionist members in 2017 was $1,041, compared to $829 for unrepresented workers. And the wage gap between working men and women was, as usual, smaller for union workers, at 88 percent of the average male union wage ($970 for women, $1,102 for men.) The data showed that last year, 11.4 percent of working men and 10 percent of working women belonged to a union. Those percentages are much higher in the public sector, where 34.4 percent of government employees are protected by a union. In the transportation industry, 17.3 percent of workers were union in 2017. As shown in the BLS report, union membership also increased among younger people, with 877,000 Richard Trumka President, AFL-CIO union members between the ages of 16 and 24 and 3 million members between 25 and 34. According to the report, union density rose in Michigan, Minnesota and South Carolina, and declined slightly in Missouri – though the legislation that would have brought so-called “right to work” laws to Missouri has stalled thanks to grassroots political efforts. The most unionized states in 2017 were still New York and Hawaii, at 23.8 and 21.3 percent, respectively. The report reaffirmed that most union members are still concentrated in the Northeast, the Great Lakes and the Pacific Coast, though gains are being made in other states. The AFL-CIO, of which the SIU is a member, hailed these latest numbers as a victory, saying that the increase in union members “reflects critical organizing victories across a range of industries, which have reaped higher wages, better benefits, and a more secure future for working people around the country.” “In the face of a challenging year, the power of working people is on the rise,” said AFLCIO President Richard Trumka. “Together, we organized historic new unions, stood up to powerful corporations, and won higher wages.... But today’s data is more than numbers on a page; it’s a growing movement of working people that can’t be measured as easily. When more union members fill the halls of power, when wages rise and inequality shrinks, and when a growing number of people see that we can and will change the rules of this economy – that’s when you’ll know unions are on the rise.” Reversed to White Reversed to White 2 Seafarers LOG February 2018 �Congressional, Maritime Leaders Emphasize Backing of Jones Act, MSP, Cargo Preference Strong bipartisan support for the U.S. Merchant Marine was readily apparent during a recent hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives. Conducted Jan. 17 by the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation (part of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee), the hearing’s broad purpose was to examine the state of the U.S.-flag maritime industry. U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-California) chairs the subcommittee, while U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-California) is its ranking member. Subcommittee members heard from two panels. The first consisted of U.S. Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby and U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Nadeau, the agency’s assistant commandant for prevention policy. The second comprised Matt Woodruff, newly elected chair of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP); Eric Ebeling, president and CEO of American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier Group (testifying on behalf of USA Maritime); Aaron Smith, president and CEO of the Offshore Marine Service Association; Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America; and Bill Van Loo, secretary-treasurer of the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (testifying on behalf of his union along with the SIU, AMO and MM&P). Throughout the two-hour hearing, legislators from both sides of the aisle along with panelists spelled out why U.S. national, economic and homeland security rely on a strong American maritime industry. The industry in turn depends on laws and programs prominently including the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program (MSP), and cargo preference. The return of a fully functioning U.S. ExportImport (Ex-Im) Bank also would provide a much-needed boost to American-flag shipping, several speakers noted. Hunter voiced concern about the shrinking pool of U.S. mariners, and commended the industry’s efforts to mitigate the problem in part through the Military to Maritime program, which assists veterans in transitioning to careers in the U.S.-flag industry. (The SIU is a partner organization.) Hunter also expressed incredulity at recent opposition to the Jones Act, which he described as “the absurdity of trying to take away America’s cabotage law. In order to maintain life as we know it, the Jones Act is intrinsic to that. It is the cornerstone…. I hope that we keep educating, because that’s what it’s going to take. The Jones Act is one of the cornerstones of our entire security apparatus.” Garamendi also cited Jones Act support as a top maritime priority. He said, “First and foremost, we cannot become complacent in our defense of the Jones Act, and our efforts along with other organizations to raise public awareness of the need for, and the many benefits that flow from this longstanding maritime policy.” He added, “We need to … find new cargoes for U.S.-flag vessels in the international and coastwise trades. More cargo means more ships, and more ships mean more good-paying maritime jobs…. The export of oil and natural gas give us such an opportunity. We need better enforcement of existing cargo preference requirements, especially for the Food Aid shipments…. We also need to look creatively at how best to recapitalize our nation’s Ready Reserve Force, Military Sealift Command (MSC), and Maritime Security Program fleets.” Buzby, formerly the commanding officer of MSC, reviewed the statutory mission of the Maritime Administration (MARAD), which is part of the Transportation Department. That mandate “is to foster, promote, and develop the maritime industry of the United States to meet the nation’s economic and security needs,” he said. “Congress long ago recognized that it is necessary for national defense, and development of domestic and foreign commerce, that we have a U.S. Merchant Marine capable of serving in times of war or national emergency, and composed of the best-equipped, safest, and most suitable types of vessels, constructed in the U.S., and crewed by trained and efficient citizen mariners.” He continued, “Unfortunately, over the last few decades, the U.S. maritime industry has suffered losses as companies, ships, and jobs moved overseas. MARAD will continue to leverage, as appropriate, the current mainstays of the merchant marine: the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, and cargo preference…. The U.S. military, the most powerful military in the world, relies on U.S.-flag vessels crewed by U.S. civilian mariners, operating from strategic ports, and using intermodal systems to ensure delivery of vital supplies and equipment to service members and their families stationed overseas. This transportation partnership between the U.S. military and the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine has been proven as reliable, enabling, and cost-effective to meeting sealift requirements.” Turning to cabotage, Buzby stated, “Coastwise trade laws promote a strong and vibrant U.S. domestic maritime industry, which helps the United States maintain its expertise in shipbuilding and maritime transportation. The Jones Act also ensures that vessels navigating on a daily basis among and between U.S. coastal ports and vulnerable inland waterways are operating with U.S. documentation and crew rather than under a foreign flag with foreign crew.” Nadeau said, “A healthy maritime industry is vital to the nation’s economic prosperity and national security. It is also dynamic and continually evolving to meet stakeholder demand.” AMP Chairman Woodruff praised U.S. mariners for their effective responses to last year’s hurricanes that struck the mainland, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “In many cases, the men and women of our industry put aside the need to address damage to their own homes in order to help their fellow Americans because they knew the cargo they carried represented a lifeline to impacted areas,” Woodruff said. Specifically addressing the Puerto Rico relief effort, he added, “As you all know, the original narrative was that the Jones Act was impairing the recovery effort, a narrative that was proven to be patently false. Thanks to your hearing last October, public statements, and other factors, the story quickly changed and the truth came out. In reality, the Jones Act fleet was steadily delivering containers to the island, which, unfortunately, were stacking up on the terminals due to road closures and other inland infrastructure issues that resulted from the hurricane. Today, we can say without equivocation Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-California) Rep. John Garamendi (D-California) that the Jones Act fleet was and continues to be a major part of the recovery effort.” Woodruff concluded his prepared statement by citing the numerous security benefits directly stemming from the Jones Act: “If your concern is national security, the Jones Act contributes to it, whether by helping maintain the shipyard industrial base that is vital to national security, providing a pool of mariners who have demonstrated through the ages that they will go into harm’s way to support America’s interests and defense, or through using commercial vessels for military cargoes. If you worry about homeland security, you can sleep better knowing that the vessels plying our inland waters, often carrying dangerous cargoes, are manned by security-screened Americans, who care about keeping your home safe and secure, because they are your neighbors. If you care about economic security, you are glad to know that the vessels that keep vital goods moving between American cities and energy flowing will not disappear overnight because of a decision by a foreign power. You know the industry provides well-paying, family wage jobs that allow Americans to climb the ladder of economic security. You know that we cannot have energy independence or dominance if we have to depend on foreign interests to get our domestic energy out of the ground and to its markets in America.” Ebeling said the U.S.-flag fleet “has been at a crossroads in recent years.” He reiterated the industry’s confidence in Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Transportation Command Commanding Officer Gen. Darren McDew, and Maritime Administrator Buzby. He then detailed the effectiveness and importance of the MSP, cargo preference laws and a fully functioning Ex-Im Bank. “Smart and effective management by the U.S. Maritime Administration, and full cooperation of the shipper agencies such as the Department of Defense, Export-Import Bank, USAID, and other government shipping agencies is critically important to the U.S. international fleet, and to the survival of the U.S. Merchant Marine, which provides the loyal, competent, well-trained mariners for our ves- Mark Buzby Maritime Administrator Bill Van Loo MEBA Secretary-Treasurer Eric Ebeling President/CEO, ARC sels,” Ebeling said. “It is a rather simple equation. Without cargo, carriers will not invest in ships, and without ships, there will not be jobs for merchant mariners. Without those merchant mariners, the government-owned reserve fleet cannot be crewed.” Smith of OMSA said his organization “is a strong supporter of the Jones Act. This act has proven time and again to promote U.S. national, homeland, and economic security.” Paxton, head of the shipbuilder coalition, said of the Jones Act, “This policy, which is provided at no cost to the U.S. government, helps to maintain a merchant marine that is sufficient to carry our domestic waterborne commerce and also ensures that there is sufficient U.S. capacity to serve as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency.” He offered several illustrations of how some foreign countries subsidize their shipyards – a fact that shouldn’t be overlooked when calculating the costs of American-built vessels. “U.S. shipyards do not compete on a level playing field in the worldwide market,” he observed. “For example, last year South Korea’s government injected $2.6 billion into one of their most prominent shipyards in order to keep the yard from going bankrupt. China’s government subsidies are extremely difficult to detect and measure, partly because international trade agreements prohibit direct and indirect subsidies. However, we know that there is a certain extent of market manipulation based on international news reports and recent studies. “On top of [a] scrapping incentive, the Chinese government offers more overt support for its shipyard industry through cash infusions,” he added. “One such shipyard, Rongsheng, received state subsidies of up to $202 million per year from 2010 to 2012.” Van Loo pointed to the U.S. Merchant Marine’s centuries-long history of supporting the nation in peace and war. Like other panelists, he also said America has reached a dangerous point for its U.S.-flag fleet and the men and women who crew the vessels. “We continue the patriotic tradition of American mariners serving since the founding of our nation – we remain willing to sail into harm’s way in order to support and supply our military overseas,” Van Loo said. “A strong U.S.-flag fleet and the corresponding base of American merchant mariners is imperative to securing America’s economic and national security. Unfortunately, the pool of licensed and unlicensed mariners has shrunk to a critical level. Without governmental action, the military will no longer be able to rely on the allvolunteer U.S. Merchant Marine as our nation’s fourth arm of defense…. The commercial sealift capacity and its pool of highly trained and experienced mariners is reaching a diminished point of no return.” He then spelled out numerous steps that can be taken to rectify the problems, and pledged the ongoing cooperation of maritime labor. During question-and-answer periods, other subcommittee members expressed strong support for the Jones Act and the industry as a whole including Reps. Garret Graves (R-Louisiana), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Rick Larsen (D-Washington) and Alan Lowenthal (D-California). February 2018 Seafarers LOG 3 �El Faro Investigation Concludes After 26 Months The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Dec. 12 conducted an all-day meeting in the nation’s capital that marked the end of its 26-month investigation of the El Faro sinking. While the board cited numerous factors in the October 2015 tragedy – an incident that claimed the lives of 33 mariners, including 17 SIU members – they primarily pointed to the vessel master’s “failure to avoid sailing into a hurricane despite numerous opportunities to route a course away from hazardous weather,” the NTSB said in a news release. However, NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt stated, “The El Faro didn’t have to sail into Hurricane Joaquin, and having met the hurricane, didn’t have to sink. The captain’s decisions were important, but there’s also more to this accident.” He added, “We may never understand why the captain failed to heed his crew’s concerns about sailing into the path of a hurricane, or why he refused to chart a safer course away from such dangerous weather. But we know all too well the devastating consequences of those decisions.” Based on the findings of the investigation, the NTSB made 29 recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard, two to the Federal Communications Commission, one to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, nine to the International Association of Classification Societies, one to the American Bureau of Shipping, one to Furuno Electric Company and 10 to vessel operator Tote Services. Many are consistent with conclusions from related report (issued in October 2017) by the Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation. NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt speaks during an El Faro investigation press briefing on Dec. 12, 2017. (Photo courtesy NTSB) The NTSB recommendations include: n Revise regulations to increase the minimum required propulsion and critical athwartships machinery angles of inclination. Concurrently, requirements for lifeboat launching angles should be increased above new machinery angles to provide a margin of safety for abandoning ship after machinery failure. n Propose to the International Mari- time Organization (IMO) that all watertight access doors and access hatch covers normally closed at sea be provided with open/close indicators both on the bridge and locally. n Require that vessels in ocean service (500 gross tons or more) be equipped with properly operating meteorological instruments, including functioning barometers, barographs, and anemometers. Tacoma, Washington n Require that all personnel employed on vessels in coastal, Great Lakes, and ocean service be provided with a personal locator beacon to enhance their chances of survival. Tote Services released a statement on the NTSB’s findings that read, “We as a company intend to learn everything possible from this accident and the resulting investigations to prevent anything similar from occurring in the future. Tote also remains focused, as we have from the start, on caring for the families of those we lost and working daily ashore and at sea to safeguard the lives of mariners.” The complete accident report is expected to be available in the near future. The executive summary, including the findings, probable cause and safety recommendations is available online. Additional information related to this investigation, including news releases, photographs, videos, and a link to the accident docket containing more than 30,000 pages of factual material, is available on the El Faro accident investigation web page. The 790-foot cargo vessel El Faro, en route from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, sank Oct. 1, 2015, in the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Joaquin. As outlined in the report, when the ship departed, the vessel had a range of navigational tools that would have allowed it to steer clear of the storm, which would eventually strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane. According to the NTSB, the captain ignored suggestions from the bridge, and used outdated weather forecasts in ordering a course that failed to avoid the path of the hurricane, which pounded the ship with 35-foot seas and 100-mph winds. Oakland, California Benefits Conferences Conclude At Nine SIU Halls Around Country Pictured at the hall in Wilmington, California, are (from left) SIU SecretaryTreasurer David Heindel, SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone and Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen. The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) in midDecember finished a series of informational conferences that began last summer and took place at a total of nine SIU halls. The three most recent gatherings occurred Dec. 11-13 at (in order) the halls in Tacoma, Washington; Wilmington, California; and Oakland, California. Prior conferences happened at the halls in Piney Point, Maryland; Jacksonville, Florida; Houston; New Orleans; Norfolk, Virginia; and Jersey City, New Jersey. The meetings offered wide-ranging benefits information to SIU members, retirees and their families, plus union employees, many of whom are pictured here. Seafarers Plans Benefits Director Teresa Zelko (right in photo directly above) and Cigna Representative Melissa Smith (second from right) assist attendees in Tacoma, Washington. The photo at left shows some of the SIU members, retirees and family members who turned out for the conference in Wilmington, California 4 Seafarers LOG February 2018 �Congressman Scalise Receives Maritime Honor A longtime backer of the U.S. maritime industry recently received prestigious recognition from a major coalition. U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) on Dec. 12 accepted the “Champion of Maritime” award from the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) during a brief ceremony in the nation’s capital. AMP’s member organizations, including the SIU, represent all facets of the domestic maritime industry. In announcing the award, AMP cited Scalise’s “extraordinary support and dedication to the American maritime industry.” “Each year, AMP presents the Champion of Maritime Award to a Member of Congress who has demonstrated exceptional support for the hard-working men and women of the American maritime industry,” the coalition said in a news release. “Rep. Scalise is a longstanding champion of the Jones Act and recognizes not only the critical contribution that the American maritime industry makes to Louisiana by providing thousands of family-wage jobs in the state, but also the critical importance of this industry to the nation’s economic, national, and homeland security interests.” Scalise stated, “I’m honored to receive the Champion of Maritime Award. The maritime industry is vital to Louisiana’s economy, creating more than 50,000 jobs for hard- A close-up view of the Champion of Maritime award USNS Yuma’s SIU Crew Rescues 7 SIU members sailing aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessel USNS Yuma put their skills to the test during a recent rescue at sea of some adrift pleasure boaters off the coast of Florida. Those stranded aboard the smaller boat had been without power for six hours, and were at the mercy of the sea, by the time their distress call was heard at 10 p.m. on October 29. The Yuma is an expeditionary fast transport vessel that is crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division. “Yuma was transiting from Gulfport, Mississippi, to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story when we received a request from the U.S. Coast Guard to assist the 50-foot pleasure boat Good Ole Girl II, which had working Louisiana families, and contributing more than $11 billion annually into our state’s economy. Additionally, America’s maritime industry is not only responsible for creating and supporting hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs across our country, it is also a critical component of America’s homeland security strategy. I have long been a strong advocate for the hard-working men and women in America’s maritime industry who work tirelessly to protect our waterways, and I’ll continue to fight every day to defend and uphold the Jones Act, which is vital to the national and economic security of our country.” “Congressman Scalise continues to be a tremendous champion for the domestic American maritime industry and truly understands our industry’s critical role to the vitality and security of our nation,” said Thomas Allegretti, who served as chairman of AMP through 2017. “Through his steadfast support for our domestic maritime industry that sustains nearly 500,000 jobs from coast to coast, it is our honor to award Congressman Scalise with our highest recognition – the Champion of Maritime Award – for his diligent dedication to our American maritime companies and American mariners.” Citing just one recent example of the congressman’s backing of the nation’s freight cabotage law, the coalition pointed out that earlier in 2017, “Rep. Scalise demonstrated his unwavering commitment when he defended the importance of the lawful interpretation of the Jones Act while U.S. Customs and Border Protection reviewed a flawed letter ruling.” In an op-ed from 2014 that he co-authored with U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-California), Scalise described robust domestic shipbuilding as well as the numerous, vital contributions made by the maritime industry to U.S. security. That piece continued, “This growth would not be possible without the Merchant Marine Act passed by Congress in 1920, commonly referred to as the Jones Act, which requires that vessels moving cargo between U.S. ports be owned by American companies, crewed by American mariners and built in American shipyards. The resulting benefits cannot be understated: More than 40,000 American-owned vessels built in American shipyards and crewed by American mariners move agricultural goods, petroleum, coal, natural gas, chemicals and other essential commodities safely and efficiently along our rivers and coastlines. The domestic maritime industry supports nearly 500,000 jobs and almost $100 billion in economic output.” lost power and was adrift in the heavy seas approximately 15 miles south of Key West, Florida,” said Capt. David Gommo, USNS Yuma’s master. “The boat was approximately 45 miles south of Yuma when the distress call was received.” There were no other Coast Guard or Navy vessels in the area when the distress call was picked up by the Yuma, so the ship, the Navy’s newest in its class, changed course to search for the adrift vessel. The seas were between 7-9 feet at the time of the search. “My biggest initial concern was that if we were going to perform a rescue at sea, I wanted to do it during daylight hours as I didn’t want the added complexity of performing a rescue at sea in the dark,” said Gommo. They eventually arrived on scene and performed a “skin-to-skin” maneuver with the Good Ole Girl II. Initially, attempts were made to tow the disabled vessel back to Florida, but the rough seas proved too much of a challenge, and the seven passengers of the pleasure vessel boarded the Yuma and left the smaller craft to drift. U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (left) is introduced by Tom Allegretti, who served as chair of the American Maritime Partnership. The op-ed went on to point out, “The security importance of this law is equally, if not more important than the economic benefits. For decades, U.S. military leaders have supported the Jones Act because of its national and homeland security benefits…. The domestic maritime industry also protects America’s security interests within our own borders. Our connected system of waterways links the heart of our nation to our coasts. Without the Jones Act, vessels and crews from foreign nations could move freely on U.S. waters, creating a more porous border, increasing possible security threats and introducing vessels and mariners who do not adhere to U.S. standards into the bloodstream of our nation…. The Jones Act should be hailed as a commercial and a public policy success. It is the critical factor that ensures a vibrant domestic maritime sector, which in turn helps propel the American economy and protect vital U.S. national and homeland security interests.” The Good Ole Girl II has since washed up on the shores of Cuba, and the owner is in the process of retrieving the vessel. “The rescue of the passengers aboard Good Ole Girl II was an all-hands evolution. From maintaining the proper propulsion and navigational direction to line-handling, all of Yuma’s mariners were key to the rescue’s success,” said Gommo. The rescued boaters wrote a letter to Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne, commander of MSC, to convey their thanks to the crew of the Yuma. As stated in the letter, “We want to express our deepest gratitude, honor, praise and respect to these heroes. We are forever indebted to them. Everyone demonstrated the highest quality of care and generosity while aboard Yuma.... Yuma is an incredible vessel, but it is the captain and crew which make her extraordinary to us.” Mewbourne likewise expressed his thanks to the crew of the Yuma, in a letter which congratulated them on a job well done. The rescued boaters pose for a photo with the crew of the USNS Yuma. (Photo courtesy USNS Yuma) February 2018 Seafarers LOG 5 �SIU-Crewed USS Cable Completes Upgrade The Seafarers-crewed submarine tender USS Frank Cable transits the Pacific Ocean in late December. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Randall W. Ramaswamy) The Seafarers-crewed submarine tender USS Frank Cable is headed back to its home port at Naval Base Guam, following a lengthy shipyard period. Members of the SIU Government Services Division sail aboard the Cable, which departed the Vigor Industrial shipyard in Portland, Oregon, Dec. 21 and arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Jan. 2 en route to Guam. The ship carries a hybrid crew of civilian mariners and Navy sailors. According to the U.S. Navy, the Cable spent more than eight months in the shipyard, where “it went through a main reduction gear foundation repair and shafting, a collection holding tank replacement and received more than 600,000 pounds of renewed steel to enhance survivability and watertight resistance.” The improvements to the nearly 40-year-old ship cost $56 million. “The Navy and Military Sealift Command crew worked very hard during this shipyard period to maximize repairs and material conditions,” said MSC ship’s master Capt. Patrick Christian. “Now we are ready to rejoin the fleet and get back on our mission.” “MSC and what they bring is vital to our mission,” said Capt. Jeff Farah, the Cable’s commanding officer. “Our mission can take place in port, forward deployed, through fly-away teams, or on land. MSC gives us the flexibility to deploy at a moment’s notice.” During off-duty hours, the crew made appearances for Fleet Week and supported multiple organizations, including Meals on Wheels and Wreaths Across America. “Portland is a community that doesn’t typically have a large naval presence,” said Farah. “During our time there, not only did we have a chance to get involved in the community and volunteer, but we got to participate in the Portland Rose Festival.” Longtime Seafarer Walter Wise Shares Safety Tips SIU member Walter Wise isn’t sure what made him think of it, but when he realized he’d reached a significant safety milestone, he wanted to share some pointers. Wise joined the SIU in 1989 and sailed as a chief cook in the inland division on the Mississippi River until 2004. He shifted to the Great Lakes from 2004-2015 (sailing as second cook and chief cook), and then pivoted to the deep-sea division in 2016. Through it all – last September marked 28 years with the Seafarers – Wise has never had a lost-time injury. “I’m definitely not bragging or anything,” Wise said. “But I’m proud of going that long without a lost-time injury, and I also owe a lot to the SIU. If it weren’t for the union, I don’t know where I’d be. They’ve helped me to stay safe. I just thought about it the other day.” Wise, who most recently sailed as an ACU, said the training he has received at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland, played a big role in his milestone. He has completed numerous safety and upgrading courses at the school, dating back to 1996. “The school has improved and changed quite a bit over the years,” he observed. In addition to learning through upgrading, when it comes to safety, Wise says, “Pay attention to your supervisor, and keep your eyes open at all times for things that can cause you to have an accident. I’ve been in the galley for a long time (he previously sailed in the deck department), but you can get hurt there, too.” In summary, he said the key is “awareness. Just be aware of surroundings to stay safe.” Wise, 68, got started with the SIU after working for a fleet service while he lived in Illinois. He plans to sail for at least a few more years, and has a favorable view of the industry. “I’m enjoying sailing with the union,” he stated. “I recommend it to whoever I talk to on the beach.” SIU member Walter Wise 6 Seafarers LOG February 2018 �Alaska Tanker Company Reaches Safety Milestones Solidarity in Sunshine State The SIU was well-represented in mid-December at the Florida AFL-CIO convention in Orlando. Pictured from left are SIU Asst. VP Archie Ware, AFL-CIO Executive VP Tefere Gebre, and SIU Asst. VP Kris Hopkins. Ware was re-elected as a vice president at large of the state federation. For Seafarers-contracted Alaska Tanker Company (ATC), the start of the New Year also marked a noteworthy pair of safety milestones. In a written communication to the company’s employees in early January, ATC President and CEO Anil Mathur noted, “The men and women of Alaska Tanker Company have now completed 16 years and 22 million man-hours with only one lost-time injury: a fractured finger back in 2011. During this period, ATC has carried 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil and spilled less than 2.2 gallons of crude to sea (yes: we count every drop).” He continued, “This combination of long-term safety and environmental performance is unmatched in the oil tanker industry, worldwide. Yet, we in ATC do not see ourselves as extraordinary individuals. It’s always felt like a team of ordinary men and women, performing at an extraordinary level. The bedrock of our world class performance is the support we get from our external stakeholders, our operations integrity system, and our safety culture.” Mathur then described the multiple layers of that culture, which include training, teamwork, vessel integrity and much more. Additionally, and as usual when commenting on prior safety achievements, Mathur was quick to include the company’s shipboard unions when crediting others for contributing to ATC’s success. “ATC’s performance has been made possible with the support and encouragement of our external stakeholders,” he wrote. “We are profoundly grateful for this: The financial and technical support from our client, BP; our Owners: Keystone and OSG; our Unions: the SIU and the MEBA; our Suppliers; the citizen groups we work with (RCAC); and our main Regulators: the U.S. Coast Guard; the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation; Washington Department of Ecology; the office of California Oil Spill Prevention and Response. “It is our shipmates and shore staff that have delivered this amazing performance, one job at a time, one day at a time, during this 16-year stretch,” he concluded. “We work 24/7 in mind-numbing freezing cold, howling winds that chill our bones, interrupted sleep patterns, and with months away from our families, and yet our dedication to safety does not waiver. For my shipmates’ unrelenting passion for safety and unparalleled commitment, I am deeply grateful.” Spotlight on Mariner Health Facts About Urinary Tract Infections A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by microbes. These are organisms that cannot be seen by the human eye; you must use a microscope to see them. Most UTIs result from bacteria. Some can be caused by fungi and on rare occasions from viruses. A UTI can happen anywhere in the urinary tract. This includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. However, most urinary infections involve the urethra and bladder. UTI symptoms can include the following (for both men and women): burning sensation with urination; bloody urine; frequency and urgency of urination; cloudy urine with a strong odor; pelvic or rectal pain. Women have a much higher chance of getting a urinary tract infection than men do. Repeat infections are also very common. This is probably due to the fact that women have a shorter urethra, which allows bacteria quicker access to the bladder. Test can be done to check and see if you have a UTI. A routine urine test (called a clean catch) is usually done first. Next, a urine culture can be done to show if any bacteria are in the urine causing problems. Treatment is done with antibiotics that specifically kill the offending organism. Remember that you must take the whole prescription in order to kill the pathogen or you can build up a resistance to the prescribed antibiotic. If you do not finish the antibiotic, the organism can come back and cause more harm. It’s also important to drink lot of water, February 2018 which flushes the kidneys and the bladder. Your doctor may also prescribe a medication in order to soothe the pain and urgency of urination. There are many home remedies for UTIs. None can cure a urinary tract infection! Cranberry juice is good to drink because it does force fluids, but it will not treat the urinary infection. If a urinary infection is left untreated, it can progress up the ureters to the kidneys and cause many more problems such as sepsis. This is a life-threatening event. Risk factors for UTIs include: age (older adults are more likely to get an infection); reduced mobility and sitting for long periods of time; kidney stone history; previous UTIs; urinary tract obstructions or blockages, such as enlarged prostate, certain forms of cancer, and stones; prolonged use of urinary catheters; diabetes that is poorly controlled, There are many things to help in the prevention of UTIs, including: drink lots of water (6-8 glasses a day); not holding urine for a long time in the bladder; trying to manage urinary incontinence so meds are not needed to help fully empty the bladder. A urinary infection can cause pain, urgency, and a real headache. If you suspect that you have one, see your doctor or local health center for treatment as soon as possible. Catch the infection early, get antibiotic treatment as necessary, and you’ll be able to resume your daily activities quickly. Healthy Recipe Bourbon Chicken Servings: 20 8 pounds chicken thighs without skin, trimmed of fat ½ gallon warm water 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1 ¼ teaspoons granulated garlic ½ tablespoons kosher salt ½ tablespoon garlic pepper ¼ cup white vinegar ½ cup soy sauce, low sodium ½ cup ketchup ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice, bottled ¼ cup garlic, minced ¼ cup Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons canola oil n Place the chicken in a tub large enough to hold them. n In a 5-gallon bucket, pour in the warm water and brown sugar along with all the dry ingredients. n Stir all ingredients. n Add all the rest of the ingredients to the warm-water mixture. n Mix until well-blended to make the marinade. n Pour ¾ of the marinade over the chicken. Save ¼ of the marinade to make sauce for later step. n Cover and refrigerate overnight. n Preheat grill to 350 degrees/medhigh. n Coat the grill with some of the canola oil each time you cook a batch of the chicken to help the chicken from sticking to the grill. n Grill the chicken on each side for about 2-3 minutes to get color on them. Chicken will be finished in the oven. n Place the marked chicken in 2” hotel pans. Each pan should have about 20 pieces arranged in 3 rows. n Make the bourbon sauce by heating the reserved marinade. Then thicken with a cornstarch slurry. n Put one cup of bourbon sauce in each pan. n Bake the chicken in a 350-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes until the internal temp is 165 degrees. Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 193 Calories; 6g Fat (26.2% calories from fat); 21g Protein; 14g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 86mg Cholesterol; 590mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 3 Lean Meat; ½ Vegetable; 0 Fruit; ½ Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates. Provided by the Paul Hall Center’s Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship Seafarers LOG 7 �A-BOOK IN JERSEY – AB Alex Busby (left) receives his Aseniority book at the union hall in Jersey City, New Jersey. Port Agent Mark von Siegel is at right. WELCOME ASHORE IN NORFOLK – Port Agent Georg Kenny (right in both photos) congratulates AB Billy Ray Hanbury (photo above) and Lead Tankerman Michael Parks (photo at right) on their respective retirements. Hanbury most recently sailed on the Resolve, while Parks spent the bulk of his career sailing with Penn Maritime. At Sea and Ashore With the SIU FULL BOOK IN HOUSTON – Seafarer Charles Hanohano (hand raised, standing at right) takes the oath from Patrolman Joe Zavala as other SIU members look on. ABOARD ATB VISION – This photo was taken Nov. 19 at the Shell Terminal in Martinez, California. Pictured from left aboard the Crowley vessel are Port Agent Nick Marrone II, Second Mate Thomas Crawley, ABT Matthew Jenness and Recertified Steward Laura Deebach. FULL BOOK IN FLORIDA – Pumpman Jason Horn (left) receives his full book at the hall in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he’s pictured with SIU Asst. VP Kris Hopkins. SALUTING JOHN PATRICK – The SIU in early December turned out in force for an event honoring the service of Texas AFL-CIO President John Patrick (third from right), who stepped down from his post in September. Pictured from left are Safety Director Kevin Sykes, Asst. VP Mike Russo, ITF Inspector Shwe Aung and his son, Ryan Tun Aung, Patrick, SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey and Fr. Sinclair Oubre, who gave the invocation. (Fr. Sinclair is an SIU member.) ABOARD WILLIAM BUTTON – Recertified Bosun Gregory Jackson said Thanksgiving aboard the Crowley-operated William Button was a winner, thanks to the efforts of Recertified Steward Ernest Carlos, Chief Cook James Martin and SAs Porcia Johnson, Jamaal McKenzie, Apalogie Labrador and Jacob Casarez. FULL BOOKS IN PINEY POINT – SIU members recently picking up their respective full books at the union-affiliated school in southern Maryland include QMED Jeffery Thomas (photo at far left), Chief Cook William Moran (above, center), and Chief Cook Frederick Conroy (right in remaining photo, with Port Agent Pat Vandegrift). 8 Seafarers LOG February 2018 �At Sea and Ashore With the SIU BOOKS ISSUED IN OAKLAND – AB Richard Flores (center in photo at left with Port Agent Nick Marrone II, left, and Patrolman Adrian Fracccarolli) receives his B-seniority book at the hall, while FOWT Claude Letts (right in photo at right, with Safety Director Kathy Chester) picks up his A-book. ABOARD ATB GALVESTON – Pictured aboard the USS Transport vessel are (from left) ABs Arthur Patterson, Reny Arzu and Romeo Codillero and Recertified Steward Rene Fernando Guity. DIPLOMAS EARNED IN PINEY POINT – Two Paul Hall Center apprentices successfully tested for their respective high school diplomas late last year at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. Earning the honors were Tristan Cordero (photo at right) and Bryan Velazquez (above). Bryan also got a celebratory cake. ABOARD USNS ALGOL – Recertified Bosun Ritche Acuman does preventive maintenance on the forward crane aboard the Ready Reserve Force ship, which is operated by Ocean Duchess, Inc. WELCOME ASHORE IN TACOMA – Recertified Steward Lincoln Pinn (left) picks up his first pension check, from Port Agent Joe Vincenzo. ABOARD SEABULK TRADER – Getting into the Thanksgiving spirit aboard the Seabulk Tankers vessel are Chief Cook Josh Lee, Chief Steward Marlon Brown, 1AE Douglas Sherman, Capt. Jonathan Nadaeu, OMU Carlos Flores, GSU Dagoberto Norales, CM David Jenkins, 3M Rexford Ryman, CE Luong Trinh, AB Jonathan Anderson, AB Andre Robinson and 3M Tamara Talley. WITH MARYLAND PILOTS – Port Agent Pat Vandegrift submitted this photo of Seafarers Adam Xenides and Kevin Kuhne, who are employed by the Association of Maryland Pilots. CHRISTMAS FEAST ABOARD MAERSK OHIO – The steward department went all out with a scrumptious, wide-ranging menu a few days early, since the ship was scheduled to arrive in port Dec. 25. Pictured from left in the group photo at the immediate left are Recertified Steward Kenneth “Andy” Hagan, AB Richard Sandiford, Recertified Bosun James Joyce, AB Michael Sherman, 3AE Bryan Higgins and Electrician Antoine Rainey. SA Elena Hoener stands by the tree in the photo at right. Rounding out the galley gang (but not pictured) was Chief Cook Kenneth Epps. Thanks to vessel master Capt. Christopher Kavanagh for the photos (and a copy of the menu). February 2018 Seafarers LOG 9 �Seafarers Celebrate Holidays at the Halls T he photos on Pages 10 and 11 were taken at various SIU halls during the winter holidays. In addition to the traditional gatherings, a special event organized by the union took place Dec. 22 in Puerto Rico for Seafarers and their families. SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey attended the get-together in Puerto Rico, where he expressed the union’s ongoing support of, and participation in recovery efforts that are continuing many months after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. In addition to sailing aboard Jones Act vessels that are carrying critical supplies to the territory, the SIU is co-sponsoring Operation Agua, a successful project through which portable water filters are being delivered to schools and residences. Baltimore Recertified Bosuns David James (left) and Rick James Port Agent John Hoskins, SIU VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi Retiree Mike Kaminski, QEE Timothy Chestnut GVA Mohamad Khodeiri, Recertified Steward Kim Strate Wilmington From left: Patrolman Michael Bell, Port Agent Jeff Turkus, VP West Coast Nick Marrone, Safety Director Gordon Godel, Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen U.S. Congressional candidate Sam Jammal (second from left) stops by with campaign manager Megan Smith (left). Also pictured are SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone (right) and Port Agent Jeff Turkus. Jersey City 10 Seafarers LOG February 2018 �Puerto Rico SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey (holding microphone) welcomes guests to the SIU-sponsored gathering for Seafarers, their families and retirees. February 2018 Port Agent Amancio Crespo (center) and guests Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New for the 2018 Tax Filing Season Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2017 and 2018, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2016. Please check www.irs. gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 17, 2018. Exemptions - The personal exemption and the dependency exemption is $4,050 for 2017. For tax year 2017, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $261,500 for single individuals, $287,650 for heads of household, $313,800 for married filing joint, and $156,900 for married filing separately. For tax year 2018, the deduction for the personal exemption is reduced to zero. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return has increased to $12,700 for 2017. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns has increased to $6,350 for 2017. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $9,350 for 2017. The additional standard deduction for people who have reached age 65 (or who are blind) is $1,250 for married taxpayers or $1,550 for unmarried taxpayers. You can use the 2017 Standard Deduction Worksheet or see page 141 from Publication 17 which can be found on irs.gov to figure your standard deduction. For tax year 2018, the standard deduction is increased to $24,000 for married individuals filing a joint return, $10,000 for head of household filers and $12,000 for all other taxpayers. The additional standard deduction for the elderly and blind still applies. Itemized Deductions - For tax year 2017, the phase-out is reinstated at the higher threshold of $261,500 for single individuals, $287,650 for heads of household, $313,800 for married filling joint, and $156,900 for married filing separately. High-income taxpayers are also subject to limits on exemptions and deductions in 2017. The income threshold for the Pease and PEP (personal exemption phase-out) limitations is $313,800 of adjusted gross income (AGI) for joint filers and $261,500 for singles. The Pease limitation reduces the value of charitable contributions; mortgage interest; state, local, and property taxes; and miscellaneous itemized deductions. For 2017, this limitation is the lesser of 3% of AGI above the threshold up to 80% of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable. The PEP limitation reduces the total personal exemption by 2% for every $2,500 of income above the same income thresholds with no upper limitations. That means it’s possible for some taxpayers to completely phase-out of their personal exemptions. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - For tax years 2017 and 2018, for all taxpayers, unreimbursed medical expenses may be claimed as an itemized deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2017: n Credit of $6,318 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $48,340 ($53,930 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,616 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $45,007 ($50,597 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $3,400 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $39,617 ($45,207 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $510 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $15,010 ($20,600 if married filing jointly) The maximum amount of investment income you can have and still get the credit has increased to $3,450 in 2017. For tax years beginning after 2015 – a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is not valid for EIC purposes unless it was used on or before the due date of the return. New to 2017, you may be able to qualify for the EIC under the rules for taxpayers without a qualifying child if you have a qualifying child for the EIC who is claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2017 is $127,200. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. In 2017, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses, $125,000 for married filing separately and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to self-employed workers. For 2018, the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax is $128,400. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the self-employment tax is 12.4% in 2017. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. The SE tax rate for 2017 is 15.3%, and the deduction is equal to one-half of self-employment tax. Capital Gains and Losses - Continuing from 2012 you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2017, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate – In 2017, the tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends is 20% for income that exceeds the 39.6% tax bracket threshold amount of: n $470,700 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $444,550 for head of household n $235,350 for married filing separately n $418,400 for single The rate goes down to 15% for lower tax brackets and then 0% for 10%15% tax brackets. In 2017, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax for income that exceeds the threshold amounts listed above. Medicare Tax on Investment Income – In 2017, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: n $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $125,000 for married filing separately n $200,000 for all others Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that in- 12 Seafarers LOG come is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit has increased to $13,570 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $203,540. The credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2017 tax returns one or more adoptionrelated documents. Child Tax Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the enhanced child tax credit of $1,000 maximum credit per child through the end of 2017. For 2017 tax year, the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: n $55,000 for married couples filing separately n $75,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $110,000 for married couples filing jointly In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). Effective from 2016: Taxpayers cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for any tax year if the individual or a qualifying child did not have an individual TIN issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year: For tax years beginning after 2015 – the Child Tax Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination or reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the Child Tax Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no Child Tax Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Child and Dependent Care Credit - For 2017, there is a credit equal to the amount of qualified expenses multiplied by an applicable percentage determined by the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. The maximum amount of qualified expenses to which the credit may be applied is $3,000 for cost to care for one child under age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children, so that the parents can either go to work or be in process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit (the credit amount has not changed). The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2017, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500, and up to 40% of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $180,000 for Married Filing Joint Taxpayers cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit for any tax year if the individual or a student did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. For tax years beginning after 2015, the American Opportunity Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination of reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the American Opportunity Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no American Opportunity Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Taxpayers must report the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the educational institution to which payments were made. Lifetime Learning Credit - For tax year 2017, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $56,000 ($112,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $66,000 ($132,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Tuition and Fees Deductions – For 2017, the tuition and fees deduction has expired. If it is extended, you will not be able to take it if your filing status is married filing separately. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. Educator Expenses – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended the above-the-line deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. For tax years beginning after 2015 – Eligible expenses also include expenses for professional development courses the educator takes related to the curriculum he teaches or to the student he teaches. State & Local Sales Tax Deduction – You can elect to deduct state and local general sales taxes, instead of state and local income taxes, as an itemized deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040), line 5b. Individual Retirement Accounts: Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute a maximum of $2,000 cash each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The dollar limit is phased out for married individuals filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income between $190,000 and $220,000, and between $95,000 and $110,000 for single filers. The contribution is not deductible. Continued on Page 14 Tax Tips for Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099 n Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Charitable contributions n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. IRS Publication 17 titled “Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals” is the most comprehensive guide the agency has issued this year. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-872-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 76b, 76c and 76d on their Form 1040. Line 76b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 76c indicates the type of account, and line 76d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, individuals that prepare his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and website at: www.irs.gov. What Are Considered Deductions and Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The deduction for each exemption— for the individual, his or her spouse and dependents is $4,050 per person. A child cannot claim an exemption on his or her return or qualify for a higher education credit if the child’s parents claim a dependency exemption for their child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, increased for married couples filing jointly in 2017 at $12,700. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns also increased in 2017 at $6,350. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $9,350 for 2017. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2017, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are deductible only if they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income. If they do, only the portion over the 2% is deductible. The self-employed may deduct union dues as a business expense. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: These include investment advisory fees, trustees’ administrative fees, legal expenses that are paid to produce taxable income, unreimbursed employee expenses, safe deposit box rental and tax preparation fees. Deducting Work-Related Expenses: Travel to the union’s designated medical facility to take the required physical and drug tests are examples of expenses which are work-related but not reimbursed by the company. Members of the galley crew may deduct the costs of knives and other equipment they personally own but use when on a ship performing their work duties. The purchase of work-related clothing and other gear, as long as it is truly for work and not paid for by the employer, are likely to be considered tax-deductible. Deducting Work-Related Car Expenses: Use of a personally owned automobile in work-related travel can result in deductible expenses. Two methods can be used to compute automobile expenses—either listing a standard mileage rate or determining actual cost. On the tax return, due April 17 of this year, the IRS is accepting a standard mileage rate. The rate for 2017 is 53.5 cents. Parking fees and tolls can be added when using the standard mileage rate. If using actual expenses, information must be available on all operating-related costs for the vehicle, including insurance, licenses, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, gas, oil, tolls and parking. The IRS recommends keeping a log book or diary listing all expenses related to travel, for both the standard mileage rate and actual cost method, to ensure accurate records. Only work-related expenses not reimbursed by an employer can be claimed. Deducting Work-Related Meals When Traveling: You can use a special standard meal allowance if you work in the transportation industry. You are in the transportation industry if your work: n Directly involves moving people or goods by airplane, barge, bus, ship, train, or truck, and n Regularly requires you to travel away from home and, during any single trip, usually involves travel to areas eligible for different standard meal allowance rates. If this applies to you, you can claim a standard meal allowance of $63 a day ($68 Standard Deduction This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,250 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,550 for an unmarried person). Note that the personal exemption deduction is $4,050. Filing Status Standard Deduction Single and Married filing separate ...........................................................................$ 6,350 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent children.........$12,700 Head of household......................................................................................................$ 9,350 February 2018 February 2018 for travel outside the continental United States) from January 1 through December 31, 2017. Using special rates for transportation workers eliminates the need for you to determine the standard meal allowance for every area where you stop for sleep or rest. If you choose to use the special rate for any trip, you must use the special rate (and not use the regular standard meals allowance rates) for all trips you take that year. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Other Tax Information Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2017, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts State income tax refunds Rents Repayments Royalties Unemployment benefits Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings) n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate n Embezzled or other illegal income n Social Security Benefits n n n n n n Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans’ Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship Filing an Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 17, 2018, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where Is My Refund If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www.irs. gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayerrelated services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or noncontiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year— was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated TeleTax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet website at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �Various Changes Greet Tax Filers During 2017 Season Continued from Page 12 Traditional IRAs - For 2017, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $5,500 or your compensation. For taxpayers age 50 or older as of year-end, an additional catch-up contribution of up to $1,000 is allowed. Thus, the 2017 contribution limit for these taxpayers is the lesser of $6,500 or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2017 is $62,000-$72,000 for single and head of household, $99,000-$119,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at year end) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $118,000 and $133,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $186,000 and $196,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 permanently extends the Qualified Charitable Distributions. It offers older owners of IRAs a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70 and one-half or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donoradvised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2017, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by April 17, 2018 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 in any time during the calendar year. Divorced or Separated Parents – A custodial parent who revoked their previous release of a claim to a child’s exemption must include a copy of the revocation with their return. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit - If you have to repay the credit, you may be able to do so without attaching Form 5405. Repayment is reported directly on Form 1040, line 60b. Mortgage Insurance Premiums – Mortgage insurance premiums for qualified mortgage insurance on debt to acquire, construct, or improve a first or second residence can potentially be treated as deductible qualified residence interest. This provision was extended for premiums paid or accrued before 2017. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – For property placed in service after December 31, 2016 and before January 1, 2022, the credit is available only for eligible solar electric property and solar water heating property. The credit is equal to 30 percent of the cost of eligible property placed in service in 2017, 2018 or 2019; 26 percent of the cost of the property placed in 2020; and 22 percent of the cost of property placed in service in 2021. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rate for 2017 is 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven and was decreased to 17 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is 14 Seafarers LOG set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Deduction for corrosive drywall – If you suffered property losses due to the effects of certain imported drywall installed in homes between 2001 and 2009, under a special procedure, you may be able to claim a casualty loss deduction for amounts you paid to repair damage to your home and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall. For details, see Pub. 547. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss – This loss remains unchanged from 2016. The loss is limited to the excess of the loss over $100. The 10% of AGI limit still applies. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion – For tax year 2017, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $102,100. This amount is up $800 from tax year 2016. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – AMT exemption amounts help prevent some middle income earners from being subject to the AMT, and help keep any AMT adjustments less than they otherwise might have been. For tax year 2017, the alternative minimum tax exemption increases to the following levels: n $84,500 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers, up from $83,800 in 2016. n $42,250 for married couples filing separately, up from $41,900. n $54,300 for singles and heads of household, up from $53,900. Health Care Coverage – In 2017, individuals must have health care coverage, to qualify for a health care coverage exemption or make shared responsibility payment with their tax return. Coverage Exemptions: An individual may be exempt from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage and thus will not have to make a shared responsibility payment if, for 2017, he or she: n Has no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount he must pay for the annual premiums is more than 8.16% of his household income; n Has a gap in coverage for less than three consecutive months or n Qualifies for an exemption for one of several other reasons, including having a hardship that prevents him from obtaining coverage, or belonging to a group explicitly exempt from the requirement. If the taxpayer, spouse or any of the dependents did not have minimum coverage for any month in 2017, a payment needs to be computed and reported on Form 1040, line 61. For 2017, the annual payment amount is the greater of: n 2.5% percent of the household income that is above the tax return filing threshold for taxpayer’s filing status, or n The family’s flat dollar amount, which is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, limited to a family maximum of $2,085. Premium Tax Credit – Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit. Individuals who are eligible for PTC need to meet the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. Exception: In some cases, taxpayers with household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Note: Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) – The health care tax credit is a tax credit that pays a percentage of health insurance premiums for certain eligible taxpayers and their qualifying family members. The health coverage tax credit is a separate tax credit with different eligibility rules than the premium tax credit. Affordable Care Act – Several very important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that affect individuals and businesses first became effective in 2015. The Employer Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to either offer minimum essential coverage that is “affordable” and that provides “minimum value” to their full-time employees and their dependents, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS. Transit Benefits – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended transit benefits. These include van pool benefits, transit passes and qualified parking. Beginning in 2017, the monthly exclusion amount will remain $255. Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit – IRS Refund Claim – The IRS has additional time to review refund claims based on the Earned Income Credit or the refundable portion of the additional Child Tax Credit in order to reduce fraud and improper payments. No credit or refund for an overpayment shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15 following the close of the tax year, if the taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Credit or additional Child Tax Credit. Form 1098-T Required to Claim Certain Education Incentives – Taxpayers must receive a form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from educational institutions to claim the American opportunity credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit or the above the line deduction for qualified tuition and fees. Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs – For rollover contributions made after December 18, 2015, distributions from employer sponsored retirement plans and traditional IRAs may be rolled over into a SIMPLE IRA, as long as the SIMPLE IRA has been open for at least two years. Extended Filing and Payment Deadline – Section 7503 states that filing and payment deadlines that fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday are timely satisfied if met on the next business day. April 15, 2018 is on Sunday, and the Emancipation Day holiday will be observed in the District of Columbia the following Monday. Therefore, most individuals will have until Tuesday, April 17, 2018 to file their 2017 Forms 1040. Tax Rates for 2017 – For 2017, there remains a 39.6% bracket (for single individuals at $418,400, head of household at $444,550, married filing jointly at $470,700 and married filing separately at $235,350). Trusts and estates will hit the 39.6% bracket at $12,500. The rate for capital gains and qualified dividends is 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $418,400 for single individuals n $444,550 for heads of household n $470,700 for married filing joint n $235,350 for married filing separately Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence – Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However, income from cancellation of debt on a qualified principal residence, of up to $2 million, may be excludable. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child -To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Hurricane Relief - Qualified charitable contributions made before January 1, 2018, for relief efforts in the designated disaster areas for Hurricane Harvey, Irma or Maria are not subject to the phase out of itemized deductions. In addition, Congress is currently considering legislation that would provide additional tax relief for those affected by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, or Maria, and tax relief for those affected by other 2017 disasters, such as the California wildfires. n Casualty and Theft Losses - Disaster relief enacted for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, or Maria includes a provision that modified the calculation of casualty and theft losses. n Earned Income Credit (EIC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) - Disaster relief enacted for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, or Maria allows prior year earned income to be elected as 2017 earned income when figuring both the 2017 EIC and the 2017 ACTC. n Increased Standard Deduction - In addition to the annual increase due to inflation adjustments, your 2017 standard deduction is increased by any net disaster loss due to Hurricane Harvey, Irma, or Maria. To claim the increased standard deduction, you must file form 1040. See Pub. 976 for more information. Possible Legislation - Congress is currently considering legislation that would extend certain tax benefits that expired at the end of 2016 and that currently can’t be claimed on your 2017 tax return, such as: n The credit for nonbusiness energy property, n Parts of the credit for residential energy property, n The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums, n 7.5% of adjusted gross income threshold for deducting medical and dental expenses, n The credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, and n The deduction for tuition and fees. To learn whether this legislation was enacted resulting in changes that affect your 2017 tax return, go to Recent Developments at IRS. gov/Pub17. Your Online Account – In order for you to access your online account, you must authenticate your identity. To securely log in to your federal tax account, go to IRS.gov/Account. View the amount you owe, review 18 months of payment history, access online payment options, and create or modify an online payment agreement. You can also access your tax records online. Mailing your return. If you live in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or West Virginia and you are mailing your return, you will need to mail it to a different address this year. See Pub. 17 for more information. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund. These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc. gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-4384338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll free case intake line at 1-877-7774778. February 2018 �NMC Releases Reminders About USCG Email System Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea December 12, 2017 - January 15, 2018 The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center issued the following notice in early January: Email Attachments Sent to the NMC Total Registered Port A All Groups B Total Shipped C A Registered on Beach All Groups B C Trip Reliefs A All Groups B C 0 1 1 7 0 2 0 3 5 5 0 2 2 3 1 0 0 5 0 2 39 0 3 0 11 0 8 1 14 20 17 0 6 16 4 2 1 2 13 0 11 129 34 2 6 36 3 19 18 104 64 75 6 25 36 21 6 2 10 56 4 59 586 14 2 5 15 2 3 5 24 24 18 4 4 23 8 4 1 7 17 5 16 201 2 3 0 6 0 8 3 21 18 5 0 10 12 5 1 1 0 8 0 8 111 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 14 2 0 1 4 0 0 3 5 11 5 0 1 6 4 2 1 0 4 0 5 54 2 1 5 12 0 1 20 34 38 21 4 8 21 18 4 1 2 36 2 24 254 3 0 6 10 0 2 5 13 24 11 1 8 16 7 2 6 6 7 2 13 142 0 1 0 7 0 1 2 4 2 0 0 1 6 1 0 1 0 5 0 2 33 Email is a critical way for mariners to communicate with the National Maritime Center (NMC). This notice is intended to advise our stakeholders of the following limitations in the Coast Guard’s email system regarding sending of emails with attachments to the NMC: n The system will not accept attachments larger than 10 MB. It is highly recommended that attachments larger than 8 MB be split into multiple emails. When sending multiple emails, please ensure the subject of each email indicates the order of the attachments. n The system will not accept compressed (ZIP) files, regardless of size. Emails that are larger than 10 MB or that include compressed files as attachments will not be delivered. Furthermore, neither the sender nor intended recipient will be notified of the delivery failure. We apologize for any inconvenience related to email submissions to the NMC. Questions should be addressed to the NMC call center via email to IASKNMC@uscg.mil, via Chat, or via phone at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662). Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 19 4 6 20 0 11 8 61 44 46 4 14 19 20 11 2 6 30 1 32 358 7 3 2 9 2 7 3 14 16 8 5 2 10 4 5 1 7 9 4 10 128 2 3 1 5 0 5 1 9 17 3 1 5 7 4 0 1 0 6 0 5 75 Deck Department 2 3 2 2 6 0 14 12 3 1 13 5 5 2 37 7 26 11 26 9 2 4 6 2 17 14 13 2 6 4 2 1 4 3 32 7 0 2 23 11 239 102 Personals Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 0 1 1 8 0 3 10 17 21 14 5 8 11 8 3 1 1 18 0 10 140 2 0 7 7 0 2 2 9 16 8 1 6 8 3 3 3 2 3 2 9 93 2 0 0 5 0 1 0 4 3 0 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 27 Engine Department 0 1 0 0 1 5 6 5 0 1 5 0 8 2 12 4 12 18 9 4 2 0 4 5 11 6 6 4 1 2 2 1 1 2 10 5 0 1 14 5 104 71 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 4 1 2 15 2 11 12 15 20 9 1 4 14 13 3 5 3 8 5 19 166 1 0 1 2 2 0 2 3 8 3 1 3 10 2 1 2 2 4 0 9 56 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 6 3 0 1 2 4 2 0 0 0 2 1 3 28 Steward Department 1 0 0 1 3 1 2 1 0 0 7 1 9 1 12 2 12 7 11 1 1 0 6 2 9 12 11 3 3 0 7 4 2 1 11 1 1 0 10 8 118 46 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 8 1 0 1 1 0 5 5 8 9 3 1 1 8 6 1 1 1 0 0 11 63 6 1 3 20 4 11 19 28 35 15 1 8 23 28 3 1 4 22 7 36 275 3 0 0 4 2 1 4 11 18 3 3 5 10 6 1 2 3 4 0 11 91 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 8 3 0 1 2 4 4 0 0 0 2 1 2 31 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 3 18 14 0 0 4 1 1 5 15 22 16 1 0 26 10 0 1 2 12 0 18 148 8 0 3 6 0 2 6 6 43 10 1 1 40 10 0 1 0 11 0 25 173 Entry Department 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 0 3 1 7 1 9 1 11 0 0 1 0 0 13 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 10 0 0 4 14 15 76 2 2 2 4 1 2 4 5 22 4 1 0 5 3 0 1 0 13 0 11 82 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 3 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 5 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 6 0 5 33 17 0 1 10 2 1 8 25 34 30 2 1 40 15 1 1 2 22 0 32 244 14 5 5 10 0 5 9 29 88 23 1 2 71 18 1 0 0 23 0 56 360 GRAND TOTAL: 682 425 303 143 263 1,148 678 535 Attn: Tom Banks Congratulations and wishing you well in retirement. From Recertified Bosun Scott Heginbotham Searching for Interview Subject I am trying to locate Henry “Baghdad” Everhart/Eberhardt or anyone who might remember him. Baghdad lived in the Oakland area and worked the Merchant Marine in the 1970s. I would like to interview him for a documentary about actor Rick Cluchey. Contact me (Lance Duerfahrd) at laduerfahrd@ gmail.com February & March 2018 Membership Meetings Piney Point..................................Monday: February 5, March 5 Algonac..........................................Friday: February 9, March 9 Baltimore...................................Thursday: February 8, March 8 Guam.....................................Thursday: February 22, March 22 Honolulu....................................Friday: February 16, March 16 Houston....................................Monday: February 12, March 12 Jacksonville...............................Thursday: February 8, March 8 Joliet......................................Thursday: February 15, March 15 Mobile...............................Wednesday: February 14, March 14 New Orleans............................Tuesday: February 13, March 13 Jersey City..................................Tuesday: February 6, March 6 Norfolk......................................Thursday: February 8, March 8 Oakland.................................Thursday: February 15, March 15 Philadelphia...........................Wednesday: February 7, March 7 Port Everglades.....................Thursday: February 15, March 15 San Juan...................................Thursday: February 8, March 8 St. Louis....................................Friday: February 16, March 16 Tacoma......................................Friday: February 23, March 23 Wilmington.............*Tuesday: February 20, Monday: March 19 * Wilmington change due to Presidents’ Day Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m SPAD Works For You, Contribute to the Seafarers Political Activities Donation SPAD February 2018 476 295 Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kermett Mangram, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, 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 Inquiring Seafarer This month’s question was answered by Seafarers in Piney Point, Maryland, at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. Question: What was one of the most memorable voyages in your career, and what made it so memorable? Ryan Joseph Cushing Chief Steward When I started back in 1994, I was working as a waiter on an American Hawaii cruise ship, which was an incredible experience. More recently, I was working in Diego, and it was like cruise-ship living out there – except you get paid! Dionesio Monteclaro Jr. Oiler I work in the engine room, so most voyages go pretty smoothly for me. As long as the weather is good, and the sea is calm, any voyage can be a good one. Kareem Walters QMED One of my most memorable trips was on the European run on the Maersk Ohio. Seeing all the different ports, seeing all those bigger ships getting loaded with cargo at once is really something. And of course, visiting Germany, Belgium and Rotterdam, Holland, were really memorable places. Rotterdam was really nice. Joseph Hernandez Chief Cook As a second-phase trainee, I was working on the Liberty Grace during a Food for Peace mission to South Africa. The training I received on that trip proved invaluable to my career, and the whole experience was really special. Liberato Viray AB Working on board the LNG ships on the run to Indonesia, Japan and Korea was a really memorable time. Of course, those old LNG ships are all gone and replaced now, but I’ll always remember that run, and experiencing those different cultures and locations. Jim Romeo AB My most memorable trip was on the Sealand Consumer. We went to the Mediterranean, Italy, Turkey, and then on to the Caribbean. It was a really great way to see a lot of different parts of the world in a short time. I really enjoyed learning about the different cultures in those places. Pic From The Past NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Stop 16 ½ Santurce, PR 00907-4601 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 This photo first ran in an August 1945 issue of the LOG. The original caption: “Specimen rope board is being explained to two admiring SIU men by Warren Wymon who made it for the New York hall. On display in New York on the recreation deck, the board contains such fancy creations as a wheel, anchor, propeller, splices, sizings, whippings and the more essential knots used aboard ship. Across the top of the board is the word “Seafarers” spelled out in fancy braid.” If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2018 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA FAISAL ABDO Brother Faisal Abdo, 67, signed on with the union in 2000. He worked as a member of both the deck and engine departments, initially sailing aboard the American Merlin. Brother Abdo upgraded on at the Piney Point school in 2003 before his last voyage aboard the Black Eagle. He makes his home in Lackawanna, New York. FABIAN AGUILAR Brother Fabian Aguilar, 65, signed on with the SIU in 1997. A member of the steward department, Brother Aguilar first sailed on the Independence. He last shipped on the Overseas Long Beach and makes his home in Bremerton, Washington. JOSEPH BOEVINK Brother Joseph Boevink, 65, first donned the SIU colors in 1975. Initially sailing on the Bradford Island, he worked as a member of the deck department. Brother Boevink upgraded on multiple occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. He most recently sailed aboard the Chilbar and resides in Aberdeen, Washington. BRUCE BUSSERT Brother Bruce Bussert, 68, signed on with the SIU in 1998. Initially sailing on the USNS Kayne, he worked as a deck department member. Brother Bussert upgraded his skills in 2010 at the unionaffiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. He most recently sailed aboard the Dewayne T. Williams before settling in Agana, Guam. WILFREDO CAIDOY Brother Wilfredo Caidoy, 65, joined the SIU 1989, first working aboard the Independence. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded in 2002 at the Piney Point school. Brother Caidoy’s last vessel was the Horizon Enterprise. He lives in Milpitas, California. DARRELL CAMP Brother Darrell Camp, 65, started shipping with Seafarers in 1974, initially working aboard the Ultramax. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Camp most recently February 2018 shipped on the Quality. He calls Bacliff, Texas, home. USNS Denebola before settling in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. LARRY CHILDRESS BILLY GIGANTE Brother Larry Childress, 65, signed on with the SIU in 1998, working aboard the Baldomero Lopez. A member of the deck department, he took advantage of the training opportunities at the Piney Point school and upgraded in both 2002 and 2003. Brother Childress most recently sailed on the ITB Barbara Kessel. He resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brother Billy Gigante, 58, became a member of the SIU in 1980. Initially sailing aboard the Atlantic, he was a member of the steward department. Brother Gigante upgraded on several occasions at the Paul Hall Center before last shipping on the Safmarine Kuramo. He resides in Spring Hill, Florida. LEESTHER COLLINS Sister Leesther Collins, 65, joined the SIU in 2003, working aboard the Cape Douglas. She was a member of the steward department and upgraded on several occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. Sister Collins most recently sailed on the Cape Domingo. She is a resident of Summerville, South Carolina. THOMAS CONWAY Brother Thomas Conway, 72, joined the union in 2003 and first sailed on the Regulus. A member of the engine department, he last worked aboard the USNS Seay. Brother Conway calls Las Cruces, New Mexico, home. MICHAEL CORREA Brother Michael Correa, 67, joined the SIU in 2009 and first sailed on the Washington Express. A member of the steward department, he upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Correa most recently shipped aboard the Maersk Atlanta and makes his home in Houston. JEROME DAVIS Brother Jerome Davis, 69, joined the union in 1981. He initially worked on the Santa Maria and was a member of the steward department. Brother Davis upgraded on multiple occasions before sailing on his final vessel, the Washington Express. He resides in Teaneck, New Jersey. JACQUELINE ELLSWORTH Sister Jacqueline Ellsworth, 65, started shipping with the Seafarers in 2003. Her first vessel was the Atlantic Guardian. A member of the steward department, Sister Ellsworth upgraded in 2004 and 2010 at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. She most recently sailed aboard the the NMU, he most recently worked on the Alaskan Navigator. Brother Mokry lives in Chula Vista, California. LINCOLN PINN Brother Lincoln Pinn, 69, became a Seafarer in 1982 when he worked on the President Taylor. A member of the steward department, Brother Pinn upgraded on several occasions at the Piney Point school. His final vessel was the Horizon Tacoma and he calls Ellensburg, Washington, home. DAVID HAMILTON LONNIE PORCHEA Brother David Hamilton, 66, signed on with the SIU in 1979, working aboard the Del Sol. A member of the engine department, he took advantage of the training opportunities at the Piney Point school and upgraded on several occasions. He last sailed on the Green Bay before settling in Glendora, California. Brother Lonnie Porchea, 69, started shipping with the Seafarers in 1997, first working on the Integrity. The deck department member took advantage of the training opportunities at the Paul Hall Center and upgraded on multiple occasions. Brother Porchea last sailed aboard the Overseas Texas City before settling in Gresham, South Carolina. BILLY HANBURY Brother Billy Hanbury, 61, started shipping with the Seafarers in 1979. He initially sailed on the El Paso Arzew. Working as a member of the deck department, Brother Hanbury most recently sailed aboard the Resolve. He resides in Suffolk, Virginia. DOUGLAS HODGES Brother Douglas Hodges, 66, started shipping with the SIU in 1974, sailing aboard the Monticello. A member of the deck department, he upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Hodges last sailed on the Alliance Norfolk before settling in Jacksonville, Florida. JOE LOCKETTE Brother Joe Lockette, 65, joined the SIU in 2002, initially sailing aboard the Developer. He worked in the deck department, most recently aboard the Green Cove. Brother Lockette is a resident of Houston. JAMES MILLER Brother James Miller, 65, began his seafaring career in 1989, working aboard the American Condor. The deck department member upgraded his skills at the Piney Point school in 2001. Brother Miller last worked aboard the Noble Star. He makes his home in Napoleon, Ohio. WILLIAM MOKRY Brother William Mokry, 65, started sailing with the SIU in 2004, working aboard the Prince William Sound. A member of the deck department who formerly sailed with ROBERT GEORGE Brother Robert George, 63, signed on with the SIU in 1989, initially working for Dixie Carriers. He took advantage of the training opportunities at the Paul Hall Center and upgraded in both 2004 and 2016. He sailed in both the deck and engine departments and most recently worked for Penn Maritime before settling in Tucson, Arizona. CHARLES LOWE Brother Charles Lowe, 62, started shipping with the Seafarers in 1994, when he worked for Penn Maritime. He upgraded in 2003 at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Lowe sailed in the deck department and remained with the same company for the duration of his career. He lives in Moss Point, Mississippi. JAMES MOORE OWEN RICHARDS Brother Owen Richards, 75, started shipping with the SIU in 1980. His first vessel was the Cove Sailor. Brother Richards upgraded on several occasions at the Paul Hall Center before working on his final vessel, the Great Republic. He sailed in all three departments and resides in Brooklynn, New York. FADEL SALEH Brother Fadel Saleh, 62, became an SIU member in 1975. A member of the deck department, he first sailed on the on the Galveston. Brother Saleh upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center in 2001 before sailing on his final vessel, the Midnight Sun. He makes his home in Tacoma, Washington. NORBERTO VERA Brother Norberto Vera, 72, first donned the SIU colors in 1988 when he worked on the Overseas Arctic. A member of the deck department, he upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Vera’s final vessel was the St Louis Express. He resides in Houston. INLAND GERALD BISHOP Brother Gerald Bishop, 63, began his career with the SIU in 1977. He first worked for Hvide Marine and was a member of the deck department. Brother Bishop upgraded his skills on multiple occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. He last worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation and lives in Westminster, California. Brother James Moore, 66, joined the SIU in 1973 when he worked for Inland Tugs. A member of the deck department, he upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. Brother Moore most recently shipped aboard the Liberty and makes his home in Orange, Texas. JOHN TANNER Brother John Tanner, 62, started shipping with the SIU in 1978, sailing with Steuart Transportation. A member of the engine department, he upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center in 1982. Brother Tanner last sailed with Piney Point Transportation before settling in Portsmouth, Virginia. GREAT LAKES SCOTT COBURN Brother Scott Coburn, 62, joined the SIU in 1981, working aboard the Richard J. Reiss. The deck department member upgraded on multiple occasions at the maritime training center in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Coburn last worked for Luedtke Engineering and resides in Bloomingdale, Michigan. TERRANCE DEMENTER Brother Terrance Dementer, 62, became an SIU member in 1977 when he worked for Quality Quarries Inc. A member of the deck department, he upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center in 1993. Brother Dementer concluded his career after working last with Upper Lakes Towing. He makes his home in Gladstone, Michigan. Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA PERFECTO AMPER Pensioner Perfecto Amper, 90, passed away November 17. He joined the union in 1964 and first sailed aboard the Western Comet. Brother Amper was a member of the deck department. His final trip was aboard the Long Lines before he retired in 1995. He resided in Concord, California. ALLAN CAMPBELL Pensioner Allan Campbell, 80, died December 7. Brother Campbell joined the SIU in 1974 and worked as a member of the deck department. He first sailed on the Anchorage and last worked aboard the Integrity before retiring in 2002. He resided in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. JOHN CLARKE Pensioner John Clarke, 85, passed away December 8. His first trip to sea with the SIU was in 1953, when he sailed aboard the Royal Oak. A member of the steward department, he last sailed on the Overseas Valdez. Brother Clarke retired in 1994 and settled in Houston. CHARLES CLAUSEN Pensioner Charles Clausen, 71, died December 22. He signed on with the SIU in 1974, when he sailed on the McLean. Brother Clausen was a member of the engine department, last sailing on the Performance. He became a pensioner in 2009 and settled in Lexington Park, Maryland. HERBERT DAVIS Pensioner Herbert Davis, 62, passed away December 24. He joined the union in 1978, first sailing with Southern Ohio Towing. Brother Davis shipped as a member of the steward department. He last worked on the Atlantic Forest and became a pensioner in 2006. He was a resident of Hertford, North Carolina. ROBERTO ESCOBAR Pensioner Roberto Escobar, 75, died September 7. The steward department member’s first vessel was the Transeastern in 1961. Brother Escobar most recently sailed on the Carolina before going on pension in 1995. He resided in Carolina, Puerto Rico. ABDUL HASSAN Pensioner Abdul Hassan, 87, passed 18 Seafarers LOG away December 10. He joined the SIU in 1966, initially working aboard the East Point Victory. Brother Hassan was a steward department member and last sailed on the Sealand Value. He became a pensioner in 1995 and lived in Inverness, Florida. EDGEL LUZIER Pensioner Edgel Luzier, 93, died January 14. Brother Luzier worked as a deck department member and signed on with the SIU in 1951. His first vessel was the Yorkmar; his last, the Discovery. Brother Luzier began collecting his pension in 1993 and settled in Diana, West Virginia. WILLIE MANUEL Pensioner Willie Manuel, 68, passed away November 22. He began his seafaring career in 1967 when he worked aboard the Kyska. Brother Manuel sailed in the steward department. His final voyage was aboard the Liberty Wave before he retired in 1996. He resided in his home state of Alabama in the city of Mobile. DOMINGO MELANIO Pensioner Domingo Melanio, 86, died November 13. He began his seafaring career in 1969, working aboard an Overseas Carriers vessel. A member of the engine department, he last sailed on the Mariner before going on pension in 1997. Brother Melanio was a resident of Fremont, California PETER PATRICK Pensioner Peter Patrick, 88, passed away November 30. He began sailing with the SIU in 1951. One of his first trips to sea was aboard the Lafayette as a member of the steward department. He last worked as the port steward for Puerto Rico Marine before becoming a pensioner in 1986. Brother Patrick lived in Monroe Township, New Jersey. PETER SCHMITT Pensioner Peter Schmitt, 64, died November 8. He joined the union in 1985 and initially worked in the inland division, with Crowley Towing and Transportation. Brother Schmitt was a steward department member and last sailed on the Maersk Denver. He began collecting his pension in 2016 and lived in Paradise, California. JOHANNES SOREL Pensioner Johannes Sorel, 94, died December 18. Brother Sorel’s first trip to sea was in 1951, when he worked aboard the Fort Bridge. A deck department member, he most recently sailed on the Innovation and began collecting his pension in 1989. Brother Sorel made his home in Milton, Florida. ROBERT STEVENSON Pensioner Robert Stevenson, 68, passed away November 22. He joined the SIU in 1988 and worked as a member of the engine department. He first sailed with Bay Tankers and last worked aboard the Liberty Glory. He was a resident of New Orleans. OSWALD STOIBER Pensioner Oswald Stoiber, 76, died December 30. Working in the steward department, he initially sailed on the Independence in 1991. Brother Stoiber most recently worked aboard the Overseas Los Angeles before going on pension in 2013. He called Sonora, California, home. DONAL SWANNER Pensioner Donal Swanner, 81, passed away November 11. Brother Swanner joined the SIU in 1977 and worked as a member of the engine department. The Oklahoma native first worked for Western Towing and last sailed aboard the Paul Buck before retiring in 1999. He lived in Pasadena, Texas. RONALD WESTERFIELD Brother Ronald Westerfield, 58, died September 12. His first trip to sea was in 2005, when he worked aboard the Brenton Reef as an engine department member. Brother Westerfield was native to Pennsylvania and last shipped aboard the Constitution. He called St Louis home. GREAT LAKES DONALD GORDON Pensioner Donald Gordon, 89, passed away December 30. He joined the union in 1962, initially working for Great Lakes Towing. Brother Gordon also concluded his career with the same company when he retired in 1990. He lived in Kingsville, Ohio. JAMES SMITH Brother James Smith, 55, passed away December 9. He joined the SIU in 1987, first sailing aboard the Charles E Wilson. A deck department member, he last sailed aboard the Sam Laud before settling in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. passed away December 19. He became an SIU member in 1969 when he worked for Dixie Carriers. Brother Williams was a member of the deck department. He last sailed with Michigan Tankers before retiring in 1998. He called Bogalusa, Louisiana, home. PACIFIC MARINE INLAND RICHARD DIXON Pensioner Richard Dixon, 71, died December 11. He signed on with the SIU in 1965, working for Crescent Towing and Salvage. The deck department member continued to work for the same company until his retirement in 2013. Brother Dixon lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. WILLIAM FITZGERALD Pensioner William Fitzgerald, 74, passed away December 6. He joined the SIU in 1997, working as a member of the deck department. He began collecting pension in 2005, after sailing with Crowley Towing and Transportation for his entire SIU career. He was a resident of McDade, Texas. JOSEPH KLEIMANN Pensioner Joseph Kleimann, 90, died December 30. Working for G&H Towing, he became a member of the SIU in 1962. Brother Kleimann sailed as an engine department member, and remained with G&H Towing for the duration of his career. He lived in Galveston, Texas. STEPHEN OLSON Brother Stephen Olson, 49, passed away April 19. He signed on with the SIU in 1993, when he worked for G&H Towing. Brother Olson remained with the same company for the duration of his career and sailed as a member of the deck department. He resided in his home state of Texas in the city of Aransas Pass. VINCENT THOMPSON Pensioner Vincent Thompson, 73, died December 1. A member of the deck department, he first worked with Red Circle Transport in 1980. Brother Thompson last sailed with G&H Towing before becoming a pensioner in 2006. He lived in Pass Christian, Mississippi. JORGE BARAHONA Pensioner Jorge Barahona, 73, died January 12. Working in the steward department, he became an SIU member in 1968. Brother Barahona’s first vessel was the Andrew Jackson; his last, the Mahi Mahi. He became a pensioner in 2006 and settled in Las Vegas. NATIONAL MARITIME UNION THOMAS ITO Pensioner Thomas Ito, 82, passed away November 25. Brother Ito was born in Japan. He went on pension in 1990 and was a resident of Las Vegas. HARRIE NELSON Pensioner Harrie Nelson, 83, died November 17. Born in Georgia, Brother Nelson became a pensioner in 1989. He was a resident of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Editor’s note: The following individuals, all former members of the National Maritime Union, have also passed away. Insufficient information was available in their respective personnel files to develop written accounts of their careers. Name Acosta, Diego Adams, Juan Aracri, Anthony Bradsher, Linwood Collins, Randolph Colon, Jesus Davis, Charles Fields, Otis Fitzpatrick, Julia Flowers, Rufus Franklin, Charles Jackman, Harold Joseph, Conrad Le Fave, Anne Kitchings, Willie Miller, Sidney Murphy Jr., Ernest Reyes, Damian Rivera, Jose Rivers, Nathan Romano, Nicholas Villegas, Rodrigo Age 86 78 84 94 93 92 91 88 85 91 90 93 81 101 95 90 90 91 91 85 89 88 DOD 12/26/2017 01/02/2018 12/17/2017 12/24/2017 12/07/2017 12/16/2017 12/12/2017 01/05/2018 11/14/2017 12/29/2017 12/20/2017 12/02/2017 12/18/2017 12/27/2017 12/26/2017 12/01/2017 11/21/2017 12/20/2017 12/14/2017 01/17/2018 10/11/2017 10/15/2017 CHARLES WILLIAMS Pensioner Charles Williams, 82, February 2018 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings USNS STOCKHAM (Crowley), October 29 – Chairman Fadhel Mohamed, Secretary Shanita Flachbart, Educational Director Randy Slue. Crew discussed old business including vacation pay as well as pay for transport to and from airport. Chairman reported new jobs due to Watsonclass contract award. Secretary reminded crew to check all documents before joining ship to ensure up-to-date physicals. Educational director encouraged members to take advantage of all upgrading courses by going to the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed engineer’s efforts to turn water back on and made resolution for better communication while at sea. Upon discussion, members were informed of compensation rate for the indefinite water restriction. Crew mentioned including compensation for any water restrictions in the next contract. Members expressed need for additional laundry facilities. Chairman reminded crew to close all watertight doors while at sea. SLNC GOODWILL (Chesapeake Crewing), October 31 – Chairman Bernardino Eda, Secretary Thomas Brooks, Deck Delegate Joran Hough, Engine Delegate Shawn Alexander, Steward Delegate Cody Herndon. Chairman discussed how to use member portal. He thanked steward department for good food, and encouraged crew to upgrade in Piney Point. Secretary thanked crew for cleanliness. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed SIU President Michael Sacco’s Seafarers LOG column on Jones Act and Puerto Rico. Next port: Diego Garcia. LIBERTY GLORY (Liberty Maritime), November 19 – Chairman Lionel Rivas, Secretary Gordon Major, Deck Delegate Lloyd Lindsey. New washing machine ordered. Chairman announced payoff and reminded departing crew to clean rooms and leave keys. Secretary said new linen will be distributed. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested new galley equipment, sat phone and cleaning agents. Everyone was thanked for doing a good job. It was a good trip with no lost-time injuries. Crew reiterated need to always stay safe. MAERSK IDAHO (Maersk Line, Limited), November 25 – Chairman Ronald Mena, Secretary Alonzo Belcher, Educational Director Richard Huffman, Steward Delegate Marcus Logan. Crew discussed old business regarding requests for new refrigerator in the crew lounge. Chairman thanked mariners for a smooth voyage. Secretary reminded crew members to leave fresh linen for oncoming mariners before departing the vessel. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members discussed health and optical benefit plans. They were reminded to remove all belongings from rooms upon departure, allowing joining members to have space for their respective belongings. HORIZON KODIAK (Matson), November 29 – Chairman Christopher Pompel, Secretary Antoinette Amato, Educational Director Lon Maduro. Chairman discussed upcoming schedule including shipyard period. He reminded crew to keep current with dues and to make sure proper beneficiary information is on file. Educational Director advised members to upgrade at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall 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. Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department was thanked for great meals and a job well done keeping up with ship cleanliness. Members expressed interest in purchasing disability insurance through the union and for relief positions no less than 60 days. Next port: Portland, Oregon. HORIZON PACIFIC (PASHA), December 1 – Chairman Daniel Ticer, Secretary Clifton Medley, Educational Director Thomas Flynn, Steward Delegate Mercurion Abuan. Crew discussed concerns with standby pay, frequency of physicals, crew lounge conditions and additional topics under old business. These concerns were later forwarded to Oakland patrolman. Chairman talked about Jones Act and Puerto Rico and referred to SIU President Michael Sacco’s related column in union newspaper. Educational director reminded members to take advantage of upgrading opportunities at the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members mentioned lack of ventilation in crew lounge. Requests made for clock, fan and toaster oven. Crew suggested changing how contracts are negotiated. They extended wishes for happy holidays “to all our fellow Seafarers, family and friends.” Next port: Oakland, California. MICHIGAN (Maersk Line, Limited), December 10 – Chairman Gerald Alford, Secretary Gregory Keene, Educational Director Moses Mickens. Chairman spoke about the importance of union meetings and Aboard Dodge Island Aboard USNS Seay Seafarers aboard the USNS Seay gather for a photo after successfully installing a satellite drone (background). The vessel is operated by U.S. Marine Management. the attendance of all crew members. Crew was reminded to make sure Coast Guard certificates are up to date. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members mentioned contact with company representative, in hopes of receiving a new microwave. Need for repaired dishwasher reported, as well as new mattresses and adaptors for TVs. MV JEAN ANNE (Tote), December 30 – Chairman Thomas Johnson, Secretary Ingra Maddox, Educational Director Joseph Letang, Deck Delegate Mohamed Saleh, Engine Delegate Servando Canales, Steward Delegate Mary Maddox. Chairman reported safe voyage. Educational Director reminded crew to apply for scholarships for themselves and to also encourage dependents to apply. He encouraged members to go to the Paul Hall Center to upgrade their skills. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew advised to read LOG and were instructed how to find it on the ship’s computer. Members were reminded of how to request exams via member portal. They reviewed new method of filling out overtime sheets. Crew requested physical exam requirement frequency be changed to once a year. Steward department thanked for a good job providing crew with great meals. SHBP Offers Eight Scholarships For Mariners, Family Members AB Darryl Nelson (front) and Third Mate Mike Mennella (rear left) are pictured on the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock vessel late last year in Florida. Thanks to Patrolman Adam Bucalo for the photo. February 2018 Eight scholarships totalling $132,000 are available to Seafarers and their dependents under the Seafarers Health and Benefit Plan’s 2018 Scholarship program. Three scholarships (one for $20,000 and two for $6,000) have been designated for ative Seafarers while five others have been set aside for dependents. Each of the dependents offerings will be for $20,000. To take advantage of these opportunities online, visit the SIU website, navigate to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan menu and select Scholarship Booklet (PDF). Although the booklet says 2016, all information is still current for the 2018 SHBP Scholarships. Seafarers LOG 19 �Letter to the Editor Letters may be edited for conciseness and clarity. Submissions may be mailed to 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 or e-mailed to webmaster@seafarers.org. Retired Recertified Bosun Thankful For SIU Experience I started my career as a merchant mariner in 1974, when I entered the Harry Lundeberg School as a trainee. Four years later, I upgraded to AB. I had a personal goal of continuing to hone my craft as a mariner. Part of my drive for career growth came from family members who were members of the Longshoremen. As I learned about their backgrounds, I also gained knowledge about the maritime industry and the AFL-CIO. That’s what led me to Piney Point. My career wasn’t only about advancement. I wanted to understand politics and everything that went into laws being enacted. That hunger was fed in 1993 when the SIU gave me the opportunity to be part of the bosun recertification program. Afterward, I was Cowans (left) participates in a rally for Doug Wilder (right) in Virginia in the late 1980s. Wilder became the nation’s first black governor in 1989. Cowans (center) trains in Piney Point in 1993. better equipped to share knowledge and insight aboard our ships. It was an honor to be in that position, and I was able to be a mentor for other mariners who came aboard the vessels. Educating them was my way of giving back to an industry that has been such a tremendous blessing to me and my family over the years. It’s part of the legacy I would like to leave as my career comes to a close. As I begin to transition into retirement, I want to continue being a strong supporter of the maritime industry. The next step for me is entry into the political arena. I’ve seen some positive changes in my home state of Alabama, where Doug Jones just won an election. I want to continue to be a voice promoting the Jones Act and other laws that will help to support all maritime workers, and help ensure equal opportunity and fairness. Finally, I will be working on a book to share with others about my career as a merchant mariner. Again, my goal is to make a positive impact and give back to an industry that has been very rewarding for me. I want to thank This recent photo of the Seafarers InTerry Cowans was ternational Union taken shortly after he for giving me the retired. opportunity to enjoy a great career and a secure retirement. I owe a lot to the union. Terry D. Cowans, Sr. Mobile, Alabama Cowans is pictured Aboard the ITB Groton in 2007 Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: 20 Seafarers LOG Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. 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 including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION. If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 February 2018 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, for the next several months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion FOWT March 10 May 5 April 6 June 1 Junior Engineer June 9 August 3 Title of Course Machinist April 28 June 16 May 18 July 6 Marine Refer Tech March 17 April 27 Pumpman May 19 July 7 May 25 July 13 Welding February 24 March 24 May 5 March 16 April 13 May 25 Start Date Date of Completion Gap Closing Courses Engine Room Resource Management March 10 March 16 Leadership and Managerial Skills March 17 March 23 Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer Deck March 10 May 5 April 6 June 1 AB to Mate Modules Module dates vary throughout the year. Students will be advised of dates once accepted. ARPA April 7 May 12 April 13 May 18 Bosun Recertification July 21 August 6 Crane Familiarization March 3 March 9 ECDIS April 7 April 13 Fast Rescue Boat June 16 June 22 GMDSS March 10 June 2 March 23 June 15 Lifeboat March 10 April 7 May 5 June 2 March 23 April 20 May 18 June 15 March 24 April 28 June 16 April 6 May 11 June 29 Radar Observer Radar Renewal (one day) Contact the PHC Admissions Office RFPNW April 7 June 2 May 4 June 29 Engine Department Upgrading Courses Steward Department Courses Advanced Galley Ops March 24 June 9 April 20 July 6 Certified Chief Cook Modules run every other week. The next class will start February 5. Chief Steward April 21 June jgu8 Galley Operations April 21 May 18 Orientation/Assessment Chief Cook 2.0 March 3 March 17 March 9 March 23 Orientation/Assessment Chief Steward 2.0 February 24 March 10 March 2 March 16 Steward Recertification April 21 May 7 Serve Safe July 14 July 20 Safety Upgrading Courses Basic Training w/16hr FF March 24 March 30 Basic Training Revalidation March 9 March 9 Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation March 10 March 16 Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting March 3 March 9 Government Vessels February 24 March 31 March 2 April 6 Medical Care Provider February 24 April 21 March 2 April 27 Advanced Refer Containers June 2 June 15 Tank Ship Familiarization - DL April 7 April 13 BAPO April 7 June 2 May 4 June 29 Tank Ship Familiarization - LG March 10 March 16 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o 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? o Yes o No If yes, class # and dates attended __________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? oYes o No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. February 2018 COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, 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. 2/18 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #830 – The following Phase I apprentices (photo at right, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Nov. 3: Austen Amoroso, Tommy Romero Benton, Justin Bodnar, Jose Luis Borrero Rodriguez, Kevin Campfield Jr., Tyler Catron, Micah Champion, Carlos Colon De Jesus, Elhassene Elkori, Samuel Fanjoy, Devin Hoerr, Terkwon Knight, Ryan Manlapit, Myles Otis, Somitya Rana, Christopher Redding, Andy Salado, Gabriel Santa-Ramos, Nicolas Smith, Brian Wendler and Omaree Oshae Williams Welding & Metallurgy – Three upgraders honed their skills by completing this course Nov. 10. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Kenneth Cabrera, Elliot Duncan and Richard Lawson. Chris Raley, their instructor, is at the far right. FOWT – Seven individuals completed their requirements in this course Nov. 3. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Ferdinand Malicay Cabanlit, Arsenio Jenkins, Tarrell Jones, Vincent Knight, Viliamu Milikini, Al Carnel Seay II and Kyle Savage. Class instructor John Wiegman III is at the far left. UA to AS-D – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Nov. 3: Eduardo Yesier Centeno-Rosario, Nestor Antonio Costas Lugo, Darla Ferranti, Kaila Foster, Madigan Angelica Gilligan, Mohsen Abdulshafiq Hassain, Frank McCracken, Joseph Parr, Edward Voskamp, Derek Willis and Mehdi Youssef. Thomas Truitt, their instructor, is at the far right. RFPNW – Seven Phase III apprentices finished their requirements in this course Nov. 6. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Arnold Dimaandal Baluyot, Jordan Bates, Hector Ulises Garibaldi, Macey Horne, Jared Nichols, Levon Prophet and Charles Turner Jr. Basic Training (Basic Firefighting) – The following upgraders (photo at right, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Nov. 27: Mohamed Mossad Abdelwahab GAD, Martin Allred, Maurice Backey, Sotero Sumalinog Berame Jr., Randall Craig, Henry Jimenez Crespo, Luddy Duffey, Sherrod Frazier, Victor Frazier, Harold Harding, Leola Johnson, Bonnie KropolinskyHinkle, Carl Pedersen, Luis Guillermo Ramos Rosa, Joel Ramos, Kaled Minasar Saleh, David Sexton, Nabil Mohamed Ali Sharif, Benjamin Sivells, Darryl Smith and Ivan Moises Vargas. Class instructors Joe Zienda and Mark Cates are at the far left and far right, respectively. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2018 �Paul Hall Center Classes Combined Basic & Advanced Firefighting – Thirteen upgraders improved their skills by completing this course Oct. 27. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Christopher Bean, Charles Borsellino Jr., Edward Mateo Galbis, Bobbie Gibbs, Devin Dangelo Gordon, James Kayser, Grayson Ross, Frank Sambula, Anthony Sanchez Villarrubia, Christopher Shivalier, Christopher Sykes, Brett Van Pelt and Antjuan Webb. Government Vessels (Upgraders and GAP) – The following individuals (photo above and the one immediately below, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Oct. 20: George Burton Jr., James Cherico, Michael Cruz, Ernest Frank III, Reynard Gibbs, Paula Blanca Gomez, Jack Gourgue, Brittany Harris, Joseph Huls, Ernest Latimore, Milan Marshall Hampton, Nina McFall, Anthony McAfee, Pedro Rodriguez, Anthony Sanchez Villarrubia, Insook Smith, Nakeya White and Rick Worthington. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Basic Training (Basic Firefighting) – Twelve upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) graduated from this course Oct. 20: Sure Anitak, Roberto Avila, Christopher Bean, Steven Blair, Kenneth Cabrera, John Canson, James Crate, Kenneth Long, Clayton Lupton, James May, Julio Soriano and Ahmed Sultan. Basic Training Revalidation – The following upgraders (above, in alphabetical order) finished their requirements in this course Oct.13: Nasser Saleh Ahmed, Saleh Abubakar Ahmed, Jared Charles Blavat, Michael Cruz, Nicole Donald, Ramadan Elsayed Edres, Edward Mateo Galbis, Paula Blanca Gomez, Mark Jones Jr., James Kayser, Brian Lunsford, Lon Oliver, Arnedo Barco Paredes Jr., Kevin Penrose, Cary Pratts, Dennis Salvatore Saggese, Neonito Salle Sodusta, Javier Oswaldo Wurttele and Ibrahim Mohamed Yahya. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Government Vessels – Nineteen upgraders completed the enhancement of their skills when they finished this course Oct. 6. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Abdulghafor Nasr Ahmed, Bentley Arrundell, Charlito Aseberos, Chris Badouin, Eric Baynes, Ernest Bullock Jr., Nathan Elliott, Dominic Gilmartin, Derek Ivory, Ali Ahmed Matari, Kenneth McDaniel, Daniel Mensah, Abdul Hakeem Muhammad,Leonard Elad Soriano, Terry Taylor Jr., Armando Madriaga Vicente, Reginald Walker, Timmy Williams and Devin Zug. Class instructor Mark Cates is at the far right. Advanced Galley Operations – Four Seafarers who sail in the steward department improved their skills by finishing this course Nov. 3. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Jorcell Rashad Davis, Ryan Marquez Gallano, Cynora Hunter and Marilou Dumlao Toledo. Their instructor, Bryan Owens, is at the far right. February 2018 Certified Chief Cook – Three steward department Seafarers recently graduated from modules in this course. Craig Wooten (photo directly above) finished Module 3 Oct. 6 while Stacy Fuller (left in photo at right) and John Jewell each completed Module 5 Nov. 3 Seafarers LOG 23 �FEBRUARY F E B R U A R Y2018 2014 V OVOLUME L U M E 7 680,o NO. N O2 . 