Seafarers Log: Vol. 86 No. 2 (1970-01-01)

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

N D A A U P D AT E • PA G E 7 / / S H B P S C H O L A R S H I P I N F O • PA G E 2 0

FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 86, NO. 2

Farewell to an Icon, Leader and Friend:
Michael Sacco: Feb. 14, 1937 – Dec. 28, 2023

The union is mourning the passing of SIU President Emeritus Michael Sacco – and we also are celebrating his life. The group photo was taken early last year in Florida, where Mike had announced his
retirement. From left are SIU Executive Board members Nicholas Celona, David Heindel, Karen Horton-Genette, Nick Marrone, Tom Orzechowski, Bryan Powell, Mike Sacco, George Tricker, Dean Corgey,
Joseph Soresi and Augie Tellez. Coverage begins on page 3.

Seafarers Support Troops Via ‘Santa’s Castle’

The SIU’s long tradition of spreading holiday cheer in the Pacific Northwest continued in 2023, via an annual project (Santa’s Castle) that generates donations of toys and other presents for U.S. military
families (primarily E-4 and below) from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, and from other bases. Pictured above are Seafarers, SIU officials, and representatives from Santa’s Castle, gathering
at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington, for a celebratory luncheon – and to put the finishing touches on the donations. Page 24.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 184087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



President’s Report

The safety of SIU crews is always our absolute
top priority. With that in mind, the union is
actively participating in high-level, recurring

discussions involving our military leaders, vessel
operators, fellow maritime unions and others –
including the International Transport Workers’
Federation – who are diligently working to help
ensure the wellbeing of mariners (and ships)
transiting the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait,
and the Gulf of Aden.

The formal launch of Operation Prosperity
Guardian in late December signaled a new level
of commitment from the U.S. and our allies to
protect commercial shipping in those areas. As
you undoubtedly know, Houthis have attacked

multiple vessels there with drones and missiles, which led to the United States
redesignating the Yemen-based rebels as a global terrorist group.

It is, to say the least, a volatile and fluid situation. But we are staying in
touch with our crews who sail in that region, and at press time we are finalizing
agreements that compensate them for working in dangerous areas. Financial
considerations are incidental, though, compared to our members’ safety, and on
that point we are confident in the plans and actions of our military personnel,
working cooperatively with the U.S. Merchant Marine.

I appreciate our members’ dedication as well as that of our military and our
allies. Stay tuned.
Apply for Scholarships

On a much lighter note, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) has
taken steps to make it easier to apply for their 2024 scholarships, available
to members and dependents. As explained elsewhere in this edition, it’s now
relatively easy to handle the vast majority of the process online, and there is
also a dedicated email address to help answer questions and move things along.

This is a great benefit and I encourage everyone to give it a look, whether for
yourself or a family member or friend.

Recruiting and Manpower
Though hardly a month goes by without my mentioning the shipboard

manpower situation, I want to assure Seafarers that the union isn’t letting up
at all when it comes to recruiting and retention. We are working with the vessel
operators – and we are making progress, resolving issues along the way.

Some of the language in the most recent Defense bill will aid in this
endeavor, as it’ll more efficiently (and consistent with international standards)
help us train new ABs. It’ll also help Seafarers accumulate enough sea time to
upgrade your ratings.

As you know, the manpower challenges aren’t unique to our industry or our
union. We take them seriously and although there’s not a quick fix, we’re getting
there.
Remembering an All-Time Great

It’s no exaggeration to say I could write a book about SIU President Emeritus
Mike Sacco, so there’s no way to fully do justice to his career in just a few
sentences, paragraphs or pages. But, having worked with Mike for decades, I
want Seafarers to know how much he cared about you and how much he loved
this union.

Mike was a fantastic negotiator, but he never compromised on the things
that mattered most to our members. He believed in you, he was proud of you,
and he truly did everything reasonably possible to look out for Seafarers,
pensioners and your families.

Mike was easy to work for in the sense that he was inspirational and he
set such a tremendous example by working as hard or harder than the rest of
us. Like pretty much any great boss, he could be challenging, too – but only
because he demanded our best. Mike believed in second chances and he didn’t
expect perfection, but he wasn’t someone who listened to excuses. If we made
a mistake, he wanted it fixed and he always kept us looking forward, devoting
every resource to the SIU’s health and the sustainability of our industry.

I am grateful to have spent so much time with him, and I hope that you’ll read
every word of his coverage in this edition of the LOG. We will all miss him, but
his energy, vision and leadership will live on through all of us in his SIU family.

2 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

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 © 2024 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved.

The SIU engaged an
environmentally
friendly printer for
the production of this
newspaper.

The SIU online: www.seafarers.org
Volume 86 Number 2 February 2024Seafarers LOG

New TOTE Contract Features ‘Unprecedented’ Wage Gains
Seafarers have ratified a new 18-month

agreement with TOTE Services that prominently
features large wage increases on the eight ships the
company operates for American Roll-On/Roll-Off
Carrier (ARC).

During the January membership meetings, SIU
Vice President Contracts George Tricker reported,
“This new agreement features unprecedented
increases in both wages and overtime. This
agreement makes the ARC contract one of the
highest-paying contracts in the fleet. Along with
these increases, the new contract also contains
increases to Seafarers Vacation Plan and Seafarers
Money Purchase Pension Plan-related wages and
continued health benefits at the Core Plus Level (the
top one available to Seafarers).”

The contract applies to the following ships:
ARC Integrity, ARC Independence, ARC Resolve,
ARC Commitment, ARC Defender, Patriot, Liberty,
Endurance and ARC Honor.

Tricker added, “In addition to the aforementioned
contract, the union also secured a new TOTE car
carrier fleet-wide manpower pool agreement. This
agreement will provide preference and priority

amongst equal seniority to those members who
have continuously sailed in the TOTE car carrier
ARC fleet.”

In Peace and War

The new contract covers eight vessels, including the Honor (left) and Defender.

On the Recruiting Trail

The union in mid-January took part in a well-attended career fair in Lafayette, Louisiana, sponsored by the Louisiana Workforce
Commission (LWC). Pictured from left are SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo, LWC Development Advisor Luis Orlando, and SIU Asst. VP
Chris Westbrook.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 284087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 2 1/29/24 3:17 PM1/29/24 3:17 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • 3FEBRUARY 2024

SIU Mourns Passing of Michael Sacco
Seafarers International Union President Emeritus

Michael Sacco died Dec. 28 in St. Louis, surrounded by
family members. He was 86 years old and passed away
from natural causes.

Mike was the longest-serving president in SIU his-
tory, having led the organization from 1988 until his
retirement in February 2023 (a period spanning nearly
35 years).

Reaction to his death consisted of a massive
outpouring of respect, appreciation, and affection.
Among those offering condolences: President Biden;
Elaine Chao, a cabinet secretary in two different
U.S. presidential administrations (she attended the
funeral mass); top officials from the AFL-CIO and the
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF);
rank-and-file Seafarers and SIU pensioners; leaders
of other U.S. unions; SIU Executive Board members;
American maritime industry business executives; U.S.
military and government officials; and many, many
others.

Giving one of the eulogies at Mike’s funeral mass
(he was a devout Catholic), which took place Jan.
6 in St. Louis, SIU President David Heindel stated,
“Mike was an inspiration to so many people, and not
just people from his union. He had that same effect
on military officers, government officials, corporate
executives and many others. He was one-in-a-million,
and he had a way of making you believe you could
accomplish anything if you set your mind to it. Make
no mistake, he will be remembered as one of the most
significant, influential and accomplished maritime
labor leaders in our nation’s history. I truly do not
know if the U.S. Merchant Marine would still exist if
it weren’t for Mike.”

Mike served as president of the SIU’s Atlantic, Gulf,
Lakes and Inland Waters (AGLIW) beginning in June
1988. He also worked as president of both the Seafarers
International Union of North America (a federation of
autonomous unions that includes the SIU AGLIW) and
the Maritime Trades Department (MTD) throughout
the same period.

Moreover, in November 1991, at its 19th Biennial
Constitutional Convention, Mike was elected a vice
president of the AFL-CIO, the federation of 60 national
and international unions representing more than 14
million workers in the United States. He eventually
became the senior vice president of the AFL-CIO Exec-
utive Council as its longest-serving member.

A protege of the late SIU President Paul Hall, Sacco
from 1980 to 1988 directed the SIU AGLIW’s Great
Lakes and Inland Waters division as vice president.
Based in St. Louis, he served as secretary-treasurer of
the Greater St. Louis Area and Vicinity Port Council
(an MTD-chartered organization) and as an executive
board member of the Missouri State AFL-CIO.

Mike also was vice president of the Seafarers
Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship from 1968 to
1979. The school, located on the grounds of the Paul
Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in
Piney Point, Maryland, prepares men and women for
a career aboard U.S.-flag commercial vessels and pro-
vides upgrading opportunities to active members.

He became associated with the SIU in 1958 and
shipped aboard U.S.-flag merchant vessels until he
came ashore during the 1960s to serve the SIU in a

succession of union posts, including those of patrol-
man, port agent and headquarters representative.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mike served in the
U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958.

Although his accomplishments as an SIU official
are too numerous to list, highlights included fostering
the successful merger of the National Maritime Union
into the SIU in 2001; helping secure the implementa-
tion of the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP), a
staple of the industry; insisting that the Paul Hall Cen-
ter constantly improved; unifying the industry during
critical political battles; and individually encouraging
every Seafarer, SIU official and staff member he ever
met.

Fittingly, Fr. Sinclair Oubre, an SIU member and
Catholic priest, helped officiate Mike’s memorial ser-
vice. He also gave a brief eulogy, as did Mike’s son John,
the latter on behalf of the whole family.

In addition to John, survivor’s include Mike’s wife,
Sophie; daughters Valerie Moore, Angela Baker, and
Anne Marie Fry; 16 grandchildren and six great-grand-
children; and sisters Ida DiCanio and Marie Sacco.

Following are some of the condolences and remem-
brances received by the union and by family members.

Mike was a force for fairness and decency. While
he was a kind and compassionate man, Mike never
backed down from a fight when it came to protecting
the rights of his fellow merchant mariners and workers
everywhere. Our country is stronger and our economy
is fairer because of his leadership and devotion. I know
his legacy will endure through all the lives he touched.

- President Joe Biden

His big personality and even bigger heart were
relentless in ensuring that working people had a seat at
the table in every boardroom and that their voices were
heard in every hall of power. Nobody fought harder for

our nation’s rank-and-file working people than our
Mike.

Mike Sacco was a trusted mentor and leader to his
members, a dear friend of the AFL-CIO and an inspi-
ration to the entire labor movement. While our hearts
break today for this loss, the legacy of Mike’s service to
the SIU and trade unionism will live on forever.

- Joint statement from AFL-CIO President Liz
Shuler and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred
Redmond

Mike, thank you for all the support. Thank you for
your vision and your compassion. You have left a mas-
sive legacy and I’m proud to call you friend and advisor.
Many unions spent hours working with Mike exploring
the history of SIU, learning from his experience, deter-
mination, vision and courage to always be in a position
of influence, whether it be lobbying the American gov-
ernment, in its very different shapes and sizes over his
35 years, or in ITF circles on how to use our collective
leverage to benefit seafarers across the world.

- ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton

Mike Sacco’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication
to seafarers’ rights. Mike was charismatic, tough, deter-
mined, and a great and inspirational leader with a sense
of humor that always seemed to sum up the situation
perfectly. He will be greatly missed.

