Seafarers Log: Vol. 85 No. 8 (2023-08-01)

AUGUST 2023 VOLUME 85, NO. 8

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

Heindel Elected to Exec. Council
Page 5

Seafarers ‘Paint Tacoma’
Page 20

Union Welcomes New Tonnage

A summer influx of new U.S.-flag vessels
means new jobs for Seafarers and underscores
America’s shipbuilding capabilities. Pictured above is
Pasha Hawaii’s new LNG-powered containership Janet Marie,
a Jones Act vessel that was delivered in July. Bottom, from left,
Pasha Group President and CEO George Pasha IV arrives at the
VIP room aboard the vessel (he and his wife, Elyse, travelled aboard
the ship for a few days). SIU Chief Steward (and certified chef) Gilbert
Allende is at right. In photo directly below, from left, SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez,
TOTE President/CEO Tim Nolan and SIU President David Heindel are pictured at
Philly Shipyard aboard the Empire State, the recently christened lead in a new class of
National Security Multi-Mission Vessels. The union also recently welcomed a new NY Waterway
ferry named after the company’s founder, Arthur E. Imperatore. Pages 4, 6.

Members Ratify Contract With
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock
Seafarers have strongly approved a new three-year contract in the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock hopper dredge
division featuring significant wage increases and other gains. Pictured (below) aboard the Galveston Island during
the ratification process are (from left) SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo, First A/E Matt Schleicher, C/E Michael Carron, C/E
Chris Shedd and SIU New Orleans Port Agent Chris Westbrook. Page 3.

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2 Seafarers LOG August 2023

On the Right Course

President’s Report

Both within the SIU and in the larger U.S. maritime industry, we naturally
spend most of our time focused on current and future tasks and challenges.
At the same time, it’s important to step back every now and then and
acknowledge the good work we’re doing and the very real progress we’ve

made.
For examples, look no further than this issue of

the LOG. We’re reporting on new, American-made
tonnage in different sectors of the industry. This
includes a deep-sea containership (sailing in the
Jones Act trade), a passenger ferry, and the lead
in a new class of multi-purpose training vessels.
Collectively, those vessels signal new jobs for
SIU members, and they reinforce the excellent
capabilities of our brothers and sisters in domestic
shipbuilding.

I also salute the good-hearted volunteerism
of our SIU brothers and sisters in the Pacific
Northwest, who once again stepped up for the
annual “Paint Tacoma” project. While their efforts
aren’t new, they also aren’t taken for granted.
And those labors of love speak volumes about
the rank-and-file membership. Our members may

sometimes have tough exteriors, but they are generous, community-minded
people who are happy to help others.

Speaking of assisting others – and switching subjects back to our everyday
work – the SIU recently signed on in support of new legislation aimed at
ensuring that U.S.-grown commodities remain the cornerstone of international
food aid. The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 offers numerous
potential benefits, not the least of which is that it would boost the amount of
cargo available to American-flag vessels (and their U.S. citizen crews).

The bill has bipartisan support. Upon its introduction, one of our industry’s
most steadfast supporters, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-California), said in
part: “American agriculture feeds the world, and United States-flag vessels
are ready to deliver critical food aid to those countries most in need. Congress
always intended for these foreign relief programs to be a triple bottom line: A
win for America’s farmers in years when they grow more than they can sell. A
win for our nation’s shipbuilding and maritime industries, guaranteeing cargo
during peacetime so we have the U.S.-flag vessels needed during wartime. And
a win for projecting the generous spirit of Americans to help those starving
around the world. Our bipartisan bill restores this careful balance to ensure
that taxpayer dollars for foreign relief are spent on American-grown foods
transported on U.S.-flag vessels, not foreign alternatives.”

This is one more example of why the SIU remains politically active.
Seafarers know that our industry is heavily regulated, especially at the federal
level. Our advocacy is vital to maintaining laws and programs like the Jones
Act, the Maritime Security Program and cargo preference. Our political efforts
also help lead to gains such as the new Tanker Security Program and the Cable
Security Fleet.

Put another way: We’re politically active because SIU jobs depend on
it. And our advocacy for U.S. crews, American-flag ships and domestic
shipbuilding is buoyed by the consistently outstanding work of Seafarers.
People know that we are proud to serve as part of America’s fourth arm of
defense, and we’re always committed to delivering the goods. This was quite
evident during the pandemic, when our members and many other mariners
stayed on the job while others worked from home. Any concerns about the
supply chain did not apply to American-flag ships and American mariners.

We do indeed have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m optimistic about our
course.

August Membership Meetings
Seafarers always are encouraged to attend the monthly membership

meetings, but it’s especially important this time around. We are going
to request member approval to upgrade the currently non-constitutional
and informational port offices in Norfolk, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida;
Wilmington, California; and Tacoma, Washington, to constitutional ports. This
will benefit rank-and-file members. It’s vitally important that these major ports
help make the decisions that affect the whole of the membership while they are
at sea, as reflected in our constitution. It’s the right time for such a change.

David Heindel

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

Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Assistant
Communications Director, Nick Merrill; Assistant
Editor, Aja Neal; Administrative Support, Jenny Stokes.

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

Volume 85 Number 8 August 2023
The SIU online: www.seafarers.org

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

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

Efforts Underway to Curtail Chinese Logistics
Tracking of U.S.-Flag Ships and Cargo

Editor’s note: The following article was posted by
the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, to which
the SIU is affiliated.

Imagine the following scenario: American military
forces are placed on alert for possible immediate action
in a destination without a nearby military base. The
equipment they will need to sustain their involvement
is scheduled to be delivered aboard U.S.-flag merchant
ships being loaded at various ports in the United States.

Massive Chinese-built cranes with electronic devices
used for cargo tracking load the containers while elec-
tronic monitoring devices and software systems record
which boxes stacked on which vessels carry the materiel
and note the final destinations.

En route, the civilian-crewed ships receive orders to
alter their plans as the original locations for disembark-
ing have been disabled. American military forces, mean-
while, are left without their valuable and much-needed
gear.

Think this is a movie plot awaiting an ending because
of the writers’ strike? Think again. This is one of nu-
merous situations involving international logistics under
consideration by elected officials, government agencies
and port operators.

There are two linked threats. The first is a Chinese
data management system increasingly being used around
the world called LOGINK, “a logistics management plat-
form that aggregates logistics data from various sources,
including domestic and foreign overseas ports, foreign
logistics networks, hundreds of thousands of users in the
People’s Republic of China and other databases,” ac-
cording to the Baker Institute of Rice University. (The
Baker Institute is a 30-year-old nonpartisan think tank
named for former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker
III.)

The Baker Institute report adds, “LOGINK offers
Beijing [China’s capital] a means to monitor and shape
the international logistics market, increase foreign strate-
gic dependency on China, and exploit the vulnerabilities
of LOGINK users for economic and geostrategic pur-
poses.”

LOGINK (which stands for China’s state-supported
National Public Platform for Transportation and Logis-
tics) started late in this century’s first decade as a provin-
cial truck and logistics tracking system. By 2010, it was
used for tracking data in northeast Asia including ports
in China, Japan and South Korea.

According to the Baker Institute, LOGINK today has
the ability to collect and funnel transportation and logis-
tics information around the world. Using statistics from
a Naval War College Review and included by the Baker
Institute, China has a “presence in at least 95 overseas
ports.”

The second risk is due to China’s dominance in build-
ing and supplying cranes used to load and offload cargo.
These cranes are in use at ports in the United States and
around the world. The software used to run these cranes
can be remotely accessed and, as Chinese companies
must follow the orders of the Chinese Communist Party,
could be used to disable these cranes, thus stopping any
loading or offloading. That is not some hypothetical
threat: hacking has occurred with remote control of the
cranes as reported by Forbes in 2019 (several foreign

ports) and by CNN in 2021 (Houston).
In a report delivered to the AFL-CIO International

Affairs Committee earlier this month, Commissioner
Michael Wessel of the U.S.-China Economic & Security
Review Commission stated China wants to be a “trans-
portation superpower by 2049.”

Wessel noted that the Chinese offer LOGINK “to
be a one-stop-shop replacing many of the functions of
third-party logistics providers,” but the companies/facili-
ties “have to adopt Chinese standards.” Additionally, the
Baker Institute pointed out that China “stated as early as
2017 that LOGINK offers opportunities for the govern-
ment to shape markets in the internet era.”

The Chinese Communist Party directed that LOG-
INK be offered free of charge to ports globally and that
strategy is working. Besides the Asian theater, Wessel
stated LOGINK is being used in the ports of Rotterdam,
Antwerp and Hamburg.

So, what does all this mean to the U.S. Merchant
Marine?

Currently, ports that utilize Chinese-built cranes
operate in the U.S. ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach,
Oakland, Seattle, Charleston, Baltimore, Boston and
Norfolk.

Quoting other sources, Wessel told the AFL-CIO
committee that “some national-security and Pentagon of-
ficials have compared ship-to-shore cranes made by the
China-based manufacturer to a Trojan horse. While com-
parably well-made and inexpensive, they contain sophis-
ticated sensors that can register and track the provenance
and destination of containers, prompting concerns that
China could capture information about materiel being
shipped out of the country to support U.S. military op-
erations around the world.”

In fact, The Wall Street Journal published a story on
March 5 titled “Pentagon Sees Giant Cargo Cranes as
Possible Chinese Spying Tools.”

Recently, the chair of the House Homeland Secu-
rity Committee, Army veteran Rep. Mark Green (R-
Tennessee), stated, “On behalf of the American people,
this committee is demanding answers on the risks these
cranes pose to U.S. cybersecurity and the resilience of
our critical infrastructure, which is a core aspect of the
homeland security mission.”

In addition, U.S. Rep Dusty Johnson (R-South Da-
kota) has included an amendment to the 2024 National
Defense Authorization Act making its way through
Congress that would prohibit U.S. ports from utilizing
LOGINK. “If LOGINK gained access to U.S. carriers
and ports, the [Chinese government] would be at an ex-
treme competitive advantage, allowing them to underbid
foreign competitors and further increase dependency on
Chinese markets,” Johnson said, according to The Jour-
nal of Commerce.

“For U.S. mariners, being tracked by a foreign coun-
try brings visions of the First and Second World Wars
when German U-Boats indiscriminately sunk our ves-
sels,” SIU President David Heindel recalled. “These
logistics systems could allow for precise targets. Con-
gress must act appropriately and swiftly to address this
potential threat.”

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

For a Great Cause

SIU VP Contracts George Tricker (right) and Maersk Line, Limited President and CEO Bill Woodhour
(left) present a check to Boulder Crest Foundation Director of Philanthropy Janet Reid in Bluemont, Vir-
ginia. The proceeds came from this year’s Seafarers Waterfront Classic (see the June LOG and/or the
SIU website for coverage). The Boulder Crest Foundation is a non-profit organization serving military
veterans, first responders and their families.

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August 2023 Seafarers LOG 3

Members Ratify 3-Year Contract
Seafarers employed in the Great Lakes

Dredge and Dock (GLDD) hopper dredge di-
vision recently ratified a three-year contract
that substantially increases wages, maintains
benefits, and includes other gains.

Voting took place aboard the vessels, and
a large majority of rank-and-file members
approved the new agreement, which covers
nearly 140 Seafarers. Bargaining sessions
were conducted in Houston earlier this year
(one each in January and February).