2 Paul Hall Center Class Photos Pages 22-23 Seafarers donated nearly $9,500 (photo at left) worth of gifts for military families. Carrying some of the toys (photo above) to the delivery truck are (from left) SA Ahmed Shamman, DEU Edmondo Monteclaro, SA Raul Ventanilla and Recertified Bosun Sanjay Gupta. In photo at right, SAs Marcelino Pabito (left) and Abdufatah Abdulla enthusiastically transport some of the goodies outside. ‘I Love the Way Our Union Gets Involved’ SIU Again Steps Up for Santa’s Castle; Military Families Benefit F rom a distance, it may seem as if the steady philanthropic outreach practiced by SIU members in the Pacific Northwest happens by rote. But even a brief series of conversations with those most closely involved in projects including Santa’s Castle quickly and powerfully illustrates joyful, thoughtful giving that makes a difference in people’s lives. Most recently, the SIU participated in Santa’s Castle for the eleventh straight year. The all-volunteer program is dedicated to providing Christmas gifts to U.S. military families (primarily E-4 and below) who are experiencing financial hardship. For the 2017 holiday season, Seafarers (including retirees, family members and union employees) teamed up to donate approximately $9,500 worth of toys through the hall in Tacoma, Wash- Port Agent Joe Vincenzo (left) chats with Seafarer Jozef Ignacak and the member’s daughter. ington. The haul included nearly 30 bicycles, dozens of drones and remotecontrolled helicopters and cars, American Girl dolls, musical instruments and much more. Recertified Steward Amanda Suncin stated, “Any time I can be a part of something so beautiful that makes such a difference, I want to be part of it. The military does so much for us, and we have so many blessings throughout our lives…. I just love the way that our union gets involved. To me, it’s an honor, and a lot of credit goes to Joe (Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, who spearheads the SIU’s participation).” QMED Elliott Duncan sounded similarly enthused. “It’s a really positive thing,” he said. “Everybody seems to enjoy donating and having a good time giving back. I’ve definitely enjoyed being a part of it. Paint Tacoma is another great program.” (The SIU also participates in Paint Tacoma Beautiful each summer. It’s a program through which area volunteers paint and repair dwellings for homeowners who are unable to do it themselves.) Shelly Hinzman is the president of Santa’s Castle, which is the formal name of both the program and the organization itself (it’s a private 501(c)(3)). She said, “The donation that we get from the Seafarers always blows us away. We are always so appreciative. Hinzman also enjoyed the annual luncheon during which the toys were moved from the hall to delivery trucks. The hall was packed with volunteers (and with good food). “I’ve been to three of those luncheons and the SIU always treats us so wonder- fully,” she noted. “It’s the highlight of our season to go visit them.” Hinzman said the overall program “went very well this year,” and benefited 925 military families (2,131 children). Anita Vargo also is familiar with the SIU. She’s the purchasing vice president for Santa’s Castle. “The Seafarers always start our year off for us,” she said. “The men and women who donate all the presents are amazing. They go way far beyond our expectations every year. The families are so appreciative, and we are blessed to be partners with you.” Vincenzo emphasized the specific desire to brighten the holidays for military personnel. He said the donations “make a difference in the lives of those who dedicate themselves in service to others. There is some fanfare that arises in connection with our annual toy drive and holiday luncheon, but that is not the story and doesn’t speak to why Seafarers step up every year bearing gifts.” He continued, “The story is the gift of giving itself, and knowing that in a small way and for a time, a soldier and his or her family’s life was made better around the holidays…. It brings out the best of who we are, and the good will that it generates is worth far more than the actual dollar amounts of all the toy drives that we have done to date.” Pictured from left are Santa’s Castle VP Anita Vargo, Santa’s Castle President Shelly Hinzma, Port Agent Joe Vincenzo, another Santa’s Castle volunteer, Admin. Asst. Brenda Flesner, Patrolman Warren Asp and Safety Director Ben Anderson. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2018 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES HOUSE HEARING BACKS U.S. MARITIME STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT EVIDENT FOR MERCHANT MARINE MARITIME’S PUERTO RICO RELIEF EFFORTS CONTINUE BLS DATA SHOWS INCREASE IN UNION MEMBERSHIP CONGRESSIONAL, MARITIME LEADERS EMPHASIZE BACKING OF JONES ACT, MSP, CARGO PREFERENCE EL FARO INVESTIGATION CONCLUDES AFTER 26 MONTHS BENEFITS CONFERENCES CONCLUDE AT NINE SIU HALLS AROUND COUNTRY CONGRESSMAN SCALISE RECEIVES MARITIME HONOR USNS YUMA’S SIU CREW RESCUES 7 SIU-CREWED USS CABLE COMPLETES UPGRADE LONGTIME SEAFARER WALTER WISE SHARES SAFETY TIPS ALASKA TANKER COMPANY REACHES SAFETY MILESTONES SEAFARERS CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS AT THE HALLS SIU AGAIN STEPS UP FOR SANTA’S CASTLE; MILITARY FAMILIES BENEFIT Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2018 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 80, No. 2 2018 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/6e73299b9570f3c8d0a283055c14a88f.pdf 46dc47a861e66ce953f8fe27a9bcda81 PDF Text Text FEBRUARY 2019 VOLUME 81, NO. 2 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O SIU Welcomes New Jobs Aboard Taíno LNG-Powered ConRo Sailing in Jones Act Trade Seafarers in late 2018 crewed up the new Crowley Maritime vessel MV Taíno (top right). The combination container/roll-on roll-off (ConRo) ship completed its maiden voyage to Puerto Rico on Jan. 11. SIU mariners and AMO officers are pictured on deck (immediate right). Recertified Bosun Wilfredo Velez (top left) loads stores, while Electrician Carlos Parrilla (top center) works on an AC unit. Page 3. (Ship photo courtesy Crowley Maritime. Additional photos available on the SIU Facebook page, @SeafarersInternational) Tacoma Seafarers Answer Call Again The spirit of giving remains alive and well in Tacoma, Washington, where SIU members donate each year to a philanthropic project named Santa’s Castle. The outreach provides gifts for families of U.S. military personnel. The union also hosts a related luncheon at the hiring hall; pictured at the 2018 gathering are Seafarers, military guests and volunteers from Santa’s Castle. Page 24. Updated Website, Portal Launched Page 2 Rescue at Sea Page 4 Tax Tips for Mariners Pages 12-14 �President’s Report Green Lake to the Rescue There is no greater example of our union’s motto, Brotherhood of the Sea, than the outstanding rescue efforts that were made by Seafarers aboard the Green Lake on New Year’s Eve. Our members were first on the scene of a tragic fire aboard a Panamanian-flagged vessel that caused its crew to abandon ship. As others joined in the rescue, union members from the SIU-crewed ship pulled seven mariners to safety. There were nine other survivors, while five individuals from the disabled ship didn’t make it. It’s a tragedy that could have been worse if not for the work of the SIU, MM&P and MEBA members from the Central Gulf Lines-operated Green Lake. Worth noting: All of the SIU members aboard that ship have trained at the unionaffiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. And the bosun said the training definitely made a difference. Check out our coverage elsewhere in this edition, and in the meantime, I extend heartfelt kudos to the Green Lake crew along with condolences to the victims and their families. This particular rescue made international headlines, but for the SIU, it was just the latest of many. Our members normally assist in several rescues per year, and while not every incident receives prominent coverage, each Michael Sacco operation reinforces why I believe SIU members are the world’s best-trained mariners. Jones Act Fight Continues There should be a statute of limitations on ridiculous attacks against America’s freight cabotage law, but last month saw another round of falsehoods – specifically about the Jones Act’s effect on Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. If you’re new to the industry or otherwise weren’t keeping up with this saga for the last year-plus, the short – and fully accurate – version is that Jones Act ships were first on the scene in the territory once the ports reopened. Because of the devastated inland infrastructure, relief supplies stacked up at the ports. The Jones Act not only didn’t delay or prevent any aid, it actually helped ensure timely deliveries. The Jones Act doesn’t prevent foreign-flag vessels from calling on Puerto Rico, which in fact normally receives about two-thirds of its cargoes from foreign bottoms. Also often lost in the bizarre retellings of Jones Act-related Maria stories is that a temporary waiver was granted. It didn’t make any difference because it wasn’t needed in the first place. As mentioned recently, we’re in the midst of what promises to be a long and tough fight. Jones Act opponents are throwing tons of money, other resources, and something I can’t mention in a family newspaper in a targeted attempt to sink this crucial law. But the facts are on our side, and we’ll keep swinging until we’ve won. Productive Dialogue One of our union’s most important affiliations is with the AFL-CIO, where I am the longest-serving member of the executive council, other than federation President Richard Trumka. Late last year, the council adopted a statement titled, “Solidarity Pledge for America.” The resolution reads in part, “Political extremism has become the norm in America. Constant conflict is cheered and polarizing ideas are reinforced, while conscience-driven compromise is dismissed as weakness. Defamatory mistruths and repugnant rhetoric are hurled from every direction and echoed across social media. We simply don’t listen to each other…. This complete and utter breakdown of civil discourse in America is a threat to our very democracy, and it must stop.” While that’s an unpleasant paragraph, it reflects the disturbing reality of our times. But as we in the executive council went on to say, the labor movement has a special responsibility to challenge and reject the current state of affairs. Our movement was created more than 130 years ago by a small group of workers looking to create change at work and more broadly in society. Throughout our long history, we’ve used our position as America’s diverse coalition of working families to beat back attempts to divide and destroy us. Unions are like crews on a ship. We come from different backgrounds but we work together to accomplish the goal. Our statement was about more than just being polite even when we disagree, but that’s not a bad place to start, whether you’re on a ship or at the hall or, yes, on social media. Take a deep breath, stick to facts, and stand up for what you believe in. Let’s keep working together to promote our industry, defend workers’ rights, and uphold the reputation of the Brotherhood of the Sea. O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Volume 81 Number 2 Some of the sub-menus are visible in this screen shot of the new website. SIU Launches New Website, LOG Database Mobile-Friendly Member Portal a Highlight of Revamp The SIU late last year launched a new version of its website, www.seafarers.org, that’s easier to navigate from any device. As part of the project and like the main site itself, the member portal has been redesigned so it’s “fully responsive,” a tech industry term that basically means a site will look good and offer solid functionality whether the user is on a desktop, mobile device, tablet or laptop. Alongside the website, the SIU has rolled out another new online resource: the Seafarers LOG Digital Archives database. The database, seafarerslog.org, hosts every copy of the Seafarers LOG from the first issue in 1939 to the present day. Members, researchers, and the general public are free to view nearly 1,500 digitized issues on the browser of their choice, or they may download the PDF files to their electronic devices. Launched just before last Christmas, the Seafarers LOG Digital Archives was no small undertaking. LOG Content Curator Mark Clements has spent the past five years assembling, digitizing, uploading and describing the contents of each issue. With many of the older printed issues brittle from age, Clements had to turn to the Paul Hall Maritime Library’s collection of microfilm to safely create digital copies. “While the microfilm had its own limitations, I didn’t have to worry about the issues turning to dust in the scanner bed,” Clements said. Microfilm copies of the Seafarers LOG were only made up until 1994, and the roll of film covering 1984 to 1988 was either never made or has since gone missing. To fill in the gaps, Clements manually scanned LOG issues at his desk. Starting with 2002, the remaining issues in the database were the original born-digital PDF files the LOG staff sends to the publisher every month. Once the digital copies were made, Clements and Log Administrative Assistant Jenny Stokes (along with summer interns) read each issue from cover to cover to make note of any quality concerns. While the text of the issues is fully searchable, both the quality of the microfilm and the column layouts of the older LOG issues created problems with search accuracy. In light of this difficulty, Clements and Stokes generated a list of headlines for each issue for easy browsing. The database is powered by Omeka, a popular archival platform used not only by universities and museums but also organizations such as the Seamen’s Church Institute. Although Omeka itself is not optimized for mobile use, the LOG staff knows how important mobile access is to the membership. Bearing this in mind, the PDF files were compressed to file sizes that would be gentle on data plans – although access to the high-quality master files is available upon request. Now that the full run of Seafarers LOGS is online, the next step for the Digital Archives is uploading the LOG’S exhaustive collection of photographs, particularly those from early days of the SIU. Many of these images remain in good condition, despite changing physical locations several times and even surviving a fire. “Whether we’re talking about the Isthmian organizing drive or the General Maritime Strike in 1946, we can’t fully appreciate the SIU of today without its history seeing the light of day,” Clements added. The first installments of the photographic collections will be made available throughout the year, and those interested should check the SIU’s social media pages Continued on Page 5 Crew of Crowley-Operated Wright Honored SIU crew members sailing aboard the S.S. Wright, a Crowleyoperated, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ship, were recently honored with Merchant Marine Medals for Outstanding Achievement for their actions in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The medals were presented by Jeff McMahon, MARAD ship operations and maintenance officer (SOMO) for Atlantic Operations, while the vessel, an aviation logistics support container ship, was in port in Morehead City, North Carolina. Along with the Maritime Administrator’s Professional Ship Award, these accolades recognize the crew’s participation in humanitarian operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), where the mariners provided onboard lodging for nearly 4,000 different emergency responders and almost 10,000 meals. In addition to offering berthing assets, the Wright carried an FAA mobile air traffic control tower, which was critical to enabling air transportation to and from the is- lands, as well as meals ready to eat (MREs), bottled water and tactical/ response vehicles. “The rapid activation and deployment of the S.S. Wright to St. Thomas and success of the mission was unprecedented, thanks to the cooperation and joint effort of afloat and shore-side personnel,” said Mike Golonka, Crowley vice president, Government Ship Management. “The entire effort was a true testament of how Crowley – and the maritime industry as a whole – can offer relief during times of great need.” February 2019 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Piney Point Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Jenny Stokes; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2019 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. Reversed to White Reversed to White 2 Seafarers LOG Crew members and guests aboard the Wright, including SIU members, pose for a photo. February 2019 �Crowley ConRo Taíno Joins SIU Fleet SIU members are sailing aboard the new Crowley Maritime vessel MV Taíno following the Jones Act ship’s delivery late last year. The second of the company’s new combination container/roll-on roll-off (ConRo) ships, the Taíno completed its maiden voyage to Puerto Rico on Jan. 11. “Things are going well,” said Recertified Bosun Wilfredo Velez the day the liquified natural gas-powered vessel arrived in the commonwealth. “We have a good crew, and it’s smooth sailing so far. I like the run and the ship. Life is good, man!” Crowley hailed the maiden voyage as putting “a historic capstone on the company’s Commitment Class modernization project and begin[ing] a new era of worldclass supply chain services between the island commonwealth, U.S. mainland and the Caribbean Basin.” Like its sister ship, the MV El Coquí (which entered service in July 2018), the Taíno utilizes Jacksonville, Florida, as its mainland home port. Each ship is 720 feet long, 26,500 deadweight tons (DWT), and can transport up to 2,400 twenty-footequivalent container units (TEUs) at a cruising speed of more than 22 knots. The ships carry a wide range of cargo types and sizes, including: 53-foot by 102-inch-wide, highcapacity containers; up to 300 refrigerated containers; and 400 cars and larger vehicles in the enclosed and ventilated vehicle garages that are unique to the trade. The Taíno is named for the native Puerto Ricans who lived off the land with great appreciation and respect for their environment, and the El Coquí is named for the popular indigenous frog on the island. The vessels were constructed by VT Halter Marine at its Pascagoula, Mississippi, shipyard. When the Taíno was delivered, Crowley Maritime Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley stated, “I want to congratulate and thank all the men and women at Crowley and VT Halter Marine who helped to bring these marvelous new ships to life. They are shining examples of maritime innovation and craftsmanship available right here in the United States thanks to the Jones Act. From a business standpoint, Taíno and El Coquí are key components of our integrated logistics offerings that are bringing speed to market and creating a competitive advantage for our customers in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. With our own vessels and proprietary transportation and distribution network, we’re reducing friction and complexity while increasing the velocity of customers’ goods moving to market and reducing their landed costs.” Modernizations by Crowley include the Commitment class vessels along with investments at Crowley’s Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, including three new shore gantry cranes, the first to be delivered in Puerto Rico in 50 years; a new 900-foot pier; container handling equipment; and efficiency improvements. Additionally, a proprietary feeder service has been launched to seamlessly link Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic and other islands of the Caribbean Basin. The first SIU crew aboard the Taíno included Velez, ABs Dominique Johnson, Emil Norales, Arthur Patterson, Julio Perez and Sonny Perez, QMEDs Sherrod Frazier and Victor Rios Lopez, QEE Carlos Parilla, Oiler Angel Cintron, Recertified Steward Kim Strate, Chief Cook Luis Perez Acosta and SA Steven Lopez Ferrer. The new SIU-crewed ship (photo above) arrives in Puerto Rico on Jan. 11. (Photo courtesy Crowley Maritime) In photo below, Seafarers gather with SIU Port Agent Jimmy White (fourth from right) aboard the Taíno on New Year’s Eve in Pascagoula, Mississippi. New Jobs Aboard Matson’s Kamokuiki Late last year, Seafarers-contracted Matson launched a new direct U.S.-flag service between Honolulu and the Marshall Islands. The company purchased a 700-TEU containership for the route: the Kamokuiki (pictured at the immediate left), which is equipped with two 45-ton cranes, hydraulic folding hatch covers and high maneuverability. Pictured aboard the 411-foot vessel are (center photo, from left) SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso, Steward/Baker Tim Laird and Recertified Steward Ruti Demont. The other group photo includes (from left) Demont, Capt. Roland Hobson, Galbiso and the captain’s wife, Kelly. OSG Announces 10-Year Charter of Jones Act Tanker New jobs for SIU members are on the way following a Jan. 3 announcement by Seafarerscontracted Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG). The company reported that it has entered into a 10-year bareboat charter agreement for the Oregon Voyager, a tanker that was built in 1999 at Newport News (Virginia) Shipbuilding. OSG plans to utilize the 620-foot vessel in the Jones Act trade, beginning in the second quarter of 2019. “This is a welcome addition to the SIU fleet, and a clear vote of confidence in the professionalism of SIU crews,” stated SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “It also strengthens the Jones Act fleet overall, which benefits U.S. national, economic and homeland security.” OSG plans to rename the ship as the Overseas Key West. Previous names included HMI Ambrose Channel, Bristol Bay, and Seabulk Energy. OSG President and CEO Sam Norton February 2019 stated, “Following closely on our decision to extend all of the leases for our American Shipping Company (AMSC)-owned tankers, the addition of the Overseas Key West to our fleet of Jones Act tank vessels is an important and visible signal of OSG’s continuing commitment to sustaining our leading position in the markets which we serve. The extended duration of this new lease agreement is both an affirmation of our positive outlook for the future as well as a validation of OSG’s reputation as a preferred counterparty in operating Jones Act tank vessels to the high standards demanded by its customers.” OSG also operates the following SIUcrewed vessels for AMSC: Overseas Houston, Overseas Long Beach, Overseas Los Ange- les, Overseas New York, Overseas Texas City, Overseas Boston, Overseas Nikiski, Overseas Martinez, Overseas Anacortes and Overseas Tampa. The Jones Act requires that cargo travelling between domestic ports is carried aboard vessels that are crewed, built, flagged and owned American. On the books since 1920, the law helps maintain nearly 500,000 U.S. jobs. Last year, a new study was released by Seafarers’ Rights International revealing that 91 nations maintain some form of cabotage law. The Oregon Voyager is pictured near Port Everglades, Florida, in December 2017. (Photo by Vladimir Knyaz) Seafarers LOG 3 �Pictured aboard the Green Lake in the Pacific Northwest (photo above, from left) are Safety Director Ben Anderson, SA Jolanta Goch, AB John Rawlings, AB Bernardo Bartolome, AB Robert Calvo, Bosun Isaac Amissah, AB Paul Gottschling, AB Ted Thompson, OMU Mario Santos, SB Peter Schuetz and CC Jose Clotter. The two photos at right show the Sincerity Ace during the shipboard fire. MV Green Lake Rescues 7 in Deadly Car Carrier Fire The crew of the MV Green Lake, including SIU members sailing aboard the Central Gulf Lines-operated vessel, sprang into action on New Year’s Eve, using their rescue training to save lives in the Pacific Ocean. The Green Lake was the first vessel to respond to a Coast Guard alert from the Panamanian-flagged Sincerity Ace, a 2009built car carrier sailing from Yokohama to Hawaii. The master had reported a serious vessel fire, ongoing firefighting efforts and the intent to abandon ship approximately 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu. The crew and officers of the Green Lake spent the next 18 hours battling poor weather conditions as they rescued seven mariners and searched for the missing. They were joined in the search efforts by three other merchant ships, as well as a U.S. Coast Guard Hercules HC-130 aircraft and a Navy 7th Fleet P-8 Poseidon. In total, the crews of the merchant vessels that responded to the disaster rescued 16 members of the Sincerity Ace’s crew. Five were not recovered, after a total of 13 searches covering 5,544 nautical square miles were conducted over a span of three days. The SIU crew of the MV Green Lake included Bosun Isaac Amissah, ABs Nicolas Bernardo Bartolome, Robert Calvo, Paul Gottschling, John Rawlings and Ted Thompson, OMUs Godofredo Manding Banatao and Mario Santos, Steward/Baker Peter Schuetz, Chief Cook Jose Felipe, and SA Jolanta Goch. All of them have com- pleted training at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center, located in Piney Point, Maryland. The deck officers aboard the Green Lake are members of the MM&P, and the engineers are represented by the MEBA. Bosun Amissah retold the event, saying, “We had left Yokohama maybe three days before, when we got the alert that a ship was on fire. When we got to the scene, the crew were spread out over the water, in life jackets.” He explained that the Green Lake retrieved seven men from the ocean, bringing them into warm areas on the ship to rest and recover: “By the time we pulled them out of the water, they were so tired. They’d been in the water for maybe eight hours by that point, so they needed to rest and warm up.” “Our training helped a lot,” he concluded, “especially the man-overboard drills. We’d be picking up one guy out of the water here, then the next guy would be three miles away, they were so spread out. Our training was really important in saving those seven lives.” “The entire crew did a truly incredible job under extreme conditions,” said Capt. William Boyce. “Winds were blowing a steady 25 knots, gusting to 30 knots, with a heavy 20-25-foot north-westerly swell. Due to the sea state and our high freeboard, it was very difficult to maneuver, bring the ship alongside each survivor, and get them on board with limited retrieval resources.” Boyce continued, praising the work of School Welcomes U.S. Senator The burning vessel is visible in this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard. his crew: “MEBA Chief Engineer Joseph Tierney, First Engineer Shauna Glasser, Second Engineer Zac Pollock and Third Engineer Maria Asuncion assisted in retrieval and constant maneuvering for 18 straight hours. The entire SIU deck crew and bosun worked tirelessly from 0200 to 2000 to get the exhausted survivors on board. “The crew showed incredible perseverance, teamwork and determination,” he concluded, “constantly improvising with each survivor’s recovery in very difficult and dangerous conditions. I am proud of each and every one of this crew for saving seven souls that had experienced horrific condi- tions and were exhausted.” “We are very grateful for the assistance the crews of these vessels have given during the search and rescue efforts,” said a spokesperson for the Coast Guard. “These crew members went out of their way to aid their fellow mariners, and because of the remoteness of the incident, the outcome may have been very different had they not responded.” The Green Lake diverted to Honolulu to disembark the survivors once the search for additional survivors was called off. At last report, the Sincerity Ace was being towed to Japan. NY Waterway Crew Helps Save a Life The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (PHC) hosted U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) for a tour on Jan. 4. Pictured at the school in Piney Point, Maryland, are (from left) SIU Political and Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman, SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, Acting PHC VP Tom Orzechowski, Van Hollen, SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez and PHC ManagerConference and Lodging Howard Thompson. 4 Seafarers LOG On Dec. 19, Seafarers sailing on a NY Waterway ferry went above and beyond to prevent an attempted suicide by drowning. SIU members Capt. Ken Recine and Deckhands Travis Brumfield and Roberto Valdez Garcia put years of awareness training to use when, at around 9:30 p.m., Brumfield spotted a woman acting strangely as they prepared to dock at the Battery Park City ferry terminal. “I saw a lady who was sitting and looked kind of dispirited,” said Brumfield. “As Waterway employees, we are trained in security awareness. I decided to take precautions, so I asked her, did she want to board, and she said no, she’s alright.” When the ferry returned to the terminal, he realized they needed to act: “As we approached Brookfield again, she was approaching the wall next to the terminal, and these are the words that came out of her mouth, ‘I feel betrayed. I don’t want to live any more. There’s nothing for me.’” Brumfield and Garcia alerted the captain, who called the New York Police Department’s harbor patrol. “We were already headed into Slip 4, where we were supposed to dock, and I backed out and positioned the vessel over by where she was on the wall,” said Recine. “We were full of passengers at the time, but I didn’t even consider the schedule at that point. Someone’s life was in danger.” As the deckhands donned life vests and made ready the vessel’s hook and ladder lifesaving equipment, an off-duty ticketing agent ran up to the woman and began to talk her down. Recine said, “We returned to Jersey City to drop people off and by the time we turned around, there were police boats here, a helicopter in the sky, the fire department was at the wall. It took all of five minutes. They were quick.” The captain credited the awareness of his deckhands with spotting the distressed woman, and stated, “The only thing that prepared me for something like this was a lifetime in the boating industry, and being a team player. I’d encourage all mariners to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and look out for one another.” February 2019 �House Bill Aims to Honor WWII Mariners A bill saluting the service of World War II U.S. Merchant Mariners is under consideration in the new U.S. Congress. U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-California) on Jan. 15 introduced H.R. 550, the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, with U.S. Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Susan Brooks (R-Indiana) joining as original cosponsors. This legislation would award a Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in the United States, to mariners who sustained our armed forces during World War II. “Throughout the Second World War, our armed forces relied on the merchant marine to ferry supplies, cargo and personnel into both theaters of operation, and they paid a heavy price in service to their country,” said Garamendi. “The merchant marine suffered the highest per capita casualty rate in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. An estimated 8,300 mariners lost their lives, and another 12,000 were wounded, to make sure our service members could keep fighting. Yet, these mariners who put their lives on the line were not even given veteran status until 1988.” (More than 1,200 SIU members gave their lives during the war.) “Last year, I got the chance to meet with three World War II Merchant Mariners: Charles Mills of Texas, age 97; Eugene Barner from Kansas, age 92; and Robert Weagant from Illinois, age 92. These mariners put their lives on the line for this country, braving German and Japanese submarines in their Liberty ships as they delivered critical supplies to our service members in the European and Pacific theaters,” Garamendi added. “Unfortunately, their sacrifice is commonly overlooked. A Congressional Gold Medal would give them the recognition they deserve, and that’s why I’ve introduced this bill: to give these veterans and their families the honor and respect they are owed.” Christian Yuhas, vice president of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Rep. Garamendi (third from left) meets with WWII Merchant Marine Veterans and family members of deceased veterans in Washington, D.C. (AMMV) and a chief engineer, stated, “The time has come for our nation to provide a well-deserved thank you and honor the remaining Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII with a Congressional Gold Medal. This group of unsung heroes nobly served our country by operating the ships that transported critical supplies to front lines of the war, and in doing so suffered a casualty rate higher than any other branch of the military. In fact, one out of every 26 casualties during World War II was a volunteer merchant mariner. America would not be the great nation it is today without their valiant service of yesterday. I urge Congress to support this important bill and recognize this dwindling group of Merchant Marine Veterans that have served our NMC Issues Mitigation Update On Government Shutdown Aboard Empire State When this photo was taken in late December, crew members on the Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning vessel were celebrating Christmas as well as 3,000 lost-time-incident-free days, reports vessel master Capt. Kevin W. Griffith, who submitted the snapshot on behalf of Chief Steward Wilfredo Espinosa. Well done to the SIU crew and AMO officers. New Website Boasts Improved Features Continued from Page 2 or seafarerslog.org for updates. Meanwhile, the main SIU site has been reorganized and streamlined. There’s a site map linked at the bottom of every page, and the union’s social media accounts also are prominently linked at the top of every page. They include a relatively new Flickr site that hosts all available lifeboat class photos from the union’s February 2019 nation so admirably.” The Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act was introduced in the Senate simultaneously by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The bill is currently awaiting action by the House Financial Services Committee, Garamendi’s office reported. affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. Additionally, many of the PDF forms on the site have been modified so visitors can complete them online. (The fillable forms still have to be printed and sent to the intended recipients.) The SIU first launched a website in 1997, and started a mobile site in 2013. While cutting-edge at launch and for a while thereafter, the mobile site had some limitations that don’t exist with the new version. Editor’s note: The following news release (which ran under the headline: “Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown”) was issued by the National Maritime Center on Jan. 8. At press time, it was the most recent communication from the agency concerning the partial shutdown. Check the SIU website for updates. The “attached letter” mentioned in the article is linked in the news section of the SIU site in addition to being available on the NMC website. To mitigate the impact caused by the partial lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the following actions are being taken: Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended as valid until March 31, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential. Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended to March 31, 2019. Approval to Test (ATT) letters and mariner training course certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended until March 31, 2019. For mariners whose 90day testing cycles were interrupted by Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26, 2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the 90-day period. REC appointment calendars will be re-opened immediately once appropriations are restored. E-mail any course approval extension requests to NMCCourses@uscg.mil. The NMC understands the partial shutdown may affect our industry customers and stakeholders and we apologize for any potential inconvenience. If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662). Seafarers LOG 5 �Seafarers Celebrate Holidays at Halls For the SIU, holiday get-togethers at the hiring halls are a time-honored tradition nearly as venerable as the union itself. As noted in last month’s LOG, some of the oldest photos in the union’s archives show Seafarers celebrating winter holidays at various halls. The most recent holiday season saw SIU gatherings across the country, both ashore and aboard numerous vessels around the world. Many of them have been featured in past issues and on the SIU’s social media pages. The photos on this page were taken at the halls in Jersey City, New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; and New Orleans. Philanthropy is also a longstanding SIU tradition. In that spirit, the SIU in Jersey City conducted a volunteer toy drive benefiting local children who are less fortunate. Those gifts were delivered Dec. 20 (three days after the Christmas party, the cutoff for donations) to a century-old organization named Women Rising. In Norfolk, the annual Christmas party doubled as a fond farewell to Kermett Mangram, who’d recently retired from his post as vice president of the SIU Government Services Division. Mangram spent more than 40 years with the union. The other parties were traditional but no less enthusiastic. Editor’s note: See pages 8, 10, 11 and 24 for related photos and coverage. Norfolk Approximately 100 members, retirees and guests attended the 16th annual celebration in Norfolk, Virginia. Port Agent Georg Kenny, QEE Kevin Quinlan, Retiree Stanley “Butch” Vane, Recertified Bosun Robert Blackie Fraser Linsday Jr. Newly retired SIU VP Kermett Mangram (center) is pictured with family members, officials and staff. Jersey City New Orleans Port Agent Chris Westbrook (standing fifth from left) reports that seafood gumbo was among the menu items enjoyed by guests in New Orleans Jacksonville Chief Steward Jermaine Robinson baked this cake for the event in New Orleans. 6 Seafarers LOG AB Vicente Mansilungan went all-out with his dish for the potluck holiday lunch. Members and guests in the Jersey City hiring hall wave to the camera while waiting for the start of their Christmas Party. In photo below, Port Agent Mark von Siegel (left) delivers donations to Latoya Smith of Women Rising. Seafarer Ariel Lopez Albino helped with the delivery. According to the organization’s website, “For over 110 years, Women Rising has been helping women and their families. Our clients are in need – in need of jobs, safety from domestic violence, freedom from substance abuse, safe homes for children. Women Rising meets these needs by providing supportive counseling, crisis intervention, workforce development and job placement, shelter for victims of domestic violence, outreach, advocacy, and referrals. Women Rising is the foremost communitybased organization for women in Hudson County. Women Rising assists women and their families to achieve self-sufficiency and live safe, productive and fulfilling lives, through social services, economic development, and advocacy services.” February 2019 �Mariners and their guests gather near the Crowley-operated vessel. Children and their counselors are pictured with personnel from the ship. USNS Victorious Mariners Help Orphans in Philippines Editor’s note: The following article was submitted by Captain Jon Skoglund (a member of the Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Officers), serving aboard the Crowley-operated USNS Victorious. The vessel is crewed by SIU members and AMO officers. While the Victorious was in Subic Bay, Philippines, during December 2018, mariners decided that we would look into how we might be able to help out a local orphanage. Chief Mate Robert Swinburne identified an orphanage for sexually assaulted girls in Olongapo. After touring the facility, it became evident these girls needed our help. Although the city of Olongapo had workers there installing new showers and a septic system, they lacked basic necessities, such as enough beds, fans for ventilation (there was no A/C in any part of the building), a washer for clothes, storage for their clothes, bedding and towels…. The list goes on. The chief mate did some research and found that four beds and a washer would cost $679. The good people aboard the Victorious raised $1,400 in just two days. In addition, the Crowley Business Unit donated $679 to cover the initial expenses, and the fantastic folks that are a part of the Crowley Jacksonville Team donated another $445 to the cause. With this extreme generosity and the hard work of Chief Mate Swinburne, 1AE Nick Swanson, 2AE Jenna Palaschak and QMED Deven McCoy, we were able to make the girls’ home a safer and more pleasant place, while providing them with the basics that most of us take for granted: five bunk beds, a new washing machine, a freezer (full of food), six fans, sheets, towels, blankets, plates, cups, silverware, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products and lastly, we had enough money left over to fill the cupboards with dry goods. We were also lucky enough to host the girls and their counselors aboard the Victorious for a tour and a pizza night. You could tell by the smiles that both the girls and the crew enjoyed our time together. As it turns out, no matter where you are in the world, pizza and ice cream are popular with a crowd! Thank you all for your help! A heartfelt Happy Holidays from the crew of the Victorious. The tour is a hit with these visitors. QMED Deven McCoy (left) and 1st Engineer Nick Swanson volunteer at the orphanage. Some of the donated items are delivered to the orphanage. Camera shyness isn’t a problem on deck. February 2019 Residents and employees enjoy their gifts. Seafarers LOG 7 �Members roll bicycles onto the truck. Seafarers team up and transport toys from the hall to a truck. AB Obaid Ali Union Stages Another Successful Santa’s Castle Outreach Continued from Page 24 deserve help when they need it. It was nice to meet some of the people from our installation at JBLM, and I’m really proud of our union and glad I had the chance to join.” AB Michael Bell stated, “I think it went great. When you walk in there and see all those toys, it really brings a good feeling, knowing the members are doing something for somebody else. I really enjoy doing it. We didn’t have a lot when I was growing up; myself, and I know, a lot of the other guys like to make sure kids have a good Christmas – have at least one thing under the tree.” Bell added compliments to Vincenzo, Safety Director Ben Anderson, Patrolmen Warren Asp and George Owen and Administrative Assistant Brenda Flesner for their work on the project. “I take my hat off to them,” Bell said. “They all do a great job getting this thing going and keeping it going. They deserve an ‘attaboy’ because they’re the driving force behind it. It’s one of the highlights of the entire year, and I think a lot of people look forward to it every year. You see a lot of smiles.” Addressing Seafarers and Army personnel, Vincenzo recalled a moment from decades earlier. “I remember as a young PFC at Fort Riley, Kansas, home of the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division), an older gentleman toured the motor pool where I was working on an M577 (an armored vehicle). It was routine maintenance. The man thanked me for my service, but I did not feel that I had earned his thanks. Today so many years later, I still don’t – but today I understand his need to express his thanks and the genuine gratitude that he must have felt that day. And quite frankly, all these years later it is clear that his thanks were not necessarily or only about me but something much bigger and what I stood for, and still stand for today. It is an honor to be trusted with the capacity as your port agent to organize and advocate for this toy drive with the help of so many. You are the ones who even make this possible, and your generos- ity speaks for itself year after year.” Shelly Hinzman, president of Santa’s Castle, said, “Our season went great. I don’t have final numbers, but we did 850 to 900 families. Seafarers were a big part of that, because the donations that we receive from them – really, they’re awesome donations. We put them to good use. We always love going to the Seafarers luncheon, too; it’s a highlight of our season. They’ve always been great supporters and we’ve always felt very welcome every time we go. I’m not exaggerating – we just love them.” JBLM is located approximately nine miles southwest of Tacoma. Santa’s Castle is a private 501(c)(3) organization. According to their website, participating service members are identified “by their chain of command – commander, chaplain, 1SG and above – and referred to the program. Once accepted, the service member is scheduled for a shopping appointment where they come to Santa’s Castle to select gifts for their child or children.” Enjoying the gathering are SIU members (from left) Joey Lata, Saleh Ahmed, Carlos Noriega, Eric Hondel and Erwin Renon. Guests enjoy the luncheon at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington. Spotlight on Mariner Health Combating the Common Cold Editor’s note: The following article is provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan Medical Department. If you have a severe cough, a sore throat and your nose is stuffy, you may have a cold. It could, however, be something else. Regardless of what your condition could be, it’s a good idea to get a head start on the healing process. Getting rest, drinking lots of water and eating smaller but more frequent meals are all actions that should make you feel better. Taking Tylenol or anti-inflammatory medications will also help improve how you feel, provided you haven’t been told previously by your physician not to do so. If it is just a cold, your symptoms generally last for a period of three to 10 days. If your symptoms fail to subside during this time, and you also develop a running nose, watery eyes, constant sneezing and coughing that gets worse, it’s probably time to con- 8 Seafarers LOG sider calling a doctor. Such a call should be mandatory for someone who, in addition to having the forgoing symptoms, develops trouble breathing, fevers and body aches, severe vomiting, sinus pain, swollen glands, chest pains or pressure and feelings of faintness. Everyone should be aware that colds can cause swelling in the nose and lungs, which in turn can lead to sinus infections or exacerbate asthma and other lung problems. Colds can also weaken immune systems, thereby opening the door to other infections. There are a number of preventive actions individuals can take to improve the state of their overall health while also guarding against developing any of the foregoing conditions. Included are: getting proper rest, drinking lots of fluids, limiting alcohol intake, stopping smoking, exercising as often as possible, taking vitamins and required inoculations and eating a heart-healthy diet.. Healthful Recipe Grilled Chicken Santa Fe Servings: 25 Ingredients 10 pounds chicken breast without skin 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash seasoning 3 teaspoons chili powder 2 teaspoons cumin 1 tablespoon granulated garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil Corn salsa: 2 cups frozen corn kernels, defrosted 2/3 cup red and green bell peppers, diced small ½ cup red onion, diced small 2 2/3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 tablespoon honey Salt and pepper, to taste Preparation Grill the chicken on a medium-high heat grill or lightly oiled griddle. Cook the chicken halfway done. Place the chicken into 2-inch hotel pans evenly. Drizzle with olive oil. Mix all the salsa ingredients together in a large container. Bake the chicken in a 350-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes until internal temperature of 165 F is reached. Top the cooked chicken with the corn salsa. Cover and serve. Nutrition information: Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 191 calories; 3g fat (16% calories from fat); 34g protein; 5g carbohydrates; 1g dietary fiber; 84mg cholesterol; 99mg sodium. Exchanges: 0 grain (starch); 4 ½ lean meat; 0 vegetable; ½ fat; 0 other carbohydrates. Provided by Chef Robert “RJ” Johnson of the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education’s Lundeberg School of Seamanship February 2019 �With Seafarers on the Great Lakes The photos on this page were taken by SIU Port Agent Todd Brdak while servicing members aboard the American Steamship Company-operated John J. Boland and Indiana Harbor last year. The Boland was in Toledo, Ohio, while the Indiana Harbor was in St. Clair, Michigan. John J. Boland The John J. Boland lowers a boarding ladder. Bosun Saleh Mohamed Ahmed and AB Abdulaziz Faisal Zain Port Agent Todd Brdak and Chief Cook Bernard Lawes The John J. Boland loads cargo onto the ship. Indiana Harbor Chief Cook John Chaney AB Wheelsman Mohamed Mosed and Gateman Thomas McClure QMED Ameen Abdo Yahya and Port Agent Todd Brdak February 2019 ACU Dave Warner The Indiana Harbor docked in St. Clair, Michigan Safe operations are a source of pride aboard the Indiana Harbor. Seafarers LOG 9 �PROMOTING MARITIME TO CONGRESSMEN – Shortly before Election Day 2018, SIU Port Agent Mark von Siegel and Patrolman Ray Henderson helped reinforce support for the U.S. Merchant Marine in Congress. Pictured from left in photo at right are von Siegel, U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-New Jersey) and Henderson. Henderson is shown with U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-New Jersey) in the photo at left. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ON SEABULK ARCTIC – Pictured from left in photo above are AB Blake Braye, Recertified Bosun John Cedeno, Houston Patrolman Kelly Krick, AB Christopher Sanchez, Pumpman Brian Jackson, AB Marcos Rivera, Chief Steward Rafael Cardenas and Houston Patrolman J.D. Niday. The photo at right features AB Richard Benoit aboard the Seabulk Tankers vessel. AT SAN JUAN HALL – QMED Angel Cintron (left) made a bit of history last December when he became the first Seafarer to pick up a vacation check at the new hall in Puerto Rico. He was also the first A-seniority book member serviced at the hall, according to Port Agent Amancio Crespo (right). AT HOUSTON HALL – In photo above, inland Capt. Jamie Norsworthy (right) takes the union oath and receives his full book. The photo at right features members of the Chacon family – pensioner Jose (center) flanked by his wife, Ramona (left) and their daughter, Dr. Osana Chacon. Jose stopped by to pick up a pension verification letter; all three family members spoke favorably of the new hiring hall. ABOARD PELICAN STATE – Pictured from left aboard the Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning ship in Martinez, California, are Recertified Steward Gregory Lynch, GVA Abdulfata Shammam, SA Kassem Salem, QMED/Pumpman Alex Canada, QMED Derrick Clark, Oakland Port Agent Nick Marrone II, AB Nasser Kassim and Bosun Derik Rye. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2019 �At Sea and Ashore with the SIU TALKING MERCHANT MARINE WITH CONGRESSMAN – U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (DCalifornia) (center) conducted a community event Dec. 16 in Dublin, California, and SIU representatives were on hand to discuss the Jones Act, cargo preference, the Maritime Security Program and more. Pictured with the congressman are Port Agent Nick Marrone II (right) and Patrolman Adrian Fraccarolli. ABOARD PRESIDENT CLEVELAND – Pictured aboard the APL vessel in Oakland, California, are (from left) ACU Jessie Espiritu, Recertified Steward Joseph Welle and Chief Cook David Rodak. UNPLANNED REUNION – Four friends who are recertified stewards (from left: Ed Viana, Juan Vallejo, Michael Carello and Alex Banky) took this photo outside the Paul Hall Center’s Mooney Pub to celebrate a rare reunion over the holiday. Vallejo said he submitted the photo to the LOG “so that the new generations understand the importance of our school that, in addition to educating us, finds us again.” He and Viana were in the same recertification class (in 2012). Banky completed the program in 2002, while Carello graduated in 2008. ALHOA FROM PINEY POINT – Six new recruits from the Marimed Foundation’s program for native Hawaiians are among those pictured, while recently enrolled in the apprentice program at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. Standing (from left) are SIU Honolulu Port Agent Hazel Galbiso, Apprentices Kalanihooulumoku Holt and Delson Smith, Marimed Program Coordinator Melissa Hebert, Apprentice Alika Kukahiko and Marimed President/CEO Matt Claybaugh. In front are (from left) Apprentices Kalae Huihui, Billie Kawelo and Noah Santiago. AT JACKSONVILLE HALL – In photo at left, Pumpman Steven Supplee (right) receives his Abook from Safety Director Joseph Koncul. AB Joseph Wattam is at right in photo at right, also with Koncul, receiving his full B-book. The below photo shows OS Jamila King in front of the podium, taking the oath and receiving her full B-book from Patrolman Adam Bucalo. ABOARD PERLA DEL CARIBE – Christmas spirit and excellent food are evident aboard the TOTE vessel. Pictured from left are SA Brandon Harvell, Chief Cook Jacob Parrilla and Steward/Baker Ingrid Ortiz. February 2019 Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New for the 2019 Tax Filing Season Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2018 and 2019, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2017. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 15, 2019. Exemptions - For tax year 2018, the deduction for the personal exemption is reduced to zero. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return has increased to $24,000 for 2018. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns has increased to $12,000 for 2018. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $18,000 for 2018. The additional standard deduction for people who have reached age 65 (or who are blind) is $1,300 for married taxpayers or $1,600 for unmarried taxpayers. Itemized Deductions – Before 2018, an individual’s itemized deductions were reduced by 3% of the amount adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeded certain threshold amounts. This phaseout of itemized deductions was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), and therefore does not apply to 2018. State Itemized Deductions - The TCJA modified or eliminated several popular itemized deductions. It is important to note that although the federal deductions have been adjusted, you may still qualify for deductions at the state level. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - For tax year 2018, for all taxpayers, unreimbursed medical expenses may be claimed as an itemized deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2018: n Credit of $6,341 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $49,194 ($54,884 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,716 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $45,802 ($51,492 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $3,461 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $40,320 ($46,010 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $519 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $15,270 ($20,950 if married filing jointly) For tax years beginning after 2015 – a TIN is not valid for EIC purposes unless it was used on or before the due date of the return. For Tax years beginning after 2017, you may be able to qualify for the EIC under the rules for taxpayers without a qualifying child if you have a qualifying child for the EIC who is claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2018 is $128,400. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. In 2018, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly, $125,000 for married filing separately, and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to selfemployed workers. For 2019, the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax is $132,900. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the self-employment tax is 12.4% in 2018. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. The SE tax rate for 2018 is 15.3%, and the deduction is equal to one-half of self-employment tax. Capital Gains and Losses - Continuing from 2012 you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2018, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. New for 2018: For years 2018-2025, the personal casualty and theft loss deduction is eliminated, except for personal casualty losses incurred in a federally declared disaster. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate – In 2018, the tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends is 20% for income that exceeds the 37% tax bracket threshold amount of: n $600,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $500,000 for head of household n $300,000 for married filing separately n $500,000 for single The rate goes down to 15% for lower tax brackets and then 0% for the 10%-15% tax brackets. In 2018, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax for income that exceeds the threshold amounts listed above. Medicare Tax on Investment Income – In 2018, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: n $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $125,000 for married filing separately n $200,000 for all others Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit has increased to $13,810 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $207,140. The credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2018 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Child Tax Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the enhanced child tax credit of $2,000 maximum credit per child through the end of 2018. For 2018 tax year, the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: 12 Seafarers LOG n $200,000 for married couples filing separately n $200,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $400,000 for married couples filing jointly The TCJA eliminated the exemption deduction for dependents for years 20182025. Therefore, releasing the dependency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction; however, it does make the noncustodial parent eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child. In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). Effective from 2016: Taxpayers cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for any tax year if the individual or a qualifying child did not have an individual TIN issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year: For tax years beginning after 2015 – the Child Tax Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination or reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the Child Tax Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no Child Tax Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Child and Dependent Care Credit - For 2018, there is a credit equal to the amount of qualified expenses multiplied by an applicable percentage determined by the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. The maximum amount of qualified expenses to which the credit may be applied is $3,000 for cost to care for one child under the age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children, so that the parents can either go to work or be in the process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit (the credit amount has not changed). The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2018, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to 40% of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $180,000 for Married Filing Jointly Taxpayers cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit for any tax year if the individual or a student did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. For Tax years beginning after 2015, the American Opportunity Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination or reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the American Opportunity Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no American Opportunity Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Taxpayers must report the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the educational institution to which payments were made. Lifetime Learning Credit - For tax year 2018, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $57,000 ($114,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $67,000 ($134,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Tuition and Fees Deductions – The tuition and fees deduction expired at the end of 2017. However, this discussion is retained in the event the deduction is extended, as it has been many times. The deduction is not allowed for Married Filing Separately filers or for any taxpayer who qualifies as a dependent (whether or not claimed) on another taxpayer’s tax return. For 2018, the tuition and fees deduction may not be claimed if an education credit is claimed for the same student in the same year [IRC Sec. 222 (c)(2)(A)]. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. New for 2018: The TCJA changed the definition of qualified higher education expense. For purposes of the 529 plan rules, qualified higher education expenses now include expenses for tuition for attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school [IRC Secs. 529(c)(7) and 530(b)(3)(B)]. Cash distributions from all 529 plans are limited to $10,000 for elementary and secondary school tuition per tax year, per-student. [IRC Sec.529(e)(3)(A)]. Educator Expenses – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended the above-the-line deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. For tax years beginning after 2015, eligible expenses also include expenses for professional development courses the educator takes related to the curriculum he/she teaches or to the student he/she teaches. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – For 2018, the itemized deduction for state and local taxes is limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for MFS) of the aggregate of (1) state and local property taxes and (2) state and local income, war profits and excess profits taxes (or sales taxes in lieu of income, etc. taxes) paid or accrued in the tax year. Caution: The provision also includes a rule stating that an individual may not claim an itemized deduction in 2017 on a pre-payment of income tax for a future tax year in order to avoid the dollar limitation applicable for the tax years beginning after 2017. Individual Retirement Accounts: Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute a maximum of $2,000 cash each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The dollar limit is phased out for married individuals filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income between $190,000 and $220,000, and between $95,000 and $110,000 for single filers. The contribution is not deductible. Traditional IRAs - For 2018, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $5,500 or your compensation. For taxpayers age 50 or older as of year-end, an additional catch-up contribution of up to $1,000 is allowed. Thus, the 2018 contribution limit for these taxpayers is the lesser of $6,500 or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2018 is $63,000-$73,000 for single and head of household, $101,000-$121,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Continued on Page 14 Tax Tips for Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099 n Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Charitable contributions n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or n Home equity loan n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-872-9829 or 1-888-7291040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 20b, 20c and 20d on their Form 1040. Line 20b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 20c indicates the type of account, and line 20d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, an individual that prepares his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and website at: www.irs. gov. What Are Considered Deductions and Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The TCJA eliminated the exemption deduction for dependents for years 2018-2025. Therefore, releasing the dependency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction; however, it does make the noncustodial parent eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, which increased for married couples filing jointly in 2018 at $24,000. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns also increased in 2018 at $12,000. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $18,000 for 2018. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2018, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are no longer deductible for 2018-2025. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: The TCJA suspended the deduction for miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2%-ofAGI limit for 2018-2025 [IRC Sec. 67(g)]. Therefore, these expenses are not deductible in 2018. Miscellaneous itemized deductions not subject to the 2%-ofAGI limit remain deductible on Schedule A. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Other Tax Information Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Ex- Standard Deduction This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,300 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,600 for an unmarried person). Filing Status Standard Deduction Single and Married filing separate ................................................................$ 12,000 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent chidren........$24,000 Head of household...........................................................................................$ 18,000 February 2019 February 2019 press and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2018, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings) n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate n Embezzled or other illegal income n Social Security benefits Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship Filing an Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2019, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where is My Refund If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www. irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayerrelated services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year— was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet website at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �Tax Filers Face Assorted Changes During 2019 Season Continued from Page 12 Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at year end) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $120,000 and $135,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $189,000 and $199,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 permanently extends the Qualified Charitable Distributions. It offers older owners of IRAs a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70 and one-half or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donoradvised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2018, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by April 15, 2019 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 in any time during the calendar year. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit - The first-time homebuyer credit is not available for homes purchased in 2018. However, taxpayers who claimed the credit, which was available for homes purchased during 20082011, may have to repay (recapture) their credits. Mortgage Insurance Premiums – The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums expired December 31, 2017. Unless congress extends this provision, it will not be available for mortgage insurance premiums paid after 2017. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – For property placed in service after December 31, 2016 and before January 1, 2022, the credit is available only for eligible solar electric property and solar water heating property. The credit is equal to 30 percent of the cost of eligible property placed in service in 2018 or 2019; 26 percent of the cost of the property placed in 2020; and 22 percent of the cost of property placed in service in 2021. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rate for 2018 is 54.5 cents per mile for business miles driven and was increased to 18 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss – For 2018- 2025, personal casualty losses are deductible only if attributable to a federally declared disaster. The loss is reported on Form 4684 (Casualty and Theft Losses), Part A. A casualty loss equals the lesser of the adjusted basis in the property before the casualty, or the decrease in fair market value of the property as a result of the casualty. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion – For tax year 2018, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $103,900. This amount is up $1,800 from tax year 2017. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – New for 2018: The TCJA increased the AMT exemption amounts and significantly increased the income at which the exemption begins to phase out ($1,000,000 for married filing jointly and $500,000 for other filers). Therefore, it’s likely fewer individuals will be subject to AMT beginning in 2018. Health Care Coverage – In 2018, individuals must have health care coverage, to qualify for a health care coverage exemption or make shared responsibility payment with their tax return. Coverage Exemptions: An individual may be exempt from the requirement to maintain 14 Seafarers LOG minimum essential coverage and thus will not have to make a shared responsibility payment if, for 2018, they: n Had no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount he must pay for the annual premiums is more than 8.05% of his household income; n Had a gap in coverage for less than three consecutive months or n Qualified for an exemption for one of several other reasons, including having a hardship that prevents him from obtaining coverage, or belonging to a group explicitly exempt from the requirement. If the taxpayer, spouse or any of the dependents did not have minimum essential coverage and didn’t have a coverage exemption for any month in 2018, an individual shared responsibility payment must be computed and reported on line 61 of Form 1040, Schedule 4. New for 2018: The TCJA reduced the individual shared responsibility payment amount to zero beginning in 2019. However, the penalty remains in effect for each month of 2018. For 2018, the annual payment amount is the greater of: n 2.5% percent of the household income that is above the tax return filing threshold for taxpayer’s filing status, or n The family’s flat dollar amount, which is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, limited to a family maximum of $2,085. Premium Tax Credit – Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit. Individuals who are eligible for PTC need to meet the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. Exception: In some cases, taxpayers with household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Note: Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) – The Health care tax credit is a tax credit that pays a percentage of health insurance premiums for certain eligible taxpayers and their qualifying family members. The Health Coverage Tax credit is a separate tax credit with different eligibility rules than the premium tax credit. Affordable Care Act – Several very important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that affect individuals and businesses first became effective in 2015. The Employer Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to either offer minimum essential coverage that is “affordable” and that provides “minimum value” to their full-time employees and their dependents, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS. Transit Benefits – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended transit benefits. These include van pool benefits, transit passes and qualified parking. Beginning in 2018, the monthly exclusion amount has increased to $260. Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit – IRS Refund Claim – The IRS has additional time to review refund claims based on the Earned Income Credit or the refundable portion of the additional Child Tax Credit in order to reduce fraud and improper payments. No credit or refund for an overpayment shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15 following the close of the tax year, if the taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Credit or additional Child Tax Credit. Form 1098-T Required to Claim Certain Education Incentives – Taxpayers must receive a form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from educational institutions to claim the American opportunity credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit or the above the line deduction for qualified tuition and fees. Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs – For rollover contributions made after December 18, 2015, distributions from employer sponsored retirement plans and traditional IRAs may be rolled over into a SIMPLE IRA, as long as the SIMPLE IRA has been open for at least two years. Tax Rates for 2018 – For 2018, there is a 37% bracket (for single individuals at $500,001, head of household at $500,001 married filing jointly at $600,001 and married filing separately at $300,001). Trusts and estates will hit the 37% bracket at $12,500. The rate for capital gains and qualified dividends is 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $500,000 for single individuals n $500,000 for heads of household n $600,000 for married filing joint n $300,000 for married filing separately Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence – Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However, income from cancellation of debt on a qualified principal residence, of up to $2 million, may be excludable. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child -To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Hurricane Relief - Congress is currently considering legislation that would provide additional tax relief for those affected by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, or Maria, and tax relief for those affected by other disasters, such as the California wildfires. California Wildfire Victims - The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 generally provides the same tax relief to victims of the California wildfire that hurricane victims received under the Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2017. This includes the following: n Special tax rules for qualified wildfire distributions from retirement plans. A qualified wildfire distribution is a distribution from most types of tax-favored retirement plans, including IRAs, made on or after October 8, 2017 and before January 1, 2019 to an individual whose principal place of residence during any portion of the period from October 8, 2017 to December 31, 2017 is located in the California wildfire disaster area and who has sustained an economic loss by reason of the wildfires to which the declaration of such areas relates. n Temporary suspension of limitations on charitable contributions made during the period beginning October 8, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2018 for relief efforts in the California wildfire disaster area. n Special rules for computing qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses, which are casualty losses which arise in the California wildfire disaster area on or after October 8, 2017 and which are attributable to the wildfires to which the declaration of such area relates. See Pub. 976 for more information. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 - The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 was enacted on February 9, 2018. The law’s primary purpose was related to spending and the budget of the U.S. government. Possible Legislation - Congress is currently considering legislation that would extend certain tax benefits that expired at the end of 2016 and that currently can’t be claimed on your 2018 tax return, such as: n Cancellation of Debt (COD)-Mortgage Debt n Mortgage Insurance Premiums Deduction n Tuition and Fees Deduction n The credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property n Energy Credit n New Energy Efficient Homes Credit n Personal Energy Property Credit n Residential Energy Efficient Property n Two-Wheeled Plug-In Electric Vehicles Credit To learn whether this legislation was enacted resulting in changes that affect your 2018 tax return, go to Recent Developments at IRS.gov. What’s New for 2018 - The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017. Described as the largest major tax reform in over three decades, the TCJA contains a host of tax provisions that impact individuals and businesses. See some additional changes in the tax provisions below: n Miscellaneous Deductions - Job-related expenses, as well as other miscellaneous itemized deductions that were previously subject to the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income floor, are no longer deductible in 2018. The eliminated deductions include expenses for tax preparation, union dues, and investment fees. n Kiddie Tax - The taxable income of a child attributable to earned income is taxed under the rates for single individuals, and taxable income of a child attributable to net unearned income is taxed according to the brackets applicable to trusts and estates. The rule applies to the child’s ordinary income and his income taxed at preferential rates. n Mortgage Interest Deduction - The deduction for mortgage interest is limited to underlying indebtedness of up to $750,000 ($375,000 for MFS). The deduction for interest on home equity indebtedness is eliminated. The new lower limit doesn’t apply to any acquisition indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017. n Charitable Contribution Deduction The limitation under IRC Sec. 170(b) for cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations is 60%. Contributions exceeding the limitation are generally allowed to be carried forward and deducted for up to five years, subject to the later year’s ceiling. n Gambling Losses - All deductions for expenses incurred in carrying out wagering transactions, and not just gambling losses, are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings. n Deduction for Qualified Business Income - An individual generally may deduct 20% of qualified business income from a partnership, S corporation or sole proprietorship, as well as 20% of aggregate qualified REIT dividends and qualified publicly-traded partnership income. The 20% deduction is not allowed in computing AGI, but rather is allowed as a deduction reducing taxable income. A limitation based on W-2 wages paid or capital investment is phased in for MFJ taxpayers with taxable income of $315,000 or more ($157,500 for other individuals). A disallowance of the deduction with respect to specified service trades or businesses also is phased in above these threshold amounts of taxable income. n Moving Expenses – Moving expenses are no longer deductible unless you are a member of the armed forces on active duty (And their spouse and dependents) who moved pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station. Your Online Account – In order for you to access your online account, you must authenticate your identity. To securely log in to your federal tax account, go to IRS.gov/Account. View the amount you owe, review 18 months of payment history, access online payment options, and create or modify an online payment agreement. You can also access your tax records online. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund. These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration tollfree at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@ uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/ idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778. February 2019 �Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea Aboard USNS Maury December 15, 2018 - January 15, 2019 Aboard the Ocean Shipholdings-operated vessel, steward department Seafarers wish all of their SIU brothers and sisters the best in the new year. Pictured from left are GVAs Camilo Villafania, Walter Wise and Rey Ramos, SA Crystal Cobbs, Chief Cook Brandon Hamilton and Steward/Baker Joseph Hernandez. Thanks to MDR Brandon Maeda for the pic. Personal Craig Vann would like to hear from anyone who sailed with his late grandfather, Willie P. Smith, a Navy veteran and mariner. Smith had family in the Philippines and for a time resided in New York. Vann can be reached at Davis-craig1971@gmail.com, (928) 202-0436. February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point..................................Monday: February 4, March 4 Algonac..........................................Friday: February 8, March 8 Baltimore...................................Thursday: February 7, March 7 Guam......................................Thursday: February 21, March 21 Honolulu....................................Friday: February 15, March 15 Houston......................................Monday: February 11, March 11 Jacksonville...............................Thursday: February 7, March 7 Joliet......................................Thursday: February 14, March 14 Mobile................................Wednesday: February 13, March 13 New Orleans..............................Tuesday: February 12, March 12 Jersey City...................................Tuesday: February 5, March 5 Norfolk.......................................Thursday: February 7, March 7 Oakland..................................Thursday: February 14, March 14 Philadelphia............................Wednesday: February 6, March 6 Port Everglades......................Thursday: February 14, March 14 San Juan...................................Thursday: February 7, March 7 St. Louis.....................................Friday: February 15, March 15 Tacoma.......................................Friday: February 22, March 22 Wilmington................*Tuesday: February 19, Monday: March 18 * Wilmington change due to Presidents Day observance. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m ATTENTION SEAFARERS Another New Ship SPAD Works For You. Contribute To The Seafarers Political Activities Donation SPAD February 2019 Total Registered Total Shipped All Groups A B Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Deck Department 33 17 0 7 4 0 3 47 16 0 3 2 1 2 3 0 4 3 2 2 8 2 1 4 2 0 1 8 2 1 20 6 8 17 11 7 10 34 13 6 4 3 0 2 0 0 0 6 5 0 13 1 2 12 3 3 7 16 5 6 6 3 1 4 2 1 2 11 8 2 46 10 13 33 13 14 29 99 28 16 37 19 8 24 17 3 13 63 23 15 44 7 7 27 7 1 17 65 14 10 4 2 0 1 2 0 0 3 5 0 12 4 4 7 2 1 2 17 6 5 26 16 7 24 12 3 10 30 21 13 11 3 3 5 1 1 3 21 7 5 6 2 0 6 2 0 7 10 2 1 3 1 2 0 3 1 1 5 1 2 9 5 1 5 2 0 1 16 10 2 28 8 1 22 3 5 8 51 19 8 2 0 2 0 0 2 1 3 1 1 26 6 5 21 7 4 11 52 13 10 341 117 66 223 96 46 130 560 201 105 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Engine Department 4 3 3 2 0 0 1 9 4 4 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 6 0 0 3 1 1 5 3 0 11 4 0 12 4 1 6 15 7 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 2 0 3 2 0 1 0 0 1 5 8 0 7 2 2 3 3 2 2 19 3 4 11 6 2 12 4 2 6 25 15 3 21 18 2 18 8 1 8 33 25 3 12 2 3 12 0 0 4 25 5 4 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 4 1 1 1 3 0 3 2 0 0 3 5 1 14 13 11 10 15 6 9 18 20 13 7 5 1 6 3 2 1 10 9 2 3 1 0 1 4 0 0 5 4 0 0 4 0 1 3 0 1 1 3 0 3 2 2 4 1 0 1 11 3 4 11 6 3 8 0 2 2 20 13 6 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 3 1 0 10 8 1 14 9 2 8 15 12 3 126 89 31 111 61 20 53 230 144 50 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Steward Department 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 10 2 1 8 4 0 3 15 4 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 1 8 2 1 7 1 0 4 1 0 2 14 1 0 15 3 1 9 2 0 3 30 6 3 19 5 3 19 5 0 6 32 11 4 6 3 0 1 3 0 0 18 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 5 1 5 3 1 3 4 6 0 17 6 2 12 7 3 12 29 11 2 20 6 0 8 4 1 4 30 6 1 6 0 0 4 0 0 2 4 0 0 4 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 2 2 3 1 0 2 3 0 1 5 5 0 15 4 0 6 0 0 1 24 7 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 18 11 0 11 10 0 14 37 14 0 154 51 10 103 46 6 54 263 87 16 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Entry Department 0 12 10 1 2 0 0 1 8 13 1 2 1 0 3 2 0 1 2 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 7 0 5 0 2 1 8 14 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 2 3 1 0 1 1 1 3 4 1 3 5 1 5 3 1 2 8 8 4 19 11 4 6 7 2 4 21 23 3 32 24 1 11 11 2 6 38 73 0 12 12 0 7 5 4 5 24 19 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 17 22 0 11 10 7 0 26 41 0 5 10 0 7 9 2 4 9 25 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 5 9 7 1 8 5 2 7 14 9 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 21 14 0 11 6 1 5 49 19 19 140 132 9 78 59 24 40 221 261 GRAND TOTAL: 640 397 239 446 281 131 261 1,093 653 432 C Trip Reliefs Registered on Beach All Groups A B C A All Groups B C Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kate Hunt, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 Inquiring Seafarer This month’s question was answered by Seafarers in Piney Point, Maryland. Question: What are your plans for the New Year? Casey Pearson Chief Cook My goal for this year is to get my A-book, then apply for colleges. I’ll also be applying for the (SHBP) scholarship, which will help me pay for whatever college I enroll at. I’m also planning on moving this year, and on top of all that, I’m getting married! Devon Pullins OS My plan is to sail as much as I can, so I can save up to start my own business. This job is really secure, and I love what I do, but I’m trying to be my own boss as soon as I can.. Jack Boscia Chief Cook Get my schooling done, then get back to work on board a ship. Later in the year, I’m coming back to Piney Point to upgrade my skills and become a chief steward. Nathaniel Hunter GUDE I’m going to keep on upgrading by taking classes here at the Paul Hall Center. My goal is to become an AB next, then continue on up as far as I can go. I’m SIU for the long haul. Eddie Solichin Junior Engineer Finish my studies, and then switch over to working on tankers. I’ve never sailed on one before, and I’m excited to take on the new challenges that type of ship brings. Brittany Steward Chief Cook Education-wise, I’m going to keep coming back to Piney Point and keep upgrading my skills. Being around the trainees is very inspirational, and brings back memories – Class 826! ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 GUAM P.O. Box 3328, Hagatna, Guam 96932 Cliffline Office Ctr. Bldg., Suite 103B 422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96910 (671) 477-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 625 N. York St., Houston, TX 77003 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 JERSEY CITY 104 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 434-6000 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 Pics From The Past For the second month in a row, retired Bosun John Gallagher is sharing photos from the 1940s. Pictured at anchor in the Persian Gulf is the T2 tanker SS Stony Creek. The bosun is standing at far left in the inset, with SIU shipmates. The vessel was one of approximately 500 such tankers built for the U.S. during World War II. PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN 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) 549-4000 If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2019 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA AHMED AHMED Brother Ahmed Ahmed, 65, signed on with the SIU in 1981, initially working aboard the Connecticut. He upgraded at the Piney Point school in 1997 and sailed in all three departments. Brother Ahmed concluded his career aboard the Overseas Houston. He makes his home in Dearborn, Michigan. TRACY AUSTIN Brother Tracy Austin, 69, began his career with the Seafarers in 2002, first sailing on the John U.D. Page. He upgraded at the Piney Point school the same year, and shipped as a deck department member. Brother Austin most recently sailed on USNS Bowditch. He calls Hatteras, North Carolina, home. LOUIS BROOMFIELD Brother Louis Broomfield, 65, joined the SIU in 1969, initially sailing on the Columbia Owl. He upgraded at the Paul Hall Center within his first year and shipped in all three departments. Brother Broomfield last sailed aboard the Ogden Traveler and resides in New Orleans. DAVID CASTRO Brother David Castro, 67, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 1989, first sailing aboard the USNS Algol. He worked in the engine department and upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Castro last sailed on the USNS Fisher. He settled in Borrego Springs, California. ROGER CLEGG Brother Roger Clegg, 68, joined the SIU in 2005 when he sailed on the Pride of Aloha. An engine department member, he upgraded his skills in 2017 at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Clegg most recently sailed on the Pride of America. He makes his home in Honolulu. February 2019 KEVIN COOPER Brother Kevin Cooper, 66, joined the union in 1971. His first vessel was the Bienville. Brother Cooper sailed in the engine department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. He last sailed on the Safmarine Nimba and resides in Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania. with Crowley Puerto Rico. He upgraded at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center in 2001 and concluded his career working on the Endurance. Brother Mottley is a resident of San Juan, Puerto Rico. VLADIMIR NITRIANSKY Brother Michael Earhart, 65, began his SIU career in 1990. He initially sailed on the Independence and worked in the deck department. Brother Earhart upgraded on multiple occasions at the union-affiliated Piney Point school. He most recently shipped on the Pacific Collector and resides in Merlin, Oregon. Brother Vladimir Nitriansky, 73, signed on with the Seafarers in 2000 when he shipped aboard the American Merlin. Brother Nitriansky was a deck department member and last sailed on the Patriot. He calls Theodore, Alabama, home. DESTA GEBRAI BENNY OROSCO MICHAEL EARHART Brother Desta Gebrai, 66, donned the SIU colors in 1993 when he sailed aboard the Independence. He worked in both the deck and steward departments and last sailed on the Yorktown Express. Brother Gebrai makes his home in Tacoma, Washington. TIMOTHY GIRARD Brother Timothy Girard, 65, signed on with the union in 1991, initially sailing on the Constellation. He was a deck department member and upgraded on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Girard most recently sailed aboard the Maersk Idaho. He resides in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. SYED MEHDI Brother Syed Mehdi, 65, joined the SIU in 1996 and initially sailed on the American Cormorant. A deck department member, he upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Mehdi last shipped aboard the Maersk Montana. He makes his home in Brooklyn, New York. KENNETH MOTTLEY Brother Kenneth Mottley, 80, became an SIU in 1994. A deck department member, he sailed in both the inland and deep-sea divisions. Brother Mottley was first employed Brother Benny Orosco, 62, joined the SIU in 1989. His first vessel was the Independence. Brother Orosco worked in both the steward and engine departments. He upgraded on multiple occasions at the maritime training center located in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Orosco most recently sailed on the Horizon Enterprise. He makes his home in Honolulu. JAMES ROBAK Brother James Robak, 67, started shipping with the Seafarers in 1970. A deck department member, he first sailed aboard the Fort Hoskins. Brother Robak’s last vessel was the Transcolorado. He lives in Margate, Florida. JANUSZ SMOLIK Brother Janusz Smolik, 65, joined the union in 1992, first sailing aboard the Independence. He sailed in all three departments and upgraded often at the Piney Point school. Brother Smolik most recently sailed on the Maersk Iowa. He resides in Poland. MAHMOOD TAHIR Brother Mahmood Tahir, 66, signed on with the SIU in 1991. A member of the deck department, he initially sailed aboard the USNS Vindicator. Brother Tahir shipped in both the inland and deep-sea divisions. He upgraded in 1992 at the Paul Hall Center and concluded his career aboard the Tyco Decisive. Brother Tahir is a resident of Stamford, Connecticut. INLAND ROBERT CARROLL Brother Robert Carroll, 62, became a union member in 1995. He first shipped with Penn Maritime and worked in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Carroll upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. He last sailed aboard the Pacific Reliance and makes his home in St. Augustine, Florida. ROBERT EASTWOOD Brother Robert Eastwood, 58, donned the SIU colors in 1989, initially working with Steuart Transportation. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Eastwood was most recently employed by Crowley Towing and Transportation. He resides in Palatka, Florida. EMMANUEL ELIADIS Brother Emmanuel Eliadis, 65, started shipping with the SIU in 1978 when he worked for G&H Towing. A deck department member, he upgraded on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Eliadias last worked for Interstate Oil. He is a resident of Essex, Maryland. JOHN GATES Brother John Gates, 57, began his career with the Seafarers in 1991. Initially sailing in the deep-sea division, his first vessel was the Cape Charles. Brother Gates was a deck department member and upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. He was primarily employed with Crowley Towing and Transportation and lives in League City, Texas. ALFREDO GONZALEZ Brother Alfredo Gonzalez, 62, joined the union in 1981 when he shipped with Crowley Puerto Rico. He sailed in both the engine and deck departments. Brother Gon- zalez upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center and remained with the same company for the duration of his career. He makes his home in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. PAUL HART Brother Paul Hart, 60, signed on with the SIU in 1996, after he worked as a member of the Seafarers-affiliated United Industrial Workers. He was employed by Crowley for the duration of his SIU career. Brother Hart Resides in Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania. JEFFERY JOHNS Brother Jeffery Johns, 59, donned the SIU colors in 1992. He was first employed with Penn Maritime and sailed in the deck department. Brother Johns upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. He remained with the same company for his entire career and resides in Cortland, Ohio. STEVE PALMER Brother Steve Palmer, 65, began his SIU career in 1977, initially sailing in the deep-sea division. He was originally employed with Mt Vernon Tankers and worked in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Palmer upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. He concluded his career working with Mariner Towing and settled in Keystone Heights, Florida. NED TELLER Brother Ned Teller, 63, joined the Seafarers in 1974 when he worked for G&H Towing. A deck department member, he upgraded in 1980 at the Piney Point school. Brother Teller last worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation. He calls Port Aransas, Texas, home. JOHN WILLETTE Brother John Willette, 68, started shipping with the SIU in 1994. He first sailed on Port Imperial Ferry’s George Washington. Brother Willette was a member of the deck department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. He was employed with the same company for his entire career and lives in the Philippines. Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA VELONDER ALFORD Chicago Trader and retired in 1994. He resided in Rochester, Minnesota. Pensioner Velonder Alford, 76, died November 6. Born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, she embarked on her SIU career in 2001 and initially sailed on the Kauai. A steward department member, Sister Alford last sailed aboard the John Paul Bobo. She went on pension in 2008 and was a resident of Spanaway, Washington. VINCENT FLORES WILFREDO ANGALA ROMALIES JONES Brother Wilfredo Angala, 54, passed away September 23. He became an SIU member in 2006 and first sailed on the Pride of Aloha. Brother Angala was a deck department member and most recently sailed on the Green Cove. He resided in Salinas, California. Pensioner Romalies Jones, 63, died December 25. He joined the union in 1986 and first sailed aboard the USNS Regulus. Brother Jones was a steward department member and most recently shipped aboard the National Glory. He began collecting his pension in 2017 and made his home in Avondale, Louisiana. ANDREW AUSTIN Brother Andrew Austin, 62, died March 20. He joined the union in 1979 when he shipped on the Cove Trader. Brother Austin was a member of the steward department. His last ship was the USNS Regulus, and he lived in Philadelphia. ARNALDO AVILA Brother Arnaldo Avila, 66, passed away October 6. He began shipping with the Seafarers in 1993 and initially sailed aboard the Robert E. Lee. Brother Avila was a deck department member and last shipped aboard the Liberty Glory. He lived in his hometown of New Orleans. CLIFTON BLAKE Pensioner Clifton Blake, 91, died November 16. He started his SIU career in 1966, initially shipping aboard the Van Venture. A deck department member, Brother Blake last sailed on the Santa Elena. He began collecting his pension in 1985 and settled in Baltimore. ABAD CALERO Pensioner Abad Calero, 78, passed away November 20. He joined the union in 1972 and first worked for Delta Lines. Brother Calero sailed in all three departments and last shipped on the Crusader. He retired in 2002 and called Isabela, Puerto Rico, home. ARTHUR DEPUY Pensioner Arthur Depuy, 89, died November 21. He donned the SIU colors in 1967, initially sailing aboard the Penmar. Brother Depuy briefly sailed in the inland division. The engine department member last shipped on the 18 Seafarers LOG Pensioner Vincent Flores, 67, passed away December 17. He embarked on his SIU career in 1982 and initially shipped on the Lurline. Brother Flores sailed in all three departments and also worked on shore gangs. He became a pensioner in 2003. Brother Flores was a resident of Oakley, California. MELVIN KERNS Pensioner Melvin Kerns, 70, passed away December 10. He donned the SIU colors in 1993 and first sailed aboard the USNS Regulus. A member of the engine department, Brother Kerns last worked on the Maersk Tennessee. He retired in 2010 and resided in Bogalusa, Louisiana. DONALD MELONSON Pensioner Donald Melonson, 72, died December 21. He became an SIU member in 2001 and first sailed on the Chemical Pioneer. A member of the deck department, Brother Melonson also concluded his sailing career aboard the same ship. He retired in 2013 and made his home in Houston. member of the SIU in 1951. Brother Mullis was a deck department member and concluded his career aboard the Ambassador. He went on pension in 1993 and resided in Mobile, Alabama. BOBBY SPENCER Pensioner Bobby Spencer, 81, passed away November 27. He began sailing with the SIU in 1961. Brother Spencer’s first vessel was the Madaket; his last, the Independence. The engine department member retired in 1998. He called Westminster, South Carolina, home. ALFRED TAMPOL Pensioner Alfred Tampol, 90, died November 22. He joined the union in 1945 and first sailed aboard the Steel Director. Brother Tampol was an engine department member and also worked on shore gangs, most recently in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He retired in 1994 and lived in New Milford, New Jersey. EDWARD TOMAS Pensioner Edward Tomas, 93, passed away November 14. He signed on with the SIU in 1991 when he shipped on the Independence. Brother Tomas worked in both the deck and steward departments, sailing last on the Horizon Enterprise. He began collecting his pension in 1999 and settled in Waipahu, Hawaii. DANNIE TRUSS Pensioner Dannie Truss, 68, died November 24. He embarked on his SIU career in 1978 when he shipped on the Economy. A deck department member, Brother Truss’s final vessel was the William R. Button. He became a pensioner in 2018 and lived in Thailand. W. Darnell. Brother Smith retired in 2015 and called Plymouth, North Carolina, home. RONALD WILLIAMS Pensioner Ronald Williams, 60, passed away November 19. He became an SIU member in 1978, initially sailing aboard the Allegiance. Brother Williams sailed in the engine department, most recently on the El Yunque. He retired in 2014 and called Jacksonville, Florida, home. GREAT LAKES GREGORY VLIEK Pensioner Gregory Vliek, 68, died November 29. He started his career with the SIU in 1970 when he shipped on the G. Steinbrenner. Brother Vliek also sailed in the deep-sea division and worked in both the deck and engine departments. His final vessel was the Detroit Princess before retiring in 2015. Brother Vliek made his home in Ashtabula, Ohio. INLAND WILLIAM RICHARDSON Brother William Richardson, 49, passed away December 5. Born in Pittsburgh, he signed on with the SIU in 2007, working for Harley Marine New York. Brother Richardson worked in both the deck and engine departments and was employed with the same company for the duration of his career. He was a resident of Centerville, Pennsylvania. MELBOURNE SMITH Pensioner Melbourne Smith, 67, died November 23. He started shipping with the Seafarers in 1989 when he worked for Express Marine. Brother Smith sailed in both the steward and deck departments. He last worked in the deep-sea division, sailing briefly aboard the Gus NMU PAUL BORG Pensioner Paul Borg, 78, passed away November 14. He was an NMU member before the 2001 SIU/NMU merger. Brother Borg was a deck department member and last sailed aboard the Admiral William Callaghan. He began collecting his pension in 2006 and was a resident of Bend, Oregon. JOSEPH GALLANT Pensioner Joseph Gallant, 87, died November 24. Brother Gallant was born in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, and became a pensioner in 1972. He continued to reside in his home state in the city of New Bedford. FRANCISCO ROSALES Pensioner Francisco Rosales, 80, passed away December 1. He was born in Texas and began collecting his pension in 1998. Brother Rosales resided in Goleta, California. 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 Bonilla, Luis Furman, Jannet Graham, Eddie Harrison, Clyde Holmes, L Johnson, Alonzo Mercado, E Moore, Francis Ramirez, Roberto Rivers, Hafford Schwold, Elmer Age DOD 94 75 85 90 94 91 94 97 82 77 89 11/27/2018 12/08/2018 11/17/2018 12/03/2018 12/15/2018 11/25/2018 12/23/2018 11/30/2018 11/25/2018 10/01/2018 12/04/2018 Aboard Jean Anne HAROLD MONPLAISIR Pensioner Harold Monplaisir, 95, passed away November 14. He signed on with the union in 1959 and first sailed on the Santa Mariana. Brother Monplaisir was a steward department member and last sailed aboard the Adventurer in 1985. He retired the following year and settled in Katy, Texas. JOHN MULLIS Pensioner John Mullis, 88, died December 14. Initially working for Waterman Steamship Corporation, he became a Steward department members aboard the Pasha ship went all out for the Christmas and New Year’s meals. Be sure to visit the SIU Facebook page for additional photos and menu details. Meanwhile, thanks to Chief Cook Sheilla Punzalan for the photos – and for the record, that’s sparkling apple cider in the bottles in this New Year’s photo. February 2019 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings MAGNOLIA STATE (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning), October 12 – Chairman Adel Ahmed, Secretary Maili Wang, Educational Director Eddie Pittman, Deck Delegate Ryan Boltz, Steward Delegate Tracey Newsome. Chairman discussed upcoming federal elections and reminded crew to be sure documents are up to date. Members requested fresh produce be supplied bi-weekly. Crew waiting on Wi-Fi connection for computer in crew lounge and DVR availability in all staterooms. Members requested change in vacation benefits and relief schedules. Crew would like more visits from union representative. ENDURANCE (TOTE), October 14 – Chairman Yamira Colon, Secretary Robert Davis, Deck Delegate Derek Melvin, Engine Delegate Robert Thomas, Steward Delegate Sheilla Punzalan. Beefs reported for unpaid compensation for trash handling and unpaid OT for washing linen. Chairman asked for suggestions regarding use of ship fund. He reminded crew to properly measure soap for washer and to clean up spills immediately. Members were informed of possible delays for relief. Cleanest room recognition won by Derek Melvin. Crew read three incident reports. New material posted in crew lounge. Educational director recommended members upgrade at Paul Hall Center as soon as possible. He reminded everyone to check dates on all documents. Crew went over latest issue of the LOG and read itinerary for the next trip. Use of ear plugs and other hearing protection 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. advised for loud work environment. Members were encouraged to donate to SPAD. Steward and deck departments were commended for good work. LIBERTY PROMISE (Liberty Maritime), October 15 – Chairman Stig Sasse, Secretary Lissette Ramirez, Deck Delegate Lloyd La Beach, Engine Delegate Brandon Webb, Steward Delegate John Noel. Secretary encouraged members to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center and keep documents current. Crew requested two-course meals be served. Steward department presented members with company menu and went over food portioning. HORIZON RELIANCE (Sunrise Operations), October 20 – Chairman Kissinfor Taylor, Secretary Mark Cabasag, Educational Director Mark Campbell, Deck Delegate Jesse Sunga, Engine Delegate Cameron Newberry, Steward Delegate Teresito Reyes. Chairman discussed length of trip and right to sail. Secretary directed members to change linen every Wednesday. He advised crew to be mindful of document expiration dates, pay dues on time and contribute to SPAD. Educational director reminded crew to upgrade at Piney Point. Members requested Wi-Fi. NORTH STAR (TOTE), October 21 – Chairman Tar Ahmed, Secretary Mohamed Shibly. Chairman read president’s report from LOG. He reminded crew to be safe and stay warm in Alaska. Steward department asked mem- bers to use rugs to wipe their feet and clean up spills to prevent accidents. Educational director encouraged crew to upgrade often at Piney Point. He advised everyone to keep paperwork up to date and directed members to the SIU portal to keep track of paperwork expiration dates. Educational director reminded crew to empty pockets before washing clothing. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department for good food. NATIONAL GLORY (Crowley), October 28 – Chairman Joseph White, Educational Director Oswald Bermeo, Steward Delegate Jesus Pacheco. Microwave still needed in crew lounge. Chairman thanked crew for keeping common areas clean and being quiet while other members sleep. He went over his discussion with port engineer regarding inadequate a/c and drain clog issues in galley. Vote of thanks for the steward department for a job well done. Chairman advised members to add up OT hours before payoff. Members were asked to refrain from deleting movies on computer hard drive. Educational director recommended members upgrade their skills at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next Port: San Juan, Puerto Rico. OVERSEAS LONG BEACH (Overseas Ship Management), October 28 – Chairman David Martinez, Educational Director Edgardo Barrios, Deck Delegate Basil McMillan, Engine Delegate Stanley Bailey, Steward Delegate Latosha Love. Chairman sent request to captain for Wi-Fi booster. Members went over president’s report from October LOG. Chairman urged crew to vote for candidates that support the Jones Act. Members were encouraged to donate to SPAD and to join Seafarers 401k program. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked steward department to serve all members the same as officers. As of November 9, their request was addressed and resolved. GREEN COVE (Central Gulf Lines), October 28 – Chairman Peter Hokenson, Secretary Robert Bostick. New linen, blankets and pillows on ship. Chairman emphasized importance of safety. Crew was reminded to keep drapes closed and to place garbage in dumpsters. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members discussed importance of the Jones Act. They requested new pay raises and one-hour sanitation pay for rooms. Crew praised the steward department for a job well done. SEABULK ARCTIC (Seabulk Tankers), October 28 – Chairman John Cedeno, Secretary Rafael Cardenas, Educational Director Brian Jackson, Deck Delegate Cristopher Sanchez, Engine Delegate Greg Alvarez, Steward Delegate Ma Marilynda Nance. New Wi-Fi router and board games available on ship. Chairman reminded everyone to be considerate of sleeping members and to stay hydrated. He encouraged crew to vote and to participate in the 401k program as well as donate to SPAD. He also discussed new design of TWIC cards. Secretary reiterated importance of cleaning lint trap in dryers. He asked members to keep hands off bulkheads in ladder wall to avoid greasy smudges. Crew went over reimbursement procedures. Bridge watch responsible to ensure sanitary duties occur daily. No beefs or dispute OT reported. Members were instructed to use additional bags for cardboard trash in garbage room. Crew was advised to return tools to original location upon each use. New mattresses needed on ship. Members would like the following to be implemented: missing man wages, trash handling wages, weekly room sanitary wages to replace day off wages and an increase in monthly vacation days. Crew enjoyed pizza and wings on behalf of company representative, allowing steward department an evening off. Next Port: Lake Charles, Louisiana. AMERICAN PRIDE (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning), November 6 – Chairman Felsher Beasley, Secretary Danny Brown, Educational Director Nicholas Panagakos, Deck Delegate Selcuk Ozdencanli, Engine Delegate Marcus Brown, Steward Delegate George Burgos. Everything going well on ship. Educational director encouraged members to upgrade at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman mentioned increase in new jobs due to newly built ships. Safe transit to gate in Tampa. Next Port: Beaumont, Texas. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt February 2019 requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea­farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Conse­quently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Seafarers LOG 19 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, for the next several months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion June 29 July 5 Storekeeper Courses MSC Storekeeper Basic April 13 Deck Department Upgrading Courses RFPNW March 30 April 26 May 25 June 21 Engine Department Upgrading Courses Advanced Refer Containers Gap Closing Courses Leadership & Managerial Skills Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion MSC Supply Configuration Management February 23 March 22 May 4 May 31 Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer Deck March 2 March 29 April 27 May 24 AB to Mate Modules Modules must be taken in order. Those who are not in the mates program cannot apply for these courses. Contact the Admissions Office for further details. May 31 BAPO March 30 April 26 May 25 June 21 Engineroom Resource Management May 3 May 18 June 22 June 28 FOWT March 2 March 29 Junior Engineer March 16 May 10 Marine Electrician May 18 July 12 Marine Refer Tech March 9 April 19 MEECE June 1 June 14 Welding February 16 March 8 Steward Department Courses Advanced Shiphandling May 11 May 24 Advanced Galley Ops March 30 April 26 Certified Chief Cook Modules run every other week. The next class will start February 18. Advanced Stability April 27 May 3 Chief Steward April 27 June 14 ARPA March 9 March 15 April 27 May 3 Galley Operations March 30 April 26 Advanced Meteorology May 4 May 10 Crane Familiarization April 6 April 12 ECDIS April 13 April 19 Fast Rescue Boat June 1 June 7 GMDSS July 20 August 2 Lifeboat March 9 March 22 April 6 April 19 May 4 May 17 June 1 June 14 June 29 July 12 July 27 August 9 Radar Observer February 23 March 8 April 13 April 26 Radar Renewal (one day) Contact the PHC Admissions Office RFPNW March 30 April 26 May 25 June 21 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name_________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth___________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o 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? o Yes o No If yes, class # and dates attended___________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? oYes o No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. 20 Seafarers LOG Orientation/Assessment Chief Cook 2.0 March 9 Orientation/Assessment Chief Steward 2.0 February 23 Safety Upgrading Courses March 15 March 8 Basic Training/Basic FF February 23 March 1 April 6 April 12 Basic Training Revalidation February 22 February 22 Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation March 30 April 5 Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting March 2 March 8 April 13 April 19 Government Vessels February 16 February 22 Medical Care Provider February 23 March 1 Tank Ship Familiarization - DL February 16 February 22 Tank Ship Familiarization - LG March 30 April 5 COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, 45353 St. George Ave., Piney Point, MD 20674; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, 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. 2/19 February 2019 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #843 – Graduated November 11 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Freeman Adamson, Brianna Ashley, Jacob Booth, Taylor Hall, Yu-Jin Arthur Hendricks-Matsuda, Kalae-Mitchal K. Huihui, Benita Arta Margaronis, Robert Mason III, Johnny Matthews III, Michael Pena, Cyrus Silen, Christopher Solomon, Daryl Thomas Jr., Jonathan Torres, Paul Valiente, Marcelo Corbillon Villareal, Kamaul Wells and J’corei Williams. Important Notice To All Students Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Water Survival Upgraders – Graduated November 20 (above, from left): Christopher Perry and Zoe Felton. Welding – Graduated September 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Christian Bryant, Darrin Cobb, Ricardo Fuentes, Martin McDonald and Kyle Williamson. Their instructor, Chris Raley, is at the far right. Fast Rescue Boat – Graduated September 14: Joseph Mesyna (above, center) and Paul Andrea (right). Thomas Truitt, their instructor, is at the far left. Pumpman – Graduated September 28 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Latiffe Brooks, Jonathan Collier, David Garrett, Antonio Griffin, Timothy Hetz, Ronilo Rublica Monares and Gajatri Normatova. Class instructor Keith Adamsom is at the far right. UA to FOWT – Graduated September 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Maurice Backey, George Beaufils, Shawn James Diaz Benosa, Adam Brundage, Ashley Burke, Julian Mariano Drago, Samuel Fagerness, Tony Hamaguchi, Jeffrey Hamer, Christopher Hinton, Paul Hudgins, Jared Johnson, James London, Ethan Love, Tyriq Mills, Dave Paler, Dontrell Riddick, DeRoyce Roquemore, Lorenza Session, Isaiah Thomas, Stephen Venditti, Derrick Walker II and Renita Walker. Class instructor John Wiegman III is at the far right. February 2019 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting – Graduated September 21 (above, in alphabetical order): James Baldwin, Chantell Dawson, Earl Dimmick, Roy Cuenza Enriquez, Marc Goodman, Chris Linsley, David Miller, Peter Morrison Jr., Earl Stickell II and Eddie Thomas Sr. John Thomas, their instructor, is at the far right. Medical Care Provider – Graduated September 14 (above, in alphabetical order): Jeremy Boyd, Chantell Dawson, Earl Dimmick, Roy Cuenza Enriquez and David Miller. John Thomas, the class instructor, is at the far left. MSC Supply Configuration Management – Graduated September 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Julian Beasley, Phillip Best, Rocky Dupraw, Joseph Hernandez, Christina Price and Shaun Wood. Instructors Zak Schaver and Matthew Rogers are at the far left and far right, respectively. Small Arms – Graduated September 28 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Lindsey Austin, Joseph Bowen and Russell Horton. Instructors John Thomas and Matthew Rogers are at the far left and far right, respectively. Basic Training (Basic Firefighting Upgraders) – Graduated September 28 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Chris Ceyzyk, Justin Chaney, Robert Cunningham, Ronaldo Adriano Fermin, James Kelly Jr., Susana McIntosh, Karl Meyer, Christopher Poff, Fitzgeraldo Casayurab, Ma Corazon Bolalin Rebancos, Dustin Schaaf and Carlos Edgardo Suazo. Joseph Zienda, their instructor, is at the far right. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2019 �Paul Hall Center Classes SUA (Galley Ops) – Graduated September 7 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Carlos Arjune, Adam Bechtold, Billy Burgos-Burgos, Esperanza Crespo-Guillen, Caprice Howard, Derick Yanier MoralesBerly, Kenisha Neal, Nathalie Reyes-Ortiz, Derrick Turner, Carlton Williams and Unique M’stati Wood. Advanced Galley Ops – Graduated September 21 (above, in alphabetical order): Jasmine Garrett, Mary Maddox, Tania Ramirez-Diego, Derrick Williams and Craig Wooten. Galley Ops – Graduated September 7 (above, from left): Angel Manuel Berrios Jr. and Kevin Collins. Also graduating, but not pictured, was James Kingsley. Certified Chief Cook – Graduated September 7 (above, from left): Johathan Perez Borroto Sanchez and Bob Tuilaepa. Galley Ops – Graduated September 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Tomas Gabriel BernardezMartinez, Carlos Colon De Jesus, Alexander Emrick and Travis Rogers. Chief Steward – Graduated September 21 (above, in alphabetical order): James Kelly Jr., Richard Paulson, Edward Porter, Exxl Ronquillo and Rose Ward. February 2019 Chief Steward 2.0 – Graduated September 28 (above, from left): Lamont Faulks, Eileen Mendiola and Gregory Keene. Seafarers LOG 23 �FEBRUARY 2019 VOLUME 81, NO. 2 Paul Hall Center Class Photos Pages 21-23 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O SIU members generously donated to the annual toy drive. ‘People Look Forward to it Every Year’ SIU Enthusiastically Backs Military Families; Annual Santa’s Castle Project Successful Again Holiday traditions may vary from home to home, but for 12 straight years, Seafarers in the Pacific Northwest have shared an especially meaningful one. Specifically, the SIU has participated in Santa’s Castle, a holiday toy drive benefiting U.S. military families (mostly E-4 and below) from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, as well as other bases. The union also hosts a related luncheon at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington, featuring guests from the Army and from the organization that runs Santa’s Castle. During the recent winter holiday season, SIU members – joined by generous executives from Seafarers-contracted companies – donated approximately $10,000 worth of gifts. The goodies included bicycles, smart watches, gaming headsets, sporting goods, American Girl dolls and much more. Teaming up with the members and making their own respective donations were Lee Egland of Crowley, Melissa Serridge on behalf of TOTE, and Dan Morrison of Harley Marine. SIU Port Agent Joe Vincenzo has led the union’s work with Santa’s Castle, which is the name of both the operation and the non-profit organization. An all-volunteer program founded in 1994, Santa’s Castle benefits the children of Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve families (normally lower enlisted pay grades). During remarks at the luncheon on Dec. 13, Vincenzo – an Army veteran – emphasized the important, respectful connections between the U.S. Merchant Marine and the armed forces. “A lot of our work is on military support ships, and many SIU members are veterans, so we welcome this yearly chance to give back to our war fighters, peace keepers and our partners with respect to national, economic and homeland security,” Vincenzo said. “The relationship between the U.S. Military and the U.S. Merchant Marine dates back to the founding days of our country, and it’s a longstanding tradition of which we can all be proud.” Heartfelt comments from SIU members who donated to the 2018 toy drive left no doubt about their genuine enthusiasm for the yearly endeavor. “I think it’s really great,” said Recertified Steward Dennis Skretta, a Navy veteran who helped serve food at the luncheon and who has donated to the program every year. “It’s a very good thing and everybody seems to appreciate it. Seeing the military Among those pictured are Seafarers Richard Goings, Michael Bell, Obaid Ali, William Cassel, William Britton, Dahiya Mahmoud, Basheer Ghazali, Mohamed Alghazali, Sanjay Gupta, Wilma Joy Smith and Efren Isberto. personnel at the Christmas party is always something to look forward to, and the donations are going to kids that need them.” Chief Cook Ingra Maddox said the most recent Santa’s Castle outreach “went well. Our family is military and I thought it would be something nice to do, kind of say thanks. Our soldiers Continued on Page 8 Seafarers have donated to Santa’s Castle for 12 straight years. Pictured above are some of the gifts that were given in 2018. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2019 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SIU WELCOMES NEW JOBS ABOARD TAINO TACOMA SEAFARERS ANSWER CALL AGAIN SIU LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE, LOG DATABASE CREW OF CROWLEY-OPERATED WRIGHT HONORED OSG ANNOUNCES 10-YEAR CHARTER OF JONES ACT TANKER MV GREEN LAKE RESCUES 7 IN DEADLY CAR CARRIER FIRE NY WATERWAY CREW HELPS SAVE A LIFE HOUSE BILL AIMS TO HONOR WWII MARINERS NMC ISSUES MITIGATION UPDATE ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SEAFARERS CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS AT HALLS USNS VICTORIOUS MARINERS HELP ORPHANS IN PHILIPPINES COMBATING THE COMMON COLD WITH SEAFARERS ON THE GREAT LAKES TAX TIPS FOR MEMBERS SIU ENTHUSIASTICALLY BACKS MILITARY FAMILIES; ANNUAL SANTA'S CASTLE PROJECT SUCCESSFUL AGAIN Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2/1/2019 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 81, No. 2 2019 Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/7ce2c4853add666aeded0aa5410219b4.pdf 5aac2007c75d86357bd76cbbc3a6b46f PDF Text Text FEBRUARY 2020 VOLUME 82, NO. 2 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Matson ConRo Lurline Joins Jones Act Fleet Seafarers are sailing aboard the new combination container roll-on/roll-off vessel Lurline, a union-built ship which was delivered to Matson Dec. 26. The SIU represents steward department mariners on the Lurline, which is sailing in the Jones Act trade. Page 3. (Photo courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO) Relief Supplies Donated, Shipped to Puerto Rico Initial relief supplies for Puerto Rico were loaded aboard the SIU-crewed Crowley vessel Taino on Jan. 14 in Jacksonville, Florida. Donations came in through the hiring hall, while Crowley donated use and transport of the 20-foot container. The relief items, including pallets of water, were delivered later in the week as the territory dealt with damage from recent earthquakes. As noted by SIU Asst. VP Kris Hopkins, “This is a team effort between the union, Crowley and the Greater South Florida Maritime Trades Council (part of the Maritime Trades Department).” Pictured aboard the Taino are (from left) Recertified Bosun Donley Johnson, ABM Juan Negron, QMED Sherrod Frazier, SIU Jacksonville Port Agent Ashley Nelson, AB Sonny Perez, QEE Carlos Parrilla and ABM Arthur Patterson. Rescues at Sea Pages 2, 5 Bisso Pact Approved Page 4 Tax Tips for 2020 Pages 13-16 �President’s Report Generosity of Seafarers Continues Our members individually and our union as a whole regularly step up to assist others, and such behavior once again proved evident during the holidays and into the early part of the new year. Most recently, Seafarers teamed up with one of our contracted operators (Crowley Maritime) and the Greater South Florida Maritime Trades Council (part of the Maritime Trades Department) for donations and shipments of relief supplies to Puerto Rico. This will not be a one-time outreach by the SIU as the territory recovers from yet another natural disaster (in this case, earthquakes). As we showed following Hurricane Maria in 2017, we will do everything possible to help our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters rebuild and recover. Leading up to Christmas, the SIU also participated in traditional community outreach from coast to coast. As reported elsewhere in this edition, those activities included toy drives in Tacoma, Washington; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Tacoma project directly benefits U.S. military families, and it’s something we’ve done since 2007. All of those efforts are done from the heart. We are part of the community wherever we live and work, and we’re Michael Sacco happy to provide a boost to others, whether it involves a simple donation or something far more complex, like our annual participation in “Paint Tacoma Beautiful” during the summer. It’s who we are. New Tonnage Something else that hasn’t changed is the influx of new tonnage to the American-flag fleet. At press time, the SIU welcomed the reflagging of the tanker Maersk Misaki under the Stars and Stripes. A few weeks earlier, Matson took delivery of its brand new union-built ConRo Lurline. These developments followed the flag-ins of the Marine Personnel and Provisioning containership Rio Grande Express and three car carriers operated by TOTE for American Roll-on/Roll-Off Carrier. And in case you missed our “decade in review” coverage, it’s worth repeating that in the past 10 years, the SIU welcomed well over 100 new ships, tugs, ferries and other vessels. Some were brand new, some were flag-ins, and they landed in different segments of our fleet (deep sea, inland, Great Lakes). But they all signify jobs and job security for SIU members. Election Day Whether you can’t get enough political news or you’ve tried to unplug or you’re somewhere in between, you undoubtedly know that 2020 is an election year. As always, the race for the White House will get most of the headlines, but there are also 35 Senate seats up for grabs (counting two special elections), and of course all of the positions in the House are on the ballot every two years. States will conduct legislative elections and 11 of them will elect governors. And then there are all sorts of local races. As always, I encourage all Seafarers to support pro-maritime, pro-worker candidates, regardless of political party. Make sure you’re registered to vote, attend your union meetings, and keep an eye on the LOG and on our website. At minimum, we’ll have information about SIU-backed candidates available at the hiring halls. (This is also an election year for the SIU, and I encourage you to exercise your right to cast a ballot. Future editions of the LOG will contain voting procedures and eligibility rules.) You all understand that our industry is heavily regulated, and we depend on political backing for survival. With that in mind, if you can spare the time, please pitch in however possible – block walks, phone banks, handing out leaflets, etc. If you haven’t heard from your hall as Election Day nears, check with them. It’s also important to contribute to SPAD, the SIU’s voluntary political action fund. SPAD helps us help you. Fourth Arm of Defense Ready Although tensions in the Middle East have de-escalated as of this writing, I know that all of our crews sailing overseas are staying alert and ready while maintaining their usual professionalism. This is particularly important in light of a mid-January safety bulletin from the U.S. Maritime Administration for commercial ships in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. We are working with our contracted operators and with the Military Sealift Command to help ensure prompt communications, maximum safety and full preparedness in any circumstance. Meanwhile, I salute our Seafarers for staying focused on the tasks at hand. O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Volume 82 Number 2 February 2020 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Jenny Stokes; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2020 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. The Maersk Kinloss deck crew includes, from left to right: AB Khaled Mohamed, AB John Worae, AB Tino Guity, Recertified Bosun Rufino Giray and AB Celso Zuniga Sr. Maersk Kinloss Rescues 3 Though not meant as a holiday gift, the selflessness of the SIU-crewed Maersk Kinloss was gratefully received by three adrift individuals one week before Christmas. On Dec. 18, the Kinloss rescued three fishermen who had been adrift in what appeared to be a large plastic septic tank. They had been clinging to life for almost three weeks in the Arabian Sea following the loss of their fishing boat. The rescue began after dinner, a few hours before the crew was set to maneuver into Salalah, Oman. The bridge crew spotted the floating tank after one of the stranded fishermen managed to attract their attention with a flashlight. The crew of the Kinloss mobilized to rescue the fishermen before their makeshift vessel capsized. “I got called by the captain and got down to the gangway,” said Recertified Bosun Rufino Giray. “We saw the plastic canister they were riding.... I rigged the port-side ladder and was in the front of the line to pick them up.” The SIU members aboard the Kinloss included Bosun Giray, ABs David Fridstrom, Tino Guity, Khaled Mohamed, Miguelito Salada, John Worae and Celso Zuniga, QE4 Cirico Geonanga, QEE Julian Avila, GUDE Solomon Godwin, Steward/Baker Caezar Mercado, Chief Cook Gertrudis Arzu and SA Melvin Ellis. The containership’s owner and operating company, SIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited (MLL), informed U.S. Navy Central Command it had rescued the men, who’d been stranded at sea for weeks, according to a Navy news release. “The rescue,” the statement reads, “is an example of professional mariners rendering assistance to others in distress at sea, a responsibility and mis- sion that we in the U.S. Navy share and take very seriously.” The vessel’s captain noted that the crew of the Kinloss had just practiced a man-overboard/Williamson turn as part of a drill two days before. That refresher came in handy and the crew managed to maneuver the vessel within a few meters of the floating tank as several engineers joined the rescue team on deck. A life ring was deployed and the fishermen were able to climb the pilot ladder with some assistance. The tank capsized during the rescue, but all three fishermen were successfully rescued. They were medically treated, clothed and fed, and later transferred to the Omani Coast Guard MLL Vice President of Labor and Marine Standards Ed Hanley stated, “Rendering assistance to save lives if possible is not only international law and custom of the sea, but it is also the right thing to do. “Sadly, the Iranians said that in the course of being adrift over 19 days, several other ships had stopped, provided them with food and water, but refused to take them aboard. Whether this was to avoid the cost of delays associated with rescue efforts or for other reasons, we can never know.” Giray concluded, “Helping other people at sea when they get stranded is important. When I saw their faces, they knelt down on deck and were obviously really happy they were still alive. Nineteen days at sea in those conditions is not fun at all.... The ABs that I was working with, they’re professional and they were a big help.” He also credited the training he received at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education as being a key component to the success of the rescue. SIU Jobs Secure in ATC Sale Seafarers-contracted Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) in late December announced an agreement to purchase three U.S.-flagged crude oil carrier vessels operated by Alaska Tanker Company LLC (ATC). OSG is a founding member of ATC with an existing 37.5% ownership interest. As part of the above transaction, OSG will also acquire the remaining 62.5% interest of ATC that it does not own. Completion of the transaction is subject to approval of the U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Coast Guard and other regulatory agencies. ATC is an SIU-contracted business and all SIU shipboard jobs will be maintained as ATC becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of OSG. The three operating vessels affected, all of which sail in the Jones Act trade, are the Alaskan Legend, Alaskan Navigator and Alaskan Explorer (pictured late last year at the end of a scheduled shipyard period in Singapore). A fourth vessel, the Alaska Frontier, currently in lay-up in Malaysia, is not included in the transaction announced in December. Reversed to White Reversed to White 2 Seafarers LOG February 2020 �Congress Extends U.S. Maritime Security Program 2019 Ends with Flurry of Legislative Victories for Industry Before members of Congress left Washington late last year to head home for the holidays, the House and Senate both passed major spending bills, which were signed by President Trump, that contain significant wins for the U.S.-flag maritime industry. Within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2020 was an SIU-backed component extending the Maritime Security Program (MSP) by 10 years, through fiscal year 2035. Additionally, the MSP stipend was boosted to $5.3 million per vessel beginning in 2022, followed by gradual increases to $6.8 million in 2032. Enacted in 1996, the MSP ensures that the Defense Department has access to a fleet of U.S.-crewed, U.S.-flagged, militarily useful vessels in times of war or national emergency. In exchange, U.S.-flag companies whose ships are enrolled in the program receive an annual stipend. The MSP and its related Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement have saved the federal government billions of dollars that would be needed to replicate its efforts. Sixty ships currently are included in the MSP, and Congress still must approve the stipends annually. Moreover, the NDAA authorized an MSP-like cable ship program beginning in fiscal year 2021. It provides a $5 million per-vessel stipend for two privately owned cable installation vessels. A program involving U.S.-flag tankers also may be on the horizon thanks to the recently enacted legislation. The Defense bill mandates a report on American-flag tanker vessel capacity from the Secretary of Defense. The report will be created in conjunction with the Secretary of Transportation. Also within the NDAA is language aimed at making the transition from the U.S. Coast Guard to the U.S. Merchant Marine easier. It includes a study on the availability of Jones Act vessels for offshore wind farm work. A second and much larger appro- “What we and the rest of maritime labor were able to accomplish in 2019 is nothing short of incredible. In a year where everyone has been complaining about gridlock, and with Democrats and Republicans fighting on almost every issue, we were able to get significant victories that provide job security and stability for our membership and keep America safe ... ” - Brian Schoeneman, SIU Political and Legislative Director priations bill (which covers the federal government through September 2020) reauthorized the U.S. Export-Import Bank for seven years. Cargo generated by Ex-Im Bank funds must be moved overseas on U.S.-crewed, U.S.-flagged vessels. It permitted the bank’s board to authorize loans in the event it lacks a quorum. The package also included $1.7 billion for the Food for Peace Program (PL 480). Fifty percent of the cargo must be moved aboard U.S.-crewed, U.S.-flagged vessels. The fiscal year 2020 bill contained New Jobs Aboard M/V Winters Seafarers are sailing aboard Sealift Inc.’s cargo ship M/V Maj. Richard Winters, which entered the fleet last year. Sealift purchased the vessel and reflagged it in Port Arthur, Texas. The 350-foot-long ship is sailing in North Atlantic trades. Pictured from left to right outside the vessel (photo above) are SIU Houston Safety Director Kevin Sykes and AB Elvin Ruiz. Pictured from left in the photo below are SIU Houston Port Agent Joe Zavala, OMU Vincent Hall, Sykes, Ruiz, OMU Thomas Zamora and Steward/Baker Lonnie Myers. February 2020 more than $75 million for the construction of a new larger lock within the Soo Locks system between Lake Superior and the rest of the Great Lakes. Presently, only one of the three operational locks – the Poe Lock – can handle the longest thousand-footers that ply the Lakes. Maritime and business experts have conjectured for years that if the Poe Lock (built in 1968) ever became disabled for an extended time during the sailing season, it could lead to an economic disaster for that U.S.-Canadian area. The Lake Carriers’ Association, which represents the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, reported the Soo Locks is responsible for 87,000 American jobs, paying $6.4 billion in salaries and generating $17.4 billion in economic activity in the U.S. Complementing the new resources will be $52 million provided by the state of Michigan in 2018 as well as $32 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2019 discretionary work funds. Jim Weakley, president of the asso- ciation, stated, “These funds will lay the groundwork for the next big step – the construction of the lock chamber. With continued efficient funding, the construction of the new lock could be complete in as little as seven years.” Congress authorized construction of a new lock in 1986, but funding was never granted. In 2015, the Department of Homeland Security pointed out a 2007 Army Corps of Engineers study stating there was no need for a second Poe-sized lock contained flawed data. In addition, the appropriations legislation had good news for many unions. It repealed the so-called “Cadillac” tax on quality health care coverage that could have adversely affected millions of union members and their families. It also provided funding for the American Miners Act that secures the pensions and health care for thousands of Mine Workers and their families. “What we and the rest of maritime labor were able to accomplish in 2019 is nothing short of incredible,” said Brian Schoeneman, the SIU’s Political and Legislative Director. “In a year where everyone has been complaining about gridlock, and with Democrats and Republicans fighting on almost every issue, we were able to get significant victories that provide job security and stability for our membership and keep America safe. These wins demonstrate that the SIU’s bipartisan approach, made possible through the membership’s support for SPAD, can get things done even in the toughest political environments.” ConRo Lurline Joins Matson’s SIU Fleet The period between Christmas and New Year’s Day typically is slow in many workplaces, but not for Seafarers who are sailing aboard Matson’s newest ship. The combination container roll-on/roll-off (ConRo) vessel Lurline was delivered Dec. 26, and SIU members climbed the gangway a day later. The union represents steward department mariners on the Lurline, which is sailing in the Jones Act trade. “What better way to kick off 2020 than with new jobs on a new ship?” said SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “As always, I am fully confident that the members aboard the Lurline will rise to the occasion and will do a typically outstanding job.” Built buy union workers in San Diego at General Dynamics NASSCO, the Lurline is 870 feet long and has a beam of 114 feet. The ship has a deep draft of 38 feet and weighs in at more than 50,000 metric tons. It is one of Matson’s fastest vessels, with a top speed of 23 knots, helping ensure on-time deliveries in Hawaii from the company’s three West Coast terminals in Seattle, Oakland and Long Beach, California. Recertified Steward Stephen Valencia said from aboard the vessel, “Things are going very well. We have a three-person steward department. The galley is very modern and functional, and the vessel overall is one of the most modern ships in the American fleet. Matson went all-out.” Valencia particularly complimented the living quarters. “The staterooms are the finest and most comfortable I’ve seen on a ship,” he said. “You have your own room, your own TV, your own bathroom. When I first started sailing (in 1974), there were four guys to a room and the bathroom was down the hall.” Billed as the largest American-built ConRo, it’s the sixth Matson vessel named Lurline, dating to 1887. NASSCO also is building a second ConRo for Matson; that ship is expected to enter service in the third quarter of this year. “We are proud to deliver the lead ship of the Kanaloa Class,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “It is an honor for our design and production teams to work on the latest Jones Act vessels that will support our customers and the communities they serve.” According to Matson, “Both new Kanaloa Class vessels will have an enclosed garage with room for approximately 500 vehicles, plus ample space for rolling stock and breakbulk cargo. They will also feature stateof-the-art green technology, including a fuel-efficient hull design, environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks, fresh water ballast systems and the first Tier 3 dual fuel engines to be deployed in containerships serving West Coast ports. Both new vessels will enter service fully compliant with new International Maritime Organization (IMO) emission regulations going into effect January 1, 2020.” Under the latest IMO requirements for engine manufacturers, Tier 3 engines reduce the levels of particulate emissions by 40 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 20 percent, as compared to Tier 2 standards. The Jones Act requires that cargo moving between domestic ports is carried aboard ships that are crewed, built, flagged and owned American. The century-old law, which has extensive bipartisan support, helps protect U.S. national, economic and homeland security. A newer study by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that the nation’s freight cabotage law helps sustain nearly 650,000 American jobs while contributing $154 billion to the nation’s economic growth annually. The new ship is pictured during its christening last summer. The Lurline was delivered to Matson on Dec. 26. Seafarers LOG 3 �Gathering at the conclusion of negotiations are (from left) Seafarer Kevin Wells, Bisso Operations Manager Timothy Michel, Seafarer Jacob Toler, Bisso President Matthew Holzhalb, Bisso CFO Casey Willis, Bisso VP Mike Vitt, SIU New Orleans Port Agent Chris Westbrook and Seafarers Todd Rabalais and Nick Narvaez. Bisso Crews Ratify Three-Year Contract SIU boatmen employed by E.N. Bisso & Son have approved a new three-year contract highlighted by annual wage increases. Negotiations took place Nov. 19-20 in Kenner, Louisiana, followed by ratification on the boats Nov. 20-29. The pact was approved by an overwhelming majority, according to SIU New Orleans Port Agent Chris Westbrook, who headed up the union’s negotiating committee. Rounding out the SIU bargaining group were Engineer Todd Rabalais, Wheelman Nick Narvaez, Deckhand Jacob Toler and Engineer Kevin Wells. The contract covers 70 Seafarers who operate the company’s 13 boats in ship-docking and offshore towing. The agreement maintains health benefits at the top level (Core Plus), adds a holiday, and boosts vacation days for longer-tenured employees. It also increases incentive pay with certain manning scales. Wells stated, “Negotiations went well and everybody is pleased with the outcome. As far as the SIU and E.N. Bisso, I’m pretty sure we’re going to have a bright future together – move forward and continue to get better.” He added, “Bisso was willing to listen; it wasn’t a fight. They understand what we needed, and their willingness to work with the SIU and the employees were the best parts of the experience. The future looks bright, and also, hats off to Chris. He worked hard and did an excellent job.” Narvaez said the contract’s highlights included getting an extra holiday and increased pay for wheelmen. He described the negotiating sessions as “cordial, professional. Everything went okay.” Westbrook credited the committee for its work. “We set out with some specific objectives and were able to attain them,” he said. “We collected suggestion forms from the members along with delegate election sheets, and put a clear proposal forward. This was really a fantastic committee; they did a tremendous job putting the issues on the table and making valid points.” Westbrook continued, “The contract shows that the company really appreciates the value of tenure and the stability of the workforce. They used to have a lot of turnover, but they’re now on par with our other inland companies in terms of employee retention. Bisso did a great job stepping up to the plate to really show they value the employees and they want to retain and attract qualified, professional mariners. You’ve got to applaud them for that.” Pictured from left are members Kevin Wells, Dickie Valois and Farryl Wiggins, SIU New Orleans Port Agent Chris Westbrook and members Matthew Holmes, Jacob Toler, Cale Carlson and Zach Norris. Retired Port Agent Bensman Passes Away at 90 Retired Port Agent Donald Bensman 4 Seafarers LOG When Donald Bensman retired from sailing in late 1992, the former SIU port agent and organizer offered two messages to new members of the union. First, he said, don’t take for granted all the benefits of union representation. And second, remember the importance of the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. Bensman passed away Dec. 5 at a medical rehabilitation center in Maumee, Ohio. He was 90. “He worked hard to try to make other people’s lives better,” said his son, Jonathan. “He would help anybody at any time.” Bensman remained politically active following his retirement, especially in the Lucas County, Ohio, Democratic Party. “He paid attention to everything from the local precincts to the White House,” U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) told the Toledo Blade. “Donald was an extraordinary labor leader and patriot. He knew the Great Lakes and championed their cause throughout his life. He tried to make a difference in the lives of working men and women across our region.” Bensman entered the maritime industry at age 15 – he started sailing on the Great Lakes in 1945. His career spanned nearly half a century, only interrupted by service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and included substantial time both as an engine department mariner and as a union representative. Bensman was part of the SIU’s early organizing efforts on the Lakes; he helped bring American Steamship Company, Reiss, and Kinsman Marine Transport (among others) under the SIU umbrella. He became the union’s port agent in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1962 and helped establish AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Port Councils in the Cleveland, Detroit, and Toledo, Ohio, metro areas. He returned to sailing in the mid-1970s; his last vessel was the Paul Thayer. When Bensman visited SIU headquarters upon his retirement, he reflected on the progress made by maritime unions throughout the years. “A lot of people forget how rotten the companies were back then (before significant numbers of mariners gained union representation),” he said. “A lot of new members don’t understand that and don’t know what we fought for.” For example, Bensman said the pre-union era was one of firings on the spot for little or no reason. No seaman had a right to a grievance procedure or fair hearing. He also said it was a period of almost legalized blackballing. During that same interview, he was asked what advice he would give to a person entering the union. He replied, “Get an education. The greatest legacy (the late SIU President) Paul Hall and others left this union is the school in Piney Point. That is the only reason we are alive as a union – because we have stayed up-to-date in technology advances and we train people to stay that way.” Bensman was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Patsy, in 2012. Survivors include two children, a brother and two grandchildren. February 2020 �Maersk Columbus Crew Helps Save 11 The SIU-crewed Maersk Columbus recently played a vital role in a successful search-and-rescue mission off the coast of Spain. SIU members teamed up with mariners from the MEBA and MM&P to assist 11 Algerian individuals (including a small child and an infant) who were in a small rubber boat, trying to sail to Spain. The mariners received a thank-you letter from the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency that read in part, “We would like to express our deepest appreciation for the assistance that your vessel, M/V Maersk Columbus provided to MCC Almeria to locate a small rubber boat with several persons on board…. The actions of [your] Master and the Crew are keeping with the highest traditions of Maritime Search and Rescue. We are pleased to convey our special thanks to you and your crew for a job well done.” Maersk Columbus vessel master Capt. John C. Finney provided the following recap: On November 30, 2019 at about 2000 hours, the Maersk Columbus received a radio call from RCC ALMERIA in Spain, asking if we could assist in a search for a small boat, with unknown persons aboard. All hands were mustered, and the ship turned about, to begin the search. Extra lookouts were posted and bridge wing search lights were manned. A SAR aircraft gave us a bearing from our position to the last suspected position of the small craft. With the engine room now fully manned, the Captain began slowing the ship as we came about onto the search course. The SAR aircraft was instrumental in locating the craft, as the craft had no lights showing, and the night was very dark. Suddenly, small flashing lights were seen off the ship’s port bow. The craft turned out to be a small black rubber boat, with 11 persons on board, including one small child and one infant. They had managed to use their cellphones as lights to attract our attention. First, the ship was slowed and maneuvered into hailing distance of the small boat. The Chief Mate, being fluent in Arabic, was sent down to main deck to try and establish communication with the people in the boat, and to get an accurate count of persons on board. We reported back to RCC ALMERIA our findings. The Chief Mate was able to determine that all persons were Algerian, and discovered that they had “lost their way” as they were attempting to cross the Med from Algeria to Many of the Maersk Columbus mariners are pictured above. Spain. The Mate could see that they had food, water, and fuel on board the small boat, and that the boat was not taking on water. At first, the RCC asked if we could launch our Rescue boat and take the persons on board. Due to the rough conditions, the Captain advised the RCC that launching the rescue boat would put more people at risk. The RCC advised that there was a Spanish patrol boat in the area, but it was involved in another rescue several miles to the north, and that it would be close to an hour before they could assist. The captain informed the RCC that we would remain on station alongside the small boat until the patrol arrived. The RCC concurred, and proceeded to keep the ship informed of the patrol boat’s ETA to our position. The ship’s crew kept search lights manned and on the small boat, and the Chief Mate stayed on deck to assure them that help was on the way. The Captain had the Mate tell them that we would not leave them, that we would stay as long as it took for the patrol boat to arrive. The Captain maneuvered the ship to create a lee off the port side, and instructed the Mate to tell the person in charge on the little boat to stay in the lee, and to stay right alongside the ship. The Spanish patrol boat arrived on scene at about 2120 hours, and proceeded to take all persons from the small boat on board the patrol boat. Once all persons were safely on board the patrol boat, RCC AMERIA was notified, and at about 2145 hours, we were released to continue on to our next port of call. MM&P members on board: Capt. John Finney, C/M Marwan Elsamny, 2/M Greg Danaher, 3/M Cassandra Clark. MEBA members on board: C/E Jon Schmidt, 1/E Frank Whelpley, 2/E Julianne Cona, 3/E Seth Kaye. SIU members on board: Recertified Bosun Ion Irimia, Daymen Eduardo Barlas and Sacarias Suazo, ABs Jerzy Marciniak, Marcos Santos Gamboa, and Jose Calix, Electrician Tousif Ahmed, QMED George Santiago, DEU Amado Laboriel-Reyes, Chief Steward Fernando Lopes, Chief Cook Adele Messina, and SA Angel Corchado. Submitted on behalf of the Officers and Crew of the MV MAERSK COLUMBUS. Respectfully, Capt. John C. Finney Master, MAERSK COLUMBUS The Algerians (photo at right) are shown alongside the SIU-crewed ship and being pulled to safety by a Spanish patrol boat (above). February 2020 Seafarers LOG 5 �Former DOL Deputy Lauds SIU, Paul Hall Center Seth Harris, former Acting U.S. Secretary and Deputy U.S. Secretary of Labor, gave testimony to the House Education and Labor Committee Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment in December 2019. During that testimony, Harris cited the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education as an example of what union training schools can do for the global workforce. As Harris said in his testimony, “The success of registered apprenticeships and other labor-management training and job placement programs do not just happen to include unions. They are successful because of unions.” He then offered a few reasons for this, including higher union member wages and workplace accountability when it comes to investments in training. “I can offer evidence based on my own experience working for the Seafarers Inter- national Union in the 1980s,” he continued. (Harris was a field representative for the SIU during that timeframe.) “The SIU is a union of merchant mariners. Young people from around the country, most of whom may not be prospects for traditional higher education, enroll in the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point, Maryland. The Lundeberg School is … financed by the companies whose employees it represents. He then described the apprentice program and the options for upgrading – “known in the workforce development world as upskilling or reskilling,” Harris said. “Many members plan their careers around upgrading opportunities at Piney Point. Then, with a new credential in hand, they know they can ship out in a higherskilled, better-paying job for another period of several months, and then return to Piney Point to earn another specialized credential.” Later in his testimony, he lauded the career paths available to Seafarers. “SIU members do not have to guess which skills and credentials to pursue,” Harris stated. “They know exactly what skills and credentials they need to make themselves more valuable to their employers. Their union and the employers with which it works have solved this problem. SIU members also do not navigate career pathways on their own. They had clear and well-established career pathways even before the phrase ‘career pathways’ had been coined. Those career pathways have been married to a skills acquisition curriculum. As a result, SIU members know exactly how they can climb career ladders by acquiring welldefined competencies and credentials.” He added, “Most fundamentally, if job training is about upward mobility, then it is a core and necessary part of unions’ mission. Simply, if we had more unions and union members, we have would have more workers able to access successful skills and knowledge acquisition programs to advance up well-defined and rational career ladders.” Harris also backed House legislation that aims to boost America’s working families: the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. “The PRO Act would help to reverse the long-term decline in union density and give workers a free and fair choice to organize a union and bargain collectively with their employers about skills acquisition, career pathways, and many other issues,” Harris testified. “That is the promise of the National Labor Relations Act. The PRO Act will help us to achieve that promise.” U.S. Senate Passes Bill Honoring Maritime Briefs World War II Merchant Mariners The U.S. Senate – by unanimous consent – passed the Merchant Mariners Congressional Gold Medal Act with a minor language amendment on Dec. 19. Having been passed unanimously by the House of Representatives on Sept. 19, the bill now returns to the House for one more vote (expected to be a formality) before it is sent to the White House for the president’s signature. The legislation, sponsored in the House by Rep. John Garamendi (D-California) and in the Senate by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), authorizes the creation of a gold medal to honor the U.S. Merchant Marine of World War II. The medal would be displayed in the American Merchant Marine Museum at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York. Duplicates then would be struck and made available to the public. The SIU and the Transportation Institute, alongside a number of other backers, took lead roles in obtaining co-sponsors for both the House and Senate bills. More than 1,200 SIU members lost their lives in wartime service during World War II. “Despite their loyalty and patriotic services and commitment to the United States, our World War II Mer- chant Mariners didn’t receive their veteran status until nearly 40 years after the war had ended,” Murkowski said. “The merchant mariners provided crucial services during World War II by transporting soldiers, tanks, airplanes, ammunition, fuel and food to aid soldiers on the front lines. This legislation recognizes the unsung heroes of the World War II conflict, for their loyalty and bravery, as they risked their lives to keep the Allied troops properly equipped. I’m thankful my Senate colleagues recognize the importance of honoring the brave merchant mariners for their pivotal role in our nation’s history and their efforts in defense of freedom.” The House version of the bill was initially co-sponsored by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Rep. Susan Brooks (R-Indiana). In the Senate, the bill was initially co-sponsored by Sen. Angus King, Jr. (I-Maine), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island). The bill eventually gathered 72 co-sponsors in the Senate and 302 in the House. “The time has come for our nation to provide a well-deserved thank you and honor the remaining U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal,” said Christian Yuhas, vice president of the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV). The AMMV helped champion this bill, as well as similar legislation in the past. Yuhas continued, “This group of unsung heroes nobly served our country by operating the ships that transported critical supplies to front lines of the war, and in doing so suffered a casualty rate higher than any other branch of the military. In fact, one out of every 26 casualties during World War II was a volunteer merchant mariner. America would not be the great nation it is today without their valiant service of yesterday. I urge Congress to support this important bill and recognize this dwindling group of merchant marine veterans from World War II that have served our nation so admirably.” Despite seeing action and danger across the globe during the war, merchant mariners were excluded from any type of veterans’ status until 1988. Even then, mariners received a fraction of what others who served during World War II obtained. There are approximately 4,000 World War II U.S. Merchant Mariners alive today, according to Murkowski’s office. VERTREP in the Atlantic Sealif t Awarded Contract, SIU Retains Jobs SIU-contracted Sealift, Inc., has been awarded a new $7.9 million contract to continue operating the U.S. Army ammunition prepositioning vessel M/V LTC John U.D. Page. The contract can be extended through November 15, 2024. The ship is owned by Military Sealift Command, and will continue to employ SIU members in every department. Random Drug Testing Rate Set for 2020 The Coast Guard has set the minimum random drug testing rate for calendar year 2020 at 50 percent for covered crew members. The Coast Guard requires marine employers to establish random drug testing programs for covered crew members in accordance with 46 CFR 16.230. As stated by the Coast Guard, the purpose of setting a minimum random drug testing rate is to promote maritime safety by establishing an effective deterrent to drug misuse within the maritime workforce. Extension of Qualified Assessor Requirements The Coast Guard has issued an update to the requirements for Qualified Assessor (QA), and addressed the potentially inadequate amount of approved QAs available to sign off on Assessments of Competence for STCW endorsements. As stated in a recent news release, “The Coast Guard is aware that as a result of the limited number of approved QAs, there may be a hardship on mariners trying to complete STCW assessments after December 31, 2019. In consideration of this, the Coast Guard will continue to allow STCW assessments to be signed by an assessor who meets the requirements specified in NVIC 19-14 until December 31, 2021.” Additionally, mariners are encouraged to obtain approval as a QA in accordance with 46 CFR 10.405(a). T-AGOS Extension Requires Addit ional Medicine on Deployment In an SIU contract extension covering T-AGOS vessels, all crew are now required to carry enough of their prescribed drugs to last 60 days beyond the length of the deployment. As stated in the contract, “The Medical Department Representative (MDR) will review crew, embarked personnel medical records, and verify that all personnel have arrived with deployment plus sixtyday supply of all required prescription medications onboard ship at the time of assignment.... The member should also bring spare glasses or contact lens on the ship during assignments.” The USNS William McLean (foreground), crewed by CIVMARS from the SIU Government Services Division, delivers cargo to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan via a Sea Hawk helicopter in the Atlantic. The vertical replenishment took place Dec. 31. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kathryn E. Macdonald) 6 Seafarers LOG USMMI Reaches Safety Milestone U.S Marine Management Inc. (USMMI), a subsidiary of SIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited, has reported attaining a significant safety goal. It’s been one year since they last experienced a lost-time accident (LTA) aboard any of the vessels they own or operate for the U.S. Military Sealift Command. According to Maersk Line, Limited’s Contracting and Procurement Senior Director David Sloane, “This is evidence that our Safety Management System is effective and that our policies and procedures as implemented match our goal of ensuring that all of our mariners go home to their families injury-free after they complete their shipboard assignments.” February 2020 �Members Ring in Holidays at Halls The union’s tradition of hosting winter holiday events for members and their families at the hiring halls dates back almost to the SIU’s founding in 1938. The custom continued late last year at numerous halls, as did the SIU’s practice of contributing to their communities. For instance, members donated toys and other items in Jersey City, New Jersey, and in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to community Baltimore service organizations who in turn assist local families. (See related story, back page.) The photos on these two pages were taken at the following halls: Houston; Fort Lauderdale; Baltimore; Mobile, Alabama; Jersey City; and Jacksonville, Florida. Additional snapshots from these gatherings and others are available on the SIU’s Facebook page (@SeafarersInternational). Houston Safety Director Kevin Sykes (second from left) and guests Retired Recertified Steward Denis Burke, Patrolman J.B. Niday, Recertified Bosun Emanuel Gazzier SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez, Port Agent John Hoskins, VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi Fort Lauderdale AB Ahmed Mohamad Seafarers generously stepped up with these donations to LifeNet4Families, which aids citizens of Broward County, Florida. Administrative Assistant Brenda Janne (right) and granddaughter Mia QMED Tim Chestnut (foreground), AB Ahmed Mohamad February 2020 Loading the donated items are (from left) Pumpman Dan Coffey, Chief Cook Jorge Ellis and a LifeNet staff member. OMU Hipolita Roches (not pictured) also assisted. Jersey City Seafarers, officials, staff and guests gather near a few of the donations that were sent to LSA Family Health Service, a neighborhood-based nonprofit founded by The Little Sisters of the Assumption in 1958. For more holiday photos from union hiring halls, see next page. Seafarers LOG 7 �More Holiday Activities Photos from SIU Hiring Halls Jacksonville Port Agent Ashley Nelson (center) welcomes pensioner Leon Butler (right) and Leon’s wife, Elizabeth. Brother Butler is still going strong at age 92. Winners of the “ugly sweater” contest, from left: SA Nala Johnson (first place) and TOTE crewing specialists Ella Holman (second) and Shawn Conway (third). Chief Storekeeper Renee Clayton, Safety Director Joseph Koncul, Recertified Bosun Evan Bradley Personnel from the local Seafarers-contracted health clinic Mobile Port Agent Jimmy White (standing) welcomes guests. QMED Robert Pendarvis (left) and his son. 8 Seafarers LOG Port Agent Jimmy White (standing) chats with visitors. February 2020 �GRASSROOTS IN HOUSTON – Numerous Seafarers volunteered to support labor-backed candidates ahead of Election Day 2019. Among other activities, they worked phone banks, assisted people in getting to the polls, and helped with the Election Day operations themselves. A few of the SIU personnel are pictured in the group photo above. The snapshot at left includes (from left) SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo. Turner was reelected. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ABOARD SAGAMORE – This snapshot was taken Dec. 10 in Concord, California, shortly after the Sealift Inc. vessel returned from Korea. Pictured from left are Bosun Isaac Amissah, Steward Isabel Miranda, SIU Oakland Port Agent Nick Marrone II, Chief Cook Tkeyah Elliot, SA Ahmed Haridy, AB Moussa Hamdy, OS Rahsean Sharp, (rear) OS Angel Pagan, Oiler Antonio De Luna and Oiler Jeffrey Hamer. WITH MEMBERS IN JERSEY – Pictured from left are SIU Port Agent Ray Henderson and shore gang members Mike Penkwitz, Jimmy Niotis, George DiCanio and Gus Guerra. ABOARD CAPE HUDSON – Steward/Baker Joseph Hernandez focuses on the task at hand aboard the Matsonoperated vessel, on the West Coast. ABOARD HORIZON ENTERPRISE – Pictured on the Sunrise Operations vessel on the West Coast are OMU Benny Orosco, SIU Oakland Patrolman Adrian Fraccarolli, AB Andrei Tretyak, Chief Cook Joseph Gallo, retiring Recertified Steward Raymond Garcia, oncoming Recertified Steward Fakhruddin Malahi, SA Steven Wasch, QEE Carlos Guzman and ABM Robert Goldson. NY WATERWAY EMPHASIZES SAFETY – Last November, Seafarers employed by NY Waterway completed an eight-hour class titled Vessel Personnel With Designated Security Duties (VPDSD). The course was run by an instructor from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. It took place at the company’s facilities in Weehawken, New Jersey. Approximately 150 Seafarers completed the class; many are pictured above. February 2020 Seafarers LOG 9 �CAPE VINCENT ACTIVATES – The photo at right was taken during the Patriot ship’s activation late last year, during a port of call stop in Souda Bay, Greece. Starting fourth from left are: Chief Cook Laura McBroom, Electrician Glenn Snow, Recertified Steward Rocky Dupraw, (front) SA Cathleen Dell, SA Kianda Caridine and MM&P Capt. Carbone. At the far right is 3/M Sergio Robles. Other personnel in the photo include security and intelligence team members. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ABOARD ALASKAN EXPLORER – Recertified Bosun Carlos Loureiro provided these photos of the ATC vessel, taken during and after a recent shipyard period in Singapore. Pictured in the photo at left (from left) in the galley are Chief Cook Roberto Martinez, the bosun and Chief Steward Justo Reyes. SA David Simon is in the individual shot at right, while the group photo below in the crew mess includes AB Bronislaw Kuchczynski, AB Hussein Mohsen, GUDE Mused Saleh, AB Domingo Cazon, AB Lenny Soriano and AB Charles Ford. ABOARD USNS WRIGHT – Pictured aboard the Crowley-operated ship in Philadelphia are (standing, from left) SIU Safety Director Andre MacCray, Chief Cook Kenneth Kelly, Bosun Tom Moore, SIU Port Agent Joe Baselice, GUDE Martin Arcenio, GVA Dennis Saggese and (front) QEE Gary Torres. FULL BOOK ON THE LAKES – Inland member Taylor Walkowiak (right) receives his full book aboard the ITB Clyde S. VanEnkevort. He’s pictured with SIU Algonac Safety Director Gerret Jarman in Toledo, Ohio. ABOARD USNS MENDONCA – Seafarers and AMO officers team up for lifeboat inspections aboard the U.S. Marine Management ship in Newport News, Virginia. Boats were lowered, and crew members then entered them and conducted on/offload releases and exercised the engines. One participant said temperatures were in the thirties, and the testing was “cold but successful.” Pictured are Chief Mate Jonathan Leck, Third Mate John Joseph Arnold, Third Mate Terrance Franklin, AB Antonio Jones and AB Walter Bonifacio. ABOARD USNS BOWDITCH – Members pause from enjoying a cookout aboard the Ocean Shipholdings-operated vessel. Thanks to AB Melvin Kennedy for the photo. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2020 �At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ABOARD USNS MENDONCA – Vessel master Capt. Jennifer L. Senner commended the work of (photo above, from left) Chief Steward Eileen Mendiola and Chief Cook Garry Brandon, who put out an exceptionally good Christmas spread (a few days early) aboard the U.S. Marine Management ship. “They did a fantastic job,” noted Senner. HEAVENLY DESSERTS – Chief Steward Michael Sanders and some of his culinary delights are pictured aboard the USNS Maury (Ocean Shipholding). Sanders (Piney Point Apprentice Class 673) sails from the port of St. Louis, and his father (Michael, now retired) sailed as an SIU tugboat captain. He says he’s learned a lot about his trade by upgrading back at the Paul Hall Center and eventually hopes to open and operate his own restaurant/bar. With Seafarers Aboard USNS William Button – The deck gang (photo at immediate left) is pictured on Christmas Day aboard the Crowley-operated ship. That’s Recertified Bosun Greg Jackson at front left, who noted, “We went into the New Year with great food. Thanks to the steward department for a good spread.” He and Chief Steward Edwin Bonefont also commended SA Latara Rengifo (that’s her in the photo directly below) for a job well done and for her interest in upgrading. Pictured from left in the group photo at bottom left are Chief Cook James Martin, Bonefont, SA Kenisha Neal, SA Jasmine Donahue, Rengifo and SA Jcorei Williams. February 2020 Seafarers LOG 11 �U.S. Coast Guard Announces Regional Exam Center Changes Editor’s note: The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) on Jan. 15 issued the following notice. It’s available on the NMC website and in the Labor/Maritime News section of the SIU website. The online version of the announcement contains related links. 2020 Mariner Examination Process Updates In an effort to provide consistent, quality customer service to all mariners, the National Maritime Center (NMC) is implementing the following changes at all Regional Examination Centers (RECs). These changes take effect Monday, April 6, 2020: n Walk-in services for examinations will no longer be offered. All examinations must be scheduled at least 2 business days in advance. After receiving a letter from the NMC indicating you are approved to test, schedule an examination appointment by: 1. Using the Schedule Exam/ REC Appointment link on the Examinations page of the NMC Website. 2. Calling the NMC Contact Center at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662). 3. Contacting the NMC Contact Center by chat. n All RECs will have two examination periods daily, a 3 ½-hour a.m. (morning) session and a 3 ½-hour p.m. (afternoon) session with a minimum ½-hour break between sessions. See the REC webpage for specific hours. n Mariners who finish a module early may take additional mod- ules during an examination period but will not be given additional time to complete the extra modules. Requests for additional modules during a specific examination period are coordinated with the REC staff at the time of examination. n There will be no changes to the First Class Pilot examination process. n Appointments are highly recommended for all other services. See the REC webpage for facility access requirements. Should you have any questions or concerns visit the Examinations or Frequently Asked Questions webpages, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, by using the NMC online chat system,or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662). With Seafarers Aboard USNS Stockham Members are pictured aboard the Crowley-operated ship late last year in Yeosu, South Korea. Annual Funding Notice for SIU Pacific District Pension Plan Introduction This notice, which federal law requires all pension plans to furnish on an annual basis, includes important information about the funding status of your multiemployer pension plan (the “Plan”). It also includes general information about the benefit payments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”), a federal insurance agency. All traditional pension plans (called “defined benefit pension plans”) must provide this notice every year regardless of their funding status. This notice does not mean that the Plan is terminating. It is provided for informational purposes and you are not required to respond in any way. This notice is required by federal law. This notice is for the plan year beginning August 1, 2018 and ending July 31, 2019 (the “2018 Plan Year”). How Well Funded Is Your Plan The law requires the administrator of the Plan to tell you how well the Plan is funded, using a measure called the “funded percentage.” The Plan divides its assets by its liabilities on the Valuation Date for the plan year to get this percentage. In general, the higher the percentage, the better funded the plan. The Plan’s funded percentage for the 2018 Plan Year and each of the two preceding plan years is shown in the chart below. The chart also states the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period. Valuation Date Funded Percentage Value of Assets Value of Liabilities 2018 Plan Year August 1, 2018 Over 100% $105,673,021 $97,021,217 2017 Plan Year August 1, 2017 Over 100% $104,556,811 $90,405,432 2016 Plan Year August 1, 2016 Over 100% $104,135,946 $91,445,010 Year-End Fair Market Value of Assets The asset values in the chart above are measured as of the Valuation Date. They also are “actuarial values.” Actuarial values differ from market values in that they do not fluctuate daily based on changes in the stock or other markets. Actuarial values smooth out those fluctuations and can allow for more predictable levels of future contributions. Despite the fluctuations, market values tend to show a clearer picture of a plan’s funded status at a given point in time. The asset values in the chart below are market values and are measured on the last day of each plan year. The chart also includes the year-end market value of the Plan’s assets for each of the two preceding plan years. The value of the Plan assets shown as of July 31, 2019 is an estimate based on the most accurate unaudited financial information available at the time this notice was prepared. The final audited information on the Plan’s assets will be reported on the Plan’s 2018 annual report filed with the Department of Labor in May 2020. July 31, 2019 Fair Market Value of Assets $104,089,292 July 31, 2018 $105,757,360 July 31, 2017 $104,354,750 Endangered, Critical, or Critical and Declining Status Under federal pension law, a plan generally is in “endangered” status if its funded percentage is less than 80 percent. A plan is in “critical” status if the funded percentage is less than 65 percent (other factors may also apply). A plan is in “critical and declining” status if it is in critical status and is projected to become insolvent (run out of money to pay benefits) within 15 years (or within 20 years if a special rule applies). If a pension plan enters endangered status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a funding improvement plan. Similarly, if a pension plan enters critical status or critical and declining status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a rehabilitation plan. Funding improvement and rehabilitation plans establish steps and benchmarks for pension plans to improve their funding status over a specified period of time. The plan sponsor of a plan in critical and declining status may apply for approval to amend the plan to reduce current and future payment obligations to participants and beneficiaries. The Plan was not in endangered, critical, or critical and declining status in the 2018 Plan Year. Participant Information The total number of participants and beneficiaries covered by the Plan on the valuation date was 2,180. Of this number, 854 were current employees, 1,006 were retired and receiving benefits, and 320 were retired or no longer working for the employer and have a right to future benefits. Funding & Investment Policies Every pension plan must have a procedure to establish a funding policy for plan objectives. A funding policy relates to how much money is needed to pay promised benefits. Plan benefits are funded by employer contributions and investment returns on those contributions. Commencing January 1, 2016, the shipping companies have agreed to make contributions to the Plan, and may agree through collective bargaining in the future to make additional contributions as necessary to satisfy the minimum funding standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). The Plan’s funding policy is to continue to fund Plan benefits in this manner in accordance with the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code. Pension plans also have investment policies. These generally are written guidelines or general instructions for making investment management decisions. The investment policy of the Plan is to maintain a portfolio of investments which is conservative in nature. The Trustees, working with experienced investment consultants, monitor and make appropriate changes to the Plan’s investments, seeking to achieve positive investment results over the long term. Under the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allocated among the following categories of investments, as of the end of the 2018 Plan Year. These allocations are percentages of total assets: Asset Allocations Percentage 1. Cash (Interest bearing and non-interest bearing) 4.1% 12 Seafarers LOG 2. U.S. Government securities 3. Corporate debt instruments 4. Corporate stocks (other than employer securities): 5. Real estate (other than employer real property): 6. Value of interest in registered investment companies (e.g., mutual funds) 7. Other 0.9% 0.3% 19.1% 9.0% 62.2% 4.4% Right to Request a Copy of the Annual Report Pension plans must file annual reports with the U.S. Department of Labor. The report is called the “Form 5500.” These reports contain financial and other information. You may obtain an electronic copy of your Plan’s annual report by going to www.efast.dol.gov and using the search tool. Annual reports also are available from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Public Disclosure Room at 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N- 1513, Washington, DC 20210, or by calling (202) 693-8673. Or you may obtain a copy of the Plan’s annual report by making a written request to the plan administrator, Ms. Michelle Chang, at 730 Harrison Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107. Annual reports for the 2016 Plan Year and earlier plan years are available now. The annual report for the 2017 Plan Year will be available when it is filed with the Employee Benefits Security Administration in May 2019. Annual reports do not contain personal information, such as the amount of your accrued benefit. You may contact the plan administrator at (415) 764-4993 or the address above if you want information about your accrued benefits. Summary of Rules Governing Insolvent Plans Federal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubled multiemployer plans that become insolvent, either as ongoing plans or plans terminated by mass withdrawal. The plan administrator is required by law to include a summary of these rules in the annual funding notice. A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its available financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits when due for that plan year. An insolvent plan must reduce benefit payments to the highest level that can be paid from the plan’s available resources. If such resources are not enough to pay benefits at the level specified by law (see Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC, below), the plan must apply to the PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefits may be restored if the plan’s financial condition improves. A plan that becomes insolvent must provide prompt notice of its status to participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unions representing participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiaries also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefits will be reduced or affected, including loss of a lump sum option. This Plan is not insolvent and is over 100% funded. Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC The maximum benefit that the PBGC guarantees is set by law. Only benefits that you have earned a right to receive and that cannot be forfeited (called vested benefits) are guaranteed. There are separate insurance programs with different benefit guarantees and other provisions for single-employer plans and multiemployer plans. Your Plan is covered by PBGC’s multiemployer program. Specifically, the PBGC guarantees a monthly benefit payment equal to 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan’s monthly benefit accrual rate, plus 75 percent of the next $33 of the accrual rate, times each year of credited service. The PBGC’s maximum guarantee, therefore, is $35.75 per month times a participant’s years of credited service. Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accrued monthly benefit of $600, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the PBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by the participant’s years of service ($600/10), which equals $60. The guaranteed amount for a $60 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $24.75 (.75 x $33), or $35.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit is $357.50 ($35.75 x 10). Example 2: If the participant in Example 1 has an accrued monthly benefit of $200, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the guarantee would be $20 (or $200/10). The guaranteed amount for a $20 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10). The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at normal retirement age and some early retirement benefits. In addition, the PBGC guarantees qualified preretirement survivor benefits (which are preretirement death benefits payable to the surviving spouse of a participant who dies before starting to receive benefit payments). In calculating a person’s monthly payment, the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under a plan within 60 months before the earlier of the plan’s termination or insolvency (or benefits that were in effect for less than 60 months at the time of termination or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee benefits above the normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or non-pension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits, vacation pay, or severance pay. For additional information about the PBGC and the pension insurance program guarantees, go to the Multiemployer Page on PBGC’s website at www.pbgc.gov/prac/miltiemployer. Please contact your employer or fund administrator for specific information about your pension plan or pension benefit. PBGC does not have that information. See “Where to Get More Information about Your Plan,” below. Where to Get More Information For more information about this notice, you may contact Ms. Michelle Chang, Administrator, SIU Pacific District Pension Plan, at 730 Harrison Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107, (415) 7644993. For identification purposes, the official plan number is 001, the plan sponsor is the Board of Trustees of the SIU Pacific District Pension Plan, and the employer identification number or “EIN” is 94-6061923. February 2020 �Whats New for the 2020 Tax Filing Season Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2019 and 2020, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2018. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 15, 2020. Exemptions - For tax years 2018-2025, the deduction for the personal exemption is reduced to zero. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return has increased to $24,400 for 2019. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns has increased to $12,200 for 2019. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $18,350 for 2019. The additional standard deduction for people who have reached age 65 (or who are blind) is $1,300 for married taxpayers or $1,650 for unmarried taxpayers. Itemized Deductions – Before 2018, an individual’s itemized deductions were reduced by 3% of the amount adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeded certain threshold amounts. This phaseout of itemized deductions was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), and therefore does not apply to 2019. State Itemized Deductions - The TCJA modified or eliminated several popular itemized deductions. It is important to note that although the federal deductions have been adjusted, you may still qualify for deductions at the state level. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - Unreimbursed medical expenses may be claimed as an itemized deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 extended this threshold, eliminating the initial increase to 10% of AGI Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2019: n Credit of $6,557 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $50,162 ($55,952 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,828 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $46,703 ($52,493 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $3,526 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $41,094 ($46,884 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $529 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $15,570 ($21,370 if married filing jointly) For tax years beginning after 2015 – a SSN is not valid for EIC purposes unless it was issued on or before the due date of the return. For Tax years beginning after 2017, you may be able to qualify for the EIC under the rules for taxpayers without a qualifying child if you have a qualifying child for the EIC who is claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2019 is $132,900. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. In 2019, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly, $125,000 for married filing separately, and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to selfemployed workers. For 2020, the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax is $137,700. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the selfemployment tax is 12.4% in 2019. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the February 2020 amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. The SE tax rate for 2020 is 15.3%, and the deduction is equal to onehalf of self-employment tax. Capital Gains and Losses - Continuing from 2012, you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2019, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/ form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. Personal Casualty and Theft Loss Deduction: For years 2018-2025, the personal casualty and theft loss deduction is eliminated, except for personal casualty losses incurred in a federally declared disaster. The loss is reported on Form 4684 (Casualty and Theft Losses), Part A. A casualty loss equals the lesser of the adjusted basis in the property before the casualty, or the decrease in fair market value of the property as a result of the casualty. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate – In 2019, the tax rate on longterm gains and qualified dividends is 20% for income that exceeds the following thresholds: n $488,850 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $461,700 for head of household n $244,425 for married filing separately n $434,550 for single The tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends is 15% for income that is within following range: n $78,751 - $488,850 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $52,751 - $461,700 for head of household n $39,376 - $244,425 for married filing separately n $39,376 - $434,550 for single The tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends is 0% for income that is below the following thresholds: n $78,750 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $52,750 for head of household n $39,375 for married filing separately n $39,375 for single In 2019, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax for income that exceeds the threshold amounts listed in the next section. Medicare Tax on Investment Income – In 2019, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: n $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $125,000 for married filing separately n $200,000 for all others Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit has increased to $14,080 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $211,160. The credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2019 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Child Tax Credit - The maximum child tax credit for tax year 2019 is $2,000 per child. The child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: n $200,000 for married couples filing separately n $200,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $400,000 for married couples filing jointly The TCJA eliminated the exemption deduction for dependents for year 2019. Therefore, releasing the dependency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction; however, it does make the noncustodial parent eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child. In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). Effective from 2016: Taxpayers cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for any tax year if the individual or a qualifying child did not have an individual SSN issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. For tax years beginning after 2015 – the Child Tax Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination of reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the Child Tax Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no Child Tax Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Child and Dependent Care Credit - For 2019, there is a credit equal to the amount of qualified expenses multiplied by an applicable percentage determined by the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. The maximum amount of qualified expenses to which the credit may be applied is $3,000 for cost to care for one child under the age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children, so that the parents can either go to work or be in the process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit (the credit amount has not changed). The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2019, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to 40% of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $180,000 for Married Filing Jointly Taxpayers cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit for any tax year if the individual or a student did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. For Tax years beginning after 2015, the American Opportunity Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination of reckless or inten- tional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the American Opportunity Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no American Opportunity Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Taxpayers must report the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the educational institution to which payments were made. Lifetime Learning Credit - For tax year 2019, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $58,000 ($116,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $68,000 ($136,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Form 1098-T Required to Claim Certain Education Incentives – Taxpayers must receive a form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from educational institutions to claim the American opportunity credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit or the above-theline deduction for qualified tuition and fees. Tuition and Fees Deductions – The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 extended this deduction through 2020. The deduction is not allowed for Married Filing Separately filers or for any taxpayer who qualifies as a dependent (whether or not claimed) on another taxpayer’s tax return. The tuition and fees deduction may not be claimed if an education credit is claimed for the same student in the same year [IRC Sec. 222 (c)(2)(A)]. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. 529 Plan Qualified Education Expenses – The TCJA changed the definition of qualified higher education expense. For purposes of the 529 plan rules, qualified higher education expenses now include expenses for tuition for attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school [IRC Secs. 529(c)(7) and 530(b)(3)(B)]. Cash distributions from all 529 plans are limited to $10,000 for elementary and secondary school tuition per tax year, per-student. [IRC Sec.529(e)(3) (A)]. Educator Expenses – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended the above-the-line deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. For tax years beginning after 2015, eligible expenses also include expenses for professional development courses the educator takes related to the curriculum he/she teaches or to the student he/she teaches. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – For 2019, the itemized deduction for state and local taxes is limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for MFS) of the aggregate of (1) state and local property taxes and (2) state and local income, war profits and excess profits taxes (or sales taxes in lieu of income, etc. taxes) paid or accrued in the tax year Continued on next page Seafarers LOG 13 �2020 Tax Tips Continued from Page 13 Individual Retirement Accounts Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute a maximum of $2,000 cash each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The dollar limit is phased out for married individuals filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income between $190,000 and $220,000, and between $95,000 and $110,000 for single filers. The contribution is not deductible. Traditional IRAs - For 2019, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $6,000 or your compensation. For taxpayers age 50 or older as of year-end, an additional catch-up contribution of up to $1,000 is allowed. Thus, the 2019 contribution limit for these taxpayers is the lesser of $7,000 or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2019 is $64,000-$74,000 for single and head of household, $103,000-$123,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $6,000 (increased to $7,000 for taxpayers age 50 or older at year end) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $122,000 and $137,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $193,000 and $203,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 permanently extends the Qualified Charitable Distributions. It offers older owners of IRAs a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70 and one-half or older can directly transfer, taxfree, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2019, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by April 15, 2020 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 in any time during the calendar year. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit - The first-time homebuyer 14 Seafarers LOG credit is not available for homes purchased in 2019. However, taxpayers who claimed the credit, which was available for homes purchased during 2008-2011, may have to repay (recapture) their credits. Mortgage Insurance Premiums – The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums (PMI) has now been extended by the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 through 2020. This allows a taxpayer whose income is below certain thresholds to deduct the cost of premiums on mortgage insurance purchased in connection with acquisition indebtedness on a taxpayer’s principal residence. The deduction is reduced by 10% for every $1,000 by which the taxpayer’s AGI exceeds $100,000. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – For property placed in service after December 31, 2016 and before January 1, 2022, the credit is available only for eligible solar electric property and solar water heating property. The credit is equal to 30 percent of the cost of eligible property placed in service in 2018 or 2019; 26 percent of the cost of the property placed in 2020; and 22 percent of the cost of property placed in service in 2021. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rate for 2019 is 58 cents per mile for business miles driven and was increased to 20 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion – For tax year 2019, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $105,900. This amount is up $2,000 from tax year 2018. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – In 2019, the AMT exemption amounts increased to $111,700 for married filing jointly, $55,850 for married filing separately, and $71,700 for other filers. The AMT exemption begins to phase out at $1,020,600 for married filing jointly and $510,300 for other filers. Health Care Coverage – For 2019, you no longer need to either make a shared responsibility payment or file Form 8965 if you don’t have essential health care coverage for part or all of 2019. The “Full-year health care coverage or exempt” box has been removed from Form 1040. Premium Tax Credit – Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit. Individuals who are eligible for PTC need to meet the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. Exception: In some cases, taxpayers with household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Note: Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) – The Health care tax credit is a tax credit that pays a percentage of health insurance premiums for certain eligible taxpayers and their qualifying family members. The Health Coverage Tax credit is a separate tax credit with different eligibility rules than the premium tax credit. Affordable Care Act – Several very important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that affect individuals and businesses first became effective in 2015. The Employer Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to either offer minimum essential coverage that is “affordable” and that provides “minimum value” to their full-time employees and their dependents, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS. Transit Benefits – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended transit benefits. These include van pool benefits, transit passes and qualified parking. For 2019, the monthly exclusion amount has increased to $265. Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit – IRS Refund Claim – The IRS has additional time to review refund claims based on the Earned Income Credit or the refundable portion of the additional Child Tax Credit in order to reduce fraud and improper payments. No credit or refund for an overpayment shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15 following the close of the tax year, if the taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Credit or additional Child Tax Credit. Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs – For rollover contributions made after December 18, 2015, distributions from employer sponsored retirement plans and traditional IRAs may be rolled over into a SIMPLE IRA, as long as the SIMPLE IRA has been open for at least two years. Tax Rates for 2019 – For 2019, there is a 37% bracket (for single individuals at $510,301, head of household at $510,301, married filing jointly at $612,351 and married filing separately at $306,176). Trusts and estates will hit the 37% bracket at $12,750. The rate for capital gains and qualified dividends is 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $510,300 for single individuals n $510,300 for heads of household n $612,350 for married filing joint n $306,175 for married filing separately Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence – Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However, income from cancellation of debt on a qualified principal residence, of up to $2 million, may be excludable. This was extended by the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 for discharges of indebtedness before January 1, 2021. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child -To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. What’s New for 2019 – Right before the year end, the House and Senate passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. The new Act provides several fixes to the Tax Cuts and Job Act. The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) - The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017. Described as the largest major tax reform in over three decades, the TCJA contains a host of tax provisions that impact individuals and businesses. See some additional changes in the tax provisions still in effect for 2019 below: n Miscellaneous Deductions - Jobrelated expenses, as well as other miscellaneous itemized deductions that were previously subject to the 2%-of-adjustedgross-income floor, are no longer deductible for tax year 2019. The eliminated deductions include expenses for tax preparation, union dues, and investment fees. n Kiddie Tax - The new kiddie tax in Sec. 1(j)(4) introduced by the TCJA was repealed by the Consolidated Appropria- tions Act, 2020. The taxable income of a child attributable to earned income is taxed under the rates for single individuals, and taxable income of a child attributable to net unearned income has been reverted back to being taxed at the parents’ tax rate. This change is effective for tax years that begin after December 31, 2019. n Mortgage Interest Deduction - The deduction for mortgage interest is limited to underlying indebtedness of up to $750,000 ($375,000 for MFS). The deduction for interest on home equity indebtedness is eliminated. The new lower limit doesn’t apply to any acquisition indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017. n Charitable Contribution Deduction - The limitation under IRC Sec. 170(b) for cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations is 60%. Contributions exceeding the limitation are generally allowed to be carried forward and deducted for up to five years, subject to the later year’s ceiling. n Gambling Losses - All deductions for expenses incurred in carrying out wagering transactions, and not just gambling losses, are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings. n Deduction for Qualified Business Income - An individual generally may deduct 20% of qualified business income from a partnership, S corporation or sole proprietorship, as well as 20% of aggregate qualified REIT dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership income. The 20% deduction is not allowed in computing AGI, but rather is allowed as a deduction reducing taxable income. A limitation based on W-2 wages paid or capital investment is phased in for MFJ taxpayers with taxable income of $321,400 or more ($160,700 for other individuals). A disallowance of the deduction with respect to specified service trades or businesses also is phased in above these threshold amounts of taxable income. n Moving Expenses – Moving expenses are no longer deductible unless you are a member of the armed forces on active duty (and their spouse and dependents) who moved pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station. Additional Provisions Made by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020: Individual Extenders n Medical and Dental Expense Deduction – AGI floor remains at 7.5% instead of increasing to 10% n Above-the-line deduction for Tuition and Fees n Mortgage Insurance Premiums (PMI) treated as deductible qualified residence interest n Qualified residence indebtedness exclusion from gross income The SECURE Act includes significant changes for IRAs, 401(k) plans, and introduces a new pooled multiple employer plan IRA Changes: n The starting age for individuals to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) has been increased to 72 years old from 70 ½ years old. This is effective for individuals turning 72 years old January 1, 2020 or later n The 70 ½ age limit for contributions to an IRA has been eliminated for taxable years after December 31, 2019 n Non-spouse individuals who inherit an IRA after December 31, 2019 must withdraw the balance within 10 years, subject to certain exceptions. 401(k) Changes: n Long-term, part-time employees may now qualify to participate in elective deferral plans in plan years beginning after December 31, 2020 n Early withdrawal penalty exemption of $5,000 for qualified birth or adoption distributions in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019 n Included in compensation for purposes of determining retirement plan Continued on next page February 2020 �2020 Tax Tips Continued from Page 14 contributions are taxable non-tuition fellowships/stipends and nontaxable “difficulty of care payments” earned by home healthcare workers in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019 n Increased cap to encourage higher auto-enrollments in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019 The Disaster Act, officially titled the “Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act of 2019,” provides relief for taxpayers affected by disasters in 2018 through 30 days following the date of the enactment of the Disaster Act. New laws resulting from The Disaster Act are listed below. n Use of Retirement Funds – To allow for the re-contribution of retirement plan withdrawals for home purchases canceled due to eligible disasters and provide flexibility for loans from retirement plans for qualified hurricane relief, there is now an exception to the 10% early retirement plan withdrawal penalty for qualified disaster relief distributions. The amount cannot exceed $100,000 in qualified hurricane distributions cumulatively. (Disaster Act Sec. 202) n Employee Retention Credit – The newly created “2018 through 2019 qualified disaster employee retention credit” allows for a tax credit equal to 40% of wages (up to $6,000/employee) paid by disaster-affected employers to employees from a core disaster area. This credit applies to wages paid regardless of where the services associated with those wages were performed. The credit should be taken as a current year business credit under Code Sec. 38(b). (Disaster Act Sec. 203) Other Disaster-Related Tax Relief - Per the Disaster Act Sec. 204, other disaster-related tax relief items include the following n Temporary suspension of limitations on charitable contributions associated with qualified disaster relief n For personal casualty losses, The Disaster Act eliminates the current requirements that personal uncompensated casualty losses must exceed 10% of AGI to qualify for deduction. Also, the taxpayer is not required to itemize deductions to qualify for this relief n Taxpayers in designated disaster areas may use the immediately preceding year to determine the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit Automatic Extension of Filing Deadline – Any individual with a principal place of abode in a disaster area is granted an automatic 60-day extension with regard to any tax filing. This applies to federally declared disasters declared after the date of the enactment of the Disaster Act. (Disaster Act Sec. 205) Other Credits affected by The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act of 2019 n Alternative Fuel Refueling Property Credit – An individual taxpayer may claim a 30% credit for the cost of installing non-hydrogen alternative vehicle refueling property at the taxpayer’s principal residence. This credit has been extended to include property placed in service before January 1, 2021. n Nonbusiness Energy Property – A credit is allowed for 10% of the amounts paid/incurred by the taxpayer for qualified energy improvements of principal residences (windows, doors, skylights, and roofs). Taxpayers can take $50-$300 fixed dollar amount credits allowed for energyefficient property including furnaces, boilers, biomass stoves, heat pumps, water heaters, central air conditioners, and circulating fans, which are subject to a lifetime cap of $500. This credit has been extended through 2020. n Energy Efficient Homes Credit – An eligible contractor may claim a tax Tax Tips for Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099 n Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Charitable contributions n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or n Home equity loan n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social February 2020 Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888872-9829 or 1-888-729-1040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com/ fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 21b, 21c and 21d on their Form 1040. Line 21b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 21c indicates the type of account, and line 21d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, an individual that prepares his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and website at: www.irs.gov. What Are Considered Deductions and Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The TCJA eliminated the exemption deduction for dependents for years 2018-2025. Therefore, releasing the de- credit of $1,000 or $2,000 for the construction or manufacture of a new energy efficient home that meets qualifying criteria. The credit is available on homes acquired before January 1, 2021. n Qualified Fuel Cell Motor Vehicles – Extended through 2020, a credit of between $4,000 and $40,000, depending on the weight of the vehicle, is available for the purchase of qualified fuel cell motor vehicles. Depending on fuel efficiency, other vehicles may qualify for an additional $1,000 to $4,000 credit. n 2-Wheeled Plug-In Electric Vehicle Credit – Capped at $2,500, the 10% credit for highway-capable, two-wheeled plugin electric vehicles has been extended for vehicles acquired prior to January 1, 2021. To qualify, battery capacity within the vehicle must be greater than or equal to 2.5 kilowatts/hour. n Your Online Account – In order for you to access your online account, you must authenticate your identity. To securely log in to your federal tax account, go to IRS.gov/Account. View the amount you owe, review 24 months of payment history, access online payment options, and create or modify an online payment agreement. You can also access your tax records online. n Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund. These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS webpendency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction; however, it does make the noncustodial parent eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, which increased for married couples filing jointly in 2019 at $24,400. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns also increased in 2019 at $12,200. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $18,350 for 2019. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – For 2019, the itemized deduction for state and local taxes is limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for MFS) of the aggregate of (1) state and local property taxes and (2) state and local income, war profits and excess profits taxes (or sales taxes in lieu of income, etc. taxes) paid or accrued in the tax year. Charitable Contribution Deduction: The limitation under IRC Sec. 170(b) for cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations is 60% of an individual’s contribution base. The contribution base is an individual’s adjusted gross income (AGI), not including the charitable deduction or any net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks. The percentage limit depends on the aggregate contributions of the spouses if married filing jointly. Contributions exceeding the limitation are generally allowed to be carried forward and deducted for up to five years, subject to the later year’s ceiling. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2019, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Deduct all your home mortgage site or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce. gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778. Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are no longer deductible for 2018-2025. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: The TCJA suspended the deduction for miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2%-of-AGI limit for 2018-2025 [IRC Sec. 67(g)]. Therefore, these expenses are not deductible in 2019. Miscellaneous itemized deductions not subject to the 2%-of-AGI limit remain deductible on Schedule A. Continued on next page Seafarers LOG 15 �Tax Tips For Members Continued from Page 14 Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Other Tax Information Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Express and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2018, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securi- Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-8291040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-8293676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet website at www.irs. gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Standard Deductions This is the standard deduction chart for most people. The additional standard deduction for people who have reached age 65 (or who are blind) is $1,300 for married taxpayers or $1,650 for unmarried taxpayers. Filing Status Standard Deducton Single and Married filing separate.......................................................$12,200 Married couples filing a joint return ...................................................$24,400 Heads of household .............................................................................$18,350. ties, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings) n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate n Embezzled or other illegal income n Social Security benefits Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship Filing an Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2020, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where is My Refund If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www. irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. SHBP Offers COBRA Continuation Coverage to Union Members The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) is notifying you of the right to elect to purchase continuation of health coverage if you lose coverage, or experience a reduction in coverage due to certain qualifying events. This continuation of coverage is known as COBRA. Generally, if you are the employee, you will be eligible to purchase COBRA coverage for a certain period of time if you lost coverage because you did not have enough days of covered employment (unless the job was lost due to gross misconduct). If you are the family member of a covered employee, you may also elect COBRA for a certain period of time when the employee loses coverage; or if you are going to lose coverage because of a divorce or the death of the employee; or in the case of a 16 Seafarers LOG child of an employee, the child reaches an age at which the Plan no longer considers him or her to be a “dependent child.” In the case of a divorce or the death of an employee, you must notify the Plan within 60 days of the divorce or death in order to be eligible to purchase continuation coverage. If you do not notify the Plan in a timely manner, you may not be eligible to receive further coverage. If you are the spouse or dependent child of an employee, you may also elect COBRA if you experience a reduction in coverage when the employee retires. When you retire, if you were eligible for benefits from the SHBP at the time of your retirement, you will be eligible to purchase COBRA continuation coverage for yourself and/or your family members, even if you are eligible for retiree health benefits. This will enable you and/or your family to continue to receive the same level of benefits that you had prior to your retirement for a certain period of time. If you meet the eligibility requirements for retiree health benefits, you will begin to receive those benefits when the COBRA period ends. For more information about continuation coverage rights under COBRA, please refer to the Plan’s “Guide to Your Benefits.” The guide is also available in PDF format on the SIU website, www.seafarers.org, under “Member Benefits-Seafarers Benefit Plans-Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan.” If you have questions regarding this notice or COBRA, contact the Plan at (800) 252-4674. February 2020 �School Still Offers Culinary 2.0 The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education continues to offer Culinary 2.0 classes designed to help students boost their skills while complying with a new rule that took effect at the beginning of 2020. Completing the coursework also is intended to aid individual shipping opportunities. Shipping Rule 5.A.(6), which went into effect January 1, 2020, states, “Within each class of seniority in the Steward Department, priority shall be given to those seamen who possess an advanced Culinary 2.0 certificate from the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, in the event such program is being offered and that the seaman is registered in Group I, Steward Department.” While every new member of the steward department who completes their apprenticeship at the Paul Hall Center’s Lundeberg School of Seamanship will have successfully passed Culinary 2.0, it’s important to remem- ber that those already sailing as chief cooks and chief stewards must also take the coursework in order to exercise preference and priority beginning next year (unless they have received training after January 1, 2017 at the Piney Point, Maryland-based campus). For those seamen currently employed as permanent stewards aboard commercial vessels, they must attend Culinary 2.0 in order to maintain their current employment status. For those already sailing as chief cooks and chief stewards, there are two new revalidation courses that have been designed to ensure a consistent level of culinary training and efficiency: Orientation/Assessment Chief Steward 2.0 and Orientation/ Assessment Chief Cook 2.0. The courses are being offered regularly, but spaces are limited, so members are encouraged to plan ahead and enroll as soon as possible. For more information, contact your port agent and/ or the school’s admissions office. February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point....................................Monday: February 3, March 2 Algonac...............................................Friday: February 7, March 6 Baltimore.....................................Thursday: February 6, March 5 Guam..........................................Thursday: February 20, March 19 Honolulu..........................................Friday: February 14, March 13 Houston............................................Monday: February 10, March 9 Jacksonville...............................Thursday: February 6, March 5 Joliet...........................................Thursday: February 13, March 12 Mobile...................................Wednesday: February 12, March 11 New Orleans..................................Tuesday: February 11, March 10 Jersey City.....................................Tuesday: February 4, March 3 Norfolk........................................Thursday: February 6, March 5 Oakland...................................Thursday: February 13, March 12 Philadelphia..........................Wednesday: February 5, March 4 Port Everglades..........................Thursday: February 13, March 12 San Juan....................................Thursday: February 6, March 5 St. Louis......................................Friday: February 14, March 13 Tacoma.......................................Friday: February 21, March 20 Wilmington.....................*Tuesday: February18, Monday: March 16 *Wilmington changes due to Presidents’ Day observance Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m ATTENTION SEAFARERS Another New Ship SPAD Works For You Contribute To The Seafarers Political Activities Donation SPAD February 2020 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea “Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from Dec. 16-Jan. 15. “Registered on the Beach” data is as of Jan. 15. Total Registered Total Shipped Port All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 30 1 5 27 8 10 10 49 35 30 4 12 23 14 4 3 9 18 0 30 322 7 1 2 10 0 3 0 15 18 14 1 5 13 7 3 5 5 13 0 7 129 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 3 1 1 16 1 0 8 14 14 13 1 2 14 7 2 3 3 11 0 10 124 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS All Groups A B Registered on Beach 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 4 4 2 0 1 3 3 3 0 0 3 1 3 33 Deck Department 6 5 1 0 1 1 16 9 7 0 11 2 5 0 30 16 27 15 25 8 2 0 10 0 11 14 8 3 0 5 0 3 5 4 18 7 2 1 22 7 207 100 C Trip Reliefs A All Groups B C 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 7 2 4 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 26 5 0 2 11 1 7 0 13 15 14 1 2 14 6 3 1 1 10 1 10 117 41 1 5 42 6 19 15 84 54 62 2 17 33 17 6 4 16 42 5 57 528 12 1 2 19 1 6 5 32 37 21 4 7 19 6 5 7 6 16 2 13 221 2 2 1 4 0 2 0 3 6 3 0 0 7 3 3 1 0 7 3 7 54 1 1 2 5 1 5 5 8 14 7 1 5 9 1 1 2 5 5 0 5 83 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 3 0 2 1 0 5 1 2 23 Engine Department 3 0 1 1 0 2 10 3 0 0 1 1 11 2 12 6 17 10 11 4 0 0 3 4 5 8 2 4 2 0 2 0 3 0 6 2 0 1 10 4 99 52 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 15 0 1 0 2 0 2 1 6 11 4 0 4 8 2 2 0 1 3 0 4 51 6 1 5 18 1 3 18 30 31 19 2 5 24 11 4 1 6 26 2 14 227 2 1 2 10 1 5 8 12 23 13 2 7 25 5 2 3 8 10 2 16 157 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 4 0 2 6 1 1 0 0 6 1 4 34 5 0 2 9 1 6 5 14 24 8 1 4 9 22 3 2 4 10 3 22 154 1 0 1 3 1 2 5 8 7 0 1 3 14 4 1 9 2 2 0 6 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 7 Steward Department 5 1 0 1 3 0 9 4 0 0 2 1 6 1 11 5 25 3 9 2 1 0 7 1 15 9 16 4 0 0 2 4 4 1 10 2 2 0 12 4 139 43 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 1 4 0 2 6 5 12 1 0 3 8 5 0 3 0 3 1 7 62 7 0 1 18 3 7 10 37 36 16 0 5 18 32 3 3 4 16 4 36 256 3 1 1 5 1 3 4 10 15 0 2 9 14 7 1 5 5 2 0 23 111 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 14 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 2 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 5 0 1 17 10 1 2 5 2 1 5 12 24 14 1 0 13 19 2 0 1 12 0 19 143 12 0 2 4 1 1 2 9 30 8 2 1 24 4 1 12 3 8 0 14 138 Entry Department 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 1 0 0 2 7 2 18 0 9 0 1 1 0 0 6 1 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 7 0 1 0 7 6 74 5 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 16 2 0 0 7 0 0 8 0 2 0 5 49 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 9 4 1 0 3 3 0 5 1 4 0 0 35 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 7 0 5 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 5 0 4 29 11 3 3 7 1 3 8 27 43 24 0 0 22 27 1 0 0 21 0 40 241 21 0 2 5 4 2 3 16 47 11 4 1 41 15 1 4 2 16 1 28 224 GRAND TOTAL: 617 425 201 95 265 1,040 730 326 451 269 Seafarers LOG 17 �Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kate Hunt, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 Inquiring Seafarer This month’s question was answered by members at the hiring hall in Mobile, Alabama. Question: Why did you decide to become a mariner? Curtis Snow Chief Cook I did it for the traveling, and the whole experience. The sailing, meeting new people and exploring the world. It’s everything I thought it would be, and I can’t wait to get out there and see more of the world. Charles Kennedy Pumpman I wanted to go see the world when I started, that was my main reason. And that turned into a full career. I’m set to retire soon, and it’s been a good career. I’ve met a lot of good people in the union, and I’m glad I joined the SIU. Nassor James AB I was in the Navy prior to this career, and during a vertical replenishment, the MSC ship pulled up, and I saw that the guys on board had beards. I asked them how they managed that, and they said that they were merchant mariners. I looked into it, and joined the SIU once I got out of the Navy. Arthur Patterson AB I wanted to travel, see the world a little bit. It’s a great opportunity for a guy from Detroit, where most of us go work at the auto plants. I’ve been doing this since 1993, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity. 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 Dana Naze Recertified Bosun I started out on harbor tugs in Mobile when I was 18 or 19. A lot of the guys I worked with had sailed deep sea, and told me all about it. I tried it out, and I fell in love with it. And I’ve been sailing deep sea for 33 years. Norman Lucas AB I just wanted to change my life. I was getting in trouble back in the days, and the union saved my life. When I joined the union, all my troubles started to go away. The union saved my life. Pics From The Past NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 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) 549-4000 Retired Recertified Steward Ron Malozi submitted these photos and the write-up that follows. That’s him in the trainee uniform in Piney Point, looking at the camera. He’s also second from right (seated) in the group photo. Malozi started his career as a trainee in Class 379, in 1983. “The ship pictured was the S.S. Inger, a grain ship, and was my third vessel after leaving school. We started in Los Angeles, going east to Panama, then to Kenya to offload grain, then to Hawaii and back to L.A. We circled the globe on that trip and it took four months. When I was young, I wanted to leave my small town in Maryland and travel the globe. With the SIU, I’ve been all over Europe, parts of the Middle East, Africa, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Panama … and too many more places to list. I also worked four years for Trans World Airlines, as an international flight attendant, so my wish to travel truly was fulfilled. Thanks, SIU, for a great career and for the many great memories. I retired in 2002 after 20 years of service.” If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 18 Seafarers LOG February 2020 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA MARIA AUSTRIA Sister Maria Austria, 65, joined the SIU in 1991, when she sailed on the Independence. She shipped in the steward department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on numerous occasions. Sister Austria last sailed on the China. She resides in San Bruno, California. GREGORIO BLANCO Brother Gregorio Blanco, 73, began his career with the Seafarers in 1977, initially sailing on the Walter Rice. He shipped in the engine department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Blanco most recently sailed on the Maersk Hartford. He calls Bronx, New York, home. LONNIE CARTER Brother Lonnie Carter, 63, donned the SIU colors in 1979 when he sailed aboard the Monticello. He worked in the engine department and upgraded often at the Piney Point school. Brother Carter’s final vessel was the Horizon Reliance. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri. CIRILO CENTENO Brother Cirilo Centeno, 65, began sailing with the SIU in 1989, initially shipping aboard the Independence. He sailed in the steward department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Centeno most recently sailed on the USNS Regulus and makes his home in Houston. JAMES CLARK Brother James Clark, 79, signed on with the union in 1999 when he sailed on the USNS Bellatrix. He shipped in the deck department and upgraded on numerous occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Clark last sailed on the Maersk Pittsburgh and lives in Boise, Idaho. QUINTIN HERRERA Brother Quintin Herrera, 65, joined the Seafarers in 1990 when he worked with Crowley Puerto Rico Services. February 2020 A deck department member, he upgraded on multiple occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Herrera’s last ship was the Philadelphia Express. He is a resident of Carolina, Puerto Rico. LEWIS JOHANSON Brother Lewis Johanson, 70, started sailing with the union in 1991, initially shipping aboard the USNS Harkness. He sailed in the steward department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions. Brother Johanson last shipped on the Midnight Sun. He resides in Belfair, Washington. JOHN LAMPRECHT Brother John Lamprecht, 63, joined the union in 1974. His first vessel was the Explorer and he primarily sailed in the deck department. Brother Lamprecht upgraded his skills at the Piney Point school on several occasions. He last sailed aboard the Garden State before settling in La Caruna, Spain. RONALD LUPINACCI Brother Ronald Lupinacci, 75, started shipping with the SIU in 1990. He was a steward department member and first sailed aboard the Constellation. Brother Lupinacci upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. He last shipped on the Prestige New York and resides in Darlington, Pennsylvania. ROMUALD MARLINSKI Brother Romuald Marlinski, 71, signed on with the SIU in 2003 when he shipped on the Cape Decision. He upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school and sailed in the engine department. Brother Marlinski’s final vessel was the Honor. He lives in Willis, Texas. aboard the John Penn. He was a member of the deck department and upgraded on numerous occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Pagan was last employed with Crowley Towing and Transportation. He resides in Riverside, California. EDWARD PORTER Brother Edward Porter, 62, began his SIU career in 1979, initially shipping on the H Atlantic. He upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions and primarily sailed in the steward department. Brother Porter’s final vessel was the Maersk Pittsburgh. He is a resident of Jacksonville, Florida. WILLIAM STOLTZ BRUCE BEAM Brother Bruce Bream, 68, joined the union in 2004. An engine department member, he upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center in 2008. Brother Beam worked for G&H Towing for the duration of his career. He lives in La Marque, Texas. JUAN CHEVALIER Brother Juan Chevalier, 68, signed on with the SIU in 1991. He began his career with Crowley Puerto Rico Services. A deck department member, Brother Chevalier upgraded his skills at the Piney Point school in 2001. He was last employed with Crowley Towing and Transportation and makes his home in Carolina, Puerto Rico. WILLIAM WATTERSON DANIEL ENGLUND Brother William Watterson, 65, began sailing with the union in 2000, first shipping aboard the American Merlin. An engine department member, he upgraded at the Piney Point school on numerous occasions. Brother Watterson last sailed on the Stephen W. Pless and settled in Edenton, North Carolina. Brother Daniel Englund, 62, began his career with the SIU in 1999 when he sailed on the USNS Pathfinder. A deck department member, he upgraded on multiple occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Englund was most recently employed by Crowley Towing and Transportation. He resides in Casa Grande, Arizona. LEVINSON WINBORNE Brother Levinson Winborne, 65, joined the SIU in 1994. His first vessel was the USNS Audacious and he sailed in the steward department. Brother Winborne upgraded at the Paul Hall Center in 2004. He last sailed on the Decisive and makes his home in Spring, Texas. GREAT LAKES ANNA BRENNO Brother Eddy Newman, 64, began sailing with the union in 1990, first shipping on the USNS Desteiguer. He primarily sailed in the engine department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Newman most recently sailed on the Howard O. Lorenzen and makes his home in Las Vegas. Sister Anna Brenno, 65, signed on with the Seafarers in 1990 when she shipped aboard the Charles E. Wilson. She worked in the steward department and upgraded at the Piney Point school in 1996. Sister Brenno’s final vessel was the Sam Laud. She lives in Seymour, Tennessee. Brother Robert Pagan, 60, signed on with the SIU in 1977, sailing first INLAND Brother William Stoltz, 65, joined the union in 1978. His first vessel was the Cove Spirit and he sailed in the deck department. Brother Stoltz upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. He concluded his career on the Atlantic and resides in Crescent City, Florida. EDDY NEWMAN ROBERT PAGAN all three departments and upgraded at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center in 2008. Brother King’s last vessel was the Bradshaw McKee. He lives in Vancouver, Washington. COURTNEY KING Brother Courtney King, 53, joined the SIU in 1988 and first shipped with OLS Transport. He sailed in JAMES GILLIAM Brother James Gilliam, 62, became an SIU member in 1980 when he worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation. Sailing in the deck department, Brother Gilliam continued to work for the same company for the duration of his career. He lives in California, Kentucky. CRAIG HEIGES Brother Craig Heiges, 63, embarked on his career with the SIU in 2002 when he sailed with Port Imperial Ferry. He shipped in the deck department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center in 2003. Brother Heiges remained with the same company for his entire career. He is a New York resident. HUBERT JOSEPH Brother Hubert Joseph, 63, began his career with the SIU in 2000 when he sailed aboard the Ascension. A deck department member, he upgraded at the Piney Point school on numerous occasions. Brother Joseph last worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation. He resides in Santurce, Puerto Rico. EDWARD MELVIN Brother Edward Melvin, 63, signed on with the SIU in 2008. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Melvin worked for Penn Maritime for his entire career. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. GREGORY NEWMAN Brother Gregory Newman, 62, became a member of the SIU in 1978, initially working for Inland Tugs. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school in 1982. Brother Newman last worked for Turecamo Maritime and settled in Holland, Pennsylvania. LESLIE O’HAIR Brother Leslie O’Hair, 57, began sailing with the union in 1996 when he shipped on the USNS Wyman. He upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center and sailed in the deck department. Brother O’Hair most recently worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation. He lives in Keystone Heights, Florida. NMU HENRY BARROW Brother Henry Barrow, 65, joined the SIU in 2001 during the NMU/ SIU Merger. He sailed in the steward department and upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center in 2001. Brother Barrow concluded his career on the Cape Orlando. He lives in Oakland, California. Seafarers LOG 19 �Final Departures DEEP SEA RODOLFO ASOPARDO Pensioner Rodolfo Asopardo, 80, died December 9. He joined the SIU in 1967. He was a deck department member and first sailed aboard the Coastal California. Brother Asopardo’s final vessel was the Horizon Hawk. He went on pension in 2009 and was a San Francisco resident. CASEY BARBER Brother Casey Barber, 43, passed away December 18. He signed on with the SIU in 1996 when he sailed on the Cleveland. Brother Barber sailed in both the deck and engine departments. He last sailed aboard the Prudhoe Bay in 2000. He lived in Gig Harbor, Washington. JORGE CASTILLO Pensioner Jorge Castillo, 101, died December 19. He began his career with the SIU in 1960, initially sailing aboard the Evelyn. He was a deck department member and last shipped on the Green Island. Brother Castillo became a pensioner in 1983 and settled in Kenner, Louisiana. FERNANDO DOMENICALE Pensioner Fernando Domenicale, 85, passed away December 24. He became a member of the SIU in 2001 when he shipped aboard the Independence. Brother Domenicale sailed in the steward department and last shipped on the Overseas Philadelphia. He retired in 2009 and called Coral Springs, Florida, home. DON FILONI Pensioner Don Filoni, 73, died December 1. He joined the union in 1991, sailing first on the Matej Kocak. Working in the deck department, Brother Filoni concluded his career on the same vessel. He 20 Seafarers LOG went on pension in 2011 and was a resident of Welaka, Florida. DANIEL FOWERS Pensioner Daniel Fowers, 74, passed away December 29. He embarked on his career with the SIU in 1989 when he sailed on the Independence. Brother Fowers was an engine department member. He last shipped on the Overseas Cascade before retiring in 2014. Brother Fowers lived in Coos Bay, Oregon. GUADALUPE GARCIA Pensioner Guadalupe Garcia, 89, died December 5. He donned the SIU colors in 1978, initially sailing aboard the Santa Mercedes. Brother Garcia worked in the steward department and concluded his career on the Independence in 2001. He retired the same year and settled in Brownsville, Texas. JOHN HOLTSCHLAG Pensioner John Holtschlag, 77, passed away January 6. He started his career with the union in 1987 when he shipped on the Galveston. Brother Holtschlag was a steward department member and last sailed aboard the Thailand. He began collecting his pension in 2009 and resided in Springfield, Illinois. GORDON LINDEN Pensioner Gordon Linden, 78, died December 9. He signed on with the SIU in 1967 when he sailed on the Norberto Capay. Brother Linden sailed in the engine department. His final vessel was the Neches. Brother Linden became a pensioner in 2006 and lived in Watertown, South Dakota. FRITZ MCDUFFIE Pensioner Fritz McDuffie, 67, passed away December 28. He began sailing with the union in 1970, initially shipping on the Arizpa. A deck department member, Brother McDuffie concluded his career aboard the Stephen W. Pless. He retired in 2007 and made his home in Wilmer, Alabama. SAIAD MONASAR Pensioner Saiad Monasar, 65, died August 20. He joined the Seafarers in 1976 and first sailed aboard the Trader. Brother Mo- nasar was a steward department member. He last sailed aboard the Cape Jacob before becoming a pensioner in 2019. Brother Monasar lived in Bridgeview, Illinois. SORIN RASCOL Pensioner Sorin Rascol, 69, passed away November 24. He started his career with the SIU in 2000, initially sailing on the Global Sentinel. The deck department member’s last vessel was the Seabulk Pride. He retired in 2017 and resided in San Leon, Texas. ROOSEVELT SAMPSON Pensioner Roosevelt Sampson, 85, died November 5. He donned the SIU colors in 1979 when he shipped aboard the President Fillmore. Brother Sampson sailed in the steward department. He concluded his career on the President Roosevelt before going on pension in 1999. Brother Sampson called Yuba City, California, home. FREDERICK SHANNON Pensioner Frederick Shannon, 77, passed away November 30. He signed on with the union in 1998, initially sailing on the Franklin J. Phillips. Brother Shannon was a member of the deck department and most recently shipped on the Sirius. He retired in 2007 and lived in San Leon, Texas. RAYMOND TAYLOR Pensioner Raymond Taylor, 95, died December 6. He joined the SIU in 1951 when he sailed on the Del Oro. Brother Taylor sailed in the steward department. His final vessel was the Overseas Arctic. He became a pensioner in 1986 and lived in Gretna, Louisiana. WAYNE YEARGAIN Brother Wayne Yeargain, 59, passed away November 28. He began sailing with the Seafarers in 2012 when he shipped on the Mississippi Enterprise. The deck department member’s last vessel was the Overseas Martinez. Brother Yeargain resided in Pensacola, Florida. JOHN ZIMMERMAN Brother John Zimmerman, 56, died October 3. He joined the Seafarers in 2016 and initially sailed aboard the Dewayne T. Williams. Brother Zimmerman shipped in the engine department and most recently sailed on the Baldomero Lopez. He was a resident of Green Cove Springs, Florida. INLAND JAMES COCHRAN Pensioner James Cochran, 72, died December 30. He joined the SIU in 1991 and was a member of the deck department. Brother Cochran worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation throughout his entire career. He retired in 2009 and called Gibsonton, Florida, home. ROBERT DAWSEY Pensioner Robert Dawsey, 87, passed away November 4. He began his career with the Seafarers in 1987. He worked for McAllister Towing of Virginia for his entire career and sailed in the deck department. Brother Dawsey became a pensioner in 1999. He resided in Pearlington, Mississippi. LAWRENCE GUIDROZ Pensioner Lawrence Guidroz, 75, died December 22. He became a member of the SIU in 1968. Brother Guidroz sailed in the deck department. He worked for Dixie Carriers for his entire career before retiring in 2011. Brother Guidroz lived in Arnaudville, Louisiana. RICHARD LUDLAM Pensioner Richard Ludlam, 92, passed away December 12. He signed on with the union in 1962 when he worked for G&H Towing. Brother Ludlam sailed in the engine department and remained with the same company for the duration of his career. He went on pension in 1985 and settled in Houston. NMU RAPHAEL CHARLES Pensioner Raphael Charles, 86, died December 9. He was an NMU member before the 2001 SIU/NMU merger. Brother Charles began collecting his pension in 1995 and resided in Galveston, Texas. JOHN HERTON Pensioner John Herton, 96, passed away December 8. He sailed with the NMU prior to the 2001 merger with Seafarers International Union. Brother Herton retired in 1993 and lived in Brownsville, Texas. JOSE SANTOS Pensioner Jose Santos, 91, died November 23. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Brother Santos was a member of the NMU before the 2001 SIU/NMU merger. He became a pensioner in 1987 and lived in Port St. Lucie, Florida. 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 Banks, Leith 88 Brandner, Raymond 93 Cheatham, Sterling 74 Dillon, Charles 92 Ebanks, Martin 94 Gaines, George 91 Gersie, William 86 Henry, Rudolph 90 Johnson, Cesar 86 Lewandowski, Charles 78 Mattingly, James 77 Mote, Charles 79 Oquendo, Jesus 78 Ortega, Ricardo 81 Robinson, Eustace 91 Ruiz, Jose 89 Vazquez, Juan 88 Veliotis, George 85 Wood, Neva 89 DOD 11/22/2019 01/03/2020 12/23/2019 12/18/2019 11/27/2019 12/22/2019 12/22/2019 08/17/2019 12/17/2019 12/08/2019 11/21/2019 12/11/2019 12/14/2019 04/30/2019 01/01/2020 12/27/2019 12/17/2019 11/27/2019 12/29/2019 Important Notice For All Seafarers We’ve improved our text messaging system for shipboard job-related notifications. If you’re not signed up and are interested, text WORK to 97779 and follow the prompts. February 2020 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings OVERSEAS CHINOOK (Overseas Ship Management, Inc.), November 11 – Chairman Arnaldo Fernandez, Secretary Jack Hart, Educational Director Darryl Bence, Deck Delegate Donald Bernard, Steward Delegate Rocel Alvarez. Crew reviewed minutes from prior meeting. Chairman announced payoff at sea. He thanked steward department for a job well done. Chairman commended deck department for working safely and for working long hours. Secretary thanked crew for keeping house and mess hall clean. Educational director reminded members to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center and to be sure credentials are current. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members expressed gratitude to union and headquarters for securing many jobs for Seafarers. Crew requested a raise in pension and medical benefits. ALASKAN EXPLORER (Alaska Tanker Company), November 3 – Chairman Jose Loureiro, Secretary Justo Reyes, Educational Director Tristan Brand, Deck Delegate Bronislaw Kuchczynski, Engine Delegate Kevin Kelly. New DirecTV satellite purchased. Chairman thanked crew for outstanding work at Singapore Shipyard. He reminded members to go through proper chain of command for unresolved issues. Secretary thanked crew for their cooperation. Educational director advised members to upgrade as often as possible and to make sure documents are up to date. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members were encouraged to stay focused. New satellite to be 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. installed as soon as time permits. Steward department was commended for a job well done. Next port: Valdez, Alaska. ALASKAN NAVIGATOR (Alaska Tanker Company), November 10 – Chairman Gregory Hamilton, Secretary Albert Sison, Educational Director Rollin Crump, Deck Delegate Manuel Enrico, Engine Delegate Anne Scott, Steward Delegate Erik Ivey. Crew reviewed old business. They discussed filing for vacation benefits and also talked about steward department extra meal allowance. Vessel’s shipyard schedule to begin approximately two months earlier than planned. Chairman expects shipyard period to start around May 2020. Secretary gave thanks to deck department for stripping and waxing floors. He praised cook and SA for getting galley clean and up to standards. Educational director discussed his conversation with the union hall for clarification regarding online classes. Members need to sign up for additional classes in order to register for one-day BT class. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew was encouraged to read the October 2019 shipboard meeting report. Members requested raise in pension benefits as well as an increase in current optical plan and monthly vacation days. Crew was reminded to keep mess halls in orderly fashion. Steward department was praised for providing good food. Next port: Long Beach, California. SEABULK CHALLENGE (Seabulk), November 13 – Chairman Ghassan Saeed, Secretary Peter Crum, Educational Director Randolph Scott. No complaints aboard ship. Everyone is doing well. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chief steward explained menu and resolved misunderstanding among members. Next port: Houston. OREGON (Crowley), November 22 – Chairman Jesse Natividad, Secretary Joseph Emidy, Educational Director David Pope, Steward Delegate Wilson Peniston. Secretary encouraged members to donate to SPAD, the union’s voluntary political action fund. He reminded crew of their personal responsibility to keep documents up to date. Educational director reiterated the importance of upgrading at the union-affiliated Piney Point school in order to achieve higher wages and more credentials. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew went over payoff procedures with last voucher. Members in need of new mattresses. Vote of thanks given to chief cook and SA for jobs well done. Next port: Alliance, Louisiana. TAINO (Crowley), November 24 – Chairman Wilfredo Velez, Secretary Kimberly Strate, Educational Director Lamont Robinson, Steward Delegate Martin Warren. Chairman reminded crew that USCG will be counting ROS time towards BT certification. Educational director warned members of the Real ID requirements by TSA and encouraged everyone to upgrade at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed and summarized the president’s report from Seafar- ers LOG. Members asked about Wi-Fi availability aboard ship. Crew requested a paid time off benefit that would allow a minimum of two weeks bereavement for immediate family. Next port: Jacksonville, Florida. WEST VIRGINIA (Intrepid Personnel & Provisioning) November 28 – Chairman John Cedeno Jr., Secretary Milton Yournett, Educational Director Andre Mitchell, Deck Delegate Juberto Perez, Engine Delegate Dontrell Riddick, Steward Delegate Shantay Joquin. New pillows distributed to members. Chairman conducted 401K information session. All staterooms will be inspected by bosun before sign-off to help ensure clean and acceptable standards. Chairman discussed new vessels joining SIU-crewed fleet and explained tour of duty eligibilities. Secretary advised crew to keep credentials current. Educational director reminded members to go to the Paul Hall Center for all upgrading needs. Crew was given clarification on penalty pay for trash handling. With the help of SIU Asst. VP Kris Hopkins, issue has been addressed and corrected. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman spoke with captain to see if mattress covers can be ordered. Gym dry-erase board received and installed. Members requested a match in 401K contributions and an increase of paid vacation days. Next port: Garyville, Louisiana. HORIZON PACIFIC (Sunrise Operations), December 1 – Chairman Daniel Ticer, Secretary Kevin Dougherty, Educational Director Thomas Flynn, Deck Delegate Emmanuel Buyser, Engine Delegate Yahya Mohamed, Steward Delegate Stephen Martin. DirecTV and Wi-Fi now working in port. Chairman thanked crew for working safely and reminded them to contribute to SPAD, the SIU’s voluntary political action fund. Educational director informed crew of requirements for new PASHA ships coming out in the new year. Members will be required to have training for LNG, BT and refresher courses for firefighting. Several TVs and refrigerators purchased using ship fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun noted items from the Seafarers LOG including articles about ships reflagging to Stars and Stripes with SIU crews, the ROS. breakout and WWII veteran recognition. Members requested more flexibility with trip reliefs. Crew dryer in need of repair. Next port: Oakland, California. OVERSEAS TEXAS CITY (Overseas Ship Management), December 15 – Chairman Jovan Williams, Secretary Jeffrey Beasley, Educational Director James Rodweller. Chairman thanked crew for keeping ship clean and for their hard work during voyage, loading and discharge. He recommended that members upgrade at Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland. Educational director reminded crew to ensure documents are current. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The ConstituConstitu tion of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt February 2020 requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, for the next several months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Course Advanced Refer Containers May 4 May 15 Title of Course BAPO March 23 April 17 Engineroom Resource Management August 24 August 28 FOWT February 24 March 20 Start Date Date of Completion Gap Closing Courses Start Date Date of Completion Engine Department Upgrading Courses MSC Storekeeper Basic February 24 March 13 Junior Engineer Program February 24 April 17 MSC Supply Configuration Management March 16 April 10 Machinist June 29 July 17 Marine Electrician June 29 July 31 Marine Refer Tech May 18 June 26 Pumpman July 20 July 24 Welding March 23 April 10 Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer Deck February 24 April 20 June 22 AB to Mate Modules March 13 May 8 July 10 Modules must be taken in order. Those who are not in the mates program cannot apply for these courses. Contact the Admissions Office for further details. Advanced Meteorology May 4 May 8 Advanced Shiphandling May 11 May 22 Advanced Stability April 27 May 1 ARPA March 16 August 3 March 20 August 7 Bosun Recertification July 20 August 3 Crane Familiarization March 9 March 13 ECDIS May 25 May 29 Fast Rescue Boat July 20 July 24 GMDSS February 17 July 6 February 28 July 17 Lifeboat March 9 April 6 May 4 March 20 April 17 May 15 Leadership and Management Skills August 31 September 4 Radar Renewal (one day) Contact the PHC Admissions Office Radar Observer March 2 July 20 March 13 July 31 RFPNW March 23 100 Ton Master August 17 Advanced Galley Operations Chief Cook February 17 March 13 Modules run every other week. Contact Admissions for exact date. Chief Steward March 16 April 24 Galley Operations March 23 April 17 Orientation/Assessment Chief Cook 2.0 February 24 March 9 February 28 March 13 Orientation/Assessment Chief Steward 2.0 February 10 March 2 February 14 March 6 Steward Recertification March 16 April 6 Safety/Open Upgrading Courses Basic Training March 2 March 6 Basic Training Revalidation February 7 February 7 Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation February 10 February 14 Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting February 10 February 14 Government Vessels March 2 March 6 Medical Care Provider April 20 April 24 Tank Ship - DL February 24 February 28 April 17 Tank Ship Familiarization - DL February 10 February 14 September 4 Tank Ship Familiarization - LG March 30 April 3 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o 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? o Yes o No If yes, class # and dates attended __________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? oYes o No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. 22 Seafarers LOG Steward Department Courses COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, 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. 2/20 February 2020 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #855 – Pictured in early October (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Cody Carroll, Nicholas Chiappini, Briana Davis, Joseph Howard, Christian Howe, Troy Ingram, Christopher Kluth, Austin Kost, Tavon Lauderdale, Dave Martin II, Yolanda Ortega-Velez, Emmanuel Outeiral, Isaac Pili, Marta Ruiz, John Sadia and Juan Vallejo. Important Notice To All Students Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Water Survival (Upgraders) – Graduated September 6 (above, from left): Michael James Pompa Adeva and John Price. Also graduating, but not pictured, was Nicholas Banks. Welding – Graduated October 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Rudy Cesar, Justin Dangelo, Terren Fields, Robert Neff, Liam Richey and Reginald Watkins. Instructor Chris Raley is second from the right. UA to FOWT – Graduated September 13 (above, in alphabetical order): Lavontat Anderson, Gregory Kakra Attawora, Timothy Jones, Wayne Linnette IV, Marcus Lopez, Chanel Peters, Hyuk-Joong Kim Seeman, Bertram Solomon Jr., Denard Williams and Kevin Willis. (Note: Not all are pictured.) UA to Able Seaman-Deck – Graduated September 13 (above, in alphabetical order): Austen Amoroso, Joseph Crane, David Franz Pelczmann, Andrew Porpora, Somitya Rana and Cole Vose. Tank Ship Familiarization LG – Graduated September 20 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Reginald Addison, Gerald Archie, Christopher Bean, Bobby Ramirez Belches, Mark Buyes, Marcus Eli Carrasquillo, Daniel Fields, Charles Ford, Jerwin Francisco, Whitney Fulcher, Paul Narro, Jose Rigoberto Norales, Sherley Loraine Rivera-Aguila, Dennis Skretta, Antjuan Webb and Richard West. (Note: Not all are pictured.) February 2020 Seafarers LOG 23 �Paul Hall Center Classes Government Vessels – Graduated October 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Samuel Amisah, Diamond Anderson, Marcus Eli Carrasquillo, Jonny Diego, Fidel Alvarez Dipasupil, Adolfo Leonel Figueroa, Robert Goren, Eric Jett, Steven Kendrick, John Morrison, Paul Narro, Jaquel Nesmith, Annie Nodd, John Oshaughnessy, Jorge A. Salas Santos, Paul Sharo, Eddie Taylor, Jessie Turner and Richard West. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Government Vessels – Graduated October 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Adrian Joseph, Felix P. Maldonado, Pedro Sadrac Maysonet-Gonzalez and Elvin Joel RijosPerez. GMDSS – Graduated September 13 (above, from left): Jessie Turner and Jorge A. Salas Santos. Instructor Patrick Schoenberger is at the far right. Medical Care Provider – Graduated October 4 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Jose Manuel Boza, Jared Cabasug, Marion Collins Jr., Sean Geddie, Henry Green, Brennon Hough, Deven McCoy, Edward Molesky Jr., and Michael John Estavillo Valdez. Instructor Michael Roberts is at the far left. Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation – Graduated September 13 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Chantell Dawson, Karleen Grenier, Brian Guiry, Christopher Hickey, Yuriy Prytchak, Chenequa Moet Rodriguez, Scott Salo and Dexter Madrona Turija. Class instructor Brian Moore is at the far left. (Note: Not all are pictured.) 24 Seafarers LOG February 2020 �Paul Hall Center Classes RFPNW (Phase III) – Graduated October 11 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Jacob Booth, Christopher Collins, Victor Duplesis, Lucas Hayes, Kalae-Mitchal K. Huihui, Teva Kurth, Nakia Miller, Jonathan Pastor Torres, Marcelo Corbillon Villareal and Patrick Wheat. Upon the completion of their training, each plans to work in the deck departments of SIUcontracted vessels. BAPO (Phase III) – Graduated October 11 (photo at right , in alphabetical order): Adam Salim Elmenani, Nikita Featherston, Taurean Harold, Yu-Jin Arthur Hendricks-Matsuda, Kenneth Kauffman, Johnny Matthews III, Ghadir A. Sarkis, Christopher Solomon and Kelly White. Each plans to work in the engine departments of union-contracted vessels when their training is completed. Galley Ops (Phase III) – Graduated October 11 (above, from left): David May and Michael Pena. Upon the completion of their training, both plan to work in the steward departments of SIU-crewed vessels. Tank Ship Familiarization DL – Graduated September 27 (above, in alphabetical order): Damon Anderson, Franklin Valencia Estupinan, Jerwin Francisco, Whitney Fulcher, John Morrison, Paul Narro, Dexter Madrona Turija, Antjuan Webb and Richard West. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Government Vessels – Graduated October 18 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Jose Argueta, Justin Baehring, Iesha Bailey, Joey Bariatta Benosa, Austin Blake, Rudy Cesar, Kenneth Epps, Loretta James, Chris Marcani, Boby Lenin Morales Rochez, Keion Vines, Hunter Wickman, Edward Williams and Mark Wilson. February 2020 Seafarers LOG 25 �Paul Hall Center Classes Government Vessels – Graduated November 1 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Peter Azubike, Mark Kim Tiu Cordova, Marcel Okera Jubert, Edgardo Martinez Espada, Jerry Miraflor Maya Jr., Tomas Merel, Abdulnaser Kassem Saeed, James St. Amand and Brandon Urich. Government Vessels – Graduated November 1 – (above, from left): Christopher Henao, Shelonti Jones and Dale Mattingly Jr. Basic Training (Basic Firefighting Upgraders) – Graduated September 27 (above, from left): Amin Ali Quraish, Bernard Lawes Sr., and Diamond Anderson. ECDIS – Graduated September 27 (above, in alphabetical order): Karleen Grenier, Christopher Hickey, Mason Con Melland, Yuriy Prytchak and Scott Salo. (Note: Not all are pictured.) RFPNW – Graduated October 11 (above, in alphabetical order): Michael James Pompa Adeva, Lamar Doctor, Terrance Paige and Mikhail Semenovich Pinchevskiy. Junior Engineer (Plant Management II) – Graduated October 25 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Rahsaan Kwasi Alexander, David Cornelius, Raphael Henson, Sebastian Damian Krowicki, Karl Angelo Morrow Jr., Raymond Manlangit Orosco, Matthew Palmer, Tyler Summersill, Bryan Velazquez, Derrick Walker II and Renita Walker. Instructor Christopher Morgan is at the far right. (Note: Not all are pictured.) 26 Seafarers LOG February 2020 �Paul Hall Center Classes Chief Steward 2.0 – Graduated September 16 (above, in alphabetical order): Jioia Joyce Yvonne De Leon, Joseph Alexander Fabia Laureta, Zlatko Lucic and Nina Maria McFall. Chief Steward 2.0 – Graduated September 27 (above, in alphabetical order): Nadine Butler, Dante Fernandez Cruz, Sajid Foster, Timothy Laird, Eddie Taylor and Ronaldo Salazar Torres. Chief Steward 2.0 – Graduated August 30 (above, in alphabetical order): Harlan Alonzo, Jane Altieri, Alexander Paisaje Cordero, Mario Alcanse Firme Jr., and Abraham Marcelo Martinez Rochez. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Chief Cook 2.0 – Graduated August 9 (above, from left): Jermin Matthews, Salvador Malasan De Guzman and Vincent Chavez. Certified Chief Cook (Module 1) – Graduated August 23 (above, in alphabetical order): George Nier Egbert, Ronald Glenn Jr., Annette Hicks, Yuriy Nikolayevich Klimov, Milan Marshall-Hampton and Alvin Watson. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Chief Cook 2.0 – Graduated October 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Johnson Ashun, Bernard Lawes Sr., Mary Slade and Henry Wright Jr. Chief Cook 2.0 – Graduated September 20 (above, in alphabetical order): Brandy Clemons, Todd Gallagher, Juan Francisco Poblete and Barbara Smith. February 2020 Chief Steward – Graduated September 13 (above, from left): Joshua Heath, Detrell Lambey, and Jason Beckford. Also graduating, but not pictured, were: John Billington, Adele Williams and Derrick Williams. Seafarers LOG 27 �VOLUME 82, NO. 2 FEBRUARY 2020 Text “Join” to 97779 To Sign Up for SIU Text Alerts O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Representatives from the SIU, Santa’s Castle and Joint Base Lewis-McChord gather for a photo before the annual luncheon. ‘Feels Good to Give Back’ Tacoma-Area Seafarers Step Up Again for Santa’s Castle; Yearly Outreach Brightens Holidays for Military Personnel Chief Steward Ingra Maddox described the essence of the union’s yearly participation in Santa’s Castle as well as anyone. “It feels good to give back to the people that are protecting us,” said the Seafarer, who comes from a military family. “We’ve always got a ton of stuff for the children, and that’s what it’s all about: the children.” Since 2007, Tacoma-area Seafarers have donated holiday toys and other gifts to U.S. military families (primarily E-4 and below) from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, and from other bases. The gifts are sent through a private, nonprofit organization named Santa’s Castle. The union also hosts a holiday luncheon (typically in midto-late December) for military personnel, Seafarers, employees from the nonprofit group, and other guests. In 2019, SIU members, officials and staff as well as other contributors donated a little more than $9,000 in toys and additional gifts. The items were loaded into Santa’s Castle vans outside the hiring hall after the luncheon on Dec. 20. Anita Vargo, vice president of purchasing for Santa’s Castle, said, “The Seafarers are so amazing every year. They go above and beyond to help us and our soldiers. We look forward to being with them just to have lunch and get to know the men and women who work there. It’s really nice. We love those guys. They’re wonderful and the SIU is a great organization.” During remarks at the luncheon, SIU Assistant Vice President Joe Vincenzo said, “This program and this time of year are not about any one of us in particular. It’s about the gift of giving and being grateful for what we have.” A military veteran, Vincenzo also pointed out the long, mutually respectful relationship between the U.S. Merchant Marine and our armed forces. “The logistical support that the U.S. Merchant Marine gives to our military is as vital an asset to their ability to project and sustain power abroad as it is to our homeland, economic and national security,” he stated. “Our history is long and storied and each of us has it on our shoulders to carry on that tradition as you are here today. We are grateful for our military – the service that they perform each and every day. Today is our day to say thank you.” He added that since the union started participating in Santa’s Castle, Seafarers have chipped in with around $100,000 worth of items. Chief Cook Charlie Atkins volunteered to help set up and run the luncheon. Bosun Jozef Ignaczak (photo at left) and OMU Omer Shariff (right) help transport the donations from the hall. “The whole thing went great,” he said. “I do it every year when I’m home. As union members, we’re always trying to help anyone who needs it. I know this is for a good cause, and everyone was happy and smiling. Joe does a lot to make sure everybody’s on the same page. It was excellent.” Retired Recertified Steward Shawn Fujiwara said he has participated “from day one, and it’s a reflection of why I’m proud to be part of the SIU family and the Tacoma hall.” Always a good sport, Fujiwara wore an elf costume to the luncheon. He said this year’s event lived up to its lofty precedent. “It’s important to help Santa’s Castle and their mission to support our local military families who would not otherwise have as many gifts to share on Christmas,” he added. “I call it the magic of Christmas – giving from your heart and knowing it’ll brighten the spirits of children. Also, Joe Vincenzo is a powerhouse behind the scenes, making sure the Tacoma hall always gets revved up for this.” Seafarers contributed a little more than $9,000 worth of toys and other gifts for the latest iteration of Santa’s Castle. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-2019 Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2020 Description An account of the resource Headlines: MAERSK KINLOSS RESCUES 3 CONGRESS EXTENDS U.S. MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM CONRO LURLINE JOINS MATSON FLEET BISSO CREWS RATIFY THREE-YEAR CONTRACT RETIRED PORT AGENT BENSMAN PASSES AWAY MAERSK COLUMBUS CREW HELPS SAVE 11 FORMER DOL DEPUTY LAUDS SIU, PAUL HALL CENTER U.S. SENATE PASSES BILL HONORING WORLD WAR II MERCHANT MARINERS MEMBERS RING IN HOLIDAYS AT HALLS MORE HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES PHOTOS FROM SIU HIRING HALLS U.S. COAST GUARD ANNOUNCES REGIONAL EXAM CENTER CHANGES WHATS NEW FOR THE 2020 TAX FILING SEASON TAX TIPS FOR MEMBERS SHBP OFFERS COBRA CONTINUATION COVERAGE TO UNION MEMBERS SCHOOL STILL OFFERS CULINARY 2.0 TACOMA-AREA SEAFARERS STEP UP AGAIN FOR SANTA'S CASTLE Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2/1/2020 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 82, No. 2 http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/ffc40fda3d82af8af580ed099978ba81.pdf ee0e6f1e89ca675cc2c90f4be750b0ed PDF Text Text FEBRUARY 2021 VOLUME 83, NO. 2 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Tanker Security Program Enacted Maritime Industry Bolstered by New Legislation Page 2 SLNC Severn Reflags U.S. SIU members are sailing aboard the newly reflagged bulk carrier SLNC Severn (photo above), an outright addition to the union-contracted fleet. Built in 2017, the vessel initially will provide regular service between the U.S. East Coast and the South Atlantic. The SLNC Severn is crewed by Argent Marine Operations for Schuyler Line Navigation Company. Some of the first crew members to sail aboard the ship are pictured in the group photo below. Pictured from left to right in the snapshot at the immediate left are Oilers Phillippe Leger, Keilah Freeman and Hycienth Asagwara and AB Richard Palacios. Page 4. Great Lakes Towing Unveils Pair of Tugs SIU-contracted Great Lakes Towing Company recently welcomed the new tugboats Pennsylvania and Wisconsin during a ceremony in Cleveland that was shown live online. In photo at immediate right, vessel sponsor Sally Stevens (foreground) christens the Wisconsin. The other photo includes both of the new boats. Page 4. (Photos by Paul C. LaMarre III) SIU Election Results Page 3 Tax Tips for 2021 Filing Season Pages 12-14, 23 �President’s Report Great Opportunities Ahead Even though the early parts of 2021 feel suspiciously like 2020 in some ways, I am extremely optimistic about what the new year holds for our industry. One reason for that outlook: The pro-maritime legislation enacted late last year gives us plenty of momentum and great opportunities for the future. One of the most significant components of the Defense bill establishes a Tanker Security Program, along the lines of the Maritime Security Program (which was voted into law in 1996). While these are not the best days for the tanker industry, the longer-term picture with this new plan is favorable and important. U.S. military leaders have said they want dozens of tankers available in times of crisis. The Tanker Security Program starts building the foundation. As reported elsewhere in this edition and at last month’s membership meetings, other legislative wins include solidifying the Jones Act’s application to wind farms, strictly enforcing cargo preference laws, Michael Sacco and bolstering the Maritime Security Program. The pro-maritime, pro-labor Biden administration and continued bipartisan support in Congress will also help ensure that we’re able to keep the U.S. Merchant Marine on everyone’s radar. And on that note, we had already begun meeting (virtually, in most cases) with new legislators and longtime supporters even before Inauguration Day, in order to either educate people about maritime or simply to solidify goals for the industry. We take nothing for granted and will continue working hard to help ensure your job security. But I’ve never felt better about the prospects for the U.S. Merchant Marine than I do now. Pandemic Continues As of this writing in mid-January, we as a nation are still working on implementing comprehensive strategies for administering vaccines for COVID-19. However, the SIU has teamed up with other maritime unions to push for prioritizing our respective rank-and-file members, in light of their proper classification as essential workers. Logistically, I think there are more questions than answers at this point, but the vaccines themselves have been deemed safe (by the time you read this, I hope to have had my first shot). However it plays out, I am asking all SIU members to have faith that your union will handle it the right way. We will continue doing what we’ve done since the start of the pandemic, and that is putting your safety of you, and that of your families and shipmates at the top of the list. Nothing is more important, and we’ll behave accordingly. Meanwhile, please keep your guard up and remain safe. There is finally daylight on the horizon, but there also have been spikes around the world, and that includes an uptick in positive cases among our membership. We’ve come too far to slack off. Follow the safety protocols, and keep the faith that we’ll get through it together. Many Thanks I would be remiss in not extending another heartfelt “thank you” to outgoing U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao and outgoing Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby, two of our industry’s all-time greatest champions who also happened to be true friends of the SIU. They left the prior administration as our nation was gripped by rioting, impeachment and the understandable emotions associated with those developments. There’s not enough space to do justice to what Secretary Chao and Admiral Buzby have meant to the U.S. Merchant Marine, so I’ll simply thank them and wish them well in whatever comes next. Last but not least, I also thank our membership for giving me another term as your president. Our continuity of leadership has been vital to the SIU’s success, and I want you to know that we don’t have any passengers on our executive board or elsewhere in our ranks. Our union weathers every storm and emerges stronger because we pour everything we’ve got into the job. That will never change, and that’s why I again look forward to even more progress. New Defense Authorization Act Has Major Maritime Components While 2020 served up more than its share of challenges, the year ended with a flurry of good news for the American maritime industry. Late last year, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which included a number of critical maritime provisions. The president vetoed the bill for reasons completely unrelated to the maritime components, but Congress overrode the veto. One highlight of the NDAA for the maritime industry is the creation of a 10-ship Tanker Security Fleet, modeled after the successful Maritime Security Program (MSP), to provide a stipend to shipowners who make their militarily useful tankers available in times of war or national emergency. This provision, like many others in the overall legislation, has been supported by the SIU for years. Also of great significance, the NDAA included a section that confirms the Jones Act applies to all offshore wind farms inside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, including those on the Outer Continental Shelf. It also included provisions clarifying that Jones Act defense-related waivers may only be issued for legitimate national defense needs; non-defense waivers are time-limited; and foreign vessels that take advantage of any Jones Act waiver will be subject to significant public reporting requirements. The bill also requires the comptroller general of the United States to undertake a review of all federal agencies’ compliance with cargo preference laws, and highlight those agencies who are not following the law properly. “It is hard to overstate how big a win this was for maritime labor,” said SIU Legislative and Political Director Brian Schoeneman. “Not only did we see the creation of the new Tanker Security Fleet, we saw an increased authorization amount for MSP, clarification that the Jones Act applies to offshore wind farms and we are finally taking a big step towards getting some real enforcement of the cargo preference laws. It was one of the biggest wins for maritime we’ve seen in years.” The NDAA also included two maritime-related “Sense of the Congress” statements that put the government on record as to what official policy is. Those read: “It is the Sense of Congress that United States coastwise trade laws promote a strong domestic maritime industry, which supports the national security and economic vitality of the United States and the efficient operation of the United States transportation system; and a strong commercial maritime industry makes the United States more secure.” (Sec. 3522) “It is the Sense of Congress that the maritime industry of the United States contributes to the Nation’s economic prosperity and national security.” (Sec. 8403) Finally, the NDAA established a new Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief program designed to ensure that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and other agencies within the federal government have the authority to provide relief to parts of the industry that have been severely impacted by an emergency, such as our continuing efforts to combat COVID-19. These provisions represent a major win for the SIU, and will be important to helping protect and expand our U.S. Merchant Marine in the future. Congress Passes Major Funding Bill In addition to the NDAA, Congress also passed an omnibus appropriations bill that included significant funding for maritime priorities. The appropriations act provides full funding for the Maritime Security Program fleet – $314 million for fiscal year 2021. The full funding level allows for a stipend of approximately $5.23 million for each of the MSP’s 60 militarily useful U.S.-flagged ships, which are crewed by U.S. merchant mariners and operate in international commercial trades. In addition to the MSP funding, the bill provided $376 million for the National Defense Reserve Fleet, nearly $2 billion for cargo preference programs including the PL-480 Food for Peace Program, $390 million for the final National Security Multi-Mission Vessel “school ship,” and $10 million to fully fund the Cable Security Fleet program. NASSCO Launches USNS John Lewis New jobs are on the horizon for members of the SIU Government Services Division following the Jan. 12 launch of the future USNS John Lewis in San Diego. The launch took place at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, a union shipyard. The Lewis is the first of six vessels in a new fleet oiler program designed to support the U.S. Navy. Vessel construction began in the fall of 2018 and utilized more than 18,575 tons of steel to complete. The 742-foot-long vessel is designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy carrier strike group ships operating at sea. Each of the oilers in this class will have a capacity of 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, aviation capability and up to a speed of 20 knots. “NASSCO is immensely honored to be a part of this historic day launching the future John Lewis,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “This ship reaffirms our nation’s stability and represents the same strength, values and honor that her namesake, the Honorable John Lewis, stood for. The shipbuilders of NASSCO are proud to ensure his legacy will live on in this majestic vessel.” Additionally, NASSCO started construction on the future USNS Earl Warren, the third vessel in the program, late last year. In 2016, General Dynamics NASSCO was awarded the contract by the U.S. Navy for the detailed design and construction of the next generation of fleet oilers, the John Lewis-class (T-AO 205), previously known as the TAO(X). According to the shipyard, the christening of the future USNS John Lewis “will be celebrated later in 2021 with the ship’s sponsor following tradition of breaking a champagne bottle on the ship’s hull.” O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Volume 83 Number 2 February 2021 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org 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 & Managing Editor/ Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Jenny Stokes; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2021 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. Reversed to White Reversed to White 2 Seafarers LOG Union shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO launches the USNS John Lewis in San Diego. (Photo courtesy General Dynamics NASSCO) February 2021 �Committee members tackle the initial workload in the main conference room at headquarters. Tallying Committee Announces Election Results Michael Sacco is Reelected President of Seafarers International Union A committee of rank-and-file members recently released its official report on the voting for national officers of the Seafarers International Union’s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters. Voting took place Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020. The union’s tallying committee consisted of 20 Seafarers (two members elected from each of the SIU’s 10 constitutional halls). The group certified the reelections of Michael Sacco as president of the SIU; Augie Tellez as the union’s executive vice president; David Heindel as secretary treasurer; and George Tricker as vice president of contracts and contract enforcement, among other results. The tallying committee’s report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings in March. According to the report, the two contested races for office were decided by large margins. The committee disclosed the election of the following officers, who will serve four-year terms: n Michael Sacco, president; n Augie Tellez, executive vice president; n David Heindel, secretary-treasurer; n George Tricker, contracts and contract enforcement vice president; n Joseph Soresi, Atlantic Coast vice president; n Dean Corgey, Gulf Coast vice president; n Nick Marrone, West Coast vice president; n Tom Orzechowski, Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters vice president; n Kate Hunt, Government Services and fishing industries vice president; n Pat Vandegrift, contracts and contract enforcement assistant vice president; n Nick Celona, Atlantic Coast assistant vice president; n Kris Hopkins, Gulf Coast assistant vice president; n Bryan Powell, West Coast assistant vice president; n Mike Russo, Southern Region, Great Lakes and inland waters assistant vice president; n Joe Vincenzo, Government Services and fishing industries assistant vice president; n Mark von Siegel, Piney Point port agent; n Ray Henderson, New York/New Jersey port agent; n Joe Baselice, Philadelphia port agent; n John Hoskins, Baltimore port agent; n Jimmy White, Mobile port agent; n Chris Westbrook, New Orleans port agent; Joe Zavala, Houston port agent; Nick Marrone II, Oakland port agent; Chad Partridge, St. Louis port agent; Todd Brdak, Detroit-Algonac port agent. The committee met with the union’s secretary-treasurer to receive instructions following the Piney Point, Maryland, membership meeting on Jan. 4 and concluded both their tallying and report by the evening of January 7. They met during that week at the union’s headquarters in Camp Springs, Maryland, and at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point. Serving as co-chairmen of the tallying committee were Jack McElveen and Timothy Pillsworth, both of whom credited their fellow Seafarers for being thorough and efficient. Joining them on the committee were Seafarers Ritche Acuman, Mark Butler, Patrick Coppola, James Crate, Fontanos Ellison, Anthony Jacobson, Trevor Manion, Mohamed Mosed, Foaad Saleh, Joe Bowen, Cleofe Castro, Gerard Costello, Riley Donahue, Rene Guity, Kelvin Johnson, Kyle Miller, Exxl n n n n Ronquillo and Tyrell Thabit. Unanimously approved by the committee, the report consists of more than 5,800 words. It reflects a strong rank-and-file turnout for balloting. The committee members concluded that they “wish to express [our] deep appreciation for the cooperation and assistance given to us by the union’s legal department and its technical and clerical staff. Finally, the members of the union tallying committee wish to congratulate the elected officers and jobholders. We extend our best wishes for the next four years. We hope that you will carry on the tradition of our union and advance the strength of the maritime industry.” In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, extra precautions were taken not only before and during the election itself, but also throughout the committee’s work. All committee members were required to test negative for the novel coronavirus, and they also had to isolate before travelling to Piney Point. Additionally, two alternates from each constitutional port also were chosen by fellow members during special meetings Dec. 28 (none ultimately were needed to fill in). Members of the union’s election tallying committee are pictured Jan. 7 at headquarters in Camp Springs, Maryland. Joining them for the snapshot are SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel (middle row, center) and SIU Asst. VP Pat Vandegrift (middle row, far right). February 2021 Seafarers LOG 3 �SLNC Severn Reflags Under Stars & Stripes The new year brings new jobs for SIU members following the recent reflagging of the bulk carrier SLNC Severn, an outright addition to the union-contracted fleet. Built in 2017, the vessel initially will provide regular service between the U.S. East Coast and the South Atlantic. The ship is 623 feet long, is equipped with four cranes and has the ability to carry a combination of containerized, breakbulk and bulk cargo. It has a sailing speed of 14.5 knots and reflagged under the Stars and Stripes in early December in Florida. The SLNC Severn is crewed by Argent Marine Operations for Schuyler Line Navigation Company. The original SIU crew included Bosun Mario Loria, ABs Benjamin Carroll, Kenneth Zuniga, Willie Myrick and Richard Palacios, Oilers Hycienth Asagwara, Keilah Freeman and Phillippe Leger, Steward/Baker Tyrone Hall, ACU Mercedes Jasmin and GVA Johanns Rivera-Rivera. From aboard the vessel, Loria on Jan. 6 said, “It’s hard work reflagging a vessel, but everything is good. For the first few weeks, you work with whatever you’ve got. You have to order everything: tools, parts, miscellaneous. It’s a learning experience for a lot of us, and everyone is in good spirits.” SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker stated, “The company’s commitment to American-flag shipping, both in the Jones Act trade and internationally, is underscored by this reflagging, as is their faith in SIU crews. We welcome these new employment opportunities and, as always, I am 100 percent confident that SIU members will come through with their typically outstanding professionalism aboard the vessel.” Russell Paret, CEO of Schuyler Line Navigation Company, stated, “We are proud to add the SLNC Severn to our U.S.-flag fleet. The SLNC Severn’s crew, our shoreside team and all the regulatory agencies worked together seamlessly to efficiently reflag the vessel, even in the midst of a pandemic. We offer a warm welcome to our newest crew members and are grateful to all of our mariners around the world for their commitment during this uncertain time.” Schuyler Line’s other SIU-crewed vessels include the SLNC Corsica, SLNC Goodwill, SLNC Magothy and SLNC Pax. Formerly named the Frederike Oldendorff, the SLNC Severn was constructed in China. Crew members (photo at immediate left) celebrate the reflagging in early December in Florida. The SLNC Severn (remaining photos) is an outright addition to the SIU fleet. (Vessel photos courtesy of Schuyler Line Navigation Co.) Boat sponsor Louise Kandzer does the honors aboard the Pennsylvania. Christening the Wisconsin is the vessel’s sponsor, Sally Stevens. Great Lakes Towing Christens 2 Tugs Frigid weather didn’t chill the mood during a dual christening Dec. 16 in Cleveland. Seafarers-contracted Great Lakes Towing Company welcomed the new tugboats Pennsylvania and Wisconsin during a brief but spirited ceremony that was shown live online. Employees from Great Lakes Towing and from Great Lakes Shipyard (builder of both boats) attended. SIU members recently approved a new six-year contract with Great Lakes Towing that raises wages and maintains benefits. The company provides harbor assist and towing services to ships in more than 40 U.S. Great Lakes ports. During the christening, Great Lakes Towing Company President Joe Starck said, “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is remarkable that the [company] has 4 Seafarers LOG persevered with the successful completion of these two new tugs, despite the adversity the pandemic brought to bear, not only on us, but the industry, not to mention the country, and the entire world. The Towing Company, as always, showed its resilience and its resolve to muscle through these difficult conditions.” The tug Pennsylvania was christened by vessel sponsor Louise Kandzer, girlfriend of Gregg Thauvette, the company’s senior vice presidentoperations; and the tug Wisconsin was christened by vessel sponsor Sally Stevens, wife of Robert Zadkovich, vice president-business Development. The new boats are the fourth and fifth tugs, respectively, in a series of 10 64-foot Damen 1907 ICE design harbor tugs that Great Lakes Shipyard is building for Great Lakes Towing. In a news release, Great Lakes Towing noted, “The tugs are 64’x24’x11’, powered by two 1,000-hp MTU 8V4000 Tier III diesel engines, and generate over 30-tons of bollard pull. Their propulsion systems include the Canal Marine designed Logan FlexaDrive Hybrid power system, allowing the tugs to operate on electric power while at idle, underway at low speeds, or when under low loads, without the need to utilize the main engines, thereby reducing emissions and the cost of engine maintenance. The tugs’ compact size and high maneuverability make them ideal for the narrow waterways and low bridges that characterize harbor towing on the Great Lakes.” The sixth tug, not yet named, is slated for a summer 2021 completion. Great Lakes Towing Company President Joe Starck welcomes the attendees. (Photos by Paul C. LaMarre III) February 2021 �New Con-Ro Matsonia Poised to Join SIU Fleet SIU-contracted Matson, Inc., recently took delivery of the Matsonia, the second of two new Kanaloa Class combination container/roll-on, roll-off (con-ro) ships built for the company by General Dynamics NASSCO. According to Matson, the Matsonia and sister ship Lurline are the largest vessels of their kind ever built in the U.S. They join two other new Seafarers-crewed containerships, the Daniel K Inouye and the Kaimana Hila, themselves the largest of their kind in the U.S. commercial fleet, in completing the renewal of Matson’s Hawaii fleet. All four of these ships carry SIU crews. “Putting four new ships into service in a three-year span is a significant accomplishment that culminates eight years of planning, project management and coordination for teams across many departments at Matson,” said Matt Cox, chairman and chief executive officer. “Together with the modernization and expansion of our Honolulu terminal, these investments position Matson to provide efficient, reliable service to Hawaii for decades to come.” The Matsonia and Lurline are each 870 feet long, 114 feet wide, with a deep draft of 38 feet and weighing in at over 50,000 metric tons. The sister ships have an en- closed garage with room for approximately 500 vehicles, plus ample space for rolling stock and breakbulk cargo. In a news release announcing the recent delivery, the company noted, “Matsonia and Lurline are iconic vessel names in Matson’s long history. Matsonia dates to the construction of Matson’s first ship of that name in 1912. Three more ships were given the name in subsequent years; the new vessel is the fifth. Lurline dates to the construction of Captain William Matson’s first ship of that name in 1887. Four more ships were given the name in subsequent years; the newest vessel is the sixth.” Additionally, the Daniel K. Inouye was named in honor of the late Hawaii Senator, who was a strong supporter of the U.S. Merchant Marine and a powerful advocate of the maritime industry. He held an honorary SIU book. Kaimana Hila is a Hawaiian transliteration for Diamond Head, one of Hawaii’s most iconic landmarks. Built by Philly Shipyard (which, like NASSCO, is a union facility), Matson’s new Aloha Class containerships Daniel K. Inouye and Kaimana Hila entered service in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Each 850-foot-long vessel has a 3,600 twentyfoot equivalent (TEU) capacity. Notice Concerning Recent Marine Safety Info. Bulletins The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center has circulated multiple Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB) that are relevant to many SIU members. Updates from those bulletins follow. The original MSIBs are also linked on the SIU website. T WIC Extension As laid out in Maritime Safety Information Bulletin number 13-20, “For mariners already holding a Merchant Marine Credential (MMC), if their Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) expires, and their credential remains valid, then no action needs to be taken and the credential remains valid.” This means that, as long as your MMC is not suspended or revoked, the Coast Guard will not pursue any suspension and revocation actions based on expired TWICs during the COVID-19 pandemic. MMC/STCW Extension Mariners whose MMC expires between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 are extended one year after the initial expiration date of the credential or until Oct. 31, 2021, whichever is earlier. According to the NMC, “Mariners must carry copy of the relevant Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) along with their expired The Matsonia is pictured last summer during its launch in San Diego. Designed and built specifically for the Hawaii trade, all four of the new ships feature state-of-the-art green technology, including fuel-efficient hull design, environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks, MMC.” (It’s contained in a Dec. 28, 2020 news post on the SIU website, and that post includes a link to the PDF version.) Revalidation/Training Waivers Until Oct. 31, 2021, for mariners who have met the requirements for initial competency and whose MMC expires between March 01, 2020 and June 30, 2021, if you have 360 days of relevant sea time in the past five years, you do not need to take any revalidation courses. (Relevant sea time means: shipboard experience in fire, emergency, and/or abandon ship drills for demonstrating continued competence in Proficiency in Survival Craft, Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited, Fast Rescue Boat, Basic Training and/or Advanced Firefighting. Service is determined as described in Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs) 4-14, 05-14, 08-14 and 09-14.) liquid natural gas (LNG) compatible engines, and freshwater ballast systems. The four new ships are also Matson’s fastest vessels, with the ability to operate at or above 23 knots. International endorsements affected include Basic Training (VI/1), Fast Rescue Boat (VI/2), Basic Training/Adv. Firefighting (VI/3) and Personal Survival Craft (PSC) (VI/2). If you qualify for this training waiver and your MMC falls within the above dates, you should renew your MMC immediately. You should be issued a renewed MMC with a five-year expiration date and will NOT be required to attend any revalidation training. All other renewal requirements must be met (i.e., if you hold a Tanker-DL or LG endorsement you must meet the sea time or training requirement to renew that endorsement). How to Renew To renew your credentials online, visit: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/merchant_ mariner_credential/ and follow the instructions listed for renewal. Port Council Brightens Holidays for Kids For members of the Greater South Florida Maritime Trades Council (part of the MTD), the COVID pandemic didn’t deter the holiday spirit of helping others. During the week before Christmas, Council Vice President/SIU Asst. VP Kris Hopkins along with rank-and-file SIU members delivered hundreds of new toys and games to Lifenet4Families of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Among those helping deliver the donations were AB James Wynegar (right) and AB Donald Hutchens (left). “We have been doing this for about 10 years,” Hopkins said. “We may not have collected as much as usual because of COVID, but the people at Lifenet were very appreciative.” February 2021 Seafarers LOG 5 �USDA Approves Vaccines for COVID-19 U.S. Citizens late last year received arguably their best news to date regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic when the federal government announced the release of two vaccines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2020 issued emergency use authorizations (EUA) for the distribution of a pair of vaccines for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2). On Dec. 11, the agency issued its first EUA that allowed the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. for use by individuals 16 years of age and older. Seven days later, on Dec. 18, the FDA issued its second EUA. This one cleared the way for the distribution of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for use by individuals 18 years of age and older. According to the Centers for Disease Control, both vaccines have shown to be very effective at preventing COVID-19 infection. The Pfizer vaccine has shown to be 95% effective across all age, racial and ethnic groups. The Moderna vaccine has shown to be 94.1% effective across all racial and ethnic groups, but this number did appear to be a little lower among those 65 years of age or older. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Manufactured by Pfizer Inc., the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a two-dose series, three weeks apart, into the muscle. The most commonly reported side effects, which typically lasted several days, were pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and fever. Of note, more people experienced these side effects after the second dose than after the first dose, so it is important for vaccination providers and recipients to expect that there may be some side effects after either dose, but even more so after the second dose. Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is manufactured by ModernaTX, Inc. It is administered as a two-dose series, one month apart, into the muscle. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may not protect everyone. The most commonly reported side effects, which typically lasted several days, were pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes in the same arm as the injection, nausea and vomiting, and fever. Of note, more people experienced these side effects after the second dose than after the first dose, so it is important for vaccination providers and recipients to expect that there may be some side effects after either dose, but even more so after the second dose While the rollout of the vaccines indeed is welcome news, it has actually created more questions than federal/state health officials appear able to answer. And while these questions vary widely, those most consistently posed center around actual vaccine injections, distribution of the life-saving cocktail, number of doses available, and length of time the vaccines protect people from the virus. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a U.S. federal group within the CDC made up of medical and public health experts, has recommended that in the first phase of vaccination in the U.S., COVID-19 vaccines should be given first to health care personnel (HCW) and adult resi- dents of long-term care facilities (LTC). The ACIP has also recommended that the next group to get a vaccine in the U.S. should include people age 75 and older and frontline essential workers, such as first responders, teachers and public transit and grocery store workers. The third priority group recommended to get the vaccine in the U.S. includes people ages 65 to 74, people ages 16 to 64 who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions, and all other essential workers, such as those working in food service and construction. Examples of underlying medical conditions include type 2 diabetes and severe obesity. Based on the foregoing ACIP recommendations, health officials in each state have formulated their plans for who should be vaccinated and when. Earlier CDC recommendations gave the highest priority to health care workers and nursing home residents. But the slow pace of the rollout has frustrated many Americans at a time when the coronavirus death toll has continued to rise. According to a health system tracker con- 6 Seafarers LOG ACIP’s Phase 1 framework). n More than 20 states also provide further subprioritization rankings or criteria within HCW and/or LTC resident groupings. For example, Alabama segments HCWs into “very-high,” “high” and “medium” risk. Idaho provides specific rankings within each group. Texas groups Phase 1a into “first” and “seond” tier. The SIU is working with other unions, government agencies and health care providers to help ensure that U.S. mariners are given high priority for vaccination. Among many other efforts, the SIU signed on to a letter in early January that explained an “appeal for assistance in facilitating access to vaccines for the … U.S. citizen merchant mariners who are responsible for keeping the economic and military supply lines of the United States open on the high seas. The undersigned organizations are deeply concerned that the military and economic security of our nation may be at risk if the distribution of vaccines allows seafarers to fall between the cracks of federal and state efforts to distribute vaccines under the guidelines established by the ACIP.” Remembering Capt. Jeff The crew of the Liberty Eagle (Liberty Maritime) mourns the loss of their beloved Capt. Jeff Powell, who passed away on Nov. 24 at age 61. They recently conducted a shipboard remembrance for him and gathered for this photo. Among those taking part in the memorial were Bosun Kyle Silva, ABs Luis Ruiz, Freddy David, Adam Mohamed, Abobkr Alkhaili and Raul Gomez, DEUs Mohamed Alasfoor, Edsin Abueg and Derick Dy, Steward/Baker Rene Gil, Chief Cook Dewayne Thomas, SA Joseph Chrisante, CM Jarrett Podaski, 2M Cliff Passmore, 3M Page Mentuck, CE John Brooks, 1E Scott Cukierski, 2E Mike Welch and 3E Robert Allen. SHBP Offers Scholarships for 2021 The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) Scholarship Program will offer eight awards totaling $132,000 for the 2021 calendar year. Three scholarships will be designated for Seafarers while five will be targeted for spouses and dependents. One of the endowments reserved for Seafarers totals $20,000 and is intended to help defray the costs associated with attending a four-year, college-level course of study. The remaining two are in the amount of $6,000 each and are designed as two-year awards for study at a postsecondary vocational school or community college. Each of the five scholarships for spouses and dependents is for $20,000. Now is an ideal time to begin the application process. The first step is to obtain a scholarship program booklet. This package ducted by the Peterson Center on Healthcare and Kaiser Family Foundation, most states are following ACIP’s Phase 1a recommendation: n 45 states are following ACIP’s interim Phase 1a recommendation to prioritize HCWs and LTC residents. Some states will start vaccinating both of these groups together, while others will start with one of these groups first as they await more supply to start vaccinating the other. Still, even with these state criteria, decisions about how to allocate limited initial vaccines to HCWs and LTC residents will mostly be left to facilities. n Seven states depart from ACIP’s Phase 1a recommendation in some way. For example, the District of Columbia and Utah include HCWs in Phase 1a but LTC residents in Phase 1b. In addition to HCWs and LTC residents, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Wyoming also include law enforcement in Phase 1a (per ACIP’s proposed framework, they are in 1b). Massachusetts also includes people incarcerated in prisons and those living in homeless shelters in Phase 1a (neither is explicitly mentioned contains eligibility information, procedures for applying for the scholarships and an application form. Union members and their dependents now have three avenues through which they may obtain this booklet. Prospective applicants may request these booklets via mail by completing and mailing the form provided. Booklets may also be obtained by visiting any SIU hall. Finally, applicants may obtain the booklet online by visiting www.seafarers.org, navigating to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan menu and selecting Scholarship Booklet (PDF). Once the scholarship booklet has been received, applicants should check the eligibility criteria. They should also begin collecting and assembling the remainder of the paperwork needed to submit with the full application, which must be re- ceived by April 15, 2021. A scholarship selection committee, consisting of a panel of professional educators, will examine the high school grades of all applicants as well as evaluate scores from their Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and American College Tests (ACT). Accordingly, arrangements should be made by applicants who have not done so to take these tests no later than February 2021. Doing so will virtually assure that the results reach the evaluation committee in time for review. Seafarers and dependents who previously applied for the scholarship program and were not selected are encouraged to apply again this year, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements. Please send me the 2021 SHBP Scholarship Program Booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name .......................................................................................................................................... Street Address ............................................................................................................................ City, State, Zip Code................................................................................................................... Telephone Number ( ) .......................................................................................................... This application is for: Self Dependent Mail this completed form to: Scholarship Program, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746 2/21 February 2021 �SIU-contracted Crowley Maritime is a longtime partner in the Santa’s Castle outreach. They donated three bicycles for the most recent effort. Pictured from left in the photo above are Crowley Labor Relations Manager Dan Lowry, SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo and SIU Port Agent Warren Asp, with various donated items. In photo at right, Recertified Bosun Tar Ahmed (right) and Command Sgt. Major Frank Graham of Joint Base Lewis McChord show their holiday spirit. Pandemic Doesn’t Stop SIU Philanthropy Seafarers Overcome Obstacles to Support Santa’s Castle SIU Assistant Vice President Joe Vincenzo has unfailing confidence in Seafarers, but even he didn’t know what to expect late last year when it was time for the union’s annual participation in a charitable drive for U.S. military families in the Pacific Northwest. His faith proved well-founded, however, as rank-and-file members didn’t let the COVID-19 pandemic break their long streak of supporting Santa’s Castle. The project raises donations of toys and other gifts to U.S. military families (primarily E-4 and below) from Joint Base LewisMcChord (JBLM), Washington, and from other bases. Seafarers stepped up with approximately $6,400 worth of gifts, and they got an assist from SIU headquarters personnel after a wrinkle that proved particularly distasteful. Someone broke into the hall and swiped a number of higher-end electronic items. “The break-in was a kick in the teeth, but then something interesting happened,” Vincenzo said. “Donations began to pour in as a direct response, not only from members but also from our executive board and staff at headquarters. We quickly made up the difference and I even received a bit of advice on how best to handle another possible future visitation from the thief. Let’s just say it was good advice from the old school!” (In the interim, security at the hall has been significantly enhanced.) Similarly, Retired Recertified Bosun Dana Cella, a longtime contributor to the yearly endeavor, expressed displeasure about the stolen items but remained focused on the bigger picture. “The break-in was disgusting,” he said. “To have them steal charitable gifts…. They were bloody well scumbags just trying to make a fast buck. “But this is a great program,” he continued, “and I’m going to contribute to it as long as possible. I support it because it’s helping our servicemen and their kids. The SIU is a family-oriented organization, and we respect other families.” Retired Recertified Steward Shawn Fujiwara also is a longtime backer of Santa’s Castle. He said the response to the break-in “just shows that even though there’s evil in the world, there’s still good. My donation arrived the same day, and Joe said that kind of softened the blow…. I’ve always believed in Santa’s Castle.” Anita Vargo, vice president of purchasing at Santa’s Castle, said her organization exhausted every donation while supporting 1,245 families (including more than 2,600 children). “We worked with 255 volunteers who logged more than 4,000 volunteer hours,” she said. As for the SIU’s participation, Vargo said she “didn’t know for sure, due to the pandemic, but Joe, our angel, said they still wanted to support it, and they did. They were a godsend. We’re always so grateful to know we can depend on the Seafarers International Union.” Longtime Support In 2007 and 2008, Tacoma-area Seafarers teamed up to support Toys for Tots during the winter holidays. Then, in 2009, they shifted to Santa’s Castle, which is a private, non-profit organization. “The move had a lot to do with my own prior service and affinity for the military, along with the close ties between the SIU and the military,” recalled Vincenzo, who served in the U.S. Navy. “It has been a perfect fit, and since then we have donated a collective total of more than $100,000.” Despite that history, he said, “With all of the hardship and heartache of 2020, we didn’t know what to expect or even if we should put out the Santa’s Castle sign and kitty. We thought it may be something of a ‘Hail Mary,’ but donations came in even though the foot traffic in the hall was down.” One thing that fell victim to the pandemic was the associated luncheon normally hosted by the SIU for military personnel, Seafarers, Santa’s Castle employees and others. Typically, that gathering is tied in with loading the donations into trucks and vans. All concerned are hopeful, however, that the gathering will take place next time. Fujiwara, for one, is counting on it for several reasons, not the least of which involves a locally renowned elf costume that he described as “my second uniform. It’ll be ready next December, and I know the SIU will step up again, like always. From front to back, QEE Lon Maduro, QMED Leodiane Torrenueva and Chief Cook Nasser Ahmed carry donations to a nearby truck. Joni Bradley, SIU administrative assistant, is in the background. In photo above, QMED Ryan Palmer (left) and ACU Marcelino Pabito pitch in to brighten the holidays for military families. Teamwork is evident (photo at left) as members and military personnel haul toys for delivery. February 2021 Seafarers LOG 7 �At Sea and Ashore with the SIU AROUND THE ALGONAC HALL – In photo at right, AB Frank Pivik (left) casts the last ballot received there, on New Year’s Eve. SIU Port Agent Todd Brdak is at right. AB Doyle Ling (left in photo at center) picks up his first pension check. He’s also pictured with Brdak. AB Harriet Groenleer is in photo at left, receiving her full B-book and a ballot. FULL BOOK IN HOUSTON – QMED J. Diola (left) obtains his book at the hiring hall. Presenting it is SIU ITF Inspector Shwe Aung. VOTING IN HOUSTON – GUDE Fausto Aranda (center) receives his B-seniority book and prepares to cast his vote in the union election at the hiring hall. He’s pictured with SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo (left) and SIU Safety Director Kevin Sykes. AT WILMINGTON HALL – SA Anas Mihakel (photo at left) displays his newly acquired B-book, while QMED Sean Hernandez (left in photo at right, with SIU Patrolman Jesse Sunga Jr.) receives his A-seniority book prior to voting in the SIU election. ABOARD HORIZON PACIFIC – Recertified Bosun Antjuan Webb is pictured aboard the Sunrise Operations ship on the West Coast. 8 Seafarers LOG ABOARD USNS FISHER – This camera-shy group aboard the U.S. Marine Managementoperated vessel includes Bosun Algernon Reed, AB Shermal Morris, AB Fidel Dipasupil, AB Rommel Martinez, OS Shamek Daniels, OS Cedric Armstrong, OS Marcell Santos, Cargo Mate Ed Pollard, 2M Philip Scott and 3M Steve McCombs. Thanks to vessel master Capt. Jennifer Senner for the photo. ABOARD OVERSEAS TAMPA – Pictured on the Overseas Ship Management vessel in Houston are (from left) Recertified Steward Derrick Moore, Recertified Bosun Raymond Johnson and AB Darius McCastle. B-BOOK IN JOLIET – AB Adam Petrucci gets his full B-book at the hiring hall. February 2021 �ABOARD INDIANA HARBOR – At the risk of editorializing, Chief Cook Saleh Saleh very clearly has mastered holiday meals aboard ship. Here are some snapshots from Christmas dinner aboard the American Steamship vessel (many others are available on the SIU Facebook page). The group photo includes (from left) Bosun Jeremy Shenett, Saleh and QMED Ameen Yahya. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU WELCOME ASHORE IN HOUSTON – Chief Engineer Rusty LeFrage (photo at far right) recently called it a career after 41 years at G&H Towing. SA Marco Guity (photo at immediate right) did the same after 31 years with the union, while Chief Cook Wilfred Lambey (left in photo above, with SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo) also retired, following 27 years with the SIU. ABOARD PACIFIC RELIANCE – In photo at left, Chief Cook Sharon Hoffman (left) and AB Freddy Hamilton are pictured on the Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning vessel in Houston. The photo at right includes Hamilton (right) and an old shipmate: SIU Houston Port Agent Joe Zavala. FULL BOOK IN OAKLAND – AB Paul Clow (right) picks up his full B-book at the hiring hall. He’s pictured with SIU Patrolman Adrian Fraccarolli. UNION BOOKS IN NEW ORLEANS – Receiving their full books at the membership meeting Dec. 15 are (from left) GVA Benito Figueroa, AB Ronaldo Fajardo, AB Dean Diaz and OMU Brandon Hickman. SIU Safety Director James Brown is at right. February 2021 Seafarers LOG 9 �At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ABOARD SBX – Displaying their sealed, completed ballots for the SIU election aboard the TOTE Services vessel in Honolulu are (group photo, from left) Chief Steward Marcus Rowe, Bosun James Reynolds, OS Ayesh Ahmed and ACK Anthony Jackson. MDR Duane Akers is in the snapshot at left. A-BOOK IN PUERTO RICO – Chief Steward Ingrid Ortiz receives her A-seniority book late last year. She’s pictured at the San Juan hall with SIU Port Agent Amancio Crespo. ABOARD CAPE MOHICAN – The galley gang put out a delicious meal (and desserts) for Christmas aboard the Ocean Duchess-operated ship on the West Coast. (Visit the SIU Facebook page for a dozen or so additional photos.) UNION BOOKS IN JERSEY – QMED Samuel Sanders (left in photo above) and AB Andrew Porpora (left in photo below) recently received their respective full B-books at the hiring hall in Jersey City, New Jersey. SIU Port Agent Ray Henderson is at right in both photos. BOATMEN CAST BALLOTS – Crew members from the Great Lakes Towing boat Nebraska complete their ballots for the union election last year in Detroit. From left are AB Scott Rosseel, AB Adil Hussein and Deckhand Jeffery Davis. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2021 �ABOARD OCEAN JAZZ – Pictured on the Crowley-operated vessel in Jacksonville, Florida, are (from left) QMED Alberto Semedo, SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson and Bosun Yamira Colon. WELCOME ASHORE IN TACOMA – AB Michael Ostrowski (left) picks up his first pension check at the hiring hall. SIU Port Agent Warren Asp is at right. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ABOARD USNS MAURY – Pictured near the holiday buffet that was put out for their fellow mariners on Christmas are (from left) Chief Steward Rhonda Jenkins, GVA Fradarius Smith, GVA Keeno Rock and SA Alize Lassiter. The vessel, operated by Ocean Shipholdings, was in Charleston, South Carolina. APPRENTICE EARNS GED – Apprentice Luke Vandegrift (right) recently earned his General Educational Diploma (GED) at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (PHC) in Piney Point, Maryland. The 20-year-old Charles County, Maryland-native is a member of PHC Apprentice Class #863 and has been attending maritime training classes at the school for the past 15 weeks. Congratulating the future steward department member and presenting him with his GED transcripts is Peggy Densford, PHC Academic instructor. The Freedom Star, the school’s training vessel, is pictured in the background. MEETING WITH MARINES – SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona (center) confers with members of the 4th Marine Division, 23rd Regiment, in San Bruno, California. They discussed teamwork and the vital role of the U.S. Merchant Marine as America’s fourth arm of defense. February 2021 SAFETY AWARD EARNED – STOS Fernando Martinez (left) recently received a safety award from vessel operator Crowley aboard the National Glory in Houston. Also pictured, starting second from left, are Bosun James Morris, STOS Enrique Ampil, Cap. Langford, Crowley Port Engineer Fritz Jean (who presented the award) and SIU Patrolman J.B. Niday. “Fernando’s knowledge of the shipboard safety system and quick actions during a Coast Guard inspection impressed the crew, the Coast Guard and Crowley, as well as making the SIU proud,” Niday said. Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New for the 2021 Tax Filing Season Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2020, along with provisions that remain in effect from prior years. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Tax Legislation Updates & Considerations The following is a list of tax legislation and considerations affecting the current and future tax years as noted. Provided in parenthesis are the abbreviations that will be used throughout this document in reference to the respective legislation. n The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA): The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017. Described as the largest major tax reform in over three decades, the TCJA contains a host of tax provisions that impact individuals and businesses. n The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act): The SECURE Act was signed into law on December 20, 2019 significantly modifying many requirements for employer-provided retirement plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other tax-favored savings accounts. While some of the modifications went into effect retroactively or upon enactment (December 20, 2019), many of them carry future effective dates. n The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act): The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill that was signed into law on March 27, 2020 in response to economic fallout of the COVID19 pandemic. Provisions in the Act were enhanced and expanded by the recent signing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. n The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act (Tax Extenders Act): The Relief Act, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed on December 27, 2020, extending several tax provisions that were set to expire. n Considerations – Change in White House Administration: As with any transition in the White House Administration, it will be prudent to monitor tax legislation updates after the new administration takes office. As this transition has not yet taken place, any prospective tax legislation changes from the incoming administration’s proposals have been omitted from this document. All information provided below is currently in effect until otherwise altered by future legislation. Due Date of Return File Form 1040 by April 15, 2021. An automatic 6-month extension can be made by filing Form 4868 by April 15, 2021, along with all tax monies due. An extended Form 1040 is due October 15, 2021. Net Investment Income Tax: In 2020, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The MAGI threshold amounts for the additional tax are as follows: n $250,000 (Married Filing Joint/Surviving Spouse) n $200,000 (Single/Head of Household) n $125,000 (Married Filing Separately) Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Social Security Tax: Part of FICA tax on wages, an employee and employer are each subject to a 6.2% tax on wages for Social Security. The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security are as follows: $137,700 (2020) $142,800 (2021) n Medicare Tax: Part of FICA tax on wages, an employee and employer are each subject to a 1.45% tax on wages for Medicare. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. In 2020, in addition to the standard Medicare tax, there will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: n $250,000 (Married Filing Joint/Surviving Spouse) n $200,000 (Single/Head of Household) n $125,000 (Married Filing Separately) n Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction: The Social Security portion of the selfemployment tax is 12.4% in 2020. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. The selfemployment tax deduction is equal to one-half of self-employment tax. n Kiddie Tax: The kiddie tax changes introduced by the TCJA were repealed by the SECURE Act. For tax years 2020-2021, the first $1,100 of the net unearned income of a child meeting certain requirements is not taxed, the next $1,100 is taxed at the child’s marginal tax rate and amounts over $2,200 are taxed at the parent’s marginal tax rate. For purposes of the Kiddie Tax, a child is (1) under age 18 at the end of the tax year, (2) age 18 at the end of the tax year and does not provide more than half of his/ her own support with unearned income, or (3) is age 19-23 at the end of the tax year, a full-time student, and does not provide more than half of his/her own support with unearned income. Itemized Deductions If more advantageous than the standard deduction, an individual may elect to claim certain itemized deductions of personal expenses in determining taxable income. The most common itemized deductions are listed below. n Medical and Dental Expenses: Unreimbursed medical expenses may be claimed as an itemized deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. The Tax Extenders Act of 2020 extended this threshold, eliminating the initial increase to 10% of AGI. n State & Local Tax Deduction: For tax years 2018-2025, the itemized deduction for state and local taxes paid or accrued in the tax year is limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for MFS) of the aggregate of (1) state and local property taxes, (2) state and local income taxes, and (3) state and local general sales taxes deducted in lieu of state and local income taxes. n Mortgage Interest Deduction: The deduction for mortgage interest is limited to underlying indebtedness of up to $750,000 ($375,000 for MFS) for tax years 2018-2025. The deduction for interest on home equity indebtedness is eliminated. The lower limit doesn’t apply to any acquisition indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017, which is limited to $1 million ($500,000 for MFS). n Mortgage Insurance Premiums: The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums (PMI) was extended by the Tax Extenders Act through 2020. This allows a taxpayer whose income is below certain thresholds to deduct the cost of premiums on mortgage insurance purchased in connection with acquisition indebtedness on a taxpayer’s principal residence. The deduction is reduced by 10% for every $1,000 by which the taxpayer’s AGI exceeds $100,000. Starting in 2021 the deduction will not be available unless extended by Congress. n Charitable Contribution Deduction: The limitation under IRC Sec. 170(b) for cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations is 60% of an individual’s contribution base for tax years 2021-2025. Under the CARES Act, the 60% limitation has been increased to allow for contributions up to 100% of the taxpayer’s contribution base for tax year 2020 only. The contribution base is an individual’s adjusted gross income (AGI), not including the charitable deduction or any net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks. The percentage limit depends on the aggregate contributions of the spouses if married filing jointly. Contributions exceeding the limitation are generally allowed to be carried forward and deducted for up to five years, subject to the later year’s ceiling. For taxpayers not itemizing, the CARES Act allows up to a $300 above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions made in 2020, as discussed in the next section. n Miscellaneous Deductions: Job-related expenses, as well as other miscellaneous itemized deductions that were previously subject to the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income floor, are no longer deductible for tax years 2018-2025. The eliminated deductions include expenses for tax preparation, union dues, and investment fees. n Gambling Losses: All deductions for expenses incurred in carrying out wagering transactions, and not just gambling losses, are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings. n Phaseout: Before 2018, an individual’s itemized deductions were reduced by 3% of adjusted gross income (AGI) when AGI exceeded certain threshold amounts. This phaseout of itemized deductions is temporarily eliminated by the TCJA, and therefore does not apply to tax years 2018-2025. n State Itemized Deductions: The TCJA modified or eliminated several popular itemized deductions. It is important to note that although the federal deductions have been adjusted, you may still qualify for deductions at the state level. Tax Exemptions, Credits, & Other Deductions n Exemptions: Under the TCJA, for tax years 2018-2025, the deduction for the personal exemption is reduced to zero. n Child and Dependent Tax Credits: Below are tax credits related to child and dependent care expenses. n Definition of a Qualifying Child: To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet certain criteria: n Relationship: The person must be your child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence: For more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age: the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or age 19-23 and be a fulltime student for at least five months out of the year, or any age if totally and permanently disabled. n Support: the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. n Dependent Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. n Definition of a Qualifying Relative: To be a qualifying relative, the person must meet certain criteria: n Relationship: the person must be your parent, stepparent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, inlaw, or an individual who has the same place of abode as the taxpayer for the entire year. n Gross Income: The individual’s gross income for the year must be less than $4,200. n Support: the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. n Not a Qualifying Child: The individual must not be the qualifying child of the taxpayer/ other taxpayer. n Child Tax Credit: The maximum child tax credit for tax year 2020 is $2,000 per child under the age of 17 and $500 for any other dependent. The child tax credit starts to be reduced when MAGI income reaches the following levels: n $400,000 (Married Filing Joint) n $200,000 (Married Filing Separately) n $200,000 (Single or Head of Household) In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these thresholds. The child tax credit is generally a nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). In certain circumstances, families may receive up to a $1,400 refund per child. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit: This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may be refundable even if you owe no tax. Taxpayers cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for any tax year if the individual or a qualifying child did not have an individual SSN issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. The TCJA eliminated the exemption deduction for dependents for tax years 2018-2025. Therefore, releasing the dependency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction; however, it does make the noncustodial parent eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child. n Child and Dependent Care Credit: For 2020, there is a credit equal to the amount of qualified expenses multiplied by an applicable percentage determined by the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. The maximum amount of qualified expenses to which the credit may be applied is $3,000 for cost to care for one child Continued on Page 14 Tax Rates & Thresholds 2020 Tax Brackets: Below are the tax brackets for tax year 2020, including the taxable income range for each bracket 10% 12% 22% 24% 32% 35% 37% Married Filing Joint $0 - $19,750 $19,751 - $80,250 $80,251 - $171,050 $171,051 – $326,600 $326,601 – $414,700 $414,701 - $622,050 $622,050+ Head of Household $0 - $14,100 $14,101 – $53,700 $53,701 - $85,500 $85,501 - $163,300 $163,301 - $207,350 $207,351 - $518,400 $518,400+ Single $0 - $9,875 $9,876 - $40,125 $40,126 - $85,525 $85,526 - $163,300 $163,301 - $207,350 $207,351 - $518,400 $518,400+ Married Filing Separately $0 - $9,875 $9,876 - $40,125 $40,126 - $85,525 $85,526 - $163,300 $163,301 - $207,350 $207,351 - $311,025 $311,025+ Estates & Trusts $0 - $2,600 N/A N/A $2,601 - $9,450 N/A $9,451 - $12,950 $12,950+ 2020 Net Capital Gains & Qualified Dividend Rates: Below are the 2020 net capital gains and qualified dividend rates per taxable income range for each type of filing status. 0% 15% 20% Married Filing Joint $0 - $80,000 $80,000 - $496,600 $496,000+ Head of Household $0 - $53,600 $53,600 – $469,050 $469,050+ Single $0 - $40,000 $40,000 - $441,450 $441,450+ Married Filing Separately $0 - $40,000 $40,000 - $248,300 $248,300+ Estates & Trusts $0 - $2,650 $2,650 - $13,150 $13,150+ Capital gains and losses are reported on Form 8949 and then totaled on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2020, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. 12 Seafarers LOG February 2021 �Tax Tips for Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Gather all records for the current tax return filing year. Income Records These include Forms W-2/W-2G, Forms 1099 (Interest, Dividends Brokerage Statements, Misc.) and Schedules K-1 (Investment in Partnerships/S-Corporations) Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n State and local tax payments n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan n Charitable contributions n Records of payments for childcare so an individual could work n Educational expenses Step 2. Gather any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Cents may be rounded to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50-99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Step 4. Review the return for accuracy. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. File Return. Filing Electronically (E-file) n Due to staffing issues, processing paper returns can take several weeks longer. The IRS encourages taxpayers to file electronically. n Information regarding available e-filing options can be found at www.irs gov/e-file-options Filing Paper Return n Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. n Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. n If paying any balance due by check, do not staple or attach the payment or Form 1040-V (payment voucher) to the return. Instead, just put them loose in the envelope. Write your name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and form number on your check or money order. n Private Delivery Services - Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Express, Federal Express, and United Parcel Service. Electronic Payment Options n Visit www.irs.gov/payments for full listing of electronic payment options. n Direct Pay – Payment can be directly withdrawn from a bank account through the IRS website or through the software/ website the taxpayer or paid preparer used to electronically file the tax return. n Debit/Credit Cards – The IRS website listed above provides links to pay by debit or credit card. All major cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc.) are accepted, fees apply. n Payments by Phone – The IRS website also lists toll-free numbers available to make payments by phone. Refunds n Taxpayers can request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out the refund section on Form 1040, which includes the taxpayer’s bank account number and the bank’s routing number. n For electronically filed returns, a refund will typically be received in about 2 weeks if deposited directly into a checking or savings account. n Paper checks will be mailed to the address listed on the tax return if direct deposit is not requested. Paper check refunds February 2021 may take several weeks to arrive by mail. n Where’s My Refund - If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www.irs.gov/refunds. Filing an extension n Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2021, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2020, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who oversees the taxpayer’s property. Your Online Account: To access your online account, you must authenticate your identity. To securely log in to your federal tax account, go to IRS.gov/Account. View the amount you owe, review 24 months of payment history, access online payment options, and create or modify an online payment agreement. You can also access your tax records online. Which Income to Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings) n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate n Embezzled or other illegal income n Social Security benefits Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship What Items Are Considered Deductions and Credits The following are common deductions and credits, which are discussed in more detail in above sections: n Standard Deduction n Itemized Deductions n Medical and Dental Expenses n State and Local Taxes n Home Mortgage Interest n Mortgage Insurance Premiums n Charitable Contributions n Gambling Losses n Qualified Business Income Deduction n Student Loan Interest n Education Credits & Deductions n Earned Income Credit (EIC) n Child & Dependent Care Credit n Energy Credits Which Records to Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (such as canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year—was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a Californiabased bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which nonresidents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7am-7pm your local time. Online: Access the IRS website at www.irs.gov to download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications online by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Seafarers LOG 13 �What’s New for the 2021 Tax Filing Season Continued from Page 12 under the age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children, so that the parents can either go to work or be in the process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit. The maximum credit is $1,050 for one qualifying individual and $2,100 for two or more qualifying individuals. n Adoption credit: The maximum adoption credit has increased to $14,300 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $214,520. The credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2020 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Earned Income Credit (EIC): The EIC is a refundable tax credit available to low-income individuals meeting certain requirements including income amount, income source, and filing status. n The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2020: n 3+ Qualifying Children: Credit up to $6,660 if you earn less than $50,954 ($56,844 if married filing joint) n 2 Qualifying Children: Credit up to $5,920 if you earn less than $47,440 ($53,330 if married filing joint) n 1 Qualifying Child: Credit up to $3,584 if you earn less than $41,756 ($47,646 if married filing joint) n No Qualifying Children: Credit up to $538 if you earn less than $15,820 ($21,710 if married filing joint) n IRS Refund Claim: The IRS has additional time to review refund claims based on the Earned Income Credit or the refundable portion of the additional Child Tax Credit in order to reduce fraud and improper payments. No credit or refund for an overpayment shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15 following the close of the tax year, if the taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Credit or additional Child Tax Credit. n A SSN is not valid for EIC purposes unless it was issued on or before the due date of the return. For tax years beginning after 2017, you may be able to qualify for the EIC under the rules for taxpayers without a qualifying child if you have a qualifying child for the EIC who is claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer. n Deduction for Qualified Business Income: An individual generally may deduct 20% of qualified business income from a partnership, S corporation or sole proprietorship, as well as 20% of aggregate qualified REIT dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership income. The 20% deduction is not allowed in computing AGI, but rather is allowed as a deduction reducing taxable income. A limitation based on W-2 wages paid or capital investment is phased in for MFJ taxpayers with taxable income of $326,600 or more ($163,300 for other individuals). A disallowance of the deduction with respect to specified service trades or businesses also is phased in above these threshold amounts of taxable income. n Charitable Contributions (Above-theLine Deduction): Under the CARES Act, for tax year 2020 only, an individual who does not elect to itemize deductions may claim an abovethe-line deduction of up to $300 for qualified charitable contributions. n Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks): Eligible individuals are entitled to a Recovery Rebate Credit up to $1,200 for their first tax year beginning in 2020. The IRS made advanced refunds of the credit via Economic Impact Payments (EIP) during 2020, with eligibility and credit amounts based on information from 2019 or 2018. EIPs are not income and they are not taxable. Although the advance credit is based on earlier tax years, the Recovery Rebate credit applies to the taxpayer’s first tax year beginning in 2020. The EIP reduces the amount of the taxpayer’s credit for 2020, but not below zero. Taxpayers do not have to repay any of the EIP if they would be entitled to a lesser credit based on their 2020 circumstances. Taxpayers whose 2020 tax information entitles them to a larger credit than their EIP may claim the additional credit on their 2020 tax returns. Taxpayers may check their EIP status by visiting the website https://www.irs. gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment and entering requested information to validate identity. n Education Credits & Deductions: 14 Seafarers LOG Below are tax credits and deductions related to educational expenses incurred during the tax year, including definitions of qualifying expenses. n The American Opportunity Tax Credit: For tax year 2020, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to 40% of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually phased out if your Modified AGI is between $80,000$90,000 ($160,000-$180,000). Taxpayers cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit for any tax year if the individual or a student did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. Taxpayers must report the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the educational institution to which payments were made. n Lifetime Learning Credit: For tax year 2020, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $59,000 ($118,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $69,000 ($138,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. n Tuition and Fees Deductions: The Tax Extenders Act of 2019 extended this deduction through 2020. The maximum deduction is $4,000 for a taxpayer with AGI of $65,000 or less ($130,000 if married filing joint), and $2,000 if AGI is between $65,000-$80,000 ($130,000-$160,000). The deduction is not allowed for Married Filing Separately filers or for any taxpayer who qualifies as a dependent (whether or not claimed) on another taxpayer’s tax return. The tuition and fees deduction may not be claimed if an education credit is claimed for the same student in the same year. The Tax Extenders Act of 2020 has eliminated this deduction to transition to an increased income limitation on the Lifetime Learning Credit. n Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs: Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. n 529 Plan Qualified Education Expenses: The TCJA changed the definition of qualified higher education expense. For purposes of the 529 plan rules, qualified higher education expenses now include expenses for tuition for attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school. Cash distributions from all 529 plans are limited to $10,000 for elementary and secondary school tuition per tax year, per student. Under the SECURE Act, qualified higher education expenses now also include student loan repayments as well as the expenses of registered apprenticeships. n Form 1098-T Required to Claim Certain Education Incentives: Taxpayers must receive a form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from educational institutions to claim the American opportunity credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit or the above-the- line deduction for qualified tuition and fees. n Educator Expenses: The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended the above-the-line deduction for eligible grade K-12 school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. For tax years beginning after 2015, eligible expenses also include expenses for professional development courses the educator takes related to the curriculum he/she teaches or to the student he/she teaches. n Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account): Taxpayers can contribute a maximum of $2,000 cash each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The dollar limit is phased out for married individuals filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income between $190,000 and $220,000, and between $95,000 and $110,000 for single filers. The con- Standard Deduction The standard deduction adjusts annually for inflation. The standard deduction for taxpayers who are at least 65 years old and/or blind at the close of the year can be increased with an additional deduction added for each taxpayer for each qualifying condition. See the current amounts below. Filing Status 2021 2020 Married filing Joint $25,100 $24,800 Head of Household $18,800 $18,650 Single/Married Filing Separately $12,550 $12, 400 Additional Standard Deductions Age 65+ and/or Blind (MFJ) Age 65+ and/or Blind (Single/HOH) tribution is not deductible. Retirement Accounts Below is information regarding current tax year contribution limits, required distributions, and various legislation updates to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) and 401(k) plans. n Traditional IRAs: For 2020, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $6,000 or your compensation. For taxpayers age 50+ at year end, an additional catch-up contribution of up to $1,000 is allowed, increasing the 2020 limit for these taxpayers to the lesser of $7,000 or compensation. For the deduction, when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phaseout range in 2020 is $65,000-$75,000 ($104,000$124,000 for married filing joint). n Roth IRAs: The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $6,000 (increased to $7,000 for taxpayers age 50+ at year end) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is gradually phased out for taxpayers with Modified AGI between $124,000-$139,000 ($196,000-$206,000 for married filing joint). Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on the timing and reasoning of the distribution. n IRA Updates: Under the SECURE Act, the following legislation updates are in effect beginning tax year 2020. Additional provisions enacted by the CARES Act are also noted. The starting age for individuals to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) has been increased to 72 years old from 70½ years old, effective for taxpayers turning 72 years old January 1, 2020 or later. Under the CARES Act, the Required Minimum Distribution for tax year 2020 is not required. The 70½ age limit for contributions to an IRA has been eliminated. Non-spouse individuals who inherit an IRA after December 31, 2019 must withdraw the balance within 10 years, subject to certain exceptions. Early Withdrawal 10% Penalty: The CARES Act waives the penalty on early withdrawals up to $100,000 from qualified retirement plans for COVID-19 related distributions. Any income from an early withdrawal is subject to tax over a 3-year period. Taxpayers may recontribute the withdrawn amounts to the plan without regard to annual contribution limits if made within 3 years. n Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs: For rollover contributions made after December 18, 2015, distributions to employer sponsored retirement plans and traditional IRAs may be rolled over from a SIMPLE IRA, if the SIMPLE IRA has been open for at least two years. n Special Charitable Contributions: An IRA owner age 70½ or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donoradvised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special $1,350 $1,700 $1,300 $1,695 rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. n 401(k) Updates: Under the SECURE Act, the following provisions are in effect for the noted tax years. Long-term, part-time employees may now qualify to participate in elective deferral plans in plan years beginning after December 31, 2020. Early withdrawal penalty exemption of $5,000 for qualified birth or adoption distributions in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019. Included in compensation for purposes of determining retirement plan contributions are taxable non-tuition fellowships/stipends and nontaxable “difficulty of care payments” earned by home healthcare workers in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019. Increased cap to encourage higher auto-enrollments in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019. n Health Care Coverage Credits: Below is health care coverage reporting information and current year requirements for related tax credits. n Health Care Coverage: Beginning with tax year 2019, you no longer need to either make a shared responsibility payment or file Form 8965 if you don’t have essential health care coverage for part or all of the tax year. Premium Tax Credit Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit. Individuals who are eligible for PTC need to meet the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. An exception, a resident alien who is ineligible for Medicaid and has household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. n Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC): The HCTC is a tax credit that pays a percentage of health insurance premiums for certain eligible taxpayers and their qualifying family members. The HCTC is a separate tax credit with different eligibility rules than the PTC and has been extended by the Tax Extender Act through 2021. n Affordable Care Act: Several very important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that affect individuals and businesses first became effective in 2015. The Employer Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to either offer minimum essential coverage that is “affordable” and that provides “minimum value” to their full-time employees and their dependents, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS. Energy Credits The Tax Extenders Act of 2020 extended many energy-related provisions that were set to expire at the end of 2020. Below are common energy credits. n Nonbusiness Energy Property: A credit is allowed for 10% of the amounts paid/incurred by the taxpayer for qualified energy improve- Continued on Page 23 February 2021 �Historian Recalls Heroism Of Merchant Mariners During World War II Continued from Page 24 breath but quickly revived him. Flames already covered the water all around the blazing tanker but, by swimming underwater intermittently, and splashing away the flames from in front of his face when he came up for air, he was able to clear the ship without getting seriously burned. Roaring Inferno Finally finding a clear spot, he kept to windward and watched the flames roaring high above the masts of the Jacksonville in a terrifying spectacle that seemed too destructive to be real. After a while, he saw some of his shipmates floating in the sea, but they were too badly burned to be recognizable. One man was alive and Hodges tried to hold him up, but his strength was not equal to the task. Perhaps it was just as well, for the man was badly burned. There were many lifejackets floating around – the crew had no time to put them on before they jumped. Other ships in the convoy estimated that the Jacksonville was enveloped by flames no more than 15 seconds after the torpedo hit – a solid mass of fire from stern to counter. Hodges was picked up about 1 ½ hours later by an escorting destroyer, along with Navy gunner Marcellus Wags. Captain Edgar Winter and 48 merchant crewmen and all but one of the Navy gun crew perished in the blast. Boats Away The story of SIU ships in World War II includes many incidents of long voyages in small boats after seamen left their sinking ships. There was the 1,200-mile trip of the Star of Scotland’s men after their big schooner was shelled by a sub in the South Atlantic, and the long, cold voyage in the boats after the Liberty ship Jonathan Sturges was torpedoed in the North Atlantic, a voyage that ended in the capture of the survivors by a German submarine and their internment for the duration of the war. Some of these lifeboat voyages were strenuous ordeals in which only a few of the men were eventually rescued. In other cases, like that of one lifeboat from the SS Maiden Creek, the survivors were never found. More fortunate was the SIU crew of the SS James W. Denver, a brand-new Liberty which was bound for North Africa on April 11, 1943. Captain Everett Staley reckoned their position as 400 miles west of the Canary Islands, as the Denver hurried along at 11 ½ knots trying to rejoin the convoy, which it had lost sometime previously during a prolonged and heavy fog. All lookouts were scanning the horizon for wisps of smoke that might indicate the “missing” fleet. They never even saw the track of the torpedo that hit them. It smashed into number-two hold and all hands abandoned ship soon after. No casualties occurred, for the boats were well handled, and they stood some distance off from the big Liberty as she settled slowly beneath the waves. February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point..................................Monday: February 8, March 8 Algonac..................................Friday: February 12, March 12 Baltimore...........................Thursday: February 11 March 11 Guam................................Thursday: February 25 March 25 Honolulu..............................Friday: February 19 March19 Houston....................*Tuesday: February 16, Monday: March 15 Jacksonville...............................Thursday: February 11, March 11 Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea “Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from Dec.10-Jan.14. “Registered on the Beach” data is as of Jan. 14. Total Registered All Groups B Total Shipped A All Groups B C 4 0 4 8 1 5 2 21 20 15 1 2 12 4 0 2 2 8 0 6 117 28 2 4 41 6 14 20 79 52 43 2 17 32 15 7 2 15 45 3 50 477 12 4 0 18 1 7 3 34 44 18 4 9 20 9 3 6 9 9 1 21 232 2 0 1 3 0 2 0 13 8 3 0 7 10 2 0 0 1 9 1 7 69 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 12 0 0 2 4 0 3 0 13 13 2 1 1 8 1 0 0 0 7 0 5 60 3 1 2 13 1 5 11 27 35 22 2 4 22 8 2 2 9 20 4 20 213 4 1 3 10 0 6 7 14 24 7 2 6 25 7 4 3 4 8 4 15 154 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 4 2 1 2 0 3 3 0 0 1 1 0 3 25 Steward Department 2 1 0 0 2 1 7 4 1 0 1 0 9 2 9 3 17 5 4 3 2 0 5 3 11 9 9 6 0 0 2 1 0 2 10 2 1 0 10 4 102 46 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 7 1 0 0 5 0 1 1 7 10 2 0 4 7 5 0 1 3 3 0 5 55 5 1 0 24 2 5 13 30 35 14 2 4 20 22 1 2 8 21 1 29 239 2 0 0 7 0 2 4 9 15 3 0 6 20 10 0 5 8 7 1 16 115 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 16 Entry Department 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 2 0 2 0 7 0 13 2 8 0 1 0 0 0 16 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 1 1 11 7 83 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 5 21 6 0 1 11 3 1 13 3 5 0 4 77 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 5 9 1 0 0 4 1 0 4 1 5 0 2 37 2 1 0 0 0 4 0 9 8 3 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 8 0 4 44 21 2 1 8 2 2 5 19 41 16 1 0 25 17 0 2 0 16 0 29 207 8 4 3 7 2 0 2 16 78 10 4 1 41 2 1 6 1 14 4 17 221 123 269 973 708 331 C A Port A Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 16 1 5 31 3 10 14 48 33 29 0 9 21 12 6 2 7 28 2 25 302 3 2 2 12 0 2 2 24 25 15 6 6 14 5 2 4 5 8 2 13 152 Deck Department 1 14 6 1 0 0 1 3 3 2 16 5 0 3 1 3 6 5 0 4 0 12 28 20 11 22 21 2 25 8 0 2 3 5 5 2 9 11 12 2 14 5 0 2 3 1 2 1 1 3 4 7 13 7 1 0 0 3 18 5 62 191 111 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 2 1 3 7 0 2 7 15 25 11 1 3 16 8 2 2 5 16 2 13 141 1 1 2 5 1 4 4 9 14 4 2 5 24 3 2 1 1 8 4 2 97 0 0 1 3 0 1 0 0 2 1 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 17 Engine Department 1 1 1 0 4 3 4 5 0 1 3 2 7 1 11 8 11 12 4 4 1 0 0 1 5 15 6 3 0 0 1 0 6 0 10 8 1 0 6 7 82 71 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 3 0 2 15 1 3 7 19 21 11 4 4 18 8 1 1 5 13 0 17 153 1 0 0 6 0 2 3 7 9 4 0 4 8 9 0 2 3 6 1 9 74 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 12 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 7 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 3 25 10 1 1 2 2 2 3 9 22 14 0 0 22 4 0 2 0 11 1 15 121 6 2 3 5 1 1 0 10 51 5 2 2 30 1 0 17 2 11 4 6 159 GRAND TOTAL: 621 444 250 Joliet...................................Thursday: February 18, March18 Mobile............................Wednesday: February 17, March 17 New Orleans................................Tuesday: February 16, March 16 Jersey City...................................Tuesday: February 9, March 9 Norfolk......................................Friday: February 12, March 12 Oakland...................................Thursday: February 18, March 18 Philadelphia..........................Wednesday: February 10, March 10 Port Everglades...........................Thursday: February 18, March 18 San Juan.....................................Thursday: February 11, March 11 St. Louis.........................................Friday: February 19, March 19 Tacoma..........................................Friday: February 26, March 26 Wilmington.......................................Monday: February 22, March 22 *Houston change due to President’s Day Observance. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m February 2021 All Groups B Registered on Beach 382 311 C Trip Reliefs 0 1 3 2 0 1 0 3 6 5 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 27 Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Inquiring Seafarer Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer This month’s question was answered by SIU members in Camp Springs, Maryland. George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Question: Why did you join the union and why have you stuck with it? Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kate Hunt, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 GUAM P.O. Box 3328, Hagatna, Guam 96932 Cliffline Office Ctr. Bldg., Suite 103B 422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96910 (671) 477-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 625 N. York St., Houston, TX 77003 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 JERSEY CITY 104 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 434-6000 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 Cleofe Castro Recertified Bosun I joined the union to travel, and it’s been very good for me. It has helped me take care of my kids and have assets. It helped me change to a better life. The best parts are the travel and performing the job to the best of your ability. James Crate Bosun I went through the gates in Piney Point in 1990. Prior to that, I was an underground miner, for gold, in Canada. In 1990, I was in Paris and had traveled all over Europe. I had a choice either to go back to mining or try something completely different…. My dad sailed SIU back in the 1950s. He got me the SIU’s information and the next thing you know, I was on a plane coming over here. The SIU has provided me the freedom and the financial stability to pursue my interests. Ritche Acuman Recertified Bosun I had already been a merchant mariner (overseas, since the early 1990s). I joined the union in 2002 and stuck with it because I can support my family. The SIU is great. I also enjoy interacting with people from different cultures. Jack McElveen Recertified Steward I joined the union to travel the world as well as benefit from the lucrative side – being able to provide for my family and myself. It has been very fulfilling to see the world as well as to embrace the SIU community and what it represents and stands for. Rene Guity Recertified Steward I worked many places before I got to the SIU, and there’s not another place like this place. I travel the world and I meet different people. I love what I do for a living and I don’t think I’ll do anything else. Exxl Ronquillo Recertified Steward It’s a good opportunity for me to support my family. I’ll always support them, especially for their education. The SIU is really good for me. That’s why I’m still here after almost 30 years and why I’ll retire here. Pic From The Past NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT 45353 St. George’s Ave., 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) 549-4000 During the 2008 SIU Thanksgiving gathering at the hiring hall in Oakland, California, then-San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris (center) is greeted by SIU officials Nick Marrone (left) and Nick Celona. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2021 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA ABDULHAMEED AL OMARI Brother Abdulhameed Al Omari, 65, donned the SIU colors in 1979, initially sailing aboard the Stuyvesant. A deck department member, he upgraded at the union-affiliated Piney Point school in 2014. Brother Al Omari last shipped on the USNS Capella. He resides in Garden Grove, California. DOUGLAS BARNES Brother Douglas Barnes, 65, signed on with the Seafarers in 1976 when he sailed with National Marine Service. He was a member of the engine department and upgraded his skills at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Barnes last shipped aboard the Gem State. He makes his home in Curlew, Washington. JOHNY BOLTON Brother Johny Bolton, 65, joined the SIU in 1979, initially sailing on the Santa Mercedes. A member of the steward department, he upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. Brother Bolton most recently shipped on the Maersk Georgia. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. TYRONNE BURRELL Brother Tyronne Burrell, 68, began his career with the Seafarers in 1988 when he sailed on the Samuel L. Cobb. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Piney Point school in 1993. Brother Burrell last shipped on the Overseas Santorini. He makes his home in Terrytown, Louisiana. MARCOS CLOTTER Brother Marcos Clotter, 70, started shipping with the Seafarers International Union in 1988, first sailing aboard the Performance. He primarily sailed in the engine department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center in 2010. Brother Clotter’s final vessel was the Bay State. He calls Baytown, Texas, home. DOUGLAS CRAFT Brother Douglas Craft, 64, joined the SIU in 1979. He was a deck department member and upgraded often at the Piney Point school. Brother Craft’s first vessel was the Virgo; his last, the Burns Harbor. He is a resident of Palm Harbor, Florida. MARSHALL DAGUIO Brother Marshall Daguio, 66, signed on with the union in 2003, initially sailing on the Global February 2021 Link. The steward department member upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. Brother Daguio most recently shipped on the Horizon Tacoma. He lives in Federal Way, Washington. FRED DOMINGO Brother Fred Domingo, 67, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1976 when he shipped with Dixie Carriers. He was a deck department member and last sailed aboard the Liberty Sea. Brother Domingo is a resident of Zachary, Louisiana. MANUEL ENRICO Brother Manuel Enrico, 69, donned the SIU colors in 2001, first sailing aboard the Independence. He worked in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions. Brother Enrico most recently shipped on the Alaskan Navigator. He makes his home in Carson, California. DARRYL GOGGINS Brother Darryl Goggins, 60, signed on with the union in 1980 when he sailed aboard the Pisces. A steward department member, he upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Goggins’ final vessel was the Maersk Pittsburgh. He is a resident of St Johns, Florida. WILLIAM HENDERSON Brother William Henderson, 63, began his career with the SIU in 1990, initially shipping on the USNS Altair. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded on several occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Henderson last shipped on the USNS Bob Hope. He resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. MICHAEL JACKSON Brother Michael Jackson, 63, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 1976. He upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center in 2001 and was a member of the deck department. Brother Jackson’s first vessel was the Afoundria; his last, the Overseas Cascade. He makes his home in Mobile, Alabama. WORCESTER JOHNSON Brother Worcester Johnson, 65, started shipping with the SIU in 1975, initially sailing aboard the USNS Potomac. An engine department member, he upgraded at the union-affiliated Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Johnson’s final vessel was the Overseas Washington. He lives in Harvey, Louisiana. CIRILO JUMAMIL Brother Cirilo Jumamil, 72, joined the union in 2005 when he sailed aboard the Green Point. He shipped in the deck department, most recently aboard the Maersk Pittsburgh. Brother Jumamil is a Houston resident. ROBERT LEAKE union in 1973. He primarily sailed in the deck department and first shipped on a Seatrain Lines vessel. Brother Viola upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. He last sailed aboard the Green Dale and calls Sayre, Oklahoma, home. ALBERT WASHINGTON Brother Robert Leake, 66, donned the SIU colors in 1978. He was a deck department member and upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Leake’s first vessel was the Capricorn; his last, the Charles L. Brown. He is a resident of Carrollton, Virginia. Brother Albert Washington, 69, began shipping with the Seafarers International Union in 1992 when he sailed on the USNS Denebola. He was a member of the deck department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on numerous occasions. Brother Washington most recently sailed aboard the Independence. He lives in Prosper, Texas. CLARENCE MOSLEY MARIANO YLAYA Brother Clarence Mosley, 66, began shipping with the union in 1978, initially sailing on the Delta Columbia. An engine department member, he upgraded at the unionaffiliated Piney Point school in 1979. Brother Mosley last shipped aboard the USNS Able. He lives in Norfolk, Virginia. MOSED MUSA SALEH Brother Mosed Musa Saleh, 65, embarked on his career with the SIU in 1994 when he shipped aboard the Independence. He sailed in all three departments and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. Brother Musa Saleh’s final vessel was the Presque Isle. He calls Melvindale, Michigan, home. STANLEY ORLANDO Brother Stanley Orlando, 65, joined the Seafarers International Union in 1973. He sailed in all three departments and first shipped on the William T. Steel. Brother Orlando upgraded on multiple occasions at the Paul Hall Center. He last shipped on the American Kestrel and resides in Joppa, Maryland. VIDELIO ROMAN Brother Videlio Roman, 69, signed on with the Seafarers in 2007. Sailing in the deck department, he first shipped on the Pride of Hawaii. Brother Roman upgraded his skills often at the Piney Point school. He most recently shipped on the Maersk Seletar and resides in Roselle Park, New Jersey. LARRY VIOLA Brother Larry Viola, 65, joined the Brother Mariano Ylaya, 66, embarked on his career with the SIU in 2000, initially sailing aboard the Independence. He upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions and was a member of the engine department. Brother Ylaya’s final vessel was the USNS Seay. He is a Honolulu resident. INLAND KEITHLEY ANDREW Brother Keithley Andrew, 67, signed on with the Seafarers in 1999. He was a member of the engine department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Andrew’s first vessel was the Flickertail State; his last, the Vision. He lives in Coconut Creek, Florida. MICHAEL BANNISTER Brother Michael Bannister, 64, started shipping with the union in 2007 when he was employed by Penn Maritime. He upgraded at the Piney Point school in 2008 and remained with the same company for the duration of his career. Brother Bannister makes his home in Mooresville, North Carolina. THOMAS BETZ Brother Thomas Betz, 63, donned the SIU colors in 1975, initially sailing aboard the Cove Navigator. A deck department member, he upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Betz was last employed by Mariner Towing and calls Selbyville, Delaware, home. CARROLL CUDWORTH Brother Carrol Cudworth, 71, became a member of the SIU in 1969, first working for Baltimore Towing. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center on numerous occasions. Brother Cudworth last sailed with McAllister Towing of Baltimore. He lives in Bel Air, Maryland. JOSEPH ENDRES Brother Joseph Endres, 55, joined the Seafarers International Union in 1996, initially working with Crowley Liner Services. He was a shore gang member and currently resides in Baltimore. KEVIN FOSS Brother Kevin Foss, 64, began his career with the SIU in 1993 when he worked for Crowley Puerto Rico Services. A deck department member, he upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall Center in 2001. Brother Foss last worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation. He is a resident of Hamburg, New York. STEVEN HUTTMAN Brother Steven Huttman, 62, first shipped with the Seafarers International Union in 1997. He sailed in the deck department and worked for G&H Towing for his entire career. Brother Huttman calls Katy, Texas, home. LEE ROGERS Brother Lee Rogers, 59, signed on with the union in 1980. He was first employed with ST Towing and worked in the deck department. Brother Rogers upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. He last worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation and makes his home in Zephyrhills, Florida. WESLEY ROSS Brother Wesley Ross, 62, started his career with the Seafarers in 1988, initially sailing with Mariner Towing. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions. Brother Ross was last employed by Penn Maritime. He lives in Bayboro, North Carolina. MARTIN TIMNEY Brother Martin Timney, 64, joined the SIU in 1989. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Timney worked for OSG Ship Management for the majority of his career. He resides in Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania.. Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA DAVID ABLE Pensioner David Able, 92, died December 11. He signed on with the union in 1966 and was an engine department member. Brother Able first shipped on the Long Lines. He last sailed on the Carolina before going on pension in 1996. Brother Able was a resident of Hudson, Florida. SANDRA BAKER Sister Sandra Baker, 59, passed away July 27. Born in Lorain, Ohio, she began her career with the SIU in 2003. Sister Baker’s first vessel was the Cape Edmont. She primarily sailed in the engine department and most recently shipped on the USNS Watson. Sister Baker resided in Yulee, Florida. EMIL BROOKS Pensioner Emil Brooks, 68, died December 7. He started shipping with the SIU in 2003 when he sailed on the Chelsea. A steward department member, Brother Brooks concluded his career on the Cape May. He retired in 2014 and lived in Dorchester, Massachusetts. EARL CHAPPEL Pensioner Earl Chappel, 78, passed away September 29. He joined the Seafarers International Union in 1968, initially sailing aboard the Chatham. Brother Chappel was a member of the engine department and last shipped on the American Eagle. He became a pensioner in 2005 and settled in Jacksonville, Florida. HENRY COLAR Pensioner Henry Colar, 79, died January 1. Signing on with the union in 1963, he first sailed on the Cathy. Brother Colar was a deck department member and last worked aboard the Carolina. He went on pension in 2006 and resided in Marrero, Louisiana. MATTHEW DUNLAVY Pensioner Matthew Dunlavy, 85, passed away December 2. He began shipping with the SIU in 1958 when he sailed aboard the Waldo. Brother Dunlavy was an engine department member. His final vessel was the Houston and he 18 Seafarers LOG retired in 2006. Brother Dunlavy lived in Baytown, Texas. ANDRZEJ FURMANOWSKI Pensioner Andrzej Furmanowski, 68, died December 15. He donned the SIU colors in 1999, initially sailing aboard the Sumner. Brother Furmanowski sailed in both the deck and engine departments and concluded his career aboard the North Star. He went on pension in 2019 and was a resident of Tacoma, Washington. OSCAR JOHNSON Pensioner Oscar Johnson, 79, passed away December 12. He embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 1968, initially shipping on the Overseas Jason. A steward department member, Brother Johnson last sailed aboard the Mayaguez. He began collecting his pension in 1996 and settled in New Orleans. MARIANO MARCELINO Pensioner Mariano Marcelino, 97, died December 21. He began his career with the SIU in 1951 and initially sailed with Emerson Steamship. Brother Marcelino was a member of the steward department and concluded his career on the Sam Houston. He became a pensioner in 1986 and resided in Sugarland, Texas. ALFREDO PANICO Pensioner Alfredo Panico, 90, passed away December 22. He signed on with the union in 1963 and first worked for Interocean American Shipping. Brother Panico sailed in the steward department and concluded his career with Crowley Towing and Transportation. He began collecting his pension in 1995 and made his home in Jacksonville, Florida. STEVEN SMITH Pensioner Steven Smith, 68, died December 30. He joined the Seafarers in 1998 and first sailed with Penn Maritime. Brother Smith was a deck department member. He last shipped on the Stephen W. Pless and retired in 2018. Brother Smith lived in Tampa, Florida. JAMES STILLER Pensioner James Stiller, 74, passed away December 31. He signed on with the union in 1978, initially sailing on the Point Susan. Brother Stiller worked in the deck department and last shipped on the Stonewall Jackson. He became a pensioner in 2013 and settled in Bogalusa, Louisiana. ERIC YOUNG Pensioner Eric Young, 66, died November 29. He started sailing with the SIU in 1970 when he worked for Michigan Tankers. Brother Young was a deck department member. He last sailed aboard the New York and retired in 2020. Brother Young called Mobile, Alabama, home. GREAT LAKES ARNOLD HEATHERLY Pensioner Arnold Heatherly, 93, passed away January 9. He started sailing with the Seafarers International Union in 1963 when he worked for American Steamship Company. Brother Heatherly was a deck department member and last shipped aboard the Sam Laud. He went on pension in 1992 and settled in Lafollette, Tennessee. MOHAMED MADHIGI Pensioner Mohamed Madhigi, 84, died November 10. He joined the Seafarers in 1989 and was a member of the steward department. Brother Madhigi’s first vessel was the Paul H Townsend; his last, the Sam Laud. He became a pensioner in 2001 and lived in Dearborn, Michigan. CHARLES RICHARDSON Pensioner Charles Richardson, 66, passed away December 13. He signed on with the SIU in 1974, initially sailing on the Adam E. Cornelius. Brother Richardson was a deck department member. He most recently shipped on the American Spirit, and retired in 2018. Brother Richardson made his home in Naples, Florida. HAMID SHOHATEE Pensioner Hamid Shohatee, 83, died November 26. He donned the SIU colors in 1966 when he shipped on the Reiss Brothers. Brother Shohatee sailed in both the deck and engine departments and concluded his career aboard the William Roesch. He began collecting his pension in 2002 and lived in Detroit. JEROME ZAWADSKI Pensioner Jerome Zawadski, 91, passed away January 7. He joined the SIU in 1959. Brother Zawadski sailed in the deck department. His first vessel was the Redland; his last, the American Mariner. Brother Zawadski became a pensioner in 1991 and settled in Exeter, Pennsylvania. INLAND HARRY BRYAN Pensioner Harry Bryan, 82, died October 9. A deck department member, he signed on with the SIU in 1996. Brother Bryan was employed by Crowley for his entire career and retired in 2003. He was a resident of Edgewater, Florida. KIM GILL Pensioner Kim Gill, 75, passed away December 23. He joined the Seafarers in 1974 when he worked for H&M Lake Transport. A member of the deck department, Brother Gill last worked with OLS Transport. He retired in 2010 and called Wyandotte, Michigan, home. RICHARD LORD Pensioner Richard Lord, 62, died October 6. Signing on with the SIU in 1977, he was first employed by G&H Towing. Brother Lord was a deck department member and last worked for OSG Ship Management. He retired in 2020 and resided in Turnersville, New Jersey. ERNEST PARKS Pensioner Ernest Parks, 76, passed away December 28. He began sailing with the union in 1969, initially working with Southern Carriers. A deck department member, Brother Parks last shipped with Express Marine. He went on pen- sion in 2006 and lived in Tangier, Virginia. NORMAN PETERS Pensioner Norman Peters, 65, died December 4. He joined the union in 1973 and sailed in the engine department. Brother Peters was employed by Allied Transportation for the duration of his career. He retired in 2017 and settled in Jarvisburg, North Carolina. NMU DAVID WRIGHT Pensioner David Wright, 77, passed away December 15. He joined the SIU during the 2001 NMU/SIU merger. Brother Wright was a deck department member. His first vessel was the Fredericksburg; his last, the Energy Enterprise. Brother Wright became a pensioner in 2005 and resided in Concord, New Hampshire. 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 Aguayo, Miguel 92 Andrews, Theodore 95 Cleveland, James 87 Dixon, Garnet 93 Gonzales, Roy 92 Hendricks, Lawrence 95 Jones, Sidney 95 Lewis, Robert 87 McChristian, Jennie 85 McConnell, Richard 94 Moore, James 92 Pagan, Alejandro 90 Rosello, Carlos 89 Steer, Jesse 78 Sweeney, Richard 96 Toledo, Ernest 87 Waiters, Douglas 93 Zirkle, Arnold 97 DOD 11/25/2020 12/29/2020 10/05/2020 12/20/2020 12/04/2020 11/24/2020 09/02/2020 01/05/2021 11/04/2020 11/20/2020 11/29/2020 12/14/2020 11/29/2020 09/24/2020 12/11/2020 12/14/2020 12/06/2020 12/08/2020 Missed an issue of the LOG? PDF copies of almost every edition are available on the SIU website. Look in the “News” section, then select “Complete Seafarers LOG Archive.” You can also go directly to the archive at seafarerslog.org February 2021 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings ALLIANCE FAIRFAX (Maersk Line, Limited) August 2 – Chairman James Bishop, Secretary Rocky Dupraw, Educational Director Paul Pagano, Deck Delegate Mark Butler, Engine Delegate Ralph Thomas, Steward Delegate Isaac Newsome. Bosun discussed new monetary agreement for ship restriction and thanked crew for a safe voyage. Secretary went over crew change plan and instructed members to leave turnover notes for oncoming crew. Rooms must be sanitized before payoff. Educational director reminded members to keep documents up to date. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members request QMED/Electrician on billet to be changed to just Electrician. Vote of thanks given to steward department for great meals and BBQs. Crew would like more 1,000-watt transformers. Next port: Kingston, Jamaica. ANCHORAGE (Horizon Lines), September 28 – Chairman Shawn Strand, Secretary Amanda Suncin, Educational Director Gary Dahl, Engine Delegate Mikel Tittsworth, Steward Delegate Paul Diesner. Payoff at sea in Tacoma, Washington. Chairman reminded crew to sign up for union text alerts. Secretary urged members to stay current on all documents. Educational director encouraged crew to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (located in Piney Point, Maryland) and to con- 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. tribute to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activities Donation, the union’s voluntary political action fund). No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew read over communications. Members request company to pay for cold-weather gear in ports in Alaska. Crew requests 20 for 30 for vacation pay and for OT pay to be a part of pension. Members would like physicals to be required once per year and two job calls a day. OVERSEAS NEW YORK (Overseas Ship Management), October 25 – Ship to be in port October 26 and inspection to occur same day. Ship low on stores and waiting to get more in Tampa, Florida. Educational director encouraged members to renew documents and reminded them of possible delays due to COVID-19 pandemic. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested TVs, fans and Wi-Fi availability aboard ship. HONOR (TOTE) November 8 – Chairman Nathaniel Leary, Secretary Sulay Martinez. Chairman advised members to continue upgrading at the Piney Point school. He reminded them to practice social distancing and continue wearing masks in order to promote safety. Vote of thanks given to steward department for a job well done. No beefs or disputed OT reported. ALASKAN EXPLORER (Alaska Tanker Company) November 22 – Chairman Jose Loureiro, Secretary Ingra Maddox, Educational Director Winfred Opare, Engine Delegate Tristan Brand, Steward Delegate Jada Gay. Chairman reviewed crew change memo. Manpower office reported an increase in reliefs and reminded crew that reliefs must board ship before members depart. Educational director recommended members attend upgrading classes at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members are asking for increased pension benefits as contract negotiations are approaching. Company is not issuing COVID tests but performing temperature screens and asking members to fill out questionnaires before crew changes. Members noted tremendous improvements in steward department and are very appreciative for the quality of food. Crew also pleased with TV service improvements. WASHINGTON EXPRESS (Marine Personnel and Provisioning), November 26 – Chairman Zeki Karaahmet, Secretary Delia Peters, Educational Director Samir Elbaguer, Deck Delegate Kenney Gaston, Engine Delegate Fidel Pascua, Steward Delegate Gregory McNiel. Chairman reiterated the importance of wearing masks, especially when going ashore. He advised crew to wait for reliefs, despite difficulty to find one during pandemic. Members were reminded to clean filter when doing laundry to avoid any fire hazards. Secretary thanked deck department for assisting steward department with painting their passageway. She thanked members for their upbeat attitudes and for being easy to please with food accommodations. Educational director urged crew to upgrade at the SIU-affiliated school in southern Maryland to help ensure better pay. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members expressed appreciation for vacation day increase and seek more information about pension benefits. Crew thankful for healthy variety of foods, clean areas and DVD in gym. Next port: Houston. HORIZON PACIFIC (Sunrise Operations), November 28 – Chairman Richard Grubbs, Secretary Clifton Medley. Chairman thanked crew for being understanding during policy changes due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Replacement electrician to be picked up in Oakland. Secretary reminded crew of contractual steward department obligations. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next port: Oakland, California. CALIFORNIA (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning), November 29 – Chairman Kenneth Abrahamson, Secretary Lloyd Ingram, Educational Director Charles Walker, Deck Delegate Barry Briggs, Engine Delegate Raymond Roldan, Steward Delegate Ian Schluder. Chairman informed crew that flu vaccines are needed with medical clearances. Company is emailing copies of pay vouchers to personal email. Some crew cabins in need of stripping and waxing this winter. Secretary and educational director advised members to upgrade at the union-affiliated Piney Point school whenever possible. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Vote of thanks given to steward department for a job well done with Thanksgiving feast. Vacation days have been increased. New refrigerator is on its way. Crew requested moveable brackets for TV. Next port: Valdez, Alaska. SUNSHINE STATE (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning), November 30 – Chairman Charles Hill, Secretary Kenneth McHellen, Educational Director Michael Williams, Deck Delegate Daniel Harris. Members are all doing well, and practicing social distancing. Chairman wished ongoing health and safety for SIU members as well as their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Steward department was thanked for providing good service. Members would like to see more vacation days added to the contract. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt February 2021 requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746. Seafarers LOG 19 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a list of courses that currently are scheduled to be held at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland during the next several months. More courses may be added. Course additions and cancellations are subject to change due to COVID-19 protocols. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Gap Closing Courses MSC Storekeeper Basic March 22 April 9 MSC Supply Configuration Management April 12 May 7 Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer-Deck (online lecture) April 5 April 16 Able Seafarer-Deck (at Piney Point) April 19 April 23 Engine Department Upgrading Courses FOWT March 15 April 9 Junior Engineer March 29 May 21 Marine Electrician March 8 April 9 Machinist February 15 March 5 Pumpman March 8 March 12 Welding April 19 May 7 Steward Department Upgrading Courses Galley Operations May 3 May 28 Certified Chief Cook March 1 April 5 April 2 May 7 Advanced Galley Operations March 8 April 2 Chief Steward May 3 May 28 Safety/Open Upgrading Courses Basic Training March 8 March 12 Basic Training Revalidation April 16 April 16 Government Vessels February 15 March 8 March 22 February 19 March 12 March 26 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member  Lakes Member  Inland Waters Member  If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security #_______________________ Book #_________________________________ Seniority_____________________________ Department_____________________________ Home Port____________________________________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________________________________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program?  Yes  No If yes, class # and dates attended __________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? Yes  No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. 20 Seafarers LOG COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, 45353 St. George’s Avenue, Piney Point, MD 206740075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, 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. 2/21 February 2021 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #864 – Graduated Dec. 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Paul Calcaterra, Manuel De Jesus Cienfuegos-Sanchez, Dylan Green, Jaquaz Jenkins, Mary Moelk, Munassar Fadel Nagi Saleh, Jonathan Slattery, Mindy Tyler and Sergio Warnick. BAPO (Phase III) – Graduated Dec. 11 (above, in alphabetical order): David Argo, Cody Carroll, Nicholas Chiappini, Charles Fischer Jr., Anson Johny, Julian Misla-Mendez, Julianne Perez-Borroto-Sanchez, Isaac Pili, Seth Schrader, Anthony Solovyov and Roberto Wadsworth. Each plans to work in the engine departments of union-crewed vessels upon the completion of their training. Class instructor John Wiegman III is at the far left. February 2021 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Deck Operations (Phase III) – Graduated Dec. 11 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): John Alicaway, Jacob Garatti, David May, Mica Sexton and Dalvin Storey. Upon the completion of their training, each plans to work in the deck departments of union-contracted vessels. Government Vessels – Graduated Dec. 10 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Kobe Cisero, Braxton Clay, Christopher Dhanoolal, Kimoni Dickens Jr., Jordan Griffin, Mikel Hatcher, Jamel Hollomond, Mary Moelk, Mindy Tyler and Luke Vandegrift. Galley Operations – Graduated Dec. 11 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Cathleen Dell, Eliezer Estremera, Ashley Fabor, Ahmed Haridy, Rosetta Jackson, Kevin Santiago De Jesus and Melaethon Deshenda Silas. Important Notice To All Students Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2021 �Paul Hall Center Classes Galley Operations (Phase III) – Graduated Dec. 11 (above, in alphabetical order): Juan Andres Vallejo and Matthew Waiwaiole. Upon the completion of their training, each plans to work in the steward departments aboard SIU-contracted vessels. Chief Steward – Graduated Dec. 11 (above, in alphabetical order): Dorothea Fabrizius, Kim Smith and Richard Toth. What’s New for the 2021 Tax Filing Season Continued from Page 14 ments of principal residences (windows, doors, skylights, and roofs). Taxpayers can take $50$300 fixed dollar amount credits allowed for energy-efficient property including furnaces, boilers, biomass stoves, heat pumps, water heaters, central air conditioners, and circulating fans, which are subject to a lifetime cap of $500. This credit has been extended through 2021. n Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit: For property placed in service after December 31, 2016 and before January 1, 2024, the credit is available only for eligible solar electric property and solar water heating property. The credit is equal to 30% of the cost of eligible property placed in service in 2018 or 2019; 26% of the cost of the property placed in service 2020-2022; and 22% of the cost of property placed in service in 2023. n Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit: An individual taxpayer may claim a 30% credit for the cost of installing non-hydrogen alternative vehicle refueling property at the taxpayer’s principal residence. This credit has been extended to include property placed in service before January 1, 2022. n Energy Efficient Homes Credit: An eligible contractor may claim a tax credit of $1,000 or $2,000 for the construction or manufacture of a new energy efficient home that meets qualifying criteria. The credit is available on homes acquired before January 1, 2022. n Qualified Fuel Cell Motor Vehicles: Extended through 2021, a credit of between $4,000 and $40,000, depending on the weight of the vehicle, is available for the purchase of qualified fuel cell motor vehicles. Depending on fuel efficiency, other vehicles may qualify for an additional $1,000 to $4,000 credit. n 2-Wheeled Plug-In Electric Vehicle Credit: Capped at $2,500, the 10% credit for highway-capable, two-wheeled plug-in electric vehicles has been extended for vehicles acquired prior to January 1, 2022. To qualify, battery capacity within the vehicle must be greater than or equal to 2.5 kilowatts/hour. Disaster-Related Tax Relief The Disaster Act, officially part of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act, provides relief for taxpayers affected by Federally declared disasters in 2020 through 60 days following the enactment of the Act. A disaster zone does not include any areas that have been so declared only by reason of COVID-19. n Use of Retirement Funds: To allow for the re-contribution of retirement plan withdrawals for home purchases canceled due to eligible disasters and provide flexibility for February 2021 loans from retirement plans for qualified disaster relief, there is now an exception to the 10% early retirement plan withdrawal penalty for qualified disaster relief distributions. n Employee Retention Credit: The Employee Retention Credit allows for a tax credit equal to 40% of wages (up to $6,000/ employee) paid by disaster-affected employers to employees from a core disaster area. This credit applies to wages paid regardless of where the services associated with those wages were performed. The credit should be taken as a current year business credit under Code Sec. 38(b). Other Disaster-Related Tax Relief n Per the Disaster Act Sec. 304, other disaster-related tax relief items include the following, applied after any related provisions under the CARES Act. n Temporary suspension of limitations on charitable contributions associated with qualified disaster relief. n For personal casualty losses, The Disaster Act eliminates the current requirements that personal uncompensated casualty losses must exceed 10% of AGI to qualify for deduction. Also, the taxpayer is not required to itemize deductions to qualify for this relief. n Taxpayers in designated disaster areas may use the immediately preceding year to determine the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. n Automatic Extension of Filing Deadline: The IRS gives affected taxpayers until the last day of the extension period to file tax returns and make tax payments, including estimated tax payments, that either have an original or extended due date falling in the declared disaster period. Other Exemptions, Credits, & Deductions Below are additional miscellaneous exemptions, credits, and deductions that may be beneficial to reducing taxable income. n Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence: Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in taxable income. However, extended by the Tax Extenders Act of 2019, income from cancellation of debt on a qualified principal residence of up to $2 million may be excludable for 2020. For discharges of indebtedness during tax years 2021-2025, the Tax Extenders Act of 2020 reduces the maximum exclusion to $1 million. n Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit: The first-time homebuyer credit is not available for homes purchased in 2020. However, taxpayers who previously claimed the credit, which was available for homes purchased during 2008-2011, may have to repay (recapture) their credits. n Moving Expenses: For tax years 20182025, moving expenses are no longer deductible unless you are a member of the Armed Forces on active duty (and their spouse and dependents) who moved pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station. Moving expenses are claimed on Form 3903. n Transit Benefits: The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended transit benefits. These include commuter highway vehicle benefits, transit passes, and qualified parking. For taxable years beginning in 2020, the monthly exclusion amount has increased to $270. n Standard Mileage Rates: The standard mileage rate for 2020 is 57.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, 17 cents per mile for medical and moving expense, and 14 cents per mile for charitable services. For tax year 2021, the business mileage rate is decreased to 56 cents per mile, medical and moving expense rate is decreased to 16 cents per mile, and the charitable rate remains the same at 14 cents per mile. n The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption: In 2020, the AMT exemption amounts increased to $113,400 for married filing jointly, $56,700 for married filing separately, and $72,900 for single or head of household filers. The AMT exemption begins to phase out at $1,036,800 (MFJ) and $518,400 for other filers. Foreign Income n Foreign Financial Assets: If you had foreign financial assets in 2020, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by April 15, 2021 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 any time during the calendar year. An automatic extension to October 15, 2021 is allowed. n Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: For tax year 2020, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $107,600. This exclusion amount is increased to $108,700 for tax year 2021. Consumer Alert The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund. These are scams whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information (such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card numbers, or even PIN numbers) from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the infor- mation to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800-3664484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. If you lost money to a scam that started with an email, you can report the incident with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Visit IRS. gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline at 1-877-777-4778. Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) Program: An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your SSN. The IP PIN is known only to you and the IRS and helps verify your identity when you file your tax return. Starting in 2021, you may voluntarily opt into the IP PIN program as a proactive way to protect yourself from tax-related identity theft. Visit https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraudscams/get-an-identity-protection-pin for additional information and to access the online application. Seafarers LOG 23 �VOLUME 83, NO. 2 FEBRUARY 2021 Text “Join” to 97779 To Sign Up for SIU Text Alerts O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Mariners Fight Back During WWII Editor’s note: This is the tenth installment from a 1951 booklet titled “The Seafarers in World War II.” Penned by the late SIU historian John Bunker, the publication recapped SIU members’ service in the War. More than 1,200 SIU members lost their lives to wartime service in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Earlier segments are available on the SIU website and in print beginning with the May 2020 edition of the LOG. (We are planning to post a PDF of the entire booklet on the SIU website once all of the text has been published here. There are probably one or two installments remaining after this month.) This one picks up right after the Liberty ship Jean Nicolet was struck by two torpedoes in the Indian Ocean in July 1944. All hands abandoned ship. Savagery Starts After 15 minutes of shelling the sub decided it wasn’t getting anywhere towards sending this stout Liberty to the bottom, so it maneuvered among the lifeboats, ordering the men aboard the deck of the U-boat, one boatload at a time, all except a tiny doughnut raft with the armed guard lieutenant, several gunners and a soldier. The first boatload of 25 were forced to kneel on the deck and have their hands tied behind them. William Musser, a Messboy, was shot and thrown overboard for no reason at all. More of the survivors were then ordered onto the sub, and those who didn’t move fast enough were clubbed on the head with rifle butts. Others were beaten with lengths of pipe, or pricked and cut with bayonets. This cruelty was kept up for nearly three hours, while the Japanese systematically took off the shoes of their captives and beat them with bayonets across the ankles and feet. Finally, the Japanese lined up on the deck of the U-boat and the captives, their hands still tied behind them, were forced to run the gauntlet. Third Assistant Charles Pyle was the first to start through, hesitating from the dreaded ordeal just long enough to be hit over the head with the butt of a gun. Blows rained down on him till he was clubbed into unconsciousness and tumbled over the side into the sea. Miraculous Survival The water revived him and after a while he managed to free his hands enough that he could keep himself afloat. Perhaps an hour later – or it might have been more – Able Seaman Stuart Vanderhurst, who had jumped clear of the U-boat before the final torture, found Mr. Pyle and cut his bonds after painstaking labor with his lifebelt knife. Together, they clung to a piece of wreckage. Sometime later, they heard the drone of a plane, a big Catalina that had responded to the Nicolet’s SOS. But as soon as the plane approached, the U-boat hastily submerged, then the air was filled with shouts and cries of the tortured, beaten men who were left on her deck. Victims Drown Some of them floundered in the water for a while, then sank. Seven others were saved by a Navy gunner who had secreted a knife in his trousers and cut their bonds in time. The Catalina returned some hours later to drop life preservers and food, then directed the SS Huxac of the Indian Navy to the spot. The survivors were picked up at 11 a.m., July 4. Of the more than 100 men on the Nicolet when she was torpedoed, only 23 survived, of which 10 were Navy gunners and three were Army passengers. Such was the way of the Japanese! Tankermen Man-made volcanoes! Tankers crammed with oil and gasoline were certainly that, and the men who rode them did so knowing full well that a torpedo, a stick of bombs from a Stuka, or a collision in convoy might set off that cargo of “lightning” in a holocaust that would take not only the ship but many – perhaps all – of her crew as well. Despite the hazard, there was no scarcity of men in the SIU-SUP to ride the “volcano fleets” on their dangerous missions ’round the world. This country furnished nearly 80 percent of all the oil and gasoline that powered the bombers, the tanks and the jeeps of World War II. It was the tankermen – the merchant sailors of the oil ships and their armed guard comrades at the guns –who delivered this “lifeblood of the battle fray.” Covered the Globe To Salerno and Murmansk they went; across the Pacific to Freemantle with fuel for our submarines; and through the buzzbomb barrage to fill the tanks at Antwerp. On all the oceans of the world plied the vital petroleum carriers; from the English Channel to the Bering Sea; from the Gulf of Maine to the Straits of Magellan off “old cape stiff.” From December 7, 1941, till V-J Day, 1945, nearly 65,000,000 tons of oil and gasoline were carried to Allied and friendly nations, to the beachheads and the fighting fronts! A special tribute is due to those men who manned the tankers on the “Abadan run,” freighting oil from the huge refineries in the Persian Gulf to Australia and, later, to MacArthur’s forces in the South Pacific. The War Shipping Administration assigned between 60 to 70 of the T-2, war-built tankers to a shuttle service between Abadan A U.S.-flag cargo ship explodes after being hit by enemy aircraft in Sicily in 1943. and the Pacific, and for the men who manned them it was an arduous run indeed. Many of the ships stayed on the service for more than a year, with the crews remaining aboard for the duration of the vessels’ assignment. It took no more than 48 hours to load in Abadan and seldom did they get ashore at the other end of the line which, likely as not, was merely a Navy fueling station at some islet of atoll in the South Pacific. Fought Back As the war years went by and the ships became more adequately armed, the submarine attacking a tanker frequently got much more then he was looking for. Tankermen paid back, in some measure, for the fearful losses suffered by their comrades of 1942. The battle put up by the Yamhill of Los Angeles Tankers (SUP) is one such instance. During a voyage to the South Pacific in 1944, a lookout on the early morning watch was amazed to spy a torpedo streaking toward them on the port side. As soon as he yelled the alarm, the man at the wheel swung the helm hard over and the “tin fish” missed the stern by less than six feet. The alarm was still ringing as 80 merchant seamen and Navy gunners ran to battle stations. While the guns were being manned, a second torpedo sped at the Yamhill, only to miss when the vessel was again maneuvered out of the way by a deft turn of the helm. Three more torpedoes were fired by the unseen sub and they all missed. Determined that such a fat prize should not get away after this lavish waste of costly torpedoes, the submarine broke the surface close by on the starboard side, its crew pouring out of the conning tower to man the big gun on the forward deck. Hair-Line Misses Survivors of the SS Alcoa Guide sinking are pictured by a fellow mariner aboard a lifeboat in 1942. Even as the Yamhill turned sharply about to present her stern to the raider, two shells missed by a short distance, splashing into the sea. The tanker’s gunners then answered the fire, and saw their shells skip over the raider’s deck so close that the Japanese must have shivered from the breeze. Their next shot was just short of the target. They had bracketed her now and another shot would do it! But the Japanese didn’t give them time. Knowing the attacked was now the attacker, they deserted their gun and hurried below decks as fast as they could scramble. Before the Yamhill’s gun crew could get in another shot, water was foaming around the U-boat’s nose as it made a hurried plunge toward the bottom. Less than an hour later, however, the sub was up again several miles away and the Japanese fired some 60 shells, and a long-range gun duel developed in which the tankermen scored another near miss. For miles the two vessels kept company, the Japanese changing course every time that Captain Phillip Shinn turned the Yamhill on a different heading. The Japanese were determined to sink their oil-laden prey. Aid From The Skies Just when darkness was approaching, and the sub would have the necessary cover for a close-up torpedo attack, there was the drone of an approaching plane, responding to the Yamhill’s SOS. This time the Japanese submerged and stayed down for good and, with a PBY for escort, the Yamhill delivered her cargo of oil safely to Navy bases in the Far East. A dangerous assignment it was, riding the tankers that carried high octane aviation gasoline, for along with dynamite, this was the tenderest cargo on the seas. Torpedoes that hit such vessels could – and often did – destroy them with an amazing completeness. High octane gasoline caused the end of the SS Jacksonville, a Deconhil tanker. She was torpedoed when almost at the end of a trans-Atlantic voyage on August 30, 1944, blowing up with but two survivors out of the entire crew of merchant seamen and Navy gunners. Fireman Frank Hodges was sitting in the crew’s messroom at 4 p.m. on the fatal day, as the Jacksonville approached the coast of Ireland in convoy. He was just about to go down into the engineroom on watch when there was a terrific explosion that shook the vessel from bow to stern. Running out on the deck, Hodges saw that the Jacksonville had become almost completely enveloped in flames within a matter of seconds. He ran toward a lifeboat, but a wall of fire leaped up in front of him as though by magic, dazing him with it searing heat. Realizing that the boats would never be launched, he ran to the rail and jumped over the stern into cold water that sucked away his Continued on Page 15 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2020-present Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXXII of the Seafarers Log and beyond Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2021 Description An account of the resource Headlines: NEW DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT HAS MAJOR MARITIME COMPONENTS NASSCO LAUNCHES USNS JOHN LEWIS TALLYING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS SLNC SEVERN REFLAGS UNDER STARS & STRIPES GREAT LAKES TOWING CHRISTENS 2 TUGS NEW CON-RO MATSONIA POISED TO JOIN SIU FLEET NOTICE CONCERNING RECENT MARINE SAFETY INFO. BULLETINS USDA APPROVES VACCINES FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC DOESN'T STOP SIU PHILANTHROPY MARINERS FIGHT BACK DURING WWII Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2021 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 83, No. 2 http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/777f2801d9ea76d88c0d50d7e8d2832b.pdf 4d98004a6f4bf3f0185b43c07e40b100 PDF Text Text FEBRUARY 2022 VOLUME 84, NO. 2 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Seafarers Back Military Families Through Annual Holiday Project Members Again Step Up for ‘Santa’s Castle’ For the second year in a row, the pandemic didn’t deter Seafarers from taking part in Santa’s Castle, an annual holiday gift drive that benefits U.S. military families in the Pacific Northwest. The union’s participation in Santa’s Castle goes back more than a dozen years. Pictured at immediate left, retired Recertified Bosun Dana Cella (left) donates bikes at the Tacoma hall, a collection point. SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo, who spearheads the union’s outreach, is at right. The remaining photos show Seafarers (including Chief Cook Hernando Basilan, photo at right) loading toys into trucks and vans following a luncheon for Santa’s Castle representatives, fellow members, pensioners, SIU staff and other guests. Page 24. Maersk Peary Crew Members Save Life at Sea SIU members and AMO officers aboard the Maersk Peary saved an individual late last year as part of a multinational search and rescue operation in the Aegean Sea north of Crete. Bosun Damon Zschoche (left) and AB Roni Castillo are pictured aboard the Peary following the rescue. Page 4. Pandemic News Page 3 Tax Tips for 2022 Filing Season Pages 12-14, 20 �President’s Report Fight for Voting Rights Continues Despite a congressional setback in late January, the AFL-CIO and other proponents of voting-rights legislation will continue the fight. As you may know, our efforts are focused on two bills: the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would reinstate federal power to review some state voting laws in order to avoid discrimination, and the Freedom to Vote Act, a wider-ranging piece of legislation that aims to establish national guidelines for voting by mail, early voting and other segments of the electoral process. I believe that the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would protect the right of every American to cast our vote and have that vote counted. Collectively, the bills are an appropriate federal response to the attacks on voting rights happening in state legislatures all across the country. “Advancing voting rights is how we deMichael Sacco fend America against those who want to tear workers apart,” stated AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Mobilizing on voting rights is also how we can take on the filibuster, which has been used for generations to block progress for workers.” The federation has noted dozens of states in recent years have modified their voting laws to make the process of casting a ballot more difficult or to replace nonpartisan election officials with those professing support for only one side. Unfortunately, any action on two bills has been stalled by the threat of a filibuster, which under current Senate rules calls for 60 senators to declare they are willing to allow either measure to simply be debated. There is nothing more fundamental in a democracy than the right to vote, and that’s why we’ll continue working with the federation and other allies to defeat voter suppression tactics and secure voting rights for working people nationwide. Put simply, voting is a fundamental right. I encourage Seafarers to be involved, to know the issues and to meet the candidates. This union doesn’t care what party they belong to. We just ask them to stand up for the workers and their families who elected them. Annual BLS Report Around press time, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) issued its annual report on union membership. It showed a decline in 2021 to the same rate as in 2019, which was 10.3 percent, and an overall total membership of 14 million. In 2020, membership rates had increased, but that was mostly because union jobs proved more secure than nonunion ones during that stretch of the pandemic. One stat that jumped out at me from the report: On average, union members earn an additional $10,000 per year compared to unrepresented workers. They also typically enjoy better benefits. While it isn’t immediately reflected by the raw data, I don’t think there’s any question the past year saw remarkable union momentum – high-profile campaigns at flagship American employers, major moves in new industries, and widespread strikes as workers stood up for a fair deal and a better life. The substantial level of union activity in 2021 demonstrates that workers want and value unions. The fact that unionization nevertheless declined is a glaring testament to how easy it is for employers who oppose unions to exploit our weak and outdated labor laws to thwart workers’ attempts at organizing, and how broken U.S. labor law really is. It is urgent that Congress pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. In some ways, the 2021 union numbers are a wakeup call. The Biden administration and Congress must institute policies (such as the PRO Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act) that promote the right to union representation and collective bargaining as we rebuild our economy. O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Volume 82 Number 2 February 2022 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org 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 & Managing Editor/ Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Administrative Support, Jenny Stokes; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2021 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. 2 Seafarers LOG This illustration from the U.S. Maritime Administration shows the general look of the multi-mission vessels Domestic Shipbuilding Gets Boost With Keel-Laying at Philly Shipyard Multi-Mission Vessel Achieves Construction Milestone A ceremony late last year signaled good news for U.S. shipbuilding. Philly Shipyard – a union facility – on Dec. 10 conducted a keel-laying event for the first of up to five state-of-the-art training vessels for the nation’s state maritime academies. SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez attended the ceremony, along with a wide range of guests from the industry, government and the military. “These new vessels – known as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs) – are designed to provide world-class training for America’s future mariners and to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need,” the shipyard noted in a joint news release with TOTE Services, the vessel construction manager. “Today’s first NSMV keel laying is a critical milestone in an innovative effort that is producing stateof-the-art vessels in an American shipyard that will both train the next generation of American mariners and provide a new disaster response capability for the nation,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley. “We commend everyone who is working hard to keep this effort on schedule and on budget, and we look forward to the final delivery of the first ship.” The keel laying is a ceremonial recognition in which the first grand block of the vessel is loaded into the building dock. Keel laying traditions are said to bring good luck to the ship during construction and to the captain, crew and cadets that will sail on the vessel throughout her operating life. The first NSMV is scheduled to be delivered to SUNY Maritime College in 2023. Steinar Nerbovik, president and CEO of Philly Shipyard, stated, “Today represents a momentous achievement in U.S. maritime education and a significant investment in the local economy and job creation.” According to the release, “The NSMV is an important investment in America’s shipbuilding indus- try, which supports nearly 400,000 U.S. jobs. Each NSMV will be built using 7,000 metric tons of steel produced by U.S. mills and fabricated by skilled labor. The first of four main generator engines, manufactured by Wabtec Corp. in Grove City, Pennsylvania, recently arrived at the shipyard and will be lowered into the hull in the first quarter of 2022.” The NSMV will feature numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and accommodations for up to 600 cadets to train at sea. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) selected TOTE Services to be the vessel construction manager for the NSMV program in May 2019 “to ensure the utilization of best practices in commercial ship construction,” the agency reported. “As an industry leader in vessel services, ship management and marine operations, TOTE Services will oversee development of these new vessels, which will provide a strong U.S. maritime fleet, crewed by the world’s best-trained merchant mariners.” In April 2020, TOTE Services awarded Philly Shipyard a contract to construct up to five NSMVs. These ships will be owned and operated by MARAD. “TOTE Services’ contract with MARAD demonstrates a new acquisition process to federal shipbuilding, where the government benefits from commercial best practices to design and construct vessels that are built by union labor in a U.S. shipyard with U.S.-made steel and U.S.- made engines,” said TOTE Services President Jeff Dixon. “Our aim is straight – we’re committed to the success of this program and to delivering these vessels for MARAD, so that our future cadets have the modern training platforms they deserve.” Congress has appropriated funding to replace aging training vessels at SUNY Maritime College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Maine Maritime Academy and Texas A&M Maritime Academy, respectively. TOTE Services retains an option for a fifth NSMV for the California State University Maritime Academy, if additional funding is appropriated by Congress. NLRB Sets Dates for Rerun Vote at Amazon It remains an uphill climb, but new dates have been set for a rerun vote for union representation at Amazon’s warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Jan. 11 announced that ballots will be mailed Feb. 4 and counted March 28. Last year, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) lost in an election “skewed by massive company labor law-breaking,” as one pro-worker pundit noted. The campaign, vote and aftermath gained nationwide attention; President Biden vocally supported the organizing drive. RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said the recent NLRB notice doesn’t go far enough to prevent illegal tactics by the company similar to the ones they used in 2021. According to the Press Associates union news service, “In the last election, the RWDSU lost after Amazon intimidated workers and convinced the U.S. Postal Service to put a big gray mail collection box under an Amazon-emblazoned tent in the company’s parking lot right outside the main entrance to the warehouse, which is the size of several football fields. After Amazon forced enlargement of the electorate, a common employer tactic, some 1,600 workers were eligible to vote.” The board’s notice said the mailbox “created the appearance of irregularity” in the voting. So did Amazon’s illegal polling of workers’ views during “mandatory” captive-audience meetings. Both “tainted the outcome” and made a fair election impossible, Appelbaum said. He added, “We are deeply concerned the decision fails to adequately prevent Amazon from continuing its objectionable behavior in a new election. We proposed to the NLRB a number of remedies that could have made the process fairer to workers” but they weren’t included in the rerun election notice. Press Associates also reported that, since the first vote, the NLRB ordered Amazon to post a notice at all of its warehouses and other facilities nationwide admitting it broke labor laws through various anti-union tactics (banning conversations in break rooms, for example) and promising not to do so again. Workers who were employed by Amazon during first vote, but no longer work there, are not eligible to vote this time. Because of the company’s high turnover, union organizers have had to essentially start from the beginning. The NLRB’s Birmingham regional office (which covers Bessemer) was scheduled to mail ballots to all workers on the warehouse payroll on Jan. 8, or to those who toiled there an average of at least four hours a week for the 13 weeks before that date. Appelbaum concluded, “Workers’ voices can and must be heard fairly, unencumbered by Amazon’s limitless power to control what must be a fair and free election, and we will continue to hold them accountable for their actions.” February 2022 �President Biden provides an update on the omicron variant. (Image courtesy of the White House) AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler (left), pictured at federation headquarters immediately after her election to the top post last year, has pushed for stronger workplace protections during the pandemic. AFL-CIO Executive VP Tefere Gebre is at right. COVID-19 Pandemic Heads into Third Year Omicron Variant, Court Ruling Among Latest Developments Given the sometimes-exhausting nature of persevering through the COVID-19 global pandemic, it occasionally may seem as if the novel coronavirus has been around forever. However, March 11 in fact will mark two years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a pandemic. The Trump administration had pronounced a public health emergency a month earlier (Feb. 3, 2020). At press time (late January), there had been at least 850,000 deaths in the United States caused by COVID-19 since the pandemic’s onset. More than 66 million cases in all 50 states, U.S. territories and Washington, D.C. had been reported. Globally, there have been more than 331 million cases and more than 5.54 million deaths confirmed. More than 9.71 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide. Meanwhile, the omicron variant – first detected in the U.S. on Dec. 1, 2021 – has rapidly become the dominant strain of the coronavirus. Just one month after that first detection, it accounted for 95 percent of the nation’s COVID cases. The U.S. in early January recorded more than one million positive cases in a single day, as hospitalizations skyrocketed. Public health experts said that although omicron is extremely contagious, vaccines have helped prevent more-severe reactions among many who’ve been immunized. Like the rest of the nation, the SIU has felt omicron’s effects. At various times from late December to mid-January, the union periodically and temporarily closed several hiring halls for precautionary reasons (including Baltimore, Jersey City, Wilmington and Jacksonville, plus headquarters). In early January, headquarters temporarily reduced its in-person staffing while increasing off-site work. The union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland, announced that, effective February 1, 2022, any upgraders or apprentices CDC Offers Latest Input on Vaccines Editor’s note: This information is taken from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/work.html COVID-19 Vaccines Protect Against COVID19 Infections and Hospitalizations Vaccines reduce the risk of COVID19, including the risk of severe illness and February 2022 must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including a booster shot if the student is eligible to receive one. Just before the New Year, the union and Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning announced a memorandum of understanding (effective Jan. 1) regarding COVID protocols for mariners sailing aboard vessels operating in the Jones Act trade (excluding MSC-chartered vessels). The memorandum, available on the SIU website and at the halls, modifies the vaccine requirement and stipulates corresponding shipboard safety measures. While the U.S. health care system became overwhelmed due to omicron, the Supreme Court on Jan. 13 temporarily blocked the Biden administration’s vaccine-or-test mandate for large employers. The court did permit a vaccine mandate to remain for medical facilities that take Medicare or Medicaid payments. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented in the former ruling. They said the majority usurped the power of Congress, the president and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. “In the face of a still-raging pandemic, this Court tells the agency charged with protecting worker safety that it may not do so in all the workplaces needed,” they said in their dissent. “As disease and death continue to mount, this Court tells the agency that it cannot respond in the most effective way possible. Without legal basis, the Court usurps a decision that rightfully belongs to others. It undercuts the capacity of the responsible federal officials, acting well within the scope of their authority, to protect American workers from grave danger.” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said the federation is “disappointed” by the court’s decision. “While infections and hospitalizations surge, we again urge the Biden administration to require employers to provide protections beyond vaccines,” she said. Shuler called for a “COVID-19 standard for health-care workers” along with “an emergency standard to ensure all at-risk death among people who are fully vaccinated. In addition to data from clinical trials, evidence from real-world vaccine effectiveness studies show that COVID-19 vaccines help protect against COVID-19 infections, with or without symptoms (asymptomatic infections). Vaccine effectiveness against hospitalizations has remained relatively high over time, although it tends to be slightly lower for older adults and for people with weakened immune systems. COVID-19 Vaccines Are Effective Against Most Variants Viruses are constantly changing and A Maui resident (left) gets tested for COVID-19 on the island. At-home tests now are available at no charge for anyone who requests them. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Theresa Gualdarama) workers are provided layers of protections against COVID-19 transmission at work like improved ventilation, distancing, masking and paid leave. We will not beat this pandemic until we stop the spread of the virus at work.” Also at press time, the Biden administration announced a program to mail up to 500 million at-home COVID-19 test kits to every household that requests them. These kits could be mailed to as many as 160 million addresses. Union members who work for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will be critical to the success of the program. Test kits can be ordered at COVIDTests.gov. “The APWU is excited and fully supports this plan,” said American Postal Workers Union (APWU) President Mark Dimond- new types of the virus, called variants, occur. New variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are spreading in the United States and in other parts of the world. COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and other variants with widespread circulation in the United States. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. We don’t yet know how effective the vaccines will be against new variants that might arise. CDC will continue to monitor vaccine effectiveness to see if variants have any impact on how stein. “It is in the interests of the health and wellbeing of the general population as this dangerous pandemic continues. It underscores the invaluable role of the public Postal Service in the lives of the people. It shines a light on the importance of maintaining universal service to every address and person.” “The ongoing pandemic has proven beyond a shadow of doubt the critical importance of the services we provide six and seven days a week to keep people connected and essentials moving,” National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) President Fredric Rolando said. “This partnership is the perfect example in action. Letter carriers are proud to be the face of this important initiative as we continue serving all communities equitably.” well COVID-19 vaccines work in realworld conditions. Vaccine Breakthrough Infections COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing infection, serious illness, and death. Most people who get COVID-19 are unvaccinated. However, since vaccines are not 100% effective at preventing infection, some people who are fully vaccinated will still get COVID-19. This is called a breakthrough infection. Even when people who are fully vaccinated develop symptoms of COVID-19, they tend to be less severe than in people who are unvaccinated. Seafarers LOG 3 �In photo at left, SIU and AMO members team up to launch the Maersk Peary’s rescue boat. The Peary’s bridge wing life-ring buoy, orange smoke and light are released (photo above) while crew members encourage the survivor to grab the buoy. SIU Members Assist in Dramatic Rescue As part of a much larger rescue effort, Seafarers sailing aboard the Maersk Lineoperated Maersk Peary pulled a man from the Aegean Sea on Dec. 22. The SIU crew aboard the Peary, which was en route to deliver vital fuel and supplies to McMurdo Station in Antarctica, included: Bosun Damon Zschoch; ABs Marie Acosta, Roni Castillo, Joshua Gail, Edward Majesky and Derek Willis; QE3 Lateef Sanusi; QEP Rickey Yancey; GSTU Lakeeba Bazemore; Wiper Ali Laith; Recertified Steward Tony Spain; and Chief Cooks Osmar Ramos and Randy Hampton. The ship’s officers are represented by the Seafarers-affiliated AMO. The following is an abbreviated description of the rescue that was provided by vessel master Capt. Everett Hatton: “On the evening of December 22, at 2030 local time, while Maersk Peary was transiting the Aegean Sea north of Crete and on the way to Suez Canal, the Navigation Bridge Watch Officer, Third Mate Gemma Nguyen, received a call on VHF Channel 16 from Rescue Center Piraeus. “The call was to inform Maersk Peary to join in a search mission for a vessel that capsized the previous day, and of which we were now in the immediate vicinity. Our plotted route to Suez Canal took us to within 13.5 nautical miles of where the vessel was initially reported being capsized with possibly 60 people. “We contacted the Command Vessel and received instructions with coordinates making a box, and were told to proceed there while keeping a lookout for possible survivors in the water. At 2048, while our area was being plotted, I decided to head on a northerly heading into our box. As we approached our given area of patrol, we slowed the vessel, added extra lookouts and manned the searchlights scanning ahead of the bow while doing our grid search. “At 2157, after about an hour of slow steaming with searchlights headed north in our grid search, I noticed something in the water just off our starboard bow. I could tell that, based on our current heading (001 T) and speed (@ 5.0 knots), the white object would pass close down the starboard side. I kept the searchlight on the object while Third Mate and Bosun focused on it with binoculars. As we got closer, it was determined that a person could be seen with arms raised holding onto the white object (later identified as a boat fender).” Castillo told the Seafarers LOG, “I was already in bed around 2100 when I got a call from the bridge to report to the fast rescue boat on the starboard side of the ship. We had a man overboard. I was thinking it was a crew member, as I got dressed quickly and started heading out to the boat. As soon as I got there, I went to my assignment as the sea painter. Directed by the officer in charge, we launched the rescue boat and headed toward the man in the water. They got him in the boat and brought him back, hooked him into the rescue boat. He asked for some drinking water, and we also gave him a banana.” The crew recovered the man from the wreckage and brought him on board. As described by the captain, “He had no energy to assist in getting himself into the rescue boat. He was wearing only a t-shirt, shorts and socks. It looked like he must have jumped into the water from being asleep.” Crew members work with personnel from the Greek Coast Guard to ensure a safe transfer. 4 Seafarers LOG Mariners from the Peary prepare to transport the survivor to the vessel. Castillo recalled, “From the time I received the call from the bridge and got the boat in the water to the time we got the man back to the boat, it was less than 20 minutes.” The crew then transferred the man, who was shivering but conscious, to the Greek Coast Guard and resumed their grid search. The Maersk Peary was then relieved of their search and rescue duties four hours later, and returned to their original course. “After the Greek Coast Guard took the survivor, I never did hear about his condition,” said Hatton. “I can only speculate that he is doing fine as he was conscious and moving around a bit on his own when we passed him off.” The captain concluded, “I am very fortunate for SIU to step up and provide a top-notch crew on very short time as we rushed the vessel from load port Greece just prior to the holidays. This current crew proved to be well qualified and trained when the alarms rang to turn to for a search and rescue during the dark of the night. Without a hesitation, when called to assist, all were there and added helping hands. For the Maersk Peary crew, it was an outstanding effort for everyone to be involved in this recovery.” During that weekend, at least 30 migrants died in three separate incidents in the same area, with more than 160 rescued. The combined rescue efforts saw at least four Greek Coast Guard vessels, a Greek naval frigate, eight merchant ships, three private vessels, three military helicopters and a military transport plane all pitch in to save as many lives as possible. A Greek Coast Guard vessel arrives near the Peary. February 2022 �Protect Personal Info from Cyber Criminals Editor’s note: This article is provided by the union’s legal department. You’ve probably heard about serious data breaches that have occurred in recent years across the globe. These incidents have affected millions of people worldwide, crippled businesses and government agencies, and caused huge financial losses. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has warned that these attacks are on the rise, and that nearly everyone is at risk. One of the most common types of digital breaches is known as ransomware. When a ransomware attack occurs, the criminal encrypts all of the user’s data, and then will not allow access to the data unless the business or individual pays a ransom. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), more than $350 million was paid in the U.S. in ransom during 2020 alone. Related expenses (such as downtime and implementing new security measures) may have exceeded $20 billion. Many of the losses experienced by individuals are the result of emails or text messages that are designed to trick the reader into clicking on a link or into providing certain information. This type of email is called phishing. Some hackers are skilled at using various techniques to steal personal data, including information about bank ac- counts, credit cards, other assets and general information about a person’s identity such as birth date, address and Social Security number. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that people lost $57 million to phishing schemes last year. However, there are certain preventive steps that will help you to avoid becoming a victim of these scams. For instance, always examine emails carefully before clicking on any links, no matter how urgent the email seems to be. These are questions and considerations to keep in mind: Does the email claim to be from your bank or credit card company? Scroll over (but do not click on) the sender’s address carefully. Is it really from your bank or credit card company? Banks and credit card companies generally do not send emails about problems with an account; they will usually call. If you’re unsure, call your bank or credit card company using the number on your credit card (not the phone number in the email) instead of clicking on the link. Is it an email saying you won a prize, or you just have to provide certain information in order to claim a large sum of money? Why would this person contact you? If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably false. Check the sender’s address. Is it an email or phone call that claims to be from the IRS saying that you owe back CHS Updates: Seafarers Encouraged To Schedule Appointments ASAP As previously reported, both the union and the Seafarers Plans are closely working with Comprehensive Health Services (CHS) to facilitate better service for SIU members. In that spirit, CHS – which is now part of a parent organization named Acuity – informed the SIU and the Seafarers Plans that they are experiencing periodic delays in various locations, due to a combination of staffing shortages, COVID protocols and (in the northeast) inclement weather. Seafarers are encouraged to schedule appointments as soon as possible. Immediate or very-near-future appointments may not be available in some locations, and turnaround times for test results likely will vary. Specifically, CHS/Acuity in early January had advised that the earliest appointments at any of their Seattle/Tacoma clinics were in February. (Some of the Concentra clinics in that region are taking walk-ins, but they’re not guaranteed.) The situations were similar in Hawaii and California. Also, the company is working with clinics in Guam and Manila to coordinate appointments while meeting their respective local government requirements for quarantining and testing. Feel free to contact CHS/Acuity and/ or the SHBP Medical Department with questions, and keep an eye on the SIU website for updates. One that Didn’t Get Away Six mariners aboard the Maersk Denver pulled in a 200-pound blue marlin (by hand). Pictured from left are Capt. Craig Rumrill, Recertified Bosun James Walker, Third Mate Matt Crowley, First Engineer John Harrison, Chief Engineer Tim Burchfield and Electrician Herman Castro. February 2022 taxes, and threatening you with legal action if you don’t respond? The IRS does not send such emails, and they do not make threatening phone calls.  Is it an email or phone call claiming that a relative is in trouble, and needs money urgently? Check with your relative to make sure they are ok, but these types of calls and emails are almost always scams. Is it an email that claims to be from an online retailer, contacting you about a problem with your order? Look at the sender’s address carefully. Is it really from Amazon, Costco, UPS or whoever it claims to be from? Is the company logo completely accurate? Are you actually expecting a package from that retailer? Is the order number correct? Does the language of the email sound like the person or company it is supposed to be? Are there grammatical mistakes or misspellings? Is the language awkward? These are often signs that the email is not genuine. Usually, scam emails and phone calls will try to make you feel urgency to act quickly. Common tactics by the scammer include threats of legal action, account closure, or forfeiture of prize. Realistically, there are very few situations so urgent that you cannot take the time to carefully review the email and verify who really sent it. If in doubt, look up the phone number for the company or person who supposedly sent the email, and confirm whether or not it is genuine. Do not click on any links or provide any information. It is also important to maintain strong passwords for all of your personal accounts so that cyber criminals cannot easily crack your password and access your account. A strong password should not contain personal information (like your birthdate or your spouse’s name) and should not be a single word that appears in the dictionary. Strong passwords should be longer and complex. One method to create a suitable password that you can easily remember is to make up a sentence, but substitute numbers and special characters (#, !, *, etc.) for some of the letters, or put them in between the words. There are various websites that you can use to test your password’s strength. These are just a few suggestions to avoid becoming the target of cyber criminals. The following is a link to an article from the Federal Trade Commission regarding other steps you can take to protect yourself from these scams: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/ how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams Internet criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to trick people, so it is important that you pay close attention to emails, maintain strong passwords and change your passwords from time to time. ITF Announces New Steps To Protect World’s Mariners A hefty chunk of the world’s mariners soon will be able to safely join ships despite unpredictable changes to government border policies internationally. That’s according to a joint press release dated Dec. 16 from three international maritime organizations. The release states that shipowners, mariner unions and maritime employer groups are in the process of establishing their own approved international network of quarantine facilities. The move comes as the omicron variant spurs some governments to close their borders to seafarers needing to leave and join ships. Dubbed the Crew Enhanced Quarantine International Program (CrewEQUIP), the effort came into fruition via a partnership between the International Maritime Employers’ Council; the International Chamber of Shipping; and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). Collectively, these organizations represent more than 80 percent of the global merchant fleet and nearly one million international seafarers through almost 200 affiliated unions. CrewEQUIP will create a list of trusted hotels available for crew quarantines that are independently reviewed. The program is designed to overcome frequent changes in government border policies affecting international crew by having the highest standards and industry-best protocols in place. Such an arrangement should help ensure that crew members will continue to safely get to vessels even if governments increase their quarantine requirements. Spokespersons from the groups said the program is urgently needed to avoid the shipping industry’s return to the worst extremes of the crew change crisis, which saw 400,000 seafarers trapped working aboard vessels beyond their initial contracts in late 2020, with an equal number unable to join vessels and earn income. While a global, permanent system with digital vaccine and testing recognition is still urgently needed, the various officials said CrewEQUIP would be important to have in place in the interim to support greater levels of crew change. The groups also welcomed the December announcement of a new joint WHO-ILO-industry action group to advance digital “yellow cards” for mariners and other workers who need to cross borders for their jobs. Under the CrewEQUIP plan, shipping companies and their representatives such as crewing agents and vessel managers are able to sponsor pre-embarkation quarantine facilities for seafarers to be considered for recognition. Facilities must meet CrewEQUIP’s stringent standards for hygiene, testing integrity and data security. A facility must also pass inspections by Lloyd’s Register, the program’s recognized external auditor, to become and remain accepted CrewEQUIP providers. SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, who also serves as Chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section, welcomed the CrewEQUIP partnership, noting: “A successful crew change needs everything to line up across the port states, transit countries, and the right facilities available in place in the home country of seafarers involved. Currently, even seemingly minor alterations to a government’s border, health or quarantine policies can bring a planned crew change to a halt – often leaving a seafarer with no option but to continue working onboard beyond their initial contracts…. “Thorough programs like CrewEQUIP, unions and industry are providing a robust system that reduces at least one of the factors that risk successful crew changes,” Heindel continued. “It’s an important initiative and we encourage all responsible shipowners and employers to get behind.” Seafarers LOG 5 �Honoring Bosun’s Wishes In accordance with his directive, the remains of Recertified Bosun Stig Sasse were committed to the sea from the Liberty Pride, while the vessel was sailing in the North Atlantic. Vessel master Capt. Bruce Bonnecarrere (right in group photo, also shown in other photo), who sailed with Sasse, conducted a brief shipboard ceremony and scattered the ashes. “He loved the sea and enjoyed getting to meet a lot of good shipmates and people all over the world,” the captain said. “He sailed for 44 years and used to ship out of the Houston hall.” An SIU pensioner, Sasse passed away Nov. 29, at age 64. He most recently sailed in early 2020. Saltchuk Co-Founder Stan Barer Passes Away at 82 U.S. maritime industry stalwart Stanley H. Barer, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Seattle on Dec. 13, 2021, following a decade-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Widely regarded as a brilliant attorney, dedicated philanthropist and successful entrepreneur, Barer co-founded Saltchuk Resources in 1982, a family of transportation and distribution companies that had acquired more than 30 entities across air cargo, marine services, energy distribution, domestic shipping, international shipping and logistics. (Saltchuk’s subsidiaries include companies that employ SIU members.) He served as chairman of Saltchuk until 1994 and was named chairman emeritus in 2001. “The industry lost a powerful voice in Stan,” said SIU President Michael Sacco. “He was a true ally of the American mariner and spent his career working towards improving shipping and trade between the U.S. and our allies. He also was a tremendous advocate for the Jones Act, and he will be dearly missed.” Barer was born in 1939 in Walla Walla, Washington, to David and Dorothy Barer, who had immigrated to the United States from Ukraine and England, respectively, and made their living in the scrap metal business. The middle child and first of his family to graduate from college, Barer knew from an early age that education was the key to his future success. After graduating from Walla Walla High, Barer earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Washington. He was hired by U.S. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson, whom he worked for in Washington, D.C., as legal counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, which Magnuson chaired. Barer served as the U.S. Senate lawyer for enactment of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, helping write the landmark legislation. From 1965-1967, he served as the Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle before returning to D.C. to serve as Magnuson’s Chief of Staff. In 1972, Barer worked as legal counsel for the U.S. Delegation to the first United Nations Conference on the Environment at Stockholm, Sweden. In 1974, he returned to Seattle with the love of his life, Alta Barer, and joined the Garvey Schubert Barer law firm. He began what would become the focus of his long professional career: rebuilding U.S.-China trade relations, including the watershed 1979 legal opinion which reopened direct shipping and aviation between the U.S. and Stan Barer the People’s Republic of China for the first time since 1950. While a significant change to international law, it also embodied one of Barer’s core beliefs: The world is filled with shared values, and civility can lead to greater understanding. A staunch Democrat, Barer was an American first, advising presidents on matters of international trade regardless of party affiliation, from Johnson through Obama. Active in political fundraising, he and his wife hosted several such events in the Barer family home. They hosted Hillary Clinton as First Lady and then again as a candidate for the U.S. presidency and held several events for former U.S. Sen., Secretary of State and presidential candidate John Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry. Throughout his career, Barer earned global recognition for his achievements, including the 2021 Gates Volunteer Service Award, presented to individuals whose philanthropy and service have taken the University of Washington to new heights. In 2011 and again in 2018, he was honored in Beijing at the Great Hall of the People with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in furthering relations between China and the United States. In 1996, he was honored with the Admiral of the Ocean Seas Award, a prestigious transportation award in the U.S. Spotlight on Mariner Health Treatments for Lower Back Pain Editor’s note: This article is provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan Medical Department. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor or miss work. It’s also not age-exclusive, as children may experience back pain. Symptoms may range from a dull, periodic ache to a nearly constant pain. It may come on suddenly from an accident or develop slowly over time as people age. Generally, there are two types of back pain. Acute, or short-term pain, may last for a few days to a few weeks. Most lower back pain is acute. It can resolve on its own with a blend of self-care, anti-inflammatory medications, heat, ice, or physical therapy. Chronic pain is defined as discomfort that continues for more than 12 weeks, even when the underlying cause has been treated. Approximately 20% of the population with back pain will be considered chronic. Surgery may be the final option for relief, but sometimes, even this does not work. The lower back includes the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5). This region supports much of the weight of the upper body. The spaces between the vertebrae are called discs. They act as shock absorbers throughout the spinal column. Ligaments hold the vertebrae in place, and tendons attach the muscles to the spinal column. Nerves run 6 Seafarers LOG through the spinal column also. The causes of lower back pain can be mechanical in nature, such as a disruption in the way the spine is made. There are also congenital problems such as scoliosis (an abnormal curve in the spine), lordosis (an exaggerated arch in the lower back), and kyphosis (hunch-back). Pain can come from an injury, degenerative problems, nerve and spinal cord problems. Back pain is diagnosed by patient symptoms, X-ray, CT scans, and MRIs. Treatment is based at least in part on the severity of pain, and may include medication, steroid injections, physical therapy and surgery. Keep in touch with your physician when pain occurs. Rest as needed and follow up as directed. The Mayo Clinic recommends contacting a doctor if back pain persists past a few weeks; is severe and doesn’t improve with rest; spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee; causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs; or is accompanied by unexplained weight loss. The same organization notes, “In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Seek immediate care if your back pain causes new bowel or bladder problems; is accompanied by a fever; or follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury.” Healthy Recipe Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Goat Cheese Servings: 24 Ingredients 9 pounds chicken breast, 6 oz each 2-1/4 cups goat cheese 24 pieces sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced 1/4 cup oregano, fresh, chopped 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash seasoning 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic 1 pound prosciutto, sliced thin Preparation Preheat oven to 375 degrees F Line a 2” hotel pan with foil, and grease it with cooking spray Mix the goat cheese, Mrs. Dash seasoning, and granulated garlic Butterfly each chicken breast 3/4 of the way through. Open the chicken breast like a book. Spread 1-1/2 tablespoons of goat cheese mixture inside each breast. Lay the slices of sun-dried tomatoes on top. Finally, sprinkle a tiny bit of chopped oregano on each breast. Wrap each breast with two slices of prosciutto Place the breasts on the prepared backing sheet. Bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken has reached 165 degrees F. Nutrition Information Per serving (excluding unknown items): 329 calories; 18g fat (50.6% calories from fat); 37g protein; 2g carbohydrate; 1g dietary fiber; 112mg cholesterol; 676mg sodium. Exchanges: 0 grain (starch); 5-1/2 lean meat; 1/2 fat. (Provided by the Paul Hall Center’s Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship) February 2022 �ABOARD MAERSK ATLANTA – Crew members are pictured next to the vessel during a shipyard period in Bahrain. Thanks to Recertified Bosun Hanapiah Ismail for the photo. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU WITH SEAFARERS IN OAKLAND – Pictured in photo at center are Chief Engineer Yoali Salcedo (left) and SIU Port Agent J.B. Niday aboard the Starlight Marine tugboat Z Three. The Seafaring selfie at left was taken aboard Matson’s Matsonia. SIU Representative Kathy Chester is in the foreground. Pictured from left are ACU Ruben Siclot, Chief Cook Kirk Fisher and Recertified Steward James Harper. The remaining photo at right, taken at the hiring hall, features (from left) SIU VP Nick Celona, newly retired AB Neonito Sodusta (picking up his first pension check) and SIU VP Nick Marrone. “Thank you, SIU, for having me as a member since 1994,” Sodusta wrote. “I am truly grateful and proud to have been part of the operations.” ABOARD LIBERTY PASSION – Crew members and shipyard fire fighters gather for a safety drill in Manama, Bahrain. Thanks to Recertified Bosun Karl Mayhew for the photo. February 2022 Seafarers LOG 7 �At Sea and Ashore with the SIU FULL BOOKS IN ALASKA – Picking up their respective full B-books at the Anchorage hall are GVA Apollos Smalls (left in photo at left) and AB Dzmitry Sasnouski (left in other photo). SIU Port Agent Nick Marrone II is at right in both snapshots. A-BOOK IN ALGONAC – AB Mubarek Ahmed (left) receives his A-seniority book at the hiring hall. SIU Port Agent Todd Brdak is at right. WELCOME ASHORE IN TACOMA – OMU Sotero Berame (right) picks up his first pension check at the hiring hall. SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo is at left. AT THE HOUSON HALL – In photo at left, OMU Francois Bonilla (left) receives his full Bbook from SIU Patrolman Kelly Krick. QMED Mike Kifle (left in photo at left below) picks up his first pension check (SIU Port Agent Joe Zavala is at right). Receiving his full B-book (right in photo at immediate right, with SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo) is STOS Erry Draper. The remaining photo below at right was taken during a Christmas luncheon; the hall also hosted one for Thanksgiving. ABOARD HORIZON KODIAK – SIU Tacoma Port Agent Warren Asp submitted these photos after a servicing. In photo directly above are Chief Cook Obadi Kassem (left) and ABM Alfred Polk. SA Mana Al Osfur (photo in center) is pictured in the galley, while the remaining photo includes (from left) QMED Husain Ali Ali, AB Adel Shaibi and SIU Patrolman George Owen. 8 Seafarers LOG February 2022 �ABOARD LIBERTY PRIDE – Vessel master Capt. Bruce Bonnecarrere shared this photographic proof of Santa’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve. ABOARD MV PATRIOT – SIU Port Agent John Hoskins (left) and Bosun Dixon Guity are pictured aboard the TOTE vessel in late December. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ABOARD MAERSK OHIO – Thanks to vessel master Capt. C. Kavanagh for this shipboard holiday photo. “The crew is sporting knitted hats provided by the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Trenton, South Carolina,” Kavanagh noted. “The crew looks forward to these hats and the Christmas boxes provided by the various Seafarers Missions.” Standing, from left: SA Kaleb Politte, Recertified Bosun James Joyce, GVA Eric Chapman, AB Aretta Jones, CM Elliott Gabbert, 2AE Darnell Slayton and AB Carlos Palacios-Nunez. Kneeling, from left: Chief Steward Kim Smith, Chief Cook Richetta Jackson and Chief Engineer Joseph Reynolds. ABOARD USNS BRITTIN – Crew members enjoy a holiday meal aboard the U.S. Marine Management vessel. Thanks to Chief Steward Erwin Renon for the photo. February 2022 ABOARD MOKIHANA – The Christmas and New Year ’s meals aboard the Matson ship were well-received. Pictured from left in the group photo above are Chief Cook Brandy Clemons, Capt. Angel Irlanda, Recertified Steward Fakhruddin Malahi and ACU Marilou Gumapas. (For additional photos, visit the SIU Facebook page.) ABOARD RJ PFEIFFER – Recertified Steward Ali Munsar (left), Chief Cook Khalid Mohamed (right) and ACU Taleb Alarqaban teamed up to provide a wideranging menu for the New Year’s holiday aboard the Matson ship. Numerous photos of the spread are posted on the SIU Facebook page. ABOARD MAERSK KINLOSS – Shortly before the holiday, steward-department Seafarers aboard the vessel wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Pictured from left in photo above are SA Ronald Pattiasina, Recertified Steward Caezar Mercado and Chief Cook John Nunez. Thanks to SIU Jersey City Port Agent Ray Henderson for the photo. Seafarers LOG 9 �Arriving at the Crowley terminal in San Juan are El Coqui crew members ABM Julio Perez Jr., Bosun Kemer Rojas, ABW Jonamie Encarnacion and ABM Christian Reyes (all residents of Puerto Rico). Electrician Edwin Velez, Bosun Charles Ortiz and SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo are pictured aboard the El Coqui. Chief Cook Steven Lopez and Chief Steward Jose Norales sail on the El Coqui. Puerto Rico-Based Seafarers Deliver ‘The Goods’ to Territory, Mainland in Jones Act Trade Throughout the twists and turns of the global COVID19 pandemic, one constant has been the reliability of SIUcrewed ships servicing Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland in the Jones Act trade. “I can say from firsthand experience that our members are justifiably proud of their work that helps bring vital cargoes to and from Puerto Rico,” said SIU Assistant Vice President Amancio Crespo, who is based in San Juan. “They also know that the Jones Act is a crucial source of jobs for Puerto Rico residents.” Recent data confirms earlier findings from a comprehensive study about America’s freight cabotage law and the island. For instance, SIU-contracted Crowley in mid-January reported that they were “smashing (cargo) volume records in Puerto Rico,” thanks in part to the Seafarers-crewed vessels El Coquí and Taino, which sail between the territory and Jacksonville, Florida. As previously reported, a major study by Boston-based economists concluded the Jones Act has no impact on either AB Luis Venegas El Coqui Pictured Dec. 20 aboard the Perla Del Caribe (TOTE) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, are (from left) Recertified Steward Antonio Mendez, Steward/Baker Sharray Turner and SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo. Electrician Carlos Parrilla handles maintenance on a reefer container aboard the Taino. 10 Seafarers LOG retail prices or the cost of living in Puerto Rico. In addition, the report found that the state-of-the-art maritime technology, Puerto-Rico focused investments, and dedicated closed-loop service offered by Jones Act carriers provide a significant positive economic impact to the island, at freight rates lower or comparable to similar services to other Caribbean Islands. “There has been much debate about the impact of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico, particularly following Hurricane Maria,” said John Reeve, the principal in Reeve & Associates and the lead economist on the study. “The findings of our analysis show that reliable, efficient, and regular Jones Act services benefit consumers and businesses on the island, and no evidence suggests that exempting Puerto Rico from the Jones Act would reduce consumer prices in Puerto Rico. On the contrary, such an action may well increase prices.” A pillar of U.S. national, economic and homeland security for more than a century, the Jones Act requires that cargo moving between domestic ports be carried on vessels that are crewed, built, flagged and owned American. Newly credentialed AB Jorge Alamo (right) poses for a photo with SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo in the San Juan hall. The holiday spirit was evident aboard Crowley’s Taino when this snapshot was taken before Christmas. Pictured are ABG Julio Perez, SA Simone Smith, Recertified Steward Kim Strate, Bosun Kemer Rojas, ABM Victor Cortes, Chief Cook Yoaquin Gonzalez and Electrician Carlos Parrilla. Pictured from left aboard the Isla Bella (TOTE Services) are Electrician Hector Ginel, Recertified Bosun John Cedeno and AB Gary Boyd. Recertified Bosun John Cedeno, GUDE Ray Fernandez and SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo reminisce aboard the Isla Bella. Many years ago, they worked together in the crane department at Navierias de Puerto Rico. Proudly displaying his first ABW registration (fresh out of Piney Point) is Seafarer Kelvin Soto (left), a second-generation SIU member. He’s pictured at the San Juan hall with SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo. Soto recently shipped out aboard the National Glory (Crowley). February 2022 �TAKING UNION OATH – Pictured from left at the December meeting are SA Temiaka McLaurin, Chief Cook Eugene Williams, Chief Cook Sherron DeCoteau, Chief Cook Torrika Devine, ABM Derrick Alexander and OMU Blake Washington. SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson is standing at right. Devine and Alexander received their respective A-books, while the others picked up B-books. BOOKS GALORE – Several Seafarers were sworn in during the November membership meeting. They’re pictured with union representatives at the hall, following the meeting. In front (from left) are SIU Safety Director Joseph Koncul, SIU Patrolman Eddie Pittman, Steward/Baker Mamie Porter (who picked up her A-book) and Chief Cook Michael Ray (A-book). In back are AB Nakia Miller (B-book), QEP David Garrett (A-book) and GUDE Christopher Skinner (B-book). With Seafarers in Jacksonville (and SC) BACKING MDL – Steward/Baker Antajuan Beasley (right) is a longtime supporter of the Maritime Defense League. He’s pictured at the hall shortly after contributing to the cause. SIU Safety Director Joseph Koncul is at left. SPIRITS HIGH AT HALL – From left, Chief Cook Sherron DeCoteau, SIU Patrolman Adam Bucalo and Chief Cook Torrika Devine seem enthused about the holiday luncheon. (Editor’s note: Please visit the SIU Facebook page for additional photos from the gathering.) ABOARD CAPE DECISION – Pictured from left aboard the Keystone-operated vessel in Charleston, South Carolina, are Steward/Baker Vanessa Curd, SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson, QEE Mario Dela Cruz, QMED Elaine Watts, GVA Marietta Kozerenko and Bosun Leslie Bracey. READY FOR LUNCHEON – From left, ACU Rosalie Long, CC Joseph Arigo, SA Florentino Espiritu and SA Michael Fincannon are among the volunteers and guests at the Dec. 9 holiday luncheon at the hall. HOLIDAY HELP – Chief Steward Manuel Daguio helps prepare food for a holiday luncheon at the hall following the December membership meeting. SOLIDARITY – SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson (left) welcomes Preston Drummer, regional VP for the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, to the luncheon. Drummer also serves as the rep for Teamsters Local 512 to the Northeast Florida Central Labor Council. APPRECIATIVE GUESTS – Seafarers and representatives from Crowley Maritime enjoy the holiday luncheon. Those pictured include Lawrence Akromah, Dana Antretter, Ed Hagan, Melissa Serridge, Elizabeth Banner, Josh Lewis and Jon Roberts. February 2022 Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New for the 2022 Tax Filing Season sion added back in. MAGI threshold amounts for the additional tax are as follows: $250,000 (Married Filing Joint/Surviving Spouse) $200,000 (Single/Head of Household) $125,000 (Married Filing Separately) Investment income reduced by deductions Tax Legislation Updates & Considerations The following is a list of tax legislation and properly allocable to the items of income and net considerations affecting the current and future tax gain that make up the NII. years as noted. Provided in parenthesis are the abbreviations that will be used throughout this docu- Social Security Tax: Part of FICA tax on wages, an employee and ment in reference to the respective legislation. employer are each subject to a 6.2% tax on wages The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA): The for Social Security. The maximum amount of Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) was enacted on De- wages subject to the Social Security are as follows: $142,800 (2021) cember 22, 2017. Described as the largest major $147,000 (2022) tax reform in over three decades, the TCJA contains a host of tax provisions that impact individuMedicare Tax: als and businesses. Part of FICA tax on wages, an employee and  The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act (Tax Extenders Act): The Relief employer are each subject to a 1.45% tax on wages Act, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations for Medicare, unchanged from 2020. There is no Act, 2021 was signed by President Trump on De- wage base limit for Medicare tax. In 2021, in adcember 27, 2020, extending several tax provisions dition to the standard Medicare tax, there will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the that were set to expire.  The Setting Every Community Up following threshold amounts:  $250,000 (Married Filing Joint/Surviving for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act): The SECURE Act was signed into law Spouse) $200,000 (Single/Head of Household) by the President Trump on December 20, 2019 $125,000 (Married Filing Separately) significantly modifying many requirements for employer‐provided retirement plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other tax‐favored Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction: The Social Security portion of the self-employsavings accounts. While some of the modifications went into effect retroactively or upon enactment ment tax is 12.4% in 2021. The Medicare portion (December 20, 2019), many of them carry future of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable effective dates.  The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco- thresholds as noted above. A taxpayer can take an nomic Security Act (CARES Act): The CARES above the line deduction for a percentage of selfAct is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill that employment tax paid during the year. The selfwas signed into law by the President Trump on employment tax deduction is limited to one-half March 27, 2020 in response to economic fallout of self-employment tax paid. of the COVID-19 pandemic. Provisions in the Act were enhanced and expanded by the recent signing Kiddie Tax: The kiddie tax changes introduced by the TCJA of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.  American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: In were repealed by the SECURE Act. For taxable response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the years beginning in 2021, the first $1,100 of the ARPA was signed by President Biden on March net unearned income of a child meeting certain 11, 2021 to deliver taxpayers immediate and direct requirements is not taxed, the next $1,100 is taxed relief from related hardship. As discussed in fur- at the child’s marginal tax rate and amounts over ther detail below, the ARPA provided for additional $2,200 are taxed at the parent’s marginal tax rate. Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks), ad- A child is (1) under age 18 at the end of the tax vanced payments of the Child Tax Credit, housing year, (2) age 18 at the end of the tax year and does not provide more than half of his/her own support assistance, and other employment-related relief. Considerations – Build Back Better Act: with unearned income, or (3) is age 19-23 at the The Biden administration’s Build Back Better Act end of the tax year, a full-time student, and does was not enacted by the end of 2021. Significant not provide more than half of his/her own support proposed changes in tax law will continue to be with unearned income. monitored. All information provided below is currently in effect until otherwise altered by future Itemized Deductions If more advantageous than the standard delegislation. duction, an individual may elect to claim certain Due Date of Return File a 2021 Form 1040 and pay any tax due itemized deductions of personal expenses in deterby April 18, 2022. An automatic 6-month exten- mining taxable income. The most common itemsion of time to file the return can be made by filing ized deductions are listed below. Medical and Dental Expenses: UnreimForm 4868 and paying an estimate of tax owed to avoid penalties and interest. Then, file Form 1040 bursed medical expenses may be claimed as an itemized deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% by October 17, 2022.  Net Investment Income Tax (NII): In of adjusted gross income. The Tax Extenders Act 2021, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the indi- of 2020 extended this threshold, eliminating the vidual’s net investment income for the year or the initial increase to 10% of AGI.  State & Local Tax Deduction: For tax amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross years 2018-2025, the itemized deduction for taxes income (MAGI) exceeds the threshold amount. paid or accrued by an individual during the tax Net Investment Income can be further catego- year that are not directly connected with a trade or business, or with property held for the production rized into three: Category 1 (investment income) - income of income is limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for MFS) of the aggregate of (1) state and local property interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents  Category 2 (passive and trading income) taxes, (2) state and local personal property taxes, -gross income from a trade or business that is a (3) state, local, and foreign income taxes, as well passive activity with respect to the taxpayer, or is a as state and local general sales taxes deducted in trade or business of trading commodities or finan- lieu of state and local income taxes.  Mortgage Interest Deduction: The decial instruments Category 3 (gain on dispositions) - net gain duction for mortgage interest is limited to underfrom disposition of property. MAGI for the pur- lying indebtedness of up to $750,000 ($375,000 pose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is for MFS) for tax years 2018-2025. The deduca person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign tion for interest on home equity indebtedness is earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclu- eliminated. The lower limit doesn’t apply to any Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2021, along with provisions that remain in effect from prior years. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Standard Deduction The standard deduction adjusts annually for inflation. The standard deduction for taxpayers who are at least 65 years old and/or blind at the close of the year can be increased with an additional deduction added for each taxpayer for each qualifying condition. For dependents, the standard deduction cannot exceed the greater of (1) $1,100, or (2) the sum of $350 and the individual’s earned income. See the current amounts below. Filing Status Married Filing Joint Head of Household Single/Married Filing Separately 2021 $25,100 $18,800 $12,500 Additional Standard Deductions Age 65+ and/or Blind (MFJ) Age 65+ and/or Blind (Single/HOH) $1,350 $1,700 acquisition indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017, which is limited to $1 Million ($500,000 for MFS). Mortgage Insurance Premiums: The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums (PMI) has now been extended by the Tax Extenders Act through 2021. This allows a taxpayer whose income is below certain thresholds to deduct the cost of premiums on mortgage insurance purchased in connection with acquisition indebtedness on a taxpayer’s principal residence. The deduction is reduced by 10% for every $1,000 by which the taxpayer’s AGI exceeds $100,000. Charitable Contribution Deduction: The limitation under IRC Sec. 170(b) for cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations is 60% of an individual’s contribution base for tax years 2021-2025. Under the CARES Act, the 60% limitation has been increased to allow for contributions up to 100% of the taxpayer’s contribution base for tax years 2020-2021. The contribution base is an individual’s adjusted gross income (AGI), not including the charitable deduction or any net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks. The limit depends on the aggregate contributions of the spouses if married filing jointly. Excess contributions are generally allowed to be carried forward and deducted for up to five years, subject to the later year’s ceiling. For tax years beginning in 2021, an individual who does not itemize deductions may claim a charitable contribution deduction of up to $300 ($600 in the case of a joint return) for any cash contribution made during the tax year that would otherwise be allowed as an itemized deduction. The deduction is claimed in calculating taxable income in 2021, not as an above-the-line deduction in calculating AGI as allowed in 2020.  Miscellaneous Deductions: Job-related expenses, as well as other miscellaneous itemized deductions that were previously subject to the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income floor, are no longer deductible for tax years 2018-2025. The eliminated deductions include expenses for tax preparation, union dues, and investment fees. Gambling Losses: All deductions for expenses incurred in carrying out wagering transactions, and not just gambling losses, are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings.  Phaseout: Before 2018, an individual’s itemized deductions were reduced by 3% of adjusted gross income (AGI) when AGI exceeded certain threshold amounts. This phaseout of itemized deductions is temporarily eliminated by the TCJA, and therefore does not apply to tax years 2018-2025. The phaseout does not affect the itemized deductions for medical expenses, investment interest expenses, casualty or theft losses, or gambling losses.  State Itemized Deductions: The TCJA modified or eliminated several popular itemized deductions. It is important to note that although the federal deductions have been adjusted, you may still qualify for deductions at the state level such as real estate taxes paid and investment expenses. Tax Exemptions, Credits, & Other Deductions Exemptions: Under the TCJA, for tax years 20182025, the deduction for the personal exemption is reduced to zero. Furthermore, releasing the dependency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction, instead, releasing the dependency exemption does make the noncustodial parent eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child Child Tax Credit: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 modified CTC for tax year beginning 2021 in a few significant ways:  The credit is fully refundable for most taxpayers has a principal place of abode in the United States for at least one-half of the tax year; or is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico for the tax year.  Maximum Child Tax Credit increased to: $3,600 for each qualifying child under age 5 $3,000 for each qualifying child under age 18, but at least age 5 $500 for any other dependent The credit that exceeds $2,000 per child begins to phase out when the taxpayer’s MAGI exceed the amounts listed in the Child Tax Credit chart immediately below.. This phase-out cannot reduce the credit below the $2,000. Any remaining credit amount is then subject to additional phaseout under the rules for non-2021 tax years (Phaseout #2). In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these thresholds.  The credit may be paid in advance in monthly installments. The amount of advance is based on the IRS’s estimate based on 2020 or 2019 tax returns whichever is more recent, and any updated information taxpayer provided to the IRS in 2021. Payments were sent on the 15th of each month from July through December 2021 Unless extended by the Build Back Better pending legislation, these payments will not continue in 2022. Continued on Page 14 Child Tax Credit Filing Status MAGI Phase-out #1 Married Filing Joint $150,000 Head of Household $112,500 Single/Married Filing Separately $75,000 MAGI Phase-out #2 $400,000 $200,000 $200,000 Tax Rates & Thresholds 2021 Tax Brackets: Below are the tax brackets for tax year 2021, including the taxable income range for each bracket. 10% 12% 22% 24% 32% 35% 37% Married Filing Joint $0 - $19,900 $19,901 - $81,050 $81,051 - $172,750 $172,751 – $329,850 $329,851 – $418,850 $418,851 - $628,300 $628,301+ Head of Household $0 - $14,200 $14,201 – $54,200 $54,201 - $86,350 $86,351 - $164,900 $164,901 - $209,400 $209,401 - $523,600 $523,601+ Single $0 - $9,950 $9,951 - $40,525 $40,526 - $86,375 $86,376 - $164,925 $164,926 - $209.425 $209,426 - $523,600 $523,601+ Married Filing Separately $0 - $9,950 $9,951 - $40,525 $40,526 - $86,375 $86,376 - $164,925 $164,926 - $209,425 $209,426 - $314,150 $314,151+ Estates & Trusts $0 - $2,650 N/A N/A $2,651 - $9,550 N/A $9,551 - $13,050 $13,051+ 2021 Net Capital Gains & Qualified Dividend Rates: Below are the 2021 net capital gains and qualified dividend rates per taxable income range for each type of filing status. Married Filing Joint Head of Household Single Married Filing Separately Estates & Trusts 0% $0 - $80,800 $0 - $54,100 $0 - $40,400 $0 - $40,400 $0 - $2,700 15% $80,801 - $501,600 $54,101 – $473,750 $40,401 - $445,850 $40,401 - $250,800 $2,701 - $13,250 20% $501,601+ $473,751+ $445,851+ $250,801+ $13,251+ Capital gains and losses are reported on Form 8949 and then totaled on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2021, your broker would report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. 12 Seafarers LOG February 2022 �Tax Tips for Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Gather all records for the current tax return filing year. Income Records Forms W-2/W-2G Forms 1099 (Interest, Dividends, Brokerage Statements, Misc.) and Schedules K-1 (Investment in Partnerships/S-Corporations) Itemized deductions and tax credits Medical and dental payment records Real estate and personal property tax receipts State and local tax payments Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan Charitable contributions Records of payments for childcare so an individual could work Educational expenses Step 2. Gather any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Cents may be rounded to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50-99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Step 4. Review the return for accuracy. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. File Return. Filing Electronically (E-file) Due to staffing issues, processing paper returns can take several weeks longer. The IRS encourages taxpayers to file electronically. Information regarding available e-filing options can be found at www.irs.gov/efile-options Filing Paper Return Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If paying any balance due by check, do not staple or attach the payment or Form 1040-V (payment voucher) to the return. Instead, just put them loose in the envelope. Write your name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and form number on your check or money order.  Private Delivery Services - Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Express, Federal Express, and United Parcel Service. Electronic Payment Options Visit www.irs.gov/payments for full listing of electronic payment options. Direct Pay – Payment can be directly withdrawn from a bank account through the IRS website or through the software/ website the taxpayer or paid preparer used to electronically file the tax return. Debit/Credit Cards – The IRS website listed above provides links to pay by debit or credit card. All major cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc.) are accepted, fees apply. Payments by Phone – The IRS website also lists toll-free numbers available to make payments by phone. Refunds Taxpayers can request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out the refund section on Form 1040, which includes the taxpayer’s bank account number and the bank’s routing number. For electronically filed returns, a refund will typically be received in about 2 February 2022 weeks if deposited directly into a checking or savings account. Paper checks will be mailed to the address listed on the tax return if direct deposit is not requested. Paper check refunds may take several weeks to arrive by mail. Where’s My Refund - If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www.irs.gov/refunds. Filing an Extension   Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2021, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Change of Address  If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer  If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2020, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who oversees the taxpayer’s property. Your Online Account  To access your online account, you must authenticate your identity. To securely log in to your federal tax account, go to IRS. gov/Account. View the amount you owe, review 24 months of payment history, access online payment options, and create or modify an online payment agreement. You can also access your tax records online. Which Income to Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: Jones Act settlements for lost wages Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid Canceled debts State income tax refunds Rents Repayments Royalties Unemployment benefits  Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts Endowments Original Issue Discount Distributions from self-employed plans Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services)  Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act Lump-sum distributions  Gains from the sale or exchange (in- cluding barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) Accumulation distributions from trusts Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery, and gambling winnings) Earned income from sources outside the United States Director’s fees Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate Embezzled or other illegal income Social Security benefits Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return:  Benefits from government welfare programs  Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs Maintenance and Cure Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans Administration Child support Gifts, money, or other property inherited or willed Dividends on veterans’ life insurance Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home Certain amounts received as a scholarship What Items Are Considered Deductions and Credits The following are common deductions and credits, which are discussed in more detail in above sections: Standard Deduction Itemized Deductions Medical and Dental Expenses State and Local Taxes Home Mortgage Interest Mortgage Insurance Premiums Charitable Contributions Gambling Losses Qualified Business Income Deduction Student Loan Interest Education Credits & Deductions Earned Income Credit (EIC) Child & Dependent Care Credit Energy Credits Which Records to Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (such as canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from Away at Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayerrelated services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.-flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year— was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where to Get IRS Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7am-7pm your local time. Online: Access the IRS website at www.irs.gov to download forms, instructions, and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions, and publications. Seafarers LOG 13 �What’s New for the 2022 Tax Filing Season Continued from Page 12  File 2021 Tax Return to compare advanced CTC with qualified CTC. As the nature of family and life situation are unpredictable, IRS might over or underpaid the advanced CTC. Letter 6419 from IRS will arrive January 2022 to provide the total amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments that were disbursed to taxpayer during 2021.  Advanced < qualified: If the amount of your Child Tax Credit exceeds the total amount of your advance Child Tax Credit payments, you can claim the remaining amount of your Child Tax Credit on your 2021 tax return.  Advanced > qualified: If you received a total amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments that exceeds the amount of Child Tax Credit that you can properly claim on your 2021 tax year, you may need to repay to the IRS some or all of that excess payment. Example of situations where could result in such positions: Your income increased in 2021. A qualifying child in 2020 does not meet qualifying child criteria in 2021 (see definition following) Your filing status changed for 2021 Your main home was outside of the United States for more than half of 2021.  Full Repayment Protection: taxpayers qualify for full repayment protection and won’t need to repay if 1) taxpayers’ main home was in US for more than half of 2021 and 2) AGI is less than below: $60,000 if you are married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower. $50,000 if you are filing as head of household. $40,000 if you are a single filer or are married and filing a separate return.  No Repayment Protection: This repayment protection amount is phased out when taxpayers exceed AGI listed below on their 2021 tax returns: $120,000 if you are married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower $100,000 if you are filing as head of household $80,000 if you are a single filer or are married and filing a separate return Definition of a Qualifying Child: Must meet all criteria: Relationship: The person must be your child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). Residence: For more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. Age: must not have attained the age of 18 by the end of the year, or age 19-23 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age if totally and permanently disabled. Support: the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Valid Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800772-1213. It usually takes about two - six weeks to receive a SSN. Taxpayers cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for any tax year if the individual or a qualifying child did not have an individual SSN issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. Definition of a Qualifying Relative: MUST meet all criteria: Relationship: the person must be your parent, stepparent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, in-law, or an individual who has the same place of abode as the taxpayer for the entire year. Gross Income: The individual’s gross income for the year must be less than the exemption amount (zero for tax years 2018-2025). Support: the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Cannot be claimed as Qualifying Child by someone else: The individual must not be the qualifying child of the taxpayer or of any other taxpayer for the tax year. Child and Dependent Tax Credits: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 expanded by making it fully refundable; increasing the amount of qualifying expenses, the credit percentage, and the AGI threshold for reducing the credit percentage; and effectively extending the credit to U.S. possessions. A qualifying individual definition is slightly different than qualifying child for CTC (Child Tax Credit)  a dependent of the taxpayer who is a qualifying child under the age of 13.  a dependent of the taxpayer who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself; or  the taxpayer’s spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself. There must be earned income to take the credit. Amount of credit equal to the amount of tax- 14 Seafarers LOG payer’s employment-related expenses multiplied by an applicable percentage determined by the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. The maximum amount of qualified expenses to which the credit may be applied is $8,000 for cost to care for one child under the age of 13 or up to $16,000 for two or more children, so that the parents can either go to work or be in the process of looking for work. The 50% credit percentage is reduced (but not below the phaseout percentage) by one percentage point for each $2,000 (or fraction thereof) by which adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds $125,000. The maximum credit is $4,000 for one qualifying individual and $8,000 for two or more qualifying individuals. Adoption Credit: The maximum adoption credit has increased to $14,440 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $216,660. The credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees, and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2021 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Earned Income Credit (EIC): The EIC is a refundable tax credit available to low-income individuals meeting certain requirements including income amount, income source, and filing status. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2021: 3+ Qualifying Children: Credit up to $6,728 if you earn less than $51,464 ($57,414 if married filing joint) 2 Qualifying Children: Credit up to $5,980 if you earn less than $47,915 ($53,865 if married filing joint) 1 Qualifying Child: Credit up to $3,618 if you earn less than $42,158 ($48,108 if married filing joint) No Qualifying Children: Credit up to $1,502 if you earn less than $21,430 ($27,380 if married filing joint) IRS Refund Claim: The IRS has additional time to review refund claims based on the EIC or the refundable portion of the additional Child Tax Credit to reduce fraud and improper payments. No credit or refund for an overpayment shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15 following the close of the tax year if the taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Credit or additional Child Tax Credit. A SSN is not valid for EIC purposes unless it was issued on or before the due date of the return. For tax years beginning after 2017, you may be able to qualify for the EIC under the rules for taxpayers without a qualifying child if you have a qualifying child for the EIC who is claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer. Deduction for Qualified Business Income (QBI): An individual generally may deduct 20% of qualified business income from a partnership, S corporation or sole proprietorship, as well as 20% of aggregate qualified REIT dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership income. The 20% deduction is not allowed in computing AGI, but rather is allowed as a deduction reducing taxable income. When taxable income exceeds a threshold amount (see chart at the top of the next two columns) the wages/capital limit may reduce the deductible amount of QBI from each business; A disallowance of the deduction with respect to specified service trades or businesses also is phased in above these threshold amounts of taxable income. For tax years beginning in 2021: Education Credits & Deductions: Following are tax credits and deductions related to educational expenses incurred during the tax year, including definitions of qualifying expenses. The American Opportunity Tax Credit: For tax year 2021, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to 40% of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually phased out if your Modified AGI is between $80,000-$90,000 ($160,000$180,000). Taxpayers cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit for any tax year if the individual or a student did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. Taxpayers must report the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the educational institution to which payments were made.  Lifetime Learning Credit: For tax year 2021, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $80,000 ($160,000 if married filing Deductions for Qualified Business Income Filing Status Married Filing Joint Single/Head of Household Married Filing Separately Threshold Amount $329,800 $164,900 $164,925 joint return) and is fully eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $90,000 ($180,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Expenses that are claimed for the American Opportunity Credit are not eligible for the lifetime learning credit. Tuition and Fees Deductions: The tuition and fees deduction does NOT apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2020. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs: Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. 529 Plan Qualified Education Expenses: The TCJA changed the definition of qualified higher education expense. For purposes of the 529 plan rules, qualified higher education expenses now include expenses for tuition for attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school. Cash distributions from all 529 plans are limited to $10,000 for elementary and secondary school tuition per tax year, per student. Under the SECURE Act, qualified higher education expenses now also include student loan repayments as well as the expenses of registered apprenticeships.  Form 1098-T Required to Claim Certain Education Incentives: Taxpayers must receive a form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from educational institutions to claim the American opportunity credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit or the above-the- line deduction for qualified tuition and fees.  Educator Expenses: The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended the above-the-line deduction for eligible grade K-12 schoolteachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. For tax years beginning after 2015, eligible expenses also include expenses for professional development courses the educator takes related to the curriculum he/she teaches or to the student he/ she teaches.  Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account): Taxpayers can contribute a maximum of $2,000 cash each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The dollar limit is phased out for married individuals filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income between $190,000 and $220,000, and between $95,000 and $110,000 for single filers. The contribution is not deductible. Retirement Accounts Contribution Deductions: Below is information regarding current tax year contribution limits, required distributions, and various legislation updates to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) and 401(k) plans.  Traditional IRAs: For 2021, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $6,000 or your compensation. For taxpayers age 50+ at year end, lesser of $7,000 or compensation. Deduction may be limited if taxpayer or spouse are covered by a retirement plan at work and income exceeds certain levels. When a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2021 is $66,000-$76,000 ($105,000-$125,000 for married filing joint).  Roth IRAs: The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $6,000 (increased to $7,000 for taxpayers age 50+ at year end) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is gradually phased out for taxpayers with Modified AGI between $125,000-$140,000 ($198,000-$208,000 for married filing joint). Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on the timing and reasoning of the distribution.  SIMPLE 401(k) plan: The limit on employee elective deferrals is: $14,000 in 2022 ($13,500 in 2021 and 2020)  401(k) Contributions and Limitations on Elective Deferrals: Limit of employee elective salary deferral is $19,000 for 2021 and $ 20,500 for 2022. Overall limit on contribution to a participant’s plan including elective deferral and employer matching contributions is the lessor of Phase in Ceiling $429,800 $214,900 $214,925 employee compensation or $58,000 for 2021.  Excessive contribution: if a contribution is made to an IRA in excess of the allowable amount, that contribution is referred to as an excess contribution and is subject to a 6% excise tax. These excess contributions may be corrected without penalty, however, provided the correction occurs within a certain time frame.  Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs: For rollover contributions made after December 18, 2015, distributions to employer sponsored retirement plans or a traditional IRAs may be rolled over to a SIMPLE IRA after two years of participation in the plan. IRA Updates: Under the SECURE Act, the following legislation updates are in effect beginning tax year 2020 and continue to be in effect. Additional provisions enacted by the CARES Act are also noted.  Age Limitation - The 70½ age limit for contributions to an IRA has been eliminated. Effective tax year beginning after December 31, 2019 individuals can continue to make contributions for as long as they earn compensation  Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) - The starting age for individuals to begin taking RMD from traditional IRA, SEP IRA and SIMPLE IRA must begin on or before April 1 of the year following the year in which an IRA owner turns age 72 (Prior 2020 was 70½ years old  Inherited IRA Rule - Non-spouse individuals who inherit an IRA after December 31, 2019 must withdraw the balance within 10 years, subject to certain exceptions.  Early Withdrawal 10% Penalty - In 2020, the CARES Act waived the penalty on early withdrawals up to $100,000 from qualified retirement plans for COVID-19 related distributions. For 2021, the early withdrawal penalty of 10% is reinstated, with exceptions related to non-COVID disaster relief discussed in later sections. 401(k) Updates: Under the SECURE Act, the following provisions are in effect for the noted tax years Long-term, part-time employees may now qualify to participate in elective deferral plans in plan years beginning after December 31, 2020  Early withdrawal penalty exemption of $5,000 for qualified birth or adoption distributions in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019  Included in compensation for purposes of determining retirement plan contributions are taxable non-tuition fellowships/stipends and nontaxable “difficulty of care payments” earned by home healthcare workers in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019  Increased cap to encourage higher autoenrollments in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019  Special Charitable Contributions: An IRA owner age 70½ or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Health Care Coverage Credits: Below is health care coverage reporting information and current year requirements for related tax credits. Health Care Coverage: Beginning in tax year 2019, you no longer need to either make a shared responsibility payment or file Form 8965 if you don’t have essential health care coverage for part or all of the tax year.  Premium Tax Credit: Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage Continued on Page 20 February 2022 �Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea Retired Seafarer Turns 100 “Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from Dec. 16 - Jan. 17. “Registered on the Beach” data is as of Jan. 17. Total Registered Total Shipped All Groups Port Vincent Wesley had a straightforward request for his 100th birthday: having his photo appear in the LOG. The retired steward-department mariner was born Feb. 13, 1922 and sailed out of Brooklyn, New York, throughout the 1950s and 1960s. “I would like to say hello to all the men who sailed with Farrell Lines, Moore-McCormack, and the Military Sea Transportation Service (forerunner to the Military Sealift Command),” Wesley wrote. Personal Writer and former tugboat deckhand Mark Hannon is assisting a retired mariner in writing his memoir. Hannon would like to hear from any SIU members who worked out of the New Orleans and/or Mobile, Alabama, halls during the 1960s. He’s reachable by phone at (443) 615-5228 and by email at mwhannon@verizon.net. Hannon’s website is https:// markhannonbooks.wordpress.com/. February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point...........................Monday: February 7, March 7 Algonac...............................Friday: February 11, March 11 Baltimore......................Thursday: February 10, March 10 Guam..........................Thursday: February 24, March 24 Honolulu..............................Friday: February 18, March 18 Houston...........................Monday: February 14, March 14 A B All Groups C A Mobile...........................Wednesday: February 16, March 16 New Orleans......................Tuesday: February 15, March 15 Jersey City............................Tuesday: February 8, March 8 Norfolk............................Friday: February 11, March 11 Oakland...........................Thursday: February 17, March 17 Philadelphia...................Wednesday: February 9, March 9 Port Everglades...............Thursday: February 17, March 17 San Juan..............................Thursday: February 10, March 10 St. Louis.........................Friday: February 18, March 18 Tacoma....................................Friday: February 25, March 25 Wilmington...............*Tuesday: February 22, Monday: March 21 * Wilmington change in February due to President’s Day observance. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m C Reliefs All Groups A B C 13 1 2 21 5 13 4 30 30 14 2 7 15 8 2 0 6 14 1 21 209 7 3 1 12 0 1 2 22 25 13 2 4 12 4 0 6 2 7 2 3 128 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 6 7 4 0 2 6 3 0 1 0 5 1 2 42 Deck Department 10 4 0 2 3 0 1 3 0 13 9 2 1 0 0 3 2 0 7 3 0 25 16 4 17 17 6 20 7 1 2 3 0 8 1 1 17 7 3 9 0 3 2 0 0 1 7 1 5 2 0 15 4 1 0 0 0 16 1 0 174 89 22 5 3 1 9 0 3 0 18 17 9 0 3 4 3 0 2 2 10 0 4 93 23 0 2 32 5 14 11 68 54 35 1 11 27 15 3 2 12 36 5 45 401 6 3 0 20 1 8 2 34 37 12 2 6 18 5 4 2 6 13 2 12 193 3 0 0 2 0 2 1 9 9 6 0 2 7 3 0 0 1 5 1 5 56 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 1 0 1 7 1 1 3 12 12 2 1 6 9 4 1 0 4 10 10 11 87 0 0 2 3 0 1 2 7 10 4 1 2 8 5 1 2 2 8 0 6 64 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 Engine Department 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 10 2 0 9 7 1 7 2 0 2 0 0 3 4 0 5 9 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 12 4 0 0 0 1 7 6 1 69 45 7 0 0 1 3 0 1 0 4 4 4 1 3 3 1 0 2 1 6 0 7 41 4 1 2 13 0 4 5 15 31 10 2 4 16 6 1 2 4 12 2 21 155 2 0 1 13 1 7 6 14 20 6 1 4 14 5 1 3 3 14 2 9 126 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 2 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 16 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 0 0 2 3 0 3 4 13 11 7 2 4 9 16 1 3 2 7 1 21 109 0 0 2 5 1 0 3 7 5 3 0 3 8 3 0 3 3 2 1 6 55 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Steward Department 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 8 2 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 4 1 0 9 2 0 8 10 0 4 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 10 8 2 9 3 0 1 0 0 2 5 0 3 0 1 8 2 0 0 0 0 7 8 0 81 47 3 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 5 12 1 0 1 7 3 0 1 2 2 0 6 48 2 1 2 8 0 8 11 28 23 10 4 5 24 18 3 4 3 16 1 35 206 0 0 1 9 3 0 5 12 14 8 0 5 16 7 1 2 4 6 1 10 104 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 0 2 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 14 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Seattle St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 10 5 3 2 3 0 1 3 8 14 8 0 0 14 3 0 1 0 5 0 5 75 5 2 1 5 1 1 3 7 40 9 2 0 19 6 0 14 2 5 0 7 129 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 Entry Department 1 2 0 2 2 2 3 4 0 0 1 2 3 2 3 9 9 25 7 10 0 1 1 0 12 18 4 2 0 0 1 9 0 0 3 3 0 0 9 2 59 93 1 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 7 3 0 0 5 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 31 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 1 4 27 10 4 0 5 0 2 7 18 28 20 0 1 14 11 1 0 1 21 0 17 160 4 1 1 7 2 1 12 20 74 18 1 2 32 3 0 12 3 12 3 11 219 322 186 328 213 789 583 305 GRAND TOTAL: 415 February 2022 B Trip Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Jacksonville....................Thursday: February 10 , March 10 Joliet...............................Thursday: February 17, March 17 Registered on Beach 240 125 Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Inquiring Seafarer Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President George Tricker, Vice President Contracts This month’s question was posed to mariners attending classes at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland. Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Question: What do you like most about being a merchant mariner? David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Nicholas Celona, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 Georgia Bussink Ordinary Seaman There are not many professions in which you have the world as your office. The SIU has provided me the opportunity to travel as part of my career; one that gives me the flexibility and ability to take substantial time off to travel and do what I love. Michael Casas Wiper I get to travel the world with my brothers and sisters. I get a say and a vote in this industry. The union supports me and provides me with different experiences here at school as well as every time you get on a different ship. 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 John Paul Mauras Ordinary Seaman The opportunity it gives me to travel around the world, to meet and work with new people who come from various backgrounds. Alexander Jackson Ordinary Seaman It gives me the freedom to explore the world while at work. It also provides me the opportunity to take time off to explore it at my own pace. 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 Henry Nkwor Wiper It affords me the opportunity to travel the world. It also provides me with a safe, constant job and allows me the flexibility to take time off when I want in order to spend time with my family. Kristopher Guthrie Wiper Being a merchant mariner gives me the opportunity to travel the world while also being able to provide for my family back home. Pic From The Past NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT 45353 St. George’s Avenue, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN JUAN 659 Hill Side St., Summit Hills San Juan, PR 00920 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4001/4002 16 Seafarers LOG OS Robert Keith is pictured aboard the SS Steel Designer (Isco, Inc.) in South Vietnam in January 1972. The victory ship carried bombs and ammunition to various South Vietnamese ports during the war. Keith graduated from the trainee program in 1971, upgraded to AB and sailed with the SIU for several years. He remains a personal advocate for the U.S. Merchant Marine. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org February 2022 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA AZAD ARDESHIRDAVANI Brother Azad Ardeshirdavani, 70, joined the Seafarers International Union in 2004, initially sailing aboard the Commitment. He upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions, shipped in both the deck and engine departments, and also worked on shore gangs. Brother Ardeshirdavani’s final vessel was the Maersk Columbus. He is a resident of Webster, Texas. ROBBIE BALLARD Brother Robbie Ballard, 65, began sailing with the SIU in 1994. A steward department member, he upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Ballard’s first and final vessel was the Independence. He lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ROBERT DAVIS Brother Robert Davis, 68, became a member of the Seafarers International Union in 1988. He worked in the steward department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Davis’s first vessel was the Independence; his last, the Liberty Promise. He resides in Montgomery, Texas. TEODORO MARTINEZ Brother Teodoro Martinez, 65, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 2001 and initially sailed on the Green Cove. He was a member of the deck department and last shipped on the Independence II. Brother Martinez makes his home in The Bronx, New York. ALI MOHAMED Brother Ali Mohamed, 66, signed on with the union in 1989. He first sailed aboard the Independence and worked in all three departments. Brother Mohamed upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. He last shipped on the Global Sentinel and is a resident of Coldwater, Michigan. February 2022 JEFFERY MUNDY MOHAMAD SHIBLY Brother Jeffery Mundy, 70, signed on with the union in 2015, initially shipping with OSG Ship Management. He sailed in both the deck and steward departments and most recently shipped aboard the Patriot. Brother Mundy lives in Venice, Florida. Brother Mohamad Shibly, 66, embarked on his career with the SIU in 1985 when he sailed aboard the Maui. He shipped in the steward department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Shibly concluded his career on the Cape Isabel and settled in Federal Way, Washington. WINFRED OPARE Brother Winfred Opare, 66, donned the SIU colors in 2001. He first sailed aboard the Columbia and worked in the engine department. Brother Opare upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. He last sailed aboard the Alaskan Explorer and is a resident of Federal Way, Washington. SQUEEZER PIERCE Brother Squeezer Pierce, 65, started sailing with the union in 1978, initially shipping on the Bradford Island. A deck department member, Brother Pierce upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on numerous occasions. He concluded his career aboard the Virgo and lives in Greensburg, Kentucky. JOHN REID Brother John Reid, 59, began his career with the SIU in 1988. A steward department member, he initially sailed aboard the USNS Indomitable. Brother Reid upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. He concluded his career aboard the Cape Washington and makes his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brother Arturo Rodriguez, 67, began his career with the SIU in 1987. He first sailed aboard the USNS Algol and shipped in all three departments. Brother Rodriguez upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. He concluded his career aboard the Delaware Express and makes his home in Houston. JAMES BEATTY Brother James Beatty, 65, signed on with the SIU in 1990, first sailing aboard the Charles L. Brown. He shipped in both the deck and engine departments and upgraded at the unionaffiliated Piney Point school on numerous occasions. Brother Beatty was last employed by G&H Towing and resides in Ragley, Louisiana. ALMARIO SISON Brother Almario Sison, 66, became a member of the Seafarers International Union in 2001. He initially sailed aboard the USNS Roy M. Wheat and was a deck department member. Brother Sison upgraded on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center. He last sailed aboard the Horizon Reliance and calls Wilmington, California, home. WILLIAM STOKES Brother William Stokes, 65, started his career with the Seafarers in 1991 and first sailed aboard the USNS Wyman. He was a deck department member and most recently sailed aboard the John Paul Bobo. He makes his home in Wewahitchka, Florida. GREAT LAKES TED CAFFY Brother Ted Caffy, 60, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 2002 when he shipped with Crowley Towing and Transportation. He was a member of the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on numerous occasions. Brother Caffy was employed by the same company for the duration of his career. He resides in Florala, Alabama. Brother Timothy Brenno, 65, signed on with the SIU in 1977. He initially shipped aboard the Del Mar and was an engine department member. Brother Brenno upgraded at the Piney Point school multiple occasions. He last sailed on the Sam Laud and resides in Seymour, Tennessee. Brother Timothy McKenna, 60, donned the SIU colors in 1989. He sailed in both the deck and engine departments and first shipped aboard the Adam E. Cornelius. Brother McKenna upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. He concluded his career working for Great Lakes Towing and settled in Cleveland. the Seafarers International Union in 1980 when he shipped on the Newark. He sailed in both the deck and engine departments and also worked on shore gangs. Brother Layko upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions and last sailed on the Dodge Island. He lives in Vancouver, Washington. THOMAS LENNANE Brother Thomas Lennane, 71, signed on with the union in 1998. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center in 2001. Brother Lennane worked for Port Imperial Ferry for his entire career. He makes his home in Tomkins Cove, New York. DONALD MACDONALD Brother Donald MacDonald, 65, joined the SIU in 1978 when he sailed on the American Heritage. He primarily sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school in 1996. Brother MacDonald last shipped with H&M Lake Transport and makes his home in Ottawa Lake, Michigan. DAVID FENTON Brother David Fenton, 66, signed on with the union in 2013. He sailed in the engine department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Fenton worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation for his entire career. He lives in Westport, Washington. TIMOTHY BRENNO TIMOTHY MCKENNA ARTURO RODRIGUEZ INLAND TIM GREEN Brother Tim Green, 66, started sailing with the Seafarers in 2007. A deck department member, he worked for Port Imperial Ferry for the duration of his career. Brother Green resides in Leonia, New Jersey. ROBERT HOPKINS Brother Robert Hopkins, 62, joined the SIU in 1979. He upgraded at the union-affiliated Piney Point school within his first year of membership and worked in the deck department. Brother Hopkins worked for Mariner Towing for most of his career. He resides in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. ROBERT LAYKO DOUGLAS MCGUIRE Brother Douglas McGuire 61, donned the SIU colors in 2007. He was a deck department member and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on numerous occasions. Brother McGuire worked for G&H Towing for the duration of his career and settled in Woodway, Texas. AARON MORTON Brother Aaron Morton, 65, embarked on his career with the SIU in 1995 when he sailed with Westbank Riverboat Services. He was a member of the engine department and continued to work for the same company for most of his career. Brother Morton makes his home in Harvey, Louisiana. WILLIAM SISTARE Brother William Sistare, 62, joined the Seafarers International Union in 1978. A deck department member, he sailed with Marine Contracting for his entire career. Brother Sistare lives in Summerville, South Carolina. Brother Robert Layko, 65, joined Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA CORNELL ANDREWS Brother Cornell Andrews, 69, died November 3. He was born in Louisiana and joined the SIU in 1969. Brother Andrews sailed in both the deck and steward departments and first shipped on the Transuper. He last sailed aboard the Gem State in 2019 and was a San Francisco resident. JOSEPH LOYAL Pensioner Joseph Loyal, 68, passed away December 4. He signed on with the Seafarers International Union in 1990. A deck department member, Brother Loyal first sailed aboard the USNS Kane. After concluding his career aboard the Horizon Hunter, he retired in 2011. Brother Loyal lived in Lubbock, Texas. JEFFREY PAGE THELLIS BARNES Brother Thellis Barnes, 66, passed away November 8. Born in Alabama, he joined the Seafarers International Union in 2001. Brother Barnes first shipped aboard the Virginian and was a deck department member. He most recently sailed aboard the Maersk Montana and lived in Suffolk, Virginia. PETER BEAN Pensioner Peter Bean, 70, died September 11. He signed on with the SIU in 1970, initially sailing aboard a Seatrain Lines vessel. Brother Bean was a deck department member. He last shipped on the Overseas Martinez and went on pension in 2018. Brother Bean resided in the Philippines. SEVERIANO BONAFONT Pensioner Severiano Bonafont, 79, passed away November 12. He began his career with the Seafarers in 1970. A deck department member, his first vessel was the Ponce. Brother Bonafont last shipped on the El Yunque before retiring in 2006. He lived in Puerto Rico. DAVID GORDIUS Pensioner David Gordius, 74, died December 8. He joined the SIU in 1980, initially working on the St. Louis. Brother Gordius was a member of the engine department and last sailed aboard the Horizon Consumer. He became a pensioner in 2007 and settled in St. Petersburg, Florida. 18 Seafarers LOG Brother Jeffrey Page, 67, died September 22. Born in Washington, D.C., he began sailing with the union in 1978. Brother Page was an engine department member and first sailed aboard Waterman’s A. Stephens. He last sailed on the USNS Capella and resided in Rockville, Maryland. CESAR RAMOS Pensioner Cesar Ramos, 72, passed away November 19. He embarked on his career with the SIU in 1980, initially sailing aboard the Brooks Range. Brother Ramos was a deck department member. He last sailed on the Patriot and became a pensioner in 2014. Brother Ramos made his home in the Philippines. ROLANDO ROMANILLOS Pensioner Rolando Romanillos, 67, died November 12. He joined the union in 1993 and was an engine department member. Brother Romanillos first sailed aboard the Producer. He most recently shipped on the Ocean Freedom and went on pension in 2019. Brother Romanillos was a resident of Long Beach, California. STIG SASSE Pensioner Stig Sasse, 64, passed away November 29. He donned the SIU colors in 2001 and first sailed aboard the Cape John. A deck department member, Brother Sasse last shipped on the Alliance St. Louis. He retired last year and settled in Houston. He shipped in the deck department and most recently sailed aboard the Ocean Freedom. Brother Scheck went on pension in 2017 and resided in Dickinson, Texas. employed with Interstate Oil for most of his career. He went on pension in 2016 and made his home in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. RALPH GARDNER WILLIAM SCHROEDER Pensioner William Schroeder, 83, passed away November 16. He joined the SIU in 1964 when he sailed on the Eagle Voyager. Brother Schroeder shipped in the engine department and concluded his career on the El Faro. He became a pensioner in 1993 and lived in Germany. JAMES WRIGHT Pensioner James Wright, 81, died November 20. He began shipping with the Seafarers International Union in 1967, initially sailing on the Selma Victory. Brother Wright worked in the steward department. He last sailed on the Anchorage and went on pension in 2002. Brother Wright resided in Puyallup, Washington. ELLIS YOUNG Pensioner Ellis Young, 77, passed away November 17. He donned the SIU colors in 1970 when he shipped on the Penn Sailor. Brother Young was a member of the engine department. He last shipped aboard the Newark Bay and began collecting his pension in 2001. Brother Young lived in Jacksonville, Florida. Pensioner Ralph Gardner, 83, passed away December 6. He began sailing with the SIU in 1967 when he worked aboard the Battle Creek. Brother Gardner was a deck department member and was last employed by Mariner Towing. He retired in 1981 and settled in Ocala, Florida. CHARLES GROGAN Pensioner Charles Grogan, 87, died November 19. He became a member of the Seafarers International Union in 1961, initially sailing with Moran Towing of Virginia. Brother Grogan concluded his career aboard the Sam Houston and went on pension in 1996. He resided in Mechanicsville, Virginia. WADE POOR Brother Wade Poor, 43, passed away October 22. He donned the SIU colors in 2007, initially working on the Terrapin Island. Brother Poor was a member of the deck department and most recently worked on the Douglas B. Mackie. He was a resident of Palmyra, Missouri. GREAT LAKES JAMES WILKINS HARLEY THIES Pensioner Harley Thies, 82, passed away November 21. He signed on with the SIU in 1966 when he was employed by Michigan Interstate Railway. Brother Thies worked in the steward department and last shipped on the H. Lee White. He became a pensioner in 2002 and resided in Muskegon, Michigan. INLAND JIMMIE SCHECK ALBERT BURNS Pensioner Jimmie Scheck, 64, died December 2. He signed on with the union in 1977. Brother Scheck’s first vessel was the Zapata Courier. Pensioner Albert Burns, 67, died November 30. A member of the deck department, he joined the union in 1973. Brother Burns was Pensioner James Wilkins, 86, died December 3. He joined the union in 1961 and first worked for Gulf Atlantic Transport. Brother Wilkins sailed in the deck department and was last employed by Interstate Oil. He became a pensioner in 1997 and lived in Belhaven, North Carolina. NMU CUTHBERT FORBES Pensioner Cuthbert Forbes, 79, passed away December 6. He joined the Seafarers during the SIU/NMU merger in 2001. Brother Forbes sailed in both the deck and engine departments and last sailed on the Argonaut. He began collecting his pension in 2006 and made his home in Cambria Heights, New York. CHARLES MCFIELD Pensioner Charles McField, 86, died December 13. A steward department member, he signed on with the union during the SIU/ NMU merger in 2001. Brother McField last shipped aboard the St. Louis Express before retiring in 2004. He was a New Orleans resident. 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 Berrios, Julio 82 Cooper, Morris 94 Costoso, Benjamin 100 Duncan, Frederick 90 Evans, Henry 81 Farmer, Joseph 95 Herrenberg, August 85 Karadimas, Spyridon 97 Kitchen, Sandy 93 Ritter, James 80 Williams, Richard 78 Yamamoto, Takeo 95 DOD 04/05/2021 11/23/2021 12/23/2021 12/14/2021 12/06/2021 12/08/2021 11/08/2021 09/28/2021 12/08/2021 11/22/2021 11/16/2021 09/28/2021 Have You Missed An Issue of the Log? PDF versions of nearly every edition are available at seafarerslog.org You can also scan this QR code to go directly to the website February 2022 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings MAERSK PITTSBURGH (Maersk Line, Limited), October 24 – Chairman Domingo Leon, Educational Director Edwin Feliciano, Deck Delegate Randolph Jemmott, Engine Delegate Roger Nesbeth. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members requested vacation increase to 20 for 30. Carpet cleaner needed. Crew discussed concerns with lack of fresh food aboard ship. LIBERTY EAGLE (Liberty Maritime), October 24 – Chairman Albert Konning, Secretary Abraham Mills, Educational Director Teodocio Ruiz, Deck Delegate Christopher Chikwere, Steward Delegate Reginald Jackson. Chairman thanked members for safe voyage and announced payoff in Galveston, Texas. He encouraged crew to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Steward department thanked crew for helping keep ship clean. Educational director reminded members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center and to check documents for expiration dates. Steward department reported beef over unpaid overtime. Members thanked SIU President Michael Sacco for doing a great job. Crew requested cost of living increase every two years and for increased vacation benefits. JEAN ANNE (Pasha) November 14 – Chairman Thomas Johnson, Secretary Samuel Sinclair, Deck Delegate Mohamed Saleh, Engine Delegate Yahya Mohamed, Steward Delegate Tammy Bingisser. Crew asked for clarification on selection process for recertifications. Members asked for physicals to be required once annually. Vote of thanks given to steward department for awesome food. New BBQ grill and smoker have resulted in more diverse foods coming from galley, along with outside BBQs. More funds needed for crew activities and galley equipment. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward delegate reported good morale among steward department members. Crew would like higher-paying contracts and a minimum of three people per steward department. Members discussed costof-living increases. 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. MAERSK COLUMBUS (Maersk Line, Limited), November 14 – Chairman Sanjay Gupta, Secretary Christopher King, Educational Director Guiomar Rancel, Engine Delegate Arthur Bailey, Steward Delegate Joseph Kudjoe. Chairman reminded members to clean their rooms for the next person. Educational director encouraged crew to upgrade at the unionaffiliated Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed medical benefits, suggestions for next contract, and expressed frustrations with food budget. TACOMA (Horizon Lines), November 14 – Chairman Christopher Pompel, Secretary Clark Williams, Educational Director Ronald Embody, Steward Delegate Hernando Basilan. Chairman reminded crew that employment start date was September 28, when they were flown to Korea. Members were reminded to keep up with documents and physicals as wait times can be longer than expected. Educational director advised crew to upgrade at the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members requested better internet service aboard ship. Crew asked that companies no longer invoke ship restrictions as they are all vaccinated. MAERSK DENVER (Maersk Line, Limited), November 21 – Chairman James Walker, Secretary Johnny Sawyer. Chairman discussed upcoming shipyard period. He will contact union representative regarding living conditions and pay to cover any shortages. Chairman told members to expect delays in Savannah and Houston. Educational director encouraged members to take advantage of the upgrading opportunities at the Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested more vacation days. Members asked for an increased food budget. Crew requested TVs and DVD players through ship funds. Also reported that elevator does not stop on C deck. AMERICAN PHOENIX (Phoenix Crew Management), November 28 – Chairman Charles Hill, Secretary Johnnie McGill, Educational Director Robert Noble, Deck Delegate Edward Gavagan, Engine Delegate Jennifer Diola. Prior beefs are under review at headquarters. Stores will be received at next port. Educational director urged crew to upgrade at the union-affiliated Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members discussed pay raises for pensioners. New galley griddle installed and new front-load washers have been ordered. Crew requested 15 for 30 vacation days. Next port: Port Everglades, Florida. Even Better than a Library MAERSK KINLOSS (Maersk Line, Limited), November 28 – Chairman Rufino Giray, Secretary Caezar Mercado, Educational Director Tijani Rashid, Deck Delegate John Worae, Steward Delegate John Nunez. Members were advised to check documents and to follow safety protocols at all times. Educational director encouraged crew to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members requested more fans and fullsize refrigerators for each room. Crew asked for a Wi-Fi upgrade, additional vacation days and an increase to food budget. Next port: Charleston, South Carolina. MAERSK DETROIT (Maersk Line, Limited), December 10 – Chairman Wilfredo Velez, Secretary Jeffery Toliver, Educational Director Carlos Mohler, Deck Delegate John Walsh, Steward Delegate Richard Oliva. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members reviewed response to previous meeting report. Ship fund suggestions list is placed by the whiteboard on A deck. Crew discussed medical and retirement benefits and requested increases in pension and vacation. Next port: Elizabeth, New Jersey. USNS WATERS (Ocean Shipholdings), December 11 – Chairman Nathan Shuford, Secretary Alexander Dominguez, Educational Director Randy Slue, Deck Delegate Troy Glatter, Engine Delegate Joseph Marino. Chairman reminded crew to get medications early because CHS is taking a long time. He urged members to upgrade at the Piney Point school rather Many thanks to Chief Engineer Randall Macy for this unique snapshot of OMU Ben Anderson, taken during Thanksgiving weekend in Chinhae, South Korea. Randall noted that Ben “found quite a place to relax and read the Seafarers LOG on the MV Edward A. Carter Jr” (Sealift, Inc.). than third-party schools. Educational director informed crew of technical issues for medical certificates. If applications were sent between September 21 and September 28, they need to be re-sent. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members requested an increase in pension and a decrease in sea-time requirements. Crew asked for higher wages and Wi-Fi access. CALIFORNIA (Intrepid Personnel & Provisioning), December 23 – Chairman Kenneth Abrahamson, Secretary Gerald Kirtsey, Educational Director Edgardo Barrios, Deck Delegate Russell Hayden, Engine Delegate Raymond Roldan, Stew- ard Delegate Keith Hall. Chairman reiterated importance of staying on top of documents. He informed crew of amendments to shipping rules to include longer rotations if desired. Negotiations for standard agreement will start next year. Educational director recommended crew attend upgrading courses at Paul Hall Center. He advised them to attend early to utilize HLSS travel. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members asked company to provide better WiFi. Steward department was thanked for holiday meals. Crew requested 18 for 30 vacation days, wage increases, and for physicals to be required annually. Next port: Long Beach, California. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt February 2022 requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 Seafarers LOG 19 �What’s New for the 2022 Tax Filing Season Continued from Page 14 through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit if meeting the following requirements: Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. An exception, a resident alien who is ineligible for Medicaid and has household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. If married, individuals must file a joint return. Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person.  Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC): The HCTC is a tax credit that pays a percentage of health insurance premiums for certain eligible taxpayers and their qualifying family members. The HCTC is a separate tax credit with different eligibility rules than the PTC and has been extended by the Tax Extender Act through 2021. Eligibility is restricted to individuals who are eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance allowances because of a qualifying job loss, or individuals between 55-64 years old whose defined-benefit pension plans were taken over.  Affordable Care Act: Several very important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that affect individuals and businesses first became effective in 2015. The Employer Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to either offer minimum essential coverage that is “affordable” and that provides “minimum value” to their full-time employees and their dependents, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS.  Energy Credits: The Tax Extenders Act of 2020 extended many energy-related provisions that were set to expire at the end of 2020. Below are common energy credits. Nonbusiness Energy Property: Through 2021, a credit is allowed for 10% of the amounts paid/incurred for qualified energy improvements of principal residences (windows, doors, skylights, and roofs). Taxpayers can take $50-$300 fixed dollar amount credits allowed for energyefficient property including furnaces, boilers, biomass stoves, heat pumps, water heaters, central A/C, and circulating fans, subject to a lifetime cap of $500.  Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit: For property placed in service after December 31, 2016 and before January 1, 2024, the credit is available only for eligible solar electric property and solar water heating property. Beginning in 2021, qualified biomass fuel expenditures now qualify for the credit. The credit is equal to 30% of the cost of eligible property placed in service in 2018 or 2019; 26% of the cost of the property placed in service 2020-2022; and 22% of the cost of property placed in service in 2023. The only limitation that applies is a $500 limit with respect to each half kilowatt of capacity of qualified fuel cell property expenditures per year  Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit: An individual taxpayer may claim a 30% credit for the cost of installing nonhydrogen alternative vehicle refueling property at the taxpayer’s principal residence. The credit is limited to $30,000 for property that is subject to depreciation and $1,000 for any other property. This credit has been extended to include property placed in service before January 1, 2022. Energy Efficient Homes Credit: An eligible contractor may claim a tax credit of $1,000 or $2,000 for the construction or manufacture of a new energy efficient home that meets qualifying criteria. The credit is available on homes acquired before January 1, 2022. Qualified Fuel Cell Motor Vehicles: Extended through 2021, a credit of between $4,000 and $40,000, depending on the weight of the vehicle, is available for the purchase of qualified fuel cell motor vehicles. Depending on fuel efficiency, other vehicles may qualify for an additional $1,000 to $4,000 credit.  2-Wheeled Plug-In Electric Vehicle Credit: Capped at $2,500, the 10% credit for highway-capable, two-wheeled plug-in electric vehicles has been extended for vehicles acquired prior to January 1, 2022. To qualify, battery capacity within the vehicle must be greater than or equal to 2.5 kilowatts/hour. Act. A disaster zone does not include any areas that have been so declared only by reason of COVID-19.  Use of Retirement Funds: To allow for the re-contribution of retirement plan withdrawals for home purchases canceled due to eligible disasters and provide flexibility for loans from retirement plans for qualified disaster relief, there is now an exception to the 10% early retirement plan withdrawal penalty for qualified disaster relief distributions.  Other Disaster-Related Tax Relief: Per the Disaster Act Sec. 304, other disaster-related tax relief items include the following, applied after any related provisions under the CARES Act. Temporary suspension of limitations on charitable contributions associated with qualified disaster relief For personal casualty losses, The Disaster Act eliminates the current requirements that personal uncompensated casualty losses must exceed 10% of AGI to qualify for deduction. Also, the taxpayer is not required to itemize deductions to qualify for this relief Taxpayers in designated disaster areas may use the immediately preceding year to determine the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit  Automatic Extension of Filing Deadline: The IRS gives affected taxpayers until the last day of the extension period to file tax returns and make tax payments, including estimated tax payments, that either have an original or extended due date falling in the declared disaster period. Other Exemptions, Credits, & Deductions: Below are additional miscellaneous exemptions, credits, and deductions that may be beneficial to reducing taxable income.  Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence: Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in taxable income. However, extended by the Tax Extenders Act of 2020, income from cancellation of debt on a qualified principal residence of up to $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately) may be excludable for tax years 2021-2025.  Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit: The first-time homebuyer credit is not available for new home purchases. However, taxpayers who previously claimed the credit, which was available for homes purchased during 20082011, may have to repay (recapture) their credits over a 15-year period.  Moving Expenses: For tax years 20182025, moving expenses are no longer deductible unless you are a member of the Armed Forces on active duty (and their spouse and dependents) who moved pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station. Moving expenses are claimed on Form 3903. Transit Benefits: The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended transit benefits. These include commuter highway vehicle benefits, transit passes, and qualified parking. For taxable years beginning in 2020, the monthly exclusion amount has increased to $270.  Standard Mileage Rates: The standard mileage rate for 2021 is 56 cents/mile for business miles driven, 16 cents/mile for medical/moving expense, and 14 cents/mile for charitable services. For tax year 2022, the business mileage rate is increased to 58.5 cents/mile, medical and moving expense rate is increased to 18 cents/mile, and the charitable rate remains the same at 14 cents/mile. The business standard mileage rate cannot be used to claim a deduction for unreimbursed employee travel expenses for tax years 2018-2025. Additionally, standard mileage rate deductions related to moving are currently available only to members of the Armed Forces. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption: In 2021, the AMT exemption amounts increased to $114,600 for married filing jointly, $57,300 for married filing separately, and $73,600 for single or head of household filers. The AMT exemption begins to phase out at $1,047,200 for married filing jointly and $523,600 for other filers. Foreign Income  Foreign Financial Assets: If you had foreign financial assets in 2021, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by April 15, 2022 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 in any time during the calendar year. An automatic extension to October 15, 2022 is allowed if you fail to meet the April 15th annual deadline. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: U.S. citizens and resident aliens living abroad who have a foreign tax home and satisfy the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test may elect to exclude from gross income certain foreign earned income attributable to their residence in a foreign country during the tax year. For tax year 2021, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $108,700. This exclusion amount is increased to $112,000 for tax year 2022. Foreign Tax Credit: Taxpayers may elect to claim foreign tax credit if opted out foreign income exclusion. The foreign tax credit, which may be claimed in lieu of a deduction, is a dollarfor-dollar credit against the U.S. tax liability. This limits the combined rate of tax on foreign-source income to the greater of the foreign tax rate or the U.S. tax rate. The credit may be taken for foreign taxes paid directly by U.S. persons. Consumer Alert The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund. These are almost certainly scams whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information (such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card numbers, or even PIN numbers) from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to phishing@ irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. If you lost money to a scam that started with an email, you can report the incident with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc. gov/complaint or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-4384338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline at 1-877-777-4778. With Seafarers Aboard SLNC Magothy Clockwise beginning at top left, Jacksonville-based SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson (right) is greeted by ACU Noel Veloso aboard the ship. AB Eddie Ebanks mans the gangway while Oiler Kianta Lee (facing camera) and fellow mariners tackle their next assignment.Oiler William Patterson pauses for a quick snapshot. Steward/Baker Jessica Williams is pictured aboard the Argent Marine vessel in Jacksonville, Florida. Disaster-Related Tax Relief: The Disaster Act, officially part of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act, provides relief for taxpayers affected by Federally declared disasters in 2021 through 60 days following the enactment of the 20 Seafarers LOG February 2022 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Dates The following is a list of courses that currently are scheduled to be held at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland during the next several months. More courses may be added. Course additions and cancellations are subject to change due to COVID-19 protocols. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Course Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Start Date Date of Completion Engine Department Upgrading Courses Machinist March 14 April 1 Pumpman April 4 April 8 Welding February 14 April 25 June 6 March 4 May 13 June 24 Engineroom Resource Management August 1 August 5 Gap Closing Courses MSC Storekeeper Basic May 2 May 20 MSC Ship Clip June 6 June 17 MSC Supply Configuration Management May 23 June 3 Steward Department Upgrading Courses Certified Chief Cook March 21 April 25 May 30 April 22 May 27 July 1 Advanced Galley Operations April 4 June 20 April 29 July 15 Chief Steward February 28 May 9 March 25 June 3 Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer-Deck February 14 April 4 May 23 March 4 April 22 June 10 February 14 March 14 April 11 May 9 June 6 February 25 March 25 April 22 May 20 June 17 Fast Rescue Boat June 20 June 24 RFPNW February 28 April 25 June 13 March 18 May 13 July 1 Celestial Navigation August 22 September 16 Leadership and Management Skills August 8 August 12 Basic Training/Adv. Firefighting Revalidation March 7 March 11 Advanced Shiphandling August 22 September 2 Government Vessels Advanced Meteorology September 12 September 16 February 21 March 14 April 11 February 25 March 18 April 15 Advanced Stability September 5 September 9 Tank Ship-DL (PIC) March 14 March 18 Tank Ship Familiarization DL April 4 May 2 April 8 May 6 Tank Ship Familiarization LG May 9 May 23 May 13 May 27 Lifeboat/Water Survival Safety/Open Upgrading Courses Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting April 4 April 8 Medical Care Provider February 14 April 11 February 18 April 15 Basic Training April 4 June 6 April 8 June 10 Basic Training Revalidation February 25 March 21 February 25 March 21 Engine Department Upgrading Courses RFPEW April 25 May 20 FOWT June 13 July 8 Junior Engineer July 11 September 2 Marine Electrician May 16 June 17 Marine Refer Tech April 4 May 13 Advanced Refer Containers July 18 July 29 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member  Lakes Member  Inland Waters Member  If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security #_______________________ Book #_________________________________ Seniority_____________________________ Department_____________________________ Home Port____________________________________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________________________________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program?  Yes No If yes, class # and dates attended __________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? Yes No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. February 2022 Important Notice to PHC Students Effective Feb. 1, 2022, all upgraders or apprentices at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including a booster shot if the student is eligible to receive one. COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime 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. 2/22 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #876 – Graduated December 3 (above, in alphabetical order): Keith Awkward, Charles Bishop, Micko Cercado, Keshun Corpus, Maria Escobar, Ricardo Gonzalez Jr., Danielle Gore, Noah Hepburn, Maurice Kent Jr., Walter Lewis, Dennis Smith Jr., Austin Smith and Mizukami Aulaumea Youn. Government Vessels – Graduated December 17 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Mahfoud Munassar Mohamed Al-Esfoor, Alvinmar Iremedio Aldana, Garry Brandon, Darryl Brice, Thomas Doering, Ouida Fields, Drushelia Finney, David Garrett, Jeffery Griffin, Patrick Hurley, Nikita Johnson, John Nichols, Emanuel Spain Jr., Patricia Sullivan, Christopher Thompson and Emile Wilson. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Tank Ship Familiarization (DL) – Graduated December 17 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Majed Omar Alsharif, Saleh Abdo Alsinai, Richard Barnes, Eric Bell, Jonathan Augusto Bernardez, Davon Brown, Christian Bryant, Richard Cole, Sherron Davita Decoteau, Torrika Devine, Juan Luis Guanill, Ashley Hudson, James Jones, Jesus Miguel Mendez Mercado, Muammer Saleh Qusiem, Yahya Qasim Shamman, Charles Vandeventer, Juan Carlos Velasquez and David Weeks. (Note: Not all are pictured.) 22 Seafarers LOG February 2022 �Paul Hall Center Classes Basic Firefighting (Upgraders) – Graduated November 12 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Jamal Field, Anna-Maria Halstead, Jeremy Harris, and Frederick Wilson. Celestial Navigation (Mates) – Graduated December 10 (above, in alphabetical order): Yahya Abdulaziz Ahmed, Husein Mohsin Alrayyashi, Travis Golightly, Byron Graham, Michael Hodges, Matthew Jenness and Joseph Nicodemus. Chief Cook Assessment Program – Graduated November 26 (above, in alphabetical order): Jeremy Harris, Ali Mohamed Saeed and Frederick Wilson. Certified Chief Cook – Graduated December 31 (above, in alphabetical order): Devin Brashear, Ashley Codrington, Atrenique Tramani Deamus, Jamel Hollomond, Lamarai Jones, Felix P. Maldonado, Jeremy Poertner, Elvin Joel Rijos-Perez and Raul Cabrera Ventanilla. Important Notice To All Students February 2022 Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Seafarers LOG 23 �FEBRUARY 2022 VOLUME 84, NO. 2 Tax Tips For 2022 Filing Season Pages 12-14, 20 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Pictured from left are Santa’s Castle President Donna Handoe, VP of Purchasing Anita Vargo and SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo, who leads the union’s annual effort supporting the holiday toy drive. Recertified Bosun Rufino Giray (left), pictured with SIU Port Agent Warren Asp at the Tacoma hall, says he’s happy to contribute to Santa’s Castle. Crowley Director of Labor Relations Daniel Lowry (left) and Marine Crewing Manager John Woodcock (center) drop off bikes at the hall. SIU Port Agent Warren Asp is at right. ‘Blown Away by SIU’s Generosity’ Annual Outreach Benefits U.S. Military Families The COVID-19 pandemic surely has induced innumerable “bah, humbug!” moments, but nothing has diminished the SIU’s enthusiastic backing of an annual philanthropic project benefiting U.S. military families at Christmastime. The yearly outreach known as Santa’s Castle has become a staple for Tacoma, Washington-area Seafarers, who’ve backed it for more than a dozen years. Santa’s Castle generates donations of toys and other gifts to U.S. military families (mainly E-4 and below) from Joint Base Lewis- McChord (JBLM), Washington, and from other bases. For 2021, the SIU stepped up with donations worth approximately $8,000. Most of the contributions came from rank-and-file members, but many others chipped in, including members of the union’s executive board, pensioners, and officials from SIU-contracted Crowley Maritime and TOTE Services, respectively. The union also hosted a luncheon on Dec. 23 for Santa’s Castle representatives, SIU members, retirees and family members, and other guests. (The luncheon typically coincides with loading donations into trucks and vans, but that gathering was skipped in 2020, for precautionary reasons.) “This was yet another good year for Tacoma Seafarers who turned out again to support the troops at JBLM with a considerable donation,” said SIU Assistant Vice President Joe Vincenzo. “It’s a way that we extend heartfelt thanks to the troops for their dedication and professionalism in service to our country.” While no service members attended the luncheon (an almost unprecedented rarity, likely caused by pandemic-related precautions at the base), Vincenzo, a U.S. Army veteran, added that Seafarers “turned out by the dozens to break bread together in a true spirit of giving, along with Santa’s Castle volunteers and other special guests from the Inland Boatmen’s Union and the Transportation Institute.” Santa’s Castle President Donna Handoe stated, “We couldn’t complete our mission if the Seafarers didn’t adopt us and treat us so nicely each and every year. Their dedication to our program really gets us going and keeps us afloat. We’re always blown away by the SIU’s generosity.” (Santa’s Castle is a private, non-profit organization.) Handoe said that pandemic-related difficulties are ongoing when it comes to collecting and distributing donations, but Santa’s Castle 2021 nevertheless proved successful. “We were severely challenged in our 2020 season and in our 2021 season,” she explained. “In 2020, everything was shut down. We weren’t able to have people enter our building, so we did curbside pickup that year. We made it through on our leftovers and Recertified Bosun Sanjay Gupta (left) donates to the cause. At right is SIU Port Agent Warren Asp. a few new donations. We then started 2021 in a deficit and struggled throughout the year, but we made it. There’s always Christmas magic, again thanks to organizations like the Seafarers.” Anita Vargo, vice president of purchasing at Santa’s Castle, also appreciated steps towards normalcy for the program in 2021 compared to 2020, even if at times they were more like lurches. “In 2020, we were so slumped,” Vargo said. “Our shelves were empty. It had been a long time since we had to help more than 2,000 families, and that took our inventory from 100 percent to five. This past year wasn’t as bad, and with the Seafarers and others, they helped us so much to get our shelves restocked. By the grace of God, it all came together, like always.” Vargo said it appeared as if donations rebounded in part because “everyone made up for the year they couldn’t give. It’s amazing how the community came together and it was great to see the SIU for the luncheon. We missed having it last year.” She concluded, “I thank the SIU so much for always taking care of us. They’re like clockwork, Joe and the rest. They’re always amazing. We love it.” The feeling seems mutual. Recertified Bosun Rufino Giray has donated items for the past few years and is Recertified Bosun LBJ Tanoa (left) and retired AB Benjamin Picar help load donations into trucks and vans outside the hall. “happy to help out the kids while showing appreciation for their parents’ service,” he said. “It feels good to do something for kids at Christmas. Also, from working on a ship, I understand being apart from your family at times. This is a way to brighten their day.” Recertified Bosun Sanjay Gupta started sailing with the SIU in 1991. He said participation in projects like Santa’s Castle “is just part of us. Whenever I get a chance, I donate. I’m happy to help. It helps military families so they can enjoy Christmas.” Vincenzo emphasized that he doesn’t take the members’ participation for granted, even though they’ve supported Santa’s Castle and other local winter-holiday outreach dating to at least 2007. Along the way, Seafarers have generated more than $100,000 worth of gifts. “Getting there is never easy but for the generous individual contributions from members and other supporters,” he said. “We the staff are truly grateful and humbled by the level of participation and generosity that Seafarers show year after year without fail, pandemic or no. I like to think that this is our way of pushing back with all due precaution and reasserting ourselves after almost two very challenging years.” QMED Eduardo Arroyo � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2020-present Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXXII of the Seafarers Log and beyond Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2022 Description An account of the resource SEAFARERS BACK MILITARY FAMILIES THROUGH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PROJECT MAERSK PEARY CREW MEMBERS SAVE LIFE AT SEA DOMESTIC SHIPBUILDING GETS BOOST WITH KEEL-LAYING AT PHILLY SHIPYARD NLRB SETS DATES FOR RERUN VOTE AT AMAZON COVID-19 PANDEMIC HEADS INTO THIRD YEAR CDC OFFERS LATEST INPUT ON VACCINES SIU MEMBERS ASSIST IN DRAMATIC RESCUE PROTECT PERSONAL INFO FROM CYBER CRIMINALS CHS UPDATES: SEAFARERS ENCOURAGED TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS ASAP ITF ANNOUNCES NEW STEPS TO PROTECT WORLD'S MARINERS SALTCHUK CO-FOUNDER STAN BARER PASSES AWAY AT 82 PUERTO RICO-BASED SEAFARERS DELIVER 'THE GOODS' TO TERRITORY, MAINLAND IN JONES ACT TRADE 'BLOWN AWAY BY SIU'S GENEROSITY' ANNUAL OUTREACH BENEFITS U.S. MILITARY FAMILIES Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2022 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context VOL. 84, NO. 2 2022 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/a3a0f2a4e824736655c8ed9f6139d884.pdf 2a659877de63b8e9736760154bc0e713 PDF Text Text FEBRUARY 2023 VOLUME 85, NO. 2 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Seafarers Step Up During Emergency Five SIU members employed by NY Waterway played vital roles in safely evacuating hundreds of passengers from a Staten Island Ferry that caught fire in late December. In background photo, passengers board the NY Waterway ferry Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Page 2. (Photo courtesy Baris Barlas, Big City Tourism) SIU Helps Brighten Holidays For U.S. Military Families ‘Santa’s Castle’ Outreach a Rewarding Success The union’s annual participation in a winter holiday project benefiting service members and their families in the Pacific Northwest once again proved fruitful late last year. AB Samed Kassem (center in photo below) is one of many Seafarers who donated to Santa’s Castle, a charitable project that primarily supports military families E-4 and below. Kassem, who donated three bicycles in December, is pictured with SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo (left) and SIU Tacoma Port Agent Warren Asp. Page 24. Members Applaud Updated Contract at G&H Towing The SIU recently finalized a contract extension with G&H Towing, a major employer of Seafarers in the inland division. The agreement features significant pay increases and has been widely commended by rank-and-file members. Pictured from left aboard the tug Haden II are Chief Engineer Leo Borror, Capt. Juan Gonzalez, Oiler Taj Scott, Mate Ignacio Barcenas and SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo. Page 3. Remembering John Gallagher Page 4 Tax Tips for 2023 Pages 11-14 �President’s Report Union Membership Grows This year’s government report on union membership showed an increase of 273,000 members across the nation in 2022 a relatively modest gain that nevertheless carries significance. It’s also worth noting that some of last year’s landmark organizing efforts aren’t showing up in the Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers yet because workers are still fighting for a first contract. Even when there’s a pro-worker administration in Washington, it’s usually difficult to win a traditional organizing campaign. That’s true even when there’s overwhelming support for unionization within a potential bargaining unit. I won’t repeat the details as to why that’s the case, but the short version is that our nation’s various labor laws are either badly outdated or rarely enforced, or both. Corporations spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year to stop workers from joining unions, often illegally. That’s why the AFL-CIO and its affiliates, including the SIU, continue pushing for enactment of the Protecting Michael Sacco the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which will hold union-busting companies and organizations accountable and give workers the negotiating power they deserve. Those bills will help ensure that anyone who wants to join a union on the job can do so. Meanwhile, a report released by the National Labor Relations Board late last year found that in fiscal year 2022, union election petitions increased by 53% from the previous year. And, as you may know, according to a recent Gallup poll, union approval is at its highest level in nearly 60 years, with 71% of Americans supporting labor unions. Studies show that 70% of hourly workers say they would join a union if given the opportunity. These are positive trends, and our movement must and will capitalize on them. The SIU will continue working with Congress and the administration and the rest of the labor movement to make it happen. Manpower and Recruiting As I’ve mentioned more than once recently, both the union and our affiliated school are heavily engaged in efforts to improve and expand our recruiting strategies. The U.S. maritime industry, like so many others, is dealing with a shortage of workers. Recent data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows there are more than 10 million job openings across the country, but only around six million unemployed workers. This means that if everyone who wanted to work did in fact find a job, there would still be four million openings. Additional data shows that there are three million fewer Americans participating in today’s labor force compared to three years ago (before the pandemic). While there isn’t a once-size-fits-all answer, we are ramping up and refining our approaches for in-person and online recruiting. And I’m confident we’ll meet the challenge, sooner rather than later. Saluting Great Work We are in the midst of a noteworthy stretch for our union – one that includes multiple rescues, generous philanthropy, contract gains, and major improvements at one of our hiring halls. These developments don’t happen without terrific work by our rank-and-file members, dedicated leadership from our officials, and strong working relationships with our contracted operators. Collectively, they’re good examples of why I’m so proud of the SIU. Lastly for this month, I’d be remiss in not praising the respective work of two longtime colleagues: Jim Given, who recently retired as president of the SIU of Canada, and Jack Gallagher, head of the SARC, who passed away following a brief illness. Jim worked as hard and as passionately as anyone I’ve ever met. He earned immense respect not only in Canada but on the global maritime stage, where he regularly went to bat for the world’s mariners. He did a great job and will be missed. I wish him well in his retirement, and I also offer our unwavering support for, and confidence in, the new administration. The same is true of Jack and his work, as reflected by the tremendous outpouring of appreciation that followed his death. He made such a positive difference in so many lives, and he’ll always be part of our legacy. May he rest in peace. O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Volume 85 Number 2 February 2023 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org 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 & Managing Editor/ Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; 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. 2 Seafarers LOG The former Overseas Texas City has a new name (Seakay Sky) but still carries an SIU crew. (Photo courtesy Philly Shipyard) Union Members Retain Jobs On Three Contracted Tankers SIU members are sailing aboard three vessels formerly operated by OSG and now operated by Keystone under bareboat charters. Those vessels, which are owned by American Shipping Company, are the Overseas Los Angeles, the Overseas Texas City, and the Overseas New York. They’re covered by the SIU standard tanker agreement and they also have new names, as follows: The Los Angeles is now the Seakay Star; the Texas City is the Seakay Sky; and the New York is the Seakay Valor. SIU Assistant Vice President Kris Hopkins led the union’s effort during the transition from OSG to Keystone, which wrapped up in December. He met with crew members several times in Tampa and stated the following: “It defi- nitely was a challenging transition but we got it done, and any time we maintain jobs for the membership, it’s good news. We actually picked up some GUDE jobs, so it’s a win-win.” SIU members may be aware that not only are those vessels union-crewed, they’re also unionbuilt. The tankers were constructed at Philly Shipyard, which is a union shop. NY Waterway Crew Rescues Hundreds From Burning Staten Island Ferry Vessel Thoroughly trained SIU members working aboard NY Waterway-operated ferries yet again answered the call, and helped rescue hundreds of passengers aboard a Staten Island Ferry (SIF) vessel which had caught fire during a recent holiday rush hour. On Dec. 22, the SIF ferry Sandy Ground experienced a fire in the mechanical room which left the vessel inoperable and at anchor off the St. George Terminal dock in New York Harbor. The NYPD and FDNY responded to the incident by requesting aide from other ferries in the harbor, and the SIU crew of NY Waterway’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt rushed to help the passengers in peril. Making multiple trips to ensure safety, the smaller ferry helped rescue 558 passengers throughout the course of about 90 minutes. In total, 868 passengers were evacuated off the Sandy Ground, with five reported injuries among the passengers. The crew of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt included Capt. Tom Beckedorff and Deckhands Elio Pineda, William Capko, Jonathan Lowman and Amer Abouzeid. Beckedorff said, “I was just responding to a NYPD harbor unit’s call for assistance. Credit for the transfer of passengers belongs with my crew members, the crews of the two tugs that enabled us to safely bow up to the SIF Sandy Ground – Capt. Chris Mitchel of the tug Mr. Jim was outstanding – and of course the captain and crew of the Sandy Ground, who not only were able to contain and extinguish the fire but also maintained an atmosphere of calmness amongst their passengers. It was a highly unusual situation for all involved, and it went very smoothly considering all the circumstances.” NY Waterway said on Twitter, “This evening, NY Waterway assisted with the evacuation of a Staten Island Ferry that experienced an engine room fire. NY Waterway’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt ferry evacuated 558 passengers, who are now being brought to St. George on Staten Island…. We’re grateful to the captain and crew of the FDR, and for all our partners in the harbor, who worked together to ensure all passengers on the disabled Staten Island Ferry got home safe tonight.” Meera Joshi, NYC Deputy Mayor for Operations, also expressed her appreciation for the efforts of the rescuers, saying, “Adding my gratitude to the crew and passengers, as well as NY Waterway for ensuring everyone is getting home safely to their families after this experience. We will learn what exactly transpired to ensure the continued safety of all SI Ferry riders.” The SIU crew of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt consists of Capt. Tom Beckedorff and Deckhands Elio Pineda, William Capko, Jonathan Lowman and Amer Abouzeid. (Photo courtesy NY Waterway) February 2023 �SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo (second from right in photo at left, second from left in photo above) meets with G&H boatmen to discuss the contract extension. SIU, G&H Towing Agree to Significant Pay Increases Capt. Phil May said the pay increases are “going over exactly as you’d imagine. We went from some of the guys struggling to maybe being the highest-paid in the nation. This is a credit to the union and the company. All parties knuckled down and said, ‘We’re going to be the premier company in the industry.’” May, who has sailed with G&H for almost 16 years, added, “The union is changing lives, and I’m living proof of it.” With millions more job openings than job seekers nationwide, many employers are taking extra steps to recruit and retain workers. SIU-contracted G&H Towing is one such outfit. Near the end of last year, the union and the company finalized mid-contract pay increases that are unprecedented in size. “This came after months of good-faith negotiations,” stated SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey. “Concern for the mariner was the top priority. Now, G&H is the industry leader in wages, benefits and work- ing conditions for the most modern, powerful state-of-the-art tugs in the country.” He added that the company is hiring. More information is available through the SIU’s Houston hall. The current contract between the SIU and G&H originally was set to expire in 2024, but (following ratification by rank-and-file members) has been extended through September 2026. It covers more than 300 SIU boatmen. Capt. Mark Kazin served as a delegate during the recent negotiations. He said the Capt. Mike Zepeda, SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo, Chief Engineer Roy Wick SIU Houston Safety Director Kevin Sykes (second from right) pauses for a photo with rank-and-file members during recent talks about the wage increases negotiated by the union. pay increases are “great. This is unprecedented and it seems like G&H is really trying to step up their game. Money helps take care of your family. This definitely convinces me to stay here.” Fellow delegate Chief Engineer Chris Wootton stated, “I would say that G&H Towing is leading the industry on making sure their mariners have better lives aboard and at home. These wage increases are life-changing for us and our families. Everyone I’ve talked to in the fleet is very happy and grateful.” Norfolk Hall Renovations Significantly Progressing The renovations taking place at the SIU hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia, are moving along, with the months-long project recently entering a new phase. “The renovations have been extensive, and the members can expect a much-improved facility when we reopen,” said SIU Assistant Vice President Pat Vandegrift. “From below the floors to above the These photos from early January show some of the recent progress on the hall in Norfolk, Virginia. February 2023 ceilings, windows to walls, the crews have been hard at work modernizing and improving the building.” These modernizations undoubtedly will be welcomed, as the building first opened for business as a hall on Nov. 4, 1963. At the time, the Seafarers LOG reported, “Included in the fully air-conditioned structure is an expanded hiring hall … with ample space to handle all membership and business functions of the union.” Since then, the building has been spruced up from time to time, though nowhere near as extensively as now. The improvements include upgraded, more energy-efficient windows, as well as fully renovated restrooms, plumbing, concrete, and electrical wiring. When the project is completed, members and guests can expect to see a brand-new counter, as well as new furniture and other furnishings. Vandegrift said, “It’s a complete interior renovation, and it’s moving as expected towards reopening.” Of course, one thing that won’t change is the prime location. The hall is situated near the waterfront and close to main roads, which undoubtedly are factors in the other local development taking place near the hall. Until the hiring hall at 115 Third Street reopens, the temporary facility located at 111 Mill Creek Parkway, Suite 100, Chesapeake, Virginia, will remain fully operational and ready to serve members in the area. Seafarers LOG 3 �Revered SARC Director Gallagher Dies at 67 A mainstay of both the SIU and the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, John “Jack” Gallagher Jr. passed away on Dec. 16, 2022 after a short battle with cancer. A proud Philadelphian, Gallagher was 67 years old. Gallagher joined the SIU in 1973, following in his father’s footsteps, and sailed on tugboats for most of his career on the water. In 2003, he became the director of the Seafarers Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center (SARC) in Valley Lee, Maryland, where he worked with his fellow SIU brothers and sister to help them regain their sobriety and/or drug-free status. During his tenure, Gallagher also taught courses for the SIU, Navy, and several colleges. Among his many accomplishments, he was especially proud of earning his Doctor of Education degree. Longtime SIU member Mike Fay, who occasionally teaches at the Paul Hall Center, said, “I have had the pleasure of having Jack as a dear friend and co-worker for over 40 years. We started our careers sailing together in the early 70s, on coastwise towing vessels out of the Port of Philadelphia. Jack was genuine; he never falsely presented himself to win your favor. We negotiated a few contracts together with Crowley and Jack always did his homework – he always had the numbers ready during the debates. “Jack was known to most as the Director of the ARC program, helping members with substance dependency issues,” Fay continued, “but I really admired how many young mariners he helped that simply made a dumb mistake drinking or smoking one night, and their career and livelihood was in jeopardy because of today’s regulations. Jack was an expert at navigating the process of restoring their documents, and was a true ‘Brother of the Sea.’” SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez said, “John was a selfless man who sacrificed to obtain the highest credentials in his field for the sole purpose of providing the best service to the membership. He inherently understood the plight the Seafarer was going through, and poured his heart and soul into helping them obtain a better life. His legacy is the countless sober Seafarers making a living today. He will be sorely missed.” SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel said, “I knew John for over 40 years and in that time, John has always had a penchant for assisting others in their time of need, even before coming on as the SARC’s certified counselor. He was a consistent advocate for our Seafarers with the Coast Guard and DOT, while also providing a calming welcome to anyone arriving at the Center. While professionally his presence is already missed, my sympathies go out to (widow) Maureen and their children for their loss.” Seafarers Plans Administrator Margaret Bowen, who worked closely with Gallagher for years, said, “The first things that come to mind when I think about Jack are his smile, his professionalism and his concern for the mariners. He was genuinely kind, and a pleasure to work with. His loss will be felt by everyone who knew him.” Paul Hall Center Vice President Tom Orzechowski said, “Jack had a great passion for the work that he did. It wasn’t a job to him; it was a vocation. He truly believed in what he taught, and believed in the members and helping them in any way he could. He was a mainstay here on campus, and would do anything for a member in need. His compassion towards Seafarers was unrivaled, and he leaves behind big shoes to fill.” He is survived by his wife, Maureen, as well as his six children. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the SARC, to which Gallagher dedicated his life. Checks should be made out to SARC and can be mailed to Margaret Bowen, SARC, 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camps Springs, MD 20746. In photo above, SARC Director Jack Gallagher is pictured at the Paul Hall Center in 2009, with his wife, Maureen. In the photo at left, he addresses the school’s advisory board in 2018. In photo below, Gallagher (left) chats with Maritime Trades Department Executive Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan at an employee appreciation event in Piney Point, Maryland, in the early 2000s. SIU-Crewed Sagamore Rescues 15 Near Florida Fifteen Cuban Nationals today are safe, thanks to the efforts of SIU crew members and officers aboard the Sealift Inc.-operated and union-contracted Sagamore. Watch standers aboard the vessel caught glimpses of the 15 individuals during the afternoon hours of Jan. 3, while transiting the western reaches of the Straits of Florida en route to Houston. The Cubans were hailing for assistance by frantically waving their arms. All were aboard a makeshift watercraft which was stranded and at the mercy of the straits’ currents. Sagamore vessel master Capt. Paul Bon- ney immediately notified officials at the U.S. Coast Guard Group in Key West, Florida, and briefed them on the situation. Bonney was advised that the agency would immediately dispatch the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Richard Ethridge to the location to assist in rescue and recovery operations. Bonney then maneuvered the Sagamore into position alongside the stranded craft, and the SIU crew sprang into rescue mode. “Members of the crew performed like a welloiled machine during the rescue operations,” said Bosun Brian Ebanks. “I was so proud of everyone involved because each person knew exactly what to do and when to do it. “Thanks to their collective quick and decisive efforts – both byproducts of their training – the rescue went off smoothly and without any negative incidents,” Ebanks concluded. “All involved deserve kudos for a job well done.” Ebanks added that once the stranded migrants had been extracted from their vessel, they were brought aboard the Sagamore and given water, food, blankets and clothing. Not long thereafter, the Richard Ethridge arrived on the scene and crew members transferred the migrants to the cutter. In addition to Ebanks, the following SIU members were aboard the Sagamore at the time of the rescue: ABs Sixto Avila Castro, Erwin Joiner and Matthew Martinson; OSs Richard Russ and Stephanie Vidrio; OMUs Mario Jojo Anden Dela Cruz and Kim Tye; Steward/Baker Herminio Gutierrez Vasquez Jr.; Chief Cook Brandy Griffin; SA Jess Rillera; and Apprentice Michael Wilt. The migrants’ raft is seen next to the Sagamore in both photos above – from a distance (left), and directly from the deck. 4 Seafarers LOG February 2023 �NDAA Contains Big Wins for Maritime The most recent National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), along with the related Consolidated Appropriations Act, contained several key victories for mariners and the maritime industry as a whole. Among other bipartisan achievements, these annual bills provide full funding for vital U.S.-flag maritime packages including the Maritime Security Program and the much newer Cable Security Fleet. Increased funding also is provided for U.S. food-aid programs, the primary source of such cargoes for American-flag ships. One of the particularly noteworthy developments is the doubling of the new U.S. Tanker Security Program (TSP) from the initial 10 ships later this year to 20 in the year 2024. Not only will this mean more shipboard jobs, it also will strengthen U.S. national security by reducing potential reliance on foreign ships and crews. In addition, those bills also feature new safeguards for the Jones Act and cargo preference; funding for badly needed studies pertaining to U.S.-flag fleet growth; largely sensible improvements for promoting maritime workplace safety; rules to facilitate the entry of military veterans into civilian maritime jobs; and renewed examination of methods to reduce Coast Guard backlogs for merchant mariner credential processing. One of those Jones Act safeguards boosts enforcement through procedural mandates, including: explicitly giving the MARAD Administrator the sole authority to make non-availability determinations; limits waivers to specific vessels, as opposed to blanket waivers; and prohibiting the issuance of waivers for vessels already at sea with a cargo that would be covered by the Jones Act if it lands at a U.S. port. U.S.-flag proponents have stated that this should help preserve American jobs while making it harder for foreign-flag interests to attempt “crisis arbitrage” – taking advantage of situations such as natural disasters in order to increase profits. SIU Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman said, “It’s worth mentioning that these new legislative changes are borne out of hard work – in this case, a years’ worth of working with friends and allies of the maritime industry on Capitol Hill to make sure the importance of our issues was not lost on them. These achievements underscore the never-ending need for grassroots political action, and these results are a testament to the effectiveness of those efforts.” Moreover, the legislation includes this “Sense of Congress on Merchant Marine” that is straightforward and powerful: “It is the sense of Congress that the United States Merchant Marine is a critical part of the national infrastructure of the United States, and the men and women of the United States Merchant Marine are essential workers.” Domestic shipbuilding also got a boost in the NDAA, according to the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA). Matthew Paxton, the organization’s president, said the bill “represents a critical investment into our national defense and domestic security. The $4.7 billion increase authorized in the Navy’s shipbuilding account, as well as provisions that support our U.S. Coast Guard and fund opportunities for the expansion of the U.S. shipyard industrial base and workforce development, Kudos to Galley Gang demonstrates that Congress recognizes the industry’s capacity and readiness to support the Navy fleet.” He added, “The single most critical factor in the capacity of the shipbuilding and repair industrial base today is people. The most effective mechanism to ensure that the industrial base is stable and resilient is through a consistent demand signal and a recognition that the cost of doing business has changed. The U.S. new construction and repair SIU of Canada President Retires The SIU of Canada in mid-December announced the retirement of President Jim Given (pictured above), who’d held that post since 2012. Given joined the union in 1979, sailed for 13 years, then came ashore to work for the organization. He is succeeded by Mike Given. Additionally, the union announced the retirement of Executive VP Patrice Caron. His successor is Charles Etienne-Aubry. SIU CIVMARS Aboard USNS John Lewis Help with Rescue SIU CIVMARS from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lewis helped give an early holiday gift to a boater stranded at sea, when the ship answered a distress call off the coast of Southern California, the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) reported. The Lewis received a distress call from a man whose sailboat had been damaged in a storm that tore the sails and caused the boat to take on water. Once the boater was located, the ship maneuvered next to the damaged sailboat. The man on the sailboat then climbed the Lewis’ pilot ladder. After boarding the ship, he was given a security check, a medical examination, a shower, a hot meal, clothes and a ride to San Diego. “Once we got this poor guy on board, we found out that he had been stranded for five days!” said Capt. Dan Glazier, Recertified Bosun Adel Ahmed submitted these photos along with his praise for the steward department’s outstanding work aboard the Alaskan Navigator (ATC). The galley gang treated fellow mariners to delicious holiday meals for Christmas and New Year’s Day and did “a fantastic job,” the bosun noted. Pictured from left in the posed photo are Chief Steward Roberto Coronado and Chief Cook Nasr Almusab. (Additional photos from the feasts are available on the SIU’s Facebook page.) February 2023 shipyards that provide 650,000 American jobs with direct economic impact in every Congressional district in the nation will meet a demand signal that is clear, consistent and predictable. Shipyards are not incentivized today to invest in facilities in an unpredictable environment with routine shifts in fleet size and mix. Moreover, once these skilled people are lost, as production lines are stopped and started, it is more and more difficult to replace them.” the John Lewis’ civil service master. “I’m glad we were in the area and were able to help. Everything has a purpose, and now this guy can make it home for the holidays rather than the alternative, stuck on the ocean.” The 746-foot Lewis is the first of the new John Lewis-class of fleet replenishment oilers, and one of MSC’s newest ships, having been christened in 2021 and accepted into MSC’s fleet in 2022. It has the ability to carry 162,000 barrels of diesel ship fuel, aviation fuel and dry stores cargo. The upgraded oiler is built with double hulls to protect against oil spills, and it features strengthened cargo and ballast tanks. The crew of the USNS John Lewis includes members of the SIU Government Services Division. Notice Officials Provide Update on SARC With the death of Seafarers Addictions Rehabilitation Center (SARC) Director John Gallagher, the SIU-affiliated facility has been left without an immediate replacement for him. In an effort to ensure uninterrupted assistance, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) Trustees took immediate action to provide for inpatient coverage. Therefore, effective Dec. 8, 2022, eligible SHBP participants who want to attend the SARC under the Plan’s Rules and Regulations shall be eligible to re- ceive inpatient rehabilitation services for substance use disorders at other facilities. These services will be covered at the same levels as other inpatient medical services. This action shall remain in effect until the SARC resumes full services. If a member is in need of a substance abuse professional (SAP) in the meantime, there are links on the Department of Transportation website (www.transportation.gov/) which can direct those members to available resources. Seafarers LOG 5 �MDR Yan Paing conducts COVID tests for shipboard guests. AB Robert O’Connell enjoys a well-earned break. SIU Baltimore Port Agent John Hoskins (left) and MDR Yan Paing review paperwork in the crew mess. SIU-Crewed CS Decisive Plays Key Roles for USA During routine times, the SIU-crewed cable ship Decisive (operated by SubCom) helps keep the world connected to high-speed internet. The vessel’s mariners do so by installing and repairing undersea fiberoptic cables. Additionally, for the last year, both the Decisive and the SIU-crewed Dependable (also operated by SubCom) have shared new responsibilities as the first enrollees in the new U.S. Cable Security Fleet (CSF). Those tasks primarily consist of installing, repairing and maintaining U.S. Defense Department communications cable systems. Writing for the Naval Institute of the United States – in an article headlined “Repairing Submarine Cables Is a Wartime Necessity” – Navy Capt. Douglas R. Continued on next page OS Levi Gorokhovsky (left) OS Anthony Johnson OS Darius Parker helps ensure smooth operations as the vessel prepares for a shipyard period. 6 Seafarers LOG Chief Engineer (and SIU hawsepiper) Greg Thomas OMU Eric Mose OS Habash Ahmed Chief Electrician Igor Yakunkov Cable is loaded into a hold aboard the Decisive. February 2023 �OMU Xyla Jimenez OMU Kasim Ahmed Chief Steward Wesley Head High-Speed Internet Users Worldwide Reap Benefits of Cable Ship Continued from Page 6 Chief Cook Paul Erickson SA Calvin Johnson The Decisive preps for a voyage down the East Coast, from Baltimore to Charleston, South Carolina. February 2023 Burnett (Ret.) pointed out, “The information packets transmitted at the speed of light on garden hose–diameter international fiberoptic cables are as critical, if not more, to the nation’s economy and defense as U.S. trucks, railroads, and shipping…. Not providing for cable repair ships in wartime is like building firehouses in a town, but not providing for fire trucks and firefighters to extinguish the fires. It is an undeniable emergency when the glass fibers in fiber-optic submarine cables are broken, whatever the cause. Putting the internet and critical voice, data, and video communications back in order after hostile action requires U.S.-flagged cable ships crewed by U.S. mariners. The CSF accomplishes this vital national goal.” Editor’s note: The photos accompanying this article were taken in Baltimore in late December. Additional snapshots from that shipboard visit will be published in an upcoming edition of the LOG. The vessel sails under the Stars and Stripes and is part of the U.S. Cable Security Fleet. Seafarers LOG 7 �IN THE ALOHA STATE – AB Desmond Unutoa (right) picks up his full B-book. He’s pictured at the Honolulu hall with SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso. BOOKS SECURED IN HOUSTON – Steward/Baker Cole Briggs (left in photo at left) receives his A-seniority book while AB Juan Solis (left in other photo) picks up his full B-book. Both members are pictured at the hiring hall with SIU Patrolman Kelly Krick. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ABOARD HORIZON SPIRIT – Pictured aboard the Sunrise Operations vessel in Hawaii are, from left, Relief Bosun Rezk Mohamed, ABM Richard Grubbs and ABM Zaid Said. Photo was taken a few days before Christmas. ABOARD USNS JOHN GLENN – Pictured aboard the Ocean Shipholdings-operated vessel Dec. 13 in Oakland, California, are (from left) Recertified Bosun Dana Naze, QEE Rahsaan Alexander, SIU Patrolman Dylan Rivera, QE4 Isaiah Thomas and CC Ammar Sailan. ABOARD ATB LIBERTY – Looks as if spirits are high aboard the Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning vessel. Pictured from left in the back row are ABU Paa Kwakye, 2AE Peter Hudak, ABT Travis Stringer, ABT Victor Martinez, 2M Manny Wilson and CS Ed Pinnace. In front are (also from left) CM Lindsey Austin and ABT Matthew Harris. 8 Seafarers LOG FULL BOOK IN NJ – SIU member (and Watco crane operator) Larry Rizzo (right) receives his full book in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He’s pictured with SIU New Jersey Safety Director Jose Argueta. HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED – SIU member Vernell Cornell (second from left in photo at immediate left) took part in the Wreaths Across America event Dec. 17 at the Philadelphia National Cemetery. SIU-contracted Crowley Maritime regularly sponsors Wreaths Across America observances. An estimated 3,400 such ceremonies took place across the country Dec. 17. The snapshot above is from a related event in Puerto Rico, where SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo and SIU ABs Ruben Gonzalez and Victor Velez placed flowers on veterans’ graves. Crespo is second from right, along with Crowley officials and members of the late Roberto Clemente’s family. Clemente served as a Marine Reserve while playing Major League Baseball. February 2023 �COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN JERSEY CITY – Seafarers and guests kick off a Toys for Tots drive while also gathering for a holiday celebration at the hiring hall in early December. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU A-BOOK IN SAN JUAN – AB Jonamie Encarnacion (right) receives his A-seniority book. He’s pictured at the San Juan hall with SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo. KUDOS FOR SEAFARER – SA Ruby Jackson, pictured aboard the Keystone-operated RocketShip (formerly Delta Mariner), is ready to serve Christmas dinner plus a banana split pie “that was out of this world,” according to Recertified Bosun Greg Jackson (no relation). ABOARD MAERSK HARTFORD – The steward department offered an extensive menu for Christmas. Pictured from left are Chief Cook Chris Coston, SA Nilza Chavez and Recertified Steward Ali Matari. (Additional photos from the meal are available on the SIU’s Facebook page.) February 2023 ABOARD TANKER WASHINGTON – Pictured from left aboard the Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning vessel are Chief Cook Abdul Qwfan, SA Rolando Roldan, vessel master Capt. Daniel Goodwin and Recertified Steward Fakruddin Malahi. The steward department went all-out with its Christmas menu and received accolades for it. ABOARD PERLA DEL CARIBE – The galley gang put out a wellreceived New Year’s feast (photos above and at right) aboard the TOTE vessel. Pictured from left in the group photo below are Steward/Baker Ingrid Ortiz, Chief Cook Kevin Valentin and SA Edna Bakhos. (Additional photos from the meal are available on the SIU’s Facebook page.) HONORING WWII MARINER – Former SIU member Lawrence Abrams displays his replica of the Congressional Gold Medal for World War II mariners (along with the edition of the LOG that reported the formal ceremony in Washington, D.C.). Abrams, 97, was featured in the August 2022 issue of the LOG (the article also is available on the SIU website). Seafarers LOG 9 �AB James Schulte is sworn in for his Bbook. ABM Stanley Bailey (left) receives his B book from SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson. With Seafarers in Jacksonville The photos on this page were taken late last year and earlier this year, both at the hiring hall in Jacksonville, Florida, and during a couple of nearby vessel servicings. Both of the ships – the Perla Del Caribe and the Liberty – are operated by TOTE Services. SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson (left), Oiler Brianna Ashley on board the Perla Del Caribe Pictured from left aboard the Liberty are Chief Cook Norma Baucan, SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson, Steward/Baker Cynora Hunter and Steward/Baker Rondell Richardson. Aboard the Perla Del Caribe (from left), SIU Safety Director Adam Bucalo meets with Recertified Bosun Noel Otero and ABM Thyron Dy as the Seafarers fill out Coast Guard applications related to their respective endorsements. ABM Jose Chumpitaz Perla Del Caribe 10 Seafarers LOG Pictured at the November membership meeting are (from left) QEE Robert Neff, GUDE Henry Brown and STOS Terry Jackson, along with SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson (administering the oath). Neff received his A book while the other members got their respective B books. ABM Shantaz Harper Perla Del Caribe MDR Edwin Lashley (left) receives his full B-book. SIU Patrolman Eddie Pittman is at right. Recertified Steward Antonio Mendez Cruz Perla Del Caribe Oiler William Means Perla Del Caribe Bosun Michael Pockat MV Liberty SIU Safety Director Adam Bucalo (left) and SA Diana Perez confer near the Liberty. February 2023 �What’s New for the 2023 Tax Filing Season Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2022, along with provisions that remain in effect from prior years. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Tax Legislation Updates & Considerations The following is a list of tax legislation and considerations affecting the current and future tax years as noted. Provided in parenthesis are the abbreviations that will be used throughout this document in reference to the respective legislation. nThe Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA): The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017. Described as the largest major tax reform in over three decades, the TCJA contains a host of tax provisions that impact individuals and businesses. n The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act (Tax Extenders Act): The Relief Act, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed by President Trump on December 27, 2020, extending several tax provisions that were set to expire. n The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act): The SECURE Act was signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019 significantly modifying many requirements for employer‐provided retirement plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other tax‐favored savings accounts. While some of the modifications went into effect retroactively or upon enactment (December 20, 2019), many of them carry future effective dates. n The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act): The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill that was signed into law by the President Trump on March 27, 2020 in response to economic fallout of the COVID19 pandemic. Provisions in the Act were enhanced and expanded by the recent signing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. n American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: In response to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, the ARPA was signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021 to deliver taxpayers immediate and direct relief from related hardship. As discussed in further detail below, the ARPA provided for additional Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks), advanced payments of the Child Tax Credit, housing assistance, and other employment-related relief. n Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: The Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law in August 2022, providing numerous tax credits related to green energy, most of which go into effect until 2023. It has also extended some current credits, detailed below. n Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA): Signed into law December 29, 2022. The act expanded existing automatic enrollment programs, enhanced various retirement saving credits, modified RMD (required minimal distribution) that will help retirees with plan selection and decision making. Due Date of Returns File a 2022 Form 1040 and pay any tax due by April 18, 2023. An automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return can be made by filing Form 4868 and paying an estimate of tax owed to avoid penalties and interest. Then, file Form 1040 by October 16, 2023. n Net Investment Income Tax (NII): In 2022, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds the threshold amount. Net Investment Income can be further categorized into three: n Category 1 (investment income) income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents n Category 2 (passive and trading income) -gross income from a trade or business that is a passive activity with respect to the taxpayer, or is a trade or business of trading commodities or financial instruments n Category 3 (gain on dispositions) net gain from disposition of property MAGI for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. MAGI threshold amounts for the additional tax are as follows: n $250,000 (Married Filing Joint/Surviving Spouse) n $200,000 (Single/Head of Household) n $125,000 (Married Filing Separately) Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to the items of income and net gain that make up the NII. Social Security Tax: Part of FICA tax on wages, an employee and employer are each subject to a 6.2% tax on wages for Social Security. The maximum wages subject to the Social Security are as follows: n $147,000 (2022) n $160,200 (2023) Medicare Tax: Part of FICA tax on wages, an employee and employer are each subject to a 1.45% tax on wages for Medicare, unchanged from 2021. There is no wage base limit for Medicare tax. In 2022, in addition to the standard Medicare tax, there will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: n $250,000 (Married Filing Joint/Surviving Spouse) n $200,000 (Single/Head of Household) n $125,000 (Married Filing Separately) Self-Employment Tax Rate: The Social Security portion of the selfemployment tax is 12.4% in 2022. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. A taxpayer can take an above the line deduction for a percentage (Maximum is 50%) of self-employment tax paid during the year. Kiddie Tax: The kiddie tax changes introduced by the TCJA were repealed by the SECURE Act. For taxable years beginning in 2022, the first $1,150 of the net unearned income of Standard Deduction The standard deduction adjusts annually for inflation. The standard deduction for taxpayers who are at least 65 years old and/or blind at the close of the year can be increased with an additional deduction added for each taxpayer for each qualifying condition. For dependents, the standard deduction cannot exceed the greater of (1) $1,150, or (2) the sum of $400 and the individual’s earned income. See the current amounts below. Filing Status Married Filing Jointly Head of Household Single/Married Filing Separately 2022 $25,900 $19,400 $12,950 Additional Standard Deductions Age 65+ and/or Blind (MFJ) Age 65+ and/or Blind (Single/HOH) $1,400 $1,750 a child meeting certain requirements is not taxed, the next $1,150 is taxed at the child’s marginal tax rate and amounts over $2,300 are taxed at the parent’s marginal tax rate. A child is defined as younger than 18 or 19-23 if fulltime student at the end of the tax year and does not provide more than half of his/ her own support with unearned income. Itemized Deductions If more advantageous than the standard deduction, an individual may elect to claim certain itemized deductions. The most common itemized deductions are listed below: n Medical and Dental Expenses: Unreimbursed medical expenses to the extent they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. The Tax Extenders Act of 2020 extended this threshold. n State & Local Tax Deduction: For tax years 2018-2025, the itemized deduction for taxes paid or accrued by an individual during the tax year that are not directly connected with a trade or business, or with property held for the production of income is limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for MFS) of the aggregate of (1) state and local property taxes, (2) state and local personal property taxes, (3) state, local, and foreign income taxes, as well as state and local general sales taxes deducted in lieu of state and local income taxes. n Mortgage Interest Deduction: The deduction for mortgage interest is limited to underlying indebtedness of up to $750,000 ($375,000 for MFS) for tax years 20182025. The deduction for interest on home equity indebtedness is eliminated. The lower limit doesn’t apply to any acquisition indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017, which is limited to $1 Million ($500,000 for MFS). n Mortgage Insurance Premiums: The itemized deduction for mortgage insurance premiums has expired. n Charitable Contribution Deduction: The limitation under IRC Sec. 170(b) for cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations is 60% of an individual’s contribution base for tax years 2021-2025. The CARES Act temporarily increased the limitation to 100% for tax years 2020-2021. The contribution base is an individual’s adjusted gross income (AGI), not including the charitable deduction or any net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks. The limit depends on the aggregate contributions of the spouses if married filing jointly. Excess contributions are generally carried forward and deducted for up to five years, subject to the later year’s ceiling. n Above-the line Charitable Deductions. During COVID, standard deduction taxpayers could take up to a $600 charitable donation tax deduction on their tax returns. This is no longer applicable to 2022. n Miscellaneous Deductions: Jobrelated expenses, as well as other miscellaneous itemized deductions that were previously subject to the 2%-of-adjustedgross-income floor, are no longer deductible for tax years 2018-2025. The eliminated deductions include expenses for tax preparation, union dues, and investment fees. n Gambling Losses: All deductions for expenses incurred in carrying out wagering transactions, and not just gambling losses, are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings. n State Itemized Deductions: The TCJA modified or eliminated several popular itemized deductions. It is important to note that although the federal deductions have been adjusted, you may still qualify for deductions at the state level. Tax Exemptions, Credits, & Other Deductions n Exemptions: Under the TCJA, for tax years 2018-2025, the deduction for the personal exemption is reduced to zero. Furthermore, releasing the dependency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction, instead, releasing the dependency exemption does make the noncustodial parent (Continued on next page) Child Tax Credit Phase Out when the taxpayer’s MAGI exceed the following amounts. In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these thresholds: Filing Status MAGI Phase-out Married Filing Jointly $400,000 All other Filing Status $200,000 Tax Rates & Thresholds 2022 Tax Brackets: Below are the tax brackets for tax year 2022, including the taxable income range for each bracket. Married Filing Jointly 10% $0 – $20,550 12% $20,551 – $83,550 22% $83,551 – $178,150 24% $178,151 – $340,100 32% $340,101 – $431,900 35% $431,901 - $647,850 37% $647,851+ Head of Household $0 – $14,650 $14,651 – $55,900 $55,901 – $89,050 $89,051 – $170,050 $170,051 – $215,950 $215,951 – $539,900 $539,901+ Single $0 – $10,275 $10,276 – $41,775 $41,776 – $89,075 $89,076 – $170,050 $170,051 – $215,950 $215,951 – $539,900 $539,901+ Married Filing Separately $0 – $10,275 $10,276 – $41,775 $41,776 – $89,075 $89,076 – $170,050 $170,051 – $215,950 $215,951 – $323,925 $323,926+ Estates & Trusts $0 – $2,750 N/A N/A $2,751 – $9,850 N/A $9,851 – $13,450 $13,451+ 2022 Net Capital Gains & Qualified Dividend Tax Rates: Below are the 2022 net capital gains and qualified dividend rates per taxable income range for each type of filing status. Married Filing Jointly 0% $0 – $83,350 15% $83,351 – $517,200 20% $517,201+ Head of Household $0 – $55,800 $55,801 – $488,500 $488,501+ Single $0 – $41,675 $41,676 – $459,750 $459,751+ Married Filing Separately $0 – $41,675 $41,676 – $258,600 $258,601+ Estates & Trusts $0 – $2,800 $2,801 – $13,700 $13,701+ Capital gains and losses are reported on Form 8949 and then totaled on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2022, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. February 2023 Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New for the 2023 Tax Filing Season (Continued from Page 11) eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child. Child Tax Credit American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 modified CTC for tax year beginning 2021 in a few significant ways: n Partially Refundable. In 2021, if a taxpayer had a principal place of abode in the United States for at least one-half of the tax year; or is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico for the tax year, the credit was fully refundable. In 2022, the tax credit will be refundable only up to $1,500, depending on your income. n No More Advance Payment. From July to December 2021, parents were able to receive half of the child tax credit they qualified for in advance of filing their returns. In 2022, the advance payment option is no longer available, and parents will receive their credit as usual when they file their returns for the 2022 tax year. Maximum Child Tax Credit has reverted to: n $2,000 for each qualifying child under the age of 17 n $500 for any other dependent Definition of a Qualifying Child: MUST meet all 5 criteria n Relationship: The person must be your child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence: For more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age: must not have attained the age of 19 by the end of the year, or age 19-23 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age if totally and permanently disabled. n Support: the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. n Valid Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two - six weeks to receive a SSN. Taxpayers cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for any tax year if the individual or a qualifying child did not have an individual SSN issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. Child and Dependent Tax Credits: The Child and Dependent Care Credit is a federal tax benefit that helps families pay expenses for childcare needed to work or to look for work. The credit also is available to families that must pay for the care of an incapacitated spouse or an adult dependent. There must be earned income to take the credit. The credit is equal to 35 percent of up to $3,000 in employment-related expenses for a taxpayer with one qualifying individual, or up to $6,000 in employment-related expenses for a taxpayer with two or more qualifying individuals. Thus, the maximum credit is $1,050 or $2,100, respectively. The credit percentage is reduced by one percentage point for each $2,000 of AGI or fraction thereof over $15,000. Definition of a Qualifying Person: meet one criterion n Qualifying child under the age of 13 n Taxpayer’s spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself. n Dependent of the taxpayer who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself and meets below tests: n Relationship: the person must be your parent, stepparent, grandparent, aunt/ uncle, in-law, or an individual who has the same place of abode as the taxpayer for the entire year n Gross Income: The individual’s gross income for the year must be less than $4,400 in 2022. n Support: the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. n Cannot be claimed as Qualifying Child: The individual must not be the qualifying child of the taxpayer or of any other taxpayer for the tax year. Adoption credit: The maximum adoption credit has increased to $14,890 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $223,410, and fully phasing out at $263,410 or more. The credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2022 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. IRS Refund Claim: The IRS has additional time to review refund claims based on the EIC or the refundable portion of the additional Child Tax Credit in order to reduce fraud and improper payments. No credit or refund for an overpayment shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15 following the close of the tax year, if the taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Credit or additional Child Tax Credit. A SSN is not valid for EIC purposes unless it was issued on or before the due date of the return. For tax years beginning after 2017, you may be able to qualify for the EIC under the rules for taxpayers without a qualifying child if you have a qualifying child for the EIC who is claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer. Deduction for Qualified Business Income (QBI): An individual generally may deduct 20% of qualified business income from a partnership, S corporation or sole proprietorship, as well as 20% of aggregate qualified REIT dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership income. The 20% deduction is not allowed in computing AGI, but rather is allowed as a deduction reducing taxable income. When taxable income exceeds a threshold amount, the wages/capital limit may reduce the deductible amount of QBI from each business; A disallowance of the deduction with respect to specified service trades or businesses also is phased in above these threshold amounts of taxable income. Premium Tax Credit: Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit if meeting the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n You are within certain household income limits. For tax years 2021 and 2022, the American Rescue Plan of 2021 temporarily expanded eligibility for the premium tax credit by eliminating the rule that a taxpayer is not allowed a premium tax credit if his or her households income is above 400% of the Federal Poverty Line. for 2021, for Deduction for Qualified Business Income (QBI) For tax years beginning in 2022: Filing Status Married Filing Jointly All Other Filling Status Threshold amount $340,100 $170,050 individuals receiving unemployment compensation, advance premium tax credits will be provided as if the taxpayer’s income was no higher than 133 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL), regardless of their actual income. This provision is no longer effective for 2022 n An exception, a resident alien who is ineligible for Medicaid and has household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. Education Credits, Deductions and Other Related Issues Taxpayers must receive a form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from educational institutions to claim the American opportunity credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit or the above-the- line deduction for qualified tuition and fees. The tuition and fees deduction does NOT apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2020. Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. The American Opportunity Tax Credit: For tax year 2022, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to 40% of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually phased out if your Modified AGI is between $80,000-$90,000 ($160,000-$180,000). Taxpayers cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit for any tax year if the individual or a student did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. Taxpayers must report the (EIN) of the educational institution to which payments were made. Lifetime Learning Credit: For tax year 2022, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $80,000 ($160,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $90,000 ($180,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Expenses that are claimed for the American Opportunity Credit are not eligible for the lifetime learning credit. 529 Plan Qualified Education Expenses: The TCJA changed the definition of qualified higher education expense. For pur- Earned Income Credit (EIC) The EIC is a refundable tax credit available to low-income individuals meeting certain requirements including income amount, income source, and filing status. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2022: Number of Qualifying Children Three or More Two One None Credit Amount Up to $6,935 Up to $6,164 Up to $3,733 Up to $560 Income Less Than: $53,057 ($59,187 if married filing jointly) $49,399 ($55,529 if married filing jointly) $43,492 ($49,622 if married filing jointly) $16,480 ($22,610 if married filing jointly) Phase in ceiling $440,100 $220,050 poses of the 529 plan rules, qualified higher education expenses now include expenses for tuition for attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school. Cash distributions from all 529 plans are limited to $10,000 for elementary and secondary school tuition per tax year, per student. Under the SECURE Act, qualified higher education expenses now also include student loan repayments as well as the expenses of registered apprenticeships. Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account): Taxpayers can contribute a maximum of $2,000 cash each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The dollar limit is phased out for married individuals filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income between $190,000 and $220,000, and between $95,000 and $110,000 for single filers. The contribution is not deductible. Educator Deduction: The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended the above-the-line deduction for eligible grade K-12 schoolteachers. In 2022, the annual limit increased to $300 per year ($600 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. For tax years beginning after 2015, eligible expenses also include expenses for professional development courses the educator takes related to the curriculum he/she teaches or to the student he/she teaches. Student Loan Forgiven: President Biden has announced an expanded student loan forgiveness program. In most circumstances, the forgiven student loans should not be taxable as cancellation of indebtedness income in 2022. Retirement Savings and Distributions Below is information regarding current tax year contribution limits, required distributions, and various legislation updates to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) and 401(k) plans. Retirement Savings Contribution Credit: Lower-income individuals (AGI below $68,000 for MFJ, $49,500 for HOH and $33,000 for all other filling status) may be eligible for the retirement savings contribution credit for contributions and deferrals to certain retirement plans. The taxpayer’s qualified contributions may be reduced by distributions from qualified retirement plans. The maximum credit is $1,000. The maximum credit for joint filers is $2,000. Qualified contributions include but not limited to contributions to traditional or Roth IRAs and elective contributions and deferrals to 401(k) plans, 403(b) annuities, section 457(b) plans, SIMPLE IRAs, and SEPs. n Small Incentives: Under CAA, employers can now offer small immediate incentives, such as gift cards in exchange for employees making elective deferrals. n Matching Student Loan Payments: The CAA provides that employers may make payments to qualified plans that match qualified student loans payments by employee. Traditional IRAs: For 2022, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $6,000 or your compensation. For taxpayers age 50+ at year end, lesser of $7,000 or compensation. Deduction may be limited if taxpayer or spouse are covered by a retirement plan at work and income exceeds certain levels. When a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2022 is $68,000-$78,000 ($109,000$129,000 for married filing joint). Roth IRAs: The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $6,000 (increased to $7,000 for taxpayers age 50+ at year end) or your compensation. Roth IRAs (Continued on next page) 12 Seafarers LOG February 2023 �What’s New for the 2023 Tax Filing Season (Continued from Page 12) are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is gradually phased out for taxpayers with Modified AGI between $129,000-$144,000 ($204,000-$214,000 for married filing joint). Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on the timing and reasoning of the distribution. Excess IRA Contributions: if a contribution is made to an IRA in excess of the allowable amount, that contribution is referred to as an excess contribution and is subject to a 6% excise tax. These excess contributions may be corrected without penalty, however, provided the correction occurs within a certain time frame. Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs: For rollover contributions made after December 18, 2015, distributions to employer sponsored retirement plans or a traditional IRAs may be rolled over to a SIMPLE IRA after two years of participation in the plan. Special Charitable Contributions: An IRA owner age 70½ or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. IRA Updates for SECURE Act and CARES Act: n The starting age for individuals to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) has been increased to 72 years old from 70½ years old, effective for taxpayers turning 72 years old January 1, 2020 or later. Starting in 2023, the age is increased to 73 for individuals who turn 72 after 2022 and age 73 before 2033. For individuals who turn 74 after 2032, RMDs must begin at age 75. n The 70½ age limit for contributions to an IRA has been eliminated. n Non-spouse individuals who inherit an IRA after December 31, 2019 must withdraw the balance within 10 years, subject to certain exceptions. n Early Withdrawal 10% Penalty: In 2020, the CARES Act waived the penalty on early withdrawals up to $100,000 from qualified retirement plans for COVID-19 related distributions. Starting in 2021, the early withdrawal penalty of 10% is reinstated, with exceptions related to non-COVID disaster relief. The SECURE 2.0 Act would make permanent the ability of a taxpayer to make an early withdrawal without incurring a 10-percent penalty as result of a federally declared disaster. After 2023, early withdrawal by a victim of domestic abuse, up to the lesser of $10,000 or 50 percent of the present value of the accounts. A penalty-free early withdrawal may also be made by an individual diagnosed with a terminal illness, within a period of 84 months after a physician certifies the diagnosis. After 2023, a penalty-free withdrawal of up to $1,000 is also allowed due to a personal financial emergency 401(k) Updates for SECURE Act and CARES Act: n Long-term, part-time employees may now qualify to participate in elective deferral plans in plan years beginning after December 31, 2020. SECURE ACT 2.0 reduced SECURE Act length-of-service requirements for part-time participants in sponsored plans from three years to two years (plan years beginning after 2024) February 2023 n Early withdrawal penalty exemption of $5,000 for qualified birth or adoption distributions in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019 n Included in compensation for purposes of determining retirement plan contributions are taxable non-tuition fellowships/ stipends and nontaxable “difficulty of care payments” earned by home healthcare workers in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019 n Increased cap to encourage higher auto-enrollments in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019 Energy Credits The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has renewed many energy-related provisions that were set to expire at the end of 2021. Below are common energy credits. Pre-2023 Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit Through 2022, a credit is allowed for 10% of the amounts paid/incurred for qualified energy improvements of principal residences (windows, doors, skylights, and roofs). Taxpayers can take $50-$300 fixed dollar amount credits allowed for energy-efficient property including furnaces, boilers, biomass stoves, heat pumps, water heaters, central A/C, and circulating fans, subject to a lifetime cap of $500. Starting in 2023, this credit will be restricted as the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: For property placed in service after December 31, 2022, and before January 1, 2033, a credit can be claimed equal to 30% of costs paid or incurred for: n Energy efficient improvements include, but not limited to, insulations, windows and doors (subject to category limits) n Qualified residential energy property expenditures ex: electric or natural gas heat pump, water heater, biomass stove, central AC, etc. n Amounts paid or incurred for home energy audits which is an inspection and written report on significant and cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, including estimates of their energy and cost saving the taxpayer owns or uses as a principal residence in the US n $1,200 annual credit, effective for 2023 through 2032. Residential Clean Energy Credit: An individual may claim this credit for qualified residential clean energy efficient property placed in service before January 1, 2035. The credit applies to qualified solar electric property, qualified solar water heating property, qualified fuel cell property, qualified small wind energy property, geothermal heat pump property, and biomass fuel property, as well as expenditures made after December 31, 2022, for battery storage technology. The credit is equal to 30% of eligible property placed in service in 2022 through 2032, 26% percent for 2034, and 22% for 2034. The only limitation that applies is a $500 limit with respect to each half kilowatt of capacity of qualified fuel cell property expenditures per year Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (FKA as Residential energy efficient property credit): An individual taxpayer may claim a 30% credit for the cost of installing non-hydrogen alternative vehicle refueling property at the taxpayer’s principal residence. The credit is limited to $30,000 for property that is subject to depreciation and $1,000 for any other property through the end of 2022. Starting in 2023, the credit will be limited to property located in rural or low-income census tracts. Energy Efficient Home Credit (Builders): The new energy-efficient home credit is available to eligible contractors for the construction or manufacture of new energy efficient homes that are acquired after 2021 and before 2033, as amended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Certified sin- gle member homes will qualify for a credit of up to $5,000. Clean Vehicle Credit (FKA Plug- In Electric Vehicle Credit): The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 established a maximum credit of $7,500 for a new clean vehicle under Code Sec. 30D, effective for vehicles placed in service after December 31, 2022. Similarly, a business credit under Code Sec. 45W is available qualified commercial clean vehicles placed in service after December 31, 2022. A tax credit of up to $4,000 is also available for the purchase of certain used clean vehicles after December 31, 2022 under Code Sec. 25E. Qualifying vehicles must be manufactured by a qualified manufacturer regulated by Code Sec. 25E. Both manufacture and dealers are subject to reporting requirements. Consult tax professionals for details on the code section. Used Clean Vehicle Credit: A credit is also available for a qualified buyer who purchases a previously owned clean vehicle after 2022 and before 2033 and may be able to claim a nonrefundable tax credit for the year the vehicle is placed in service. The credit is equal to 30% of the vehicle’s purchase price, up to a maximum credit of $4,000. To be a qualified buyer, the taxpayer: must be 1) an individual 2) buy the vehicle for use and not for resale 3) not qualify as any other taxpayer’s dependent, 4) not have claimed the credit during the three years preceding the purchase. Other Exemptions, Credits, & Deductions: Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence: Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in taxable income. However, extended by the Tax Extenders Act of 2020, income from cancellation of debt on a qualified principal residence of up to $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately) may be excludable for tax years 2021-2025. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit: The first-time homebuyer credit is not available for new home purchases. However, taxpayers who previously claimed the credit, which was available for homes purchased during 2008-2011, may have to repay (recapture) their credits over a 15-year period. Moving Expenses: For tax years 20182025, moving expenses are no longer deductible unless you are a member of the Armed Forces on active duty (and their spouse and dependents) who moved pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station. Moving expenses are claimed on Form 3903. Transit Benefits: The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended transit benefits. These include commuter highway vehicle benefits, transit passes, and qualified parking. For taxable years beginning in 2022, the monthly exclusion amount has increased to $280. Standard Mileage Rates: For 2022, there has been a mid-year adjustment to the standard mileage rate to address the increased inflation during the year. Therefore, business miles will have to be separated into two periods to apply the two rates as listed in the table at the bottom of this page. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption: In 2022, the AMT exemption amounts increased to $118,100 for married filing jointly, $59,050 for married filing separately, and $75,900 for single or head of household filers. The AMT exemption begins to phase out at $1,079,800 for married filing jointly and $539,900 for other filers. Foreign Income Foreign Financial Assets: If you had foreign financial assets in 2022, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by April 18, 2023 if the aggre- gate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 in any time during the calendar year. An automatic extension to October 16, 2023 is allowed if you fail to meet the April 18th annual deadline. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: A qualifying individual who lives and works abroad may elect to exclude from gross income certain foreign earned income attributable to their residence in a foreign country during the tax year. For tax year 2022, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $112,000. This exclusion amount is increased to $120,000 for tax year 2023. Foreign Tax Credit: Taxpayers may elect to claim foreign tax credit if opted out foreign income exclusion. The foreign tax credit, which may be claimed in lieu of a deduction, is a dollar-for-dollar credit against the U.S. tax liability. This limits the combined rate of tax on foreign-source income to the greater of the foreign tax rate or the U.S. tax rate. The credit may be taken for foreign taxes paid directly by U.S. persons. Consumer Alert The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund. These are almost certainly scams whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information (such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card numbers, or even PIN numbers) from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration toll-free at 1-800366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800-877-8339. If you lost money to a scam that started with an email, you can report the incident with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc. gov/complaint or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877438-4338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline at 1-877-777-4778. Standard Mileage Rates: Category Business Medical Charitable Moving (Armed Forces only) 1/1/2022—6/30/2022 58.5 cents per mile 18 cents per mile 14 cents per mile 18 cents per mile 7/1/2022—12/31/2022 62.5 cents per mile 22 cents per mile 14 cents per mile 22 cents per mile Seafarers LOG 13 �Tax Tips for Members During 2023 Tax Filing Season How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Gather all records for the current tax return filing year. Income Records n Forms W-2/W-2G n Forms 1099 (Interest, Dividends, Brokerage Statements, Unemployment Compensations, Misc.) n Schedules K-1 (Investment in Partnerships/SCorporations) n Other income documents and records of digital asset transactions (Crypto, NFTs) n Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, to reconcile advance payments or claims Premium Tax Credits for 2022 Marketplace coverage. Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n State and local tax payments n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or home equity loan n Charitable contributions n Records of payments for childcare so an individual could work n Educational expenses CP01A Notice with your new Identity Protection PIN: only applicable to taxpayer who opted-in to receive an IP PIN or Tried to e-file your tax return and it was ‘rejected because you did not include an IP PIN. Step 2. Gather any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Cents may be rounded to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50-99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Step 4. Review the return for accuracy. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. File Return. Filing Electronically (E-file) n Due to staffing issues, processing paper returns can take several weeks longer. The IRS encourages taxpayers to file electronically. n Information regarding available e-filing options can be found at www.irs.gov/efile-options Filing Paper Return n Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. n Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. n If paying any balance due by check, do not staple or attach the payment or Form 1040-V (payment voucher) to the return. Instead, just put them loose in the envelope. Write your name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and form number on your check or money order. n Private Delivery Services - Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Express, Federal Express, and United Parcel Service. Electronic Payment Options n Visit www.irs.gov/payments for full listing of electronic payment options. n Direct Pay – Payment can be directly withdrawn from a bank account through the IRS website or through the software/website the taxpayer or paid preparer used to electronically file the tax return. n Debit/Credit Cards – The IRS website listed above provides links to pay by debit or credit card. All major cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc.) are accepted, fees apply. n Payments by Phone – The IRS website also lists toll-free numbers available to make payments by phone. 14 Seafarers LOG Refunds n Taxpayers can request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out the refund section on Form 1040, which includes the taxpayer’s bank account number and the bank’s routing number. n For electronically filed returns, a refund will typically be received in about 2 weeks if deposited directly into a checking or savings account. n Paper checks will be mailed to the address listed on the tax return if direct deposit is not requested. Paper check refunds may take several weeks to arrive by mail. n Where’s My Refund - If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www. irs.gov/refunds. Filing an Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 18, 2023, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Change of Address If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2022, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who oversees the taxpayer’s property. Your Online Account To access your online account, you must authenticate your identity. To securely log in to your federal tax account, go to IRS. gov/Account. View the amount you owe, review 24 months of payment history, access online payment options, and create or modify an online payment agreement. You can also access your tax records online. Which Income to Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings) n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate n Embezzled or other illegal income n Social Security benefits Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Loan repaid to you What Items Are Considered Deductions and Credits The following are common deductions and credits, which are discussed in more detail in above sections: n Standard Deduction n Itemized Deductions n Qualified Business Income Deduction n Student Loan Interest n Education Credits & Deductions n Earned Income Credit (EIC) n Child & Dependent Care Credit n Energy Credits Which Records to Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (such as canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Away at Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayer-related services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in various countries (refer to IRS website for details). Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year— was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where to Get IRS Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7am-7pm your local time. Online: Access the IRS website at www.irs.gov to download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele- Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. February 2023 �Notice New Online Tool Available For Finding In-Network Providers, Determining Costs The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) is pleased to announce a comprehensive new “cost and quality” tool that is available to all SHBP participants, via mycigna.com, as of Feb. 1, 2023. This tool should prove beneficial by allowing participants to find in-network providers in their respective areas, see ratings from other consumers, and view information about quality and cost of services. Participants can search by type of service, category of provider, or by nature of medical symptom(s). The tool contains information about hundreds of services, and will be expanded at some point. The tool generates information that is specific to Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea “Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from Dec. 15, 2022 - Jan. 15, 2023. “Registered on the Beach” data is as of Jan. 15, 2023. Port A Total Registered Total Shipped All Groups All Groups B C A B Registered on Beach Trip C Reliefs All Groups A B C SHBP participants. Users can see actual costs for specific services (with variations depending on whether annual deductibles have been met). It will list the top five rated providers in the user’s geographic area (and includes options to expand the list). Users also may change the parameters for searching by various distances between a provider’s office and their respective residences. The SHBP encourages all participants to set up an account on mycigna.com. Once a user is logged in, click on “Find Care and Costs” to start using the cost and quality tool. Additional information will be available at the hiring halls and from Cigna. February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point.............................Monday: February 6, March 6 Algonac...................................Friday: February 10, March 10 Baltimore.................................Thursday: February 9, March 9 Guam................................Thursday: February 23, March 23 Honolulu.............................Friday: February 17, March 17 Houston................................Monday: February 13, March 13 Jacksonville.........................Thursday: February 9, March 9 Joliet.................................Thursday: February 16, March 16 Mobile............................Wednesday: February 15, March 15 New Orleans...........................Tuesday: February 14, March 14 Jersey City..................................Tuesday: February 7, March 7 Norfolk........................................Friday: February 10, March 10 Oakland................................Thursday: February 16, March 16 Philadelphia......................Wednesday: February 8, March 8 Port Everglades.....................Thursday: February 16, March 16 San Juan.................................Thursday: February 9, March 9 St. Louis...................................Friday: February 17, March 17 Tacoma....................................Friday: February 24, March 24 Wilmington.........*Tuesday: February 21, Monday: March 20 * Wilmington change due to President’s Day observance. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m ATTENTION SEAFARERS Contribute To The Seafarers Political Activities Donation SPAD SPAD Works For You. February 2023 Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Inquiring Seafarer Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters This month’s question was posed to members attending classes at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland. Question: What are your plans for enhancing your career during the upcoming year? Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Nicholas Celona, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 Clinton Omisong AB Well, I’m an AB now and I take bosun jobs from time to time. So, I plan to continue upgrading and become a bosun. I also plan to talk to as many people as I can back home and try to get them to join the SIU. Terrance Stevens OS I will continue taking classes to become an AB. Then I hope to continue working my way up from a C card to B card. That way, I won’t have to sit around at the union hall waiting to get a job. Long term, I just want to better position myself to go out and be great. Semere Debos QMED I plan to upgrade as much as possible by attending classes here at the school. This will enhance my career going forward and hopefully make it more lucrative. Christopher Perry AB I plan on applying for my AB unlimited so that I can advance my career forward. Hopefully, before too long, I will be able to start taking bosun’s jobs. Collin Sabitsky AB Well right now I’m taking courses to get my AB ticket. Later on, I plan to get enough sea tim to continue taking classes. My ultimate goal is to become a bosun or third mate. Donald Hatch Pumpman I will be working at sea aboard as many vessels as I can to start the year off. Later on, I hope that I will be able to come back to Piney Point to upgrade. 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 Pic From The Past NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NORFOLK 111 Mill Creek Parkway, Suite 100, Chesapeake, VA 23323 (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 ABs (and brothers) Jim and Frank Edmonds secure a tank cover on the T-5 tanker Shenandoah (operated by Hudson Waterways) in 1974 in New Jersey. WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4001/4002 If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2023 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA SALEH ALI Brother Saleh Ali, 68, signed on with the SIU in 1979 when he sailed aboard the Coastal California. He worked in all three departments and last shipped on the Integrity. Brother Ali lives in Lexington, South Carolina. ARMONDO ALVAREZ Brother Armondo Alvarez, 68, embarked on his career with the union in 1990, first sailing on the USNS Vindicator. He shipped in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Alvarez concluded his career aboard the St. Louis Express. He makes his home in Jacksonville, Florida. NEIL BALL Brother Neil Ball, 68, started sailing with the SIU in 1972 when he worked with Interocean American Shipping. He was a steward department member and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Ball’s final vessel was the Keystone State. He is a Seattle resident. JEFFREY BEASLEY Brother Jeffrey Beasley, 60, joined the Seafarers in 1981, initially sailing on the Montpelier Victory. A steward department member, he upgraded at the union-affiliated Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Beasley most recently shipped on the Texas. He calls Pennsauken, New Jersey, home. ALEXIS BONILLA Brother Alexis Bonilla, 66, joined the union in 2005. He shipped in all three departments and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on numerous occasions. Brother Bonilla’s first vessel was the Independence; his last, the SBX. He makes his home in Miami. February 2023 ELIDIO CANDARI TERRY MAGNO Brother Elidio Candari, 74, donned the SIU colors in 2001 and first shipped on a Keystone vessel. He was a deck department member and most recently sailed on the Presque Isle. Brother Candari is a Las Vegas resident. Brother Terry Magno, 62, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1980, initially working aboard the Oceanic Independence. He sailed in the steward department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. Brother Magno last sailed on the Patriot. He lives in Pearl City, Hawaii. GERMAN DOLMO Brother German Dolmo, 65, joined the union in 1999. A steward department member, he first sailed aboard the Franklin J. Phillips. Brother Dolmo upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. He most recently shipped on the Maersk Denver and resides in the Bronx, New York. MARK HOFFMAN Brother Mark Hoffman, 62, became an SIU member in 1987 when he sailed on the USNS Contender. He upgraded on several occasions at the Paul Hall Center and worked in the deck department. Brother Hoffman’s final vessel was the Ohio. He is a resident of Kent, Washington. BERNARD HUTCHING Brother Bernard Hutching, 65, joined the SIU in 1979. He sailed in the engine department and upgraded often at the unionaffiliated Piney Point school. Brother Hutching first shipped on the Puerto Rico. He most recently sailed on the John Boland and makes his home in Leonardtown, Maryland. ORIN KING Brother Orin King, 72, signed on with the union in 2016, sailing first aboard the Corsica. He worked in the deck department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother King most recently shipped on the Liberty Grace and is a resident of Jacksonville, Florida. GARY NAGEL Brother Gary Nagel, 65, donned the SIU colors in 1989. He first sailed aboard the Cove Trader and was a member of the deck department. Brother Nagel upgraded at the Piney Point school in 2001. He settled in Costa Mesa, California, after concluding his career on the Overseas Joyce. ALFONSO MARTINEZ Brother Alfonso Thomas Martinez, 66, signed on with the SIU in 2007. A steward department member, he initially worked on the President Truman. Brother Thomas Martinez most recently sailed on the Safmarine Ngami. He lives in the Bronx, New York. ROBERT VARNEY Brother Robert Varney, 67, joined the union in 1999 and first sailed aboard the USNS Yano. He worked in the steward department and upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Varney’s final vessel was the USNS Montford Point. He resides in Jacksboro, Tennessee. VICTORINO VIERNES Brother Victorino Viernes, 63, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 2001 when he shipped on the USNS Able. He sailed in the engine department and upgraded on several occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Viernes last shipped on the USNS Capella and settled in North Las Vegas, Nevada. MATILDE ZUNIGA Brother Matilde Zuniga, 65, became an SIU member in 1989. He upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center and primarily worked in the deck department. Brother Zuniga’s first vessel was the Independence. He most recently sailed on the Overseas Cascade and is a Houston resident. INLAND DANIEL BRUTON Brother Daniel Bruton, 66, joined the Seafarers International Union in 1995. He upgraded at the unionaffiliated Piney Point school in 1997. Brother Bruton worked for OSG Ship Management for the duration of his career. He lives in Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania. MARK GASKILL Brother Mark Gaskill, 65, signed on with the Seafarers in 1995 when he was employed with McAllister Towing of Virginia. A deck department member, he upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Gaskill most recently sailed on the Courage. He makes his home in Sea Level, North Carolina. CALVIN HATFIELD Brother Calvin Hatfield, 62, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1978. He was a deck department member and worked for Higman Barge Lines for his entire career. Brother Hatfield lives in Call, Texas. GUSTAVE LEDAY Brother Gustave Leday, 63, started his career with the union in 1988 when he worked with Hvide Marine. He shipped in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Leday’s final vessel was the Samson. He resides in Port Arthur, Texas. TERRY MURLEY Brother Terry Murley, 65, joined the SIU in 1978. He upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on numerous occasions and sailed in the deck department. Brother Murley was employed by Crescent Towing & Salvage for the duration of his career. He resides in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. G&H Towing for his entire career. Brother Pizzitola makes his home in Hallettsville, Texas. ELMER PRESTIDGE Brother Elmer Prestidge, 64, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 1980 when he shipped on the Manhattan Island. He sailed in the engine department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Prestidge most recently worked on the Dodge Island. He resides in Walton, New York. JOHN SCHUSTER Brother John Schuster, 62, became an SIU member in 1991 when he sailed with OSG Ship Management. He upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions and worked in the deck department. Brother Schuster remained with the same company for most of his career. He lives in Cape May County, New Jersey. JEROME SMITH Brother Jerome Smith, 66, joined the Seafarers International Union in 1991. He primarily sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions. Brother Smith’s first vessel was the USNS Regulus; his last, the RocketShip. He resides in Mobile, Alabama. JAMES WEST Brother James West, 63, signed on with the Seafarers in 1977. Sailing in the deck department, he worked for Dravo Basic Materials for his entire career. Brother West calls Citronelle, Alabama, home. GLENN WILLIAMS Brother Glenn Williams, 65, donned the SIU colors in 2013, initially working for Crowley Towing and Transportation. He upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions and sailed in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Williams most recently shipped aboard the Pacific Reliance. He makes his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. MICHAEL PIZZITOLA Brother Michael Pizzitola, 72, signed on with the union in 1976. A deck department member, he worked for Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA LAWRENCE DUEITT Pensioner Lawrence Dueitt, 95, died December 22. He signed on with the Seafarers in 1955. A deck department member, he first shipped with Interocean American Shipping Corporation. Brother Dueitt last sailed on the Sacramento and became a pensioner in 1991. He resided in Mobile, Alabama. GARY FAVALORA Pensioner Gary Favalora, 74, passed away December 30. He embarked on his career with the SIU in 1994, initially sailing aboard the Manhattan Island. Brother Favalora sailed in the steward department and concluded his career on the APL Pearl. He retired in 2013 and called Covington, Louisiana, home. DANIEL HERRERA Pensioner Daniel Herrera, 95, died December 29. He joined the Seafarers International Union in 1965. Brother Herrera’s first vessel was the Steel Scientist. He sailed in the steward department and last shipped on the Mayaguez. Brother Herrera went on pension in 1992 and lived in Puerto Rico. DERRICK HURT Brother Derrick Hurt, 57, has passed away. Born in Maryland, he began his career with the SIU in 1994 when he shipped on the Constellation. Brother Hurt sailed in the deck department, most recently aboard the Potomac Express. He was a resident of Richmond, Virginia. GEORGE JORDANIDES Pensioner George Jordanides, 85, died January 1. He signed on with the union in 1979, initially sailing aboard the Point Judy. A deck department member, Brother Jordanides concluded his career on the Constellation 18 Seafarers LOG in 2004. He became a pensioner the following year and settled in Kissimmee, Florida. EULA KOPPEL Sister Eula Koppel, 61, passed away June 3. She joined the union in 1982 when she shipped on the Dynachem. Sister Koppel was a steward department member and last sailed aboard the Jack Lummus in 1993. She resided in Taylorsville, Kentucky, her native state. MELVIN MORGAN Pensioner Melvin Morgan, 78, died December 16. He joined the SIU in 1961, initially sailing with Suwannee Steamship. Brother Morgan sailed in the steward department. He went on pension in 2008 after concluding his career on the Horizon Kodiak. Brother Morgan lived in Othello, Washington. OLIVER ORTIZ Brother Oliver Ortiz, 98, passed away November 30. He signed on with the union in 1952 when he sailed aboard the Yaka. Brother Ortiz was a deck department member and last shipped on the Oakland in 1985. He made his home in Puerto Rico. OSMAN RAJI Pensioner Osman Raji, 75, died December 6. He became a member of the SIU in 1978 when he sailed aboard the Cove Engineer. Brother Raji worked in the deck department and most recently shipped on the John U.D. Page. He became a pensioner in 2016 and settled in Brooklyn, New York. ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ Pensioner Antonio Rodriguez, 85, passed away January 5. He embarked on his career with the Seafarers International Union in 1970. Brother Rodriguez was a deck department member and also worked on shore gangs. He was last employed with Sealand before his retirement in 1999. Brother Rodriguez lived in the Dominican Republic. HERBERT SCYPES Pensioner Herbert Scypes, 91, died December 18. He donned the SIU colors in 1956 and sailed in the steward department. Brother Scypes first worked with Waterman Steamship Corporation. He last sailed on the Overseas Harriette before going on pension in 1996. Brother Scypes resided in Mobile, Alabama. GREAT LAKES RICHARD BOCKERT Pensioner Richard Bockert, 86, passed away January 2. He joined the SIU in 1970, initially sailing aboard the Steel Age. A deck department member, Brother Bockert last sailed aboard the Walter J. McCarthy. He became a pensioner in 2007 and settled in Fort Dodge, Iowa. ARTHUR DURFEE Pensioner Arthur Durfee, 85, died January 4. He signed on with the union in 1961 and first sailed with Zenith Dredge Company. Brother Durfee continued working for the same company for most of his career. He began collecting his pension in 1999 and made his home in Duluth, Minnesota. INLAND FLOYD PHILLIPS Pensioner Floyd Phillips, 76, passed away December 13. He began sailing with the SIU in 1990. Brother Phillips sailed in the engine department and was employed with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock for the duration of his career. He retired in 2009 and resided in Avella, Pennsylvania. EDWARD WHITFIELD Pensioner Edward Whitfield, 81, died December 9. A deck department member, he donned the union colors in 1997. Brother Whitfield worked for Penn Maritime for his entire career. He went on pension in 2012 and settled in Hobucken, North Carolina. NMU ROBERTO ALTAMIRANO Pensioner Roberto Altamirano, 96, passed away January 10. Brother Altamirano sailed in the deck department and concluded his career aboard the Genevieve Lykes. He retired in 1992 and made his home in Auburn, Alabama. DAVID DAVIS Pensioner David Davis, 82, died November 28. A deck department member, Brother Davis last shipped on the Cape Henry in 1996. He became a pensioner the same year and lived in Wilson, North Carolina. ERNEST HOPPER Pensioner Ernest Hopper, 82, passed away December 16. Brother Hopper worked in the deck department. He went on pension in 1995 after sailing on his final vessel, the Stella Lykes. Brother Hopper called Metairie, Louisiana, home. FRANCIS MCCANN Pensioner Francis McCann, 76, died November 18. Brother McCann last sailed aboard the Green Wave in 2003 and was a deck department member. He began collecting his pension in 2012 and made his home in New Orleans. MURPHY MIDDLETON Pensioner Murphy Middleton, 93, passed away June 30. Brother Middleton sailed in the steward department, most recently aboard the Megallanes. He became a pensioner in 1993 and settled in North Charleston, South Carolina. NAHON MORALES Pensioner Nahon Morales, 87, died December 23. Brother Morales worked in the deck department. He retired in 1996 after concluding his career aboard the Mormac Sky. Brother Morales resided in Puerto Rico. CLAYTON PARRY Pensioner Clayton Parry, 96, passed away December 10. Brother Parry was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. He last sailed aboard the American Accord before going on pension in 1984. Brother Parry lived in Haverhill, Massachusetts. 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 Aguilar, Armando Manning, Lee AGE DOD 86 12/01/2022 94 12/04/2022 Have You Missed An Issue of the Seafarers Log? PDF versions of nearly every edition are available at seafarerslog.org You can also scan this QR code to go directly to the website February 2023 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings MAERSK SENTOSA (Maersk Line, Limited), October 23 – Chairman Ion Irimia, Secretary Charles Brooks, Deck Delegate Kyle Silva, Engine Delegate Rafii Ibrahim Paramana. Chairman reported a safe trip. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed medical benefits and offered suggestions on how to possibly improve them. Members requested a centralized hard drive for movies aboard ship and for multiple physical exams per year to no longer be required. MAERSK CHICAGO (Maersk Line, Limited), October 29 – Chairman Gerald Alford, Secretary Norma West, Educational Director David Watkins, Steward Delegate Richard Torres. Secretary reported an enjoyable trip. Crew discussed ship funds with captain so they could order DVD players, various board games and other items. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members requested increase in vacation benefits. Crew reviewed company policies regarding alcohol consumption in port and sexual assault/harassment training. Members suggested creating a program that would expedite physicals. AMERICAN PHOENIX (Intrepid Personnel & Provisioning), October 31 – Chairman Charles Hill, Secretary John Greubel, Educational Director Benjamin Mathews, Deck Delegate Edward Gavagan, Engine Delegate Jose Smith, Steward Delegate Jose Clotter. SIU Patrolman Kelly Krick boarded ship in Houston and reviewed details of new contract. Educational director advised crew to upgrade at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education and to 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. keep documents current. Crew thanked chief cook for great meals and agreed to add American Phoenix to the “good feeder” list. LIBERTY PASSION (Liberty Maritime) November 13 – Chairman Val Custis, Secretary Gerald Joseph, Deck Delegate Donald Appu, Engine Delegate Joneses Ente, Steward Delegate Nadine Nome-Ryf. Chairman urged members to renew shipping documents before they expire. He encouraged everyone to recruit people they know that might be interested in joining the SIU. More overtime needs to be added to the deck department, per deck delegate. Engine delegate reported that no overtime was given for trash handling/burning. Crew received new refrigerators and mattresses. Members suggested reducing sea time requirements needed to qualify for pension benefits. NATIONAL GLORY (Intrepid Personnel & Provisioning), November 27 – Chairman Joseph White, Secretary Lionel Packnett, Educational Director Edward Williams, Deck Delegate Moises Arzu, Steward Delegate Esperanza Crespo-Guillen. Chairman thanked everyone for a smooth voyage and praised steward department for a job well done. He noted the positive impact that good food has on a member’s life at sea. Steward department thanked everyone for their help keeping mess halls clean. Educational director reminded crew to secure higher wages by upgrading at the Piney Point school. Deck delegate discussed plans pertaining to coffee and meal breaks for ABs. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members discussed frustrations due to having no internet aboard ship. Next port: Houston. Supporting Our Troops GREEN BAY (Waterman), December 7 – Chairman Nicholas Turano, Secretary Derrick Williams, Deck Delegate Tenereo Cacpal. Educational director advised crew to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center, located in Piney Point, Maryland. Televisions are wanted in each room, per ship’s treasurer. New mattresses have been ordered. Members were encouraged to continue doing their part by keeping rooms and other areas clean. Next port: Vancouver, Washington. MAERSK KINLOSS (Maersk Line, Limited), December 17 – Chairman Rufino Giray, Secretary William Storey, Educational Director Tijani Rashid. Chairman announced payoff at sea December 18 in Newark, New Jersey. Ship to receive more money for food and consumables at the first of the year, per secretary. Educational director discussed the importance of upgrading at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center, as well as renewing credentials early. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members discussed new retirement plan, sea-time requirements and problems with not getting overtime due to cargo. Crew requested improved Wi-Fi. Next port: Newark, New Jersey. POHANG PIONEER (U.S. Marine Management), December 17 – Chairman Mohamed Mohamed, Secretary Rudy Lopez, Deck Delegate June Kirk Margaja, Engine Delegate Kevin Hunt, Steward Delegate Jack Boscia. New TV for crew mess and new dryer for crew laundry received. Crew thanked steward U.S. Marines in mid-January load an MV-22B Osprey onto the SIU-crewed dry cargo ship USNS Green Ridge (Waterman) in San Diego. According to the Defense Department, the materiel will be utilized for “a self-mobile crisis response force that conducts theater-security missions to protect U.S. personnel, property, and interests in the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe/Africa area of responsibility.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Childs) department for good food. Chairman reminded everyone to keep documents current and to upgrade at the Piney Point school when possible. He also encouraged members to contribute to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activities Donation, the union’s voluntary political action fund). No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members requested movies and for the treadmill to be moved back to the gym. Crew wished everyone happy holidays. Next port: Sasebo, Japan. GLOBAL SENTINEL (Subcom), January 11 – Chairman Lee Hardman, Secretary Randy Sudario, Educational Director Nicolae Marinescu, Deck Delegate Eric Young, Engine Delegate Danilo Achacoso, Steward Delegate Jafet Misla-Mendez. Chairman extended “big thanks to (SIU VP Contracts) George Tricker and SIU for getting contract done with increase in pay, vacation, and a stipend for having a security clearance.” He discussed purchase of fitness equipment and encouraged crew to continue helping keep laundry and lounge areas clean. He also reported on air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Secretary mentioned plans to purchase two new refrigerators. Educational director reminded everyone to check documents before sailing, to make sure they’re up-to-date. Similarly, keep medical certificates current. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew was reminded that fresh linen is available every week. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt February 2023 requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 Seafarers LOG 19 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Dates The following is a list of courses that currently are scheduled to be held at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland during the next several months. More courses may be added. Course additions and cancellations are subject to change due to COVID-19 protocols. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Course Start Date February 27 April 10 June 5 March 17 April 28 June 23 February 13 March 13 April 10 May 8 February 24 March 24 April 21 May 19 RFPNW March 20 May 1 April 7 May 19 Fast Rescue Boat July 17 July 21 Leadership & Management Skills June 19 June 23 Lifeboat/Water Survival Start Date ServSafe Management February 13 March 20 April 24 May 29 July 3 August 7 February 17 March 24 April 28 June 2 July 7 August 11 Advanced Galley Operations March 13 May 22 April 7 June 16 Chief Steward April 17 June 26 May 12 July 21 Safety/Open Upgrading Courses Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting June 5 June 9 Basic Training April 17 April 21 Basic Training Revalidation February 13 February 24 March 20 March 24 April 7 April 17 April 21 May 1 May 5 May 22 June 2 February 13 February 24 March 20 March 24 April 7 April 17 April 21 May 1 May 5 May 22 June 2 Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation May 15 May 19 Government Vessels February 13 March 13 March 20 April 10 April 24 May 8 June 19 ` February 17 March 17 March 24 April 14 April 28 May 12 June 19 Tank Ship Familiarization DL February 20 May 22 February 24 May 26 Tank Ship Familiarization LG February 27 May 15 March 3 May 19 Engine Department Upgrading Courses RFPEW May 1 May 26 FOWT February 27 April 3 March 24 April 28 Junior Engineer Program March 27 June 5 May 19 July 28 Marine Electrician April 24 May 26 Marine Refer Tech March 13 April 21 Advanced Refer Containers April 10 April 21 Machinist March 13 March 31 Pumpman April 3 April 7 Welding March 20 May 8 April 7 May 26 Engineroom Resource Management June 12 June 16 Important Notice To All Students Steward Department Upgrading Courses Certified Chief Cook February 20 March 27 May 1 June 5 July 10 March 24 April 28 June 2 July 7 August 11 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o 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? o Yes o No If yes, class # and dates attended __________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? oYes o No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. 20 Seafarers LOG Date of Completion Steward Department Upgrading Courses Date of Completion Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer-Deck Title of Course Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime 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. 2/23 February 2023 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #889 – Graduated December 2 (above, in alphabetical order): Rickay Channer, Curtis Gillard II, Isaiah Godette, Terrence Green Jr., Kamaria Lapread, Sherman McClain Jr., Thaisha Morris, Amar Ogletree, Malik Oxendine Jr., Nick Randall, James Shoats, Armani Wells and Ross Williams. Correction On Page 18 of the December 2022 Seafarers LOG, we erroneously identified the photo below as Paul Hall Center Apprentice Water Survival Class #886. In fact, this is Class #887. We apologize for any inconvenience our oversight may have caused anyone affected, especially the trainees. Apprentice Water Survival Class #887 – Graduated Oct. 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Diego Diaz Florez, Britorria Hogan, Craig Lash II, Matthew McManus, Pyron Meyers, Kaicee Proctor, Christopher Rolbiecki and Ubaydulwakeel Shambley. February 2023 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Tank Ship Familiarization LG – Graduated November 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Ayesh Saleh Boobak Ahmed, Nabil Saleh Ahmed, Saif Al Tamimi, Timothy Behnke, Willie Dawston Jr., Gerald Durham, Alfred Edmond, David Garrett, Deon Green, Alton Hickman Jr., Ransom Andrew Ki O’ka Puuku I. Kauwe, Steven Laubach, Saber Abdulhamid Naser, Kelly Percy, Fahmi Ali Taher Saeed, Mohsen Mohamed Said, Ahmed Omar Sharif, Andrea Sharpe, Rafael Tavera-Gonzalez and Mukhtar Mohamed Yahia. RFPNW (Phase III) – Graduated November 25 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Mukhtar Nasser Ahmed Ali, Dale Armstrong III, Parker Hampton, Kaylah Hill, Jordan Jeffries, Joseph McCrea, Derrel Oliver, De’Andre Peden, Julian Ramirez, Felix Manuel Rivera Rodriguez and Domingo Ladringan Sadia IV. Class instructor Dominic Hix is at the far right. Upon the completion of their training, each plans to work in the deck departments of SIU-contracted vessels. Important Notice To All Students Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. UA to AS-Deck – Graduated November 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Ramona Cabrera Appleby, Johncarlo Garibaldi, Seth James, Bryce Kennebeck, Jesse Schecher, Alec Stensaa, Bradley Tucker and Emilie Whitlow. 22 Seafarers LOG Welding – Graduated November 18 (above, in alphabetical order): William Aebi, Jonathan Augusto Bernardez, Jade Napualeilokelani Ezera, Kenneth Loria Zuniga, Tracy Mitchell Jr. and Joel Williams. Class instructor Chris Raley is at the far right. February 2023 �Marine Electrician – Graduated December 2 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Justin Bodnar, Hector Ismael Caballero, Rustin Calame, Michael Clark, Christian Cruz, Tony Hamaguchi, Daryl Hicks, Wordell Prescott and Sanjay Waidyarachchi. Roy Graham, their instructor, is at the far left. RFPEW – Graduated October 21 (above, in alphabetical order): Saif Al Tamimi, Jesse Kleinfelter and Morey Lewis. Class instructor John Wiegman III is at the far right. Government Vessels – Graduated November 10 (above, in alphabetical order): Basheer Abdo Hasan Ali, Karen Barron, Johnnie Owens Jr. and Kevin Royster. Junior Engineer (Basic Electricity) – Graduated November 11 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): David Argo Jr., Samuel Fagerness, Michael Jamal Garcia, Troy Hubbard Jr., Thomas Koncul, Cristian Efrain Lalin, Tyler Maddox, Zeke Pasquarelli and Joesef Moses Shaibi. Christopher Morgan, their instructor, is in the back row at the far left. Basic Training (First Aid, CPR & AED) – Upgrader Adrian Bartholomew recently completed his requirements in this class. A member of the engine department, Bartholomew graduated October 28. February 2023 Advanced Galley Operations – Graduated November 4 (above, in alphabetical order): Mark Brooks, Lady Joanna CanoOrozco, Todd Curry, Dylan Faile, Najeeb Ali Ginah, Janelle Harper and Shadonna Jones. (Note: Not all are pictured.) Seafarers LOG 23 �FEBRUARY 2023 VOLUME 85, NO. 2 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo (right) welcomes retired Recertified Bosun Dana Cella to the hall as he contributes to the cause. Paul Hall Center Class Photos Pages 21-23 SA Christopher Dizon helps carry gifts for transport. Recertified Bosun Sanjay Gupta is a longtime backer of the program. Truly a Team Effort SIU Continues Outreach for Military Families Holiday traditions vary, but for the past 16 years, one particular philanthropic outreach invariably has been on the SIU’s calendar in Tacoma, Washington. That mission is known as Santa’s Castle, which produces donations of toys and other presents for U.S. military families (primarily E-4 and below) from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, and from other bases. SIU Assistant Vice President Joe Vincenzo said the union’s participation in 2022 proved as strong as ever, and resulted in more than $8,000 worth of donations. The union also hosted a luncheon Dec. 16 for Santa’s Castle volunteers, SIU members, retirees and their families and friends. Immediately afterward, the donations were loaded into trucks and vans for transportation to the nearby Santa’s Castle facility. “Seafarers reached deep in their pockets to make this year as special as previous years, bringing Christmas to hundreds of lower-ranking enlisted service members and families and to show their appreciation and thanks to our war fighters and peacekeepers,” Vincenzo said. “And it’s not just our rank-andfile members who participate. Seattle-based Crowley Maritime has consistently contributed to the toy drive over the years and this year was no different. Additionally, Tacoma Seafarers are always inspired to know that SIU executives’ own contributions help get us across the finish line. This truly is a team effort that we can all be proud of, running on 16 consecutive years with a total contribution well north of $100,000. The spirit of giving here remains as strong as ever.” Santa’s Castle President Donna Handoe said the union’s efforts “always make a big difference. We’re very grateful for the Seafarers – the amazing luncheon, and seeing all those beauti- Seafarers-contracted Crowley Maritime once again supported the outreach. Pictured from left are SIU Tacoma Port Agent Warren Asp, Crowley Director of Marine Personnel John Woodcock and Crowley Director of Labor Relations Dan Lowry (the latter two individuals were dropping off donations). Retired Recertified Steward Scott Opsahl loads a donated bike onto a truck. ful toys. It goes a long way to supporting our military folks.” She added that the program had an especially strong year overall, so the abundant donations “let us support even further and wider than we usually do. It’s a beautiful thing to support even more service members.” AB Samed Kassem donated three bicycles for the most recent iteration of Santa’s Castle, and he has no plans to stop. “I just like to donate,” Kassem stated. “I’ve been doing this since we started. It’s good to make kids happy. I have kids and I like to see them happy, so I want other kids to also be happy. Whether I’m at home or on a ship, I always donate. It makes me feel good.” The luncheon proved popular and featured traditional holiday fare including baked ham, roasted turkey breast and numerous side dishes and desserts. Active and retired Seafarers played vital roles with the setup and serving, Vincenzo noted. He credited Chief Steward Nina McFall, Chief Steward Ingra Maddox, Recertified Steward Bob Haggerty, retired Chief Steward Vicky Haggerty, Recertified Steward Amanda Suncin and retired Recertified Steward Scott Opsahl. “We could not pull this off without their help,” Vincenzo said. “I extend a heartfelt vote of thanks to all who made this year’s toy drive and annual holiday luncheon possible.” AB Mark Manalansan (left) and a guest enjoy the luncheon. Pictured from left are retired Recertified Steward Tommy Belvin and a guest; retired Recertified Steward Lewis Johanson and his wife, Shelly; and Recertified Steward Amanda Suncin. 24 Seafarers LOG February 2023 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2020-present Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXXII of the Seafarers Log and beyond Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2023 Description An account of the resource NY WATERWAY CREW STEPS UP DURING EMERGENCY SAGAMORE RESCUES 15 MEMBERS APPLAUD UPDATED CONTRACT AT G&H TOWING SIU HELPS BRIGHTEN HOLIDAYS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES VIA SANTA'S CASTLE SARC DIRECTOR JOHN GALLAGHER DIES AT 67 NDAA CONTAINS BIG WINS FOR MARITIME SIU CIVMARS FROM USNS JOHN LEWIS HELP WITH RESCUE SIU OF CANADA PRESIDENT JIM GIVEN RETIRES Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2023 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 85, No. 2 2023 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/4c16558de7c5280c0672a1dd5a871714.pdf 3b5f74c82b6363dae4e97f8f2f9439f2 PDF Text Text SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 86, NO. 2 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION — ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS, AFL-CIO Farewell to an Icon, Leader and Friend: Michael Sacco: Feb. 14, 1937 – Dec. 28, 2023 The union is mourning the passing of SIU President Emeritus Michael Sacco – and we also are celebrating his life. The group photo was taken early last year in Florida, where Mike had announced his retirement. From left are SIU Executive Board members Nicholas Celona, David Heindel, Karen Horton-Genette, Nick Marrone, Tom Orzechowski, Bryan Powell, Mike Sacco, George Tricker, Dean Corgey, Joseph Soresi and Augie Tellez. Coverage begins on page 3. Seafarers Support Troops Via ‘Santa’s Castle’ The SIU’s long tradition of spreading holiday cheer in the Pacific Northwest continued in 2023, via an annual project (Santa’s Castle) that generates donations of toys and other presents for U.S. military families (primarily E-4 and below) from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, and from other bases. Pictured above are Seafarers, SIU officials, and representatives from Santa’s Castle, gathering at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington, for a celebratory luncheon – and to put the finishing touches on the donations. Page 24. NDAA UPDATE • PAGE 7 // SHBP SCHOLARSHIP INFO• PAGE 20 �President’s Report In Peace and War T he safety of SIU crews is always our absolute top priority. With that in mind, the union is actively participating in high-level, recurring discussions involving our military leaders, vessel operators, fellow maritime unions and others – including the International Transport Workers’ Federation – who are diligently working to help ensure the wellbeing of mariners (and ships) transiting the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. The formal launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian in late December signaled a new level of commitment from the U.S. and our allies to protect commercial shipping in those areas. As David Heindel you undoubtedly know, Houthis have attacked multiple vessels there with drones and missiles, which led to the United States redesignating the Yemen-based rebels as a global terrorist group. It is, to say the least, a volatile and fluid situation. But we are staying in touch with our crews who sail in that region, and at press time we are finalizing agreements that compensate them for working in dangerous areas. Financial considerations are incidental, though, compared to our members’ safety, and on that point we are confident in the plans and actions of our military personnel, working cooperatively with the U.S. Merchant Marine. I appreciate our members’ dedication as well as that of our military and our allies. Stay tuned. Apply for Scholarships On a much lighter note, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) has taken steps to make it easier to apply for their 2024 scholarships, available to members and dependents. As explained elsewhere in this edition, it’s now relatively easy to handle the vast majority of the process online, and there is also a dedicated email address to help answer questions and move things along. This is a great benefit and I encourage everyone to give it a look, whether for yourself or a family member or friend. Recruiting and Manpower Though hardly a month goes by without my mentioning the shipboard manpower situation, I want to assure Seafarers that the union isn’t letting up at all when it comes to recruiting and retention. We are working with the vessel operators – and we are making progress, resolving issues along the way. Some of the language in the most recent Defense bill will aid in this endeavor, as it’ll more efficiently (and consistent with international standards) help us train new ABs. It’ll also help Seafarers accumulate enough sea time to upgrade your ratings. As you know, the manpower challenges aren’t unique to our industry or our union. We take them seriously and although there’s not a quick fix, we’re getting there. Remembering an All-Time Great It’s no exaggeration to say I could write a book about SIU President Emeritus Mike Sacco, so there’s no way to fully do justice to his career in just a few sentences, paragraphs or pages. But, having worked with Mike for decades, I want Seafarers to know how much he cared about you and how much he loved this union. Mike was a fantastic negotiator, but he never compromised on the things that mattered most to our members. He believed in you, he was proud of you, and he truly did everything reasonably possible to look out for Seafarers, pensioners and your families. Mike was easy to work for in the sense that he was inspirational and he set such a tremendous example by working as hard or harder than the rest of us. Like pretty much any great boss, he could be challenging, too – but only because he demanded our best. Mike believed in second chances and he didn’t expect perfection, but he wasn’t someone who listened to excuses. If we made a mistake, he wanted it fixed and he always kept us looking forward, devoting every resource to the SIU’s health and the sustainability of our industry. I am grateful to have spent so much time with him, and I hope that you’ll read every word of his coverage in this edition of the LOG. We will all miss him, but his energy, vision and leadership will live on through all of us in his SIU family. New TOTE Contract Features ‘Unprecedented’ Wage Gains Seafarers have ratified a new 18-month agreement with TOTE Services that prominently features large wage increases on the eight ships the company operates for American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier (ARC). During the January membership meetings, SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker reported, “This new agreement features unprecedented increases in both wages and overtime. This agreement makes the ARC contract one of the highest-paying contracts in the fleet. Along with these increases, the new contract also contains increases to Seafarers Vacation Plan and Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan-related wages and continued health benefits at the Core Plus Level (the top one available to Seafarers).” The contract applies to the following ships: ARC Integrity, ARC Independence, ARC Resolve, ARC Commitment, ARC Defender, Patriot, Liberty, Endurance and ARC Honor. Tricker added, “In addition to the aforementioned contract, the union also secured a new TOTE car carrier fleet-wide manpower pool agreement. This agreement will provide preference and priority Seafarers LOG Volume 86 Number 2 February 2024 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org amongst equal seniority to those members who have continuously sailed in the TOTE car carrier ARC fleet.” The new contract covers eight vessels, including the Honor (left) and Defender. On the Recruiting Trail The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFLCIO; 5201 Capital Gateway Drive; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 207909998. 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 © 2024 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The SIU engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. 2 • SEAFARERS LOG The union in mid-January took part in a well-attended career fair in Lafayette, Louisiana, sponsored by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). Pictured from left are SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo, LWC Development Advisor Luis Orlando, and SIU Asst. VP Chris Westbrook. FEBRUARY 2024 �SIU Mourns Passing of Michael Sacco Seafarers International Union President Emeritus Michael Sacco died Dec. 28 in St. Louis, surrounded by family members. He was 86 years old and passed away from natural causes. Mike was the longest-serving president in SIU history, having led the organization from 1988 until his retirement in February 2023 (a period spanning nearly 35 years). Reaction to his death consisted of a massive outpouring of respect, appreciation, and affection. Among those offering condolences: President Biden; Elaine Chao, a cabinet secretary in two different U.S. presidential administrations (she attended the funeral mass); top officials from the AFL-CIO and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF); rank-and-file Seafarers and SIU pensioners; leaders of other U.S. unions; SIU Executive Board members; American maritime industry business executives; U.S. military and government officials; and many, many others. Giving one of the eulogies at Mike’s funeral mass (he was a devout Catholic), which took place Jan. 6 in St. Louis, SIU President David Heindel stated, “Mike was an inspiration to so many people, and not just people from his union. He had that same effect on military officers, government officials, corporate executives and many others. He was one-in-a-million, and he had a way of making you believe you could accomplish anything if you set your mind to it. Make no mistake, he will be remembered as one of the most significant, influential and accomplished maritime labor leaders in our nation’s history. I truly do not know if the U.S. Merchant Marine would still exist if it weren’t for Mike.” Mike served as president of the SIU’s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters (AGLIW) beginning in June 1988. He also worked as president of both the Seafarers International Union of North America (a federation of autonomous unions that includes the SIU AGLIW) and the Maritime Trades Department (MTD) throughout the same period. Moreover, in November 1991, at its 19th Biennial Constitutional Convention, Mike was elected a vice president of the AFL-CIO, the federation of 60 national and international unions representing more than 14 million workers in the United States. He eventually became the senior vice president of the AFL-CIO Executive Council as its longest-serving member. A protege of the late SIU President Paul Hall, Sacco from 1980 to 1988 directed the SIU AGLIW’s Great Lakes and Inland Waters division as vice president. Based in St. Louis, he served as secretary-treasurer of the Greater St. Louis Area and Vicinity Port Council (an MTD-chartered organization) and as an executive board member of the Missouri State AFL-CIO. Mike also was vice president of the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship from 1968 to 1979. The school, located on the grounds of the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, prepares men and women for a career aboard U.S.-flag commercial vessels and provides upgrading opportunities to active members. He became associated with the SIU in 1958 and shipped aboard U.S.-flag merchant vessels until he came ashore during the 1960s to serve the SIU in a Mike and the late AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka (right) were friends and colleagues for decades. This photo is from the 2017 AFL-CIO convention in St. Louis. Rich passed away in 2021. FEBRUARY 2024 our nation’s rank-and-file working people than our Mike. Mike Sacco was a trusted mentor and leader to his members, a dear friend of the AFL-CIO and an inspiration to the entire labor movement. While our hearts break today for this loss, the legacy of Mike’s service to the SIU and trade unionism will live on forever. - Joint statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond Mike, thank you for all the support. Thank you for your vision and your compassion. You have left a massive legacy and I’m proud to call you friend and advisor. Many unions spent hours working with Mike exploring the history of SIU, learning from his experience, determination, vision and courage to always be in a position of influence, whether it be lobbying the American government, in its very different shapes and sizes over his 35 years, or in ITF circles on how to use our collective leverage to benefit seafarers across the world. - ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton Members at the hiring hall in Honolulu memorialize Mike. succession of union posts, including those of patrolman, port agent and headquarters representative. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mike served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958. Although his accomplishments as an SIU official are too numerous to list, highlights included fostering the successful merger of the National Maritime Union into the SIU in 2001; helping secure the implementation of the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP), a staple of the industry; insisting that the Paul Hall Center constantly improved; unifying the industry during critical political battles; and individually encouraging every Seafarer, SIU official and staff member he ever met. Fittingly, Fr. Sinclair Oubre, an SIU member and Catholic priest, helped officiate Mike’s memorial service. He also gave a brief eulogy, as did Mike’s son John, the latter on behalf of the whole family. In addition to John, survivor’s include Mike’s wife, Sophie; daughters Valerie Moore, Angela Baker, and Anne Marie Fry; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and sisters Ida DiCanio and Marie Sacco. Following are some of the condolences and remembrances received by the union and by family members. Mike was a force for fairness and decency. While he was a kind and compassionate man, Mike never backed down from a fight when it came to protecting the rights of his fellow merchant mariners and workers everywhere. Our country is stronger and our economy is fairer because of his leadership and devotion. I know his legacy will endure through all the lives he touched. - President Joe Biden His big personality and even bigger heart were relentless in ensuring that working people had a seat at the table in every boardroom and that their voices were heard in every hall of power. Nobody fought harder for Mike Sacco’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication to seafarers’ rights. Mike was charismatic, tough, determined, and a great and inspirational leader with a sense of humor that always seemed to sum up the situation perfectly. He will be greatly missed. - ITF President Paddy Crumlin I first met Mike Sacco in the 1980s, just after he became our union president. I was young back then and prone to discouragement. Mike was very patient with me and used to repeat this mantra often – his pep talk. He’d say the SIU is a union of the unlicensed seafarers, most of whom came from the streets with little education or prospects of employment; the union teaches people job skills and gives them an opportunity to better their lives and make some decent money. In the end, I sailed on and had a wonderful career and retirement with no regrets. Rest easy, Mike. Mahalo Nui Loa (thank you so very much). - Brandon Maeda, SIU Pensioner It saddened my heart to hear this news in this holiday season. I will never forget his kindness, fair treatment and love that showed everyone we are a family. These qualities are the embodiment of a true mentor. His dedication toward work and his leadership will surely be missed. - Recertified Bosun Ritche Acuman Mr. Michael Sacco, thank you for being there. You will be truly missed. I will always remember you keeping a smile on your face, and I know you are saying right now, “Don’t cry for me; smile for me.” Much love to you and my condolences go out to the family. - GUDE Thommie Hampton I was sorry to hear about Mike. He was a good man, and I will always remember him and his brother Joe from when I went through Piney Point in 1972. Mike put his heart into the Seafarers International Union. We will all miss you. - SA Thomas Curley Continues on Page 4 Elaine Chao (center), U.S. Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush and then U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Trump, worked closely with Mike and the union for many years. She attended his memorial service. This photo, taken at the SIUNA convention in 2017 in Piney Point, Maryland, also includes Mike’s wife, Sophie. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and SIU President Michael Sacco in 2022 SEAFARERS LOG • 3 �Remembering Michael Sacco Continued from Page 3 Mike was a colleague, friend and mentor to me for many, many years. Mike’s life and deeds will never be forgotten. - Robert Scardelletti, President Emeritus, Transportation Communications Union Our industry and our nation lost a tremendous leader with the passing of Mike Sacco. There is no part of the American maritime industry untouched by his wisdom, leadership and tenacity over the past decades. In 1995, he played an integral role in the formation of the American Maritime Partnership, our coordinated industry coalition that to this day continues to effectively educate Congress and the Administration about the benefits of the American domestic maritime industry. That’s just one part of his enormous legacy. Mike Sacco was a giant like few others, and he will be sorely missed. - Jennifer Carpenter, President, American Maritime Partnership President Sacco will be remembered for his devotion to seafarers’ rights and service to the labor movement. He brought stability during times of great change in his union, including a merger. His lengthy tenure of service will continue to be an inspiration to advocates of workers’ rights. - Department of Professional Employees President Jennifer Dorning We lost a true friend of all mariners, a mentor to many and a great leader in the maritime industry. Seafarers will continue to receive the results of his steadfast leadership that generated the fiscal soundness and generous benefits of these Plans well into the future. His impact will not be forgotten. He has been a positive force in my life for the past 33 years. - Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen Mike Sacco learned from Paul Hall that the SIU is an important part of the labor movement. That’s why he walked – and expected Seafarers to walk – many picket lines across the country to show solidarity with Maritime Trades affiliates and others. He made sure Seafarers were known and respected within the AFL-CIO. - Daniel Duncan, Executive Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus, MTD I knew Mike for pretty much my whole life, starting with my first days as a trainee. We worked together for decades, so I observed him in lots of different circumstances – many of them challenging and stressful. He always maintained a laser-like focus on the goal at hand, and he came through time after time. My overriding feeling about Mike is one of gratitude. I am grateful to have spent so much time with him. I’m grateful to have learned so much from him, about leadership and foresight and dedication. His legacy and his example will continue to inspire us. - SIU President David Heindel Mike (third from left) was never out of place, but, other than when he was spending time with family, he arguably never felt more at home than when he visited with Seafarers in Piney Point, Maryland, where this photo was taken in 2019. Also pictured along with the upgraders is then-SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel (left). I knew him since 1975, and he influenced my life right up to the present. He was a force of nature. People who are larger than life cast a big shadow that touches many people, and that is Mike’s legacy. Think of the thousands of Seafarers and their families who have a better life because of him. Mike always tried to emphasize the positive, and he cared about everybody’s family. I learned a lifetime’s worth of lessons from him. - SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez Countless hours with Mike over the years were filled with “windshield time.” That is simply the time you spend in a car with someone and talk. Those moments as well as a morning coffee or a drink at dinner were always filled with a lively conversation or story. What I grew to realize over the years is, those interactions were how Mike taught and mentored. His sense of history, knowledge of the industry and life lessons have become invaluable to me as I grow older and face the challenges he spoke of so often. I will certainly miss his insight and keen instincts. His thoughts on family life and strong conviction for the church will always remain at the forefront of any conversation I may have when someone asks, “What was he like?” He dedicated every day to improvement and had great attention to detail. I will always appreciate the room he gave me to grow as a person and as a union representative. I could go on for pages about the love and admiration that I and so many others have for him, but I think that goes without saying. So many words could be used to describe his career and life, but for me there is only one, and that word is ICONIC. - SIU Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski In this snapshot from 2001, SIU President Michael Sacco (left) and NMU President Rene Lioeanjie show satisfaction regarding the merger of the unions. I was privileged to be in the room on many occasions when Mike held court. Whether the session was about funding for a maritime program or the best political strategy to achieve those goals, Mike was often the conductor, if not the architect, for the entire maritime industry. He would command any room with his presence alone and was at ease equally with the President of the United States or the most recent class of apprentices in Piney Point. The SIU has never been in better shape; Mike made sure of that. Today, the membership truly has security, the kind that that lets you sleep well at night. Knowing that you will always have a job, great medical benefits, and a pension are all products of Mike’s leadership. Mr. Sacco taught us well and we look forward to being the custodians of his legacy. - SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker Mike (second from right) meets with Seafarers in Piney Point, Maryland. Among those also pictured is Recertified Bosun Ritche Acuman (second from left). Members aboard the Cape Wrath (Crowley) conduct a moment of silence in Mike’s honor, in early January. 4 4 •SEAFARERS SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 FEBRUARY 2024 �Remembering Michael Sacco Mike conducts the AFL-CIO election in Philadelphia in 2022. Members at the January meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, pause to honor Mike’s memory. Mike is a brother, friend and lifelong companion to me in my SIU career. I met Mike back in 1975, when I was an 18-year-old trainee in Piney Point. I was amazed at the way his presence captivated the audience. He had an enormous, enthusiastic and passionate energy about him, a devotion to our union that I wanted to be part of. This was his passion, the betterment of the Brotherhood of the Sea. Over all these years, he has never wavered from that passion. Mike’s sincerity and integrity was his calling card. You felt comfortable when you met him, and when you talked with him, he made you feel connected. He is a lot of everything that is goodness all rolled up into one wonderful person. He will be missed and I will always remember the good times and memories that we shared together. I bid my brother farewell, on his final voyage. May the warmth of our Lord’s eternal love be your guiding light. - SIU Vice President West Coast Nick Marrone Mike Sacco has been in my life for 47 years. He was my union ed teacher in piney point 1977, and I worked with him and his brother Joey (late SIU executive vice president) in the Gulf region. He was an inspiration and a driving force in my career, and a teacher in how to promote and protect the SIU and the entire United States Merchant Marine, along with the American labor movement. I will miss him a lot. - SIU Vice President Government Services Nicholas Celona I’ve been in the union since 1989 but have known Mike my entire life. I’ll remember how he commanded respect from everybody and yet how he could be at ease with anyone, whether it was the President of the United States or an ordinary seaman. Mike was a giant of a man in the labor movement. No one has ever been more dedicated to the SIU. - SIU Vice President Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi During the 2023 MTD meeting in Florida, Mike (right) welcomes AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond to the stage. Mike Sacco is deeply loved and respected, and for many of us Mike was a leader, a mentor, a confidant, and trusted advisor. He treated us like family in many ways. Some of us really understand how completely he dedicated himself (and nearly every fiber of his being) to the betterment of the maritime industry, the membership, his leadership team and staff, and the labor movement writ large. Mike’s many contributions to the maritime industry and labor movement cannot be overstated. He had a big personality (to say it mildly); with a steady hand, good instincts, keen intuition, and prudent judgement which he wielded as a positive force for our industry, and in many people’s lives – personally and professionally. Mike, you will be sorely missed but your legacy will live on with us forever. - SIU Vice President of the Southern Region, Great Lakes and Inland Waters Bryan Powell The flag outside the hall in Norfolk, Virginia, flies at half-staff in Mike’s honor. FEBRUARY 2024 Editor’s note: On behalf of the union as well as Mike’s family, we are deeply and sincerely appreciative of the many heartfelt condolences that have been received. We attempted to publish and post a reasonably representative sample; no slight is intended to any organization or individual whose comments don’t appear here. Mike was based in St. Louis for many years and rarely if ever missed a mass, whether he was home or travelling. His funeral mass took place Jan. 6 at the city’s St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church; this photo was taken an hour before the service. SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 5 SEAFARERS LOG • 5 �U.S. and Allies Team Up to Protect Commercial Shipping in Red Sea Lt. Charmaine Solis (left) observes commercial vessels sailing alongside the USS Mason in late December while ship operates in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Gulf of Aden (U.S. Navy photo by Chris Krucke) The Pentagon on Dec. 18 announced the formal launch of an international effort to protect civilian mariners and their vessels in the Red Sea. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated, “The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law. The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade. Countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters. “This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” he continued. “Therefore, today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea. Operation Prosperity A crew member aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason looks through binoculars on the bridge wing in early January while the ship sails in the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian. (U.S. Navy photo by Chris Krucke) Guardian is bringing together multiple countries to include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity.” A few weeks later, the U.S. redesignated Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist group” following ongoing missile and drone attacks on international shipping. The U.S. and our allies also countered with multiple strikes against the Houthis. A U.S. government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in a news report, “These attacks (by the Houthis) fit the textbook definition of terrorism. They have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners and our partners, jeopardized global trade and threatened freedom of navigation.” In late January, the SIU and several other maritime labor organizations sent a letter to Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, commanding officer of the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANCSOM) thanking the military for its ongoing support and urging continued diligence. In part, the letter (signed by SIU President David Heindel and others) read, “We fully support the recent strikes made against the Houthi rebels in Yemen via American and international forces over the last week. It is critical that the Houthi rebels understand the consequences of attacking U.S-flag shipping and that the United States will continue to protect its sovereignty when that sovereignty is threatened by illegal attacks. These attacks represent the most significant attacks on the United States Merchant Marine in more than half a century.” The labor groups also asked “for continued cooperation and information sharing, to ensure that our vessels and their crews have all the tools needed to ensure safe transits of the area. Especially critical are secure communication links between vessels transiting the Red Sea and the naval vessels deployed in the area to deter and defend against Houthi attacks. While we understand that procedures are being developed and so far, the joint efforts of our vessel operators, mariners and naval personnel have resulted in no casualties to U.S.-flag ships, we cannot rest on past success. Continued communication, especially at the tactical level, is crucial.” Biden’s Pro-Worker Final Rule Pushes Federal PLAs into Effect In an official White House statement, President health and safety protections,” Biden’s White House Biden declared that construction projects for the briefing release reads. PLAs are pre-hire collective bargaining federal government valued at or above $35 million will require Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). agreements which are unique to the construction This ruling is supported by the Biden-Harris industry. PLAs typically are negotiated between administration after a period of demonstrated construction unions and construction contractors success using PLAs to complete federal construction in order to establish the terms and conditions projects with a quality, trained workforce in a timely, of employment for construction projects, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). cost-effective manner, the White House reported. This new mandate, called the Federal Acquisition Some commonplace conditions included in PLAs Regulation: Use of Project Labor Agreements for are provisions that bind all contractors and subcontractors Federal Construction Projects, w a s "PLAs are good for business and they're good for to the agreement; noannounced late last workers. Because of their proven track record of n o - s t r i k e , lockout clauses; and year and published success, the Biden/Harris administration strongly grievance/arbitration on Dec. 22. It officially took effect Jan. 22, supports PLAs, and is promoting their use on federal procedures. Many of these 2024. The edict enacts projects that are being built across the country as a g r e e me nt s also Executive Order 14063, we speak." which was initially -Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su include wage and benefit specifications published on Feb. 9, as well as guarantees 2022. Historically, this sets a new precent for federal construction projects, that highly skilled laborers will participate in the as they had never needed to meet this requirement projects, as they may designate that hiring is done through a union hiring hall. PLAs also often include to move forward. “For the first time in history, Project Labor health and safety provisions which help ensure that Agreements will be required on federal construction the workers chosen for the project undergo safety projects valued at or above $35 million. This means training, along with the implementation of other that projects funded by my Investing in America workplace safety procedures. According to the DOL, PLAs may also help agenda will move faster and without delays, giving taxpayers better bang for their buck. Workers improve diversity efforts on federal projects. will have the security and peace of mind that Clauses which outline goals for hiring local collectively bargained wages and benefits bring, community members on projects, incorporate better pathways to good-paying jobs, and stronger equity plans, detail strategic recruitment policies 6 6 •SEAFARERS SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su for workers from underserved communities, and require participation of small businesses are often included in PLAs for this reason. Acting Secretary Julie Su, in the USDOL’s PLA 101 video, says, “PLAs are good for business and they're good for workers. Because of their proven track record of success, the Biden/Harris administration strongly supports PLAs, and is promoting their use on federal projects that are being built across the country as we speak.” FEBRUARY 2024 �U.S. Mint Honors Merchant Marine with WWII Memorial Silver Dollar The U.S. Mint is gearing up to the coin. release a silver dollar coin with a The commemorative coin’s merchant mariner prominently reverse was designed by Ben featured on the coin’s face as a tribute Sowards and Renata Gordon, and to their significant contributions to depicts a view from underneath our country’s triumph in World War the baldacchino at the World War II. The new coin design is set to debut II memorial. The baldacchino, or early this year as part of the “Greatest sculptural canopy, shown in the Generation Commemorative Coin center of the silver dollar coin is Program.” modeled after the Victory Pavilion This series of three coins, which in the World War II Memorial. Four includes new illustrations to be eagles each holding a laurel wreath pressed onto the silver dollar, the encircle the outer portion of the half dollar, and the five-dollar coin, coin, interspersed with text that was unveiled by the United States reads Victory, At Sea, On Land, and Mint and the Friends of the National Artist’s renderings of the commemorative silver dollar show the front (above, left) and back. (Images courtesy U.S. Mint) In the Air. The top of the coin also World War II Memorial last fall at the includes the standard attribution Memorial and the service and sacrifice of American National World War II Memorial in to the coin’s country of origin and E soldiers and civilians during World War II,” said Pluribis Unum, and the bottom has WWII Memorial Washington, D.C. According to the Mint, “The coins will serve as United States Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. “We written atop the value amount of the coin. monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment hope this program will honor their unwavering Pricing for the three-coin set includes of the brave Americans who fought to defend the courage and selfless spirit.” surcharges and is as follows: $35 for each $5 gold Pictured on the front of the new memorial silver coin sold; $10 for each silver dollar sold; and $5 for nation and advance peace and freedom throughout the world. They also serve as a dedication to the dollar, designed by Beth Zaiken and Phebe Hemphill, each half dollar sold. In accordance with Public Law National WWII Memorial in D.C, which was built to six people representing different branches of 117-162, also referred to as the Greatest Generation honor the 16 million who served in the United States the military and the U.S. Merchant Marine work Commemorative Coin Act, these coins are mandated Armed Forces during World War II, as well as the together to support the world. They stand above to be minted by the Secretary of the Treasury 400,000 who died and those who supported the war text that reads “Liberty” and “In God We Trust,” and and are authorized to support maintenance and the year, which is present on all U.S.-minted coins. repairs of the World War Memorial, as well as for effort at home.” “The Greatest Generation commemorative coin The words “World War II Memorial” and “Defenders commemorative and educational usage. designs are emblematic of the National World War II of Freedom” are inscribed around the perimeter of Visit www.usmint.gov for more information. Defense Bill Contains Major Victories for Maritime The SIU helped spearhead inclusion of two potentially crucial pro-maritime components of the newly enacted National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). One of those statutes will reduce – by 50 percent – the sea-time requirements for qualifying for an AB endorsement. This change took effect immediately upon President Biden signing the bill Dec. 22. Depending on the specific kind of AB endorsement, sea-time requirements have decreased to 18 months (from 36), 12 months (from 24), and six months (from 12). The latter standard is for Great Lakes ABs. For now, those reductions are scheduled to remain in place for three years, but the union and others will work to make them permanent. SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez and SIU Political and Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman played key roles in securing the sea- time modifications, and they both also credited Coast Guard Rear Adm. Wayne R. Arguin Jr. for his vital support. The NDA A also strengthens U.S.-f lag requirements for cargo preference shipments. Through new reporting mandates and a change that gives the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) final determinative authority regarding Americanflag vessel availability, the bill aims to help ensure that U.S.-flag ships aren’t bypassed in favor of foreign bottoms. There are several other maritime components within the bill, including ones that authorize monies for the Title XI Federal Ship Financing Program; require MARAD to publish briefings on its national maritime strategy; and form a new maritime workforce group that includes two slots for representatives from labor. President Biden signed the NDAA in December. (Official White House photo) Shenandoah Trader Joins TSP Fleet SIU members are sailing aboard the recently reflagged Shenandoah Trader, operated by U.S. Marine Management. Built in South Korea in 2015, the 600-foot-long ship is enrolled in the U.S. Tanker Security Program. The 325,000-barrel tanker reflagged in Curacao in mid-December. FEBRUARY 2024 SEAFARERS LOG •SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 LOG • 7 7 �The The Union Plus Wireless Wireless Program WORKS WORKS FOR ME “The AT&T AT&T Union Union Plus “The Plus program program is is outstanding. It’s It’s another outstanding. another way way II can can take advantage advantage of take of the the benefits benefits of of being a a union union member.” being member.” See more at See more at unionplus.org unionplus.org SIU-WR-1-17-24 �Seafaring Life Agrees with Mother and Son For Seafarers Faith Gonse and her son, Christopher, sailing with the SIU has proven to be a resoundingly positive experience – one that holds even greater promise for the future. They shared a milestone late last year when they received their respective B-seniority books at the hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia. It took two long trips and the accumulation of sea time in order for Faith to earn it. Chris completed three rotations to qualify. Faith waited until both she and her son were home for vacation in December so that they could get the books together, as a family. “It was nice to take a picture with my baby,” she said. At press time, Faith was putting her hard-earned knowledge to work, serving as a chief cook aboard an Ocean Shipholdings vessel. Chris was on the same ship, sailing as a GVA. They shared their experiences with a LOG staffer via speakerphone from their vessel in the middle of the ocean, somewhere near Japan. Faith joined the SIU in 2021, after having her fill of working a job in another industry that she felt was leading her nowhere. The SIU proved a good fit from the start: Her first trip went so well, she encouraged Chris (then a high school senior) to join upon graduation. He eventually took the advice after a slight detour of sorts, joining in 2022 with the hope of building a rewarding career with longevity. Initially, Chris enrolled in a community college. “I finished one year and decided it wasn’t for me,” he said. Faith recalled that the know-how and friendliness of SIU personnel at the Norfolk hall boosted her comfort with the career change. “Once I got in there, everyone was so warm, friendly, professional and very knowledgeable,” she said. “I just felt welcome and I knew that I was going to get a lot out of being there. And I did.” She added, “We’ve got the best patrolmen and union hall staff. I mean they just go above and beyond for everyone that I’ve seen in my short time with the union. Whenever I go in there, they get everything done that I need.” Although they only have been with the union for a few years, they have improved their quality of life and had many great experiences together as a result of their membership with the SIU, Chris and Faith both said. Consistent with viewing their work as a career rather than merely a job, they also have made it a Chief Cook Faith Gonse (left) and GVA Chris Gonse receiving their B seniority books in Norfolk FEBRUARY 2024 Chris Gonse and his mother, Faith Gonse, pose for a photo while on a vessel together. point to upgrade at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Maryland. Chris most recently went to the school in early 2023 for the government vessels class, while Faith upgraded to chief cook in December. Faith said of her class, “I had the best time! All the chefs were very knowledgeable and very willing to help. It was a great environment. I learned a lot while I was there. I can’t wait to go back and upgrade again.” Both members of this mother-son duo have aspirations for their futures with the union. Chris plans to upgrade to the highest level possible within the engine department. “I’ll be getting as much training and as much knowledge as I can on the ships and move up from there and go as far as I can,” he said. Faith plans to sail more trips as a chief cook, and then enroll for the next advanced galley ops class in Piney Point. Sailing together has been a great experience for Faith and Chris, they both said. When asked which voyage that they’ve been on is their favorite, they both mentioned a trip to Australia. “It was a very nice, very unexpected visit,” Faith said. “Every port we go to together is special, but this one was especially so. We got to cross the Equator, and we never thought we’d get to visit someplace like Australia. It’s not the usual port call so it was a surprise and a bonus for us.” “It’s a surreal moment. We got to see the Sydney Opera House in real life, from right there on the water,” Chris said. Having the ability to work alongside your family as you travel around the world is a rare experience that Chris and Faith are both thankful to have. “It’s a blessing to have home come with you when you’re going out to sea for long periods of time. It’s about as lucky as you can get,” he said. “With Chris upgrading and eventually going in his own direction on a different ship, it’s been really amazing having this time with him and watching him grow and watching both of us grow and travel the world together,” Faith said. “He’s my favorite person and I love him to pieces, and it’s just nice to be able to have him here and watch him grow and know that he’s going to have a good career with SIU.” She concluded, “We’re really grateful to have this opportunity and to be part of the union. It’s an amazing organization.” The view from a double decker tour bus outside of Sydney Opera House from the Gonse’s port call in Australia. SEAFARERS LOG •SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 9 LOG • 9 �Annual Funding Notice For SIU Pacific District Pension Plan Introduction This notice, which federal law requires all pension plans to furnish on an annual basis, includes important information about the funding status of your multiemployer pension plan (the “Plan”). It also includes general information about the benefit payments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”), a federal insurance agency. All traditional pension plans (called “defined benefit pension plans”) must provide this notice every year regardless of their funding status. This notice does not mean that the Plan is terminating. It is provided for informational purposes and you are not required to respond in any way. This notice is required by federal law. This notice is for the plan year beginning August 1, 2022 and ending July 31, 2023 (the “2022 Plan Year”). How Well Funded Is Your Plan The law requires the administrator of the Plan to tell you how well the Plan is funded, using a measure called the “funded percentage.” The Plan divides its assets by its liabilities on the Valuation Date for the plan year to get this percentage. In general, the higher the percentage, the better funded the plan. The Plan’s funded percentage for the 2022 Plan Year and each of the two preceding Plan Years is shown in the chart below. The chart also states the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period. Year-End Fair Market Value of Assets The asset values in the chart above are measured as of the Valuation Date. They also are “actuarial values.” Actuarial values differ from market values in that they do not fluctuate daily based on changes in the stock or other markets. Actuarial values smooth out those fluctuations and can allow for more predictable levels of future contributions. Despite the fluctuations, market values tend to show a clearer picture of a plan’s funded status at a given point in time. The asset values in the chart below are market values and are measured on the last day of each plan year. The chart also includes the year-end market value of the Plan’s assets for each of the two preceding plan years. The value of the Plan assets shown as of July 31, 2023 is an estimate based on the most accurate unaudited financial information available at the time this notice was prepared. The final audited information on the Plan’s assets will be reported on the Plan’s 2022 annual report filed with the Department of Labor in May 2024. Endangered, Critical, or Critical and Declining Status Under federal pension law, a plan generally is in “endangered” status if its funded percentage is less than 80 percent. A plan is in “critical” status if the funded percentage is less than 65 percent (other factors may also apply). A plan is in “critical and declining” status if it is in critical status and is projected to become insolvent (run out of money to pay benefits) within 15 years (or within 20 years if a special rule applies). If a pension plan enters endangered status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a funding improvement plan. Similarly, if a pension plan enters critical status or critical and declining status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a rehabilitation plan. Funding improvement and rehabilitation plans establish steps and benchmarks for pension plans to improve their funding status over a specified period of time. The plan sponsor of a plan in critical and declining status may apply for approval to amend the plan to reduce current and future payment obligations to participants and beneficiaries. The Plan was not in endangered, critical, or critical and declining status in the 2022 Plan Year. Participant Information The total number of participants and beneficiaries covered by the Plan on the valuation date was 2,009. Of this number, 748 were current employees, 837 were retired and receiving benefits, and 424 were retired or no longer working for the employer and have a right to future benefits. Funding & Investment Policies Every pension plan must have a procedure to establish a funding policy for plan objectives. A funding policy relates to how much money is needed to pay promised benefits. Plan benefits are funded by employer contributions and investment returns on those contributions. Commencing January 1, 2016, the shipping companies have agreed to make contributions to the Plan and may agree through collective bargaining in the future to make additional contributions as necessary to satisfy the minimum funding standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). The Plan’s funding policy is to continue to fund Plan benefits in this manner in accordance with the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code. Pension plans also have investment policies. These generally are written guidelines or general instructions for making investment management decisions. The investment policy of the Plan is to maintain a portfolio of investments which is conservative in nature. The Trustees, working with experienced investment consultants, monitor and make appropriate changes to the Plan’s investments, seeking to achieve positive investment results over the long term. Under the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allocated among the following categories of investments, as of the end of the 2022 Plan Year. These allocations are percentages of total assets: 10 •SEAFARERS 10 SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 Right to Request a Copy of the Annual Report Pension plans must file annual reports with the US Department of Labor. The report is called the “Form 5500.” These reports contain financial and other information. You may obtain an electronic copy of your Plan’s annual report by going to www.efast.dol.gov and using the search tool. Annual reports also are available from the US Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Public Disclosure Room at 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N- 1513, Washington, DC 20210, or by calling 202-693-8673. Or you may obtain a copy of the Plan’s annual report by making a written request to the plan administrator, Ms. Michelle Chang, at 730 Harrison Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107. Annual reports for the 2020 Plan Year and earlier plan years are available now. The annual report for the 2022 Plan Year will be available when it is filed with the Employee Benefits Security Administration in May 2024. Annual reports do not contain personal information, such as the amount of your accrued benefit. You may contact the plan administrator at 415-764-4993 or the address above if you want information about your accrued benefits. Summary of Rules Governing Insolvent Plans Federal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubled multiemployer plans that become insolvent, either as ongoing plans or plans terminated by mass withdrawal. The plan administrator is required by law to include a summary of these rules in the annual funding notice. A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its available financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits when due for that plan year. An insolvent plan must reduce benefit payments to the highest level that can be paid from the plan’s available resources. If such resources are not enough to pay benefits at the level specified by law (see Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC, below), the plan must apply to the PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefits may be restored if the plan’s financial condition improves. A plan that becomes insolvent must provide prompt notice of its status to participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unions representing participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiaries also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefits will be reduced or affected, including loss of a lump sum option. This Plan is not insolvent and is over 100% funded. Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC The maximum benefit that the PBGC guarantees is set by law. Only benefits that you have earned a right to receive and that cannot be forfeited (called vested benefits) are guaranteed. There are separate insurance programs with different benefit guarantees and other provisions for single-employer plans and multiemployer plans. Your Plan is covered by PBGC’s multiemployer program. Specifically, the PBGC guarantees a monthly benefit payment equal to 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan’s monthly benefit accrual rate, plus 75 percent of the next $33 of the accrual rate, times each year of credited service. The PBGC’s maximum guarantee, therefore, is $35.75 per month times a participant’s years of credited service. Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accrued monthly benefit of $600, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the PBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by the participant’s years of service ($600/10), which equals $60. The guaranteed amount for a $60 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $24.75 (.75 x $33), or $35.