- ITF President Paddy Crumlin

I first met Mike Sacco in the 1980s, just after he
became our union president. I was young back then and
prone to discouragement. Mike was very patient with
me and used to repeat this mantra often – his pep talk.
He’d say the SIU is a union of the unlicensed seafarers,
most of whom came from the streets with little edu-
cation or prospects of employment; the union teaches
people job skills and gives them an opportunity to bet-
ter their lives and make some decent money. In the end,
I sailed on and had a wonderful career and retirement
with no regrets. Rest easy, Mike. Mahalo Nui Loa (thank
you so very much).

- Brandon Maeda, SIU Pensioner

It saddened my heart to hear this news in this holiday
season. I will never forget his kindness, fair treatment
and love that showed everyone we are a family. These
qualities are the embodiment of a true mentor. His ded-
ication toward work and his leadership will surely be
missed.

- Recertified Bosun Ritche Acuman

Mr. Michael Sacco, thank you for being there. You
will be truly missed. I will always remember you keep-
ing a smile on your face, and I know you are saying right
now, “Don’t cry for me; smile for me.” Much love to you
and my condolences go out to the family.

- GUDE Thommie Hampton

I was sorry to hear about Mike. He was a good man,
and I will always remember him and his brother Joe
from when I went through Piney Point in 1972. Mike put
his heart into the Seafarers International Union. We
will all miss you.

- SA Thomas Curley

Members at the hiring hall in Honolulu memorialize Mike.

Continues on Page 4

Mike and the late AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka (right) were friends
and colleagues for decades. This photo is from the 2017 AFL-CIO con-
vention in St. Louis. Rich passed away in 2021.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and SIU President Michael Sacco in 2022

Elaine Chao (center), U.S. Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush and
then U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Trump, worked closely with
Mike and the union for many years. She attended his memorial service. This photo,
taken at the SIUNA convention in 2017 in Piney Point, Maryland, also includes
Mike’s wife, Sophie.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 384087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 3 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 54 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 20234 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

Remembering Michael Sacco
Mike was a colleague, friend and mentor to me for

many, many years. Mike’s life and deeds will never be
forgotten.

- Robert Scardelletti, President Emeritus, Trans-
portation Communications Union

Our industry and our nation lost a tremendous
leader with the passing of Mike Sacco. There is no part
of the American maritime industry untouched by his
wisdom, leadership and tenacity over the past decades.
In 1995, he played an integral role in the formation of
the American Maritime Partnership, our coordinated
industry coalition that to this day continues to effec-
tively educate Congress and the Administration about
the benefits of the American domestic maritime indus-
try. That’s just one part of his enormous legacy. Mike
Sacco was a giant like few others, and he will be sorely
missed.

- Jennifer Carpenter, President, American Mari-
time Partnership

President Sacco will be remembered for his devotion
to seafarers’ rights and service to the labor movement.
He brought stability during times of great change in his
union, including a merger. His lengthy tenure of service
will continue to be an inspiration to advocates of work-
ers’ rights.

- Department of Professional Employees Presi-
dent Jennifer Dorning

We lost a true friend of all mariners, a mentor to
many and a great leader in the maritime industry. Sea-
farers will continue to receive the results of his steadfast
leadership that generated the fiscal soundness and gen-
erous benefits of these Plans well into the future. His
impact will not be forgotten. He has been a positive force
in my life for the past 33 years.

- Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen

Mike Sacco learned from Paul Hall that the SIU is
an important part of the labor movement. That’s why
he walked – and expected Seafarers to walk – many
picket lines across the country to show solidarity
with Maritime Trades affiliates and others. He made
sure Seafarers were known and respected within the
AFL-CIO.

- Daniel Duncan, Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Emeritus, MTD

I knew Mike for pretty much my whole life, starting
with my first days as a trainee. We worked together
for decades, so I observed him in lots of different cir-
cumstances – many of them challenging and stressful.
He always maintained a laser-like focus on the goal at
hand, and he came through time after time. My overrid-
ing feeling about Mike is one of gratitude. I am grateful
to have spent so much time with him. I’m grateful to
have learned so much from him, about leadership and
foresight and dedication. His legacy and his example
will continue to inspire us.

- SIU President David Heindel

I knew him since 1975, and he influenced my life right
up to the present. He was a force of nature. People who
are larger than life cast a big shadow that touches many
people, and that is Mike’s legacy. Think of the thousands
of Seafarers and their families who have a better life
because of him. Mike always tried to emphasize the pos-
itive, and he cared about everybody’s family. I learned a
lifetime’s worth of lessons from him.

- SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez

Countless hours with Mike over the years were filled
with “windshield time.” That is simply the time you
spend in a car with someone and talk. Those moments
as well as a morning coffee or a drink at dinner were
always filled with a lively conversation or story. What
I grew to realize over the years is, those interactions
were how Mike taught and mentored. His sense of his-
tory, knowledge of the industry and life lessons have
become invaluable to me as I grow older and face the
challenges he spoke of so often. I will certainly miss his
insight and keen instincts. His thoughts on family life
and strong conviction for the church will always remain
at the forefront of any conversation I may have when
someone asks, “What was he like?” He dedicated every
day to improvement and had great attention to detail. I
will always appreciate the room he gave me to grow as
a person and as a union representative. I could go on for
pages about the love and admiration that I and so many
others have for him, but I think that goes without say-
ing. So many words could be used to describe his career
and life, but for me there is only one, and that word is
ICONIC.

- SIU Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski

I was privileged to be in the room on many occasions
when Mike held court. Whether the session was about
funding for a maritime program or the best political
strategy to achieve those goals, Mike was often the
conductor, if not the architect, for the entire maritime
industry. He would command any room with his pres-
ence alone and was at ease equally with the President
of the United States or the most recent class of appren-
tices in Piney Point. The SIU has never been in better
shape; Mike made sure of that. Today, the membership
truly has security, the kind that that lets you sleep well
at night. Knowing that you will always have a job, great
medical benefits, and a pension are all products of
Mike’s leadership. Mr. Sacco taught us well and we look
forward to being the custodians of his legacy.

- SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker

Continued from Page 3

In this snapshot from 2001, SIU President Michael Sacco (left) and NMU
President Rene Lioeanjie show satisfaction regarding the merger of the
unions.

Members aboard the Cape Wrath (Crowley) conduct a moment of silence in Mike’s honor, in early January.

Mike (third from left) was never out of place, but, other than when he was spending time with family, he arguably never felt more at home than when
he visited with Seafarers in Piney Point, Maryland, where this photo was taken in 2019. Also pictured along with the upgraders is then-SIU Secre-
tary-Treasurer David Heindel (left).

Mike (second from right) meets with Seafarers in Piney Point, Maryland. Among those also
pictured is Recertified Bosun Ritche Acuman (second from left).

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 484087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 4 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 54 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 5FEBRUARY 2024

Remembering Michael Sacco

Mike was based in St. Louis for many years and rarely if ever missed a
mass, whether he was home or travelling. His funeral mass took place
Jan. 6 at the city’s St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church; this photo was
taken an hour before the service.

Mike is a brother, friend and lifelong companion to
me in my SIU career. I met Mike back in 1975, when I was
an 18-year-old trainee in Piney Point. I was amazed at
the way his presence captivated the audience. He had
an enormous, enthusiastic and passionate energy about
him, a devotion to our union that I wanted to be part of.
This was his passion, the betterment of the Brotherhood
of the Sea. Over all these years, he has never wavered
from that passion. Mike’s sincerity and integrity was
his calling card. You felt comfortable when you met
him, and when you talked with him, he made you feel
connected. He is a lot of everything that is goodness all
rolled up into one wonderful person. He will be missed
and I will always remember the good times and memo-
ries that we shared together. I bid my brother farewell,
on his final voyage. May the warmth of our Lord’s eter-
nal love be your guiding light.

- SIU Vice President West Coast Nick Marrone

Mike Sacco has been in my life for 47 years. He was
my union ed teacher in piney point 1977, and I worked
with him and his brother Joey (late SIU executive vice
president) in the Gulf region. He was an inspiration and
a driving force in my career, and a teacher in how to pro-
mote and protect the SIU and the entire United States
Merchant Marine, along with the American labor
movement. I will miss him a lot.

- SIU Vice President Government Services Nicho-
las Celona

I’ve been in the union since 1989 but have known
Mike my entire life. I’ll remember how he commanded
respect from everybody and yet how he could be at ease
with anyone, whether it was the President of the United
States or an ordinary seaman. Mike was a giant of a
man in the labor movement. No one has ever been more
dedicated to the SIU.

- SIU Vice President Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi

Mike Sacco is deeply loved and respected, and for
many of us Mike was a leader, a mentor, a confidant,
and trusted advisor. He treated us like family in many
ways. Some of us really understand how completely he
dedicated himself (and nearly every fiber of his being)
to the betterment of the maritime industry, the mem-
bership, his leadership team and staff, and the labor
movement writ large. Mike’s many contributions to
the maritime industry and labor movement cannot be
overstated. He had a big personality (to say it mildly);
with a steady hand, good instincts, keen intuition, and
prudent judgement which he wielded as a positive force
for our industry, and in many people’s lives – personally
and professionally. Mike, you will be sorely missed but
your legacy will live on with us forever.

- SIU Vice President of the Southern Region, Great
Lakes and Inland Waters Bryan Powell

Editor’s note: On behalf of the union as well as
Mike’s family, we are deeply and sincerely appre-
ciative of the many heartfelt condolences that have
been received. We attempted to publish and post
a reasonably representative sample; no slight is
intended to any organization or individual whose
comments don’t appear here.

Mike conducts the AFL-CIO election in Philadelphia in 2022.

The flag outside the hall in Norfolk, Virginia, flies at half-staff in Mike’s honor.

Members at the January meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, pause to honor Mike’s memory.

During the 2023 MTD meeting in Florida, Mike (right) welcomes AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond to the stage.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 584087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 5 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 76 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 20236 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

U.S. and Allies Team Up to Protect Commercial Shipping in Red Sea

The Pentagon on Dec. 18 announced the formal
launch of an international effort to protect civilian
mariners and their vessels in the Red Sea.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated,
“The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks
originating from Yemen threatens the free flow
of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and
violates international law. The Red Sea is a critical
waterway that has been essential to freedom of
navigation and a major commercial corridor that
facilitates international trade. Countries that seek
to uphold the foundational principle of freedom
of navigation must come together to tackle the
challenge posed by this non-state actor launching
ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles
(UAVs) at merchant vessels from many nations
lawfully transiting international waters.

“This is an international challenge that demands
collective action,” he continued. “Therefore,
today I am announcing the establishment of
Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important
new multinational security initiative under the
umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and
the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses
on security in the Red Sea. Operation Prosperity


Guardian is bringing together multiple countries
to include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada,
France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and
Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the
southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal
of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries
and bolstering regional security and prosperity.”

A few weeks later, the U.S. redesignated Yemen’s
Houthi rebels as a “Specially Designated Global
Terrorist group” following ongoing missile and
drone attacks on international shipping. The U.S.
and our allies also countered with multiple strikes
against the Houthis.

A U.S. government official, speaking on condition
of anonymity, said in a news report, “These attacks
(by the Houthis) fit the textbook definition of
terrorism. They have endangered U.S. personnel,
civilian mariners and our partners, jeopardized
global trade and threatened freedom of navigation.”

In late January, the SIU and several other
maritime labor organizations sent a letter to Gen.
Jacqueline Van Ovost, commanding officer of
the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANCSOM)
thanking the military for its ongoing support and
urging continued diligence.



In part, the letter (signed by SIU President David
Heindel and others) read, “We fully support the
recent strikes made against the Houthi rebels in
Yemen via American and international forces over
the last week. It is critical that the Houthi rebels
understand the consequences of attacking U.S-flag
shipping and that the United States will continue
to protect its sovereignty when that sovereignty
is threatened by illegal attacks. These attacks
represent the most significant attacks on the
United States Merchant Marine in more than half a
century.”