The SIU negotiating committee consisted
of Vice President Contracts George Tricker,
Assistant Vice President Mike Russo, AB Billy
Born, Chief Engineer Jeff McCranie, Capt.
Alex Penzi, and AB Clayton Stanley Byrd.

Representing the company were executives
Chris Roberts, George Strawn, James Walker,
and Robert Worrell.

The pact maintains top-of-the-line medi-
cal coverage, calls for yearly wage increases,
and boosts pension benefits. It also maintains
vacation benefits along with access to the SIU-
affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Train-
ing and Education, located in Piney Point,
Maryland.

“As a result of member input, the commit-
tee drafted a proposal reflecting the desires of
a majority of rank-and-file members,” stated
Tricker, who pointed out that ratification fol-
lowed a pair of 60-day extensions of the pre-
vious contract. “I’m confident we addressed
every issue, and that is reflected by a sizeable
majority voting in favor of the new contract.
I extend special thanks to Mike Russo for his
work, and I also appreciate the time invested
by all of our delegates.”

Russo said, “Everybody stuck together, and
that’s how we achieved a hard-fought agree-
ment. This is a fair contract, and it’s worth not-
ing that we had no givebacks. Credit to George
for doing a great job leading our committee.
Thanks also to (SIU Norfolk Port Agent)
Mario Torrey and SIU Houston Patrolman)
Kelly Krick for their work during the ratifica-
tion.”

Asked to identify what he considers high-
lights of the contract, McCranie replied,
“Health care, retirement, and money in the
pocket. Those were the three basic things
that everybody wanted, so the majority of the
crews should be happy with the final result.”

McCranie, a frequent upgrader at the Paul
Hall Center, also said he appreciated the fleet
receiving balanced representation of its vari-
ous components (different dredges, ratings,
and shipboard departments) during negotia-
tions.

“This contract shows that a union repre-
senting licensed and unlicensed mariners can
work together for the improvement of all its
members,” he said.

Born stated, “All in all, I think it was fair
for both parties. We had a really good group
of guys on the committee, and we didn’t lose
anything.”

He said highlights include the pay increase,
a more efficient path for progressing from oiler
to QMED, and the pension increase that brings
all of the crews on the same scale.

Byrd said the negotiations “went really
well. All the delegates had a lot of input, and
George was really enthused about what we
had to say. I felt like he took our input seri-
ously, and the delegates did all we could do. I
also appreciate all that Christ Roberts, George
Strawn, Jimmy Walker, and Robert Worrell
did.”

GLDD, headquartered in Houston, is self-
described as “the largest provider of dredging
services in the United States” and “has a long
history of performing significant international
projects. We own and operate the largest and
most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging indus-
try, comprising approximately 200 specialized
vessels. In 2021, Great Lakes formed our Off-
shore Wind sector – a strategic growth area for
the company.”

Its areas of operation include New York;
Miami; Jacksonville, Florida; Charleston,
South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia, and more.

Gains Secured for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Crews

In the photos above and below, members aboard the Douglas B. Mackie approve the new
agreement. The top photo also includes SIU Norfolk Port Agent Mario Torrey (right) and
SIU Norfolk Patrolman Joshua Rawls (left).

Second Mate Max Smeby, SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo, Capt. Alex Penzi and SIU New Or-
leans Port Agent Chris Westbrook meet aboard the Padre Island. Penzi and Russo served
on the SIU negotiating committee.

Capt. Gabe Cuevas, SIU Norfolk Port Agent Mario Torrey and AB Nick Holt review the new
contract aboard the Ellis Island.

SIU Houston Patrolman Kelly Krick (second from left) meets with members aboard the
Liberty Island as part of the ratification process.

Among those pictured aboard the Liberty Island are SIU Houston Port Agent Joe
Zavala (fourth from left) and members Capt. James Hoffman, First Asst. Engineer
Justin Violanti, AB Kyle Hart, SA Florentino Espiritu, Cook Noah Schluder, Oiler
Salomon Prado, Chief Engineer Oscar Palacios, Second Engineer Matt Gillespie
and Chief Mate Steven Bergmann.

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4 Seafarers LOG August 2023

Union-Built Multi-Mission Vessel Christened
SIU officials recently helped celebrate the

official welcoming of a union-built vessel in the
Keystone State.

SIU President David Heindel, Executive
Vice President Augie Tellez and Port Agent Joe
Baselice represented the union June 26 at the
Empire State’s christening ceremony, hosted by
Philly Shipyard.

The ship is the first of five in a class known
as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels
(NSMV). Seafarers-contracted TOTE is the
vessel construction manager, as selected by
the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD).
TOTE also is the vessel operator for at least
one year, and it is expected the SIU will pro-
vide shipboard manpower if the Empire State
is activated.

As previously noted by the agency,
“MARAD provides ships from the National
Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) as training ves-
sels for the six state maritime academies. The
agency is currently working to replace these
older ships with new, purpose-built training ves-
sels that will better meet the academies training
needs while also providing the U.S. with ships
that can support disaster response and other crit-
ical national needs. The NSMV is designed to
provide a state-of-the-art training platform that
ensures the U.S. continues to set the world stan-
dard in maritime training. The ship is outfitted
with numerous training spaces to include eight
classrooms, a full training bridge, lab spaces
and an auditorium. The NSMV has space to
train up to 600 cadets at sea, maximizing the
capability of the ship and its mission to provide
our cadets with a world-class education.”

MARAD further reported, “In addition to
being an educational platform, this vessel is a
highly functional national asset. Designed to
fulfill numerous roles, the NSMV can effec-
tively support the federal response to national
disasters such as Hurricanes Maria and Harvey.
The vessel will have state-of-the-art hospital fa-

cilities, a helicopter landing pad and the ability
to berth up to 1,000 people in times of humani-
tarian need. Alongside its humanitarian capaci-
ties, the NSMV has a roll-on/roll-off ramp and
container storage allowing it to provide aid to
damaged ports…. Investment in the NSMV will
foster the growth of the Nation’s maritime trans-
portation workforce, men and women working
in the shipbuilding and repair industry, while
addressing a critical shortage of U.S. merchant
mariners needed to crew commercial and gov-
ernment-owned sealift ships during a military
crisis.”

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Connecticut) is-
sued a statement following the christening. He
described the ceremony as “a powerful statement
about the impact of a strong domestic shipbuild-
ing policy and the potential for our nation’s hard-
working shipbuilders to rise to the challenges
we face today. At a time when many are rightly
focused on the need to restore domestic manu-
facturing and shipbuilding, the National Multi-
Mission Vessel program is an example of where
Congress, specifically the House Seapower and
Projection Forces Subcommittee, has success-
fully acted to do something to meet our nation’s
shipbuilding demands. As a result, the Maritime
Administration and the Philly Shipyard will
deliver five U.S.-built ships that are largely on
time and on budget. This is a dramatic change in
pace as, just a few short years ago, prior to Con-
gressional action, the Philly Shipyard had only a
small number of employees and a nearly empty
shipyard. Now, we have a proven contracting
model and architecture to not only train mariners
but boost our sealift program without relying on
the vagaries of the foreign market.”

Courtney added, “To capitalize on this suc-
cess, I authored amendments in the Commit-
tee-passed annual defense bill to replicate the
architecture at Philly Shipyard for our entire
U.S. sealift program. I look forward to seeing
these provisions passed in the House….”

The Empire State is the first of five in a class known as National Security Multi-Mission
Vessels.

NY Waterway’s Newest Ferry Honors Company’s Founder
The newest vessel in the SIU-crewed NY

Waterway fleet salutes the company’s visionary
founder.

Union members and officials were on hand
July 10 for the christening of the Arthur E. Im-
peratore at the Weehawken (New Jersey) Port
Imperial Ferry Terminal. Representing the SIU
were Executive Vice President Augie Tellez,
Vice President Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi,
Port Agent Ray Henderson and numerous rank-
and-file members.

“The SIU has an excellent history with NY
Waterway and we were happy to be a part of
this important event,” Soresi stated. “I know
that our members will do a great job aboard this
new ferry as well as aboard the others through-
out the fleet.”

“It was Arthur Imperatore’s bold vision that
resulted in the transformation of the Weehawken
waterfront and revitalized ferry passage across
the Hudson. It is only fitting that this great new
ship should bear his name,” said NY Waterway
CEO Armand Pohan, who also acknowledged
the decades-long service of SIU crews working
board the company’s ferries along with that of
the company’s staff.

Attendees also included NJ TRANSIT CEO
Kevin Corbett, Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hobo-

ken, Mayor Michael McPartland of Edgewater,
Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro and Jacob
Roth, a representative of U.S. Sen. Robert
Menendez (D-New Jersey).

Emma Thompson, Imperatore’s grand-
daughter, performed the traditional champagne
bottle-breaking for the ferry christening.

In a news release, the company described the
new vessel as locally built and a “low-emission

2,000-horsepower, Tier 3-compliant ferryboat
designed to carry 600 passengers. The ship
has a service speed of 21 knots. The vessel is
109 feet long and 32 feet wide and draws just
six feet of water depth, reducing the need for
dredging near piers.”

Imperatore died in November 2020 at age
95. He founded NY Waterway in 1986 in Wee-
hawken, and built it into a mass transit system

which has transported approximately 300 mil-
lion people.

Mariners sailing aboard SIU-contracted NY
Waterway ferries have performed more than
100 rescues. The crews perhaps are best known
for their roles in the immediate aftermath of the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when
they evacuated upwards of 163,000 people from
Manhattan.

Emma Thompson, granddaughter of the late NY Waterway founder Arthur E. Imperatore, christens the new ferry
bearing his name.

SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez (right) and NY Waterway CEO Armand
Pohan chat at the ceremony.

The newest addition to the SIU-crewed NY Waterway fleet was built by Yank Marine in Tuckahoe, New Jersey.

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 4 7/23/23 11:27 PM



August 2023 Seafarers LOG 5

SIU members and Seafarers-contracted
employers recently earned accolades from the
Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA).

The CSA on June 20 hosted its annual safety
awards luncheon in New Orleans. A number of
SIU-contracted companies and SIU crews were
among the honorees, including Crescent Tow-
ing (tugs Savannah, South Carolina, and Lisa
Cooper), OSG (Overseas Long Beach), Crow-
ley Maritime Corporation, Keystone, Intrepid
Personnel & Provisioning, Ocean Shipholdings,
Pasha Hawaii, Seabulk Tankers, E.N. Bisso &
Son, Farrell Lines, Maersk Line, Matson, Pa-
triot, and TOTE Services Inc.

“Since 1958, the CSA has also sponsored
the Safety Achievement Award program which
recognizes outstanding feats of safety that con-
tribute to saving a life, a ship or other property,”
the organization noted in a news release. “This
was the fifty-ninth anniversary of the program.
The awards programs are open to both CSA
member companies and non-member compa-
nies.”

In opening remarks, CSA President Kathy
Metcalf said, “CSA’s members are committed
to safe operations, and CSA’s involvement in
safety is longstanding with our ongoing com-
mitment to represent the industry, domestically
and internationally, on safety issues encompass-
ing every facet of ship operations. It is only
fitting that an industry so focused on safety,
publicly recognizes the skills and dedication of
the women and men who have enabled these
many years of safe operations and who are re-
sponsible for actions in keeping with the high-

est traditions of the sea – aid to those in peril.”
Three vessels received CSA Citations of

Merit. The Overseas Long Beach was recog-
nized for the rescue of 12 Cuban migrants who
were at sea for nearly two weeks with little food
or fresh water. Crew members acted as trans-
lators and caretakers, providing medical aid,
food, supplies and compassion for several days
until the survivors disembarked off Key West,
Florida.

