https://seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/86fa99329d5d0552c96b34e2f4d2f16a.PDF 5b53b2eb7048d953c8445c72922cd171 PDF Text Text OFFIClAl OKGAN OF THt SEAFARIRS INTCRNATIONAl UNION • ATiAlffIC GUIF, LAKIS AND INLAND WATIR5 DISTRIQ • AFKIO Volume 55, Number 5 May 1993 KORTE AMERICA 5201 way Maryland camp springs, Maryxaa 20746 (301) 899-0675, 1/ ,nii.icrai8,D ovraet. eth Floor rerry^fi^^UOl) 332-7070, """ PACIFIC COAST 444 Nortb Capitol suite 800 Washington, D.c (202) 638-5355, 20001 ) ) DISTRICT ) MERICM) MI^IME ) 2 west Dixie S"""' 700 Maritime Boulevard Linthicum Heights, Maryia (410) 850-8700, TOUTED 8TME8 COMT 6^ ilU "X and IfcfelfryfSepa^ Transportation 400 seventn """jJjso, wasnington, D.O. ao ndanrs. Defendants. Seamen's Unions Unite Te Fight Work Tax' ty BULLETIN—In a joint action, major seamen's unions have filed suit in federal court against a Coast Guard-imposed tax on seamen's documents and licenses. The action was announced by the heads of the organizations: SlU President Michael Sacco; District No. 1 MEBA/NMU Unlicensed Division Chairman Louis Parise; District No. 1-PCD, ME^A President Gordon Ward; AMO District 2 MEBA President Raymond McKay and MM&P President Timothy Brown. Two SlUNA Pacific District presidents— Gunnar Lundeberg of the SUP and Henry Disley of the MFOW—also joined the action. Page 3. -) TT1TP"""™^0^ 1. ,.r,ius old prohibition on congress reversed the ^centur^^^^^^^^ '""'"Z..', pu=". - «» :-.'i ri • • '•If ^° ^ or "OBRA 1990"). Act (the "1990 Budget Thereafter, the United ^ iiili ^..^^ast >/v-W-v •• X- �t.: 2 MAY 1993 SEAFMERSLOG President's Report Unfair Taxation of Seamen In an effort to halt the charges the U.S. Coast Guard is now at­ taching to seamen's documents and licenses, the Seafarers and the four other major seamen's unions filed a lawsuit against the agen­ cy in federal district court last month. The Coast Guard put into effect on April 19 a scheme it concocted three years ago to make seamen and boatmen pay for their Coast Guard required documents and licenses. Basically, the government is charging the men and women who earn their living working on U.S.-flag vessels a "work tax." It is not a practice in this democratic nation of ours to make a person pay for the privilege of going to work. Yet, that is exactly what seamen and Michael Sacco boatmen have to do now because of these socalled Coast Guard user fees. It has taken the U.S. Coast Guard two years to implement their plan to charge fees for documents and licenses. The agency first announced its intent to levy a fee in June 1991. The SIU raised im­ mediate and strong objections; so did thousands of individual seamen. The SIU filed a lawsuit stating the fees were in reality a tax and therefore unconstitutional and, on top of that, were deter­ mined unscientifically—based on bad and inconsistent data. The judge assigned to the lawsuit would not hear the case. He said that since the so-called user fee on marine documents and licenses was just a proposal and no one had been actually hurt yet by the fee, the matter was not ready for court review. While we did not get our day in court then, I believe the lawsuit, as well as the protests lodged with the Coast Guard, had the effect of delaying the im­ plementation of the scheme for more than a year. Now thk the government has begun to implement this work tax on seamen, we can have our day in court. The issue is so fun­ damental, so critical, that the major unions in maritime repre­ senting seamen have joined together in an effort to fight the work tax, including District No. LMEBA/NMU Unlicensed Division, which represents the seamen of the former National Maritime Union seamen; and three marine officers' unions—American Maritime Officers, which is also known as District 2 Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association; District No. 1 -PCD Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association and the International Organiza­ tion of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P). House Subcommittee Fights for Fairness The House Subcommittee on Merchant Marine, chaired by Con­ gressman William Lipinski, recently brought about an end to the unfair shipping practices of Kuwait. This nation, over which the United States launched Operation Desert Shield, had promised U.S.-flag carriers access to cargoes needed for rebuilding the na­ tion after the Gulf war. But it had reneged on the deal, putting all the cargo on Kuwaiti ships. Last year, Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley demanded the Kuwaiti government stop discriminating against U.S. shipping. This year. Congressman Lipinski and the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee followed up by warning the Kuwaiti government that if the situation did not change, the U.S. govern­ ment could begin an investigation that could result in big fines for Kuwaiti ships if discrimination against U.S. ships was proven. Last month, in response, Kuwait announced that up to 50 per­ cent of the cargoes directed at rebuilding activities would be car­ ried by U.S.-flag ships. Congresswoman Bentley's work, the vigilance of Congressman Lipinski, the support of the members of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and its subcommittees have meant cargo for U.S. ships and consequently jobs for American seafarers. But more importantly, their continued efforts to revitalize the American merchant marine serve the entire nation and the world. After all, a U.S.-flag fleet capable of a swift and massive sealift such as the one which took place in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, is in the nation's—and in some cases other countries'—security interests. New Faces at MarAd President Bill Clinton has nominated two top flight people to key Maritime Administration posts. Retired Vice Admiral Albert Herberger, appointed to the job of MarAd administrator, brings to, the job 35 years of Navy experience and 18 years of sailing in the U.S. merchant marine. The nominee for the position of MarAd deputy administrator, Joan Yim, is a professional planner with a strong background in infrastructure and government administration. During his years as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Transportation Command, the military's transportation logistics coordinating center, 1 had an opportunity to work with Vice Ad­ miral Herberger in my capacity as president of the SIU. Noting his deep commitment to a U.S.-flag presence on the high seas, I believe this country will be well served by the new Maritime Ad­ ministrator. Certainly, both Vice Admiral Herberger and Ms. Yim have our sincerest good wishes and pledge of cooperation in the future. SIU Ships Spotless Recently, I had an opportunity to visit with many Seafarers aboard SlU-contracted vessels docked in the ports of San Francisco and Oakland. The ships were spotless, well mn, and gleamirig—a per­ fect example of the SIIJ slogan "An SIU Ship Is a Clean Ship," / / /, I'm proud of the job Seafarers are doing every day oh U.S.-flag ships around the world. This makes me proud to represent Seafarers, the best seamen in the world. I-- 1993 Paul Hall Lecture Gen, Cassidy Urges Speedy Action tin a New U,S, Shipping Policy The United States has been too long in bringing forth a program to provide this nation the merchant marine it requires, charged retired four-star Air Force General Duane H. Cassidy, who gave the 1993 Paul Hall Memorial Lecture. Gen. Cassidy, who is now a senior vice president for CSX Transportation, urged the ad­ ministration, Congress and the in­ dustry to work together to craft legislation for a U.S. shipping policy that will ensure a U.S.-flag fleet on the high seas. He warned, "If this call to action is not heard, if we do not do this now, if there is no bill passed in the first year of the new adminisratioil, then our government will have succeeded in doing what Hitler and the Third Reich could not do, and that is to General Duane Cassidy called for cooperation between the ad­ sink the U.S. merchant marine...." ministration, Congress and the industry to develop a program to save Speaking to an audience of the U.S. fleet. some 150 representatives of the maritime industry, the administra- unswerving commitment to a U.S.- powerful U.S. merchant marine flag presence on the high seas would with its modern, competitive ships have had Paul's unqualified respect and skilled American crews." and admiration." Can't Count on Runaways The general retired after 36 Cassidy discounted the argu­ years in the armed forces after serv­ ment that vessels owned by ing as the first commander of the Americans but registered in nations then newly established, globalU-S. that fly a flag of convenience like Transportation Command of the Panama, Liberia bf Vanuatu could military. Brand said. From his posi­ be counted on to aid the United tion as chief of the military's States in a time of crisis. transport logistics arm. Gen. Cas­ "Foreign-flagged ships may sidy "set the adrenaline flowing in mean that ownership and control the maritime industry's veins with are no longer in U.S. hands, and the his quick grasp of the plight of loyalties and availability of crewmaritime and its effect on the na­ members cannot be assured. This tional security. No one did more in makes military access to these vital trying to move the White House to resources—including related intertake positive action in support of a modal systems—unpredictable. viable merchant marine," Brand "I spent a full career as a military In introducing General Cassidy, recalled. man attempting to create predict­ Cassidy referred in his lecture to Herbert Brand, chairman of the ability—the present situation un­ Paul Hall Memorial Committee, that period in his life when he first dermines all such training and praised the speaker's "determina­ became acquainted with the U.S.planning." tion, gutsiness and leadership." flag merchant fleet. "So here I was, an airman, a guy Proposed Changes tion. Congress and academia on with an airlift background, put in a Four years ago, while he still April 22 in Washington, D.C., Gen. role that demarided a focus on headed the Transpor' ition Com­ Cassidy said he was "using this sealift," he told the audience. "I mand, a member of the congres­ forum dedicated to the most wrote letters. I made speeches. I sional committee asked Cassidy courageous labor leader in our met the people who operate the whaf he would like to see done to time—Mr. Paul Hall" to issue "a ships. I met the people who built the create a healthy merchant marine. call for action," a plan to "save" save the ships. I spent time at the Harry LunThe general told his audience that American merchant marine. deberg School of Seamanship. his words back then ring true today. "1 got a crash course in the mer­ Hall's Legacy Among the changes he sug­ In opening the session. Dr. chant marine and discovered what gested then and now were to reform Robert Friedheirn, director of the many people here already know: it U.S. tax policies that place a heavy Sea Grant Program of the Univer­ gets in your blood. It gets in your burden on U.S.-flag carriers com­ sity of Southern California's Han­ blood because of the awesome con­ pared to foreign-flag operators, cock Institute for Marine Studies, tributions of the past and the need eliminate regulations that increase said the lecture series is named for yet to come." the cost of U.S.-flag operations and The general pointed out that the work out a different approach Paul Hall, the late president of the Seafarers International Union, and merchant marine is a vital part of toward subsidies. supported through an endowment. the nation's defense transportation At the conclusion of his address. Before introducing Gen. Cas­ network. "In times of national emergency, Dr. Friedheim presented Cassidy sidy, Herbert Brand, who serves as chairman of the Paul Hall such as the recent Persian Gulf war, with a glass etching in the likeness Memorial Committee and worked there is no acceptable alternative to a of Paul Hall. closely with the late SIU president in many efforts to build the U.S. maritime fleet, reminded the audience how the endowment, which was established in 1987 at the University of Southern Califor­ nia, and its lecture program, got May 1993 started. "This series of lectures is Volume 55, Number 5 the result of efforts by friends and The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 0160-2047) is published associates of Paul Hall in the monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, maritime industry, organized labor, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 in government and the private sec­ Auth Way; Camp Springs, Md. 20746. Telephone (301) tor as a means of paying continuing 899-0675. Second-class postage paid at MSC Prince respect to the memory of a man Georges, Md. 20790-9998 and at additional mailing whose leadership contributed so offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the much to the industry—inspirationSeafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, Md. ally and pragmatically," he said. 20746. ' Brand said Paul Hall would have Communications Department Director and Editor, Jes­ been "intrigued" by the 1993 lec­ sica Smith; Managing Editor, Daniel Duncan; Associate turer. "General Cassidy's vigor, his Editors, Jordan Biscardo and Corrina Christensen; As­ detennination, gutsiness and leader­ sociate Editor/Production, Deborah A. Mines; Art, Bill ship abilities, his achievements as a Brower. manager and people person, and his The full text of Cassidy's Paul Hall Memorial Lecture is on pages 14-15. f �MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG 3 Seamen's Unions Unite to Fight 'Work Tax' Concerned with the impact of a work tax on American seamen, major maritime unions have Joined in a fight to knock out the levy. On April 19, the unions jointly filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court aimed at having the so-called user fees on marine documents and licenses declared unconstitutional. Joining the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia are the Seafarers In­ ternational Union of North America, the Unlicensed Division of District No. 1 Marine Engineers' Beneficial As.sociation/National Maritime Union, District No. 1—Pacific Coast District Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, the American Maritime Officers Dis­ trict 2 MEBA and the Internationa al Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots. Also joining in the fight are the Sailors' Union of the Pacific and the Marine Firemen's Union, both of which are affiliated with the Seafarers. Five individual marinersAnthony Primeaux, William H. Mulcahy, John Paul Hoskins, James C. Oliver and Perry O. Lawrence—also are plaintiffs in the suit filed against the Coast Guard and Federico Pena, the secretary for the Department of Transportation, which oversees the Coast Guard. 'Discriminatory Tax' In announcing the suit, which was filed April 15, SIU President Michael Sacco said, "This is an entirely inequitable and dis­ criminatory tax on seamen. It puts a tax on a mariner obtaining employment." The suit contends the work tax is unconstitutional and was calcu­ lated inaccurately by the federal agency. The basis of the action is that only Congress can pass a tax, and the legislative body cannot delegate authority to another branch of government to devise and levy such revenue raising. The imposition of the work tax has its origins in the 1990 Om­ nibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Included in the bill was a repeal of the long-standing statute that prohibited the Coast Guard from collecting fees for licenses for certain shipboard positions. The suit points out that the Congress in the 1886 Shipping Act prohibited the government from charging for services estab­ lished by the 1852 Steamboat Act, which set standards to protect life and property at sea. The then-commissioner of navigation in his accompanying 1886 report stated that these federal requirements were "for the purpose of government and not for the benefits of the shipping interest. When Congress passed the 1990 budget act, the suit contends World's Giant Grain Exporters Attempt to ScutUe Carriage On U,S. Ships of Food Aid Cargo the purpose for dropping the ban The plaintiffs have asked the on fees for merchant documents federal court to declare the user was to "increase revenue to fur­ fees an unconstitutional imposi­ ther reduce the budget deficit." tion of a tax and seek an injunc­ tion against the implementation Iinprecise Data Used of the rules requiring collection of The plaintiffs stated that the such fees. Coast Guard used inaccurate in­ Cost Ranges formation to establish the fee levels. To back up the charge, the The Coast Guard announced suit noted the commanding of­ on March 19 in the Federal ficer of the agency's New York Register final rule on the work Marine Inspection Office com­ tax. Costs, which the federal plained that he had only one week agency did start collecting on to respond to a headquarters re­ April 19, range from $35 for a quest for the amount of time used duplicate z-card, licen.se or cer^ by Coast Guard personnel to tificate of registry to $272 for an process merchant mariner docu­ upper level license. ments and licenses. The officer The Transportation Depart­ wrote that "those times and per­ ment agency said it would collect centages noted are not an accurate fees for issuance, examination account concerning activity at and evaluation purposes. For a this... center." Seafarer seeking to upgrade from Another flaw in determining ordinary seaman to able bodied the scale for documents and licen­ seaman, the cost would be ses, according to the suit, was the $135—$60 for an evaluation fee. Coast Guard's use of the annual $40 for an examination fee and pay of "an average" merchant $35 for a new, updated z-card. manner. Noting the costs being charged Job Differences Ignored to maritime officers by the federal However, the federal agency agency, AMO District 2 MEBA failed to consider the different President Ray McKay stated, pay scales, shipping seasons and "The U.S. Coast Guard's license nature of employment among the fees will discourage professional various deep sea mariners and in­ advancement in an essential in­ land boatmen. The lawsuit stated, dustry and aggravate the growing "Based on these salary projec­ shortage of qualified licensed tions, the Coast Guard concluded labor U.S. defense planners must merchant seamen could afford the call on for sealift service in na­ licensing and documenting fees, tional security emergencies. arguing that 'on an annualized What civilian American seafarers basi s, user fee costs to the average need are more jobs, not more bur­ employed seaman should repre­ dens." Supporting McKay's com­ sent significantly less than one day's wages.'" ments against the imposition of Not factored into these costs the fees on the members of his was the fact that merchant union as well as all merchant mariners continuously upgrade mariners was Gordon Ward, and test based on their increased president of District No. 1-PCD, experience and training. "It is MEBA. "It's kind of cynical to through the endorsement process stick our people with this bill that these individuals augment when Congress already caved in their training and responsibilities to political pressure on recrea­ for activities such as firefighting, tional boating user fees," Ward lifeboat duties and radar opera­ Continued on page 6 tions," the suit added. Once again, the giant grain ex­ and services. Another govern­ began suggesting that the U.S. porters are seeking to scuttle the ment agency has put forwarc government should allow the law of the land that requires a $150 million in financing for a U.S. food aid cargoes to be car­ certain portion of U.S. govern­ Conoco oil project in Russia. ried on foreign-flag ships. Rep. ment-aid cargoes to be carried on On April 5, AP reported that Bill Barrett (R-Neb.), for ex­ American-flag ships, a program President Clinton said the Rus­ ample, has introduced three bills known as cargo preference. sian people would yield "immedi­ that would waive cargo Not satisfied with their profit- ate and tangible results" from the preference rules that apply to the swollen, U.S.-government sub­ $1.6 billion aid package, and that Russian aid package. sidized grain sales, the giant it, would benefit Americans as As the LOG was going to press agricultural commodity dealers well. "The package includes on April 30, the Journal of Com­ and their allies in Congress have direct grants and credits for the merce reported the Clinton ad­ launched a vitriolic attack on U.S. purchase of food and other ministration had announced there would be no presidential shipping. Their current platform goods," the wire story said. That U.S. businesses and waiver of cargo preference re­ is the U.S.-government aid pro­ citizens would benefit from the quirements on upcoming food gram to Russia. The $ 1.6 billion U.S. aid pack­ aid package is evident from the aid shipments stemming from age to Russia was pre.sented by list of programs proposed by the the $700 million grain and food administration. aid package. President Bill Clinton to Russian Clinton President Boris Yeltsin during an American farmers, giant grain April 3-4 weekend summit in dealers, American oil and gas Vancouver, British Columbia. It companies, and other American allocated $700 million of grain businesses stand to receive a and agricultural products credit.s, share of the government's lar­ $194 million of new direct food gesse. This fact did not stop the aid (which brings the total direct Herberger is a graduate of the League Ar­ Retired Vice Admiral Albert food a,ssi.stance to $425 million in spokesman of the giant grain Herberger, a career Navy man who U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in chitects and thecurrent-fiscal year), $215 mil­ dealers from an attempt to have began-his life at sea as a merchant Kings Point, N.Y. He sailed aboard Marine Enlion for dismantling the Russian the U.S.-government supported, mariner, has merchant vessels before joining the g i n e e r s nuclear arsenal and $50 million U.S. grown grain shipped on Sealift Panel. been selected Navy in 1958. Yim brings for a joint Russian-American foreign-flag ships. During his career in the by President On April 6, in an AP wire enterprise fund to help establish Bill Clinton military service, Herberger ac­ mpre than 17 business opportunities for story, Steve McCoy, president of to be the next cumulated more than 17 years of years of com­ American and Russian the North American Export Grain head of the executive experience involving munity-based entrepreneurs, among other Association, launched an attack U.S. Maritime all aspects of managing man­ planning, on the U.S.-shipping component items. « Administra­ power resources including policy The $700 million of grain and of the aid program. tion (MarAd). recruiting, training, education, analysis, pro­ McCoy's North American Ex­ food credits come from the U.S. Announced distribution and logistics. The last ject ^sign and Joan Yim government's Food for Progress port Grain Association (NAEGA) at the same position he held before retiring management. program. The terms of payment in is the front organization for the time to serve from active duty in April 1990 inter-agency coordination and this program are extremely easy world's largest grain traders, in­ as the deputy was deputy commander-in-chief government affairs to the position and favorable—3 percent interest cluding many foreign companies Albert Herberger administra­ of the U.S. Transportation Corn- of deputy administrator. From 1975 to 1992, she rates, extended repayment plans and many enterpri.ses with their tor is Joan mand. In that post, he was respon­ and a six-to-sevfen-year grace own foreign-flag shipping opera­ Yim, a supervising planner at a sible for developing and worked with the Hawaii Office of period for payments. The U.S. tions. Honolulu construction firm who implementing a strategy to promote State Planning as a planner on Among NAEGA's members also has experience in policy government and civil sector sup­ issues relating to natural resource government in this program and in any of its grain and food export are Mitsubishi International analysis, community planning port for improvements in all modes and coastal zone management and public infrastructure financ­ policies ensures that the agricul­ Corp., Mitsui Grain Corp., C.ltoh and government affairs. of national transportation. tural products commodity dealers & Co., Zen-Noh Unico American In August 1990, the Albany, ing, among other issues. SIU President Michael Sacco are paid, and paid at subsidized, Corp. (all of which are Japanese- praised the selection of Herberger N.Y. native became vice president In her present job, she is a super­ often inflated prices. The risk of owned companies), Ferruzzi to head MarAd. "President Clin­ for maritime affairs at the Interna­ vising planner with the Honolulunonpayment is borne by the U.S. USA, Central Soya Corp., ton would be hard pressed to find tional Planning and Analysis Center firm of Parsons Brinckerhogg Italgrani USA (three companies another leading candidate who of Arlington, Va. He has served as Quade and Douglas. She holds a government. In other Russian aid measures with Italian ownership). Elders would be as skilled and qualified as the vicechairman of the sealift com­ bachelor's degree from Connec­ of the Clinton administration, an Grain (Australian), Garnac (Swit­ Admiral Herberger," Sacco said. mittee for the National Defense ticut College and pursued graduate AP wire story reported the zerland-based ownership). CarThe SIU president noted he Transportation Association. His in­ studies at the University of Hawaii. The Senate Commerce, governments of the two nations gill, Inc., Continental Grain, las worked with the nominee terest in maritime since the Navy are close to securing $2 billion ConAgra Grain Corp., among when Herberger served on the also included being a member of the Science and Transportation Com­ through the Export-Import Bank others. U.S. Transportation Command Navy League of the United States mittee is expected to hold its con­ Following NAEGA's com­ and is "looking forward to work­ Merchant Marine Affairs Commit­ firmation hearings for both to help the Russians purchase of tee and the Society of Navy Herberger and Yim by summer. American oil and gas equipment ments, certain congressmen ing with him again." Herberger Named to Head MarAd Joan Yim Appointed Deputy Administrator •"r •r • �>:'.. •' ''':•- V ' •;' , 4 Union Seeks U.S. Commitment To independent Fishermen in iWagnusen Reautberizatien 'T' •: ' r:.., . ''jr ,'2 it MAY 1993 SEAFMBRSLOG ' cover the costs of new equipment The SlU is urging Congress to for safety or conservation created retool the national law that covers by changes in rules and regula­ the conservation and manage­ tions. ment of U.S. fisheries resources, known as the.Magnuson Act, "As it stands, those in the com­ during hearings being held to mercial fishing .sector are taxed twice by these policies," Smith reauthorize the legislation for another five years. said. "First, they must finance these expensive changes themsel­ Speaking April 21 before the ves, and, second, they lose either House Fisheries Management through decreasing volumes of Subcommittee, Jessica Smith, fish or increased time at sea in SIU director of communications, Katherlne Thomas, president ofthe Alaska Fishermen's Union, meets pursuit of this catch." told the panel that "the fruits of Another change proposed by with Rep. Dan Hamburg (D-Calif.), a subcommittee member. the Magnuson Act have turned the SIU was the National Marine sour. SIU Director of Communications "There is widespread disil­ Jessica Smith testifies family fisher­ Fisheries Service get out of the lusionment with the role of the men are integral part of community. business of enforcing its own government in the process of rules and regulations. The union fisheries management. There is a stated agencies like the Coast These boats would generate feeling that the National Marine work for trucking companies, Guard and local marine police are Fisheries Service and the dock.s, welding shops, engine available for such a role. The ra­ Regional Fishery Management repair facilities, electronic goods tionale for such a change would Councils are in the business of be to create a consensus and in­ driving fishermen out of busi­ and repair shops, grocery stores crease cooperation among comand marine supply stores, not to ness." mercial fishermen, sport Smith, who was joined at the mention the docks and boatyards. fishermen and environmentalists. congressional hearing by SIU- In a town like New Bedford, The union also proposed member commercial fishermen Mass., home to the largest per giving the councils a role in catch fishing port in the continen­ and fish-canning workers from protecting the fisheries habitat. U.S., the number of Jobs within tal New Jersey, Washington and the community created by the fish­ Alaska, explained that the way Hearings Nationwide the system now works "the big ing fleet grows exponentially. Representative Thomas Manwinners of the management While pointing out that ton (D-N.Y.), chairman of the process are huge vertically in­ decisions made by the Regional subcommittee, announced more tegrated corporations with deep Fishery Management Councils hearings would be held around enough pockets to withstand the are driving small-scale fishermen the country to gain the input of myriad requirements of various out of business in favor of large fishermen so they would not have federal, state and local regula­ fleet operators, the SIU pointed to lose time at sea traveling tp tions." out that inclusion of support for meetings. Discussing the Magnuson Act with a subcommittee member are New Support for Family Fishermen family fishermen in the Mag­ Authorization of the Mag­ Jersey-based fishermen Jim Lovgren (left) and John Cole (center). Among the many recommen­ nuson Act would acknowledge nuson Act expires September 30. dations for changes in the act of­ "that smaller operators have a The law, which was passed in fered by the union was one calling lifelong and generation-.spanning 1976, is named after the late for support of family fishermen. commitment to fishing which senator from Washington, War­ "The independent fisherman, makes them intrinsically the best ren Magnuson, a champion of the the small boat owner/operator, conservators of the resource and U.S. maritime industry. It was those who have passed on a fish­ the environment. These fishermen designed to phase out foreignBeginning immediately, up to these same vessel operators and ing tradition from one generation have a .stake in not depleting any flag fishing along the U.S. coasts 50 percent of the materials merchant mariners who assisted to another, are an invaluable part resource as their livelihoods and and to create the 200-mile needed to aid in Kuwait's rebuild­ our governments in the sealift ef­ of the fisheries system," Smith those of their children depend oh fisheries conservation zone ad­ ing efforts will be carried to that fort which preceded the liberation said. "These fishermen and their the continued presence of stocks." jacent to the coastline. country aboard U.S.