The labor groups also asked “for continued
cooperation and information sharing, to ensure that
our vessels and their crews have all the tools needed
to ensure safe transits of the area. Especially critical
are secure communication links between vessels
transiting the Red Sea and the naval vessels deployed
in the area to deter and defend against Houthi
attacks. While we understand that procedures are
being developed and so far, the joint efforts of our
vessel operators, mariners and naval personnel have
resulted in no casualties to U.S.-flag ships, we cannot
rest on past success. Continued communication,
especially at the tactical level, is crucial.”

A crew member aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason looks through binoculars
on the bridge wing in early January while the ship sails in the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
(U.S. Navy photo by Chris Krucke)

Lt. Charmaine Solis (left) observes commercial vessels sailing alongside the USS Mason in late December while
ship operates in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Gulf of Aden (U.S. Navy photo by Chris Krucke)

In an official White House statement, President
Biden declared that construction projects for the
federal government valued at or above $35 million
will require Project Labor Agreements (PLAs).
This ruling is supported by the Biden-Harris
administration after a period of demonstrated
success using PLAs to complete federal construction
projects with a quality, trained workforce in a timely,
cost-effective manner, the White House reported.

This new mandate, called the Federal Acquisition
Regulation: Use of Project Labor Agreements for
Federal Construction
P r o j e c t s , w a s
announced late last
year and published
on Dec. 22. It officially
took effect Jan. 22,
2024. The edict enacts
Executive Order 14063,
which was initially
published on Feb. 9,
2022. Historically, this
sets a new precent for federal construction projects,
as they had never needed to meet this requirement
to move forward.

“For the first time in history, Project Labor
Agreements will be required on federal construction
projects valued at or above $35 million. This means
that projects funded by my Investing in America
agenda will move faster and without delays, giving
taxpayers better bang for their buck. Workers
will have the security and peace of mind that
collectively bargained wages and benefits bring,
better pathways to good-paying jobs, and stronger

health and safety protections,” Biden’s White House
briefing release reads.

PLAs are pre-hire collective bargaining
agreements which are unique to the construction
industry. PLAs typically are negotiated between
construction unions and construction contractors
in order to establish the terms and conditions
of employment for construction projects, as
defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Some commonplace conditions included in PLAs
are provisions that bind all contractors and

s u b c o n t r a c t o r s
to the agreement;
n o - s t r i k e , n o -
lockout clauses; and
grievance/arbitration
procedures.

Many of these
a g r e e m e nt s a l s o
include wage and
benefit specifications
as well as guarantees

that highly skilled laborers will participate in the
projects, as they may designate that hiring is done
through a union hiring hall. PLAs also often include
health and safety provisions which help ensure that
the workers chosen for the project undergo safety
training, along with the implementation of other
workplace safety procedures.

According to the DOL, PLAs may also help
improve diversity efforts on federal projects.
Clauses which outline goals for hiring local
community members on projects, incorporate
equity plans, detail strategic recruitment policies

for workers from underserved communities, and
require participation of small businesses are often
included in PLAs for this reason.

Acting Secretary Julie Su, in the USDOL’s PLA 101
video, says, “PLAs are good for business and they're
good for workers. Because of their proven track
record of success, the Biden/Harris administration
strongly supports PLAs, and is promoting their use
on federal projects that are being built across the
country as we speak.”

Biden’s Pro-Worker Final Rule Pushes Federal PLAs into Effect

Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su

"PLAs are good for business and they're good for
workers. Because of their proven track record of
success, the Biden/Harris administration strongly
supports PLAs, and is promoting their use on federal
projects that are being built across the country as
we speak."

-Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 684087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 6 1/29/24 3:17 PM1/29/24 3:17 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 76 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 7FEBRUARY 2024

U.S. Mint Honors Merchant Marine with WWII Memorial Silver Dollar
The U.S. Mint is gearing up to

release a silver dollar coin with a
merchant mariner prominently
featured on the coin’s face as a tribute
to their significant contributions to
our country’s triumph in World War
II. The new coin design is set to debut
early this year as part of the “Greatest
Generation Commemorative Coin
Program.”

This series of three coins, which
includes new illustrations to be
pressed onto the silver dollar, the
half dollar, and the five-dollar coin,
was unveiled by the United States
Mint and the Friends of the National
World War II Memorial last fall at the
National World War II Memorial in
Washington, D.C.

According to the Mint, “The coins will serve as
monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment
of the brave Americans who fought to defend the
nation and advance peace and freedom throughout
the world. They also serve as a dedication to the
National WWII Memorial in D.C, which was built to
honor the 16 million who served in the United States
Armed Forces during World War II, as well as the
400,000 who died and those who supported the war
effort at home.”

“The Greatest Generation commemorative coin
designs are emblematic of the National World War II

Memorial and the service and sacrifice of American
soldiers and civilians during World War II,” said
United States Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. “We
hope this program will honor their unwavering
courage and selfless spirit.”

Pictured on the front of the new memorial silver
dollar, designed by Beth Zaiken and Phebe Hemphill,
six people representing different branches of
the military and the U.S. Merchant Marine work
together to support the world. They stand above
text that reads “Liberty” and “In God We Trust,” and
the year, which is present on all U.S.-minted coins.
The words “World War II Memorial” and “Defenders
of Freedom” are inscribed around the perimeter of

the coin.
The commemorative coin’s

reverse was designed by Ben
Sowards and Renata Gordon, and
depicts a view from underneath
the baldacchino at the World War
II memorial. The baldacchino, or
sculptural canopy, shown in the
center of the silver dollar coin is
modeled after the Victory Pavilion
in the World War II Memorial. Four
eagles each holding a laurel wreath
encircle the outer portion of the
coin, interspersed with text that
reads Victory, At Sea, On Land, and
In the Air. The top of the coin also
includes the standard attribution
to the coin’s country of origin and E

Pluribis Unum, and the bottom has WWII Memorial
written atop the value amount of the coin.

Pricing for the three-coin set includes
surcharges and is as follows: $35 for each $5 gold
coin sold; $10 for each silver dollar sold; and $5 for
each half dollar sold. In accordance with Public Law
117-162, also referred to as the Greatest Generation
Commemorative Coin Act, these coins are mandated
to be minted by the Secretary of the Treasury
and are authorized to support maintenance and
repairs of the World War Memorial, as well as for
commemorative and educational usage.

Visit www.usmint.gov for more information.

Artist’s renderings of the commemorative silver dollar show the front (above, left) and back. (Images courtesy U.S. Mint)

Shenandoah Trader Joins TSP Fleet

SIU members are sailing aboard the recently reflagged Shenandoah Trader, operated by U.S. Marine Management. Built in South Korea in 2015, the 600-foot-long ship is enrolled in the U.S. Tanker Security Program. The
325,000-barrel tanker reflagged in Curacao in mid-December.

Defense Bill Contains Major Victories for Maritime
The SIU helped spearhead inclusion of two

potentially crucial pro-maritime components of
the newly enacted National Defense Authorization
Act (NDAA).

One of those statutes will reduce – by 50 percent
– the sea-time requirements for qualifying for an AB
endorsement. This change took effect immediately
upon President Biden signing the bill Dec. 22.

Depending on the specific kind of AB
endorsement, sea-time requirements have
decreased to 18 months (from 36), 12 months (from
24), and six months (from 12). The latter standard is
for Great Lakes ABs.

For now, those reductions are scheduled to
remain in place for three years, but the union and
others will work to make them permanent.

SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez
and SIU Political and Legislative Director Brian
Schoeneman played key roles in securing the sea-

time modifications, and they both also credited
Coast Guard Rear Adm. Wayne R. Arguin Jr. for his
vital support.

The NDA A also streng thens U.S.-f lag
requirements for cargo preference shipments.
Through new reporting mandates and a change that
gives the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
final determinative authority regarding American-
flag vessel availability, the bill aims to help ensure
that U.S.-flag ships aren’t bypassed in favor of
foreign bottoms.

There are several other maritime components
within the bill, including ones that authorize
monies for the Title XI Federal Ship Financing
Program; require MARAD to publish briefings on
its national maritime strategy; and form a new
maritime workforce group that includes two slots
for representatives from labor. President Biden signed the NDAA in December. (Official White House

photo)

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 784087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 7 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 9
SIU-WR-1-17-24

See more at
unionplus.org

The Union Plus
Wireless Program
WORKS FOR ME

“The AT&T Union Plus program is
outstanding. It’s another way I can
take advantage of the benefits of
being a union member.”

SIU-WR-1-17-24

See more at
unionplus.org

The Union Plus
Wireless Program
WORKS FOR ME

“The AT&T Union Plus program is
outstanding. It’s another way I can
take advantage of the benefits of
being a union member.”

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 884087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 8 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 9SEAFARERS LOG • 9FEBRUARY 2024
SIU-WR-1-17-24

See more at
unionplus.org

The Union Plus
Wireless Program
WORKS FOR ME

“The AT&T Union Plus program is
outstanding. It’s another way I can
take advantage of the benefits of
being a union member.”

Seafaring Life Agrees with Mother and Son
For Seafarers Faith Gonse and her son,

Christopher, sailing with the SIU has proven to be
a resoundingly positive experience – one that holds
even greater promise for the future.

They shared a milestone late last year when they
received their respective B-seniority books at the
hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia. It took two long trips
and the accumulation of sea time in order for Faith
to earn it. Chris completed three rotations to qualify.

Faith waited until both she and her son were
home for vacation in December so that they could
get the books together, as a family. “It was nice to
take a picture with my baby,” she said.

At press time, Faith was putting her hard-earned
knowledge to work, serving as a chief cook aboard
an Ocean Shipholdings vessel. Chris was on the
same ship, sailing as a GVA. They shared their
experiences with a LOG staffer via speakerphone
from their vessel in the middle of the ocean,
somewhere near Japan.

Faith joined the SIU in 2021, after having her fill
of working a job in another industry that she felt
was leading her nowhere. The SIU proved a good
fit from the start: Her first trip went so well, she
encouraged Chris (then a high school senior) to join
upon graduation.

He eventually took the advice after a slight
detour of sorts, joining in 2022 with the hope of
building a rewarding career with longevity. Initially,
Chris enrolled in a community college. “I finished
one year and decided it wasn’t for me,” he said.

Faith recalled that the know-how and
friendliness of SIU personnel at the Norfolk hall
boosted her comfort with the career change. “Once
I got in there, everyone was so warm, friendly,
professional and very knowledgeable,” she said. “I
just felt welcome and I knew that I was going to get a
lot out of being there. And I did.”

She added, “We’ve got the best patrolmen and
union hall staff. I mean they just go above and
beyond for everyone that I’ve seen in my short time
with the union. Whenever I go in there, they get
everything done that I need.”

Although they only have been with the union for
a few years, they have improved their quality of life
and had many great experiences together as a result
of their membership with the SIU, Chris and Faith
both said.

Consistent with viewing their work as a career
rather than merely a job, they also have made it a

point to upgrade at the union-affiliated Paul Hall
Center for Maritime Training and Education, located
in Piney Point, Maryland. Chris most recently went
to the school in early 2023 for the government
vessels class, while Faith upgraded to chief cook in
December.

Faith said of her class, “I had the best time! All
the chefs were very knowledgeable and very willing
to help. It was a great environment. I learned a lot
while I was there. I can’t wait to go back and upgrade
again.”

Both members of this mother-son duo have
aspirations for their futures with the union. Chris
plans to upgrade to the highest level possible within
the engine department. “I’ll be getting as much
training and as much knowledge as I can on the
ships and move up from there and go as far as I can,”
he said.