The tugs Savannah and South Carolina
earned the other two citations. Acting together,
their crews “prevented a maritime safety and
environmental catastrophe on the Mississippi
River when they responded to a breakaway by
a berthed bulk carrier due to the strong cur-
rents, heading uncontrolled for a nearby petro-
chemical dock,” the CSA reported. “The crews
of the Savannah and South Carolina, in dark-
ness, expertly and calmly navigated the charg-
ing current, lack of communication with the
bulk carrier and parted mooring lines to bring
the bulk carrier under control and into a nearby
anchorage.”

Three CSA Letters of Commendation were
awarded, including ones to Crescent Towing’s
Lisa Cooper and Savannah.

According to its mission statement, the CSA
“represents U.S.-based companies that own, op-
erate or charter oceangoing tankers, container
ships, and other merchant vessels engaged in
both the domestic and international trades and
other entities that maintain a commercial inter-
est in the operation of such oceangoing ves-
sels.”

SIU Members, Contracted
Companies Honored by CSAA longtime backer of the U.S. maritime in-

dustry recently received a major award.
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington)

on June 13 accepted the International Propeller
Club’s 39th annual Salute to Congress award.
SIU President David Heindel, Executive Vice
President Augie Tellez, Vice President Con-
tracts George Tricker and Political and Legis-
lative Director Brian Schoeneman represented
the union at the reception and dinner, which
took place just outside the nation’s capital in
Arlington, Virginia.

Cantwell has served in the Senate since
2001 and is the first woman to chair the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science and Trans-
portation.

With more than 200 labor, industry and gov-
ernment guests in attendance, International Pro-
peller Club President Jim Patti said Cantwell
“is in every sense a tireless advocate, a relent-
less fighter and an unapologetic supporter of a
strong U.S.-flag maritime industry.”

During her brief remarks, Cantwell re-
capped various maritime-related legislative
wins that have been secured in the last year. The
National Defense Authorization Act proved es-
pecially vital for the industry, she said.

The senator, whose father served in the U.S.
Navy during World War II, reiterated her sup-
port for the Maritime Security Program, the
Tanker Security Program, and other initiatives
and laws that back a strong U.S.-flag fleet along
with U.S. mariners.

“The challenges are, we need to continue to
build that (maritime) workforce and diversify

it so we have a strong maritime community,”
Cantwell told the audience. “We need to make
sure we have strong shipyards to build the next
generation of vessels…. We need to make sure
that we’re planning for the latest and greatest in
global technologies.”

She thanked shipboard and shore-side
maritime unions “for the sacrifices they made
to keep our economy going (during the pan-
demic). It was true patriotism. Thank you very
much for that tireless determination.”

She also stressed the need to increase com-
mercial shipbuilding, then concluded, “You
can’t have a U.S. economy without the Jones
Act.”

Cantwell Receives ‘Salute to Congress’

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington)
speaks during the Salute to Congress
dinner.

Heindel Elected to AFL-CIO Executive Council
Seafarers International Union President

David Heindel is the newest member of the
AFL-CIO Executive Council.

Heindel was seated at the beginning of the
organization’s summer meeting July 18-19 at
AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.
He is one of 55 affiliate presidents and other
officers that collectively serve as the govern-
ing body for the federation of labor unions.
The SIU is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

In thanking the council for its unanimous
vote, Heindel declared, “Anything the Seafar-
ers can do domestically and internationally for
each of the affiliates, we are here to help.”

Prior to Heindel’s election, AFL-CIO Sec-
retary Treasurer Fred Redmond read a state-
ment thanking retired SIU President Michael
Sacco for his tenure on the council (the full
text appears below).

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler noted Sacco
was the longest-serving member of the Execu-
tive Council when he retired. (He was elected
in 1991.) She said she and Redmond were
honored to have Sacco run their election to
lead the AFL-CIO at last year’s convention in
Philadelphia.

The statement reads:
On the Retirement of Michael Sacco
The AFL-CIO Executive Council cel-

ebrates the service of our brother and friend,
Michael Sacco, the longest-serving president
in the history of the Seafarers International
Union (SIU).

During his more than three decades as

international president and six decades of
membership with SIU, Sacco proved to be a
staunch champion for generations of merchant
mariners and America’s working families.

A native of Brooklyn, Sacco served in the
U.S. Air Force before joining the Seafarers
in 1958 and then working aboard U.S.-flag
merchant vessels. In 1960, he came ashore to
serve the SIU in a succession of union posts,
including those of patrolman, port agent and
headquarters representative. He served as vice
president of the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School of Seamanship from 1968 to 1979,
and helped prepare the next generation of mer-
chant mariners.

From 1980 to 1988, Sacco directed the
SIU’s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters
division as vice president, and in June 1988,
the Seafarers International Union of North
America Executive Board appointed him pres-
ident, a post he would hold for nearly 35 years.

In November 1991, Sacco was elected to
the AFL-CIO Executive Council, beginning
his tenure as its longest-serving member.

During his service as SIU president and
president of the Maritime Trades Department,
AFL-CIO, his leadership brought security and
stability to the Seafarers, a successful merger
with the National Maritime Union, and soli-
darity with the numerous maritime unions.

Mike Sacco dedicated his life to the SIU
and to furthering the values of trade unionism.
He is an inspiration to us all and we wish him
a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Federation Honors SIU President Emeritus Michael Sacco

SIU President David Heindel addresses fellow AFL-CIO Executive Council members
immediately after his unanimous election.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond (right) reads a statement honoring the
career of SIU President Emeritus Michael Sacco. At left is AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

Reminder: Benefits Conferences Scheduled
As previously reported, representa-

tives from the SIU and the Seafarers
Plans will conduct a series of benefits
conferences at various hiring halls (the
first was scheduled for late July).

Seafarers, retirees and their families
are strongly encouraged to attend at least
one of the gatherings. Most of the confer-
ences will take place the same days as the
respective membership meetings for the
given months.

Designed to educate rank-and-file
members as well as union employees, the
conferences focus on various Seafarers
Plans. Conference goals include making
enrollees aware of benefits available to
them under each plan. Special emphasis
is placed on points that plan participants
may not know about.

Meeting times will be announced later,
but tentative plans call for each staff con-
ference to take place ahead of the mem-
bership meeting, followed by a separate
conference for members, dependents and
retirees immediately after the member-
ship meeting.

Please stay in touch with your hall
and keep an eye on the SIU website and
upcoming issues of the LOG for more
details. Meanwhile, the schedule is as
follows:

Port Conference Date

Oakland Thursday, August 17

Honolulu Friday, August 18

Wilmington Monday, August 21

Tacoma Friday, August 25

San Juan Thursday, September 7

Piney Point Monday, October 2

Jacksonville Thursday, October 5

Houston Monday, November 13

New Orleans Tuesday, November 14

Jersey City Thursday, November 30

Ft. Lauderdale Monday, February 19, 2024

Algonac Friday, March 8, 2024

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 5 7/23/23 11:27 PM



6 Seafarers LOG August 2023

SIU Crews Up New LNG-Fueled Jones Act Vessel Janet Marie
Seafarers are sailing aboard Pasha Hawaii’s

newest vessel: the LNG-fueled containership
Janet Marie, which was delivered July 11.

“We’re operating smoothly,” said Bosun
Gerardo Arroyo from aboard the Jones Act
ship, while sailing toward the Panama Canal.
“We’re doing well and doing our best. We’re
definitely busy, and everybody seems happy
with the ship. It’s great.”

Steward/Baker Gilbert Allende stated, “The
ship is beautiful. It runs on LNG and purrs like a
cat. We have a shaft elevator to bring stuff down
from the store room, which is pretty cool.”

Allende, a U.S. Navy veteran and certified
chef, added that the crew is working quite well
together and is “very diverse.”

The Janet Marie is the second of two new
Ohana-Class, 774-foot ships built at AmFELS
in Brownsville, Texas. The first, the MV George
III, started service in August 2022. Both ships
serve the Hawaii/mainland trade.

In a news release announcing the Janet Ma-
rie’s delivery, Pasha Hawaii noted, “Operating
on liquefied natural gas from day one, the new
Jones Act vessel surpasses the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) 2030 emission
standards for ocean vessels, accompanying its
sister ship, George III, in representing the most
technologically advanced and environmentally
friendly vessels to serve Hawaii. Energy effi-
ciencies are also achieved with a state-of-the-art
engine, an optimized hull form, and an under-
water propulsion system with a high-efficiency
rudder and propeller. These Ohana-Class ves-
sels are named in honor of George Pasha III
and Janet Marie Pasha, the late parents of The
Pasha Group President and CEO George Pasha
IV, marking three generations of service to Ha-
waii.”

“We are very grateful to welcome our sec-
ond ship as a testament to my parents and our
incredible Pasha Hawaii team members who
continue to raise the bar on excellence and ded-
ication,” said George Pasha IV. “Once again,
we are extremely proud of the perseverance
and commitment of our partners at AmFELS,
and the skilled men and women at the ship-
yard, including our own on-site team members,
who have proven once more that ship building
and ingenuity are alive and well in the United
States.”

“We are delighted that MV Janet Marie will
be joining its sister vessel, MV George III, on
the West Coast,” said Kelvin Fok, president of
AmFELS. “We have developed a strong part-
nership with The Pasha Group through the con-
struction of these two vessels and look forward
to continuing this relationship for future ven-
tures.”

Pasha Hawaii is a wholly owned subsid-
iary of the family owned global logistics and
transportation company, The Pasha Group, one

of the nation’s leading Jones Act shipping and
integrated logistics companies, “and is proud to
support U.S. shipyards,” the company stated.

Among the first SIU members to sail aboard
the Janet Marie are Arroyo, Allende, ABs Har-
old Harper, Eric Bell and Fredrick Martinez,
QMEDs Michael Valdez and Arturo Reyes,
GUDE Joey Lata, Chief Cook Teresito Reyes,
and SA Denis Cossio.

George Pasha and his wife, Elyse, spend a
few days sailing aboard the new ship shortly
after its delivery. In a note to the crew, they
wrote, “Your teamwork, professionalism, and
welcoming nature made us feel proud to be a
part of the team…. We are impressed by your
work ethic and investment in the ship and the
industry.”

The Jones Act – America’s freight cabotage
law – has successfully supported America’s
national, economic and homeland security
for more than a century. It’s an indispensable
foundation that helps maintain a pool of well-
trained, reliable, U.S.-citizen mariners, as well
as a viable shipbuilding capability along with
the vessels themselves.

The law mandates that cargo moving be-
tween domestic ports is carried aboard ships
that are crewed, built, flagged and owned
American. It helps maintain hundreds of thou-
sands of U.S. jobs and contributes billions of
dollars to the U.S. economy each year.

The SIU-crewed Janet Marie is a new entrant to the Jones Act trade.

Pictured from left are AB Eric Bell, Chief Steward Gilbert Allende, Bosun Gerardo Arroyo
and Chief Cook Teresito Reyes, part of the ship’s first crew.

AB Eric Bell (center) bids farewell to George
Pasha (left) and Elyse Pasha, who rode the
vessel for a few days.

This Seafaring selfie includes (from left)
QMED Arturo Reyes, Pasha Group Presi-
dent/CEO George Pasha IV, and his wife,
Elyse Pasha.