-flag vessels, of Kuwait." families also are ah integral part As the House of RepreiActions Sought for Years According to congressional thanks to the efforts of the House of our coastal communities— sentatives looks into the act source;s, foreign-flag vessels ac­ Merchant Marine Subcommittee. Lipinski's letter pointed out Shortly after being named sub­ that the matter had been brought from Maine to Alaska. They rep­ reauthorization, the SIU said "it is counted for 71 percent of the total resent what America is supposed in the best interest of Congress to catch in the 200-mile zone in committee chairman last Decem­ to the attention of the Kuwaiti to be about—the ability to earn a change the way the fisheries are 1977. By 1991, the percentage ber, Representative William government several times during Lipinski (D-Ill.) began looking the last two years. "We are now livelihood which affords a home managed." Smith stated the coun­ was down to 0.2 percent. into the fact that Kuwait was shut­ and a college education for the cils move too slowly and make The act created eight councils ting out U.S.-flag shipping from convinced that the responses children." were apparently nothing more decisions without the input of responsible for allocating resour­ delivering cargo to the war- than an effort to delay corrective those affected by their plans. One ces among various and often ravaged nation. This was happen­ Jobs In Community The union listed the number of way to improve the situation competing users. The regions in­ ing despite the fact Kuwait had action until all of the project car­ businesses that are affected would be "to increase the number clude New England, Mid-Atlan­ promised to include U.S. com­ goes had moved," the con­ within an average small coastal of active fishermein on the coun­ tic, South Atlantic, Gulf of panies in the rebuilding process gressman noted. The letter, which was signed Mexico, Caribbean, Pacific, as a thank-you for America's ef­ community served by ap­ cils," Smith testified. by 12 other representatives in­ The SIU urged Congress to North Pacific and Western fort in expelling Iraqi troops from proximately 40 fishing vessels cluding Gerry Studds (D-Mass.) that employ arourtd 160 fisher­ look into ways of helping small Pacific. The councils include the Persian Gulf nation more than who chairs the parent House Mer­ operators and family fishermen U.S. territories as well as states. two years ago. men. chant Marine and Fisheries Com­ Panel's Vigilance Opens Kuwait to U.S.-Fiag Ships v:^ Howe Joins Government Affairs Staff >;--v. The Seafarers International Union has named Allynn L. Howe as a legislative repre­ sentative for the union's Political Action and Government Rela­ tions Department. Howe, who has extensive ex­ perience working on Capitol Hill, primarily will track maritime legislation and activity in the U.S. House of Representatives, ac­ cording to Terry Turner, director of the department. Prior to coming to the Seafarers, Howe served as the director of government affairs for the National Lumber and Build­ ing Material Dealers Association in Washington. In that post, he organized a national network of volunteers into political teams, and represented the organization before Con­ gress. His backI ground also in" eludes work Allynn Howe with three trade unions. From 1979 to 1986, Howe served as an international union repre­ sentative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. During the next three years, he was a legislative representative with the American Federation of Govern­ ment Employees. From 1989 to 1991, he was associate director for legislative and political affairs with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. A graduate of Concord (W.Va.) College, Howe holds a master's degree from West Virginia University. After college, he was an English teacher in Howard County, Md. where he headed the Howard County Education As­ sociation legislative and politi­ cal action committee. Arab Shipping Given Rights Immediately after its govern­ ment was re-established, Kuwait gave the right of first refusal to deliver goods to the United Arab Shipping Company. More than $2.25 billion worth of cargo was shipped from the U.S. to Kuwait between February 1991 (when the war ended) and September 1992. In a letter dated March 2 to Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti ambassador to the U.S., Lipinski wrote on behalf of the subcommit­ tee: "From the evidence before us, it appears that very little, if any, of the cargo shipped to Kuwait from the United States has moved on U.S.-flag vessels. This is par­ ticularly disturbing in that it is . ''Tr. mittee, warned the Kuwaiti govemment that an investigation by the Federal Maritime Com­ mission of such discriminatory acts would be sought unless the situation was corrected. "It is with deep regret that your government's actions to exclude our carriers from participation in this commercial market have caused us to seek this type redress, however we sincerely believe this matter has gone un­ resolved far too long," Lipinski wrote in closing. On April 21, the govemment of Kuwait announced U.S.-flag vessels would be permitted to carry Kuwaiti government-im­ pelled cargo to the nation's rebuilding effort. �• ^ ; '.;• ' V;' " MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG 5 unnf Sets t^yanaing as Goal for l^Os Organizing new members ings, collecting signatures on summarized its position in enacting a national health care resolution calling for national petitions, demonstrating, lobby­ program, re-establishing the health care reform that "requires ing and other activities, UIW word "fair" in the nation's labor all employers to contribute fairly members prevented the reloca­ laws and insisting on a truly fair to the cost of care; and establishes tion of the famed liner. A grand international trade agreemeni a public program for all those not re-opening of the Queen Mary is were among the key issues ad­ in the workforce—including scheduled for June. dressed last month at the United retirees, the unerriployed and • Maritime Trades Department Industrial Workers' (UIW) ninth workers on strike." Administrator Frank Pecquex and quadrennial convention. The resolution further called AFL-CIO Legislative Repre­ The UIW, an autonomous af­ for a cap on the annual rate of sentative Calvin Johnson ad­ filiate of the Seafarers Interna­ increases in health care spending, dressed the convention about tional Union of North America, and creation of a national inde­ various legislative happenings on represents workers employed in pendent commission of consumers, Capitol Hill. • Delegates elated national the manufacturing, service ant labor, business, government and govemmeilt sectors. health care providers to administer and regional officers. Delegates to the convention, the systeih. which took place April 19-21 at Delegates and guests pack the Paul Hall Center auditorium on the Regional Divisions Established the Paul Hall Center for Maritime first day of the convention. In other news firom the con­ Training and Education, also vention: elected new officers and voted to vehicle to transport American massive relocation? Not • Delegates voted to adopt a restructure the union in order to factories south of the border," he American workers, who have new constitution which replaces better serve the membership. The said. been forced to settle for low- localis with regional divisions. delegates also approved a merger "The last 10 years offer us a paying, part-time, unskilled This move is designed to give with the i,500-member Alaska glimpse of what NAFTA really employment due to the closing of greater flexibility to the mem­ Fishermen's Union. means to the American worker. factories here in the United bers, make it easier for them to Planning for the Future Since the onset of the Reagan free States. Not the Mexican workers communicate with their regional In giving their respective trade era, American factories who labor at American-owned representatives and allow more reports to the convention, UIW transferred one million jobs to Mexican production plants input from shop stewards. • Officials and delegates con­ officials emphasized the impor­ Mexican-based maquiladora without health benefits for wages tance of organizing. UIW Nation­ plants. Conservative estimates that are barely over a dollar an gratulated the rank-and-file mem­ al Director Steve Mney cited the suggest that NAFTA would hour." bership for its successful efforts to save the Queen Mary hotel and vast potential for recruiting new result in the additional loss of Call for Health Care restaurants, which employ 1,200 members and added, "The future half a million more jobs in this Almost every speaker ad­ UIW members. Through a belongs to those people who plan country. dressed the issue of the runaway grassroots campaign that in­ Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) calls for for it and who fight for it. We can cost of health care. The UIW cluded packing city council meet- passage of striker replacement bill. "Who benefited from this win if we stick together and if we dedicate ourselves to organiz­ ing." Bill Dobbins, vice president of the union's Great Lakes region, The Paul Hall Center for trained to respond to an oil or the danger level, select and use available for several years. The stated that organizing new mem­ the appropriate safety gear (such two shorter courses primarily Maritime Training and Education hazardous materials spill in bers must be a focal point not only as boots, gloves and protective cover identification of hazardous safe, professional and efficient recently expanded its hazardousfor the UIW, but also for all of suits), contain the spill (whether materials, use of protective gear manner, whether on board the materials (hazmat) curriculum for organized labor. the hazardous material is only on and procedures for contacting vessel or shoreside," said Lun­ Seafarers to include more Officials and delegates alike board the vessel or also is in the emergency response personnel. deberg School Instructor Jim thorough training of safety, spill concurred that the UIW will Hundreds of Seafarers have water), identify the solution Shaffer, who along with K.C. prevention and containment and redouble its efforts to organize. completed all but the 40-hour needed for decontamination of Taylor, teaches the various haz­ chemical precautions necessary Regarding a bill to ban the the equipment, and decon­ HAZWOPER course, with the mat courses. work aboard a vessel. practice ofailowing^scabs to t^e to taminate the ^uipment. The haz­ majority taking the 40-hour oil — Last iHonth, 40 students be­ Thorough Training away the jobs of workers who came the first to complete the ardous material may be any one spill course or the 24-hour HAZ­ The 40-hour HAZWOPER have gone on strike. Rep. Steny or more of thousands. "You name WOPER training. Hoyer (D-Md.), one of the guest Seafarers Harry Lundeberg course features intensive hands- it, if it's in the federal regulations, of Seamanship's new 40- on training as well as written speakers, said he is certain the Schoolhealth and safety course exams. Topics include legal over­ we cover it," noted Shaffer. hour House of Representatives this The first group to complete the year once again will enact a covering Hazardous Waste and views of OSHA and Coast Guard course included Seafarers John Emergency Response (HAZ"Workplace Fairness" bill. The WOPER). This detailed course is regulations; basic chemistry of Thompson and Michael hazardous materials; use and care House passed such legislation Pressor, along with eight in­ one of many hazmat classes avail­ twice last year, but the bill fizzled able at the SIU training facility in of different safety and breathing dustry reps who are members of a in the Senate. President Bush had Piney Point, Md. It was imple­ equipment; emergency first aid; group called the Spill Coopera­ vowed to veto the measure if it mented in consideration of the sampling techniques; emergency tive of the Upper Tidewater. response plans; decontamination; reached his desk; however. Presi­ industry's continued strong em­ dent Clinton has stated he will phasis on oil-spill and hazmat and many other subjects. Other Courses Available (As of February 19,1993, any sign the bill if given the chance. Similarly, the Oil Spill Emer­ raining. vessel handling, storing, gency Containment and Cleanup 'Important to a Free Society' Other hazmat courses taught at transporting or lightering oil in Hoyer, who as chairman of the the school—all of which meet or U.S. navigable waters must sub­ course—first offered at Piney House Democratic Caucus is the exceed Coast Guard and Occupa- mit a response plan to the Coast Point in 1989—consists of class­ fourth highest ranking Democrat ional Safety and Health Ad­ Guard. The plan must address room, laboratory and on-site training. Students receive instruc­ in the body, called die right to ministration (OSHA) standards notification procedures, spill strike "the only real bargaining include: 40-hour Oil Spill Emer- mitigation procedures, shore- tion in spill containment booms leverage the trade union move­ jency Containment and Cleanup; based response activities and list and boom towing configurations ment has. If we take that away, we 24-hour Health and Safety for of contacts, among other things. and anchoring operations. The have undermined what is at the hazardous Waste Operations and As of August 19, any such vessel course also covers selection of basis of free society." He added mergency Response; 16-hour not operating under a plan may sorbents, suction equipment and that enactment of the Workplace iJenzene Safety; and 8-hour not tranisport or handle oil in U.S. skimmers and their proper use. Also included is an extensive sec­ Oil Spill Emergency Containment Fairness bill is essential "if in fact Jealth and Safety/"First waters.) and Cleanup is one of several tion on benzene. in America we believe in a free ?.esponder." Persons completing this hazardous materials courses While certain parts of these trade union movement." "It is our goal to ensure that course should be able to identify taught at the Lundeberg School. SIU President Michael Sacco, SIU members are properly the hazardous material, monitor courses (such as basic toxicol­ ogy) are rigid, Lundeberg School who was re-elected as president instructors vary the hands-on While much of the training is of the UIW, said, "An effective training "depending on the types complex, Shaffer said he has yet right to strike—not even an actual of vessels the students sail on, or to find a student who has not en­ strike—is an important tool in the ports they work from and the joyed it. "The courses are chal­ raising the standard of living for lenging, but they also are types of ships there," Shaffer ex­ millions of working Americans." interesting." plained. Joseph Sacco, who won re­ Persons completing the 40Additionally, the Lundeberg election as vice president of the School now is offering a 48-hour hour HAZWOPER or oil spill UIW's Gulf Coast Region, spoke containment courses are certified Incident Commanddr course. Shaf­ out against the proposed North as specialists, while those who fer said that several SIU-contracted American Free Trade Agreement finish the 24-hour HAZWOPER companies have expressed interest (NAFTA)—a pact between the training are considered "hazmat in this training, which will instruct United States, Canada and technicians," Shaffer reported. students on how to coordinate and Mexico which will be debated by They should be able to handle the a hazmat containment and run policy makers in Washington initial respon.ses to a hazmat spill. cleanup. "We haven't taught this within the next few months. That course, along with the 16- course yet, but we're ready to go "NAFTA is not a free trade agree­ The 40-hour hazardous materials curriculum includes hands-on train­ and 8-hour courses, have been right now," Shaffer said. ment, but rather a thinly veiled ing as well as classroom lectures. Lundeberg School Fine Tunes Hazmat Training -.'f{ •4- �6 MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG District No. 1 Pays Back Sill Loan The fight for autonomy and independence of the marine en­ gineers of District No. 1-PCD MEBA has been successful, as evident by the organization's ability to pay off a loan from the SIU ^ead of schedule. The temporary loan for up to $500,000, which was authorized by the SIU membership at the February 1, 1992 membership meetings, was extended to District No. 1 after its members, on January 15, 1992 voted to restore their union to its original independent structure which had existed prior to a 1988 merger with another maritime union, the NMU. The action to reinstate the marine engineers' original union had its roots in their frustration over the way in which the merged structure—District No. 1 MEBA/NMU—had been used to block the elected officers of the marine engineers and to take away the democratic rights of the MEBA members. The MEBA membership, in a late-1990 election for officers of their organization, had elected a group of reform-minded rankand-file candidates—among them Gordon M. Ward for the top post. Gene DeFries, the head of the organization at that time, refused to relinquish power to the newly elected candidates. DeFries and his group manipulated the union's post-merger structure to ensure their continued hold on the organization and to under­ mine the Ward officers elected by the MEBA rank-and-file. The District No. 1 member­ ship, frustrated by more than a year of DeFries' tactics, voted in that January 1992 meeting to re­ store their structure to that which had existed before the merger. The move resulted in the marine engineers' ability to collect their own dues and manage their own dfYsirs The loan from the SIU was used by District No. 1 for operat­ ing costs until the union had built up its own treasury. The pay off of the SIU loan, as well as the early retirement of DeFries and District No. I's reinstate­ ment in their Washington, D.C. office, are among the indications District No. 1-PCD MEBA President Gordon Ward presents SIU that the marine engineers once President Michael Sacco with the last check for the loan payment again have their autonomy and in­ dependence. UMWA in FigM for Job Security, AFL-CIO Unions Rally In Support • •• v' ..•^.•:^-'' •'•':• A '. Seafarers were among the hundreds of trade unionists who descended on downtown St. Louis on April 24 to show their support for members of the United Mine Workers (UMWA) in their ongoing negotiations with the Bituminous Coal Operators' Association (BCOA). The rally was held in the hometown of the Peabody Hold­ ing Company, the nation's largest coal producer. Mine Workers had conducted a one-month strike against the company during February after the union charged the BCOA, of which Peabody is a member, was not negotiating in good faith. The strike was called off a day after the UMWA ex­ panded the walkout to five other Members of the United Chauffeurs, an SIU affiliate, show their support BCOA members and the coal for the Mine Workers. From the left are James Matthews, Robert companies agreed to a 60-day Scales, James Johnson and Alonzo Myers. . contract extension. Peabody is a subsidiary of a States and its rank-and-file mem­ 'You Take Us On' London-based corporation bers are prepared to change cor­ Among the speakers at the St. known as Hanson PLC that porate attitudes toward working Louis rally was SIU President reported more than $ 1.6 billion in people!" Michael Sacco, who told the profits last year. "Peabody itself Mine Workers and others in at­ had profits of $245 million and it Among the issues being tendance, "When you take on the it can't afford decent claims sought by the UMWA is job United Mine Workers, you t^e on the entire trade union move­ wages for its miners," Sacco told security. While companies are ment! You take us on and you the trade unionists. "That kind of opening new mines by creating attitude has got to go! non-union entities, union-con­ take on our allies!" 'Times Have Changed' tracted mines have an average Sacco .pointed out that coal "If Peabody and the other coal remaining productivity of seven mined by UMWA members travels by rail, barge and ships to companies of that association years. The Mine Workers have reach plants that produce a want to take a crack at old- been seeking from the members variety of construction and con­ fashioned union busting and old- of the BCOA a list of mines fashioned exploitation of within their corporate structure sumer products. "In every one of these in­ workers, then it is the job of every that have been opened as non­ dustries, you will find union trade unionist in America to show union. During negotiations, workers," Sacco stated. "The these companies that times have which began in August 1992, the coal companies presented the fight for the jobs of the Mine changed! "Whatever it takes, this trade UMWA with three different Workers is a fight for the jobs of union movement of the United membership lists. every union worker! White-capped Seafarers join members of the United Mine Workers and other trade unionists to tell giant coal company Peabody the time of corporate greed at the expense of workers has ended. 'i- f.'.' Seamen's Unions Join Forces in Suit Against'Work Tax' Continuedfrom page 3 said. "It is bad enough that current laws allow US. shipping com­ panies to regi^er their vessels in foreign ports to circumvent exist­ ing tax laws, while employing foreign seamen who add nothing to the tax rolls," added District No. 1 MEBA/NMU Unlicensed Division Chairman Louis Parise. "Instead of imposing this workers' tax on U.S. merchant seamen, the Coast Guard should enforce the Jones Act to its fullest extent, prohibiting these ships from doing business in U.S. ports while avoiding payment of U.S. taxes." Timothy Brown, president of International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots noted it is not in the public's interest for the Coast Guard to make licens­ ing and documenting of mariners more difficult. "It is not in the public interest to further weaken the American merchant marine by decreasing the number of trained mariners ready and will­ ing to serve the economic and military needs of the United States, or to make it more expensive for American ships to operate as such fees are passed on to employers, shippers and con­ sumers." When theCoast Guard first an­ nounced the idea of a user fee in 1991, the SIU filed a lawsuit against the agency and its parent department to prevent its im­ plementation. A federal court ruled the suit could not be heard because no one had been adverse­ ly affected by the proposal. Majority Opposed In the meantime, mariners wrote letters and signed petitions to the Coast Guard and members of Congress to announce their op­ position to the work tax. Because of the uproar created, the federal agency opened two comment periods to handle all the cor­ respondence. More than 3,000 letters and 15 petitions with 1,600 signatures were received. A vast majority opposed the plan. Shortly after the House Coast Guard Subcommittee held a hear­ ing on the matter in February 1992, the subcommittee chair­ man—Representative W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (D-La.)—offered a bill to repeal the work tax. It was approved unanimously by the subcommittee but Congress ad­ journed before further action could be taken. The idea of placing a tax on merchant documents and licenses first was raised during the Reagan administration in the mid-1980s. Aquarius Crew Honored Crewmembers from the LNG Aquarius recently were honored by the Women's Propeller Club in New Jesey for their part in a 1991 rescue of 17 Filipinos 50 miles off the east coast of Taiwan. SIU Vice President Atlantic Coast Jack Caffey represented the Seafarers at the Women's Propeller Club luncheon on April 14 and accepted on behalf of the unlicensed crew a heroism award. The Aquar/usCoordinated the rescue at night and in 4Q-plus,knot winds and 8- to lO-meter seas with three other vessels. The LNG ship, operated by Energy Transportation Corporation (ETC), saved six ot the crewmembers from the Panamanian-registered MV Marine Future after they had abandoned ship. �K', ;" • IMW,, •' • • "t-'ftiy'-y ;;y MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG 7 Capiain Praises OMI Leatler Crew for Securing Tanker The tremendous winter stoim that wreaked havoc on the eastern half of the United States March 12-14 also brought out the finest in seafaring skills among the SIU members sailing aboard the OMI Leader. On the evening of March 13, the tanker was bound for Boston loaded with #6 fuel oil as it navigated through the storm. Weather alerts warned the storm was "potentially dangerous and life threatening" with hurricane force winds, high seas and heavy snow and rain. The ship was 120 miles southeast of Montauk Point, N.Y. when it was engulfed by a gigantic wave shortly after 8 p.m. "I was on the bridge talking with the captain," recalled Bosun Clyde Smith. "We had no indica­ tion from the sea of what was about to happen. The wave went right over the flying bridge." A sheet of water estimated at more than 70 feet high slammed the forward starboard side of the superstructure. Smith stated water was everywhere, including in the wheelhouse. "It almost knocked out all the bridge win­ dows," he added. Captain Steven Fox ordered a course change to get the Leader out of the wind so a deck crew could survey the damage anc make any needed repairs. Smith led a crew that includec ABs Roy Blankenship, Eugene Finley and Timothy Olvany onto the deck in the foul weather The damage report included the galley and first engineer's room Tugs, Barges, Riverboats Affected By Flooding on Upper Mississippi Rising waters on the Missis­ sippi River and its tributaries are affecting everything on the water­ way'from tugs and barges to pas­ senger riverboats to gambling boats. "The Alton Belle has not been able to sail for several days," noted Alton (111.) Port Employee Patti Rogers."The river width has increased by 700 to 800 feet and our mernbers have placed sandbags all around the barge and landing areas so guests are able to park their cars and come aboard to gamble." While the town upstream from Alton was under water on April 23, Rogers said massive pumps were being used to keep the Mis­ sissippi from flowing over the sandbags in the low-lying area around the A/ton BeWc. Further south on the river, flooding in downtown St. Louis prevented the SlU-crewed Mis­ sissippi Queen from docking in the Missouri city on April 24. A spokesperson for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company said provisions were made to land at St. Genevieve, about 50 miles portholes blown in, a deck star­ board ladder gone and the star­ board fire hoses missing. The report from the engineroom noted a potentially serious situation as the deck pumproom door was knocked open and the pumproom ven­ tilators were swept off the vessel, creating two three-foot openings on the deck. Because the ship still was within the storm, the pos­ sibility of flooding existed. Smith's deck crew joined QMED/Pumpman James McDaniel, Chief Mate Dana Haff and Chief Ehgineer Longin Tybur to secure all the openings created by the massive wave. In a letter dated March 18 and sent to the OMI Corporation, Captain Fox praised the efforts of the crewmembers to secure the ship. "These men exposed themsel­ ves to personal danger when they went on deck during the storm to secure all pumproom openings," Fox wrote. "They worked as a team and showed a high degree of professionalism, spending mini­ mal time to accomplish their task. "1 am convinced that without their actions thfe damage to the vessel would have been much greater on the night of March 13," he concluded. The Leader arrived in Boston the following day and began offloading. Smith told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG that storm was not the worst weather he had seen in his 42 years of sailing. "I've been in sustained storms with rough seas for days up to a week," he remembered. "The waves would crash over the whole ship, but. those were older, smaller vessels. This was only the one wave, but it was enough." -WmM:' ^ v:: '••-i: AT&T Honors Unions For 30 Years of Service AT&T celebrated the 30th an­ niversary of its cable ship operations by saying a special thankryou to the two unions "who have provided the shipboard per­ sonnel: the SIU and the American Maritime Officers District 2/MEBA (AMD). In a ceremony April 28 aboard the Global Link in Baltimore, SIU Alton Belle maintenance crewmembers Dan Griggs (center) and Brad President Michael Sacco and Jones (right) check the sandbags and pumps while Deckhand John AMD President Ray McKay each received a commemorative pla­ Chief Mate Miroslav Mavra shows Mills prepares to greet passengers. que and framed paintings of a sample of fiber optic cable to SIU President Michael Sacco downstream. The company was the Delta Queen, has not had to several of the company's five aboard the Global Link. watching weather conditions alter its schedule as of press time cable ships. AT&T Vice Presi­ upstream before determining due to liver conditions. The pad- dent James Barrett made the the forefront of telecommunica­ whether the riverboat would at­ dlewheeler was sailing from presentations. tions technology," Sacco said. "It "That's the whole purpose of tempt a scheduled docking in St. Memphis to Cincinnati. Meanwhile, five SlU-crewed this celebration," Barrett said is also a tribute to AT&T that Louis before the end of April. America's national security and The company's other vessel. tug/barges operated by Orgulf are prior to the ceremony, which also economic interests are served by was attended by other AT&T ex­ hung up in the upper Mississippi its vigorous fiber optic cable pro­ River because seven locks have ecutives, guests and several SIU been closed due to high water and crewmembers and officers from gram." The plaques given to each the Global Link. "We want to say flooding. union read: "In recognition of 30 Ron Stillman, transportation thank you for the partnership." outstanding partnership years of In recognizing Sacco and manager for the Cincinnati-based and excellent teamwork which company, said he expected delays McKay, Barrett said that without has contributed to the construc­ of up to four days "assuming there the Seafarers and the AMO, "We tion, operation and maintenance is no more rain" because of the wouldn't operate. We need both of the highest quality, most ad­ river .conditions. He said some unions. They have provided locations are two-and-a-half feet qualified crewmembers to handle vanced submarine cable network state-of-the-art equipment. It's in the world." over flood stage. Besides the Global Link and Stillman also noted all Orgulf because of this team—our the Long Lines, AT&T's other tugs are pushing fewer barges be­ laboratories, our engineers, the cable ships are the Charles cause of the high waters and captains, the crews—^that this Brown, the Global Sentinel and treacherous currents on the rivers. works." After accepting the plaque and the Global Mariner. Crewmem­ The flooding, reported as the paintings, Sacco recounted how bers aboard each ship specialize worst since 1973, has been caused in installing, maintaining and by continuous storm fronts dump­ AT&T's shipping company. repairing AT&T's underwater Transoceanic, started with one Steady rain and snow runoff have contributed to flooding along the ing rain in the northern plains and cable ship: the Long Lines. "The fiber optic cables. midwestem states. Along with upper Mississippi River which has affected SlU-crewed tugs, barges The ceremony in Baltimore the runoff from melting snow, the reason the one ship has become was preceded by a tour of the and riverboats. Mississippi and its tributaries are five is a tribute to AT&T and its taking in more water than their willingness to pioneer and stay in Global Link. banks can handle. Besides the Orgulf vessels, more than 50 other tugs with bar­ '^1 ges are tied up in a 180-mile region between Muscatine, Iowa and Clarksville, Mo. waiting for the locks to reopen. A spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineer said all the locks could be operating again by the first of May if there is no more rain. The high water to the north has affected river operations as far south as New Orleans. Nearly 100 tugs were forced to tie up before Sandbags try to keep the Mississippi River from flowing into the being given clearance to sail AT&T Vice President James Barrett addresses guests at the parking lot of the Alton Belle Riverboat Casino. The pilings nearly north, according to written ac­ ceremony aboard Global Link. Seafarers currently sailing on the U.S.