Faith plans to sail more trips as a chief cook, and
then enroll for the next advanced galley ops class in
Piney Point.

Sailing together has been a great experience
for Faith and Chris, they both said. When asked
which voyage that they’ve been on is their favorite,
they both mentioned a trip to Australia. “It was a
very nice, very unexpected visit,” Faith said. “Every

port we go to together is special, but this one was
especially so. We got to cross the Equator, and
we never thought we’d get to visit someplace like
Australia. It’s not the usual port call so it was a
surprise and a bonus for us.”

“It’s a surreal moment. We got to see the Sydney
Opera House in real life, from right there on the
water,” Chris said.

Having the ability to work alongside your family
as you travel around the world is a rare experience
that Chris and Faith are both thankful to have. “It’s
a blessing to have home come with you when you’re
going out to sea for long periods of time. It’s about as
lucky as you can get,” he said.

“With Chris upgrading and eventually going in
his own direction on a different ship, it’s been really
amazing having this time with him and watching
him grow and watching both of us grow and travel
the world together,” Faith said. “He’s my favorite
person and I love him to pieces, and it’s just nice to
be able to have him here and watch him grow and
know that he’s going to have a good career with SIU.”

She concluded, “We’re really grateful to have
this opportunity and to be part of the union. It’s an
amazing organization.”

Chris Gonse and his mother, Faith Gonse, pose for a photo while on a vessel together.

Chief Cook Faith Gonse (left) and GVA Chris Gonse receiving their
B seniority books in Norfolk

The view from a double decker tour bus outside of Sydney Opera House from the Gonse’s port call in Australia.

SIU-WR-1-17-24

See more at
unionplus.org

The Union Plus
Wireless Program
WORKS FOR ME

“The AT&T Union Plus program is
outstanding. It’s another way I can
take advantage of the benefits of
being a union member.”

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 984087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 9 1/29/24 3:17 PM1/29/24 3:17 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1110 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1010 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

Introduction
This notice, which federal law requires all pension plans to furnish on an

annual basis, includes important information about the funding status of your
multiemployer pension plan (the “Plan”). It also includes general information
about the benefit payments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corpo-
ration (“PBGC”), a federal insurance agency. All traditional pension plans (called
“defined benefit pension plans”) must provide this notice every year regardless
of their funding status. This notice does not mean that the Plan is terminating.
It is provided for informational purposes and you are not required to respond in
any way. This notice is required by federal law. This notice is for the plan year
beginning August 1, 2022 and ending July 31, 2023 (the “2022 Plan Year”).

How Well Funded Is Your Plan
The law requires the administrator of the Plan to tell you how well the Plan

is funded, using a measure called the “funded percentage.” The Plan divides its
assets by its liabilities on the Valuation Date for the plan year to get this percent-
age. In general, the higher the percentage, the better funded the plan. The Plan’s
funded percentage for the 2022 Plan Year and each of the two preceding Plan Years
is shown in the chart below. The chart also states the value of the Plan’s assets
and liabilities for the same period.

Year-End Fair Market Value of Assets
The asset values in the chart above are measured as of the Valuation Date.

They also are “actuarial values.” Actuarial values differ from market values in
that they do not fluctuate daily based on changes in the stock or other markets.
Actuarial values smooth out those fluctuations and can allow for more predict-
able levels of future contributions. Despite the fluctuations, market values tend
to show a clearer picture of a plan’s funded status at a given point in time. The
asset values in the chart below are market values and are measured on the last
day of each plan year. The chart also includes the year-end market value of the
Plan’s assets for each of the two preceding plan years. The value of the Plan assets
shown as of July 31, 2023 is an estimate based on the most accurate unaudited
financial information available at the time this notice was prepared. The final
audited information on the Plan’s assets will be reported on the Plan’s 2022 annual
report filed with the Department of Labor in May 2024.

Endangered, Critical, or Critical and Declining Status
Under federal pension law, a plan generally is in “endangered” status if its

funded percentage is less than 80 percent. A plan is in “critical” status if the
funded percentage is less than 65 percent (other factors may also apply). A plan
is in “critical and declining” status if it is in critical status and is projected to be-
come insolvent (run out of money to pay benefits) within 15 years (or within 20
years if a special rule applies). If a pension plan enters endangered status, the
trustees of the plan are required to adopt a funding improvement plan. Similarly,
if a pension plan enters critical status or critical and declining status, the trustees
of the plan are required to adopt a rehabilitation plan. Funding improvement
and rehabilitation plans establish steps and benchmarks for pension plans to im-
prove their funding status over a specified period of time. The plan sponsor of a
plan in critical and declining status may apply for approval to amend the plan to
reduce current and future payment obligations to participants and beneficiaries.

The Plan was not in endangered, critical, or critical and declining status in
the 2022 Plan Year.

Participant Information
The total number of participants and beneficiaries covered by the Plan on the

valuation date was 2,009. Of this number, 748 were current employees, 837 were
retired and receiving benefits, and 424 were retired or no longer working for the
employer and have a right to future benefits.

Funding & Investment Policies
Every pension plan must have a procedure to establish a funding policy for

plan objectives. A funding policy relates to how much money is needed to pay
promised benefits. Plan benefits are funded by employer contributions and in-
vestment returns on those contributions. Commencing January 1, 2016, the ship-
ping companies have agreed to make contributions to the Plan and may agree
through collective bargaining in the future to make additional contributions as
necessary to satisfy the minimum funding standards of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”).
The Plan’s funding policy is to continue to fund Plan benefits in this manner in
accordance with the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code.

Pension plans also have investment policies. These generally are written
guidelines or general instructions for making investment management deci-
sions. The investment policy of the Plan is to maintain a portfolio of investments
which is conservative in nature. The Trustees, working with experienced invest-
ment consultants, monitor and make appropriate changes to the Plan’s invest-
ments, seeking to achieve positive investment results over the long term.

Under the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allocated among the
following categories of investments, as of the end of the 2022 Plan Year. These
allocations are percentages of total assets:

Right to Request a Copy of the Annual Report
Pension plans must file annual reports with the US Department of Labor.

The report is called the “Form 5500.” These reports contain financial and
other information. You may obtain an electronic copy of your Plan’s annual
report by going to www.efast.dol.gov and using the search tool. Annual re-
ports also are available from the US Department of Labor, Employee Benefits
Security Administration’s Public Disclosure Room at 200 Constitution Ave-
nue, NW, Room N- 1513, Washington, DC 20210, or by calling 202-693-8673.
Or you may obtain a copy of the Plan’s annual report by making a written re-
quest to the plan administrator, Ms. Michelle Chang, at 730 Harrison Street,
Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107. Annual reports for the 2020 Plan Year and
earlier plan years are available now. The annual report for the 2022 Plan Year
will be available when it is filed with the Employee Benefits Security Admin-
istration in May 2024. Annual reports do not contain personal information,
such as the amount of your accrued benefit. You may contact the plan ad-
ministrator at 415-764-4993 or the address above if you want information
about your accrued benefits.

Summary of Rules Governing Insolvent Plans
Federal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially trou-

bled multiemployer plans that become insolvent, either as ongoing plans or
plans terminated by mass withdrawal. The plan administrator is required
by law to include a summary of these rules in the annual funding notice. A
plan is insolvent for a plan year if its available financial resources are not
sufficient to pay benefits when due for that plan year. An insolvent plan
must reduce benefit payments to the highest level that can be paid from the
plan’s available resources. If such resources are not enough to pay benefits
at the level specified by law (see Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC,
below), the plan must apply to the PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC
will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed
level. Reduced benefits may be restored if the plan’s financial condition im-
proves.

A plan that becomes insolvent must provide prompt notice of its status to
participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unions repre-
senting participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiaries
also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefits
will be reduced or affected, including loss of a lump sum option.

This Plan is not insolvent and is over 100% funded.

Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC
The maximum benefit that the PBGC guarantees is set by law. Only ben-

efits that you have earned a right to receive and that cannot be forfeited
(called vested benefits) are guaranteed. There are separate insurance
programs with different benefit guarantees and other provisions for sin-
gle-employer plans and multiemployer plans. Your Plan is covered by PB-
GC’s multiemployer program. Specifically, the PBGC guarantees a monthly
benefit payment equal to 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan’s monthly
benefit accrual rate, plus 75 percent of the next $33 of the accrual rate, times
each year of credited service. The PBGC’s maximum guarantee, therefore, is
$35.75 per month times a participant’s years of credited service.

Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accrued
monthly benefit of $600, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the
PBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by the
participant’s years of service ($600/10), which equals $60. The guaranteed
amount for a $60 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $24.75
(.75 x $33), or $35.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit is
$357.50 ($35.75 x 10).

Example 2: If the participant in Example 1 has an accrued monthly benefit
of $200, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the guarantee would be
$20 (or $200/10). The guaranteed amount for a $20 monthly accrual rate is
equal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the participant’s
guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10).

The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at normal retirement age
and some early retirement benefits. In addition, the PBGC guarantees qual-
ified preretirement survivor benefits (which are preretirement death bene-
fits payable to the surviving spouse of a participant who dies before starting
to receive benefit payments). In calculating a person’s monthly payment,
the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under a plan
within 60 months before the earlier of the plan’s termination or insolvency
(or benefits that were in effect for less than 60 months at the time of ter-
mination or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee benefits
above the normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or
non-pension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death bene-
fits, vacation pay, or severance pay.

For additional information about the PBGC and the pension insurance
program guarantees, go to the Multiemployer Page on PBGC’s website at
www.pbgc.gov/prac/multiemployer. Please contact your employer or fund
administrator for specific information about your pension plan or pension
benefit. PBGC does not have that information. See “Where to Get More In-
formation about Your Plan,” below.

Where to Get More Information
For more information about this notice, you may contact Ms. Michelle

Chang, Administrator, SIU Pacific District Pension Plan, at 730 Harrison
Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107, 415-764-4993. For identification
purposes, the official plan number is 001, the plan sponsor is the Board of
Trustees of the SIU Pacific District Pension Plan, and the employer identifi-
cation number or “EIN” is 94-6061923.

Annual Funding Notice For SIU Pacific District Pension Plan

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1084087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 10 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1110 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 11FEBRUARY 2024

CONGRESSIONAL BACKING – SIU Asst. VP Chris Westbrook (right) and
U.S. Rep. Troy Carer (D-Louisiana) discuss maritime issues at a mid-December
gathering in New Orleans.

SOLIDARITY IN DC – SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez (second from left) recently met in the nation’s capital with officials
from the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, including VP Luis Corral, Advocacy Officer Archie Ranin III, National
President Mike Democrito C. Mendoza, and National Exec. VP Gerard R. Sino (all pictured).

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

ABOARD ARC COMMITMENT – Pictured aboard the
TOTE ship in Baltimore are (from left) Paul Hall Center Apprentice
Andrew Tingle and SIU Port Agent John Hoskins.

ABOARD PACIFIC COLLECTOR ‒ Seafarers gather for a Christmas Eve photo that coincides with
a union meeting on the TOTE ship.

WITH G&H BOATMEN – Group photo (above) includes Capt. Mathew McDowell, SIU
Asst. VP Mike Russo, Mate Oscar De La Garza, Wiper Derek Sexton and DDA Cody Klekar on
the Juno, while the photo at left features Safety Director Kevin Sykes (right) and the crew of
the C.R. Haden.

ABOARD NATIONAL GLORY – Chief Cook
Esperanza Crespo is pictured during lunch aboard
the Intrepid ship while the vessel is docked at San
Juan Bay during cargo ops.