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit is $357.50 ($35.75 x 10). Example 2: If the participant in Example 1 has an accrued monthly benefit of $200, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the guarantee would be $20 (or $200/10). The guaranteed amount for a $20 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10). The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at normal retirement age and some early retirement benefits. In addition, the PBGC guarantees qualified preretirement survivor benefits (which are preretirement death benefits payable to the surviving spouse of a participant who dies before starting to receive benefit payments). In calculating a person’s monthly payment, the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under a plan within 60 months before the earlier of the plan’s termination or insolvency (or benefits that were in effect for less than 60 months at the time of termination or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee benefits above the normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or non-pension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits, vacation pay, or severance pay. For additional information about the PBGC and the pension insurance program guarantees, go to the Multiemployer Page on PBGC’s website at www.pbgc.gov/prac/multiemployer. Please contact your employer or fund administrator for specific information about your pension plan or pension benefit. PBGC does not have that information. See “Where to Get More Information about Your Plan,” below. Where to Get More Information For more information about this notice, you may contact Ms. Michelle Chang, Administrator, SIU Pacific District Pension Plan, at 730 Harrison Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107, 415-764-4993. For identification purposes, the official plan number is 001, the plan sponsor is the Board of Trustees of the SIU Pacific District Pension Plan, and the employer identification number or “EIN” is 94-6061923. SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 10 FEBRUARY 2024 �At Sea & Ashore with the SIU SOLIDARITY IN DC – SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez (second from left) recently met in the nation’s capital with officials CONGRESSIONAL BACKING – SIU Asst. VP Chris Westbrook (right) and U.S. Rep. Troy Carer (D-Louisiana) discuss maritime issues at a mid-December gathering in New Orleans. ABOARD ARC COMMITMENT – Pictured aboard the TOTE ship in Baltimore are (from left) Paul Hall Center Apprentice Andrew Tingle and SIU Port Agent John Hoskins. from the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, including VP Luis Corral, Advocacy Officer Archie Ranin III, National President Mike Democrito C. Mendoza, and National Exec. VP Gerard R. Sino (all pictured). ABOARD NATIONAL GLORY – Chief Cook Esperanza Crespo is pictured during lunch aboard the Intrepid ship while the vessel is docked at San Juan Bay during cargo ops. ABOARD CAROLINE MCKEE – AB Todd Wilson (left) and Safety Director Jason Brown are pictured aboard the Port City Marine Services vessel in Charlevoix, Michigan. ABOARD PACIFIC COLLECTOR ‒ Seafarers gather for a Christmas Eve photo that coincides with a union meeting on the TOTE ship. WITH G&H BOATMEN – Group photo (above) includes Capt. Mathew McDowell, SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo, Mate Oscar De La Garza, Wiper Derek Sexton and DDA Cody Klekar on the Juno, while the photo at left features Safety Director Kevin Sykes (right) and the crew of the C.R. Haden. FEBRUARY 2024 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER LOG 2023• 11 11 SEAFARERS �At Sea & Ashore with the SIU INTERNATIONAL GATHERING – SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey (right) helps welcome Belgium Prime Minister Alexader De Croo to Houston. The prime minister traveled with various government and Port of Antwerp officials for (in part) meetings about international trade, apprenticeship training and more. WELCOME ASHORE IN SAN JUAN – Holding his first pension check at the hiring hall is Recertified Bosun Isaac Vega Mercado (right), who started sailing with the SIU in 1984. During his career, he sailed to more than 20 different countries. SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo (left) noted, “As a bosun and as a friend, Isaac is the best. I thank him for his tireless dedication and effort. The San Juan staff and membership loves him!” TAKING THE OATH IN SUNSHINE STATE ‒ Being sworn in at the December membership meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, are (from left, facing camera) STOS Torence Henry (B book), Chief Cook Jack Gourgue (A book), AB William Bingham (B book) and STOS Kurran Robinson (B book). SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson is standing at right. ENJOYING SOME TIME OFF ‒ After consuming what was described by a reliable source (Storekeeper Jason Devine, center) as “a delicious Thanksgiving dinner” aboard the USNS Pomeroy (Patriot), some of the mariners went scuba diving at Lau Lau Beach in Saipan. Pictured from left are 1AE Sharon Darby, Devine and 2AE Jordan Brown. LOOKING FOR AN AQUARIUM? – Recertified Bosun James Walker completes a nice haul during his off-time aboard the Maersk Denver. WELCOME ASHORE IN LONE STAR STATE – QMED Lee Collins (second from left) picks up his first pension check at the Houston hall. He’s pictured with (from left) Patrolman J.B. Niday, Asst. VP Mike Russo, Patrolman Kelly Krick and Port Agent Joe Zavala. FULL BOOKS IN HOUSTON – GUDE Michael Sabio (left in photo above, right, with SIU Patrolman J.B. Niday) and AB Prince Agyapong (left in remaining photo, with SIU Patrolman Kelly Krick) receive their respective B-books at the hiring hall. 12 SEAFARERS LOG OCTOBER 2023 12 • SEAFARERS LOG • FEBRUARY 2024 �At Sea & Ashore with the SIU ABOARD CAPT. DAVID LYON – Pictured from left aboard the Sealift-operated vessel are Steward/Baker Rommel Reston, SIU Guam Port Agent Victor Sahagon Jr., and Bosun Jonmala Floresca. ABOARD LIBERTY EAGLE – Pictured aboard the Liberty Maritime vessel in Houston are (from left, standing) Recertified Bosun Albert Konning, Chief Cook Yohanes Pribadi, GUDE Frederick Dunmore, Paul Hall Center Apprentices Nirel Escalante and Kenny Galeno (both members of Class 900), Steward/Baker Neyda Oviedo Bermudez, SA Irving Guerrero, GUDE Fredy Ruiz and ABM Jose Castillo Lino. SIU Patrolman J.B. Niday is in front. FULL BOOKS IN JERSEY – SA Nilza Chavez (left in photo above, left) and Chief Cook Juan A. Vallejo (left in remaining photo) receive their B-books from SIU Port Agent Ray Henderson. (If Juan’s name seems familiar, it may be because his father is Recertified Steward Juan J. Vallejo.) ABOARD MANULANI – The New Year’s Day menu aboard the Matson ship was well-received. Pictured are Recertified Steward Fakhruddin Malahi, ACU Abdulwali Mugalli, Chief Cook Khaled Alasaadi and vessel master Capt. Tim Kalke. ABOARD MONTFORD POINT – Pictured aboard the Ocean Shipholdings vessel are (from left) Chief Cook Ashley Hudson, AB Brice Ilao, Bosun Larry Dizon, SIU Norfolk Port Agent Mario Torrey, QMED Tresten Porter, QMED Marquez Fields, SIU Patrolman Josh Rawls, and ITF Inspector Bobbi Shipley. MEMORABLE MOMENT ‒ QEE Todd Lander (left) receives his A-seniority book. He’s pictured at the Honolulu hall with Administrative Assistant Caitlyn Wharton. 13 SEAFARERS FEBRUARY 2024 LOG • OCTOBER 2023 B-BOOKS IN OAKLAND – Chief Cook Andrea President (left in photo above, right, with SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone) and GUDE Ruel Decrepito (center in remaining photo, with Marrone, right, and SIU Patrolwoman Kathy Chester) receive their respective full books at the hiring hall. SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023• 13 13 SEAFARERS �At Sea & Ashore with the SIU WELCOME ASHORE IN PHILLY – Recertified ABOARD MAERSK OHIO – Pictured from left in the group photo are Dayman Richard Sandiford, Dayman Urgel Peligro, Recertified Bosun James Joyce and Watchstander Michael Sherman. Chief Cook Atrenique Deamus is in the remaining photo. Bosun Felsher “Tony” Beasley (left) receives his first pension check at the Philadelphia hall (Port Agent Joe Baselice is at right). Beasley started sailing with the SIU in 1979, and one could say he is part of an SIU family – his father, brother, sons and nephews all sailed or are currently sailing with the union. WITH MEMBERS AT PENN TERMINALS ‒ Pictured at the Crowley facility in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, are (from left) Seafarers Vernell Cornell, Dave DiCrecchio, George Vazquez and Chris Wiley, SIU Philadelphia Port Agent Joe Baselice, Seafarer John Harvey, Safety Director Andre MacCray and Seafarer Scott Musick. MILESTONE IN ILLINOIS – AB Rolando Calimlim receives his A-seniority book at the hall in Joliet. STOPPING BY THE HALL – QMEDPumpman Marcelino Santos Bermeo (left) – a second-generation Seafarer – proudly points to his machinist class photo, taken in Piney Point in November. He’s joined at the San Juan hall by his spouse, Karla. ABOARD USNS RED CLOUD ‒ Christmas dinner was a hit aboard the Patriot ship. Pictured from left are Recertified Steward Dennison Dizon, OS Brandon Manipon and Chief Cook Julian Abreu. GIVING BACK IN THE COMMUNITY – The SIU has a long history of brightening the holidays for others, and that tradition was evident late last year in Jersey City (above, right) and Philadelphia (remaining photo), among other locations. Seafarers in New Jersey donated toys to the Hudson County Central Labor Council – the CLC in turn passed along the gifts to a local Boys & Girls Club. Pictured at the Jersey City hall are (from left) Danny Fiolek from the CLC, SIU VP Joseph Soresi, CLC President Barry Kushnir, and SIU Port Agent Ray Henderson. In Philly, members teamed up with other trade unionists to benefit residents of Hunts Haven family housing (in nearby Chester). The latter effort was organized in part by Seafarer Vernell Cornell (fourth from right). Among those also pictured with Cornell are SIU Port Agent Joe Baselice (fourth from left) and Safety Director Andre MacCray (far right). 14 •SEAFARERS 14 SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 14 FEBRUARY 2024 �Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea “Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from December 15 - January 16, 2024. “Registered on the Beach” data is as of January 16, 2024. Port Total Registered All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington 10 2 6 20 1 8 5 27 22 11 2 7 14 7 1 2 7 13 1 22 Total Shipped All Groups A B C Trip Reliefs Registered on Beach All Groups A B C Deck Department 4 0 2 10 0 4 4 15 24 9 1 3 9 1 0 3 2 2 1 1 0 3 0 2 1 1 0 3 7 4 1 1 4 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 8 3 3 11 1 9 5 21 13 10 1 7 9 4 4 1 5 14 3 14 4 1 1 2 0 4 3 12 23 4 1 1 10 1 0 5 2 5 1 3 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 4 2 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 4 4 2 8 0 0 2 16 11 8 1 1 10 2 2 3 3 8 1 7 17 1 4 31 2 10 12 47 48 29 3 12 22 13 3 1 12 22 0 48 4 3 2 21 0 5 4 33 41 16 1 5 15 1 0 0 2 6 1 6 0 3 1 3 1 2 1 4 8 6 1 1 5 0 0 0 4 5 0 3 TOTAL 188 95 31 146 83 20 93 337 166 48 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTAL 1 0 3 4 0 2 2 7 15 2 2 2 9 4 0 1 0 9 1 2 66 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 3 1 0 0 8 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 23 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 7 6 4 1 0 6 3 1 0 0 2 0 6 42 1 0 4 10 1 1 10 19 26 13 2 6 21 5 1 2 6 17 1 14 160 0 0 2 7 0 3 4 15 20 2 2 3 11 5 1 1 2 8 0 8 94 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 3 6 2 0 2 9 2 0 0 1 1 0 5 36 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 13 0 2 0 10 3 2 1 1 1 0 4 42 6 0 0 14 1 3 8 31 42 14 0 2 20 14 2 3 8 11 2 23 204 1 1 0 7 1 1 5 8 14 6 0 4 14 8 1 2 8 7 0 9 97 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 5 3 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 25 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 6 2 0 1 4 2 0 5 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 1 5 2 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 14 4 0 12 0 2 7 28 53 24 0 0 19 9 0 4 2 15 0 13 18 1 4 18 1 4 7 30 121 28 1 2 43 16 1 9 3 11 0 14 Engine Department 1 0 5 7 2 0 7 9 21 4 1 4 14 2 0 1 6 11 1 6 102 1 1 3 3 1 0 1 6 18 5 1 1 8 1 1 1 4 2 0 5 63 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 3 8 5 0 1 5 2 0 0 0 3 2 6 45 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 5 1 2 0 0 3 0 1 17 Steward Department February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point Monday: Feb. 5, March 4 Algonac Friday: Feb. 9, March 8 Baltimore Thursday: Feb. 8 , March 7 Guam Thursday: Feb. 22, March 21 Honolulu Friday: Feb. 16, March 15 Houston Monday: Feb. 12 , March 11 Jacksonville Thursday: Feb. 8, March 7 Joliet Thursday: Feb. 15, March 14 Mobile Wednesday: Feb. 14, March 13 New Orleans Tuesday: Feb. 13, March 12 Jersey City Tuesday: Feb. 6, March 5 Norfolk Friday: Feb. 9, March 8 Oakland Thursday: Feb. 15, March 14 Philadelphia Wednesday: Feb. 7, March 6 Port Everglades Thursday: Feb. 15, March 14 San Juan Thursday: Feb. 8, March 7 St. Louis Friday: Feb. 16, March 15 Tacoma Friday: Feb. 23, March 22 Wilmington Tuesday: Feb. 20, Monday: March 18 Date change due to holiday observance. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. FEBRUARY 2024 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTAL 2 0 1 6 1 2 2 15 17 6 0 1 13 13 1 2 3 4 1 15 105 0 0 0 4 1 2 3 6 13 4 0 5 15 5 0 1 6 1 1 9 76 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 19 1 0 1 4 0 1 5 8 20 4 2 3 10 8 4 1 1 3 1 11 88 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 4 11 0 1 1 15 3 0 1 6 1 1 3 51 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 14 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 7 3 1 4 1 0 4 15 37 10 1 0 13 9 0 6 0 8 0 5 9 1 4 9 2 2 1 13 63 21 0 1 23 13 0 10 3 4 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 TOTAL 14 124 190 5 57 106 27 23 206 332 GRAND TOTAL 409 361 263 302 236 157 204 724 563 441 Entry Department 4 0 1 2 1 0 1 8 13 7 1 0 3 5 0 2 1 3 0 5 3 1 2 4 1 0 6 4 31 12 0 1 14 6 0 13 0 3 0 5 SEAFARERS LOG •SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 15 LOG • 15 �SIU Directory Inquiring Seafarer David Heindel, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President Tom Orzechowski, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast This month’s question was answered in late 2023 at the hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia. Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Question: What would you like to do/accomplish in 2024? Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Nicholas Celona, Vice President Government Services Bryan Powell, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Arsenio C. Omabao Jr. AB Maintenance HEADQUARTERS 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 I want to continue my duties as a bosun in the SIU. Most importantly, I want to get my QMED certification. I want to keep moving forward. Carl Royster Chief Cook Pinero Peek OS I want to become a steward – a certified chief steward – and keep working. I want to make it up to becoming an officer. I want to climb the ladder. Elias Bonefont AB Keith Small Steward/Baker Keep smiling. I want to stay in a positive environment. My goal is to become debtfree. I also want to be better with my craft. David King SA Juditha Cuarez SA I want to become a chief cook and keep sailing. I would like to become a chief cook. 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 Aaron Moore Oiler 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 Pic from the Past 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 Pictured aboard the LNG Libra in 1979 are Paul Klippel, Evan Jones, Bob O’Rourke, John Hamot, Howard Webber, W. Murphy, Jeffrey Thompson and Richard Grant. SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1616 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024 �Welcome Ashore! DEEP SEA FLORITO ALEGADO Brother Florito Alegado, 65, joined the union in 2006. He was a deck department member and first worked on the Pride of Aloha. Brother Alegado upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. He most recently shipped on the Horizon Spirit and makes his home in Long Beach, California. ANGELITO BASA Brother Angelito Basa, 69, signed on with the Seafarers in 2006 when he sailed aboard the North Star. He upgraded at the union-affiliated Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Basa shipped in both the deck and engine departments. He last sailed on the Yosemite Trader before settling in Auburn, Washington. ALFRANCIS BAUZON Brother Alfrancis Bauzon, 61, donned the SIU colors in 1993, initially sailing aboard the Independence. Brother Bauzon was a member of the steward department. He upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother Bauzon’s last vessel was the American Phoenix. He calls Spring, Texas, home. ERIC BERRY Brother Eric Berry, 67, joined the Seafarers International Union in 2001. He first sailed aboard the Green Point. A deck department member, Brother Berry upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions. He concluded his career aboard the El Faro in 2009 and resides in Spring Valley, California. JOHN BIMPONG Brother John Bimpong, 66, became an SIU member in 1991. He worked in the engine department and first shipped on the Sea Fox. Brother Bimpong upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on numerous occasions. He last shipped on the Charleston and lives in Jacksonville, 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. HARRY DOWLING JOHN MCBENTUM Brother Harry Dowling, 66, embarked on his career with the SIU in 1991, first sailing aboard the Sealift Indian Ocean. Brother Dowling worked in the deck department. He last shipped on the Maersk Alaska and resides in Lilly, Pennsylvania. Brother John McBentum, 68, began his career with the Seafarers in 2010 when he sailed aboard the R.J. Pfeiffer. Primarily an engine department member, he upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother McBentum most recently sailed aboard the Ocean Jazz. He calls Lake Elsinore, California, home. DAVID HALIM Brother David Halim, 65, became a member of the union in 2002 when he shipped on the USNS Bellatrix. He worked in the steward department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. Brother Halim’s final vessel was the Yosemite Trader. He is a Philadelphia resident. BRENT JOHNSON Brother Brent Johnson, 65, joined the SIU in 1987. He first shipped on the USNS Bartlett and sailed in the engine department. Brother Johnson upgraded on several occasions at the Piney Point school. He last sailed on the Horizon Crusader and makes his home in Vidalia, Georgia. DANIEL JOHNSON Brother Daniel Johnson, 65, began sailing with the union in 1976, initially working aboard the Ponce. An engine department member, he upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Johnson’s final vessel was the Performance. He lives in Lake City, Florida. KEVIN KELLUM Brother Kevin Kellum, 56, signed on with the union in 1991 when he shipped on the USNS Capella. He worked in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on numerous occasions. Brother Kellum most recently sailed on the Pacific Tracker and makes his home in Vancouver, Washington. SI-XIN LING Brother Si-Xin Ling, 66, joined the Seafarers in 2006, initially sailing on the Green Cove. Brother Ling was a member of the engine department. He last shipped on the Cape Kennedy and lives in Gretna, Louisiana. LEANDER COLLINS SPENCER LYLE Brother Leander Collins, 66, started his career with the Seafarers International Union in 2001 and first sailed aboard the St. Louis Express. He upgraded at the Piney Point school on numerous occasions. Brother Collins shipped in the engine department and most recently worked on the Cape Cortes. He is a Houston resident. Brother Spencer Lyle, 65, became a member of the union in 1976. He shipped in the deck department and first sailed with National Marine Service. Brother Lyle concluded his career on the Commitment and settled in Livingston, Texas. FEBRUARY 2024 ABUDULL RAHIEM Brother Abudull Rahiem, 65, signed on with the SIU in 1980, initially sailing aboard the Sea-Land Trader. Brother Rahiem upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. A steward department member, he last sailed on the Nedlloyd Holland. Brother Rahiem lives in Philadelphia. LEA RAMOS MEJIA Sister Lea Ramos Mejia, 65, donned the SIU colors in 2001. A steward department member, she initially shipped on the Chelsea. Sister Ramos Mejia upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. She concluded her career aboard the Pelican State and resides in Houston. MELVIN SMALLS Brother Melvin Smalls, 67, joined the Seafarers in 2001 and first sailed aboard the Seabulk Trader. He upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions and sailed in the deck department. Brother Smalls most recently shipped on the Hudson Express. He makes his home in Ludowici, Georgia. STEVEN SUESS Brother Steven Suess, 65, started sailing with the union in 1991, initially working with Sea-Land. Brother Suess upgraded his skills at the Piney Point school in 1995. He sailed in the deck department and also worked on shore gangs. Brother Suess was last employed with Cargotec Services. He lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. NMU JAMES CARSON Brother James Carson, 66, joined the Seafarers International Union during the 2001 NMU/SIU merger. He shipped in the deck department and concluded his career with Boston Fuel Company. Brother Carson calls Portsmouth, Rhode Island, home. SEAFARERS LOG SEAFARERS 2023 17 • OCTOBER LOG • 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA ELRICK ARCHER Brother Elrick Archer, 63, passed away July 1. He became a member of the SIU in 2003 when he sailed aboard the Benno C. Schmidt. Brother Archer was a steward department member. He last shipped on the Rio Grande Express in 2020 and made his home in Miami. DONALD BARNEY Pensioner Donald Barney, 75, died November 3. He joined the union in 1979 and initially sailed aboard the Lewis G. Harriman. Brother Barney sailed in the deck department and concluded his career aboard the Sam Houston. He started collecting his pension in 2013 and was a resident of Chesapeake, Virginia. NELSON DORADO Pensioner Nelson Dorado, 94, passed away November 22. He began his career with the Seafarers in 1964. A deck department member, Brother Dorado first sailed aboard the Duval. He last sailed on the Stonewall Jackson before going on pension in 1995. Brother Dorado lived in Metairie, Louisiana. GERALD FREEMAN Brother Gerald Freeman, 65, died October 2. He signed on with the Seafarers International Union in 1987 when he sailed aboard the USNS Chauvenet. Brother Freeman worked in the deck department, most recently aboard the Ocean Freedom. He resided in Las Vegas. In solemn remembrance, we honor the legacies of these union members who have crossed the final bar. May they rest in peace. JOE MARTIN WILLIAM DUNNEY Pensioner Joe Martin, 78, died November 9. He became a member of the SIU in 1965. Brother Martin’s first ship was the Erna Elizabeth. He worked in the engine department and retired in 2010 after concluding his career aboard his final vessel, the Benavidez. Brother Martin resided in Mobile, Alabama. Brother William Dunney, 69, passed away July 11. He joined the SIU in 1997 when he worked with OSG Ship Management. Brother Dunney sailed in the deck department. He last shipped on the Commitment and made his home in Murrieta, California. JESSE GARDNER MICHAEL MOORE Brother Michael Moore, 65, passed away October 19. He signed on with the Seafarers International Union in 2001 and first sailed aboard the Prince William Sound. Brother Moore sailed in the deck department. He last shipped on the Alaskan Explorer and lived in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. CARL TEBELL Pensioner Carl Tebell, 90, passed away November 26. He joined the union in 1979, initially sailing aboard the President Taft. Brother Tebell sailed in the steward department and concluded his career aboard the Columbia. He started collecting his pension in 1987 and was a San Francisco resident. JEFFREY WISE Brother Jeffrey Wise, 63, died August 7. He became a member of the SIU in 2000 and first sailed aboard the USNS Invincible. Brother Wise worked in the engine department and last sailed aboard the USNS Able. He resided in Virginia Beach, Virginia. YEN HUEY Brother Yen Huey, 87, has passed away. He joined the SIU in 1979 and first shipped on the Maunawili. Brother Huey sailed in the steward department. He last shipped on the President Truman and made his home in San Francisco. JACK JOHNSON Pensioner Jack Johnson, 84, died November 9. He began his career with the Seafarers in 1967 when he sailed on a Seatrain Lines vessel. Brother Johnson sailed in the engine department member and also worked on shore gangs. He began collecting his pension in 1992 and resided in Golden Valley, Arizona. HOWARD KNOX Pensioner Howard Knox, 88, passed away November 27. He donned the SIU colors in 1964. A deck department member, Brother Knox first shipped on a Victory Carriers vessel. He concluded his career aboard the Cape Lobos and became a pensioner in 1998. Brother Knox lived in Corona, New York. GREAT LAKES KENNETH DYKSTRA Pensioner Kenneth Dykstra, 93, passed away October 15. He signed on with the Seafarers in 1968. Brother Dykstra was a deck department member, and started and ended his career with Arnold Transit Company. He went on pension in 1995 and made his home in Boyne City, Michigan. INLAND ANTONIO COLON Pensioner Antonio Colon, 79, died November 17. He started sailing with the SIU in 1976. Brother Colon worked in the deck department and shipped with Crowley Puerto Rico Services for most of his career. He retired in 2001 and lived in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico. 18 •SEAFARERS 18 SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 Pensioner Jesse Gardner, 92, died November 14. A deck department member, he signed on with the union in 1978. Brother Gardner sailed with Express Marine for the duration of his career. He became a pensioner in 2002 and lived in New Bern, North Carolina. PAUL MUTTA Brother Paul Mutta, 57, has passed away. He began sailing with the Seafarers in 2007 and worked in the engine department. Brother Mutta was employed with Allied Transportation for his entire career. He called Camden, North Carolina, home. SIDNEY POIRRIER Pensioner Sidney Poirrier, 67, died November 16. He joined the union in 1976 when he worked with Crescent Towing and Salvage. Brother Poirrier was a deck department member and remained with the same company until his retirement in 2011. Brother Poirrier resided in Covington, Louisiana. JOHN REBER Pensioner John Reber, 81, passed away November 11. He began sailing with the Seafarers in 1992. Brother Reber worked in the engine department. He was employed with Allied Transportation for the duration of his career. Brother Reber became a pensioner in 2011 and called Wanchese, North Carolina, home. NMU CHEW WAH Pensioner Chew Wah, 102, passed away November 14. He began sailing in the early 1940s. An engine department member, Brother Wah worked with Moore-McCormick Lines for most of his career. He retired in 1986 and made his home in Brooklyn, New York. HERSCHEL WILLIAMS Pensioner Herschel Williams, 90, passed away September 19. Brother Williams sailed in the steward department. He last shipped aboard the Baltimore Trader before becoming a pensioner in 1996. Brother Williams resided in Jacksonville, Florida. FEBRUARY 2024 �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. MAERSK HARTFORD (Maersk Line, Limited) October 1 – Chairman Arsenio Obenza, Educational Director Cirico Geonanga, Engine Delegate Joshua Glancy, Steward Delegate Christopher Coston. Chairman thanked everyone for a safe trip. He reminded members to leave clean rooms for onboarding crew. Chairman suggested updating credentials six months in advance and to have all paperwork ready upon arrival at the hall. Educational director encouraged members to upgrade their skills at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Ship in need of new washing machine and dryer. Crew remained alert and accountable during trip. gate William Fortner. Payoff at sea scheduled for October 31. Chairman advised members to update union dues with patrolman to avoid falling behind and not qualifying for full benefits. He suggested obtaining updated forms for shipping and benefits. Educational director urged crew to upgrade at the Paull Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members discussed various ideas pertaining to benefits. Crew would like eligibility requirement for medical benefits to return to 125 per year and one day in last 6 months. Members asked for raises to all pensions, 20 for 30 vacation and increases in steward department pay. Next port: Newark, New Jersey. LIBERTY PROMISE (Liberty Maritime Corp.), October 11 – Chairman William Barrett. Educational director recommended members upgrade at the union-affiliated Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members requested new mattresses, TVs and DVD players in all rooms as well as a new refrigerator. Crew motioned to increase vacation to 30 for 30 for all A-books and asked for 100% dental coverage for members and their dependents. Next port: Port Hueneme, California. AMERICAN PHOENIX (Phoenix Crew Management), November 5 – Chairman Charles Hill, Educational Director Michael Blue. Crew voiced concerns with ship captain and his comments on their work performance. Members noted lack of compensation for overtime worked beyond four hours, per deck delegate. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew would like refrigerators in their rooms. Members asked for 15 for 30 vacation and an updated contract with Phoenix Crew Management. MAERSK KINLOSS (Maersk Line, Limited), October 27 – Chairman Rufino Giray, Secretary Kenneth Hagan, Deck Delegate Edgardo Martinez-Espada, Engine Delegate Anatoli Vetsinov, Steward Dele- MAERSK SENTOSA (Maersk Line, Limited), November 12 – Chairman Rolando Guity, Secretary Charles B ro ok s , E ducat i o n a l D i re c to r Wordell Prescott. Educational director reminded members to up- grade at the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members requested 30 for 30 vacation. GOODWILL (Chesapeake Crewing, LLC), December 10 – Chairman Ronnie Rodriguez, Educational Director Christopher Edwards. Members would like contracts to include penalty pay for various tasks. Crew requested refrigerators and TVs for all unlicensed living quarters, as well as additional entertainment resources. Members asked to be compensated for sailing four days without accessible hot water due to pipe leak on B-deck. Working TV has been acquired in crew lounge and a new washer for B-deck crew is to be installed. ANCHORAGE (Horizon Lines, LLC), December 17 – Chairman Shawn Strand, Secretary Amanda Suncin, Educational Director Mark Campbell. Chairman encouraged members to continue working safely. Secretary advised crew to keep up to date on documents. Educational director reminded members to keep upgrading at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested microwaves in rooms. Members asked for raises in safety shoe allowances and a raise in vacation days. Next port: Tacoma, Washington. NATIONAL GLORY (Intrepid Personnel & Provisioning), December 10 – Chairman Joseph White, Secretary Lionel Packnett, Edu- cational Director Linarys Castillo Ortiz, Deck Delegate Roger Utter, Steward Delegate Esperanza Crespo-Guillen. Members were pleased to have Starlink internet service and highly recommended it for all ships. Chairman praised entire crew for working well with one another and keeping common areas clean. A vote of thanks was given to steward department for a job well done. Secretary gave special thanks to deck department for handling sanitary work. Educational director advised crew to upgrade at the Piney Point school to secure better pay. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members asked for clarification on safety shoe reimbursement and tour rotation for B-books. Crew thanked electrician for keeping washers and dryers working. Next port: Houston. HORIZON SPIRIT (Sunrise Operations), December 24 – Chairman Jovan Williams, Secretary Marcelo Param, Educational Director David Watkins, Deck Delegate Emmanuel Buyser. Ship still without internet or cable service. Chairman encouraged members to recruit family and friends to become Seafarers. He asked for their continued patience when waiting for reliefs and to make sure rooms are clean upon departure. Chairman commended steward department for their hard work making sure members eat well every day. Secretary thanked crew for good housekeeping. OT was cut in the deck department, while other departments remain eligible. Members requested new furniture and chairs in crew mess. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return FEBRUARY 2024 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, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea­farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. 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 including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President David Heindel at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: David Heindel, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 19 SEAFARERS LOG • 19 �2024 Tax Tips for Seafarers Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2023, along with provisions that remain in effect from prior years. For a more complete look at what's changed in 2023, please visit www.irs.gov before filing your return. Tax Legislation Updates & Considerations The following is a list of tax legislation and considerations affecting the current and future tax years as noted. - The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA): The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017. Described as the largest major tax reform in over three decades, the TCJA contains a host of tax provisions that impact individuals and businesses. - The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act (Tax Extenders Act): The Relief Act, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed by then President Trump on December 27, 2020, extending several tax provisions that were set to expire. - The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act): The SECURE Act was signed into law by then President Trump on December 20, 2019 significantly modifying many requirements for employer-provided retirement plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other tax-favored savings accounts. While some of the modifications went into effect retroactively or upon enactment (December 20, 2019), many of them carry future effective dates. - The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act): The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill that was signed into law by then President Trump on March 27, 2020 in response to economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Provisions in the Act were enhanced and expanded by the recent signing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ARPA was signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021 to deliver taxpayers immediate and direct relief from related hardship. The ARPA provided for additional Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks), advanced payments of the Child Tax Credit, housing assistance, and other employment-related relief. - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: The Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law in August 2022, providing numerous tax credits related to green energy. - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA): This act was signed into law December 29, 2022. The act expanded existing automatic enrollment programs, enhanced various retirement saving credits, modified RMD (required minimal distribution) that will help retirees with plan selection and decision making. Due Date of Returns File a 2023 Form 1040 and pay any tax due by April 15, 2024. An automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return can be made by filing Form 4868 and paying an estimate of tax owed to avoid penalties and interest. Then, file Form 1040 by October 15, 2024. Where to Get IRS Information comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. For more information, or to file online, scan this code General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7am-7pm your local time. Online: Access the IRS website at www.irs.gov to download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS 2 20 20 •SEAFARERS SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 FEBRUARY 2024 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Dates 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 Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Title of Course Start Date DECK DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES Latest Course Dates Date of Completion STEWARD DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES Lifeboatman/Water Survival March 18 March 29 ServSafe Management Able Seafarer - Deck March 11 May 6 July 8 March 29 May 24 July 26 March 11 April 22 June 3 March 15 April 26 June 7 Advanced Galley Ops Fast Rescue Boat August 19 August 23 March 18 June 3 April 12 June 28 Chief Steward Adv. Shiphandling August 26 September 6 April 22 July 15 May 17 August 8 Adv. Meteorology September 16 September 20 Search and Rescue Mgmt Level September 23 September 25 SAFETY/OPEN UPGRADING COURSES Basic Training Revalidation March 4 March 8 March 18 March 22 April 5 April 22 April 26 March 4 March 8 March 18 March 22 April 5 April 22 April 26 Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation June 3 June 7 Government Vessels March 4 March 25 April 22 May 13 June 10 June 24 March 8 March 29 April 26 May 17 June 14 June 28 Tank Ship Familiarization - DL (PIC) April 15 April 19 Tank Ship Familiarization - DL April 22 April 26 Tank Ship Familiarization - LG April 29 May 3 MSC Storekeeper Basic August 12 August 30 MSC Supply Configuration Mgmt September 2 September 13 MSC Ship Clip September 16 September 27 ENGINE DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES FOWT March 11 March 29 Marine Electrician April 22 May 24 Marine Refer Tech March 11 April 19 Adv. Refer Containers May 6 August 26 May 17 September 6 Machinist April 29 May 10 Pumpman April 22 April 26 Welding March 4 April 8 June 3 March 22 April 26 June 21 STEWARD DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES Certified Chief Cook March 18 April 29 June 10 April 19 May 31 July 12 UPGRADING APPLICATION COURSE ____________________________ START DATE OF DATE COMPLETION __________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ __________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ __________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ __________________ ____________________________ 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  _______________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________ __________________ ____________________________ Name__________________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)______________________________ (Cell)____________________________ Date of Birth____________________________________________________________________  Deep Sea Member   Lakes Member   Inland Waters Member  With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. FEBRUARY 2024 LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ________________________ Date On: _______________________________________ Date Off:________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________ Date:___________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime 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. SEAFARERS LOG •SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 LOG • 21 21 �Paul Hall Center Class Photos 902 APPRENTICE WATER SURVIVAL CLASS #902 – Graduated December 1 (above, in alphabetical order): Bryden Beadle, Erika Bond, Esteban Geronimo Cisneros-Trevino, Tomas Clarkson, Jahari Amir Collier Watts, Wahid Dickey, Elliot Dietrich, Austin Driggers, Diamond Jackson, Suneih Land, Kenyatta Mabine, Marlon Pamplona, Denise Parker, Chelan Peterson, Malik Rainey, Maurice Roberts Jr., Gary Rushing Jr., Lashawn Scott, Syncere Swinson, Nature Torrey, Benjamin Wilkinson and Zamariya Wilson. Instructor Charles Noell III is at far right. CERTIFIED CHIEF COOK (MODULE #4) – Graduated December 29 (both photos directly above, in alphabetical order): Garry Bourgeois Jr., Zion Bradford, Bernardo Mozo Celi, Nikia Cooper, Gregory Davis, Clare Kaleleiki, Joshua Moore, Thaisha Morris, Arthur Sison and Khaled Mohamed Yahia. CHIEF STEWARD – Graduated December 8 (above, in alphabetical order): Dylan Faile, Todd Gallagher, Shadonna Jones, Nicoll Quinones-Rodriguez and Ricky Enriquez Sencida. (Note: Not all are pictured) 22 SEAFARERS LOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 22 • SEAFARERS FEBRUARY 2024 �Paul Hall Center Class Photos JUNIOR ENGINEER – Graduated December 15 (above, in alphabetical order): Kyree Carter, Akim Davis-Griffin, Lesther Jesus Gonzalez, Cody Higgs, Quinton Sashington, Randy Slue, Daniel Ursitti, Joel Williams and Sean Wilson. Instructor Christopher Morgan is at left. TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION LG – Graduated December 15 (above, in alphabetical order): Miguel Angel Abad, Donald Appu, Etrenda Badger, Billy Joel Burgos-Burgos, Reynoldo Bush, Guy Butler Jr., Glenn Christianson, Anthony Creer, Vannessa Curd, George Fababier, Tracey Manuel, Brian Marcus, Pedro Sadrac Maysonet Gonzalez, Esstonia Moore, Tonesha Odoms, Adrian Schubert, Oscar Vencer III, Thomas Williams and Derek Willis. RFPNW – Graduated December 5: Jon Erichsen. FEBRUARY 2024 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG23 • 23 �FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 86, NO. 2 SEAFARERS LOG OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION — ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS, AFL-CIO ‘Making Genuine Connections’ Editor’s note: Longtime readers may recall that the LOG publishes annual coverage of the union’s participation in Santa’s Castle, a philanthropic project based in the Pacific Northwest. We’re taking a slightly different approach this time, in the form of a firstperson account from SIU Assistant Vice President Joe Vincenzo, who spearheaded the union’s outreach from the start. During the most recent endeavor, the SIU generated nearly $8,000 worth of gifts for military families. Early in 2007, I sat down with then-Administrative Assistant Brenda Flesner, Patrolman Ryan Palmer and our man of many hats Jim Ott, God rest his soul. As the new port agent, I asked what we were going to do both to provide an opportunity for Tacoma members to shine in the community and to make genuine connections with local organizations and residents. The two ideas that pulled on our heartstrings the most were Toys For Tots, and Paint Tacoma Pierce Beautiful. (Paint Tacoma is a story for another edition.) We partnered with Toys For Tots for three years before reaching out to Santa’s Castle, with whom we have worked now for some 14 years and going strong, with a running total donation well north of $100,000. Toys For Tots is a worthy program that serves the general public. Santa’s Castle serves exclusively our war fighters and peace keepers, which dovetails with the SIU’s mission as the Fourth Arm of Defense. It was with this in mind that we shifted to Santa’s Castle. With the blessing of the SIU Executive Board and their charitable giving, Seafarers have never come up short in their generosity. (I remember one year when the union hall was burgled and toys were stolen. SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez and thenSecretary-Treasurer David Heindel both pitched in to make up the difference.) Santa’s Castle has proven to be “all hands” each and every year, including retired Seafarers. Year after year, the likes of Seafarers Dana Cella, Shawn Fujiwara, Terry White, Tommy Belvin and others continue to bring in toys, attend the annual holiday luncheon in connection with the toy drive and even help set up and man the serving line. At the start of it all, I got some of the best advice that a green port agent could have received. SIU Vice President West Coast Nick Marrone told me at the outset to show them who you are. He said that you cannot tell them; but rather, you must show them. I think of the motto, “Acta Non-Verba,” an appropriate mantra for this lot of Seafarers who would come together as a family from all walks of life, ethnicities and religious affiliations, especially at this time of year. Next year will be Santa Castle’s thirtieth year serving the men and women in uniform at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and beyond, and it will mark the SIU’s fifteenth year as their partners. As always, I know we will rise to the occasion. Guests at the Tacoma hall enjoy the holiday buffet that coincides with the most recent Santa’s Castle outreach. SA Orlando Makiling (left) and Chief Cook Raul Ventanilla volunteer for the project. SIU-contracted companies regularly team up with the union for Santa’s Castle, and that was the case again late last year. Pictured at the Tacoma hall are Crowley Marine Personnel Director John Woodcock (left) and SIU Port Agent Warren Asp. Oiler Zachary Parker (left) and SA Thomas Curley help load some of the donations for delivery to Santa’s Castle. Supporting the mission are (from left) Recertified Bosuns Modesto Rabena and LBJ Tanoa. This year’s SIU donations had a dollar value of nearly $8,000. Rounding up some of the goodies are (from left) SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo, QMED Dennison Forsman, SIU Port Agent Warren Asp, Oiler Zachary Parker, and Santa’s Castle President Donna Handoe. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2020-present Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXXII of the Seafarers Log and beyond Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2024 Description An account of the resource SIU PRESIDENT EMERITUS MICHAEL SACCO PASSES AWAY NEW TOTE CONTRACT FEATURES UNPRECEDENTED WAGE GAINS OPERATION PROSPERITY GUARDIAN CONTINUES BIDEN'S PRO-WORKER FINAL RULE PUSHES FEDERAL PLAS INTO EFFECT U.S. MINT HONORS WWII MARINERS WITH MEMORIAL SILVER DOLLAR SHENANDOAH TRADER JOINS TSP FLEET SEAFARERS SUPPORT TROOPS VIA SANTA'S CASTLE Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02012024 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 86, No. 2 2024 Periodicals Seafarers Log http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/ea26d7fa83d4199b58e50b89f9bb1875.pdf 925d4434adc6d74d3ec6b5be68c80efd PDF Text Text SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2025 VOLUME 87, NO. 2 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION — ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS, AFL-CIO Major Maritime Legislation Introduced Bipartisan SHIPS for America Act Would Revitalize Industry The SIU applauded the recent introduction of the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation that holds great promise for the U.S. Merchant Marine and for domestic shipbuilding. Spearheaded by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) (above) and introduced by him along with Sen. Todd Young (R-Indiana) and U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D-California) and Trent Kelly (R-Mississippi), the bill immediately garnered widespread acclaim. Page 5. (Photo courtesy DOT) Santa’s Castle Once Again is a Hit The SIU continued its long tradition of supporting Santa’s Castle, a yearly philanthropic effort in the Pacific Northwest that benefits U.S. military personnel and their families. Retired Recertified Bosun Dana Cella (center) donates two bicycles at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington, for eventual transport to the Santa’s Castle facility. He’s flanked by (left) SIU VP Joe Vincenzo and a friend. Altogether, Seafarers in late 2024 donated more than $7,000 worth of gifts. Page 20. Tallying Committee Completes Work The union’s rank-and-file tallying committee recently wrapped up its report on the SIU election. Committee members are pictured in the earlier stages of their week-long effort, at the union’s headquarters building in Camp Springs, Maryland. Pages 3-4. SHIPBOARD HOLIDAY PHOTOS • PAGE 6 // PAUL HALL CENTER CLASS PHOTOS • PAGES 18-19 �President’s Report Maintaining the Fight against FOCs The story may have been largely overlooked around the winter holidays, but the recent seizure of the Eagle S oil tanker in the Baltic Sea highlights a critical issue in the maritime industry: the flagsof-convenience (FOC) system. Allegedly involved in sabotaging undersea cables between Finland and Estonia, the Eagle S, flagged under the Cook Islands, exemplifies the systemic flaws of the FOC scheme, which allows vessels to operate with minimal oversight and opaque ownership. Specific details aside, this incident isn’t isolated. FOCs, also known as runaway flags, facilitate poor maintenance standards, regulatory evasion, and anonymity that rogue actors exploit for financial and/or geopolitical gain. In the case of the Eagle S, its David Heindel integration into Russia’s “dark fleet” raises concerns about hybrid warfare targeting critical infrastructure, underscoring the global security risks tied to FOC shipping. For more than 75 years, calls for reform have highlighted the dangers that flags of convenience pose to maritime safety, workers’ rights, and environmental security. Now, with incidents like this becoming increasingly linked to hybrid threats, it’s clear that the FOC system is no longer just an industry concern – it’s a global imperative. Governments and industry leaders must advocate for stronger regulations to enforce transparency, hold flag states accountable, and close loopholes that enable vessels like the Eagle S to operate with impunity. As many Seafarers know, an FOC ship is one that flies the flag of a country other than the nation of ownership. The flag state bears legal responsibility for making sure that vessel owners adhere to certain minimum standards for safety and crew wellbeing. But many shipowners use runaway flags to dodge responsibility, bowing to the bottom line no matter the human or environmental cost. We in the SIU have helped fight against this system for a long time, primarily through our affiliation with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). As described by the ITF, “An FOC registry offers shipowners cheap registration fees, and low or no taxes. Once a ship is registered under an FOC, many shipowners then recruit the cheapest labor they can find, pay minimal wages and cut costs by lowering standards of living and working conditions for the crew.” There is more to the scheme than just saving money, however. Evading responsibility is often in the mix, so that when an issue arises – like the one involving the Eagle S – it’s difficult to hold anyone accountable. As reported by industry publication Lloyd’s List, “The beneficial owners of Eagle S … are hidden behind complex corporate structures. The registered owner of Eagle S is a single-ship structure that purports to have an office in the business center of a luxury hotel in Dubai.” Consistent with the ITF, the SIU shares the belief that there should be a genuine link between the vessel owner and the flag the ship flies, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. There is no genuine link in the case of 43 countries declared as FOC registries. It’s worth noting that there are decent shipowners and operators out there, both independent and those engaged through the International Bargaining Forum (IBF). Together, they have agreements covering crews on over 13,000 FOC ships. These contracts provide basic protections and guarantees for foreign mariners. IBF vessel agreements are renegotiated every two to four years, while others are encouraged to join through the efforts of the ITF Inspectorate network. Our important work in the maritime industry never ends. Collectively, FOCs present a significant challenge, but one worth tackling head-on. What does this mean to you, the American seafarer? It underscores the importance of solidarity and collective action. The agreements we fight for globally don’t just protect foreign mariners—they set benchmarks that impact the entire industry, including your working conditions and job security. A strong, united effort to hold FOCs accountable benefits everyone, ensuring fair treatment, safer workplaces, and a more level playing field for mariners worldwide. This struggle isn’t just about others; it’s about protecting the rights of all seafarers, including you. Sincere Thanks I appreciate the confidence you’ve shown in me and in the other SIU officials, through your strong turnout and supportive votes in the recently concluded SIU election. As someone who has spent my whole life in this organization, first going to the hall as a child with my dad, then as a rank-and-file member and later as an official, I couldn’t be more committed to your success. My predecessor Mike Sacco often said the SIU is more like a family than a union, and as I begin a full term at the helm, I have a greater appreciation for that sentiment. We may squabble like rival siblings from time to time, but ultimately, we are one crew, doing our very best to stay on the right course and lift each other up. I look forward to our team earning plenty of success in 2025 and the years that follow. NY Waterway Crews Approve Contract SIU members employed by NY Waterway recently ratified a new, seven-year agreement featuring significant wage increases and other gains. The pact covers approximately 100 Seafarers who work for the popular commuter ferry service operating between points in Manhattan and New Jersey. “A large majority of the members voted in favor of the new contract,” said SIU Jersey City Port Agent Ray Henderson, who led the union’s bargaining committee. “The negotiations took place from late October into November, and we signed the contract Dec. 5, following membership approval.” Henderson credited the four rank-and-file members of the SIU negotiating committee for “working tirelessly and doing a truly outstanding job throughout the entire process.” Serving on the committee were Senior Deckhand/Shop Steward George Schumpp, Capt. George Sullivan, Capt. Michael Muia, and Senior Deckhand Nestor Martinez. Schumpp, who retired at the end of 2024, had a unique perspective on the negotiations. He’s been part of at least five different bargaining committees during a career that spanned more than 37 years with the company, dating back to its fledgling days in the late 1980s. “All around, I think this is one of the best contracts we’ve ever secured,” he said. “Negotiations went very Seafarers LOG Volume 87 Number 2 February 2025 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org Pictured from left are the rank-and-file members of the union’s negotiating committee: Senior Deckhand/Shop Steward George Schumpp, Capt. George Sullivan, Capt. Michael Muia, and Senior Deckhand Nestor Martinez. well. We got the biggest wage increases for deckhands longevity for the company. Negotiations were great; we that we’ve ever gotten. We also [lowered] the cap on have a very good relationship with their negotiating out-of-pocket medical expenses, and secured days of committee.” credit (toward pension benefits) that previously hadn’t According to the company, since 1986, NY Waterway been counted. ferries have carried more than 300 million passengers. “I’m glad I was part of this one on the way out,” Mariners sailing aboard SIU-contracted NY WaterSchumpp concluded. “When I think back to the early way ferries have performed more than 100 rescues. days in the eighties, we didn’t even know if the com- The crews perhaps are best known for their roles in pany would make it. They had four boats (more than the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 30 are in the fleet now). But we’ve all come a long way.” September 11, 2001, when they evacuated upwards of Muia stated, “We did very good with the contract. 163,000 people from Manhattan. We got better raises than we’ve ever seen in my 25 years that I’ve been there. This shows some expected The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFLCIO; 5201 Capital Gateway Drive; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 207909998. 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 © 2025 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The SIU engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. 2 • SEAFARERS LOG Company CEO Armand Pohan (left) and SIU Port Agent Ray Henderson review the finalized collective bargaining agreement. NY Waterway VP of Ferry Operations Alan Warren (left) and SIU Senior Deckhand/Shop Steward George Schumpp sign the new contract. FEBRUARY 2025 �The rank-and-file tallying committee, pictured at union headquarters Jan. 9, consisted of (seated, from left) Mubarek Ahmed, Drushelia Finney, Samuel Fanjoy, Tom Drummond, Anthony Jacobson, Patrick Slade, Lamont Faulks, (standing) Ronald Davis, John Hale, Richard Benoit, Jack McElveen, Kyle Jolivette, Jason Powell, Stephen Hoskins, Gerard Costello, Cleofe Bernardez Castro, Thalis Ealy, Chandler Williams, Ali Alhamyari, and Tyrell Thabit. Tallying Committee Announces Election Results David Heindel is Elected President of Seafarers International Union A committee of rank-and-file members recently released its official report on the voting for national officers of the Seafarers International Union’s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters. The report also covers voting on 23 constitutional amendments. Voting took place Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024. The union’s tallying committee consisted of 20 Seafarers (two members elected from each of the SIU’s 10 constitutional halls). The group certified the election of David Heindel as president of the SIU; Augie Tellez as the union’s executive vice president; Tom Orzechowski as secretary-treasurer; and George Tricker as vice president of contracts and contract enforcement, among other results. The committee also certified the rank-and-file approval of all 23 proposed amendments that were on the ballot. The tallying committee’s report will be submitted for approval by the membership at union meetings in March. According to the report, the two contested races for office were decided by large margins. Similarly, most of the amendments passed by a sizeable number of votes. The committee disclosed the election of the following officers, who will serve four-year terms: - David Heindel, president; - Augie Tellez, executive vice president; - Tom Orzechowski, secretary-treasurer; - George Tricker, contracts and contract enforcement vice president; - Joseph Soresi, Atlantic Coast vice president; - Dean Corgey, Gulf Coast vice president; - Nick Marrone, West Coast vice president; - Bryan Powell, Great Lakes and inland waters vice president; - Joe Vincenzo, Government Services Division vice president; - Pat Vandegrift, contracts and contract enforcement assistant vice president; - Amancio Crespo, Atlantic Coast assistant vice president; - Kris Hopkins, Gulf Coast assistant vice president; - Chris Westbrook, West Coast assistant vice president; - Michael Russo, Great Lakes and inland waters assistant vice president; - Sam Spain, Government Services Division assistant vice president; - Mark von Siegel, Piney Point port agent; - Ray Henderson, Jersey City port agent; - Joe Baselice, Philadelphia port agent; - John Hoskins, Baltimore port agent; - Jimmy White, Mobile port agent; - George Owen, New Orleans port agent; - Joe Zavala, Houston port agent; - Hazel Galbiso, Oakland port agent; - Chad Partridge, St. Louis port agent; - Todd Brdak, Detroit-Algonac port agent. Despite a significant winter storm in the region, the committee met with the union’s secretary-treasurer to receive instructions on Jan. 5. Because of weather-related bank closures, ballots were picked up on Jan. 7 (instead of Jan. 6, as originally planned). The committee concluded both their tallying and their report by the evening of Jan. 10. They met during that week primarily at A winter storm caused a slight pause in the tallying committee’s work, but they made the best of it by utilizing a meeting room in Piney Point, Maryland, Jan. 7 before shifting to union headquarters the rest of the work week. FEBRUARY 2025 the union’s headquarters in Camp Springs, Maryland, and at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. Serving on the committee were Seafarers Mubarek Ahmed, Drushelia Finney, Samuel Fanjoy, Tom Drummond, Anthony Jacobson, Patrick Slade, Lamont Faulks, Ronald Davis, John Hale, Richard Benoit, Jack McElveen, Kyle Jolivette, Jason Powell, Stephen Hoskins, Gerard Costello, Cleofe Bernardez Castro, Thalis Ealy, Chandler Williams, Ali Alhamyari, and Tyrell Thabit. Unanimously approved by the committee, the report reflects strong rank-and-file turnout for balloting. The committee members concluded that they “wish to express [our] deep appreciation for the cooperation and assistance given to us by the union’s legal department and its technical and clerical staff. Finally, the members of the union tallying committee wish to congratulate the elected officers and jobholders. We extend our best wishes for the next four years. We hope that you will carry on the tradition of our union and advance the strength of the maritime industry.” Many of the constitutional amendments were of the unremarkable/housekeeping variety – for example, replacing outdated terminology with modern-day vocabulary. Others were more substantive, including amendments that formalized the addition of four constitutional ports; increased dues for the first time in almost 20 years; expanded the voting period in future SIU elections; and added two vice president positions and two corresponding assistant vice president slots. Additional photos on Page 4. Casting their ballots aboard the ARC Independence (TOTE) are (from left) Chief Cook Evelyn Cruz, Steward/Baker Gerald Hyman, and Bosun Shatina Wright. SEAFARERS LOG •SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 LOG • 3 3 �Seafarers Cast Their Votes in Union Election Bosun Reynaldo Tinay (right) casts his vote in the union election, aboard the SSG Edward A. Carter Jr. (Sealift). SIU Norfolk Patrolman Josh Rawls is at left. SIU Wilmington Port Agent Gerret Jarman (second from right) brings ballots to the Marjorie C (Pasha) in early December. Pictured from left are GVA Abdulrehman Shayef, GVA Abdullah Al-Mohseni, QEE Alvin Alcasid, Bosun Fadel Mohamed, Chief Cook Travis Rogers, Recertified Steward Jatniel Aguilera Santiago, Jarman, and AB Omar Madrid. Completing their ballots for the union election are (from left) Recertified Bosun Richard Molina and ABM Kyle Parson, aboard the Maersk Kansas. Displaying their ballots for the quadrennial union election are (from left) Mate Chris Ward, Capt. Keith Gunning, Chief Engineer Phillip Koenning, and Oiler Jordan Allen. SIU Houston Patrolman J.B. Niday is at right, aboard the G&H Towing vessel Leighton K. Ballots Secured at Hiring Hall in San Juan Pictured directly below are Seafarers securing their respective ballots at the hiring hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico. QEP Edwin Morales, Safety Director Ricky Rivera Bosun Roberto Flores 4 • SEAFARERS LOG ABM Josean Martinez QMED Ronaldo Quinones Chief Steward William Otero ABW Bryan Rojas ABM Ricardo Valenzuela SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 4 FEBRUARY 2025 �U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-California) (Photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District) U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Mississippi) U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Indiana) Maritime Revitalization Bill Introduced Comprehensive Federal Legislation has Bipartisan Backing A fter more than a year of widespread collaboration and fine-tuning, a new bill has been introduced that arguably would offer the most comprehensive remake of the U.S. maritime industry in at least half a century. On Dec. 19, U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Todd Young (R-Indiana), along with U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D-California) and Trent Kelly (R-Mississippi), introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act. The SIU, along with dozens of other organizations, provided extensive input for the bill, and the union fully supports it. In a joint news release, the legislators described the SHIPS for America Act as “comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. After decades of neglect, the United States has a weakened shipbuilding capacity, a declining commercial shipping fleet that is dwarfed by China, and a diminished ability to supply the U.S. military during wartime. This historic bipartisan proposal would restore American leadership across the oceans by establishing national oversight and consistent funding for U.S. maritime policy, incentivizing domestic shipbuilding, enabling U.S.-flagged vessels to better compete in international commerce, rebuilding the U.S. shipyard industrial base, and expanding the mariner and shipyard workforce.” SIU Political and Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman noted, “This bill represents a welcome opportunity for Congress to address many of the most pressing issues that impact the modern U.S. Merchant Marine. We have not had a comprehensive Merchant Marine Act in more than half a century. While it's clear that a bill of this size and scope is unlikely to pass without changes, we're committed to working with the sponsors and our allies in both the House and Senate to push this legislation forward and get as much of it enacted as possible. Now is the time for America to recommit itself to the goal of having a vibrant and robust maritime industry, and this bill is the first step in the long journey towards a new Merchant Marine Act for the 21st century." Mark Kelly, a U.S. Navy veteran and the first U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate to serve in Congress, stated, “We’ve always been a maritime nation, but the truth is we’ve lost ground to China, who now dominates international shipping and can build merchant and military ships much more quickly than we can. The SHIPS for America Act is the answer to this challenge. By supporting shipbuilding, shipping, and workforce development, it will strengthen supply chains, reduce our reliance on foreign vessels, put Americans to work in good-paying jobs, and support the Navy and Coast Guard’s shipbuilding needs. I’m excited to introduce this comprehensive, fully-paid-for legislation today alongside my Republican and Democratic colleagues and our partners representing all parts of the industry, and together we’re going to work to get this effort across the finish line.” Young said, “America has been a maritime nation since our founding, and seapower was a FEBRUARY 2025 significant contributor to our rise to being the most powerful nation on earth. Unfortunately, the bottom line now is America needs more ships. Shipbuilding is a national security priority and a stopgap against foreign threats and coercion. Our bill will revitalize the U.S. maritime industry, grow our shipbuilding capacity, rebuild America’s shipyard industrial base, and support nationwide workforce development in this industry. This legislation is critical to our warfighting capabilities and keeping pace with China.” Garamendi, a longtime outspoken backer of American maritime, stated, “For far too long, the United States neglected our maritime industries and the critical role they play in our national and economic security. This ends with the SHIPS for America Act. I have spent over 10 years working to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry in order to strengthen our national economy, create good-paying American jobs, and support our national security during peacetime or war. This bill represents the most substantial and comprehensive approach to have America compete and lead globally, and I’m proud to lead it alongside Senator Kelly, Senator Young, and Representative Kelly. Today, less than 200 oceangoing ships fly the American flag; the SHIPS for America Act will empower our shipyards and [mariners] to uphold our country’s status as a leader in the maritime industry.” Trent Kelly added, “Strengthening America’s shipbuilding capacity and revitalizing our commercial maritime industry is critical to both our national security and economic resilience. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Todd Young, and Congressman John Garamendi to secure our nation’s maritime future.” As part of the bill’s announcement, SIU President David Heindel called it “an extraordinary piece of legislation that stands to revitalize, strengthen and sustain our nation’s maritime industry. The SHIPS for America Act addresses critical gaps in shipbuilding, maritime workforce development, and the modernization of our commercial fleet. It is a bold step toward ensuring that the United States maintains a robust and competitive maritime presence, which is essential for both economic and national security.” Highlights of Bill Among other components, the SHIPS for America Act would: - Coordinate U.S. maritime policy by establishing the position of Maritime Security Advisor within the White House. This individual would lead an interagency Maritime Security Board tasked with making whole-of-government strategic decisions for how to implement a National Maritime Strategy. The bill also establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund that would reinvest duties and fees paid by the maritime industry into maritime security programs and infrastructure supporting maritime commerce. - Establish a national goal of expanding the U.S.-flag international fleet by 250 ships in 10 years by creating the Strategic Commercial Fleet Program, which would facilitate the development U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) of a fleet of commercially operated, U.S.-flagged, American-crewed, and domestically built merchant vessels that can operate competitively in international commerce. - Enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-flag vessels in international commerce by establishing a Rulemaking Committee on Commercial Maritime Regulations and Standards “to cut through the U.S. Coast Guard’s bureaucracy and red tape that limits the international competitiveness of U.S.-flagged vessels, requiring that government-funded cargo move aboard U.S.-flag vessels, and requiring a portion of commercial goods imported from China to move aboard U.S.-flag vessels starting in 2029.” - Expand the U.S. shipyard industrial base, for both military and commercial oceangoing vessels, by establishing a 25 percent investment tax credit for shipyard investments, transforming the Title XI Federal Ship Financing Program into a revolving fund, and establishing a Shipbuilding Financial Incentives program to support innovative approaches to domestic ship building and ship repair. - Accelerate U.S. leadership in next-generation ship design, manufacturing processes, and ship energy systems by establishing the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation, which would create regional hubs across the country. - Make historic investments in maritime workforce by establishing a Maritime and Shipbuilding Recruiting Campaign, allowing mariners to retain their credentials through a newly established Merchant Marine Career Retention Program, investing in long-overdue infrastructure needs for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and supporting State Maritime Academies and Centers for Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education. The bill “also makes long-overdue changes to streamline and modernize the U.S. Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credentialing system.” Jennifer Carpenter, president of the SIU-affiliated American Maritime Partnership (AMP), said the coalition “applauds the sponsors of the SHIPS for America Act for their focus on the maritime needs of our nation, as AMP believes it is very important for there to be a robust national maritime strategy that promotes the economic, national and homeland security of the nation. We appreciate that the legislation builds on the strong foundation of the Jones Act to further strengthen and revitalize the U.S.-flag maritime industry.” Transportation Institute President and Chair James L. Henry said that his organization, representing American-flag vessel operators, “is proud to support the SHIPS for America Act. As America enters an era of increased global competition, it is the right time to make significant investments in our U.S.-flagged merchant marine. As we’ve learned throughout history, the U.S.-flag merchant marine can be depended upon by the United States military for assured access to sealift, and trusted by the American people for the secure and reliable movement of goods. This trailblazing legislation will make America an even stronger maritime nation for future generations.” Editor’s note: Text of the entire bill, additional quotes, and a full list of organizations endorsing the legislation are available on the SIU website. SEAFARERS LOG •SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 5 LOG • 5 �Brightening the Holidays at Sea SIU steward departments went the extra nautical mile during the holiday season by providing special menus for their shipmates. In addition to the photos on this page, many more are available on the union’s social media accounts. ABOARD ALASKAN NAVIGATOR ‒ Pictured in the larger group photo on the ATC ship are (from left, starting in back) AB Kyle Silva, DEU Ahmed Ahmed, Recertified Bosun Adel Ahmed, SA Abdulrahman Omar, QMED James Grant, AB Michael Adote, AB Nathaniel Rivera, Recertified Steward Albert Sison, (sitting, also from left) AB Francisco Anacta, and Chief Cook Nasr Almusab. Sison (right) and Almusab are also pictured in photo above, left. ABOARD EL COQUI ‒ Recertified Steward Jesus Pacheco (left) and Chief Cook Steven Lopez finalize some of their Christmas meal offerings aboard the Crowley vessel. ABOARD MANUKAI ‒ Pictured from left in the group photo aboard the Matson ship are ACU Amado Paulito Angeles, Recertified Steward Fakhruddin Malahi, Capt. Roland Hobson, and Chief Cook Juan C. Baquera. 6 •SEAFARERS 6 SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 6 FEBRUARY 2025 �Norfolk Celebration The snapshots on this page were taken Dec. 18 at the hiring hall in Virginia, where Seafarers got together for a pre-holiday meal. Identifications are from left to right. Donating their time and service to help ensure the event’s success are Steward/Baker Darryl Jackson, Recertified Steward Adele George and Recertified Steward Lamont Faulks. This photo includes further proof that seafaring often runs in families. From left are AB Aretta Jones, Wiper Trinity Carter, SA Shelonti Jones, Chief Cook Nikia Cooper, QEE Tyesha Boyd, Steward/Baker Elizabeth Ibanez, Chief Cook Deborah Artis, Admin. Asst. Shelia Burton, SA Zamariya Wilson, Wiper Selena Mason and AB Arielle White. Aretta is Shelonti’s mother and Trinity’s grandmother; Shelonti is Trinity’s mom. Steward/Baker Edward Harnish, Bosun Johnny Dozier Safety Director Anthony Houston, Port Agent Mario Torrey, Admin. Asst. Sheila Burton, Patrolman Josh Rawls, ITF Inspector Bobbi Shipley, Asst. VP Sam Spain. A reliable source tells the LOG that this table was reserved for individuals respectfully known as “old salts.” Crew members from USNS Montford Point (Ocean Shipholdings) Seafarers from Keystone’s Cape Rise, Cape Ray and Cape Race Mariners from Cape Sable (Intrepid) In line starting at far left are Bosun Darrol Bates, Recertified Bosun Larry Dizon and AB Noel Gemo. AB/DJ Maurice Woodhouse Jr. shows that his skillset extends well beyond the deck department. FEBRUARY 2025 SEAFARERS LOG • SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 77 LOG • �Jacksonville Holiday Gathering These photos were taken Dec. 20 at the hiring hall, during a well-attended feast. Identifications are from left to right. Retired Recertified Steward Gregory Melvin leads the blessing of the food. ABM Edsel Renegado Bosun Damon Anderson, STOS Terence Tripp, QEE Fernandez Wilcox Guests line up for the meal. Retired Recertified Steward Larry Ewing Port Agent Ashley Nelson, Patrolman Adam Bucalo GUDE Braulio Ente, ABM Edsel Renegado, ABM Ruziell Bautista Chief Cook Sonia Pabon Barreto, Chief Cook Edna Bakhos Retired ABG Rubin Mitchell, Port Agent Ashley Nelson 8 8 •SEAFARERS SEAFARERSLOG LOG• OCTOBER 2023 Patrolman Brian Guiry, retired Recertified Bosun Randell Porter, Bosun Damon Anderson FEBRUARY 2025 �At Sea & Ashore with the SIU ABOARD ARC DEFENDER ‒ Pictured BOOKS GALORE IN ALGONAC ‒ From left to right, AB Ahmed Saleh receives his A-seniority book, while OS Mofeed Shaibi and SA Tara Lee obtain their respective full B books. All are pictured at the hiring hall in Michigan. AT THE HONOLULU HALL ‒ OS Gerald Viray (left) receives his full B book at the hiring hall. Congratulating him is SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso. WELCOME ASHORE IN HAWAII ‒ Recertified Bosun Gregorio Cudal (left), pictured at the Honolulu hall with Admin. Asst. Caitlyn Wharton, sailed with the SIU for 37 years. aboard the TOTE ship in Baltimore are (from left) Safety Director Jose Argueta and Recertified Bosun Ion Irimia. FULL BOOK IN SAN JUAN ‒ Chief Cook Carlos Colon De Jesus displays his newly obtained B-seniority book at the hall in Puerto Rico. BOOKS OBTAINED IN LONE STAR STATE ‒ Starting with photo at left, SA Alex Temetang Dongmo (left) obtains his full B book. He’s pictured with SIU Patrolman Kelly Krick. In the center photo, STOS Fausto Aranda (center) receives his A-seniority book at the Houston hall. He’s pictured with SIU Port Agent Joe Zavala (left) and Krick. In the remaining photo, AB Vidal Cacho Medina (left) receives his full B book from Safety Director Kevin Sykes. FEBRUARY 2025 SEAFARERS LOGSEAFARERS 2023 • OCTOBER LOG •99 �At Sea & Ashore with the SIU ABOARD ARC INTEGRITY ‒ Seafarers are pictured aboard the TOTE vessel in Baltimore. Safety Director Jose Argueta is at left. ABOARD ISLA BELLA ‒ Shown aboard the TOTE vessel are (from left, standing) Chief Cook Adalberto Colon, Steward/ Baker Thomas Smith, Electrician Jesus Manuel Ortiz, and (in front) Safety Director Ricky Rivera. ABOARD MAERSK KENSINGTON ‒ Pictured from left aboard the MLL ship are SIU Patrolman Kirk Pegan, Seafarers TAKING THE OATH IN WILMINGTON ‒ From right, Yeilyn Martinez, Francisco Bonilla, Tania Rameriz-Diego, Reny Arzu and Abraham Moreira, and SIU Patrolman J.B. Niday. The members are part of the Houston shore gang; they came aboard to cast their respective ballots in the SIU election. Chief Cook Cameron Azadi and AB Ethan Stacy receive their respective full B books at the hall. Administering the oath SIU VP Joe Vincenzo. ABOARD PERLA DEL CARIBE ‒ Here’s a pre-Christmas TALKING MARITIME WITH SENATOR ‒ During U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono’s pre-Election Day dinner in Hawaii, she met with several Seafarers and thanked them for their support. Pictured from left are Bosuns Fernando Haber and Gregorio Cudal, Senator Hirono (D), Bosun Edgar Elegino, and Pensioner Brandon Maeda. ABOARD MANULANI ‒ Pictured from left on the Matson vessel are ACU Abdulwali Mugalli, Chief Cook Khalid Mohamed, and Recertified Steward Joseph Laureta. FULL BOOKS IN MOBILE ‒ QEP Bobby Conner (above, right) and AB Benjamin Cone (left in other photo, with SIU Port Agent Jimmy White) receive their respective full books late last year at the hiring hall. snapshot from the TOTE ship. From left are ABM Julio Perez, Chief Cook Fernando Marques, Safety Director Ricky Rivera, SA Juan Santiago, Bosun Charles Ortiz, Steward/Baker Jacob Parrilla, and AB Carlos Diaz. 10 • SEAFARERS LOG SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 2025 10 FEBRUARY �At Sea & Ashore with the SIU SIU TRADITION ‒ Further proof that Seafaring runs in families: AB Stephen Hoskins (center) receives his full book at the Baltimore hall. Congratulating him are (from left) Safety Director Jose Argueta, Baltimore Port Agent John Hoskins (aka, Dad), VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi, and Jersey City Port Agent Ray Henderson. WELCOME ASHORE IN JERSEY CITY ‒ AB Roque Lambert (left) picks up his first pension check at the hiring hall. He sailed with the SIU for more than 30 years. Congratulating him is SIU Port Agent Ray Henderson. WITH MEMBERS IN VIRGINIA ‒ Pictured from left to right in each photo, starting at far left: SIU Port Agent Mario Torrey congratulates AB Antonio Hamilton on obtaining his A-seniority book. ABs Jonte Granger and Larry Mann receive their respective full books at the hiring hall in Norfolk. AB Kristopher Green receives his A-seniority book; he’s pictured with SIU Asst. VP Government Services Sam Spain. ABOARD PACIFIC COLLECTOR ‒ These photos from the TOTE vessel were taken Dec. 13. In the Seafaring Selfie at right (from left) are SIU Guam Port Agent Victor Sahagon and Recertified Bosun Ken Steiner. The crew photo includes Bosun Ken along with QMED Davon Brown, AB Jack Corn, SA Hamid Shahbain, OS Abdul Muther, AB Rafael Concepcion, OMU Cody Higgs, SA Orlando Makiling, Steward/Baker Clark Williams, AB William McIntyre, and SA Anthony Hermoso. ABOARD USNS MARY SEARS ‒ These snapshots were taken Dec. 11 aboard the Ocean Shipholdings vessel. Pictured from left in photo above, center are Bosun Dante Dizon and SIU Guam Port Agent Victor Sahagon. In the other two-person photo (also from left) are brothers Torence Henry and Dale Henry, sailing together as OSs. Other Seafarers are included in the largest of the three photos. FEBRUARY 2025 SEAFARERS LOG • SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 LOG •11 11 �SIU Directory Inquiring Seafarer David Heindel, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President Tom Orzechowski, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts This month’s question was answered by upgraders in Piney Point, Maryland. Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Question: What are some of the reasons you joined the SIU? Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Joe Vincenzo, 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 Maria Soler Chief Cook Anthony Hill AB The security that comes from having a good-paying job. Someone told me about the SIU down where I’m from in Puerto Rico, and when they got to the bottom line, I was sold! The ability to pick my own ships, pick the job that I want, and the freedom to work when you feel like it. I’ve got friends in the union, and they convinced me to join. Milton Sivells Steward Baker Shane Beall AB I wanted to see the world. I joined the union in 1988, after a friend of mine told me about it. I was a foreman at a truckyard, which naturally led me to the shipyard down in Norfolk, and the rest is history. I wanted to travel the world and get paid while doing it. Before I joined, I was in construction, and I helped renovate the campus in Piney Point. Heard about the opportunities in the union, and joined up. Christopher Weaver OS Tyler Maddox QMED See the world, sure, but it was time to make some career changes for me. I had a lot of friends who were in this industry already, and so far it’s going great! I was a former bridgetender, and I wanted to join a labor union and learn a trade. But I knew I didn’t want to join the Navy, and I didn’t want to be trapped behind a desk. The SIU was a natural fit. 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 Pic from the Past 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) 549-4000 Pictured in 1979 aboard the LNG Libra are AB Paul Klippel, Quartermaster Evan Jones, Recertified Bosun Bob O’Rourke, Quartermaster John Hamot, Quartermaster Howard Webber, W. Murphy, Jeffrey Thompson, and OS Richard Grant. 12 •SEAFARERS 12 SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 FEBRUARY 2025 �Welcome Ashore! DEEP SEA REYNALDO AGBULOS Brother Reynaldo Agbulos, 65, started sailing with the Seafarers International Union in 2006 when he shipped on the Richard G. Matthiesen. Brother Agbulos worked in all three departments and most recently shipped aboard the Liberty Passion. He calls Renton, Washington, home. ROLANDO BATIZ Brother Rolando Batiz, 73, joined the union in 1994, initially sailing aboard the Independence. He worked in the steward department and upgraded on multiple occasions at the union-affiliated Piney Point school. Brother Batiz concluded his career on the Maersk Atlanta and resides in New York. 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. Brother Roque Lambert, 66, signed on with the SIU in 1993 when he shipped on the Independence. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Lambert’s final vessel was the Maersk Denver. He lives in the Bronx, New York. KENNETH MITCHELL Brother Kenneth Mitchell, 78, became an SIU member in 2001. A steward department member, he first sailed on the Kenai. Brother Mitchell upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. He most recently worked on the President Wilson and resides in Lemon Grove, California. MARIO DELA CRUZ DALE NESFIELD Brother Mario Dela Cruz, 74, signed on with the SIU in 2000. He first sailed aboard the Overseas New York and worked in the engine department. Brother Dela Cruz upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. He last shipped on the Green Ocean and makes his home in the Philippines. Brother Dale Nesfield, 65, embarked on his career with the Seafarers International Union in 2002 when he shipped on the Paul Buck. He worked in the engine department and last sailed on the Noble Star. Brother Nesfield lives in Cypress, Texas. FREDERICK GIBSON Brother Frederick Gibson, 65, joined the Seafarers International Union in 1990, initially working on the USNS Denebola. An engine department member, he upgraded on numerous occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Gibson was last employed with McAllister Towing and is a Baltimore resident. JOHN GRAYSON Brother John Grayson, 65, embarked on his SIU career in 1982 when he shipped on the Amco Voyager. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. Brother Grayson’s final vessel was the Overseas New York. He makes his home in Satsuma, Alabama. ANDY ILISCUPIDEZ Brother Andy Iliscupidez, 72, joined the union in 2001. He sailed in both the deck and engine departments and upgraded at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Iliscupidez first sailed on the Roy M. Wheat. He most recently shipped on the Alliance St. Louis and settled in Carson, California. BRADLEY RENOLLET Brother Bradley Renollet, 65, joined the union in 2012, initially sailing aboard the William R. Button. He worked in all three departments and upgraded on multiple occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Renollet’s final vessel was the Brittin. He makes his home in Arkansas City, Kansas. JOSEPH SMITH Brother Joseph Smith, 69, became a member of the union in 1995. He first shipped on the Columbia and sailed in the deck department. Brother Smith’s final vessel was the Maersk Wyoming. He lives in Katy, Texas. MICHAEL STROUD Brother Michael Stroud, 73, signed on with the Seafarers in 2003 when he shipped on the Explorer. He sailed in the steward department. Brother Stroud most recently sailed aboard the Pacific Tracker. He resides in San Pedro, California. GREAT LAKES KOSAR IQBAL DAVID MORGAN Brother Kosar Iqbal, 71, joined the union in 2000, initially sailing aboard the USNS Seay. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on numerous occasions. Brother Iqbal last sailed on the USNS Loyal. He makes his home in Iselin, New Jersey. Brother David Morgan, 65, donned the SIU colors in 1979. A deck department member, he upgraded his skills at the Piney Point school on multiple occasions. Brother Morgan’s first vessel was the William Roesch. He last sailed with VanEnkevort Tug & Barge and calls Hermansville, Michigan, home. FEBRUARY 2025 INLAND ROQUE LAMBERT ROMAN ARABSKI Brother Roman Arabski, 66, began his career with the Seafarers International Union in 1978, initially shipping aboard the Pittsburgh. He worked in the deck department and last sailed with Moran Towing of Maryland. Brother Arabski is a Baltimore resident. KEVIN CASS Brother Kevin Cass, 65, joined the SIU in 2001. A deck department member, he initially sailed with Keystone Shipping Services. Brother Cass upgraded at the Paul Hall Center on several occasions. He most recently sailed on the Rocketship and resides in Tyler, Texas. JASON MIXSON Brother Jason Mixson, 57, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 1996 when he sailed on the USNS Kane. He worked in the engine department and upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions. Brother Mixson concluded his career with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock. He lives in Sanford, Florida. LARRY MULL Brother Larry Mull, 64, started sailing with the SIU in 2012, initially working with Sulphur Carriers. He was a deck department member and concluded his career working for Eco Tankers. Brother Mull settled in Wimauma, Florida. ROBERT YOUNG Brother Robert Young, 63, signed on with the union in 1983. He sailed in the engine department and was employed by G&H Towing for the duration of his career. Brother Young makes his home in Friendswood, Texas. CORRECTION The January LOG contained a mistake in James Cameron’s write-up. The correct information follows. JAMES CAMERON Brother James Cameron, 64, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 1990. He initially sailed on the Cape Ann and was a member of the steward department. Brother Cameron upgraded at the Piney Point school on several occasions and spent most of his career working aboard Maersk ships. A recertified steward, he plans on spending his retirement in both Mobile, Alabama and Portsmouth, Virginia. SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 13 SEAFARERS LOG • 13 �Final Departures DEEP SEA In solemn remembrance, we honor the legacies of these union members who have crossed the final bar. May they rest in peace. EVELYN NORDBROK AURELIO GUIBAS Pensioner Evelyn Nordbrok, 84, passed away November 25. She donned the SIU colors in 1990. A steward department member, Sister Nordbrok first shipped on the USNS Hess. She last sailed aboard the Sumner and became a pensioner in 2011. Sister Nordbrok made her home in Chesapeake, Virginia. Pensioner Aurelio Guibas, 87, died May 9. He started sailing in 1966, initially aboard the Atlantic. Brother Guibas worked in the steward department and concluded his career aboard the Fredericksburg. He retired in 2000 and settled in Long Beach, California. OTHELLO DANSLEY MACK REVIS SERGIO GIUSTI Brother Othello Dansley, 59, passed away August 31. He joined the union in 1991 and first shipped on the USNS Hess. Brother Dansley worked in the steward department. He last sailed aboard the Sam Laud in 2003 and made his home in Mobile, Alabama. Pensioner Mack Revis, 69, died November 17. He became a member of the SIU in 1978. Brother Revis initially sailed aboard the Delta Panama. He worked in the engine department and last shipped aboard the Liberty Eagle. Brother Revis went on pension in 2021 and resided in Beaumont, Texas. Pensioner Sergio Giusti, 93, passed away September 28. Brother Giusti worked in the engine department. He last sailed aboard the Cape Race and became a pensioner in 2012. Brother Giusti was a Miami resident. FRANKLIN BANDOH Pensioner Franklin Bandoh, 80, died November 24. He began his career with the Seafarers in 2001, initially sailing aboard the Dewayne T. Williams. Brother Bandoh worked in the steward department. He last sailed on the Calvin B. Titus before going on pension in 2012. Brother Bandoh lived in Snellville, Georgia. WILLIAM DAY Pensioner William Day, 80, died October 25. He started sailing with the Seafarers International Union in 1990 when he shipped on the Courier. Brother Day sailed in the engine department and concluded his career aboard the Baldomero Lopez. He retired in 2010 and resided in Baker, Florida. CARLTON GRIFFIN Pensioner Carlton Griffin, 65, passed away July 12. He embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 1978, initially sailing aboard the Santa Maria. Brother Griffin sailed in the steward department and concluded his career on the Green Point in 2009. He became a pensioner earlier this year and lived in Tucson, Arizona. JAMES WEISMORE Pensioner James Weismore, 87, passed away June 15. He signed on with the Seafarers International Union in 1990 and first sailed aboard the William Baugh. Brother Weismore sailed in the engine department. He last sailed on the Virgo and began collecting his pension in 2004. Brother Weismore lived in McMinnville, Tennessee. JAMES WYNEGAR Brother James Wynegar, 53, died October 18. He embarked on his career with the SIU in 2006. A deck department member, Brother Wynegar first shipped on the USNS Victorious. He most recently worked aboard the George III and resided in Boca Raton, Florida. NATHANIEL LAMB Pensioner Nathaniel Lamb, 66, died November 29. He joined the SIU in 1977 and first sailed with Waterman Steamship. Brother Lamb worked in the deck department and most recently sailed on the Green Ridge. He retired in 2019 and made his home in Jacksonville, Florida. CANOVA MITCHELL Pensioner Canova Mitchell, 94, passed away November 30. He signed on with the union in 1947 and initially sailed aboard the Alcoa Roamer. A steward department member, Brother Mitchell concluded his career aboard the Cape Taylor. He began collecting his pension in 1994 and resided in Mobile, Alabama. JOSEPH MOLL Pensioner Joseph Moll, 86, died November 20. Brother Moll signed on with the union in 1964 when he shipped on the Hudson. He worked in the deck department and last shipped aboard the Robert E. Lee. Brother Moll retired in 1999 and settled in Destin, Florida. INLAND EARNEST WYATT Pensioner Earnest Wyatt, 82, passed away November 27. He joined the union in 1960 and initially sailed with Gulf Atlantic Transport. Brother Wyatt sailed in the deck department and concluded his career with Allied Transportation. He became a pensioner in 2001 and made his home in Disputanta, Virginia. NMU ARTHUR CAMPBELL Pensioner Arthur Campbell, 87, died October 18. Brother Campbell sailed as a steward department member. He last shipped on the Tillie Lykes and began collecting his pension in 1996. Brother Campbell lived in Jackson, Mississippi. THOMAS FAZIO Pensioner Thomas Fazio, 91, passed away October 2. Brother Fazio last shipped with Lykes Brothers and began collecting his pension in 1984. He made his home in Metairie, Louisiana. 14 •SEAFARERS 14 SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 JAMES KENNEDY Pensioner James Kennedy, 88, died September 8. Brother Kennedy became a pensioner in 1998 after concluding his career with Cleveland Tankers. He made his home in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. WILLIE MAGEE Pensioner Willie Magee, 80, passed away November 26. Brother Magee sailed in both the deck and engine departments and last shipped on the American Pioneer. He went on pension in 1989 and settled in the Bronx, New York. SIMON MUNTEAN Pensioner Simon Muntean, 81, died October 7. Brother Muntean shipped in the engine department. He concluded his career aboard the Mormacstar and began collecting his pension in 2001. Brother Muntean was a resident of Burkeville, Texas. HECTOR PILGRIM Pensioner Hector Pilgrim, 72, passed away October 24. Brother Pilgrim sailed in the deck department. He last shipped on the Liberator and started collecting his pension in 2017. Brother Pilgrim made his home in Brooklyn, New York. JOHN ROBINSON Pensioner John Robinson, 82, died October 7. Brother Robinson worked in all three departments. He retired in 2007 after concluding his career aboard the Cape Trinity. Brother Robinson resided in Texas City, Texas. FELIX SALAS Pensioner Felix Salas, 89, passed away October 31. Brother Salas last sailed aboard the Columbia. He retired in 1990 and settled in Orange Grove, Texas. ROBERTO SALOMON Pensioner Roberto Salomon, 85, died July 6. Brother Salomon worked in the deck department. He last sailed aboard the Mormacsky and went on pension in 2004. Brother Salomon lived in Plantation, Florida. FEBRUARY 2025 �Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea “Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from December 16, 2024 - January 15, 2025. “Registered on the Beach” data is as of January 15, 2025. Total Shipped All Groups A B C Registered on Beach All Groups A B C Port Total Registered All Groups A B C Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington 13 0 5 24 3 3 3 35 38 13 1 3 14 11 2 2 5 2 13 19 6 1 3 5 0 2 0 17 25 9 1 2 16 2 3 2 6 2 3 8 1 1 2 7 1 2 0 6 11 1 2 1 3 3 1 2 0 1 2 2 9 1 4 5 1 6 5 19 21 8 1 2 15 4 2 2 7 1 7 12 5 2 2 5 0 2 1 8 12 5 1 4 8 1 3 2 3 0 4 9 0 0 1 5 1 2 0 3 7 1 1 1 3 2 0 1 0 1 1 1 6 1 4 8 0 3 1 13 13 1 2 2 8 1 2 1 2 0 2 6 19 1 3 35 5 10 11 54 47 31 4 7 25 16 1 2 8 3 21 50 8 3 3 10 2 4 2 26 37 11 2 4 24 2 1 0 8 3 3 11 2 0 2 8 2 2 0 15 15 7 1 1 10 2 1 0 0 1 4 2 TOTAL 209 113 49 132 77 31 76 353 164 75 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington TOTAL 5 0 3 8 3 4 7 7 21 7 1 7 12 2 2 1 7 2 8 9 116 0 1 1 9 0 2 4 9 8 5 1 2 16 2 0 0 2 1 3 12 78 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 4 6 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 1 1 3 3 27 1 0 2 4 0 0 2 6 10 2 1 2 9 1 1 1 0 0 2 3 47 5 1 4 11 2 4 11 18 30 6 1 5 16 4 2 2 10 1 14 16 163 0 2 0 10 0 2 3 13 15 7 2 4 21 7 0 0 4 0 5 9 104 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 5 6 0 0 1 8 2 0 0 1 2 3 5 37 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington TOTAL 3 0 1 11 3 1 5 11 25 6 1 4 15 14 2 2 3 1 9 12 129 0 2 2 1 2 0 1 8 17 4 0 1 10 2 1 2 4 1 1 8 67 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 4 2 0 1 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 19 5 0 0 9 3 1 1 8 12 4 0 2 11 9 0 0 5 0 3 12 85 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 4 8 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 2 0 1 4 30 4 0 1 13 2 1 10 19 35 16 1 8 19 17 3 3 3 1 11 42 209 0 1 1 6 6 2 3 12 22 5 0 1 15 4 1 0 7 1 5 7 99 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 3 2 0 1 4 3 0 1 1 0 2 1 22 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico St. Louis Tacoma Wilmington 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 3 2 5 1 1 3 12 39 7 1 0 12 7 1 1 0 0 2 6 13 1 3 9 2 5 5 16 62 21 0 2 28 8 2 3 0 0 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 2 7 3 0 0 2 1 1 7 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 4 7 3 5 10 1 2 2 34 54 15 2 1 18 13 2 2 0 0 7 13 23 1 2 14 1 8 7 25 91 28 0 3 52 7 0 3 2 2 10 19 TOTAL 8 109 195 2 57 109 29 23 191 298 GRAND TOTAL 462 367 290 301 245 171 182 748 558 432 Trip Reliefs Deck Department Engine Department 2 0 3 4 1 3 2 6 22 7 1 3 9 2 2 0 3 1 6 5 82 1 0 2 5 0 1 3 5 8 2 0 0 9 2 0 1 2 2 1 3 47 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 3 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 20 Steward Department February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point Algonac Baltimore Guam Monday: Feb. 3, March 3 Thursday: Feb. 13, March 13 Thursday: Feb. 6, March 6 Thursday: Feb. 20, March 20 Honolulu Friday: Feb. 14, March 14 Houston Monday: Feb. 10, March 10 Jacksonville Thursday: Feb. 6, March 6 Joliet Thursday: Feb. 13, March 13 Mobile New Orleans Jersey City Wednesday: Feb. 12, March 12 Tuesday: Feb. 11, March 11 Tuesday: Feb. 4, March 4 Norfolk Friday: Feb. 7, March 7 Oakland Thursday: Feb. 13, March 13 Philadelphia Wednesday: Feb. 5, March 5 Port Everglades Thursday: Feb. 13, March 13 San Juan Thursday: Feb. 6, March 6 St. Louis Friday: Feb. 14, March 14 Tacoma Wilmington Friday: Feb. 21, March 21 Tuesday: Feb. 18, Monday: March 17 Wilmington change due to holiday observance Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. 0 1 2 2 1 2 1 5 16 4 1 1 10 3 1 3 7 0 0 4 64 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 Entry Department 15 SEAFARERS FEBRUARY 2025LOG • OCTOBER 2023 2 0 1 1 1 1 3 5 21 6 0 0 4 2 1 0 0 0 4 5 3 0 1 5 1 0 1 5 34 11 1 1 19 10 1 5 0 0 1 10 SEAFARERS LOG •SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 15 LOG • 15 �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. MAERSK PITTSBURGH (Maersk Line, Limited), August 17 – Chairman Carlos Gibbons, Secretary Edward Harnish, Deck Delegate Jose Blanco Amaya, Engine Delegate Mashanda Carr, Steward Delegate Nikia Cooper. Chairman provided details on wage bonuses for high-risk transit. Secretary said food budget requires an increase for extra days in transit. Galley needs three new faucets and a garbage disposal. Educational director encouraged crew to sign up for upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center and to keep up with paperwork and physicals. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members voiced their frustrations with internet quality and requested new mattresses, new linens, new comforters and a larger TV. MAERSK ATLANTA (Maersk Line, Limited), September 22 – Chairman Leoncio Gadingan, Secretary Oscar Gomez, Educational Director Derek Chestnut, Deck Delegate Juan Rochez, Engine Delegate Ion Boros. New engine department classes offered at the union-affiliated Piney Point school, per educational director. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested online access to contracts, increases in vacation benefits and for annual physicals. ALASKAN LEGEND (Alaska Tanker Company), October 6 – Chairman Donny Castillo, Secretary Just Self, Deck Delegate Manuel Espinoza, Steward Delegate Jordan Harris. Shower decks will be worked on this winter and room inspections went well, per chairman’s report. Secretary asked everyone to keep bridge wing locker and chow line locker clean and organized. Educational director recommended members renew merchant mariner credentials at least eight months in advance and to upgrade their skills at the Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew discussed penalty pay for engine department and motioned to lower age and sea-time required for retirement. Members would like 20 for 30 vacation, and more than two coveralls for DEUs and reliefs. Crew agreed with suggested pay increases for extra meals/extra riders and for entry-level pay rates to be equal among each department. Members recommended implementing an online option for ship minutes and requested new recliner chairs, desk chairs and mattresses in rooms. Next port: Long Beach, California. MAERSK DENVER (Maersk Line, Limited), October 6 – Chairman James Walker, Secretary Norma West, Educational Director Anson Johny. Members discussed the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike. Chairman warned crew about approaching weather conditions and reported a good trip overall. Secretary and educational director advised crew to plan ahead for credentials and to upgrade at the Piney Point school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew motioned for penalty rate amendment and would like raises in retirement benefits and lowered sea-time requirements for pension. LIBERTY PEACE (Liberty Maritime), October 18 – Chairman Rudy Puerto, Deck Delegate Moises Arzu, Engine Delegate Joshua Yancey, Steward Delegate Claribel Cabral. Crew discussed overtime issue for unlicensed engine department members as well as requests for room TVs and internet upgrades. Everything in good standing, per chairman’s report. Educational director urged members to take advantage of the upgrading opportunities offered at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Maryland. steward department is still due reimbursement for purchasing ship items. Chairman reported good conditions aboard vessel and advised everyone to keep dues paid and to attend monthly union meetings. Steward department commended for providing good meals and services, despite low stock on supplies. Educational director reminded crew to keep documents current and to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center. Engine department still not receiving four hours OT daily, per delegate report. Next port: Brunswick, Georgia. KEYSTONE STATE (Pacific Gulf Marine), November 7 – Chairman Ali Naser, Secretary Tamara Houston, Educational Director Milan Dzurek, Deck Delegate Justin Baehring, Engine Delegate Florencio Tindugan, Steward Delegate Danilo Valencia. Crew discussed issue with air conditioning in crew lounge. Secretary touched on SIU election. Educational director encouraged members to upgrade at the Piney Point school and to renew credentials on time. New LNG courses are being offered at the school. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew under ship restriction. The discussed OT sheets. Also requested more of a variety of items stocked in slop chest. HORIZON KODIAK (Horizon Lines), November 24 – Chairman Darryl Smith, Secretary Antoinette Amato, Educational Director Jason Powell, Deck Delegate Adel Shaibi. Crew reviewed increases to safety shoe allowance, proposed union dues increase, sea-time limits for retirees in 2025 and renewing Coast Guard documents via email. Chairman encouraged members to donate to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activities Donation), the union’s voluntary political action fund, and to contribute to the toy drive at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington. Payoff at sea scheduled for Nov. 26. Secretary reminded members to attend monthly union meetings at the newly designated constitutional port of Tacoma, Washington. Educational director recommended crew take advantage of the upgrading opportunities at the Piney Point school. LIBERTY PEACE (Liberty Maritime), November 17 – Chairman Rudy Puerto, Secretary Bebiana Eason, Deck Delegate Moises Arzu, Engine Delegate Joshua Yancey, Steward Delegate Claribel Cabral. Spare fans needed on board and Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership’s money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the 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, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea­farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. 16 16 •SEAFARERS SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. 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 including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION — If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President David Heindel at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: David Heindel, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Capital Gateway Drive Camp Springs, MD 20746 FEBRUARY 2025 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Dates 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 Title of Course Start Date Date of Completion Title of Course Start Date DECK DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES Date of Completion OPEN/SAFETY UPGRADING COURSES Lifeboatman/Water Survival April 14 June 30 April 25 July 11 Able Seafarer - Deck March 17 May 5 June 9 April 4 May 23 June 27 ENGINE DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES FOWT Latest Course Dates March 17 April 21 April 11 May 16 Junior Engineer Program May 5 June 27 Marine Electrician March 17 April 18 Machinist May 26 June 13 Pumpman May 19 May 23 Welding April 21 June 2 May 9 June 20 Basic Training Revalidation March 3 March 7 April 14 April 18 May 5 May 9 June 30 March 3 March 7 April 14 April 18 May 5 May 9 June 30 Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation March 17 March 18 Government Vessels March 17 April 7 May 5 June 2 March 21 April 11 May 9 June 6 Tank Ship - DL (PIC) July 14 July 18 STEWARD DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES Galley Operations March 10 April 7 April 28 May 26 April 4 May 2 May 23 June 20 Certified Chief Cook April 28 July 4 ServSafe Management April 21 April 25 Advanced Galley Operations March 3 March 31 May 26 March 28 April 25 June 20 Chief Steward April 28 June 23 May 23 July 18 Seeking Additional Instructors The SIU-affiliated Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship is seeking to add to their team of qualified instructors in multiple areas of expertise. If you would be interested in applying to be an instructor, please review the following job titles and email monicaszepesi@seafarers.org with a copy of your credential. The school is seeking qualified candidates in the following areas: OPEN/SAFETY UPGRADING COURSES Basic Training April 7 June 23 - Chief Engineer - Deck Instructor - Engine Instructor April 11 June 27 UPGRADING APPLICATION COURSE ____________________________ START DATE OF DATE COMPLETION __________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ __________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ __________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ __________________ ____________________________ 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  _______________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________ __________________ ____________________________ Name__________________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)______________________________ (Cell)____________________________ Date of Birth____________________________________________________________________  Deep Sea Member   Lakes Member   Inland Waters Member  With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this 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. FEBRUARY 2025 LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ________________________ Date On: _______________________________________ Date Off:________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________ Date:___________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime 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. SEAFARERS LOG •SEAFARERS OCTOBER 2023 LOG • 17 17 �Paul Hall Center Class Photos APPRENTICE WATER SURVIVAL CLASS #915 – Above: Phillip Adams, Tyler Allen, Corey Ambrose, Cerryisha Banks, Malakhi Basquez, Julius Douglas, Jeremy Fazio, Alex Greco, Keely Grochowicz, Kristopher Henny, Jevon Hill, Chifhon Hogan, Michael Johnson, Glennie McGee, Robert McMahon, Tylan Meekins, Osiel Moreno, Aniyah Napier, Nathaniel Orff, Justice Rodriguez, Charles Vanderpool, Chuck Willberth and Jordayn Williams. ABLE SEAFARER (DECK) – Graduated November 22: Shane Beall, David Bessey, Emily Castellano-Marquez, Nirel Escalante, Eliza Fitzgerald, Kenny Galeno, Nathan Jackson, Jeffrey McGowin Jr., Joseph Tier and Juan Velasquez Jr. RFPEW – Graduated December 13: Zyon Anderson, Paul Conlon, Nainoa Goodwin, Jacob Hall, Hans Hansen Quinones, Baldemar Hernandez Jr., Ken Kan, Kenny Nguyen and Allan Willingham. CERTIFIED CHIEF COOK – Graduated November 29: Quad Cheatham, James Petite, Perrin Proctor, Matthew Vargas, J'lon Williams, Keyanna Williams and Rachael Zavala. RFPEW – Graduated December 13: Lee Javier Eludo Jr. WELDING – Graduated November 15: Alexander Baum, Richard Diaz Jr., Sierjohn Jove, Keith Martin Jr., Nesta Pafford, Dallas Smith and Stephen Swaby. Instructor Chris Raley is at far left. RFPNW – Graduated December 6: Kason Garibaldi, Jamari Gissentanner, Samaria Harper, Ashton Luuloa, Andy Phouminh, Joshua Robinson, Malachi Scott, Walter Stockwell and Daniel Valentine. GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduated December 13 (not all are pictured): Wilmer Alvarez, Carlos Arzu, Talus Brown, Mashonda Corley, James Darr, Johnny Dozier III, Paul Erickson Jr., Latif Haija, Edward Harnish, D'mitri Hill, William Lima, Willie Moreland, Jason Newsham, Anthony Pacely Jr., Corey Porter, Dean Trott, Kawan Weaver, Keyanna Williams, Fikera Winfield and Michael Zabielski. 18 18 •SEAFARERS SEAFARERSLOG LOG • OCTOBER 2023 FEBRUARY 2025 �Paul Hall Center Class Photos GALLEY FAMILIARIZATION– Graduated December 13 (not all are pictured): Malakhi Basquez, Julius Douglas and Nadia Forester. ADVANCED GALLEY OPS – Graduated December 13: Sarah Awad, Edna Bakhos, Aaron Helton-Cox, Steven Johnson, Paul Mena, Mary Moelk and Latara Rengifo. TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION (DL) – Graduated December 13: Ninesha Anderson, James Billups III, Jeffrey Frye and Kevin O'Lone. WATER SURVIVAL – Graduated December 6: Joseph Tier. TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION (DL) – Graduated November 15: Hunter Abshire, Mark Baillie, Cedricka Banks, Jamequia Cherry, Wilfredo Cosme Ayala, Jacob Dezzutti, Michael Gaffney, Preston Harris, Suzanne Herrera, Alexander Holmes, Joshua Kelly, Ariel Marrero, Anthony Monroe, Metwa Ojoch, Juan Ortiz Reyes, Shawna-Kay Skinner, Carl Trice, Talib Weatherspoon, Dorian White, Justin White, Sean Wilson and Anton Zakoverya. GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduated Decemebr 20: Hunter Abshire, Mark Baillie, Cedricka Banks, Jamequia Cherry, Wilfredo Cosme Ayala, Jacob Dezzutti, Michael Gaffney, Preston Harris, Suzanne Herrera, Alexander Holmes, Anthony Monroe, Metwa Ojoch, Juan Ortiz Reyes, Shawna-Kay Skinner, Carl Trice, Talib Weatherspoon, Justin White and Anton Zakoverya. FEBRUARY 2025 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 19 SEAFARERS LOG • 19 �FEBRUARY 2025 VOLUME 87, NO. 2 SEAFARERS LOG OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION — ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS, AFL-CIO SIU and Santa’s Castle Spread Holiday Cheer For the 16th consecutive year, Seafarers in the Pacific Northwest continued their show of support for U.S. military families in need of some extra holiday joy. Participating members, officials, and staff – along with representatives from SIU-contracted companies – raised and contributed about $7,000 worth of new toys to the Santa’s Castle organization, including books, board games, bicycles, electronics (such as earbuds) and more. “This is especially remarkable as the port this year has had more of its membership at sea than on the beach,” said SIU Tacoma Port Agent Warren Asp. The SIU has long been a supporter of Santa’s Castle, a year-round program backed by volunteers in the area, dedicated to assisting activeduty military families by providing them with gifts for their children. This past December was no different as Tacoma-area Seafarers hosted a luncheon for the Santa’s Castle staff and readied supply gifts TO SANTA'S CASTLEthe ARTICLE ANDofPHOTOS that they collected for transport to the “castle” for the organization to distribute to the families. “This year was a stellar turnout for the luncheon,” Asp noted. “Retired Steward Vicki Haggerty, Recertified Steward Robert Haggerty, Recertified Steward Amanda Suncin, Steward Marylouise Maddox, Chief Cook Dan Axl Monteclaro, and SA Rene Caballero set up and ran the serving line flawlessly for our other members and guests.” Additionally, a record number of SIU retirees participated in the Santa’s Castle event. One such pensioner is Dana Cella, a recertified bosun who has supported Santa’s Castle for more than a decade. “This is a great opportunity to show gratitude to the members of the armed forces whose families are struggling during Christmastime,” said Cella. “The impact we make by doing this is relative to the fact that the merchant marine is the fourth arm of defense. We work in coordination with the armed forces and this outreach helps to strengthen the bond between us.” Attendees gather for a photo at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington. SIU VP Joe Vincenzo is in front, far right. Cella usually donates bikes to the organization. This year, he donated bikes and participated in COME the Christmas luncheon where SIU volunteers help to load up the toys that they have collected and transport them to the base, which has been transformed into Santa’s Castle for the service members. “It’s great to see so many of our ‘old timers’ coming out and socializing with the next generation of mariners,” Asp said. “We extend a vote of thanks to retirees Dana Cella, Terry White, Kevin Gatling, Tommy (T-Man) Belvin, Lewis Johansen and Dennis Skretta among others for joining in on the festivities year after year.” Additionally, some SIU Government Services Division members, including Bosun Mate Frederick Beck came to the luncheon to assist. “It is always good to see MSC union members drop in and break bread with our deep-sea family here in Tacoma,” said SIU Vice President Government Services Joe Vincenzo. He added, “We also want to give a shoutout to Crowley Maritime for their continued support of our efforts here in Tacoma by donating yet again two bicycles.” Santa’s Castle’s mission is to ease holiday stress by providing new toys, board games and books to active military families in Washington State. The organization recently expanded into doing events year-round, such as giving away backpacks during the summer in preparation for the children to return to school in the fall. Santa’s Castle serves children from birth to 17 years of age for active-duty service members in Washington from all branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and active National Guard and Reserves. This past holiday season the organization helped 1,913 families and distributed a total of $791,928 dollars’ worth of toys, books, games, bikes, and stocking stuffers. “We identify service members who have financial need via the service member’s chain of command, through a chaplain or through other community programs made to assist service members,” said Santa’s Castle Executive Director Donna Handoe. “The people who identify the members in need then go to our website and fill out a form to submit the nomination. Once we receive all of our nominations, we contact the selected service members and provide them an appointment to come to our castle during our toy distribution.” She added, “What we give to the parents all depends on how many donations come in…. A really important part of our program is that parents get to choose. We’re not just handing them something; the parents get to choose depending on what they think their kid would like.” Anita Vargo, vice president of purchasing for Santa’s Castle, has been participating in these philanthropic events for 13 years. To decide what will be on the shelves year after year, Vargo collaborates with inventory personnel to compile the spreadsheet for suggested donations, which are based on what children requested. She also is largely in charge of sourcing donations and purchasing items from the list, which are used to stock the aisles for families who come to shop for the holidays. Vargo has seen firsthand the boost in morale that Santa’s Castle provides for families. “It’s the real deal, and many of the families thought they wouldn’t have that big of a Christmas this year, and all of a sudden we’re there to come to their rescue,” she said. “For example, one lady in line wanted a coat for her kids, but they thought we didn’t have any. It turns out that we had two coats which were exactly right size for her kids, and she broke down and cried. It’s just such a sweet thing to see these families and get them what they want.” The Santa’s Castle staff was grateful to have help from the Tacoma-area Seafarers for yet another year. “Everyone that helped out from the SIU, they’re just amazing,” Vargo said. “If we need help with anything, they always do it. They donate so much that it helps set us up for the following year. Plus, we really enjoyed the luncheon – they’re great cooks and the food was really amazing.” “The SIU is a huge help with all of their donations,” said Handoe. “Not only do they donate some really good stuff, they also help us get it back to the castle…. They’re a great support.” From left to right in each photo, starting at far left: SIU Port Agent Warren Asp, SA Thomas Curley; Retiree Vicki Haggerty, SREC Robert Haggerty, Chief Cook Dan Axl Monteclaro; (in front) GUDE Reynaldo Mambulao, AB Samuel Schwimmer; Santa's Castle Executive Director Donna Handoe, Admin. Asst. Shelly Hinzman, VP of Purchasing Anita Vargo. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 2020-present Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXXII of the Seafarers Log and beyond Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 2025 Description An account of the resource NEW YORK WATERWAY CREWS APPROVE CONTRACT TALLYING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS SEAFARERS CAST THEIR VOTE IN UNION ELECTION BALLOT SECURED AT HIRING HALL IN SAN JUAN MARITIME REVITALIZATION BILL INTRODUCED NORFOLK CELEBRATION JACKSONVILLE HOLIDAY GATHERING SIU AND SANTA'S CASTLE SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/01/2025 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context VOL. 87, NO. 2