-flag cable ship look on from the bridge level. counts. underwater on the right are the normal banks for the river. , 'J:V • v'' * V ; • 'M �I,' • • 8 J MAY 1993 SEAFARERSLOG Seafarers aboard the USIVS Pecos became a part of history when the Military Sealift Com­ mand-Pacific Fleet (MSCPAC) vessel hooked up with a Russian navy ship during an underway replenishment exercise in the central Arabian Gulf in March. "I honestly thought I would never see or do anything like this with our former adversaries, but it was a treat for all hands," stated Captain Jeff Cook of the USNS Pecos when the event ended. The unlicensed crewmernbers of the Pecos are represented by the Seafarers' Government Services Division. The vessel serves as a floating general store providing The USNSPecos, whose unlicensed crew is represented by the SlU's Government Services Division, took part in the history-making exercise. fuel, groceries and other provisions to American and allied military so signal flags utilizing interna­ changed gifts before parting. The tional codes assisted the ship-to- Pecos sent the Admiral Tributs a vessels in the Pacific fleeL ship communications. Cook ship's cap and plaque. The The replenishment operation did not come off without a few greeted the crew of the 536-foot American vessel received an Ad­ hitches. While the Navy has been destroyer in Russian, thanks to miral Tributs' ftdig and Russian utilizing the system since World some lessons he had received navy officer's cap. War II, the whole process is new from a Siberian friend. First Mission a Success to the Russian navy. Crewmembers noticed the Because of the success Communications Probiems sailors on the Admiral Tributs did achieved in this first mission, an As the Admiral Tributs (a not wear the personal protective MSCPAC spokesperson said Udaloy-class destroyer assigned gear required on American ves­ more such exercises are expected to the Russian Pacific fleet) began sels during an at-sea replenish­ to take place. Underway pulling alongside the Pecos, the ment operation. While the replenishment involves two Russian crewmembers seemed to Americans were decked out in moving vessels separated by a be unaware of how to handle the hard hats, life preservers and distance of 150 feet with steel phone and distance lines that steel-toed shoes, the Russians, wires and heavy fiiel lines being went over with the fuel hoses. The were seen wearing sandals and passed from one vessel to the Russians also did not know how did not have on life jackets or other. Once secured onto the Photo by Walt Wells, USNS Pecos second vessel, the transfer of fuel A Pecos crewmember watches as the Admiral to interpret the paddle signs com­ safety helmets. Tributs maneuvers to The crews of both vessels ex­ and stores can begin. monly used to relay information. begin replenishment operations with the MSCPAC vessel. V, On SIU Ships in San Francisco While in San Francisco on business, SIU President Michael Sacco took the opportunity to go aboard three different union^ crewed ships — the Sea-Land In­ dependence, Matson's Matsonia and the President Lincoln of American President Lines—to meet with Seafarers. Crewmembers discussed with Members of the Sea-LandIndependence crevj hold a union meeting conducted by SIU President Michael Sacco (left) aboard the con- Sacco and SIU Secretarytainership last month in San Francisco. Treasurer John Fay, who accom­ panied Sacco, programs being Touring the galley of the Pres/ofenfL/nco/n are Chief Steward Gomez considered by Congress and the Zuluagag, SIU President Michael Sacco, Asst. Cook Utiity Wilfredo Clinton administration to revital- Rodriguez and SIU Secretary-Treasurer John Fay. ize the U.S.-flag merchant fleet and how union members and their families can show their support for the merchant marine. Sacco also advised members what they can do to ensure job satisfaction and security and updated them on new maritime technology and training programs at the Lundeberg School. Also meeting with the crew­ members were West Coast Vice President George McCartney arid , SP' Ready to go through the President Lincoln's serving line are Chief Cook Michael Fields, SIU President Michael Sacco, Chief Steward Ce"ona^"^'^'^^ Celona. Leslie Propheter and SIU Secretary-Treasurer John Fay. Agent Nick The galley gang on the/Wafson/a receives an update from President Michael Sacco. y '-I ! ?•',••••. ,- a" V " •'v /' The Matsonia galley gang greets the union president and secretarytreasurer. Standing from the left are West Coast Vice President Kwlllf Tnl George McCartney, Chief Steward Donald Polzin, SIU President Michael Sacco, SA Moon Wong, SA All Mutania, Asst. Cook Marcos Legaspi and SIU Secretary-Treasurer John Fay. Kneeling is SA itone!ca Hussein Saleh. •/ , M® Sea-Land/ndependen^ are, from left to right (kneeling) steward member Mate John Schoelstine, OMU Greo / • , ' �; if: ; •/ill*'• Bosun Terry Henrietta Cleaning up what winter left heaves a line as the behind on tfie R/charafRe/ss American R^bfcdocks. is Gateman David Hubbard, Hoisting a landing boat from winter storage on the Paul Thayer is AB/Wheeisman John Kemohan. Ready for work ashore is Deckhand A! Damarofthe Sam Laud. Checking offloading operations is Conveyorman Rick Springs on the American Republic. All SlU-contracted companies on the Great Lakes are reporting their sailing season is well under way as fitout wrapped up by mid-April. Cement ships, bulkers and self-unloaders could be found steaming on all five Great Lakes, declaring an end to winter. Seafarers began crewing vessels as early as February, thanks to a mild winter. Very little ice had formed on any of the lakes until a strong storm in mid-March blew across the eastern half of the United States. Whatever ice that formed was light and developed around ports and har­ bors, not in the shipping channels. After a majority of the vessels began fitting out in late March and early April, the bulkers and self-unloaders were able to break through the ice with little or no problems. "It feels good to be back out here," noted ABAVheelsman Larry English aboard the Richard Reiss. "I like having the time off, but I was ready to come back to work." That sentiment was echoed by a crewmember aboard the Sam Laud. "I had a good winter, but it was time to report to the ship," said Roy Calo who sails as the second cook. For crewmembers aboard the American Republic, the season began a month early in February. "That was quite a surprise, but everyone has enjoyed the extra pay," stated Con­ veyorman Rick Springs. "We are looking for­ ward to the rest of the year being as good as the beginning." Most vessels run on the Great Lakes from the spring fitout until late December or early January when the ships are forced into port by winter. SlU-crewed ships generally carry iron ore, ce­ ment, stone, grain and gypsum to ports between Lake Superior and Lake Ontario. Spring also means fix-up as Gateman Randy Frank prepares to change a conveyor roller on the Sam Laud. Adjusting the gangway ladder on the American Republic is Deck Utility Dave Gapske. Aboard the Laud, QMED Pete McCabe uses a come-along to secure oil drums for the upcoming voyage. QMED Dave Cameron keeps'his eyes on the Amer/canRepuW/cengineroom control board. No iob is done until the paperwork is oomoleted as PortS^aleh ^eed discovers on the Re/ss. Retrieving a heaving line from the Reiss' dunnage room is Deckhand Joe Schmanski. Moving an oil drum on the Thayeraxe Wiper Deckhands on the Paul Thayer secure the landing Releasing a line used to tie up the landAhmed Mussed (left) and Third Assistant boat as the self-unloader gets ready for another ing boat aboard the TTiayeris Deckhand Engineer David Healey. season on the Great Ukes. Tom Hocking. I- "•-•I ' v.v. •'' ' �10 SEAFARERS LOG MAY 1993 Cesar Chavez Dies at 66; Organized Farm Workers Cesar Chavez, president of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO (UFW), passed away April 23 in San Luis, Ariz., where he was staying on business. He recently had finished two days of testimony in a state court case for the UFW. He was 66. Brother Chavez was bom on a small farm near Yuma, Ariz. His family took to the road as migrant workers when he was 10. "We were the strikingest fami­ ly in all of farm labor," he said when he delivered his mother's Through his successful boycott, Cesar Chavez made the country Seafarers Harold Younce (left) and David Scott/along witti AMO member Mike Burke, are filmed by a eulogy in December 1991. aware of the plight of farm workers. local television station during a rally against a non-union stevedoring company outside the Port "Whenever we were working where there was a strike or when In 1966, the NFWA and Everglades (Fla.) Authority headquarters. the workers got fed up and AWOC merged to form the UFW walked off the job, she'd be the and became affiliated with the first one to back up our dad's AFL-CIO. decision to join the strike." Chavez led a successful fiveIn 1952, Chavez was working year strike-boycott against grapes in the apricot orchards outside of that rallied millions of supporters Union representatives also ar­ San Jose when he met an or­ to the UFW and forced a national SIU members walked an infor­ 90 cargo-related' accidents mational picket line with more recorded since 1990 involved the gued the company was undercut­ ganizer for the Community Ser­ support coalition of unions, than 300 fellow trade unionists to fink firm, which handles less than ting its competitors by hiring vice Organization (CSO), a church groups, students, urge the Port Everglades (Fla.) 10 percent of the cargo at the temporary workers off the streets self-help group based in minorities and consumers. The Authority to cancel a stevedoring facility. to perform hazardous cargo load­ California's Mexican-American SIU extended its assistannce to Included on the list of reported ing operations. contract with an injury-plagued, the boycott efforts. community. incidents were an employee non-union company. The International Long­ His dream, however, was to The Greater South Florida whose legs were run over by a In a letter to the late SIU presi­ Maritime Trades Council or­ 30,000-pound forklift and shoremen's Association (ILA) create an organization to help the dent, Paul Hall, read during the ganized the March 29 rally out­ $44,681 in damages to Port has been picketing the company farm workers whose suffering he S.IUNA Fourteenth Biennial side the port authority's Everglades and private property. since 1986, when Florida had shared. In 1962, after failing Convention in 1969, Chavez headquarters in Fort Lauderdale Former company emplqyees tes­ Transportation switched to most­ to convince CSO to commit itself wrote, "We are proud to be stand­ to highlight the problems created tified to horrendous worWng con­ ly non-union employees. (Florida to farm worker organizing, he ing together wi^ the Seafarers in by Rorida Transportation Ser­ ditions, including unqualified is a right-to-work state.) The resigned his paid CSO job, moved vices in the port. heavy equipment operators and company's last union employees, his wife and eight smdl children the trade union movement and in The trade council noted a port work shifts of more than 38 hours eight crane operators, went on to Delano, Calif., and founded the the struggle for justice, decent strike in November. authority report that 60 out of the in duration. National Farm Workers Associa­ wages and safe working condi­ tions for all farm workers." tion (NFWA). At the time of his death. In September 1965, Chavez' NFWA, with 1,200 member Brother Chavez continued to run families, joined the AFL-CIO's the California table grape Agricultural Workers Organizing joycott, as well as conduct con­ Committee (AWOC) in a strike tract negotiations for farm against Delano area table and workers across California's agricultural valleys. Twelve Seafarers employed The March workshops presented managementconcepts, wine grape growers. by Moran Towing of Texas, as marked the third time that the led discussions which identified well as management repre­ Seafarers Harry Lundeberg potential barriers to putting the sentatives from the company, School of Seamanship has ideas into practice, and finally Is It the Photo or the List? recently completed special provided specialized training for demonstrated problem-solving workshops covering pollution Moran Towing. Captain Russell strategies. Both the SIU mem­ prevention, vessel response McVay of Moran commended bers and Moran representatives plans, communications skills and the school for the course and company policies at the Paul Hall added that the employees "look participated in this training and Center for Maritime Training forward to these courses. The said it helped them realize how and Education. members' reaction always is the concepts of quality manage­ The workshops, which took very positive." He noted that the ment can improve job satisfac­ place for several days in mid- workshops have helped improve tion and productivity. The Seafarers who completed March, were structured to meet the already-good relations be­ the specific needs of Moran of tween management and SIU the workshops were Aubrey Texas personnel. Most of the par­ members. Kennedy, John Sparks, Ernest ticipants had attended other The program in March fea­ Gingles Jr., Richard Heath, workshops at the Paul Hall Cen­ tured "quality management" Ronald Lambert, Douglas ter last year which included training. Using materials and Crawford, Charles Tuck, Her­ health and safety training, oil techniques shared with the Lun­ bert Zehnder H, Glen Arnaud, spill containment and vessel deberg School by Sea-Land Ser­ Louis Barra, Dominic Bailey simulator demonstrations. vice, Instructor Kate Richardson and Gustavo Flores. SlU Members Rally with Port Council To Protest Fink Stevedoring Company Moran Seafaims Horn Sfcflls At Lumlelwrg Sdwol Course Completing the special workshops on March 18 are (from left, front row) Emest Gingles, Dominic Bailey, Richard Heath, John Sparks, Glen Arnaud, Charles Tuck, (second row) Ronald Lambert, Herbert Zehnder, Aubrey Kennedy, Douglas Crawford, Louis Barra and Gustavo Flores. it s not the list of a ship or a crooked back, the angle of this photo IS due to the photographic efforts of SIU Vice Great Lakes President Byron Kelley who captured Bosun Brett FIschbach tying up the landing boat on the deck of the Paul Thayer. �• • .'•' •• -J--' —--x'" «f MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG 11 Appalling Conditions Prevail on Foreign Rustbucket Runaway-Flag Ship Restricted by Coast GuanF Since the first week of January, the MV Advance a' flag-of-convenience dry cargo ship—has been restricted to port in Norfolk, Va. due to a Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) intervention mandated by international law. The Advance serves as yet another example of the dangers of runaway registers. The rustplagued, rat-infested ship is owned by Denver Shipping Ltd. of Venezuela; flies the flag of Malta; is managed by World-Wide Ship Management of Chile; and has a iwrence Jackson crew of 24 Ecuadoneans. A joint investigation of the Ad­ The rust-plagued, rat-infested Advance serves as an example of the vance by the U.S. Coast Guard and dangers of runaway registers. the International Transport bers eventually were required by winter clothing on board. Workei^ Federation (ITF), with as­ the Coast Guard to shovel the • Crewmembers were being sistance from other organizations, ankle-deep waste into buckets, paid less than what they were has led to charges of 85 violations which then were taken to a dis­ promised, and some were being of an International Labor Or­ posal truck. forced to work 16 hours per day ganization treaty (ILO 147) which • Living quarters are, infested or longer without overtime pay. combines a number of treaties on with rats and roaches. Unsafe Conditions basic shipboard conditions. • The fire pumps do not work Additionally, those who Numerous Problems and the lifeboats cannot be cooperated with the Coast Guard The list of problems with the released. and the ITF were punished with • The crew's drinking water is assignments such as painting and 452-foot Advance is staggering. Some repairs have been made on contaminated. chipping outside in the dark and • There have been regular cold, and in unventilated areas in­ the 19-year-old vessel, but ac­ cording to reports from the Coast shortages of stores. side for long stretches—some • There are no medical supplies lasting until approximately 4 a.m. Guard and the ITF, as well as on board, and many ill crewmem- No respiratory protection is avail­ news reports: • The ship's sewage system bers were denied medical treat­ able. has not worked for two years, and ment. A number of crewmembers • Crewmembers each have since then waste has been had or have serious rasheS and only one sheet and one towel. pumped into the sea. During the lesions. A steward department • There is no hand soap or first month the vessel was tied up member has intestinal problems in­ laundry soap on board. in Norfolk, toilets were emptied cluding worms or parasites. • For an entire week, a • There are no survival suits or stowaway was not permitted to into the engineroom. Crewmem- take a shower. Coast Guard Chief Jim Brickett, head of the agency's foreign affairs office in Norfolk, described the Advance's condition as "deplorable. It's an abomination in just about all aspects. The only thing I've seen in worse condition had been Severely damaged in a hurricane." He added that the ship is a danger to the port, other vessels, the environment and those aboard. 'Disaster at Sea...' Additionally, The VirginianPilot, a Norfolk newspaper which has covered the situation, described the Advance as "a disaster at sea waiting to happen." The paper noted foe ship's deck is "a sheet of rust, crunching like comfleikes un­ derfoot At foe topof the gangway is a hole that would send foe unwary plunging into the water. Hatch covers are severely corroded. Links on foe anchor chain ate corroded to a centimeter's width." The crew signed on the Ad­ vance in Brazil, then went to Nor­ folk by way of Trinidad. The ship carried cocoa beans (some of which were damaged) and un­ refined sugar. The beans were un­ loaded in Norfolk; the sugar is to be taken to Baltimore whenever the ship is seaworthy—although the Advance then must return to Norfolk for additional repairs, ac­ cording to the Coast Guard. ITF Inspector Fdd Morris, who has worked on foe case, noted that foe Norfolk Coast Guard office ex­ tended itself by "investigating rather than just chasing the ship out of port. Those people have put in a lot of extra hours on this, and they -don't get paid overtime," said Morris, who also works as a special representative of the^ Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. SIU member Elsa Mlilier, a steward assistant who sails from the port of Norfolk, voluntarily has assisted Morris in the inves­ tigation. She speaks fluent Spanish, the language Of the Advance's crewmembers, "and deserves much praise for her ex­ tensive help," Morris said. The Hampton Roads United States Coast Guard Maritime Safety Office also spent many evenings and weekends working to correct foe ship's unsafe condi­ tions. Additionally, the Seamen's Friendship House and Father Frias of foe Apostleship of foe Sea also took active parts in helping foe distressed seamen. SIU Patrolman Bobby Clin­ ton, a deputy ITF affiliate inspec­ tor, joined Miller several times in meeting with the crew and ad­ dressing their problems. Like the recent Braer dis­ aster—in which a runaway-flag tanker spilled 26 million gallons of oil into a channel near the Shet­ land Islands—the Advance spotlights the dangers posed by runaway-flag shipping. Panamaaiaii Vessef Detaiiwd Following Smuggling Attempt Coast Guard boarding party ar­ rived to assist foe vessel which was dead in the water 1,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. Chew was listed as the East Wood's chief steward on one manifest and as a passenger on another. The SlU-crewed Patriot was the first vessel to arrive on the scene after the Coast Guard monitored a mayday signal from the foreign-flag vessel, manned with a Burmese captain and In­ donesian crew. According to Bosun Ralph Gibbs, it was like nothing he had seen in his 33 years of sailing. "We saw a few people on the deck with rifles," Gibbs recalled. "The captain kept the vessel far enough away that we wouldn't be shot at." The Patriot, which was sailing from Korea to Panama, was diverted on January 30 to assist the East Wood after a call was Indicted by Grand Jury received that the ship had been Chew initially identified him­ hijacked and the crew thrown self as Phua Hung Chye when a overboard. U.S. government agencies still are investigating a failed attempt by a Panamanian-flagged vessel to smuggle more than 500 Chir/ese nationals into Hawaii. A federal grand jury in Honolulu has indicted Kok Ahi Chew as the person allegedly in Charge of the smuggling opera­ tion. Chew was taken into cus­ tody by the Immigration and Naturalization Service after the MV East Wood was escorted by a Coast Guard cutter to an Army base on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The agencies are trying to determine if a hijacking actually took place, if two missing crew­ members were thrown overboard by the alleged hijackers, if the captain or crew was involved in the botched smuggling operation and if this was part of a larger attempt to smuggle Chinese na­ tionals into U.S. territories. Pafr/of crewmembers gather on the bridge wing following the searchand-rescue operation. From left to right are GSU Mohamed H. Ghaleb, AS Don DeSchutter, AS Karel Sumilat, AB Jeff Mateer, QMED Jeff Scott, AB Alex Relojo, QMED Louis Hardy, AB "Jimmy" Relojo and Bosun Ralph Gibbs. We were asked to perform an S.A.R. (search-and-rescue)," Gibbs said. "The ship was dead and the whole crew was supposed to be in the water. We were told the ship was taken over by bandits." By the time the Vulcan Car­ riers tanker had arrived, all the crewmembers except the second engineer and the radio officer were back aboard the East Wood. No trace of the pair could be found. According to the Coast Guard, the second engineer had disabled the ship, causing it to stop, while the radio officer had sent the initial reports of the hijacking. SIU Member Translates The Patriot was unable to es­ tablish radio contact with the East Wood until a Coast Guard aircraft dropped portable radios onto the decks of both vessels. Indonesianbom AB Karel Sumilat estab­ lished contact with the East Wood and translated what had happened for foe Patriot crew. "We spoke with the ship every hour," Gibbs stated. "Sumilat would speak in Indonesian which would upset the Chinese because they could not understand. That is how the East Wood crew ex­ plained the hijacking to us." The East Wood set sail in bal­ last on December 27 from Hong Kong for Taiwan when it was diverted to Shangchuan Dao, China where it picked up the pas­ sengers who were placed in the holds without proper sanitation or cooking facilities. According to the Coast Guard, the East Wood was planning to offload its pas­ sengers in Hawaii. The Patriot stood by for ap­ A Coast Guard airplane drops food nearthe East Wood. Bosun Ralph Gibbs of the Pa/r/of provided the SeafarersLOG with the photographs accompanying this story. proximately 24 hours and rigged a system to transfer 50-gallon dmms of fresh water to the East Wood, all the time maintaining a safe distance from foe vessel. "The captain didn't want to get close enough so that the passengers would be jumping off and swim­ ming to us," Gibbs added. "We had no idea what was going on." After standing by for nearly a day, the Coast Guard released the tanker to resume its voyage while a Coast Guard cutter raced to the scene. An armed boarding party from the cutter Rush surveyed the situation upon arrival. Conditions 'Depiorable' The Coast Guard reported conditions on the East Wood as being "deplorable," and feared for the lives of the passengers trapped in the holds. Coast Guard aircraft dropped food and other supplies so the Rush galley could prepare meals for the crew and passengers. The vessel also made drinking water for the Pan^anian-flagged ship. Passengers had been cooking with open fires in the cargo holds as well as eating what was being lowered to them from the deck. The boarding party noted that passengers in the holds may have paid people topside to provide food and water during foe voyage from China. After a Coast Guard crew repaired one of foe East Wood's two generators, the Rush escorted the vessel to the Army base at Kwajalein. Once there, the pas­ sengers boarded an Air Force plane and were flown back to China. The crewmembers were returned to their homes, while Chew was taken to Honolulu to stand trial. Rear Admiral William C. Donnell of the Coast Guard's 14th District (which oversees Hawaii), stated, "If this is an in­ dication of things to come, we've got a problem" concerning the magnitude of the East Wood smuggling operation. The Coast Guard announced the Panamanian-flag vessel was foe fifth ship caught attempting to smuggle illegal aliens into Hawaii in the past year. Donnell also praised foe ef­ forts of the Patriot's crew for its role in the situation. "My con­ gratulations to Captain Kurt Hallier and foe crew of the Patriot for playing such an integral part in this operation. Your timely and professional response to this re­ quest for assistance is in keeping with the time honored traditions of foe U.S. merchant marine." •j;' •, , -'v- �12 MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG ^. -V'. Murmansk—-'42: THE DIARY OF WYMONDD. HENDERSON Last month, the Seafarers LOG published part of a diary written by Wymond D. Hender­ son, a Seafarer who was part of the vital yet treacherous supply run in World War II to Russia known as {he Murmansk Run. Henderson was killed in an automobile accident in 1959, but the family sailing tradition lives on. Two of his sons—Ben^ 33, and George, 35—are SIU members. His widow, Wilhelmina, lives in Portland, Ore. Part III of Brother Henderson's diary left off