ABOARD CAROLINE MCKEE – AB Todd Wilson (left) and
Safety Director Jason Brown are pictured aboard the Port City Marine
Services vessel in Charlevoix, Michigan.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1184087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 11 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1312 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202312 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

INTERNATIONAL GATHERING – SIU VP Gulf Coast
Dean Corgey (right) helps welcome Belgium Prime Minister
Alexader De Croo to Houston. The prime minister traveled
with various government and Port of Antwerp officials for
(in part) meetings about international trade, apprenticeship
training and more.

WELCOME ASHORE IN LONE STAR STATE – QMED Lee Collins (second from left)
picks up his first pension check at the Houston hall. He’s pictured with (from left) Patrolman
J.B. Niday, Asst. VP Mike Russo, Patrolman Kelly Krick and Port Agent Joe Zavala.

WELCOME ASHORE IN SAN JUAN – Holding his first pension
check at the hiring hall is Recertified Bosun Isaac Vega Mercado (right),
who started sailing with the SIU in 1984. During his career, he sailed
to more than 20 different countries. SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo (left)
noted, “As a bosun and as a friend, Isaac is the best. I thank him for
his tireless dedication and effort. The San Juan staff and membership
loves him!”

TAKING THE OATH IN SUNSHINE STATE ‒ Being sworn in at the December membership meeting
in Jacksonville, Florida, are (from left, facing camera) STOS Torence Henry (B book), Chief Cook Jack Gourgue (A
book), AB William Bingham (B book) and STOS Kurran Robinson (B book). SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson is standing
at right.

ENJOYING SOME TIME OFF ‒ After consuming what
was described by a reliable source (Storekeeper Jason Devine,
center) as “a delicious Thanksgiving dinner” aboard the USNS
Pomeroy (Patriot), some of the mariners went scuba diving at Lau
Lau Beach in Saipan. Pictured from left are 1AE Sharon Darby,
Devine and 2AE Jordan Brown.

LOOKING FOR AN AQUARIUM? – Recertified
Bosun James Walker completes a nice haul during
his off-time aboard the Maersk Denver.

FULL BOOKS IN HOUSTON – GUDE Michael Sabio (left in photo above, right, with SIU Patrolman J.B. Niday) and AB Prince Agyapong
(left in remaining photo, with SIU Patrolman Kelly Krick) receive their respective B-books at the hiring hall.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1284087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 12 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1312 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 13 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS • 13FEBRUARY 2024

ABOARD LIBERTY EAGLE – Pictured aboard the Liberty Maritime vessel
in Houston are (from left, standing) Recertified Bosun Albert Konning, Chief Cook
Yohanes Pribadi, GUDE Frederick Dunmore, Paul Hall Center Apprentices Nirel
Escalante and Kenny Galeno (both members of Class 900), Steward/Baker Neyda
Oviedo Bermudez, SA Irving Guerrero, GUDE Fredy Ruiz and ABM Jose Castillo
Lino. SIU Patrolman J.B. Niday is in front.

ABOARD CAPT. DAVID LYON – Pictured from left aboard the Sealift-operated vessel are Steward/Baker
Rommel Reston, SIU Guam Port Agent Victor Sahagon Jr., and Bosun Jonmala Floresca.

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

ABOARD MANULANI – The New Year’s Day menu aboard the Matson ship was
well-received. Pictured are Recertified Steward Fakhruddin Malahi, ACU Abdulwali
Mugalli, Chief Cook Khaled Alasaadi and vessel master Capt. Tim Kalke.

MEMORABLE MOMENT ‒ QEE Todd Lander (left) receives his A-seniority
book. He’s pictured at the Honolulu hall with Administrative Assistant Caitlyn Wharton.

B-BOOKS IN OAKLAND – Chief Cook Andrea President (left in photo above, right, with SIU VP West Coast Nick
Marrone) and GUDE Ruel Decrepito (center in remaining photo, with Marrone, right, and SIU Patrolwoman Kathy
Chester) receive their respective full books at the hiring hall.

FULL BOOKS IN JERSEY – SA Nilza Chavez (left in photo above, left) and Chief Cook Juan A. Vallejo (left in
remaining photo) receive their B-books from SIU Port Agent Ray Henderson. (If Juan’s name seems familiar, it may be
because his father is Recertified Steward Juan J. Vallejo.)

ABOARD MONTFORD POINT – Pictured aboard the Ocean Shipholdings vessel are (from left) Chief Cook Ashley
Hudson, AB Brice Ilao, Bosun Larry Dizon, SIU Norfolk Port Agent Mario Torrey, QMED Tresten Porter, QMED Marquez
Fields, SIU Patrolman Josh Rawls, and ITF Inspector Bobbi Shipley.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1384087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 13 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1514 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1414 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

ABOARD MAERSK OHIO – Pictured from left in the group photo are Dayman Richard Sandiford, Dayman Urgel Peligro, Recertified Bosun
James Joyce and Watchstander Michael Sherman. Chief Cook Atrenique Deamus is in the remaining photo.

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

WITH MEMBERS AT PENN TERMINALS ‒ Pictured at the Crowley facility
in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, are (from left) Seafarers Vernell Cornell, Dave DiCrecchio,
George Vazquez and Chris Wiley, SIU Philadelphia Port Agent Joe Baselice, Seafarer John
Harvey, Safety Director Andre MacCray and Seafarer Scott Musick.

STOPPING BY THE HALL – QMED-
Pumpman Marcelino Santos Bermeo (left)
– a second-generation Seafarer – proudly
points to his machinist class photo, taken
in Piney Point in November. He’s joined at
the San Juan hall by his spouse, Karla.

GIVING BACK IN THE COMMUNITY – The SIU has a long history of brightening the holidays for others, and that tradition was evident late last year in Jersey City (above, right) and Philadelphia (remaining photo),
among other locations. Seafarers in New Jersey donated toys to the Hudson County Central Labor Council – the CLC in turn passed along the gifts to a local Boys & Girls Club. Pictured at the Jersey City hall are (from
left) Danny Fiolek from the CLC, SIU VP Joseph Soresi, CLC President Barry Kushnir, and SIU Port Agent Ray Henderson. In Philly, members teamed up with other trade unionists to benefit residents of Hunts Haven family
housing (in nearby Chester). The latter effort was organized in part by Seafarer Vernell Cornell (fourth from right). Among those also pictured with Cornell are SIU Port Agent Joe Baselice (fourth from left) and Safety
Director Andre MacCray (far right).

ABOARD USNS RED CLOUD ‒ Christmas dinner was a hit aboard the Patriot ship.
Pictured from left are Recertified Steward Dennison Dizon, OS Brandon Manipon and Chief
Cook Julian Abreu.

MILESTONE IN ILLINOIS – AB Rolando
Calimlim receives his A-seniority book at the
hall in Joliet.

WELCOME ASHORE IN PHILLY – Recertified
Bosun Felsher “Tony” Beasley (left) receives his first
pension check at the Philadelphia hall (Port Agent
Joe Baselice is at right). Beasley started sailing with
the SIU in 1979, and one could say he is part of an
SIU family – his father, brother, sons and nephews
all sailed or are currently sailing with the union.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1484087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 14 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1514 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 15FEBRUARY 2024

Deck Department
Algonac 10 4 0 8 4 1 4 17 4 0
Anchorage 2 0 3 3 1 0 4 1 3 3
Baltimore 6 2 0 3 1 0 2 4 2 1
Fort Lauderdale 20 10 2 11 2 3 8 31 21 3
Guam 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 1
Harvey 8 4 1 9 4 1 0 10 5 2
Honolulu 5 4 0 5 3 0 2 12 4 1
Houston 27 15 3 21 12 0 16 47 33 4
Jacksonville 22 24 7 13 23 4 11 48 41 8
Jersey City 11 9 4 10 4 2 8 29 16 6
Joliet 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1
Mobile 7 3 1 7 1 1 1 12 5 1
Norfolk 14 9 4 9 10 3 10 22 15 5
Oakland 7 1 0 4 1 0 2 13 1 0
Philadelphia 1 0 0 4 0 0 2 3 0 0
Piney Point 2 3 0 1 5 0 3 1 0 0
Puerto Rico 7 2 3 5 2 0 3 12 2 4
Tacoma 13 2 1 14 5 3 8 22 6 5
St. Louis 1 1 0 3 1 0 1 0 1 0
Wilmington 22 1 0 14 3 1 7 48 6 3

TOTAL 188 95 31 146 83 20 93 337 166 48

Engine Department
Algonac 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 1
Anchorage 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
Baltimore 5 3 0 3 2 0 2 4 2 0
Fort Lauderdale 7 4 1 3 2 0 1 10 7 2
Guam 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
Harvey 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 0
Honolulu 7 2 2 1 2 0 0 10 4 2
Houston 9 7 2 6 3 1 7 19 15 3
Jacksonville 21 15 3 18 8 0 6 26 20 6
Jersey City 4 2 1 5 5 2 4 13 2 2
Joliet 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 2 2 0
Mobile 4 2 0 1 1 1 0 6 3 2
Norfolk 14 9 8 8 5 5 6 21 11 9
Oakland 2 4 0 1 2 1 3 5 5 2
Philadelphia 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 1 0
Piney Point 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0
Puerto Rico 6 0 0 4 0 0 0 6 2 1
Tacoma 11 9 3 2 3 3 2 17 8 1
St. Louis 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0
Wilmington 6 2 1 5 6 1 6 14 8 5
TOTAL 102 66 23 63 45 17 42 160 94 36

Steward Department
Algonac 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 6 1 0
Anchorage 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
Baltimore 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Fort Lauderdale 6 4 0 4 1 0 1 14 7 3
Guam 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0
Harvey 2 2 0 1 1 0 0 3 1 0
Honolulu 2 3 0 5 0 0 0 8 5 0
Houston 15 6 4 8 4 1 4 31 8 5
Jacksonville 17 13 4 20 11 4 13 42 14 3
Jersey City 6 4 0 4 0 0 0 14 6 1
Joliet 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 1
Mobile 1 5 0 3 1 0 0 2 4 1
Norfolk 13 15 6 10 15 4 10 20 14 4
Oakland 13 5 0 8 3 1 3 14 8 1
Philadelphia 1 0 0 4 0 0 2 2 1 1
Piney Point 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 3 2 1
Puerto Rico 3 6 1 1 6 0 1 8 8 1
Tacoma 4 1 1 3 1 1 1 11 7 0
St. Louis 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0
Wilmington 15 9 1 11 3 1 4 23 9 2
TOTAL 105 76 19 88 51 14 42 204 97 25

Entry Department
Algonac 2 7 9 0 4 3 0 2 14 18
Anchorage 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 4 1
Baltimore 0 1 4 0 1 2 1 0 0 4
Fort Lauderdale 0 4 9 0 2 4 0 1 12 18
Guam 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1
Harvey 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 4
Honolulu 1 4 1 1 1 6 0 1 7 7
Houston 5 15 13 2 8 4 4 5 28 30
Jacksonville 2 37 63 1 13 31 6 2 53 121
Jersey City 2 10 21 0 7 12 2 3 24 28
Joliet 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Mobile 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 2
Norfolk 0 13 23 0 3 14 4 2 19 43
Oakland 0 9 13 0 5 6 2 0 9 16
Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Piney Point 0 6 10 0 2 13 5 0 4 9
Puerto Rico 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 3
Tacoma 1 8 4 1 3 3 2 1 15 11
St. Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wilmington 1 5 11 0 5 5 0 3 13 14

TOTAL 14 124 190 5 57 106 27 23 206 332

GRAND TOTAL 409 361 263 302 236 157 204 724 563 441

“Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from December 15 - January 16, 2024.
“Registered on the Beach” data is as of January 16, 2024.

Date change due to holiday observance.