The vessel transits the Panama Canal in mid-July.

SIU steward department
personnel quickly estab-
lished the ship’s reputation
as a good feeder (photos
below and right).

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 6 7/23/23 11:27 PM



August 2023 Seafarers LOG 7

“Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from June 16 - July 15, 2023. “Registered on the Beach” data is as of July 15, 2023.

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea

August & September
Membership Meetings

SHBP Offers Updates On Paperwork
Changes Pertaining to Physicals

Monday: August 7, *Tuesday: September 5
Friday: August 11, September 8

Thursday: August 10, September 7
Thursday: August 24, September 21

Friday: August 18, September 15
Monday: August 14, September 11
Thursday: August 10, September 7

Thursday: August 17, September 14
Wednesday: August 16, September 13

Tuesday: August 15, September 12
Tuesday: August 8, September 5
Friday: August 11, September 8

Thursday: August 17, September 14
Wednesday: August 9, September 6
Thursday: August 17, September 14
Thursday: August 10, September 7

Friday: August 18, September 15
Friday: August 25, September 22

Monday: August 21, September 18

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

Total Registered
All Groups

A B C

Trip
Reliefs

Total Shipped
All Groups

A B CPort

The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan’s (SHBP) Medi-
cal Department is alerting members about a paperwork swap
spurred by the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC).

While the process for ordering and scheduling physical
exams is unchanged (as are the annual and interval exam
schedules), the paperwork will be different effective Au-
gust 1. That’s because MSC has discontinued using the DD
2807/2808 form. It has been replaced with U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) form 719K.

As reported by Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie
Bowen at the July membership meeting in Piney Point,
Maryland:

- The USCG 719K exam paperwork pertaining to the an-
nual physical may be submitted to the National Maritime
Center (NMC) for renewal of Coast Guard documents.

- The USCG physical exam will be available to order
separately.

- The MSC Supplemental Questionnaire will be added to
the paperwork that is sent to the clinic, to meet the agency’s
standards. This item must be completed every five years for
members up to age 49, and every two years for members
ages 50 and older.

Additionally, to assist SIU members with meeting ship-
ping requirements (including MSC standards), a review of
recommended vaccines will be performed with each new-
member exam, annual exam, and interval exam. Members
will be offered any missing vaccines at their respective ap-
pointments.

Members who require an MSC shipping clearance must
receive all of the recommended vaccines.

Members who do not require an MSC shipping clearance
will be offered the same vaccines but may decline any or all,
and still receive commercial shipping clearance.

Moreover, members will continue having the option of
ordering the “Vaccines Exam” separately.

For SIU members who have had a positive PPD skin test
and/or TB gold blood test, the chest X-ray will be replaced
by the annual TB exposure screening questionnaire.

Finally, SIU members will receive an EKG with their
new-member exam and then annually after age 40 or as
clinically indicated.

Questions may be directed to shbpmedical@seafarers.org

Registered on Beach
All Groups

A B C

Piney Point
Algonac
Baltimore
Guam
Honolulu
Houston
Jacksonville
Joliet
Mobile
New Orleans
Jersey City
Norfolk
Oakland
Philadelphia
Port Everglades
San Juan
St. Louis
Tacoma
Wilmington

*Piney Point change due to Labor Day Observance

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 7 7/23/23 11:27 PM



8 Seafarers LOG August 2023

Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted
their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland water-
ways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members
who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those
members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days
ahead.

DEEP SEA

MARK ADAMS

Brother Mark Adams, 65, started his
career with the union in 2000. He
first shipped on
the USNS Victori-
ous and sailed in
the deck depart-
ment. Brother
Adams upgraded
often at the Paul
Hall Center. He
most recently
sailed on the
Ocean Trader and makes his home
in Middleburg, Florida.

MANUEL ALICAWAY

Brother Manuel Alicaway, 66,
joined the Seafarers International

Union in 2011,
initially sailing
aboard the En-
ergy Enterprise.
He upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on multiple
occasions and
shipped in the
deck department.

Brother Alicaway’s final vessel was
the Cape Isabel. He is a resident of
Henderson, Nevada.

JOHN ALICEA

Brother John Alicea, 68, began sail-
ing with the SIU in 2000. An engine
department mem-
ber, he first sailed
aboard the Inde-
pendence. Brother
Alicea upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on several
occasions and
last sailed on the
Ocean Jazz. He
lives in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

JULIAN AVILA

Brother Julian Avila, 65, signed on
with the SIU in 2005, first sailing

aboard the Steven
L. Bennett. He
shipped in the
engine department
and upgraded at
the union-affili-
ated Piney Point
school on multiple
occasions. Brother
Avila most re-

cently sailed on the Maersk Chesa-
peake. He resides in Winter Springs,
Florida.

PABLO BORJA

Brother Pablo Borja, 67, became a
member of the Seafarers Interna-
tional Union in
1998 when he
shipped on the
Independence.
He sailed in the
deck department
and upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on numer-
ous occasions.
Brother Borja’s final vessel was the
Louisiana. He resides in Bremerton,
Washington.

GARY CARDILLO

Brother Gary Cardillo, 63, embarked
on his career with the Seafarers

in 1981, initially working on the
Virgo. He was a member of the
deck department
and upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on multiple
occasions. Brother
Cardillo most re-
cently shipped on
the Horizon En-
terprise. He calls
Honolulu home.

JAMES CARNELL

Brother James Carnell, 65, joined
the SIU in 1981 when he sailed on
the Taurus. He shipped in the engine
department and upgraded often at
the Piney Point school. Brother Car-
nell last sailed on the Baltimore and
makes his home in Saranac Lake,
New York.

DAVID CHISLING

Brother David Chisling, 66, signed
on with the union in 2001. He first

sailed aboard the
USNS Watkins
and worked in
the deck depart-
ment. Brother
Chisling upgraded
at the Piney Point
school on multiple
occasions. He last
shipped on the
Maersk Kansas

and is a resident of Cicero, New
York.

DOUGLAS FELTON

Brother Douglas Felton, 70, began
sailing with the Seafarers in 1990,
initially shipping
on the USNS
Wright. He sailed
in the engine
department and
upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center
on numerous oc-
casions. Brother
Felton last
shipped aboard the USNS Capella
and lives in Baltimore.

RONNIE HALL

Brother Ronnie Hall, 65, donned the
SIU colors in 1980. He first sailed

on the Cove Spirit
and worked in the
steward depart-
ment. Brother
Hall upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on multiple
occasions. His
final vessel was
the Cornhusker

State. Brother Hall is a resident of
Virginia Beach, Virginia.

ALAN HOLLINGER

Brother Alan Hollinger, 66, joined
the union in 1978 and first sailed
aboard the Santa
Mariana. He
sailed in the stew-
ard department
and upgraded
often at the union-
affiliated Piney
Point school.
Brother Hollinger
most recently
shipped on the Kaimana Hila. He
lives in Seattle.

CECIL HUSTED

Brother Cecil Husted, 60, began
his career with the SIU in 1987. A
steward depart-
ment member,
he initially sailed
aboard the USNS
Hess. Brother
Husted upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on several
occasions and last
shipped aboard
the President Wilson. He resides in
Wilton, California.

GEORGE KHAN

Brother George Khan, 65, embarked
on his career with the union in 1978

and first sailed
aboard the Borin-
quen. A deck de-
partment member,
he upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on numer-
ous occasions.
Brother Khan
concluded his ca-

reer on the Horizon Enterprise and
makes his home in Sparks, Nevada.

ELMO MALACAS

Brother Elmo Malacas, 65, became
a member of the Seafarers Interna-
tional Union in
1988 and initially
sailed aboard the
Independence.
He worked in
the steward de-
partment and
upgraded on mul-
tiple occasions at
the Piney Point
school. Brother Malacas last shipped
on the Green Dale. He resides in
Vail, California.

AGUSTIN MIRANDA

Brother Agustin Miranda, 65, began
sailing with the SIU in 1998. He

initially shipped
on the McDon-
nell and was a
deck department
member. Brother
Miranda upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on several
occasions. He
most recently

sailed on the Pennsylvania and lives
in Katy, Texas.

CALVIN REID

Brother Calvin Reid, 59, signed on
with the union in 1991. He sailed
in the deck de-
partment and
first worked on
the USNS Con-
tender. Brother
Reid upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on numer-
ous occasions. He
most recently shipped on the Louisi-
ana and settled in Nashville, North
Carolina.

JAMES ROSS

Brother James Ross, 66, started
his career with the Seafarers in
2011, working aboard the Pride of
America. He sailed in the engine de-

partment. Brother
Ross upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on numer-
ous occasions.
He most recently
sailed aboard the
Pacific Tracker
and makes his
home in Ros-

eville, California.

SERGEY SITNIKOV

Brother Sergey Sitnikov, 65, joined
the SIU in 2005
and first sailed
on the Pride of
America. He
shipped in the
deck department
and last sailed
on the Alaskan
Explorer. Brother
Sitnikov makes
his home in Van Nuys, California.

MANUEL UY

Brother Manuel Uy, 65, started his
career with the Seafarers Interna-
tional Union in 2001. A member of
the deck department, he first shipped
on the Liberator. Brother Uy up-
graded at the Paul Hall Center on
multiple occasions. He concluded
his career aboard the Maersk Hart-
ford and settled in Houston.

ROBERT VAN BRUNT

Brother Robert Van Brunt, 65, began
sailing with the
SIU in 1980. He
sailed in the deck
department and
first shipped with
Dixie Carriers.
Brother Van Brunt
last sailed on the
Sam Houston. He
lives in Slidell,
Louisiana.

PAUL WILLIAMS

Brother Paul Williams, 67, signed
on with the SIU in 1996, first sail-
ing aboard the
USNS Effec-
tive. He sailed
in the steward
department and
upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center
on multiple oc-
casions. Brother
Williams’ final
vessel was the Cape Domingo. He
resides in Highland Park, Michigan.

GERALD YOUNG

Brother Gerald Young, 66, joined the
union in 1996 and initially worked
aboard the USNS Kane. He sailed in
the deck department and upgraded at
the Piney Point school on several oc-
casions. Brother Young last shipped
on the Little Hales. He makes his
home in New Orleans.

JOHN YOUNG

Brother John
Young, 56, started
sailing with the
Seafarers in 1990
when he worked
on the American
Heritage. A deck
department mem-
ber, he upgraded

on numerous occasions at the Paul
Hall Center. Brother Young con-
cluded his career on the Gem State.
He lives in Rodeo, California.

INLAND

DAVID GRADER

Brother David Grader, 62, embarked
on his career with
the Seafarers in
2008 when he
shipped on the
Integrity. He was
a member of the
deck department
and upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center on multiple
occasions. Brother
Grader continued to work aboard
the same ship for the majority of his
career. He makes his home in Green
Cove Springs, Florida.

HENRY SALLES

Brother Henry Salles, 62, joined
the Seafarers International Union

in 1982 when he
sailed with Vir-
ginia Pilot Corpo-
ration. He worked
in both the deck
and steward de-
partments and
upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center
on multiple oc-

casions. Brother Salles’ final vessel
was the Horizon Pacific. He resides
in Honolulu.

KEVIN TESCHNER

Brother Kevin Teschner, 71, signed
on with the Seafarers in 1990. A
deck department member, he up-
graded at the union-affiliated Piney
Point school on multiple occasions.
Brother Teschner was employed
with Port Imperial Ferry for his
entire career. He makes his home in
Englewood, New Jersey.