on July 4 with the Yaka joining her convoy across the Arctic Circle and approaching the North Cape of Iceland—only to be caught in the middle of ex­ plosions all around her. This is the final installment of Brother Henderson's fascinat­ ing diary. PartIV • --v All this in the most extreme state of confusion, with ships going every which way, visibility limited to two or three ships' lengths, the light rain and spume driven on a strong cold wind across the rough, turbulent seas. Add to this the ghastly un­ certainty of what actually was coming at us and where it was coming from. One was prepared any moment for the jolt of a hit. We steered to the left of the Massmar and continued full speed on into the gloom. Soon no more detonations were heard. The general consensus was that a very large surfaced sub­ marine was firing both tor­ pedoes and five-inch shells at us. However, I did not hear the crack of the rifle preceding or following the explosions in the water near us. I heard no depth charges being dropped. So either no destroyers got there in time, or else the submarines did not submerge, but escaped into the fog and the storm. We all stood around on deck for some time in little groups talking rapidly of what we had seen and felt. Of course, everyone was keyed up, but no one that I saw actually lost his head. About 10:30 a light spot ap­ peared on the horizon to port. Visibility had increased some­ what. I thought it might be smoke. Soon, however, it proved to be a thin spot in the cloud curtain against which could barely be discerned the high dark bastions of a cliff. So we were on the tip of Iceland! Soon, between the dark sea and the opaque cloud roof, was a line of light breaks through which not sunlight but just a greater clearness streamed down on a chain of grand high cliffs like the coast of South Africa from Table Mt. to Cape Agulus. The effect was ominous, moody, prophetic, as only a manifesta­ tion of nature can be. It reminded one of old biblical prints in light and shade, depicting the "Com­ ing of the Lord"—the opening up of heaven through the clouds with thunder and lightening. Soon we had gained the lee of the island aiid the sea had gone down. By the time I went on lookout at 3:00 a.m., the sea was oily, ashen, metallic, brooding with a disturbed, repressed rip­ ple seeming to run along under the surface as the sea breathed in hot quiet breaths from its recent exertions. Without there being a single streak or ray of pure light, or without the sky being visible, the clouds themselves had taken on the quality of light. Or rather it was as though the sea, beneath the rugged, high buttress-onbuttress of coastline, radiated a light from deep within itself, throwing it up into the sky with its own surface catching only a little of it, while the clouds above absorbed and glowed with it. And there was color in it. In this cold, luminous gray, there was also color. Not a color you could isolate or recognize. It was rather that the living gray, itself, was animated by an inner vision which it did not reveal to the world, but still was its mood and soul, and which you felt rather than saw. And the mood of the un­ broken gray of the sky was red. A purplish, dead cerise. And the hidden motive of the sea was green. It was a most unholy, an impersonal, a dread green. But it was green. And the black, silhouetted cliffs, choked like wedges be­ tween the absolutes of sky and sea, were also green. It was like the dawn of creation. That color in the hard, luminous gray was as impersonal as the first experi­ ment of life in the inanimate world. And it grew into h completely pastel sunrise. The sun never shone, and the sky never broke of cloud, yet the cumulus clouds beneath the nimbus ceiling glowed with soft diffused red. When I awoke at noon, it was clear, calm, hot. The sun was bright. The sea temperature was up 14 degrees. ^ neat little town of Reykjavik. From behipd shore the clean bright reds of a brilliant sunrise streamed out of the sea. I have never been to Den­ mark, but this restful, graceful, pastoral setting by the sea is ex­ actly as I should have expected to find the country between, say, Copenhagen and Elsenor—of course not considering the mountains to the left. Then, too, the low, red-topped town, built close over the flat hills, bears a resemblance to part of Havana seen from her inner harbor. July 7. Beautiful warm day in Reykjavik harbor. No shore leave. Sailed at 9:40 p.m. with 13 ships, three escorts and a bomber overhead. July 8. Warm day at sea. July 9. This morning at 2:00 a.m. was our first darkness in several months. From 1:00 to 3:00 a.m., deep twilight, with 2:00 a.m. really dark. Colorful red and gold sunsets and sun­ rises. Some 15 rounds of shells fired by one of the escort ships this morning. Heard depth char­ ges today and passed floating mines. July 10. Quite dark from 12:00 to 4:00 a.m. At 1:45 p.m., unidentified aircraft was reported. The guns were made ready. Then the "Friendly" sig­ nal went up. About the same time, another convoy was sighted on the horizon. The plane, when it came over, was a huge British four-motored job. When our convoy gets rear­ ranged, I guess we'll be off for the States at last. July 11. Fog in patches and misty rain all day, setting in thick this evening. I suppose we'll be lost by morning as usual! Many of the fellows are get­ ting quite nervous now. It's the last stretch that hurts. Yes, "Ad­ venture is still a one-way ticket." Even for them, whatever adven­ ture they are able to find in this business is dissipated on thelong voyage home. They are moving their mat­ tresses up on the poop deck in the rain, seeking that last module of safety where there just is no safety to be had. Of course, reasonable precaution is only common sense wherever one is. But beyond that. Damn the Danger! Life for me is merely a vehicle for doing the things I want to do; for tasting certain experiences. Life is not a thing in itself to be carefully guarded, to be frugally proportioned. When one seeks safety as an abstraction, beyond one's func­ tion through his desires and fan­ cies into life, he suddenly has nothing left to hold but a pale narcissistic existence with no sparkle to it. No, I shall leave the wrangle with destiny to Lady Luck, who looks after those who love her and regale her with a grand in­ difference. WWII — Another Perspective A LEUER FROM WILHELMINA HENDERSON Out of the Night It was a new day. The face of the world had changed. Death and destruction are not foreign to human life. We become quickly accustomed to it. A patrol bomber flew around most of the day. We are 12 ships now. There were 19 last night. There was only one sloop with us 'til about 3:00 p.m. when two corvettes came up from behind. Where is the rest of the es­ cort? Where are the other mer­ chant men? We only know of one being sunk for sure. Perhaps some of the others will come on later. The Panamanian came in behind us down by the head with water in #1, 2 and 3 holds, and two Navy tugs on the sides. We could see Reykjavik from a long way off and approached it slowly by a circuitous route. I was called to go on watch at 11:30 p.m. and got up to find the ship gliding slowly between low, grassy islets in the harbor. The air was warm, fresh. To the left, the massive mountains, rearing a sheer cliff that bears a resemblance to Table Top Mountain itself, dominated a brief flatland that is very green • with grass. There is not one tree in all the landscape. Before us the land rose gently in undulat­ ing green hills, soft with shadow. Back of these were almost iso­ lated mesas and peaks, rising as such peaks so characteristically do out of the lowlands of Brazil and El Salvador. While to the right, nestled in the shallow fold of the hills and running down to the waterline of a protruding peninsula, spread and compact. Wymond ("Bill") Henderson married Wilhelmina, a young Dutch girl he met in Rotterdam, on April 9,1948. This photo was taken in Rotterdam on December 20,1947—the first day they met. The following is a letter from Wilhelmina Henderson, received at the Seafarers LOG office following publication of the first installment of her husband's diary of his ex­ periences in World War II on the Murmansk Run [February 1993]. I'm writing to thank you for publishing the first installment of my late husband's WWII diaries. As you may imagine, it brought back many memories of my early life with him and the children we had together. It was from Bill that I first learned of the enormous impor­ tance of the merchant marine and of the brave men who serve its global needs. I also heard firsthand of the extraordinary heroism of the crews of the ships on the Murmansk Run. Bill's stories and the example of his own life gave me the determination to help my sons achieve seafaring careers. I think our story gains more poignancy when I tell you that •v--.. - ... Bill met, fell in love with and married a young Dutch girl who grew up in war-torn Europe: a young girl who daily foraged for scraps of bread and lumps of coal in the dock area of Rotterdam, knowing that the German soldiers had orders to shoot on sight anyone they thought was stealing from the Third Reich; a young girl whose knees were blown apart by an English bomb during an air raid and whose life was saved by a Nazi surgeon; a young girl (and her little dog) who gained an early taste of life at sea when, during an intense air raid, she was taken into shel­ ter in a docked U-boat. The crew assured her it would all be over soon. It wasn't. It grew worse, and the U-boat was ordered to sea. Again, the crew assured her that she would soon be back home. She wasn't. The U-boat was ordered to attack an Allied convoy moving through the English Channel. So the young girl and her little dog lived through the nerve-wracking or­ deal of submarine warfare. These wartime events were part of a s^uence that brought her and Bill together. Shortly after the war, when Rotterdam was still a bomb-devastated city, there was one oasis for visiting seafarers—the Ambas­ sador restaurant and nightclub, where the singer was related to the young Dutch girl of this stoty. One evening, the singer invited her young friend to the nightclub—the same evening during which Bill and his cap­ tain walked in. Bill saw the young Dutch girl and, as the saying goes, the rest is his­ tory. I tell you these things be­ cause seeing Bill's diary in print brought back so many of the things that held us togeAer. As you can imagine, I never had the chance to do much schooling as I grew up, but I don't need schooling to say that any woman who gives sons to her country's seafaring tradi­ tion can live proudly all her life. �»-• mrma SEAFARERS LOG 13 Chipping and Painting Leads to Patent for Retiree What do paint brushes and Seafarers have in common? Plen­ ty, if a deck department member is asked this question. Because of his firsthand knowledge of paint brushes ac­ quired during 26 years of chip­ ping and painting, retired AB Robert Mull has-used his time since signing off to create some­ thing that would extend the life of the average brush. With his home as his shop. Brother Mull created the "Paint Brush Storage Bag As­ sembly." "I did a lot of painting on ships, and I saw a lot of good paint brushes thrown away after a few uses because they dried out. I wanted to create something to save the paint brushes so that they could be reused," Mull told a reporter from the Seafarers LOG. "After I stopped sailing, I had a lot of time on my hands and my mind was racing 90 miles per Pensioner Mull poses with his paint brush storage bag and the patent for his invention. hour," Mull added. The retiree spent a year designing a device that would clean and save paint brushes so they could be used repeatedly rather than drying out after a couple of jobs. What Mull created is a freestanding, self-supporting bag made of multi-ply material closed with a rubber seal. The device allows the painter to soak a brush in water or solvent until it is time to paint again. The brus stands up in the bag, secured air­ tight with a rubber seal, and hangs just above the bottom of the ba to prevent the bristles from get ting bent during storage. The foi material of the bag wraps arounc the bristles, allowing them to keep their shape while the added solution keeps the bristles like new. Mull said that he has left a brush in, the assembly for as Ion as a year, and it came out perfect After two unsuccessful at tempts at getting a patent for the invention, final approval for the assembly came in December 1992. "This device is going' to revolutionize the use of the paint brush. In fact, 1 think it will be­ come as common as the brush itself," Mull stated. Brother Mull recently received approval on a Canadian patent for his invention. He has had offers from Rorida, Ohio, California and overseas to manufacture and market the device. Brother Mull joined the SIU in 1957 in the port of Detroit. He sailed on the Great Lakes for three years before signing oh as a deep sea member in 1964 in New York where he was presented his book by the late SIU President Paul Hall. "It was the highlight of my life," Mull said. In 1977 he began sailing in the inland division on tugboats with Crowley Maritime out of the port of Jacksonville, Fla. and retired in 1983. "Being a Seafarer was the greatest adventure of my life," Mull added. Two of Mull's sons are mer­ chant mariners. David Mull sails as a second engineer with Amsea while Victor Mull ships as a QMED. His youngest son, Vinr cent Mull, also plans to become a Seafarer after he finishes high school. Recertified Steward Paulson Completes Golfing Manual Lupinacci's Cookbook Available Romeo Lupinacci, corporate executive chef of the Paul Hall Center for Maritime and Educa­ tion, recently announced the pub­ lication of his book entitled "From Chef Romeo's Recipe Collection." The paperback book (printed on 7-by-8V^-inch paper) contains more than 400 pages of recipes for appetizers, beverages, soups, breads, salads, dressings, sauces, preserves and relishes, eggs, cheese, pasta, vegetables, game, beef, lamb, pork, veal, poultry, seafood and desserts. The book is available at the Sea Chest store at the Paul Hall Center, or by mail order. To order a copy, send a money order for $15 ($12.50 for the book plus $2.50 for shipping and handling) to: Comptroller, Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seaman­ Not surprisingly, the chapter ship, Piney Point, MD 20674. of seafood dishes is extensive ONLY MONEY ORDERS More than 50 recipes are listed WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR for meals such as Lobster Or­ MAIL ORDERS. Be sure to in­ leans, Oysters Rockefeller clude your return address. poached salmon, imperial crab, Lupinacci is a member of. avocado crab cutlets, Che many culinary associations and Romeo's crab cakes, bass in beer has won numerous awards in his and many others. field. He occasionally writes Similarly, anyone with a sweet columns for several newspapers tooth will find plenty to choose in Pennsylvania and recently was the subject of a feature story in from in the chapter on desserts, The National Culinary Review, a where nearly 100 recipes are monthly magazine published by listed. In this section, Lupinacci the American Culinary Federa­ shares his methods for creating such dishes as apple mousse tion. gatinaise, biscuit tortbni, cannoli Lupinacci's book features cheesecake bars, Hungarian hundreds of recipes, from rela­ cheesecake, pickled peaches, tively basic items such as ginger pumpkin pie, strawberries ale punch to more complicated Romanoff, Viennese almond dishes like lobster and celery crescents and more. salad in tarragon mayonnaise. Dream Comes True for New AB Fereuza Gifford is about to will be buying a com­ experience her lifetime dream: puter so I can get all the talung control of the wheel of a software to continue deep sea vessel. Last month, the studying and learning. I Military Sealift. Command plan to keep all my books (MSC) civilian mariner acquired with me and review her able bodied seaman's endor­ everything I've ac­ complished. sement. "I don't want to forget "You cannot believe how I feel," the new AB told a reporter anything because I want for the Seafarers LOG. "1 am so to move up to third proud that I accomplished this." mate," she added. Her interest in the sea The member of the SIU's Government Services Division began shortly after World (which sails MSC-Pacific Fleet War II when she and her vessels) has been sailing since late husband, with their 1948. One of the goals of the 6-year-old daughter, steward department member sailed as part of the crew through all those years was to be­ of a foreign-flag vessel from California to the come a helmsman. Age never has gotten in the Philippines. Gifford way of Sister Gifford, who turned sailed in the steward 76 this month. She attended the department. When she Seafarers Harry Lundeberg would take night lunch to School of Seamanship for the first the bridge, she would time last year and graduated from stay up there in hopes of learning more about han­ lifeboat training. dling the wheel. However, it was not her first After joining the SIU, attempt to prove she still can Gifford stayed in the gal­ AB Fereuza Gifford runs out the sea learn. At age 64, she graduated painter during lifeboat drills at the Lun­ from the Community College of ley. Within the last three deberg School. San Francisco with an associate's years, she decided to go degree in geography. She told the for her dream and asked to run for office in the LOG. in a story published in switched to the deck department. group. "I'm too busy sailing to do March 1990, "I'm always willing She sailed as an ordinary seaman that," she noted with a grin. to study. I just wanted to show on the USNS Chauvenet during Sister Gifford urged other SIU the Persian Gulf war. With her members to upgrade at theschool. that I could do it." Despite the fact that she just discharge in hand, she was able to "This is the only school outside acquired the AB ticket, Gifford is join her local Veterans of Foreign the militaiy that does anything for not ready to rest on her laurels. "I Wars post and even has been workers." • ''''C'Wk 'y Richard Paulson works in the new galley at Piney Point whiie com­ pleting the steward recertification course. Recertified Steward Richard step instructions on every facet of Paulson has a simple explanation the game: from basics like grip for why he became an avid golfer and stance, to comparatively at age 11. "My parents' house complex techniques such as chip backs up to a golf course," says shots and intentional hook Paulson, 35. "I liked the game swings. "There are thousands of golf right away, and I just stuck with books out there," Paulson says, it.' Capitalizing on his home's acknowledging the odds are proximity to the links, Paulson against him getting his manual took an almost obsessive ap­ published. "But just completing proach when he began golfing. "It the book was a dream come true." Considering his love for the took me exactly 185 days to get good," he recalls. "1 went out that game, it is not surprising that Paulson once wanted to play many times (in a row)." Paulson, who grew up in Mar­ professionally. But the odds of tinez, Calif, near Oakland, says he making it to golfs "big time" are does not play very often astronomical. Most aspiring pros nowadays, although he has not start and end their careers by lost his touch. But he fondly playing a seemingly endless recalls several highlights from his series of small, low-paying tour­ more active days: three holes-in- naments. In fact, the hefty entry one, all on different courses and fees for those tours were enough all on par-3 holes; and a personal to nip Paulson's career in the bud. t)est score of 85 on a par-72 You really have to pay a lot just course. (Most golfers never shoot to get in," he says. Paulson worked at his back­ lelow 1(K).) "My first hole-in-one went in yard course for more than 10 on the fly," says Paulson, who years, giving lessons and helping oined the Marine Cooks and the club pros, then decided it was Stewards (MCS) on the West time to move on. He joined the MCS and sub­ Coast in 1976, two years before that union merged with the SIU. sequently showed the same drive "It hit the pin and just dropped and dedication to his maritime right in. Fortunately, I had wit­ career as he displayed during his nesses each time I made an ace." first year of golf. "My first time While the holes-in-one were upgrading at the Lundeberg unexpected thrills, Paulson takes School was 1980. I upgraded to more pride in the 86-page instruc­ assistant cook, and I knew then tional manual on golfing he wrote that 1 had to continue upgrading about three years ago. He remains in order to get the most out of my lopeful of getting the book pub- career," he says. Paulson ished, although thus far he only upgraded again in 1981, '86, '87 las heard from one of a multitude and '91 before completing the of publishers to whom he sub­ recertification course last month. Paulson, who still lives in mitted copies. It took Paulson several years to Vlartinez, is proud of the fact that Inish the manual, entitled "Golf: 'they don't just pick anybody" . liasy as One, Two, Three." As the For the recertification course. title indicates, the book, which I'm glad to get the endorsement Features large photographs and and I'm looking forward to going concise captions, gives step-by- back out to sea." l ../r' : tr—•— �• ' " . •' ' ' • ". ' ^ \' V' ^'1'" l;'.* '•AM'X-Z 14 MArms SEAFARERS LOG Former Military Transcom Chief Speaks Out Cassidy Issues a Call To Action for the U.S.Flag Merchant Marine K ^ • '• .:•' - General Duane H. Cassidy, senior vice presidentsales and marketing at CSX Transportation Inc., delivered the 1993 Paul Hall Memoridl Lecture this month in Washington, D.C. The text of General Cassidy's lecture, entitled "A Call to Action—Again," appears on these two pages. Prior to joining CSX Transportation in late 1989, General Cassi<fy served 36 years in the United States Air Force. A pilot with more than 8,000 hours flying time, his final military assignment was commander in chief of the U.S. Transportation Command. In this position, he was responsible for all global land, sea and air transpor­ tation support for the U.S. armed forces. It was during this time that he became well known to the U.S. maritime community. . The Memorial Lecture Program is one in a series begun in 1987 by the Paul Hall Memorial Endowment at the University of Southern California. The endowment was established shortly after SlU President Paul Hall died in 1980by friends and associates in organized labor and the maritime industry. It honors distinguished con­ tributors to marine transportation, bringing to the public their thoughts in the form of an annual lecture series. ^ "t -i- '4 PAUL HALL MEMORIAL LECTURE - .V.;- . ,'; :••• • I •'•"• •v----- .. . •'•; l^. h :• • did not know Paul Hall—I wish I had. I admire what In 1988,1 told the New York Propeller Club of my he did. Moreover, I admire those who followed him concerns for the maritime industry. I said it then and I'll and the work they have continued. I know he would be say it again: proud today as they carry on in his footsteps. "We have a crying need for more sealift and a viable When I consider those who have spoken before me... merchant marine. We have a new administration—^and when you look at my credentials to speak... I am amazed a new Congress—which offers us a great opportunity for I am here. As honored as I am, I do not have the a fresh effort." credentials needed to address this group in honor of Paul When I made those remarks I was struck by the fact Hall. I have never sailed a ship! I did not go through that we had a moment in time to do something about our Kings Point! I'm not a member of the Seafarers Interna­ sealift policy. Unfortunately, over the years, nothing has tional Union... . In fact, I have spent most of my life happened. We developed a (National Security) sealift flying airplanes. policy in 1988, but quite frai^y it was neutered by the The only legitimacy for my appearance here is a great Bush administration. We worked long and hard on a respect and love for the U.S. merchant marine. That was national policy that was gutted by the White House at developed some years ago when I became the first the 11th hour. commander in chief of the U.S. Transportation Com­ I don't have to tell you what needs to be done. Andy mand. I realized very quickly that to do my job, as Gibson told you that in his lecture last yem-. It's been specified by the president and secretary of defense, I debated and discussed many times, yet nothing ever gets would have to depend on the U.S. merchant marine. done. When I assessed the merchant marine, I discovered In 1989,1 restated the need for a healthy merchant that I was counting on something that was in decline; no, marine in testimony to the Congress. I said if I were not just decline, but something that was settling to the "king for a day," I would make five decrees: bottom—and nobody seemed to care. Since World War • Decouple the U.S.-flag carrier industry and the n, there has been a steady decline in the fleet. In 1970, shipbuilding industry. The continued yoking of these we had 18 major liner shipping companies, each operat­ ing five or more ships; today there are five. In 1970, we had 905 U.S. flagships; now there are only 364. So here I was, an airman, n guy with an airlift back­ ground, put in a role that demanded a focus on sealift. I believed it was something necessary to do; it was needed and I was anxious to do it—I got hooked. I wrote letters. I made speeches. I met the people who operate the ships, I met the people who built the ships. I went to labor—I spent time at the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at Piney Point. I crawled all over the ClOs, D9s, SL7s... the Ready Reserve Fleet. I got a crash course in the merchant marine and discovered two industries stifles competition for both. Carriers, to what many people here already know: It gets in your be competitive, need to buy new ships where the market blood. It gets in your blood because of its awesome dictates, like any other U.S. business. contributions of the past and the need yet to come. • Gain government support for shipyards in order to At the same time, I learned that only 4 percent of our level the playing field against subsidized foreign shipr trade was carried on U.S.-flagged vessels. That fact has building. But the shipyard cure can't cripple U.S. car­ been emphasized by all who have preceded me here. Our riers or we'll defeat the purpose. market share has frittered away in the past two • Eliminate regulations that increase the cost of U.S.decades—yet nobody seemed to care. The survival of flag ship operations. Ships in international commerce the U.S. shipping industiy was in jeopardy and no one are governed by a uniform code of standards that have was doing anything. been set by the International,Maritime Organization. 7/ would be totally incon­ sistent with our history for the United States to be without a strong merchant marine.^ The U.S. Coast Guard, however, has added standards of its own that creates a further cost disadvantage for U.S.flag ships. • Reform U.S. tax policies that place U.S. operators at a disadvantage to their competitors. The tax burden has hurt U.S. operators, while foreign competitors do not have such a liability. Other countries allow more liberal depreciation schedules for ships flying their flags. Al­ though it is difficult to make simple comparisons, some offer accelerated write-downs in the first year. Korea and Hong Kong, for example, allow 50 percent and 60 per­ cent in the first year^ compared with 10 percent in the United States. Current taxes on U.S. ship earnings can be deferred by placing them in the Capital Construction Fund, but only for the purpose of building U.S.-flag merchant ships in the United States. The CCF is not useful because it requires that ships be built in U.S. yards. • Work out a different approach to subsidy, it hasn't worked in the past and it isn't working now. We need a reserve of some kind to ensure a pool of skilled mariners and a fleet under our flag. (By the way, there is a program today, proposed by a coalition of carriers that provides for the problem I outlined in 1989; a Maritime Security Heet Program under which those vessels committed to the program would earn an annual contingency payment to offset costs of operating under the U.S. flag.) It was a call to action and everybody agreed. But nothing was done. The irony is undeniable as John Snow, chairman of CSX Corporation, recently noted: 'Today, at a time when America stands as the only remaining global militaiy power... with the most influential economy on ; the planet... our maritime policy lies in shambles. "The fundamental question is simple and direct... Do we want to take the necessary steps to revitalize the U.S.-flag merchant fleet.. . or witness its demise and the end of its role as a critical component of our national defense and commerce." You look around and have to wonder. U.S.-flag ves­ sels are subject to higher operating costs^ rougher ship regulations, higher maintenance costs (50 percent duties on foreign repairs), and less favorable tax treatment than their foreign-flagged competition. Moreover, U.S. liners receive fewer preferential cargoes from the U.S. govern­ ment today as a result of cuts in U.S. troops stationed overseas. The man for whom this lecture series is named would be appalled. I do not believe our citizens want to see their national maritime capability become extinct. However, that pos­ sibility is predictable if our current course is not reversed—^it is happening before your eyes. Defense transportation is essential to U.S. national strategy because it provides a credible deterrent to war, as well as a safety net for national emergencies and humanitarian efforts. It would be totally inconsistent with our history for the United States to be without a strong merchant marine. In times of national emergency, such as the recent Persian Gulf war, there is no acceptable alternative to a powerful U.S. merchant marine with its modem, com­ petitive ships and skilled American crewmembers. During the gulf war, the Department of Defense called on U.S. liner companies to carry 29 percent of all military cargoes and all the military's container traffic— 38,519 containers—into the theater of war. U.S.