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

Total Registered
All Groups

A B C

Trip
Reliefs

Total Shipped
All Groups

A B C

Registered on Beach
All Groups

A B CPort

Piney Point Monday: Feb. 5, March 4
Algonac Friday: Feb. 9, March 8
Baltimore Thursday: Feb. 8 , March 7
Guam Thursday: Feb. 22, March 21
Honolulu Friday: Feb. 16, March 15
Houston Monday: Feb. 12 , March 11
Jacksonville Thursday: Feb. 8, March 7
Joliet Thursday: Feb. 15, March 14
Mobile Wednesday: Feb. 14, March 13
New Orleans Tuesday: Feb. 13, March 12
Jersey City Tuesday: Feb. 6, March 5
Norfolk Friday: Feb. 9, March 8
Oakland Thursday: Feb. 15, March 14
Philadelphia Wednesday: Feb. 7, March 6
Port Everglades Thursday: Feb. 15, March 14
San Juan Thursday: Feb. 8, March 7
St. Louis Friday: Feb. 16, March 15
Tacoma Friday: Feb. 23, March 22
Wilmington Tuesday: Feb. 20, Monday: March 18

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea

February & March
Membership Meetings

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1584087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 15 1/26/24 1:08 PM1/26/24 1:08 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1716 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

Pic from the Past

16 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

Pictured aboard the LNG Libra in 1979 are Paul Klippel, Evan Jones, Bob O’Rourke, John Hamot, Howard Webber, W. Murphy, Jeffrey
Thompson and Richard Grant.

Inquiring SeafarerDavid Heindel, President
Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President

Tom Orzechowski, Secretary-Treasurer
George Tricker, Vice President Contracts
Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast
Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast
Nicholas Celona, Vice President Government

Services
Bryan Powell,

Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters

HEADQUARTERS
5201 Capital Gateway Drive

Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675

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

(810) 794-4988

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

(907) 561-4988

BALTIMORE
2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224

(410) 327-4900

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

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

HONOLULU
606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819

(808) 845-5222

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

(713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE
5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 281-2622

JERSEY CITY
104 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306

(201) 434-6000

JOLIET
10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432

(815) 723-8002

MOBILE
1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605

(251) 478-0916

NEW ORLEANS
3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058

(504) 328-7545

NORFOLK
115 Third Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 622-1892

OAKLAND
1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607

(510) 444-2360

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

(215) 336-3818

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

20674
(301) 994-0010

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

(954) 522-7984

SAN JUAN
659 Hill Side St., Summit Hills

San Juan, PR 00920
(787) 721-4033

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

(314) 752-6500

TACOMA
3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409

(253) 272-7774

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

(310) 549-4001/4002

SIU DirectorySIU Directory

This month’s question was answered in late 2023 at the hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia.

Question: What would you like to do/accomplish in 2024?

Arsenio C. Omabao Jr.
AB Maintenance

I want to continue my duties
as a bosun in the SIU.

Carl Royster
Chief Cook

I want to become a steward
– a certified chief steward –
and keep working.

Elias Bonefont
AB

Keep smiling. I want to stay
in a positive environment.

Aaron Moore
Oiler

Most importantly, I want to
get my QMED certification. I
want to keep moving forward.

Pinero Peek
OS

I want to make it up to be-
coming an officer. I want to
climb the ladder.

Keith Small
Steward/Baker

My goal is to become debt-
free. I also want to be better
with my craft.

David King
SA

I want to become a chief
cook and keep sailing.

Juditha Cuarez
SA

I would like to become a chief
cook.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 1684087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 16 1/29/24 3:17 PM1/29/24 3:17 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1716 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 17FEBRUARY 2024

DEEP SEA
FLORITO ALEGADO
Brother Florito Alegado, 65, joined
the union in 2006. He was a deck
department member and first
worked on the Pride of Aloha.
Brother Alegado upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center on multiple occa-
sions. He most recently shipped
on the Horizon Spirit and makes
his home in Long Beach, California.

ANGELITO BASA
Brother Angelito Basa, 69, signed
on with the Seafarers in 2006
when he sailed aboard the North
Star. He upgraded at the union-af-
filiated Piney Point school on
multiple occasions. Brother Basa
shipped in both the deck and
engine departments. He last sailed
on the Yosemite Trader before settling in Auburn,
Washington.

ALFRANCIS BAUZON
Brother Alfrancis Bauzon, 61,
donned the SIU colors in 1993,
initially sailing aboard the Inde-
pendence. Brother Bauzon was a
member of the steward depart-
ment. He upgraded at the Paul
Hall Center on multiple occasions.
Brother Bauzon’s last vessel was
the American Phoenix. He calls Spring, Texas, home.

ERIC BERRY
Brother Eric Berry, 67, joined the
Seafarers International Union in
2001. He first sailed aboard the
Green Point. A deck department
member, Brother Berry upgraded
at the Piney Point school on sev-
eral occasions. He concluded his
career aboard the El Faro in 2009
and resides in Spring Valley, California.

JOHN BIMPONG
Brother John Bimpong, 66,
became an SIU member in 1991.
He worked in the engine depart-
ment and first shipped on the Sea
Fox. Brother Bimpong upgraded at
the Paul Hall Center on numerous
occasions. He last shipped on the
Charleston and lives in Jackson-
ville, Florida.

LEANDER COLLINS
Brother Leander Collins, 66,
started his career with the Seafar-
ers International Union in 2001
and first sailed aboard the St. Louis
Express. He upgraded at the Piney
Point school on numerous occa-
sions. Brother Collins shipped in
the engine department and most
recently worked on the Cape Cortes. He is a Houston
resident.

HARRY DOWLING
Brother Harry Dowling, 66, embarked on his career
with the SIU in 1991, first sailing aboard the Sealift
Indian Ocean. Brother Dowling worked in the deck
department. He last shipped on the Maersk Alaska
and resides in Lilly, Pennsylvania.

DAVID HALIM
Brother David Halim, 65, became a
member of the union in 2002 when
he shipped on the USNS Bellatrix.
He worked in the steward depart-
ment and upgraded at the Paul
Hall Center on several occasions.
Brother Halim’s final vessel was
the Yosemite Trader. He is a Phila-
delphia resident.

BRENT JOHNSON
Brother Brent Johnson, 65, joined
the SIU in 1987. He first shipped on
the USNS Bartlett and sailed in the
engine department. Brother John-
son upgraded on several occasions
at the Piney Point school. He last
sailed on the Horizon Crusader
and makes his home in Vidalia,
Georgia.

DANIEL JOHNSON
Brother Daniel Johnson, 65, began
sailing with the union in 1976, ini-
tially working aboard the Ponce.
An engine department member,
he upgraded often at the Paul Hall
Center. Brother Johnson’s final ves-
sel was the Performance. He lives
in Lake City, Florida.

KEVIN KELLUM
Brother Kevin Kellum, 56, signed
on with the union in 1991 when he
shipped on the USNS Capella. He
worked in the deck department
and upgraded at the Piney Point
school on numerous occasions.
Brother Kellum most recently
sailed on the Pacific Tracker and
makes his home in Vancouver, Washington.

SI-XIN LING
Brother Si-Xin Ling, 66, joined
the Seafarers in 2006, initially
sailing on the Green Cove. Brother
Ling was a member of the engine
department. He last shipped on the
Cape Kennedy and lives in Gretna,
Louisiana.

SPENCER LYLE
Brother Spencer Lyle, 65, became
a member of the union in 1976. He
shipped in the deck department
and first sailed with National
Marine Service. Brother Lyle
concluded his career on the Com-
mitment and settled in Livingston,
Texas.

JOHN MCBENTUM
Brother John McBentum, 68,
began his career with the Seafar-
ers in 2010 when he sailed aboard
the R.J. Pfeiffer. Primarily an
engine department member, he
upgraded at the Paul Hall Center
on multiple occasions. Brother
McBentum most recently sailed
aboard the Ocean Jazz. He calls Lake Elsinore, Cali-
fornia, home.

ABUDULL RAHIEM
Brother Abudull Rahiem, 65, signed on with the SIU
in 1980, initially sailing aboard the Sea-Land Trader.
Brother Rahiem upgraded at the Piney Point school
on multiple occasions. A steward department mem-
ber, he last sailed on the Nedlloyd Holland. Brother
Rahiem lives in Philadelphia.

LEA RAMOS MEJIA
Sister Lea Ramos Mejia, 65,
donned the SIU colors in 2001. A
steward department member, she
initially shipped on the Chelsea.
Sister Ramos Mejia upgraded at
the Piney Point school on multi-
ple occasions. She concluded her
career aboard the Pelican State and
resides in Houston.

MELVIN SMALLS
Brother Melvin Smalls, 67, joined
the Seafarers in 2001 and first
sailed aboard the Seabulk Trader.
He upgraded at the Paul Hall
Center on multiple occasions and
sailed in the deck department.
Brother Smalls most recently
shipped on the Hudson Express. He
makes his home in Ludowici, Georgia.

STEVEN SUESS
Brother Steven Suess, 65, started
sailing with the union in 1991,
initially working with Sea-Land.
Brother Suess upgraded his skills
at the Piney Point school in 1995.
He sailed in the deck department
and also worked on shore gangs.
Brother Suess was last employed
with Cargotec Services. He lives in Virginia Beach,
Virginia.

NMU
JAMES CARSON
Brother James Carson, 66, joined the Seafarers Inter-
national Union during the 2001 NMU/SIU merger. He
shipped in the deck department and concluded his
career with Boston Fuel Company. Brother Carson
calls Portsmouth, Rhode Island, home.

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

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1784087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 17 1/26/24 1:09 PM1/26/24 1:09 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1918 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

DEEP SEA
ELRICK ARCHER
Brother Elrick Archer, 63, passed
away July 1. He became a member
of the SIU in 2003 when he sailed
aboard the Benno C. Schmidt.
Brother Archer was a steward
department member. He last
shipped on the Rio Grande Express
in 2020 and made his home in
Miami.

DONALD BARNEY
Pensioner Donald Barney, 75, died November 3. He
joined the union in 1979 and initially sailed aboard
the Lewis G. Harriman. Brother Barney sailed in the
deck department and concluded his career aboard
the Sam Houston. He started collecting his pension in
2013 and was a resident of Chesapeake, Virginia.

NELSON DORADO
Pensioner Nelson Dorado, 94,
passed away November 22. He
began his career with the Seafarers
in 1964. A deck department mem-
ber, Brother Dorado first sailed
aboard the Duval. He last sailed on
the Stonewall Jackson before going
on pension in 1995. Brother Dorado
lived in Metairie, Louisiana.

GERALD FREEMAN
Brother Gerald Freeman, 65, died
October 2. He signed on with the
Seafarers International Union in
1987 when he sailed aboard the
USNS Chauvenet. Brother Freeman
worked in the deck department,
most recently aboard the Ocean
Freedom. He resided in Las Vegas.

YEN HUEY
Brother Yen Huey, 87, has passed away. He joined
the SIU in 1979 and first shipped on the Maunawili.
Brother Huey sailed in the steward department. He
last shipped on the President Truman and made his
home in San Francisco.

JACK JOHNSON
Pensioner Jack Johnson, 84, died
November 9. He began his career
with the Seafarers in 1967 when
he sailed on a Seatrain Lines ves-
sel. Brother Johnson sailed in the
engine department member and
also worked on shore gangs. He
began collecting his pension in 1992
and resided in Golden Valley, Arizona.

HOWARD KNOX
Pensioner Howard Knox, 88, passed away Novem-
ber 27. He donned the SIU colors in 1964. A deck
department member, Brother Knox first shipped on
a Victory Carriers vessel. He concluded his career
aboard the Cape Lobos and became a pensioner in
1998. Brother Knox lived in Corona, New York.