BRIAN WILLIS

Brother Brian Willis, 62, joined the
SIU in 1991. He first shipped with
McAllister Tow-
ing of Virginia
and worked in the
deck department.
Brother Willis
upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center
on numerous oc-
casions. He last
sailed with Express
Marine and lives in Beaufort, North
Carolina.

HARVEY WILSON

Brother Harvey Wilson, 65, donned
the SIU colors in 1998 when he

worked on the
USNS Algol.
He sailed in the
deck department
and upgraded at
the Piney Point
school on multiple
occasions. Brother
Wilson concluded
his career with

OSG Ship Management. He is a
resident of Pensacola, Florida.

Welcome Ashore

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 8 7/23/23 11:27 PM



August 2023 Seafarers LOG 9

At Sea and Ashore with the SIU

PROMOTING MARITIME CAREERS – SIU Wilm-
ington Safety Director Gordon Godel (left) and his
wife, Kay, ably work a table at a Juneteenth picnic
and job fair in southern California.

FULL BOOK IN ALGONAC – OS Ebra-
him Al Muntaser (left) receives his B-book
at the hiring hall. He’s pictured with SIU
Safety Director Jason Brown.

ABOARD AMERICAN CHAMPION – Pictured aboard the American Ma-
rine Corporation tugboat in Honolulu Harbor are (from left) AB Rodrick
Miller, Engineer Paul Schmidt, Capt. Lance Laybourn, AB Akona Adolpho,
Mate Justin Compton and company VP Michael MacDonald.

CELEBRATING U.S. INDEPENDENCE – Apprentices from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center
for Maritime Training and Education led this year’s July 4 parade through Dundalk, Maryland,
along with SIU Baltimore Port Agent John Hoskins and U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Maryland).
The route covered approximately three miles. The congressman is pictured directly behind the
banner, towards the middle (light shirt).

READY TO SAIL – Paul Hall Center Apprentice Timo-
thy Resultan (center) prepares to ship out as a wiper
aboard the Green Ridge (Waterman). He’s pictured
in Piney Point with SIU Safety Director Jose Argueta
(right) and SIU Patrolman Martin Baker.

BACKING PRO-WORKER CANDIDATE – SIU personnel and other guests are pictured at a campaign kickoff
event for John Whitmire, the labor-endorsed candidate for Houston mayor. Pictured from left, starting second from
left, are SIU ITF Inspector Shwe Aung, Port Agent Joe Zavala, Patrolman Kelly Krick, Asst. VP Mike Russo, and
(far right) Recertified Bosun Charles Hill.

ABOARD LIBERTY GRACE – Many thanks to Steward/Baker Pauline Crespo for these photos from
a recent voyage to Egypt aboard the Liberty Maritime vessel. She’s pictured (above, center) holding
pineapple turnover cupcakes, while Chief Cook Nick Valentin (above, right) shows off some pizza, and
SA Luis Ojeda (remaining photo) displays macaroni salad.

TAKING THE OATH IN TACOMA – SA Calvin Johnson (right) ob-
tains his B-book from SIU Port Agent Warren Asp. They’re pictured
at the hiring hall in the Pacific Northwest.

SUPPORTING MARITIME STALWART – Union officials participated in
a Maryland Democrats gathering in Baltimore in late June. Pictured from
left are SIU Baltimore Port Agent John Hoskins, SEATU/UIW Represen-
tative Shane Sterry, SIU Piney Point Safety Director Jose Argueta and
SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez. The event, which honored U.S. Rep. Steny
Hoyer (D-Maryland), also featured speeches from U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin
(D-Maryland), Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, House Minority Leader Rep.
Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) and others.

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG_X.indd 9 7/24/23 4:16 PM



10 Seafarers LOG August 2023

At Sea and Ashore with the SIU

ABOARD ENDURANCE – Pictured aboard the TOTE ship are (from left)
OMU Travis McIntyre, AB Paul Amato, Bosun Robert Hoppenworth and
SIU Houston Port Agent Joe Zavala.

WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT – Recertified Bosun George Khan (right) picks up his first pen-
sion check at the hall in Oakland, California. At left is his longtime friend SIU VP West Coast Nick
Marrone, who first met George in 1979 – when Marrone taught union education and Khan was
in his class. Khan most recently sailed aboard the Horizon Enterprise, earlier this year.

ABOARD USNS HARVEY MILK – Many thanks to AMO member Capt.
Doug Voss for this snapshot from the new vessel’s sea trials. The union-
built ship (General Dynamics NASSCO) will be crewed by SIU CIVMARS
for the Military Sealift Command, but the SIU and Seafarers-affiliated
AMO provided manpower for the sea trials. “The SIU crew did an excel-
lent job,” Voss noted.” Pictured from left are AB James Zaro, AB Edward
Mills and Recertified Bosun Renato Govico.

GARDEN STATE MEETING – SIU Jersey City Port Agent Ray Henderson (third from left) and
Safety Director Jerome Werkheiser (third from right) meet with Seafarers at Watco in Eliza-
beth, New Jersey. Pictured from left are Kyle Pillsworth, Tim Pillsworth, Henderson, Sami Taha,
Werkheiser, Eric Valdez and Ulises Quinones.

NEXT GENERATION – Spurred by encouragement
from his grandfather – Recertified Steward Fernando
Guity (right) – Taquarious Atkinson (left) is headed for
the apprentice program in Piney Point. They are pic-
tured at the Houston hall with SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo. CONGRATS IN LONE STAR STATE – STOS Venancio Bonifacio Suazo (third from left) displays his newly ac-

quired full book at the hiring hall in Houston. He is pictured with (from left) Patrolman J.B. Niday, Asst. VP Mike
Russo, VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, Safety Director Kevin Sykes, Patrolman Kirk Pegan and Patrolman Kelly
Krick.

ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL – SIU Jersey City Port Agent Ray Henderson and Safety Director Jerome Werkheiser recently
manned a table at the Essex County (New Jersey) Job Fair. More than 1,500 people attended. Henderson is pictured second
from left in the group photo, while Werkheiser is shown at the SIU/Paul Hall Center table.

NEXT STEP IN NORFOLK – GUDE Tyrone
Wilson (left) receives his full book at the tem-
porary hall in Virginia. He’s pictured with SIU
Patrolman Joshua Rawls.

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 10 7/23/23 11:27 PM



August 2023 Seafarers LOG 11

At Sea and Ashore with the SIU
CHECKING IN AT THE HONOLULU HALL – Two Seafarers recently received their respective B-books in the
Aloha State. They are SA Jaclyn Kaluhiwa (left in photo above left, with SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso) and STOS
Ransom Kauwe (left in remaining photo, with SIU Safety Director Amber Akana).

BOSUN STRENGTH – Recertified Bosun Tavell Love
knows how to set up a photo. That’s him in front of the
Isla Bella (TOTE), in a shipyard in the Bahamas.

FULL BOOK IN PINEY POINT – SA Reshawn Solomon
(left) obtains his full B-book at the union-affiliated school
in southern Maryland. He’s pictured with SIU Safety Di-
rector Jose Argueta.

WEST COAST RIDE – Bosun Paul Narro and his union-
made 2017 Harley Davidson are pictured outside the
hall in Wilmington, California. According to a reliable
source, the bike features a Rev Tech belt drive engine
and custom construction IronHorse frame.

ABOARD POHANG PIONEER – Pictured aboard the
U.S. Marine Management vessel are (from left) ABs
Lloyd La Beach and Nahun Bernardez, SIU Guam Port
Agent Victor Sahagon and Bosun Mohamed A. Mo-
hamed.

MARITIME TALK IN VIRGINIA – From left: SIU Patrol-
man Joshua Rawls, U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia)
and SIU ITF Inspector Barbara Shipley are pictured at a
maritime industry event in Norfolk, Virginia, in late June.

AT THE HALL IN GUAM – Chief Cook Rolando Odon
(left) receives his full book from SIU Port Agent Victor
Sahagon.

FULL BOOKS IN HOUSTON – Receiving their respective full B-books at the hiring hall are SA Porfirio Avila Ruiz
(left in photo above, right) and AB Steven McKelvey (left in other photo). Both Seafarers are pictured with SIU
Patrolman Kelly Krick.

BACK FROM UPGRADING – Seafarer Maximo Ben-
cosme (center) recently completed the certified chief
cook course at the union-affiliated school in Piney Point,
Maryland. He is displaying the course certificate at the
San Juan hall, with his wife, Vivian (right), and SIU Asst.
VP Amancio Crespo.

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 11 7/23/23 11:27 PM



12 Seafarers LOG August 2023

At Sea and Ashore with the SIU

WELCOME ASHORE IN HAWAII – ABs Gary Cardillo and Henry Salles recently became pensioners, after lengthy careers.
Both are pictured at the Honolulu hall, with SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso, picking up their first pension checks. Cardillo
(above, left) started sailing with the union in 1981 and finished earlier this year, aboard the Horizon Enterprise. Salles (remain-
ing photo) joined in 1982 and most recently sailed in 2015.

WELCOME ASHORE – Bosun John Young
(left), who sailed with the union for 33 years,
receives his first pension check at the hall
in Oakland, California, from SIU Port Agent
J.B. Niday.

PROUD MOMENT – OS Mohamed Suwaileh
displays his newly acquired full B-book at the
hiring hall in Algonac, Michigan.

ABOARD MAUNAWILI – Pictured from left aboard the Matson vessel
are Chief Steward Marcus Rowe, Chief Cook Erni Lizada, ACU Nasser
Hussain and SIU Oakland Port Agent Duane Akers.

ABOARD USNS RED CLOUD – The SIU steward department went all out for this year’s Independence Day celebration
aboard the Patriot ship. Pictured from left are SA Gedrick Reyes, SA Emily Lepley, vessel master Capt. Karen Annette Reyes,
Chief Cook Rashaad Mangram and Chief Steward Dennison Dizon.

ABOARD ISLA BELLA – OMU Richard
(“Red”) Vega is pictured aboard the TOTE
ship during a shipyard period.

AT THE WILMINGTON HALL – SA Deshante
Luchien (right) receives his full B-book. He’s pic-
tured at the hiring hall with SIU Safety Director
Gordon Godel. (Bonus points to all concerned for
including the Seafarers LOG in the background.)

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 12 7/23/23 11:27 PM



August 2023 Seafarers LOG 13

Digest of Shipboard
Union Meetings

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

Ships’ minutes first are reviewed by the union’s contract department. Those issues requir-
ing attention or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships’ minutes.
The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication.

ALLIANCE FAIRFAX
(Maersk Line, Limited), April
9 – Chairman James Bishop,
Secretary Rocky Dupraw,
Educational Director Marvin
Sacaza. Chairman thanked
everyone for an accident-free,
overall good trip. He reviewed
the ship schedule and reminded
everyone to clean rooms before
turnover. Secretary thanked
members for a smooth voyage.
He advised crew to get new
linens for oncoming members
from SA and to leave dirty linen
in laundry room. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Crew
congratulated David Heindel
for his new position as SIU
president and thanked Michael
Sacco for his many years of
dedicated service. Ship to get
Starlink installed in Jackson-
ville, Florida. Crew would like
monthly pay vouchers and a
paid day off every month. Stew-
ard department was thanked for
great meals and hospitality.