-flag ships, crewed by civilian mariners, delivered 90 percent of tire cargo from the U.S. to the troops in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Virtually all the container loads needed by the military were carried on U.S.-flag ships, and U.S. . liners were transferred from commercial service and chartered to the Military Sealift Command for its ex­ clusive use. Foreign-flagged ships may mean that ownership and control are no longer in U.S. hands, and the loyalties and availability of crewmembers cannot be assured. This makes military access to these vital resources—^includ- MAri993 SEAFARERS LOG 15 More than 150 representatives from maritime labor and Industry attended the 1993 Paul Hall Memorial Lecture In Washington. ing related intermodal systems—unpredictable. I spent a full career as a military man attempting to create predictability—the present situation undermines all such training and planning. Cliff Sayre, a retired vice president at E.I. DuPont de Nemours, put it this way at a hearing of the Advisory Commission on Conferences in Ocean Shipping: "The presence of a U.S.-flag liner gives you a place at the table, and, if you lack that.,. you can be handicapped as a nation." Given the intensity of global competition today and the important role of exports in spurring the growth of the domestic economy, the loss of a U.S. merchant marine would be a setback to economic growth. We've already seen the results. South Korea moves 54 percent of its commercial shipping on Korean vessels. Taiwan is expanding its fleet to carry 60 percent of its oil imports. Japan carries roughly 50 percent of its imports and 35 percent of its exports in Japanese-flag ships. Here's the kicker: Only 19 percent of America's foreign seaborne trade is carried on U.S.-flag liners. cargo ships will shrink from 140 to about 30 by the year 2005. That's not unrealistic, considering that many of our ships today are at least a quarter of a century old and woefully outmoded. However, there is always hope. For the first time in recent history, U.S. liner carriers and maritime labor are in agreement on specific changes to create operating parity with foreign competitors. There is common ground and no excuses this time for government not to act. So here I am again... now a private businessman—^as a matter of fact a railroader now—following four giants of this industry: Herb Brand,-Henry Marcus, Clint Whitehurst and Andy Gibson, calling once again to anyone who will hear... for action—^not work or good intentions—action! Unfortunately, I would have to admit to Paul Hallwere he here today—^so far, I have failed! Nothing is yet accomplished. But I must wam you and the country's private and public leadership again that it's time—^past time—to make certain the bickering is behind us and demand that our new administration and this Congress take action. In 1991, we were in total chaos. The Congrera was blaming industiy; industry was blaming labor; labor was blaming both Congress and industry, and nothing was getting done. Last year, Andy Gibson reported to this group that two leaders of the industry—^John Snow, chairman of CSX, of which Sea-Land Service is a subsidiary; and John Lillie, chairman of American President Com­ panies, were carrying the ball. They stepped forward and said, "We are 80 percent of this U.S.-flag business. Here is our position: We can no longer afford to recapi­ talize the ships that we are operating. In fact, we are not going to put any more capitd into this industry until we We got that way because of fewer and fewer incen­ find out our govemment's position on the ne^ for a U.S. tives. American shipping lines—while world leaders in merchant marine. Do you need us? Do you want us or quality service and efficiency—face substantial cost not? Just tell us!" penalties by operating under the U.S. flag rather than They took their message to the White House. They under a foreign registry. took it to the Pentagon. They took it to the Department The military is cutting back on its overseas commit­ of Transportation. They took it to the Department of ments, thus reducing the amount of government cargo Commerce. And everyone agreed, "Yes, we need... we reserved for U.S.-flag ships. In 1990, Department of want a U.S. merchant marine." Defense global shipments totaled $506 million in In fact, the 1936 Merchant Marine Act says we're revenue; by 1995, they are expected to fall to only $253 required to have a merchant marine that is sufficient "to million. carry its waterbome domestic commerce and a substan­ As peacetime shipments continue to decline and sub­ tial portion of the waterbome export and import of sidy contracts expire, U.S. liners find it increasingly foreign commerce of the United States...capable of serv­ difficult to remain both cost competitive and U.S. flagged, despite their desire to be avail­ able in time of national emergency. If there is no change in policy, U.S. car­ riers will be forced to reflag their ships off­ shore. The Maritime Administration estimates that the U.S.-flag fleet of general ^For the first time in recent history, U.S. liner carriers and maritime labor are in agreement on specific changes to create operat­ ing parity with foreign competitors.^ General Duane Cas­ sidy was given a stand­ ing ovation by ttie audience at the con­ clusion of his remarks. Dr. Robert Friedhelm (left), director of the DSC Sea Grant Program which administers the Paul Hall Memorial En­ dowment, presents General Duane Cassidy with an etching In glass of the late SlU president. • '.A '• > ••••. . •• ing as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency." We have ignor^ the law of the land. Last year, the administration submitted a Maritime Reform Bill, but it became bogged down in congres­ sional committees and failed. This time, however, it wasn't for a lack of caring. Everyone cared, but for very parochial reasons: The ship builders, the ship operators, the unions, the government, the Department of Defense; everyone seems to have their individual interest at heart. ^If this call to action is not heard, then our govern­ ment will have succeeded in doing what Hitler and the Third Reich could not do, and that is to sink the U.S. Merchant Marine.^ A ship operator once described the industiy to me as one where each wanted his share—and part of the other guy's, too. Now, using this forum dedicated to the most courageous labor leader in our time—Mr. Paul Hall—I stand here with a call for action. Not to do good things for the merchant marine, to .vavc {?. It will take a united industry with practical, unselfish goals; an active Department of Transportation, a coali­ tion of government agencies and Congress; a supportive administration; and increased public awareness of the current plight. Who among us will lead that charge? Without substantive maritime reform, our destiny will be one of default rather than design. We will hav^ a national sealift policy. The only question is whether it will be done now in a deliberate, timely fashion or forced upon us later by sudden suffering. A decision to forgo government action is a decision to lose a large part of the remaining U.S. maritime capability, a decision that is not in the national interest. A critical part of that maritime capability is maritime labor because the pool of skilled personnel employed on U.S.-flag vessels is considered a national security asset, able to meet surge-shipping requirements. I wonder if we could do Desert Shield today? Therefore President Clinton, therefore Secretary Pena, therefore Secretary Aspin, you have an oppor­ tunity. . . you have a moment in time with a Congress that will listen. President Clinton, you have shown the leadership qualities and the role you play is crucial. Secretary Pena, you can be objective and must be the one who steers this ship. Secretary Aspin, no one knows the issues better thari you. If we've ever had a secretary who understood the need for sealift, it is you. We can be encouraged by the early signs, particularly Secretary Pena, who has been willing to meet with all segments of the maritime industry and appears genuine­ ly interested in pushing for maritime reform this year. But we have been here before and nothing happened. If this call to action is not heard, if we do not do this now, if there is no bill passed in the first year of the new administration, then our government will have suc­ ceeded in doing what Hitler and the Third Reich could not do, and that is to sink the U.S. Merchant Marine; and, the next lecturer in the Paul Hall series will be telling you of its history. (I S-— ^ V. " • ,'A •" " —.7- .. �'''wbr. ' i' 16 MAY 1993 SEAFA6ERSL0G If modern history is what you seek, the Patuxent Naval Air Station in Lexington Park contains the nation's only museum dedicated to the full scope of testing and evaluation of U.S. Navy aircraft. PINEY POINT Major Cities Nearby For those seeking and wanting more, the metropolitan areas of Washington and Baltimore are within two hours of the Paul Hall Center. While history abounds from Fort McHenry near Baltimore to Arlington National Cemetery outside o the nation's capital, there is much more available. For animal loveirs, Washington's Na­ tional Zoo can keep the family enter­ tained all day. Most of the animals on display live in natural habitat compounds rather than cages. From elephants to eagles and panthers to the panda, a trip to the zoo is fun and educational. Located between the Capitol and the Washington Monument are the museums of the Smithsonian Institution. Known as "America's Attic," the Smithsonian col­ lects and displays artifacts of American >.V The Best of Both Vacation Worlds Say your idea of a perfect vacation is to get away from it dl. No people, no bustle, no noise, no worry. Just relax and commune with nature. The Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Educa­ tion is just the place for you. But, what if you are the type of person who wants to see and do it dl? You want to be where the action is, where some­ thing is happening day and night. You want to be able to gather the family in the car and take off without being trapped behind the wheel all day. The Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Educa­ tion is just the place for you, too. How is it that one place can be ideal for both types of vacationers? Because of its location and what is available in the immediate area, the Paul Hall Center is the best of both worlds. Convenient Location Based in the rural community of Piney Point, the center is located where St. George's Creek flows into the Potomac and land-based expeditions. The center, home of the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, is the largest training facility for deep sea merchant mariners and inland waterways boatmen in the country. The center con­ tains a number of administrative and educational buildings as well as a sixstory training and recreation center on more than 60 acres of waterfront proper­ tyEach summer, a number of the rooms in the training and recreation center are set aside for Seafarers and their families to vacation for up to two weeks. The center has a marina where vacationers can take a boat out for the day to sail around the region or look for a good fishing hole. With 400 miles of waterline surrounding St. Mary's Coun­ ty, waterbome activities are abundant. At the center are a picnic area with grills and tables, outdoor tennis and bas­ ketball courts, an Olympic-size swim­ ming pool (with lifeguards when the facility is open), a health spa and plenty of room for walking. Off the base are several state and county parks within easy driving distance that provide picnic, ex­ ploration and golfing opportunities. ments and union memorabilia. In between the marina and libraiy is the historic boat shed. Within its walls are a collection of several varieties of watercraft that have sailed the Chesapeake Bay region, including a bugeye and a skipjack. Mere minutes from the center is St. Mary's City, where vessels from England first landed in 1634. Exhibits located on 800 acres of unspoiled tidewater landscape include a replica of the first Maryland statehouse; Farthing's Ordi­ nary, a reconstructed inn with outbuild­ ings; and Old Trinity Episcopal Church, built around 1829 with bricks from the original statehouse. In nearby Hollywood is Sotterley Mansion, a working 18th century planta­ tion on the Patuxent River. Some of the original buildings still stand and are open to &e public. A little further down the road, civil war students can explore Point Lookout State Park where the remains of a prisoner of war camp for Confederate soldiers once stood. Local legend has it that the site is inhabited by ghosts. History on Site River near the Chesapeake Bay in St. M^'s County in southern Maryland. This peaceful setting, where city resi­ dents from nearby Washington and Bal­ timore have weekend-getaway cottages, provides the opportunity for both water UNION MEMBER VACATION RATES A vacation stay at the Lundeberg School Is limited to two weeks per family. Member $40.40/day Spou^ $ 9.45/day Child $ 9.45/day A/ote; There is no charge for children under the age of 12. The prices listed above include all meals. Send completed ap­ plication form to Seafarers Training & Recreation Center, Piney Point, MD 20674 or call (301) 994-0010. For history buffs, the center provides an excellent starting place. The marina serves as the home of the restored (by SlU pensioners) sailboat Manitou, the last pleasure vessel owned by President John F. Kennedy. Across the grounds is the Paul Hall Library and Maritime Museum. The library contains more than 17,000 volumes on maritime and labor history, while the museum features a collection of ship models, historical nautical instru­ r- I 'I history, folklore, art and architecture from dinosaur bones to the original Starship Enterprise from television's Stor Trek. Baltimore is home to the National Aquarium, featuring a great variety of fresh and salt water creatures. The aquarium is one of the highlights of the refurbished Inner Harbor which com­ bines tourist activities, the Baltimore Orioles baseball stadium, shopping and dining on the downtown waterfront. Plenty for the Kids For children of all ages, there are several theme parks within the area. Wild World amusement park in Prince George's County, Md. is one of America's largest water theme facilities. Wild World also features several thrill rides including the Wild One roller coaster, voted one of the nation's top 10. Near Richmond, Va. (approximately two hours from the center) is the Kings Dominion theme park. This park is home to roller coasters, water flumes, bumper cars and other rides as well as live enter­ tainment. These are just a few of the activities that can fill your vacation days. From the solitude of fishing on the side of a creek to the good times that come from a local seafood festival, there is enough avail­ able to make a summer vacation at Piney Point both relaxing and memorable. SEAFARERS TRAINING & RECREATION CENTER Vacation Reservation Information Name: Social Security number: Book number: Address: Telephone number: Number in party / ages of children, if applicable: _____ Date of arrival: 1st choice: 2nd choice: 3rd choice: Stay is limited to tvvo weeks. Date of departure: . Send this completed application to the Seafarers training & Recreation Center, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674. 5/93 �V •• MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea MARCH 16 — APRIL 15,1993 *TOTALREGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port New York 31 Philadelphia 0 Baltimore 4 Norfolk 11 Mobile 10 New Orleans 21 Jacksonville 20 San Francisco 27 Wilmington 16 27 Seattle Puerto Rico 15 Honolulu 9 Houston 34 St. Louis piney Point :^gonac,;::v^fv.;; 0 Totals 226 Port New York • /W Pfj< I •'^. • 19 18 21 16 16 27 31 23 34 4 16 32 2 :0s 270 8 4 10 4 9 5 •5 •'•:5 8 2 4 6 '•••3 2 77 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 16 22 6 0 5 2 4 12 0 21 9 14 3 11 3 19 15 6 18 16 3 17 6 M' ;iL' 6 0 22 14 2 5 4 1 5 12 8 23 22 1 2 •:-2, W 6 W 0 0 1 152 174 51 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 15 9 0 w Trip Reliefs *'*REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C ' ' f ' •••• ,./• 7 2 1 68 1 5 20 19 29 44 56 29 41 22 11 47 0 iSL' M:M 0 9 13 1 3 9 0 6 5 0 m-D 0 58 393 30 5 17 21 33 23 42 65 39 47 6 21 59 S 4 17 4 3 5 6 11 12 16 9 11 5 14 17 2 11 1 424 135 Baltimore 6 ^^ Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Seattle Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port 4 8 0 New York 1 1 Philadelphia 1 • 0 Baltimore Norfolk 3 Mobile 5 New Orleans Jacksonville 3 San Francisco 3 0 3 Wilmington 0 0 ' Seattle 1 Puerto Rico 12 Honolulu Houston 0 2 0 St. Louis Piney Point 0 0 1 Algonaa: 88 62 29 Totals ENTRY DEPARTMENT Port 8 17 41 12 New York 0 i 6 Philadelphia •'^1 0 1 1 tm:: Baltimore 2 6 3 Norfolk M 1 2 12 2 Mobile 4 7 19 New Orleans 3 4 6 4 Jacksonville 19 8 19 San Francisco 20 28 6 4 11 5 Wilmington 10 8 14 8 Seattle 3 2 5 Puerto Rico 9 5 101 59 8 Honolulu 2 4 22 6 Houston 0 0 1 0 St. Louis 0 2 43 1 Piney Point 0 0 2 0 Algonac 53 185 308 79 Totals Totals All 585 Departments 617 862 344 391 509 229 165 1,077 1,420 * 'Total Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month. •* "Registered on the Beach" means the total number of men registered at the port at foe end of last month. A total of 1,294 jobs were shipped on SlU-contracted deep sea vessels. Of the jobs shipped, 391 jobs or about 30 percent were taken by «A" seniority members. The rest were fiUed by arid "C seniority people. From March 16 to April 15,1993, a total of 165 trip relief jobs were shipped. Since the trip relief program began on April 1,1982, a total of 18,567 jobs have been shipped. liSry '.•f'r. .'i i.--; June & July 1993 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters Piney Point Monday: June 7, July 6* ^changed by Independence Day holiday 'y. iTv'.;" I .v. 17 '!«- -' t '11 " ' • ^' ' New York Tuesday: June 8, July 6 Philadelphia Wednesday: June 9, July 7 Baltimore Thursday-June 10, July 8 Norfolk Thursday; June 10, July 8 Jacksonville Thursday: June 10, July 8 Algonac Friday: June 11, July 9 Houston Monday: June 14, July 12 New Orleans Tuesday: June 15, July 13 Mobile Wednesday, June 16, July 14 V San Francisco Thursday: June 17, July 15 Wilmington i : Mxmdi^: Jmie 21, July 19 ^ Seattle Friday: June 25, July 23 San Juan Thursday: June 10, July 8 . St. Louis Friday: June 18, July 16 iiipii Honolulu Friday: June 18, July 16 Duluth Wednesday, June 16, July 14 Jersey City Wednesday: June 23, July 21 . i "NewBedford . .-07 • ' • i Tuesday: June 22, July/20 20 Each port's meeting starts at 10:30 ajn. ..i: V- Personals , ALAMAR, MASSMAR SURVIVORS Any survivors of foe vessels A/amar(PQ-16) or Massmar (PQ-13) who sailed on foe Murmansk Run during World War U are asked to contact Maxine Seinfeld, who is doing research on her father who sailed aboard these vessels. Survivors may write her at 11800 NE llfo Avenue, Biscayne Park, FL 33161. ALTON "BIG AL" FINN Please contact Robert T. "Robaire" Seim, c/o SBS, M/V Senator, Crowley Caribbean Transport, P.O. Box 359004, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33335. JACK (JOHN) KEHOE Please contact your old friends John and Rita Brady at 1152 Beale Court Drive, Blairsville, GA 30512; telephone (706) 745-5654. Correction The photo­ graph of Ordinary Seaman John McLain from foe port of Philadelphia was inadvertantly omitted from foe April 1993 Seafarers LOG story on foe annual' financial commit­ tee. We regret any confusion this error may have caused. John McLain ./ -V'-ri �18 Seafarers International Union Directory .-. - ;r--SiM-Sv •' .v.:"'.,;,i.i--' ,.•>.-'>•• •• ^ -i, •«^A' . ^:' KM wm S-'Si-f SsSi^sS^iS^SSfe .' ;: MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG Michael Sacco President John Fay Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Sacco Executive Vice President Augustin Tellez Vice President Collective Bargaining George McCartney Vice President West Coast Roy A. "Buck" Mercer Vice ft-esident Government Services JackCaffey Vice President Atlantic Coast Byron Kelley Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Coraey Vice President Guff Coast HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr. Algonac, Ml 48001 313)794-4988 BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore SL Baltimore, MD 21202 (410)327-4900 DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building Duluth, MN 55802 (218)722-4110 HONOLULU K 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 JERSEY CITY 99 Montgomery St. Jersey City, NJ 07302 (201)435-9424 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Mobile, AL 36605 (205)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 NEWYORK 675 Fourth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718)499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St. Norfolk, VA 23510 (804)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 2 West Dixie Highway Dania,FL 33004 (305)921-5661 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St. San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Govenunent Services Division (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave. Stop 16Vi Santurce, PR 00907 (809)721-4033 SEATTLE 2505 First Ave. Seattle, WA 98121 (206)441-1960 ST. LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave. St Louis, MO 63116 (314)752-6500 • WILMINGTON. 510 N. Broad Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 jiington,CA 90' (310)549-4000 Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes MARCH 16 - APRIL 15,1993 CL—Company/Lakes L—Lakes NP •TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups a.»CL*Srcta.NP Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac 4 2 Gl 10 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups a.»CL OXL CU»NP DECK DEPARTMENT 0 31 0 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 19 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 8 0 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 BEACH ••REGISTOMD ON BEACH All Groups CU»»CL C.a»L C.»»NP 0 8 38 0 •O' 11 ' 'i' 2 i 0 34 21 38 0 105 0 Totals All Departments 0 68 17 0 58 * "Total Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month. DispatchersV Report for Inland Waters MARCH 16 — APRIL 15,1993 •TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B OassC Region 3 Atlantic Coast 4 Gulf Coast , ; A . 22 Lakes & Inland Waters 1 West Coast 30 Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Wa West Coast Totals Region 2 Atlantic Coast' 'VT' 1 Gulf Coast 4 Lakes & Inland Waters 0 West Coast 7 Totals 0 3 0 1 4 0 29 0 17 46 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 01 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 0 0 4 3 1 0 m 8 0 63 11 1 67 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 ••REGISTERED ON BEACH Ail Groups Class A Class B Class C 50 11 51 3 ' 0 115 9 --'1* * ' 1 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 0 8 1 16 0 25 77 10 187 11 70 54 57 Totals All Departments • "Total Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month. ** "Registered on the Beach" means the total number of men registered at the port at the end of last month. HUBMnW ^ ONTHELOOKOUT— SHIPPING SUPERSTITIONS I Marine artist, historian and author Jim Clary, who owns and operates Cap'n Jim's Gallery in St. Clair, Mich., ' is requesting information pertaining to any superstitions that Seafarers know of in existence today. This information will be used in Mr. Clary's upcoming book "Superstitions of the Sea," a digest of old and new superstitions, customs, traditions and slang on the high seas and on the Great Lakes. Some examples of maritime supersti­ tions are: never say "fog" on the bridge, never ship out on a Friday, hang all the coffee cups a certain way in the galley. If you have information of this sort, would like to share it, and perhaps be included in this book, contact Jim Clary at 201 N. Riverside, St. Clair, MI 48079, or call him collect at (313) 3297744. ATTENTION; PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS MEMBERSHIP MEETING A genersj informational membership meeting will be held on Thursday, July 15, 1993 at 2:00 p.m. It will take place at the Ramada Inn on Highway 87 in Port Arthur. LIBERTY SHIP ^ % DISCONTINUE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Tentative plans are being made to sail WATCHKEEPING OF the Baltimore-based Liberty Ship, the John DISTRESS FREQUENCY W. Brown, to Normandy, France, to 500 KHZ celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944). She would accompany two Effective August 1, 1993, all United other World War 11-era ships, the Jeremiah States Coast Guard communication sta­ O'Brien and the Lane Victory. Before this tions and cutters will discontinue can be done, however, a lot of work must watchkeeping on the distress frpquebe done to clean up and restore her. Volun­ quency 500 kHz, and will cease all teers are needed to help make this ship a morse code services in the medium fre­ living memorial to all the men who served quency radiotelegraphy band. in the U.S. merchant marine in all wars. More efficient telecommunication Donations are also welcome (and are taxsystems now are available to provide the deductible). mariner with options for initiating or Donations may be sent to Project Liberty relaying distress alerts, and passing and Ship, P.O. Box 25846, Highlandtown Sta­ receiving maritime safety information. tion, Baltimore, MD 21224-0846. Any ad­ These options include INMARSAT, ditional information may be obtained by radio telex (SITOR), MF/HF single calling Dan Cap at (516) 667-3466 or Paul sideband and VHF radiotelephone, Bock at (516) 799-0061. satellite EPlRBs (for distress alerts and ^ telecommunications), and INMARSAT ^ ATTN: SEAFARERS ^ Safetynet, NAVTEX and HF NAVTEX (SITOR) (for maritime safety informa­ SAILING ABOARD tion broadcasts). BAY SHIPPING VESSELS NAVTEX broadcasts include the Since Bay Shipping Management is not same Notice to Mariners, weather, contractually obligated to make contribu­ search and rescue and fixed fishing gear tions to the Vacation Plan for weekends, location products that have been and since it is difficult to ascertain exact provided by the MF morse broadcasts. dates of employment from U.S. Coast Distress and other calls to any U.S. Guard discharges, it is necessary for Coast Guard communication station Seafarers aboard Bay Shipping vessels to also may be made on any of the follow­ submit copies of their pay vouchers when ing HF single sideband radiotelephone filing for Vacation Beneflts related to channels: 424 (4134 kHz), 601 (6200 employment with this company. kHz), 816 (8240 kHz) or 1205 (12242 Applications submitted without copies of pay vouchers will be held in a pending ; kHz). Meteorological broadcasts also are status until the proper verification is made on these channels. received. �• y:&<£iS;?';fi3si3i;a?»rtS^ nunaas SEAFJOIBRSLOG S even members who graduated from the SIU's top training programs for deck and steward department Seafarers are among the 35 members who are retiring as announced by the Seafarers Wel­ fare Plan. Brothers George Burke, Rufino Garay, John Mullis, Alejandro Ruiz, and Charles Todora graduated from the Lundeberg School's bosun recertification cour­ ses, while brothers Chester Moss and Ruperto Peralta successfully completed the steward recertifica­ tion program. A total of 23 members whose retirements are announced this month sailed in the deep sea division while 10 members sailed in the inland division and two sailed with Great Lakes-contracted operators. Texas, California, Puerto Rico, North Carolina and Michigan proved to be the most popular retirement spots for this group, as six retired in Texas, six in Michigan, five in California, and four each in Puerto Rico and North Carolina. Ora Rhoades had been an ac­ tive Seafarer longer than any of the other new pensioners. He joined the union in 1944 in the port of NorfoUc, Va. Brief biographical sketches of Brother Rhoades and the otho* new pensioners follow. Each month in the Seafarers LOG, the names of SIU members who recently have become pensioners appear with a brief biographical sketch. These men and women have served the maritime industry well, and the SIU and all their union brothers and sisters wish them happiness and health in the days ahead. GEORGE BURKE, 65, joined the SIU in 1946 in the port of New York. Bom in Mass, Mich., he completed the bosun recertification course at the Lundeberg School in 1974. Brother Burke resides in Brook­ lyn, N.Y. ROBERT COOPER, 62, joined the union in 1953 in the port of New York. A Texas native, he sailed in the deck department. Brother Cooper calls Pasadena, Texas home. JOSEPH DEBLANC, 64, joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MCS) in 1966 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District (AGLIWD). Bom in Califomia, he sailed as a cook/baker. Brother DeBlanc sorved in the U.S. Army ftom 1951 to 1953. He retired to Seattle. JOHN DONALDSON, 66, joined the Seafarers in 1952 in the port of Galveston, Texas. A na­ tive of Mil­ waukee, he completed the bosun recertification course at Piney ROBERT EDWARDS, 63, joined the SIU in 1955 in the port of Wil­ mington, Calif. Bom in Califomia, he sailed as a bosun. Brother Ed­ wards retired to Los Angeles. EXEQUIEL LIWAG,65, joined the union in 1968 in the port of Nor­ folk, Va. Bom in the Philippines, he sailed in the engine depart­ ment. Brother Liwag upgraded at the Lundeberg School frequently. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1967. Brother Liwag retired to Norfolk. PEDRO FIGUEROA, 73, joined the union in 1956 in the port of New York. A na­ tive of Puer­ to Rico, he sailed in the engine department. Brother Figueroa calls Fajardo, P.R. home. VINCENT FRISINGA, 67, joined the Seafarers in 1965 in the port of Wilmngton, Calif. A Califomia na­ tive, he sailed in the deck depart­ ment. Brother Frisinga retir^ to Los Angeles. DEEP SEA RAYMOND ALLEN, 59, joined the Seafarers in 1959 in the port of Lake Charles, La. A native of Mobile, Ala. he sailed in the engine depart­ ment. Brother Allen retir^ to Houston. U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946. He resides in San Francisco. RUFINO GARAY, 65, joined the SIU in 1965 in his native New York. He com­ pleted the bosun recer­ tification course in 1976. Brother Garay served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1952. He retired to Guayama, P.R. JAMES GLEATON, 65, joined the union in 1962 in the port of New York. Bom in South Carolina, he sailed as a steward/baker. Brother Gleaton served in the U.S. Navy from 1947 to 1950. He calls Charleston, S.C. home. DAVID HORTON JR., 65, joined the Seafarers in 1955 in his natrve Mobile, Ala. He sailed in the steward department Brother Horton served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947. He still caUs Mobile home. CHESTER MOSS, 67, joined the Seafarers in 1959 in the port of Seat­ tle. An Arkansas na­ tive, he com­ pleted the steward recertification course at Pjney Point in 1980. Brother Moss lives in Oakland, Calif. JOHN MULLIS, 67, joined the SIU in 1952 in the port of New York. An Alabama na­ tive, he com­ pleted the bosun recertification course at the Lundeberg School in 1981. Brother Mullis calls Mobile, Ala. home. department. Brother Trader served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957. He resides in Jop^ patown, Md. ROBERT SCHLEIER, 55, joined the union in 1973 in the port of San Juan.A Brooklyn, N.Y. native. he sailed in the engine depart­ ment. Brother Schleier served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1958 to 1962. He retired to Rio Piedras,P.R. PEDRO SEPULVEDA, 69, joined the Seafarers in 1971 in the port of New York. Bom in Rincon, P.R., he sailed in the steward department. Brother Sepulveda upgraded at Piney Point frequent­ ly. He resides in Salinas, P.R. CHARLES SMITH, 64, joined the SIU in 1956 in the port of New York. A Mississippi native, he sailed as a QMED. Brother Smith served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1951. He calls Arabi, La. home. RUPERTO PERALTA, 66, joined the union in 1975 in the port of Yokohama, Japan. Bom in the Philip­ pines, he completed the steward recertification course at Piney Point in 1987. Brother Peralta served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1966. He retired to San Francisco. CHARLES TODORA, 65, joined the union in 1958 in the port of Hous­ ton. Bom in Detroit, he completed the bosun recertification course at the Lundeberg School in 1980. Brother Todora served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1945 to 1948. He retired to Dallas. ORA RHOADES, 65, joined the Seafarers in 1944 in the port of Norfolk, Va. A native of Calais, Maine, he sailed in the deck department. Brother Rhoades resides in Oviedo, Fla. LORENZO BEVERLY, INLAND 65, joined the SIU in 1972 in the port of Nor­ folk, Va. Bom in Geor­ gia, he sailed in the steward department. Boat­ man Beverly served in both the U.S. Army and Navy firom 1945 to 1969. He calls Norfolk home. ALEJANDRO RUIZ, 64, MAXIMO joined the GABINO, SIU in 1959 65,joined in the port of the union in New York. 1971 in the Bom in Puer­ port of to Rico, he JOHN Tampa, Fla. completed HOULIHAN, Bom in the bosun recertification course 66, joined Ecuador, he at the Lundeberg School in 1976. sailed in the deck department. the SIU in Brother Ruiz calls Apopka, Fla. 1955 in the Boatman Gabino upgraded at home. port of New Piney Point in 1976. He retired Orleans. A to Tampa. ERNEST TRADER, 65, joined Boston na­ the Seafarers in 1948 in the port tive, he CURTIS IRELAND, 64, joined of New York. A North Carolina the SIU in 1970 in the port of sailed in the deck department. native, he sailed in the deck Norfolk, Va. Bom in Lowland, Brother Houlihan served in the imv \ •J W • : /;• « Tm* •• N.C., he sailed in the deck depart­ ment. Boatman Ireland served in the U.S. Navy firom 1950 to 1952. He still calls Lowland home. To Our New Pensioners ... Thanks for a Job Well Done Point in 1984. He resides in Gal­ veston. 19 ; MICHAEL HUNT, 60, joined the Seafarers in 1961 in his native Philadelphia. He sailed in the deck department. Boatman Hunt still calls Philadelphia home. JAKE KELLEY, 66, joined the union in 1964 in the port of Hous­ ton. A native of Flomaton, Ala., he sailed in the engine dqiartment. Boatman KeUey served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. He resides in Theodore, Ala. V ' •; 'Si. iiv- WILBERT MAIN, 50, joined the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of Nor­ folk, Va. Bom in Washington, N.C., he sailed in the deck depart­ ment. Boatman Main still calls Washington home. JACKIE STOUT, 62, joined the SIU in 1979 in the port of Houston. A Wichita, Kan. native, he sailed in the deck department. Boatman Stout upgraded at Piney Point in 1980. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1967. Boat­ man Stout retired to Rye, Texas. DAVID TILLETT, 63, joined the union in 1960 in the port of Nor­ folk, Va. Bom in Kitty Hawk, N.C., he sailed as a captain. Boatman Tillett resides in Tarboro, N.C. FRANCIS VAUGHN, 65, joined the Seafarers in 1970 in the port of New York. Bom in Cromona, Ky., he sailed as chief engineer. Boatman Vaughn served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947. He calls Lufkin, Texas home. ROBERT WATKINS, 43, joined the SIU in 1976 in the port of Norfolk, Va. A native of Wilmington, N.C., he sailed as a captain. Boatman Watkins retired to Leland, N.C. GREAT LAKES MISSED ALI,64, joined the union in 1971 in the port of Detroit Bom in Arabia, he sailed in Ae steward department. Brother All upgraded in 1984. He resides in Dearbom, Mich. MOHAMED ALI, 42, joined the Seafarers in 1970 in the port of Detroit. A native of Arabia, he sailed as a gateman. Brother Ali retired to Dearbom, Mich. -' • • '/<V ' • • n -• •• "v..1 �•'Wi'.i. • - •r: 20 MAY 1993 SEAFAOERSLOC Letters to the Editor Reminiscences from WWII: The Last Attack on Guadalcanal Shipping a single enemy plane dropped out of the clouds overhanging the island and glidec noiselessly into the superstructure of the John Penn. By 2150 hours, the flames were extinguished, but so was the ship. The next morning, burned bodies were founc washed up on the nearest beach. This was the last recorded attack on shipping in the Guadalcanal anchorage. Richard G. Morris San Mateo, Calif. ' /.J#" ' tory (Duke) in a race to Rotterdam. And the Liberty ships that would rol even at the dock. You must remember them. They were so numerous it was almost impossible not to ship out on one. I even got a chance to sail on one a few months before turning 18 years old. Where are you guys from that ship. Isthmian's Winthrop L. Marvin around-the-world in 1947-1948? Merchant seamen have the best jobs in the world, and if they sail SIU, they have the best union and conditions possible. I am glad my number two son chose a career at sea and with the union. He left the Navy after five years to go to Piney Point and has sailed SIU for the last 16 years. I hope one of my grandsons carries on for us. I'm seriously suggesting it to them even now. Ted Vargas Princeton, W. Va. Merchant seamen during WWII often referred to voyages in the Pacific as the "vacation run." TTie Liberty ship Jane Addams, operated by the American President Line, could testify to this. Never having suffered any war damage, she was sold for scrap in 1969. However, in 1943 the U.S. Army assigned me aboard to run the com­ missary or post exchange for one trip. I recall the following incident: vL J/ AI* On the night of August 13, 1943, the Liberty troopship Jane Addams lay anchored off Guadalcanal when the general alarm sounded. All shipboard activity Memories of Ore Line Days This letter contains a flood of nostalgia. ceased and an unearthly silence prevailed. It was brought on by the recent letters and The Navy Armed Guard stood ready at their guns. For over a month now, we had been articles in the LOG about the old days. kept on"shuttle duty, hauling military cargo Golly, a mountain of memories came forth. Do you remember Bull Line, South At­ between the Solomons and New Hebrides. J. J, vl, Not once had the general alarm sounded to lantic, Waterman, Isthmian, Ore Line? remind us of the enemy. The great naval Especially Ore Line and the port of Bal­ A Member Sends a Salute battles of Ironbottom Sound were now his­ timore SIU hall at 12 N. Gay St...; By today's standards. Ore Line ships To the Crew of the Tug VIrgihIa tory and Guadalcanal was secured. In the Presently I'm enrolled in an upgrading planning stage, however, was a landing on were unique. Remember Bethore, Steelore, Vella Lavella to the north. As part of the Firmore and their fire-tube boilers, fusible course at the Lundeberg School. ITiis is my task force, the John Penn (APA-23) lay plugs, twin screws and wooden decks aft? fifth time attending the school. Each time I And then there was the first trip. This return, I observe improvements. I'm par­ anchored close inshore, loading troops and equipment to carry out its mission. At this was an experience second to none for m6. ticularly impressed with the professional time our captain paced the bridge some­ Certainly, it has been the highlight of my responsibility of the staff. Everyone knows lis or her mission and sticks to it. what nervously, listening for enemy 63 years on this old globe. I'm very proud to be a part of the SIU On July 18, 1947, just after the 11 aircraft. Captain Cox had received his baptism o'clock job call, A1 Stansbury, shipping and will continue to improve the industry of fire the first month of the war. Serving dispatcher at the Baltimore hall, walked up ly taking advantage of the educational op-, as first officer on the Ruth Alexander, the to me and handed me my shipping card. He portunities. In the February 1993 edition of the liner, fleeing Manila, came under air attack said, "Hey, kid. Here's a wiper's job on the LOG, I read with pride about a Crescent at the entrance to Makassar Straits and was Muncie Victory. Go dpwn to the customs owing tug [Virginia] crew in Savannah, quickly sent to-the bottom. Our captain house and sign on. Then get down to the Ga. The crew, through its expertise in hoped the Jane Addams might outlast the ship. She is at the Port Covington Grain Irefighting, was able to save the lives of Pier." war: Named after a heroic woman who That job, ship and trip turned out to be the entire crew as well as save the vessel. devoted her life to lending hope to the This is a good example of being bereft and disinherited of Chicago, the ship the best of all for a 17-year-old kid just out of high school and as green as the West jrepared for an unpredictable occurrence. I so far had led a charmed life. commend the crew and wish to encourage Around 2000 hours, a deadly explosion Virginia hills from which he came. Where are the guys from the Muncie all SIU members to be prepared for such split the air and we watched the John Penn burst into flames. Soon, small craft, sil­ Victory? Where are you—Pat Delaney, situations. The life you save may be your houetted against the flames, circled the George Roach, Johnny Long, Tex Morton, own. doomed ship trying to save men struggling Eric Joseph? It has been almost 46 years Al Schmitt in the water. This inferno was started when since we beat South Atlantic's other V7c- New Orleans, La. AI/ Karlak Thanks the Welfare Plan Every union has its officials for con­ tract talks, settling beefs, safety talks, etc. But little is said of the Welfare Plan per­ sonnel. I have been—and still am—dealing with them concerning a number of medical problems. I feel they do a terrific job for the members each day. My dealings with them started in 1987 due to a back problem in July, then an eye problem in December. Before any monies are paid out to doc­ tors and hospitals, the Plan goes over the records with a fine-tooth comb. It seems a $500 fee was charged for treatments that were never called for while [I was] hospi­ talized with the back problem. This fee was never paid by the Plan or myself. I feel the Plan saved me the fee by checking the records and finding the error.. . Whenever I receive any bill or statement, I make copies to keep and send the originals to the Plan, including letters. Doing this turned out to be very helpful and I suggest that other members do the same.... Whenever speaking with the Plan by phone, I find them very polite and helpful in explaining my situation. Recently I had a problem with the billing department of an eye clinic. Calling the Plan and giving them the phone number of the clinic, the Plan called and I never had to get involved again. With all the services I've had, I can't remember them all. So I put them in a small book to carry whenever I go for an appoint­ ment. This is very helpful for the Plan in having the correct information whenever needed. Editor, I'll have to sign off due to"typeritis" of the fingers which the Plan doesn't cover. I'm the fastest two-finger-plusthumb typist the union has in retirement— and getting faster. The Plan deserves a lot of praise for the great job they do each day. Walter Karlak Woodside Queens, N.Y. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The con­ mail, return receipt requested. The proper PAYMENT OF MONIES. No SEAFARERS POLITICAL AC­ stitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes address for this is: monies are to be paid to anyone in any TIVITY DONATION — SPAD. SPAD and Inland Waters District makes specific official capacity in tiie SIUunless an officii is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds Augustin Tellez, Chairman provision for safeguarding the union receipt is given for same. Under no are used to further its objects and puiposes Seafarers Appeals Board membership's money and union finances. circumstances should any member pay any including, but not limited to, furthering 5201 Auth Way The constitution requires a detailed audit money for any reason unless he is given the political, social and economic inter­ Camp Springs, MD 20746 by certified public accountants every such receipt. In the event anyone attempts ests of maritime workers, the preservation year, which is to be submitted to the mem^ Full copies of contracts as referred to^are to require any such payment be made and furthering of the American merchant bership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly available to members at all times, either by without supplying a receipt, or if a member marine with improved employment op­ finance committee of rank-and-file mem­ writing directly to the union or to the is required to make a payment and is given portunities for seamen and boatmen and bers, elected by the membership, each year Seafarers Appeals Board. an official receipt, but feels that he or she the advancement of trade union concepts. examines the finances of the union and CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU should not have been required to make such In connection with such objects, SPAD reports fully their findings and recommen­ contracts are available in all SIU halls. payment, this should immediately be supports and contributes to political can­ dations. Members of this committee may These contracts specify the wages and con­ reported to union headquarters. didates for elective office. AH contribu­ make dissenting reports, specific recom­ ditions under which an SIU member works tions are voluntary. No contribution may mendations and separate findings. and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS be solicited or received because of force, TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the should know their contract rights, as well as AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the job discrimination, financial reprisal, or SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland their obligations, such as filing for overtime SIU constitution are available in all union threat of such conduct, or as a condition Waters District are administered in ac­ (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper halls. AU members should obtain copies of of membership in the union or of employ­ cordance with the provisions of various manner. If, at any time, a member believes this constitution so as to familiarize them­ ment. If a contribution is made by reason trust fund agreements. All these agree­ that an SIU patrolman or other union official selves with its contents, i^ny time a member of the above improper conduct, the mem­ ments specify that the trustees in charge fails to protect their contractual rights feels any other member or officer is at­ ber should notify the Seafarers Interna­ of these funds shall equally consist of properly, he or she should contact the tempting to deprive him or her of any con­ tional Union or SPAD by certified mail union and management representatives nearest SIU port agent stitutional right or obligation by any within 30 days of the contribution for and their alternates. All expenditures and EDITORIAL POLICY — THE methods, such as dealing with charges, tri­ investigation and appropriate action and disbursements of trust funds are made SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG als, etc., as well as all other details, the refund, if involuntary. A member only upon approval by a majority of the traditionally has refrained from publish­ member so affected should immediately should support SPAD to protect and fur­ trustees. All trust fund financial records ing any article serving the political pur­ notify headquarters. ther his or her economic, political and are available at the headquarters of the poses of any individual in the union, social interests, and American trade various trust funds. officer or member. It also has refrained EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are union concepts. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member's from publishing articles deemed harmful guaranteed equal rights in employment If at any time a member feels that any shipping rights and seniority are protected to the union or its collective membership. and as members of the SIU. These rights of the above rights have been violated, or exclusively by contracts between the This established policy has been reaf­ are clearly set forth in the SIU constitution that he or she has been denied the con­ union and the employers. Members firmed by membership action at the Sep­ and in the contracts which the union has stitutional right of access to union records should get to know their shipping rights. tember 1960 meetings in all negotiated with the employers. Conse­ or information, the member should imme­ Copies of these contracts are posted and constitutional ports. The responsibility quently, no member may be discriminated diately notify SIU President Michael available in all union halls. If mernbers for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, believe there have been violations of their editorial board which consists of the against because of race, creed, color, sex, return receipt requested. The address is: national Or geographic origin. If any shipping or seniority rights as contained executive board of the union. The ex­ Michael Sacco, President in file contracts between the union and the ecutive board may delegate, from member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, Seafarers Intemaitional Union employers, they should notify the among its ranks, one individual to carry the member should notify union head­ 5201 Auth Way Seafarers Appeals Board by certified out this responsibility. quarters. Camp Springs, MD 20746. h f 'Ml �• • . r- v.. '• MAY 1993 Kunc, Secretary Steven Wagner, Educational Director Randy Snay, Deck Delegate Billy Hill, Engine Delegate Uchard Rodgers, Steward Delegate P.R. Mena. Chairman an­ nounced payoff upon arrival. Chair­ Th fyeafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union ship- man also reported new dryer to be received and thanked deck depart­ Hoard minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space ment for job well done. Secretary limitations, some wiii be omitted. asked contracts department how new Leave Act will affect Ships minutes first are reviewed by the union's contract department. Family maritime industry. Educational direc­ Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the tor reminded members to upgrade union upon receipt of the ships minutes. The minutes are then for­ skills at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer reported $124 in movie fund. Deck warded to the Seafarers LOG. delegate reported beef. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or LONG LAA/ES(Transoceanic reported by engine or steward steward delegates. Crew asked con­ Cable), November 24—Chairman P. delegates. Crew thanked galley gang tracts department to look into paid Amper, Secretary M. Bonsignore. for fine cookouts. Next port: Port transportation for trip relief. Crew Chairman encouraged crew to vote in Everglades, Fla. thanked galley gang for job well presidential election and take ad­ done. Next port: Los Angeles. AMERICAN CORMORANT vantage of educational facilities at (Pacific Gulf Marine), February 15— OVERSEAS ALASKA (Maritime Lundeberg School. Secretary in­ Chairman C. Simmons, Secretary Overseas), February 13—Chairman formed members that teachers at D.K. Goggins, Deck Delegate Char­ John Zepeda, Secretary D. DePiney Point are excellent. Treasurer les Klim, Engine Delegate L. Cesare, Educational Director C.K. reported $500 in ship's fund. No Parker, Steward Delegate Mariano Dunnavant, Deck Delegate B. Ridbeefs or disputed OT reported. Crew Mofeira. Educational director en­ dick. Engine Delegate John Cooper, asked contracts department to look couraged each crewmember to upgrade Steward Delegate Malcolm Holmes. into additional medical benefits for skills and become beist possible Chairman announced payoff and members and families. Next port: As­ seafarer. Treasurer reported $270 in reported letter received from head­ toria, Ore. ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT quarters. Educational director en­ reported. Crew thanked steward depart­ couraged members to take advantage COt//?/Efl (Vulcan Carriers), ment for job well done and fine January 17—Chairman Seymour of opportunity to upgrade at Piney Yaras, Secretary Richard Bnimage, cookouL Next port: Mombasa, Kenya. Point. Treasurer reported $50 in Educational Director Adrian ship's fund. Steward delegate CAPE HENRY (lOM), February Saavedra Chairman reminded crew reported disputed OT. No beefs or 24—Chairman Thomas Votsis, not to play radios loudly. Educational Secretary A1 Holland, Engine disputed OT reported by deck or en­ director advised members they need gine delegates. Crew asked contracts Delegate Troy Fleming, Steward benzene tests for continued tanker department to look into change in sea Delegate R.C. Catahan. Chairman sailing. Deck delegate reported dis­ time and ship leave time. Crew re­ reported no beefs or disputed OT. puted OT. Engine delegate reported Crew thanked Seattle Patrolman Her-' quested another dryer and chief beef. No beefs or disputed OT pumpman gave vote of thanks to mando Salazar for updating mem­ reported by steward delegate. Crew steward department for excellent bers. Crew thanked for contributing reported mail not being received and meals. Next port: New Orleans. to Maritime Defense League. Crew TV and VCR need repairs. gave vote of thanks to steward depart­ OVERSEAS NEW YORK ment for job well done and deck (Maritime Overseas), February 14— FRANCES HAMMER (OCCI), January 3—Chairman Larry Manry, department for garbage sorting. Next Chairman T. Alanano, Secretary port: Honolulu. Secret^ Janet Price, Educational Tube Dansley Jr., Deck Delegate William Jackson, Engine Delegate Director Terry Jacobsen, Deck FRANCES HAMMER (OCCI), Robert Santos, Steward Delegate Delegate Kevin Hare, Engine February 15—Chairman Larry Delegate John Kasbarian, Steward Dennis Skretta. Chairman requested Manry, Secretary J. Price, Educa­ Delegate Toyo Ckinzales. Chairman crew separate plastics from garbage. tional Director Terry Jacobsen. reported refrigerators have not been Chairman asked contracts department Secretary encouraged members who delivered. He announced vessel was have never attended Paul Hall Center for clarification of holidays. Educa­ in shipyard from September to to upgrade skills to do so. No beefs or tional director advised members to November. Secretary advised mem­ disputed OT reported. Crew thanked look at new course schedule in galley gang for job well done. Crew bers to get benzene test. Treasurer Seafarers LOG for upgrading at reminded to bring trash to galley win­ reported $441 in ship's fund. No Piney Point. He urged crewmembers beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew dow and clean up after themselves in to upgrade as soon as possible. lounge and mess hall. Next port: reported Christmas card from SIU Treasurer reported $526 in ship's Honolulu. received. Members said they ap­ fund and announced purchase of preciate thoughts and were impressed bicycles. No beefs or disputed OT PATRIOT (Vulcan Carriers), with union's original card. Crew reported. Chairman reminded crew to February 11—Chairman Ralph asked contracts department to look leave keys in room when signing off Gihbs, Secretary J. Williams, Deck into increase in manning size. Crew ship and put lids on garbage barrels Delegate Jeffrey Mateer, Steward thanked company for promptly send­ on second deck after use. Crew Delegate Lovell McElroy. Secretaiy ing Christmas mail. Next port: Morthanked galley gang. Next port: Bom­ reported crew involved in rescue mis­ mugao, India. sion of Panamanian-flagged East bay, India. Wood. Captain and crew were LNG LIBRA (ETC), January 10— /A/GEf?(Sealift Bulkers), February honored by Coast Guard Rear Ad­ Chairman Billie Dariey, Secretary 21—Chairman Stanley Jan Dora, miral W.C. Donnell. Educational Alexander Reyer, Educational Direc­ Secretary Vincent Sanchez, Deck director urged members to upgrade tor O. Sessions, Deck Delegate Delegate W. Chestnntt, Engine skills at Lundeberg School. Treasurer George Keblis, Engine Delegate Delegate J.A. Burkette, Steward reported $400 in ship's fund. Crew Mark Glinka, Steward Delegate Delegate E. Alvarez. Chairman Henry Daniels. Chairman asked reported company thanked deck depart­ agreed to use $300 to receive Armed Forces radio station via satellite at night watchstanders to keep noise ment for good work. No beefs or dis­ sea. Deck delegate reported level low. He reminded crew to work puted OT reported. Seafarers LOGs bathrooms and water fountain need safely and stay alert. Educational distributed. Next port: New Orleans. repair. No beefs or disputed OT. director encouraged members to INGER (Sealift Bulkers), Febmary Crew reported outdoor dinner en­ upgrade at Piney Point. Treasurer 28—Chairman Stanley Jan Dora, joyed by all and looking forward to reported $1,000 in ship's fund and Secretary Vincent Sanchez, Deck future dinners. $2,000 in movie and book fund. No Delegate W. Chestnntt, Engine beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew PFC EUGENE A. OBREGON Delegate J.A. Burkette, Steward reported Seafarers LOGs received. (Waterman Steamship), February Delegate E. Alvarez. Chairman an­ Next port: Arun, Indonesia. nounced inspection when ship arrives 14—Chairman B.G. Hutcherson, Secretaiy T. Piazza, Educational SEA-LAND EXPEDITIONiSeain U.S. He thanked deck department Director J. Laratta, Deck Delegate Land Service), January 17—Chair­ for cleaning and stowing grain bags. Fred Hunter, Engine Delegate man Joseph Mele, Secretary Edgar No beefs or disputed OT. Next port: Robert Rester, Steward Delegate Vazquez, Educational Director D. New Orleans. George Carter. Beef reported by Beeman. Chairman announced vessel ITS BALTIMORE(Sheiidan deck delegate. No beefs or disputed to shipyard at end of month. He Transportation), February 28—Chair­ OT report^ by engine or steward report^ everything running smooth­ man J. Rogers, Secretary A. Hagan, delegate. Crew thainked.steward ly. Secretary thanked utility crew, Educational Director Paul department for job well done. especially Luis Rivera, for keeping ship clean. Educational director urged Honeycutt, Deck Delegate Tony RALEIGH BAY(Sea-Land Service), Helnoldt, Engine Delegate A. Almembers to upgrade at Lundeberg February 28—Chairman A. Mohsin, faqeh. Steward Delegate John PadllSchool. No b^fs or disputed OT Secretary R. Malozi, Educational la. Chairman announced new ice reported. Crew asked contracts Director V. Carpi, Deck Delegate C. machine received. No beefs or dis­ department to look into increased Whitehead, Engine Delegate J. puted OT reported. Next port Houston. vacation time. Crew gave vote of Coombs, Steward Delegate G. thanks to steward department for job Vorlse Jr. Chairman announced LIBERTY IVAVE (Liberty well done. payoff in Elizabeth, N.J. and dis­ Maritime), February 23—Chairman Sonny Pinkham, Mucational Direc­ cussed current Piney Point courses SENATOR(Cmv/ley American for members. Secretary reported new tor David Dunklin, Deck Delegate Transport), January 31—Chairman vacuum and cushions for lounge or­ Joseph Korchak, Engine Delegate D. Wagner, Secretary J.F. Miller, dered. Educational director stressed B. Santana, Steward Delegate Vic­ Educational Director M.Scinto, importance of upgrading skills at Deck Delegate Michael Duggan, En­ tor Lacay. Educational director en­ Paul Hall Center. No brofs or dis­ couraged members to upgrade skills gine Delegate William Owings, at Lundeberg School. No beefs or dis­ puted OT. Chairman distributed Steward Delegate Robert Lang. Seafarers LOGs and Piney Point puted OT reported. Crew requested Chairman announced payoff and course schedule. Crew requested new reminded crew to take care of plastics copy of contract for ship. Crew gave recliners and juice machine for properly. Secretary reminded crew to vote of thanks to steward department lock doors in port. Educational direc­ for job well done. Next port: New Or­ lounge. Next port: Boston, Mass. tor encouraged members to donate to leans. SAM HOUSTON (Waterman Steam­ SPAD and upgrade at Paul Hall Cen­ ship), February 2S:r-Chairman Car­ OMIDYNACHEM (OMI Corp.), ter. Deck delegate reported disputed los Canaies, Secretaiy Emle Hoitt, February 19—Chairman Larry GT. No beefs or disputed OT SEAFARERS LOG Eteck Delegate Bennle Spencer, En­ gine Delegate William Smith, Steward Delegate Nelson Corey Jones. Chairman announced next port will be Alexandria, Egypt. tion foni Secretary reported vacation forms received from headquarters and en­ couraged crew to donate to SPAD. Educational director urged members to upgrade at Lundeberg School. Treasurer reported $290 in ship's movie fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Discussion held on question­ naire from SIU headquarters concern­ ing dates of receipt of Seafarers LOG. CreA<' asked contracts depart­ ment to look into changing require­ ments for retirement. Crew reported requested box springs not received. Crew gave vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. SAMUEL L. COBB (Ocean Shipholding), February 14—Chair­ man H.G. Bentz, Secretary R. Craw­ ford, Educational Director R. Kindred, Deck Delegate Joerg 21 Smith, Deck Delegate Juan Ayala, Engine Delegate SIma Padllla, Steward Delegate Genaro Rivera. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked contracts department to look into vacation requirements. Crew gave vote of thanks to gallfey gang. SEA-LAND CONSUMER (SeaLand Service), February 7—Chair­ man D. Tetchman, Secretary G. Boop, Educational Director B. Cohnel. Chairman thanked steward department for job well done. Treasurer reported $600 in ship's fund. Crew reported 15 new movies , and complete movie list. On Monday, February 8, per request of his family, with crew in attendance, flag of ves­ sel was lowered to half-mast, as ashes of Brother Anthony Frank Nottage Sr. were spread upon the sea at longitude 144.70 west and latitude 42.59.3 north. Ship's captain led farewell prayers. Sailing the Asian Route Crewmembers aboard the LNG Aries were able to get a view of the dock area in the port of Arun, Indonesia recently. They are, from left to right. Steward Assistant Jose Guzman, Chief Steward Doyle Cornelius, Steward Assistant Derek Varnado, Steward As­ sistant Arlene Ringler and Chief Cook Udjang Nurdjaja. Wltte, Engine Delegate Rodney Pontlflet. Steward Delegate Tom Bar­ rett. Chairman discussed importance of donating to SPAD and great oppor­ tunities available for members at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Seafarers LOGs distributed. Crew thanked President Michael Sacco for doing great job for all SlU members. SAMUEL L. COBB (Ocean Shipholding), February 28—Chair­ man H.G. Bentz, Secretary R. Craw­ ford, Educational Director Russell Kindred, Deck Delegate Joerg Wltte, Engine DelegateRodney Pontlflet Sr., Steward Delegate Tom Barrett. Chairman praised crew for very clean and well fed ship with true SIU style. He discussed excellent union leadership from President Michael Sacco and down through ranks and thanked all SIU officials for jobs well done. Chairman also dis­ cussed importance of donating to SPAD and informed crew that meet­ ings will be held every Sunday. He passed around Piney Point brochure and encouraged members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center. He stated how proud he was to be an SIU member. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next port: Singapore. SEA-LAND ANCHORAGE (SeaLand Service), Februaiy 18—Chair­ man Gary Walker, Secretary L. LIghtfoot, Deck Delegate Rick Campbell, Engine Delegate J.R. Day, Steward Delegate William Bryley. Chairman announced payoff. Secretaiy reminded crew to be alert when departing or returning to vessel when cargo is being worked. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Seafarers LOGsdistributed. Educa­ tional director discussed scholarship program and encouraged members to take advantage of educational oppor­ tunities at Lundeberg School. Entire crew thanked steward department for fine food and creative salad bar and chief electrician for rewiring new broiler in galley. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. SEA-LAND CHALLENGER (SeaLand Service), February 8—Chair­ man Jerome Williams, Secretaiy N. Duhe, Educational Director R. SEA-LAND DEVELOPER (SeaLand Service), Februaiy 21—Chair­ man P. Gallagher, Secretaiy F. SIson, Educational Director J. Ross, Deck Delegate T. Churchman, En­ gine Delegate J. Pamlnlano, Steward Delegate James Boss. Chairman reported smooth trip with happy crew. Educational director urged members to take advantage of Piney Point and donate to SPAD. Treasurer reported $60 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew reported that, thanks to training at Piney Point, AB Steve Baker saved life of AB Rod Clark by using skills to dislodge large piece of meat stuck in Clark's throat. Crew wished a happy 25th anniversary to QMED J. Paminiano and his wife. Steward department given vote of thanks. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. SEA-LAND ENDURANCE (SeaLand Service), February 27--Chairman M. Johnson, Secretary J. Freeman, Educational Director G. Evosevlch. Chairman reported smooth sailing and reminded mem­ bers to use upgrading opportunity available at Lundeberg School. Treasurer reminded crew to save aluminum cans for recycling. No beefs or disputed-OT report. Crew asked contracts department to look into increase in dental and optical coverage. Crew requested seat for quartermaster on bridge and asked tmsun be put on day woik. SEA-LAND EXPEDITION (SeaLand Service), February 24—Chair­ man Paulino Hores, Secretary Edgar Vazquez, Educational Direc­ tor D. Beeman. Chairman reported smooth sailing. Ship scheduled for shipyard in Norfolk, Va. Educational director advised members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or dis­ puted OT reported. SEA-LAND EXPLORER (SeaLand Service), February 14—Chair­ man O. Wiley Jr., Secretary D. Clay, Educational Director G. PollardLowsley, Engine Delegate J.R. Miller. Chairman reported smooth sailiitg and thanked steward depart­ ment for good job. Engine delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or Continued on page 22 •. •. -Ml- jV . V'" - '-I- �22 Ships Digest ' v'VLlfe," Continued from page 21 disputed OT reported by steward or deck delegates. Crew asked contracts department to look into maintaining wage status, eye and dental care and better health care package. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND EXPRESS{Sea-Land Service), February 11—Chairman J. Lundborg, Secretary R. Maddox, Educational Director A. Beli, Deck Delegate R. Caruthers, Engine Delegate J. Couvillion, Steward Delegate D. Flunker. Chairman urged members to support union. Secretary reminded members to upgrade at Lundeberg School. Deck and steward delegates reported beef. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine delegate. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. SEA-LAND HA WAII{Sea-Land Service), February 28—Chairman J. Carter, Secretary J. Jones, Educa­ tional Director J. Del Reo. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked Steward/Baker Jones and gal­ ley gang and wished Jones a happy vacation. Chairman reminded crew of purpose of SPAD and urged dona­ tions. Next port: Oakland, Calif. SEA-LAND INDEPENDENCE (Sea-Land Service), February 3— Chairman Francis Adams, Secretary Nancy Heyden, Educational Director Chris Devonish, Deck Delegate Vic­ tor De Jesus, Engine Delegate Salen Ali, Steward Delegate Cecil Gubish. Chairman reported smooth sailing and encouraged members to write representatives and senators urging their support of stronger merchant marine fleet. He reported relief over having Democrat as president and thanked all union members who helped campaign. Secretary reported everything running smoothly. Educa­ tional director reminded members to upgrade at Piney Point and get GED if needed. Treasurer thanked Tom "Mad Mikey" Bullen for Charles Gibbens tapes on investments. He reported new treasurer to be elected and $60 in ship's fund. Engine delegate reported beefs and disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck or steward delegates. Crew thanked Mr. Tom, manager of Seaman's Club in Yokohama, for bringing Seafarers LOGs. Chairman reminded crew to rewind tapes and put back in their jackets. Captain ordered new VCR. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND PACIFIC{Sea-Land Service), February 7—Chairman Lothar Reck, Secretary G.M. Bronson. Educational Director Michael Powell. Chairman encouraged mem­ bers to keep rooms clean at all times and support SPAD. Secretary report^ 25 movies were brought by DEU Scott Melle in Kaohsiung. Educational director urged members to upgrade at Lundeberg School. Treasurer reported $60 in ship's fund and $50 in movie fund for next trip. Disputed OT noted by deck, engine and steward delegates. Crew reported no mail service in Kaohsiung or Oak­ land, Calif. Crew thanked steward department for pleasant voyage and shipyard stay. Chairman thanked crew for job well done while ship was in Kaohsiung. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. MAY 1992 V, V SEAFARERS LOG SEA-LAND PRODUCER {SeaLand Service), February 21—Chair­ man J. Edwards, Secretary L. Hoffman, Deck Delegate L. Thompson, Engine Delegate L. Diaz, Steward Delegate M. Ahduiteh. Chairman announced TV anten­ na switched from engineer lounge to crew lounge for reception in in­ dividual crew rooms. He noted Oak­ land stay to be approximately 12 hours, ^ucational director urged everyone to upgrade at Paul Hall Cen­ ter Treasurer reported $55 in ship's fiind. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked contracts department to look into wage in­ crease. Crewmembers were requested to be more quiet when returning to ship. Next port: Honolulu. SEA-LAND SP/fl/r (Sea-Land Ser­ vice), February 14—Chairman Rafael Clemente, Secretary S. Apodaca, Educational Director C, Henley, Deck Delegate Stephen Barry, Engine Delegate Phil Parent, Steward Delegate Fagalilo Maliga. Educational delegate suggested cabinet in steward's office be used for movies. Engine delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT by engine or steward delegates. Crew reported barbells and universal gym to ^ bought with ship's fund. Crew thanked galley gang for job well done. Next port: Honolulu. SEALIFT INDIAN OCEAN (IMC), February 28—Chairman C. Leycock, Secretary T. Winrker, Educational Director R. Gaglioti, Deck Delegate Luis Malave, Engine Delegate Michael Ricci. Educational director reminded members to upgrade at Lun­ deberg School. Treasurer reported $196 in ship's fund. Beefs and dis­ puted OT reported by deck depart­ ment. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward delegate. Crew asked for more com­ munication with union. Crew re­ quested chairs for mess hall and lounge. VCR and TV in need of repair. Seafarers LOGs distributed. SEALIFT PACIFIC (IMC), February 24—Chairman announced ship headed toward Turkey. Treasurer reported $19 in ship's fimd. No beefs or disputed OT report^. Next port: Houston. UST PACIFIC (lOM Coip), February 14—Chairman W. Csapo, Secretaty N. Evans, Educational Director F. Durand, Deck Delegate H. Macip, Engine Delegate G. Mazzara. Steward Delegate A. Jackson. Chairman reported smooth sailing and deck and engine departments will receive one hour per week for doing room sanitation.Vocational director reminded crew to check out one movie at a time, rewind and return it to correct place. Treasurer reported $292 of ship's fiind to be donated toward TV satellite system. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked contracts department to look into retirement after 20 years of sea time and clarify sea time needed for mem­ bers. Crew also asked contracts department to look into improve­ ments in dental plan. Crew was asked to help keep mess hall clean. Steward department received vote of thanks from crew. 1STLT. BALDOMERO LOPEZ (Amsea), March 9—Chairman Robert Johnson, Secretary Bruce Barheau, Educational Director Wil­ liam Amost, Deck Delegate Scott Wilson, Engine Delegate Robert Heading to Diego Garcia Crewmembers aboard the Jeb Sft/arf help secure pushboats while stopping at the dock in Singapore enroute to Diego Garcia. From the left are AB Kevin Combs, AS Hank Scott and Bosun Jim Burtnett. Rudd, Steward Delegate Isaac Mercado. Chairman reported General Dynamics no longer owns Amsea. In­ ternational Shipholding Co. is now the parent company and there have been no personnel changes. Educa­ tional director passed out Lundeberg School course schedule and en­ couraged all members to upgrade at Piney Point. Treasurer reported $208 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked contracts department to look into why ships do not observe Martin Luther King holiday. Chairman announced payoff. Crew discussed possible purchase of free-weights. Chairman thanked steward department for efforts during holiday season. Bosun congratulated crew on professionalism during un­ derway replenishment drill. Next port: Guam. GLOBAL SENTINEL (Trans­ oceanic Cable), March 20—Chair­ man J. Olson, Secretary K. Rosiek, Educational Director Cliff McCoy, Deck Delegate Ray Dailey, Steward Delegate Diana Nason. Chairman an­ nounced while vessel docked in Bal­ timore, crewmembers must board other cable ships to read posted mes­ sages from company. Treasiuer reported $91 in crew's fund. Disputed OT reported by deck, engine and steward delegates. No beefs reported. Crew report^ they want more safety meetings. Next poiit Balbmore. /TB AfEW YO/?K(Sheridan Transportation), March 7— Chair­ man Patrick Ray, Secretary R. Hicks, Educational Director James Carnell. Chairman thanked crew for job well done and announced payoff. He reported smooth sailing and thanked steward delpartment for keep­ ing mess hall and galley clean at night. Educational director urged members to upgrade at Paul Hall Cen­ ter. No beefs or disputed OT reported. 1STLT. JACKLUMMUS (Amsea), March 7—Chairman S. Melendez, Secretary L. Oram, Educational Director S. Anderson, Deck Delegate S. Stoelzel, Engine Delegate P. Happel, Steward Delegate E. Loret. Chairman read Telex from contracts department con­ cerning hazardous duty pay. J. Wat­ son elected new chairman after crew change. Chairman discussed union benefrts and stressed leaving informa­ tion at home for family. Educational director stated importance of continu­ ing education and always striving to better oneself. New educational direc­ tor to be elected at next meeting. Treasurer reported $287 in ship's ftind. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman commended crew for good trip and told members they were backbone of ship. He said "hats off to galley gang for serving 14,741 meals during voyage. Next port: Seychelles, B.D.A. LAWRENCE H. GIANELLA (Ocean Shipholding), March 14Chairman T. Lasater, Secret^ D. Cunningham, Educational Director J. Kelly, Deck Delegate Franz Brook^ Engine Delegate E. Lacunza. Steward Delegate M. Ketchem. Chairman reported smoodi sailing. He reminded crew that because ship is in Diego Garcia, at least 3 weeks lead time is requirV for reliefis. He en­ couraged crew to use delegates and keep problems from going topside. WiA Ointon in office, chairman said maritime industry will improve. Tie^urer reported $346 in ship's ftmd. Educational director encouraged mem­ bers to take advantage of programs available at Limdeberg School. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chair­ man encou^ed crew to take ad­ vantage of island activities such as sailing, boating, swimming and bowl­ ing. Crew gave vote of tlmiks to galley gang for job well done. Crew reported $50 donned to Seaman's Club for party, and company will match money for purchase of fishing gear, drop lines only. Crew requested new pillows and net for basketball court to keep balls from going over side. Next port: Diego Garcia. LONG LINES (Transoceanic Cable), March 17—Chairman P. Amper, Secretary M. Bonsignore, Educational Director M. Las Duce, D^k Delegate FA. Gonsalves, Steward Delegate P. Parisi. Treasurer reported $500 in ship's fiind. No beefs or disputed OT. Crew requested daily bus shuttle to and from Seattle. Crew requested steak knives, soup spoons, variety of break­ fast juices, Kool-aid instep of fruit syrups, and more ice cream and fresh fruit. Next port: Seattle. OMI SACRAMENTO (Vulcan Car­ riers), March 7—Chairman Ray Gorju, Secret^ Raul Cayalcanti, Educational Director Alex Resendez, Deck Delegate Francisco Oria, Steward Delegate Earl Mathews. Chairman reminded members to upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center to further advance careers and earning potential. He reminded crewmembers signing off to clean rooms and leave keys for relief. Treasurer reported $650 in movie fund. No beefs or dis­ puted OT reported. Crew asked con­ tracts department to look into pay increases. Next port: New Orleans. OVERSEAS ALASKA (Maritime Overseas ), March 10--Chairman John Zep^, Secretary Dorma DeCesare, Educational Director Gary Pratts, Deck Delegate Irvin Crutchlow, Engine Delegate Trent Sterling, Stew^ Delegate Malcolm Holmes. Chairman aruiounced payoff upon arrival March 13. Educational director urged members to upgrade at Piney Point and reminded crew to report all hazardous conditions imme­ diately. Treasurer reported $50 in ship's fund. Engine and steward delegates report disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by deck delegate. Crew reported second dryer for laundry to be received. Crew re­ quested new TV antenna for lounge. Crew asked where new movie supply is. Next port San Francisco. OVERSEAS OH/O (Maritime Over­ seas), March 2—Chairman George Schuj, Secretary Earl Gray, Educa­ tional Director D. Bautista, Deck Delegate Pete Kouchy, Engine Delegate William Behan, Steward Delegate Shari Smitson. Chairman reported he would pick up informa­ tional packets in port and go by union hall. Educational director advised members to attend Piney Point to up­ grade skills. No beefs or disputed OT. Steward department thanked by crew for job well done. Next port: Honolulu. OVERSEAS WASHINGTON (Marine Overseas), March 17—Chair­ man T. Koehel, Deck Delegate Jeff Kass, Engine Delegate Scott Wilkin­ son, Steward Delegate Mike Buhaker. Chairman stressed impor­ tance of political donations support­ ing maritime legislation with new adimnistration. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested new VCR for crew loimge. Crew thanked galley gang for good job. Next port: Valdez, Alaska. PAUL BUCK{Ocean Shipholding), March 7—Chairman J. Lisenhy, Secretary D. Wuerth, Educational Director J. Rohins, Eteck Delegate Jack Cochran. Chairman urged members to obtain upgrading forms and apply for upgrading courses at Lundeberg School. Secretary reported mail service slow and faster service from company requested. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Delegates reported good working con­ ditions. Charrman reminded crew to notify department heads of any problems in work areas or staterooms so repairs can be made. Crew reported barbeques held often and quality of life among crew excellent. Next port: Dubai, U.A.E. ROBERT E. LEE (Waterman Steamship), March 8—Chariman William Penney, Secretary S. In­ gram. Chairman reported ship not receiving Seafarers LOGs. Education­ al director encouraged members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center. Engine delegate reported disputed OT. Steward and deck delegate reported beefs. Crew asked contracts depart­ ment to look into limiting crewmem­ bers to 6 months per vessel. Crew requested better quality stores on board vessel. Next port: New Orleans. SAMUEL L COBB(Ocean Shipholding), March 7—Chairman H.G. Bentz, Secret^ R-E. Craw­ ford, Educational Director R. Kindred, Deck Delegate Joerg Whitte, Engine Delegate Rodney Pontiflet, Steward Delegate Tom Barrett Chairman discussed SIU pride and why SIU is best. Chairman reminded crew to think what they can do for union, not just what union can do for them. No beefs or disputed OT. Crew gave vote of thanks to steward department members who are getting off in Singapore. Chair­ man reminded members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center. SEA-LAND DEFENDER{SeaLand Service), March 21—Chairman K.C. McGregor, Secretary James Chaney, Educational Director Rolan­ do Gumanas, Deck Delegate R.E. Wagner. Chairman reported crew questions on new contract in June. Educational director reminded mem- Sharing Cuisines Chief Cook Mansour Abdalla often includes some Egyptian specialties in his menus aboard the Sealift Pacific. bers to upgrade at Lundeberg School. Deck delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward delegate. SEA-LAND INTEGRITY{SeaLand Service), March 7—Chairman N. Prats, Secretary Pedro Laboy, Educational Director Dennis Baker, Deck Delegate Albert Haarmann, Engine Delegate Philip Zaiewski, Steward Delegate Charles Ratcliff. Educational director reminded mem­ bers to check Seafarers LOG for Lim­ deberg School course schedule. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked galley gang for great job. Next port: Elizabeth, N.J. SEA-LAND NAVIGATOR (SeaLand Service), March 7-^hairman Howard Gibbs, Secretary Louis Nicoud, Educational Director Joseph Callagban, Deck Delegate Sean O'Doherty, Engine Delegate Robert Zurffluh, Steward Delegate Raymond Garcia. Chairman an­ nounced payoff upon arrival March 12. Educational director encouraged members to upgrade skills at Lun­ deberg School. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested new locks on room doors and additional ship security to prevent vandalism. Crew thanked galley gang for job well done. Crew gave vote of thanks to OMU Ed Decoucey for his quick thinking when galley area air con­ ditioner caught fire. Crew said it could have ^n much bigger prob­ lem if not for Decoucey's actions. Next port: Oakland, Calif. SEA-LAND PATRIOT{Sea-Land Service), March 7—Chairman S. Evans, Secretary R. Casin, Educa­ tional Director R. Hamil, Deck Delegate J. Brooks. Chairman thanked crew for keeping ship clean and reminded everyone not to throw plastic over side or put spray cans in garbage disposal. Educational direc­ tor urged members to use Paul Hall Center to upgrade skills. He reminded crew to watch safety films and know fire station. No beefs or dis­ puted OT reported. Seafarers LOGs received and distributed. Crew thanked steward department for variety in very tasty meals. Next port: Okinawa, Japan. SEA-LAND RELIANCE{Sea-Land Service), March 1—Chairman R.E. McGonagle, Secretary C.M. Modellas, Educational Director Lorance Penio, Deck Delegate Thomas Scbireder, Steward Delegate J. McCree. Chairman reminded crew to keep watertight doors closed in bad weather. He announced tile ordered for rooms, payoff upon arrival and thanked crew for smooth trip. Secretary thanked entire crew for keep­ ing tidy ship, especially crew lounge, niess hall and salad bar. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked galley gang for job well done. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. �'•, ' iwarfsas .., it- .••; SBAFAFBRS LOG Filial Departures • 'i'v :• • V. -' 23 ,' , '.s- DEEP SEA DAVID BECK David Beck, 22, passed away March 18. Bom in Beaufort, S.C., he graduated from the Lundeberg School in 1990. Brother Beck sailed in the steward department. He most recently sailed aboard the SS Independence (American Hawaii Cruises) as a waiter. Brother Edelson began receiving his pension in January 1979. as a QMED He upgraded at the department Brother Manesis began receiving his pension in August 1969. Lundeberg School frequently. ANTHONY EVANOSICH Pensioner An­ thony Evanosich, 64, passed away Febraary 28. Hejoin^ the union in 1957 in his native Philadelphia. He sailed as a deck engine utility. Brother Evanosich retired in April 1992. AMBROSE MAGDIRILA Pensioner Ambrose Magdirila, 85, died Febraary 26. A native of the Philippines, he joined the union in 1942 in the port of Philadelphia. He sailed in the steward depart­ ment. Brother Magdirila retired in November 1972. HAROLD MCALEER Pensioner Harold McAleer, 79, died March BERNARD FALK 24. A Haver­ Pensioner Ber­ hill, Mass. na­ HENRY BRADLEY tive, he joined nard Falk, 75, Pensioner Henry Bradley, 89, died the Seafarers died March Febraary 1. A native of Oran­ in 1950 in the 27. A native geburg, S.C., he joined the Marine port of New York. He sailed as a of Poland, he Cooks and Stewards (MCS) in joined the chief cook. Brother McAleer 1946, before that union merged SIU in 1955 served in the U.S. Army from 1941 with the Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and to 1945. He retired in January 1981. in the port of Inland Waters District (AGLIWD). New York. Brother Bradley began receiving JAMES MESSEC He sailed in the steward depart­ his pension in November 1970. Pensioner ment. Brother Falk began receiving James Meshis pension in August 1974. BENNY CALLIORINA sec, 71, Pensioner RENE HIDALGO passed away Benny CalMarch 9. He Pensioner liorina, 87, joined the Rene Hidal­ passed away union in 1955 go, 80, died March 13. in his native March 24. Bom in the Baltimore. Bom in Philippines, Brother Messec sailed in the en­ Youngs,ville, he joined the gine department. He upgraded at La., he joined Seafarers in Piney Point in 1970. Brother Mes­ the union in 1944 in the port of New York. He sec served in the U.S. Army from 1962 in the sailed as a chief cook. Brother Cal1939 to 1945. He began receiving port of New Orleans. He sailed as a liorina retired in August 1969. his pension in December 1983. cook/baker. Brother Hidalgo retired in August 1979. JEROME CHAPKEWITZ CARL NELSON Pensioner ROY JUSTICE Pensioner Jerome ChapCarl Nelson, Pensioner Roy Justice, 65, passed kewitz, 64, 68, died away Febraary 7, A Texas native, died Febmary Febraary 17. he joined the SIU in 1952 in the 21. A Brook­ A native of port of Houston. He sailed as a lyn, N.Y. na­ Michigan, he QMED. Brother Justice upgraded tive, he joined the at Piney Point in 1980. He began joined the SIU in 1968 receiving his pension in July 1990. union in 1955 in the port of in the port of New York. He sailed WU CHI KING Seattle. He sailed in the engine in the steward department. Brother Pensioner Wu department. Brother Nelson served Chapkewitz began receiving his Chi King, 71, in the U.S. Army from 1943 to pension in March 1987. died March 1945. He retired in May 1973. 27. A native FREDDIE DAVOCAL STAN O'BRIEN of Beijing, Pensioner Pensioner China, he Freddie DavoStan O'Brienj joined the cal, 80, 80, passed MCS in 1972 passed away away March in the port of Febraary 13. 14. Bom in San Francisco, before that union Bom in Canada, he merged with the AGLIWD. Philadelphia, joined the Brother King retired in December he joined the Seafarers in 1980. SIU in 1961 1961 in the in the port of Seattle. Brother Davo- EDWARD LESSOR port of New York. He sailed in the cal sailed in the steward depart­ Pensioner Ed­ engine department. Brother O'­ ment. He retired in June 1977. ward Lessor, Brien began receiving his pension 82, passed in August 1977. FRANK DISTEFANO away ROBERT OZOLINS Febraary 22. Pensioner Frank Distefano, 56, Pensioner Bom in Sheldied March 7. A Califomia native, Robert bume, VL, he he joined the Marine Cooks and Ozolins, 84, joined the Stewards in 1962 in the jrort of San died March in Seafarers Francisco, before that union 20. Bom in 1945 in the port of Boston. Brother merged with the AGLIWD. Riga, Latvia, Lessor sailed in the deck depart­ Brother Distefano began receiving he joined the ment. He upgraded frequently at his pension in December 1968. union in 1967 the Lundeberg School. Brother Les­ in the port of sor began receiving his pension in JOHN DONALDSON New York. He sailed in the engine November 1975. Pensioner John Donaldson, 66, department. Brother Ozolins passed away April 3. Bom in Mil­ ANTONIO MANESIS retired in July 1976. waukee, he joined the Seafarers in Pensioner An­ 1961 in the port of Houston. He tonio FABIOUS RICORD sailed as a bosun. Brother Manesis, 82, Fabious Donaldson retired in Febraary. passed away Ricord, 53, March 26. died April 1. MEYER EDELSON Bom in He joined the Andros, Pensioner Meyer Edelson, 75, died SIU in 1968 Greece, he January 28. A Califomia native, he in his native joined the joined the MCS in 1968 in the port New Orleans. of San Francisco, before that union SIU in 1957 in the port of San Fran­ Brother cisco. He sailed in Ae engine merged with the AGLIWD. Ricord sailed FRANK PITTS Pensioner Frank Pitts, 88, passed away July 31,1992. A Maryland native, he joined the MCS in 1945, before that union merged with the AGLIWD. Brother Pitts began receiving his pension in September 1966. JUAN RODRIGUEZ Pensioner Juan Rodriguez, 78, passed away March 20. Bom in Puerto Rico, he joined the Seafarers as a charter member in 1938 in the port of Baltimore. He sailed as a chief cook. Brother Rodriguez upgraded frequently at Piney Point. He retired in October 1985. AARON SASSER Pensioner Aaron Sasser, 78, died Febraary 23. A Georgia na­ tive, hejoined the union in 1955 in the port of Bal­ timore. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Sasser served in the U.S. Army from 1938 to 1940. He began receiving his pen­ sion in October 1974. WILLIAM SMITH Pensioner William Smith, 68, passed away Febraary 20. Bom in Maryland, he joined the SIU in 1963 in the port of Baltimore. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Smith served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1951. He retired in August 1977. EXEQUIELTIONG Pensioner Exequiel Tiong, 70, died July 2,1992. Bom in Philadel­ phia, he joined the Seafarers in 1947 in the port of New York. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Tiong began receiving his pension in July 1971. ANDREW VLAHOS « Pensioner Andrew Vlahos, 66, passed away March 7. Bom in Greece, he joined the MCS in 1943, before that union merged with the AGLIWD. Brother Vlahos retired in 1972. PAUL WARHOLA Pensioner Paul Warhola, 66, died April 2. Bom in Johnstown, Pa., he joined the union in 1947 in the port of Baltimore. He sailed as a chief cook. Brother Warhola upgraded at Piney Point in 1981. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. Brother Warhola began receiving his pension in July 1987. SAMUEL WEST Pensioner Samuel West, 83, passed away December 28,1992. An Arizona native, he joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1943 in the port of Wilmington, Calif., before that union merged with the AGLIWD. Brother West retired in July 1974. - ROBERT WILLIAMS Pensioner Robert Williams, 70, died March 6. Bom in Port Allen^ La., he joined the MCS in 1952 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the AGLIWD. Brother Williams began receiving his pension in June 1978. INLAND JOHN EPPERSON Pensioner John Epper­ son, 74, passed away Febraary 18. A Pennsyl­ vania native, he joined the Seafarers in 1943 in the port of Texas City. Boatman Epperson sailed in the steward department. He retired in January 1983. 'V RUSSELL HAMPTON Pensioner Russell Hampton, 81, died April 2; Bom in Poplar Branch, N.C., he joined the SIU in 1960 in the port of Norfolk, Va. He sailed as a chief engineer. Boatman Hampton began receiving his pen­ sion in January 1974. EUGENE HEGARTY Pensioner Eugene Hegarty passed away recently. He joined the union in 1974 in his native Philadelphia. Boatman Hegarty sailed in the en­ gine department. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. Boatman Hegarty retired in 1984. JAMES S. JAMES Pensioner James S. James, 70, die5dMarch7. A Texas na­ tive, he joined the Seafarers in 1972 in the port of New Orleans. He sailed in the deck department. Boatman James upgraded at Piney Point frequently. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 to 1952. Boatman James began receiving his pension in June 1989. USE Pensioner Joseph Krause, 69, passed away March 19. He joined the SIU in 1957 in his native Baltimore. He sailed as a pilot. Boatman Krause retired in November 1987. PATRICK LUBY Pensioner Patrick Luby, 85, died March 23. Bom in Tripperary, Ireland, he joined the union in 1957 in the port of Houston. He sailed with Great Lakes Towing. Boat­ man Luby began receiving his pen­ sion in 1974. Continued on page 25 • ' cll • V.'"' . ^ • • •. ... �v>'^-;feVV - Huna^ SEAFARBISL06 Crewmember's Catch Provides Entree As LNG Leo Galley Cooks Special Meal The crew of the LNG Leo was looking forward to a special din­ ner the evening the vessel anchored in Tobata, Japan recent­ lyOn the way up from Indonesia, the SlU-crewed tanker anchored in Singapore. While there, one of the crewmembers went fishing and snagged a wahoo large enough to feed the entire crew. The fish, approximately tu'o feet in length, was taken to the galley where it was frozen. The crewmembers decided it should be saved and turned into a feas: for all the crew. "We couldn't believe it when they carried it in here," stated Chief Cook Amy Rippel. 'Tt was huge—and that's no fish story." When the vessel arrived in Tobata, the galley gang, under the direction of Chief Steward Mike Ruggiero, went to work prepar­ Preparing the LNG Leo's galley for the special fish dinner for the entire ing the wahoo. After a trip to town crew are SAs KImberly Castro and D. Leighter. to get just what was needed, the fish was grilled to perfection. The crew reported a' good meal was had by dl. The LNG Leo, which is operated by ETC Corporation, sails between Indonesia where it loads liquified natural gas and Something's fishy In the galley of the LNG Leo as Chief Steward Mike Japan where it offloads at various Ruggiero and Chief Cook Amy Rippel are set to clean and grill a ports. wahoo caught by a crewmember. Historian Sets Straight Name Mixup On SiU-Crewed Prepositioning Vessei Relaxing In the crew's lounge Catching up oh the mall from after lunch Is QMED John Wong, home Is AS Richard Hockfeld. Formerly the Pvt. Harry Fisher, this Maersk Line ship now Is correctly named the Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips. Thanks to the respurcefulness covered Fisher was not really of a hometown historian, an SIU- Fisher and went about to set the crewed military prepositioning record straight. ship operated by Maersk Lines Fisher's real name was has received its new and proper Franklin J. Phillips. Phillips was name. from McKeesport and was an For years. Seafarers sailed Army veteran of the Philippine aboard the Pvt. Harry Fisher, one insurrection and the Spanish of 13 roll on/roll off vessels American War. In fact, he served named after U.S. Marines who with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough were Medal of Honor winners. Riders in Cuba where he con­ TTie ships cany gear, ammunition tracted malaria in 1898. Shortly and other materiel to support thereafter, he left the Army Marines when they are called into without leave and returned action. Prepositioning vessels home. like the Fisher played vital roles In March 1899, Phillips turned during the recent Persian Gulf himself in to authorities and war and the Somalian aid relief received a dishonorable dis­ mission. charge. But the call of the military A plaque on the vessel told of was too much for Phillips, so he the history of Private Harry Joined the Marine Corps as Harry Fisher, who gave his life in 1900 Fisher. in defense of his fellow In the early 1980s, Mc­ Americans in China during the Keesport amateur historian Wes Boxer Rebellion. In fact. Fisher Slusher discovered that Fisher was the last American to die and Phillips were one and the during the fighting. same and began efforts to set the Despite his heroics and the record straight. In order for the honor bestowed upon him, a his­ Marines to officially present the torian from McKeesport, Pa. dis­ Medal of Honor in Phillips' name, the Army had to issue Phil­ lips an honorable discharge. Al­ though Phillips had distinguished AB Mike Presser watches the Ready to participate In a shiphimself as a member of the latest union meeting aboard the Marines and died in the line of lounge.safety video In the crew's board LNG Leo Is OS Jeffrey Hockfeld. duty, it was not enough for the Army Board of Corrections to change his discharge status. The New York Times reported on the situation in 1986, giving the strange tale of Phillips/Fisher front page coverage. Soon, the Army announced it would give Phillips an honorable discharge. Although Marine Corps records now reflected Phillips as the proper name of the ser­ viceman who died in the Boxer Rebellion, it still took some time before his tombstone was changed. Finally, more than 90 years after the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously and near­ ly 10 years after Slusher began his work, the name Pvt. Harry Fisher was removed fronf® the prepositioning ship and Pvt. AB P. Hoffman listens to the dis- Wiper Muharam Husin asks a Franklin J. Phillips was painted cussion during the LNG Leo's question about the union's welin its place. union meeting. fare plan. ;.v- .... V'''.v -'Jv:--'; . �•".5 "•'3';^..-v*:£-';-.'^-^,.'' •'•••'^\'£;-'^.'T^.<rj>:v-'.ii'V^^^^ MAY 1993 SEAFARERS LOG 25 • Falcon Braves Foul Weather SIU crewmembers aboard the American Falcon faced chal­ lenging conditions while transporting military equipment between Morehead City, N.C. and Norway from February 6 to April 6. "We had to endure adverse weather conditions in ports and during transit," AB Mike Davis wrote in a letter to the Seafarers LOG. "Overcoming freezing temperatures, driving snows, icing conditions and strong winds, we worked with the U.S. Marine Corps to ensure the cargo was loaded safely and profes­ sionally." Davis added. Norway ports of call were Bogen Bay, Narvik, Hommelvik, Troindheim and Bodo. Marine Chief Warrant Officer Robert Roberson told the crew. "Working with the SIU members on the American Falcon has demonstrated how the U.S. mer­ chant marine provides additional capabilities for a force in readi­ ness." Davis concluded his letter to the LOG with, "The SIU crewmembers aboard the American Falcon proved the need for strong and skilled U.S. merchant marines. Once again, the SIU played a large and important role by providing the necessary trained men and women for U.S. flagged vessels, serving both military and commercial in­ dustry." Photos on this page were provided by AB Chris Moore. The American Falcon is AB Chris Moore cleans the operated by Crowley American Falcon's deck during a break in Transport. the wintry weather. r;' 'v' • ''''v.;-! From left to right, Chief Cook Mack Jones, Chief Steward Paul Zllkow and SA Chino Gullberto prepare food for a cookout on a rare sunny day aboard the Amer/can Fa/con. • ii Shipping Is Non-Stop in New York In one of the busiest ports of the world, shipping around New York is non-stop. SlU-crewed vessels continuously are moving in and out of the ports of New York and New Jersey. Recently, payoffs were held aboard the Sea-Land Achiever and Nuevo San Juan. The Achiever was back in the States following a run to the Mediter­ ranean, while the San Juan was at its northernmost port on its coastwise and Puerto Rican run. SIU officials from the port of New York conducted union meetings aboard both vessels. Crewmembers asked questions concerning the union welfare program, vacation plans and ships' contracts to Kermett Mangram, assistant vice presi­ dent for contracts, and Jack Sheehan, a New York-based patrolman. Reports received by \\\c Seafarers LOG indicated all was well on both containerships. Marine Chief Warrant Officer Rob Roberson shakes hands with AB Mike Davis while Bosun Mike McCardle looks on. port of Philadelphia. Boatman Taylor began receiving his pension in February 1991. Final Departures Continued from page 23 VANCE MEEKS Crewmembers gather In the crew lounge of the Nuevo San Juan lor a union meeting. From left to right are Chief Steward Robet Fagan, OMU Jack Crosby, Asst. VP for Contracts Kermett Mangram, Engine Utility Andre Smith, Messman Pedro Alicia, Messman Bob Bess and OMU Robert Appel. Pensioner Vance Meeks, 62, passed away March 4. A native of Martin Coun­ ty, N.C., he joined the Seafarers in 1970 in the port of Norfolk, Va. He sailed in the steward department. Boatman Meeks served in the U.S. Army from 1947 to 1950. He retired in August 1986. ANGELO PRINCBPATO Pensioner Angelo Principato, 65, died March 25. He joined the SIU in 1970 in his na­ tive Philadel­ phia. Boatman Principato sailed in the engine department. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1949. Utilltyman Willie Smith shows his Getting In from the cold for a shipboard meeting on the Achiever are, Boatman Principato began receiv­ approval for what he hears during '©ft to right (seated) Bosun James Davis, (standing) QMED Electrician ing his pension in November 1988. the meeting on the Achiever. John Yarber, SA Alfred DeSlmone and AB Felix Santiago. THOMAS SPRINGFIELD Pensioner Thomas Springfield, 81, passed away February 16. A Texas na­ tive, he joined the union in 1961 in the port of Port Arthur, Texas. He sailed in the steward department. Boatman Springfield served in the U.S. Army in 1941. He retired in Febmary 1971. Ready for lunch on the Sea-LandAchiever are Chief Cook Robert Arana and Chief Steward William Perry. ROBERTTAYLOR Pensioner Robert Taylor, 58, died February 22. Bom in Virginia, he joined the Working aboard the Achiever on a safety net are Seafajers in ABs Felix Santiago (left) and Jose Caballero. 1959 in the JOHN WERNER Pensioner John Wemer, 91, passed away March 26. He joined the SIU in 1961 in his na­ tive Philadel­ phia. Boatman Wemer sailed in the deck department. He served in the U.S. Army in 1918. Boatman Wemer retir^ in August 1969. GREAT LAKES CALVIN WAGONER Calvin Wagoiier, 71, died January 20. Bom in Onekama, Mich., he joined the union in 1964 in the port of Frankfort, Mich. He sailed in the steward department. Brother Wagoner served in the U.S. Army during World War II. RAILROAD MARINE NORMAN KASDEN Pensioner Norman Kasden, 69, passed away March 21. He joined the Seafarers in 1959 in his native New York. Brother Kasden sailed in the deck department. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. Brother Kasden retired in June 1984. PETER RADOSLOVICH Pensioner Peter Radoslovich, 96, died Febmary 4. Bom in Austria, he joined the SIU in 1960 in the port of New York. Brother Radoslovich began receiving his pension in May 1962. '. •:i-. If I •it. ' / ff" r: �. ' • -. •> 2ff a •*r«- • IIIUri993 SEllfiMERSUW Lundeberg School Graduating Classes Trainee Lifeboat Class 509—Graduating from trainee lifeboat class 509 are (from left, kneeling) Curtis Campaigne, Kristen Swain, Neville Hughes, Richard Gendaszek, Michael Dubie, John Schafer, (second row) Christopher Davjd, Jim Brown (instructor), Jason Bannister, Isaac Kapua, Eric Mahoney, Dustin Niemoeller, John Kaack III, Ray Magneson, Shawn Elder and Russell Harriott. - Upgraders Lifeboat—Certificates of training were received by the March 24 class of upgraders. They are (from left, kneeling) Ben Cusic (instructor), Stephen Bishop, Francis Gilligan, Robertt Costantino, Edgar Diaz, (second row) Elhussiny EInaggar, Bryan Smith, Barbara Boyer, Daniel Idos, Sylvia Niemi, David Albert, (third row) Timothy Macrury, Waymon Sellers, Keith Innes, David Stanford and Rudolph Hyndman. Advanced Firefighting—Receiving their advanced firefighting endorsements on Jtoch 31 are (from left, front row) Cummin^ Onstructot), Wade Hudgns Marvin Diesd Engine—Members of the graduating diesei engine course on March 26 are •'f '*'T" (from lofr. I<n^«"9) Thomas Moran, LaSrence C^, Albert Schmitt, (second row) Troy (thrrd row) Phrl Spoerle, Dal Bunus, Frank Ingelirs Sr. and Thomas Douglas. Robin.MarkGlinki'stevenHoskins. Woodrow Smith Jr., Hal Puckett, D^ielTaggart'(third row) John Copeland Jr., Eric Morrison, James Scanlon and J.C. Wiegman (instructor). Advanced Firefighting—Completing the advanced firefighting course on March 22 are (from left, front roW) John Smith (instructor), George Maffioli, Peter C. Westropp, Paul Buckhard, William Mogg, Byran Cummings (instructor), (second row) John Bellinger, Herm^^ Stewart, George Urban III, Marvin Forbes, Charies Lore and Clinton ^ Anderson. /• Sealift Operations —Graduating from this safety specialty course on April 12 are (from left, front tow) David Denizac, Danyl Smith, Rick James, Michael Ethridge, Michael Soulier, Thomas Sneed Jr., (second tow) George Keblis, Coty Gatdiner, William Dize Jr., Michael Smith, Clay Swidas, (third row) Jeff Swanson (instructor), Kenneth Cuffee and Bill Hellwege (instructor). �! '•'•I • . /'• •' ••.' /v.-•• • ( ' SEAFARERS LOG MAY 1993 LUHDEBERG SCmm 1993 UPGRADIHG COURSE SCHEDULE Itecertlflcailon Programs The following is the current course schedule for classes beginning between June and October 1993 at the 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 job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. u- u The course schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—^the nation's security. Completion Date July 19 September 13 August 27 October 22 Shiphandling June 21 August 23 September 27 July2 September 3 October 8 Radar Observer - Unlimited j July 12 August 16 September 20 July 16 August 20 September 24 Celestial Navigation July 19 Aii^ust30 August 13 December 10 Able Seaman All students v?' Cbhrse A^istant Cook, Cook and Baker Marine Electronics Technician H Safety Specialty Courses Check-In Date Completion Date Oil Spill Prevention and Containment August 2 August 6 Uifeboatman June 21 July 19 August 16 September 13 October 11 July 2 July 30 August 27 September 24 October 22 Basic/Advanced Fire Fighting July 13 September 7 July 23 September 17 Sealift Operations & Maintenance July 5 August 30 October 25 July 30 September 24 November 19 Course Hydraulics Diesel Engine Technology Date of Birth _ (City) (Fust) (Stiect) (Slate) , , Telephone JL DeepSeaMemberD , LakesMemberD August 2 Completion ' Check-In Date • Date All open-ended (contact mimisslons office for starting dates) All open-ended (contact admissions office for starting dates) V July 30 June 7 July 2 August 27 September 9 September 3 June 21 Hydraulics August 2 August 16 August 9 College Program Schedule for 1993 FULL 8-week sessions 3ulyl9 September 10 " mththi's application COPIES of yourdischarges must be time to qualify yourself for the course(s) requested. You also must submit a CO^of each of the following: the first page of your union bwk indicating and seniority your clinic card and the front and back of your U^berg School identificationcardlistingthecourse(s)youlmveta^nandcompletedneAdmissions Office WILL NOT schedule you until all of the above are received DATE OF RATING DATE DISCHARGE HELD SHIPPED VESSEL _L (Area Code) (Zip Code) June 28 The following courses are available through the Seafmers H^ Lundeberg School. Please contact the admissions office for enrollment information. Check-In Completion Date Date Course All open-ended High School Equivalency (GED) (contact admissions office for starting Adult Basic Education (ABE) English as a Second Language (ESL) dates) Month/Day/Year (Middle) Completion Date • • November 8 1992'93 Adult Education Schedule UPGRADING APPUCATHUI Name. (Last) Address. Check-In Date October 4 Completion Check-In Date Date Gfiiirse . Octobers July 19 QJilED-Any Rating July 16 June 7 Fireman/Watertender and Otter All students must take the Oa Spill Prevention and Containment class. July 30 June 21 Pumproom MainL & Operations September 24 August 16 September 24 AugustJO Basic Electronics August 27 July 6 Marine Electrical Maintenance I September 13 October 22 Marine Electrical Maintenance H Augustl3 July 6 Refngeration Maint & Operations October 22 September 13 September 27 November 5 Miirine Electronics Technician I - ' lliirdMate Course BoSun Recertification Steward Recertification Chief Cook, Chief inward Check'ln Date Course tt |—I InlandWateraMemberO PacficD If,he following Informalion is no, filled ou,completely, your appUcalion will no, be processed. Social Security #__ *— Department Seniority U.S. Citizen: •Yes • No Home Port. I am interested in the following coufse(s) checked below or indicated here if not listed Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held • Ves Are you a graduate of the SHLSS trainee program? If yes, which program: from. Last grade of school completed Have you attended any SHLSS upgrading courses? • Yes course(s) taken If yes, coursers; laKcn ^ Have you H&en any SHLSS Sealift Operalionscouiaes? DNO • No p. UYes If how many weeks have ^you completed?. II yes, now . Do yon hold the O.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? • Yes GNO Rrenghtmg-.GYes GNO CPR:DYes ^ GNO Date available for training Primary language spoken • • —— DATE. SIGNATURE. DECK AB/Sealift 1st Class Pilot Third Mate Radar Observer Unlimited Master Inspected Towing Vessel • towboat Operator Inland • Celestial Navigation • Simulator Course • • • • • ENGINE • FOWT • QMED—Any Rating • Variable Speed DC Drive Systems (Marine Electronics) O Marine Electrical Maintenance • Pumproom Maintenance & Operation • Refrigeration Systems Maintenance & Operation • Diesel Engine Technology • Assistant Engineer/Chief Engineer Motor Vessel • Original 3rd Engineer Steam or Motor • Refrigerated Containers Advanced Maintenance • Electro-Hydraulic Systems • Automation • Hydraulics • Marine Electronics Technician • • • • d STEWARD Assistant Cook Utility Cook and Baker Chief Cook Chief Steward Towboat Inland Cook ALL DEPARTMENTS • Welding • Lifeboatman (must be taken with another course) • Oil Spill Prevention & \ Containment D Basic/Advanced ' Fire Fighting • • • • ADULT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Adult Basic Education (ABE) High School Equivalency Program (GED) Developmental Studies (DVS) English as a Second Language (ESL) ABE/ESL Lifeboat Preparation COLLEGE PROGRAM • Associate in Arts Degree RETURN COMPLtTED APPUCATION TO: Lm«leb«g UpgmdIng Center, P.O. Bos 75. Pine, Point. MO 2M74. — •. 5»3 "V--- :t �.A.::':.' ••^ SEAEtMlEMtS SEAFARERS Have you planned your summer vacation? May 1993 Volume 55, Number 5 The Lundeberg School can provide you and your family with all the ingredients for an exciting vacation. For details and rates, see page 16. Linton Overcomes Odds, Succeeds as Seafarer John Linton first walked into Linton, 44, recently told the and oiler, Linton said with a an SIU hall in 1967 as a skinny, Seafarers LOG. "The SIU is like laugh. He sailed with that rating until 18-year-old high school dropout a family. A lot of my upbringing 1980, at which time Hall, Diwith shaky confidence and came from the union." Giorgio and Mongelli steered him limited ambition. Importance of Education toward the QMED course. Linton Intimidated by the bluntness Linton, who sails with AMO earned the endorsement and sub­ of the men who worked at the hall learned to appreciate the way SIU in Brooklyn, N.Y., Linton—who officials constantly espoused the sequently sailed with Sea-Land, Ogden Marine, Delta Lines, as a teenager ran away from value of education. Waterman Steamship and Puerto home—nevertheless stuck He first heard about the SIL around until he got a job as a from a friend who worked for a Rico Marine. He also worked on saloon messman aboard a coal printer which did business with the Sea-Land shore gang. Linton, an avid rider of Harley ship, the Globe Carrier. the union. With visions of Erro Davidson motorcycles, was ac­ Predictably, after a childhood Flynn, Linton decided to check it spent roaming the city streets of out. "I remember going to the tive throughout his SIU career, Queens, he struggled to acclimate Brooklyn hall to see Freddie which lasted until the late 1980s. himself to life at sea. Along the Stewart," he recalled. "I weighed He participated in beefs, political events and other union activities. way on his first couple of vessels, 118 pounds. He also served on finance com­ he met a few co-workers who "But the main thing I remem­ mittees and credentials commit­ mistakenly warned him that there ber about those days is, the oldwas no future for the U.S.-flag timers—Leon Hall, George tees. In 1988 he earned his first merchant marine. McCartney, Fete Loleas, Jack engineer's license at the AMO But John Linton ignored the Bluitt, Frank Mongelli, Joe Di- school in Dania. "I remember tell­ doomsayers, overcame his inex­ Giorgio—always looked out for ing Joe DiGiorgio about it. He Now a chief engineer, Linton says he got there with the help of the SIU. perience and fears and succeeded us and they always stressed was so proud," Linton notes. as a merchant mariner. Two education. Not just the officials, Building a Foundation months ago, he earned his chief but the older guys who sailed also opportunities are there." Linton, who has taken part in So how did a seemingly hopepushed education." engineer's license at the The new chief engineer, who two rescues at sea, adds that he stiU Still, it took a little extra per­ ess, teenage runaway find the American Maritime Officers Dis­ lives in Pennsylvania, says he is is optimistic about the future of the trict 2 MEBA (AMO) school in suasion from Loleas to convince motivation to excel at his job? not sure when he will retire, U;S.-flag merchant fleet. "We've Dania, Fla. May 30 will mark the Linton to upgrade for the first It's nothing that happens over­ though it will not be any time had to re-trench over the years, but start of his 26th year going to sea. time. "He was the one who con­ night," Linton explains. "It's like soon. "One of the rewards of this we haven't retreated. The SIU and "Without the SIU, I never vinced me that I would be better building a house: You have to AMO are progressive unions that would have gotten my license," off when I upgraded to fireman start with a strong foundation, a career is passing on information to other crewmembers, little help their members and help the desire to succeed. Even though tricks of the trade that have been industry. Our progressive nature you may not have the skills, if you passed on through the genera­ and insight have brought us to the start with the right attitude, that's tions. I still enjoy that very forefront, and I think we'11continue )alf the battle. much." to grow." "The other part is, you have to jelieve in what you're doing. I remember walking picket lines with Paul Hall [the late SIU presi­ dent], and you had to believe in the cause or you wouldn't want to stay out there." Seafarers aboard the new To coincide with the new Alton Linton, who sailed during both Alton Belle Riverboat Casino will Belle's arrival, construction of an the Vietnam and Persian Gulf sail for Illinois oii May 5 to bring enlarged Alton Landing should be wars, had another reason for the vessel home in time for its finished at the same time. The sticking with the sea. "The food scheduled opening on Memorial Landing-^which already contains was great, the money was good, Day weekend. a restaurant, buffeL bar and gift but you have to have a little bit of The last touches are being shop—will add a sports and entCTypsy in your heart. My mother placed on the l,2()0-passenger taiiunent lounge, a VIP lounge, an summed it up when I took her to vessel before it leaves a Jackson­ expanded gift shop and kiosk food see my daughter's high school ville, Fla. shipyard for its journey service. More than 37,000 square Unton stopped by SIU headquarters to share his accomplishment with graduation." When Linton and around Florida's coast into the feet have been added to the floating Augie Tellez, vice president contracts. lis mother arrived at the airport, Gulf of Mexico then up the Mis­ structure. they discovered their flight had sissippi River. Before the new vessel can go been canceled. Linton quickly About the only things on the into service, it must pass sea trials made other arrangements, and 220-foot vessel that will look and a Coast Guard inspection as within the hour they were air­ similar to the original riverboat well as receive approv^ from the borne on another flight. "She are the company logo and the SIU Ulinois Gaming Board. The Alton The National Center for looked at me and said, 'I finally crewmembers on board. Missing and Exploited Children Belle Riverboat Casino began understand why you keep going has asked the Seafarers Interna­ The new vessel is 55 feet operations in September 1991. back. There are people who longer than the present Alton The SIU represents crewmem­ tional Union to assist them in travel, and there are travelers. Belle, which will go out of service bers on the vessel, on the Landing locating Cynthia M. Britto. You are a traveler." Missing since May 29,1992, upon the other boat's ^val. and in the reservation office. Additionally, when he first the child was last seen being heard about the SIU, he liked the dropped off at a store in idea of belonging to a union. As a Chandler, Okla. with her teenager, he had been fired from mother and her aunt, who also a job at a gas station for missing a are missing. Foul play is day's work during a blizzard. "I suspected. had no recourse because there At the time of her disap­ was no union," Linton states. pearance, the child was wearing "When I saw the opportunity with a pink sweater, a blue and black Cynthla M. Britto the SIU, I knew I had to do the striped shirt, and tennis shoes. right thing. I had to make it." The brown-haired, brown-eyed tional center for Missing and 'Have to Apply Yourself 6-year-old girl weighed 60 Exploited Children at (800) "The thing I want to tell people pounds and was 3 feet tall. 843-5678 or the Missing Per­ is, if I can do it, anyone can," Anyone having information sons Unit of the Oklahoma Linton says of his successful, on the disappearance of Cynthia Bureau of Investigation at (405) career. "All you have to do is Last-minute preparations are performed on the new Alton Belle RiverM. Britto should contact the Na- 848-6724. appl^yourself. With the SIU, the t)oat Casino before it begins operations in Alton, III. later this month. Seafarers Set to Sail Home New Alton Belie Hiverboat Help Fina This Missing Chiid t,''f iiii 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 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 May 1993 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES GEN. CASSIDY URGES SPEEDY ACTION ON A NEW U.S. SHIPPING POLICY SEAMEN’S UNIONS UNITE TO FIGHT ‘WORK TAX’ WORLD’S GIANT GRAIN EXPORTERS ATTEMPT TO SCUTTLE CARRIAGE ON U.S. SHIPS OF FOOD AID CARGO HERBERGER NAMED TO HEAD MARAD UNION SEEKS U.S. COMMITMENT TO INDEPENDENT FISHERMAN IN MAGNUSON REAUTHORIZATION PANEL’S VIGILANCE OPENS KUWAIT TO U.S.-FLAG SHIPS HOWE JOINS GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS STAFF UIW SETS ORGANIZING AS GOAL FOR THE 1990S LUNDEBERG SCHOOL FINE TUNES HAZMAT TRAINING DISTRICT NO. 1 PAYS BACK SIU LOAN UMWA IN FIGHT FOR JOB SECURITY, AFL-CIO UNIONS RALLY IN SUPPORT CAPTAIN PRAISES OMI LEADER CREW FOR SECURING TANKER TUGS, BARGES, RIVERBOATS AFFECTED BY FLOODING ON UPPER MISSISSIPPI AT&T HONORS UNIONS FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE PECOS MAKES HISTORY, ‘UNREPS’ RUSSIAN DESTROYER LAKES SEASON OPERATING AT FULL STEAM CESAR CHAVEZ DIES AT 66; ORGANIZED FARM WORKERS SIU MEMBERS RALLY WITH PORT COUNCIL TO PROTEST FINK STEVEDORING COMPANY MORAN SEAFARERS HONE SKILLS AT LUNDEBERG SCHOOL COURSE RUNAWAY-FLAG SHIP RESTRICTED BY COAST GUARD PANAMANIAN VESSEL DETAINED FOLLOING SMUGGLING ATTEMPT MURMANSK-42: THE DIARY OF WYMOND D HENDERSON WWII- ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE A LETTER FROM WILHELMINA HENDERSON CHIPPING AND PAITING LEADS TO PATENT FOR RETIREE LUPINACCI’S COOKBOOK AVAILABLE DREAM COMES TRUE FOR NEW AB CASSIDY ISSUES A CALL TO ACTION FOR THE U.S.-FLAG MERCHANT MARINE PAUL HALL MEMORIAL LECTURE CREWMEMBER’S CATCH PROVIDES ENTRÉE AS LNG LEO GALLEY COOKS SPECIAL MEAL HISTORIAN SETS STRAIGHT NAME MIXUP ON SIU-CREWED PREPOSITIONING VESSEL FALCON BRAVES FOUL WEATHER SHIPPING IS NON-STOP IN NEW YORK LINTON OVERCOMES ODDS, SUCCEEDS AS SEAFARER SEAFARERS SET TO SAIL HOME NEW ALTON BELLE RIVERBOAT 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 05/01/1993 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. 55, No. 5 1993 Periodicals Seafarers Log