JOE MARTIN
Pensioner Joe Martin, 78, died
November 9. He became a member
of the SIU in 1965. Brother Martin’s
first ship was the Erna Elizabeth.
He worked in the engine depart-
ment and retired in 2010 after
concluding his career aboard his
final vessel, the Benavidez. Brother
Martin resided in Mobile, Alabama.

MICHAEL MOORE
Brother Michael Moore, 65, passed
away October 19. He signed on
with the Seafarers International
Union in 2001 and first sailed
aboard the Prince William Sound.
Brother Moore sailed in the deck
department. He last shipped on the
Alaskan Explorer and lived in Eliza-
beth City, North Carolina.

CARL TEBELL
Pensioner Carl Tebell, 90, passed away November 26.
He joined the union in 1979, initially sailing aboard
the President Taft. Brother Tebell sailed in the stew-
ard department and concluded his career aboard the
Columbia. He started collecting his pension in 1987
and was a San Francisco resident.

JEFFREY WISE
Brother Jeffrey Wise, 63, died
August 7. He became a member
of the SIU in 2000 and first sailed
aboard the USNS Invincible. Brother
Wise worked in the engine depart-
ment and last sailed aboard the
USNS Able. He resided in Virginia
Beach, Virginia.

GREAT LAKES
KENNETH DYKSTRA
Pensioner Kenneth Dykstra,
93, passed away October 15. He
signed on with the Seafarers in
1968. Brother Dykstra was a deck
department member, and started
and ended his career with Arnold
Transit Company. He went on pen-
sion in 1995 and made his home in
Boyne City, Michigan.

INLAND
ANTONIO COLON
Pensioner Antonio Colon, 79, died
November 17. He started sailing
with the SIU in 1976. Brother Colon
worked in the deck department and
shipped with Crowley Puerto Rico
Services for most of his career. He
retired in 2001 and lived in Santa
Isabel, Puerto Rico.

WILLIAM DUNNEY
Brother William Dunney, 69,
passed away July 11. He joined the
SIU in 1997 when he worked with
OSG Ship Management. Brother
Dunney sailed in the deck depart-
ment. He last shipped on the
Commitment and made his home
in Murrieta, California.

JESSE GARDNER
Pensioner Jesse Gardner, 92, died
November 14. A deck department
member, he signed on with the
union in 1978. Brother Gardner
sailed with Express Marine for the
duration of his career. He became a
pensioner in 2002 and lived in New
Bern, North Carolina.

PAUL MUTTA
Brother Paul Mutta, 57, has passed
away. He began sailing with the
Seafarers in 2007 and worked in the
engine department. Brother Mutta
was employed with Allied Trans-
portation for his entire career. He
called Camden, North Carolina,
home.

SIDNEY POIRRIER
Pensioner Sidney Poirrier, 67, died November 16. He
joined the union in 1976 when he worked with Cres-
cent Towing and Salvage. Brother Poirrier was a deck
department member and remained with the same
company until his retirement in 2011. Brother Poir-
rier resided in Covington, Louisiana.

JOHN REBER
Pensioner John Reber, 81, passed
away November 11. He began
sailing with the Seafarers in
1992. Brother Reber worked in
the engine department. He was
employed with Allied Transporta-
tion for the duration of his career.
Brother Reber became a pensioner
in 2011 and called Wanchese, North Carolina, home.

NMU
CHEW WAH
Pensioner Chew Wah, 102, passed
away November 14. He began sail-
ing in the early 1940s. An engine
department member, Brother Wah
worked with Moore-McCormick
Lines for most of his career. He
retired in 1986 and made his home
in Brooklyn, New York.

HERSCHEL WILLIAMS
Pensioner Herschel Williams, 90, passed away Sep-
tember 19. Brother Williams sailed in the steward
department. He last shipped aboard the Baltimore
Trader before becoming a pensioner in 1996. Brother
Williams resided in Jacksonville, Florida.

18 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

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

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1884087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 18 1/26/24 1:09 PM1/26/24 1:09 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1918 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

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

MAERSK HARTFORD (Maersk Line,
Limited) October 1 – Chairman Ar-
senio Obenza, Educational Director
Cirico Geonanga, Engine Delegate
Joshua Glancy, Steward Delegate
Christopher Coston . Chairman
thanked everyone for a safe trip. He
reminded members to leave clean
rooms for onboarding crew. Chair-
man suggested updating credentials
six months in advance and to have
all paperwork ready upon arrival at
the hall. Educational director en-
couraged members to upgrade their
skills at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall
Center for Maritime Training and
Education, located in Piney Point,
Maryland. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Ship in need of new
washing machine and dryer. Crew
remained alert and accountable
during trip.

LIBERTY PROMISE (Liberty Mari-
time Corp.), October 11 – Chairman
William Barrett. Educational di-
rector recommended members up-
grade at the union-affiliated Piney
Point school. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Members requested
new mattresses, TVs and DVD play-
ers in all rooms as well as a new
refrigerator. Crew motioned to in-
crease vacation to 30 for 30 for all
A-books and asked for 100% dental
coverage for members and their de-
pendents. Next port: Port Hueneme,
California.

MAERSK KINLOSS (Maersk Line,
Limited), October 27 – Chairman
Rufino Giray, Secretary Kenneth
Hagan , Deck Delegate Edgardo
Martinez-Espada, Engine Delegate
Anatoli Vetsinov, Steward Dele-

gate William Fortner. Payoff at sea
scheduled for October 31. Chairman
advised members to update union
dues with patrolman to avoid fall-
ing behind and not qualifying for
full benefits. He suggested obtain-
ing updated forms for shipping and
benefits. Educational director urged
crew to upgrade at the Paull Hall
Center for Maritime Training and
Education, located in Piney Point,
Maryland. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Members discussed var-
ious ideas pertaining to benefits.
Crew would like eligibility require-
ment for medical benefits to return
to 125 per year and one day in last
6 months. Members asked for raises
to all pensions, 20 for 30 vacation
and increases in steward depart-
ment pay. Next port: Newark, New
Jersey.

AMERICAN PHOENIX (Phoenix
Crew Management), November 5
– Chairman Charles Hill, Educa-
tional Director Michael Blue. Crew
voiced concerns with ship captain
and his comments on their work
performance. Members noted lack
of compensation for overtime
worked beyond four hours, per deck
delegate. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Crew would like refrigera-
tors in their rooms. Members asked
for 15 for 30 vacation and an up-
dated contract with Phoenix Crew
Management.

MAERSK SENTOSA (Maersk Line,
Limited), November 12 – Chairman
Rolando Guity, Secretary Charles
B ro o k s , E du ca t i o n a l D i re c to r
Wordell Prescott. Educational di-
rector reminded members to up-

grade at the Piney Point school.
No beefs or disputed OT reported.
Members requested 30 for 30 vaca-
tion.

GOODWILL (Chesapeake Crew-
ing, LLC), December 10 – Chairman
Ronnie Rodriguez, Educational Di-
rector Christopher Edwards. Mem-
bers would like contracts to include
penalty pay for various tasks. Crew
requested refrigerators and TVs for
all unlicensed living quarters, as
well as additional entertainment
resources. Members asked to be
compensated for sailing four days
without accessible hot water due to
pipe leak on B-deck. Working TV has
been acquired in crew lounge and a
new washer for B-deck crew is to be
installed.

ANCHORAGE (Horizon Lines, LLC),
December 17 – Chairman Shawn
Strand, Secretary Amanda Suncin,
Educational Director Mark Camp-
bell. Chairman encouraged mem-
bers to continue working safely.
Secretary advised crew to keep up
to date on documents. Educational
director reminded members to keep
upgrading at the SIU-affiliated Paul
Hall Center in Maryland. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Crew re-
quested microwaves in rooms.
Members asked for raises in safety
shoe allowances and a raise in vaca-
tion days. Next port: Tacoma, Wash-
ington.

NATIONAL GLORY (Intrepid Per-
sonnel & Provisioning), Decem-
ber 10 – Chairman Joseph White,
Secretary Lionel Packnett, Edu-

cational Director Linarys Castillo
Ortiz, Deck Delegate Roger Utter,
Steward Delegate Esperanza Cres-
po-Guillen. Members were pleased
to have Starlink internet service
and highly recommended it for all
ships. Chairman praised entire crew
for working well with one another
and keeping common areas clean. A
vote of thanks was given to steward
department for a job well done. Sec-
retary gave special thanks to deck
department for handling sanitary
work. Educational director advised
crew to upgrade at the Piney Point
school to secure better pay. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Members
asked for clarification on safety
shoe reimbursement and tour ro-
tation for B-books. Crew thanked
electrician for keeping washers and
dryers working. Next port: Houston.

HORIZON SPIRIT (Sunrise Oper-
ations), December 24 – Chairman
Jovan Williams, Secretary Marcelo
Param, Educational Director David
Watkins, Deck Delegate Emmanuel
Buyser. Ship still without internet
or cable service. Chairman encour-
aged members to recruit family
and friends to become Seafarers.
He asked for their continued pa-
tience when waiting for reliefs and
to make sure rooms are clean upon
departure. Chairman commended
steward department for their hard
work making sure members eat well
every day. Secretary thanked crew
for good housekeeping. OT was cut
in the deck department, while other
departments remain eligible. Mem-
bers requested new furniture and
chairs in crew mess.

SEAFARERS LOG • 19FEBRUARY 2024

Know Your Rights

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

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

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the
SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Wa-
ters District are administered in accor-
dance with the provisions of various trust
fund agreements. All these agreements
specify that the trustees in charge of these
funds shall equally consist of union and
management representatives and their
alternates. All expenditures and disburse-
ments of trust funds are made only upon
approval by a majority of the trustees. All
trust fund financial records are available
at the headquarters of the various trust
funds.

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

receipt requested. The proper address for
this is:

George Tricker, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20746

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

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

EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFAR-
ERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally
has refrained from publishing any article
serving the political purposes of any indi-
vidual in the union, officer or member. It
also has refrained from publishing articles
deemed harmful to the union or its collec-
tive membership. This established policy
has been reaffirmed by membership ac-
tion at the September 1960 meetings in all
constitutional ports. The responsibility for
Sea farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial
board which consists of the executive board
of the union. The executive board may del-
egate, from among its ranks, one individual
to carry out this responsibility.

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

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Con-
stitution are available in all union
halls. All members should obtain cop-
ies of this constitution so as to famil-
iarize themselves with its contents.
Any time a member feels any other
member or officer is attempting to de-
prive him or her of any constitutional
right or obligation by any methods,
such as dealing with charges, trials,
etc., as well as all other details, the
member so affected should immedi-
ately notify headquarters.

EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are
guaranteed equal rights in employment
and as members of the SIU. These rights
are clearly set forth in the SIU Constitu-
tion and in the contracts which the union
has negotiated with the employers. Conse-
quently, no member may be discriminated
against because of race, creed, color, sex,
national or geographic origin.

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

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

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

David Heindel, President
Seafarers International Union

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20746

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 1984087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 19 1/26/24 1:09 PM1/26/24 1:09 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 2120 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202320 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

2024 Tax Tips for Seafarers
Following are some of the changes that took effect

in 2023, along with provisions that remain in effect
from prior years. For a more complete look at what's
changed in 2023, please visit www.irs.gov before filing
your return.

Tax Legislation Updates & Considerations

The following is a list of tax legislation and consid-
erations affecting the current and future tax years as
noted.

- The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA): The Tax Cuts
and Job Act (TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017.
Described as the largest major tax reform in over three
decades, the TCJA contains a host of tax provisions
that impact individuals and businesses.

- The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief
Act (Tax Extenders Act): The Relief Act, as part of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed by
then President Trump on December 27, 2020, extend-
ing several tax provisions that were set to expire.