MAERSK DENVER (Maersk
Line, Limited), April 23 –
Chairman James Walker,
Secretary Jack McElveen,
Educational Director Austin
Blake, Steward Delegate Noel
Segovia. Crew thanked Michael
Sacco for his many years serv-
ing as the union president and
congratulated newly appointed
SIU President David Heindel.
Secretary reminded members
to make sure their documents
are updated. Educational direc-
tor recommended members
upgrade at the SIU-affiliated
Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education, located

in Piney Point, Maryland. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Starlink system expected to
be installed in the near future.
Crew requested increased al-
lowances for work boots, dental
care and eyeglasses. Members
discussed requirements for pen-
sion and also suggested adding
supplemental insurance.

MAERSK HARTFORD
(Maersk Line, Limited), April
30 – Chairman Anecito Lim-
boy, Secretary Fernando
Lopes, Educational Director
Wordell Prescott, Deck Del-
egate Arles Ballestero. Chair-
man gave thanks to steward
department for a job well done.
He encouraged members to
donate to SPAD (Seafarers Po-
litical Activity Donation), the
union’s voluntary political ac-
tion fund. Payoff will be in Port
Elizabeth. Educational director
urged crew to upgrade at the
Piney Point school and to check
documents for expiration dates.
One beef reported for overtime
in deck department. Members
requested increases to pension
payments and also discussed
shipboard data limits.

MATSON TACOMA (Horizon
Lines), May 14 – Chairman
Christopher Pompel, Secre-
tary Lovie Perez, Educational
Director Kevin Willis, Deck
Delegate Michael Salatto,
Steward Delegate Christopher
Hopkins. Chairman advised
crew to keep documents up
to date. Extension for rotary
and permanents are in effect
until notice of any changes to

shipping rules. Chairman en-
couraged members to donate
to SPAD (Seafarers Political
Activity Donation). Educational
director suggested upgrad-
ing at the Paul Hall Center as
often as possible. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Crew re-
viewed latest president’s report
in Seafarers LOG. Members
would like physical exams to
be required annually, and better
internet service on board. They
asked for two job calls a day:
one in the morning and one in
the afternoon. Crew reported
difficulty getting stand-by for
days off and asked for overtime
rates to return. Members want
shipping papers to be internet
accessible or deliverable by
mail. Next port: Tacoma, Wash-
ington.

ALLIANCE NORFOLK
(Maersk Line, Limited), May
21 – Chairman Richard Gath-
ers, Secretary Timothy Dowd,
Deck Delegate Ramsey In-
gram, Steward Delegate Gla-
diz David. Chairman discussed
TWIC expiration dates. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Crew requested an increase
in food budget and for water
pressure to be fixed. Members
asked for raises in pension, new
vacation pay increases and bet-
ter Wi-Fi.

MAERSK SELETAR (Maersk
Line, Limited), May 21 –
Chairman Cleofe Castro,
Secretary Ronald Byrd,
Educational Director Jerome
Culbreth, Steward Delegate
Stanford Drakes. Chairman

reviewed ship funds and an-
nounced change in payoff date.
Education director advised
members to upgrade at the
union-affiliated Piney Point
school. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Crew was in-
structed to write down any is-
sues to give to the patrolman
and were encouraged to ask
about Seafarers Money Pur-
chase Pension Plan at the hall.
Crew requested increases in
vacation and pension benefits
and also asked for reimburse-
ment for transportation to ship.
Members were reminded to
apply for renewal of all expir-
ing documents six months or
more ahead of time. Steward
department thanked for a job
well done. Next port: Newark,
New Jersey.

ALASKAN NAVIGATOR
(Alaska Tanker Company), May
28 – Chairman Adel Ahmed,
Secretary Albert Sison,
Educational Director Leland
Peterson, Deck Delegate Boni-
facio Fortes, Engine Delegate
Aljohn Fernandez, Steward
Delegate Mark Brooks. Ship
now has Wi-Fi. Each crew
member has 400 MB of data
to use per week. Chairman
encouraged everyone to read
his report and talked about the
newly contracted Crowley tank-
ers. He went over the new rule
that requires members to return
jobs within 48 hours. Crew was
advised to renew documents
early and to handle medical re-
quirements as soon as possible.
Chairman gave special thanks
to Chief Cook Mark Brooks for

tasty meals. Members expressed
their gratitude to union admin-
istrators and trustees for adding
mental health coverage to the
dependents of eligible mariners.
Secretary thanked crew for
keeping lounge area clean. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Crew discussed thoughts about
timeliness of job postings. Re-
lief is reportedly occurring at
the last minute. Members would
like an increase to vacation
days per month as well as the
ability to file for vacation after
30 days of work. Crew voiced
concerns with steward assistant
pay rate and would like to see
it match the pay rates for entry-
level positions in the deck and
engine departments. Next port:
Long Beach, California.

MAERSK KENSINGTON
(Maersk Line, Limited), June
4 – Chairman Koksal Demir,
Secretary Anthony Harrell,
Educational Director Ethan
Love, Deck Delegate Jasper
Hayward, Engine Delegate
Christopher Edwards, Stew-
ard Delegate Esper Jordan.
New treadmill to be ordered.
Chairman thanked the steward
department for doing a great job
as well as the entire crew for no
accidents. Educational director
urged crew to take advantage of
the upgrading opportunities at
the Paul Hall Center. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. AB
needs transformer for room.
Members requested game sys-
tem for crew and 30 for 30 va-
cation. Steward department was
praised for preparing excellent
food.

FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitu-
tion of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and
Inland Waters makes specific provision for
safeguarding the membership’s money and
union finances. The constitution requires a
detailed audit by certified public accoun-
tants every year, which is to be submitted to
the membership by the secretary-treasurer.
A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file
members, elected by the membership, each
year examines the finances of the union and
reports fully their findings and recommen-
dations. Members of this committee may
make dissenting reports, specific recom-
mendations and separate findings.

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the
SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters
District are administered in accordance with
the provisions of various trust fund agree-
ments. All these agreements specify that the
trustees in charge of these funds shall equally
consist of union and management represen-
tatives and their alternates. All expenditures
and disbursements of trust funds are made
only upon approval by a majority of the trust-
ees. All trust fund financial records are avail-
able at the headquarters of the various trust
funds.

SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s ship-
ping rights and seniority are protected exclu-
sively by contracts between the union and the
employers. Members should get to know their
shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are
posted and available in all union halls. If
members believe there have been violations
of their shipping or seniority rights as con-
tained in the contracts between the union and
the employers, they should notify the Seafar-
ers Appeals Board by certified mail, return

receipt requested. The proper address for this
is:

George Tricker, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20746

Full copies of contracts as referred to are
available to members at all times, either by
writing directly to the union or to the Seafar-
ers Appeals Board.

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

EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEA-
FARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG tradition-
ally has refrained from publishing any article
serving the political purposes of any individual
in the union, officer or member. It also has re-
frained from publishing articles deemed harm-
ful to the union or its collective membership.
This established policy has been reaffirmed
by membership action at the September 1960
meetings in all constitutional ports. The respon-
sibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an
editorial board which consists of the executive
board of the union. The executive board may
delegate, from among its ranks, one individual
to carry out this responsibility.

PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are

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

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Con-
stitution are available in all union halls.
All members should obtain copies of this
constitution so as to familiarize them-
selves with its contents. Any time a mem-
ber feels any other member or officer is
attempting to deprive him or her of any
constitutional right or obligation by any
methods, such as dealing with charges,
trials, etc., as well as all other details, the
member so affected should immediately
notify headquarters.

EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guar-
anteed equal rights in employment and as
members of the SIU. These rights are clearly
set forth in the SIU Constitution and in the
contracts which the union has negotiated
with the employers. Consequently, no mem-
ber may be discriminated against because of
race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic
origin.

If any member feels that he or she is de-
nied the equal rights to which he or she is
entitled, the member should notify union
headquarters.

SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY
DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a separate
segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to fur-
ther its objects and purposes including, but
not limited to, furthering the political, social
and economic interests of maritime workers,
the preservation and furthering of the Ameri-
can merchant marine with improved employ-
ment opportunities for seamen and boatmen
and the advancement of trade union concepts.
In connection with such objects, SPAD sup-
ports and contributes to political candidates
for elective office. All contributions are vol-
untary. No contribution may be solicited or
received because of force, job discrimination,
financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct,
or as a condition of membership in the union
or of employment. If a contribution is made
by reason of the above improper conduct,
the member should notify the Seafarers In-
ternational Union or SPAD by certified mail
within 30 days of the contribution for inves-
tigation and appropriate action and refund, if
involuntary. A member should support SPAD
to protect and further his or her economic,
political and social interests, and American
trade union concepts.

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

David Heindel, President
Seafarers International Union
5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20746

Know Your Rights

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 13 7/23/23 11:27 PM



14 Seafarers LOG August 2023

David Heindel, President

Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President

Tom Orzechowski, Secretary-Treasurer

George Tricker, Vice President Contracts

Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast

Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast

Nicholas Celona, Vice President Government
Services

Bryan Powell,
Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters

HEADQUARTERS
5201 Capital Gateway Drive

Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675

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

(810) 794-4988

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

(907) 561-4988

BALTIMORE
2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224

(410) 327-4900

GUAM
P.O. Box 3328, Hagatna, Guam 96932
Cliffline Office Ctr. Bldg., Suite 103B

422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96910
(671) 477-1350

HONOLULU
606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819

(808) 845-5222

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

(713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE
5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 281-2622

JERSEY CITY
104 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306

(201) 434-6000

JOLIET
10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432

(815) 723-8002

MOBILE
1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605

(251) 478-0916

NEW ORLEANS
3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058

(504) 328-7545

NORFOLK
115 Third Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 622-1892

OAKLAND
1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607

(510) 444-2360

PHILADELPHIA
2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148

(215) 336-3818

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

20674
(301) 994-0010

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

(954) 522-7984

SAN JUAN
659 Hill Side St., Summit Hills

San Juan, PR 00920
(787) 721-4033

ST. LOUIS/ALTON
4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116

(314) 752-6500

TACOMA
3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409

(253) 272-7774

WILMINGTON
510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744

(310) 549-4001/4002

Seafarers International
Union Directory Inquiring Seafarer

This month’s question was answered by upgraders at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Maryland.

Question: Why do you continue sailing as a merchant mariner?

Yahya Mohamed
Electrician

I’ve been sailing for 20 years and
I will continue to sail because it’s
a good way to support my family. I
also like to travel and get to know
different cultures.

Ashely Burke
QMED/Electrician

I continue to sail because it’s a
great career and it helps me pro-
vide for my family, and also to
show other women that we are out
here and we can do this.

Michael McGlone
Electrician

I’ve been a member of the SIU for
over 30 years. I love the travel. I’ve
had a great career. Also, the benefits
are great. This is a good place to start
a career and be prosperous.

Isaac Nugen
QMED

I’m still a merchant mariner
because I’ve provided a life for
my kids that I could have only
hoped to have. I’ve seen the
world and have made a decent
dollar doing it.

Christine Price
Storekeeper

I have been sailing a little over
10 years. I started just to get out of
the corporate world, and I’m still
sailing because this place has al-
ways had my best interests at heart.
I have brothers and nephews and
cousins that have sailed for years
now, and I love this union.

Robert Natividad
Recertified Bosun

I’ve been in the union 42 years
and have had many family members
be in the union. We love it. I enjoy
traveling, making money, meeting
new friends. It’s a wonderful life.