- The Setting Every Community Up for Retire-
ment Enhancement Act (SECURE Act): The SECURE
Act was signed into law by then President Trump
on December 20, 2019 significantly modifying many
requirements for employer-provided retirement
plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and
other tax-favored savings accounts. While some of the
modifications went into effect retroactively or upon
enactment (December 20, 2019), many of them carry
future effective dates.

- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu-
rity Act (CARES Act): The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion
economic stimulus bill that was signed into law by
then President Trump on March 27, 2020 in response
to economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Provi-
sions in the Act were enhanced and expanded by the
recent signing of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2021.

- American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: In response to
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ARPA was signed
by President Biden on March 11, 2021 to deliver taxpay-
ers immediate and direct relief from related hardship.
The ARPA provided for additional Economic Impact
Payments (stimulus checks), advanced payments of
the Child Tax Credit, housing assistance, and other
employment-related relief.

- Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: The Biden
administration’s Inflation Reduction Act was signed
into law in August 2022, providing numerous tax cred-
its related to green energy.

- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA):
This act was signed into law December 29, 2022. The
act expanded existing automatic enrollment pro-
grams, enhanced various retirement saving credits,
modified RMD (required minimal distribution) that
will help retirees with plan selection and decision
making.

Due Date of Returns

File a 2023 Form 1040 and pay any tax due by April
15, 2024. An automatic 6-month extension of time to
file the return can be made by filing Form 4868 and
paying an estimate of tax owed to avoid penalties and
interest. Then, file Form 1040 by October 15, 2024.

Where to Get IRS Information

General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called
for general information between 7am-7pm your local
time.

Online: Access the IRS website at www.irs.gov to
download forms, instructions and publications; see
answers to frequently asked tax questions; search
publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure
your withholding allowances using their W-4 calcu-
lator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS

comments or requests for help via email; and sign up
to receive local and national tax news by email.

Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer
questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer
information service, publications covering all aspects
of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax sys-
tem has recorded tax information covering about 150
topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax
system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the
number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2”
will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of top-
ics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123.
You can also check the status of your refund. This
telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.

Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available
in many IRS offices around the country to help with
tax questions that cannot be answered easily by
telephone.

Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions
regarding tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS
District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a
Social Security number with the letter.

Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current
and prior year forms, instructions and publications.

For more information, or to file online,
scan this code

2

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 2084087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 20 1/26/24 1:09 PM1/26/24 1:09 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 21

Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Dates

UPGRADING APPLICATION
Name _________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________________
Telephone (Home)______________________________ (Cell) ___________________________
Date of Birth ___________________________________________________________________
 Deep Sea Member   Lakes Member   Inland Waters Member 

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

Social Security #_________________________________ Book # ________________________
Seniority_______________________________________ Department ___________________
Home Port _____________________________________________________________________
E-mail ________________________________________________________________________
Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held ____________________________________________
Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program?  Yes   No 
If yes, class # and dates attended __________________________________________________
Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses?  Yes   No 
_______________________________________________________________________________

With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime
for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qual-
ifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date.

I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this application, or any of the
supporting documentation that I have or will submit with this application to related organizations, for the
purpose of better servicing my needs and helping me to apply for any benefits which might become due to me.

COURSE START DATE OF
DATE COMPLETION
____________________________ __________________ ___________________________

____________________________ __________________ ___________________________

____________________________ __________________ ___________________________

____________________________ __________________ ___________________________

____________________________ __________________ ___________________________

____________________________ __________________ ___________________________

LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: _______________________

Date On: _______________________________________ Date Off: _______________________

Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: __________________


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

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

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

DECK DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Lifeboatman/Water Survival March 18 March 29

Able Seafarer - Deck March 11 March 29
May 6 May 24
July 8 July 26

Fast Rescue Boat August 19 August 23

Adv. Shiphandling August 26 September 6

Adv. Meteorology September 16 September 20

Search and Rescue Mgmt Level September 23 September 25

ENGINE DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES


FOWT March 11 March 29

Marine Electrician April 22 May 24


Marine Refer Tech March 11 April 19


Adv. Refer Containers May 6 May 17
August 26 September 6

Machinist April 29 May 10


Pumpman April 22 April 26


Welding March 4 March 22
April 8 April 26
June 3 June 21

STEWARD DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Certified Chief Cook March 18 April 19
April 29 May 31
June 10 July 12

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

STEWARD DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES


ServSafe Management March 11 March 15
April 22 April 26
June 3 June 7

Advanced Galley Ops March 18 April 12
June 3 June 28

Chief Steward April 22 May 17
July 15 August 8

SAFETY/OPEN UPGRADING COURSES


Basic Training Revalidation March 4 March 4
March 8 March 8
March 18 March 18
March 22 March 22
April 5 April 5
April 22 April 22
April 26 April 26


Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation June 3 June 7


Government Vessels March 4 March 8
March 25 March 29
April 22 April 26
May 13 May 17
June 10 June 14
June 24 June 28


Tank Ship Familiarization - DL (PIC) April 15 April 19


Tank Ship Familiarization - DL April 22 April 26


Tank Ship Familiarization - LG April 29 May 3


MSC Storekeeper Basic August 12 August 30


MSC Supply Configuration Mgmt September 2 September 13


MSC Ship Clip September 16 September 27

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

Latest Course Dates

SEAFARERS LOG • 21FEBRUARY 202420 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 2184087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2.indd 21 1/26/24 1:09 PM1/26/24 1:09 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 2322 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202322 • SEAFARERS LOG FEBRUARY 2024

Paul Hall Center Class Photos

APPRENTICE WATER SURVIVAL CLASS #902 – Graduated December 1 (above, in alphabetical order): Bryden Beadle, Erika Bond, Esteban Geronimo Cisneros-Trevino, Tomas Clarkson, Jahari Amir Collier Watts,
Wahid Dickey, Elliot Dietrich, Austin Driggers, Diamond Jackson, Suneih Land, Kenyatta Mabine, Marlon Pamplona, Denise Parker, Chelan Peterson, Malik Rainey, Maurice Roberts Jr., Gary Rushing Jr., Lashawn Scott, Syncere
Swinson, Nature Torrey, Benjamin Wilkinson and Zamariya Wilson. Instructor Charles Noell III is at far right.

CERTIFIED CHIEF COOK (MODULE #4) – Graduated December 29 (both photos directly above, in alphabetical order): Garry Bourgeois Jr., Zion Bradford, Bernardo Mozo Celi, Nikia Cooper, Gregory Davis,
Clare Kaleleiki, Joshua Moore, Thaisha Morris, Arthur Sison and Khaled Mohamed Yahia.

CHIEF STEWARD – Graduated December 8 (above, in alphabetical order): Dylan Faile, Todd Gallagher, Shadonna Jones, Nicoll Quinones-Rodriguez and Ricky Enriquez Sencida. (Note: Not all are pictured)

902

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 2284087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 22 1/29/24 3:17 PM1/29/24 3:17 PM



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 2322 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 23FEBRUARY 2024

JUNIOR ENGINEER – Graduated December 15 (above, in alphabetical order): Kyree Carter, Akim Davis-Griffin, Lesther Jesus Gonzalez, Cody Higgs, Quinton Sashington, Randy Slue, Daniel Ursitti, Joel Williams and Sean
Wilson. Instructor Christopher Morgan is at left.

TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION LG – Graduated December 15 (above, in alphabetical order): Miguel Angel Abad, Donald Appu, Etrenda Badger, Billy Joel Burgos-Burgos, Reynoldo Bush, Guy Butler Jr., Glenn
Christianson, Anthony Creer, Vannessa Curd, George Fababier, Tracey Manuel, Brian Marcus, Pedro Sadrac Maysonet Gonzalez, Esstonia Moore, Tonesha Odoms, Adrian Schubert, Oscar Vencer III, Thomas Williams and
Derek Willis.

RFPNW – Graduated December 5: Jon Erichsen.

Paul Hall Center Class Photos

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 2384087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 23 1/29/24 3:17 PM1/29/24 3:17 PM



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

SEAFARERS LOG
FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 86, NO. 2

Editor’s note: Longtime readers may recall that
the LOG publishes annual coverage of the union’s
participation in Santa’s Castle, a philanthropic project
based in the Pacific Northwest. We’re taking a slightly
different approach this time, in the form of a first-
person account from SIU Assistant Vice President
Joe Vincenzo, who spearheaded the union’s outreach
from the start. During the most recent endeavor, the
SIU generated nearly $8,000 worth of gifts for military
families.

Early in 2007, I sat down with then-Administrative
Assistant Brenda Flesner, Patrolman Ryan Palmer
and our man of many hats Jim Ott, God rest his soul.
As the new port agent, I asked what we were going
to do both to provide an opportunity for Tacoma
members to shine in the community and to make
genuine connections with local organizations and
residents.

The two ideas that pulled on our heartstrings the
most were Toys For Tots, and Paint Tacoma Pierce
Beautiful. (Paint Tacoma is a story for another
edition.) We partnered with Toys For Tots for three
years before reaching out to Santa’s Castle, with
whom we have worked now for some 14 years and
going strong, with a running total donation well
north of $100,000. Toys For Tots is a worthy program
that serves the general public. Santa’s Castle serves
exclusively our war fighters and peace keepers,
which dovetails with the SIU’s mission as the Fourth
Arm of Defense. It was with this in mind that we
shifted to Santa’s Castle.

With the blessing of the SIU Executive Board and
their charitable giving, Seafarers have never come up
short in their generosity. (I remember one year when
the union hall was burgled and toys were stolen.
SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez and then-
Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel both pitched in to
make up the difference.) Santa’s Castle has proven to
be “all hands” each and every year, including retired
Seafarers. Year after year, the likes of Seafarers Dana
Cella, Shawn Fujiwara, Terry White, Tommy Belvin
and others continue to bring in toys, attend the
annual holiday luncheon in connection with the toy
drive and even help set up and man the serving line.

At the start of it all, I got some of the best advice
that a green port agent could have received. SIU Vice
President West Coast Nick Marrone told me at the
outset to show them who you are. He said that you
cannot tell them; but rather, you must show them. I
think of the motto, “Acta Non-Verba,” an appropriate
mantra for this lot of Seafarers who would come
together as a family from all walks of life, ethnicities
and religious affiliations, especially at this time of
year. Next year will be Santa Castle’s thirtieth year
serving the men and women in uniform at Joint
Base Lewis-McChord and beyond, and it will mark
the SIU’s fifteenth year as their partners. As always, I
know we will rise to the occasion.

Guests at the Tacoma hall enjoy the holiday buffet that coincides with
the most recent Santa’s Castle outreach.

‘Making Genuine Connections’

SA Orlando Makiling (left) and Chief Cook Raul Ventanilla
volunteer for the project.

SIU-contracted companies regularly team up with the union for Santa’s Castle,
and that was the case again late last year. Pictured at the Tacoma hall are
Crowley Marine Personnel Director John Woodcock (left) and SIU Port Agent
Warren Asp.

This year’s SIU donations had a dollar value of nearly $8,000. Rounding up some of the goodies are (from left) SIU Asst. VP Joe Vincenzo, QMED
Dennison Forsman, SIU Port Agent Warren Asp, Oiler Zachary Parker, and Santa’s Castle President Donna Handoe.

Supporting the mission are (from left) Recertified Bosuns
Modesto Rabena and LBJ Tanoa.

Oiler Zachary Parker (left) and SA Thomas Curley help load some of the
donations for delivery to Santa’s Castle.

84087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 2484087_Seafarers_February 2024 LOG V2_X.indd 24 1/29/24 3:17 PM1/29/24 3:17 PM