Pics From The Past

If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the
Seafarers LOG, 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital
images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org

From the August 1986 LOG: “The crew of the SIU-contracted ITB Baltimore (Apex Marine) was awarded the Ship Safety
Achievement Award by the American Institute of Merchant Shipping. They won the honor for their rescue last November of
five people from a capsized sailboat and later that same day the Baltimore’s crew rescued five others from a life raft in stormy
Atlantic seas.”

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 14 7/23/23 11:27 PM



August 2023 Seafarers LOG 15

DEEP SEA
JUAN CARVAJAL
Pensioner Juan Carvajal, 82,
died May 29. He started sailing
with the union in 1967, ini-
tially working on the Cortland.
Brother Carvajal sailed in the
deck department and concluded
his career aboard the Del Mar
in 1978. He went on pension
in 2006 and was a resident of
Lynchburg, Virginia.
JAIME CASTILLO
Pensioner Jaime Castillo, 78,
passed away June 3. He joined
the SIU in
1993 when
he sailed on
the Indepen-
dence. Brother
Castillo was a
member of the
steward de-
partment and
last shipped on
the Maersk Al-
abama. He became a pensioner
in 2016 and made his home in
San Diego.
DONALD HAMRICK
Pensioner Donald Hamrick, 67,
died December 13. He began

his career with
the Seafarers in
1988. Brother
Hamrick first
shipped on the
USNS Indomi-
table and was a
member of the
deck depart-
ment. He last

sailed aboard the Charleston
Express and retired in 2021.
Brother Hamrick resided in
Kensett, Arkansas.
ANGEL HERNANDEZ
Pensioner Angel Hernandez,
69, passed away June 20. An
engine depart-
ment member,
he started sail-
ing with the
union in 1971.
Brother Her-
nandez’s first
vessel was
the Charles-
ton; his last,
the Maersk Ohio. He went on
pension in 2021 and made his
home in Orlando, Florida.
AHMED ISHAQ
Pensioner Ahmed Ishaq, 84,
died June 11. He signed on
with the Seafarers International
Union in 1966, initially sailing
on the Reiss Brothers. Brother
Ishaq was a steward department
member and last shipped on
the Freedom in 1983. He began
collecting his pension in 2009
and lived in Dearborn, Michi-
gan.
THOMAS KELLY
Pensioner Thomas Kelly,
72, passed away May 30. He
donned the SIU colors in 1989.

Brother Kelly
first shipped
on the Inde-
pendence, and
worked in the
steward de-
partment. He
concluded his
career aboard
the USNS Brit-
tin and became a pensioner in
2016. Brother Kelly was a Se-
attle resident.
PLURINSUS ORDANSA
Pensioner Plurinsus Ordansa,
89, died June 12. He became

a member
of the union
in 1966 and
worked in the
steward depart-
ment. Brother
Ordansa was
first employed
by Valentine
Chemical Car-

riers. He last sailed aboard the
Richard G. Matthiesen and
began collecting his pension in
1998. Brother Ordansa lived in
Severna Park, Maryland.
KIRT PUGH
Pensioner Kirt Pugh, 73, passed
away June 3. He signed on
with the SIU in
1991, initially
sailing aboard
the Sealift
Mediterranean.
Brother Pugh
was a deck
department
member and
concluded his
career aboard
the USNS Brittin. He became
a pensioner in 2015 and was a
resident of Canton, Illinois.
ALI SALEH
Pensioner Ali Saleh, 72, died
May 7. He joined the Seafarers

International
Union in 1975.
Brother Saleh
first shipped on
the Mobile and
sailed primar-
ily in the deck
department. He
concluded his
career on the

Cape Intrepid in 2008. Brother
Saleh became a pensioner the
following year and made his
home in Tacoma, Washington.
WILLIAM SCULLY
Pensioner William Scully,
81, passed away June 14. He
donned the SIU
colors in 2001
and first sailed
with Keystone
Shipping Ser-
vices. Brother
Scully sailed
in the steward
department
and continued
working for the
same company until his retire-

ment in 2011. He resided in
Eerie, Pennsylvania, his birth-
place.
NATIVIDAD ZAPATA
Pensioner Natividad Zapata,
70, died May 31. He joined the
union in 1992
when he sailed
aboard the In-
dependence.
Brother Zapata
was a member
of the steward
department. He
last shipped on
the Maersk Detroit and went on
pension in 2018. Brother Za-
pata lived in Houston.

GREAT LAKES
JAMES FISHER
Pensioner James Fisher, 81,
passed away June 22. He

started sail-
ing with the
union in 1979.
Brother Fisher
was employed
by Luedtke
Engineering
for the duration
of his career.
He became a

pensioner in 2003 and called
Toledo, Ohio, home.

INLAND
THOMAS GOLDY
Pensioner Thomas Goldy, 76,
died June 25. He became a
member of the
SIU in 1996
and sailed in
the deck depart-
ment. Brother
Goldy worked
with Crowley
for his entire
career. He
became a pen-
sioner in 2009
and settled in Conway, South
Carolina.
JOE JOHNSON
Pensioner Joe Johnson, 73,
passed away June 20. He joined

the union in
1981. Brother
Johnson pri-
marily sailed
in the engine
department and
worked with
Allied Trans-
portation for
the duration of
his career. He

became a pensioner in 2012 and
lived in Norfolk, Virginia.
JOHN RUSSEFF
Pensioner John Russeff, 94,
died May 5. He began sailing
with the Seafarers in 1993 and
worked in the engine depart-
ment. Brother Russeff was
employed with Brusco Tug
and Barge for the duration of
his career. He went on pension
in 2000 and called Longview,
Washington, home.

KENNETH WALL
Pensioner Kenneth Wall, 75,
passed away June 18. He em-
barked on his
career with
the union in
1966 when he
shipped with
Moran Tow-
ing of Virginia.
Brother Wall
sailed in the
deck depart-
ment. He was
employed with G&H Towing
for the majority of his career,
before retiring in 2015. Brother
Wall resided in Grand Cane,
Louisiana.
RICHARD WALSH
Pensioner Richard Walsh, 70,
died April 3. He joined the

SIU in 1977,
initially sail-
ing with Hig-
man Barge
Lines. Brother
Walsh worked
in the deck de-
partment and
concluded his
career with
G&H Towing in

1997. He began collecting his
pension in 2014 and made his
home in New Concord, Ken-
tucky.

NMU
AHMED ALI
Pensioner Ahmed Ali, 95,
passed away April 16. He was
last employed with Rouge Steel
Company and went on pension
in 1989. Brother Ali lived in
Bakersfield, California.
CARMELO APONTE
Pensioner Carmelo Aponte, 95,
died June 14. Born in Puerto
Rico, he started
his career in
1946. He ini-
tially sailed
aboard the Or-
chard Knob and
shipped in both
the deck and
engine depart-
ments. Brother
Aponte’s final vessel was the
James Lykes. He became a pen-
sioner in 1992 and settled in
Houston.
DAVID BAARSVIK
Pensioner David Baarsvik, 73,
passed away June 26. He was
a deck department member and
last sailed with Woods Hole
Shipping. Brother Baarsvik
began collecting his pension in
2008. He resided in Falmouth,
Massachusetts.

STELLA CAL-
VARY
Pensioner Stella
Calvary, 74,
died April 23.
Sister Calvary
was a steward

department member. She most
recently shipped aboard the
Cape Decision. Sister Calvary
retired in 2017 and made her
home in North Charleston,
South Carolina, her home state.
JAMES LEE
Pensioner James Lee, passed
away May 29. He shipped in
the steward department. Brother
Lee last sailed aboard the Jean
Lykes in 1996 before retiring
the following year. He lived in
Port Arthur, Texas.
JEFFERSON LYDA
Pensioner Jefferson Lyda, 95,
died June 4. He was born in
Chico, Texas. A deck depart-
ment member, Brother Lyda
last worked on the Star Mas-
sachusetts. He went on pension
in 1991 and resided in Brooke-
land, Texas.
LEONILA MANNING
Pensioner Leonila Manning, 87,
passed away April 21. Sister
Manning was a steward depart-
ment member. She last shipped
aboard the Prince William
Sound in 2000 before retiring
the following year. Sister Man-
ning called San Pablo, Califor-
nia, home.
FREDERICK MCARDLE
Pensioner Frederick McArdle,
76, died April 28. He was last
employed with Woods Hole
Shipping and became a pen-
sioner in 2002. Brother McAr-
dle lived in East Falmouth,
Massachusetts, his home state.
VICENTE SEGARRA
Pensioner Vicente Segarra, 101,
passed away April 28. Brother
Segarra was a
deck department
member and con-
cluded his career
aboard the Amer-
ican Argo. He
went on pension
in 1987 and lived
in Puerto Rico,
his birthplace.
HECTOR VILLARREAL
Pensioner Hector Villarreal, 86,
died June 25. He became a pen-
sioner in 1997 after concluding
his career aboard the Kansas
Trader. Brother Villarreal lived
in Columbia.
In addition to the foregoing
individuals, the following union
members have also passed
away. Insufficient informa-
tion was available to develop
summaries of their respective
careers.

Final
Departures

Name

Brown, Andrew
Casanova, Carlos
Palmer, Stanley
Smith, Lewis
Suarez, Miguel

Date of Death

04/22/2023
05/08/2023
04/20/2023
06/11/2023
04/05/2023

Age

91
90
94
87
98

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 15 7/23/23 11:27 PM



16 Seafarers LOG August 2023

Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Dates

UPGRADING APPLICATION
Name________________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________
Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________
Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o

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

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

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

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

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________

Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________

SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________

NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you
present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any ques-
tions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reim-
bursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and
Education Admissions Office, Email:upgrading@seafarers.org Mail: 45353 St. George’s
Ave., Piney Point, MD 20674 Fax: 301-994-2189.

The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits stu-
dents, who are otherwise qualified, or any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with
applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or
activities.
8/23

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

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

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

Deck Department Upgrading Courses

Able Seafarer-Deck August 28 September 15
October 23 November 10

Lifeboat/Water Survival August 28 September 8
October 23 November 3

RFPNW August 14 September 1
October 9 October 27
November 13 December 1

Advanced Shiphandling September 25 October 6

Advanced Stability October 9 October 13

Advanced Meteorology October 16 October 20

Search & Rescue Management Level October 23 October 25

Engine Department Upgrading Courses

RFPEW August 14 September 8
November 13 December 15

FOWT October 2 October 27

Junior Engineer Program August 21 October 13
October 23 December 15

Marine Electrician September 18 October 20

Marine Refer Tech August 7 September 15

Advanced Refer Containers October 23 November 3

Pumpman September 18 September 22

Machinist September 25 October 13

Welding August 28 September 15
October 16 November 3

Steward Department Upgrading Courses

Certified Chief Cook August 21 September 22
September 25 October 27
October 30 December 1
December 4 January 5

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

ServSafe Management August 14 August 18
September 18 September 22
October 23 October 27
November 27 December 1

Advanced Galley Operations October 16 November 10

Chief Steward September 11 October 6
November 13 December 8

Safety/Open Upgrading Courses

Basic Training August 28 September 1
October 9 October 13

Government Vessels August 14 August 18
August 28 September 1
September 11 September 15
September 25 September 29
October 16 October 20
October 23 October 27
November 6 November 10

Tank Ship DL (PIC) August 14 August 18

Tank Ship Familiarization DL September 18 September 22

Tank Ship Familiarization LG September 25 September 29

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 16 7/23/23 11:27 PM



August 2023 Seafarers LOG 17

Paul Hall Center Classes

Advanced Galley Operations – Graduated June 16 (above, in alphabetical
order): David Johnson Jr., Arturo Montoya, Neyda Oviedo Bermudez, Michael
Poblete and Ammar Sailan. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

Apprentice Water Survival Class #896 – Graduated June 16 (above, in alphabetical order): Brize Agbayani, David Chatoff, Robert Crain, Khadajah Dillard, Phillip Hartsfield, Laron
James, Jared Johnson Jr., Sadie Johnson, Robiana Murphy, Nesta Pafford, Christian Smith, Dallas Smith and J’lon Williams.

Government Vessels – Graduated June 16 (above, in alphabetical order): Munasser Abdulaziz Ahmed, Shawn James Diaz Benosa, Albert Bharrat, William Bingham, Braden Horne,
Brice Ilao, Lally Cervantes Manalo, Milan Marshall-Hampton, Shannon Martin, Fredrick Martinez, Jack McElveen IV, Jamison McIntyre, Hector Regalado and Eric Young. (Note: Not
all are pictured.)

Fireman/Oiler/Watertender – Graduated July 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Saif Al Tamimi,
Keshun Corpus, Ricardo Gonzalez Jr., Dennis Smith Jr., Joseph Smith and Alexia Villaescusa.

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 17 7/23/23 11:27 PM



18 Seafarers LOG August 2023

Paul Hall Center Classes

Able Seaman Deck – Graduated June 23 (above, in alphabetical order): Marc-Antony Arcila, Dashiel Depaulis, Mark Dixon, Destini Dunlap, Matthew Epstein, Mark Ina Jr., Mikael
Lassiter, Dion Martin, Kelvin Oliver Jr., Richard Russ Jr., Kyle Smith and Stephanie Vidrio. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

RFPEW – Graduated June 8 (above, in alphabetical order): Marcel Gordon, Shannon Martin, Jose
Palacios Arriola, Donald Slue and Joseph Smith.

Government Vessels – Graduated June 23 (above, in alphabetical order): Charles Villamia
Catunao, Jason Devine, Merville Lariosa Gallema, Ryan Heimberger, Algie Mayfield Jr., Mi-
chael Poblete and Ryan Ray Racoma. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

Medical Care Provider – Graduated June 16 (above, in alphabetical order):
Anthony Brown Jr., Kirk Chambers, Will Jordan, Kyle Miller, Patrick Montgom-
ery, Rahjahn Sorey and Michael John Estavillo Valdez.

Water Survival (Lifeboatman) – Graduated June 16 (above, in alphabeti-
cal order): Charles Catunao, Ryan Heimberger and Carlos Jones.

Tank Ship Familiarization DL – Graduated June 16 (above, in alphabetical order):
Alec Burak, Christopher Edwards, Merville Lariosa Gallema, and Muafa Musad.

Certified Chief Cook (Module 4 – Group A) – Graduated June 30 (above, in alphabetical order): Maximo
Bencosme, William Moran IV, James St. Amand, Glen Ward and Brittany Williams.

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 18 7/23/23 11:27 PM



August 2023 Seafarers LOG 19

Paul Hall Center Classes

Government Vessels – Graduated June 9 (above, in alphabetical order): John Joseph Alcos, Badr Bouziane, Alec Burak, Billy Burgos-Burgos, Jasmine Garrett, Bryan Nystrom,
Christopher Pace, Eugenia Porter, Reshawn Solomon, Courtney Turner and Fredrick Wright.

Certified Chief Cook (Module 4 – Group B) – Graduated June 30 (above, in
alphabetical order) Julian Abreu, Roslyn Anderson, Michael Caquias Garcia,
Jacarta Gibson and Joseph Hall.

Welding & Metallurgy – Graduated June 23 (above, in alphabetical order) Marvin
Fabrizius, Marlon Green and David Smart. Instructor Chris Raley is at far right.

Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting – Graduated June 9 (above, in alphabetical order): Marco
Baez Millan, Anthony Brown Jr., Jacob Casarez, Kirk Chambers, Will Jordan, Marquis Mainor,
Jamison McIntyre, Kyle Miller, Rahjahn Sorey, Joseph Toth and Michael Wittenberg.

Junior Engineering – Plant Maintenance II – Graduated June 30 (above, in alphabetical order):
Majed Alsharif, Christian Fredrick, Mohammed Alam Gir, Tracy Mitchell Jr., Michael Papaioannou,
Corey Reseburg, Alonzo Sanz, Tara Trillo, Jorge Valencia Bon, Oscar Jan Vencer III and Roberto
Wadsworth. Instructor Christopher Morgan is also pictured (far right).

Tank Ship Familiarization LG – Graduated June 23 (above, in alphabetical order): Juan
Baquera, Alec Burak, Eduardo Centeno Rosario, Sanjay Gupta, Joey Frederick Lata, Fredrick
Martinez, Jack McElveen IV, Paul Newman, Maksim Shpylyevyy and Da’von Wright.

Junior Engineering - Plant Maintenance – Graduated April 21 (above, in
alphabetical order): Samuel Ray Ayers, Jonathan Bernardez Bernardez, Elyser
Valdez Carpio, Roman Hutson, Kenneth Kauffman, Eli Lopez, Jacob Massie,
Christopher McAfee, Julian Misla Mendez, Tresten Porter and Anthony So-
lovyov. Instructor Timothy Van Pelt is also pictured (front row, second from left).

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 19 7/23/23 11:28 PM



20 Seafarers LOG May 202320 Seafarers LOG May 2023

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

AUGUST 2023 VOLUME 85, NO. 8

Paul Hall Center
Class Photos
Pages 17-19

Seafarers Revitalize Local Home
Annual Philanthropic Project Aids Tacoma Resident

In late June, a team of SIU philanthropists picked up
their paintbrushes to bring color to the lives of a Tacoma,
Washington-area homeowner in need as a part of the an-
nual Paint Tacoma Beautiful project.

Summer 2023 marks the 39th season that the city of
Tacoma, Washington, has upheld its tradition of reno-
vating local homes as part of their efforts to aid low-
income, elderly, and disabled residents. Cumulatively,
the Paint Tacoma Beautiful project (founded in 1985)
and its volunteers have successfully painted and repaired
upwards of 2,200 houses in Pierce County.

After taking a COVID-related pause in both 2020
and 2021, the SIU is happy to have taken part in this
charitable event once more, said SIU Tacoma Port Agent
Warren Asp.

“This year, the SIU had 12 volunteers covering three
work parties for a total of 60 work hours, seeing us
through to completion of our sixteenth year of provid-
ing a service to members of our community who for one
reason or another are unable to do for themselves,” said
Asp.

The SIU team gathered at 10 a.m. and worked to re-
paint the home until about 3 p.m.

Participating Seafarers included Chief Cook Raul
Ventanilla, QMED William Cassel, QMED Eddie Ar-
royo, Bosun Francis Miller, AB Len Soriano, Chief
Cook Rewell Encina, OMU EJ Encina, GUDE Rey-
naldo Agbulos, AB Raul Molina, MDR Duane Akers,
administrative assistant Joni Bradley and Asp.

Soriano returned for a second year to volunteer with
Paint Tacoma Beautiful. He spent much of his time
working on the upper portion of the home.

“We surveyed the property and talked to the owner
prior to starting. Then we set up our gear and prepped
the surface and corners that needed to be cropped in. I
started up top doing the trimming, then when I finished,
I came down and helped out with the rest,” he explained.

“[Len] was rooftop- and ladder-bound the whole day
he painted. He was our rock star and really made the
project come together,” said Asp of his hard-working
colleague.

With good vibes, great teamwork and some back-
ground music, Soriano and his fellow Seafarers covered
about 70% of the property in just one day, taking great
care not to over-exert themselves in the hot weather.

Erl Jan Encina (also known as EJ) assisted with
Paint Tacoma Beautiful for the first time this year. He
was happy to lend a hand to community members who
needed assistance, and hopes to participate next year, if
he isn’t aboard a ship. His father, Rewell Encina, joined
him.

Of his experience volunteering with his father, EJ
Encina said, “I had the pleasure of working with my
dad during this event. Not only did he guide me in life

for my own benefit, but he also opened my eyes to the
idea of being helpful so I can be a benefit to others. This
event is one of the best ways we can help our local com-
munities. For our kind members that came out to help, I
think they understand how there is more happiness and
reward in giving than in receiving.”

“It’s special to have family like this involved because
you get to witness the future of this industry happening
in real time,” Asp stated.

The city of Tacoma provides grants and loans to the
non-profit organization, ensuring that staff and volun-
teers can obtain project supplies to serve residents. Major
sponsors like Sherwin Williams and Lowe’s, which are
supporting this season’s projects, also donate some sup-
plies for the project.

All labor for the Paint Tacoma Beautiful project is
completed by volunteers, ranging in age from youth to
seniors, who receive a brief but thorough training before
beginning their work. Each volunteer is instructed about
the purpose and background of the program as well as
how long it may take and the commitment that is re-
quired. Then, they’re trained on how to properly paint a
house, which includes instruction on paint application,
tools, techniques and safety regulations (for example,
how to properly use ladders on levelled and unlevelled
ground).

The majority of volunteers prep the house for paint
and then paint the house itself, according to the home-
owner’s specifications and color choice. Both groups and
individuals can participate in that part of the program.
Volunteers can also help with transporting supplies to
delivery sites, taking photos of the projects before and
after the renovation is completed, or helping out with fil-
ing paperwork.

Aaliyah Freeman, marketing specialist for Paint Ta-
coma Beautiful, was quoted in an interview with Cityline
as saying, “Honestly, I’d say [this program] contributes
so much to the feeling of community. It really does cre-
ate that sense of togetherness and people working to-
gether for a greater sense of purpose.”

What’s the driving factor behind Paint Tacoma Beau-
tiful’s success? “The main thing is probably the true
sincerity of wanting to give back and work with your
community – really wanting to do the hard work and
know that it’s going to be for a good purpose,” Freeman
answered.

Seafarers are looking forward to coming back next
year to continue their tradition of service, too. “When-
ever I have the chance or opportunity, I always take the
time to participate when I’m off from work,” said So-
riano. “Just being able to help those people was enough
for me and I’m thankful for that. I’m proud of our hall
and I plan to continue volunteering and sharing these
blessings I have with others.”

From left to right: Tacoma Port Agent Warren Asp, EJ Encina, Rewell
Encina, Raul Molina, Reynaldo Agbulos and Port Administrative Assistant
Joni Bradley.

Members of SIU’s Paint Tacoma Beautiful Team gather for a group photo.
From left, EJ Encina, Rewell Encina, Raul Molina, Reynaldo Agbulos and
Joni Bradley.

From left to right: Tacoma Port Agent Warren Asp, Francis Miller, Raul
Ventanilla, Len Soriano and Rewell Encina.

CC Rewell Encina ensures that the house’s wooden siding is covered
from top to bottom with a fresh coat of paint.

AB Len Soriano pays close attention to detail, re-
painting the trim on the inner corner of the roof.

Bosun Francis Miller flashes a smile while refreshing
the paint on the windowsill.

Oiler EJ Encina uses a ladder to paint the trim on the
homeowner’s rooftop.

79207_Seafarers_August 2023_LOG.indd 20 7/23/23 11:28 PM